The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-28
PRE-EMPTIoN BILL.


The Senate resumed the consideration Of the bill
for establishing permanent prospective presumption
system.
Mr., LUMPKIN, Of Georgia. made few remarks,
defining his position unshackled Senator. He
maintained that he not instructed by his constfu
ents vote for repeal Of the Sub Treasury, but
left free to exercise his own judgment and to give his
vote accordingly that and every other subject of
policy which had been brought under discussion
Mr.. ANDERSON, of Tom, then rose to defend
Gen. Jackson from an impntation which he supposed
to have been made by Mr.. Mangum upon the Generals
character and fame in connection with certain pro-
ceedngs against France during the session Of 1884
and 35.
Mr.. MANGUM explained that he imputed moth
ing to Gen. jackson himself in those transactions.
He neither blamed nor exculpated him. He had
erred to the lower cabinet of that day. and expressed
the belief that they DESTROYS of precptang the
country into hosttes with France in the hope of
curing the reelection of Gen. Jackson for third
term.
Mr. CLAY, of KY, referred to arrangement
made with the Senator from New York Mr.. Wrightl
and that he had anticipated following him. If he had
been aware that there TO be any deviation from
that course he would have come to the Senate with
such notes and documents, had admitted of his
speaking to-day and he trusted that the subject would
be laid till tomorrow. He made no particular
appeal to gentlemen the question was urged to-day,
he would take the occasion to say that hberdity was
the true policy with majories all occaeions, which
he had cndeavored to practice during the short period
when he belonged 10 the majority in the Senate; and
adyerted to the fact that majorties so ucuatmg
as to make lberary policy with all parties
He expressed the hope that what had been under
stood between him and the honorable gentleman Che
could almost say his rend-because his courtesy was
ALWAYS such as entitled him to that consideration, for
the manner in which he conducts debate, towards
friends and foes) He hoped the arrangement would
be carried out, and that he Mr.. W) would take the
floor now or to morrow, and he would follow him.
Mr. WRIGHT then rose, and should speak short
tlatb had haap M he
Senate for some time.
He had come to the Capitol without the intention OF
speaking on the question He was very reluctant to
throw himself on the Senate at any time, much more
so when unprcpared. He would have been willing
that the question had been taken to-day
The great considerations and the magnitude of the
question involved had led him TO feel interest and
to take part in this debate
And what is the question Ii is very simple one,
TO take from the permanent revenue of the coun-
try at period when that sconfessedy need
ed for the Of the Treasury of the nation from
one fourth to one fifth of that revenue, and gisei
away so far as the nation and ITS treasury are con-
cerned-and there proposition made to supply
its place Within five weeks of the close OF an annual
session of Congress- the question was presented Of
distributing portion of our public revenue 10 the
States in a manner in which il had never before been
presented to his mind and he believed to Congress or
to the people of the country.
He said that since the debate commenced we had
heard much of former propositions on TINS subject !
the authority OF statesmen iaVoraDe 10 tHt poH'y
been quoted-but he contended not favorable to the
policy-as giving away revenue when 1t was dei-
cent.
He believed that the constitution had conferred no
power on Congress branch of the property OF
revenue of the country which does not spread itself
over all That Congress have no different power over
the money derived from the public lands than that de-
rived from customs, direct taxation, or any other
source of revenue within the constitutional power OF
Government il but the property of the country,
and we must look into the constitution to find what
disposition we are authorized to make oft The pub
lie domain is the property Of the country, and if the
mower of distribution can be applied TO one part il
can to every part, no matter when il exists IN land
money, ships, or whatever property the Federal Go
morcss on the Senate and country. Misunderstood that
the ground on which the distribution of the proceeds
the public lands attempted to be supported, was
that the lands coded by the States, tor particular
purposes which accomplished; and now re
versionary interest in the residue of the public lanu
had fallen the States He then referred to tn