The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-18
CONGRESS-.
no USE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MONDAY, March z.

...r MONDAY, March z.
A message in writing was received from
the President of the u. States, inclosing do
cuments and plans respecting the batteries
and public buildings at New-Orleans.
To The Senatr and House Of Rehresenta-
Hpes Of The u. S.
In the city of 'New-Orleans, and adjacent
to 1t, are sundry parcels of ground, some of
them with buildings and other improvements
on them, which it is my duty to present to
the attention of the legislature The title
to these grounds appears to have been re
tanned in the former sovcreigns of the pro-
vince OF Louisiana, as public ftluciaries, and
tor the purposes of the province. Some of
them were used for the residence of the GO
vernon, tor public Offices, hospitals, barracks,
magazines, Notifications, levces, &c. others
ioF the town house, schools, markets, land
lngs, and other purposes of the city of New
Orleans: some were held by religious cor
Porauons, or persons others seem to have
been reserved for future disposition. To
these must be added parcel called the Bnt-
ture, which requires more particular des-
crlptlon 1t is understood to have been a
shoal or elevation of the bottom OF the river.
aqJacent to the bank of the suburbs of ST
MARY, produced by the successive deDositi
onS OF mud, during the annual irundations ne
the river, and covered with water ONLY durinq
those foundations At all other seasons z
has been used by the city, immemoriallv to
FURNISH earth for raising their streets and
court yards, tor mortar and other necessary
purposes, and as landing or quay for un-
iading 1re-Wood, lumber and other articles
Drought oy water This having been lately
Canned ny private individual, the CITY
opposed the CAIN on supposed legal title
In itself {: but it has been adiudced hat the
iegai tit.e was not in the CITY 1t is. howe
yer, alledged that that title, originally in the
FORMER soVereigns, was never parted with by
them, but was retained in them for the uses
of the city and provinces, and consequently
mas now passed over to the United States
Ontll this question can be decided under Ic
glSlatiVe authority, measures have been IA
Ken according to law, to prevent any change
Ill the state of things, to keep the grounds
clear OF intruders. The settlement Of this I'll
tle' the appropriation of the grounds and
improvements formerly occupied for pro
Vlnclal purposes to the same or to such otber
OBJECTS as may be better suited to present cir
eumstances the Confirmation of the uses in
o'ner parcels to such bodies corporate or
private, as may Of right, or on other reaso
able considerations, expect them are NAT
ters now submitted to the determinations of
the legislature
The papers and plans now transmitted.
VIII give them such information on the sub
Jet as possess, and, being mostly originals.
] must request that they may be COMMUNE
Gated from one to the other house. To ausyp6,.
the purposes of both.
III JEFFERSON,
March Z, 1908
The Message and Documents being read.
were referred to the committee Oh public
lands.
On motion of Mr.. t1ohfon,
He8oiUed, That committee be appointed
to enquire into the expectancy Of CONTINUING In
force for longer time, an act, for the more
efGGtuai preservation Of peace, in the ports
and harbors Of the u. States. and the water.
under their jurisdiction, and that thev have
leave to reportby bill or otherwise.
On motion OF Mr.. 1fsntgomerp the House
resolved itself into 2 ctT1nittee Of thc whole
on the BIZ CONCERNING courts martial & court.
g, qBsuiry.