Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-12-12

explanations, and by the collection and dIStrl>
button Of rare seeds and plants, with instruc-
tions as to the best system Of cultivation, much
may be done to promote this great national in~
terest.
In compliance with the act of Congress,
passed on the 23d ofMay, 1850, providing a.
mong other things, for taking the seventh cen.
sus. superintendent was appointed, and al
other measures adopted which were deemed
necessary to ensure the prompt and faithful
performance ofthat duty. The appropriation
already made will, it is believed, be sufficient
to defray the whole expense ofthe work but
further legislation may be necessary in regard
to tho compensation of some Of the marshals
Of the Territories. 1t will also be proper 10
make provision by law, at an early day, for
the publication of such abstracts of the returns
as the public interests may require.
The unprecedented growth OF our Terrific,
res on the Pacific in wealth and population,
and the consequent increase of their social and
commercial relations with the Atlantic States,
seem to render it the duty of the Government
to use all its constitutional power to improve
the means OF intercourse with them The inn
portance Of opening "a line Of conmunica>
ton, the best and most expeditions of which
the nature of the country will admit" between
the valley of the Mississippi and the Pacific,
was brought to your notice by my predeces.
sor, IN his annual message and as the rea-
sons which he presented in favor ofthe meas
ure still exist III full force, beg leave to call
your attention to them, and to repeat the COM
mendatlons then made by him.
! The uncertainty which exists in regard 10
the validity of laud titles in California is sub
ject which demands your early consideration.
Large bodies ofland in that State are claim
cd under grants said to have been made by the
authority Of the Spanish and Mexican Gov
ernments. Many Of these have not been per-
lected, others have been revoked, and some
are believed to be fraudulent. But until they
snail have been judiciaIly investigated, they
will continue TO retard the settlement and inn
provement of the country. |, therefore re-
spectfully recommend that provision be made
by law, for the appointment Of commissioners
to examine all such claims with view to
their final adjustment.
| also beg leave to call your attention to
the propriety of extending, at an early day,
our system OF land laws, with such modifca.
tions as may be necessary over the State of
California and the territory of Utah aud New
Mexico. The mineral lands of California
will, ofcourse, form an exception to any gen.
eral system which may be adopted. Various
methods Of disposng Of them have been sug.
gested.
Twas at first inclined to favor the system
of leasing, as il seemed to promise the largest
! revenue to the Government, and to afford the
best security against monopolies, but further
reflection, and our experience in leasing the
lead mines and selling lands upon credit, have
brought my mind TO the conclusion that there
would be great difficulty in collecting the
rents, and that the relation Of debtor and cred~
itor, between the citizens and the Governs
ment, would be attended with many mischei-
veus consequences. therefore recommend
that instead Of retaining the mineral lands
under the permanent control of the Govern
ment, they be divided into small parcels and
sold under such restrictions, as to quantity
and time, as will insure the best price, and
guard most effectuaIy against combinations
of capitalists to obtain monopoIIes.
! The annexation of Texas and the acqusi-
ton of California and New Mexico, have Civ
en- increased importance to our Indian rela>
tions. The various tribes brought under our
| jurisdiction by these engagements of our
boundaries are estimated to embrace popula<
ton of one hundred and twenty four thous-
and
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded
by powerful tribes of Indians, whe are a
source ofconstant annoyance 10 the inhabit-
ants. Separating into small predatory bands,
and always mounted, they overrun the coun.
| try, devastating farms, destroying crops, drl-
wing of whole herds of cattle, and occasional
! ly numbering the inhabitants or carrying
them INTO captivity. The great roads lead
! ing into the country are infested with them,
thereby travelling is rendered extremely dan
oerous. and immigration is almost entirely ar
/ rested. The Mexican frontier, which by the
1lth article ofthe treaty Of Guadalupe Hidal-
90, we are bound to protect against the lndl-
ans within our border, is exposed TO these in>
cursions equally with our own. The militia
ry force stationed i'll that country (although
forming large proportion OF the army is
represented as entirely inadequate to our own
protection and the fnlilment Of our treaty
stipulations with Mexico. The principal de-
ficiency is in cavalry, and recommend that
Congress should, at as early period as Prac~
/ tcable, provide for the raising OF one or more
regiments of mounted men.
/ For further suggestions on this subject and
others connected with our domestic interests,
and the defence of our frontier, | refer you
to the report of the Secretary of War.
/ | commend also to your favorable conside-
/ ration the Suggestions contained in the last
/ mentioned report, and in the letter Of the
GENERAL lin chief relative 10 the establishment