Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-06


Suitable measures have been adopted for commencin
the survey OF the public lands in California and Oregon
Surveying parties have been organized and some progress
has been made IN establishing the principal base ant
meridian lines But further legislation and additona
appropriations will be necessary before the proper subd
visions can be made and the general land system extend
\ ed over those remote parts of our territory
On the 3D. OF March last act passed providing 70,
the appointment Of three commissions settle private
land claims in California. Three persons were Immediate
y appointed, all of whom however declined accepting
tile Office in consequence Of the inadequacy of the COM
pensation. Others promptly selected who for the
same reason, also declined and it until late in
the season that the services of suitable persons could be
secured majority of the commissioners convened in
this city, the 10th Of September last when detailed in
structons given to them in regard to their duties
Their first meeting for the transaction business will be
held in San francisco the 9th day of the present month
have thought proper to refer to these facts not only
to explain the of the delay in filing the commits
on but to call attention the proprety of ncreas
ing the compensation of the commissioners The office is
OF great labor and responsibility and the compensa-
ton should be such to command Of high order of
| talents and the most unquestionable integrity.
The proper disposal Of the mineral lands Of California
is subject surrounded by great difficulties In nv last
annual message recommended the survey and sale Of
them in small parcels under such restrictions as would
efectuay guard against monopoly and speculation. But
upon further information and in Difference the opinions
OF persons familiar with the subject am inclined to
change that recommendation and to advise that they be
permitted to remain, at present field open
to the enterprise and industry of all citizens until
experience shall have developed the best policy
be ultimately adopted in regard to them is safer
suffer the Inconvenience that exist for short pc
riod than by premature legislation, to fasten the
country system founded in error which may place the
whole subject beyond the future control of Congress
The agricultural lands should, however be surveyed
and brought into market with little delay possible
that the titles may become settled and the inhabitants
stimulated to make permanent improvements and enter
on the ordinary pursuits of life To effect these objects
desirable that the necessary provision be made by
law for the establishment of land offices in California and
for off, of
at an early day.
Some difficulties have occurred in organizing the Terri
toral Governments of New Mexico and Utah and when
information shall be obtained of the causes
further communication will be made that subject
In my last annual communication to Congress I re-
commended the establishment of Agricultural Bureau,
and take this occasion again invoke your favorable
consideration of the subject
Agriculture may justly be regarded the great interest
of people, Four-fths of active population
employed in the cultivation Of the SOIL and the rapid
pansion of settlements territory is daily
adding to the number of those engaged in that vocation
Justice and sound policy therefore, alike require that the
Government should all the authorized by the
Constitution promote the interests and welfare of that
important class of our feow-ctzens. And yet it is
singular fact that whilst the manufacturing and CONNER
ca interests have engaged the attention Of Congress dur
ing large portion of every session. and statutes
abound in provisions for their protection and encourage
ment little has yet been done directly for the advance
ment of agriculture 1t is time that this reproach
legislation should be removed and sincerely hope that
the present Congress win not close their abors without
adopting efficient to supply the omissions of those
who have preceded them.
An Agricultural Bureau charged with the duty Of col
Letting and disseminating correct information to the
best modes of cultivation and of theos eectua Of
preserving and restoring the fertility of the SOIL and of pro-
curing and distributing seeds and plants and
productions with instructions regard to the SOIL climate
and treatment best adapted to their growth could not fail
to be- in the language of Washington, in his last annual
message to Congress, every cheap instrument of i'm
mense national benefit"
rdiupth he act M 0Sfh
ber $780, granting bounty lands to persons who had been
engaged in the military service of the country, great
measure of national justice and munfcence an anxious
desire has been felt by the officers entrusted with its i'm
mediate execution to give prompt effect to its provisions
All the within their control were therefore, brought
into requiston to expedite the adjudication of claims
and am grated to be able to state that hun
bred thousand applications have been considered and
about seventy thousand warrants issued within the short
law to 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
port various amendments of the laws relating pensions
and bounty lands, for the purpose of eectually
guarding against abuses and frauds the Government
to all OF which invite yonr particular attention.
The large accessions to our Indian population conse
quent upon the acquisition of New Mexico and California
and the extension Of settlements into Utah and Ore
gon have given increased interest and Importance to
relations with the aboriginal race.
No material change has taken place within the last
year the condition and prospects of the Indian tribes
who reside in the Northwestern Territory and west Of the
Mississippi river We at peace with all Of them and
it 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
friendly feeling and depredations committed am
satisfied however that they resulted from the des
ute and starving condition of the Indians than from any
settled hostility toward the whites As the settlements
of citizens progress towards them, the game upon
which they mainly rely for subsistence is driven off
destroyed and the only alternative left to them is sarya
ton plumber. 1t becomes to consider, in view of
this condition of things whether justice and humanity
well heightened economy do not require that in
stead of seeking punish them for offences which the
result of policy towards them should pro-
vide for their immediate wants and encourage them to
engage in agriculture and to rely 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
large and valuable tracts of country has been exngushed
all of which will at the proper time be submitted to the
Senate for ratification.
The joint commission under the treaty of Guadalupe
Hdalgo has been actively engaged in running and mark
ing the boundary line between the United States and
Mexico 1t stated in the last annual report of the
Secretary of the Interior, that the initial point the
Pacific and the point Of junction Of the ella with the
Colorado river had been determined and the intervening
line about hundred and fifty miles in length and
marked by temporary monuments. Since that time
monument of marble has been erected the initial point
and permanent landmarks of iron have been placed at
suitable distances along the line.