The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-12-02

would in my opinion, be remedy for
the evil; bu, if you do not concur in this
view, then as Il partial remedy, l beg
leave respectfully to recommend that in
stead of taking the ;nvoice Of the articles
abroad, as means Of determining the val
ue here the correctness of which invoice
it is in many instances impossible to veri-
fy, the law be 50 changed as to require a
valuation or appraisal. to be regulated in
such manner as to e i've as far as practical
bic, uniformity in the several parts.
There being no Min, in California, |
am informed that the aborcrs in TIE mines
are compelled to dispose of their gold
dust at large discount. This appears
to me 20 be an unjust, and heavy tax up
on the labor Of those employed in ex-
!rac,irS this precious metal, an1 doubt
not you will be disposed, a; the earliest
possible period to reform it by establishing
a Mint. IN the mcantime,a as an assay
or's Office is established there, I would
submit to your consideration the pro-
pric;y Of authorizing gold bullion, which
has been assaycd, and Stamped, to be re-
ceivcd in payment of government dues.
cannot consider that the treasury would
suffer any loss by such a provision, which
will at once raise bullion to its par value,
and thereby save it am rightly inform
cd many millions of dollars to the labor
crs, which are now paid in brokera sc.-
TO convert this precious metal into avail
able funds, this discoun, upon their hard
earnings is a heavy tax, and every effort
should be made by the government TO re-
lleve them from THIS burden.
More tl.an thrcc-toul,hs Of our popu-
la,lon arc engaged in the cultivation Of
the soil. The commercial, manufacture
Ing, and navigating interests are all to a
great extent dependent upon agri~ulturr;
it is therefore the mos, important interest
of the nation, and has IA just claim to the
fostering care and protection Of the gov
ernlncnt, SO far as they can be extended
consistently with TIC provisions Of the
constitution. AS tins cannot be done bv
the ordinary modes of legislation, re
specltu!ly recommend the establishment
OF an agricultural bureau, to be charged
with the duty Of giving to this leading
branch OF American industry the cncour
ayelnrni which it so well dcs rvcs.
In view Of the Immense mineral re-
sources Of our country, provision should
also be made Tor the employment Of ii
competent mlncralosi5t and chemist, who
should be required, under the direction OF
the bureau, to collect specimens Of the
various minerals OF our country, and to
ascertain by careful ana ysis their rcspcc-
tive elements, and ;hcir adaptation to
useful purposes. They should also be
required to examine and report upon the
qualities of different soils, and the manner
best calculated TO improve their produc-
'lvencss. BY publishing these experiments
with suitable explanations, and by the
collection and distribution Of rare seeds
and plants, with Instructions as to ,he
best system OF cultivation, much may be
done TO promote this great national in
tercst.
In compliance with the ac! of Congress, passed
Oh the 23d OF May 1850, providing, among other
things, Tor taking the seventh CENSUS, a supcrin.
lcudcnt was appointed, and all other measures
adopted which were deemed necessary to insurc
the prompt and Ellinl pei eltormunce Of that du-
~. The appropriation already made will, it isl
i-.Ieved, be sufficient to dcray the whole OK
uGascs Of the wUk. But further leg gIsla ion may
81. necessary in regard to the compensation OF!
some Of tie Marstluls OF the Territories II Will
also b. proper to lla1e provision by law, i, All
early day, ior the publication OF such abstracts
Of The returns as the pablo interests ma re-
Iuire.
The unprecedented growth Of our Territories
OH the Pacific, in wealth and soc ial aud CONNER
la relations with the Atlantic States. seemed to
render it duty of the Gov ernllent to use all
Constitutional power TO improve the resources
of intercourse between them. The Importance
OF opcuinS line OF communication, (1hc best
and most expeditions OF which the nulurc of tue
country will admitD between the valley OF the
Mississippi and the Pacific, was brought to your
notice by my predecessor, in his annual message,
and as the reasons which he presented in favor
of the measure, still exist in iull force, | beg
leave to call your attention TO them, and to re-
peat the recommendations then made by him.
Tue uncertainty which exists in regard to the
validity Of land titles in California, is ubject
which demands your early consideration. Large
bodies OF land are claimed under grants said to
have been made by the authority of the Spanish
and Mexican Governments. Many of these have
not been pcrtected-others have been revok-
ed, and some are believed to be fraudulent, but
until they shall have been judiciay investigated,
they will continue to rctald the settlement and
improvements OF the country. l therefore res
pectfully suggest that provision be made by law
Tor the appointment OF Commissioners to exam
inc all such claims, with view to their final
adjustment. l also beg leave to call your attcll-
ton so the proprety Of extending at an early day
our system Of land laws, with such notifications
as may be necessary, over the State af Calitur-
MIA, and the Territories of Utah and New Mexi-
co.
The mineral lands Of California, will!
Of coures form an exception 10 any gene
raj system which may be adopted. Va
lious methods Of eIisposng Of them have
been suggested. was inclined, at first,
to favor the system Of leasing, as it seem
ed to promise the largest revenue to the
and to afford the best secu-
'ity against monopoIies but further re-
hcc,ion and our experience in leasing the
lead mines and selling lands upon credit,
have brought my mind to the conclusion
that there would be a great difficulty inI
the rents.