Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-10
NO. w.

s,,,ed in the last annual report of .he Secreia
rv of The Interior. that the initial point on 10.
Pacific and The point of junction OF the Gila VIII,
| ,hs Colorado river had bsen determined, ana
ihe intervening line, about one hundred and nj
~ miles in leuath, run and marked by temPora.
~ monuments. Since that time monument
Of marble has been erected al the initial point
and nermaueut land mlrks of iron have been
placed at suitable distances along the line.
The initial point on the Rio Grands has aIcc
been fixed by the commissioners at hihude
32o 22', and at the date of the last communfea'
lion the survey of the line bad been male thence
westward about one hundred and hfsy miles 10
The peishborhood ofthe copper mines.
The commission on our part was al hrs' or
panized on scale which experience proved 10
be unwieIdy and att ended with unnecessary ex'
pense. Orders have, therefore, been issued Tor
ihe reduction of the number OF persons employ
ed within the smallest limits, consistent WIFE
The safety of those engaged in the service, and
the prompt and efficient execution OF their I'M
portant da ties.
Returns have been received from az the Off
GERS engaged in taking the census in the States
and Territories, except California. The super
in,endent 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 he regretted, as it has prevent
ed .he Secretary ofthe Interior from making the
decennia apportionment of represenlati yes a.
mong The States, as required by The act appTov-
ell May %, 1850. 1t is hoped, however, that
The returns will soon be received, and 30 time
will then be lost in making the necessary ap-
2orlionment, and in llaLsmittins the certificates
required by law
The Superintendent of The Seventh Census is
diligently employed, uader the direction OF the
Secretary of the Interior, in classifying & ar.
ranging in tabular form, alllhe Statistical infof-
nation derived from the returns of The marshals,
and it is believed that when the work is compile
ted it will exhibit more perfect view OF the
population, wealth. occupations, and social con-
dition of a great country, than has ever been
presented 10 the world. The value of such n
work, as the basis of enlightened legislation,
can hardly be overeslimated; and I earnestly
hope that Congress will lose no time in making
the appropriations necessary 10 complete The
classiGcaions and 10 publish the results in
style worthy Of the subject and OF orr naionaf
character.
The want of uniform fee bill, prescribing
the compensation TO be allowed district attor~
neys, clerks, marshals, and commissioners IN
civil and criminal cases, is the cause OF much
YexdIlOI, lIuSllCC duu L "O"io
commend thorough revision of the laws on the
whole subject, and the adoption of tariff OF
fees which, as far as practicable, should be unis
form, and prescribe a specific compensation for
every service which the officer may be required
TO perform. The subject will be fully present.
ed in the report of the Secretary OF The Interior.
In my last ANIMAL message gave briefly my
reasons for believing that you Possessed the
constitutional power 10 improve the harbors OF
our great lakes and seacoast, and the navigation
Of our principal rivers, & recommended that sp~
propriations should be made for completing such
works as had already been commenced, and tor
commencing such others as might seem 10 the
wisdom of Congress 10 be OF public aud general
Importance Without repeating the reasons then
1raed. deem i, m, duty again 10 call your at
ten:ion to this important subject.
The works on many of The harbors were left
in an unfinished state, and consequently exposed
TO the action OF the elements, which is fast de-
stroying them. Great numbers OF lives and vast
amounts of properly are annually lost Tor want
of safe and convenient harbors or the lakes
None but those who have been exposed 10 that
dangerous navigation can fully appreciate tho
importance of this subject. The whole north-
west appeals 10 you for relief, and trust their
appeal will receive due consideration at your
hands.
The same is in measure true in regard TO-
some of The harbors and iuleis on the sea coast.
The uuobsructed navigation OF ouI large riv-
ers is of equal i'm oorlance. Our settlements are
now extending 10 The sources Of the great rivers
which empty into, and form part of, the Mis-
sissippi, AID the value Of the public lands in
those regions would be greatly enhanced BY
freeing the navigation of those waters from OBJ
struclions In view, therefore, of this great In.
,erest, deem it my duty again 10 arge upon
Congress 10 make such appropriations for these
improvements as they may deem necessary.
Tha survey of the Delta of the Mississippi,
with view 10 the prevention OF the oveTdows
that have proved so disastrous 10 that region OF
country, have been nearly completed, and the
reports thereof are now in course Of preparationr
and will shortly be laid before you.
The protection Of our southwestern frontierS
and of the adjacent Mexican States, against the
Indian tribes within our border, has claimed my
earnest aud constant attention. Congress hav@
inc failed, at The last session 10 adopt my recon-
mendation that an additional regiment OF mount
ed men specially adapted 10 that service should
be raised, all that remained to be done was To-
make the best Use of The means at my disposal.
Accordingly, all the troops adapted to that ser.
vice that conli properly be spared from other
and officers of high reputation selected 10 COM
mand them. A new arrangement OF the militia
ry posts has also been made, whereby the troops
are brought nearer 10 the Mexican frontier and
10 the tribes they are intended TO overawe.
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to realize
all the benefits that are expected 10 result from
these arrangements, but have every reason To-
hope that they will elfectually check their ma
rauding expeditions. The nature OF the coIpS
Try, which furnishes little for the support of an
army and abounds in places of refuge and con-
cealment, is remarkably well adapted TO this
predatory warfare; and we can scarcely hope
that any military force, combined with the great
est vigilance, can entirely suppress it.
BY The treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo we are
bound 10 protect the territory Of Mexico against
the iucursions of the savage tribes within our
border "wilh equal diligence and energy" as if
the same were made within our territory or a.
gainst our citizens. have endeavored TO COM
ply, as far as possible, with this povision of the
treaty Orders have been given 10 the officers COM
manding on that frontier 10 consider The Mexi<
can territory and its inhabitants as equally with
our own entitled 10 their protection and 10 make
all their plans and arrangements with yi6w To-
the attainment of this object. Instructions havo
also been given 10 the Indian commissioners and
agents among these tribes, in all treaties. TO
make The clauses designed for the protection Of
our own citizens apply also 10 those OF Mexico.
have no reason 10 doubt that ihese instructions
have been fully carried into effect. Neverthe-
less, il is probable that, in spite of all our efforts
some Of the neighboring States of Mexico may
have suffered, as our own have, from dspreda-
tions by the Indians.