Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1803-02-23
CONGRESS
OF THE UNITED STATES.
HousE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
"WEDNESDAY. Feb. g.
DsBArE on M. Baeoa's ,els7ations u re-
seatst5e djfrra IF Columbia.
(CoxinNsd.l

Mr.. Varnnm doubted the reality of
the obleryation OF the gentleman from
New Ieriey. He iufpected there was
no iuch contract 10 exiitence.- 1t was
not the ;nsereit OF the government OF the
United States to do any thing that
would iniureshis difritt. He, therefore,
iuppoled thar every gentleman who voted
on this location would act for the intereit
of his country. If he thought IT poiiible
torsCongreis to legiaate for the territory,
yhesihould have no objection TO retaining
the iurifcidion. But when he confidered
thar congrefs were appointed 70 legiilaie
on great objects. and not on the mlnuted
of local concerns, he did NOT think them
competent to legiaate for the Peftons fl
suated in the territory ofColumhia. He.
did not know whether, if the juriidietion
was retained, it would nor be proper 10
indulge the citizens with territorial ls-
eiaature. But TO this the people them
ieives Object. Virginia objects TO an.
union with Maryland. There were ma
;nifeifly hottie intc1efs which could not
eatily be united. And if there ihall be
a territorial Legislature Gill congress has
right over their acts. Whether this
was the fit time to recede the territory
he did not know-but he believed the
time would come when the citizens OF the
territory will be In favor OF II.
1t appeared 10 hiln that the ideas OF
his colleague (Mr. Euaisl refpeeiing the
militia ought to be repelIed. He has
iaid that, unprotected By phyiical force,
MARYLAND or Virginia may bring force
againe the government, and overawe it.
Every man, however, sknows that the
whole militia of the United Safes are
under the eonsroul of the United States,
and the PRECEDENT has now as full q Gem
:nand over the militia of Maryland and
Virgins, as over the militia of Columbia.
There was difference between them,
unleis The militia of Columbia were to be
uied by The executive In cafes where
there was neither invafion or iniurreeion.
How far they would be proper infru
men. 10 carry particular plans of the ex-
ecutive into effect, gentlemen mutt deter
mine for themfelses.
Mr., Varnum did DOT know how true
il was that the United States had receiv-
ed one, two or three millions of dollars
But if it were 10, il was 70 applied as not
TO render any ufe to the government.
1t was certain there were great piles of
buildings erected but severy gentleman
who looked through them will be of OPT
MON that they would be mole valuable if
the materials of which they were compo-
led were thrown down, than 10 remain as
they, now do. Ii was true that theie bull,
dings were in great part erected with
money derived from the fale of lots; bat
it was alfo true thar large fums had been
granted from the tre2iusy.
Lock al the iituaIion of the territory.
There were three Incorporate bodies
But y hat was the iituasion of the other
par,s OF the territory Are there under
any government at all Do we not fee
rco that the citizens of the incorpotatiors
:rc directly oPpofed to each other from
their peculiar iitnation. From. thefe in
conveniences Mr.. Varnuu faid he wiihed
10 relieve them; and he perceived no
way 70 efeefual as by receaion. He
had no doubt of the conftitutional power
OF Congfefs. But, gill as The people are
not willing TO eajay The benefits, in his
opinion, TO be derived from receiIion,
lie was willing TO wait until they were
prepared for il.
MIR Bayard sed NJ. Randolph fpoke
fecoad time againa The refoiulions.
Mr.. Smile hated the circumstances
of the cafe at PhiladeIp h;a which had
been 70 often alluded TO BY gentlemen.
At the cloie of The late @4r there had
been mutiny among the troops who
had furroandcd ConsrSfs. Not drop
S o. blood had however been fpiIt. Thi.