Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1850-12-06
REPORT OF TIE
SECRETARY OF TUE INTERIOR.

port OF MIR. Stuart, the Secretary of the1nter-
or, we copy from the Republic:
The report commences with a summary of the
varied and important duties devolved on the De
partment; alludes to the vagueness OF the act of
Congress which created it, and recommends fur
Their legislation to define with precision its duties
and powers, and also to remedy the incongruity
IN the law in reference 10 its designation,
hrecommends the creation of the office of So
hector OF the Department to decide questions OF
law upon appeals his action to be subject, how
ever, iii all cases, to the revision of the Secretary
The estimate of expenditures for the next fiscal
wear exceeds that for the present 81 ,72S $40, 63
Inc causes OF this excess the Secretary fully en-
plains. The endeavor has been to cover the whole
amount of the probable expenditure for the fiscal
year, so that there may be no necessity in future
for estimating for deficiencies, unless upon some
unforeseen contingency.
The whole number of persons now on the pen
sion rolls of the United States is 1898 But of
these many are probably dead The whole mum.
Der who have drawn pensions during the first and
second quarters of the calendar year is l1,073-
the number OF deaths reported within the last wear
is SAC.
The heneficiaries under the law designed to pro-
vide for the soldiers of the Revolution and their
widows are rapidly passing away. But the num-
Der OF pensioners under other acts has been con-
siderably Augmented in consequence of the war
with Mexico The whole amaunt expended for
pensions during the past year, is estimated at ST.
100000
The whole number of land-warrants issued for
services IN the revolutionary war is l2,5SS; in the
war OF 1912, 2S,97S; number of claims for land
warrants and scrip in lieu thereof for services in
the Mexican war, S4,705 The number of claims
already presented under the Bounty Land law of
September last up to the 9TH of November. was
9,4ls, and the number is increasing rapidly. 1t
Is estimated that the whole number of claimants
will be about 100000. 1t will thus be seen that
tins is by far the most important Bounty Land law
that has ever been passed All necessary arrange
ments have been made to insure its prompt aud
efficient execution. Forms and instructions have
been prepared, and issuance given that everv pro-
per facility Will be afforded for the establishment
OF Just demands under the law Plates have been
ordered to be engraved for printing the warrants.
and every precauton has been adopted to guard
against fraud and forgery. These plates will
soon be completed and there need be no delay in
commencing the issue of the warrants. The war
rants, having been decided to be not assignable
cannot be made available 10 the holders until they
have been located and patented. AS this process
will require considerable time, it is proper. in or
der to insure til, enioymentot the bounty by those
Tor whom 1t was intended, that no necessary de-
lay should be encountered To avoid this evil
the Secretary recommends that provision be made
Tor the employment OF two or more efficient clerks
and such temporary assistance may be required
from time to time, to investigate the claims of ap-
plcants.
The Report of the Commissioner of the Gen.
era Land Office exhibits some very interesting
facts. The surveys of the public lands have been
pushed forward with commendable activity. The
aggregate amount of land Sold located bv warrants
a 1Cf ,,,tl Tho 1etC
OF the 3dquarters of $780, is IT'S 1860 acres
The pub lie lands have been rich source of re-
venue to the Government, averaging about one
and quarter millions of dollars per annum for
the last fifty years, over and above all costs and
expenses Among the most prominent subjects
claiming the attention of Congress, is the neces-
sity of extending our land system over our pos
sessions on the Pacific. The appointment of
commission is recommended to adudicate con-
tiicung land claims in California.
With regard TO the mineral lands, the Secretary
recommends that they be divided into small tracts
and sold in fee simple to the highest bidder at pub
lie auction. The extent of the lots should depend
on the apparent richness of the mines but they
should be small enough 10 afford persons in mod
crate circumstances an opportunity of becoming
bidders.
Our relations with the Indians will demand the
prompt attention of Congress. The annexation of
Texas and the treaty with Mexico have added
about one hundred and twenty-four thousand per-
sons toour Indian population-many of them fierce
in their disposition, and predatory in their habits
Agents have been appointed for the Indian tribes
of California and Oregon; and two special agents
have been commissioned to Cooperate with the
resident agent in Texas in conciliatng the Indians
OF that State. Three commissioners have been
appointed under the same act TO accompany the
Mexican Boundary Commission for the purpose of
obtaining information inregard to the tribes on the
southwestern frontier, and, if possible, to establish
friendly relations with them. 1t is to be regretted
that no authority conferred by law for the es-
adjustment of resident agents in New Mexico
The Indians OF that country are the most savage
within our boundaries. 1t is essential for the full
hment of our treaty stipuatons, as we'll as for the
protection of our citizens, that agents should be
sent among them, who can exercise a restraining
influence over them. The necessity for this mea-
sure has been painfully illustrated by the outrag
es committed upon our citizens travelling to and
from Santa Fe, as an instance of which the attack
upon Mr.. White and his party is mentioned.
The Importance OF great national highway to
the Pacific is considered in the report; and the
Secretary suggests the propriety OF authorizing
an immediate examination OF the county and such
surveys as may be necessary to determine the
practicability and probable cost OF the work.
instead OF conunulng the synopsis, we sub
Join the remainder of the report
Agricultural Bureau.
In surveying the various interests Of the coun-
try, no one can fail to observe how little has been
done by Government TO promote the cause of agri-
culture. 1t is true the cultivator of the soil. in
common with all other classes of society, enjoys
The protection OF the laws and the blessings Incl
dent to good government. But something more
seems TO be due to a branch of industry which
employs more than half our population, and, to
great extent sustains the other.
The power Of the General Government over this
subject is limited, but this furnishes no good rea-
son why should not be exercised so far as it does
legtimately extend.
The ordinary means adopted to afford protec-
ton to the manufacturing and commercial inter-
ests are comparatively imperative in regard to the
agricultural tariff can do but little, directly, to
benefit the farmer or the planter.
The staple productions of the South are pecu-