Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-21
House Of Representatives.

Lands, reported back the Senate bill for the ex.
tension OF the presumption privilege in California,
with recommendation that il pass, He said by
the act of March, 1853, the right Of presumption
on unsurveyed lands was extended To California
for the period Of one year. That right will cease
10 exist on the Sd OF March next; and the same
exigency which induced Congress 10 pass the bill
still exists. This bill passed The Senate unani-
mously, and has been approved by the Committee
on Public Lands unanimously. 1t will be several
years yet before the public lands can be surveyed.
Unless some such provision as that proposed shall
be granted, all the permanent settlements in that
Stale will cease for the time being. The bill pro-
poses TO extend The presumption privilege for two
years, during which, it is presumed. The public
lands can be surveyed. Out of over ninety-two
millions Of acres in California, fhy-two millions
are mineral lands; nineteen millions cannot be
irrigated and therefore cannot be cultivated Ten
or twelve millions of acres are claimed under
Spanish grants
The bill was slightly amended and then passed
BOUNTY LANDS.
Mr. WARREN, from the COMMITTEE on Public
Lands. TO which was referred The bill of the House.
referred TO that committee by Mr.. FLORENCE ex-
tending the provisions of the several laws granting
bounty lands TO the officers, soldiers, and sailors
who have been engaged in the military service Of
the United States TO wit: In the war Of 1912, and
the Indian wars since 1890; repaxled the same
with RECOMMENDATION m is that it g pass, ac-
Interior on the same subject ~
MIR. FLORENCE moved that the SID bill be
committed TO the Committee of the Wilde on the
state OF the Union and that the bill and letter be
printed He said he did SO because he wished to
have an opportunity of understanding the state
ments of the Secretary of the Interior; andsif,
upon investigation, the declarations ofthat officer
could not be sustained, he wished to debate the
subject so that proper and correct conclusion
may be arrived at lie had submitted this bill to
provide bounty land TO the soldiers and sailors en-
gagged in the war of 1912, and the other wars in
which the country has been engaged, in obedience
TO universal belief in Pennsylvania and other
States of the Union, that it was but melting out
justice TO those who, in perilous time in our
countrys history, gave their services at>quite as
great sacrifice as those who had received in
greater degree the bounty of the government
The statement ofthe Secretary Of the Interior. in
all candor startled him. As far as he could under
stand from the reading Of il al the clerks desk it
appeared the Secretary says that the bill whchhe
had offered was passed. it would require S3,000,000
acres of land, at cost TO the United States of
100000, and that the entire clerical force of
the land Office would be required for period of
ten consecutive years 10 make out the warrants
provided for in the bill and locate the land besides
giving rise to litigation and other evils which that
functionary fears. This did really surprise him,
for the Secretary further says that more than
100000 persons will be entitled to the privileges
contemplated by the bill. In order, therefore TO
have fair opportunity Of debating the whole sub
Ject, he moved to refer the subject TO the Commit
tee ofihe Whole on the state of The Union.
Mr.. ORR moved the previous question.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee. moved that the bill
be laid on the table, pending which,
The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole on the state Of the Union Mr. OLps in
the Chair, and took up the homestead bill.
TONNAGE DUTIEs-MIssoURI COMPROMISE.
Mr. NOBLE addressed the committee on the
subject Of tonnage duties. In reply TO Messrs.
EWING, OLIVER, of Missouri, and KEITT he con-
tended that President Pierce had merely uttered
views identical with those of Madison, Monroe
Jefferson. and other Presidents Of the United
States, yet no one ever charged them with being
IN favor OF the plan and that there was nothing in
the message Of President Pierce that warranted
the inference that he is in favor oftonnage duties
Mr. Calhoun never favored such law as that
proposed by the senator from Illinois, mr. Doue-
IASJ who was the first TO bring forward plan
giving the consent of Congress the States 10 levy
observation-disclosures duties on foreign industry
and domestic commerce. To that distinguished
gentleman isdue the honor of the proposition IF
theplan hast merit claimed orit if it would be so
beneficial 10 our great national commerce on the
western waters, ift forwarded and preserved those
great interests, he should be the last to oppose it,
But nc looked on the plan unconstitutional in
expeden pernicious, and disastrous 10 those great
interests. These points he continued to argue
until the expiration of the hour TO which he was
limited in debate
Mr.. KEITT explained, that he did not connec,
the name Of Mr. Calhoun with any specific or de.
tailed plan; but merely said he first announced it,
Mr. EWING noticed the remark made here. as
elsewhere, that Mr.. Clay was the author of The
Missouri compromise; but, so far from this, he
had no connexion with il. The measure did moi
even originate in the House of which Mr. CLAW
was member. II was proposed in the Senate by
Mr. Thomas Of Illinois If il failed 10 accomplish
ttsn trrN So II H.. - F
opposed it, In proof Of these views, he read from,
speeches of Mr.. Clay He thought it was due to
the memory of that distinguished patriot thus to
speak, and because of the perversion of the views
OF that statesman by those who, by this means, |
seek to uphold their perncious designs. Let his |
ashes rest in peace. Let not his bones be dragged
from the grave 10 add additional fuel 10 the 4
lame which would consume the beautiful fabric |
OF Inon and with it the best hopes Of the country
He had the utmost confidence in the people of |
the north. He believed them 10 be patriotic, and |
reasoning people. We have had more than one |
evidence OF the fact. He trusted and looked TO
them with confidence now He did not apprehend |
danger from those who live on excitement, as
on air, or a vampire on blood-those
who call Tabernacle meetings. He saw no storm
cloud. He had no vision like that Of Polonous.
sad ;, Hamlet TO him; !. Do you see yonder cloud,
is like camel at looks like a weasel.r
Much like weaseln sOr like whale
Very like whale
The Missouri line was not one OF compromise.
I was not constitutional The Territory of Lou
slana was common property, and common JUS
ice required il should be held for the benefit Of
III. The so-called compromise was but hollow
ruce, as il to enable both parties 10 nerve them
elves for future contest The north. he repeat
"a, always repudiated it, In conclusion, he spoke
n favor Of the principles as established by the
compromise measures of 1850.
Mr.. j. G. ALLEN obtained the floor. when
The committee rose, and
The House adjourned
PRESENTATION OF MEMORIAL AND PETITION
By Mr. RIDDLE: Memorial Of Wilson L. Cannon
nd Sixty other citizens Of The State Of Delaware
wners apd captains Of vessels engaged in the gen
raj coasting trade, praying Congress 10 make an
preparation for the erection of lighthouse near
10 month Of Old Duck creek, on the western coast
the Delaware bay.
3y MIR. PRATT: The petition of John w. Ray
nd one hundred and forty-one others, inhabitants
the village of Rockville, Tolland county, Con-
ecticut, praying for reduction of rates on ocean
ostage.
Destruction OF the Big Mound One Of the
dest monuments Of the city--that, indeed, from ,
hichi ii derives its name of Mound yais about
he LII ..,.,ls u !,