Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-12-06
CONGRESS-
OF THE
U NITED STATES.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY,, October25.
DEBATE on the LOUISIANA TREATY.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, October IS.
coNTINUED.


role to make al that latshour, he thoold De brief
and apply them entirely TO the contitatlonal
ooefion, as il was fcarcely confended the bargain
was not good one. In making thtm.iie eoIdi-
ally Joined with the gentleman from Connecticut
MIR Grifwold when he e1prefed his with that
the dcuiion ihould be conducted with coolneis and
temoer. X was not only The duty, but the int
fea of every gentleman onthe floor, that this I'M
portant fubjett fhouid be decided on argument,
and argument alone He felt che force OF The ob
lection urged by the gentleman from Maryland
Mr.. Nichoiion) that the difcufion Of fome of the
points was premature hefhould, however, enter
into a brief expedition of them.
1t is contended that the United States have
no right TO pufchafe territory thar they have
no right TO admit the people OF LouiGaEs 70 par
tcipation Of the rights derived from an admlflon
into the union; and that a peculiar favor IS about
being granted to the ports of New Orleans IN VI
olation OF the contribution.
In the view Of the conf}itution the union was
competed of two corporate bodies, Of Rates and
territories. A recurrence TO the contribution will
fhew that it is predicated en- the principle Of the
United States acquiring territory, either by war,
treaty or pnrchaie There was one part or that
infrument withiu whole cspacious ggaip all thsfe
modes Of aequi6tion were embraced. BY the con-
itirution ECongreis have power to g lay and col
leel duties imports, and excfes, to pay the debts
and provide for the common defence and general
welfare of the United Srates.' To provide FIR
tbe general zvelfaYt. The import Of theie terms
is very comprehensive indeed. 1t this general de-
legation OF authority, be not at variance with
other partcula. powers fpecally granted, nor re-.
fritfed by them; if il be not in any degree com.
pretended in thole iubfequently delegated, ] can
nor, faid Mr.. R. perceive why, within the fair
meaning of this general proyiGon is not included
the power of increahng our territory, if neceiiary
for the general 9yelfare, or eommon defence. Sup
po{e, for intanCe, that Crest Britain houId pro
pofe to cedc to US tie iiland of New Providence,
70 long the feat of pirates, preying upon ouy com
raerce, sand the hive from which they have fwarm-
ed, will any gentleman Gay that We ought not
TO embrace the opportunity preiened, as de-
fence .againf further Expectations Suppofe the
( Cape of Good Hope, where our EAT Indiarnen
20 generally flop, were offered TO be ceded to as
by the nation TO whom ii belongs and thar ia
tian fhou!d fay, on our pofsfing IL you fhall de-
clare it free port. Is there any member who
hears me that could contend that we were not au.
ihorfed TO receive it, notwithstanding the great
advantages 1t would lnfure to us
But il appears to me, independently Of this
provision OF the Constitution, and the gentleman
from Connecticut Mr.. GriswoId) admits it,
that according tosthe .rghtSofw2r, we may ex
tend our territory. Arenemy might come with
IN our lines, and we exsel HIM our lines not
beng the limits to which our arms would be con
aned, We could pass them, ana take possession of
vhe enemy's country, and thereby undoubtedly
acquire a right to the territory occupied. For
in The Constitution it IS expressly said tina:
Congress shalt have power 'sto declare war, grant
letters OF matque and reprisal, and make rules
concerning captures on lard and water aud
among the jura bella was clearly recognised the
right of annexing territory. Bur t!lcre is one
article eff the constitution which is predicated
on the right 10. purchase territory. We have
a right to obtain territory by purchase from a
state. In the provision made in the Constitu--
ton respecting the territory of the United Stases,
we find that Congress are invested with power,
6 to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases
whatsoever, over such -disrletj not exceeding ten
ihhes square, Do ufdy, " Cessfon CT particular
states, and the exceptance of Congress, become
the seat Of the government of the United States,
and to exercise like authority over all places pur-
chased by the consent of the legislature of the
state in which the same shall be, for the erection
Efforts, magazines, arsenals deck yards, and O.
ther needful buildings" Here then is given to
Congress exclusive legislation over particular
places, over the ten miles square, and over such
places as they may purchase. This provision is
expressly Predicated on the RICH. to purchase, and
only limits purchase by the consent of the states.
II Congress have the right ofpurchasing terrific
ny froma state, how can gentlemen contend that
they have not the right OF purchasing territory
elsewhere. If In their i1lpernent tbe,, shaiI con