New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-03
nnbica,on of such abstracts Of the returns as the

The unprecedented INV III VI JHA III Sc.'~0 -
the Pacific in wealth and population, and the con
seonent increase of their social and commemorate
Ia .iona with the Atlantic States seem to render
II the duty OF the Government to use all its Ooh-
a,;tntional power to improve the means OF inter-
course with them. The importance OF opening
line of communication, the best and most eXped'
+;ono of which the nature of the country will ad.
NIT . between the valley of the Mississippi and
the Pacific, was brought to your notice by my
nradecessor. in his annual messages and as the
rreasons which he presented III favor OF the meas
nre still exist in full force, beg leave to call your
attention to them. and to repeat the recommenda-
tions then made By MN, a..
The uncertainty which exists IN regard To the
va1dity of land titles in California IS sublect
,ghich demands your early consideration. Large
bodies of land in that State are claimed under
oron+e said to have been made by authority OF the
Sranish and Mexican Governments. Many OF
these have not been perfected others nave been
revoked, aid some are believed to De irauduleht'
But until they shall have been ludiclally nyesIl-
go+ed thew viii continue to retard the settlement
and inDr0vement of the country |, therefore,
respectfully recommend that provision be made
by law for the appointment OF commissioners 70
examine all such claims with view to their maj
adjustment.
also beg leave to call your attention to the
Dropriety of extending, at an early day, our sys-
tenn of land laws, with such notifications as may
he necessary, over the State Of California and the
Territories of Utah and New Mexico. The min
eral lands of California will, of course form an
exception to any general system which may be
adopted Various methods OF dlsposlng OF them
have been suggested.
was at first inclined to favor the system OF
leasing and it seemed to promise the largest rev
enpe to the Government and to afford the best Sc
curity against monopolies; but further reflection,
and our experience in leasing the lead mines ana
selling lands upon credit have brought my MIND 10
the conclusion that there would be great drheuiIy
in collecting the rents, and that the relation OF
debtor and creditor between the citizens and the
Government would be attended with many mis-
chievous consequences.
therefore recommend that instead OF retaining
the mineral lands under the permanent control oil
the Government, they be divided into small par
GELS and sold, under such restrictions as to quaint
ty and time, as will insure the best price, and
guard most effectually against combinations OF
capitalists to obtain monopoles.
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition OF Cator
MIA and New Mexico have given increased npoanoe 10
our jurisdiction by these engagements of our boundaries
are estimated 10 embrace population OF one Auhureu
md twenv-fOur thousand.
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by powerful tribes
of Indians who a1d annoyance
10 the inhabitants Separating into small predatory bands
and always mounted they the country devastating
FARMS destroying corps driving OIL whole nerds OF calte
and occasionally numbering the Inhabitants orcarylnge
The great roads leading into The country infested with
and immigration almost entirely arrested The Mexican
frontier which, by the lth article OF the treaty OF Gq4da
upe Hdago bound 10 protect against The indians
within border ia exposed to these ncursohs equally
with our own. ,-,,.,
forming large proportion OF The army is represented us
entelyinadequae to our own protection and the Imminent
fcercy is in cavalry and recommend that Con gress
should early period practicable provide for the
For further suggestions this subject, and others con-
necled with domestic interests and the defence OF our
frontier refer you 10 The reports OF the Secretary OF e IN
terror and of The Secretary of War. .,.
commend also to your favorable consideration the sug
geson contained in the last mentioned report and IN ille
letters OF the generalin-cle, reatlTe 10 me esaosiI
of an asylum for the relief OF disabled ana desute so
thntjt would he superfuous in me say anything more
than barely to express my cordial approbatoho Oh e pro-
The NAVY continues give protection to our commerce
and other national interests in the different quarters Oh e
globe and with the exception OF single steamer on tne
Northern Lakes the vessels in commission are distributed
in six different squadrons. -, SO;
the services Of these squadrons and OF The seVera Vessels
employed in each during the past year IL IS source o.
grafcaion that while they have been constantly prepared
for any hostile emergency they have every where met "h
the respect and courtesy due well TO the dignity as 20
the peaceful dispositions and just purposes fine nation
Thelwo brgantines accepted by the Government from
generous citizen OF NewYork and placed under the com
mand Of an officer of the Navy, TO proceed 70 the Arcuc
quest OF The British Commander Sir John fre9kh
and his companions, in compliance WIN le tct o. e Con
gress approved in May last, had, when last heard tou
peneraed into high northern latitude; but the success Oh
this noble and humane enterprises yet uncertain. i
invite your attention to the view 81 our Pseh W.
establishment and presented IN the report oil ls
Secretary OF the Navy and the suggestions therein nh
improv ement together with the naval polcy Ieco
mended for the security Of Pacific Coast and the pro
lection and OF unr commerce Win Eastern As,
Our facilities for larger participation IN Inc Irsae o. le
East by of our recent settlements on me SHORES VI
the Pacific obvious 10 be overlooked or dsre-
gnrded.
The questions in relation rank in the army and navy
and relative rank between officers OF tie Two branches OF
the service presented Tie Executive by certain esou-
lions ofe House OF Representatives. at the last session OF
Congress- have been submitted 10 board OF oticers IN
each branch ohe service and their report may be expect
ed at an curly dry.
also earnestly recommend the enactment OF law sp-
horzing officers of the Army and Navy 10 be retired from
service when incompetent for its vigorous active du
ties, taking make suitable provisions for those who
have faithfully served their country and awarding dislinc
tons by retaining in appropriate commands those who
have been particularly conspicuous for gaatry and good
conduct While the obligation of the country 10 maintain
and honor those who, to the exclusion OF other pursuits
have devoted themselves 10 its arduOus service. This ohga
uon should not be permitted to interfere with the efficiency
of the service itself
expenditure Tor the navy The ensuing year less, by
more han million Of dollars, than those of the present
excepting the appropriation which may become necessary
Tor the construction of dock on the coast OF the Pacific
propositions for which being considered and on
winch special report may be expected early IN your
present session.
THERE'S evident business the suggestion the
report, that appropriations for the naval service proper
should De separated from lhose Xed and permanent Oh
ecs such building docks and navy yards and the FIX
Nv 80 az ~ anu .iuln 'e qoiulnaIy ouects tnueI
Inc care OF The Department which, however Important
not essentially naval.
revision OF the code Tor the government OF the
TO require The immediate consideration Congress-
lis system Of crimes and punishments had undergone
change for half century, until the last session. though its
defects have been often and ably pointed
uon OF particular species of corporal punishment which
The service ofdeectyencss which forprompt
correction therefore recommend that The whole subject
be revised without delay and such system established for
The enforcement ofdscipne, shall be at once humane
and efectual.
The accompanying report of the Postmaster General
lion Of that Department '''@
Al the close Of the last fiscal year thelengh of the inland
mail routes In the United States mot embracing the service
IN Oregon and California; hundred and seventy
elgtl thousand six hundred and seventywo miles: the an
nuq transportation thereon orty-sX million FIVE hundred
ana toryone thousand four hundred and niles
ana te annual cost OF such transportation two millions
lweniy-siX dollars ~ " W
The increase of the annual transportation over that of the
preceding year three millions nine hundred and ninety-
seven thousand three hundred and fifty miles and the