Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-16

llnc hunuTeu anu ninety-tW0 acres;
which is an increase in quantity sold,
and located under land warrants and
grants, of twelve million two hundred
and thirty-one thousand eight hun
dred and eighteen acres over the fiscal
year Immediately preceding. The
quantity Of land sold during the Sec
,ond and third quarters Of 1859, was
three hundred aud thirty-four thou
sand four hundred and fifty-one acres.
The amount received therefor, was six
hundred 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 nineteen acres; and
the amount received therefor, two mil
lion two hundred and twenty six thou
sand eight hundred and seventy-six
dollars ..ie - ~
5Thewhole number of land warrants
isssed under existing laws prior to the
30tb of September last, was two hun
dred and sixty-six thousand and forty
| 7. y =
two; of which there were outstanding,
at that date, sixty-six thousand nine
hundred and forty-seven. The guam
tity Of land required to satisfy these
outstanding warrants, is four millions
seven hundred and seventy eight thou
sand one hundred and twenty acres.
= Warrants have been issued TO 3Oth
September last under the act of 2Ist
February, l847, calling for twelve mil
lion eight hundred and seventy-nine
thousand two hundred and eighty
acres; under acts Of September 90,
1850, and March 22, 1852, calling for
twelve millions five hundred and five
thousand three hundred and sixty acres;
making total of twenty-five million
three hundred and eighty-four thou
sand sixhundred aud forty acres,
lt,is believed that experience has
verified the wisdom and justice Of the
present system, with regard to the
public domain, in mostesscntial partic-
uiarS. fo.a tese -
You will prcceive, from the report
Of the Secretary of the Interior, that
opinions, which have often been ex-
pressed in relation TO the operation Of
the land system. as not being source
OF revenue TO the federal treasury,
were erroneous. The net profits from
the sale of the public lands to June 80.
1855, amounted to the sum of fifty
three million two hundred and eighty
nine thousand -four. hundred and sixty
five dollars.
b commend the extension Of the land
system over the territories of Utah
and New Mexico, with such modifca-
tons as their peculiarities may re-
quirc.
Regarding our public domain rs
chiefly valuable to provide homes for
the industrious and euterprising, am
not prepared to recommend any essen
tial changein the land system, except
by notifications in favor of the actual
settler, and an extension Of the pre-
emption principle in certain cases, for
reasons and on grounds which will be
fully developed in the reports to be laid
before you.
Congress, representing the proprie-
tors of the territorial domain, and
charged especially with power to dis
pose of territory belonging to the Uni
ted States has, for long course of
years, beginning with The administra-
ton of Mr. Jefferson, exercised the
power to construct roads within the
territories; and there are 80 many and
obvious distinctions between this exer-
else OF power and that of making roads
within the States. that the former has
never been considered subject to such
objections rs apply to the latter md
such may now be considered the set
tied construction of the power Of the
federal government upon the subject.
Numerous applications have been,
and no doubtw continue to be. made
for grants Of land in aid Of the con-
struetion of railways. IL is not be-
lieved TO be within the intent and mean.
Ing OF the constitution, that the power
70 dispose Of the public domain, should
be used otherwise than might be cx.
pected from aprudent proprietor, and,
therefore, that grants Of land TO aid in
the construction of roads should be
restricted 10 casea, where It would be
ior The interest Of n proprietor, under
ilSe circumstances, thus 10 contribute
70 The Construction OF these works,
b. FOR the practical operation of such
grants thus far, in advancing the In
IefesIs ofihe States in which the works
are located. and at the same time the
substantial interests Of all the other
States, by enhancing tho value and
promoting the rapid sale of the public
domain, refer You To tho report of the
Secretary Of the Interior A careful
examination, however, will show that
this experience is the result of n just
discrimination, and WILDE far from af-
fording encouragement TO reckless or
indiscriminate extension of the princi.
pie.
Icommend 10 your favorable consid-
Grafton the men Of genius Of our coun-
try, who by their inventions aud dis
coyeries IN science and art, have con.
tribuled largely to the improvements
Of tho aye, without, In many instances,
securing for themselves anything like
an adequate reward. For many in.
tcresting details upon this subject |
refer you to the appropriate reports.
and especially urge upon your early
attention tho apparently slight, but
really important, notifications Of ex-
isting laws therein suggested.
The liberal spirit which has so long
marked The action OF Congress IN rcla.
J ton to the District Of Columbia will.
have no doubt, continue to bc maniies.
tod. 81 HH
The erection OF an asylum for the Ia.
sane Of the District of Columbia, and
of the army and navy Of tho United
a. ~.