Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-19

indefeasible right to the swamp lands III the
vicinity of those places, whlchis derived from
long usage and Indulgence under the exist
ence of the Spanish government, and which
has been since the FIST settlement thereof,
recognised and acquiesccd N By the said 60
yernment.
Resofped, that committee OF three be APP
pointed to prepare and report memorial to
the congress of the United States, stating
the right and privilege of the people OF said
counties as aforesaid, to the said swamp lands,
and praying that they be by act OF congress,
confirmed in the same.
Resolved, that the securing OF said rights
is highly important not only to the population
and prosperity OF that part OF the country but
is essentia! to the immediate convenience OF
the inhabitants who have entirely to depend
upon them for all the timber necessary Tor the
improvement and enclosure OF their pianta-
tlons.
ResoIved, that this convention has the high
est confidence in the wisdom and virtue OF the
government of the United States, and relies
implicitly on its disposition to extend to the
people ofthe territory that justice which they
ought to expect, and which they have right
to demand.
Mr. Johnson further observed that the
members from Attakapas * Opeiousas, were
generally in favor of a state goverameat-that
they relied on The government oil the Onited
States to preserve all their rights. But it was
of the utmost importance that these resou-
tons should De decided on, as it would iutiu-
ence the votes Of many of the convention, on
the question proposed by the member from
Orleans
Mr.. B'anquc was happy to see that his col
league Or. WAtkins) had proceeded at once
to the main question-at the same time 1t hurt
him to observe the conduct of the membet
from Attakapas. The resolutions offered By
BY the member from Attakapts could not cornt
before the convention. That body had met t.
do certain acts, which were defined by an act
of congress. That act had been read BY tn
people, who had accepted the conditions and
sent their deputies to pronounce their dec'-
sion. But he prayed of the convention TO OBJ
serve that the remuneration oftite to the lands
was not renuaciation of the right OF lidlvl
duals-or Of corporations-but the right ct
sovereignty Tue resolutions were indeed,
Irrelevant to any question the Convention had
to decide. He should ALWAYS second any pro-
position tending to promote the prosperity OF
the counties Of Opelousas and 4 ttakapas, or
any of the other counties-it would be ~ f.ct
ONLY for the good Of the whole-the act Oh con-
gress was conditional-aud it was necessary
that the convention decide whether they &C
cept its conditions or not.
Mr.. Porter supported the motion OF his col
league, and was replying to Mr. BianqIe,
when
Dr.. Watkins observed, that the question OF
Mr.. Johnson's resolutions was not before the
house-and that they would come before j!
with much better grace after the decision OF
the other question.
Mr.. Urquhart concurred with his colleague
Mr. Blanque was sorry that his colleague
had not interrupted him in his remarks on INC
resolutions OF the gentleman from AttGkapas
The member from Attakapas seemed to make
it sine gua nan that his resolutions should be
adopted, or his colleagues would vote against
the resolution the member from Orleans.
Mr.. Sutton called 10 order.
Mr.. Banque proceeded-he said that inte-
rest governed all men-and observed, that
whenever any question was brought forward
in a proper place to support the rights Of IN
dividuais or municipalities, 1t would NEE;
HIS hearty concurrence.
Mr. Brown said that Mr.. Blanque had been
perfectly in order, and supported his ooser-
vations. He said that the interest Of the peo-
PIE of the western countries was dear to his
heart.
Mr.. Bellechasse said that he presumed eve
~ member had come with his mind made up
on the main question. 1t was therefore only
wasting the time of the house, to make long
and infiamnatory speeches about it. The
convention had only to say yes or no. He
wished the question to be put.
Mr. Destreben said that he was fully i'm
pressed with the importance Of the question
be believed that the provisions of the act of
congress violated the treaty of cession; and
so believing, he felt it his duty to raise his
feeble voice in support of the rights of MS fell
low Citizens. He wished the resolution TO be
laid over until tomorrow, and in the mean
time to have the treaty OF cession, the act for
erecting louisiana into two territories, and the
act under which the convention met, printed
for the use of the members.