Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-04-08

As The largest portion of the best land has been Gull
ed within the ceded limits, emigration is constantly
tending to the States West OF the Mississippi; hence
hereafter the proceeds Tor distribution VIII De NANNY
derived from that section.
Nuch has been said about the immense value oil Inc
national domain. This we would not dePrecate IL
is literally the garden ofhe world. From lis present
uninhablte wastes will rise States as rich ana Us
DO werfui as those The seaboaid In rum, IL pos
sesses every capacity patriot might desire 10 sustain
dense happy, and virtuous population. lis po-
teal value is ncacuable, but It's financial value Is the
great humbug, by which petty politicians. and dema
gogues hope to rise into power, IN their EFFORTS 10 eA
cite the rapacily Of the old States
In fact the Government is not The proprietor III ee
is only the great pre- emponer. Ii claims Jurisdic
ton over The soil, but not the right 10 the sou un'h
,,rchosed Of the natives Oflae, and most honorably
The treaties provide that the land shall be sold by the
Federal Land Offices lat not less than $ % acre
and all the proceeds (alter deducting ordinary ex
uenses) be applied TO the use of the granting Indians
Such was the basis OF The treaty with the Chickasaws
of Mississippi and Alabama.
The consequence of perssting IN policy SO mani
fesy humane just will be- that all future purchases
from the Indians will not bring dollar into the Nation
al Treasury.
But mark the change that may spring from this law
As the States will be eager for money Tor disrbuton
Tho Federal Government will be mpeed BY this public
ranacty to drive hard bargains with the natives as
ayarice can suggest in order that these purchases may
weld larger dividend to the State from the public
granary. IN
1t is lesson too clearly read in the history of all
nations that the path of avarce will be followed SUI
fernc and injustice stop not its crushing car-all must
WELD So will it be with the Indian when 1t becomes
the interest of all the States to grind him to the dust
There is one point which your committee would suS-
gest as worthy Of the consideration oil statesmen Eve
nv comprehensive mind will admit the necessity oil re-
cmrocatinr the regulations OF other nations.
In many cases it is important TO the peace and well
fare Of the country that in the negotiation of treaties
stipuatons be inserted that If one nation VIII educe
the impos on particular arucie the olher WIZ feci'
procate this act.
For instance England levies an enormous duty on
our flour Time may convince her that It would be
wiser to reduce this duty, provided the U. 3 Will re-
duce the mpust on some staple oil England ~
This new and free interchange oil commodities may
be far more beneficial to the wealth and strength and
harmony of the two nalions than the high duty prev
ousy levied.
But to do this it is essential that our Government
should be independent Its necessities should not be
so pressing as forbid preven reduction, such
be required by the public veal Heretofore, the Gene
raj Government has possessed revenue apart from Inc
customs. The public lands have brought IN sum,
moderate it Isl which, with It's other resources, rem
ders our Government, entirely Independent, and capa-
BILE Of recprocaling at all times The comfy and advan'
ces of other nations This course has given higher
character 10 foreign policy than that of any other
country, in either ancient or modem history
But the Distribution law depriws the Government
Hereafter it must be solely dependent upon the reve
nues from customs and these Will be no more than
sufficient for its ordinary expenditures, even under
high protective tariff, how then, can the Government
reduce the duty single important article, should
ven the national welfare mperIousy demand II:
AS your committee had previously remarked, the
funds for distribution must be Infinitely raised by tax
alton.
In confirmation Of this Mr.. Clay at the Extra Ses
siou urged upon Congress the necessity of taxing tea
and coffee lie then said, (but after the passage OF this
Distribution law,) that the Government could not move
without this tax and that if postponed then, would
be levied at the present session.
| This your committee believe Unless this law is re-
peaed, coffee and tea must be taxed. The revenue
from other imports will not suffice for the ordinary
penses Of the present Administration.
The necessities of the Government are SO pressing
since the public lands are diverted that il must grasp
every source OF taxation.
The question will then arise, whether II is better to
continue this law to impose tax on these necessa-
ry comforts Of the poorer classes.
There be hesitation which Of these alternatives
TO choose.
The poor consume nearly much tea End coffee as
the rich. 1t IS their chiefluxury. We might truly say
| it is necessity
The money 10 be distributed upon few remote ca
nails would be paid by tax on every family in the
State
Can this be the Justice of a Republican Government
a law bringing consequences like these cannot stand.
1t must De repedleu peOple VIII bNFi
cuators and stock obhers The day OF deluso has
passed The omnous fact, that partner in the great
stock jobbng house of Barring, Brothers ~ Co. was IN
anxious attendance at Washington during the extra ses
sion nursing the progress of this extraordinary law
has convinced the intelligent and rejecting Of all par
ties that it intended TO favor foreign brokers and
bankers by an indirect assumption Of State debts.
The committee have, therefore, come 10 the concu-
sion, that law liable TO many constitutional obJec
tions-so centralzng and consolidating in It's tenden
attnn1
laton-so degrading and demoralIzng to the State Go
yernments-so destructive of our efficiency abroad-sc
contingent and UNI ust in It's operaton-so certain &c
result in debt and a1aton and, truth, productive
of such an infny Of evils, ought to be repealed.
Therefore, ResO'red, That our Senators in Congress
be instructed and Representatives be requested to
vote for immediate repeal of the act to appropriate
the proceeds of the public lands passed at the Extra
Session. September 4lh, in the year lS4l.
Repor, the Committee on Public Lands.-We lay
this able document before readers to-day II
the Land Distribution Lac, and holds up its odous nc
Objectionable features in their true light.
Mr. Craner has done the subject ample justice The
report is drawn mp with great vgor and force; and l'
facts and conclusions, think every candid reader
will pronounce irresistible.
The subject acquires additional interest from The fact
that three days after this report had been submitted,
feature of special message to Congress, the repeal
the Distribution Law. This circumstance if any thing
were wanting, comes in, with great force, to strength
en- The conclusions of the report and the resolution pro
posed by the committee for the action of the Legislature
[4iJany Argus
Fl TIE MoSEY.-Our Federal Wing brethren OF Re
tcrsburg in their Bollngbrook resolutions, while they
slide cautiously and ambguousy some other great
Wing measures, take strong ground in favor of re-
ceivug the Distribution Fund. This is in good keep
ing with their usual tactics. Their avorle game is 10
hold up gltterng promise of money before the eyes
Of the people. Their favore appeal is TO the more
sordd feelings of avarcc and sefnterest. They say
to the people "Come, put Us IN power, and we will
make you rich-we will relieve you've will govern
you without taxing you've will kill the goose and give
You the golden egg !"
The Federal Wings of Petersburg, though quite cha
~ in committing themselves have joined issue the
Distribution question. The Integencer, regardless Of
the "exhansed" condition of the Treasury, and the
alarming state of public affairs, both at home and
abroad flies ut his masthead signal, which, LAND