The Sun.
London, England, 1837-12-26 00:00:00

gard to higher considerations, finds. but few advocates. On
the contrary, it is generally conceded, that whilst the mode of
disposition adopted by the Government, should always be a
prudent one, yet its leading object ought to be the early set-
tlement and cultivation of the lands sold; and that it should
discountenance, if it cannot prevent, the accumulation of large
tracts in the same hands, which must necessarily retard the
growth of the new States, or entail upon them a dependent
tenantry, and its attendant evils.
A question embracing such important interests, and so well
calculated to enlist the feelings of the people in every quarter
of the Union, has very naturally given rise to numerous plans
for the improvement of the existing system. The distinctive
features of the policy that has hitherto prevailed, are, to dis-
pose of the public lands at moderate prices, thus enabling a
greater number to enter into competition for their purchase,
and accomplishing a double object of promoting their rapid
settlement by the purchasers, and at the same time increasing
the receipts of the Treasury ; to sell for cash, thereby prevent
ing the disturbing influence of a large mass of private citizens
indebted to the Government, which they have a voice in con-
tr. fling ; to bring them into market no faster than good lands
are supposed to be wanted for improvements, thereby pre-
venting the accumulation of large tracts in few hands ; and to
apply the proceeds of the sales to the general purposes of the
Government ; thus diminishing the amount to be raised from
the people of the States by taxation, and giving each State its
portion of the benefits to be derived from this common fund in
a manner the most quiet, and at the same time, perhaps, the
most equitable, that can be devised. These provisions, with
occasional enactments in behalf of special interests deemed
entitled to the favour of the Government, have in their execu-
tion produced results as beneficial upon the whole as could
reasonably be expected in a matter so vast, so complicated, and
exsiting. Upwards of seventy millions of acres have been
sold, the greater part of which is believed to have been pur-
chased for actual settlement. The population of the new
States and Territories created out of the public domains, in-
creased between 1800 and 1830 from less than sixty thousand
to upwards of two millions three hundred thousand souls,
constituting at the latter period, about one-fifth of the whole
people of the United States. The increase since cannot be
accurately known, but the whole may now be safely estimated
at over three and a half millions of souls, composing nine
States, the representatives of which constitute one-third of
the Senate, and over one-sixth of the House of Representa-
tives of the United States.
Thus has been formed a body of free and independent land-
holders, with a rapidity unequalled in the history of mankind,
and this great result has been produced without leaving any
thing for future adjustment between the Government and its
citizens. The system under which so much has been accom-
plished cannot be intrinsically bad, and with occassional modi-
fications, to correct abuses and adapt it to changes of circum-
stances, may, I think, be safely trusted for the future. There
is, in the management of such extensive interests, much vir-
tue in stability, and although great and obvious improvements
should not be declined, changes should never be made without
the fullest examination, and the clearest demonstration of
their yractical utility. In the history of the past we have an
assurance that this safe rule of action will not be departed
from in relation to the public lands • nor is it believed that any
necessity exists for interfering wish the fundamental princi-
ples of the system, or that the public mind, even in the new
States, is desirous of any radical alterations. On the con-
trary, the general disposition appears to be, to make such mo-
difications and additions only as will the more effectually carry
out the original policy of filling our new States and Territo-
ries with an industrious and independent population.
The modification most perseveringly pressed upon Congress,
which has occupied so much of its time for years past, and will
probably do so for a long time to come, if not sooner satisfac-
torily adjustment, is a reduction in the cost of such sertions
of the public lands as are ascertained to be unsaleablett the
rate now established by law, and a graduation, according to
their relative value of the prices at which they may hereafter be
sold. It is worthy of consideration, whether justice may not
be done to every interest in this matter, and a vexed question
set at rest, perhaps, for ever, by a reasonable compromise of
conflicting opinions. Hitherto, after being offered at public
sale, lands have been disposed of at one uniform price, what-
ever difference there might be in their intrinsic value. The
leading considerations urged in favour of the measure referred
to are, that in almost all the land districts, and particularly in
those in which the lands have been long surveyed and exposed
to sale, there are still remaining numerous and large tracts of
every gradation of value, from the Government price down-
wards ; that these lands will not be purchased at the Govern-
ment price, so long as better can be conveniently obtained for
the same amount ; that there are large tracts which even the
improvements of the adjacent lands will never raise to that
price ; and that the present uniform price, combined with
their irregular value, operates to prevent a desirable compact-
ness of settlement in the new States, and to retard the full
development of that wise policy on which our land system is
founded, to the injury not only of the several States where the
lands lie, but of the Uli'tcd States as a whole.
The remedy proposed has been a reduction of prices accor-
ding to the length of time the lands have been in market with-
out reference to any other circumstances. The certainty that
the efflux of time would not always in such cases, and perhaps
not even generally, furnish a true criterion of value ; and the
probability that persons residing in the vicinity, as the period
for the reduction of prices approadhed, would postpone pur-
chases they would otherwise make, for the purpose of availing
themselves of the lower prices, with other considerations of a
similor character, have hitherto been successfully urged to de-
feat the graduation upon time.
May not all reasonable desires upon this subject be satisfied
without encountering any of these objettions ? All will con-
cede the abstract principle, that the pfice of the public lands
should be proportioned to their reldfive value, so far as that
can be accomplished without departing from the rule hereto-
fore observed, requiring fixed prices in cases of private en-
tries. The difficulty of the subject seems to lie in the mode
of ascertaining what that value is. Would not the safest plan
be that which has been adopted by many of the States as the
basis of taxation—an actual valuation of lands, and classifica-
tion of them into different rates ? Would it not be practicable
and expedient to cause the relative value of the public
lands in the old districts, which have been for a certain length
of time in market, to be appraised, and classed into two or
more rates below the present minimum price, by the officers
now employed in this branch of the public service, or in'any
other mode deemed preferable, and to make these prices per-
manent, if upon the coming in of the report they shall prove
satisfactory to Congress ? Cannot all the objects of gradua-
tion be accomplished in this way, and the objections which
have hitherto been urged against it avoided ? It would seem
to me that such a step, with a restriction of the sales to limited
quantities, and for actual improvement, would be free from all
just exception.
By the full exposition of the value of the lands thus fur-
nished and extensively promulgated, persons living at a dis-
tance would be informed of their true condition, and enabled

to enter into competition with those residing in the vicinity
the means of acquiring an independent home would be brought
within the reach of many who are unable to purchase at pre-
sent prices ; the population of the new States would be made
more compact, and large tracts would be sold which would
otherwise remain on hand ; not only would the land be brought
within the means of a large number of purchasers but many
persons possessed of greater means would be content to settle
on a larger quantity of the poorer lands, rather than emigrate
further west in pursuit of a smaller quantity of better lands.
Such a measure would also seem to be more consistent with
the policy of the existing laws—that of converting the public
domain into cultivated farms owned by their occupants. That
policy is not best promoted by sending emigration up the al-
most interminable streams of the west, to occupy in groups
the best spots of land, leaving immense wastes behind them,
and enlarging the frontier beyond the means of the Govern-
ment to afford it adequate protection ; but in encouraging it to
occupy, with reasonable denseness, the territory over which
it advances, and find its best defence in the compact from
which it presents to the Indian tribes. Man of you will bring
to the consideration of the subject the• antages of local
knowledge and greater experience, and a will be desirous of
making an early and final disposition of every disturbing ques-
tion in regard to this important interest. If these suggestions
shall in any degree contribute to the accomplishment of so
important a result, it will afford me sincere satisfaction.
In some sections of the country, most of the public lands
have been sold, and the registers and receivers have very lit-
tle to do. It is a subject worthy of inquiry whether, in many
cases, two or more districts may not be consolidated, and the
number of persons employed in this business considerably re-
duced. Indeed, the time will come when it will be the true
policy of the general Government, as to some of the States,
to transfer to them, for a reasonable equivalent, all the refuse
and unsold lands, and to withdraw the machinery of the fede-
ral land offices altogether. All who take a comprehensive
view of our federal system, and believe that one of its great-
est excellencies consists in interfering as little as possible with
the internal concerns of the States, look forward with great
interest to this result.
A modification of the oxisting laws in respect to the prices
of the public lands, might also have a favourable influence on
the legislation of Congress, in relation to another branch of
this subject. Many who have not the ability to buy at pre-
sent prices, settle on those lands, with the hope of acquiring
from their cultivation the means of purchasing under pre-
emption laws, from time to time passed by Congress. For
this encroachment on the rights of the United States, they ex-
cuse themselves under the plea of their own necessities ; the
fact that they dispossess nobody, and only enter upon the
waste domain ; that they give additional value to the public
lands in their vicinity, and their intention ultimately to pay the
Government price. So much weight has from time to time
been attached to these consideratians, that Congress have
passed laws giving actual settlers on the public lands a right
of pre-emption to the tracts occupied by them at the minimum
price. These laws have in all instances been retrospective in
their operation ; but in a few years after their passage, crowds
of settlers have been found on the public lands, for similar
reasons, and under like expectations, who have been indulged
with the same privileges.
This course of legislation tends to impair public respect for
the laws of the country. Either the laws to prevent intrusion
upon the public lands should be executed, or if that should
be impracticable or inexpedient, they should be modified or
repealed. If the public lands are to be considered as open to be
occupied by any, they should, by law, be thrown open to all.
That which is intended, in all instances, to be legalized,
should at once be made legal, that those who are disposed to
conform to the laws may enjoy at least equal privileges with
those who are not. But it is not believed to be the disposi-
tion of Congress to open the public lands to occupancy with-
out regular entries and payment of the Government price,
as such a course must tend to worse evils than the credit
system, which it was found necessary to abolish. It would
seem, therefore, to be a part of wisdom and sound policy to
remove, as far as practicable, the causes which produce intru-
sions upon the public lands, and then take efficient steps to
prevent them in future. Would any single measure be so ef-