The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-09-25

aggregate of one billion, ninety millions, eight
hundred and seyenty-one thousand seven hun
dred and fifty three acres.
IL Is difficult TO conceive question Of greater
magnitude than that OF relinquishing this i'm
mense amount OF national property. Estimating
It's value according to the minimum price, il pre-
sents the enormous sum Of one billion, three
hundred and sixty -three millions, FIVE hundred
and eighty nine thousand, six hundred and nine
ty-one dollars, If ii be said that portion of it
will never command that price, il is to be OBJ
served on the other hand that as fresh lands are
brought INTO market and exposed TO sale at pub
iic auction, many OF them sell at prices exceed
ing one dollar and quarter per acre Surprising
the public lands 10 be worth on the average one
hall Of The minimum price, they would still pre-
sent the immense sum of six hundred and eighty
one millions, seven hundred and ninety four
thousand, eight hundred and forty five dollars.
we have seen that the whole number of acres
OF the public domain now amounts, as shown by
the report Of Mr.. Norvel, to ten hundred and
eighty millions. II we estimate these lands as
worth one dollar and twenty-f cents per acre,
the present minimum price, the whole will pro-
duce the enormous sum of thirteen hundred and
fifty millions of dollars, (1,350 000,000.) We
have also SEEN by the same report that the In
diantitle to seven hundred and sixty-sx millions
of acres has not been extnguished. These
lands, il estimated al one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre, would realize nine hundred and
hfty-seven millions and FIVE hundred thousand
dollars To extinguish fhe Indian title to these
lands, may and probably will cost large amount
OF money-how much il is difficult if not impos-
slble TO state. But If any opinion on this point
can be formed from the prices heretofore paid to
the Indians, it may be inferred that twenty per
cent. on the estimated value of these lands will
be a full, nay, large allowance for the expense
Of extinguishing this title. BY deducting from
the thirteen hundred and fifty millions of dollars
twenty per cent on the estimated cost of the
lands to which the Indian title has not been ex-
tingushed, there will remain the sum of eleven
hundred and ffty-eight millions, five hundred
thousand dollars, which in this view will be the
value of the public domain after the cost of
extinguishing the Indian title has been paid in
full
1t has already been shown, that the plan pro-
posed by Mr.. Clay was to allow TO the new
States, in addition to the five per cent fund Sc
cured TO them by compact, twelve and a half
per cent. OF the proceeds of the public lands
within their respective limits, over and above
their equal distributve share with the other
States OF the remaining portion of their pro-
ceeds.
1t has already been shown that there are in
the new States one hundred and sixty three
millions and five hundred thousand acres Of land
The lands in the new States at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre, are worth two hun
dred and four millions, and three hundred and
seventy five thousand dollars. Seventeen and
half per cent. on this amount will pass to the
new States, who thereby will obtain thirty five
millions seven hundred and sixty-fve thousand
and six hundred and twenty-five dollars To as
certain what will be left for distribution among
all the States, there must be deducted the sum Of
thirty five millions seven hundred and sixty-fve
thousand, and six hundred and twenty five dol
lars, from the eleven hundred and ifty-eight
millions and five hundred thousand dollars, which
as we have shown is the estimated value of the
public domain after extlnguishing the Indian IL
tie. The balance will amount to eleven hundred
and twenty-five millions, seven hundred and
thirty-four thousand and three hundred and Sc
venty FIVE dollars.
With view to prevent an over estimate, and
to cover expenses, &C., It may be proper 10 make
further deduction of ten per cent on thirteen
hundred and fifty millions of dollars, the estima-
ted value of the ten hundred and eighty millions
OF acres which constitute the whole public do
main. This ten per cent will yield one hundred
and thirty five millions of dollars, and when this
sum is deducted from the eleven hundred and
twenty-five millions seven hundred and thirty
four thousand and three hundred and seventy
five dollars, already ascertained as the amount
left after extingushing the Indian title and pay
ing to the new States seventeen and half per
cent, there will remain for distribution among
all the States, nine hundred and eighty-seven
millions seven hundred and thirty-f four thousand
and three hundred and seventy five dollars.
The calculations and estimates now submit
ted are believed to be as exact and accurate as
the nature Of the subject will permit The de-
tails have been given to enable each reader to
judge for himself, and if there be any errors or
inaccuracies in the statements, to make all pro-
per allowances and deductions for them Our
Objects not TO mslead, but to awaken the atten-
ton Of the people of maryland to subject which
yields in importance to no public measure of the
times.
We have thus ascertained that, under the
plan proposed by Mr.. Clay, and approved of by
General Harrison, the public domain would pro-
duce fund for distribution among all the States,
in proportion TO their population, amounting. to
not less than nine hundred and eghty-seven
millions seven hundred and thirty -four thousand
three hundred and seventy five dollars. The
next inquiry is to ascertain the proportion pay
able to Mary land This is the important matter
to our people, and before we shall have concluded
we hope TO satisfy the most sceptica, that upon
the distribution of the proceeds Of these lands,
depends in a great measure our prosperity, and
that Of our descendants.
When the distribution bill of 1882 was passed
by Congress, but vetoed by General Jackson
Maryland was estimated TO contain population
Of four hundred and FIVE thousand eight hun
dred and forty three people and would, if that
bill had become law, have been entitled to
about one twenty ninth part of the proceeds of
the public lands. II is difficult to estimate the
present population of Maryland or to ascertain
how il compares with that Of the United States
Ii is believed that under the new census, there
will be found to be in the United States seven
teen millions, and in Maryland at least FIVE hun
dred thousand people. If this be correct. the
population Of Maryland is about one thirty fourth
part of that of the United States MARYLAND