Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1846-12-10

me lands WiIII1 t0cL uIi41, ~ WHICH, y ti4S ueel
Adopted They have been demonstrated also by
|shs Unile1 States acting Is The trsstee of The
ICh;ckafaw tribe Of Indians in the sale 81 their
lands Iy;ne within he States Of Mississippi and
Aiahana.f The Chicllds3w lands which would
nol command in the market the minimum price
established by The laws 81 the Unilcd States Tor
Ire Gales Of their lands, were il patsnance Of ,ha
treatv of 1874 win thai tribe subsequently aere
br ssle a graduated and reduces rates for limited
periods. The result was. that large quantities Of
lhcse lands were purchased, which would other
wise have remained unsold. The lands were dis
rosed of At their real valne. and many Fersonsot
limited means were eaahlcd TO purchase small
txacts. upon which they have settled with their
families. That similar resalts would Be prndGc-
~ Nv the adoption Of the graduation policy by
the United States, in al The States n whirh they
afc the owners or the large bodies II Sti4s which
have been long in the market, cannot bc donbted,
II cai,s.bt be 4 sound policy 10 withhold large
Quantities Of the public lands from the use and
occhpatsen 81 bus citizens, by kxing. upon them
prices which experience has showh they viii nit
cSssmahd On the contrary. il is wise policy
td sfford facilities to our citi&ens 70 become tile
owners, at low aid ssbderste rates. Of fteeholas
al their own, Instead Of being the tenants and
dependents Of others. II il be apprehended that
tese lands, IL reduced in price, would be secured
l1fHG Ny iSpCCututotS ~ (ApteAltStr,
the sales may be restricted in limited quantities.
tohstHtf settlers Or Fetsons purchasing Tor purpo
ses Of cultivation
in my last annual rtiesssge submitted for the
consideration Of Corigsess the present system Of
managing the mineral iaiids II the United States,
anil fecohimended that they should be brought in
10 tibrket and sold. upon such terms and under
such restrictions ~ Csngsess might prsseribe.-'
By tie act Of the nth oil July last, aihe reserved
lead mines and contiguous lands in the States Of
Illineis and Arkansas, and Territories Of Wiscon-
sin and Iowa." were authorized to be sold. The
act il confined, in its operation, to .lead mines
and contiguous lands.
AIlarge portion Of the public lands containing
csnpeF. and other ores Is represented to be very
valaable and recommend that provision be made
authorizing the sale Of these lands. upon such
terms and conditions as their supposed value may,
in the judgment OF Congress, be deemed advisable,
having due regard to the interests oil such Of our
citizens as NAV be located upon them, F
twill be important, during your present session,
to establish territorial government, and totex-
tend the Jurisdiction and laws Of the United States
over the territory Of Oregon. Our laws regula-
ting trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes,
east Of the Rocky mountains, should be extended
to Tie Pacific ocean; and for the purpose Of exc
CITING them and preserving friendly relations with
The Indian tribes within our limits, an additional
number of Indian agencies will be required, and
should be authorized by law. The establishment
of custous houses, and Of posi- Offices and post
roads, and provision for the. transportation Of Che
mail on such routes 10 thespubic convenience will
suggest, require Legislative authority. It will be
proper. also, to establish surveyor generals of.
fee ID that Territory, and to make the Necessary
provision for surveying the public lands, and
bringing them into market. As our citizens who
now beside in that distant region, have been SUBJ
sctea to many hardships privations and sacrificed
in ti,fir emigration, and by their improvements
haveenhanced the value Of the public lands in the
neghborhood of their settlements, it is recon-
mended that liberal grants be made TO them Of
suchEportions of these lands Us they may occupy,
and that similar grants OF rights Of presumption
be made to all who may emigrate thither within 4
limited period, to Be prescribed BY law.
The report Of the Secretary Of War contains de-
tailed information relative to the several branches
Of the public service connected with that depart
ment. The operations Of the army have been Of
a satisfactory and highly gratifying character.
recommend to your early and favorable con-
sideralion the measures proposed BY the Secretary
of War for speedily filling up the rank and file Of
the regular army, for its greater efficiency l the
field. and for raising an additional force 70 servo
EmthhA- war with Mexico .
employed in the several States and Territories % pay e
revolutionary and other pensioners the amounts allowed
them hy Law. Your attention Is invited tothe RECON-
mendations ofthe Secretary Of War on this subject
These agents incur heavy responsibilities and perform
porant duties and no reason exists why they should not
BE plaeed on the e footing. to COMPENSATION, with
Ourreasions with the vario Indian tribes sontine %
\ be Of I paciic character The unhappy disseHssons
which have existed among the Cheokees ior many years
he been healed Since ay lass ~ message
.bes ~ ,sh;th live ndis. te 70 large tracts of valua
Bic land within the i6 Of te Sftes and Territories
~. 49, and arrangements r1ae for reov-
IN y, H. e,. ~ Sany est Of the Mississippi Be-
- M =. four thousand, of different tribes m se
een % the country provided for theHr BY treaty
and arrangements have been made for othes
. Intercourse viii the seversl tribes. particular
fento has been given 70 the important subject Of edu
cation The number Of schools established among them
has been Increased, spd additional means provided no,
only for echilg them the rimens of education but Of
instrucung them in agriculture and the mechanic arts
refer 10 the report of the Secretary of The Navy
ior satisfactory view Of the operaops Of the department
under hscharge during the past year II Is gratifying
TO perceive, that while the with Mexico has render.
ed 70 employ an unusual number Of arm
ed vesselson her coasts the protection due 10 or com.
merce in other quarters Of the vrd has ut prove in
sucientN No means will spared give efficiency 10
the feryice IN the prosecution Of the war and am
to devote themselves to the service ofer country in any
enterprise however difficult Of execution. IA
reecnnncpd 70 your favorable consideration the pro-
position To add to each Of foreign sqnadrons an Ell
eient sea steamer, ard as especially Demanding atte
ton the establishment at Pensacola u the necessary
means Of repairing and reing the vessels Of the navy
employed 10 the Gulf Of Mexico. tsE
There are other suggestions in the report which de-
serve and doubt not will receive your consideration
The progress and condition Of the mail service for the
past year are fully presented in the report Of the Posimas
Ter General The revenue for the year ending on the
thirtieh Of June Inst, amounted 10 three millions four
hundred and eighy-seyen thousand one hundred and
ninety-hnA dollars which is eight hundred and two thou
sand six hundred and fory-two dollars and yye cents
hess than that Of the preceding year. The payments for
that department dining the same trae amounted 10 four
millions eishy-fout thousand hundred and ninety
seven dollas and twenfy-two cents OF this sum FIVE
hundred and ninety thousand nineyseye dollars
and eighty cents have been drawn from the treasury
The disbursements for the year were two hundred and
thirty eix thesand four handrcd thirty fur dollars
and cents less than those Of the preceding
year.
While the disbursements have thus been diminished
the mail facilities have been enlarged by mail routes
Of five thousand seven hundred and thirty mine miles; an
increase Of transportation one million seven hundred and
sixtyfour Thousand hundred and lorlyve miles, and
The establishment of four hundred and eighteen post
Offices Contractors. postmasiers and others engaged in
This branch Of the service have performed their duties
with epsfgy and fsiihfuness deserving COMMUNICATION
For many Interesting details connected with the opera
lions Of this establishment you are referred to the report
Df the Postmaster General; and his suggestions for i'm
proving ireyeuues are recommended % your favorable
cOnsidersf0rs kss
repeat the opinion expressed in my last anrhaI mes