The republic., 1851-01-03

due consideration, and with the full appreciation ol
| his two colleagues in the other House They, as
well as himself, and he believed also the people OF
CalifornIa, approved of the BILL and would sustain
IT, No other mode of settling these claims, except
by the decision of the courts, with,a right OF APP
peal. This generally expected by the people
OF California. They desired some law, some just
and proper law but they desired that something be
done speedily. He read letter written by Colonel
Fremont, with view of showing that that Sena-
tor had expressed himself iavorably to the principle
of the trial of these claims by the courts, and the
right ofappeal.
The Senator from Missouri has said that this bill
would despoil the inhabitants of California OF their
property Now, as the whole Cahlorna deiega-
ton with the exception OF Colonel FREMONT had
framed that bill, and anxious for It's passage,
the Senator's remarks was charge upon them.
The Senator came from a State somewhat remote
from California. and this charge made here IN the
Senate was serious one Ii amounted 10 this, that
the representatives in the House and he (Mr. Co
had framed a bill and were endeavoring to pass a
measure to rob our own constituents oil thelr pro-
perty.
The Senator from Missouri had made the same
arguments about three years ago against bill re-
ported from the Committee on Public Lands.
Thoy had been repeated at the last session The
Senator was doubtless acting from the most hon
orabe and conscientious motives in opposing this
bill, but he thought the Senator had done more
than any other to delay the settlement OF these land
claims in California.
Mr.. BENTON said that he would not per-
init any statement to be imputed 10 him
which was incorrect. He had made no charge
against the Senator or his colleagues In the other
House, Of any attempt TO rob their constituents.
No such charge was made by him. He knew
enough of the rules which govern debate, to know
that such charge would be wholly improper.
and he knew well enough the mode of con-
ducting u discussion without merging de
baie into personalities. He had made no charge
against the Senator from California or his coll
lea CUES; he had spoken OF the effect OF the bill,
and that without any reence to those who support
a5i n IL he atf fsft ot ne
mented upon, and nothing else. He had spoken OF
the regret which he entertained that the represent
atives from the State of California had felt them
selves compelled to introduce measure which was
in conformity with the general prac tce in like
cases. 1t the system which he had opposed; 1t
the effect of the bill which he had spoken Of
And those effects those disastrous effects, upon the
people of California he would demonstrate to be the
natural consequen ces OF the bill.
Mr.. B. then commented upon the letter OF Colo
mel FREMoNT which had been read That letter he
explained was written entirely in reference to a
claim of Col. Fps own, which dated back to 1874
only and not with reference to the general class of
land titles which derived from the King of
Spain Col. +. was not to be committed with re-
gard to the claims of others, because he was will
ing run the gauntlet of three courts in matter OF
his own
MIR. GWIN replied, stating that he desired to
naketao personal issue with the Senator or any
one else. The Senator had stated that the bill in
troduced by him, aud urged and advocated by his
colleagues OF the House, would despoll their con-
stitucnts of their land, and he thought that II
amounted to a charge against him. He desired to
cay nothing, and be understood as saying
nothing whatever. personal or disyaraging OF Col
unel FREMonr.
lie defended his bill. The great complaint of
land claimants being obliged to come To Washing
ton and defend their claims against appeals by the
United States he considered To be greatly exagge-
rated. There would, be felt certain, be but very
few in which the United States officers would
appeal from the decisions of the courts below.
The subject was then postponed till tomorrow,
and the Senate, on motion, adjourned.
The HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES, did not sit to-
day, having adjourn,d on Wednesday until Fri
day.