The Arkansas advocate., 1833-01-23
son, by Liberty and Fayetteville, to old Fort Smith. in said Territory.
House of Represcnfafipes.

Fort Smith. in said Territory.
 House of Representatives.
 The bill reported last session from the Committee on tho Public Lands. to pre- vent the confirmation of fraudulent French and Spanish Land Claims, coming up in course,
 .ir iiiissss of Eori ioritis moved ;o the bill to the Committee on the Judici- ary.
 MT. VIckLiFrE opposed the motion, and was desirous that 1t might be at once or dered 10 third reading. He insisted on the necessity of such bill to the protec- fion of the pahic.domain, and tile prnprie- ty oi Its being passed as early as practica sio--as isio to w,i.i, 1t eiaie e,ss V t,f : now in a acourse ofadjudication. He repu- diatcd the doctrine that the written grant for land by Spanish sub-Delegate or Go- vernon was, pe,, se. and on it's face, pgsDaa fateie evidence uf the right of such G Gdvern- or to make the grant. This must be shewn by the claimant.
 MT. WHfTE insisted on his motion to commit the bill which he considered as involving the validity of treaties, and of the decisions of the Supreme Coart, as the bill concerned the rights of American citizens claiming under treaties with for eign governments, the question involved pertaiHed to the Judiciary Committee, and Dot to the Committee on thc Public Lands The bill was mispamed: it was not to pre- vent fraudulent grants, but 10 prevent the confirmation of good and bona fde claims. The principle objected to by the gentle man from Kentucky lad been salennly decided on by thc Supreme Court, and the bill went in fact to nuilyy q decision of fhe Supreme Court
 NIT. NIcKLIFrE insisted that the bill was a bill to nuifyy private speculation. It could moi overturp grants already confirm ed, but prevent the confirmation of un- founded claims in future. He further in- sisted on the principles lie had before a. . yanced, and stated the danger Of admit ting grants for millions of acres as valid !, when there was no law of Spain giving the Governors power to make such grants.
 MT. pLuMMER said he had never heard of the bill, though he was a member of the Committee on Public Lands, until 1t had been reported by the gentleman from Kentucky. He expressed his views IS CO., needing with those stated by Mr. White, and agreed with him tllat the bill ought to go to the Committee on the Judiciary.
 Mr. WHITE, of La, took a similar view ofthe snbje.st, and dwelt on the hardship of requiring claimant to prove what no claimant ever conld prove, and thus de- prige him of his land.
 NIT. IRWIN replied 10 Mr. Plummer's re- marks. as to the hill's being new to him The subject of this bill had often been a matter ofdisctlssien before the committee.
 Mr. WIcKLIrFE repeIled what he consid- cred as an insinuation that Ire had brought the bill surreptitionsly before the House and still farther insisted on the propriety and necessity of requiring claimants 10 show the power of the Governor from the laHs uf Spain, called ssthe LaNs Of the Indies.s'
 The debate was further continued by Messrs. WrITE and PLuMNER, the Chair several times interposing to prevent it's be- ing turned aside upon the merits of the bill, when, the question being taken, Mr. Whites motion prevailed, and the bill was sent to the Committee on the Judici- ary.
 The House then adjourned.