The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-01-03

FRA OCIRCO, uuC6t tn0 NIT vi SoURF0sss GA
tending the revenue laws over California,
and measures have been taken 10 organize
the custom houses at that and the other
ports mentioned in pursuance Of that act,
at the earliest period practicable. The
collector proceeded overland, and advices
/ have not vet been received Of his arrival
at San Francisco. Meanw bile, it is under
stood that the customs have continued to be
collected there BY officers acting under the
military authorities, as they were during
the administration Of my predecessor. II
will, | think, be expedient to confirm the
collections thus made, and direct the pro-
ceeds, after such allowances es Congress
may think fit 10 authorize to be expended
within the territory, or to be paid into the
treasury fer the purpose Of making appro-
priatons for the Improvement OF lts rivers
and harbors.
A party engaged in the coast survey.
wns dispatched to Oregon in January last.
According to the latest advices they had
not left California, and directions had been
/ given to them, os coon as they should have
fixed site for the two light houses, and
the buoys authorized to be constructed and
placed in Oregon, TO proceed without de-
I lay to make reconnaissance Of the most
important points on the coast Of California,
and especially to examine and determine
ON sites for light houses on that coast.
The speedy erection ofwhich is urgently de-
manded BY our rapidly increasing commerce.
i have transferred the ludian-Agenc.es
from,he Upper Missouri and Council Bluffs,
IL H.,
ed to be appointed Sub-Agen,s in the Val
ley OF the Gia, Sacramento and San Joa-
quin rivers, until further legal provisions
} will he necessary for the efectual and sue
cessful extensions Of our system of Indian
intercourse over the new Territories.
i recommend the establishment Of o
branch mint in California, as it will afford
important faiicities to those engaged in
mining, as well as 10 the Government, on
account of the mineral lands. also rec
ommend that commissions be organized by
Congress to examine and decide upon the
validity Of the present existing titles in
California and New Mexico, nud that bro
vision be made for the establishment Of a
Surveyor General in New Mexico, Cal
ifornia and Oregon, and for surveying
and bringing into market the public
, lands in those Territories. Those
lands remote from provisions and difficult, Of
access ough. to be disposed ofa, terms liberal
to all, but especially favorable to the early
emgrants.
4 In order that the situation and character
Of the principle mineral deposiie in Califor
MIA may be ascer:ained, recommend that
a geological and mineralogica! expedition
should be sent ont in connection with the
4 linear survey, and that the mineral lands
be divided into small lots suit able for mining.
and be disposed ofby sale, or leased, SO as
to give our citizens an opportunity in pro-
curing permanent right Of property in the
soil aud il would seem TO be as important
to the success Of mining as for agricultural
purposes. The great mineral wealth Of
California, and the advantages which its
ports and barbors, and the coast Of Oregon
afford 10 commerce especially 10 the Is
Iands Of the Pacific, and Indian Ocean, and
the populous regions Of Eastern Asia, make
ii certain that thers will arise in few
yenrs largo and prosperous community
on our Western coasts. 1t therefore be-
comes important that line Of communlca-
ton, the best and most expeditions (Which
the nature Of the country would admit,
should be opened within the territory Of the
Il United States, from the nayigsb!e waters
on the Atlantic, or the Gulf Of Mexico, 10
the Pacific.
i Opinions, as ELECTED and expressed by
two large and respectable conventions late
!, ly assembled at St. Louis and Memphis.
, point to railroad as that which, if most
practicable, will best meet the wishes
and wants of the country. But while this,
if in successful operation, would be work
of great national Importance, and offs value
= the country, which it would be difficult
estimate, il ought also to be regarded as
Ian undertaking of vas. magnitude and ex-
pense, and which must, lift be indeed prac-
ticnble, encounter many difficulties in ita
construction and use. Therefore, to avoid
failure and dsappontmeni, and to enable
Congress TO judge whether, in the condition
Of the country through which it might pass,
if the work be feasible, and ifit be found SO,
whether il should bo undertaken as a ma
tional Improvement, or be lef, to individual
enterprise; and in the latter alternative,
wha, aid, if any, ought to be e8tonded TO il
BY government, | recommend, as q pIelim;
ary measure, a careful reconnoisance oflhe
several proposed rontes,-by tho Scientific
Corps, and that they report MS TO the prac-
ticability Of making such road, with an es,
innate Of tho cost Of its construction and
support.
For further views on these and ether
j matters connected with the duties Of the
Home Department, refer you t. the Repert
Of the Secretary Of the Department, Of the
Interior.
i recommend enxll- approximations t'
continuing the river and hnIbor improve
nents which have been already commenced,