Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-03-04
CON C RES S
or THE
UNITED S 7 4 TIE S.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, ian. so.
Debate on The Georgia CLAIMS,
WEDNESDAY, Ian. so.
(ContinxeG.)


sidered as very fortunate circumstance,
and one which cannot fail to have favor
able influence upon the final decision of
this important question, that, since the
delivery of the animated observations
which yesterday so powerfully attracted
the attention of the house, we have been
afforded afew hours Of tranquil retirement
from the tempest OF the forum, for the
purpose, useful at all times and peculiarly
so at the present time of calm reflection.
To transfer ourselves in a moment from
the howery fields of fancy, to the rugged
road of argument, to descend instantane-
ously from the elevated scenes of elo-
quence to the humble walks of common
sense, requires an effort transcendiug Or
binary powers. In claiming your attep-
ton, Mr.. Speaker, for a greater portion
of the day than commonly occupy in de-
bate upon this Aoor, shall not address
you m the style of compliment or cerems-
ny. 1t is time to banishfrom these walls
that ,,dle frippery of acrimonious eonvsr-
sation, which is suited only to new years
compliment, or birth day salutation, and
to try to catch little Of the sturdy .piri,
of antiquity. A bold, loud, an i,npres.
sive appeal is made to the American PEG.
pie. In that appeal | tearlessly and most
cordially unite. | regret, however, the
existence Of a precedent which at once
iu.ti6es and demands these addresses to
the people. Much as wish to dessemi-
nate correct information, particularly on a
subject which believe is but imperfsctly
understood without these walls, except by
interested persons, and convinced as am
that the subject is understood, and az
opinion formed upon il, by every member
of this house, | shall not so completely
follow the example before US to speak to
the people in the first instaAee, but as usual
direct my observations to the house.
Ipropose to examine, in concise, and
if it be in my Powe', IN an argumentative
manner, the following questions, which
have direct application to the anne sdment
proposed by the gentleman from Virginia
Mr.. Clark to the resolution under consi.
deration, and which at the same time
open to view the same extent cf the, SUBJ
jec..
Did the state of Georgia, in the year
1855, possess a title to the territory in
question?
Were the legislature of Georgia, in
1875, invested, with the constitutional
power of making sale Of the territory,
and did they make such sale Is those from
whom the present claimants derive their
title or pretended title And if such sale
was made, what tile or color Of title did
it convey?
Were the members Of the legislature of
Georgia in 1895, invested with the censt.
tutlonal power Of rescuing the acts Of their
predecessors in relation to such sale, and
+ did hey resc;nd them
Were the claims or pretended claim. Of
the present claimants in any manner recos.
nised by the act Of eession of the terrific.
nv in qucs,ion from Georgia TO the Uaited
/ States? ...
And,
Do justice and policy, or either Justice
OF policy, require that the whole or airy
part of the FIVE mi!licns of acres, reserved
by the act of ces,ion from Georgia 10 the
: ouitcu Otd'5S, iol tiiS tti Use VI Sdl'stf'NS
claims of a certain description agains. Sc
orgia, IN reference to the said territory
should be appropriated for the purpose Of
satisfying the claims of the.present claim
ants?
However extensive the outline which
have sketohed Of the subject, the survey
will be rapid one.
1t is necessary that should make one or
two pre- iminsry observations. have Uni.
formly been opposed to the doctrine which
has been sopowerfully advocated that Con.
.gress is competent to make legislative de.
cision upon the validity or invalid.sy of
the conflicting acts of Georgia. We pos
sess no such powers. but as. iodiyiAuals
we may express our opinions, Nor. am !
disposed to do any thing which shall have
tendency to impugu the title ofthe United
States to this territory. Without deciding
The question of title, my principal object is
to .hew that he claimants are in pessessi-