Newspaper Page Text
rial he dr< ms the public Credulous, cannot
o doubted, when it is remembered, that he
•as re peatedly imposed hiius. If upon it at a
.er exaggerated value, lake every other
.olitical mountebank who maintains himself
6 !’wc the public only by a con.-tant change
if position lie overrules Ins own skili, as much
a- ie undervalues the discernment of the
spectators—The good nature which prompts
is to believe a man to be what he professes,
y: Ids afterwards to tint self-respect which
claims the fulfilment of promises made and
believed. Then justice is rendered and the
mountebank sinks into his original insignifi-
cance.
Judge Wayne lias, with his usual accuracy
charged me with deserting inv party when '
last power. As this declaration is designed
to bear upon the ensuing election for the le
gislature, I will state that subsequent te his
election in ISI9, in his general order, Gover
nor Clark included me in the number of hi-:
stall’. This was unsolicited and unexpected
on my part. I had not i:i any way favored his
election—l had never been, by myself or
others who knew mo, recognised as a mem
ber of his party. In the fall of 1821, there
v.as an animated contest in this comity for a
-eat in the Senate between General (then
Colonel) Harden and l)r. M. Sheftall. It
was known that the form r would vote-against
and the latter for Governor Clark, for a rc
* lection. I voted for Col. Harden, as was
known at the time to those who felt an inter
est in the matter. As Col. Harden and my
self were avowed candidates to fill the vacan
cy in the command of this Brigade, occasion
ed by the death of General Hopkins, I would
in the opinion of some have been justified in
voting against him and opposing his election,
which was effected by a very lean majority—
because his election to the Senate would give
him a decided advantage over me in the con
test for the command .of this Brigade, before
the Legislature, In which he was finally suc
cessful.
Learning that iqy support of Col. Harden
for the Senate had been viewed with dissatis
faction by some of Gov. Clark’s friends: up
on his re-election, in November 18:21,1 ad
dressed him a note (being at the time in
Milledgeville) requesting that in the selec
tion of his new staff he would omit inv name,
tvhich was accordingly done.
Cut the charge of political inconsistency
comes with a very ill grace from one who
could balance the merits or demerits ofThos.
Jefferson and Aaron Burr—making Jefferson
as bad as Burr, or Burr as good as Jefferson,
and that too after the arrest and trial of the
former—and who now claims to have been
always a republican. That Judge "Wayne
has been a thrifty politician cannot be doubt
ed and that he will continue to he*a success
ful candidate for public favor so long as the
people will believe in his professions of pat
riotism is equally certain—nor w ill those who
know him well, apprehend any danger of his
ever being found with the weaker party, even
when he cannot discover which is the stron
gs
In the foregoing statements, I presume it
Will be readily admitted that 1 have furnish
ed ample evidence of Judge Wayne’s want
of integrity, & of his disposition to injure me
without regard to truth or justice and there 1
leave him, as I would turn from a reptile,
Which is more easily deprived of his poison
than divested of his corruption.
W. C. DANIELL.
Sarantmh, 24th June 1631.
CCa* It is requested that those Editors who
liave published Judge Wayne’s address, will
copy this. W. C. D.
(No. 1.)
House of Reprcscntati res,
February 22d, 1830.
Dear Secretary of the Treasury
has informed ine that there will remain about
ten thousand dollars of the fund which was
appropriated for clearing out obstructions in
Susannah River, below the city, after the dam
shall have been completed between l'ig and
Hutchinson’s Island, and which by a report,
from Doctor Daniell is to be finished in this
mouth. He is willing that the balance sh;;H
be applied under the directions of the com*
nussio*’*: rs of pilotage to the opt rations of t lie
dredging machine, upon such points of the
Hiver as they may designate. Believing von
to be one of them, 1 shall be glad to have the
opinion of the board if the unexpended a
mount could be more advantageously applied
than in the way suggest and. If so, as the
dredging machine cost twelve thousand dol
lars and the secretary claims it as the proper
ty of the "United States to be carried to any
oth. r jioiat for public purposes, when it shall
be no longer wanted at Savannah, we s' all
have a fund of twenty two thousand to be ap
plied hereafter as may be most advisable.—
The cost of working the machine is by Or.
Daniell’s computation thirty dollars per day,
-exclusive of ms six for supcrintcndance as
commissioner. Would it not be well to as
certain its efficiency-anti condition, and if it
l;e not altogether suited to our wants, to sur
arend r it to the government, and claim a crcd
it for its cost? Will the commissioners un
-dertake this work and the application of the
i‘uiul unspent, with any other appropriations
which may be made ? It will indeed give me
pleasure by any information from yourself or
the commissioners to serve on local interests.
1 do not much like to anticipate events, but
think I may venture to say that Mallerv’s bill
to enforce tit tariff of 1829 will be defeated.
I am, dear sir,
Very sincerely,
Your ob't. serv't.
(Signed) JAMES M. WAYNE.
To JOHN r. IV-NRY, Esq.
<No. 2.)
House of Reprrscntatires,
• April tfth, 1630.
Ti -nr -Sir —Ten day* since, the Secretary of
the Treasury informed me he would direct
tie. •.xnonditure of.the Andfor clearing out
nV. in our Rivet to be discontinued,
a:.'! i have this moment h en informed by the
auditor, Mr. Pleasanton, t\at he had done so.
i,r. l>ai.itll, he sav-v, has ordered to com
mune at< to your body the letter written to
bin. with a request tha’ the Commissioners of
;>;ietugo would express thrift opinion upon
Abe -JEcioacy of *hc work don 4 to deepen oui
THE MACON ADVERTISER, AND AGRICULTURAL AND MERCANTILE INTELLIGENCER.
River; and upon the suitableness of the dredg
ng machine for future operations. To ena
ble you to do both, l shall send as soon as
lhey arc published, which has been or
der and by Congress, a printed report of all
that has been done, with an account of dis-j
bursements, that you may be entirely masters]
of the subject, and I am not withopt hope of
getting an engineer or hydrographtr of repu
tation in the service of the L’ited bfrhtes sent
on to attest your enquiries, and to act h con
cert with you. Future appropriations, and
the balance of the last, will be applied here
after under tlie direction of the commission
ers, and of this you will have notice after a re
turn shall be made of what has been done &
of its likelihood to effect our wishes. It is
not necessary for you to proceed in this busi
ness at once, without proper assistance, and it ]
is my wish that whatever report may be made
it may shew minutely all that our river and j
harbor needs; for I do not doubt that Congress:
will supply the means for any practicable im
pfovement. The -subject of harbor improve-'
ment is popular here now, and if properly im
proved by us, our city will be greatly benefit
ted. The subject is confided to the commit
tee of commerce; and as regards our own riv
er, 1 have marked out a course for myself in,
relation to all future expenditures upon it,
the agency for their disbursement demanded
by the responsibility of my attitude to our
people, and without which I will have noth
ing to do with the subject,! liave never made
myself responsible for what 1 cannot direct.
In this business however, I tlo not intend to
be understood as censuring I)r. D.ioicll for
any want of attention to his duty as coinmis-j
sioncr, but front a survey of our river v shew
ing apian of tlie dam from Hutchinson’s to
Fig Island, and testing its effects upon plain- j
sophical principles, it is my own opinion as!
well as that of Mr. Ingham’s, who has paid !
much attention to it, that any good arising,
from the construction can be but temporary, j
We have too much at stake for further risk.
1 anr, sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obd’t. serv’t.
(Signed) JAMES M. WAYNE.
To William Crabtree, Esq.
Chairman of Ihc Com'rs of Pilotage.
(No. 3.)
THURSDAY, 11th March, 1830.
Commissioners of Pilotage, nu t.
present:
J. B. Herbert, D. Chandler,
Joseph Auze, B. E. Stiles,
Joseph Ganalil, F- 11. Wcluian.
Win. Crabtree, Jr. Chairman.
Minutes of last meeting read and confirm
ed.
In reply to the letter of the ITon. Judge
Wayne, now on file: Be it rcsolrcd, That a
copy of the correspondence of this Board
with the Treasury Department, relative to the
appropriation of the 850,000 grant for the
benefit of the Savannah river, and also the
resolutions of the Board in regard thereto, be
immediately sent to Mr. Wayne, that he be
addressed by the Chairmain, and informed
that the Board were of opinion, and are so
still; that it was their duty to deliberate upon
and superintend all works, that had for their
object the improvement of the navigation of
said river, within too upper point of the South
end of Argyle Island, on the main stream of
said river, and to the mouth thereof, the care
of which being intrusted to them by tno State:
and that they are ready to perform whatever
may be within that duty, and to receive what
ever appropriation has or may be made foy
that purpose, and direct its disbursement free
of any charge on thew part. They are confi
dent, that a mmipetent person for that pur
pose may he had, who would devote his whole
time to any work that might be deemed ad
visable, for a less sum than six dollars per;
day, and that this Board have the dredging
machine inspected, and its efficiency report
ed to Judge Wayne, as soon as the same is
turned ova r by l>r. Daniell; that the thanks of
the Board be i pressed by the Chairman, to
Mr. Wayne, for his attention to the interests
of this river-
THURSDAY, 27th Dec. 1827.
Commissioners of Pilotage, met.
PRESENT :
J. P. Ilenry, Chairman, Bcnj. E. Stiles,
W. J. Hunter, John 11. Long.
Francis Sorrt 1,
Absent: G. W. Anderson.
Whereas the charge of the .Savannah river,
and the power of preventing and removing
obstructions, and of stopping up and cutting
canals, is vested in the Board of the Commis
sioners of Pilotage; and it having been un
derstood that an appropriation has been made
by Congress for the above purposes, and that
the work is now in progress, without tire ad
vice and consent of said Board; and, inas
much ns the former Chairman of said Board,
and his predecessor in office, vv< re appointed
on the part of the United States Commission
ers to improve the navigation of the rive r; A
whereas neither of them are now acting : lie.
it further resolved, That this Board respect
fully apply to the Secretary of the Treasury,
soliciting him to fill the'vacancies by the ap
pointment of one or more inembers from this
Board.
Adjourned.
•Savannah, Jan. 10, 1928.
The Honorable,
Secretary of the Treasury, Washington.
Sir : In compliance with instructions of
the Board of Comini.-sioners of Tilotage, I
have the honor to herein enclose you their res-'
ol lit ion, which I havs respectfully to ask your!
early attention to. For your information I
also hand you the names of the gentlemen
composing the board.
I have the honor to be Sir, very respoctful
ly, your obedient servant.
J. T. HENRY, Chairman.
Members of the Board. —Geo. W. Ander-j
son, Benj. E. Stiles, Francis -Sorrel, John 11.
I.ong, George Hull, \\ iinberly J. Hunter.
Treasure Department.
Fifth Auditor's Ojfiec, Jan. 26? 1926.
Srn : The Secretary of the T reasury has re
■' ived and referred to me, your letter of the
iQth ia;t- &jpr*aaible agdiefolution<
of the Commissioners of I‘ilotago, in which it
is stated, that the charge ol the Savannah ri
ver, and the power of preventing and remov
ing obstructions, of stopping up and cutting
canals, is vested in them; that Congress has
made an appropriation lor improving the nav
igation of the river, and that the work is in
progress without the advice and consent of the
Board.- That the foimcr Chairman of the
Board, and his predecessor in office, were ap
pointed on the part of the United States, Com
missioners to improve the navigation of the
river; that neither of them are now acting;
and that, in consequence thereof, they solicit
th<r Secretary of the Treasury to fiil the va
cancies by the appointment of one or more
members from their Board.
As I am not aware of any attempt which
may have been made heretofore by the United
States to improve the navigation of Savannah
river, nor of the inode in which the busiucss
was transacted, I should be obliged to you to
inform me when it was that the two chairmen
of the Board of Pilotage alluded to were suc
cessively appointed by the Commissioners of
the United States, to improve the navigation
of the river, and who the Commissioners on
the part of the United States were, who-con
ferred the appointment.
I should he Unppy to he informed, too,
whether the Commissioners of Pilotage, claim
the right to direct and superintend the work
of removing the obstructions in the river, and
of disbursing the sum appropriated by Con
gress for the purpose, and if so, whence they
derive-the right, for I can find no law of the
U nited-States from which it. cannot emanate.
The only law of the United States in which
the aid of the Commissioners of Pilotage is
invoked, which 1 have been able to discover,
is one of the 3d March, 1817, which provides
that six beacons and four buoys shall be pla-,
ced on such sites and at such points ns the
Commissioners of Pilotage, residing at .Sa
vannah, shall fix on.
1 have the honor to be, respectfully, Sir,
your obedient servant,
S. PLEASANTON.
Fifth Auditor and acting Commissioner of
the Revenue.
J. P. Heart, Esq.
Chairman of the Corns, of Pilotage, Savan
nah Ca.
THURSDAY, 20th March, 1926.
Commissioners of Pilotage, met.
Present: Francis Sorrel, Chairman, P. 7\
Peter \\ ilberger, jiin. George Hull, Benj. E.
Stiles.
'l’he Board proceeded to the election of
Chairman, when, on counting tlie votes, it
appeared that*Cptain William Crabtree jun.
was unanimously elected.
Resolved, As the Chairman of the Board
was not a member of the Board when the
correspondence was commenced with the
Secretary of the Treasury, that Mr. Sorrel,
the ac ting Chairman since the resignation of
the former Chairman, be associated with the
Chairman, to reply to the letter received from
the- Treasury Department.
Board adjourned.
SAVANNAH, fie/, April, 1928.
Sir : Your letter of the 2§th January last,
directed to the chairman of the commission
ers of pilotage for this port, was duly receiv
ed and laid before the Board. You desire to
be informed when it was that the two chair
men of tiie board of pilotage alluded to in
the resolution of the board, under date of 10th
January, forwarded to the Treasury Depart
ment, were successively appointed by the
commissioners of the United States to im
prove the navigation of the river, and who the
commissioners on the part of the United
States were who conferred the appointment.
In reply, I answer, that in the Autumn of
1826, a commission was received appointing
Samuel 13. Turkman, Esq. and Captain Abra
ham Nicholls, in conjunction with Dr. W. C.
Daniel, to report on the obstructions to be rc
j moved in the Savannah river, in consequence
of an appropriation having been made; by Con
gress lor that purpose, 'j his commission was
signed by the Secretary, the Treasuary and
dated 13th Se ptember, 1826. Mr. Turkman
had been for a short time previous to the ap
pointment, the chairman of the board ; he
1 did not hovveve-r, accept the appointment.—
Captain Nichoiis succeedcel Mr. Turkman,
but soon after went out of office, and hence
the general interest of the port and city lost
all representation in the work‘d going on for
the purpose of improving the navigable wa
ters of the river. This circumstance the
board respectfully presented in their resolu
; tion of the 10th January last, as a sufficient
raason that the vacancies in the commission
of the 1 th September should be filled by the
appointment of two members from th£ board
of pilotage; and without any diminution of
that feeling of deference, the board again most
respectfully request the honorable tlie Secre
tary of the Treasury to take-the subject into
consideration. We think it but justice to
ourselves to observe, that, inasmuch as this
Board have ever considered it a primary to in
quire into the obstacles of the navigation ap
proaching this city, and seek out expedients
for the removal or amelioration of the same
that it is but reasonable, and even a matter of
just confidence to suppose that they possess
information on the subject little known to
others, and that it is in their power to render
the appropriation of Congress more effectual
by their advice and joint superintendance.—
They would further remark —although they
! do not pretend to state, that the repeated mis
! carriages attending the prosecution of the
works intended for ttic improvement of the
| navigation of the Savannah river, have arisen
solely from the want of such information and
experience in this matter as the Board pos
sess; yet it is a fair inference to suppose that
a complete knowledge of the difficulties and
their best remedies, would have atlbrdcd them
| great advantages and in all probability cna
j bled them in a great measure, to have escap
i ed the losses which have been sustained.—
This reply has been unavoidably delayed in
consequence of the resignation of J. T. Hen
ry, Esq, as chairman of the board a short
time previous to the receipt of your letter,
and the absence of several of the members of
the board.
If it should please the honorable the Sec
retary of the Treasury to fill the vacancies gs
stated in this communication I am autliorized
by the Board tonaine Captain William Crab
tree, jr. Chairman elect, and Capt. I. Will
hcrgtr, jun. as fit members or the Beard of
Pilotage for thp appointment,
i remain, very respectfully
Your most obedient servant,
FRANCIS SORREL,
Chairman pro. tcm.
S. Pleasonton, Esq.
Fifth Auditor & acting Commissioners of the
Revenue of the Treasury Department of the
United Stales.
Treasury Department.
Fifth Auditor’s Office, 2d April, 1828.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive
your letter of the 3d April. When two of
the gentlemen of your Board were associated
with Dr. Daniel!, then Mayor of Savannah, to
examine the obstructions in Savannah river,
and report upon the best mode of their remo
vals, and the expense attending it, it was not
contemplated to employ in the execution of
the work more than one of that number. The
object for which that commission was institut
ed being accomplished, and Dr. Daniell be
ing highly recommended as superintendent of
the work, the choice fell upon him and he is
now charged solely with t!>c super in tendance
and direction of the work contemplated by
the appropriation ; and the Secretary of the
Treasury, to whom I have submitted voiit let
ter, does not perceive any good reason for in
creasing the.iimriber. Had it been thought
necessary to enipky more than one person
as the agents of the United States in this case,
tjie claims of the Board of Pilotage founded
on their experience and respectability, would
have been entitled to and receive a respectful
consideration. 1 have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, sir.,
Your most obedient servant.
S. PLEASONTON. .
Fifth Auditor end acting Commissioner of
the Reroute,
Francis Sorrel, Esq.
Extract from the Minutes of the Board.
V M. L. A. BULLOCH.
Sec’ry Com. Pilotage.
(No. 4)
HOUSE OF Representatives.
March 25. IS3O.
Sir : I received tiiis morning the enclosed
correspondence between the late Secretary of
the Treasury and the Commissioners of Tilot
age of Savannah river. It will be seen by an
examination of the expenditure of the appro
priation to remove obstructions in that river
below the city, that, if the offer of the Com
missioners to superintend the work and dis
burse the fund? had keen accepted there
would have been a saving a more than five
thousand dollars, which has been paid for the
last two years, as a pr rdiern allowance to the
Commissioner, Dr. Daniel!. Believing my
si If that such an appointment was never need
ed, and that, in tire present state of the work,
and exhausted condition of the appropriation,:
its continuance is altogether improper, and
urged by a very respectable portion of my
constituents, who are immediately interested
to make such a representation, I recommend
that further disbursements be for the present,
discontinued, and that its future application
be under the Commissioners of Tilotage.—
I also suggest the propriety of examination of
the work which have been done, and a survey
upon the dredging machine, to ascertain its
present condition and suitableness for opera
tion in Savannah river; and the first to do
without intending to insinuate any thing a
gainst the Commissioner, Dr. Daniell, as I
apprehend it will be found, if the money ex
pended promises to be productive of no bene
fit, it will arise more from a defect in the plan
of the work, than from the Commissioner’s
inattention to its execution. Of his agency
in the plan lam ignorant. The adaption of
the dredging machine for future opperations
the river can only be known by a survey of
it by those who know the obstructions to be
removed, and the depth of water over them.
It v ill give ine pleasure to call at the de
partment upon the subject, whenever it shall
be convenient for you to give mean inter
vievv.
I am, sir, with sincere respect,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES M. WAYNE.
To the lion. Sami ei. D. Ingham,
Secretary of the Treasury.
(No. 5)
Savannah. 7 :h April, IS3O.
Sir: I have just received your letter of the
30th instant, and shall forthwith comply with
its requisitions.
I must await instructions from you, as to
how I shall proceed in paying off the captain,
engineer, and hands engaged in the dredge
boat. The officers mentioned, and two or
three hands were engaged bv the month, and
their time will not expire until Ist May.—
not seen them. Such as insist upon
being paid up to that time will have to wait!
your decision. The remainder of the hands,
about seven, were engaged until Ist July.—
By making that engagement, 1 procured
them for twelve dollars per month, instead of
fifteen dollars, which was the least 1 could
get them at by the month- l’lcase tell me
iiovv I shall proceed.
I must beg, in common justice to myself
that some other than my accusers Ire appoint
ed to examine how far I have succeeded in
the objects of my appointment. 1 understand
that the commissioners of Tilotage have made
the representations which have induced the
Secretary of the Treasury to order a suspen
sion of my proceedings. They have never
called on mo for information, nor given me the j
slightest intimation of their proceedings ini
regard to ine. Feeling, as I do, tiiat these.
who have taken the lead in this business,!
have been actuated by other motives than a]
regard to public good, I must protest against j
their being my judges. 1 care not who that
are honorable and just men, be intrusted j
with the examination ; but they will not, in j
my humble opinion, be disposed to render !
me justice. That justice lam centainly en
titled to, and claim it at the hands of Govern
ment.
I must request a copy of all eommunica
tions which have been made on the subject
whether written or oral.
1 am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant;
w. c. daniell.
S. Pleascntos, Esq. Fifth Auditor, Ac.
(No. 6) .
Sarannah, 14th April, 1830.
Fir a I herewith send you a letter from Cap
tain Sassaid, (who hu3 been in command of
the dredge boat, for some months) shewing'
that he unintentionally misled me to report
ing an improvement on the wrecks of three
feet water, when there was only two. If de
sirable, evidences, I believe he has furnish
ed of Captain Sassard’s standing in this place,
Augusta and Charleston, which will place
whatever he says above suspicion. He has
been so constantly occupied in laying up the
dredge boat, since your orders that he has not
been enabled to furnish the statement ear
lier.
I have to beg your indulgence in forward
ing my accounts,-until I receive a voucher
from Baltimore.
In niv lette r to you and the Secretary of
the Treasuarv, of 7th inst. I took leave to
protest against the commissioners of pilotage
being made my judges. I will now state some
additional reasons.
Herewith enclose, you a Utter from the
chairman without date and not even inform
ing me who constituted the committee, which
was sent to my house about 4 o’clock P. M.
on Saturday 10th inst. and after the examina
tion, as I understand had commenced.
By an act of the Legislature of Georgia pass
ed 10th February, 1787, certain persons
therein named were appointed commissioners
of pilotage, to whom, in addition their regu
lar duties, was assigned the money, to be rais
ed by the same act, from a duty of three pence
per ton upon all vessels arriving in this port,
which money was “appropriated and set apart
for clearing the said (Savannah) river of the
said wrecks,” the same upon which the dredge
boat has been operating. Upon the organi
zation of the present Government, an aci
was passed by Congress, (lltli August, 1790)
sanctioning the act of Georgia, imposing the
duty of three pence per ton upon vessels ar
riving in this port. Various sanctions has
been made to this act by Congress, by which
it has been kept constantly in force, up to the
19th December, 1823, when it was repealed
by an act of the Legislature ofGeorgia—
What has been the amount of money received
under it, I cannot ascertain; but I do not
think it has 1- cn much under 8100,000. —
For this - is far as I can learn and be
lieve, t _ com a.;.- ••lonrrs of pilotage liave ne
ver accounted, < ither to the U. States or to
the State of Georgia. It is known that some
of it has been lost, by a loan to a member
of the boar 1. It is also known that they have
invested several thousand dollars in Plan
ttrs’ Bank stock, and some has been loaned
ta private persons, upon a pledge of Bank
stock.
The act of the Legislature of the State of
Georgia, passed 19th December, 1823 repeal
ing the act of 10th February, 1787 enacts
that “they (the commissioners of pilotage)
are hereby authorized and required to apply
any unexpended bala* ce in their hands, or
which may come into their hand, to the pur
pose of removing obstructions in the Savan
nah river, between said city and Five Fathom
Hole.” This, it will be perceived, embiaccs'
the wrecks. Upwards of six years have
transpired since the passage of this act, yet
the commissioners of pilotage have several
thousand dollars invested in -different secu-,
rities, of the public money, which have not
been applied as directed by law. This can
be explained only upon the supposition that
the-obstructions have been removed; or that
they have wilfully neglected the ir duty. Up
on cither supposition, I do contend that they
are not qualified tojudge of what I have been
doing.
I attribute much of the opposition that has,
in various modes, been manifested towards
me in the business in which I have been cn
gaged, to have arisen from a feeling in sun
dry members of the oonmiisioners of pilotage,
that they ought to have had thedisbursingof
the money. You better know that Ido the
extent of the applications tjiat have been
made on this subject. But 1 know that mv
appointment has been a source of annoyance
and chagrin to some of these river gods, who
coidd ill brook that any other should be al
lowed to enter tin ir troubled waters. I be
lieve, however, that the applications for the
order to suspend operations, have originated
i.. an expectation tlrat, in the event of such
suspension the balance of money remaining
would be disbursed here to certain persons,
assignees of Teter Bargy, who failed in his
contract to build the dam between Fig and
Hutchinson Islands. The late Secretary of
the Treasury made a promise to Bargy that,
if there should be a balance left, after the
completion of the work, it should he allowed
to him; so Bargy informed me. And, if 1
had consented to make the representations
requested again and again, as to the cause of
Bargy’s failure in his contract, I do not doubt
but 1 should have ban saved the writing of
this letter. Further, lam satisfied that the
part that certain persons have taken, origina
ted in a disposition to injure iijc in the only
way in which it was thought it could safely
be done.
I am not to be understood as expressm"
the belief that all the commissioners of pilot" !
age have been, or could be, governed by mi- j
worthy motives. There are some amongst
them from whom I feel all respect. But 1
protest against being subjected to the inquisi
sition of any irresponsible l-.odv, whose pro
ceedings arc private, and where, c.f nine or
ten members, the chairman and two ethers
constitute a quorum to transact business, b v
which it follows that two members (p IH j j
have more than two enemies in that 'board)
may decide any question before jj len , n ,
where a designing chairman iiVay select V"
men for the occasion. ‘ *
I owe you an apology for tre -v
witli my private feelings, and * „ you
others to me; but I hope it rt :n
you that the occasion wiR , ,' C k t
I have the honor to be, Sir J S ‘ ,fy
Very yoar oho , j>t scn ., f<
-r c r. W * c - DANIELL.
To 9. TlSasoxton, Esq.
Auditor, Ac. Washington, D. (f.
(No. 7.)
Treasury Department,
Fifth Auditors Office, March 30, 1830.
Sir — l herewith enclose u copy of a letter
just received from the Secretary of the Treac.
ury, by which you will perceive that it ha 3 '
beentflttermiiwd by the Executive to s U s.
pend the further progress of the work in Va!
van nib liiver, in removing obstructions to
the navigation, and in erecting a dam f rom
rig to Hutchinson Island, as authorized by
jii appreciation made in the year lt<26, Jf
50,009 dollars. You will accordingly forth
with suspend the whole of the work, pay ail( j
discharge the men employed, and cause the
dredge boat to he laid up in a secure situa
tion. You will also render your accounts
with the necessary vouchers, up to tlie time
the work shall he discontinued.
I have the honor to be, respectfully,
Sir, your obedient servant,
S. PLEASONTON,
Fifth Auditor,
And acting Commissioner of the Revenue
William C. Daniell, Esq.
(Copy.)
Treasury Department.
29th March 1830.
Sir—lt appears from the Representations
made to the Department, that there is good
reason to doubt the clliciency of the work
now in progress l'or the removal of the obstruc
tions in the Savannah River. You will there
fore direct that all further expenditures be
suspended for the present, and iu the mean
time request the Commissioners of Pilotage
oi the City of Savannah to reports whether
any improvement have been, or is likely to bo
made by the work done; to state what was
the usual depth of water before it was com
mcnccd, and what it is now, at the same
height of tide ; also to state their opiuion of
the usefulness of the dredging machine which
has been employed.
1 am, A:c.
(Signed) S. D. INGHAM.
Secretary o f the Treasury.
Stephen Plkasonton, Esq.
Fifth Auditor of the 'Treasury.
(No. 8.)
House of Representatives, >
April, 3 0th 1830.
Dear Sir: The enclosed documents were
printed upon iny motion and were laid upon
our tables this morning. Should the affida
vits annexed to the petition of Bargy—tiio
petition itself of Mr. Martineare’s letter con
tain any thing inconsistent with the real state
of facts, I will receive with pleasure the cor
rection from you; at all events, you may be
assured the discussion of the claim shall nqt
be bro’t on until you should have been heard
from either by himself or some other of the
delegation. It is not probable now that Co
ngress w ill adjourn before the Ist of June, asit
is understood that Judge Peck will demand
his trial. 1 shall, as soon asit shall be prin
ted forward to yourself ic the principal wharf
holders in Savannah—the information fur
nished upon, may call in regard to the appro
priation of May, 1626 to clear out obstruc
tions in Savannah river below the city—that
general information may be had by those im
mediately interested upon a subject material
to the welfare of our city—it may be as well
for me to say, as Mr. Tlcasonton may not
have done so that it was at my request —in-
duced by a survey forwarded to me, that the
further disbursement of the fund has been
discontinued for the present.
1 am Sir, very respectfully,
your ob’t servf.
JAMES M. WAYNE.
Da. Wm. C. Dakieil.
[No 9.]
If reasvry Department .
3d September 183 -
Srn : A careful examination of tiie evi
dence in this satisfied me that the shoal
over the wrecks has been particularly deep
ened by the operation of the dredging ma
chine, but not of sufficient width or length
to justify the pilots in attempting to take over
vessels of deeper draughts than formerly. I
am persuaded, however, that what is proved
to have been done, exclusive of the weight o
the opinion of nearly all the witnesses in fa
vor the continued use of the dredging ma
chine, clearly justifn s the commissioner ni
tiie application of it, and requires that it
should be resumed with as little delay as pos
sible,
As to the dam from Fig Island to flute!:*
inson’s Island, that measure appears to have
been regarded by the commissioners of pilot
age many years since as one means of deep
ening the southern channel; it was also re*
commended by the United States’ engincct
employed to examine the river, and proposed
plan of improvement; which apian was c
doptrd by the Treasury Department and Ik.
Daniel, the superintendant directed to exe
cute it accordingly. Whatever error of
judgment may have directed the expenditure
of the money in making such a dam, Pv. Iktß
iell is not amenable to censure e\i that jk-.
count. The execution of the work is no t
complained of; it appears from the tes' jn , r
<o be well built but in the pursue s j on
there is not certainty of any ben-- j| t^ lil
rived from its completion, and *ol>c elf
in its present state, is less j-M - ‘ - the work)
tion from the force of tb , ‘ ’ ' <c t 0 <lil rJ’tda
sluice were closed m , a p ■ -rent, that it the
their remains bn' ~i!’ ‘ Jniore especially ar
priation, not r , " - f 85.060 of the appro
complete ♦* llc “ nrr - ftil sufficient, perhaps, 0
the wremj- P ] JO . ■ -cssary work to be done -•
ougk t no , j aI ’ f think the work at the dan
u- nrrmri • • J be rcsufft fd, but the whole of Ik
thiMlrr " ron ,n - a y *' c expended in worltinj'
j, -dging machine at flic wrecks.
I *, n order to avpid the necessity of It*
mi ions investigations jn future, to ascertain
acts winch may be determined with the gri>•
test case and certainty, you will direct tu
commissioners to establish a mark or sons
I h*od object (lifyc a tree or if-there be none,
i a P*h’ driven into the ground) opposite,to tin*
I -shpaj, from tiie level of which mark he will
ound the depths of the channel throughout
the whole space on which ho jnay determine
to work ; cause a drawing of the bottom of the
river to be made from such soundings, and a
copy it sent to the department ; this being
•10,’w in ;!■" presence of f and attested bv ru*