The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-05
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1852.

The bill being again under consideration
Mr. UNDERWOOD continued On yesterday, after
the discussion upon printing the kossuth letter had
ended, dev oied the little time allowed to an exam-
nation OF the question OF taxing the lands owned by
The United States lying within the limits OF the State
governments endeavored to show from the nature of
The title which the United States beld in these lands that
they were not liable 10 taxation by State au hority
endeavored 10 show that il the States themselves owned
The ultimate dominion while the Indians were the occu-
pants, they could not tax the land and that exngush-
ing the Indian title, and investing il in the United States
did not change the character OF tbs property and subject
II TO Stale taxation. | endeayoTed 10 show that the
lands purchased from the Indians, and held by the gov
eminent OF the United States for national purposes were
exempt from State taxation much as the lands pur
chased Tor forts navy yards &c, with the consent Of
Stale, from private citizen adverted on yesterday
to the OF Georgia and the Cherokee Indians Geof
gia held the ultimate dominion over the Cherokee lands,
which she divided among her citizens She bad re-
nqushed the ultimate dominion all Indian lands
within the territory of Alabama and Mississippi 10 the
general governments but she still retained it over that
portion OF the territory which she nterfered with the
claims oil the Chefokees Georgia. in regard to her Cher
okee controversy held the position originally occupied by
the States prior TO and under the Articles OF Confedera
ton. think that the constitution OF the United States
operated IN behalf OF the Cherokees and that Georgia
was wrong However that may be, still she stood upon
very different ground from Iowa and the other States
which never entitled to The ultimate dominion over
any Indian lands, Whatever justification Georgia may
Ind Tor her conduct in consequence OF retaining the ul
mate dominion over the Cherokee lands with which she
niaered her conduct cannot furnish the least counle
nance to attempts by the States 10 tax Indian lands
over which they never had the right Of ultimate dorln
ion.
But let me again call the attention OF the Senate TO the
speech Of the senator from Massachusetts, IMr Sum.
sER have paid particular attention TO his argument
from the beginning, Tor very striking reason Ii il had
come from a senator representing State, could
have excused II could have the motives, the long
train OF thought connected with personal and political in
terests, which might have warped the judgment and
brought new State senator TO the propagation OF doc.
nes like those put forth by the senator from Massachu
sets But sir, when consider the speech. coming from
representative oil old Massachusetts,, of the original
thirteen States containing Argument, as think, against
the interests OF his Slate and OF mine, and published under
the imposing head OF "Justice TO the Land States" and
which, NJ it's doctrines be true, must defeat my amendment
am constrained TO notice and It's Argument minutey
and particularly
Mr. SUMNER. As | understand the senator he
would have excused the speech IL had seemed to be
founded upon motives OF interest," but makes ques.
on with regard TO il because it is founded upon Justice
and liberaly.
Mr. UNDERWOOD Not atal. could have apollo.
gzed Tor the speech, upon the ground that sefneres
nnconsciously warps poor, weak human Judgment Had
come from representative OF State that prin
cple, and thinking for years all side might have
excused III but coming from The quarter il does-if the
gentleman VIII loTce me 10 The atrbution OF a motive
shall md II among those political considerations which
700 olien influence aspiring men, looking long way
ahead, striving TO control future results and aiming at
popularity which is TO come at some distant day Laugh
ter Bot am not willing 10 inquire into motives. If
the speech, either in its principles or ITS effects be erro
neous and mischievous from what quarter may
il is my duty attack and expose II, especially It's
tendency is TO defeat my amendment desire 10 call the
attention OF the Senate position taken in the speech
OF the senator, which will read
Now the lands held by the United States do not belong