Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-16

system upon our extensive lake and maritime frontier with
increased efficiency and economy.
The Department has also proceeded carry into execution,
far practicable, the various laws for the erection Of
rne hospitals on the rivers and lakes Of the West, avang
itself Of the valuable services Of the Typographical Bureau
Copies OF standard weights and have been disr
bued to the Sate with the exception Of the four most re-
Gently admitted into the Union. The standards for these
States and for the custom of older Sates not yet sup
piled, are in the course Of preparation.
The attention Of the States is called in the report of the
Superintendent of Weights and Measures, received in June
last the Necessary steps for preparing county standards
uniformity the weights and measures in common
supplied to five States and set agent from the office
of Weights and Measures Two sets (six in number)
have been supplied TO two other States; twenty
hand the LIST of January last ready for distribution. The
establishment produces at the of balances OF the first
class and three Of the second nine of the second four
of the third per annum.
The present distribution Of weights and measures is in my
opinion PROVISIONAL and has been considered by statesmen
and men OF science general uniformity, extending
to different nations, looked forward to by Jefferson and
John Quincy Adams day attainabe and recon-
mended in my last annual report The time, in my opinions
has for the serious consideration of this subject by Con-
gress. New standards about be made in England
The reorganization of the Germanc Confederation will give
great extension to whatever system of weights and measures
they may adopt and the political changes going In other
parts of Europe favorable to the introduction of uniformity
The coins shows that practicable to break
up the old system and to introduce another and entire
One standard Of LENGTH standard of weights standard
Of capacity, with suitable muples and subdivisions would
be promove Of convenience and Of economy in time in the
business of life and the intercourse of nations
The adoption of the decimal system would ALSO in my opin-
on simplify and facilitate computation, and recommend
that authority be given to this Department to take the
say steps for obtaining international views and action to
uniformity Of coins and Of weights and measures
During the past year the third Of series of elaborate reports
ton of Professor A. D. Bache, Superintendent of Weights
and Measures by Professor R. s. McCulloh, Meter and Re-
finer Of the Mint at Philadelphia, has been presented to the
Department and transmitted to Congress- by whomt has been
ordered to be printed with collection Of the preceding
ports This report completes the subject of hydrometers
far necessary make the changes required in the Of
the instrument at the custom houses and standard instru
ments and manual nearly prepared for These
ira official duties discharged by these gentlemen without
compensation.
My last report recommended the grant of section Of
land for schools in eveE quarter township in Oregon This
grant in each Of the nfw States Of section Of the public
lands in each township designed to the benefits of
education all the children Of that township. This object
has failed to great een because section in the centre
of township six miles square too distant from many other
sections to furnish shool to which all and be-
cause pecunaryprovision, il inadequate The grant,
however secn for every quarter township would be
sufficient, whilst the central location would be adjacent to
every other section in such quarter township bringing the
school house within the immediate vcnage Of every child
within its limits Congress, to some extent adopted this
commentator by granting two school sections in each town.
ship instead of one for education in Oregon, but respect
lily suggested thai thus extended, the grant is still
inadequate in amount whilst the location is nconvenent and
too remote for school which all attend This subject is
again presented to the attention Of Congress- with the recon-
mendaton that it shall be extended to California and New
Mexico and all the other States and Territories
containing the public domain.
Even question Of revenue, such grants would more
than refund thar value to the Government each quarter
township composed Of nine sections, of which the central
section would be granted for schools and each of the remain
ing eight sections would be adjacent that granted These
eight sections thus located and each adjoining school
on would be Of greater value than when separated by many
miles from such opportunities, and the hirywo sections Of
entire township with these benefits would bring larger
price the Government than thirty five sections out of thirty
So where section only remote from the rest grant
ed for such purpose. The public domain would thus be
settled earlier period and yield larger products thus
augmentng our exports and imports, with correspondent
increase OF revenues from duties.
The greater diffusion of education would increase the power
Of mind and Knowledge applied to industrial pursuits and
augment this way also, the products and wealth of the
Each Safe deeply interested in the welfare of every
other for the epesentatvesof the whole regulate by their
votes the Of the Union which must be more happy
and prosperous in proportion its councils guided by
enlightened views, resulting from the universal
diffusion Of light and knowledge and education.
The attention Of Congress respectfully invited TO the
dtion of the public lands in California The official reports
questions for yur consideration That gold and quicksilver
exist TO grea in California would be placed
beyond controversy This gold would appear to require the
esablshm branch Of the Mint Of the United States
San Francisco The quicksilver is not only important
nected with the mining Of the precious metals with health
and the arts tl still with the advance Of science and
the progress odiscovey in physics The mines Of god and
perhaps of Other minerals would be located chiefly
on the public hnds. They belong to the Government
for the people, whose interests should be projected and
secured by Congress-. scientific commission TO make ge
illogical examination accompanied with linear surveys is
deemed important.
The volumnous character Of this report growing out Of
the varied and important Duties constantly augmenng
signed by law this Department renders it necessary that
should for few days. and for special report
Congress- the varehousng system. In advance Of that
port would remark at this time that instructions
prepared by this Department and the forms nearly completed
among other regulations extending free competition
for the storage foreign Imports The progress Of the system
has been satisfactory and successful; the value of for
egn goods wahoused in ports since the passage Of the
law in Angus 1916, up the 30th September last having
amounted TO the very large sum of about forty four millions
Of dollars.
in which have served long with inferior abilities to many
Of my beloved COUNTRY submit with the utmost Difference
the superior wisdom Of Congress my views and experience
regards the organization Of the Treasury Department Its
ed and important duties with the rapid increase Of area,
business and population, scarcely he all promptly and
pey performed by any Secretary Yet in deachng any
Of its duties from this Department. the greatest must be
taken not TO impair the unity simplicity, and efficiency Of the
system. To take from this Department its Supervision
the commerce and finances, Of the accounting