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I————■■■■i.ijay. «ia
Rcporl of Uao Secretary of the
Xavv.
Navy Department, Dec. 3, 1532.
To the President of the United States.
Sir : it is a source of much gratification to
be able to lay before you an exposition of the
transactions o[ this department the past xcar,
evincing great prosperity.
New evidences have been furnished of the
importance of our Navy in sustaining the Ame
rican character abroad, and in extending and
protecting some of our most valuable i rite rests.
Besides the ordinary aid given to commerce
by the presence of a respectable force on eacli
of our foreign stations, the cruising grounds of
some of our squadrons have been cmarged ;
convoy, and relief in distress, have been occa
sionally afforded ; threatened aggressions have,
in some cases, been deterred, and, in others,
the commission of actual injuries has been sea
sonably investigated air! stopped.
In the performance of these duties, frequent-
Iv very delicate and difficult, our officers have,
in general, displaced commendable prudence,
raid always their accustomed promptitude, zeal
and bravery.
Connected with the Mediterranean station,
the onlv collision that has arisen between any
part of our squadron and other powers, took
place at Madeira between the Constellation and
the blockading vessels of Donna Maria, i lie
commander of the Constellation, under in
structions to show entire impartiality towards
tho contending claimants to the throne of Por
tugal, and at the same time to respect, in all
places, the actual government, found, on his ar
rival at that island, the force employed in its
blockade apparently insufficient for the due in
vestment of the place, and partial in i s indul
gencics towards the (lags of oilier nations. In
flcr these impressions as to the facts, and under
his general orders for the efficient protection of
our commerce, ho came to a conclusion, very
fortunate for tliose interested in the trade to Ma
delra, that while such a s’atc of things continu
ed, he was justified in extending assistance to
our merchantmen to ent°r the port of their des
tination with their perishable cargoes.
The addition to the Mediterranean squadron,
of the frigates Constellation and I nited States
and the return of the Ontario, .are the only ma
terial changes in it since my last annual report.
The Delaware has been prepared for sea with a
view to that station; but it was deemed expedi
ent not to despatch her, unless some emergency
occurred, until she •could undergo a thorough
examination in one of our dry docks. The
Brandywine, Boston, and Concord, being ex
pected home the present winter, their places will
prohablv, in a few months, be supplied by the
Delaware.
The chastisement inflicted by the frigate Po
tomac on the piratical Malaysia February last,
is the sole occurrence of importance among our
vessels that compose the squadron in the Pacific.
The orders given to her commander required
him to ascertain, by careful inquiries, that the
information received hero before his sailing,
concerning the plunder and massacre committed
on board the ship Friendship, was not exagge
rated. Ho was further directed to satisfy him
self that those outrages were not provoked by
any misconduct on the part of the Americans ;
and that the offenders were, as represented and
believed to be true, a race of a character so law
less and savage as not to come within the scope
of regular diplomatic intercourse. He was al
so instructed, if practicable, first to demand and
obtain indemnity for the injury committed, and
the punishment of those most conspicuous in
these barbarous atrocities. It has been gratify
ing to learn, bv accounts from that quarter ot
the world, subsequent to the visit of the Poto
mac to Sumatra, that the result ot that visit has
been to silence till exultation and menaces of
further violence from those sett robbers ; to
draw from them acknowledgments ot past er
rors, and promises of future forbearance from
like offences, and to insure, as yet, a scrupulous
fulfilment of those promises. But to guard a
gainst their perfidy, orders were given that tho
Potomac should be followed by a detachment
from the Brazilian squadron, part of which de
tachment has since sailed, and has instructions
to touch not only at Sumatra, but such places
in India, China, and on the eastern coast of A
frica, as may be conducive to the security and
prosperity of our important commercial inter
ests in those regions.
The stop put to the seizure of our vessels at
the Falkland islands, in January last, was effect
ed by a Brazilian squadron, under general in
structions from this department to take ah pro.
par measures for tho effectual security of our
commerce and fisheries. Special orders on that
•übject had been previously prepared and for
warded bv this department; but they had not
arrived at the time of the prompt and success
ful interference bv the Lexington. Our com
merce and fisheries have not been molested in
that quarter since that occurrence. The Box
er, another vessel of the same squadron, after
visiting Liberia in Africa, lias, at a critical mo
ment, extended our naval protection to the
neighbourhood of Para and Marahnam. The
schooner Enterprise, in the late disturbances at
Montevideo, was also placed in a position of:
much delicacy, and succeeded in furnishing vc- ]
ry opportune assistance, not only to our own
merchants, but to the constituted authorities of
the country. Nothing else of interest connect
ed with the Brazilian station, has occurred since
my last annual report. But the unsettled con
dition of South America, and the security of our
commerce in India, have led to an increase ot
our force on that station, by the addition ot the
Peacock, Boxer, and Enterprise.
The West India squadron has been employ- |
ed in an active an! useful manner; and particu- '
lary so while on the coast of Mexico. During,
the commotions in the country tho past season,
this'squadron yielded verv efficient protection to
our own citizens, and was, on some occasions,
fortunately enabled to proffer security to the re
sideats from other nations. The recent seizure
of the Montezuma, a vessel belonging to Santa
Anna, was made by the Grampus without any
•peciul instructions from this department; but on
the tacts reported to her commander, the seizure
was deemed by him both necessary and proper
in tha •xoculiou of bis genera! orders to shield
our flag, our citizen?, and their property, from
unlawful aggresions. A part of this squadron
has recently been detached to visit the Western
ilsands, the Cape de \ erds, and if necessary, the
coast of Africa, in pursuit of a piratical vessej
which in September last, robbed tiie American
merchant brig Mexican, of a largo amount of
property, near the Azores. This measure, aid
ed by instructions to the commanders of vessels
j o r i tiieir return from tho Mediterranean, and to
those now in the West Indies, as well as to our
consuls at Madeira, Lisbon and Gibraltar, to use
all practicable vigilance in the detection A pun
ishment of the authors of this wanton outrage,
will, it is hoped, terminate successfully; and in
any event, will tend to prevent any other at
tempts of a like character, from the increased
impracticability ofescape with impunity. The
Only changes in the vessels of this squadron
have been the withdrawal of the Fairfield, Vin
cennes and Erie, for repairs, and the substitu
tion of the St. Louis and Vandalia.
For reasons suggested in the last annual report,
it has been rny endeavor to keep one of our ves
sels in commission remaining constantly on some
O m/
portion of our own coast. The schooner Ex
periment, after sundry trials of her qualities,
which proved in a great degree satisfactory, and
after a visit, during the past season, to most of
our home stations, is still retained on our Atlan
tic seahord, ready to be despatched to such quar
ter of the world as any new incident may show
to be* most expedient.
Os the three small vessels heretofore employ
ed in the protection ofour live oak, there seems
now to be little doubt but one unfortunately foun
dered in a severe gale during the previous year.
The other two, under a belief that their future
employment would not be so beneficial as tojus
tify the expenses they occasion, have been re
called. One ceased to be in commission in May
last and was ordered to be sold; and the same
dispos'tion will be made of the other on her arri
val at Norfolk.
A li.-?t of all our vessels now in commission,
witli their stations and commanders, is annexed
(A.) The vessels not in commission have all
been recently examined by the Navy Board; and
most of those in ordinary, as well as all on the
stocks, have been found to bo in a good state of
preservation. For their condition in detail, re
ference may be had to the documents annexed
(M. and N.) The acta of Congress, relative to
to re-building of the Macedonian, and the pur
chase of timber to rebuild, at some future period,
the Java and Cyane, have both been executed as
far as practicable. The rebuilding ot the form
er lias already been commenced, and contracts
have been made for timber for the others.
The collection «f live oak frames, and of ether
timber suitable for other parts of vessels, under
the act for the gradual improvement ot the Na
vy, is in progress as rapidly a* the supply of
live oak timber from private lands, and the erec
tion of sheds at the different yards to preserve
our materials ofthat character, render judicious.
On the subject of vessels, the Department has
nothing more, of much importance, to remark,
except the repetition of its earnest desire, express
ed in the last annual report, for an appropriation
to build a few steam batteries. In addition to
the considerations then urged in favor ot early
attention to this subject, may properly be sug
gested the circumstances, that much time will be
required, not only to procure their peculiar
equipments, but to introduce the system of dis
cipline, somewhat novel, which may be necessa
ry for their crews ; to enable our officers to ac
quire the new and necessary science suitable for
trie supervision Jiiid management of steam batte
ries, and to train a distinct class of persons in
the service to become their engineers. It i«
moreover ascertained, that these batteries can be
so constructed as to prove highly useful during
peace at the principal navy yards, in towing pub
lic vessels towards their destination, at the time
of their departure and return, under all winds
and tides, and in the frequent and indispensable
transportation of men, stores, and provisions.
The property on hand at the several yards,
consisting chiefly of timber, iron, copper, and
arms, continues to increase in amount. The
w hole now exceeds in value the sum of five mil
lions five hundred and seventy nine thousand
nine hundred and seventeen dollars, (B). inde
pendent of what is provided for repairs of vessels
wc have on hand the frames fur four ships of the
line, seven frigates, four sloops, and three steam
batteries ; nine hundred tons of iron, four hun
dred and fifty eight tons of copper, ninety-three
tons of lend ; two thousand two hundred tmd thir
ty-two cannon and caronades; three thousand
five hundred and four muskets —about thrice as
many pistols and cutlasses; two hundred and
twenty eight thousand nine hundred and eight
round and double headed cannon balls, besides
grape and canister; thirty five thousand six
hundred pounds of powder; one hundred and
ninety eight thousand three hundred and eighty
two fiounds of sulphur, ami about double that
quantity in nitre. For further particulars under
t!»is head, reference may be had to the annexed
report, (O.) Increased attention has been bes
towed on the doe arrangement and preservation
of all these materials ; and new securities for
their proper use and tl»e accountability for them,
will probably be introduced into the revised na
val regulations now preparing.
Without much previous attention to the ex
tent and quality of thesa materials, it will never
he in our power, in any future emergency, to
devclope suddenly, and employ efficiently, the
great naval capacities of this country for annoy
ance of an enemy, and for protection to our com
merce, as well as for maritime defence.
The act of Congress for the gradual improve
ment of the navy will expire next March : and
this occasion is seized to recommend the con
tinuance of its appropriations for the purchase
of these materials, as well as for other valuable
purposes at least six years longer. It these
materials arc gradually collected and well pre
served, In such quantities as to enable us, in ad
dition to the force usually in commission, forth
with, in any crisis, to put our vessels that may '
be in ordinary and on the stocks, into a condi-1
tion for active ami efficient service, and to build j
and equip suitably such other vessels as our ;
great commercial marine will ass.st us tally to ;
man, wc shall then exercise that true foresight j
and that sound sagacious economy in respect to .
this branch of the public service, which all ex- j
peiicncc of our own and other nations recom
mends, and which the present flourishing state
of our country justifies. Without any increase .
of the number of seamen actually serving in the i
1 navy during peace, every sailor on our two j
, thousand miles of seaboard, on our noble rivers
and vast lakes, can then be considered as in a
course of training to man the numerous vessels 1
of war, which our interests, our rights, and our
honor, may at any future period require us to j
arm, and our countless steam vessels on the
navigable waters connected with some of our
frontiers, could then, in any emergency, be at
once supplied with the proper munitions of war,
and be so far equipped as floating batteries, that
they would furnish new and powerful aid, not
only in the rapid transportation of men and
stores, but in repressing hostile depreciations
nearour shores, and in repelling an invading foe.
Though nominally, as to vessels in commis
sion, only the fifth or sixth naval power in the
world, and not expending over one-eighth of the
annual amount paid by some nations to maintain
a naval establishment, yet, if we look to the
true elements of naval power, to our ships in
ordinary and on the stocks, to our materials for
building and equipment collected and collecting,
to our large commercial marine, whether of
merchant vessels or steam boats, to cur flour
ishing fisheries, our extended sea coast and ex
cellent harbors, to our large number of naviga
ble rivers and inland seas, and, at the same time,
to our position in regard to other nations, with
few neighbor* bordering on us by land, and an
ocan rolling between us and most of the gov
eminent* with whom we are likely to have col
lision, it must be manifest that our greatest ex
posure and danger are on the water, and that
our means of attack and defence there, if duly
husbanded and developed, will probably always
prove equal to sustain us with credit in any hos
tilities into which the convulsions of the world
may hereafter plunge our peaceful confederacy.
The buildings at the different yards, contem
plated by the estimates of last year, have been
commenced ; and such sums as are wanted to
complete thorn, and to begin others necessary
for the accommodation of .the officers, the con
struction and repairs of vessels, and for the safe
ly of the public property, are included in the
estimates for the ensuing year.
The appropriation, at the last session, for the
survey of Narragansett Bay, received imme
diate attention. The survey has been comple
ted, and the chart is now preparing. When
finished, it will be submitted for the purpose of
being laid before Congress.
Tiie liberal appropriations made at the last
; session in aid of (he navy hospital fund, have
been partly expended ; and when the buildings
are finished and furnished, they will conduce
greatly to the health and comfort of their meri
torious inmate*, and reflect much credit on the
humanity and benevolence ofthe country. Mea
sures have been adopted to obtain, if practica
ble, the release of jurisdiction from the States
over tiie several hospital sites, with a view to
prevent the burden and annoyance of taxes, and
the obstruction to due discipline in the establish,
men*.
The naval hospital, naval pension, and priva
teer pension funds, since being placed exclu
sively under the charge of this department,
have all received careful attention ; and the
present prosperous condition, especially of the
two firs!, will be made the subject of a separate
report, to be submitted to Congress in a few
days. The payment of nine thousand dollars
on the third of March, 1829, for the site of the
naval hospital at Norfolk, having boon made
out of the appropriation f«r pay and subsistence,
instead of the navy hospital fund, and on a deed
of conveyance deemed exceptionable in its form,
the special interposition of Congress to arrange
the subject was held to be proper by my pre
decessor ; and on that account, the subject still
remains unadjusted on the books of the Fourth
Auditor.
The entire completion of the dry docks lias
been prevented by an accident to tiie coffer dam
of one of them, the prevalence of the cholera in
the neighborhood of the other, and the extraor
dinary severity of the weather during the last
winter. But, it is believed, that the solidity and
durability of the works, generally, will be in
creased by the delay; and that, during.the en
suing season, we shall be enabled, with safety
and great advantage, to use both the dry docks
in the examination and repair of our public ves
sels. The report annexed will furnish the de
tails on thi* subject, as well as the other pro
ceedings under the act for the gradual improve
ment of the navy, (D.) A civil engineer will be
needed in the future superintendence of these
docks ; and he could otherwise be very useful
in preparing plans and estimates for the erection
of the various buildings and other public works
at the different yards. Any increase in our ex
pense by the services of such an olficer will be
avoided, as estimates of this year omit two of
the number of naval constructors, whose labor*
at this time are not required. It will be seen
by the geacral estimates for the naval service
the ensuing year, which are annexed, (E,) that
no other essential change is contemplated as to
officers, except a small reduction in the number
of captains and midshipmen, and a small in
crease in that of masters commandant. The
number of lieutenants is only apparently les
sened, as it had been during the year no larger
than .he present estimates contemplate; while
the actual number of midshipmen has been the
same as in the estimates of former years. The
estimates extend this year to the purchase of
suitable libraries for the officers in schooners,
as well as in larger vessels ; and include school
masters for ail the sloops.
Until Congress may think proper to make
provision for educating the younger officers,
other than the present course of instruction on
hoard the largest vessels,- and at two of the
yards, with an occasional extension of it to i
another, earnest and additional efforts should,
in my opinion, bo made, to convert every vessel
as large as a sloop, into a school efficient as
po*sab!e, in bestowing on the midshipmen that
elementary science and literature, as well as
that discipline, necessary to qualify them for the
honorable discharge of the higher and more re
sponsible duties of the service, if, in such a
floating academy, confined to the deck of a ship
of war, they may tail to acquire in so great per
fection some ofthe appropriate graces of their
rank, it i« a consolation to reflect, that, by fur
nishing them with improved means, what they
may acquire in theoretic information will be in
creased in quantity and excellence, will be
sooner tested by experiment, and thus become
more strongly incor;*orated with the memory
and judgement; while much less will intervene,
to tempt them from that rigid discipline, and that
ardent devotion to the ocean, its scenes, its dan
gers, and glories, which should be inseparable
from their arduous and adventurous profession.
The estimates for improvements at the differ
ent yards, and for repairs of vessels, are some
i what smallef than those ofthe previous year. But
while retrenching, wherever practicable, all un
| necessary expenditure, it has been ray constant
endeavor to avoid weakening the efficiency of
the whole naval establishment, either through an
■ inconsiderate impression that it is, as in some
1 older countries, already arrived at maturity, or
; overgrown and unwieldy : or that, from some
other cause, it is not entitled to share in the
gradual progress and improvements which the
| advancing spirit of the age, and the increasing
I power of a great and growing people, seem to
j require from all our useful public establish
ments.
As respects the pecuniary concerns of the
navy, generally, it gives me sincere satisfaction
to state, that, during the year, not a single dollar
is known to the department to have been misap
propriated, or lost by misconduct on the part of
any of our agent* or other officers.
j By the changes made under the new arrange
ment for drawing bills of exchange abroad,
either on England or this country, as most ad
vantageous, and by the exercise of more care in
our agents concerning the forms of business and
the communication of seasonable advices, all our
payments abroad have been effected without
delayer sacrifices. No bills of exchange have
been protested ; the credit of our drafts has be
come good on every station, and on the two
’ where most depressed heretofore, they have ad
' vanced considerably above par. (F.)
Bv means ofthe seasonable appropriation at
the last sosion of Congress, for the arrearages
which had been some years accruing, and by ex
treme caution since in relation to charges on the
enumerated contingent fund, wo have as yet
been enabled to pay promptly all the demands
under that head. No transfer has been made
to aid it, in any case, under the temporary act of
the last session.
Should Congress place the enumerated con
tingent fund on the footing heretofore, and now
recommended, and which new charges upon it
in the present estimates render still more urgent,
and which the experience ofthe last ten years,
as shown by repeated bills for arrearages, and
by irregular transfers from other approprations
to aid it, proves to be indispensable to meet the
usual demands upon it in the ordinary conting
encies of the service, there is but little doubt
that the present desirable state of our moneyed
accounts will long continue.
There is now on hand unexpended, of pre
vious naval appropriations, about a million and a
half of dollars ; but probably most of this sum
will be requisite ta adjust outstanding claims,
and complete the specific objects for which some
appropriations were made.
On one subject, connected with our pecunia
ry matters, and which has heretofore excited
some sensibility, both in and out of Congress,
from other considerations as well as economy, it
affords me gratification to add, that our public
vessels have returned so seasonably during the
year, that no expense whatever lias been incurr
ed in the transportation, from foreign countries,
of seamen whose term of of service had been al
lowed to expire abroad.
In respect to the preservation of live oak, the
department, as before suggested, lias not deemed
it proper to employ any longer the small ves
sels engaged in that service: In two of the seven
districts, the general examination having been
completed, it has been considered not advisable
to retain the agents in tlrem at a largo expend!-
lure, merely for the preservation ofthe timber.
It is expected that the examinations of three of
the remaining districts will be finished during
the present winter, and ofthe other two, in the
course of the ensuing year. The general re
sults from these examinations, and my opinion in
detail on the plan most eligible to be pursued
hereafte on this interesting subject, will soon
be presented to Cong res in a special report, pre
pared in conformity to a request contained in a
resolution ofthe House of Representatives pass
ed at the last session.
Our seamen have, in general, evinced a strong
and increasing attachment to the service. Great
care has, with success, been taken to prevent
their times ofenlistment from expiring abroad.
No occasion has arisen to open the rendezvous
at home, for some months. Whenever opened
during the year, an ample supply of men has
been readily obtained. The habits of our sea
men are improving in respect to temperance.
In most of our ships they have generally enjoy
ed excellent health, and the visitations among
them of that alarming scourge, the Asiatic chole
ta, have been neither frequent nor severe. Cor
poral punishment has become less common and
less necessary. The present ration of provision
issued for their sustenance, cannot lawfully be
changed by the department alone, but could be
altered by Congress so as to increase iis variety,
its nutriment, and healthful qualities. Th* in
gradients recommended in a special report from
this department, at the last session, would be no
more expensive than those now composing the
ration, and much more acceptable to most sea
men.
Efforts have been made to apportion an equal
share ofthe emoluments and hardship* ofthe ser
vice to all officers of similar rank and date.
Opportunities to test the fitness of all in subordin
ate stations, have been, and will continue to be,
furnished, as fast as the wants of the naval es
tablishment may permit. It is essential to its i
prosperity, that those officers found entirely >
unfit for duty, should be placed on half pay, or ]
retire altogether from the service, as their un- i
fitness may have arisen either from wounds and <
infirmities which happened in the discharge of !
duty, or from censurable causes. j
Strict discipline among the officers has gener- 1
ally been attempted, tempered, it is hoped, with i
all reasonable indulgencies -Such discipline ha* (
been found not only more beneficial to the olfi- *
cers themselves, and the high reputation of the I
service, but a most efficient instrument in tke <
control and reformation of the seamen, who i
seldom complain of a system of government ex- i
tended with firmness and impartiality to their t
•uperiors. i
The annexed order (G) has been issued dur- t
ing the year, with a view to furnish increased t
incentives to vigilance in discipline on board <
our vessels in commission, and as an additional
means of obtaining more accurate information j
on the peculiar merits of officers in command, <
whose modesty will generally allow only the 1
report of their good w r orks, through the inspec- t
tion of others, to recommend them. c
No appropriation was made the last session l
of Congress for the suppression of the slave j
trade ; but the department lias been able to i
meet all the demands growing out of that *ub- t
ject, by the balances on hand from former 1
year*, as may be seen in the annexed statement, <
(H.) In consequence of a supposed piracy on j
the coast of Africa, the Boxer visited Liberia i
in April Inst. The report of her commander is i
annexed, (I.) As Congress did not, at their last i
session, make any provision in regard to the (
public property there, the department has i
deemed it expedient to sell such of it as was ]
perishable and decaying, and to direct a careful ,
examination, by our agent resident in that coun- i
trr, and an expression of his opinion, as to the
future disposition of the residue. It may be
proper to have, this year, at least a moiety of
the last appropriation of ten thousand dollars -
made, so as to enable the Government to meet
any contingent calls which may happen in the
further suppression of this inhuman trade.
The rules and regulations for the administra
tion of the civil branch of this department, men
tioned in the last annual report, have been collcc
ted, arranged and printed. From their subse
quent distribution among the naval and civil
officers, connected with the service, ail the
benefit anticipated to the relief of the depart
ment and the officers, from much unnecessary
correspondence and many unpleasant decisions,
have been fully realized. The code of regula
tions for the naval branch, is undergoing revi
sion and enlargement, under a resolution pass
ed by Congress at it* last session, and will be
submitted for approbation when completed, (K.)
A list of the deaths, dismissions, and resigna
tions, the past year, is annexed,(L).
The condition of the marine corps, as to its
organization and size, as well as the allowances
to its officers, and the ruinous state of some of
its barracks, have heretofore attracted the at
tention of this department and of Congress.
But except the small appropriation to rebuild
the barracks at Philadelphia, and which is now
in a course of expenditure, legislation has not
been completed, though very desirable, on
these subjects so interesting to the corps, and
bo intimately connected, in my opinion, with its
future services and usefulness.
To avoid unnecessary repetition, and what
'might perhaps be deemed indecorous importuni
ty, several other subjects intimately connected
with the welfare of our naval establishment,
are left to the decision of the proper authorities,
on the suggestions and considerations Heretofore
submitted by this department. Full confidence is
cherished that they will receive all that attention
which the acknowledged importance of many of
them deserves, and that nothing exists in the pre
sent slate of the establishment, or of the country,
which should prevent the continuance of all that
liberality towards the navy, which it has so often
experienced, as well as merited, both from the
Government and the public.
Yours, respect fully,
LliVI WOODBURY.
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 28, 1832.
O' On the first page will be found the reply of Mr.
Berrien to Mr. Crawford’s letter.
BANK DIRECTORS.
The following gentlemen have been elected by the
Legislature, Bank Directors on the part of the State ;
Planter s Bank, Messrs. J.H. Morel andß. W. Flour
noy.
Darien Bank, Messrs. J. Troup, W. Green, W.
Fraser, J. Dunwoody, and J. Holmes.
Bank of the Stale, Messrs. W. B. Bulloch, G. Schley,
G. W. Owens, and J. B. Gaudry.
The Directors of the Branch of the Darien Bank in
Savannah, have elected Ralph King, President, &. John
Day, Cashier.
MILLEDGEVIL.CE, DEC. 24.
A correspondent writes us, that the drawing of the
Lotteries has been suspended for the present week, and
that, by calculation, the drawing of the Land Lottery
will be completed by the end of January, and the G*ld
Lottery by the Ist of March.
GEORGIA BANKS.
We have been at some pains to arrange the state
ment we publish, of the situation of our Banks, on the
Ist. October last. This statement discloses the follow
ing facts :
Bank Capital, .... $>6,584,000
Bills in circulation, ... 2,618,700
Notes & Bills of Exchange discounted, 7,159,700
Specie and specie Funds, - - 1,521,000
Real Estate, .... 331,300
SOI TH-CAROLIXA.
General Orders have been issued, from the Head-
Quarters of the Commandor-in-Chief, Columbia, Decern,
her 21, 1832, appointing TWENTY-EIGHT aids-dc
camps to that officer.
THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE.
Os all human contrivances to promot* and estab
lish individual and public happiness, none is so important
as a government to which is confided the authority to re
quire from every member of the community, a faithful
discharge of the duties prescribed in the constitution a
dopted by the common consent. As the human specie is
born for improvement, especially when arrived at a high
state of civilization, every system of government should,
like other things, be subject to the same rule, changed or
altered to suit the advances and discoveries made in the
sciences and arts, the increase of population, and the ad
ditional means obtained by industry, to disseminate the
blessings of civilization, and to insure to every member
of the community the free enjoyment of civil, political,
Sc religious liberty. The conclusion to be drawn fro»i the
positions we have assumed, is, that a constitution, how.
»ver efficient it may prove to have been, should be so a
mended, at stated periods, as to accord with the pro.
gress of the improvements of the age. We are there
fore decidedly of the opinion of Mr. Jefferson, when he
says; i
•• Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious
reverence, and detem them, like the ark of the covenant,
too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of
a preceding age, a wisdom more than human, and sup
pose what they did to he beyond amendment. I knew ‘
that age well; I belonged to it, and laboured with it; it
deserved well of its country; it was very like the pre
sent, but without experience of the present; and forty
years experience in government is worth a century of
book rc-idiiig; and this they would say themselves, were
they to rise from the dead. lam certainly not an advo
cate for frequent and untried changes in laws and con
stitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be
borne with; because, when once known, we accommo- ,
date ourselves to them, and find practical mean* of cor
recting their ill effects; but I know also that laws and
institutions must ge hand in hand with the progress of
the human mind As that becomes more developed,
more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new
truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with
the change of circumstances, institutions must advance
also, and keep pace with times.”
We are of the opinion that the federal constitution
requires amendment in several particulars, and that the
sooner it is made the better will it be for the peace and
happiness of the people. But why should the constitu- <
tion be amended ? That every power intended to be
delegated to the federal government, should be so clear
ly expressed, as not to be mieeonetrued. That every
power, which has been assumed by the federal govern,
ment, but of which doubt exists as regards its consti-
tutionality, should either be granted, or expressly with
held. And that the constitution, with respect to pow.
ers found expedient to be granted, and others certainly
granted, but inexpedient to be conferred, should be es.
fectively amended. Th© present crisis demonstrates ‘
the necessity of a revision of the federal constitution ;
for as long as its provisions remain as they are, objects 1
of doubt and misconstruction, the country will continu- 1
ally be in a state of excitement. The question of the 1
protective system may be settled to the satisfaction of 1
every section of the Union, so far as its operations are
concerned. But another constitutional question, equal
ly involving the peace and safety of the Union, may a
rise, with regard to powers delegated to the federal go
vernment, of a doubtful character, and in the exercise
of which particular sections of the Union may be bene
fitted, while other sections may be seriously injured. It
should be the duty of the American people, whenever
such a question arises, to apply immediately a remedy
to the evil, before it has grown to a fearful magnitude.
A convention should assemble, to determine the ques
tion in issue. If in the commencement of the opera
tions of the federal constitution, means had been em
ployed to explain and determine in the most solemn
manner the powers conferred upon the federal govern
ment, and which were considered as doubtful, no alarm
would now exist for the integrity of that constitution,
and for the preservation of the Union.
The history of this country, since the adoption of the
federal constitution, teaches the necessity of revising
that instrument, when its construction becomes a ques
tion of uncertainty. It was during the administration
I of the successor of General Washington, that a >|
mentation in the public mind was experienced m
grew out of the manner the constitution was co ’ ng .
by those then in power. The misrule, which Wa
inevitable consequence of the exercise of unco If
* tional powers, fortunately produced a revolution m
lie feeling ; and- the change of policy which
saved the country at that time from disunion
struction. The same fermentation was exa er
during the administration of the predecessor of C ’ i
Jackson, which, notwithstanding the exertions of
distinguished patriot now at the head of the cove °
ment, continues to pervade the public mind. T( le , "
, feeling of discontent, which prevailed in 1790
out in 1828, and still continues to be entertainc 1 p *
same means, which were employed in 1798, to su - *
the expression of public indignation, were used in IS©^*
In a different shape, to subdue resistance to unconsft '
tional laws, and to crush opposition to the encr j ;
meats of the federal government. In 1798, almost il
ry press was enlisted on the side of the
and the sedition and alien acts were passed, givinir *
imited powers to the President, to transport from it ■
• country the disaffected, and to suppress the public * I
of the citizens, when it was presumed tii at
object w r as to complain of intollerable grievances j
1828, a great number of presses mere purchased;, I
port the measures of the administration, to
support the encroachments upon the federal cor.i- ■
tion, to write down the expression of public in(j
tion at the south, at the unconstitutional measures i
dopted by the government, and at the corruption m- |1
duced in the administration of the laws, and in ij le I
cal operations of the cointry. And yet, all to > I
done under the sanction of the federal constitution 1 •
If immediately on the accession of Mr. Jeffersan to th *
presidency, the constitution had been amended so
to determine the constitutionality of the powers assay
ed by the federal government, during the precedin' sj
ministration, it is very probable, that many of tha
croachmcnts upon the federal constitution, which ha>»
since been effected, would not have been successful
attempted, or would have been counteracted by the clear
and unequivocal expression given to the disputed pow
ers said to have been conferred on the government I
And if on the accession of General Jackson to the p ri .
sidency, the constitution had been amended, so mt„
give a correct definition to those powers from which a I
majority in Congress derive the authority to establish 1
the “ American System” as the settled policy of the
country, it is most probable, that the danger of dis Un . 'I
ion and civil war, would not now be ss imminent, and
so likely to produce the total destruction of liberty, not
only in this country, but in the world.
Considering the subject under the point of vi;\v stat.
ed in these cursory remarks, we shall strenuously re.
commend and support the call of a federal convemloa
for a revision of the constitution of the United States,
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*“ _ VIRGINIA.
The Richmond Enquirer of December 30, H
following ©ynopsis of the resolutions adopted by the com. ■
mittee of the House of Delegates, appointed to take into I
consideration the present crisis, the South Carolm* H
Ordinance, and the Proclamation of the President. ■
From the Richmond Enquirer. f
The Committee of 21 —and The Report. I
The Committe were busily engaged on Tues- I
day in discussing the several projels that had I
been submitted. All these had been voted out> H
except General Brodnax’s —and that was re- I
committed to a Sub-Committee, consisting of Mes- It
srs. Broclnax, Brown and Gholson. lesterdaj K
they made their Report—which, after some a- 1
mendments, was adopted, and ordered to be re- ■
ported to the House to-day. We did not have* k
proof-sheet of it till last night, when it was too ■
late to put it in type for our paper. I
It consists of thirteen Resolutions. _ B
The Ist insists upon the difficulty and danger K
of the Crisis, to which we have arrived, and the ■
duty of interposing to arrest the progress ot :ne ■
The 2d urges the value of the Union —andt 11 B
dangers which threaten it from the opposite •** ■
cesses of the centrifugal and the centripetal p 0 ''* ■
ers* H
The 3d re-affirms the Virginia doctrines, 0 * ■
contained in the Resolutions of’9B and ’99, an ju
the Report of 1800. • • 1 in B
4th, protests against the protective principle ■
the Tariff laws, as not only unequal and°PF II
sive, but contrary to the spirit and intent of If
Federal Compact. •_ B
sth, expresses a determination not to aC^ ge If
esce in the present system of duties, but to opp |
I