The true Democrat., 1854-07-19
'f any man when once he has acquired it legal

of any man when once he has acquired it legal ly.
 The charge against me originated presume with the following bill, whose history and pre- sent condition>is attached in the shape of cer- tificate of one of the clerks of the Senate. and to the perusal of which invite attention:
 BILL for the relief of purchasers and ocators of
 and overfowed lands.
 Be 1 enacted etc., That where lands granted to the several States by the act of 18th of September 185O
 to enable the State of Arkansas and other States reclaim the swamp lands within their limits" have oeen sold or located since the passage of said ac the purchase money shall be paid to the State for such of said lands have been or may be sold for cash and the Governor by such agent agents he may appoint, may select other lands in lieu of those located by warrants and scrip upon the surrender to the United States by the Governor. other duly au thorzed officer, of all right title and claim on the part of such State in and to the lands granted to the State aforesaid which have been thus entered or locat ed or any part thereof and upon such surrender the titles in fee to the purchasers shall pass the United States patents.
 GVsce ot the Secretary of tue Senate, C. s.
 June 20, 1854.
 certify that the foregoing bill was brought in on leave by Wm. Shields of Illinois, on the 21st of De- cember 1S53 and referred to the committee on public lands; reported back by Mr. Stuart of Michigan, and passed the Senate 2Sth of February 1884, and IS now awaiting the action of the House of Represen tatives. W. F. PRICE, Clerk.
 This is the bill presume. It is the only bill on this subject, of which Iknow any thing, and it now lies entombed on the calender of the House of Representative, from which have no idea that 1t will ever be resurrected.
 But suppose it should be law for argument sake? To make the title of the purchaser from the United States valid, the State of Ar kansas is expressly required to relinquish her title acquired under act of 18th September, 1850; and restore it to the United States How can the State of Arkansas do this, if she has already sold the land and received her pay for it? It is impossible. Er post tacto laws are unconstitutional and vold by the express lan- guage of both the constitution of the United States and the State of Arkansas, and in the courts of neither could such laws be enforced, or title once legally acquired be divested by virtue of after legislation without the assent of the purchaser, nor does this bill propose such a result.
 The bill itself is good one, and with the aid of legislation by our State, should it be so fortunate as to pass during this Congress, will do great good for the reasury of the State of Arkansas, and the settlement of defective titles, but the bill is incapable of producing the wrong which has been attributed. The good effects to be attained from the bill are palpable to any mind familiar with the subject, and I will not lengthen this letter by any further comment upon or explanation of it. It was conceived by Gen. Shields for the benefit of Illinois, and reported by Mr. Stewart for the good of Mich igan, and supported by me for the sake of Ark ansas all of which being swamp land States and similarly affected
 Respectfully, R. W. JOHNSON.