Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-12-06

vour attention to thcm and to repeat the recommen-
dations then made by him.
The uncertainty which exists in regard to the va
ld;ty of land titles in California is subject which
demands your early consideration. Large bodies OF
land in that State claimed under grants sad 10
have been made by authority of the Spanish ana
Mexican Governments. Many OF these nave not
heen perfected others have been revoked ana some
are believed to be fraudulent But until they stall
have been judiciay Investigated, they will continue
to retard the settlement and improvement OF the
country l. therefore, respectfully recommend 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 may be neces-
sarv over the State of California and the territories
of Utah and New Mexico. The mineral lands OF
California will of course form an exception to any
general system which may be adopted Various
methods of dsposing of them have been suggested
was Mt first inclined to favor the system OF leasing
as it seemed to promise the largest revenue to the
Government and to afford the best security against
monopoles; but further reflection, and our expert
ence 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 of debtor and creditor between
the citizens and the Government, would be attended
with many mischievous consequences. therefore
recommend that, instead of retaining the mineral
lands under permanent control of the Government,
they be divided into small parcels and sold, under
such restrictions to quantity and time, as will In
sure the best price, and guard most eectuay against
combinations of capitalists to obtain monopolies.
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition. of
California and New Mexico have given increased I'M
portance to our Indian relations The various tribes
brought under our jurisdiction by these engagements
of our boundaries are estimated to embrace Popu-
lation of one hundred and twenty-fOur thousand
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by power
full tribes of Indians, who OF constant
terror and annoyance to the Inhabitants Separa-
ting into small predatory bands and always mount
cd, they overrun the country, devastating FARMS
destroying crops, driving off whole herds OF CATTLE
and occasionally numbering the inhabitants or car
rying them into captivity The great roads Leading
into the country infested with them, whereby
travelling is rendered extremely dangerous, and I'M
migration is almost entirely arrested The Mexican
frontier which, by the 18th article of the treaty of
Guadalupe Hdalgo we are bound to protect against
the Indians within our border, is exposed to these
incursions equally with our own. The military force
stationed in that country (although forming q large
proportion of the army is represented as entirely
inadequate to protection and the fulhlment
of our treaty stipulations with Mexico The princi-
pal deficiency is in cavalry, and recommend that
Congress should, at as early period practicable
provide for the raising of one reg iments of
mounted men.
For further suggestions on this subject and others
connected with our domestic interests, and the de-
fence of our frontier refer YOU to the report of the
Secretary of the Interior and of the Secretary of
War
/ commend also to your favorable consideration
the suggestion contained in the last mentioned re-
port and in the letter of the generainchicf rela-
tive to the establishment of asylum for the relief
OF disabled and destitute soldiers. This subject APP
pcals SO strongly to your sympathies that it would
be superf1uous IN me to say any thing more, than
barely to express my cordial appreciation of the pro-
posed object.
The navy continues to give protection to our COM
merce and other national interests in the different
quarters OF the globe, and with the exception of
single steamer on the Northern lakes the vessels in
commission distributed in six different squadrons
; The report of the head of that Department will
exhibit the services of these squadrons. and of tho
f several vessels employed in each during the pas
year. 1t is of qualification that while they
have been constantly prepared for any hostile emer
gency, they have every where met with the respec
and courtesy, due well to the dignity to th'
peaceful dispositions and just purposes OF the nation
, The two brigantines accepted by the Government
! from a generous citizen of New York, and placed
under the command of officer of the navy, to pro
coed to the Arctic in quest of the British com
! mandcr Sir John Franklin. and his companions: II
compliance with the act of Congress, approved II
Nav last, had, when last heard from, penetrated IN
to high northern latitude but the success OF tins
noble and humane enterprise is yet uncertain
invite YOUR attention to the view of our present
naval establishment and resources presented In the
report of the Secretary of the Navy, and the sug
gestions therein made for its improvement, togeth
with the naval policy recommended for the secu
ritv of our Pacific Coast and the protection and
tension of our commerce with Eastern Asia. Oul
facilities for large participation in the trade OF the
! East, bv means of our recent settlements on the
shores of the Pacific are too obvious to be overlook
ed or disregarded.
The questions in relation to rank in the army and
navy and relative rank between officers of the two
branches of the service, presented to the Executive
by certain resolutions of the House of Representa-
tves at the last session of Congress, have been sub
mitted to board of officers in each branch of the
service, and their report may be expected at ear
ly day.
| also earnestly recommend the enactment of
law authorizing officers of the army and navy to be
retired from the service, when incompetent for its
vigorous and active Duties taken to make suit
able provision for those who have faithfully served
their country, and awarding distinctions, by retain
o ing in appropriate commands those who have been
particularly conspicuous for galantry and good con
duct. While the obligation of the country to main
pursuits have devoted themselves to its arduous
+ vice. this obligation should not be permitted to in
l. terfere with the efficiency of the service itself.
am gratifed in being able to state that the est
mates of expenditure for the navy in the ensuing
> year are less, by more than one million of dollars
than those of the present. excepting the appropria
ton which may become necessary for the construc
7 ton of dock the coast of the Pacific, PROPOSE
>, tons for which being considered, and OF
# which special report may be expected early in your
present session.
: There is evident business in the suggestion o
. the same report, that appropriations for the nava
, service proper should be separated from those fo
fixed and permanent objects, such as building dock
and navy yards and the fixtures attached and from
the extraordinary objects under the of the De
v partment which, however important, are not essen
; TALLY naval.
= A revision of the code for the government of thu
- navy to require the immediate consideration