The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-07-26
HENRY CLAY AGAINST THE FRONTIER
SETTLERS.


When. Henry Clay in early life, was member Of
the Kentucky legislature, the new settlers in the
southern part of the State, asked indulgence in the
payments for lands which they had purchased of
the State and then occupied Mr. Clay opposed
the indulgence with such bitterness that he excited
against him the uncompromsing hostility of the
people in that region. So high did the feeling
rise, that when Gen. Green Clay, some time af-
forwards, travelled through the Green River coun-
try, as it was called, electoneering for the office
of Governor, he found it expedient to disavow all
relationship with Henry Clay.
This hostility to the frontier settlers has been
frequently and decisively manifested by Mr.. Clay
both in votes and speeches while he was men,
ber of Congress. We shall give few Of the proofs
which, if necessary, could be multiplied almost
without number.
At the commencement Of the session Of Con-
gress in December 1887, Mr.. Van Burcn recon-
mended the passage of preemptien law to enable
the Settlers on the Public Lands to secure their
homes by paying the minimum price for the lands
and also law reducing and graduating the price,
so that emigrants might purchase the second and
third rate land at less than 81 ,25 per acre.
A Bill "To grant pre-emption rights to settlers
on the public lands," was accordingly introduced
of which the following was the leading provisions
viz.
"Be it enactedby the Senate and House Of Rep
resentatives ofthe United States Of america IN
Congress assembled, That every actual settler on
the public lands, being the head of family, or over
twenty -one years of age, who was in possession
and house-keeper by personal residence thereon
on or before the first day Of December, eighteen
hundred and thirty-seven, shall be entitled to al
the benefits and privileges ofan act entitled car
act to grant pre-emption rights to settlers on thu
public lands," approved May twenty-ninth, eigh
teen hundred and thirty and the said act is hereby
revived and continued in force two years."
| While this Bill was under consideration on the
9th January 1888, Mr.. JMerTick Whig Senato
from Maryland, proposed the following amend
ment: viz.
Crowded, that the rightof pre-emption grant
ed by this act, or the act hereby revived, shall no
accrue to any other persons than those who were
on the LIST day of December, 1887, citizens OF tn
United States; and such citizenship shall in al
cases be established by legal and competent test
mony, to the satisfaction ofthe Register and Re
ceiyer of the Land District in which the lands ma.
be, prior to any entry thereof, by virtue off
provisions of this act"
The amendment was rejected, Yeas 10 Nay
2s. Among the Yeas stands the name Of HEN
RY CLAY. See Senate Journal 1878 pag
lsl.
On the same page the following record appears
viz.
con motion of MR.. CLAY OF KENTUC
KY, to amend the Bill by adding thereto the fol
lowing section: viz
"SEc. q find be it, further enacted, That al
settlements on the public lands subsequent to h
first day of December 1887, shall be, andthe sam
are strictly prohibited; and the President shall
and hereby is authorized and REQUIRED
cause all persons ,oho may settle on the publ
lands subsequent to the day aforesaid to De n
moved Mreron'."
This amendment was also rejected 2l to q
HENRY CLAY of course voting in the affirm'
tive
Page 1873, Mr.. Prentiss moved the followin
amendment: viz.
"Nor shall any person have any right, or be er
titled to patent, under or by virtue OF this ac
without paying, 10, addition to the statute MIN
mum price, at least one half of the real value
the land above that price, not including improve
ments, to be ascertained by three judicious an
dsinterested appraisers, under oath, TO be appoin
ed by the Register of the land office in the Disri'
where the land is situate"
Rejected ,sYeas 10, Nays 27; the namelof HEN
| RY CLAY being at the head Of the Yeas.