The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-07

ifpm these three sources. These public lands, from
Whatever source derived had been and still were sub
lsc' 70 the indianutle This title of occupancy.
No o,i'r power was sufficient 10 diyes this title,
eec 'he power OF sovereignty OF the United States
iiere were but two waysin the.present system, of
purchasing the lands One, by sales at auction, and
'ne o'oei ny settling on and entering these lands at
lhe minimum prices, which had become from custom
'ie "a" Vi me land or at least considered by
the settler, lie should not now 90 into the argu-
nent on the presumption feature of The bill Il was
intimately connected with the other provisions of the
pil ana was well guarded so that il would inure To
tue t dement, OF the actual settler alone
ney had often been met at the threshold with the
argument that distribution Of the proceeds ofthe pub
he lahds was unconstitutional. Ii this irue it
settled the matter for none would think Of attempt
e 'n's scheme, however practicable il might appear,
u lhey We're not sustained by the Constitution. lie
commended that was distinctly constitutional TO dis
pose oi me proceeds of the public lands proposed
ny inns bill, IN whatever manner they were acquired
hs 70 These lands which acquired under
the ueeus OF cesslon. These deeds of cession
ceueu these lands to a common head for a Sc
parate OBJECT after the specific object had been
accomplished AT the close of the Revolutionary
war there was between the States with res
Pect 10 thslr individual shares of the lands For the
purpose OF settling this difficulty a proposition
maue 10 the individual States 10 cede the General
government Their portions Of the public lands; and he
intended To show that the debts 10 which they were 10
be applied was the payment OF revolutionary claims
hile 'ese claims we've settled he contended that they
belonged 10 The States and for proof of this he refer
req 70 me deeds of cesslon of Virginia. Georgia and
norm Carolina, in which the, ceded to the
States Virginia inclusive and " North Carolina
inclusive" This, he commended, was proof that the
cesson was not made TO the Confederation, as they
were members of it, and had this been the design,
would have been needless TO have specified the States
making the cession. lie also referred 10 the Consti
ton of the United States; and to a message of Gen
Jackson, who, he contended, placed the proceeds Of
the public lands as distinct from the other of
revenue, and expressly declared that the public lands
having been relieved from the debt which they
pledged, 1t now remains tor Congress to make such
dispos ION OF them as il may think proper"
Asto the public lands embraced in the deed of
cession; which were acquired either by the treaty Of
peace OF the Revolution, by purchase from France
or Spain. How stood thesel II was contendrd
that The revenue from these lands could not BE-
distributed, but stood on the same ground az
that derived from duties and other sources He
admitted that these lands the pro-
perty OF the country and had been purchased by the
common fund of the country. The clause OF the
Constitution which gave Congress the pow er over
these lands wa.-"Congress shall have power To dis
pose OF and m Ike all needlu rules and regulations
res ecng The territory other property belonging
I United Stats" This gave Congress the riglt to
iii Pose of the lands according to Their judgment But
the section of the Constitution relating mpost du
Ties specf ed particularly the WHICH it be
applied. Where did The General Government yet the
power to appropriate lands 10 the States for canals
Nc. II It was nota different power from that OF other
revenue, and If they had not the control over il
But it was urged that the public lands were indebt
ed he here fetrfed to the able report Of The Senator
from Alabama, (Mr. King when Chairman Of the
Committee on Public Lands, which represented the
public lands in state Of Indebtedness the Govern
men and showed various gloss OF that report
and he conlendcd that the lands creditors Of
the General Governn ent to an amount + 90 000
600 The debts had all been paid Off for hlch they
pledged and they should no longer be looked to
source of revenue.
He wished to clear this bill from the charge
brought on it. that it was to pay the States debts 1t
was no objection with him, to this bill that it would
relieve the people. He maintained this bill, not only
just TO the old States but just and generous to
the new.
II was said that this sum might be needed for other
purposes. In the first place if this needed they
proposed to supply the deficit by duty on foreign
goods and, in the next place, if they waited till this
not needed, the time would never come II ought
to be given TO the States who Justly enti-
tied to it. The Tariff bill was before them, and he
frank to confess that al this state of the rea-
sury he should not have felt bound to vote for the
distribution without it. By the revenue bill they put
the expense those who willingly took ii, while dis
tributon operated on every one, every POOR in
the country. This bill was called for by the public
voice, if bill was ever called for. Ii did not affect
the question, as its operation would be suspended
the moment commenced 1t said that the
bill not desired by the people Of the country Con
gIess exponent of the public will at tins time
tie bill had passed he popular branch, and would
pass the Senate by overwhelming majority The
public voice loud in its favor. Ii ust 10 all
HE States, and would greatly relieve them from their
ADVERTISEMENTS and place them in sound condition,
ready meet the contingencies of war; otherwise
that might arise.
Mr., LINN Suggested the propriety Of now offering
the amendments and perfectng the BILL before further
discussion
On motion of Mr.. ARCHER, the Senate went