Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-04

have regarded as very important one. Tn.
less something should be done on the other
subject to which be had referred, he. for one,
was willing, after passing the annual appro.
priation law, that Congress should return at
once to their constituents and take their
sense on the course pursued by Congress
During the last session, he said he had been
of opinion, that a change in the mode of
disposing ofthe public lands was proper !;
since which time, however, great revoiu.
ton in the pecuniary concerns of this coun-
try had taken place 1t was now said, that
great debt was owing to the government
for public lands, and that the debtors were
unable 70 dischaRe il and II is at the same
time proposed tolel4no lands in future but
for the money. What would be the conse-
uuence 1.-The valuable land would soon be
bought up by few monopolests, who had
been so fortunate as to acquire money where
with to purchase. Under present circum-
stances, at least, MI. B. said, he had
no disposition TO act on this subject r.,
fortunately for the country, the other subject
should take direction, which he now began
to hope it would, he was willing to take
this subject most seriously into coDsidera-
ton. For the present, he moved to postpone
it to Monday next.
The question on this motion, was agreed
TO without further debate. Mr.. King, of N.
Y. then rose, but did not catch the Presi-
dents eye before the question was put. His
object, he stated, was merely to have put in
little protestation against arresting the pro,
gress Of public business. Mr.. Otis said, if it
was understood that no business was to be
done until the other business referred to
came to consummat ton, the senate might
as well adjourn to day without attempting to
take up any business.
The bill for the relief Of Mark Richards,
was ordered to lie en- the table, with the IN.
Outstanding that twas to remain there.
The bill extending the time of payment to
debtors for the public lands, and to defer the
forfeiture thereof for non payment, came up
next in order.
Mr.. BurrilI, in order to bring it into the
view of the Senate in connection with the
bill for changing the mode Of disposing ofthe
public lands, to which it had some affinity,
moved to postpone the bill also until Monday
next.
Mr. Noble and Mr.. Thomas opposed the
postpouement. The present law on the sub
ject would expire on the 3lst Of the present
month; and, even If this bill passed TO day,
there would scarcely be time, after its re-
ceiving the assent OF the other House, to give
Information of its passage to the several Land
Offices
Mr.. Burrill said be was not disinclineo to
give indulgence to the debtors for public
lands but he doubted whether the present
mode Of doing il was the best to be devised.
Under the present system there would he no
end to the postponement Of payment-the
debt becoming heavier every day by the in
terest being added TO the principal. As to
the shortness of time, Mr. B. said he presu.
med those who had charge OF the land Offices
wouidhardly proceed to immediate forfeiture,
though the law of indulgence should expire
before they heard of the renewal OF it.
Mr.. Ruggles opposed the postponement.
j any thing were done by Congress on the
subject. 1t was essentially necessary that it
should be done now. He regretted much
that the other land blfI had been postponed.
That bill was precisely the same as had
passed this House at the last session, by
large majority, and be thought might have
been easily acted on to-1ay. But he hoped
this bill would not also be postponed, there
being no necessary connection between the
two.
Mr. Burrill withdrew his motion for post.
ponement, to oblige the friends of the BILL
Mr.. Lowrie felt Enthusiastically obliged
10 renew the motion 10 postpone. If the
question should now be taken on the bill, he
said he must vote against it. 1t was time, if
the present system of disposine of the pub.
lie lands was TO be retained, that it should
be made 70 operate, without continued legis.
lation on it, and procrastination of payment.
But. if the bill for cash sales should pass. he
said he would oo oy.-, l....I