The republic., 1850-12-05
THE REP u BLIC.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.
DEPARTnENT or THE IsTERIoR,


DEcEMBER ,, 1850.
SIR The duties which have been devolved by law
on the Department of the Interior are OF the most
varied and important character. As the name oi
the Department would imply, they relate to most
OF the interests Of the country which are OF do
Iuestc nature. They embrace not only variety
Of subjects, but the duties TO be performed are vide
Iy dssiiuiiar, aud partake in some degree OF a le
gslatiye and Judicial, as well as of an executive
CharaGicr.
To this Department is entrusted the general SUI
pervison and mana cement OF all matters connect
cd with the Public Domain, Indian Atiairs, Pen-
siuns, Patents, Public Buildings, the Census, the
Penientary, and the expenditures oil the Juai
cary.
10 the faithful administration OF The laws relating TO
these several branches of the public service and to
prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to
give full effect to the legislative Will. And, In ad
dition to these functions OF executive and legs-
lative character, he is required by law 10 act in
judicial capacity and To decide all cases Of appeal
which may be brought before him for adjudication
from any of the bureaus in his Department. Many
OF these appeals, especially from the Pension, Land
and Indian offices, are OF great Importance IN n
pecuniary point OF view, and involve the examna-
ton of vouninous records, and the investga
ton and decision OF intricate questions Of law and
equity
The act Of Congress which created the Depart :
ment drawn up, probably by design, in very
general terms. Many OF it's provisions are exceed
ingly vague, anu there seems to have been no at
tempt defno with precision the boundaries OF its
set this probably the most iudicous course, as
experience is generally the best guide i'll the ad
iustment of such matters. But il would seem to be
proper that there should be more definite leg
islation prescribing the duties and powers of the
Department, so that there may be no conflict will
other Departments and little nothing left to tht
mere discretion of the incumbent.
NV predecessor, in his annual report, called your
attention the incongruiy in the law in reference
TO the designation Of the Department In the title
OF the act il is styled "Home Department." but
g. H. hall Ea- 10.
''The Department OF the Interior" The late Dcum-
bent under hose auspices the Department was or
ganzed felt himself bound by the mandatory terms
of the law adopt the latter designation in all his
official acts but il is obviously proper that Con
gress should, by supplemental Legislation, remove
the ambiguity and uncertainty on this subject
My predecessor also recommended, for reason:
very clearly and iorcibly stated by him In his re.
port to which respectfully refer, the creation o
the office OF Solicitor of the Department OF the In
terior 10 be filled by lawyer competent to inveeti
gate and decide many OF the important questions
OF law and fact arising upon the numerous appeals
which taken from the bureaus. My brief ex
perience in the administration OF the DepartmcI.
enables to appreciate the wisdom OF that recon-
nendation, and to urge its speedy adoption by Con
gress In all csses however, the action Of the So
ctor should be subject to the revision OF the heac
of the Department, for nothing should be done tt
diminish in the slightest degree his olcial respon
sibility.
As the reports Of the heads of the several bureaus
will give full information in regard TO their condi
tion and wants respectively, and, as have not bee
long enough in office to make myself thoroughly
acquainted with all the details of their organiza
and functions | do not deem il either necessary d
proper, at this time, to give more than a genera
review of their operations, with such explanation
and suggestions the public interests seem to re-
qure.
AS preliminary to this review, respectfully sub
NIT in tabular form summary of the estimates for
each branch of the public service within the uris
dicion Of this office. In distinct column, and OPP
posite to each item, is statement of the estimate
for the present fiscal year for similar services hf
comparison TO be proper, as 1t will exhibit to
the representatives of tie people at single ganc
view of the whole subject, and at the same time
afford Inc the opportunity of presenting, by SUI
cnct commentary each item, such explanation
as | desire to offer
DEPARTMENT OF TIE INTERIOR
Estinates for The fiscal year ending 30h June, 1852
compared triM those for the present fiscal year.