The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-03-01
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Monday, Fe6. 30.
Mr.. Reed, Mr.. Sherwood, Mr.. Comstock
ana Mr. Adjourn, presented petitions from
their respective states, demonstrating arainsr
the transportation and opening the mail ot.
the Sabbath, which, ON account of the recent
change III the attitude of the country, were,
on motion OF Mr.. nm. Reed, again referred
to the Postmaster General.
MIR. jpTIgM presented the petition ofWm.
Thornton, praying that his compensation as
superintendent Of the Patent Office, NAV be
INCREASED, 50 as to be more adequate to the
extent and Importance of his business, and
that letters to and from his Office may be freed
o, postaSe.-Referred to the committee of
claims.
The bill from the Senate to authorize the
settlement and payment of claims for Ger
tam services of the Militia, was twice read
and referred to the committee of WAYS and
Means
Mr.. Newfon, from the committee appoint
ed to lay before the President resolution Pc
curing Certain information respecting the
existing relations with the Barbary powers.
reported, that they had performed the du-
~, &C had received for answer, that the Presi-
Gent would give due attention thereto.
MILITARY AND CREEK LANDS.
Nir. HaTT7s moved the adoption of the fol-
lowing resolution
ReSotUed, That the committee on the Pub
lie Lands be instructed to report bill with
provisions Tor having the boundary lines of
the lands coded to the United States by the
creek Treaty recently ratified run & mark
ed, and having the same laid off into secti-
ons and quarter sections, preparatory to the
sale thereof, and for making an appropria-
ton tor detraying the expences incident there
o.
M. HtmfihreyS remarked, that there was
already In existence general law authori-
sing the laying off of lands, &C. and that so
much OF this resolve as embraced that OBJ
Ject was not necessary an appropriation of
money only was necessary to enable the
President to carry the law into effect
Mr.. Harris said that, although there might
be such law as his colleague had desert
bed, it was proper that tie land in question
should be Immediately laid of; and used a
number of arguments to shew that the peo-
Pleiof Tennessee, who had conquered these
lands for the United States, should as soon
as possible have access TO the waters of Mo-
bile, which could only be obtained by sale
and settlement of the lands recently ACC -
ell, &c.
Mr.. M'Kee said, that as soon as the trea-
ty with the Indians was proclaimed, the
committee of Public Lands had turned their
attention to this subject, and Oh examination
had found that no legal provision was neces-
sary to the laying off and surveying of these
lands, and that AN appropriation Of money
only was necessary for the purpose. In an
swer to letter addressed to the Commits
sioner OF the General Land Office on the SUBJ
'Ject, Mr.. M'Kee said he had been inform
cd, 1t was FIRST necessary that the boundaries
81 the Indian lands and those OF the United
States should be first surveyed and marked.
before the lands were laid off. To enable
the governm' mt to proceed n Il, an appropri-
alton of money only was necessary.
Mr. RlnfhreyS sad, that, as respected
the settlement of the Greek territory, 1t was
Important not only to the people of Tennessee,
but to tue United States, in ordert to facilitate
the intercourse between the United States
and Louisiana, and to give security to the.
tronter' and cut off the influence of the Spa