The republic., 1850-12-05

all who have been engaged in il. In some few in
stances delays may occur IN consequence OF casu-
alties which could not have been avoided, and in
one or two OF the most remote Territories IN the re-
ceipt of the schedules.
The amount OF valuble statistical information col
lected and embodied in these returns will far ex-
ceed any thing of the kind known in our past his
tory and II i5 therefore important that provision
should be made at an carly day for printing such
abstracts may be deemed of practical utility, in
style and form worthy of the subject and of the
country.
The report of the superintendent will show that
additional Legislation may be necessary to do full
justice to the marshals OF some of the more remote
and sparsely- populated sections of the country.
Mexican Boundary Surrey.
My predecessor reported TO the President, on the
18th of May last, in answer to call from the Sen
ate for Information relative to the progress Of this
survey, that the initial point on the Pacific, and
the point Of junction of the Gila with the Colorado
river had been determined and fixed; that the in
tervening line of boundary had been run and
marked, and temporary monuments erected there
on, for distance of about thirty miles; and that
the operations of the joint commission had been
suspended about the lat OF February last by an ad
journment to the first Monday in November utimo.
The temporary monuments alluded to are now
being replaced by permanent ones, and the joint
commission Chat on the part Of the United States
having been reorganized prior to my taking charge
OF the Department. have doubtless assembled at Ell
Paso according to the terms of their adjournment,
for the purpose of running and ting the line
thence westward to the river Gila
II is the determination OF the Department that
this work shall be pressed forward to completion
with the utInost despatch, that, if possible, the
expectations of Congress- as indicated in the ap-
preparation act of 18th May last, may be realized.
Public Buildings.
My predecessor, in his report which accompa-
MED the annual message of the late President to
Congress, took occasion to invite attention to the
condition OF the public buildings, and to show the
tendency Of the Capitol, Patent Office, and Treasu-
ry building to diapidation. from the perishable
nature of the material Of which they construc
ed. Personal observation has satisfied me that his
fears on that subject are well founded Experience
has demonstrated that the sandstone of which they
are built, when left unprotected from the action of
the atmosphere, rapidly disintegratcs
been discovered and applied is a strong coating Of
paint, which, by closing the pores of the stone,
prevents the absorption of water. This expedient
has been found to be attended with partial success
in the preservation of the Capitol and Presi-
dents house. l would respectfully recommend,
therefore, that an appropriation be made of an
amount sufficient to defay the cost of coating the
Treasury building thoroughly with paint. But
at the same time it should be left discretionary
to adopt any improvad method Of efiecting the
same end.
In regard to the Patent Office, as the wings are
to be of white marble and the ends protected
by being Joined to the wings leaving only the front
and rear exposed to decay, and not merely dis
integration but actual dilapidation has already COM
menced, would recommend that the entire exte-
rior facing Of the front be removed and its place
supplied by veneering of white marble of the
quality as that used in the construction of the
wings. The whole building would then present a
uniform appearance, and be rendered compare
lively indestructible by atmospheric agency. Prac
teal workmen have expressed the opinion that il
can be done at small cost when compared with its
beneficial results, and without, in any degree en-
dangerng the security and stability Of the walls
But should any doubt be entertained on the subject
- III
taken to ascertain the actual in time for legis
ative action before the close of the approaching
session of Congress. If the result should be favor
able, 1t would then be time to inquire how far the
same system should be pursued in reference to the
Treasury Building. The extent of the colonnade
in front of that building, however, gives reason to
doubt whether the same system be readily
adopted in regard TO it. The only expedient that
is left, therefore, for the preservation OF that mas
sive structure, is by coating Of paint.
In thi. connexion, beg leave TO urge the pro-
priety of completing, with little delay as practi-
cable, both wings of the Patent Office Until this
be done the large sums already expended will be OF
no practical use, and the edifce will present mu-
uIatcd appearance
But there are other considerations of the most ur-
gent character which call for their completion. At
present the various officers attached the Depart
ment of the Interior scattered through six diff
ierent buildings widely separated from each other
four OF which are owned by private individuals
Three OF these not only unsuited in their intc-
are used, but are of combustble materials and CON
uguous to private dwellings. The officers are
therefore subjected To great Inconvenience in com
munIcating with the head of the Department and
the public archives in constant danger from fire.
The ront now paid for rooms ahording this i'm
perfect and insecure accom- modation exceeds
$4,000 per annum. But the rooms in the War
Department occupied by the Indian Bureau arc
those in the Treasury building occupied by the
General Land Office required by the Secretary OF
the Treasury, and notice to that effect has been
given TO this Department.
II additional rooms rented, to be used instead
OF those vacated in the War and Treasury build
ngs, the amount of the annual TO be paid will
be more than double, and the most valuable ar
chives Of the Government, comprising the muni-
ments OF title TO many millions Of acres of what
as once the public domain will be placed in a
condition of great insecurity.
therefore recommend that the two wings of the
Patent Oiicc be finished and that they be nppro-
priated to the accommodation Of the Department
Of the Interior and the different offices thereto at
tached. They will thus be brought under one
roof. The communication between the head Of the
Department aud the different bureaus will be
greatly facilitated aud the records Of Government
safely lodged in fire proof building. These are
advantages which will be oheaply bought by the
expenditure Of the sum necessary TO complete those
wings.
Introduction Of Water into The City.
The vast engagements Of our territorial limits.
ahd tne taplu grown OF the country IN wealth and
population, have been attended with n correspond
ing increase Of the public business and of the num-
bor of persons employed to perform IL. large
proportion Of the population Of tho city Of Wash
nglon i directly or indirectly connected with the
affairs Of Government. The representatives Of the
people and the States from all sections Of the Union
annual assemble here 10 perform their high func
ions, and arc detained during the greater part Of
each alternate year. Many Of them come from "a
luxurious regions where the diseases incident 10
more southern climates arc unknown. II would
yeera, then, 10 be duty Of the Government Of the
most imperative character 10 adopt all necessary
precautions to guard against every thing which
tends to endanRer the health Of these servants Of
the people and their families.
To accomplish this purpose, and at the same time
TO contribute 10 the comfort of the whole population
and TO afford an efiectua safeguard to all the pub
lie offices against fire, ! respectfully recommend
the introduction into the national metropolis Of a
copous supply Of pure water, 10 be thrown, in the
hrst place, into reservoir some elevated poin,
in it's vicinity, and thence distributed through the
public buildings and dcnsely populated parts of the
city
The improvement Of the public grounds by en-
closing and planting them with trees and shrubbery
and providing promcnadcs and fountains, is a sub
ject Of kindred character, tending 10 the same re-
suits, and only second in importance TO the supply
OF water. therefore commend il also TO your favor