American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02

carry into effect the recommendations of the De-
partment, it is confidently expected that, before
the close of the next fiscal year. all who entitled
to the benefits Of the act will have received their
warrants.
The Secretary Of the Interior has suggested in
his report various amendments of the laws relating
to pensions and bounty lands, for the purpose of
more effectually guarding against abuses and
frauds on the Government, to all Of which invite
your particular attention
The large accessions to our Indian population
consequent upon the acquisition of New Mexico
and California, and the extension of our settle
ments into Utah and Oregon, have given increased
interest and importance to 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 Terrific
ry and west of the Mississippi river. We are at
peace with all of them; and it will be q source 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
unfriendly feeling, and some deprcdations commit
ted. am satisfied, however, that they resulted
more from the destitute and starving condition of
the Indians than from any settled hostility toward
the whites As the settlements of our citizens pro-
gross towards them, the game upon which they
mainly rely for subsistence is driven off or de-
stroyed, and the only alternative left to them is
starvation plumber It becomes US to consider,
in view of this condition of things, whether justice
and humanity, as well as an enlightened economy,
do not require that. instead of seeking to punish
them for offences which are the result of our own
policy towards them, should not provide for
their immediate wants and encourage them to
gage in agriculture and to rely on their labor in
stead 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 large and valuable tracts of country
has been extingushed, all of which WILL at the
proper time, be submitted to the Senate for ratca
ton.
The joint commission under the treaty of Guada-
lupe Hidalgo has been actively engaged in run
ming and marking the boundary line between the
United States and Mexico. 1t was stated, in the
last annual report of the Secretary of the Interior
that the initial point the Pacific and the point of
Junction OF tnc Ulla WIN the COl0rad0 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 permanent landmarks ofiron
have been placed at suitable distances along the
line.
The initial point on the Rio Grande has also been
fixed by the commissioners at latitude 800 22', 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 neighborhocd of
the copper mines.
The commission on part at first organ
- =. aoaia which experience proved to be un-
wieldy and attended with unnecessary expense.
Orders have, therefore, been issued for the reduc-
ton of the number of persons employed within the
smallest limits, consistent with the safety of those
engaged in the service, and the prompt and eff
cient execution Of their important duties.
Returns have been received from all the officers
engaged in taking the census in the States and Ter
ritorics, except California. The superintendent
employed TO make the enumeration in that State
has not yet made his full report, from causes, as
he alleges, beyond his control. This failure is
much to be regretted, il has prevented the Sec
rotary Of the Interior from making the decennal
apportionment of representatives among the States
as required by the act approved May %, 1850.
1t is hoped, however, that the returns will coon
be received, and no time will then be lost in MAX
ing ne necessary apportionmcnt, and in transmit
ting the certificates required by law.
The Superintendent of the Seventh Census is
diligently employed, under the direction Of the
Secretary of the Interior, in classifying and ar
ranging in tabular form, all the statistical informa-
ton derived from the returns of the marshas and il
Is believed that when the work shall be completed
ii will exhibit more perfect view of the popu-
lation, wealth, occupations, and social condition
Oft great country, than has been presented to
the world. The value of such a work, as the basis
OF enlightened legislation, hardly be over
estimated; and earnestly hope that Congress will
lose no time in making the appropriations neces-
sary to complete the classifcations, and to pub.
lish the results in style worthy Of the subject
and of our national character.
The want ofn uniform fee bill, prescribing the
compensation to be allowed district attorneys,
clerks, marshals, and commissioners in civil and
criminal cases, is the cause of much vexation, in
justice, and complaint would recommend tho
rough revision of the laws on the whole subject, and
the adoption of tariff of fees which, as far as prac
ticabe, should be uniform, and prescribe specific
compensation for every service which the officer
may be required to perform This subject will be
fully presented in the report Of tho Secretary of
the Interior.
In my last annual message ] gave briefly my
reasons for believing that you possessed the con-
stitutiona power to improve the harbors Of our