The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-19

" 10 prevent their sale. and thereby
deprive the treasury Of any income
from that source, but is unjust TO the
States ia which they lie. because i re-
tards their growthand increase Of pop
uIation, and because they have no pow
er.to levy a tax upon them as upon
other lands within their limits, held by
other proprietors than the United
States, for the support Of their local
governments. sss .sss5l. y
The beneficial effects Of the gradua-
iion ;arinciple have been rea'ized by
soo,e OF tie States owning the lands
v;th,n the;r limits, in which it has been
adopted they have been demonstra-
ted also by the United States, acting
as the trustee Of The Chickasaw tribe Of
Indians in the sale, IF their lands lying
within the States Of Mississippi and Al
ALBANIA. , The Chickasaw lands. which
would not command ia the market the
minimum price established by the laws
ofthe United States for the safe Of their
lands, were, in pursuance Of the treaty
ofsi834 with that tribe, subsequently
offered for sale at graduated and reduc-
ed rates for limited periods. The re-
suit was, that large quantities OF these
Lands were purchased, which would
otherwise have remained unsold. The
lands were disposed Of at their real val
ne, and many persons Of limited means
were enabled 10 purchase small tracts.
upon which they have settled with
their families. That SINNER results
would be produced by the Adoption o.
the graduation policy by the Unlted
States, in all the States IN which they
are the owners of large bodies OF lands
which have been long in the market,
cannot be doubted. II cannot be
sound policy to withhold large guam
titles Of the public lands from the use
and occupation Of our citizens. by flx-
ing upon them prices which experience
has shown they will not command.
On the contrary, it is wise policy 10
afford facilities to our citizens to be-
come the owners, at low and moder-
ate rates, Of freeholds of their own, in
stead OF being the tenants and depen-
dants Of others. II it be apprehended
that these lands, if reduced in price.
would be secured in large quantities by
spectators or capitalists, the salesm
be restricted, in limited quantities, TO
actual settlers or persons purchasing
for purposes of cultivation.
Ia my last annual message, submit
ted for the consideration of Congress
the present system Of managing the
mineral lands of the United States.
and recommended that they should be
brought into market and sold, upon
such terms and under such restrictions
as Congress might prescribe. BY the
act of the eleventh Of July last, "the
reserved lead mines and contiguous
lands in the States Of Illinois aud Ar,
kansas. and Territories of Wisconsin
and Iowa." were authorized TO be sold
The act is confined, in its operation, te
..lead mines and contiguous lands"
A large portion Of the public lands
containing copper and other ores, i
represenied to be very valuable, and
recommend that provision be made au
thoriizing the sale Of these lands, upol
such terms and conditions as, from thei
supposed value, may, in the judgmen
ofCongress, be deemed advisable, hav
ing due regard to the interests Of suc
of our citizens as may be located upoI
them.
Ii will be important, during you
present session, to establish terrific
rial government and to extend the juris
dic,ion and laws of the United State
over the territory Of Oregon. Ou
laws regulating trade and intercours
with the Indian tribes east OF the Rock
mountains, should be extended to tn
Pacific ocean; and for the purpose
executing them, and preserving frient
ly relations with the Indian tribes will
in our limits, an additional number
Indian agencies will be required, an
should be authorized by law. The e
tablishment Of custom-houses, and
post Offices and post roads, and pr
vision for the transportation OF the ma
on such routes as the public conven
ence will suggest, require legislatlv
authority. It will be proper, also,
establish a surveyor generals Office
that territory, and to make the nece
sary provision for surveying the publ
lands, and bringing them into marke
As our citizens, who now reside III th'
distant region, have been subjected
many har iships, privations, and sa
ri6ces in their emigration. and by the
improvements have enhanced the Walt
ofihe public lands in the neighborhoe
OF their settlements, it is recommends
that liberal grants be made to them
= = 4 st - 4. :. Ic ba ~.