Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-12
IN SENATE.

,provemen education and other purposes in said State
an M i ,bs STATE sasr n was willing 10 TO-
but further presents Whenever his friend from Florida
would introduce bill relative to the lands in that State he
would give it a favorable consideration
Mr.WESTCOTT made reply which was inaudible.
Mr. BORLAND said he had originally limited the bill, but
had extended its provisions in compliance with the wishes Of
friends around him.
been amended and expressed hope that the opposition of
the Senator from Alabama would be Withdrawn.
Mr. FOOTE explained that the language the bill applied
only the lands known swamp lands utterly vaueess to
the General Government and which could be reclaimed and
made valuable by the State
Mr. BORLAND said that if he thought these lands could
be made worth any thing to the United States be would
not ask for them the terms named by the bill. The State
would embank and reclaim the lands and thus fer
tile OF disease and encourage the cultivation OF the lands
and the increase of population.
Mr. WESTCOTT was Of opinion that the improvements
necessary make these lands useful would be made by
the United States II would require regiments of opo
graphical engineers and hundred millions Of money 1.-THE
States would take the lands the condition Of retaining the
lands, the oher ought to be accepted.
Mr. MILLER thought had not sufficient information
the subject of these lands enable the Senate act the
bill this hay manner and at this late period of the session.
It had heen said by the Senator from South Carolina that
general system would be brought before Congress the
session, and be thought should wait for that system
Mr. KING said he had objection bill to give to the
States the lands which could be reclaimed by the Gov
ernment which would not go into system of drainage If
the States would do this, the only way which the
lands could be made valuable He did believe that the
everglades Of Florida could be reclaimed by the State
the General Government He would withdraw his opposition
to the bill.
Mr. METCALFE said he could not as representative Of
State which excluded from the benefit of any improve
of her and habo now to give away par
tcur States the lands which the property Of
all. He moved to lay the bill on the table.
The question was put and negaived Ayes l6, noes 20.
Theyeas and then ordered the passage the bill
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi, made few remarks in favor
o.
private capital be applied the reclamation Of these
lands The had been long before Congress, and
one could pretend that it was sprung in the Senate
Mr. NILES oppOsed the bill The title Oft bill referred
lands subject overflow All bottom lands subject to
overflow, and this description would embrace all the valley
lands But the bill has been amended TO extend to all
lands which the surveyor may denominate swamp lands
After wet season, would be difficult decide which
precisely swamp lands and which only temporarily
flowed. He thought such sweeping grant, which would
give away hundred millions Of ought not to be made
in this manner, and be should oppose the bill
Mr. BREESE stated that the practice ohe surveyors when
employed surveys in reference TO overowed lands was TO
give them distinct designation in their maps and reports to
the General Land Office, and from these reports the decision
of the Secretary the Treasury made In his State there
many Of lands in high situations, the
ostreams which subject overflow, and which could not
BE- called swamp lands.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD thought particular information
ought be before the Senate reference the lands in other
States than Arkansas He moved to strike out the third sec
ton which extends the provisions Of the bill to other States
Mr.. FOOTE said that the Of things the same in
Mississippi and Louisiana in Arkansas He hoped there
would be delay further information could throw
light the subject.
Mr.. DAVIS OF Massachusetts, before he could vote, de-
sired to know what portion Of these lands nhab
ed and under cultivation great deal Of money had been
expended by the Government in removing distractions and
RATS and il proposed give all away. He doubted
whether overowed lands entirely useless he knew
that many such lands had been reclaimed and made valuable
by private enterprise He would prefer that should
be sent to survey these lands that the Government should be
aoe to make estimate their value.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, complained that every APP
picson from the States In which these lands lay had been
refused The overflow from the Mississippi sometimes
ten feet and impossible for any private enterprise
claim the lands The health Of the country injured by
these inundaions
The further consideration Of the bill was then postponed
Ill to
On motion Of Mr. DOUGLAS, the Senate proceeded to
the consideration Of the bill to establish the Territorial Govern
ment of Oregon.
The bill being before the Senate as in Committee Of the
Whole, and the question being the amendments reported
by the Committee the Territories
The first amendment the introduction Of the follow
ing provso to the sixth section Tha Of the Terri
toral Legislature shall become law until approved by the
Governor"
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi moved to amend the amend
ment by adding the words of the Territory, or dssp
proved by said Governor until specifically submitted and
approved by the Congress Of the United States"
The amendment TO the amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. DOUGLAS explained that the absolute veto power
was embraced in all the Territorial Governments.
Mr.. HALE suggested ON amendment making Il the duty
of the Governor to transmit any bill which did become
law TO Congress, follows "And il shall be the duty Of
the Governor TO transmit copies Of any disapproved by
him to Congress"
Mr.. TURNEY moved to add, "and his reasons for dsap-
provel."
Mr.. HALE accep'ed the addition modification Of his
amendment, and then withdrew his amendment
The question required the amendment Of Mr. DAVIS,
of Mississippi, which agreed to.
Mr. HALE renewed his motion amend, and again with
drew IL.
The amendment as amended, was then agreed to.
Mr.. HALE moved TO insert his amendment in the third
section follows And shall be the duty Of said Gov
eno Immediately after the session of the Legislature,
transmit copies Of any acts from which he may have withheld
his approval together with his such disapprova
The amendment was agreed TO-
The second amendment Of the committee being under con-
sderaon follows At the beginning Of the l4th section
insert Tnasmuch the said Territory north Of the pa
rae Of thysix degrees and thirty minutes of north lat
tude usually known the Missouri compromise j.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD moved to strike out " thry-six de-
grees and thirty minutes" and insert "orty-wo" and to
strike out the words usually known the Missouri com
promise"
Mr. DOUGLAS suggested that the better mode would be
TO take the question on the amendment altogether.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD thought the amendment, report
ed e the disputed question Of slavery open to be renewed
In the California b and bis desire TO make the Ian
susge 20 plain preclude the eopenng Of this debate