Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-27

whatever.
Mr.. BALDWIN, of Pennsylvania, follow
Ell in support of the bill. He thought it
very incorrect to suppose this bill would
| favor the speculator-because,i If the gov
ernment offered nothing for the land, the
| Speculation would be without competition
and the soldier left to his mercy. Mr.. b.
referred to the history of the lands given
by Pennsylvania, by Virginia, and by the
United States to the revolutionary soldi-
ers, to slew the great depreciation which
would probably take place, without the
interference of government. The revO-
lutIonary bounty lands of Pennsylvania,
had actually been sold for four cents an
| acre, and those of Virginia and the United
States for about thlrty-three dollars per
hundred acres. But if the government
were now to offer even one hundred dol
lars for the present bounty, ii would iu-
terpose very great barrier lie specuIa-
ton; and admitting all the alIedged inge.
nuity of spectators, still there would be
many cases benefited by the bill-tlie 9TH
ers would be no worse off than they were
before. 1t would be sufficient reason
with him, Mr.. b. said. to support the bill,
If he thought he could rescue one-tenth
OF them from speculation. He adverted
to the opinions respecting the validity of
power was irrevocable only where there
was an interest legally required: but in
this case there was special provision of
law that the title should not vest in the
attorney. Ii was absurd TO suppose gov
eminent would make a purchase and not
take from the seller The power of selling
TO others-and ii was plaia rule of law
that second purchaser, not knowing of
| previous purchase, and having no no
tice, would be left in complete posses
sion, if the title papers had been left in
the hands of the seller He contended
that the soldier had strong claims: that,
moreover, In this case the nation would
acquire valuable estate, and that it was
fair subject of legislation. In reply to
the objection that the revenue would not
justify this measure, Mr.. B. said. he held
those responsible for supplying the funds
who had insisted on diminishing the reve-
nue. by repeating the taxes. The House
had been told the other day that the trea-
sury was Overiowing; now, that il was
empty. He insisted that all fair and lau-
dable appropriations must be made, and
tire money must be in the treasury to
meet them-itwas too late TO plead against
proper appropriation, that there was no
money. Mr.. B. adverted also to the con-
stitutional objection which had been sta
ted yesterday, and asked if gentlemen
| could be serious in disputing this pos er,
which had been exercised by the govern
ment for five-and-thirty years?
Mr.. LIvERMoRE, of New Hampshire,
again addressed the committee at some
length in opposition to the bill. chiefly in
Illustration and defence ofthe arguments
he had advanced yesterday.
Mr.. SToRRs, of Mass. also spoke again
briefly in opposition to the bill. He re-
viewed a part of Mr.. Baldwin 3 arguments,
some of which he said proved too much.
The rule of law which had been stated, he
said, was never extended, in law or equity,
10 voluntary purchaser, as the u States
would be in this case. By fixing mini
mum price, he admitted il might lop off
some Of the spectators; but until bar
rier could be erected to the folly and ava
rice of the soldier and the rapacty of the
Spectator, the bill would be useless, for
the evil would remain untouched, &c.
Mr.. HOLMES, of Mass. said, he should
always rise with pleasure to defend his
remarks from any inconsistency with
which they might be charged. He did
remark yesterday, that a power of attor-
Dey might be executed, before the issuing
tile patent, giving general authority to
convey all lands acquired and to be acquir-
ed. and IT would authorize the attorney TO
sell the soldiers land after the patent was
drawn and though this opinion had been
denounced as one which would render
Judge liable 10 impeachment, he still was
not able to discover how either himself or
the opinion could be subject to such ami
madversion. The gentleman from Penn
sylvania, (Mr. Baldwin, conceives said
Mr.. II. that he has discovered that the
evil which deprecate is cured in the We
ry case which ] stated: that the interest
OF the attorney being apparent in the til
tie OF attorney, such conveyance would
be void. If so, | will only observe, that
lie, on the other hand, has stated a case,
that ct letter of attorney, where the in
terest IS not apparent, in which convey
aDce might be made in spite of the con
stltuent, and be valid. still insist that
4 conveyance under apower which might
he executed, would be good. But while
he was speaking Of that geBtleman's re-
marks, Mr. II. said lie would notice Mr..
baldwin's reasoning relative to the repeal
OF the internal taxes; and said he could
| not yet perceive how il could he inferred.
that Ut those taxes may be repealed, we
are bound TO make this cOmmutation to
| The soldier. | deem il possible, said Mr..
| h. that we may not need those taxes and
| yet not be authorized to unlock the trea-
sury for every occasion. Did il follow. lie
said, that if this tax on the people NAV lie
| dispensed with, we have money enough
to re.purchase lands, which we do not
want2 MIR. Fl. considered the right ques-
| ton to be, whether the nation could af-
ford to purchase back this land, upon the
prospect of the advantages which might
result to the soldier. He felt no such
| sgueamishHess as had been ascrbed TO the
| opposers of this bill. He did not ncr-