The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-24
IMPORTANT MOVEMENT IN THE WEST
THE PUBLIC LANps-ABoLITIoN.

efty from the COMMITTEE on lh'efhai i"hP'"''
ments.
Whereas deep and lasting interests are involved
in the distribution of the proceeds OF the puDc iahos
calculated to affect the interests OF the west anu
southwestern Stalcs-sovcreign members Oh 'hc oo',
Tederacy-and without speedy change in the policy
adopted BY the General Government, the rea'ioh o.
iandlnri and tenant must long exist between 'he
and Whereas for the purposes OF eihcient ana sue
cessfu action, it will become necessary 10 ACT WIN
union aud concession; and whereas, we view win
deepest concern the continual increase OF desertion
of the slaves of our brethren Of the slavehoding
States and feeling that to act with effect to check
the evil and restore to the owners OF the slaves ncr
property, there should be harmony and good under
standing between the saveholdng and non-slaveh0d-
ing States in the valley of the Mississippi;
Therefore, be it resolved, That we recommend to
our brethren of the States Of louisiana Mississippi
Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee G, Arkansas, Nilsson.
ri, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, to meet in general
convention at Jonesb0ro' Illinois, on the fourth day
of July next for the purpose of devising ways and
means to effect these desirable objects Frst, 10 DC
admitted into the Union Of these United States on an
equal footing in all respects with the older members
Of this Republic, and like them possess the right OF
eminent domain. Second, the best means OF prevent
ing the slaves Of the savehoding States from deser-
ton from their masters, and restoring such as shal
desert, at convenient places, TO their masters
Resolved That the Governor transmit copies oil
this preamble and resolution to the Governors of the
several States aforementioned"
Our correspondent writes that the Convention
will be held, when the whole subject of the public
lands will be discussed, and an effort be made TO
unite the southwestern and western States, (the
new States,) in support of such propositions as
may be approved. The importance OF this
movement cannot, at first view, be properly es
timated To do this, we should consider the
strength and influence Of the interests proposed
TO be concentrated. The proposition to concert
measures to prevent the deserlion of slaves,
and for the convenient and speedy delivery to
their masters, coming as it does from non
saveholding State, will be received by the
slaveholding States as an earnest that the Peo-
pie of Illinois are sensible of the value of the
Union, and that the northwestern and southwest
ern States have common interest and mutual de-
pendence on each other, requiring OF them acts
of good neishborship. This will make 1t easy
for them 10 act together all other
questions affecting their common interests,
lie affairs, if united, will be decisive. The re-
solutions relate TO runaway slaves and to the
public lands but it is obvious that the domes-
tic and foreign trade Of the Western and South
ern States, and system of internal improve
ment auxiliary thereto, are but parts of the same
questions. The products Of these States are
so diversified by climate and position as 10 rem
per an exchange indispensable to their mutual
prosperity; and experience has taught them
that whatever cause affects the interests and
prosperity of one, affects, nearly in like manner,
the prosperity of the other.
An intelligent Convention met for the purpose
OF discussing these great questions, must have
an important bearing on the future legislation of
Congress, and control the subject Of the public
lands.
The propositions heretofore submitted in re-
lation to the public lands are
lst That now presented by these resolutions,
that the new States are entitled TO be admitted
into the Federal Union on an equal footing with
the original States in all respects whatsoever, and
of consequence have the right of eminent do
main, which places the title to all vacant lands
IN the State by virtue Of its sovereignty as an
independent State.
This question was ably discussed some twen-
ty years ago by Governor Edwards in his mes
sage to the Legislature Of Illinois, and has ma
ny advocates in the new States, who alarmed at
Mr. Cost JVhnson's proposition TO defraud the
new States Of their interest in these lands, Sc
cured to them by the treaty of cession, as here
tofore construed, even by those opposed TO this
claim Of the new States, will now come for
ward with an energy that cannot fail to result in
the ultimate seizure Of the public lands by the
new States, should Congress adopt Mr.. John
sons scheme for distribution.
The next Is Mr. Calhouns proposition ~
sell the vacant lands to the States in which
they are situated for sixty five per cent of the
gross amount Of sales. This proposes that the
States shall defray all the expenses Of surveys,
OF extiDguisbng the Indian title and of sale,
and requires that sixty-fve per cent Of the
amount Of sales be paid over TO The United
States as the condition on which the purchaser
can obtain valid title, leaving to the States
thiriy-hve per cent, out Of which all expenses
whatsoever are to be betrayed Mr.. Calhoun
urged this measure as a compromise, as means
of 1uieting the claims Of and preventing dissais-
faction 10 the new States, and of securing TO
the United States a sum equal or nearly equal TO
what would be received under the present sys-
TEN, while it would Withdraw from The Federal
Government the patronage and relieve Con
gress from the legislation which, under the pre-
sent system, so injunousy affects the public in
teresis
The next proposition is that submitted by Mr..
Clay for distributing the entire proceeds of the
sales of the public lands among all the States in
the ratio OF their respective representation in
Congress. Mr.. Clay and his psrtisans sssailed
Mr. Calhoun's measure as bid for the Ell, ctoral
votes of the new States Mr.. Clay is no half
way man, and, therefore, his bid takes in the
old as well as the new States. Mr. Calhoun