Register of Debates in Congress, Comprising the Leading Debates and Incidents of the First Session of the Twenty-Fourth Congress Page: 3,889
[865] columns, 114, xlviii p. ; 25 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
3889
OF DEBATES IN CONGRESS.
3890
Mat 23, 1836.]
Fortification Bill.
[H. OE R.
Nashville by railroads; and my constituents might see
their rivers improved to the highest navigable points,
and their towns and villages connected with those rivers
by railroads.
I will not dwell upon the great works which the
States might, and probably would, construct with the
money. Every one knows that agriculture, commerce,
trade of all sorts, and the whole business of life, would
be beneficially affected by the execution of that system
of improvement which this Government has thrown
aside, and which the States have taken up. The states-
man wlio, when he has it in his power, refuses to se-
cure these blessings to the people, will meet their in-
dignation, and will feel the remorse consequent on the
knowledge that he deseryes it.
But, sir, I would not limit the States in the uses and
objects to which they might apply the money. They
might, if they chose, appropriate it to the education of
their children. Some of the States would probably
apply at least a portion of it to that object; and I would
not only sanction it, but desire it. I regard the system
of common-school education, which prevails in New
England and your own State, Mr. Chairman, (Mr.
Mass, of New Vork, occupied the chair,) and which
carries the knowledge of letters to the humble tenants
of the houses of the poor, and enables them to read, to
write, and to cipher, as one of the first blessings among
the multitude enjoyed by the people of the republic.
Sir, I do not say too much in its behalf, when I declare
that life, liberty, and property, cannot be secure where
ignorance prevails, or where ignorance rules. A fool-
ish, uninformed people will become a prey to intelligent
knaves. Despotism is (he consequence; liberty isstrick-
en down, lives are sacrificed, and property rifled. Mr.
Chairman, I am indebted to an uncle's charity for what
education I received, and I feel sensibly for the con-
dition of those children whose parents are unable to
help them. There are thousands who will become use-
ful citizens, and some throw a lustre upon humanity, if
our State Governments will lend a helping hand in due
season. Sir, it is no uncommon thing to see instances
of unassisted genius in the humble walks of life, by the
force of innate power, stimulated by the freedom of our
institutions, irradiate the gloom of birth, and become
intellectual lights of the world. Sir, we ought to glory
in assisting, directing, and developing, the faculties of
the rising generation, who will soon occupy our places.
The State should be the parent of the destitute, and
bring them up for their country.
We know, Mr. Chairman, the many useful and glorious
purposes to which the States would apply the money if
they had if. Let us inquire how this Government will
use it, if it be not distributed. We can only predict the
future, by considering the present and the past. We have
no assurance that you will do better hereafter than you
have heretofore done. I will undertake in a few words
to prove, by stating undeniable facts, that you will use
the surplus millions in the Treasury and the public lands
for improper and partial purposes.
Congress has heretofore appropriated and expended
$5,307,751 18 in the construction of the Cumberland
road; ยง2,763.006 33 having been expended in the States
of V irginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and the residue
in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. By compact with these
three new States, two per cent, on the nett proceeds
of the sales of public lands, in their respective limits, is to
be applied in making roads leading to those States; and
three per cent, is to be paid them; making five per cent,
in all. The whole amount received for the sale of pub-
lic land prior to the 1st day of April last (no matter
where theland was situated) amounted to #69,64-9,784 91;
five per cent, on which is $3,482,489 25, It thus ap-
pears that, instead of laying out only two or five per
Yยซs. XII,โ244
cent, on the nett proceeds of the sales of land situated in
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, in making roads for them,
Congress has actually expended on the Cumberland road
$1,825,231 93 more than five per cent, on the whole
sum received for the sales of land in every part of the
United States.
What right has this Government to expend for the
benefit of these States so many millions in road-making',
and deny to Kentucky a pittance for a like object? And
yet this has been done. President Jackson, upon the
pretext that the Government ought not to unite its funds
with those of individuals, and become copartners in
stock, and upon the ground that the Maysvilleand Lex-
ington road was not national, puts his veto upon a bill
making an appropriation to aid in its construction. I
cannot turn aside to demonstrate the futility of such
attempted distinctions, nor will I stop to deprecate the
election of a man as his successor pledged "generally" to
follow in his footsteps. I will proceed to exhibit other
evidences of partialiiy in past legislation, giving the new
States advantages over the old, in regard to the uses and
benefits drawn from the public lands, for which it will
be difficult to find any warrant in the deeds of cession
creating the trust, under which the General Government
holds the title.
The following quantities of land have been granted to
the new States for the purposes specified, to wit:
Meres.
For the use of common schools - - 10,631,817
To aid in constructing roads and canals - 2,446,951
For seats of Government - - - 28,989
For colleges and academies - 484,320
- 13,592,077
Total donations in land
The land thus given, at the minimum price of $1 25
per acre, would bring $16,990,096. There is no doubt
that these lands at this day are worth nigher fifty millions
than sixteen. But take the minimum estimate, and add
to it the amount expended upon the Cumberland road,
and you will have an aggregate exceeding twenty-two
millions of dollars, which the new States have obtained
from the General Government, in land and money! I
ask you, sir, where will you look to find any such bene-
fits conferred upon the old States? I know the answer.
It will be replied, that the donations to the new States
were made with a view to enhance the value and increase
the demand for the lands retained by the Government.
But I also know that the increased value of the public
land, in consequence of these donations, has not been a
tithe of the value of the lands given to the new States.
Perceiving how prodigal of favors Congress had been in
respect to the new States, and thinking that Kentucky,
although she had no land belonging to the United States
within her boundaries, might justly claim the title and
name of anew State, (being the first-born of the Western
sisterhood,) I proposed, on a former occasion, that
$500,000 should be appropriated, to be placed in the
hands of, and expended by, the board of public works in
Kentucky, in improving the rivers ofthat State. My prop,
osition was instantly voted down, and I fancied that I read
in the looks of some members from the public-land States,
which have already received their millions, the language
of exultation. They seemed to me to consider my mo>
tion as the offspring of impudence, rather than the result
of a just claim on the part of Kentucky to a participation
in the benefits which Congress may and ought to confer
without the least partiality, among the States. Sir, you
have given money and lands to the new States, and pre-
emptions and floats to their citizens, until they have be-
come as spoiled children, and presumptuously claim do-
minion over the public lands and tlieir proceeds. There
is now a bill before Congress to appropriate $600,000
Upcoming Pages
Hereโs whatโs next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Gales, Joseph, 1761-1841. Register of Debates in Congress, Comprising the Leading Debates and Incidents of the First Session of the Twenty-Fourth Congress, book, 1836; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc30757/m1/29/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.