Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-07


and accumulate in the administration Of that Office under gem
era laws. He also suggests slight modification Of the
provisions Of the act Of 4h September ls4 and
the delegation Of authority to the General Land Office sell
abandoned military Sites sach tracts had been approprat
ed to public uses and afterwards relinqushed.
These recommendations, if carried out by early legislation,
will be productive of beneficial results.
Amongst the first and most prominent subjects claiming the
law for speedy and complete extension of the land machine
possessions the Pacific At present there
no mode by which good title be obtained any part Of
the public domain in that great extent of territory.
Nothing contributes to retard the improvement Of
country than uncertainty in relation the title to its SOIL
Urea Inconvenience has already been experienced from this
cause in California.
Grants alleged have been made for large tracts Of
land in that State by authority Of the Spanish Mexican
Governments Many of these are of very questionable va
dy but they shall have been examined and settled by
tribunal Of competent jurisdiction, theywil continue throw
cloud the title to valuable bodies Of land and seriously
affect the settlement and prosperity of the country To
dy this evil would be proper to make provision BY
law for the appointment OF commission to investigate all
claims OF this character with view their final adjudication
But the extent of the with which should be invest
ed subject worthy Of the serious sdeaon of Congress
The Commissioner Of the General Land Office has discussed
the question fuy and bis report contains much valuable in
formation in regard toit.
Mineral Lands.
The proper disposal of these lands subject Of much in
nsic difficulty and on which great diversity Of opin
ION exists among Judcous men. Et.
Three different modes Of dsposng Of them have been sug
gsed each of which has advantages and all of which
liable to serious objections. The report the Depart
ment Of the Interior which accompanied the last annual
ea lands should be divided by actual survey into small par
cells and leased out for terms Of years. reservng the Gov
eminent by way Of rent per centage the products
Many persons, whose opinions entitled respect have
urged the grant Of licenses individuals fixed prices TO
mine within particular DISTRICTS with or without machinery
the license may prescribe Others of equal judgment and
experience, nsst that the only way avoid difficulty and
make the mineral lands available is lay them off into small
tracts, and sell them out at auction.
The arguments in favor of leasing them are certainly en
tied great respect But careful examination Of the sub
ec and reference to experience of the operation
of that system in regard to the mineral lands in other parts
the Union, have induced to doubt whether the evils
parable from would than counebaance its advan
ages system which would become
odous to the people The relation of landlord and tenant
being established between the Government and the occupants
of the mnes the jealousy and irritation which that relation
too often engendes would arise The lessees would
gard the Government exacng and oppressive landlord
and strong feeling opposed TO the payment Of would
spring up The officers entrusted with the supervision Of the
mines and the collection of the public dues would become oh
ects Of hatred and distrus and the miners instead Of look
ing to the Government their guardian and protector from
wrong would be driven by the force Of circumstances into
attitude Of hostility to it. the Of all the evils which
oppressed them Attempts TO enforce the payment of rents
by legal process would prove above because the whole
community would have interest adverse their collection
Collisions between the and the officers Of the law
would ense the feelings Of the people would be aenaed
and the whole country involved 10 turmoil and confusion
No considerations Of pecuniary character should in
duce the Government to adopt policy which would tend
like these The system Of licenses obnoxious
to similar objections, varying only in degree therefore
Of the opinion that the mineral lands should be divided into
small tracts and sold in fee simple the highest bidder
public auction. The extent Of the lots should depend the
apparent richness of the mines but they should be small
enough TO aod persons in moderate circumstances oppo
tuny of becoming bidders and thus enlarge the edof com
petition as far possible
II these lands leased it will be necessary for the Gov
eminent to maintain large number Of officers in California
at high saariess, whose responsibility must from the ccum
stances Of the case be almost nominal But by selling the
lands all connexon between the miners and the Government
will be severed permanent interests will be acquired in the
country, and new stimulus given to the enterprise Of
citizens
Indian Affairs.
Our relations with the Indian tribes will demand prompt
and earnest attention Of Congress. The annexation Of
Texas, and the recent treaty with Mexico have il is es
mated added about hundred and twenyour thousand
persons to our Indian population Many Of the tribes thus
brought under control fierce in their disposition and
predatory in their habits and is feared only be restrain
ed from committing great oursges the persons and pro-
perry OF the inhabitants Of neghboring territory by the mill
tary power Of the country. tf
No provision having been made by law until the close of
the last session of Congress for the appointment Of agents
take charge Of the numerous tribes in California and New
Mexico, the Government had Of obtaining much
satisfactory information respecting their condition and wants
hoped, however, this defect will be supplied by the agent
and commissioners who have been recently appointed and
who their way to the scene of their labors
Shortly before the close Of the last session, and mmedi
aey after the passage Of the authorizing the appointment
Of Indian agents for California, nominations made
and confirmed by the Senate of three persons well qualified
for the discharge of their respective duties. sa
Instructions were prepared by the Department, and when
the agents ready 10 their journey dis
covered that by oversight, appropriation had been
made pay their salaries Their were therefore
arrested for the times but deemed important that all
unnecessary delay should be avoided and provision had
been made for the appointment and payment Of three commits
sones negotiate treaties with the Indians of California
concluded to appoint the persons commissioners
who had been nominated and confirmed as agents. By
adopting this the commissioners enabled to pro-
coed without delay the Indian territory where they will
qu such knowledge of the habits and character Of the
dams will qualify them to enter efficiently the discharge
of their duties agents. the appropriation shall
be made for their salaries when that is done their functions
as commissioners will cease.
resident superintendent and three general agents have
been appointed for the Indian tribes Of Oregon
Two special agents have been commissioned under the
OF September 1850, to cooperate with the resident agent
Texas In conciang the Indians Of that State Under the
authority of the act three commissioners have been
pointed accompany the joint commission engaged in
running and marking the boundary line between the United
States and Mexico for the purpose Of obtaining full and
rect information in regard to the Indian tribes who scat
tered along southwestern frontier and if possible esab
hsh friendly relations with them.
1t greatly to be regretted that authority conferred
by law for the appointment Of resden, agents in New Mex
where they than in other part
Of the territory of the United States The Indians Of that
country comprising the Camanches, Navajoes Uahs