The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-07

meDt OF such land as ne silnn fesiue on anu 1uiu
S.ts as aforesaid prior 10 the time when the Indian
NIL thereto shall be extinguished, and the convey
ancs thereof be made Aforesaid"
Some wears ago, the Senate Of the United State
IN, beeyod) addressed 10 the executive department
an inquiry as to the most economical and prope
method OF defending the western Manifestation
sas, Missouri. and Iowa. against the prairie Indians
IL was while Mr.. Poinsett was Secretary Of War
He proposed that for the more economical supply
Of the troops kept at the military stations IN the
Ws, farms should be let out in their vicinity to be
cultivated by the troops themselves, that thence
they might be enabled 70 draw supplies for theii
own support, without transporting them from the
East. The object this amendment was the same
but the committee in offering il proposed TO accom-
plsh that end by different means. The COMMITTEES
on Military Affairs were unanimous IN the recon-
msndation Of ths clause, and he hoped il would be
In order 10 state that he had submitted it TO
her OF men, all eminent for their knowledge on the
subject, who all gave IL their approval. The land
IN the West, on the route TO Oregon, was Of no OBJ
iect 10 the United States; no value 10 them; and
yet by making somewhat liberal grant TO settlers
YOU may secure around each post which is establish
ed an agricultural settlement, which will not only
afford supplies TO our troops but surplus Of pro-
ducts 10 sell 10 emisrants passing on that route To
Oregon. He supposed there was no doubt but a
grant Of $40 acres 10 each actual settler in the neigh
Borhood Of these posts would induce many to set
lie themselves there; and thus Oregon emgrsnts
who now have no stopping place, no resting place,
where accommodations can be afforded fer mending
their vehicles for nursing the sick and for surgical
operations, will find themselves now and then as
these stations occur in the midst Of civilized settle
ments and with all the comforts Of civilized life &C.
eessible 70 them. Ia.
These were briefly the objects Of the amend
menis; and he would not detsin the committee BY
further explanation.
Mr.. RATHBUN said he had been looking at this
bill now before the House, and he found il was a
bill which had been reported TO the Senate, and
there passed to a second reading, and printed; and
he found upon further inquiry, that this House was
not in possession Of single printed copy as Il
passed the Senate, nor Of the amendments which
were made TO Il by thai body. Now he was not
prepared, upon any examination he could give 10 a
bill of this importance where there was but single
copy in the House, TO take il up and act upon IL.
For the purpose therefore, Of having the bill print
ed and allowing opportunity for examination Of its
provisions, he moved that il be laid aside, and that
the committee take up bill No. %. ... .
Mr. BRINKERHoFF said that the Senate bill
rs reported from the committee Of that body, was
laid upon the tables OF the members Of this House.
Il was slightly amended in that body, il was true,
but the notifications made were simple, and easily
understood. IL was not customary 10 print bills af-
ter they had passed the Senate and were sent here
for concurrence. He hoped the bill would not be
laid aside. d.
Mr.. HOUSTON hoped the gentleman from New
York would not make this sidewise opposition to
the bill, bat that il would be met fairly now that il
was before the committee, and passed or rejected
according TO lis merits or dement's.
Mr.. COBB then and Mr.. DRoMGooLE SUISSE
quenty, raised the point Of order that this motion
was not debatable, which point was sustained by
the Chairman.
Mr.. HARRISON, however, was allowed TO ex-
ul... al. "a. he in hta
House. He said the notifications made in the
Senate were very few, Of material nature, and he
hoped il would not be laid aside.
The question was propounded on the motion to
postpone; but after some difficulty, for want Of a
Mr. RATHBUN withdrew the motion for the
present, giving notice, however, las was understood
by the reporter,) that he should renew il here.
aher.
Mr.. WHITE gave notice OF the following amend
ment, which he should offer when in order:
"Thai all the officers for the aforesaid regiment
Of rAemen shall be selected from the regular line OF
the United States army"
Mr., LEVIN moved the following amendment TO
the amendment Of Mr.. BRNKERHoTT:
''Provided, That the officers and soldiers of said
regiment shall be Americans by BIRTH 49,
Mr.. L. addressed the committee duringths allotted
hour in support Of his amendment, and upon topics
connected with the native American question. We
are able at the present time to give sketch only of
his remarks.
The necessity of such an amendment had been
forced upon him Che sad) by the report of the Ju-
dietary Committee. The constitution Of the United
States gives TO Congress the power to pass uniform
law of Naturalization but il was contended by the u-
ira liberals that Congress possesses power respect
ing the qualifications Of VOTERS as regulated by the
States under their respective constitutions and laws
/ wa nd d n uyida -,
tween the two powers, so that the action of Con.
gress never interfere with the legislation of the
States. This was novel and to him a startling
proposition. Could it be that this republic possess
ses no power of selfpreservation against the con-
Eliminating influence of an alien vote1 Mr.. L. en-
powers OF government connected with citizenship
and an exposition of his views of their distribution
between the Federal and State governments, con-
tending that the power to pass naturalization
laws, given to Congress by the constitution, con.
ferred the control Of the right Of suffrage and the
right Of eligibility to Office upon the general govern.
ment to whom It was surrendered by the States, as
was conclusivey proved by the fact that Congress
has, at various times, extended and abridged the
period Of probation to foreigners; and, was con-
frmed by the uniform practice of the States, with
the exception Of Michigan and Illinois, whose right
he denied to admit aliens TO vote upon residence of
six or twelve months, as had been done by the latter
outc. d1e TepeIleu the charge maue upon the ma
tive American party, of violation of the reserved
rights of the States and cnntended that it was equal
ly opposed to true State rights doctrines and to
sound principle to encourage infringement on the
part of the States the powers conferred upon the
general government or Infringement by the general
government on the powers reserved to the States.
The foundation Of the native American party Che
said) was found in the existing naturalization law,
and their principles had been sanctioned by Jefferson
himself, whom no one would accuse of being an en-
envy ofState rights.
In reply to an inquiry of Mr.. s. JONES, touch
ing this point in his amendment, he said that an
alien could not be received under the constitution
into the army inasmuch he had not sworn allegi.
ancc to our government.
Mr.. JONES. Can he not be received, and take
allegiance for that purposel
Mr. LEVIN. He can be if naturalized. He
should be very sorry Che sadly to trust aliens. His
views on this subject were drawn from certain doc
ument sent forth by General Washington from Cam
bridge, when he gave directions to his officers to
place none but natives on the outposts. .r,.s...
Mr.. L. next proceeded to notice such objections
as from time to time had been thrown out by men,
bers Of this House against the native American par
IT, He first repealed the charge made, that its prn-
cipes were analogous to that Of the alien and sed-
l. q ~ =