Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-12-08

would enable them, or at once to disband the com
mission. A special message has since arrived from
the officer ia charge of the survey on the river,
with information that the funds subject to his
troll were exhausted, and that the officers ard 9TH
ers employed in the service were destitute alike of
the means of prosecuting the work and of return
ing to their homes.
The object of the prrviso was doubtless to arrest
the survey of the southern and western lines OF
New Mexico, in regard 10 which different opin-
ions have been expressed; for it is hardly TO be
supposed that there could be any objection to that
part of the line which extends along the channel of
the Rio Grande. But the terms of the law are 80
broad to forbid the use of any part Of the money
for the prosecution of the work, or even for the
payment to the officers and agents, of the afrear
ages which are qustly due 10 them. -
Every effort has been mede to ptutect our from
tier and that of the adjoining Mexican States,hrom
the incurslons of the indian tribes. Ofabout l1,-
0oo men OF which the army is composed, nearly
5000 are employed in the defence of the newly
acquired territory, (ncluding Texas,) and Of emf
grants proceeding thereto. | am gratified to say
that these effnrts have been unusuaily successful
With the exception Of some partial outbreaks in
California and Oregon, and occasional depredatons
on portion of the Rio Grande owing, it is believ
ed, to the disturbed state of that border region the
nruads of the Indians nave been effectually res
trained. -.. .tts.
| Experience has shown, however, that whenever
the two races are brought into contnct, collisions
wil.ipeviably occur. To prevent these collisone,
the United States have generally set apart portions
OF their territory for the exclusive occupation of the
Indian tribes difficulty occurs, no W ever in the
application of this policy. By the terms of The
compact by which that state admitted into the
Union, she retained the ownership of all vacant
lands within her limits. ~
| earnestly invite your prompt attention to this
subject. and recommend of the terms of the provi-
SO so as to enable the Depart ment to use much
of the appropriation as will ba necessary 10 DIS
charge the existing obgniions of the Government
and TO complete the survey Of tae Rio GIande tt
its mout,
1t will also be proper to make further provision
by law for the fuiflment of our treaty with Mex
leo for running and marking The re>idue Of The
boundary line between the two countries.
Permit me to invite your attention TO the in
terests of the District Of Columbia, which are
confded by the Constitution tosyour peculiar care.
Among the measures which seem to me Of the
greatest Importance to the prosperity are the iu-
PRODUCTION of copious supply of water into the
city of Washington, and the construction of suit
able bridges across the Potomac to replace those
which were destroyed by high water in the early
part of the present year.
At the last session of Congress, an appropria-
ton was made to defray the cost the surveys nee
essary for determining the best means of affecting
an unfailing supply of good and wholesome wat
err Some progress has been made in the survey,
and as soon as it is completed, the result will be
laid before you.
Further appropriations will also be necessary
for gas and prying the streets and avenues, and
embellishing the public grounds, within the city
of Washington.
recommend all these objects together with the
charitable institutions of the District to your ia
vorable regard. -
The government of that state it is understood
had assigned no portion of her territory to the In
dians, but as fast as her settlement advances lays
it off into counties and proceeds to survey and sci
it. This policy manifestly tends not only to al
arm and irritate the Indians but COMPEL to rcsor
to plunder for sustenance. 1t also deprives this
Government of that influence and control ovel
them without which no durable peace can evel
exist between them and the whites. trust there
fore, that due regard for our own interests
apart from the considerations of humanity apt
Justice, will induce that state to assign small
portion of her vast domain for the provisionaloc.
clpancy of the small remnants of tribes within
her borders, subject of course to her ownership
and eventual jurisdiction. If she should fail tc
do this, the fulflment of our treaty stpulations
with Mexico, and our duty to the Indians them
selves, will, it is feared, become subject of Sc
rious embarrassment, to the Government. 1t il
hoped howeAer, that timely and Just provision by
Texas may avert thia evil.
No appropriations for Notifications were made
OF the last session of Congress The cause of iti
omission, is, probably to be found in a growing
belief that the system of Notifications adopted il
1916. and heretofore acted upon, requires reyis
ion.
The subject certainly deserves full and careful
investigation; but it should not be delayed longe
than it can be avoided. In the meantime there
are certain works which have been commenced
some of them nearly completed-designed to pro
ect our principal seaports from Boston to New
OIleans, and few other important points. II
regard to the necessity for these works, it is be
lieved that little difference exists among military
men. therefore recommend that the appropria
tons, necessary to prosecute them be immediate
ly made.
invite your sttention to the remarks on this
subject, and on others connected with his Depart
ment contained in the accompanying report O
the Secretary of War.
Measures have been taken to carry into effect
1 the law of the last session, making provisions
for the improvement of certain rivers and harbors
and it is believed that the arrangements made fol
that purpose, will combine efficiency with ecoro-
nv. Owing chiefly to the edvanced season when
the act was passed, Httle HAS YET Deen uone Ill re-
gars to many of the works, beyond making the
necessary preparations. With respect to few
of the improvements, the sums already appropri-
ated will suffice to complste them, but most oi
them will require additional appropriations.
trust that these appropriations will be made, and
that this wise and benefcent policy SO auspcious.
ly resumed, will be continued. .t
Great care should be taken however, to com.
mence no work which is not of sufficient imporg-
ance to the commerce of the country to be view.
ed as national in its character. But works which
have been commenced should not be discontinued
until completed, otherwise the sums expended
must be lost
In reference to the first of these, take occa
sion to say that l think it will greatly improve
the efficiency of the service, that regard it as