Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-03-29
r E. P Q r r


vt the committee on public lands 10 whom
were referred on the 29,h Of T sauarv
last, the petitions of the mayor, alder
men and assistants of the city of Nateb.
ez; Of the board of trustees Of Tssssr.
SOB college, in the Mississippi ,rrritav
and Of William Dunbar ia the said Ter,
ritory5
REPORT:
The above petitions relate to the con.
Hcting claims Of the corporation of the
city of Na,chez, of the trustees of ref.
ferson college, and of William Dunbar, to
certain piece or parcel of land lying with.
the limits of the cry aforesaid, between
the buildings thereof and the bluff of tn:
Mississippi river; and also to the conflict.
ing claims Of the aforementioned corpora.
ton and trustees 70 two town lots, occu.
plying eentra! situation in-!he city above.
mentioned
For three successive sessions this subject
has been before congress, the history Of
which is as follows:
In the 18th section of the act, entitled,
An act regulating the grants of land and
providing for the disposal of the lands Of
the United States ia the state of Tonnes.
see" reservation is made of +" such town
lots, not exceeding TWO in the town Of
Natchsz. ana ofsuch an out lot ad Joining
the same, not exceeding thirty acres, as
may be the property Of the United States.
10 be located by 'Eie government OF the
Mississippi territory, fer the use OF leHsr.
son college,"
Afterthls reservation was knowa'so the
corporation of Natchez, they, apprehend.
ing that the lands and lots Differentiation.
ed, which had been in the possession and
use of the town, aud to which they con.
ceiyed it entitled in justice, might be 10.
Gated for the use of the college, pe,lloned
congress TO con6ne their claim to the said
land and lots, an6 to grant them such other
vacant lands, as might be found wtIhla the
limits Of the city.
The committee, to whom this petition
was referred, madea report favorable to SO
much of it as relates to the land IN front OF
the town, and the two town lots claimed
by the corporation. a short time alter, a
petition was received from William Dun
bar. claiming the land IN front of the town
as already described. .Thi, petition < that
of the corporation were then reterredto
new committee, who, iusras they were a.
bout TO report in favor Of the latter, re-
ceived information that the two town lois
had been located by the governor, and the
land in from, Of the town by the secretary
of the territory, for the use OF the college,
Upon the receipt Of this information The
commilteere commended a resolunon,Wh'eh
was afterwards agreed to, for suspendlng
all further proceedings relative to this sub
ieet until the end of the last session OF con.
gress.
Earlyin the las; session a memorial was
received from the trustees of the colleges
claiming the land and lots in question, as
the property Of rha. institution. About the
same time another memorial was received
from William Dunbar in support OF MS
claim TO the land 10 frcnt Of the town, andT
requesting that the consideration OF ali Pr
titions relative thereto might be postp|o-
ed, and tia. time nigh. be allowed hls 20
pepsre further representations on ting SUI
iect.
The select committee, to whom a 'hese
conflicting claims, were referred Alike the
preceding committees on the sas suolss'
reported IN favor of the claim INC W..
TIE report as not aSss1
upon by the house during tn, ssss,en.
BY an official act Of govet'e " ~, .'',11 ~.
bearing date to the 9Th Nosm7.r las .. ~.
loss,ioas in favor of the q@sse have 0's'