Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1850-12-06

ton, mincraloCis, and chemist, who should be
required, under tho direction Of the head Of
the buroau, TO collcc, specimens Of tho vari.
ous mineral Of our country, and TO ascertain
by careful analysis, their respective element,
and properties, and their adaptation to useful
purposes. lie should also be required to ex.
anime and rcpor, upon the qualities Of differ
en-, soils. and the manurcs bcs, calculated 10
improve their productivencss. BY Publishing
the results Of such experiments, with sui,a'
bic explanations, and by the collection and
distribution Of rare seeds and plants, with IN
,,ruclions as 20 the hes, system Of cultivation,
much may be done to promote this great ma
iional interest.
I In compliance with the act Of Congress,
passed on the Esd 81 May, 1850. providing,
amone other things, for taking the seventh
census, a superintendent was appointed, and
all olhc, measures adopted which were deem
ed necessary tn ensure the prompt and faith
tel performance of tina, duty. The apprspn-
alton already made will, It j. believed. be SUI
fcieni To deiray the whole expense Of the
wors, but further legislation NAV b. ncccs-
slry IN regard tn the compensation Of some Of
the marshal. of the Territories. II will also
be proper to make provision by law, at an
early DAY, for the publication OF such abstracts
Of the returns as the public interest may re.
quirr.
The unprecedented growth OF our Terrific
rirs on the Pacific in wealth and population,
and the consequent, increase Of their social
and commercial relations with the Atlantic
Slsss, seem to render II the duty Of the Gov.
rtunsu, to Use all It's constitutional power To
improve the means Of intercourse With them.
The Importance Of opening " a line Of com
muniraii"u, the best and mos, expeditions ol
which the nature 1T the country will admit,
between the valley Of the Missis,Ppl and the
Pacific, was brought 10 your notice hy INV
predecessor, IN his annual message, and a.
the reasons which be presented In favor II the
measure still cnls, in foil force, beg leave
" calI your attention tn them, and tn repeat
Nae recommendation then made by him.
The uncertainty which exists in regard To
the ,aldity Of land titles IN California - a
subieu which demands your early consldcra.
ton. Large bodies Of land IN iha, sis,, are
claimed under grants aid To have becn made
by AUTHORITY of the Spanish and McSlcau Gov.
erumcnls MANY of these have not been per-
icctcd. othcs have been revoked, and SINE
are hclic,cc to be fraudulent hut until
thcy shall have bccn judlclally Investigated,
they will cunrnuc - rctarj the settlement
ari Improvement AZ he country I, there
fore. recommend that provision be- made by
law, tor the appointment of commissioners To-
examine Az suca claims with a view ,o their
fusl adjustment
| als1 hrr leave 10 call your attention TO the
proprleiy OF extending, At an early day, our
system Of land Ilvs, with such notifications
rs may b, necessary, over the State II Cali.
liornn and the territories Of Utah and New
MrNic5. The mineral land, of California
will, Of course firm an exception to any gen.
cnl system which NAV hc adopted. Narinus
methods oi dispensing Of ihcn have been suc.
rcsird Twas at hrsi inclined 10 favor the
system of leasing, a. At seemed 10 promise the
largest revenue ~ the government aud 10 al.
ford the best security against monopolics -
but further reflection. aud our experience IN
leasing the lead mine, and selling land. upon
credit ha,, brougn, my mind To the oonclu-
sion that there would be great difficulty IN
collecting the rents, and ,ha, the relation ol
debtor and creditor, between he citizens and
the government, would h. attended with ma.
~ mi.ch.s,ous consequences. therefore
recommend that, instead Of retaining ihc mia.
ersl land. under the permanent control Of tn
,scnmcnr. ihcy b- divided into small parcels
and sold, under such restrictions, as to guam.
t,y and time, as will insure thu best Price,
and guard mos, elicciually against ccmblua.
lions IT capitalists to obtain monopolles
The annexation of Texas and The acluisi-
tiou Of California and New Mexico have CAV.
cn increased importance To- our Indian rcla-
tons. The ,auou, iuhes brought under our
jurisdiction by these engagements Vi our
boundaries are estimated to contain , popula.
ton Of one hundred and lvcuty.logr ,hous.
and
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by
powerful tribes Of Indians, who are a source
Of constant terror ard annoyance to the lnhab-
ilan,s. Separating into small predatory bands,
aud always mounted, they o,crrun the cnun-
Try, devastating farms, destroying crops, dr.
wing Oh wtole herds of cattle, and occasion.
ais numbering the inhabitants or carving
thcm into captivity. The great roads lead
log into the country are infested With them,
whereby travelling is rendered extremely
dangerous, ard Immigration is almost entire.
~ arrested. The Mexican frontier, which,
by the llth article OF the treaty of Guadalupe
IIidllgo, NC are bound Ia protect against the
Indians in oar border, Is exposed to these IN.
cursions equally with our own. The militia
~ force stationed in tina, country (althouch
forming a large proportion Of the auny) IS
represented as entirely inadequate TO our own
pp.,leeiion aud the falhllmen, IL our treaty
,tipulations with Mexico. The principal de-
fciency is in cavalry, and recommend that
Cougrcss should, at as early period as Prac-
,clslc. provide for the raising of ono or more
regiments Of mounted men.
A.. ~ t.,f,s AZ, thu. sut,t.r. ,,I