Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-11

terminated but that tie money arising from the sales
the same property may be: Can the nature Of the put
lie ,ncnev he altered b. beng n:2sed III land, and the
from the proceeds ci sales: Ii ST. the Unite
States nave oniy to convert thrir money into land
and Their lands into money agnIn, 10 acquire a pow
er over the pulc revenue w!l'c not given them ,
the Constitution at hs momcnt portion u Ia
revenue arising from customs. III fact, invested
nubc lands Ii the cost oi Louisiana and the Flor
dss be included, the puoe lands nave not refunded Ia
amount. paid for their acquisition and preparation 10
sale BIZ large amount and IL the principle were no,
introduced, that the proceeds of land sales may
given to the States although the money paid for hel
could not, we should see gross inconsistency adopte
in the practice of our Government the results G
which it would he impossible to foresee. In ever
! view we take of the subject, satisfied tina
there is difference between the power whic
/ Congress possesses over the revenue which arise
| from customs, and the money received from tn
sales of the public lands; and 10 construe die.
out of the language used III the conpacts OF
son would be to defeat the very object for which tina
| language was employed The whole scope and obicc
If the conditions annexed to the cessions was cyi
ienuy to make the lands common property and thci
proceeds revenue, to be applied To general pufpos
es precisely like that derived fom all other sources
To make these cessions read as to defeat the prea
object they had in view, would not be favorable 10 The
faith Of compacts, or the preservation OF constitutions
restraints.
We therefore Conclude mat the application oil Tux
moneys arising from the sales of public lands TO tho
payment of SAID debts their distribution among the
States for such purposes rs as unjust, mex pedlent
| and unconstitutional, al similar application of any
other portion Of the public revenue; and moreover, in
direct violation Of the terms and spirit ofthe comnacts
| of cession.
Nor can such measure he palliacd BY the plea tina
there is or is likely 10 be- surplus in the Treasury over
and above what is wanted for the ordinary purposes OF
the General Government On the contrary, the progress
sve reduction of the tariff Of duties now IN operation
will so reduce the revenue 10 make the proceeds OF
the public lands accessory to NEE, The wants OF the
most economical Administrations and If they are di
vered from their present objects, their place must be
supplied by an increased tariff, tax directly on the
people; Ind what is the difference between tax TO
raise money for distribution and tax 10 enable the
Government to distribute, to supply the place OF
moneys distribute, The practical elect is precisely
the same IF three four millions of dollarsthe pro.
ceeds of the sales Of the public Landslide annually
distributed to the States, and thereby necessity be
created as doubt it Will be, to increase the tariff 10
that amount is i, not the thing as though the Ia
riif were increased for tie purpose of dsrIbuton:-
md by this opcr. "a whst is gained: The General
Government has given away to the states three or four
millions of dollars annually, and has taxed the people
10 the amount, to make up the deficit in It's own
revcHuc.
Your commit ce cannot refrain from noticing some OF
the consequences with must follow from the measure
proposed, with regard TO the public lands II must re-
/
agars. the allowance OF presumption rights against a
graduation Of the price of the public lands, and every
other indulgence which liberal spirit towards the
States might dictate and recommend.
J, is believed that different policy ought TO be Dur.
sued that the strength and wealth Of the nation cons,s
not much III the money 10 be exact the price OF
the public lands, the increase of It's population and
the cultivation Of It's soil
Your committee cannot bu: look with d,s:rus: and
apprehension upon every scheme calculated 10 disturb
-. ~ 4
Is adjusted between the State and General Govern
Llen,s. Each Stale reserved 10 ITSELF in the formation
of the Constitution, unrestricted power of taxation
competent to supply them with the means of executing
all ther constitutional powers At The same time the
power of taxation conferred upon The General Go
verGTlen, merely as the Of enabling il 10 exc
cute lis few dele gated powers So far the System has
worked well; and each Government has provided ici
its,f Why shall not permit them to travel quietly
on The paths Of safety and peace: Is there any dan
ger in ~ beaten track, CERTAIN good be oh
laned By departing from ii: Whether taxes are lad
by the States by the United STATES, they still
taxes the people, whether The States The mite
States be in debt il is still the debt OF the people To
throw the burden from one sovereignty upon another
will not paw the debt, nor deiTac from il: oppressive
moss upon the people, except far as may produce
tie unjust result of compelling part vi the people
TO pas the debts OF another If il produce the further
ci"c;S of lrssenng the responsibility Of the representa-
tive lis constituency, in the contracting Of debts and
4 II
lossd BY every friend OF Republican Government.
Al! ia ~:e rs IL IL. l he intelligence and energy
the people, IN The various States competent 10
tricutc inc.n from present enosassncnts and guar,
against their recurrence by means mu:i more chcaT
and safe than BY derang.mg our system Il Government
and entail!no deb, the t. s. calculated to cypress
and impnversl cur children and our childrcns chill
drcn. The States did not come into the Union witt
the expectation be taxed fur the payment Of the debt
Of their sister States, having agreed only TO contribute
what may be necessary for the legitimate purposes o
the General Government To compel them 10 pay the
debts of their neghbors, contracted for internal i'm
provenents any other object Of Stale character,
10 impose upon them hnydcns not anticipated, and Il
which they have never, by any concession agreed Il
submit Therefore,
! J. Rssoirsd, That the assumption directly ind
rccty, by the General Government of the debts whcl
have been may be- contracted by The States for oca
objects State purposes, would be unjust both 10 h
States and 10 The people.
9. Resotssd, That snch assumption would BE highly
inexpedien and dangerous to the union Of the States
q 3. Res0ircd, That such assumption would be who'll
unauthorized by, and in violation Of the Constitution
of the United States and utterly rcpusnant 10 all tn
objects and purposes for which the Federal Uncn wa
formed.
1 Reso' ed, That apart the public lands, til
revenue arising thercfrom for the before mentione
purposes would b. equally unjust, S?edient and IN
; constitutional
! The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The presentation Of petitions being the first thing il
order the SPEAKER commenced the call Of the State
for that purpose, beginning with the State Of Masss
chuset.s.
Petitions and memorials were then presented b
Messrs. Parmenter, Lincoln, II. Williams Briggs Cus
ing, w. S. Hastings, Rced-and
Mr.. LAWRENCE presented petition praying th
recognition Of the independence of The Government
Hayt; which read, when Mr.. l.. moved its refer
} ence TO the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Mr.. BANKS moved that it he laid ON the table; upo
which motion the yeas and nays were ordered.
| Mr.. JAMESON, who absent at the time III
name called, desired to vote, but it ruled on
Of order: when Mr. moved that his vote be recordc
: in the affirmative.
The CHAIR I'D il would not then lie in order.
{ Mr.. JAMESL.., for the purpose of having his mo
ton placed on the Journal would take appeal fror
that decision, and demanded the yeas and nays
Mr.. JENIFER inquired it would at that time be il
order TO entertain appeal
The CHAIR sid TIE decision would be arbitrary