, 1853-02-19


Government of Oregon" latter part Of Sec
ton fifteen (see general laws of Oregon,
page 44), it is enacted, "And the sum ol
five thousand dollars, out Of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated, is
hereby appropriated and granted TO said
Territory OF Oregon 10 be there applied by
the Governor to the erection of suitable
buildings at the seat Of government" In
the llth section Of the same act, ihc Gov
ernor and s, cretsry, in the disbursement OF
all moneys intrusied 10 them, are required
10 abe governed solely by the Instructions
of the Secretary Of the Treasury of the
United States" A copy Of the instruc-
tions of the Secretary is herewith sent mark
ed "B." This sum remains expended,
and ii will afford me great pleasure 10 unite
it with the twenty thousand dollars appro-
priated by Congress 10 the same object, pro-
yided it be the pleasure Of the Assembly 10
proceed at once TO the expenditure of the
latter sum. ,.
We have within the last few months re-
ceived large increase 10 our population by
the coming in Of the late emigration. They
have in their journey encountered much
suffering, incurred heavy expenses, and sus-
tanned losses from causes which you have it
in your power in some measure 10 remove.
II is our policy 10 encourage emigration by
every reasonable inducement Our fertile
valleys, our magnificent forests, our varied
and extensive mineral resources, our salu-
brious climate, and our maritime advantages
avail us but little unless men be had 10 turn
them to useful account. 1t is obvious that
our numbers must be swelled chiefly by
persons who seek the Territory by the over
land route. The journey will, under the
best circumstances, be tedious, laborious,
and attended with some risk, both 10 person
and property. 1t becomes more difficult as
our settlement is approached. The emf
grant then has to travel over lofty noun.
lains and miserable roads. He is frequent
ly overaken by the inclomeney of the
weather when worn down with exposure
and fatigue and exhausted in means. Our
ceilings and our sense Of justice revolt at
the idea that whilst encountering disadvan-
tages almost inseparable from the formation
Of the country and the nature of the eli
mate, he should also, just upon entering our
borders, be visited with exaclions and driv-
en- 10 incur expenses which he has but lit
tie ability 10 meet. You have il in your
power, in great measure, to obviate some
Of these evils. therefore respectfully call
your attention 10 this end Of the overland
route, and ask you 10 adopt such measures
as will lead 10 an improvement Of the road
and diminution of the expenses and losses
attendant upon travelling over it in the pres
ent state Of things. =
The subject of the grants made by Con-
gress to the Territory for the establishment
and endowment Of an University also de-
mands your attention. The importance of
this matter arises from the importance Of
education itself Upon this subject it is
impossible for us to feel too lively an inter-
est II effects US deeply in many of the
most important relations of life. As pa
rents, as citizens, as lovers Of our race, we
cannot but be kcenly alive to anything that
tends 10 The diffusion of knowledge in our
midst. II we wish 10 transmit 10 our chill
dren an inheritance that will be worth pos
scssing, we can succeed in no better way
than to impart TO them the benefits Of intel
lectual and moral culture. If we wish 10
exalt our Territory TO the highest pinnacle
of greatness she is capable Of obtaining, we
must make her as conspicuous for The in
telligence Of her population as she is emf
nent for physical wealth and resources. If
we wish to establish the free Institutions Of
our country upon a basis that will cfTcciual-
I ly resist the insidious approaches or open
assaults OF despotism, and advance still high
er the national glory, il can best be done by
disseminating throughout the leugth aud
bredlh Of the land the blessings Of science
and virtue. II behoovcs US, therefore, 10
husband with the greatest care whatever
endowmentS Congress has made for instilu.
tons Of learning as best TO edectuaie the OBJ
jeets for which they have been dedicated
A fund should be created and over which
such guard should be thrown as 10 prevent
any mismanagement or waste. 1t should
be so managed as 10 be made 10 yield the
greatest amount Of revenue. 1t should be
sacredly devoted TO the advancement Of The
cause Of education. The time has arrived
when prompt measures should be adopted
ioI taking immediate possession and making
proper application of the grants made TO
us by Congress so dat the benign effects
that must be felt iromit may begin to be felt
by the youth Of our land. As yet no part OF
the property granted by Congress for these
purposes has been taken charge Of in behalf
ofIhe Territory. respectfully refer you 10
an act Of Congress approved Feb ., 1851,
Statutes at large, second session 3lsi Con.
gress, page 56S), in which the Governor
and Legislative Assembly are authorized
10 make such laws and needful regulations
as they shall deem most expcdient 10 pro-
tect from injury and waste sections number
sixteen and thrty-six in said Territories
reserved in each township for the support