Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-06-26

dispose of them; that the fever for rev.
enue is an intermittent, which appears only
when bill to distribute the proceeds
equally among all the States is pending !;
and that as soon as that bill is got rid OF,
gentlemen relapse into their old projects
of throwing away the public lands, and
denouncing all objects of revenue from the
public lands as unwise, illiberal, and unjust
towards the new States. ! will make all
this good by the most incontrovcrtible
testimony. | will 90 TO the very highest
authority in the dominant party during
the last twelve years, and from that will
come down TO the honorable Senator from
New York and other members of the
party. Il should not say come dora; it is
certainly not descending from the late
President of the United States to approach
the Senator from New York. If intellect
is the standard by which to measure eleva-
ton, he would certainly stand far above
the resident of the Hcrmitagc.) / will
show by the most authentic documents,
that the opponents of distribution, upon
the principle now SO urgently pressed, Of
revenue, are no bona fide friends Of rev.
enue from the public lands. | am afraid
shall weary the Senate, but | entreat il
10 bear patiently with me whilst retracc
the history of this measure of distribution.
You will recollcct, sir, that some nine or
ten years ago the subject of the public
lands, by one of the most singular aSsoci-
atoms that was ever witnessed, was refer
red to the Committee on Manufactures, BY
one of the strangest parliamentary manou-
vres that was ever practised, for no other
purpose than to embarrass the individual
who now has the honor TO address YOU, and
who happened at that time to be member
Of that committee. 1t was in vain that
protested against the reference showed
the total incongruity between the manu-
features of the country and the public
lands, and entreated gentlemen to spare US,
and to spare themselves the reproaches
which such forced and unnatural connex-
ion would bring upon them. II was to no
purpose; the subject was thrown upon the
Committee on Manufactures, in other words
1t was thrown upon me; for it was well
known that although among my colleagues
of the committee there might be those who
were my suPcriors in other respects, ow-
ing to my local position, it was supposed
that possessed more familiar knowledge
with the public lands than any of them,
when, in truth, mine was not considerable.
There was another more weighty motive
with the majority of the Senate for devov-
ing the business on ME. The zeal, and,
perhaps, too great Partially of my friends
had, about that time, presented my name
for high office. And it was supposed that
no measure, for permanently settling the
from me that would not affect injuriousv
80 ,L
States, or with both. felt the cmbarrass.
ment of the position in which was placed;
but resolved not to sink underit. Ipulled
off my coat and went TO hard work.
the measure for distributing
equitably, in Just proportions the proceeds
Of the public lands among the several
States. When reported from the commit
tee, its reception in the Senate. in Con
yreSs, and in the country was triumphant.
had every reason to be satisfied with the
'esult of my labors, and my political oppo-
lents had abundant cause for bitter regrets
II their indscrction in wanton!y throwing
he subject on me. The bill passed the
Senate, but was not acted upon in the
House at that session. AT the succeeding
session it passed both Houses. In spite Of
all those party connexions. which are. per-
laps, the strongest ties that bind the human
ace, Jackson men, breaking loose from par
y thraldom, united with anti-Jrckson men,
md voted the bill by overwhelming major
ties in both Houses. II il had been re-
urned by the President, it would have
passed both Houses by constitutional ma
critics, his veto notwithstanding. But it
vas measure suggested, although not vol
lntariIV, by an individual who shared no
part in the Presidents counsels or his atiec-
ions; and although he had himself in his
ln.lual message, recommended similar
Measure, he did not hesitate 10 change his
ground in order to thwart my views. He
knew, as have always believed and under
stood, that if he returned the bill, as by the
constitution he was bound to do, it would
become law, by the sanction of the re-
luistc maiorites in the two Houses. He
resolved, therefore, upon an arbitrary
course, and 10 defeat by an irregular and
proceeding, what he could
not prevent by reason and the legitimate
action of the Constitution. He resolved
not to return the bill and did not return it
10 Congress, but pOCketed il
proceed now to the documentary proof
which promised, In his annual message,
December 4, 1882, President Jackson says:
" Previous to the formation Of our prcscn,
Constitution, it WIS recommended By Congress
hat portion Of the waste lands owned by the
States should be ceded to the United States !or
he purpose OF general harmony, and as fund 10
meet the expenses of the war. The recommen-
1ation was adopted, and at different periods OF
lime, the States Of Massachusetts,, New losN,