Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-02-13
Virginia Legislature.

On Wednesday last, Mr.. Robertson of
Richmond, chairman of the Committee on
rubllc Lands, made an elaborate report. con-
Guiding with the following resolutions:
L. HeSolred, That the Public Lands held
by the United States, belong i'm common to all
the States, and that each and all are entitled
TO participate In the benefits derivable there
from.
2. Resoiced, That all the lands ceded TO the
United States, by the State of Virginia. en-
cePt those reserved by the deeds of ces-
Sioh' 'of certain enumerated purposes, were
ceded In trust for the use and benefit of sucb
of the United States, as had become. at the
date OF the cession, or should thereafter be-
come members OF the Confederation or FEEDER
al Alliance OF said States, Virginia inclu
siVe) according to their several respective pro-
portions oil the general charge of expenditure.
to be faithfully and bona fde disposed of for
that purpose and for no other use or nurnosn
whatsoever-that the u. s., by accepting the
trust, took 1t, subject TO these conditions tb,t
1hose conditions have been in no wise releas-
cd or altered by any act of this Common
wealth. out remain In unimpaired force and
Taildity; and that any disposition of said
iaIus' not In conformity thereto, would in
SolVe' on the part of the L. S., towards this
State, a breach of faith and violation of the
most solemn engagements.
B. ReSoived, That the lands which vvere
coded by the several States to the {. S. Ivero
ceded In trust for the common benefit of all
the states; and that this General Assembly
ooth urge, earnestly urge, upon Congress the
speedy adoption OF some Just and equitable
plan Tor the distribution of the nett proceede
OF the sales thereof.
d. ReSolved, That the lands acouired bv
u. .he U. -, by purchase. are held in trust for
ti,e common benefit of all the States. and This
General Assembly doth declare the opinion
tiiat tlie most Just and equitable plan for the
uiSposlng OF the nett proceeds of the sales
saoieol, Is ny distributing the same in Just
proportions among all the States.
8: Resolved, That Congress has no rigbt
10 delegate the trust solemnly reposed in. and
accepted by the United States, AS contenpIateJ
III the bill now pending before CONGRESS-
Wi'iout the assent first obtained of all the
'otates That created the trust that such dele
gat'on would be in violation of the under
S'diiulhg on which the trust was created; an
uhWarrantable aggression on the rights of the
Glah'ing States, and calculated to foment col
noioh ana divisions between the old States
anu inc new States, threatening in the re-
9uI!' the peace, harmony and stability of the
., heSolred, That whilst this General As-
10y 1rews with becoming pride, the rapid
SioN'h Oh the new States, and would do NO
ming 70 check their advance in wealth and
PoMer' IL cannot but consider the measures for
Gira9 9g or reducing the price of the public
t ,a1os ana other kindred propositions, presen
. ,Iu 70 congress, as calculated to unsettle
sne conditions on which the public lands
i we're acquired by the u. s., and greatly to
tb 'p sa aie equality of benefits arising from
sIi t I'1'le IN which Virginia, in common with
p ,,''ses; is justly entitled to participate.
o,oino ,.sosgeo, nevertheless, That by the fore
'eS'iulons, urging the distribution of