Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-03-30
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MONDAY, March 81.
YAZOO CLAIMS

The House resolved itself into a commit.
tee of the whole, Mr.. Kennedy of N. r. in the
chair, on the bill from the Senate fer the inv
identification of certain claimants to lands
in the Mississippi Territory.
Mr.. Wright of Md. in speech of cousi
derable length, explained his motives for
supp rting the present bill. He took his
torial view OF this transaction, from the first
act OF Georgia up to the present day which
he deemed it important should be correctly
understood, as great deal had been typo.
graphically said by men who know nothing
on the subject or do not chusc to state the
question correctly. He quoted the proceed.
ings OF the Senate on proposition to re-.
scind the law ratifying the contract with
Georgia, for which he then voted. He had
opposed the act for ratifying that contract
on principles which he should never be a.
shamed to avow: he had said that If the va.
zoo claimants were innocent purchasers. IT
was unjust to destroy CT diminish their rights:
If ON the contrary these purchases were
fraudulent and unfair, it would be improner
to give them any portion of the propertv
6<c. Mr.. w. was decidedly in favor of the
bill--and it is probable that his speech ON
the subject will be given to the people at
length either in this or some other paper.
Mr.. Irving OF NY. assigned, in a neat
speech OF moderate length, the reasons
which would influence him to vote in favor
OF this bill. He expressed his utter detesta
ton OF the fraud in which the purchase ORR
ginated: But the titles of the present clai
mants had received such legal sanction
that they were entitled to some attention
We are often under the necessity in this
world OF being governed by policy Of ma
king surrender OF small portion of our
rights, that we may enjoy in comfort the
whole OF the remafnder--of making. friends
with the very Mamn.on Of uurighteousness.
On that score should he vote for this hill
MIR. i. auduced number of considerations
which In his view concurred to render the
passage of the bill expedient Among which
was the operation of time in confirming tbe
titles OF tile present claimants. softe,in sj,,y,,
the circumstances Of the fraud, and the clai-
mants becoming, by transfer or descent of
the claims, more and more innocent. more
and more entitled to relief. He relied also
on the articles OF agreement between the II
states and Georgia, reserving FIVE millions
OF acres Tor the purpose Of settling the dis
puted claims to this land, which was resery
ca with no other view, however il might
rom Just pride have been disguised by the
state Of Georgia, than thar of set,J;,g ,h;s
claim. He added slso that il wa. the ;,ters
est Of the u. States to quiet these cIa;nas J.,
order that the fine country which they CO
vered might be settled. &C. From these x
avariety Of other considerations which he
urged, he was induced to vote in favor of this
Mr.. Forsyth of Georgia, took a yari
" OF views OF this bill, to the passage
OF wnich ne was opposed on several grounds.
wncn ne stated, the principal OF which was
that Congress had not by their act setting a.
part hye millions Of acres for the scttemen,
81 Claims to the land ceded by the territorv
Georgia, complied with that article oil
sne compact which required the settlement
~ such claims to take place within one year
a ,. the passage OF the law. His other
objections we're TO the details of the b;lJ and
principally to the section which declares
All claims which shall not be settled under
tnis act to be void. &c.--a Course which he
san the government, had no right to pur-