The Prairie Chieftain, Volume 1, Number 13, Monticello, White County, 17 December 1850 — Page 2

fbl dd , ;.s & i a!.: as a i; c- , to t i ns rr-conuaci Invoice of ' ..j.h ' ib: I ef defi h 1.. r iis .jj b : e,tho c :rcc.r.ess of which invoice it is, in many cases. impossible to verify, the law be so changed as to require a home valuation or ep f rftisement to bo regulated in such mantier to give, as far as practicable, uniformity in the perls. There lb: r i.o Mbt b Cblbrnb, I t.m. ir.br.ri thet ti kbcirs in the rr.ir.st are cr:pt: 1 tj dbpe. a ef Ir o'data. Urge dbexueJ. Thb eppars to rr-s to be a heavy and urjust tax en the labor of those employed in extracting the precious metal, and I doubt not yon will be disposed, at tie earliest period possible, to relieve them from it bv the establishment cf a Mint. In the meantime, as an Assayer'a Office in established there. I would respectfally submit for your con sideration, the propriety cf authorizing gold bullion, which has been assayed and . stamped, to ba received in payment of government dues. I cannot conceive that the Treasury would suffer any loss ' by such a provision, which will at ones . raise bullion to its par value and thereby save (if I am rightful! .informed) many millions cf dollars to the laborers which are now paid in brokerage to convert this precious metal into available funds. This discount upon their hard earnings is a heavy, tax, and every effort should be made by the government to relieve them from so great a burden. . Mors than three-fourths of our population are engaged in the cultivation of the soiL The Commercial, Manufacturing, and Navigating interests are all, to a great extent, dependent upon the Agricultural. It is, therefore, the most important interest of the nation, and has a just claim to the fostering cars and protection cf this government, so far as they can be extended consistent' with the provisions of the Constitution. " As this cannot ba done by the ordinary modes of legislation, I res pectfully recommend the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau, to be charged with the duty of giving to this leading branch of American' idustry the encour- . egement which it so well deserves. In view of the immense mineral resources of the country, provision should be made, under the direction of the head cf the Bureau, to collect specimens of. the various minerals of our country, and to ascertain by careful analysis their respec tive elements and properties, and their adaptation to useful purposes. He should also, be required .to examine and repor upon the qualities of different soils, and the manure best calculated to improve their productiveness. By publishing the results of such experiments with suitable explanations, and by the collection and distribution of ' rare seeds and plants, with instructions as to the best system of cultivation, much may be done to promote this great national interest. In compliance with the act of Congress. passed on the 3i c f May, ,tGoO, providing, among' other things, for taking the 7ih Censusj a superintendent was t ppointed nod all ether measures adopted which were deemed -necessary' to ensure the prompt and faith fal performance "cf that du'y.- The epprcprhiien already made, will, it is behead, be tu Tbb..t to defiay tha v. bob eerp ;r.;e ef tho v. ;,h, but far lh:r bg.-i;.:. .n my la r.:;:i .ary - in regard to t! e comper.-e'.bn cl some of the Merskrdi cf ths Territories. It will, .1Ee, I r ; per to r.rbe & r :z,is'.z.i ly !;w tt t.i c:;i ti-' , b r tho ib-tb:; t R- h al e.;eets cf th, rtt-i.- a, t.i t:.3 r. 8 ... ft. : t J . c -r t ; rr C.elr . '. thjeb , Z c : r : . i cf v, 3 i h c It1 t' i - X : . '. Jl I.. l hh 11. ths t -J t 1

r- n?dy for t' Uct cuniut in t; tba.1 remedy, i !

.1 (ivtbi,'! vr.ts. -cel. lie v. w 'It! l.a Ice.i - s t 1 1 till' -.1., - a.'.' Lbt in they v ..1 cor.tinueto Ktar '.h.v, &...;ct-icrt and improvement f the country. I, therefore, respectfully recommend that provision be made bylaw for the' appointment of Commissioners to examine all such claims, with, a view to their final adjust rocr.t. I also beg leave to call your attention to iho propriety of extending, at an early diy, our system cf land laws, with such KJoJincations as may ba necessary, over the State of California and ths Territories of Utah and New Mexico. The mineral lands of California will, of course, form an exception to any general system which may be adopted.- Various mediods of disposing of them have been suggested. I was at first inclined to favor the system of leasing, as it seemed to promise the largest revenue to the government, but further reflection, and our experience in leasing the lead mines and .'selling lands--upon credit, have brought my mind to the conclusion that there would be great difficulty in collect ing the rents, and that th relation-of debtor and creditor between the . citizen and the Government would be attended with many mischievous consequences. I therefore recommend that, instead of retaining tho mineral lands under, the permanent control of the , Government, they be divided into small parcels . and sold, under such restrictions as to quantity and time as will insure the best price, and guard most effectually cgainst combinations of capitalists to obtain monop olies. - The annexation of Texas', and, the ac quisition of California and New Mexico, have given increased, importance to our Indian relations. The various tribes brought und :r our jurisdiction by these enlargements of our boundaries of 124,000. , ', 'v.;"' Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by powerful tribes of Indians who are a source of constant terror and annoyance to the inhabitants. Separating into small predatory bands,' and always mounted, they overrun the country, devastating farms,' destroying crops, driving off whole herds of cattle, and occasionally murdering the inhabitants or carrying them into captivity. The great reads leading into the country are infested with them, whereby traveling is rendered extremely dangerous and immigration entirely arrested. The Mexican frontier, which by tho 1 1th article of the treaty of. Gaudalupe 'Hidalgo' we', 'are bound to protect against the Indians with in our borders, is exposed in these incur sions equal to our own. . The military force stationed in that country, although forming-' ft large proportion "of our army, 's represented as entirely ; inadequate to cur own protection and - the fulfilment '-of our treaty stipulations with .Mexico. The principal deficiency is in cavalry, and I recommend that Congress should, at as early a period as practicable, provide for the raising of one 'or' more regiments of mounted men - For farther suggestions en this subject, and others connected .with our "domestic interests, and the defence cf cur frontier, I rsfer you to the reports cf the Secretary "the Interior and 'the- Secretary 'of I commend, also, to youf favorable conside ration tha euggcrisrs contained in l.. - l.zt r...-h: ;i J rc; rt, t: J hi tho letter cf iho Ui..tf-1 in-Chief it. ..Live -to the tstat.-ihrntnt cf an AIu'-i i .. r v relief tl(l';.Vi;Jtr.Jd::!3!u rs. Tils f.' J--t e; ; so Cvcr. 2' y .j your sj'f.iI -f iejthrt it v. c . : Ll l.:r z i,.:.-3 t!.:n I :rc)y tj t.v1 rjf.-hiicn cf tho pro - .I:.. 1::,3 t i , t the 1 I 1 ' 3 i ' .....

L .1 ..exl. r these. Lavage been rev I to be firud ve been j

(. ".u'cf the Navy, to proAic. c La3 in quest of the U t' i c lender, Sir John Franklin, u '4 c : anions, in compliance with ' t cf Ci-rg-Ci, approved in May hed . itn Iv.s,t heard from penetra ted into a high northern latitude, but the success of this noble and humane enterprise is yet uncertain. I invito your attention to the view of our present Naval establishment and resources presented in the report-of the Secretary of the Navy, and in the suggestions therein mad a for its improvement, together with the Naval policy recommended for the security of the Pacific coast and the protection and extension of our commerce with Eastern Asia. Our facilities for larger participation in the trade of the East by means of our recent settlements on the shores of the Pacific, are too obvious to be overlooked or disregarded. The question in relation to rank in the army and navy and tho relative rank between officers of the two branches of the service, presented to the Executive by Certain resolutions of the House of Representatives at the last session of Con gress, have been submitted to a board of officers in each branch of the service, and their report may be expected at an early day. I also earnestly recommend the enpetmen of a law authorizing officers of the array and navy to be relieved from the service, when incompetent for its vigorous and active duties, taking care to make suitable provision for those who have faithfully served their country, and awarding distinctions by retaining in appropriate commands those who have been particularly conspicuous for gallantry and good conduct. While the obligation of the country to maintain and honor those who, to the exclusion of other pursuits, have devoted themselves to its arduous service is admitted, this obligation should not be permitted to interfere with tho efficiency of the service itself. , 1 am gratified in being able to state that that the estimates of expenditures for the navy in the ensuing year are less by more than one 51,000,000, than those of the present, excepting the appropriation which 111 a v become . necessary for the construction of a dock on the coast of the Pacific, propositions for which are now being considered, and on which a gpcial report may be expected early in your present session. There is an evident justness in the suggestion ot the same reports, that appropriations for the naval service proper, should ba separated from those for the fixed and permanent objects, such as building 'docks and Navy yards and the fixtures attached, and from the extraordinary objects under the care of the the departments which, hovfever important, are not essentially naval. . A revission of the code for the government of the navy seems to require the Immediate consideration of congress.Its system of crimes and punishments has undergone no change for half a century until the last session, though it3 defects have been often and ably pointed out, and th- abolition of a particular species of corporeal punishme&t, which then took place without providing- any substitute, has left .the. service in a state of defectiveness which calls for prompt correction. ' I therefore reccominend that the whole subject be revised without delay and such a sytem established for the enforcement of discipline--as shall beat ch23 humane and cfibeiu.d. There::-; h"g r : p r rt cf the Fc;t Master General presents a satisfactory view cf tho c:cr2.'.leii3 end cor.Ci'.Ln cf that d.f art, :.:.t. At thacl; .j of iV lait f.icol year -tho I. 3th of the irh":. 1 i,i",l real, a in the U."'.l:u .r, c . .1 r -.U.'.-.b. :g thosers2o hi Gy:--:i end Ch vr.s 17C, T..J ...... tr.iipir:hon th::;ci 4., izVdi t .1 the annua c . t 0' 1 ich i. m -j .iit:a' trr.:s- :rlC7,r "i i..h i, a.. I I ICY 3-33 hi th .M f I l u, y i ' j -3 1 'J, 1 1 J K. L.Z

l A "i c; Ih. c:.l the last,

of revenue over expenditures 'of C2f3, 010,03. I am happy to find that tho -fiscal con. dilion of tho Department is such cs to

justify the Postmaster General in recom mending the reduction of our inland letter postage to 3 cents tha single letter when pre paid, and 5 cents when not prepaid." He also reccommends that the prepaid rate shall bo reduced to two cents whenever tha revenue of the Department after the reduction shall exceed its expenditures by more than 5 percent, for two consecutive years, and that tho postage upon California and other letters sent by our Ocean steamers shall be much reduced, and that the rates of postage on newspapers, pamphlets, periodicals, and ether printed matter, shall be modified, and some reduction thereon made. It cannot be doubted that the proposed reduction will for tho present, diminish the revenues of the department. It is believed that the deficiency after the surplus already accumulated shall bo exhausted, may be mlmost wholly met, either by abolishing tha existing piivileges of sending free matter through the mails or by paying out of the treasury to the post office department a sum equivalent to the postage of which it is derived by such privileges. Tha last is supposed to be the preferable mode, and will, if not entirely, so nearly supply that deficiency as to make any further appropriation that may be fouud necessary so inconsiderable as to form no obstacle to the proposed reductions. I entertain no doubt of the authority o Congress to make appropriations for lea. ding objects in thai class of public works comprising what are usually called works of internal improvement. This authority I suppose, to be derived chieffly from tha power of regulating commerce with foreign nations and among the several States, and the power of laying and collecting imports. When commerce is to be carried on, and imports collected there must be ports and harbors, as well es wharves and custom houses. . If ships, laden with valuable cargoes, approach the shore or sail along the coast, lighthouses are necessary at suitable points for the protection of life and property. Other facilities and securities for commerce and navigation are hardly less important, and those clauses of the Constitution, therefore, to which I havo refe.ed, have received from the origin of tho government a liberal and beneficial construction. Not only have light houses, buoys, and beacons been established, and floating lights maintained, but harbors have been cleared and improved, piers constructed and even break-waters, for the safety of shipping and sea ves'sels, to protect harbors from being filled up and rendered useless by the action of the ocean, have been erected at a very great expense. . And this construction of the Constitution appears the more reasonable, from the consideration, that, if these works, of snch evident importance and utility, are not to be accomplished by Congress, they cannot be accomplished at all. By tha adoption of the Constitution, the several ital-3 voluntarily parted with the power of collecting duties of import in theirown ports, and it is not .to , be expected that they should raia money by internal tax ation, direct or indirect, for the benefit of that commerce, the revenues derived from which do not, either in whole or in parti go into their own treasuries, nor' do I perceive rr.y difference between tho power of Congress to mako appropriations for oljects cf this kind cn the ocean, and the (..ewer to mtha cprro; nations for similar ohjec's c.i lehes Ffd. rivers, wherever they arr l.vg j ere.,::h to hear on their waters an exclusive tCiUo.t The me eeV Miis'ppi aid its tributaries, and i.,o vast Lakes M the North ni. If ci ih-wesl, erptar to me to foil within iho power 'Si Justly arid' clearly ta the Ocean and the Galf cf Mexico. It is 'a nia,ike to regard exp.-r dhurrs jadicious ly made Lr the; 2 , J etj as exper.Ih : :,: IjzA f-'j C' ex; .hj paih'en cr fi - cl tho wcih jj i eees'-arily 1 e. . : I 1 hilly b ' h A tlJ? c I 1 . I 1'.: 3 ct - u . 11 le i j 1 - 1 c, r e - ? ... . t 1 e t 1 11. e r 5 -1 i i 1 '' I i.s, snuH 1 : its j - : r.ov 3 I tl m t a r. - ' - :' - u : :nl fh , 1 . ". -: l . r c . . , b, . , t ;

siderabb extent also of foreign ccte- tre

If a s'hp should be lost on the bar tt thentrance cf a Southern port, for t .3 t of a sufficient depth of water, it -r likely to be a Northern ship; a.. 1 it " steamboat b sunk on any psit c. t t, Mississippi on acaount of its channel not having been properly cleared cf obstructions, it may be a boat belonging to either cf eight or ten States. 1 may add, as somewhat remarkable, that among all the thirty-one States there is none that is net to a greater cr les3 extent bounded on the one side or the other by the Ocean, or tha Gulf of Mexico, or ceo of tho great Lakes, cr sotno navigable wafer. In fulfilling our constitutional duties, es well as of citizens, cn this subject, as in carrying into effect all other powers conferred on Congress by tne Constitution, we should consider ourselves as deliberating and acting for one and the same country, and bear constantly in mind that our regard and cur duty are due, cot to a particular part only, but to the whole. I, therefore, recommend that appropriations be made for completing such works as have been already besun, and for commencing such others as may seem to the wisdom of Congress to be of public and general importance. - The difficulties and delays incident to the settlement cf private claims by Congress, amount in many cases to a denial of justice. There is reason to apprehend that many unfortunate creditors of the Government have thereby been unavoidably ruined. Congress has so much bu siness of a public character that it is almost impossible it should give .much at tention to mere private claims, and their accumulation is now so great that many claimants must despair of ever being abb to obtain a heaving. It may well be doubted whether Con gress, from the nature cf its organization, is properly constituted to decide upon such cases. It is impossible that each member should examine the merits cf every claim on which ho is compelled to vote; and it is preposterous to ask a judge to aecida a case wmen he .nas never heard. Such decisions may, and must, do injustice, either to the claimant or to the Government, and I conceive no better remedy for this growing evil, than the establishment of some tribunal to adjudicate upon such claims. I beg leave, therefore, most respectfully to recommend that provision be made by law for the appointment cf a commissioner to settle all private claims against the United States, and as an erparls hearing must in all contested cases be very unsatisfactory, I also recommend the ap pointment cf a Solicitor, whose duty it shall be to represent the Government before such commissioner, and protect it against all illegal, fraudulent, or unjust claims which may be presented for adju dication. This District, which has neither voice or vote in your deliberations, looks to you for protection; ant I commend ell its wants to your favorable consldersticn, in the lull commence that you ..! meet them, not only with justice, but liberality. , - It should be borne in mind, that in this city, laid out by Washington, and cense crated by his name, is lrcet:d the Ce i tal of our nation, the emblem cf our Un ion, and the symbol of our grvSlnesa. Here, also, are situated all tha pubibbeddings necessary for the us 2 cf the? Government, and all these are eerpt i;:nt-u-tion. It should be the. pride cf Ar.- rican.f to render this place 1 " el. " t , : People of tha whole Iier r-.ic .- ver.ient and safe for the trareictbn c republic business, and the prs-n-'den cl ths public records. - .. The Government si e d bear a liberal proportion rf t, I,, of all fc?vessary end usef-1 1. p or And as Lothhvj could ccr.tr.L- 3 r . j tho health, comfort and seh cr th u 'y, and security cf the pull a dd 1 t. a records, thin tn abundart . a il ' atsr, I re specially racer - r.. ho seeh r r;,. - .1 Lt a ..e e.3 in ycer . '. pee: . b ct y; 1 : 3 i s: di t..:t ; t . 1 . -; . fj b 1 - j t ; . . . - L'

. ':"-, . . . t t 1. e : ? cf :s r I tt 3 e r b:t n. . a . - I f ! hr j t" e e::t" ; : dl uhha v:h!i I sd ;r-eg f ca t " ' iiii - ij zr I fe:ri . :;,1 c v, .1 . ' - 'i,rt c 1 - : r . !':"! -'T-c : t pjrpo82. All r.e-r.:I c;zc::.'-z: in the nature cf a cccp-rosedrs, reeurt r.cessarily be unwekoms topertexs cf extreme opinions and though, without tushconcessions our Cocstitutloa could. "cot have been framed and cannot be permanently sustained, yet we have seen them made the ssi'bject of t;::er ccntroverry ia b-cth aeetlon cf lbs Eepllic. It required mtny mocihi cfdetiberatlca and discussion to secure the c-oneurrencs ff a msjority cf Congress In'thsir.favcr. It would ba strecge if thav bad been received wuh immediate approbation by people and States prejudiced tni heatad by tha excited controversies of their representatives. 1 believe thesa measures te have been required by ths circumstances and condition cf tha ceur try. I believe they were necessary to allay stperities and animosities that were

rapidly alienation cns se-ctica of tha country from the other, and destroying those fraternal sentiments which are ths strongest supports cf the Constitution. They were adopted In the spirit ci concilatlon. I believe that & great majority of cur fellow-citizens sympathize in thst spirit and that purpose, and ia the main approve end are prepared in ell respects to sustain these enactments. I cat; net doubt that the American People, bound t:j--i! er by kir.areet blood end coir,ciorjtr:i,.':-i, s'.hl cl srieh psromcunt regard fer the Union cf their fathers; and that they are ready to rebuke any ettempj ! violate its integrity, to disturb the compromises upon v h'eh it is based, or to violate tha laws which have- enacted under its authority.. The series cf measures to which I have alluded,, by me as a settlement in princi pie and substance, and final, of the dan. gerops and exciting subjects which they embrace. Most of these subjects, indee J, are beyond our reach, as- the legislation, which disposed of them was, in its character, final end irrevocable. It may ba presumed, from the opposition which they all encountered, that none of these measures was free from ira perfections but, in their mutual -dependence and connection, they form a system of compromise the most concilitory and beet for the entire country that could be obtained from conflicting aectional interests and opinions. For this reasen I recommend year tdherance to the adjustment established by those means, until time and experienceshould demonstrate tho necessity cf further legislation to guard against evEsIert or abuse. By that adjustment we have been rescued from the wide end , bound'es a git a, ticn that surrounded ui, and have a firm, distinct, and legal ground to rest upon.And t! o cceiibr:,! tre; t, v. Ill justify r in exi-etlh-g ; y c . e.:. try re. en to re'.ly upea and r.:i'.:.lal.i il :t grei'red it tt a best if net the cr'y, mcar.3 ct rse terirg p ees z 1 eu'ct t : e ceur..ry,j-d neebtebbg bviile: :.2 te.e ir.e-rrnt? cf tr. Lr..er.. And row f.Ib .? brlr j t' b cc t,.i m . . Cut ir.vekj f t:j to t r- o . i : ' ot 1 1 .1 . . 1 . .. ....... T" . . a t . : 3 1 0 t ia t l:r cf Nt.l.v ' f r t 3 rc I ' ' v-I bhlb-h.-a - ; . V. J. Ills 1 . , t J c i - I : :'ev - I t en ib . " i 11 cer ... t 7: e. vtluf m . . -' . v.:ri t:I h tb l' -c. -t; e C r. .n . h 17 ' -. r . 3, r: 3 a T. 3 : e e t . 1 j. . . b , r r S it ; 1

c ..e.e.e, I c-et:i .b.i a cl:r3,