The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-12-15

heir disposal would enable them. or at
once 10 disband the Commission. "A spe-
oial messenger has since arrived from the
in charge Of the survey OF the
river, with information that the funds sub.
|ect to his control were exhausted, and
that the officers and others employed in
The service were destitute alike Of the
Of prosecuting the work and Of re-
to their homes.
The object Of the proviso wal doubtless
to arrest the survey Of the southern and
western lines of New Mexico, in regard to
which different opinions have been ex-
pressed; for it is hardly to be supposed
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 so broad as TO forbid
the use Of any part of the money for the
prosecution Of the work, or even Tor the
payment, to the officers and agents, Of the
arrearages Of pay which are Justly due TO
them.
| earnestly invite your prompt attention
to this subject, and recommend a modi6-
cation of the terms Of the proviso so as TO
enable the Department to use as much OF
the appropriation as will be necessary to
discharge the existing obligations Of the
Government, and 10 complete the survey
of the Rio Grande to its mouth.
1t will also be proper TO make further
provision by law for the fulflment Of our
treaty with Mexico for running and mark.
ing the residue of the boundary line be-
tween the two countries.
Permit me to invite your particular at
tention to the interests Of the District OF
Columbia, which are confded by the Con.
stitution to your peculiar care.
Among the measures which seem to me
Of the greatest importance to its prosperi-
ty are the introduction Of a copious sup.
ply Of water into the city OF Washington.
and the construction Of suitable 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 ap.
preparation was made to defray the cost
of surveys necessary for determining the
best means of affording an unfailing sup.
ply of good and wholesome water. Some
progress has been made in the survey, and
as 1901 as it is completed the result will
be laid before you.
Further appropriations will also be ne
cessary for grading and paving the streets
and avenues. and enclosing and embel.
fishing the public grounds within the city
of Washington.
| commend all these objects, together
with the charitable institutions Of the Dis
trict, to your favorable regard.
Every effort has been made to protect
our frontier, and that of the adjoining
Mexican States, from the incursions OF
the Indian tribes. OF about 1000 men
of which the army is composed, nearly
5000 are employed in the defence Of the
newly acquired territory, (~including Tex
as.) and of emigrants proceeding thereto.
| am gratifed to say that these efforts
have been unusually successful. With
the exception Of some partial outbreaks in
California and Oregon, and occasional
depredations on a portion Of the Rio
Grands, owing, it is believed, to the dis.
turbed state Of that border region. the in.
roads of the Indians have been effectually
restrained.
Experience has shown, however, that
whenever the two races are brought into
contact, collisions will inc vitality occur
To prevent these collisions tho United
States have generally set apart portions oil
their territory for the exclusive use OF the
Indian tribes. A difficulty occurs howev.
er, in the application Of this policy to Tex
as. By the terms Of the compact by which
that State was admitted into the Union,
she retained the ownership of all the va
cant lands within her limits. The govern.
ment Of that State, it is understood. has
assigned no portion Of her territory to the
Indians; but as fast as her settlements ad.
vance lays it off into counties. and pro
ceeds to survey and sell it. This policy
manifestly tends, not only TO alarm and
irritate the indians, but to compel them ia
plumber for subsistence. II also deprives
this government OF that influence and CON
troll over them without which no durable
peace can ever exist between them and the
whites. trust, therefore, that a due re-
gard for her own interests, apart from con
sideralions Of humanity and justice. vii
induce that State to assign a small portion
Of her vast domain for the provisional oc'
cupancy OF the small remnants Of tribes
within her borders. subject Of course te
her ownership and eventual jurisdiction
II she should fail 10 do this, the fulflmen
of our treaty stipulations with Mexico
and our duty to the Indians themselves
will, it is feared, become a subject Of Sc
rious embarrassment 10 the Government
1t is hoped, however, that a timely ant
Just provision by Texas may avert THU
evil.
No appropriations for Notifications wer'
made at the two last sessions Of Congress
The cause of this omission is, probably