The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-03

companies this comm unicalion. will present condensed
statement OF The operations OF that important department
OF the government
exceed those of the preceding and that there is
TO anticipate stl further increase notwithstanding
the large donations which have been made TO many OF
the States, and the liberal grants TO individuals as
ward Tor military services. This Iaci furnishes very
gratifying evidence OF the growing wealth and prosperity
/ OF our county. ##H#I
i Suitable measures have been adopted for commencing
the survey OF the public lands in California and Oregon
Surveying parties have been organized and some progress
has been made IA establishing the principal base and me
ridian lines But further legislation and additional ap
preparations will be necessary before the proper subdys
ions can be made and the general land system extended
over those remote parts OF our territory
On the Sd OF March last was passed providing
for the appointment OF three conmi ssonets TO settle pr
yatc land claims in California Three persons were i'm.
medately appointed, all of whom, however, declined
accepting The Office IN consequence OF the nadequacy of
the compensation. Others We're promptly selected who
for the also declined, and il not until
late in the that the services OF suitable persons
could be secured. majority OF tho commissioners con-
yened in this Guy on the 10Th Of September last. when
detailed instructions were given TO them in regard 10 their
duties Their fret meeting for the transaction OF bus
will be held in San Francisco on the sth day OF the
present month. sA#8
have thought proper 10 refer these facts. not only
TO explain the causes oil the delay in filling the
but to call your attention TO the poprety OF increas
ing the compensation OF the commissioners. The Office
is OF great labor and responsibility. and the compen
salon should he such as 10 command OF high order
Of talents and the most unqueslonable integrity.
The proper disposal OF the mineral lands OF California
annual message recommended the survey and sale OF
them in small parcels under such restrictions would
eiec'uaiy guard against monopoly and speculation But
OF persons familiar with the subject. am inclined 10
change that recommendation, aud to advise that they be
permitted to remain, at present, common field, open
to he enterprise and industry of all citizens, until
further experience shall have developed the best policy TO
be ultimately adopted in regard to them II is safer to
suffer the iEconyenences that exist Tor short period
than, by premature legislation, to asten on the country
system founded in which may place the whole sub
ecl beyond The future control of Congress.
The agricultural lands should, however, be surveyed
and brought into rket with little delay possible
that the titles may become settled, and the inhabitants
stimulated to make permanent improvements and enter
en the ordinary pursuits OF lie To effect these objects
liz is 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 sur
Some difficulties have occurred in organizing the
rilorial governments of New Mexico and Utah and.
when information shall be obtained OF the
causes, further communication VIII DC made on mat
subject. H.
I | In my last annual communication to Congress | rec
commended the establishment OF an Agricultural Bureau,
and take this occasion again 10 invoke your favorable
consideration OF the subject 5#sl!
Agriculture may Justly be regarded the great interest
of our people FouriIlhs OF our active population are
employed in the cultivation OF the soil and the rapid
expansion OF our settlements territory is daily
adding the number OF those engaged in that vocation
Justice and sound policy therefore, alike require ha' me
should all the means authorized by the
constitution promote the interests and welfare OF mat
important class of oar ieow-citizens And yett Is
"a
cial interests have engaged the attention OF Congress
during large portion OF session. and our statutes
ment Little has vel been done directly for the advance
men OF agriculture II is time that this reproach to our
legislation should be removed and sincerely hope that
the present Congress will not close their labos without
adopting efficient means 10 supply the omissions OF those
who have preceded Them.
An Agricultural Bureau, charged with the duty OF col
leclng and disseminating correct information As to the
best modes Of cultivation, and the most efectusl means
OF preserving and restoring the fertility of the SOIL and
4 I,f aAu disirI IhIfinv nd nd
other vegetable productions with instructions in regard
TO the soil. cma,e and treatment best adapted 70 their
growth could not fail to be- in the language OF WASH
ing,on in his last annual message to Congress- very
cheap instrument of immense national benefit"
Regarding the act of Congress. approved 2sih Septem-
ber 1850 granting bounty lands TO persons who had been
in the military service OF the country as great
measure of national justice and munlhcence an anxious
desire has been felt by the officers intrusied with ITS I'M
mediate execution give prompt effect to It's provisions
All the within their control were, therefore.
brought into requston 10 expedite the adludicauoh Oh
claims and grated to be able to state that near one
hundred thousand applications have been cQnsldeIed and
about seventy thousand warrants issued within the short
space OF nine months. III adequate provision DC made
by law 10 carry elect the recommendations OF the de-
partmen is confidently expected that before the close
OF the next fiscal year, all who are entitled 20 ne oenens
of the act will have received their warrants
The Secretary OF the Interior has suggested IN ms re-
port various amendments Of the laws relating to pensions
and bounty lands for the purpose of more efectuAlly
guarding against abuses and frauds the TO
all Of which invite yoar particular attention
The large accessons 10 our Indian population conse
MA and the extension OF settlements into Utah and
Oregon have given nctcased interest and Importance 10
( our relations with the aboriginal race.
No material change has taken place within the last
year in the condition and prospects of the indian toes
who reside in the Northwestern Territory and west OF the
4 Mississippi rver We are at peace with al OF them ana
il will be n of pleasure 10 you 10 learn that tbey
are gradually advancing ia civilization and the pursuits
r OF social life.
Along the Mexican frontier, and in California and
Oregon there have been occasional manifestations oil un
friendly feeling and depreda,ons committed. am
slisGcd boweyer that they resulted more from the des
ltnle and starving condition of the Indians than from
any serleJ hostility toward the whites AS tho settle
mcnls of our citizens progress towards them he game
unon which they mainly rely for subsistence - driven of
az desoycd and the only alternative left TO them Is star
yaon or punder IL becomes Va TO consider IN view OF
this condition OF things, whether justice and humanity
i as well as an enlightened economy, not require that
instead of seeking TO punish them Tor offences whcn are
= the result OF policy towards ihem we should
provide for their immediate wants, anu encourage
bem 10 engage agriculture, and TO rely on hc iaoo
! instead of the chase for the means OF support
Various important treaties have been negotiated with
different tribes during the year, by which Their title to
large and valuable tracts Of country has been extngush
cd all OF which WILL at the proper time be submitted 10
the Senate for ratification.
The Joint commission under The treaty OF uuadaiupe
Hidalgo has been actively engaged IN running ana marx
ing the boundary line between the United states and
Mexico Ii was stated in the last annual repott of the
Secretary OF the Interior that the initial point the Pa
cic and The pont OF junction OF the Gla with the Colo
RADIO river had been determined and the intervening
: ne-about one hundred and fifty miles in lengh-run
and marked by temporary monuments. Since that time
of ma arbe the