The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-31

wsDsssDAr, JaauAry 80. 1850.
SENATE

Private mcmoxials were presented by Messrs.
DIcKINaos, PHsLPs, SswAED, HAMLIs, MILES.
vcE a am .d the Senate
communications from the Secretary of the Senate,
stating the circumstances Of the delay in having
the annual estmaes printed for the use Of the Sen'
ate. Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed
Reports ON private bills were made by Messrs.
UPHAM, HAMLIH, and JONES.
Mr. BELL from the Committee on Indian At
fairs reported bill authorizing the negotiation Of
treaties with the Indian tribes in the Territory of
Oregon, and for the cxtinguishmen Of their claims
to lands lying west Of the Cascade Mountains, and
for other purposes.
Mr. JONES, from the Committee ON Pensions
reported joint resolution authorizing the account
ing officers of the Treasury to allow certain Gre
dit in the accounts OF Newton Lane, pension
agent; and il was read third time and passed.
MIR. BUTLER, from the Committee on the Judi
ciary, 10 whom had been referred bill making
certain proposals 70 the State Of Texas, mr. BEN
rows bill asked to be discharged from the further
Of the same, and that il be referred TO
the Committee on the Territories.
On motion Of Mr.. HOUSTON, the resolutions
submitted by him some weeks ago relating 10 the
subject OF slavery in the Territories taken up
and made the special order Of the day for Monday
Mr.. FETCH submitted the following resolution,
which lies over:
Resolved That the Committee on Public Lands
be instructed TO inquire into the expcdieucy of
causing to be prepared and printed collection OF
the official instructions Of q general character
which have been Issued from time to time, relative
70 the disposal and sale Of TIE public lands together
ON questions arising under the land laws, and q
compilation OF the Spanish laws and regulations for
the sales and donation of land, far as the same
sse tatss. = territories now owned y the United
MIR. DOUGLAS gave notice of a bill providing
for the navigation Of the st. Lawrence, and forre
cprocal trade with Canada.
Mr.. BORLAND, from the Committee on Print
ing, reported joint resolution regulating the bind
ing Of all documents printed for the of Congress-
which was read three times and passed.. GA
Mr. b., from the same Committee, also reported
the following resolution which was referred to the
Committee on Public Lands
Resolusd, That the Secretary of the Senate be,
and he e hereby, directed 70 purchase for the
OF the Senate copies of Professor Walter r.
Johnson's recent work entitled g The Coal Trade
of British. America, with Researches on the Charac-
ter and Practical Value of American and Foreign
Coas:" Provided, that tho cost of said work shall
Mr.. HOUSTON submitted the following resolu-
ton Ms an amendment to the ono submitted by the
Senator from New York, (Mr. SEwARD,) on the
same subject. some days since
ResolUed That the Committee on Public Lands
be instructed to inquire into the expedicncy Of
granting to each family (not and-holders, or the
owners Of property worth the sum of y 500) citi-
zens of the United States, or emiRrants who are
now here, or may arrive previous to the 4th of
March next l60 acres OF land: and when said
families shall have resided upon the said land 20
granted three years continuously, and shall erect
buildings, and clear ten acres Of ground thereon,
patent shall be issued by the Government Of the
United States, free from all cost, to tho grantee.
He asked that the resolution be now considered.
Mr.. FooTE hoped the resolution would be
printed. Among the many propositions offered on
this subject he considered this one the beat bid yet
made. He, however, while wishing the measure
proposed would be adopted, was afraid that these
resolutions would raise hopes and expectations that
would never be realized. .3
Mr.. HOUSTON disclaimed any desire to inter-
fere with the expectations or hopes of any other
Senator upon any matter. He sympathixed with
the unfortunate and oppressed Of every cline. He
eympathized with the millions who now lived in
our eastern cities, and who had barely the neces-
saries of life, and had to their bread by hard
labor. He wanted to have them all find a home on
the public domain. There upon that land which
now pays no taxes, and yields no profit, cities
and communities will spring up, and the country
be increased in wealth and population.
Mr.. MANGUM said that resolution of this kind
had been offered by the Senator from New York
(Mr. SEwARD,) another by the Senator from Mas
sachusetts, MIR. WEBsTEa,) another by the Sena-
tor from Texas to-day, and still another by the
Senator from Illinois, Mr.. DoUGLAs,) and it would
appear from these propositions TO give away the
public domain that some faith was placed in the
statements in some of the papers of the day that
eminent. He wished TO give notice that when this
question came up for serious action, he would
move to amend by granting three hundred and
twenty acres of land, instead of quarter section;
every day becoming less, he did not know but what
ne would move to add to the grant Of land negro
TO each settler. 49,
Mr.. SEWARD said that his bill relating to this
subject was before the Senate and he desired that
II should be considered when the subject came up
Tor consideration. His resolution was offered "a a
substitute for that of the Senator from Michigan in
relation to the conduct Of Austria towards Hunga-
ry. The bill INTRODUCED by him, and the resolu-
ton submitted by hin ~ well as tho resolution of
the Senator from Michigan, all had close bearing
on the Same subject He thought that they all
might be referred 10 the same committee ', 81
Mr.. DOUGLAS explained the nature and provi-
sions of the bill introduced by him, and drew the
distinctions between tho object and extent Of the
bill from the several propositions before the Senate.
lie particularly objected TO the proposition of the
Senator from New York. That proposition made
a distinction between the native-born citizen and
the foreigner. The proposition Of the Senator was,
that the foreigner should be entitled 70 settle upon
the public land without charge, while the native
born citizen WAS not allowed the same privilege.
Mr.. CASS said that be liked to sec the Senate
awake TO this subject: When the proposition of the
sidered in detail, he did not know but Il might
meet his approval. He was firmly Of the opinion
that the time bad now arrived in the condition of
the country. when population Of men owning
land was OF far greater value than money.
He had never been more struck with the value of
character than on this question. The Senators
from Massachusetts, New York. nlinois, and Texas,
% hs %s:s Ssre - not wr
paper In the country but would have denounced II
as a piece Of demagoguism. [Laughtcr.l He
sure that there was not Senator nor a man In the
country but knew he Was correct yet there was not
Wing paper In the Union that would charge the
Senator from Massachusetts with being nctuated in
introducing this proposition by the spirit Of dema
goguism. efAT
Mr.. BADGER was opposed to this mode of distri-
buting the public property. The territories Of the
United States had cost an immense amount of pub
Inc treasure and blood public debt had been
created BY It's acquisition, and the least he thought
that could be asked was, that it be sold 10 pay it's
cost. t.1..
Mr.. SEWARD explained that, in his proposition,
there was a determination between the American
born citizen and the foreigner in certain cases. He
was IN nvor of granting, to those Foreigners who
bad fought in their own country unsuccessfulfyin
behalf Of their liberties, certain quantity Of land
as home, and AZ security for the enjoyment here
Of that liberty denied them in their own country;
while he was not willing to give the same 10 those
who already enjoyed the blessings OF liberty. He
thought that the proceeds Of the public lands should
not be applied in the ordinary expenses of the Gov
ornment, but should be held az a fund for the BEN
cht Of mcritorious objects.
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