The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-17

California. even i you double this quantity will have
less quantity OF land, capable OF cultivation given for
this purpose than The State OF Missouri or Iowa. or IL
linols That was The impression upon which | acted
theni and am satisfied that II The honorable senator
will reflect for a moment that that country is only capa-
BILE OF cultivation along those rivers, and in many in
stances not there without irrigation, he will admit
that this land will be insufficient 70 asord to them the
facilities Tor education which have IN the States in
The Mississippi valley, where The land is much
fertile.
Mr.. BORLAND am in favor of retaining this pro-
vision, upon he general ground that II is proper and
good policy 10 double the quantity OF land usually given
Tor common schools. In connexion with this will men
uon now what presume some senator's may have for
goen and others may not have had occasion to look at
since they came here, that years ago the Senate
passed-witbou dissenting voice and heard--a bill
granting TO all the land States this OF landan
additional section 10 the 10Th, and further allowing
exchange OF all the school lands where they might be
found 70 be Of an inferior quality and not saleabe, for
lands Of good quality, The bill was ntTo iuced by my
sell and reported favorably from the Committee Pub
c Lands, and passed the Senate but failed in the other
House for the want OF being reached upon The calendar
presume. as never heard i! mentioned in the proceed
ngs OF the House. similar bill has hsen Introduced
here during the present session, and is upon the
calendar. having been reported by the Committee on
Public Lands. hope that il will pass this session, for
think it very proper and desirable bill suggested TO
the senator from California Mr. GwINl this morning
tn il might be well to amend his bill so extend
the provision to all the States at this me but he de-
sired hls bill to Stand upon lis own merits was not dis
posed to press that amendment at all hope we will
pass this section il is now and take up the general
bill al some other time and pass that also
Mr.. GEYER. AS ! said before, am not disposed to
press this amendment, because believe it would be
just particularly TO the other States But the expana-
lions which have been given by the from Illinois
Mr.. Shields satisfy that this may probably be an
exception great portion of the lands in California
not such as will be OF very great value. AT the same
time am pleased to learn that the Senate have on one
occasion at least passed act extending the privileges
other States; and Tor one shall always be ready
vote for equaz'ng the grants OF lands TO the States in
number of not exceeding four any township
for The use of schools, withdraw the amendment
Mr. FELCH. wish to offer an amendment in the form
OF an additional proviso, TO come in at the end OF the
provso which | offered amendment 10 the sixth
section:
dnd prouded, further That this act shall not be con
rned TO authorize any settlement to be made in any
OF country the occupation of any Indian tribe grant
any Pre-emption right to the same"
Mr.. GWIN Mr. President the rights of the Indians
TO The territory in California merely possessoy rights
| would like to know from The senator from Michigan
Mr.. FELcHI whether This would have any reference TO
certain settlements of the indians that have been made by
board OF Indian commissioners, and whether under
treaties that they made-whlch suppose II IL no. lm
proper TO say have not been confirmed by the Senate
they have been placed upon public land which they did
not occupy before' | willing that these Indians
should have their possessory rights as they had when
the country was taken possession of; Tor they were ly
ing in villages, and those villages should not be ntruded
upon. But nearly the whole of those Indians have lett
and there nop IN the aggregate, but few OF them IN
the agricultural districts They confined to the
mission lands, but they have nearly all quit those lands
and gone 10 The mountains There some few villages
the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers where the In
dians still reside There is Capt Suffers
dence But they are diminishing every year. do not
want to disturb them in their ac,ua possession and
1t is not the intention TO do so. ! hope the
amendment cannot be construed into giving the Indians,
who have been removed and located certain tracts of
country by these Indian commissioners, the privilege OF
retaining them.
ator from California what provision is made for the
land occupied by these Indian missions in this bill
Mr.. GWiN. None at all. This does not have any
bearing upon them This merely gives the right OF pre-
emption the domain OF the United States. These mis-
sions claimed by the priests and the church. aad they
have been adudlcaled before board oi commissioners
This has no reference any claim whatever but merely
to the domain OF the United States in the agricultural
districts
Mr FELCH My object, Mr. President, in offering
the amendment certainly is not TO embarrass any set
Tiers in California. suggestion was made by the SEN
ator from Virginia. that we might by possibility, IN
egsating IN this manner, interfere with some posses
sorry rights OF the Indians that country The truth 49,
have but very little know ledge upon that subject Upon
the subject OF the actual occupancy, possessions and
limits OF the Indian tribes in California may ray that
we have no Information officially. believe we have no
treaties now in existence none ever having been made
with them. 1t is, however, understood that large
portion OF the country which the whites now &C
cuqy is entirely relieved OF The aboriginal nhab-
tants They have retired. Still, there are portions
OF The counlry-perhaps principally the mineral country
and The mountainous reglons-ihat are now occupied 10
u
the possibility of improper interference from the white
people going among the region OF country occupied
by The Indians excluding the settlers and claiming that
the United States had given sanction 10 their rights I'M
der this law, clhzens IN opposition 10 the claims oil
the Indians This is the way to get rid OF the claims OF
the Indians il is not certainly 10 be done by sending
white men there To claim individual nights. And while
this bill intended TO provide only temporarily, and IL. 10
fact temporary in lis operaonprovIdng Tor the settlers
who are there now and who may go there within Inn
tied time-we ought, think 10 keep free from all
barrassmen of that kind. Now, apprehend that il Will
be found that while this provision will not interfere with
any settlements made there, because they will be made
where there Indians yet that IL is safeguard
which ought TO throw around the rights OF these In
dams in order 10 protect them far | do
apprehend will embarrass anybody; the other
in safeguard to them, that until act upon
this subject hrs by treaty and then by saton, the
rights OF The Indians shall not be lut in jeopardy.
Mr.. GWlN | shall not oppose the genlemans
amendment do not think, however, that i will have
any particular bearing,
The question being taken on the amendment il was
agreed To-
The question being then taken on concurring 10 The
amendments made in committee they were concurred IN.
The bill was then ordered TO be engrossed ior third
reading.
EXCHANGES OF SCHOOL LANDS.
Mr. MALLORY. | ask the Senate 10 postpone all
prior orders for the purpose Of taking no little bill IN
which the State OF Florida is interested. Il is Senate
bill No. 4i6, to authorize the school authorities 10 the
State of Florida to make certain selections OF lands Tor
school purposes. It is reported by the Committee on
Public Lands.
The bill was accordingly taken up, and considered in
committee OF the whole
The bill having been read, :,