, 1844-11-30

bring to your consideration the 9TH
er bearings of this great question on
our relations as a ~cOnfederacy.
As no doubt is entertained on the
subject of the wishes and feelings OF
all our members in Congress, in rsla-
ton to this matter, and OF their nnx-
ious desire 10 aid in the accomplish
ment Of this great national object, in
order. therefore, that the wishes of
this State may be fully known and
understood by the Congress Of the
United States, / would respectfully
suggest, that you memorialize Con-
eress in favor Of the annexation Of
Texas at a period as early as practi-
cable.
Closely connected with this sub
ject, is the subject Of our title to the
Territory Of Oregon. The posses
sion of this country lby the United
States is net only important in a mil
itary and commercial point of view,
but it assumes a more important as
pect when it becomes necessary for
US to assert our clear right to it a
cainst the pretended claim Of the Bril-
fish government. The studied poll
CIV of that government, in svsiling IT,
self OF every possible p%rets1t to ex-
tend its territory, whereby protec-
ton can be afforded to its great ma
rine, and a market opened to its i'm
mense manufactures, is toe we'll
known to require explanation or COM
ment here. Shall We tamsly submit
when our soil is invaded, and 9 militia
ry force planted upon it. that will
render its recovery, at q future day.
a matter of great doubt. perhaps Of
impossibi!ity!
We owe to ourselves, e. . nation,
to assert and main,sin, al ell hazards,
the integrity Of our territory; snd We
owe, besides, to these who have plan.
ted their homss in this new region,
that protection which they have a
right to claim a. American citizens
on American soil. Az many Of our
most valuable citizens have iemigra-
ted TO that Territory, it seems to me
that an expression Of the public feel
ing on this subject would come with
peculiar propriety from the Genarai
! Assembly Of this State, and / cheer
fully recommend this course 10 you.
At the lest session Of the Legisla-
ture an act was passed entitled "An
act to provide for the sale OF lands
for the tsxes." Under the operation
Of ,his law, very large amount Of
and has been offered for sale, and no
incons:derAble quantity sold, and al
though the object intended 10 be ac-
complisI.ed BY thn ls~,'sas, Of itself.
perfectly jus. and right. yet it is be-
lieved that il has operated very ane-
quaily and unjustly on innocent per-
seas.
In many cases, persons have par
chased tracts Of lssd, believing that
their'ti..e We perfect, and that there
was no claim whatever On It, AID the
first notice they have had to the con-
trary, was the fact that their lands
had been sold for taxes in arrear, by
the sheriff Of the county, and were
now the property Of another. This
evil should be remedied as far as pos
] sible by the Legislature.
In the tuenty-second section OF
said act, il is made the duty OF the
Registers Of Lands TO give notice OF
the time and place Of any sale to be
made ty the sheriff, uader the provi-
sions of this act, at least six weeks
before such sale: sain notice shall be
once inserted in some newspaper
printed in this State.
1t is the general opinion that the a.
bove notice is entirely insufficient to-
give tho necessary information to
those interested. 1t is therefore rec
commended that the time OF notice
should be longer; that the publication
should be made in at least TIVE pa
pers, and that two years should be
allowed to every person whose lands
may hereafter be sold under the pro-
visions of this act, to redeem the same;
and that publication should be made
annually Of the lands that have thus
been sold, together with the name of
the purchaser and the amount requlr-
| ed TO redeem them.
In the southeastern part OF the
State, there is tract of country
known by the name of The "Great
Swamp" which is subject TO over
flow a great part Of the year. The
whole Of this inundated land is now
in possession of the general govern
ment. and will, perhaps, rsmam so
forever, unless some means shall be
: devised, by which it can be drained.
. In its present condition, it is dealing