Harpers-Ferry free press. [volume], January 07, 1824, Image 2

About Harpers-Ferry free press. [volume] (Harper's Ferry, Va. [i.e. Harpers Ferry, W. Va.]) 1821-1824

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, DEC. 29.
On motion of Mr. Floyd, it was
Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to in
quire into the expediency of occupying the Coluta
bia or Oregon river, and to regulate the intercourse
with the Indian tribes; and that they have leave to
report by bill or otherwise,
On motion of Mr. Campbell, it was
Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into the ex
pediency of providing, by law, that every Postmas
ter intending to resign his appointment, shall give
a reasonable notice, at his office, of such his inten
tion,
TUESDAY, DEC. 30,
ON A SYSTEM OF BANKRUPTCY.
Mr. Webster, from the Committee on
the Judiciary, who were instructed to in
quire into the expediency of establishing
an Uniform System of Bankruptcy, re
ported that it is not expedient to establish
such a system.
Mr. Webster observed, that the committee had
thought it proper to make an early communication
of their opinion on this important subject to the
House. In this opinion, a great majority of the
Committee concurred ; indeed, he believed he was
the only member who had the misfortune to differ
from that opinion. The whole committee, however,
were desirous of giving a fair opportunity to those
gentlemen who, like himself, were in favor of the
system, to bring the question before the House.
Such an opportunity would now be afforded, as
any member might move to amend the report, by
altering it from a negative to an affirmative charac
ter. It seemed to him to be proper, on several ac
counts, that the opinion of the House, on the gene
ral question of the expediency of a Bankrupt Law,
should betaken, before a bill should be brought in.
In such a bill there must necessarily be much of
prolixity and detail; and very much discussion
might be expected to arise on particular provisions,
which would seem to be misplaced, until there
should be some room to think that the general
measure itself was acceptable to a majority of the
House. Until there was room to believe that, such
a discussion upon details would have no effect but
to consume time. If the House should now reverse
this report, the committee would cheerfully pre
pare and bring in a bill. He would take the liberty
to suggest, however, whether the best way would
not be to proceed by resolution. In this way, per
haps, not only the general question might be set
tled, but, if settled in favor of the measure, subse
quent resolutions might proceed to settle some of
the general outlines of the system ; such, for exam
ple, as what classes of persons the system should ex
tend to ; whether only to traders, technically or legal
gally so called, or to all persons (by proper descrip
tion)who have, ordinarily, occasion to use extensive
credits; and whether it shall be a temporary or per
manent system, &c. &c. He made these sugges
tions only for the consideration of those who, like
himself, were in favor of the system. And, to the
end that they might have an option, to proceed by
way of resolution, or by motion to amend the pre
sent report, he would move that the report lie upon
the table.
The report was accordingly laid on the table.
Mr. Rich offered the following:
Resolved, That the Committee on Indian Affairs
be instructed to inquire into the practicability and
expediency of adopting measures which shall more
effectually restrain either citizens of the U. States
or foreigners from hunting or trapping on lands to
which the Indian title has not been extinguished,
and exclude foreigners from a participation in the
Indian trade.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31.
The following message, from the Pre
sident of the United States, was received,
by Mr. Mosher, his private Secretary:
“ To the House of Representatives of the
United States:
“ I transmit to the House of Representatives, a
Report from the Secretary of State, with accompa
nying documents, containing the information re
quested by the resolution of the House, of the 19th
inst. relating to the condition and future prospects
of the Greeks. JAMES MONROE.
Washington, 31st Dec. 1823.”
“department of state,
“ Washington, 31st Dec. 1823.
“ The Secretary of State, to whom has been re
ferred the resolution of the House of Representa
tives of the United States of the 19th inst. request
ing the President of the United States to lay before
the House any information he may have received,
and which he may not deem it improper to commu
nicate, relating to the condition and future pros
pects of the Greeks, has the honor of reporting to
the President, the papers in the possession of this
Department, containing the information requested
by the resolution of the House.
“JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.”
List of Pafiers sent.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Forsyth to Mr. Adams,
dated 13th Dec. 1822—with
Note, dated Corinth, 8th (20th-) April, 1822—
translation.
Note, Mr. Luriottis to Don Evaristo San Miguel,
dated 21st Nov. 1823—translation.
Mr. Rush to Mr. Adams, 24th Feb. 1823—copy.
Mr. Luriottis to same, 30th do. do.
Mr. Adams to Mr. Rush, 18th Aug. do. do.
Same to Mr. Luriottis, 18th do. do.
Extract of a letter to Secretary of State, dated
Marseilles, 6th August, 1823.
Do. do. 27th do.
Statistical table of Greece—translation—original
copy received from Mr. Middleton.
The message, &c. was ordered to lie on the ta
ble.
And the House adjourned to Friday.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2\ 1824.
Mr. Sloane, from the Committee of
Elections, gave notice that he should, on
Monday, call up the report of that com
mittee on the subject of the contested
election of Mr. Wilson, a member from
New York.
The Speaker reminded the honorable
member that notice had been given for
the discussing of another subject, on
Monday: alluding to Mr.Webster’s re
solution for sending an Agent to Greece.
Mr. Poinsett said, that the Speaker
had referred to a subject, in regard to
which, he wisned to make a suggestion,
foi which he would use the present occa
sion. The motion, by his friend from
Massachusetts, respecting Greece, stood
under notice for Monday next. That
question, he thought, would give rise to
the discussion of other subjects connect
ed with our foreign relations. It would
be recollected that, after notice was giv
en for the discussion of that subject on
Monday next, a call for information, on
another most interesting subject, had
been made, on the motion of an honora
ble member from Vermont, (Mr. Malla
ry,) which had not yet been answered.—
The King of Spain, it was understood,
had declared his determination to re
claim his former possessions in America
by force. It had been confidently rumored,
that the confederated monarchs of Europe
were about to take some measures in aid
of this determination of the King of
Spain. When the House went into Com
mittee of the Whole on the state of the
Union, on the subject of the agency to
Greece, that would be a convenient oc
casion to bring forward this other sub
ject. They were somewhat connected,
and there would doutless be a discussion
of both. But the House would not be
fully prepared for this discussion, till the
reply should come in answer to the reso
lution adopted on the motion of the gentle
man from Vermont. He wished, there
fore, that his friend from Massachusetts
would consent to omit the calling up of
his motion on Monday.
Mr. Webster said, he felt solicitous—
perhaps too solicitous—to bring on his
motion as early as convenient, especially
as some mistaken notion, as he thought,
of its nature and tendency, had gone
abroad. He was fully persuaded that
the course indicated by that motion was
precisely that which he thought the go
vernment ought to adopt; that nothing
less than that would satisfy the public feel
ing or the public expectation, and that
the sooner it was done the better. He
thought the information communicated
this morning was of a character to
strengthen this conviction, where it exist
ed, and to create it where it did not.—
Nevertheless, he was unwilling to bring
on the motion, while his friend from
South Carolina thought there would be a
convenience resulting from delay. He
would, therefore, not call up the subject
on Monday. And, as it was probable
there would soon be an answer to the re
solution of the gentleman from Vermont,
he would, after the receipt of that com
munication, call the attention of the
House again to the subject.
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
Tuesday, Dec. 23.—Mr. Tyler, from the
committee to whom'was referred the pre
amble and resolutions of the Legislature
of Tennessee, on"the subject of a Con
gressional Caucus, reported a preamble
and resolutions on that subject, They
were read, arid, on motion of Mr. Garland,
laid on the table, and 500 copies ordered
to be printed.
Mr. Colston made an unsuccessful ef
fort to take them up again, and refer
them to the committee of the whole, in
pursuance of the usual course on such oc
casions.
Mr. Tyler gave notice, that as the sub
ject was one which should be acted upon
immediately, he should call it up as soon
as the House was in possession of the
printed document.
[The preamble is omitted on account
of its length—the resolutions follow :]
Resolved, That in the opinion of this General
Assembly, a recommendation to the people of suit
able persons to fill the offices of President and
Vice President of these United States, by the mem
bers of Congress, is at this time both politic and
expedient to preserve harmony and secure union—
Resolved, That it is now the only practicable
mode whereby the wishes of the majority of the
nation, are likely to be attained—
Resolved, That the Governor be requested to
transmit to the Senators and Representatives of this
State in Congress a copy of this preamble and re
solutions ; and also a similar copy to the Executive
of each of the United States with a request that the
same be laid before their respective Legislatures.
On Mr. Colston’s motion, the Commit
tee of Roads and Internal Navigation
were discharged from farther consider
ing the petition referred to them, on the
subject of the Potomac Navigation, and
leave was given to withdraw the petition.
And then another petition from the same
petitioners, on the same subject, was pre
sented Sc referred to the same committee.
On Mr. Davenport’s motion, leave
was granted to bring in a bill to author
ise the heirs of John Wager to erect a
toll-bridge at Harper’s Ferry.
Friday, Dec. 26.—On motion of Mr.
Patteson of B.
Resolved, That the Militia Committee
be instructed to enquire into the expe
diency of dispensing with the duties now
performed by the Brigade Inspectors,
and also of reducing the compensation
allowed by law to Clerks of Courts of
Enquiry, Adjutants, and all other Offi
cers who receive compensation for mili
tia service, with leave, See.
Mr. Patteson said our militia estab
lishment cost from 12 to gl5,000; and
thought that all our service now render
ed, might be performed for a sum not ex
ceeding the militia fines.
Mr. Gordon offered the following pre
amble and resolution :
The fame of heroes and patriots is best pre
served in the memory of their virtues ; and the bra
zen monuments which art can erect, are but mute
and motionless manifestions of a nation’s gratitude.
The winged messenger of letters, communicates to
every bosom the throb of public love, at the achiev
ments of patriot virtue, and time but swells the
tide of glory which shall roll through generations
yet to come. The fame of Washington and his
compatriots will be perpetuated in the hearts of
millions yet to live. This great community of re
publics is the monument on which their deeds of
glory are inscribed, and from every temple in which
liberty is worshipped, the hosannas of countless
thousands will resound their praise to Heaven.
Resolved, therefore, That the individuals who
have subscribed money to erect a monument to
our first and greatest revolutionary hero, GEORGE
WASHINGTON, under an act of Assembly of
Virginia, have leave to withdraw their respective
subscriptions, and that it .be recommended to them
to make to the Greeks, near the grave of Leonidas,
an offering of the amount, in the name of the coun
trymen of Washington.
Mr. Blackburn hoped the proposition
would be considered before it was adopt
ed, as it involved the propriety of the
course heretofore pursued.
Mr. Gordon remarked, that he had been
applied to by some of the subscribers, to
bring the subject before the House. The
amount subscribed, he said, had been
found insufficient for the erection of a mo
nument; and as the object for which the
money was given had failed, he thought
the individuals entitled to receive it back.
The recommendation to appropriate it
to the cause of freedom in a land of lib
erty, patriotism, science, virtue and reli
gion, was, in his opinion, in accordance
with the sentiments and feelings of the
people of Virginia, and with the notice
taken of the Greeks, by our virtuous and
patriotic Governor, in his communica
tion to the Legislature.
The preamble and resolution were laid
on the table.
Monday, Dec. 29.—On Mr. Colston s
mption, it was
Resolved, That the committee of roads
and internal navigation, to whom was re
ferred the memorial of the committee
appointed by the Convention at Wash
ington, on the 6th Nov. 1823, on the sub
ject of the Potomac river navigation,
have leave to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Kincheloe offered a resolution in
structing- the Board of Public Works, to
cause the Engineer to lay out a road from
Clarksburg to Point Pleasant. Mr. K.
made a statement showing the impor
tance of the road, and the great inconve
nience encountered by the people from
the want of it.
j Mr. Colston suggested the propriety of
so modifying the resolution, and all o
thers of a similar nature, as to refer the
subject either to the Board of Public
Works or the committee of Roads and
Internal Navigation, that the expediency
of the proposition may be inquired into.
He remarked on the inconveniences and
expenses resulting from giving unquali
fied orders for surveys, which in some
cases must prove useless. And the reso
lution was so modified as to request the
Board of Public Works to inquire into
the expediency of laying out the road in
question, and agreed to by the House.
Mr. Rives, of Nelson, offered the fol
lowing resolutions, preceded by a pream
ble, declaring the penitentiary system, in
its present state, inadequate to the pur
poses originally contemplated :
Resolved, That the Penitentiary Com
mittee be instructed to inquire into the
expediency of adopting the solitary cell
system.
Resolved, also, That they be instruct
ed to inquire into the expediency of abol
ishing imprisonment in the public jail or
penitentiary house for less than five years,
and substituting in lieu thereof the pun
ishment of public castigation and incar
ceration in the county jails.
And Resolved, furthermore, That they
be instructed to inquire into the expedi
ency of introducing the tread or stepping
mill into the penitentiary of this state,
with leave to report on these different
subjects by bill or otherwise.
The preamble and resolutions were, on
motion of Mr. Tyler, laid on the table.
Tuesday Dec. 30—On Mr. Colston’s
motion.
Resolved, That the Committee of Roads and In
land Navigation be instructed to inquire into the
expediency of providing by law such further sums
of money, as will be adequate to the completion of
the James and Jackson’s River Canal, and the Ka
nawha road and river ; and into the mode of im
proving the Potomac river, what portion of stock
shall be subscribed for on the part of the state when
the adjoining states interested in the improvement
shall give their assent to the plan proposed, and to
recommend the means of raising the funds, for the
speedy completion of both of those objects of im
provement, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.
THE GREEKS.—The flame of enthu
siasm in favor of the Cause of the Greeks,
kindled at New York, seems to spread
like wild-fire over the country. Among
other Meetings on the subject, there has
been one at Boston, at which Geo. Blake,
Esq. presided ; on which occasion pro
fessor Everett addressed the Meeting,
and moved the resolutions, expressive of
the deep interest felt in the struggle of
the Greeks for liberty; returning thanks
to Mr. Webster for his motion in Con
gress on the subject; appointing a com
mittee to memorialize Congress on the
subject—to address the President of the
Grecian Executive Council in terms of
sympathy, and to prepare an Address to
the citizens generally on the subject.
The resolutions were unanimously adopt
ed, and a committee was appointed, of
which Professor Everett is Secretary.
f JYat. Jnt.
FROM HAVANA. &
The brig Packet, arrived at New York,
left Havana on the 13th inst. Captain
Doughty informs, that a French frigate
arrived off the port on the 9th, with in
structions for re-establishing the Royal
Government. On the 10th she entered
the port, firing a salute, which was an
swered by the shipping and forts. On
the same day, the King was proclaimed
in the Cathedral, in the presence of the
Governor and all the principal officers of
Havana, who were escorted by a part of
the Catalonia, Taragona, and Malaga re
giments of foot. Salutes were repeated
from all the forts, the town illuminated,
&c. The old regulations went into im
mediate operation. No smiles were to
be seen from the friends of the Constitu
tion. A double guard was placed in the
city, and all the taverns and coffee-houses
were ordered to be closed at 5 o’clock.
The frigate which brought the above
instructions was the Eurydice. The fri
gate which was stated to have sailed
from Cadiz with a new Governor for Cu
ba, was called the Tonnant.
Gov. Vxves, in his proclamation on the
occasion, says—“The King, then is re
established in his sovereign rights, and
in the plenitude inherited from his au
gust ancestors. The genius of the revo
lution, and of discord, sowing extrava
gant and impracticable principles, had
succeeded in overturning the established
order of so many ages of glory for the
nation ; the ambition of a few demagogues
Ccocifeos) and the dogmas of the new
sects, though full of absurd inconsisten
cies, seduced many of the unwary who
could not penetrate their sanguiary pro
jects and pernicious maxims. The feli
city which this Island has always enjny
ed, and the predilection which his. Majes
ty has always shewn to your petitions,
&c. are considerations which impose on
us the necessity of being faithful to our
Sovereign, and of respecting and obey
ing his beneficent resolutions.”
[The remainder of the proclamation,
denounces “ liberal principles—licentious
books, pamphlets,” Sec. and exhorts the
inhabitants to behave like good vassals,
and merit the love of their master.]
SOUTH AMERICA.
From the London Courier of Nov. 11.
The most important news from France
is the following:
“ They are already speaking of the ves~
sels of war which are about to sail from
Cadiz. They will be augmented by two
frigates and three corvettes, and the ne
cessary transports will be procured in
the different parts of Europe for T WEN
TY THOUSAND INFANTRY AND
TWO THOUSAND CAVALRY. It is
said that GENERAL MORILLOj^UI
command the expedition, and tS^e
troops only will be employed which have
already served in South America, and
who are accustomed to the climate. The
expedition will repair to Havana to unite
with MORALES, whose army it is said,,
amounts to twenty-five hundred men*
Cuba being the centre of operations, it is
supposed that the General-in-Chief will
first attack MEXICO, because of its vi
cinity to Havana; and that Spain will
there find powerful auxiliaries in the aris
tocracy And clergy. Spain intends to
publish a manifesto, in which she will
announce to the nations of Europe, that
she will permit strangers to participate,
to a certain degree, in the commerce of
the colonies, contenting herself with the
recovery of her sovereignty over this part
of the new world.
“ The Times says that this restriction
of commerce is precisely the greatest
grievance of which the colonies complain
ed under the ancient system, and that the
commerce of South America being now
as free to England as to all the other
States of Europe, France has no right to
take measures which tend to deprive
Great Britain of advantages which she
possesses.”
“ Letters from Cadiz announce, in ge
neral, that the Spanish troops are very
much discontented with the new order of
things. At Algesiras they are crying
“ Long live the Constitution,” and the
greatest confusion prevails in that city.”
FROM CADIZ.
Captain Le Craw, arrived at Marble
headfrom Cadiz,(sailed Nov.l 1,) informs
that the United States’ frigate Constitu
tion, and schr. Nonsuch, sailed from Gib
raltar, same day—that the French ships
did not appear to have any intention of
leaving Cadiz very soon, many of them
having hauled into the Caraccas to repair,
while a sufficient number were left in the
bay to keep the Spaniards in awe—that
several others were employed in taking
away the brass cannon from Cadiz,
(among them some not bored out) for
what purpose unknown—but most pro
bably taken in barter for their services
in favor of the Spanish King
NORFOLK, DEC. 27.
Commodore Porter and his family
came down in the Steam-Boat Potomac,
and went on boai d the United States ship
John Adams, lying in the bite of Craney
Island, on Thursday last.—[Beacon.