Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-01-25


charucter- American, and destructive OF the
fundamental principles of the general government
Leaving this branch of the subject, MI NJ. pro-
ceeded TO state his objections TO the presumption
system. permanent system of presumption was
proposed. The bill proposed by the committee
a on public lands was log cabin bl so called. IL
was rather bounty bill "a bill to establish an en-
arged system Of benevolence for infants ana wd-
, ows-many Of whom would not and could not,
from the necessities of the case, derive any benefit
q from the execution ofthe law.
The bin if executed would result in rs much
benefit to the Spectator as to the real log cabin
: man. 1t could he enjoyed more than once by
f the same man. The right of pre- emption could
be enjoyed 10y one man in one state, and 10y the
same citizen in another. ifthe pre- emptor could
elude the vigilance of the officers, the right of
presumption would he exercised in every state
, where there were lands to lie entered.
Mr. Mangun said he could not subscribe to the
doctrines which had been advanced by some of
the friends of the presumption overwhelmingly,
that the lands long in market were not worth the
minimum price. He knew better than this and
in proof of it quoted from public documents
showing that the sales ofpublic lands in Missouri,
Alabama and Ohio, long, even forty years in
market, had brought the minimum price. The
public officers of the government estimated what
refuse lands would bring in every instance
they have brought more than the estimates
more than two-od moro than the estimates.
The public lands in ST. Louis county MOI bad
been estimated worth 100000 They had
brought 100000 into the Treasury, and half
million of ucres were left More striking facts
were demonstrated in the State of Ohio.
Mr. Mangum followed with n high compliment
to the West-ihe enthusiasm and the generosity
of her peoplc-their enterprise and courage.
With all this they needed no peculiar stimulus
which would give them undue advantage over the
old states The pre-emplion system was unequal
h.ar llp ;nll,
Iiiicaly.
The bill was further discussed by Mr. Mangum
and in most able and eloquent manner In al
luding 10 the reference to log cabins, Mr.. nj. re-
GREETED that party slang and party words had been
brought into the debate; but since they had been
alluded to, Mr.. H. felt bound TO inform the
friends Of the administration that they had mista-
ken the high and generous log cabin principles so
popular in The country,
The log cabin principles of the administration
pnrty were limited to Squirting down upon the
public lands undera right Of pre-enption. The
log cabin principles of the party to come into
power, and which had been so signally sustained
were higher and nohler principles. They were
the principles of lbcriy-a desire 10 restore the
country to its ancient landmarks wish for
honesty and justice in The administration of the
affairs of the government Il desire for good and
to do good TO the whole American people.
Mr. Linn of Mo. replied briefly, when Mr.. Cal
houn obtained the floor, aud moved M adjourn.
ment.
The House was occupied by the Naylor case,
Mr. N. replying to Mr. IngersoL
Tuesday, Jan. ~. In the Senate, MIR Calhoun
moved his amendments the pre-empton bill,
ceiling the lands 10 the States in which they lie,
and supported his project with a speech. His
principal arguments were these. that ccssion of
the lands is the only remedy for excitement
long, veXatious and expensive legislation on this |
subject; and that the lands are not worth the |
minimum price, because they remain unsod, he
assumes his,) and at the rate they have been sold
will hot ne disposed of these forty years. lie
thought it best 10 cede them at once to the states,
and let than dispose of them on certain resric.
tons, one Of whchfxes the minimum price of the
lands ut l2 2 cents per acre.
Mr. CrtteEden replied in speech which is said
TO have entirely overturned the nulIiGer.
Nj Benton then brought forward what array of !
words he had in store, in support Of his scheme
vcxed, however, at the discontinue lle had ex-
perjenced from Mr. Crttenden, he commenced
abusing the great body of the nation who had e.
leccd Gen. Harrison, and reeraedthe contempt
tible charge of British influence md British brib-
cry.
Mr. Crittcndcn replied that This was II grave
charge TO bring against II free people; the accusa-
ton was vague; the senator should he more
specific in his allegations. There were collected
in the Senate witnesses from every staie in the
Union. Let him specify where this corruption
occurred. lie (Mr. C.) would answer for Ken
lucky, and Ieuressly repel the foul charge; others
would answer for their own state.
In the House, Mr.. Green of Ny. asked leave TO
introduce resolution, instrucling the coinmittee
of Ways and Means to report bill laying duty
on silks and wines. Mr. Pckens objected, and
the resolution was postponed.
Wednesday, Jan. l3. In the Senate, John
Leeds Kerr OF Md. took his seat. Mr.. Preston
of S. C. made an eloquent and able reply to his
colleague, (Mr Cshoun,) maintaining that us
Congress held the public lands ntrt,st, and not
in fee simple, il had no constitutional power to
cede these lands TO the states in which they lie.
lie clearly and forcibly illustrated the inequality
and injustice of MIR Calhoun 5 plan of cession,
by showing HAT it would give Arkansas 43 mil
lions OF acres with population of only $4,000,
while it would give Ohio only one million OF
acres, with population of one million and half.
This would give TO each inhabltaD OF Arkansas
over $40 ncres and to each inhabitant Of Ohio
Two thirds of one acre. How just! And still,
again while each inhabitant Of Arkansas receives
$40 acres, the Inhabitants Of the old states, the
original proprietors Of the land, whe patrioticay
gave up their titlefor the common good, receive
no land al all How very just1 Mr. Phelps an
nounced the death of Hon. Stephen IIaight, Ser
geant- alarms Of the Senate, and moved an ap-
preparation of $500 to defrpy the expenses of
having his body Inferred in Vermont. The reso-