The Yazoo Democrat., 1853-04-06


- We have received a copy of
speech delivered in the Senate Of the
United States, in February last, by the
Hon. Stephen Adams, upon the "Home-
stead Bill"
1t appears that the question has been
connected with and coupled on to the
Pacific Railroad bill, by amendments
Whether to make the railroad bill ego
down." or for truly humane and just
purpose, member Of the Senate pro-
posed by way of amendment to an orig
inal bill, concerning the Mississippi and
Pacific Railroad, that the lands, for six
townships on either side of the road,
should be surveyed, and one-half, or
each alternate section should be given
in small quantities q60 acreS) to actual
settlers. Mr.. Adams offered an amend
ment to that part Of the bill, granting
lands to settlers free of cost. Below
we give the amendment of Mr.. Adams:
"That all of the public lands of the United
States shall be subject to sale and entry at one dol
lar per acre, and any portion which shall have
been in market for five years or upwards, prior
to the time of application to enter the same un-
der the provisions of this act, and still remain
ing unsold, shall be subject to sale at the price of
seventy-five cents per acre; and all the lands OF
the United States that shall have been in market
for ten years or upwards, as aforesaid, and still
remaining unsold shall be subject to sale at fifty
cents per acre /; and all of the lands OF the Uni
ted States that shall have been In market for fif-
teen years or upwards as aforesaid, and still re-
manning unsod shall be subject to sale at twen-
ty-five cents per acre and all of the lands of the
United States that shall have been in market
for twenty years and upwards, as aforesaid, and
still remaining unsold. shall be subject to sale
at ten cents per acre and all lands of the Uni
ted States that shall have been in market for
twenty-five years, more, shall be subject to
sale at five cents per acre Provided, This sec
tion shall not be so construed as to extend to
lands reserved to the United States, in acts
ting lands to States for railroad or other
internal improvements, or to mineral lands
held at over one dollar and twenty-five cents
per acre.
SEC 8 And be 1T further enacted That upon
every reduction in price, under the provisions
of this act, the occupant and settler upon the
lands shall have the right of preemption at such
graduated price upon the same terms, condi-
the public lands of the United States are now
subject TO the right of pre-emption, until the
next graduation or reduction shall. take place;
and if not So purchased, shall again be subject
to right of pre-emption, for twelve months as be-
fore, and so on from time to time, reduc-
tions take place ProUide9 That nothing in
this act shall be so construed TO interfere
wilh any right which has may accurc by
virtue Of any act granting pre-emPtion to ac-
tual settlers upon public lands.
SEC. 10 And be 1T further enacted, That any
person applying to eater any of the aforesaid
lands under the provisions of the eighth and
ninth sections Of this act, shall be required to
make affidavit before the register or receiver
OF the proper land Office that he or she enters
the same for his or her own use, and for the
purpose OF actual settlement and cultivation, or
for the use of an adjoining farm or plantation,
owned r occupied by him or herself, and to-
gether with said entry, he or she has not
quired from the United States under the pro-
visions of this act, than three hundred
and twenty acres according to the established
surveys and if any person or persons taking
such oath or affidavit shall swear falsely in the
premise, he or she shall be subject to all the
pains and penalties of perjury Pr0Uided, That
any person entitled to a Pre-emPton shall be
authorized to enter forty acres of the public
land, to include the dwelling-house, at ten
cents per acre.