WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1827
118
streams intersecting the country, of gentle deep current, and sus- ceptible of great improvement, at comparatively small expense. The wealth and population of the country has already, and with- out any adventitious aids from public funds or public institu- tions, progressed more rapidly and more steadily than had been hoped for even by the most sanguine anticipations. The c!aims of warrant-holders are now all, or nearly all satisfied, and the scattered remnants of land that remained vacant and unappro- priated, though belonging to the General Government by the terms of the cession and compact, will never be of sufficient value, to defray half the expense of bringing them to market. All reason- able calculation at present, justifies the belief that the memorials heretofore sent by t_he legislature will at the next, or some early session of Congress be disposed of in a way to meet the wish€s of Tennessee. A relinquishment of their title, and a privilege vested in our state authorities, to perfect grants, would enable us to open offices convenient to the enterers, on a plan similar to that now pursued north and east of the reservation line; and whatever may have heretofore been deemed our truest policy in disposing of our vacant lands, to me it seems evident, that at whatever period we may open offices in the different counties of the western district, the system of forcing prices to the highest possible amount ought to be abandoned. The first care of all governments should be to provide that each individual should have a permanrnt home and residence·. The difference between the highest and lowest product resulting to the State, from the disposal of these lands, can be of little public consideration, whilst to indigent individuals already in possession, or wishing to become purchasers, it may be a matter of the greatest im- portance; and as the other two principal divisions of the State have already received a patrimony for public uses in some of its most valuable lands, it may not be unreasonable in our fellow citizens residing west of the reservation line, to expect that any revenue hereafter derived from the lands in that section of the country, should be chiefly expended amongst themselves for the purpose of general education and internal improvement, The peculiar condition of the people south of French Broad and Holston, continues to be a subject of remonstrance and peti- tion: it has already been a source of much legislation, and although by some late enactments, it may be thought difficult again to open their case with any reasonable hope of advantage, yet it seems to me that their situation still entitles them to the
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