Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-04-06
SPEECH OF MN. CL.AYTOS.
OF DEtsawAR ARE.


The motion for the indefinite postponement fthe re-
solution of Mr.. F'oor of Connecticut relative to
the Public Lands, being under considerations
Mr.. CLAYTON, of Delaware, addressed the
Chair ~
Mr.. PnEs1pEnr: If I need an apology for fscnssin,
topics extrsc or not strictly relevant to the subject
of the resolution before US, shall find it in the ex
ample OF honorable gentlemen, who in going before
me- have awaited themselves, by general consent, of
an opportunity to debate this motion the full merits
OF other questions of mometous interest to our
try. While the argument was of sectional char
acter and chiefly calculated to excite personal and
i1eal feeling desired no participation in it, But,
although generally ayerse to any deviation from the
ordinary rules OF Parliamentary proceeding and UNI
"ilnS 70 originate any new subject of controversy,
even IN the boundless latitude given to this Discus
sion cannot be silent while principles are boldly adj
Fanced and pressed upon us, (no matter how IMAM
phcabie or inappropriate they may appear) which in
my Judgment, are subvcrsive of the Interests of this
nation, or hostile to the spirit of the Federal Const
tuition.
Fhe resolution of the honorable Senator from Com
ncet1cut has nothing imperative in its Character i,
iays cow no new principle, and proposes no new
course OF egisiation but simply asks enquiry into
The expectancy of either Fastening the sales of the
public domain, or of stopping the surveys fora lim
ted period. The committee to whom the inquiry is
proposed to be entrusted, is composed of five mem
bers,* all of whom Representatives of the States
within whose limits contained large portions of the
public lands Seeing in this fact sufficient refu,a
on OF the objection that this inquiry may
cophdencc in the honorable members of that Commit
Zee which others have proessea-belieyino that the
subject proposed to be referred them ia important
10 the country and that by the adoption of the reso
luton, we may be furnished with an interesting doc
ufpent IN their report my own vote will be given a.
gaInst the motion for indefinite postponement
aSfee win my honorable friend from Massachusetts,
tMr " ebster) that the committee may investigate
the whole subject without any express Instructions
BY the rules Of the Senate, they already have full in
Tisdicton over the matter. But aer all the discns
TxyfI 0t1 ha5h pnt,C.f ,I A.
TO instruct them to inquire Is not probable that fh.
committee viii do SO without further ntimation
from the Senate that report on this subject would
ne acceptable, cannot agree with the honorable
senator from New Hampshire, Mr.. WOODBURY. that
the motion to postpone - calculated or intended tn
prevent distinct expression of opinion on the sub
!ec on the contrary, the postponenent of the reso
iutlon, aiter discussion, would announce the com
mttee our iDdsposition to hive the inquiry made dr.
ring the present session. The Senator from Connnc
tcut, Mr.. Foot) who desires this informa,ion md
whose department here is distinguished for urbanitv
and courtesy TO Others may be INDUCED without or
apprehension of exciting unnecessary alarm in tbaa
west whlle our refusa! to- adopt any measure to hro
light on the subject, may, possibly create s,,snieo
IN other parts OF our country, that we are wasting
las portion OF the nations treasure and are nfaii
that our profgacy may be exposed by this nvestioa
ton.
proceed now sir, to brief examination of ,vba,
conceive to have been the orion of This r.
discursvc debate. We have bill on orr f1Ies sr,;
tied, bill Ito graduate the price Of the public lands
10 make provision for actual settlers and to code tic
refuse upon equitable terms and for neritoiios Oh
ects to the States in which they le--the same, sir
which has been alluded to by the Senator from.ni;s
souri,, Dir. DeDtoDl under the designation of amv
graduation bill When the gentleman from Souti
Carolina, Mr. Haynel first addressed the Senate ON
The resolution before us, understood him to bnv
pressed it as measure ofexpedency that the public
lands should be sold to the states within whose Limits
they are situated, for a nominal consideration Tho
gentleman afterwards correc this impression whom
hs colleague Mr. Smith Of South CarolinaI decla -
cd that he also SO understood him. Sir tho opntio
man has the right TO claim Of us ali that l,is
rnent should be properly represented. I now i'm
dorstand min, to say that his proposition ia NOT ~,
eede away these lands for nominal considerat;ov
ON TO sell them on such liberal terms that reyon,,
should not even be secondary object in the sale &c
ne urged with all his usual ability the impolicv Of
ven considering them source of revenue 81;
no" comprehend all this doctrine it has for ;,s -
ICe 70 make Impressions which shall secure favor
u ,i yote on TINS same graduation bi and If en-
dissent from the doctrine toto eogLo Wbetbe, tbis
were OF were not the great object ofthe debaie ,,b
tle gsnt'Ghlan from South Carolina it was poinlo
co"cd 10 nave been motive for il bv fhe So.
from Missouri mr. Dcn,onl in the vie L:s
took OF the subject The bill referred - .,''eh nc
limit the prices of these lands at once. ~ 70
W VIC uvliaTi
MessFs Barton Of Missouri Chairman Iivi,.s., X
bSna, name OF hlnnois, Elsfs OF '-nu-