Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-09-16
PUBLIC LANDS.
From the Pcnsia Register.

From the Prnsia Register.
THE following adde's. treats Of a subject of the
hrs, importance TO sealrIs on puhssc laatss. VIII
o, hasa editors WIN apross OF isgive il an inser-
uns in their papers, 1t is hoped thai the sovrnor-
.; The different states in which tho public lands
situated will cathc attention of their sistatunes
10 the subject I'll teit mex, session. that public opn-
Jon NAV be 20 far embodied IN leave congre-s in
no dous, as to the wishes OF the people. In this
mart of o,n state we are unanimous, and i'll the
neishboring territory Of Wisconsin. there is equal
tunanimity. The sellers there have not more ar
den, and jealous friend than their patriotic COVER
Innr Dnage.nhn in hia last message made this a
Isp-ciai subject Of Recommendation. We would be
thankful to any of our readers in Wisconsin for a
8eopy ofthat massage and also the memorial to con-
igres. in response thereto:
To the settlers and present vesidents and occupants
on the public lands in the scrcral, States and
/ Territories Of the United Slater:
! FELLow-c1r1zESs:-Ata meeting Of the settlers
and occupants of the public lands, holden in town
ship 10 north, east, of the fourth principal me-
lridian, % tho Isl instant, we were chosen COM
Imit,ee 10 address you on subject Of vast impor-
iasice 10 ms all.
the interests and the rights Of the settlers upon
the public lands have become SO momentous, as to
render it our imperious duty TO make an effort, a
vigorous and united effort, 10 protect and preserve
Those interests and rights. Our inteTests are, the
Improvements we have made on these lande BY
erecting dwellings for ourselves and families,
by bringing them Into state of cultivation and
great producsiyencss, thus adding vastly TO their
intrinsic value; by forming large communities OF
ente,prisng, handwriting, and intelligent people,
10 take the places of scattered tribes of roaming
savagcs, and converting extensive and almost lie
limitable wastes into cultivated and productive
fields. Deeply are we Interested in the prosperity
jof these new communities, and 10 these produc-
tons Of our own energy and enterprise.
4 Our rights are, to have these homes, these re-
treats which tolls and privations have brought
intn being, secured and preserved TO US and our
: childfen. To some it may seem strong language,
TO claim right to that soil which we never actu-
ally bargained, bought and paid for; but we feel
Justified in using such language, and IN behalf OF
lsetilers whom we have the honor to represent, we
will give our reasons for IT.: s.
Congress has from time To time passed laws
granting presumption rights to actual settlers thus
enabling them to obtain lands al the minimum
price. So repeatedly have these acts been passed,
that the citizens might vol consider it the settled
, policy of the government to ENCOURAGE, and al
most INVITE, emigrants to settle upon the public
, lands. Thousands and tens of thousands of wor-
thy and respectable citizens have LETT their homes
in the old states to the west, in the full
Hath and honest belief that they would find favor
with the government, NO less than their predeces-
! sors had Done And we aver that the government
has lost nothing, and ,ciN lose nothing, by grant
ing lands to actual settlers at the minimum price.
1t is in fact only in very small degree repaying
the adventurous and cnterprisng settler, for the
benefits he has conferred on the government ITSELF
Were it not for what the hardy pioneer has done !;
had moi the settlers and present occupants led the
van of civilization, and struck out boldly beyond
the accustomed haunts of civilized men, govern
ment would yet have found a market for its lands
only to a very limited extent. The achievments
of the settlers, the communities they have formed,
the difficulties they have sur,nounted, and the inn
pTovcments they have made in their onward march
have in fact created market for the public lands,
often at advanced prices, and thus have enriched
the treasury of the government. Docs not this
present at least clear moral right in favor Of the
settler! Does it not present strong claims in his
behalf.
We have not now the means Of correctly esti-
mating the present number of settlers upon the
public lands; but they must amount to several
hundred thousands. These are all citizens of this
great republic, each contributing his share of the
public burdenens; each helping 10 form the great
ness tho glory the wealth and the strength of the
nation; and each rightfuly claiming his just share
of the protection and paternal care of the govern.
mcnt. We are not yet prepared to believe, tina,
the government Of this country will disregard the
equitable and just claims Of SO many of its citizens
and abandon them to the mercy OF the speculator
!. We appeal to you, and to every man who knows
our situations ii there is not reason to fear, unes,
Congress shall nterposc its authority and aid thai
when the lands now in your occupancy are brought
into MARKET sad alternative is likely to be present
ed, Wis either that thcle will be such violence
used in defence of the rights of the settlers as we
mus. seriously deplore, or that many settler will
H.. u.