Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-04-06
C O n G X f S S.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Wcdnesday, january 81.
DEBATE ON 7,RE GEORGIA CLAIMS.
(Cont;nvcd. }

(Confinvcd.)
Mr.. Findley, sad thai he claimed the
aiten ion OF the House for-a short time
but T. ON viewing the unusual turn some
OF the arguments had taken and the IA.
'ure OF the subject, he iouad it matter
oil some dei'cacy 10 know how 10 proceed.
lie was opposed 10 The ans ndment under
debate and in iavou.. of the resolution, but
he observed some members with whom
he had geueially voted and for whose la
tents he had the hissest esteem, and in
whose Integrity he had the utmost conf
dence' take The other side with such ar
denf zeal and in mode Of arguments SO
| unusual IN public bodies, thai or observ-
ing his he hsd hesiiaed and had voted
III The last session for the postpoaement
which took place. He had done this i'm
hopes that the House would in this ses-
sion meet the case in a temper more be-
coming their own dignity and the impcr-
lance and deiicacy of the subie6t, h de-
c'ding on this Case, they did not aGt SOLE
y IN their usual legislative character,
which Was To make rules for the future
conduct oil the cilzens. In this case they
were IN the very delicate situation of both
parties and Judges, in addition To that OF
eg'siators--a situation always 10 be aycid-
cd II possible, and when II cannon De avoid
ed IL should be conducted with the prea-
test .decornm. Awed by this situation,
.dr. l.. sad he had again and again view
cd the subject IN every aspect in which It
presented itself 10 hun, and examined IL
oy the rules of equity, Of expedieacy and
| poiicy' with a. great aIIent,on as he had
| ever done any case on which he wa call
Id 10 act, and excited by the unpreceden-
| $50 attacks made on The motives and Cha
! refter Il the menoers IN opposition TO
.'"c ame3dmenj, When fair and cane! 4 ar
! 1uHent iaiied Tor ilis own dsnterested-
less IN Tire question, he would taxi, the
J iOsrty OF appealing 20 he God of iudor-
l'eD'J to whom he was 10 be accountable
| Tor 'he honesty Of his d-cisio IN this and
/ every other case, and on whose subordi-
nate throne of Judgnc MT on earth he con-
| siGered the House in the present de isioo
to b. seated and acting. So tedious an
introduction was not usual 10 him. bnr
on tli's occasion h thought there was a
cause.
by these circumstances he was conv;n.
ced that on hi. occasion il was bjs d,,,,,
70 mention 10 the House. a. least some Of
The reasons for the voIe which il was bic
duty to give on this question, but woo;d
give them in as f. " words as il was, IN i,;s
power TO render them Ineligible TO The
f4ouse !; ior Ibis pusp1se NJ n 'ugbt mar
'"'iVe OF tne facts waa III the first place
necessary.
lie SAID Ire would begiu with the mes.
sage OF the President near the close oftbe
session in February. Ia the year i7s5. in-
forming Congress OF two laws made in
Georgia, one In December and h. other
IN the month Of tebruary l795,(ihe saros.
message mentioned by the member from
/ Virginia, MIR. Randolph.) The mes5aoe
was referred To a seIvcl committee of
which he had the honor Of being mem.
Der wtih other very intelligent members
! from both south and east Mr. Nicholas,
Mr. Hmes, &c.] 1t had long been the
( opinion Of men well Informed that he IL
Tie OF Georgia TO the extent of territore
she claimed vas doubtful, and that IL was
too great Tor any one state TO DO sess m
connection with the federal union. The
I old Congress frequently c ilied on & eotpi1
% make a CessiOn Of ner unsettled eerri-
: tory agreeable TO the st'pulations on which
the confederation was agreed TO, bu When
Georgia did propose d Cession, lh. terms
I on. which Il was made were jeGrd. O..
thcr states made ccssicns oil lands To
wbicli they had no tille or else had pa.
proPrleted the lands iudiv,duei b,f,,~
lhc ces5'on was made so that on thn
whole but a small quenuty OF l.rd up,n.
numbered, came To- the benefit of he IL
hted suites. Bot 10 return; the COM
m"tee IN February l795. EXAMINE he
Aus OF Georgia as far o. they atissrl
, nations the bounds not icing ceruauly
known, the unsettled territory Of Go g Il
Vas believed TO be larger than Feasce or
Germany OF any other European nal,ob,
Except Russia, whose hsiauc dOmnions
extend TO the Pacific cccon heuce they
concluded that such en- extent Of ttt1,iory