The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-12
what was reserved lying between the two rivers |
have named-the Scoto and the Little Miami-l 60i 900


Now, how stands the account know very wei
that there are many citizens in the State OF Virginia who
have in their possession military land warrants of The
issue have referred to- which remain to this day un
satisfied. Why are they unsaiisied Because Of the
character OF our people. They go away from home bu
them-ino their actual, substantial rights II there il
the slightest obstacle to their enjoying any portion
Their property they will not turn aside from The nves
CATION so II Is that at this day land warrants TO con-
siderable extent-l do not know how great-are out
standing 10 the State OF Virginia,
oiher States have acted differently. The State oi
Connecticut Tor example, ceded her lands lying between
the DIST and AID degrees OF north latitude but reserved
Tor her own use and benefit not for military services bu
Tor her own use and benefit 356oooo acres Of land the
reservation whatever, except to satisfy these military
warrants.
But, sir, what further has been done The five
States which were carved out OF the territory of the
State Of Virginia the States Of Ohio, Indiana Ili-
nos. Michigan, and Wisconsin, and the general govern
ment mad granted TO these States, within their respective
limits, Tor purposes of internal Improvement, public
buildings canals, &c sass 900 of land up 10 1884,
when the statistics 10 which refer were complied How
mnch has been granted since do not know. Still,
these military land warrants, as have said, only
l,460 900 acres
70 the iheraly Or bounty OF Congress- but to its justice
IN behalf OF the State OF Virginia to enable her to dis
charge the sacred obligation have named. wish only
to bring these facts before the Senate, and shall de-
tain il longer, but hope the amendment will be adopted.
Mr. UNDERWOOD Mr., President. | rise for the
purpose Of expressing my qualification at the amendment
proposed by the honorable senator from Virginia, Mr.
MASON, j and to submit few remarks in addition to
those he has advanced in support OF it. Perhaps my
position IN lille has given me greater familiarity with
this subject than any other senator has for was brought
up in the district where the lands reserved and
granted to the soldiers, and in my professional career
have had great deal to do with them.
before the committee of which | am member, and we
have made report upon it, and presented bill for the
consideration of the Senate, which, hope at the proper
time will be taken up and acted upon The committee,
lii its deliberations upon this subject directed me to
port bill providing for satisfying all the warrants is
sued BY the State Of Virginia pro, to The rst Ct June
issued subsequent to that period. The ground upon
which this distinction was made BY that committee was
this; They supposed that if Congress undertook to sat
sfy those claims issued by the State of Virginia subse
qusnt to 1872, (he OF their selecting that date
will mention presenty they would have 10 satisfy good
many which were fraudulent-a good many persons hay
ing made application and sustained their claims by fraud
uen adavits before the authorities OF Virginia, and many
warrants having thus been issued improperly. They
supposed that all warrants issued prior 10 1892 were cor
recy and properly issued because at that date there
many living persons who could testify as to the service
rendered by officers and soldiers in the revolution. The
subject was familiar with those who administered the
Laws, and there therefore, difficulty III reaching
their truth. Upon that account the committee thought
proper to fix upon the first Of June 7sa and to say that
and those issued subsequently should not be.
Now, the reason why the hrst OF June, 17e2, was
selected this that was the day on which the gov
eminent of Kentucky, separate and independent
State commenced Its operations Up TO that period, BY
the compact entered into between Virginia and Kentucky
Kentucky bound to satisfy out OF the vacant lands OF
5 se 81 Virginia iss ssosa @ ot' Sse ne a
and therefore, up to that period, those warrants which
had been previously issued in contemplation OF
law might have been satisfied out Of the vacant
domain of Kentucky. That was the reason of the
distinction which the committee made. Now, sir, have
the intention Of offering an amendment to this propos
rnlHa Upl
rants those issued prior 10 the LIST OF june 7g2 car
ng out the distinction made by the committee. But, IN
making motion TO amend the amendment IN that way,
shall vote against my own proposition shall merely
submit for the purpose OF testing the sense OF the Sen
upon the subject and out OF respect 10 the opinions
OF my associates on the committee, who were against
satisfying the subsequently TO that date do II
for this further il il shall be the sense OF the
Senate make this distinction in Difference TO the opinion
OF the majority OF the conni.tee then by passing The
amendment OF my friend from Virginia, with that dis
tncton upon IT, shall at least secure justice so Tar as
respects the holders OF warrants issued prior to the LIST oil
June, 17e2
and TO vote against il for the have assigned, al
low make one or two remarks against my own
SIR. ask the Senate II il be compatible with our sense
Of proprety go into inquiry whether few frauds
have been perpetrated upon the State OF Virginia and
whether lew OF the heirs and representatives Of the old
soldiers OF the revolution get few acres OF land more than
they entitled TO. Will you 90 into an Investigation ol
that sort, and undertake to discriminate between warrants
issued pTlOr 10 the 81 oil June, ly< anu ose sueu sup
sequeniy' Why, the number cannot amount to great
deal have the report before me which wlIl give you
the estimate upon that subjects and when communicate
that estimate shall ask the Senate whether they VIII
20 into an inquiry how far the authorizes OF Virginia
may have been imposed upon by few persons present
ing fraudulent claims We all know that IN the admin.
istraton OF every government upon EARTH the govern
ment is liable TO be imposed upon occasionally oy fraud
ulent claims My friend upon the lett Mr. BADoERl
says call governments but this that we never pay any
but fair, and just and honorable claims" But SIR, the
fhee
upon earth claim will occasionally come in, and be ad.
mied and paid, which ought not to be paid nope
them SIR that shall not make the discrm,nahon De
tween the warrants issued prior TO the rst OF June lIy9
and those which have heen issued since bat tme, Du,
that we shall make provision TO satisfy the whole oi
them | wrote to Mr. Parker, and obtained THIS letter
from him, and, is short letter. Will read ":
Yours OF the 10th duly to hand requesting
transmit TO you the number Of ana wasnls arc ny
for military service rendered "a the war o. me syonlon
since the first day OF September, 1880 Ia conformity WIN
vour request send you the following sia tement 10 WI
the number Of warrants issued from eP'emoe' ioS'i
$40 /, aggregate amount OF acres, -.
Now. sr all the warrants prior to September ist 1888
were provided for in the ac OF Congress TO wh,cn my
friend referred when he upon the moor, ana ,nose
Outstanding warrants satisfied, except the small per
ceniage which was mentioned by him Ihat per cent
age he provides for II s, beleve about ~ per cent
The warrants subsequently issued amount 10 ,.le more
than 500 600 acres That the number outstanding suo
sequsnty 10 7e2 not provided Tor heretofore,
to 500 600 acres, or little more Now me quesuon -
whether the Senate when Congress- has nefetoofe po
yded in the act referred in the amendment Tor he ou
standing warrants prior to 1885, except little per cent
are of 10 or is Der cent do not recolect tne pecse
ia yyheher the Senate Will go into