The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-31

Jas 4. mcdowell, James w. Harold,
Jas. B. Rankin, William Boyce,
j. X Brown, David X. Britton,
p. p. Porter, ]. W. Duncan,
q. q. Boyce, Robert Mason,
John Mabrey VIM Mason,
w. w. Jordan, William West,
Ebert Biggs Thomas Lane
WIN, M Lowry, James Brillon, sr.,
Jas NJ Lowry, John H. Willis
H B. Baker. William Villa Akin KIN,
VIM. II. Brown, j, j. Mitchell,
T. 5. Kelly, II. g. Robertson,
H. A. Crawford, James Johnston,
David IT, Patterson, b. Mcdaniel.
Thomas Lane, ST.,
Hon. A. o. p. NICHOLSON.
COLUMBIA, May II, 1851.
GENTLEMEN Your letter of the 18th inst. in which
you express a wish 10 know my views upon the home.
stead bill introduced into Congress by Colonel Johnson
was received two days ago, and hasten to appropriate
the first leisure hour to reply Whilst highly appre-
ciate the compliment implied by your call for my opn-
IONS and cheefuy undertake to comply with your re-
quest feel that is due to myself that say you that
my professional engagements at this time happen to be
such to allow less time than would desire 10 en-
enable TO do justice TO the important subject which
my views requested. Indeed, should be compelled
to decline altogether, defer for considerable time
an answer, had now TO make up my opinion upon the
merits OF the homestead bill but this my cond
ton More than ten years ago the principles involved in
this measure were canvassed between your able and
myself, when fully satisfied by his reasoning not
only that the public lands ought to TO be looked
as source OF revenue, but that every citizen who would
settle permanently upon them should be entitled to
reasonable quantity Instead of investigating the sub
jact at this time, with view of forming opinion,
have only TO communicate to you the considerations
which have heretofore satisfied that the homestead bill
ought to become a law of the land.
According to the last report the subject OF the pub
lie lands which have examined, the aggregate quantity
in the States and Territories was about Two millions and
quarter OF square miles, or nearly billion and half
OF acres If these lands partitoned amongst the
voting population OF the United States each voter would
hun as
FORE at average OF two millions OF acres annually it
would require than hundred dispose
of them. l make these statements for the purpose OF
showing how immensely valuable landed possessions
are and how very important it is that the public policy
in regard to them should he such as to secure the
greatest amount OF good to the greatest number OF cit
liens
The title to the public lands is vested in the general
government not as absolute owner, but trustee for the
people Of the whole Union. They were purchased by
the money Of the people, acquired BY their valor 10
strict truth every citizen OF the United States is land
holder-we all tenants in common of this vast public
domain which is held by the general government
common trustee Our trustee authorized dispose of
the territory and TO make all rules and regulations
respecting but whatever disposition is made OF 1t, or
done for the benefit OF the benefcariesthe people The
policy heretofore has been to dispose OF the lands by sae
and the proceeds in deraying the common expen-
SEES Of the government If my recollection serves me-
the average annual amount derived from this source has
not exceeded two, perhaps three millions OF dollars
Il was legitimate mode OF disposng OF the lands TO sell
penses-to that extent they diminished the taxes upon
the people, and to that extent were beneficial ta them
You will remember that at one period the public mind
greatly agitaed upon the proposition to take the pro-
ceeds of the land sales and distribute them amongst the
several States. There was much pausibiity and much
that captivating in this proposition but when exam
ned with an eye its practical results, II failed 10
maud the sanction OF the popular judgment. II was
whilst the dlstIleuye proposition was asa'ng the pub
sage, expressed the following sentiment:
lands shall soon practicable to be source OF
revenue. and that they be sold % settlers In limited parcels
price barely snrcent 10 reimburse to The United States
the expense Of the present SYSTEM" &c.
In the sentiment contained in this extract | think
can discover the germ of the homestead bill that sen
ment is that the public land should cease 10 be source Of
revenue The homestead bill takes another STEP and in
vites the citizen 10 become settler, and Tor induce
ment exempts his home from seizure by execution for
FIVE years and at the end OF that time makes hm the alb
souie owner OF the quarter section which be has thus
made his homestead would advance still another step,
and exempt this homestead from seizure as long as II
should be the home Of the settlers wife but This IL no
part of the bill which you ask my views. and only
throw out the suggestion as one OF my own peculiar no.
tons. -, -
From what have already said, you will see that do
not regard the public lands the property OF the general
government When, therefore, the homestead bill pro-
poses to give each settler quarter section, II 10 not TO
be understood gra,uity besto wed by the
upon the czenit mode OF dsposlng OF the public
land by which the citizen is enabled to have the legal
title, which in the government, united with the e9u-
table title, which is in himself The homestead bill SO
far from encouraging anything like agraranism is based
upon the clearest principles OF right and equity Inc
poorest man in the United States is the ghtu equitable
owner tenant in common OF one share Oh the puphc
land that share largely more than qdarter sechon
What Injustice be done the other tenants IN CON-
mon for this one 10 settle upon aquarer section AND
when he has improved il and endeared i TO himself and
family a their home, il II not equitable to say tha ne
ought 10 keep in have heard the hardy adven,
turers who have settled upon the public land denounced
or vilfed awess squattes without feeling indignant
at the groes injustice done them They have gone upon
the public lands in search OF homes for their wives and
children because they felt that either their own sturdy
right arms or those OF their fathers had fought OF worked
10 acq uire them They went on them because they be-
leved that justice and equity they had right to 90
there; and upon every correct principle OF justice the
government has ever felt itself bound TO favor and pro.
ect these hardy pioneers and not TO treat them a. law
less rabbe The homestead bill proposes TO 90 further
not merely permit the settler to 90 upon the land, and
to protect him in 10 doing but proposes to invite him
10 TO- and il holds out inducements 10 him TO build up
home on the public land II Is not, then, proposition
that the government shall take citizens land and
give TO another, but ia simply proposition that any
one OF the Joint owners Of the land, all OF them. they
choose may into possession each OF quantity less
than his share and make the partition perfect by
Ave years residence the quarter section. II IA an
easy simple, cheap mode Of FORTHCOMING out the lands.
Those who wish TO and cultivate their portions can
do 10 BY settling on Them but those who do not desire to
settle their shares will continue as at present to be ire
equitable owners
am free 10 say that. according to the political creed
which have adopted have never regarded the public
lands A. valuable much because of the money they
would bring into the treasury; but in another point OF
view regard our public domain OF ncalcuable value
in preserving and perpeuating our republican nsu-
tons believe the history OF the world proves !na -