Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-09-20
MR.. VAN BUREN's ANSWERS TO MIR. WILL
L1,Ms's QUESTIONS CONTINUED.

VIII yoI sign anu approve OH aiS,lipu-
ting the proceeds OF the sales Of the publlc
lands TO each State according to the fede.
raj population of each for the purposes
above specified
Nv views in regard to several public
questions, and amongst them the proper
distribution ofthe public lands, were ask
ell by portion of the citizens of my own
STATE shortly after my nomination for the
Presidency. They were given in August,
1885, and upon the latter subject express
sed in the following words: "In respect
to the public lands, | need only observe,
,ha, regard the public domain rs Il trust
fund belonging to all the States, to be dis.
posed of for their common benefit. Ample
authority is for that purpose conferred up
on Congress by an express provision OF
The constitution. In making such dispo-
s,,ion, that body should in my opinion act
upon the principle, that the people of the
United States have greater interest IN
an early settlement and substantial im-
provemen, of the public lands, than in the
amount of revenue which may be derived
from them. To accomplish this object,
the accumulation Of large tracts in few
hands should be discoun.enanced, and H.
beral faciIi;ies afforded TO the acquisition
OF small portions by such of our cl'lzenS,
wherever residing, as arc in good faith
dcsirous of possessing them as homes for
themselves and families. The particular
measures by which these results arc to be
secured, is matter of detail to be settled by
Congress, in the exercise of sound dis.
crction, aided BY the lights of experience,
and having reference to the general i'll
tcrcs,s ofthe country. The disposition Of
the public lands proposed by the bill TO
mhich President Jackson refused his as.
sent, ras, in my opinion, highly o:iec-
tionable. Therefore approrcd Of IFS re-
lection by him at that time, and al. my
subsequent reflection has confirmed me IN
that opinion. | have watched the dis
cussions which this subject has since un-
dergcne with all the attention which lis
Importance demands and with an earnest
desire to arrive at conclusions in regard
10 it which shall best answer the require
menrs ofiustice, and promote the interests
Of all the States. but have seen no cause
10 doubt the correctness of these views. l
am of opinion that the avails OF the public
lands will be more cquitablv and faithful
" applied "to the common benefit of the
United States" by their continued appll.
cation to the general wants ofthe Treasury
than by any other mode that has yet been
suggested; aad that such an appropriation
is in every respect preferable to the dlstrl.
button thereof among the States, In the
manner your question proposes. Enter
tanning these views, cannot give you
any encouragement that | will, in the
event ofmy election to the Presidency, favor
that policy.
Mr.. Williams's third question.
viii YOU sign and approve bills making
appropriations ,oimprove navigablc streams
above ports of entry?
| am not aware that '"orc is any qucs-
ton in reference to the subject of Internal
improvements by the Federal Government,
upon which my opinions have not been
fully expressed in letter written by me
in October, 1892, when candidate for the
Vice Presidency, 10 the Shocco Springs
committee of North Carolina, and in let
fer from the Attorney General Of the Uni
ted States 10 Mr.. Garland of Mecklen-
burgh in 1885, in which he was anthor-
lied to speak my sentiments in the matter:
These documents have been frequently and
extensively published. Upon referring 10
them, YOU will find that from the first ac.
tion of President Jackson upon this parfic-
ular portion of his official duties, which
happened achile l ,cas member Of his
cabinet, nuhl the time orhen those letters
,rere uriaen, there has beea cooperation
in action and general correspondence IN
cpinion betueen him and myself upon the
urhole subject. In the views expressed by
him upon the particular question to which
YOUR inquiry extends, in his annual mes:
sage to Congress in December, 1884, /
fully concur.
President Jackson has no rhere giren
as his rieus as to the particular Proris
IONS ofths Federal Constitution, By arh'ct
he conceires expenditures of this character
10 he autorissd. Upon referring to the
early proceedings Of the Government We
find that General Hamilton, while Secre
tarv of the Treasury, coatended tlat the!
were warranted BY the authority given t(
Congress to regulate commerce: Mr., JEFF
....en Nv, the other hand. whilst he &c