, 1841-02-13

Va
CRIrTENDEN as containing the general out
lines Of the conditions and provisions on
which the lands may be disposed of to the
States with safety and advantage to the in
terest of the Government and the Union,
and great benefit 10 those States. The de-
tails may, no doubt. be greatly improved;
for which rely on the intelligence of the
body, and critical examination of the com
mlttee, should the amendment be adopted
and referred. At the present stage. | re.
gard nothing but the great principles on
which it rests, and lis outlines. 20 be nj issue
and ! do hope, that all who may concur with
me on principle. wi" &c he amendment
their support, Whatever impericction they
NAV suppose 10 exist IN notifications. 4
measure relating Ia Il question so vast and
complicated, can be perfected in its details.
howcver sound the principles on which il
rests. ar correct It's general outlines. unlv by
the JOINT consultation and counsel. With
these remarks, II will not he necessary for
me, at this Stage. 1" give more than Il ccnrr-
al unmar OF the provisions .! the prnrOSgd
amendment.
Its object is to instruct the COMMITTEES 50
To amend the bill. rs 10 dispose u. all the pub
lie lands, lying in the States of Alahlmr.
Louisiana. Mississippi. Arkansas. Missouri.
Illinois. MichIg IN. Onn. ani lnlianl, with
the exception OF sites Tor iur,S navy AMI
dock yards. aiSena!S, magazines. ami other
public buildings; the ccSsIol not 10 take
place ill after the 3Oth June. 1872. and then
only on the States rc>pec.i""Iy agreeing II
the conditions prescribed la the amendment:
tl,t = ., ,---- r..f- 49,. E. He. ..
those c"niiiI"r>. tie most prominent OF
which is tu pay anna .!Iv. oil a dav fixed. To-
the United States. Gj per cent. Of tie cross
proceeds al tn" ; Ilcs al the lands; that the
land laws. ~ they how stand. and ~ prupnS
ed To he mniIiici by III" .Imcniucut. shall
remain unchanged. rXcrpt with ilr consent
oi Congress. that tie cc>>Iun SiI.ii he ~ full
Of the j per cent. iIad thereafter IL :ccru"
Ia those Statr>; that they shall hc cXc,U>i"c.
~ liable for the cost -! surveys. sales. oXianc-
tIon I'll Indian iIt.cS. and infringement -rDcr-
ally: that the SAFES may. within certain
prescribed limits. gradually rctIcc the pr.ce
al the lands that may REMAIN umso.i after hay
IN been offered Tor sale tr. YEAS or up
wards; may grant. :,r 4 limited period. the
rrhi al prr-cmp'I'n for Liuetv DAYS 10 TIE
actual settlers. al each step III the reduction
Il prIc": and finally. that If H." conditions 81
ceSSiun he violated 10y Il State IN auv ;~agtIru-
lar. al. titles ar -I"u'S To- land thereafter Sold
hv the State IL be null aud vo:l-ihuS CIV
ing the measure the force and s"lcmnitv at Il
compact. and placing the whole undrr tie
protection OF the courts. winch would pro-
nouncc the titles Ia he void. II made after an
iniraction ot the conditions OF the ccS>Iun.
II is not nv intention Ia 90 into an lnves-
tigatiOn of these various conditions al this
time. On n question OF reference. where the
principle only IS nj issue. IL Is not necessary.
Ii Is sufficient Ia say That The leading "hIrct
is To make as little change IN the land system.
as II now exists. rs Is consistent with the nb
iect in view. and Ia adopt such provisions as
will enforce the faithful performance Of the
terms OF ceSSion on the part ui the States.
with the least compensation iur their expense
and trouble. and loss Ia the Government. IN
Il pecuniarv point 81 view, c0nsI-tcat with
the arrangement. II II can be made 10 up
pear that there are reasonable grounds Ia
believe that the States will faithfully comply
with these conditions and that there ~Ili be
no prcuniarv I"ss la the Government, com
dltu Nll " 10 u y ''iAi II
c"n<r lmrnce of the proposed disposition. II
would seem difficult To conceive what sub
sta nrlal objection there can be 10 the meas
urr.
am 'hu< brought t" the great. ! might sav
the only question adurit,,n. Il doubt a. L" the
exncdiencv oi the measure. W Ill he State
adhere 10 their contract? or. TO cypress Il
differently, would their be danger that the
Government would lose the land. IN cnnsc'
qucncro Of the States refusing TO comply Will
the cond tons oi the c~ession? And # n"'
will the pccuniary loss 10 The Government bC
such rs 10 make it mr,pcdient, even II there
be full assurance that The terms ol c"SsioI
will not be violated?
Before | enter on the discrIsSicn al tllcs'
important points, it will be proper t" maize
n few remarks On the extent at the intereS
that would he embraced III the cesSIcn.-
Without ii, there warld lie but an imPeriec
conception Of the subject.
The quantity of public lands lying IN tn
new States. and embraced in the amendment
was estimated 10 he. on the lSt OF January
1910, about l6O.OOOOOO of acres. 1t ha
been reduced ,ilcc hy sales, the exact guam
titv not known; but il will not material,
Ill I-al Loo