Newspaper Page Text
m
1st Ifo & M o
State of Georgia, without her consent, and a-
gainst her most solemn declaration to the con
trary. But I may before 1 conclude, show an-
other and not less glaring attempt to trample up-
on the riehits of Georgia, by an ancestor of the
honorable gentleman, when he filled a high
place in this government. To return to the
subject immediately before me. As the pow
er conferred upon Congress to regulate com-
mercc among the States has been justly so
interpreted as to include nothing else, and to
leave them in the possession and exercise of
oil powers not granted to the Federal Gov.
ernment, nor prohibited by the constitution
ovei their white citizens, it is equally;clear,
that it includes nothingel se in reference to
Indians, and that they are as fair and con-
stitutional objects of the legislation of the
States for every thing else, as any other des-
cription of persons within their limits. I wil.
glow turn for a moment to the only direct res.
friction which the constitution imposes upon
(he States, wit!; regard to Indians having dis
posed of the indirect restriction growing out
of the power conferred upon Congress to reg.
ulutc commerce with the Indian tribes. It is
this, that in making up their representative
numbers, the several States shall not include
« Indians not luxed.”
If the Slates only possessed such powers
as hud been conferred upou them by the con
stitution, it would be an irresistable inference,
form the terms of this restriction, that the
States may include,in their representative uum
bers, Indians who are taxed ; and of ronse.
quence that they may tax them for that pur
pose. But the rule of interpreting the con-
stitution is this, and it is emphatically cstab.
lished by the tenth amendment : “ Thai the
respective States retain every power which
they have neither delegated to the Federal
Government, nor prohibited to themselves.”
Tin y have not done the one or the other with
regard to the government of the Indians ; they
have conferred the same commercial power,
and no more, in the one case as the other; they
have the right to tax white men, and they
have an equal right to tax Indians; and the
constitution places taxed white men und tax
ed Indians on the same footing of federal enu-
iteration. Will the honorable gentleman
from Massachusetts, or any other gentleman,
inform this House whether at the formation of
the federal constitution, there was one taxed
Indian in the United States ? I have not yet
learned that there was one; and if not, it goes
most strongly to support my argument on the
subject. So far ns I know or believe, the
first serious attempt that was persevered in,
which has ever been made to interfere with
the territorial rights or jurisdiction of Georgia
with respect to the Indians within her limits,
was made by the immediate successor of
General Washington-—for what cause I know
not, unless it was that site gave her electoral
vote in 1796, to Thomas Jefferson ; and at
tempts of a similar character were revived
and attempted to be enforced upon her in 18-
25, by the then President ol the U. Stales.-—
Georgia then stood iimuhnilar Altitude, hav-
ing given her Presidential vote in 1624, and
her vote in this House in 1825, in favor of
another individual, one of her own distinguish
ed sons. I have shown, by reference to the
legislative and other historical memorials of
this country, that the several States in no
wise impaired or restricted their jurisdiction
over Indians by the adoption of the federal
constitution, than they impaired and restricted
their jurisdiction over any other description
of persons within their several limits; and
that a large number of them, so large as to
establish the rule under the constitution, have
continued to exercise unlimited and undistur
bed authority over them, while attempts have
been made, for what purpose I shall not here
inquire, to make Georgia an exception to that
rule.
Notwithstanding the attempts which have
been made from time to tipie to interfere with
the jurisdiction of Georgia over the Indians
within her limits, she has not ceased to claim,
until finally she has been permitted, without
further molestation, to exercise her unques
tionable right.
In 1796, it is well known, that the United
States, by commissioners, entered into ,what
was called the treaty of Colerain, with the
Creek Indians; bm it may not be equally
well known that the State of Georgia appro
priated money to defray . the expenses of that
treaty, and for carrying its provisions into ef
fect, (as will be seen by the act of her Leg.
isiature passed in the year 1796,) to an
amount exceeding thirty five thousand dollars.
It may not be generally known, that the
commissioners who negotiated thut treaty en.
tered into stipulations with the Indians which
were derogatory to the territorial rights and
jurisdiction of Georgia ; that the Legislature
ol Georgia protested most solemnly against
those stipulations, and that upon its ratification
the Senate of the United States expressly
excepted and reserved to Georgia her claim
of territorial right and jurisdiction ; yet such
were the facta.
From the date of the treaty of Colerain
and the protest of Georgia, and the recogni
tidn of the principles of that protest by the
Senate, no new occasion is believed to have
occurred to produce collision between Geor
gia and this Government until the year 1825
to the member who now arraigns the conduct
of Georgia in terms of such unmeasured con.
demnation. Why did not the same President
recommend the establishment of a Territorial
Government upon the wild lands of Massachu
setts now within the State of Maine? The
southern boundary of the Union was settled
according to (lie chartered limits of Georgia,
and the northern and north-eastern boundary,
in conformity with the original charters of tlu>
Colonies there situated, now members of the
Union. What better right could exist for
usurping and tyrannizing over Georgia than
the rest, it cannot be. possible for the human
mind to conceive. This outrageous and un.
just oppression of Georgia, was fiually settled
and disposed of by her compact with the Uni-
ted States in 1802. I will here, sir, once for
-ill, before going further with any other branch
ol my inquiry, show the ground upon which
that compact placed the relations of the Uni.
ted States and Georgia. By it Georgia yield,
ed no right previously asserted or exercised
by her, but 6lie acquired from the United Stales
the obligation on their part, on certain condi
lions, to remove the Indians .from within her
limits. It is worthy of remark, that the sub.
ject of that compact was the transfer by Geor
gia of a large portion of her southern territo
ry to the United States.
It should be further observed, that the in
tercourse law, as it h»6 been generally term
ed, which in its provisions exempted the Indi
ans iu all the States which had claimed or ex
ercised jurisdiction over them, from its opera
tion, except in North Carolina am) Georgia
was passed on,the 30th of March, 1802, and
that the compact with Georgia was entered in.
to on the 24th of Aprils 1802—twenty-five
days afterwards. Why the intercourse law
should, by its provisions, have exempted the
Indians in a large number of States, from its
operation, without giving to the two Sta.es
mentioned the same exemption, it is not ne^
ressarv to inquire, nor can it be explained up
on any just principle. This is the act by
which most or all the attempts to deprive the
State of Georgia of her rightful jurisdiction
over all the soil and all the people within her
limits, have been justified.
The compact between the United States
and Georgia was entered into after the pas-
sage of the act regulating trade and intercourse
with the Indian tribes, as l have already
shown, and if it contains any thing inrompati
ble with that conpact, leaving any constitu
tionai question out of view 7 , it must so far re
peal that act.
(Concluded next week.)'
jFomsn Jims.
But os formerly hinted, very soori after the
first President of the United States closed his
second term of office, his successor turned his
eye to the wild lands, of Georgia; and although
the southern boundary of the United States
had been settled by the treaty of San Loren
zo LI Real, according to the southern bnunda
xy of Georgia, as defined in the proclamation
of George th,i third, in 1763, and re-affirmed
in the preliminary articles of peace with Great
ritain in 1782, and finally by, the definitive
treaty with that power-in 1783, within a short
.period after the conclusion of the treaty with
Spam by which the question had been thus
-settled, the then President of the U. S. recom-
mended, and Congress passed acts; creating a
Territorial Government withy., . the limits of
jGqwgjaiy . That President waa a lisiir.guis.;
ed citizen of Massachusetts, and not unknown
New-York, Aug. 4.
LATE AND IMPORTANT FROM EU
ROPE. *
By the ship Republic, from Liverpool
whence she sailed on the 29th June, the Cou
rier & Enquirer obtained Loudon papers to
tho 28th. and Liverpool to tho 29lh
Two items of intelligence are found in these
papers, of considerable interest and impor
tance ; another attempt upon the life of King
Louis Phillinpe, and the adherence of the Brit
ish House of Lords to their amendments to
the Irish Municipal bill. The amendments
proposed and adopted by the House of Com-
mons, to the amendments of the Lords, weie
rejected by a vote of 143 to 78. Lord Mel
bourne, Lord Lyndhurst, and Earl Grey were
the prominent speakers on the occasion.—
The amendment of the Commons being neg
atived generally, the Lords appointed a com
mittee to draw up a statement of the reasons
for their disagreement with the other house.
The attempt to assassinate the King Louis
Phillippn of course created much excitement.
It was condemned by all parties and by the
whole press of Paris, with the exception of
one paper, Le National, which simply stated
the facts, without any comment.
The Palace was thronged by foreign Min
isters, Peers, &c. eager to congratulate the
King on his escape.
The Chamber of Peers were immediately
convoked to receive a communication from
the government, and the Dukes of Orleans
and Nemours were summoned to Paris by
telegraph, on their return from their tour.
From the London Times, June 27 th.
We have been favored with a copy of a
telegraphic despatch received yesterday by
the .French Embassy. It runs thus—
Paris, June 26—1 o’clock, A. M The
King has just escaped a new danger. An in-
dividual fired at his majesty, but his majesty
was not touched. The assassin lias been ar-
rested. Paris- is indignant. Order reigns
every where. —
From the Courier Frcneais,
^ Paris, June 29.—Last evening, about 6
o’clock, a new attempt was made upon the
King’s life, which fortunately proved as un.
successful as the former. Just os his majes.
ty had entered his carriage, to return to Ne-
nilly, and was passing under the gateway
leading to the quay, a young man who had
placed himself on the side opposite to that of
the post of f the National Guard, lifted up a
cane in which a pistol barrel had been
fixed, placed it on the carriage door, and fired
It at the King.
Louis Phillippe was that moment bowing to
the National Guards through the other win
dow. Whether the assassin felt agitated, or,'
as is stated, was pushed while engaged in ta-
king aim, the ball did not touch the King, who
immediately after the explosion, made a sig
nal that he was not wounded, and ordered the
coach to be driven on to Nenilly. The King
was with the Queen, and his sister Madame
Adelaide, and a detachment of dragoons es
corted the carriage.
On hearing the explosion, the National
Guards rushed on the man, who still held the
weapoii iu his hand. He was at first ill trea,
ted, but the officers interfered, and having
represented the importance of his being put
into the hands of justice, the prisoner was
brought to a room above the ground floor,
where he was stretched on a bed, and search
f vt, in order to ascertain if he had no arms
concealed. A poniard was found in his side
pocket. M. Gisquet, who was then in the
Tuilleries, with several other public function,
uries, immediately rep.tired to the guard house
and proceeded to exumine the individual ar-
rested. He refused to te(! ibis name, and
when recognized by persons ^yiio fintjw him,
uid said he wus a commercial traveller, und
his name was Alibeau. He pretended that
Alibeau was an assumed name, and refused
to give his real one from regard ttfhis family.
He was theu asked if he had been agitated
while aiming at the King,' and if it was not
agitation that had deranged the direction of
his atm ? He replied with much composure
that he felt no emotion; and that if he had
missed his aim, it was owing to having ex*
perienced a shock or push, for which he could
not account. He was fiially asked, if he
repented his crime ; he asswered in the neg.
alive, and added, that if it were to be done
over ogain, he should not hesitate to do it;
that he had no farther explanation to give,
because, in this age of egotism, in which any
thing like conviction or devotion was no Ion.
ger to be fouud, no oue could appreciate or
understand his motives!
During his examination, active inquiries
were made, and it was discovered that this
young man had entered the Place du Carou,
se.l about 4 o’clock, by the gate of the trium
phal arch; that he had conversed some time
with a National Guard on indifferent matters,
and left him when he saw the King’s carriage
proceeding to the palace, saying, “I think the
person 1 am waiting for will uot come,” und
went off in the direction of the court. He
repaired from thence to the gate ot the pal-
ace uexl to the quay, and there remained in
a group of people waiting tor the King’s de.
purtuie. ills appearance, it seems, did not
awaken any suspicion, and no one observed
the cane he earned in his hand, and which
contained the deadly weapon. This instru
ment led to the discovery of Alibeau. By
an extraordinary chance, the gun maker who
manufactured it (a serjeant in the National
Guards) happened to be on duty at Tuilleries,
and felt it incumbent on him to give the mag
istrates every information in his power. He
stated that the weapon seized on the assassin
had been made at his establishment, with ma-
ny others oT the same kina; that he was
aware ot its beiug a violation of- the laws to
have made and sold such a weapon, but that
as the affair was of so serious a nature, he
did-not hesitate to confess it ; the lodging ol
the individual arrested was then discovered,
and the owner of the house having been sent
for, recognized the prisoner to be Alibeau. He
said he had lodged in his house but that he
had gone off without paying him leaving in
pledge his .passport; which had been deliver
ed him in Lyons, and mentioned his having
been born in that city.
and the Deputies present at Paris, went out 1
to Nenilly to congratulate thp King on his
escape. His majesty was to receive a depu-
taiion of both Chambers on Sunday, in the
Tuilleries. It is, said that the Queen took out
of the King’s hair some of the wadding that
had been lodged therein. It was also repor
ted that a courier had been despatched to the
Dukes of Orleans and Nemours, to invite them
to return iu all haste to Paris.
Troubi&s in. Palestine—The Austrian
Observer of the 14th June has intelligence
from Svtia of the 17th. A mutiny broke dut
a few days before in Jerusalem, and some
tumultuous excesses were committed. It wus
surpressed with difficulty, and the German pa
pers say that the prospects of the Egyptians
ire gloomy. Vagabonds, criminals, deserters,
and refractory conscripts from all * Palestine
have gathered at Karak, beyond the Dead
Sea. They are supported by the Bedouin
Arabs, and .the company assembled at Karak
resembles that which haunted the cave of
Adullum during the flight of David, in draw-
ing to itself all that is discontented or distress,
ed throughout Palestine. Their number is
estimated at from 13,U00 to 15,000 men.—
They have a sufficient supply of arms, am
munition, provisions, and horses, and it is
thought that it will be impossible to dislodge
them. Anarchy, robbery, and murder, ap
pear to prevail in all of Syria.
More Specie.-— 1 The Utica arrived at New
York, Irom Havre, has' ou board; three mil-
linn of francs, in gold and silver, being part
of the money stipulated for in the French
Treaty of indemnification.
LATER FROM EUROPE.
New York, Aug. 6
By the packet ship Poland, from Havre,
arriwtl tliio -nu.miiig, - w h^ro- meoiruj
Paris journals of the 1st of July, from which
we extract the following :
The King had been urged, since the at.
tempt of Alibeau, to establish a body guard,
but would not listen to it, saying that bayonets
had not been wanting, and that he would rafh.
expose his life than submit to such Servitude.
His majesty had addressed the following let
ter to the Archbishops and Bishops of France :
“ Reverend Sir,—A new attempt has just
threatened my life. Providence has preser
ved it. My gratitude is raised towards Him who
has covered with his powerful hand a life eh-
lireiy devoted to the welfare of France. I
have the. firm conviction that their persever-
ing protection will aid me in maintaining in
my country, peace and respect for religion
order and law. My intention is that a solemn
Te Dcv.rn and thanksgivings should be cete
brated in alt the Churches of vour diocese.
LOUIS PllILLiPPE.”
Paris, 27th June, 1836.
Alibeau had attemptedsuicidc. Gnlignani’s
Messenger gives the following account-of it
“ One of his keepers, having gone out for
a moment to get some tobacco to chew, he
requested the dther who was with him to go
und hasten his return. The latter had scarce
ly turned his back, when the prisoner en
deavored twice to dash out hts brains against
the wall; but the keeper was too quick for
trim, and seized him by the clothes, saying,
“ Ah ! my fine fellow! You wish to play me
a.trick which would have been the ruin of
me 1” Alibeau at first endeavored to tprn it
off as a joke, but afterwards acknowledged his
real intention, asserting that it was not for the
want of courage that he attempted his life,
hut that he had become disgusted with his
present state of existence, and wished to
save himself from eight more Wearisome days,
He is at times prodigal of his expressions,
One of them is—“ My name begins with the
first letter of the alphabet and the King has
yet to fear all the rest o: ‘ the letters.” An
other is— « Whatever nay be my fate, my
name will be known thr »ugh all Europe, and,
my devotion of myself honored by all true
patriots.”
On being confronted fty the sentinel of the
National Guards he hadjeouversed with at the
gate of the Carousal, jie coolly asked him
“ Did you observe that 1 betrayed the least
emotion while speaking with ’ you 7” After
this confrontation Alibpau was’ placed in _
hackney coach and conveyed under a large
escort to the conciergene, where he no doubt
underwent another examination. He was
lodged in the room formerly occupied by Ft
eschi. He was dressed ui\ U neat frock coat,
but his shirt was dirty and in , rags, and he
was without stockings. About 12iti’cIock
last night the Attorney General ind this pre
feet of police were still at the conmergerie in
terrogating him. It is M. M art jn Du Nord
, who has commenced the proceedings. All-
beau, or the individual known by that name, is
tall, ami slight ; his hair blftCfkj' and his com
olexion pale., Only 22 sous (jld.) were
found in his pockets.' . V *
In the evening all the Ministers, the Petrs
ILORfDA.
Another Battle—A. Brilliant and
Gallant Action.—Yesterday afternoon au
express arrived in town with intelligence that
a battle had taken place in the morning at 6
o’clock, at Ridgeley’s Mill, near the mouth
of Black Creek, between a detachment of
United States troops, 15 in number, under
command of Lt. Herbert, and a party of 35
Indians.
Lieut. Herbert left here on Wednesday
last,-to escort 40 led horses to Garey’s Fer
ry, and reached that place in safety the next
day. He was on his return in the steam boat
Essayon, to Picnlata. When the boat ar
rived opposite the Mill, he landed in a small
boat with nine of his men, with a view of go
ing to Mr. Travers’ plantation, whose house
had been burned the day*previous, and ma
king an examination. On landing he dis
covered fresh moccasin tracks, and took
the pursuit. He soon fell in with a party of
fifteen or twenty Indians, whom he immedi
ately attacked. He was joined by the re
roaiuder of his command as speedily as pos
sible, and at the same time the enemy were
reinforced by about 25 more warriors. The
India.ii8 made two attempts to turn the flanks
of Lt. Herbert, but were gallantly beaten
backhand after a warm action which lasted
an hour und twenty minutes the enemy were
driven into a hammock, from which they
did not show themselves until the detachment
had retired on board the steam boat, and was
under way, when they came to the river
bank and fired upon the boat. Alter driving
them into the hammock, and the ammunition
being nearlv exhausted, Lieut. Herbert, from
the superior force and position of the enemy,
did not think it prudent to follow' them.—
Five of his men were wounded —none of them
dangerously. It is thought that six of the
enemy were killed and wounded as they were
seen to fall, and a negro, who acted as guide,
and who understood the Indian touguc, said
he heard them repeatedly call, during the ac.
tion, for men to carry off their wounded.
This is one of the most brilliant affairs that
has occurred during the war and we hope
that the current of disasters with which wc
had to contend hitherto, is about to turn, and
success follow in the place of misfortune.
Col. Crane of the Army, commanding the
regular troops in East Florida, upon rcceiv.
ing the intelligence here ordered Capt Dura
men's company of mounted volunteers, and
.Lt. Irwin’s company of mounted U. S. troops
to Picoluta, where they probably crossed the
Si, Johns’ last night; and it is hoped they
will be able to fall in with this band of Indi-
ans, who, it is supposed have been lurking
in the vicinity of Black Creek for some days.
We have just learned that the companies
reached Picolata, and finished crossing at 8
o’clock this morning. Lt. Herbert’s detach
ment have just arrived with their wounded.
—St. Augustine Herald, 31)th ult.
We ought to have stated in our last that
Lieutenant Colonel Crane, U. S. Array, had
arrived; acid had assumed the post at St.
Augustine; and it gives us pleasure to add,
since this event the most active and intelli-
gent means have been used to protect the
small remnant of inhabitants and property,
that have been left unscattered and undestroy
ed.
Under his orders, a most satisfactory dta.
position of the forces east of the St. Johns
has been made, and all at the remaining set-
tlements are rendered perfectly safe.
A detachment of ten men; is stationed at
Pablo and another of the same number is
placed at St. Johns Bluff. These are a part
of Capt. Curry’s company under command
of Lieut. Suramis, Capt. Curry with the rest
of his company remains at Mandarin., The
force- at Hanson’s is sufficient to secure that
important settlement.—Ibid.
A company of volunteers 60 in number,
from Georgia and forty recruits sailed from
Jacksonville on Wednesday for Garey’s ferry.
—iUd. ' ; ' . \
Several fir°s, supposed by some to be sig
out fires of the Indians, have been seen on
the opposite side of the St. Johns, a short dis.
tance South of Picolata, several days back.
—Ibid.
A detachment of 15 men of Capt. Phil
lips’ Company of Volunteers, have been sta-
tioiied at H iasoa’s Plantation, tinder com
rauad ol Lieut. Levy.—Ibid,
Correspondence of the Charleston Courier. _ ,
> - r “ Key West, July 28.
« The expedition under command of Lieut.
Leib, of ship Concord, in the U. S. Trans-
port Schr. Motto, Capt, Armstrong, arrived
here yesterday from Cape Florida. They
bring the news of the burning of Cape Flori
da Light House, and the keeper’s house, bv
Indians, on the night of the 24th inst. A
man, named W. B. Thompson, was left in
charge by the keeper, assisted by an old ne
gro man. On the approach of the Indians
(supposed about forty) they retired to the
Light, (after being fired at) and' ascended to
the top, closing the door. The Indians then
fired the door, which very soon communica-
ted to the steps.
The heat ascending, obliged- Thompson
and the negro to go outside and lie down on
the (deck) or top of the Light, during which,
ns the heat increased and commenced melting
the glass in the windows, to gam a little, they
pushed themselves towards the eave-drnps of
the deck, when the negro was immediately
killed, five balls passing through him; Thomp
son put his font over and in a few moments
hud three balls in it—lie had a keg of pow-
der with him;Tearing it would blow up he
threw it down the steps, which immediately
blew them up; by which accident his life was
saved.
The Indians, not willing to give him up,
tried for a long time to ascend by the lightning,
rod, and did ascend about 40 feet, when they
gave it up. The Motto was at anchor about
pine miles to the West of the Cape when
they observed the fire, about eight o’clocl at
night. The next day they landed, but found
the Indians were gone. They however, re.
turned Thompson’s boat and a canoe, on board
of which they found parfof a hog, which had
been killed but a few hours. Thompson, it
is said, will recover.”
©mwrt Knteutsetut.
Indian Intelligence.—An Indian was
killed last month at Ocklocknee Bay, by a
scouting party, under the command of Capt.
H. H. Walker, company G., 7th Regiment
F. M. After equivocating, the Indian attemp
ted to escape in his boat, when he was shot.
A party of Indians on the 29th ult. killed
two young men at Mr. Cokers plantation,
oue, a son of Mr. Coker, and one, of Mr. Va-
gle, a party of Volunteers under Lieut. Jos.
B. Johnson pursued them and exchanged with
tnem some shots. In a skirmish with anoth
er party of about 40 Indians, in which fifteen
whites under Capt. W, Townsend Were en
gaged—Capt. T. lost one man, (wounded, and
since dead,) the Indians (supposed) eight to
twelve in killed and wounded. The latter fled
from the field.—Savannah Georgian.
THE CREEK WAR.
From the Columbus Sentinel, August 12.
The following letter from Maj. Alford to
tne Editors ot the Enquirer, is the latest ac.
counts wc have from below. Maj. Hoxey,
with the Artillery und Cadet Riflemen, ot this
city, returned ou Tuesday last. Maj. Hoxey
has becu iu active service tor the last two or
three weeks, scouriugthe swamps in Baker, but
without meeting the enemy. Gen. Sanlord
and (he Guards are expected here in a lew
days.
Camp Hoxey, 6lh August, 1836.
Gentlemen—After a forced march I joined
my battalion in Randolph, determined, if God
would, to have revenge lor the events of the
fatal Sunday when my men fougnt without
their commander. 1 louud upou my arrival
thut Gen. Sanlord was pursuing the Indians
with great energy, and alter exnuusting'huu-
self with personal tatigue, he tooK a single
day to rest, sending the in the swamp with
my battalion and Capt. Bostwick’s company
ot Pulaski County, to drive tor the Indiaus.—
We hud also a few of the Baker County boys,
under Capt. House: among them are some
men that can trail, equal to blood-houuds.—•
W e had not proceeded tar betdre the sign be-
came certain. About 2 o’clock on .yesterday,
we came upon their camp; they were x en-
treuched behind some large pine logs, aud
received us with a brisk fire. I was struck
wuh the second balFthat was fired; a large
dirk kuw'e saved uie from a dangerous if not
a fatal wouud; the ball struck the kntie in
my palaluonS pocket, and thus was prevented
trom penetrating deeply tuto my thigh. The
bruise is cousiderable, but will soda be well.
Finding that the enemy had the vantage
grouuu, i determined at once to storm the
camp; the order to charge with loaded guns,
was oueyed promptly, aud thus commenced
the most brilliant aud iinpetuous charge; Uie
enemy made a faint efi'Ort to rally, but a fire
wus opened upon them as we went, winch
they could net bear; they fled, leaving all
their plunder aud a tine dinner behiud them;
the traces ot blood were cousiderable, but they
left no dead or wouuued behind them. In the
pursuit we touud parts of litters very bloody,
upou which they carried their dead or wound,
ed. The swamp was a complete covert to
them, and they made good their retreat. In
pursuing them my men and officers would
mire in the mud, and the march after their
trail before the fight was so long and fatigue,
tng, and we were so much exhausted, we were
compelled to desist. The battalion unani
mously voted me the present of a fine rifle,
taken on the field loaded. We took up the
hue of march tor camp; and just as night came
on, made our escape from the most extensive
and dismal swamp I ever saw. My officers
aud men fought with great and unflinching
firmness, and all distinguished themselves, es-
pec tally iu the execution of the order to charge.
The Iadians raised the war-whoop, hut the
sound was lost in the tremendous shouts of
the-charge. We had no certain means of
ascertaining the strength of the Indians-; from
the size ol their camp uudthe amount of their
victuals cooked for aminer, we could easily
say they were a hundred sirovlg, but I am
of opinion that there was not quite that num
ber Irom ail I 'could see, pry*. ;
Very respectfully,
• JLLft/ii C»> ALFORD-
ORG 1^ I 1 IZATION of the post office dl
PARTMENT UNDER THE LATE ACT
OF CONGRESS.
The duties of the Department are
and distributed as fellows, viz :
Contract Office.
To this office are assigned the duties of ar
ranging the connexions of the mails on all the
mail routes in the United Stales, adjusting
the speed of the mails, fixing on the frequen
cy of their trips, and the mode of conveyance*
making out advertisements for mail service
receiving the bids, preparing them for the ac!
tion of the Postmuster General, preparing
forms of contracts, sending them out and see"
ing to their execution, examining and pr e
paring for decision all propositions for chan,
ges in the mail service, fixing on the location
of distributing post offices, directing the coun e
of distribution, providing aiid sending out mail
bags, and mail locks and keys, and^perform.
ing all acts appertaining to post roads which
are necessary to put the mails in motion, and
regulate their conveyance, speed, and con
nexion.
This office is under the superintendence of
S. R- Hobbie, Esq.,first Assistant Postmaster
General, to whom all proposals for mail scr.
vice, and all letters relating to the making or
changing of contracts and schedules, to mail
nags, locks, and keys, and every thing else
having reference to the duties of the office,
should be directed.
Appointment Office.
To this office are assigned all questions
which relate to the establishment and discon
tinuance of post offices, changes of site and
names, appointment and removal of posttnas.
ters, as also the giving of instructions to
postmasters, furnishing them with blanks, and
the performance of all other acts necessary
to prepare post offices for the reception and
proper management and distribution of the
mails.
1 his office is under the superintendence of
Robert Johnson, Esq.,-Second Assistant
Postmaster General, to whom all letters rela-
tive to the subjects mentioned above, and all
complaints against posmasters, should be di.
reeled.
Inspection Office.
To this office ts assigned the duty or seeing
that all postmasters at the beginning and ends
of the routes, and such others as may be di.
rected by the Postmaster General, keep and
return registers of the arrival and departure
of the mails, according to law ; of examining
said registers,noting all delinquencies of con.
tractors, and preparing them for the action of
the Postmaster Generul; receiving and pre
paring for decision all special complaints
against contractors ; of seeing that all post-
masters render their quarterly accounts ac.
cording to law aqd the instructions of the De-
partment, promptly reporting all delinquents
to the Appointment Office, and doing all other
things which may be necessary to secure a
faithful and exact performance of their contract
service on the part of contractors, and the
prompt rendition of postmasters’ quarterly ac
counts.
This office is under the superintendence
of Daniel Coleman, Esq., Third Assistant
Postmaster General, to whom all mail regis.
ters, all letters complaining of or reporting
contractors, aud .all quarterly accounts of
postmasters, should be directed.
Postmaster General.
In addition to the general superiutendance
of these offices, the Postmaster Generul re-
serves to himself the special superintendence
of the business connected with mail depredu*
tions ; the paymeht by postmasters of the bal
ances due from (hem ; the bank accounts of
the Department ; the opening of dead letters
and the disposition of the valuables found in
them, and every other mutter having relation
fo the administration of the Department not
committed to bis three Assistants.
All letters relative to losses in the mail, or
mail depredations; all letters from postmas
ters enclosing certificates of deposit; all let.
ters of batiks having reference to their ac
counts, and all other letters in relation to any
matter or thing appertaining to the Depart,
men!* which is not assigned by law to the
Auditor, or by regulation to one of the Assis.
tants, should be addressed IQ the Postmaster
General.
Auditor’s Office.
The late law established the office of “Au
ditor of the Treasury, for the Post Office De
partment.” To this office, the law assigns
the duty of settling all accounts of the Post
Office Department, whether of postmasters,
Contractors, or others.
Charles K. Gardner, Esq. is the Audi
tor, and ull accounts against or with the Post
Office Department, (other than postmasters’
quarterly accounts,) all letters in relation to
accounts, all letters inclosing the receipts of
contractors, all letters returning drafts on
postmasters, and all other letters making
claims or explanatory of accounts, should b»
addressed to him.
From the Clobe.
BLACK HAWK.
Extract of a letter from Lieut. B. S. Roberts,
1st Regiment of Dragoons, commanding at
Fort Des Moines, to Sie Secretary of War*
dated 14th July, 1836.
“ 1 see by reports in the eastern papers that
a * letter has been received in the War De-
partment stating that Black Hawk has again
become hostile, and has circulated the wam
pum belt amongst the western Indians,* and
consider itrav duty to inform the Department
that the report is without the slightest founds-
:;or.. Black Hawk and his family are at this
time in their lodge within two hundred yard* •
of my quarters, and have been, for the
year, encampi within live miles of Ibis posh—
He has only been absent, during this time, five
or six weeks, on the Des Moines river, nt:ar
Keokucks town, raising corn. The old man
ts becoming very infirm, and should he be dis
posed, wouid not be able to carry ou another
war against the white's. He, however, is per-