New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-12-12

disposed of within the fiscal year, twenty five
million three hundred and forty-sx thousand
nine hundfed and ninety-tw acres which is an
increase in the qusntity sold, and located under
land warrants and grants, Of twelve millions
two hundred and thirty one thousand eight
hundred and eighteen acres over the fiscal year
Immediately preceding The quantity of land
sold during the second and third quarters Of
1862, was three hundred and thirty-fo thou
sand four hundred and ffty-one acres The
amont received therefor, was six hundred and
twenty-three thousand six hundred and eighty
seven dollars. The quantity sold the second
and third quarters of the year 1858, was one
million six hundred and nine thousand nine
received therefor, two millions 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 30th of Sep
TENDER last, was two hundred and sixty six
thousand and forty-two; of which there were
outstanding, at that date, sixty-six thousand
nine hundred and forty -seven. The quantity Of
land required to satisfy these outstanding war
rants, lis four million seven hundred and seventy.
eight thousand one hundred and twenty acres,
Warrants have been issued to Both September
last, under the act of 18th February, ls47
calling for twelve million eight bunered and
seventy nine thousand two hundred and eighty
acres; under acts of September %, 1850, and
March ~, 1852, calling for twelve million five
hundred and FIVE thousand three hundred and
sixty acres; making total Of twenty five mil.
lion 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 will perceive, from the report of the Sec
rotary Of the Interior, that opinions which have
often been expressed in relation to the operation
of the land system,as not being source Of reve
nue. to the Federal Treasury, were erroneous
The net profits from the sale of the public lands
to June 30, 1858, amounted to the sum of fifty
three million two hundred and eighty mine thou
sand four hundred and sixty five dollars
recommend the extension Of the land system
over the territories of Utah and New Mexico
with such notifications as their peculiarities
may require.
i Regarding our public domain as chiefly yalu.
BILE to provide homes for the Industrious and en-
terprising, am not prepared to recommend any
essential change in 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 fulyl developed in the reports to be laid
before you
| SohSh OoSs iOpicoOhtihS euc pTUpTletOrS OF Jne
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.. JEFF.
ferson, exercised the power to construct roads
within the territories; and there are 80 many
and obvious distinctions between this exercise
Of power and that of making roads within the
States, that the former has never been considered
subject to such objections as apply to the latter
and such may now be considered the settled con.
struction of the power of the Federal Govern.
ment upon the subject.
J Numerous applications have been, and M
doubt will continue to be, made for grants, il
} aid Of the construction Of railways. 1t is moi
} believed to be within the intent and meaning
OF the Constitution, that the power to dispose
OF the public domain, should be used otherwise
than might be expected from prudent pro
prietor, and, therefore, that grants of land tc
aid in the construction of roads should be res
tricted to cases, where it would be for the in
terest of a proprietor, under like circumstances
} thus to contribute to the construction of thes,
works. For the practical operation of sucl
: grants thus far, in advancing the interests O
, the States in which the works are located, ant
at the same time the substantial interests of al
the other States, by enhancing the value anC
I promoting the rapid sale of the public domain
| refer you to the report of the Secretary o
the Interior "A careful examination, however
; will show that this experience is the result o
just discrimination, and will be far from
afording encouragement to reckless or indis
, cr1mlnate extension of the principle.
commend to your favorable consideration
the men of genius of our country, who, by theiI
inventions and discoveries in science and ar
: have contributed largely to the improvements o
: the age, without, in many instances, securin!
for themselves anything like an adequate re
5 ward For many interesting details upon th
subject, l refer you to the appropriate reports
and especially urge upon your early attention
the apparently slight, but really important
, notifications of existing laws therein suggested
The liberal spirit which has SO long mark et
the action of Congress in relation to the Distric
, of Columbia will, l have no doubt, continue t.
be manifested.
The erection of an asylum for the insane of tn,
District of Columbia, and of the army and navy
of the United States, has been somewhat re-
. tarded by the great demand for materials ant
labor during the past summer; but full prepa
ration for the reception Of patients, before the
return of another winter, is anticipated; anC
there is the best reason to believe from the plar
and contemplated arrangements which hav,
been devised, with the large experience fur
nished within the last few years, in relation t.
the nature and treatment of the disease, that il
will prove an asyl um indeed to this most helpless
and afflicted class of sufferers, and stand as no
BILE monument of wisdom and mercy.
Under the acts of Congress of August 81, 1852
and of March 8, 1858, designed to secure for tn,
cities of Washington and Georgetown an abun.
dant supply of good and wholesome water, it be
comes my duty to examine the report and plans
of the engineer who had charge of the survey.
under the act first named. The best, if not the
only plan calculated to secure permanently the
object sought, was that which contemplates ia.
king the water from the Great Falls of the Poto-
moe, and consequently gave to it my approval
For the progress and present condition of thi.
important work, and for its demands, so far as
appropriations are concerned, refer you to the
report of the Secretary of War.
The present judicial system of the United
States has now been in operation for so long a
period of time, and has, in its general theory
and much of its details, become so familiar to
the country, and acquired so entirely the pub
lie confidence, that if modified in any respect, it
should only be in those particulars which may
adapt it to the increased extent, population and
legal business of the United States In this rela-
ton, the organization of the courts is now con-
fessedly inadequate to the duties to be performed
by them; in consequence of which, the States Of
Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas and California,
and districtE of other States, are in effect ex-
Guided from the full benefits of the general sys-
TEN, by the functions of the circuit court being
devolved on the district judges. in all those
States, or parts Of States.
The spirit of the Constitution and due re-