Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-01-09

change Of ny senator from
ation 1t was when that gentleman regarded by ma
ny opponent instead of friend of the Admins
traton; and he (Mr. Walkcr) thought that this crcum
stance of itself sufficient to furnish answer 10
the inquiry pr"pounded BY the Senator from Kentucky.
'nt the Senator from Kentucky objected to the refer
encc of this bill TO the Commtc" on the Public Lands
Was not that, he would ASK the appropriate committee
10 consider Il bill Of that nature Was not that the
committee to which it naturally belonged: And must
there not be, on committee 10 which might be re-
crrcd, majority Of members either from the old or
the States, the committee being five IN number:
But let say TO the Senator from Kentucky, Mr..
w. continued, that the period has passed when he
consider the State of Mississippi, in reference to
this measure, as deeply interested The returns from
the General Land Office show that that State at least
has but little connection with tho salrs Of The public
lands. 4 reference to the sales Of the public lands
in Mississippi for the past year, will show that that
State had been swept of nearly all its lands that were
of any value and that The quota of that State will
amount to less than $4,000 dollars. And are TO be
told that Mississippi, whose gross proceeds viii amount
to bu 10000 dollars, i'll he tempted 10 plumber the old
States: But the bill did not deserve the character
which the Senator from Kentucky had given to it If
il did, it ought 10 be told TO the country il did not
propose an unconditional surrender the Senator from
Kentucky intmatcd; but it surrender certain
conditions expressed in the bill These were, that the
Government of the United States to receive one
half not of the nett proceeds, but Of the gross proceeds
of the sales of the public lands while all the expense
of conducting the sales to be borne by the new
States The effect of this bill would be sweep off at
blow, considerable item of public expenditure and
branch Of Executive patronage. 1t would diminish,
10 the amount Of nearly million of dollars, the
pendures of the United States; and the Secretary of
the Treasury told that the probable gross proceeds
of the sales would iii future amount to 3500G 0O
half of which would go TO the Government Of the
United States. Let me tell the Senator from Ken.
lucky, said Mr. w, that if it be shown that this
measure is he contends, robbery of the old States,
would msrepresent my own State if would con-
sent that it should become law. Let it be shown that
il is unjust to either the old the new States, and
never shall receive my vote.
Mr.. GRUNDY said that he should vote against the
motion for reconsdernton he considered the refer
ence appropriate one; but he did not wish his vote
to be considered intimaton that he favor of
the bill lie had formerly opposed this measure, and
thought it probable he would oppose it again when it
came before the Senate.
Mr.. ALLEN said, he was about rising when he
anticipated by the Senator from Tennessee, (r Grun-
dy.) and with the same view. He thought the Com
mittee on the Public Lands the appropriate one to
which this matter should be referred. He would there
fore vote against the motion for reconsideration but he
did not intend thereby to express any opinion in favor
against the measure itself