The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-28
PUBLIC LANDS.
SPEECH OF nov. w w. SNOW,
or NEW YORK,

The House being IN the Committee OF the
Whole on the state Of the Union, on the Indian
Appropriation Bill
Mr.. SNOW said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN do not propose to discuss the
bill immediately before the committee, although 1t
is one incident TO and growing out Of the acquire
ment and perfection of title 10 The public domain
which is now held by the people of this Govern
ment. propose to discuss more particularly the
merits o. a bill before this House, reported by my
colleague, Mr. BEssETT,l for an equalization of
grants of land to all the States, and 10 defend New
York against the aspersions cast upon her on ac-
count of the refusal Of her Representatives to vote
for special grants Of land to railroad corporations
ALSO TO review some Of the arguments offered i'm
this House in favor of large grants Of land TO the
land States, for the benefit Of corporations
The requirement of this vast public domain,
which Is now vested in this Government, COM
menced with the Revolution which gave US liberty
and independence. A large portion Of these lands
were held prior to the Revolution, subject to the
Crown.
In 1880, Congress recommended to the several
States in the Union holding claims to the western
territory to make cessons of portion of their ter
ritory to the United States for the purpose Of
ating common fund to defray the expenses of
the war of the Revolution.
On the 10th of October, 1870, Congress
solved that any lands so coded should be disposed
of for the common benefit Of all the States, and
when the territory by districts should be settled,
they should be formed into distinct republican
States, and become members of the Federal
Union, with all the rights and sovereignty Of other
States
Under the above resolves Of Congress, in 1871,
New York, in view of the urgent appeals of her
sister States, New Jersey, Delaware, and Mary
land, who claimed that they in justice should par
tlcipate in the benefits Of the public domain, came
forward as the first State to surrender, by cession
to the United States, the public domain held by
her, to be disposed of for the common benefit of
all the States in defraying the expenses of the
Revolution; Virginia and other States at that time
declining to make cessions under the provisions
already passed by Congress.
Consequently, Congress, in September, 1853,
passed another resolution expressing more par
tcularly the conditions which the cessons
from the several States of their rights should be
made
In October, 1884, Virginia made cession Of her
title to the public domain in what was called the
Northwestern Territory recitng in the ccssion
the act Of Congress- September, 1888, and upon
the expressed condition that the lands so coded
should be considered common fund for the
then existing States, those that might be formed
thereafter and become members of the Confeder-
alton, reserving the rights of individuals who
might be occupying any portion of said Territory
under color Of grants or title.
In 1785, Massachusetts, following the noble
example of her sister States, made cesson of
her rights and interests to the territory of waste
lands, under the provisions Of Congress before
Tecited.
In l7S6, Connecticut, in view of tho action of
New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts, and the
strong appeals of other States, who did not claim
title to territory under color of grants, made like
cessions for the common benefit"
In 1887, South Carolina, for the purposes of
promoting the honor and dignity of the United
States and strengthening the bonds of the Fed
TIpNs, do L. L. Il -
erest for the benefit Of all the States then exist
ing, or to become members Of the Confederacy.
In 1870, after the adoption Of the Constitutio On,
North Carolina empowered her two Senators 10
make cession Of her domain for the benefit of
all the States at that time, and those that might
become sovereign States thereafter.
Within the territory thus coded are embraced
the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
Wisconsin, and all that part of the Territory of
Minnesota lying east of the Mississippi river.
The lands within the boundaries of the States
Of Mississippi and Alabama, north of the thirty
hrs degree Of north latitude, were conveyed to the
United States by Georga, in 1902, on the pay
ment Of sl,250,000
The territory acquired by the treaty Of the
United States with France, in 1903, at an expense
Of tl5, 100000 to the National Treasury, en-
braces the States Of Mississippi and Alabama
south Of the thirty first degree Of north latitude
also the States of Louisiana .7rknnsas Missouri
Ieoa and that portion of Minnesota west Of the
Mississippi river; also the Indian territory, Me-
braska territory, Oregon, and the territory north
Of the forty-second and south Of the forty-ninth
degree Of north latitude.
The territory within the limits of Florida was
obtained by purchase of Spain, in 1879 at a cost
Of 8, 000, 900 to the National Treasury.
The territory embraced within the limits Of
New Mexico and the State of California was
obtained by treaty with Mexico, in ls4S, at the
cost Of war which required the blood and
treasure Of all the States, and ST., 000, 900 paid
to Mexico. and Sl0,000, 900 paid to Texas, as
and defining boundaries. In the manner set
forth, the title Of this government has been per-
fected TO the immense public domain which we
hold, embracing within the jurisdiction of its
proprie,orshp more than ,400, 900 acres now
unsold.
In addition TO the cost to this Government Of
the lands already mentioned, millions Of dollars
have been paid, and are now being paid in ex-
tinguishing Indian titles causing surveys and for
the expenses OF the military arm of this Govern
ment in protecting and defending the settlement Of
| the frontiers.
The policy OF the Federal Government, since
the adoption OF the present land system, has been
to regard the lands a common fund held by this
| Government in trust for the people and as such
| they have been looked to source Of revenue
to defray the expenses incident TO the adminstra-
| ton OF the Federal compact.
The system worked well, and the people were
satisfied so long as the debt Of the revolutionary
var, and the subsequent war with England, rested
| upon the country. When those debts became ex-
tinguished tho proceeds Of the sale Of the public
lands and the revenue derived from the tariff gave
us an overlooking Treasury of millions Of dollars
| The people soon became uneasy under this aug
mcntston OF funds in the Treasury, and many Of
the States petitioned Congress for partition Of
the fund, or distribution Of il among the States.
Many Of the States were also asking for loans.
| In view Of such condition Of things, many OF the
statesmen at that day, believing that the ncoumu-
lation ofsuch vast amounts Of money in the Treas
ury policy dangerous in its tendencies, and
stimulating the sovereign States 10 look to the
| Federal Government for support, an act, known az
the deposit aei, was passed, by which 5000 900
| Of the funds in the Treasury were distributed
among the several States according to representa-
ton with the exception that the new States were
to receive ten per cent more than the old States,
10 addition to five per cent already received by
them the sales Of public lands within their
respective limits.
Since that time new States have been springing
into existence. Large donations have been asked