The republic., 1850-12-03
IL .dgmsnt of Congress. may mitigate the evil


evi but, if you should not in this view, then
as partial remedy, beg leave respectfully to re-
commend that, instead of taking the invoice Of the
article abroad as means Of determining its value
here the correctness of which invoice ii is in many
cases impossible to verify, the law be SO changed
as to require home valuation appraisal, to
be regulated in such manner to give, as far
as practicable, uniformity in the several ports.
There being no mint it California; am informed
that the laborers in the mines are compelled to dis
pose of their gold dust at large discount. This
appears to me to be heavy and unjust tax upon
the labor of those employed in extracting this pre-
cious metal; and doubt not you will be disposed,
at the earliest period possible to relieve them from
il by the establishment of mint. In the mean
time, as an assayers office is established there,
would respectfully submit for your consideration
the propriety of authorizing gold bullion, which
has been assayed and stamped, to be received in
payment of Government dues. cannot conceive
that the treasury would suffer any loss by such
provision. which will at once raise bullion to its
par value and thereby save (if am rightly in
formed) jnany millions of dollars to the laborers
which are now paid in brokerage to convert this
precious ihetal into available funds. This dis
count upon their hard earnings is heavy tax, and
every effort should be made by the Government to
relieve them from 80 great burden.
More than three fourths of population are
engaged in the cultivation of the soil The
commercial, manufacturing, and navigating in
terests are all, to great extent, dependent the
agricultural. 1t is, therefore, the most important
If IN ,..
foaering care and protection Of the Government,
lar they can be extended consistently with the
provisions Of the Constitution. As this cannot be
done by the ordinary modes of legislation, re-
spectfully recommend the establishment of an Ag-
ricutural Bureau, to be charged with the duty Of
giving to this leading branch of American industry
the encouragement which It SO well deserves In
view of the immense mineral resources of our coun-
try, provision should also be made for the employ
ment of competent mineralogist and chemist,
who should be required, under the direction of the
head of the bureau, to collect specimens of the
riou. minerals of our country, and to ascertain, by
careful analysis, their respective elements and pro-
perties, and their adaptation to useful purposes.
He should also be required to examine and report
upon the qualities of different SOILS and the ma
nures best calculated to improve their productive
ness. By publishing the results Of such expert
ments, with suitable explanations, and by the col
lection and distribution of rare seeds and plants,
with instructions to the best system of cultiva-
ton, much may be done to promote this great
tiona 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 superin-
tendent was appointed, and all other measures
adopted which were deemed necessary to
the prompt and faithful performance of that duty
The appropriation already made will, it lis believed,
be sufficient to defray the whole expense of the
work but further Legislation may be necessary in
regard to the compensation of of the marshals
Of the Territories. 1t will also be proper TO make
provision by law, at an early day, for the pubica
ion OF such abstracts Of the returns az the public
interests may require.
The unprecedented growth of our Territories on
the Pacific in wealth and population, and the con-
scquent increase Of their social and commercial
laons with the Atlantic States, seem TO render
il the duty Of the Government to all its consti-
lional power to improve the means of intercourse
the best and most expeditions of
which the nature of the country will admit be-
tween 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 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 va
lidity Of land titles in California is subject which
demands your carly 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 fraudulent. But until they
shall have been judicially investigated, they will
continue TO retard the settlement and improve
ncrt Of the country. /, therefore, respectfully
that provision be made by law for the
appointment Of commissioners TO examine all such
claims with view to their final adjustment.
also beg leave to call your attention to the pro-
priety Of extending at early day, our system Of
land laws, with such notifications as may be ne
cessary over the State Of California and the terri
tories Of Utah and New Mexico. The mineral
lands Of California will, Of course form an excep-
ton to any general system which may be adopted.
Various methods Of disposing Of them have been
suggested. ! OF first inclined TO favor the
system Of leasing, 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 lcas.
ing the lead mines and selling lands upon credit,
have brought my mind to the conclusion that there
would be great difiiculty in collecting the rents,
and that the relation Of debtor and creditor, be-
tween the citizens and the Government, would be
attended with many miscbievous consequences.
therefore recommend that instead Of retaining the
mineral lands under the permanent control Of the
Government, they be divided into small parcel.
and cold, under such restrictions az 10 quantity
and time, will insure the beat price. and guard
most efcctually against combinations of capitalists
to obtain monopolies.
The annexation Of Texas and the acquisition Of
California and New Mexico have given increased
importance to our Indian relations. The various
tribes brought under Jurisdiction by these Gu
largements Of our boundaries estimated to en-