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ceded, then the moral feelings and conscientious scruples of those opposed to the proposition of the petitioners, are equally entitled to respect and protection with those of the petitioners themselves—and the committee here venture to assume the position, that a large majority of the people of this state are opposed to the proposed change in their constitution. The committee fully recognize the doctrine, that "all men are created equal," and that "government is instituted for the protection, security and benefit of the people;" yet in these broad maxims, they fail to discover either the utility, or the moral or political injunction to allow all "nations, kindred and tongues," to be commingled into one indivisible and inseparable community—it is contrary to all experience, and the dictates of sound political policy.

If we are opposed to the proposition, it is our duty plainly to say so to its friends, for it is hypocrisy of the most reprehensible character, to give encouragement to, or trifle with the views and feelings of those to whose opinions we are opposed, and no anticipations of political gain or preference can justify the putting forth views for expediency sake, which do not find an honest response in our own bosoms.

Having, as the committee trust, given the subject a fair and candid examination, and from such examination, arrived at the conclusion that the prayer of the petitioners ought not to be granted, they ask respectfully to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

1846.

No. 13.

Report of the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Robinson, chairman of the committee on Public Lands, to whom were referred the petition of John T. Holmes, and of many others, praying for the removal of the State Land Office from Marshall, in the county of Calhoun, to Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent, have had the same under consideration, and respectfully report:

That they find the business of said office to consist in the care and disposal, under the provisions of existing laws, of the following items:

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The primary school lands; the university lands; the state asset lands; the state building lands; the salt spring lands and the internal improvement lands.

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The first are situated in equal proportions, in every county of the The second mostly, if not all, below the base line. The third about equal parts in the northern and southern portions of the state. The fourth, fifth and six, almost entirely in the range of the northern counties.

That portion of the state above the base line, of which Grand Rapids is the natural capital, is settling with a rapidity far surpassing that of any other section, and of course the number of purchasers of the school and university lands will increase in proportion, and their convenience in transacting business with the state land office should be regarded, and would be greatly promoted by the proposed change. The same remark may be made respecting the purchasers of the state asset and state building lands.

The salt spring lands, being in the aggregate about 46,080 acres, lay in the vicinity of Grand and Tittebawassee Rivers, in the counties of Kent and Shiawassee. No doubt is now entertained of the passage of a law by the present Congress of the United States, authorizing the sale of these lands, which have hitherto been withheld

from market, upon the ground that they were only a trust property of the state:

Should this event occur, their quality and location are such that their immediate disposal may be calculated upon, and the proposed removal of the State Land Office into the neighborhood, would greatly facilitate the sale.

The half million of acres granted by Congress, and which are entitled the internal improvement lands, in view of the use made of their proceeds, are situated, as before stated, almost entirely in that range of counties into which it is proposed to remove the office.

That portion of them, selected by the agent of the state, in the counties of Kalamazoo, Berrien and St. Joseph, have been nearly all sold, a balance of 3205 68-100 acres only remaining on hand.

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In the northern range of counties, however, there are 282,465 83-100 acres yet unsold, and the disposal of these lands will constitute the principal item of the business of this office for several years subsequent hereto. The prospect of an additional grant, by Congress, of a part of the public lands lying within the limits of this state, seems now more favorable than at any time heretofore. The bill introduced into the Senate last year, and which then passed that body, but was not reached in the House before its adjournment, has again been brought forward by Mr. Woodbridge, and will probably encounter no serious opposition in its passage.

Whatever the number of acres which thus may be obtained, it is evident that they must be located in some part of the northern counties of the lower peninsula of this state. Their management and disposal will then form, in connexion with the same class of lands now owned, the chief and permanent business of the state land office. Held at the same minimum price as the U. S. lands, and soon payable for in only the current funds of the country, their sale would be gradual, and their number would necessarily protract it for a long time.

In view of these facts and considerations, the committee have concluded that the proposed removal of the state land office from Marshall to Grand Rapids would conduce to the convenience of the largest number of the inhabitants of the state transacting business therewith, and therefore, ask leave to introduce the accompanying bill for that purpose-the passage of which they would respectfully recommend. RIX ROBINSON,

Chairman.

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