The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1850-01-04

ella, the Sacra menio, and SAM osq uin rivers. |
Still further provisions will b necessary for
the effective and successful extension Of our
system Of Indian intercourse over the new
Territories.
recommend the establishment Of a branch
mint 10 California. as it will, 10 my opinion,
afford important facilities to those engaged
in mining, as well as to the Government in
the disposition Of the mineral lands.
| also recommend that commissions be or.
sanized by Congress, TO examine and decide
upon the validity Of the presen, subsisting
land titles in California and New Mexico
and that provision be made for the establish.
ment Of offices Of Surveyor General in New
Mexico, California, and Oregon, and for the
surveying and bringing into market the pub.
lie lands in those Territories. Those lands,
remote in position and difficult Of access,
ought TO be disposed of on terms liberal to
all, but especially favorable to the early emf.
grants.
10 order that the situation and character Of
the principal mineral deposites in CaIifornis
NAV be ascerlained, ! recommend that a geo.
logical and neurological exploration be con.
nected with the linear surveys, and that the
mineral lands be divided into small lots sui.
table for mining and be disposed Of, by sale
or lease, so as 10 give our citizens an oppor.
tunity Of procuring permanent right Of
property 10 The soil. This would seem to be
as imponsn, TO the success Of mining as Of
agricultural pursuits.
+ The great mineral wealth Of California,
and the advantages which its ports and har.
bor., and those Of Oregon, afford to com.
merce, especially with The islands Of the Pa.
cific and Indian oceans, and the populous re.
gions Of Eastern Asia, make it certain that
prosper ous communities on our western coast.
1t, therefore becomes lmportan, that line Of
communication, the best and most expeditions
which he nature Of the country will admit,
should be opened, within The territory Of the
United a,es, from the nsygatle waters Of
the Atlantic or the Gulf Of Mexico, 10 the
Pacific. Opinion, as elected and expressed
by two large and respectable conventions,
lately assembled a, ST. Louis and Memphis,
points to a railroad as that which, If prscti.
cable, will best meet the wishes and wants Of
the country. Blu, while this II in successful
operation, would be work Of great national
importance, and Of value 10 the country
which it would be difficult to estimate, il
ough, also TO be regarded as en- undertaking
Of vast magnitude aod expense, and one
which must, if il be, indeed, practicable, en-.
r counter many faculties in its construction
and use. Therefore, to avoid failure and dis.
, appointment; to enable Congress 10 Judge
, whether, in the condition Of the country
, through which il must pass, the work be
, feasible, and if it DO found so, whether i,
should be undertaken as a rational improve
ment or left 10 individual enterprise; and ia
The latter alternative wha, aid, If any, ought
TO be extended TO i, BY ,h. Cove, nmeni, /
recommend as preliminary measure care.
ful reconnaissance Of the several proposed
routes BY scientific corps. and O rspon ss
TO the prac,icab,li'y Of making such a road
, with an estimate Of the cos, Of lie cone, NC
lion and support.
A For further views on these and other mat
f tiers connected with the duties Of the Home
4 Department. refer you to the report OF th,
!. Secretary Of the Interior
i. recommend carly appropriations fol
!. continuing the river end harbof ImPf ovement
9 which have been already begun, and also 70
y the construction OF those for which estimates
!. have been made, a. we'll for sxaminaio an,
;, estimates preparatory to the commence men
!. OF such others as the wants Of ihs country
IS and especially The advance Of our population
| over new districts, and the extension Of com
e merce, my render necessary. An estimate
of The amount which can be advantageous
il expended within the mex, fiscal year. undo
!, the direction Of the Burnau of Topographic
a cal Engineers, accompanies the report Of tn
n Secretary Of War, 10 which | respectful
n invite The attention Of Congress.
- The cesslon Of territory made by the lat
. treaty With Mexico has greatly extended on
:, exposed frontier, and rendered ns define
more difficult. That treaty has also brough
!. US under obligations TO Mexico, 10 compI
d with which military force is requisite. Blu
IF our military establishment is not material
10 changed, as to It's efficiency, from he cond
D. ton IN which it stood before the commence
Al ment Of the Mexican war. Some addilio
.. to ii will therefore be necessary and | re
commend to the favorable conside alton {
I'd Congress an increase Of the several corps {
$, the army at our distant Western posts, a
% proposed in the accompanying Report Of IN
Secretary of War.
IN Great embarrassment has resulted fror
d. the effect upon rank, in the army. heretolor
NJ given to brevet and staff commissions. TIL
,e views Of The Secretary of War on this sui
n. ject are deemed important, and if carried il
c. to efIec, will, it is believed, promote the ha
d. mony Of the service. The plan proposed f
Of retiring disabled officers, and providing .
i, asy lum for such Of the rank and file as frol
u. age, wounds or other infirmites occasone
~ by service, have become unf, to perform the
re- respective duties, in recommended as a NEAR
r. Of increasing the efficiency of the army, ar
re as an ac, Of justice due from grateful couI
. try to the faithful soldier.
* The accompanying Repor, Of The Secret,