, 1841-02-13
WHOLE NUMBER 1872.

surveyed, plated, and in the market, show
ing that the progress of extinguishing the IT,
Ties of the Indians has far outrun the de-
mands of the country for government lands,
as great as it has been. In fact, the reality
far exceeds the statement, as strong Us that
is; for, Of the eighty-one millions OF acres
sold, upwards OF thirty-eight millions were
sold in the years 1885, g and z, during the
great expansion Of the currency and rage for
speculation in lands, Of which but a small
portion, perhaps not a third, was for settle
ment; and of the residue, a greater part say
twenty millions, is still for sale in the hands
of large purchasers. Making proper allow
ance for the speculative operations Of those
years. the actual sale OF The pubic lands for
settlement. during the period Of fifty years,
which has elapsed from the beginning Of the
government. would not probably exceed six
" millions Of acres, about one fourth rs much
as that to which the Indian title is now extin.
guiShed.
But numbers can give but 4 very imper-
feet conception nf the vast extent OF the re-
zion t" which the Indian title is extinguished,
and of which the government is the sole and
exclusive proprietor. To form a correct
idea Of lis great magnitude. it will be neces-
sarv To compare IL To- portions of the Union,
the extent of which ia familiar TO all. To
enable me to do that, a friend has furnished
me with Il statement. from which II appears
that ii I'LL TIE land now unsold. and TO which
the Inlnn tile is cxIInguished, was grouped
fnrrrhri. u would be equal in extent to all
New E.n.land. New York, New jersey,
Pennsylvania. Delaware. Maryland, Virginia
and a ;hird of North Carolina. But this falls
far short nG the vast extent Of the region
thruunE"ut which it lies diSpersed-a region
cquallin" all the Old Atlantic States, taking
IN AL Fl"riia. The states Of Alabama and
Mississippi. and half Of Tennessee. Into
this .a>; and unoccnried domain. our people,
wrh 4 mrlti'aie nf foreigners. are pouring
ve,r!v N one inrcssant t,le. by thousands
u thousands. saekins new homes. SON with
'hr mcar> of rurrha Iu". "hn select the best
lands: others with Insufficient means, who
select u cir place. and settle. wnh the hope
If purchasing IN Il short time: and Il lIrge
class NI:hnut means. "ho settle en- spots,
WI hou' any fixed intention hut 10 remain so
l"nr rs they are u~nd;s'urbed, generally on
tracts If inferior quality having the advan-
tage If a spring. with a small portion OF
more fertile land. sufficient for their limited
cultivation, but not sufficient to induce a
purchaser Ia take it AT the government price.
This class cf settles had greatly increased, If
| am correctly informed, within the last ten
or fifteen wears. and are rapidly and still in
creasing. especially in the West and South
western States. where the proportion of good
10 inferior land is comparatively small, and
mus, continue to increase with accelerated
rapidliv. so long as the present land system
remains as it is.
Those who have had an opportunity Of
witnessing the effect of such occupancy on
the minds Of the settlers, will not be at a loss
10 anticipate the consequences which must
follow unless arrested. Occupation long
and undisturbed. accompanied by improve
mcnt. however limited. cannot fail TO be as
sncia,cd with the idea of property, in the
soil. Ii Is that. in fact. which constitutes the
primitive right in land. This will be felt in
common by all the occupants similarly situa-
tcd-wIl be sure to create an esprit de corps,
accompanied by mutual respect for each 9TH
ers' rights. which would not fail to make it
dangerous for any one to disturb the rights
of another. This feeling will not be long in
. showing itself towards the emlgrant intru-
der. rs he would he considered, coming in
with the view OF purchase. lie WouIu Hnu
it not n little hazardous TO enter and purchase
a spot held by a mere occupant, or squatter,
If YOU will. and Gus, him OF his possession.
In a short time. no one who regards his peace
and safety. will attempt it; and then the fec
ling. which began with the poorer class, will
extend rapidly upwards to the more wealthy,
until. finally none will look TO any other title
but occupancy and improvement. and ALL
the rich and poor. will become squatters. with
a common interest TO maintain and defend
each other. when the public lands will be lost,
and cease In hc any lon CT Il source of reve-
nue., If uoih;nc lie done tn stop it. For the
truth OF the P.ctu'c | appeal to tie Senators
from lie new States. especially from those,
%parIicul rly the Western and Southwestern.
We have thus presented the difficult ques-
lion. what is To be done ~ remedy II?
1t Is perfectly natural TINT the first impress
,inn should be. 10 keep out iutruders on the
public lands. The lands belong to the peo-
pie of the Cninn rs COMMON property. AMI 1t
would seem c"nir1r, to reason and Justice,
that anv one sh"uii L. rrr.niitcd "a enter OH
and annrOnria,C the use nI thu To- himself,