Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-27
induced the Military Committee to direct such a
motion 10 be made

yxyl
When this matter had been referred to them a,
former session the committee made the same oh
lection; but the inquiry had been, nevertheless.
put upon them, In express violation, as he appre-
Pienented' OF a standing rule OF the House, which
rule ne would send to The Chair that il might be
read at the Clerks table. The rule was, accord
ingiy, read follows:
1t shall be the the duty ofthe Committee On
military Affairs 10 take into consideration all s,n
Jerts relating to the Military establishment and
pubic defence, which may be referred to them bv
The House, and TO report their opinion thereunon.
'ho also 10 report, from time to time, such rnea-
sures as may contribute 10 economy and accounta.
oiiy in the said establishment -
MIR. Forsyth OF Georgia hoped that the motion
would not prevail, but iha, the House would in
sist on the Military Committees taking cognizance
OF this subject, and reporting on il 10 the House
AT the last session, honorable colleague of lis
had moved that the claims might be referred TO a
Seiect Committee; but his motion had been refused
ana on The express ground, stated by the gen
iieman from Virginia in his place, (Mr. Meow
'hat there was more weight and Importance at
tacntd 10 The report OF a Standing Committee OF
The House Than TO dat of Select Committee
t'' Its OF Select Committees were almost always
In favor OF the measure which was referred In
them It's friends being usually placed on such
committees. AT The last Congress this subject
ma been referred 10 the Military Committee: and
So TOO, al the las, session OF the present Congress
lie hoped 1t would take the direction. ALI
That the members from Georgia des ed was fair
and impartial report such as might satisfy Tie
mimi OF every member.
On the question OF reference a desultory debate
arose, in which Messrs. Vance, of Ohio Drav,on.
OF South Carolina, and Houston, of Tennessee.
advocated the motion to discharge the Military
| Eo"'hh'ee' and Me-srs. Webster, Mccoy, Whit
tesey, and Forsyth, look the opposite side.
The members of the Committee on Military Az
fairs insisted tina. the question on which the dec-
sion oil the claim rested, not of a military bit
rather OF legal Character. II was, in fact simply
/ this; whether the ices in question were rem
dered IN iultimsnt OF the Convention OF 1902, be-
tween The Uniled States and The State Of Georgia,
or not. 1t they were, that State had no right 10
come 10 the United States for remuneration. IL
they were moi, she had. The history wa. given Of
the several references OF this subject in the House.
from lSo5 to the preseat ime-the discussion OF
1t In 1906 & 1916, and for the las, or ten years
In order to report upon it Understandings mass OF
documents must be examined, extending back 10 tse
year 1924 - task more suited to Chancellor than
plain committee military men. The consideration
OF such subject was plainly excluded from The
standing Rule of the House specifying The duties OF
the Military Committee. That was not a sub;ec,
which " relaied to the Military Establishment OF,
the United States, or 20 The public defence;'' IFS
decision ouii neither advance or retard the in,e
rests OF eiIher. Its happening 10 be claim In
which military officers were interested. did mot DIV,
a military character to the nature of The claim IT,
sell: II was Question oil rjght-a question OF law
and OF the construction o ubc INSTRUMENTS rattle,
than OF military matters. Ii was in all respects a
1T subject for the Committee of Claims or rather
Tor the Commi,tee on the judiciary.
On the other side il was contend.d ,ha, !, xvss
competent TO the House TO send particular sub
,Ject 10 any committee It might think proper. and
that such act superseded the standing rule AMI
gave the committee full power, whatever The Rule
might say. That similar claims had h. en- commits
ted 10 The Military Committee, and tlsy were
IN the habit of reporting on them; ard as an in
stance, the Massachusetts claims quoted That
committee had had this subject three dlfIeren, times
before them, and must be ell acquainted with tho
facts and principles involved in it. The Committee.
OF Claims y ere already overburdened, &c.
The question was first put on dlschargng the
Committee on Military Ahairs, aud was decided
in the negative So the subject remains with the
Military Committee.
INDIAN EMIGRATION, &C.
:, On motion of Mr.. Cooke,
The House proceeded in the consideration OF u @.
following resolution, moved by Mr.. Mclean Of
9 Ohio, on the 9Th inst
&c Resofced, That the Secretary Of War be d.
4, recied TO communicate 10 the House any iniorna-
ton in his Department not heretofore conmur -
Gated, in relation 10 he disposition of the several
Indian tribes, within the United States to emefa,e
West OF the Mississippi: and Wheeler there are an y
obstacles 20 their removal, known 10 the Derarf-
ment; and II 80, hfs opinion as 20 the method best
> calculated TO overcome them; and whether The.
teachers of schools now in operation among them.
c are favorable TO the policy OF their removal; and
whether, in the event of appropriation being
= made, 10 detrsy the expense of such removal and
e settlement, there any reasons 20 authorize
the belief Mat they will cooperate in the inca
sure
y Mi. F;nton, having proposed to amend this r..
solution on the lS'h last. by adding thereto ti.e
. following:
Also, any information showing the progress
" any OF said tribes have made in civilization. and
e particularly in the art OF agriculture; what tribes
e have manifested disposition 10 emigrate and
hat, II any, are unwilling to do SO, and thej,
objections against tie measure whether they ar.
acquainted with tho nature and situation OF IA,
country TO which they sse TO be removed; and Z,
! what particular district districts West oil the Mia
j sIs-ppi they ought, in bis opinion, to be removed
IS whether they are willing to abandon The chase an,
depend tor their subsistence upon The pur,ni, Of ar
e ricultufe aud the arts Of civilized life: yybetb.
J. they have been made clearly 10 understand H.,
= nature aid form OF The government proposed Il
II be Instituted over them; whether the chiefs. heao
men, and people. OF The TRIES, are willing TO dis
Is solve their existing political relaiions; whethf,
e they are willing lhe u States, should create 90
, vernmsnt over, and make laws for them; Ehe,h,
8 they are willing to change The tenure OF their lands
D. and hold them in sevCfaity; whether the tribe
i, West Of Tie Mississippi VIII ng the Indians +
e. the States and Territories should be concentrate
~ IN their conaisy; whether they are advised of In
nd mentions and objects OF The Government and ar
pg ALSO willing 10 come into it, measures: which,
tlere j. Cd reason to believe the Indians now /
the States and Territories Will, upon removal Z