Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-12-29

1 l~'~~'s~' VI NhCh 10 utSCuuy oSHhoHeSe ~
our rspldly increasing couwerce.
| have transferred the Indian Agen(es
from Upper Missouri and Council blufst
Santa re and Salt Lake and have caused 10
be appointed sub-agents in the valleys OF the
Inc Gila, the Sacramento and San poaq9in
rivers Still further legal provisioug wilb3e
necessary Tor the effective and successful ex-
tension. Of our system Of Indian intercourse
over the new Territories.
recommend the establishment Of q branch,
mint in California, as it will, in my opinion
afford important facilities 10 those engaged in
mining, as well as 10 the Government in the
disposition, of the mineral lands.lesE oi Ia
! also recommend that commissions be or
ganized BY Congress, to axamine and decide
upon the validity of the present subsisting
1 land titles in California aud New Mexico
and that provision be made for the establish
ment of officers Of Surveyor General In New
Mexico California and Oregon, and for the
surveying and bring into market The Public
lands in those Territories. Those lands, re.
mote in position and difficult OF access, ought
to be disposed Of on terms liberal 10 all, but
especially favorable 10 the early emigranis
Ia order tha, The situation and character Of
the principal, mineral deposited in California
may be asceriained, recommend thv geo.
logical and mineralopical exploration be con-
neced with the linear surveys, aud that the
mineral lands be divided into small lots suiia-
BILE for mining, aud be disposed Of, by sale
or lease, so ms TO give our citizens ah oppor,u-
nifty OF procuring permanent right OF proper
ty in the soil. This would seem 10 be as
important 10 the success of mining us OF agri.
cultural pursuits. ...,..-t
The great mineral wealth Of California,
and the advantages when lis ports and har.
bors and those OF Oregon afford to commerce
especially with the islands Of The Pacific and
lndian oceans, aid The populous regions Of
Eestem Asia make il certain that there will
arise, in a few years, large and prosperous
communities on our western coast. II there
fore, becomes important that line Of COM
munication, the best and most expeditions
which the nature of the country will admit,
should be opened, within the territory of The
United States. from navigable waters Of the
Atlantic, the Gulf Of Mexico to the Pacific.
Opinion, as elected and expressed BY Two
large and respectable conventions, lately as
sen,bled a, St. Louis and Memphis, points to
railroad as that which, if practicable, will
best meet the wishes and wants of The conn
Try. But while this, if in successful opera
,ion, would be n work of great national inn
portance, and of a value 10 The country which
it would be difficult 10 estimate, it ought also
. TO be regarded as an undertaking Of vast
magnitude and expense, and one which must
if it be indeed practicable, encounter many
difficulties in lis construction and use.
, Therefore, TO avoid failure and disappont-
ment; to enable congress TO Judge whether
+ in the condition of the country through which
it must pass the work be feasible, and if il
be found so, whether il should be undertake
as a national improvement or left TO iudivi.
dual enterprise; and in the latter alternative
what aid. if any, ought to be extended TO il
, by the Government, recommend as a pre-
liminary measure a careful Reconnaissance
OF The several proposed rontes by scientific
corps, and a report as 10 the pracilcabiliiy st
, making such road with an estimate of the
coast OF its construction and support
/ For further views on these and on other
matters connected with the duties Of the
, Home Department.. refer you TO the report
, OF the Secretary OF the interior. ..I'
| recommend early appropriations for con-
,nuing the river aud harbor improvements
. which have been already begun, and also for
Ihe construction of those for which estimates
have been made, as well as for examinations
and estimates preparatory 10 The commences
ment OF snch others as the wants OF he couli-
try. and especially The advance o. our popula-
ton over new districts, and the extension OF
commerce, may render necessary. An esii-
mate OF The amount hich can be atlvania-
. geously expended within the next fiscal year
under the direction OF the Bureau OF Topo-
graphical Engineers. accompanies the report
of The Secretary of War, to which | respect
fully invite the attention of Congress.
The cosson of territory made by The late
treaty with Mexico, has greatly extended
our exposed frontier and rendered ms defence
more difficult. The treaty has also brought
us under obligations TO Mexico, to comply
with which a military force is requisite. But
our military establishment is not materially
changed, as TO its efficiency, from the condi-
ton in which il stood before the commence
menl OF the Mexican war. Some addition
10 it will therefore be nee essary; and re-
commend 10 the favorable consideration Of
Congress an increase of The several corps of
the army at our distant Western posts, pro-
posed IN The accompanying report OF the Sec
retary 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 deemed important, and if carried inlo ef-
feet will, il is believed, promote the harmony
OF The service. The plan proposed for reti-
ring disabled officers aud providing an asy-
lum Tor such OF the rank and file as from age
wounds, and olher intirmiiies occa.ioned by
service, have become uuft 10 perform their
respective duties, is recommended as means
OF increasing The efficiency Of the army, and
as an act of Justice, due from grateful
country TO the faithful soldier. p
The accompanying report of the Secretary
OF the Navy presents full and satisfactory
account OF the condi,ion aud operations OF the
naval service during the p,st year. Our ciii-
zens engaged in the legitimate pursuits OF
commerce have enjoyed lis benefits. Where
ever our islional vessels have gone, they
have been received with respect, our officers
have been treated wnh kndiiess and cuurte.
sy, aud they have. opall occasions, pursued
a, course of strict neutrality, in accordance
with The policy Of our Government. p .5aao
The naval force a, present in commits isson is
as large as is admissible, with The number of
men authorized by Congress 10 be employed
lmvie yonr attention to The Recommended
iinn of The Secretary ofihe Navy on The sob
jeci of a reorganization Of the Navy, in it's
various grades Of officers, and the establish
lug a retired list for such of the rofiicers as
are disqualified for active and effective SER
vice. Should Congress adopt some such