Pittston Gazette and Susquehanna Anthracite Journal

              k a « I ' *J«*£MMHHxma t/f' '4 Wwiv-.9aC *«#» yarfj :■ "MAO WCtfMI JfriCT jtj_BBHSflCW OWT «;«-.wwD •wtwVI ■sa® fno-i) cJr-m .» .'V V:} rfT'Prf V 1 f\ */ /\Tfjtty r~f i*-* • * »C« ji t.vii.inrr : 1 'n■ - '••» it »' ? t '■ . Jrf. . „ .1. ummHi .*#» -Ai » ««** AttV»---U !D**.«»•-'t *»•'••C« ' AiWSSfertS •- —■« 1 , •- __ ..' I I } l\i rf "f 111''"' * 5 '• i ' 1 i.' '1'''"1 „ ' '„ ' , .4 •';• ' '• ' Wy '*'■ '•'" far " THE PITTSTON GAZETTE, m «8I1SM llllffiim WML 51 Iftffklij to 8uis, litcrotnrf, tlie Jlltrrnntilr, Alining, ftlrrfjntrirol, onii %irtiltnrol Mmrts of tjje Cmtnfrij, Gustation, fci. )--$tj llirlinrt 8 Jil! .Vf jWfee r . f *" *"■"• '■ "W.V"1"" "Vi- •■- - V- ■* MraMMMrWMMMM ... ..t.i . . uJ . A._.:. -.*••• P1TTST0N, PENNA., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1850. $2.00 PER ANNUM. VOLUME I.--NUMBER 20. June, 1852, compared trilh those for the present fiscal year. The estimates of the current year and the preceding were found to be insufficient, and Congress was compelled at its last session to make a specific appropriation of 950,000 to supply the deficiencies for this service during those years. Taking this sum into the aooount, the estimate for the coming year is 914,790 less than the expenditure of the last. Amount Expended. of dollars per annum for the last fifty years over and above all costs and expenses. It is gratifying to find that the business of the land office is actively progressing. The accounts of.all the receivers of public moneys have been adjusted to the 30th September last. A speedy consummation is anticipated of State selections, under the grant of the 4th September, 1841, and for various internal improvements under other laws. Measures have been adopted to give effect to the munificent donation of "swamp lands" to certain States of the Union by the act of Congress of the 28th September, 1850. The Commissioner recommends an extension of the act of 3d August, 1846, in order to remove suspensions which arise and accumulate in the administration of that office under general laws. He also suggests a slight modification of the preemption provisions of the act of 4th September, 1841, and the delegation of authority to the General Land Office to sell abandoned military sites, or such tracts as had been appropriated to public uses and afterwards relinquished. If these land# are leased it will be necessary for the Government to maintain a large number of the officers in California at high salaries, whose responsibility must, from the circumstances of the case, be almost nominal. But by selling the lands, all connexion between the miners and the Government will be severed, permanent interests will be acquired in the country, and a new stimulus given to the enterprise of our citizens. Mississippi to the Pacific. Whether this can be best accompli shed by a railway, a turnpike, or a plank road, or by a combination of the different modes of improvement, can only be determined after* careful survey of the country and its resources shall have been made. Our only access to them now Is by a toilsome journey of months' duration through comparatively trackless wastes, or by a circuitous voyage attended with many privations and dangans. A highway, commencing at • some point in the valley of'.he Mississippi and terminating on the coast of the Pacific, with lateral branches, would not only furnish the means of convenient intercommunication, but would lead to the establishment of a chain of settlements along its line, which would link together the widely separated portions of our country by an inseparable bond of iP3W8TO53 ®M3infS3 The whole amount expended for pensions during the paat year is estimated by the Commissioner at $1,400,000. There has been paid since 1st November. 1849, on account of the revolutionary service of Virginia State troops and navy, 988,000, SO ; and as commutation of half-pay and interest, $138,648 44. PRINTED AND rCBUBHKD WEEKT.Y BT t». M. ltiC-hart 8 H. 8. Phillips. Department proper Land service Intlian Affairs Pension Office Cen*u* United State* Courta « 592,747 00 Public Bqiklinn 481,27600 Pauper Lunatic* 10,000 00 Agricultural Statistic*, 8c. 5,500 00 Penitentiary of the D. C. 11,900 00 Mexican ltoundttrySurvey 100,00000 «28'JjO 00 978,347 68 836,152 50 679,034 ill 2,441,47*2 66 1,018,43CJI7 2,694,796 31 1,470,266 78 1,116,000 00 557,537 00 456,975 00 9,92800 6,500 00 7,365 00 1853. 1851 Office West side of Ma in Slrrtt, xcond Story of ttc " Long Store " of IVisncr 4* I food. The '-Gazette" is published every Friday, at Two u Dollars per annum. Two Dollars and **ifTT Ocnti will be chargcd if not paid within the year. No paper will be discontinued until all arrearages arc paid. Advertisements arc inserted conspicuously at Oxt Doi.i.tR per square of fourteen line* for three insertions; and Twenty-hvk Cents ad• ditionnl for every subsequent insertion. A 11b' sral deduction to those who advertise for six months or the whole year. Jab Work.—VVe have connected with our establishment a well selected assortment of Job Type, whioh will enable us to execute, in the neatest • style, every variety of printing. Being practical • printers ourselves, we can afford to do work on as reasonable terms as any other office inthecountv. AU letters and communications addressed to the Gazette must he post pun, and endorsed by a responsible name, to receive attention. Public Buildingt, Pauper Lunatic* Agricultural Statistics, and the Penitentiary. Land Warrants—Revoli.t'onary Service* The whole number of land warrants issued to commissioned officers of the continental army is In these several items there are no material variations between the present and past estimates, and it is not deemed necessary to enter into any detailed explanation of them, as the reports of the various officers charged with their management will supply satisfactory statements in regard to them. Tndian Affairs. 7,132,013 47 5,408 372 84 Our relations with the Indian tribes will demand the prompt and earnest attention of Congress. Hie annexation of Texas, and the recent treaty with Mexico, have, it is estimated, added about one hundred and twenty-four thousand persons to our Indian population. Many of the tribes thus brought under our control are fierce in their disposition and predatory in their habits, and it is feared can only be restrained from committing great outrages on the persons and properly of the inhabitants of neigh boring'territory by the military power of the country. Excess over last estimates $ I,*18,670 03 2,820 The first fact which strikes the mind upon looking at this recapitulating irf, that the estimates for the next fiscal year exceeds that tor the present $1,7'JH,670 03. To non-commissioned officers and privates. 9,762 Land is still due to 111 officers and 1963 non-commissioned officers and privates. War rf 181*. Whole number of warrants issued to persons entitled under various acts of Congress for services in the war of 1812 is 28,978. Faithful guardians of the public treasury will naturally inquire how does this happen ? The question demands a candid answer, and I shall proceed to (five one which I hope » ill be no less satisfactory than free from all attempt to conccalment or disguise. The last item in the estimate for the ensuing year is, The gigantic character of the work, however, admonishes us of the necessity of adopting every precaution in ascertaining the bent means of effecting the object.-— With that view, care should be taken to obtain full 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, and adaptation to agricultural purposes of the intermediate country. If the report should be favorable, it would then be for the wisdom of Congress t6 determine how far the probable augmentation of the value of the public land, the increased facilities in the transportation of the mail, and the other advantages already referred to, which may be reasonably anticipated from tlio completion of the work, may justify liberal contributions of land or money towards its construction. I therefore beg leave most respectfully 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 determine the practicability and probable cost of the work. union Mexican Boundary Survey. The last estimates embraced nothing on this account, though appropriations were made by Congress during its last session for that object, amounting to 8185,000. The sum which it is supposed will be necessary during the next fiscal year is 8100,- 000. Mexican War. Tho number of claims for service in the Mexican war ia 81,373 00 And for scrip or money in lieu of land REPORT OF THE Secretory of the Interior- Department Proper. These recommendations, if carried out by early legislation, will be productive of beneficial results. No provision having been made by law until the close of the last session of Congress for the appointment of agents to take charge of the numerous tribes in California and New Mexico, the Government had no means of obtaining much satisfactory information respecting their condition and 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. Under this head the estimate for the next year falls below that for the present 814,- 097 68. This results from the fact that there.is no deficiency of a previous year to be provided for. Last year there was a deficiency of 834,737 08 to be met. Now there arc unexpended balance on hand which, in addition to the sum estimated, will supply the wants of the Department. Department or the Interior, ) December 2, 1800. $ 3,332 00 1 have thus presented a brief statement of the wants of the pepartment, and a comparison between the present requisitions and the actual expenditures of the preceding year. In making these estimates, 1 have instructed the heads of bureaus to endeavor to cover the whole amount of the probable expenditure for the fiscal year. Any other course tends to entangle the ex. penditures of one year with those of another, and to throw the financial arrangements of Government into inextricable confusion. Nothing should bo asked from Congress which the public interest do not require. Hut when an appropriation is ascertained to be necessary, the demand should be fairly made, and the responsibility of granting or withholdhg it left with the representatives ol the people. If my instructions have been cnntolied with, as I have every reason to believe they have been, 1 hope there will be no necessity in future for estimating for deficiencies, unless some contingency should occur which could not have been readily foreseen. Making an aggregate of 834,705 00 The General Bounty Land Law of Sept cm- Amongst the first and most prominent subjects claiming the attention of Congress, is the necessity of making provision by law for a speedy and complete extension of the land machinery over our possessions on the Pacific. At present there is no mode by which a good title can be obtained to any part of the public domain in that great extent of territory. Sir:—The duties which have been devolved by law on the Department of the Interior are of the most varied and important character. As the name of the Department would imply, they relate to most of the interests of iho country which are of a domestic nature. They embrace not only a variety of subjects, but the duties to be performed are widely dissimilar, and partake in some d'gree of a legislative and judicial, as well as of an executive character.ber Utilh, 1650. The number of claims already presented under this comprehensive law up to the 5th of November, 1850, was 9,418, and the number is increasing rapidly—Scarcely a mail arriving which does not swell the list. Land Service. The estimates under this he id exceed tiiose of last year, 8157,118 20. This is caused by the increase of expense consequent on the passage of the act of 28th September, 1850, granting bounty land ; by the contemplated extension of the land system over the newly acquired territory ; and by the deficiencies in the estimates of the last fiscal vcar. Shortly before the closo of the last session, and* immediately after the passage of the act authorizing the appointment of Indian agents for California, nominations were made to and confirmed by the Senate ol three persons well qualified for the discharge of their respective duties. Nothing contributes more to retard the improvement of a country than uncertainly in relation to the title to its soil. Great inconvenience has already been experienced from this cause in California/ The whole number of persons who it living, would be entitled to benefit of that law would exceed half a million. To this Department is entrusted the general supervision and management of all matter* connected with the Public Domain, Indian A flair*, Pensions, Patents, Public lJuildings, the Census, the Penitentiary, •ud the expenditures of the Judiciary. The Commissioner supposes, from the best data within his reach, that one halt are dead, leaving no person entitled to claim under them. If this est'mite be cor. rect—and 1 imagine it will be found to approximate accuracy—the whole number of claimants will be about ticokuiuired andjif. ty thousand. Grants are alleged to have been made for large tracts of land in that State by authority of the Spanish or Mexican Governments. Many of these are of very questionable 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 and prosperity of the country. To remedy this evil it would seem to be proper to make provision by law for the appointment of a commission to investigate all claims of this character, with a view to their final adjudication. But the extent of the powers with which it should be invested is a subject worthy of the serious consideration of Congress. The Commissioner of the General Land Office has discussed the question fuOy, and his report contains much valuable information in tagard to it. 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 made to pay their salaries. Their movements were, therefore, arrested for the time; but as it was deemed important that all unnecessary delay should be avoided, and as provision had been made for the appointment and payment of three commissioners to negotiate treaties with the Indians of California, it was concluded to appoint the same persons commissioners who had been nominated and confirmed as agents. By adopting this course the commissioners were enabled to proceed without delay to the Indian territory, where they will acquire such knowledge of the habits and character of the Indians as will qualify them to enter efficiently on the discharge of their duties as agents, as soon as the appropriation shall be made for their salaries; when that is done, their functions as commissioners will cease. Indian Affair*. Hero there is an excess over the ekti. mates of last'year of $1,5,3,033 4f. A reference fo the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs will show that whilst many of the items embraced in the former estimate have been reduced or omitted in the present estimate has been increased by making provision for deficiencies, which was not done in the estimate of last year, and by embracing large sums necessary to carry into effect new treaty stipulations, and to extend our Indian relations into new Territories, in pursuance of recent acts of Congress. Some idea may be formed of the magnitude of these latter items when it is remembered that our Indian population has been almost doubled by our recent tic. quisitions of territory front Mexico, Agricultural Bureau. It is the duty of the person in charge of it to see to the faithful administration of tii® laws rclutimg to these several branches otthe public ser\ice, and to prescribe such regulations as may he necessary to give full effect to the legislative will. And in addition to these functions of an executive and legislative character, he is required bv law to act in a judicial capacity, and to decide all eases of appcul which may be brought before him for adjudication front any of the bureaux in his Department. Many of these appeals, especially from the Pension, Land and Indian ofHccs are of great importance iii a pecuniary point of view, and involve the examination of voluminous records, nnd the investigation and In surveying the various interest* of tb« country, no one can fait to observe how little Government has done to promote the cause of agriculture. It is true, the cultivator ofthe soil, in common with all other classes of society, enjoys the protection of the laws and the blessings incident to good government. But something more seems to be due to a branch of industry which employs more than half our population, and, to a great extent, sustains the other. The power of the General Government over this subject is limited, but this furnishes no good reason why it should not be exercised so far as it does legitimately extend It will thus be seen that the act of 28th September, 1850, is by far the most impor. tant bounty land law that has ever been passed, whether we consider the number of the extent of the domain granted. Deeply impressed with the responsibility incideut to the administration of a trust ofbuch magnitude, J have sought to make the necest-ary 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 establishmcnt of just demands under the law. Having submitted these genetal views, 1 will proceed now to present, in a condensed form, a few remarks in regard to the operations of each bureau separately. Tito whole number of persons now on the pension rolls of the United States is 10,758. Petition Office. But many'of these are probably dead. Tbe whole number who have drawn pensions during tbe first and sccond quartois of the present calender year is 13,070. The ordinary means adopted to afford protection to the manufacturing and commercial interests are comparatively inoperative in regard to the agricultural. A tariff can do but little, directly, to benefit the f'armor or planter. The staple productions of the South are peculiar to that climate, and, therefore, are in no danger of competition from abroad. Those of the North and \Ve»t, in consequese of the fertility of the soil and the low prices at which land can be bought, are produced at less cost there than in other countries, and consequently except under extraordinary contingencies, need no pro'ection by irh|josts on the breadstuff* of foreign nations. But still much may be done by (Jovemment, at a small cost, to promote the interests of agriculture. The sciencc is yet in its infancy, and great minds are now directed to ihr study and development of lta true principles. Experiments are in progress to ascertain the qualities of different soils ; the comparative nutritive properties of different animal and vegetable productions ; and the utility and efficiency of manures in fertilizing and renovating the exhausted lands of the old States. Plates have ordered to bo engraved for printing the warrants, and every precau. tion lias been adopted to guard against fraud and forgery. These plates will soon be completed, and there need then be no delay in to nmencing th i sue* of warrants. I regret to say, however, that the law contains no provision tor the employ, menl and compensation of the clerical force necessary for its own execution. V"der the terms of the law, as I have been constrained to construe them, the warrants arc not assignable. The holders of them crnnot, therefore, make them available until they have been located and patented. This process will necessarily re. quire a considerable time, and it is therefore peculiarly proper, in order to ensure the enjoyment of the bounty by those for wliotn it was intended, that no unnecessary delay should be encountered. To avoid this evil, the Commissioner recommends that provision be mode for the employment of two efficient clerks, with a salary of •*2,'7000 each, competent to investigate the claims of applicants. This recommendation (except in regard to the amount of salary, which is unnecessarily large) meets my cordial approval, and the only doubt 1 have is whether (wo will be sufficient. To guard against all contingencies, I would respectfully urge the propriety of authorizing this Department, in the event that two clreks should prove suffi. cient to keep pace with the business, to employ one or more in addition, and such temporary assistants as may be required from time to time. Unless the Department has the means of adjudicating the claims as fast m they are presented, and issuing the warrants when they are allowed, dissatisfact ion and suspicions of favoritism will inevitable arise. Mineral Lands The net of Congress"u hichjpcreated the Deportment was drawn up, probably by design, In very general terms. Many oi its provisions are exceedingly vague, ami there seems lo have been no attempt to define with precision the boundaries of its jurisdiction or the extent of its powers. In the outset, this was probably the most judicious course, as experience is generally the best guide in the adjustment of such matters. Hut it would seem to be proper now that there should'be more definito legislation prescribing the duties and powers of the Deportment, so tlmt there may bo no conflict with other Departments, and little or nothing left 10 the more discretion of the incumbent. eqiuty Pension Office. Many, however, do not draw their pensions until the close of the yoar, and therefore the I ant statement docs not show the whole number living. The number of deaths reported within the last year is 846. The proper disposal of these lands is a subject of much intrinsic difficulty, and one on which a great diversity ol opinion exists among judicious men. In this item there is .also an apparent excess of starting magnitude. It exceeds the estimate of last year $1,45,409 53. But a little cxain'nation will show that it is to a great extent merely apparent, and that so far as it is real, it results from causes over which the Executive officers could exercise no control, and which are entirely consistent with the true interests of the country. These pCDsjjii.ms are susceptible ol ready demonstration, an 1 will proceed in a few words to show. A resident superintendent and three general agents have been appointed for the Indian tribes of Oregon. Two special agents have been commissioned under the act of September, 1850, to co-operate with the resident agent in Texas in conciliating the Indians of that State. Under the authority of the same act three commissioners have been appointed to accompany the joint commission now ongaged in running and marking the boundary line between the United States and Mexico, for the purpose of obtaining full and correct information in regard to the Indian tribes who are scattered along our southwestern frontier, and if possible to establish friendly relations with them. Three different modes of disposing of them have been suggested, each of which lias some advantages, and all of which are liable to serious objections. The report from the department of the interior which accompanied the last annual message of the President to Congress recommended that the mineral lands should be divided by actual survey into small parcels, and leased out for terms of years, reserving to the Government, by way of rent, a percentage on the products. Revolutionary Vetuione. The whole number of persons pensioned under the act of March 18,1818, is 20,485. Of these now remain on the rolls but 1023 Under the act of 16th May, 1828, there were added to the list of revolutionary pensioners 1152. The estimate of last year fell *hC»rt of the actual expenditures of the bureaux, including the deficiencies of the proceeding year, 9924,688,45. This deficiency was supplied by the appropriation of 4)560,000 in the " deficiency bill " of last session of Congress, and by $364,688 45, which sum is embraced in the present estimate. Adding these sums to the estimate of last year, and the aggregate is 92,403,045 23. Then deduct from the estimate of next year $363,688 45, which amount is asked -Tor to supply 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 to be $2,260,037 86, or $143,907 37 less than the actual expenditure of the current year including the deficiency of $500,000 for 1850. Of these there now remain but 162 Under the act of 7th June, 1832, there were added to the rolls of revolutionary pensioners 32,7%8, At this time there remain of these on the rolls, 5247. Many persons, whose opinions are entitled to respect, have urged the grant of licenses to individuals, at fixed prices, to mine within particular districts, with or without machinery, as the license may prescribe. Others, of equal judgment and experience, insist that the only way to avoid difficulty, and make the mineral lands available, is to lay them off into small tracts, and sell them out at auctioq. My predecessor, in his annual report, called your attention to the incongruity in the law in reference to the designation of the Department. In the title of the act it is styled a " Ilome Department," but the body of the law provides that it shall be called " The Department of the Interior." The late incumbent, under whose auspices the Department was organized, felt himself bound by the mandatory terms of the law to adopt the latter designation in all his official acts, but it is obviously proper that Congress should by supplemental legislation remove the ambiguity and uncertainty on this suljject. And of this last number there were but 2408 who have applied for their pensions during jthe first half of the present calendar year. It is greatly to be regretted that no authority was conferred by law for the appointment of resident agents iu New Mexico, where they are more necessary than in any other part of the territory of the United States. The Indians of that country, comprising the Camanches, Navajoea, Utahs, Apaches and Ticcarillas, are the most savage and lawless within our boundaries. For many years they have been in the habit of making hostile incursions into the neighboring provinces of Mexico, and ravaging wjiole neighborhoods—murdering the men, and carrying the women and children into captivity. By our recent treaty with Mexico, the Government of the United States has bound itself to repress these outrages by Indians resident within our borders. It is essential, therefore, for the fulfilment of otir treaty stipulations with our sister Republic, as well as for the protection of our own citizens, that agents should be sent among these tribes who can exercise a restraining influence over them. The necessity for this measure has been 'painfully illustrated by the outrages which have been committed upon our citizens travelling to and from Santa Fe. The attack upon Mr. White and his party within a few day's journey of that place has obtained a niclancholy notoriety. He and his whole party were brutally murdered, with the exception of his estimable wife and a daughter under ten years of age, who were made captives. Subsequently, being pressed by a body of men who were in pursuit of them, the Indians murdered Mrs. White, but still retain tf-c daughter in horrible captivity. At the Inst session Congress appropriated be used in procuring her release. This sum was promptly placed at the disposal of Col. Calhoun, the nearest resident agent (whose judgement and konwledge of the Indian character fit him in a peculiar manner to discharge the duty,) with full power to use it in such manner as he might think best. He has also been instructed to convey information to the Indians that unless this child be delivered up, they will receive the chastisement by the military power of the Government which their savage cruelly so richly deserves. Highway to the Pacific. Considerations of great national interest seem to require that the means of intercourse with pur possessions on the Pacific coast should be improved by the construction of a great thoroughfare, entirely with, in our own territory, froin tho valley of the Widows of Revolutionary Soldier* and others.Under the act of July 4, 1836, pensioning certain widows and orphans thereindescribed, who have been pensioned is 4,0*8. Of these there remain on the rolls but 1,118. The arguments in favor of leasing them are certainly entitled togreat respect. But a careful examination of the subject, and a reference to our own experience of the operation of that system in regard to the mineral lands in other parts of the Union, have induccd mo to doubt whether the evils inseparable from it would not more than counterbalance its advantages. It would create a system of feuds which would soon become odious to people. Encouragement may be afforded to enterprises like these, and facilities furnished for the collection of seeds, plants, and vegetables, from all parts of the earth, and their distribution throughout the country. Premiums may be offered for the best practical treatise on the different branches of husbandry, which can be published and sent abroad among the people. By mean* like these a spirit of philosophic inquiry may be stimulated, and a great impulse given to the interests of agriculture. Much lias already been done in this respect through the agency of the Patent Office; but the subject is too important to be left in this independent condition. The last annual reportment from the department recommended the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau, to afford to this great branch of American industry the encobr. Under the act of7th July, 1838, giving pensions to the widows of revolutionary officers and soldiers, who were married prior to 1894, the number of persons who have been pensioned is 11,002. My predecessor also recommended, for reasons very clearly and forcible stated by him in his report, to which I respectfuHy refer, the creation of the office of Solicitor «Dt'the Department of the Interior, to be tilled by a lawyer competent to investigate and decide many of'the important questions of law and fact arising upon the numerous appeals which are taken from the bureaux. My brief experiercc in the administration of the Department enables me to appreciate the wisdom of that recommendation, and to urge its speedy adoption by Congress. In all cases, however, the action of the Solicitor should be subject to the revision of the head of the Department, for nothing should be done to diminish in the slightest degree his official responsibility.This mode of stating the account, however, although it exhibits ajtrue comparison of the present estimated Ivith actual expenditures of the current year does not present a fair view of wie amounts legitimately chargeable to t/ie Tension Bureau for the two years because it embraces among the expenditures of the year ending June 30, /(oBl, $560,000, which was a deficiency the year 1850. Discarding that sum from the calculation, the result is as follow* : During the first two quarters of this year payment has been made under this law to 2Q1. The relation of landlord and tenant being established between the Government and the occupants of the mines, the jealousy and irritation which that relation too often engenders wouM soon arise. The lessees would regard the Government as an exacting and oppressive landlord, and a strong feeling opposed to the payment of rents would spring up. The officers entrusted with the supervision of the mines and the collection of the public dues would become objects of hatred and distrust, and the miners, instead of looking to the Government as their guardian and protector from wrong, would be driven by the force of circumstances into an attitude of hostility to it, as the source of all the evils which oppressed them. Attempts to enforce the payment of rents by legal process would prove abortive, because the whole community would have an interest adverse to their collection. Collisions between the tenants and the officers of the law ensue, the feelings of t he people would be alineated, and the whole country involved in turmoil and confusion. The act of 1838 was limited originally to five years, but was extended for on* year by the act of 3d March, 1843 ; on the 17th June, 1844, it was extended for four years longer ; and finally, on the 2d February, 1848, the benefits of the law were continued during widowhood. There are uow on the rolls under the last mentioned act 4870. Should Congress concur in these views of the subject, I shall esteem it no less a privilege than a dutv to tee that their benificent policy is carried out with all practicable despatch and economy. Estimate for the year ending 30th June, 1851, f 1,479,250 78 Add deficiency embraced in present estimate 38i,033 45 Aggregate chareablc to year ending 30th of June, 1851 1,813,945 33 Estimate for year ending 30th June, 1858 2,624,790 31 Public Land*. The report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office exhibits some veryinteresting facts. The surveys of the public lands have been pressed forward with commendable activity and, having been completed in several States, the archives connected with them have been delivered to the State authorities as required by law. agement which It so well deserves. This is no novel suggestion. It had the sanction of Washington, who, in his last annual message, referring to lite propriety of creating a 11 agricultural board, said: "This species of establishment contributes douily to the increase of improvement by stimulating to enterprise ana experiment, and by drawing to a common centre the results, every where, of individual skill and obsier. vation, and spreading them thence over the whole nation. Experience accordingly has shown that they are very cheap instruments of immense national benefit. On the 29th April, 1948, pensions Were given from the 4th March, 1648, during widowhood, to widows officers, soldiers, seamen, and marines, who were married prior to January, 1800. Under this law the number pensioned is 680. As the reports of the head of the several pnreaux will give full information in regard to their condition end wants respectively, and as ( have not been long enough in office to make myself thoroughly acquainted with all the details of their organization and functions. I do not deem it eitlier necessary or proper, at this time, to give more than a general review of their operations, with such explanations and suggestions as the public interests seem to require. Deduct estimate for deficiency of year ending 30th June, 1851 Aggregate chargeable to year ending of Jane, 185*2 2,200,CJ37 8$ Excess of present estimate over the expenditure of year ending 30th June, 1851 3fr»,«8 45 It will thus be aeon that the beneficiaries under the laws designed to provide for the soldiers of the Revolution and tire widows of those who were dead are rapidly passing away. 410,092 63 This excess ctnbracesthe anticipated increase of expenditure occasioned by the extension of the benefits of the Pension laws, and by the administration of the bounty land law so far as it devolves on the Pension Office. Acs«i The isles of pulDlie land* in the year 1849 amount to 1,329,903 77 But, oil the other hand, the number of pensioners under the acts for the relief of invalids and the widows of those who died in the service of the United States has been considerably augmented during the past 'year, in consequence of the war with Mexi- Jtl tttoJL btU ubttia atrfrt ■. Area located in that year in aatinfuction of Mexican war bounty land warrant* 3,405,590 00 Stale (election* under the act of 4th I therefore rencrv the recommendation of my predecessor for tlio establishment of a Keparate bureau, to be entrusted \vith the duty of promoting the agricultural interests of the country. The vasD extent and rapid development of the mineral resources of tfw country seem to require that adequate provision should also be made by law fop the collection and analysis of the various roinr eral substances which have been or may be discovered, so that their properties 0iay be understood and their value correctly appreciated.Ihe purcha»o of a farm in the vicinity of the national metropolis, to be titled and managed under the direction of the bureau, has been suggested as an important auxi. liary in illustrating the beat nodes ofcult.urcC,i*|f t)|i*f,yea ahfltiW be 8vumbiy r». As preliminary to this review, I respectfully submit in tabular form a summary of the estimates for each branch of the public service within the jurisdiction of this office. In a distinct column, and opposite to eacli item, is a statement of the estimate for the present fiscal year for similar services. This comparison seeins to be proper, as- it ivHt exhibit to the representatives of the people at a single glance a view of the whole subject, and at the.sanie time afford me the opportunity of presenting, bv a Buceinet commentary on each item, such explanations as 1 dCisire to otfcr, department of the interior. Ust'lmatr* for the funat yC«r ending 30Ih September, 1841 Improvement* on riven 4c. Choctaw certificate! ToUl acre* thua dirttMed of 5,184,410 91 During the three quarter* of 1850 . there hare been (Old Looatej by Mexican bounty land warranto during the lit and Sd and part of the 3d quarter! 1,590,190 00 State (election! under the act of 1844 379,805 58 Choctaw cerlifientcs 46,360 59 AOCS*1® thoa diapoaed of in the lit SM ami 3d 1850 , 49 259.806 60 135,346 SI 63,935 33 No considerations of a mere pecuniary character should induce the Government to adopt a policy which would tend to consequences like these. The system of licenses i« obnoxious to similar objections, varying only in decree, I am, therefore, of the opinion that the mineral lands should he divided into smalt tracts, and sold in fee simple to the highest bidder at public auotian. The extent of the lots should depend on the apparent riohness of the mines; but they should be small enough to afford persons in moderates circumstances an opportunity *Df becoming bidders, and thus enlarge the flclJ of competition nsfaras possible. Census. In the last estimate the amount submitted as the probably expense ol this whole service was #1,116,000. This sum having been appropriated for tliat object by the net of 30th September, 1«50 (chapter 90, page 172,) no further sum is deemed necessary now. The number of invalid pensioners is now 4,742, being an iucreaoe during the of 827. 869,08a 91 Widow* of Soldiers engaged in the Mexican War. Under the of 21st July, 1848, and the supplementary act of 22d February, 1840, and the joint resolution of the 28th September, 1850, allowing pensions to the widows and orphans of soldiers who were killed in the Mexican war, Qr died from disease contracted in the service, the number pensioned,ie 14u0. CourLt- r r The estimate for this service exceeds that of tast year #35,210, in consequence of the anticipated increase of businefs in the courts corresponding with the increase the population and business oftheootintry. It is showi; by the Commissioner's report that the public lands have been a rich source of revenue to the Government, av. oragmg About OM n quarter millions