Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-13


qul,ed TO conform TO the i'll OF the people.
So help me God, said he. addressing himself to
Mr. Wright, IT were in the predicament of the Sc
nator, would move the repeal Of the Sub. Treasu-
~. is there any lack OF generosity in thisl Where
is the want OF generosity sand not as his coun-
sellor, the counsellor OF his ca. adiutors here
God forbid.-l submit to lin that he and myself
are not the masters of the people, but The servants
of the people, and bound to conform to their will
lie is here speaking for four hundred thousand cleo
tors. Does he undertake TO say that he is greater
than they1-his judgment superior to theirs7
MIR Clay made an off hand reply to MIR Wright
and one most amusing, telling him in reply 10 an a
fusion that the Ith of Marcel and future tin would
find the bill f4vorite with the new Admins
traton-that the party yet in power had set land
traps for IL years. and they had caught so lit;'e
game that they would abandon the trick of catching
this sort of game.
The debate was continued by Mr. Wright, Mr.
Linn and others
PROSPECTIVE PREEMPTIoN SYSTEM
| The Senate, on Friday, proceeded to the discus
sion OF the special order viz: the bill TO establish a
permanent and prospective pre- empIion SYSTEM;
| when
MIR Anderson and addrt ssed tie Senate Mt
| length IN support of the bill.
MIR Mnngum, wishing TO address the Senate on
the bill, proposed TO its friends postpone its fur
Their consideration TO Monday, when he promised
them his aid in getting ths question upon ordering
II TO n third reading.
OF whathad been said Yesterday by MIR Preston
Ihu gentleman had expressed opinion that the
| apprehension OF many gentlemen with regard TO
dtnger on our Western frontier from incursions OF
the Indians were without foundation, inasmuch as
| II was much more likely that thosu wild warriors
| and hunters would attempt excursions over the
pralries and among the Cumancnes and Caddos than
make assaults upon the denser settlements of the
whites, where they couli expect only an armed re-
sistance. Ii would be Suthcieat take off the force
Of this argument TO state that facts were against it,
inssmuch as the Indians had already made three
successive attacks on the white settlements; Row
many more they might attempt 1t was for him
| TO say.
Mr. Preston explained. He mad not said that
| there was no danger on the ironter-he knew that
danger did exist there; but he npprehended il had
been sufficiently provided for 10y the establishment
OF military posts, the raising Of regiments, sc He
s'il thought that, ultimately, the Indians would find
It easier to go westward, but he did insist upon
! the Argument.
Some conversation took place about poslponing
the bill to Monday, when
| Mr. Crittenden said that he could on certain con-
dtions, vote for pre-empton bill; and, the best
mode OF stating what they were, he would ask leave
! TO read motion, foe recommtment OF the bill - h
instructions, which he had prepared and wished to
offer att proper time. MIR G. then read follows:
ResotUed, That the bill be fecommiIted TO the
committee that reported it, with instructions to re-
port amendments thereto TO the following effect:
lst. To distribute the proceeds OF the sales of the
| public lands among the several States OF the Union
/ IN Just ana equitable proportions.
| I'd. To graft TO actual Iona fde settlers upon
the public lands the right OF presumption to any
quantity thereof not exceeding one half section, or
$40 acres including place Of settlement at the mini
mum price OF SIPS per acre, with such provisions
rs shall limit this right Oi settlement and pTe-emp-
ton actual bona fde settlers whose estate at the
time Of settlement shall not exceed the value of
$1,000 and further with such provisions as sh al eff
iectually exclude the weather. spectators from all
benefits under this law, and shall prevent them from
interfering with or participating in, TIC privilege
and right OF settlement and pre- empuon which are
hereby granted and intended for The sole advantage
OF the needy and honest settlers aud cultivAtors Of
/ the sol.
MIR &. wished the motion 10 lie over for the Dig.
sent and the instructions 10 be printed.
Mr. Linn gave notice that, should this motion be
pressed, he should move to amend he instructions
so as TO require that the entire future proceeds of
the public lands he devoted to the maintenance and
increase of the Navy, and the providing suitable
national defences
Mr. Benton observed, with some appearances Of
excitement, that the instructions Of the Senator from
Kentucky amounted to proposal to increase what
he and his friends nd existed, and The existence of
which MIR II. and those on his side Of the House de-
MED, viz national deb. He thanked the Senator
Tor corains out nj once, wish this proposal create
NATIONAL delt, with It's ntscSsaTy consequence Of
tariff and a bank All men would now be warned
that, when the new Administration should come
into power, II Yves to be their policy to add as much
as possible to the public expenditures, and at the
same time 20 curtai, by every means in their pow
er, the public revenue that the deficit thus created
might occasion the creation ola great national bunk.
Their whole policy now laid open i n oil its
odious dt6rmity. lie thanked the Senator for his
motion. lie thanked him for nvowing himself.
ycsieidny, IN favor Of a national bank; and he
thanked him Tor now coming forward with propo-
sal 10 withdraw the landed revenue Of the Govern
men, for the purpose Of intro ucing loans and tax
60. lie thanked him. Mr. b. was ndy at any
time TO enter on the contest; let there be bush
wackinR, but fair and open fight. He wanted To
sec whether a national debt was TO DO created Ly
Withdrawing the revenue arising from the public
domain. lie thanked the gentleman for giving him
| this timely notice Of what was ctming.
Nh Crtenden said he had intended nothing
more dian to epPfze that gentleman and others OF
what IL was his intention 10 move He considered
this no more than right and proper but he had no
wish 70 make his motion the suhjcc; Of debate this
momcnl The honorable Senator from Missouri
was entirely welcome TO hll the advantage he could
derive from the Phblc manner in which Mr.. =.
had avOwed bis purpose. lie had always thought
himself too humble an individual for any purposes
or efforts ofhis 20 be attended with greet results;
end this made him prompt, perhaps too prompt and
open in avOwing his opinions and intentions.
lie might not perhaps, he hble % encounter the pr
gumonls and the denunciatons Of the Senator from
81 ssouTl, DOT be bad n least conveyed 10 him
plainly aud IN writing what ho inended 10 propose.
He Ind no sccfo's. What ho was Tor he was for |
without CQutVocHtOn or cuucChiucHt nuns tuultd
him 10 the gratitude OF The gentle from NJ SOU.
w. no had rsidy received more frequently repeat
ed expressions Of il than he had any right to *
ocet. A. ~ the distribution Of the proceeds Of the
public lands among the SHes, II was no new mea.
sure. A bill for that purpose had passed both |
Houses by large majorues, and tho sole obstacle |
which prevented % from becoming law was noto
h1us 10 the whole country. Was Il co passing |
strange that measure should now 10 proposed TO |
be renewed which tho People Of the States had al
ways chung to His Legislature had given Mr. |
C.. instructions on this suheot ard had his opinion
been esl clear and decided than Il was their voice
would have Joen sufficient TO control him. fIo
would not, however 90 fir forego his determination
as TO suffer himself TO be drawn into debate on
the matter now.
MT. Benton again thanked Mr. C ribs frankness,
and for the timely notice he had given; though Mr..
3. needed notice on subject like this, on which
ho was prepared 10 speak any time, Z he gentle
m on the other side had told the Senite that
there now existed national debt Of twenty seven |
millions and Rad called on the Senate for tx on
French silks ard French wines, yes, on French |
silks and French wines; for n tax on French silks |
and French wines; they had heard the words often
enough These taxes were 10 be laid to make up |