Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-02-20
Congressional Register.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Tuesday, january 8.

Tuesday, January 8.
Debate on receasag me Dfssrirt Of Coiani6io.
Confirmed. J
Rr Southard--Mr. Chairman, I Shonld
have cont.n,ed myselfwiii, giving siIen,
vote on this question, had i, not been Tor lie
strong impressions on my mind that more
IS intended than er7ires.eti in the re solutions
now on the table. 1t is net two years since
TWO resolutions were introduced to this
mousse similar TO those now under copsi.
dera,ion, with this distinction, that f.e,,
went 20 include the city of Washington
w'tn The other parts OF the district, in the
transfer TO the states of Virginia and Ma.
ryiand. 49, -
! believe it TO be the. obie@ of some
members not only TO lecede the branch -s
oil the district contained IN these resolnii.
ons,bui likewise Inc city. 1.-THE doctfine.
so strongly conlended for, that congress
has RICH, to transfer OF receds, be cnce
established, take The FIRST step, and YOU as
easily take the second. - harg no desire
10 Call ~ Question ibe sincerity ofthe mov-
e oil these rsscluiisns, nor of many who
support 'hem, yet there are others Who
wish recession ofthe gstole terr.tors.
H
ms sv5jsct involves two qnc;tians--
ST. whether congress has q constitution
az power TO masse relracession Of this
dlsirict TO the states nf virginia and Ma.
ryiand--Ani ediy. Whether il he po.d
poi,cy. as to.the FIRST Mg S. said he
had strong doubts on bis mind, as to the
ggatial power q congress- to recese or
The members Of the convention who
framed The constitution OF The u. States ,
locked forward TO day when ii would
'ieecfne necessary TO FIX on place which
s"ouid become he permanent seat of Inc
government. BY reference 10 the eisbtb
sseiich OF The { $, article OF the consiitu.
non we see It clearly expressed that con
ssesS snsi tass power 70 exercise sx
&c isg,sizton III all cases Whatsoever.
over lnch district (not exceeding ten niles
sqnatel as may by cession Of par,ic,,,ar
states. and the acceptance Of congr,ss T..
come the seat OF The govcrnment Of III.
s-ai.edSistes." '''e
his siticlc, with all others contained
| n NAT instrument, after publication fo- ne
consideration of ihs people Of The Uoitrd
states vas adopted, and becams part n
me constitution. In pursuance Of Tins ID
ject congress, on the 18th Of Iu,y. ZOO
passed ar act, entitled tho cession, ata H.
/ the words. following:
That district Of ierfitory. not exceed.
'ns zen Tni'essquare, 10 Dedicated az beresf.
Ter S'recied, on the sivrr Potomac. al sarne
pace between the mouths of The Eastern
nrahci and Connogosheeue, be, and IN
same IS hereby accepted for the Dcrrs.
nent seat of the goyernment OF The IJu;,es
States"
Congressaccepted a cession often miles
sqna'e iof me express purpose, and ON the
cypress condition OF exercising exclusive
legislation and jurisdiction, and this Too
aSreeably to the spirit and me anime oftbe
constitution and law, thus forming a corn.
pac'' which Congress has no right 10 vio-
late. An the states in their leoisla,iv.
capacity, and the people of the Unaed
states, including the inhabitants of mi,
territory, are bound byth compact. which
itself. 's''''1'oh
But, Mr. Chairman, we are told ,ho,
there can be no constitutional ob;.s -, -
me re'rocesslon. the gentleman from
-'''N't CStciiHd W.T. ctHni0rdl Contends
that this district stands on The same foo,.
ing as Plot Of land purchased by the 60
yernneht, Tor nayy-yard. Sir, there i,
no analogy in these cases. In The us,r.
chase OF land fora navy yard, the govern.
ment becomes the proprietor of the soil.
and IN such case Jurisdiction and soil are
insspar-ble---ss also in the csssion hv
North Carolina tire right OF soil passed
with TIC iOrisdlG,ion. The case under
consideration is wi6elydife5ent; The rieb,
% soil passed not with tho jurisdiction.
he right OF Regulation emily being vested
M congress-. Congress cannot, therefore,
transfer the right Of soil, nor he iuhabi.
tan.s, TO the states Of Virginia AID Mary.
land, nor 20 any other slate or nation With
out their consspt.
Gentlemen complain that congress are
too often called uDyn to icgisisie lor this
district; and Nhy.. isit MOI ewing 20 the j
neglect q enact laws really necessary 10
the internal regulation Of he city'
The gentleman from Pennsylvania (N;r
Suilie) iaments the degraded situation Of
tie yeppif. Of this f,fsffi.l A., L,i.,.-