Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-12-06

On being officially informed Of the ac-
ceptance by Texas of the propositions
| contained in the act referred TO, caused
the stock TO be prepared, and the five mil
lions which are TO be issued uncondition-
ally, bearing all interest of five per cent
from the Isl day of January, 1851, have
been for some time ready to be delivered
TO The State Of Texas. The authorities Of |
Texas, up TO the present time, have not |
authorized any one 10 receive this stock, |
and il remains in the Treasury Depart
ment, 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 been 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 STATE, unless Congress
shall otherwise direct by modification of
the law.
In my last annual message, to which
respectfully refer, | stated briefly the
reasons which induced me to recommend
modification Of the present tariff, by con-
vcrtng the advaorem i.to a specific duty,
wherever the article imported was OF such
a character as TO permit it, and that such
discrimination should be made, in favor
of the industrial pursuits OF our own coun-
try, as TO encourage home produc ton with
out excluding foreign competition.
The numerous frauds which continue 10
be praciised upon the revenue, by false
. invoices and undcrvaluatiouS, constitute
an unanswerable reason for adopting spr-
Ciic instead OF advolOrem duties in all
cases where the nature of the commodity
does not forbid it. A striking illustration
: OF these frauds will be exhibited in the
Report of the Secretary Of the Treasury,
showing the custom house valuation of ari-
CleS imported under former law subject
, to specific duties, when there was no in
ducement TO under valuation, and the Gus
tom-house valuations OF the same articles,
under the present system OF al valorrm
duties, so greatly reduced as TO leave no
, doubt Of the existence of the most nagrant
abuses under the existing laws. This
practical evasion OF the present law, COM
{ bined with the languishing condition of
I some Of the great interests of the country,
, caused by over importatioas and consc-
! quent depressed prices, and with the fail
= ure in obtaining foreign market for our
increasing surplus OF brpalSlunS AMI pro-
o visions, has induced me again TO recon-
5 mend a modification Of the existing tariff.
The report of Secretary of the Interior,
= which accompanies this communication,
n will present condensed statement of the
t operations of that important department OF
+ the Government.
Il 1t will he seen that the cash sales Of the
public lands exceeds these OF the preceding
II. year, and that there is reason 10 anticipate
e ii still further Increase, notwithstanding The
= lar"e donations which have been made Ia
V many OF the States, and The liberal grants to
r individuals as a reward for military services
Y This fact furnishes very CRAFTY ing evidences
;. OF The growing wealth and prosperity oi oul
r. country.
n Suitable measures have been adopted fur
= commencing tho survey ui the pubic bead.
O IN California aud Oregon. Survr, ing raItit.
If have been organiZed, aud some progress Ia,
= been made IN establishing ih- prluclpa! b,.,
If and meridian liurs. But further ie4islatio.
It and additional appropriations will be- uccrs
i sary before Sthe proper subdivisions can h,
l. made. and The general land system eNlendrt
over those remote parts OF our territory.
VII 'iIC " 4NidItil !tl>l an act WIS iSStl
j. providing for The appointment Of three com
e missIoners to settle private land claims il
'e California. Thee persons were immediate
l. ly appointed, all of whom, however, dcciin
n ed accepting the office, in consequence u
g the nadequacy OF the compensation. Other
l. were promptly selected who, for the san,
=, reasons, also declined and it was not unit
lc late in The season that the services of sui,a
4. he persons could be secuei. A maioit,
is Of the commissioners convened, in this cit
in on the loth o! September last when detail
OF ed instructions were given TO lhcm in rcnart
t. 10 their duties Their first meeting lr
- their transaction Of business will be held il
ID San Francisco Oh The S,h day Of tie plescn
month.
r have lhought il proper to refer to thps
ie facts, not only 10 explain The causes q
ic The delay in Ging the commission, but /
ie call your attention TO the proprieiy OF in
'e creaslng The compensation OF The commits
le sioners. The office is one oi great labor al,
x responsibility, and the compensation shoul
m b, such as 10 command men of high orlr
~ OF talents aud the most UwQncslOuaOe in
OF irgrily.
The proper disposal of the mineral land
ne OF California IL subject surrounded by grea
OF difficulties. In my last annuai message
V recommended The survey and sale of then
Id in small parcels, under such restrictions a
ld would eiieciually guard against mouopo.
~ and speculation. But upon lnrlher iuturu.
&c liui, and in Difference to the opiuious 4
t. persons familiar with The subject, | am incl
IL ned 10 change that recommendation. and /
IA. advise that They be permiued 10 remain, a
o. At present, a commnn fell, open to the 81
~ terprise aud industry Of all uuI citizens, uut
ms further experience shall have developed III
he best policy 10 be ultimately adopt ed in re
\. gard 10 them. 1t is safer 10 suffer HE il CO.
n vrniences that now exist, for n short prriu,
G. lhen, by premature legislation, to ius'rn O
he the country system founded in erro
rv which may place the whole subject bcyon
the future control Of Congress.
cr The agricultural lands should, however, ,
OF surveyed and brought into market with a
'ls little delay as possible, that the titles ma
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