Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-12-07

million eighty three thousand lOui hundred ana nine-
ty i've ;lucaed under military bounty land war
rants, six million one hundred and sixty acres; To-
Gated under other certificates, nne thnusapd four
hundred and twenty seven acres; ceded 10 the
States swamp lands, sixteen million six hundred
and eighty four thousand two hundred AMI fifty
three acres selected for railroad and other Objects
undeT acts OF Congress, million Tour hundred and
twenty seven thousand four huudi ed and fifty
acres. Total amount Gf lands disposed OF within
the fiscal year, twenty FIVE million three hundred
and forty six thousand nine hundred aud ninety two
acr which is Increase in quantity sold land Local
ted under land warrants and grants OF twelve million
two hundred and thirty thousand eight hundred
and eighteen acres over the fiscal year Immediately
preceding. The quantity al land sold during the
second and third quarters of 1852, was three hun.
dred and thirty four thousand four hundred and fifty
one acres. The amount received therefor was six
hundred and twenty three thousand six hundre d and
eighty seven dollars. The quantity sold the second
and third quarters of the year 1853, was one million
six hundred and nine Thousand nine hundred and
1 nineteen acres; and the amount received therefor,
two million two hundred and twenty six thousand
| eight hundred and seventy six dollars.
| The whole number Of land warrants issued under
existing laws prior to the Both Of September last,
was two hundred and sixty six thousand and
criy two; of which there outstanding, at that
! date, sixty six thousand nine undred and forty
seven. The quInlity Of land required to satisfy
these outstanding warrants, is four million seven
hundred and seventy eight thousand one hundred
! and twenty acres
Warrants have been issued to Both of septem-
Der last, under the act of llth February l847,
calling for twelve million eight hundred and sew
enty-nine. thousand two hundred and eighty acres;
| under acts of September %, 1880 and March %
| 1852, calling for twelve million five hundred and
| hive thousand three hundred and sixty acres; max
| ing total of TWENTY-FIVE million three hundred
| and eighty-four thousand six hundred and forty
| acres.
1t is believed that experience has verified the
wisdom and justice of the present system, with
| regard to the public domain, in most essential
! particulars.
| You viii perceive, from the report ofthe Secre-
tary OF the INTERIOR that opinions, which have of
| ten been expressed in relation to the operation
OF the land system, as not being source of rev.
enue to the federal treasury, were erroneous. The
| net profits from the sale of the public lands to
| June 80, 1853, amounted TO the sum of ffty-
three million two hundred and eighty nine thous.
| gnd four hundred and sixty-fve dollars
recommend the extension of the land system
over the Territories of Utah and New Mexico,
with such notifications as their peculiarities may
require.
Regarding our public domain as chiefly valu-
able to provide homes for the industrious and en-
terpnslng, am not prepared to recommend any
essential change in the land system, exceptby
notifications in favor of the actual settler ana
an exteI sion of the presumption principle in GER
tam cases, for reasons and on grounds. which
will be fully dey eloped in the reports to be laid
before you.
Congress, representing the proprietors of the
territorial domain, and charged especially with
power to dispose of territory belonging to the
United States, has, for long course of years
beginning with the administration of Mr. Jeffer.
son exercised the power to construct roads with
in the territories; and there are so many and oh
vlous distinctions between this exercise of power
and that of making roads within the State, that
the former has never been considered subject te
such objections as apply to the latter, and such
may now be considered the settled construction
of the power of the federal government upon the
subject.
Numerous applications have been. and NO
| doubt will continue to be, made for grants of
land, IN aid of the construction of RAILWAYS tt
| is not believed to be within the intent and mean
ing of the Constitution, that the power to dispose
| OF the public domain, should be used otherwise
than might be expected from public proprietor.
and, therefore, that grants of land to aid in
the construction of roads should be restricted to
cases, where 1t would be for the interest of pro.
| prietor, under like circumstances, thus to con-
tribute to the construction of these works. For
the practical operation of S. oh grants thus far
advancing the interests of the States in which The
works are located, and at the same time the sub
stntial interests of all the other States, by en-
| hanclDg the value and promoting the rapid sale
OF the public domain, refer you to. the report
of the Sec Rotary of the Interior; careful exam
nation, however, will show that this experience
is the result OF just discrimination, and will be
far from aftording encouragement to a reckless
or indiscrmnate extension of the principle
commend to your favorable consideration the
men OF genius of our country, who, by there in
vsntions and discoveries in science and art have
contributed largely to the improvements Of The
| age, without, in many instances securing for
themselves anything like an adequate reward !
For many interesting details upon this subject
refer you 10 the appropriate reports and eSpec-
ally urge upon your cary attention the apparently
slight, but really important, notifications of ex.
isting laws therein suggested
Inc liberal spirit which has so long market the
action OF Congress in relation to the District of
Columbia Will, have no doubt, continue to be
manifested.
The erection of an asylum for the insane of the
District of Columbia, and of the army and navy
OF the United States has been somewhat retard-
ed by the great demand for materials and labor
during the past summer; but full preparations
for the reception of PATIENTS before the return of
another winter, is anticipated and there is the
Dest reason to believe, from the plan and contem-
plated arrangements which have been devised
with the large experience furnished within the
last tewyears in relation to the nature and treat
ment OF the disease, that it will prove an asvlun
indeed to this most hopeless and afflicted class of
sufferers, and stand as a noble monument of wis
dom and mercy
Under the acts of Congress of Aug, 81, 1852
and of March 3, 1852, designed to secure for the
cities OF Washington and Georgetown an album
dant supply OF good and wholesome water itbe-
come my duty to examine the report and plans of
The engineer who had charge of the SURVEYS un-
aer the act hrst named The best, ifnot the on
~ plan, calculated to secure permanentlJ the OBJ
Ject sought, was that which eontemplates taking
the water from the Great Falls of the Potomac,
and, consequently, l. gave to it my approval
for the progress and present condition of this
impoftantwork and for its demands, so far as an.
preparations are concerned, refer you to the re-
port of the Secretary Of War
Inc present judicial system of the United
states has now been in operation for so long
period OF time and has, n.its general theory and
much OF its details, become so familiar to the
country, and acquired entirely the public conf
dence, that If modified in any respect it should
Vhly DC IN tnose particulars which may adapt tito
the increased extent, population, and legal bust.
ness of the United States.
In this relation, the organization of the courts
is now coniessedly inadequate to the duties to be
performed by them; in consequence of which the