Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-30
Virginia Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGaTEs.
FRIDAY, Jan "a.

rh1D-7T, Jan pa
A from the Governor
with suntiry documents incloscd) was
received, and read, as follows:
Council Chamber, january efst, 1919.
SIR,
Under cover you will receive let
ter from Col. Monroe, enclosing the
certified cepy Of n testimonial highly
honorable to the memory OF the late
Col. Robert III. Harrison. These do
ouments are furnished the Legislature
in support ola claim Of the representa-
tives of that gentleman, to which the
attention Of the Legislature was inyi-
ted, by an official correspondence, from,
this department, at the commencement
of the session. The claim of the des-
eendents of this valuable officer, is of
nature so imposing. as to supercede
the necessity of a comment, and will
receive, no doubt, the particular consi-
Iteration Of tho Legislature. The I'M
satisfied claims for land Of the heroes of
the revolution and their representa-
tiYes, press so 'forcibly upon the justice
and gratitude Of this commonwealth.
cannot forbear to invite the attention
Of the Legislature to the subject of land
bOunties in general. When we con
template the vast territory under the
control of the United States, it may
be said, with truth, that the quantity
of land required to fulfil the engage
ments Of this State, is so small as
scarcely to be an object with the Uni
ted States, yet TO the claimants one OF
the highest Importance. These per-
sons are generally prirates, and their
representatives, who from ignorance,
poverty, emigration, and various eau
SEES, have been prevented from obtain
ing the boon, held out to them by their
country. The Legislature at their last
Session adopted preamble and resolu-
ton, and also law, in behalf of this
unfortunate class of people. The g0
neral scope of these measures had for
their object a cession on the part OF
the United States Of so much land as
would enable this commonwealth to
comply with her engagements. To
this subject, unfortunately, Congress
has not attended, attributable, no
doubt, to other great and weighty
concerns having higher claims. When
1t is remembered that Virginia, with
a magnanimity highly honorable to her
character, and whose example has been
hut seldom initiated, in the spirit of
liberality to Ter sister states. giatui-
tDusly relinquished to the Union, fer
tile regions, capaeieus enough to form
an empire, upon condition however,
that SO much thereof Should be reser-
we'd, as would discharge all the claims
which her officers andsOltIiers Of the re-
yolution had upon her--When also it is
recOllected that Congress accepted fliis
cession, subject TO this incHmbraEcc.
it cannot for moment be believed that
an appeal in behalf of the msatisfied
claimants enforced by the sanction of
Virginia) to the justice and magnani-
mity,of the Upited States would be
made in vain. IT is believed no time
can be more propitioHs than the pre-
sent for pressing this. subject upon the
consideration Of Congress. Whether
this shall be done by resolutions cal
ling for the aid of the Virginia repre-
sentation in Congress, or otherwise, is
submitted TO the wisdom Of the T.egis-
lature. IbaFe only TO add, that IL will
BIC to me a source Of pleasure ifI can,
by an union Of effort with the Lrgisla-
tgre, promote result favorable TO this
mcritOrius class OfpcOpIe.
laval myself ofthis communication
TO transmit letter from the Cover
nor Of North Carolina, with an act Of
the Legislature Of that State, agreeing
10 an amendment Of the Constitution oil
the United States, heretofore propo-
sed by COngress--AlsO an extract OF a
letter from the hon. John Dawson, a
representative OF this State in the Con.
gress Of the United States, upon sub
ject entirely out of The legitimate
sphere Of this department, and en-
tirely appertaiHing to the Legislature,