Their civilization is indispensable to their safety, and this can be accomplished only by degrees.  The process must commence with the infant state, through whom some effect may be wrought on the parental.  Difficulties of the most serious character present themselves to the attainment of this very desirable result on the territory on which they now reside.  To remove them from it by force, even with a view to their own security and happiness, would be revolting to humanity and utterly unjustifiable.  Between the limits of our present States and Territories and the Rocky Mountains and Mexico there is a vast territory to which they might be invited with inducements which might be successful.  It is thought if that territory should be divided into districts by previous agreement with the tribes now residing there and civil governments be established in each, with schools for every branch of instruction in literature and the arts of civilized life, that all the tribes now within our limits might gradually be drawn there.  The execution of this plan would necessarily be attended with expense, and that not inconsiderable, but it is doubted whether any other can be devised which would be less liable to that objection or more likely to succeed.

In looking to the interests which the United States have on the Pacific Ocean and on the western coast of this continent, the propriety of establishing a military post at the mouth of Columbia River, or at some other point in that quarter within our acknowledged limits, is submitted to the consideration of Congress.  Our commerce and fisheries on that sea and along the coast have much increased and are increasing.  It is thought that a military post, to which our ships of war might resort, would afford protection to every interest, and have a tendency to conciliate the tribes to the northwest, with whom our trade is extensive.  It is thought also that by the establishment of such a post the intercourse between our Western States and Territories and the Pacific and our trade with the tribes residing in the interior on each side of the Rocky Mountains would be essentially promoted.  To carry this object into effect the appropriation of an adequate sum to authorize the employment of a frigate, with an officer of the Corps of Engineers, to explore the mouth of the Columbia River and the coast contiguous thereto, to enable the Executive to make such establishment at the most suitable point, is recommended to Congress.

It is thought that attention is also due to the improvement of this city.  The communication between the public buildings and in various other parts and the grounds around those buildings require it.  It is presumed also that the completion of the canal from the Tiber to the Eastern Branch would have a very salutary effect.  Great exertions have been made and expenses incurred by the citizens in improvements of various kinds; but those which are suggested belong exclusively to the Government, or are of a nature to require expenditures beyond their resources.  The public lots which are still for sale would, it is not doubted, be more than adequate to these purposes.