Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1850-12-19
WESTERN UNIoN-HANN1BAL, MO-, DECEMBER 19, 1850

SbouS oabCt susuBvt tOt toAuS viz soNcutU
census, u superintendent was appointed, aud vi
other measures adopted which were deemed
necessary, to insure the prompt and faithful per.
iormancs Of that duty. THE appropriation al
ready made, will, it's believed, be sufficient! TO
dsfrsy the whole expenses Of the work, but
further Legislation may be necessary in regard
to the CON pensation eli some Of The Marshsls VI
the TER itUries.
Il will ALSO be proper to make provisions by |
law, at an early date, Tor the publication OF such
abstracts VI the returns a. The public interest
may require.
The unprecedented growth Of our Territories
on the Pacific, in wealth and population, and the
consequent increase Of their social aud GUNNER
cial relations with the Atlantic States seem 10
render it the duty Of the Government to use all
its constitutional power 10 improve the means Of
intercourse with them. The Importance Of open.
ing a line Of communication - the best and most
ex pedtious Of which the nature Of the country
will admit between the Valley Of the Missis
sippi aid Pacific, Was brought " your notice by
my predecessor in his annual message, aud a.
the reasons which he presented IN favor OF the
measure still exist in full force, | beg leave to
call your attention to them, aud to repeat the
recommendations there made by him.
| The uncertainty which exists ~ regard 10 The
validity Of Land Titles IN California, Is sub
ject which demands your early consideration.
Large bodies OF lands III that State are claimed
under gratis said TO have been made by author
ity Of the Spanish and Mexican Governnr nts.
Many Of these have not been perfect others
have been revoked, and some are beiie"ed 10 be
fraudulent; but until they shall have been judi
cially investigated they will continue TO retard
he setienen, and improvement Of the country.
!, therefore. respectfully suggest, that provision
be made by law for the appointment OF Commits
sipners to examine all such claims. with a view
to their final adjustment.
also beg leave to call your attention to the
propriety OF extending. al an early day, our sys-
TEN Of Land Laws, with such notifications ~
may be necessary, over the State Of California,
and the Territories Of Utah and New Mexico.
The mineral lands of California; will, Of course,
form an exception to any general system which
may be adopted. Various methods Of disposlng
ofthem have been suggested, was at first in.
oned to have the system Of leasing, as il seemed
to promise the largest revenue to the Govern
ment and TO afford the best security against
nonopolies; but further reflection, and our ex
perience in Leasing tho lead mines, and selling
leads upon credit, have brought my mind to the
conclusion that there would be great difficulty
{ in collecting the rents.
Tha relation Of debtor and creditor, between
the citizens and Government, would be attended
with many mischievous results. / therefore
|, recommendation instead Of retaining the mineral
leads under the permanent control Of the Gov.
eminent, that they be divided into small parcels,
and sold at such time az will ensure the best
I price, and guard most eflectually against com
binatipns Of capitalists to obtain monopnlies.
The snnex Ration of Texas, and the acquisition
Of California and New Mexico, have given in
I creased importance to our Indian relations. The
various tribes brought under our jurisdiction by
. these en!argemsnts of our boundaries, are est!
D mated to embrace u population of l24 900.
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by
powerful tribes Of Indians, who are a source Of
constant terror and annoy ancs to the inhabitants:
separating into small predatory bands, and al
wny' mounted, they overrun the country, de-
, vwstatng farms, destroying crops, aud murder
ing the inhabitants or carrying then. into captlv.
, hy. Tho great roads leading into the country
{ are infested by them; whereby travelling is rem.
g dered extremely dangerous, and emigration 10
almost entirely suspended. The Mexican from.
tier, which by the eleventh article of the treaty
Of Guadalupe Hidalgo. we are bound to protec,
D against the Indians within our borders, is ex-
: posed to their incursions equally with our own.
The military forces stationed in that country, al
though forming large portion Of the army, is
represented as entirely inadequate TO our own
protection and the inlfilment Of our Treaty s,ip.
ulaliOns with Mexico. The principal deicien.
s cy is in cavalry. | recommended that Congress
! should Of as early period as possible, provide
for tire raising Of one or more regiment. Of
mounted men.
. For further suggestions OH this subject, and
others connected with our domestic interests, ia
reference to our frontier l refer you to the Re
ports Of the Secretary Of the Interior. and ofthe
Secretary of War.
E l recommend also, TO your favorable consid-
Grafton, the suggestions contained in the last
? mentioned Report, and in letter of the Gene
raj in Chief, relative To the establishing Of ar
Asylum for the relis! of destitute disabled sol
diers. This subject appeals 50 strongly to you,
4 sympathy that it would be surertluuu. in me IL
say any thing more than barely to express my
. appreciation Of the proposed object.
, The Navy continues to give protection to GU,
commerce and other National interests, in the
different quarters Of the globe, and with the OK
ception Of single steamer on the Northern
f Lakes, the vessels in commission are distributed
in six different squa, Irons.
The Report OF this head Of that Department
will exhibit the serv ices of these squadrons ant
of the several vessels employed in each. during
that while they have been constantly prepared
+ for any hostile emery ency, and have every whsr,
net with the respect and courtesy due, as wei
to the dignity, as to the peaceful disposition and
! just purposes Of tho Nation.
The two brigantines accepted by the Govern
ment from generous citizen Of New York, anc
placed under the command Of al officer of the
Navy, to proceed to the Arctic Seas, in ques