State of the Union | Page 8

the early emigrants.
In order that the situation and character of the principal mineral
deposits in California may be ascertained, I recommend that a
geological and mineralogical exploration be connected with the linear
surveys, and that the mineral lands be divided into small lots suitable
for mining and be disposed of by sale or lease, so as to give our citizens
an opportunity of procuring a permanent right of property in the soil.
This would seem to be as important to the success of mining as of
agricultural pursuits.
The great mineral wealth of California and the advantages which its
ports and harbors and those of Oregon afford to commerce, especially
with the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans and the populous
regions of eastern Asia, make it certain that there will arise in a few
years large and prosperous communities on our western coast. It
therefore becomes important that a line of communication, the best and
most expeditious which the nature of the country will admit, should be
opened within the territory of the United States from the navigable
waters of the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Opinion, as
elicited and expressed by two large and respectable conventions lately
assembled at St. Louis and Memphis, points to a railroad as that which,
if practicable, will best meet the wishes and wants of the country. But
while this, if in successful operation, would be a work of great national

importance and of a value to the country which it would be difficult to
estimate, it ought also to be regarded as an undertaking of vast
magnitude and expense, and one which must, if it be indeed practicable,
encounter many difficulties in its construction and use. Therefore, to
avoid failure and disappointment; to enable Congress to judge whether
in the condition of the country through which it must pass the work be
feasible, and, if it be found so, whether it should be undertaken as a
national improvement or left to individual enterprise, and in the latter
alternative what aid, if any, ought to be extended to it by the
Government, I recommend as a preliminary measure a careful
reconnaissance of the several proposed routes by a scientific corps and
a report as to the practicability of making such a road, with an estimate
of the cost of its construction and support.
For further views on these and other matters connected with the duties
of the home department I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the
Interior.
I recommend early appropriations for continuing the river and harbor
improvements which have been already begun, and also for the
construction of those for which estimates have been made, as well as
for examinations and estimates preparatory to the commencement of
such others as the wants of the country, and especially the advance of
our population over new districts and the extension of commerce, may
render necessary. An estimate of the amount which can be
advantageously expended within the next fiscal year under the direction
of the Bureau of Topographical Engineers accompanies the report of
the Secretary of War, to which I respectfully invite the attention of
Congress.
The cession of territory made by the late treaty with Mexico has greatly
extended our exposed frontier and rendered its defense more difficult.
That treaty has also brought us under obligations to Mexico, to comply
with which a military force is requisite. But our military establishment
is not materially changed as to its efficiency from the condition in
which it stood before the commencement of the Mexican War. Some
addition to it will therefore be necessary, and I recommend to the
favorable consideration of Congress an increase of the several corps of
the Army at our distant Western posts, as proposed in the
accompanying report of the Secretary of War.

Great embarrassment has resulted from the effect upon rank in the
Army heretofore given to brevet and staff commissions. The views of
the Secretary of War on this subject are deemed important, and if
carried into effect will, it is believed, promote the harmony of the
service. The plan proposed for retiring disabled officers and providing
an asylum for such of the rank and file as from age, wounds, and other
infirmities occasioned by service have become unfit to perform their
respective duties is recommended as a means of increasing the
efficiency of the Army and as an act of justice due from a grateful
country to the faithful soldier.
The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a full
and satisfactory account of the condition and operations of the naval
service during the past year. Our citizens engaged in the legitimate
pursuits of commerce have enjoyed its benefits. Wherever our national
vessels have gone they have been