Returns have been received from all the officers engaged in taking the census in the States and Territories except California.  The superintendent employed to make the enumeration in that State has not yet made his full report, from causes, as he alleges, beyond his control.  This failure is much to be regretted, as it has prevented the Secretary of the Interior from making the decennial apportionment of Representatives among the States, as required by the act approved May 23, 1850.  It is hoped, however, that the returns will soon be received, and no time will then be lost in making the necessary apportionment and in transmitting the certificates required by law.

The Superintendent of the Seventh Census is diligently employed, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, in classifying and arranging in tabular form all the statistical information derived from the returns of the marshals, and it is believed that when the work shall be completed it will exhibit a more perfect view of the population, wealth, occupations, and social condition of a great country than has ever been presented to the world.  The value of such a work as the basis of enlightened legislation can hardly be overestimated, and I earnestly hope that Congress will lose no time in making the appropriations necessary to complete the classifications and to publish the results in a style worthy of the subject and of our national character.

The want of a uniform fee bill, prescribing the compensation to be allowed district attorneys, clerks, marshals, and commissioners in civil and criminal cases, is the cause of much vexation, injustice, and complaint.  I would recommend a thorough revision of the laws on the whole subject and the adoption of a tariff of fees which, as far as practicable, should be uniform, and prescribe a specific compensation for every service which the officer may be required to perform.  This subject will be fully presented in the report of the Secretary of the Interior.

In my last annual message I gave briefly my reasons for believing that you possessed the constitutional power to improve the harbors of our Great Lakes and seacoast and the navigation of our principal rivers, and recommended that appropriations should be made for completing such works as had already been commenced and for commencing such others as might seem to the wisdom of Congress to be of public and general importance.  Without repeating the reasons then urged, I deem it my duty again to call your attention to this important subject.  The works on many of the harbors were left in an unfinished state, and consequently exposed to the action of the elements, which is fast destroying them.  Great numbers of lives and vast amounts of property are annually lost for want of safe and convenient harbors on the Lakes.  None but those who have been exposed to that dangerous navigation can fully appreciate the importance of this subject.  The whole Northwest appeals to you for relief, and I trust their appeal will receive due consideration at your hands.