Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-02-13
WLpNEspAY. Feb. 5

o. motion Of Mr.. MYERS, of b, RCS0tyed, That
he Committee OF Roads be instructed to enquire
into the expediency Of euthorjsing a survey to be
made by the Principal Engineer of the State, or by
some competent Engineer designated by him, OF
The most suiteble and practicable route for a road
from Bunkershill, in the county of Berkeley, by
White Hall and the Green Spring, in the county Of
Frederick, 10 the Northwestern Turnpike road.
what public advantage viii probably result there
from, and the probable cost Of constructing the
same.
On Mr.. HANxAH's motion, the House resolved
to proceed, by joint vote with the Senate, to the
election Of a Brigadier General in The 49, Brigade,
on Saturday, the 8th instant.
Pu5ijc Lands,
Mr.. RoBERrsoN, from a Committee on Poblic
Lands, submitted an elaborate report, with the fol-
loving resolutions;
/. Resolped, That the Public Lands held by the
u. States, belong, in connon, to ali the States, and
that each and oil are entitled TO participate in the
benefits derivablc thercfrom.
.. ReSoieed, That uIl tue lands coded to the Z.
S.otcs by The State If Virginia, except those reser-
we'd by the deeds of cession, for certain enumerated
purposes, were coded ia trust. for the use and ben
eft Of each Of the United States, as bad become at
the date Of the cession, or should thereafter become
members Of The confederation OF Federal alliance
ofthe said States, Virginia incllsive) according to
NNF'N ~ w hft fAN
charge and expenditure, to be faithfully and bona
Jide disposed of for that purpose, and for no other
use or purpose whatsoever. That the United States
by accepting the trust took it, subject TO these CON
ditions; that these conditions have been in no wise
released or altered by any act Of this Common
wealth, but remain in unimpaired force and validity,
and that any deposition Of said lands not in confor-
nifty thereto, would involve on the part of the Uni
ted States, towards this State, q breach Of faith and
a violation Of the most sOlemu euonrpmentS.
3. ReSolUed, That the lands which were ceded
by the several States to the L. S. were ceded in
trust for the common benefs Of all the States and,
this General Assembly doth urge, earnestly urge,
upon Congress tho speedy adoption Of some Just
and equitable plan for the distribution q the nett
proceeds Of the sales thereof.
4, Resolvea, That the lands acquired BY the L..
States by purchase, are held in trust for the COM
mon benefit of ali The States; end, this General AS
sembly doth declare the opinion, that the most just
and equitable plan for dieposing ofthe nett proceeds
of the sales thereof, Shy distributing the same ia
Just proportions among all the State.
5. ResolUed, That Congress has no right to de-
legate tho trust solemnly reposed in, and accepted
by the Z S. as contemplated in the bill now pen
ding before Congress, without the assent, first OBJ
tanned, Of all the States that created the trust
that such obligation would he in violation of the I'M
derstauding on which the trust was created-an I'M
watrantable aggression on the RIGHTS of the grant
ing States, and calculated to foment collisions and
divisions between the old States ead the new States.
threatening in the result, the peace, harmony and
stability of the Union.
6. Res0lred, That whilst the General Assembly
views, with becoming pride, the rapid growth Of
The new States, and would do nothing 10 check
their advance in wealth and power, it cannot but
consider the measures for graduating or reducing
The Price OF the public lands, and other kindred