Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-12-09

;n,nossib|e, under any system of advalorem du
ties levied upon the foreign cost or value OF tht
article to secure an honest observance ana III
efTectual administration oil the laws. Inc fraud
ulen adyjces to evade the law, which has been
detected by the vigilance OF the appraisers ieaYt
no room to doubt that similar linposi'iohs mol
discovered to "a large amount, have'peen success
fully pracised since the enactment OF eAe lat7
now in force This state OF things mas ALREADY
had preiudca influence upon those engaged
in foreign commerce. 1t mas tendency 10
drive the honest trader from the business OF i'm
nortnc. and 10 throw that important branch Of
employment into the hands OF interruptions and
dishonest men. who are alike regardless OF law
and the obligations ofan oath by these means
the plain intentions of Congress, as expressed IN
the law, are daily defeated. Every motive oil
policy and duty, therefore, inpel me TO ask the
earnest attention Of Congress to TINS SUBJECT. II
Congress should deem il nnwise to attempt any
important changes in the syetem OF ieyying du-
ties at this session, it will become indispensable
10 the protection OF the revenue that snth RENE
dies. as in the Judgment OF Congress may mill
gate the evils complained OF, should be al once
applied.
As before stated specific duties would, in my
opinion, afford the most perfect remedy Ter this
evil but, if You should not concur III TINS view,
then as partial remedy, beg leave respectful
" to recommend that, instead OF taking the IN
voice of the article abroad as means OF deter
mining its value here, the correctness OF which
invoice it is in many cases impossible to verify
the law be so changed as 70 require home
valuation or appraisal, TO be regulated 10 such
manner as to give as tar as pfacticape, ah44oini
ity in the several ports.
There being no mint in California, / am in
formed that the laborers in the mines are com
PEELED to dispose Of their gold dust at large
discount This appears 10 NE 10 be heavy
and uniust tax n2on the labor of those employed
in extracting this precious metal and doubt
not you will be disposed, at the earliest period
possible, 10 relieve them from 1t by the es'an-
ment of a mint. In the mesn time, an assayer' E
office is established there. | would respectfully
submit for your consideration the PROPHECY u
authorizing gold bullion, which has been assay
ed and stamped, to be received in payment OF
Government dues [ cannot conceive that the
treasury would suffer any lois by such pFovs-
ion. which will at once raise bullion to It's par
value. and thereby save (f am rightly inform
e(N many millions of dollars to the laborers
which are now paid in brokerage TO convert this
precious metal into available funds. ms DIS
count upon their hard earnings is heavy tax;
and every effort should be made by the Govern
ment to relieve them from go great burden.
engaged in the cultivation of the soil The COM
mercial, manufacturing, and navigating inter
ests are all, 10 great extent, dependent on the
agricultural. 1t is therefore, the most important
interest in the nation, and has Just clam to the
fostering care and protection CT the Govern
ment. so far as they can be extended consistent
" with the provisions of the Constitution As
this cannot be done by the ordinary. modes OF
legislation, respectfully recommend the eStao-
Iishment of al Agricultural Bureau, to be char
ced with the duty of giving to this leading
branch of American industry the encouragement
which it so we'll deserves. In view CT the I'M
mensa mineral resources OF our country, pfoVis-
ion should also be made for the employment OF
a competent mineralogist and chemist, VINO
should be required, under the direction OF the
head of the bureau. to collect specimens OF the
various minerals of our country, aud to ascer-
tain. by careful analysis, their respective eie-
ments and properties, and their adaptation 10
useful purposes. He should also be required TO
examine aud report upon the qualiiies oil oii!ef-
ent soils, and TIE manures best calculated to I'M
nrove their produc,iveness. BY publishing the
results of such experiments, with suitable eSpia.
nations and by the collection and distribution
of rare seeds and plants with instructions as TO
the best system of cultivation. mnch may De
done 10 promote this great national interest,
In compliance with the act Of Congress, pass
ed on the Esd of May, 1850, providing, among
other things, for taking the seventh census, a so-
perintendent was appointed, and all other mea-
sures adopted which were deemed necessary 10
ensure the prompt and faithful performance OF
chat duty. The appropriation already made
will. il Is believed, be sufficient to deiray the
whole expense of the work but further legisla-
ton may be necessary in regard 10 the comPen'
sation Of some of the marshals of the Terrific
yies. 1t will also be proper to make provision
bv law, at an early day, for the publication OF
sneh abstracts of the returns as the public inter-
ests may require. :.
The Unprecedented growth of our Territories
on the Pacific in wealth aud population, and the
consequent increase OF their social and CONNER
cial relations with the Atlantic States; seem 10
render it the duty of Government to use all It's
constitutional power to improve the means OF
intercourse with them. The Importance OF o,
penino "a line of communication; the best and
most expeditious of which the nature OF the
country will admit between the valley OF the
Mississippi and the Pacific, was brought TO your
notice bv NV predecessor, in his annual mes
saue and as the reasons which he presented IN
favor of the measure still exist In 11A force,
beg leave to call your attention TO them, ana 10
repeat the recommendations then made oy MN
The uncertainty which exists in regard TO the
validity of land titles in California IS subIec1
vyI,ich demands YOUR early consideration. Large
bodies of land in that State are claimed under
Grants said to have been made by authority Of
the Spanish and Mexican Governments Many
of these have rot been perfected, others have
been revoked. and some are believ ed to be fraud
ulent. But until they shall have been ludlcially
investigated, they will continue to re'ard the
settlement and improvement OF the country:
therefore, respectfully recommend that provision
be made by law for the appointment g. Ct commits
II Il, ala .yNts, n n
to their final adjustment. ),
also beg leave to call your attention to the
s,ropriety Of extending, at an early day, our sys
lem of land laws, with such notifications al
NAV be necessary over the State OF California
and the territories of Utah and New Mexico
The mineral lands of California will, OF course
form an exception to any general system wheel
may be adopted Various methods OF dlspos'n!
of them have been suggested. was al ilfst III
G., Al