Richmond enquirer. [volume], February 09, 1836, Image 2

About Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867

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astonished. When 1 came, however, to examine that {
tint Journal myself, when 1 observed a paragraph which
had escaped the vigilant eye of tout gentleman, my as
loinshiiiviit ceased. Mere it is, sir: “The item proposed
by the conferees in licit of the amendment of the House,
was then read, and the question was slated that the
House do adopt the same; wh-'ii it was objected lint a
quorum was not picsent.” We shall see, sir, who it wai
that objected—“and, thereupon, .Mr. Cambrel mo anti.Mr. 1
Laeis lcere tt/ipo.ultd tellers to return the iftuse; ami '
the House being counhd. the tellers rt/meted, that a quorum
teas not jrrtseal." Yes, Mr. Speaker, the tellers ap
pointed to return the House, reported that a quorum
teas not present. Tins, sir, is Mr. Lewis's report.—
Was not every member present counted, whether re
fusing to vote or not? If any member had “skulked,"
would not Mr. Iwwis have reported that fact?—1
liut, sir, the Journal dor’s not state the case pre- 1
cisely as it occurred, though I presume the oliicers of
the House felt obliged to place the report upon the Jour
nal in some form. There appears, sir, to have been some
doubt about the fact, for the gentleman from Massachu- j
setts (Mr. Phillips) inquired of the Chair about it, and |
the report states, that “the Chair stated in reply, that, as i
he understood, the report was made." [Mr. Phillips here !
rose, and stated that the report was not correct—that he |
understood the Chair to reply that the report had not
been made. J '1 he gentleman s recollection corresponds
with my own as to the fact that the report was not,
strictly speaking, made. In saying this, I by no menus
design any imputation against the oliicers of the House.
It could nut be overlooked in the necounl of our pro
ceedings. But, sir, the Intelligencer's report of what
actually occurred, accords precisely with my recollection
of it, vix:
^ Mr. Lewis (another member of the Committee of
Conference) took the report from Mr. Camhreleng, with
the nppurenl intention of offering it to the House, hut
■ he first asked the Chair' —for no man belter understands
his parliamentary duty—“he first asked the Chair ichether
there icar a quorum present or not.” There was not,
sir, and Mr. Lewis laid the bill upon the Clerk s table,
and there it remained.
Mr. Speuker, 1 confess that when that extr.v>r*,:—“/
— message was received from the Senate_s^rS we wit
nesseu the soivu'n farce of hee-lag announced a
message from that dignified body, rebukun^Uv^Ycwiueiii.
bers remaining, and who, it was- Wt*1T known all over
this capital, were taking steps prep/irutory to adjourn
ment, 1 li’It, sir, some ol the indignation so warmly ex
pressed by the gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr. Ad
ams-). But, sir, had wo then known as we have been
sidee informed—as we are now, indeed, told by honora
ble Senators themselves—that before that message was
sent to this House, they hud received a message from the
1 resident ol the. U. Slates, announcing to them that, as
the (unctions of Congress had ceased, he could receive
no further communications from them—had we been
aware ot that fact, sir, by what name should we have de
signated this extraordinary proceeding? Might it not
have been denounced as a nuseiable artifice, to attempt
to shill the responsibility ol leaving the country defence
less, from the Senate to the Executive ? All such expe
dients, sir, were in vain, as well us all those speeches up
on the subject. The country well know where this re
sponsibility rests. The story of the three million uppro
lnialion is bnelly told. It wns the proposition «,f the
House, in pursuance of the President’s message, and for
our country's defence—it was sent to the Senate, where
it wus rudely rejected—it was sent there a train, and a/ram
it was uncourteously returned to the House. It then
received its death blow in the Senate—it lingered for a
time between the two IIousus—it perished in the Com
mittee on Conference, and its poor, miserable remains
were brought and deposited here—the gentlemen from
Alabama and New Hampshire and myself acting os pall
bearers. 1
But, sir, l% dismiss all these details, which 1 have
been compelled to go into in self-defence. I come now, sir
to those great constitutional objections, which honorable
senators have urged against the three million appropria
turn, proposed lor our defence, in the contingency of
w“r- 'Vu h*ve bcc,‘ told. that the amendment spe
cified no objects—that everything was left to the dis
cretion of the President—that he could do every thing
touching the naval service, without control, and that
he would have un absolute power to raise and employ
land forces—and we are asked whether our legisla
1*mU\Vndcr our Gonstilulion, furnishes uuy precedent fur
all this?
Mr. Speaker, these objections are made, and these
questions are asked£ by Senators distinguished as stales
men—gentlemen of great experience, having been in the
public councils some twenty or thirty years, in peace and
in war. Such bold declarations o» gentlemen of expel t
ence und reputation, though entirely unsupported by the
history of our country, may sometimes mislead,especial
when put forth witii an air of confidence and authority
i lie history of our legislation, sir, is replete with pre
cedents, notwithstanding the bold declarations of gen
tlemen to the contrary. 1 have in my hand, u list of
some forty, or fifty, a few of which 1 will only notice
In the early history of our legislation in Washington s
administration all our expenditures for the civil list
were in one liue, and for the army another, without any
specification whatever. I know that we have long since
departed flom that rule, but I doubt a little whether we
have consulted true economy by such a course; for every
branch we have lopped off has become a tree; till finally
one, two and three hundred thousand dollars have mount
ed up to two or three times as many millions. Such,
"f° td lb® results of too much specification.
On the 20th March 17!M, one million of dollars was
placed at the discretion of President Washington with
out specification of any kind whatever, to defray “any
*2ptnsc winch may be incurred in relation to the inter
course between the United Slates und foreign notions.”
“‘mnirtration, sir, on the 3d of May,
17.W—(and lest gentlemen should be alarmed ut the peri
od referred to, l shall before I sit down, give them more
republican authorities)—in 17‘W, sir, 250,000 dollars was
placed at the discretion of President A.lums, for certain
fortifications, “and to erect fortifications in any other
place or places us the public safety shall require, in the
opinion of the Eresident of the United Slates, to be erected
under his discretion, Jroiu time to time, us he ahull iudue
necessary. J ®
1,‘Jtj May 4th. $-i00,000 for cannon, sriidll urms
ammunition and military stores, for “the public safety and
dejence, at the discretion oj' the President,'’ who was by
the same act authorized to establish armories and foun
daries, &.c.
J7<iH— May 24. The President authorised to raise ten
thousand troops “»« the event of a declaration of war
against t ie Lulled States, or of actual invasion of their
territory by u foreign power; or of imminent danger or
SC'C H INVASION DISCOVERED, IN Ills OPINION, TO EXIST
BEFORE THE next Session or Congress;" and author
ned to organize them into corps of artillery, cavalry and
infantry, with a suitable number of Major-Generals. &c.
I7un-\1U 7 |1Co ^jOOOdollars for the increased army.
17.)9—March 2. i he President authorized to raise
twenty-four regiments of infantry, a regiment, and a
battalion of riflciuen^a battalion of artillerists and engi
neers and three regiments of cavalry, or such part there
of as he shall judge necessary, in case war shall break
out between the Cnitid Stairs and a foreign European
power, or in case or imminent danohi oj invasion of
their territory by any such power, shall, in im opinion
be discovered to exist ' Two millions appropriated’
and the 1 resident authorized to borrow the money.
We now come to the Administration of Mr. Jeft'er
•on, when, sir, 1 believe there was no disposition to vm
l!1*. ,, Gonstilulion, or destroy the Government with
the battery of an appropriation.
IdtW-February 20. Two million* of dollar* in addi- I
S,h" *® T.™T »PPr»pnniiont, without any .pacification
whatever, for the purpose oj defraying any extruordmu- I
ry expenses irhich may he incurred in the intercourse he
liccen the United States and Foreign nations, ' “ to be ap
plied under the direction of the President of the United
States. Authorized to borrow the ruooey.
1803— March 3. President authorized, “wiibkevkr
me shall judoe IT lavement,” to require of the Ex
ecutivvaol certain States to organise, arm, equip, and
i m r,ead,ne.M lo mar.h at a moment's teaming, a
riX%!n°-f T,1,1,1 r not deeding fighty thousand. *
1 eXW.WW dollar* for pay and subsistence of *uch a* !
may he wanted, lor Oiduanc* and other military .tore*, !
and for delray.ng such other bxvknsea ab, dumbo I
the recks* or Conor*as, the I’resioent mav i.eem
’"W'"!” |>r ™,: TRRRironr or I
J 7,', ’» lo *'e “PP,ud under the direction of the I're- i
liifnt.
VCh Wa F°r f9“iPP,n* "l,ch armed veaaela
a*.my be deemed requisite by the President,” and for
defraying any other expense* incidental to the inter
r/^, hf,‘hh%Bar,bar^W-- ’ “««"-» Tripoli, “or
tfhties^P°wera wl‘ic"» ma; commit ho.
«e. tVwvTr^ Mediterranean fund established by thi.
Id JfiTi, ' BPPropri#,ed—President authori,
indVtin,mlo.WA^ 8rr ’* *° i!!,P0,UDt» comprehensive, and
indefinite, and applies »« directly to the ca*e of secret
TJLZnTiT3Vn”'t.uC<iniZlTl*X*rd ,n ^ »PPropriat.on
last year) that I give the whole section The President
was also authorized lo borrow llie money
18W>-February 13. That a *uro of two million, of
dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated towards
iStfikf “7 fTtra,,rd,nanJ expenses which may he incur
red in the intercourse between the United State* nntj (o.
reign nations, to be paid out of any money in the Trea
•ury not otherwise appropriated, snd to b* applied ander
ih7n 7 of h" of United States, who !
shall cause an account thereof lobe laid before Congress
ms Moon as may be. • i
t‘^7 ,8' T,‘* *»«•*«» •uthorised “ at such j
TIM* a» HR SHALL VIKA NKCKASAR), to require of the
Executive, or the several States, to orgardze, and*" I®
hold in readiness to march at a moment * ,comma •• 0,»
SKS1T"*" .....
u,!Z:r,rehrry '2l, 30'000 V“*'»nteer—leaned
S dHJy al President of ,he
Bted d ** Bhulljudge proper. f.0,000 dollars appropn
im,im do,ur* f,,r ",ch
♦ration'"V* .eoan do"n< ** Mr. Madison’. Adminia
SigiSaSSSwawas:
law* " fram,n* or voting for these
1800—January 14. 750,000 dollars “for certain pur- 1
poses ami erwcliug such fortifications as may, in the
opinion oj the President of the United •'dates, he deemed
necessary Jar the protection of the northern and western
frontiers," i^c «$-e.
1811 — March 3. $1,310,40 30 generally for com
pleting fortifications.
1812—Jnnuaiy 14. 1,500,000 dollars, to purchase,
under the direction of the President of the Uniltd States,
ordnance, ordnance stores, camp equipages, and other
quarter-muster's stores, for the army.
JHI2—January 8. President nullinrixed, '‘whenever
hr shall hare satisfactory evidence of the actual or threaten
ed invasion oj arty Stale," i^-c., to raise six companies of
rangers.
1812—March 2J. 50,000 dollars additional, “for the
purposes vj fortijying and defending the maritime frontier
of the United Stales.
July 5—500,000 dollars more.
1 he following were appropriations simply:
lftl3—Jan. yo $1,0tH),tHM) for the military establish
ment—$1,000,000 tor the naval.
1814 — March 0. 500,000 dollars for floating batteries.
November I a— $000,01)0 li>r any number of vessels, not
exceeding twenty, which in the Presidrnl's opinion, the
public service may require.
I lie act ot yoth April, 1810, appropriates a million
annually tor eight yeurs, for the Navy, and the President
is authorized to build ships, or to cause them to be
framed, Are —-and never, sir, till 1821, was there an ap
propriation made lor fortifications, except generally, and
without specification.
Such, Mr. Speaker, are some few of tlio precedents
for appropriations in sudden emergencies, and to pre
pare our country for the contingency of war. Instead,
sir, ot making all these objections to forms, instead of
resorting to all these expedients to uveil responsibility,
and making unfounded appeuls to the history of our le
gislation, would it not be more candid, more manly,
nay, more honorable, sir, to take the honest ground
which some gentleman have occupied, und suv they
would not make the appropriation through tear of a war
with Franck Sir, these timid councils never have sue
cCeib •• “*>d never will. Jt was the unfortunate decision of
" . c n:* -Was inexpedient to do any thing, that
^P^^JIfiWruie prompt rejection ol the three million appro
priation for our national defence; it was their unfortunate
and unchangeable resolution to oppose the House, the 1’re
sident and the country. France exulted at this division
in our national councils; the result is, the treaty is not
aro ,,ow preparing for any emergency.
Mr. Speaker, the Senate in former days was not found
in any question between our country and a foreign power,
uncourtcously and rudely resisting measures of this
House designed for our national defence, in case war
should come upon us in the recess of Congress. They
did not reject propositions without examination, and
adhere without previous conference. They did not
scruple about forms, specifications and estimates of de
partments, when called upon by the President to adopt
measures “to iiiainiuin the rights and honor of the coun
try .
Hut, sir, it is time to dismiss this inquiry. It is a
mailer of little moment now to the nation which House
destroyed the three million appropriation, or who the
fortification bill. 1 am glad to learn from almost all
sides, thut we are now determined, in both Houses, to
unite with the Executive in putting onr country in that
strong altitude which she ought to assume, whether
we have peace or war. This is no time, sir, fbr con
tinning a war between the House and the Senate._
The crisis demands that there should he no differences
between .the different branches of our Government.—
Wc are in the midst of an Indian war—we arc threat
ened with a border war on our Mexican frontier—we
are engaged in a controversy with one of the most pow
erful nations, und the scales are so equally balanced,
that a feather would decide the question of peace or
war. France has told us the conditious on which only
the treaty will be executed ; she now stands pledged to
exact conditions which this country never will submit to
though it should be desolated from Maine to Louisiana!
I aui *>iilI not without hope of peacej but when a French
licet id abroad upon the Atlantic, it id not a time to in
quire about lost appropriations. We should be looking
promptly to measures of defence—we should he develop
ing the vast resources of our country, and erecting upon
the ruins of our fortification bill a fabric of defence
which will do honor to this Congress. Let us arm our
fortifications—multiply our steam batteries, and in less
than twelve months put upon the ocean, as our <*reat
maritime resources will enable ns to do, a fleet capable
of successfully contending with the naval power of
France or of any other nation
Thursday, February 4.
IN SENATE.
I lie Chair laid before the Ecnale a communication
from the Secretary of the Treasury,enclosing an account
of the disbursements of the appropriations for the last
year.
Also, a communication from the Secretary of War, en
closing, from the Adjutant-General, fifty copies ofThe
Army Register.
INCF.NDIARV PUBLICATIONS.
‘'*r- Calhoun, from the select committee to whom that
part of the message of the President was referred, made
a report at much length, accompanied by the following
bill, which was read, and ordered to a second rending:
A Hill prohibiting deputy postmasters from receiving
or transmitting through the mail, to any Slate, Terri
tory, or District, certain papers therein mentioned, the
circulation of which, by ilio laws of said State, Terri
tory, or District, may be prohibited, and for oilier pur
poses. *
lie. it enacted, 1 fiat it shall not be lawful for any
deputy postmaster, in any Slate, Territory, or District,
knowingly to receive und put into the mail uny pamphlet,
newspaper, hand-bill, or other paper, printed or written,
or pictorial representation, touching the subject of slave
ry, addressed to any person or post office m any State |
Ierntory, or District, where, by the Jaws of the said
0".UOr*’ or iheir circulation is prohibit
c . , or shall it be lawful fur .any deputy postmaster in
said Stale, Territory, or District, knowingly to deliver to
any person any such pamphlet, newspaper, handbill, or
oilier paper, printed or written, or pictorial representa
tion, to any person whatever, except to such person or
persons as are duly authorized by the proper authority of
such Slate, Territory, or District, to receive the same.
.?c', "nd farther tainted by the authority afore
said J hat it shall he the duly of the Postmaster-General
to dismiss from office any deputy Postmaster offending
in the premises, and such deputy Postmaster shall, on
conviction thereof, in any court having competent ju
risdiction, he lined in any sum not less thun _dollars
and not more than- dollars, according to flic aggra
va(ion of lilt* offence, at the discretion of the court.
,/? 'lnd Lr >t further enacted by the authority afore
said, I fiat it shall be the duty of deputy postmasters,
...a.I-camers, and other officers and agents of the Post
v/tiice Department, to co operate, as far as may be, to
(irevent the circulation of nny pamphlet, newspaper,
handbill, or other paper, printed or written, or pictorial
representation as aforesaid, in any State, Territory, or
District, where, by the laws of said Stale, Territory, or
District, the same are prohibited, and that nothing in’the
acts of Congress to establish and regulate the Post Office
Department shall be construed to protect any deputy
postmaster, mail-carrier, or other officer or agent of said
Department, convicted of knowingly circulating in any
Stale, territory, or District as aforesaid, any such
pamphlet, newspaper, handbill, or other paper, printed
or written, or pictorial representation, forbidden by the
law-s of such Slate, Territory, or District.
Sec. 4. Jlad he. it further t nutted, That it shall be the
duty of the Postmaster-General to furnish to the deputy
postmasters, and the agents and officers of the Depart
mont, copies of the laws ofthe several Stales. Territories,
and Districts prohibiting the publication or circulation of
any pamphlet, newspaper, handbill, or other paper, print
ed or written, or pictorial representation within the li
mits of said States, Territories, or Districts, for their oo
vernment in the premises ; and make such regulations,
and give such instructions m carrying this act into effect,
an mny not be contrary to Jaw. 9
. vtl' / '!' , ,lfurther entitled by the.tntlhorily afore
I hal the deputy postmasters »f the offices where
the pamphlets, newspapers, handbills, or other papers,
printed or written, or pictorial representations aforesaid’,
may be deposited, sliull, under the instructions of the
I ost master-Genera I, from time to time 4. ve notice of the
sanie, so that they may he withdrawn by the persons de
positing them; and if not withdrawn in the space of one
month thereafter, shall he burnt or otherwise destroyed.
. ,1 moved the printing of the report and
lull, and that 5.000 ex.ra copies be printed.
Mr. Davis said this paper which had just been read
purported to be the report of a committee. The gentle
man from North Carolina had moved for the printing of
that paper, and for the printing ofan extra number. He
had no objection to the printing or to the extra number:
but a. tins paper was to go abroad, he was desirous that
his views, os a member of the committee, should not b«
misunderstood' There were some portions of this paper
which met with Ins approbation, but other portions there
were in which lie did not concur. lie made tins state
ment lest his Views might be misunderstood. There are
parts ortho report from which he find dissented, but ho
supposed they had been supported by a majority of the
Senate, lie knew that he might have placed his views
on the subject m writing before the world, but he had
not deemed them of sufficient importance—he did not
think the world thought them of sufficient importance.
,, u ,wun that threo members of the com
mittee had agreed to the report and lull; two others dis
sented from some of Hie views and from the bill in ita
present shape, but assented to report it rather than to
have none and the gentleman from Massachusetts ob
jected to it altogether.
n M|.r„,'!.m lhBt he ,,ad »" the report of
the report^1hough he did not concur in all the views in
Mr. King of Georgia, made a statement of similar im
port.
Mr. Clay said it waa sufficient if three of the commit
tee had concurred ,n reporting the hill, which was the
only part in which the action of the Senate was in volvcd.
it did not require a majority to report an argument.
1 ne motion waa then agreed to.
0 following resolution;
He solved, That the Secretary of War be, and he here
fe "2J*IO io,orm ilw Senate what number of
onr7u An T" °f ,h« Mississippi
enrolled themselves for removal to the western side of
j«/rom ,lh\4,h of 1HV?), ,hr flr„
y f Jannary last, stating particularly the number en
rolled e»cl* year, likewise the nuuibcr of improvements
valued for such, and grunts in each year, giving the
name of each Indian for whom a valuation w:>b made, a
description of the place valued, the sum at which it was
valued, and the name of each person who received the
valuation money; and also whether the business of en
rolment was suspended for any portion of the time within
the periods before mentioned, and bow long.
Mr. Buchanan ottered the following resolution :
llrsolred, 'I hut tile Kulcsof the Senate be so modified
that each Senator may introduce not exceeding three
Indies, daily, into the circular lobby, under such regula
tions ns the Vice President may direct.
All these resolutions lie over one day for Consideration.
MK. BENTON’S RESOLUTIONS.
The Senate proceeded to consider the resolutions offer
ed by Mr. Benton.
Mr. Mnngum declined going further into the subject
at this time.
Mr. 1. lay ton addressed the Scnata at length; but be
fore he had concluded,
'Pile Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. Pinckney asked the unanimous consent of the
House to oiler u resolution on the subject of the abolition
petitions, with u view to have it printed and postponed
till the resolutions on the same subject, heretofore offer
ed, should be taken up.
The resolution war read for the information of the
House as follows:
Ilf solved, that all the memorials which have been
offered, or may hereafter be presented to this House,
praying for the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia, and also the resolutions offered by an ho
norable member from Maine, (Mr. Jarvis,) with the
amendment thereto, proposed by an honorable member
trom \ irginia, (Mr. \\ isc,) and every oilier pa|>cr
or proposition that may be submitted in relation to
that subject, be referred to a select committee, with
instructions to report that Cougiess possesses no con
stitutional authority to interfere in any way with the
institution of slavery in any of the Stales of tins Con
federacy; uud that, in the opinion of this House, Con
gress ought not to interfere in uny way with slavery in
the District of Coliimbiu, because it would be a violation
of the public faith, unwise, impolitic, and dangerous to
the Union; assigning such reasons for these conclusions
as, in the judgment of the committee, may bo best cal
culated to enlighten the public mind, to repress agita
tion, to nlluy excitement, to sustain and preserve the just
rights of the slave-holding States, and of the people of
tills District, uud to re-establish harmony and trainiuiili
ty amongst the various sections of the Utiiou.
Mr. Wise rose, and objected to the introduction of tho
resolution.
Mr. t inckney moved a suspension of the Rules in order
to enable him to offer the resolution.
Mr. Mann asked the yeas and nays on this motion,
and they were ordered.
The question being taken, the motion was decided in
th(\negutive—Yeas 1:21, nays 75, not two-thirds.
Mr. Maun asked the unanimous consent of the House
to take up and consider the report of the select commit
tee on the Rules and Orders of the House.
Objections being made,
Mr. Mann moved a suspension of the Rules for the
purpose of taking it up.
On this motion, Mr. Bell asked the yeas and nays, and
they were ordered.
Tiit question being taken, there appeared, Yeas 103
Nq-s 111*2. r '
The motion to suspend the Rules was of course lost as
it required a vole of two-thirds to carry it.
Mr Win. B. Shepard, of North Carolina, moved to
suspend the Rules in order to receive reports from the
standing and select committees of the House: which
was agreed to by a vole of 114 to 51.
Mr. Cumbreleng, from the Committee of Ways and
Means, reported the following resolution :
Ht solved, That so much of the I'Jlh rule of this House
which appropriates Friday and Saturday in each week to
the consideration of private bills, be suspended on Satur
day next, and tbat the bill for the relief of the sufferers by
the late lire in the City ot New York be made the special
Order ol'ihe Day, at one o'clock on that day.
1 he Chair decided that the resolution was not debato
•me, ns it related to the priority of business.
1 lie question, being taken, the resolution was lost_
leas lost, nays CG; not two-thirds.
Mr. Whittlesey, from the Committee of Cluirns, re
ported a bill for liie relief of Gen. Alex. Macomb. Read
twice, and committed.
Mr. Win. B. Sheperd, from the Committee for the
District ol Columbia, reported u bill for the relief of the
several corpoiate cities of the District of Columbia.
Read twice, and committed.
Air. V\ ise rose, lie said, to inquire of the chairman of
the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, whe
ther they would soon report upon that part of the Presi
dent's Message relating to incendiary publications.
Air. Connor replied that the subject was under ad
viseinent in the committee, and would be reported upon
whenever a majority of the committee were prepared to
do so, perhaps at an early day, and perhaps a little later.
Air. John \. Mason offered tiu.* following resolution,
which lies on the tabic one day ;
lie sol ted, That the President of the United States be
requested to communicate to this House a statement
showing the amount of duties received into the Treasu
ry ot the United Slates on wines and silks, of the pro
duction of F ranco, since the pussage of the act entitled
•‘An act to carry in H> effect the Convention between the
Lmted States mid iiis Majesty the King of the F'rench
concluded at Paris on the 4th July, 1831,” approved the
13th July, lrt.lj, and the amount ol duties which would
have been chargeable on the same importations, under the
revenue laws as they existed at the time of the passage
ot that act, with the amount of importations of those
articles in each year for five years past: tliut he be also
requested to communicate to this House, u statement
showing in analytical form the awurds made by the Com
missioners w ho acted under the act aforesaid, in execu
tion of the said Convention; their amount;'the several
classes or categories in which they are arranged; and
the uiuount ot the awards belonging to each class.
Air. Chapin, by consent, offered the following resolu
tion; which was agreed to:
llesolted, That the Secretary of War he directed to
furnish lor the use of this House, any information in his
Department in relation to the progress and present con
dition ot the improvement of the Tennessee river, at the
Aluscle and Colbert s Shoals; and particularly the report
nimle by Col. James Kearney, under an order requiring
him to examine and report the state of said work.
'Pi 1I’AK'r,AL CIVIL LIST APPKOI'KIATIONS.
I lie House resumed the consideration of the bill mak
ing appropriation, in part, for the support of Govern
ment for the yeor lc3ti, two motions pending, one to
recommit it to the Committee of the Whole on the slate
ol the Union, for the purpose of reducing the appropria
tion lor the contingent fund of the two Houses; and the
other to the Committee of Ways and Aleuns, with in
structions to provide a uniform regulation for the allow
ance ot mileage to members of Congress, to which Mr.
Anthony had moved an amendment, further instructing
the committee to provide a mode for equalizing the nay
ot members of Congress. * 1
Air. Kverelt expressed a hope that the House would
licl on the bill without recommitting it.
Mr. Hnnnegnn offered the following amendment as a
further instruction:
;; ]j,a* the conimiU#e be further instructed to inquire—
v‘r?1 . J,l° l*,c e*Pediency of removing the seat of
the !• edera Government from Washington to Cincinnati
or Counivillc.
,l,lw R>c propriety of so amending the Kules
ot the House, ns to cause a list of the absentees, when
ever the yens and nays arc taken, to he en'ered on the
journals, nnd published as part of cachday's proceeding*
in the morning papers.
I hint. (>1 compelling all members who may hereaf
ter absent themselves, during the sittings of the House,
on visas to their homes and lnuulies, or for the purpose
ol attending their practice in the courts of this lJistnct
ami the adjacent Stales, to relinquish their pay durinz
the period of such absence.
“ toeur.ih requiring a relinquishment, in like man
ner, of their compensation, from members during the
time lost front the business of the House in excursions
to the neighboring cities, or in pleasure parties about
tins city and the surrounding country, or from any other j
cause whatever, except sickness and the order of the
House.
” t t/t/i. Of establishing a rule to prevent members
from drawing their pay ,lp to the close of the session,
who leave several days prior to the adjournment.”
Mr. Boon moved the previous Question, which was
seconded by the House.
I lie question, being 11 Shall the main question be now
P“l? '*•''* ‘"fen *»/ j™* and nays, and decided in the
afhrruativc : Yeas J34, nay* 77.
The main question, " Shall this bill pass?" then
token, and decided in the affirmative.
Ho the bill was PA**xn,and sent to the Senate for con
currence.
4. JR'nc,"*r “"hed the eonscnl of the House to offer
the following resolution :
Re totted, Ihat the Committee of Accounts be appoint
ed to inquire whether any and what alterotion is necessa
ry to be made relative to the pay and mileage of members
of Congress; whether any nnd w hat legislation is nece*
snry to limit nnd curtail the contingent expenses of this '
House. !
Objections being made.
Mr. C. Johnson moved to suspend the Rules, in order
t>> enable the gentleman to offer his resolution.
I he question being taken by yeas and nays, it was de
termined in the affirmative: yeas IftH, nays 42, and tho
resolution being before the House,
Mr. Keister moved to amend the resolution by striking
out ‘‘accounts and inserting "a select committee"
which was agreed to. ’
I he resolution was then agreed to, and the committee
was ordered to consist of twenty four members, one from
each state,
The House then adjourned
Friday. February ft.
IN SfcNATK
A message was received from the President of the U.
Stales, by Mr. Honel*on. his Secretary.
, I’ORTlriCATIO.NII.
nr Menton, front the Committee on Military Affairs
to whom was referred that portion of the President *
annual Message on the subject of our relations with
Trance, reported a bill making appropriation* to tbs
amount of about $9,000,00(1 for the various fortification*
in the country ; rend and ordered to a second reading,
The following resolution* were offered:
By Mr. Tipton:
Rcsolred, That the Committee on Military Affair* Ite
instructed to inquire whether the Army is sufficiently
numerous for the duties which they me icquired to per
form, and for the occupation of our various Forts.
Rcsolred. ulso, That the Committee on Military Affairs
inquire mid report to the Senate, whether in their opinion
the pay and emoluments of the officers of the Army are
sufficient compensation for the services which they are
required to perform.
Mr. Tipton accompanied his resolutions with some re
marks, in which he entered into a description of the
means of defence oil our Western frontiers; and though
he felt no tear ot a war with Fiance, he thought we ought
to he l>etier secured against Indian hostilities.
By Mr. Linn:
Rcsolred, 1 hat the Committee on the Public Lands be
instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing
a Surveyor-General's office in the Territory of Michigan,
West of lake Michigan; and also, that the same com
mittee inquire into the expediency of authorising the sur
vey and sale of the lands included in the purchase made of
the Sac and Fox nations of Indians at the treaty of llock
Island, made on the 21st of September, 1.-32.
On motion of Mr. Tyler, the previous orders were
postponed, mid the bill providing for the support of the
penitentiary of the District, was read u third time and
passed.
Also, the bill extending for three years, the charters of
the Bank of Columbia, and of the Bank of Alexandria,
both in thu District.
I lie bill from the House, providing for the pay and ex
(tenses ol Congress, was read twice by unanimous con
sent, and referred to the Committee of Finance.
'Pint bill lor the relinquishment of the sixteenth land
section for the use of schools, was considered ns in Com
mittee of the Whole, amended in various parts, and or
dered to be engrossed for a third reading.
J he Bill extending the Charters of the Banks in the
District, till October next; and
I lie Bill to incorporate a Fire Insuruncc Company in
Alexandria, D. C.; were, by unanimous consent, sever
ally read a third time and passed.
On motion of Mr. Naiidam, it was
Resulted, That when the Senate adjourn, it adjourn to
meet on Monday.
1 lie Bill for the consideration of the Cumberland
Hoad, in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, was taken up and
considered.
Mr. Calhoun moved to luy it on the table till it should
be decided whether we should have war. Alter a short
debate on this motion,
On motion ot Mr. Parker, the Senato adjourned till
Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. Reynolds, ot Illinois, moved llie suspension of the
rule, for the purpose of offering the following resolution :
Hesolctd, Hint the House of Representatives of the
Congress of the United Stutes, in regard to execution
of the treaty of July 4, 1831, by France, approve of the
President's late Message, recommending the prohibition
of French products, and the entry of French vessels
into our ports.
And, on the question of suspension, Mr. R. called for
tiie yens and nays.
Mr. Mason, ot Ohio, moved to lay the motion to sus
pend on the table.
Mr Reynolds called for the yeas and nays on that mo
tion, which were not ordered.
And the question on the motion to lay the motion to
suspend the rule on the table was then taken, and deci
ded in the affirmative—Ayes lilt—Noes not counted.
So the motion to suspend the rule was laid on the
table.
Mr. Haunt-gun asked the consentof the House to offer
a resolution containing instructions to the Select Com
mittee appointed yesterday oil the contingent expenses
of the House.
Mr. II. culled for tho yeas and nays to suspend, which
wero ordcied.
Mr. YY illinjii9, of North Carolina, moved to lay the mo
tion to suspend on the table.
Mr. Boon und Mr. ilannegan called for the yeas and
nnys on that motion, which were not ordered.
And the question on the motion to lay the motion to
sus|iend the rule on the table, was then taken and cur
ried.
Mr. Cambrcleng, from the same committee, presented
estimates from the War Department, asking additional
appropriations for the (Quarter-master’s Department'
which were laid on the table and ordered to be printed!
Mr. R. M. Johnson, from the Committee on Military
Aflairs, reported a bill for the settlement of the claims of
the State of Connecticut against the United States, for
the services of her militia during the lute war.
Mr. Ingersoll, from the Committee of Ways and Means
reported a bill to repeal certain provisions of an act to
alter and amend the several nets imposing duties on im
ports, passed in 1632.
All which Bills were severally read twice, and com
mitted.
A number of Bills from the Senate, were rcud twice by
their titles and committed. J
1 lie business first in order, was the resolution hereto
fore submitted by Mr. Smith, of Maine, providing that
the letter of the late Hon. YVm. T. Barry, late Postman
ter-Ciuacral of the United Slates, received by the Speak
er of the House of Representatives on the last night of
the last session of Congress, be taken from the files of the
House, laid upon the table and printed.
Air. Bond, of Ohio, inquired if the member from Maine
intended to predicate any legislation upon that resolution.
Mr. Smith said, he did not. The resolution was in
tended merely as an act of justice to the late Executive
Officer of the Post Office Department. At the last ses
sion of Congress it was understood that the only reason
why the communication had not been printed was on ac
count ol the late hour at which it had been received, and
the utter impossibility at that time of obtaining a quorum
to act upon it.
Mr. Bond said, he was opposed to the adoption of the
resolution. The letter had been published, and hud had u
very general circulation through tho newspapers and by
other means. To what end then should its further
printing be ordered by the House? This resolution
like that which had been debated the other day, was of
the resurrection kind, and was calculated to renew old
grievances and produce ill-will, without any good cud
being attained. No other object could be gained by
printing the letter now.
He would, therefore, move to lay the resolution on
the table.
Mr Briggs hoped the gentleman from Ohio would
withdraw his motion fora moment; if so, he (Mr. Briggs)
would promise to renew it. '
Mr. Bond withdrew the motion.
Mr. Briggs suid he should vote for tho adoption of tho
resolution. He did not agree, however, with the gen
tleman from Maine in the reasons he had assigned for
not printing the letter at the last session of Congress
The letter was presented to the Chair—several gentle
men made remarks upon it; and he remembered that the
gentleman from Maine raised an objection, that the
terms of the letter were disrespectful to the Committee
of the House who had made the report on the subject to
which the letter referred. He (Mr. B.) did not, how
ever, understand that there was any thing in the letter of
that character.
As un act of justice, or at least of generosity to an in
dividual, late a liigli officer under this Government, and
now no more, he, Mr. 11., would not withhold his assent
from presenting this letter. It was known that there
had been two Reports made upon the investigation into
the affairs of the Department over which that officer pre
sided, and that those reports brought into notice official
transactions in no way complimentary to that officer, or
to the general management of the concerns of that De
partment. J fiat officer, feeling that lie was improperly
implicated—feeling that he could vindicate himself
from nil imputation of wrong or dishonor, had drawn
up the letter, and asked that it might he laid before
the country through this (louse. It was not then print
ed, and was now again brought up. The individual
himself was beyond the reach of censure or praise;
but he had left a fitinily who were not beyond the reach
of censure or praise, and if their parent had vindicated
himself in such a manner as that he would stand ex
cused before the country in point of truth, justice, and
propriety, it was no more than an act of principle, nak
ed justice, not to say liberality and magnanimity, that
the (louse should print the communication. l,et the
letter go forth to the country, aniLlet him be tried upon
tho presentation of the case as offered in the Reports of
the Committees.
He would now renew the motion to lay the resolution
on the table, though he hoped it would not prevail, but
that the letter would be printed.
And the question on laying tho resolution on the table
was taken mid lost.
Mr. Hamer, of Ohio, moved to postpone the further
Consideration of the resolution to Friday next, which
motion waa lost. Ayes fj{f—Noes 80.
The question then recurrod on the adoption of the re
solution.
Mr. Mason, of Ohio, called for the reading of the let
ter.
After some discussion on the point of order as to
reading;
The Clerk pioeeoded to read the letter, and had not
finished; when,
On motion Mr. Whittlesey, the House proceeded to
the orders of the day, being the consideration of private
bills; r
After which, on motion of Mr. Parks, the House ad
journed over until Monday next.
IMMIK«TI4 .
FLORIDA
Tsm.siiassvs, Jon. 90.— We learn that the following
vessels had arrived at Tampa Hay on the 10th inatant,
and were waiting for the Indian emigrants, who were to
have embarked on (ward the vessels for the Mississippi.
Rnif hrnerald, Capt. Blow; Halcyon, Crowe', brigan
tine Clarion, M'Farlan; Calvin, Andrus; Henry Clay
Gardner, schooner Mary Dow, Tilly; New York, Cush
ion; Rosanrio, Heart; Compiler, Lincoln; Martha. Baker;
-» "nd " I'f'ipntine below, net reported
Mr Mallet, of the firm of Mallet and Brown. New
York, contractors for the emigration, and Doctor Husae,
emigrating Surgeon, have arrived from New York in
brig Halcyon.
Arrived at 8t Marks on the 1!ith inst , the steamlmat
hclipae, under the command ot Lieut. L. M. Goldsho
rongli, of the U.H Navy, having on board a detachment
of officers, seamen and marines, belonging to the West |
India squadron, and intended to net as a co-«|M*rativ* :
force to suppress the hostility existing among the Semi
nole Indians. The Eclipse will leave St. Marks on the
20th for Tampa Bay, under instructions from his Excel
lency the Governor of llie Territory of Florida, to effect
certain special purposes connected with the contemplated
campaign against the Scinin<>leg We learn tliul the '
Eclipse is tully equipped, with uruis, ammunition, pio
visions, \Vc.
t i.ohii)a Wak.— Between two and three hundred U.
S. Troops, under the command of Major Gates, marched [
into this city, on W ednesday evening, from Fort Severn
and Fort McHenry, and embarked the same night on I
board the brig Arctic^ for Savannah, whence they will
proceed lo the seat of hostilities in Florida. The Arctic
lel\ our port yesterduy morning, and was taken down the
Bay by the Iceboat Relief — Baltimore Patriot, Feb. 5.
Cmaklkston, Feb. 1—The Irish Volunteers, at a mret
ing yesterday, determined to volunteer for duty in Flo
rida under Captain Henry. This will preclude the ne
cessity of a Draft Irom the 17 th Regiment.
Mujor V aji Huron, aid to Gen. Scott, arrived in this
city on Saturday evening. Gen. Scott has reached Au
gusta, and intends proceeding on to Savannah.—Patriot.
GEORGIA.
Coi.i'mbi s, Jan. 21).—An unusual degree of excite
ment, and probably much alarm too, has been experienc
ed by our citizens within the week past, in consequence
of the numberless rumors that have reached them re
specting the hostile altitude assumed by the Indians on
our South western frontier, near this place. It would be
impossible to sum up in an editorial column, the twen
tieth part of the tales of intended bloodshed that have
reached our ears. One or two of the most prominent ure
these:—1* tra£, that the whole- ol the lower Greeks had
joined the Scminoles, in the Florida war, and were to re
turn upon us, for battle, os soon as they had accomplish
ed a certain object below, which had been done, and
they were now on their return march. Second, that
from three to five hundred warriors had crossed our ri
ver, l.> miles below Goluiubus, and had commenced s
war upon the settlers. Third, that large assemblages of
Indians were being held, throughout the nation,ami that
the subject of talk was the destruction of the whites._
fourth, that the burning of our city and massacre of its
inhabitants was settled upon by the Indians as the first
blow towards a bloody warfare against the whites.
1 liese various stories, with all the exaggeration usual
upon such occasions, have been repeated in our streets,
our countinar houses, and around our firesides, until the
excitement lias become utmost unendurable. The whole
city and neighborhood have taken up aims, uud our
streets for three or four days and nights past have pre
sented the appearance of a confused and agitated mili
tary camp. All, with tho exception of a few individuals,
(who w ill probably be remembered for tiieir patriotism,)
have abandoned their business, shouldered arms, and
stand ready to defend the city. Whether we shall have
occasion to spill blood is unknown to us. Many of those
whose acquaintance and intercourse with the Indians en
title their opinions to respect, think it highly important
that we stand by our arms, ready to do battle at a mo
ment’s warning. Whether this city is in danger or
not, one thing is certain, that the lives and property
ol the citizens in the settlements on the river below are not
secure, against the depredations of the merciless Iliclic
lies, who have been permitted so long to pursue their
lawless outrages, that they have become bold in llioir
hostile movements. We believe we speak the voice of
soberness when we sny, that unless immediate steps he
taken to chastise, or exterminate this handful of hostile
savages, we may expect them to pursue the footsteps of
the Seminole*. '1 hey have given evidence sufficient
ot their hostility to the whiles, and they have it in their
power to do much mischief unless speedily cut ofF.
Melancholy Occurrence.— During the excitement
on Tuesday last, an express arrived in town, informing
the commander at this place, that five hundred armed
Indians hud crossed the river u few miles below C'o
luiubus. A small detachment, commanded by Mr. John
Watson, was immediately despatched to the spot to
ascertain tbeparticulars. When they arrived at Bry
ants ferry, l.> miles from this place, they learned (but
411 or 50 Indians with rifles had crossed that morning—
About noon the Indians were discovered retiring towards
the ferry, and were pursued by the company composed
ol about men, who had assembled during tlie day —
only half of whom were armed. When the Indians
discovered them, they lied to a ravine, from which
thev commenced a regular fire, which was returned
with spirit by the little company. During the action,
" McBryde, and Mr. Josiali Johnson, hoth
highly respectable young men oflhis county were killed,
and Col. Anderson Spear, and one other gcnlleiiiun se
verely wounded. The whiles were compelled to quit
the field in disorder, leaving their dead upon the ground.
Mr. Watson received several balls through his clothes’
and others of the company had their hats pierced in se
veral places. On 1 uesday night, a volunteer company
°* 40 men, commanded by Col. Bates, descended the ri
ver on the Steam Boat Anna Calhoun to tho place of ac
tion, and returned on Wednesday, bringing the bodies of
Mr. Johnson and Mr. McBryde, which were horridly
mangled and bruised by the savages, after the whites
quit the field.
1 lie Indians had dispersed, and probably returned to
their homes when Col. Bate’s Company nrrived at the
ferry; bill so great wus the consternation of the settlers
that many ol them had abandoned their farms to seek a
safe retreat at n distance from the river.
On Wednesday Evening, the bodies of the two un
fortunate young men who fell in the battle at Bryant’s
ferry, were interred with Military honors, in the Grave
yard at Columbus.—Enquirer.
I lie Majoi General of this Division, after consultation
with Gen. Bailey of the loth Division, has determined to
place the frontier near this place in a state of defence
against the further depredations of the Indians. The
following companies have been ordered to repair to the
ground where the engagement took place last Tuesday,
between a party of whites and Indians:
From Muscoogee, four companies.
“ Harris, five companies.
“ Talbot, four companies.
“ Stewart, four companies. [/ft.
Augusta, (Geo.) Feb. 1.—Gen. Scott arrived in this
city on Saturday evening last, and has taken quarters at
the Haulers’ Hotel. We understand he will leave hero
to-morrow for M i I ledge v i I le.— Constitutionalist.
Extract from our Washington Correspondent to the Edi
tor, dated Washington, Jan 30.
A few days since, Mr. Amos Kendall paid to the Man
hnttan Bank of the City of New York, one hundred
thousand dollars of the debt due that institution, and ’
thus much redeems the Boat Otfico delinquencies. If
lie goes on at this rale, the whole debt will be extinguish
ed in the space of a year, and the department will he
placed in a com for table condition.—Phil. Inquirer.
I'OKEICiC
ONE DAY EATER FROM EUROPE.
Nr.w York, Feb. 5.—Tho packet ship Napoleon, Capt.
Smith! arrived Inst evening Ironi Liverpool, whence she j
sailed on the 24tli Dec., furnishes dates one day later I
than the advices brought by the Pantaloon. The Paris <
dates are to Sunday, SfUlli Dec. We subjoin such obser- I
vations as possess any interest.
1 ho article in tlio Si. Ptitrsburgh Journal of the 3d
inst., relative to the Emperor’s Speech at Warsaw, elicits
from the Journal des Dtbats a long and angry reply, which
concludes with the following passage :
“ We shall revert to the edition given by the Journal
of St. Petersburgh of the Emperor » Speech, and to.lhe
passage which we are accused of having designedly
left out. What we wish to-day to record is, that we have
done nothing more than attest the treaties signed by Eu
rope; that it is to these treaties and not to our words that
Hi° Emperor’s contempt is directed; that the Warsaw
speech declares the Kingdom of Poland abolished; and
that the treaty of Vienna will have that kingdom main- j
taint'd.”
'The Journal drs Dtbats has a letter from Frankfort con
firming the lute statement of the JJugsburgh Gozrtle,
that the establishment of a Grand European Commer
cial Congress is agitated in Germany, on the proposal
ol Prussia and the United Slates.
The Ministerial Moniteur da Commerce states that M.
Mendizubal has introduced the Spanish Ambassador to
deliver to the Duke ilc Broglie a note, expressing the
gratitude ol his Court for the assistance which Franco
lias atlurded to Spain.—The Duke dc Frias lias deliv
cred tho note. Already in ins correspondence with tho
Duke do Broglie had M. Mrndizabal often expressed
the same sentiments in the name of the Madrid Csbi
net.
I he same print has the following:—it is ststed that
r ranee and England have addressed together a note to
Russia, to remind her that, according to the stipulations
hcrtiei of 1814 and 1815, Poland must form a
Blatc independent of the Russian empire ; that Poland
must have her separate Constitution and peculiar laws;
and, lastly, that she must preserve her nationality.
The note, it is said, has been communicated to all ths
northern courts.
On the other band, according to the English papers,
Lord Durham’s mission to Russia is far from being of a
pic fio nature. Russia will be compelled to renounce
the advantages it derives from the treaty of Unkiar Ske*
lesai, or rnn the risk of a war with Great Britain,
These reports seem entitled to some credit, if we judge
from the warlike preparations of Russia. A letter front
Ht. Petersburg!! of Nov, 00, announces that since the
Emperor’s return much activity is observable in Russian
diplomacy. The Emperor personally inspects all that
relates to the navy. Frequent orders are transmitted
under his superintendence to Cronstadt, Revel, and
Abo, and great prrpaiations are making in the Oclita
ami St. Petersburgli dockyards.
Ws have always thought thol negotiations of the high
est importance were carried on between the Court* of
Russia, Paris, and St Petersburgh.
’* **,a* subsequent to conferences between
Charles the Tenth and Ins emissaries from France he
hn* ordered all his partisans in the interior to submit to
the oath and participate in the general elections, depart
mental and communal, and to accept betide* elective
Junctions, all such public function* that it may please
the present Government to cooler upon them.—-Cs/ixti
mientnt.
A humbug letter appears in the National—* kind of
jnoon-story—professing to be a renunciation of any in
tention on the part of Napoleon l-onts Phillippe (son of
l.onis, ci dcvsnt King of Holland) to ask for the hand
k
of D#nn* Maria of Portugal, os Inul been rumored.
I lie cone I tuii ng sentence ol t In* ktler shows tin* tiuiii- v
diiy of the Imm.—
Persuaded that the great nmue w hich l lenr will m l
always be n title of exclusion in the ey, * of my coun
trymen, since it reminds Hum of filtren yours ol glorv,
1 awail with cal in ness tn an ho»|iitaMe und free country)
that the people recal to theii bosom those v»toon in |elf»)
twelve hundred thousand foreigners banished, 'fins hope
of our duy serving France as a citiktu und a soldier in
vigorates my soul, and is worth. In my esliination, ail
the Thrones in tho world. I am, *Ve.
NaI’OLKOX LollS lioXAPAHVK.
Areuburg, Dec. 14, 1KJ5.
A grand council of war was held at Oruite, Dec. llilh,
at which Don Carlos and the Catalonian chief, Guergue)
were present. v
Dte. 5£k'.—The French Funds have fallen slightly in
consequence of tire extensive naval preparations being
made ul Toulon and Brest.
'I he Budget for 18:10 for France is ready, and will be
presented to the Chamber of Deputies otter the discus
sion ot the nddiess. The Budget of War will not be re
duced, nor that of the Navy be augmented.
1 he Deputies of the French Lhamber had neatly all
arrived at Purrs, Dec.&ltli. The fullest attendance ever
known will grace the royal silting. The proctM mvntlru
** ■* presumed, will consume a mouth's lima of the
Chamber of Peers.
I lie departure or object of the Pantalooj
not appear to have been known in Lonil
however, positively known at Paris, Dec. 1
French Government would not refuse u n*
fervd.
■pnnn
(tram the London Morning Herald of Dee. W )
The question at issue between the United States of
Ameiica and France, when stripped of the complica
tions with which a crooked und dishonest diplomacy has
■ urrnuuded it, lies in a very narrow compass. It is
when reduced to its real merits—when pared of all gar
nish and boinbust—a lucre creditor and debtor transac
tion, with (in account stated on one side—a promise to
pay on the other, and a violation of that promise uimn
pay ment being culled for. * V
ll a war should arise out of this question, all the re
sponsibilily ol thul war must fall on the Government of*
trance the justice of the case is with America. Let *
us see what are the simple facts.
\\ hen the revolution ol “ the barricades" and the sim
plicity of Luluyctlc hud raised the son of Egulilv to the
throne, under the title ol Louis Philip, America appli
ed to France for the settlement of an old pecuniary
claim, which had been pressed without effect upon pre
ceding Governments. The demand led to much nego
tiation, and at length the French Government offered &
sum in lull of ult demands, which America refused to
accept. 1 his led to new negotiations, which were cur
ried on during a space of Dearly three years, and of which
it is only necessary to know the result, in order to un
derstand on which side Justice will draw the swoid in
case of u war between France and America. The result
was, a recognition by the French Government and the
r reiich < liambers ol a sum of 25 millions of francs be
ing due to America—but, upon America demanding the
sum thus acknowledged to be due to her (which is con
aidoiubly short of the original demund,) the French Go
vernment refuses to pay.
It is true the government of Louis Philip, though
withholding the payment of this just debt, in fact docs
i still make a conditional promise of pnyment, the condi
| lion being that the President of the United Slates shall
withdraw, or apologise for some expressions *• offensive
to the dignity oi France," which he used during the pro
Dv go tint ions on the claim in consequence of the
shuttling and dishonest tricks practised by Louis Philip's
cabinet. 1
I be legality of the debt being established, what right,
wc ask, has trance to annex any cuudiiion to the pay
ment? Let her pay the debt first, and then settle Uio
point of “national honour" afterwards. It is n sliange
way of vindicating the national honour to refuse the pay
ment of a just debt. If a man in private life so attempted
to vindicate his honour, Ilia conduct would be considered
very shabby and dishonourable. Suppose a debtor to
say to his creditor, “1 acknowledge 1 owe you 1,000/. It
was very difficult to make me acknowledge that I ovvi d
you anything. 1 kept yon out of it a suliicienlly long
time to put your temper to the test; ut length you threat
ened to have recourse to hatsher measures unless 1 paid;
fear did what honesty could not induce me to do, and 1
promised to pay, but at the same time, 1 declare you
shall never have a furthing of your money unless you
apologise for your threat.”—What would be thought ofu
debtor who spoke in this way? Why, that there was a
portion of the fool, but still more of the knave, in his
composition. Such is the language which France, the
debtor, adopts towards America, the creditor. It is
language worthy of the political morality of the Doc
trinaire ministers und theii Citizen-King.
Wlien the American claim was formerly rejected in
the Chamber of Deputies, and before the American Pre
sident used the threatening expressions, who can doubt
that it was rejected by the contrivance of the French
Government itself ? Whatever pomp and parade of op
position there may be occasionally made in the French
Chamber to the will of the King of the Barricades,
there is no real opposition, at least no effective op
position to the Royal will in that Chamber, and never
can be, while France is governed by a mock representa
tive system, which is in fact, a close Corporation. The
whole constituency of Franco foru nation of'HG millions of
population, does not amount to more than one-third of the
electoral body of England under the borougli-mongering
system, with, including Scotland, not ubove half the po
pulation. Well, the Chamber of Deputies which has been
ever since the "glorious days ol July," the passive instru
ment of the arbitrary policy of Louis Philip, and which
goes with him all lengths, even to the adoption of the
atrocious Fitschi laws, in his but too successful endea
vors to enslave the country—that Chamber rejected in
Uie first instance the American Claims. Why so?—
i lie Chnmbcr undoubtedly understood it would be agree
able to the Court to do so, or they would not liuvu dared
to reject it. Is it to be supposed that the influence of
Louis Philip was irresistible in the Chamber for all tyran
nical purposes, and that the Chamber only opposed him
with effect when he was anxious to do an act of justice?
Crtdni Judu-us ! Louis Philip had no desire to do jus
tice, but lie wished to shill the responsibility of injustice
upon the Chamber of Deputies. It is true the chief of
the Doctrinaires, the Due du Broglie, with Ins colleagues
resigned their pluces pro tempore, knowing tliul they
could step back again whenever they pleased—that re
signation was necessary to save nppearunces. But the
American President was not to be thus tricked, lie
did not oppose Louis Philip with his own diplomatic
weapons. He did not meet trick by trick and chicanary
by circumvention. He did not address the Citizen-Des
pot as our Government did the Northern Autocrat, “w ith
bated breath and whispering gentleness.” He spoke of
the fraud committed upon America in language not to
lie misunderstood, and denounced the dishonesty of
France.
1 lie threat brought the Chamber to reason, or rallier
the Government that inspired the Chamber. After five
years shuffling and evasion the debt was acknowledged,
out Louis Philip and Ins Dotlrinoire Ministers still wish
ed to stave off the day of payment. The Cilizen-KiNo
has long had the credit of being rather tenacious of the
maxim of “ mine Ancient Pistol," that “ bare is the
knave that pays;” but President Jackson seems resolved
to make an honest man of him, or compel him to unfurl
the tri-colour in a war of pettifogging injustice against
a free State, after knocking his In ad in the dust before
the Autocrat of Russia, and leaving Poland toils fate.
In the question now at issue, America has right and
justice on her side, and the French Government, while
pretending to be sensitively anxious lor the national
honor, tramples public faith and common honesty under
foot. If General JaekRon allows hirnself to be bullied
by a Government which has home contumely, insults
and kicks, Ironi the destroyer of Poland with exemplary
patience and resignation, Ilia stern republic must, for the
future, “hide its diminished head" in the face of the ci
vilized world.
( Front I hr. Itendon Times.)
Paris, December 21.— There is no further news from
America. It wn«t stated yesterday in u distinguished
circle, that I^ord Palmerston had decidedly offered, offi
cially, the mediation of England to the French and
Americnn governments. This is evidently premature;
hut what 1 con tell you for a fact is, (hat the journal*
which assert that France would refuse it, are ignorant of
the feelings of the cabinet.
fur Masr.r Marrkt.— City, Tutsday Fretting, De
cember 23.—The French Funds fell on Saturday, though
not to the extent that might have been expected, consi
dering the extraordinary naval preparations making at
Brest and Toulon; but the speculators at the Dourso
are, it seems, willing to persuade themselves, that the ext
liibilion of an imposing armament at the outset is rather
a guarantee of pence than nn indication of war. They
profess to he of opinion, that the arrival of %ypwu>«
rous squadron oft the shores of America will compel Cf
neral Jackson to make nn early choice of the coursw
he will take in the present emergency, whether t«
accommodate himself to the terms ol {Jen. Valif 'i pro-,
p»»si(ion, or to recommend for the adoption of Conge is
a hill of non-intercourse with France; and thr VI. States
navy being deemed comparatively small, as iu fact it ia,
the apology is cnlcnlaterf upon by this class of politician*
as almost certain. Hut the President's Message has now
been little less than a fortnight on it* wtyr to Europe,
and until the contentaof that anxiously-looked-tor docu
ment can be known, it is probabW tUal no additional bar
gains of consequence will br contracted i« either of lb*
markets _
James Hooper a*/ Judith, fiis w»tv, Willis**
1. Winston and Hally, bis wife. Calvin Saunders,
Samuel Saunders, Stephen Saunders, Thorn a* Sjupders,
James Saunders, John Saunders sod Elizabeth Saun
ders— f ake notice, that I ybaU proceed to tjke the depo
sitions of l.ittleherry Farmer, and others, st Ruthing
ham Courthouse, on the twenty ninth day of March
next, between the hours of ft o'clock in the morning
and (> in the evening, to be road ns evidrnce in a suit
now depending in the Circuit Superior Court of J-awr
and (. haneery for the county of Huckingham, in which
Thomas Shanks, surviving obligee of himself and P«->
vid Shanks, is Plaintiff, and you, myself and others, at*
Defendants
If from any cause the aforesaid depositions l*! not ta-*
ken on the dsy above named, they will be taken at III*
place aforesaid on the nest day. <
FRANCIS BAUNDKR9
February 0. 99- w1w