Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-12-12
the hands Of inscriptions and dishonest men, who
are alike regardless Of law and the Obligation Of

as EXPIRE in the law are daily defeated. Every
motive of policy and duty, therefore impels me to
ask the earnest attention of Congress to this sub
ject. If Congress should deem it unwise to at
tempt any important changes in the system ~ du-
ties at this session. it will become indispensable to
the protection Of the revenue that such remedies
as in the judgment of Congress may mitigate the
evils complained Of should at once he applied As
before stated, specific duties should, in my opinion,
be remedy for the evils but if you do not concur in
this view, then as partial remedy, beg leave re-
spectfuliy to nd that instead OF taking the
invoice Of the article abroad, means OF detect
ing its value here, the correctness Of which in
voice il il in many instances impossible to verify;
the law be so changed as to require home vaiua-
ton 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 Informed
that the laborers in the mines compelled to dis
pose of their gold dust at large discount. This
appears to me TO be an unjust and heavy tax upon
the lahors of those employed III extracting this
precious metal, and doubt not you VIII lie ispos-
ed al the earliest period possible, TO relieve them
from by the establishment of mint; in the me an
time assayer'S office is established there,
would respe, fully submit to your consid, ration
the propriety of authorizing gold bullion, which
has been assaycd and stamped, to lie received in
payment of government dues. ! cannot conceive
that the Treasury would suffer any loss hy such a
provision, which will at once raIse bullion To ITS
par value. and thereby save, if am rightly inform
ed, many millions of dollars, to the Iab"rers which
now paid in brokerage to convert this precious
meta! int available funds. This discount upon
their hard earnings is heavy tax. and every effort
should he made by the government 10 relieve them
from this hurihen.
Mnre than three foutths of our population are
engaged in the cult, alton of the soil; the CONNER
cial manufacturing and navigating interests are all
to great ext'nt dependant upon the agricultural.
II is therefore the m" st important interest of this
nation and has jus, claim to the fostering and
protection Of goverHment--so far as they can he
extended consistently with the provisions Of the
constitution. Al this cannot lie done by the ordi-
nary mode OF legislation, Respectfully recommend
the eStahii shment Of agricultural litea To be
charged with the duty of giving this leading branch
of American industry the encoui agement which il,
so much descrr
In view of the immense minera re sources four
country. provisions should also be made for the
employ ment Of competent mine ral"gst and che NJ
l>t who should be required, under the direction OF
the bureau, TO collect specimens OF the various
miner ais of our country and to ascertain by care
full analysis, their respective elements and their
adaptation to useful purposes. He should sls"h tie
required TO examine and report upon the qualities
OF different soils. and the manner best calculated
to improve their pro'lucriveness, by publishing
these experiments with suitable explanations, and
BY the collection and distribution Of rare seeds and
plants, with instructions as tn the best system Of
cultivation. Much may be done to promote this
great nationa interest.
In compliance with the act Of Congress passed
things for taking the seventh census, superinten
dant was appointed and all other snres adopted
which were deemed necessary to ensure the p' OmIt
and faithful performance of that duty. The appro-
priaton already made. win it is believed, he suf-
ticient to defray the whole expense of the work:
but further legislation may he necessary in regard
TO the compensation of some shais 81 the terri
tories; il will also he proper tn make provision by
law at early date, for the publication Of such alb
stracts ofthe returns as the public interest may
require.
The unprecedented growth of our territories on
the Pacific in wealth and social and CONNIE rcal re-
iations with the Atlantic states, seem to render
II the duty Of the government to use oil its cons'i-
tutional power to improve the means of intercourse
with them. The Importance Of opening line OF
communication the best and most expeditions Of
which the nature the country will admit between
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 pre-
sente in favour Of the measure still exist in full
force beg leave to call your attention to them, and
to repeat the recommendations there made by him.
The uncertainty which exists in regard to the
validity Of land titles in California is subject
which demands your early consider alton. Large |
bodies of land in the state claimed under grants
said tn have been made by authority of the Spanish
and Mexican governments. Many Of these have |
not been perfected; others have been revoked. and
some are believed tn be fraudulent, but until they
shall have been jndicially investigated they will
continue to retard the settlement and in,prov ement
ri the country. i therefore respectfully suggest
that provisions he made by law for the appcnt-
ment of commis sioncrs 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 an early day our system of
andl laws with such notifications as may be neces-
sary the state of Califor and the territories
IF Utah and New Mexico.
The mineral lands of California will Of course.
form an execution to any general system which may
be adopted. Various methods Of dsposing OF them,
have been sugges ted. was at first inclined to IA
ror the system Of leasing, as il seems to promise
he largest revenue TO the government, and to az
ord the best security against monoroies; hut fur
her reflection, and our experience in leasing the
cad mines and selling lands upon credit, have
brought my mind to the conclusion that there would
,e great difficulty in collecting the rents. The re-
alton OF debtor and creditor between the citizens
Ind the government would he attended with many
Instead of retaining the mineral lands under the
control Of the government, that they be
iivided into small parcels, and sold at such time as
win insure the best price. and guard most rfeciu
lily against combination Of capitalists to obtain
nonorolies.
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition Of
California and New Mexico. have Civ increased |
Importance to our Indian relations. The Various
RIDES brought under our jurisdiction by these en-
Al gcments of our boundaries, are estimated t.
race population of $4,000. Texas and New
heNico are surrounded 10y powerful tribes of In.
hans, who are a source of constant terror and
loyance to the inhabitants. Separating into small
predatory bands, AMI always mounted, they over
un the country, devastating farms, destroying
rops, and numbering the inhabitants or carrying
hem into captivity. The great roads leading into
he country are infested by them thereby tray rlng
S rendered extremely dangerous and emigration is
lmost entirely arrested. The Mexican frontier
which by the nth article of the treaty Of Guata-
nupe Hidalgo, we are bound to protect fom the
indians within our borders. which is exposed TO
heir inCurSiuns equally with our The milf
airy forces stationed in that country. although a
arge proportion of the army, is epresentrd as
rely inadequate to our own protection, and the
uliillmemt OF our treaty stiruiations with Mexico
me priucipai deflClercy is IN cavalry. l recon-
mend that Congress should. Of as early period as
nssihle, provide for the raising "f one or more
e2ments Of mounted men. For further sngges.
ions on this subject aut others connected with
ur domestic interests in reference to our from
ieiS. refer you to the report of the Secretary of
he Interior, and Of the Secretary of War.
recommend also to your favorable Considera-
ion the suggestions contained in the last mentinn-
d report, and in letter OF the General III Chief
elativc to the establishment Of an asylum fur the
elief Of dis abled and destitute soldiers. This sub
pct appeals so strongly your sympathy that ii
would be superfunus in me to say anything more
han barely to express my cordial appreciation OF
he proposed object.
The navy continues to give protection to our
ommerce, and other national interests, in the diff
errnt quarters of the globe. and with the excep
ion ola single steamer on the Northern Lakes. the
eSsels in commission distributed in six differ
mt squadrons. The report of the head Of that de-
artment will exhibit the services of these squad
ons and of the several vessels cmplo, ed in each
. nf "a