Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-12-23


or even that the payment of the officers
and agents OF the arearages and of pay
which are Justly due them. | earnestly
invite your prompt attention to this sub
ject, and recommend a madiiicatiou of the
terms osthe proviso, so as to enable the De-
part'nent to sell as much Of the appropria-
tion as will be necessary 10 discharge ex-
lstiny obligations of the Government, and
TO complete the survey of the Rio Grande
To its mouth. 1t will also be proper 10
make farther provision by law for the fill-
iillment Of our treaty with Mexico, for
running aud making the residue of boun-
dairy line between the two countries.
Permit me to invite your particular at
tentiOn TO the interests Of the Distric, of
Columbia, which are coniided by the Con-
slitation to your particular care. Among
the measures which seem 10 me of the
greatest importance to its prosperity are
the Introduction of copious supply 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.
A, the last session Of Congress an ap-
preparation was made to detIray the cost Of
the 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 soon as it is completed the result will
be laid before yon.
Further appropriations will also be nec-
essary for grading and paving the streets
and avanues, aud closing and .embelli,h-
ing the public grounds within the city oI
Washington.
recommend all these objects together
with the charitable institutions of the dis
trict, to your favorable regard. Every ell
fort has been made to protect our from
tiers, and that Of the adjoining Mexican
States, from the incursion of the Indian
tribes: OF about eleven thousand men,
of which the army is compo>edS nearly
eight thousand are engaged in the defence
OF the newly acquired territories, inclu-
ding Texas, aud of emigranls thereto
am gratified to say that these efforts
have been unusually successful, with the
exception of some partial outbreaks in
California and Oregon, and occasional de-
predaiions on portion OF the Rio Grande,
owing, it is believed, TO the disturbed state
of that border region. The inroads ofthe
Indians have been effectually restrained.
Experience however, has shown that
when two races are brought into contact,
collision will inevitably occur. To pre-
vent these collisions, the United States
have generally set apart a portion of the
territories, for the exclusive occupation
OF the Indian tflbes. A difficulty occurs,
however, in the application of this policy
10 Texas. BY the terms OF The compact
by which this State was admitted into the
Union she retained the ownership Of all
the vacant lands within her limits. The
Government of this State, it is ander-
stood, has assigned a portion of her terri
tory to the Indians, but as fast as her set
element advanced lay it off into counties,
and proceed 10 survey and sell it.
Tits policy manifestly tends not only
TO alarm and Irritate the Indians, but to
compel them TO resort to plusder for sub
sistence. II also deprives this Govern
ment Of that influence and control over
them, without which no durable peace
can ever exist between them and The In
dians. But trust, therefore, that due
regard for her own interests, apart from
considerations of humanity and jn,tice,
will induce that Safe to assign small
portion OF her vast domain for the provis-
sional occupancy of The small remnants
of tribes within her borders, subject of
course TO her ownership and eventual j1-
risdiction. II she should fail to do thi>,
the fnlfiliment Of our treaty stipulation
with Mexicn, and our duty to the IuS,-
ans themselves, will, it is feared, become
a subject Of serious embarrassment 10 the
Government. II is hoped, however, that
timely and just provision by Texas may
avert this evil.
Noappropriation for fortiications were
made at the two last sessions of Congress
The cause OF this omission is probably to
be found in growing belief that the sys-
tenn OF Notifications erected in 1916, and
heretofore acted on, requires revision.
The subject certainly deserves iull and
careful in. esiigation, but il should not he
delayed longer than can be afforded. In
the meantime there are certain works
which have been commenced; some OF
them have been nearly completed; de-
signed TO protect our principal seaports
from Boston 10 New Orleans, and few
other important points. In regard to the
necessity for these works, il is believed
that little difference Of opinion exists a
mong military men. therefore recon-
mend that the appropriations necessary to
prosecute them be made. i invite your
attention 10 the remarks on this subject
and others connected with his department,
contained in the accom- panying report of
the Secretary Of War. Measures have
been taken TO carry into improvement GER
tain harbors, and it is believed that the
arrangements made for that purpose will
comblnc efficacy with economy. Owing
chiefly TO the advanced season when the
acts passed, little as ye. has been done
with regard 10 many OF the works, beyond
making necessary preparations With
| "A nacf Ia fa,u nf tho i,y, r>,a III