Newspaper Page Text
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3. Pindall, J. Pleasants, B. Smith, A. Smith, G.
F. Strother, H.St. G. Tucker, J- Tyler,
North Carolina, J. II. Bryan, VV. N. Edwards,
D. Forney, J. II. Hall.G. Muuiford, T. Settle,J
Slocumb, J. S. Smith, J. -Hwen, L. Sawyer, F.
Wallcei 1 , L. Williams, (one vacant.)
South Carolina, J. Bellinger, 15. Earle, J. Er-
■ving, W. Lowndes, H. Middleton, S. D. Miller,
W. Nesbitt, S. Tucker, (one vacant.)
Georgia, J. Abbott, T. W. Cobb, Z. Cook, J.
Crawford, J. Forsyth, W. Terrill.
Kentucky, It. C. Anderson, II. Clay, J. Desha,
R. M. Johnson, A. New, T. Queries, G. C. Rob
inson, T. Speed, I). Trimble, 1). Walker.
Tennessee, W. G. Blount, T. Claiborne, S,
Hogg, F. Jones, W. L. Marr, J. Rhea.
Ohio, L. Barber, P. Beecher, J- W. Campbell
W. H. Harrison, S. Herrick, P. Hitchcock.
Louisiana, T. B. Robertson.
Indiana, W. Hendricks.
Mississippi, G. Poindexter.
Illinois Territory, N. Pope.
Missouri, J. Scott.
SF NATE.—December 5.
Mr. Barbour, from a committee appointed on
that subject, reported a resolution for the admis
sion of the state of Mississippi into the Union ;
which was read three several times, passed, and
sent to the other House for concurrence.
HOUSE OF representatives;
Wednesday, Dec. 3,
Tile Speaker laid before the House a letter
from John Gardner, Chief Clerk in the General
Land Office, accompanied by two copies of a map
of the Bounty Land in the Illinois territory, en
graved for the use of the soldiers of the late army.
On motion of Mr. Smith of Md. the several
standing committees (19 in number) were order
ed to be appointed. The Speaker appointed
them, and they will be announced to-morrow.
State of the Union.—On motion of Mr. Tay
lor, of New York, the House resolved itself into
a committee of the wholeon the state of the Union.
Mr. Smith of Md. being sailed to the chair. The
President's Message was the subject of conside
ration.
Mr. Taylor moved a series of resolutions em
bracing the following references of various parts
of the Message.
Resolved, That so much rf the Message of the
President of the United States, as relates to the
subject of Foreign Affairs, and to our commercial
intercourse with British Colonial Ports, be refer
red to a select committee.
That so much as relates to military affairs ; so
much as relates to an improvement in the organi
zation and discipline of the militia ; so much as
relates to naval affairs ; so much as relatess to
the impr >vement of the Indian tribes in the arts
of civilized life ; so much as relates to roads ; ca
nals, and seminaries of learning ; so much as re
lates to the illicit introduction of slaves from A-
melia Island into the United St. tes ; so much as
relates to the public buildings, and to the erection
of new edifices for the accommodation of the
Heads of Departments and the Attorney General;
so much as relates to the surviving officers and
soldiers of the Revolutionary army ; be severally
referred to select committees, with leave to re
port by bill or otherwise.
That'so much as relates to manufactures, be
referred t5 the committee of commerce and man
ufactures ; so much as relates to the subject of
revenue, and a repeal of the internal taxes, be re
ferred to the committee of Ways and Means ;
so much as relates to purchases of lands from the
Indian tribes, to the committee on public lands.
The first resolution having been read for con
sideration, Mr. Clay (the speaker) moved to a-
mend the same by adding to the end thereof the
following words :—“ And that the said committee
be instructed to enquire whether any, and, if any,
xvhat provisions of law are necessary to ensure,
to the American colonics of Spain, a just observ
ance of the duties incident to the neutral relation
in which the United States stand, in the existing
war between them and Spain.” Agreed to.
~ ST ATE LKGISIA rtlTlI?.
HOUSE OF REPRESENT A 1'IVE*.
Monday, December 15.
To the Senate and House of Representatives,
Gentlemen,—I received by the last mail a eom-
tnunication from the governor of the state of*’ m-
iicssee, enclosing a copy of an act of the general
assembly of that state on the subject of appoint
ing a mathematician and commissioner to ascer
tain and run & mark the line dividing that state
and the state of Georgia, and requesting a co-ope
ration on our part.
As your session is now far advanced, I would
merely suggest the propriety of passing a resolu
tion which will authorise the executive to attend
tothatduty. The accompanying documents will
more lull y explain the object of this communica
tion; which are herewith respectfully submitted.
(Signed) Win. RABUN.
The communication and documents were re
ferred to the committee on the state of the remtb-
Jic.
Tuesday, December 10.
The committee on the state of the rcpnblic, to
whom was referred the communication ol Wm. A.
OiUtec to recouynend an immediate contract for
a sufficient supply, did they consider the exigen
cies of the state rendered it necessary.
The committee on the state of the republic to
whom was referred the governor’s communication
relative to the public arms, Report, that they
have taken the same into consideration, and re
commend the following resolution :
Resolved, That his exc. the governor be, and
lie is hereby authorised, to cause to be built, on
any part of the public square where lie may deem
proper, a bouse of sufficient size to bold the pub
lic arms ; and that lie cause them to be removed
and depoaiied therein—and that ho is hereby re
quested to pursue such measures as lie may deem
best calculated to collect the public arms in the
different parts of the state—Agreed to.
Tiie committee on the state of the republic, to
whom was referred the several resolutions from
the states of North Carolina and New-Jersey, &c.
Report the following resolution, to wit :—
Resolved, that it is inexpedient to amend the
conssitution of the U. States as regards the choos
ing of representatives in the Congress of the U.
States, and also, as it regards the mode of appoint
ing electors of president and vice-president of the
in manner proposed by the general assembly of
North-Carolina ; and that his excellency the gov
ernor be requested to forward a copy of this re
solution to the executives of the several states.
The following resolution was read and a-
greed to
excellency the governor he, and he is hereby re
quested to have blinds put to tiie windows ol the
Senate Chamber, similar to those in the executive
chamber.
Wednesday, December \T.
On motion of Mr. Blackshenr, Resolved, That
his excellency the governor, be requested to pay
out of the contingent fund to the commissioners
of the penitentiary edifice, at and alter the rate id
S100 each per year, for the services they have
rendered in superintending the same.
On motion of Mr. Elliott, resolved, I hat his
excellency the governor be, and lie is hereby au
thorised and requested, to cause to be erected
neat brick tombs over the graves^of the late Wal
ter Arain and George G. Nowland, esquires, who
died at the scat of government in the honorable
duties of representatives of the people ; and that
lie discharge the same out of the contingent fund.
Thursday, December 18.
On motion ol’Mr. Walker, resolved unanimous
ly, That the thanks of the Senate be, and the same
are hereby tendered to the. honorable Matthew
Talbot, president, for the faithful and impartial
discharge of his duties during the present session ‘
Substance of the Speech delivered ill the House oj
Represen alives on the bill to suppress the cir
culation of Chang ' Rills, by Col. James /ilair,
of Franklin. ( Unavoidably postponed in our
last.)
Mi-. Speaker,—I always mean to go for the pub-
Resolvcd by the Senate and House of Itepre-1 lie good. Let me then ask you ol what advau-
sentatives of the state of Georgia in general as-1 tage is the s'ate U.uik to the up country ? 1 he
sembly met, That the amendment to the const!-! institution the bill now under discussion aims
tution of the United States- proposed by the gen-11n pu ■ down is of rea benefit to the back couiitiy.
eral assembly of the commonwealth of Kentucky,! W e gut money from it when we want it, and
in the following words :—“ No law varying the 1 on good terms. \\ hat do we caie about a char-
compensation ol the members of the Congress of I ter ? the credit of batiks rests more upon the capi-
tlie Unis (I States, shall take effect until the tune tal than the c arter.
lor which the members oi the II msc of Represen-| II we cannot borrow the money we want from
fives of that Congress by which the law was pas-! coartered institutions, we will take it from un-
sed, shall have expired,” meets the cordial appro-1 chartered companies. 1 should like to know if I
bation of the representatives of the freemen ol wanted to-day, five'dollars in silver from the bank
Georgia. in this pi ce if I could get it? We can get at the
Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be j institution some people wish so much to put down,
instructed, and our Representatives he requested,! any kind ol money we want. I must therefore,
to use their best endeavors to oblation such an j support that hank and vote against this hill which
amendment to the Constitution of the United means to destroy it. Under the impression t int
States. I the state hank would art on liberal principles,
Resolved, That his excellency the governor be I and give the back country a chance ol getting
requested to transmit copies of the foregoing re-1 money on loan, I voted for its charter ; it was toe
solutions to each of our Senators and Representa* j I' 11 ')*! 1 ever voted tor. But I fear 1 have been da
tives in the Congress of the United States.
Thursday, December 13.
On ir,iion of Mr. Crocker, Resolved,That Ilis
ceived—for what has the back country yet receiv
ed from the state bank ? Suppose my property
was for sale by tiie sheriff, could 1 get money from
Excellency the Governor be, and lie is hereby nu-i this hank to pay the debt ? I es, it 1 pay two and
thorised to receive sealed proposals for the whole! a half percent, for town endorsers ! i Know that
or any part of the claim of the confiscated pro-1 twenty-two per cent, has been paid at this bank
perty until the first Monday in November next, j (or money ! Let the manner ol drawing money
and that his excellency the governor advertise the 11 ruin this bank be accommodated to substantial
same once a mouth for six months in the Georgia Icountiy customers, the real supporters of the
Journal and Savannah Republican ; and it is here-! coutitry and its monied institutions.
by made the duty of the governor to lay tiie said
proposals, if any, before the next legislature.
Friday, December 19.
On motion, resolved unanimously, that the
thanks of the House be and they are hereby pre
sented to the honorable Speaker, for his faithful
and impartial discharge of the duties of the chair
during the present session.
SENATE.
Tuesday, December 16.
Mr. Montgomery, from the committee on the
state of the republic, to whom was referred the
governor’s communication relative to the running
of the boundary between the states of Georgia and
Tennessee, which was read, agreed to, and or
dered that the same he forthwith carried to tiie
Mouse of Representatives for their concurrence.
Whereas the Legislature of the State of Ten
nessee have, by an act passed on the lOtii Novem
ber last, authorised and empowered the governor
of that state, to appoint.! in ,‘liematician and com-
missiorwr, to meet such per.-ons as may be appoint
ed on the behalf of Georgia, to nscertai , run and
cause to be marked, the houndary line between
the aforesaid states ; and #iiereas tiie correct as
certainment and lawful establishment of such line,
will great'y tend to the promotion of harmony be
tween the states of Tennesscc and Georgia, by
the prevention of such disputes as may arise from
the settlement of individuals on or near the afore
said line under the authority of each of them ■
It is therefore resolved, That his excellency the
governor be, and lie is hereby authorised ami em
powered, to appoit a mathematician, commission
er and surveyor, to act for, and ill behalf of this
state, and which mathematician and commissioner
shall have authority under the direction uf the
governor, to proceed in conjunction with the ma
thematician and commissioner appointed by the
state of Tennessee, to asce tain, run, and cause
to lie marked, plainly and distinctly, the boundary
between the two states ; and whenever the mathe
matician and co nmissioner are ready to proceed
to the execution of the trust hereby reposed in
them, it shall and may be lawful for them, to se
lect and employ as many chain 'carriers and mark
ers as may be necessary to be employed on the
part of this state, and that it shall bo the duty of
the said mathematician and commissioner when
ever they shall have ascertained, run, and caused
to be plainly marked the aforesaid boundary line,
to make a faithful report to his excellency thego-
Mercein. relative to the purchase ut a.number of vernor, together with the number of days and
books and plates, as tiie system to regulate the
field exercise and manceuvres of infantry, &c.
Report, That the governor of this state be au
thorised to purchase for the us^ of the militia of
this state, one hundred and fifty copies of the edi
tion p iblished by Win. A. Mercein, of the sys
persons engaged in this business.
And be it furtner resolved, That the mathema
tician, commissioner and surveyor, appointed un
der the authority of this state, shall each receive
the sum of five dollars for each day he shall have
been engaged in discharge of his duties herein be-
tem of infantry tactics, adopted bv the United I tore assigned him, anil alike sum on every twen-
Cini... f.... H.. I i.. L. -I!..!.. I J I I K . . 7 . . -
States for its armies; and to be distributed to each
and every It. colonel of a regiment and major of
a battalion of the militia of the state, one copy of
the said system.—Agreed to.
Tiie committee on the state of the republic, to
whom was referred so much of his excellency the
governor's communication as relates to the pur
chase of sabres, &c. Report, That they have ex
amined the sabre forwarded to his exc. the gov.
by Mr. Nathan Starr of Middletown. Conn, anil
are of opinion that its formation, &,c. though not
entirely unexceptionable, weald induce your com-
ty-five miles in going to the point of beginning
and returning to the point of termination ; and
that the chain carriers and markers employed for
the service shall each for every day’s employment
on the line, and for every day taken up in tra
velling to and from such line, be entitled to and
receive the sum of one dollar and fifty cents : and
that his excellency the governor be, and he is
hereby athorised to draw upon the contingent fund
lor any sum that may be found necessary to de
fray the expenses of this serv ice.
Ou motion of Mr. Walker. Resolved, That his
Debate in the House of Representatives on the bill
to establish Free Schools in this State.
MR. JAMES S. BRADWELL.
Mr. Chairman,—As the mover of this bill, and
as a warm advocate of every tiling that will tend
to internal improvement, 1 leel it my du
ty to make a few observations.—-In doing this, 1
must confess, sir, that 1 rise on this subject with
some degree of embarrassment, fearing that
this honorable body will not take fully into con-
consideration this important question, and con
scious of the disparity that exists between my a-
bi lity and my zeal.
Never perhaps, Mr. Chairman, has there a sub
ject of more importance been presented to our
view. It is one that demands our most serious
consideration; it is one in which we should be
peculiarly interested, because it is one in which
is involved our duty, as it regards our country,
our fellow men, and those principles of morality,
without which human society could not exist.
Our present situation as a nation, sir, is truly
Mattering. Our country glides smoothly on the
unruffled stream ol prosperity; our name is re
vered, and our rights are respected by every na
tion ; our commerce extends to the most distant
aouutries ; our flag floats unmolested in every
harbor—in short our country is truly blessed, fn
this undisturbed state of peace and security, we
should not, however, be unmindful of still greater
improvements. There arc many improvements
yet to be made—many attainments vet to be gain
ed, wliicli may render us still more happy. Many
enterprises mqv yet be undertaken and, 1 sincere
ly hope, some may prove successful, that will add
a double security to our country, and a lasting
permanence to our felicity—and in our state, Mr.
Chairman, nothing will more contribute to our
imporveincnt, security and happiness, than the
establishment of free schools thrtiughout the state.
No man, sir, will pretend to dispute the advanta
ges ol education in any station of life. The illit
erate man always labors under a disadvantage
Tvhich nothing but usel'ul learning can remedy.—
As the citizen and patriot, bis services to bis coun
try must be confined to very narrow limits—he
may possess all the zeal necessary, lie may be
truly patriotic, but yet his usefulness can never
be extensive. As the neighbor and the head of a
family, the illiterate man’s situation is disagreea
ble and frequently liable te insult and encroach
ment.
From useful learning being generally diffused
throughout a country, arise many advantages,Mr.
Chairman, of which we cannot now conceive. A
nation only to obtain the name of being civilized
is somewhat respected ; but one that is pre-emi
nent in science, the nursery of the fine arts, and
the repository oflearning, ubtains a fame that ne
ver dies. But, Mr. Chairman, it is not to esta
blish a lasting fame ; it is uot to obtain a name a-
bove other nations, that we recomhiend a general
diffusion of knowledge—No, sir; there are other
advantages that far outweigh these ambitious
views.—Useful learning promotes agriculture,
commerce and manufactures. Where, but from
the societies of the learned, have proceeded the
many improvements that have been made in these
useful employments in the old countries ? Who
out men ol education have discovered and invent
ed so many useful improvements in agriculture
and manufactures in our own country. Genera
knowledge haslikeu fsc a tendency to the impn,Vi
olent of the manners and the right understindin'
of customs. From it must al.- o result a bette r
knowledge of our law: and our government. A-
inong an enlightened community, ambition* W nk
designing men cannot so easily accomplish their
nefarious purp.j ;es; they are more liable to detec-.
tion, and consequently the liberties of this coini- '
try will be more firmly supported. Education 1
has also a tendency to prevent the commission o'!
crime; many crimes, Mr. Chairman, many () p
those gross violations of law and right, are not the
result of intention and an evil disposition, but
they very often proceed from an ignorance of our!
laws, As an evidence of this, how often has the <
j unfortunate culprit, been compelled to acknow-’
| ledge at too late an hour, that it was for want of-
i knowledge and a right understanding of our laws,
! that he came to such an end.—Thus it is, tlmtoiu-
I laws being violated and unconsciously trampled
j upon, our community becomes more depraved.
| In pursuing farther this subject, sir, we natu.
, rally look abroad through society and observe
| the unequal situations of men. In drawing aside
j the ve*l that conceals the sufferings of the human
| race, the first objects of compassion that meets
| our view, is the poor man’s child and the unprn.
tected orphan.—Their situations are forlorn; their
tattered garments, “ their downcast looks anil
disordered air” speak in a language that must be
heard. Some persons there are, who by their own
misconduct, by idleness, intemperance, or some
destructive vice, have conic to want—These ’tis
true, should in some degree, excite our commis
eration : we feel for the weakness and falibility of
our nature. But there are others, who by unavoidable
misfortune have been reduced to a hard and pen
urious lot; children of sorrow, on whom the hand
of Heaven lias imposed a burden they can scarce
ly hear ! who from their birth have been rocked
in the cradle of misery, and nurtured in the arms
ol affliction.—Such are the objects tbit must
touch our temlerest sympathies—such are
the objects that must, in a peculiar degree,
excite our pity. And will it be doubted, Mr.
Chairman, hut that there are many such objects,
even in this our happy country ? It would ap
pear almost inconsistent tiiat there should be; but
*o it is—and it is our duty, it is the duty of this
honorable body,to alleviate their distress so far as
is within our power. It is, sir, within our power
to assist and ameliorate their condition ; only en
lighten their minds; render them conscious of
their situation ; teach them to know the value of
liberty ; the unquestionable rights of man ; tie
precepts o! virtue ; and the Jeneis of our holy re
ligion, and your services to the rising generation
will never be lorgottcn.
Mr. Cliiniian, it is almost unnecessary t» urge
the importance of this question by another aigu-
ment—Every member on this floor must be well
convinced that this is a subject of moment; our
country calls loudly on us to perform this duty;
and in the general solicitation, I distinctly hear
the voice ol this our native state—She tells us
that amidst the gloom of her wildernesses, and
within the narrow limits of a secluded cottage,
there may exist some mind formed of superior
mould ; some high-born soul swelling with tiie en
ergies of the warrior, and fortified w ith the inflex
ibility of the patriot—some “Uincinnatus,in whose
bosom the destinies of a nation may lie dormant;”
some Pitt or Ames to stand up boldly ill the cause
of justice and of man ; some Curran, to tear from
the reluctant grasp of papal authority, the blood/
standard ol persecution; some Franklin, to whom
the fires of heaven may yield obedience; sole
Washington or Jackson, to unsheath the sword of
war and nobly protect our country and her rights.
Mr. Chairman, are these sentiments visionary
and romantic ? are they only the effusions nfa
heated imagination? are they chimerical and
illusory ? are they only grounded on the opinions
of an inexperienced young man ?—No, sir, they
arc proven, plainly proven,by experience and fact:
many of our sister states have proven it, and t
sincerely hope that only a short space of time will
elapse be fere we ourselves will prove it.
MR. THOMAS I. MOORE.
Mr. Chairman.—I had not intended to have said
any thing in addition to whiit fell from mv wor
thy friend from Liberty, (Mr. Brad well,) inas
much as I took it for granted that his luminous
and eloquent address was well calculated to pro
duce conviction on the minds of all. I must ac
knowledge. that I felt great surprise, at tiie oh
iections advanced to the passage of this bill, h/
the gentleman from Ptitnain, (Mr. Hudson,) anu
by the gentleman from Elbert, (Mr. Heard.) The
gentleman from Putnam has advanced a doctrine
perfectly novel, and equally fallacious, to-wit,
that although lie admits the utility of the propnsi-
sition, he thinks, that we should not engage in
this grand scheme of disseminating knowledge,
unless our present means were sufficient to ac
complish the desirable end. For myself, Mr.
Chairman, it is the first time I have ever hoard ot
an objection of the kind, either applied to public
or private concerns. If the correctness of tiie
position as to its utility be admitted, shall we fur
a moment hesitate to put in operation a system ot
education productive of so much good, even al
though we cannot extend its influence so widely
as we desire. Shall we say that notwithstanding
we cannot educate all the poor children within
the limits of our state, that we will not commenre
so benevolent and charitable a work, because of
our inadequacy to accomplish it? 1 trust nob
I his is our first grand attempt to put in operation
a system productive of such general good. Let
us not therefore hesitate to avail ourselves of the
best mean in our power to foster an institution
which will redound to the honor of the present le
gislature, and be of such immense benefit to th* 1 ’
state generally. I entertain too high opinion of the
liberal and enlightened policy of that gentleman,
to believe that he is senouslv hostile to this mea
sure ; and I cannot hesitate in believing,'that his
opposition is created more exclusivcl v by bis fear*
than by bis hostile spirit. The gentleman fr 0 ®
Elbert, (Mr. Heard,), has, very much to my sue
prise, raised objections to the passage of this bilk
which I little expected from him. For that geu-
tleman’s opinions I have generally felt the utmost