Columbia gazette., 1854-01-21

merce, which the Constitution declare
shall be regulated by Congress"
The Sacramento, San Joaquin and
Feather rivers, all require considerable
improvement at points above sports OF
Entry" to render navigation easy and
less hazardous, at certain seasons Of the
year; but these improvements must be
provided for, either by appropriations
directly from the treasury Of the State,
which it is hoped can, year or two
hence, be done without detriment to the
public interests, or by the assessment of
light tonnage tax. which the Constitu-
ton clearly authorizes, ana which in a
few years, would yield fund amply
sufficient to perfect the Improvements
necessary to render their navigation GER
tain at all seasons.
The report of the Commissioners ap-
pointed under an act, entitled IAN Act
to provide for the sale OF the interest Of
the State within the water front OF the
city of San Francisco, as defined in the
act Of 26th of March, 1851" will soon
be transmitted.
Two sales have been held, at which
sixty-two lots were sold for the suin Of
$473,475.
Iniunctions issued by the Judge Of
the Superior Court of San Francisco,
for some time interfered with their ac-
ton, and prevented them from effecting
a third sale, as intended, before the
meeting Of the Legislature. 1t is now
believed, however, that no further OPP
position will be made to the sale of the
States interest in the Government Re-
serves; and that, if permitted to proceed
without further molestation, they will
be able to dispose of the whole proper
ty, including the States reversionary
interest in the lots, released to the city
by the act of March &c, 1851, before
the first Of January, 1854.
To the able report of the Comptroller
of State, you are respectfully referred
for indispensable statistical information
in relation to the receipts and expendi-
lures of the last year, and valuable sug-
gestions in regard to the collection and
disbursement Of the revenues Of the
State.
The Annual Report of the Surveyor
General, herewith transmitted, contains
suggestions of Importance, and l would
especially invite your attention to that
portion Of the report relative to the
"f1oating'' of School Land Warrants,
and the location in two or more differ
ent counties of the same warrant. The
amendments to the existing law, propos-
cd by tae Surveyor General are recon-
mended as important and necessary.
Copies Of the Annual Reports of the
Treasurer Of State, Attorney General,
and Quartermaster General, are also
herewith transmitted. These reports
contain interesting statistical and other
valuable information.
Copies of communications from the
Secretary Of the Navy and the Attorney
General of the United States, in relation
to the States interest in Mare Island,
are herewith transmitted. The Attor-
ney General in his communication to
the Secretary Of the Navy, it will be seen
suggests as an indispensable prc-requis-
ite to any lawful expenditure of public
money on Mare Island, that the State
of California be invited to relenquish to
the United States, whatever claim, if
any, she may have to the "shores, or
the overfowed lands of Mare Island. y
The General Government, it is main
tanned, cannot appropriate to its use
that portion Of the property most requir-
ed for the public works at Mare Island,
without the consent of the State.
The subject is Of some importance,
and I trust, will engage your immediate
attention, SO that l may be enable to
communicate, at an early day, your de-
cision in the matter, to the Secretary Of
the Navy.
Although deeply impressed with the
Importance, as well as the necessity Of
economising in every department of the
State Government, 1 feel it incumbent
upon me to direct your attention to the
insecure condition Of the Public Ar
chives. The entire Public Records, as
well as the State Library, now lumber
ing about four thousand volumes, are
kept in fragile frame buildings without
fire proof vaults or safes.
The Public Records are now invalua-
BILE, and if destroyed, could not be re-
placed, and their loss would involve the
State and individuals in serious Difficult
ties. In the other States Of the confed
eracy, the officers Of State are provided
with substantial brick or stone buildings,
and the Public Records rendered Ell,
tirely secure by being deposited in fire.
proof vaults or safes provided for that
purpose, In this truly imp ortant matter,
we are admonished Of the snecessity Of
increased safe guards by the many snd