The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-13
.,,op1 on The SECRETARY OF THE rNrERioR

n
ssortensve with the country, and the interests in
pOrant The man who takes ii upon himself, by
invitation Of the President, 10 manage the internal
.H.irs of government like ours should have a clear
had steady nerves, and decided viii he should
also be man Of spotless integrity. and sufficiently
rsu known throughout the country to command it's
confidence and respect By the report in question
Mr.. TbOmpscn proves himself to be the right man
for the place, and 10 possess all the qualities
which we have specified. He writes like man
with decided purpose, and his style possesses
he rare merit, In these days, of being plain and
comprehensive. As to the mass Of information
which he communicates. il certainly gives US idea
az the resources of our country, which must strike
nrsign powers with astonishment.
Two or three illusions occur to us as being pecu-
Early illustrative Of his official wisdom. By sug-
costing, for example. that board Of commissioners
should be organized for the adjudication of Spanish
and Mexican claims in New Mexico he convinces
ms that he looks into the future with the eyes of
LAWYER When we ascertain the fact that IN invest
ing the Indian trust funds in such to make
profit for the Indians of over sl90000 and at the
same time to afford the business community tempo
rary relief il becomes evident to all that he is an
able inancier In the course Of some judicious re-
marks on the Indian tribes he speaks of the Indian
Bureau as having grown into great foreign Office,
and seems fully to appreciate the difficulties which
surround the administration Of its affairs The sug-
restions which he throws out under this head are,
perhaps rs able any in his report they full
Of heart and clear his convictions of duty. In
suggesting to Congress the proprety of allowing the
District Of Columbia the privilege Of personal rep
rescntaton in Congress the Secretary manifests
regard for the fitness of things which win make his
name household word in the metropolis. We are
disposed, moreover, highly to applaud the various
suggestions which Mr.. Thompson has made in regard
10 the better organization of the district courts Of
the United States The zeal with which he has car
ried out the intentions Of Congress in regard to
wagon roads the great wilderness Of the Far
West is to be specially commended Secretary
Thompson has made decidedly favorable impress
sion by his report and deserves the appreciation of
the country.
For the fiscal year ending June 80, 1857, and the
quarter ending September 80 1851 % ss9 46l acres
Of land have been surveyed and reported. During
the same period II ,I6o,03T acres have been dis
posed of in the following manner
Sold for cash. ............... s ,3oo555 acres.
Located with military warrants 1881 ,0lo -
Returned under swampland grant 1852 AIS g
Railroad grants Of March, 1851. 5,lI6, 900 z
The amount of money received for cash sales du-
ring the five quarters mentioned was "a 225 9OS Is
being falling off from the receipts of the CORES
ponding period Of the previous year of $5,322,-
las 90. The location of lands with warrants has
fallen of more than 20 per cent Long before the
prostration of credit by the suspension Of banking
institutions the investment in wild lands had greatly
decreased.
A change is suggested in the presumption law. AS
the pre-emptor not required TO make proof of and
payment for his claim until the day appointed by
proclamation for public sale of the lands, an in
terest is created in opposition to public sale by
proclamation 1t is suggested that settlers upon
offered lands should be required to make their proof
and payment within specified period. A general
pre-emption law is recommended as necessary to the
harmony of the land SYSTEM and it should be extend
ed TO the reserved railroad sections
A geological survey of the Territory Of New Mex
leo is recommended 1t is not doubted that vast
Quantities of gold and silver copper lead and iron
ores are TO be found imbedded in its soil and their
discovery and development could not fail TO conduce
to the public prosperity.
Plans for the Improvement of the condition of the
Indian tribes occupy much space in the report, and
the importance is urged upon Congress of prescri-
bing, in one comprehensive enactment, weIl-con-
sidered, compact and uniform system of laws for the
regulation of Indian intercourse. The condition
Of the four great tribes Of Chociaws, Chickasaws
Cherokees and Creeks presents gratifying specta-
Gle They have steadily improved in morals, in edu-
cation, in the comprehension OF, and respect for,
the rights Of persons and Of property, and in the
knowledge of the theory and principles Of govern
nent A district court of the United States should
be established within the territory occupied by
them.
The practice of paying arrears Of pensions to the
children Of those who might have received pensions
has been discontinued in conformity with an opin-
ION by the Attorney General Up to the Both Of
june 1857 S43 800 had been paid as pensions to
evolutionary soldiers and SIS 800, $50 TO the widows
Of revolutionary soldiers
The numerous establishments in the District Of
Columbia under the supervision of the Interior De
psrtment are mentioned, and various suggestions
made to improve them, which win be very acceptable
10 its inhahifanfs