Southern standard., 1852-01-17

over 600 and the New Orleans and Jack
son Road which it is at present Contemplated tc
extend to Nashville, in the State of Ter nessee
Should this latter road be extended it will pass
through the entire State, from South to North
penetrating the heart of the most fertile region o
the State that has heretofore found no outlet for
its marketable products, except at an immense
cost, and placing the same in almost daily commu-
nication with New Orleans. These two great
roads are designed as trunk roads, connecting the
northern lakes with Mobile and New Orleans, and
will, doubtless, at some future day, have many
branches connecting them with the various por-
tons of the country and thereby contributing es-
sentally to the convenience of towns and nelghbor
hoods. Would it not be sound policy to continue
assistance to those great roads until they shall
! be completed, and then contribute the means left
at our disposal to aid in the construction of other
roads less important in their effects upon the inter
ests of the country? would suggest the pro-
prety of the State becomming stakeholder in
each of these roads to the extent of its ability
/ The dividends arising from the stock may be used
in lessening the taxes imposed upon her citizens,
and should she at any time think proper to with
draw the capital to aid in the construction OF other
enterprises of similar character, the stock may
4 be placed in market, and probably disposed of at
premium.
/ The means at tie disposal of the State, beyond
the an4ount of surplus money in the treasury con
sistS Of the five hundred thousand acres Of land
donated to the State for the purposes of internal
improvement, less 1918 So leo acres which
have been sold in pursuance of the act of 23d
February 1848 as appears by the report Of the
Secretary of State, accompanying this communi-
cation. 1t was intended on the part of the gener
al government, in making this donation to the
State to enable her to carry On system of inter
nal improvements to develope resources, aud
increase the prosperity of her citizens.
The State having accepted the donation accord
ing to the terms thereof, It IS a matter of serious
doubt with many intelligent persons, whether the
bonds of the State, sold account of the Plan
ters' Bank, should be received in payment for
these lands, without the consent of the donor
Be that, however, as it may, the experience Of
four years duration has proven that the bonds are
not to be discharged upon the terms prescribed by
the Legislature, as there has only been paid of
these bonds and coupons, from the sale of the
lands the sum of S53, ,949 81, for which amount
the State stands indebted to the internal Improve
ment Fund, which is more than counter balanced
by appropriations for locating these lands, internal
improvement purposes, taxes, &C.
If these bonds constitute valid debt against
the State, of which have no doubt, (and have as
yet heard no valid argument to prove the contra
~, every principle of honor, integrity and fair
dealing, which, if possible, is more obligatory up
on communities than upon individuals, Imperative
ly demand that they should be paid, and the
means of payment should be promptly provided.
1t is equally obligatory upon the State to apply
the trust funds held by her to the purposes for
which they were intended If it should be the
intention of the Legislature to apply these lands
to aid in the construction of the two great schemes
of improvement herein referred to, or any others,
it will become necessary to have the lands offered
for sale at greatly reduced prices, such as will in
duee purchasers to come forward and take them,
repeating that portion of the existing law author-
zing the reception of the State bonds in payment.
1t is believed that these lands large portion of
them at least could be readily disposed of at rea
sonabe prices, and it would be far better for the
State to sell them at low prices and to derive the
benefits accruing from their settlement and cult-
walton, as we'll as the taxes which would have to
be paid upon them, than to hold them at prices
which may not be obtained for many years to
come. If these lands were disposed of In the way
here indicated, the State might realize nearly or
quite million of dollars from this source, which
would be Of incalculable advantage to the country
if Judiclously applied to the constructon of rail-
roads. Another source of revenue to the State
consists in the large amount of swamp lands gran
ted by the general government, b an act of Con-
gress, approved the 28th of September, 1850, for
the purpose of constructing necessary leyees and
drains to reclaim the swamp and overfowed lands
lying in this State, and included in the above
grant. It is believed that when the levoes shall
have been completed, that this land will become
exceedingly valuable and that it would require
but small portion of the lands for that purpose.
The great importance attached to this grant, by
Gov. Quitman, induced him, the Sd of Febru
ary, 1851, in the absence of any authority by
law, to make regular appointments, to say to John
Rayburn, Esq, of Pamela Co., that if he would
look solely to the Legislature for the confirmation
of his acts in the premises and for compensation
for his services, he could proceed to locate the
lands in question. On the 18th of February, Gov.
Guion appointed Mr. P. Bryan upon similar terms
and conditions These gentlemen have been
gagged in locating since that time, and have trans
mitted to this department an elaborate report OF
their progress. 1 would therefore recommend
that suitable compensation be allowed them for
their services.
The Register of the Land Office at this place,
in pursuance to instructions from the proper de-
partment at Washington has submitted report
containing a list of the overfowed lands in the
Jackson Land District which herewith trans
nit These lands have not yet been examined
and located fully by the agents appointed for that
purpose but from their location, and the known
fertility of the so it may be fairly estimated that
if udiciously disposed of, they will yield to the
State large amount of available means for inter
nal improvements, after defraying the expenses
| of making the levees and bringing them into mar
ket The benefits calculated to accrue to the
State from judicous management of this grant
will, am sure induce you to deliberately examine
tba Subiect adapt wha courSa vo1,r yUic