Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-12-08

iar with the subject, am inclined to change
.hat recommendation, ard to advise that they
be permitted to remain, as at present, a COM
mon field, open to the enterprise and indus
try of all our citizens, ,untiFfurther experience
shall have developed the best policy to be ul-
timateiy adopted in regnrd to them. 1t is sa-
fer to suffer the inconyenences that now ex-
ist for short period, than by premature leg
islation, to fasten on the country system
founded on error, Which may place the whole
subject beyond The future control of Congress.
The agricultural lands should however, be
surveyed and brought into market with as lit
tie delay rs possible, that the titles may be-
come settled, and the inhabitants stimulated
to make permanent Improvements, and enter
upon the ordinary persuits of life. To effect
these objects it is desirable that the necessa-
ry provisions be made by law for the esiab-
lisllrlent of land offices in California and Or
egon, and for the efficient prosecution Of the
surveys at an early day.
Sume difficulties have occurred in organizing
the Territorial governments of New Mexico
and Utah; and, when more accurate inlor-
nation shall be obtained of the causes, fur
tier comnunc cation will be made on that
subject. !
In my last annual communication to Con-
gress l recommended the establishment Of
an Agricultural Bureau, and take this occa-
sion again to invoke your favorable considera-
lion on this subject.
Agriculture may justly be regarded as the
great interest ST our people. -Four tifths Of
our active population are employed in the
cultivation Of the soil, and The rapid expansion
of our settlements over new territory, is daily
adding to the number of those engaged in
that avocsticn. Justice and sound policy
therefore, alike require that the Government
should use all the means authorized by the
Constitution, to promote tho interests and
welfare of that important class of our fellow
citizens. And yet it is q singular fact, that
whilst the manufacturing and commercial in
terests have engaged the attention of Con-
gress during large portion Of every session,
and our statutes abound in provisions for their
protection and enc uragement, little has vet
been done directly fer the Advancement Of ag-
riculture. 1t is time that this reproach to
our legislation should be removed; end sim
cerely hope that the present Congress will
not close their labors without adopting eff
cient means TO supply the omission 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 Gu tiva-
toir, and cf the most efectua means of pre-
serving and restoring the fertility of the soil,
and of procuring nnd distributing seeds and
plants and other vegetable productions, with
instructions in regard to the soil climate, and
treatment best adapted to their growth, could
not fail 10 be, in the language of Washington,
IN his last annu"l message to Congress,
livery cheap instrument Of immense natit nj
benefit.
Regarding tbe act of Congress approved
27th September 1850, granting bounty lands
TO persons who had been engaged in the mill
tagy sery .ce of the country, as a great meas
ure of natior al justice and munifcenee, an
anxious desire hns been felt, by the tfficers
ent1 usted with its immediate execution, to
gi l'r mpt efIeet1to its provisions, All the
means with n their control were, therefore,
brought into requisiton to expedite the adiu-
dlcatIon ef claims, and l am gratifed to be
able to state that near one hundren thousand
applications have been considered, and about
seven y thousand warrants issued within The
short space CT nine months. If adequate
provision is made by law, to carry into effect
the recommendations ,f1he Department. it is
coufden'ly expected that, the close Of the
next fsel year, ali W no ere entitled to the
benefits Of the act wi ! have received their
warrants.
The Secretary Of tie Interior has sugges-
ted in his report various amendments of the
laws rela'ioo to pensions and bounty lands, for
the purpose of more efectually guarding
against abu es and frauds on the Government
10 all of Which iLv.te your particular at,en-
ton.
The large aecessicns to our Indian popula-
tion consequent upon the acquisition of New
Mexico and California. and the extension of
our settlements in Utah and Oregon, have
been of increased il forest and impo, taEce to
our relations with the abo i5inal race.
No material change has tuken place within
the last year, in the condition and prospects
of The Indian tribes who reside in the north
western territory and west of tho Mississippi
river. We are at peece with all of them;
and it will be source of Pleasure to me, to
learn that they ale gradually advancing in
civilization and the pursuits Of social life.
Along the Mexican frontier, and in Califor-
MIA aud Oregon, there has been occasional
manifestations of unfriendly feelings and some
depredalions committed. lam satisfied how
ever, that they resulted more Fl ON the desti-
tute and starving condition of the Indians,
than from any settled host lify towards the
wi; A .,