Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-25

uistr'Ct1 which bills passed their two first
readings, and the first OF them were order
cd % be engrossed for a third reading.
The bill from TIE Senate to authorize the
settlement and payment of claims for Ger
tain services of the Militia, was twice read
and referred to the committee Of ways and
means.
Mr. Newton, from the. committee ap-
pointed to lay before the President reso.
luton requiring certain Information respect
ing the existing relations with the Barbary
Towers, reported that they had performed
the duty, and had received for answer tina.
the President would give due attention
thereto.
MILITARY AND CREEK LANDS.
Mr.. Harris moved the adoption OF the
following resolution:
ResofUed. That the committee on the
Puolic Lands be instructed to report bill
VITA provisions for having the boundary
mes OF the lands coded to the u. States by
the creek Treaty, recently ratified run and
marked, and having the same lad of into
sections and quarter sections, preparatory
70 the sale thereof. and for making an APP
dent thereto. ~ -
MIR, Humphreys remarked, that there
was already in existence encrai law au
thorising the laying off of lands, &c. and
| mat SO much of this resolve as embraced
taat object was not necessary an appro-
priation OF money only was necessary to
elaole the President to carry the law into
Ell. ct.
Mr.. Harris said that, although there
might be such a law as his colleague had
described, it was proper that the land in
question should be Immediately laid of
ana used number of argu sents to shew
that the people of Tennessee, who had con-
qaered these lands for the United States,
should as soen as possible have success to
the waters of Mobile, which could only be
entained by sale and settlement of the
'ands recently acquired, &c.
Mr.. M'Kee said, that, as soon as the t-ea-
lty with the Indians was proclaimed. the
committee of Public Lands had turned
their attention 10 this subject, and on ex-
smlnation had found that no legal provision
was necessary to the laying off and survey
ins oil these lands, and that an appropria-
ton OF money only was necessary for the
purpose. In answer to a letter addressed
to the Commissioner of the General Land
O!hce on the subject, Mr.. Nike said he
mad been informed. it was first necessary
that the boundaries OF the Indian lands and
those the Unied States should he fist
surveyed and marked. before the lands
were laid off To enable the government to
proceed in 1t an appropriation of meney on
ly was necessary
Mr.. Humphreys said. that. as respected
lhe settlement OF the Greek territory, il
was important not only to the peonie ~
| Tennessee. but to the United States. in or
der to facilitate tn intercourse between the
u''ited States and Louisiana and to give
security to the frontier, and cut off the in
hnfnce OF the Spanish government and Bri
ush traders over that country. But, asno-
'h'ns more than an appropriation for the
exnences OF survey was necessary to that
object, he moved To amend Mr.. Harris,
motion so as to read as follows:
Resolued, That the Committee of wavs
and means he instructed to enquire into the
necessity and expedicncy of making an an.
preparation of money to meet the EXPENSE
OF surveying and laying off the Military
Bounty Lands, and the lands lately coded
by tae Greek Indians to the United States
III the treaty OF Fort Jackson, in order 20 the
settlement thereof by Citizens of the IT So
Ihis motion was opposed 5y Mr.. Harris.
He conteuded for the propriety of A special
law on the sthj-ct, which should define the
duty of the Executive in this respect be.
| yond doubt. The President now possessed
authority to act Oh the subject, it was true.
out he mig6t not Conceive the law obliea-
tory as to these lands, unIes Congress gave
special direction in regard to them. The
importance of the object was such, that he
was not willing to leave any thing TO cor
structtion or uncertainty.
! Mr. M Kee again conteRded that no fur,
her provision than an appropriation was
necessary, unless 1t was iatenaed to impose
penalty on the Executive for a failure tn
exercise the authority in this respect vested
| in him by general Law.
MIR. Humphreys amendment prevailed
and, as amended, the motion was agreed TO.
| The engrossed bill to alter and establish
Certain post roads, was read a third time
passed and sent to the Senate.
The engrossed bill for the relief of Joshus
Sands, was read third time, passed and
| sent to the Senate
The order Of the day on Mr., Rich,s re.
solution for classifying persons liable to the
direct tax, and allowing them to furnish
soldiers in lieu of the same, was. on mott
on OF its author, indefinitely postponed.
The order Of the day having been call
ed FOR by MIR. Fisk of Ny. on the hill
from the Sena e, 4" auihorising payment to
the widow Of EIrbdge EGerry, late Vice.
President Of the United States, of such sa,
larry as would have been payable to him du
ring the remainder OF his term of service
had he so long lived
A motion was made by Mr.. Eppes. 70
rarnN r.rxe 10. L. y.