The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-20
For the Union.
The California Lands.

The proper disposition OF the California lands is ques-
ton which demands the immediate legislation of Con
gress Ought there not TO be even an extra session
vened to enable Congress t? make some satisfactory
settlement OF this questions Is there not danger that the
population 10 California may unless Congress give them
laws for their government set up for themselves and take
inclpent steps for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of California from
the United States! There will be in few months there
congfegaed vast OF men OF all sorts, OF all
nations, of all principles, and many without any prnc-
pies If circumstances arise which render 1t their inter
est to separate from The United States attempt do
may be made with some prospect OF success California,
with hghhng population OF one hundred thousand men,
could hold the world al bay. 1t Will soon have such a
population theeconsisns in part OF the boldest most
cnerprsing awess aud dangerous spirits OF this age
Is il not the duty OF the present administration imnc
dlaely to convene Congress for the purpose of extending
our laws that country, and of adopting system
for the primary disposition OF the soil
We may, therefore, well inquire at once upon what
principles should the soil be granted to the inhabitants OF
California humby think shall fall into fatal
if we attempt to raise a revenue from California by
making the gold in tne soil an element in the price for
which it is sold Equally erroneous will prove any sys
tenn OF permits, or leasing the lands Tor a share OF the
golden product The true interest of the United States is
TO obtain the settlement of California. and TO have its
lands owned by industrious and independent population
Let The lands Of California be surveyed posi-
be and sold all other government lands are, TO the high
est 6adder6M for no sum less than Tie present minimum
per acre.
The effect of this system will be- LIST, 10 gipe satisfaction
10 hfornid. She cannot complain If apply 10 the
sale OF her lands the same principles apply TO the
sale of other lands I'd. Government will Immediately
realize vast from the sale OF the California lands
perhaps $4,000 000in year or two which ought to be
appropriated, in part to making railway across the
rocky mountains Ii is objection to this system that
government may get more than $ rs per acre Tor
the land Our policy is to let the people exhaust the
land of its gold for they will not cultivate 1t TIL IT is
exhausted 1t is. likewise no objection to this system
that capitalists will monopolze the soil by buying up
large tracts For ls this is not likely to take place, be-
capitalists could protect their land from being
pundered and I'd if it did take place. capitalists would
ind 1t to be their true interest to sell their land at once TO
those who would dig the gold out OF IT. Government
should allow the empton to actual settlers IN
California as is allowed now by law. This will enable
the poor to dig out OF the soil the price ne is required
TO pay for It, In connexon with this system, govern
ment may very properly derive large revenue from Call,
ornia by establishing mint there and requiring the gold
dlggers 10 exchange their gold Tor con-say at l3 per
ounce-prohbiting its export in the shape OF dust or
bullion, and receiving the latter payment for land In
this way all the will be derived from the gold
paces that ought to derive from them and all that the
people OF California would eventually be willing to