[Letter] 1800 Apr. 17, Philad[elphi]a [to] Governor [of Georgia] James Jackson / James Jones

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Philad.a [Philadelphia]
17th April 1800
His Excellency Jas. [James] Jackson [unclear text: J. Jones ]
17th April 1800
Dear Sir/
your highly esteemed favor of the
30th March came to hand by last mail. my weekly communications subsequent to those whose receipt you acknowledge will have informed you of the progress of our negotiation. A bill some time ago pass'd [passed] our house to grant to the people of Natchez the 2nd grade of a territorial Government, that is a Legislature Assembly of nine members. in Senate a proposition was made at the instance of the U.S. Commissioners, to extend their powers to a final agreement by compromise or otherwise for a cession of our Territory provided they shoud [should] not stipulate for drawing any moneys out of the Treasury by way of compensation, other than the proceeds of the same lands. an amendment was proposed to this to enable the sd [said] Commissioners to settle by compromise or otherwise will the setters [settlers] or any other persons any claims for lands in any of the Territory [document damaged] are [unclear text: vested ] by Georgia. after they shall have settled with Georgia & received a cession and not sooner. on this proposition Mr. B. Col. T. & myself frequently consulted and determined to oppose the last amendment. Mr. B. did so in Senate but both the amendments were carried yes 19 nos 8. the fact is as I have frequently intimated that the [unclear text: Eastern ] people concerned in these lands are very numerous & influential, they are indefatigable in their exertions to be taken care of. the Commissioners of the U.S. are manifestly inclined to aid them in some way or other. and we plainly


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see that the motive is predominant in their minds, & [unclear text: abstractedly ] from that object they have no disposition to proceed in the negotiation. I am of opinion that by using every effort in my power I cou'd [could] have the last clause rejected; but it is evident that this woud [would] destroy the bill and effectually cut short all negotiation. we unanimously believe it is not best to do this. It has been insinuated to us that if the bill passes the people interested will come forward with the proper vouchers agreeable to the [unclear text: annuling [annulling] ] act and take the money out of our Treasury in conformity to our determinations. they will then it is presumed make some compromise with the Commissioners of the U.S. whereby they will get hold of the money to pay to Georgia or to apply to the extinguishment of Indian claims. they cannot do any thing on this head however till the State has relinquished her right . they will not require the sanction or countenance of the State to any of these acts. they will stipulate for a specific sum [document damaged] 4,00000 to be applied to extinguishing Indian [document damaged: rights ] will it is believed consent to allow us one & a half million of dollars out of the proceeds of the lands when sold & this from the first sales. Mr. Wolcott told me the other day if the bill pass'd [passed] he wou'd [would] assure us we [unclear text: shoud [should] ] have a Treaty for the oakmulgie lands this summer if the Indeans [Indians] cou'd [could] be prevail'd [prevailed] on. It is impossible for me to convey you a full understanding of this subject in a letter. It must


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be defered [deferred] till I have the pleasure of seeing you. if this be assured we shall not commit the State or ourselves by assenting to anything in the bill or anywhere else derogatory to our principles & the measures of our State. If the Legislature think proper to break off the negotiation for any reason we shall surely have got upon a firm footing by the offers which may be made to the State by the Comm.r [Commissioner] and nothing can be done with, or for, the companies till the State has made a cession. by the bill for establishing post roads which is now pass'd [passed] into a law. we have got all the populous Counties provided for to wit Washington, Oglethorpe, Jackson & I will enclose you an extract of the act and must request you to have the Counties concerned inform'd [informed] thereof the Act supplementary to the Intercourse laws has also passed both houses a copy of which I also send. It is not so good as I drew it & passed the H. of R. [House of Representative] but it is [unclear text: gaining ] a great point. be so good as to have the frontiers inform'd [informed] of this also. we have at last got the report of the Sec.y [Secretary] at war on our Militia claims Mr. B. inclosed it to you. he has effectually confused & obscured the subject. I moved for a reference to a select Comm.ee [Committee] & used every effort to get one. but in vain it is the constant practice to send all claims to that Comm.ee [Committee] . I have often press'd [pressed] them to take it up. they have so many before them they have not yet been able. I will use every effort to have the claims allow'd [allowed] but despair to do it this Session. your brother is not at New Town. I shall write him & enclose yours by mail. he has had your former letters on the very day I got them. my respects to Capt [Captain] Johnston I heartily thank him for his kind


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attention to me. It surely is a justice to those who are acting for their fellow citizens to disseminate their reasoning and arguments in support of their public conduct. my duties press & prevent a reply to his favor by this mail. I must beg your Excellency to excuse the rough & incorrect manner in which I [added text: ad ] dress you. time does not allow me to copy or to correct. we have defeated the Judiciary by a vote for postponement. 48. 46. it is said they will bring it forward again in Senate. this I hardly think it is most likely they will pass it next sessions if A is elected [illegible text] if not they will not be disposed to give [unclear text: J__n ] the appt. [appointment] of the [unclear text: many ] places. [unclear text: Gerry ] is
1700 before Strong for Gov.r [Governor] of Massachusetts from last accounts. public opinion is shifting about in an astonishing manner to the Eastward. the Presidt. [President] Election bill was up in Committee of the whole. I have no fears of its passage at least in its present form. in fact I do not believe any law will pass on the subject.

I am dear Govr [Governor] with great respect & sincere regard yours truly
[Signed] Jas. [James] Jones. NB. the amendments of Senate respecting the powers of the Commissioners for settling finally with Georgia & afterwards with other persons was this day refered [referred] to Mr. Rutledge, Marshall, Bird, Bayard & myself. I shall use all my power to get the post respecting other persons struck out. also to get the proviso that no money shall be drawn from the Treasury other than the proceeds of the lands struck out. in fact we shall oppose zealously these two parts unless they are differently shaped. indeed I cannot reconcile them on any shape. we expect to [unclear text: use ] the
4th May.