Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-03-13
liz l-2 Gents Snglr.l

~ WucU u ndtfOu nnS vCStcu III aHOtRSf us
i. rights of SOIL and jurisdiction, ,ha, tho
: invest.ture docs not hold good, without
enquiry into the purity of the motives OF
the contracting partics! VIII you then
prevent men frt.nl putting their reliance
and confidence in the state legislatures
3: II is asked why, if they have right.to
the lands in Georgia which. they claim,
why do they propose Ia relinquish to The
United States nine tcnths OF their CHIN
IL would be sufficient answer to that
question to say, thai Congress is the only
power possessing the right to cxtinguish
the Indian title to that country, aud If
Georgia had possessed that right he appre-
hended the present claimants would have
been suffered 10 20 On and improve their
farms IN that district; they never would
have been disturbed in their posse ssion.
He was not IN favor of spectators, but ho
had made up his mind never 10 lay his hand
violently upon the claim of any man,
more than he would mans ptoperty
I when he was in full and quiet posse ssion.
Nor should he pretend to instruct Others
ia the disposal Of their money, persuade
ed that every man had right TO lay his
money cut IN such way as was most ueree-
able to himself, and of which he was the
best Judge.
We are asked who dare vote for souau-
dcrIng the public money i'm this whole
sale manner! This is my declaration i'm
reply. dare to vote for the measure pro-
posed by the committee of claims. Nav,
further, am bound 10 vote in it. favor.
1t IS my duty so TO vote, for have sworn
TO support the constitution of the United
States, and that contitution declares that
no state shall make any ex post faefo law.
or law lmpairing contracts. But why do
gentlemen dwell SO much upon specula-
tors. The act of Congress To obtain the
cession OF her western territory from The,
State OF Georgia, is a speculation upon the
spectators who purchased the right Of
sou to The Mississippi territory.
do not enquire whe, Georgia sold
her land in small tracts or in large dis
sr'cts; nor whetber she sold the land 10 in
d'vtduals or comp anIes--nunbers aud
quantities ley out OF the question, and
coniine myself merely TO the enquiry, did
she cell, and finding tina, she did sell, and
that fora valuable consideration, my mind
rests satisfied, and I am compelled to rem
der that justice which the annullipe aet
| OF Georgia refus-d-Nay The price itself
| does not enter into nay contemplation
circumstances may alter the relative va.
lue OF the price to the art;cle.--Wfil snv
gentleman say that the price at which
Congress have sold their lands to the
great purchasers, such az Sinms and q.
Tiers, is a cause 10 justify our setting
| those sales aside? apprcbend not.
why then do they measure by disercne
standard in the case OF Georgia.
Georgia under the cid regime va.
what was called a kings government
The right OF jurisdiction was given sp To her
exercise from the first; the right of soil
remained in the crown; bat when we a.
CURED our independence, Georgia toots
possession, which she was ius,.tiable in
doing, OF the soil as well as the soyerei-p-
ty--and their being possessed of both. IL
was competent for the legislature to dis
pose oil the vacant land, and no subse-
quent legislature could cons,itutionaIIv
say " ava'is not, and il shall not hold-I
am not ashamed Of this opinion on the
contrary II rs corroborstcd by the practice
OF the states in the union. A grant of
land BY the Legislature is universal,y sa-
ctco-- IL IS so under the government, oe
I'VE y. states also, yet neither the STATE
legislatures are all the citizens of the
state, nor are Congress all citizens Of the
United States, which according to the doc.
time we have heard advanced are requisite
10 complete the contract. This being
the case l will not vote for the amend
mvnt II goes to destroy the right which
The petitioners have to he reserved fund Of
hive millions of acres ; il goes to defeat and
oyertutna well established security which
the people OF the United States have for
landed property. 1 will not vote t.. Z,
do not believe that Congress have di-
vine right to do wrong MIR. Boyd said.
II all the spectators were secuted from
these walls, he did not know who would
remsin--He had no quarrel with them A.
bout the question, buI ne should ever con-
tend that every man had right to pnr.
sue hts obJees 10 his own way, the right
grew out OF The moral compact agreed
to as fundamental in every established ana
well regulated soeiety.
ITO be continued }