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p—
mu-5t not bcs lost so easily. ^1 would for ra
ther see both of you shot while acting pro
fessionally.’
At thi.s’the major paused, excessively irrita
ted, fixing his eye upon the attorney; and if
he had been a man of any ‘ mark dr likeli
hood,’ that is to say, if he had possessed a fine
portly body, and a handsome black coat, ar?
imposing air and a strong voice, the major
would certainly have called him out that in
stant.
“ Fermit me to ask you major,” said our coun
try banker, ‘whether 1 may not justly consider
it as something more than a merely ‘absurd
*on» boa known to tbosft wdip nro in tho •*-*£•**••?, it is cqftal-
lv common to lincl the utmost difficulty in forming a quo
rum on the succeeding Monday. Who are the absent pei-
sOus ? vour committee would in all humility inquire, 1 he
Benedicts, whose miseries have been made the prey of le
gislative raillery—the widowers, whose gray hairs have
been exposed to the sneer of the tax-gatherer, or too wor
shipful encouraners of matrimony ?
But arai 1 Your committee have oeen vexed beyond alt
power of endurance, to the'injury of conscience and the
decav of the risible muscles, with demands for divorces,
with'the specifications.of the secrets ot the marned l,ie;
s-ich as filled all the single men of this House with confu
sion and dismav. Pray, have these difficulties proceeded
from Bachelors'? Furthermore, no subject has claimed our
attention from which there has been such a nervous shriak-
CONGRESS.
SPEECH OF MR. DAWSON, OF GEORGIA.
AYednesdaf, Febkuart 1.
The bill making appropriations for the current cxt«r* p
tV^tir
of
ing as the consideration of our orphan*’ court system—al
though ablv and learnedly jirepared. .The Hon. House 1
has
proceeding,’ ‘a capital ioke,’ to be put down, scanty ventured to entertain it, although they admit that
La oV.U-1 ran ir, roronrv f VidowsW orphans ant sU&nng throughout the State for
and leave my wife and children m penury 5 of a i ^. Uer ^tem-ifaerefore, your committee
Give me leave to add, that I am perfectly aware j wou , d i^bly ash, are these the' widows and orphansnfi
eumstance might not be suitable .to nivca.se. r:" orf ,,~ t .,' do j urtiu5 t£) h isheiw: are these tie heir* of
In what I a.sk there is nothing UiljuS , 1,1 j bachelors ? From which sale of the house do these diffi-
every thing that is equal and fair, as tar 85 prtftidrtisibp Stair i ‘ l3 « ?
worldly matters are concemea. y ~ f
Nay, I have
still the worst of it, inasmuch as mv life may J
be said to be pitted against a punnon ami pair, j
Amain, gentleman, if I should be .uded, my j
wffe an l children will absolutely need the mon- attempt t.
and of greatest merit for the
n the unmarried, or childless
die Indian Department, und for fulfilling treaty^ tipula-
tious with the various Indian tribes, for the year 18<1/,
coming up; and the question being on concurring with
the Committee of the W hole in the an mud me nl made
thereto—
Mr. DAWSON, of-Georgia, said the course which the
debate had taken ou die-bill before the House, had made
it his dutv, as ono of the Representatives of Georgia, to
ask the indulgence of the House, for a short time, tnat he
might be heard upon some of the. facts stated by gentle
men, and briefly to reply to softie of die insinuations, char
ge's and allegations, which had been made in relation to
that, part of .the Union from-which lie came. The range of
this discussion bad been wide, and, te his mind. (Mr. D.
said,) in a great measure, unauthorized by the objects of
the bill t-qrtestions and subjects having but little connex
ion, il’.auy, had been introduced. •
Gentlemen had spoken freely and sympathetically.touch
ing die policy pursued in relation to the lftdiajjs, aiid y*po
ciailv the Creeks, and had plainly intimated, if nbt’clnug-
cd, that humanity liad been violated, and the character of
tile cduntrv blackened by acts of cruelty to them ; that the
conduct of the citizens of Georgia and Alabama to- these
Indians, had given origin to die late war, which, it seems,
has not vet entirely subsided, and, in its consequences, the
butchery of men, women, and .children, depredations, and
desolation of property.
Mr. Speaker, permit me, (said Mr. D.) to say these al
legations contain not the true causes of the war. It is* a
mistake, a very great mistake ; it is not so. Tiuth and
justice unite, and deny that Georgia ami Alabama were in
nconsid.’ratioHOt' such facts, your committee m;»y state
it as a grave question, whether an additional tax iquui inar-
rled men might nut have a salutary efiect. In every coun
try, iu all ages, the great transactions both of war and
peace have d ■jier.tb’il very much upon that c;as-» whom wc
stigmatise. Therefore it is, that my Lord Ba-
pv^W if I kill the captain, his property is ab- ' ln * &**>-*■> **?*'•
BV , muu *• *•“ i J 1 - “ Certainly the best wort
solutely of no sort ot. use to him alter Ins iu- j ;illbu<!| , riv '
neral expellees are paid! Nor is the proposi- i i-a.-u ; which, both
tion without precedent—many a noble prece- and end
dent, I am happy to say, for the credit ot liu- : 1
man nature. Upon these occasions, some men
of refined honor and high courage have thought
they could never do enough.— V\ hen Best shot j - SAX1A
Lord Camelford ilis lordship, on his death; Santa Vann is iL-void, naturally and habitually, of any ’ without being influenced by Stale pride, a more honorable
, , . ,. \ ■ ' ’ -. ,,i ■ l.,,,. i one i* r-n iai uualilv which constitutes hitn either a hero or ; a „d high-minded population inhabit no portion of this Uui-
hed, left his antagonist, who W a, in Jo VV t K- 1 j‘}; ; v:l!lt , an i ma l courage, and has had hut j and for the fulfilment of their duties rs good ami wor-
c um stances a handsome income, lCJOlClllg, no . ^ V( . rv ; m perfect education; Hill lie lacks both industry and thv citizens, politically and morally, are not inferior to any
doubt that he lived long enough to do such an atorK , f„ r these deficiencies. lie. had scarcely | other portion of the confederacy. The charge that their
act of magnanimity and honor. I never tired i entered the army when lie forged a note in the mime of his I conduct forced the Indians into a state of depredation, and
at a man or mark iii ray life. I am sure to lie ! *u.,erier officer,‘and twice afterwards was lie guilty of the J caused the bloody and suva
shot ?
proceeded fv
inarfcctio,^ and mean*, have maii> , |ault in this matter to such a:i extent as to justify so grave
nvert the ptibli, . unrnnmii me ^ , ‘ | an allegation; and in their vindication,and especially those
be.-t urt'ici-■*> «-cn s. nants .icon . < ’ ,,f mv constituents who hare been denominated the People
»• Leaving little to. be said, ot marned men, ex- , ^ ^ Fn , utier , f a . u{ agail; , t whgm it has been said the
ceof. pg.haps, t.1.1 r -iey au tie >..t fins aa< • | dire calamities which were peqietrated on the Eastern and
Western banks of the Chattahoochee river, during the last
\X.v\. | spring and summer, were partially chargeable, 1 may say,
ejaculated the
id *l
“Oh, but!—you, sir—: T sir,
captain. “ lloally, captain,” said the major,
biting his lips, “1 begin to think, as men oi fin
ished honor, we must accede to the propo
sal.”
The hanker flatly refused to fight, on any
othe
the most relmeit point u: uucnm- uyuui j
could be manifested on the occasion, till the
acts which'they committed,
saV.ie crime to a gteaier extent, but under similar circuni- | not true or just, nor can it, with any propriety, be made.
sta-ices lor one of which lie had been imprisoned on coil- ! .Sir, the people of that section of the country are benevo-
vict'oa. Thus he commenced Iris career as a comitcrfeitor j [ 0 „t and generous, and possess, at least inhin equal degree,
or forger; and he Ins continued it as one—the ckaraeteris- every sympathy common to our nature, and wjiieh excites
t'c trait of his whale conduct being low cunning, or met- 1 j noble and honorable acts, and wouiil extend the influence
duidicitv. ! of these virtuous feelings as far as any people on earth.
Before, during, and after the revolutionary war of Mexi- And here, in all kindness and good feeling to the geuflc-
ro. h- hetr/ved the trust reposed iu him, and bargained j men fv»m Massachusetts and \ erniont, wlio, on ynslerday
from lieutenant, ; and to-day, addressed die House w ith so much sympathy in
invariably lor his treachery, by promolu
. « . . T • | t*.l tD C<U«l:K‘l ii'iu m II. uw, u.1 ret e. ^
r terms, putting it directly to tue major as ij); , i g rat p,..^n v . evcr .- ;, n i-tv and officer, till he almost acci-
most refined point of duelling' honor that death- fell into the ranks of the revolutionary, iliesegra-
;lnd
al, and secret bribes—ieu\-
hchalt of the aborigines, and who depicted, with so much
pat ho-, the ojyvssioits and cruelties which had been in-
dalii
o! Treae
two officers, though excessively provoked and m;i - to nin>lu !
annovod, could no longer refuse their consent.
The parchment was handed them by the attor-
1 promotion, lie had sufficient cm
,v.-n advnntagi'—and in such a country
as Mexico, the traitm is a!wavs forgotten in tfie success of
the tr -acherv. He then fore reaped the reward of his pi r-
fulv: for like a nt leaving a sinking ship, he left the party
and power, to seek
nev who saw it nrc’merly signed, and the priii- , that he found deciiumg m mimcnce am powm to a
. -, . 1 j f civ , i- ^ I better fate with those who crnWt better reward him. ia*
cipals took then - .stand at hi teen paces distance, j an . I1()t ,.swntial to success in Mexico, as some
The banker liad th
he banishet
first fire.—Not wishing to (artj m , ir ?, recklessness, great duplicity and no integrity
-.1 })js country, or get into prison, or i and these characterize Santa. Anna,
any Other scrape about SO foolish a business, j , After the shocking death ^Guerrero, when Bjistameiite
• I * 4- l berciinc ** lord of thn a^Fonflimt, slikI cxrrcisrci his outho
we may be sure he too A care to aim at no oo- rjt -. {u a3 „;,j rct i 0 , ia lii 0 manner, popular feeling was daily
jest, and away flew his hall, like a humming enkindled, a:.d burst forth at length i volcanic eruptions of
bird over the fields. I outrages anil crimes ot the. deepest dve Santa Anna took
“Now!” eiaaulited the' maior. in a quick
dieted or. that race, I can say no man indulges a more sin.
cere desire to alleviate their condition, and improve their
mind; and their morals, than I do; and tlie gentlemen will
pardon me for reminding them, that the tide, the first wave
of which, began to How on the landing fit the pilgrims at
Plymouth, (llkJU.) and beat on that rock which now occu
pies, as a curiosity, the centre of the town (if Plymouth,
and is to this day respected as sacred, is still flowing, and
will finally urge this race beyond the Mississippi, without
leaving a remnant behind, iho waves of this tide have, in
its floods, left the remembrance of oppressions, and seem
ing, if not actual, cruelties towards tlie People of the For
est, which tin* history of the New England pilgrims and
their descendants has recorded. On the pages of that his
tory scenes are painted not less abhorrent to humanity, or
less appalling to the sickly imaginations of the present,
And, tor, who lias not heard it and seen it
prints, that this treaty had been made a means, an engiue,
an instrument in the hands of Governmental agents, in
combination with individuals and. companies, lor, in many
instances, dishonest speculations aud fraud ? \ es, sir, these!
thiniJMre public; and, in my view, it is clear that this trea
ty',’'‘With Us reservations, has been used for the mercenary
interests of others than a portion of the people of ( teorgia
and Alabama. Y'ea, North and South, East and Y\ est, and
thi3 centre, Washington City, theplace which gave birth to
and see the tfOftstilutioual rights of the South all put &4i1p,
aud the feelings of the people whom I have the honor to
represent, insulted in this House by the introduction of
petitions from the wild and furious fanatics of the North,
upon the subject of abolition. Great stress has been laid,
iu this debate, upon the /.acred l ight of petition, and num
bers of our Southern people have heretofore been deceiv
ed into the fatal error of receiving them.- Upon the pre
sent condition of this affair, there can be no mistake ; and
all, I hope, at least all from the South, feel the same just
■ad Peyton in a true Kght before the <Wtrv
mficantly objected to. This ... W. __
the treaty, are said, and 1 have no reason to doubt it, to haveTmdignation against the measure now proposed to the House,
recipients and partakers of these fraudulent speculations.^ Tjie gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Adams) has pre-
major, in a
undev tone: Ins lace rechltmiiig, his lips protru-
dinrr with excitement, his eyebrows drawn
close down, and las eye glistening, growing
small and narrow, with the sense of a keen
aim; “Nowyou’ve got him:
Got him !” stammered the captain; his face
turning blue, his mouth opening, his jaw lull
ing, and his eyebrows uplifted, and nis eyes
becoming large, round and vacant, with the/id I
sense of a fearful dilemma “gothim; hit him!
put down my pha—pay five hundred a year
for being called a bullet headed fool, aud so
prove it 1 Will you pay tha nuney^if I hit
him I”
Of course the captain missed his opponent,
though, by the by, he was very near killing
the lawyer, who had forgotten to have a
similar agreement ior himseil in case of acci
dents.
advantage of file opportunity, put himself nt the head of j than tliose scenes of cruelty and oppression to which such
tin* popular party opposed to the existing government, and . frequent reference has been iniide during this debate. May
was acknowledged as chief of the liberal party, for want 1 1 permitted to ask, where are the mighty tribes of In
dians who unco occupied the delightful regions ot New
BACHELORS AND WIDOWER."
The Lcgislxtur * of New .
aid physical good u.idoubte
Bachelors and Widowers, whether for the special benefit
andeacouragdmeat <u M inis and \\ idows' we know not—
hut the tax was deemed grievous by those upon whom k j
was levied- And Mr Wm. Al’Elroy, jr., petitioned the j
Legislature to aboksh sn-Ii an onerous law. Whether Mr- j
M’Elrov is a widower or a bachelor, we do not know. Wo*
suspect a bachelor, however, as widowers know how to os- :
rane that kind of taxation. The memorial was referred !
to a committee of Bachelors ar*d Widowers, who a few j
days since made the subjoined report. j
The Committee to whom was referred the petition of j
William Al’Eirov, junior, beg leave respectfully to Rk- ;
pout :—
The law which lays such a*i unequal tax, stands as an (
anomaly in modern legislation. A harder task could scarce- j
lv be assigned than to support it by any valid reasons. 1 *.
continues in til? mingled posture ot frivolity and opprobi- j
uin, to blemish the dignity of our system, and the only won- j
der is, that it should not long since have been rescinded i
without the formality ot memorial or petition- i hat the
tribe of bachelors labor mid r many iniputarious, is unfor
tunately true; but your committee are yet to learn that grave
legislation is to be nrido the iaij
txipuiar prejudice.
of a hotter man. An object was to have l;ceu gained. Bus-
tainente had caused the murder of Guerrero, aiul usurped
the power, bv various acts ot despotic outrage. les, de
spite the abhorrence entertain-d then hy many towards
Bustamente, and the many advantages in favor of Santa
Anna on whom fate thrust greatness—the war ot opposit.pn
continued two* years; dnruig which Antonio Lopez ^now)
de Santa Anna proved himself to he a consummate block
head, gambler, und tool of others. lie however triumph
ed, became the idol ot fools less cunning than himself, but
not I'-ss avaricious nor reckless- He married a miserable
boohv of a woman, for the sake of her property, and tints
adding wealth to success, lie was elected R reside lit and
this at the period that In* wrote to a lrie.nd of his in this
count rv, (whom he afterwards shamefully betrayed and
despoiled in consonance with his customary character.)
that he sought to resemble a virgin, apjiearing to be desired
or wooed rather than Wooing voluntarily for what is desired.
Ilis duplicity gainedhim qiany noble friends of the liberal
party, who had then the superior ty in Mexico ; tor superi
ority is there like a spoke in the wheel ot fortune always
changing in the continual revolution.
But mark his treachery, immediately on being elected
President. Through the intrigues and large proffers of the
narchicnl and aristocratic party, he instantly set about
Of his
v, with a view to moral \ betraying that party which placed him in po" , r -
laid, a special tax upon j own pleasure he repealed their laws, or annuJed their ope
ration, till at length, under the auspices ot the Spanish par-
tv, he established the central system iu opposition to the
federative government; the aristocrats endeavoring to de
ceive him bv promising to render him dictator, when tlicy
wauted another selected tor the office, and lit* willing to be
deceived by the desire of grandeur and success.
One step more was, however required of him. The Mex
ican constitution, laws and vanity cannot tolerate a dismem
berment of their territory, and the revolt of I exits was to
be subdued- All arain concurred in Santa Ana’s invasion
of that counrrv—national feeling and resources, personal
ambition and anticipated stccess. But the volunteers from
tin* United States willed otherwise.
In this brief review of the personal career of Santa Ana,
where is his magnanimity as a hern, or his wisdom as a
statesman ? Yet, if rpa**e permitted, minute details might
he given of his w hole career, which would demonstrate him
to he one of the veriest rascal* that ever had grentnrss
thrust on them—one full fraught with infamy and foul dis-
graci—one to whom might Ik* peculiarly appropriated the
alliterative condemnation of Lord Cludogan, by Bishop
Atiorhury, when in prison, as being “a bold, had, blunder
ing, blustering, bloody booby.’ —J,ouisieinei Adr.
rr.o.if Trn» i.osno.x times, .tax. 3.
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
radunl change in the public senfimrnl of thisroun-
T1
j try towards the United States of North America, has been
! o n* which it is impossible for the statesman of the present
I age to behold without solid approbation, or the philosopher
i*. the implement tor perpetuating
• raiiorv winch might grace a con
vivial board becomes grotesque and incongruous, when it
obtrudes.itself into the sanctuary of justice; and it is a la
mentable- prostitution of the powers committed to us by
tin good people la thisd*—id when we use so serious a func
tion as that of taxation, to lie the mere, expression of com
mon banter.
But it is said that hy making taxation bca. equally upon i Hi| .q philanthropist without the most, benevolent delight
the bachelor, m itriino.iy will lie encouraged, l our com- j ()n ] v dur ; ;l)? t h "
mittoe will bo the lust to deny the excellence -»f this divine
institution ; but your committee here taka a two fold basis
for their position of attach. I h ■ pr.i\ is.o-u even in this re-
roect is needless and ineffectiui;—md first it is needless-
Whatever things may cal! for government encouragement,
matrimony is-not among them. W ituess the record which
graces our daily journals, and the festivities in which not a
few of our number have nut Jong since participgti <j.
ilitical ccououiv winch is un-
J* 1
If there is anv prmcipi
deniable illustrated by the present con lition.ol the world, it
is that while the human race inereas-s in geometrical ratio,
the means for their subsistence ftccumuiatcs i:i a proportion
only arithmetical. In other words—mouths multiply a‘ / a
vastly more rapid rate than the materials wherewith to fill
them. Hence, the teeming pauperism of England, Ireland
and Germany.
Among the labors of that eminent political economist
and spinster, Miss Harriet Mart-mean, not :lfew have been
directed io this precise point; namely, the enforcement of
a moral chock upon human propagation. The physical
check is the limit of non-mbsistencc, famine, pauperism,
misery, starvation ; and wliiic the economists of the old
world' ure pressing tho moral check, and enjoining absti
nence from: temptation to human increase, we, forsooth, are j
laving a counter-check upon the neexs ot tin very patriots .
who are with a self-denial more than monastic, more than j
vestal, giving the most palpable example of the moral j
check! To say the sober rcutn, matrimony is so fur from
craving legislative countenance, that people marry most |
abundantly too fast, and cases might be mentioned, iu which j
more than one distressed person who groans und i this bur-
densonie tax, has bench! scores ot his juniors plunging inf
inim**dia'e and not unnatural exas
peration produced bv successive wars between tin* two Go
vernments, that Englishnv’ii gem-rally used to indulge them
selves ia a snirit of inveterate dislike towards the western
reimblic, her institutions, interest, prospects, manners, pro
ceedings, as well as towards the characters of her most dis
tinguished citizens. The jealous antipathy seemed to have
tak • i a stubborn possession of the English mind, oral to
have mingled itself with ilic whole current of our national
tastes and insfincls; nor rati we assert with truth that
such au unkindly disposition had been justly provoked by
i the people of North America. Its manifestation was em
bittered to their remembrance by the frequent expressions
of contempt with which it had l.oeu accompanied. Our
travellers, soldiers,, sailors, politicians—all pitched their
voices in the same abusive key, untilnt length a correspond
ing tune w as heard to murmur from America; and even so
recently as ten vears ago, both nations appeared conscious
of nothing more* than of those hateful contests wherein they
liad spilt each other’s blood, forgetful that they lind been
rocked in the same cradle, und that the same mother had
nourished them.
No good man can have seen without deep gratification
the - - • ’ ’
b<
the most sceptical has not que
-so gootl man can nave hi-ii s- «“*“
he progressive, and latterly very rapid, amendment, on
mill Sides, of that baneful tempoi—a change which even
tinned, nor the
least generous calculator, in either country, shown an incli
nation to repeal.
While the growth and multiplication of ties, both com
mercial and personal, between the two branches of the
England, and from the "mountain top,” limited their ox-
tejit only liv the surrounding sky, and who, in glieir native
freedom, sported on the beautiful rivers, und who spread
so much terror and consternation among the first white set
tlers ! They are gone, sir; and the places which knew
them once will know them no more. And by what power
w ere they forced, at least, from the land of the pilgrims ?
.Sir, I will not cry out cruelty, inhumanity, or injustice,
or indulge in a needless and unnecessary tirade about the
policy pursued in that section in that period and since, to
wards the people whose condition we cannot improve; it
would, perhaps, be unkind so to act or to speak, for neces
sity, no doubt, prescribed the policy of that day; the same
causes would now produce similar effects. I will, howev
er, remind gentlemen that, the same tide which, I might
sav, was put in motion by the Puritans, in its floods, has
spread desolution over the natives of the forests— rst in
me East—and it will not ebb, 1 apprehend, until they arc
utterly annihilated : the idea is unpleasant, yet it is clearly
the. result to he gathered from the past history of this coun
try, and the indications of the future. Let not the East,
then, reflect on the policy of the General Government, or
the States, in relation to the aborigines: necessity and poli
cy prescribe the course of all, mingled with, and regulated
by justice and humanity.
1 trust the House will pardon me for alluding, at this
time, to the legislation of Georgia, and her course toward#
these people: her laws, when understood, will be approved
—her statute books will show the protection and securities
guarantied to the Indians. Their persons r. nd.property are
as inviolable as thore ef the whites: personal wrongs com
mitted ou them by the whites are punished by the same
law, and ts the same extent, as if committed on a white
man.
As to the indulgences towards the Indians, the patience
with which Georgia awaited the fulfilment of the compact
of 1802, will show. And it is worthy of remark that, not-
w ithstanding the various tribes which have resided* in that
State .from the Revolution to this day, her history is not
stained by a single act of cruelty towards that people; nor
has an Indian suffered the penalty of the law for its viola
tion, which a white man would not have suffered for the
same offence. Nor has the policy of Georgia, within the
last fortv vears, and I believe never; nor have the acts of
any portion of her citizens involved this Government in a
single border war. But, sir, for a few years past, individu
als, and perhaps numbers of very good men, have labor* d
under a delusion and belief, that Georgia had acted towards
tin* Indians within her limits with gicit rigor and oppres
sion. This is not true, I * the extent alleged: in fact, eve
ry act of the State had been justifiable and demanded by
the state of our Indian relations. No State, Mr. Speaker,
(said Air. 1>.) in this Union has exhibited more magnanim
ity and indulgence towards the Indians. How long have
tlie U'herokees been in the peaceable and quiet occupancy
of the lands of Georgia, within her constifiitional limits,
and gui rautied by the General Government.in the compact
of 1802? " Alore than a half century, sir! What has ar
rested ihe growth of Georgia for so many years, and kept
her in the rear of the old thirteen ? Her kindness and gen
erosity to tin* Indians, sir! Which of the States originally
forming the Constitution of this Union, has home such an
incumbrance upon its prosperity ? None, sir—none. Is it
not, then, unkind aud ungenerous, yea, unjust and exciting,
to be charged at this day, by those who have swept the In
dians from their soil years ago, with unrelenting extermi
nation ? But the cry has been raised of cruelty and op
pression, and the*madness of the day must have time to
coo!, I trust, sir, I may be pardoned for tho digressions
into which I have been drawn by this debate.
I’return, sir, to the causes of the laic war. It lias been
asked, if the conduct of the citizen* of Georgia and Ala
bama did not produce the war, what did ! 1 answer, the
treaty, and the consequences proceeding necessarily from
it. Yes, sir, the treaty entered into at Washington city, by
the United States und the chiefs of the Creek nation, In
1832. My opinion is, and so is the opinion of all who ful
ly understand all its parts, that out of the terms of that
treaty grew the prime cause of the misfortunes, butcheries,
and desolations which the people of Georgia and Alabama
have suffered within the last 18 month*. Let me explain.
The. reservations, the Indian reservations, sir, turned the
Creek country into a market, overt and covert, for sales
•oldest or | nI ] ( j contracts, honest and dishonest; for fraud*, limited
and extensive; and to-this market thronged speculators of
all sizes, classes, aud characters, individually and in con
federacy, and those who were too honest to act improperly
: n person, sent their men. F rom these reservations spring
The day, I trust, will come, when the curtain shall be re
moved, and {be authors, active and dormant, in these dark
deeds of iui'aiuy, shall l* dragged forward on the scene;
when the whole of the facts connected with this treaty and
tlie frauds shall be developed with damning proof against
the guiltv. and ample justification and approval of the hon
est speculators. or purchasers, when the world shall know
where to attach, die blame, to apply the huger of scorn, and
tlie accents of indignant reprobation. Then we shall ji%i'
who lias pocketed the proceeds of frauds carried into suc
cessful operation by means of this measure of the Govern
ment,, the-treaty* , And yet, sir, notwidistanding the many*
actors in those atrocities, exclusive censure has been direct
ed to the contiguous States of these frauds, aud they alone
exposed and branded as the originators of the evils- w hich
have followed. Let every one bear his share ot the blame,
as well a* his portion of public indignation, whether he bo
in office, high or low, or occupying a private station; they
who are equally guilty of fraud should be equal in every thing
else.
To change the conclusions which have been drawn by
myself and others, in relation to the causes ot the war, it
has been said, and I think by my colleague, (Air. H.) that
the white population on the frontiers and the Indians are
generally in a state of hostility with each other; as a pro
position! it may be true, but in relation to the late Creek
war it was not so ; for I have no recollection of any acts of
oppression to the Indians, or of hostilities from them, i ho
Indians were peaceable until tlie consequences of the trea
ty began to develop themselves. 1 rauds, it is said, were
committed in relation to the reservations, which could be
effected only by a combination of the certifying agents;
and, unless the agents connived, a fraud could not be easily
practised. The removal of suspected agents, by the Pre
sident, took place, in order to protect the Indians; but,
sir, notwithstanding frauds were perpetrated, the Indians
were swindled, and they, at least a part of them, became
desperate, particularly when the man or men which their
Great Father the President had sent for their protector, had
become a traitor to their interest, and was instrumental; as
has been charged on this iloor. and elsewhere, in defraud
ing them.
Alen front everv section almost of this wide confederacy
c mo n ra cd in tho Creek country about this period—and for
what purpose did they go ? To take the advantages which
the provisions of the treaty unfortunately presented tor
speculation in Indian reservations. They did make it a
source of speculation, and plunged innocent and unoffend
ing ni‘*n, women, and children, of Georgia and Alabama,
on each side of the river Chattahoochee*, in all the hoi-urs
of a bloodv and savage warfare, by their impious and ea
ger thirst for gain and prefi,; and when they liad consum
mated their speculations and frauds, in which some Geor
gians ami Alabamians participated, they return to their
Romes, and add to their infamy, by slandering and calumni
ating the people on the frontiers, whom they had already
too iftucli injured, bv libelling them as beiug the instigators
and cause of the dreadful consequences ot their own acts
of injustice.
Sir, there lias been an immense machine in motion in re
lation to these frauds, and similar speculations, in every
section of the country where the public, lauds are for sale.
Where can its location be, sir ? 1 have heard it said, pro-
bablv in tho citv of I\ ashington. Due thing seems to lie
most certain, that it is in operation; but who manages the
handle, and regulates its mighty action, is beyond discove
rv. Speculation is the order of the day, aud those who
hxve engaged iu it, as individuals or companies, are becom
ing rirh—whether active or dormant partners; and those
who have committed tho frauds upon the Indians in the
Creek country, whether they wore agents nr officers of the
Government, individuals, or companies, or otherwise, are
in a creal measure, bv the use of tho treaty and its unior-
tunate and unwise povisions, the cause of the late Indian
difficulties.
The gentleman from Vermont had very eloquently aud
feelingly depicted these frauds, and had also presented to
this House a deplorable picture, as drawn, of the condi
tion and situation of the emigrating Creeks; and also!
the anoavinous letter whicii he has caused to bo read by the
Clerk. Suppose all this to lie true, mi censure should be
attributed to Georgia or Alabama, for they had no more con
nexion with th»*so matters than any other States in the
Union ; it is a m rater in the exclusive control of the General
Government.
old British stock, move steadily, though silently, onwards, t { u , contracts and sales, honest and dishonest, and all the
vear after vrar, we discover periodically the fruits of that
■ ’ ut /j‘j i *j““ d ia^jvenanf-vvith : complex, continuous, and strengthening relation, in the ra
the hymenial.gu!ph before him
married men, who in the hardness ol their hearts seem to
tally to have forgotten the fact that they were all once ba
chelors. This tax is therefore needless.
But in the secaud case it is ineffectual: Assuming the ob
ject to be the encouragement of marriage, it fails to accom
plish that object. Is there within the knowledge of this
honorable body a solitary instance in which any one has
been urged out of the slough oi'celibacy by the lash of tiffs
tax; or what married representative is prepared to stand
forth and avow, that the two dollar tax w as the silver spur
which stimulated him to take the irretrievable step.. It is
an unsound and dangerous principle in legislation, to inflict
indignitv and penalty of such an amount as simply to dis
tress without amending. Better far would it he to author
rize a commission of celibacy, w itn power to judge of the
individual cases, and to settle the issue of such as axe incu
rably single. When the principle of republican govern
ment shall have been fully developed, legislation will take
new ground on this very subject. It is familiarly said in-
genenti, that we legislate too much-—it may as justly be
said iu. particular that we tax too much. Taxation is a sim-
. pie means to a simple end. It- is the raising of monies for
the support of government, and the protection and welfare
' of the people. But the sy*tcm complained of makes it a
' mere rod, a punitive instrument brandished over the fiends
of a devoted class. The single men of this Coftiingn-
wealth, are upwilling to rest under the staudingimputation
which this system -involves. If odious discrimination is to be
instituted among feilow-oitizeas, it is but fair that those
should pay most for support ot government, who give oc
casion to most of its cares.. Now your committee are wil
ling to join issue on this point, and to have it inquired, from
which of the two classes do the greatest difficulties of le
gislation proceed? It is uot necessary to go further than
this Honorable House, and the business of this. sos-
It i; euininou tq adjourn upon Friday evening, for rsa-
c-cptnm now given every six ( r eight months by English
men to the expositions made by the President to Congress
of the general affairs of the Republic. It is not too much
to say that each successive address-of Gem Jackson and
his predecessor to tlie Legislature of the United States, in
tended us are these documents for the whole civilized
world, have not merely created a respectful sensation
throughout the British Islands (virulence against the people
of the Republic being now confined to the oratory of Mr.
Daniel O’Connell,) hut have met .with a cordial und bro
therly hearing, and have excited-sympathies in the breasts
of the people* of England nearly, if hot completely, akin to
the feelings with which considerate and upright Americans
themselves axe disposed to viaw the several topics treated
of bv the message of the President; where those topics
embrace the international commercc ot the United States
and other independent Powers-
As concerns England, the only question remainingunad-
justed between ■ her and the Republic . is that of tlie New
Brunswick b’tnindarv, intricate stud tedious as it has already
proved, but one wlffch jkobviously not -of a character topro -.
duce auf sgriqus different* between Governments sictuated
as those of Great Britain and.the- America^ -Union are, and*,
must be r . tQ uiaintain jinimpairc<i*-the:.tnestiniabl<j tulvanta-
- ges ftptfit^r^xistiqg Tneutjship, ; ' ■ '' * t
,i The London Morning Chronicle thus speaks of the-Uni
ted States:—“We ares track with the .extraordinary fiict,.
-that the mercantile comntunity o£ the IJjiiuid-States have
been able to snstaift themselves.-in: the face art the specie
measures of the General Government, the like of which
are without a parallel in history—ra If the British Govern
ment had acted, or were now. to act,' towards their commer
cial interests for one month as the American Government*
has doue towards their merchants for. the last six months,
all England wouldfiave been bankrupt, and a general revo
lution would liave.takeh placeTong since ” ' ;
frauds about which so much has this day been said. And
these frauds chiefly, and perhaps an unwillingness on the
part of the Indian to go west of the Mississippi, produced
the late war. Hence, my assertion is true, tlmt the provi
sions of the treaty created the causes of the war—the
frauds,; the war—the reservations, the frauds—tilt* treaty
the reservations. Hear the 2d article of that treaty; it
reads thus: “The United States engaged to survey the
laud* as soon as tho same can conveniently he done, after
the ratification of the treaty; and when the same is sur*
veved, to allow ninety principal chiefs of the Creek tribe
to select one section each, and every other head of a Creek
family to select one half-section each, which tracts shall be
reserved from sale for their use for the term t ' live
veitis, unless- sooner disposed of by them,” &c.
The 3d article savs : “ These tracts may be conveyed by
the persons selecting the same to any other persons, for a
fair consideration, iu such manner a- the President may
direct; the contract shall be certified by some person np--
point'ed for that purpose by the President, but shall not be.,
valid tiJl the President approves the same ; a title shall be
given by the United. States, ..on the completion of the paV-
ment," -* Who cannot see, at a glance, that tlffs trea4y, efaii-
cocted, arranged, planned, and ratified (here, ia^tln^/cityaoj
-WashingtongtlrfftwEYpea,-.wide'niid broad the doors for
speculation,; fraud,.and corruption? And, sir,-T have no
iloubt oqe of the contracting parties saw it, find knew it,
and, it seems, endeavored to provide against it; for the ^d
:article, which'ccmteniplates a sale, says, “these reserva
tions may be sold, for a fait consideration, in such a man
ner as the.President may direct; the contract shall be cer
tified by some person appointed for that purpose by the
President,” &e.; neither Georgia nor Alabama created this
mother of so many evils : no, sir, it; took its origin iu the
city of Washington, and was the production of one of the
departments of this Government. And who'shotiid be an
swerable for the dreadful and heart-rending calamities,
[Air. Everktt rose and asked Air. D. to permit him to
explain.]
The gentleman from Georgia, (Air. Everett said) had mis
apprehended the scope of his remarks. He certainly did
not intend to make any imputations against the character
of anv Stale: and thought liis expressions had been suffi
ciently guarded to exclude such a coast rue tion ; he had, in ge
neral terms, charged tin* Creek fraud* on tho whites ; he
had not designated to what section of the country they be
longed. lie \\ as as well a ware a* the gentleman from Geor
gia, that they did not belong exclusively to the adjoining
States; that persons of high rank elsewhere were con
cerned i:i the frauds and tho removal; and that it would be
in the highest degree illiberal und unjust to characterize
anv State bv the improper conduct of a few individuals; and
lie could have no doubt that the conduct of the speculators
was held in a* deep reprobation in Georgia and Alabama,
as in any part of the Union.
Yes. sir, (said Air. Dawson.) there is no doubt of that
fact, and I am gra. .tied at the explanation. The letter, sir,
which ha* hern read before this House, detailing the condi
tion of the emigrating Creeks, whether true or faise, had
no relation to the States from whence they had removed,
nor could it originate censure against those States which
had suffered by their murders, arsons and robberies. If cen
sure were due, it is properly attached to the Government
or its agent, ns tiffs article of ihe treaty will clearly de
monstrate: “ Art. 12. The United States are desirous
that tlie Creeks should remove to the country west of ihe
Alississippi, and join their countrymen there; and fur this
purpose it is agreed that, as fast as tin* Creeks are prepar
ed t.i emigrate, they shall be removed at the expense of
the l ulled States, and shall rrr.eirr subsistence whilst on
their j-mrnry, and for one year after their arrival at their
new home,” &r.
The Government is hereby hound to remove the Creel.*,
and to subsist and protect them, a al to pay all the ex
penses of removal; and to support them, aud supply them
for one year after their arrival at their “ new home.” These
are obligations and duties belonging to the Government,
and for their fulfillment and discharge, ample appropria
tions have been made by Congress. If these duties and
obligations have been neglected, and if it be true that these
people are in the miserable condition represented—that their
sufferings are such as have been potirtraycd. the fault must
lie on the agents of tin* Government. The contractors
for removal, 1 understand, have fulfilled their contracts; no
cause of censure justly applies to any State—the govern
ment is responsible.
Sir, a needless sympathy seems to have been excited, in
consequence of a few hostile Creeks having been emigrat
ed in chains. This is true, and was an act just ami pro
per, and the officer* of the Government deserve no cen
sure tor this: justice and humanity prompted ir; it was
due to tlie .<af**ty of the defenceless women and children
of the frontier*, anil for the protection of the property of
our citizens in that section, which was then a scene of de
solation, conflagration and murder; und, sir, it was an
act of kindness to the Indians themselves, thus to force
them to their new [mine, and prevent them from remaining
and avenging their mistaken and savage propensities by
acts of cruelty and murder against the whites: and it gave
them an escape from the vengeance of a justly incensed
and excited community who had been roused to despera-
frauds, speculations, and infamous combinations far imwor-
thy purposes, growing out of it ? The answer is palpable..
tion by the murderous acts of these very emigrating In
dians. It was an art of pure grace and favor, for, by the
laws cf the land, these murderers of women and children,
and desolators of property, anti destroyers of the public
mails, had forfeited their lives und deserved death. But,
sir, the generous, and noble, and forgiving feelings of our
nature jierniittod them to escape the vengeance of the vi
olated law.
Let no man speak of the indignation of the injured Geor
gians and Alabamians leading to cruelty; the emigration of
these Indians, after the murders they had committed, the
robberies and conflagrations they had perpetrated, Hieing
permitted by an injured people to escape, and to have taken
up their line of march for tlie west, almost in view of the
smoking ruins of Rounoke, amidst the remains of which
now lie bones and ashes of fathers, mothers, brothers, and
sisters, innocent and unotlending women and children, who
who were murdered by the deadly rifles of these emigrants
or perished in the flames of tlie conflagration Mr. Speaker
their permission to escape is'wonderous, and speaks volu
mes in favour of that portion of this Union, and will com
mand applause.—such au indulgence to the ignorance and
savage ferocity of the children of the forest can be found in
the history only of Georgia and Alabama.
Ther e is still a part of these people remaining, and the
appropriation contained in the bill before the House is to
effect their removal; let me in the name of an exposed peo
ple, .urge that it be made, and these Indians removed Then
may the men, women and children of- that suffering portion
of the Union sleep secure, and be relieved from all the fears
and'apprehension of savage cruelties.
mhcantiy objected to. This was kept m, T v* •
moment. When the Clerk had asc^nlLd tL f ^
to discharge Whitney, hut before ihe wil 4 "" 1 v< *
ed the vote. Mr. Peyton endeavored m va i n t ann ° D nt
eye and ear of tlie Speaker. He called re™*, *■
loud voice, that he wanted to propose an int J ’ ’ ,n
Whitney, hut the Speaker could not bear. fT^ at ' lr ?
announced the vote, and. the royalists itmnedilT*** *'
an adjournment, and so concluded da* di*£w* ' m °' l »
grading spectacle.' The heart sicken* over*!^ 8Im1 d *-
sented to this House, aud it has been received, under a rule
uf tbs House, adopted before I came here, a petition from
free negroes, and now holds in his hands what he is pleas
ed to call a petition which purports to be signed bv slaves,
and asks of the Speaker what disposition he shall make
ot it. Sir, is there to be no end of this ruinous and insult
ing course I Is the gentleman to be protected in a continu
ed it upon the bouth. and ip a course of things, which
mast, if persevered in, result in the overthrow of this Go
vernment, and I fear in the destruction of the liberty of the
American people. When the memlier from Massachusetts
announced his course to the House, T looked around me
and saw, or thought I saw, but one sentimen*. and that was
of universal disgust; and the idea crossed my mind if it
could be possible that there w^s a single man in this House
that would attempt to screen him from an expression of
that censure by this House, much less to justify him in his
course. I answered myself, in my own mind, not one, un
less the fact that free negroes petitioning here through the
member from. Massachusetts, should arouse the ardor of
some honorable representative from the great state of New-
Aork, which history said, had a peculiar regard for free ne
gro suffrage, and, of course, the right of petition. Scarce
had I forgotten the thought, before an honorable gentleman
from New-York, the leader of Mr. Van Buren’s friends in
this House, was upon his feet, and not pretending to repeat
hi* words,-the substance of wh**t lie said was, that if there
was any* thing wrong in this proceeding, it came from the
South ; the petition came from the South j and if there was
censure due any where, it was where the petition came from,
and not with the member from Alassacliusetts: thus throw
ing the broad shield of protection of the coming adminis
tration over the member from Massachusetts. Can any
one be Now ignorant of the true character of those who
have deceived the South ? Can honorable gentlemen from
the South be any lunger in tliejlark as to the course they
should pursue ? I hope not—I believe not. I think I see
in Southern members upon this flour a strong disposition to
lie united upon tiffs subject at last; aud no man shall say
/have thrown a firebrand among them. No, sir, although
they committed the fatal error of voting to receive these
petitions last session, if they arc now convinced, I for one
will receive them as Southern men, as citizens of the South,
with an identity of intciest, of feeling and of honor, under
the strong impulse of a common feeling of disgust at the
wrongs done to the South here. Let them unbutton their
collars and come back to the support of their common coun
try and their old friends, and they shall lie received.
Air. Speaker, the member from Alassacliusetts would
screen himself from the censure of this House, because he
has nor sent his petition from stares to your table. Sir, he
has sent hi* petition from the free negroes of Fredericks
burg, and that is as wrong and insulting to us as if it were
from slaves. The Constitution of these United States no
more allows the one than the other, and both are equally
insulting. Moreover, the member has said he would not
refuse to present a petition from slaves, if the House did
not object. The member from Alassachiisettssays lie would
not offer an indignity to this House; the fact speaks for
itself, and is more conclusive to my mind than all his pro
fessions.
A great number of the petitions are from females of good
character, says the member from Alassachusetts. It may
be so, aud I have no reason to dispute the fact; but 1 must
sav the m* • iber has placed them in had company, when he
places them on a level with such people ; as the honorable
gentleman from Virginia (.Mr. Patton) says his mulatto pe
titioners are persons of ill fame and infamous character, as
far a* lie knows them. I ask again, Air. Speaker, if this
war upon the South is never to rea«c? And if it is to go
on, what kind of people are we to look for in the grand
crusade against us ? Are they to be old men and young
women 7 If so. wo shall nor want Cochran’s rifle to fight
them with; we will conquer them hy softer means, if they
are as clever as their member would have them lie. But,
sir, if they are to he the Goths and Vandals of the North, (no
allusions to our friends in that section of country,) I hope
their fate will not he as favorable a3 those that invaded Bri
tain. At least, sir, wc will do all we can in our own de-
prostitution.
Kent, of
That
MR. WISE.
fiat our readers may more fully compand ,,
bcfore th<; house, we woold explZ/v ""W
are two special committees, which have beenf, tlfo,
in session. Ono raised on tlie notion ofM *!? ,li ai
(V. B.) of Virginia, to inquire into R. M 'Vv'
*■ —si xL . . /* 1 1 9 . til^ . *
Bon Co the Treasury, of which both Messrs w*"
Peyton are members; and the other raised '*
motion, of which Mr. Wise is chairm
fence. If war ever comes of this, which may God forbid,
we will not recede one inch; we will plant ourselves upon
this soil, ami preserve our constitutional rights, or perish in
the attempt. Sir, there seems to be some difference of
opinion amongst our friends here, as to what course wc
ought to pursue in this awful crisis of our beloved country.
Some of our friends, a* patriotic a* any, have urged, in this
debate, that we ought not to sit here and submit to this
outrageous course of things; that if it does not cease, wc
should go home. No. sir: no, sir: this must not he: we
will neither submit nor retire. If they prosecute this mea
sure in this House, by 'attempt* at legislating us out of our
rights, we will resist i: here by legislative acts as long as
we can, and if at last they prove too strong for us, and suc
ceed in passing unconstitutional laws, to rob us of our pro
perty, to murder our wives and children, still we will not
submit; they must change the constitution before they can
bind us by any laws of abolition; this they never can do, if
tlie South is true to itself. And true we shall be, l hope in
Goil, to our constitution, our wives, our children, and our
country. If still they pursue us to the last, and attempt to
do by force what they can never do by law, we will nut be
found wanting; we will nor desert this Capitol, nor this
country. This is the Old Dominion; this land is ours a*
well a* theirs; it was ceiled by Virginia and Marvlnnd,
where slavery is tolrrntcd by law. Shall we leave it, then,
to the dominion of force, and that, too, inflicted by the
unhallowed arm of the wild and worse than savage fanatic 1
No, nevec!
I apprehend, Mr. Speaker, that the South is not well un
derstood upon tiffs subject. Party purposes aud party
policy may have prevented a fair and full expression of the
feeliqgs and opinions of people of all parties at the South,
upon this floor. The spirit of the South has not been felt
here as it should have been. Let me tell gentlemen, it is
a firm and unconquerable resolution never to surrender one
jot or tittle of our constitutional rights upon tiffs subject.
We have a common interest in this Government, a common
title in this capital; it ben- the name of the immortal
Washington, and he was a Southern man. Shall we, then,
ever surrender the one or desert the other ? No, never!
Never, until this fair city is a field of Waterloo, und tiff*
beautiful Potomac a river of blood.
» -— ■*“~ ** v.mirnian. n .
itney, while under examination before \f p r * a !H
imittee, insulted Mr. Peyton, who, bei n? ? ari N’!
id, threatened him w ith personal violence a tXx ^-
ing to Mr. Whitney’s own statement, was nLrif ' arr ^
interposition of Mr. Wise. Mr. Peyton irmneri* ^ **
gised to the committee, who immediately MrT*' *■
> an Buren man, moving it,) passed a vote of " * Jifner »
on Whitney, wlm being recalled also aptilnnjl?*^
matter, so far, was considered bv each and b ■ 81
tee as adjusted. The insult to Mr. I’evton • c,l!tl niF
the fifteenth question, and Whitnev after,,.' nrv Pi’tn
f ~ ’ days ft. many (ither question*; ^^Mn*
for several
was he summoned before Mr. Wise’s
Mr. P**\ ton was not a member, than he
ed. unless the House would do him justice ftfia-
in the case which had transpired in the oth»r "" t ‘ rrn ‘^
Mr. Wise refused to act and the other --
committee directed him to report the ** >k*
House, upon which the Sergcant-nt-\rm rrtln ' s toti*
to bring Whitney to the bar to answer f,.l*^ tv n«ii
iuiswct for
lie then demanded that he should l>e mniir i Umer ¥
ine witnesses touching the proceedings befn n * V Mai **
committee. It was in vain that it wa* i lr
there had been a w rong done there, it w a* ar*ff t *“'* if
committee; that die atonement had beep , , ' c ° t ‘>tho
" * , to the
wiittee, and the action of the House thereby ' "T'’" 01 '
It was in vain that it was urged that in the * ^ ^ —
that committee the conduct of Air. Wise «" nialter brfi
tor, and that so far from complaining of Mr
durt, Whitney had himself, in hi*.publish.i" Ou
tlie affair, said that Air. Wise w as a^uuntlcwnS'^ *
I inn. .1 . ^
lemnly voted that tin* I louse would open the T i**’ **
and thus by refusing to appear before Air jp-". CJ *'
tee, of which Mr. Peyton was not a mp Bl ’i,„'“ ,< *? ,l! *
leged ground that Air. IVyton. provoked bv hr’ 0 ”
hnd tlirpntorjf**] tn nnni»li )ii»r» If ;*• * s
had threatened to puni.h him if it was n>,K*at, H \\C
was permitted to introduce witness,- ... ” . '
conduct of Adr* Peyton before Al
es to testify
Garland s ri. mn]Ci ^
'“Mi
In this state of the case, both Mr. Peyton n„ 1
declared their belief of their ability to 'nmv„ , ll> *
eroding was the result of a conspirary 1 "^^?-
sident and
'iCjMp
rh tk f ;
certain persons, members of Congress
senarrab.o Slave*,’ as Air. Wise railed th cm, * tre ^
and demanded permission to prove it
«% r*?r *“‘V‘-f ' >• .i~ dX’S’ ‘
ben M U bitney has been prompted to commit r,,,,^
the House, by a conspiracy between the IW,. j
some of its member*, that he may he m,.,]„ ' n *"*
for putting Messrs. Wise anil Pevton U po„ th ( IT''""
And what is th«ir offence ? Have they comniimJ
dignity against the House ? In what doe's it c,
an in.
u . ■•iinsist! V,
i eytim was enraged—he did use intemperate I an
and in this ho was disrespectful to the committee uJ T
far to the House: but he immediately api.Ui**d t0 T
committee, who accepted the apology! and thus he
for tho offence. In what bed Air. I\ ise offended > s i
ing of Whitney’s conduct, he said, indeed, it i
■''peak
ed ’’ ins,,Icnt * J » tWs he plead* high authorip-ff^K
but followod the Executive example; andhes'aid that if
any palace slave would visit the White House, a „d 5|M -„
ot the Florida campaign, he would have abundant venW
tion. Can any one he at a loss for the motive which «.
verms these proceedings? Nothing conM newe Vhitiwr
from appearing before Mr. Wise’s committee, hot
fact or circumstances connected w ith that committee. T,
conduct of Air. Peyton before one committee, i*now midi
a pretence for Whitney’s refusal to appear before anotW.ol
which Mr. IVyton ij not a member; ami he is prnmnodio
justify a contempt offered to one committee hy putting Mr.
Peyton on his trial for hi* conduct before’anuthre com
mit tee; and, yet, when Alessrs. Peyton and Wise uminnaii
to prove beiore the House, that the conduct of the i!on«
itseit is the result of a conspi racy bet ween nninheri of tha
House and the President, they are denied the primp a
making the proof. Well may Mr. Wise denouLcethemu
“ svper-serviccohlc slaves.''
But why are the party, hy a party vote, tn muto ifo
time of the House on such pretences’? Why not put Mi.
Whitney on his oath and let him purge liimsrif of hit o»
tempt ? Is it not that they find it better to arrest the pr»-
gross of the examination going on before Air. WVi.-j.
niittee ? Is it not because they prefer that the witm
should stand mute, lest the facts, costive as the witwwi
am. may compel the jury packed by the Speaker f»r thn»
fence of the departments, like the Post Office c. mmittit,/
find a true billon the charge of corruption? Xoonf Us
better how* to play his game, and no utie ufuierMiuidi i*
ter lmw to get tip a row when it is. his interest to hai*
row. than Gen. Jackson. He has always hud mnth«
his madness. Ho know s when to blow out tho randiest
break up the game by a light But Wise and IVyton r
not the men to be kicked off, or to be scared. They !u»*
ti.eir man, ami understand hi* tricks. They know, tn
that \ an Buren thicks that he makes most of hitpredcr*
sor by occupying the public with h:s personal conflicts: w
when his oieu infected followers censure their rudound nil
gar conduct, none can be at a loss to know wham je»i
wise, ai d virtuous public will believe.
.• SPEECH OF MR. ALFORD, OF GEORGIA.
The'question being on the resolution of censure against
Mr. Arams, for introducing a petition from sundry free
negroes of V irginia, and for inquiring of the House, if it
_ would be in . order to introduce a petition from persons
■purporting to be Slaves, and for declaring in his place
til at he "would introduce a petition from slaves, upon the
subject of Abolition, if the House would penftit him to
. do so,—
Mr.--ALFORD addressed the'House as follows:-
Mr. Speaker: I have several times attefnpted to address
the House upon this important question,.but have not been
able W-obtain the floor on account of the great number of
members who wished to speak; indeed, nothing but a so
lemn convictiou of my duty to do so,* has sustained me
m*the determination to be heard.- To me, (sir, it has
been a subject of the most painful excitement to sit here
FROM THE UNITED STATES TEI.EGRAPH.
THE AVHITNKY AFFAIR.
This mockery i* at an end. The royalists, last night,
having gained their purpose—the attack on the characters
of Messy*. W'i.*c and Peyton, and shielding the pet hank
favorite—determined to discharge the Alnjcsty of the Low
er Cabinet from his durance. He is now going at large.
Alany hurried to shake hands, and one proposed privately
to vote him the freedom of the Hall. It is not improbable
that more than one of these had procured accommodations
from Mr. W hitnoy’s Bank, and w ere therefore prompt to
show their devotion and loyalty.
Thus has an entire week been consumed, ar the conclu
sion of the session, when important public business de
mands their immediate attention—merely to gratify Gen.
Jackson, and give pomp to his colleague in the Presiden
cy. The reader will naturally enquire what i* to to !>e done
now? We answer, that the public agents may go on to
rob and plunder at pleasure. They cannot be examined—
no, that is illegal. The House cannot consent to niakejilr.
Whitney give testimony, to show the corruption and frauds
practised hy the Government, unless he chooses. The
same rule holds with all the rest. Send for witnesses, and
if they refuse to come, and be reported as guiltv of a con
tempt, the House caunot administer an oath, and try and
punish them for the offence. No! if they don’t choose to
come, they may stay away! This is in exact keeping with
the charge given by that admirable specimen of a nival
master of the watch, Dogberry, to his night guard.
Dogberry. Well, you are to call at all the alehouses,
and bid those that are drank get them to bed.
2d. Watchman. How if they will not 7
Dogberry. Why then let them alone until thev get so
ber; if they make you not then a 1 letter answer, you may
say they are not the men you took them for.
2d. Watch. Well, sir.
Dogberry. If you meet a thief, you may suspect him,
by virtue of your office, to be no true man :* and, for such
kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, w hy,
the more is for your honestv.
2d. Watch. If we know him to be a thief, shall we not
lay hands on him.
Dogberry. Truly, hy your office, you may; but I think
they that tou^h filth will be defiled—the most peaceable wav
for you, if you do take a thief, is, to let him show himself
what he is, and steal out of your company.
It is remarkable with what fidelity the royalist partv i..
the House has acted upon the precepts of this redoubtable
leader of the w atch. They are placed as watchmen to
mark and punish the delinquencies of the public agents who
abuse the trusts confided to them—and instead of ferret
ing out these offenders, and exposing their frauds and pecu
lations, they give in charge—“ Let them steal out of your
company!" ' .
Is not this, in effect, holding out encouragement to everv
species of crime und corruption bv shielding the perpetra
tor* from exposure and punishment 7 To what excesses
will these men go 7 They are constituted as the great in
quest of the nation, and without the faithful discharge- of
their duties as such, the most outrageous abuses of public
trust, must pass with impunity. They have not only refus
ed to perform their duties, but have actually planted them
selves in opposition to their performance on the part of o-
thfers, and throw the shield of their protection before those
accused of crimes which it was their bounden duty to inves
tigate. . Thus it is that the corruption and proflgacy of this
Administration are to be covered up and concealed from the
eyes of the people. * . -
From whatwe witnessed during the progress of this mock
trial, it was obviously the purpose of tlie royalists to screen
Whitney and convict Messrs. Peyton and Wise. This was
so manifest as to draw from all spectators the expressions
of the deepest disgust. Questions tending- to implicate
Whitney were sedulously' given the go-by,- while every
tenugatory -calculated to place the conduct of Messrs.
Washington, 1). C., Feb. 15.
Mr. Kendall lm* again been before the committee, r |
which Air. \\ ise i* Chairman, and amongiitiifriiitrm'pw*
rit*s propounded to him, he was asked whether lie did of ^ I
not know of associations or combination* nf (iWnimfr!l
officer*, tor the purpose uf iniiudheing election*, uaiiri*[
trolling the public pres*.
Hi* reply, in substance, was, that he knew only »iir: el
sociatii’iis u* were formed to discuss principles, witheai"I
terrace to men. ‘ I
He was asked ii hi* would describe or explain th*
acter and nature of those associations? But this que*/*I
the majority uf the committee refused to put.
He was asked whether he did or did not know nftli> '*|
ganiznlioft of the Hickory Club. Thi* question the **I
uirity of the committee refused to put.
\\ bile Mr. Kendal] was before the committee, itwa 1 *
teil in substance, by a member, who rend a lrttertn*‘*|
stantinte the statement, that an eastern curuj: nv hul ,JI
formed with a \orv largo capital Jo purchase Chick* 11
land*; that the parties had no Ylmibt of being al* l 'j
manage the Indians, but that as llic purchase mu*t h/'”'j
tinned by the President of the United States, it ** I
pcasab-y necessary to secure an influence at Washingtfi~ |
1 hat fur this purpose application was made to Air. -h
Kendall who was admitted as a partner without advaifl* I
any money. I hat a purchase was accordingly mud*' "P* I
Chickasaw tribe, ard continued bv the President: .unit 3 * I
it was supposed the compairv hnd realized a rpt{ jnrti I
nearly |l.l>hA,0(M). After which statement AquMfj"'H
propounded to Mr. Kendall, to elicit the fact* in ti > 5 ,,J
A majority ot the committee refused to let it be pot.
1 he comryittee have passed a resolution dcclvhi? I
they will not inquire into the purchase of public laml
officers of the Government, except in ease* uberr sure I
fleers are prohibited by law from purehasinC'
The committee have also published a n*soluti<n ) del*. r, f-
that they will not inquire into the causes ef mutual*
or appointments to public office, in the several tlepartrJ‘ s
of tiie government.
The Spr in WiiAiNst" 1
The correspondent, of the Baltimore Fatriot, Jctan'.nt
the proceedings before the House, iu the case of YVhina;
gives the following:
“ \\ hen the testimony of these witnesses wa‘
Air. Peyton submitted a motion which excited agtf* 1
of attention, and deserves particular notice. It a rT f * r I
that among the documentary evidence sent to the " AA bitai? I
Committee,” hy the deposite banks, are copies of ^ I
extraordinary correspondence between AVhitnej- awlI
Bank of Biirllnj ton. A t, vATfftney wrote a letter to * I
president of the bank, applying for the situation of I
cf that institution, and enclosing among other recurT 51 '* I
ations ot himself, an anonymous letter, which is relci 7 ^.
by him as coming from one
Executive;
the confidence 01 •_
“high iu . ...
This letter recommends AAhimey
strongest terms, and expatiates upon the advantap'
,ol>
ving such “an organ of inter-communication ’ turd".F
ufi**’
pose of corresponding with the various deposit****
lie money, and thus controlling the currency; tho
exchanges, and promoting the whole fiscal opeiari*®*
government! Yes: the whole fiscal operation* °1 tW^
vernment, the currency and exchanges, all placed BD< yF
thumb of R. Al. Whitney! All this power, in theo*^F
of wlffch every man in the nation is more or less ' nIt ^! r
placed in the hands ot a person * — as 1 -*
sponsible; and yet t he representatives of the pe°P|*' 5 ^
to ask who he is, and what he dties, sm pain of be -
nounced as a “ Spanish inquisition.’-’ ._j p
Air. I’evton now moved that the accused he mi 11 ’ . ,
testify either before the House or the committee, *
Amos Kendall was the author of this anonymous
and if he was not, who was 7 He stated,
that it was important to hare this question
out delay, as the investigating committee were pr^lyy. i
"o'- uviay, as roe investigating cranium^ ■— >.
to make a report. The House refused-the 0pp lC ^ ^ |
Let your readers mark this—another refusal pregn® 1 ^
it remembered, too, that AVhitney raised the rt? 1 ^ j-
sitorial’ on every question propounded to him m 1 *
mos Kendall. ■
fii*
The importation of 1 choice and costly disbes fm^ ^
is becoming now* an every day occurrence m ^
The Havre packet iihips regularly bring ovrr ,_ ^ &
time past in tin cases hermetrically sealed from -»fr
most delicious Tates de foio Gras, Dindes, ah* * ^*i
flts Pois Sucres, Champignons Ac. Slc. The
Vengeot Chamberlin are also gettfog
--V. Y. Star.
