ment of the law upon secondary instruction in the Federal district will serve to facilitate the conclusion of this interesting subject. The initiative concerning obligatory primary instruction, so as to extend to all classes of society the benefits of education, affords equal interest. Zealous efforts are being made to form the statistics of public instruction throughout the country. This is the more useful, since it is, without doubt, an efficacious means of ascertaining the advance of enlightenment, as well as a stimulus to all the authorities to labour for popular education. In the formation of the annual Estimates, the chief object of the Session commencing to-day, Congress will be able, by its wisdom and patriotism, to make the most adequate provision for the various necessities of the public Treasury. The payment of the ordinary expenses of the Administration has continued with entire regularity. At the same time, care has been taken to regulate and improve the collection of the imposts for the better service of the public interests. It is our duty to provide the means of attending to the public debt, legally recognized and liquidated. For this purpose, it may, perhaps, become necessary to increase the present imposts, which suggestion Congress will take into its enlightened consideration, so as to prudently combine all the interests involved in a manner compatible with justice. During the years which have elapsed since the passage of the law for establishing military colonies, these could not be founded for various reasons, only a limited force having been supported, which was employed in repressing Indian incursions. The Executive believes that the system of colonies might now be commenced, by forming them gradually in the frontier States, which are so worthy of being favoured in this important particular, which Congress will be able to consider in connection with the Estimates. It having been found necessary to build the coast-guard vessels decreed by Congress, they are now being constructed, and within a few months will begin to render important service. The importance of amending the Law of Patents being notorious, the Executive will present a Bill in harmony with the provisions of the Constitution. A new law upon colonization, which the Executive has proposed, might be found of very great advantage, and a new one will be presented to facilitate the division and sale of the public lands in Lower California. The Commissions created by Congress for the survey of certain rivers in the State of Vera Cruz, and of a road from Jalisco to Zacatecas, are engaged in the performance of their duties. |