Weekly national intelligencer., 1852-06-26
MONDAY, JUNE 81, 1852.
In SENATE.

The PRESIDENT Of the Senate laid before the body
compliance with resolution of the 10th instant calling
for certain information in relation to the preparation
the American Nautical Almanac
The Secretary transmits detailed report from Lieut.
Charles III. Davis, the officer charged with the work
which he recommends to the attention Of the Senate
aordng satisfactory information all the points which
the subjects of special inquiry, well as the
utility and Importance Of the work in general
Also, from the Secretary Of the Interior in reply TO
resolution Of the lh instant calling for information
to whether any portion Of the public domain the Island
of Santa Cruz in the State Of California had been leased
gether with any legal opinion that may have been given
the subject The Secretary communicates cepy Of
the lease, and says:
al have the state that according authentic maps
and charts Of the Pacific coast there number Of islands
in the Pacific off the coast of that portion Upper Cali
forna which acquired by the United States in virtue of
the treaty with the Republic Of Mexico concluded at Guada
upe Hdago the I'd Of February, 1848 that nearly due
south of the Of Santa Barbara and about twenty-five
miles distant from the coast there known by the
of Santa Cruz Some weeks ago Mr. Alexander g. Abe Of
San Francisco applied TO for lease Of this island at
informed him that Congress alone had the power to
dispose Of the public domain, did conceive that
authorized to make lease Of any portion Of which would
interfere any with the free exercise Of that power and
therefore declined acceding to his proposition
"Upon further examination and reflection, however
ceved il be proper enter into arrangement with Mr.
Abel which, whilst ii tends promote the public interest is
Judgment obnoxious to the objection of interference
with the appropriate powers and duties Of Congress-
The treaty Of Guadalupe Hdaeo is silent In regard 10 the
islands the coast Of the territory ceded the United States
and there is certainty that the island in question
in the actual occupation Of Mexico. had doubt however
that the United States did acquire lawful title the islands
incidents the main land by virtue treaty
ered to- But apprehendng from the remoteness Of this
tcuar island from the coast and from the that well
supplied with wood and water and Is said possess good
harbor that it might be object Of interest citizens
other countries adventurers from who might
by setting up conflicting claims Of
dicton and e deemed II prudent actual posses
sion TO be taken Of II for and behalf Of the United States
dtnfa NJ hall
copy Of which is herewith communicated the Senate.
From inspection Of this agreement il will be that it
and behalf Of the United staes and hold and
enjoy for year, subject however to the power Of
Congress at moment annul the contract without
the Of Mr. Abe II will be that although the
form of lease adopted, great taken avoid
interfering with the right Of Congress any time exercise
complete control the whole subject and that form
adopted because from the regulating the
relation Of and landlord, Mr. Abe and all claiming
under him, would be prcuded from setting s any claim Of
title adverse 10 the United States.
did regard the subject Of sufficient Importance to
call for the opinion of the Attorney General extent
my authority in the premises though mentioned the subject
TO him orally and acted from conviction that doing
what would very probably avoid embarrassing disputes
in the future and could be obnoxious valid objection
though possibly dsappont the cupdy of adventurous
spectators.
have the honor be- sir very respectfully your obedient
servant, "ALEX II. III. STUART, Secretary
Mr.. GWIN briefly addressed the Senate the subject
condemnng In toto the whole mode Of leasing and grant
ing public lands pursued by military and executive
officers in the State Of California
The communication was then, motion of Mr.. GWIN
referred to the Committee Public Lands and ordered
to be printed for the use Of the Senate
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Mr.. SHIELDS, from the Committee the District Of
Columbia reported joint resolution appointing Stephen
Caldwell trustee for the heirs Of Joseph Ball. deceased
Mr. s. asked its immediate consideration; which was
agreed to.
And after debate, in which Messrs SHIELDS,
BADGER, WELLER, COOPER and DAVIS participated
the resolution was referred the Committee the Ju
dietary.
Mr. DAVIS from the Committee Private Land Claims,
asked to be discharged from the further consideration of
the memorial Of Theodore Whitney and that he have
leave to withdraw his papers which agreed to.
RESOLUTIONS
Mr.. SEWARD submitted the following resolution for
consideration;