Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-12-11


! alive to pensions and bounty lands, for the pur-
, pose OF more efectually guarding against abuses
/ and frauds on the govefnment-to all OF which
! | invite YOU particular attention.
The large accessicns TO Indian popula-
! ton, consequent the acquisition oi New
Mexico and California aud HE extention of our
settlements into Utah and Oregon, have given
| increased interest and importance to our rela-
! tons with the aboriginal race. No material
| change has taken place within the last year In
| the condition and prospects OF the Indian tribes
who reside in the North western Territory, and
West OF the Mississippi River. We at
peace with all of them, and it Will be a source
| of pleasure to you to learn, tina; they are grad
unl!y advancing in civilization and the pursuits
of social life. Along the Mexican frontier, and
in California and Oregon, there have been oeca-
sonally manifestations Of unfrlendy feelings,
and some depredatons committed, more from
| the destitute and starving condition of the lnd
ans, than from any settled hostility against the
whites. As the settlement Of our citizens pro-
gress, and the game upon which they mostly
rely for substance, s driven off, destroyed,
the only alternative left 10 them is starvation
| plumber. Ii becomes us to consider, in view Of
this condition of things, whether justice and
| humanity, well enlightened economy,
do not require us, instead Of seeking TO punish
them for offences which are The result OF our
policy towards them, TO provide for their i'm
mediate wants, and encourage them 10 engage in
agriculture, and to rely on their labor instead
| of the chase for their means OF support.
Various important treaties have been negotIa-
| ted with different tribes during the year, by
| which their title TO large and valuable tracts OF
| country has been extinguished--al of which
! will, at the proper time, be submitted 10 the
| Senate for rattle alton.
The Joint commission under the treaty. of
Guadalupe Hdalgo, has been engaged in run
ming and marking the boundary line between
| the United States and Mexico.
! It was stated in the last annual report Of the
Secretary Of the Interior, that the initial point
| OF the Pacific and the point Of junction of the
Giia with the Colorado river, had been deter
mined, and the intervening line, about one hun
| dred and fifty miles in length, run and marked
. by temporary monuments. Since that time. a
monument of marble has been erected at the in
| ital point, and permanent landmarks of IRON
I have been placed at suitable distances along the
| line The initial point on the Rio GraRde has
| been fixed by the Commissioners, at latitude 81
! degrees y minutes; and at the date Of the last
| commun cat2n, the survey Of the line had been
made thence westward about one hundred and
| fifty miles, TO the ne5hborhood Of the Copper
mine. Tl6 commission, on our part, was at
first organized on scale which experience
proved 10 be unwieldy and attended with unne-
cessary expense. Orders have, therefore, been
| issued for the reduction Of the number of per-
! sons employed, within the sinalles, limits con-
sstent 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 Off
! GERS engaged in taking the census in the States
! aud Territories, except California. The Super
| inteEdent employed to make the enumeration in
that Slate, has not yet made his full report from
! causes, as he aliedges, beyond his control
! This failure is much to be regretted, as ii has
/ prevented the Secretary of the Interior from
making the decenn!al npportionment of repre-
/ sentatives among the States, as required by the
Act approved May 23d, 1850. 1t is hoped,
however, that the returns will soon be received
and no time will then be lost IN making the ne
cessary app ortonment, and in transmitting the
certificates required by law. The Superlnten-
dent of the 9TH census is diligently employed
under the direction Of the Secretary of the In
terror, in classifying and arranging in tabu ar
formal the statistical information derived from
the returns of the Marshal, and it Is believed
that, when the work shall be completed, it will
exhibit more perfect view of the population,
wealth, occupations, and social condition of
great country, than has ever been presented 10
the world
The value of such work as the basis of ell
lightened legislation can hardly be over estIma-
ted. and | earnestly hope that Congress will
loose no time in making the appropriation nee
esSary 10 complete the classification. and 70 pub
liSh the results. i'll style worthy of the subject
and OF our national character The want Of a
uniform fee-bll! prescribing the compensation TO
be allowed to nIstrlct attorneys, clerks. marshas
and commissioners. in civil and criminal cases
Is the cause tmuch veXation. injustice and com
plant. | would recommend thorough rcyis-
ION OF the laws on the whole subject, and the
adoption of tariff Of fees which. as far as prac-
tlcabe. should be uniform, and prescribe spe-
cIlic compensation iOr every service which the
officer may be required to perform. This sub
rect he full tod he oEt ~
Secretary oi the Interior.
In my last annual message, briefly gave my
reasons Tor believing that you possessed the COM
mercia power to improve the harbors oil our
great lakes and sea coast, and the navigation OF
our principal rivers, and recommended that ap-
prop latoHs should be made for completing such
works as had already been commenced, and for
commencing such others as might seem 10 the
wisdom vi Congress 10 be Of public Importance.
Without repeating the reasons there urged,
deem II my duty agalu 10 call YOUR attention 10
this important subject. The works on many of
the harbors were left in an unfinished state. and
consequently exposed TO the action OF the ele-
ments which IS fast DESTROYING them Great
numbers of lives, and vast amounts of property,
are annually lost, for wan, Of safe and convent
ent harbors on the lakes. None but those who
have been expose 10 that dangerous navigation
can tully appreciate the Importance OF the SUBJ
lcct. The whole Northwest appeals to YOU for
Te!lel, ana trust thelf Spheat vii! receive due
consideration at your hands. The same is, in
measure, true in regard to some OF the harbors
and lhlets on the SeGco>t. The WnobStructed
navigation oi our large rivers is OF equal lnpor-
lance. Our set lemeHtS are now extending 10
the sources of the rivers which empty into. and
form a part of the Mississippi, and the value OF
the public lands in these regions would be greatly
enhanced by freeing the navigation of these Wa
ters from obstruction, In view, Therefore. Of
this great interest. deem ii my duty 10 urge
again upon Congress-, 10 make such aVproprta-
tons for these improvements as they may deem
necessary.
The survey of the delta Of the Mississippi, /
with view TO the prevention of the oNeriiowS /
that have proved SO disastrous to that country, /
has been nearly terminated, and the reports /
thereof, are now IN preparation, and will short /
~ be laid before YOU,
The protection OF our southwestern froatier /
and of The adjacent Mexican States, against the /
Indian tribes, within our borders, has claimed |
my earnest and constant attention. Congress /
having failed at the last session 10 adopt my rc-
commendation, that an additional regiment OF !
mounted men, especially adapted to the services /
should be raised. all that remained TO be done /
was to make the best use OF the means at my ,
disposal. Accordingly, nil the loops adapted (
to its service that could properly be spared .
from other quarters, have been concentrated on .
that trontier, and officers Of high reputation Sc