The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-12-17

Mexico is also respectfully submitted Those Territories
gradually being settled BY hardy, snterpnslng and
industrious population The lines OF the public surveys
when extended over the lands, in accordance with the
admirable system established by the laws OF Congress.
will materially interfere probably with the improvements
Of those settlers and hence frequent and vexatous n
cation will be produced, increasing in proportion as Inc
settlements extend prior 10 those surveys The necessary
facilities should also be furnished all those settlers TO
secure their homes, either by grants or purchase.
To this end il would be well to create land ofhces IN
California, Oregon, and the Territories mentioned, and
appoint register each, who could collect evidence oil
claims open l.books, and make every necessary
preparation for the sales of the lands when the claims
grants all finally disposed of,
While on this subject would recommend that the
township lines alone should be extended over the valua-
BILE depostes OF the precious minerals and that the lands
containing those depeses be left free TO the entepsing
industry Of all citizens OF the United States, and those
who have declared their intention TO become such, to
work and mine at their pleasures without Jet or hinder
ance except far local legislation may be necessary
preserve the peace OF the country and persons
IN their possessory rights and any benefit is claimed
1y ron me % III o. Sy abn
dant supply OF the precious metals that II be IN the shape
OF nominal charge Tor refining the ore and coming the
metal which may be required 10 be done in the country
before permitting il TO become subject OF trahc, barter,
The nexpediency Of the leasing system as practised
for many years the mineral lands the Upper Mssls
spp and the actual loss 10 the government thererom In
cash. are fully shown by the able report OF 29h Novem-
States Senate Subsequent experience, relation 10 the
mineral lands of Lake SUPERIOR has fully sustained the
forth in that report, shown by the accompa
nyng statement from which II will he perceived that the
expenses of the mineral agency al that point since l547
has exceeded the there from nearly 49, 500 NO
other section Of the globe could have furnished better
opportunity to test the efficiency of this system, the
only outlet for the products OF the mines was by the Sau
Ste Marie nver, and hence none could be smugglcd
out without paying the government mpost or rent. ~ Is
hardly probable, therefore, with knowledge Of these
facts that this system will be extended to the mineral
lands the Pacific and there is other that could
be established similar basis that would not be liable
| to like objections
One of the earliest measures in connexon with the pub
lie lands that engaged the attention OF Congress was the
necessity for making provision for the establishment of
schools, colleges &c. In the new States, and Tor openg
roads for ready access to the immense domain then cid
by the government in those States For the former,
hrysxth part OF the public lands was set apart or
the latter one-wenteh of the proceeds Of the whole
The same wise policy has been continued from the
time of President Jefferson, through each administration,
down to the last session OF Congress; and every Pfes
dent since the days Of Washington except the two dis
ngushed patriots whose of office were abridged
by death. have evinced their sanction OF this policy by
signing bills making grants Tor carryingt Out, as SHOWN
by the accompanying statement.
In extending the land system over the Territories OF
Minnesota and Oregon, Congress have enlarged the
grant for schools, to double the amount for each own
ship, OF that heretofore set apart for this purpose and no
doubt the beality will be manifested towards the
other States and Territories, necessity requires or op
portunity offers The District OF Columbia, the seat OF
the national legislature, alone has not heretofore enjoyed
benefits of the iberay Of Congress in this respect
The citizens of Washington have taxed themselves
establishment of judicious system Of education here, in
which instruction is impaired without charge OF any
kind There now eight districts and seventeen pri-
mary schools in successful operations at an annual charge
Of about fifteen thousand dollars 10 the city, and in which
thousand scholars, male and female, taught
all the elements of good English education, with the
higher branches when required This, however, is by
sufficient, many are constantly seeking ad-
mtance TO these schools, and cannot be received for
of room, while the surrounding country ia almost
entirely destitute. would, therefore, earnestly recon-
mend that liberal provision IN money or lands be made for
educational purposes IN this District that i may become
worthy OF It's illustrous founder, the Father oil his
Country" aa ase tua
In relation 10 the other branch of this subject. beg
leave to state that the roads and canals constructed with
the assistance given by the government and the improve
ment OF the navigation OF rivers, effected through the
rumenality have brought into market immense
bodies OF land which otherwise would probably have
mained unsold for many years-ln all Likelihood long
enough for the expenses to have consumed great part
OF the revenue derived IRON them; ana y interest were
charged their value. 10 have absorbed the whole
amount Where grants have been made by alternate sec
tons, reservng every other section to the government
and doubling the minimum price oil the lands thus re.
served the government has gained before stated and
also directly by the enhanced value OF the lands along
such improvements. .Hs
by the act of 20lh September 1850, far the State OF
Illinois is concerned where the selections have been
completed, and the lands retained by the government
brought into market is strongly in point IN support OF
this view. Here the greatest anxiety was manifested 10
obtain lands along the road, at the enhanced mini
mum; and thousands OF acres were disposed OF that
would probably have remained unsold for many years
So far the grants OF this character concerned,
the criticism cannot Justly charge them as vola
tons oil the compacs with the several States from which
they acquired 10 wit, that they should be consid-
cred a common fund for the and benefit OF all the
Stales; the slightest infringement OF the pledge
made OF them by The of 2Sh January, 1Sa7, for The
redemption of the public debt. ..a r. act8i sli
The average of railroads in the United States has
been found be about S25 900 per mile The grant OF
six sections, 3S40 acres per mile, woald not quite
realize $4,000 the double minimum. The balance OF
SIS 900 per mile would have to be furnished by
the State, the individual enterprise 10 which the
strucon of the road might be intrusied; and would be
unjust to the intelligence and foresight Of our citizens TO
without fair prospect OF completion, and the realization
OF reasonable profit from the investment .s. assa
The act passed at the last session Of Congress- grant
ing the right OF way and the privilege of taking the
necessary materials for the construction OF all such roads
from The public lands fair introduction TO this pol
icy. The facilities furnished by such roads, 80 far
human agency accomplish il, will annihiate time
and space and, like adamanne bonds bind together this
mighty and wide spread republic. f.s.ss.,e
With these views, respectfully recommend that grants
OF this character be made the several States for every
work OF the kind they may undertake and especially TO
the States OF the Mississippi for the construction OF
railroads from that rve along the fertile valleys waered
by the streams that descend from the Rocky mountains
to the foot Of those mountans and that like grana be
made to the State OF California, and Territories OF Oregon,
Utah, and New Mexico, for routes leading from the
Pacific to the west side OF those mountains. leaving
the transit OF the mountains to individual cater
PRISE the enlarged bersliy OF Congress, in view of
TO the commercial interests Of the country from such
t,,Vo II