The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-12-11

ed, in the frsasRy Of the Y. ,, on or U
lore the GsS( day Of October, 1851.
il Allissgh this publication has been col
tinued ispm the 25lh day Of March, 1881
! yet up TO tho Is. day Of Oct. last, compara
ltiye!y few releases had been filed BY 10
|creditors Of Texas. The authorities OF u
State of Texas, at The request OF the Sec
re,arv Of the Treasury, have furnished
: schedule OF the public debt OF that State
created prior TO her admission into ID
}, Union with copy Of the Laws unde
which each claim was contracted. ! hav
! from the documents furnished by the Stat
or Texas determined the classes Of claim
which in my judgment, fell within th
provision of the act of Congress OF the VI
Of March. 1850 On being officially in
Ifarmed Of the acceptance by Texas Of to-
!, propositions contained in the act reierret
Ito, caused the stock to be prepared ant
1.-THE five millions which are 10 be issued
bearing an interest Of five per cent iron
1.-The Is, ofJanuary, 1851, have been foI
some time ready to be delivered 70 tht
State Of Texas.
! The authorities of Texas, up to the pres
ent time, have not authorized any one L
receive this stock, and it remains in th,
xreasury department, tothe order OF Texas
The releases required BY law to be de
posted ia the treasury not having beer
found there, tho remaining five millions
have not been issaed
This last amount Of The stock will he
withheld from Texas, until the conditions
upon which it is to be delivered shall be
complied with by the creditors Of that state
unless Congress shall otherwise direct BY
a modification ofthe law.
In nv last annual message, to which |
re- pectfnily refer. stated briefly the rea-
son which induced me to recommend q
modification of the present tarif, BY CON
yeriing The nd vaIornm into specific daty
whenever the srticle imported was of such
a character as to permit il, and TINT a dis
should be made in favor Of the
industrial pursuits Of our own country, as
10 encourage home production without ex-
GLIDING foreign competition.
The numerous frauds which continue to
be practiced upon the revenue, by false in
voices and under valuation, constitute an
unanswerable reason for adapting specific.
instead Of I'D vslofum duties, in all cases
where the nature of the commodity dos
not forbid it. A striking illustration Of
these frauds will be exhibited in the report
Of Secretary Of the Treasury, showing the
,f, ,.,ta
ted under former law, subject to specific
duties, when there was no inducement 10
under.valu alton and the Custom House
valuations Of the same articles under the
present system Of ed valorum duties 50
greatly reduced as to leave no doubt of the
existence Of the most fragrant abuses under
tie existing laws. This practical evasion
OF the present law combined with the Ian
gushing condition of some of the great in
ierests OF the country, caused b. over i'm
porlalions and consequent depressed prices.
and with the failure ofoblainine foreign
market for cur increasing breadstuffs and
provisions, has induced me to recommend q
m 1d.f:ation Of the existing Tariff. The re
port ofthe Secretary Of the Interior, which
accompanies this, will present a condensed
statement OF the operations Of that impor-
tant department Of the government. II
will be seen that the cash sales Of the Public
Lands exceed those ofthe prece ling year,
and that there is reason TO anticipate an in
crease notwithstanding the large donations
made to many ofthe States, and the liber-
al grants to individuals as reward for mill
tary services. This fact furnishes very
gratifying evidence Of the growing wealth
and prosperity of our country. Suitable
measures have been adopted for common
cling the survey of Public Lands in Oregon.
Surveyors have been engaged in establish
ing the principal base aud meridian lines
but further legislative and additional ap
preparations viii be necessary before the
proper subdivisions can be made, and the
general land system extended over those
remote parts Of orr territory.
On the 81 Of March last, an act was
passed prnvisiing for The appointment. Of
three Commissioners TO settle private Land
Claims in California. Three persons were
immediately appointed, all Of whom how
ever, declined accepting tho office, in con-
sequence of the nadequacy Of the compen
sation. Others were promptly selected,
who for the same reason also declined, and
it was not until late in tho season, that the
services Of suitable persons could be secur-
ed. A majority Of the Commissioners
convened ia this city on the 10Th Of Sep
TENDER last, when detailed instructions
we're given TO them in regard TO their da-
ties. Their first meeting for the transact
ion of business will be held in San Fran,
cisco on The s,h day Of the present month.
have thought it proper to refer TO these
acts not only to explain the causes Of the
delay in filing the commission, but to
call your attention, to the porpriety Of in
crsasing the compensation Of the Commits
sioners; the Office is one of great labor aud
responsibility, and the compensation shoult
| be such as 10 command men Of high or
der Of talent and the NEST unqaestionablt
integrity.
The proper disposal Of the mineral lands
Of California is n subject surrounded b,
great difficulties. In my last annual mes
sage, recommended the survey and sal
of them in small parcels under certain re
slriclioDs as will etfec,ually guard agains
monopoly and speculation; but upon lur,h
er information and in Difference 10 III
Opinions of persons familiar with tho sub
iect. | nm inclined to CHANCE that recon-