Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-06-28

will insist upon is too plain to DO mistaken .s-lt is-
that which Is contained in the deeds of cesson
from the Siates which originally owned the lands,
TO the United States, viz. that tho lands, the
avails, when sold shall go TO tho equal benefit Of
all the States Such is the import of these reso-
lutions and such are the obvious demands oflaw
mud Justice Conn. Courdni.
The Joint Select Committee 20 whom was refer
red 10 much Of the Governors speech as re-
lates TO the public domain, together with sundry
documents on this snIjoct from several Of the
States, have had the same undcr consideration,
and beg leave TO
REPORT:
Tint they have devotcd that attention to the
subject which its Importance demands, and after
much examination and inquiry arc of opinion
that the proceeds of the sale Of the public lands
should l,e distributed amongst the several states in
proportion to their population. From sources en-
titled 10 full credit 1t appears that the quantity OF
the pubic domain is ten hundred ninety five mil
lions five hundred aud thirty six Thousand two
hundred md fifty two ucres. The Indian title hns
been extingushed TO three hundred nineteen mil
lions five hundred and thirty six Thousand Two
hundred md fity.two acres; Of which, there
wore coded, up to September 1928 to twelve new
States and territories, twelve million seven hun
drod and thirty six thousand four hundred and
eighteen ncros and sold up 10 September 1870
eighty three millions eight hundred mud seven
thousand eight hundred and twenty ncrcs; loay-
ing two hundred and twenty TWO millions nine
hundred and ninety two thousand and fourteen
ncres subject 10 the immediate disposition of the
United States. OF the value of this immense ter
rioiy, some estimate can be formed from the nct,
that the aggregate Of the sales Of the public lands,
from the ycnr 1888, to Sept. 3d. 1910, inclusive,
amounted to seventy'two millions two hundred
sixty nine housand seven hundred and forty nine
dollars At the minimum price, the remaining
quantity would amount 10 more iInn two hundred
and seventy eight millions of dollars. OF thu va
and hapo hiell
Connecticut could appropriate her share of this
treasure, il is needless 10 remark. The citizens
of this state, regard the public nAds The proper
ty of all The States, aud that the revenue arising
therctrom, should 10 disposed Of for the common
benefit oil all the United States. They havo long
viewed with deep anxiety and alarm, tho attempts
made in national legislature, TO wrest from the
old States their share of the national domain, and
cannot but consider such attempts DIS an outrage
upon tho plighted faith Of the General Govern
ment, and a violation of tho plaincst principles of
justice. In May, 1887, tho Legislature Of Con-
nectcut, aciuaed by TINT spirit Of generous pat
rotsm which influenced the msn ut that day,
''re!cnsed and coded 20 the United States in Con-
grcss assembled for the common use and benefit
Of said States, Connecticut inclusive" all that
vnst territory extending westward of her present!
boundary TO the Pacific ocean, This cession was
made On the faith Of the following resolution pas.
sod in the Congress of the United States in 1850.
may be ceded or renquislIed 10 the United Stntes
by any particular state, pursuant 10 the recon-
mendniiun of Congress in September last, shall I've
disposed of for the common benefit OF the United
S,aes"
Your committee consider this solemn pledge
on the part of the General Government, that the
stipulation therein contained, should he safredly
observed condition Of ccsSOn, and that the
pledge cannot be violated without fragrant in us
lice. Without this guarantee, this plighled faith,
Connecticut would never have relinquishcd her
claim, but would now have been the rec pient OF
treasures derived from that immense domain,
granted by the Charter of Charles the 81, and
purchased hy the lavish expenditure of property
and life from tho French war down through tho
Revolutionary struggle. The citizens Of Connect
cut do most solernny protest against any nssump-
ton OF authority by the General Government to
take the property ofone portion of the Union, and
bestow it on another, as unwnrrantcd by the Con-
stilution, and gross violation OF Tho rights of the
people. IL The United States government is u
trustee for tho several states which have ren-
quished their lands, land the committee cannot
view it in any other light,) then the subject is d
vested OF all doubt, for there is no principle OF law
better established than that trustee is bound 10
account for his agency 20 the party in whose ia
vor tho trust created. Although we do not
pretend that the General Government Gun he en-
fore cd to do this, yet would not entertain q
doub. that Justice and equity will characterize all
its measures. The citizens of Connecticut would
therefore respectfully but decidedly assert their
claim TO n just apportionment oil tho proceeds oil
the public lands, from thorough conviction
which no sophistry can shake, that their rights
arc founded upon the immutabe principles OF
Justice. Your committee would therefore recon-
mend the adoption of the following resolutions.
Resolved, by The Senate and House Of ReprcSen
tativeS in General assembly convened, That the
public domain, acquired rs il hns been, by the
sacrifices and treasure Of the people OF the several
States, is the common property OF all the Sfdtes
and that the proceeds thereof should be dislribu-
ted among the States in proportion TO their pop
ulaliOn.
RESOLVED, That VIC protest against the surrender
Of this common property, or any portion OF IL 10
any Of the States, without just equivalent there
for, as unjust, and manifest violation OF the
rights OF tho statss collectively, and opposed to the
principles of its acquisition, and the conditions OIL
which it was accepted 10y the U States
Resolved 1but while we would willingly aid
the actual settler in his endeav0rs 10 secure tor
himself home and competency, we canno
countpnance such measures Of preemption as VIII
furnish unprnciplcd spectators the power to a
mass individual fortunes, by the sacrifice Vi puDiit
property.
Rcsoired, That we see no good reason why the
minimum price of tho public lands should he re
duced, aud protest against nny attempts maze FOL
that purpose, unjust 10 those who have already
become seltlcr., and injurious 10 the interests Of
the States
Resolued, That the Senators and Represents
tivcs of tins Stale in Congress, will consult the
wishes conform to the views, and promote The
interests of The people of this state, by acting IL
accordance with tic foregoing resolutions, and
they nre hereby individually requested 10 use hcil
uluost exeriions 10 carry out the principles there
| in contained.
Rssolred, That his EXccllcncy tho Governor
be instructed TO transmit copies OF the foregoing
resolutions, with the accompany ing report t" e"c'
of The s;ennors and Representatives in Congress
from This state and TO the Governor of each state
with request that The same may be laid before
lhoir respective Legislatures.
Per order.
AUGUSTUS MILES, Chairman.
The following resolutions have also been adopted