The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-04

Government to all of which invite your particular
attention.
The large acccssions TO our Indian population con-
seducnt upon the acquisition Of New Mexico and Cal
ifornia, and the extension OF our settlements into
Utah and Oregon, have given increased interest and
importance 10 our relations with the aboriginal race
No material change has taken place within the
last year. in the condition and prospects of the In
dian tribes who reside in the Northwestern Territory
and west of the Mississippi river. We are at peace
with all of them and il will be of pleasure
to you to learn that they gradually advancing in
civilization and the pursuits OF social life.
Along the Mexican frontier, and In California and
Oregon there have been occasional manifestations of
unriendly feeling and some depredations committed
am satisfied however, that they resulted more from
the destitute and starving condition of the Indians
than from any settled hostility towards the whites
As the settlements Of citizens progress towards
them, the game upon which they mainly rely for sub
sistence is driven of destroyed and the only al
tentative left to them is starvation or plumber. 1t
becomes us TO consider in view Of this condition of
things whether justice and humanity as well en-
lightened economy. do not require that, Instead Of
seeking to punish them for offences which the re-
suit of our own policy towards them We should not
provide for their immediate wants, aud encourage
them TO engage in agriculture. and TO rely on 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 largo and valuable tracts Of country has
time be submitted to the Senate for ratification
The joint commission under the treaty of Guada-
lupe Hidalgo has been actively engaged in running
and marking the boundary line between the United
States and Mexico Ii stated, in the last annual
report of the Secretary of the Interior that the mi
tial point the Pacific and tho point of junction Of
the ella with the Colorado river had been determined
and the intervening line, about one hundred and
fifty miles in length, run and marked by temporary
monuments. Since that time monument of marble
has been erected at the initial point and
landmarks of iron have been placed at suitable dis
tances along the line.
The initial point on the Rio Grando has also been
fixed by the commissioners af latitude thirty -two
degrees twenty-five minutes, and at the date of the
last communication the survey Of the line had been
made thence westward about one hundred and fifty
miles to the neighborhood Of the copper mines.
The commission on our part was at first organized
a scale which experience proved to be unwdely
and attended with unnecessary expense. Orders
have therefore been issued for the reduction of the
number of persons employed within the smallest linn
its consistent with the safety Of those engaged in the
service, and the prompt and efficient execution Of
their important duties
Returns have been received from all the officers
engaged in taking the in the States and Terri
tories, except California. The superintendent ON
ployed TO mako the enumeration in that State has
not yet made his full report froa causes as he allie
ges beyond his control This failure il much to be
regretted as it has prevented the Secretary of the
Interior from making the a@snnia! agYoy,i9aNsNt
! of Representatives awone the States "a reouirOd
By he get approved aaay Is, ioso. rs hofsd ms,
time will then be lost in making tho necessary ap
portionment. and in transmitting the certificates
quirea 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 tabular
form all the statistical information derived from the re-
turns of the marshals and il is believed that when
the work shall be completed it will exhibit a more
perfect view Of the population, wealth, occupations
and social condition of great country than has
ever been presented to the world The value of such
n work the basis of enlightened legislation can
hardly be estimated; and earnestly hope that
Congress will lose no time in making the appropra-
tons necessary to complete the Considerations and TO
publish the results in style worthy Of the sub ect
| and of our national character.
The want of uniform foe bill prescribing the com
pensation TO be allowed district attorneys clerks,
marshsls and commissioners. in civil and criminal
cases. is the cause of much yexation injustice and
complaint. i would recommend u thorough re-
vision of the laws the whole subject and the adOp
ton of tariff of fees which, as far az practicable,
should be uniform, and prescribe a specific compcn-
sation for every service which the officer may he
| quired to perform. This subject will be fully pro.
sented in the report of the Secretary of the Interior
In my last annual message gave briefly my rca
sons for believing that you possessed the eonstitu-
| tiona power to improve the harbors of our great
lakes and seacoast, and the navigation of prnci-
pal rivers, and recommended that appropriations
| should be made for completing such works as had
| already been commenced and for commencing such
| others might seem TO the wisdom of Congress to be
Of public and general importance Without repeating
the reasons then urged, deem il my duty again to
call your attention to this important subject. The
works many Of the harbors were left in an I'M
finished 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 and convenient
harbors on the lakes None but those who have been
| exposed 10 THAI aangc~o~~ -ey'satien fully ap
prcciate the Importance Of this subject The whole
Northwest appeals TO you for relief and trust the
appeal will receive due consideration at your hands
The same is in measure true in regard to some o
| the harbors and inlets on the scacoast.
The unobstructed navigation of our large rivers i,
Of equal importance. Our settlements are now OK
tending the 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
from distractions In view therefore, of this great
| interest deem it my duty again to urge upon Con
gress to make such appropriations for these improve
ments as they may deem necessary,
The survey of the Delta of the Mississippi, with
view to the prevention of the Oyerfows that have
proved disastrous to that region OF country, have
been nearly completed and tho reports thereof are
now in course of preparation and will shortly BIO laid
before you.
The protection Of our Southwestern frontier, and Of
the adjacent Mexican States. against the Indian
tribes within our border has claimed my earnest and
constant attention. Congress having failed, mt the
last session, TO adopt my recommendation that
additional regiment of mounted men specially adapted
TO that service should be raised oil that remained
BIO done was make tho best of the means at my
disposal Accordingly all the troops adapted 10 that
service that could properly DO spared from other
quarters have boon concentrated that frontier and
officers of high reputation selected to command them
arrangement Of the military posts has also
been made whereby the troops brought nearer to
the Mexican frontier and to the tribes they in
tended 10 overawe
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to realize all the
benefits that expected TO result from these arrange
ments, but have every reason to hope that they will
ehcctually check their marauding expeditions. The
nature OF tho country, which furnishes little for the
support of an army and abounds In places of refuge
and concealment Is remarkably we'll adapted TO this
predatory warfare; and we scarcely hope that
any military force combined with the greatest vigil
ance, can entirely suppress IT,
BY the treaty Of GUADALUPE Ifidaigo we are bound
to protect the territory Of Mexico against the incur
sions Of the savage tribos within our border with
equal diligence and energy NJ IL tho made
within our territory or against our citizens. have
ondcavored to comply, as far as possible with this
provision Of tho treaty. Orders have been given to
the officers commanding that frontier 10 consider
the Mexican territory and liz inhabitants M equally
with entitled TO their protection and TO
make all their plans and arrangements with a Wow
10 tno h',aiiihoh vi ,his ooJect. lnuructoh nave
also been given 10 the Indian commissioners and
agents among these tribes in nil treaties TO make the
clauses designed for the protection Of citizens
apply also TO those of Mexico. have no reason to
doubt that these instructions have been fully carried
into effect. Nevertheless il IL probable that in spite
Of all efforts Of tho neighboring States of
Mexico may have suffered, ~ our own have, from
deprcdstions by the Indians.
10 the difficulties Of deiendipg territory,
rs above mentioned, are supemdded, In defending
that of Mexico, those that arise from Its rcmoicness
from the fact that We have no night Ia station our
troops within her limits and that there Is efficient
military force on the Me side 60 operate with
our own. So long as this shall continue 10 be the
case the number and activity Of our troops will raih-
er increase than diminish the evil, as the Indiana
will naturally turn towards that country where they
encounter the least resistance Yet these troops are
nacnsanru ihn,ri nuI In cnnnnoI Ihl.n