The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-14

money for them. Just well might you say that TIC
easement for The purchasers OF lots, 10 induce
persons TO pay high price for The lois makes them
gift No, sr, II was for consideration.
Then, sir, my colleague says that hye hundred thou-
sand Of the public lands given TO the State for
the purpose oil internal improvements This comes IN
der the category, and under The same rule Ihis
five hundred thousand acres OF land was 10 be appopr
aed TO internal improvements within the State For what
purpose lei ask For The benefit OF the Stale alone
No, The public lands had been ofere for sale until
all the lands which worth one dollar and quarter
per acrethe price that the government was willing 70
take for the land-had been sold and the money had
been paid into The treasury for them But as an induce
men purchasers, and order 10 facilitate the sale oil
the balance of the lands which not worth dollar
and quarter acre in the condition in which things
were at that time, the government made grant Oh nve
hundred thousand OF land 10 be appropriated Tor
the purpose OF internal Improvements. just as prudent
Iandhoder would have done with his own land II The
land had belonged TO an individual he would have done
the thing and therefore that grant not only for
consideration. but for valuable consideration II was
appropriated TO internal improvements within the State an
order make the unsaleabe lands saleabe and some
compensation 10 those who had gone into the Wilderness
to reclaim the valueess lands, and who had been COM
peledon refusal 10 reduce the price OF such COM
paratvey worthless lands 10 their intrinsic vaue as the
best lands had all been taken upto purchase them OF the
government. and pay two three times their real value
tor them Why, Mr.. President millions have been paid
into your treasury over and above the intrinsic value OF
these lands II was not gatuity them for was found
ed upon valuable consideration.
But my colleague also says that million OF acres, or
more were given 10 the Stale Of Mississippi Of the swamp
lands. Now, sir these lands were overfowed lands
which belonged to the federal government; but they were
not worth cent per thousand acres, and would
have been il they had continued to belong TO the federal
government Then, prudent andholder. the govern
men said to the States of Mississippi and Arkansas and
other States in which these lands lay, "ths land is value
less it now is and il you will take it and reclaim it,
and make It valuable, you may have It," Was there no
consideration here II indirect consideration TO
which the government looked forward, admits but still
was real and valuable consideration. She looked
forward 10 the time when these lands should be re-
claimed and cuuvated--when they would bring in. by
their vast productions, an immense amount OF money
from the OF those products. That was vau
able consideration, and no gratuily al all
Now, in reference TO the disposition of this grant OF five
hundred thousand acres OF land, beg leave 10 refer to
vote taken by the State which we have the honor 10 repre-
upon this floor The State OF Mississippi consented
receive this five hundred thousand OF land; yet
when you proposed to give that State her distrbuve
portion OF the public revenue in the treasury she refused
and has to this day refused to receive dollar OF it,
She received the five hundred thousand of land be
cause she considered herself entitled 10 it, and not as
grauily from the federal governments she regarded 1t
compensation for the money which bad been paid into
the national treasury consequence OF the sales OF other
lands and the Improvements that had been made upon
them.
Bat my colleague says am mistaken in supposng that
the federal government has not any occasion dstrlb
uied the public lands within the States 10 other States Tor
the that bounty lands have been gwen to the SOL
defs OF the late war, many of whom resided in the nom
landhodiug States. Now, sir, do not consider these
bounty lands as gilt consider them as payment OF
debt. There is difference between my colleague and
myself upon this point. | consider them payment
not Of legal binding debt according 10 contract, but OF
an equitable and just demand which the federal govern
ment owed to this class OF its citizens The public lands
are fund belonging 70 the unIied States and being
fund, they legitimate source from which the pay
men should be made. recollect very well when, at the
time of the declaration OF with Mexico, proposition
was made in the other House, OF which was then a
member, 10 increase the pay of volunteers from seven
TO ten dollars month. and ii rejected. And upon
U hat ground Not that dollars month was a
fair compensation Tor The service TO be rendered IL was
ageed on all hands that 40 government could ever make
full and adequate compensation Tor the services oi h
soldiers and not known how long this war would
last but there common understanding, as those
who then members OF that House will bear me es
Iimony-although there rs no record OF that ac-hat u
the lasted any considerable length OF lime, IN add
ton TO the seven dollars month"; bounty lands should be
granted to the volunteers not as gaiuiy but as CON-
pensalon Tor their services Sir, do you consider that
The man who has left his home and bls business, and
served IN the war with Mexico SIX, twelve, or eighteen
months at seven dollars month"; has been paic and that
when you grant him i60 acres OF land In addition 10 bis
pay, you are granting him grainlty No, slr. You
paying debt which, though not strictly legal, en-
tirey equitable, aud which you are bound To pay by
high moral obligation You grant TO the widow and Of
pnan children whose husband and father iell upon the
baeheld and shed bis blood IN defence Of his country
100 OF land for their bereavement Do you call that
grauiiy No, sir. ii is The pay ment OF debt And
IN every SOLITARY instance, according TO my humble
judgment, the federal government has acted heretofore
and has never made donation oil and or money out OF
the federal treasury as mere grauty to the citizens of
any state nor has it any right 10 do
1t is said, however, II grant bounty lands 10 the
soldiers OF the different States, why not provide for the
destitute OF the different States SIR the are
altogether different One is where individuals
have rendered service to the federal government. and
where all are equally bouod pay The other is where
the government has jurisdiction whatever There is
no connexion between this unfortunate class OF our fe
low beings and be federal government That is the dis
tinciion draw between the two cases. and that s one
OF the amongst others why vote for this
bill | have other reasons, but ! will not tie
time OF The Senate 10 discussing them.
Mr.. STUART. Mr President, do no propose 10 en-.
ter into any discussion OF this bill submitted few
remarks This subject the other day. The bill in all
its subs An& provisions very carefully considered
by the Committee on Public Lands There s, however
certain language in this bill which contained in what
may be termed the old BILL which is not proper and the
attention OF the senator from Vermont and other ren-
agreed that The bill may be amended IL ii be dose by
unaplmoss consent There clause In The second
ton which now reads thus " and whenever there are
public lands in Stale worth one dollar and twenty Eve
cents pet acre. the value OF said land be determined by
the governor OF said State the quantity to which the said
State s entitled shall be selected from such land &c
The intention oil the committee 10 allow States in
winch lands were subject TO entry at dollar and guar.
ter per 10 select their lands within that State |
propose therefore, 10 ask the unanimous consent OF the
Senate 10 make an amendment, by striking the word
wouh" and inserting subject to sale at !" and also by
temined by the governor OF said State !" that il will
read: and whenever there are public lands in State
subj TO sale al dollar and twenty five cents per
the quantity TO which the said State shall be entitled
shall be selected from said lands" That will give uni
lormity TO the provisions OF the bill As now stands
the governor OF any one Stale might determine stand
ard, and OF another, another.
Me- hon tbaru afo.u 4 L.