Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-12-03

presented III idV0r oil the measure SIN tAis' IA "
force, beg leave to call your attention to heni' anu
TO repeat the recommendations then made by MN
The uncertainty which exists IN regard to the val
idity Of land titles in California Is subject which
demands Your early consideration. Large bodies oil
land in that State are climed under grants sald 10
have been made by authority of the Spanish ana
Mexican Governments. Many Of these have not
been perfected, others have been revoked, and some
are believed 70 be fraudulent But until they snail
have been judiciay investigated they will continue
to retard the settlement and improvement OF the
county l. therefore, respectfully recommend that
provision be made i'y law, for the appointment oil
commissioners examine all such claims with view
TO their final adjustment
also beg leave to call your attention TO the pro-
priety Of extending, at an early day, our system oil
land laws, with such notifications as may be neces-
sary 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 disposing of them have been suggested
was at first inclined to favor the system of leasing,
it seemed 10 promise the largest revenue to the
Government and TO afford the best security against
monopoes but further reflection, and our expert
ence in leasing the lead mines and selling lands upon
credit, have brought my mind 10 the conclusion that
there would be great difficulty in collecting the rents,
and that the relation Of debtor and creditor between
the Citizens and the Government, would be attended
with many mischieg Gus consequences. therefore
recommend that, instead Of retaining the mineral
lands nader the permanent control of Government,
they be divided into small parcels and sold, under
such restrictions, as to quantity and time, as will m
sure the best price, and guard most eectuay against
combinations Of capitalists TO obtain monopoles.
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition Of Cal
iiOrnia and New Mexico have given increased import
Indian relations. The various tribes brought
q6der our jurisdiction by these engagements Of our
boundaries are estimated to embrace population Of
one hundred and tweniy-fDur thousand
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by powerful
lbes OF Indians, who source OF constant terror
and annoyance to the inhabitants. Separating into
small predatory bands, and always mounted, they
rua the country, devastating fanns destroying crops
driving Of whole herds Of cattle, and occasionally
numbering the Inhabitants or carving them into cartv
lty The great roads leading into the country, in
Tested with them, whereby travelling is rendered ex-
trenely dangerous, and immigration is almost entirely
arrested. The Mexican frontier, which, BY the llth
article Of the treaty Of Guadalupe Hdalgo, we are
bound to project against the Indians within border
Is exposed 10 these lncursions equally with own
he military force stationed in that country (alhough
iormns large proportion Of the army is represented
as entirely Inadequate to own protection and the
iaihinent Of our treaty stpulsons with Mexico. The
principal deficiency is in cavalry, and ! recommend
that Congress should early period as practical
Die provide for the raising Of regiments Of
mounted men, For further suggestions on this subject,
and others connected with domestic interests and
The defence Of frontier refer you to the report Of
the Secretary Of the Interior and Of the Secretary Of
War.
commend also to your favorable consideration the
suggestion contained in the last mentioned report and
~ the letter Of the generaiu-ehef relative to the es-
adjustment of asylum for the relief Of disabled and
destitute soldiers. This subject appeals 50 strongly to
your sympaihies, that would be s1eeruous in me to
say an thing more, than barely 10 express nv cordial
APPRECIATION Of the proposed object
ne 1ayy continues to give protection to our CON-
p r. tfr aai,oai ialerets il the diferea. quar-
steamer On the Northern lakes the vessels in commits
SION are distributed 10 six efficient squadrons The
report OF the head Of that Department viii exhibit the
services q these sndrons and q the several vessels
employed 80 each during the past wear II Is sorrce
Of qualification that While thew have been Constable
pref AIRED lr any hostile eaergency they have every
where met with the respect and COURTESY due as we'll
10 the dignity as to the peaceful dispositions and lust
purposes Of the nation.
The two brigantines accepted BY the Goyeror ent
from generous citizen Of New York and ulaced md
the command Of an officer of the navy. % nrococd 70
me Arctic seas IN quest Of the British commander Sir
John Franklin, and his companions in compliance with
me act oil Congress approved in Nav last had, when
last heard from penetrated into high northern at;.
tuae but the success of this noble and humane enter
prise is yet uncertain
invite your attention to the view of chr nrese,t n,
val establishment and resources presented in the report
81 the Secretary Ct the NAVY, and the sugoestions
therein made for its Improvement together With tn,
naval policy recommended for the security of orr pac
nc Coast and the protection and extension of our com
merce with Eastern Asia. Our facilities for larga
participation in the trade Of the East by means oC ON
recent settlements on the shores of the Pacific are toe
obvious to be overlooked or disregarded
The questions in relation to rank in the army anc
navy, and relative rank between officers of the two
branches OF the service presented to the Executive by
certain resolutions Of the House of Representatives,
the last session OF Congress, have been submitted to
board oil officers in each branch of the service anr
their report may be expected at an earl, day.
also earnestly recommend the enactment of a law an
thorizng officers Of the army and navy to be retire,
from the service, when incompetent for its vigorou
and active duties, taking to make suitable proys
ION for this who have faithfully served their country
and awarding distinctions, by retaining in appropriate
commands those who have been particularly conspcuou
Tor CALAMITY and good conduct. While the obligation
OF the country to maintain and honor thosegwho to thu
exclusion OF other pursuits, have devoted themselves
It's arduous service, this obligation should not be per
united to interfere with the efficiency of the service
itself.
am gratiled in being able to state that the est
mates OF expenditure for the navy in the ensuing yea
are less by more than Wllion of dollars than those
OF the present. excepting the appropriation which ma
become necessary for the construction of dock on The
coast OF the Pacific, propositions for which are now be
ing considered, and on which special report NAV b,
expected early in your present session.
There is an evident business in the suggestion of tn,
same report that appropriations for the naval servic,
proper should be separated from those for fixed anc
permanent Objects such building docks and nav,
yards, and the fixtures attached and from the exraor
binary objects under the of the Department which
however important, are not essentially naval
revision oithe code for the government of the ma
Wy seems to require the immediate consideration o
Congress. Its system of crimes and punishmens ha,
undergone no change for half century, until the las
session. though ITS detects have been often and ably