Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-09-18

l -
tie, did sell the property inexperienced 10
other purchasers, who had the best right
imaginable oput faith in the authenticate
ed documents and title papers presented
TO them, documents and title papers as
good as any ever obtained from an lndivl-
! dual by another, or from state or a natl
on by q purchaser. Notwithstanding
which the succeeding legislature not lik-
! ing the bargain, assumed or attempted TO
assume the power Of retaining the pro-
perty, and passed an act purportipg their
intention demonstrating the title given by
their predecessors, as wellas for the des-
truction OF the records and every evidence
Of the title given by them.
II appears that the purchasers, when
they found Georgia offering to cede those
lands TO the United States, gave warning
and notice OF their claims TO the chief ma
gistrale ofthe union, in consequence Of
which, or for some other cause. provision
Tor compromise with the claimants was
made in the lawwhich authorised the hold
ing treaty with Georgia, respecting the
cession ofthose lands. Commissioners of
the United States, agreeable to the powers
vested IN them by that provision, have
met the claimants, and have, it seems, a.
greed on terms of compromise, which in
my opinion are very advantageous to the
United States, which compromise is now
before this house for It's sanction.
stated last year that undermy impress
sion ofthe validity Of the title of the claim.
ants, the compromise was more advanta-
geous To the nation than could be expect-
ed, more advantageous, to be sure, than I
had previously expected could have been
made. / still think IL an advantageous
bargain on account of the revenue which
will arise from the sale oil the residue of
the lands. Seven eishths of forty milli-
ons, to which an unexcepiionable title can
then be given, title which good farmers
and useful settlers will not fear to i'm.
prove under. Advantageous l say, also,
on account of the benefit to be derived
from the early settlement of some Of the
best lands, and in the best situation of any
otthe government claims. A country in
tersected by many navigabie waters, and
through which the road goes from almost
every state in the Union to Natchez and
New Orleans, a road which inthe prcsent
state ofthlngs, is frequently infested with
murderers and frseboo,ers.
Nothing could De more surprising 10 me
than the opposition this, in my opinion,
reasonable, necessary and profitable COM
promise has met with both last session
and this. 1 say profitable because il takes
nota cent out ofthe treasury, nor from any
other fund but the land itself, which how
ever wrong 1t was TO purchase il, knowiog
Il to be sold to others whose claim was in
measure recognized by the ccntempiat.
compromise at the very outset Of The me-
gociation. However wrong, say, il
might have been for the United States TO
have become the purchasers, they have
not paid, nor are they bound to pay shil-
ling from any other fund than the land it !
self, Notwithstanding all this Glamour a.
bout robbery. Such has ever BENNY o.
pinion Of public faith, that although Idoub,
not that bribery was used in the legisla
ture of Georgia in the transaction of l7o s
to a certain degree, their successors & the
state were bound to abide by the solemn
contract, | say solemn, because il appears
to be confirmed by the executive Of the
state against whom ! do not 'tecoIlea any
charge OF bribery TO have been made had
that executive (who was on the spot and
must have been better Judge of the cor.
rupsion talked of than we can bel arrested.
by bis withholding hand, the completion
OF the contract, and refused his Signature
to those papers, which enabled the pur
chasers to convey their purchase 10 others.
should now say the title being incom
plete we have nothing TO fear from IL, we
want no compromise this no doubt would
have been done had the executive supposed
that the people of Georgia were injured. s,
that they would support HIM 10 hat reGI-
sal. But, sir, the honors and preferments
retained by and conferred on so many of
those persons charged with the bribery,
leads me TO believe that there we're caa.
ses unknown to me which led to The un.
easiness on the part Of the people Of Geor.
gia, with regard to the sale IN 1905, and
led 10 the attempt at resuming the rigbt 10
the lands in 1856.
re be eonftUed.)