Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-13
Congress Of tne Y. States

~ FL EN- ..
The following Members appeared and
icck their seats, viz. from South Carolina,
SIR. t'nTe from Massachusetts, Mr..
Nesgn from Virginia, MIR. Austin and
Mr.. Fieyd from Ohio, Mr. Hitchcock.
Mr. Scott. Delegate from the Missouri
Territory, and Mr.. Pope, Delegate from
the Illinois, aisoappeaied and took their
seats.
MILITARY BOUNTY LANDS.
MIR. JOHNSON (of Kentucky reporieda
bill authorisinga commuiation of soldiers
bounty lands.
The first section of this bill provides
that the soldiers of the late and present
army shall be allowed TO commute their
land patents or claims, for money, al the
rate OF one dollar and forty cents per a
ere, 10 be paid III four annual instaIments
by the Pension Agents appointed in the
several States provided that there be
in all cases a complete REIMBURSEMENT
of all claims or SAID lands by the com
aiutatols 10 the United States. The Sc
cond section of the bill makes the appro-
pr!a'ion necessary 10 carry the first into
effect.
The bill was twice read and commit
ted
Mr.. JOHNSON, also, from The commit
fee to whom had been referred the petition
OF john Bates, reporteda bill for his relief,
which received the usual course of two
readings and commitment.
amelia Island and SpaniSh Patriots.
Mr. RHEA offered for consideration
The following resolution
Resoired, That the President he requested to
lay before the House or Representatives auy
Information he NAV possess and think proner
a. N "a. -
certa in persons who took possession of Amelia
Island, at the mouth OF st. Mary's liver near
the boundary OF the state of Georgia, in tie
summer ct the present year, and made an
establishment there and also any information
lie hath, and may think proper To communicate
relative to an establishment made, at IN earlier
period, by persons of the same descriptions in
the Gulfof Mckee, alta place called Galvezton,
within the limits of the United States as we
contend. under the cession OF Louisiana toge-
Their with The reasons inducing him to issue
orders TO suppress the said establishments.
MIR. RHEA said that the Establishments
referred 10 in the resolution lie had lust
offered, had already excited much atten-
:Ion throughout the country, which would
be still more attracted 10 that point by the
order given 10 suppress them. His object
IN Offering this motion was TO obtain such
information as might satisfy tile minds of
the American people on the expediency
of that measure
Mr.. FORSYTH moved to strike out the
last clause OF tie proposed resolution. 1t
would be an extraordinary course for the
House TO ask for the reasons of the mea-
sure i'll question, when they were distinct
ly and satisfactorily aV0wed in the Mes
sage of the President. To call upon him.
after that exposition, TO explain the rea-
sons for his conduct, would be TO cast
severe reflection OH the Executive, as i'm
plylng dissatisfaction at tile reasons al
ready given. For his own part Mr.. L.
said, the conduct OF the Executive APP
peared 10 him TO have been perfectly cor
rect; but he had no objection to any IN
formation desired, if asked for uncon-
nected with the clause he had excepted
to.
MIR. HUGH NELSON of Va. twice adj
dressed the House OF the main subject
OF the resolution, but, being Interrupted
IN his remarks by incidental crcumstan-
ces,we have connected his observations in
the following report Of the substance of
them. A few remarks are added, which
lie Interruptions referred to prevented
him from making. Mr.. n. was decided
orahle Speaker, who had alluded TO this
''ottNi hA4Nh III NOiiHiiftS VI Tue whole
the other day, Mr.. \. said, he felt his con
fidence in The Executive not diminish
ed f; like him, he felt confident that il,e
measure of the suppression Of these es-
adjustments was founded In their opini-
on, i'll a just sense of proprietv, d in de
sire 10 promote the public veal and he
believed, that, for the satisfaction o. the
public, and for just yndicatiop of the
Executive, these documents should be
exhibited. cannot but believe, said he,
that the public will see, that, in this mca-
sure, the conduct of The government
has been marked by due respect TO tie
rights of tile Spanish provinces, and vi
giant ana prompt attention TO the rights
ana interests OF our own country. II is
the best interest OF the Spanish PROVINCES,
embarked in the noble cause of enamel
pating themselves, i0glve evidence TO The
world, that all their proceedings are the
result OF Just and sound principles to
Tepel and Tefute, by a hisli-minded and
niaSnduimOuSc conduct, the malignant and
calumnI0us representations, which would
place them IN the grade Of savages aud
Darbarldns. A just regard to the opini-
ons OF The civilized world due esii-
mate OF tbeirOwn dignity and selErespect.
VIII lead them TO discllim all connection
with these Observation-Disclosures. Their
own interest would lead them 10 co-ooe-
rate III The extinction Of these hordes of
buccaneers. There was time when The
union OF MGrcgor, distinguished by his
gallant cxcrilons 10 Tie patriot cause of
ibe Spanish Provinces, with their naval
commander. Aury, and supported by
some OF The high-mindcd and gallant spi-
uisQf our own late military establishment,
might have led to The opinion, that il was
y bold and yaorous enterprize, TO wrest
rom their oppressOrs a portion of their
territory, and Dta,elv 10 wage the war in