Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-12-11

tsnces along the line. The initial point on
the Rio Grande has also been fixed BY
the Commissioners, at latitude 80 degrees
~ minutes; and at the date OF the last
the survey Of the line had
been made thence westward about one
hundred and fifty miles, to the neiehber-
hood Of the Copper mine. The commits
sion. on our part, was at first organized
on scale which experience proved to be
and attended with unnecessary
expense. Orders have, therefore, been,
issued for the reduction Of the number Of
persons employed within the smallest lin
its cor,sistrn. with the safety Of those en-
gagged in the service, and the prompt and
efficient execution Of their important du-
Ties.
Returns have been received from all
the officers engaged in taking The census
ia the States and Territories, except CAL
,iornia. The Superintendent employed
10 make the enumeration in that State, has
no. yet made his full report, from causes,
as he alleges, leyond his control. This
failure is much 10 be regretted, as it has
prevented the Secretary Of the Inierier
from making the decennial apportionmeni
of representatives among tie States, as
required by the Act approved My 23d,
1850. It's hoped, however, that the re-
turns will soon be received, and no time
will then be lost in making The necessary
and in transmitting the
certificates required l,y law. Tie SUI
perintendent of the 7th census isdiligent-
ly employed, under the direction Of the
Secretary Of the Interior, is classifying
and arranging in tabular form, all the sta
tisiical information derived from the re-
turns Of the Marshall, and il is believed
that, when The work shall be completed,
il will exhibit more perfect view Of the
population, wealth. occupation and social
condition of great country, than has ever
been pres ented to the world.
The value ofsuch work as the basis OF
enlightened legislation can hardly be over.
estimated, and | earnestly hope that Con-
gress will lose no time in making the APP
preparation necessary 10 complete The
classification, and TO publish the results,
i'm style worthy Of the subject, and Of
our Lstional character. The want Of a
uniform fee-bill prescribing The compen.
saiion 10 be allowed district attorneys
clerks, marshalls, and commissioners, in
civil and criminal cases, is the cause OF
much ,exaiion, injustice and complaint -
I would recommend thorough revision OF
the laws on the whole subject, and the
adoption of tariff OF fees which, as far
as practicable, should be uniform, and pre-
scribe specific compensation for every
service which the officer may be required
to perform. This subject viii be fully
presented in Tie report Of the Secretary
of the Interior.
Ii my last annual message, briefly
gave my reasons for believing that you
possessed the commercial power 10 i'm
prove the harbcrs Of our great lakes and
sea coasts, and the navigation of our prin-
ciral rivers, and recommended that app
preparations should be made for comple,-
ing such works as had already been COM
menced, and for commencing such others
as might seem to the wisdom Of Congress
20 be of public and general importance.
Without repeating the reasons there urg-
ed, ! deem il my duty again to call your
TO this important subject. The
works on many Of the hsrbors were left
in an 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, are annually lost, for want Of
safe aud convenient harbors on the lakes.
None but those who have been exposed
10 that dangerous navigation, can fully APP
preciate the importance Of the subject
The whole Northwest appeals to you for
relief, aud thrust their appeal will re-
ceive due consideration al your hands,
The same il, in measure, true in regard
TO some Of the inleis and harbors on the
sca-coast. The unobsiructed navigation
Of eur large rivers is of equal importance.
Our settlements are now extending 10 the
sources Of the great rivers which empty
into and form part Of the Mississippi,
and the value Of the public lands in those
regions would be greatly enhanced by
freeing The navigation Of those waters
rom obstruction. In view, therefore, Of
this great interest, deem il my duty u
urge again upon Congress, 10 make such
appropriations for these improvements As
they may de@m necessary.
The surveys Of the delta Of the Mis-
sissippi. with view Of the prevention oil
the oserflows, that have proved so disas-
trous to that country, has been nearly
terminated, and the reports thereof. are
now in preparation, and viii shortly Be
land before you.
The protection Of our southwestern from
tier, and Of the adjacant Mexican States,
against the Indian tribes, within our bor-
ders, has claimed my earnest and constant
attention. Congress having failed at the
last session to adopt my Recommendation
hat an additional regiment Of mounted
men, especially adapted 10 the service,
should be raised, oil thst remained to b.
done was to make the best use Of The
meaps At my disposal. Accordingly, all
the troops adapted to its sefyice that could
properly be spared from other quarters,
haze been concentrated on that frontier,
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