Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-04

North and South Carolina, and George, granted their
soil for the for which they had been asked
As the lands may be considered relieved from
thi, pledge, the object TOR w!,cl they ccdcd hav.
ing been ACCOMPLISHED it is in the discretion of Congress
to dispose of them in such way as best cnnIce to
the quiet harmony and general interest OF the American
people. In examining this question, al! local anil sec.
tiona feelings should be discarded, and the whole United
States regarded people, interested alike in the
prosperity OF their common country.
II cannot be doubted that the speedy settlement of
these lands constitutes the true interests OF the Republics
The wealth and strength OF country are its population,
and the part of that population are the cutvators ct
the SOIL Independent farmers every where The basis
of society," and true friends Of liberty.
In addition To these considerations, questions have al
ready a-isen and may be expected hereafter TO grow cut
of the public lands which involve the rights OF the new
States and the powers of the General Government and
unless liberal policy be now adopted there is danger
that these questions may speedily assume an Importance
not now generally anticipated. The influence of great
sectional interest when brought into full action, will be
fouad dangerous to the harmony and UNION OF the
States any other of tiisconent and is the
part Of wisdom and sound policy to toresee It's approaches
and endeavorif possible to counterac them.
OF the various schemes ch have been hitherto pro.
posed in regard the disposal OF the public lands, none
has yet received the entire appreciation OF the National
Legislature. Deeply impressed with the importance OF
speedy and satisfactory Arrangement OF the SUBJECT
deem my dutyon this OCCASION TO urge it upon your
consideration, and, the propositions which have been
heretofore suggested by Others to contribute those re-
may assist you in yonr future deliberations
II seems TO me to be our true policy that the public
lands shall cease soon as practicable to be source OF
revenue; and that they be sold to settlers in limited par
GELS a price barely sufficient to mbuse 10 the Uu
ted States the expense Of the present SYSTEM and the cost
arising under our Indian compact The advantages OF
accurate surveys and undoubted titles, now secured to
purchasers, to forbid Tie abolition Of the present
system, because can be substituted which will more
perfectly accomplish these important ends 1t is desira
BILE, however, that in convenient time tins machinery be
withdrawn from the States and that the right Of SOIL and
the future disposition OF it be surrendered TO the States
respectively in which il lies.
The adventurous and hardy population of The West,
besides contributing their equal share OF taxation nter
mpos system, have, in the progress of Govern
mcnt, for the land they occupy paid into the Treasury
large proporuJn of forty millions of dollars, and of the
revenue received therefrom, but small part has been
expended amongst them. When, to The disadvantage Of
their situation III this respect, add The consideration
that it is their labor alone which gives real value to The
lands, and that the proceeds arising from their sale
distributed chiefly among States which had not original.
ly any claim 10 them, and which have employed the un.
divided cmo'imens arising from the sale of their own
lands Il cannot be expected that the States will
main longer contened with the present policy after the
payment the public debt. To the consequences
which may be apprehsntled from this cause to put an
end forever to all partial and Interested legislation the
subject and to afford to every American citizen of enter
prise, the opportunity of securing independent free
hold, it seems 10 me- therefore, best TO abandon the idea
of raising a future revenue out of the public lands.
Informer messages have expressed my conviction, |
that tho constitution does not warrant the application of
the funds of the General Government 10 objects of In.
ternal Improvement which not national in their cha.
racter, and both of doing justice all inter
ess, and putting end to Of legislation caIc
ted 10 destroy the purity of the Government have urged
the necessity Of reducing the whole subject to fixed
and certain rule As there will period per.
haps, propitlous than the present to the accom-
pishment OF s object beg leave 10 press the subject
again upon your attention
peralo NIL J.C,
cerainng those objects of internal improvement to which
the of the Nation may be constituonally applied
it is obvious that the exercise of the power never be
satisfactory. Besides the danger to which exposes
Congressct making ssIy appropriations to work s,ot the
character of which they may be frequently ignorant il
promotes mischevous and corrup,ing i.uence upon
elections, by holding out tn pcplc the faacious hope
that the OF certain candidate will make navica.
bic their aelghbcrin creek river bring commerce to
their DOORS and increase the value Of their property
thus vors combinations to suander the treasure of the
country upon multitude of LEGAL Objects fatal 10 Just
legislation as TO the purity of public men,
III system compatible with the Constitution cannot be
devised, which free from such tendencies, we should
rccoect that that instrument provides within itself the
mode of its amendment; aud that there is, therefore, no
for the assumption OF doubtful powers by the &c.
neral Government II those which are clearly granted
shall be found Incompetent TO the ends Of its creation il
can, any time, apply for their enlargement; and there
is probability that such an application il founded on
the public interest, will be refused the proprety
of the proposed grant be not sufficiently apparent to
command the Of threefourths of the States the
best possible why the power should not be assm
ed on doubtful authority is sR0rded for If than
onc-forh ofthe States unwilling to make the grant,
its exercise will be productive of dsconten,s who's will
far ove,baance advantages that could be derived from
it, All must admit that there is nothing worthy Of the
constant solcit'de Of this Government, the harmony
and union of the people.
Being solcmniy impressed with the conviction that
the extension OF the power make nternali improve.
ments beyond the limit have suggested, 1t be
deemed constitutional, sbversve Of the best interests
of our country, earnestly recommend Congress to
refrain from its exercise doubtful cases. except in re-
ton TO improvements already begun, unless they shall
first procure from the States such amendment of the
Constitution will define its character and prescribe its
bounds. If the States feel compete ut to these Objects
why should this Government wish TO the powcrl
IF they do not, then they will not hesitate make the
grant. Both Governments the Governments of the l.
People Improvements must be made with the money of
the People and it the money be collected and ap.
piled by those simple and economical political ma
Chimes the State Governments, will unqestionably be
safer and better for the People than to add to the spen
i, al III, IL.