Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-12-06

we any general law for the prevention Of similar acts

4
But is not in this view of the subject alone that
your interpostlon is required The United States in
scttlng with the trustee for their stock have with
Drawn Their funds from their former direct liability to
me creditors OF the old bank, yet notes of the nstu
uon continue 10 be sent forth in It's and appa-
lehuy upon the authority of the United States. The
transactions connected with The employment of the
hills OF the old bank of vast extent; and should
ney result unfortunately, the interests of individuals
may DC deeply compromised. Without undertaking
10 aeclue now far, in what FORM any, the trustee
couia De made liable for notes which contain no obi
eauoh on us part or the old bank for such as are
pu' IN circulation after the expiration of its charter
ana without It's authority; the government for in
IDENTITY, ~ case OF loss the question still presses itself
upon your consideration, whether il is consistent with
duty and good faith on the part of the Government
70 witness TINS proceeding without single effort to
arrest il.
The report Of The Commissioner of the General
Land Office which will be laid before you by the
secretary OF the Treasury, will show how the affairs
o that ONCE have been conducted for the past year.
Inc disposition Of the public lands of the most
important trusts confided 10 Congress. The pract-
caoty OF retaining the title and control Of such ex-
tenslve domains in the General Governments and at
me same time admitting the Territories embracing
them INTO the Federal Union as cooqua's with the
original States, was seriously doubted by many of
our wlses statesmen. All feared that they would be-
come source of dscord and MANY carried their an
prehenslons so far as to in them tie seeds of a
future dissolution Of the Conederacy. But happv
our experience has already been sufficient 10 quiet in
great degfee, all such apprchenslons.
The position, time assumed-ihat the admis-
sion OF new States into the Union the same footing
with the original States, incompatible with right
OF soil IN the United States and operated as surrender
thereo notwithstanding the terms of the eompacts by
winch their admission was designed to be regulaed-has
been wisely abandoned Whether in the new or the old
States all now agree that the right of soil to the public
lands remains IN the Federal Governent and these
lands constitute common property to be disposed Of
Tor the common benefit of all the States old and new
Acduescence in this just principle by the people of the
new States has naturally promoted disposition to a
dept the most liberal policy i'm the sale of the public
lands. policy which should be limited to the mere
object OF selling the lands for the greatest possible sum
OF Money without regard to higher considerations finds
coded, that whilst the mode of disposition adopted by
the Government should always be a prudent one vet
Its leading object ought to be the early settlement and
cultivation OF the lands sold and that should dscoun
tenance II cannot prevent, TIE accumulation Of large
tracts In the same hands, which necessarily reard
the growth of the States, entail upon them de-
pendant tenantry and its attendant evils
A question embracing such important interests and
well calculated enlist the feelings Of the people in
every quarter of the Union has yer, naturally given
rise to numerous plans for the improvement Of the exist
ing system The distinctive features of the policy that
has hitherto prevailed, dispose Of the public lands
al moderate prices thus enabling greater number TO
enter into competition for their purchase, and accom-
pshng double object Of promoting their rapid see-
ment by the purchasers and the time
the receipts of the Treasury sell for cash. thereby
preventing the disturbing influence of large mass OF
private citizens indebted to the Government which they
have voice in contrsllng to bring them into market
faster than good lands supposed be wanted for
improvements, thereby preventing the accumulation OF
large tracts IN few hands and 10 apply the proceeds Of
the sales 10 the general purposes of the Government;
thus diminishing the be raised from the peo
pie OF the States by taxation and giving each State its
portion OF the benefits to be derived from this
fund in a manner the quiet, and nj the same time
perhaps, the equitable that can be devised These
provisions, with occasional in behalf of spc-
cal interests deemed entitled to the favor Of The Gov
eminent have, in their execution produced results as
beneficial upon the whole could reasonably be expec.
tea in matter vast complicated and exciting.
Upwards OF seventy millions OF have been sod
the greater part of which is believed have been par
chased for actual settlement The population Of the
new States and Territories created cut Of the public
domain, increased between 1900 and 1880 from less
than sixty thousand to upwards Of two millions three
hundred thousand souls constituting the latter peri
3D. about one fifth Of the whole people of the United
States The increase since be accurately known
but the whse may be safely estimated At aver three
representatives Of which constitute above onehrd Of
the Senate, and sixth of the House of Repre-
sentatvcs OF the United States.
Thus has been formed body Of free and indepes-
dent andholders with rspdity unequslled in the his
tory Of mankind; and this great result has been produ
ced without leaving any thing for future adjustment be-
tween the Government and its citizens. The system
under which much has been accomplished cannot be
intrnscay bad and with occasional notifications, 20
abuses and adapt tito changes Of circumstances
may. think be safely trusted for the future There Is,
in the management OF such extensive much viz
in stability and although great and obvious improve
ments should be declined changes should be
made without the fullest examination, and the clcarest
demonstration Of their practical utility In the history
Of the past, have that this safe rule OF
action will be departed from in relation the public
lands is IL believed that any necessity exists for
interfering with the fundamental principles Of the sys
TEN, that the public mind, in the States Is
DESTROYS Of any radical alterations On the contrary the
general disposition appears be- make such modih
cations and additions only will the cgectually
carry the original policy Of filling new States and
and Territories with an Industrious and independent
population.
The modification most pcrscvcrinsiy pressed upon
Congress which has occupied much OF lis time for
years past and will probably do for a long time To
come ifnot satisfactorily adjusted, is reduction
the cost OF such portions ef the public lands
ascertained be unsseable the established
by law and graduation, according 60 their relative
ne of the prices which they may hereafter be sold.
Il worthy Of whether justice may not be
done every interest IN this ssd vexea ques
ton rest, perhaps forever, by reasonable CON-
promise Of conflicting opinions Hitherto after being
offered at pablo sale lands have been disposed Of
ore uniform price whatever difference there might be
in their intrinsic vslse The leading consdcr atoms
urged in favor Of the referred are that in al
all the land districts and particularly in hoae In
which the lands have been long surveyed and exposed
70 sale, there still remaining numerous and large
tracts Of every graduation Of value from the Govern
ment price DOWN. ards that these lands will net be
Il Inffar