Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THURSDAY, June 9Th, IsI2.
VIRGINIA LAND WARRANTS.

| Mr. STANLY, from the Committee on Public
Expenditures, reported a resolution directing the
Committee on Revolutionary Claims TO inquire into
the amount and character Of the expenditures that
have been mace by this Government in satisfaction
Of the claims for outstanding Virginia Land War
rants; and whether any further legislation IS neces-
sary TO secure the Government against loss by ma .
king payments for improper claims.
MIR GOGGlN moved TO amend the resolution,
| by striking out the Committee on Revolutionary
Claims, and inserting either select committee or
the Committee on Public Lands
lie did not, he said, move the proposed anne nd =
ment because of any want of n proper respect for,
| and confidence in, the Committee on Revolution
airy Claims. The chairman from that committee,
the gentleman from Vermont, MIR HALL It was
well known, however, entertained the strongest
objections 10 these claims for land bounties- He
mir G.) had no doubt the gentleman was honest
in the views he had often expressed this sub
Jsct. His knowledge Of that gentlemsn's general
bearing in and out Of the House forbade him 10
| think otherwise OF him. He Mr. Hail. however,
during the last Congress, had made most Elaborate
report against these claims: that report was now
| accessible to all. The country them and the House
had had the benefit of that sentleman's views, and
those Of the committee OF which he was chairman.
tie asked them If 1t was falr-if IT Just TO those
descendants OF the soldiers Of the Revolution, or
those oil the soldiers themselves who survived, tina,
subject, involving, perhaps, all they had ever TO
hope for, should be thus committed to those who
had already expressed opinion adverse TO their
claimSi IL would work, (said he'll perhaps, the
stossesi injustice to those who, Of all others, had
right TO expect from tins House that their claims
would not be overlooked or preiudged. They ex
pected justice, and they asked nothing more. The
true mode OF attaining this, he thought, to
commit this subject TO the decision and investigation
OF those who had not made up and expressed an
opinion. In the trial of all questions, this
principle that had been most strictly preserved
de could see no proprety, therefore, in departing
IRON II IN this particular instance.
MIR q, said he had, nj early period OF the ses
son. asked TO bring this subject up for the action Of
The House. He had introduced bill to allow n
further quantity OF lands, to satisfy the claims OF
the officers and soldiers Of the revolutionary war
from Virginia, 70 land bo1nty. He had asked its
reference, but the gentleman from Vermont mir
HALL had then objected, stating Le intended 10 de.
bate II; and according To the course Of business and
the rules Of the House, it had never again come up
for consideration. He feared IL would not; he had
therefore sought, on Yesterday, to amend the bill
introduced by the gentleman from Kentucky over
the way, Mr. Underworld to extend the time of is
SUING land warrants TO the soldiers Of the late war.
his amendment however, had been declared not
properly in order, with the then pending bill.
As the resolution now offered by the chairman OF
the Committee on Public Expenditures MIR Stanlyl
presented an opportunity of bringing up the subject
again, he wished it fairly presented to a proper
committee. If select committee should be ap.
pointed, he did not himself desire TO be on the com
mIttee; and he had not suggested il with a view Of
oelhS according 10 the usage OF the louise, placed
upon It. He thought that when, heretofore, the
question had come up, 1t had been referred to the
Committee on the Public Lands. In one instance,
he reeoected that favorable report had been made
by the late Chairman, Mr. Williams of N Carroll
nail and, as suggested, he said, by a gentleman
near him, Mr. Reynolds.l who was a member Of
the COMMITTEE on the Public Lands during the late
Congress, bill in favor OF making an additional al
lowance was reported from that committee, by his
colleague, MIR Garland
Mr. g. said he had not taken an interest in this
subject from his own view Of its importance only,
but that 1t came recommended TO all his colleagues
as well as himself, in both wings Of the Capitol.
The Legislature Of Virginia had twice, since he had
been hefe-unanimousy, he beeved-passed re-
solutions IN favor Of further appropriation; and
had instructed her Senators, by all fair means, to
procure further appropriation. He could mo-,
therefore, CONSENT 10 its going TO a committee ad-
verse to the very object intended to lie accom-
plished he would vote for the Committee on the
Public Lands, though he preferred a select CON-
miltce.
After some further remarks from Messrs SUM-
MERS, ARNOLD, McKENNAN, WISE, and
GlLMER, an amendment was submitted by Mr.
GOODE Of Virginia, which Mr. STANLY accept
ed. The resolution was then adopted.