Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-02-02
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
IN SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1850.


The Secretary read it as follows
esoed That the Committee on Public Lands be
cd inquire into the expedency Of granting to each family
81 5oo) citizens Of the United States emigants who are
here arrive previous to the Attn March next 100
OF land and when said families shall have resided upon
the said land granted three years continuously and shall
buildings and clear ten OF ground patent
shall be issued by the Government OF the United sates Tree
from all cost to the grantee.
Mr.. HOUSTON. would remark, sir, that that resolution
prepared amendment to resolution presented BY
the Senator from New York, (Mr. SEwARD.) Expecting
that il would have been called up previous to this me
withheld until now, intending to make 1t subject OF
amendment the resolution of the honorable Senator from
New York. That resolution not having been called up,
think proper present this original esoiusn As
various plans the purpose Of promoting the settlement Of
the public lands have been suggested, and referred to the
Committee on Public Lands may say that think those
lands could be better disposed Of than in providing homes
for the necesseus citizens of country and those who
may shores requiring assistance As those schemes
have been referred the Committee on Public Lands have
thought this proper time TO move this resolution beg mat
it may be TefeEred to that committee.
Mr. FOOTE Mr. President, merely rise to suggestthatl
necessity for having this resoia on referred and printed
rather think will pass without the formality Of report
Whilst up beg say that think this decidedly the
best "bd that has yet been made. Laughter. give the
honorable Senator the credit fer it. because this sort of
commenced by those who hard to beat Tbs
only objection base the printing Of the resolution is this
am afraid may awaken improper feeling in the
country am afraid it may awaken undue feelings of ex-
pectation expectations that may not finally be gatfed
fear may not be gratked. II the only effect of printing
such resolutions was 10 strengthen the personal popularity of
particular gentlemen should be Indifferent about it, and if
any good effect likely to arise from it should be very
glad conclude by repeating that think this is decidedly
tie best Z" bid" we have had yet
Mr.. HOUSTON. can the gentleman from Mis-
ssspp Mr FooTE that upon the subject Of 40 bids have
never been distinguished this emulous
of any success that know but one and that would be
reconcile matters here and get to business. But the hon.
orabe Senator from Mississippi enteans the slightest appre
hension that have any idea of interfering with any other
Southern gentleman who has bds" make he isceranly
mistaken for can assure the honorable Senator that
haveno aspirations which would conflict with those claims to
which he is so Justly entitled. Laughter.
This is a originating not with reference to any
uterio object further than the accommodation of such per-
really necessitous in country aad not
remarked, intending to make it substantive resolution
in its origin but for the purpose of embracing large portion
of population and such will necessarily arrive
shores and mnge with population, (which the sole
object had in vew would have been glad, sir to have Of
fered amendment the resolution of the honorable
Senator from New York, (Mr SEWARD 1t will be re-
membered that have made efforts to bring myself par
culary forward the floor of the Senate, ntermedde
in the discussions which have resulted and had been
for peculiar degree of senveness the part of the hon
orable Senator from Mississippi apprehendng collision
that might arise in relation to bids, presume this motion
would have passed unopposed The policy which have al
entertained and upon which the country acted in which
have been situated for past has been policy liberal
towards emigran liberal towards citizens and in appro
patng the public domain has acted upon the principle that
Independent and well established population is Of
advantage to the community republic than the possession
of public lands that Improbable, neither paying taxes
contributing TO the general wealth Of the country In
fuenced by policy of this character would be glad
it established here Millions cannot number the amount of
acres that have Of public domain in this country that is
improbable, and unoccupied and when you cast your
eyes the cities of North and the cities Of the whole
Unon yeu will find millions Of citizens millions of people
there, who dependant the charity Of the country, living
miserable dependents their daily labor for their subsistence
and if you transfer them Western and Southern
borders you will place them in position to establish state
of profitable independence and respecaby in which they
their families educate them, and build up society on
borders with intelligence equal TO that which adorns
principal cities Cities will rise, sir and this is the way
extend dominion the forests of the country and
give support and impart happiness to millions who would
otherwise be wretched miserable dependant and degraded
These considerations, Mr.. President have influenced me
in part in handing in this resolution merely to add the
solution of another gentleman, that might be compe
hensive its operation than appropriate to emgrants
the Inhabitants Of a particular country.
ympathze, Mr. President with the oppressed and ruined
Hungarian while despse the power which has trampled
him regret the unheard-of crueltes that are now
perpetrated the broad land Of fair Hungary but sir
have other emgants to our country with whom we claim the
closest ties of affinity, and are bound by nature and by kin
dred. These people fockng to shores. If we ex
tend them welcome, let extend with that welcome real
benefits We have millions aud millions Of that I'VE
give away, and have resduum of millions left. Ihave
looked into the statistics Of this subject sir and would be
oced to know that half Of ourpubc domain given
away these who will become occupants Of it, and who will
cultivate it with advantage themselves and to the country,
and in addition, add imports and exports, develop
resources and increase the Of the country by the
posts upon articles OF consumption.
For these reasons, Mr. President hope the committee to
which is proposed to refer this resolution will give it that
consideration to which is entitled, and that they will con-
slider the great advantages which will arise not only to the
country, sir but the benefcaries Of this policy. And
the honorable Senator from Mississippi (Mr.
FooTE with all c,rday Of feeling and regard, not only for
his locality but for his eminent talents and usefulness
that will not place myself in competition with any bid
that he may hereafter make. Laughter.
Mr.. MANGUM. hope, in the notice am about to give,
may not be considered bidder in competition
with those eminent gentlemen to whom reference has been
made But looking at the various propositions which have
successfully appeared in this bodyone from the honorable
Senator from the Empire State of New York from the
distinguished Senator from the Bay State and this from
young sister Texas
Mr. DOUGLAS. Illinois preceded them all. .r
l Mr.. MANGUM. Yes sir and one from Illinois, always
advance Of the rest-it have obtained
son like that OF ships when the vessel about
down in stormwhen they resolve to break up the
and cargo and distribute them among themselves. II
that imagine that those newspaper representations
be relied which predict that about break
up and, in advance Of that event. spirit Of universal spoa
ton to be rife in the land. II the public domain
be given awayand hope may be considered in the
light Of bidder " have yet entered the aena-I give
notice that may by possibility when these
up for consideration, amendment the granting of
three hundred and twenty of land actual settlers
and would add, that consequence OF the agitation of
the times the tenure by which certain species property
the Union held supposed TO be gradually weakened
will throw in negro apiece to each Of the settlers,
Laughter
Mr.. SEWARD. The resolution which had the honor to
submit the subject which under consideration, per-