Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-12-11

IL
practised upon the revenue, by false invoices
ana underValuations, constitute an unansWerable
I reason for adopting specific instead of adyalo-
rem duties In all cases where the nature of the
commodities does not forbid it. A striking H.
ustratlon OF these frauds will be exhibited in the
report OF the Secretary Of the Treasury, showing
the custon-house valuation of articles imported
under a former law subject to specific duties,
when there was no inducement to undovaluation,
ana the custOm-house valuations Of the same ar
Lcles, under the present system of ad yalorem
duties, SO greatly reduced as to leave no doubt
OF the existence ofthe most fragrant abuses un.
der the existing laws. This practical evasion Of
the present law, combined with the languishing
condition OF some Of the great interests of the
country, caused by over importations and conse-
quent depressed prices, and with the failure in
ootalhing market for our increasing surplus of
Dreadstulis and provisions, has induced me TO
tariff.
The report of the Secretary Of the Interior.
which accompanies this communication will pre-
senta condensed statement of the operations of
that important department Of the national Gov
4 ernment.
It Will be seen that the cash sales Of the pub
iie iaAsis cNcaed those ef thepacednry wear, and
that there Is reason to anticipate still further in
crease, notwithstanding the large donations
%liyn nave been made to many of the States, and
the liberal grants to individuals as n ra,vard far
military services. This fact furnishes verv prat-
flying evidence Of the growing wealth and pros
perlty Of our country.
Suitable measures have been adopted for COM
mencing the survey ofthe public lands in Califor-
MIA and 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 ap-
preparations will be necessary before the proper
subdivisions can be made, and the general land
system extended over those remole parts Of our
country.
Cd the Sd of March last, an act was passed
providing for the appointment Of three commits
f sIoners to settle private land claims i'll CalItor-
MIA. Three persons were Immediately appoint
ed, 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 and it
was not until late in the season that the services
f of suitable persons could be procured \ major
its Of the commissioners convened in this city,
on the 10th of September last, when detailed in
structions were given to them in regard to their
duties, Their first meeting for the transaction
> Of business will be held at San Francisco ON the
Sth Of the present month.
have thought it proper to refer TO these facts,
not only to explain the causes Of the delay in
. filing the commission, but to call your attention
t to the propriety Of increasing the compensation
. OF the commissioners. The Office is one Of great
f labor and responsibility, and the compensation
should be such as to command men Of high or
der Of talents and the most unquestionabe integ-
z rjiy.
D The proper disposal Of the mineral lands of
g California is bject surrounded by great diff
7 culties. in my last annual message | recon-
f mended the survey and sale ofthem in small par
S GELS, under such restrictions as would oicctuaIly
= guard against monopoly and speculation. But
S upon further information, and in Difference to
the opinions of persons familiar with the subject,
: | am inclined to change that recommendation
and to advise that they be permitted to remain,
d as at present, a common field, open to the enter
: prise aud industry Of all our citizens, dAli, fur
-ther time shall have developed the best policy to
# be ultimately adopted in regard TO them. 1t is
I. saier to suier the inconvenience that now OK
s st for short period, thun, by premature lcgis-
II lauon, to tosten on the country a system founded
9 IN error, which may place the whole subject be-
is yonl the future control of Congress.
Thaagreultural land should, however be sur
). veyod and brought into market with as little de-
s lay as possible, that the titles may become set
) tied and the inhabitants stimulated to make per-
s manent improvements, and enter upon the ordl-
= nary pursuits Of life To effect those Objects it
IS is desirable that the necessary provision be made
4 by law for tlc establishment Of land offices in
California AMI Oregon, and for the efficient pros
=. ecution of the surveys at an early day.
Some difficulties have occurred in organizing
d the Territorial governments Of New Mexico and
! Utah; and, when more accurate infomaton shall
If be obtained of the causes, further communica-
S ton will be made on that subject.
n In my last annual communication to Congress
- | recommended the establishmentofa an Agricul-
# tural Bureau, and take this occasion to again
:, invoke your favorable consideration Of the sub
ject.
J. Agriculture may justly be regarded as the
d great interest of our people. -Four itiig Of our
"a active population are employed in the cultivation
# of the sail, and the rapid expansion ofour settle
y ments over new territory is daily adding to the
# number OF those engaged in that vocation, Jus
# tee and sound policy, alike require thar the GOV
Is crnmcnt should use all the means authorized by
, the Constitution to promote the interests and vel
Il fare Of this important class Of our citizens. Yet
4 it is a singular fact that, while the manufacturing
~ and commercial interests have engaged the at
~ tonton of Congress during large portion Of ey-
y cry session. and our statutes abound in provisions
for their protection and encouragement, little has
" yet been done directly for the Advancement OF
ar agriculture. 1t is time that this reproQch to our
W legislation should be removed and | sincerely
~ hope that the present Congress will not close
y. its abor5 without adopting efficient means tC
~ supply the omissions Of those who have preceded
,,o them.
a.. '' An Agricultural Bureau, charged with the du
~ ty Of collecting and disseminating correct inl0r
az nation as to the bestmodes Of cultivation and 0
b. the most ehoctual means Of preserving and re
~. storing the fertility Of the soil, and Of procuring
". and distributing seeds and plants and other veg
Io etable productions, with instructions in regard
~ the soil, climate. and treatment best adapted t
u their growth could not fail to be, in the anglag
Lo Of Washington, in his last annual message Z
nr Congress- a "very cheap instrument Of nmens
Ia national benefit"
~ Regarding the act of Congress approved 2St
September, 1850, granting bounty lands to pei
90 sons who had been engaged in the military sci
,ct vice Of the country, rs great maasure OF ma
nd ional justice and muniicence, an anxious desu
a. has been felt by the officers intrusted with j
nt immediate execution, to give prompt effect to il
f,r provisions. All the means within their Contr
Of were brought into requlstion to expedite tn
adjudication of claims, and am grattied to b
,nt able to state that near one hundred thousand al
his plications have been considered, and about se
rt enty thousand warrants issued within the sho
" space of nine months. If adequate provision
49,, made by law to carry into effect the rccommeI
yea fu dotions of the Department, it is confidently e.
l"e pectod that before the close of the next fsc
- year, all who are entitled to the benefits Of Ii
ON act will have received their warrants,
oc The Secretary Of the Interior has surgestC
orS or in his Report various amendments of the lay
dl- relating to pensions and bounty lands, for IL
-. purpose Of more effectually guarding against
'cl buses and frauds on the Government, to all