The daily union., 1852-08-04
THE UNION: WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY MORNING. AUGUST

THE UNION
section OF the bill conflicts with The treaty of Gaadalup pc
Hidago eanno, dvest my mind, ! say. OF that i'm
preston, because II these CLAIMS which may be present
cd before The land commissioners valid thes should
be confirmed Ia The decision OF that queston-the ques.
lion OF the validity oil the clamshe board must be gov
erned by the rules laid down by the OF Congress
passed The Sd March, 1851 This requires that the
boaid shall be governed by the treaty OF Guadalupe Hi
dalgo BY the law Of nations, together with The usages
and customs formerly existing under the Spanish and
Mexican governments and by The principles OF justice
aud equity. can readily imagine that claim may be
presented 10 the board OF commissioners which incon-
peie IN which the grantee may no, have performed all
The requirements OF the Spanish and Mexican laws; bul
that person may have just and equitable e through The
occupation, Improvement, and enl OF that which
is covered by the original grant believe that alter
grant has been made 10 any pefson-no mater wha may
be the extent OF that gan he has taken possession IN
good faith, and enjoyed, improved and occupied H. thus
substantially complying with the terms OF The grant he
is entitled 10 have il confirmed The government OF the
United States should do what justice and honesty would
have required from the Mexican government Ii that
government, under the usages and customs which pre-
vailed would have been required 10 the land to
the grantee then our government bound 10 respect il
The extent OF the grant cannot ailect The question
need not say that believe II would be manesly un-
wise Tor the government OF The United States TO make
large grants of the public domain 10 individuals.
entirely opposed 10 that policy and The records OF the
past will show, so lar as have been connected with
public affairs, that has been more favorable TO
actual settler than | have My opinions fully
pressed than eleven yeats ago that subject,
in the House OF Representatives. OF which was then
member.
The following is an extract from speech made by
me in the House OF Representatives. February 8, ls4,
Congressional appendix, vol g. page 1872
'Tnere is anoihcr subject Introduced by the gentleman
from Tennessee, Mr. BELll 10 which beg leave 70 refer
naas % =, 10 the G .W oi,v wn,oh "a % tv
Senate yesterday, aud IS in this House for its
on it has been denounced here as a hnnbug designed
10 ca as
on that we did not desire its passage. Now, sir what Is
the public lands The right Of presumption and differs Only
from the law heretofore passed IN the fact thai Il Is pros
public domain 10 the settler but allow him 70 ,ha,
portion which he has etted aud built o2cabn, al the
government price, within limited period Its measure
Tor the benefit OF The poor man-ior humble
o The log cabinsor those who may be driven by poverty
som older States and who may go with bank bills.
perhaps In he pockets, but with strong and honest
hearts TO hunt for themselves and their lam lies nome n
ofhe pecunay Interests ospecualos or bankers II
would not meet with the opposition it does from, whig gen
tIenen. Although loud in their professions OF attachment
TO The poor man when office is to Obtained in g,s-
iaon tIe regard is paid their interests Gentlemen
land pates and told us tha, the United States marshal
ongh 10 be sent with military force TO dispossess them
ST. II banker tas Is the case every day) swlndes the
community out OF millions, the act goes unwhpped OF ia,-
and endeayors by bis industry and rigaliy procure
livelihood for his children, yoa would raise military force
he had made. Tns msy b. wing policy and whig jus
lice bet venture the assertion the American people
prepared for joctrine. Ia the estimation o these
whig o. =, tocu 1wn few trees in dense and al
most III en ores Deongins TO the government, for the
purpose ,ultivating few acres OF corn, is most helm
Gus offence whist they suffer the bankers violate
laws make sportoi heir legislation, acquire wealth by
and desoaton OF the lsboriny Sir. there point
beyond which ioTbearance ceases TO be and the
eang out the substance OF the people mus, be checked
by egs aton. The land will be deluged in blood The
day OF reiribnton is at hand and that legislator
who seeks 10 agsandze the few by the oppression OF
the many
enlisis all the synpathies OF 1t affords the
sincere pleasure 10 do all in advance the
t-resis OF the hardy enterpng em2ran no, aban-
doning The home OF his alner the worn out eaten
aHa n M u. has nsfS ap ms sn abde IN hs ih y
the champion Of such men than hold the highest Office
cement the povernment-the that within
limited period they shall be permitted al the present price,
try and enterprise the rude cabin will give the
comfortable dwelling, and the Wilderness be made to
bloom blossom BIZ the passage this act
many in the old States of this Union, who feel from
day day the cutting lash of penury and want and who
have families growing around hen, without the ability
supply them with The of liie would
emigrate TO the West settle down your lands, and
surround themselves with all The comforts of lie. n this
way would not only contribute TO their happiness bat
! in making ihem the owners OF the roll increase and
strengthen their attachment 10 The Unon and INNS lay the
foundation for the prosperity the country broad
and deep in the affections OF the people would much
rather. for my own part make eit OF the public donna
10 aet bona de settlers who would improve the
Than to see falling at the government price into the hands
But that policy which would be unwise and impolc
in the present condition OF the affairs of this government
might have been both wi-e and polite in California when
under the dominion oil Spain 1t very difficult
thing TO settle that country that time, well when
under the government OF Mcxico and IL might be
sary to the cultivation OF these lands that large grants
should be made, for they almost worthless and
used chiefly tor pastoral or grazing purposes. Such
policy, however necessary or proper then, would, be-
yoDd all question, be unwise and Impoiuc now. The
wants aud necessities oi our people demand entirely
different policy we desous TO have many land
holders as possible
By the terms OF the treaty OF peace we agreed 10 see
that the people protected in The enjoyment Of all
their JUS, rights We have undertaken by ihe terms of
the treaty OF Guadalupe idago, say that he people
California shall be projected in the free enjoyment OF their
legal and equitable rights; that The title OF her property
shall not be disturbed; IN other words that property
which they fairly and Justly held under Mexico should
be respected byus
The first provision OF the bill which my colleague has
submitted is, ,ha, although The title may be confirmed, ii
there be defect or any pformaliy in that le although
the board OF commissioners may lave decided in favor Of
IT, upon the principles OF equity yet n the settler has
euped aud improved eighty acres, he shall hold il; and
the grantee shall have a floating title given him to eighty
acres elsewhere. think tins would violate the spn, If
not the letter, OF that treaty which made with Mexico
Now, inink II these grants confirmed, the grantee is
entitled to the possession oil the particular land which
covered by that title. There may be reasons why the
original grant would be desired for we all know that
we attach otienmes fictitious value TO properly because
Of It's location, It's natural position, or SIMPLY because
suits III these grants have been made in good faith
By Tie proper autbory, and have been occupied and
enjoyed by the proprietor although be may not have
compiled with all the technical provisions Of the law
hold that IL s the duty of the him