Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-12-10

of the population, wealth, occupations,
and social condition of great country,
than has ever been presented to the world.
The value of such a work, as the basis of
enlightened legislation, can hardly be
ovcr-estimated; and earnestly hope that
Congress will lose no time in making the
appropriations necessary to complete the
classiiications, and to publish the results
in style worthy ofthe subject and of our
national character.
The want of a uniform fee bill, prescri-
bing the compensation to be allowed dis
trict attorneys, clerks, marshals, and
commissioners in civil and criminal cases,
is the cause of much vexation, injustice,
and complaint. would recommend a
thorough revision of the laws on the whole
subject, and the adoption of tariff of
fees, which as far as practicable, should
be uniform, and prescribe specific COM
pensation for every service which the of
tcer may be required to perform. This
subject will be fully presented in the re-
port of the Secretary of the Interior.
In my last annual message | gave brief
ly my reasons for believing that you pos
sessed the constitutional power to improve
the harbors of our great lakes md sea-
coast, and the navigation of our principal
rivers, and recommended that appropria-
tons should be made for completing such
works as had already been commenced,
and for commencing such others as might
seem to the wisdom of Congress to be of
public and general Importance. Without
repeating the reasons then urged, deem
it my duty again to call your attention to
this important subject. The works on
many of the harbors were left in an untin
ished state, and consequently exposed to
the action of the elements, which is fast
destroying them. Great numbers of lives
and vast amounts of property are annu-
ally lost for want of safe and convenient
harbors on the lakes. None but those
who have been exposed to that dangerous
can fully appreciate the i'm
portancc of this subject. The whole
northwest appeals to you for relief, and
l trust their appeals will receive due con-
sidcration at your hands
The same is in measure true in regard
to some of the harbors and inlets on the
scaCoaSt.
The unobstructcd navigation of our
large rivers is of equal imL ortancc. Our
settlements are now extending to the sour
ces of the great rivers which empty into,
and form a part of the Mississippi, and the
value of the public lands in those regions
would be greatly enhanced by freeing the
navigation of those waters from ObStruc-
tons. In view, therefore, of this great
interest, deem it my duty again to urge
upon Congress to make such appropria-
tons for these improvements as they may
deem necessary.
The survey of the Delta of the Missis-
sippi, with view to the prevention of
the ovcrhows that have proved so disas-
trous to that region of country, have been
nearly completed, and the reports there
of arc now in course of preparation, and
will shortly be laid before you.
The protection Of our southwestern
frontier, and of the adjacent Mexican
States, against the Indian tribes within
our border, has claimed my earnest and
attention. Congress having fail
ed at last session, to adopt my rccommcn-
dation that an additional regiment of
men specially adapted to that ser
vice should be raised, all that remained to
NC Nlpllt WAS ~ lltiNt lllt DCSl NSt VI WY
means at my disposal Accordingly, all
the troops adapted to that service that
could properly be spared from other quar-
tcrs have been concentrated on that from
tier, and officers of high reputation Sc
lcctcd to command them. A new ar
of the military posts has also
been made, whereby the troops arc
brought nearer to the Mexican frontier
and to the tribes they are intended to
ovcrawc.
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to
realize all the benefits that are expected
to result from these arrangements, but |
have every reason to hope that they will
check their marauding cXpe-
ditions. The nature of the country,
which furnishes little for the support of an
army. and abounds inplaccs of refuge and
conccalment, is remarkably well adapted
to this predatory warfare; and we can
scarcely hope that any military force,
with the greatest vigilance, can
entirely suppress it.
BY the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,
we are bound to protect the territory of
Mexico against the incursions of the saw
age tribes within our border " with equal
diligence and energy" as if the same were
made within our territory or against our
citizens. l have endeavored to comply,
as far as possible, with this provision of
the treaty, Orders have been given to
the officers commanding on that frontier
to consider the Mexican territory and its
as equally with our own enti-
tied to their protection and to make all
their plans and arrangements with view
to the attainment of this object, lnstruc-
tons have also been given to the Indian
commissioners and agents among these
tribes, in all treaties, to make the claus
es designed for the protection of our own
n;L;.,nr,c n,nn,l,r nlcr, 70 ihren &C No N.inr,