The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1848-12-29

manded, should be- postponed. and the
payment Of the public debt, at the earli-
est practical period, should be cardiS
nal principle Of our public policy.
For the reason assigned in my last an
nual message, repeat ths recommends
ton that branch Of the mint Of the Uni-
ted States, should be establiahhd at the
city of New York. The importance Of
this measure Is greatly increased by the
acquisition Of the rich mines of the pre-
cious me tails 10 New Mexico and Califor-
MIA, and especially 10 the latter.
repeat the recommendation hersto-
fore made i'm favor Of the graduation and
reduction Of the price Of such Of the pub
lie lands as have been long offered in the
market, and have renamed unsold, aud
in favor Of extending the rights o preemp~
tion to actual settlers on the uusurveyed,
as well as the surveyed.
The condition and operations Of the
army and tho state of the other branches
Of the public service under his snpera
sion, are satisfactorily presented ia the
accompanying report Of the Secretary
Of War:
| On the return Of peace our forces were
Withdrawn from Mexico, and the volun-
teers, and that portion of the regular ara
nv engaged for the war, were disbanded
Orders have been issued for stationing the
forces of our permanent esta ablishmsn! at
various positions IN our extended coun~
try, where troops may be required. Ow-
ing to the remoteness of some Of these
positions, the detachments have not yet
re eturned to their destinations. Notwith@
standing the extension of the limits of
our country, and the forces required in
the new territories, it Is confidently be-
lleved that our present military establish.
msnt is sufficient for all emergencies, so
10 ng az our peace relations remain undisa
turbed.
Ofthe amount ofmilitary contributions.
collected in Mexico, the sum OF 769 ESP
was applied towards the payment of the
6rst instalment due under the treaty with
Mexico. The fntther sum of $346. 1853 80
has boeu paid into the Treasury, and an
unexpected balance still remains 10 the
hands Of disbdrsing ofaceraswhoswsrs ans
gagged 10 the collection Of those fncneys
arising from this source. The balances
on hand were directed to- bs.paid into
the treasury, Individual claims on the
funds will remain unadjustad notil Con.
gress shall authorize their settlement and
payment. These claims are not consid4
cradle 10 number or 10 amount.
Recommend to your favorable con-
sideration the suggestions Of the Secreta
Try Of War, and the Secretary of the Navy
in regard to legislation on this subject.
Our Indian relations are presented ia
the most favorable view in the report
from the War Department. The wisdor
of our policy in regard TO tho tribes y -
In our limits is clearly manifested by tbe'~
improved and rapidly improving condi>.
tioD. o..
A most important treaty with the Me
Domioies has been recently neg otiated by
the ommissioner of Indian affairs IN per
son, by which all their lands in the State
of wisconsin, being about 4, ,00o, 900 acres
have been ceded to the United States.--
The treaty will be submitted to the Sen,
ate for ratification at an early period of
your session.
Within the last four years. eight im~
portant treaties have been negotiated
with different Indians tribes, and at a
coast Of S., ,S42 600; Indian lands to the
amount of more than 1a,500,O0 acres
have been ceded to the United States.
and provision has been made for settling
in the country west Of the Mississippi the
tribes which occupied this large extent
Of the public domain. The title to all
tn Indian lands within the several States
of our Union, with the exception Of few
small reservations, is now extingushed,
and a a vast region open for settlement
and cultivation.
The accompyiDg report Of the Secrsta.
ry of the Navy gives a satisfactory exhibit
of the operation and coalition OF that
branch of the public service.
A number of small vessels, suitable for
entering the mouths of rivers, were judi
ciously purchased during the war,and gave.
great efficiency to the squadron in tho
Gulf of Mexico. On the return of peace.
twq~n no longer suited for naval u p se''
and liable TO constant dSterioation, they
we're sold and the money paid to the Trsa-
ury. -......4 .rsfsrs.r
The number Of men 10 the naval service
authorized by Law during the war, has
been reduced by discharges below the
msximum fixed for the peace establish
meut. Adequate squadrons>re maintained.
10 the several quarters Of tue globe where
experience has shown their services may
he r,ost em nIov ad and fhe naval servlce