Speech of Hon. J. Sutherland, of New York, Against the Homestead Bill. Delivered in the House of Representatives of the United States, April 22, 1852.

Pamphlet, 8vo, original blue printed wrappers, 21 pp. Some foxing and aging, minor chips and folds at extremities, a bit creased in the middle; otherwise very good. Sutherland (1804-1887) served in the House during 1851-1853, and would eventually serve as an associate justice on the supreme court of New York. He opposed the Homestead Bill, which would give 160 acres of public land to people who had no land and with a net worth of less than $500. Since one of the basic goals of the bill was to promote agriculture, he felt this would be harmful to older states that had made significant investments in agriculture. He also felt the bill was not likely to produce efficient agricultural use. bioguide.congress.gov.