effect is to retain in the hands of persons necessarily attached to the welfare of the country, the Government of a remote dependency, which, from its vicinage to the territories of foreign States, and from the sparseness of its population, might, otherwise, be exposed to foreign intrigue and influence.
Measures having been taken to put the salt spring below the mouth of the Wabash river in a situation to yield every possible benefit to the adjacent country, the committee are of opinion that it is, at this time, enexpedient to vest that property in the Legislature of the Indiana territory. From such a consideration as they have been enabled to bestow on the subject at this late period of the session, and under the pressure of accumulating business they recommend the following resolutions, which are respectfully submitted to the judgment of the House :
1. Resolved, That it is inexpedient to suspend, for a limited time, the operation of the sixth article of compact between the original States and the people and States west of the river Ohio.
2. Resolved, That a provision, not exceeding one thirty-sixth part of the public lands within the Indiana territory, ought to be made for the support of schools within the same.
3. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he hereby is, required to cause an estimate to be made of the number and extent of their claims to lands under the resolve of Congress of the 29th of August, 1788, and the act of the 3d of March, 1791; and to lay the same before this House at the ensuing session of Congress.[1]
4.Resolved, That in all sales of the public lands within the territory of Indiana, the right of pre-emption be given to actual settlers on the same.
5. Resolved, That it is inexpedient to grant lands to individuals for the puri30se of establishing houses of entertainment, and of opening certain roads.[2]
6. Resolved, That it is, at this time, inexpedient to vest in the Legislature of the Indiana the salt spring below the mouth of the Wabash river.
7. Resolved, That it is inexpedient to alter the existing regulation of the right of suffrage within the said territory.
