Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-01-11

had many representatives New York. within bu
things have vastly altered and when the old States think
oPPong any legislation for giving awsy these lands it
fectly idle. Whatever may be necessary TO keep up ou
system, we expect to pay proportion Of il, and will
never make any effort TO the contrary.
know the lands will go West, and, what n worse, you
Will take our children TOO our young and young women
You will take those who till the soil those who give chaae
to the State will go West and carry our means with
them. When we grant to the West, grant
kindred, own sons and brothers, who will leave The
sterile and hard soil of the East people the fertile valleys
of the West and far concerned my blessing shall
go with them know it is idle ask for dollar Of this
money, of this land for the old States for if do
give to the States now, they will take it. That ID
inevitable destiny and fixed fact per se and am not dis
posed TO oppose it or cavil at the result.
Mr. CASS. Mr.. President, know the country where
this contemplated improvement is to be made. have passed
through it before there single white settler on it.
and know the importance OF the work. It will open another
great communication between the Gulf of Mexico and the
Northwestern Lakes, and cannot fail to become immense
avenue for the business and intercourse of the country And
there great justice in what the Senator from Wisconsin says
respecting the heavy amount of the sales Of the public lands
there showing as does the advantageous effects Of settle
men and improvement upon the property the United States
by ensuring to it speedy market.
The Senator from Georgia (Mr. DAwsoS has now, on
former OCCASIONS and always aby when similar questions
have been before us presented issue really involved
in the proceeding He question of internal i'm
povement presenting the objections which urged
against the power of the General Government establish
constitutional right of Congress to make the expenditure
interfere with the proper jurisdiction of the States. The anal
ogy does not exist and proper whenever this view Is
sented that should be brought back to the true principles
OF our action. Nor is it any question of showing favor
the States the expense Of the old There no
favor in the We acting great land owner who
seeks to dispose Of his property to the best advantage aud
who is willing, Therefore, to contribute to such improvements
as must necessarily enhance its value and expedite its sae
The Constitution gives Congress power dispose Of
the public lands Here the grant of authority, and very
general is The expression is not to SELL but "o dis
pose avowedy looking to the necessity Of making grants
not for cash on but for all the other purposes connected with
the rights and duties ofa landowner. The national domain
was immense and before the adoption Of the Consttu
on, grants involving this principle had been made, and du
ring the administration Of Gen. Washington land given
for the purpose Of making road through what is the
State of Ohio, from Wheeling in Virginia, Limestone and
Maysvile, in Kentucky. And must be permitted pro-
test against any attempt to consider these grants as touching
any OF the old party questions they have been called
They touch questions old, which have been made
the test of party They belong landowners, and
general legislators and this grant, and all others recently
made have been made to the Legislature Of the State be
applied under their authority and thus there conflict Of
jurisdiction Now, sir there two principles, very fam
liar to all acquainted wn the settlement Of country,
and which fully justify nay require the action of Congress
in these The first is, that is the fair duty Of such
landowner to bear share in the improvements which
give additional value to the property and the second equal
y obvious, real improvements, like the contemplated
raise the value of all the land within many miles Of the and
thus contribute, by far amount than the worth Of the
grants themselves to the value of the property that remains
We get per cenage, in fact with which Jew might be
satisfied.
Now sir, of vast domain, is it not equitable
is it not just that should do something towards the pro-
and improvement of the country where owned
the whole and now own large part Towns and cities are
built roads and bridges made heavy paid by the
hadworkng seer and the forest falls before his industry
and all the time the public property is receiving its full share
OF this vast advantage, of this rapid progress The sales
not only facilitated, but extensive regions sold, which,
without this progress would not be worth You for
mery put the selling value of your lands dollars it is
now dollar and quarter acre. But what sane man
supposes that any large tract the Western country is in
uncuyated stae worth any thing like the smallest Of
these sums Mo- it becomes by the process of improve
men the process of settlement the TOLL and money and in
dusry OF the emigrant And what kind of landowner
would he be thought in this country, in any country indeed
who would stand still and do nothng-leave all to the
exerons and expenditures Of others while ganerng up the
profits for himself' Why the mind revots instinctvey
against such injustice and duty plain is true
interest ...- ...'
Now, sir, with respect to the policy Of aiding, by grants
of land the construction of roads and canals il plain
experience make any thing BY these great improve
mens the current of emigration directed to particular dis
trics and sales effected with great rapidly and vast
many tracts, otherwise valuees sold and pass into the
Of private property. And here is another
which the Senator from Georgia has been led 1t not
he seems to suppose only the land Immediately contiguous
to of these works which is benefited by its construction.
Certainly the the land is the better but the
effect OF the improvement is felt all the surrounding regions
Lateral communications opened to the main avenue, and
cheaper route for all products and for all general purposes of
intercourse the consequence This every where seen,
and the basis Of many Of the great works going
country. All the lands within many miles of this pro-
posed line of intercourse In Wisconsin will at feel the
effects Of the work, and landowner shall feel it in the
increased value and facility of sale given to the property Of
the United States repeat justice and policy equally
que that should contribute towards this great work in the
manner provided in the bill.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Mr.. President, the gentleman
from Michigan says that these appropriations to be made
upon the ground of enhancing the value Of the domain
tanned by the United States. Now beg leave state to
the Senate and to the country that that dea which has been
advanced for the last twenty thirty years. has, in my hum
daton TO rest upon. None whatever The practice Of the
Government is this when you extnguish the Indian title
tract OF land in any of the States Territories, you
have surveyed and then offer for sale at public auction
This is invariably done before any internal Improvements
made If there be solitary exception where improve
ment has been made which could affect the value Of the land
before the sale takes place, from the beginning Of the Gov
ernmen down the present day, does
Mr.. CAsS Shall mention onel
Mr.. UNDERWOOD Certainly.
Mr. CASS The very one referred to was made before
an acre Of the public lands the part Of it sold
the road from Wheeling to Limestone.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD ! will come to that. The gentle
man from Michigan does make the distinction. This is
bill granting land 10 State. admit that when improve
mens have been made by the United States there may be
examples found where the Government has acted through
own nstrumentaity That will fall within the description Of
the gentleman, but that is not the bill This bill is to grant
to the State and If there be example from the foundation
OF the down to the present day where the State