Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-12-16

airy Commissioners, it appears that The survey OF
Rio ella from its confluence with the Colorado
to its supposed Intersection with the western line
OF New Mexico. mas been completed.
The survey Of the Rio Grande has also been
finished from the point agreed upon by the Com
missioners as the point where it strikes the south
ern boundary OF New Mexico, 10 point l35
miles below Eagle Pass.which Is about two-jhIrds
the distance along the course OF the river to rs
mouth. The appropriation which was made at
the last Session Tor the continuation OF the survey
is subject TO the following proviso that no part
of the appropriation shall be used or expended
until il shall be made satisfactory to appear TO the
President of the L. 5, that the southern boundary
OF New Mexico is not established by the Com
missioner and Surveyor Of the L. :. further north
OF the Town called PasO. than the same Is laid
down on DisturneIls map which Is added 10 the
Treaty. My attention was drawn to this subject
by report from the Department OF tie Interior.
which reviewed all the facts of the case and sub
mltted for nv decision the question whether, IN
der existing circumstances any part OF the appro-
priation could be lawfully used or expended, for
the further prosecution of the work. After
careful consideration of the subject, came to the
conclusion that il could not be. and so informed
the head OF the Department Orders were Inme-
diately issued by him to the Commissioners and
Surveyor, TO make no further acquisitions on the
Department, as they could not be pa d, and to
line of New Mexico. But as the Department had
no exact information as to the amount of proyis-
sion AID Eaoasy which remained unexpended in
the hands Ct t1e Commissioner and Surveyor, II
was left discretionary with them TO continue the
survey down the Rio Grande as tar as the means
at their disposal would enable them, or at once to
dIsband the Commission
A special message has since arrived from the
officer in charge OF the Survey on the RIveT,wItn
information that the funds subject to ms control
were exhausted, and that the officers and others
employed in the survey were destitute, alike OF
means of prosecuting the work and Of returning
TO their homes. The object of the provision was
doubtless to arrest the survey OF the Southern and
Western lines OF New Mexico in regard to which
different opinions had been expressed; for II is
hardly to be supposed that there could be any Oh
lection to that part oil the line which extended
along the Rio Grande, but the terms Of the law
broad to forbid the use of any part o.
the money for the prosecution of the work, o.
revenue for the payment OF the officers and the
rearages of the pay justly due to them. l earn
estly invite your pTomp, attention to this subject
and recommend a modification Of the terms OF the
pTovIso, 10 enable the Department 10 use as
much of the appropriation as Will be necessary
to discharge the existing obligations of the Gov
eminent, and to complete the survey of the Rio
Graade to its mouth Ii viii also he proper to
make further provisions for the tulGIment OF our
treaty with Mexico. for running and making the
residue Of the boundary line between the two
countries
Permit me to invite your particular attention
to the interests of the District OF COlumbiaWhich
are confined by the Constitution to your special
care. Among the measures which seem to be OF
the greatest importance to its prosperity, the
introduction OF copious supply of water into the
City OF Washington. and the construction OF suit
able bridges across the Potomac, to replace those
destroyed by high water IN the early part OF the
present year At the last session of Congress. an
appropriation was made to defTay the cost of the
survey necessary to determine the best means Of
atiordlng an unlaiIing supply OF good and whole
some water. Some progress has been made in this
survey. and as soon as it Is completed, the result
will be before YOU
Another appropriation viii also be necessary
for grading and paving the streets and enclosing
and embelllshing the public grounds within the
city OF Washington ! commend all these objects
together with the charitable Institutions OF the
District, 10 your favorable regard.
Every effort has been made to protect our from
tierand that OF the adjoining Mexican States from
the iucuTsiOns Of the Indian tribes. OF about J.
600 men OF which the army Is composed. nearly
5000. are employed in the defence of the newly ac-
qulred territory including Texas and of emigrants
thereto. l am gratlfed to say that these efforts
have been unusually successful. With the excep-
Oregon. and occasional depredations on portion
of the Rio Grande, owing, il IS believed, to the
disturbed state of that border region the inroads
OF the Indians have been effectually re5trained-
Experience has shown, however, that whenever
the two races brought into contact, collisions
will occur. To prevent these, the United States
have gradually set apart portions of their Terri
tory Tor the exclusive occupation of the Indian
Tribes. A difficulty occurred. 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 govern
ment of that State, 1t is understood has assigned
no portion of her territory to the Indians but as
fast as her settlement advances. LAYS ii of into
counties, and proceeds to survey and sell it. This
policy tends maniestly to alarm and iritate the
Indians and to compel them to resort to plumber
for substance. 1t also deprives the government
OF that influence and control over them without
which no durable peace can ever exist between
them ard the whites. ] trust therefore, that due
regard for her own interests, apart from consid-
eratIons OF humanity and Justice, Will induce that
State to assign small portion OF her vast domain
for the provisional occupation of the small rem
mats of tribes within her borders subject of course
to her ownership and control, and eventual iuris
diction If she should fail to do this the fullment
of our treaty stIpulations with Mexico, and our
duty to the Indians themselves will, il is feared.
become a SUBJECT OF serious embarrassment. 1t
Is hoped however. that a timely and Just provision
by Texas, may avert this evil.
No appropriations for Notifications were made
al the two last sessions of Congress. The cause
of this omission Is probably 10 be found in grow
ing belief that the system of FortiGcations
adopted IN 1916, and heretofore acted upon. re-
quires revision. The subject certainly deserves
full and careful investigation, but it should not be
delayed longer than can be avoided. In the mean
time, there are certain works which have been
commenced, and some OF them nearly completed
designed to protect our principal sea ports, from
Boston to New Orleans, and few other important
points In regard 10 the necessity for these works
II IS believed that little difference of opinion exists
among military men / therefore recommend
that tne appropriations necessary to prosecute
them, be made.
! invite attention to the remarks on this subject
and on others connected with this Department.
contained IN the accompanying report OF the Sec
rotary OF War. Measures have betn taken to car
~ into effect the law of the last session making
provision for the improvement of certain harbors
and rivers ard II Is believed that the arrangements
r4.i fr~ f,..-.