Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-10-31

IN III" epfoyinces an intanta of Portugal or
any other foreigner. exeepiing "a Spaniaid. &C
cording TO and with the requisite qualities
prescribed in the separate Instructions fur
nished hum uuce' this date"
FINALLY as il may happen that the Com-
mis~'one will have TO make some extremely
priva'e communications, which ought not 10
be exposed 10 common dangers. he is in that
case ENGINE to avail hnself OF the cypher
tina, will be handed TO him by the Supreme Di.
rector Of the State.
Tucumau. Iih Sept 1916"
SALES OF PUBLIC LANDS.
lhe cbange winch has been recently made
IN ia" mode OF disposing of the Pubic Lands
will,we neieve he attended W it'll substnbtial be-
neht, TO the great Interests OF the nation. aud
even 10 The People OF the Western Country a.
mongs, whom was found the greater part of
The Itt,le opposition which was made 10 il.
There seems to he at present a general acou.
escence M the wisdom OF the measure. When
the bili, similar to the present law, passed the
senate al the session OF lSlS-i9, we gave 10
NIT. M0rrop. OF Ohio, then chairman OF the
committee OF Public Lands, the credit ot hav-
ing originated the measure, "a well AS the
need OF pr aise justly due to HIM tor the hon.
esty, fairness, and correctness OF the long Ca
rter of Legislation which he was then abou,
TO terminate by voluntary retirement from the
Senate. W. afterwards learnt aud had pleas
ure IN promptly stating. that il was Mr. kiny
OF New York, who moved The reference OF
that measure TO the consideration OF the COM
W 'Vc !" tupiic Lands ana the measure was
therefore allowed to have originated with
him. Ii has, however more recently come Ia
orr knowledge, that the proposition was of
mnch oider date, and We think Il proper, for
the sake OF historical truth, to state the fact,
even al this late hour. II does not I'm the
least d"tract siom tn merit of I'll ose who late.
~ introduced or supported the measure, that
u had been thought of before ; novelty no,
Deuig SO much recommendation OF any par
ficular policy, as ITS intrinsic worth and ex-
"A N IN
But. 80 Ion. ago as the 10Th of February
lSl2 we md the subject was presented 10 the
senate bs the report OF the committee raised
tor that purpose, on the motion of MIR IYor-
Ellington OF Ohio who reported bill prooos-
Ing the following alterations and amendment,
In the present sys' EN-.
LIST To sell the public lands in half anar.
ter sections.
I'd. 10 reduce the price in future sales.
81. 10 discontinue the credit not allowed BY
law; asd
4th 10 extend the time Of payment 10 por.
chaN,rs who have not completed their install
ments"
Neither the Congress nor the nation were Al
thattlme quite prepared for the measures pro.
posed III this report; and their adoption wa,
TURNER deferred by The intervention Of the
British war, aud was not tinailv acted unou
until al the last sc sion The reasons urged
pretty much at large in 1872 in Mr. Wor-
thington report, had, in the mean lime daily
gathered strength, until the arguments in ia.
tee 10 say, however, that we have seen the
arguments in favor of the abolition of the Gre
al on sales no where stated with more force
man 10 that report. AT that time we had
fewer LAud Onices than we have now /: aud
though we have not The ocuIneni ary proof he
fore IL, We believe we shall DE safe IN say,u.
that the debts due from individuals for Public
Lands was not Que fourth OF its present a.
mount: bui those who were familiar with
the subject, as the Members appointed OH the
committee OF Public Lands generally are
warned by the gathering clouds, foresaw the
extent 10 which the evil might reach AID
"Hfliy sought 10 STEER us clear Of IT. The
following extracts, In ugh at this day moi
new, give Us All idea what Just views were
even so long ago nteItained OH this subject:
n sale OH Ion. credit, OF any property ne
yer Tails TO indnce many, from false calcutta
lions t0become purchasers. There can scarce
~ he Imagined u situation better calculated
TO rouse the feelings or mIsiead the mind of
an individual whoseIhopes have been blasted
~ purchase OF land. He has made his pur.
chase and with difficulty paid his first install
ment. The fascinating prospect oftiye years
credit to pay the other instruments induces
him TO axe his family OH 20 The lands TO be .in
improvements and cultivation tor their com
tort aud support The time taken 10 effect
,nis onSht 10 have teen employed in earning
the money he owes, winch becomes due az finds
mia nnPrepared TO payii. Perhaps lie has relied
Oh the payments due him by others, and mas
pee" disappointed, or, Il he has received them,
tacks the acw settler } aud the wants OF hi,
Iamiiy, plead his excuse for appropriaiine i;
10 their use. The credit allowed by law five
years, expires his land isadvertised for sale
ne Is threatened with the IosS of all he ha ,
PAID, whether one, two, or three instalments
But this is not all His labor for five years
which has put his land in a stale of culiiy.tion
ana placed round him the comforts of life,
where wilderness existed before, is also 10
be lost aud his family turned ont OF home
10 seek some new situation. II ~ very true
mat, from the very nature OF the contract
the purchaser onght TO expect such result
from failure OF payment /; yei there u strong
reason 10 beli've that there will be an assoc.
alton ut individuals under the same circum.
stances. TO relieve themselves by some means.
Indeed, itis quite probable such has been the
case, and that few, II any, persons appear to
Didat the public sales of forfeited iaiids or 10
Ie-enteT the lands In opposition 10 The origin
az purchaser, alter d forfeiture has taken
place, tor want OF bidders. The reasons are
obvious Many fTom feeling will not bid and
those who would are deferred from the tear of
iucurring the resentment OF the settlers Hence
results injury, both 10 the public aud indiyid-
ualS.
When thu present system pervades the
wbole county where the public have lands
Tor sale extending from the Lakes to the Gnlf
OF Mexico, aud a., from Causes which have
Deen heretofore msntiOued, a considerable
portion of purchasers should become hostile 10
the government, there IS much reason 10 ap-
pTehend, In political poIut Of view, the most
dangerous consequences from such "A state of
tln2s' ~, Oh the contrary tho alterations
proposed be adopted, there is n strong reason
10 believe the pubiiC Interest Will not he in.
lited every description OF purchasers will
be accommodated; monopoly or,speculation TO
any injurious extent will be prevented the
sales Of land and c0useoueutiv the revenna