H. of R.] MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1830. Mr. BURGES presented a memorial from the yearly meeting of the Society of Friends in New England, and moved to have it referred to the same Committee of the Whole to which was referred the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs, and to have it printed. The question red, and as this cannot therefore receive the consideration was divided; and on the motion to print, a very animated debate arose. [Some remarks were made against the printing by two or three gentlemen, which our reporter did not catch; no debate being anticipated on petitions. When he came in, Mr. WHITTLESEY had the floor.] The previous question was called for by Mr. STERI- tee on Indian Affairs had reported, would it have been GERE; and, being demanded by a majority of the mem- printed? Would the House have ordered in the first instance bers present, the previous question was put and carried; and its publication? Certainly not. Such a course had been The main question was then put, viz. Will the House unusual. Such a course would not have been taken with agree to the resolutions as moved by Mr. CONDICT? this memorial. It would have been referred at once to And passed in the affirmative. the committee for their examination, for their consideration, and for them to have reported upon. This has been the course which similar memorials have taken during our present session. And it is the uniform course of proceeding in legislative assemblies. Why, then, I would ask, will you order this single memorial, at this time, to be printed? The only reason which I have heard offered in favor of such a course is, that in as much as the committee have reported on the memorials which have been referof the committee, there would be a propriety and fitness in causing it to be printed for the use of the members of this House, who must soon be called upon to act on the subject matter of this memorial. And this of itself would be, in my opinion, a sufficient reason, if the memorial now before us contained any new views, or any different Mr. WHITTLESEY said, the objections urged by the considerations from those which have already been congentleman from Georgia, against printing the memorial, sidered. And I was, sir, much gratified when the gentlewere, that the expense would be onerous on the treasury; man from Georgia called for the reading of this paper. I that the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs had gave particular attention to it. I was anxious to ascertain been made, and therefore that the publication of the whether the memorialists had set forth any new views of memorial was unnecessary for the action of the committee this all-absorbing subject--whether they had urged any or of the House, and that the memorial might reflect on reasons different from those which had been inserted in the committee. Mr. W. said, in relation to the expense other memorials which had already received the attention of printing the memorial, he was an advocate for economy; of the committee, and upon which they had already actand if he considered the publication to be unnecessary or ed; and the views the committee entertained in relation to unusual, or if it could be demonstrated that the treasury them, were clearly and distinctly embraced in the report was not able to bear the expense, he would go with the which they had already presented, and which the House gentleman in the vote he was about to give; but he said he had already ordered to be printed, and which report much admired, in casting his eye over the House to see would soon be placed on our tables. But, sir, I take the who were opposed to the printing of this short memorial, liberty to inform the House that, as far as the reading of they were of the number who had voted for printing ten this memorial proceeded, not a single new view was taken, thousand copies of the report on Indian Affairs, without not a new argument was set forth, not an additional reahearing it read, or knowing the contents of it, and who son was urged, which have not already claimed the dehad forced the question on the House by calling the pre-liberate attention of the committee. I ask, then, sir, why vious question. He said it was a subject of much astonish-order this single memorial at this time to be printed? If ment with him, that gentlemen should be so profuse in it had contained views, if it had been replete with conexpending the public money on one day, and so remark-siderations not embraced in those which have already been ably economical on another. He said he thought it a little presented, referred, and acted upon, I would most cheerremarkable that it should be objected by any gentleman fully agree to the printing of it. I am entirely disposed from the State of Georgia, that the committee had report- to give to the people all the information on this subject ed, and therefore that the printing was unnecessary. He which can be obtained. But I am wholly unable to dissaid he had, since the question was under discussion, ex- cover any good and sufficient reason why this single meamined the executive documents, and he there found that morial, at this particular time, should be printed. there were many memorials printing on the application I most freely admit, sir, that it has emanated from a of the gentlemen from Georgia and South Carolina, re- highly respectable society in New England. I know that monstrating against imposing any additional duties on im- society well. Some of this family reside in my own neighports. Has the gentleman forgot the presentation of borhoods and there is not a man on the floor of this House these memorials, and the order of the House to print them? who entertains a higher respect for the Society of Friends Would the gentleman have been contented, and would he than myself. My opposition to the printing of this mehave remained silent, if there had been an objection by morial does not arise from any disrespect to the memoany supporter of the great protective system, against print-rialists. ing those memorials which were sent here by agricultu But, sir, it does appear to me (perhaps I may be wrong) ral societies and by individuals. By looking at the dates that, at this time, after the report of the Committee on when these memorials were presented, [said Mr. W.] it Indian Affairs has been presented, should the House order would be found that they were ordered to be printed both the memorial just offered to be printed, containing no new before and after the Committee on Manufactures had views from those which have already been considered by made their report. The application, then, [said Mr. W.] that committee, it would seem to declare, as the sentiment was not without precedent. As to there being any thing in of this House, that the reasoning of the committee on this the memorial that would reflect on the committee, he said he subject had not been satisfactory, and that the House thought that extremely improbable, from the highly re- would now order this memorial to be printed, to impugn spectable source from whence it emanated; and he believed the report of the committee, and this even before that report when it was inspected, he thought it would be as temperate had received the deliberate consideration of the House. at least as the memorials to which he had referred. He Regarding it in this light, I cannot but consider the said he thought the objections entitled to but little weight, printing of the memorial at this time, and under these and expressed a hope that the printing would be ordered. circumstances, as in some measure reflecting on the doMr. HUBBARD, of New Hampshire, said, if this memo-ings of the committee. I must therefore oppose the prorial had been presented to the House before the Commit- position. MARCH 1, 1830.]* Indian Affairs. [H. of R. by a plurality, but by a majority, and that he had every vote if the gentleman pleases, but even then I do not see through the reasoning of the gentleman. I do not know what he would say, unless he means to be understood that, in these days of reform and retrenchment, the President will propose, and this House will save all the money that was lost under the last prodigal administration! Mr. THOMPSON, of Georgia, asked if there was not will say that the gentleman must be mistaken as to his mosome difference between the claims of the present admin- tive. We have the charity to believe that he is mistaken. istration and those of the last. The President was elected The other objection which has been urged against the by a large majority; he was looked up to for a renovation, printing of this document, is more extraordinary still. It and such a one as should secure to the people their le- is not extraordinary that the House should shudder at ingitimate rights. The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. WHIT- curring an expense of five dollars in printing; but it was TLESEY] had said that the tariff memorials of South Caro- a little wonderful that a New England gentleman [Mr. lina and Georgia were printed at the expense of the HUBBARD] should get up in his place, and say the memorial Government, and the Southern gentlemen made no objec- should not be printed, lest it should reflect on the report tion to the expense. Had the gentleman forgotten that of the Committee on Indian Affairs; lest it should reflect memorials from the manufacturing districts were printed on a report which he had not read, and with the contents also? The gentleman should remember that the system of which he was not acquainted! Who ever said he rethere forced upon us took money from the pockets of the flected upon that report? In the name of all that is merSouthern people without their consent, and put it into ciful, pure, or intelligent, who ever dreamed of such a the pockets of the people of the Northeast, without re-thing--who ever thought of it, who suggested it? No one. turning to the Southern people an equivalent. He remem- It has not been mentioned. Our object is to obtain conbered the mammoth petition upon that subject, which was trary views, opinions, and arguments, to read, collate, and rolled into the House from Boston. He had been told by compare them. Who ever before deemed that receiving a respectable gentleman from New England, that one, or a memorial was reflecting upon the report of a committee? that some of the signers of that memorial had just im- But perhaps the gentleman from New Hampshire [Mr. ported one million seven hundred thousand pounds ster- HCBBARD] meant a sort of logical reflection; as if, because ling worth of foreign goods. With respect to the printing the committee has published a report, if we subsequently of the present memorial, he repeated now what he said receive a paper containing different views, it indicates that before, that it was unnecessary to print it, for the vanity the House thinks the committee has not gone exactly right. of the authors, if nothing else, would induce them to pub- We are told by the gentleman from Georgia, [Mr. lish it. He thought the printing would be a useless ex- THOMPSON] as if to sanctify the opposition to this motion, pense of public treasure. If there was more information that the things done under the last administration are not upon this subject before the people, it would appear that to be looked to as precedents for what we shall do under in some of these intermeddling memorials Georgia has this. He seems to say that, because General Jackson was been wantonly aspersed, and that the claims of Georgia elected by such an overwhelming majority, the people are founded in justice, and nothing but sheer justice. are not to expect to have their memorials printed! I am Mr. BATES made a few remarks in reply, in which he willing to admit that the President was elected not only said the time spent in the discussion of this motion was worth twenty times told more than the printing. How did the gentleman from Georgia know that the vanity of the Quakers would induce them to publish this document? He apprehended the meeting and the memorialists were influenced by very different motives. Mr. B. referred to the course which had been pursued during the session by the gentleman from Georgia. Hardly a memorial had been Mr. HUBBARD said, the member from Rhode Island presented upon this subject, but it must lie one day upon has observed "it was a little wonderful that a New Engthe table-one day for those gentlemen to inspect it, land gentleman should get up in his place, and say that before it was referred to the committee. But when the the memorial should not be printed, lest it should reflect committee made their report, no delay was allowed. They on the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs; lest it called for the printing, and there must be no delay--not a should reflect on a report which he had not read, and with moment. The reading of it also was denied; and the print- the contents of which he was not acquainted. Now, sir, ing of ten thousand copies was ordered, without our know-I am the member to whom the gentleman has so courte ing any thing about the contents. But now, when a me-ously alluded; and why and wherefore, he perhaps can morial came from the other side, and we asked for the tell, but I cannot. Sir, I am from New England; and I printing of it also, the gentlemen object to it. Oh! it is rejoice in that consideration. And when I shall misreprevery expensive! it is altogether useless! He hoped the me- sent the interests of my own State, or the interests of morial would be printed. New England, then let the gentleman express his astoMr. BURGES said, he was refreshed and invigorated nishment at my course. When that gentleman takes occawhen he found no arguments offered against the printing sion here to allege that I have not seen, examined, and but such as were offered. It would cost too much to print well considered the report of the Committee on Indian one and a half octavo pages for two hundred and sixteen Affairs; when he undertakes to say that I am not acquainted members to read, because, if the House did not print it, with the contents of that report; when he undertakes to the vanity of the New England Quakers would induce cast so severe a reflection upon my conduct, he states that them to publish it themselves! He did not wonder, after which he does not, and which he cannot, know. His this declaration, that the gentleman from Georgia had sup-attack upon me, sir, is not only unkind in its character, posed the New York memorial emanated "from an acciden- but wholly unmerited as relates to myself. What right tal assemblage in a grog shop." The gentleman seemed has the gentleman from Rhode Island to make such an to suppose that no one would be induced to write such a allegation against any member of this House? What right thing unless he wished it printed. He could inform the does he possess to cast so foul an imputation upon me, sir, gentleman that it was not an extraordinary thing for a man when I have hardly the honor of a passing acquaintance in New England to know how to write. It would not be with him? Such insinuations and such reflections, when wonderful if a laboring man, after his week's work was made on this floor against me, coming even from the gendone, should write as good English on a Saturday after- tleman from Rhode Island, will not pass unheeded. noon, as a committee of the House. When the gentleman member of the Committee on Indian Affairs, I should feel, objects to the printing on account of the expense, I be- sir, as though I richly merited all the abuse which that lieve that to be his real motive, not because I am bound by gentleman seems disposed to cast upon me, if I had concourtesy to believe it, but because I know the gentleman. sented that the result of their doings, that the report But the people will believe no such thing. The people which had found its way into this House, had been pre As a H. of R.] Indian Affairs. ed to be somewhat acquainted with their doings? And yet the very honorable gentleman from Rhode Island rises in his place, and expresses his perfect astonishment at the remarks which I, as a member from New England, had seen fit to make, and the reason which I had suggested against publishing the memorial—that “it reflected on the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs," and most unequivocally asserted that I had not read either the report or the memorial. Sir, as much disposed as I am, and as I ever shall be, to respect age, I never can, and I never will, suffer such a charge of dereliction of my duty to this House, as is implied in the allegation of the venerable gentleman, to pass unnoticed. Sir, this is the first time that I have thrown myself upon the notice of the House, and I much regret that the debate has taken such a course as to bring me into personal collision with any gentleman. {MARCH 1, 1830. sented here without my examination. And I know not before that report had been considered, I felt myself by what authority the gentleman from Rhode Island has bound to oppose the printing of this memorial; and, sir, taken the liberty to assert here that I had not examined whether right or wrong, it was the honest impression made the report which proceeded from the committee of which on my mind at the time. Not that I am unwilling to give I am a member. Sir, I cannot fail to regard this charge this to the public; if it is the desire of the gentlemen, I as highly reproachful upon my character as a member of will go with them, and print all the memorials presented, this House; and I stand here to repel it, to declare that it some of which are now on the table, and some of which is without foundation. And no gentleman shall take the have been referred to the committee, and have been by liberty to utter such language in relation to myself, with- them considered. If such a proposition were made, I out at least receiving such an answer as the character of would not oppose it, but I would support it. But I stated, the allegation would seem to call for, and would seem to further, sir, that I was not in favor of giving this memojustify. Now, [said Mr. H.] what were the remarks which rial single handed to the public, and on this account I I took occasion to make (when up before) in relation to should vote against the motion to print. These were, the proposition of the gentleman from Rhode Island to substantially, the remarks, and all the remarks, I made; print this memorial, and which have (wholly unprovoked and I ask, was it possible for any gentleman, from my obon my part) called from that gentleman the most virulent servations, not to understand that I had been a member of strictures upon my conduct? Did I object to the printing the Committee on Indian Affairs, and, of course, presumon account of its being a tax upon our treasury? No, sir. I made no such objection. Did I object on the ground of withholding information from the people? No, sir. made no such objection. Did I object on the ground that the memorialists were not respectable? No, sir. I am too well acquainted with the character of the Friends in New England, to be warranted in making any such suggestion. Sir, I will endeavor to repeat, substantially, what I said. I commenced my observations with the inquiry, if this memorial had been presented before the committee had reported, would the House have ordered it to be printed? I said, no; that such a course would be unusual; that it would have been referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs in the first instance, without being printed, as a matter of course; and the committee would have considered it, and would have reported upon it: and that such had been the invariable proceeding of the House in rela- Mr. REED observed that the gentleman [Mr. HUBtion to similar memorials; (with, I believe, a single excep- BARD, of New Hampshire] was altogether mistaken in tion, the memorial from the ladies in Ohio;) and this, in point of fact, in relation to the mode of doing business in my opinion, was ordered to be printed more from a spirit the House, and this error had probably led him to an erroof commendable courtesy to the memorialists themselves, neous result. He asks, "would the House have ordered than from a sense of duty. I remarked, further, that I these memorials printed, before the committee had rewas rejoiced when the gentleman from Georgia called for ported?" Certainly; it has been the common course of the reading of this memorial, as I was anxious to hear it, business in this House, when a petition is presented, if reand that I did hear and did understand it as far as the read-quested and deemed of sufficient importance, to order it ing proceeded; and I most distinctly stated that this me- to be printed, and at the same time referred to a commorial presented no new views, urged no considerations, mittee. On the very subject now under consideration, not already embraced in other memorials, which had been two memorials or petitions have been printed. presented to the House, referred to the committee, and This memorial comes from a class of men whom I know which had received their consideration. The views of to be highly respectable, called Friends or Quakers. They the committee on these memorials had been clearly set are unobtrusive, and interfere very little with the Governforth in the report which they had presented to the House, ment of their country. We see few of their petitions or I did not pretend, sir, that I had heard read the whole remonstrances; at the same time, they may justly be rankof this memorial. But I did state that I had attended to ed among our most valuable and useful citizens. If on the reading as far as it proceeded; and, that no views the present occasion they have thought proper to present were taken of the subject, which had not already claimed a memorial to this House, stating their views in relation the attention of the committee; and I would here suggest, to the Georgia Indians, why not publish it? Why not that if this paper had contained any different reasons treat it with the respect and consideration due to the subwhich had not been considered by the committee, sure ject, and those who present it? Why not treat it like am that the gentleman from Rhode Island would (and pro- other memorials of the same character? On what occaperly, in my opinion) urge that circumstance upon the sion has this House refused to publish a memorial preHouse as a reason for printing this memorial. But, sir, no sented by so large and respectable a class of men as the such argument was offered, for no such fact existed; and yearly meeting of Quakers in New England Let it be I stated, further, sir, as a reason why I opposed the pro- printed. Let it be read and examined! The Committee position of the gentleman to print, and which I felt myself on Indian Affairs have no just ground of apprehension on bound to state, that the presentation of this memorial, at account of their report upon the subject. If their report this particular time, after the report of the Committee on be correct, it will stand the test of argument. The meIndian Affairs had been made, should the House order it morial can do it no harm. On the other hand, if the reto be printed, in as much as new views were contained in port be erroneous, it should be the desire of all to know the memorial, that had not been before presented, would it. It should be our aim to seek light and truth wherever seem to declare, as the sentiment of the Ilouse, that the to be found, and finally judge with impartiality. reasoning of the Committee on Indian Affairs, that the Mr. DANIEL made a few remarks, the purport of conclusions deduced from their premises, as presented in which was, that there was an excitement in the country, their report, were not satisfactory to the House; and, re- owing to the want of proper knowledge upon the subject, garding the action of the House in this particular as pre- and that the extra number of the report was necessary to maturely impugning the report of the committee, even enlighten the people. MARCH 1, 1830.]* Indian Affairs. [H. of R. Mr. THOMPSON, of Georgia, said, he did not doubt with him. He would vote for printing this memorial, and but that the memorials were signed by many honest gen- trusted that the time of the House would not longer be octlemen, who erred for want of knowledge upon the sub-cupied in discussing this very unimportant question. ject. He did not object, when up before, to the expense Mr. GOODENOW said, he rose principally for inforof printing, but to the uselessness of the expense. Mr. mation. There were in the House upwards of fifty meT. made some remarks in reply to Mr. BURGES, and con- morials. cluded by saying he was not surprised at the course of the He understood that no part of these memorials would gentleman when he advocated remarks so indecorous, and constitute a part of that report. If a memorial was preso ungenerous to Georgia, as were contained in the me-sented, containing views different from any before advancmorial from the city of New York. ed, only the day before the final question was taken, and Mr. STERIGERE then moved to lay the motion to print if it was printed, he thought it was making an invidious upon the table. distinction between that one and those which were filed Upon this motion, Mr. BATES called for the yeas and away. If this motion did not prevail, he should move to nays; which were ordered, and the motion was rejected: [print a memorial which he had himself presented. yeas, 66-nays, 108. The question then recurred upon the motion to print the memorials. Mr. HAYNES said, he was opposed to the printing, because it would have a tendency to keep up the delusion which existed in some parts of the country. A moment's Mr. BELL said, it was due to the House that he should consideration of the President's message would convince say a few words. He did not think the opposition to the the people that it was not intended to do any thing more printing arose from the supposition that it would throw than to induce them voluntarily to emigrate. He had exlight upon the general subject. He had stated before that amined with some attention the legislation of Georgia on he thought it ought not to be printed, unless all were print- this subject. There was nothing in the acts of Georgia, ed. He understood the gentleman from New Hampshire which assumed the right to coerce the Indians to remove. [Mr. HUBBARD] to place it upon the ground that, if all It was only because he thought it would keep up a deluwere printed, he did not object to the printing of this one.sion that now existed. When the gentlemen examined the memorials, they would| Mr. CRAIG, of Virginia, said, it was one of the things see that they were most of them before the public; some between the doing of which and the not doing of which was of them were in the papers before they reached the House. of so little consequence, that it was not worth speaking If any light was to be gained from them, the public was about. He had voted for laying it on the table, in the in possession. He alluded to the productions of " William hope to get rid of it. He hoped it would be disposed of Penn," upon which almost all the memorials were found-as courtesy should dictate, that the amendment would not ed; the facts were the same, and the general reasoning was prevail, and that the wishes of the gentleman who prethe same. He stated this, to repel the insinuations that the sented it should be acquiesced in. printing was opposed in order to withhold light. He thought the attention of the House should be drawn to this fact. His voice would not have been raised against this one, if he had known that a precedent had already been printed; and if such a motion had not been made, he now moved to print all the memorials at the same time this was printed. Mr. BELL replied, that he submitted his amendment merely on the ground that it was said the opposition to the printing was to withhold information. If they were printed, the House would find them to contain very much the same matter. Gentle man from Georgia, [Mr. THOMPSON] he believed he had not used precisely the gentleman's words, but he thought he had not misrepresented them. The gentleman did not object to it on the ground of the expense, but because it was useless expense. Now, the uselessness of the printing was according to the judgment of the gentleman who made the objection. Mr. BURGES regretted extremely that he should have Mr. BATES said, he agreed, if the House should print been misunderstood. He made a very ordinary motion one and refuse to print the others, it would be invidious. to print a memorial from a respectable source. There was not a single application to print a memorial, men had accused him of making an insinuation. He did which was refused. The printing had not been refused, not know how to make an insinuation. He had all his life because it had not been asked for. said, in as plain a manner as he could, the thing that he Mr. BUCHANAN hoped that his friend from Tennes- thought. With regard to previous remarks of the gentlesee [Mr. BELL] would withdraw his motion to amend, Whenever this Indian question came before the House, it produced a strong excitement. For his own part, he was determined to keep himself perfectly cool, and consider it as he would any other important subject. A long and an animated debate had arisen upon the simple question of printing a memorial from the Society of Friends in New England. For his own part, ever since he had held a seat As to his reverend appearance, it was not a matter of in that House, he had always voted for printing any me- his own choice; whether he should have a gray hair or not, morial which the member who had presented thought it was not a matter in which he had a volition. He would was proper to print, either for our own information or say to that gentleman, that he took no shelter behind his that of the public. He was anxious that all the light should gray hairs from any fair argument. He allowed the serbe shed upon this subject, which we could obtain. But vant boy to consider himself as reverend as he pleases. even if he were not so, he well knew that the attempt to prevent the printing of any memorial, served only the more to attract public attention to it, and thus give it an importance which it might not deserve. Had this motion to print prevailed, as it usually has done, without an objection, the memorial would have been quietly laid upon our tables, and there the matter would have ended. He had not read it; but, from the source from which it proceeded, it ought to be treated with respectful attention. Though that gentleman's hair was now black, it might happen that a time would come when allusions to his age would sound ungracious in his ear. He did think the motion to print them, en masse, was very much like an attempt to overthrow the whole. The gentleman from New Hampshire [Mr. HUBBARD] did say that the printing of the memorial would impugn the report. This the gentleman could not know, because he had not read this memorial. If it impugned the report, Mr. B. said, he could not vote for the amendment to he would not ask for the printing of it. But if it impugnprint in mass all the memorials which had been presented ed the principles of the report, he should ask to have it to the House on the Indian question. It was wholly un- printed, for every one in the community had a right to necessary. If any gentleman, however, should ask for the impugn its premises and its conclusions. When he was printing of any of them, upon his own responsibility, after up before, he was not aware that the gentleman from New having examined its contents, he should cheerfully vote Hampshire was a member of the Committee on Indian Af VOL. VI.-75 As to this me [MARCH 2, 3, 1830 Mr. DE WITT here moved the previous question. The main question was put on printing the memorial, and carried. Yeas, 106. fairs, or of course he should not have said the gentleman govern themselves, then our policy towards them is to be had not read the report. He was not bound to know that changed. the gentleman belonged to the committee. morial from the Friends of New England, the men of peace, he thought it ought to be printed; and if it were not disrespectful to the House, he would say that he would himself pay the expense, which would not exceed one dollar and a half--of informing the House, and thus save the treasury from the onerous burden. The step about to be taken would change our whole policy in relation to the Indians, and decide whether we should purchase the land of the Indians, or expel them by force from the land of their forefathers. Mr. GOODENOW made a few remarks in reply to Mr. BURGES, and said he hoped the motion would prevail to amend; and, if it should not, he should vote for the motion of the gentleman from Rhode Island. TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1830. The House resumed the consideration of the resolution offered by Mr. VINTON, to print, and append to the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs, the laws of certain States extending their jurisdiction over the Indian tribes--the question being on Mr. FosTER's substitute for the resolution, proposing to embrace the laws of all the States relative to the Indians within their limits. Mr. BELL opposed the resolution as unnecessary to the extent proposed, and, if necessary to that extent, that there were other documents, treaties, &c. which it would be as proper to include. Mr. TEST proposed to confine the selection to the original laws of the States extending their jurisdiction over the Indians. Mr. FOSTER declined this modification, and supported his substitute as it stood. Mr. BUCHANAN said, he rose for the purpose of denying that the question to be hereafter decided by the House was of the character which had been stated by the gentleman from Rhode Island, [Mr. BURGES.] That gentleman had entirely mistaken its nature. He would not say the mistake was intentional, because he did not believe it was; but this he would say, that, unless it were corrected, it might do the same injury in misleading public Mr. STERIGERE moved to commit the resolution to opinion, as though it had been intended. Sir, [said Mr. the Committee on Indian Affairs. If the printing were B.] we are not about to decide, as the gentleman sup-ordered, as proposed, it would take all the summer to poses, whether we shall change the settled policy of this prepare the collection; and he thought the committee country in regard to the Indians, nor whether we are could better designate what was necessary. about to expel them by force from the land of their fore-fathers. Far, very far from it. God forbid that I, or that any gentleman upon this floor, should entertain the cruel purpose of using the power of this Government to drive that unfortunate race of men by violence across the Mississippi. Where they are, there let them remain, unless they should freely consent to depart. The State of Georgia, so far as we can judge from her public acts, entertains no other intention. Mr. EVERETT, of Massachusetts, opposed the commitment, and advocated the original resolution, considering it essentially necessary that the House should be in possession of the acts in question, to be able to form an opinion on the questions which the House would be called on to decide at the present session, in relation to the Indians. Mr. ELLSWORTH was also in favor of the original resolution. Memorials had been received from the InThe question may possibly be debated here, whether dians, complaining of the laws of those States as violating Georgia has a right to extend her laws over such Indians the treaties of legislation of the country; and it was necesas reside within the limits of her sovereignty. That is a sary to have the laws printed, that the House might dequestion, however, which will not either naturally or ne-cide the justice of those complaints. It was useless to cessarily arise, upon the discussion of the bill reported by print the laws of States from which no complaints had the Committee on Indian Affairs. been received. Mr. HOFFMAN opposed the printing of the laws, and appending them to the report of the Indian Committee, because it would smother the report, and keep it from being read by the people. He was in favor of the commitment. What is the nature of that bill? It presents the strongest inducements to the Indians to leave a land, in which, from the nature of things, they never can be happy, and rejoin that portion of their tribe which have already emigrated across the Mississippi. It proposes to them that they shall have a country and a home, guarantied to them by Mr. WILDE suggested the propriety of sending the rethe faith of the United States-by the most solemn solution to the committee, with instructions to select and pledges which the Government can make--where they report so much of the laws, treaties, and judicial decisions shall be forever free from the intrusions of the white man-- of the several States, as they may deem proper to print where, under the protection of the United States, they for the information of the House, and advocated this may be governed by their own laws and their own cus- course. toms-and where the efforts of benevolence and christian- Mr. STERIGERE accepted the instructions as a part ity may be exerted for the purpose of elevating their of his motion. moral and social condition. Mr. VINTON demanded the yeas and nays on the quesAnd would not this be better for them, than to remain tion; but just then the expiration of the hour cut off furin a State, within the limits of which they have attempt-ther proceeding for to-day. ed to establish their own sovereign authority, in defiance of that State? Ought we not then to hold out inducements to them voluntarily to remove to this land of refuge? That is the question, and the only question which the bill will present. Mr. BURGES said, he intended to say may change the policy of the Government. The question referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs was, whether the Cherokees had a right to establish a Government within the boundary of Georgia. We have by solemn treaty guarantied to the Indians their possession of the country, and the right to govern themselves in it. If the conclusion of that committee goes to show that the Indians have not the right to WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1830. The House resumed the consideration of the resolution of Mr. VINTON, on the subject of printing the laws of the several States in relation to the Indians within their territories, being on the amendment offered yesterday by Mr. WILDE, to recommit it with instructions to the Committee on Indian Affairs. On this amendment the yeas and nays were ordered. Mr. LUMPKIN said, in justification of the vote he should give, against referring this subject to the Committee on Indian Affairs, he would ask to be indulged with |