New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-03

engaged in it. In some few instances delays may
occur in consequence Of casualties which could
not have been avoided, end in one OF two of the
most remote Territories, in the receipt OF tho
schedules.
Phe amount Of valuable statistical information
collected and embodied in these returns will far
exceed anYthing of the kind known in our past
history; and it is therefore important that proyis
ion should be made at an early day for printing suck
abstracts may be deemed of practical utility. In
a style and form wortbyot the subject and ofthc
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 mors
remote and sparsely populated sections the
country.
My predecessor reported to the President, ON
the 18th OF May last, in answer to call from the
Senate for information relative to the progress OF
this survey, that the initial point on the Pacific.
and the point OF junction of the ella with the Col
orado River, had been determined and fixed
that the Intervening line OF boundary had been
run and marked, and temporary monuments erect
ed thereon, tor Distance OF about thirty miles
aud that the operations OF the joint commission
had been suspended about the st OF February last
by an adjournment to the first Monday in Noyem
Der utlmo. The temporary monuments alluded
to are now being replaced by permanent ones,
and the JOINT commission THAT on the part of the
United States having been re0vganized prior to
my taking charge Of the Department. have doubt
less assembled az f. pas9, according 10 the terms
Of their adjournment, for the purpose Of running
and marking the line thence westward to the
river ella.
1t is the determination of the Department that
this work shall be pressed forward to completion
with the utmost dispatch, So that if possible the
expectations of Congress, rs indicated in the APP
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 the
Treasury Building to dilapidation, from the perish
able nature OF the material of which they are con
structed 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 disin
tegrates.
The only temporary preventive which has yet
been discovered and applied is a strong coatlngof
paint, which, by closing the pores OF the stone,
prevents the absorption OF water. This expedi-
cnt has been found to be attended with partial
success in the preservation OF the Capitol and
Presidents house. would respectfully recon-
mend, therefore, that an appropriation DC made
of an amount sufficient to detrGy the cost of coat
ing the Treasury Building thoroughly with paint.
But at the same time it should be left discretion
airy to adopt any improved method Of eilecting
the same end
In regard to the Patent Office, as the wings are
TO be of white marble and the ends are now pro-
tected by being Joined to the wings leaving only
the front and rear exposed TO decay, and as not
merely disntegraton but actual dilapdatiOn has
already commenced would recommend that the
entire exterior facing of the front be removed. and
its place supplied by veneering OF white marble
has iuulIt hat NJ pH in a
ton OF the wings. The whole building would
then present uniform appearance, and be render
ed comparatively indestructible by atmospheric
agency. Practical workmen have expressed the
opinion that it can be done at small cost when
compared with its beneficial results and without
in any degree endangering the security and sta
bility of the walls But should any doubt be en-
tertained on the subject, scientific engineers might
be consulted and means taken to ascertain the
actual cost in time for legislative action before the
close OF the approaching session OF Congress. IL
the result should be favorable, it would then be
time to inquire how far the same system should
be pursued in reference to the Treasury Building
The extent of the coonnade in front of that build
ing however, gives reason TO doubt whether the
same system can be readily adopted in regard to
it. The only expedent that is left, therefore, Tor
the preservation OF that massive structure, 10 ny
q coating Of paint.
In this connection, beg leave to urge the pro-
priety Of completing, with as little delay as Prac..
ticable, both wings OF the Patent Office. Until
this be done the large sums already expended will
be OF no practical use, aud the ediice will present
amutilated appearance.
But there are other considerations OF the most
urgent character which call for their completion.
At present the various officers attached to the De
partment of the Interior are scattered through SIX
different buildings widely separated from each
other, four of which are owned by private indi-
yiduas. Three OF these are not only unsulted In
their interior arrangements Tor the purposes Tor
which they are used, but are Of combustlble ma
terals and contiguous to private dwellings. The
officers are therefore subjected TO great incon
venience in communicating with the head OF the
Department and the public archives are in con-
slant danger from fire,
The rent now paid for rooms ailording this inn
perfect and insecure accommodation exceeds
S. 900 per ennum. But the rooms in the War
Department occupied by the Indian Bureau are
needed for the purposes OF that Department, and
those in the Treasury building occupied by the
General Land O flee arerequired by the Secretary
of the Treasury and notice TO that effect has been
given to this Department.
If additional rooms are rented, to be used in.
stead OF those vacated in the Ear and Treasury
buildings, the amount of the annual rent to be
paid will be more than doubled, and the most val
liable archives of the Government, comprising tho
muniments of title to many millions OF acres OF
what was once the public domain, will be placed
in a condition Of great insecurity
therefore recommend that the two wings Of
the Patent Office be finished, and that they be
appropriated to the accommodation OF the Depart
ment of the Interior and the different Offices
thereto attached. They will thus be brought IN.
der one roof The communication between the
head of the Department and the different bureaus
will be greatly facilitated, and the records of
Government safely lodged in iire-proof building.
These are advantages which will be cheaply
bought by the expenditure of the sum necessary
to complete those wings.
have the honor to be, sir very respectfully, your obs
dent servant, ALEX. Il. II. STUART; Secretafy
To the PRESIDENT or THE UNITED STATES.
TT For the Report of the Secretary Of War.
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