Harpers-Ferry free press. [volume], April 28, 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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FllOM THE WASHINGTON REPUBLICAN.
TREASURY AND BANK MATTERS.
Mr. Edwards, who was recently ap
pointed minister to Mexico, has forward
ed to the speaker of the house of repre
sentatives,which was laid betore congress,
a long and able vindication of himselt
against an intimation contained in a re
port made to the house by the secretary
of the treasury, of his having made false
statements, on his examination before the
second committee of investigation, at the
last session of congress, on the subject of
suppressed documents. From the rapid
manner in which we have been obliged to
cast our eyes over this important docu
ment, we are only able to give an imper
fect summary of its contents. Mr. Ed
wards complains that this report, altho’
called for at the first session of the last
congress, has been delayed until the pre
sent session, and that, too, until after it
was understood that he had left the city,
on his way home, preparatory to his em
barkation for Mexico. He goes into a
train of reasoning, supported by extracts
from a correspondence between him and
the secretary of the treasury, and other
documentary evidence, to show that what
he stated before the committee, the truth
of which he considers Mr. Crawford as
questioning, is true. He particularly re
fers to letters which passed between them
more than a year before he gave his tes
timony to the committee, in which he ex
pressly stated the same facts : and the re
ceipt of which Mr. Crawford acknowled
ges, without, in any degree, denying the
truth of the statements so made.
After completely, as it appears to us,
sustaining the truth of what he under
stood to be questioned by Mr. Crawford,
in his report to the house, he proceeds to
an investigation of the correctness and
legality of much of Mr. Crawford’s offi
cial conduct; and offers, what he deems
conclusive evidence, to support the six
allegations against Mr. Crawford, which
we have copied from his communication.
This communication, which embraces
some 50 or 60 pages of manuscript, con
cludes in the following words:—
“ I regret to have, it to say to your hon
orable body, that, both the state of my
health and the want of time, absolutely
compel me, most reluctantly, to close this
investigation of Mr.Crawford’s well-timed
statement against me. In this situation,
I bag leave to refer you, for further facts,
of which I might, under more favorable
circumstances, fairly and successfully
avail myself, to a few of the publications
with the signature of “ A. B.” herewith
transmitted.
“ Avowing myself the author of these
publications, (with the exception of a few
typographical errors, and a mere verbal
inaccuracy, in regard to the- time of a
certain report being made,) reasserting
before your honorable body and the na
tion, that the facts they allege, are sub
stantially true, I do most -respectfully so
licit, that they may be taken as a part of,
and be printed with this communication.
‘•'In order to strengthen my claim to
this indulgence, combining all the rights
of defence, of accusation, and of asking
for investigation, which can entitle me,
as a citizen of the United States, or an
officer of their government, to appear be
fore your honorable body, 1 do expressly
state—
“ 1st. That the hon. William II. Craw
ford, secretary of the treasury, has mis
managed the national funds :
“ 2d. That he has received a large
amount of uncurrent notes, from certain
banks, in part discharge of their debts to
the United Slates, contrary to the reso
lution of congress of 1316:
“ That, being called on by a resolution
of the house of representatives, to state
the amount of uncurrent notes, which he
received from those banks, he has mis
stated it, by making it less than it really
was :
“ 4th. That he has, in his report to the
house, misrepresented the obligations of
those hanks, or some one* of them, at least,
and predicated thrrcon atr indefensible
excuse for his conduct, in receiving those
uncurrent notes :
jtn. 1 oat ne nas acted illegally, in a
variety of instances, by making and con
tinuing deposites of public money in cer
tain local banks, without making report
thereof to congress, according to law :
“ 6th. That he has, in several instan
ces, withheld information and letters,
called for by the house, and which it was
his duty to have communicated.
“ His oath—let it speak for itself.
“For specifications of these statements,
I offer the publications with the signa
ture “ A. B.” abovementioned, and this
communication. And for proof I offer
that which they respectfully refer to.
“All this I do defensively ; for, if the
facts stated be true, no rational man can
doubt that they must weaken, at least, the
force of Mr. Crawford’s statement against
me;
“ I will not charge him with bad inten
tions in any of those acts. It is more
properly the duty of others to inquire in
to, and judge of that matter. I do not ask
for an investigation of his conduct. Such
a request ought, more naturally, to be
looked for from himself. But I will say,
UlcU 11} UClIlg ail OLilLUI UL UJC SdillC
vernment under which he holds his office,
I have wilfully and maliciously misrep
resented him in the six foregoing allega
tions, it is a misdemeanor that would
prove me unworthy of the office I hold. I
invite him, or any of his friends, to make
this charge' against me, pledging myself,
to waive all notice, and with all the disad
vantages of absence, to submit to an in
vestigation thereof, by either, or by both
houses of congress : and to abide by the
decision thereupon. If this proposition
be declined, I trust we shall have no more
canting about an “ A. B. plot.” As to
myself, I fear not the consequences of any
fair investigation, for I know I shall be
able, whatever may be the result, to justi
fy myself to the nation. ,
“And never having obtained any office
by the slightest sacrifice of independence,
I will never owe the holding of one, to re- i
luctant forbearance or the courtesy of my j
enemies. I will only add, that if any at- j
tempt should, hereafter, be made, meanly ■
to take advantage of my absence, by those ;
who have forborne to attack me, when I
could have had an opportunity of defend- !
ing myself, I must beg- of your honorable ,
body, and the nation, to suspend your j
opinions, and to be assured that there
shall be no unavoidable delay in vindi
cating myself. I have, in reserve, much
matter of defensive accusation,and should
most certainly have invited your atten
tion to the report concerning the receiver
of public moneys at Hunstville, and other
matters of not less importance, had time
permitted.”
What will be the ultimate effect upon
the American people, of this bold and
manly investigation into the conduct of
Mr. Crawford, we .will not venture to pre
dict ; but, in order that the whole case
may be fairly understood, we invite their
serious attention to it, and hope it Will
be read with that candor which ought to
be exerted in deciding on a controver
sy so serious in its character, both as re
gards the individuals concerned, and the
people themselves.
oomwkbss.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, APB.IL 10.
The speaker presented to the house a voluminous
address from Ninian Edwards, of Illinois, lately ap
pointed minister to Mexico, which address was
transmitted by the writer, from Wheeling, and pur
porting to vindicate himself from certain allega
tions implicating his character, contained in a report
lately made by the secretary of the treasury, in re
lation to government deposites in the western banks,
of one of which banks Mr. Edwards' was a director.
Much conversation and debate followed—some
were for laying the memorial on the table—others'
for printing it, and it was agreed that it should be
read. When the reading was finished, a discussion
tcok place of which we cannot give even an out
line. Messrs. Tucker, of Va. Floyd and Forsyth
spoke warmly on the subject. At last, it was re
ferred to a committee of several members, with pow
er to send for persons and papers. Leave of ab
sence was granted to Mr. Rich to the end of the ses
sion.
The bill making appropriations for completing^
the several fortifications of the U. S. was taken up
in committee of the whole, and considered and
amended. It was reported to the house.
TUESDAY, AJ’IUL 20.
Mr. Cushman offered the following :
“Resolved, That the committee of ways and
means be instructed to inquire into the expediency
of laying a duty on stills or spirits distilled from fo
reign and domestic materials within the U. States.”
The question being put on its consideration, it
was decided in the negative—33 members only ris
ing in favor of it.
Mr. Forsyth submitted the following for adop
tion :
“ Resolved, That the president be officially in
formed that this house has ordered an investigation
of the memorial presented to this bouse on the 19th
inst. by N. Edwards, lately appointed minister to
Mexico—that the said N. Edwards may be instruct
ed not to leave the United States before that inves
tigation has taken place.”
The question of consideration of this motion be
ing called for, (a previous but not usual question,)
was taken ; and there were,
For now considering'the motion 61
Against considering it 84
So the house refused now to consider the propo
sition.
After some other proceedings—
The Speaker, by leave, presented the memorial
of Amelia Eugenia de la Rue, heiress of M. De
Beaumarchais, in relation to her claim for repay
ment of moneys advanced by her late father for the
service of the United States.
The bill making appropriations for fortifications
was taken up—many of the items were examined
at much length, and several amendments offered,
and the general merits of the system partially dis
cussed. Mr. Wood said that, iii the late war, the
nation had paid 326,000 militia, besides her regulars.
With sufficient forts, 26,000 would have done as
much. Money applied wisely in defence, was the
best means of preventing the augmentation of the
public debt.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third
reading to-morrow.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21.
After disposing of some minor business—
Mr. M’Duffie offered the following :
“ Resolved, That the clerk of this house be di
rected to furnish the president of the United States
with a copy of the memorial of Ninian Edwards, re
cently presented to the house, containing certain
charges against the secretary of the treasury.”
Mr. McDuffie said that he regretted that the sub
ject had been presented to the house at all; but,
since it had, he thought the fact should be submit
ted to the president of the United States, that he
might take such course as he may deem proper in
this matter, it being a dispute between his own offi
cers.
Mr. Saunders accorded in the propriety of the re
solution, and suggested an amendment, that the
president be informed of the organization of a com
mittee, by this house, to investigate the case. This
course, lie said, would not surprise the president.
If the president should cboose to recal Mr. Edwards, !
he would have it in his power to do so. He might j
be permitted to say, that the course of Mr. Edwards |
was not the same as that pursued towards Mr. Ham
ilton, then secretary of the treasury, in 1794. Mr.
Giles called for information, and boldly offered and
supported his motion, and did not throw charges in
to the house, and leave them to pursue them if they
could. The same course ought to have been pur
sued by Mr. Edwards in this case, instead of which
he has departed hence on his way to a foreign sta
tion, and thrown Ills charges back upon those he
has left behind.
Mr. Webster said he hoped he might be excused
for making a single remark, without going farther.
It was obvious the committee, which had been ap
pointed, had no time to make any progress in inves
tig'ating the charges of Mr. Edwards, at this session.
He hoped the house had confidence enough in the
committee to agree to the motion lie should now
make, which was, to defer acting upon this motion
until to-morrow morning. With this view, Mr. W.
moved that the motion lie on the table. [Agreed to. ]
The engrossed bill making appropriations for for
tifications was read a third time. Much discussion
took place. A motion, made by Mr. Cobb, to re
commit the bill, was negatived—yeas 64, nays
103 ; and then it was passed and sent to the senate.
The joint resolution from the senate, fixing a
time for the adjournment of congress—15th May
next—was twice read.
It was, after debate, referred to the joint commit
tee appointed on the part of the house of represen
tatives to determine on what business shall be taken
up at the present session, and at what time the two
houses shall adjourn, &c.—yeas 87, nays 77.
Miv Crowninsliield, according to notice given yes
terday, moved to take up the bill from the senate
to authorise tlie building often additional sloops of
war—decided in the negative, yeas 69, nays 71.
THURSDAX’S PROCEEDIXGS.
In tlie senate! The whole day was occupied with
the bill from the house, relative to surveys of roads
and canals. A motion to strike out the original
hill was negatived, by receiving an equal vote—21
to 21, and even a motion to adjourn was carried by
the casting vote of the chair ; the president not be
ing in the senate.
in the house of representatives there was also an
arduous time.
Mr. Floyd, from the committee to whom was re
ferred the memorial of N. Edwards, vindicating1
himself and accusing1 Mr. Secretary Crawford, pur
suant to instructions of the committee, communi
cated the following minutes of its proceedings, viz.
“ The committee to whom was referred a com
munication from Ninian Edwards, report the follow
ing minutes of its proceedings, to the house of rep
resentatives :
WF.DXES0.iT, .APRIL 21, 1824.
Present, all the members of the committee.
Voted, That the committee ought to proceed to
make inquiry into the matters contained in the said
memorial, and connected therewith.
Voted, That for the purpose of such inquiry, the
attendance of the said Ninian Edwards upon the
committee to be by them examined, is requisite ;
and that his attendance be accordingly ordered.
Voted, That the chairman do inform the house
of the foregoing resolutions of the committee, and
inasmuch as it is suggested that the said Ninian Ed
wards is about to leave the United States on foreign
diplomatic service,
Voted, That the chairman do move the house that
information of said communication, of the votes of
the house theron, and of the foreg'oing resolutions
of the committee, be communicated to the president
of the United States.”
The latter proposition having been put into the
form of a motion by Mr. Taylor, of New-York, and
the question being upon agreeing thereto—
A very long debate, followed in the house, in
which it was stated that the committee had issued
und sent off a writ requiring the personal appearance
of Mr. Edwards. Mr. Cook having stated that the
gentleman was probably on his way to New-Orleans,
for embarkation—Mr. Forsyth said, it was only what
he suspected. The Parthian throws behind him
his poisoned arrows as he retreats, and then flies be
yond the reach of pursuit. But, Mr. F. said, he
could not fortunately leave the United States before
the process of the committee could reach him. The
vessel which was to have the honor to bear him out,
had not yet left the navy yard at this place, and,
as he would scarcely venture to sail without the pro
tection of the guns of the nation, he could yet be
overtaken.
But we cannot follow the debate—the temper of
it may be seen from what has been said. The re
port of the committee was agreed to. Mr. Edwards’
communication, with its accompanying papers,
were ordered to be printed.
Several other subjects were taken up and consi
dered.
A joint resolution has passed the Se
nate, through its several readings, fixing
on the 15th day of the next month, for
the termination of the present session of
Congress. That resolution is before the
House of Representatives, whose concur
rence is of course necessary to its final
adoption. Contemporaneously, a joint
resolution has passed the House of Re
presentatives, on the motion of one of its
oldest members, for the appointment of
a Committee to examine, preparatory to
fixing a day for the adjournment, what
business, pending before the twoHouses,
it will be necessary to act upon previous
ly to the termination of the Session. It
is probable the resolution from the Se
nate will not be finally acted on, in the
House of Representatives, before that
Committee shall have reported.
We do not, at present, see how it is
possible for Congress to adjourn at so
early a day as that indicated by the vote
in the Senate.—I Nat. Int.
At a meeting of the Board for Internal
Improvement, of North Carolina, held at
Raleigh on the 29th ult. it was agreed to
subscribe, on behalf of the State, for
825,000 additional Stock in the Cape
hear Company, and to commence im
provements on that river,below Fayette
ville, as soon as the present high water
shall subside.—[lb.
Rufus King, Esq. a member of the Se
nate of the United States from New York,
has determined to withdraw after the
present session of congress.
The Secretary of War has directed,
that ten companies of artillery be station
ed at Fortress Monroe (Old Point Com
fort) to he organized as a regiment, un
der the command of Col. J. R. Fenwick
to be called the “Artillery Corps for In
struction.”
rllUJI Trlis .MOBILE IIESIST.aH.
“ WITH ERF 0 R.D, THE PROPHET.’" |
This celebrated Savage Warrior is at length van
quished ; the destroyer is conquered; the hand
which so profusely dealt death and desolation a
mong “ the whites,” is now motionless. He died
at his late residence near Montpelier, in this state,
on the 9th inst. His deeds of war are well known
to the early settlers in South Alabama, and will be
remembered by them while they live, and be talk
ed of with horror by generations yet unborn, but
his dauntless spirit has taken its flight; “he has
gone to the land of his fathers.”
“Billy Witherford,” denominated “the pro
phet,” was about one fourth Indian, (some say “a
half breed”) his ancestry on the white side, having
been Scottish. It has been said that he boasted o:
having “no yankee (meaning American) blood ir
his veins.”
This ferocious Chief, led the hostile Indians tc
the attack upon Fort Mims, (at Tensa) on the 30tl
of Aug’ust, 1813, which resulted in the indiscrimi
nate and shocking massacr of men, women am
children, to the number of near four hundred. He
was also a leader (associated with the Prophet:
Francis and Sinquister,) at the battle fought on the
23d December following-, at Ecchenachaca, or the
“ Holy Ground,” which had been considered bj
them, inaccesible to their enemies, and “ the grave
of white men ;” but it proved a fatal delusion.—
His party suffered great doss of warriors, and al
tiie provisions, munitions of war, &c. deposited a
this place of imaginary safety, being as they sup.
posed, rendered secure by the influence of sonic
supernatural agency.
It is stated, that after being “saturated with the
blood of Americans, and witnessing the almost to
tal extinction of his own tribe, he voluntarily ant
dauntlessly flung’ himself into the hands of Gen.
Jackson and demanded his protection.” He r
said on surrendering himself, to have made the fol
lowing- speech to the General, which looks very lit.
tie like claiming protection. It displays a spirit
which would have done credit to Napoleon under
similar circumstances, after the battle of Waterloo:
“ I am in your power; do with me as you please.
I am a soldier, i have done the white people all
the harm I coull; I have fought them bravely : If
I had an army I would yet fight, and contend to
the last; but! have none ; my people are all gone
I can now d> no more than weep over the misfor
tunes of iry nation. Once I could animate my
warriors te battle ; but I cannot animate the dead.
My warrors can no long-er hear my voice: their
bones ah at Talladega, Tallushatch.ee, Emauckfau,
and Tdiopeka. I have not surrendered myself
thoughlessly. While there were chances of suc
cess, J never left my post, nor supplicated peace.
But ny people are gone, and I now ask it for my
natioi and for myself. On the miseries and mis
fortmes brought upon my country, I look back the
Vvjti deepest sorrow, and wish to avert still greater
calimities. Ix I had been left to contend with the
Georg-ia army, I would have raised my corn on one
bank of the river, and fought them on the other,
bat your people have destroyed my nation. You
are a brave man ; I rely upon your generosity. You
ivdl exact no forms of a conquered people, butjgili
as they should accede to; whatever they m*,
! would now madness and folly to oppose. If
1 they are opposed, you shall find me among the
sternest enforcers of obedience. Those who would
still , hold out, can be influenced only by a mean
spint of levenge; and to this they must not, and
shall not sacrifice the last remnant of their country;
1 ou have told us where we might go, and be safe.
. 1S a g’ood talk> and my nation ought to listen
to it. They shall listen to it.55
It is due to the relatives of this distinguished bar
barian to say, that they were generally friendly to
1^es’ C0^the United States.,) many of whom
rendered valuable services to us, while exposed to
tne combined hostilities of both red and -white Sa
vages.
riOM THE LEEDS, (mg.) ISTTELTJGEXCEH.
. ^s^on^ling accumulation of value from ra-w mate
\ia s. I here is an instance hitherto unnoticed
m t le annals of English industry, where, by the
rnanu actuiei, an article is raised in price from one.
-u i penny to the amount of thirty-five thousand
guineas . This takes place in the making of watch
springs. A pound of crude iron costs a half penny,
C'°llvepted dl(:0 steel, that steel is made into
wtc springs, every one of which is sold for half a
guinea, and weighs only the tenth of a grain ; after
-ronn ^ WaSte’ there are in a pound weight
^ J S’rams’ ^ therefore affords steel for 70,000
“ spnngs, the value of which, at half a guinea
each, is thirty-five thousand guineas.
In a iate debate in the British House
the. ]°mmons’ Mr. Brougham alluded to
f . ast apnual Message of the President
• 16 l]lte^ States, and said, “that, sir,
w man y and intelligible speech; that
ocument describes the policy of a wise
^ov e.nment in a manner worthy of a free
• f, llu ePcndent people. May no mean
J a ousy prevent us from following where
jB1'^U ^ave been our praise to lead ;
’ ,as tley have the glory, let us have
s iare ot the advantage ; let us join a
n ti ret P,e°pie; let us hold to free insti
f. 'Tn.j ’ et us aid other freemen, who,
Mitt )l erty’s Sakej seek to put bounds to
inp- nil a”l*e °*. desPotst who, after subdu
temnt t° ler reemen, would certainly at
tempt to conquer us1”
n^JosEPH Watson has been elected Mayor
\\r e Philadelphia, vice Robert
inc Who has resigned, after serv
timp 16 *n that capacity, at different
twek’ Wlth great ficJelitv, for more than
twelve years, ° ’