The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-12-05

classes Of claims which in my judgment
fall within the provisions of the act OF
Congress of the 9th Of September, 1850.
On being officially informed Of the ac-
ceptanec by Texas of the propositions
contained in the act referred to, / caused
the stock to be prepared, and the five mih
lions which are to be issued uncondition-
ally, bearing an interest of FIVE per cent.
from the first day of January, 1851, have
been for some time ready to be delivered
to the State of Texas. The authorities
of Texas, up to the present time, have
not. authorized any one to receive. this
stock, and it remains in the Treasury De-
partment, subject TO the order Of Texas.
The releases, required by law TO be de-
posted in the Treasury, not having been
filed there, the remaining FIVE millions
have not been issued This last amount
of the stock will be withheld from Texas
until the conditions upon which it is to be
delivered shall be complied with by the
creditors of that State, unless Congress
shall otherwise direct by modification
Of the law. asf
In my last annual message, 10 which I
respectfully refer, stated briefly the rea.
sons which induced me to recommend
modification Of the present tariff, by con-
verting the ad valorum into specific du-
ty, wherever the article imported was OF
such character as to permit it, and that
such discrimination should be made, in
favor of the industrial pursuits of our
own country, as to encourage home pro-
duction without excluding foreign compe-
tition.
The numerous frauds which continue
to be practised upon the revenue, by false
invoices and underyaluations, constitute
an unanswerable reason for adopting spc-
ci6c 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
ject to specific duties, when there was no
iuducement to undervaluation, and the
custom house valuations of the same arti-
cles, under the present system Of ad va
loren duties, SO greatly 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 languishing
condition of some Of the great interests
of the country, caused by over importa-
tons and consequent depressed prices,
and with the failnre in obtaining foreign
market for our increasing surplus bread
stufs and provisions, has induced me a.
gain 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.
twill be seen that the cash sales Of the
public lands exceed those Of the preceding
year, and that there is reason to anticipate
still further increase, notwithstandin
the large donations which have been made
to many of the States, and the liberal
grants to individuals as Il reward for mill
tary services. This fact furnishes very
gratifying evidence of the growing wealth
and prosperity Of our country.
Suitable measures have been adopted
for commencing the survey of the public
lands in California and Oregon. Survey
| ing parties have been organized, and some
progress has been made in establishing
the principal base and meridian lines
But further legislation and additional APP
preparations will be necessary before the
proper subdivisions can be made, and 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
of three commissioners to settle private
land claims in California. Three persons
were Immediately appointed, all of whom,
however, declined accepting the Office, in
consequence Of the inadequacy Of the
compensation. Others were promptly se-
lected, who, for the same reason, also de-
clined; and it was not until late in the sea-
son that the services of suitable persons
could be secured. A majority of the
commissioners convened in this city, on
the 10th of September last, when detail
ed instructions were given to them in re-
gard to their duties. Their first meeting
for the transaction of business will be held
in San Francisco on the 9th day of the
present month
Ihave thought it proper to refer to
these facts, not only to explain the causes
of the delay in filing the commission, but
to call your attention to the propriety of
increasing the compensation Of the COM
missioners. The Office is one Of great la
Dor and responsibility, and the compensa-
ton should be such as to command men
Of high order of talents and the most un-
questionable integrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral
lands of California is a subject surround
ed by great difficulties, in my last annual
message recommended the survey and
sale Of them in small parcels, under such
restrictions as would effectually guard
against monopoly and speculation. But
upon further information, and in Difference
In tha nninione &c ,~o.oo.o fo,...l,o. Ill