The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-01-10

very statesman and a primary object with ey-
~ legislator.
No civil government having been provided by
congress for California the people of that Terri-
>ry impelled by the necessities of their politi-
al condition, recently met in convention for the
urpose of forming a constitution and State gov
Fnment which the latest adgices give me rea-
bn tofsuppose has been accomplished and it Is
eGeved they will shortly apply for the admiss-
IN of California into the Union as a sovereign
late. Should such be the case, and should their
bnstituton be comfortable to the acquisitions OF
ie constitution Of the United States, recomm-
nd their application to the favorable considera-
pn of Congress.
The people of New Mexico will also ii is be-
hved al no very distant period present themsel-
Is for admission into the Union. Preparatory
the admission of California and New Mexico,
te people of each will have instituted for them
3lyes republican form Of government, "laying
i, foundations in sieh principles and organizing
il powers in such form, as to them shall seem
INST likely to effect their safety and happiness.
b awaiting their action all causes of uneasinesS
my be avoided and confidence and kind feeling
peserved- With view .of maintaining the
hfmony and tranquility so dear TO all we should
astain from the introduction of those exciting
toics of a sectional character which have hith-
eto produced painful apprehensions in the public
mind and repeat the solemn warning of the
fist and most illustrious of my predecessors aga
list furnishing ANY ground for characterizing
prties by geographical determinations"
A collector has been appointed at San Fran
dsco under the act Of Congress extending the
evenue laws over California and measures
lave been taken TO organize the customhouses
i that and the other ports mentioned in that act
Il the earliest period practicable. The collector
overland and advices have not yet
,een received of his arrival at San Francisco
Meanwhile it is understood that the customs
ave continued to be collected there by officers
lcting under military authority, as they were
luring the Administration of my predecessor
h will, think be expedient to confirm the coll
sctions thus made, and direct the avails latter
such allowances as Congress may think fit TO
,r to be paid into the Treasury. for the purpose
,f meeting appropriations for the improvement
of its rivers and harbors.
party engaged on the Coast Survey was dis
patched to Oregon in January last. According
10 the latest advices they had not left California
and directions have been given them as soon
As they have fixed on the sites of the two light
houses and the buoys authorized to be construct
ed and placed in Oregon, 10 proceed without de-
lay to make reconnaissance Of the most imp0r-
lant points on the coast of California, and
especially to examine and determine on sites for
lighthouses on that coast, the. speedy erection
Of which is urgently demanded by our rapidly
increasing commerce.
have transferred the Indian Agencies from
Upper Missouri and Council Bluffs to Santa Fe
and Salt Lake. and have caused to be appointed
sub-agents in the valleys of the Gila the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin rivers. Still further le-
gal provisions will be necessary for the effective
and successful extension of our system Of Indian
intercourse over the new Territories.
l recommend the establishment of Branch
Mint in California as it WILL in my opinion afford
important facilities to those engaged in mining,
IS well as TO the Government in the disposition
Of the mineral lands.
also recommend that commissions be organ
lied by Congress to examine and decide upon
the validity OF the present existing land titles
in California and New Mexico and that provision
be made for the establishment of officers of Sur.
veyor General in New Mexico, California and
Oregon. and for the surveying and bringing into
market the public lands in those Territories-
Those lands remote of position and difficult Of
access ought to be disposed of on terms liberal
10 all but especially favorable to the early emf
grants. M D.. aaN 's a
In order that the situation and character of
The principal miAeral deposits in California may
be ascerained, l recommend that geological
The linear surveys and that the mineral lands be
divided into small lots suitable for mining and
be disposed of by sale or lease. as to give our
citizens an opportunity of procuring permanent
right of property in the soil. This would seem
to be as important to the success of mining as of
agricultural pursuits aat 3 eT7aels,
The great mineral wealth of California. and
the advantages which its ports and harbors and
those of Oregon afford to commerce. especially
with the islands of the Pacific and Indian
Oceans and the populous regions Of Eastern
Asia, make it certain that there will arise in
few years large and prosperous communities on
our Western coast 1t therefore becomes impor-
taDt that a line of communication, the best and
most expeditions which the nature Of the coun-
Try will admit, should be opened within the ter
ritory of the United States, from the navigable
waters of the Atlantic or Gulf Of Mexico to the
Pacific Ocean, as elected and expressed by two
large and respectable conventions lately assem-
bled at ST. Louis and Memphis, points to rail-
road as that which, if practicable, will meet the
best wishes and wants of the country. But
while this, if in successful operation, would be a
work Of great national importance, and Of val
ne to the country which il would Be difficult to
estimate, it ought also to be regarded - IN un-
dertaking of vast magnitude and expense, and
one which must, if It be indeed practicable. en-
counter many difficulties in Its construction and
use. Therefore, to avoid failure and disappoint-
ment; to enable Congress to Judge whether, in
the condition of the country through which it
must pass, the work be feasible; and, If it be
found 50, whether il should be undertaken as a