Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-28
G. ROBERTSON, Esq. Sc. sc.
From the National Journal.
GENERAL JACKSON.

Much has been said by the parlisans Of the
gentleman whose name stands at the head OF
this article as 10 his superior fitness as a civil
ruler, in general, and more particularly as to
his peculiar qualifications for the Presidency
of The United States. Whether this be true or
not, shall not now undertake 10 determine;
but as his friends have said so much in his
praise it is nothing but fair, and il is certainly
just, that the American people should have the
benefit Of knowledge Of all his public acts;
and as his supporters have not though, proper
to bring before them one which makes dis
tinguished figure in the laws Of the land, deem
it right to supply the deficiency
A few days ago, IN turning over the acts Of
Congress, found one which speaks volumes to
the purpose Its en,itled-"An act TO RELIEVE
the people Of Florida from The operation Of certain
ordinances" and is in The words following:
SEC. |. Be ii enacfed by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United STATES of america
in Congress assembled, That an ordinance num-
bered three, made and passed or the 18th Of Ju-
ly, 1921, by Major General Andrew Jackson,
Governor Of the provinces Of the Floridas, en-.
titled Gan ordinance providing for the nalura]i-
cation Of the inhabitants Of the coded territory"
and an ordinance passed by the City Council Of
ST. Augustine, OH the 18th October, 1927, i'm
posing and laying certain taxes on the inhabit-
ants and all other laws, ordinances, OF resolves,
so far as they enforce or confirm the same ,sbe,
and the same are, hereby repealed, and declar-
ed null and void.
SEC. 2. Ind be IL fu,fhe, enacied, That if any
person shall attempt 10 enforce any Of said laws,
ordinances, or resolves, by demanding and re.
ceiving any tax, imposition, or assessment, au.
ihorized or prescribed thereby, such person
al. L.. 4 a r.
not exceeding two hundred dollars, by i'm
both Of said punishmen,s.
SEQ. 8. find be IL further enacied, That the Pre-
sident Of the United States shall, in such man.
ner, and under such regulations as he may di.
rect and prescribe, cause 10 be refunded TO any
person any sum Of money which he may have
paid under or bv virtue of either Of said laws,
ordinances, or resolves.
SEC. 4. lind be IL further enocicd, That this act
shall be in force from and after the st Gay Of
June next.
[Approved, 9TH May, 1872.
Thus it appears that the Congress of the
United States, in 1922, did not entertain quite
SO exalted an opinion OF General Jackson's qua
li6cations either as chief magistrate Of con-
fined territory, or as a Legislator.
Mark the peculiar phraseoiogy Of the title Of
the act: it is to relieve the people. Johnson says
10 refeus is TO ease of pain or sorrow, 10 sue
cour by assistance, 10 right by law, to support,
to assist II is, therefore, clear, that in the OPT
MON Of Congress 1t was necessary 10 ease the
inhabitants Of Florida Of sorrow, to succour
them by assistance, 10 right them by law, TO
support, to assist them, by relieving them of
the acts Of their Governor, which Governor
General Jackson was.
In rejecting upon this subject, and the better
to understand ii, was induced to turn to and
examine the treaty with Spain ceding the Flo.
ridas to the United States. find the 9th arti.
Gle TO be in these words;
"ART. 6. The inhabitants Of the territories
which his Catholic Majesty cedes TO the United
states, by this treaty, shall be incorporated in
the Union Of the United States, as soon as may
be consistent with the principles of the Federal