The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-12-11

of the delay in filling the commission. bit
to call your attention 10 the propriety OF
increasing the compensation OF the COM
missiontrs. Tie Office is one Of great
labor and responsibility, and the compen-
salon should be such as 10 command men
of high order of talents and the most
unquestionabie integrity.
The proper disposal tf the mineral
lands of California is subject surrounded
by great difficulties. In my last annusl
message recommended the survey and
sale of them in small parcels, uGder such
restrictions as would effec ually guard a.
gainst monopoly and. specu. ion. But
upon further Information, and In delerence
to the opinions of persons familiar with
the subject, am inclined to change that
Recommendation, and TO advise that they
be permitted TO remain, as at present,
common field, open to the enterprise and
industry of all our citizens. un'il further
experience shall have developed the best
policy to be ultimately adopted in regard
10 them. Il is safer to suffer the incon-
veniences that now exist, for short per-
iod, than, by premature legislation, 10 las-
len on the country a system founded IN
trroI, which may place tho whole subject
beyond the future control Of Congress.
The agricultural lands should, however
be surveyed and brought into market with
as little delay as possible, that the titles
may become settled, and inhabitants stimu-
lated to make permanent Improvements,
and enter on the ordinary pursuits OF life.
To effect those objects it is desirable that
the necessary provision be made by law
for the establishment of land Offices in CAL
ifornia and Oregon, and for efficient PRES
ecution of the surveys at an early day.
Some difficulties have occurred in organ
izing the Territorial governments Of New
Mexico and Utah; and, when more ac-
cerate informatian shall be Obtained Of the
causes, further communication will be
made on that subject
In my last animal communication to
Congress l recommended the establish
ment of an Agricultural Bureau, and l
take this occasion again 10 invoke your
favorable consideration of The subject.
Agriculture may justly be regarded as
the great interest of our people, Four-
fif,hs of our active population are employ
ed in the cultivation of the soil, and the
rapid expansion of our settlements over
new territory is daily adding to the number
of those engaged in that vocation. Justice
and sound policy, therefore, alike require that
Sthe Government should use all the m, ans au-
thorized by the Constitution 10 promote the
interests and welfare ofhat important class OF
our fellow citizens. And yet it is a singular
fact that, whilst the manufacturing aud COM
Ipercial Interests have engaged the attention
of Congress during large portion of every
session, and our statutes abound i'll provisions
for their protection and encouragement, little
,has yet been done directly for the advance
ment of agriculture. 1t is time that this re-
proach to our legislation should be removed
and l sincerely hope that the present Congress
will not close their labors without adopting ef-
fcient means 10 supply the omissions OF those
who have preceded them.
An Agricultural Bereau, charged with the
du,y OF collecting and disseminating correct
information as TO the best modes OF cultiva-
ton, and of the most ellectual means of pre-
serving and restoring the fertility of the soil,
and of procuring and distributing seeds and
plants and other vegetable productions, with
instructions in regard 10 the soil, climate aud
treatment best adapted 10 their growth, could
NOT fail 10 be, in The language OF Washington,
in his last annual message to Congress, "ve-
ry cheap instrument Of immense national ben
eft"
Regarding the act of Congress approved 2Sth
September, 1880, granting bounty lands 10
persons who had been engaged in the mill
tary service of the country, as great meas
.ure Of national Justice and munificence, an
anxious desire has been felt, by the officers
entrusted with its Immediate execution, TO
give prompt effect 10 its provisions All the
means within their control were, therefore,
brought in.o requisiton 10 expedite the adju.
dicalion OF claims, and am gralifed 10 be
able 10 state that near one hundred thousand
applications have been considered, and about
seventy thousand warrants issued within the
short space or nine months. If adequate pro-
vision is made by law to carry into effect the
recommendations Of the department, it is con-
fidently expected that, before the close OF the
next fiscal year, all who are entitled to the
benefits of the act will have received their
warrants.
The Secretary of the Interior has suggested
in his report various amendments OF the laws
relating 10 pensions and bounty lands, for the
purpose of more effeclually guarding against
abuses and frauds on the Governmenl 10 all
of which invite your particular attention.
The large accessions 10 our Indian popula
ton consequent upon the acquisition Of New
Mexico and California, aud the extension of
our settlements into Utah and Oregon, have
given increased interest and importance 10
our relations with the aboriginal race.
No mareral change has taken place, within
the last year in the condition and prospects
OF the Indian tribes who reside in the North.
western Territory and west Of the Mississippi
river. We are at peace with all of them
and it will be source of pleasure 10 you 10
learn that they are gradually advancing III civ
ilization and the pursuits of social life
Among the Mexican frontier, and in Cali
fornia and Oregon, there have been OCCASION
al manifestations of unfriendly feeling, and
some depreda,ions committed. am satisfied,
however, tha, they resulted more from the
destitute and starving condition OF the Indians
than from any hostility towards the whiles.-
AS The settlements OF our citizens progress
aowards them, the game upon which they
mainly rely tor subsistence is driven off or
destroyed, and the only alierni tive left 10 them
is starvation or plumber. 1t becomes us 10
consider, in view Of this condition of things,
whether justice and humanity, as well as an
enlightened economy, do not require that, in
stead of seeking 10 punish them for offences
which are the resul;o our own policy tow ards
them, we should not provide for their imme-
diate wants and encourage them 10 engage in