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PROM TUP. PORTLAND ARGOS.
Tin - . WATCHMAN.
No. III.
T„ |/*e Republicans of the Vtilled Sintra.
'Pin' economy of the republic should he
■^1,, that of a well regulated family. Each
iluMild art in the sphere suited to his capa-
|.' lv ., m j contribute his share to the. common
nt ;, r ,.,|. Older and subordination should
|„ observed, drones, idlers and prodigals ex-
II,.’,], obstreperous disturbers »if the jteaee
1 punished and subdued, and
; im | harmony .
',I 1C income made to exceed thb expendi-
l i ,« The mao w ho should thus manage
would by men of sense he deemed dtsereet
wise, hut hy spend-thrifts would pruba-
j.| v I,,, denounced as a radical.
In a government like ours each should
contribute according to his means and he re-
w .'iled according to his raorit. If the peo-
.,roily govern, if equal rights and privlle-
!• are the basis of tiinir government and
Lj,!ic money is emphatically theirs, their
eHirers should be made ficipiently and ellic-
tuslly responsible.
An office without a eommensurate duty is
a b'irden which the people should never be
D W dn to bear. Our great Parent has wise
ly -hen os a world too sterile for the idle,
but sufficiently productive for the irulustri-
mis. The labor of all is made necessary for
the comfort and prosperity of all. In Ibis
country a man of no visible means of sup
port is viewed with jealousy. We consider
Idleness ns the parent of crime.
In other countries pensions and sinecures
nro often given for political influence or fa-
merit. It consequently happens not
Mi.ficquently that the labor of the poplc is
lavish, cl upon the undeserving, industry is
discouraged by the perversion of its avails
and wealth is accumulated into the bauds of
ti - basest members of the community
HcAcca country of sinecures and pensions
very soon becomes a country of vagabonds.
The. people of the United States have
tin offices to give meat/. None are allowed
to eat the bread of idleness. In every office
the compensation is to he graduated by the
duty. No officer can he allowed an excess
of compensation by reason of necessity, past
cervices or family claims—He must hate
qualifications adequate and adapted to the
service, and for the exertion of these is lie to
he paid, and nothing more
it is admitted that offices which'require
the first talents and integrity should com
mand liberal compensation, and a niggardly
parsimonious policy is not urged in regard
to any. But when a change of exigency
renders them useless, t hey become sinecures
and should be instantly abolished. In this
case a high-tnioded and honorable officer
should divulgn to the proper department
the fact that his pay has become more than
adequate, to 'lie service. But instead of this,
yon find them, one. and all, pleading starva
tion, and condemning as a “ radical” every
man trim ventures to propose a correction of
official nbusaa.
If three or four hundred thousand dollars
have been squandered upon Dauphin Island,
!o defend the entrance into a Bay whose
ship-channel is at double cannoushot from
the proposed fortification ; if a contract has
been made to transport troops, munitions or
provisions to the Council Muffs and there
lias been a loss in the bargain on the ad-
ranee of some hundreds of thousands, and
you attempt to enquire, the radicals are at
tacking tlie Sect etui y of War. If your
principal officers of the Customs have, at a
profit often or twenty thousands a year, sit-
ptrintended your collections, while others
at your expense have performed the duty,
if their petty tide-waiters have engrossed or
wasted fortunes hy a perversion of your law,
and if such correction should lie made that
the chiefs should lie reduced to the sum of
participate in the enjoyment, If we are to
live upon each other, it should lie In/ lams
Perpetuities discourage emulation, grow into
prerogatives, and establish the orders m so
ciety on which royalty is erected.
But when you see the tenant of a petty
office, which scarcely requires the talents of
a country Constable, and the emoluments
of which, hy an honest appropriation of its
avails, could lint support him with economy,
rising in a few years from poverty to afflu
ence, and riding over the heads of far bet
tor men, who are. laboring hard to support
| his extravagance, you have good reason to
fear that your treasury in defrauded and
that. your money is embezzled to minister
to hia luxury. 1 he mischief arises from a
failure to apply the wholesome principle of
rotation. A long exercise, of a principal of
flee, creates an influence in the modification
of its duties and tilling the vacancies to its
accessaries. If hy any means ymir officer
has amassed a fortune, lie will elude suspi
cion by the united influence of his favorites,
dependants, an I expectants. The public
Journals wliicli his patronage supports, and
his influence controls, and his leisure furn
ishes with Ilia patriotic effusions, will en
gage k secure your voices in his lavor. An
enquiry will intimidate, if not sacrifice the in
quisitor; his dispensing power will call to Ins
standard tools U flatterers, k the attack up
on him will be denounced and condemned
a p; it or conspiracy of political opponents
or disappointed rivals. Take rare, there,
fore, that those who ride do not become ton
securely fixed in the saddle. Take care
that your servants do not become your mas
ters, and roll you of your prosperity in spite
of your teeth.
But the effect of perpetuities is not lim
ited to the incumbent—family claims will
follow, ofenursn. The accumulation of of
flees in a family, is the most iniquitous ik. dan
gerous perversion of republican principles.
Combinations for this purpose arc so fre
quent that they cease to alarm us. A re
publican of some distinction, perhaps the
only one of his family deserving notice or
regard, is promoted, and instead of exerting
his influence for the good of the, people, he
is exclusively engaged in making provision
for a son, father, brother, cousin, any con
nexion, even to the remotest degree. What
ever are in his gift lie imhlu-hingty bestows
and tlie rest are obtained by bis influence or
his intrigues. By this abuse of trust, he
forms around him a cordon of defenders of
Ids measures and his character, becomes tilt
reforms which lie will be unable to com
plete, and tlie benefits of which lie may not
live to witness. He lias had much to do,
and considering the period of his administra
tion and tlie difficulties and fluctuations lie
has had to encounter, lie has done much.—
Much still remains to lie done, and it must
lie fearlessly undertaken.
Frugality was once a republican virtue.—
It is the basis of our government. On fru
gal fare tlie sturdy patriots of Jamestown liv-
cd. when they originated those doctrines
which afterwards Henry preached and Jef
ferson practised for our instruction and in
spiration. And nn much more, frugal still
• he immortal pilgrims fed, when on the
dreary sands of Plymouth they established
the republican principles and manners of N.
England. They held and executed offices
not as favors hut as duties. The}- were eni
plialieally radicals—radicals in patriotism—
adicals in courage. A patriotism which si
orifices self for country—a courage not only
active to execute, but patient to endure. It
was deep rooted und strong. Prosperity
could not subvert nor adversity wither it.
Their principles were genuine and correct,
and they flourished. By these our patriot
soldiers have fought, bled and triumphed.—
By these our brave and enterprising mnri
ne.rs have carried the fame and terror of our
star spangled banner into the remotest seas
By these nor statesmen have convinced the
world that the republic is incorruptible, in
flexible. invincible.
But in our prosperity, profusion has en
snare.! all hearts, and turned all heads. Na
tional prodigality becomes an example which
is imitated down to the lowest grades in so
ciety. Retrench your nfficeisof one fifth of
their twenty kinds of choicest wines and of
fund, equipage and establishments, proporti
onate, and they complain of cruelty, and ivi
republicans listen to their complaints.
Be assured it is time to awake and to b<
alarmed. He of all your candidates who
has done and w ill do most to check I Ids
waste, extravagance and prodigality, inus
he your man, let him live where he may
and let useless incumbents and pampered fa
vnrites say what they vv
The Watchman leaves you at present to
reflect and consider. He may err, fur lie as
piles not to perfection If he shall have a
wakened you to enquiry, and shall hare con
tribuled to bring hack the republicans to
their old ground, lie is satisfied, lie lias no
selfish purposes to accomplish, no office to
quit e for himself or his friends. It is solely
the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated ;
which sum shall lie used hy the President ill
providing such an additional force ns in his
judgment shall be best calculated to answer the
end aforesaid.
[Accompanying this bill, Mr. Plea
sants laid before the Senate a commu
nication from the Secretary of the Na
vy to the Chairman of (he Naval Com
mittee, furnishing estimates of tlie addi
tional force deemed necessary for the
suppression of piracy, and the expense
thereof. The Secretary, having the
concurring opinion of the Navy Boatd
in its favor, recommends an additional
force, of
First, 1 Steam Boat of 90 to 120 tons, to car
ry two 18 pounders, unit two 12 p'Uiuders, up
on travelling carriages, so as to fire from any
part of the vessel.
SecOud, III fast sailing Schooners of 45 to
00 tons burthen, to draw not morn than 5 to 7
feet water ; each to tie armed with one long
12 or 18 pounder, mutinied on n circle, with
two 12 poflmf cnrcoimdcs; with the necessary
number of small arms, to row from 20 to 24
sweeps ; in.
Third, o light double hank Cutters, each to
row 20 oars, and adapted to carry 10 men,
well aimed vv it li muskets, pistols, hoarding
pikes, cutlasses, tic.
Tho whole cost of procuring these ad
ditional vessels and of equipping and lil
ting them for service, is estimated at
41,000 dollars.]
Mr Johnson of Louisiana, submitted
the following resolution for consideta-
lion :
Resolved, That tlie Committee on the judi
ciary be Instructed to inquire into the expedi
ency of modifying the Judiciary system of
the United States so as to make it uniform
throughout the Union, hy establishing Circuit
Courts in tlie new states.
I lin resolution submitted yesterday
by Air. Llovp, requesting of the Presi
dent of tlie United States to cause certain
information relative to exports and im
ports, to be furnished to the Senate, tvas
taken up and agreed to.
Mr. Holmes, of Maine, submitted the
following resolution for consideration :
Resident, That the Committee on the Jucli
some decisive measures on this subject, 1
submit the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Naval
Affairs lie instructed to inquire, and report as
early early us may lie, vv lint further mea
sures are necessary, not only for the more
efficient protection of our commerce in the
West India seas from piracy, but for the en
tire extirpation of those freebooters, and the
punisment of those who tnay lie found to
aid and nbet them.
This resolution having been read—
Mr. Johnston, of Lou. enquired, if there
was not upon the table a Alessage from the
President of tbo United. Slates, Upon this
subject.
The Speaker sa d that there was such a
Message on tlie table, received yesterday,
which he had not an opportunity yet to pre
sent to the House.
On motion of Mr. Johnston, the resolution
moved by Air. Condict was ordered to lie on
the table—and
The Message of the President was read,
(tlie same vvhiell appears in the Procoedin
of the Senate of this date,) and referred to
the committee on Naval Ail'nrs.
Tlie Speaker also laid before the House a
Message from the President of tlie U. Slates,
transmitting a plan for the Peace. Establish
ment of the Navy of the U. States, and also
of the Marine corps, which has been prepar
ed in obedience to a resolution of the House
ul Representatives of the Till May last.
The Alessage was referred to tliu Commit
tee on Naval Affrirs.
CLO HUNG THE MILITIA.
The House then, on motion of Air. Can
non, resolved itself m o a committee of the
whole on the bill for clothing tlie Militia
when in actual service—Air. Condict in the
chair.
The hill was read through.
Mr. Cannon, though aware ofthe difficul
ty of calling the attention of the House to
subjects of this description, addressed a few
observations to the chair on the subject of
this bill. A proposition of the same nature,
he said, was before Congress eight years a-
go. It was introduced in the House of Re
presentatives, during the late war with G.
Britain—and such was then the conviction
of the propriety of the measure, that a bill
embracing the same objects passed the H.
of Representatives by an unanimous vote,
medium of preferment, keeps the door of fur the republican cause that lie is alarmed.
honor and confidence, and none are. permit
ted to enter, but members of the family or
their humble servants. When these things
happen without animadversion, it is pretty
strong evidence that we have fallen on evil
times, and that the political atmosphere is
sickly and pestilential.
It is for you to apply the remedy, and a
neglect of this duly, must and will lie asci ili-
ed to a degeneracy from the virtues of your
ancestors. Considerations nfaffinity nr enn-
sanguitiity, are to lie v iewed with jealousy.
Republicans allow no preference of blood.
The poorest and meanest have a right to as
pire to the highest trusts, and if the} have
the qualifications, no pretensions of family
are to stand in their way, Shall it lie said
that in a republic one may he born to an of
fice of which he is incapable, and to the ex
elusion of a meritorious but humble citizen P
Distrust your rulers, distrust yourselves,
when family pretensions are nbtrudi d and
allowed to the prejudice of integrity and ta
lents. The injustice in itself is palpable e-
nouglt, but when its tendency is considered,
when you red>ct that the. pride of the hu
man heart invents this mode of excluding
merit, and that it has debased and ruined li
very other popular government, you owe it
to yourselves and tn posterity to set your fa
ces like a flint against these inclinations and
inducements to a privileged aristocracy
Where is the republican independent, firm
and ready to correct, prune and purify ? It
is an unwelcome, arduous, hazardous duty.
Men long habituated to consider their sine
cures as their property, who have grown old
in? improvidence k sloth, k wasted fortunes
which they had never earned, will lie loml in
If tlie alarm is groundless, if all is safe, if vv
still are vvliat we have been, lie will rejoice in
being convinced of it.
rinry be instructed tn inquire into the espc- an( J was sent to flic Senate. It was then
dienry of providing by law fir the better
enrity of tbo public money* in the hands of
Clerks of Courts and Attorneys Marshal?, and
their deputies.
fin or six thousands a year, the whole ken- their complaints. Wives, children, widow
ncl h crying out poverty and starvation
If officers of your Navy have been fixed
at your Yards and stations, without duly, at
'a comfarlablc provision of over a hundred
dollars per month, sixteen rations per day
iind other 11 contingencies,” equal to, from
five to seven thousands a year, and you ba
rn] the presumption to doubt the econo
my, you are assailing the Navy—the tnonu-
tni'iit of your glory.
There arc old stories and cotne. from the
'■Ul source. “High salaries arts necessary
•o purchase tlie best talents,” is line federal
maxim—“ reward your greatest men for
past services" isanother. Lavish your trea
sure on a few favorite men and measures,
jo on expending and borrowing and you
will very soon realize all the fruition of that
orphans, age, poverty and decrepitude will
claim, plead and expostulate. .Many have
long enjoyed these abuses and they must he
continued/or llto rest.
B it your President must lie. equal to all.
These officers who have liv ed and continue
tn live upon you without duty must he re
moved.
And it is further expected that some rota
tion vvii! lie practised. Some have lived so
long upon the people, that their dictation
nnii arrogance have become insufferable..—
Not content to roll in luxury and splendor,
to provide liberally for their friends and de
pendants, to prescribe and direct in tilling va
cancies, they seize the avenues of intelli
gence, they muzzle the press, and while urg
ing the. pretensions of a man ofequivoeal jio-
fcderal national blessing—an irredeemable I litics or recent convictions, they .tic cliaiging
national debt. But such maxima are be
ginning to be fashionable again. Profusion,
extravagance, and prodigality, are deemed
almost national virtues.—The chief struggle
seems tn lie who shall waste must of the
public time or money. But republicans
must become republicans indeed. They
have reason to apprehend that prodigality
is the rock on which we are destined to he
wrecked. It lies concealed beneath the
surface. Avarice, pride, patronage, and
power are constantly drawing or driving
you to it, and your pilots are imperatively
'ailed on to keep a constant look-out tu a-
ioi<l it.
Tlie security of the officer in his place,
tempts him to prodigality, and prodigality
tends to corruption. It is essential, ihere-
forc, that he should hold his office hy a li
mited, precarious, conditional tenure and lie
displaced at stated periods k promptly dis
missed for u failure of duty nr violation of
buM. Dependence on the people preserves
the purity of the republic. Removals should
wot tie rare occurrences, nor matters oire-
fi'eb That “ a man should continue in of
fice so long as he does no wrong,” although
tainth»-r federal maxim, is impolitic and un-
h ue, Jf ilia office is a burden others should
the real advocates of republican doctrines as
radicals and ei]wslule.s. Your candidate
must give some assurance from his charac
ter and principles that such men will be
made to retire. He must afford a reasona
ble expectation that tlleso privileged, sun
shine, fair-weather patriots, will exchange
places with the honest, worthy and industri
ous, hy whose labor these men have been
fed and pampered.
Family claims above all must be put down.
The high and low must have equal c alms.
To pack into office every kindred pauper, to
holster up every bankrupt to the fifth gene
ration, to provide for every presuming idiot,
who claims the remotest affinity to the ori-
ginal stock, will out, cannot he relished un
til we have become more “ legitimate” in
our views and principles.
The republicans expect, and they must not
lie disappointed, that a radical reform will he
made in the next administration. No doubt
those who now hold and who will not lie sa
tisfied unless they ever continue to held the
best offices, will ascribe the sentiment to op
position In the President. But no blame is
intended. The close of an administration
LY SE.YATE.
Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Agreeably to notice, Air. Johnson, of
Ky. having obtained leave, introduced a
bill to abolish imprisonment for debt, hy
the Courts of the United Slates ; and
tlie hill was twice read by general con
sent, and referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary.
In introducing this bill, Mr. J. made n
few general remarks, explanatory of the
justice k expediency of such an act : in
timating that lie should go moVe fully in
to tlie merits ofthe measure, vv lien the
bill should come op for consideration.
The following AJ essage from the Presi
dent ofthe United States, received yes
terday, was read :
To tlie Senate of the United Stales :
Recent information of tlie multiplied
outrage, and depredations, which have
been committed on our seamen and com
merce, bv the Pirates in the 'Vest In
dies and Gulf of Mexico, exemplified by
tlie death of a very meritorious officer,
seems to call for some prompt, and de
cisive measuns on the part of tlie go-
vernient. All tlie public vessels adapt
ed to that service, which can lie spared,
from our indispcnsiblc duties, arc already
employed in it ; hut, from tlie knowl
edge which lias linen acquired ol the
places from whence these outlaws issue,
and to which (hey escape from danger,
it appears that it will require a particu
lar kind of force, capable of pursuing
[them into the shallow waters to which
they retire, effectually to suppress them.
I submit to the consideration of Congress,
the propriety of organizing such a force
for that important object.
JAMES MONROE.
Washington, Gilt Dec. 1822.
The Alessage was referred to the
Committee on Naval Affairs, to consider
and re|iort.
TnunsDAY, Dec. 12.
On motion of Air. Barbour, so much
of the President’s Alessage to Congress
at the opening of the session, as relates
to our relations with foreign nations,
was referred to the Committee on Fo
reign Affairs.
Mr. Ronxr.v laid the following resolu
tion on the table for consideration :
Iteinlicel, That tlie Committee on the Judi
cial y be directed to inquire into tlie expedien
cy ofi continuing ill force tlie net, entitled '• An
Art tn protect (lie commerce of the United
States, mill to punish tlie crime of piracy
and also of makuig such further provisions on
the subject ns may be deemed proper for tlie
security of our citizens, the safety of our com
merce, and the punishment of the offence.
SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY.
Mr. Pleasants, from tlie Committre
on Naval Affiirs, reported tlie following
bill, which was twice read hy general
consent :
lie it enacted, <(-r. That, for the purpose of en
abling tlie President of the U. States to nfford
more efficient protection to the rommere
HOUSE OF REPllESEJYTATIVES.
Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Mr. Cannon submitted the following re
solutions for consideration :
Resolved, That it is expedient to provide for
tlm national defence by improving the Militia
of the United States.
IlcSolcetl, That the Committee on Military Af
fairs be instructed to inquire whether it is most
expedient to improve tlie Militia throughout
the United States, by ineansofllie Military Aca
demy, or I tint of tlie encampment of the officers,
by brigades or otherwise, under proper regula-
Resnlrcd, That the Committee on Military Af
fairs Ini instructed to inquire into the expedien-
rv of continuing the preference given to the
Cadets educated at the public expense, in the
Military Academy at VI rU Point, ill entering
the public service, over others of equal qualifi
cations mid merit, who are. or may lie, educat
ed at their own expense, or that of their pa-
reu'snr friends, at the sell .ol, under tlie juper-
intciidance of Capt. Partridge, in the state of
Vermont, or at any other place in the United
States.
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Af
fairs he instructed to inquire into !he expedien
cy of employing the regular army, or a part
thereof, in the erection of fortifications during
it state of pence, instead of having them built
by contract in the way heretofore pursued.
Remlrcd, That the Secretary of the Navy be
directed to make a statement to this House,
containing the names and grade of tlie olfie
belongtngdo the Naval Establishment of the
Slates, and the duties each officer is perform
ing—also, tlie number of officers of each differ
ent grade necessary to command iri active
service, the vessels of war, at this time belong
ing to the Navy.
Mr. C. said ire did not mean to press these
resolutions to an immediate decision. Being
of much importance in his view, lie wished
them to lie mi the table and lie printed, with
the expression of a determination on his part
to call them upon an early day.
The resolutions were ordered to lie upon
the table accordingly.
THE PIRATES.
near tlie close of the war, and, before the
hill was taken up in tile Senate, tlie news of
peace arrived, in consequence of which, the
iiill was not acted on. In that period of war,
the necessity of the measure was seen k felt ;
k Air.C. expressed his hope, notwithstand
mg vve were now enjoying tire calm k tran
quillity of peace, that we should look for
ward to tlie Militia as our great national de
fence io time of need, and adopt such mea
sures as will make them competent at all
times, and under every exigency, to tile de
fence of our country. As such, ho consider
i d them, and lie should make it always his
business, hy every means practicable, to give
to the militia that improvement, which will
qualify it to lie vvliat it was intended, hy
constitution of the U. States, that it should
he. Hu was aware, he said, in regard to
this bill, that many members had riot copies
of it before them—tint it had undergone the
deliberation of a committee during the l;wt
session, and, if the object wax approved by
tlie House, was in as good a form as could
tie devised. It could not lie expected, he
said, that the militia, when called into service,
would provide themselves with the clothing
necessary to render them efficient soldiers,
unless means were provided to reimburse
them the expense. The hill went, in short, to
place them, in regard to pay Sc emoimn ills,
on precisely the same footing as the soldiers
of tlie regular army. Those who had expe
rience in such service in the late war, would
acknowledge that this measure was necessa
ry during a state of war, and, if so, he lieliev-
>rs! i'll the House would agree with him that
U. I now, in a state of peace, was the proper time
to make the provision for it.
Air. Family rose, not to oppose the bill,
hut to suggest the propriety of prescribing,
in it. the description of the clothing with
which the militia ought to provide them
selves. At present it was left optional to
each militiaman to provide clothes of what
material, color, shape, or fashion, ho chose.
Mr. F.suggested, that ns the clothing was to
lie provided for strictly military purposes,
there ought to he some provisions that the
dross should lie uniform.
Air. Cannon said that the suggestion of
the gentleman from Pennsylvania had not
escaped tiro attention of tlie Militia Commit-
prepared in tho United Stales, and sailed front
thence, within the present year, against the
territory or dependency of any power in amity
with the Unllcit Slates, u to inform this Mouse
whether any measures have been taken to bring
to condign punishment persons who may have
linen concerned in sucii expedition, contrary
to the laws of (lie United Slates.
Mr. IAUe moved to strike out nil that part
of the resolution which follows the word
“ States,” in tlie 7tli line, and in lieu thereof,
insert tlie following:
“ And inform tiiis House, vvliat amend
ments to the existing laws are necessary to
punish persons who may have been concern*
ed in any midi expedition.”
Mr. Cul/lcn said he had no objection to
this amendment, as he understood it, tho’
for his own part, he. believed that the exist
ing laws were competent to the purpose of
punishing this offence against tlie public
peace. It was punishable, by law, by impri-
sonment not exceeding three years, and also
hy fine. It appeared proper, Mr. C. said,
that lie should risk theattention ofthe Mouse
fora few minutes, whilst lie explained Uni
ciinsiderntionB whirli had induced him to
propose this resolution. It was well under*
stood, he presumed that, it had reference to
an expi it it ion, said to have been fitted out
from our ports against, the dependency of a
country with which vve. arc in amity—He
meant, the expedition against the Island of
Porto Rico. Although wc have no further
information on the subject than vvliat is de
rived from the newspapers, he believed the
information was of that sort to justify the
proposition now on the table. In regard
this subject, Mr. C. said there had
been various reports; Jihad been stated
that a considerable hostile expedition had
been fitted out from oic shores—pa.tly, it
was said, from tile port f Phil oh Ipltii—-in
part from the port of B dtim e e, ami in part
from New-York. The accounts of it were
contradictory, hit all agree io tin-: that
such an expedition had departed frooi this
mtry. it appeared to him, there were
some con-id rations connected with ibis Ex
pedition, which deserved the consideration
of tlie House. It must be recollected bv
all, that, not long since, the United Stare*
had taken possession of one of the depen
dencies of this Very power, viz. Amelia Is
land. () ir justifi atioo for doing so, was,
that it was a harbor for pirates or a pl*ee
where expeditions were fitted out without
the interference of the government of Spain
to prevent it. It was not long since, more-
Mr. Condict, of New Jersey, rose to make , .
a motion. In the message ofthe President Re. But there were difficulties m the way
tho United Stairs from »he depredulions
IN llll 1111 a (* ItM a wilt v H”u »»• « Aioimj, j Pilules in tlie Gu"
abuses. Mr. Monroe is not to embitter the i|j„ n Seas, the si
of -
dollars is here in
iat to bear it, if profitable others should j little rcinjraut of his political existence by [appropriated, te (re paid out of any money in
to linth Houses of Congress, at the opening
of the session, lie said a very brief allusion
was made to Piracies, committed in the 'V.
Indies. All that was said on that subject, is
comprised in a short paragraph, which* 1Mr.
0. read. Intelligence has been recently re
ceived, and probably since that part uf tliu
message was penned, of transactions, so fla
grant and outrageous in their character, as!
to call, imperiously, fur the early and efficient
interposition of this House. The premature
death of tlie gallant and lamented Allen, has
excited a spirit of indignation throughout
our country, unequalled since the late war.
it calls loudly for retributive justice, from
those lawless barbarians—-and I hopetn see,
with as little delay as practicable, a compe
tent force, at the disposal of the Executive,
under some one. of our most expel ienced na
val officers, with ample powers and instruc
tions to ferret them out of their lurking holes,
and to drag them to a condign arid speedy
punishment. A speedy punishment, because
I have no idea of incurring the delay, or the
hazard, of transporting them here, or of ex-1
tending to them a trial by jury, with all llici
delays incident to our courts of justice.—
They have placed themselves beyond the
protection of the laws of civilized society—
"they have set at open defiance the laws of
God and man—their hand is against every
man, and every man’s hand should combine
against them. And the moat effectual re
straint whicli you can impose upon their
barbarities, is to furnish to them the spectacle
of a few dozen of their leaders suspended hy
the halter, from the yard-arms of some of
our public -hips. Deeming it expedient that
Congress should, at an early period, adopt
if.i provision of the nature proposed—the
difliucnt States prescribed different uniforms
for the militia, and to establish a uniform
dress for the militia would he attended, in
practice, with difficulties which appeared to
him to lie insuperable.
No amendment being proposed to the bill,
the. committee ofthe whole rose and report
ed it to the. House. On 'he question to en
gross it for a third reading—
Air. Hardin suggested that this hill ought
to have a more full examination before it
was finally acted upon—and lie therefore
moved that the hill lie upon the table, and be
printed for tlie use of the members.
Which motion was agreed to.
The next subject in order was the resohi-
lution for carrying into effect the agreement
between the United States and Georgia—
and the House having gone into committee
upon it. on request of Air. Gihner, (Air. Bas
set in the Chair)—
On motion of Mr. Gilmer, the committee
rose and obtained leave to sit again, and tlie
explanatory Report upon the subject, made
at the last session, was ordered to he printed.
Thursday, Dec. 12.
Air. Cannon, from the committee on the
Militia, reported the bill for disciplining the
militia of the U. States,in an amended shape
—which was ordered to lie on the table.
PORTO WCO EXPEDITION
Tlie House then resumed the considerati
on uf tlie following resolution, yesterday
submitted hy Mr. Colden :
Resolved, That the'President of ttio 17. Stales
lie requested to lay before this House, such
over, we had made application tn Spain and
to her Colonial Government of Cuba, re
monstrating to that power, that she ha < not
done her duty to u - k to tlie world, in a sin licit
as she has not re-trained the enterpi izes uf in-
div idmils from her ports—k it was a remark
able circumstance tiiat at the very time this
expedition was fitted out to wrest from tiio
mother country this diquuid un y of l’orto
Rico, w e had a negotiator there remonstrat
ing with tlie Government ofth.it dependen
cy in strong terms, but with a courtesy and
propriety of manner which did honor to the
naval character (CnpU Spence) who con
ducted tlie negotiation, against the unlawful
expeditions fitted from that port to cruise on
the high seas. Another singular eiicutn-
stance, Air. C. said, was worth notice.— that
one ofthe persons at the head of this hostile
expedition, lie who signed hi- name ns Su- *
cretary of ijlutc, was a gentleman, who, not
very long ago, was a diplomatic agent of this
government to the territories of that govern
ment, of which Porto Rico was adependen*
deney. Air. Colden said, it was not his in
tention, by this resolution, to cast censure on
any one. AVe do know, said he, that expe
ditious may he fitted out from our ports
without our government having knowledge
of the fact, or the means of preventing it.—-
It was quite probable the President might
answer, to this resolution, that he had no in
formation on the subject— or, if lie did not,
he might tell the House that lie has directed
the proper officers to investigate the trans
action in question. In either ease, Air. C.
said, he should he satisfied. His great ob
ject was to shew to the other nations, that,
while vve demand justice from them, vve are
not indifferent to the conduct of our own ci*
lizens.
Mr. C. on further reflection, and ennsuit-
ing members near him, declined assenting
to the amendment proposed hy Mr. Mttlc ;
and the question being on agreeing to that
amendment—
Mr. Condict objected to it as contemplat
ing an alteration in the laws lor the punish
ment of offences already committed, thus
giving to t icm an ex post facto operation.
Air. Hill had another objection to the a-
mendment. It was the first time, he said,
he had ever heard it proposed to apply to
the President for his opinion what iivvs
Congress ought to pass upon any subject.
Air. Tracy objected 10 the amendment on
the grounds taken by the two gentlemen
who preceded him, anil enlarged upon
them.
Air. Lillie said his reason for proposing
any amendment to this resolution was, that
lie felt no disposition tn give, his assent to a
resolution w hich called in question tlie con
duct ofthe Executive ofthe country in re
lation to alleged violation of existing laws.
He did not feel himself justified in voting
for a declaration, in effect, that the proper
authorities have refused or neglected to exe«
cute the Laws of the Union. IJis amend
ment was drawn up in haste, on the sugges
tion ofthe moment, and certainly not with
tlie most distant idea of passing r.r post facia
laws. His object was, to devise laws tn
punish offences of this description thut may
lie hereafter committed, if such laws do not.
now exist. If the gentleman would consent
to strike out the latter clause, Mr. L. said
he would waive his proposed amendment,
leaving the question of law to be examined
hy tlie proper committees of this house.
Air. L. then withdrew his amendment
and moved to strike out the latter clause of
the resolve, without proposing to substitute
any tiling for it.
Mr. Cache said lie hoped the House would
not agree 1o strikeout the. latter clause of
the resolution. It only proposed to en
quire of tlie President whether any meai-
snres had been taken by the government to
formation as he may possess, with regard to a-| bring to punishment the persons, ifany, who
iiy ho-tHi- Expedition which may have been I Inve been concerned in fitting out an expe*