Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-12-13

tribes who reside in the Northwestern Territory and
west of the Mississippi river We are at peace with
all of them; audit will be source of pleasure YOU
to learn that they gradually advancing in cvliza
ton and the pursuits OF social hfe.
Along the Mexican frontier, and in California. and
Oregon, there have been occasional manifestations of
untriendy feeling, and some depredations committed.
am satisfied, however, that 1hey resulted from
the destitute and starving condition of the Indians
than from any settled hostility toward the whites. AS
the settlements OF our citizens progress towards hem
the game upon which they mainly rely for subsistence
is driven of or destroyed and the only alternative left
to them is starvation or plumber 1t becomes to
consider in view of this condition OF things, whether
justice and humanity, we'll enlightened econ
omy, do not require that instead of seeking to punish
them tor offences which the result OF our poll
lev towards them we should not provide for their i'm
mediate wants and encourage them to engage in agr
culture, and to rely their labor instead of the chase
for the means OF support
Various important treaties have been negotiated with
different tribes during the year, by which their title to
large and valuable tIacs of country has been extin
gushed, all OF which will, at the proper time be sub
mitted to the Senate for ratification.
The Joint commission under the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo has been actively engaged in running and
marking the boundary line bteween the United States
and Mexico 1t stated, in the last annual report of
the Secretary the Interior, that the initial point
the Pacific and the point Of Junction OF the Gild with
the Colorado river had been determined and the in
tervenng line, about one hundred and fifty miles in
LENGTH and marked by temporary monuments
Since that time monument oil marble has been cree
ted at the initial point and permanent landmarks of
iron have been placed at suitable distances along the
line.
The initial point on the Rio Grande has also been
fixed by the commissioners at latitude 80 90, and at
the date of the last communication the survey of the
line had been made thence westward about one hum
bred and fifty miles to the neighborhood of the copper
mines.
The commission cur part was at first organized
on a scale which experience proved to be unwieldy
and attended with unnecessary expense Orders have,
therefore been issued for the reduction of the number
of persons employed within the smallest limits, con-
sistent with the safety of those engaged in the
vice, and the prompt and efficient execution OF their
important duties.
Returns have been received from all the officers en-
gagged in taking the in the States and Terrific
res except California. The superintendent employ
ed make the enumeration in that State has yet
made his full report trOW causes as he alleges, be-
yond his control This failure is much to be regret
ted has prevented the Secretary of the Interior
from making the decennal apportoned of representa-
tves among tho States, required by the act APP
proved May %, 1850 1t is hoped, however, that the
returns will be received, and time will then
be lost in making the necessary apporhonment, and
in transmitting the certificates required by law.
The Superintendent of the Seventh Census is dill
gently employed under the direction Of the Secretary
of the Interior in classifying and arranging, in tabu
lar form, all the statistical information derived from
the returns of the marshals and is believed that
when the work. shall be completed it viii exhibit
more perfect view OF the population, wealth. occupa-
tons, and social condition of great country, than
has ever been presented to the world. The value of
such work, as the basis of enlightened legislation,
can hardly be over-estmated and earnestly hope
that Congress will lose no time in making the appro-
patons necessary to complete the casshcations, and
to punish the results in style worthy of the subject
and of our national character.
The want of uniform fee bill, prescribed the
pensation be allowed district attorneys, clerks
shals, and commissioners in civil and criminal cases,
is the of much vexation, injustice and complaint
would recommend thorough revision of the laws
the whole subject, and the adoption of tariff of
ices which, far practicable, should be uniform,
and prescribe specific compensation for every
vice which the officer may be required to perform
This subject will be fully presented in the report of
the Secretary of the Interior.
In my last annual message [ gave briefly my rea-
for believing that you possessed the constitution
al power to improve the harbors of great lakes
and seacoast, and the navigation of principal
ers, and recommended that appropriations should be
made for completing such works as had already been
commenced, and for commencing such others might
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 at
tention to this important subject. The works
ny OF the harbors left in unfinished state, and
consequently exposed to the action of the elements,
which is fast destroying them. Great numbers OF
lives and vast amounts OF property annually lost
for OF safe and convenient harbors the lakes
gerous navigation fully appreciate the Importance
of this subject The whole northwest appeals to you
for relief and trust their appeal will receive due con-
sderaion at your hands.
The same is in measure true in regard to some of
the harbors and inlets on the seacoast.
The unobstruced navigation of our large rivers is of
equal Importance. Our settlements now extend
ing the of the great rivers which empty in
to- and form part of the Mississippi and the value of
the public lands in those regions would be greatly
HANGED by freeing the navigation of those from
distractions In view, therefore, of this great inter-
est deem it my duty again to urge upon Congress to
make such appropriations for these Improvements as
they may deem necessary.
The survey of the Delta of the Mississippi, with a
view to the prevention of the overows that have been
nearly completed, and the reports thereof in
of preparation and will shortly be laid before
you.
The protection eff our south western frontier and of
the adjacent Mexican States against the Indian tribes
within our border, has claimed my earnest and con-
slant attention Congress having failed, at the last
session. to adopt my recommendation that addition
al regiment of mounted men specially adapted to that
service should be raised all that remained to be done
was to make the best of the means at my dispo-
sal Accordingly, all the troops adapted to that
vice that could properly be spared from other quarters
have been concentrated that frontier and officers
of high reputation selected to command them A new
arrangement of the military posts has also been made
whereby the troops brought to the Mexican
frontier and to the tribes they intended
i Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to realize all the
benefits that expected result from these
mens, but have every hope that they will
effectuaIy check their marauding expeditions. The
nature of the country, which furnishes little for the
support of army and abounds in places of refuge
and conceament, is remarkably well adapted to this
prpd w "a hon tbat