Chicago IND Express
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ASHLAND, 9th Sept lsi3.


Dear Sir: received your favor transmitting a
number of the Lee County Democrat, containing a
copy Of what rurports TO be Speech of mine de-
livered on the Presumption bill in the Senate on tho
29th of January, 1888. Ii is gross ca'icature OF
what said, and pronounced it in the Senate.
regret that have copy of the correction by me,
but II was published at The time in the National In
tellicencer.


was opposed to the pre6mplion policy by itself
believed it fraught with injustice the public, that
it occasoned great rreguarity in the settlement OF
the Public Lands, and engendered controversy and
dispute among The settlers. When, without the
authority of law the Public Lands settled, l
considered and treated such settlements Tres
h passes on the Public Property. So did President
IVAN Burcn, in his Message 10 Congress. But
never used the epithes which were put INTO my
mouth against the preGmphoners themselves many
of whom knew TO be respectable, and my friends.
lsvas willing, on a general adjustment OF the Land
auAestion, TO combine the Presumption and Distrlbu
fionf principles together. And accordingly, you will
find Pin the Senate's Journal of 8404, (pages 55-6
I,halS voted for such a combination. Again: voted
oyhe Distribution Bill of the Extra Session OF lS4l
It which the preGmpton principle is Incorporated,
<and large and liberal grants Of land are made TO The
States.


Accept my best wishes for your health and pros
penly.


Your friend and obi serv't II. CLAY.
Mr.. al, III. CLAY MtuD.