The Nevada journal., 1852-01-15
The Presidents Message.

We have received, through Gregory's
Express, an extra from the Office Of the
Alta containing the Preside dents Message.
1t is a long, business.like document, and
presents the financial condition Of tho
country in most favorable light We
regret that its great length prevents
our giving it entire. We find the fol-
lowing paragraphs relative to California
and other matters of particular interest
to our citizens:
1t will be seen that the cash sales of
the puplic lands exceed those of the
preceding year, and that there 10 rea-
son to anticipate still further increase.
no withstanding the large donations
which have been made to many Of ths
States, and the liberal grants to indi.
viduals asa reward for military services
This fact furnishes very gratifying evi-
dence Of the growing wealth and pros.
perity Of our country.
Suitable measures have been adopted
for commencing the survey Of the pub
lie lands in California and Oregon. Sur.
veying parties have been organised, and
some progress has been made in estab.
fishing the principal ba % and meridian
lines. Bat further legislation and ad-
ditional appropriations will be necessa-
~ before the proper subdivisions can be
made, and the general land system sx-
tended ever those remote parts Of our
territory.
On the Sd Of March last an act was
passed providing for the appointment of
three commissioners to settle private
land claims in California. Three per-
sens were imm ediately appointed. all of
whom. however, declined accepting the
ofkce. in consequence of the inad dequacy =
Of the compensation. Others were
promptly selected, who, for the same
reason. also declined; and it was not
till late in the season that the service
Of suitable persons could be secured.
A majority of the commissioners con-
vened in this city on the 10th of Sep
tenber last, when detailed instructio
were given to them in regard to their
duties. The first meeting for the trans
action of business will be held in San
Francisco on the eighth day Of the pre-
sent month.
have thought it proper to refer to
these facts not only to explain the eau.
ses Of the delay in filing the commits
sion, but to call your attention to the
propriety of increasing the compensn-
tion of the commissioners. The office is
one of great labor and responsibility,
and the compensation should be such as
to command men Of high order of tai
ents. and the most unquestionable in
tegrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral
lands Of California is a subject surround :
ed by great difficulties. In my Inst an
nunl message recommended the sur
v.y and sale of them in small parcels
under such restrictions as would effec-
tually guard against monopoly and spec
ulation. But upon further information,
and in Difference to the opinions of per-
sons familiar with the subject, am
inclined to change that recomm.nda-
ton, and to advise that they be per-
mitted to remain, rs ut present, COM
mon field, open to the enterprise and
industry Of NIL our citizens, until further
experience shall have developed the
best policy to be ultimately adopted in
regard to them. IL is safer TO suffer
the inconvenience that now exist, for n
short period, than, by premature. legis
lation. to fasten on the country syste m
founded in error, which may place the
whole subject beyond the future co ltro
Of Congress.
The agricultural lands should, how
ever, be surveyed and brought int
market with as little delay Us possible
that the titles may become settled, and
the inhabitants stimulated to make per.
manent Improvements. and enter on the
ordinary pursuits of life. To effect these
objects it is desirable that the necessa.
ry provision be made by law for the es.
tablishment of Ian Offices in Californis
and Oregon, and for the Efficient prose
cution Of the surveys at an early day.
The joint com mission under the treaty
of Guadalupe Hidalgo has been actively
engaged in running and marking the
boundary line between the United States
and Mexico 1t was stated in the last
annual report Of the Secretary Of the
Interior, that the initial point on the
Pacific and the point Of juno tion Of the
ella with the Colorado river had been
determined, and the intervening line,
about one hundred and fifty miles in
length run and marked by temporary
monuments. Since that time monu.
ment Of marble has been erected at
the initial point, and permanent land.
marks Of iron have been placed ct suita.
BILE distances along the line.
The initial pint on the Rio Grande
has also beeen 6xed by the commission.
srs ct latitude 80 deg. % min, and al
the date of the last commsnica ton tn /.
survey Of the line had been mad
thence westward about one hundred and
City miles to the neighborhood Of the
ieODnar rninna