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REPORT OF MR. IU.ACK,
Os Striven, from the Committee to tchcm
uva referred th, communication of the
Governor, and its accom/mnyinz do
cuments, in relation to the depredations
caused by the Creek Indians, in the
counties of Lee, Baker, and Stewart,
and the adjacent counties. <
The Committee to whom was referred
that part of the Governor’s Message, re- i
lative to the depredations, committed by
the Creek Indians, upon the persons and i
property of the citizens, of the frontier
counties, of Stewart, Randolph, Early,
Lee, Sumpter, Irwin, and- the counties
adjacent thereto, in the Southwestern
section of the Srote of Georgia, with the
documents accompanying the same, have
had the subject referred to, under their
earnest and deliberate consideration, and
respectfully submit the following report.
The chief and legitimate end of this
government is the protection, and ad
vancement, not only of the mass of our
people, but also of the individuals com
posing that mass. Men are supposed,
voluntarily to resign a portion of their
natural liberties, when they enter into
the social and political compact, for the
purpose of securing to themselves, their
wives, their children, and their property,
that support, protection, and defence,
which single handed, and in a state of na
ture, it would be impossible to obtain.
The moment government ceases, from
whatever cause, to afford that protection
which every citizen has a right to require,
it fails to accomplish the purpose of its
institution—it is no longer a benefit, or
a blessing, but degenerates into a bur
then and a curse, it leaves the citizen
with all the disadvantages ol a state of
nature, and he receives nothing in return
for the resignation ofhis natural rights.
Your committee have been induced to
these reflections, from the deplorable
condition of the inhabitants of our South
western frontier, who for a long lime past,
have been subject in their prisons and
property, to (be predatory incursions ol
a band of fierce and hostile savages,
known to belong to the Hitchetee and (J■
diet tribes of Creek Indians. Our men
have been murdered, and wounded, their
houses, horses, cattle, and hogs, have
been pillaged and destroyed, their families
left desolate and bereaved, and widowed
and defenceless women have seen (heir
homes reduced to ashes, by the torch of
incendiary savages, whose rapacity ol
plunder left (heir victims nothing" but
misery and ruin! These acts of murder
and rapine have been, and yet are, per
petrated by armed and hostile Indians,
amounting to three or four hundred war
riors, who for twelve months past have
been, and as your committee are ad vised
and believe, are at this moment encamp
ed within our borders, in open violation
and defiance of the Sovereign State of
Georgia!
Your committee beg leave to refer, to
the papers and documents, which the late
Executive has produced os evidence ol
the state ol affairs on our South-western
frontier. As early in the present year
as the 19th January, Benjamin Holland,
at_ the request of the citizens, writes to
His Excellency Gov. Lumpkin, from
near Cuthbert, in Randolph county, and
informs him that just then a battle bud
taken place between 15 Creek Indians,
and 21 white men of Lee, and Randolph
—the Indians had stolen two horses, and
in the conflict bad two of their warriors
bill—*- -r-trrrtrTT, JTinn SmT-n
ly, was wounded in the shoulder, and
Mr. Smith of Lee, was severely wounded
by a ball entering the corner of his month
and going out near his ear. The Indians
had plundered the house of a widow lady
near (he line of Lee and Randolph,—
that great uneasiness is felt for the citi
zens, who are very much alarmed, and
were in daily expectation of an attack
from (he Indians. The writer says his
informant was in the battle, and con
cludes by asking of the Executive, any
suggestions as to the plan they shall pur
sue.
The next paper, is a letter from Stew
art county, dated 28th January. 1833
and is in these words, “Your Excellen
cy is hereby notified of the present un
happy situation, in which a great number
of the citizens of Stowart, Randolph, Lee
and Sumpter counties, are by means of
the exposed situation of the thinly settled
parts, to the depredations of the Indians.
There have several skirmishes taken
place within a few days, in which (he In
dians have had the advantage, bv reason
of their numbers. A number of the
whites have been killed, and others woun
ded, while our property of various kinds
has been taken oil. This is therefore to
petition your Excellency to order out the
militia to our assistance, or adopt some
speedy measures for our relief; Signed
by William 11. Dismukes, George L.
Smith, Thomas Pate, Samuel Williams,
and various persons, citizens of Stewart
country.
On die 28(h January, 1335, A. Prim, a
justice of the Inferior Court, for thecoun
ty of Stewart, wriies under express, from
Lannahassec. “To His Excellency the
Gov.—Sir—l have to state that the In
dians are in our neighborhood, killing
the citizens, and stealing the negroes and
horses, breaking open and robbing hou
ses, killing stock of different kinds, and
creating a great alarm in the settlem.-u'.
We understand there i< a large numb -r,
of Indians on this side of the river. Toe
report is. that they are determined to die
before they leave. Wo prav vour aid
and assistance in the case. Tlio beirei
can mure fully explain the matter than I
can. or have room.”
Within three days after the date of the
above, the Governor himself, writes to
the Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War,
“ since writing to you on the 26th inst.
on the subject of the depredations com
mitted by a strolling party of Creek In
dians, on the citizens.of Georgia. I have
continued to receive additional evidence
of the magnitude of the evils complained
of. and of the hostile disposition of thc<e
savages.”
Under .the same date, His Excellency
corresponds with one Daniel McDou
gald, then in military command, and after
strangely enough denouncing the primi
tive vocation ol “hunting,” as a "villain
ous practice,” says, I have received vari
ous communications, from a number of
highly respectable citizens of Lee, Stew
® r L Randolph, and other adjoining coun
ties, informing me of a renewal of these
depredations, accompanied by an inso
lence which calls for (he mast energetic
measures which can be devised, to clias
tiae the offender;, and put an end, if pos
sible, to these unsuff rabieoutrages. Se
ivral engagement* have already taken
place, between this savage band, and our
sulfeiing population, in which i deeply
regret to learn, that several valuable citi
zens of Georgia have been slain.”
Your committee arc advised, from the
documents before them, that the Execu
tive, on the 23d February, 1833, commis
sioned Col. Horace R. Ward, to go into
that section of the State, for the purpose
of acquiring accurate information ol the
situation of the people, and the extent of
these Indian depredations. Col. Ward,
in discharge of the trust reposed in him.
proceeded without delay, to the scene of
these outrages, and, from time to time,
informs the Governor, that a white man
was killed, about 10 miles from Lump
kin, sometime about March Sd, 1335
and that the citizens were under much
excitement and alarm—that the citizens
with whom he had conversed, had given
it as their opinion, that Military force
was absolutely necessary, to drive these
Indians from the country, and to restrain
them from crossing the Chattahoochee ri
ver, and that the arm of the law, without
the aid of the military, would be wholly
insufficient to restrain these Savages—
that the people were greatly alarmed—
many families were returning to the old
settlements, and others declared (hey
would follow their example, if the In
dians were suffered to come over, and re
main among them—that the people in
, that section of the State were generally
i poor, and dependent upon their nidividu
• al and personal exertions for support,
■ and that therefore they could nut, with
i out manifest injustice to themselves and
their families, perform the camp or mili
tary duty necessary to protect the coun
try. In his second official dispatch from
i Lumpkin, S'ewart county. March 4(h,
1833, Col. Ward speaks of a bailie that
had been then (ought between 1 he Indians
and the whites, in which several of the
Indian warriors had been wounded, and
some killed. That he had a conversation
with young Hubert Bridges, who was in
the action, that Bridges frankly confessed
to him, he hud taken deliberate aim at an
Indian not exceeding 40 yards, with a
good ride, from beliinu a liglitwood slump
with a good rest, and that the Indian fell
at the crack of the gun. Mr. Bush, who
was wounded, also says, his ball must
have taken effect. Alter the battle was
oyer, and the Indians gone, the whites
visited the place of action, and found a
quantity of blood—the action took place
late in the evening, the Indians camped
about three miles from the battleground,
ami next day the whites found their camp,
and the blood was in abundance on the
ground. In this battle, the Indians, after
they had killed Powcl, formerly a repre
sentative on this Hour, Irom Ap’pling coun
ty, and the whites had lied, being in pos
session of the field, carried otf his rifle,
which can easily be identified, by his
name. The Agent, in his 3d communi
cation Irom Cuthbert, Randolph county,
March 14, 1835, to the Executive, says,
“I have obtained sufficient information
to authorise me to recommend to your
Excellency, to place a Military force
here, in order to prevent the Indians
from committing further depredations—
the Indians are here in Lee, Baker, and
and the lower part of this county, and will
remain until forced off by the strong arm
i of power—the law cannot be enforced
• HlMLlhom, lul 'l no citizen would be safe
in
I leaves expand, so that the Indians may
I hide themselves, they will be over here
iin large numbers—add the Agent con
i eludes by saying, he has given (lie citi
zotis every assurance, that his Bxcellen
■ cy will protect them in their persons and ,
property.
From the regular official Report of I
the Agent from Lee county, March I till, 1
1835, and from other authentic sources, ;
your Committee ascertain, that since the
Ist February last, three men, Powel and
Johnson, aitd one other old man, have
been killed, and Bush, Smith, G. Med
ley, and Capt. John Smcaly, have been i
wounded, by these Indians. The Agent
at this date was still enquiring how much
property had been destroyed, he had
been but partially informed—as far as i
he had learned Benjamin Johnson of i
Baker had lost, from first to last, 200 i
head ol cattle, besides a large number of i
hogs—Robert Edwards had Tost 2 horses, i
one of which he accidentally recovered, i
They took from Anthony Brownwell, a ]
very poor man, his mare and colt, ids
wife’s and bis own wearing apparel, all
their bed-clothes, of every description,
and entirely broke them up. A poor'
i woman, Mary Lindsey, in Baker, was
deprived of all she was worth, they took
• her two beds, emptied the feathers in a
1 pond near the house, and carried away
. the ticks, and all her clothing, save what
she had on, and even her cups and sau
cers were taken from her. Mrs. Marv
Hooks, and another very poor woman,'
lost nil their clothing. Dennis Cholston
ut Baker, lust a great many cattle and i
hugs, and Furgerson, the Agent for the
Mail Contractor, had lost four stage i
harses,>Awo o| which had been reclaimed. ;
Your Committee are informed, bv the
gentlemen win represent that part of th
h ate, that the above is In an imperfect
es-mule ol the I iss ol lives an 1 pro
per y, an I falls tar short of die actual
stun' of the case. |
These hos'ile Indians. Col. Ward in
forms the Governor, are still at the above !
d ite in that part of the country, and are
there likidy to remain in camp, utiles- :
expelled by military force; and in replv ,
to a call fur his opinion, he says, they I
(the Indians) are to be found throughout i
the country in companies of from four to t
forty; and he believes, and the people
agree with him, that nothing short of t
prompt military aid can protect the in- s
habitants, or drive these marauders from
our soil. And the Agent labors diligent- i
ly and earnestly to impress this belief 1
upon “the Government." .
After the Agent returns to Mllledge- i
vide, on the 33th March, 18J3, he again .
addresses the Executive, and reiterates i
and insists upon’the facts and opinions he i
had previously furnished to that depart- i
ment, and gives an additional list of pro- i
perty destroyed. In addition to the i
above, other citizens of that section of i
Georgia, and the people of Columbus i
made frequent applications to the Gov- t
ernor, informing him of the extremity
and jieril ol their situation, and in the i
most moving terms apnealed to the State <
lor aid and protection ; all „f which will i
conclusively appear by reference to the s
accompanying documents. v
Your Committee beg leave to refer
this House to the following statements,
made to the Chairman by the honorable
Senator Irom Baker county. —“On Sun
day, 26th May, 1833, Mr." Cholston set
out from his house, in Baker, cow hunt
ing—within two or three miles from his
place of residence, lie fell in with a com
pany of armed Indians, seven or eight
in number. They surrounded, took him
prisoner, and tied him to a tree ; some
one of the gang would take deliberate
aim at him with a rifle, and when he was
in the act of firing, others of the Indians
would interfere, and prevent it. They
kept him in this cruel and torturing situ
ation for two hours, when they released
him. He immediately set abdut colic-t
--ing his neighbors, ahd the next day, with
ten or twelve of his friends came up with
the Indians. Some of the Whites, un
derstanding their language, addressed
them in a friendly way—they returned
curses to this friendly salutation, and
instantly fired upon the whites. They
fought, and the result was, Daniel Rich,
Jacob Johnson, and Benjamin Johnson,
Jr. fell, badly wounded, at the first fire—
Bcnj. Johnson, Sr. had his horse killed
under him, and five other horses were
wounded. On the same day, before the
light, a party of these Indians went to
John Proctor’s house, within a mile of
my own residence, and plundered him
ol all his meat, meal, rough rice, and
every thing he had, in the shape of pro
visions.”
S. R. Bonner, Esq. who represents
on this floor the county of Muscogee,
and who having had leave of absence
from this House, has just returned from
a visit to that section of the State, says,
that last week (the day not recollected)
a gang of Indians went iivlhe night time
t« the house of a man by the name of
Brown, in Stewart county, whom they
muni red in cold blood, and outraged
his family.
Your committee forbear! They could
till a volume with well authenticated
tacts, but it would be consuming, the
lime of the country to no purpose, for il
this honorable House is nut now satisfied
of the horrors and perils that have sur
rounded the people of our South-western
frontier, from the commencement of the
year to this day, it would not be convinc
ed, “though one should rise from the
dead.” The members from that part
of the country declare to the Chairman,
and the Committee repeat It to the House,
that all that section of the country, has
been, and is now, in a state of actual
invasion—our men are murdered and
wounded—our women and children left
widows and orphans, and destitute upon
the world, and their property to a large
amount plundered and destroyed. There
are many representatives now on this
floor wlio are in a state of excruciating
anxiety (or the safety of their wives ami
children, and who know not whether
they have haply escaped the knife and
the torch, or whether the same fate which
consigned their friends and neighbors to
a premature grave, may not have mur
dered (hem also, with the victims of In
di iii revenge.
This honorable House will enquire,
with one voice, earnestly and seriously ;
lias not the strong arm of the Executive
of Georgia been stretched forth, prompt
ly and efficiently, to aid and protect her
people.
You I' £ OUIUUIUua
■tmingmntoii, answer, no. The late Go
vci nor was perfectly aware «t' tlio |jre
soncc of an armed and hostile foe, with
in our borders, who were slaying our
valuable citizens, and destroying their
property; he received letter after letter,
and express after express, advising and
assuring him of the lact, and he himself,
in his correspondence with the General
Government, and with the people, asserts
and maintains that these things are so.
As tar back as 26th January, 1835, Mr.
Lumpkin called upon the Secretary at
War, “ to devise some, means to put a
stop to these evils,” and “relieve the
authorities of Georgia from the painful
necessity of resorting to measures of se
verity, in the punishment of tliose sa
vage outlaws.” Oilier communications
of a similar character, were sent from
our Executive to the Federal Govern
ment, to all of which, General Jackson
directed his Secretary to return a neg.t
live answer. That personage professed
to be greatly alive to the situation of our
people, but declined to interfere with the
Indians. He said (and very properly)
Georgia has extended her law's over these
people, and I have nothing more to do
with them. However, the U. S. Troops
in Georgia, will be ordered to Columbus,
and it you stand in need of their assis
tance, you are welcome to them. The
Governor then wheels about, and al
though he had in a previous letter, said
to Mr. McDougald, “ 1 farther suggest
ed (to the General Government) the pro
per use ol the U. S. Troups, stationed at
‘‘art Mitchell, as the most efficient
means to effect tlio desired object;” vet
he now says under the date of 19th Feb
miry, 1833, “ the President of the U.
S ates agrees with him in believing that
oc (dig President) has no power over the
Indians living within the States, which
live extended their jurisdiction over
oo o!” How long, your committee
maid enquire, had Mr" Lumpkin be
lieved that the United States had no
power over these Indians? His own
letter to I) McDougald, shows that he
pul just then suggested to the United
Saties the propriety of using the Feder
al Troops, in order to relieve Georgia
from the painful necessity of ridding trie
country of these outlaws." He mustcer
thinly have believed that Gen. Jackson
had the power, or he never would have
suggested the use of the United States
soldiers. These facts will shew to this
House, that the authorities of Georgia,
even in the commencement of this affair,
betrayed cither ignorance, or a disre
gard, of the righto! the Stale to protect
her own people. But even after Gen.
Jackson had set Mr. Lumpkin right, and
lo.u him as plainly as words can convey
meaning, that Georgia must protect her
citizens, and that lor this purpose the U
nited States Troops were at the service
of the Stale—after all this, these Indian
outlaws arc permitted still to slay our
men, and ravage the country. lie de
clined the assistance of the Federal
Troops, and in his letter of 19th Februa
ry, 1833, to the same McDougald, he
Mtys, “ 1 have no use for these soldiers
m Georgia,” and requires that individual
so to inform the officer in command, to
wards whom, however, and his men, he
Air<l T A QUJHOfif XOLXX,
expresses his determination to be very
respectful oniTpolite.
This House doubtless expects, and be
lieves that the Governor, alter he had de
clined this proffered assistance, took
prompt and efficient measures to drive
these armed and hostile Indians out cf
our territory. That part of the State,
as your honorable body has seen, and
must believe, was in a slate of actual in
vasion, “or in such imminent danger as
would not admit of delay”—tiie enemy
had pushed the war into our country —
blood in abundance had been shed, and
the inhabitants were retreating before the
foe. Under this state of facts, your com
mittee have no hesitation in believing,
that the Executive of Georgia had the
power, and was bound to call oat the
militia for the defence of the country.
Bat instead of adopting these prompt,
energetic, and necessary measures, nis
whole, course down to the period of re
tiring from office, was marked by an im
becility, and indecision, as ruinous mils
consequences, tp.our terrified and suffer
ing people, as it was unworthy and dis
creditable, if not criminal, to himself.
In order to relieve your committee from
the charge of gratuitous assertions, which
contain matter of grave and serious al
legation; we beg leave to quote to this
i louse the very language of the Gover
nor himself to the same Daniel McDou
galtl—On the 27th February, 1835, he
says to that person, “you have doubt
less discovered from my communications
to you on the subject of the depredations
of the Creek Indians, that I have been
at a loss to determine on a definite course
of measures to meet the existing slate of
things. This, sir, has arisen from the
fact, that the information received at this
department, has been so vague and con
tradictory, as to leave me in doubt as to
the measures proper to meet the exigen
cy. Moreover, I have been, and still am
embarrassed by reason of the anomalous
situation in which these Indians are pla
ced. It is difficult to determine to what
government (hey are accountable. The
President disclaims jurisdiction of the
Federal Government owr them —the
Slates are restricted to their own limits!
and the Indians seem to consider them
selves outcasts and vagabonds.” As
tonishing state of things. Gen. Jackson
would have nothing to do with them—the
States could not go beyond their limits,
and the Indians set themselves up for
vagabonds!!! From all which the Go
vernor admirably concludes their situa
tion is anomalous, and he is utterly una
ble to determine to what government
they are accountable! Even the edito
rials of the Georgia Journal frustrate and
unhinge him; and so greatly is he both
ered with the anomalous situation of
these Indians, that he calls upon his Gen
eral, in the extremity of his perplexities,
and assures him he will take it as “a
public favor, if he would keep him ad
vised fully and freely of his views in re
gard to the best measures to meet such
emergencies as may occur.” And as if
he intended to add insult to the injuries
he had already suffered to be inflicted
upon a part of his constituents, he says
in the same letter, and in connection
with the same subject, “ while I am dis
posed carefully to protect the persons
and property of our exposed citizens, 1
dislike the idea of an unnecessary pa
rade over small mailers' I'’! 1 '’ !
Vain-. in bringing this re
port to a conclusion.
tin: Executive department has referred
the House to accompanying documents
as cont. ining all the information in the
power of that department, in relation to
those Indian outrages and depredations,
and your committee have searched in
vain to find in their contents, any “va>nie
or contradictory reports,” or any thing
to justify the insinuation that "'these c
vile,** are “small matters.” On the
contrary, your committee report to this
House, that the counties of Stewart,
Randolph, Sumter, Lee, Baker, Irwin,
Muscogee, and the counties adjacent
thereto, have been for a long time past,
and are yet, in a stale of alarm and in
vasion—that our valuable citizens have
been slain, others have been dangerous
ly wounded,Their property to a large a
moum has.been plundered and des roy
cd ; and all this has been effected bv a
band of armed and hostile Indians, who
since January last, and at this time, un
der arms, and encamped upon our ter
ritory, in open violation and defiance of
the constituted authorities of the State of
Georgia.
Since your Committee have brought
their deliberation to a close, an express
and communication lias arrived at the
Executive Office, informing the Gover
nor that, within the last week, another
battle had been fought between these
Creek Indians and the whites, in Stewart
county, which resulted in the death of
two more of the citizens of this State;
others of whom were badly wounded.
Your Committee, therefore, in con
sideration of the pressing danger which
threatens a large portion of our people,
recommend for their protection, the pas
sage of the following Resolutions:
LResolutions requiring the Governor
to order out the militia, and to defend
the country at any and every hazard ;
m I that the expense incurred be paid out
iftlie public Treasury; and, also, the
passage of a bill to prohibit Creek Indi
ans from coming into the State ’j
Q G**-
From the Cinrinnalti Gazelle.
’ ABOLITION.
Some forty miles from Cincinnati, to
the cast, are two ‘settlements of free ne
groes—probably near a thousand—men,
women and children* nf the true ebony
color; with a very little mixture of the
mahogany, or lighter shades. The ne
groes own the land occupied by them;
but without the power to sell. Each fa
mily has a small farm. They are eman
cipated s'aves, and these lands were pur
chased expressly for them, and parcelled
nut among them, about fifteen years ago.
Their lands are not of the best quality
of Ohio lands; but, by good management,
could be made very good—they are par
ocularly well adapted to grass, cither
meadow or pasture.
Having been formerly slaves and com- 1
pelted to work, one would suppose thev !
ought to have industrious habits. They j
have had every inducement to industry ,
and good conduct held out to them. The i
experiment was to test the merits of the i
negro race under the most favorable cir- 1
tu instances for success.
Has this experiment succeeded ? No, J
t has not. In all Ohio, can any white !
settlement be found equally wretched
equally unproductive ?
Farms given to them fifteen vears ago
instead of being well improved, and the
timber preserved for fanning, have been
sadly managed—small, awkward clear
ings, and those not in grass, but exhaus
ted and worn out in corn crops—the tim
ber greatly destroyed—wretched log
houses, with mud floors ; with chimnies
of mud and wood—with little timber for
further farming.
They are so excessively lazy and stu
pid, that the people of Georgetown, (near
'by.their ‘camps,’) and the neighboring
farmers will not employ them as work
hands to any extent. They do not raise
produce enougli on their lands to teed
their families, much less do they have a
surplus for sale abroad. They pass most
of tneir time in their little smoky cabins;
too listless even to fiddle and datice. One
may ride through the ‘negro camps,’ as
they are called, passing a dozen strag
gling cabins with smoke issuing out of
the ends, in the middle of clearings with
out-seeing- a soul, either at work or play.
The fear of starvation makes them work
the least possible quantity, while they
are much 100 lazy to play.
Why do not the zealous abolitionists
go there and see the experiment in all its
beauty. The slave changed into a free,
but wretched savage ! Why not make
something of these thousand negroes ?
The negro settlements are a dead
weight upon Brown county, as to any
productive benefit from the negro lands,
or from negro labor, and that space of
country might as well, to this day, have
remained in possession of the Indians.
If southern wealth can be applied to
buy and colonize among us such worth
less population, what farmer in Ohio is
safe? Has he any guarantee that a black
colony will not be established in his
neighborhood ?
Let any one who wishes to learn the
operations of emancipated negroes, visit
the Brown county camps. As they sink
in laziness, poverty and filth, they in
crease in numbers—their only produce
is children.—They want nothing but
cowries to make them equal to the negroes
of the Niger.
In (he following letter, from the Re
gister and Library of Medical and Chi
rurgical Science, we have an account of
a case of suicide by an Adder j
To tub Editor: —Sir—An adder was
captured by me, and confined very loose
ly in the folds of a thin handkerchief, so
that I might observe its efforts to escape,
The handkerchief was laid with the ad
der on a grassplot, and after several ener
getic but ineffectual attempts to free itself
from bondage, the animal deliberately in
flicted a bite on its own body and instant
ly died. Such an act of suicide has been
asserted of the scorpion, but I have never
heard of the like circumstances in an ad
der, excepting on this occasion. The cir
cumstances cannot be attributed to “ in
stinct,” a principle which might assist it
in its efforts to escape, but could never
prompt so unnatural an act as that which
produced “death.” Let this fact, witnes
sed hy two or three as w-ell as myself, be
added to the number of extraordinary e
vents which foil the philosopher in his ef
forts to deny the existence of intellect,
unquestionably bestowed in various mo
difications on the lower animals of the
I am .T!r, yours truly,
W. H. THOMAS.
Bristol, Sept. 16, 1835.
twenty-fourth congress.
FI HIT SESSION.
Senate, Wednesday. ])ec, 16.
Messrs. OALHOUX and PRESTON, Sena
tors from South Carolina, appeared to-duv in their
places.
( S ection of Standing Committees,
Tne Senate, agreeably to a Resolution to that
effect, proceeded to ballot for their Standing Com
mittees,
. My* Clay was elected by twenty-three votes, as
Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Rela
tions.
Air. Webster was elected hy twenty-five votes
as Chairman of the Committee on Finance,
Mr. Davis, Chairman of the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Committee on
Manufactures.
Air. Brown, Chairman of the Committee un
Agriculture.
Air. Benton, Chairman of the Committee on
Military Affairs.
Air. Robinson, Chairman of the Committee on
the Militia.
Mr. Southard, Chairman of the Committee on
Nava! Affairs.
Air. Ewing, Chairman of the Committee on
the Public Lands.
Air. Black, Chairman of the Committee on
Private Land Claims.
Air. White, Chairman of the Committee or,
Indian Affiirs.
Air. Naudain, Chairman of the Committee on
Claims.
Air. Clayton, Chairman of the Committee on
the Judiciary.
Air. Grundy, Chairman of the Committee on
the Post-Office, and Po t Roads.
Air. Hendricks, Chairman of the Committee on
Roads and Canals.
Mr. Tomlinson, Chairman of the Committee on
Pensions.
Mr. Tyler, Chairman of the Committee on
the District of Columbia.
Air. Aloore, Chairman of the Committee on
Revolutionary Claims.
Air. Al’Kean. Chairman of the Committee on
the Comtugem Fund.
Air. Shepley, Chairman of the Committee on
Engrossed Bills.
Tile Senate then proceeded to ballot for the re
tnaining Alcmborsof tbe Committees, which were
filled up. in part, as follows:
'the Committee of Foreign Relations —Messrs.
King, of Geo., Tallmadgc. Mangum, and Porter.
Os Finance —Messrs. Cuthbert, Wright, Man
gum, and Tyler.
Os Commerce —ATessrs. Goldsborough, Tom
linson, M’Kcan, and Linn.
On Manufactures —Alcssrs. Buggies, Alorris.
Prentiss, and Hendricks.
The choice, in every instance, was made at the
first ballot.
On motion of Mr. Clay, the farther election
was postponed till to-morrow, and the Senate ad
journed.
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce,
Washington, Dec. 11, 1835.
I sec that every one, at the North, is carried a
way with the Aicssago. People are fond of ex
citement, and easily disposed to resentment upon
the bare suggestion of injury. To see a whole
people infiamed at the recital of wrongs, under
which they have so quietly rested and thrived for
thirty odd years, is a striking illustration of the
predominance of the war spirit in human nature.
It is now easy to foresee that the people, excited
by the narrative of real and supposed injuries,
will be ready to back the President, next week or
next month, in the declaration of war, or in the
adoption of measures of hostility, which will be
tantamount to war, and provocative of it.
A\ hen the Alessage was penned, it was known
that Air, Barton’s demand would not be complied
with, by the French Government. It was known
that Mr. Barton would speedily return, and the
•
, “ special Message” which will announce the e~
vent, when it occurs, will shew that the military
preparation recommended by the President, is not
| unnecessary, nor prematurely pressed.
■ AFTfirsT.-t:
ERID.VV, DECEMBER 25,1833.
i'" = ~
COPARTNERSHIP.
My brother, Wm. F. Pemberton, having be
come associated with me in the general interest
and management of the Auousta Chronicle, it
will, from this date, and No., which is the first of
the new volume, be published by A. H. & W. F.
Pemberton, to whom all letters, on the future
business of the establishment, should be addressed.
Ihe former business of the Augusta Chronicle
being wholly separate from the present, it is not
only desirable, but necessary, to collect the debts,
and close the books, of the last ten years, as early
as practicable. All persona indebted, to this date,
are, therefore, earnestly requested to make immedi
ate payment.
A. H. PEMBERTON.
Auousta, Sept. 30, 1836.
TO READERS.
The proceedings of the House of Representa
tives of Monday, (which will be found under its
proper head) is all (hat we have received of the
proceedings of our Legislature since our last pub
lication. We have not received positive informa
tion of its adjournment, but there is very little
doubt of its having done soon Tuesday evening.
HEALTH OP CHARLESTON.
Tile Charleston Board of Health report the
deaths of seven persons in that dity, during the
week endi.lg 20th inst.—one while and sis
blacks.
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
The Legislature of Indiana was organized on
the SOlh ult. by the election of the Hon. Wm.
\\. Wick, Speaker, and Messrs. Moore and O’-
Neai.e, Clerks, On balloting for Governor, the
Hon, Jas. B. Rat, late Governor, was almost u
nanimously elected.
RACES.
i We hear daily of new arrivals of the Turf com
petitors. Last evening, on the Rail Road, a fine
filly, Milliwatt, by Crusader, arrived, belonging
to Dr. Buao of Charleston. On the first day, Mon
, day, a Match Race will come off between Mr.
Harrison’s Col. Crockett, and a young horse of
Col. Crowell’s, by Bertrand, named Billy Aus
tin—Stakes §2ooo—mile heats. This will be a
race of great interest. —Courier of Wednesday.
S. CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.
Both branches of the South Carolina Legisla
ture adjourned on Saturday the 19th instant, at 9
o’clock at night—having passed 26 public acts.—
We arc indebted to a friend for the very able and
interesting “ Report of the Joint Committee of
Federal Relations, on so much of the Governor’s
Message as relates to the institution of Domestic
Slavery,” &c. and regret that it is out of our povv
er to publish it today, but shall endeavor to do so
in our next. The Report was submitted by Gen.
Hamilton, chairman of the committee, and was
unanimously adopted by both houses.
PROM PRANCE.
The New York Courier and Enquirer of the
, loth instant, gives the following information, re
ceived in that city by the Ship Utica, which arri
val was noticed in our last:
“ By this arrival a letter has been received from
the head of one of our most respectable commer
cial houses now in Paris to his house bore, dated
from that capital on the 30lh October.—lt stales
positively that a formal demand had been made
on the French government, by Mr. Barton, for the
payment of the indemnity, which had been posi
tively refused, on the giound that Mr. Livings
ton s explanations was tint considered sufficient.—
Mr. Barton, in consequence, agreeably to instruc
tions given him by tots government, was about to
demand his passports and leave France.—This is
but a confirmation of the contents of a letter we
published from London on the last arrival from
England. It is corroborated too by the general
opinion of the passengers arrived in the Utica."
ANOTHER STEAM BOAT DISASTER.
A letter received in tills city yesterday, from
Savannah, dated 21st inst. says—“ The steam
boat Cherokee, left this city on Saturday last
with 693 bales cotton for Charleston. Yesterday
afternoon the Mate came up in town witli the
very unpleasant intelligence that she had got a
grouml at high water, on Saturday night, at 9
o’clock, and as the tide fell, she heeled over so .
much that she nearly filled with water; in conse- i
qucnce of which, tile Captain was obliged to throw
overboard three or four hundred bales of cotton, 1
in order to save the balance and the boat, and 1
from what I can learn, there will be very little (
saved.”
The machinery of the Cherokee is said to be
very much injured by the cotton falling against '
some parts of it, and it was doubtful whether she ,
would be able to proceed on her voyage to Char- I
leston. Assistance had been sent from Savannah I
to her.— Constitutionalist of Wednesday.
The Savannah Georgian of the 23d instant,
says:—“ Woarc gratified to learn that the Chcra- ,
hee, which boat was stated yesterday, as having i
“ struck on an oyster bed and filled with water,” ’
has been pumped dry and is now afloat. The J
cotton on deck was thrown overboard to enable the (
hands to right her. A steam bolt has boon sent '
to her assistance. She struck on an oyster bod
about two miles this side of Wall’s Cut.” 1
i
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
House, Dec. 21.—The committee of confer- ,
ence, to whom was referred the amendments of 1
the Senate, to the bill for the improvement of the J
Flint and other rivers, as rejected by the House,
and adhered to by the Senate, recommended that
the House agree to the rejected amendments for (
the improvement of the Concsauga, Oostcnalla, <
Canouchec, and Great Ogoochcc rivers, and ad- 1
here toils rejection of those for the improvement {
of the Chattahoochee, above West Point, Great t
Salilla, Oconee, and Great Ohoopco rivers j all j
which was disagreed to, on a motion to disagree .
—yeas 79, nays 27. t
Mr. Calhoun offered a resolution for the eur- a
vey of the Chattahoochee river, from Columbus 0
to its junction with the Flint, and from West 1
Point to Habersham county, with a view to its
future improvement; which was rejected yeas tl
34, nays 64. h
Bills Passed, from the Senate— to amend the P
oath administered at Elecuons—to incorporate pi
the Iron Steam Boat Company— to change the cl
time of holding the Superior Courts of Rahun, C
Habersham, Franklin, Baldwin, and Joncs-fo’
tax all shows in Merriwether, Gwinnett, and *
.. .11. , *■
Union—to add a part of Jones county to Bibb
to confirm, in the city of Augusta, the title to the
South and East Common of said city— to in
corporate the Columbus Insurance company to
incorporate the Western Rail Road Company, f or
she construction of a Rail Road from Forsyth to
West Point—to change the time of holding the
Superior Courts of Carroll, Cobb, and Paulding,
and attach the two latter to the Cherokee Circuit
—to authorize the creation of one o r more Caval
ry Corps in each county, and purchase Holsters,
Pistols, and Swords therefor—to incorporate the
Georgia Insurance and Trust Company of Au
gusta, after so amending it as to strike out that
part which made the stockholders liable for its
conduct for twelve months after a transfer of
stock, and make them liable for such conduct
only before the transfer, or while they are con
nected with it—to incorporate the Savings Bank
of Macon —to regulate the distribution of the
Academic Fund, so far as relates to Lincoln and
Bulloch—to remove obstructions to the passage
of fish up Flint river—to add a part of Laurens
county to Montgomery—to incorporate the Ma
con Steam Boat Company—to authorize the
Georgia Rail Road Company to construct branch
es of its Road to Warrcnton and Sparta— to
amend the act of ISOS, for the better selection
and drawing of Grand and Pettit Jurors, so far
as relates to the Cherokee Circuit—to incorpo
rate the Groat Western Rail Road Company, for
the construction of Rail Roads from Macon to
Brunswick, and to the Alabama or Tennessee
line—to authorize Gabriel Jones, Clerk of the
Court of Ordinary of Columbia county, to de
posit monies received by him, as such, in Bank,
and exempt him from the payment of interest
therefor—to amend the several laws now in force
in relation to slaves and free persons of color
(the one reported by the Anti-Abolition commit
tee, and heretofore published in the Chronicle,) —
to legalize the proceedings of the Scnatus Acade
micus in November, 1835—t0 amend the act in
corporating the city of Augusta, and the several
acts amendatory thereof, so as to establish another
Ward, No. 4.. from Campbell street to the Wes
ern extremity, authorize the Council to tax all
property whatever in said city, repeal the clause
which limits the eligibility of the Mayor, &c. — ;
to provide for the payment of Magistrates and
Constables fees, in cases not provided for—to
punish slaves or free persons of color for harbor
ing slaves or criminals—to relieve purchasers of
fractions in the sth district of Early tiolinty, by
allowing them till the 4th July, ’36, to pay the
instalments due—to require the Surveyor Gene
ral to record all surveys of Head rights, before is
suing the grants—to authorize the Justices of the
Inferior Court of Jefferson county to open and
keep in repair, the neighborhood roads of that
county—and to incorporate the Gwinnett Manual
Labor Institute.
Bills Rejected, from the Senate—to change
the time of bolding the Superior and Inferior
Courts of the Cherokee Circuit—and td amend
the Estray laws, so as to authorize tkc sale of
Goats, Sheep, and Hogs, in three months after
tolling.
Correspondence of the Constitutionalist.
Wasiiisotow, Dec. 16, 1835.
Memorials graying for the abolition of Slavery
in the District of Columbia, have just been pre
sented and laid on the table, by a vote of from
180 a 190 to about 35—a subsequent motion to
have them printed was disposed of in tho samo
manner, by a majority nearly as large. Tho
friends of Van Burcn were with us almost to a
man, ob the ayes and nays will show. It was tho
wings who were for sustaining the prayer of the
memorialists. Nothing yet certain as to our dis
pute with France—we had a rumor to-day from
New York, that our Charge d’ Affaires had left
the French Court, but it is not credited.”
Wc learn that a change is about to take place
in the route by which the great eastern mail is, at
present, conveyed between Mobile and Augusta.
For nearly a year past, it has been carried, alter
nately, via Montgomery and Pensacola. Arrange*
ments, we understand, are now making to trans
port it daily, via Montgomery, and to discontinue
the I lot.da line altogether. This is, perhaps, a
belter arrangement than the former one, provided
the mail lino performs the trip in as short a time
as any opposition line of Stages, which may bo
placed upon the Florida route, may perform it.
We have also been informed, that the Contrac
tors on the Florida line contemplated increasing
their stock of horses and stages, and intend to
continue the line, for the especial purpose of con
veying passengers between Mobile and Augusta,
performing the trip in one day less time than tho
mail is at present conveyed —Mobile Commer
cial Transcript.
SOJIMAK Y.
Novel Circumstance. —A train of of cars near
Warrington, on the Liverpool & Manchester Rail
Road, were lately set in motion by the high wind,
and went five miles at a faster rate even than with
steam.— Balt. Gaz.
Married.— ln Philadelphia, last week, Mr. Ac
bustus A. Addams to Miss M AIIr Duff, both
listinguished members of the corps dramatique.
We are sorry to add that Mr, A, is now confined
lo his room by a serious indisposition.— v V. L
Sunday Morning JVc-ws, 18 th inst.
From Texas. —A gentleman arrived at New
Orleans from Texas, states that before he left on
the 25th, not surrendered—but the gar
rison was reduced to the necessity of eating
their mules, Tho soldiers and inhabitants were
leaving the place to avoid starvation, and about
200 Mexican soldiers chiefly deserters were then
in the Texas company.
The Washington Sun of the lSth inst. says :
*Wc now have it in our power to assert, upon
;ood and sufficient authority, that Henry Clat,
will not under any circumstances, be a candidate
tor the Presidency, at tho ensuing election for that
rlfice, and it is his most earnest desire that this
letermination, should bo known by every man in
.he nation.”
The late Hon, T. U. P. Charlton.—-Every
■expect was yesterday rendered to the memory
of the late Judoe Charlton. His remains were
attended to the grave by a largo concourse of hie
Fellow Citizens—by the Judiciary—the members
if the Bar—the Corporation of the City—the
Hibernian Society, and the Chatham Artillery, of
which ancient'Corps he was an Honorary Meal
ier.—Savannah Georgian, 22 d inst.
We are informed that great disturbance pre
rails in the South Western counties, in relation
:o the Creek Indians. The Creeks are in tho
■ommon practice of coming.into the settlements,
n bands of a dozen or twenty men, armed, and dc
ircdating on private property with tho utmost
awlessness, taking what they please, and com
nitling immediate violence on any who may, in
ho slightest manner, oppose their proceedings.
Jn last Thursday, Wm. H. Ferguson and Green
1 insley, were found shot, on a place belonging to
lie former, and to which he was about to remove ;
md two others who had been in their company,
ire likewise supposed lo be murdered, as they can
lot be found or heard of.— Milledgcville Recor
ler.
We see it stated, in the New York Commercial
iat at Syracuse, in the interior of the State, snow
ad fallen every day, for fifteen successive days
rcvieus to the 11th instant. Between Syracuse*
nd Albany the snow on the road lies in a com
ressed bed to the depth of twelve to fifteen in
les, rendering the sledding very fine.— Balt,
■om, Adv. y 17 th inst.
Judge Hutchinson, of Vermont, has recovered
1,900 of the editor of the Woodstock Courier,
r a libel on his character.