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