The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-04

specie during the first quarter OF the present fiscal
year have been $14651 1927. Should specie continue
TO be exported ut this rate for the remaining three
quarters Of this year. ii will drain from metallic
currency during the year ending Both June 1852 the
enormous amount OF $5S.607 ,3Os.
In the present prosperous condition Of the national
finances Il will become the duty Of Congress to
slider the best mode Of paying of the public debt If
the present and anticipated surplus in the Treasury
should not be absorbed by appropriations Of an
traordinary character this surplus should be employ
ed in such way and under such restrictions.
Congress may enact in oxtinguishing the outstand-
ing debt of the nation.
BY reference to the act Of Congress approved 9th
September 1850 it will be that in consideration
of certain concessions by the State of Texas il is
provided that the United States shall pay the State
of Texas the Of ten millions Of dollars in stock
bearing five per cent interest and rodeemabe at the
end of fourteen years the interest payable half year
w. at the Treasury Of the United States
In the same section Of the law it is further pro-
yided that than five millions of said stock
shall be issued until the creditors of the State hold
ing bonds and other certificates Of stock Of Texas
for tchich duties imports cere speciohy pledged,
shall first file at the Treasury Of the United States
releases of all claims against the United States
for or on account of said bonds certificates in such
form as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the
Treasury and approved by the President Of the
| United States"
| The form of release thus provided for has been
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury and ap
| proved 1t has been published in all the leading
newspapers in the commercial cities of the United
States, and all persons holding claims of the kind
| specified in the foregoing provso were required TO
file their releases lin the form thus prcscribed) in
the TIE asury Of the United States, on before tho
LIST day of October, 1851 Although this publication
| has been continued from the 18th day of March,
1851 yet up TO the LIST of October last comparatively
few releases had been filed by the creditors of Texas
The authorities of the State of Texas. at the re-
| quest Of the Secretary of the Treasury, have fur
nishcd 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 con-
| tracted.
| / have from the documents furnished by the State
of Texas determined the classes of claims which in
my judgment fall within the provisions OF the act of
Congress of the 9th Of September 1850.
On being officially informed of the acceptance by
| Texas of the propositions contained in the act re-
ferred to- caused the stock to be prepared and the
five millions which are 10 be issued Internationally
bearing interest of Ave per cent from the LIST day
of January, 1851. have been for time ready TO
| be delivered 10 the State Of Texas The authorities
of Texas, up to the present time have not author
lied any TO receive this stock and It remains In
~ Treasury department, subject to the order OF
me tsse,s- ~, .i,,a' ., ;.s - - 70
'hs Tr""~S-v MOI boyisP been flied there the Il
lnali,ins ~ u.mvN. s.vS Noe,r >9s.t~s ~S
last amount of the stock will be withheld from Tex
until the conditions upon which it is to be deiv
cred 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
converting the ad valorem into a specific duty whcr
ever the article imported of such character as
to permit it, and that such a discrimination should
be made. in favor of the industrial pursuits OF our
own country, asto encourage homo production with
| out excluding foreign competition.
| The numerous frauds which continue to he prac-
ticed upon the by false invoices and under
valuations, constitute an unanswerablc reason for
adopting specific instead of nd valorem duties in all
| cases whore the nature of the commodity does not
forbid it, striking illustration Of these frauds will
be exhibited in the Report of the Secretary of the
| Treasury, showing the customhou valuation OF
articles imported under former law subject to spe-
cihe duties, when there inducement to under
valuation, and the custom house valuations of the
articles under the present system of ad vaiorem
duties, greatly reduced to caye doubt of the
existence of the most fragrant abuses under the OK
| sting laws. This practical evasion of the present
law combined with the languishing condition of some
of the great interests of the country caused by
importations and consequent depressed prices, and
with the failure in obtaining a foreign market for
our increasing surplus Of breadstuffs and provisions
has induced me again to recommend modification
of the existing tariff
The report of the Secretary of the Interior which
accompanies this communication, will present con-
dcnsed statement OF the operations Of that important
department Of the Government.
1t will be that the cash sales Of the public
lands exceed those Of the preceding year, and that
there is reason to anticipate still further increase,
notwithstanding the large donations which have been
made to many Of the States and the liberal grants
to individuals a reward for military services This
fact furnishes very gratifying evidence of the grow
ing wealth and prosperity of our country
Suitable measures have been adopted for com
mencng the survey of the public lands in California
and Oregon. Surveying parties have been organized
and some progress has been made in establishing tho
principal base and meridian lines Butfurther legs
laton and additional appropriations will be necessa
ry before the proper subdivisions can be made ant
the general land system extended over those remote
parts of our territory.
On tho Sd Of March last, an act was passed pro
vidng for the appointment of three commissioners to
settle private land claims in California Three per-
sons Immediately appointed, all of whom, how
over declined accepting the Office, in consequence OF
the inadequacy of the compensation. Others were
promptly selected who, for the same reason also de-
clined and il not until late in the season that
the services of suitable persons could DO secured.
majority of the commissioners convened in this city,
on the 10th of September last whom detailed nstruc-
tions were given to them in regard TO their duties
Their first meeting for the transaction of business
will be held in San Francisco the 9Th day OF the
present month
have thought il proper TO refer to these facts not
only TO explain the causes of the delay in filling the
commission, but to call your attention to the propr
ETY. of increasing the compensation OF the commits
sioncrs The office is Of great labor and respon-
sibiity and the compensation should BIO such as to
command men of high order Of talents and the
most unquestonabe integrity.
The proper disposal OF the mineral lands of Cali
fornia is n subject surrounded by great difficulties.
In my last annual message 1 recommended the sur
vey and sale Of them in small parcels, under such
| restrictions as would cfectually guard against mo-
nOpOly and speculation But upon further informa-
ton, 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, as Mt present n common field.
txntt1
until further experience shall have developed the
best policy TO be ultimately adopted in regard to
them. IL is safer 10 suffer tho Inconvenience that
now exist, for a short period, than, by premature
legislation, 10 fasten on the country system found
ed in error, which may place the whole subject be-
yond the future control of Congress.
The agricultural lands should, however he snr-
veyed and brought into market with as little delay
~ possible, that the titles may become settled. and
the inhabitants stimulated to make permanent i'm
proyemens. and enter the ordinary pursuits OF
life To effect these objects it is desirable that the
necessary provision be made by law for tho estab.
lshment Of land offices in California and Oregon, and
| for the efficient prosecution OF the surveys ut nm
| early day
Some difficulties have occurred in organizing the
| Territorial Governments Of New Mexico and Utah
| and, when more accurate information shall be oh
| tanned of the causes, further communication will
be made on that subject
| In my last annual communication to Congress ]
recommended the establishment Of an Agricultural
| Bureau. and take this occasion again 10 invoke
| your favorable consideration OF the subject
Agriculture may jusdy be regarded az the great
interest of our people fourffhs Of our active pop
ulation employed in the cultivation Of the soil,
and tho rapid expansion Of our settlements over new
territory is daily adding 10 the number Of those en-
| gagged in that vocation. Justice and sound policy,
therefore, alike require that the Government should
use all the means authorized by the Constitution 10
promote the interests and welfare Of that important
Glass of our fellow citizens And yet IL il singular
fact that whilst the manufacturing and commercial
interests have engaged the attention Of Congress
during large portion Of every session. and our stat
utes abound in provisions for their protection and
encouragement little has yet been done directly for
,be adyancement of agriculture II II time that this