The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-06

Ph' NHiJJ oPPiN'SN'
TEEEEssEE LANDS.
Mr.. McCLERNAND, from the Committee on
Public Lands reported back, without amendment,
the "b TO surrender TO the State of Tennessee all
lie tho United States have TO lands in Tennessee
south and west Of the line commonly called the con-
gressonal reservation line, and TO release TO said
State the proceeds Of such Of said lands as may
have been sold by the State Of Tennessee the
agent OF the United States"
Mr.. HAMLlN moved that the bill be laid on the
table.
Mr.. RATHBUN asked the yeas and nays.
Mr.. COOKE moved call Of the House; which
were refused.
The question recurring on the motion to lay the
bill on the table,
Mr.. HAMLlN withdrew it.
Mr.. McCLERNAND said that the bill had been
very fully considered by the Committee on Public
Lands Of the House, also by that committee Of the
Senate. This was tho Senate bill. IL differed some
what from the bill OF the House but not materially
Il was proposed to relinqush to the State Of Ten
nessee the refuse public lands in that State. The
history Of these lands might be briefly stated. In
1888 they were coded by North Carolina to the gov
eminent, with certain reservations, which, in effect,
charged the lands with the satisfaction Of military
land warrants issued, or 10 be issued, by the State
Of North Carolina. Upon the admission Of Ten
nessee into the Union IN 1885, she claimed the lands
as incident To her sovereignty. dispute arose IN
the government, North Carolina, and Tennessee,
became partles. This coded to Tennessee all Of
the public lands In that State east and north Of what
- called the congressional reservation line. Ten
nessee by the consent Of all parties, became agent
TO perfect titles TO the lands charged with military
claims. In lS4l another act was passed. eonstitut-
ing Tennessee the agent Of the government 10 sell
the residue Of the lands held by the government
south and west Of the congressional reservation
line for three years, at u cents per acre, and after
that time, at whatever price the lands would bring
per acre. All Of the lands have been sold con-
ceved to be OF any value. The residue 10 believed
so vaueless as not To be worth the expense Of adj
mnIstering them. Upon the ground OF economy it
Is recommended that the bill be passed All Of the
military claims to which the lands subject are
either satisfied or barred by the act Of lS4l
No objection, therefore, exists TO the bill.
Mr.. HENLEY asked II the lands were ren-
pushed subject to the claims Of individuals holding
and warrants
Mr. McCLERNAND. Such is an express pro.
vision Of the bill. But all Of these claims now
either satisfied or barred.
After some conversation,
Mr.. DANIEL moved that the bill be laid on the
table, which motion rejected
And the bill read third time.
And the question being on its passage,
Mr.. GRAHAM asked the yeas and nays, which
were ordered; and, being taken, were-yeas 80,
nuys 50.
So the bill was passed.
Mr. McCLERNAND moved reconsideration
ofthe vote, and demanded the previous question;
under the operation of which, the question was Ia
ken, and the vote not recoRsidered.
OREGON, &c.
The SPEAKER said that there was on the
Speakers table a very important communication
from the President Of the United States, which the
Speaker asked leave at this time TO present to the
House.
No objection having been made,
The SPEAKER laid the said message before
the House, and it was read as follows
To he Senate aud House Of Representatives.
ofhs United States:
communicate herewith a copy Of a convention
for the settlement and adjustment Of the Oregon
question, which was concluded in this city on the
fifteenth day of June last between the United States
and her. Britannia Majesty. This convention has
b Ssfa fS ss e N che &c
the seventeenth day Of July, 1886
1t now becomes important that provision should
be made by law, at the earliest practicable period for
the organization Of Territorial government in Ore
gon.
1t is also deemed proper that our laws regulating
trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes east OF
the Rocky mountains, should be extended to such
tribes within our territory as dwell beyond them; and
that suitable number Of Indian agents should be
opPVHVcu iOi bhO VI ShSSc laws III
to execution.
1t is likewise important that mail facilities, so IN
dispensable for the diffusion ofinformation and for
binding together the different portions of our ex
tended confederacy, should be afforded to our citi-
zens west of the Rocky mountains.
There is another subject to which desire TO call
your special attention. 1t is of great importance to
our country generally, and especially to our navi-
eating and whaling interests, that the Pacific coast
and, indeed the whole Of territory west Of the
Rocky mountains, should speedily be filled up by
a hardy and patriotic population. Emigrants to
that territory have many difficulties to encounter
and privatons to endure, in their long and perlous
journey; and by the time they reach their place
Of destination, their pecunlary means generally
much reduced, if not altogether exhausted. Under
these circumstances, it is deemed but an act of JUS
tce that these emigrants, whilst most effectually
advancing the interests and policy of the govern
ment, should be aided by liberal grants of land
would, therefore, recommend that such grants be
made TO actual settlers upon the terms and under the
restrictions and limitations which Congress may
think advisable.
JAMES X. POLK.
WAsHMGroN, August 5, lS46.
The United States of America and her Majesty
the Queen OF the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland deeming it to be desirable for the future
welfare of both countries that the state of doubt and
uncertainty which has hitherto prevailed respecting
The northwest coast Of America, lying westward of
the Rocky Stony mountains, should be finally
terminated by an amicable compromise of the rights
mutually asserted by the two parties over the said
territory, have respectively named plenpotentiaries
treat and agree concerning the terms Of such set
dement-that is to say: the President of the United
States of America has, on his part, furnished with
full powers James Buchanan, Secretary Of State of
the United States, and her Majesty, the Queen of
the United Kingdom Of Great Britain and IT. land,
has, her part appointed the right honorable Rich
ard Pakenham, member of her Majesty's most
honorable prvy council, and her Majesty's envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentary to the
United States, Who after having communicated to
each other their respective full powers, found in
good and due form, have agreed u pom and conclud-
ed the following articles:
ARTICLE
From the point the forty-nnth parallel Of
north latitude, where the boundary laid down in ex-
listing treaties and conventions between the United
States and Great Britain terminates, the line Of
boundary between the territories of the United
States, and those Of her Britannia majesty, shall be
continued westward along the said forty-ninth paral-
lei Of north latitude, to the middle Of the channel
which separates the continent from Vancouvers
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