Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-16

the last pre- emption bill was under considerations
January lc3S, the Senator from Maryland Mr. Mer.
rick had moved to exclude foreigners from the be-
ne Of its provisions; and after much debate his
ton was negatived. From the investigation which
then took place. The fact established that from the
very beginning of our land Sales foreigners had al.
ways been permitted to purchase the public lands III the
manner rs they were our o@n citizens. No IN
convenience had ever, 10 his knowledge, resulted from
this practice No person even now proposed To change
it, This was the established policy of the country
The attempt now made was not to prevent foreigners
from purchasing the public lands, but from acquiring
the right Of presumption For his part, he thought
that the alien who TO this country, trayersed tho
Atlantic States, and made settlement with his family
in the wilderness of the far West ought not To be ex
cluded from the privilege Of purchasing at the mini
mum price in preference all other persons, the small
tract of land which he had improved, merely because
he had drawn his first breath in foreign land In this
particular he ought to be placed on the footing
with our own citizens.
The uniform practice of selling the public lands tc
foreigners nterered with right Of any of The States
no matter whether aliens were permitted TO purchase
lands under their laws not. The title thus ac
CURED by the alien would be good against all mankind
except the sovereign State within whose limits the
land was situated. IF, under its laws, aliens could
hold real estate the Stale might forfeit il by the com
mon law process of escheat. None Of the State.
had ever adopted this course. On the contrary they
were all glad that emigrants from other countrie.
should purchase and cultivate these lands. He was
therefore, prepared, both principle and policy,
vote against the amendment of the Senator from n
Carolina, (Mr. Mangum)
Mr.. CLAY of Kentucky said it was very true tina
this question, had been observed by the Senator
from Pennsylvania, had been raised some years ago
and he also believed, beyond the mountains aliens
were allowed 10 hold land, but he also believed tina
there condition required in almost all the
States-in of them, residence of two or three
years Now it might be question whether they sloulc
extend the privilege except TO those holding by State
au;hority-and aliens who hold not entitled to
vote-but he (Mr. Clay opposed on principle t,
the proposition that aliens should be invited from ever,
portion the habtable globe TO take possession Of h
public lands on terms peculiarly favorable
proposed by this bill.
Whilst man is an alien owing allegiance to any 70
reign power he ought 10 exercise the right of fran
chse our country nor ought either the sers of Rus
STA, the subjects of Austria of England France
bound by their allegiance 10 foreign potentate, TO b
allowed, until they renowned their fcalty 10 their ori
ginal potenate, to enjoy the privileges of American
freemcn. On this question he hoped, neither Their
elsewhere, would there be any diversity of OPT
nion whatever there might be of the necessity of
greater less restriction in the acquisition ofhe right
Of an American citizen in the different stages of the ma