The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-12-12

!
sage recommended the survey and sale OF
them in small parcels, under such rrstr'c'
tons az would etlectualy guard against
monopoly and speculation. But upon
further information, and IN difference I" the
opinions of persons familiar with the subs
ject, am inclined to change that recom-
menlation, and TO advise that they be per.
mited TO remain, as nj present. common
| field, open TO The enterprise and industry
! of all our cliZenS, until further experience
shall have developed the best policy to he
ultimately adopted in regard TO them. II is
safer to suffer the lncOnvenienceS that now
exist, for a short perlor. than, by prema
| ture legislation, to lasten on the country a
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
as ltle delay as possible, that the titles
! NAV become settled. and the inhabitants
stimulated TO make permanent improve
mentS, and enter on the ordinary pur>uns
| OF he TO effect these objects il is desra-
| bic that the necessary provision be made
! by law for the establishment OF land Offices
IN California and Oregon. and for the ETH"
Gent prosecution OF the surveys al an early
dav
Some difficulties have occurred in or
gaming the Territorial governments Of
New Mexico and Utah. and. when more
accurate information Shall he Obtained of
the causes. a further communication will
Ue made on that su hjact
In my last annual communication 10
Congress recommended the eslahl 81 .
ment of an Agricultural Bureau. and
take tn occasion again TO invnse your
favorable consideration Of the subject.
Agriculture may justly be regarded as
the srea, interest Of our people. -Four,
ttlhs Of our active population are employee
IN the cultivation Of the soil, and the rapid
expansion of our settlements over new
territory is daily adding to the number Of
those engaged IN that vocation. Justice
and sound policy. therefore, alike require
that the Government should use al the
means authorized b. the Constitution TO
promote the interests and welfare of thai
mpor ant class Of our fellow citizens. -
And vet i, is a singular fact that, whilst the
manufacturing AMI commercial interest:
have engaged the attention Of Corgres!
during a .arce portion OF every session
and our statutes alb und in provisions f)l
their protection and encouragement. little
has yet been done directly Tor the advance
ment of agriculture. 1t is time that thi.
reproach 10 our legislation should be re
moved; and sincerely hope that the pres.
ent Congress will not close their labor:
without adopting efficient means 10 suppl,
the omissions OF those who have preceded
them.
An Agricultural Bureau, charged with
the duty Of collecting and eminating
correct information as 10 the best modes OF
cultivation, and of the In ost effectual means
of preserving and restoring the fertility oil
the soil, and Of procuring and distributing
seeds and plants and other vegetable pro.
duc,ions, with Instructions in regard to the
soil, climate. and treatment bes, adapted 10
their growth, could not fail TO he, IN the
language Of Washington, IN his last annual
message to Congress, a every cheap IN
slrument of immense national benefit"
| Regarding the act of Congress approved
2S,h September, 1850, granting bounty
lands TO persons who had been engaged il
the military service Of the country, as
great measure Of national justice ant
munifcence. an anxious desire has beef
, felt, by the officers entrusted with its i'm
; mediate execution, TO give prompt effect II
, its provisions. A the means within lhei
control were, therefore. brough, into requl
. si'ion 10 expedite the adjudication of claims
: and am gratfied 10 he able to state tina
, near one hundred thousand application
. have been considered, and about sevenI,
thousand warrants issued within the shor
space OF nine months. II adequate pro
vision be made by law TO carry into effec
the recommendation Of the Department, i
is confidently expected that, before III
close Of the next fiscal year. all who az
received their warrants.
The Secretary of the Interior has sug
, ges,ed in his report various amendments q
the laws relating to pensions and bounty
lands. for the purpose Of more efectuall
= guarding against abuses and frauds on tn
f Government, to all of which invite you
I particular attention.
The large accessions 10 our Indian popr
e lalion consequent upon the acquisition {
? New Mexico and California, and the ex
E tension Of our settlements into Utah an
e Oregon, have given increased interest an
D importance TO our relations with the abors
8 inal race.
v No material change has taken place
: within The last year, in the condition an
prospects of the Indian tribes who reside i
the Northwestern Territory and west of tn
r Mississippi river. We are at peace will
S all of them; and il will be a source Of pleas
, ure 10 you to learn that they are gradual
advancing in civilization aud the pursuit
, of social life.
I Along the Mexican frontier, and in Cal
fornia, and Oregon, there have been occas
+ ional manifestations of unfriendly feeling
and some depredations committed. al
, satisfied, however, that they resulted NOR
from the destitute and starving condition {
, the Indians than from any settled hosulit
f toward the whites. As the settlements q
4 our cillzens progress towards them, tn
e game upon which lhey manly rely 10
!. subsistence is driven off or destroyed, an
y the only alternative left 10 them is starva
e ton or plumber. 1t becomes US 10 considel
. in view of this condition Of things, whe,he
o us,Ice and humanity, az we'll us an er
. llighleued economy, do not require thu
S Instead Of seeking 10 punish them tor the
L r