Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-12-27

! to procure permanent right of property in
the soil. This would seem to be as impor.
tant in the success of mining as of agricultu-
raj pursuits.
The great mineral wealth of California and
the advantages which its ports and harbors,
and those Of Oregon, afford to commerce. es.
pecially with the Pacific and Indian oceans,
and the populous regions of Eastern Asia.
make it certain that there will arise, in a few
years, large and prosperous communities on
our western coast. 1t, therefore, becomes inn
portant that a line of communication, the
| best and most expeditions which the nature Of
| the country will admit, should be opened,
within the territory of the United States, from
| the navigable waters of the Atlantic, or the
Gulf of Mexico, 10 the Pacific. Opinion, as
elected by two large and respectable conven-
tons, lately assembled at St. Louis and Mem.
phis, poiuts to a railroad as that which, ifprac.
ticable, will best meet the wishes and wants Of
the county.
But while this, if in successful operation,
would be work of great national importance
and oil value to the country which it would
be difficult to estimate, it ought also to be re-
garded as an undertaking Of vast magnitude
and expense, and one which must, ifit be in
deed practicable, encounter many difficulties
: in its construction and use.
Therefore to avoid failure and disappointmsnt:
! to enable Congress to Judge whether in the con.
dtion ofthe country through which it must pass,
the work be feasible, and If it be found so,
whether it should be undertaken as a national
improvement. or left to individual enterprise
and in the latter alternative, what aid, if any,
ought to be extended to it by the Government.
/ | rec ommend as preliminary measure, care
ful reconnaissance Of ,he several proposed
routes by scientific corps, and a report as to
the praoticabiiity Of making such road, with
an estimate of Its construction and support
For farther views on these and other matters
connected with the duties of the Home Depart
ment, refer you to the report of the Secretary
of the Interior
| recommend early appropriations for contln-
uing the river and harbor improvements which
have already begun, and also for the construc-
ton of those for which estimates have been
made, as well as for examinations and estimates
preparatory to the commencement Of such 9TH
ers the wants of the country, and especially
the advance of our population over new districts,
and the extension of commerce, may render
necessary. An estimate of the amount which
can be advantageousIy expended within the
next fiscal year, under the direction of the 3D.
reau of Typographical Engineers, accompanies
the report of theSecretary of War, to which
respectfully invite the attention of fCongress.
The cession of territory made by the late
treaty with Mexico has greatly extended our
exposed frontier, and rendered its defence more
difficult. That treaty has also brought us un-
der obligations to Mexico, to comply with
which a military force is requisite. But our
military establishment Is not materially chang
ed, 10 It's efficiency, from the condition in
which it stood before the Mexican war; Some
addition to 1t will therefore be necessary; and
| recommend to the favorable consideration of
Congress an increase Of the several corps of the
army at our distant western posts, as proposed in
the accompanying report of the Secretary Of
| War.
Great embarrassment has resulted from the
effect upon rank, in the army, heretofore given
to brevet and staff commissions The views of
the Secretary OF War, on this subject are Deem
ed important, and if carried into effect will, it is
believed, promote the harmony of the service.
The plan proposed for retiring disabled officers.
and providing an asylum for such of the rank
and file as from age, wounds, and other in6rmi-
ties occasioned by service, have become unfit to
perform their respective duties, is recommend
ed as means of increasing the efficiency of the
army, and as an act of justice, due from q crate.
ful country to the faithful soldier.
The accompanying report of the Secretary
or the Navy presents full and satisfactory ac-
count of the conditions and operations of the
naval service during the past year Our citi-
zens engaged in the legitimate pursuits of COM
merce have enjoyed its benefits. Wherever
our national vessels have gone they have been
received with respect, our officers have been
treated with kindness and courtesy and they
have on all occasions, pursued course of strict
neutrality, in accordance with the policy of our
Government
The naval force at present in commission is
as large as is admissible, with the number of men
authorized by Congress to be employed.
| invite your attention to the recommendation
OF the Secretary of the Navy on the subject of
a reorganization OF the Navy, in its various
grades of officers, and the esta tabishing of retir.
ed list for such of the officers as are disqualified
for active and effective service. Shold Con-
gress adopt some such measure as is recommen-
ded, ii will greatly increase the efic iency Of
the Navy, and reduce its expenditures,
also ask your att entlon to the views express.
ed by hun IN reference to the employment OF
war-steamers, and In regard to the contracts for
the transportation of the United States mails,
and the operation of the system upon the psos-
perity Of the Navy.
BY an act of Congress passed August l4th.
lS4S, provision was made for extending post
Office and mail accommodations TO California and
Oregon. Exertions have been made to execute
that law but the limited provisions of the act
the inadequacy of the means it authorizes the
Ill adaptation OF our post office laws to the situ-
alton of that country, and the measure of COM
pensatlon for services allowed by those laws,