Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-07-18

or more advantageous terms obtained, by ac-
knowledglng that we have no right at all, and re-
lying exclusively on the mere bounty of the orr
ginal States.
Sincerely entertaining the opinion expressed in
those addresses, shall be always ready to main
tain 1t, whenever the new States, or majority Of
them, or their representatives, may deem it expe
dent to take that ground shall, however, never
do so merely tor the sake of making speech
There Is certainly something to be hoped for
from the increased strength which the new States
will have in the next Congress. But, to render
it etfectual, union and concert among their repre-
seniatives will be indispensable Tothis, shall
be disposed to contribute all in my power. Ii
we cannot Immediately get all that we are enti-
tied to, must be satisfied with the most that is
attainable
But whether those lands belong to the state, or
to the United States, the plan for disposing of
them which prefer to all Others is, to make do.
nations to actual settlers of a quantity of acres
proportioned to the size of their respective fami-
lies, and to sell to general purchasers, without
any reduction of the present price. In Kentuc-
ky uniformly advocated, for many years, and
until LETT that State, the granting of her vacant
lands to actual settlers only, as is well known to
many OF my fellow citizens in the southern part
OF the district. But from the vast quantity of
vacant lands within our limits, it appears to me
thai, while the holding them open to general pur-
chasers would stimulate to actual settlement, by
its constant tendency to diminish the range Of
choice. the public interest might be greatly pro-
NOTED by appropriating the proceeds Of such sales
to internal Improvements, and the encourag cement
of education.
Sanctioned as this plan has been, by the prac-
tlce of Virginia. of which, this State formed
an integral part, and by that, of all the European
nations that have held lands on this continent the
payment of the National Debt will deprive the
United States of all plausible ground for opposing
1t. III, however, it be unattainable, then shall
go tor any and every plan calculated to diminish
the price to actual settlers to the lowest possibe
amount, and to continue it as it al present is til
general purchasers. And this, for the purpose of
encouraging the settlement of those lands and
preventing their being monopolized by specuitl-
tors r..r
tmay not be amiss, while upon this subject,
to notice an attempt, on former occasion, to Gre
ate an impression that, while member of Con
gress, had opposed the reduction of the price oi
those lands, by showing from the journals, thai,
had voted against the act, entitled Gan aci
making further provision for the sale of public
lands,' and commonly called s'Mr. Morrou's
ginally reported by him it proposed to abolish al
credit, and sell the lands for cash in hand, at Al
30 per acre. This, | did oppose, and take to-
myself some credit for the most vigorous efforts
to defeat it which, though not A4.ases~f..l
Wished, contributed to the ultimate reduction Of
he price to ST. % an acre. 1t was not the re-
lucuon of price, but the inhibition of credit t.
Door men, who were unable to pay cash, to which
objected; and in so doing, feel assured, 1 did
out faithfully represent the people of the State,
who, as then believed and still do, we're unpre
pared for, and universally opposed to the un-
qualified repeal of the credit system. was how
ever, then, as now am, entirely willing to limi,
this system to actual settlers, and to require all
others to pay cash. And this is as far as l would
go, if called upon again to act upon the subject.
For, nothing shall ever induce me, by my vote,
TO withhotd from poor peanyless settler, such
credit as mould enable him to pay for a quarter
section Of land, aoith his o,on labor. Finding,
however, that the bill was likely to pass, and
wishing to render if as harmless as possible, II
offered and supported various amendments tol
provide for actual settlers; to let them have lands
upon lower terms than other purchasers, as viii
eventually take place, and to restrict and limit
SPECTATORS. And SO far from opposing reduc-
ton of price. ! myself made and argued every
iouoh that was maze LOT tnat purpose, during the
whole time the subject was pending before the
Senate of the United States. For the truth of
all which, refer you to the journals of the ID
session of the 18th Congress-, pages 237, PTS,
279, $50, 2Sl, 2S2, 2S3, and 2SS; and to the
journals Of the lst session of the 10Th Congress,
pages 100 and 2ls.
Although, wish for no success that depends
upon the merits Of another, yet, as it might be
thought little too fastidious to altogether avoid
the usual reference, on occasions like the present.
to the Presidential election. and feeling no dispo-
sition to conceal single sentiment entertain,
will barely say that, having long and intimately
known and respected Gen. jackson, believing
him true patriot, and having been one Of the
very first to solicit his consent to reelection,
have never, for one moment, wavered in my de-
Termination to support him, whoever might be his
opponent. And most sincerely do wish that, his
civil career may terminate with the same honor
and glory that was accorded by gratete coun-
try to his brilliant military achievements.
Though have long differed with some Of my
warmest personal friends, upon this subject, they
have not heretofore, nor shall they hereafter,
whatever may be their own course on the present
occasion, find any diminution of my friendship on
that account. Nor, indeed, shall any political or
even personal opponent, ever find in me an advo-
cate Of prescription for opinions sake. II, how
ever, 60 to Congress, it will not be to assist in