Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-03-18
DELINQUENT LANDS.

We understand that the Senate on Yesterday went
into Comni'te tee of the Whole, (Gen. Dadc in the
Cha'r1 OF The bill concerning the delinquency and
forfeiture Of lands for the non payment of taxes
After some conversation between several gentlemen
MIR. Morgan itti!na ed his intention 10 strike out
several sGctions. Mr.. Mason conciselv explained
several o. the sections proposed to be stricken Oh
and the laws the subject OF h. lands proposed to
be operated on by the bill. After which, Mr. MGR
gan submitted his motion to strike out the 3D. 3d. and
18th sections. He took very general view Of the
various acts which had been proposed within a few
years psst to quiet the land titles i'll the YVES
tern part of the State, and mentioned thecourse he
had pursued He contended shat the sections he
proposed to strike were unconstitutional and
that SD far from their queting the titles Us 1t was
supposed By the friends of those sections they would
produce much litigation, and do no gond. That as
the bill came from the House Of Delegates the
expense OF making out, publishing, and recording the
lists of delinquent lands. would cost the Common
wealth from $50 GOO to $4,000 He referred to the
report Of the Auditor, who admitted that these lists
might cost from $4,000 to $4,000, or even more
The lists for his district won!d cost more tina 81 900
He complained of tho plan proposed in the b for
conveying the Commemorative tile to the actual
ScLt'S'S- nc p"D pFopoSeu requires the settler
who shall claim the CJmmonwcu;hs title to b!inr
suit against the President and Directors of Tho
Literary Fund This, he contended, was 10. neces-
sary, aud that the bill ought to be smeudcd SO as TO
vest the title at in the settler without tho inter
vention OF q decree Of Court Of Chanccry. That
The settlers, under the provisions of the BILL might all
be brought to the Court OF Appeals.
! Mr.. Morgan said lie WINS IN favor of some
! of the sections of the bill which would have
a prospective operation, and he thought tina,
the bill. by bling amended so a. 10 operate on lands
hereafter to be returned delinquent, would b. v, nv
valuable: But he was Of opinion that an act to for
felt the lands which merely delinquent al d
on which the taxes constitute lien, would be &c
post Jacto, and unconstitutional lie read several
authorities in proof Of the positions he took
| After MI N. conc udod his remarks,
| Mr McComas, Of Logan, moved TO amend the I'd
section so as 10 authorize redemption Of land r.
turned before &2l. until the il st of November next
Some remarks were made OH This motion by Messrs.
NicWhorier Mason, Morgan, and McComas, when
Mf- Chinn moved the first Of January, which was
agreed to: and the c"arm it;ec rose and had leave
TO sill again.
! IL was remarked by some Of the gentlemen WHO
TOOK part, that the debate would probably continue
tor several days The questions raised OF this bill
seem TO elicit much interest Indeed it is a subject
OF deep interest TO the State and particularly to the
western part; md we glad to see that full in
vc5gaton o he powers Of the Legislature, to quiet
the land titles Of the west, will probably take place
Ihis seems to be desired all sides, by eastern. ne
well az western gentlemen so far as We have heard
The subject is delicate ouc and ourht to be acted
on with great deliberalion.
FoR VINO