The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-11

Of the nation, and has just claim to The
fostering care and protection Of the goy-.
ernment, so far as they can be extended
consistently with the provisions Of the con-
stituiion. As this cannot be done by the
ordinary modes of legislation, | respect
fully recommend the establishment Of IN
agricultural bureau, to be charged with the
duty Of giving to this leading branch Of
American industry the encouragement
which il 30 we'll deserves. In view Of the
immense mineral resources of our coun-
try, provision should also be made for the
employment Of competent mineralogist.
and chemist, who should be required, un.
der the direction Of the head Of the bureau.
to collect specimens Of the various miner
ais of our country, and to ascertain. by
careful analysis, their respective elements
and properties, and their adaptation to
useful purposes. He should also bs rs-
quired to examine and report upon the
qualities Of different soils. and the ma
nures best calculated to improve their pro-
ductiveness. By publishing the results Of
such experiments, with suitable explana-
tions, and by the collection and distribu-
ton Of rare seeds and plants, with instruc-
tions as to the best system of cultivation,
much may be done to promote this great
national interest. 4
In compliance with the act Of Congress.
passed on the Esd of May, 1860. provid-,
ing, among other things, for taking The
seventh census, a superintendent was APP
pointed, and all other measures adopted
which were deemed necessary to insure tho
prompt and faithful performance of that
duty. The appropriation already made
will, it is believed, be sufficient to defray
the whole expense Of the work; but further
legislation may be necessary in regard to
the compensation Of some oi the msrshals
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 interests may require,
The unprecedented growth Of our Ter
ritories on the Pacific in wealth and pop.
ulation, and the consequent increase Of
their social and commercial relations with.
the Atlantic States, seem 10 render it the
duty of the government to use all its con-,
stitutonal power to improve the means OF.
with them. The Importance Of
opening ga line OF communication, the
best and most expeditious Of which the ma
ture Of the country viii admit" between
the valley ofthe Mississippi and the Pacific,
was brought to your notice by my prede-
cessor. in his annual message; and as the
reasons which he presented in favor Of the
measure still exist in full force, beg leave
10 call your attention to them, and to re-.
peat the recommendations then made by
him.
The uncertainty which exists in regard
10 the validity of land titles in California
is subject which demands your early
Large bodies Of land in
that State are claimed under grants said to
have been made by authority of the Span.
ish and Mexican governments. Many Of
these have not been perfected, others have
been revoked, and some are believed to
be fraudulent. But until they shall have
been jndicially investigated, they will con-
inue to retard the settlement and improve
nent of the country. therefore respect.
ully recommend that provision be made
oy law for the appointment of commission
srs to examine all such claims, with a
view to their final adjustment. ag
also beg leave to call your attention TO
he propriety Of extending, at an early day,
,ur system Of land laws, with such ,modiii-.
cations as may be necessary, over the State
If California and the Territories of Utah,
md New Mexico. The mineral lands Of
California will, Of fcourse, form an excep,,
ion to any general system which may be
adopted. Various methods Of disposing
# them have been suggested. was at
irst inclined to favor the system of leasing,
Is it seemed TO promise the largest revenue
0 the Government and to afford the best
security against monopolies; but further re-
lection, and our experience in leasing the
cad mines and selling the lands upon cred,
I, have brought my mind to the conclusion
hat there would be great difficulty in COL
ecting the rents, and that the relation of
lebtor and creditor, between the citizens
nd the Government. would be attended
gith may mischievous consequences II
therefore, recommend that, instead of re-
aiming the mineral lands under the per-,
lanent control Of the Government, they b. 4
ivided into small parcels and sold, under
uch restrictions, as to quantity and time,
s will insure the best price, and guard
lost effectually against combinations Of
apitalists to obtain monopolies. aa
The annexation Of Texas and the acqui-I
tion Of California and New Mexico have
iven increased importance to our Indian
slations. The various tribes brought un-
er our jurisdictionsby these enlargements
-four, boundaries are estimated to ems
race a population of one hundred and
thousand. A asi
! Texas aud New Mexico are surrounded
y powerful tribes Of Indians, who are q
ource of constant terror and annoyance
} the inhabitants Separating into small
bands, and always mounted,