Savannah republican. (Savannah, Ga.) 1816-1818, July 23, 1816, Image 3

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r ~; TAvANNAH REPUBLICAN. Tuesday EveniDg, July S3, 1816. It was our intention, some time back, to pass cur remarks on the very interesting subject ot the salary or Compensation Bill, (as it has been denominated) and to give our readers the opin ions we entertained of that measure, and the conduct of those who either advocated or op posed it. What was then intended, we shall now perform. ,, It has been observed, and we think correctly, that this subject has no bearings upon those con troversial points which produce the distinction ef republican and federalist. It is on the con trary a subject which goes directly to the feel- ii)<rs of every man, whatever may be his political tenets, and upon which there can be but one sen timent, and one opinion. That sentiment, is warmly and decidedly in opposition to the mea sure, and that opinion is, or ought to be, that the members of congress, who have advocated th, bill, have largely forfeited their claims on tin confidence of their fellow-citizens. The pre texts urged bv themselves or friends have only tended to make the matter worse. If their ob ject. (as it has been alledged) was to shorten the session—it is an admission of the fact, that sessions of congress have before been prolonged for the mean and selfish purpose of obtaining an increase of pay; and if that was the object for the substitution of a sailary instead of the per d.em compensation, the apology becomes more disgraceful than the measure itself. It would have been more honorable, more consistent with the frankness and dignity which should on all oc casions mark the conduct and deliberations of the representatives of the people, to have said: <‘the pay we have heretofore received is not ade quate to our decent and comfortable mainte nance, whilst in the active and zealous dis charge of our public duties, and we have, there fore, 5 adopted a plan of compensation, which allows no more than is necessary lor that kind of maintenance, and prevents encroachments 0:1 our private resources.” This apology would certainlv have been more satisfactory than that w hich has been offered—if any apology can be offered for.taking the money of the people with out consulting them—when no national exigen cy required the appropriation. It is to be recol lected tod, that other officers of the government stood more in need of accessions to their sala ries, than gentlemen, who, influenced by ambi tion, or any other consideration of personal ag grandisement, thought proper to obtain seats in the congress of the United States. It is to be recollected, also, that the nation had ju3t risen from the struggles of the war, incumbered with all its expenditures, and that every dollar that could be spared, rightfully belonged to the offi cers and soldiers whose patriotism and valor saved the republic, and carried it through the contest with honor and glory. These considera tions, among many others, which might be, or have been suggested, should have had some ef fect; We humbly conceive, upon the delicacy or the fears of the advocates of the compensation bill. With these views, we applaud the feelings which the measure has excited. We regret that such men as colonel Johnson, of Kentucky, or Mr. Calhoun, of South-Carolina, and mauy otiier distinguished patriots and statesmen should find their popularity fading under the frown of popular indignation: but it is not, perhaps, fair that any discrimination should be made, and justice and impartiality require, that all the ad vocates of the bill should sink or swim together. Whilst we thus condemn the conduct and mo fives of the advocates of the bill, we must pro portionally approve the conduct and motives of members who either spoke or voted One course was probably as efficient as the other; and considering the garrulity the cavoethes lo- qtiendi which then obtained in congress (whether for the gratification of personal vanity, or pro tracting the session, we shall not pretend to say) a vote was just as good, perhaps as a speech—it was productive of the same eifect, and saved the Waste of time and expense of the other. As it relates toour representatives, we.cannot go with the torrent against them, or said to be against them for uot having spoken. They voted against •the measure. Ail'd adverting to the majority in fa vor ot the bill, we doubt wnether speeches could Iiave drawn one member from the ranks of that majority. If, however, our fellow-citizens of the west, are dissatisfied with this simple voting, we shall uot labor to remove the impression.— It is our duty, as it is certainly our inclination, to respect, and to bow with submission to the unequivocal expression ot the popular opinion; but residing in this district, we must be permit- le 1 to have somethin;; like a sectional " " THe friends of liberty and of mankind await, with anxiety, the result of Bolivar’s expedition; some believing the emancipation of the Spanish colonies as altogether depending on its success, while others, with more reason, think its failure may retard, bu t cab, by. no means, endanger the ultimate establishment of liberty. This revolu tion is not the effect.i of the commotions which deluged Spain in blood, but emanate from causes which have existed ever since the discovery and conquest of the new., world.From .that period, Spanish America has been subjected to every indignity and oppression that has ever disgraced a people. Monopolies of imports and exports paralyzed the haud of industry, and kept a country in the wildness of nature,.-that might have bloomed like Eden, or been as fruit, ful as the Delta of Egypt. Besides the inter nal vexations of taxes, tvthes and impositions for inihilgencies, it lias been continually liarras- sed and plundered by any nation or gang of pirates who felt disposed to take advantage of us defenceless condition. Spain, deaf to the voice of humanity, and callous to the sufferings of its transatlantic subjects, denied them even trie means of self-defence, by withholding the necessary supplies of arms and ammunition and restricting the number of her troops to a quanti ty just sufficient to oppress the defenceless inha bitants, but wholly inadequate to their security against the depredations of external enemies or the murders and cruelties ol the neighboring savages. Hence, to avoid the dangers to which affluence would expose them, by exciting the predatory incursions of foreigners, or the ava rice of their rulers, or the perpetual and tre mendous anathemas of their priests to extort presents, they raised no more than what was necessary (and that of the coarsest kind) to subsist oil, and not unfrequently want appeared among them, creating disease and death. It ■must be here understood that we speak of the common class of people. The second class of S&UTHAMRRldAN INDEPENDENCE. fall. Then nothing remain* for the patriots frit n-t. r_: 1. hi j. victory or death; and -the ^purpose of Ferdinand 7th is the utter exterminftti^n of the provincial- ists. His end attained, triiat would remain for him to lord over? Devastated fields, moulder ing ruins, and pyramids of human bones. Does not the imagination shrink with horror from the picture, and every man, in whom yet lingers a spark of humanity, behold, in the monster, black er traits of character than ever disgraced the fiend-peopled halls of pandemonium? But his steps are numbered in the south, and beyond thai length he will not adventure. The tree ot liber ty sends its roots through a thousand different ramifications; and, though watered by rivers ot blood, it raises up its green head in the beams of Jieaven, and braves the fiery tempests of roy al maligancy. .... The \Y est-lndia Islands, exposed to all the vexations resulting from sordid politics and ig norant statesmen, suffered more than any other portion of the Spanish dominions. The com munication betw een them, being altogether ma ritime, in time of war a total stop w as frequently put to that pittance of commerce which the nar row policy of their governors tolerated; while their principal cities have been laid under con tribution, dr tneir whole line of sea-coast deso lated by hordes of buccaneers. From these evils they have had no other prospect of respitq than that of obtaining reinforcements of troops from fepain.by conciliating her favor and remain ing quiescent. On learning of the war in the peninsula, aware that their natural position made all hopes of independency rather chimerical, they acknowledged the authority of the Cortes and threw open their markets to foreign competi tion, which gave life and nerve to the arm of industry. The increase of prosperity was be yond ail former example. But the downfal of Napoleon put an end to these halcyon days.— Ferdinand reascended the throne that his pusil lanimity had vacated, and on t..e submission of his insular dominions, the oid restrictive system was put into operation, except in the island of Cuba, which it appears by the following para graph from a Loudon paper, speaking of inteili- feeling, when that feeling is not at variance with the greater interests of the public. We, therefore, cannot avoid expressing it as our opiuion, that the east ought not to be deprived of a share in the representation. Looking around us, we do not hesitate to designate Colonel Cuthbert as the man of our choice, and as entitled to the li beral support of the up-country. He is domi til. d among us, and we are satisfied that ins conduct in public life, lias been uniformly go verned ov a regard for the interests of the peo j !e. Firm and decided in his political opin ions, he has on no occasion disappointed the ex pectations of his republican-friends; and, if con- teinperaneons publications and letters are con sulted, his influence was warmly exerted in op position to the salary bill. It was a species of influence* which carried as much weight with it, as if hours had been consumed in unavailing dec lamation—it was that out-door influence ami discussion, which frequently does as much, as the prepared harvangues of the rostrum or tri bune. [ The foregoing piece is from the pen of Mr. Pm.— The day preceding his departure, by accident it was mis- I-id. The multiplicity of objects to which his attention tvus called prevented its discovery until yesterday; when me person, who, at present, conducts the Republican, FROM FRANCE. The ship Portia, Silliman, from Bordeaux, arrived at Charleston, on the 19th iustant; but items which she brings have b«fehr antici- F&ted by an arrival at Phil»4elgl% white inhabitants or gentry, generally the de scendants of Europeans who held places under government, were looked on as inferior beings; a grade between the proud Castilian and the aborigine, and seldom or never entrusted with an office of profit or honor. Grievances so nu merous and deleterious to the rights and inter ests of the Creoles (who are a people of quick apprehension) produced a rancor that Spanish policy is not likely to mollify. Continual mur murs were heard and frequently partial insur rections ensued, but the bayonet and gibbet si lenced the former and repressed the latter.— It was, after some time, found, that tire difficul ty of obtaining the implements and munitions of war rendered any attempt to shake off'the yoke of the mother country, at that period, a useless waste of blood. . The danger of calling in foreign aid to their assistance was well under stood and rejected; as the admission of Europe an troops into their country woul * be merely the exchanging one tyrant for another. But tuese obstacles were unable to deter them from pursuing their great object with a firm and steady perseverance. Messengers were secret ly dispatched from one province to another and the sentiments of the people were collected. A mission, in 1797, to Europe was determined on.- fhe deputies and commissioners from Mexico and the other principal provinces met Miranda at Paris. It was decided, that he should repair, in their name, to England, and endeavor to ob tain from that government money and ships for the transportation and maintenance of" ten thou sand men. For this assistance lie was to offer thir ty millions sterling and guarantee the freedom of navigating two canals to be opened between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, one by the isthmus of Panama, the other by the Lake of Nacaragua. Mr. Pitt acceded to the proposal with alacrity; but the United States, from which the ten thou sand men were to be drawn, prudently declined becoming a party in a contest with a nation with which they were at peace, and the undertaking in consequence was postponed till a more auspi cious juncture. The colonies continued to groan under accu mulating evils, created by the extravagance of the Prince of Peace and the profligacy of the Spanish Queen, until the seizure of the king and whole royal family, by Bonaparte, at Bayonne, presented an opportunity which would have been madness to neglect. On the western con tinent, the Spanish ensign w as superceded every whereby new national colors. It must be confes sed, that these infantile powers have not made t ie best possible use of their time. Factions have arisen and w asted on each other the physical means they ought to have .reserved for external dangers. To these schisms may be principally attributed the successes qf-t&e royalists and tiie coacommittant horrors.v raowever, even amidst the clashing of internal divisions, the inhabit ants in some places enjoyed liberty in its pleni tude, and tasted the sweats of an unrestricted commerce; and in all, know the difference be tween the morning-twilight of freedom and the stormy night of Spanish tyranny. Suffer a peo ple but once to form just notions of individual and national rights, and, while the possibility of resistance remains, never will they resign them. To deny the majority of the patriots these con ceptions is to suppose them inaccessible to rea son; for seven years’ struggle against oppres sion and the perusal of the most celebrated poli tical essayists* European and American, are su re - ly enough to teach aiiymen what nature has, and has not, intended tney should be. That the practicability of opposing the gory progress of despotism yet exists, is testified by the open de fiance bid to the Spanish leaders in every pro vince. The distance from which they draw their supplies, the fatal effects of the climate among their troops, their ignorance of the scene of action, and their sanguinary mode of warfare, all conspire to render victory certain on the side of the independents. But supposing the subju gation of the colonies as a matter beyond the possibility of doubt, where is the inducement for the patriots’ submission? It is not to preserve their property, lor that is always confiscated— neither can it be a wish, to live, as yielding is the seal of their death-warrant—not to save their wives from polution for, Spanish generals sanction the debauchery of their soldiery—not to‘obtain mercy for fhe timid female, the help less child, or the hoary-headed sire, for the sword of the tyrant |tllt withoat discrimination upon ture, t’_e never-failing companions of cofiuietifc. To mature these branches, free competition in them must be admitted, as well as security of property. These would be continually creating new fortunes; and, consequently, lessening the nobles’ importance. Thus the 'monarch must become sensible of the necessity of huhaoring his subjects; he must abolish the inquisition, as its existence would be as detrimental tohif inter ests as it is obnoxious to the people. Such an event, permitting the free discussion of religion, could not fail to introduce political speculation. Add to this the stream of knowledge that must flow through a free intercourse with other na tions, and we hesitate not to affirm that the in dependence ot South America would be the most fortunate occurence that ever happened for the happiness of the Spanish people. It would raise them from the abyss of degradation in winch they, at present, slumber, and confer on them as much liberty as is enjoyed by the great bulk of Europeans. gence received from Cadiz, w ould uot submit to the measure. “A new arrangement with respect to the Island of Cu ba has taken place, the effects of which, we fear, will prove highly detrimental to the trading interest of this country. General Cienfugos has been named governor and captain general of the Island, in the place of admiral Apodaca. This new governor is an officer entirely of the old school. He carries out with him three thousand two hundred men, in order to enforce the situ* ting up of the Havana, ;uid all the other ports in the island, against foreign trade. This force has been deemed necessary’, since admiral Apodaca hitherto was unable to comply with tl.-e peremptory orders he had long ago received from FerJinan on this subject. This measure is par ticularly directed against the British. For several years past, London houses have been in the habit of supplying Cuba, not only with every article of cioathing, hut also with sugar boilers, and implements used in agriculture. British trade lias therefore long b^en the very soul of all j M e understand, that the honorable William H. Crawford, secretary at war, reached Au gusta ou the 19th inst. from Washington City; and next day set off' for Athens, (Ga.) for the purpose no doubt of attending the caucus there, l iie post-haste ride of the honorable gentleman, it is thought, will avail him nothing. The race in Kentucky will be warmly contested dur ing the present season—There are ten districts for Can- gress—and tieenty-xix candidates have already been en tered. There is an opposition in every district. In three of them there are three candidates—and in one district four. Mr. Clay is opposed hv Thomas T. Barr—and co lonel R. M. Johnston, by Robert P. Henry, and Benjamin Taylor. Messrs. Clarke, Harden, and M‘Kee, of the pre sent delegation, decline a poll. For the governor’s chair, there are two candidates, viz. George Madison, and James Johnson—and three for the office of lieutenant-governor. The contest is, of course, a warm one—and much anx iety awaits the issue of the race.—Richmond Compiler. New Yo«K,July 12. It is reported, that the United States’ frigate Macedoni an has received orders and will sail from Baltimore in a few days for Lima, (Pacific Ocean) to demand of the roy al Spanish government the immediate testomtion of an American whale ship, which lately put into a port on the coast of Peru for supplies, and was seized on the ground of not having a sea letter, which, by our treaty with Spain is not requisite, unless the European powers are at war. FTHE. About 1 o’clock yesterday morning a fire broke out in a wooden .building on the west side of Flv-M;:rket, be tween Pearl and Water-streets, and before it was got un der, destroyed five buildings on Fly-Market and three in \V ater-street. Fly Market was on fire several times and it was with the utmost difficulty it was saved.. The building’s themselves which hare been destroyed were old and not of any great value, l'he greatest suf ferers, we presume, are those who occupied them, and are broke up in their business, and put to the inconveiv. ience of removing. the mercantile operations carried on in this interesting Island, and of this the inhabitants have been so sensible, that they have always strongly opposed all measures of restraint.” Late accounts from the island report the ar rival of these troops, and add they are inadequate to compass tiie design of "their rulers. But we are fearful that Cuba is notas yet strong enough in population tp resist the power of the mother country. However, the liberty of the continen tal colonies once established, the aid they will be able to lend the islanders may probably be suf ficient to break the Spanish sceptre in the west. The effects of such events on the mother coun try, is a matter of curiousand interestingspecu- lation. Will Spain lose or gain by the seces sion of the colonics? The answer to this ques tion, we think, needs no prophetic impulse—no Scottish second-sight nor oriental second-hear ing: A mere glance ather pastand present state is sufficient to arrive at her future condi tion. Ever since the discovery of America, each succeeding monarch lias supported his au thority with specie drawn from thence. This circumstance rendered his government entirely independent of his European vassels, who were consigned to the Holy inquisition to be cajoled into superstitious and servile opinions, and over - burthened with grievous exactions, to induce them, whenever his Catholic majesty needed re cruits for his armies, to enter into the service. To aid the ecclesiastical, the secular authority was put into requisition to execute the mandates of the most ghostly fathers. As all writings of the iieformers tended to enlighten the mind, and of course undermine both civil and religious des potism, they were interdicted the Spanish realm, and the unfortunate person in whose possession any of the kind was found expiated his crime at an Auto da Fe, by having his body delivered over to the flames and his soul to the devil! The consequences ware an increase of ignorance, laziness and cowardice. The invasion by Bonaparte shook the system to its centre, but it recovered on his political an nihilation, and set to work in destroying the seed which had drqpped from the tree of liberty during the stormy commotions of war. The rack, the gibbet, prison, exile, and the gallies accomplished what logic would in vain have at tempted! The expiring groans of liberty and reason have subsided in Spain, and the impervi ous gloom of superstition and cruelty desolates the land and augments the peasants’ wretched ness. The following is from a late London Morning Chronicle: “A gentleman just returned from Bilboa inform* that on tbe arrival of nis vessel at that port, a guard boat be longing to the holy inquisition came on board, having thebanners of that humane tribunal flying, and manned with a respectable number of friars. They enquired for papers and books, and asked the master and crew many questions respecting the conversation of the passengers on religious antipohtical matters; whether there had been much swearing on board during the voyage, Sic. and to end the ceremony, the master had to pay a doubloon for his fees, a circunwhence which was very near provoking him to some exclamations, well calculated to draw down upon him the thundering censures of the holy office.— We mention tbisffiuVthe information of the public, as be- yond doubt ffic iiatrut regulation haw been adopted in all Spanish ports, and mwy takfr British vessels and passen gers by surprise. A Common Prayer-book, Robertson’s Works, or Masonic Insignia, are sufficient for the seizure of any one; and it mUst aotbe forgotten, that in the in quisition, confiscation ofj»ropei*y always follows convic tion.” " • \ _ - • While money can be drawn from the pro vinces, there is but little; hope of a change for the hetter^ but shut that spying of riches, and the government, to defray its own qjpe.nces, must A letter from an officer of high rank in our Mediter ranean fleet, to his friend in Portland, says—“major j Hall lias retuaned from Madrid: Mr. Murray, late 3ecre- [ tary of ltgation, came with him. They are of opinion, j that Spain will declare war against us; but sucb is her pre sent deplorable condition, that lam peasuaded she chres not do it. She has however, a regular army of one hun dred thousand men, many of them good troops—and if England could be induced to join her by the cession of Florida, they might make rad work on our southern frontier.” Married, on Thursday, the 18th instant, bv the rever end doctor Koilock, Mr. J. B. Rowatut, to "Mrs. Euza. bkth Marfa Hushes, daughter of the reverted John Carr, of Arundel!, England. FORT (FF SAVANNAH, Tuesday, July 25, 1816. ARRIVED, Sloop General Washington, Campbell, Charleston. CLEARED, Schooner Nancy, Palmiter, Philadelphia. ■■'■■■■ " i i p Auction. To-Morrow, 24th instant, Will be sold before my store, Groceries and Dry Goods. Hale to commence at 11 o'clock A. Howe, aoci’r. inly 73 87 " Public Auction. On Thursday next, 25th inst. WiU be sold before my store, -without i rserve. Groceries and Dry Goods. ATD CROCKERY, well assorted. Conditions, cash. Sale to commence at. 11 o'clock Joseph Depass, r. m. u.iv vt pr F or .Liverpool The fine fast sailing brig GEORGIA, captain West, daily expected; having three fourths cf her <x.rgo ready to go on board. For balance of freight or passage, having excellent accommodations, ap ply to OLMSTE.VD A BATTELLE. t til v 23 87 For Charleston, The regular packet sloop GENERAL WASH INGTON, Robert Campbell, master, wiU sad on [Thursday next. For freight, or passage applv on board, or to NICHOLS & HUNTER, itiiv 2 3- —87 For sale The schooner CHARLESTON PACKET, burthen twenty to: well calculated for a light er or a good serviceable plantation vessel, being of a light draft of water and only three years old, every thing complete on board of her. For Grins apply to .Richard Marcelein, july23—v—87 On Anciuus'» -ah trf For sale, Received per brie Olynthus and slot* Control Waohingtta 13 hhds Glassware * Kegs first quality Butter AVD Quarter casks L P. TenerifTWine Isaac Cohen k Co. july 23—i i wr 87 Lost or stolen. Some time last week from a boarding house, from 125 to 135 dollars in bank notes, as follows: one £50 note of the State Bank of North Carotins, and 4 or 5 ten’s of tbe same bank. Also, one ten and five five’s of one of the New York banks. The above notee supposed to' be sto len from my trunk (which was unlocked.) by » servant of the house. Twenty dollar’s reward will be paid for information to conviction of the theif, or for the recovery cf the money. Miles Jones, •, (rfWr