The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1817-02-03

public lands be instructed To enquire
nto the expediency of prohibiting by
Jaw the location OF any floating claim in
he territory OF Missouri, on any lands
the right, title or claim TO which has
been at any time heretofore given no.
;ice OF, or filed with either OF the
boards of commissioners in said terri
tory, or with the recorder oil land titles,
acting as such under any act OF Con-
gress, Tor the adjustment OF land titles
IN said territory, or it any such location
should have been maze to prohibit by
law the issuing ct patents therefor.
Resolved also, That the Commute on
the public lands, he instructed to in
TO the expediency of prohibiting by law,
the location of any floating claim in the
territory oil Missouri, on any town lot
village lot, out lot, or common field lot,
or commons, in, adjoining, or appertain-
ing 10 any Of the towns or villages in
the territory OF Missouri; or ii any
such location shall have been made, to
prohibit BY law the issuing of patents
therefor.
Mr.. ?. explained the objects of these
resolutions. In regard TO the .6rsf, he
said, that under the law passed al a for,
mer session, (authorizing the transfer
OF land claims f7Cm the county OF New
Madrid to other vacant lands in the
Missouri Territory en- a.temps had
'een made 10 appropriate piece OF
lands usually called Bat,ure, between
mgn and low-water mark, the posses--
siob of which, in this manner obtained,
r,rr h,l>l bf. 4
al to the town OF ST. Louis, sublec,ing
lis prosperity TO the will OF the owner
OF that properly. In regard to the se-
| cond, II was predicated on the injustice
OF permitting prescription claims (ai-
ready recognized by law) from being
covered by other pateuls, sc. Wish
respect TO the third, he said that inyoly-
cd matter OF more difficulty The
act ot CUn5"ess for the settlement OF
land claims In the Missouri territory
made tie decisions u the commission
ers there on final, when the claims should
be favorably a6judged. When other.
wise, the decisions were not final, bu.
were referred by the act 10 the decision
OF Congress Ia respect TO the question
between the United States and the
claimants. Congress not having yet le-
gislated on the subject, the claim
yet stood against the aforementioned
as n some cases the claims had been .
Improperly rejected by the commission
ers, II would not be proper to permis
those who obtained The bouuty of GO,
vernment TO locate their grants in such,
manner as to deprive such individuals,
oil their rights. The fourth regarded
town lots, which il would be iniudicious
and Unfair TO suffer individuals 10 locate
claims or, sc.
The resolutions were adopted with
out objection. -
On motion of Mr.. Harrison, the mill
tary committee were instructed to en-
quire into the expectancy of granting
bounty O! one hundred and sixtr acres
OF land ~ all non commissioned officers
and soldiers of the Amy, who, having
been enlisted previous 10 the oath De-
EcmOer, 1911, are not entitled 70 said
bounty, but who having served faith
fully through said war, have obtained
an honorable discharge.
NAVIGATION ACTS.
The House again resolved itself into
committee OF the whole, on the bill
" TO prohibit all commercial intercourse
Vl.h ports oil places into, or with which. :,
The vessels of the United States are,
DOT ordinarily permitted to enter and:
trade"
This bill occupied the remainder of
th day IN debate and amendlnenr,
Some amendments were agreed 10.
MT. Jackson OF Va. rsoyed to s.riker
Cut thl frs; section tant mount to q
motion to reject the bill. This motioa
he afterwards withdrew for the sen2
TO enable MIR. Forsyth TO propose a.
mendments.
Mr.. Forsyth then moved TO amend
the bill by striking out the whole of it,
and substituting in lieu thereof snndry
sections for imposing discriminating
duties on imports and tonnage, in cases
III which the bill now under considera.
tion contemplates exclusion or prohibi.,
ton.
This amendment was under consider
alton, when the committee rose and re-
ported progress, and
The House adjourned,
Montreal, Jan. -.
On Monday the ice took last before
the city. On Tuesday afternoon, seve.
raj persons crossed the river on foot