Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-10-11
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.

The public lands suDJect 70 SAFE at uiis u'io aio
included in the following States and Territories. to
Wi, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Michigan, Arkansas, and
Florida and the Territories of Iowa and Wisconsin
The whole amount Of public lands sold in 1874
was I754,l2O acres; the proceeds OF which
amounted to $2,2O5,S5O. The largest amount OF
sales was made in Illinois, being 4s9,4lO acres
showing the rapid growth of that young State. The
smallest quantity was sold in Florida, being l4,7l4
acres-owing, doubtless, to the recent difficulties
with the Indians in that Territory Missouri ranks
next to Illinois in the amount of sales, being 449,53l
acres. From the LIST of January until the 3lst OF
August, l845 being eight months, the sales in all
the States and Territories already specified amount
ed to 1888, 1866 acres the proceeds of which
amounted to 1882 $50. Here, again, the largest
amount of sales has been made in Illinois the next
in Wisconsin Territory; and the smallest in Flori-
da. The whole amount of sales for l845, if pro-
portonate, will about equal the sales of 1874.
Several millions Of acres have been recently Of
fered at public SALE and thrown into markets which
may have tendency to increase the amount of
future sales.
The vast domain which Texas brings with it into
the Union, but which continues subject to DISPOSE
ton by the State of Texas, will be likely to impose
anecessity upon the General Government to change
or modify the present system.
The above details are condensed from the Union.
In reference to the lands of Texas and the influence
which their incorporation into the United States
may properly or possibly exercise on the policy of
our Government the Baltimore American makes
the subjoined remarks, under the head of
TIE TEXAN DEBT AssuNPrIoS.-We alluded some time
ago the probability which is almost certainty that
will be brought forward the session Of Con-
ges to advance of money Texas condition that
she transfer her public lands to the United States.
The Charleston Mercury objects, in advance any such
argues that the assumption of the debt Of Texas
might have been made Of the conditions Of annexation
for the power States the Union evil
IDENTITY include the power fix and settle the of annex
aton The agreement in such would bear anao
gy to treaty between independent Governments by which
either might spuate to pay any specified
valuable advantage But when State admitted into
the Union without any condition precedent Of an assump
ton OF s debts is contended that the General Govern
ment has power TO undertake such an assumption
Il cea, says the Mercury, that if Congress can
assume the debts of Texas under these circumstances can
assume the debts the other States indeed alleged that
IL
nasnuch she will pay for the assumption Of her debts
By equvalen. in her public lands This may be admitted
as question Of value, but it does alter the case The
value OF lands thing else just what the buyer peases
to give for them The power to make bargain implies the
power to make bad well good one, and the power
traffic with the States for their land implies also the power
uslic with them for all kinds of public property"
The argument is further illustrated by reference to Mary
land and Pennsyvana which have public lands
but whose works of internal improvement valuable and
II urged that the principle upon which Congress could
sumo the debts Of Texas for transfer Of her lands
would warrant with equal force assumption Of the
Maryland conasa Of surrender of her inter-, in INC,
worhs Of inssrnaiiup rovsment
We shall not deny the Of this analogy. I'm
doubleday Congress the debt Of Texas in con-
sderatcn Of her public lands, she the debt
Maryland for any consideration which may be deemed vaua
be In 1896 Congress did the debts of all the States
and for wofod consideration First because the debts
the States had been mainly contracted in the
the Revolution and secondly, because the States gave up
their interest in the public lands and agreed that that great
property of theirs should be applied the liquidation of the
aggregate funded war debt, State and National.
By the assumption law Of 1896 separate account was
opened the books of the Treasury with each State Can
there be any doubt of the consttuonay that law Can
there be any doubt Of the fact that the power to assume the
debts Of State, when equitable presented does
exist in the General Government State organization has
personality Of its has individual citizen If
the property Of citizen is taken by the Government for pub
lie purposes be argued that there no constitutional
power TO make him compensation In reference to State
the same principle applies.
desirable in all points Of view that the public lands Of
Texas should be transferred the General Government as
the great permanent trustee Of the States because would
be an anomaly that any State should have separate land
vefarnn Of he Al
eIngushment Of Indian titles These things properly and
OF necessity belong to the General Government But is il
just or right that the General Government should take this
Texan property and return equivalent
There are two modes by which the thing could be eouaby
arranged. The General Government might either hold the
public lands OF Texas, well those formerly transferred
by the other States and make annual distribution of the
proceeds Of sales among the States might hold the lands
in its own right in consideration Of assuming the debts Of
the States including Texas The nonndebed States might
draw their annual dividends part with their interest in the
public lands for proporonste their respective shares
II this were done, long question would be settled
the relations Of the States with the General would
be tremendously determined and the general prosperity would
be vastly promoted. -Bahirnore american
NEW PROJECT OF ANNEXATION
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