Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-02-08

principle Of this government; ii regard
TO settlement rights, which had been, to
recognize settlement rights down to the
time at which the last military post was
surrendered. This time, in Illinois and
Indiana, was 1898. II, then, these
claims were recognized up TO the year
1918, Congress would establish new
principle. In doing SO, they would
tread on dangerous ground, and the ex-
tent TO which the precedent would carry
them could no, be foreseen, as there
were claims oil this description in seve-
raj other of the states aad territories.
MIR. Cook next took the floor in sup
port of the bill, and to show that this
was peculiar case, requiring particu-
lar legislation, owing 10 these men be
lag driven from their possessions during
the late war, and not batting therefore
bad an uninterrupted possession OF their
lots in Peoris, though many had been
there since l776. lie dwelt upon the
peculiar situation Of these people, poor,
isolated, partly of Indian, and partly OF
French descent, sc. and incapable oil as
serting their own rights.
Mr.. Afaliary supported the bill, on
the ground of the equitable rights, and
even legal right Of these individuals, TO a
recognition of their titles, and also on
the ground of the policy of the measure.
10 answer to the allegation that the 60
yernment legis!ates too freely, on the
subject OF Western lands, Ssr MIR Nj.
argued, that in every new country there
naturally exists a perpetual source Of
legislation. The early settlers in it de-
serve our protection, and our interference
70 sec that they are protected in their
equitable rights.
Mr.. Walker, Of Moth Carolina, also
was in favor of the bill on the ground Of
humanity, than which he knew none
more worthy of being motive for legis-
lation, &c. sc.
Mr.. Floyd spoke in favor of the re-
commitment of the bill, not SO much
from hostility to granting these psrlicu
lar lots, as from hostility to the princi
pie on which the grant is proposed to
be allowed.
Some further debate took place be-
tween Messrs. Hrigbt, Tance, Foya,
Jennings, Sterling OF Ncw-York, MI
Aams, of North Carolina, Rhea, and
Hood.
The question was at length taken on
the rscaanni,ment ofthe bill, and decid-
cd in the negative, n votes 10 o5.
The question was then aiken on the
previously pending question, to strike
out the enactine clause, and decided in
the negative.
Mr.. Hardin moved to amend the bill,
SO as to limit the recognition to settle
mens previous to tie year 1888.
Mr.. Camhbeii, OF Ohio, delivered his
opinion that this bill was not a new prin-
ciplc, though not conlormabls to the
general principles OF our land laws. He
adverted to the grants of the Moravian
Indians, &c. made under peculiar cir
cumstances. He thought the circum-
stances Of these Peorians such as to au-
thorlze this grant to them, at least as
snuch as the grants to Moravians and
others.
Mr.. Farce said that, If the grant was
limited as proposed by the amendment,
IL would be in vain to pass the bill, these
people keeping no records, and not be-
ing able TO trace their titles, s<c.
MIR. Cook confirmed this view Of the
operation Of the amendment.
Mr.. Hardin said, that he had no
doubt that these persons were settlers OF
not more than ten or twelve years stand
ing, and it was to test that fact that he
proposed this amendment. He replied
10 Mr.. Campbell, and to arguments in
favor of titles derived, or pretended to
be derived from occupation. Mr.. II.
commended that this bill recognized
principle which he considered as alarm
ing.
Mr.. Rhea was in favor of the amend
ment, considering the bill, without it, as
establishing an entirely new principle.
There were people enough alive, he
was persuaded, who could establish by
their testimony the rights Of those peo-
PIE prior to 1888, if such rights really
exist
The proposed amendment was mega
lived.
And then the bill was ordered to be en-
crossed for third reading.
January2.
The following resolution offered by
Mr.. Woodson, of KY. was, on motion, or
dered TO be laid on the liable, and be
printed