The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-03

sioners to examine all such claimr. with view to their
final adjustment.
of extending, al early day, system of land laws
with such notifications as may be necessary. over the
State OF California and the Territories OF Utah aud New
Mexico. The mineral lands OF California WILL of course,
form an exception 10 any general system which may be
adopted. Various methods OF disposing OF Them have
been suggested was first inclined to favor The sys
tenn OF leasing seemed 10 promise the largest
10 the government and 10 afford the best security against
monopoes ba, further reflection, and experience in
leasing the lead mines and selling lands upon credit have
brought my mind TO the conclusion that there would be
great difficulty in collecting The rents and that the rea
lion OF debtor and creditor between the citizens and the
government would be attended with many mischevous
consequences | therefore recommend that. instead of
retaining the mineral lands under the permanent control
OF the government, they be divided into small PARCELS and
sold under such restrictions, 10 quantity and tDe
will insure the best price, and guard most effecualiy
against combinations OF capitalists TO obtain monopoies
The annexation Of Texas and the acquisition Of Cali
forna and New Mexico have given increased import
ance to our Indian relations The various tribes brought
under our jurisdiction by these engagements Of. our
boundaries estimated 10 embrace population OF
hundred and twenIy-four thousand.
Texas and New Mexico surrounded by powerful
tribes Of Indians, who source OF constant terror and
annoyance to the inhabitants Separating into small
predatory bands and always mounted, they the
country devastating farms, destroying crops. driving off
whole herds Of cattle, and occasionally numbering the in
habitants, carrying Them into captivity. The great
roads leading into the country infested with them,
whereby travelling rendered extremely dangerous, and
immigration i almost entirely arrested The Mexican
Guadalupe Hdago we are bound 10 protect against the
Indians within our border is exposed to these incursons
equally with own. The military force stationed in
that country (ahough forming large proportion Of the
army is represented entirely inadequate TO
protection and the fulfment Of treaty stpulatons
with Mexico. The principal deficiency is in cavalry
and | recommend that Congress should, at early
period practicable. provide for the raising Of one
more regiments OF mounted men.
For further suggestions this subject, and others
neced with domestic interests and the defence OF our
frontier refer you 70 the report o. the Secretary OF the
Interior and OF The Secretary OF War.
commend also to your favorable consideration the sug
geson contained in the aforementioned report, and in the
letter OF the Generan Chief relative 10 the establishment
of an asylum for the relief of disabled and destitute
soldiers This subject appeals so strongly to your synpa
thes, that il would be superb in to say anything
than barely to express my cordial appreciation OF the
The navy continues to give protection to our commerce
and other national Interest," The different quarters OF The
geba, and, with the exception OF single steamer on the
northern lakes the vessels in commission distributed
in six different squadrons.
The report OF the head of that department will exhibit
the services OF these sqnadrons and OF the several
sells employed in each during the past year Tits source
of qualification that, while they have been constantly
prepared for any hostile emergency, they have every
where with the respect and courtesy due well to
dignity the peaceful dispositions and just pur
poses Of the nation
The two brgantnes accepted by the government from
generous citizen Of New York, and placed under the
command OF officer OF the navy TO proceed to the
Arctic seas in quest of the British commander Sir John
Franklin, and his companions, in compliance with the
act Of Congress approved in May last had, when last
heard from, penetrated into high northern latude but
the of this noble and humane enterprise is yet
uncertain.
invite your attention to the OF present naval
establishment and presented the report of the
Secretary OF the Navy and the suggestions therein made
for its Improvement, together with the naval policy
recommended for the security oil our Pacific coast and
the protection and extension of our commerce with
Eastern Asia Our facilities for larger participation in
the trade of the East, by OF settlements
the shores OF the Pacific, obvious to be
looked or disregarded.
The questions in relation Drank in the army and navy.
and relative rank between officers OF the two branches OF
the service presented TO the Executive by certain resou
tons OF the House OF Representatives al The last session
OF Congress- have been submitted 10 board OF in
each branch of the service and their report may be
pec,ed at an early day.
also earnestly recommend the enactment of law au-
thorzng officers of the army and navy to be retired from
the service when incompetent for its vigorous and active
duties taking 10 make suitable provision for those
who have faithfully served their country. and awarding
distinctions by retaining in appropriate commands those
who have been particularly conspicuous for gaanry and
good conduct While the obligation OF the country TO
maintain and honor those who, TO the exclusion OF other
pursuits have devoted themselves its arduous service
is acknowledged, this obligation should not be permitted
to interfere with the efficiency OF the service itself
gratied in being able To state that the estimates
of expenditure for the navy the ensuing year less
by than one million of dollars than those OF the
present, excepting the appropriation which may become
necessary for the construction OF dock the coast of
the Pacific, propositions for which being
sdered, and which special report may be expected
early in your present session.
u
same report, that appropriations for the naval service
proper should be separated from those for fixed and per-
manent obects-such building docks and navy yards,
and the fixtures aiiached-and from the extraordinary
objects under the care OF the department. which, however
important are not essentially naval.
revision OF the code for the government oil the navy
require the immediate consideration OF Con-
gress Its system OF crimes and punshmens had under
gone change for half century until the last
though lis detects have been often and ably pointed out
and the abolition OF particular species OF corporal pun
ishment which tsa took place, without providing any
substitute has lett the service IN state oil deiectveness
which calls for prompt correction. therefore recommend
that the whole subject be revised without delay and such
system established for the enforcement OF discipline as
shall be at once humane aud eheciual
The accompanying report OF the Postmaster General
presents satisfactory view OF the operations and cond
ton OF that department.
At the close of the last fiscal year, the length OF the in
land mail in the United States (no embracing the
service in Oregon and California; hundred and
seventy eight thousand six hundred and seventy two
miles the annual transportation thereon forty six msn
Eve hundred and forty thousand four hundred and
twenty miles and the annual cost OF such transport
alton Two million seven hundred and wentyfou thou.
sand four hundred and twenty-sx dollars
The increase of the annual transportation that OF
the preceding year three million nine hundred and
ninety thousand three hundred and hfyfou miles,
and The increase 10 three hundred and foy-two
thousand four hundred and forty dollars.
The number Of post Offices in the United States the
first day Of July last eighteen thousand four hundred
and increase Of sixteen hundred and
seventy during the preceding year
The gross revenues OF the department for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1850, amounted 10 i've million five hun
dred and hitytwo thousand nine hundred and seventy
one dollars and forty eight cents including The annual