Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-01-16

the territory, or be paid into the treasury for the
purpose OF meeting appropriations for the im-
provements OF its rivers and harbors.
party engaged on the coast survey was
dispatched to Oregon in January last. Accord
ing to the latest advices, they had no left Cal
ifornia, and directions have been given them,
that as soon as they shall have fixed on the
site Of the two Light houses and the buoys
authorized to be constructed and placed in Or
egon, to proceed without delay to make recon-
noisances of the most important points of the
coast Of California, and especially to examine
and determine on a sight for Light houses on
that coast, the speedy erection Of which is ur-
gently demanded by our rapidly increasing
commerce.
l have transferred the Indian agencies from
upper Missouri and Council Bluffs to Sante
Fe and Salt Lake, and have caused to be ap.
pointed sub-agents in the valleys of the GiIa,
the Sacramento, and San Joaquin rivers. Still
further legal provisions will be necessary for
the effective and successful extension of our
system of Indian intercourse over the new
Territories.
recommend the establishment of branch
Mint in California, as it will, in my opinion, af-
ford important facilities to those engaged in
mining, as we'll as to the Government in the
disposition of the mineral lands.
also recommend that commissioners be Or
ganized by Congress to examine and decide
upon the validity of the present subsisting land
titles in California and New Mexico, and that
provision be made for the establishment Of Of
fees Of Surveyor General in New Mexico, CAL
ifornia, and Oregon, and for the surveying and
bringing into market the public lands in these
territories. These lands, remote in position
and difficult Of access, ought to be disposed of
on terms liberal to all, but especially favorable
to the early emigrants.
In order thst the situation and character Of
the principal mineral deposits in California may
be ascertained, / recommend that geological
and neurological exploration be connected
with the linear surveys, and that the mineral
lands be divided into small lots suitable for mi
ming, and be disposed of by sale or lease 50 as
to give our citizens an opportunity OF Procur-
ing permanent right of property in the soil.
This would seem to be as important to the sue
cess Of mining as of agricultural pursuits.
The great mineral wealth of California, and
the advantages which it's ports and harbors, and
those of Oregon, afford to commerce, especially
with the Islands of the Pacific ard Indian
oceans, and the populons regions of Eastern
Asia, make it certain that there will arise in
few years large and prosperous communities on
our Western coasts. 1t therefore becomes i'm
portant that a line of communication, the best
and most expedient which the nature of the
country would admit, should be opened within
the territory of the United States from the ma
vigable waters Of the Atlantic or the Gulf of
Mexico to the Pacific. Opinion, as elected
and expressed BY two large and respectable
conventions lately assembled at st. Louis and
Memphis, points to railroad, which If practi-
able, will best meet the wishes and wants Of
the country. g.z .s 2
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 to estimate, it ought also to be re-
garded as an undertaking Of vast magnitude
and expense, and one which must, if indeed be
practible, encounter many difficulties in its cone
struction and use. Therefore, to avoid failure
and disappointment, to enable Congress to
Judge whether the condition of the country
through which it might pass, the work be feasi-
Bile, and If it be found so, whether it should be
undertaken as national improvement or left
to individual enterprise, and in last alternative,
what aid, if any, ought to be extended to it by
the government, recommend, as preliminary
measure q careful reconnaissance of the several
proposed routes by scientific corps, and re-
port as to the practicability of making such a
road with an estimate of the cost Of its con-
struction and support. .r
Fer further views on these and of matters
with the duties of the Home Depart
ment, refer you to the report Of the Secretary
of the Interior. sz 81 se s
recommend early appropriations for contin-
uing the river and harbor improvements which
have already begun, and also for the construc-
ton of those for which estimates have been
mede, as well as for examinations and estimates
to the commencement Of such 9TH
ers as the wants of the country, and especially
the advance Of our population over new dis
trcts, and the extension Of commerce may rem
der necessary. An estimate Of the amount
which can be adyantageously expended within
the next fiscal year, under the direction Of the
bureau Of Typographical engineers, accompa-
MES 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 our
exposed frontier and made its defence more
difficult. That treaty has also brought US un-
der obligations to Mexico, to comply with
which a military force is requisite. But our
military establishment is not materially chang
ed 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 ! recommend to the
favorable consideration Of Congress an increase
ST the several corps Of the army at our distant
western posts, as proposed in the accompany
ng report of the Secretary Of War.
Great embarrassment has resulted from the
effect upon rank in the army, heretofore given
% brevet and staff commissions. The views OF
he Secretary Of War on this subject are deem
ID important, and, if carried into effect, will, it
$ believed, promote the harmony Of the service
rhe plan proposed for relieving disabled Of
kers, and providing an asylum for such Of the
.ank and Gle as from age, wounds apd other
z sc,o,coa;onnd hv service have BECOME