The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-03

| lists if leased, Industrious men without cfp'tai
may become the propretors, as they can work
| the mines and pay the rent out Of the proceeds.
| But where gold is found in the rocks in place, the
case is different. These must necessarily faii at
once into the hands of large capitalists or joint
stock companies, as they cannot be wrought with
! out heavy investment.
The property of the United States in the mines
of quicksilver, derived from Spain through Mex
leo, with the eminent domain is, as have shown,
the same as that to the gold, already considered
Indeed the laws Of Spain asserted more sternly
and guarded more strictly the rights of the Grown
to that metal than to gold and silver. This arose
from the scarcity of quicksilver, it being found
in sufficient quantities to be worth mining in but
few known places on the globe; while its necessa-
ry USE in separating silver from its nlatrix, makes
it an essential ingredient in silver mining opera
tions.
The deposite Of quicksilver, known to exist in
California, is n sulphuret Of mercury, or native
cinnabar The stratum of mineral, several feet
in thickness has been traced for r considerable
distance along its line of strike The specimens
assayed at the mint range from 1873 to 80 50 per
cent of metal it is easy of access. and is mined
and reduced without difficulty. So much Of the
mine as has been traced is situated on ranch;
to which the title is probably valid and since the
United States took possession of the country, an
attempt has been made to acquire title to the NINE
by deaouncenea This preceding is for the reasons
that have already given, invalid. IL therefore
remains for Congress to determine whether they
will relinquish or assert the title Of the United
! States in this mine.
The Secretary, after reviewing the present
condition of California, and abiding to the vast
emigration still flowing from every direction, an
ticipates large and prosperous communities on our
Pdcifc coast. A road, connecting the Atlantic
and Pacific, is therefore deemed necessary. But
| what that road will be- and where and by whom
constructed, must depend upon the action OF Con-
| gress founded on such information as careful
reconnaissance of the country by scientific corps
! may furnish.
The wild tribes of Indians, who have their
hunting grounds in the great prairie through
which our emigrants to California pass, have, du-
ring the present year. been more than usually pa
cifc. They have suffered our people TO pass
through their country with little interruption,
though they travelled in great numbers, and con-
sumed, on their route, much grass and game For
these the Indians expect compensation, aud their
claim is just says the report. The negotiation Of
treaties with these Indians, and the purchasing
from them the right Of way through their lands
with the granting of annuities, is recommended
The difficulties with the Seminole and Texas
Indians are fully stated, and the appointment Of
Indian agents recommended TO manage our Indian
affairs in the Territories of Oregon, California
and New Mexico, and to restrain the Indians of
the two latter Territories from committing dep
relations upon the citizens Of Mexico
No special provision having been made with
respect to Indian int, course in Oregon three
sub-agents were appointed by the late Admins
tration last year for the Indians there-from
whom. or from the Governor, who is ex-ofiicio SUI
perintendent Of Indian affairs, no reports have
yet been received.
In consequence of like omission TO make pro-
vision for California and New Mexico, two
agents, occupying less important positions, were
transferred; one to the vicinity Of the Great Salt
Lake. in California, and the other to Santa Fe;
and three subagents in addition were appointed
for the Indians at other points in those Territories.
The great distance of their fields of operations has
prevented the reception of reports from them.
Most Of the tribes permanently located on our
Western borders, particularly the more Southern,
continue steadily to advance in civilization, and
in all the elements of substantial prosperity. The
establishment of manual labor schools in charge
of missionary societies of various religious denom-
nations, is working great moral and social rev.
olution among several Of the tribes and if the
Department had the means Of extending the ben
ets of these institutions to those more destitute,
who have no funds set apart by the treaty for
these purposes it would no doubt be productive
oflike happy results.
The report concludes with recommendation
that the annual appropriations for the civilization
of the Indians be increased