Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-03

ing the survey OF the public lands in California and
Oregon. Surveying parties have been orgaazed, and
some progress has been made establishing the prn
cipa base and meridian lines. But further legislation
aud additional appropriations will be necessary before
the proper subdivisions can be made, and the general
land system extended over those remote parts OF our
1 territory.
On the 81 of March last an act was passed provi-
| ding Tor The appointment of three commissioners to
settle private land claims in California. Three persons
were Immediately appointed, all oil whom, however,
declined accepting the Office, in consequence OF the ia
adequacy Of the compensation. Others promptly
selected, who for the reason also declined; and
until late in the season that the services of
suitable persons could be secured 4 majority Of he
comm issiouers convened, in This city, the 10Th OF
September last, when detailed instructions given
| to Them ia regard to their duties Their first meeting
for The transaction of business will be held in San Fran
| cisco, on he Sh day OF the present month.
have thought proper 10 refer to these facts, not
/ only 10 explain the of the delay in filing the
commission, but TO call your attention the pruprety
oil increasing the compensation OF the commissioners
the office is OF great lab and responsibility and
the compensation should be such as to command men
Of high order OF talents and the most unquesouabe
int gritty
Tue proper disposal oil the mineral lands of Cali
iornia is subject surrounded by grsat difficulties
In mg last annual message recommended the survey
and sale oil them in small parcels under such rcstric-
tlon as would efiectuay guard against monopoly and
| speculation But upon further information, and in de-
terence TO the opinions OF persons familiar with the
subject am inclined to change that recommendation
and 10 advise that they be permitted remain, al
present common field open to tho enterprise and in
dusry OF all citizens, until further experience shall
have developed the best policy to be ultimately adopt
ed IN regard to them 1t Is safer to suffer the inconve
nences thai now exist for short period, than by pre-
mature legs atomic iasen on the county system
todnded Ia error, which may place the whole subject
! beyond the future control of Congress.
| The agricultural lands should, however, be sur
veyed and brought into market with little delay as
possible, that the titles NAV become settled and the
| inhabitants stimulated to make permanent improve-
m.nts, and enter 90 the ordinary pursuits OF life. To
effect these objects is des5ble that the necessary
pre- vision be made by law for the establishment of
! land offices in California and Oregon, and Tor the
efficient prosecution OF the surveys early day.
! Some difficulties have occurred in organizing the
| Territorial governments of New Mexico and Utah /:
and, when more accurate information shall be obtaned
OF the causes, further communication will be made
| on that subject.
! In my last annual communication TO Congress re-
| commented the establishment OF Agricultural Blu
! reau, and take this occasion again to invoke your
| favorable consideration of the subject.
Agriculture may justly be regarded as the great in
ter4st of people. Four litfs Of our active popua-
ton are employed IN the cultivation eff soil, and
The rapid expansion OF our settlements over new terri
tory is daily adding to the number of those engaged in
| that vocation. Justice and sound policy, therefore,
alike require th2t the Government should use all the
means authorized by the Constitution to promote the
interests and wel5re OF that important class OF
fellow citizens. And yet it is q singular fact that
whilst the manu- acturing and commercial interests
have engaged the attention of Congress during large
portion OF every session, and statutes abound in
pTOViSlo1S lOf (nHr rejection ana encouragement,
little has yet been done directly for the advancement OF
agriculture. 1t is time that this reproach to our le-
glslation shond be removed and sincerely hope that
the present Congress will not close their labors with
out adopting efficient means to supply tho omissions
OF those who have preceded them,
An Agricultural Bureau, charged with the duty OF
collecting and disseminating correct information as
to the best modes OF cultivation, and OF the most etfec
ual means of preserving and restoring the fertility OF
the soil, and OF procuring and distributing seeds and
plants and other vegetable productions, with instruc-
tn Tho lima and Io~t
adapted to their growth, could not fail to be, in the
language OF Washington, ia his Last annual message
to Congress- a g. very cheap instrument of immense
national benefit"
Regarding the act Of Congress approved 2s.h Sep
TENDER, 1850, granting bounty lands TO persons who
mad been engaged In The military service of tbs
try, as great measure OF national Justice and munfi-
cence, anxious desire has been felt. by the Office
entrusted with its immediate ion, 10 give prompt
effect TO its provisions. All the means within their
control were, therefore, brought into QUESTION to ex.
pedte the aoj ldcation of claims, and am gratified
TO be able to state that hundred thousand ap
plcaions have been considered and about seventy
thousand warrants sued within the short space Of
nine months. Ii adequate provision be made by law to
carry Int effect the recommendations OF the Depart
meat. It'll confidently expo ced that before the close
of the fiscal year, all who are entitled 10 the be.
nehts OF the act, will have received their warrants.
i The Secretary OF the Interior has suggested in his
report various anendn MIS- OF the laws relating to pen
SONS and bounty lands, for The purpose OF effect
uay guarding az 3inst abuses and frauds on the Co
vernment, to all OF which invite your particular at
ten ion
,oasao,ant 49, 10 ~ ou S1uah Populatoh
S,aiifnrm; ao "a ie quSli oi WV neNco ana
~ ~ 49, Hnu ''S eAtesiono our se,uemens INTO
dau t. .se Even increased Interest and
'"'po l"noe 10 our ieia.ohs WIN Inc soorgina race
NO maters' change has taken place within. the las.
ysal III ne coho0h ana pfespecIs OF the Indian tribes
VINO reside IN the Northwestern Territory and west OF
the Mississippi river. We are at peace with all OF
Them; and It Will be a source OF pleasure TO you to
learn that they are gradually advancing in civiza ton
and the pursuits OF social lite.
oregon, there hay been occasional manifestations of
pnlrendly feeling aud some depredatons ted.
am sailsld, however, that they resulted from
the destitute and starving condition OF the Indians than
from any settled hostility toward the whites. AS tile
settlements Of our czsus progress towards Them the
game upon which they mainly rely for subsistence is
driven off destroyed aud the only alternative left