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

I N,
public debt Of that State created prior TO her
! admission into the Union, with copy OF the
/ laws under which each class was contracted
| have, from the documents furnished by the
! Safe of Texas, determined II e classes OF claims
which IN my Judgment fall within the provis.on
of the act OF Congress of the 9th of September,
1850. On being officially informed OF the ac-
ceptance by Texas. OF the proposition contained
| in the act referred 10, | caused the stock TO be
prepared, and the five millions which are to be
issued Internationally, bearing an interest OF
| FIVE per cent. from the 1st day of January 1851,
! have been for some time ready to be delivered
to the State of Texas. The authorities of Texas
up Il, tie present time, have not authorized any
one TO receive this stock, and it remains iii the
Treasury Department. 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 Con-
greSs shall otherwise direct, by modification
Of the law.
In my last annual message, to which re-
spectfuIly FER, stated briefly the reasons
| which induced me to recommend modification
of the present tariff, by converting the ad ralo-
! rem into specific duty, 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 production,
| without excluding foreign competition.
The numerous frauds which continue to be
practiced upon the revenue, by false invoices
| and under valuations. constitute an unansWera-
BILE reason FOR adopting specific, instead of I'D
ualorem duties, In all cases where the nature of
| the commodity does not forbid it. Striking il
| Illustrations of these frauds will be exhibited in
| the report of the Secretary of the Treasury.
! showing ne cuStoru house valuat ion nj 81
reported under a former law, subject to specific
| duties, when there was no inducenent to under
| valuation. and the custom house valuation of
the same articles under the present dd ualorem
duties, greatly reduced as TO leave no doubt
| OF the existence OF the most fragrant abuses 1in-
der existing laws. The practical evasion of the
present law, combined with the lansuishing
condition of some Of the great interests Of the
| country, caused by over importation and con-
| sequent depressed prices, and with the failure
| in obtaining foreign market for our increasing
surplus in breadstuifs aud provisions, has in
| duced me again to rec .mmend modification of
| the existing tariff.
The report of the Secretary Of the Interior.
which accom- panies this commune ation, will
| present condensed statement of the opera
| tons of that important Department of the Gov
ernnent 1t will be seen, that the cash sales of
public lands exceed those of the preceding year.
and that there is reason 20 anticipate still fur
ther increase, notwithstanding The large dona-
| tons which have been made TO many of the
| States, and the liberal grants TO individuals as
reward for military services.
This fact furnishes very gratifying evidence
Of the growing wealth and prosperity of our
| country. Suitable measures have been adopted
for commencing survey Of the pnblic lands in
| California and Oregon. Surveying parties have
| been organized. and some progress has been
| made in establishing the prime pal base and ma
| rldian lines. But further leg islation and add-
| 'lonal appropriations will BE- necessary. before
| the proper subdivisions can be made, and the
| general land system extended OF er those remote
parts of our territory.
Tn the third of March last, an act was passed.
providing for the appointment of three commits
sioners to settle the private land claims in Cali
| lorna. Three persons were Immediately ap-
pointed, all Of whom, however, declined accep-
| ting the Office. IN consequence of the luadequa-
! cy OF the compensation. Others were prompt
" selected. who. for the same reason, also de-
clined, and il was not until late in the season
! that the services of suitable persons could be
! procured. majority Of the commissioners
convened in this city on the 10th of September
last, when detailed Instructions We're given them
! il regard to their s!nties. Their first meeting
FOX the transaction of Business will be held in
| San Francisco Oh the Sth day of the present
month. have thought it proper TO refer to
! theee iaciS. not only 10 explain the causes Of
! the delay IN filling tho commission, but to call
! your attention to the propriety of increasing the
copensatlon Of the commissioners. The office
Is one OF great labor and responsibility, and the
! compensation should be such as to command
/ men of high order of talent and the most ul-
/ questionable integrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral lands of
! California is subject surrounded by great diff
! hcultles. H. my last message. | recommended
! the survey aud sale of these lands in small par
cctS, under such restrictions Us would etiectua-
I rrtil Il mnuppDiv ti>n
But upon farther Information, and IN defer ence
| 10 the opinions of persons familiar with the sub
! lect, am inclined TO change that recommends
! ton and to advise that they be permitted to
| rcmain as at present. common field, open TO
the eutcl prise aad industry of all our citizens
/ until further experience shall have de, eloped
| the best policy To be ultimately adopted with
regard 10 them II is safer TO suffer the incon-
| senlence that now exists for short period,
than, by premature legislation, TO fasten on the
! country system founded in error, which may
| place the whole subject beyond the further con
| should, however, be surveyed and brought into
market, with as little delay as possible, that the
! titles may become settled, and the inhabitants
! stimulated 10 make permanent improvements
and enter upon the ordinary pursuits of life.
To effect these objects it is desirable that the
necessary provisions be made BY law for the
| establishment Of land offices in California and
1
! the surveys al an early day.
| Some difficulties have occurred In organizing
! the Territorial Governments Of New Mexico
and Utah, and when mere accurate information
shall be obtained Of the auSes, 4 further COM
| m0utcation vii he made on that subject.
la my last annual communication TO Congress,
! recommended the establishment of an Agri-
cultural Bureau, aud take this occasion again
| TO invite your favorable consideration OF the
Suhlcc, Agriculture may justly e regarded
as the grea, interest OF our people. Four-htths
Of our active population are employed IN the
cultivation OF the soil, and the rapid expansion
by our settlements over the territory, is daily
adding to the numher Of those engaged in that
vocation. Justice and sound policy, therefore,
alike reQuue, that Government should use all
| the meatls authorized by the Constitution TO
promote the interest aud welfare Of this impor-
,aat class ct our fellow citizens Aud Yet il is
4 singular fact, that while our manufacturing
| aud commercial Interests have engaged the al
teatian OF Congress during portion of every
session, aud our statutes abound in provisions
for their protection aud encouras rment, little I
has yet been done, directly, Tor the advance
:nsn, of agriculture, II is due that this reproacA
to our legislation should BE- removed, and sin-
! cerely hope that the present Congress will not
close its lahors without adopting ehelea, means
to supply the omissions OF these who have pre-