The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-11

ese floating rights the fOrm oil land scrip. iand war
e!e y gFssi question IN my mind 70 the justice and
dity o ha claim II al for there y about ~ much 10
bE The niLd 10 the conclusion that i never existed ~
rgW or In Justice there is 10 satisfy the mind Thai
syd had an equitable existence; AZ q! events. u 4
Be }alij twas local right " land within ne Stale o.
uiois confirmed BY ne governor oi " Isrory and
ded Il impossible for the individual to avail himself Of
u Tine and circumstances make It impossible now,
aps for him to satisfy the entire grant in she partieu.
hr locality within which the claim Is right Togive him
now general floating claim 10 any OF the public lands with
IN the United States might be place hiR upon an almost
Infinitely better footing than originally ne s certainly
bis claim was located; and to give him this right 10 To-
cate aywheren the United States 70 select the most
aivanfgeons location. would well reward him. or rather
senator from Illinois [Nr SHIxLpsl have doubt is
souef, that the heirs of the clamant-mo Of them-
tho hsts whom military bounty land scrip Z issued
This subject was brought to the notice Of the Senate al
the as session. in the bill introduced by the senator
from Virginia and ne atenI, vas ssn made e Gys
all over the United States How Immediately did the
Senate put down the idea This is moi Of the mag
i o Sc
to the heirs. | am opposed 10 III but shall trouble
the Senate about IT, II they choose to consent
Mr. DOWNS. believe il is not SO unusual to grant
these floating rights as the senator from Wisconsin
seems to suppose should like TO hear the honorable
member STATE now l0Cateu as tniS pfOpObeu
be done, can be settled satisfactorily and justly to the
claimant in any other way II has been repeatedly done
Ii Is the only way, that conceive of in which il
be done Injustice has been done TO The party He has
been for forty years deprived OF his right The land has
passed into other hands. Even floating right now
would be Infinitely inferior 10 the claim many years ago.
because large portions OF the best lands not only in l-
but in the neghbong States have been selected and
entered upon This is the ordinary way of doing justice
in Of this kind can see no danger and no i'm
proprey ID It. But If the gentleman state any other
i m
lablish mode of action similar cases-for know
that such have been frequently sanctioned by Con-
after long delay should in accordance with the
repeated reports OF various committees Of both houses
and in accordance with several bills which have passed
Congress at The different sessions. Whywe shosd be.
come careful all al of interests repeatedly decided
upon, in case precisely parallel must confess cannot
see
the report which read did not contain the decision Of
the supreme court Of Illinois TO which referred but il
was perhaps IN some other report IL was believe upon
the single ground that the confirmation OF the territorial
governor under the law existing at that time,
elusive. Ii was decided. think that after the best
lands in nos have been taken up by donations to rail-
roads, by entries, by bounty lands &C.. is than
and ar 10 let this claim be located in any OF the
lneghboring States.
Mr DODGE. oi Iowa. Mr. President, appeal to
that part OF his amendment which restricts the claimants
in this to the State Of Illinois. within which locate
their lands have no doubt there are as good public
1
so happens that many Of the heirs OF the original
caimantin this reside in Iowa and Missouri am
well acquainted with them. They my friends, and
feel anxious that justice shall be done them The bill al
ready contains numerous restrictions. The claimants
cannot locate lead mines, salt springs, or any lands
which have not been offered at public sale. Nor can
they, as understand. interfere with pre-empion rights.
there s any doubt on that point hope the portion OF
the amendment protecting pre- empton claims may be
adopted But think there is none hope. therefore,
that amendment may not be agreed 10. and that the bill
may now be passed IN the shape in which II came from
the committee gtt
Mr.. MANGUM Upon the last division voted for
theamendment and wish 10 say that ! shall now vote
against IT, upon the ground that al the best Il is very
tardy performance OF an act OF justice, assuming that the
claim is inst and well founded As understand thai the
heirs of the claimants, who will be interested in this
grant, and who have been long delayed reside in dif.
ierent States think fair and reasonable especially
10 not amslier OF much consequence to allow the par
ties 10 make the location at the points most convenient
TO them. Upon that ground shall vote against the
amendment.
Mr cAss find, il looking at The report thai The
II is signed Arthur st. Clair and countersigned William
Henry Harrison That was the foundation OF the claim
and al that time !, was all one ierriory-ihe Northwest
Tenory-and there Illinois, no Indiana no
Wisconsin. The right equally spread over the whole
OF that territory Under these circumstances the claim
was allowed i was set aside BY Mr. GalIaiin Iisans
views above taken correct, the governor was
thorized TO make the grant IL is distinctly decided that
the governor had the right to grant ,he patent and
wards they ak TO grant lands Why. thrn circum-
scribe them 10 the State OF Illinois any more than TO The
county of ST. Clair, in which the grant originated
see 20 reason for IT,
The question being taken upon the amendment. il was
rejected.
The bill was then reported 10 the Senate and orde red
to be engrossed for third reading
STEAM vEssEIs
The Senate proceeded to consider, as in committee Of
the whole, the bill (H r. 3sG) amend an act entitled
IAN act TO provide Tor the better security oil the lives OF
passengers on board OF vessels propelled in whole in
part by steam"
On moiion by Mr., DAVIS, Of Massachusetts,.
Ordered: That 1t be recommued 10 the Committee on
Commerce"
SPECIAL ORDERS
The Senate resumed, as in committee OF the whole, the
consideration OF Senate bf No 200 to amend "An act
TO promote the progtess OF The useful arts"
On motion by Mr.. TURNEY,
"0rdod, That the fuLef consideration thereof be post
poned 10 and made the special order Of the day for Monday
nsxt"
The Senate resumed, as In committee OF the whole the
consideration OF Senate bill No IS, 10 cede the public
lands Of the United States to the States respectively in
which they are situated, condition that the said States
occupants only limited quantities, for cost OF survey,
transfer. and title muniments merely.
0n motion by MIR, FELCH,
Ordered That the farther consideration thereof be post
poned 70 and made tue special order Of the day for Tas
day next"
Pending the above motion.
Mr. WALkER sad This is now, l believe, a special
Knowing that the senator from Michigan the chairman
OF the Committee Pablic Lands, Mr. FrLcH] desires
10 address The Senate upon The BILL anxious that IL
should be postponed reasonable time, in order TO hear