Western representatives successfully argued that western miners and prospectors were performing valuable services by promoting commerce and settling new territory, and they tacked legislation legalizing lode (hardrock) mining on public land onto a law regarding eastern canal rights.
Western representatives successfully argued that western miners and prospectors were performing valuable services by promoting commerce and settling new territory. The following year, Congressional supporters of western miners tacked legislation legalizing lode (hardrock) mining on public land onto a law regarding eastern canal rights.