Newspaper Page Text
COLONEL EIIEEMAN'S IM PORT,
uk .rutrisu ‘jviti.iL uouKit..*.
Yesterday, before mx,n,th? honorable Jarv.es
V in kr.ian, Judge of (lie county ol (Jncuie,
innie avi .1’ at my quartos, lot - tlie purpose
o', i cert aiding for wltat of -nec o. gn Small,
oi Hie 2d regiment, had Ikcu conf-iiqd, and to
oiler hi Lis behalf the services in ids power.
He told me the reason he did not make his
application to the commanding gcneial. lie
heard lie was angry lx < arise hr had issued a
writ of habeas corpus, but if Ik; were assured
ill. i lie should be received pa.iu ly, he would
in kc a vi .it to head- juartn-s, in order to sn
ti .ly llie. mind, of the general, that el. ...■ 1 1 .'mall :
w ~s far a., ho kn- v, innocent ol any of encc !
against the laws and government of the Uni
ted States. |
In tiic course of conversation, judge Work
in n informed me that he had 1> one ol the
persons who had loin; com •mplat.td a plan to i
emancipate Mexico from th<- Spanish govern
ment ; that this plan was to raise an army at
the expense < tie-adventur • under the aus
pice i of the United States ; that the first oh
jcrt would lie to take Baton Rouge and Mo
bile, and tl.e.u I<> inarch into the Spanish pro
\i.ii es west of the Mi-sisippi ; if they should
jwiccced Ibci H, t, trei-t nn hMlapoiMlcnt • •ovcni
ir.eut. under tlv protei lion of the U > tm-d States ;
th.it col. lfurr had nothing whatever, as f.c as
he knew, to do m this project ; lie was men
tioned as a proper person to command, and
general Wilkinson was also named us are. j
p: i son to be put at the head of the. euurpii/.r ; 1
that secrecy was enjoined to th oss'iciatcs, lest
tiic scheme should become known to the Span
iards ; but not for any purpose whatever inju
ilulls t-i the interests of the United Stales.
That this plan was conk-niplaU and at the time it j
Was snppov .1 the United Stat ;s would inevita- i
hly be involved m a war with Spain, when Do j
HViiran la's expedition washe-lieved to have hce.'i j
sanctioned by the gem ral government ; but so j
soon as tiiis vv.-.s discovered, all conversation j
whatever, in relation to the proposed conquest j
ol Mexico, ceased.
■ The judge then took leave.—lie consented j
that I should communicate to general Wilkin- *
son, t! c substance of the afore go ng statement.
Captain Fergus, of the regiment of artillerists,
Was present during the whole time oltl us con** I
vcrsalion.
In the evening the judge made me another
sixi. I was then alone. I repeated to him
what 1 had related to general Wilkin:,cn in the
morning. He assented to the correctness of
my statement.
\\ e then conversed freely upon the subject (
of erecting an independent government in
Mexico. The judge premised that the whole I
plan and i*•. execution was to have depended
on lheTii|'probation and e.oiicurreii* e of the L -
luicihftSiutcs; without these nothing was to
haw been undertaken.
He observed, that the emancipation of the
Spanish provinces hail been for many vears iris
f.sonic object ; that he hud, when he was a 1
British subject, proposed it tothat government; 1
tli it he had applied himself particularly to ao j
quirt knowledge of the population, of the com
merce and resources, of the laws, of tin lan
guage, temper and disposition of the inhaiii-|
tunts ; of the roads, mountains, lakes, and ge
nerally, such geographical information as would I
l>. required .aid be useful in ease his plan I
should be adopted—-That it he hail succeeded, j
that lie possessed the best map, and he was as
well acquainted with the country as any per- 1
son could possibly he, who had not visited it. i
lie declared upon his honor, a separation of
the union was never mentioned, or ever, he be
lieve I, contemplated by any person associated
with ifun. Col. llurr was mentioned, as were
general Vi ilkiuson and general Davmn, as lit
ui be placed at tlm head of the expedition.
The plan was, that such force should inarch
s to give the adventurers reasonable hopes
tli.it tin y would heat the Viceroy of Mexico in
the field. This bis e was estimated at “0,000
nun. To put this army into operation two
millions ol il. liars would have been required in
the first instance. This mom v tliev expected
eould have been raised by the adventurers and
their as so. tales. It was expected that mer
chants ut.d men of property in every part of
the United States, would contribute to an cn
terprize, which would held out to shew a lu
c C.ne li till lor commerce. It was expected
that the heavy andlery and military stores
would be transpnrteu by these associates, and
would be landed at leagues this side La
\ ui Uni/.—that the march to M exico might
i performed in forty days from .Natchitoches.
Il the \ ieivoy should lie beaten, the whole
country would submit, and with proper mu*
nai eincut might bo separated lorever front
Spa’ll.
lltc plan of ‘government proposed would
have depended on ciivumsiances ; but it was
understood that the military chief would of
four e Ik* placed at the head ot the govern
ment, whatever might have been its form.
This chief would hate be. a assisted by such
r iiincils or officers as should have been deem
ed Itecoss'ary. It was to have been a go
vernment of laws, in which the rights of all the
ifuel's were to be respected—the inhabitants
were .u enjoy ii the fullest freedom their reli
gion. laws anil customs; as few alterations were
to be made as possible. The inquisition would
have been alioiished.
In its foreign relations, it was to be placed
in the situation of Portugal to England, or
what Holland was formerly to England, as res
pected its connection with the. United States—
alliances of commerce and defence were to
fcave been entered into yvitii the United States
• —and the parent country tvas always to have
been i eg.,rdtd ..s the.proteclnx of the new go
vernment.
I lie judge repeated frequently, that all these
things were to be done, under the presumption
I that the United States must inevitably go to
war with Spain, and that not a motion vras to
be made w ithout the approbation of the gene
’ i.l government —that Ho scheme whatever
■ to di sever the union formed any part of the
I plan—that since the government hud express
-1 id their disapprobation of De Miranda’s cx
; pedi’.ior., all thoughts of the conquest of Mex
ico had bu n given up and abandoned. He
’ however expressed his opinion, that the Uni-
J t<-d St-iies would at some future day find it to
j their interests to curry into operation an expe*
| dilion upon similar principles.
With ,'ospci Mo ensign Small, he observed,
j that he was subject to martial law ; he there
fore dal not deem it proper to come forward
iniaieihuUdy ui his defence, hut that he would,
ts it should be necessary, appear in hi & behalf,
before, the court martial, by which lie should
be tried.
jY< a ‘Orleans, 30//; I)r\ nibcr , 1806.
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
HOCSU C-r Klil’Kfc'.M'.NT WIVES,
Monday, February 23.
The house n solved itself into a committee _
of the who! —Mr. Tenney in the chair—on
the bill in addition to the act, entitled, ** An act
j supplementary to the act, entitled, “an act
making provision for the redemption ol the
| whole of the public, debt of the Uni oil States.”
A motion was made to strike out the first
section; which is as follows:
“ lie is enacted, hr. That if any part of the
present three per ecnl. slock of the Untied
Stales shall remain unsubscribed to the liun
constituted by the act to which this is an addi
tion, the said unsubscribed stock shall be paid
and reimbursed by payments on account both
of principal grid interest, at the rate of four per
centum a year, upon the original capital ol the
said stock, until the whole of the said stock
-shall have Ikcu reimbursed and paid. And
the commissioners of the sinking fund are
hereby authorised and required to make the
said payjner.ts by dividends, at the rate of uie
per centum on the original capital, payable tin
the laxt da\s of March, June, September and
December, of eacii year, after Llie year out
thousand eight hundred and e*ght, until the re
imbursement shall have been effected ”
This motion was supported by Messrs. Tal
madge and Quincey ; and opposed by Messrs.
J. Randolph and liidwcll—and disagreed to—
-1 Ayes 6. When the committee rose, and the
I bill was ordered to a third reading,
j The house took up the report of the com
mittee of tlie whole, on the bill lbr the better
: fortifying of the ports of the United States.
The house concurred with the committee of
! the whole, in striking out *- 20,000 dollars,”
i appropi ialcd by the first section, for the better
! fortifying oi the ports and harbors of the United
| Slates—Ayes 65.
On agreeing with the committee to insert
j 15(). )00 dollars, a debate arose.
Messrs. Mumlord, Thomas, Quincey, Smi-
I lie, Masters, Stanton and Cook, supported ;
j and Messrs. Olin, R. Nelson, J. Randolph and
. Elmer, opposed, a concurrence,
j Mr. Dana declared himself in favor of a
i larger appropriation, and said he should there
fore vote against a concurrences.
1 lie question on concurrence was taken by
yeas and nays—Yeas 72, Nays 41.
On the question to agree with the committee
of the whole in adding anew section, appro
priating 150,000 dollars, to enable llie Presi
dent to build any number of gun-boats, not ex
ceeding thirty,
IMi . Dana moved so to amend the section as
to appropriate dollars, to enable the
President In cause to be purchased materials,
for future use, for the erection of gun-boats.
Mr. Alston opposed this motion, which \Vas
disagreed to. The yeas and nays were taken,
and were—Yeas 30, Nays 78.
Mr. Goldsborough then spoke against agree*
■ ig to the new section ; on which the yeas and
nays were taki it-—\ ias 68, Noes 36.
When the bill was ordered to be engrossed
for a third reading to-morrow,
\ message was received from the senate,
stating their agreement to the bill for continu
ing in force, for a further time, the bill prohi
biting commercial intercourse with the island of
St. Domingo, with an amendment; to which
the house agreed. The amendment docs not,
! f iii the least, affect the principle of the bill.
The amendments of the senate to the bill re-
I lative to \ irginut military land warrants, were
l referred to the committee on public lands.
J Mr. J. Randolph observed, that the bill re
; ceiwd from the senate, the object of which
. was to prevent intrusion on public lands, had
hi cn before the committee on public lands for
a considerable time. As it was Bis wish that
. this bill should be decided on while the house
! was full, as the committee on public lands
; would find much occupation in the bill last re
i fcivcd to them, he moved, that they should be
j discharged irom the further consideration of
’ the former Inil with a view of having it referred
• to a committee of the whole house,
j A motion to adjourn having been made and
t carried, no question was taken on Mr. Run
j dolph’s motion.
7'ucsa'aij, February 25.
The bill providing for fortifying the ports and
harbors of the United States, and for building
gun-boats, and the bill in addition to the act,
entitled, “ An act supplementary to the act
•, making provision for the redemption of the
whole of the public debt of the United States.”
were lead a thiid time and passed.
The speaker laid before the house certain
resolutions of the legislature of the Mississippi
territory, on the present state of affairs, which
were it ail, arid ordered to lie cn the tabic.
Mr. Quincey. from the con mittecto v.hem
was referred the lavvsef the Michigan territory,
presented a bill, disapproving and annulling an
act passed by the governor and judges of the
Michigan territory, concerning the establishing
of a bank at Detroit. Referred to a committee
of the whole to-morrow.
Mr. Basset, from the committee to whom
was referred the bill fiom the senate to reduce
the exncnces attending the administration of
justice in the district of Columbia, reported the
same without amendment. Ordered to lie on
the table.
Mr. Basset also reported thehiil supplemen
tary to the act for the organisation of the mili
tia in the district of Columbia, which was also
ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. Holmes, from the committee of claims,
presented a hill, concerning invalid pensioners,
which was referred to a committee of the
whole.
A message was received from the senate,
stating, that they had passed the bill allowing
an additional compensation to the judges of
the Mississippi territory, and extending the
right of suffrage therein, with amendments.
The house resolved itself into a committee
of the whole—Mr. Gregg in the chair—on the
bill to alter and establish certain post-roads, and
for other purposes.
Various amendments were made, when the
committee rose, reported progress, and desir
ed leave to sit again.
1 Wednesday, February 25.
Mr J. Randolph reported a bill making ap
propriations for carrying into effect certain
treaties with the Cherokee and Piankashaw
tribes of Indians, which was referred to a com
mittee of the whole to-morrow.
Mr. J. Randolph, from the same committee,
presented a bill to amend the act, entitled, an
act to regulate and fix the compensation of
clerks, See. which was referred to a committee
of the whole to-morrow.
Mr. Jeremiah Morrow, from the committee
on public lands, to whom was referred the bill
from the senate, to prevent settlements being,
made on lands ceded to the U. Stales, unau
thorised by law, reported the same with sundry
amendments.
Mr. J. Morrow moved the reference of litis
report to a committee of the whole.
Mr. J. Randolph hoped the report would
rot be referred to a committee of the whole,
us the bill involved no appropriation of money;
and as past experience had shewn, that when
tlx; house got into committee of the whole,
they scarcely knew how to get out of it. Did
time admit, lie should have no objection to the
course proposed. But this was not the case.
The bill could be us well discussed in the
house as in committee. He therefore trusted
it would not be referred to a committee of the
w hole, as that course might defeat its passage
tills session.
Mr. Quincey hoped the bill would be refer
red to a committee of the whole; for if there
was any bill of importance brought before the
house during this session, this was one; which
he therefore thought merited a full considera
tion.
Mr. Gregg said lie was indifferent which
course was pursued. He agreed that the bill
was one of the greatest importance which had
been before the legislature this session. He
indeed considered it more important than all
the rest of the hills. He Was, therefore, for
giving it a preference over all others. He
hoped it would be passed during the session,
but still he was willing to afford gentlemen a
lull opportunity of adducing whatever their in
genuity could suggest.
Mr. Smilie observed, that in an early period
of the session, he should have hud no objection
to this bill going to a committee of the whole.
But he desired gentlemen to recollect the situ
ation of the house. He understood that there
were sixty bills remaining undecided on, ma
ny of which it Was highly desirable to pass.
Only six days ol the session remained. There,
therefore, was no time to consume in Commit
tees of the whole. He said he believed the
bill, together with the amendments, might re
ceive sufficient consideration, without going
into committee of the whole.
The motion to refer the report to a com
mittee of the whole, was disagreed to—Aves
30.
Mr. J. Morrow, from the committee on the
public lands, made a report on the amend
ments proposed by the senate to the bill ex
tending the time lor locating Virginia military
land warrants, agreeing to sonic, and disagree
ing to others ; in which report, the house, after
a short discussion, concurred.
The bill providing for the payment of the
cxpcnce incurred by the military preparations
in defence of the territory of Michigan against
hostile Indians in 1806, was read the third time
and passed.
The bill authorising the settlement of the
accounts between the U. States and William
Eaton, was read the third time and passed—
Ayes 64.
On agreeing to the title—
Mr. J. Randolph said he conceived the title
to be extremely improper, and he hoped some
gentleman would suggest a proper alteration
—He believed the bill hail passed by surprise.
It was not so much a bill to settle the accounts
of William Eaton, as to rip up the settled forms
of the treasury ; and to transfer the accountable
duties ol the treasury to the department of
state. It would be a J:aia upon the statute
The question was then taken cn the title,
which was agreedtc—-Ayes 63.
Theqms b n let. uinii.g re derided, at the
adjournment of yesterday, recur.eel, vi—o
give the committee of the whoie icree to sit
again, cn the bill to -alter and c tab- i.-li certain
post rc-dx—leave w..s refused—omy 25 met:.*
bers risingfin tbe affirmative.
The house resolved itself into a committee
of tbe whole—Mr. Van,urn in J.e i hai,—on
the bill m.. king provision for the disposal if
the public lands situated between rhe U . S. n.i
litury tract and the Connecticut reserve,andior
other purposes.
The committee rose and reported the bill,
with amendments, in which the house concur
red, and ordered the bid to be engrossed for a
yhird reading to-morrow.
The house took up ‘.lie bill to alter and es
tablish certain post roads.
A motion was made to postpone the hill in
definitely, which was disagreed to —Ayes 4b
Noes 54.
A message was received from the senate
stating, that they had passed the bill for repeal
ing the duty on salt, and for continuing in ioree
the 2 1-2 per cent, additional for the Mediter
ranean fund, with amendments ; and that they
insisted on their amendments to the hill exten
ding the time for locating \ i; ginia military
land warrants.
A motion was made to refer the bill to alter
and establish certain post roads to a committee
cf the whole,and canied. When the house
immediately went into a committee—Mr. Greg g
in Inc chair.
The committee after considered) discussi
on, rose and reported the bill with - e various a
mendments; some of which VU* 1 C Cv/f! tO 1.1(1
others disagreed to by the house, ami other
amendments made. ‘
A message was received from the senate,
stating that they had agreed to the modification;
ol the amendment proposed by the house of
l oprcseutativ cs to the bill prohibiting the impor
tation of slaves into the United Stales, and re
commended by the committee of conference.
Thursday , February 26.
Mr. Holmes, from the committee of cl. inis,
to whom was referred the message of.the Pre
sident of the United States, on the communica
tion ot the French- minister, relative to the
claim ofC. Beaumarchais, made a report.
‘i he report, after referring to the report of
the committee ol claims of last session, which
was unacted upon, concludes with a resolution,
referring the subject to the secretary of state,
with direction to report thereon to congress at
their next session.
In this resolution the house concurred with
out a division.
The message from the senate, stating that
they had passed a bill sent front the house for
the repeal ol the acts laying duties on salt, and
for a continuance of the Mediterranean fund un
til the end of the next session ot congress, with
amendments, was considered.
The./tV.v/ amendment proposed bv the sen
ate was to confine the repealing act to akingoff
the duty of eight cents on the bushel of salt,
from the first day of July next—leaving in
force another existing act imposing ‘ a duty of
twelve cents.
Messrs. Alston and Olin opposed a concur
rence with this amendment, the question cm
which was taken by yeas and nays, which vve.o
—Yeas 15—Nays 89.
The second amendment, regarding matters
of detail, was disagreed to without a division.
The third amendment proposed continuing
the Mediterranean fund until the 31st day of
Dec.—instead of the end ni “he next session,
Mr. J. Randolph spoke against a ccmn,
fence in this amendment, winch was negatived
Aves 38.
Mr. J. Randolph moved that the house insist
on the bill as it originally passed the house ;
spoke at considerable length in favor of insist,
ing, and asked for the yeas and nays.
Messrs. Alston, Rhea of Tennessee, Early,
R. Nelson, Alexander, Srnilic, and Goldsbt*
rough, supported ; and Mr. Lyon opposed in.
ststing.
This motion was withdrawn, and a motion
made hv Mr. Early to adhere , when the cues- 1
tion was taken on adhering to the original * bill,
and carried in the affirmative—Yeas *l)3 Navs
20.
A short time after, a message was received
from the senate staling that they had considered
the disagreeing votes of the two houses on this
bill, and had re so Fed t o adhere to all t heir amend
ments.
As the vote to adhere is final, and has in this
instance been passed by both houses, ,he till is
lost. The consequence is that the duties com
posing what is called the Meditciranean fund
yiil cease with the present session, and the du
ties on salt be continued. *
The modification proposed by the committee
of conference to the bill prohibiting the itnpoi-.
tat ion of slaves into the United States was taken
into consideration—on agreeing to which adc
bate of considerable length ensued.
Messrs. Gold-borough, Alston and Sion
it:pp--)ited ; and Messrs Early, J. Randolph, I).
R. \\ illiams anil Alexander Opposed, a concur
rence, which was carried—Yeas 63—Nays 49.
I his modification having been agreed to bW
the senate, the biil was finally passed.
From the National Intelligencer, March 4.
The house of representatives were in m-s.
sion, on Saturday, from seven o'clock in the
evening to one o’clock next morning. They
were principally occupied in conside ring 1 n
biil for the repeal of the duties on sdt, an ! for
the continuance of the Mediterranean fund.
The bill finally passed the house by a large
majority, and discontinues ti e dutv of rfo-ht
cents on salt after the 30th vi Jir.es sol tko