Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-12
rwEMTIzTI CONGRESS.
EtoSDAY, JANUARY :
IN GEN k-I.lr
FIRST SESSION.

ne Char communicated letters from the Sec
rotary OF War,A I'd of the NAVY. stating the num-
Der OF Cleriis,ald thercompensaton;in the Depart.
Tncnts.
Mr.. johnson of Ky. remarked, that he had. on
former day, moved the printing of a report iroI,
the " ar Department, ma,ie several yeais since in
Which the names of the surviving officers and sol
diers OF the Revolution entitled 20 lands were en-
rolled III was highly desirable that that list of
names should be published, a. great frauds had
hitherto been committed through The absence o.
any public documents by which those individuals
could be made aware OF their right. Their lands
nad been brought up by spectators, while they
had been debarred from entering into the posses
SION OF property which was Justly their own
W hen he had formerly made this notion the pa
per IN question was not In the possession of the
Secretary of the Senate, and he had in conse-
quence, withdrawnit. The document being now
upon the table, he renewed the motion TO print two
copies Of the document.
MIR. Harrison said, that he was in favor of the
publication as he had, on former occasion stated
And the reason why he in favor of it was,
that all the injury ,hat could be done by its publ
cation had been already done. He wished, how
ever, that the publication might be as widely OK
tended as possible. He would, therefore, sugges;
TO nus friend from Kentucky, that the better course
would ne TO procure the publication of the list OF
names In the newspapers of the several States
which would carry the information at once to the
parties concerned. On the contrary if published
III the usual manner of Senate documents the eff
feet would probably be injurious. as the informa.
lion, required TO be general would for lon, tins
be only partial.
Mr.. johnson of Ky. expressed his willingness
TO accede this suggestions should the question on
the printing carry.
MIR. Chandler said, that he was in favor OF the
proposition OF the gentleman from Ohio rs the pub
ncation OF the list in the newspapers appeared &c
re the best method of mparting the information Il
those interested in il.
Atr. Branch observed, that he was opposed 10 any
preclptate step on this subject, He recollected an
analogous case in the Legislature of N Carolina
in which he had himself advocated publication.
which had, in the end, proved any thing hut bene-
hclal. lie therefore wished to give the iuorma-
uon TO the parties concerned in the most guarded
FORM He should, therefore, move that the docu-
ment In question be referred 10 the Judiciary Com
mittee, TO be examined by them and some method
hit upon 10 prevent the frauds which had been
spoken OF, and to check speculation. He thought
to publish IT without some such check, would be to
give advantage TO SPECTATORS. The Senate could
not be aware OF the effect of the publication, any
more than he when he voted for a similar OBJ
Ject IN the Legislature OF his State.
Mr. Branch suspended his motion in favor of
MT Rowan, who suggested that neither the
judiciary Committee nor the Senaie could uass an
act 10 prcTeEt speculation. The law was sufii-
cent to protect any against fraud; and if in
the contracts by which the claimants sold their
lands, there was no fraud, nothing could he done
tie thought, therefore, that there could be no oh.
ground of speculations. The persons interested
would then know their rights, and with the aid o.
the law, would, he thought, be able TO defend
them. 1t would, indeed, be a strange posture oil
affairs, II the Senate could not convey to indivdu-
ais schedule OF their claims upon the Govern
Inent without fearing that the publication should
expose them TO fraud and speculation The Gov
ernment was bound TO protect the citizens, and il
would ne iameniable indeed were there no redress
against fraudulent speculatons
Mr. Smith OF Maryland, thought the subject
ought 10 be submitted TO a Joint Committee OF the
subject on the table.
Mr.. Branch waived his motion
Some further discussion took place, in which
Messrs. Woodbury., Harrison, Branch, Macon and
Rn%gies participated; when the question on Mr.
brFnchs motion was taken, anal the report was re-
ierrcd to the Judiciary Committee, TO inquire and
report whether it is eXpedient 20 print the same
and IN what manner it shall be dome
On motion OF Mr. Macon, the Senate went in
10 me consideration OF Executive business, and
after remaining two hours so employed,
Adjourned.