Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1851-01-31
EXTRACTS FROM
JACkSON'S LAND BILL VETO,

DECEMBER 4TH, 1888.
To the Senate of the United Stufes:
At the close of the last session OF Congress received
from that body bill entitled, "An Act to appropriate
for limited time the proceeds Of the sales of the public
lands OF the United States and for granting lands to
certain States" The brief period then remaining be-
fore the rising of Congress- and the pressure of
official duties. unavoidable such occasions, did not
leave sufficient time for that full consideration OF
the subject which due to its great importance
Subsequent consideration and reflection have however,
confirmed the objections 10 the bill which presented
themselves TO my mind upon its first perusal, and have
satisfied me that 1t ought not TO become law. felt my
sell, therefore, constrained to withhold from it my APP
prevail and return it to the Senate, In which it ORR
gnated, with the reasons on which my dissent is tound-
ed
| am fully sensible OF the importance, as it respects
both the harmony and union of the States OF making
as circumstances will allow of it, proper and
final disposition of the whole subject of the public
lands and any measure tor that object, providing
or the reimbursement OF the United States OF those
G oenses with which they are Justly chargeable
nat may be consistent with my views OF the Con-
tution sound policy, and the rights of the re-
Give States, will readily receive my cooperation
rs bill, however is not OF that character. The ar
cement 1t contempaies is not permanent, but limited
ave years only and in its appears anticipate
teratlons within that time, at the discretion OF Con-
gress aud furnishes adequate security against those
continued sgtatons OF the subject which it should be
the principal object OF any measure TOR the disposition
oil the public lands to avert.
Neither of the bill under consideration nor
the validity OF the objections which have felt it TO be
my duty 10 make to It's passage be correctly apprec
ated without null understanding oil the in which
the lnbhc lands, upon which 1t Is intended to operate
acquired and the conditions upon which they are
now held by the unlted States. | will there fore, pre-
cede the statement OF those objections by briet and
distinct exposition of these points.
The waste lands within the United States constituted
one of the early obstacles TO the organization of any
government Tor the protection of their common interests
In October, Ill., while Congress were framing the
articles OF confederation, proposition was made 10
amend them to the following effect, viz:
That the United States in Congress assembled shall
have the sole and exclusive right and power ascer
tain and x the Western boundary osuch States claim
TO the Mississippi or South sea, and lay the land be-
yond the boundary SO aseertaued into separate and in
dependent States, from time 10 time the numbers and
circumstances OF the people thereof may require"
Ii was however, rejected, Maryland only voting for
II; and so difficult did the subject appear that the patriots
OF that body agreed to waive it the articles of con-
federation and leave it for future settlement
On the submission OF the articles the several State
Legis atules Tor ratification, the most formidable OBJ
lection found to be in this subject othe waste lands
Maryland, Rhode Island and New Jersey instructed
their delegates 10 Congress to move amendments to |
them, providing that the or crown lands should |
be considered the property OF the United States:
but they Were rejected. All the States, except Mary
land, acceded 10 the articles, Notwithstanding some of
them did so with the reservation, that their claim to
those LANDS, as common property, was not thereby
abandoned.
Ga the sole ground that no declaration to that ef. |
feet, was contained in the articles, Maryland with
held her assent, and in May. 1879, embodied her OBJ
Jectlons in the form OF instructions TO her delegates
winch were entered upon the journals OF Congress
Inc following extracts from that document viz
is possible thai those States who are ambitously
grasping al territories, to which our Judgment they
nave hotlne least shadow OF exclusive right will use
with greater moderation the increase of wealth and
power, derived from those territories when acquired
than what they have displayed in their endeayors TO
acquire them p &c &c
I'VE are convinced, policy and us,ice reou ira that
country unsettled at the commencement OF this war |
claimed by the British crown and ceded to j: hv The |
neaty at Paris, II wrested from the common enemy by
fFaa nj ha
considered a. common property, subject to be par
eeed out by Congress into Free convenient and indie
pendent governments ia such manner and such times
as the wisdom othat assembly shall hereafter Direct"
&c &c.
Virginia proceeded open land office for the sale of
her western lands, which produced such excitement
as 10 induce Congress 10 October ITO TO iuterpose and
earnestly recommend TO ''the said State and all States
similarly cneumstanced to orbear settling or issuing
warrants lo such unapproprated lands, granting the
saine uafug the continuance OF the present war"
~ hafcn t'e0, the Legislature OF New York passed
an act eneeiieg cesson 10 the United States OF the
Chains u tat otae 10 the Western territory, preceded
oy preamble TO the following effect viz
" W hefeas, nothing under Divine Providence can more
enrcuay contribute to the tranquility and safety OF the
United States OF America, than federal alliance on |
suchl bera principles will give satsisction ,o its re-
spectye members: and whereas the anices NJ conide
ration and perpetual onion, recommended bv the homo
rsbIe Congress oil the United States OF America have
not proved acceptable to 1.-The States il having haeo
conceived that portion OF Congress who reported a
preamble and resolutions thereon which were adontsd
on The 9th oil September, 1885, so much Of which as ia
necessary to eucidate the subject 10 the following
effect. viz
" That il appears advisable 10 press upon those |
States which can remove the embarrassmens respect
ing the western country, liberal surrender of Dor.
ton Of their territorial CLAIMS since they cannot be pre-
served entire without endsngenng the stability of the
general conederacy TO remind them how ndispensa-
BY necessary Is 10 establish the Federal Uuion on
fixed and permanent basis and principles acceptable
10 all its respective members how essential to public
credit and confidence, 10 the support OF our army, TO
the vgor OF eouacs and success OF our measures
70 our tranquility At home, reputation abroad TO
oaf very existence tree, sovereign, and independent
peops mat they are fully persuaded the wisdom OF the
seFefs legislatures will lead them 10 full aud impair
va eohsoefaon OF subject interesting to the UNI
leo % lss and 20 Necessary the happy establishment
- tAc o9e's Lnion that they confirmed 10 these
9seations oy review Of The before mentioned act OF
ation," &c. ~
Resotred, That copies Of the several pane,s referred
me COMMITTEE, Dc naGsnitrd with a copy oil the
~, 70 1he Legislatures OF the several States and