The New York Herald Newspaper, December 3, 1850, Page 3

sisting that a semi-monthly mail should a saa ne comtrecios route. TS + wo far at roomy wan ic, as to take occa~ sionally a second lioathiy aieil, but for want of degal authority to make compeasation for such ser- ‘Viee, its had never been properly or- . It was voluntary merely, only occa- The action of the department was urged in view of of the recent act of Con: 88, ‘ipg an appropriation for actuat mail service q or to be performed, by mail stoamers, I did not feel at liberty to make an order which divert a portion of that appropriation to the payment of services not within the contemplation of Congress when the appropriation was made. Anxious, however, to afford to the aew State the Teguisite mail facilities, an arrangement was inide the contractor for the moathly mail, by waich the additional service was secured, with the ex- prese understanding and ugreement that the order ‘Bheretor should create no lianility of aay kind = this department or the government; that service authorized by such order shoald not be -coaridered in fixing the amonat of aay compensa- tion for mail igs by ocean spemers, for, SSE any eppropriation been theretofore m, chen, and that the order for such service wee subject to be revoked. if Cougress, to which aloae the contractor was to look for an allowance of pay, should of the same. The assent of the comtrectors to these terms was required and ob- tained as a condition precedest to tne completion of such arrangement. It remains tor Congress to such measures, in regird te this subject, as be deemed just and expedient. locke and Keys ia use upoa the mails of the hited States, have now been im service for many years, and the experienced officer of this depart- nent, to whose charge this biauch of the service has been committed, recommends that th: Changed. 1 concur in this recommend shall ask that a sufficient appropriation for t pose be made by Congress °' the approactyng ses- The publication of the liet of post offices, and of ‘@ new edition of the laws and regulations, for an appropriation was made at the last see— ‘ion, has not been completea. The list of offices been prepared, aad its printing directed, but printing of the new edition of the lawa and ations has not yet bern ordered. The delay been caused by the desire to await the action upon the bills affecting this ament, which were reported at the last session, and ‘by the pressure of business which has hitherto pre- ‘vented such a revision of the regulations as it was deemed expedient to make before the new edition accommodations for the post office of this city are entirely unsuited to an office of its impor- '» are decidedly discreditable to the de- tand the country Some improvements, ly authorized and now in progress, wili afford partial and temporary relief; but other arraage- nents of a permanent chuvacter should soyn partment, also, are ed, and «additional —- jerks of the department, of the Auditor's office, will soon be absolutely |. To afford suitadie accommodations tor nd for the city post office, it is respectfully that the contempleted extension of the wing of the General Post Office building = be authorized, and that the upper floors in wing be assigned to the Auditor and his clerks, that the first floor be devoted to the use of the The rooms of this ‘he laws regulating the sciion of this department and its officers are numerous, were paesed at diffe- went and contain many cbsolet: and conflict- . An entire revisioa of these laws, the passage of a single act. containing all the ions of law relating to this department, would all its officers in the discharge of their duties, give greater ease, uccuracv, and despatch to gm Such a revision is respectfully sug- In conclusion, I desire to acknowledge my obli- to my assistanis and tue clerks in the de- it for the cheerfulness, zeal, and assiduity swith which they have labored in the discharge of Serepeesive duties, and to renew the recommen- my predecessors, that the Assistant Poat- amasters General be placed upoathe same fovtiag, GM respect to their compensation, as the heads of ‘ureaus in the other departments. N. K. Hart, Postmaster General. ‘To the Parstpgnt. “REPORT or THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, Department ov THe [xreRioR, December 2, 1850. Sim:—The duties which have been devolved by Yew on the Department of the laterior are of the Moet varied and important character. As the diame of the department would iuply, they relate ‘to most of the interests of the country which are of ® domestic nature They embrace not only a variety of i be the duties to be periormed ere widely dissimiler, and — in some degree, of a legislative and judicial, as weil aso! an exe- q cl r. ~ To the ent is entrusted the general su- pervisic mnagement of ali matters connected with the Puphe Domain, Indian Affirs, Pensions, Patents, Public Busia 7s, the Census, the Peni- Gentiery, and the expendi “ires of the Judiciary Ibis the duty of theyer min chorge of it to see tothe faithful administra. sa of toe laws retain to these several branches ©! the pu vile service, an prescribe such regulations 5 ay be necessiry g full effect to the legislative will. Aad ia 1 to these functions of «a executive aud le- tive character, he is required by law to act in | & judicial capacity, aud to decide all cages of ap- | peal which may be bronght befure him for adjudi- ation from any of the bureaux in his departineat. ue of these appeals, espe cially from the Pension, q oe, and Indian offices, are of great importance dn w pecuniary point of view, aud involve the exa amination of volumimous records, and the iavestigi dion and decision of inuicate questions of law und Ly bie act of Copgrees whieh created the depart- ment was drawa up, probably by desiga, in very generel terms. Maay of ics provistous are exceed. | zngly vegue, and there seems fo have been ao al- ‘Tempi to define witn precision the boandaries of Us jurledittion, or the exteut or 18 powers In the ‘outset, this was probubly the mos! | adicious course, ae experience is gear rally tae est guide in the al- justment of such matters. But i¢ would seem to 5 oper noW that there shovid be more definite | Jegislation prescribing the duties aud powers of the departinent, 60 that there may be no coafhet with other departments, aud bittle or nothing left to tae gnete discretion of the iaeombent | My predecessor, in his anoas| report, called your | ‘Ste ation to the mmcowgrusty tw the law ia refereace | 10 the designation of the desuciment In the ule oof the act it is styled a ** Home Department,” bat | ihe body of the law provides shall be Called | “*The Department of the le The lave ia- cumbent, ander whose aw ewas organized, felt bimecit hound, by the minda- tory terms of the law, to adopt the later desigaa- tion ia all his official acts; pat it is obviou-ly pro- per that Congress shoud, dy supplemental legisla- ti remove the ambiguity and uncertaiaty on abies subject. My predecessor also recommended, for reasons very clewtly and forcibly stad by him ia his re- sport, to which | re speettully refer, the ereation of the office of Solicitor of the Tepartmeat of the [a- terior, to be filled by a lawyer competent to inves- tignwe aud decize many of the imporiant questions of law aad fact arising Upon the numerous aporals which are taken from the bureaux My brief ex- perience inthe admiaistration of the department ‘enables me to apprectite the wistom of that re ominendation, and to urge its epee ly adoption by Congress In all causes, however, the action of the Bolevor should be endject to the revision of the cheed of the department, for no‘hing should be done to dimiaieh, in the slightest degree, his official re- mn sibility. "as the Teperte of the heads of the several bu- eaux will give fall intormitioa iu regard to their condition and wants respectively, sod as | have pot ‘een jorg enough in office to make myself tho- Youghly gunned with ail the details of their or- nization and functions, | do aot deem it either ‘Srecont) OF propet, at this time, to give more than a general review of their operations, with each ex , planetions and suggestions as the public interests weem to require. As preliminary to this review, I respectfully sub- amit, in tabular form, a samm.tyjof the estimates for ech branch of the public service within the jurie- @tetion of this office. Ia a disnact column, and ve to each item, is a staternent of the e: for the present fiscal year for similar services. This comparison seems to be proper, as it will exhibit to the representatives of the people at a singie glance a view of the whole subject, und at the same time afford me the opportumty of preseatiag, by « suc- _cinet commentary on each item, such explanations ae | desire to offer. DEPARTMENT OF TR INTERIOR. Extimates for the Ascal year ending Wth June, 1852, com- pared with those for the Ores Aeeal wer r izes the department 33 = 5 3 = ‘The first fact which strikes the mind upoa look- at this recapitulation wag ong esumite for next i year exceeds that for the preseat oe ‘aithful guardians of the public © will na- turally inquire how does this happen? The ques- tion ‘a candid answer, and [ shall proceed rgencne which I hope will be no leas satusfacto- than free from all attempt at concealment or ise. DEPARTMENT PROPER. Underthis head, the estimate forthe next year falls below that for the present $44,097 63. This results from the fact that there is av dedcisncy of 8 previous to be provided for. Last year there was a deficiency of $34,737 63 to be met. Now there are unexpended oalances on hand which, in addition to the sam estimated, will supply the waats of the department. LAND SERVICE. The estimates under this head exceed those of last year $157,118 29. T i$ caused by the in- crease of expense consequent on the passage of the act of 23th September, 1550, granting bouaty land; by the contemplated extension of the laad system over the newly acquired territory; and by the defi- ciencies in the estimates of the last fiscal year. INDIAN AFFAIRS: Here there is an eacess over the estimates of last year of $1,423,083 49. A reference to the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affiirs will show that, whilst many of the items embraced in the former estimate have been reduced or omitted in the pre- sent, the aggregate of the present estimate has been increased by making provision for deticiea- cies, which was not done ia the eatumite of last year, and by embracing large suins necessary to carry into effect new treaty stipulations, and to ex- tend our Indian relations in'o new territories, in pursuance of recent acts of Congress. Some idea may be formed of the magnitude of these later items, wl it is remembered that our Indian po- pulation has been almost doubled by our recent ac- quisitions of territory from Mexico. PENSION OFFICE. In this item there is also an apparent excess of startling nitude. It exceeds the estimate of Jast year $1,145,469 53. Buta little examination will show that it is to a great exteat merely appa- rent, and that sofaras it is real, it results from causes over which the executive officers could ex- ercise no control, and which are entirely censist- ent with the true interests of the country. These pies are susceptible of ready demoastration, as will proceed in a few words to show. The estimate of last year fell short of the actual expenditures of the bureau, including the deficiea- cies of the preceding year, $924,633 45. This de- ficieney was supplied sad appropriation ef $560,- 000 ia the ** de polenes ili” of last session of Coa- gress, and by $364,688 45, which sum is embraced in the present estimate. Adding these sums to the estimate of last zeae and the aggregate is $2,403,- 945 23. Then deduct from the estimate of next year $364,688 45, which amount is asked for to sup- ply the deficiency of the present year, and which is not properly chargeable to the next, and the true amount of the estimated expenditure of the Pension Bureau for the ensuing year is ascertained tobe ,037 86, or $l 37 less than the actual expenditure of the current year, including the deficiency of $560,000 for 1850. This mode of stating the account, however, al- though it exhibits a true comparison of the present estimates with the actual expenditures of the cur- rent year, does not present a fair view of the amounts fe itrmately chargeable to the Pension Bureau for the two years respectively, because it embraces among the exoenditures of the year, ending, June 30, 1951 000, which was ade- ficiency in the year Disearding that sum trom the calculation, the resulti: followa:— Estimate for year ing 30th June 1851. see eee sae + $1,479,256 78 Add deficiency embraced in present esti- mate. eee see eee see 364,688 45 Aggregate, chargeable to yearendiog 30th yak une, 1851 mies oo ao 1,843,945 23 Ertimate tor the year ending 30th June, 1852... tee eee see «++ 2,624,726 31 Deduct estimate for deficiency of year ending 00th June, 1851... eee 361,688 45 Aggregatechargeabletoyear ending 30th cg apy ase +. “ + 2230,037 86 x. see see see wee 416,092 63 ‘This excess embraces the anticipated increase of expenditure occasioned by the extension of the be- nefits of the Pension laws, and by the administra- lion of the bounty land law, so far as it devolves on the Pension Office. CEFS"S. In the last estimate the amount submitted as the probable expense of this whole service was $1,116,000. This sum having been appropriated for that object by the act of 30th September, 1850, (chapter 90, page 172,) no further sum is emed necessary now. UNITED STATES COURTS | The estimate for this service exceeds that of st year $35,210, in cousequence of the antici- pated merease ‘of business in the courts cor- responding with the increase of the populati: end business in the country. The estimates of the current year and the year precee: were found to be insufficient, and com: pelled at its last session to make a specific appro- a priation of $50,000 to supply the deficiencies for this service during those years. Takiog this sum into the account, the estimate for the coming year is $14,790 less than the expenditure of the last. nr \C BUILDINGS, PAL PER LUNATICS, AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, AND THE PENITENTIARY. In these several items there are no material va- riations between the present aad past estimates, and it isnot deemed necessary to enter iato any detailed exolanation of them, as the reports of the | various (fficers charged with their managemeat, will supply satis‘actory statements in regard to hem The last item ia the estimate for the ensuing year is MEXICAN BOUNDARY SURVEY 3 The Inst estimates embraced nothing on this ac- count, thongh appropriations were made by Coa- grees, during its list session, for that object, amounting to $185,000 The sum which it is sup- | posed will be nocessary during the next fiseal year | is $100,000 | I have thus presented a brief statement of the | wants of the department, and a comparison be- | tween the or someon aud the actual ex- penditures of the preceding year. In making these estimates, | have instructed the heads of bureaux to endeavor to cover the whole amount of the pro- bable expenditure for the fiscal year. Aay other course tends to entangle the expeaditures of oae year with those of another, and to throw the finan- cial arrangements of goverameat into inextricable cenfusion. Nothing should be asked from Con- ress which the public iaterests do not require Bor when an appropriation is ascertained to be necessary, the demand should be fairly made, and | the responsibility of granting or withSolding it left with the representatives of the people Lf my ia | structions have been co:plied with, as [ have every reaton to believe they have been, 1 hope there will be no necessity, ia fature, for estimating | for deficiencies, unlese some contingeacy should occur which couid not have been readily foreseen Having submitted these general views, I will proceed now te present, in a condensed form, a few remarks in regard to the operations of each bureau separately PENSION OF FICE. The whole nember of persons now on the pen- e190 rolls of the United States is 19,758 Tut many of these are probably dead. The whole number who have drawa pensions during the first and second quarters of the present calen- dar year is 13,079. - Many, however, do not draw their pensions until the close of the year, and therefore the last statement does not show the whole oumber living. rs eae of deaths reported within the last year ie 5 REVOLMTIONARY PENSIONS. The whole number of persons pensioned under the act ot March 18, 1818, is 20,195. Of these there now remain on the rolls but 1.523 Vader the act of 15th May, 1823, there were added to the list of revolutionary on 1,162. Of these there now remain but 162. Under the act of 7th June, 1832, there were add- ed to the rolls of revolationary pensioners 32,783 6 At this time there remain of there on the rolls 7 Aod of this last onmber there were but 2,408 who have applied for their pensions during the first half of the present calendar year. WIDOWS OF REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIRRS AND OTITERS. Under the aci of July 4, 1896, pensioning certain widows and orphans therein deacribed, the number who have been 18 4,934 Of these there remain on thé retis but 1,118 Under the act of 7th Jaly, 1535, giving pensions to the widows of revolasionary officers and soldiers who were married prior to 1794, the number of per- sons who have been pensioned, is 11,002 During the first two quarters of this year, pay- ment has been made under this law to 201 The act of 1838 was limited originally to five ears, but wie extended for one year by the act of Sd March, 1843; on the 17th June, 1344, it was ex tended for four years I ir; and fioally, on the 24 February. 1843, the be: of the law were con- tinued during widowhood. There are now on the rolls under the Jast mentioned act 4,876 On the 29h April, 1b!3, pensions were given from yf ih March, 1818, daring wido: pat widows officers, soldiers, seamen, 4, who re Under this +2083 titties 3333 $5 408,379 44 $7,192,048 47 Pencees over! ast estimates, o 5.6 yee BLTH070 OF were married prior to January, 1800. law the number pensioned ie 686. It. will thas be seen that the beneficiaries under the laws designed to provide for the solditrs of the "pay rep the widows of those who were « re ly passing away. om the ot band, the namber Se under the acte for the relief of invalids aad the widows of those who died in the secvice of the United States, has been consid-rably augmented the year, in consequence of the war ‘The number of invalid pensioners is now 4,712, being an increase during the year of 627. WIDOWS OF SOLDIERS ENGAGED IN THR MEXICAN Wak Under the act of 2let July, 1818, and the supple- ment act of 22) February, 1849, and the joiat resolution of the 28th September, 1350, allowing pensions to the widows ani orphans of soldiers who were killed in the Mexican war, or died from dis- ease contracted in the service, the number pen- sioned is 1,456 AMOUNT EXVENDED. The whole amount expended for pensions duriag the poet vont is estimated by the Commissioner at $1,400.00. ‘There bas been paid since Ist November, 1319, on account of revolutionary service of Virgiuta ad navy, $88,060 30; and as com na- y and interes’, $133,543 44 ‘S—-REVOL!/ CLIONARY S&KVICE. of land warraats issued di Land is still due to 111 officers, aad to 1,995 commissioned officers and privates. WAR oF fsi2, Whole number of warraats issued to persoas entitled under various acts of Congress for services in the war of 1312 973 MEX, 4 The number of claims presented for ser- vices in the Mexican war is.. $81,373 00 And for scrip or money, in lieu of | 3,332 00 Making an aggregate of. $34,705 00 THE GENERAL BOUNTY LAND LAW OF SEPTEMBER 231n, . The number of claims already presented under this comprehensive law, up to the 5th of Novem- ber, 1850, was 9,418, and the number is increasiag rapidly—scarcely a mail arriving which does not swell the list. The whole number of persons who, if pak would be entitled to the benefit of that law would exceed half a million. ‘The Commissioner supposes, from the best data withia his reach, that one-half are dead, leaving no person entitled to claim under them Ie this es- timate be correct—and I imagine it will be found to approximate accuracy—the whole number of claimants will be about two hundred and fifty thousand. It will thus be seen that the act of 23th Septem- ber, 1850, is by far the most important bouaty land law that has ever been panecd, whether we con- sider the number of beneliciaries under its provi- sions or the extent of the domain granted. Deeply impressed with the respoasibility incident to the administration of a trust of such magaitude, I have sought to make the necessary arrangements to ensure its prompt and efficient execution. Forms have been prepared, with ample instructions to guide applicants in presenting their claims, and assurances given that every proper facility will be afforded for the establishment of just demands un- der the law. Plates have been ordered to be engraved for | seagg- 2 the warrants, and every precaution has nm adopted to guard against fraud and forgery. These plates will soon be completed, and there need then be no delay in commencing the issue of warrants. I regret to say, however, that the law contains no provision for the employment and compensation of the clerical force necessary for its own execution. Under the terms of the law, as I have been coa- strained to construe them, the warrants are not ignable. The holders of them cannot, there- fore, make them available until they have beea located and patented. This process will necessa- rily require a considerable time, and it is theretore peculiarly proper, in order to ensure the enjoyment of the bounty by those for whom it was iatended, that no unnecessary — should be encountered. To avoid this evil, the Commissioner recom that provision be made for the employment of two efficient clerks, with a salary of $1,700 each, com- petent to investigate the claims ot apelionate This recommendation (except in regard to the amount of salary, which is unnecessarily large) cordial approval, and the only doubt | have is whether two will be sufficient. To guard against all contingencies, I would Mage nttren urge the propriety of eniorizieg thi lepartment, in the event that two clerks should prove insufficient to keep with the business, to employ one or more | in addition, and such temporary assistants as may be required from time to time. Unless the depart- ment has the means of adjudicating the claims as fast as they are presented, and of issuing warrants when they are allowed, dissatisfaction and suspi- cions of fevoritiem will inevitably arise. Should Congress concur in these views of the subject, I shall esteem it no less a privilege than 4 duty to ree that their beneficent policy is carried cut with all practicable despatch and economy. PUBLIC LANDS. The report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office exhibits some very interesting facts. ‘The surveys of the public lands have been pressed orward with commendable activity, and, having been completed in several States, the archives con- nected with them have been delivered to the State authorities as required by law. ores, 1,929,902 77 of Mexican war bounty land warrants, 3,405,520 00 State selections under the act of 4th Sep- : 259,806 60 196,246 21 ; : 58.985 33 ‘Tetal acres thus dispored of. . 5,184,410 9 During the three quarters of 1850 there have been e0ld. 2... .seeee sees 969,082 32 Located by Mexican bounty land war- rants, during the lst and 2d and part of the 3d quarters +. 1,829,129 00 State elections under (579,805 58 Choctaw certitier eee 46.580 52 Aggregate thus dispored of in the Ist, 2d, and part of the Sd quarters of 1850... 2,915,506 42 itisehown by the Commissioner's report, that the public lands have been a rich source of revenue to the government, averuging about one and a quarter millions of doilars per annum, for the last fifty years, over and above all coste and expenses. | itis gretitying to find that the business of the laad office is acuvely progressing. The accounts of all the receivers of public moneys have been adjusted to the 30th September last. A speedy consumma- tion is anticipated of State selections, under the giant of the 4th September, 1841, and for various interna! improvements under other laws. Mea- sures have been adopted to give effect to the mu- nihceat donetion of “swamp lands” to certain States of the Union, by the act of Congress of the 28h September, 1950. ‘The Commissioner recommends an extension of the act of 34 August, 1846, in order to remove sus- pensions Which arise end accumulate ia the admi- nistration of that office under general laws. He also suggests a slight moditication Oo the pre-emy tion provisions of the ac: of 4th September, 1841, sud the delegation of authority to the General Land Office to sell abandoned military sives, or such tracts as had been appropriated to public uses and afterwards relinquished. Theee recommendations, if carried out by early legislation, will be productive of beneficial results. Amongst the first and most promiaent sabjecis claiming the attention or Congress is the necessity of makiog prevision by law fora speedy aad com- plete exteasion of the land machinery over our pos- sessions on the Pacific. At present there is no mode by which a gcod title can be obtained to any part of he public domain in that great extent of territory. Nothing contributes more to retard the improve- ment of a country than uncertainty in relation to the tide to its soil. Great inconvenience has al- ready been experienced from this cause in Cali- fornia. Grants are alleged to have been made for large tracts ot land in that State by authority of the Spanish or Mexican governments. Many of these are of very questionavie validity, but until they shall have been examined and settled by a tribunal of competent jurisdiction, they will continue to throw a cloud over the title to valuable bodies of land, and seriously affect the settlement aad prosperity of the country. To remedy this evil, it would seem to be proper to make provision by law for the appoimtinent of a commission to inves tigate ell claims of this character, with a view to their final adjudication But the extent of the were with which it should be invested is a sub- Jeet worthy of the serious consideration of Con- The Commiseioner of the General Land Of- ¢ has discussed the question fully, and his report contains much valuable information in regard te it. MINERAL LANDS. The proper di of these lands isa subject of much intrinsic di , and one on which a great diversity of opinion exists among judicious men. Three diflerent modes of of them have been suggested, each of which has some advan- tages, and all of which are liable to serious objec- tions. The report from the De; nt ofthe Ia- terior whieh ied the annual meseage of the President to grees,recommended that tne mineral lands should be divided by actual survey into emall parcels, and leased out for terms of years, reserving to the government, by way of reat, a per centage on the products. Many persons, whose opinions are entitled to reapect, have the grant of licenses to individuals, at fixed prices, to mine within particular districia, with or without machinery, as the license may preseride. Orhera, of equal j mt and ence, insist that the only way to avoid difficulty, and the mineral lands available, is 10 lay javor m are cei re epect. ita careful pa reference xperie| han ventages. It would create @ system of | with the resident agent in up. The the mines epri the supervision of and the collection of the publie dues would be- come objects of hatred and di it, and the miners, instead of looking to the government as their ga’r- dian and protector from wrong, would be drivea by the force of circumstances into an attitude of hos- tility to it, as the source of all the evils which op- pressed them. Attempts to enforce the payment of rents by legal process would prove abortive, be- cause the w! community would have an in- terest adverse to their collection. Collisioas be- tween the tenants and the offivers of the law would ensue, the feelings of the people would be aliena- ted, and the whole country involved in turmoil aad confusion. No considerations of a mere pecuniary charteter | should induce the government to adopt a policy which would tend to eoasequenees like these. The system of licenses ia obnoxious to similar ob- | jections, varying only in degree. | am, therefore, of the opinion, that the mineral lands should be divided iato small tracts, and sold in fee simple to the highest bidder at pubhe auction. The extent of the lots should depend oa the apparent richaess of the mines ; but they should be small enough to afford persons in moderate circumstances au oppor- tunity of becoming bidders, and thus enlarge the field of competition as far as possible, If these lands are leased, it will be necessary for the government to maintain a large number of olfi- cers in California at high salaries, whose responsi- bility must, from the cireumstances of the case, be almost nominal. But by selling the lands all coa- nection between the miners and the governmeat will be severed, permanent interests will be ac- quired in the country, and a new stimulus given to the enterprise of our citizens. INDIAN AFFAIRS. Our relations with the ladian tribes will demand the prompt and earnest attention of Congress. The annexation of Te: the reeeat treaty with Mexico, have, it is estimated, added about one hun- dred and twenty-four thousand persons to our [n- dian population. Many of the tribes thus brought under our control are fierce in their disposition and ehpesrat in their habits, and, it 1s feared, can only restrained from committing great outrages on the persons and property of the inhabitants of neighboring territory by the military power ot the country. _No provision having been made by law, until the ciose of the last session of Congress, for the ap- pointment of agents to take ch: of the numerous tribes in California and New Mexico, the govern- ment had no means of obtaining much satisfactory information respecting their condition aud wants. It is hoped, however, this defect will be supplied by the agent and commissioners who have been recently appointed, and who are now on their way to the scene of their labors. Shortly before the close of the last session, and immediately after the je of the act authori ing the appointment of Indian agents for Califor- nia, nominations were made to and contirmed by the Senate of three persons well qualified tor the discharge of their respective duties. Instructions were prepared by the department, and when the agents were ready to set out on their journey, it was discovered that, by some oversight, no appropriation had been le to pay their sal- aries cir movements were, therefore, arrested for the time; but it was deemed important that all uansceusats, BENS, should be avoided, and as provirion had been made for the appointment and payment of three commissioners to negotiate trea- ties with the Indians of California, it was concluded to appoint the same persons commissioners who hed been nominated aad confirmed as agents. By adopting this course, the commissioners were ea- abled to penne mv delay to Sa Indian em ritory, where they will acquire such knowledge o! the habits and character of the Indians as will qualify them to enter efficiently on the dischat of their duties as agents, as soon as the appro; tion shall be made tor their salaries; when that done, their functions us commissioners will cease. A resident superintendent, and three general agentay have been appointed, for the indian tribes ot Oregon. Two special agents have been commissioned, under the act of September, 1850, to co-operate ‘Pexas, in conciliating the Indians of that State. Under the authority of the same act, three commissioners have been ap- pointed to accompany the joint commission now cnangee in running and marking the boundary Jine between the United States and Mexico, for the purpose of obtaining full aad correct informa- tion in regard to the Indian tribes who are scat- tered aloug our southwestern frontier, and, if pos- sible, to establish friendly relations with them. It is greatly to be regretted that no authority was conferred yoy for the appointment of resident agents in New Mexico, where they are more necessary than in apy other part of the territory of the United og ‘he ee pee that county, comprising the Camanc javajoes, Utabs, Apaches, and Ticcarillas, are the most savage and jawless within our boundaries, For many years hey have been in the hadit of hostile incursions into the neighboring provinces of Mexico, and ravaging whole neighborhoods— murdering the men, and carrying the women and chilaren into captivity. By our recent treaty with Mexico, the goverament of the United States has bound itself to repress these out- rages by ludians resident within our borders. It is essential, therefore, for the fulfilment of our treaty stipulatiogs with our sister republic, as well as for the protection of our own citizens, that agents should be sent among these tribes, who can exer- ciee a restraining influence overthem. The neces- sity for this measure has beea paiofully illustrated by the outrages which have been committed upon our citizens travelling to and ftom Saata Fe ne attack upoa Mr. Whue and his party, withia a few days’ journey of that place, has obtained a melan- choly notoriety. He and his whole party were brutally murdered, with the exception of his esti- mable wife and a daughter under ten yeara of age, who were riade captives. Subsequently, being pressed by a body of men who were in pursuit of them, the Indians mardered Mra White, but still retain the davghter in horrible ca yoo At the last seesion Congress apenopeiated $l, to be used in procuring her release. This sum was promptly placed at the disposal of Coi. Calhoun, the nearest resident agent, (whose judgment aad knowledge of the Indian character fit him in a peculiar manner to discharge the daty,) with tall power to use itin such manver as he might think best. Ile has also been instracted to eoavey in- formation to the Iadians that, unless this child be delivered up, they will receive the chastisement, by the military power of the goverameat, which their savage craelty so richly desery es WGMWAY TO THE Pacts Considerations of great nations! interest seem to require that the means of intercourse with our poseessions on the Pacttic coast should be improved by the construction of a great thoroughfare, en- tirely within our owa territory, from ine valley of the Mississippi to the Pacific. Whether th can be best accomplished by « railway, a turapike, or a plank road, or by a combination of the difierent modes of improvement, can only be determined at- ter a carefal survey of the country and its resour- ces shall have been made ur only access to them now is by a toilsome journey of moaths’ du- ration through comparatively trackless wastes, or by a circuitous voyage, attended with many pri ons and dangers. A highway, commencing a some point in the valley of the Mississippi and ter- minating on the coast of the Pacific, with lateral branches, would not only furnish the means of con- venient intercommunieation, but would lead to the establishment of a chain of settlements along its line, which would link together the widely separa- ted portions of our country oy an inseparable bond of union. The gigantic character of the work, however, admonishes us of the necessity of adopting every precaution in ascertaining the best means ot effect- pe the object. With that view, care should be taken to obtain fall and accurate information as to the shortest and best route, having due reference not only to distance between the termini, but also to the soil, climate, aad adaptation to agricultural purposes of the intermediate country If the re- port should be favorable, it would then be for the wisdom of Congress to determine how fat the pro- bable augmentation of the value of the public land, the increated tacilities in the transportation of the mail, and the other ad already referred to, which may be reasonably anticipated trom the completion of the work, may justify liberal eontri- butiors of land or money towards its construction. I therefore beg leave most respectively to call your attention to the subject, and to suggest the propriety of authorizing an immediate examination of the country and such surveys as may be necessary to mo page the practability and probable cost of the work. AGRICULTURAL BURRAT. Ia murveying the varioas interests of the country, no one can fail to observe how little has been done by government to proviote the canse of agriculture. It is true, the cultivccor of the soil, in common with all other classes of society, calors the protection of the laws aud the blessings incident to good vermment. But somethiag more seems to be due to a branch of mdustry which e 3 more thaa i oe , and, to a great extent, sustains other. The power ef the general ‘rnment over this subject is limited, but unis fui sno reason why it should not be exercised 60 far as it does legitimately extend, #01 adopted to allord protection to the ~ inseneete aap A aon ber Rete, Sacer te it t 9 staple prodactions of the that climate, themfore, ur Ws ie ausget of competion from Tne lessees fament a8 an exacting and and a strong feelag opposed rents wo abroad. Those of the North and West, in conse- | safely lodged in a fire-proof . These tence ofthe fertityof the oll andthe fw rice sivantages which will be by ee at which land can be are produced at less | expenditure of the sum necessary to complete cog Rave tone ia Oa vera eer baad gs | erreconers INTO THE CITY. e under ex! co: ont Oo” WATE i pom iad pmo sgeag: of foreign | The vast enlargements of our territorial timieg, ek and the rapid growth of the country, in But still much may done by patent at a fad porslaticn, have been attended with @ cor- small cost, to promote the interests of agriculture. ing increase of the public business and ¢ The science is yet in its infancy, and great minds | the number ot persons employed to is. are now cues to the erudy sad. developonnent of Wessbechon an Pa portation i rue principles. I-xperiments are ‘0 ly or indirect! oS cee ee qualities tf different ph Dae cipading with the aflairs of government. ‘The Tepresenta- parative nutritive properties of different anima) and vegetable productions; and the utility and efficieacy ef various manures in fertilizing and renovating the exhausted lands of the old States Encouragement may be aff like these, and facilit tion of seeds, pla: of the earth, and couny Premiume may be oilered for the best practical treatises on the ditlerept branches of husbandry, which can be published and seat abroad amvng tie | people. By meane like there, a spirit of philoso. phic inquiry may be sumulated, and 4 great impalse given to the interests of agriculture Mach has ulready been done in this respect, through the egeney of the Patent Offiee; but the subject is too important to be left in dependant condition. The Jast annual report from the department re- commended the establishment of an Agricultural vied to enterprises d for the collee- all parts t the rican industry the encouragement which 1t so well deserves. Thie isno novel suggestion. It had the sanction of Washington, who, 1a his last anuual message, referring to the propriety of creating an agricultural board, said: ** This cies of estad- lishment contributes doubly to the increase of im- provement, by stimutating to enterprise and experi- ment, and by age. to a common centre the results, every where, of individual skill and obser- vation, and spreadivg them thence over the whole nation. Experience accordingly has shown thet they are Mi? cheap instruments of unmense na- tional benefit.” Itherefore renew the recommendation of my predecessor for the establishment of a separate bureau, to be entrusted with the duty of promoting the agricultural interests of the country. The vase extent and rapid developement of the mineral re- sources of the country seem to require that ade- quate provision should also be made by law for the collection and analysis of the various miaeral sub- stances which have been, or may oe discovered, so that their properties may be understood, and their value correctly appreciated The purchase of a farm in the vicinity of the na- tional metropolis, to be tilled and managed under the direction of the bureau, has been sugyested as ap go auxiliary in illustrating the best modes of culture. If this idea should favorably re- ceived, | would respectfully add that Mount Ver- non, whose soil was once tilled by the hands, and is now consecrated by the dust of the Father of his Country, should properly belong to the nation, and might, with great propriety, become, under its aus- pices, a model farm to illustrate the progress of that pursuit to which he was so much devoted. CENSUS. Shortly after the passage of the act of 23d of May, 1850, for taking the seventh eensus, aud for other purposes, a superintendent was appointed, and the other measures deemed necessary to secure the prompt and faithful performance of that duty adopted. The returns which are now comiog in daily from all parts of the Union, give gratifying as- surances that the census will be Completed within the time limited by Jaw, and in a manner highly creditable to allwho have been engaged init. la some few instances delays may occur in conse- quence of casualities which could not have been avoided, and in one or two of the most remote ter- ritories, in the receipt of the schedules. The amount of valuable statistical information collected and embodied in these returns will far ex- ceed anything of the kind known in our pas tory ; should be made at an early day for printing such abstracts as may be deemed of practical utility, ina style and form worthy off the subject and of the country. The te rt of the superintendent will show that additional legislation may be necessary to do full justice to the marshals of some of the more re- MEXICAN HOUNDARY St te, for information relative to the and the point of junction of the Gila with the Colo- rado river, had been determined and fixed; that the intervening line of boundary had been run and marked, and temporary monuments erected there- on, for a distance of about thirty miles; and that the operations of the joint commission had been suspended about the Ist of February last, by an adjournment to the first Monday in November ultimo. The temporary monuments alluded to are now being replaced by permanent ones, and the joint commission (that on the part of the United States having been re-organized prior to my taking harge of the department) have doubtless assem- El Paso, according to the terms of their m c ecbohsoment, tonal ¢ running aud adjouromen r the purpose of runi ing the line thence westward to the river Gi It is the determination of the department that this work shali be pressed forward to completion with the utmost despatch, so that, if possible, the expectations of Congress, a8 indicated in the appro- priation act of 15th May last, may be realized. PURLIC BUILDINGS, My predecessor, in his report which accompanied the annual message of the late President to Con- grees, took occesion to invite attention to the con- dition of the public buildin nd to show the tendency of the Capitol, Treesury Building to dilapidation, from the pensh. able neture of the material of which they are con- structed. Personal observation hag satisfied me that his fears on that subject are well founded I.xperience has demonstrated that the sandstone of which they are built, when left unprotected trom the action of the atmogphere, rapidly disintegrates: The only temporary ventive which has yet been discovered and applied is a atrong coating of paint, which, by closing the pores oi the stone, | prevents the aby ion of water. This expedient as been found to be attended with partial success in the preservation of the Capitol and |’resident’s hovse. 1 would reepecttully recommend, therefore, that an appropriation be made of an amount suffi- cient to defray the cost of coating the Treasury Building thoroughly with paint. But at ame tume it should be left discretionary te adopt a impose method of eflecting the same end nregad to the Patent (ffice, as the wings are ted by being joined to the wings, le front and rear exposed to deca’ 14 as not merely disintegration but actual dilepidation has already exterior facing of the front be removed, and its | place supplied by a veneering of white marble of the same quality 46 that used in the construction of the wings. The whole bi ng would then 1 fe i Practical workmen have expressed the opinion that it can be done ata small cost when compared with its beneficial results, and without in any de- gree endangering the security and etability ot the walls. But should any doubt be entertained oa the subject, ecientitic engineers might be consult- ed and means taken to ascertain the actual cost in time for legislative action before the close of the approaching sesson of Congress. If the reeult should be tavorabie, it would then be time to in- quire how far the seme system should be pursued in reference to the Treasury Building The exten of the colonnade in front ef that building, how ever, gives rearon to doubt whether the same sys tem can be readily adopted in regard to it. The only expedient that is left, therefore, forthe pre servation of that massive structure, is by a coating of jaint In this connexion, | beg leave to urge the propri- ety of completing, with as little délay aa practica ble, both wings of the Patent Office. Until this be done, the large sums already expended will be of no practical ure, and the edifice will mutilaied apperrence. But there are other considerations of the mos urgent character which cali for their completion. At present, the various officers attached to tne De- partment of the Interior are scattered through six different buildings widely separated from each other, four of which are owned by private indivi- duals. Three of these are not only uneuited in their interior errangements for the purposes for which they are used, but are of combustible mate- rials and contiguous to private dwellings. The officere are therefore subjected to great mconve- nience in communicating with the heed of the de- partment, and the public archives are in constant oy from fire. rent now paid for rooms affording this im- perfect and insecure accommodation ¢ xereds $8,000 per ansum But the rooms in the War Depart- ment occupied by the Jadian Bureau are needed for the purposes of that lepartment, and those in the Treaeury Building, wre by the General Land Office are required by the Secretary of the Trra- mn aod ome to effect has been given to Tooms are rented, to be used instead vacated inthe War and Treasury Build- al rent to be paid will the moet of the two of the be ae ss Nat ate ern tt ere Bureau, to aflord to this great brancu of Ame- | and it is therefore important that provision | mote and sparsely populated sections of the country. i My predecessor reported to the President, on the | 18th of May last, in answer to a call from the | progress of survey, that the initial point on the Pacific, | ‘atent Offie, and the | to be of white marble and the ends are now protec: | ng ouly the | commenced, | would recommend that the entire | present a | tives of the people and the States from all sections of the Union annually assemble here to | their high functions, and are detamed d the | greeter part of each alternate year. Many of them come frora salubrious regions where the di- seases incident to more Southern climates are ta- known, }¢ would seem, then, to be a duty of the gover: ment of the most imperative character to odopt alt neeessary preeautions to guard against everythirg which tends to endanger the health of these servants of the people and they families. To accomplish this purpose, and at the same time to contribute to the comfort of the whole popu- lation and to aflord an effectual safeguard to all the public offices against fire, I respectfully recom- mend the introduction isto the national metropolis of @ copious supply of pure water, to be thrown, i the first place, into a reservoir on some elevated pointin its vieinity, and thence distributed through | a public buildings and densely populated parts of the eny The improvement of the public grounds, by en- | closing end planting them with trees aud shrub- bery, and providing promenades and fountains, isa subject of kindred character, tending to the same | results, and only second im importance to the sup- ply of water. I therefore recommend it also to your favorable consideration. Thave the honor to be, cir, very respectfuily, your obedient servant, Arex H. H Servant, Secretary. To the Presipent or ‘tue Unirep States | REPORT oy THE SUCRETARY OF WAR. Wax Department, Wasuinaton, November 30, 1850 Sir: 1 beg leave to submit the following report of the operations of this Department during the last ean— * The aggregate strength of the army, asat present established by law, and supposing every company to have its complement, is twelve thousand three hundred and twenty-six, (12,326) officers and men. It rarely happens, however,that & company is com- | plete; for while onthe one hand, the enlistmeats | can never exceed the limit prescribed by law, | deaths, discharges, and desertions must alway | cause the number of men actually enrolled and in | pay to fall far short of it. This is d prig way 8 the case in regard to troops stationed at the frontier | posts; for as the men are all enlisted in the older | States, considerable time must alway | between the happening of a vacancy and its being filled. Itasestimated by competent judges that, | owing to these causes, combined with sicknese | and other casualties of the service, the number of men actually in service and fit for duty usually falls short of the legal organization on an average | of from thirty to forty per cent. The report of the Adjutant General, hereto ap- pended, will show how this force is distributed By that document it will be seen that seven thou- _ sand seven hundred and ninety-six (7,796) of the twelve thousand three hundred and twenty-six (12,326) officers and men comy ng the army, are | stationed in or are under orders Texas, New Mexico, California, and Oregon, leaving oaly four | thousand five hundred and thirty [4,530] in all the rest of the States and territories. When it is recollected what large accessi have, within a few years past, been made to our that an extensive seabgard will require | nd an enlarged inland frontier needs | pretection egainst the Indians, it will appear ma- | nifest that the present military establishment of the country is entirely inadequate to its wanta, llow me to call your attention to the remarks oa | macy contained in the report of the Generail- n- Chie! The most important duty which at present_de- volves on the department, ia the protection of Tex- asand New Mexico against the Indian tribes im their vicinity. This object has e ed the anx- ious attention of the department, and all the meaos at its disposal have been employed to effect it. The recruiting service has been actively prose- cuted, with a view to bringing the companies sta- tioned on that frontier to their compiement of se venty-four men, as fixed by the act of the 17th of June last. Prompt measures have also been taken to carry into effect the provisions of the same act, which authorizes the mounting of « portion of the infantry stationed in Texas. Early in August last, the seventh regiment of [a- antry was ordered to Santa Fe, and had proceeded +n its destination some distance beyond Fort Lea- venworth, when a steamboat, laden with supplies for the expedition, was sunk on her way from St. Louis to that post. [n consequence of this accident, «nd the advanced state of the season, it was ordered to return and take up its winter quarters at Jeflerson Barracks, from which point it will resume its march as — practicable in the epring. From the re- ts of the officers in command in Texas and New lexico, as well a mm other reliable sources of | information, the deparunent is fully satislied, how~ | ever, that the force now stationed on that fronteer, | with all the reiaforee ments it will be able to se | there in the epring, will be eatirely insutlicieat for | ite protection. | In order to make the troops as available as poe tible for the protection of the settlements, they have been separated iato small detachments, stationed | at various posts along the frontier. Bat, as the | frontier is many hundred miles in extent, these | posts are necesserily a considerable distance apart, | and the utmost vigilance end activity on the part ot | the officers in command canaot prevent small bands of Indians from passing between then, and | committing depredations on tuterior settlemes The only deseription of troops that can eter put a stop to these forays is cavalry. Unlike of their race in this part of the continent, the La- Giwne that oceupy the vast and open plains from the southero extremity of Texas to Oregon, in all their expeditions, wheiher for war or for the chase, are ovariably mounted, and are well skilled in the menagement of the horse. la their incursions mt the whie * they are prompted, not se much by ing of howtulity as b love of plan- der, end, conse quent] jom move in large aum- bers prepared to ¢ ranarmed force, bat, separating into smali pardes, watch a tavorable opporupity, make sudden and rapid inroads mto | the settlements, drive ofl whole herds of le, and cccasionally commit acts of shocking bar- | barity. Emboldened by the impunity with which these ineur * have been heretotore too often attended, end encoureged by ihe success with whieh «hey have been rewarded, these boid murauders have of late ventured much further into the settlemeate, and even within a short distance of our miluary poets. All the roeds leading into the cuuatry are imfested by them, and cannot be ealely travelled without a mibtary escort They stand in little awe | of treops on foot; but a light and scdve cavalry could pursue and chastise them, or recapwre their | ptender, whereby their depredations would be ren- jered more dangerous and lessprotitable. Several sone progress in civiliza- tion, having fixed battations and considerable pro- perty. By pursuing these to their homes, and retal- iting severely upoa them, they would soon be taught that it is their interest to reepect the property of the whites. The officers in command in these depart- Mente concur in the Opinion that to enable them to | do this, a larger force, particularly in mounted ten, is indispe wewy | necessary. As a temporary roeans of suj plying this dehcieacy, the commana- ing officer in Texns culled out several companies | of volunteers; but the short period for whieh thie description ot force can be lrgally called upon to | ferve, renders it more expensive and lees etficrent it would otherwise be. Doubts are enter- | tamed whether the experiment of moun’ iafsn- | try will prove evccessful. Latte, if ng, is | gained by such an arrangement on the score cf economy, end soldiers ted with no reference to their aptitude for cavalry duty will seldom be able to adupt themselves to @ service for which their previous habits may not at all qualify them. It is therefor: 1y much to be desired that Coa- gress will, at ai early period, consider the pro- priety of increasing the army, and particularly of laising one or more reg 4 This additional force will & proportional eddition of expen lieved tha the end economy will be pr by it. The supplies necessary for the troops ete- tioned in that coustry are now nearly all eo from the other Stw These supplies have to be great distance by fand, and owiag to the bedners of Touds, the ey of provisions and provender, the exorbitant prices demanded for labor, the of transportation ts enormous. The following is the ectual cost of transporting pork and flour Ghe two most inportaat items of supply) te several of the military posts in Texas and New Mexico, vi To the » for_pork @8, for flour ‘0 Seuta FP er faveties post in Texas, per barrel .3y Les Vegas, New Mexico, for tor flour $21,20 Socorro, Abeque, and Savoyette, for barrel, for (low 8 1 Norte, Tex for pork $8 40 "ihe sid for teaneportiog bread oud gen aaarnan. tie ‘nena wich foug ee to San BE rt darrel, for % susceptible of bundant crops and nearly all uf which well adapted to arazing ond these sums wil! continue to be paid so the incursions of the Indias contiaue t+ prevems