Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-12-15

N. - " 'eoasions on portion OF the
hlo Grande, owing. it is believed, to the
disturbed state Of that border region, the
inroadsof the Indians have been effectu.
ally restrained. -
Experience has shown, however, tina.
whenever the two races are brought into
contact, collisions will Inevitably oc-
cur. To prevent these collisions the
United States have generally set apart
portions Of their territory for the exclu:
sive oceupation of the Indian tribes. A
tdifficnity occurs. however. in the applica-
lt:on of this policy to. Texas. BY the
terms of the compact by which that State
was admitted into the Union. she. re-
tanned the ownershipTof7 all the vacant
lands within her limits. The govern
ment of that State, Ii. is understood, has
assigned no portion of her territory to the
Indians; but as fast as her settlements
advance. lays it off into counties. and
proceed to survey and sell it. This poll
cy manifestly tends. not only to alarm
and irritate the Indians. but to compel
them to resort to plumber for subsistence.
lt also deprives this Government of that
influence and control over them without
which no durable peace can ever exist
between them and the whites: trust.
therefore. that due regard for her own
interest. apart from considerations of hui
mainly and Justice, will induce that State
to assign small portion of her vast do
main for the provisional occupancy of the
small remnants of tribes within her Dor
ders. subject. of course, to her ownership
and eventual Jurisdiction. If she should
fail to do this, the fulflmeut of our treaty
stipulations with Mexico, and our duty to
the Indians, themselves. will, it is feared
become subject of serious embarrass-
ment to the Government. It is hoped.
however, that a timely and Just ,proyi-
sion by Texas, may avert this evil.
No appropriations or Notifications were
made at the two last sessions of Con-
gress. The cause of this omission is,
probably. to be found in growing belief
that the system of Notifications adopted
in 1916, aud heretofore acted on, requires
a revision.
The subject certainly deserves full and
careful Investigation: but it should not be
delayed longer than can be avoided. In
the mean time there are certain works
which have been commenced-some of
them nearly completed-designed to pro-
tect our principal seaports from Boston to
New Orleans, and a few other important
points. In regard to the necessity for
these works, it is believed that little diff
ference of opinion exists among military
men. therefore recommend that the
appropriations necessary 10 prosecute
them be made.
invite your attention to the remarks
on this subject. and on others connected
with this Department, contained in the
accompanying report of the Secretary of
War.
Measures have been taken to carry into
effect the law of the last session making
provision for the improvement of certain
rivers and harbors, and it is believed that
the arrangements made for that purpose
will combine efficiency with economy
Owing chiefly to the advanced season
when the act was passed, little has yet
been done in regard to many of the works
beyond making the necessary prepare
tons. With respect to few of the i'm
prOxements, the sums already approPrla-
ted will suffice to coniplete them, but
most Of them will require additional ap-
preparations. / trust that these apPro-
priations will be made, and that this wise
and benifcent policy, SO auspiciously re-
sumed, will be continued. Great care
should be taken, however, to commence
no work which is not of sufficient impor-
lance to the commerce of the country, TO
be viewed as national in its character
But works which have been commenced
should not be discontinued until compile
ted, as otherwise the sums expended will,
in most cases, be lost.
The report from the Navy Department
will inform you Of the prosperous condi-
ton of the branch of the public service
committed to its charge. 1t presents to
your consideration many topics and sug-
gestions ofwhich ! ask your approval. 1t
exhibits an unusual degree of activity
in the operations of the Department du-
ring the past year. The preparations for
the Japan expedition. TO which have al
ready alluded; the arrangements made for
the exploration and survey of the China
Seas, the Northern Pacific. and Behring's
Straits; the incipient measures taken to
wards reconnaissance of the continent of
Africa, eastward of Liberia the prepa-
ration for an early examination of the
tributaries of the River La Plata, which a
recent decree of the provisional chief of
the Argentine Confederation has opened
to Navigation all these enterprises and
the means by which they ars proposed to
be accomplished, have commanded my
full appreciation. and have no doubt
will be productive of the most useful re-
suits.
Two officers of the navy were. hereto
fore instructed to explore the whole. ex-
tent of the Amazon Biver, from the con-
fines of Peru to its mouth. The return
of one of them has placed in the posses
sion of the Government an interesting
and valuable account of the character and
resources of a country Astounding in ma