Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-06

York is evident from the fact that previous TO tho
Treaty OF 1883, it had been under the control and
jurisdiction of New York, and tina; a, the treaty nm
ON this ground, the British Commissioners consent
cd that the 45h parallel Of latitude should he tho
boundary between Canada and the United States
But he said, the House have heard quite ENOUGH nr
tins matter, and he would say a few words mon
the real question presented by the amendment Of
Tered by the gentleman from Illinois, mir Dim
CAM 1t proposes that all these lands shall he CO.
ded To the respective States in which they are s,
uaicd-to be appropriated, one-third to internal
improvements within those Statcs-one- third to the
construction of canals TO connect them with Ger
tain leading points and ono-thrd to purposes of
education, under the direction, of Congress TO
this last proposition he said there were insurmoun,
able objections if there were nouc TO the others
How do the United States hold these lands? AS
trustees and not otherwise. They were granted in
trust for specific Purposes, which are expressly
set forth IN tho deeds of ccssion. Suppose these
specific purposes all accomplished by other
means than the trust fund, 20 whom does the fund
then belong?-Docs it not revert to the grantors?
III was originally granted for the common benefit
OF the original States, and of those which might
be afterwards formed under the ordinance of Con
gress' bot here 1t is proposed TO give u new di-
rection 10 the fund. Shall u trustee TO whom
fund is confined, assume to direct his prncip,l nc
to the manner in which the fund shall be applied
when tue trust is accomplished? Shall Congress
dictate to Independent. States how they shall man
age Their property? and, instead of our being their
agents for the management of their funds male
lhcm The servants and ourselves the principals7
Shal' we attempt to exercise control over our con-
stituen.s-over the property of the States to
whom this fund belongs? He had ton mucb rc
spect, he said, to the members of the Confidence
10 WISH TO dictate TO them the manner of disposinp
OF their property. Let them manage their own
concerns. 1t may be asked. how shall it BIO mana
gcd? If it cannot be managed LET il remain no
1t is. Let it be distributed TO The States in tho man
ner proposed by the State of Virginia. By the ar
tcies OF Confederation, it was provided that, d.
rect contributions should be laid upon the States
in proportion to the valuation of the lands in them
respectively In 1883, this proportion altered,
agreeaniy TO present ratio of the federal numbers
IN the respective States. Let distribution of the
avaiis of these lands, be thus made The State
Oh New York would probably apply its share,
agreeabiy to this branch of the amendment, to its
schooi fund But, he said this House has no
right to dictate whether it shall be SO applied or
not IN that or any other of the States
W.T.: MITCHELL of South Carolina, then offered
the following amendment TO the amendment of
Mr.. DUNcAN-te strike out all after the words,
kesolved, that" and insert the following:
"a select Committee be appointed to enquire
INTO the eXpediency of selling the public lands to
the States in which they lie, at a moderate price,
and on liberal credit; and into the mode of appor-
tionng the aggregate value of the said sales
among the States, according TO the terms of the
several deeds of cession."
Mr.. TAYLOR, of New York, cnuuircd whether
it would not meet the views of the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Mt1helD to refer the subject
TO the Committee OF the Whole on the state of
the Union, m which the course of the discussion
would not bo cut short by the expiration of the
period allotted to resolutions In the present
| course, 1t must be obvious to every member in the
House, that the debate could not be brought 10
close at any early period. The subject under dis
| cussion involved much grave matter.-The rule for
setting apart one hour for the consideration of res
oldtions was not intended for discussions of
TINS sort The House might go on day after day
III TINS manner TO the entire postponement of 9TH
| er resolutions OF an important and pressing. ma
ture. Unless this bject take different direction.
| 1t was obvious that alteration of the rule will
| be necessary. The House have formerly had
grave matters of this kind under discussion for
months In this manner, which were never finally
actea on. III these views met the appreciation Of
gentlemen, lie hoped the subject might be commit
| ted, In order that gentlemen who have other sinh
heard.
MIR. MERCER of Virginia. said, he should be clad
IL gentlemen would consent that through the me
dunn of report from Select Committee the
House might be able to get at disnc. propositions
on this subject Is the House prepared he asked
10 go INTO an 1ntermnable discussion upon the sub
Ject in general? With regard to the argument of
the gentleman from New York, (Mr Root1 he
did not feel at all touched by it. He well knew
that previous to the grant by the State of Virginia
several States had regarded the unsettled territory
within the Chartered limits of Virginia as Crown
lands, which belonged TO all the States by right of
conquest He trusted he should never be found to
attack the conduct policy of any State pro-
per degree of sensblity for the reputation of ones
own State, was, in his view, highly laudable-
Like our affection for country and it's institu-
lions when in foreign land, this was an honora-
bic feeling, and within due bounds ought to be che
rIshed. But to enhance the standing of his own
State, he should not feel himself justified in ma
| king any remarks mpinging upon the reputation
( OF any other State. He did not intend to reflect
upon the course of argument pursued by the gen.
tieman on his right (Mr Root though he thought
some things had been said which might well
have been spared. He not now prepared to
say whether the State of New York had a right to
follow the Six Nations of Indians and their tribu
tares and allies into every part of the continent to
which the pursuit of game, employment still
more congenial to their fsengs-war-rnight have
led them He presumed, however, that these sa-
wage inchrsions would not transfer the chartered
rights of a State. He hoped the House would send
The subject to select Committee, that it might be
presented in tangible shape. Sir, said he, shall
we go into this general question in Committee of
the Whole House? ['rhe further discussion of the
subject was suspended by The Chair, the hour allot
ted to resolutions having expircd.]
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