Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-03


Mr.. FORSYTH, from the committee
on Foreign Relations, made report on
the subject of piracy, and outrages on
American commerce by Spanish priva-
teers; which was referred to commit
tee of the whole House.
Mr.. HAMILTON, from the committee
on Military Affairs, reported bill to
extend the time of locating military
land warrants by the officers and sol
diers ofthe Revolutionary army, which
was twice read and committed.
Mr.. GURLEY, from the committee on
Public Lands made report unfavora-
BILE to the authorizing claimants to pub
lie lands in Arkansas, to institute suits
in the District Court of the U. States,
to try the validity Of their claims; which
was laid on the table.
On motion of Mr.. FORSYTH, of Geo.
ii was
Resolred, That the Committee on Indian .4f.
fairs be instructed to inquire into the expedi-
ency of making an appropriation for the ex-
tinguishmcnt Of the Indian title to land lying
in the state of Georgia, by purchases from
those Creek and Cherokee Indians who reside
within the limits of the said state.
Mr.. FORSYTH said, that the message
of the President on the civilization OF
Indians, communicated to the House
last.week, suggested the propriety of
making an appropriation to comply
with the obligations of a treaty which
it was expected would be formed with
the Greek Indians for a cession of land
in Georgia. The Secretary of the
War Department stated, in his report
to the President, that the Creek Indians
in Georgia were DESTROYS to make a
cession, if the consent of the whole ma
ton could be obtained. Mr.. F. said
his information on this subject differed
from that of the Secretary. The Greek
Indians d Georgia were willing to
make cession without the consent OF
the rest of the nation. The Executive
doubted the propriely Of making such
contract, because those willing to
treat were only part of the tribe. Ii
was with view to obtain the express
sion of the opinion of Congress on this
point that he had offered this resolu-
ton.
BY referring to the statute book, it
would be found that two treaties, in
1916, had been made with portions OF
Indian tribes. The treaty of Fort
Jackson was in fact made with part OF
the Greek nation. A large portion Of
the nation were neither present, or re-
presented, but were in fact at war with
us when the treaty was made.
During the last session of Congress,
treaty was ratified by the Senate with
the Florida Indians: it contains an adj
ditional article, made with six chiefs
only. Mr.. F. did not doubt that the
President might have given, or might
give, the power to Commissioners to
treat with portion of nation. That
all doubt might be removed, he pro-
posed a reference to the Committee on
Indian Affairs, and could not but hope,
as there was now a means by which
the extinguishment of the Indian title
to land in Georgia could be obtained
peaceably, and upon reasonable terms
that Congress would adopt it without
hesitation. He proposed to procure.
from the war department, by resolu'
ton which he should presently offer.
the documents necessary to enable the
committee to act on the subject.
Mr.. Forsyth then offered the follow
ing, which lies one day:
Resolred, That the Secretary ofthe Depart
ment of War be, and he is hereby, directed
to lay before the House copy of the report
of the Commissioners appointed by the Presi.
dent to treat with the Greek Indians for the
extinguishment of their claim to land lying in
the State of Georgia, Of the Journals kept by
the said Commissioners, and the coTespon-
dence respecting the causes that have pre-
vented them from effecting the object of their
appointment; also, a copy Of all the letters
written to the Creek Indian Agent OH that
subject, from the Department Of War.
On motion of Mr.. MERCER, it was
ReSolred, That the Committee on Military
Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expe-
diency of amending the law of the U. States
authorizing the distribution, among the several
States and territories, of the arms purchased
or manufactured for the use of the militia
thereof, so as to cause just proportion there
of to be allotted to the militia of the District Of
Columbia.
MIR. O'BRIEN, of Maine, offered the
following, which lies one day:
Resohed, That the President of the United
States be requested to lay before this House,
such information as may be in his possession,
which in his opinion may be proper to commu'
nicate, touching the capture and detention OF
American fishermen, the past season, in the
Ray of Funday, and what progress has been
made in obtaining redress.
On motion of MIR. GATLIN, of n. {,
it was
Resolred, That the Committee on Com
merce be instructed to inquire into the exPe'
diency of placing hght-boat near Wade''
Point, in Albermarle Sound; and also buoy:
near Tulscher's Point, and the Cross Rock III
Croatan's Sound, North Carolina.
An engrossed bill to authorize the
surveying and oDening of road from