Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-28


! of the United Stafcs."
Thus it appears that, by the treaty iiser the
inhabitants Of the ceded territories are admitted
to the enjoyment Of all the privileges, rights.
and immunities, of the citizens Of the United
States. Yet General Jackson, assumingto him.
self, in the total absence OF every species of lie.
gislative authority, powers OF the highest legis-
Iative character is so stupid or so tyrannicai as
10 enact that the inhabitants Of the ceded terri.
tory shall go through forms which he chooses
10 prescribe, and be subject to the expenses
which he chooses to impose, before they can be
"admitted to the enjoyment of the privileges,
rights, and immunIies, of citizens of the United
States"
At the very 6rst session thereafter, and so
soon as the act was known at the Sc at Of CO.
vernmen,, the Congress Of the United States
promptly came forward < relieved the people of
Florida from this most outrageous and iniqui-
tous exercise Of ar5itr airy power, by this mos.
enlightened statesman.
When took up my pen, it was my intention
10 have closed here; but, upon second thought,
determined. to look into the Journals of Con-
gress and see the proceedings which were had
upon this subject.
found it originated in the Senate; and that
ON the 3otb April, 1922, Mr.. Holmes, Of Maine
asked and obtained leave to introduce The bill 10
reGere the people Of Florida from the Operation
Of certain ordinances, The bill was introduced,
and waving the operation Of the rule to the
contrary,il was t,Oice read by unanimous consent
and then referred to the Committee on the .Ju-
dietary, "to consider and report thereon" On
the next day, Us: o. May,) Mr. Smith, of S.
ported it 10 the Senate without amendment.
On the succeeding day it was considered in the
Senate and ordered TO third reading, and on
the Sd Of May it was passed aud sent to the
House of Representatives for concurrence. In
that House it was read and referred 10 the
Committee on the Judiciary; and on the 9TH Of
May, MIR. Sergeant, then Chairman of that
Committee, reported it 10 the House without
alteration, and it was forthwith ordered 10
third rcading-was, accordingly, read third
time, and passed. On reference to the newspa-
pers, all that find upon the subject, Except
the mere Journal ofsproceeding,) is, that when
it came fully before the Senate for considera.
ton, Mr.. Holmes explained at large, the neces.
sity Of the immediate passage Of the bill, and
commented upon the acts from the operation
Of which it proposed TO reHepe the people of
Florida. He was answered by Mr.. Eaton Of
Tennessee, and Mr.. johnson, of Kentucky, who
opposed it-and that Mr.. Smith Of S. Carolina,
explained and advocated it. Nothing appears
TO have been said in the House OF Representa-
tives upon the subject According 10 custom,
however, Mr.. Sergeant must have explained
the propriety and necessity Of the measure,
This is an inyariable rule; and without its OBJ
servance, it is believed, no measure gets thro'
that House.
Thus it appears, that such was the odous
character Of this act in the estimation of Con.
gress, and such the necessity for its immediate
abrogatron, that bill was introduced, passed
through alllh tedious forms Of legislation, and
although opposed by the bosom friends and
con6dants of General Jackson, il became law
in the short space Of eight days from the time
it originated. A pretty good indication Of the
light in which the subject was viewed by the
representatives Of the people Of the y. States:
this is further ascertained by the terms OF the
act itself-reisving the people from the opera.
lion Of the iniquitous act. BY these terms it
will be perceived that il is not merely repealed,
but that call other laws, ordinances, or resolves,
SO far as they enforce or confirm the same
are also repealed and declared null and yoid;'
and "any person" aye, General Jackson him
sell, "who shall attempt to enforce any of said
laws" SC. shall be punished by fine and i'm
prisonment, or both; and the President Of the
United States is directed "to cause to be re-
funded to any person any sum OF money which
may have been paid under or by virtue Of either
of said laws, ordinances, or resolves" No
common case this-which could have induced
the Congress, that are so remarkably ygilant
in guarding the Treasury door, 10 provide for
the refunding from the public purse, money ex-
acted by bigh-handed and extra. official act of
Governor Of a territory.
TO insert the &C, itself would probably occu.
py more space than you may have to spare at
this time; it is however, we'll worth the perusai;
1t shows conclusiveIy that when General Jack
son is not under the guardianship of Mr. Eaton
* his Nashville Committee, & is left to his own
resources, he is not so consummate a states
man as. this said Committee would have the A.
merican people believe; and if "any person" &C.
ven Duff himself,) feels curious to see it, and
will say so, will forward you copy for publ
cation-having found it since my attention was
turned to the subject. l will, however, give
you the caption; it is curiosity, and is as fol-
lows GAN ORDINANCE providing for the natural
lion of The nhahitants of The caded t,.rr;,or