Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-12-14

ono HItV VI she Seua,e, anu over one sixth
OF The House oil Representatives of the Unit
ed States.
Thus has been formed BODY Of free and
independent iandhoiders, with rapidity uu>
equaiied in the history OF manki ind, and this
great result has been produced without leav-
ing any thing Tor future adjustment between
the Government aud its citizens. The sys.
tenn under which so much has been accom-
p!ished cannot I've intrinsica,ly bad, and with
occasional notifications, 10 correct abuses
and adapt il 10 changes of circumstances,
may, think, besaiely trusted for the future.
There is, in the management Of such exten-
sivc interests, much virtue in stability; and
| although great and Obvious improvements
should no. be declined, changes should never
| be made without the fullest examination
and the clearest demonstration OF their prac-
teal utility. In the history OF the past, we
have an assurance that this safe .ule OF action
will not be departed from in relation TO the
public lands; nor is il believed that any no
cessity exists for interfering with the iuuda.
mental principles OF the system, or that the
public mind, even in the new States, is de-
sirous of any radical alterations. On the
contrary, the general disposition appears 10
be, 10 make such notifications and additions
only as will the more elIectunlly carry out
the original policy of filling our new States
and Territories with an industrious and in
dependent population.
The modification most perseveringly press
ed upon Congress, which has occupied so
much ofits time for years past, and will pros
badly do SO for long time 10 come, If not
sooner satisfactorily adjusted, is a reduction
in the cost Of such portions of the public lands
as are ascertained 10 be unsalcable at the rate
now established by law, and graduation,
according TO their relative value, Of the pri-
ces at which they may hereafter be sold. II
4 II l.. IL
: may not be done 10 every interest in this
&, matter, and vexed question set at res, per-
haps for ever, by reasonable compromise
!; lof conflicting opinions. Hitherto, after be-
y ing offered at public sale, lands have been
q disposed oil at one uniform price, whatever
u difference there might be in their intrinsic
n value. The leading considerations urged in
I, favor oil the measure referred 10, are, that in
d almost all the land districts, and particularly
in those in which the lands have been long
l surveyed and exposed 10 sale, there are still
remaining numerous and large tracts sfevery
graduation OF value, from the Government
: price downwards; that these lands will net
:, be purchased at the Government price so
Q long IS better can be conveniently obtained
j. Tor the same amount; that there are large
u tracts which even tho improvements of The
e adjacent lands will never raise 10 that price -;
: and that the present uniform price, combin-
: ed with their irregular value, operates 10
prevent desirable compactness Of settlement
D in the new States, and 10 retard the full de>
velopment OF that wise Pslicy or which our
land system is founded TO the injury not on
ly Of the several States where the lands lie,
Blu, of the United States as a whole.
The remedy proposed has been a reduction
: Of prices according TO the length OF lime the
lands have been n market, without reference
TO any other circumstances. The certainty
that the effiux of time would not always 10
such cases, and perhaps moi even generally,
furnish true criterion of value; and the pro-
, liability that persons residing in the vicinity,
: as the period for the reduction OF prices APP
preached, would postpone purchases they
would otherwise wake, for The purpose Of a.
vailing themselves Of the lower price, with
. other considerations of a similar character,
have hitherto been successfully srged 10 de-
feat the graduation upon time.
! May not all reasonable desires upon this
subject be satisfied without sncountering any
of these objections? All will concede the
abstract principle, that the price of the pub
e lie lands, should he proportional TO their re-
lative value, 40 far as that can be accomplish
: cd without departing from the rule, hsreto-
\ fore observed, requiring fixed prices in cases
c OF private entries. The difficulty OF the sub
1t jec, seems 10 lie in the mode OF ascerisining
0 what that value is. Would not the safest
J. plan be that which has been adopted by ma
J, ny of the States as the basis Of taxation-an
u actual valuation of lsnds, aad classification,
Of them into different rates? Would 1T moi
be practicable and expedient TO cause the re-
lative value 81 the public lands in the old
e, districts, which have been for a certain length
Of time in market, to be appraised, and elias
sed into two or more rates below the present
, minimum price, by the officers now employ
, ed in this branch Of the public service, or in
any other mode deemed preferable, and 10
make those prices permanent, il upon the
e coming in oi The report they shall prove sat
isfactory 10 Congress? Cannot all the OBJ
jects OF graduation be accomplished in this
way, and the objections which have hitherto
u been urged against il avoided 1t would
> seem 10 me that such step, with a restric-
e lion OF The sales 10 limited quantities, and
o for actual Improvement, would be free from
I, ali just exception.
: BY The full exposition OF tho value OF the
lands thus furnished and extensively promuI>
gated, persons living at distance would be
i informed Of their true condition, and ens blsd
10 enter into competition with those residing
in the vicinity; the means OF acquiring an
independent home would be brought within
The reach of many who are unable 10 pur>
chase at present prices the population OF the
new States would be made more cen pact
and large tracts would be sold which would
otherwise remain on hand ; not only would
the land be brought within the means Of a
! larger humble. Of purchasers, but many per-
sons possessed Of greater means would he
content 10 settle on larger quantity Of the |
poorer laDds, rather than emigTste further !
vest in pursuit of a smaller quantity Of BET |
ter lands. Such a measure would also seem !
TO bs more consistent with the policy OF the
existing laws that Of converting the public