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influence and increase of the power of the Republic, and they deserve to be rewarded for the enterprise which they evince. And the benefits and advantages that will result to the Union from thus extending and increasing its power on the Pacific will more than remunerate the General Government for any disposition of this character which may be made of these public lands. But it is objected that this bounty is confined to a par- ticular section, and the Senator from Florida asks why not extend its benefits to California? Well, sir, I have no objection to its being extended to California, if it will induce agriculturists or mechanics to go there. We find that the lumber trade in Oregon is likely to be one of vast importance, and that it is one of the finest wheat producing countries in the world, and why should we not adopt a policy which will encourage our citizens to throw themselves in competition with Chili and other South American States, who find a market for their productions in California? It will be aiding our people, and we have a surplus in this section of the country which we can spare. Those who wish to transfer themselves to that country do not lose their cit_izenship; they are still American citizens, and the Republic should encourage the enterprise which takes them thither. It is not a benefit conferred upon strangers; it is one which tends to the development of our vast resources; and the opening of new markets to our enterprise and industry. This is the result, sir, which this proposition seeks to attain, and it should be the object of every American to attain. Well, sir, I am most cordially in favor of this bounty, and am willing to convince the Senator from Florida, that I am not partial to Oregon, by assur- ing him that I will support a proposition which will give the same bounty to settlers in Florida. I am willing to give a section to any individual who desires to locate himself upon any portion of the public lands which has been once in the market and remains unsold; and I assure the Senator that if he will introduce a bill to give three hundred and twenty or six hundred and forty acres to every industrious family who will emigrate to Florida and occupy land that has been once brought into market and remains unsold, I will promise to support it. I have no desire in this matter to make fish of one and flesh of the other, and I am willing to extend this policy wherever these public lands can be reduced to cultivation. It is a policy, sir, which I always have and always shall support as long as I have a seat on this floor,
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