The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-03

auInolZitig gold Duiiioil, WIhcii HAS Dcch aesJou
and stamped, to, be received in payment Of Gov
i eminent dues. i cannot conceive that the trea-
sury would suffer any loss by such a provision,
which will at once raise bullion to its par value,
and thereby save (if am rightly informed) many
4 millions of dollars to the laborers which are now
paid in brokerage to convert this precious metal
= into available funds. This discount upon their
hard earnings is heavy tax, and every effort
should be made by the Government to relieve
them from so great burden.
More than three-fourths Of our population are
engaged in the cultivation OF. the soil. The
commercial, manufacturing, and navigating in
terests are all, to n great extent, dependent on
the agricultural II is, therefore, the most I'M
! portant interest of the nation, and has just
claim to the fostering care and protection OF the
Government, SO far rs they can be extended
consistently with the provisions of the Constitu-
ton. AS this cannot be done by the ordinary
modes of Legislation, respectfully recommend
the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau, to
be charged with the duty OF giving to this lead
ing branch of American industry the encourage
ment which Il so well deserves. In view OF the
immense mineral resources Of our country, pro-
vision should also be made for the employment
of competent mineraogist and chemist, who
should be required, under the direction Of the
head Of the bureau, to collect specimens of the
various minerals of our country, and to ascertain,
by careful analysis their respective elements and
properties, and their adoption to useful pur-
poses. He should also be required to examine
aud report upon the qualities Of different soils,
and the manures best calculated to improve
their productiveness. BY publishing the results
of such experiments, with suitable explanations,
and by the collection and distribution Of rare
seeds and plants, with instructions as to the
best system Of cultivation, much may be done
to promote this great national interest.
In compliance with the act of Congress, passed
on the 23d of May, 1850, providing, among other
things, for taking the seventh census, a supern-
tendent was appointed, and all other measures
adopted which were deemed necessary to ensure
the promptand faithful performance of that duty.
The appropriation already made will, it is be-
lieved, be sufficient to defray the whole expense
of the work but further Legislation may be ne
ccssary in regard to the compensation of some
of the marshals of the Territories. 1t will also
be proper to make provision by law at an early
day, for the publication of such abstracts of
the returns as the public interests may require.
The unprecedented growth Of our Territories
on the Pacific in wealth and population, and the
consequent increase of their social and CONNER.
cial relations witt, the Atlantic States, seem to
render it the duty Of the Government to use all
it's constitutional power to improve the means
Of intercourse with them. The Importance OF
opening "a line of communication, the best and
most expeditions of which the nature Of the
country will admit" between the vally of the
Mississippi and the Pacific, was brought to your
notice by my predecessor, in his annual mes
sage; 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 subject
which 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 not been perfected, others have
been revoked and some are believed to be fraud
ulent. But until they shall have been judicially
Investigated, they will continue to retard the set
Element and Improvement of the country. |,
therefore, respectfully recommend that provis-
ion be made by law, for the appointment of
commissioners to examine all such claims with
a view to their final adjustment.
| also beg leave to call your attention to the
propriety of extending, at an early day, our sys-
tenn of land laws, with such notifications as
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 which
may be adopted, Various methods of dispos.
ing of them have been suggested. ! 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 la DIS upon credit, have brought my mind
to the conclusion that there would be great DIFF
ficuty in collecting the rents, and that the rela-
ton of debtor and creditor, between the citizens
and the Government would be attended with
many mischicvous consequences. l, therefore,
recommend that, instead Of retaining the min
eral lands under the permanent control of the
Government, they be divided into small parcels
and sold, under such restrictions as to quantity
and time, as will insure the best price, and guard
most etfectually against combinations of capital
lists to obtain monopolies.
The annexation ofTexas and the acqusition''o of
, California and New Mexico have given increased
importance to our Indian relations. The various
tribes brought under our jurisdiction by these en-
largement Of our boundaries estimated to EN-
brace population Of one hundred and twenty
four thousand.
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by
I powerful tribes of Indians, who are source OF
constant terror and annoyance to the inhabitants.
: Separating into small predatory bands, and al
>
tating farms, destroying crops, driving Off whole
herds of cattle, and occasionally numbering the
inhabitants or carrying them into captivity. The
great roads leading into the country are infested
with them, whereby travelling is rendered eX-
! tremely dangerous, and migration is almost en-
f trey arrested. The Mexican frontier which, by
the ltl article Of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidai-
90, nre bound to protect against the Indians
within our border, is exposed to these incursons
equally with own. The military force sta
toned in that country (athough forming lare<
proportion Of the army is represented as entrIy
inadequate to our own protection and the fIi-
ment Of our treaty supulations with Mexico The
principal deficiency is in cavalry, and recommend
that Congress should, at early period as prac-
ticabIe, provide for the raising fone regi
ments of mounted men.
For further suggestions on this subject, and
others connected with our domestic interests and
the defence of our frontier, refer you to the re-
port Of the Secretary Of the Interior and Of the Sec
rotary of War.
lcommend also to your favorable consideration
the suggestion contained in the last mentioned re-
port, and in the letter Of the gcnera-n chief rela-
tive to the establishment Of an asylum for the re-