Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-08

9TH of July, 1918, together with copy ofthe
plan proposed by the direction ofthe secrcta-
~ ofthe war department, for the complete ex-
tinguishment of the Cherokee claim to the
lands then occupied by them in Georgia, Ten
nessee and Alabama, referred to m the secre-
tary,s letter of the 18th July, 1918.
NIAGARA CLAIMS.
The house again resumed the consi-
deration of the bill in relation to the
Niagara claims-various amendments
were proposed, some of which were
adopted, and others rejected-the com
mitee then rose, reported progress,
and had leave to sit again.
The Speaker laid before the House
the following message from the Presi-
dent, which was laid on the table, and
ordered to be printed:
To the Senate and House Of
Representatives Of the U. States:
{! AS the term of my service in this
high trust will expire at the end Of the
present session of Congress, I think it
proper to invite your attention to an
object very interesting to me, and
which, in the movement of our govern
ment, is deemed, on principle, equally
interesting to the public. l have been
long in the service of my country, and
in its most difficult conjunctures, as
well abroad as at home, in the course
of which have had control over the
public moneys to vast amount. If,
in the course Of my service, it shall
appear, on the most severe scrutiny,
which I invite, that the public have
sustained any loss by any act of mine,
or of others for which | ought to be held
responsible, l am willing to bear it
If, on the other hand, it shall appear,
on view of the law, and of precedents
in other cases, that justice has been
withheld from me, in any instance, as
l believe it to be in many, and greatly
to my injury, it is submitted whether
it ought not to be rendered. 1t is my
wish that all matters Of account and
claims, between my country and my
self, be settled, with that strict regard to
justice which is observed in settlements
between individuals in private life. 1t
would be gratifying to me, and it ap-
pears to be just, that the subject should
be now examined, in both respects, with
a view to decision hereafter. No
bill would, it is presumed, be presented
for my signature, which would operate
either for or against me, and l would
certainly sanction none in my favor
While here, can furnish testimony.
applicable to any case, in both views.
which full investigation may require
and the committee to whom the subject
may be referred, by reporting facts now
with view to a decision after my re-
ii ement will allow time for further in
formation, and due consideration OF
all matters relating thereto. Settle
ments with aperson in this trust, which
could not be made with the account.
ing officers of the government, should
always be made by Congress, and before
the public.
The cause of the delay in presenting
these claims, will be explained to the
committee to whom the subject may
be referred. 1t will, I presume, be
made apparent that it was inevitable;
and that from considerations of deli.
cacy it would have been highly impro-
per for me to have sought it from Con-
gress at an earlier period than that
which is now proposed-the expiration
of my term in this high trust. Other
considerations appear to me to operate
with great force, in favor Of the mea-
sure which now propose. A citizen
who has long served his country, in its
highest trusts, has right, if he has
served with fidelity, to enjoy undis-
turbed tranquility and peace in his re-
tirement. This he cannot expect to
do, unless his conduct, in all pecuniary
concerns, shall be placed, by severe
scrutiny, on basis MOTTO be shaken
This, therefore, forms a strong motive
with me for the inquiry which l now
invite. The public may also derive
considerable advantage from the pre-
cedent in the future movement of the
government. 1t being known that such
scrutiny was made in my case, it may
form new and strong barrier against
| the abuse of the public confidence in