Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-12-07


praciised since the enactment of the law now
in force This state of things has already
had preIudicial influence upon those enga-
ged in foreign commerce.
II has tendency to drive the honest trader
from the business of importing, and to throw
that important branch OF employment into the
hands OF INSCRIPTIONS and dishonest men,
who are alike regardless of law and the obli-
cations 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 10 ask
The earnest attention of Congress 10 this sub
iect. If Congress should deem it unwise to
attempt any important changes in the system
of levying duties al this session, it will be-
come indispensable TO the protection Of the
revenue that such remedies, as in the judg-
ment Of Congress may mitigate the evils
complained Of, should be a, once applied.
As before stated, specific duties would, in
my opinion, afford the most perfect remedy
for this evil but, if you should not concur in
this view, then, as partial remedy, beg
leave respectfully 10 recommend that, instead
of taking the invoice of the article abroad as
a means of determining its value here, the
correctness of which invoice it is in many ca
ses impossible to verify, the law be SO chang
ed as 20 require home valuation or apprai-
sal, TO be regulated in such a manner as 10
give: as far as practicable, informiiy in the
several ports.
There being no mint in California, | am
informed that the laborers in the mines are
compelled 10 dispose 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 precious metal
and doubt not you will be disposed, at the
earliest period possible, 10 relieve them from
it by the establishment of mint.
In the meantime, as an assayer's office is
established there, | would respectfully SUBJ
nit for your consideration the proprietv of
authorizing gold bullion, which has been as
sayed and stamped, TO be received in pay
ment Of Government dues. | cannot con-
cieve that the treasury would suffer any loss
by such provision, which will at once raise
bullion to its par value, and thereby (if am
rightly informed) many millions of dollars 10
the laborers which are now paid in brokerage
TO convert this precious metal into available
funds This discount upon their hard earn.
ings is a heavy tax, and every effort should
be made by the Government to relieve them
from so great burden.
More than three-fourihs of our population
are engaged in the cultivation of the SOIL
The commercial, manufacturing, and naviga-
ting interests are all, TO great extent, de-
pendent on the agricultural. 1t is, therefore,
the important interest of the nation, and has
a just claim 10 The fostering care and protec-
tion OF the Government, 80 far as they can be
extended consistently with the provisions OF
the Constitution. As this cannot be done by
the ordinary modes of legislation, | respect
fully recommend the establishment of an Ag-
riculural Bureau, 10 be charged with The duty
OF giving TO this leading branch of American
industry the encouragement which II so well
deserves.
In view of the immence mineral resources
OF our country, provision should also be made
for the employment of competent mineralo-
gist and chemist, who should be required, un-
der the direction of the head Of the bureau
to collect specimens of the various minerals
ot our country, and 10 ascertain by careful
analysis, their elements and properties, and
their adaptation to useful purposes. He
should also be required TO examine and report
upon the qualities Of different soils, and The
mannres best calculated TO improve their pro-
1uctiveuess. By publishing the results OF
such experiments, with suitable explanations
and by the collection and distribution of rare
seed and plants, with instructions as to the
best system of cultivation, much NAV be done
In compliance with the act of Congress
passed on the 23d of May, 1850, providing
among other things, !or taking the seventh
census, a superintendent was appointed. anc
all other measures adopted which were deem
ed necessary to ensure the prompt and faith
iul performance of that duty. The appropra
tion already made will, it is believed, be suf
ficient TO deray the whole expense OF the
work but further Legislation may be neces
sary in regard TO The compensation OF some
of the marshals of the Territories. 1t viii
also be proper to make provision by law, a
an early day, for the publication of such alb
stracis of the returns as the public interes
may require.
The unprecedented growth of our Terrific
ries on The Pacific in wealth and population
and the consequent increase of their socia
and commercial relations with The Atlanli,
States, seem to render it the dnty OF the Go
vernment 10 use all its constitutional powe
TO improve the means of intercourse will
Them. The Importance of opening IA line o
communication, the best and most eXpedi
!ious of which The nature of the country vii
admit" between the valley OF The Mississippi
and the Pacific, was brought TO your notice
by my predecessor, in. his annual message
aud as the reasons which he presented in ia
. WI VI lHc HltdsuIt slIIl tAlSl I'LL lull lOICe,
beg leave TO call your attention TO them, ant
10 repeat The recommendations then made b,
him.
The uncertainty which exists in regard Il
the validity >of land titles in California is
subject which demands your early considera
ton. Large bodies of land in that State arr
claimed under grants said to have been made
by authority OF the Spanish and Mexican Go
vernmeu,s. Many of these have net beel
perfected, others have been revoked, ant
some are believed TO be fraudulent. But un
I'll they shall have been judicially investiga
ted, they will continue 10 reard the settle
,, ment and improvement of the country. |
, therefore, respectfully recommend that pro
vision be made by law, for the appointment
of commissioners to examine all such claim
with view 10 their final adjustment
,, also beg leave TO call your attention +
the proprieiy of extending, al an early day
our system OF land laws, with such modi6ca
tions as may be necessary over the State O
: California and the territories of Utah an
New Mexico The mineral lands Of Caifor
MIA will, of course, form an exception to an
general system which may be adopted
Various methods of disposing of them hav
been suppesled | was al first incIinad f,