Newspaper Page Text
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THEATRICAL ROW.
_ Our theatre was the scene of consiJera-
/ Me excitement last evening. The diffi
culty grew out of a determination on the
^ jvirt of tho friends of Daniel O’Connell,
t» put down Master Burke, whose father,
jwliile in England, had written a violent
tier against that reformer.
The house was tolerably 'yell filled
when the curtain rose. In the first scene
of Romeo, Master Burke was kindly re
ceived. In the second, there were a few
hisses. These, as the play progressed,
increased in number and in noise, until
before the conclusion of the first act, all
was confusion and uproar.
fMaster Burke then appeared in front of
jfT the stage, evidently desirous of address-
JfFing the audience, but was driven ofT by
hisses and howling.
Mr. Blake, the manager, then appeared
1 order was restored. He said—“It is
^^revident that Muster Burke has incurred
^^^ilic displeasure of a portion of the audience.
Jfrilr, is utterly unconscious ot haying done
£7 7 wrong. May I inquire what - is his of-
/ fence?”
“He must disavow the sentiments of
J his fither,” said a person in the boxes.
s “His father abused Daniel O’Connell,”
said another.
This increased the tumult, amid which
Dr. Burke, who was in the front box, rose
anl attempted to speak, but bis voice,
though aloud one could scarcely be raised
above the din. We beard him, however,
k
l
reiterate his charges against O’Connell,
and" denounce those win) abused his boy,
as cowards and scoundrels.
This a ided fuel to the flame. “Turn
out the old tory”—“clear outsold Burke”
—“he is a disgrace to his country,” &c.
As Dr. Burke’s presence was evidently
one cause of the disorder, he. was induced
to withdraw, under an expectation that
quiet would be restored. The curtain
rose and Romeo and Juliet appeared in
the balcony scene; but they were again
ass died with hisses and bootings, the dis
contents in the interim, having augmented
their numbers. The shouts came from
tlie pit, boxes and gallery. The play
proceeded for some time in dumb show,
when the curtain fell, and Mr. Blake came
forward and addressed the_audience sub
stantially .as follows;
“It would be affectation to pretend
ignorance of the cause of this disorder.—
Dr. B urke, tlae father of this boy, while in
England, wrote a letter which is offensive
to a portion of tiie audience. Mastei
Burke himself is innocent of that and
every other offence. Indeed I may’ say
that to all the vices of manhood, this boy
is a stranger. Will you, then, visit the
alleged misconduct of the father, upon the
innocent boy?”
“No, no, no,” was the reply of three-
fourths of the audience.
Mr. Blake then said that Master Burke
was desirous of addressing the audience.
This was resisted for sometime, but order
was finally restored, when he came for
ward and expressed his regret to find him- ,
self obnoxious to the citizens of Albany
where lie had always beam treated with so
much kindness. He had never given
intentional offence to that or any oilier
audience.
Mr. John T. Maher, from the boxes,
said—“Your father has abused Daniel
O’Connell.”
Mr. Peter C. Doyle called upon him to
“disclaim the sentiments of his lather.”
Master Burke replied, that lie had taken
no part in politics; that lie had neither
formed nor expressed any political opin
ions; thatliis mind had been occupied with
other studies; that he was too young to
meddle-with politics; and that he ought
not to he held accountable fertile opinions
expressed by others.
With this, many of the discontents
seemed to be satisfied, hut as others con
tinued the noise, the play could not go on.
At this point, the friends of Master
Burke lost patience at what they deemed
the injustice of his opponents, and went
to work to clear the house. Here, for a
short time, things looked blue. A general
light seemed inevitable. The leading dis
contents, were seized, dragged from the
boxes, and out of the theatre.
At this moment the discontents in the
pit attempted to scale the boxes, but they
were all forced back. Having ejected
the leading discontents from the. theatre,
order was restored, and the curtain went
up. M ister Burke, on his reappearance,
was received with six cheers and a deafen
ing round of applause; after which all
passed off quietly.
The cause of the affray was this: Mr.
O'Connell wrote a letter in which he de
nounced the Americans in terms that we
need not repeat. Dr. Burke—who was
then in England, took up the cudgels for
his adopted country, and denounced O’
Connell in terms equally abusive.
For this, the friends of O’Connell at
tempted to drive Master Burke from the
stage; and for that the friends of Master
Burke drove his opponents from the thea
tre. Neither party manifested an3 - dis
position to commit violence or destroy,
property.
The manager and Master Burke, con
ducted throughout with great propriety.
Dr. Burke, under the circumstances,
should not have interfered.—Albany Even
ing Journal, 1-3'A nit.
From the Darien Telegraph, 20th ult.
Death of a Child of the Forest!!!—We
extract the following from the Jackson
ville Courier. It is contained in a detail
ed account of the late campaign in Flori
da. The Major’s death we have record
ed before, but the particulars are touch
ing:
“After having gone about two miles,
the enemy were array'ed on the opposite
side of a narrow creek or lagoon, which
extended each way further than the eye
could reach. Our forces made several
unsuccessful attempts to cross the lagoon.
Those, who made the attempt, were one
m mient on a bog and the next up to the
arms in inud and water, and were con
stantly exposed to the most deadly fire of
the enemy from the opposite side. The
ehivalric Major MONIAC, was shot
through the heart, in boldly attempting,
at the head of a party of the Creeks, to
cross. On receiving the shot, his last
words to captain Watson, on falling were
—“Save ray body.” Unfortunate as he
was brave, be bad advanced too far to en
able any one to do so, and he w.is act dp-
ed.
“Finding it impracticable at that late
hour, (four o’clock in the evening) to pur-
sure the cnem3 T beyond this natural bar
rier, (though fordable in some places by
the Indians) in the face of the enemy’ on
the opposite side, they returned to the
camp. During the engagement there
were ten of colonel Pierce’s division kill
ed and twelve or fourteen wounded, se
veral of whom have since died. Of the
enemy, from fourteen to nineteen were
found dead.
The death of the brave Moriiac was
much regretted by all. He had been ed
ucated at West Point, and, on leaving,
was given a commission in the army.—
But lie preferred returning to the home
and independent life of his fathers. Like
many other brave and chivalric spirits,
his was the misfortune to take its flight
from the swamps and hammocks of Flor
ida. Inglorious death! He met it with a
simple request, to save him from disgrace
and to give his weary spirit rest in the
other world.
“The Tennessee brigade fully sustain
ed their State reputation. All the offi
cers and men engaged in the battle are
represented to have fought well as any
general could wish.
All who were present represent this as
a hard lought battle. Those who were
with “the hero of the Great Bend,” say,
that during the Creek and .Seminole cam
paigns, there was no such fighting,—no
such contesting inch by inch, the ground
lor such a length of time. This is attri
buted to their superior knowledge of the
use of fire arms, their former success, and
the despair l>v which they are urged to
any sacrifice.”
THE LIFE OF AARON BURR.
Memois of Aaron Burr; by Matthew L-
Davis.—Harper & Brothers, 1836.—The
late Aaron Burr, whatever difference of
opinion min’exist with respect to his pub
lic and private character, was unquestion
ably a man of great and extraordinur3’
talents. During the revolutionary war lie
was looked upon hy his associates and
cotemporaries as possessing nearly all
the requisites of a high military chief; as
a lawyer, he stood on the same line with
general Hamilton; and as a political lead
er, the democratic party of this State is
indebted to him for that organization
which has since secured it so mam’ tri
umphs. Through a succession of steps
lie rose to the second office of this govern
ment; and that he failed in reaching the
first, was only owing to one of those turns
of the die, on which the fate of little as
well as great men so often depends.—
With many’ deplorable weaknesses, and
one most especially paramount over all
others, he possessed high and valuable
qualities, which ought, in justice, to be
placed in the balance by which ho is
weighed. He was an admirer and patron
of talents, in every station of life, and to
him it is mainly owing, that the country
jvosscsses so distinguished an artist as
Vandcrlvn.
The life of such a man, chequered as
it is, by a series of successful exertions to
rise, followed by such striking reverses,
cannot but be interesting, impressive, and
useful. To trace hy what means, and by
the exercise of what particular virtues
and talents he gained his elevation, and
by what faults or transgessions he lost it,
cannot but convey an important moral
lesson, both to youth and to age, to aspir
ing as well as successful ambition.
Perhaps no man now living.was better
qualified than Mr. Davis for this task.—
Once the protege, and always the faithful
friend of colonel Burr, whom he, it is be
lieved, never forsook, even in the last ex
tremity - of povert3’ and fallen greatness,
Mr. Davis had the best opportunities of
studying his character in prosperity as
well as adversity; while the entire pos
session and control of colonel Burr’s pa
pers afforded him ample materials for his
biography. The great danger was, that
the judgment and feelings of Mr. Davis
might possibly’ be too much influenced hy
the united operation of friendship, grati
tude, and commiseration. As 3’et, how
ever, we see no evidences of this in the
volume before us, which, indeed, stops on
the threshold of those disastrous events
which paved the way for colonel Burr’s
exile and ruin; and from our intimate
knowledge of Mr. Davis, we arc well sat
isfied that he will discharge his duty as a
biographer with as much fearlessness and
impartiality as any person to whom the
task could have been intrusted.
The great fault of colonel Burr was, an
utter destitution of all principle in his in
tercourse with females; and his great foi
ble an overweening personal vanity, not
unfrequently’ the weakness of great minds.
The late general Hamilton, distinguished
as he was by a genius which placed him
on a level with any man of his time, was
not exempt from tliis failing; and the late
William Pinkney’, of Maryland, in the
midst of exercises and exertions of gigan
tic intellect, is known to have paid as
much attention to his dress, as he did to
his consummate arguments in the senate
or at the bar.
This want of principle, Mr. Davis in
the outset of Ins relation, once for all
Frankly acknowledges, and unequivocally
resigns colonel Burr to public condemna
tion. But we think his work would have
been somewhat more useful, in a moral
view, had he, without entering into par
ticulars, traced the consequences of this
great and leading fault to their final issue,
anti deplorable catastrophe. He indeed
alludes more than once to the carl3' dis
like of Washington, and has left us in
doubt as to its cause. But no doubt ex
ists in our minds that it was in a great
measure owing to the colonel’s early ex
ploits in the field of gallantly. The stern,
inflexible virtue of Washington, whose
private as well as public life is a study
for youth and age, must have shrunk with
disgust from a confidential intercourse
with one who paid no regard whatever to
the most sacred obligations of social life.
The consequences of tins deplorable yvant
of principle, this inv’ctemte, overwhelm
ing passion for invading the sanctity of
domestic ties, without douht carried its
effects into all .colonel Burt’s future ca
reer, and mainly influenced its disastrous
termination.
No husband or father could thoroughly'
esteem, or safely trust, or confidentially
associate with a man whose acknowledg
ed powers of fascination were so great,
and whose passions were so ungoverna
ble as to be equally beyond the restraint
of those obstacles- of reason, principle,
and duty, which constitute the great bar
riers to the violation of the domestic rela
tions. The husband and the father must
equally have shrunk with instinctive fear
and dislike from a man whose ’.cry first
step into manhood \y’as the prelude to the
ruin of an inexperienced girl, under the
protection of the same roof. Hence it
yvas that the friends of colonel Burr were
principally’ young men, who, not having
themselves formed those ties which lie
did not scruple to violate, felt none of those
apprehensions which in so great a degree
impaired the confidence of his older as
sociates, and contributed so much to lose
him that of his county.
The course pursued by’ Mr. Davis, in
relation to the memorials of those long
past offences which colonel Burr, it seems,
preserved for the purpose of banqueting
his bed-ridden vanity, is highly honorable
to his feelings, his judgment, and his dis
cretion. He might have laid before the
world a luscious regale of long forgotten
scandal, or truths, substantiated by crowds
of letters, and favored us with a compan
ion piece to Mrs. Jameson’s Court of
Charles the Second, which may’ be justly-
called an apology for tilled prostitutes
and high-born adultrcsses. Such a hook
would have been much more profitable
than the one before us. But Mr. Davis,
according to his solemn declaration, which
we firmly believe, not only destroyed all
these memorials, but neither took himself,
nor permitted any other to take copies ol
them. They’ can no longer serve as the
means of seduction or warning, nor as
memorials of reverend offences, committed
or imagined, by those yvlio have almost
all of them been long mouldering in the
grave.
By’ far the greater proportion of the
present volume consists of familiar letters
to and from colonel Burr, the more in
teresting and valuable from possessing all
the charm and grace of unstudied simplici
ty. Among their writers will be found
l he names of many illustrious and dis
tinguished characters' of the revolution,
and the times which followed. Tlie3’
serve as bright links in the chain of narra
tion, and supply the succession of events
through the medium of the actors them
selves. It is evident not one of these let
ters was written with a view to publica
tion. They relate principally to domestic
events, portray social feelings, and yve
can truly say a more amusing epistolary
series lias never fallen under our observa
tion. We have not room fer extracts, but
when we apprize the reader that these
letters come from the hands of Washing
ton, Montgomery, M‘Dougal, St. Clair,
Judge Patterson, Theodore Sedgewick,
Putnam, Duane, Ogden, and Roger Sher
man, besides a vast variety ot others,
who, though historical characters, are not
so well known, lie may easily conceive
their interest and value. They exhibit a
sort of picture of the private and domestic
feelings, cares, and interests of the revolu
tion, and contribute essentially to convoy
to posterity the secret history of a revolu
tion, which cannot he properly understood
or estimated without a resort to men’s
thoughts as well as actions.
It is, however, impossible to form a just
estimate of any work until it. is brought to
a close. The hardest task of Mr. Davis
is yet 10 come. He is about to enter on
details, and discuss questions, exciting in
the highest degree; in which party feel
ings and personal animosities, not dead
but sleeping, will be touched and quicken
ed into new life and vigor, and in which
the high priests of federalism and demo
cracy yvere both conspicuous actors. Wc
know not how far lie means to enter on
this “debatable land;” but, from the fear
lessness characteristic of those portions of
narrative alread3' given, we anticipate
the truth detailed with a manly frankness.
The style of the author is plain, ener
getic, and concise. There is neither de
clamation nor exaggeration, though it
occasionally 7 bears the stamp of earnest
ness, and carries with it the authority of
conviction. The work, thus far, is equally
interesting and amusing. The second
volume, which yve presume is forthcoming,
may be something more; for we do not
see hoyv it is possible fer the author to
finish his task without rousing the slum
bering lion of the past, and awakening the
energies ol’ forgotten rancor.—Acta York
Courier and Enquinr.
The late Major N. Baden.—A writer in
the National Intelligencer pays the follow
ing merited tribute to the memory of the
lamented major Baden:
The memory’ of this lamented officer
deserves something more than the passing
notice of his death which appear-ed in the
public prints a few days ago. The wri
ter of this knew him long and intimately,
and a nobler spirit than his never dyvelt in
man. In all his relations of life, he was
conspicuous for qualities that best adorn
the Tiuman character. He entered the
army, in 1S13, as a first lieutenant of ord
nance. To that branch of the military
service lie yvas, from his talents, peculiar
ly fitted, and became so valuable an aux
iliary, that when, in 1824, he was pro
moted to a captaincy’ in the second regi
ment of artillery, the discriminating offi
cer at the head of the ordnance depart
ment sought and obtained a continuation
of his services therein, until the termina
tion of his life on the 30th November last,
at the United States’ Arsenal, near Au
gusta, in the Stale of Georgia. In 1834,
for long and faithful service, he received
the brevet rank of major.
Major Baden was a native of Maiyland,
but, when appointed, in 1813, a citizen of
Alexandria, in this district, whose manv
dear and valuable relatives resided, all of
whom, or nearly all, I believe, preceded
him to the cold and silent grave. He has
left behind him, however; to mourn their
afflictive bereavement, an amiable and be
loved wife and three children, (three oth
ers of his children fell victims, a year or
two ago, to that pestilential climate in tho
far south which has at length brought him
to a premature grave,) tar away from
home and from kindred, and from that
sympathy in their affliction which near
and dear friends alone are capable of feel
ing, of that consolation which such alone
are capable of imparting. His death is
loss to his country, which may be sup
plied: hut what is to fill the painful vacuum
which the withdrawal of his loved pre
sence has created in the hearts of his in
teresting family and weeping friends?—
Time may, and no doubt will, lessen the
poignancy of their grief, but it never can
erase his memory from their minds.
Frederick, Bee. 13.—The Court this morn,
ing assented to lhe proposition of Gen. Scott, as
proposed by him yesterday, and directed the
Judge Advocate 10 commence lhe reading of
the official documents perlaining to the Creek
war. The first paper introduced to notice, was
the original communication transmitted 10 Mr.
Editor Blair, of the Globe, by Major Gen. Je-
sup. In this letter, you may remember, the
military character of Gen. Scott is most mcr-
cilessly canvassed, and the self-esteem of the
writer strikingly porirayed. As soon as the
Judge Advocate had concluded its perusal, G> n-
eral Scott, evidently much irritated, “begged
leave to remark, that the letter just read, was
familiar to the Court and the country—Thai to
say notliingjust now ol its author, it had been
most impudently published, and that he had
been made the subject of ill natured animadver
sion in many parts of the Union; that to all tliis
lie had manifesied an indifference, because of
his regard for the rules of service, and his own
self-respect; that he had never published, or
caused to be published, nor was he aware of his
friends having published anv article commen
datory of his own course through the wars in
question, or in any degree reflecting on the
conduct or character of others. “But Mr.
President,” (lie continued) “suspend the opera-
lion of your military laws for awhile, and I shall
ask from no tribunal satisfaction of my wrongs;
n'>t from the Government, sir, or from this
court, or from any power under heaven, will i
demand retribution, if 1 may b.: permitted to
ics-irt to those powers, with which the Lord of
tho Universe has endowed me. In tliis good
right arm, (he conciuueJ,) will I find redress for
all my wrongs.” During the reading of the
succeeding papers, the General frequently rose,
and 1)3' well timed explanations, elucidated oh
sou re passages of the documents, and reconciled
conflicting statements. These manusciipts
constitute the correspondence which Gen
era! Scott, conducted with the War Depart
ment, and its multitudinous subordinates.
Gen. Jesup is, in my humble opinion, in a ve
ry unenviable position. “ Pile plans of Gener
al Scott” says he in his letter to h s friend Blair,
“are very, very faulty; Ids campaigning on pa
per, mv dear sir, looks magnifficenily well, but
&.C. “In a short time, 1 shall make an im
pression.” In this style, does the Quarter-
Master General, lecture to his trustworthy
friend, who forthwith presents tlie epistle to the
public and sets the commanders in-chief by
the ears. Jesup was shockingly indiscreet in
writing such a letter, and Blair lamentably un
fortunate in publishing it; boih better betake
themselves to the Monastery ofLatrappc, than
encounter that, which the object of their malev
olence has in stoi c for them. Nothing short of
avowed unmixed and unequivocal repentance
will screen them from well merited punishment,
and in tho expediency of its rigid application,
the whole Union wifi concur.
Gen. Jesup foil himself (what in truth he is,)
a pet of the administration; and possessing some
latent military talent, was anxious to devclope
it; and hearing that the’ campaign conducted
bv Gen. Scott, progressed rather tardily, depu
ted himself the General’s successor and prom-
ised Blair the performance of wonders. What
he did achieve is history; and what he did not.
will be officially inquired in due season. Ev.
cry one here who lias heard the testimony, in
cluding the members of the Court, and its Pre
sident, appear to consider Scott a very much
abused officer. I use the word appear because
an expression of opinion in suph matters is un-
nnlitarv, and in certain circles politirtilly in.
judicious. His acquittal however, is n matter,
of coin s ■, and is conceded yin all hands.
The whole of the morning has been devoted
to the reading of tho Cieek papers, and nearly
half of them yet remain untouched. Gen.
Gaines has just remitted his reasons for delay
ing his appearance here; I do not know of
course, what their purport'is, but with you might
surmise, domestic affliction, &c.
Frederic Dec 14, 1336.—On mv visit 1 his
morning I found the tribunal engaged in the
documentary testimony adduced by General
Scott to prove the inadequacy of his resources
in the Creek country. Many letters, conclusive
of tho gross negligence of the War Department
in establishing depots of arms, ammunition, and
subsistence stores, were read by the General,
and received from lime to time his animated
comments.—“A single requisition of tlielj^iver.
nor of Alabama, Sir,” said he, “emptied the
Mount Vernon Arsenal on the Mobile river of
the materials of war, and cut off all my pros
pects of a rapid and successful termination of
my campaign. From the Arsenal of Baton
Rouge, my demand for articles, met with a sim
ilar reception, and it is fair to presume it was
also unprovided.”
* General Scott adverted to the style of Gen.
Jesup’s official papers “1 did this.” “I shall,”
“My prisoners” “my plans,” &c. and asserted
that tlie hostile Indians jn the possession of the
whites were so by voluntary surrender; and
that Generals Patterson and Moore were enti
tled to whatever honor attended their capture
and contrasted the modesty of the Militia
bids with lhe pomposity of the Quarter Mas-
C General.
erScott avers, that arirs and ammunition ofany
kind were not forwarded to his army in Florida,
untill alter the receipt of orders assigning him
the command against the Creeks. He chang
ed his head quarters, but not his circumstances;
his new charge was as poorly appointed as the
one lie left, and the men of both commands
were blameably deficient in every thing consti-
tilting a soldier's equipage—“and yet Sir” he
observed “1 am accused of inefficiency!”—“It
was for me to (ill arsenals, to keep steam boats
from bursting and losing public property, to sup.
press panic arf-ong the conductors of wagon
trains, and by ubiquity siqierintend the ar-
rangement ofevery tiling necessary to the cam
paign.” “Sir, 1 have been treated ungener
ously; my motives have been misconstrued; the
errors of others have been assigned to me, and
published to my disadvantage; whatever might
have redounded to my credit, has been carefully
and industriously suppressed;^ wish but justice,
sir, sheer and unequivocal justice, and upon
that I shall strenuously insist.”
In contemplating the predisposing causes of
our late campaigns against the Indians, we are
irresistibly led to inquire why Gov. Cass not
withstanding 1 he reiterated importuniliesof dis-
tinguislicd civilians and miftary men of the
South, suffered that frontier to remain so long
defenceless. A distinguished general officer of
the regular army, whose superior knowledge of
the recent scenes of war was unquestioned, and
whose judgment in every tiling connected with
the history of the Seminoles and Creeks was
unerring, urged upon the Hon. Secretary, two
years ago, the necessity of providing Against
emergency by the timely deposit!} of men and
munitions of war in the y.einity ofthe enemy’s
fastnesses. Lo ’Ins, however, ho turned a
deaf car: anxious we suppose, to vie with Ids
predecessors in the economical expenditure of
the monies assigned by congress to ids depart
ment, and devoting tho time to Ids private in
terests which properly belonged to the public
he was indifferent to the loss of tho lives and
property of his fellow citizens. Of all our pro-
minenl men Lewis Cass has been most fortu-
natc in evading scrutiny and animadversion,
and to him by passive unanimity, have been
conceded abilities which he never possessed,
and political integrity, at the imputation of
which bis own cheeks have become suf
fused. Land speculations in Michigan and
ministerial dignities abroad have diverted his
attention from the legitimate sphere ofhis du
ties: He now enjoys the profits of his manage
ment; his subordinates sustain the odium.—His
biographer must not advert to Creeks and Sem-
imiles in Ids Indian reminiscenses. The ex-
Secretary has attained the political height de
signed for him, and when he falls’twill be like
Lucilbr—never to rise again.
This day for the first time since my arrival,
the ladies honored the Court, with a visit, and
indeed, if the personal beauty and intellectu
al manifestations of the fair of Frederic are to
be inferred from the sample then present, tliis
thriving city may well be proud of its share of
Heaven’s best donation to thankless humanity:
One ofthe Brigadiers General has added to the
grace and elegance of our female society, by
the presence of his very’ interesting family,
whose intelligence and fascination are prover
bial in the arm}’ and the Southern country.—
They are highly popular here, and will in due
season part with their new friends with many
mutual and lasting regrets.
General Macomb is quite a favorite, and dn.
servedly too. The hospitalities of the place
are awarded him in profusion, it is but fair
that those who perilled life and ftme and for
tune for us in the hour of danger, should be re
warded ten fold when that danger is past.
From the Baltimore Patriot 19th ult.
The Military Court.—A gentleman of tal
ents, and who is a close observer of men and
things, accustomed to Military Courts and
Camps, having been callled to Frederick, lias
promised to report for the Baltimore Patriot, a
lull account ofthe proceedings now in process
in relation to the late Florida Wars. Our enr-
rcsponocut was both in the Seminole and Creek
Campaigns, and has a personal knowledge of
the whole subject in controversy. His letter
we have no doubt, will he rend with deep and
pervading interest, and the first ue publish to
day.
MILITARY COURT.
Frederick Md. Dec. 17, 1836.—Willi the
announcement of my arrival here, having been
summoned to this place, I snail avail myscll ot
t ie occasion to lurnisii y ou with lhe proceed
ings ofthe Court of Enquiry, so long as 1 re
main. 1 trust you will find iriy reports strictly
impartial, clear and thorough.
The officers wiio arc now in attendance, be
sides those composing the coun; are Major
Gen. Scott, Gen. Sand lord of Georgia, Col.
Bankhead, Capt. Depayster, Capt. Green, U.
S. A. and Capt. Thistle of the Louisiana Vol
unteers. The examination of the two latter
commenced yesterday and will be continued to
day. I understand that about fifteen witnesses
on the part of Gen. Scott, have not, as yet, ar
rived are to be examined. The feeling here
runs high in favor ol’Scott, and the indignation
ol the people strongly expressed against Gen.
Jesup the Quarter Master General.
1 have been and am necessarily compelled to
be brief, as 1 have not hud time as yet to get
myself comfortably located.
Frederick Md. Dec. 17, 1836.
Present—Muj. Gen. A. MComu, President
B.iig. Gen. Atkinson, ) Associates.
“ “ Brady. $
Capt. S. Coopkr., Judge. Advocate
Appointed lo investigate the causes of the
failure of the Seminole and Creek campaigns
conducted by Gen. Scott.
The court re opened at half-past ten A. M.
when the President entered objections to tho
continuation of the narrative of Capt. Thistle
which commenced y esterday, as much of it was
mere reports which had reached the cars of
Capt. Thistle and, therefore valueless. Gen.
Scott remarked that lie was indifferent wheth
er ir be received by the Court or not, although
in the course of the narrative much might be
developed which would be of service to the
Court. Il however, tho Court thought proper
to confine the witness to specific answers it
would he agreeable to him. After a few min
utes deliberation, the Court decided lo confine
the witness to those points which could only ef
fect the object ofthe enquiry. Gen. Scott then
observed that for lhe present he would pass hy
the examination ofCapt. Thistle, in order to re
ceive the testimony of an important witness,
Col. Bankhead, who was desirous of leaving the
city. v
By the Court.—What station did you hold in
ihe army which operated in Florida between
February and May.
Answer.—Was Commandant of Artillery
and Commander of the Post of Picalota, until a-
bout tne 61 It of inarch, when I received instruc
tions from Gen. Scott to proeed immediately to
Fort Drone, in order to give succor to Gen.
Gaines, whom report said was surrounded by
the Indians, and in a starving condition on the
Withlacoochie. The had state of the roads
rendered my progress slow, and when within a
few miles of Micanopy I heard that Gen.
Games had transferred his command to Gen.
Clinch, and had arrived at Fort Dranc. Gen.
Scott then directed me to send the mounted
men where they could get corn lor their horses,
while the foot proceeded slowly towards Fort
Drane.—When I arrived at Fort Prnne, Gen.
Clinch assigned me lo the command of ail the
troops in that quarter, and when the right wing
took up tho march front Fort Drutie,’ 1 was ap
pointed to the command of the left column of
the right wing, which station I held during the
campaign.
By the Court—In what state did 3*011
find the ordnance and quarter master’s
department?
Answer—There were two six pounders
and a howitzer at Picolata, but no am
munition prepared for them. I was com
pelled to use the men’s flannel dresses for
bags. General Scott tendered his flan
nel. 1 cut up the bars of lead as a sub
stitute fer cannister shot. The howitzer
we had to leave for the want of horses to
draw it.
fill the Court—Were 3’ou in the confi
dence of general Scott—did he make you
acquainted with his plans—and were
tltcv, in your opinion, calculated to pro
duce a favorable result?
Anrwcr—I lived with general Scott,-and
was familiar with his plans and objects,
and hut fer a combination of uncontrola-
ble circumstances, I believe that he
would have succeeded in effecting his
purposes.
By the Court—What, in 3’our opinion,
was the cause of the failure of the cam
paign conducted l>3 r general Scott?
Answer—The lateness of the season
when the operations were commenced—
the excessively bad state of the roads—
absence of transportation—the defective
state of the ordnance department—the
Want of suitable clothing for the troops—
the want of good and wholesome water—
but the most important cause is the unau
thorized movement of general Gaines and
the consumption of provisions by his
troops. All these conspired to render the
campaign abortive.
By the Court—Had you an3’ conversa
tion with general Gaines while in Florida.
Answer—On m3’ march to Fort Drane I
met geueral Gaines and he remarked,
“well colonel 3'ou can go on, hut 3 r ou can
do no good, it’s all over,” leaving the in
ference on m3’ mind that the war was end
ed,
Colonel Bankhead also remarked in the
course of his evidence, that Mr. Morris,
the Suttler at Tampa Bay’, had informed
him, that in consequence of the publica
tion of general Gaines’orders in New Or
leans, that his brother had concluded to
postpone the shipment of provisions and
clothing to Tampa, in consequence of
which, the troops suffered very- much.
General Scott arose frequently during
the examination of the witness -and ex
plained the object of certain of his inter
rogations, coupling them with-the attempt,
which have been made “In’ a certain ge
neral and his staff, to defame his reputa
tion bv publications in every part ol the
United Slates. lie said he had refrained
from replying to them on account of the
peculiar situation, but that now the time
had arrived when he should claim the
justice due him. His allusions to general
Jesup were indignantly expressed, and
not less so were the3' when he spoke of
certain publications which animadverted
with severity upon bis official character in
conducting the campaign.
Captain Thistle being recalled, general
Scott questioned him on several unimpor
tant points. He asked him il he or his
troops expressed any dissatisfaction to go
into the field under the command of an
other officer besides general Gaines.
Captain Thistle, in a plain and simple
manner, said that for his part he never
heard of such a man as general Gaines,
until he saw him in Florida—that he
thought he was to l>c commanded In* colo
nel Smith and colonel Lawson. (This
is a strange assertion on the part of cap
tain Thistle, when the troops were mus
tered into service bv* general Gaines and
reviewed by himself in person.) The
captain went into a pretty* full account of
the sufferings the men endured for the
want of shoes and other articles of cloth
ing, ns well as provisions—said that he
found a few gallons of whiskey’ at Tampa
Bay, which sold for fifteen or twenty dol
lars a gallon! that many’ ofthe men were
worth twenty thousand dollars and yet
could not get a pair ol shoes to wear.
The evidence of colonel Bankhead and
captain Thistle having been concluded,
the court adjourned at two o’clock to
meet on Monday* morning,.when it is ex
pected several important witnesses will
arrive; at the present moment but few of
ficers are here.
Captain G. M‘Call, aid to gen. Gaines,
arrived today*. General Clinch and se
veral others are hourly expected here.—
Colonel Bankhead and general Sanford,
of Georgia, leave here in the cars tomor
row (Sunday.)
From Ihe Southern Banner.
TIIE ABOLITIONISTS AGAIN.
These lovnl subjects o( the devil are reor
ganizing their army, remodeling their engines
of destruction, and preparing with tenfold fury
to hurl their diabolical instruments of death
among all who dare to advocate the principles
of law, policy, justice, or common sense.
Tho New York Journal of Commerce, a pa
per well known for its candor at least, contains
the following astounding paragraph:
“We are credibly informed that the Aboli
tionists are about to make another onset—pre
paratory to which, all their agents who could
be collected from the different parts nf the
country have I) ‘cn in s cret conclave in this
city for nearly a fortnight. When they get
their plan of operations sufficiently concocted,
about fifty emissaries will proceed to the work
of agitation, and if they do not shake our U-
nion to pieces it will he better than our (ears.—
Wc arc certain they will accomplish that sooner
than the immediate abolition of slavery.”
Another paper speaking of the same subject,
snys:
“The reverend agitator Horn One.da, Boriah
Green, is here; and it is supposed that Birney is
here from Ohio. Indeed till the master spirits of
this scheme of anarchy are sk liking about the
citv. We understand that Birney counsels a
new and general crusade of agitation, and as
sures the convention that he has reason to be
lieve that the moment the whole noith tire unit
ed on this subject, the southern people will efoan
cipate their slaves.”
1 have heretofore believed, and still believe,
that these miserable, meddling opposers of all
organization and order in government, form but
a very meagre portion of the population of the
northern States; and that the united and deter
mined stand of the advocates of equal rights,
who form the great mass of the people, and in
deed embrace all who can prefer any just claim
to respectability, would hold in effectual check
tho progress of these abandoned wretches.—
Whether this renewed effort is the death strug
gle of the abolitionists, or whether their reck
lessness and desperation is to ensure them a par.
lial success, it is impossible to foresee, f will
not yet believe that a sufficient number can be
found, so lost lo every principle of virtue and
patriotism as to sutfer the Union to sustain any
lasting iii|Urv from the accomplishment of any
of their nefarious schemes. But the injury al
though not lasting, may he great and insupport
able. It is impossible to calculate the mischief
which even a few can accomplish, especially
when those few mature their plans in darkness,
and vet openlv avow ilieir determination never
to rest until their m id Jest schemes are nccom
plished to the letter.
I behooves the people of the south to be well
prepared for even tbe possibility of an event so
fraught wt h disaster and danger as that of a
partial success of the abolitionists. Every
measure should he adopted which is calculated
to render our l ights more secure, and frustrate
the d. signs of ouronemies.
It is probable that a subject of vast impor-
tance to the interests of the south, and which
will materially affect the subject under consider,
ation, will be agitated in congress the present
session. An effort will he made to procure the
acknowledgment of tho independence of Tex
as, to establish treaties of diplomacy and com
merce, and finally to admit her into the Union.
And this too under the most encouraging cir
cumstances. The agent who was despatched
by our government to inquire into the political
condition and prospects of Texas, is said to
have made the most favorable report; confirming
beyond a doubt, thg competency ol that govern
ment to mruiitnin Iter irtJe|K>ndenco and fulfil
!’.C-r treaties. A number of the northern States,
and some, too, of,the most powerful, have al
ways voted with tho south on questions affect-
ing her most important interests; and they tire
roady to do it again. No doubt, then, can ex
ist, that this most desirable object will bo effect
ed, i( the south are true to themselves.
Security is the result of Union and strength.
Let Texas become a part of our federal com-
pact, and its rapid growth and prosperity will
soon create within it a number of additional
States, which will have feelings and interests in
common with us. The number ol southern
states will then be multiplied into a majority
and importance so great as to secure to us per
manently those rights which are now liable to
be affected by the action of congress, and con
sequently tend to quell the spirit of jealousy and
distrust, and promote good feeling between the
different sections of our country. When the
abolitionists of the north see such results from
their efforts, they may be induced to relinquish a
war against the rights of
of them as are able) return and follow ^
tales of common sense. ^“ Ic -
‘' imani;v ' and
risthcuar-span-Ied banner.oh, long inayj7~- ^
“O’er the land ofthefree anrithc home of thebrlreS
FEDERAL lMO\. ^
MtiMBCHTIUJE, JAX. 3, i 83 .
SUBSTANCE OF LAVfs' =
Enacted at the late Session of’the Lrin l
THE CHEAT RAIL ROaBl
1. An act to construct a r;ul-rua(| f 1(1
the Tennessee line, to a point on then?
ern bank of the Chnltahoochie it J
1 1 /-v . .. * c0£jg
place between Camphellton, i„ CamnLir
county, and Wynn’s ferry in ILdieounn
runninnr branches ”
most eligible lor
Athens, Madison, Milledgevillo, *Fort a
and Columbus; no greater sum
$3o0,000 to be appropriated annually
unless a future legislature shall otbenve
direct; the governor to appoint an en-d„cf r
to make an accurate and instrumental ex
animation, survey, and location, and 1
estimate of the probable cost ’ 1 ?
appoint assistants, surveyors, nndmL?
ants; $00,009 appropriated for salaries
and expenses in making the survey .]
governor, if he shall deem the work Ljf
ticable, at a reasonable expense, to appJint
a supenntendant; $290,000 are ap pr o [)r j.
uted for this work, for the vear i4'”
when charters are obtained fir branch
rail-roads, the Stale is lo subscribe one-
fourth ofthe amount, not to exceed $200-
000 for one branch.
[This is an admirable commencement
of a great enterprize, which, if completed
will multiply the comforts, and advance
the prosperity of our people, while it will
vastly* increase the wealth, and c.\;dt the
reputation of our State. But the surplus
revenue, that fund from which \vc Lad hop
ed to see this noble work easily and rapid
ly 7 executed, has been made a part < I ih,.
capital ofthe Cent ralBunkjand we fear that
it will be found difficult to withdraw from
this absorbing institution die amounts ’
which will be requisite for the completion
ofthe great rail-road. If we rightly un
derstand the signs of the times, the cause
of internal improvement, and also of edu
cation, wili find a dangerous rival interest,
where it should have only a useful ser
vant.]
SURPLUS REVENUE.
2. One-third of the surplus revenue re
ceived from the.United States is to beset
apart as a irec-sehool and education fund,
the interest alone to be applied to these
purposes. The fund is to he deposited in
the Central Bank, and to he loaned out as
the other capital of that institution.—
Commissioners are lo he appointed to re
port a system for the State, after having
examined the systems in operation else
where.
[This act evinces laudable zeal in a
noble cause, that of diffusing the inestima
ble benefits of education among the peo
ple. But it will he found exceedingly
difficult to adapt a plan to the various con
ditions of our people, here densely settled
on productive lands, and there widely
dispersed, with barren wastes between.
It is a. source of regret to die patriot, that
this interest must he partially’ sacrificed,
in order to swell the capital ofthe Central
Bank. This fund, the interest alone of
which is Jo be applied to tlie cause of
education, if vested in other stock, would
yield at least eight per cent; but as n part
of the capital of the Central Bank, it will
not yield an interest of more than five
percent.]
TO ALTER TIIE CHARTER OF THE
CENTRAL BANK.
3. Accommodation notes hereafter
made are to be renewed only once in
twelve months; but this alteration not tr<
apply to notes now running.
[This act relieves the borrowers front
the disagreeable and inconvenient burthen
of renewing thejr notes semi-annually, and
will be a very acceptable accommodation
to them. But it will increase the ulusaate-
losses of the hank. Many nates- sound
at the time of their creation, 'vxifl.'ULtttttUft
months become valueless from the- in
solvency or migration of their makers
and endorsers, happening during that lung
interval.]
OFFICE OF ADJUTANT GENERAL.
4. The State is to be divided into two
grand divisions. The adjuLiut-gencralin
one of these divisions, and the assist
adjutant-general in tho other, to,perform
all the duties previously by law required
ot the adjutant-general. Each to receive
a salary of $1600 per aennunt.
[In the disordered state of our military
system, the efficient reorganization of the
adjutant-general’s office cannot fail to
have a beneficial effect; but it is only*
beginning of the reforms tint are needed-]
RECEPTION OF THE SURPLUS
REVENUE.
5. To authorize the state treasurer to
receive that part of the surplus funds of
the United States which may he appor
tioned to Georgia; and to give certificates
ofdepositc, pledging the iailh ofthe state
for its repayment, when required by the
secretary of the treasury of the United-
States.
[This act, conforming to the act of con
gress tinder which the surplus revenue ol
the United States is to he apportioned a-
mong the several states, very property re
gards the delivery of a part of it to Geor
gia, as a tleposite only-, which the state
should hold ready to he returned, "h° n I
required hy the depositor. It is probable j
that it never will he called for by the fed
eral government; hut the state should
make snch a disposition of tliis fund, as to
be able to fulfil her obligations.]
REGULATION OF THE DEPOSITS
OF THE SURPLUS REVENUE-
G. This act requires the surplus reven- j
ue, received by the treasurer, to be dc' 1
posited in the Central Bank, to be loaned ,
to the citizens, under the regulations pr^* i
scribed by law for the loans of that ins 11 ' |
tution. Should there not be applicant'
by citizens, within the time prescribed 1°
discounting notes, sufficient to take up lllf 1
amount received from the United States-