Mr. W. made some statements as to the effect of the mendments, and, on his motion, they were ordered to be printed, and the bill was postponed and made the order of the day for Monday.

GRADUATION Of the public LANDS.

On motion of Mr. BENTON, the bill to graduate the prices of public lands was taken up, the amendment of fered by Mr. HENDRICKS still pending. The yeas and says were ordered on that question, on motion of Mr. McKINLEY.

Mr. JOHNSTON, of Louisiana, spoke, at considerable length, in favor of the amendment.

Mr. BENTON briefly replied to some of the arguments of Mr. JOHNSTON.

Mr. DICKERSON, of New Jersey, observed that it had been his intention to attempt an answer to most of the arguments urged a few days since, by the Senator from Indiana, [Mr HENDRICKS] in favor of his amendment to the bill for graduating the price of public lands, but in consequence of present indisposition, should confine himself to one or two points.

[SENATE.

By the ordinance of Congress of the year 1780, States to be formed of ceded territory were to be admitted as members of the Federal Union, and have the same rights of sovereignty, freedom, and independence, as the other States. By the ordinance of 1784, they were to be admitted by their delegates in Congress, on an equal footing with the original States. By the ordinance of 1787, they are to be admitted on an equal footing with the original States in all respects whatever. In all these ordinances the right of the United States to the soil in the new States is expressly recognized, and it is expressly provided that these States shall not interfere with the primary disposal of the soil by Congress.

The different terms mentioned in these ordinances were precisely what was expressed in the first, that the new States, when admitted, should have the same rights of sovereignty, freedom, and independence, as the other States. Vermont was admitted in the year 1791, as a new and entire member of the United States. Kentucky was admitted in 1792, as a new and entire member of the United States. Tennessee was admitted in 1796, on an equal footing with the original States in all respects what The original bill introduced by the Senator from Mis- ever. The States since admitted, have been admitted on souri, [Mr. BENTON] proposes to graduate the price of the same terms; although the terms of admission are difpublic lands, so that after the 4th of July next, they may ferent, it will not be pretended that there is the slightest be sold for one dollar per acre; in one year thereafter, difference in effect, or that Tennessee and the States st seventy-five cents per acre; one year thereafter, at since admitted, have any rights, privileges, or advan fifty cents per acre; and one year thereafter, at twenty-tages, not granted to Ohio and Kentucky. The expres five cents per acre; and, that the land which shall remain sion that the new States are to be admitted on an equal unsold for one year after having been offered at twenty-footing with the original States in all respects whatever, five cents per acre, shall be ceded to the States in which such lands may lie.

The Senator from Indiana [Mr. HENDRICKS] proposes by his amendment to cede at once these lands to the

States.

Of the two plans, I certainly prefer the latter, inasmuch 13 we should effect by it immediately and without further expense to the United States, what would be as fully effected by the slow process of graduating and offering for sale these lands for four or five years at a very great expense to the United States, and without the least benefit to the new States. On the contrary it will retard the sale of lands in those States, inasmuch as no man will give a dollar per acre for land in 1830, which in '31 he can have for three-fourths of that price, or fifty cents for land in '32, which the next year he can have for twenty-five cents per acre; in fact, none of the lands would be sold, if this bill should pass, till they can be had for twenty five cents per acre. At which price they would not be worth holding by the United States. I am, therefore, said Mr. D., of opinion that we had better cede the lands at once to the States, agreeably to the amendment, than adopt the system of graduating the prices of land agreeably to the bill. But as we are not reduced to the alternative of either accepting the bill or the amendment, I am against both.

does not imply that they are to be equal with the original States; that they are to be equally old, rich, or extensive. They are to be equal to the old States, as the old States are equal to one another, as Delaware is equal to Virginia, or New Jersey to New York. They are to be admitted upon equal footing; that is, an equal basis with the old States-and what is that basis? It is, as expressed in the ordinance of the year 1780, the possession of the same rights of sovereignty, freedom, and independence as the other States. But the gentleman contends that States without the right of soil, as asked for by the amendment to the bill, are deprived of the first attribute of sovereignty; that seventeen of the States, that is, the thirteen old States and four of the new, possesses this right. How far is the gentleman warranted by facts?

The Legislature of Pennsylvania, in the year 1779, passed an act vesting in that State the right of the Penn family to the lands within their boundaries, for which they allowed that family one hundred and thirty thousand pounds sterling-which was paid to them, and the transfer was considered a purchase. Before that time the State held no lands, except by purchase or grant from the proprietories, and yet Pennsylvania was not more sovereign or independent after, than she was before that purchase.

Massachusetts held lands to a great extent in the State of New York, yet New York considered herself an inde pendent and sovereign State.

The gentleman from Indiana [Mr. HENDRICKS] grounds the claim of the new States to all the lands within their Massachusetts now owns a considerable portion of the boundaries, upon the generality of the expression in the laws admitting them into the Union, that they are admit. soil of the State of Maine, yet Maine considers herself ted upon an equal footing with the original States in all as sovereign and independent as Massachusetts. Is Conrespects whatever. He asserts that "the equality, so-gress to purchase up the Massachusetts title to lands in vereignty, and independence of the new States, require Maine, as we purchased up the Indian title to the lands that these States should have the free and full control of in the Western States, and cede the same to Maine, that the public lands within their boundaries,” that "the idea she may be on an equal footing in all respects whatever of State sovereignty, equality, and independence, includ- with the original States ? ed her right to her public domain." "That in seventeen States, the soil belonged to the States themselves." That without these lands the new States are little else than vassals and tributaries to the power of this Union;" that their condition "is one of abject and humiliating depend ence, inconsistent with their rights of sovereignty and quality."

VOL. IV-34

How far the other Atlantic States are owners of the soil within their boundaries, I am not informed, except as to New Jersey, which never owned an acre of her soil except by purchase.

The population of this State during the Revolutionary war was rated at one-twentieth of the whole; her contribution to the expense of carrying on that war was more

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Kenyon College.

[MARCH 28, 1828.

than a twentieth part, for she was found to be a creditor | from them, is there any other consideration that should State, while the debtor States have not yet paid up the urge us to the measure? None, while the new States are balance apainst them. No State, according to her means, vastly more prosperous than the old States are, or ever contributed more to the successful prosecution of the were. By a statistical statement I have lately seen, I find war, nor suffered more by the ravages of the enemy. The that Ohio has added more than a sixth part to her popu State at the close of the war was poor and exhausted; lation in four years-that is, about seventeen per cent, in and has been obliged from that time to the present mo-that time; and that Alabama has nearly doubled her po ment to resort to a land tax for the support of her Go- pulation in seven years. The history of mankind furnishes vernment. Of the immense amount of vacant or Crown no parallel with this. Although the other new States have lands gained by the Revolutionary war, New Jersey gain- not been equally prosperous, yet their population has ined nothing, except an interest in the lands ceded by cer- creased beyond any thing known in the old States, and tain States, as property common to all the States-but by draining those States of their population as well as even this, if the present bill pass, will be taken from her. their wealth. The whole soil of New Jersey belonged to proprietors. who were purchasers of the immediate grantees of the Duke of York. Many of these proprietors, ever since the Revolutionary war, continued to reside in England; as the Penn family, the Earl of Perth, General Reid, and others, owning nearly an eighth part of all the unlocated lands in East Jersey, nearly four hundred thousand acres of which, in that part of the State, have been sold since the war of the Revolution. About twenty years ago, the proprietors in England sold out to citizens of the United States, chiefly of New York. Large tracts of unlocated lands are still left in the State, which, when purchased, must be paid for, in part, to people residing out of the State, who contribute in no way to the benefit of the State: for their lands have never been taxed, nor has any attempt ever been made to tax them.

New Jersey has never applied to have the proprietory right to her soil extinguished. New Jersey has never considered herself as a vassal, or as tributary to the proprietors, or to the power of this Union. She has never considered her condition as one of abject and humiliating dependence, inconsistent with her rights of sovereignty and equality. On the contrary, she has considered herself as sovereign, free, and independent, as any State in the Union, in all respects whatever.

Yet how much better would it have been for New Jersey that her soil had belonged to the United States. In that case she would have been a part owner with her sister States. She would probably, as in some of the new States, have had a thirty-sixth part of her land for the purposes of education; five per cent. on the sales of her land for roads; two thousand five hundred acres for a seat of Government; and twenty-three thousand acres for a seminary of learning.

While the gentleman from Indiana is endeavoring to make the new States equal to the old States in all re spects whatever, I should be glad if he would endeavor to make New Jersey equal to the new States in all respects whatever. If we are bound, from principles of justice, to cede these lands to the new States, we are equally bound to refund the moneys received on the sales of land in these States. To Ohio we ought to pay about sixteen millions of dollars, to other States smaller

sums.

The Senator from Louisiana [Mr. JOHNSTON] is mistak en, if he calculates, as he seems to do, that a reduction in the price of public lands will lead to any considerable sales of the poor land of his State: while there are many millions of acres of fertile lands to which this reduction of price will extend, the poor lands will not be purchased. If the price were reduced to twenty-five cents per acre, the poor man could buy a quarter section, worth but a quarter of a dollar per acre, for forty dollars; but if he could precisely as well purchase for his forty dollars a quarter section of good land worth two hundred dollars, or one dollar and twenty-five cents the acre, he would certainly prefer the latter, and the poor land would remain, as it now does, unsold, for want of buyers.

If we are not bound to cede these lands to the new States, as property which has been unjustly detained

Messrs. SMITH, of Maryland, MACON, and NOBLE, followed, at length, in opposition to the amendment of fered by Mr. HENDRICKS.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1828.
KENYON COLLEGE.

The bill ranting a township of land for the benefit of Kenyon College, in the State of Ohio, having been taken up, in Committee of the Whole, Mr. CHANDLER mov ed to amend the bill, by providing for a similar grant for the benefit of Waterville and Bowdoin Colleges, in the State of Maine.

Mr. KANE said that the bill under consideration had been reported upon the petition of the Trustees of Kenyon College, accompanied by a resolution of the Legis lature of the State of Ohio, unanimously adopted by that body, enforcing the application. As strong [said Mr. K.] as was the claim of the petitioners, thus respectably recommended to a favorable hearing, there were other in ducements to be found, in the circumstances of the ori gin of this institution, and of its progress to its present interesting attitude, which had operated more powerfully upon his mind. A few years ago, a reverend gentleman, now in this city, in his travels, which had been extensive, through the Western country, discovering that the means for education were not commensurate with the wants of the rapidly increasing population of that great region of country, conceived the design of establishing a seminary of learning, in some convenient position, upon a plan as extensively useful, as the cheapness of the means of subsistence could possibly admit of. It was hardly neces say for him to remind the Senate, that, in no country could the substantials of life be more cheaply obtained than in the State of Ohio. He believed it practicable, and experience had shewn his belief to have been well found ed, to reduce the expenses of an education at a regular Coliege within the competency of the great body of the farmers of the country, and of men in ordinary cr cumstances, of other pursuits in life, to educate their pro geny. With views thus benevolent, this picus and learned man [Bishop Chase] proceeded to Europe, and obtained from well-disposed and wealthy individuals there, thirty thousand dollars, to be applied to this ob ject. From his own countrynien, he had obtained an additional sum of twenty-five thousand dollars. part of those funds as was not, by the donors, designated for particular professorships, a large tract of land had been purchased, in a central and healthy position in Ohio, and the title thereto had been vested in a corporation, which had perpetual succession. Buildings had been erected to a limited extent. Larger and more commodi ous edifices had been partly built, and must await the fur ther aid of individuals, or of the Government, for their completion.

With such

Mr. K. said, be held in his hands a statement, subject to the inspection of any Senator, shewing a faithful and economical disbursement of the funds received. In this situation, the worthy gentleman he had named applied to the Legislature of Ohio for assistance. It was well

ARCH 28, 1828.]

Kenyon College.

[SENATE.

Town that that State was engaged in a great and ex-have been raised by the President alone, [Bishop Chase] nsive work, in opening a canal to connect the waters who has spared no pains, and omitted no exertions, withthe Ohio River with the Northern Lakes, which re-in his power, to carry into effect this design. His great red all the disposable funds, and that she was not the devotion to the success of this institution, for several years wner of a foot of land to give away. That Legislature past, has led him to make great sacrifices of property, ad done all that was in their power to do, in earnestly comfort, and happiness, to attain his object. He has sucemmending the cause of this infant seminary to the fa- ceeded beyond the most sanguine anticipations of his ble attention of Congress. The question then was, friends, and even beyond his own most ardent expecta hold this appeal be made in vain ? Congress had made | tions. The donations already made, in Europe and in this milar grants, to several institutions, for the instruction. country, amount to fifty-five thousand dollars, all of which the deaf and dumb; and the constitutional power of are to be exclusively applied to the support of this insti The Government over such subjects, need not be dis- tution. He now asks Congress to grant one township of ssed. But, said Mr. K., if this question of power be the wild and unappropriated lands within the State of wolved, it will not be difficult to place the subject in a Ohio, to further assist him in the prosecution of this ont of view, which not only shows the right, but which praiseworthy and patriotic undertaking. Mr. R said, he kes it the duty of the Government to make the grant. hoped the application would not be made in vain-he The right to "dispose of" the public lands, for the com- sincerely believed, that, when the Senate took into consion benefit, embraces the power of devising the means deration the great and unparalleled exertion of this dismaking such disposition available, and of making the tinguished individual, in the cause of humanity, of morals, urchase of lands more desirable. What stronger in- and of learning, they would not withhold the small assistcement could be held out to persons desirous to emi-ance asked for. rate and purchase lands, than a knowledge of the fact, at the means of education were amply provided for in e country containing the lands? An individual had, unwearied exertions, collected, in a foreign country, nd in the Eastern States, a large sum of money, and had spended it in permanent and useful improvements, in a tate wherein the Federal Government was by far the rgest proprietor of the soil. He had thus contributed materially to the value of the national interests in that State. He had, and was continuing to do much to make Ohio a desirable State to move to and reside in ; because e was largely contributing to the conveniences of eduation. Would any Senator present, owning as much acant land, in any country, as the Government held in hio, hesitate to contribute a just proportion towards the xpenses of so desirable a purpose? Nay, sir, would he t cheerfully enter into a contract, beforehand, with y person who would engage to do as much to improve property, as Bishop Chase had done to render desira le the public lands in Ohio, to grant him a township the land? Mr. K. said, he had heard some apprehenons suggested on account of a supposed connexion be seen this institution and a particular religion; no such ars ought to be indulged in. It was true that the preent head of this institution was an Episcopalian Bishop. The Corporation was not limited to the instruction of uths in any particular religious creeds, and was no furer Episcopalian than would be the Government or Conitution of this country, should, at any time, the President the United States happen to belong to that denomination Christians. The whole Western country was greatly inrested in the successful issue of this application. The States had not the means of endowing colleges, and would not have, until much of the public domain should become the property of individuals, and thereby become bject to taxation. The grants heretofore made by Congress for the purpose, could not be made available, a sufficient extent, for many years to come. The ated States were the landlords of the soil; and he ined that the high obligations of a Government, thus sie, could not be discharged, but by bberal and effieat grants for purposes of education.

Mr. R. said, the college, for which this donation was asked, is situated in the county of Knox, within a few miles of the centre of the State.. A tract of eight thousand acres of land, very rich and fertile, has been purchased by a portion of the funds acquired, and on this tract the buildings of the college have been commenced. Its central position will furnish equal facilities to the inhabitants of every part of the State. This college has been incor. porated by an act of the Legislature of Ohio, and the usual privileges have been conferred upon it. From the rapid progress already made in the buildings, its entire completion will be effected in a very short period of time.

Mr. R. remarked, that he could not but advocate the present bill with great earnestness, not only from his own conviction of its importance and necessity, but from other and higher considerations, which he considered impera tive upon him. So deep an interest did the Legislature of Ohio feel in the success of this institution, that, at its present session, resolutions were passed by that body, with great unanimity, instructing their Senators, and requesting their Representatives, in Congress, to use their best endeavors to procure the passage of a law granting a township of land for this purpose. Under the influence of these instructions, and supported by the just weight and character of so respectable a body of men as cumposed that Legislature, he could not but expect success in the present application. Why has the Legislature instructed their Senators and Representatives upon this subject? Why has it not granted the necessary aid itself? The reason is a plain and obvious one. Ohio is not the owner of any public land. She has not an acre to give. The Congress of the United States possess, and have power to dispose of, all the public lands within the limits of the State. This applicatioin is then made to Congress, as the great landholder there, to contribute a portion of its funds for the purposes of education; to unite with those who have made donations to this object, for the bene fit of the present generation, and for posterity.

There is always an interest created in the public mind to know something of those who devote their lives, and their best days, for the benefit of others, for the service of mankind. Mr. R. said he would make a plain stateMr. RUGGLES said, as he had presented the petition ment to the Senate, of the great and extraordinary expon which this bill was reported, it would, perhaps, beertions of this distinguished individual, to build up this expected of him, that he should say something in expla n of its object. The President and Trustees of Keny College, have, by their memorial, respectfully asked Congress to grant them a township of land, to aid their ra in rearing and buling up a seminary of learning, Winch has been commenced under the most favorable auspices, and is now in a state of great forwardness. The funds which have been already acquired for this object,

College, and, when it is considered that he has done so much, it cannot be thought inexpedient for Congress to do something. The president of this institution is at present the Bishop of Ohio. He was, formerly, an Episcopal Clergyman, settled as a preacher in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, by one of the most respectable and wealthy congregations in that portion of the Union. Had he been satisfied with a competent support

SENATE.]

Kenyon College.

[MARCH 28, 1828

through life, and desirous of living at ease, in pleasant experience has demonstrated the truth of this fact. Nu and accomplished society, he would have remained with merous applications for the admission of students, from his congregation. But his mind was of a higher order; different States in the Union, have been rejected, for the he was desirous of becoming more extensively useful to want of accommodations. When this college shall have his fellow citizens, and of enlarging the sphere of his been completed on the present plan, it will be sufficiently benevolent exertions. In obedience to these high and large for the reception of five or six hundred students. honorable feelings, he determined upon emigrating to Mr. R. said he thought it was his duty to give this brief the Western country. He left his situation with great history of the commencement and progress of this insti regret, and similar feelings were manifested by all his tution, that the Senate might distinctly understand its friends and acquaintances at their separation. It is about claims, and the grounds upon which the appropriation ten years since he established himself in Ohio. His pro- was asked. The zeal and perseverance with which this fessional duties required him, for several successive years, work has been prosecuted, is highly creditable to its to travel into every part of the State, and, almost, to founder and patron. The judicious application of the every county within the limits of the State. Here he funds already acquired, will furnish sufficient evidence collected the dispersed and scattered members of his so- to the Senate, that any grant they may be disposed to ciety, and organized them into churches. It was a work make will be faithfully and honestly devoted to the cause of great labor, and required his constant and unremitted of literature and science. On this point, Mr. R. said, he exertions. While thus engaged, he became extensively believed no doubt was entertained by the Senate-none acquainted with the citizens of Ohio, and of the situation had been expressed. In making these remarks, and adand condition of the rising generation. He saw, with vocating the present appropriation for Kenyon College, it deep regret, the great deficiency that existed in the is not intended to undervalue other colleges, which have means of education; and having connected his destinies been established in Ohio. They are highly respectable with the People of the West, he resolved to exert all seminaries, and have been conducted in such manner as his energies to collect funds and establish a college for to reflect the highest credit upon their officers, and upon the purpose of instructing the youth of the country. It the State. But yet there is room for others, and an ho was a task of no ordinary character; it required perse-norable competition among them will produce the most verance and firmness of purpose, which but few possess. salutary effects upon the community, increase the means He commenced the work, and has triumphed. of education, and enlarge the sphere of science. With In the prosecution of his object, the President of this this view of the subject, Mr. R. said, he would leave the institution, a few years since, visited England, for the pur-question with the Senate, under a firm conviction that pose of soliciting contributions to enable him to build his they will be disposed to pass this bill. college. He had been there but a short time before a great interest was excited in his favor, and many of the most distinguished personages of that country contributed largely. Lord Kenyon, whose name the college bears, took an active and decided part, and a similar feeling and Mr. HARRISON said, that the bill was, in his opinion, sentiment were created in others. From those generous founded upon important principles. The great landlords benefactors of learning and science he received thirty of the country were bound to do something for the be thousand dollars in money, books, and other articles ne-nefit of those who had settled their domain? and he was cessary for such an establishment. These funds, so gen- surprised at the objection offered by the gentleman from erously contributed beyond the Atlantic, laid the founda- North Carolina, [Mr. BRANCH.] He had said, that large tion of this institution. Nor have our own citizens in the grants of land had already been made for the purposes of United States, been less mindful of the great interests of education in the Western States. But this was not the education. More than twenty-five thousand dollars have case. It was true, that it was part of the contract upon been subscribed by the People of this country. The which the new States were admitted into the Union, that generous and the patriotic have every where lent their a township of land should be given for every million of aid, and upwards of fifty-five thousand dollars have al- acres. This was the foundation of two colleges now esready been realized. This money has been applied to tablished in Ohio. This land was not given, as is sup the purchase of land, to the erection of the necessary posed by the gentleman from North Carolina, but result buildings, and placed in productive funds for the supported from a bargain made with individuals, and greatly conof Professorships. One other fact ought to be mention-tributed to the settlement of the public lands. The State ed. While the gentleman to whom reference, has so of of Ohio now comes forward, and asks Congress for that ten been had, was in England, many persons were desi- which any other State, under like circumstances, might rous of making him some presents-of conferring upon be expected to ask for, and which, it is but reasonable to him some distinct favors-all of which he declined re- hope, will be granted. The principle has been well es. ceiving, lest an imputation might rest upon him that his tablished. Even the Crown of England, before the Reobject in visiting that country was for his own private bevolution, made grants of land for similar purposes. The nefit, and not that of the institution. He requested that all those presents, intended for himself, might be given to the cause in which he was engaged-they reluctantly yielded to his request, and gave them the direction he

required.

Mr. BRANCH opposed the bill, on the ground, as he was understood, that it was a sectional institution. Mr. PARRIS made a few remarks in support of the amendment.

State of Virginia did the same by Kentucky, then a dependency of that State; and Massachusetts, while Maine appertained to her, gave a quantity of land for the estab lishment of Colleges. When the lands were granted for One great and prominent object of the President of this that State. Congress gave this small portion of their pos schools in Ohio, there was not a single white inhabitant in institution, has been to reduce the expenses of education, sessions for the purpose of accelerating the sale of the and bring it within the reach of all classes of society, to public lands; and the plan had great effect. It was a the most humble as well as the most wealthy. It must be bargain in which the Government were great gainers; for admitted, that some of the best talents of the country it was a strong inducement to settlers to take up new land, are to be found in the lowly cottages of the poor. Every when they were secure in a provision for the education of effort, therefore, to furnish facilities to this class of our their children. It was now asked, to give a small portion population to obtain an education, is of essential impor- of land to establish firmly a respectable seminary in that tance to the community. The whole expenses of one State, and he hoped the request would not be denied. year's board, tuition, and washing, do not exceed sixty In reply to the remark of the gentleman from North Caro dollars. This is no visionary calculation. Three years' lina, as to the cheapness of education in Ohio, he would

2

MARCH 28, 1828.]

Kenyon College.

[SENATE.

remark, that it was cheap in the lower part of the State, whole, for the benefit of the States in which they are situbut not uniformly so, from the want of facilities. Heated, has been distinctly submitted, and elaborately advo would say but one word as to the proposition of the gen-cated. It should be recollected, that the public lands tleman from Maine. He was never disposed to reject a are the common property of the nation, purchased by the proposition, without a full investigation of its merits. And, joint funds, or conquered by the joint efforts, of all who when the gentleman from Maine should bring forward a composed the Confederacy at the time of their acquisi proposition for a similar donation to that State, he would tion. It is not wonderful, then, that Members from other promise to give it a dispassionate examination, whatever States, which have derived no special benefit from these, might be his vote upon it ? or, wher. a similar proposition lands; for whose Institutions or improvements not an acre came from any other State, he would give it the same at- has ever been applied, should ask for some small, incontention. The application, in this instance, was not from siderable grants, for similar purposes, within their own sa individual, but from the Legislature of the State of States. This consideration, Mr. P. believed, had influOhio, which he thought gave it a claim to much addition-enced his colleague to propose the amendment, and it weight. The State of Maine was differently situated. was with no small degree of surprise, that he perceived She had already received donations of large quantities of the opposition to that amendment arose, principally, from land, for the purposes of education. Their colleges and the friends of the bill. Gentlemen have compared the schools were organized and flourishing ; and he thought, claims of Ohio with those of Maine; and, because, on the therefore, that a proposition for a donation of land to that division of Massachusetts, her public lands were equally State ought not to be brought in to interfere with the assigned to the two portions originally constituting that passage of the present bill, which was based on other cir- State, have drawn conclusions unfavorable to the propos cumstances and considerations. ed amendment. What bearing that argument can have upon the question, is not easily perceived. The public lands of Massachusetts were the common property of her whole population. A portion of that population is form ed into a separate community, and, being legally and equitably entitled thereto, receive a proportion of the public funds, equal to its proportion of population. This new community has also a common interest with all the other States, in the public property of the Union. And can this interest be in any degree affected by the arrangements with Massachusetts? Most certainly not. might it be urged that no part of the public revenue should be expended in Maine, or munitions of war be deposited therein for her defence, because a portion of the personal property, including ordnance and military stores, which she had heretofore owned in common with another State, has been assigned to her in severalty.

Mr. CHANDLER observed, that the gentleman from Ohio laid considerable stress on the fact, that certain wild lands had been granted to the State of Maine, for the benefit of schools. And how did she obtain them? She fought for them-and more, she fought for, and assisted to conquer, the same lands of which the gentleman from Ohio speaks. And when the lands are to be given away, the lands which constituted a fund for the general benefit-was it to be considered so very extraordinary, for the State of Maine to ask for a share in the donation? He certainly did not perceive that it was unreasonable to make the motion which he had presented.

Mr. KANE said, that the bill was extremely embarrassed by the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maine, and more especially coming from a Senator from the State. When the other States surrendered their wild lands to the General Government, Massachusetts retained hers, and when the State of Maine was admitted into the Union, Massachusetts divided the wild lands with her. So that this proposition shews that, not content with her share of Massachusetts' lands, she now asks for a share of the lands formerly owned by Virginia. The demand, be thought, an unfair and unjust one; and he hoped the amendment would not prevail.

As well

If the Senator from Ohio had turned his attention to another view of this case-if he had taken into consideration other facts, which seem to have a bearing upon the question, he might well have come to a different conclusion. It ought not to be forgotten, especially in discussing this amendment, that one thirty-sixth part of all the public lands in the State of Ohio have already been granted for the use of schools therein, in addition to what has Mr. PARRIS said, that, in reply to the suggestions been given, from time to time, for the endowment of Colof the gentleman from North Carolina, he would state, leges and Academies. And what has Maine ever had that both the Colleges in Maine, to which a grant is pro- from the public lands or the public Treasury, for literary posed by the amendment, are chartered institutions purposes? Not a dollar. While large grants have been made each being under the control of a Board of Trustees, per- for various purposes to other States-for opening roads, petual in its duration, in which are vested all the lands, constructing canals, educating the deaf and dumb, and and other property, belonging, or in any way appertain other objects-the moment any effort is made to let in a ing, thereto. They are not incorporated as sectarian in- State, which has shared nothing from this fund, what are stitutions, no particular religious creed being required, we told, and that, too, by those who have been large par by charter or by law, as a necessary qualification for their ticipators, and are still soliciting more? Stand aside, your Presidents, Professors, or other officers. Gentlemen of claims are still to be deferred, as of inferior merit. It is different religious sentiments constitute their Boards of urged, as an argument in favor of this grant, that its effect Trustees, and students of every religious denomination will be to reduce the expense of education in the West, are indiscriminately admitted. A donation, therefore, and that the benefit will accrue to those of that region granted under such circumstances, would not enure for the who cannot now avail themselves of the advantages of a benefit of any particular individual or religious sect,or even public education, for want of the necessary means. exclusively for the State, but for all who may hereafter same reason applies, with equal force, in favor of the prohave occasion to resort thither for the benefit of instruction. posed amendment, and another institution in Maine found The intimation of the Senator from Ohio, that the amended more particularly for the instruction of those designed tent has been offered for the purpose of embarrassing for mechanical and agricultural employments, might, with progress of the bill, is most assuredly erroneous. great propriety, have been included. It is no less import. The Senate could find another, and undoubtedly a suffiant in the East, than in the West, that the expense of ent reason for the proposition to amend. The public education should be reduced; and if in the latter, in conand have become a fund, upon which all who are seek-sequence of a milder climate or more productive soil, the for grants, either for charitable, benevolent, or local expense of subsistence is less, it certainly takes nothing purposes, seem anxious to draw. Applications for these from the force of the argument in favor of the former. lands, for such objects, have been increasing from year to year, until now the proposition to relinquish the

The

Much consequence is attached to this application, because it is recommended by the State Legislature ; and