Newspaper Page Text
From the V. S. Telegraph. i
Original ConjrrcsaSonal Rkelchn. I
Senate, Monday, May 16, 1836. i
A VOICE OF ELOQUENCE PRO- <
CLAIMING TRIUMPH.
The cheering news from the scene of *
the war far independence that came up J
this morning, has filled the bosoms of all '
men with emotions of joy. The tyrant
has fallen, and where he fell shall spring *
the great tree of rational liberty. With
a heart keenly alive to the glorious intel- !
ligence, 1 hastened to the Senate Cham- .
ber, and there upon his feet was the clo
qtienl Preston. The galleries were fill- '
ed with an anxious auditory ; and as soon
as they discovered that he was to speak
upon the subject of Texas, an unusual 1
silence fell upon the crowd, and the ora
tor of liberty and human right poured
forth the burning current of Ins emotions.
Tp give, in the brief time that is allowed
me, an adequate ideaof this speech, would
be impossible. It was brought out by a
memorial from the mountain dwellers of
Bucks county. North Carolina, praying
Congress to recognise the ind6pendencc
of Texas, and conveying a high and de
served compliment to Col. Preston for
his course in the Senate of the United
States in reference to that country. In
speaking of it, he said that his soul had
ever been filled with a deep devotion to
the cause of liberty. He had watched
with a most yearning interest the pro
fress of the war. That interest had been
indled not immediately because those
who were engaged in it were people of
the same stock as ourselves, but because
they had raised the standard of freedom,
and dared to the contest the champion of
a superstitious and depraved nation.
Birt while he sympathized with them
as champions of a common principle held
by ourselves, he was drawn more near
by the fact that they w'ere children of (he
same family ; that they were of us—our
brothers and our friends—(hat they spoke
the same language, and hold the same
mighty creed of politics. I will not pre
tend to take down his words—not even
his ideas—and yet I am hurried on to
thedittempt. There was a fire in his
throughts, a beauty in his manner, that
Went directly to the heart and filled the
whole spirit with enthusiasm. How he
glowed in the very language of prophe
cy—how he took the wing of inspiration,
and sailed above over the fabrics of over
thrown despotisms—how lie saw from
the summit of the Andes the sun of free
dom rise ; hut yet he flew on, and never
did that bight sun sink to his mind’s eye
until it went down amid the waves of the
far—far Pacific. He saw the eagle of
our own land hover by him on (he winds,
and he cheered the bird in his free ami
fearless flight—that untamed emblem of
our doctrines. He saw (lie tribes ofMex
ico, and those beyond (he Isthmus, knee
ling before the same altar, and heard the
same voice of prayer to (he same God ;
listened from the height of his prophetic
excitement, and the same language and
the same love of liberty that was cherish
ed here, at the great fountain, was the
strength of the prayers of those who knelt
amid the mountains and by the oceans.
He said that his mind trembled with
the vision—the prospect of (lie ultimate
destiny of the principles of our Govern
ment, —principles which had thrown the
usurper Santa Anna from his bloody and
devastating track, and which would roll
on over the broad plains ol Mexico, and
purify their temples and cleanse away
the accumulated slavery of centuries. He
saw the hand ol a mighty power rolling
up the curtain that keeps' the future from
the ken of the present. 1 wish that those
who read this imperfect ideaof his power
ful effort could have but heard the ora
tor ; they would have been wrapped away
by the same enthusiasm that fills the heart 1
of the “ Sketclier.” Northern coldness
would drop the chalice of sectional pre
judice. Silent Would be (he voice that
will charge the South with endeavoring
vo excite the feelings of (lie country iii
hehalfof the Texians, for selfish purpo
ses. They would have seen that the lan
guage of the South is the language of pa
triotism—swelling up from the pure foun
tain. where shines no other star but that
w hich is (he polar star of the nations who
rise up from their weakness to proclaim
their strength.
From the XX, S. Telegraphy JMuy 20.
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
lieporl on Abolition Petitions. —A ve
y interesting debate took place in (he
House of Representatives, on the motion
to print an additional number of copies
of the report of the Abolition Commit
toe. M % Hardin said that he deemed it
due to himself, being one of the Com
mittee, to say (hat he had requested the
Chairman to make just such a Report ns
e himself thought proper. He was
therelore not to be considered as in any
wise answerable for the contents of the
li'“port. There was, however, one part
ut n lhat he felt himself bound purlieu
larly to disclaim; that portion of it
which went to represent (he Abolition
ists as few in number, and as entitled to
liltJe consideration. His opinion was
directly the reverse. He thought that
there was a wonderful unanimity on the
subject in a certain quarter, which would
in time develope itself. That now was
n unpropitious time} and he warned the
vople ot what was to come to pass when
e removal of circumstances at present
•sting adverse to (he action of the
.bolitionists, should take place. He
eclared most solemnly that he believed
at the sole object of the Report was to
snow that the Abolitionists were few and
insignificant.
Mr. Wise objected most pointedly to
the printing of any additional copies.
He would not consent that the House
should, by so doing, give its countenance
to such a Report—to a Report lhat -rave
up the constitutional power as to the
District, and evaded the expression of
any opinion as to the Territories, and to
the right of Congress to interfere with
the conveyance of slaves from one State
to another. The Report was, he said,
just what he anticipated it would be, al
tho’ it was a direct violation of a pledge
made to him bv Mr. Pickney, who had
expressly told him that he would make
no Report that would not contain a deni
al of the constitutional power of Congress
to act on the subject in the District!
The same declaration was made by
Mr. Thompson of South Carolina, as to
Mr. Pinckney’s declarations to him and ,
others. He had taken the first opportu
nity he could get to enter his protest [l
against it. It did not, he said, represent
the Views and wishes of South Carolina,
nor would it meet with a response, either
from the citizens of the State or from
the constituents of (he Chairman of the
Committee. He would not attempt to
account for the causes which had led the
Chairman to adopt the principles of the
Report—whether it was from inability to
see the consequences likely to result
from it, or from timidity as to the result
from a different course. He expressed
his pleasure at finding that the Chairman
had been whipped back (we presume by
the Southern press) into his old opinion
that the petition ought to he rejected,
for at one time the Chairman had ridi
culed as on absurdity that any one should
call in question the right of the petition
ers to demand a reception of their peti
lions. As to printing an additional
number, he would sooner vote for it to
be burnt by the common hangman.
Mr. Sutherland entereil warmly into
a defence of Mr. Pinckney and the re
port, and the printing ol an additional
number of copies. He seemed to fear
(hat unless that should be done Mr. P.
would be unable to let his constituents
know what was in the Report, and he
might therefore sutler in the estimation
of Ins constituents,
Mr. Robertson protested against print
ing at all; and he therefore moved that
the Report be recommitted, with instruc
tions to report, a Resolut-on which he
sent to (he Chair, which Resolution was
in the words of one passed by (he Le
gislature of Virginia at their last session.
The special order was then taken up,
and the debate ended.
Thursday. —The debate on Mr. Ro
bertson’s Resolution came up, and was
continued by Messrs. Bynum, Pinckney
and Robertson.
Mr. Bynum defended the Report, and
denounced the Resolutions introduced
by Mr. Robertson. He insisted with
great vehemence on (he disastrous conse
quences that would result to the South
from those Resolutions being pressed to
a vote. No one could doubt what would
be (he result of that vote. It would be
an announcement on the part of Congress
that it had the constitutional right to act
on the subject, in the District, and as such
announcement would be attended with
the most disastrous consequences, he was
most anxious to avoid a vote on it. He
wished things to remain ns they were
now. He was satisfied with the declara
tion which the majority of the House was
willing to make, that it did not intend to
abolish slavery in the District.
Mr. B. farther contend that, even a
declaration on the part of this Congress
that it did not possess (he constitutional
power in question would he nothing, as
(lie next Congress might he composed of
persons who might decide that (hey had
the constitutional power.
The principal part, however, of Mr.
Bynum’s speech was occupied in attack
ing the Editor of the Baltimore Chroni
cle, and some letter writer from this city,
who it would seem from the lire and fury
with which the honorable gentleman
seemed filled, must have touched him in
a very tender place. The Chronicle also
must have touched him in a very tender
place, for he told the House, to its very
great edification, that the said Editor
would squeeze himself into an auger hole
before he would dare to meet--the gallant
member from North Carolina ! taking for
granted, we suppose, that the said Edi
tor hail been alarmed at (he display of
bravery exhibited by Mr. B. on the mem
orable Sunday morning session.
He did not distinctly understand from
Mr. B. what vvero (he charges preferred
against him by this letter writer; but lie
took a most logicalmode of refuting them.
We say logical, using that term accord
ing to the spirit of the logic used by
the “ Lying Ambassador,” and other or
gans of the party. Mr. B. read extracts
from some pamphlet which he said hud
been put into his hands, and which some
persons (old him contained a speech de
livered by the suspected letter writer.
I his said speech contained an culogium
on Garrison. Argal, say : ‘.he honorable
member from North Carolina, what lie
says of me cannot be (rue; and therefore
he is too contemptible to he noticed!
And why then, Mr. B. did you think it
worth while to occupy the' time of the
House with reading speeches said to have
been spoken some two or three years ago
by a letter writter from Washington ? °
Mr. Pinckney argued much in the same
strain with Mr. Bynum. He deprecated
the disastrous consequences to the South
that would be likely to result from (he
pressing to a vote the Resolution of Mr.
Robertson. He seemed to infer that such
a vote must necessarily be tantamount to
a declaration that Congress did possess
the constitutional power to abolish sla
very in the District, and lie insisted that
the going forth to the public of such an
announcement could not but be attended
with the most disastrous consequences.
He wished to know with what intention
the gentleman from Virginia pressed the
Resolution to a vote. He acknowledged
that the sentiment of the Resolution was
in itself right and proper, and if it were
pressed he. should himself vote in favor of
it! C/** So much for the strictures of
the Southern press.
Mr. Robertson replied. He was pleas
ed to hear that both the gentlemen from
North and South Carolina thought the
sentiment contained in the Resolution
right and proper. A conviction on ins
part that such was the case, would, un
der the present circumstances, be suffi
cient justification for his introducing the
Resolution. But in addition to this, the
sentiment of the Resolution had been so
lemnly declared by an almost unanimous
vote of the Legislature of Virginia, and
he, as one of her representatives, had
been instructed to lay them jjefore Con
gress. Under these circumstances he
should not be deterred from the discharge
of hi* duty by any denunciations about a
dissolution of the Union. He called to
mind when (he public press, under the
influence of those in power, were loud in
their denunciations of Jefferson, and the
patriots who acted with him, as a French
party, seeking the dissolution of the
Union.
1 he hour for the special order having
arrived the debate was postponed*
General Macomb, in a -lo«patch to the Secre
tary of War. dale.] Now Orleann, 25th April, re
commends the extension of our military cstab.
liahmont at once to 20,000. instead of 10,000
men, u at fust proposed — Sav. Republican . L
From the Ctrlumbvi Enquirer, 21«r.— Extra.
THE WAR.
As w-e have now no medium of com
munication w ith the frontier of Alabama,
or even the middle parts of the Nation, it
is almost impossible to learn any thing of
the movements of the Indians. We are
every day expecting to hear some account
of the 700 Alabama troops who marched
towards the seat of war about the 15th.
It was also reported to us that there were
2 to 300 armed men, whites and friendly
Indians, collected at Tuskegee, 36 miles
ofl - ; from these we have yet heard noth
ing more. A force of about 300 effective
men,under command of Brig. Gen. Beall,
of the 10th division, marthed into Cham
bers and Macon counties, last Sunday
(IGth.) Gen. B. found a small body of
hostile Indians at Lichafoca town, near
the Chambers and Macon line—he had a
i brush with them—killed two or three and
captured sonic 6 or 8 others—among the
latter, the Chief and the prophet ol the
toivn. Only one man lost on our side.
The prisoners arc confined in Chambers
• jail. After scouring the country thor
oughly during the time for which the men
volunteered. Gen. B. returned to the
Georgia line.
Maj. Gen. S. A. Bailey, of the 10th
Division, left the Georgia line on Friday
morning, with a force of near 800 effec
tive men—half of them friendly Indians
—for the purpose of attacking a large bo
dyof hostiies, who were reported to be as
sembled in the Chewackla swamp. We
learn that Gen. Bailey had so arranged
the plan ofallack, that his friendly Indi
ans should drive the -swamp, whilst the
balance of his forces would skirt it, to pre
vent the hostiies from escaping.—We
anxiously await the result of his expedi
i lion, while we hazard nothing in the pre
diction, that if they are found, Gen. B.
will give a good account of the murderous
rascals. For the promptness with which
Gens. Bailley and Beall have acted in (he
present crisis, they are entitled to the
wann-gratitude of their fellow citizens,
especially of those whose lives anil pro
perty are exposed to the tender mercies
of the savage blood hounds.
Capt. Wm. Davis, one of the settlers
i in the upper edge of Rusell co., returned
from his place on Friday, 20th. He in
forms us that as yet his buildings are
standing, but that those of Pierce A. Lew
is, Esq. and Mr. White, near by, are en
tirely destroyed. The torch was applied
hi them last Wednesday. Not a house
left standing-even the hen coops were
burned to the ground.
A negro girl, belonging to 11. Smith,
Esq. of our town, who was taken, among
other negroes, by the Indians last.Tues
t day, got away on Friday morning, and
came home. She reports that about one
i hundred of (he Chchaws, or Oponney’s
Indian are collected in (lie 8 mile swamp.
- They have several negroes, and a great
quantity of plunder with them, which
(hey have taken from (lie settlers.
Since the last battle at Roanoke, in
which, contrary to our first accounts,some
two or three whites were killed, the
dians are reported to have assembled
therein a strong body, and fortified them
selves with cotton bales in one of the ware
, houses. Their object, no doubt, is to
. keep up a strong force at that point on (he
i Georgia side, to receive and carry across
the river, the properly which they de
sign taking from the frontier settlers.—
Whether we shall he able with our pres
ent force, to disappoint them, remains to
be tried. To-day (Saturday) 300 men
from Columbus will try the experiment.
Apart of them left yesterday by land,
(he balance this morning, in naval order,
on steamboat. Their object is to storm
the fort from the steamer, and cut off the
enemy’s retreat with mounted infantry
in (he rear. As soon as we hear from
them we will let our readers know the
result.
Last night, (Friday) a Mr. Scott, who
was confined in the jail at Girard, on sus
picion of being accessory to Indian de
predations, was cut out and made his es
cape. It is thought that the Indians aid
ed him in cutting out, but no one knows
that this is the fact, nor is there any pos
itive evidence lhat Scott favored the In
dians.
We learn this morning that a negro
man belonging to Paddy Carr, a friendly
Indian, was shot near this place yester
day evening while driving his master’s
team. It is extremely hazardous to get
, out of sight of town on the Alabama side.
The Indians are scattered in every direc
tion lying in ambush, ready to glut their
enmity upon any who fall in their path.
A few nights since a man and his wife
were killed only one mile from (he bridge.
The old lady was shot down in her cow
pen. while milking.
Col. Richardson, at (he head of 26 vol
unteers from captain Nuchol’s company
(which is st ationed on the river, a few
miles above Columbus) went out on a
scouting expedition yesterday. They did
not see the enemy, but found fresh signs
in several places, and took a pony belong
ing to hostiies. They think from what
they saw, that the Indians have out (hair
spies in every direction, to secure them
against the approach of the whites.
Gen. \\ bite, with 300 men will leave
■ this place to-morrow, (Sunday) at 9
■ o’clock for the purpose of attacking the
Indians said to be assembled in the eight
mite swamp.
Capt, Carnes with 130 men, leaves to
day to scour the Upatoie swamp, on this
side the river,
yesterday.
We hope to be able, on Monday next, to
give our readers the result of the several
expeditions now on foot, and we antici
pate a good account, unless as we fear, the
enemy shall get wind of our movements,
and leave their present positions.
From the Columbus Herald , May 24.
CREEK. WAR INCIDENTS.
Saturday. May 2lst.
The hostile Indians are still roaming
the lorest in pursuit of plunder, and both
property and lives are continually falling
a sacrifice to (heir brutal ambition. On
the night before last, they went to (he
plantation of Paddy Carr, a friendly In
dian, and after doing much damage to his
property in various ways, they took away
with them every negro be possessed; in
all, 77 men, women and children. These
negroes they have secreted in some ot
their sw amp fastnesses, and no doubt ex
ult in the capture, as one entitled to
great praise, Carr being a very wealthy
Indian, and so entirely friendly with the
whites as to associate with them almost
exclusively. A volunteer, company of
Ate-tt&EA. eajßoasft&n.
mounted men have proceeded to Roa
noke, under command of Major Howard.
They amount, in all, to about 400, and
from appearances are well prepared to
meet a savage foe.
The Steam boat Hyperion, Capt. Ba
ker, having on board 100 volunteers well
equipped, left the wharf to-day, and will
proceed down the river as far as Roanoke.
The force by land, and that by water, will
meet at Roanoke—and if the Indians
still have possession of that place, there
will be a bloody battle. We have every
confidence in the ability of our men to
conquer. Among the number of our citi
znes who went down the river on horse
back to-day, we noticed Judge Shorter,
Col. Seaborn Junes, Oen. Abercrombie,
and Col, HepburnJ the last-named gen
tleman acting as aid to Major Howard.—
On the Steam-boat, there was a portion
of the Volunteers commanded by Bark
ley Martin, Esq. now a resident of the
State of Tennessee. These matters are
noticed to show the general spirit which
prevails—every man is willing and an
xious to do his duty, citizen or not.
Sunday, May22d.
No movements of interest have been
made to-day. Gen. White’s Troops
which were expected to have crossed the
river and taken the woods, in pursuit of
the enemy, did not go, in consequence of
Gen. Lowe receiving peremptory orders
from Gov. Schley, not to cross the river
until such time as the whole drafted force
had arrived on the Georgia frontier,
which we understand will amount to 2,-
400,
Gen’ls. Bailey and Beall are actively
engaged in the upper part of the Nation
—the latter entered Chambers and Ma
con counties on the 16th inst., and had a
brush with the Indians. The result was
three killed and eight captured—among
the number of captives was the Chief and
Prophet of Lich-a-foca Town.
Monday, May23d.
An Indian youth from the ranks of the
friendly Indians, was despatched to the
nation with a view to discover if possible
the number of hostiles, and ascertain if
old Ne-ah-mic-co or any of his party
were willing to come in—this youth re
turned to this place on yesterday, and
reports, that he went into the Camp of
hostile Indians, which is located about
thirty miles from this place on the Big
Uchee Creek—that the number there as
sembled was from 4 to 500—and that he
did not see any who were disposed to be
friendly. These Indians in their travels
had burned every house on both the old
and new roads, and destroyed all of the
property which fell in their way.
A report has reached us, which seems
entitled to credit: that the Indians are
about sending their women, children, and
such plunder as they have stolen from the
whites to Florida, that when they are rid
of these incumbrances they are deter
mined to “fight their death.” The Semi
noles arc now murdering and destroy
ing property near Tallahassee, and we
predict that the day is close upon us,
when the Creeks and the Seminoles will
be found united in a bloody and uncom
promising warfare.
Gen. Woodward arrived last evenin’*
Irom Tuskeegee, with eight friendly In
dians, and eleven white men. He states
that there is an encampment at Tuskee
gee, which can number about TOO friend
ly Indians, who are perfectly willin'* to
war against the hostiles, provided they
can be backed by two or three hundred
white men. They wish to be satisfied
that the war is a popular measure with
the white folks. We hope they may be
furnished with amble demonstration. No
men, perhaps, can be found so well quali
fied to head the friendly natives as Gen.
Woodward. We are waiting with a
great deal of solicitude for accounts from
the volunteers who went to Roanoke. If
we could but know that they had met the
enemy, we should be satisfied ol their
success.
From the Savannah Georgian, 2 \th inst.
The following is the letter alluded to
yesterday:—
“Micanopy, May 5, 1836.
Dear Sir: —Yesterday morning Henry
A. More, Horace Smith, John Goss,
Robt. Lanier, John McFadden, with
Harry iyul Ephraim (Mizell’s slaves)
left this place for Mizell’s plantation,
below Mclntosh’s, to bring corn. At
the east end of the TuscavHla, as they
were entering the hammock, fifteen or
twenty Indians rushed from an ambush,
and fired upon them about fifty yards
distant, and at the same time cut off
their retreat. Goss, Smith and More
were on horseback; (he others in the
carts. More fell j Smith, though woun
ded in the thigh, ran his horse, and took
Harry (who was wounded in the back)
up behind him, and, with Goss, who was
unhurt, took their way round the pond.
Goss had to leave his horse, he (the horse)
being mortally wounded, after running
him some distance. They all got home.
Smith and Harry are doing well, though
badly wounded.
This morning a party from our fort,
with a tile of Capt. Lendrum’s company
of U. States Troops (who came to this
place yesterday, and will be stationed
here during the summer) went out in
search of the slain. They found the bo
dies of More and Lanier, near where they
were shot More received four balls
and was scalped three times, the side
of his face cut off, and one eye cm
out. Only one ball struck Lanier, and
from some cause they did not take his
scalp, although nearly severed it from
his head. McFadden and Ephraim were
not to be found.—They are undoubtedly
killed, nothing having been heard from
them.
Indians are constantly seen in (his
neighborhood. The operations of our
army thus far have only tended to em
bolden them, and now we are left with
the pitiful force of four hundred men to
protect this extensive frontier. A post is
to be kept up at Forts Kang, Drane, De
fiance, and one somewhere on or near the
Suwanee, so you will at once conceive our
critical situation. There will be no more
venturing out of sight of our fort except
as opportunities afford to put ourselves
under the protection of the U, S. Dra
goons as they pass escorting the Govern
ment wagons,
P. S.—May 9 —No news.”
A new Post Office lias been established at Bluff
Spring, Talbot county— James Bcskiey, Esq.
Postmaster. Alto, one at Sear Creek, Henry
county—H. D. Mclntosh, Postmaster.
From the United Slatet Telegraph.
MR. PINCKNEY’S REPORT—THE
BUBBLE BURST.
The long looked for has come at last.
Mr. Pinckney, from the Abolition Com
mittee, made his Report. It is just pre
cisely what we predicted. It gives up
the constitutional question as regards
the power of Congress to abolish slavery
in the District, but asserts most valorous-
Iv, and argues most conclusively, that
Congress has no power to abolish slavery
in the States! For the assertion and
> establishment of this last great truth,
Mr. P. we suppose, expects the gratitude
• of the South.
The report contends not only that it
, would be inexpedient to abolish slavery
in the District, but it contains a long,
■ wire drawn, mistilying, intricate, meta
physico-politico, moral argument, to show
that while the constitutional right in
Congress to act on the subject is not de
: nied, yet to do so would be a violation
i of the public faith. The Report does
• not however condescend to enter into
any explanation as to what it means by a
violation of the public faith. The Re
i port does little more than place the ques
* tion as regards the District just where
* the Abolitionists have wished the House
Ito place it—on the ground of expediency.
I It amounts to this } that if Congress
* choose to abolish slavery in the District,
f they do that which they have the consti
■ tulional right to do, but in doing so Mr.
. Pinckney thinks they violate the public
faith. A precious piece of Jesuitical
Tom-foolery.
’ It will be recollected that by the cle
i cision of the Speaker, confirmed by the
■ House, sundry memorials relating to a
i restriction on slavery in the admission
> of Arkansas, and in relation to slavery
t in the Territories, were also referred to
I the same Committee as appropriate ob
jects for its action. On these subjects
they are silent; thus treating the refer
‘ ence with contempt. They no doubt
' thought it too delicate a subject to touch;
: and did not choose to venture to draw
r so heavily on the public credulity, as to
extend to the Territories the Jesuitical
mystification they have adopted in rela
-1 tion to the District.
——♦©©©«-“-
From the Savannah Georgian, 2blh inst,
’ Extract of a letter, dated
' “Monticello, FI or., May 12, 1836.
, The Indians are within seven miles of
us. A Mr. Clark and Mr. Gorman,
neighbors of Judge Randal, were, al
, though armed with guns, fired upon
within half a mile of Randal’s, by two
Indians, (all they saw) and Gorman re
| ceived two balls—Clark they missed.
Gorman was however able to ride on to
Randal’s, where he still remains, it being
thought dangerous to move him. Two
physicians were immediately sent for,
who refused to go unless they were guard
ed. Day before yesterday, about day
break, the overseer of Capt. Murray's
place came hurrying to Monticello, a“nd
stated that Capt. M’s. plantation was
destroyed, (only seven miles from us.)
He said that about two o’clock in the
morning, while he and two negro men
were guarding the place, about 150 yards
from the house, he heard two rifles ; and
on looking up, beheld the house in flames.
Their object in shooting was to prevent,
it is supposed, any body from makin<*
their escape from the house. A party ol'
men dispatched to know the truth, stated
on their return that the dwelling house
and smoke house were burnt to tine
ground, and all the bacon destroyed.
The family who resided in the house,
had left it the day before and come to
Monticello for protection. The Indians
went thence to a poor widow lady’s,
named Vicars, (who had also fled to this
place) ripped open her beds, stole all her
corn, and destroyed every thing in the
house. We are all very much alarmed,
not knowing at what minute we may all
be massacred, but one consolation is that
the place is well guarded every ni<*ht
and scouting parties out in all directions.
Much confusion, however, prevails;
about 300 persons from the country
being here, a great many of these fami
lies, whose husbands are with the army
—the Court House and all vacant houses
filled with men, women and children,
suffering for food.
A list of the needy was made out, and
144 of these strangers actually wanted
bread to eat. Every man and boy are
. seen with their arms, & c> dayand night,
as we momently expect an alarm. Hea
ven only knows what is to become of the
• crops, for all the farmers, as well as the
negroes, have left their plantations.
My husband and father still remain at
work, and say they wont leave home un
til compelled by the Indians. Our crop
is beautiful, the corn growing very fast,
but we know nut how long it will remain',
for it may be destroyed this very night. ’
P. S.—We feel much better as we
have heard no bad news for a day and
night.”
From the Charleston Mercury .
Extract of a letter, received in this city, dated
“Indian Kei, May 16.
Our situation is truly a critical one at present,
no block-houses, no troops, and in fact nothing
done for our relief, the campaign is now ended for
the summer. The Indians have of course the
whole country in their possession, and plunder
will bo their main object, their fires arc seen from
, this Island almost every day, they are very near
to us, or quite too near to indulge safety. Dr.
Cruse, Inspector at Charlotte Harbor, and hie
Boar’s crew are murdered; all the Indians that
have been employed at the fisheries and who
1 have pretended to he friendly, have now joined
the hostile Indians, upwards of one hundred in
number.
Wo have no force here, and from the circum
stance of having two of their number prisoners,
will naturally lead them to spy out our situation,
and if they think we are not well fortified, will
be very likely to rush upon us. Is it the inten
tion of our Government, I would beg to ask, to
remain indifferent, to suffer every settlement on
this coast, or a place even of as little note as this,
to be destroyed by the lawless Savage, when there
are several thousand troops in the country, to
remain inactive during a long summer of at least
six months, before they can again prosecute the
war. Are the inhabitants of this Island from 70
to 80 in number and by far the greatest majority
poor helpless females snd children, not to bo
placed in safety by the presence of 100 men. If
so our policy would bo to abandon our homes,
without waiting any longer in expectation, for
the safety of our lives and the lives of our fami
lies, but we have no wish to leave our properly
and our all to be destroyed by the ruthless savage.
Wc are willing to remain and hazard our lives
to help protect it, but we do think our situation is
such as ought to be regarded with sympathy by
our Government. Wo are in much more danger
now and shall be through the coming summer,
than we have been the past winter, and unless’
assistance is sent us, we may almost calculate
■;; , _
| for a certainty of being attacked before the sum
mer is ended, and trifling as it may lie considered
by some, painful I much fear will be the result.”
The following letter froth the Mobile Com
mercial Remitter, gives some further particulars
relative to the battle fought on the 27th ult. be
tween the Seminole Indians and Alabama Vol
unteers.
(7amp Crab, Tampa, 2d May, 1836.
“We left this place for Fort Alabama on the
2fith ult. under command of Col. Chisolm, with
the Alabama Volunteers, 400 in number, and
Col. Foster’s command of 4th Infantry, (regu
lars) and one six pounder, with a few Artillerists;
in all we numbered 600 men. On Ihe 26th we
marched rapidly, and reached Fort Alabama
without interruption. About two o’clock on that
day, however, 18 miles from this place, we dis
covered large Indian trails, apparently concentra
ting in a large hammock at that place, near Clo
noto Lassa creek and lane, and near the same spot
we found one of Gen. Eustis’ men who had died
at this place, recently disinterred by the Indians,
Which convinced us that they were preparing to
give us battle in some place adapted to their mode
of attack. On the 27th, we left Fort Alabama,
after having taken in the ammunition and provi
-1 sions at nine o’clock, a. m. Before leaving and
1 abandoning the post, however, we fixed a keg of
. powder, and a musket with a spring trigger con
cealed in the magazine, with the expectation of
. giving the dastardly Indians who were lurking
, around, a small touch oi the awfully sublime, be
lieving that they would enter the fort soon after
; wo left it. In this we were not disappointed, for
. we had not proceeded more than a mile, before a
i tremendous explosion took place, and avenged the
, death of Branham and others, who had fallen at
that place.
We proceeded on our tnarch without interrup
' lion, Until the advanced guard came within 30
: or 40 paces of Clonota Lassa creek, and the
> main body of the army, (particularly the right
flank of regulars) were immediately opposite a
. thick hammock on the right, within from 30 to SO
> paces, the left column was also in open ground,
[ with a hammock on their left, within gun shot,
and the rear guard had just passed into the open
prairie or plain, leaving the pine woods, scrub
and small hammocks in their rear and flanks.
> About this time I was riding in company with
. some of the Staff in advance of the Artillery,
j and between that and the advance guard, my at
tention was called to a crowd on the left, when
I immediately galloped my horse, and found a re
gular soldier, who had loitered behind the day
! before, [being intoxicated] most wantonly hutch
' ered, mutilated, and extended naked at full length,
i for the purpose of attracting our attention. I
had just made the discovery, when the Indians
opened the fire by surprise from the hammock,
first on the advance guard, then on those of us
near the dead, then on the Artillery, Kegulars,
and rear guard, making nearly half a mile in ex
tent. The first fire from the enemy for a few
moments, produced some confusion, killing a
few brave men, some 15 or 20 horses, and made
almost every team run away with the wagons.
The lire was however returned on all sides, the
, six pounder ran up to the edge of the hammock,
and poured in the shot well indeed. After the
first moment of surprise, both Volunteers and
| Kegulars behaved with great calmness, bravery,
and courage. The particular disposition of the
troops, and the part they took in the battle, 1
leave to official reports. Suffice it for me to.say,
i the hammocks were charged in every direction,
■ with cheering and huzzas, and after a contest of
| one hour, the victory clearly and decisively won,
the Indians retreating precipitately in all direc
tions, bearing off their dead and wounded, and
so completely defeated in their expectations, that
although we marched that afternoon through an
other large hammock and camped within five
miles, and waited for them till late next morning,
they never fired another gun. Col. Foster, of
the 4th Infantry, who has been in service 24
years, says it was one of the severest fought bat
tles during the war, and the most decisive victo
ry gained over the enemy.
_ AIJgUSTA:
SATURDAY, MAY OR, is3f..
“Be just, and fear nut.”
CENTRA!, BANK.
John W. Porter, Esq. has resigned his of
fice of Cashier of the Central Bank, to which he
has been but recently elected.
RIIL. ROAD MEETING.
Wo earnestly invite the attention of our rea
ders to the advertisement in this morning’s paper,
calling a meeting of oar citizens, THIS DAY,
at 12 o’clock, for the purpose of appointing dele
gates to represent this city in the proposed Con
vention, on the subject of the Charleston and
Cincinnatti Rail Road. The subject is one of
vast importance, and we hope the meeting will
be very generally attended.
JEFFERSON VOLUNTEERS.
We regret that the interesting account of the
Public Dinner given in Louisville, on Saturday
last, in honor of this brave and patriotic corps,
was received too late for to-day’s paper. It shall
be published with great pleasure in our next.
The Jefferson Cavalry, and their truly fearless and
gallantleader, Capt. Campbell, fully deserve the
honors extended to them, and the warmest esteem
of the people of their county, as well as the grati
tude of their whole country—unsurpassed ns they
always were in their ardent zeal to be foremost on
every occasion of service or danger; And for their
intrepid and generous-hearted commander, if he
had a fault, it consisted in a too rash and heed
less exposure of his person, and utter contempt of
all danger to a life so important and valuable to
his corps.
BLACKWD6D*S MAC3AZINE.
We are indebted to the politeness of the pub
lisher and proprietor, Theodore Foster, Esq.
of New York, for several of the latest Nos. of
his excellent and peculiarly cheap American
edition of “Blackwood’s Edinburgh Maga
zine”—transmitted through the hands of Mr.
John W. Stop, Bookseller of this city, who is
an Agent for the work. The high character and
great celebrity which this excellent work has
long held in the literary world, aitd the general
acquaintance with its merits, more or less, which
must have been formed by the whole reading por
tion of our country, through the numerous lite
rary, scientific, and entertaining articles continu
ally selected from its pages by all our cis-Atlan
tic publications, renders any laudatory discrip
tion, on our part, of its great value and interest,
altogether unnecessary, as it would be useless and
superfluous. Suffice it to say, that to the gene
ral reader, everywhere, it abounds with more in
structive and entertaining matter, than pfnbably
any other periodical published ; and, highly ex
pensive as is the original, imported work, the
reading people of this country arc greatly in
debted to Mr. Foster, for placing within their
reach, an American edition, fully equal in every
respect to the original, and indeed in every rcs
. pect an exact copy of it—which, owing to the
interest taken in obtaining the earliest copy of
each No., is printed, stitched, covered, and mail
ed, so as to reach subscribers as early and gene- '
rally earlier than the original—or one half the j
original cott, TEN DOLLARS, or upward, to i
the American reader, while the price of Mr. (
Foster’s edition is only FIVE DOLLARS! 1
The work is published monthly, and each No. j
contains about 150 pages of closely printed mat- i
ter, on good paper, and with neat, clear type. It
iffords us great pleasure to recommend this ex
cellent and cheap edition of so valuable a work
io the attention of the public, from whom we
trust it will receive a patronage amply sufficient,
not only to compensate for the labor and expense’
hot to properly reward the enterprising spirit, of
the publisher.
MR. PINCKNBY’B REPORT
This long looked for Report has been made,
and the following ate the Resolutions which ac
companied it. We have not yet seen the Report
itself. Notwithstanding Mr. Pinckney’s pledge
to Mr. Wise, and others, that the report shoold
distinctly and positively declare, that Congress
has no power to abolish Slavery in the District
of Columbia, the Resolutions, it will be seen
not only contain no such declaration, (as neither
does the report, as we learn from the debate,)
but are substantially the same as the first resolu
tions, and like them, virtually admit the right of
Congress to abolish slavery in'the District. The
last resolution, alone, is somewhat of a better
cast, in itself, but will have no effect, and, taken
in connexion with the virtual admission of the
right to abolish, is utterly worthless. The re
port was strongly denounced by Messrs. Thomp
son, Wise, and others; the former of whom
declared that “a more stale combination of argu
merit without reason, and Jesuitical sophistry, he
had never seen ; and that it ought to be burnt
by tire common hangman ;” while Mr. Hardim
protested against the assertion of Mr. Pinckney,
that the committee were unanimous in favor of
the report, saying that he had not approved of it
himself; and that he would also protest against
the statement of the report itself, that “the Aboli
tionists of the North were few and insignificant.
He did not think so. He thought they were nu
merous and increasing, and ns soon as they could
get a majority of both Houses in Congress, thert
the rights of the South would be lost.” Mr;
Pinckney has now placed bis treachery to the
South, and desertion to the Van Burenitcs, (by
whom the report was approved and advocated)
beyond all doubt; and iris name— Henry L;
Pinckney— ought forever to bo execrated, rind
remembered by those he Iras betrayed, as synoni;
mous with the vilest infamy, treachery, and deg
radation. He is doubly damned, not only by
the treachery itself, but ihe moment at which
it was first put into execution. How proudly
erect, and “full of hope,” stood “the few but fear
less still,” who nobly battled for the vital interests
and safety of the South ; and how quailing, and
humbled, and alarmed, were the corrupt numbers
opposed to them, at the powerful position they
had assumed, and the intrepidity and ability with
which they defended it-till Mr. Pinckney esmo
to the relief of the latter, and surrendered his
gallant colleagues and friends, bound hand and
foot, into their hands 1 Then, at once, how
changed the scene—how reversed the triumph !
• “Oh! for a tongue to curse the slave.
Whose treason, like a deadly blight,
Comes o’er the councils of Ihe brave.
And blasts them, in their hour of might!
May life’s unblessed cup, for him;
Be dregged with treacheries, to the brim
With hopes, (hat but alluie to fly.
With joys that vanish while he sips ;
Like Dead-sea fruits, that tempt the eye,
But turn to ashes on the lips J”
“ Resolved, That Congress possesses no const!-
tutional authority to interfere in any way with
the institution of slavery in any of the States of
tins confederacy.
Resolved, That Congress ought not to interfere
W ' th slavery in the District of Colum-
Rosolvcd, That all petitions, memorials, propo
sitions, resolutions and papers relating in any wav
or to any extent whatsoever, to the subject of sla
very, shall, without being referred or printed, bo
laid on the table, and that no further action what
ever shall he had thereon.”
GEN. SCOTT A T„E VOLUNTEERS.
Wc publish with pleasure the explanation of
Gen. Scott, contained in the following corres
pondence. which we copy from the Constitution
alist of yesterday. It will doubtless be satisfac
tory to the Volunteers, and the public, who can
not however bo blamed for a construction, the
natural and necessary result of the objectionable
sentence as it stood, so emphatically italicised.
Augusta, May 2Gth, 1836.
Air: Every officer must be aware of tho
jealousy, with which a soldier regards his reputa
tion. \on have, no doubt, been informed of the
impression which has been produced by your offi
cial communication, of the 30th ult., in which
the expression “good troops," {not volunteers”) is
used,-I have never thought, for a moment, that
y ? u , mtei V i(, J to casts by that expression, tho
slightest imputation, of a want of patiiolism or
bravery upon the Volunteers during the lato
campaign. From what repeatedly occurred, in
our intercourse, during our trying and arduous
service in Florida, I feel satisfied that you will
be happy in being afforded an opportunity to
correct any misrepresentations which may havo
gone abroad—l have thought it duo to yourself,
and the battalion, which I had tho honor to com
mand, during tha campaign, to place the subject
before you.
I have the honor to remain,
Your obedient servant,
F. M. ROBERTSON,
Captain Commanding tho Augusta Battalion
of Volunteers in the late Seminole campaign.
Major Gen. Scott, U. S. A.
Head Quarters, Army or the South, 7
Augusta, May 26, 1836. 5
Dear Sib ; —I am very greatly obliged to you
for your kind and manly letter of this date. It
gives me a direct opportunity of doing justice to
the brave men generally, whom I have recently
had the honor to command, as well as to myself.
The letter to the Government, which, by an
easy mistake, has given so much offence, was
written at Picolata under the sound of the bell
that hastened the fine battalion of Augusta vol
unteers, under your command, on board the *
steamer which was to take them to their homes.
Writing by that opportunity, and in Ihe midst of
other occupations, I had not even time to read
what I wrote. Hence the very careless and in
accurate phrase quoted by you.
At that moment, the volunteers who were then,
or who hud recently been, in Florida, were scarce
ly in my thoughts. My mind was intensely fixed
on a plan, and the means of renewed operations
against the Seminole Indians— modified accord
ing to my then better knowledge of them and
their country. Having become satisfied that it
would continue, as we had found, to be the policy
of that enemy to remain scattered in small par
ties, and to avoid a general battle—thereby pro
tracting the war almost indefinitely; that it would
be extremely difficult even with 3,000 veteran
troops, in a conntiy abounding in fastnesses, to *
put an end to the war in a single season ; learn
ing that a bill was before Congress for raising a
larger body of volunteers—l knew not for what
time—and feeling confident that, in such a war,
three month’s men, six month’s men, or even
men engaged for twelve months, would not suf
fice :—I was in haste to give my suggestions to
the Secretary of War, in order that, if approved,
Ihe necessary bills might be asked for of Con
gress at once. Following out the idea that old
troops with a long term of service, were indis
pensable, I added, in the next paragraph, that
regiments of recruits, although called regulars,
would not do ; but that if recruits, in sufficient
numbers, were mixed with old soldiers, in June