Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-12-10
= The | o Wa 6 APITAL REPORTER

LEGATION has been continued from the 25th day
of March 1851, yet up to LIST Of October last
comparatively few releases had been fled by
the creditors of Texas The authorities of the
State Of Texas, at the request Of the Secretary
have finished n schedule of the public debt oil
that State created prior to her admission into
the Union, with a copy fthe laws under which
each class was contracted. have from the
documents furnished by the State of Texas.
determined the classes Of C aims which in my
Judgment fail within the provisions of the act
of Congress of the 9th Of September 1850. On
being officially informed of the acceptance by
Texas. of the proposition contained in the act
referred to, caused the stock to be prepared
and the FIVE millions which are to be issued
Internationally, bearing an interest of five per
per cent, from the LIST day of January 1851.
have been for some time ready to be delivered
to the State of Texas The authorities of Tex
as up to the present time, have not authorized
any one to receive this stock, and it remains
in the Treasury Department, subject to the
order of Texas The releases required by law
to be deposited in the Treasury not having
been filed there, the remaining five millions
have not benn issued. This last amount of the
stock will be withheld from Texas until the
conditions upon which it is TO be delivered
shall be complied with by the creditors of that
oldtt uHicSS SOIpIeS~ Shall OtueTWlSc uITcCt,
by modification of the law.
In he last annual message. 10 which re-
specially refer, | stated efy the reasons
which induced me TO recommend a modifia-
ton OF the present tariff. by converting the ad
valorem into specific duty, wher. yer the AZ =
| ticle imported is Of such character as TO per
init il, and that such discrimination should
be made in favor of the industrial pursuits oil
our own co ln,ry as to urage home pro-
h"ction, without excluding foreign competi
| ton.
The numerous frauds which continue to be
pr aticed upon the revenues, by false invoices
and valuations, constitute AN unansw er bic
reason or adopting specific Instead OF ad va.
loren duties, IN all cases where The nature oil
the commodity does not forbid il. Striking
Illustrations of these frauds will be exhibited
in the report of the Secretary OF the Treasury
showing The Custom House valuation of ar
ticles reported under former law, subject TO
specific duties, when there was no induce ment
| to under va'uation,and the custom house vaina-
ton OF the same articles under the present ad
valorem duties so erraily reduced as 10 leave no
! doubt Of tae exis'enoe Of the most fragrant
abuses under existing laws. This practical
evasion oil the resent law, combined with the
languishing condition of some Of the great in.
terests ofthe country caused by over importation
and consequent depressed prices. and with the
|
Incl easing surplus IN bread>tutfs and provisions
has induced me again TO Recommend modii.
cation of the existing tariff.
| The report Of the Secretary of the Interior,
which accompanies this communication, will
present condensed statement OF the operations
| OF that important Department of the Govern
| ment. ii will be seen. that the cash sales Of
public lands exceed those Of the preceding
wear. and that there is reason to anticipate a
sill further fkS3a
donations which have been made 10 Macy Of
the states, and the liberal grants to individuals
as reward for military services.
ms fact furnishes very gratifying evidence
OF The growing wealth and prosperity Of our
country. Suitable measures have been atopt
ed Tor commencing survey OF the public lands
IN California ami 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 he proper subdivisions can be made,
aud the general land system extended over
those remote parts of our Territory.
On the 81 of March last, an act was passed
providing for the appointment of three COM
missioners to settle the private land claims in
California Three persons were immediately
appointed. all Of whom, however. declined ac-
cep'Ing re office, in consequence Of the made
quacy OF the compensation. Others were
promptly 'ieCteG, who, for the same reason.
also d"clinc;a., and il was not until late in the
season that the services Of suitable persons
could &c procured. A MAORI OF the commits
sioners convened in this city on the 10th of
september last, when detailed instructions
were given them in regard to their daties.-
Their first meeting for the tranaction of bust
moss will be held in San Fra cisco on the 9Th
day OF the present month. have thought
Vt proper IL refer to these iicts not only to ex
plan the causes of the delay il filing the COM
mission bu; to call your attention to the
piopriety Of increasing the COMPENSATION OF
he commissioners. The office is one of great
labor and responsibility. and the compensation
should be such as 10 command men Of high
order OF talent and the most unquestIonab e
integrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral lands Of
California is subject surrounded by grea, diff
hculties In IN, last message, recommended
the survey and sale of these lands in small par d.
GELS, unde' such restrictions as would eiiectual-
" guard against monopoly and speculation. -
i1ut upon further information, and IN deleren
to he opinion OF persons familiar with the
snbjea', ! am inclined TO change INA, recon-
mendation, and TO ADVISE thai they be permit
ted to remain a. at present a common field,
open the enterprise and indus nv OF all Uilr
cIlIZens, uu'il further exaeriepce shail have
develop ID the best policy to be ultimately aop-
I'd with regard 10 them II Is safer to suffer
the inconveni nee that now exists tor a short
period, than, by premature legislation. 10 tas-
Ell upon the country system founded Ia err
ror, which may place The whoIr subject hey ond
the fu, ther control of Congress. The agricul-
tural lands, sh mid, however. be survay ed and
br on ht into market. With as little delay as
possible, that the tiles may become settled, and
The inhabitants stimulated 10 make permanent
improvements and enter upon the ordinary pur-
suits Of life. To effect hese objects it is desir
able u al the necessary provisions be made by
law for the establishment of land offices in
Callfo u a and Oregon and for the efficient
prosecution oil the surveys al an early day.
Some difficulties have occurred in organizing
the Terriatorial Governments OF New Mexic o
and Utah. and when more accurate information
shall be obtained OF the causes. further COM
munication will be made on that subject.
In my last annual communication 10 Congress
recommended the establishment Of al Agri-
cultural Bureau, and take this occasion again
to invite your favorable consideration Of the
subject Agriculture may justly be regarded
as the gaeat interest oil our people. Four-hiths
OF our native population are employed in the
cultivation OF our soil, and the rapid expansion
by our settlements over the territory, is daily
adding to the number of those engaged in that
vocation. Justice and sound policy. there fore,
ahks s"uItr that Government should use all
the means authorized by the Constitution TO
~ oInote the interest aud elfare OF this impor.
tant class of our ielowcitzens. AMI yet il is
a singular fact, that While our manufacturing
and commercial interests have engaged the at.
tention OF Congress during portion Of every
session, and o sta utes abound in provisions
| Tor their protection and engagement, little
has yet been done, directly, Tor the adv nce.
ment OF agriculture. II is due that this reproacl