Democratic banner., 1850-12-16

~ bt4S ~
his burthen. r..
More than three-fourths Of our population
ire engaged in the cultivation Of the soil.
The commercial, manufacturing end navi-
interests, ara oil, to 9 great extent
upon the agricultural. 1t Is,
the most important interest ofthe
and has just claim to the fostering
care end protection Of The Government, 50
far g they cen be extended, consistently
with the provision ofths Constitution. AZ
Ibis cannot be done by the ordinary modes
IF legislation, ! respectfully, recommend
the establishme mt ofsn Agricultural Bureau,
to be charged withAhe duty Of giving IA
This leading branch Of American industry
the encouragement which it SO well de.
In view of the immense mineral
resources of our. country. provision should
also be made for the employment ofa com.
peteni mineralogist and chemist, who should
be required, under the direction of the
to collet specimens Of the vsrious
minerals Of our country, and to ascertain
by careful analysis, their respective ele-
nen.s and their adaptation to useful pnr.
poses. He should also be required to ex-
ss.ine and report upon the qualities Of diff.
erent soils, and the manures best cslculst.
ed to improve their productivness. By
publishing these experiment, with suitable
explanations, and BY the collection and
of rare seeds and plants, with
% to the best system Of cui-
much may be done TO promote this
great national interest.
In compliance with the act Of Congress
passed on the 23d Of Msy, 1850. providing,
among other things, for taking the seventh
census, . superintendent wss appointed, and
eli other measures adopted, which were
necessary to insure the prompt
and faithful performance Of that duty
The appropriation slresdy made, will, il
is believed; be sufficient to defray the
whole expenses Of the work, but further
may be necessary in regard to
the compensation ofsoms Of the Marshsli
Of the Territories.
It will also be proper to make provision
by Law, at an early date, for the publics-
ton ofsuch abstracts Of the returns . the
interests may require.
The unprecedented growth Of our Ter.
on the Pacific, 10 wealth and popu.
and the consequent increase oftheil
social and commercial relations with the
Atlantic States, seem to render it the duty
Of the Government to use al its constitu.
tionsl power to improve the means Of in
tercourse with them. The importance oil
opening Q line Of commandments best
and most expeditions Of which the ssturs
of the country will sdmit-bstweeH the
Of the Mississippi and Pacific, wa.
brought to your notice BY my predecessor
in his annual message; and. as the reason.
which he presented in favor Of the measure
still exist in full force, / beg leave to cal
FOUR attention to them, and to repeat the
re recommendations there made BY him.
The uncertainty which exists in regard
to the validity Of Land Titles in California
10 . subject which demands your early con.
Large bodies Of lands in tina.
State are claimed under grants said t.
have been made by authority Of the Span.
ish and Mexican Governments. Many o.
these have not been perfected-otherl
have beea.rsvoked, and some are believed
to be fraudulent; but until they shall hsv.
been judieislly Investigated, they will con-
tinue to retard the settlement and improve
ment Of the country. ], therefore, respect
fully suggest, that provision be made b,
law for the appointment of Commissioner,
TO examine ell such claims, with q view I.
final adjustment.
also beg leave to call your attention 4
propriety Of extending, ct an early day
system Of Land Laws, with such modi
6cstions as may be necessary, over th'
State of California, and the Territories o.
Utah and New Mexico. The mineral land
Californiarwill, Of course, form On sxcep'
ton to any general system which may b,
Various methods Of disposing o
them have been suggested. I was at frs
inclined e favor the system Of leasing, a. j
to promise the largest revenus {,
the Government, and to afford the best sc
curity sgsinst monopolies; but further re-
Election, and our experience in leasing th,
lead mines, and selling lands upon credit
have brought my mind to the conclusion
that there would be great difficulty in col
the rents. The relation Of debto,
and creditor, Between the citizens and Gov
eminent, would b attended with man,
.ischia voua PeRultR-I. fhepefopa. Peeom