Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-12-11

establishment of mint. In the mean time AZ an osyer,
office is established there, would respectfully submit far
your consideration, the proprey ofauhozng gold bullion
which has been assayed and stamped received in
ment OF Government dues. cannot conceive that the
treasury would suffer any loss by such provision which
will raise bullion its par value and thereby cave
(fI rightly inormed) many millions of dollars to the
abores which paid in bokage TO convert the pre-
clons metal into available funds This discount upon their
hard earnings is heavy tax, and every effort should be
made by the Government to relieve them from 90 great
BURDEN
More than hreefourhs of the population are engaged in
we cultivation OF the SOIL The commercial manufacturing
navigating interests are all to great extent dependent
o me agricultural 1t is, therefore, the mosl,mportant in
eie' Vi the nation, and has just claim 10 the fostering
anu projection OF the Government SO far as thew can
be eH'ehded consistently with the provisions of the consti
u'o ms 'nS cannot be done by the ordinary modes of
Ieg'siaoh, respectfully recommend the establishment of
an Agricultural Bureau, be charged with the drv ~
giving to this leading branch of American industry the on
couragement which So well deserves In view of the i'm
mineral Of country provisions sbon
also be made for the employment of Competent minerao
gs and chemist who should be required under the direction
Of the head of the Bureau TO collect specimens Of the v.
Gus minerals country and to ascertain By careful a.
nayss their respective elements and properties and their
adaptation TO useful purposes He should also be required
to examine and report upon the qualities of different Soils
and The manures best calculated TO improve their produc.
yeness. BY publishing the results OF such experiments
button OF seeds and plants, with instructions to the
best system Of cultivation much may be done to promote
this great national interest.
In compliance with the of Congress- passed on the
23d of May $780, providing among other things for taking
the seventh census superintendent appointed and all
other adopted which were deemed necessary to-
the prompt and faithful performance of that duly
The appropriation already made will, it is believed, be suf
clent defay the whole expense of the work. bu; further
Legislation may be necessary regard to the compensation
OF some OF the Aarshas Of the Territories 1t will also be
proper make provisions By law early day. for the
publication oil such abstracts of tho the public in
lerests may require.
The unprecedented growth Of Territories on the Pa
cc in wealth and po2ulaon and the consequent
OF their social and commercial relations with the Atlantic
States, render it the duty Of Government all
lis constitutional power improve the means OF intercourse
win he The importance Of opening ga lire OF commu
nicalOn The best and most expeditions Of which the
of the country will admit" between the valley of The Mis-
ssspp and The Pacific, brought TO your notice by my
predecessor his annual messages and the reasons which
he presented In favor OF the measure still exits in full force
beg leave TO call your attention to them, and repeat the
recommendations then made by him.
he uncertainty which esiss in regard the validity Of
land titles in California is subject which demands your
early consideration Large bodies of land in that State are
claimed undergants said to have been made by authority
Of the Spanish and Mexican Governments Many ofthese
have not been perfected Others have been revoked land
believed to be fraudulent But until they shall have been
judlciay investigated they will continue reard the
Element and improvement Of the country therefore,
specully recommend that provisions be made by law for
the appointment commissioners examine all such claims
with view TO their final adjustment.
also beg leave call your attention to the proprety of
extending at an early day. system of land laws, with
such notifications may be necessary the State Of
California and the territories Of Utah and New Mexico
The mineral lands of California will, Of course form
cepuon any general system which may be adopted Va
rlOns methods Of dposng of them have been suggested
was at first inclined favor the system of leasing it
seemed promise the largest revenue The Government
and 10 afford the best security against monOpoes but fur
Their reflection and experience in leasing the lead mines
and selling land upon credit have brought my mind TO the
conclusion that there would be great difficulty in collecting
the rents and the relation OF debtor and creditor, between
the citizens and the Government, would be attended with
many mIschleyous consequences therefore recommend
that instead Of retaining the mineral lands under the perma
nen control OF The Government they be divided into small
parcels and sod under such restrictions, quantity and
me will insure the best price, and guard most eiectu
ally against combinations of capitalists obtain monop0es.
The annexation OF Texas and the acquisition OF CaIor-
MIA and New Mexico have given increased importance to-
our Indian relations The various tribes under our
jurisdiction by these engagements OF boundaries
tImaed to embrace population Of one hundred and twe-
yuUr thousand.
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded By powerful trbes
of Indians who OF constant terror and annoy
to the inhabitants Separating into small predatory
bands and always mounted they the country, de-
vasatng farms, destroying crops, driving off whole herds
OF cattle and occasionally numbering the inhabitants or car
ryng them into captivity The great roads leading into
The country infested with them, whereby travelling is
rendered extremely dangerous and immigration is almost
entirely arrested. The Mexican frontier which, by she
llth article Of The treaty Of Guadalupe flidago we
bound protect against the Indians within border, is
exposed to these ncursions equally with own The
military force stationed in that country (ahOugh forming
large portion of the army is represented entirely in
adequate 10 our protection and the nfment OF our
treaty spnaiions with Mexico The principal deficiency
in cavalry, and recommend that Congress should
early period as practicable, provide for the raising Of one
or more regiments of mounted men,
For further suggestions this subj and others connec
led with our domestic interests, and The defence of our from
tier refer you to The report OF The Secretary OF The lneri
and of the Secretary of War.
recommend also your favorable consideration The sug
gestOn contained in the last mentioned report and in the
letter Of me generalnchef relative to the establishment
OF asylum for the rieo disabled AMI destitute soldiers.
This subject appeals strongly your sympathes that it
would be superfuOus in TO say any thing more, than
barely express my cordial appreciation Of The proposed
object.
The Navy continues to give protection TO commerce
and other national interests in the different quarters OF the
globe, and with the exception Of single steamer on the
Northern lakes the vessels in commission distributed IN
six different squadrons.
The report of the head Of that Department will exhibit
The services of these sqnadons and OF the several vessels
employed in each during the past year 1t is source OF
qualification that while they have been constantly prepared
for any hostile emergency, they have every where met
with the respect and courtesy due as well the dignity
as to the peaceful dispositions and just purposes Of the
nation
The brganiines accepted ~ the Government from
generous citizen of New York. and placed under the
and Of officer Of the Navy proceed to the Arctic
in quest Of the British commander, Sir John Frankln and
his COMPANIONS in compliance with the acl Of Congress,ap-
proved in May las had, when last heard from, penetrated
high northern latitude but the OF his noble
and humane enterprise is yet uncertain.
invite your attention to the view o. our present naval
Secretary of the Navy and The suggestions therein made
for its Improvement together with the naval policy recon-
mended for the security Of Pacific coast. and the pro-
lection and extension Of with Eastern Asia.