Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-02-28

Keeping regular DOCKS oil hCcouhts, " 10 vPoh
to the inspection ofthe Government so that the
exact state Of the account between It and the
States, may at all times be ascertaned by the
former.
The act Of Congress should also contain all
the prospective provisions which may become
necessary in the future administration OF the
lands under the arrangement; and should then
provide that the land laws, as modified by the
act, and as faras they are applicable to the new
state of things, shall remain unchanged, with
out the consent Of Congress. A provision of
this kind would be not less essential to the
States, than to the Government. Without ~
there could be no stability nor Uniformity
Without it the States would, in a short time, en-
ter into competition to turn the current Of en-
igration, each towards itself, which would com
mence by reduction Of price, and end by loss
of the lands. But with the provision proposed,
the system would retain its uniformity, and be-
come more staple than at present.
To enforce the faithful execution Of the com
pact the act should also contain Il provision,
that, in the event Of the violation OF the condI-
tions of cession, all grants thereafter made by
the State should be null and void. This would
place the compact under the protection Of the
courts ofthe Union, and make it the interest OF
the State and its citizens to observe it. In this
connection, the liberal allowance proposed to
be mad&o the States, in order to unite their
interests with ours, would be important The
revenue which they would derive from the land
would be applied to roads, canals, or other I'M
|provements, that would create powerful IN
terest in favor Of the arrangement; which, with
the conditions proposed, and their sense oil JUS
! tice, would ensure, | trust, on their part, a
faithful execution Of the compact
| Such, as it appears to me, should be the lea
ding conditions; but, doubtless, there are many
others which would be suggested by full and
careful examination of the subject.
This, Mr., President, is the general outline Of
the measure which propose as remedyi and
which brings up the important question, would
! it accomplish the object intended; that Is, would
it arrest the growing conflict between the new
and the old States? Would itprevcnt the pub
I lie domain from being converted into fund to
make Presidents and to be squanderod away
in the struggle? And, finally, would it substan
tally, and more eAcctualy than any other
measure, secure TO the Union tho benefit Of the
public lands lying within the new States. 1t
is the conviction that is better calculated to
secure these important results, than any other
measure that can be devised, which has ndu-
ced me 10 prcsnt it for consideration; and 1t Is
on that issue, exclusively, intend to rest lis
fate All ask is a calm and impartial inyestl.
cation, confidently believing it will bear the
test, and willing to abide the result. Without
attempting to enter on such an investigations
|now-for which have not the necessary in
! formation, and, i'll had it would not suit oc-
casion-I propose to limit myself to few
very brief remarks tn support ofmy conviction.
That q measure, such as have suggested, il
it should be adopted with the hearty consent of
1.-The new States, wouldarres the growing conflict
between them and the old, and take the public
LANDS out orthc vortex Of the Presidential con
test, must be obvious on Il little reflection. 1t
would remove the cause ofcontlict, the only eff
lectual mode Of preventing the threatened dan
- ger Transfer the lands, and the admnstra.
tion of them, on Just and liberal terms, to the
States, and close our land offices within their
i limits, and you will, at once, place the States
. beyond the reach of the action or the Govern,
y mcnt and influence of Executive control, and
, would therebyI both the new and old, as
u far as the land question is concerned, free from
.all improper bias in the election of the CheI
> MAGISTRATE The only point Of conflict thai
= could possibly remain between them in refer
5 .ence 10 the lands, would be as to the conditions
Iorthe session; but 1t may be easily shown, thai
= Iif the terms should be liberal and satisfactory
lin the first instance, to the new States, as
, have proposed, that they would neither have
Il the disposition nor the interest to disturb the
compact; or if they shond, the hazard of losing
I the lands in consequence would be far less
= than it would be should the present system be
continued. But there may be some who may
: admit this to be true, and yet object that the ad
yantages which anticipate from the measure
, would be purchased on the part Of the OLD
States at too great sacrifice. 1t would be pre-
mature to undertake to answer this objection be
fore it is asceriained what portion Of the pro
a ceeds should be left to the States, and wha
Il paid over to the Government; and this cannot
r be done till after laborous investigation, as
+ has been stated. All maintain at present is
d that the portion allotted 10 the StaresI SHOULD be
+ not only Just and LIBERAL but such as would in
!, tercst them in preserving the arrangement
d Thus far it would be obviously the interest o
G both parties, as has been shown. ln1tho mean
n time, have suggested an equal division Of the
proceeds, under belief that it would be satislac
l. tory to the new States, and probably not fai
+ from the division which rigid investigation
y would establish.
5, But of oneIthng eeIassurod, that, when tn,
1t subject is fully examined, it will be ascertain
L ed that an apportlonment of the proceeds may
n be fixed on which will give to the Government
n sun, nnr mere MS larue or not less on all I'M