Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

112 ABRIDGMENT OF THE SENATE.] Yazoo Land Claims. [JANUARY, 1825. found correct, he did not see why they should compromise between the United States and the not be relieved. holders of Yazoo lands, under the act of 1814. Mr. SMITH did not recollect any case directly The report sets forth: That, before the Commisin point. The Secretary of the Treasury might sioners, the petitioners, as trustees of the New have given the advice mentioned by the peti- England Mississippi Land Company, claimed, as the tioner, and he was not at all wrong in so doing. persons entitled to the one million five hundred and The money had been paid into the Treasury, fifty thousand dollars, directed to be issued to the andThe money had not been paid into the esury, Georgia Mississippi Land Company; their claim to and, if so, could not be returned to the peti- indemnity for 957,600 acres, amounting to $130,425, tioners by any authority of the President or was resisted in behalf of the Georgia Mississippi officers of the Government. An act must be Company, on the ground that the consideration passed for the purpose. This memorial was not money for said lands had not been paid, and that, a memorial from the merchants in Russia, but therefore, they were, in equity, entitled to the in. came regularly before the House from a citizen, demnity provided by the act of Congress. The the agent of a foreigner, and ought to be re- Commissioners decided in favor of the Georgia ceived. Mississippi Company, and the 130,425 dollars were Mr. LANMAN was in favor of committing the deducted from the amount awarded to the New petition, but not in consequence of the prece- England Mississippi Land Company, and distributed dent of Gen. Boyd. It would be found that as follows: $50,608 48 to individual members of the General presented himself before the king tle Georgia Mississippi Company, who had released in council, or Parliament-the petition was to the United States, under the act of 1814, to presented in the character of a British subject whom the same has accordingly been paid; $9, serving a ilitary capacity in India, claiming 816 52 was reserved to the United States, as being servingiamiiar pciynInialamigthe shares of those claimants, who, not having been certain immunities granted him to export salt- paid the consideration money by the persons who petre. He thought the dignity of the Govern- had purchased of them, claimed to be still the legal ment, and their own dignity, sense of duty and and bona fide owners of said lands, and, as such, self-respect, required that they should accept had availed themselves of the provision of the rethis petition. IHe was aware of many petitions pealing act of the State of Georgia, and obtained having been received from foreigners, among the repayment of the consideration money by surothers that of Col. Calava, of Florida. rendering their titles to the State. The petitioners Mr. LLOYD, of Massachusetts, did not attach object to this decision as erroneous, and they ask much importance to the precedent of Gen. to have the $132,425 paid to them by the United Boyd, because he thought they were capable of States, or their release to the extent of the 957,600 judging for themselves. Gen. B. did come be- acres cancelled, so that they may assert their title fore Parliament as a petitioner, but it was in to the lands in a court of law.] the character of a Mahratta chieftain-he could The committee, for the reasons which they not have presented a petition as a citizen of the set forth, declare the prayer of the petition United States-he did not believe there was unreasonable, and that it ought not to be any law existing in the United States requiring granted. that an alien should be naturalized before he Mr. MILLs moved to reverse the decision of acquired the right of petitioning. This peti- the committee, so as to declare the petition reationer had pursued the proper course, and ought sonable; and followed his motion with a speech to be heard. of considerable length, and much earnestness, Mr. TAZEWELL submitted somewhat at large in support of it. his views of the proper course to be pursued by Mr. HoLMES, of Maine, (a member of the Juforeigners in seeking favors or redress from an diciary Committee,) replied to Mr. MILLS at alien Government; the true distinction to be equal length and earnestness, in support of the made between citizens and aliens by Govern- report of the committee, and against the pement in receiving their complaints; what was tition. due to courtesy on the one hand, and to right Mr. LLOYD, of Massachusetts, followed, in on the other, &c. But Mr. T. was heard by the support of the petition, and against the report. reporter too indistinctly to venture a more par- ir. TALBOT, (a member of the Judiciary ticular statement of his remarks. Committee,) followed Mr. L. on the same side, The petition was received, 21 rising in favor and addressed the Senate more than half an to 12 against; and the petition referred to the hour, in support of the justice of the petition, Committee on Finance. and against the report. The debate had continued between two and WEDNESDAY, January 19. three hours, when Mr. TALBOT had concluded; and Mr. VAN BUREN, (chairman of the commitYazoo Land Claims. tee who made the report,) expressing a desire The Senate took up the report of the Judi- to submit his views in its support, asked to be ciary Committee, unfavorable to the petition of indulged until to-molrow, as the hour was now Ebenezer Oliver and others, Directors of the late, and moved to lay the report on the table; New England Mississippi Land Company. which was agreed to. [The petitioners appeal from & decision of the Commissioners appointed to carry into effect the

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Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 112
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

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Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

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