The North-Carolina standard., 1850-01-02

"a N i q, lCOO. n-sa8 a~.*s-3
eral lands.
I also recommend that commissions be organized
by Congress to examine and decide upon the validi
~ of the present subsisting land titles in California
and New Mexico and thatsprovsion be made for
the establishment Of Offices Of surveyor general in
New Mexico, California. and Oregon. and for the
surveying and bringing into market the public lands
in those Territories. Those lands, remote in posi-
tion and difficult of access, ought to be disposed of
on ters liberal to ALL but especially favorable to the
early emigrants. fs-=5
In order that the situation and character Of the prin-
cipal mineral deposites in California may be ascer-
tained. recommend that geological and mineralo-
gcal exploration be connected with the linear sur
| veys, and that the mineral lands be divided into
small lots suitable for mining, and be disposed of,
by sale or lease to give our citizens an oppor-
the soil. This would seem to be important to the
success of mining as of agricultural pursuits.
The great mineral wealth of California, and the
advantages which its ports and harbors and those Of
Oregon afford to commerce. especially with the is
lands of the Pacific and Indian oceans and the pop
uous regions Of eastern Asia, make it certain that
there will arise in few years large and prosperous
communities on our western coast 1t therefore be-
comes important that line of communication, the
best and most expeditions which the nature of the
ritory of the United States, from the navigable
waters of the Atlantic the Gulf of Mexico
to the Pacific. Opinion, as ELECTED and expressed
by two large and respectable conventions, lately
sembled at St. Louis and Memphis, points to rail-
road that which, if practicable, will best the
wishes and wants of the country. But while this,
if in successful operation, would be work of great
national importance, and of value to the country
which it would be difficult estimate, it ought also
to be regarded as an undertaking of vast magnitude
md and x,hi ind ool
practicable, encounter many difficulties in its con-
struction and Therefore, to avoid failure and
disappointment; to enable Congress to Judge wheth
er, in the condition of the country through which it
must pass, the work be feasible and if be found
SO, whether it should be undertaken national i'm
provement or left to individual enterprises and in the
latter alternative, what aid, if any, ought to be
tended to it by the government, recommend,
preliminary measure, careful reconnaissance of the
several proposed routes by scientific corps, and
report as to the pacticabiity of making such road,
with estimate of the cost of its construction and
support.
For further views on these and other matters con-
nected with the duties of the Home Department,
refer you to the report of the Secretary of the 1nte
rior.
l recommend early appropriations for continuing
the river and harbor improvements which have been
already begun, and also for the construction of those
for which estimates have been made, well for
examinations and estimates preparatory to the COM
mencement of such others the wants of the coln-
try, and especially the advance of population
new districts, and the extension of commerce, may
render. necessary. An estimate of the amount which
can be advantageously expended within the next 6s-
cal year. under the direction of the bureau of topo
graphical engineers, accompanies the report of the
Secretary of War, to which respectfully invite the
attention of Congress.
The cession of territory made by the late treaty with
Mexico has greatly extended exposed frontier, and
rendered its defence more difficult That treaty has
also brought under obligations to Mexico to COM
ply with which military force is requisite. But our
military establishment is not materially changed, as
to its efficiency, from the condition in which it stood
before the commencement of the Mexican war. Some
addition to it will therefore be necessary; and
commend to the favorable consideration of Congress
an increase of the several corps of the army at our
distant western posts proposed In the accompany
ing report of the Secretary of War.
Great embarrassment has resulted from the effect
upon rank, in the army, heretofore given to brevet
and staff commissions. The views of the Secretary
of War this subject deemed important, and if
carried into effect will, it is believed, promote the
harmony of the service. The plan proposed for re-
tring disabled officers, and providing an asylum for
such of the rank and file as from age, wounds, and
other nfrmties occasioned by service, have become
unfit to perform their respective duties, is
mended as means of increasing the efficiency of
the army, and act of Justice due from CRATE
ful country to the faithful soldier.
The accompanying report of the Secretary of the
Navy presents full and satisfactory account of the
condition and operations of the naval service during
the past year. Our citizens engaged in the egiti-
mate pursuits of commerce have enjoyed its benefits.
Wherever our national vessels have gone, they have
been received with respect; our officers have been
treated with kindness and courtesy, and they have
all occasions pursued of strict neutrality,
in accordance with the policy Of our government.
The naval force at presnt in commission is as large
as is admissible, with the number of men authorized
by Congress to be employed.
l invite your attention to the recommendation of
the Secretary of the Navy the subject Of reor-
cers and the establishing of retired list for such of
the officers as disqualified for active and effective
service. Should Congress adopt some such measure
as Is recommended, it will greatly increase the eff
cheney. of the navy, and reduce its expenditures.
also ask your attention to the views expressed
by him in reference to the employment of war steam
es, and in regard to the contracts for the transpora
tion of the United States mails and the operation of
| the system upon the prosperity of the navy.
BY an act of Congress passed August IA, 1646,
provision was made for extending post Office and
mail accommodations to California and Oregon. Ex-
ertions have been made to execute that law but the
limited provisions of the act the inadequacy of the
means it authorizes the i'll adaptation of our post
office laws to the situation of that country, and the
measure of compensation for services allowed by
those laws, compared with the prices of labor and
rents in California, render those exerons in great
degree, Intellectual. More cuar and efficient
provision by law is required on This subject.
The act of 1S45, reducing postage, has now, by
operation during four years, produced results full
age is sufficient to sustain the whole expense of the
service OF the Post Office Department. not including
the cost OF transportation in mail steamers the
lines from New York to Chagres, and from Panama
to Astoria, which have not been considered by Con-
gress as properly belonging to the mail service.