Speech #470071033

Therefore. if the United States diverted this fuind from its legitimate purpose to any other. it was a breach of itith on the part of the United States. for which the United States is primarily responsible. but inasmuch as $69.000 of that fund was invested for the use and benefit of the Creek Nation. and as the United States is also trustee for the Creek Nation. it is equitable and just that the amount of $69.000 shouldbe reimbursed to the United States out of the general fund of the Creek Nation. and the bill to that extent so provides. But there is one provision relating to the largest item in which I cannot concur with the report of the committee or with the bill. I refer to the following item: Bty the sum of $106.799.68. taken without authority of law from said fund and applied to the support of loyal refugees of the Creek Nation. I do not acrreo with the Senator from Ohio on the proposition of law. as I una(erstood him. that a debt to a belligerent becomes extinguished by operation of law. It is held in abeyance. and all the processes of collection. &c.. are held iii abeyance until peace is declared. and that debt may or may not then be recognized as a valid debt.