into the Virginia title to her western domain. He wished the question, in what manner the public lands should be disposed of after the public debt should have been paid, to be left alone and unincumbered with other matter, that it might receive that full and distinct discussion which so grave a question justly merited. The House then went into the consideration of private bills; after which, Adjourned to Tuesday. TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1832. Mr. WARD, of New York, submitted the following resolution: [H. OF R. hands, does not require the support of the soldier's arms. Intelligence and virtue are the pillars of State, and on these rests the noblest superstructure that man ever reared; but, situated as this country is, a small military force is requisite to prevent the incursion of savages, and to meet any emergencies that may occur. Such a provision has been made in the maintenance of an army of six thousand men. A very superficial knowledge of the condition and character of this body of men would present evils of great and glaring magnitude; and a thorough acquaintance with the army, its actual physical force, its expense to the Government, and its service in return, and its moral condition, would furnish cogent arguments to show the necessity of some change, so far, at least, as regards the enlisted men. Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be The character of a great portion of the enlisted men instructed to inquire into the expediency, first, of en- is far below the proper standing of a soldier, and the realisting into the army minors from the ages of sixteen to son of this is not difficult to be ascertained. The pay of seventeen, by and with the consent of their parents or five dollars per month is not sufficient of itself to induce guardians, to serve for the period of four years; secondly, any or very few but the lowest class of society to enlist; of establishing schools at such military posts, garrisoned and seldom being called into action, it cannot be expected exclusively by the troops so enlisted, for the purpose of that high notions of military ardor and enthusiasm will teaching such branches of education as will fit and prepare be inspired or kept alive. Men who enter the service the soldiers for situations of usefulness in life, and of re- with no other than a pecuniary motive, need some stimulus ducing their monthly pay in the ratio of two dollars for to urge them on to the feelings and conduct that ought to every five dollars now paid; thirdly, of retaining the whis- distinguish the soldier. On the contrary, being permitkey portion of the ration to be paid either in money, mili- ted to spend the greater part of their time according tary equipments, or in some suitable badge of honor; to their own tastes and inclinations, allowed sufficient fourthly, of exempting all such non-commissioned officers whiskey to produce an unnatural and unnecessary exciteand privates who shall have served for the period of four years from militia duty, except in cases of war, invasions, or other public emergency; and that said committee also inquire how far such enlistments and provisions may tend to destroy or lessen the evil of frequent desertion. Mr. PEARCE inquired the object of the resolution, and said that he wished to know from the honorable gentleman whether there were not schools already established at the several military posts. ment, and having no employment, either bodily or intel- One Mr. WARD said he would answer the honorable gentleman from Rhode Island with much pleasure; he had been informed, he said, by General Scott, and other of Men sustaining the character which the greater portion ficers of the army, that schools have been established at of the soldiers who now compose the army sustain, would the military posts for the purpose of teaching the children be expected to be governed by nothing but their own inof the soldiers, but not the soldiers themselves; and, from clinations; bound by no motives of honor or pride, with what he had learned, he believed those schools had been no desire to defend or assist their country for their counproductive of much good: but his object, he said, in sub-try's sake, and prompted by no ambition to distinguish mitting the resolution under consideration, was, that the themselves, they desert at the first opportunity after they Committee on Military Affairs might be instructed to in- have received their advance pay. quire into the expediency of establishing schools at the In this opinion, Mr. W. said he was happy to have it in several military posts, in which the soldiers of the army his power to say that he did not stand alone: for, said he, on the peace establishment may receive instruction. the General-in-chief has taken the same view of the preSimilar schools have been established, he said, in many sent standing and character of our soldiers. He states in his armies, and particularly in the Prussian, in which the pri- annual report, when speaking on the subject of desertion, Vate soldiers are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. that "this evil can only be attributed to the great prospeIndeed, said he, instruction became so general in the Prus-rity which pervades every class of our citizens. Although sian army by means of regimental and battalion schools, the soldier is well fed, clothed, quartered, and treated with that, during the last years of peace in that country, the army was considered an institution for the instruction of the whole country, for every Prussian, it will be recollected, is obliged to serve for a short time in the army. kindness by his officers, yet the apparent small amount paid to him in money, as allowed by law, does not offer a sufficient inducement to the steady and active citizen to engage in the public service in time of peace, but the unIn some armies conversationi have been introduced, in steady and idle, and frequently the profligate, are willing, which the officers hold discourse with the sergeants and for the sake of the bounty in hand, to enlist, with a view of privates on a variety of subjects, and particularly on sub- remaining until the first payment, and then desert, perhaps jects connected with the service. There is now much to practise again the same fraud upon the Government." time totally lost to the soldiers in our army, which might Mr. W. said his attention was drawn to the subject of esbe profitably employed in instructing them in many use- tablishing schools for the instruction of the soldiers, while ful branches of education, which would tend greatly to reflecting upon some remedy to check the serious evil of elevate the character of the American soldier, and, above desertion. all, would be a means of rendering him a useful and moral In order to show the extent of this evil, he said he citizen. Experience and reason, said he, unite in bear- would call the attention of the House to the annual report ing testimony to the truth that standing armies are need- of the able and efficient Secretary of War, wherein he less and dangerous in time of peace in a free Government. makes use of the following observations on that subject, A nation such as ours, that vests its powers in the people's viz. "I regret to state that this serious evil not only H. OF R.] The Army. [JAN. 3, 1832 would be sent into the world educated men. This, said he, might be accomplished, and still allow them a suff cient time to acquire a thorough knowledge of the mili tary part of their profession. continues, but increases. Inquiries have been instituted into main objects of the soldier's enlistment, nor was the cours the causes of this offence, and the most efficient remedy. of studies in that army so long and thorough as it might and But no means have been adopted to check a practice which, ought to be in our service. The army, under its present or from its extent and impunity, not only materially injures ganization, consists of five thousand five hundred and fifty the service, by the loss of the men and its consequent ex-seven enlisted men: now, said he, if that number were to pense, but threatens in its progress, and by its example, be divided into four classes, one thousand three hundred to destroy that principle of fidelity which is the only safe and eighty-nine soldiers might be annually admitted, and bond of connexion between the soldier and his country." a like number annually discharged from the service-fo It appears, said Mr. W., from the reports of the Secre- none should be permitted to remain in the service afte tary of War and General-in-chief, that one thousand four the expiration of their term of enlistment, unless retained hundred and fifty soldiers deserted from the army during as instructers or officers, but they should retire and giv the last year, which is an actual loss to the Government in place to others; thus diffusing knowledge among tha one single year of $121,000, and that, from 1823 up to the class of our fellow-citizens who have not now the mean 30th November, 1831, eight thousand four hundred and of obtaining an education. The young men, thus educat two soldiers deserted from the service, making, in that ed, after the expiration of their engagement, would b short period, a total loss to the Government of $794,187. prepared for the pursuits of practical life. Perhaps, said Now, said Mr. W., as it seems to be generally admitted that he, it might be more advisable to divide the army into five something ought to be done, in order to prevent this waste classes or divisions: in that event, one thousand one hun of the public money, and to induce the soldier to continue dred soldiers might be annually admitted into the army in the service until the expiration of his engagement, it and a like number annually discharged. He said that occurred to him that the plan which he had done himself in the course of five years, the soldiers might be carried the honor to submit to the House might be worthy of the through a regular, and complete, and practical course of consideration of the Committee on Military Affairs; for studies, that would prepare them for any society, or lay he said he was entirely satisfied that if the soldier could the foundation for any profession which they might choose receive while in the service an education which should fit to pursue; and, at the close of their engagement, they and prepare him for situations of usefulness in life, that, of itself, would be a sufficient inducement for him to remain in the service until discharged with suitable honors. The army, he said, under its present organization, costs the Government, for pay, subsistence, clothing, quarters, Two professors and twenty-eight tutors would be al fuel, transportation, forage, and for the support of the that would be required for each division, or one teacher medical and hospital departments, and in contingencies, to every forty men. At the close of the year, each division upwards of $3,000,000 annually, and for which (if we ought to undergo a rigid examination on all the previous except the services of the corps of officers) it makes no studies, and, after having completed the regular course, to adequate return. And though, under our present state, be discharged with suitable honors. And such of the non we have the means of supporting a much larger force at commissioned officers and privates, who should stand the a far greater expense, without feeling it to be a burden, highest in the army for scholarship and general knowledge still, if any course can be pursued whereby the resources diligence, talents, and acquirements, should be sent to the of the nation may be made more productive of benefit and West Point Academy to complete their education in the profit, it is the part of sound policy to adopt that course. higher and scientific branches, or commissioned in the This vast sum of upwards of $3,000,000, said he, is army, or chosen as instructers for the lower divisions, and now annually expended for the support of an army which, to receive other marks of distinction. This, said he (so far as regards the enlisted men,) as a peace establish- would be a great incentive to exertion, and would be a ment, is not worthy the nation that maintains it, and in war means of exciting a laudable and commendable ambition it would be of no earthly service. If double the expense in the breast of all to excel. Such an establishment, said would better the condition of the army, it would be well he, would raise the standard of learning in the whole army applied; but, employed as it is, it seemed to him that it and would reflect the highest credit upon the Govern would be better to seek for it some other use. Indepen- ment. Take, said he, a young man of sixteen years o dent, said he, of the other advantages which would result age, and no matter how abject may have been his condi from the proposed plan, it will actually diminish the ex- tion hitherto, place him in the society of five hundred o pense; but the amount of money necessary for the support of so small a standing army in a republic as rich and wide as this, is a matter of very trivial importance. Small as the army now is, he said, it might be so trained and disciplined, and its moral condition so improved, that it would become a pattern for the imitation of the world. the same age, all on equal grounds, all possessed of the same advantages, and all having an equal opportunity for distinguishing themselves as scholars and soldiers, and spit of emulation, of ambition, and determined effort will be created and constantly cherished. Teach this body of youth that they are now in the path to true glory; tha If, said he, the soldiers should be enlisted, by and with each and every one of them may distinguish himself in hi the consent of their parents and guardians, at the early country's service; if she leads him not into the field of bat age of sixteen years, before their habits are formed, an tle, that he may, while in the army, prepare himself for opportunity would be offered them of preparing them- the cabinet or Senate. Cultivate his intellect, and store selves for distinction in civil and military life. It is a fact, his mind with useful practical knowledge, convince him o said he, and at this enlightened day it will not be denied, his own native powers, and of the influence he may exer that true greatness can only be secured by a proper im- on society, or his country, or on the world, and you can provement of the mind and heart. The intellect of man not fail to make him a man. Nay, more, you rescue from must be cultivated, and his views of things elevated above ignorance, from degradation, and, perhaps, from crime the mere routine of labor that he performs, before he is one who may be a blessing to the country, that will on capable of aspiring to any thing worthy of himself or his day be pleased to call him her son. And it is true character. In fact, the real worth of an army, com- the breasts of the whole army of youth with the same high posed entirely of men whose minds are well educated and noble, worthy ambition. The spirit will spring up of i disciplined, has never been tested by actual experiment. self, and reign throughout a host of men, whose mind In the Prussian service, already adverted to, there has not are cultivated, whose hearts are defended against the po been an opportunity of testing the proposed system; for son of vice. A high sense of honor, said he, would pre learning, in that service, was not considered one of the vail, that would sooner require restraining than quicke easy to fir JAN. 3. 1832.] The Judiciary. [H. OF R. ing; such a sense of honor as would shrink from commun- the army, than there would be vacancies for them; for it ing with treachery or desertion, and would urge the sol- would require annually only one out of about every dier to the patriot's last and dearest privilege--the sacri- eleven thousand of our population to fill up the army, fice of his life for his country's weal. Compare such an provided eleven hundred should be annually admitted. army, said he, with the one we now have, and let it be The whole army, with the exception, perhaps, of the known that it will cost the country much less money than lowest class, would be capable of enduring active service, the present peace establishment, and that it will be pro-and might be divided into divisions and battalions, and ductive of so much good, and he was sure but few, if any, stationed at the military posts throughout the Eastern, would be found who would hesitate in deciding in favor of Middle, Southern, and Western States, requiring a change the plan proposed. An army, said he, of six thousand of position every year, so that the senior division should men must be kept in service in time of peace; and he be always posted on the Western frontier to preserve would ask whether it would not be better to dismiss the peace among our citizens and the Indian tribes, ready at present soldiers from the army, since they are of no earth- any moment for the field, where any difficulty should ly service to the country, and substitute in their place such arise. This division, said he, of eleven hundred ablea class of young men as he had named, who, should they bodied, temperate, high-minded young men, of twenty ever be called into active service, would make a better years of age, (every one of whom would be fit for a army than that which Pyrrhus wished for, when he said, leader,) would be more efficient and powerful than the "with such an army I could conquer the world." The whole standing army as it now is, for, being young and full great desideratum, said he, in the present system of edu- of military ardor, they would be ready and willing at all cation in our colleges and academies in this country, is times to meet an enemy; honor would make them faithful, discipline. Our professors are men of science, our studies pride zealous, and hope persevering. are well selected and well arranged, and every facility is The resolution was then agreed to. extended that can be desired; and the only difficulty lies in the fact that students cannot be compelled to study. A military discipline introduced into a literary institution would obviate that difficulty; for in the army, where military science is to be acquired, the discipline would, of ne 1. Resolved, That it is expedient to bring in a bill to cessity, be adopted, and the result would be the best pos-regulate and declare the appellate jurisdiction of the Susible evidence of its worth. The instruction, said he, preme Court of the United States in criminal cases arising which the recruit would receive in military tactics, would in the State courts. require the very exercise which the soldier needs, and 2. Resolved, That, in the proposed bill, the provisions of health and strength would be promoted for vigorous ap- the 25th section of the act To establish the judicial plication to study. The mind and body would be con- courts of the United States," passed September 24, 1789, stantly and profitably employed, and no time left for the shall be declared to apply the final judgments in criminal acquisition of those pernicious habits which now infest cases, which are now depending, or which shall hereafter and enervate the army. arise, in the State courts. THE JUDICIARY. Mr. PENDLETON, of New York, submitted for consideration the following resolutions: Besides, said Mr. W., if the plan should be adopted, there 3. Resolved, That, in the proposed bill, adequate proviwill be a vast saving to the Government; for the principal sions shall be inserted, to enforce the return of all process inducement for the soldier to enter the service would be to and proceedings in the court below to the Supreme Court obtain an education, and not for the pay he would receive. of the United States. The annual pay of the non-commissioned officers and pri- 4. Resolved, That, in the proposed bill, it will be expedivates, under the existing laws, is $368,664; the weekly ra- ent to provide that in all cases a writ of error, to be allowtion may be estimated at $20,000, and the expense of enlisted in pursuance of the act, shall have the effect to suspend ing the men, including contingent expenses, $35,000; add the execution of the judgment complained of, and that to this $100,000, for the loss the Government now annually adequate penalties shall be imposed upon any person or sustains by desertion, and the aggregate amount is $523,664. persons who shall, in this respect, violate the provisions of By reducing the pay of the non-commissioned officers and the act. soldiers to $2, as proposed in the resolution, (which will be sufficient to supply all the wants of the soldier,) and the pay of the army will then amount to $122,800 a year; add to Mr. BEARDSLEY, of New York, objecting to the this, for the salary of the professor and tutors, the sum phraseology of the resolutions, wished to amend them so as of $155,000, (which is a large estimate,) and the aggre- to limit them to an instruction to inquire into the subject. gate amount will be but $277,000, for it will require no The SPEAKER said that no amendment could now be more to subsist and clothe the army under the proposed made, because the pending question was on commitment plan, than it now costs the Government. Deduct that to a Committee of the Whole, for the purpose of being sum from the aggregate amount it now costs the Govern- there considered. These resolutions Mr. P. moved to refer to a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. ment, and there will be an annual saving of at least $245, Mr. CARSON, of North Carolina, objected to their goto say nothing of the inestimable benefits that would re- ing to a Committee of the Whole in their present shape. sult to the army in a moral and intellectual point of view. Mr. PENDLETON intimated that he had no design, in And sir, said he, there is no reason to fear that, by re- the motion which he had made, to ask the House at all to ducing the pay as proposed, there will be any difficulty commit itself at present upon the points embraced in his in raising the army, or in finding competent non-commis- proposition. sioned officers; for as they would be selected from among Mr. DAVIS, of Massachusetts, not willing to act hastily the most deserving of the soldiers, it would be esteemed in a matter of such importance as that now under considera high honor to hold the office. And let it be once ation, moved that the resolutions lie on the table, and be known throughout the country that such prospects printed for the use of the House. are held out in the army, that it is a great institution Mr. EVERETT, of Massachusetts, referring to the dif for the instruction of the American youth in the science ficulty experienced in getting up again business once laid of arts, and arms, and morals, at the public expense, on the table, and to the impropriety of giving the go-by and it would be found that no recruiting officers, nor to a subject of such high importance as that now under bounties, nor premiums, would be required to enlist consideration, wished his colleague to withdraw his motion, men; but, on the contrary, the ranks would be crowded, and let these resolutions go to a Committee of the Whole, indeed, there would be more applicants for admission in as proposed by the mover. VOL. VIII.-93 Mr. DAVIS, yielding to the request of his friends, withdrew his motion. Mr. WILDE, of Georgia, renewed the motion to lay the resolutions on the table. Mr. EVERETT, of Mass., then said that this was a question so important, under the circumstances, that he felt it his duty to ask that it be decided by yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered accordingly; and the motion to lay upon the table not admitting of debate, the question was immediately taken upon that motion, and decided as follows: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4. PUBLIC LANDS. [JAN. 4, 1832. The House resumed the consideration of the resolution submitted by Mr. MERCER yesterday-the question being on the motion to lay the resolutions on the table; which motion was determined in the affirmative, by yeas and nays, as follows: YEAS.--Messrs. Alexander, R. Allen, Allison, Anderson, Angel, Arnold, .Ashley, Babcock, N. Barber, J. S. Barbour, Barnwell, Barstow, James Bates, Beardsley, YEAS.--Messrs. Adair, Alexander, Robert Allen, An- Bell, John Blair, Boon, Bouck, Bouldin, Branch, Briggs, derson, Angel, Archer, Ashley, John S. Barbour, Barn- John Brodhead, Bullard, Burges, Cahoon, Cambreleng, well, J. Bates, Beardsley, Bell, Bergen, Bethune, James Carr, Carson, Chandler, Chinn, Choate, Claiborne, Clay, Blair, John Blair, Boon, Bouck, Bouldin, Brodhead, Cam- Coke, Collier, Condit, Bates Cooke, Daniel, Davenport, breleng, Carr, Carson, Chandler, Chinn, Clay, Coke, W. R. Davis, Dayan, Dewart, Doubleday, Drayton, DunConner, Davenport, Warren R. Davis, Dayan, Double- can, Felder, Findlay, Fitzgerald, Ford, Foster, Gaither, day, Drayton, Ellsworth, Felder, Findlay, Fitzgerald, Gilmore, Griffin, T. H. Hall, Wm. Hall, Harper, Hawes, Foster, Gaither, Gilmore, Griffin, Thomas H. Hall, Wil- Hoffman, Hogan, Holland, Howard, Hubbard, Ihrie, Inliam Hall, Harper, Hawes, Hoffman, Hogan, Holland, gersoll, Irvin, Isacks, Jarvis, Jewett, R. M. Johnson, Cave Hubbard, Irvin, Isacks, Jarvis, Jenifer, Jewett, Richard Johnson, Charles C. Johnston, Kavanagh, Adam King, M. Johnson, Cave Johnson, Charles C. Johnston, Kava- John King, Henry King, Lamar, Lansing, Leavitt, Le nagh, Adam King, John King, Henry King, Lamar, Lan- compte, Lent, Lewis, Lyon, Mann, Mardis, Mason, Maxsing, Leavitt, Lecompte, Lent, Lewis, Lyon, Mann, Mar- well, McCarty, Wm. McCoy, McDuffie, McIntire, T. R. dis, Mason, McCarty, William McCoy, McDuffie, Mcln- Mitchell, Muhlenberg, Newnan, Nuckolls, Patton, Pearce, tire, Thomas R. Mitchell, Newnan, Nuckolls, Patton, Pierson, Pitcher, Plummer, Polk, E. C. Reed, Rencher, Pierson, Pitcher, Plummer, Polk, E. C. Reed, Rencher, Roane, Root, Russel, Smith, Soule, Southard, Speight, Roane, Root, Wm. B. Shepard, Soule, Speight, Standi- Stanberry, Standifer, Stephens, Francis Thomas, Phile fer, John Thomson, Verplanck, Ward, Wardwell, Wash-mon Thomas, Wiley Thompson, Tracy, Verplanck, Vinington, Wayne, Weeks, Wilde.-99. ton, Wardwell, Wayne, Weeks, Wilkin, E. D. White, NAYS.-Messrs. Adams, Chilton Allan, Allison, Apple-Wilde, Worthington.-124. ton, Armstrong, Arnold, Babcock, Banks, Noyes Barber, NAYS.--Messrs. Adams, Appleton, Armstrong, Banks, Barringer, Barstow, Isaac C. Bates, Briggs, Bucher, Bul- Barringer, Bethune, Bucher, Burd, Lewis Condict, E. lard, Burd, Burges, Cahoon, Choate, Collier, Lewis Con- Cooke, Cooper, Coulter, Craig, Crane, Crawford, Creighdict, Silas Condit, Eleutheros Cooke, Bates Cooke, Cooper, ton, John Davis, Dearborn, Denny, Dickson, Ellsworth, Corwin, Coulter, Crane, Crawford, Creighton, Daniel, George Evans, Joshua Evans, Edward Everett, Horace John Davis, Dearborn, Denny, Dewart, Dickson, Dun- Everett, Grennell, Heister, Hughes, Hunt, Huntington, can, George Evans, Joshua Evans, Edward Everett, Ho-Jenifer, Kendall, Kennon, Letcher, Marshall, Robert Mcrace Everett, Ford, Grennell, Heister, Hughes, Hunt, Coy, McKennan, Mercer, Milligan, Newton, Pendleton, Huntington, Ihrie, Ingersoll, Kennon, Kerr, Letcher, Marshall, Maxwell, Robert McCoy, McKennan, Mercer, Milligan, Muhlenberg, Newton, Pearce, Pendleton, Potts, Randolph, John Reed, Russel, Aug. H. Shepperd, Slade, Smith, Southard, Stanberry, Stephens, Stewart, Taylor, P. Thomas, Tompkins, Tracy, Vance, Vinton, Watmough, Wilkin, Wheeler, Elisha Whittlesey, Frederick Whittlesey, Edward D. White, Wickliffe, Williams, Worthington, Young.-89. So the motion of Mr. PENDLETON was ordered to lie on the table. Potts, Randolph, John Reed, Aug. H. Shepperd, Slade, PUBLIC LANDS. The House resumed the consideration of the resolution moved some days ago by Mr. BLAIR, as modified on the suggestion of Mr. VINTON, with amendments thereto proposed by Mr. DUNCAN and Mr. MITCHELL, proposing cer tain modes of hereafter disposing of the public lands, apMr. MERCER submitted the following resolution: propriating them to the use of the several States for the Resolved, That so soon as the public debt of the United purposes of education and internal improvement, or otherStates shall have been discharged, or such provision made wise disposing of them to the States; and a motion having therefor, as shall release the public lands from the claims been made to refer the whole of the propositions to a Com. of the public creditors, the nett proceeds of the sales of mittee of the Whole on the state of Unionthose lands shall be applied, under such regulations as the After a few remarks from Mr. MERCER, which Legislatures of the several States and Territories may re-were understood as expressive of his assent that the respectively provide, in the proportion of one moiety to po- solution and amendment should go to a Committee of pular education, and the other to the removal of such free the Whole on the state of the Union, for a full and free people of color thereof, as may desire to emigrate to Li-discussion-beria, in Africa, or elsewhere beyond the limits of the Mr. VINTON said he very much regretted that the proUnited States and of their Territories. position made by himself, and so kindly accepted by the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. BLAIR] as a substitute for his original resolution, should have given rise to a protracted debate. He offered it, not for the purpose of ex citing debate, but under the hope that the subject would be put at rest, by legislating upon it at the present session But if the motion now made to refer the resolution to a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, is which the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. MERCER] has expressed his acquiescence, shall prevail, he should consider the subject as postponed for the present session. It was unusual to refer to that committee a mere resolution Resolved, That, in effecting the preceding purposes, the proceeds of the sales of the public lands be distributed among the several States and Territories according to their respective numbers. Mr. M. moved that it be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; when. A motion was made by Mr. CLAY that it be laid on the table; upon which latter motion, Mr. WILLIAMS, of N. C., called for the yeas and nays, which were ordered; but, before the question was taken, The House adjourned. JAN. 4, 1832.] Public Lands. [H. OF R. of inquiry into the expediency of legislating on any sub- be glad to add to his little possessions for himself or his ject. In that committee important principles are assert- children. Suppose, sir, a demagogue who wants to come ed, and the purposes of the House expressed; but, in the into this House, or has the loftier ambition to become the present case, the resolution asserts no principle, states no tenant of the mansion at the other end of the Avenue, fact, nor expresses any purpose beyond that of mere in- should go by himself or his partisan to one of these honest quiry. If the House go into that committee, we shall find men, and say to him "do not you want the tract of Governourselves at sea without compass or rudder; and after de- ment land that lies next to your improvement?" His anbating at random some two or three weeks, without any swer would be, yes; but I am not able to pay for it. He thing to act upon in a tangible form, the subject will in all would next tell him that the Government ought to give probability be abandoned in despair, or thrown aside in him the land--that it had no use for the money, and could disgust. Even if a bill should be ordered to be reported, not use the land. That, by electing him or his candidate, it would come in too late to have any chance of passing he would get it for him for nothing. How long, sir, do into a law. Propositions similar to the one now under you think it would be before that man would feel that it consideration have been made from session to session for was oppression in his Government to withhold from him several years past, but they had been invariably laid aside that which he so much wanted, and the Government could as of little moment. He could assure the House that the do nothing with, and had no need of? Under the stimutime was near at hand when this subject could not be put lants which such agents would not fail to administer to the off, and it was even now dangerous to delay it. If we passions and interests of a people so circumstanced, you contemplate the public land system in its various relations might as well think to smother the rising eruption of as a branch of the public revenue, the extent of country Etna or Vesuvius, as to attempt to keep down popular over which it operates, the number of people who feel its excitement on this subject. A speedy disruption of the influence, it will be found to be entitled to the considerate land system would inevitably follow, and we should see a attention of the House, and to a place in the first class of fund of incalculable value dissipated and forever lost in the great interests of the nation. Hitherto the pledge some great agrarian law, that would bring down with it upon the public domain for the payment of the public debt, ruin upon thousands. has operated as a balance-wheel to the system, and regu Nothing, said Mr. V., will present an effectual barrier lated its movements. But the speedy extinction of that against such a state of things, but the creation of a new debt was now admitted by all to be near at hand. It was pledge of the proceeds of the public lands to some great also admitted by all, that, after the payment of the debt, public purpose or purposes of acknowledged utility, to the revenue arising from the public lands, amounting now take effect so soon as the existing pledge is discharged. It to about three millions per annum, would not be wanted would then become the interest of gentlemen in this House to defray the ordinary expenditures of the Government. from all parts of the country to watch over and take care Public attention is directed to the necessity of devising of this fund. The benefits arising from such a disposition some method of getting rid of this branch of the revenue, of it would probably quiet all discontent, and give increasto avoid an accumulation in the treasury after that event. ed stability to the value of public and private property in With this view, the Secretary of the Treasury has recom- the Western country. The time has not yet come, and mended the entire disposition of the public lands in a par-will not until after the next Presidential election, when ticular way, and propositions for a specific appropriation the condition of the treasury will be such as has been of their proceeds, some to one object and some to another, spoken of. The present is therefore a favorable time, are made from all sides of the House. and, in all probability, the only time to meet this question Imagine, said Mr. V., the public debt to be paid, and an and dispose of it judiciously and dispassionately. If this accumulation of money in the treasury arising from the session is permitted to pass away, be assured the golden proceds of the public domain, which the Government has opportunity is lost. Before the next session, another no occasion to use, but which of necessity must flow in Presidential election will have taken place. New aspirants upon it, while the land system remains as at present or- for power will spring up; new parties will be formed here ganized. And then, sir, permit me to direct your atten- and in the country-every topic of popular excitement tion to the condition of things in the great extent of will be greedily seized upon; and even at the very next country embraced by the land system, and to the influ- session, if you approach the question, you may feel the ences that would be likely to grow out of it. Over a very ground tremble under your feet, and find you have begun large portion of that country, the exactions of the Go- when you have no power to act. vernment for the public lands are regarded as a burden, from which the people would gladly be relieved. Mr. V. said he hoped he had said enough to satisfy the House as to the necessity of acting upon this subject This feeling of uneasiness has manifested itself for some without loss of time. But if the resolution should be sent years past in various ways, and in some of the new States to the Committee on the state of the Union, he should the doctrine has been boldly advanced by the public func- wholly despair of any legislation upon it this session. He tionaries, and in a temper, too, best calculated to excite was desirous, in the first instance, of an inquiry into the discontent, that the public domain is the property of the whole subject, and when a bill and report should come in, people and States respectively within whose limits it is let them be referred to the committee now proposed; the situated; and, consequently, that the exactions of the House would then be able to act understandingly, and he Government are unjust and oppressive in compelling the hoped finally, upon it. He wanted to see a report that people to pay for that which already belongs to them. should present the subject in all its bearings upon the Of all the interests that appertain to any Government, great interests of the country, private as well as public. there is none about which the great body of the people feel It was a question in which a vast amount of private as so deeply, and may be so easily excited, as upon a ques-well as public property was to be affected. There were tion respecting the right of soil. many new members here who could not be presumed to In that country there are now more free inhabitants be familiar with the subject of the public domain; and so than these United States contained at the close of the war complicated and voluminous were our laws respecting it, of the revolution. It is a community, too, essentially agri- filling a volume of more than a thousand pages, that very cultural, and of course attaches more value to land than few even of the old members have either the courage or any other description of population. In all that region leisure to attempt to become masters of them. A report, of country you will scarcely find a man of that class of therefore, was obviously necessary before we had the people, who, when he stands at his cabin door, does not debate. daily see a tract of land belonging to you, that he would There was always, even when a distinct proposition was |