Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-15


the remains Of ancient Spanish mining opera
tons yet exist. The western portion OF the
country bordering upon the Colorado and ella
rivers presents a strong contrast, being a hope
less desert, though known to abound in silver
ore.
lhis territory is not so much the abode Of
hostile Indians, as it is the avenue through
which they pass from their country north Of
the ella to the northern States of Mexico. A
portion of 1t, however, is occupied by semi
civilized nation of Indians composed of a con-
tederacy of Pimos and Maricopas Indians,
numbering, 1t is said, about two thousand war.
riors They till the soil with much success,
raising cotton, wheat, corn, and beans, and are
said to be ever kind and friendly to American
emigrants passing through their country to
California. They are understood TO set up
claim to the land they occupy, under some gen
eral law of Spain or Mexico, and manifest
much anxiety lest, by the transfer of territory
to the United States, their possession may be
disturbed or iniuriously affected.
They are said to be at constant war with the
hostile tribes inhabting the country north of
the CHA, and their only barrier to the occupa.
ton OF this newly acquired country. 81
| These facts would seem to claim for them
peculiar consideration at the hands Of the
Government.
Attention is again earnestly called to the inn
portance of an early survey and demarkation of
the boundary line between the United States
and the British Provinces in the northwest
In order to prevent future difficulties and en-
barrassments, it is desirable that the whole of
the unsurveyed boundary between the two
countries should be authoritatively established
upon the ground, but more especially that por-
ton of it which forms the northern boundary
of the newly organized Territory of Washing
ton. In the channel which separates Van
couver's Island from the main continent, and
through the middle of which, according to the
convention of 1916, the line of boundary pas.
SEES, there is large and interesting group of
islands which are much desired by our citizens,
but the settlement Of them will naturally be
retarded, if not entirely prevented until the
boundary line shall have been definitely deter
mined.
The reorganization of the Patent Office has
been perfected, and its good effect already SEN
sibly experienced.
Several important amendments to the patent
laws were suggested by the Commissioner of
Patents, in his last report, which are necessary
to the more efficient action of the Bureau, and
are in themselves reasonable and entirely un-
Objectionable.
Since the lst Of January last, there have
been issued upwards of eighteen hundred pat.
ens, and, within the year, the number will prob.
ably reach two thousand This is the result
of the judicious and excellent system that has
been adopted, and which enables the Office
promptly to examine and dispose of every ap-
phcation that is presented.
Several of the rooms in the basement story
of the Patent Office building are occupied by
the Indian Bureau. Previously, it was in a
building not fire proof, and much exposed to
confagration. / did not feel justified in keep
ing in constant jeopardy, its records, files, and
papers, Of such immense value and Importance
the loss of which would be irreparable. both
Experience has already taught its folly. and
the lesson should not be disregarded.
Before directing the change to be made, |
satisfied myself that, although it might put a
few of the clerks in the Patent Office to some
Inconvenience, it would not materially inter
iere with their labors, nor, essentially, with a
. correct and efficient discharge of their duties.
BY some it is commended that the entire
building should be exclusively appropriated to
the use of the Patent Office, and to this, under
any other than extraordinary circumstances, |
should cheerfully assent. But when look at
the fact that the entire structure, so far as
completed, has cost some sixteen hundred thou.
sand dollars, of which Sl,279,700 has been
| uiuWu iroHl tue lItdsuTyf ana only S3ZU,5UU
from the patent fund, and that it was imposs
BILE to secure for the Indian Bureau such build
ing as its necessity demanded, could find nc
plausible pretext for bazarding millions of the
public property, more especially when it was
evident it was not absolutely necessary to the
foil and proper execution of the patent laws
and would not, TO any great extent, incom-
mode the Patent Office
1t will require a further appropriation to com.
plete the west wing of the Patent Office build.
ing. The east wing cost S607, 700. Owing TO
the declivity of the grade, an additional story
was required in the west wing. 1t was found
necessary so to construct its basement, sub
basement, and principal story that each might
be converted into one large room, when the re-
quirements of the Patent Office demanded II.
To accomplish this object, marble and granite
piers and architraves have been introduced.
which are not in the corresponding stories Of
the east wing. These and other additions have
Il cost about 100000, and yet the whole expen.
dtures will not exceed that Of the east wing.
i The north part Of the building should be
commenced. The estimated cost is S450, 900,
without portico. A partial estimate for its
construction has been submitted.
There is large room in the Patent Office.
designated the National Gallery, which is not
used for any practical purpose. 1t has been
made the depository OF the curiosities Of the
exploring and other expeditions, and Of other
rare articles, worthy of preservation. If thew
could be removed 10 more suitable place. Il
would be very advantageous TO the Patent
Office. This room is one of the largest in the
building, being two hundred and sixty feet
long, and sixty two feet six inches wide. and
the cases it contains, as j am informed. cost
some thirty thousand dollars, drawn from the
patent fund. The annual charge TO the Gov
eminent for merely taking care Of and super
intending it is $3.50. The room is required
for the proper disposal and exhibition Of reiec.
ted models, for which it is so well calculated.
and was probably designed. The Commissioners
could then determine which of the models
could be treated as useless, and which placed
on exhibition and thus would be brought To
light set Of models never seen by the public.
Of scarcely less importance than those now so
well exhibited in the cabinets OF models OF
patented inventions. This would be a great
acquisition TO inventors, one Of the most meri.
torious and deserving classes Of our citizens.