New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-09-12
THE, TRIBUNE
Mr.. CLAW ON tho Pub,ic Londs,

Il 4. Il Is Il ~ H.
Mr.. Clay on the Public Lands.
The Chicago Democrat (cdled by Hon. John
Wentworth, II. c. publishes the following private
letter from Mr.. Clay, which il in:ima;es was not
honestly obtained from the gentleman who re-
ceived il in confidence. Never min6-it is a
patri5tic, manly, sta,esmanlikc letter, cmnendy
worthy Of It's frank and true-hcarted author
Read il, and say lit is not so:
WASHINGTON. ed June ls35
Deer Sir received your letter of the 4h and
feel greatly obliged by the friendly motives which
prompted you to address it to me.
There was no fail report made of what SAID
during the progress Of the Presumption Bill
through the Senate and none winch was correct
cd by me. The Globe habitpally Diisrcpresents
design-I necer used TIE WORDS They are
gracecss set of robbers-and pirates, poor mis-
cradle pleSmptionc.s" The language used
was substantially the same as that employed by
Mr.. Van Burcn in his message at tic opening Of
tho session.
certainly made strenuous opposition to the
passage of the Preemp,ion Bill | did it on prin-
cipe, ana from serious sense of duty. thought
and still think, that the Public Lands, which are
the common property OF all the people Of the Uni
ted States, ought not 10 be liable to be tre$paSSed
upon and seized and appropriated by any person
who chooses 10 enter upon them. not only with
out the authority Of law, but against It's positive
commands The experience OF the Government
had satisfied me that a system of Prcempiions,
especially in connection with that of floats, ,oaS
perpcrted 10 the trorSt purposes of raud, perjury
and speculation.
But notwithstanding my aversion to the sys-
tem should have cheerfully acquiesced in the
late Presumption bill, under all the peculiar cir.
cumstaDces, if its friends ,oould haze consented
to insert clause terminating for ever that mode
Of dsoosing Of tho Public Lands but that they
refused to do
write this letter for your satisfaction, and not
for publication. | would rather submit to the
effects of calumny than TO betray any undue sen.
sitivcness about it. have ou,lived other calum-
MICS, and, by the blessing of God, shall survive
this and all others.
With great respect am your friend and obt serv't.
3 Isle SMITH, Esq Ii. CLAY,
Means for the Prevention of Crime.
We iiod the following form OF Memorial to
the Legislature of Massachusetts in the Newbury.
port Herald. The plan which it proposes for the
Prevention of Crime commcnds itself to our
judgment as wise ard beneticent. Why will not
some Of our clear-sghte aud philanthropic cit
zens get up similar petition to the Legislature
OF New York II must be that thousands Of
beth sexes would most joyfully embrace the op-
por,uniiy Of signing it. Will lot cur coteln-
porares Of the press aid sin giving this petition
a wide circulation?
To, Snaeeas House Of Representatives. Of Iiassachuses
HE Undersigned, CITIZENS oil Massachusetts, per
ceivng ard laenting the failure OF prcsen, sys
ten o. penal laws 10 DO what they think might be
doue for the prevention OF crime and the generl
wei!sre OF The community, do respectfully ask your
attention 10 The following preamble aud petition:
Whereas, the punishment OF crime has by the
perirnce oi our own and ali preceding ages, been
proved Insufficient To defer men from liz comusson
and whereas The preceati0n OF crime is an oljec
mot worthy - receive the attention and employ the
RESOURCES OF wise aud good Government: ami
whereas 'hiS Object would seem TO be most thorough
Is aud most satisfactorily effected by the refur,ua
ton ct ct,uinals; aud whereas II must be admitted
That ;te discipline OF our prisons und peniienarcs
neither eff cts nor Is we'll adapted TO effect the re-
formation o those comAtled 10 them: and whereas
the condition If cun,ctS dischargedfom the sc ins-
tutlons Is basel with temptations aud Inducements
10 return TO their vicious habits. and aourpiully deS-
,ltu,e OF communicating encourugemcnls 10 com
mence batter course ut iiia; and since wise econ
bad men 10 good, Than IN merely p.Oshing them
While they remain bad and since humanity and re-
hsion unite with the interests OF political and social
j'e 10 demand some attempt 10 amend society by
forming the most ignorant and vicious portion of il:
Therefore, We the undersigned, DO petition YOUR
honorable bodies To establish from the funds OF tn.
State az institution, suited 10 enable and encourage
those who are discharged from prisons. peniten-
uafIes and houses OF correction, 10 abandon their
vicious courses, aud commence forthwith the torna
nf ttfn
Tor their subsistence.
These unfortunate men and women are usually
destitute OF any honest occupation ItS The inter
est Of he State 10 supply them with employment.
They ARE invited with open arms by their former
vicious Compilations, aud urged with hearty sympa-
'hy aud apparen, Kindness 10 return 10 their former
corrupt courses. IL Is Tie interest Of tie STATE 10
invite them cordinily, and with equal manifesto
tons Of sympathy and Kindness, and NOT only III
wife, but endbte them, to commence u better course
OF life.
So great IS the repugnaEce manifested by respect
able lie ople To admit 10 their society or engage IN
their service the convicts discharged from pris
ons that these have een alternative but TO return
10 vicious lite, 10 commence their honest course
BY deliberate deception relative tothcr past history
and occupation IL IS the interest Of The State TO
lease them from this false and most dangerous posi-
lion, by providing them with means, both Tor present
honest subsistence and for the formation OF
character.
Your petitioners believe that large proportion OF
the conyicts who now go out from our prisons to re-
sumo their vicious lives, and ultimately 10 return for
scvcrcr punishment might be really reformed,
we'd, and made valuable members of society, by the
adoption of suchimeans as they purpose.
They ask, therefore, thu, us the first experiment
in I'm enterprise which they think so hopeful, you
would forthwith establish an institution and cause
10 he erected buildings, sufficient for the reception
Of sixty men and forty women, supplied with teach
and all neediul facilities for instruction i'll agr
culture, The mechanic arts and the Ordinary house
hold occupations, and with the necessary arrange
men,s for food clothing and shelter.
They ask that every convict discharged from our
Stale Prison, or from any OF our minor prisons, PEN
lentaries, or houses Of correction, may he earnest
y aud cordially invited enter tins institution, and
'etnain in year, receiving isod clothing shell