Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-02-15

Mr.. Grundy then presented the creden-
tials of the Hon. Lucius Lyon and the
Hon. John Norvel, which were read, and
those gentlemen accordingly took the oath
and their seats.
Mr.. Morris offered the following rosolu-
ton.
Resolred, That the committee on the
Judiciary be instructed to enquire into the
nature and claim of - to the tract of
land on which is the for, at Chicago, in the
state of Illinois, and that they also inquire
whether any part of the claim, or lot of land
has been disposed Of or transferred for the
purpose of creating an interest, in order TO
procure the confirmation Of said claims,
and that the Commissioner of the General
Land Office proceed no further in the cx-
animation of said claim until the whole in
quiry is had [; and that the committee have
power TO send for persons and papers and
to examine witnesses under oath.
Mr.. Ewing, of Illinois, offered a resolu-
ton requiring the committee on Public
Lands to inquire into the expediency OF
giving the state of Illinois the right of pre-
emption TO all the Public Lands, lying with
in three miles of any of the great public
works of the state; which resolution was
agreed to.
SPECIAL ORDER.
The Senate proceeded to consider the
Bill to prohibit the sale Of Public Lands,
except to actual settlers, and in limited guam.
titles.
The question being on the motion of Mr..
Morris, to strike out the 4th section of the
Bill,
Mr.. Walker with the consent Of Mr..
Morris) proposed an amendment of this
section SO as to obviate what he conceived
to be the principal objections to the section
which amendment was agreed to,
Mr.. Morris, considering the change Us
beneficial, withdrew his motion, reservine
to himself the right to vote for or agains
the bill as he might think proper.
Mr.. Ruggles stated that the amendment
| lad retrospective, as well as prospective
operation. To the latter he had strong
objection. After the bill should be report
ed to the Senate, he would state his obiec
tons more at length.
Mr.. Walker then moved other amend
ments, with view to make the bill more
secure against evasions.
Mr.. Morris took an opportunity to state
that on further reflection, he had come tc
the conclusion that the Objectionable feature
in the 18th section had not been removed by
the amendment of the Chairman. There
were other objections he had to the bill, bu
he was willing that the Chairman SHOULD
render the bill as perfect as possible, before
he took further ground against it.
Mr.. Linn suggested to the Senator the
propricty of making motion to strike on
this section.
Mr.. White moved to strike out the las
clause of the Sd section, viz" and in al
cases of the forfeiture of the title to the
United States, under the provisions Of this
act, the purchase money shall be refunded
without interest,"" He stated that the effec
of this provision would be to induce indivi
duals, after an occupation of lands for five
years, in many instances, to forfeit the lands
and get back the purchase money.
Mr.. Walker thought such cases would be
rare, and that the loss of his tract, of the
privilege of making any future purchases
of Public Lands, of the taxes he had paid
of his improvements, and the interest of his
money, would be sufficient guaranty
against voluntary forfeiture.
Mr.. Grundy said that the timber on the
banks Of the Mississippi was of immense
value, and that man who would take his
negroes, cut down this timber, and, at the
end of five years forfeit his purchase, would
make as large fortune as could be wish.
ed for.
Mr.. Linn acquiesced in the propriety Of
these objections to the provision.
Mr.. Walker said, the Committee on Pub.
lie Lands had no objections to the provision
the striking out of which would place the
bill precisely in the form in which it was
reported.
The clause had been inserted to CRAFTY
some Senators from the new States, who
had declared that they would vote against
the bill without such provision.
Mr.. Clay suggested that if the clause was
retained, in financial view the Secretary
of the Treasury would be in constant per.
plexity how to make out his annual esti.
mates, as he could not foresee what quantity
of lands would be forfeited, and what
amount of money would be to be forfeited.
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Clay moved to strike out the various
provisions for the forfeiture of the purchase
money, which occur in different parts of the
bill, for the purpose Of avoiding incongruity,
which was agreed to.
Mr.. Ewing, of Ohio, in reference to the
amendment which he had laid on the table
some days since, said he would decline of.
fering himself, because he did not wish to
meet it hereafter, as his proposition, being
opposed to the Bill altogether. Ifany other
Senator wished to make the motion, he
would support it with his vote, although he
should vote against the Bill.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TEXAS.
The Speaker presented message from
the President Of the United States. trans.
,,1iftinO n roporf fro,,, tho Socroto~.. :.