Litchfield enquirer., 1841-07-01

Esq of Sharon and adopted during the late session of the legislature we have the pleasure this week of lay ing before our Feaders--not having had room during the session to do so.
 The Joint Select Committee to whom wns referred
 sO much Of the Governors Speech relates to the
 Public Domain together with sundry documents on
 the subject from several ot the states nave mad the
 same under consideration, and beg leave to
 REPORT:
 That they have devoted that attention to the sub ject which it's great importance demands, and after much examination and inquiry, are of the opinion that the proceeds of the sale of the public lands should e distributed amongst the several States m propnr ton 10 their population From sources entitled to tn main is iy0S5, ,536 ,252 acres The Indian title has been extngnished to 3I9, ,25e acres; ot which there were ceded, up to Sept: 1888, to twelve new States and Territories 12 AIS acres; and sold up to Sept ls4O s3sO7,8 acres leaving 222, 99s Ol4 acres. subject to immediate disposition by the United States Of the value of this immense territory, some gate of the sales of the public lands. from the year 1883, to Sept. 90 l840, inclusive amounted 10 S72' 269, 749. At the minimum price. the remaining quan. tIty would amount to more than $21SOOO,0oo Ot the variety of henevoiPRt to which Connecticut could appropriate har share o this treasure, 1t s need less to remark The citisc m this State, regard the public lands as the property of all he St1es and that the revenue arising thercfFom, should be dIsposed ot for the common benefit of oil the United States They have long viewed with deep anxiety and alarm, the attempts made in our national legislature, to WTeSt domain. and cannot but consider such attempts, ns outrage upon the pghted faith ot the General t5o vernmen, and violation of the plaInest prlnclpes of fjus,ice h May l7s6, the Legislature of Connect cut, actunted by that spirit of generous pariotsm which influenced the men oFtbat day, "released and ceded the United States in Congress assembled, for the common use aud benefit of said States Connec' cut inclusive, all thai vast terrltury extending west ward of her present boundary Co tle Pneiic Ocean This cession was made on the fnh of the following resolution passed in the Congress of the United States in l7SO. %
 "Resolred, That inc unopprorriated lands that may be ceded or rsnquished 10 the United States by any particular State, pursuant to the recommendation of Congress in Sept last, shall be disposed o for the common benefit of the United States
 Your committee consider this a solemn pledge on the part of the General Government that the stipula ons therein contained, should be sacredly observed on condition ofcession, and that the pledge cannot be violated without fragrant injustice. Without this qua rantee this plghted faith, Connecticut would never have rslinquished her claim, but wonld now have domain gra nted hy the charter of Charles the 2d, and purchased by the lavish expenditure of prop erty and of hfe from the French war down through the Revolutionary struggle. The citizens of Connect. icut do most solemnly protest acains. any assunp ton of authority by the General Government to take the property of one portion of the Union and hes!ow it on another, unwarranted by the Constitution. and gross violation Of the rights of the people. If the United States government is trustee for the sev: eral States which have rsliHushed their lands. tand the subject is divssied of a doubt, for there is no principle oflaw better established than thnt trustee is bound to account for his agency :o the party Tn whose favor the trust was created. Although we do pretend that the General Government can be en. forced to do this, yet would not entertain doubt that justice and equity will characterize alt s meas ures. The citizens of Connecticut would therefore respec; fully but decidedly assert their claim to just apporonment of the proceeds ofthe sales o the pub lie lands, from thorough conviction which no soph- stry shake that their rights founded upon the mmutable principles of justice Your committee ,uould tLovefro nd tho adopon of i'm fol. lowing resolutions. 4-
 RcssiUsd 6y tAs Senate end House e Representatives. main, acquired n has been, by the sacrifices and rensuFe of the people a the several states the co property of all e ssafes. and that the proceeds thereof should be distributed among the states in pro-
 ResOlued, That we protest against the surrender of this common property or any portion of it, to any of the states without just eqny alent therefor as unjust and manifest violation Of the rights of the states col lecively, and opppsed to the principles of ts acqls
 oD: md the conditions on which il wss accepted by
 Resolved, That while we would willingly aid the actual settler in his endeavors to secure for himself home and a competency. we cannot countenance snch measures of preemp'ion as will furnish unprn- tunes, hv the sacrifice of public property.
 Resolred, That we see no good reason why the minimum price of the public lands should he reduced. pose, as unjust to those who have already become settlers and injurious to the interests Of the states
 Resolved, That the Senators and Representa:vss of this state in Congress- will consult the wishes, form to the views and promote the interests of the people of this siate by acting in accordance with the foregoing resolutions, and they hereby individual. lv requested their utmost exertions 10 carry out the principles therein contained.
 Resoired, Tha. His Excellency tho Governor he requested 10 transmit copies of the foregoing reso
 ons, with the accompanying report. to each ot me Senators and Representatives in Congress from this state with request that the may be laid before their respec c,ve Legislatures.