Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1849-12-27

IN tailfornia and new Mexico, ana mat provision ue
made for the establishment of the oi-e Of Surveyor
General IN New Mexico. California and Oregon, and
to the surveying and bringing into market, public
lands in those territories Those lands OF remote po-
siiions aud dt nj; nf ought be disposed of
terms Ioral TO ALL but especially favorable to the
early enlgrant.
In order thai the situation aud character of the
principal mineral drpo>ils N California may be
certained. / recommend that geological and min
geological exploration be connected with the inner
surveys and hat the mineral lands bc divided into
snail lots table for mining and disposed Of by sale
lease, II give citizens opportunity of
procuring permanent ii 1T at property the soil.
Thi, would 10 b. : important lp The success Of
mining Us # agricultural purposes.
Tie great nlnern wealth of California aud the ad-
vaniages incl, lis COASTS and arbprs, aud hnse OF
Oregon, afford commerce. aud especially with the
islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the pop
unus reg ions of Eastern Asia, make it certain that
there will arise, few years, large aud prosper
communities on our western coast II, therefore,
becomes Important that line of communca tlon-the
best and most expeditions that the country Will admit
should be opened within The territory the United
States from the navlgable waters OF tie Atlantic, or
the Gulf of Mexico, 10 the Pacific. Opinions. as
elected and expressed by two large and respectable
conventions lately assembled at St. Louis and Mem
phls propose several routes for its location, which, if
practicable, Will meet the wishes and wants of the
country But while this if in successful operation.
"a value 10 the country which would be difficult to
estimate, 1t Is also to be regarded undertaking
OF vast magnitude and expense, and one which must,
if it be indeed practicable, encounter many difficulties
In lis consnmmation and use. Therefore, 10 avoid
failures and disappointment, and to enable Congress
To Judge whether, In the condition OF the country
through which il passes the work be feasible and If
1t be found So whether it should be undertaken a
national Improvement, or left To ndIs dual enterprise,
and OF Tie latter alternative what aid, If any, ought
10 be extended To it by the government, recommend,
preliminary measure, careful reconnaissance of
the several 3scd routes by scientific corps, and
repor, TO tie praccabhity of making such road,
with 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 bahor improvements winch have been already
begun, aud also for the construction Of those for which
estimates have been made, well as examined ones,
and estimates preparatory TO the commencement OF s"eh
others the Of the counlry-especlay the hd-
vancement OF population new districts, and The
extension OF commerce-may render necessary An es-
tmate of the amountlha be advnniageously expen
ded within the next 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 cession of territory made by the late treaty with
Mexico has greatly extended our exposed frontier, and
rendered lis defence difficult That treaty has al
So brought under obligations Mexico, 10 comply
with which military force is requisite; but our military
establishment is not materially changed to MS ethci-
cheney, from the condition IN which II stood before The
Mexican war Some addition TO IT VIII therefore be nee
essary and recommend TO the favorable consideration
of Congress increase Of the several corps OF the army
at our distant western parts proposed by the accopa
nying report of the Secretary OF war.
Great endorsements have resulted from the effect
upon the rank in the army, heretofore gwen to breve
and staff officers. The views of the Secretary OF war on
this subj deemed important, and If carried into Ell
fpctS will / s we'd
vice. The plan proposed for retiring disabled officers,
and providing asylum lof such Of the rank and file,
from age wounds and other iufirmies occasIoned by
diseasc have become unfit perform their respective
duties is recommended means of increasing the ETH
cheney of the field officers. and an act of justice due
from grateful country TO the faithful soldier.
The accompanying report OF the Secretary OF the Navy
presents full aud satisfactory account of the condition
and operation of the naval service during the past year
Our sailors engaged in The legitimate pursuits of COM
merce, have enjoyed i,s benefits. Wherever naval
vessels have gone they have been received with respect
Our officers been treated with Kindness and
sv and they have all occasions pursued course of
strict neutrality in accordance with the policy Of our gov
The naval force presen in commission large
admissible with the number of authorized by Con-
gress TO be employed invite your attention to the re-
commentator of the Secretary of the Navy the sub
ect of organization of the Navy in It's various grades
of officers, aud the establishment of retired list for such
officers disqualified for active and eectua service
Should Congress adopt some such measure is recon-
mended will greatly increase the efficiency of the Navy
and reduce It's expenditures also ask attention to
the views expressed 10y HIM reference TO the employ
mcnt 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 lith ISIS pro-
vision made for extending post offices and mail ac-
commodations TO California and Oregon Excrtons have
been made TO execute that law, but the limited provisions
are inadequate its entire ulhmcn II authorizes the
adaptation of post office laws TO the situation oil that
country the measures of compensation for services
allowed by those laws, compared with the prices OF labor
and in California render those provisions, IN great
degree Intellectual More particular and efficient provision
by law, is required on this subject
The net of 1919 reducing POSTAGE has now, by ls ope-
ration during produced results iuy showing
that the income from such reduced postage " SUFFICIENT 10
sustain the whole expense of the service of the post Office
Department. including the cost of transporting by
mail steamers on the lines from New y ork to thngrcs
and from Panama Astor. which has not been consd-
cred by Congress properly belonging to the mail service
II ~ submitted lO the wisdom OF Congress-, whether
further reduction Of postage should not now Toe
made, more particularly on The letter correspondence.
THIS should be relieved from the unjust burden OF
transporting md delivering of the irankcd matter OF
Congress for which public service, provision should
be made from the treasury. confidently believe thai
change mny safely be made reducing all SINGLE let
ter postage To the uniform rate 81 live cents, regard
loss IT distance without thereby imposing any great
or tax on the treasury than would conS'liulo very
moderate compensation for this public service. and,
would therefore recommend such reduction. Should
Congress prefer ~ abolish the Thanking privilege, II
probable that demand on the treasury woul,
result from the proposed reduction of postage. Whe
ther stlll further diminuion should now be- made" oi
tho result OF The reduction Ia five cents, which have
been recommending. he first tired, - submitted 10
your discretion.
Since the commencement of the last session o
Congress- postal treaty with Great Britain has beer
received md ratified. and such regulations have ben
formed by tho Post Office Departments of the tive
countries ~ pursuance of That treaty. 10 carry Ia
provisions into foil operation The attempt extent
: the arrangement through England aud France
has not been abandoned. For "A Particular satcmen
OF the condition OF the Post Office Department, ant
other matters connected with bat branch OF the pub
Inc service refer YOU the report OF the Post Mas