Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-12-27


made for the establishment, of the Office OF Surveyor
General in New Mexico, C.lifurnia and Oregon, and
to the surveying and bringing into markets public
lands In ilin-e ierrres. 1hse lands of remote po
sitions aud diu of unght tn be disposed OF
on terms hra to ALL but especially favorable to the
early emigrnui.
| In order that the situation and character of the
principal mineral deposits IN California may be as
cerlaued recommend thai geological and min
e:oiogIcal exploration be- c"nnrcd with the inner
surveys. aad hat the mineral lands be divided into
small lots suitable for mining and dsn>'d of by sale
or lease, I" give citizrns an opportunity OF
procuring permanent RI lit If property 10 The SOIL
Th~ w"nlA 10 b" important 10 the success OF
mining as e agricultural PURPOSES.
The great mineral wealth of California, and the adj
vaniages ~ch ats and harb'.rs, aud those of
Oregon, aiEird commerce. mud especially with the
islands of the Pacific aud Indian Oceans. and the pop
ul'us regions of Eastern Asia. make it certain that
there Will arise IN few years, large aud prosper
Gus communities western coast. II, therefore,
becomesl Important that line of commandments
best and most expeditions that the country will admit
should be opened within the territory ofthe United
States, from the navgabe waters of tle Atlantic, or
the Gulf OF Mexico, 10 the Pacific. Opinians, as
elected and expressed by two large and respectable
conventions, lately assembled at ~. Louis and Mem
phis. propose several for its location which, if
practicable. will meet the wishes and wants of the
country But while this. If in successful operation.
would be work Of great national Importance aud OF
value 10 the country which IT would be difficult To
estimate, 1T is also to be regarded undertaking
OF vast magnitude and expense, and one whIrh must.
it 1T be indeed practicable, encounter many difficulties
/ IN its consumnaton and Therefore, 10 avoid
failures and disappointment, and tn enable Congress
to Judge whether. in the condition OF the country
through which il passes the work be feasible, and 1T
1t be found So, whether it should be undertaken rs
National Improvement. left individual enterprise,
and of the latter alternative, what aid, If any, ought
To be extended to II by the government recommend.
as preliminary measure, careful reconnaissance of
the several prop scd routes by scientific CORPS and
report as to the prnciicnby of making such road,
with an estimate of the cost of it's construction and
support.
For further views Of these and other Matters connect
ed with the duties of the Home Department refer you
to the report of the Secretary Of the Interior.
| recommend early appropriations for continuing the
river and harbor improvements which have been already
begun, and also Tor the construction of those for which
estimates have been made, we'll examined ones,
and estimates preparatory the commencement of sich
others as the wants OF the couniry-erpecialy The nd
vancemen OF our population new DISTRICTS and the
extension of commerce-may render necessary. An es
innate at the amOunhat can be sdvantageousy rxpen-
ded within The fiscal year, under the direction of
the Bureau of Typographical Engineers accompanies the
report of the Secretary of War; which, respectfully
invite the attention of Congress.
The cesson Of territory made by the late treaty with
Mexico has greatly extended exposed frontier, and
rendered its defence difficult. That treaty has al
so brought under obligations Mexico, TO comply
with which military force requisite; but military
establishment is not materially changed Ia its rfci
eiency from the condition ia which it suod before the
Mexican Some addition will therefore be
essary, and recommend the favorable consideration
ct Congress increase of the several of the army
at our distant parts proposed by the accompa
nying report at The Secretary of war.
Great embarrassmens have resulted from the effect
upon the rank in the army, heretofore given to brevet
aud staff officers. The views of the Secretary OF
this subject deemed important aud IL carried into ef
feet WILL it believed promote the harmony of the
vice. The plan proposed for retiring disabled officers
and providing asylum for such Of the auk and file,
from age wounds aud other infrmiiies occasoned by
dseasc have become unfit TO perorm their respective
duties. Is recommended means of increasing the eff
cheney of the field officers and act Of justice due
from grateful country 10 the faithful soldier.
The accompanying report oil the Secretary of the Navy
presents full and satisfactory OF the condition
and operation of the naval service during the
Our sailors engaged IN the legitimate pursuits at CON-
merce, have enjoyed IT'S benefits Wherever naval
vessels gone they have been received with respect
Our officers have been treated with kindness and
sy, and they have all occasions, pursued Of
strict neutrality in accordance with the policy Of our
eminent.
The naval force at present in commission is large
is admissible with the number of authorized by Con-
gress to be employed. invite your attention to the
commentator Of the Secretary Of the Navy the sub
ect of reorganization of the Navy its various grades
of officers and the establishment of retired list for such
officers disqualified for active and eectual service.
Should Congress adopt snch measure, is recon-
mended it will greatly increase the efficiency of the Navy
and reduce its expenditures also ask your attention to
ment of steamers and in regard to contracts for the
transportation of the United States Mails and to the ope
ration of the system upon the prosperity of the navy
By act of Congress- passed August l4h, 1915, pro-
vision made for extending post Offices and mail
commodations to California and Oregon. Exertions have
made to execute that law but the limited provisions
inadequate its entire fulfment 1t authorizes the
adaptation of post Office laws the situation of that
country and the of compensation for services
allowed by those laws, compared with the prices OF labor
and rents in California render those provisions great
rande
I by law, is required on this subject
The act of 1885, reducing postage, has by its ope
ration during four years. produced results fully showing
that the income from such reduced postage sufficient to
sustain the whole expense Of the service of the post Office
Department, not including the cost Of transporting by
mail steamers, the lines from New York to Chagres,
and from Panama Astoria, which has not been consd
cred by Congress properly belonging the mail service
II is submitted TO the wisdom of Congress, whether
a further reduction Of postage should not now be
made more particularly the letter correspondence
This should be relieved from the IN just burden Of
Transporting and delivering of the ranked matter of
Congress- for which public service, provision should
be made from the treasury. lconhdentlY believe that
change may safely be made, reducing all single let
ter postage the uniform rate OF five cents. regard
less uf distance without thereby imposing any great
er tax the treasury, than would constitute very
moderate compensation for this public service, and,
would therefore recommend such reduction. Should
Congress prefer abolish the Thanking privilege, ii
probable that 40 demand on the treasury would
result from the proposed reduction Of postage Whe-
tl1r still further diminution should now be made,
the result of the reduction to five cents, which have
been recommending, be first tried, is submitted to
/, your discretion.
e Since the commencement of the last session of
Congress- postal treaty with Great Britain has been
received and ra6ed and such regulations have BEEN
formed by The Post Office Departments of the two
countries in pursuance of that treaty. 10 larry Its
provisions into full operation. The attempt to extend
the same arrangement through England and France,
has mi hann nhnndoned For mn rficnlar fafenent