The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-12-11

have been for some time ready to be delivered
TO the State of Texas. The authorities OF Texas,
up to the present time, have not authorized any
one to receive their stock, and it remains IN the
Treasury Department, subject to the order oi
Texas.
The releases, required by law to be deposited
in the Treasury not having been filed there, the
remaining FIVE millions have not been issued;
This last amount of the stock VIII De "ltnneIu W
from Texas until the conditions upon "hlch 1t
is to delivered shall be complied with py tne
creditors of that State, unless Congress snail
otherwise direct by a modification of the law
In nv last annual message, TO which respect
fully refer | stated briefly the reasons which
induced me to recommend n modification of the
present tariff, by converting the al yalorem INTO
a specific duty, wherever the article imported
was of such character to permit 1t, and that
such a 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
practised upon the revenue, by false invoices
and underyaluatiOns constitute an unanswerable
reason for adopting specific instead of al valorem
duties in all cases where the nature Of the com
modify does not forbid it. A striking llustra-
ton of these frauds will be exhibited in the Re
port of the Secretary of the Treasury, showing
the custOm-hOuse valuation of articles imported
under a former law subject to specific duties,
and the custom-house valuations of the same
articles under the present system of al yalorem
duties, so greatly reduced as TO leave no doubt
of the existence of the most fragrant abuses I'M
der the existing laws. This practical evasion
of the present law, combined with the anguish
ing condition of some of the great interests OF
the country, caused by over importatiOns and
consequent depressed prices, and with the failure
iii obtaining foreign market for our increasing
surplus of breadstuffs and provisions, has in
duced me again to ecommend q modification of
the existing tariff
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
which accompanies this communication, will
present condensed statement of the operation
of that important department of the Govern
ment.
1t will be seen that the cash sales Of the pub
lie lands exceed those Of the preceding year,
and that there is reason to anticipate still fur
ther increase, notwithstanding the large dona-
tions which have been made to many of the
States, and the liberal grants to individuals as
a reward for military services This fact fur
nishes very gratifying evidence of the growing
wealth and prosperity of our country.
Suitable measures have been adopted for COM
mencing the survey of the public lands in Cali
fornia and Oregon. Surveying parties have been
organized, and some progress has been made in
establishing the principal base and meridian
lines. But further legislation and additional
appropriations will be necessary before the pro-
per subdivisions can be made, and the general
land system extended over those remote parts of
our territory.
On the Sd of March last an act was passed
providing for the appointment of three commits
sioners to settle private land claims in Califor-
mia. Three persons were Immediately appoint
ed, all of whom, however, declined accepting
the office, in consequence of the lnadequacy of
the compensation. Others were promptly Sc
lected, who, for the same reason, also declined; ;
and was not until late in the son that he
services of suitable persons could be secured. A
majority of the commissioners convened, in this
city. on the 10th of September last, when de-
tailed instructions were given to them in regard
TO their duties. Their first meeting for the
transaction of business will be held in San
Francisco on the eighth day of the present
month.
have thought it proper to refer to these facts,
not only to explain til; causes of the delay in
filling the commission but to call your attention
to the propriety of increasing the compression of
Of the commissioners. The Office is one OF great
labor and responsibility, and the compensation
should be such as to command men of a high
order of talents and the most unquestiOnable
integrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral lands of
California is subject surrounded by great diff
tculties. In my last annual message | recon-
mended the survey and sale of them in small
parcels, under such restrictions as would effec-
But upon further information, and in Difference
to the opinions Of persons familiar with the sub
ject, | am inclined to change that recommends
ton, and to advise that they may be permitted
to remain, as at present, common field open
to the enterprise and industry of all our citizens
until further experience shall have developed
the best policy to be ultimately adopted in re-
gard to them. 1t is safer to suffer the incon-
veniences that now exist, for a short period
than, by premature legislation to fasten on the
country a system founded in error which NAV
place the whole subject beyond the future con-
troll of Congress.
The agricultural lands should however. be
surveyed and brought into market with as little
delay as possible, that the titles may become
settled and the inhabitants stimulated to make
permanent improvements and enter on the or
dinary pursuits of life. To effect these objects
1T is desirable that the necessary provisions be
made by law for the establishment of land offices
in California and Oregon, and for the efficient
prosecution of the surveys at early day.
Some difficulties have occurred in organizing
the Territorial governments of New Mexico and
Utah; and, when more accurate information
shall be obtained of the causes a further COM
municatiOn will be made on that subject
In my last annual communication to Congress-
/ recommended the establishment of an Agri-
cultural Bureau, and i take this occasion again
to invoke your favorable consideration of the
subject.
Agriculture may justly be regarded as the
great interest of our people Four-ffths of our
active population are employed in the cultivation
of the SOIL and the rapid expansion of our settle
ments over territory is daily adding to the
number of those engaged in that vocation
Justice and sound policy, therefore, alike require