Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-12-12

gress to this subject. lfCongress should deem
it unwise to attempt any important changes in
the system of levying duties at this session, 4
will become indispensable to the protection of
the revenue that such remedies, as in the iudg-
gress may mitigate the evil complained Of, should
be at once applied.
As before stated, specific duties would, in INV
opinion, afford the most perfect remedy for this
evil but, if you should not concur in this view,
then, as partial remedy, beg leave respect
fully to recommend that, instead of taking the
invoice of the article aboard as a means of de-
termining its value here, the correctness Of
which invoice it is in many cases impossible to
verify, the law be SO changed as to require a
home valuation or appraisal, to be regulated in
such manner as TO give, as far as practicable,
uniformity in the several ports.
There being no mint in California, am in
formed that the laborers in the mines arc COM
PEELED to dispose Of their gold dnst at large
discount. This appears to me to be heavy
and unjust tax upon the labor of those euploy-
ed in extracting this precious metal; and
doubt not you will be disposed, at the earliest
period possible, to relieve them from it by the
establishment of mint. In the mean time, as
an assayer's Office is established there, would
iCSPeC'uiiy Suohit ioI youI CohSiueidtioi tc
propriety of authorizing gold bullion, which has
been assayed and stamped, 10 be received in
payment of Government dues. ! cannot con-
ceIve that the treasury would suffer any loss by
such provision, which will at once raise bull
lion to its par value, and thereby save (if am
rightly iniormed) many millions of dollars TO
the laborers which are 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 TO relieve them of SO great
burden.
More than three fourths of our population are
engaged In the cultivation of the soil. The
commercial, manufacturing and navigating in
terests are all, 10 great extent, dependent on
the agricultural. 1t is, therefore, the most lm-
portant 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 Consii-
tuition. As this cannot be done by the ordinary
modes of Legislation, respectfully recommend
the establishment OF an Agricultural Bureau 10
be charged with the duty of giving TO this lead
ing branch of American industry the encour-
agement il so well deserves In view OF the
immense mineral resources of our country, pro-
vision should also be made for the employment
of 4 competent mineraogist and chemist, who
should be required, under the direction Of the
head OF the bureau. 10 collect specimens OF the
various minerals of our country, and TO ascer-
tain, by careful analysis, their respective ele-
menis and properties, ard their adaIiion TO use
iul purposes. lie should also be required TO
examine and report upon the qualities ot dIiier-
ent soils, and the manures best calculated TO
improve their productlveness. BY publishing
the results of such experiments, with suitable
explanations, and by the collection and distrbu-
tlon OF rare seeds and plants, with instructions
as to the best system OF cultivation, much may
be done TO promote this great national interest.
In compliance with the act of Congress,
passed on the 23d of May, 1850, providing
among other things, for taking the seventh cen
sus, superintendent was appointed, and all
other measures adopted which were deemed
necessary TO ensure the prompt and faithful pc.
tornance o: that duty. The appropriation al
ready made will, it is believed, be sufficient 10
detray the whole expense of the work but fur
iher Legislation may be necessary in regard to
the compensation of some of the marshals OF
the Territories. 1t will also be proper TO make
provision by law, at an early day, for the publ
cation of such abstracts of the returns as the
public interests may require.
The unprecedented grow tn of our Territories
on the Pacific in wealth and population, and the
consequent increase of their social and COM
mercial relations with the Atlantic States, seem
TO render ii the duty of the Government 10 use
all its constitutional power to improve the
means of Intercourse with them. The import
ance of opening a line of communication, the
best and most expeditlous of which the ma
| nj the will admit - hptw the
valley of the Mississippi and the Pacific, was
brought to your notice by my predecessor, in
his annual message; and as the reasons which
he presented in favor of the measure still exis
In full force, beg leave to call your attention
to them, and TO repeat the recommendations
then made by him.
| The uncertainty which exists in regard to
the validity of land titles in California is sub
Ject which demands your early consideration
Large bodies of land in that State are claimed
under grants said to have been made by author
lty of the Spanish and Mexican Governments.
Many OF these have not been perfected, others
have been revoked, and some are believed 10 bt
fraudulent. But until they shall have been Ju
dicialy investigated, they will continue TO retart
the settlement and Improvement of the country
|, therefore, respectfully recommend that pro
vision be made by law, for the appointment o
commissioners TO examine all such claims witt
q view to their final adjustment.
| also beg leave to call your attention to the
propriety of extending, at an early day, oul
system of land laws, with such notifications
as may be necessary over the State of Califor
MIA and the territories of Utah and New Mexi
co. The mineral lands of California will, o
course, form an exception TO any general sys
tenn which may be adopted. Various methods
of disposing of them have been suggested.
was at first inclined to favor the system of leas
ing,as it seemed 10 promise the largest revenue
| to the Government and TO afford the best securi
ty agalnts monopoles but further reflection
and our experience i'll leasing the lead mines
and selling lands upon credit, have brought III,
mind to the CONCLUSION that there would be grea
difficulty in collecting the rents, and that the re
| lation of debtor and creditor, between the citl
sens and the Government, would be ATTENDED
with many mischievous consequences. there
fore recommend that, instead of retaining tho
mineral lands under the permanent control O
the Government, they be divided into small par
cells and sold, under such restrictions, as I,
quantity and time as will insure the best price
and guard most effectually against combination
of capitalists to obtain monopolles.
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition
of California and New Mexico have given in
creased importance to our Indian relations
The various tribes brought under our jurisdic
ton by these enlargements of our boundarie
are estimated to embrace population Of ON
hundred and twenty-four thousand.
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded b,
T. -bn