Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-12-16

others employed in the service were
destitute, alike OF the means oi
prosecuting the work, and oi To-
turning 10 their homes.
The object OF the ProVfso was
doubtless to arrest the survey o, 'ne
Southern and western lines OF New
Mexico. in regard to which different
oninions have been expressed; Tor u
: hardly to be supposed that 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 oil tne
work, or even for the payment 10
the officers and agents, oil The
arrearages Of pay which are justly
due to them.
I earnestly invite your prompt
attention to this subject, and re-
commend a modification 0: 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.
II will also be proper to make
further provision by law for the
fulflment OF our treaty with Mexico
for running and marking the residue
Of the boundary line between the
two countries.
Permit me to invite your particu-
lar attention to the interests of the
District ol Columbia, which are
confided by the Constitution to your
peculiar care.
Among the measures which seem
TO me OF the greatest Importance to
its prosperity are the introduction Of
a copious supply of water into the
city of Washington, and the con-
struction of suitable bridges across
the Potomac to replace those which
we're destroyed with water in the
early part of the present year.
At the last session OF Congress an
appropriation was made to defray
the cost OF the surveys necessary for
determining the best means OF al
fording an unfailing supply Of good
and wholesome water. Some pro-
gress has been made 10 the survey,
and as soon as it is completed the
resuIi will be laid before you.
Further appropriations will also
be necessary sor grading and paving
the streets and avenues, and en-
closing and enbeIlishing the public
grounds within the city Of Wash
ington.
commend all these objects, TO
2ether with the charitable instilu-
tions Of the District, 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. or
about II 900 men of which the army
is composed, nearly 5000 are en-
ployed in the defense Of the newly
acquired territory, Gncluding Texas }
and of emigrants proceeding thereto.
| am gratified TO say that these
efforts have been unusually success
iul. With the exception OF some
partial outbreaks in California and
Oregon, and occasional depreda-
tions on portion of the Rio Grande,
owing, it is believed, TO the disturbed
state Of that border region, the in
roads OF the Indians have been ef>
fectuallv restrained.
Experience has shown, however,
that when ever the two races are
brought into contact, collisions will
inevitably occur. To prevent these
collisions the United States have
generally set apart portions OF their
territory for the exclusive occupation
of the Indian tribes. A difficulty
occurs, however, in the application
OF this policy TO Texas. By the
terms OF the compact by which that
State was admitted into the Union,
she retained the ownership Of all the
vacant lands within her limits. The
government OF that State, il is
understood, has assigned no portion
Of her territory TO the Indians; but
as fast as her settlements advance
lays it off into counties, and proceeds
TO survey and sell it. This policy
manifes,ly tends, not only 10 alarm
and irritate the Indians, but to CON-
pei them 10 resort 10 plunder for
subsistence. II 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, there
fore. thai due regard for her own
interests, apart from considerations
OF humanity and justice, will induce
that State to assign a small portion
Of her vast domains for the pro-
visional occupancy Of the small
remnants Of tribes within her