Washington telegraph., 1850-12-25

presented in favor of the measure etill
exist in full force, beg leave to call your
attention to them. and to repeat the re-
| commendations there made by him.
The uncertainty which exists in regard
to the validity of land titles in California,
| is subject which demands your early
consideration. Large bodies of lauds in
that State are claimed under grants said
to have been made by authority of the
Spanish and Mexican governments.-
Many of these have not been perfected
-others have been revoked, and some
are believed to be fraudulent, but until
they shall have been judicially investigat.
ed, they will continue to retard the set.
Element and improvement of the country.
|, therefore, respectfully suggest, that
provision be made by law for the appoint
ment OF Commissioners to examine all
such claims, with a view to their fual
adjustment.
also beg leave to call your attention
to the propriety of extending, at an early
day. our system Of Land Laws, with such
notifications as may be necessary, over
the State of California. aud the Terrific.
ries of Utah aud New Mexico. The
mineral lands Of California will, of course.
form an exception 10 any general system
.hich may he adopted. Various methods
of disposing Of them have been suggest.
ed. was at first inclined to favor the
system OF leasing. as it seemed to pro.
mise the largest revenue to the govern.
ment, aud TO afford the best security
against monopolies; but further reflection.
and our experience in leasing the lead
mines, and selling lands upon credit, have
brought my mind to Tie conclusion, that
there would be great difficulty in collect.
ing the rents. The relation of debtor
and creditor, between the citizens and
government, would be attended with
many mischievous results. I, therefore,
recommend that. instead of retaining the
mineral lands under the permanent con.
troll OF the government. that they be divi-
ded into small parcels. and sold at such
time as will insure the best price, and
guard most efectually against combina.
tions Of capitalists 10 obtain monopolies.
The annexation Of Texas, and the &C.
QUESTION of California and New Mexico.
have given increased importance to our
Indian relations. The various tribes
brought under our jurisdiction by these
enlargements of our boundaties, are esti.
mated TO embrace population of l2f,.
900.
Texas and New Mexico are surround.
ed by powerful tribes Of Indians, who are
source Of constant terror and annoyance
10 the inhabitants; separating into small
predatory bands. and always mounted, they
overrun the country. devastating farms.
destroying crops. aud numbering the in
habitanls and carrying them into captivi-
ty. The great roads leading into tho
country are infested by them; whereby
travelling is rendered extremely danger
Gus. and emigration is almost entirely ar
rested The Mexican frontier, which, by
the eleventh a:tice of the Treaty of Gaud.
a!oupe Hidalgo. we are bound to protect
against the indians within our borders,
is exposed to their incursions equally
with our own. The force stationed in
that country. although forming a large
proportion of the army. is represented as
entirely inadequate 10 our own protection
aud the fultilmen: of our treaty stipula.
tions with Mexico The principal def.
cheney is in cavalry. I recommend that
Congress should, at as early period as
possible, provide for the raising or one or
more Regiments of mounted men.
For further suggestions on this subject.
and others couuected with our domestic
interests, in reference to our frontier. /
refer you to the Reports o! the Secretary
of the Interior and of the Secretary of
War.
recommend, also, to your favorable
consideration, the suggestions contained
in the last mentioned report, and III
letter OF the General in Chief, relative to
the establishment Of an asylum for the
relief Of disabled aud destitute soldiers.
This subject appeals SO strongly to your
sympathy that it would be superfuous in
me 10 say any thing more than barely to
express my cordial appreciation Of the
proposed object.
The Navy continues TO give protection
to our Commerce aud other National in
terests, in the different quarters Of the
globe, and. with the exception Of single
steamer on the Northern Lakes, the
vessels in commission are distributed III
six dlifereut squadrons.
The report o: the head Of that De.
partment will exhibit the services of
these squadrous, aud OF the several ves-
sells employed i'll each, during the past
year. Ii is a source of qualification that,
while they have been constantly prepared
for any hostile emergency, they have
everywhere met witt. the respect and
courtesy due as well to the dignity, as to
the peaceful disposition and just purposes
of the Nation.
The two brigantines accepted by the
government from generous citizen Of
New York, and placed under the COM
mand of an officer OF the Navy to pro-