The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-07

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preemption for foreigners any body Mr.. B. here
explained Mr. Crittenden continued--whst he
meant to say was this and that if the bill
was to pass, he had offered these amendments with
view TO confne its privileges to citizens Of the United
States or those who intended TO become so.
The honorable gentleman said, that the difference
between them had dwindled down to mere matter Of
tweedle dun and tweede-dee. He Mr.. CD confessed
that he loved his countrymen little better than
any body else-and those who came here among US,
who prasped hands with and swore to live and die
among us than those who do not come at all come
here only to make their foriune-to him Mr.. b , Il
might be tweede-dum and tweede- debut il seemed
to involve high American feelings, and principles ofle
gisation Of great Importance.
Mr. PORTER, of Michigan, presented an amend
ment which he wished incorporated at the consent OF
Mr. Crttenden with his amendments. The ques
ton was finally taken on the original amendments)
Mr. ALLEN, of Ohio, gave his reasons why he
would against the amendments. In point OF fact
the amendments amounted to nothing The declara-
ton of intention TO become citizen might b. made
with truth, but il not conclusive.
Mr. WRIGHT, Of New York, wished to discuss,
for a few moments what he b.lieyed to be the real
sye privileges He understood that the bill before usre
quircd all pre-emploners whether citizens foreign
ers, to pay the price-the minimum pIice-established
by law. He asked if there any in the
passage Of this law, whatever shape might give it
= that we should change all legislation in refe-
to the sales Of public lands That we had here
tofore made no inquiries, when lands were entered
whether they entered by foreigners new idea
had started in the debate that to exclude To-
reigners from lands. In Of the States could
foreigners hold lands against the State-in his
own they could not at least. They cannot transmit
by inheritance Suppose foreigner comes and pur
chases land-and the institutions of the State do not
permit him to hold and transmit the title without be-
coming citizen. He takes the title and never be-
comes a citizen What is the consequence He
takes il for the benefit of the State where the land is
situated If attempt to exclude them, what is the
consequence if we dol That by our legislation, we
exclude certain set of purchasers who, the moment
they pay the money and get title of the land bring it
within the power of our institutions and laws-t was
for the benefit Of the Government-for the benefit of
the Treasury and Of the States. Shall we in
terere with the States if they have chosen 10 say that
a foreigner may hold and convey real estate2 He
thought they getting into question which does
not belong to legislation and the whole legisa-
ton Of the country showed that they raising
question with which they properly had no concern.
After some debate by Messrs. PoRTER, TApPAN,
CLAY, of Alabama, CLAY, of Kentucky, BUCHANAN,
and SMITH, of Indiana, the question the amend
ments was taken, and decided in the negative,
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
The PRESIDENT submitted a communication
from the Governor of the State of Missouri transmit
ting copy of law of that State for the settlement Of
the boundary between Missouri and Iowa
On motion of Mr.. BENTON, the bill was ordered
to be printed and referred to the Committee the
Judiciary
Also a commu nication from the Treasurer of the
United States with of the contingent
penses of the Post Office Department which laid
on the table, and ordered to be printed.
Also, communication from the Navy Department
transmitting sixty copies Of the Navy Register for
ls40 which was laid on the table
Mr.. TALLMADGE presented the memorial Of citi-
Of the city of New York. praying the passage of
general bankrupt law and
similar memorial from citizens of Lockport New
York. which, bill has been reported, were laid
the table.
Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana, presented resolutions of
the Legislature Of the State Of Indiana instructlng
their Senators endeavor procure the passage of
law by Congress to confirm the selection of lands
along the w abash and Erie Canal made by Indiana,
in lieu of Indian reservations; which was referred to
the Committee Roads and Canals.
Mr.. BUCHANAN presented six memorials from
merchants and citizens Of Philadelphia, praying that
the spirit portion of the navy ration may be abo'
shed, and the substitution Of tea or coffee thereor
which were referred to the Committee on Pensions
On motion of Mr. NORVELL, the memorial of citi-
of Michigan praying for the imposition Of duty
on fish imported from the Canadas, file, was
referred TO the Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. STURGEON gave notice that, to morrow, he
would ask leave to introduce hill making small APP
pronration for the Patent Office
Mr.. PRENTlSS presented the petition of citizens
of Hardwick, VI, praying for the abolition of slavery
and the slave trade in the District Of Columbia and
Territories of the United States the motion to receive
which was,
On motion MIR. KING, laid upon the table.
Mr. WRIGHT presented memorial from a num-
Der of citizens of New York, praying the passage
of general bankrupt law; which was laid on the
table.
Mr.. w also presented a memorial numcrously
signed by citizens of New York demonstrating against
the passage Of bankrupt law similar in its provisions
to the passed at the last session which was laid
on the table, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. WHITE presented the petition Of a number of
settlers on the public lands praying that pre- empons
may be granted to lands settled and cultivated by
them which referred TO the Commiiteeon Public
Lands,
Mr. GRAHAM in pursuance of previous notice
asked and obtained leave TO introduce bill to cause
monuments TO be erected to the memory of Bripadier
General Francis Nash and Brigadier General William
Davidson which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Revolutionary Claims
Mr. NORVELL submitted the following resolution
which considered and agreed to
Resoired, That the Secretary Of War communicate
to the Senate such additional reports have been
ccived since those formerly submitted in reference
the construction of the Potomac acqueduct; and also
such further information he may have in reference
to the kyanizng of the timber for the said aque
duct.
Mr. YOUNG submitted the following resolution,
which was considered and agreed 10
Resoired That the Committee on Military Affairs
kn lnin o.