Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-12-18

this latter number, 66, 900 have been pa
tented. The whole number of warrants is
sued up TO the same period, under the gen
eral bounty land law of September 2sth, /
1850, is 80, 20l and of the 3,I0S which
have been located and returned to the gen
era land Office, $50 had been patented on
the LIST utimo.
1t is recommended that one general land
system he extended over California in such
detail as Congress may deem best. 1t Is !
proposed to adopt no system Of sale or lease
of the mineral lands of California AT pres
ent but that they be left open TO the enter
prise of our citizens.
Indian affairs received considerable atten-
ton, but the most interesting points Of this
subject have already been gwen in the re-
port of the Secretary of War. The pacific
and ci,illzing policy is urged as the best
mode of securing the good will of the lndi-
an tribes, our own security, aud their NOR
al and physical elevation.
A long chapter is devoted TO the details
Of expenses of the Federal Judiciary and
many suggestions for their reduction are
made.
Under the head of " Public buildings and
grounds" ii is stated that the eastern wing
of the Patent Office will soon be ready for
use, and appropriations for the immediate
construction of the western wing are ear
nestly recommended, the room being want
ed for the accommodation of the various
public Bureaux which are now located IN
Inconyenient aud insecure buildings.
Census returns have been received from
all the states and territories IN the Union
except California and Utah, from which par
tlal returns have been received, aud the re-
mainder are expected in few days. The
work of classifying and arranging the cen
sus tables is proceeding with rap;dity and
accuracy. SI50,000 additional is asked TO
defray the expenses OF taking the census
Mr.. Charles +. Stansbury, an officer in
the Patent Office, was sent to the Worlds
Far to examine and inform himself relative
to the many objects of interest on exhibition
there. His report will soon be forthcoming
land is expected TO be most valuable and
interesting document, giving descriptions Of
natural productions, implements, machinery
manufactures, processes OF manufactures,
works of art, and other objects of interest
peculiar to each nation
The establishment of an agricultural Blu
reau is again urged upon the attention Of
Congress. Agriculture is the great interest
Of our country, more than four-hilhs of our
country being engaged in it, and yet it is
without a Bureau devoted to its interest,
although recommended since the days of
Washington.
The best mode of illustrating the utility
of an agricultural Bursau is to present a
cond eused statement Of the duties winch it
should be required to perform.
1t should be charged with the duty OF col
lecting and disseminating Information in
regard 10 the cultivation of the soil in all lis
branches. 1t should investigate every pro-
posed Improvement in the tillage Of The
earth or in the construction of implements
Of husbandry. 1t should collect from our
own and foreign countries every variety Of
seed, fruit, plant and vegetable, aud dslrlb
ute them, with full and accurate Informal
ton as To The soil, climate aad mode OF cul-
tvatlon best adapted to each.
Through the agency of our national ships
and merchant vessels, arrangements could
be made for the importation OF all the yalu-
able productions and animals ofoher coun-
tries. This would enable us to appropriate
to ourselves the results of the wisdom, expe-
rIence, and Improvements of all the world
in regard to agriculture, and we should soon
be rendered independent of other countries
for many articles which are now imported
at great cost.
One or more officers should be connected
with il, thoroughly acquainted with the
principles of geology, miueralogy, chemistry
and botany, for the purpose Of investigating
and reporting upon the character and prop
critics OF every variety of soil, rock, mineral
and vegetable, and their adaptation to use
ful purposes. TO this bureau strould also
be entrusted the duty of experimenting the
taking of each decennial census, and Of pro-
curing and classifying from year To year all
the statistical information which can be OBJ
tanned IN respect to the agriculture, manu-
/ features, commerce, tunnage, revenue, cX-
penditures, financial and banking systems,
improvements by railways, canals aud roads
Industrial pursuits and general progress
of every State in the Union, add of the prln-
opal nations of the world. BY tins means
a vast fund of useful knowledge, which
cannot now be obtained, would be always
accessible 10 Congress aud the Executive.
In tins department, our Government
i. far behind England, France, Belgium,
Prussia, Austria, Russia, Sweden, and 9TH
or countries IN Europe.
The operations of the commissioners To
run the Mexican boundary line have been
delayed by differences between the commits
sioners on behalf OF the parties to the line,
and between officers of the u. S. Surveying
Party. The work Is now being prosecuted
with vigor, but AN extension OF the time al
lowed for its completion is asked.
The appropriation of sum OF 500, 900
for the introduction of a plentiful supply of
water IN the city of Washington, is recon-
mended as highly essential to the secure
ment ola valuable blessing to the population
and surety Of the public buildings against
damage by fire, which can be obtained IN
no other way.