The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1849-12-27

custom houses al that AMI other points ,
mentioned in that act. At the earliest pc
Rod practicable the Collector proceeded
over land, and advices have not yet been
received Of his arrival at San Francisco.
Mean while it is understood that the Gus
toms have been continued to be collected by
officers acting under the military authorities,
as they were during the administration Of
my predecessor. 1t will think, be expe.
dent to confirm the cole ctions thus made,
and direct the avails, with such an allow
ancs as Congress may think fit to authorize,
to be paid into the Treasury for the pur-
pose of meeting appropriations for the i'm
provement of its rivers and harbors.
A party engaged on the canal survey
was deputed 10 Oregon in July last, but &C
cording TO the latest advices, they had not
| left California; and directions have been
given 10 them, that as soon as they had fix
cd on the site of the two light houses and
buoys, authorized to be constructed in Or
egon, to proceed without delay and make
a reconnaissance Of the most important
points on the coast of California, and es-
pec!ally to examine and determine OH sites
erection of which is earnestly demanded
l have transferred the Indian agencies
from the Upper Missouri and Council
Bluffs, to Santa Fe and Salt Lake; and
have caused to be appointed sub agents in
the vallies of the ella, the Sacramento and
Joaquin rivers.
Still further legal appropriations will be
necessary for effectual aud successful exten.
sion Of our Indian intercourse over the new
territory.
recommend that commissioners be au-
thurized by Congress to decide upon the
validity Of the present suhsisting land titles
in California and New Mexico, and that
provision be made for the establishment of
Surveyors General in New Mexico and Cal
ifornia, and for surveying and bringing into
market the public lands in those terrific
res.
Those lands, remote in position, aud diff
ticult Of access, ought to be disposed of on
terms liberal to all, but especially favorable
to the early emigrants. In order that the
situation and character Of the principal mi
neral deposits may be ascertained, l recon-
mend that Geological and Neurological
exploration, to be connected with general
Survey, and that mineral lands be divided
into small lots, suitable for mining, and be
disposed of, by sale or lease, so as to give
our citizens All opportunity of procuring a
; permanentright Of property in the soil. This
} would seem TO be as important to the sue
cess of mining as of agricultural pursuits
The great mineral wealth of California,
the advantages which its ports and harbors
and those of Oregon afford to commerce, es.
) pccial]y with The Islands in the Pacific and
the Indian Ocean, and the populous regions
Of Eastern Asia, make it certain that there
y.in cic in fo1y low
porous communities on our western coast
, Communications the best and most expedi
tious Which the nature Of the country will
I admit, should be opened within the Terito-
, ry of the United States.
From the navigable waters, from the Gulf
! TO the Pacific, the opinion, as elected and
expressed by two large and respectable
} Conventions, lately assembled at St. Lnui:
and Memphis, points to Rail Road, as tina
r which, if practicable will best meet thu
, wishes and wants of the country; but while
this, if a successful operation, would be &
r work of great material importance and o
. value to the country which would b.
5 difficult to estimate, it is also TO be con
! sidered as an undertaking of vast mag
nitude and expense, and one, if it be in
. deed practicable, that must encounte
many serious difficulties in its construction
, To avoid failure and disappointment, to ena
BILE Congress to judge of the practicabiity
] of the proposed enterprise, to decide clearly
7 whether the same shall be undertaken, j
found to be feasible, and whether as a ma
D tional or private work, l recommend,
r preliminary reconnaissance of the severa
L proposed routes, by the several scientifi.
=; corps, and that they report on the practica
: bilty of making such a road, with estimates
0 of the cost of construction and support
I For further views of this, and other matter
o connected with the Home Department,
e refer you to the Report of the Secretary O
4 the Interior.
c recommend early appropriations fo
l continuing river and ha,bor improvements
!. which have been already commenced. ant
h also for the construction Of those for which
It estimates have already been made, as wei
II for examinations and estimates preparation,
: 10 the commencement OF such others as TIT
wants OF the country, and especially thu
e advance of cur population over new dis
: tric:s, and of tie extension of commerc,
i may render necessary. The estimated
e amount which can be advantageously
$ expended within the limits of the fsca
d year, under the direction of the 1'opo
;, graphical Engineers, accompanies tn
report of the Secretary of War, to which
: respectfully invite the attention of Congress
# The cession of territory made by lat
f treaty with Mexico, has greatly extended
il our exposed position and renders its defence
b more difficult. The treaty has also throws
: us under obligation to Mexico, to compl,
!. with which military force is requisite, bu
: the military establishment is not materially
J. changed.
It Great embarrassment has resulted from
d the effect upon the rank in the Army, here
: tofore given to brevet and staff commission
: The views Of the Secretary of War
S on this subject are deemed important, and i
: carried into effect will, it is believed, pro
d mote the harmony of the service. TIL
e place proposed for the retiring disabled off
GERS, aud providing All asylum for the rank
d and file, who have from age, wounds an.
:, other infrmities, occasioned by services
i have become unfit for further duty, is re
e commended. Thus means of increasing tn,
e efficiency of the army as an act of justic,
o due from a grateful people to the faithful
: soldier The acconban viny reporf of ths