The republic., 1850-12-05


unnecessary delay should be avoided, and pro-
vision had been made for the appointment and pay
ment of three commissioners to negotiate treaties
with the Indians OF California, II was concluded to
appoint the same persons commissioners who had
been nominated and confined agents. by
adopting this courae the commissioners
abled to proceed without dehy to the Indian terri
tory, where they will acquire such knowledge of
the habits and character of the Indians will quail
fy them to enter efficiently on the discharge of
their duties agents, soon al the appropriation
shall be made for their salaries; when that is done
their functions 0s commissioners will cease.
A resident superintendent and three general
agents have been appointed for the Indian tribes of
Oregon.
Two special agents have been commissioned,
under the act OF September, 1850, 20 operate
with the resident agent in Texas in conciiating
the Indians Of that State Under the authority Of
the same act three commissioners have been APP
pointed TO accompany the joint commission now
engaged in running and marking the boundary
line between the United States and Mexico, for the
purpose of obtaining full and correct information
in regard TO the Indian tribes who arc scattered
along our southwestern frontier, and, if possible,
to establish friendly relations with them.
Ii is greatly 10 be regretted that authority
was conferred by law for the appointment of resi-
dent agents in New Mexico, where they are more
necessary than in any other part OF the territory of
the United States. The Indians of that country,
comprising the Camanches, Navajocs, Utahs,
Apaches, and Ticcarillas are the most savage and
lawless within our boundaries For many years
they have been in the habit of making hostile in
cursions into the neighboring provinces of Mexico,
and ravaging whole nelghborhoods-- numbering
the men and carrying the women and children into
captivity. By our recent treaty with Mexico the
Government Of the United States has bound tselfto
rePress these outrages by Indians resident within
our borders II is essential therefore, for the fulfil
ment OF our treaty stpuations with our sister Re
public as well for the protection Of our own citi
zens that agents should be sent among these tribes
who can exercise restraining influence over them
The necessity for this has been painfully il
lustrated by the outrages which have been commit
ted upon citizens travelling to and from Santa Fe
The attack upon MIR. White and his party within a
few days journey of that place has obtained mel
ancholy notorety. He and his whole party were bru-
tally murdered, with the exception of his estimable
wife and daughter under ten years of age, who
were made captives. Subsequently, being pressed
by body Of men who were in pursuit of them, the
Indians murdered Mrs. White, but still retain the
daughter in horrible captivity. At the last session,
Congress appropriated ss 500 to be used in procur
ing her release. This sum was promptly placed at
the disposal of Colonel Calhoun the nearest resident
agent, (whose judgment and knowledge of the In
dian character mt him in culiar manner to dis
charge the dutyO with full power to il in such
manner as he might think BEST He has also been
instructed to convey information to the Indians
that unless this child be delivered up they will re-
ceive the chassement by the military power of the
Government which their savage cruelty 30 richly
de tserves.
Hgh,cay TO the Pacifc.
Considerations of great national interest seem
to require that the means of intercourse with our
possessions the Pacific coast should be improved
by the construction of great thoroughfare, entire
ly within our own territory, from the valley of the
Mississippi to the Pacific. Whether this can be
best accomplished by a railway, turnpike,
plank road, or by combination of the different
modes OF Improvement, can only be determined
after careful survey of the country and its re-
sources shall have been made. Our only access to
them now is by toilsome journey of months du-
ration through comparatively trackless wastes, or
by circuitous voyage attended with many priva-
tlons and dangers. highway, commencing at
point in the valley Of the Mississippi and ter
minatng on the coast of the Pacific, with lateral
branches, would not only furnish the of con
yenicnt intercommunication but would lead to the
establishment OF a chain of settlements along its
line, which would link together the widely sepa-
rated portions of our country by inseparabe
bond of union.
The gigantic character of the work, however,
Of the necessity of adopting every
precaution in ascertaining the best means OF effect
ing the object. With that view, care should be
taken 10 obtain full and accurate information as 10
the shortest and best route, having due reference
not only to distance between the termini, but also
to the soil, climate, and adaptation to agricultural
purposes of the intermediate country. If the re-
port should be favorable, il would then be for the
wisdom Of Congress to determine how far the pro-
bable augmentation of the value of the public land
the increased facilities in the Transportation of the
mail, and the other advantages already referred
to, which may be reasonably anticipated from the
completion OF the work, may Justify liberal contri-
buttons Of land or money towards its construction
therefore beg leave most respectfully to call your
attention TO the subject and TO suggest the propr
ty Of authorizing an immediate examination of the
country and such surveys may be necessary TO
determine the practicabIlity and probable cost of
the work.
e agricultural Bureau
In surveying the various interests of the coun-
try, no one can fail to observe how little has been
done by Government TO promote the cause Of ag-
rculture. II Is true, the cultyator Of the soil IN
common with all other classes of society," enjoys the
Of the laws and the blessings incident to
god government But something more seems to
be due TO branch Of industry which employs
more than half our population, and, 10 a great ex.
tent, sustains the other.
The power Of the General Government over this
subject Is limited but this furnishes good
why 1t should not be exercised so far az it does e
extend.
The ordinary means adopted to afford protection
10 the manufacturing aud CONNIE rcial interests are
comparatively imperative in regard TO the agri-
cultural. A tariff can do but little directly TO
benefit the farmer or the planter. The staple
productions OF the South are peculiar TO that cli-
mate, and therefore, arc in no danger OF conpeti-
lion from abroad. Those of the North and West,
Ia consequence OF the fertility Of the soil and the
low prices at which land can be bought, are pro-
jucod at lcss cost there than in other countries
and consequently, except under extraordinary
contingencies, need no protection by imposts on
he brcadstufls OF foreign nations.
But still much may be done by Government, alta
mall cost, promote the interests of aRricultu
The science Is yet In its infancy. and great minds
arc now directed 10 the study and development Of
ts true principles. Experiments arein progress 10
lscertain the qualities u different sole, tie com
)aratve nutnts properties Of different animal and
vegetable productions; and the utility and effcien-
" Of various manures in crtilizug and rcnovatinu
he exhausted lands Of the old States
Encouragement may be afforded 10 enterprises
ike these and facilities furnished for the collection
If seeds, plants, and vegetables from all parts of
he earth, and their distribution throughout the
country.
Premiums may be offered for the best periodical
reatisos on the different branches Of husbandry,
which can be published and sent abroad among tic
,ooplo. BY means like these a spirit Of philosophc
inquiry may be stimulated, and great impulse
yi en- 10 the interests Of agriculture Much has al
eady been done In this respect through the agency
II the Patent Office; but the subject is too import
mt TO DC left in this dependent condition. The
nst annual report from the Department recon-
nended tic establishment OF an Agricultural Bu-
eau, 20 afford 20 this great branch Of American in
lustry the encouragement which IL so well de
crves. The il no novel suggestion. II had the
anctiCn Of Washington, who, in his last annual
Message, referring 10 the propricty of creating an
agricultural board, said: "1his species Of cstab-
lishment contributes doubly TO the increase ofim-
prOvemcnt by stimulating TO cnterDrise and ex-