Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-12-16

~ successfui. With the exception of some
partial outbreaks in Cali iforna and Oregon,
a0d occusasional depre,lations on a por-
ton OF the Bio Grande, owing, it is belev-
ed, to the disturbed state OF that border
| region, the intoads Of The indians have
been effeciually resi- ruined
Experience has shown, however, that
whenever the two races are brought into
contact, collisions will inevitably occur
Toprevent these collisions The United States
have generally set apart portions Of their
territory for the exclusive occupation Of
the Indian tribes. A difficulty occurs, how
wever, in the application of this policy TO
] Texas. BY the terms of the compact by
I which that State was admitted into The u
Mon, she retained the ownership of all the
vacant lands within her limits. The gov.
4 ernment of that State, it is understood, has
assigned no portion of her territory TO the
/ Indians; but as fast as her settlements adj
vance laws il off into counties, aud poceeds
/ 10 survey and sell il. This policy manifestly
4 tends, not only to alarm and irrilate the
I Indians, but to compel them 10 resort TO
pIunder for subsistence. 1t 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 a due re-
/ gard for her own interest, apart from con-
! sideralions Of humanity and justice, vii!
/ induce that State to assign small portion
/ Of her vast domain for The provisional oc-
| cupancy Of The small remnants Of tribes
within her borders, subject Of course 10 her
ownership and eventual jurisdiction. II
she should fail to do this, the lulfilment of
our treaty s'puIations with Mexico, and
oHE duty 10 tie Indians themselves, will, it
is feared, become subject Of serious en-
baras>ment to The Government. It's hoped,
however, that timely and just prov sion
by Texas, may avert Ibis evil.
No appropriations for loriications were
made at the two last sessions OF Congress.
The cause Of this omission is, probably, 10
be found in a growing belief that the sys-
TEN of Notifications adopted in 1916, and
heretofore acted on, requires revision.
The subject certainly deserves full and
careful investigation; bot it should not be
delayed longer than can be avoided. In
the meantime 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, 8nd few other important
points. In regard to the necessity Tor
these works. it is believed that but lille .
difference OF opinion exists among military 1
men. Therefore recommend that the ap-
preparations necessary 10 prosecute them
be made.
invite your attention to the renlar ks on ,
this subject, and on others connected with .
his Department, contained in the dccompa. I
aying 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 il is believed that
the arrangements made for that purpose
will combine efficiency with economy. Ow-
ing chiefly TO tie advanced seson when
the act was passed, little has yet been done
in regard TO many Of the works beyond
making the necessary preparations. With
respect 10 few Of The Improvements, the
sums already appropriated wilt suffice TO
complete them, but most Of them will re-
quire additional appropriations. / trust
that these appropriations will be made, and
that this wise and benifcent policy, 50 aus
piciously resumed, will be continued
Great care should be taken, however, To
commence no work which is not of suffi>
cient Importance TO the commerce of the
country to be viewed as national in It's
character. But works which have been
commenced should not be discontinued
until completed, as otherwise the sums ex.
pended will, 10 most cases, be lost.
The report from the Navy Department
viii inform you Of the prosperous condi>
ton Of the branch Of the public sercice
to lis charge. 1t presents 10
your consideration many topics and sug
geslons of which, ask your approval. 1t
exhibits an unusual degree Of activity in
the operations OF the Department during
the past year. The preparations for the
Japan expedition, 10 which | have already
alluded; the arrangements made for the
exploration and survey OF the China Seas,
he Northern Pacific, and Behring Straits;
he incipent measures taken towards n res
olthe continent OF Africa east
ward OF Liberia; the preparation for an
7arly examination Of the tributaries Of the
River La Plata, which a recent decree Of {
lie provisional chef fthe Argentine Con-
has opened to navigation all |
hese enterprises, and the means by which
hey are proposed TO be accomplished,
lave COMMANDED my fuIl appreciation, and
have 10 doubt will be productive Of most
Useful results.
Two officers ofthe navy were heretofore /;
to explore the whole extent Of ;
# the Amazon river from the confines of
Peru 10 It's mouth. The return OF one Of !
hem has placed in the possession of the I
apd salu.E RI, n