Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-12-05
VERMONT wATcHMAN & STATE JOURNAL

other things, for taking the seventh censuss
superintendent was appointed, and all other
measures adopted which were deemed necessary
10 ensure The prompt and faithful performance
Of that duty. The appropriation slready made
will, !, is believed. be snficientto defray the
whole expense of the work but further legisa-
ton may be necessary in regard TO the compen-
sation of some OF the marshais oil the Terrific
ries. 1t will also be proper to make provisIon
by Law, at an early day, for the publication OF
such abstracts of the returns a. the public IN
ierests may require.
The unprecedented growth of our Territories
on the Pacific in Seaih and population and the
consequent increase of their social and CONNER
cial relations with the Atlantic States, seem to
render it the duty Of the Government to use all
its constitutional power to Improve the means OF
intercourse with. them. The impo lance of OPP
ening line OF communication, the best and
most expedtious of which the nature OF the
country will admit" between the valley OF the
Mississippi and the .fic, was brought to your
notice by my predecessor in his annual message;
and as The reasons which he presented III favor
of the measure stl exist in full force. beg
leave TO call your attention 10 them, and to re-
peat the recommendations then made by him.
The uncertainty wnich exists in regard 10 the
validity OF land titles in California Is a subject
which demands your early consideration. Large
bodies OF land IN that State ore claimed under
grants said TO have been made by authority OF
the Spanish aud Mexican Governments. Manv
of these have no, been perfected, others have
been revokedss some are believed 10 he fraud
ulent. But uszl they shall have been jndiciasly
investigated, tf.ey will continue TO retari the
settlement and Improvement OF the country.
therefore respectfully recommend that provision
be made by law, for the appointment Of commits
siouers TO examine all such Claims, with view
10 their final adjustment.
also beg leive To Gail your attention to the
proprlcty OF extending, at an early day. our sys-
TEN OF land laws, with such qualifications as
may be necessary, over the State of California
and he terri ofies of Utah and New Mexico
The ,nlnerII lnds Of California will, of course,
form exception to aLy general system which
may be adopted. Various methods Vi dispos-
lng of them have been suggested. l was at hrst
inclined 10 favor the sy stem OF leasing, as u
seemed t. promise the largest revenue to the
Government and to afford The best security a.
gains, moDopoies; but further reflection, and
cur experience IN leasing the lead mines and
seiiisg lands Upon credit have brought my mind
10 the conrlusi,n that there would be great diff
Guilty in collecting the rents, and that the relation
Of DEBTOR and creditor, between the citizens and
the Government, would be ATTENDED with MANY
nschlevous consequences. therefore recon-
mend that instead OF retaining The mineral lands
uuder the permanent control Of the Government,
they be divided Into small p,iceis and sold,
un :er such RESTRICTIONS, as to quantity and time,
rs will insure the best Price, and erird most eff
fectually against co.nbinalijns Of capitalists to
obtain nonopolies.
10 Of Tava, md
of CalIforuia and New Mexico have glven in
creased impodance TO Our Idan relations. The
various tribes brougnt under our jnriiictIon by
these engagements OF our bouudiries esti-
mated to embrace poDnlalion OF one hundred
ana iwenty forr thousand.
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by
powerful tribes OF Indians, who are a source of
constant terror AMI annoyance 10 hclnhab.tanis.
Separating In;o small predatory bands. and az
ways mounted. they overrun The country, devast
atiGg farms, destroying CROPS. driving off whole
hes DIS Of cattle, and occasionally numbering the
Inhabitants or carrying them INTO captivity. The
great roads leading into tae country are lntesi-
ed aIh them, whereby travelling is rendered
extremely dungeons. and immigration is almost
entirely arrested. The Mexican frontier, which,
by the llth article Of the treaty OF Guadalupe
Hidaigo, are bound 10 pro ect against the H.
disns ~itnin our border, Is exposed TO these in
cufs'ons cqiaily wilh our own. The military
force stationed IN thai country although forming
a large proportion ol the arpy) Is Iepresen ed
as en'irely mad, gate TO our own protection and
tie fulhimen' OF our treaty siipu!aiions with
Mexico. The principai deficiency is in cava-
y, and | recommend that Congress should at as
early period as practicable, provide for the
raising OF one or more regiments OF mounted
men.
For further Suggestions on this subject, and
others connected wii! domestic neres's,
and the defence of our tronlier refer You to
the reports OF the Secretary of the Interior and
ut the Secretary of War.
| commend also To your favorable consldera-
ton the suggestion co0aincd in the last men
toned report, and IN the letter of the general-in-
chief, relative 10 the establishment of an asylum
tor the rclet of disabled and destitute so diers
TINS subject appea so stron. iy to your sympa-
ties, that it wuuld be superfuous i 4 ire to say
anything more, than barely 10 express my cordial
appreciation OF the proposed OBJECT.
The navy CONTINUES TO give protection TO our
Commerce and other national interests in the DIFF
tsrcnt quarters of the globe, and with tue excep-
toa OF SINGLE steamer on the Northern Lakes,
the vessels ia Commission arc distributed IN six
diff rent squadTons.
The repod of the head of that Department
Will exhibit the services Of these squadfons, aud
of The several vessels employed in each during
The past year. 1t source of Qualification that,
while they have been cons anIly prepared for any
hostile emergency. they have everywhere met
with the respect and courtesy, due as well 10 the
di .nhy, lo the peaceful dispositions and Just
purposes OF the nation
The two trigantineS accepted by the Govern
ment from generous citizei of New York, and
p'acei under the command of an officer of the
navy, to proceed To the Arclc seas in quest of
the British commander, Sir John Rankin, and
his companions, IN compliance with the act of
Congress, approved in May last, had, when last
heard from, penetrated in'o high northern lat
nude; but the success Of this noble and humane
enterprise Is yet uncertain.
invite your attention to the view of our pres
ent naval establishment and resources presented
10 The report ct the Secretary OF the Navy, and
the suggestions therein made for its Improvement.
together with the naval policy recommended for
the securtye OF our Pacific coast. and the protec-
ton and extension Of our commerce with East
ern Asia. Dur facilities for larger par,icipa-
ton IN The trade OF the East, by means of our
recent settlements on the shores OF the Pacific,
are too obvious to be overlooked or dIsregarded.
Tho n