Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-12

memorial should be thrown under the ta-
Bile, or, as his colleague had done, that i,
should be rejected 1t could be considered
in no other light than as an attempt to tor
ture the house into compliance with the
wishes of the memorialis.s. They were
bound, 1t was true, 10 hear and listen to
memorials couched in decent language
but it was an insult on the house to expect
them to sanction claim founded in fraud
and corruption.
Mr.. Bibb called for the ayes and noes on
his motion,
Mr.. Smile said, that his sentiments on
this business were well known he was no
Yazoo mamie had never voted for that
claim, nor never would but he hoped the
house would not do any thing which would
shew disrespect for the states.
Mr.. Livermore was astonished to see any
opposition to reference of this memorial :
whether the claim was reasonable or not,
it would be indecorous TO reject the memo
rial without any consideration.
Mr.. Aston said, there had been great
clamor few days ago, because memo
rial from few merchants had not been re-
ierred-and what was the case at present?
one OF the most respectable states in the
union had petitoned the house--tod do what?
10 give lands to the Yazoo Spectators !?
No: but he heard. He hopedthe house
would act consistently.
Mr.. Nelson said, that as this subject was
perfectly understood by the house, he could
see no reason for consuming time about it.
1t was SAID. that a rejection of the memo
rial would be treating the legislature Of
Massachusetts with disrespect but in
case OF this kind, he should treat it with
no more respect than if it had been signed
by the members of the legislature in their
Individual capacity. This memorial had
oeen sent on as legislative act, in order,
would seem, to give it the more weight.
III the mouse were not acquainted with the
facts, 1t might be proper to refer it but
when they were in possession of all the
facts, where was the use of referring il
The subject was as well understood now,
as it would be if considered for 500 years.
The petitioners ask, that we shall pass a
law erecting special tribunal to try ,heir
claim. This would be new mode of le-
glslation- We had already judiciary com
petent to decide it. 1t would be absurd to
comply withthis request; we might as well
have no judiciary at all, and pass law 10
provide for every individual claim.
Mr.. Holland observed, that as bill had
been formerly passed in the Senate, and
been supported by great number of the
members OF the house, to So tisfy this claim,
he could see no insu TO the house in refer
ring the memorial, This claim, instead
OF being so well understood, was of a com
pick nature. He was one of those who had
voted IN favor OF satisfying the claim, hot
withstanding the clamor which had been
raised against ii; and he would venture TO
assert that those who clamored most. had
not taken three hours to consider il. He
hoped the feelings of some gentlemen would
not be so extre mely delicate, as to feel in
suited by reference of the memorial.
Mr.. Bacon thought the house ought to be
cons stent they had this morning refer
red a petition, the object of which was to
do away one OF the most important proyi-
sions in the embargo law. The gentleman
from Georgia had said, that the claim was
founded IN fraud; he would ONLY remark.
that whatever that fraud might be, the lie
gislature of Massachusetts had certainly
not participated in 1t He, however. had
no evidence of such fraud, nor did he be-
lieve majority of the house had such evil
dence. 1t had been said that the memoirs
al demanded something new, in requiring
a special tribunal; but this claim had un.
dergoDe variety of changes 1t was an
extraordinary case, and demanded an ex.
traordinary remedy.
MIR Elliott said, that he had never heard
before that memorial from a state ought
to be thrownunder the table il was reser.
we'd for the present day to breach such a
doctrine 1t was true, that gentlemen far
above him in point of talents aud ipforma
ton, were against this claim but in this
number he was far, Oery far, from incftl.
ding one bf The gentlemen from GEORGIA
Mr.. Trcup, in = very animated manner.
here called Mr.. Elliott to order. Mr.. f.
called hin, to order; but he persisted in
warning the gentleman not to make any
personal alusions.1 Mr. Elliott said. thai
when in conclave a few days bgo, the gem
tleman from Georgia had used similar ex
pressions towards him, but he had not beer
called to order. He said he was not a re-
alive Of Massachusetts bur ne could
never, either on that floor or elsewhere.
hear that state charged with being the pa
tron of fraud and corruption, without cal
ling forth his most ardent indignation. -
He contended that the citizens had a con-
stitutional right to petition, and to be heard. |
He adverted to the claim of Eugene Beau
and observed, that the French |
government had no more right to demand
4 reversal of the decisions of the house |
than had the state Of Massachusetts,
Mr. Troup said, that he cincereiy belize
ved ;he gentleman from Vermont, mir. |
ELLIOTT 70 be what he conceived the ma. |
iority Of the Yazoolegislature to have been |
[ The Speaker called him to order. MIR