Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-27
Congress Of the v. States
..''''..s.ss...
lREroRrEp FOR TUE N. INrKLLIsrscKhl
DEBATE
IN THE IL. OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WEDNESDAY, DEC. IL.
Brief Sketch Of ,chat took place on the Com


WEDNESDAY, DEC. IL.
Brief Sketch Of Uhat took place on the Com
mutation Bill
CONTINUED
The House being in committee of the
Whole, and the question before them be-
my on motion to strike out the first Sec
ton OF the bill; in other words to reject
it
Mr.. BALL. of Virginia, rose in OPPOSE
non TO The bill. 1t was impossible, he
SAID, tor any legislative provision to put
down speculation OH the soldiers, and,
even IT 1t could be put down, it would
drive from the market all purchasers, all
competition, and thus do an injury to that
class who might be benefited by a fair
sale. 1T the bill were to pass, i'm its pre-
sent shape. the soldier would be told by
the SPECTATOR, that the government knew
the value of his land, had fixed price OH
IT, but was unwilling, or unable, 10 pay
that prlce-he would offer to advance the
money TO the soldier, but would demand
apremlum for prompt payment. Itwould,
Mr.. B. said, be as we'll to attempt to stop
steam boat with straw, as TO prevent a
prodigal soldier, used TO dissipation. from
becoming the prey of speculation. Mr..
b. referred to the cases of revolutionary
soldiers who had petitioned for relief in
valn-those brave men who had fought for
our independence, and broken the bands
OF tyranny asunder-Of whose tolls we
now enjoyed the benefits. Their petitions
were neglected, their very names forgot
ten. When these war-worn veterans re-
celved Justice in this House, but not till
then, could he hear, without blush. of
iiberallty TO Others, or would he vote for
this bill.
MIR. ANDERSON, of Kentucky, thought
much of the objection which had been
urged against the bill, arose from small
class OF the cases, which would not COM
prehend more than 5000. But, he con-
tended, If it could be shewn, that the
great number to whom patents were vet TO
issue would be benefited by the bill, il
was not sufficient objection, that those
would not participate in it who had sold
their patents. Ifgood would come to the
many who are yet to receive patents, he
cared not for those who have received and
sold theirs; nor could they charge the
government with injustice, or a want of
generosity to them. In making this COM
mutation, the soldier received more than
he would get from spectators, and the
government would also receive advantage
from the change. In doing this, Mr.. A.
said, he disregardcd the character which
was imputed TO the transaction-and, if
he could benefit the soldier, he cared not
for the name of speculator. But this
could not be: the soldier himself would
enter his everlasting protest against so un-
just reproach, while he enjoyed the be-
nefit of the act. 1t was true, as was ar
gued, that this bill might not entirely stop
speculations on the soldier; but if they
still took place, Mr.. A. said, the amount
of sacrifice would be much less. The Sc
curity being good, it would be the re.
moteness of payment alone which could
sink the value of the communication. Mr..
A adyerted, successfully, to the objec-
tons, that the government could not
spare the money, and that this act would
retard the settlement of the territory land
entered into various arguments In reply
on these points. He commended the pre-
sent system ofmanaging the public lands,
and said no change in it was necessary
1t had all the effect which could have been
anticipated or conceived, and would soon
diffuse through our whole territory one
widespread population. He argued, al
so, that this bill would exaIt the reputa
ton OF the government for justice and IL
berality and would prove solid benefit
i'll future wars, by facilitating the enlist
meDt ofmen. This, he thought, an i'm
portant consideration, and ought not to be
overlooked. If this measure was not adopt
ed, the lands would fall into the hands of
few holders, who would dispose ofthem
to the detrlment of agriculture, or at a
price less than the minimum price of the
public lands; and the lands thus disposed
of, had been selected for their goodness,
and were the best in the country. These
consequences, as well as others, Mr.. A.
said, could be, and ought to be, avoided
by the passage of the bill, &c. &c.
Mr.. CoLsToN, of Virginia, said il was
admitted there was no moral obligation to
pass the bill-jt was advocated only in
the spirit ofliberality TO the soldier. To
shew the inexpediency of this measure,
MIR. L. entered into course of reasoning
to prove the greater obligation and neceS-
sity there existed for abolIsing the duties
on various imports, and thus relieving the
laborlng class from very heavy burthens.
Among other objects, he referred parli-
cularly to the duty on brown sugar, the
consumption OF which was nearly 20 mil
lions OF pounds; and of coffee, Of which
was consumed eleven millions of pounds.
tue idttti VI WHICH pore GUY OF fVc
cents n pound these and the duty OF salt,
added together, amounted to many mil
lions which we're annually taken out Of
the pockets ofthe people lie asked whe-
Their it was right in Congress to take any
step which would render the continuation
of these heavy duties necessary and re-
ferred TO the treasury report, to shew that
our resources were inadequate TO spare
fle funds necessary TO carry This bill into
effect, and Lave in the treasury the sum
which if was agreed ought 10 remain
there. lie protested against continuing
the existing burfhens OH other classes OF
the community for the benefit Of those
soldiers, who had received such enormous