Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-21

| the question arising out of this state OF things
should be brought 10 a decision-that the powers
of the United States should be clearly defined. He
did not intend 10 go into q detailed argument on
this subject; but it might be allowed him to remind
the Senate, that, in discussing the virtue OF the
constitutional provisional should be recoIiect<d
that Virgins was a party to that compact, and
that, as such. she was bound to adhere to its de-
tails; whereas she had, by her acts Of cession.
rendered that portion relative TO public lends alto
| gether nugatory.
So much for the first object of the resolution.
As to The second-t known that the State
which he had the honor in part to represent, and
that of Alabama, traced back their right to terrific
ry, to an act OF cession OF the State Of Georgia
and to those States and to the wholts rnntry il
was an important question whether the Government
had the power to cede away the sovereignty
granted by the Constitution. As to the question
| of the power of The Government in this respect
he had formed no opinion: but ii the sovereignty
| given by the Constitution still remained in the
| hands of the Government, then it was important
that it should be made OF in the ost beneficial
| manner. There were lands in Louisiana and
| Florida, ceded TO usby the treaty OF 1928, which
the Senate would perceive, we've held by four dis
,iuct titles. In matter of SO much seeming CON-
plexy, it was essential that all doubt should be
removed: ard it was a right OF the community to
look in,o the powers of Government over them.
If disposng power existed in the hands OF the
United States, according to the words of the Con-
| siiu,ion, 1t deeply important that public lands
should be so disposed Of, as, not only to advance
the interest of the different States in which they
were located but for the benefit of the Union at
large. The system at present pracised in regard TO
the public lands, vicious in the extreme; il COM
rrised anomalous condition Of things, and was
as unwse it was improper. The nation
CURED lands in Prorinces- he could call them
hinv oil Of the h,,s
provinces, if their rights and privileges were COM
pared with those of the older members of the u
nion-wheie it was impossible that they should
feel the hand of cultvaiion; streams not cleared
out for navigation in the wilderness, where no
man would take up his abode. These tracts lay
waste and uninhabited; they still belonged to, and
perpeiuaed the wildernesses of the new States.
Yet, all this might be changed, and those wilds
assume new features; the prosperity Of the States
be increased, aud the country at large benefited;
while at the same time justice would be done. Yes,
Justice for Government had sborn those States of
the powers to which they were fairly entitled. He
knew well that The older States, unacQuanted with
the condition OF the younger branches of the Con-
iedsracy-wiih their wants. and their prvatioDs
might receive the question coldiy. He should
not attribute such reception to unfrienGly feel
ing: but It's effect might be of grave nature. The
condition of the Stale which he represented, called
upon him 10 make exertions for invests alton of
this interesting subject. But not that State alone,
felt the importance Of decision Of this question.
1t Of Universal importance. Had this reso-
!u;ion contemplated an advantage to his own
State merely, he should have been more diffident
in urging the investigation of this matter. But
there we're many other new States laboring under
similar ADVERTISEMENTS, which gave TO the PROPOSE
ton a general nature. He would close by stating
fact that the public lands of Missouri could not
be sold, not because they were not well situated
and of good quality-but, because Of the operat
OF the system al which his resolution was levelled.
By its effects the of the State had been cut
up; great Inconvenience in transportation were
suffered, and many parts OF the State had been
depopulated These were the effects of the perBi-
cious system which had hitherto been followed
All this evil might he removed; and he hoped
steps would be taken towards result desirable.
Liberalizs the system; do away these abuses; and
the interests of those States which now suffer- will
not only be advanced, but the whole Union will
share in the benefit.
Mr.. Barton said, that, without intending in the
least TO oppose the resolution, he could not but
think there would be improperly in referring a
constitutional question 10 the Committee on Public
Lands, or indeed TO any other Committee The
Senate would not be bound by any opinion ex-
pressed by such committee, as it would be for
every individual member 10 pass upon the inter
pretation of the Constitution for himself, it was
true that, the consitutionsliiy of any subject,
the committee might draw up argument still,
lie did not think II the proper subject OF the argu-
ment or opinion Of a committee, since neither
would bind or direct the Senate. lie therefore
while lie desired that the subject matter should be
inquired into, would move to strike out that part
OF the resolution relating the constitutional pow
Of the United States allowing that part OF the
resolution which related to the expedlency Of the
measure to 20 10 the committee generally, without
making it obligatory upon them to report upon tue
constitutional question.
Mr.. Reed acceded TO the amendment. The
question being put upon agreeing 70 the resolution,
it was lost. Ayes IL, Noes l6.
The following motion, submitted yesterday, b.
Mr. Johnson Of Kentucky, was considered and a.
greed to.
ResOlOed, That the Committee on the District
of Columbia be instructed to inquire into the expe
dency of releasing the Columbian College in the
District Of Columbia. from certain obligations con-
tracted with the Secretary ofthe Treasury, amount
ing 10 25,95S dollars, IL cents, with interest on
the same.
On motion of Mr.. White,
Resoiucd, That the Committee on the Judiciary
be instructed 10 inquire into the propreiy of so
amending the judiciary system of the u. States
to extend the same equally TO all the States In
the Union
The resolutions submitted yesterday by Mr..
Hendricks, taken up and agreed to.
The resolution submitted yesterday by Nh No
BILE, was taken up and agreed to.
The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr..
Kane, was sgreedto
a message was received from the House OF Re-
representatives., informing the Senate that they had
passed tie following bills; which were severslly
twice read and referred:
a bill for the relief OF John McCarthey: