The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-12-09
No. 274.
md approved by tho Pres,deu, Of the United

sno approved oy tho rresioent Of the United
States"
The form Of release thus provided for has
been presclbed by the Secretary Of the TrG0
ury, and approved. Ii has been published in
all the leading newspapers in the commercial
cities oil the United Sisles, and all persons
holding claims Of the kind specified in the
foregoing ptoviso were required TO file their re-
lease I'm the form thus prescrbed) 10 the Treas
ury Of the United States, on or before the lst
day of Oct. 1851. Although this publication
has been continued from the 25th day OF Mar
ch, 1851 yet up to the LIST OF Oct. last COM
parativeIy for releases had been filed by the
creditors Of Texas.
The authorities Of tae State Of Texas, at the
request of the Secretary 1.-The Treasury, have
furnished a schedule Of the public debt of that
| State, created prior TO her admission into the
| Union. with a copy Of the laws under which
each class was contracted.
| have, from the documents furnished by the
SIN lie Of Texas. determined the classes of claim
which IN my judgment fall within the pow;
sions Of the act OF Congress Of the 9th of
| Sept. 1850
| On being officially informed ofthe acceptance
by Texas Of the propositions continued in The
act referred to, caused the stock TO be prepar-
ed, and the five millions which are to be issu-
| ed unconditonaly, bearing an interest of five
per cent, from the lst day Of January 1851,
have been Tor some time ready TO be delivered
to the State of Texas. The authorities Texas
up TO the present time, have not authorized
any one 10 receive this stock, and il remains in
the Treasury Department subject 10 the order
of Texas.
The releases, required by law be deposited Ia the
Treasury, not having been fled there, the remaining
FIVE millions have not been issued, This last amount
OF the stock will be with ED from Texas until the
dtous upon which is 10 be delivered shall be
piled with by the creditors of that State, nuless Con.
gress shall otherwise direct by modification OF the law
In my last annual message; to which respectfully
refer stated briefly the which induced to
recommed modification of the preseut tariff, by
vertng the advaorem into specific duty wherever the
article imported of such character promit il
and that such discrimination should be made, in ia
vor industrial persuts of countryt as to en-
courage home production without excluding foreign
oompttion
The numerous frauds which contnne to be practised
upon the revenue by false invoice and undervauotoD,
constitute unauswerabe for adopting specific
instead Of advaloren duties in all where the
ture of tee commodity does forbid il. striking IL
lustration of their frauds will be exhibited the Re-
port of Secretary of the Treasu " showing the
house qaluaon Of the articles imported Under for
mer law subject specific duties, when there
iuducemcut 10 under valuation, and the auson.house
valuations of the articles under the present
the advaorem duties greatly reduced as to leave
Of doubt of the existence of the hagrant abuse,
uuder the existing laws This prabtcal evasion of the
present law combined with the langushing condition
of of the great interests Of the country caused by
imporations and consequent depressed prices I'd with
the failure in obtaining market for increas
ing surplus of breadsu and provisions has induced
agau to Recommend modf alton of the existing taraf
The report of the Secretary of the Interior, which
companies this communication will present condens
ed of the operations Of that important depart
ment Of the government.
1t will be that the cash sales of the public lands
exceed those Of the preceding year, and that there il
no reason anticipate still further increase, potwith
standiug the large donations which have been made
~N~--~s~h~ So '--.-,~.3 - "a -:
very gratifying evideuce OF the growing weahn and
Nv of fOur
Suitable measures have been adopted Tor commenc'
ing the survey of the public lands in California and Or
egon Surveying parties have been organized and so,ne
progress have been made in establishing the principal
base and meri clan lines. But further legislation and
additional appropriations will be necessary beioe The
proper subdivisions be made, and the general land
system exended over those parts of territory
On the Sd of March last act was passed providing
for the appointment of three commissioners TO settle
private land claims in California Three persons were
Immediately appointed, all of whom however, declined
accepting the Office in consequence OF the inadequacy
of the compensation. Others were promptly selected
who for the same reason also declined; aud was not
until late in the season that the services Of suitable per
sons could be secured majority OF the commissioner
convened in this city, the 10Th OF September last
when detailed instructions given to them III regard
n their duties Their first meeting for the transaction
of business will be held San Francisco on the day
the present month.
have thong hi proper 10 refer to these facts.
not only to explain the causes OF the delay in
filing the commission, but to call your atten-
ton 10 the propriety of increasing the cor'pen-
sation of the commissioners. The office -
one OF great labor and responsibility, and the
compensation should be such as TO commant
men of high order of talents and the most un-
questionable integrity.
The proper disposal Of the mineral lands IN
California is a subjec; surrounded by great d'i-
hcuties. In my last annual message recon-
mended the survey and sale OF them IN small
parcels, under such restrictions as would et-
r. 81 aDd
ton. But upon further information, aud In
Difference Of the opinions Of persons familiar
with the subject, am inclined TO change that
recommendation, and TO advise that they be
permitted TO remain, rs al present, comInsn
field, open to the enterprise and industry OF all
our citizens until further experience shall have
ped the best policy 10 be ultimately adop-
ted in regard to them. IL is safer to suffer the
inconvenieuces that now exist, for short pc
Rod, than, by premature 'eg'siaiion' 10 'aos'o
on the country system founded on error
which may place the whole subject beyond the
future control Of Congress.
The agricultural lands should, however, be
SURVEYED and brought inlo market with as i'tte
delay az possible, that the titles may become
settled, and the inhabitants stimulated to make
permanent improvements. and enter on the or
dinary pursuits Of life. To effect these ooJecls'
il is desirable that the necessary piovIsoo 10 DC
made by for the establishment Of laLd ofhces
10 California aud Oregon. and for the e'hc'eh1
n,osecutiou of the surveys at an early day.
Some difficulties have occurred IN organIz-
ing the Territorial governments Of New Mex
CO and Utah; and when moro accurate iniorma-
ton shall be obtained Of the causes, further
comm unication will be made on the SUBJECT
in my last annual communication to Con
gtess, recommended the establishment OF an
Agricultural Bureau, and take this occasion
again to invoke your favorable consideration OF
the subject
Agriculture may justly be regarded as the
great interest Of our people. Four-n'lhs OF
our active populatioa are employed iu the cul-
tiyation OF the soil, sad the rapid EXPANSION OF
our settlements over new territory, Is daily ad-
ding to the number Of those engaged 10 that
| vocstion Justice and sound policy, therefore.