Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-03-27

4 have risen hut for the wish that inasriuch
az most extraordinary course has been
pursued: and q general Remuneration OF
every man who dsres 10 favor the report
on your table, has been made, my reasons
may accompany my vote, end am vii
ling what they togrtherimev form the cr'-
! terion by which my political exis,encc
shall he decided. The reluc1ance l felt
IN rising is somewhat removed by the 70
le9ion, that the arguments urged on this
Hoor are declared not intended TO infu-
ence the iudrmsnt ofthe members of this
) house, but to con'roaI the pshiic mind, by
an avowcd appeal TO the people cf the u
ni,ed States. Let the appeal be fairly
made, & 7 feerlessy avail, their decision.
For tina, purpose deem It proper To Of
Ter my sentiments, in order That they may
accompany those ofmytwo coiie agues who
have preceded me. Sir, ! am decidedly in
favor of the report OF the ,eomreit,ee OF
claims. * ofconrse opposed 70 the aracnd-
inent under consideration. ] do mt on this
occasion regret the absence Of party spirit
! from these walls, which has hccD invoked
nv my colleague (Mr. Randolph}. That
/ party spirit, which has been the banc OF
all soyernment---that party spirit. which
disresardipg all the forms Of Justice tram
| pies its most sacred laws under foot, and
presides withour check or contro.l. over
questions relating solely 70 private pro-
pertv or which was DISPLAYED, III the con- !
dnct of Jcffries, who serviely prosirsling !
his sacred functions to the purposes of
ministerial vengeance. has Justly excited |
the reproach and execrs.ion of pozterity I: 4
ard which, If cherished upon occasions
| like the present will tend to demolsh the ,
FAIR fabric Of our republican government. 4
I viii not admit that because majority
ofthis house arc infavor OF the claims, and
desire prompt decision gi,hcat debate;
IL - evidence that I" urbrincjpled mea
(, have acquired the ascendnncy, shd know
ing themselves 20 be in the commission
OF wrong they are silent lis INV csl-
league swafe OF the extent of this doc
i,'nel When raprincip,ed men. said he.
/ acquire the avoendsncv they s@ in corcert
( ard a~e siirnt--silence sud concert then
ave 70 him. proofs ofcorru VI rnotivss---ys
this always correct posiiiou. Doe. thu
y gentleman recolleSa tffat rnrasnres wers.
dor,ed frw years past without disc,i.si-
on, by my political friends in rouiuns;on
With him, who were siie7ss cnd unifeds I
am unwilling to believe thss such an ia.
ference can result, from an neion of <enti-
!. nent--in some instances we arc unari
nous in our decision of questions, on
which no debate takes place hutJ have
never thought this was proof Of the pros
traticn of principle; nor can suppose
that the gentleman himself thinks go; e.
ven now we adopt measures advocated nv
him, and arc nevertheless told that TO att
in concert is proof ofcorrupiion. Havine
promised that The differences made by the
| gentleman were not correct, will proceed
to the investig alton Of the question before
the house. viz. are the claims ,isdcr the
sc( OF 1908, entitled to reference to COM
missioners for compromises and settle
ment, or are they not. Mr. colleague
! tNr, R.) says the persons who obtained
the land from the legislature OF Georgia
were guilty Of most detestable fraud
and that the present claimants pretend
ing To be innocent purchasers pitbou, NJ
tee OF fraud, are set of hypocrites. un-
deserving the attention of Congress or
the commiseration Of mankind. In sup
port Of this assertion he has quoted the
message of the President of the United
States 10 l79s, TO congress, describing in
terms OF appreciation the high character
ofits author Washington whose memo.
ry revere, and whose name I will teach
my children TO lisp, and venerate rs the
father OF American freedom, and who
/ with liberty were the two best gifts be.
} slowed by heaven upon our favored coun-
!, ivy! Washington, my cnllcsgue says.
gave notice to The nation, & published the
rape Of unhtllowed hands upon the pro
, lperty Of the state Of Georgia. But, sir if
we examine the message, and the pro
e eeeslings Of coDgress upon the occasion, IL
J. will he discoYercd thai no knoWledye OF
{, fraud in tie transactions Of the legislature
/ Of iT9s were even known or susps6ted;
Z because Il any such Information bad been
! received, the known Integrity of tina, vir-
!. iuous man assures me, lie would have
!. communicated L.; he would have oppos
ed il with his best exertions, and give ne
leave to say, deprecated as much IS any
man can. The message of the President,
a