The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-03


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 extinguished, all of which will, at the
proper time be submitted to the Senate for ratica-
ton.
The Joint commission under the treaty OF Guada-
lupe Hidalgo has been actively engaged IN run
ming and marking the boundary line between the
United States and Mexico 1t was 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 ella with the Colorado river had
been determined, and the intervening line, about
one hundred and fifty miles in length, run and
marked by temporary monuments. Since that
time monument of marble has been erected at
the initial point, and permanent landmarks ofiron
have been placed at suitable distances along the
line.
The initial point on the Rio Grande has also been
fixed by the commissioners at latitude 320 Do, and
at the date of the last communication the survey Of
the line had been made thence westward about ono
hundred, and fifty miles to the neighborhocd of
the copper mines
The commission on our part was at first organ
lied on scale which experience proved to be un-
wieldy and attended with unnecessary expense.
Orders have, therefore, been issued for the reduc
ton of the number of persons employed within the
smallest limits, consistent with the safety of those
engaged in the service, and the prompt and efii-
cient execution of their important duties.
Returns have been received from all the officers
engaged in taking the census in the States and Ter
ritories, except California. The superintendent
employed to make the enumeration in that State
has not yet made his full report, from causes, as
he alleges, beyond his control This failure is
much to be regretted, as it has prevented the Sec
rotary of the Interior from making the decennia
apportionment of representatives among the States,
as required by the act approved May %, 1850
II is hoped, however, that the returns will
be received, and no time will then be lost in MAX
ing uhe necessary apportionment, and in transmit
ting the certificates required by law.
The Superintendent Of the Seventh Census is
diligently employed, under the direction of the
Secretary of the Interior, in classifying and ar
ranging, in tabular form, all the statistical nforma
ton derived from the of the marshals and il
is believed that when the work shall be completed
it will exhibit perfect view of the popu-
lation, wealth, occupations, and social condition
of great country, than has been presented to
the world The value of such work, the basis
of enlightened legislation, can hardly be over
estimated; and i earnestly hope that Congress will
lose no time in making the appropriations
sary to complete the classifcations, and to pub
lish the results in style worthy of the subject
and of our national character.
The want of a uniform fee BILL prescribing the
compensation to be allowed district attorneys,
clerks, marshals, and commissioners in civil and
criminal cases, is the cause of much veration, in
Justice, and complaint. ! would recommend tho
rough revision of the laws the whole subject and
the adoption of tariff of fees which, far prac
ticable, should be uniform, and prescribe specific
compensation for every service which the officer
may be required to perform. This subject will be
fully presented in the report of the Secretary of
the Interior.
In my last annual message gave briefly my
for believing that you possessed the con
sttutional power TO improve the harbors of our
great lakes and seacoas, and the navigation Of our
principal rivers, and recommended that appropria
tions should be made for completing such works
az had already been commenced, and for com
mencing such others as might to the wisdom
Of Congress to be of public and general import
ance Without repeating the reasons then urged,
deem it my duty again to call your attention to
this important subject. The works on many of
the harbors were left in unfinished state and
consequently exposed to the action of the ele-
ments, which is fast destroying them. Great
numbers of lives and vast amounts of property
are annually lost for want of safe and conve-
nient harbors on the lakes. None but those who
have been exposed to that dangerous navigation
fully appreciate the Importance of this subject
The whole northwest appeals to you for relief,
and trust their appeal will receive due conside-
ration at your hands
The same is in a measure true in regard to some
of the harbors and inets on the seacoast.
The unobstructed navigation of our large rivers
is of equal importance. Our settlements now
extending 10 the of the great rivers which
empty into, and form part of the Mississippi, and
the value of the public lands in those regions
would be greatly enhanced by freeing the naviga-
ton of those waters from distractions. In view,
therefore, Of this great interest, deem it my
duty again to urge upon Congress to make such
appropriations for these improvements they
may deem necessary.
The survey Of the Delta of the Mississippi, with
view to the prevention of the oyerfows that have
proved 30 disastrous to that region of country have
been nearly completed, and the reports thereof are
now in of preparation, and will shortly be
laid before you.
The protection of our southwestern frontier, and
of the adjacent Mexican States, against the Indian
tribes within our border, has claimed my earnest
and constant attention. Congress having failed, at
the last session, TO adopt my recommendation that
an additional regiment of mounted specially
od tn hat Ea all re.
manned to be done to make the beet use Of the
means at my disposal. Accordingly, all the troops
adapted that service that could properly be spared
from other quarters have been concentrated on
that frontier, and officers Of high reputation
lected to command them. arrangement
OF the military posts has also been made, whereby
the troops are brought nearer to the Mexican from
tier and TO the tribes they intended TO overawe.