The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-12-05

Iifornia. The superintendent employed to
make the enumeration in that State has
not vet made his full report, from causes,
as he alleges, beyond his control. This
failure is much to be regretted, as it has
prevented the Secretary of the Interior
Efrommaking the decennial apportionment
of representatives among the States, as
required by the act approved May 90,
1850. 1t is hoped, however, that the re-
turns will soon be ereceived, and no time
will then be lost in making the necessary
apportionment, and in transmitting the
certificates required by law.
The superintendent of the Seventh CEN
sus is diligently employed, under the di-
rection of the Secretary of the Interior,
in classifying and arranging, in tabular
form, all the statistical information 1eri-
we'd from the returns of the marshals, and
| it is believed that when the work shall be
completed it will exhibit more perfect
view Of the population, wealth, occupa-
tions and social condition of great coun-
try, than has ever been presented to the
world. The value of such work, as the
basis of enlightened legislation,can hardly
be over-esimated; and earnestly hope
that Congress willlose no time in making
the appropriations necessary to complete
the classifcations, and to publish the re
suits in a style worthy of the subject and
of our national character.
The want of uniform fee bill, prescri-
bing the compensation to be allowed dis
trict attorneys, clerks, marshals, and dcom-
missioners in civil and criminal cases, is
the cause Of much vexation, injustice and
complaint. l would recommend thor
ough 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 aspecifc compen-
sation for every service which the officer
may be required to perform. This sub
ject will be fully presented in the report o.
the Secretary of the Interior.
In my last annual message / gave brief
ly my reasons for believing thut you pos.
sessed the constitutionalpower to improve
the harbors of our great lakes and sea-
coast, and the navigation of our principal
rivers, and recommended that appropria,
tions 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 o.
public and general Importance. Withou
repeating the reasons then urged, deem
it my duty again to call your attention tc
this important subject. The works OF
many of the harbors were left in an unfn
ished state, and consequently exposed tc
the action of the elements, which is fas
destroying them. Great numbers of lives
and vast amounts Of property are annually
lost for want of safe and convenient har
bors on the lakes. None but those who
have been exposed to that dangerous nav
igation canfully appreciate the Importance
Of this subject. The whole northwest ap
peals to you for relief, and l trust thei
appeal will receive due consideration a
your hands.
The same is in ameasure true in regarC
to some of the harbors and inlets on thu
seacoast.
The unobstructed navigation Of ou
large rivers is of equal importance. Gu
settlements are now extending to the sour
ces of the great rivers which empty int
and form a part of the Mississippi, ant
the value of the public lands in those re
gions would be greatly enhanced by free
ing the navigation of those waters from
obstructions. In view, therefore, of thi
great interest, l deem it my duty again tt
urge upon Congress to make such appro
priations for these Improvements as the.
may deem necessary.
The survey of the Delta of the Missis
sippi, with view to the prevention of tn
overhows that have proved so disastrou
to that region ofcountry, have been near
ly completed, and the reports thereof ar
now in course of preparation, and vii
shortly be laid before you.
The protection of our southwestern frontie
and of the adjacent Mexican States, against tn
Indian tribes within our border, has claime
my earnest and constant attention. Congress
having failed, at the last session, to adopt m
recommendation that an additional regimen
of mounted men specially adapted to that sci
vice should be raised, all that remained to
done was to make the best use Of the means q
my disposal. Accordingly, all the troops adapt
ed to that service that could properly be spare
from other quarters have been concentrated o
that frontier, d officers ofhigh reputation select
ed to command them. A new arrangement o
the military post has also been made, whereof,
the troops are brought nearer to the Mexical
frontier and to the tribes theylintended to over
ave..
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to realiz
all the benefits that are expected to result fror
these arrangements, but have every reason t
hope that they will effectually check the mau
rading expeditions The nature Of the coun
try, which furni hes little for the support Of a
army and abounds in places of refuge and con
cealment, is remarkably well adapted to thi
predatory warfare; and we can scarcely hop
that any military force, combined with th
greatest vigilance, can e..tirely suppress it.
By the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo we al
bound toprotect the territory Of Mexico agains
the incursions Of the savage tribes within ou
border "with equal diligence and energy" a
if the same were made within our territory .
against our citizens. have endeavored
comply, as far as possible, with this previsio
of the treaty. Orders have been given to tn
officers commanding on that frontier to consid
er the Mexican territory and its inhabitants o
equally with our own entitled to their protet