Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-12-22

]. -
LANDS proper, it was leading object at this time 20
derive as large a sum possible from this sourca
and thus diminish, by that amount the public loan
rendered necessary by the existence of foreign war
| 1t is estimated that NJ less than ten millions
of acres of the public lapds will be surveyed
and be in condition to be proclaimed for sale
during the year lo4S.
In INV last annual message presented the
reasons which, in my judgment, rendered il
proper to graduate and reduce The price such
Of the public lands as have remained unsold for
long periods after they have been offered for
sale at public auction.
Many millions of acres of public lands lying
within the limits of several Cf the western
states have been offered in the market, and been
subject to sale at private entry for more than
twenty wears, at the lowest price prescribed by
the existing laws, and it has been found that
thew will not command that price.
They must remain unsold and uncultvated
for an indefinite period, unless the price deman-
ded for them by the government shall be reduced.
No satisfactory reason is perceived why they
should be longer held at rates above their real
value. At the present period an additional rea-
son exists for adopting the measure recommen-
dei. When the country is engaged in FORE
On war, and we must necessarily resort to
that we should avail ourselves of all our re-
sources, and thus limit the amount of pnblic in
debtedness to the lowest possible sum.
recommend that the existing laws on the
subjects of presumption rights be amended and
modified SO as to operate prosPectively, and to
embrace all who may settle upon the public
lunds and make Improvements upon them before
they are surveyed as well as afterwards, in all
were such settlements may be made after the
Indian title shall have been extinguished.
1.-THE right of pre-empton be thus extended,
it will embrace large and meritorious class of
our citizens. 1t will increase the number of
small freeholders upon our borders, who will be
enabled thereby to educate their child rem and
otherwise improve their condition, While they
will be found at all times, as they have ever
proved themselves to be in the hour Of danger
to their country, among the hardest and best
volunteer soldiers, ever ready to tender their
services in eases of emergency, and among the
last to leave the field as long as the enemy re-
mains to be conquered.
Such policy will also impress these patri-
otic pioneer emigrants with deeper feelings of
gratitude for the parental care of their govern
ment, when they find their dearest interests Sc
cured to them by the permanent laws Of the
land, and that they are no longer in danger of
losing their homes and hard-earned improve
ments by being brought into competition with
a more wealthy class of purchasers at the land
ale.
Territorial Government ouer Oregon recon-
nsended.
The attention of Congress was invited, at
their last and preceding session, to the impor-
lance OF establishing territorial government
over our possession In Oregon and 1t is to be
regretted thai there was no legislation on the
tQrf (lur otto h>. r,t. al.
region Of country are still left without the pro-
lection of our laws, or any regularly organized
government. Before the question Of limits and
boundaries of the territory of Oregon was def
ntely settled. from the necessity Of their con-
dluon, the inhabitants ha established tempo.
rary government of their own. Besides the
want of legal authority for continuing such
government, it is wholly inadequate to protect
be- in Their rights Of persons AMI property,
or TO secure to them the enjoyment of the pri-
vlleges OF other citizens, to which they are en-
titled under the constitution of the u. States.
They should have the right of suffrage, be re-
presented in territorial legislature, and by "a
delegate in Congress; and possess all the rights
and privileges which citizens of other portions
of the territories of the United States have
heretofore enjoyed, or may now enjoy.
Our Judicial system, revenue laws. laws req
uiatlDg trade and itercourse with the Indian
tribes, and the protection of our laws generally,
should be extended over them.
In addition to the inhabitants in that terrific
ry who had previously emigrated to it, large
numbers of our citizens ha e followed them
during the present year; and it is not doubted
that during next and subsequent years, their
numbers will be greatly increased.
Congress, at its last session, established
post-routes leading to Oregon, and between diff.
ferent points within that territory, and author
lied the establishment of post-offices at Gas.
toria and such other places on the coast of tho
Pacific, within the territory of the U. States,
as the public interests may require" Post-of-
fees have accordingly been established, deputy
post masters appointed, and provisions made
for the transportation of the mails.
The preservation of peace with the Indian
tribes residing west of the Rocky Mountains
will render it proper that authority should be
given by law for the appointment of an ade-
quate number of Indian agents to reside among
them.
recommend that surveyor generals Office
be established in that territory, and that the rub.
lie lands be surveyed and brought into market
1t an early period.
| recommend, also. that grants, upon liberal
terms. of limited quantities of the public lands
be made to all citizens of the United States who
have emigrated, or may hereafter within pre-
scribed period emgrate to Oregon, and settle
lpon them. These hardy and adventurous cit
zens, who have encountered the dangers and
orvations of long and toilsome journey, and
nave at length found an abiding place fer them
selves and their families upon the utmost verge
Of our western limits, should be secured in the
homes which they have improved by their la
Dor.
Report q the Secretary Of War-Indian Re,
tdtiOns.
refer you to the accom- panying report of the.
Secretary of War for detailed account of tho
operations of the various branches of the pub
ic service connected with the department un-
Ter his charge. The duties devolving on this
department. have been unusually onerous and re-
'ponsible during the past year, and have been
discharged with ability and success.