The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-03


present tariff, which imposes a much higher duty
upon the raw material that enters iato our m anu
features than upon the manufactured article, should
be remedied
The papers accompanying the report OF the Sec
rotary of the Treasury will disclose frauds at
tempted upon the revenue, in variety and amount
so great, as TO justify the conclusion that is m
possible, under any system of ad valorem duties,
levied upon tie foreign cost value of the article
TO secure an honest observance and etiectual Gd
ministration of the laws The fraudulent devices TO
evade the law, which have been detectedby the vigil
lance OF the appraisers, leave room 20 doubt that
similar impositions not discovered, TO large
amount, have been successfully practised since the
enactment of the law now IN force. This state OF
things has already had preJudlciil influence upon
those engaged in foreign commerce Ii h rs a ten
dency 20 drive the honest trader from the husi-
ness Of importing, and TO throw that important
branch of employment into the hands OF unscru-
pulous and dishonest men, who are alike. regard
less of law and the obligations OF an oath BY
these means, The plain intentions of Congress, as
expressed in the law, are daily defeated Every
motive OF policy and duty, therefore, impel me TO
ask the earnest attention of Congress 10 this sub
jeet II Congress should dee it unwise to attempt
sny important changes in the system of levyiog
duties at this session. it will become indispensable
TO the projection Of the revenue that such rene
dies, as in the Judgment of Congress may mitigate
the evils complained of, should be at once applied
As before stated, specific duties would, in my
opinion, afford the most perfect remedy tor this
evil; bat, il you should not concur in this view,
TO recommend that, instead OF taking the invoice OF
the article abroad as a means of determining its
value here, the correctness of which invoice IL is
in many casts impossible To- verify, the law be so
changed as 10 reqaire home valuation or apprais-
al, 10 be regulated in such manner as TO give, as
far as practicable, uniformity IN the several ports.
There being no mint in California, am informed
that the ahorers in the mines are compelled 10 dis
pose of their gold dust at large discount. This
appears 10 me 10 be heavy and uni Just tax upon
the labor OF those employ ed an extracting this pre-
cious metal; and doubt not you wilt be disposed,
at The earliest period possible, to relieve them from
II by the establishment Of mint. Ia the mean
time, asssyer's office is established there, |
would respectfully submit for your consider alton
the propuety Ct authorizing gold b1llio1, which
has been sssayed and stamped to be received in
payment Of government dues. | cannot conceive
that the treasury would sntier any loss by such
provision, which viii at once raise blllian to its
par value, and thereby save (if am rightly inform
ed) many millions of dollars to the aborers which
now paid in brokerage TO convert this precious
metal into available funds This discount upon
their hard earnings is a heavy tax, and every effort
should be made by the government 10 relieve them
from so grea, burden.
More than three. fourths of our popul ,tion are
epe8ged in the cultivation Of the soil The
commercial, manufacturing, and navigating in
teIess, are ALL TO gre At eXteAt, dependant on the
aoricultural 1t is, therefore, the most important
interest OF the nation, and has Just claim TO the
fostering care and protection of the government,
so far as they can be extended consistently with the
provisions Of the constitution As this cannot be
done by The ordinary modes OF legislation, | lie.
spectfully recommend the establishment OF an ag
ricutursl bHreau, 10 be charged with the duty Of
giving 10 This leading branch OF American Industry
the encouragement which il so well deserves la
view of the immense mineral resources Of our coun-
try, pro 5sion 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 va
rions minerals of country, aud TO ascertain, by
careful analysis, their respective elements and pro-
perties, aud 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 as to The best system of cuiiiya
ton, much may be done 10 promote this great na-
ilonal interest.
In compliance with the act Of Congress, passed
on the 23i Ct May, 1850, providing, among other
things fss teLi.s tho seventh census, a sups M
endtnt was appointed, ana ali other msasuscs
adopted which were deemed necessary to enssre
the prompt and faithful performance OF that duty.
The sppropIialion already made WILL ii is believed,
he sufficient TO desIay the whole expense OF the
work; but further Legislation may be necessary in
regard 10 the compensation some Of the marsh ais
Of the territories. IL will also be proper to make
provision by law, al an early day, for the p1oca-
ton Of such abstracts Of the returns the public
interests m6y require.
The unprecedented growth Of our territories on
the Pacific ia wealth and population, aud the Goa
s6quent increase of their social and commercial re-
latiOns with the Atlantic States, seem 10 render It
the duty ct the government 10 use all its constu-
tiOnal power 10 improve the means of intercourse
with them The importance of openiag . a lac Of
communication, 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 10 your notice by my predecessor, in
his annual message aud &c the reasons which he
presented in fave. OF the still exist in fall
force, | beg leave 10 call your attention 10 them,
ana to repeat the recommendations then nude by
HIM.
Tie 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 fraudulent But uatil
they shall have been judcially investigated, they
will continue TO fetard the settlement and improve
ment Of the country. ! therefore respectfully re-
commend 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 10 the pro-
pritty OF extending al an early day, our system OF
land laws, with such notifications as may b. ne
cessay over the state OF California and the terT-
tories OF tab 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 oeen
suggested. ! was az hrsi inclined 10 favor the
system Of leasing. as 1t seemed to promise the
largest TO the government, and 10 afford the
hest security against monopoes but further re-
lie cton, 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 Ct debtor and CREDITOR between the citizens
aId the government, would be attended with many
mischieyous conse Quences | therefore recon-
mend that instead OF retaining the mine raj lands
under the permanent control OF the government,
they be divided into small parcels and sold, un-
der such restrictions, as To quantity and time,
will insure the hest price, end guard most etiec
tually against combinations OF capitalists TO obtain
monopolles.
The annexation Of Texas, ana the acquisition Of
California and New Mexico, have given increased
importance TO our Indian relations. The various
tribes brought under our Jurisdiction by these en-
Judgements Of our boundaries, are estimated to
brace populllion Of one hundred and twenty four
thousand.
Texas and New Mexico arc surrounded by pow.
eTful tribes ct Indians, who source of constant
terror and annoy ance TO the inhabitants. Sspi-
a. =.