The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-12-19

These resolutions were ordered to lie on the
table.
On motion Of Mr. Scott, II was
ResOlced, That the Committee on Publick
Lands be instructed to inquire into the expe-
diency Of providing by law for the payment TO
the State of Missouri of so much of the monies
(being per cent? arising from the sale Of the
publick lands In the State Of Missouri, made
since the list of January, 1921, as has been re-
served by the third clause of the sixth section
of the act of Congress Of March, 1890, enti-
tied, 4" An Act to authorize the people of Mis-
souri, Territory to form a Constitution and
State Government, and for the admission of
such State into the Union, on an equal footing
with the original States; and to prohibit slav-
cry in certain Territories
Mr.. Whitman, of Maine, moved the follow
ing resolutions =
ResoIred, That the Secretary of State be di-
rected to lay before this House copies of any
communications received at his Office, having
relation to any misunderstanding which may
have existed between Andrew Jackson, as the
Govemohr of the Floridas, and Elijius Fromen-
tin, as Judge Of the Court therein.
And, also, in relation to any delay or omis-
sion, on the part of the officers under his Cath
CLICK Majesty, to surrender to the officers and
commissioners Of the United States, duly au-
thorlzed to receive the same, any of the ar
chives and documents which relate directly to
the property and sovereignty in and over the
said Floridas.
And, also, in relation to the means adopted
by the officers and commissioners, on the part
OF the United States to obtain possession of
such archives and documents.
These resolutions, according to the rules of
the House, lie on the table one day of course.
Mr.. Nelson, of Nh. submitted the following
resolution -
Reso9ed, That special committee be APP
pointed, with instructions to inquire into the
expectancy OF apprppriating the proceeds Of the
PH6tick lands to the creation of a permanent
fund for tie purpose Of education and internal
improvements throughout the United States.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10.
In the Senate.
Mr.. johnson, cf Kentucky, agreeably to the
notice which he gave yesterday, having OBJ
tanned leave, introduced the following resolu-
ton, proposing an
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
ResolreG, by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatires Of The Urited STATES Of America az
Congress assembled, That the following amend
ment to the constitution of the United States,
be proposed to the Legislatures of the several
States, which, when ratified by the legisla-
lures of three-tourths of the States, shall be
valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the
said constitution.
" That, in all controversies where the Judi
cial power of the United States shall be so
construed, as to extend to any case in law or
equity, arising under this constitution, the
laws Of the United States, or treaties made or
which shall be made under their authority, and
to which State shall be party and in all
controversies in which State may desire to
become party, in consequence of having the
constitution or laws of such State questioned,
the Senate OF the United States shall have APP
pellate jurisdiction.o
When he yesterday gave notice ofhis inten-
ton to make this proposition, Mr.. J. stated that
it had originated from serious consequences
which had lately taken place between several
OF the States and the Judiciary of the United
States. More especially a late decision OF that
Court, which had declared unconstitutional a
certain act of the Kentucky Legislature, call
ed the Occupying Claimant Law, which would
overturn the deliberate policy of the State for
upwards of ten years past, the object of which
was, the settlement of conflicting land claims,
which had been a serious evil to the prosperity
of the State, aud, if persisted in, would pro-
duce the most disastrous consequences, in Civ
ing rise to much litigation where questions had
been settled for years, and put every thing re-
speeding. landed property into the greatest con-
fusion.
MIR. Barbour, of Virginia, rose, as he said, to
second the motion of his honorable friend
There are, said he, other decisions which have
been made by the Supreme Court, beside the
decision on the occupancy law, alluded to by
his friend, which have produced considerable
excitement, and to allay which, if practicable,
well becomes the wisdom of the Senate. That
an evil exists in the collisions between the con-
stituent members of our Union and the federal
authority, as to the sphere of the powers of the
latter, must be admitted, and is a just subject
of deep regret. The investigation growing out
OF the proposed resolution may eventuate in
its rejection, as being more inconvenient in its
consequences than the Constitution as now
construed I; or, on the other hand, it may be
adopted as an effectual remedy to the existing
evils or, perhaps, by eliciting the whole wis
dom of the Senate ON this interesting subject,
some other plan may be devised that will OBJ
viate the existing difficulties, give satisfaction
to those now disquieted, and restore that con-
fdence and goodwill on which alone, to any
beneficial result, our institutions must rest
The resolution was twice read by general
consent; and, on motion of MIR. Holmes, of
Maine, it was made the order of the day for the
second Monday in January.
House Of Representatives.
NIT. Lathrop, from committee, reported
bill for extending the time for the redemption
Of land sold for the direct tax which bill was