Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-12

command that price. From the records Of the
General Land Office itappears that, ofthe pub
lie lands remaining unsod in the several States
and Territories in which they are situated, thir-
lynne millions one hundred and five thousand
five hundred and seventy seven acres have been
in the market, subject TO entry more than TWEEN
ty years; 49,63S, GA acres fer more than fifteen
years; 73, O74 900 acres for more thaa ten years.
and lO6, l76,961 acres for more than five years.
Much the larger portion Of these lands will con-
tinue TO be unsaleable at the minimum price at
which they are permitted TO be sold, so long as
large territories of lands iron. ,lsith the more
valuable portions have not Been selected are
annually brought into market by the govern
ment.
With the view to the sale and settlement OF
those inferior lands, recommend that the price
be graduated and reduced below the present
minimum rate, combining the sales at the re-
ducad prices to settlers and cultivators, in linz
tied quantities.
If graduated and reduced in price for limi-
ted term to one dollar per acre, and after the
expiration Of that period for second and
third term to lower rates, a large portion of
these lands would be purchased, and many
worthy citizens, who are unable TO pay higher
prices, could purchase homes for themselves
and their families. By adopting the policy of
graduation and reduction of price, these nferi-
or lands will be sold for their real value, while
the States in which they lie will be freed from
the Inconvenience, if not injustice, to which
they are subjected, in consequence of the U.
States continuing to own large quantities of pub
lie lands within their borders, naA-luble to tax
alton for the support of theiy local governments
recommended the continuance Cf the poll
cy of granting preemptions, in its most liberal
extent, to all those who have settled, or may
hereafter settle, on the public lands, whether
surveyed or unsurveyed, to which the Indian
title may have been extnguished at the time
of settlement. 1t has been found by expert
ence, that in consequence of combinations of
purchasers and other causes, very small
quantity Of the public lands, when sold at
public auction, commands higher price than
the minimum established by law. The settlers
on the public lands are, however, but rarely
able to secure their homes and improvements
at the public sales at that rate; because these
combinations, by means of the capital they
command, and their superior ability to pur-
chase, render it impossible fer the settler to
compete with them in the market.
By putting down all competition, these COM
binatons of capitalist and spectators are usu-
ally enabled to purchase the lands including
the improvements Of the serrters; II the mini
mum price of the government and either turn
them out of their homes or extort from them,
according to their ability TO pay, double or qua
druple the amount paid for them to the govern.
ment 1t is to the enterprise and perseverance
OF the hardy pioneer Of the West, who pene-
trate the wilderness with their families, suffer
the dangers, the privations, and the hardships
attending the settlement of new country,
and prepare the way for the body of emgraLts
who, in the course of few years, usually fol-
low them, that we are, IN great degree, in
debted for the rapid extension and aggrandize-
ment of our country.
Experience has proved that no portion of
our population are more patriotic than the har-
dy and brave men of the frontier, or more
ready to obey the call of their country, and to
defend her ghts and her honor, whenever and
by whatever enemy assaied. They should
be protected from the grasping Spectator, and
secured, at the minimum price of the public
and p ,h BE- h lSs hSms and S'G n
view, all veXatious or unnecessary restrictions
imposed upon them by the existing preemption
laws should be repealed or modified. 1t is the
true policy of the government to the facilities
to its citizens to become the owners of small
portions of our vast public domain at low and
moderate prices.
The present system OF managing the mineral lands
the United States is believed TO be radically defective
More than million of OF the public lands supposed
to conla lead and other minerals, have been reserved
from sale, and numerous leases upon them have been
granted 20 individuals upon stipulated rent. The system
OF granting leases has proved to he only Improbable
TO the government but unsatisfactory the citizens who
have upon the lands and If continued, lay the
foundation OF much future difficulty between the govern
lpss iprnf dina Tho fEc,al do
the amount OF rents received by the government for The
years 9il 1872 1913 and lS44 Sc 35i74 while the
expenses Of The system during the period including
salaries OF superintendent agents. clerks and incidental
expenses, were S26,lllll-the income being les than
onefonrth the expenses. To this pecunnry loss may be
added the injury sustained by The public consequence of
the destruction Of timber, and The careless and waselul
manner of working the mines. .sr4v@Ssiven rise
TO much litigation between The United States and indvd.
ual c'ikens, producing irritation and excitement in the
mineral RECON- and involving the government in heavy nd
dtonal expenditures.
II is believed that similar losses and embanassments
Will continue TO occur while The present Of leasing
lands iemans unchanged. These lands now un-
der the superintendent and Of the War Depart
meni with the ordinary duties OF which they have no pro-
per or natural connexon recommend The repeal Of The
present sysem and that these lands be placed under the
superlniendence and management Of the General Land
Oce as other public lands, and be brought into market
anu sold upon such terms as Congress in their wisdom
may prescribe reservng to the government equitable
per cenage ofthe gross amount of mineral product and
mat the pre-empon principle be extended to resident mi
ners and settlers upon them the minimum price which
may be established by Congress.
refer you 10 the accompanying report Of the Secretary
OF War; tor inormaon respecting the present situation
Of the army, and the operations during the last year the
state Of our defences; the condition of The public works
and our relations with the various Indian tribes within
limits or upon our borders invite your attention the
suggestions contained in that report, in relation these
prominent objects of national interest.
When orders were given during the past summer for
concentrating military force the frontier of
Texas our troops widely dispersed and in small de-
tachmenls, occupying posts aach 2iheS The
prompt and expeditions manner wRlck army,
bracng more than hafour peace establishment drawn
together on an emergency sudden, reflects great credit
the officers who inrustec with The execution of
these orders as well as upon The discipline of the army it,
SELL To be IN strength TO project and defend the people
and territory OF Texas in the Mexico should
mence hos'es or invade her territories with large ar
my, which she thIeatened authorized the general assPn
ed to the command of The army of occupation make
QUESTIONS for additional forces from Of the States
nearest The Texan territory and which could exped
tously furnish lhem if in his opinion laraer force than
that under his command, and the auxiliary aid which,
der like circumstances he authorized receive from
Texas should be required The contingency upon which
the exercise OF this authority depended has occurred