New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-28
Axis, CONGRESS. Second Session
SENATE...WA

SENATE. -. WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, FeD ~,
Mr.. CHASE presented numerous peti'ols ioI tI Ii
ZION of Slavery in the District OF Columols-
Mr.. DAYTON called up the bill giving Patentees
remedies against persons who shall Import rom
Canada and Territories adjoining the Unlted
States articles and produce manufactured by the
Inventions of pstentees in the United states
Under the present laws American inventions are
carried into Canada, aud their produce and manu-,
factures are brought into the United States and
sold to the prejudice of American patentees.
Mr. TURNEY opposed the bill.
Mr. DAYTON replied and the bill was ordered
10 be enerossed. -,
Mr.. PSARcR reported the Naval Pension bill,
and moved to strike out the appropriation for the
payment of pensions to privateersmen. Inc
amendment was agreed to and then the Dill passed
Mr. GREENE, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported Joint Resolution, directing that
q sword be presented to the nearest male rele'
tive Of Major Samuel Ringgod late OF the u s.
Army, and, after debate, it was ordered to be
engrossed.
The bin from the House for the payment of the
Mexican Indemnity, and the Post Route bill,
were both referred
The bill limiting liabilities of ship owners was
passed-Yess 2s, Nays2l
LAND REFoRA.
The bill to aid Louisiana In retaining the over
flowed lands In that State was taken up.
IN
Mr.. Downs explained the bill
Mr.. SEvARD remarked upon the anomalous sit
nation Of the American Republic, as land holder,
as compared with other nations. He detailedthe
circumstances of the discovery of America, and
te division of il BY Spain, Great Britain, France,
Portugal and other nations. He then commented
upon the various cessions OF Public Lands 70 the
States by the United States, aud the acquisitions
of Louisiana and Florida, and the discovery OF
Oregon. Then the purchase OF New Mexico and
California making an aggre gate possession OF the
United States, In Public Lands, OF fifteen hundred
and eighty four millions of acres. OF these, one
hundred and thirty four millions had been dispos-
ed OF. He gave the history OF the system Of the
United States with regard to Public Lands, and
1ed1ced that the annual average revenue derived
by the United States from the Public Lands was
one and quarter millions. He thought the time
had now come 90 settle toe principles with regard
90 the disposition OF Public Lands whether they
should be given in limited quantities as gratuites
70 actual settlers, and whether provisions should be
rade against involuntary alienation, aud whether
The U. States ought not 20 re,aqaish to the States
IN which the lands lie their management. TRese
questions involved other principles II toe lands
were granted IL should be 20 actual settlers. cul-
tiyation and occupancy being the condition of she
grants. The quantity should be limited to the
amount which such occupant can 80 cultivate, and
SHOULD be given as grat0ity. He dwelt at length
upon these points, maintaining that the PnbliC
Lands should never be held a. asOurce OF revenue
but should be held by the Government for the
benefit Of society snd the people, He considered
every msn who had no land should receive Il from
The Government. The Government should mo-
thus tax the people Every farm thus sold ol
Government was taxed by this Government AZ th'
rate Of 81 % per acre, while II all the land va
given TO occupants the Government would DERIVE
Zen times the produce from them. lie was M
sgrsran; was not for any actual division OF tn'
public Lands; was not for taking from the rich q
give to the poor, but was in favor of that Pohcl
which. by pre- occupation OF the lands, would no
lend to any inequality. Such principle mad al
ready been adopted in the States Restraint
had been placed on the aecumulstions of land. on
tails by primogeniture have been abolished;
partition Of the domain was the principle adopte'
by all the States. Why not incorporate the sam
principle now in the disposition Of the PObli