Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-07-07
Gomgresgf0naI.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,.
INDIAN FRAUDS AND HosTILrTIEs.

connected with the Creek war. He sent
it TO the chair to be read, aud stated that
he should offer resolution on the subject
which, he hoped, would lead 10 no debate
s TThe memorial which was read is from
the citizens Of Georgia and Eastern Ala
bama aud represents that the Indian hos
Titles in which the people of that countr,
are involved were caused by individual
Jointly associated under the name Of Ian,
companies, whose proceedings and con
tracts were OF the most nefarious charac
ter. The memorialisis ask Congress to
institute an investigation into the circpm
stances which, as they represent. will not
fail 10 exhibit state of iacts ofthe most
revolving character. They intimate that
the press of that country IS entirely un'
der the control Of these beafiiess a9ilators
and that, through bribery and corruption,
all the channels Of information TO the Pub
lie and 10 the Government on this subject
are closed.
MrLEWIS then offered resolution,
which was read as follows:
Resolved, That the memorial OF certain
citizens of Alabama and Georgia. respect
ing aIledged frauds in the purchase Of the
reservations Of the Creek Indians, and the
causes Of their present hostillties, be re.
ierred 10 the President OF the United States
and that he be requested 10 cause such
measures to be taken for investigating
these transactions, aud for the prosec uiion
OF the persons engaged in them, who may
have teen guilty Of any breaches of the
law: as may appear to be proper, and
within the power Of the Executive"
MIR. l. expressed the hope that the mat
ter would be thoroughly investigated, and
that the individuals " no had been guilty
Of exciting the hostility Of the Greeks
might be brought TO condign punishment.
After some remarks from hlr GRANT
LAND.
MIR WISE said he had been endeavor-
ing all the session to elicit the facts in re
gard TO the causes Of the Indian hostiIries
lie had Information enough on the subject
TO lead him 10 The conclusion that the al
legations OF the memorial were true. We
had documentary evidence 90 cur files
that the Seminole war originated in the
manner indicated in the memorial; and
he beliered that some Of the executive Of
icers Of the Government were concerned
10 the transactions. Ii had been very d
fhcult TO obtain any Information on the
SUBJECT The l!ltle that was obtained from
the Departments was like drawing their
eye teeth out OF them. lie greatly preier
led that the investigation should be entrus
ted TO select committee Of this House.
MIR BELL said il was the duty of the
House 10 investigate the transactions
The Committee on Indian Affairs had had
the subject under examination, and had
asked leave 10 continue it during the re
cess, which had this morning, been refu
SGD by the House.
After some remarks from NIr LEWIS,
as to the mode of obtaining an effective
examination,
MIR JARVIS moved TO postpone the
subject until to morrow.
Mr. WILLIAMS. Of North Carolina,
called for the yeas and maya on this Mo
ton; which were ordered. and
Mr. JARVIS withdrew his motion.
MIR HAW Els said there were frauds e
nough in relation to the Indians and the
public lands, 10 sink any Government on
the face Of the earth and he wished TO
see who il was that committed them. and
who were engaged ~ covering them up.
Ii the House would permit the investisa
tion to proceed. It would save millions OF
dollars TO lie Government. Even the In
dams would discontinue their hostIltles
when they found Congress disposed TO
look into the state of their affairs, and the
frauds committed npon them.
Mr. CUSHMAN moved the previous
question. Lost. 73 to So
Mr.. WISE urged an investigation by a
select committee.
Mr. LEWIS had no objection to it him
self, he said, bu. it was evident that there
was, from some CAUSE or other, a gtea
aversion, on The part Of the House, TO th,
appointment Of committees 10 sit during
the recess.
Mr. PEYTON preferred an invesiga
ton by Committee, If the President sp
pointed the Commissioners, he would APP
point those recommended by hi, friends
who might themselves be participants in
the frauds aledged.
Mr.. l1OAR said the President had as
much power and the same power now, TO
investigate those frauds as the house con
fer upon him. He hoped the gentleman
from Alabama would assent to the modif.
cation Of his resolution which had been
suggested,
Mr. ROBERTSON added his request
that the gentleman from Alabama would
modify his resolution so as to direct an in
curry by committee of the House. This
House was the grand inquest oflhe nation
and by II the lrqury ought to he made
1t was matter Of establishment 10 the pa.
ton, that every attempt on this floor to in
vestIgate public abuses, was resisted and
defeated, The Information could not be
obtained from The Executive, however
we'll disposed he might be TO afford it
The abuses had long been gong on I'm
der his eyes. but they would be conceal
ed, as they had heretofore been conceal
ed, from his view. Moreover, this Hous,
was clothed with Judicial power, anC
could command the attendance OF wit
nesses. &c which the President could not
Mr. LEWIS modified his resolution SO
as to add a number Of The members OF
the Committee on Indian Affairs TO the
commission nronosed