The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-05
IN SENATE,
MONDAY, Jan. 4, lSil

PERMANENT PROSPECTIVE PRE-EMPros SYSTEM
The Senate, to-day, was occupied chiefly with the
consideration Of the bill introduced by Mr. Benton
under the following title
"a bill to establish a permanent prospective pre-
cmon system 10 favor Of settlers on the public lands
who should inhabit and cultivate the same and raise
log cabin thereon"
Mr. CLAY, of Ala, and Mr.. BENTON adyocat-
ed at considerable length the provisions Of the mea-
sure and the general principles Of the presumption
policy.
Mr. PRENTIsS, of Vermont, opposed the mes-
sure in a clear and forcible speech.
Mr. MANGUM called upon the authors and lead
ing supporters Of the measure TO give more explicit
exp ston of its character and of the meaning OF its
provisions than they had yet vouchsaied. He then
proceeded to express his decided hostility to the whole
system which they wished to establish. He thought
il unfair and unjust and calculated TO operate for the
benefit exclusively Of the border population, and
AGAINST the interests Of the old States.
At the suggestion Of Mr.. MANGUM, the phrase
ology of the bill was modified to limit the benefits
of tie bill to free white persons.
He also moved to amend the bill to limit its
benefits to CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.
MIR. CALHOUN asked what We're the regulations
OF the new States themselves to aliens holding
land and intimated that he would, by his vote, CON
form to their practice.
Mr.. CLAY, Of Alabama said that, SO Tar as ne
knew, aliens were permitted to hold land IN all the
new States, and no Inconvenience had resulted IRON
the practice
Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana suggested the proprety
Of postponng the farther discussion OF the bill or the
present 50 as to allow time for more deliberate con
sideration He stated his impression to be- though he
did not speak from certain knowledge, that the laws OF
Indiana do not allow aliens to hold land
Mr. BUCHANAN avowcd his READINGS to meet
the proposition of Mr. MANGuM with decided mega
tive The question, he said, had been raised In 1888,
and after discussion, decided against imposing
any such limitation, 50 as TO exclude foreigners.
Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky, spoke with great ANNA
ton and earnestncss in favor of the proposition TO
limit the peculiar and extraordinary privilege conferred
by the bill TO citizens Of The United States; and
ayowed his readiness to cast his vote he did in
1888.
After few remarks from Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Ben
ton, and Mr. Clay, Of Alabama, the question was put
and decided in the negatiye-Ayes IL, Noes 80.
So the amendment proposed by Mr.. Mangum was
rejected
The bill was then laid over till tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
UNIFORM BANKRUPT LAW
Numerous petitions and memorials asking for the
passage of law establishing uniform system OF
bankruptcy were presented to-day.
GRADUATION BILL.
Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, called up the bill intro
duced by him providing for the reduction and sradua-
ton of the price of tide public lands.
But il was passed at the suggestion Of Mr..
CLAY, of Kentucky, who said before the discussion
should be begun he wished the information which he
had called for by resolution, relating to the public
lands, to be before the Senate.
REPEAL OF THE sUB-TREAsURy.
Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, said he moved to take
the of the Senate the resolution he had sub
mted for the repeal of the sub Treasury time
when it would be convenient to its friends and oppo-
nents and he would call it up, on some future day
TERRITORY OF IOWA
Mr. SMITH from the Committee on the Judiciary
made unfavorale report on the memorial from the
Territory of Iowa asking for certain change in its
fundamental laws.
WABASH AND ERIE CANAL.
The bill to confirm to the State of Indiana the land
selected by her for that portion Of the Wabash and
Erie Canal which lies between the mouth of Terre
Haate and Tippccanoe River, and for other purposes,
was passed, and sent to the House for
Numerous petitions and memorials presented
and appropriately referred