Southern planter., 1832-12-22

exceed ~ ,ru IL that OF the pubic lands. Pew
eguaiiob' " 'the formation of our present cOnstitu-
'ply Of n.y. a was recommended by Congress that
the natNs' lion of the waste lands owned by the
IfuS' y should be ceded to the United States
beleVel h 4. ourposes Of general harmony. and as
R'ahei N a 10 meet the expenses of the war. The
'uo o'pail .onendaton was adopted, and at differ
c'ucnd I'd .sdods Of time the States of Massachu-
bolo o.a 1y New York, Virginia, North and South
stand sael lima and Georgia, granted their vacant
he C. et kf The uses Tor which they had been ask
arpe sas,k Is the lands may now be considered as
tie "a from this pledge, the object for which
V5 Uae ceded having been accomplished,
supply of the discretion OF congress 10 dispose
. aLsirae, hen in such way as best to conduce TO
reason N, miet harmony and general interest of
y uieIe a american people. In examining this
not 6la laon, all local and sectional feelings
" Tn ,een ID be discarded, and the Whole U. S. re-
a., hd as one people, interested alike in the
s'a' e.aOn ~ .rniy Of their common country.
.aleima hannot be doubted that the speedy settle
Ies and Of these lands constitutes the true in
d,ul1 @e "a Of the republic The wealth and
cle n. rsah Of a country are its population, and
his. best part of that population are the cul-
Ier ihe 4 a0rs Of the soil. Independent farmers
rbaapcs, every where the basis Of society and true
nd to 3 bnd Of liberty.
counY. addition to these considerations, ques-
iangeO0ln have already arisen and may be expec-
hereafter to grow out of the public lands |
ess han teh involve the rights of the new States
halond hi he powers of the General Government:
OF PaA unless a liberal policy be now adopted.
@ up J4 aas danger that these questions may spec
suP's'~ assume an Importance not now general
do' r''a anticipated. The influenced of great Sec
nav bI val interest, when brought into full action,
Of y,oy y be found more dangerous TO the harmo-
1 So Al IL
tmtth neof discomfort: and it is the part of wis
monsv and sound policy to foresee its approach |
common and endeavor if possible to counteract
debtle kn
cond. Of the various schemes which have been
policy fhero proposed in regard to the disposal of
10 hoa hp public lands, none has vet received the
e, lnds sne appreciation of the National LegisIa-
""nn n Deeply impressed with the importance
I"er JA, y speedy and satisfactory arrangement of
rSsA rSSuA kmblect, deem II my duty on this Occa-
~ ~ in to urge it upon your consideration, and,
oO., s the propositions which have been hereto
NJ suggested by others, TO contribute those
tocM tFctons which have occurred to me- in the
reata Pa that they may assist you in your future
n ols VIBRATIONS.
of mo- I seems 70 me TO be our true policy that
ty and tpublic lands shall cease as soon as prac-
people ibe TO be a source eff revenue, and that
ing The phte barely sufficient to reimburse to the u.
ml Banthe expense of the present system, and
he cost arising under our Indian cOmpacts.
ege9 Ihe advantages Of accurate surveys and un-
sakq bubted titles, now secured to purchasers
aoF eem to forbid the abolition of the present sys-
w kn because none can be substituted which
asr Fl more perfectly accomplish these impor-
w nnt ends. It is desirable, however, that in
~ tnvenent time this machinery be Withdrawn
from the States, and that the right of soil and
49,. MIXTURE disposition of it be surrendered to
roO. be States respectively in which 1t lies.
bra The adventurous and hardy population of
~ If lde West, besides contributing their equal
Towu hare of taxation under our impost system,
Gen. hve inthe progress ofour Government, forthe
pea hNdsthey occupy, paid into the Treasury
their laeprOportOnOf forty millions ofdollars, and
e. ofhe revenue received thercfrom, but asmall
der nnhas been expendedamongstthe When
How the disadvantage of their situation in this
ne espect, we add the consideration that il is
u% her labor alone which gives real value TO the
'u@ hnds, that the proceeds arising from their
ecu sale are distributed chiefly among States
any which had not originally any claim TO them.
I ", and which have enjoyed the undivided emol-
~ ument arising from the sale of their own
la. lands, it cannot be expected that the new
er saIes will remain longer contented with the
op resent policy after the payment of the pub
Ae Hc debt. To avert the consequences which
y may be apprehended from this cause, to put
ui "a end forever to all partial and interested le-
on gslatlon ON the subject and to afford to every
TO- American citizen of enterprise, the opportunity
n. securing an independent freehold it seems
@me, therefore, best to abandon the idea of
y alsing future revenue out of the public
10 lands.
In former messages have expressed my
conviction, that the constitution does not war
lant the application of the funds of the Gen
efal Government to objects of Internal Inn
pfoVement which are not national in their
character, and both as means of doing JUS
uce to all interests, and putting an end to a
course of legislation calculated 10 destroy the
purity Of the Government, have urged the ne
Sessity of reducing the whole subject to some
! nAed and cerLnin rllln A. Lhnre neunr will Il