Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-12-22


adopted. They have been demonstrated also by
the United States acting the trustee OF the
Chickasaw tribe of Indians IN the sale OF their
lands lying within the States OF Misses ppi ana
Alabama. I ne thickas1w lands which would NOT
command in the market tha minimum prize cstab-
l,Shed by the laws of the United States for the sale
othcir lands werc in pursuance ofthc treaty ~
with that tribe subsequently offered for sale nj
graduated and reduced rates for limited periods.
The result that large quantities OF these lands
were purchased. which would otherwise have re-
manned unsold.
The lands were disposed Of at taair real value.
and many persons Of limited means were enabled
10 purctas. small tracts. upon which they h1'e
settled With their families. Tina; similar results
would be Produced by the adoption o. the @radua-
ton policy OF tho United States. in all the States IN
which thcv are the OF large bodIcs q. IandS
which have been long n the market cannot he
doubted. II cannot be sound policy 10 Withhold
large quantities OF the public lands from the US
and occupa on ot our citz Us. by fixing upon mem
prices which experience has shown they VIII MOI
command. On tic contrary. II is 1 VS. policy
afford facilities TO citizens TO become the
owners. at low and moderate rates. OF frcehods
Of their own. instead ot being tenants and d&peH-
dents Of others. If it be apprehcnded that these
lands reduced in price, would be secured IN large
quantities by spectators and capitalists. the sales
ght be restricted, in limited quantities, 10 actual
settlers Or persons purchasing for cultivation.
II III asst |
Grafton Of Congress- the present system OF managing the
lands the L. States AMI recommended that
they should be brought into market and Sold upon such
terms, an under sucn RESTRICTIONS - ongeSS hghi pre-
scrite. BY the Of the lltl July last thc reserved
lead mines and contiguous Lands IN the states OF liines
and Arkansas aud the Territories OF iscon>n ana To-
wa authorized DC sold. The act confined III
operation, to "lead mines ana contiguous lands
large portion the public lands. containing copper
and other res is represented very valuable, and
recommend that provision be made, authorizing the sale
OF lands. on such conditions, from
IlItIrS hlaal IN
be deemed advisable having due regard to t interests
Of such Of citizens may be located upon them
1t wi Be important. during your present sess on
10 cstabl. territorial government. and 10 extend
tho Jurisdiction and laws oftho United States over
The Territory of Or con. Our laws regulating
trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes east of
Rocky melnta ms should be extended 10 the Pacific
ocean; and for the purpose of executing them and
preserving friendly relations within our Limits,
additional number ofIndian agencies will be requr-
cd and should be authorized by INV. The cstab
lisil,nent of custom houses and of post Offices and
post roads and r5.oyis;on for the transportation OF
tho mail on such rous the public convenience
viii suGge s. require Legislative authority. IL will
be proper also. establish surveyor generals office
II that Territory. and to make the necessary provi
on for the surveying the public lands and bring
ing them into market. As our citizens who now
reside in that distant region have been subjected
10 MANY hardships. pryations " sacrifices IN their
emigration. and by their improvements have en-
ianced the value of the public lands IN the neigh
borhood of their settlements, 1t IS recommended
that liberal grants be made to them of such porti
ons of these lands they may occupy. and that
similar grants rights ot presumption be made to
all who may emIgrate thlther within limited peri
od TO be prescribed by law
The report of the Secretary OF War contains de-
tailed information relative 10 the several branches
OF the public service connected with that depart
incnt. The operations of the army have been of a
satisfactory and highly gratifying character.
| recommend TO your early and favorable cosidc-
ration the measures proposed by the Secretary OF
Z ar for speedily filing up the rank and file of the
regular army for It's greater efficiency III the field,
and for raising an addlt onal force TO serve during
the with Mexico.
Embarrassment is likely 10 arise for want oflcgal
provision authorizing compensation to be made to
the agents employed in the several States and Ter
rtorics to paw the revolutionary and other pension
ers the amounts allowed them by law. Your at
tcntion is invited the recommendations of the
Secretary of Var on this subject These agents
incur heavy responsibilities and perform important
duties and no reason exists WHY thev should not be
placed the same footing. as TO compensation,
with other dspursng officers.
Our relations with the various Indian tribes con-
time to be of pacific character. The unhappy
discussion which have existed among Chcrokees
for many years past have been healed. Since my
last annual message, important treaties have been
negotiated with some Of the tribes by which the n
dian title 10 larGc tracts OF valuable land. within
the limits OF the States and Territories has been
cytlnguished. and arrangements made for removing
them to the country west of the Mississippi. Be
tween three and four thousand of different tribes,
have been removed to the country provided for
them by treaty stipulations. and have
been made for others 10 follow.
II our intercourse with these several tribes
particular attention has been given TO that mpor-
tant subject of education. The number of schools
established among them has been increased, and
additional means provided. not only for teaching
them the rudments of education. but of restricting
them in agriculture and the mechanic arts.
refer you to the report of the Secretary of the
Navy for satisfactory view of the operations of
the department under his charge during the past
xear Il IS cratifxinc TO nercaixe. that while the