Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11

February lo4 has increased in consequence of the
peal Of the last proyso of the 9th section by the passage
Of the act of 22d Of March, 1852
Bounty Land Lars of2SM September, 1850, and
22d March, 1852.
The execution Of these laws has been steadily pro-
crossing Up to the present time the number of
received and registered amount to about 200, 600
OF which there have been admitted ..140, 058
Now on the files for examination. ...........4 531
Suspended for future proof. Ill
lss,7Oo
Warrants are issued daily for all admitted The
number Of applications amounts to about hun
dred per day.
The quantity of land required to satisfy the warrants
issued up to the LIST Of November, 1852, amounts to
$685. 800 acres which, at the minimum price of ST. 25
per acre. would be worth So, $3.50
Under the act of 22d March, 1852 there have been
ceved and registered 1856 of which there have
been admitted 2,34, leaving still to be acted 1914
To satisfy the claims issued under this act 800
of land will be required
The report Of the Commissioner contains some mpor
suggestions in regard proposed changes in the
laws relating to pensions In addition to those already
alluded would invite your particular attention to the
propriety of re-enacng provision requiring biennial
examinations by competent medical officers, of all in
valid pensioners and report to the condition of their
health The law of 1919 contained provision of this
kind which found to work well in practice, but it
ncautiousy repealed by the act of 4h july 1892 Some
such is indispensable to protect the Government
against imposition.
No material reduction has been made the clerical
force of the Pension Office since the date of my last
port but the bounty land will be disposed
Of the services of many of the clerks can be dispensed
with at an early day.
Indian Abairs
For detailed information in regard the condition of
Indian relations respectfully refer the report of
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
In my last annual communication l explained, some
what at large, my views of the policy which should regu
late intercourse with the Indian tribes 1t in
substance that efforts should be directed their civil
zaton and the ameoraton of their condition rather
than to of coercion 1t is not only just
and humane but more economical win them by kindness
and to encourage them engage pastoral and agrcu
tural pursuits and renquish their nomadc and preda
tory lfe than to subdue and restrain them by military
force. still adhere to these opinions and respectfully
refer to my last report for detailed exposition of
them.
The amendments the treaties with the Sioux Indians
in Minnesota which proposed by the Senate, have
been submitted to the proper authorities of the tribes and
acceded to by them and their title valuable district
Of country has thereby been extinguished.
In consequence of the rejection of all the treaties which
had been negotiated with the Indian tribes resident in
California and Oregon, relations with them of
very unsettled and precarous character 1t is believed
that those treaties rejected much
of objections to their details to the leading principles
embraced in them which secured particular districts of
country for the exclusive occupancy of the Indians Until
the Senate shall have announced line of policy
be pursued that subject it would be than useless
to attempt further negotiations If the Indians are to be
removed out of California and Oregon it will be for Con-
gress to say and to provide for them place of
fuge. Or if any particular districts of country within
their limits, remote from the settlements Of the
whites to be set apart for them it is proper that Con-
gress which is alone invested with the power of dsposng
of the public domain should make the necessary pro-
visions the subject
The Department has endeavored assduousy concli-
ate the Indians by kindness and prevent those host
ties which had just to apprehend So far these
efforts have been in great successful There
is fear however that measures not speedi
adopted declare by law what is to be the extent of
the rights Of the Indians and to protect them from
gression, collisions and bloodshed will ensue.
The removal of the remnant Of the tribe of Seminole
Indians has long been cherished object Of the Govern
ment and the Department has spared pains to
psh it. Admonshed by experience of the cost OF blood
and treasure which attend the repetition of the
tempt to expel them by military force it thought to
be consistent with humanity and sound policy to
try the effect of peaceful measures special agent
therefore employed to 20 among them and endeavor
induce them to emgrate voluntarily. To give greater
force his representations of the benefits likely to
from such a measure he took with him a delegation Of
Seminole Indians who had previously removed to the
try west Of the Mississippi Their united persuasons
have had the effect which anticipated and recently
Of the principal chiefs Of the Florida tribe visited
Washington and while here acknowledged in writing their
obligation to remove Late advices from special agent
us they still adhere to their engagement
meeting of the tribe has been called to make the
sary preparations; and that their removal may be con-
fdently expected Mt an early day.
Such result will be matter of much interest to the
people of Florida will not only relieve them from
Of danger to their persons and property
but will open extensive district of country for settle
ment and cultivation.
Census
The report Of the Superintendent Of the Census will
show that greater part of the labor Of compiling and
classifying the returns has been completed and the pub
LEGATION now be commenced, the residue be
finished and placed in the hands of the publisher from
time to time as he may require.
It's estimated that additional appropriation of fifty
thousand dollars viii be necessary to prepare the entire
work. consisting Of two large Volumes for the press
As objections have been urged to that part Of the
plan which conemplates condensed notice Of the geo.
graphical features and history Of each county beg
10 suggest one or two which have led TO be-
eve that il would be eminently useful In the early
settlement of country when the population thiny
scattered over wide extent of territory but few
ties were established.
As population increased, and the public convenience
rendered it necessary, these counties were divided and
until at the present day many of them do not
embrace onetwentieth part of their original territory
This process must continue to 90 for many years to
ome When, therefore, attempt is made ascertain
he progress in wealth and population of any county thus
situated by reference to its condition each successive
ecsnnia census, the inquirer is involved in confusion
md VIII naturally lose all confidence in the accuracy of
he returns unless he has the Of asceranng the
ubdivsens which have taken place. and the counties
parts Of counties which have been taken from those
which were originally established and the dates Of the
uccessive divisions.
Such condensed history will also furnish great fac-
les in tracing the titles lands In the State Of Vir
nia for example IL would be easy refer to counties
Vhch have been recently formed whose land titles to
e found scattered through the records of ten more
ferent counties, Of which it has from time to time con-
tituted part II
II