The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-08

led The rmgrans TO Oregon. Now, we have rewarded TIE
lands, aud do not think hold this up as sound
policy 10 discriminate between them ! am disposed 10
let this go, because were equally teIai'o The settlers
IN Oregon.
There is another point 10 which wish to call the al
tsntion OF the Senate. Although | listened TO The re-
marks OF the honorable senator from Illinois Mr.
ShELDsl with great attention, yet am not satisfied WIN
regard TO This point 10 which wish TO call tbe attention
OF The senator from California The third section OF nus
bill not only proposes TO give quarter section OF land TO
the present inhabitants OF California and citizens OF the
uned States 10 every unmarried man there, and all who
hied declaration OF an Intention to become cizens OF
the United Staes-a quarter section to the unmarried
man. and half econ to the married man--bnt it pro-
poses to give II TO those who shall become residents
PRIOR TO the year 1858 Now not this asking too much -
more man 10 demanded by the necessities and condition
Of California. peculiar and anomalous they may be
DO You want any further inducement to send men or
families TO California than you now have We have
been liberal and bountiu TO all those who out there
under circumstances OF privaon peril and uncertainty
as 10 whether man should leave the United States TO
go there. That Is thing But here you not only go
on IN the third section OF the bill to provide for those
tualiy IN California but You go another STEP and say
become resident there before the year 1853 Now this
is point at which think attack probably be
cessfaly made upon the extremes to which this bill pro.
poses TO 20 in relation to these public lands.
Now do not think thai the distinction between Ter
ritory and State makes any great difference and
CARDS The suggestion which requires great to
cultivators OF the soil there is doubt Of their being
needed But, under the present circumstances OF the
country, doubt whether there will not be strong induce
mens-whcther strong and great Inducements do not
exist at the present time convince them that thv will
realize greater profits from the cultivation OF the soil
than they would TO seek sudden fortunes by going the
mines But suppose that you hold out the lndnce.
TO all the present inhabitants of California; what
are the provisions of the bill will say nothing, at
MIA prior to The year 1853 Why il any man shall settle
down upon any portion of land and cultivate portion
OF for three years, he becomes entitled to simple
estate by patent from the United States for quarter
he
to $40 Does that compel them to become cuhva-
tors OF the soil OF necessarily but il is temps
ton to man TO make small settlement enclose small
spot OF ground. and by few hours labor in each week
month OF the OF cultivation. 10 enable
him to show that he has cultivated half an acre, a
quarter OF rood OF land, then to claim
patent for his quarter half section, as the case may
be. You cannot the consummaton OF the policy
upon which you base the appropriations IN this section
But, as said before we cannot 60 fully into The con-
siderations OF this question But think the measure
demanded and contended for by the senator from Cafor
MIA Is too argeat least in this respect Ought he not
to cut il down Is there any ground for discrimination
between California and Oregon IN this respect is there
any ground Of sound policy to hold out inducements 10
emigants California not only from the United States,
but from every portion of the civilized gobe-to all per-
who shall declare their intentions 10 become inhab-
itants Of California Is not California demanding too
much OF her friends when she asks that this provision
shall be extended TO 1853
Sir, have thrown out these observations. but we
had not time was not able 10 go fully into this matter
hope. however, that the Suggestions that have made
will be thought OF. and that senators will think OF this
matter in their action upon this bill.
Mr. MASON. At the last session, when the bill was
pending before the Senate providing for the survey OF
lands in Oregon. objected in very brief argument. to
clause pretty much Of the character OF that now com.
menled upon BY the senator from Georgia and other sen
upon the other side OF the chambe-a provision IN
the bill by which not only the public lands given
away but provision by which all invited, whether
citizens OF the United States no TO come and take
them. The Senate, according 10 my recollection, by a
very decided the last session. refused to strike this
provision from that bill And all that expect to do
is draw the attention OF The country and more
particularly that section OF the country from whence
come-the people who entered decided remonstTance
against the admission OF Cal 10 their exclusion
10 draw their attention to the tact that this country,
which, besides the blood that shed In the war with
Mexico has cost people. taking into consideration
the expenses OF the than hundred millions OF
dollars, longer treated the property OF the nation
Why, II was the expectation OF some OF the SIMPLE.
minded amongst that there would be some rebuton
a, least in the sale OF The public domain 10 reimburse the
expenses oil the But, the contrary, policy is
recommended here by standing committee OF this body
to give these lands away all who will come to take
them, and invite them to for that purpose from
every quarter OF the globe.
Sir, The reason assigned by the senator from Illinois
Mr.. SHIELpsl as reconclling him TO the policy OF thus
bill that IL would invite miners TO come from the
mines and make themselves cutvators Of the soil. II
that argument well founded, apprehend it would
weigh but very little in determining what the policy OF
the government is in relation to the property OF the gov
eminent But will il have that effect II there be
any of the population of California who dis
posed to give up the golden hopes tina, have attracted
of the soil, there not abundant inducements
in the quality Of the country TO induce them TO do 40,
when they know that whoever settles upon the public
land and cultivates portion OF II IS entitled TO pre-
empon in the portion OF land that he cuiva,es And
II there be anything necessary TO invite miners TO be-
cutvators of the soil, 1t is there already. Ia
laon TO Oregon, II INDICATED upon the ground that
necessary get persons to go there But look al
California. The population OF this country has been
drained 20 there, not for the purpose OF cntlvang
the coil certainly but Tor the purpose of digging into these
mnes-for the purpose, without license, OF converting the
public property TO their own use.
Now, IN relation to Oregon, this was the policy adopted
by the government OF the Territory, and appropriated
the property of the government and the Territory IL is
proposed 10 extend II 10 a State California has
been admitted into the Union upon equal footing with
the other States But who preends that California has
been admitted into the Union, not upon equal footing
with the other States, but admitted INTO this Union un.
der circumstances which entitle her TO ask will per.
nit grant her privileges Smmunities and bonus
that never have been given TO asked Tor BY any OF
them whatever but in reference TO California itself
BY what authority does this general government under
take not TO invite our own people from the other States
to go there to take up our lands, but TO bring them by
the promise OF grauy, from every quarter OF the globe
and make them ciizenso OF California;
have not risen 10 discuss this question take II for
granted. from what AT the last session OF Con-
gress that this bill is pass, and very much II is now
with the provisions which in IT, But have rIsen
10 call the attention of people TO the condition
which they stand in this confederaoy and to the prac
teal operation OF this general government upon the in
Irresistible recunsry interestsof that people that
they required to contribute, largely than
any other portion OF the community, to purchase this
land and then that should be given away others TO
their exclusion That i. the principal object tina, dc.
men OF the senator from Georgia, which will obviae the
objection TO this bill 10 some extent.