The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-22


ag the sams years from and after the third day Of
March next
Mr.. WELLER. This becomes necessary for the rea
son 'hal ihe ume VIII expire on The hfd day ot March
next and, matter OF course, will be utterly impos
sble for the board OF commissioners TO adludlcate all
these cases anterior 10 that time Therefore il is that
propose By this section simply extend the lime for two
years from the third OF March next
The amendment agreed 10.
Mr.. WELLER moved another amendment-to add as
an additional section the following:
Sac Ahd be further eaactea That's competent person.
skilled in the Engsh and Spanish languages shah be APP
pointed by the Attorney General Of heUaed States, who
sha proceed TO Mexico In order 10 obtain copies Of all
laws, DEGREES and ordinances Of the Spanish Mexican
governments relating 20 or affecting land tites claims in
california or New Mexicoj aud also certified copies Of all
memorials petitions presented the supreme govern
ment OF Mexico in relation to lands in said State and Ter
all documentary evidence touching said subject And ur
taer 70 obtain such other inionnaon under the direction
Of the Attorney General may be useful in adjusting land
claims before the board organized te Of 3d
March, 1854
Mr. GEYER. should be glad 10 be informed wheh
er this agent is appointed for the purpose OF going
make collection of documents, and to get muniDen
OF titles of individual claims Ii those documents are TO
relate to the evidences OF titles should suppose that the
claimants themselves would produce them If there be
any other documents, am not aware OF them. II may
be important TO collect and TO have ransaons OF these
papers for the purpose OF giving information to the
missioner aud TO The Supreme Court OF the United States
when il shall act upon the claims that brought up;
but cannot understand why agent should be sent
there at the expense OF the government OF the United
States, TO get evidence of the title of individuals The
language OF the amendment seems 10 be comprehensive
enough Tor that. | merely rise for the purpose OF in
quring whether this proof TO be brought in bya public
agent.
Mr. PRATT understand sir, that II is the intention
OF my friends, the senators from California, refer the
bill alter all the amendments shall have been offered 10
the Committee Public Lands
Mr.. WELLER. have not proposed to refer it. The
bill has been reported by the Committee Public Lands,
and these are but additional sections 10 the bill
Mr. PRATT | was misinformed, then
Mr.. WELLER. Mr.. President, the testimony which
expect Will be obtained by the organization of such
commission will be useful to the government of the Uni
ted States II is well known, sir that many grants were
made in California, and some probably in New Mexico
by the supreme government OF Mexico. Now, the only
evidence OF these grants is 10 be found in the public
chlves IN Mexico you may search vain Tor these doc
umenls in the State OF California desire that this agent
shall be SEMI also, Tor the purpose of ascertaning the
precise character OF these grants for know that
have been made by the supreme government of Mexico
oil which we have evidence at all in the State OF Cali
fornia ain afraid that the time may when there
VIII be some testimony or evidence manufactured in
Mexico with view TO bolster up titles which mper
feet 10 heir character The that this is
to Mexico, the you will be able 10 ascertain If
there is any such evidence pretended by claim
ants. As have said upon former OCCASION ii you OBJ
tain nothing all except the knowledge of the mere fact
that there is nothing al all there, you will i'm
mense amount OF money TO this government; for am
AFRAID that manufactures OF titles will be established in
that country they have been elsewhere The object is
simply to'send person there to procure copies OF all the
DEGREES and regulations which may have been passed by
the supreme government OF Mexico with regard public
lands and also copies OF all memorials and petitions
winch have been presented TO the supreme government
OF Mexico concerning these land titles II is TO supply
this testinony-whch cannot be obtained else whereo
the board OF commissioners who are 10 act upon these
claims, in order that they may have opportunity of
having all the testimony before them which is possible
Mr.. GWlN. This proposition, sir has been very ma
turely considered by my colleague. The substance OF il
has been approved not only BY the Attorney General OF
The United States and the Supreme Cout but also by the
Committee on Finances and have doubt OF the alb
souie necessity OF its passage in order 10 enable
arrive at proper decision with regard TO many claims
California. The practice OF government is full OF
precedenls for such a collection; and have esti-
mony here, sr, which will submit TO the Senate, 10
show that the Supreme Court of the United States has
postponed the decision OF for years in order
make just such collection. am told by the Supreme
Court OF The United States that if do not have such
collection made, when our land cases come up in Calor
MA they will have 10 lie upon the docket for years until it
can be made. The judges made that statement: II
drawn up alter consultation; for they said that they
could not decide until they had asceraned whether not
there was any evidence OF title there Everything oil that
description must necessarily be before them before they
can act can refer TO numerous instances which show
that the Supreme Court have actually refused TO take
cases for number of years because they well
enough informed upon those points; and at last had
to obtain The authority OF Congress before they would
decide some cases on that account have good author
lily, TO whom could refer, TO show the necessity OF this
collection
Mr.. DAVIS II understand the proposition II is pre-.
cisey what was before the Senate upon some other bill
which was discussed some time ago | listened TO the
discussion as u went on al that time, and very
Sel satisfied in my own mind that OF this
description ought to be taken into consideration. ID
ought TO be done for very obvious Here is the
mutation OF land titles 10 a certain exten-as under
stand the gentemancontsined upon the records OF the
republic oil Alexco. There OF tracing up
the title 10 lis origin except through these records WE'LL
sir, this Is applicable 10 certain extent as understand
TO The titles California. Ii is therefore Indispensable
II our courts called to decide these questions
that evidence OF the title should be produced II
to that il is infinitely more convenient and think
as the honorable senator from California blr. WELLERl
sdys-more SAFE that this subject should have early
investigation; that these documents should be Obtained
copies OF them, and that they should be in possession
OF the proper authorities OF this country 10 be disposed
Of az the public exgencies may require II seems TO
eminently udicious ii to proper, and
cessary that should do so. And | apprehend that
there is some foundation for the suggestion thrown out
matters are left TO be managed according TO the wits OF
men, il not improbable that false papers may be ogina
ted in the republic OF Mexico, which may lead 10 very
serious d hculties think that the earlier s niorma
ton be obtained the better and safer will be; for IT
to me TO be indispensable that should have IT,
The question being taken on the amendment, II was
agreed 10.
Mr. DAVIS inquired II the bill was reported IRON the
Committee on Public Lands
The PRESIDING OFFICER a,ed that il was
Mr. DAVIS. | would be very glad to bear some ex-
PLANTATION of il
Mr.. DAWSON, | understand il was reported from
the Committee on Private Land Claims
The PRESIDING OFFICER. It was reported from
the COMMITTEES on Pnyste Land Claims, who were dis
charged, and the bill was referred TO the Committee
Public Lands
AZ n g. Cc,,c