The New York herald., 1851-12-03

tical evasion Of The present law eenbined vtk ths
tsS.scsnns tS eondS, Of some Of the great interests Of
quent depressed prices and with the failure In obtaining
foreign market for ,ur fncssang surplus Of bread
mend modification Of the existing tariff
The report Of the Secretary Of the Interior which
ecmpanes TINS communication, viii present condensed
0asement OF the operations Of that important depart
mont Of the government
It win be seen that the cash sales Of the public lands
to anticipate stM further increase notwith-
standing the large donations which have been made
many o. the States M and the nSsr. grant: to ind,Su
sr.t ing evidence OF the growing wealth and pros
perity Of our country.
the survey Of the public lands in California and Oregon.
Surveying parties have been organised and pro.
gess has been made in establishing the principal base
and meridian lines But further legislation and sddi-
tona appropriations win be necessary hore the proper
suodvisens can be made, and the gasss land system
On the Sd Of March ast an act was passed providing
for the appointment 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 selected
until late in the season that the services Of suitable
sons could be secured. majority Of the commission
ers convened in this city the 10th Of September last
TO their duties Their first meeting for the transaction
Of fbusness will be held in ean Francisco on the eighth
day Of the present month.
have thought it proper to refer to these facts not
only to explain the Of the delay In ing the
mission but to call your attention to the proprety Of
increasing the compensation Of the commissioners The
ONCE is ef great labor and responsibility and the
compensation should be such - to command men of Q
high order of talents and the most unquestionabe nte
The proper disposal of the mineral lands Of California
subject surrounded by great difficulties In my last
annual message recommended the survey and sale Of
them in small parcel under such restrictions would
efectually guard against monopoly and speculation
But upon further information and In Difference to the
Cf fpara farniIi rvufh fhao
clned to change that recommendation and to advise
that they be permitted to remain, at present. CON-
mon field open to the enterprise and industry Of all
citizens until further experience shall have developed
the best policy to be ultimately adopted in regard to
exist for short period, than by premature egsation
to fasten on the country system founded In error
which place the whole subject beyond the future
The agricultural lands should however be surveyed
and brought into market with as little delay possible
that the titles may become settled, and the inhabitants
stimulated to make permanent improvements and enter
on the ordinary pursuits Of e TO effect these objects
desirable that the necessary provision be made by
law for the establishment Of land offices in California and
Oregon and for the efficient prosecution Of the surveys
at an early day.
Some dcultiss have occurred in organizing the ter
ritorisl governments Of New Mexico and Utah; and,
when accurate information shall be obtained Of the
causes, further communication will be made on that
subject
In my last annual communication to Congress re-
commended the establishment Of an Agricultural Bu-
Ieau and take this occasion again to invoke your IA
Agriculture may justly be regarded the great nte-
rests Of people Four ths Of active population
employed in the cultivation Of the soil and the rapid
expansion Of settlements territory daily
adding to the number Of those engaged in that vocation
Justice and sound policy, therefore alike require that
the government should use all the means authorized by
the constitution to promote the interests and welfare OF
that important class of fellow citizens And yet it
Is singular fact that whilst the nanufac turing and
commercial interests have engaged the attention Of Con-
gress during large portion of every session, and
statutes abound in provisions for their protection and
hso
Advancement Of agriculture 1t is time that this re-
proseh to legislation should be removed and sim
Without sdopnS ep mean. TO snOnv th
omissions Of those who have preceded them.
An Agricultural Bureau charged with the duty of col
ectipg and disseminating information the
best modes Of cultivation and Of the most efectual
means Of preserving and restoring the fertility of the
soil and Of procuring and distributing seeds and plants
and other vegetable productions, with instructions in
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,
"very cheap instrument Of immense national benefit
Regarding the act Of Congress approved 2sth septem
ber 1850 granting bounty lands to persons who had
been engaged In the military service Of the country
great measure Of national Justice and munfoence an
anxious desire has been felt by the ocers entrusted
provsions An the means within their control were
therefore, brought into requtiop expedite the Adu
dicston Of claims and am grssinsd to be able TO state
that hundred thousand apple have been
considered and about seventy thousand issued
within the short space Of nine months II adequate
mendstions Of the department Is confidently expected
that before the close Of the next esca year all
entitled TO the benefits Of the act viii have their
warrants.
The Secretary Of the Interior has suggested in his re-
port various amendments Of the svs relating pensions
guarding sgsinst sbuses and frauds on the
to all Of which invite your particular attention.
The large aceessons 70 our Indian population conse-
quen upon the acquisition OF New Mexico and CAor-
na and the extension Of settlements 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 Indian tribes
Who reside in the Northwestern Territory and Of the
1t will be OF pleasure you to learn that they
are gradually advancing In civilization and the pursuits
Along the Mexican frontier and In California, and
Oregon, there have been occasional manifestations Of
unfriendly feeling ami some depredstions committed
the destitute and starving condition Of the Indians than
from any settled hostility toward the whites As the
game upon which they mainly rely for subsstence is
driven on or destroyed and the only alternative left
them Is starvation or puns.r II becomes US to con-
eider In view Of this condition Of thpgs whether justice
and humanity. az well ~ enlightened economy, do
not require that instead Of seeking punish them for
offences which the result Of policy towards
them should provide for their immediate wants
and encourage them to engage In agriculture and 70
rely on their labor instead Of the chase for the Of
support.
Various important treaties have been negotiated with
different tribes during the year BY which their title to
ielRc NtuhDt tfacts OF county been eXtfn-
suished all Of which will at the proper time submit
ted to the Senate for ratification.
The jsint commission under the treaty OF Guadalupe
Hidslgo ba been actively engaged in running and mark
ing the boundary line between the United States and
Mexico II 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 Ga with the
Colorado river hsa been determined and the interv
ing line. about hundred and ffty miles in length,
run and marked by temporary monuments. Since that
time Of marble has been erected the ini-
tis point and perma landmarks Of iron have been
| placed at suitable distances along the line
The initial point the Rio Grssde has also been xed
by the commissioners at latitude 80 deg "a min and
the date Of the last communication the survey OF the
line had been msde thence westward about hun ired
ard y miles 10 the neighborhood Of the copper mines
The commission on our part was st first organized
.cale which experience proved TO B. unweldy aud at
tended with unnecessary expense orders have there
fere been issued for the reduction of the number q
sons employed within the smallest limits, consistent
with the safety Of those engaged In the service and the
prompt and ecis Mt execution Of their important dutes
Returns have been received from sll the ofcers en-
seged in taking the census in the States and Tetori
excerpt California The superintendent employed to make
the enumeration In that state has Yet made his full