Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-12-14
NUMBER 40.

les on the Pacific in wbealth and population,
and the consequent increase of their social and
commercial relations with the Atlantic States,
seem to render il the duty of the Governments
to use all its constitutional power to improve
the means of intercourse with them. The inn
poriance of opening "a line Of communication,
the best and most expeditions of which the
nature ofthe country will admit 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 full force, beg leave to call your attention
to them, and to repeat the recommendations
then made by him.
The uncertainty which exists in regard to
the validity of land titles in California is sub
ject which demands your early consideration.
Large bodies of land in that State are claim
ed under grants said to have been made by
authority of the Spanish and Mexican Gov
ernments. Many ofthese have not been per-
fected, others have been revoked, and some are
believed to be fraudulent But until they
shall have been iudicially investigated, they
will continue to retard the settlement and
improvement of the country. /, therefore,
respectfully recommend that provision be
sioners to examin all such claims with view
to their final adjustment
also beg to call your attention to the pro-
priety of extending, at an early day, our sys-
tenn of land laws, with such modification as
may be necessary over the State of Califor-
MIA and territories of Utah and New Mexico.
The mineral lands of California wil of course
form an exception to any general system
which may be adopted, Various methods Of
disposing of them have been suggested. 1
was at first inclined to favor the system of
leasing, as it seemed to promise the largest
revenue to the government and 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 the conclusion that there
would be great difficulty in collecting the rents,
and that the relation of debtor and creditor
between the citizens and the Government
would be attended with many mischievous
consequence. therefore recommend that in
stead of retaining the mineral lands under
the permanent control of the Government,
they be divided into small parcels and sold,
under such restriction of capitalists to obtain
monopolies.
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition
of California and New Mexico, have given in
creased importance to our Indian relations
| The various tribes brought under our jurisdic.
ton by these engagements OF our boundaries.
are estimated to embrace a population Of one
hundred and twenty-four thousand.
Texas and New Mexico, are surrounded by
powerful Indians, of tribes who are source
of constant terror and annoyance to the inhabi-
; tants. Sepal ating into small predatory bands,
and always mounted, they overrun the country
; devastating farms, destroying crops, driving
off whole herds of cattle, and occasionally muir
dering the inhabitants or carrying them into
captivity. The great roads leading into the
country, are infested with them, whereby
travelling is rendered extremely dangerous,
) and immgrationis almost entirely arrested
The Mexican frontier, which, by the 1lth
article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
we are bound to protect against the Indians
within our border, is exposed to these inc1r-
sions equally with our own. The military
force stationed in that country (although form
ing large proportion of the army )is represent
ed as entirely inadequate to our own protection
and the fu6lIment of our treaty stipulat:ons
with Mexico, The principal deficiency is
in cavalry, and l recommend that congress
should, at as early period as practicable,
provide for the raising of one or more regi-
ments of mounted men.
For further suggestion on this,subject, and
others connected with our domestic interests,
and the defence of our frontier, l refer you
to the report of the secretary of the Interior
and of the secretary of War.
j l commend also TO your favorable consider
!, alton the suggestion contained IN the last
mentioned report, and in the letter of the gen
eral-in- chief relative to the establishment of
) an asylum for the relief of disabled and desti-
tute soldiers This subject appeals so strong
f " to your sympatflies that it would be super
fuous in me to say anything more, than. barely
to express my cordial appreciation Of the pro-
posed object
The navy continues to give protection to
our commerce and other national interest IN
the differen. quarters of the globe, and with
the exception of single steamer on the North
i, ern lakes, the vessels in commission are dis
tributed in six different squadrons.
/ The report OF the head of that Department
will exhibit the services of these squadrons
and of the several vessels employed in each
f during the past year 1t is source Of graft
fcation that, while they have constantly pre-
pared for any hostile emergency, they have
: every where met with the respect and cour-
tesv, due as well to the dignity as the peaceful
] dispositions and Just purposes OF the natlon
, The two brigantines accepted by. the gov
: ernment from generous cItlzen OF New ork
: and placed under the command OF a otleer
f of the navy, to proceed to the Asctie seas in
, Quest of the British commander, Sir John
: Franklin, and his companions, in compliance
with the act of Congress,approved in May last
, had, when last heard, penetrated into high
f northern latitude; but the success OF this noble
and humane enterprise is yet uncertain.
: invite your attention to the view ofour pre-
sent naval establishment and resources pre-
sented in the report of the Secretary of the
! Navy, and the suggestions therein made for
r its improvement, together with the naval
f policy recommended for the security OF our
); Pacific coast and the protection and extension
e of our commerce with eastern Asia. Our ia
e cities for larger participation in the trade
e of the East BY means of our recent settlements
m +l,a sborae of the Pacific are too obvious