Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-12-10

i
lthorities of Texas, up to the presSn y. ;,ne
have not authorized any one to fes e.ss
this stock, and it remains in the Treasuf,
Department, subject to the order OF Tex
ass
The release, required by law to be de-
pusited in the Treasury not having been
filed there, the remaining 1--WE millions
have not been issued. This last amount
of the stock will be withheld from Texas
until the conditions upon which it's to be
delivered shall be complied with by the
creditors of that State, unless Congress
shall otherwise direct by modification of
the law.
In my last annual message, to which l
respectfully refer, 1 stated briefly the
reasons which induced me to recommend
modification of the present tariff, by
converting the ad valorem into specific
duty, wherever the article imported was
of such a character as to permit 1t, ana
that such a discrimination should be made
in favor of the industrial pursuits oil our
own country, as to encourage nome pro-
duction without excluding foreign compe-
ton. -,
The numerous frauds which continue to
be practised upon the revenue, by false
invoices and undervaluations, constitute
an unanswerable reason for adopting spe-
ciGc instead of ad valorem duties in all
cases where the nature of the commodity
does not forbid it. A striking illustration
of these frauds will be exhibited in the
Report of the Secretary of the Treasury,
showing the custom-house valuation OF
articles imported under former law sub
icct to specific duties, when there was no
Iinducement to differentiation, and the
custom-house valuation of the same artl-
cles, under the present system of ad va
! loren duties, so generally reduced as to
leave no doubt of the existence OF the
most fragrant abuses under the existing
laws. This practical evasion of the pre-
sent law, combined with the languishmg
condition of some of the great interests
; of the country, caused by over mpor-
/ tations and consequent depressed prices
and with the failure in obtaining a for
eign market for our increasing surplus OF
breadstuffs and provisions, has induced
me to recommend modification OF the
existing tariff.
The report of the Secretary of the In
terror, which accompanies this communi'
cation, will present condensed statement
of the operations of that important de-
partment of the Government.
1t will be seen that the cash sales OF
the public lands exceed those of the pre-
cceding year, and that there is reason to
anticipate a still furthcrincrcase, notwith-
standing the large donations which have
been made TO many of the States, and
the liberal grants to individuals AS a re-
ward for military services. This fact fur
nishes very gratifying evidences of the
growing wealth ard prosperity Of our
suitable measures. haye been adopted
for commencing the survey of the public
lands in California and Oregon. Survey
ing parties have been organizcdk and
some progress has been made i'll cstSblsl-. /
ing the principle baso and meridian lines.
But further legislation and additional APP
preparations will be ncccssary"befOrc the
| proper subdivisions can be made, altd the
/ general land system extended over those
remote parts of our territory.
On the Sd of March last an act was
passed providing for the appointment OF
three commissioners to settle private land
claims in California. Three persons were
INN cdiately appointed, all of whom,
! however, declined accepting the Office,
in consequence of the inadcquacy OF the
compensation Others were ~ pr PIX w..
declined and it was not until late in the
season, that the services of suitable per
sons could be secured. A majority Of
the commissioners convened, in this city
on the 10th of September last, when dc
tailed instructions were given TO them i'll
regard to their duties, Their first NEE
ting for the transaction of business will
be held in San Francisco on the 9th day
of the present month.
| have thought it proper to refer TO
these facts, not only TO explain the causes
of the delay in filling the commission,
but to call your attention TO the propriGty
of increasing the compensation of the
commissioners. The Office is one of
great labor and responsibility, and the
compensation should be such as to com
mand men of a high order of talents and
the most unqucstionabIc integrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral
lands of California is subject surrOun'
dcd by great difficulties. In my last an
nual message l recommended the survey
and sale of them in small parcels, under
such restrictions as would cifcctually guard
against monopoly and speculation. But
upon further information, and in Difference
to the opinions of persons familiar with
the subject, / am inclined to change that
recommendation and TO advise that they
be permitted to remain, as at present,
common field, open to the enterprise and
industry of all our citizens, until further
experience shall have developed the best
policy to be ultimately adopted in regard
TO them. 1t is safer to suffer the inconve-
niences that now exist, for short period,