The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-12-10
of iron have been placed at suitable dis.
tances along the line.

OF iron have been placed AZ suitable us
tances along the line.
The initial point on the Rio Grande has
also been fixed by the commissioners at
latitude 81 deg. 20 min, and at the date
of the last communication. the survey OF
the line had been made thence westward,
about $50 miles, to the neighborhood OF the
copper mines
The commission on our part was at first
organized on a scale which experience
proved to be unwieldly, and attended with
unnecessary expense. Orders have there.
fore, been issued for the reduction OF the
number of persons employed within the
smallest limits consistent with the safety OF
those engaged in the service. and the
prompt and efficient execution Of their i'm.
porta2t duties.
Returns have been received from all the
officers engaged in taking the census in
the States and Territories, except Califor-
MIA. The superintendent employed TO
make the enumeration in that State, has
not yet made his full report, from causes,
as he alleges. beyond his control. This
failure is much 10 be regretted. as it has
prevented the Secretary Of the Interior
from making the decenhial appointment of
representatives among the States. as re.
quired by the act approved May %, 1850:
It is hoped, however, that the returns will
soon be received. and no time will then be
lost in making the necessary %apportlon-
ment, and in transmitting the certificates
required by law.
The Superindent of the Seventh Census
is diligently employed, under the direction
of the Secretary Of the Interior, in classl.
flying and arranging. in tabular form. all
the statistical information derived from the
returns OF the marshals, and it is believed
that when the work shall be completed, il
will exhibit II more perfect view OF the pop.
%ula,ion, wealth, occupations, and social
condition of a great country, than has ever
been presented to the world. The value
of such a work. as the basis of e%nlighten.
ed legislation. can hardly be overestimated;
and ! earnestly hope that Congress will
lose no time in making the appropriations
necessary to complete the classiications,
and 10 publish the results in a style worthy
of the subject and Of u national char.
acter.
The want of a uniform fre bln. prescrib-
ing the compensation TO be allowed dis.
trict attorneys, clerks, marshals. and COM
missioners in civil and criminal cases. is
the cause of much vexation, injustice and
complaint. would recommend ii thor
ough revision OF the laws IN the whole
subject. and the adoption OF a tariff OF fees,
which, as far as practicable, should be uni
form, and prescribe a specific compensa-
ton for every service which the officer may
be required to perform. This subject will
be fully presented in the report Of the Sec
rotary Of the Interior. 80.
In my last annual message gave brief
" my reasons for believing that you pos
scssed the constitutional power to improve
the harbors of our great lakes and sea.
coast, and the navigation Of our principal
rivers. and recommended that a%ppropria-
tons should be made for the completing
such works as had already been m
ed, and for commencing such others as
might seem TO the wisdom Of Congress to
be Of public and general Importance
Without repeating the reasons then urged.
| deem i: my duty again 10 call your at.
%tention to this important sublec The
works on many of the harbors were left in
an unfinished state. and consequently ex.
posed to the action of the elements, which
is fast destroying them. Great numbers
OF lives and vas, amount Of property are
annually lost for want OF safe and conve.
nient harbors on the lakes. None but
those who have been exposed TO that dan
gerous navigation can fully appreciate the
importance Of this subject. The whole
northwest, appeals to you for relief; and |
trust their appeal will receive due consid-
GRAFTON at your hands.
The same is in a measure true in re-
gard to some other harbors and inlets on
the seacoast.
The unobstructed navigation Of our
large rivers, is Of equal importance. Our
settlements are o extended 10 the sour.
ces of the great rivers which empty into
and form a part of the Mississippi, and the
value OF the public lands IN nose regions
would be greatly enhanced by freeing the
navigation of those waters from obstruc-
tons. In view, therefore, Of this great in.
%terest, | deem it my duty again to urge
upon Congress to make such %appropria.
ton for these improvements as they may
deem necessary.
The survey Of the Delta of the Missis-
sippi, with a view TO the prevention OF the
overfows that have proved so disastrous to
that region of country, have been nearly
completed, and the reports thereof are now
IN course Of preparation, and will shortly
be laid before you.
The protection of our southwestern
frontier, and of the adjacent Mexican
States, against the Indian tribes within our
border, has claimed my earnest and con.
slant attention, Congress having failed.
at the last session. to adopt my recon.
mendation that an additional regiment of