Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-07

there good and sufficient cause recurring Tho remoyo f
the officers He then examined lhe various Of com,
pnnt alleged the motives which induced the removal OF
General Lane and proceeded some length 10 dlsoroye thar
such complaints or alleged causes for removal had an
foundation In truth
He examined the allegation that General Lane had NJ
tempted TO impeach the character OF General Taylor for Sc
acy growing out Of the occurrences at the bae of Bu
VISTA and the conduct the 81 m.nt of Indian, vol
untees that occasion He defended The ndianians from
oil censare for their conduct that dav All claimed for
them and their bravery the highest respect II. explained
the Whole transaction, and alluded lhe Official reoort OF
the commanding officer he considered ,ha, Gen. Lane In
controverng the statements contained in that official r
port did nothing but an act OF justice the brave citizens
OF his own State. He maintained that the removal of a
neral Lane was nothing and could be nothing else than
case OF naked prescription for political opinions
Mr. Ewing said he desired 10 reply the Senator 10
show conclusvely that there for the removal q
General Lane bu not expecting The subject be taken up
to-day was not prepared with the necessary documents He
moved and the subject postponed ana made The spec
order for Monday next.
PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS IN cALiroasrA
r Twin moved, and the Senate proceeded TO the consid
GRAFTON OF the bill TO ascertain and sec certain pryae lant
claims In California
This bill was introduced the last ,pn hy Colonel
fremont Some ten days substitute, proposed b.
MT MT "win & mad hAsn agreed TO In Committee OF the whole
he OIL was thsn reo'.a 10 the Senate nni tho question
was agreeing 10 The amendment t.-aar, ,f A. r. r,n
made in the Committee OF the Whole. ~
Mr Benton opposed the bill and the substitute which had
been agreed 10 In the committee. The principle which
they based he considered wholly UNJUST He gave tho
history of the settlement OF California of Tint part vi Cali
forna which part OF the United Staes and detail
ed the various modes pursued BY the Government of Spain
TO induce settlers 10 60 there. Among these Inducements
were aga grants OF land 10 each settler and additional
grant 10 those who would induce hundred families
up their residence in the country They obligod
10 purchase the land but il forced upon them as grants
free gifts in order induce settle In the country
and they were exempted for certain time only from
taxation but also from the Of hes the church
The bill before the Senate aragned all The titles held
under these grants, and required the andholders
only 10 make their title evident against the United
States, but 10 make that title evident in three
The Spanish people had horror OF lawsuits and parcu
lary OF lawsuits with the United States lie knew that
of ,hem than the gauntlet OF three trii
10 test the validity Of the ttlo by which they hold their ani
would y the country and abandon their land Sooner ha
undergo these awsuits they would say take the whc
given by the King of Spain 10 induce
heres would rather abandon It than 60 10 law" Such
hod been the when tho adopted nte
the purchase Of Louisiana This pnrt OF California
tied about the time Of the American Revoutonabont
same tE;e Kentucky was settled. io asked in Ken
lucky had been independent power and had been
ed and had been conquered and the United States undertook
arragn all the titles by which the people OF Kentucky
held property and required them maintain the valid
ny of that title through expensive In three
the United States would the Kenuckians revolt agsnst
such proceeding He was ccr,a!a they would.
The United STATES had The power pursue this course.
they had the crua these people and 10 drive them
from the country which they settled but would be done
He pictured the Distress the aarn and despair the passage
Of such bill would occasion among the land proplictors
California. The BILL as originally introduced. (by Col Tax
MONT was wrong in principle bu; had q, least ssi
superiority the substitute Ii required that the decision
of tho commissioners II in favor OF the claimant should be
conclusive against the United Sates The bill how
ever allowed appeal In every case 10 the Supreme Cou
He had considered this subject The last session Gnd bela
and he had prepared bill which he thought would remedy
to grea, extent the sysem which the Senators from Cali
orna in preparing their bills had adopted because ts hav
ing precedents.
lIo cxpnined The plan which he had prepared propo,
I'd that before any thing else DONE the various pner
claima 10 land In California should be collected For iha
purpose recorder lind titles shoai be- appointed whose
duty II would b- TO collect md record from the original pa
pes the various titles under which parties held and cane
haIo thaca ghppra MI nha
be 10 Washington, 10 be examined BY The Govern
ment. Then, 10 every where, after examination by
the recorder and tho dsict attorney, found that
claim fully mads the claimant should be required
by sore facas, show why his title should not be
cancelled. In this way the holder OF valid claim woul.
be obliged go law p.oSo 1t His plan also
proposed that the udgmen, Ct The below should be-
conclusive In all cases, with exception Ills action In
this entirely dlsnterested and so WAS that OF
Colonel Fremoni md In order 10 make ihat dsnteesteo
manifest his bill proposed that there should be TIC
gh. of appeal BY The United States In all cases wherein
John Charles Fremont was party
Mr.. b. then presented substitute for the whole BIZ. M
amended, and II was ordered To DO printed.
Mr.. Gwn said that the bill which he had prepared ana
which had been adopted committee By the Senate in lice
of that proposed BY his colleague (Mr Frsmon had beer
prepared after due consideration and with the toll appooa
lion Of his colleagues in the other House. They as
approved of the BILL and would sustain H. No other mode
Of settling these cnins by the decision o tho coui
with rgh. Of appeal! THIS was generally expected ey s
proper law but they desired that something be done speedily
He read letter written by Colonel Fremont. with view
of showing that that Senator had expressed hnse tavo
ble tho principle of The a OF these claims by tho courts
and the right Of appeal
The Senator from Missouri has said ,ha, this bill would
despo inhabitants California Of their property Now
as tho whole California delegation with thu exception OF
Col Frenon) had framed this bill and anxious for its
passage the Senator's remarks was charge upon them
The Senator from Stne somewha remote from Ca
orna and this charge made here In the Senate was -e
rous IL amounted TO ihs that tho representatives. m
The House and he (Mr o. had framed bil and were en
Ilaav IN
iheiT property.
The Senator from Missouri had made tho arguments
about three years ago against bill reported from the Co
mttee on Public Lands They had been repeated the as
session. Tho Senator doubtless acting from the mos
honorable and conscientious motives In opposing his bill
he thought the Senator had done more than any other c
delay the settlement of these land claims In California
Mr. Benton said that he would not permit any staetnel
be imputed 10 him which incorrect lie had mnds
no charge against the Senator his colleagues In the oh"
House. of any attempt To rob their constituents. No such
;harge made by him. He knew enough o. tho rules
which govern debate 10 know that such charge would he
wholly improper and he knew well enough the mode OF con
ducng discussion without merging debate INTO person
ai,ies He had made charge against the Senator from
California his colleagues he had spoken ot the effect oi
the BILL and that without reference 10 those VINO sup
ported IT, Ii te etiec OF the bill which he had comment
led upon, and nothing else. o had spoken OF The regret
which he entertained that the representatives from The Sala
California had felt themselves compelled 10 Introduce
measure which in conformity with the general pras
ice In like cases Il was tho which ne NAG
effect of the bill which he had spoken Of And those
effects those disastrous eteca the people OF Caor
MIA he would demonstrate be the natural consequences OF
The bill.
| Mr. B. then commented upon the letter Of Colonel Ere
mont which been read That lette! ne explained was
written entirely In reference claim Of Col. F.s own.
which dated back ei only and with reference 10 the
general class of land titles which derived from hs KING
Of SPAIN Col f. be committed with rogard to
claims of Others because he was willing 70 run 'ne
lgauntle, of three courts n matter of his own.
Mr. Gwin replied stating that he desired to make no per
sonal issue with Senator any else The Senator
had stated that the bill introduced ny him. and urged ana
advocated by his colleagues of the House would despoi
their constituents OF their land and he thought that II
Iamounted charge against him. He desired 10 say
nothing be understood saving nothing Whatever
personal OF disparasing OF Colonel Fremont.
He defended his bill Tho great complaint OF land claim
ons being obliged Washington and detsnd Their
claims agains, appeals by United States ne considered
10 90 greatly exsggeraod There would no fell, certain be
but very few which the United officers would aP-
peal from the decisions Of Tie courts below.
The subject was then postponed till tomorrow. and me
Senate on motion adjourned.
FaIpav, JASrAaY3.
/ SENATE
communication from the War department with atate
OF ths expenses of the national armoes and OF the
made theyeat during the ending June 3oh iS40
and II ordered 10 b0 prpted.
The Senate then ,esuped the consideration OF me DIN
ascertain and seo the private land claims In California
NJ psntou adj tko fnYu