The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-25

L
fraught with excitement and danger, and
which threaten formation of parties upon
sectional considerations.
Congress is recommended to adopt laws
legalizing the collection of revenue in Cal
ifornia made before the arrival of the Uni
nited States collector there.
A party has been sent out to make, a
survey of the coast of California and Ore
gon, and select locations for lighthouses,
&C., &c.
Additional laws are needed for the eX-
tension of our Indian system over our new
possessions.
The establishment of branch mint in
California is recommended, and the or
ganization of board to examine into the
validity Of titles in New Mexico and Cali
fornia A geological and mineralogical
survey of the latter territory is urged upon
the attention of Congress.
| The proceedings Of the conventions lately
held in St. Louis and Memphis, with refer
ence TO the construction of railroad from
the Mississippi river to the Pacific Ocean,
are brought to the notice of Congress, and
a careful reconnaissance Of the several
routes proposed is recommended as pre-
liminary measure to any more decided
and specific action on the part of Con-
gress.
Early appropriations for continuing river
and harbor improvements already begun,
and the construction of others for which
estimates have been submitted, are re-
commended.
Some increase to the military force has
been made necessary by the extension Of
our frontierin the acquisition Of New Mex
leo and California, and the obligations in
CURED by treaty to Mexico.
A mode Of relieving the army from the
embarrassments occasioned by brevet and
staff commissions, proposed by the Secre-
tary of War, also plan for retiring disa-
bled officers and superannuated and wound
ed soldiers, is recommended.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
accompanying the message is referred to
for full and satisfactory account of the
operations Of that branch of the service.
Attention is invited TO the subject of reor-
ganizing the various grades Of officers and
the adoption of retired list for disabled
officers The consideration of Congress is
called to the views Of the Secretary in re-
gard to war-steamers, and the operation
of the contract system for the transport
alton of the mails.
Exertions have been made to execute
the law extending the post-office and mail
accommodations to Oregon and California,
which have not been fully successful, ow-
ing to the limited provision of the act, and
obvious causes peculiar to the condition Of
those territories.
A further reduction in letter postage is
recommended. If the correspondence OF
the country were relieved from the burden
of the franking privilege, the President is
confident that uniform rate of five cents
per letter, regardless of distance, might
be safely adopted.
Since the commencement of the last
session of Congress, postal arrangement
has been made with Great Britain; and
though the attempt to extend the system
TO France has not been successful, The
. purpose has not been abandoned.
The board of census has made the ne.
cessary arrangements for taking the cen
sus, and the passage of law to carry into
T effect the provision of the constitution up
on that subject is recommended.
The District of Columbia is commended
to the liberal and fostering care of Con
gress.
The necessity of each of the co-ordin
ate branches of government, combining it
self strictly to its appropriate sphere, il
strongly urged. With a recommendation
of such measures as in his opinion the
country requires, the office of the Execu
tive in matters of legislation is performed
until bills are presented to him for APP
proval. :
The independence Of Congress of Elk
ecutive dictation is asserted as the only
sure means Of giving proper dignity tc
the representative body, and making the
elector in fact, as well as in theory, a
component part of the sovereign authority,
The representative should be responsible
only TO his constituents; and the veto
should never be interposed to stiAe the ex.
preston of the public will, except TO pre-
vent entertainments of the Legislative
power, and to check hasty or unconsttu.
tional action.
| The message closes by intoxicating q
veneration for the Union, which for more
RI than half century has stood unshaker