Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1850-12-06

given to tine interests of agriculture Much has
already been done in this respect through the
agency OF the Patent Office; but the subject is toe
Important be left in this dependent condition.
The last annual report from the Department re
commended the establishment of an Agricultural
Bureau, to afford to this great branch OF American
industry the encouragement which 1t so well dc
serves. This is no novel suggestion. it had tn,
sanction of Washington, who in his last annua
message, referring to the propriety of creating al
agricultural board, said "Ths species of estab
shment contributes doubly TO the increase of i'm
provement by stimulating to enterprise and expe
riment and by drawing TO common centre
the results, every where, of individual skill ant
observation and spreading them thence over the
whole nation Experience accordingly has shown
that they are very cheap instruments OF immense
national benefit.
| therefore renew the recommendation of my prede-
cessor or the establishment OF separate bureau, TO be
entrusted with the duty OF promoting the agrcultur
Interests o the country. The vast extent and rapid
development of the mineral resources OF the country
seem to require that adequate provisions should also
be made by law Tor the collection and analysis OF the
various mineral substances which have been or may
be discovered, so that their properties may be UNDER
stood and their value correctly appreciated
The purchase OF farm in the vicinity OF the national
metropolis TO be TILED and managed under the direc-
ton OF the bureau, has been suggested important
auxiliary in illustrating the best modes OF culture Ii
this idea should be iavoraby received would respect
iully add that Mount Vernon, whose soil was once
TILED by the hands aud is consecrated by the
dust OF the Father OF his country should properly be-
longto the nation and might with great proprety become,
under lis auspices, model farm to illustrate the pro-
gress OF that pursuit 10 which he much devo-
ted
Census
Shortly after the passage OF tho act of 23d of May,
1850 for taking the seventh census and Tor other pur
poses, superintendent appointed, and the other
M
faithful performance OF that duty, adopted. The
turns which are now coming III daily from all parts OF
the Union give gratifying assurances hatthe will
be completed within the time limited by law and in
manner highly credable to all who have been engaged
IN IT. In some few instances delays may in
quence OF casualties which could not have been avoided
and in or two OF the most remote Territories
IN the receipt OF the schedules
The amount OF valuable statistical Information col
ected and embodied in these returns will far exceed
anything OF the kind known in our past history; and it
is therefore important that provision should be made
at an early day Tor printing such abstracts may be
deemed OF practical utility in style and form worthy
OF the subject and of the country
Inc report OF the superintendent will show that ed
dihonal legislation may be necessary to do full JUS
tee TO the marshals OF some of the remote and
sparsely populated sections OF the country.
Mercan Boundary &upey.
My predecessor reported TO the President on the 18th
OF May last, in answer to call from the Senate for
relative TO the progress OF this survey that
the initial point on the Pacific, and the point of June
ton oithe lila With the Colorado river, had been de-
termlned aud hxed that the intervening line of boundary
had been run and marked, and temporary monuments
erected thereon for distance of about thirty miles; and
hatlthe operations ohe joint commission had been sus-
pended abo the LIST OF February last by an adj ourn.
men to the first Monday in November ultmo. The
temporary monuments alluded to are now be-
ing replaced by permanent ones and the Joint COM
mission THAT on the part of the United States having
been re-organzed prior to my taking charge of the De-
patment) doubtless assembled at El Paso accor-
tort
OF running and marking the line thence westward to the
river ella.
Its the determination of the Department that this
work shall be pressed forward 10 completion with the
utmost despatch, so that, possible, the expectations
OF Congress, as indicated in the appropriation act of
18th May last, may be realized.
Public Buildings.
My predecessor, in his report which accompanied the
annual message ofhe late President TO Congress- took
occasion to invite attention TO the condition of the public
buildings, and to show the tendency of the Capitol Pa
tent Office, and the Treasury Building dapidation
from the pershable nature the material of which thew
are constructed. Personal observation has satisfied me
that his fears on that subject well founded Expe-
renee has demonstrated that the sandstone OF which tey
are built, when left unprotected from the action of the
rapidly disntegrates.
The only temporary preventive which has yet been
discovered and applied is strong coating of paint
which, by closing the pores OF the stone, prevents the
absorption lot water. This expedient has been found
10 be attended with partial in the preservation
OF the CAPITOL and Presidents house. would respectful
ly recommend therefore that an appropriation be made
Q, an amount sufficient to detray the OF coating the
Ieasury building thoroughly with paint But at the
same time should be left discretionary to ADOPT any
improved method OF eiiectng the same end
In regard to the Patent Office, as the wings are to
be OF white marble and the ends now projected by
being jonedto the wings. leaving only the front and
rear exposed to decay and not merely dsntegration
but actual dllapidation has already commenced |
would recommend that the entire exterior facing of the
front be removed, and lis place supplied by veneer
ing OF white marble OF the quality as that used in
The construction OF the wings. The whole building
would then present uniform appearance, and be rem
dered comparatively indesructlbe by atmospheric
agency. Practical workmen have expressed the opin-
ION that II can be done at small cost when compared
with Its beneficial results, and without in any degree
endangerng the security and stability OF the walls
But should any doubt be entertained on the subject
scientific engineers might be consulted and means taken
10 ascertain the actual cost, in TIME for legislative &C.
ton before the close OF the approaching session of Con-
gress. Ii the result should be favorable would then
be time to inquire how far the same system should be
pursued 10 reference 10 the Treasury Building The
extent OF the colonnade in front of that building how
ever gives reason to doubt Whistler the same system
can be readily adopted in regard to it. The only ex-
Pedlent that is left therefore, for the preservation of
that massive structure, is by a coating OF paint
In this connexon, beg leave TO urge the propriety
OF completing with as little delay as practicable, both
wings OF the Pa tent Office. Until this be DONE the
large sums already expended will be Of no practical
use, and the edlfce will present muulated appear
ance.
character which call for their completion AT present
the various offices attached to the department of the
interior are scattered through six different buildings
widely separate from each other. four of which are
owned by private individuals Three of these are not
only unsued IN their interior arrangements for the pur
poses Tor which they are used, but OF combusibe
materials and contiguous to private dwellings. The
officers are therefore subjected 10 great Inconvenience
In communicating with the head Of the Department
and the public archives in constant danger from
fire
The rent paid for rooms aiording this imperfect
and insecure ACKNOWLEDGEMENT $4,000 per annue
u the rooms IN the War Department. occupied by the
Indian Bureau needed for the purposes Of that De-
yartInent and those in the Treasury Building occupied
by the General Land Office required by the Secre-
ary OF the Treasury and notice to that effect has been
given TO this Department.
If additional rooms are rented to be used instead of
those vacated in the War and Treasury buildings The
amount OF the annual rentto be paid will be more than
doubled, and the most valuable archives OF the Gov
eminent, comprising the muniments of title to many
millions OF acres OF what was the public domain,
VIII be placed in a condition of great insecurity
l therefore recommend that the two wings of the
Patent Office be finished and that they be appropriated
10 the accommodation of the Department of the Iue-
nor and the different offices thereto attached They