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0051*
Hi
f
IN SENATE,
Saturday, February 2!.
Til? report nuj resolution iVo.i) the -eii'Ct
ROiiruitiue pit French spoliations prior to tin*
• (.mi- one thousand eight hundred, was taken
tin, and posquned to Tuesday, and made the
order of the day for that day. Tin) colonial (i ^ _
trade bdl was resumed, the motion of Mr- j Greeks within the limits of Georgia, and th
attempt to survey those which were excluded,
been exercised by Georgia, and to the principle
of the decision of the supremo Court, espe
cially in reference to the grants of North Car-
oliua, and slio refers particularly to the Icgislu-
of that .State, of South Carolina, of Vir-
iiii, and New Vork.
In further proof ot her right to survey lands
, () |' | in tho occupancy of an Indian tribe, hut with-
' found 11» her chartered* limits, she appeals to^ the de-
tion
b'inia,
Siu'Ji of Maryland to strike out the whole bill
atier the enacting clause, and to substitute o-
th. r prov'siuns, stdi pending. Tho discuss.on
v. is cnntiuuud with great animation, hv Mi’C'rs.
Sml Si of AM. Berrien, Van Ilmen, Woo.lhurv,
.ioanstonof Lsiu.sisin.i, and others. Mr; Smith’s
motion was then carried—ayes 21), nays IT
jif.i'i t iy, February 2t’>.
The committee on the militia reported tho
bill for the adoption of a system of artillery,
cavalry, mid infantry exorcise. Tho hill for
estahitslumuit of certain post offices and post
roiiis was, as ttmeridcd, ordered to a third
reading. Tilt) hill linking appropriations for
the support of the ‘government during the year
1*27, was, us amended, ordered to a third re ui-
ing.
,,,, . • . , i _ i ir •
the consideration of executive business.
The bill mik ii.r appropriations for the mlli-
tarv service of the United States during tho
year ii27, was taken up and amended.
'file motion of Air. Chandler to strike out
tiie provision for the pavilion; of the Georgia
militia claim for services rendered during tho
ye irs 171)2, 171/3, and 11)74, after much debate,
Waj rejected.
Tuesday, February 27.
The hill for the preservation and ropiir of
the Cumberland road was read twice and re
ferred. The lull to amend iho act regaining
the l’or.i O ;iicp i>, ip irlmeut tv is, as amended,
ordered to a third re,'ding. The lull making
appropriations tor the support of the govern-■
xuem, lirr the year 1827, was read a third time
and passed. Air. Dickerson made an ttns'ic-
cessiul attempt to take up tho woollens lull.—
The bd! making t)]>pn>j>ri:itioua for the military
sc vice of the United State ;, was, after much
(Lscusstou, ordered to a diird reiding. The
ii.li for the adjustment of claims of ner-oas en
titled to indemnification under the first article
of die treaty of Ghent, was, as amended, order
ed to a dmal reading.
I Vjdncsday, February 27.
Tiie colonial trade bill wu3 taken up, and
further discussed. Several amendments ware
offered mid rejected. Tiie amendment offered
by Mr. Smith of Maryland, as modified, on
■motion of Mr. Woodbury, was carried—ayes
32, noes 10. The several appropriation lulls
received from the other house were passed.—
Many private bills, were also passed.—Tim
Woollens bill came up, in course, a< a spe
cial order, and nn motion of M-. II lyno to
l tv it on tho table, there was a tiu—ivcs 20,
noes 20—when tho chair g ive tho casting vote
in the atliruiafivo. Tho bill to increase the
pay and rations of the lieutenants, passed mid
shipmen, and surgeons of die United States’
ji ivy, was, ufjer some discussion, laid on the
table. The sen ite agreed to jurist upon their
amendment to tiie military appropriation hill,
striking out the restrict.on of the allowance on
double rations to officers in die actual command
of posts and garrisons, which amendment had
been disagreed to by ilu; other house.
Thursday, March 1.
UNITED STATES AND GEORGIA.
The Committee to whom was referred the several
messages of tho Prosirlvtl of the United Suites, of
tne&th andStli Febiomry and a report and certain re
solutions of the Legislature of Georgia, ask leave to
•i.ukc the following
REPORT:
The Committee have entered on the exam
ination of the subject referred to them with
n deop sense of die magnitude of tho question *
which it involves, with a strong desire to pre
serve tho respective rights of tins U. States, and
of Georgia, so fir as those nny lie affected by
the ac.ioii of the Legislative Department and
with a still more un.xious solicitude to arrive, if
pi acticible at a result which, without violating
the obligations, or committing the rights, of the
Confederacy, or those of one of its membcts
, might preserve, undisturbed, the peace and
harmony of tho Union
They have believed that a view of this sub
ject, so far is it is necessary to tho purposes of
thin inquiry, may bo presented to the Senate
by a brief statement of facts, with reference,
First, To tho grounds on which the Execu
tive Government of die United States h is in
which it defined, and tho abrogation of the trea
ty of the Indian Springs. It was resisted by
Georgia as a violation of her right', mid her rc-
preseiitatives in Congress recorded tlieir pro
test again*) the measure. It neverthe
less received the Coustiiu'iou.d sanctions, and
so far as depended on the United •Fa' 1
been carried into effect hv the pnyir
I stipulated price. 1 n dm * result, it was m mu , —^ ^ Court in fa c; , se of FleUh
! not to include all the lands occupied In I I ^ ^ jn , v |, ;cll it Wllg decided that the
(mliitii title to lands within tho limits ofGeor-
, , „( [ gin wis not inconsistent with the title in fee of
was rosiveii, and the survey ms ' ,.j ;j„, S.ute, to the lands so occupied by the ln-
(.■viorgta, have Imeti s opptv > ' .j ffi.ui*; that the State of Georgia had power to
cerium duels of the tribe, wltolmo appealed I ^ j)||jso ,. in( , s |)ui . iug sltch occupancy , and
to tins (.overnme-.t for pro ec 11 . . |„, r g ran tee miuht maintain an ejectment
Tne president of the l fitted Sft.es cm-I t , |C(U ^ notw|thst;i ,, <)hl „ , hnl title; -and she
im|iiircs if the right of. surety bo not ittsepara-
prosecutton
the officers of Georgia engaged in tho survey. of 1302, she contends, bound
l hose prosec,it ons and tiio measures w.tnrit ^ comMer atu»„ of tho ces-
m .v be adopted lo carry- them into ( ffe t, nn ^ |jy Goor;rm . to exfmuuisl, the In-
i'»n n nn Ttio umn uiio to tho ronniuing hn<U wtthm t»*;« V
•Votii'Mnirii,' 1302, to re-mlate trade and inter- 1 «*, ami in their occupancy. It created nn oh
course With Ihn Indian tribes, and to preserve ! Ujrsition, but did not confer n right on the Umt-
' ed State:-.. It was simply, she urges, astipula
tion that llie expense of the extinguishment
should he paid hv the United Stales, and left
them consequently iosettle tho amount. When,
through their agents, the contract of the Indian
Springs was negotiate I, and the Government
to have recourse, in tlm first instance, onlv to j uud ratified ill" bargain, tiie right of Georgia
the 1 liter; Ini; he wl«l« the tWhr-*:<m ‘ho the bee one, .as site contends, irrevocably vested,
act of t!ie Legislature of Georgia, under tlm The authority of tho United States was hen at
construe inn given to it bv the «lovemrer of‘bat •» end- This Government was functus officio
St Oe, and lilt* surveys made or uttenyVod to be j |S to Ute stibjec.; the power \v *s executed. It
m ide teller it, lievoul rtie boundary iino sectr- ] ho agents ol 'iiis.Govorntueti: had commit'ed a
ed bv tlm Jret'v of Washington, ore hi direct fraud, the Uti'ted States was botmd to intlenmi-
peace on the frontiers. Expressing Ids con
viction tint it was wall ti tlm competency' of
the Executive to It ive resorted .at once to mili
tary fore, or to c ; vil process, for the arrest of
the officers of Georgia, the President proceeds
lo state the reasons wii’ch have influenced hint
violu'ioii of the supremo law of ill's hmd; and,
if perseve-ed in, and theliws of the Union re
al in ima|te*'e.|,it : s declared t!nt“/i s'tyt-r, ddrd
» , di"idt!i:i, cren higher fh •>*< that nf I'utrahau-
tharShf, tail! raw id the tJeemthu of the Vail
ed States fn mf-trer the l nrs, a« ! f.iltii the ti't-
ties of the Xatinn by all the three for that pur
pose committed to h>$ . r /rge.” Tt is added,
“that thenrin of military force will ho resorted
lo, only in the event of the failure of all other
expedients provided by the t"Ws,of which, (it is
said,) a pledge has been given hv dm -forbear
ance to employ it at ill's rinro.” Finally the
president submits 1 “to tho vv'sdom of Congress
to determine wbe'licrnnv further act oflegisla-
tion may he necessary or expedient to meet
the emergency which those transactions inav
iroditce.”
Snch tire the circumstances under wii’ch this
snhjert is presence 1 bv the President to the
coil-'deration of tilt* Sena'c.
On tho other hand, Georgia claims the right
to exorcise jurisdiction within tiie whole extent
of her chartered limits, except onlv over that
part of her original territory, which, hv the
compact of 1302, she ceded to the United
Status.
She claims the right to survey such lands
witli.n her.limits, as may ho vvithurthe teui-
.porarv occupancy of an Indian tr'die, or to In
hibit tlieir survey; and tho right, also, to extin
guish die Indian title nt her own cost, if she
shall think fit to do so. She questions the
con-titut onal validity of the net of 1302, if cen.
.sfruml to extend to the exercise of this nower
by a State, in relation to those lauds of which
ho has the ultimate foe; but if its val’ditv be
established, her rights, even under 'the provis
ions of that aet, she affirms will still rcma ! n.
Such are the claims, which she urges, inde
peiulemly of treaty stipulations between the U-
tiited States and the Crook Indian .
Under the treaty of the lediui Springs and
by virtue of the contract of 1302, r.he contends
dial she has acquired an absolute relinquish
ment of the Creek title of occupancy to nil the
lands within hei Uni t*; th '-^ltc* Ins vested rights
under that treaty of which she cannot he di
vested by tiny tici of the Govern ment of the U-
iri, ted States, or of any part, or- the whole of tho
Creek tribe.
She founds her claim to exorciso jurisdiction
within the whole of her chartered limits, on tlm
declaration of Itidupendenco, tho parties to
winch became ipso facto, severally sovereign
and independent States owing no allegiance to
each other, nor to any common head.
On tiie result of tlm struggle which that de
cimation produced, and which eventuated in
the recognition of tho Statos, as severally so-
f*'
terfered, and proposes further to interfere with) vcrcign and independent; and on the fact that
the proceedings of Georgia; and
Secondly, To tho claims of that State, and
the principles on which she relies to support
them.
1. Under an act of the Legislature of Geor
gia, passed in June, 1823, and the suppleinnu-
ta*y, and tuiieudatory acts of the same Legisla
ture of Dccetnbcr 1823 and 1826, surveys
Were directed of that portion of the territory
of Georgiu, the Indian title to which had been
extinguished by the treaty of the Indian Springs;
of February, 1825. By the terms of that
compact, these lauds were not to be surrender
ed by the Indians, until September, 1826; hoi
the Government of Georgia was desirous of
effecting its susveys, be lot e the arrival of the
pci km of surrender under such arrangements
with the Indians themselves, as would remle:
tho act acceptable to ilieni. The measure.-
which were adopted io effect this arraugemen',
the {act that otic of the chiefs who had assent-
ci\ to it, was put to death, uud the siubsc qttcn,
division of tjie tribe into hostile parties, both of
whom sought tho protection of the United
States, ate within tho recollection of the Senate.
At this, period, the Executive Government of
the Union, interposed, and having made such
inquiry, as it deemed proper, forbid the further
prosecution of the surveys by Georgia. The
Executive of that State, protesting against the
Tte' sure, nevertheless submitted to the inhibi-
jon; nod ftlis stnfo of things continued until the
Mt session of Congres« v whcn a new treaty
wr« negotiated at this place, with certain Chiefs
and Warriors acting under the authority of a
council of (he tribe. This compact stipulated
iho surrender of certain lands, within limits
SB*
this right, inseparably incident to sovereign
ty, has never been yielded to the Uuitcd
Suites,
Tiio exceptions to tho priuciplc that her ju
risdiction is co-cxtqnsive with her limits, she
contend.*, exist only in thoso cases, where, in
conformity to tho Constitution, the United
Stales, have by her consent, acquired exclusive
jurisdiction over particular places; that in
o.lier cases provided for by the constitution, tho
jurisdiction of the Uuitcd States, within tlm
himls of u particular State, is concurrent
wall bat not exclusive of, the jurisdiction of
the particular State, unloss the Constitution,
In ,terms, or from llie necessity of the tiling,
i,in,hits the action of the State over the sub-
jet..
As an evidence of her right, thus to exorciso
i'i jurisdiction co-extensivc with her limits, she
appeals to the whole history of her lrgisla iou,
in proof of its continued, uninterrupted, ami
hitherto unquestioned exercise; to her laws
and resolutions of 1783, 1785, 1787, 1814,
1818, and 1819,011 tho subject of surveys of
laud, in tiio occupancy,pf Indian tribes, nud to
oilier acts of 1785 ami 1788, relative to tho
couuty of Boui bon, established by her authori
ty on the banks of tho Mississippi, and to the
subsequent recognition by the Uuitcd States,
in .he contract of 1802, of tho rights acquired
under the former act.
She appeals to tho history of tiio legislation
of her sister Slates, having Indians residing
within tlieir limits on lands, the ultimate fee of
which is in the particular Slate, all of wliom,
she alleges, have exercised tho rune jurisdic.
)*c whom they h ;i iiiju-ed. If the ln-
dlaris wore dissatisfied it was die duty of 'hi«
Government io appease them ! y the u-eof its
own mams. It could no: interfere with the
fights of Georgia. Tho United bat es it is
said, had conferred no righ on Georgia. They
had merely removed nn iiitanriir inco from a
jire-ex'siing right; ashy iho onnpac. of l'-02,
diey we to hound to do. They could no* re-
pi ice ill at incumbrance by a new compact with
lie Indians. Tho Goveromerit of the United
States, it is asserted, did no - pretend to do so;
on tiie contrary, those who maintained 'he va
lidity of the treaty rr Washington professed to
believe, the opinion was distantly avowed on
lie floor of the Seno.o that so far as Georgia
Was concerned, that treaty was co-extensive
whh lit* one negotiated at tiie Indian Springs.
rii.i 1 , if on di.s expectation the United States
worn deceived they must look to the Indians
for the correction of tiie error; that they have,
in this event paid money for a consideration
which they have not received, blit that the
rights of Georgia remain untouched. Once
vested, mid no one, she affirms, will deny ihat
they were so, while the treaty of the Indian
Spr.ngs w is in force, they cannot bo divested
vviilmtit iicr consent.
She denies tho application of die Indian in-
ercourKC act to the subject, affirming that it is
directed against the an ur.horizcd intrusion of
private individuals, and no to acts done und er
: lie authority of a State. She assorts that tiffs
ts obvious, from its terms, and from the fact
that the passport of the Governor of a State, e-
jttilly with that of tho President, dispenses
With some of its penalties. That it is directed
against intrusive settlements, or acts done
with a view to settlement; not to surveys made
under the authority oflavv. Against such sur
veys .and settlements, she affirms that tho In
dians art? protected by the constitution and
laws of Georgia.
Such tho committee are induced to believe
is the claim which Georgia will present to the
proper tribunal.
The committee having considered it their
duty to apply, through their chairman, to the
proper department of the Government to as
certain whether any particular act of legislation
whs contemplated, or desired by the Executive
Government, have been referred, generally,
.o die*message of the President; nnd,in nn-
fwer to a specific inquiry, whether tiny appro-
pnatioti of money l/ v Congress, vv s necessary
to obtain the relinquishment by the Indians, or
tiny claim to the lands ;n controversy, have
been informed that the expense of treating for
that object might be defrayed tin: of tho con
tingent fuud, and the purchase money, if n troa-
ty should be made, provided for by ml appro
priation at the next session of Congress; and
they have been furnished by the head of that
department, with n copy of his instructions to
the A»ent of the United States, residing in the
Creek Nation, directing him to use his exer
tions to obtain such relinquishment; which is
herewith submitted.
The committee are in possession of no evi
dence to show that the State of Georgia has at
any time, manifested n determination to resist
the civil authority of the United States. On
the contrary, it appears that she has heretofore,
submitted to the order of the President to de
sist from the survey, and tho resolutions of her
legislature, at its recent session, also referred
to this committee, contain a direct and earnest
appeal to Congress to settle this unhappy con
troversy. •,
On the various and important questions which
that controversy presents, tho comniittco have
net deemed it necessary, or proper, to express
in opinion. The president has referred them
to the decision of tho judicial department, and
there is nothing before tho coramittco to autho
rize the belief that* Georgia will not peaceably
acquiesce in that reference. They do not,
therefore, think it necessary to recommend any
act of legislation, by congress, in anticipation
of a conflict between tho authorities of the U-
nion and of Georgia; and, unless ns an act of in
dispensable and melancholy necessity, they
would deem such legislation improper.
Tiie belief that we have arrived ut a crisis,
when one of the members of this confederacy,
placing herself in an attitude of hostility to the
residue, has rendered it nccccssary to resort to
to coerce her to submission, would lie appalling
to every friend of tho union apd happiness ol
these states; end, though infinitely less in de
gree, it would he matter of unaffected rcgiet,
to have forced upon us the convirtion. tii.it nn
unwarranted anticipation of such a crisis, has
ltd to the unnecessary suggestion of eveu a
conditional determination to have recourse to so
atllictivc a measure.
It is believed to he among thoso axioms,
which, in a government like ours, no man may
he permitted to dispute, that the only security
for the permanent union of these states, is to be
found in the principle of common affection,
resting on the basis of common interest. 1 he
sanctions of die constitution would be impotent
to retain, in concerted and harmonious action,
twenty-four sovereignties, hostile in tlieir feel
ings towards each other, and acting under the
impulse of a real, or imagined diversity of in
terest. The resort to l’orco would he alike
vain and nugatory. Its frequent use would
subject it, with demonstrative certainty, to ul
timate failure, while its temporary success
would be valueless for all the purposes of soci
al happiness. In such contests, however une
qual, and however transient, the seeds of disu
nion would lie thickly sown, and those who
may be lies;inod to witness them, will speedily
thereafter he called to lament the destruction
of the fairest prospects of civil liberty, which
Heaven, in its mercy, has vouchsafed to man,
The commitico have before said, that they
see no reason te fear that Georgia will not ac
quiesce in the decision of this question by the
judicial department. It has been seen that
site has heretofore yielded to the mere order
of tlic president, and die resolutions referred to
tho committee evince that she still looks xv'.tli
unabated confidence to iho congress of tho U-
n ted Stales. They can, therefore, discover
no giound for tho assumption that she medi
tates resistance to tlic civil authority of the U-
ti on. Tiie indications which have been given
of in intention to employ a portion of her mili
tia, if necessary, for the protection of her sur
veyors against Indian violence, were limited
to that object. Tnat they were intended to
<»ppo*e tiie constitutional authority of the gov-
vet nmem is unsupported by any facts which
have been disclosed to the committee, and ap
pear to them unworthy of belief: Their confi
dence in this conviction lias been to them a
source of unminglcd satisfaction. For, although
they would readily apply, if necessary, the
whole energies of the government to tho sup-
por-, of its legitimate authority, they would, at
tiie same time, regard the most remote prepa
ration for a resort to military force, for the
purpose of compelling a sister state to submis
sion, ns among tlic greatest of public calami
ties.
The committeo will not enlarge upon the
frightful consequences of civil wars. They are
known to be calamitous to single government!:,
and fatal to confederacies. Reason tell us
tills, nnd history, with her warning voice, con
firms it. A contagious fury rages in such con
tests. No matter how small tho beginning, or
how insignificant the cause, the dissmition
spreads, until ihe whole confederacy is involv
ed. The “ Third Sacred War," which ended
in the ruin of all Greece, began in a trifle, in
tho attempt of the Amphyctions to punish the
smallest member of tho confederacy for violat
ing some ground which had been consecrated
;o the gw! Apollo. The committee will not
multiply examples of the same fatal character,
of which history is 'full. They will say, that
tho "ultima ratio regium," which cannot be
resorted to between two foreign powers, until
ail the arguments of reason have been tried nnd
exhausted, ought not to be hastily used in n
community of states bound together by a con
federated government. The last argument of
kings, should not be the first among associated
republics. The tribunal of public opinion
should be resorted to. In a free government
it is almost as omnipo ent over communities as
over individuals. None can despise it. Cou
pled with n judicial decision, tho empire of pub
lic opinion will bo as binding as tho decision of
arms. In this case, the laws have been alrea
dy appealed to, and the committeo most earn
estly recommend a reliance upon their cffica
cy, and upon that instinctive sagacity of pub
lie opinion, which rarely fails to discover and
to sustain the just side of every great question
It has hitherto been tlic happiness nnd boast of the
American people, that, since tfie adoption of the pre
sent constitution, their annals exhibit but a single in
stance in which, to maintain the authority of their
government, the blood of the citizen lias been shed by
arms of the soldiery. It should be the prayer of eve
ry American that this may be the last. The appre
hensions then felt for the continuance of our conic tie
racy are fresh in the recollection of the committee.
Nor can they forget the exultation which was mani-
tested by the enemies of republican governments, and
their confident predictions of the speedy downfall of
ours. The virtue and intelligence of the people, co
operating with the inherent excellence of our political
institutions, averted the danger, and preserved the U-
nion. Three entire administrations have since inter
vened, without resorting either to the actual or threat
ened exercise of force, to sustain tlic authority of law
During a portion of this period, our country was in-
voiced in a most sanguinary war with one of the most
powertul nations oi Europe. In its progress, when
untooked for calamity filled the timorous with appre
hension, und roused the patriot to redoubled exertion
u spirit of insubordination was manifested in an im
portunt portion oi tho Union. A crisis occurred more
interesting than any other in the history of our coo*
fedcracy, und there appeared reason to apprehend
that the horrors of a civil, might be superadded to
the calamities of a foreign war. If evidence were
wunting to show the proiound and intimate knowledge
of the nature nnd tendency of our political system,
possessed by the statesman who then presided over
Ihe republic, it was ut that time strikingly exhibited;
and it any thing could udd to the deist of gratitude
which the country owes to this illustrious patriot, it is
his conduct on tbut occasion. Had threats of milita
ry coercion been used, tiie probability of its applica
tion would have been increased, and, under the ex
citement which prevailed, the commencement of hos
tilities between the federal acd state authorities might
rd stability. The honest apprehensions of those wj,, I
tion, which is now claimed, and has always the military power of tho general government
hud before doubted their capacity to sustain the
sure of danger and Ihe conflict of war, were disnelw
and all the hopes which were founded on the »„(].•
pated dissolution of onr confederacy svcre'clestrovej!
Such were tiie legitimate fruits of tiie wisdom' 27
deration, and firmness, which were then di*[,! ov ,,
and, while they retrace the history of that ppriod 4
committee are" encouraged to hope that similar',*?
Horn end moderation will lend to similar result*
They would be unwilling to give tlieir sanction!!
different measures, 011 any occasion of apprehend,!
collision between the federal government and oncj
its members, but more especially in a ease so r.,,2
tinlly different, in principle nnd character, from ,|J
with which it lias been compared, as the present is a A
milted to be. It is far from tlieir desire to internr.
with those duties which linve been confided to n,,'
executive, and which, they doubt not, will t„.. ^
ciiargcd with ability nnd zcttl; hut it becomes tho.
duty to express the opinion that there appears to i,
no ground to apprehend the necessity of appealin-ti
military force, lor the purpose of enforcing the
within the state of Georgia, and that they cannot con.
cur in the propriety of menacing its application, or B '
adopting any measure in anticipation of an issue whirl
they do not apprehend, and which every good citizen
should endeavor to avert.
The committee have not deemed it necessary to jj.
vert to various other subjects embraced in the repou
and resolutions referred to them. Some of them in
Volvo questions which cannot, properly, originate i,
this branch of the national legislature; and they
not perceive the necessity or propriety of entering in.
to an examination ol tlic remainder, while the princi-
pal question which belongs to this controversy j, j 1(
course of judicial inquiry.
The committee rely, with confidence, on the justice,
nnd tiie patriotism of the authorities of the United
States, and of Georgio, in expressing tlieir comi e .
tions, that no sucii unhappy consequences as are cp.
prehended can result from the present controversy.
They rely on the instructions and efforts of the \Ve
Deportment, and on the declarations made to tbs
Senate, during the discussion of the treaty at Wash,
ington, by one of its members, who had been active,
ly engaged in negotiating tiint treaty, (of the repeat
edly expressed willingness of the Creek Chiefs tore,
linquisii any little remnant of land within the limit) of
Georgia, which, on running the lines of that Irtstv,
might be found to lie excluded,) for tlic nssimmcg
that this whole controversy may be speedily adjusted,
by obtaining the desired relinquishment.
They, tliereiore, recommend the adoption of tho
foliow ing resolution:
Itcsolred, That the President of the United State*
he, respectfully, requested to continue his exertions to
obtniii from tlic Creek Indians a relinquishment ot i-
ny claim to lands within tlte limits of Georgia.
A number of private bills from tho homo
were passed.
Tiu bills making appropriations for the na
val service, for the Indian department, and for
the preservation and repair of the Cumber
land road, were passed.
The bill for laying out and opening roads in
tho territory of Michigan, and the bill makinj
appropriations for the public buildings, were
iscussed nud laid on the tabic.
The vice president gave notico that he should
according to usage, leave the chair tomorrow
at 12 o’clock.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Saturday, February 24.
Air. Houston concluded his remarks in sup
port of the resolution of Mr. Saunders, tiio
rule having been suspended which confines the
'iscussion on morions and resolutions to a sis-
It- hour. Mr. Wright rose in reply, when the
speaker put nn end to the discussion. Tiie
bills which had passed through committee on
iho preceding day wore then read a third timo
tud passed. The house then went into com
mittee of the whole on the bill for the preserva
tion nnd repair of tho Cumberland road. At
this bill was repot ted, it contained a provision
regulating the tolls, and appropriating forty-
live* thousand dollars for tho repair and preser
vation of the road. Mr. Barney moved a sub
stitute for this bill, which merely appropriated
fifty thousand dollars for the repair of tho road,
and left the disputed question its to tho power
of congress to erect toll-gates, and colloct tolls
in the States, until next session. This was a*
dop’.cd in committee, but in tho house tho ap
propriation was reduced to. thirty thousand
dollars. The substitute was supported by ;«H
the friends of the bill, and by some who were
opposed to the erection of toll-gates; and there
is no doubt that this compromise, by prevent
ing a long discussion of the constitutional pow
er, ensured the passage of the bill through the
houso. The houso came to a resolution to
take a daily recess from four to six o’clock du
ring the remainder of the session.
Monday, February 26.
Some discussion look place on tho passage
of the Cumberland road bill, which was finally
passed; (tho ayes and noes being taken) by a
vote of 112 to 63. Air. Tomlinson, chaimiat
of the committee on commerce, opeued the dis
cussion on the bill to reguluto the tradewidt
the British colonies, in a very succinct and a*
ble view of the commercial policy of Great
Britain, its influence on tho United States, and
ami tho course which a regard to our interests
calls upon us to adopt.
At the evening session, several privato.bilb
passed through committee, among which w 35
the bill to provide for tho settlement of claims
under tlte Florida treaty, which was Ordered te
be engrossed and read u third timo tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 27*
Tho discussion on the resolution offered by
Mr. Saunders, was superseded by a discuss'* 111
on the resolution offered on the preceding day
by Mr. Dwight, relative to tho accounts of lb*
Adams, while a minister to Europe. Tho dis
cussion on this subject had not terminated,
when the expiration of tho hour caused 0 SDi *
pension of the debate. The commltfce on
public lands made a report on tho 'chargosyfc
l'crred against Mr. Graham, the commis5i 0t ' f
of the General Land Office, by John WSboJj
which entirely acquitted Mr, Graliam of
charges. Tho house then resolved itself m'®
a committee of tho whole ou the state of
union, when the colonial bill was again diS^
cd. Mr. Mallary having moved to amend y
bill iu tho fifth lino of the first section, by *
serting tho words “by sen,’’ Mr. Pearce
Mr. Cambrolcttg opposed tho amendment,
Mr. Strong advocated it. Tho bill was brou? 1 '
is near as might be to a decision: tbo diff 10 - 1 '
ion to debato it appeared to havo coasedt
Imve terminated our existence as a free aoU united «" -FI*"™ At I
people. No menace was employed. No threat ot ftlr * Strong advocated it. Tho bill was orou^
military coercion fulminated. The movements of
those to whom disaffection was attributed, were ob
served with care, and silent preparations were made
to enable the government to act with effect, should
the application of force become unavoidable. The
threatened collision between the federal end state au
thorities was fortunately avoided. The conduct of
the parties was submitted to the judgment of the A-
mcricun people. The sentence they pronounced w as
just, ami it will remain irrevocable. Public opinion
performed its office, and our republican institutions a-
rose from the shock with renewed lustre and increas-
question wmfbn tlm ove of being taken on *
dcring it to a third reading—when, after
effort had been made to keep the bouse tog^f
er, an adjournment became almost uuavoio* 6 •
uud was reluctantly agreed to. . ), ( 1
Indications arc decidedly in favor 0*
passage of tho bill; if o vote bo allowed n°' |
be takeu upon it, without further debate*.