The Yazoo Act of 1795 was controversial because it was achieved through corruption and bribery of public officials by companies looking for land that now makes up the state of Mississipi.
In the early 1790s, four companies bought that land by a price far below the usual in the market. The agreement of public officials in such operation was achieved by bribing and offers of shares in these companies.
The act generated public outrage and in the next year, there was a turnover of legislators in the elections.