Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1803-02-18


no idea of connecting that confederation
with the removal OF, the govesLment. L
could have no Influence on his mind. -
EIe would go further, and FAY be bad nc
IDEA of removing; nor did he believe
they could remove.
Mr.. Bacon iali he was tie more con-
frmsd in the propriety Of bringing ior-
ward his refolutions, by the remarks which
had been made by the gentlemen oppoisd
to them. Tie qavaion 70 day has turned
on the conRi;utional powerof Cong,eis to
recede. Gentlemen fsy there is TO pow
or given 10 Copgreis to recede. He
would allow there were no express words
in the contribution; but he confidered the
general powers given as fully competent
without any fuch particular eapreiioas.
The words in The contribution are 49,
The Congress lhall have power 10 ex-
crcifc executive legillation in all cafes
whatfi ever, over fuch diftritt (not exceed
ing ten miles fquare. as may, by ceillon Ct
particular ftates, and the acceptance ct
Congrels, become the feat Of the govern
ment OF the United States, and t. eAefeile
like authority over all places pa5cbafed by
the,conient of the Legislature Of the fate
in which the fame fhall be, for The eretf'-
on of forts, magazines, arienals, dock
yards, and other needtul buildings. -
Now, he took it that the power cf Con-
erels extended equally aad alike TO all
,hete places accepted in coniequcnce OF the
cstlion Of particular eates, and it was e.
gu lly abfolu,e upon Congrefs TO retain
all, the one as we'll as the other. He was
apprehenGve that the argument Of gentle
men, if it proved any thing, proved TOO
much. He doubted whether gentlemen
would contend thar when congEefs once ac-
cept piece of ground for an arEnal or a
dock yard, they hereby cblige ihemfelves
TO retain the executive juriidiclion forever.
The prattile OF The Houie this very icilien
diGproyed it for they had very lately
paaed an aa giving away The corner OF a
Navy Yard.
But the words Of the Contribution are
not imperative. Tkey do not FAY that
Congress lhall exercife executive jurifdie-
ticn over the places thus ceded by the
ftates. What is the Gsuation Of the ter
ritory at prelent The laws OF the itates
from which it was ceded are fill in fuice
in iome initances.
It is iald to day that this diifritt was
coded to Consrefs under a contract. But
this contract was not made by the inoi-
vidual citizens, but by the fates. Il
then by this contract between Congrefs
and the Gates. Congreis have obtained
their jurilditaion, by the com nsn content
of,he parties it may be done away ard
this is all that is propofed by the rciolu-
,ions.
Gentlemen have ob(erved that this
and every other fimilaf motion have the
effect Of depreciasi, & property IN this
place. This Mr.. B. very much doubt
ed. IF he were citizen, he would
confder his property more valuable nn
der the iuriiditticn OF laws In the for
nation Of which he participated, thar
when he had no participation. He thought
therefore, that the adoption OF ais reiolr-
tions would rather appreciate property,
by placing thofe who held it on the fame
broad BATS as TO the Poasfion Of political
rights with the other citizens OF tie U
ni,ed States.
The gentleman from Pennfylvania (Mr.
Gregg conceives that the deciEon OF this
quefion will affect the permanent feat OF
government. But it could have no effect.
The continuance of this place as the feat
of government was connected with con-
tratf made with indi. iduals, which was
bin3ing on the governmental remain. The
government had received from the indI-
viduals valuable CONFEDERATION, and had
in return given the individuals the conf
deratlon attached 10 their remaining here,