Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1837-12-19

vernn1ent. as to some Of the States to
transfer 70 them, for q reasonable equiva.
lent. all the refuse and unsold laPdS, and tn
withdraw the machinery Of the federal land
offices altogether. All who take a compre-
hensiye view of our federal system, and be-
Ieve that one Of its greatest excelleHcies
consists in interfering as little as possible
with tina internal concerns, of the States,
look forward with great interest to this re-
suit.
A modification of the existing laws in re-
spect to the prices of the public lands,
might also have favorable influence on the
legislation Of c congress, in relation to another
branch of the subject. Many who have not
the ability to buy at present prices, settle
on those lands, with the hope of acquiring
IbPom their cultivation, the means of purcha-
sing under presumption laws, from time to
time, passed by Congress. For this en-
enactment on the rights of the u. States,
they excuse themselves under the plea Of
their own necessities, the fact that they dis
posses nobody, and only enter upon the
waste domain; that they give additional va
lue to the public lands in their vicinity, and
their intention ultimately to pay the Gov
eminent price. So much weight has from
time to time been attached to these conSide-
Tations, that Congress have passed laws gi-
wing actual settlers on the public lands a
right of pre- emptiOn to the tracts occupied
by them at the minimum price. These
laws have in all instances been retrospective
in their operation; but in few years after
their passage, crowds of new settlers have
been found on the pnblic lands, for similar
reasons, and under like expectations, who
have been INDUCED with the same privi-
leges. This course of legislation tends to
impair public respect for the laws of the
country. Either the laws to prevent intru-
sion upon the public lands should be execu.
ted, or if that should be impracticable or
inexpedient, they should be modified or re-
pealed, If the public lands are to be consi-
dered as open to be occupied by any, they
should by law be thrown open to all. That
which is INTENDED, in all instances to be le-
galized, should at once be made legal, that
those who ale disposed to conform to the
laws may enjoy at least equal privileges
with those who are not. But il is not be-
lieved to be the disposition Of Congress to
open the public lands to occupancy without
regular entries and payment of the Govern.
ment price, as such course must tend to
worse evils than the credit system which it
was found necessary to abolish. It would
seem therefore to be the part of wisdom
and sound policy to remove, as far as prac-
ticable, the causes which produce intrusion
upon the public lands, and then take Sffieiene
steps to prevent them in future. WOuld
any single measure be so effective IA remov.
ing all plausible grounds for these intrusionS
as the graduation of price alreadU suggested!
A short period of industry and economy in
any part Of cur country, would enable the
poorest citizen to accumulate the means TO
buy him home at the lower prices, and
leave him without apology for settling on
lands rot his own. If he did not, under
such circumstances, he would enlist no
sympathy in his favor, and the laws would
be readily executed, without doing violence
topublic opinion.
A large portion of our citizens have sea.
ted themselves on the public land, without
authority, since the passage Of the last pre-
emtlOn law, and now ask the enactment of
another to enable them to retain the landO
occupied, upon payment Of the minimum
Government price. They ask them Nhich
has been repeatedly granted before. II the
future may be judged Of by the past. little
harm can be done to the interests Of the
Treasury by yielding to their request. Up
on a critical examination, it is found that
the lands sold at the public sales since the
introduction Of each payment, il 1890, have
have produced, ON an average. the nett rev.
enue of only six cents an acre more than mi-
nimum Government price. There is no
reason to suppose that future Oales will be
more productive. The GOsernmtn Mt there
fore, has no adequate pecuniary interest to
induce it to drive these people from the lands
they occupy, for the purpose Of selling them
to others
Entertaining these views, recommend
the passage of 4 presumption law for their
benefit, in connection with the preparatory
steps towards the graduation of the price Of
the public lands, and flu Their and more eff
fectual provisions to prevent intrusiOns
Observation-Disclosures TO those Oho have
settled on these lands with expectations that
past legislation would be made a rule for
the future, and at the same time removing
the most plausible ground on which intru-
sions are excused, and adopting more en-
cieDt means to prevent them hereafter, APP
pears to me the most judicious disposition
which can be made of this difficult subject.
The limitations and restrictions to guard a.
gainSt abuses IN the execution of a pre-em.
ton law, will necessarily attract the careful
attention of Congress: but under no circum-
stances is it considered expedient to author
- SN'po S.e''"S ~ any SHdPCs ! uCy u0NC
been heretofore, and doubtless would be
hereafter, most prolific sources of fraud and
oppression, and instead Of operating to con-
fer the favor of the Government on indus
trious settlers, are often used only to minister
to spirit Of cupldity at the expense Of the
most meritoriOus Of that class.
The accompanying report Of the Secreta-
ny of War will bring to your view the state
of the Army, and all the various subjects
cOnfded to the superintendent of that OH
Ger.
The principal part Ofthe Army had been
concentrated in Florida, with view, and in
the expectation, of bringing the war in that
Territory to speedy close. The necessi-
ty OF stripping the posts on the maritime
and inland frontiers Of their entire garrisons,
tor the purpose Of assembling in the field