Wednesday, January 30.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to inform this House whether Samuel Hammond, a member of this House, has not accepted of an Executive appointment, and when?
Ordered, That Mr. Bryan and Mr. Eppes be appointed a committee to present the foregoing resolution to the President of the United States.
Georgia Claims.
The House resumed the consideration of the resolution reported yesterday from the Committee of the Whole on the Georgia Claims.
Mr. Elliot.—It cannot but be considered as a very fortunate circumstance, and one which cannot fail to have a favorable influence upon the final decision of this important question, that, since the delivery of the animated observations which yesterday so powerfully attracted the attention of the House, we have been afforded a few hours of tranquil retirement from the tempest of the forum, for the purpose, useful at all times, and peculiarly so at the present time, of calm reflection. To transfer ourselves in a moment from the flowery fields of fancy, to the rugged road of argument, to descend instantaneously from the elevated scenes of eloquence to the humble walks of common sense, requires an effort transcending ordinary powers. In claiming your attention, Mr. Speaker, for a greater portion of the day than I commonly occupy in debate upon this floor, I shall not address you in the style of compliment or ceremony. It is time to banish from these walls that idle frippery of ceremonious conversation, which is suited only to a new year’s compliment, or a birthday salutation, and to catch a little of the sturdy spirit of antiquity. A bold, a loud, an impressive appeal is made to the American people. In that appeal I fearlessly and most cordially unite. I regret, however, the existence of a precedent which at once justifies and demands these addresses to the people. Much as I wish to disseminate correct information, particularly on a subject which I believe is but imperfectly understood without these walls, except by interested persons, and convinced as I am that the subject is understood, and an opinion formed upon it, by every member of this House, I shall not so completely follow the example before us as to speak to the people in the first instance, but shall, as usual, direct my observations to the House.
I propose to examine, in a concise, and if it be in my power, in an argumentative manner, the following questions, which have a direct application to the amendment proposed by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Clark) to the resolution under consideration, and which, at the same time, open to view the whole extent of the subject:
Did the State of Georgia, in the year 1795, possess a title to the territory in question?
Were the Legislature of Georgia, in 1795, invested with the constitutional power of making a sale of the territory, and did they make such sale to those from whom the present claimants derive their title or pretended title? And if such sale was made, what title or color of title did it convey?