The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-12-03
REPORT ON THE PUBLIC LANDS.

ernOrs message relating to that subject respect
fully report
That they have had the same under consider
alton, and have given the subject such attention
as the pressure Of numerous other duties would
permit. In the course OF their Investigation they
have consulted such documents MS came within
their reach, and rs the magnitude and itnpor-
lance of the subject increased as they proceeded
they had occasion 10 regret that their sources OF
Information have been so limited. But they
hope TO be able to communicate such facts and
statements ms will ensure Il favorable action up
on the resolutions which they submit 10 your
consideration.
The General Government hold in trust fund
which was entrusted TO it fUt the and bene-
ct ot'the several States This fund consists of
the public lands, part of which was acquired by
purchase with money taken from the common
treasury, MS in the case Of Florida and Louisiana,
and part Ivy the grant OF different states The
history OF the acquisition of these lands and o!
the policy displayed in their management and
disposal, places in strong conrastthe diSnerested
patriotism of the early days al the Republic with
the degeneracy of more modern times. The I'M
portauce of these lands was carly felt. When
the colonies made common cause 10 deliver
themselves from the yoke OF the mother coun'
Try, some of them possessed within their limits
large tracts Of wild lands which would
become vested in them ifsiccess should crown
their efforts. Other colonies, differently situated
protested against these claims and asserted that
Il domain, acquired by common tolls, sutltrirgs
and blood should he held for the benefit Of the
whole. This subject was aglta,el during the
progress OF the last var, but without impaIrin@
The zeal with which they cnrricd OH the struggle
for Independence. In order to quiet the heart
hurnngs upon this topic and To procure a cordial
adoption OF the nItic of tho confederation,
Congress proposed TO the states to make liberal
cessCns OF the waste lands To- the United states
on the 10Th day Of October, 1850, Resolved that
= ted Inn !lat lln cd or
rrlinunshetl to the United States by any partc
nir state pursuant to the re commentator of
Congress of the OH of Sept last shall I've dispos.
Ell of for The co nmom benefit of The United STATES,
&C.
New York was the first to comply with lhis
recommendation, and her deed of cession, made
on The LIST day OF march, l76I, expressly provides
that the coded lands and territories were to be
held tn and for the only and benefit of such of
tile states as are or shall become parties to the
articles OF confederation. Virginia who, was
the .lnr"ess.>'t.~ "a rrcr deuu VI ct'SsUu, "ncn
WIS executed by her delegation IN Congress III
I7S4 n"rpeubiv to act of her legislature passed
in 1888, she imposes terms and conditions very
similar to those which COngses5 proposed 10 re-
ceive them. As this is by far the most impor.
tant grant, and rs those OF North Carolina and
Georgia, which succeeded, appear 10 he taken
ir0m il, it may not he improper 10 copy the con.
diions entire. Alter making certain rcserNn',
tons of lands previously granted by The state
the deed expressly declares, 'il!at all the lands
within The territory so cc,!ed to the United Suites
shall he considered common tilad fer The ass &
bcnth Of such ofhe United States as hare become
or shall become members of he confederation OF
federal alliance ofthe said states, Frginia iaciu
sire, according to our usual respective proper
TONS in the general charge and expenditures, 81
shall be faithfully and bona fde disposed OF for
that purpose and for no other Use OF purpose
whatsoever
Other states ceded their claims similar
terms, and by the the deeds of cessiOn Of Geor'
gia, which last in order of time, the United
States became possessed of that vast domain oil
wild lands which was included within the limits
Of the original States. This all granted &
accepted as Il trust fund, to be used for the hene-
fit of such states as were already OF might he
hereafter admitted into the Union aud tor nc
other use or purpose whatsoever.
The adoption of the constitution in no way nj
tered or modified nhe conditions Of HE grant
| This instrument provides that "he Congress
shall have power to dispose ut and make al
needtul rnles and regulations respecting The ter
rory or other property belonging tot The Unitec
States, and nothing III this constitution shall ht
so considered as to pre- riiice any claims Of aht
United States or OF any particular State
The purchase OF Louisiana and Florida wa
made under the constitution and pale
! for from the common fund. Over this portion
then, of the public domain, the powers of Con
gress are limited by no conditions.
Before we proceed with the history of the
policy of the Government in the disposal an,
management of these iauIs, it may b
proper TO consider The extent of territory thus nc
qured by cession and 10y purchase, and whn
portion OF 1t yet remains the property of the u
States. The quantity oi such lands within III
boundaries of The United states and territories i
estimated by he Secretary of the treasury at
1886 1872 acre;
The quantity sold up TO Jan.
1899, 1874 1921
Given away to the new states, 100000
| Leaving unsod, S20,9ll 075
| The quantity of land beyond the hor,iers q
any state or territory is estimated at $50 eco, CO
of acres, making in all 9799ll O75 acres q
land still belonging to the United States aud tel
Tor the Use and benefit of the several states Not
witlIsandmg nine states have been erecle
wiIhia its bounds and three territories wIlir
viii soon claim TO be admitted into the uniol
only 80, 1872 900 haze been sold within the lin,
its OF Ihesa states &terrories, leaving 229,91I.07
actes still subject to the disposal OF Congres,
| Estimating this land at ii g minimum sovernm