Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1822-01-26

tons private land claims, the proper
case 's.O = to support or repel the claim
s'iJ lS be investigated and settled In
eO QUIZ, and surer manner at the Land
pss. rev. than it possibly could be by be
V~t brooght into this house.
iDS IT. Little was sorry to differ from
s6rthy friend who had just sat down.
a" sIat,on to the subject before the
N But ne could not forbear to re-
nUu that most petitioners were unac-
ma' ;nted with modes and forms. Feel,
quAthsmselves aggrieved and entitled
mS ,eIef they naturally turn to this
% "a a constitutional resort. Ii
nOG ~ pe,ition is couchsd in respectful
."'~ ,,.ge the house was bound to listen
S After it comes here, it was often
sond expedient to refer it to the De
lSan particularly if it is supposed
'.sy;dence exists there that can throw
III srh, IN the subject. If the resolution
:n47adoptsd. many important and reasO-
.bs claims would, in his opinion, be
na.Inded. He therefore hoped the re
aI.tiop would not be adopted.
WI n, Moore, of Alab. opposed the re-
.,Intisn at some length: but his re.
m.rks could not be heard by the report
or. FROM his post.
Mr., Tracy was also opposed to it, as
n,ror,,IIy restricting ths right OF petition,
;.r He believed the Committee OF
IT, Cts;mq would be rarely aided by any
.,oositjon from the departments, end. so
q, =, be had knowledge on the subject,
.ia;marts were rot very anxious to submit
,be;, cases TO the Committee Of Claims il
,Ssv could avoid it. 1t fell to his (Mr. T.sl
Sot 10 take charge of as many petitions as
nerbsps any other member. The number
pfcIaims of the unfortunate inhabitants OF
the Niagara frontier was great. But to
what purpose should they apply to the
deuartments? Suppose they go there
what then! They are told there IS no
law that authorizes the department. TO grant
them relief This was fact which they
knew full well before; and il was tor that
very cause that they found themselves un-
der the necessity of ca!liag upon Con-
gress to interpose. He thought it would
moi materially tighten the burthens OF The
Committee OF Claims, but would gresly
ada 10 the labors OF individual members,
and al the sane time operate oppressWely
on the rights of the people.
Mr.. Wright follow ed on the same side
but his remarks could not be distinctly
heard.
Mr. Rankin concurred in the sentiments
that had been advanced against the reso-
hGon: but, il II should be passed; he wish"
ed il nigh! be amended. He therefore
moved to strike out The word 'receiUed,
&to insert in heu thereof the words acted
,poa;n also TO insert after the word de
qarimsai," the words ''or to the oticsr,
or the tribunal appointed to decide there,
on, if any such may have been appointed
By law" These amendments were &C
cepted by
Ar Mccoy, who replied to the remarks
oflhe several gentlemen who opposed The
resolution and adyerted to the cases OF
Eli Hart and others, as eVihclDg the pro-
pretty Offs adoption.
Mr.. Tracy would not suppose the gem
teman from Virginia, MIR. Mccoy had
introduced the case of Eli Hart tor the
purpose OF creating any opposition to it
(Mr Mccoy disclaimed any such Inten-
tlou)-but he thought be was peculiarly
unfortunate 10 citing ii TO support the res
OlutIon. The claim referred to had been
presented at the Department, before the
petition was presented to this House.
And what would the right OF petltionlng re
but mOCkery, ii the resolution should
prevail? Even the amendment now sub
mltted was but an evasion OF the right -
We might as well prescribe the age rank:
or character, which the petitioner should
possess. 1t was arbitrary in principle /,
and would be oppressive in It's operation;
and ne, as representing the sovereign
people, could not consent to measure
,haisO materially abridged their conslttu
tlOnai rlgats.
Mr. Reid proposed to amend the reso-
luton further, by striking out all that part
thereof which follows the word ReSot'
yea" and inserting in lieu thereof as ioI-
lows;
That committee be appointed to in
CURE INTO the expedIency OF appointing
40 officer; with competent salary, whose
Ouly II shall be TO investigate all CLAIMS
against the government, d toreport there
On TO the Committee of Claims at every
SESSION OF Congress, which committee
Saali have the power of confirming OF re-
'ers'ng the decisions OF such officer; their
reports being subject nevertheless to the
S"nhaie decision of the House.
W.T. Smith, of Md. made few remarks
opposition 10 it; to which MIR. Reid
was about to reply, when Mr. Mccoy re-
,naISed that be perceived strong current
4 We house against his resolution, which
Ss s0osid not be able to resist. From de-
tslence, therefore, to the sentiment OF the