Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-12-18
jvsr.ins the eoIas Of ioreign countries into

American coins.
The largest amount OF foreign coins i'm.
ported has been received at New York, and
il a branch mint were established at that
city, all the current coin received at that
port could at once be converted into our
own coin, without the expense or risk and
delay OF transporting it to the mint for that
purpose, the amount received would be
much larger.
Experience has taught that foreign coin
will Aot circulate extensively as a currency
among the people. The important measure
Of extending our specie circulation, both OF
gold and silver, and Of diffusing it among the
people, is effectually converting such for.
eign into American coin. repeat the re-
commentator contained in my last annual
message for the establishment of a branch
mint Of the United States a, New York.
All The public lands which have been sur
veyed and were ready for market, have been
proclaimed for sale during the past year.-|
The quantity offered and TO be offered for
sale, under the proclamation issued since the
first Of January last, amounts 10 9,138,53l
acres.
The prosperity OF the western states and
territories in which those lands lie, will be
enhanced by their speedy sale. BY with
holding them from The market, their growth
and increase Of population would be re'srd
ed, and thousands Of our enterprising and
meritorious frontier population would be
deprived Of the opportunity Of securing free.
holds for themselves and families. But in
addition to the general considerations which
render the ready sale OF these lands proper,
it is leading object, a, this time, TO realize
as large q sum as possible from this source,
and thus diminish, by that amount, the pub
lie loans, rendered necessary by the exist
ence Of foreign war.
1t is estimated that not less than ten mil.
lions Of acres Of public lands will be survey.
ed and be in a condition TO be proclaimed
for sale during the year lS48.
In my last annual message l presented
the reaaons which, in my judgment, render.
ed it proper to graduate and reduce the
price OF the public lands as have remained
unsold for ! long period after they have
been offered for sale at public auction.
Many millions Of acres of public lands, lying
within the limits OF several Of the western states
have been offered in the market and have been
subject TO sale at private entry for more than twen-
~ years. and large quantities tor re than 30 years,
at the lowest price prescribed by the existing laws
and as it has been found that they will not COM
| mand that price, they must remain unsold and UNI
cultivated for indefinite period, unless the price
| demanded by the government shal be reduced. No
salts Glory reason is perceived why they should
longer be held at rates above their real value. At
this period, additional reason exists for adopting
the measures recommended. When the country is
engaged in Z foreign war, and we must necessarily
resort to loans it would seem to be the dictate Of
wisdom that should avail ourselves Of all
sources, and thus limit the amount OF the public in
debtedness to the lowest possible sum.
l and sko ft yIafIn IRtu IN onh
ect of preemption rights, be amended so as to OPP
crate prospsctively, and to embrace all who may
sotile upon the public lands and make improvements
upon them before they are surveyed, as well as
made after the Indian title shall have been eItin-
guished
If the right Of pre-empton be thus extended, it
will embrace q large and meritorrous class Of our
cilizens-it will increase the number of small free
holders upon our borders, who will be enabled
thereby to educate their children, and otherwise
improve their condition, while they will be always
found in the hour Of danger to our country, among
the best of our volunteer soldiers. ever ready, to
tender their services in cases OF emergency, and the
last to leave the field long as an enemy remains
to be encountered. Such policy will also impress
these pioneer emgrsnts, with deeper feelings OF love
to the parental Of their government, when they
find their dearest interests secured to tiem ~ inc
permanent laws Of the land. and that they are no
longer in danger Of losing their houses and Eard'
earned improvements by being brought into compe'
tton with more wealthy class Of purchasers at the
land sales.
The attention of Congress was invited at their
last and again at their present session, to the i'm
por:ance of establishing territorial government ov-
possession in Oregon, and it is to be regretted
that there was no legislation upon the subject. Our
citizens, who nhabit that distant region Of country,
are still left without the protection of our laws or
any regular organized government. Before the ques
ton Of the limits and boundaries Of the territory OF
Oregon was definitely settled, from the necessity Of
their condition the citizens Of that territory had
erected a temporary government of their own. Be-
sides the of legal authority for continuing such
a government, il is wholly inadequate TO protect
them in their rights OF person and property. or TO Sc
cure to them the privileges and enjoymens OF other
citizens, to which either entitled under the con-
stitution Of the United States. They should have
the right Of suffage-be represented in territorial
legislature, and, by delegate in congress, possess
the rights and privileges which citizens OF the Unit
ed States have heretofore enjoyed or may now enjoy.
Our judicial system, revenue, laws regarding trade
and intercourse with the Indian tribes and the pro-
lection of our lave generally, should be extended
over them.
In addition to the nha bants of that territory, who
had previously emgrated to it, large numbers OF our
citizens have followed them during the present year,
numbers will be greatly increased Congress at It's
last session, established post routes leading to Ore
gon and betwe different points within that terrific.
ny, and authorized the appointment OF post offces at
Astoria and such other places on the coast OF the
Pacific within the territory OF the United States,
the public interest may require. Post Offices have
accordingly been established. deputy post masters
appointed, and provision 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 adequate number oil Indian agents
| to reside among them.
| recommend that a Surveyor Gsnerars ofice be