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• 4 Ah, Sire’ I can never be sufficiently
grateful for your kindness.”
* •• 'I wo or throe years after this circumstance,
the Emperor was with the army in anothei
campaign. Napoleon, you know, has a won
derful power of recollecting the countenance
of perosi.s whom he lias once seen. On one
of his marches, he met and recognised the
vivaudiere and her son. He immediately rode
up to her, saying, , „
“Well, my good woman, how do you do.
Has your busband kept the promise he made
to me ?” _ , ,
The poor woman burst into tears, and threw
herself at the Emperor’s feet*
“Oh, Sire! Oh, Sire! Since my good star
led me into the gracious presence of your
Mejesty, I have been the happiest of women.
“Then reward me ty being the most virtu
eus of wives.” |
{ w pieces of gold were presented w itn
these words ; and, as Napoleon rode off, the
cries of ‘Vroe I'Empcreur,' uttered amidst
tears and sobs by the mother and her son, were
enthusiastically repeated by the whole batta
lion. _____
Continuation of Cot. Ilamsl
ten’s Let Ur to Mr. Biddle.
It may bo assumed th nt our present embar
rassments have divided the country into two
parties. That they consequently offer the
following antagonist remedies.
Ist. The organ of the Government indicates j
a determination to divorce the government
from all connection with Banks, to have its
awn strong box, and by compelling the pay
manta of ail Government dues in specie, to
bring the country buck to a hard money cur
reucy.
2diy. The supporters of a credit system
are simply iu favor of a re-charter of the Bank
of the United States by Congress, and believe
that by the salutary operation ofthis institution
on the circulation and exchanges of the coun
ery’, the present- evils woutd be cured w ith th
least possible disturbance to the great inter
ests of the country.
The limits to which my own inclinations
and a due regard for your patience assign me,
forbid my treating the large and profoundly in- i
foresting topics comprehended iu these proposi.
tiouirs, amanntr which their own itr porta’ ce
would seem to demand. They cannot how
ever be passed over in silence. It must, I
think.be obvious to any man of reflection, that
if it should be desirable that coin should either
form the sole constituent. or enter more large
!v into our circulation, this e d is only to be
accomplished, safely and be eficially, by a
gradual process ; by which the country shall
beeven insensible ot the change which is go
ing on iu the standard ot value. I'll” truth is,
this country a d Great Britain have been built
up by’ the credit system, or. in other words by
a paper circulation ; if not a. all times conver
tible into specie, at least at all times havi g its
value guaged by Gold and Silver. It the
Government had the despotic power of anni
hilating every Ba . k in the United States at a
blow, and of burning every Ba. k Note by the
hand of the common hang-ma i. it would only
lead to a ruin and transfer of property, greiter
and far more desolating than have signaliz’d
the footsteps of the most sanguinary revolution
a nrciirriid ill the world.—lt there tore,
co mjms nn:em j T In is e nff, ea n s wh ic h
have been announced, it must produce a climax
in our present suffering. and fill the whole coun.
try with convulsion and alarm. The truth is.
the institutions and hab ts of a people are not
tp be torn up iu a day. The excessive issues
of paper money has had much to do with our
present difficulties, but the emission of credits,
in the shape of a convertible circulation, when
well sustained and guaranteed by specie and
its equivalent in solid securities, have made
Englund and America what they are, whilst a
hard money currency has not prevented Spain
and I taly from sinking into their present condi
tion of debasement and imbecility.
The mere fact of not making paper money
a legal tender in ordinary times, is an effective
security for its solidity to the public. Mr.
Burke, in the grandeur which belonged to his
genius, said forty seven years ago, in speaking
of the currency of England, as contrasted with
that of France, “Our paper money is of value
in commerce, because iu law it is none. It is
powerful on change because in Westminster
Hall, it is impotent. In payment of a debt of
twenty shillings, a creditor may refuse all the
paper of the Bank of England. Nor is there
amongst us a single public security of any
quality or nature whatsoever, that is enforced
by authority. In fact it may be easily shewn
that ourpaper wealth, instead of lessening the
real coin, has tendency to increase it. Instead
of a substitute tor money, it only facilitates its
entry, its exit and its circulation; that il is
the symbol of prosperity, and not the badge
ofdistress.” There is quite as much oftrue
philosophy and sound sense in this passage,
us of verbal elegance. —The history, both of
England and America prove it- Limit the
Circulation of paper to its represent, five in
coin, and the securities of substantial property,
and a country is at once blessed w ith a curren
cy sound, safe and healthy, and competent to
perform all the transfers and exchanges of
her trade, commerce and agriculture. To af
tord however to the public, a security for the
application of this limit, is the difficulty.
This nevertheless is a duty and trust of every
civilized government, and involves an obliga
tion that can neither be compromised or post
poned. It is a duty which our government
must perform. If they have not the constitu
tional power, it must.be conferred by an amend
ment of the Constitution. It is in vain to
speak immediately of the destruction of every
Bank iu the ccun'ry, even if this measure was
e, it could not be accomplished with
safety in less than thirty years, and then by a
process the most gradual and healing, The
effort to establish a hard money currency f r
the Government, and at the same time that
the people should have one of paper for them
selves, must perpetuate our present embarrass
ments, and if practicable, must end iu calamity
and convulsion. The truth is not to be con
cealed, sir, that if the advocates of a hard mo
noy currency could succeed in carrying their
favorite hypothesis into practical operation,
every man whose liabilities amounted t.> one
fifth part of his actual property, would b<- ruin
cd. I leave any man who is acquainted with
the character of our people, to decide if ihey
would [KSrmit Col. Benton to put us like mice
into his great metallic retort for the purpose
of ascertaining how long we could breathe in
this exhausted receiver. I have no toleration
for theories that ate to place I’lue tenths of the
country under the parental custody of the
Sheriff, or o 'consign some of the b st men
among us to the despair which sudden poverty
brings U| on those who have o hers to curse
and not themselves for their ruin.
Whilst I feel the utter absurdity, not to say
wickedness of precipitating the country sud
denly into a great and alarming cha ge in its
currency, I am not insensible ot the signal
evils which are on the other ha id incide t to
a profuse issue of paper money, which com
hined with a spirit of extravagant speculation,
have brought us precisely to our present con
dition.
I shall therefore now proceed with the h
utmost deference, to suggest what seem to be (
appropriate remedies to meet the evils of the t
present crisis. j t
Ist. I shall speak of tlr-se which are of a| <.
permanent character, which I think will ap- <
proximate to a gradual, though effective cure i
of our currency. a
2d. Os those of a temporary character, but <;
by which however, the Banks might at an ear- <
lyday resume specie. payments, and from i
which immediate relief might be afforded, and <
the present embarrassments essentially mitiga
ted, or entirely removed. f
Ist. No permanent cure can be applied to i
the existing distt inperature of our currency, <
except through a fixed, provision of the Con- i
stitution and Laws by which,the Bank capital t
of the United States shall not be increas’d i
I hereafter ; but on the contrary, be gradually ]
diminished by the falling in of the Charters ol i
existing Bai.ks until the amount ot capita, j
among the States shall reach a point to b <
apportioned by some ratio among them, that
shall be deemed safe and proper. Perhaps a i
ratio that shall be compounded of population i
and exports* would be the safest rule of pro
portion.
For this and the following-purposes, it
Would be necessary to obtam ah amendment
of the Constitution ot the United States.
Ist. This amendment ought to contain
likewise the explicit grant to Congress of the
authority to incorporate a Batik of (he United j
States, with such limitations against the abuse
of power as experience may have suggested.
This provision ought to prohibit the govern
ment of the United States holdi g more than
one eighth of the stock of the, said Bank, for
which it should be entitled to but one sixteenth
of its representative power in-the election of
its directors.
2d. The States should likewise solemnly
abjure the power of incorporating a Bank be
yond the amount of capital fixed as the ratio,
and confer upon Congress the power of de
termining the denomination of the bills to be is
sued, in order that in this essential particular
the currency' might be uniform throughout the
United States.
The object of this last provision will bo ob
vious. Congress might through the instru
mentality of this power, gradually increase the
metallic circulation, by enacting, for example,
1 that no state should after the year forty issue
I a note of a less denomination than Five dol
lars, iu fortv five of Ten, and in titty of a less
denomination than Twenty dollars. A scheme ,
which Mr. Calhou i disclos d iu his able
speech on the Currency. In this mode 1
concieve that the banking capital of the coun- :
trv might b- brought down, the paper curren
c’ diminished, and th.- metallic circulation
gradually augmented without a .y dangerous
disturbance <-t the standard ot value.
it is a most fortunate circumstance that as
Congress will meet on the Ist of September,
the aineudme.nt might be passed by that body,
proposed to the legislatures ot all the States
which will be in session i the course of the
wi .ter, and if ratified by three fourths, become
a part of the Co. sti'ution by the Ist of March
mxt.
I hope it may not be deemed u seasonable,
' that: should off r a tew reaso s in f vor ol
’ amending the Constitution, to place beyo da
doubt, the authority of Congress to incorpo-
J rate a Bank, and if co. ferred, that I should
offer a few reflections on the expediency of
! re-churtenng your Bank with some modifica
’ --t jvu Hwy irrrr?n*Tt“iTXt?rtr3trTpTfTxnge
to amend the Constitution of the United States
iu this important particular, yet the cou dry
' ' has been so seriously divided on this great
i i question, that it becomes i matter of the high
j est public concern, that the Union should be
no longer agitated on tnis exciting topic.
You are, moreover, well aware, that most
’ of the objections to a Bank of the U. States,
I have rather been as to the co istitutionai com
petency of Congress to create 0..e, than to thi.
policy of this fiscal agent, of great and saluta
ry use, if under effective control and able and
i y .
laithful management.
By an amendment of the Constitution every
pretext of opposition will betaken away from
i those who. in point of fact, must admit the
great usefulness of this agent, and in the or
ganic process by which all power is conferr
ed under our government, the question passes
deliberately before the different States, and un
der sanctions v hich will insure a public ac
quiescence in the measure. 1 think a prefer
ence should be given to the re-charter of the
■ present Bank of the United States, lor several
j reasons which appear to me satisfactory. In
the first place, by taki g your Bank, the bank
ing capital of the United States is not increas
ed. i new institution would augment this
capital probably some forty or fifty millions,
and revive that licentious spirit of speculation,
which it is the interest of the country to have
allayed. Your institution is, moreover, in the
exercise of its full functions with its capital
paid in, and in possession of ail the capacities
| for immediately acting beneficially upon the
currency of the country. I do not think tho
- Government ought to corporate your Bank,
without your Stockholders should consent to
i surrender one halfofyourca pital on their re
ceiving either the par value of the Stock so
’ surrendered or its actual value as estimated
( pro rata, by adding your surplus, so that the
- Stock of the present Stockholders of the Bank
i of the United States might be brought down to
, | about fifteen millions, that the other twenty
’ | millions be divided between the Government
’ j and othei Banks. That a Bank iu the City of
New York should be selected asyour Branch,
whose capital your Bank should take as your
j Stock, letting the Stockholders in at par for the
amount of their Stock, a Bank be likewise se
lected iu Boston, Providence, Baltimore. Nor
( folk, Charleston. Savannah, Mobile and New
, Orleans, and the rest of your capital of thirty
( five millions to be divided bi tween the Gov.
( ernmeut and other Commercial points where
it wou’d be expedient to establish branches.
I would not, if I had the power, give you a
renewal of your Charter on any other terms.
t because this scheme involves no dangerous
augmentation of the Banking capital of the
United Stat<e, which as a whole, ought not
’ on any account to be increased. It is true
that in several of the States this capital might
be safely augmented, and perhaps if the amend
ment of the Constitution was adopted, which
I have suggested in some of them, it would
' be sou d that their capital had not reached the
ratio which might be fixed for their proportion.
South Carolina for example, will judiciously
bear an increase of her banking capital, as it
is notequ I to the separate value ot her exports,
throwing her internal trade a .d exchanges
out of the question. Still ookitig to the whole
interests of the country, it would be of vital
importance that the process rather of reduc
tion than increase should be promptly com
menced.
I have thus far. Sir, very imperfectly sketch
ed what I believe to be a probable cure tor
th unsound state of the currency of the coun
try. You perceive that at least the remedy
involves no sudden or perilous change in eith
i er its existing batik capita! or circulation.
The process combines a gradual reduction of
i lie one. and the gradual increase ot the pre
cious metals, by a withdrawal at safe intervals
, of the smaller notes from the currency.
1 should have felt much greater diffidence
m offering these suggestions to your consider-
ation, in relation to the amendment of the
Constitution, if they had iot b -en confirm, d |
by early the same views v. inch I son d hud :
been taken up by’ a distinguished gentlemen 1
of this Slate, (Col. Blinding.) who at the head <
of the Commercial Bank ot Columbia, enjoys
in an eminent degree, the public confidence as f
a skillful and able financier. It gives me
gi eat pleasure, to acknowledge, that for some
of the suggestions of this amendment, I am
indebted to his acuteness and sound experi-
Having thus disposed of the permanent re- ]
medies for the debasement of our currency,
which look for their exercise to an amendment I
of the Co stitution, let me now say a few
words of those which are within the legisla
tive competency of Congress and within the
reach of those who direct the measures of our
Banks, which can be promptly applied, and
from which the power of resuming specie
payments on the part ot he Banks, may with
very little delay be obtained.
In the first place, I believe nothing is want,
i '.g now but a proper concert amo :g the lead
ing Banking institutions of the country, with
a proper understanding with the Government,
to enable us all at an early day, recommence
redeeming our r.o’es in coin.
The object of this communication is to
bling about this co. cert and this understand
ing.
I therefore suggest to you that- the Presi- ■
dents of the Banks of Philadelphia hare a j
meeting and address a Circular to the Banks |
of the different Commercial cities of the Unifed j
Stales, requesting the Banks of each city to |
appoint one of its Presidents as a deputy, to I
meet in Philadelphia, on the second Monday in \
August, for the purpose of conferring as to the
means and period of resuming Specie payments,
that the same, may be universal and simultane
ous on a certain day, throughout the United
States.— With this view I would suggest, that
at this m ating a deputation should bo appoint
ed to attend the Session of Congress, hat by
a proper understanding, he Banks may ■ rornpt
ly co-operate with the measures ot Govern
ment in bringing about the greatly to be desir
ed resumption.
I have very little doubt with this concert,
if the Government wd! issue Treasury Notes •
bean gsrch a moderate rate of interest as:
shall not retard th dr quick circulation forth
i ’stalments of the Surplus Reve tie hereafter
falling due to the several states, redeemable
in six, nine, and twelve mouths, by the Depos
-1 ite Banks, and at their c st, that specie pay-
I merits may be resumed contemperateotislv
j with the issue of thes ■ Exchequer Bills.
I They would sta d effectively in the place of
Specie, moderate the demand for it, and by
being nude pay. bl" at diff re , t points in the
U ion, s. rve the purposes of exchange. Be
fore they were exhausted the new crop of
Cotton would be i market, to enable us to pay
our foreign debt.
But at the present, the Banks arc acting
: without the slightest concert, and as far us 1
: cat, lear , without the smallest u derstandi g
with the Government. The existing state I
: thi gs tor the i .terest a .d honor of ur country
should not be permitted to last one hoar beyond
, th. Meeting ofCongress.
i’ The longer an irredeemable paper currency
i is permitted to continue, the more difficult
• j becoin s the resumption of payments in coin.
I Like Opium, as you have very justly remarked
fI in your letter to me, the dose constantly re-
• I quires doubling until prostration and death en
! What We mny ur.r tins yt*ar in reaceming
; our country from the stupifying lethargy, may
■ become impossible the next: until we have
fixed upon us one of the greatest curst s that
cau scourge a civilized community, is an in-
; convertible paper currency. When this evil
comes in its full potency, and paper is rejected
: universally as a legal tender by private credi
, I tors, as well as that great public creditor, the
■ I Government, and the Sheriff will take nothing
■ but coin for his levies, then Revolution and
• I bloodshed are not long iu the rear. It is in
I ! a period like this that the great authority to
which I have before referred, says : “That a
I man can neither earn or buy a dinner without
I a speculati hi. What he recei esinthe morn-
I iug will not have the same value at night.—
What he is compelled to take as pay for an old
debt, will not be received as the same when
he comes to pay a deb! contracted by himself,
cor will it be the same when by prompt pay
mei t he would avoid contracting any debt at
all. Industry must wither away. Economy
must be driven from your country. Careful
provision v ill have no existence. Who will 1
labor without know ing the amount of his pay?
W’ho will study to increase what none can
estimate? Who will accumulate, when he
does not k .ow the value of what he saves !
I fyou abstract it from its uses, in gaining to
accumulate your paper wealth, it would be,
not the providence of a man, but the distem
pered instinct of a jack daw.”
This picture of the condition of the currency
in France, during her portentous revolution is
the type of what in the process of time must
be the state of our own. if the efforts of every
man in the Country, who has the smallest in
fluence adventitious or direct, is not strenuous
ly applied to our redemption from the dark
calamity with which we are threatened. The
Banks in the principal commercial cities may
do much to bring about this desirable result,
but without the cordial co-operation of Gov.
erumeut, they can do nothing.
Anxious that this aid of Government, should
be afforded, 1 have referred with all possible
moderation to those topics of exasperation by
> the tendency of which it is designed to fix up
on the past and present t dministration, the
1 entire responsibility of those disasters into
which we have been precipitated. 1 could
have made this letter redolent of sarcasm and
vituperation against those in power. But my
object was not to say harsh things to augmei t
existing difficulties or widen the breach alrea
( dy subsisting between the Government and the
■ supporters of your institution. I deemed il
1 belter in the spirit of conciliation to bring the
• power of a man of your eminent influence to
’ bear iu accomplishing an effective remedy for
’ the evils under w hich we a - e sufferin’’. I
( believe the Gov< rnment with yourself and a
• lew of the leading Banks in the commercial
cities of the Union can in a very sin rt period
• after the meeting of Congress, apply this rem
-1 edy. But if in preference to a course of uni-
I ted and harmonious of forbearance,
’ temperance and moderatioi!, the effort should
■ be made to obtain an and un
qualified re-charter of a Bank of the United
t States; if in preference to looking singly to a
> cure ot p’ blic calamities, those in opposition
< should alone seek to convict the present Ad
ministration of the exclusive guilt of briugm”
I ruin on the country, ai d this effort b; made
for the purpose of amioiuting softie new candi
■ date tor the Presidency, depend upon it. from
this convulsion of faction we are destined to
pass through a crisis the darkness of winch no
• mao can estimate or foretell. I cannot believe
. that the co-operation of the Executive of the
United .states, will be withheld in uniting on
some safe and practicable scheme for relievi .g
, the Country from these calamities. The cri
sis demands that he should rise above ttie
mere trammels of party. To this he will be !
; impelled by impulses ofhisowti ambition ■
which must find its aliment in the safety honor !
and happiness of his Country.
But m tfie work of remedy and conciliation.'
48 U t r M OS it i © ♦
your Institution may. be made the ralhing
point. Let us then leave no effort untried to
accomplish this result. O> it depend the
Public Credit, Honor, Peace and prosperity
of our country.
In conclusion, I beg leave to subscribe my
self, w ith gn at esteem and consideration.
Very respectfully,
Your ob’t Servant,
J. HAMILTON-
ihe. f rst result is auspicious I— By the Ex
pn sg M ul this morning we received a slip
from the Philadelphia Commercial Herald,
bri grig the good news of the election of Mr.
Naylor, the Whig candidate, m the third Dis
tricl of Pennsylvania, over C. J. Ingersoll, the
Van Buren candidate, by a majority of 400
votes. This district is composed of the North
er,: Liberties of the city of Philadelphia and
part of the county, and has always been one
of th ■ strong holds of Jacksonism.
Chronicle <§• Sentinel.
On Wednesday evening last, an extrao’-di
nary large meeting was held in New York to
nominate Mr. Webster for the Presidency. A
number ot resolu.ioiis were ’ passed among
which was one declaring that alth >ugh that
meeting nominated Mr. Webstar, yet they did I
not. intend to Separate themselves from their
political friends, but would abide the decision
i of a national Convention.— lb.
i
I Anecdote.— The late John Randolph, of
i Roanoke, in the year 1813, when the New
j York banks suspended specie payments, had
| a remittance of some thousand dollars made
i him from England. The sum covered the
j whole of his tobacco crops, and (he funds were
locked up in the vaults oftl.e Bank of America.
Mr. Randolph was at the t me in the prim” of
life, in the full enjoymeiitofiinequalled popular
ity. lie repaired to New Y'-rk and demand
ed his funds in specie. It cannot be had was
ihe prompt reply, “It must be had.” was the
laconic response of Mr. Randolph —The b ink
was iucorigible till the succeeding day, when
the columns of the New Y r ork Columbian
announced by advertisement, that afternoon, at
2 o’clock, the Honorable John Randolph of
Roa oke, would address the people on the
: subj ct of the Ba; ks, andthe frauds they com
mitted, from the steps oftließank of America!
It is scarcely necessary tn say, that before tlr
hour arrived every farthing d> manded by Mr.
Rai«dolph was paid over i specie—Petersburg
Intelligencer.
Th Floridia of the 24th ult. c-»utai, s the
following m relation to the movement of the
Indians:
More Indian Reports. — Major Stewart, who
has command of a small :orce stationed on the
frontier, near San Pedro, and who passed
through town a d y or two since, states that
on Su May last fresh signs of L.dians were
seen on the east side of the Suwannee river.
A number of fires have likewise been disco-
I vered from the Gulf by vessels passing in the
neighborhood of the Suwannee. A report is
likewise in town of John Baeon, of Jefferson,
bei g fired upon bv a party of Indians, near
Col. Gamble’s plantation, a day or two since.
: It is said he was driving cattle at the time,
When, on appr inching a small hammock, three
or four rifles were discharged at him, one ball
while a third shattered the breech of his gun.
'l'his was on Sunday, and no . pursuit being
: made till Tuesday following, no Indians could
be found. Some doubt the correctness of th s
I report, and we do not vouch for its authentici
ty. There can be no doubt that it there are
not already Indians on our frontiers, there soon
will be, and unless more effective measures
are immediately adopted for defence at the
Suwannee, Madison, Jefferson, and Leon, will
become the theatre of war.
Sr. Augustine, June 27.
Our Prospects'— They are as bad as bad
can be—how shall they be bettered, is the
question.—Not by the removal of Gen. Jessup
as some wish, and others are inclined to wish,
and substituting Gen. Scott, as the prayer of
some is, but by a right use of the best infor
mation we have.
We had hoped (hat from the energetic char
acter of the officer now in command, and from
his successful operation against the Creeks,
that our India) war would have been brought
to a close long since, but after being tn the field
for seven months, nearly all of which time ne
gociations have been pending for the removal
of the S minoles, it is now admitted that their
diplomacy has completely outgeneralled the
General’s.
It is now ascertained, and is honestly ad
mitted, that Gen. Jessup’s policy has been a
complete failure, a: 4 that we are to have an
other campaign, which, from every indication,
must be a bloody one, unless contrary to our
expect.itsons, the Setninoles should comply
i with (he terms of the ill-judged treaty of am
nesty that has done so much mischief to the
inhabitants of the country.
The seasen is now closed for operating r>
a country like this, and as a matter of necessi
ty, the troops must be placed in healthy posi
tions, until the autumnal months shall have
passed by,so as to render it safe to take the
field again. 'l'his period should be treated as
a call from labor to refre ihment, and two
things should be attended to : —First, to see
that such a line of posts should be established,
as would effectually cover and protect the in
habitants of the country from injury and just
cause of alarm.—Secondly, to take advantage
oftbis period for the purpose of establishing
health and discipline, and of placing the army
in the most effective condition for the most en
ergetic operations in the coming season.
The rumor that Gen. Scott is to supersede
Gen. Jessup, we place no confidence in ; and
we should be sorry it'it should be so, not from
any unkind feelings towards the former, but
from the opportunities that the latter has had
to obtain a knowledge of the country in which
he was required to operate, he possesses ad.
vantages superior to any comma der that could
be brought into the field. So many ol the of
ficers of the army have said, that this country
differs from all others, in respect to th se facil
ities that are necessary for an army, that we
arc bound to believe it. Every thi g, there
fore, must be learned. Placed in the situation
i:. which Gen. Jessup has been, he, with all
his officers, have been greatly instructed by
Powell’s diplomacy, and have gained such a
knowledge of the Indian character, of the In
dians and the localises, as will enable them
to operate with greater advantage than any
other officers that could be brought into the
field. M e should therefore regret it, if any
change should be made in this respect.
But to return to our condition.—We want
that portion of Florida that has escaped the
Indian ravages, effectually covered and pro
tected. Should it not be so? And should not
our military friends receive suggestions from
our citizens, with the most respectful feelings;
and with a desire to adopt such as may be giv
! ei> by those who have had years of experience
! of I he Indian character, and of the value to the
j citizens of the positions recommended.
i O.i the East of the St. Johns, there is, we
have often said, nothitig-left, but .St,.Augustine ;
and the Mandarin settlement, and from two to
three thousand head of horses and cattle.
The cattle and horses may be an object with
the Indians, and unquestionably they will en
deavor to lay waste every habitation that they
dare approach. We know very well that wc
shall be told that there is no danger ; but wheth
er this is true or false, let the past admonish us
to be prepared for the future. Every position
that appears to offer any advantage at a'l
should be occupied. Should not a line of posts
then be established from the mouth of ./Moultrie
Creek to Picolata ? If such positions should
be taken up, the Mandarin settlement and the
horses, cattle and other property would be
most effectually covered. Besides this, a’
least 200 mounted men should be held in rea
diness to send out as scouting parties in any
direction at a moments’ warning.—Our own
citizens ! Y'es, (don’t let this startle a single
officer) our own citizens should be held in
readiness ia the service, for any emergency.
—Herald.
From the Savannah Georgian June 29.
We learn from a gentleman who left Jack
sonvil'e on Sunday last, that a report prevailed
there that Sam Jones and Powell, who, it is
! said, are now at the Mi.casukies held a Coun
cil recently near Lake. Mon roe and condemned
Micanopy to death, for having signed the Trea
ty with Gen Jesup.
Micanopy, was, pursuant to the sentence
hewed to pieces by the savages.
The sub. chiefs. Cloud, Alligator Tigertail
and Wild Cat had ail been deprived of their
ra k, for signing the Treaty, and reduced to
common Warriors.
We learn also that a party of seven Indians
had visited the plantations of Messers. Clark’s
and Rollins, within seven miles of Newnansville
and commenced cutting down the crops of
those gentlemen, who, being there alone, (their
families being fortunately absent,) immediately
■proceeded to Newnansville.
We fear that this is but the prelude to anoth. !
er disasterous summer to be encountered by
the inhabitants of bleeding Florida. j
From the Charleston Mercury, June 30.
Bv the Steamer Cincinnati, Capt. Curry, ar
rived yesterday morning, from St. Augustine,
we have received the Herald of th ■ 22d inat.
from which we glean the following informa
tion relat ve to the slate of affairs in Florida.
\ report having been circulated that th:
Asiatic Cholera prevailed extensively - t Fort
M lon, the City Council of St. Augustine
passed resolutions requesting the Major to
write to Gen. Armstead, and ascertain if th it
be th" case, and if it is, respectifully request
th General to adopt such measures as in his
judgement he may think proper to prevent its
i torduction into that city.
Having carried into effect the request of the
Council, the Major, through Geo. Armstead,
received a copy ol an official report from Chas.
H. Lamp; Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A. under
date of the 13th June, from which we extract
the following : “Sir, In obedience to your
order, I have the honor to inform you, that th<
. disease which made its appearance at this post
some 3 weeks since and which from many
. decided and unequivocal symtoins that char
acterized it, I was induced to designate as
Cholera, was not of that epidemic constitution
. of character conceded to be the universal
I attendant on” Cholera Asiatic” but on the
. contrary was one of a purely local origin,
| -. * —r» ——— I
existing at this place, viz ; a sudden and con
r tinnal falling of the waters of the Lake, thereby
, exposing an extensive surface of putrid and
s partially decomposed vegetable matter to the
influence of a high degree of temperature, the
. thermometer then ranging from 85 94 degrees
, Fahrenheit.
; “I am happy to have it in my power to offer
vou some proof, in confirmation of the view I
I have taken of the purely local character ot the
disease in question by informing you that since
the alteration in the condition of the different
localities of this post, in consequence of a
I heavy fall of rain, that all traces of this disease
have disappeared, and up to this dafj there has
not been the slightest indication of a return.
' . .
Our Indian Affairs. — M r e have but little to
’ commu icate in relation to our Indian affairs
this week. Nothing has been heard from Gen.
Jesup for several days.
Fort Mellon has been abandoned on account
i ot the unhealthiness of the Post. Col. Har
, ney who commanded there, has arrived here
with his command of abou 400 dragoons, who
are stationed at Fort Marion. Coa-coochy,
(Philip’s son,) was at Fort Mellon when Col.
Harnev left, with about 20 Indians. They
■ expressed the most pacific intentions if the
■ whites did not molest them, and promised not
to burn the fort. They expressed a desire to
visit Cui. Harney in St. Augustine.— Herald.
Later—Report oj the Murder of Micanopy—
■ More Indian Depredations. — Since the above
’ was in the type, an express has arrived bring
fog information from the interior of consider
able importance. A letter from Fort King
‘ states, that information had reached that post
'hat the Seminoles, after obtaining possession
of Micanopy, had murdered him and cut him
t” pieces. It is supposed that the cause for
this act was his friendly disposition towards
the whites, his continued aversion to the war,
and his good faith in attending to fulfil the
1 late treaty. This act is taken as a decided
evidence of their continued hostility, and that
thev will not now gooff until they are entirely
’ subdued, u d their pride and arrogance hum
bled.
It is not precisely known how this informa
tion was received at Fort King, it is doubted by
the officers of the army here ; but if the negro
tale be true, that he was deposed some time
since, and Sam Jones elected in his stead, it
would doubtless be the objeet of Sam Jones to
get rid of him to save trouble. Charley
' O’Mathla was served the same fate for his
1 friendly feeling towards us.
The garrison at Fcrt King are represented
1 to be very healthy. Out of six companies there,
1 there were about seven men on the sick report
at tne last advices.
1 The troops at Micancpy are also in good
health.
I ndian fires have been seen opposite to Pico
lata oh the St. John’s River. Gen Jesup is
' expected here in a few days, and will probably
■ establish his head-quarters here. A portion
1 of the Creek Regi neut are to be stationed at
' Picolata for the present. Vt e understand that
thev will be ordered to Micanopy and I’ort
King.
The remainder will be stationed at or near
1 Tampa Bay, until their term of service expire,
which will be shortly, w hen they will be dis
charged. They are tired ofthewai, and have
been anxious to be discharged since they vol
unteered, except, the sick, who have been sent
to Mobile Point.
Two companies of Dragoons have been or.
dered to take post at Picolata. 'lhey will sail
to-day iu the steamboatJCamden. — Ibid.
We have heard it stated that ground has
been planted in Alachua and Columbia counties
the past season, sufficient to yield 100,000
bushels of corn ; but the “sowers will not be
the reapers,” and they who planted will n >t be
permitted to harvest. This will al) beaban. .
; doned to the enemy, together with much cattle
and horses. About 10,000 head of cattle are <
now on the Big prairie of Alachua, and lately ,
about 300 head of horses condemned by th. (
United States and sold, have been turned loose
there to recuit. It is hard thus to be compelled
to abandon our homes, our all, our Jiving.-Ifcid.
On Thursday last Capt. Drane’s company '
of rnaunted artillery, went out on a scouting
expedition in the eeighborhood of this city. ,
They proceeded as far as Hewlett’s Mill about
18 miles south of us, and returning making a
circuit to the west about 50 miles. No signs
were discovered of any Indians.— lbid.
Three negroes belonging to Z. Kingsley,
Esq. arrived at Picolata yesterday, from
Drayton Island, near lake George who report
that they saw Indian fires all around them, and
that they left from fear of capture. It is fear
cd that the remainder 17 iii number, have been
captured by the Indians, as they have not been
since heard of. Mr. Kingsley re-established
his plantation soon after the capitulation of the
1 ndians.— lbid.
eamtja.
Athens, Ga. Saturday, July 8, 1837.
Eon GOVERNOH.
Governor Schley.
His Excellency left this place on Thursday
last, after spending a few days in Town, on an
electioneering expedition, through the Chero
kee Circuit. The long loud and deep dissa
tisfaction expressed of his administration, by
the good people of that portion of the State,
has rendered it imperious in the estimation of
this dignified Executive to stoop from the dig
nity ot his station to the degraded vocation of a
paltry party demagogue, to seek support for the
| first office in the State, by a fawning subser
j viency which should disgrace him who would
canvass for the lowest office.
Such a thing as this has never been witness
ed in Georgia since the days of J ahn Clark,
and we had hoped for the honor of the State,
and the dignity which should attach to her
chief executive, that the executive chair would
not again be filled with a man who would cast
so foul a blot on her escutcheon, and subject
her citizens to such a humiliating spectacle.
, We are aware that the friends of the Gover
nor dignify this tour with the imposing object
ol superintending the surveys of the route for
the Western and Atlantic R’il Road, and the
veiy air is almost made to reverberate with
. praises of his zeal, energy, and devotion to
. the great cause of internal improvement. We
blush for the science of Civil Engineering,
t when such men as Wm. Schley feels called
f upon by an imperious sense of duty to superin
tend the surveys—a man whose ideas of the
t science are no doubt as clear as the Irishman’s
who, on hearing that the Americans generally
3 resided in wooden buildings, could not for the
j life of him divine how it was possible to build
1 fires in them without destroying the buildings.
3 The Governor is aware that there exists such
’ a science, and by its aid routes for roads are
“ determined to be practicable or not, and, like
,• Pat, he is no doubt mas great a dilemma to
1 know how it is so.
We cannot but congratulate the people of
' Georgia on having such a talented, enterpri
ziug Governor. But we should very much
:• like to learn from his friends, who are so loud
1 in his praise, why the necessity of employing
‘ the distinguished Engineer at the head of this
corps, Col. Long, if the Executive was so
t I competent to discharge those duties ?—and
_• j why not, as he felt so great an interest in the
s prosecution of the work as to leave the seat of
government at which place his presence is
’ more immediately required than at the surveys,
’ have appointed him to locate the road, and
thereby save the State the expense attendant
I upon employing an Engineer?
W’hile on this subject we have a word or
; two to add in relation to the slang which is
’ circulated by the opposition with regard to the
’ opinions of the present candidates for Gover
nor. Driven to desperation they assert with
i the greatest apparent earnestness, if Schley is
1 elected the Road will be completed within
three or four yeors; bit if Gilmer is elected
the work is prostrate, and the money which
. shall have been spent, lost to the State; for it is
well known Mr. Gilmer is opposed to internal
improvement. We have, together with oth
ers, previously contradicted this base slander
' upon Mr. G. and demanded the proof, and to
our astonishment a few days since wo had it
i developed.—Yes reader-had it proved beyond
the possibility of a doubt, that Mr Gilmer is
the uncompromising enemy of internal im
provement—proof strong as Holy Writ. Hear
it ye Jackson men—ye Anti-Bank men—ye
’ advocates of a hard money currency hear it.
Would you believe it ? He has said when the
stockholders of various rail road charters were
seeking to obtain Banking privilege's from the
Legislature, “that no such privilege ought to
• be granted by that body ;” and this forsooth is
; readily perverted to charge upon Mr. Gilmer
an opposition to internal improvement. How
contemptible? We envy not the wretch his
; small share of political or moral honesty, who
could make such a charge under such circum.
I
stances.
Tlsc Standard of Union.
We perceive by the last number of this
print, that we have fallen “ within the range
of its artillery,” and have received a raking
; fire. We confess tonishment at the
slight loss we have stu’ jl <C :d, when we reflect
' upon the flourish of hyj, ps with w hich it
rushed to the onset, after two week’s exercise
of its philosophy Think of that, reader !
Tom Haines, late candidate for Governor, of
' the Troup party, more recently apostatized
1 Editor and Treasurer of the Van Burm John
son Amalgamation party, to talk about the ex
ercise of philosophy ! Why we would as
soon suspect the Governor for being a Civil
Engineer, as Tom for a philosopher— unless
indeed he considers philosophy as consisting
in selling his principles for office ; if so, we
grant him the possession of a large share—
such as has fallen to the lot of but few men.
In its labored review of our article in de
fence of Mr. Gilmer’s opinions, the Editor
has very adroitly managed, from the begin
ning of his “ Book” up to .the conclusion of
his second chapter, to avoid giving anv views
of his own upon the subject; but is who I
opposed to Mr. Gilmer’s sentiments as expres
sed in his message. This is m perfect keep
ing with the usual course of that Journal.
Has it shown its readers the converse ot Mr-
Gilmer’s suggestion, to sell the Gold Mines, to
be true ? No—this is rather too laborious a
duty, and would be quite too difficult to pro', c.
But its broadside poured in upon us, is made
up of questions —desiring us to answer by
whom does Mr. G. expect to be supported?
We would answer this by remarking, that he
expects the support of the intelligent, who are
unpolluted with your philosophy.
Vic are called upon to furnish the evidence
of the innumerable frauds practised upon the
nonest and unsuspecting in the purchase of
their lands. This we can do, by a reference
to the Records of the Courts, and of all which
t ie Editor of the Standard of Union is as ful
ly aware as any other individual in the com
munity. That the Records of the Courts fur
nish abundant evidence the Judges who pre
side can testify.—And we invite the Editor to
an examination of the records of the Courts of
Gwinnett, Forsyth and Hall counties only, anti
we challenge him to array before his readers
the names of the parties, and we pledge our
selves to show who they are, to what political
parties they belong, and their relative standing
in the communities in which they live. Will
the Standard flinch ?
Fourth of July.
This national anniversary was tnaikcd in
this place by the display of those vivid manifes
tations of patriotism and reverence for the
principles of constitutional liberty which have
ever been a distinguishing trait in the charac
ters of our young men. The morn was ush
ered in by the firing of a salute from the Col
lege Volunteers ; at an early hour of the day,
they paraded, and after performing various
evolutions, together with a highlv respectable
number of our citizens, repaired to the College
Chappel at half past 10 o’clock, A. M. where
the Rev. N. Hovt, i i a fervent and impressive
manner imphrtd the blessings ofa Divine Pro
vidence, when the declaration of independer.ee
was read by Mr. D. W. Lewis, and a chaste
and spirited oration was delivered by Mr. A.
Williams, ail of which combined with the
thrilling strains of the Athens Band, in the per
formance of several national and other airs, in
their usual felicitous style, rendered the scene
one of veiy imposing character.
connuivic ated
FOR THE SOUTHERN WHIG.
i A Review
Os Gov. Hamilton s Letter to Nicholas Bid
! die. Esq. President of the Bank of the U.
[ States.
While the country is writhing under the
j effects of a wayward policy, w hose results
may well defy the most enlarged foresight, yet
5 'vutU.l tn require a very moderate share
5 of enlightened judgment to comprehend their
> true causes. An error in this regard, I will
not say betrays cither weakness or wickedness,
[■ but I will say promises sure defeat to every
remedy proposed for the existing mischiefs.
The letter at the head of this article, spring.
1 ing from a lofty patriotism, and written, doubt
-1 less, in a spirit of the most trust-worthy can
r dor and concession, is. in all humility, concei
f ved to contain misconceptions greatly at vari
ence with that sound decision which the prac-
1 tical intelligence of the country has passed
1 upon the measures of the Federal Govern
i ment. In reviewing the opinions of the wri
f ter, it is not intended to airaisn either his mo.
, tives or his ability. To sustain the former,
he offers a life of unblotted surface, a course
’ of action of unswerving integrity. In sup-
I port of the latter, a diversity of mental exer
tions, as remarkable for vigor of conception,
force of genius, and strength of reasoning, as
distinguished for moral intripidity and an un
flinching independence. These acknowled-
1 ged qualities, possessing an inflaence, as de
: served as it is commanding, give weight and
authority to the expression ot opinion, which,
under different ci-cumstances, would be nei
ther felt nor feared. It is for this reason that
1 some of the views of the writer are now pro
posed to be examined. Before, however, en
tering fully ution the subjict, I consider it ne
cessary to settle some general principles, of
primary use to the discussion, in part of which,
there is a coincidence between the writer and
myself. I lay down these propositions, the va
lue of which will be found in the progress and
throughout the whole structure of the argu
ment: Every government must regulate its
own currency. Each State, before the Con
federacy, possessed this power. Each State
parted with this right at the formation of the
Federal Government. Is this true? Have
the States, as separate States, the right to re
gulate the currency ? If not, where does it
reside? The answer must be in the Federal
Government. Os this there can be no doubt ;
but there isa doubt, and a serious one—wheth
er it is not a specific and limited power?—
Whether the Federal Government, iri taking
this right from ths States, did not purposely
and injudiciously deny themselves the most es
sential ingredient necessary to the full control
of the currency—l mean the use of pnper
credit? Let us examine this question in a
few and but few words, for the limits prescri
bed to myself will not admit of an elaborate
argument.
The only clause in the Federal Constitution,
on the subject of Currency, is this, “ Congress
shall have power to coin money, regulate the
value thereof, and of foreign coin, a d fix the
standard of weights and measures.” Before
I further proceed, let me premise that the Fe.
deral Government (night to nave the regulation
of the currency. Because, it is a coucotni.
taut of commerce, and the regulation of com.
merce had been given to that Government.
For, it thirteen States, individually, could not
regulate the commerce, thirteen States, indi
vidually, could not regulate the currency of
the country The individual States could no
more regulate the currency than they could
weights and measures, and it is seen this last
was given to the Federal Governm< nt; Cur.
rettcy is to commerce, as relates to value, what
weights and measures are to quantity. It
would have been impossible to separate them
without rendering the right to regulate com
merce wholly inefficient. The grant, then, to
regulate the currency, was given in the words
above quoted. Now, Aow y'ar it is given, is
the vexed question which has'more than onco
deeply agitated this country, and is perhaps the
prime cause of our unspeakable sufferings.
I myself believe the clause points to the regu
lation of a metallic currency, and I blame tho
□onvention for not taking's more enlarged
power. While moulding the clause and re
ceiving the power, (evidently the currency
power, for the subject never again appears in
I the Constitution) it was ae easy to have