The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-25

sale. 80 ~" 'p'A y '''''''''' anu
Sir. there is the Minnesota Territory. You know with
wha apdi'y the Indians are required OF late to move
beyond The borders OF new Territory; and hence
may expect that the Indian title TO all the country within
ihe limits OF Minnesota Territory will soon be exin.
guished That Territory will make an addition Of some
nifty millions OF acres more TO the two hundred millions
now liable TO entry and sale in the States. There
will then be 23o.3l5,000 acres.
Now sir, propose TO make another deduction, II has
been generally supposed that there large proportion
OF these lands that never would be fit for cultivation.
but experiences has shown that these conecures not
always well founded Look at the State OF Ohio There
are IN that State upwards OF twenty-five millions OF acres,
and OF the whole OF that amount there only about two
millions remaining unsold Look, aso at the State OF
Indiana, with an extent OF territory not much short of
that OF Ohio, and there you will find that there only
some three or four millions OF unapproprated We
an know, SIR, that when settlers first come into country
they pass by many good lands in the hope of obtaining
those which still better The richer lands being first
taken up, those OF secondary quality next taken,
and so on until all that are cutvable are aken and
unrequently filled with valuable minerals. promising
rich harvest to the manufacturer and the miner
admit, MIR. President, that in these estimates go
very much on conjecture regards the quality OF the
lands and have often inquired why it was that SO large
portion OF Missouri remains unapproprated. The only
answer must be- that though much OF the vacant land is
rich in minerals and otherwise valuable, yet it is not
easily accessible; that ii does not lie the great water
courses the channels which lead directly to Market
to tempt the settler Ii is only when driven TO take
secondary choice that emigrant will take inferior
lands They will not make permanent settlements even
when better lands occupied by the Indians in the
neghborhood. They will wait in the hope of the ey-
tincon OF the Indian title
Now, have already deducted thirty five millions and
halt OF acres for swamp and overfowed lands pro.
pose to make further deduction of fifty millions of
acres, as barren or unproductve lands Yet after
all these large Deductions there will still remain of good
lands surveyed and ready for SALE upwards of two hun
dred millions OF acres Even you sir representing the
interests OF new State. and deeply interested in a
great question OF this nature, you are, yet doubt if
you are not surprised that so large quantity OF the pub
r "a ia at hts tipoo in fhop bat
Mr. President, would like that some honorable SEN
ator would undertake TO efute this calculation Of this
estimate OF the quantity Of the public domain now offered
for sale, and of the magnitude OF the interest involved
Yet SIT, with all this, you see how difficult i is to draw
The attention OF senators to the subject. There
10 be no disposition to grapple with IT.
Sir, | Will now come down to some details which are
perhaps, not so important and striking the facts TO
which have before referred, but they still of
interest In the three or four Staes-lllinois, Michigan
Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri-and aude TO the
Northwestern States more particularly because it is
that direction that the tide OF emigration mainly flows
within the States presenting these claims for lands to be
appropriated the construction Of railways-how many
millions OF acres OF unappropated land do you suppose
there are al this moments After making all proper de-
ducnons, there are still about hundred millions OF
10 these five States And what is it that they ask
They are asking Tor some four five millions of acres
for various objects OF internal Improvement illinois
has already got some three and half Millions and appro
priaons for similar objects being asked by The
States Of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa. and Mlssourinot
TO down TO Arkansas and other new States of the
southwest, where they asking for large appropra-
tions-to the amount OF some four five millions OF
acres These States including the State OF Illinois. have
hundred millions OF unappopriaed land actually
veyed, and TO which the Indian title is extinguished.
The i've millions OF asked if granted. when
added TO the eight or nine millions heretofore granted TO
the new States for internal improvements, swell the
amount to some thirteen or fourteen millions OF acres
granted TO the new States for internal improvements,
besides what given for the purposes of education
sides he large amount OF swamp and overfowed lands
My friend IRON Kentucky Mr.. USDERwooDl offers an
proposing to give some thirteen or fourteen
millions OF acres 10 be distributed among the old States
according 10 Some equitable rule
Mr. UNDERWOOD. According TO population.
Mr. BELL Yes, that is the basis on which the
senator proposes make this small distribution OF four.
teen millions OF acres out OF these two hundred millions
Of acres OF unappopTiaed lands in The new States. And
what is the reply by the senators from the new States
"On now Now, j my friend from Iowa MIR JosEsl were
present. would like to reason with him face face and
TO appeal 10 his sense OF justice upon this subject There
IS my friend from Missouri, too mir. ATcHIsoS.l Il
think can trust 10 the goodness OF his heart however
much his judgment may be biased. He is asking for
some four or i've millions OF acres more TO the new
States Now, out OF the two hundred millions Of acres
OF unappropriated lands in the States which have
already been surveyed and which open 10 settlement
we ask that among the other States OF the Union which
have shared no part OF the public lands heretofore may
be granted some fourteen millions But what is the an
swerl "Nol What do you want with IL" We an.
wer that we want to pay the interest on our internal
Improvement debt or we want IL TO make internal i'm
pIovemens OF oar own, or for purposes oil educaon or
charty-such as the providing OF asylums for The deaf
and dumb, the blind nsane any other charitable
10 the yoraCious appettes oil
who have already than enough but for the indl
gent the unfortunate the needy those whom the bulk OF
mankind are apt 10 forget and 10 pass by as they pro-
gress down the stream of time, without the knowledge
OF their being much less OF their suaerngs IL is the un
fortunate wish to provide for, but you will not give
IT. and believe that majority OF the Committee on
Public Lands have settled down on that principle.
Now, Mr. President, as TO giving these lands away, IT
may be that there modes IN which we have not
the power to do but II is evident that the senators
from the States not disposed to allow this fund
to be mutlaed except in way, and that TO inure to
their own benefit
Mr.. JONES, (ocularly) Perhaps the senator from
Tennessee would like to take il all.
Mr.. BELL Oh, no but you wont give us any. We
only ask for this pance OF fourteen millions OF two
hundred millions OF acres unappropriated, and you say
shall have Is that Just, or is 1t generous
appeal 10 the generous and noble heart OF the senator
from Iowa whether, individual he would act upon
such principle. Sir, 1t is very different thing when
we come represent States corporations, or bodies poll
tic. Very differently do act in such capacity from
what would do were we individual partners IN this
great landed Gentlemen seem TO act upon the
principle that the States being the partners absoves them
from all the obligations OF justice do mol believe that
Individual partners, would think of standing up and
asserting such a selfish principle.
Sir desire now 10 call the attention OF the Senate to
the principles on which this exclusive policy OF the new
States 10 sought TO be maintained confess, however,
that almost despair Of inspiring sufficient interest IN
the subject in the minds OF honorable senators al TINS
time. We the eve OF presidential election and
would propose 10 adjourn this question TO future pc
nod, could oresee the time. or hope 10 see ~ When
this subject could receive its proper consideration IL
seems there never TO be proper Tune or 'he as