Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-30

rail- possession which nothing Is TO disturb patent could
give them no more From this time August lS42 tine
title Of Carter and Peyton disputed bur
was between them and the Treasury Department.
in relation to the price to be given by the United States No
could be effected the submitted
the arbitration and award OF James McCuoh First Comptro
Ter the Treasury and the Hon. Pierce NJ Buerthe first
chosen by the Treasury Department. and the latter by Carter
and Peyton."
So that it appears from the document that the Govern
men have been in correspondence for the purchase of this land
for several years. and time appointed the Comptroller
of the Treasury purchase Carers interest in these lands
and the Comptroller estimated the value Of that interest at
fifteen thousand doafs. If any thing has occurred very
Gently uniformed Of it, The document shows that the
Government made application for the purchase Of this land,
and the only difficulty appears to be in arranging the price
be paid for it and in its division The land could not be d.
vded To be sure they might sell their interest in il either
wholly part, subject to future division But the Gov
eminent has right divide this land, and say, 81 will have
this particular spot They have such power at all The
law Of Louisiana prescrbes the in which it shall be
done, if done at all It must be sold, divided by persons
appointed for that purpose by the Court And have
marked BEFORE it could be divided by the Government
and portion of it sold by them, has been innated.
will conclude by remakng that the bill merely authorizes
the Government to purchase, after due examination Of the
whole subject by appropriate and competent officers, Mr. Pey
toms interest in this land at not exceeding fifteen
thousand dollars, and for much less Of course be
agreed upon.
Mr.. CLAYTON trust that the Senator who has this
bill in charge will press it to to-day would great
ly prefer that the proposition Of the Senator from New York
should prevail in order that may have little time
to consider of the proprey of passing the BILL But if
forced to upon the bill now, shall found my vote upon
single consderaionupon single fact if that fact
be ascertained and that is if the site proposed for this light
house really indispensable for the purposes OF navigation OF
that place. If this be so-and gentlemen Of the Southern
States inform upon this poin-I difficulty in
voting for the BILL The true purpose of the bill does not seem
to be understood II is not bill peremptoy ordering the
purchase of site; it is bill authorizing the Attorney Gene
raj the first place. to ascertain the fact of the desabeness
of the situation and, after being thoroughly satisfied in
gard that point then agree upon terms of purchase that
is say, provided the shall exceed the of fifteen
thousand dollars. It is not declared that fifteen thousand dol
lars shall be paid absolutely for do not know that that
the value of the propery do not commit ourselves any
valuation to the specification of the which shall be
paid further than this say will give than m
teen thousand dollars The Attorney General will be bound
undoubtedly make the best bargain he The only
tor then with me, have said is this site absolutely
necessary for the navigation and of the United
STARS One Of the Senators from Louisiana is clear upon
this subject His opinion be in accordance with the
opinions of the committee from which this bill originally
repoted They say, in Of the clauses of t6e report
th the purchase of the right of Mr. B. Peyoh in this
ton land indispensable to the commerce and navigation
and Substantial interests Of the United States Surh too,
opinion the Secretary of the Treasury at that time
and lido not know that other Secretary Of the Treasury
has eer given a contrary opinion.
Now sir if this be true if the site is really indispensable
for til, and navigation the United States the
mouth Of such river the Mississippi why am prepared
to the Of fifteen thousand dollars, hundred
thousand dollars if need be, to procure it. do not intend
money from this Government do think that any such
thing intended by this bill if be- have complete check
upon such scheme through the intervention Of
offer.
would deal in matter of this kind he would in matter
ap,eraining private life. So would But if person
should happen to purchase tract OF land directly in front OF
my mansion through which would be necessary for to
have road and that purchase should be made for the
purpose extorting money from ME, do know upon
what principle could force road through another indiv
duas ground. should have to obtain it by purchase if it
cost me treble its real value. We sometimes compelled
to give more for thing than its intrinsic value. As said
BEFORE the only question with in this this site
necessary The gentleman from Louisiana who sits furthest
from cs have doubt, afford US nformation in regard
this point have not yet had the pleasure OF hearing him
make any remarks upon the subject He and other Southern
gentlemen better informed upon the SUBJECT probably than
wo who live at great a distance.
Mr. DOWNS. Although this bill reported from COM
mit,cs of which member have not paid particular at
enon to it. have other information than that which
the other members Of the committee possess mean such as
appeared from the papers that were laid before the committee
understand there lighthouse upon part OF the land IN
question that's still in and take Tor granted, there
FORE that lighthouse necessary. But how far lighthouse
may be considered indispensable to the navigation Of the Mis-
sspp not prepared ~ say but that It is necessary
think is manifest from the circumstances that has been
kept up for along time and still is use, at that place.
have no particular information on the subject
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Louisiana. will simply remark that
appropriation made years for the purpose OF
erecting ihthouse the old site being considered i'm
proper position deemed necessary to have one,
and this bere universally acquesced in An apPrpra
ton all made by Congress for the purpose and
the Treasury Department authorized to contract for the
building and select the spot spot selected and
lighthouse b and that necessary, there be
doubt. Thee is spot the globe where Is more
required. Tere has been lighthouse there since the
first settlement Of the country but have said, the old
fell down. and the Secretary Of the Navy has selected
this spot tie site Of the
Mr.. BRADBURY. There is one consideration which
think should've taken into view in acting upon this question:
and that is whether the United States cannot now from the
interest which has in the property secure to itself all the
land which necessary for the site Of the proposed light
house The United States Government is the Of one
half Of the 1t Of hundred and sixty unless they
may have Opposed Of portion Of IT, Being the owner
Of half Il it, then, apprehend, but small portion Of
land necessary for the construction Of lighthouse there
will be OF difficulty in securing by division, por
ton sufficient erect lighthouse upon, or IN securing that
portion upon which the lighthouse stands, If one
erected that is worth preserving.
II Is impossible for conceive that, owning onehalf
Of the tract called the Government cannot TO itself
spot suitable Tor the erection of lighthouse. Il is said
that ought stand higher ground but the difference
expense Of building between the different sites will be very
little, appears And will be much, better for the
Government 10 build 1.-The cheaper spot though
they should be obliged TO build the lighthouse higher
II is said that the Government has parted with its undi-
yded interest know not how that may be but if It be
true, is undoubtedly proof that the Government think
they have than sufficient for their purpose should
regard conclusive proof that the Government have su
Of binding their lighthouse.