The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-18

4
The select COMMITTEES 70 whom were referred comma.
nicalion from the Hon. George w Crawford To the
Speaker Of the House, OF I'd Of April ia the following
words. MY omclal connexion with the government
authorizes me, N my Judgment to ask and have &C.
eesed ZONE by the House over which you preside,
prompt and iull Investigation, in such manner A. il may
lnmk proper Of my conduct and relation to the claim 81
he representatives Of George Gaphin which claim has
been adJudlcated and paid At Of the OF
me government, and Is now attracting public attention =
and resolution Of the House, OF the l2lh OF the same
month, lnstrucnng them " 10 make full inyestiga.I
uon and report 70 this House the origin and natur OF
SAID claim, the circumstances attending prosecution
he ball authorizing the payment of said claim the Hanes
81 agenls who have prosecuted and urged the
the amount paid on said claim, both OF interest and prn
c'pal and whether the same has been paid In conformity
with law or precedent the names OF the individuals 10
whom the money has been paid and the received
~ sacn inc interest o. me persons 80 receiving SAID
has originated to each Of said persons and all matters
in anywise pertinent 10 the inquiryhaye made full and
dligent inquiry touching the whole subject and submit
REPORT.
Prior to the year 1773 George Galphn. the original
claimant was licensed trader amongst the Creek and
Cherokee Indians in the province OF Georgia. These
Indians became indebted u him and other traders in
large Gums Of money. George Gaphin held against
other traders The Indians are represented 10 have
been destitute OF the means OF paying these debts with
out selling part OF these lands, and, In i773, they
Great Britain, tract Of healthy and fertile country con-
tanning about two million five hundred thou sand acres
The tract was accepted and commissioners we're appoint
ed TO sell the lands and pay the debts due to the traders
The lands considered ample for that purpose. but
the King carefully protested that the government Of Great
es 81 q NE
icen fund In that they agreed 10 lose in proper
lion to the amount OF their debts The traders,
sderation OF the cession Of the lands By the Indians
released their demands against Them. Commissioners
were appointed 10 sell the lands and apply the proceeds
TO the payment Of the debts The governor and his
and found due TO George Galphln nine thousand
hundred and nine,yone pounds, fifteen shillngs and FIVE
pence.. For this sum certificate was issued to him,
dated the "a day OF May, ITS. The commissioners dis
posed OF portion Of the lands but how much does not
appear and applied the proceeds to the payment Of ex
penses which had been incurred making the cesson,
and in performing their duties under it, They applied
none Of the money to the debts of the traders George
Galphn received nothing from them. Meantime the
result the execution of the defeated and the
lands themselves were no longer subject the control
| ofthe King
The State Of Georgia in i777 and subsequent years.
granted 10 actual Settlers and TO soldiers who had been
faithful to the cause Of independence. considerable po
tons Of her vacant lands including the lands which ha
been coded by the Indians payment Of their debts
George Galphn aud others. But no means are accessi-
bic Of ascerainog the quantity value OF these. the
revolutionary soldiers, although there is evidence that
considerable portion OF the lands coded by the Creeks
and Cherokees in 117a was thus applied
Il The hdeiy Of George Gaphin to the cause of indie.
pendence having been made question. the Committee
made full inquiry into the matter, and quite satisfied
that be promptly and firmly refused take the side Of
the independence of the colonies His great influence
with the Indians caused them to resist the opportunities
OF England, and reiraned from taking part IN the war
he was especially and peculiarly the means of averng
10 great extent, from Georgia and Carolina. the cruel
ties and atrocities OF Indian warfare In $780, Great
Britain made an appropriation for the payment Of the
debts OF the traders with the Indians, although the lands
which had been conveyed for the purpose longer
subject to her jurisdiction An act Of the legislature Of
nj The
serted The right Of that Stale the lands which were
coded 10 the King Of England in l77s provided hat
any Poison having or pretending have any such claim
iare house OF assembly 10 be examined Whatever
claims shall be found just and proper and due to
ury certiRcafes for the amount. payable within two
three, and four years, and carrying six per cent in.
crest. George Gaphin died In 1850 Thomas Gal
phin, his son and executor OF his will, presented his
saim to the Legislature OF Georgia in 1889 and favor.
able report was made upon by the committees but The
report was not acted upon by that legislature In 1891
re sent an agent OF intelligence and influence to England
present II TO the government; but il rejected be-
cause George Galphin had been friend of America in
ne reyolution Alter It's rejection BY the government OF
Great Britain was again presented TO the legislature Of
Georgia, IN 1913 The committee to whom was referred
reported 'thai the debt and demand OF Mr. GaIphlns
0Ssh' ,h 70 o provided io5 ssgfseaby TO The ACT Of
being not only plainly within the meaning and letter of
that act but also uy substantiaed debt against the
State who has sold and disposed OF the lands for
the payment thereof 10 its use, by which, your COM
niiiee are OF opinion, the State has made isef liable for
the same, on every principle Of justice and equ,y' and
they recommended 'hat audited certificates should be
directed TO be issued to the menoriasrs attorney and
agent Tor the sum OF nine thousand hundred and
nine,yone pounds, fifteen sh ngs, and FIVE pence ster.
ling money OF Georgia" THIS report was agreed 10 by
the senate committee OF subsequent Legislature re-
ported that the claim Of George Gaphn was clearly just
and was provided for by the act oil 23d OF January 7s
and recommended that especial provision be made for the
payment OF nine thousand hundred and ninety one
pounds, hiieen shlings, and five pence The committee
Oh another Legislature reported follows: appears to
your committee that this claim is based upon Justice
and equity that is recognised by the OF 7SO and
that is the obligation OF the State to discharge H. which
the honor and honesty Of the State imposes" and rec
commended that there be paid to the heirs executors and
legal Representatives Of George 0alphin, deceased their
agent or attorney the OF nine thousand seven hun
ded and ninetyone pounds, fifteen shillngs and five
pence. with so much interest may be considered Just
and equitable from the date OF the certificate com.
nittee Of another legislature reported Impressed with
The justice OF claims similar to Mr. Gaphins the legs.
afure OF this State in the year $780, did pass the act set
forth IN the memorial, thereby not only having assumed
toe debt but guarantying its payment with interest;
that the memorast shortly after the establishment OF
Independence, applied TO the general assembly OF this
State 10 comply with their solemn engagements, but the
funds oil the country being small, and report having
gained ground that provision for the discharge OF such
claims had been made by Britain, the memoriast was
IN the first instance referred Great Britain y and they
Tor the satisfaction OF the claim may a; once demon
srate the high estimation in which patriotic services in
me revolutionary war are at this day held and evnce
i the justice OF the State Of Georgia" committee OF
me legislature in 1897 recommended the payment OF the
oeot IN certificates bearing per cent interest from the