Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-12-05

able reason for adopting specific instead of ad
vulorem duties in all cases where the nature of
the commodity does not forbid it. striking
illustration of those frauds will be exhibited in
the Report of the Secretary Of the treasury,
showing the custom house valuation of articles
imported under former law subject to specific
duties, when there was no induccment to under
valuation, and the custom valuations OF the same
articles; under the present system of ad valorem
duties, so greatly reduced as to leave no doubt
of the existence of the most fragrant abuses
under the existing laws. This practical eva
sion of the present law, combined with the Ian
gushing condition of some of the great inter-
csts Of the country, caused by over inporta-
.ons and consequent depressed prices, and with
the failure il obtaining a foreign market for our
increasing surplns of breadstulfs and provisions,
has induced me again to recommend modIh.
cation of the of the existing tariff.
The report of the secretary Of the INTERIOR
which accompanies this communication, will
present condensed statement Of the spcra-
tons OF Ills important department of the Gov
crnment.
1t will be seen that the sales Of the public
lands exceed those of the preceding year, and
that there is no reason to anticipate still further
increase, notwithstanding the large donations
which have been made to many of the States,
and the liberal grants TO individuals as a 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 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 mer-
idian lines. But further legislation and addi-
tona appropriations will be necessary before
the proper subdivision can be made, and the
general land system extended over those remote
parts of our territory.
In my last annual communication TO Con-
gress | recommended the establishment of an
Agricultural Bureau, and take this occasion
again to invoke your favorable consideration Of
the suhict.
Agriculture may justly be regarded as the
great interest our people. Four-ftrhs of our
active population are employed in the cultva-
vation of the soil, and the rapid expansion Of
our settlements over new territory is daily ad-
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 impor
tant class of our fellow .ctzcus. And yet it is
Il singular fact that, whilst the manufacturing
and commercial interests have engaged the at
tenion Of Congress during large portion OF
every session, and our statutes abound in pro-
visions for their protection and encouragement,
little has yet been done directly for the advance
mcnt of agriculture. 1t is time that this re-
proarl To- o,.r legislation should be removed;
and sincerely hope that the present Congress
w, not close their abors without adopting
efficient means to supply the omission of those
who have preceded them
An Agricultural Bureau, charged with the
dnty Of collecting and disseminating correct in
formation as to the best modes of cultivation,
aad O: the most cfactnal means OF preserving
and restoring the fertility Of the soil, and OF
procrng 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 noe fail to be,
in the language OF Washington, in lis last an
nual mcssaYc to Congress, u every cheap in
strumcit of immense national benefit"
Regarding the act Of Congress- approved 2Sth
September, 1850. granting bounty lands to per-
sons who had been engaged in the military SER
vice OF the country, rs great measure OF ma
tional Justice andmunfcence an anxious desire
has been felt, by the officers entrusted with its
immediate execution, TO give prompt effect to
provisions. All the means within their control
were, therefore, brought into rcquistion 10 eXpe
ditc the adjudication of claims, and am graft
fed TO be able to state that near one hundred
thoucand applications have been considered,
ed, and about seventy thousand warrants issued
within the short space Of nine months. If ade
quatc provisions be made by law to carry into
effect the recommendations of the Department,
It is confidently expected that, before the close
of the next fiscal year, all who are entitled to
the benefits of the act will have received their
warrants
1t is deeply to be regretted that in several
instances officers of tie Government, in at
tempting to execute the law for the return OF
fugitlves from labor, have been openly resisted,
and their Efforts frustrated and defeated by
lawlcss and violent mobs; that in one case such
resistance resulted in the death of an cstima
BILE citizen, and in others serious injury ensued
to those officers and TO individuals who were
using their cndcavors to sustain the laws. Pros
ecutions have been commenced against the al
Iedecd offenders so far as they could he identi-
fled, and are still pending. have regarded it
ms my duty. in these cases. to give all aid le