Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-16

The importance of graduating and reducing the
price of such of the public lands have been long
offered in the market, at the minimum rate author
lied by existing laws, and remain unsold, induces
me again to recommend the subject to your favora-
lie considerations Many millions Of acres have been
offered in the market for than thirty years, and
larger quantities for than 20 years; and being
of an inferior quality they must remain unsaleable
for an indefinite PERIOD unless the price at which
they may be purchased shall be reduced. To place
price upon them above their real value is not only
to prevent their sale, and thereby deprive the Treas
ury from any income from that source but is unjust
to the states in which they lie, because it retards
their growth and increase of population, and because
| they have no power to levy tax upon them up
on other lands within their limits held by other pre-
| prietors than the United States, for the support
of their local governments.
The beneficial effects of the graduation principle
have realized by some of the states owning the lands
| within their limits in which it has been 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 Mississippi and Alabama. The Chckasaw
lands which would not command in the market the
minimum price established by the laws of the Uni
ted States for the sale of their lands were, in pursu
ance of the treaty of 1924 with that tribe subsequent
ly offered for sale at graduated and reduced rates
for limited periods. The result was, that largo
quantities of these lands purchased which would
otherwise have remained unsold
The lands were disposed of at their real value. and
many persons oflmited means were enabled to pur-
chase small tracts, upon which they have settled
with their families. That similar results would be
produced bv the adoption Of the graduation policy of
the United States in all the states in which they are
the owners of large bodies of lands which have been
long in the market, cannot be doubted.
1t cannot be sound policy to withhold large guam
titles of the public lands from the and occupation
of our citizens by fixing upon them prices which ex
perence has shown they will not command On the
contrary, wise policy to afford facilities to our
citizens to become the owners, at low and moderate
rates. of freehods of their own, instead of being ten
ants and dependents of others fit be apprehend-
ed that these lands if reduced price, would be Sc
cured in large quantities by spectators and capital
ists the sales might be restricted, in limited guam
titles, actual settlers persons purchasing for
cultivation.
In my last annual message, | submitted for con-
sideraton of Congress the present system ofmanag-
ing the mineral lands of the United States and re-
commended that they should be brought into market
and, sold upon such terms and under such restrc
tions as Congress might prescribe. By the act of
the 18th of July last, the reserved lead mines and
contiguous lands in the states of Illinois, and Arkau
sas and territories of Wisconsin and Iowa. were
thorized to be Sold The act is confined in its oper-
alton to ''lead mines and contiguous lands.
A large portion of the public lands containing cop
per and other represented to be very valuable
and recommend that provision be made authorizing
the sale ofthese lands, upon such terms and condi-
tons their supposed value NAV, in the Judgment
of Congress, be deemed advisable, having due regard
to the erests of such of citizens as NAV be To-
Gated upon them.
1t will be important, during your present session,
to establish territorial government, and to extend
the jurisdiction and laws ofthe United States over the
Territory of Oregon. Our laws regulating trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes east of the Rocky
mountains should be extended TO the Pacific ocean;
and for the purpose OF executing them and preserving
friendly relations within our limits, an additional mum
Der of Indian agencies will lie required and should be
authorized by law The establishment of custom
houses, and of post Offices and post roads, and pro-
vision for the transportation of the mail such route
as the public convenience will suggest, require leg
islatiye authority.
1t will be proper also, to establish surveyor gen.
erals Office in that Territory, and to make the nee
essary provision for surveying the public lands and
bringing them into market. As our citizens who
now reside in that distant region have been subject
ed to many hardships p.ivations and sacrifices in
their emigration, aud BY their improvements have
enhanced the value of the public lands in the neigh
borhocd of their settlements, it is recommended that
liberal grants be made to them of such portions of
these lands as they may occupy, and that similar
grants rights of presumption be made to all who
may emigrate thher within 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 department |
The operations of the army have been of satisfac-
tory and highly gratifying character
recommend to Your early and favorable conside- |
ration the measures proposed by the Secretary of
War for speedily filling up the rank and file of the reg
ular army, for its greater efficiency in the field and
for raising additional force to during the war
with Mexico.
Embarrassment is likely to arise for want of legal
provision authorizing compensation TO be made to |
the agents employed in the several states and ter
ritores to pay the revolutionary and other pension
ers the amounts allowed them by law, Your atten-
ton is invited to the recommendation of the Secre-
tarv of War on this subject. These agents incur
heavy responsibilities and perform important duties, |
and reason exists why they should not be placed
on the same footing, as to compensation, with 9TH
err discussing officers.
Our relations with the various Indian tribes contin-
ne to be of pacific character The unhappy dis
sensions which have existed amcng the Cherokees /
for many years past have been healed. Since nv
asst annual message, important treaties have been
negotiated with some of the tribes, by which the In
dian title to large tracts of valuable land, within the
limits of the States and Territories has been extn-
yuished, and arrangements made for removing them
70 the country west of the Mississippi. Between
hree and four thousand of different tribes have been
removed to the country provided for them by treaty
,thers to fellow. 4,
In our intercourse with the several tribes, partc-
liar attention has been given to the important sub
cct of education. The number schools establish
ID among them has been increased, and additional Z
means provided, not only for teaching them the ru-
iments of education, but for instructing them in
griculture and the mechanic arts. "a
refer you to the report of the Secretary of the
1avy for satisfactory view of the operations of the
apartment under his charge during the past year.
is gratifying to perceive that while the war with 7
Iexico has rendered it necessary to employ an unu- =
ual number of our armed vessels on her coast, the
rejection due to our commerce in other quarters of
ne world has not proved insufficient. No means J
ill be spared to give efficiency to the naval service
the prosecution of the war; and am happy to know
lat the officers and men axiously desire to devote
to the service of their country in any
rprise, however difficult of execution.
recommend to your favorable consideration the
opposition to add to each of our foreign squadron an
diDr l..