Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-07-10
NEW PRE.EMPTIoN LAW.

This bill lately passed both Houses of
Congress and has become a law of the
land by the signature of the President
ere this. We publish it for the benefit Of
our readers, in connexion with this arti-
Gle. 1t is interesting to the settlers in
the Choctaw country in the highest de-
gree, and, indeed, ii is important TO every
citizen of the State. 1t shows also the
benefit which arises from sending men TO
Congress who prefer doing their duty to
their constituents instead of writing elec-
tioneering letters and engaging in party
squabbles in Congress. 1t also puts down
efectually the SANDER which was attempt
ed TO be got up by the enemies of Mr.
PRENTIss and WORD, and the whole
wing party, including Mr.. CLAY, that they
were opposed to the rights of the settlers.
The following history of the passage of
the new presumption bill will be interest
ing to all.
After the passage in the Senate of the
bill as it was first drafted, it was sent to
the House. where after discussion an a
mendment was inserted, which would
have suspended the rights of the settlers
in the ChOctaaO country, until the opera
ton of the law would have been spent.
Mr. PRENT1ss and Mr.. WORD both sup
ported the bill and opposed the amend
ment in speeches, which, when we re-
ceive them we will publish. The amend
ment was carried, and Mr.. PRENTIss i'm
mediately moved Its recommitment to the
committee of Indian affairs with instruc.
tons to strike out the obnoxious feature.
The motion failed by call for the pre-
Utous question. The bill was then sent
back to the Senate for concurrence: but
our indefatigable representatives furnish
ed to Judge WHITE draft of an amend.
ment 'Ohich 'OOuld include the right of pre-.
emptiOn to the Choctaw settlers, which the
Senate agreed to, and which happily the
House concurred in. 1t is now law, and
the settlers in the Choctaw country have
much to thank the wing representatives
for in thus securing to them their lust
rights.
1t gives us pleasure also 10 remark, that
the bill was warmly supported by Judge
TRoTTER, who co-operated with Messrs
PRENTIss and WORD until it passed.
The following is the bill:
THE NEW PRE.EMPTION LAW.
AN ACT to grant presumption rights to
settlers on the public lands.
BE u enacted By the Senale and House
Of Representatives. of tie United States
Of dmeri' a in Congress assembled, That
every actual settler Of the public lands.
being the head Of family, or over TWEEN.
ty-one years Of age, who was IN posses.
SION and housekeeper by personal resi-
dence thereon, at the time Of the massage
OF this act and four months next preceed.
ing, shall be entitled to all the benefits and
privileges of an act entitled can act to
grant presumption rights to settlers on the
public lands" approved Nav twenty
ninth, eighteen hundred and thirty; and
the said act IS hereby revived and contin-
ned Y force two years: PROVIDED, That
RaeEe more than one person may have
settled upon and cultivated any one quar-
teE section, but shall have no claim BY vir.
tue Ct this act, 70 any other land. And BRO.
gaasa atloays, That this act shah not BE-
Sc construed as 70 give q night Of pre-.
emption to any person 8 Dersons Is IN.
sequence Of any selsIsne5s 81 iaoroVs.
1.lsnt made before ne trnsnt 81
TIC Indian title ii lans 81 Which, sUcR