H. OF R.] Public Lands. [DEC. 30, 1831. cessions which, as Congress declared, covered all the applied. What, said Mr. R., trustees assuming to direct Western country, the treaty giving that country to the their principal how to apply the surplus fund in their United States was insisted on by Mr. R. as having been hands, when their trust has been accomplished! Shall based on the cession by the State of New York. But the Congress of the United States undertake to dictate to he did not go entirely on that foundation. It was well the sovereign independent States, as to the manner in known that one of the British commissioners for nego- which they shall manage their own funds? Nay, the retiating the treaty of peace had insisted that the Ohio river solution went to make the States mere agents and servants should constitute our Western boundary, and in that ar- of Congress, to expend their money in the way which rangement one of the American commissioners was be- Congress should direct. Congress was to assume sovelieved to have been willing to acquiesce. reign control over their constituents! It had But there were other possessions lying beyond the Ohio, Mr. R. said that, for himself, he had too great respect which authorized the venerable Franklin to urge, and to for the sovereignty and independence of each member of urge successfully, that the Mississippi river should be the this confederacy, insolently to dictate to them how they boundary. Those possessions on the Ohio were held under should manage their own affairs. He thought it more begrants made by the British Crown to Virginia and Penn- coming to leave the States to manage their own affairs in sylvania. This fact was strongly insisted on in reply to their own way, unembarrassed by too much of congresthe British commissioners; and reference being had to the sional legislation. Let the proceeds of the lands which war which broke out in 1756, those commissioners were remained, go into the public chest, or let them be applied compelled to yield the point, that the claim to those lands in the manner directed by Virginia, in the words of her could not be considered a French claim, for the French grant, viz. in proportion to the contribution which each having built Fort Du Quesne, Great Britain had authorized State would have had to make, had a direct call been Pennsylvania and Virginia to repel that act as an aggres- made on the States for the expenses of the war. sion, and thus the war between France and England had at first been proposed that the direct contributions by the taken place on this side of the Atlantic two years earlier several States should be regulated by a valuation of their than in Europe. Great Britain having claimed that land, lands and improvements. But that rule had soon been fought for it, and taken it, as belonging to the colony, abandoned as impracticable, and the law was amended in named the spot after her great statesman, Pitt. Thus the 1783, in such a manner that the contributions of each British commissioners were compelled to yield to the State were to be in proportion to the whole number of her strong argument of Franklin, and Pittsburg, in conse- white population, with three-fifths of all others within her quence, was not lost to Pennsylvania. It had been said limits. Let the distribution be made according to these that the British commissioners proposed the latitude of 45 federal numbers, and each State have the management of degrees north as our northern boundary. But this was its own proportion. That which fell to the share of New not agreed to by the commissioners on the part of the York would, he doubted not, be applied by her to her United States, who thought it would be better to take a school fund; but whether it were or not, he certainly natural boundary, consisting of the great lakes, and the should never assume to dictate to that sovereign State in connecting streams which passed between them. That what manner she should spend her dividend. that entire country had belonged to the State of New York, Mr. R. insisted was evident from the fact that the British commissioners had admitted the latitude of 45 north, and thence west to the territory occupied by the Six Nations and their tributaries, pertained to the colonies. Here Mr. R. dropped the subject of the New York claims, Mr. TAYLOR, of New York, suggested to the gentleand said he would now speak for a few moments on the man from South Carolina the propriety of withdrawing question really before the House. The amendment offer- his amendment, to make way for a motion that the whole ed by the honorable gentleman from Illinois proposed an subject be referred to a Committee of the Whole on the inquiry into the expediency of applying one-third of the state of the Union, and thus prevent the morning business public lands to internal improvements within the respect- from being interrupted for perhaps weeks to come. ive States where those lands lay; one-third for the con- Mr. MITCHELL assented, when Mr. TAYLOR, after struction of roads and canals leading from the lakes and a few prefatory remarks on the injurious effect of having great navigable streams of the West, to the cities and a debate protracted from morning to morning within the towns on our Atlantic seaboard; and the remaining third hour allotted for resolutions, and an appeal to the recollecto the purposes of education. To the last item there were tion of members who had witnessed debates of that kind, insuperable objections, even should the others be regard- made a motion that the resolution and amendment be ed with favor. How did Congress hold these lands, but referred to a Committee of the Whole on the state of the as trustees for the States which had granted them? The Union. States had granted these lands to the Government, as a Mr. MITCHELL, of South Carolina, now proposed to amend the amendment of Mr. DUNCAN, by striking therefrom all after the words "Resolved, that," and inserting, in lieu thereof, a proposal to sell the lands to the States within whose limits they lie. Mr. MERCER proposed a modification of this motion, trustee, for specific purposes, set forth in the deed of which he feared would lead to an interminable debate. trust, to wit, to carry on the war to its termination, and to He adverted to the course of argument pursued by the reimburse the debt which might so be incurred. As trus- gentleman who had just taken his seat, [Mr. ROOT,] and tees, Government had these lands in charge. Supposing, to the inutility of a contest among the States for the then, that the object contemplated in the deed had been honor of having ceded the public lands, and a comparison accomplished by other means, (namely, by taxes on im- of their respective titles to that territory. He censured ports,) to whom, he asked, did the lands belong? Did the course which led gentlemen, in contending for the they not revert to the grantors? honor of their own States, to make gratuitous attacks If the objects for which the fund was provided had on the reputation of other States of the Union-a course been accomplished, the residue of the fund belonged of which he considered as tending to impair that general course to those who had created it. They had made the respect which ought to be accorded to every member of grant for their own benefit. The lands belonged to the original States of the confederacy, and to the States which had been formed since, in pursuance of the ordinance of 1780. But here, in the resolution before the House, it was proposed to direct the States how their own fund should be managed, and in what manner its avails must be the confederacy. He was prepared and ready at once to reply to the remarks which had been directed against Virginia; but he did not think the present a fitting occasion to do so. There were several very grave and weighty subjects before the House, the discussion of which would in a more legitimate manner call up an examination 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. THE ARMY. Mr. WARD, of New York, submitted the following re solution: [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 kindness by his officers, yet the apparent small amount army was considered an institution for the instruction of the paid to him in money, as allowed by law, does not offer a whole country, for every Prussian, it will be recollected, sufficient inducement to the steady and active citizen to enis obliged to serve for a short time in the army. gage 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. continues, but increases. Inquiries have been instituted into main objects of the soldier's enlistment, nor was the course 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 orfrom its extent and impunity, not only materially injures ganization, consists of five thousand five hundred and fiftythe 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-for It appears, said Mr. W., from the reports of the Secre- none should be permitted to remain in the service after 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 give the last year, which is an actual loss to the Government in place to others; thus diffusing knowledge among that one single year of $121,000, and that, from 1823 up to the class of our fellow-citizens who have not now the means 30th November, 1831, eight thousand four hundred and of obtaining an education. The young men, thus educattwo soldiers deserted from the service, making, in that ed, after the expiration of their engagement, would be 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 hunof 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, would be sent into the world educated men. This, said of itself, would be a sufficient inducement for him to re- he, might be accomplished, and still allow them a suffimain in the service until discharged with suitable honors. cient time to acquire a thorough knowledge of the miliThe army, he said, under its present organization, costs tary part of their profession. the Government, for pay, subsistence, clothing, quarters, Two professors and twenty-eight tutors would be all 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 nonwe 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 of dent, said he, of the other advantages which would result age, and no matter how abject may have been his condifrom the proposed plan, it will actually diminish the ex- tion hitherto, place him in the society of five hundred of pense; but the amount of money necessary for the support the same age, all on equal grounds, all possessed of the of so small a standing army in a republic as rich and wide same advantages, and all having an equal opportunity for as this, is a matter of very trivial importance. Small as distinguishing themselves as scholars and soldiers, and a the army now is, he said, it might be so trained and disci- spirit of emulation, of ambition, and determined effort, plined, and its moral condition so improved, that it would will be created and constantly cherished. Teach this body become a pattern for the imitation of the world. of youth that they are now in the path to true glory; that If, said he, the soldiers should be enlisted, by and with each and every one of them may distinguish himself in his the consent of their parents and guardians, at the early country's service; if she leads him not into the field of batage 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 of said he, and at this enlightened day it will not be denied, his own native powers, and of the influence he may exert that true greatness can only be secured by a proper im- on society, or his country, or on the world, and you canprovement 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 one capable of aspiring to any thing worthy of himself or his day be pleased to call him her son. And it is easy to fire 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 itdisciplined, has never been tested by actual experiment. self, and reign throughout a host of men, whose minds In the Prussian service, already adverted to, there has not been an opportunity of testing the proposed system; for Jearning, in that service, was not considered one of the are cultivated, whose hearts are defended against the poison of vice. A high sense of honor, said he, would prevail, that would sooner require restraining than quicken 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 der 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 Mr. PENDLETON, of New York, submitted for conwould obviate that difficulty; for in the army, where mili-sideration the following resolutions: THE JUDICIARY. tary 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 health and strength would be promoted for vigorous application to study. The mind and body would be constantly and profitably employed, and no time left for the acquisition of those pernicious habits which now infest and enervate the army. 2. Resolved, That, in the proposed bill, the provisions of the 25th section of the act To establish the judicial courts of the United States," passed September 24, 1789, shall be declared to apply the final judgments in criminal cases, which are now depending, or which shall hereafter arise, in the State courts. 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 diffor 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. [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, Lenagh, 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, Philefer, 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, Wilde, Worthington.-124. NAYS.-Messrs. Adams, Chilton Allan, Allison, Appleton, Armstrong, Arnold, Babcock, Banks, Noyes Barber, Barringer, Barstow, Isaac C. Bates, Briggs, Bucher, Bullard, Burd, Burges, Cahoon, Choate, Collier, Lewis Condict, Silas Condit, Eleutheros Cooke, Bates Cooke, Cooper, Corwin, Coulter, Crane, Crawford, Creighton, Daniel, John Davis, Dearborn, Denny, Dewart, Dickson, Duncan, George Evans, Joshua Evans, Edward Everett, Horace Everett, Ford, Grennell, Heister, Hughes, Hunt, 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. Mr. MERCER submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That so soon as the public debt of the United States shall have been discharged, or such provision made therefor, as shall release the public lands from the claims of the public creditors, the nett proceeds of the sales of those lands shall be applied, under such regulations as the Legislatures of the several States and Territories may respectively provide, in the proportion of one moiety to popular education, and the other to the removal of such free people of color thereof, as may desire to emigrate to Liberia, in Africa, or elsewhere beyond the limits of the United States and of their Territories. 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. NAYS.--Messrs. Adams, Appleton, Armstrong, Banks, 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 certain modes of hereafter disposing of the public lands, appropriating them to the use of the several States for the purposes of education and internal improvement, or otherwise disposing of them to the States; and a motion having been made to refer the whole of the propositions to a Committee of the Whole on the state of Union After a few remarks from Mr. MERCER, which were understood as expressive of his assent that the resolution and amendment should go to a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, for a full and free discussion— Mr. VINTON said he very much regretted that the proposition 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 exciting 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, in 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 |