Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-03-20
= Friday, February 2.
THE RELIEF BILL.

consideration of the bill to relieve the
purchasers of public lands.
Mr.. King, of Newly ork, after some
remarks ON the details of the bill, and eX-
planatory of his ideas of the proper prln-
ciples on which the proposed relief
ought to be granted, to obtain the great
object in view-the prospective aOoh-
ton of the land debt, and the complete
payment for all that portion OF the land
which shallbe retained by the purchasers
---suggested substitute for the first sec
ton of the bill (Which he had hereto
fore informally submitted to the Senate.
Mr.. Otis stated the perplexity under
which he labored, owing to the various
principles that had been inserted in the
bill, and the different doctrines which
had been urged, i'll the course OF its pro-
tracted consideration he, therefore,
moved that the bill be recommitted to
select committee, that its details might
be SO digested as to promise the early
and general concurrence OF the Senate,
in the plan to be adopted.
Mr.. Lowrie and Mr.. King, of Alaba-
ma, thought certain points ofthe bill yet
undecided, ought to have the sense OIL
e~..--~----r- .iet Gun before II
should be recommitted; and Mr.. Walk
err, of Alabama, considered that all the
principles of the bill ought to be pre-
vieusly settled by the Senate, and pro-
ceoded at some length to con,rovert in
par the opinions advanced by Mr.. King,
OF New York. Messrs. Ruggles, Noble,
Johnson, of Kentucky, and EdzvardS,
opposed any recommitment, as promis-
ing nothing valuable in smoothing the
way OF the bill; and the certain effect
would be delay. Messrs. King, of New
York, and Van Dyke advocated the re-
commitment, from belief that it would
accelerate its consummatlon, and pro-
duce greater degree of unanimity in its
passage, sc.
The motion to recommit the bill was
negatived-ayes 10, noes 90.
MI. Thomas moved that the number
Of annual instruments by which the debt
remaining due shall be discharged, be
eigAs.
Mr.. Eaton was opposed to so long
credit, and argued to shew the propriety
OF more limited number of instalments.
Messrs. Ruggles, johnson, of Kentucky,
Noble, and Edwards, advocated the mo-
ton to fill the blank with eight years, as
an extent Of credit, under the circum-
stances of the times, and the condition OF
forfeiture annexed, no more than proper.
The motion to i'll the blank with eight,
was agreed to, without division.
o. motion of MIR. Talbot, a new sec
ton was inserted in the bill, (similar to
pro lsion offered previously 10y Mr.. Van
Dyke, principally further to secure the
term Of the act from evasion or imposi-
ton.
MI Smith moved to add the following
section to the bill:
.4nd be it further enacted, That ali
gums due, or which may hereafter be-
come due, to the United States, on &C
count If any purchase of public lands
heretofore made, may be discharged by !
- equal annual instruments, which
shall be paid on the first day OF Deem
Der IN each successive year, together
with So much interest as shall have &C
crued on each instalment from the time
such ms alment became due, accordng
to the terms Of the original sale. AND
upon the failure of any such purchaser
to pay any of the aforesaid instruments
on ,he day that such instalment shall be-
come que, the said land, on which such
instalment shall be due, shall be forfeited
to the United States: Provided, That
any person or persons taking the benefit
Of this provision shall be excluded from
all Other benefits offered by this act.
Mr.. S. deemed this the only legitimate
or salutlry provision which could be
made by Congress for the alienation of
the public land debtors, and argued at
some length in support of his PROPOSE
ton.
The question was taken on this amend
ment, without further debate, and was
egatived-ayes 10.
The blank in the bill, left to fix the
period at which payment of any sum due,
or becoming due, must be made, to en-
title the purchaser to the discount of 57s
per cent. on such payment, was, alter
some debate as to the time most expe-
dicnt, filled with the first day Of .Ahril,
eighteen hundred and tzoenty-tzvo.
The bill was then reported to the
Senate, as amended, and all the amend
ments agreed to without objection, ex-
cept that one which fixes the discount to
be allowed for the prompt payment at
thirty-sevem and haifper cent.
This amendment Mr.. Louvre moved
to substitute with the deduction of tyen-
tyJfve per cent.