Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-04-12
Fridou. .3Dril 8.


lS SENATE The Loan Bill again under considera
ton Mr. Crit,enden spoke in reply to MIR. Rives, and
in opposition 10 Mr. Walkers amendment. MIR. Ar
cher addressed the Senate some time. lie commended,
that the lands had become The property OF the General
Government He contended that after free exercise
of the right Of this Government 10 dispose OF the pub
lac domain for the last fifty years, it would now be in
vain TO dispute is control the whole subject and
that in any court of justice competent to decide be-
tween the States and the Government, would he de-
cided this right is indsputabe. The only question,
them that arise with regard 10 the disposal OF
the public domain, is question OF expediency. The
present question OF two alternatives: whether
the wants Of the States The wants OF the General
Government should have priority in the consideration
He took this occasion 10 correct misconcepton OF
the vote which he and his colleague had given on one
of the resolutions of the late Senator from Kentucky
recently under discussion in the Senate. Neither he
nor his colleague had any purpose idea OF voting tor
repeal of the distribution ACT; their whole object was
to carry out the provisions Of the law and in conform
" with The act itself to restore the land fund to the
Treasury, now that the necessity apparent OF
transcendng the limit of tariff prescribed by the COM
promise act. But while he justified and went hand IN
hand with his colleague voting for the stnraton OF
the proceeds of the public lands the public Treasury
he could with him in the proposition 10 au
horze The specific pledge of the public domain for any
loan. lie considered such pledge would be stigma
on the honor and credit of the country.
He asked, would any gentleman tell him where there
was an instance Of any Government entitled TO high
character, having offered pledge for raising MEANS
the very offer of which implied consciousness of be-
ing out of all credit: He for one, would rather the
loan should fail altogether than give his sanction 10 such
stigma on the honor Of the Government. Already had
the other branch Of Congress- this session. by large ma
jortes, rejected this proposition, and now the Senate
asked engrat it this bill, with full knowledge
that must 90 back TO the other House to encounter
this rejection, signay foreshadowed The question
is between the party in power and their adverse
RES whether principle long commended for shall at
last be surrendered up He did not think this was the
proper occasion to press this question The question of
restoring the land fund properly belonged to The occa
sion of bringing up the bill for the adjustment Of the
tariff which must very speedily occur. Already did
the bill before the Senate embody in its provisions an
ample and comprehensive pledge-that OF the revenue
and resources of the Government What was there in
the uncertain from these lands, which
scarcely exceeded $500 900, which would be preferred
whole resources of the Government of great nation
like this,
Mr. BUCHANAN commented at some length on the
remarks Just made by the Senators from Kentucky
[slr. Crii,enden] and from Virginia mir. Archer.] j
lie contased the present declaration of the Senator
from Virginia Hr. Archer] against Pedgng The public
lands with the resolution offered BY his colleague
an amendment 10 The resolutions Of the late Senator
from Kentucky, while under consideration, and for
which the Senator Mr.. Archer had solemnly recorded
his vote. But if the Senator Opposes to pledges,
why did he euogise the bill under
which gives spe cic pledge of not only the good fath
OF the Government but Of the whole revenue of the
country, for the payment of the interest and ultimate
redemption of the debt? He did not see how the Sc
nator from Virginia could reconcile such nconsIstsn.
! cies
Mr.. WOODBURY. intimateda wish to speak on the
subject and as the hour was late, hoped an adjourn
ment would take place