The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1841-03-04
The Public Lanas--A New view.

among the several states are based on the
grant as originally made to the States, by
Virginia. Mr. Calhoun's proposition was
rejected, we presume, on the ground tina,
in relinquishing the right to the soil and
giving it up to the States, Congress
would abrogatc the articles of compac,
entered into by the passage of the Ordi-
nance of 1857, which declares that s.lhe
Legislatures of those Districts or new
States, shall never interfere with the pri-
mary disposal of the soil by. the United
States In Congress assembled, nor with
any regulations Congress may find nee
essary for securing the title in such soil to
tn bona ftle purchasers. The grant to
which we have alluded, ceded the whole
North western Territory to the United
States. Although ceded in fact by one
state twas nevertheless called sscom-
pact between the original states and the
people and states in said Territory, and
forever remain unalterable, unless by COM
mon consent At that time fifly-four
years ago, the whole North Ter.
rlory was one vast wilderness. That ter,
rtory was to be divided into not less than
three nor more than five states, the gem
eral boundaries of which are defined in
the articles of compact. No constitutional
objection has ever been raised against the
right of distribution until very recently,
and this objection is far from being salts
factory. We presume that in reality no
valid objection can be thrown in the way
of the proposition of Mr. Clay, if Con-
gress should again pass such bill as the
one which Gen. Jackson arbitrarily de-
feated. This question being once settled,
we come now TO most important en-
qulry. If Congress should pass law
giving the proceeds of the sales of public
lands to the states according to their pop
uiation. would this distribution include
the proceeds of the sales of land in Iowa
If this Distribution measure is made sim
ply on equitable principles growing out of
the grant made by Virginia, including
Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and
Wisconsin,, what has Iowa, which never
could have been included in such grant,
to do with it? 1t appears to us that
some different provision should be made
in her case. We have never seen any
view Of this subject which made the dis
tinction, but we think distinction should
be made, and we shall not be very much
surprised to see an interesting discussion
spring up on this subject. Our sole OBJ
jecs is simply to call public attention to
the matter in the hope that it may elicit
discussion.
Were we candidate, We are not sure
that we would not make hobby of this |
affair. We might be very benevolent,
and allow all the proceeds of public lands
to be divided among the several states
provided none Of the proceeds of the sales
in this Territory were to be so appropri-
ated. We might then insist that congress
was bound to refund all it had ever drawn
from our land offices, after dedncting ac-
tual expenses, and permit US hereafter to
carry on business on our own hook, &c..
NC. Although this might appear quite
novel. stillit would be no more monstrous
than many other humbugs, and we should
calculate to dress it up in such popular
garb as to make it take with the people.
Such hobby would doubtless ensure orr
election, and rank us with the Prince of
Humbngs, or with Brownson himself.
lowA-DIsPUTED TERR1roRY.--It will
be seen by reference to our news from
Washington, that the Judiciary Commit
tee have reported bill OH this subject.
in which Iowa is allowed Commission
er as. well as Missouri and the United
States. 1t will also be perceived that Mr.
Linn, has opposed allowing Iowa Com
missioner, on the ground that there are
but two parties in the dispute--the United
States and Missouri. This is in accord
ance with the views of Gov. Lucas, we
believe, as expressed by him during the
threatened troubles Of winter before last.
Hawkeyes. will hardly endorse such a
view Of the subject at the present state of
the controversy.
The Hon. Mr. Crit.enden has sent in
his resignation as Senator of the United
States to the Kentucky Legislature. This
will enable tha, Legislature to gil the va
cancy during its present session.
Since the above was in type we find I
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