The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-16
TwENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WgDsEspAY ArrEaNoos. June


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WsDsEsDAY ArTERNoos, June I3
Al half past O'Clock, the House met (but with
oui quorum) After some difficulty and hesitation
on the subject
Mr. ROBERTSON, Of Virginia, resumed the
course OF bis remarks in opposition 10 the bill,
quoing, and extensively commenting upon, the re-
pun OF Ethan Allen Brown, late Commissioner of
ibe General Land Ofhee and MIR. Friiz's lestimo-
ny 10 The frauds and abuses under the preemplion
laws
Mr.. CUSHING followed 10 support OF the bill
coniending thai the principle Of presumption grants
had been praciised on since The first settlement Of
The country, and was embodied in the laws OF Mas
sachuseus, which he quoted in support of this posi-
lion
(Mr LINCOLN disputed ihis.)
Mr.. q. continued bis remarks In the course of
which he Inquired whether The United States Go
vernmeni could show any better title TO the soil Of
this country than could these settlers TO their little
iarmsl
Mr.. UNDERWOOD spoke in opposition 10 the
system stated The evils which had attended It's ope
ration in Kentucky, where he had been intimately
acquainted with all It's effects; expressed his desire
70 get rid OF II as part Of the policy Of the General
Government for the future, md his willingness. on
maj condition, @ gran, pre-emptions 70 all now SET
tied on he public domain; but stated his own plan
OF entry, al prices 10 be gradually reduced abolish
ing all sales NJ auction.
Mr.. GARLAND, OF Louisiana, replied with
earnesiness and warmth defending the presumption
into an exposition and defence Of the amendment he
had moved as substitute for the existing plan
Al hall past oclock q motion WIS made for the
rising OF the committee, but negatved-Ayes SIS,
noes 20.
THE Hall was now lighted, and the indications
were that the bill was TO be disposed Of this even
Mr. GARLAND resumed and having spoken
half an honr longer, and concluded his remarks
MIR. SNYDER, Of Illinois, oblained The floor but
yielded u thai the qnesiipn might be taken on the
amendment moved BY MIR. Underwood, requiring
the affidavit of the pre-emponer that he had OBJ
tained no previous presumption right
After some explanations by MIR. LINCOLN and
brief speech in favor of The amendment BY Mr.
WILLIAMS, of North Carolina, The question WIS
taken; and The vote upon il siood-Ayes A. GO.
No quorum)
Alter some confusion and desultory conversation
as to the best mode Of proceeding,
MIR. BELL suggested that il would be best TO take
question pro torma committee on all the amend
ments proposed, and let them be renewed in the
House
This was agreed TO-
Mr.. UNDERWOODS amendment was mega
Mr.. MAY moved the following as new section
"Sec. =. And be IL further enacted That any per-
son. being the head Of family who is now settled on
who shall hereafter settle on, any Of the public lands
Of the United States and who shall continue reside
on and cultivate the for. the period Of twelve
months, SHALL upon mskiDg proof thereof according
u
emption to one quarter section"
This amendment was rejected
/ Mr.. LEWIS moved an amendment the object of
which was TO meet the case OF certain citizens Of
Alabama who had settled on lands in Alabama 10
which the Indian title had not been extinguShed,
and whose pre-emption rights had been defeated by
being included within reservations made by the In
dians in the treaty BY which the land afterwards
ceded to the United States. Mr. LIS amendment
proposed 10 allow them 10 locate their claims
other vacant lands belonging TO the United States.
Mr.. l.. explained the hard case Of those for whose
benefit the amendment was intended, who had been
busted from their Improvements BY The arrangements
| of treaty.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of La inquired whether the
amendment gave these settlers floating rights to be
located on any lands in the State
Mr. LEWIS replied in the affirmative: but, as
this objected TO- consented TO modify his amend
| ment by striking ou the clause granting the feat"
The amendments was objected 10 by MIR MAX
| WELL and Mr. BRIGGS as being the same, in sub
stance, with bill introduced tor the same object,
ana Mr. nI LEWIS Es is;f res apd Ibis objection
But the amendment OF MIR. LEWIS was ruled by
the CHAIR 10 be out of Order on the ground stated.
Several other amendments offered, some of
which were rejected but il was agreed tha, they
should all be printed and laid on the tables of Nom
bers ready for the action Of the House tomorrow.
II was generally understood that the bill should be
finally disposed Of the next day, Thursday !; with
which understanding the committee rose at halt past
8 o'clock. rs.
The SPEAKER laid before the House letter
from The Commissioner of the General Land Office,
containing information called Tor by The resolution
oflhe House of The llth instant 10 what quantity
of land scrip would be required in his judgment for
satisfying the outstanding military bounty land
warrants granted by the Commonwealth of Vir.
ginia
On motion of Mr.. TURNEY,
Resoired, That the Committee Of Claims be in
strucred TO inquire into the expediency of providing
by law for the payment of horses and equipages that
har haa mad To thn ntrr inf Intta
States by mounted volunteers who served in Flo
rda.
On motion Of Mr.. WORD,
Res0tred. That the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads be instructed 10 inquire into the ex-
pediency Of est bshing mail route from Wy II,
in the county of Lafayette in the State OF Mississippi
via Chulahoma, in Marshall county, Hancock,
Lsbrons and fernando, in Desloo county, TO Mem
phs, in the State of Tennessee
Andthen the House adjourned.