Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-02-03

lnc IOlOWInS uOt'S0 " D
he Senate will be read with much in-
tercst by the citizens Of the Territory.
Il was written by correspondent OF
the Chicago Democrat, dated
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.
DEAR Satisfactorily, the Senate
passed bill, authorizing the States to
tax Lands sold by the U. States 1t
will become law, and then all the
states will be placed on an equal foot
ing with Michigan and Arkansas. This
measure is Of prominent Importance to
the new states, and to none OF more
consequence than to Illinois.
I was much surprised to hear the
observations of Mr.. Clay of Kentucky,
who spoke several times on the intro
duction Of the land bill, day before yes
terday. In speaking Of a very numer-
Gus and worthy class of our citizens
he said "These poor miserable pre-
cmptioners had respect neither for NOR
atty nor the rights Of the nation, that
they had, in numerous instances, torn.
ed and organized combinations, and
had actually seized upon the public
domain, that they might as well seize
upon the ship North Carolina and lay
claim to it, against the rightful claim
Of the Government as thus seize the
public property" He ridiculed, with
q sheer, the lea advanced by Governor
Clay, Of Alabama, that they had settled
there by the tacit consent OF the Gov
eminent, and asked how that could be
when, by the law Of 1907, they were
liable to be removed by military force?
Again he demandedsneeringly, "What
claim have they upon us for reliefhere,
who have thus set the lars at defiance,
and defeated, by their unlawful COM
binations, their just operation? No,
Sir: / will not support the measure II II
vote alone against its passage. !
will not, by any act of mine, counten-
ance this lawless disposition which has
manifested such an utter disregard for
the laws passed for the preservation OF
the public property ofthe country. No,
Sir: trust that there is spirit abroad
in the land that will snbdue and arrest
this disposition to lawlessness and that
will effectually prevent in future this
intrusion upon the violated rights Of
the nation. I tell you now in advance
that am against all your schemes for
presumption and graduation. | will
do nothing to disturb the present sys-
tenn" He was sustained by the votes
Of only three senator's.
This hostility of Mr.. Clay to the
interests Of the west is ofthe same char
acter (though more extensive in its
operation) as his vote on former oc'
casion, AGAINST an appropriation tc
continue the National road through oul
State.
It is to be regretted that this justly
celebrated statesman entertains sucf
strong prejudicesagains the new States
as to lose sight of the various pre-cmp
ton acts of congress passed for thu
mutual benefit Of the United States ant
the settlers; and that it is the natura
and contemplated effect Of those law
to carry with them the force Of an in
vitation to cultivate the public lands.
Who are ssthese poor, miserable pre-
emptioners?" Are they not the hard,
yeomanry ofour country, whose activ
enterprise and moral worth sustain til
best institutions of the Law? Are the,
not the most honest, industrious an
useful class Of citizens among us? LIE
the man, who charges them with rob
berry and every violation of principle
visit them, and he will find that the,
are the incorruptible, independent pa
triots, the high-minded, intelligent, en-
ergetic portion Of the community, OF
whom we may rely for the protection
Of all that is valuable in our constitu
ton. 1t is foul wrong thus to stig
matise the character and designs o
such men.
In the House, the committee OF
Public Lands reported bill gradua
ting the price of the public lands, ant
prescription act which will probably
become laws, after having undergon.
some notifications.
The claims Of the two gentlemen
from Mississippi, who to occupy tn,
seats Of Messrs. Gholson & Claiborne
have been referred to the committe,
on Elections. They will report i,
favor Of the sitting members. As
was determined at the extra sessio,
that they were entitled to seat 70
two years. The whole subject wa
infinitely examined at that time, an
no newprinciple has now been presen,
cd.