The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1849-12-29

to Santa Fe, and shall make and have
caused to be appointed, sub-agents in
the vallies of the Gila, the Sacramento,
and San Joaquin rivers. Still further
legal provisions will be necessary for the
Ieffeetual and successful extension of our
system of Indian intercourse over the
new territories
[ recommend the establishment of a
branch mint in California, as it will in
my opinion, afford important facilities to
those engaged in mining, as to the gov
ernment in the disposal of the mineral
lands. l also recommend that commits
sioners be appointed by Congress to ex-
anime and decide upon the validity of
the present land titles IN California and
New-Mexico, and that provisions for the
establishment of offices OF Surveyor
General in California New-Mexico and
Oregon, and for the surveying and bring
ing into market the public lands in
those territories. Those lands, remote in
position and difficult to access. ought to
be disposed of on terms liberal to all, but
especially favorable to the early emil
grants.
In order that the situation and char
acter of the principal mineral deposits in
California may be ascertained, Irecom-
mend that Il geological and mineralogic-
al exploration be connected with gen
eral survey, and that the mineral land be
divided into sm all lots suitable for mi
ming, and be disposed of by sale or lease
so as to give our citizens an opportunity
of procuring permanent right of prop
erty on the soil This would seem to be
as important to the success of mining as
of agricultural pursuits. The great min
eral wealth of California, the advantages
which its ports and harbors and those of
| Oregon afford to commerce, especially
with the islands of the Pacific and Indi-
an oceans, and the populous regions of
Eastern Asia; make it certain that there
will arise in Il few years large and pros
IperJus communities on our western coast.
Routes the best, the most expeditions
which the nature of the country will ad-
nit, should be opened within the lerri-
tory of the United States from the navi-
gable waters of the Atlantic or Gulf of
Mexico and the Pacific Public opinion
as elected and expressed by two large
and respectable conventions lately assem-
bled at st Louis and Memphis, points to
Il railroad, as that which, if practicable,
will best meet the wishes and wants of
country; but while this if in successful
operation would be work of great ma
tional importance, and of value to the
country which would be difficult to esti-
mate, it ought also to be regarded as an
undertaking Of vast magnitude and ex-.
pcnse, and one which must, ifit be indeed
practicable, encounter many difficulties
in it's construction and use. Therefore
to avoid failures and Disappointment, and
to enable Congress to Judge whether, in
the condition ot the country through
which it passes; the work be feasible, |
and whether, if tound 50, it should be un-
dertaken as Il national improvement, Or
be left to indvidui enterprise; and lii the
latter alternative, whit ,lld, if any on Tht !
to be extended to it by the government |
| recommend as Il preliminary measure,
a careful reconnaissance OF the several
proposed routes by scientific corps, and IL
report as to the practIcability of making
such road, with an estimate of the COST
of its construction.
For further news of this and other
matters connected with the duties of the
Home Department, refer you to the re-
port of the Secretary of the interior.
recommend early appropriations by |
Congress for the river and harbor inn
which have been already
begun, and also for the construction of
those for which estimates have been
made, as well as examinations and estl-
mates preparatory to the commencement
of such others as the wants OF the coun-
try, and especially tae advance OF our
population over new districts, and the
of commerce may render nee
essary The estimated amount which
can be advantageou,ly expended within |
the limit of the fiscal year, uaitr the di-
reetion of the bureau of typographical
Engineers, accompanies the report of the
Secretary of War, to which | would re-
spectfuliy invite the attention of Con-
gress.
The cesSioa of territory made by the
late treaty with Mexico, has greatly ex-
tended our exposed frontier, and renter
ed it, defence more difficult. That trea-
ty has also brought us under obligations
to Mexico to comply with which IA militia
ry force is requisite. But our military
is not changed as to its
efficiency from the condition in which it
stood before the commencement Of the
Mexican war. Great embarrassment h Is
resulted from the effect of rank in the
army heretofore given to brevet and staff
The views of the Secreta-
ry of War on this subject are deemed
and if carried into effect will,
it is believed, promote the hlrmony Of
the service. The plan proposed for re-
lieying disabled officers and providing an
ASYLUM for such OF the rank and file as
from age, wounds, and other intirmities
occasioned by service, have become unfit
to perform their respective duties; is rec
as "a means of increasing the
of the army, and as an act of
Justice due from a grateful country to
the faithful soldier