The Arkansas advocate., 1832-06-06

money, would not exceed from 10 8 thou sand dollars-how some of the most yalu- bie lands in the Territory are occupied by persons not entitled te the right of pre- emption--that those people to save their homes, would give more than the mini mum price, SJc. Whatever may have been the opinions at first, of individuals, in respect to the intention of Congress in making the grant of the ten sections, the lquestion is now clearly explained by their refusal to appropriate any surplus fund that might remain from the sale of land Igranted adjoining Little Rock, tafter de- I=fraylng the expense of building jail and courthouse) to the erection of Goyernor's residence, referred to in note in my first number. ithas been explained in accor- dance with the opinions of the majority of the Legislature, whose belief was that the grant vas made for the purpose of Eerccting a substantial and comfortable Ehouse, that would answer for public purpo- scs for the next twenty or twenty five years: in that time il would be determined by the weight of population ,whe tter there were any probability Of the Seat Of Gov Eernment being removed from Little Rock, and in case the people should desire re- moval, II could be done without the sacri- flee of public property that would other
 
 buildings erected. Tn that time thc in- ereas eof population < consequent wealth, and the portion of public lands which must fall to Arkansas in the general distribu- ton, would place means at the disposal of the people, part of which, if found ne- cessary, might be applied to the erection ot public buildings, such as tue Governor speaks of: 'tthat bear tolerable compari- son with the capitols Of the neighboring States There are many other ways of raising funds to build a state house besides taxing the people, which IS the dernier resort in all countries. l would ask the Governor, how the present capitol of the State of Kentucky was built! He could tell whether 1t was at the charges of the l people of the commonwealth, or paid for by the contributions of the property hold CTS of the town of Frankfort The prop fpcrtY holders in Little Rock, however se- cure they may appear at the present, must expect, some day, to have competi- tion for the seat of government, and will have to contribute their mite as the citi- zens of other places have done-ttey may have even 10 go as far as the people of Frankfort did, to retain theirs,-be obli- ged to build state-house at their own cost. Is II not strange that the Governor. who vas apprised of this, and tells you he has felt kind of fraternal care for the welfare o bothss town and country" when inc spoke of the capitols in the neigAboring States, could think of no other mode of raising funds to build a state-house, for the State of Arkansas, than tax on the people or the holding up the ten sections, until they became enhanced in value, suC- iicient to defray the cost. The idea that this abundant iiberality of Congress, the t4eT4- ' zJ as the Governor speaks of, to suit the fu- ture destinies of Arkansas, is perfectly ri- dicuious, and from what data he draws his conclusion, Is hard to define. The price of public lands of the United States in Ar kansas and elsewhere, at the present day, IS, perhaps, better understood than that of any other property, real or personal in the world. The late report of the Commits sioner fthe General Land Office, shows lconcluslyely, that speculations in them have ceased, and that the quantity sold the past year, being upwards of two millions of acres, was principally purchased 5y ac- tual settlers at the minimum price.
 The exchange of tie ten sections for ECrittenden's buildings possibly might not have turned out as advantageous 10 the public, as a sale of the land by warrants thatit vas better disposition than could AdNC OStl HduC Dy iOEdllOU anu Salc, lew will deny. who will consider the OK }pense of selection and the risk of get ting ;usalea5.e iand. Suppose the Le- legislature had ordered the selection of the ten sections, (which indeedthere were but few mem bers in favor of,) what would be the consequence. and the probable amount that might reasonably be expected, to be realized from the sale! First, ,an agent wouldhaYe to be appointed by the Governor to make the locations, and the quality and value of the land secu- red would much#depend on his fitness and local information; no matter how little politics ally biased the Governor might be in the appointment of the agent, complete justice in the selections, could only be ex- pected by giving adequate compensation; this adequate compensation, must be some thing near what others have charg- ed for similar services. The persons who located Lovely claims for others, have , generally, I believe. had one-ffth the quantity of the land, and in some instan- } ces, more--the persons who located the Seminary lands, claim several thousand :, dollars for their services. If you take the ,, former as guide, you find two sections oi the land would have to be given, for the : selection the other eight. If the latter, T as the location would have to be made in separate quarters, and the travel in tra- l cing lines, and examination from personal 9 view, in locating quarter. would be hal f that of locating section, the proportion ? ate part of the amount charged for selec. , tion of the Seminary lands would be, for n the selection of the ten sections, as 10 is | to 72, and may be presumed not und CT c 1000 dollars, particularly if paid in scrip O fj.ua weuId the siirn et 1000 fIoilar