Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-12-08

Gila with the Colorado river had been deter !
mined, and the intervening line, al cut one
hundred and fifty miles in length, run and
marked by temporary monaments.- Since
that time monument of marble has been
erected at the Initial point, and permanent
land marks Of iron have been placed at suita-
be distances along the line.
The initial point on the Rio Graude has al
so been fixed by the commissioners at latitude
80 deg. % min, and at the date of the last
westward about $50 miles to the neighborhood
ofths copper mines.
The commission on cur part was at first or-
ganized on a scale which experience proved
to be uuweldly, and attended with unneces-
sary expense. Orders have therefore been
issued for the reduction of the number ofper-
sons employ ed within the smallest limits, con-
sistent with the safety of these engaged in the
service, and the prompt and efficient execu-
ton Of their important duties.
Returns have been received from all the
officers engaged in taking The census in the
States and Territories, except Califol MIA
The superintendent employed to make the
enumeration in that State has not yet made
his full report, from causes, as he alleys, be-
you'd his control. Fhis failure is much to be
regretted, as it has prevented the Secretary
oflhe Interior from making the deceunial ap-
portionment If Representatives among the
States, as required by the act approved May
%. 1850. 1t is hoped, however, that the re-
turns will soon be received, and no time will
then be lost in making the necessary appor-
tionment, and in transmitting the certificates
required by law. ,@
The Superintendent of the Seventh Cen
sus is diligently employed, under the direction
1t the Secretary of the Interior, in classify ing
and arranging, in tabular form, all the statisti-
cal information derived from the returns of
the marshals, and it is believed that when
the work shall be completed, it will exhibit
more perfect view Of the population, wealth,
occupations, and social condition of great
country, than has ever been presented TO the
world, The value of such work, as the ba-
sis of enlightened legislation, can hardly be
over estimated; and I earnestly hope that
Congress will lose no time in making the ap-
prorriatons necessary to complete the classi-
tication, and to publish the results in style
worthy of the subject and Of CUR national
character. .s-
The want of uniform fee bill, prescribing
the compensation to be allowed district attor-
neys, clerks, mershals, and commissioners in
civil and criminal cases, is the cause of much
vexaticn, injustice and complaint. l would
recommend thorough revision of the Laws Oh
the whole subject, and the adoption of n tar
iff of fees, which, as far as practicable, should
be uniform, and prescribe a specific compen-
salion for every service which the officer may
be required to perform. This subject will be
fully presented in the report of the Secretary
If the interior.
In my last annual message gave briefly
my reasons for believing that you possessed
the constitutional power 10 improve the har-
bors of our great lakes and sea coast, and Tie
navigati9n Of oar principal rivers, and recon-
mended that appropriations should be made
for the completing of sach works as had al
ready been commenced, and for eommene ng
such others as might seem to the wisdom of
Congress, to be of public and general ifnpor-
lance. Without repeating the reasons then
urged, deem it my duty again to call your
attention to this impartant subject. The
works on many of the harbors were left in an
unfinished state, and consequently exposed to
the action of the elements, which is fast de-
stroying them. Great numbers of lives and
vast amounts of property are annually lost for
want of safe and convenient harbors en- the
lakes. None but those who have been expo
sed to that dangerous navigation, can fully ap-
preciate the importance oflhis subject. The
VIII 10 northwest appeals to you for relief, and
trust their appeal will receive due consider
alton at your hands. .t. IL. ...--: .
The same is in measure true in regard
to some of the harbors and inlets on the sea-
coast. e. t .~
The unobstructed navigation of our large
rivers is of equal importance. Our settle
ments are now extending to the sources 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 en-
hanced by freeing the navigation Of these wa
ters firm obstructions. In view, therefore,
of this great interest, deem it my duty again
to urge upon Congress to make such appro-
priations for those Improvements as they may
deem necessary.
The survey of the Delta of the Mississippi
with a view to the prevention of the over
flows that have proved so disastrous to that
region of country, haze been nearly compile
ted. and the reports thereofare now in cearse
ofpreparation, and will shortly be laid before
you. -
The protection of cur southwestern from
tier, and of The adjacent Mexican States,
against the indian II ibes within cur border, has
claimed my earnest and constant attention.