The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-03


encoura,e home production without excluding
foreign competition.
The numerous frauds which continue to be
pTactised upon the revenue by false invoices ard
CONGRATULATIONS, constitute an unanswerabe rea-
son for adopting specific instead Of ad yalorem
duties in all cases where the nature OF the commo-
dty does not forbid it, A striking illustration OF
these frauds will be exhibited in the Report of the
Secretary of the Treasury, showing the custom
house valuation of articles imported under form
er law subject 10 specific duties, when there
no inducement to undervaluation and the custom
house valuations of the same articles, under the
present system of ad valorem duties, so greatly
| reduced to leave doubt of the existence of
the most fragrant abuses under the existing laws.
This practical evasion Of the present law, COM
bined with the languishing condition of some of
the great interests of the country, caused by over
importations and consequent depressed prices,
and with the failure in obtaining foreign marke,
for our increasing surplus of breadstutfs and pro-
visions, has induced me again to recommend
modification of the existing tariff.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
which accompanies this communication, will pre-
sent a condensed statement of the operations of
that important department Of the government
| IL will be seen that the cash sales of the public
lands exceed those of the preceding year, and
that there is TO anticipate still further in
crease, Notwithstanding the large donations which
have been made to many of the States, and the
tary services. This fact furnishes very crafty
ing evidence of the growing wealth aud prosperity
! Of our country. ..... 81.
| Suitable measures have been adopted for COM
mencing the survey of the public lands in Califor
MA aud Oregon. Surveying parties have been or
| gained, and some progress has been made in es-
! tablishng Ike principal base and meridian lines
! But further Legislation and additional approprla.
tons will be necessary before the proper subdiyi-
slons can be made, and the general land system
| extended over those remote parts of our territory
/ On the Sd OF March last an act was passed pro-
viding for the appointment of three commissions
ers - settle private land claims in California
| Three persons were Immediately appointed, all Of
! whom, however, declined accepting the office in
consequence of the iHadequa;y of the compensa-
! ton. Others were promptly selected who, for the
same reason, also declined and it was not until
late in the that the services OF suitable per-
sons could be secured. A majority of the com
missioners convened. in this city, on the 10Th of
! September last, when detailed Instructions were
gwen 70 them in regard to their duties. Their
first meeting for the transaction of business will
be held III San Francisco on the Slh day of the
present month.
have thought it proper to refer to these facts,
not only to explain the causes of the delay in fill.
ing the commission, but to call your attention
TO the proprlety of increasing the compensation
! of the commissioners The office is one OF
great labor and responsibility, and the compen.
sation should be such TO command men of a
high order of talents and the most unquestionable
integrity.
E The proper disposal of the mineral lands Of Cali.
fornla is 7ublect surrounded by great difficulties
In my last annual rressage ] recommended the
, survey and sd 2 of them IN small parcels, under
such restrictions would etfectually guard against
monopoly and speculation. But upon further in.
formation and IN Difference to the opinions Of per-
sons familiar with the subject, inclined 70
IL, IL l,t, II
they be permitted TO remain, at present, COM
mon field, open TO the enterprise and industry of
all our citizens, unIl further experience shall have
developed the best policy 10 be ultimately adopted
IN regard to them. 1t is safer to suffer the neon
venlences that exist, for short period, than,
by premature iegIslatlon, to fasten on tue country
a system founded IN error, which may place the
whole subject beyond the future control of Con-
gress.
The agricultural lands sh oud however, be sur
veyed and brought INTO market with as little delay
as possible, that The titles may become settled and
the inhabitants stimulated to make permanent i'm
provements, and enter on the ordinary pursuits of
life To effect these objects it is desirable that the
necessary provision be made by law for the eStab-
lishment Of land Offices IN California and Oregon,
and for the efficient prosecution of the surveys at
| an early day
Some DIM -ultles have occurred in organizing
the territorial governments of New Mexico and
Utah, and, when more accurate information shall
be obtained Of the causes, further communCa-
ton will be made OF that subject
In my last annual communication TO Congress
| recommended the establishment of an Agricul-
iural Bureau, aud take this occasion again to in
woke your favorable consideration Of the subject.
Agriculture may Justly be regarded as the great
interest Of or people. Four-liths Of our active
population n employed IN the cultivation Of the
soil and the rapid expansion Of our settlements
over new territory Is daily adding to the number
4 o.. Il
sound policy, therefore, alike require that the go
vernment should use all the means authorized by
the Constitution u promote the interests and wei
fare Of that important class Of our felnw. citizens.
And yet sa singular fact that, whilst the manu-.
featuring and commercial interests have engaged
the attention Of Congress during large portion
u every session, and our statutes abound IN pro
visions for their protection and encouragement,
/ itie has yet been done directly for the advance.
meut Of agriculture. Il is time that this reproach
to our legislation should be removed, and sin
| cerey hope that the present Congre will not
close their lsbOrs without adopting Efficient means
TO supply the ON sslOns Of those who have pre-
! coded them.
An sgncul.ursl bureau, gl argcd with the duty
collecting and disseminating correct information as
to ia. best modes Of cultivation, and Of the most
I eftciuaI means Of preserving aud restoring the
fertility Of the soil, and OF procuring aud disiribut-
I ing seeds and plants and other vegetable prOduc-
tons, wit. instructions IN regard 70 the soil, cll-
mate, and treatment best adapted 20 their growth,
could not fail to be, a. the language Of Watching.
ton, m his last annual message 10 Congress,
"yery cheap instrument Of immense national bene.
| It."
Regarding the Mt of Congress approved 25.h
September, 1850, granting bounty lands to per
sons who had been engaged IN tie military
| vice Of the country, as great measure Of
tIona justice and muuihcence, an anxious desire
has been felt, by the officers entrusted with its i'm
mediate execution, TO gve prompt,eiIect TO It's pro-
visions the means within their control we're,
| therefore, brought into requisuOn to expedite
the adjudication If claims, and | am gratifed to
/ be able 20 state that near one hundred Thousand
ap pliCaiiUps have been considered, and about sew
/ enty thousf cd warrants issued within the short
| pace of na. months. lf adequate provision be
made by law to carry into effect the recommends
tons Of the Department, II is confidently expected
/ that, be'p,e the close Of the fiscal year, all who
are entitled to the benefits Of the act will have re
eeived their warrants.
/ The Secretary Of the Interior has suggested IN
I his report various amendments Of the laws rels-
. q 4.