Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-23

braska, be taken from the table, and recommed 10 IN
Committee on Territories which motion was agreed TO-
RECIPROCAL COMMERCE WITH CANADA.
Mr. DIX moved postponement Of the previous orders
with view to taking up the bill admit certain articles
the growth production Of Canada into The United
OF duty condition that the like articles OF The growth o.
production Of the United States admitted into Canada free
| Of duty which motion agreed TO-
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration Of the said
bill, when
Mr. DIX moved that its further consideration be postponed
until the 18th day OF January and be made the special order
for that day which motion agreed to.
THANKS OF CONGRESS.
The joint resolution of thanks TO Bgadier General Price,
his officers and men, for the brilliant victory achieved at Santa
Cruz taken up, read second tne considered as in
Committee Of the Whole, and reported back without amend.
men
After brief conversation, in which several Senators took
Mr. BADGER moved that the Joint resolution be recon-
agreed to.
The joint resolution rendering the thanks of Congress to
Colonel Doniphan, his officers and men, for the brilliant VIC
tory Sacramento and the successful expedition to Chhua
hua was taken up and read the second time.
Alter some brief explanations
Mr. ATHERTON moved that the joint resolution be re-
committed TO the Committee Military Affairs which mo-
tion was agreed TO.
The EVERGLADES OF FLORIDA.
Mr. WESTCOTT moved that the Senate proceed to the
consideration of the bill authorize the draining the Ever
gas in the State of Florida, and grant the said
State for that purpose which had been made the special
order for this day.
The motion being agreed to- the Senate proceeded 70 the
consideration Of said bill which was read.
Mr.. WESTCOTT NY reason for asking the early ac-
ton ohe Senate upon this bill is that if passes Congress-
requires before itcan have any efficacy that the spulaens
in il connected with the grant lands il makes the State Of
Florida be accepted by express law passed by the State
Legislature The sessions Of the State Legislature only
biennial It is now in session. but will probably adjourn in
January, and will not again convene till November 1850
will dean the Senate by detail Of the which
should induce Congress make this grant for the objects and
with the conditions prescribed in the BILL They fully and
lucdly forth the report of the COMMITTEES the Public
Lands the report of the Secretary of the Treasury and in
the Report Of the Commissioner of Public Lands and the do
accompanying those reports, all of which have
caused to be laid the desks of Senators this morning All
those reports recommend the cesson grant, and the form
and manner prescribed in this BILL The interests Of the Uni
ted States guarded and protected fully by the conditions
prescribed They suggested by those whose duty it is
the protection of those interests, and fully acqui
esce in the proprety of every Of Them
presume there is Senator who has read the documents
have referred 10, who not fully satisfied that the entire ter
rory proposed be granted to the State is now utterly
ueess to the United States Why, sir your Surveyor Gen.
eral has reported officially that its present situation,
and without being drained, it is the object Of this bill
effect is only worthless that it would pay the
Of survey but in fact that very large portion Of
not be surveyed at all till il is drained.
There is map of the lands prepared at the Land Office,
the Secretays table, to which would request Senators
look. Nearly the whole region vast lake of fresh
water-a prairie covered with water during all seasons from
three six feet Deep This water is chiefly supplied from
Lake Okechobee which is the northern end Of the grant
proposed be made. 1t is proposed to cut large and deep
canals from this lake the waters of the Gulf the west
side and the Of the Atlantic the SIDE and also
cut smaller canals drains through the rim soft lime
rock by which the everglades separated from the
Gulf and the Florida straits and the Atlantic In addi
ton these canals there must be local Improvements made
the purchasers Of the drained ands rather by assoca
tons such purchasers by the State with the sole view
of enhancing the value of the lands for agricultural purposes
In this respect the undertaking like that of reeng the
banks Of the Mississippi river These Improvements which
OF the question suppose be done by the Federal
Government, and especially by your engineer officers If at
tempted be made millions may be squandered to good
end. They should be made by practical acquainted with
the country, interested in IT. and in Its agricultural prosperity
and best that should be under the control Of the State
do suppose that the State will undertake the work ITSELF
but suppose readily make arrangements on highly ia
voabe TERMS with individuals associations, to undertake
under conditions securing against speculation the one
hand and with guarantees against failure TO accomplish what
may be done the other hand.
The lands should I've condonay disposed Of as the work
progresses and the conditions in each should ne such
the crcumsaDces-its location and characiecall for TO
the keeping up of the Improvements hereafter Be
Sides there those who conscentousy believe Congress
has constitutional power to undertake. such works. even on
the public lands and frankly concede such my convc
tons The idea Of the United States undertaking this work
has never been entertained by me- Pass law and what
will be the result Thousands Of dollafs will be squandered
plans and estimates and cphe:ng Of all kinds, which will
take some five years, and then, the work IS COM
menced enough probably to effect its completion will be ex
pended in travelling expenses and contingencies and getting
ready it. and then there must be steamboats, and other
expensive apparatus provided and though may be Gone IN
very scientific STYLE fifteen years hence il viii
cost more than will be worth when done. hope even
II this bill fails the Federal Government will not undertake to
do this work.
Senators are requested notice facts set forth in the
documents appended 10 the report Of the committee
That If the work Is successfully effected; some hundreds
Of thousands Of Of the valuable lands In the
country annually overown by the ksmme rive will be
reclaimed for cultivation. All Of these lands lie outside of
the proposed grant and north Of it, and the entire benefit OF
their being reclaimed viii to the United States refer
Gen. Jesups letter page 49, and TO the COM
mittees report, page ?, on This point.
o That while about million Of acres OF lands IN the
grant surveyed several years since, only $50 acres
have sold hese lands poor pine barrens, ex.
cept in limited quantities. and their location contiguous 10 the
everglades until the latter improved fbids the idea OF
their ever being settled upon sod They will be enhanced
in value the Improvements made The timber
on them will render Of them then worth perhaps the ma
nipt.n price OF public lands In this bill one half n az
terate sections, reserved TO the United States OF these
lands.
The Senate will notice that the bill prescrbes the objects OF
the grant, and imposes the State if it accepts the grant,
the obligation to effect them far practicable It does
not require Of the State do than to devote the entire
proceeds and avas Of the grant to the work. but the cond-
tons imposed such appropriation OF those proceeds