Newspaper Page Text
BANKRUPT LAW.
City of Washington,
January 18, 1811.
Dear Sir: Vo ir favor has been received,
inquiring of me whether I am in iavor ot a
general bankrupt law*. On this, as on oth r
subjects of national policy, l am free to express
my sentiniema. While it is necessary for the
general prosperity that each State should
regulate its own affairs, as regards its
own local policy, and the special interests ot
its citizens, there are matters in which their
relations are so interwoven, and their inter-
ests so identified, that a uniform system is os- 1
eontial to their harmonious action and welfare.
In the formation of our Federal Constitution,
it was intended that these points should he
specified, and their regulation confided to l ie .
General Government. Among these is tno ,
subject of bankruptcy. In the first article,
eighth section, fourth clause, ot tlic Gonstitu- ,
tion, it provides that Congress shall have
power to establish a uniform rule ol naturali
zation, and uniform laws on the subject of
bankruptcies, throughout the United Stales.
It was seen by the framers of that instrument
that the relations between the citizens ot dif
ferent States, and especially between the tra
ding communities of the different towns and
cities, would render a uniform system ot bank
ruptcy highly important to their interests. In
this grant of power, the patriarchs of our inde
pendence evidently considered itthedischaigc
of a sacred duty; and it is difficult for me to j
assign any good cause why this provision has
not been carried into effect, unless it has been
prevented by clashing sentiments upon its de
tail, as it cannot be controverted by any that
bankrupts—innocent, unfortunate bankrupts,
have always existed, upon which such a law
would operate; and, in my opinion, the law
should be permanent, and not temporary.
We are a commercial, an agricultural and a
manufacturing nation, extending from the cold
regions of the North to the Capes of Florida,
near the torrid zone; and from the Atlantic
ocean to the sources of the waters of the Pa
cific. Through this vast domain, and with
their various pursuits, bankruptcies must al
ways exist; and it is the duty of the Govern
ment to make such provision as will be calcu
lated to givs the greatest possible relief that
can be given consistently with the principles
of justice. Congress alone has the power to
do this, and on them the work devolves, not
only as a constitutional right, but as a solemn
duty. Both in private and public life I have
ever regarded it as a paramount duty to relieve
the distressed from every burden, as far as
possible, and especially to break that yoke by
which none can be benefitted, and to sooth,
rather than break, t lie heart already rent with
the anguish of misfortune.
It is” repugnant to every principle of justice
to regard bankruptcy as a presumption of guilt.
In the fluctuations of trade, the most honorable
men are often its victims; and to hold the per
son of the debtor subject to his creditor, and to
put his future liberty or acquisitions beyond
his own control when he has surrendered all,
is to inflict a punishment where there is no
crime, nor criminal tribunal to investigate a
crime, or to prescribe punishment.
Credit in trade is based upon confidence in
the success of him who obta'ns it, and ought
not in any degree to depend upon a contin
gent right which the creditor may claim on the
liberty or future independence of the debtor.
If he chance to be ui successful, all that they
can claim is af i'hful surrenderor his remain
ing effects Let him give this, and begin the
world again. What is the effect of subject ing
his future acquisitions to the seizure of his
creditors? It is to stifle in him all spirit of
enterprise, and to bind him and his family
down to perpetual poverty, without the re
motest prospect ot benefit to Ins cretitors or
iu ow<w.j. * lit-o this, without
the conviction of guilt, is too revolting to my
feelings to give it my sanction; and it never
ought to exist in a free and civilised country.
It is said that dishonest persons will some
times avail themselves of the benefit of a bank
rupt law. So unfaithful men may sometimes be
elected to legislative bodies, and crimes may
sometimes be perpetrated under the cloak of
religion. But 1 would not refuse relief to the
unfortunate, nor destroy legislative bodies, nor
strive to abolish Christian churches, on ac
count of abuses to which they are all subject;
lor the principle is equally applicable to all.
This power in the Constitution is joined
with that of naturalization, and with the same
benevolent object. Upon that of naturaliza
tion, Congress has acted, and in doing so, has
provided for the oppressed ot all nations, in
this land of refuge, the blessings of liberty
and safety, the protection of our laws; and it
was justly expected that a bankrupt law would
also be passed, extending protection from op
pression to the unfortunate of our own citi
zens, and to those of all other nations who
might choose to come and reside among us.
This l wish to see done. My opinion is that
it will redound to the h >nor of our country.
It will relieve the bankrupt, and by leaving
him unshackled in his enterprise, he will often
accumulate the means both of providing for
himself and of liquidating his debts, which
honest men frequently do under the influence
of moral obligations.
The interest of the debtor, the interest of
the creditor, the interest of society, and the
glory of our country, all conspire to sanction
the measure. The object of government ought
always to be the mitigation of human misery,
and the advancement of human happiness, as
far as possible. If I can light up the smile of
gladness,even in one solitary bosom,where the
fear of sorrow was flowing, I enjoy in tho act
a gratification my feeble language cannot
describe. With these sentiments, I have
ever been the advocate for relief to the war
worn soldier, and to the widows and orphans
of those who suffered or perished in their
country’s defence; and with the views which
I have expressed upon this subject, I have ex
erted all my feeble powers for the abolition of
imprisonment for debt. When lam satisfied
that the object of a constitutional measure is
good, I can never abandon it on account of
difficulties which present themselves in mak
ing- it perfect in ail its details. Similar diffi
culties may be urged with equal plausibility
against free government; against universal
suffrage; against popular elections; and in
deed against all of our institutions. It is not
good to be impracticable. No man ought to
put, himself up as a standard to which all must
come—however great he may be, he will be
disappointed in tiie end, and perhaps his use
fulness iu some measure lost. We should
provide a uniform system of bankruptcy upon
as liberal principles as justice will warrant;
and as experience shall show its imperfections,
we should give it such consideration ami
amendment as will be found equitable. I
should expect its provisions to be extended to
all classes of every profession, involuntary as
to merchants, and voluntary as to others.
The law should embrace all cases existing
at the passage of the law, as well as all which
may happen in future. Such are my views
upon tins subject. Ido not set up myself as
a standard for others; organised as I am, 1
could not act otherwise without a violation ol
conscience and the obligations of solemn du- j
ty. For 1 have no doubt that should the sys-1
tem be established, its beneficial effects would
be felt in every part of our country, and espe
ctally throughout our whole trading commu
nity. If is a system which I believe prevails
in every commercial country of Europe, and in \
every civilised nation on the globe. Indeed,
from the earliest antiquity, the Jews, though j
an agricultural nation, had their septennial
years of release, and their general jubilees.
It is the same measure in a different form; the
same great conservative principle for the same
•Teat'"object. In this country, all power is j
based on the will of the people. We have no
legal or constitutional classes; hut rich
and ill; poor, the fortunate and the un'ortu
nete, are all ejual. I here is a perpetual j
Devolution cf property—-the poor becoming
| rich, and the rich becoming poor; at dto suiici j
‘any unnecessary impediments to enterj rse, |
I is to interruot the prosperity ot the nation.
j : , then, the relief which a bankrupt law,
! gives, extending ail its provisions to ail who j
desire it, is proper for any other country, it is .
much more due to this great Republic.
Most respectfully,
Your fellow citizen,
RIG M. JOHNSON.
From the New York Times, Jn. 22.
ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER COLUMBIA,
The steamer Colombia arrived at her
whaif at Boston at half past 7 o clock, yes
terday morning, in 15 1-2 days from Liver
pool, which place she left on the s:h instant,
ai 10 o’clock, P. M. She arrived at Halifax,
| at l P. M., on the I9;h, and sailed thence for
Boston at 6 P. M. On the passage, she lost
a boy overboard. The Columbia left Liver
pool with 85 passengers, for Boston and Hali
fax.
The news brought by her is highly impor
(ant and interesting. It is eleven days later
than that heretofore received, being from Liv
erpool to the stli, from London to the 4ih, and
front Paris to the 3d instant.
All the papers speak of the continued se
verity of the weather in almost every part of
E irope. In the South of France it had been
colder than ever before known, and fears
were entertained of the effect upon (lie vine
j yards.
The Chartists Ireld a meeting at Newport,
for the purpose of getting up an address to
1 e Queen, pravingfor the resto ation of Frost,
Will wins and Jones from banishment. There
was no disturbance of the public peace, and
the concourse, which consisted of some thou
sands, separated quietly.
The latest French journals are filled with
New Year addie.-s.s to the King, and his
answers.
Louis Phillippe, in his reply to the speeches
made to him by the diplomatic corps, on the
preservation of peace, said:
You know the value which I have never
ceased to attach to the duration of the politi
cal repose enjoyed by Europe, and to the
maintenance of the general peace. Convinc
ed as I am that this stifle of alike the
interest of France and of all other states, no
thing ‘•hall relax my efforts to c > operate with
all the sovereigns for the preservation of this
great blessing to our nation; and I hope with
you that in tiie year which has just opened
to us us the wisdom of the Cabinets will ef
fect its consolidation. I feel very sensibly the
solicitations of the corps diplomatique, and
the good wishes which you offer in its name
for France, my family and myself.
The addresses of the Chambers of Peers
and Deputies have no distinctive marks of
political sentiment—but the answers of the
King to both prove that he is determined to
preserve peace under all circumstances.
A madman who hung himself at Rheims,
was found suspended but still alive; from a
superstition that it was unlucky to cut the
rope of a gentleman in such a position he was
allowed to remain till life was extinct, when
the police cut him down.
The Nile has risen to 22 1-2 feet this year,
and the inundation is so great that incalcula
ble mischief has been done to the country.
A manuscript relative to the military and
naval position of Corsica entirely written in
Napoleon’s own hand, has been found in a li
brary at Toulon.
A woman named Jones, died last week at
Dudley, r-hove ninety years old, leaving be
hind her 138 grandchildren!
A meeting for the promotion of Irish man
ufactures was held in Dublin theatre on Thurs
day. The boxes were occupied bv ladies, the
pit and gallery held the male part of the audi
ence, and the speakers were on me siam„ —
Mr. O’Connell and Professor Butt were the
piincipai performers. Though Ihe meeting
was held in the day time, the theatre was
brilliantly lighted.
The commercial city of Leghorn is in the
most melancholy condition, owing to the fail
ure of several first rate houses.
A lamentable accident occurred at Dublin,
on the 25;h ult. at.llie Roman Catholic chapel
in Francis st. One of the timbers of tliegal
lery, which was thronged with people, was
heard to crack—a cry was raised that the
building was falling, and a rush ensued, in
which three persons were trampled to death
and several were dangerously injured.
Mr. Charles Kemble’s health is somewhat
improved—his disease is inflamation of the
kidneys.
The Queen and infant Princess still enjoy
(rood health.
T 1 e Christmas entertainments at the dif
ferent London theatres have been highly suc
cesslul.
The Hon. T. C. Robertson has succeeded
Lord Auckland to the Governor-Generalship
of India, pro tem.
Repeal meetings, with O'Connell to open
them, continued to be heald in various parts
of Ireland.
A person named Bora I lias been arrested
in Switzerland, charged with being an acces
sory to the attempt bv Darmes on the life of
Louis Philippe on the 15th October I :st.
Some uneasiness is said to exist in Paris on
tbe subject of another “Death to ihe English
and dealli to Guizot demonstration” of the
students, on Sunday S I, when these credita
ble youths, “the elite of the most civilized na
tion on earth” proposed to repair in full force
to repeat their condolence to the Abbe de
Lamenneais, on his conviction for sedition.
Plte government was however aware of the
intention; and taking into consideration the
possibility that the working classes might to
a certain extent concur in the demonstration,
made adequate preparations for insuring the
maintenance of ti e public peace.
Further plots against Louis Philippe’s life
are again spoken of as having been found ini
the pocket of ti e driver of a Paris omnibus,’
who committed suii ide, a paper is said to
have been found, setting forth that being a
j member of a secret society, his turn had come
by lot to kill the King; hut, finding himself
unable to commit the crime, he had determin
ed to hang himself.
The King lias remitted that part of Ma
dame Lalfarge’s sentence which condemns
here to exposition pubUque.
It appears that the French Government
I are determined on demanding satisfaction of!
I Morocco, for an insult offered the Consul Ge
neral at Tangiers
The Belle Poule is shortly to sail to the
China seas, under the command of the Prince
de Joinville.
The Paris journals are indulging in a no
. tion, says the Spectator of the 2d instant, that
j Russia may he induced loenter into a separ
, ate alliance with France against England and
! tiie other two Powers, parties to thequadru
! pie treal v.
Prince Albert is said to be studying the
constitutional law of England under the able j
j tuition of Mr. S elvvyn the Queen’s counsel!
The Royal Babv has been vaccinated, and
will be christened on the 10th inst.
Ainsworth and Marrvait are engaged as j
regular contributors to the Sunday Times j
; and Era. The former has commenced anew i
romance called Old St. Pauls, of which we
shall publish the first part tomorrow.
There were a great many fires in London
during the Christmas festivities,
General Bugeaud has been appointed by
the French Government, Governor Geueral of
Algiers vice Marshal Vallee.
Mrs. Fanny Kemble Butler is in London \
with her father.
Nearly 1,000,000 persons are said to have
visited the Church of Invallides, Paris, during
the spare of ten days.
The Lon lon Atlas says, “New Tear meets
,us with a fair and fortunate aspect. It finds
us quiet Sn<! prosperfius at home and success
ful abioad.”
From France we have no news of anv
! particular interest, if we except a rumcrtK
c ange of ministry by which the GiiliWfr
Ministry is to he superceded hy Count flwfe*
:n conjunction with M. Thiers as Miuisferrif
the Interior. The basis of the Cabinet in
peUo, is said to be a complete rupture with
England, and a close alliance with Russia, for
purposes of mutual aggrandizement, but the
conjunction and the policy are so preposter
ous, and so opposed to the well known wishes
of the King, and all reasonable Frenchmen,
that the report is probably wholly undeserv
ing of credit.
The report that the British forces were in
possession of Pekin, the capital of the Chi
nese,empire, has been repeated. The occu-
Ipation of Ctiusan lias evidently been magni
; fied by Madam Rumor into the seizure of the
j capital.
The origin of the report has been traced fi
a letter fiom St. Petersburgh of the 12jh
: December, of which the following is an ec
tract:
Accounts have been received from Kiafca
of the 15th of September, stating that a re-
Eort was veiy current there, and general!”
elieved, that the Brit sh forces were in pos
session of Pekin. Kiatka is 933 English
miles from Pekin, and the only chanml by
which intelligence from China could !>e re
c ived.
Now, as accounts from Pekin could be re
ceived at Kiatka to a much later date than
that of the last advices via Bombay and Al
ex: n Iria, there appeared some ground whire
on to rest (he belief that was generally enter
tained in St. Petersburgh. On Monday last,
however, the same house that had received
the tetter to which we have just referred, had
further accounts from its agent in the capital
of Russia; hy that time the news from Kiat
ka had become more accurate, and yet more
vague. Pekin it was found, had not fallen,
but some place on the coast had positively
been taken by the English. It is very clear,
therefore, that the “some place” was no other
than the celebrated Chusan, which the Kiat
ka correspondent of the Petersburgh agent
had mistaken for Pekin.
It seems that the Governor of Canton is
highly enraged at the capture and detention
of the salt junks, and begins to leel the incon
venience of the blockade Some ten or
twelve grain and salt junks have been taken
under the guns of the Bogue forts, and car
ried into Capsing Moon. One Mandarin
boat that would not attend to the warning
shots, was sunk. The Chinese frigate Ches
apeake, late the Cambridge, has been ordered
up the river from the second bar, where she
was considered as dangerously near the for
eign devils. The blockading squadron suf
fers fishing boats and opium boats to pass.
All the foreigners in Canton, viz: two Amer
icans, two Swiss, one Dutch, and one Portu
guese, had been ordered to quit the city, and
all Ihe the factories were deserted.
The only intelligence from China on which
any reliance is to be placed, is an account
which Cape of Good Hope papers contain,
brought by a vessel from the Mauritius, to
the effect that a division of the Briiish fleet
had gone up the Yellow River, and would
proceed to within eighty miles of Pekin.—
The troops would march along the banks, in
order to secure the passage, which is repre
sented as very circuitous. The Canton river
is effectually blockaded.
A dreadful storm happened at Constantino,
p'e on the first December. A letter of the
Slh gives the following account: —
“We had a dreadful gale here on the Ist
instant: —Among the known losses are the
hark Emma, Captain Hudson loaded at O
dessa, with linseed and tallow, capt. and all
l nnrla perished: the schr. Robert Svmms, of
Plymouth at Odessa, with tallow, captain and
three men saved, four list; the Aus ran com
mercial steamer Neva, oi Emperor Nicholas,
Capt Rogers, from Odessa, with passengers
and cargo, thirteen of the crew, with 4 male
and two female passengers saved—these
went on shore to the west and last of the
Boghaz.
From the London Times of the sth.
The JYew York Packet Ship President. —
The Hnmbur Union Company steam packet
Water Witch, Capt. Gibson, arrived at the
St. Kaiharine’s steam packet wharf, Sf. Kath
arine’s, on Sunday afternoon, from Hull, bring
ing information [which was received from a
“salvage man ’] that a large American ship,
name unknown, was on shore on the Nore
Sand, and not 1 kel.v to be got off. This inte’li
gence rapidly spread and created considi Ta
ble alarm, as the vessel must have experienc
ed the gale and thunderstorm eatly on Sunday
morning, when she was on that dangerous
Sand.
Yesterday afternoon it was ascertained that
the vessel on shore was the American line of
packet ship President, from New York. She
got upon the Nore Sand late on Saturday
night or early on Sunday morning, whilst in
tow of the General Steam Navigation Com
pany’s steam packet Royal Sovereign, and
remained in that perilous situation until Sun
day niglit, when, with the assistance of sev
eral wreckers, and others, and the lightening
of the vessel, she floated off without having
received much apparent damage, although at
one time she had sunk two or three feet in
the sand. She was expected to arrive late
last night or eaily this morning, in the St.
Katharine’s dock, where her cargo will be
discharged with all possible expedition, Sir
John Hall, the active Secretary to the Dock
Company, having, we understand, given di
rections to that effect.
Since our foreign news was in type,
we have learned that letters have been re
ceived in this city, by the Columbia, announc
ing that the packet ship President was safely
got off the Nore Sand, and carried into dock
in London.
From the Savannah Republican, Jan. 2P.
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM FLORIDA.
We are indebted to Captain Nock of Ihe
steamer Florida, arrived yesterday, from Ca
rey’s Ferry, for the St. Augustine “News”
and “Herald” of the 22d inst., from which we
annex extracts.
We always are satisfied to give good news
from Florida, and considering the almost
hopeless nature of the warfare, it has been in
our power to communicate more refreshing
intelligence lately than could reasonably have
been anticipated, li the news continues to
come in as it has done, we shall be convinced
that either through fighting or treaty-making,
the war will soon end. The recapitulation of
our information is, that since our last advices,
eleven Indians have been killed, forty Indians
and six negroes taken prisoners, making a to
tal of fifty-seven.
“Now by St. Paul, the work goes bravely an.’’
From the St. Augustine News.
MORE GLORIOUS NEWS.
The schr. Frances, Capt. Copper, arrived
j this morning, brings the glorious news of ad
ditional success in the capture and destruc-
I tion of the enemy South. On the B.h, Col.
: Harney captured and killed, in the Everglades,
jl2 Indians. On the 10th, at Indian Rivet,
i the command uuder Major Childs, Lieutenants
, Taylor, Steptoe, Van Yliet and Dr. Simmons,
j captured 34 Indians and negroes, killing 4.
j On the 11th, on the St. Johns, Lieuts. Taylor
! and Van Yliet captured 5 Indians, killing 1.
■ Col. Harney had to return for additional force,
j and is again in pursuit of the enemy.
The news from the South is truly cheering; j
j the successors of Col. Ilarnev, and the prompt !
1 mid gallant conduct of Major Childs, and uffi- j
cers of 3d Artillery, are entitled to all praise. ;
Major Childs is a brave officer, and already i
distinguished for some conduct at Fort Drane.
We say God speed such men as are operating
South—they Irave large claims upon the grat
itude of the country.
From the St. Augustine Herald.
Tolie politeness of Lieut. Col. Gates, 3d
lArtillrw we are indebted for the following
jimpofant report. Major Childs will be re-
Unemered in Florida for the perseverance and
‘euerg which happily resulted in the capture
of Inians that we announce to-day.
Fort Pierce, Fla. >
January 5,1841.
Sit: I have the honor to report that 1 ar
rive* at this post with a reinforcement for A.
and F. companies of the 3d Artillery, on the
20tl ult.
learning that Indians had been seen at
Gfllert’s Bar, I immediately fitted out six
loats with thirty-five men, and on the 23d, at
light, left for Gilbert’s Bar, and from thence
to Jupiter Inlet, searching the shores during
the night for Indian fires, and laying concealed
during the (lav at certain points where it was
most probable Indians would pass.
Having failed in discovering Indians by
scouting at night, and being satisfied by a stay
of near two days in the water near Jupiter,
thatlndians no longer even visited the vicinity,
I closely examined the coast and main land
on my return, and am confident that the In
dians seen at Gilbert’s Bar came from the
Saint Lucie.
On my regaining this post, I forthwith made
preparations for a more extended scout to the
North for the purpose of routing the Indians
supposed to be in the vicinity of Cape Cana
veral and Merritt’s Island, and on the 4th in
stant, started with 42 men in seven boats, ac
companied by Lieuts. Taylor, Steptoe, and
Van Vliet, together with Assistant Surgeon
Simons, who promptly volunteered tor duty
in the line, as well as to act in his official ca
pacity, piloted by Messrs. Ashlock and Bay
ard, both of whom were of essential service.
On the 2d day, discovered a large field on
the coast side, and opposite the southern end
of Merrilt’s Island, cultivated last year, and
preparation made for another crop the coming
spring. Here I took the passage between the
coast and ihe Island, wholly unknown to any
one on board, examining the shore where a
landing could be effected without discovering
any signs of Indians until the 4th day, when
we came upon a camp of several palmetto
houses and one board house situated in a
hammock, several miles to the North of the
cape and fields, under cultivation to the amount
of seven acres, a large crib of several hun
dred pumpkins, signs of a horse, and evident
ly an inhabited camp within a week, and the
residence of a large party for many years. I
burned the buildings, destroyed the vegetables,
and proceeded up the coast about. 9 miles,
when I came to another lately inhabited camp,
and signs of cultivation, and the same liorse
track, seen the day. before, and the signs
judged to be from five to six days old. On
the sth morning, soon after starling, rowing
with muffled oars and in a fog close to the
shore, discovered two canoes in a creek lead
ing into an Island at the head of Meritt’s Isl
and, landed, and finding a trail pursued it for
half a mile, when we surprised a camp cap
turing an Indian woman and child, a negro by
the name of Friday, his wife and two children;
he says he belongs to Maxy Dell, Esq. and
was taken with his family some four years
since between Black Creek and Newnans
ville.
From the negro I learned that I was on the
trail of the party whose village I had destroy
ed the day before—that they had been gone
five or six days, part of them by land and part
of them by water, on a fishing excursion to
Mosquito Lagoon or to the Countie Ground
and Orange Groves in the Big Swamp. Hav
ing destroyed a quantity of corn and vegeta
bles at, this place, I proceeded on and arrived
at, the Haulover at 10 o’clock at night, discov
ermg no signs of Indians until 2 o’clock in
the morning, when the horse whose signs we
had seen for the last 3 days came to the place
where we lay concealed. Having secured
him, I took his trail at day light with a party
of thirty-one soldiers, leaving Lieut. Van Vliet
and eleven men to guard the prisoners and
boats. At 9 o’clock we came upon a camp of
31 men, women and children, just embarking
to return to their late residence. They took
to the wa'er with as many of their boats as
ihey could easily reach. We followed, some
wading, oil ers in canoes which had left, and
finally succeeded in capturing all their boats
hut one, not, however, without a stout resis
tance by one boat pursued by Lieut Taylor,
and two soldiers; one warrior keeping up a
steady fire, while the other, with the women
propelled the brat; the warriors were at last
slot, and in the course of two hours we found
ourselves in possession of seven boats, twen
ty-four j risoriers, two dead warriors, and one
w< man and child accidenta ly killed.
The prisoners were three warriors, two
boys, twelve and fifteen years of age, seven
women, and twelve children.
Learning from negro Friday, that at a creek
leading into the St. Johns, about 10 miles
from Indian River and seven from Fort Mc-
Neil, resided three warriors, two women and
two children, I determined to visit, them, and
on the 7th day dropped down about 7 miles
from the Haulover and to the Southern ter
mination of the Big Swamp, and at 12 M. des
patched Lieuts. Taylor and Van Vliet with2o
men, and Friday for a guide. At 2 o’clock A.
M, Lieut. Taylor returned with two women
and children prisoners, leaving one dead war
rior on Ihe field destroying two splendid ca
noes, and burning their camp—having march
ed through swamps and ponds upwards of
twenty miles. I could learn of no other party
of Indians and my boats being encumbered
with prisoners, and the men exhausted from
excessive labor, I determined to return, and
arrived at this pest last evening, after an ab
sence of ten days—having rowed upwards of
250 miles, and scouted on land 50 more.
To attempt to speak of individual officers
and soldiers, when all lent the ent ire energies
of their minds and bodies to the successful ac
complishment of of the object in view, would
be invidious. Each and every individual en
dured privations and fatigue without a mur-j
mur, worthy of a more glorious cause and
more lasting honor.
RECAPITULATION.
w amors. Women. Children. Total.
Killed, 3 1 15
Prisoners, 3 10 17 30
Negro men, 11 2 4
Aggregate, 39
Captured, two fouroared boats and eight
canoes.
Amongst the prisoners I find a wife and
I child of a brother of Co-a-coo-chee, and a
boy 12 years old who is his brother-in-law,
they were on a party of pleasure to the camp
of these Indians. The husband of the above
named woman was badly wounded in the back,
but escaped in the bushes. Two warriors
belonging to the Cape party, and one negro
belonging to Mr. Forrester of St. Augustine,
escaped in a canoe. I have, however, as
prisoners, the father of one, and the wife of
the other warrior.
Respectfully,
Your most ob't. serv’t.
THOMAS CHILDS,
Major U. S. A., Commanding.
To Col. Wm. Gates,
CommdV. Atlantic District,
St. Augustine, Florida.
On tiie 7th inst. Gen. Read captured three
squaws, one Indian lad, and a warrior, and two
negio joys, near the Suwanee.
The warrior, though chained, and his hands
tied, escaped in the night, while his guard was
| asleep, and by giving alarm to the neighboring
i camps has, we fear, frustrated the object of
! the expedition.
Col. Harney possesses the only “patent
right” for securing the does not
tie them by the leg, but by the neck.
Col. Dancy was at Fort Frank Brooke on
‘he 13sli with his command—all well and in
good spirits. It was intended to direct their
course homewards in about ten days-—scout
ing the country as they return.
SENTINEL & HERALD.
COLUMBUS, FEB. 3, 1841.
“ This Institution is one of the moat deadly hostility
existing against the principles and form of our Consti
tution. The nation is, at this time, so strong and united
in its sentiments, that it cannot beshaken at this mo
ment. But suppose a, series of untoward events should
occur, sufficient to bring into doubt the competency of a
Republican Government to meet a crisis of great dan
ger. or to unhinge the confidence of the people in the
public functionaries ; an institution likeihis penetrating
by Us branches every part of the union, acting by com
mand and in phalanx, may in a critical moment, upset
the government. I deem no government safe, which is
under the vassalage of any self-constituted authorities,
or any other authority than that of the nation, or its reg
ular functionaries. What an obstruction could not this
Bank of the United States, with oil its branch banks,
be in time of war ? It might dictate to us the peace we
should accept, or withdraw its aid. Ought we then to
give further growth to an institution so powerful, so
hostile ?— Thomas Jefferson.
Very True. —A Harrison paper says, that
Mr. Webster remarked recently in Philadel
phia, that the “ Conservatives did little to
elect Gen. Harrison—their force is contempti
ble—in fact, in point of numbers, they would
only fill a good-sized New York omnibus.”
Resumption in Virginia and Maryland. —The
Baltimore American of the 25;h ult. states
that, by mutual agreement, the banks of Balti
more and Richmond will resume specie pay
ments on the first day of February next,
(Monday last,) and that this “measure of
resumption will, without doubt, be adopted by
all the remaining banks both in Maryland and
Virginia, and thus the resumption will be com
plete in both States.”
On our first page will be found uvo articles
which will be read with interest—one, a nar
rative, from an eye-witness, of the battle of
New Orleans, on the Bth of Jan. 1815, —and
tl e other, notes of the passage across the
E/eiglades of Florida, bv an officer of the
expedition. A former Surveyor General ol
Florida stated, several years since, to the
writer of this article, the existence of Islands
in the Everglades, concealed by water and
tall grass, and in the centre of which, almost
inaccessible to human lootsteps, were high
and dry spots, affording a secure hiding place
to the savage—and until these were exploredi
the Seminole war would continue. This has
been done by the expedition under Col. Har
ney.
The Savannah Georgian of the 30th ult.,
received this morning, contains later intelli
gence from Florida; but the time of its re
ceipt, and the crowded state of our columns,
prevent its insertion in this paper. Col. lli
ley surprised a camp of Indians in the Ever
glades of the Ocklawaha—and, at the mo
ment of their capture, received by a runner,
an order from Gen. Armistead, which is thus
spoken of in the letter of the correspondent
of the Georgian:
Upon counting noses, the prisoners num
bered 100! and before a deposition was made
of them, a runner who had but a few hours
previous joined their camp, made his appear
ance with an order signed bv General Armis
lead, directing that no one should interfere
with said Indians, as (hey had promised logo
in at Tampa.
The Colonel turned to his officers—“ Ge
n he, “I would not have regarded
a White Flag, but loan order in hla'k and
white , I must submit.” “Guide!” (addressing
his negro) “draw a bee-line for home, and see
that you fake us there by the shortest possi
ble route.”
In silent and the most perfect disgust, the
command wended their homeward path.
U. STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.
Many, if not all of our readers recollect,
doubtless, the tone held by a great majority of
the papers in the country, opposed to the Ad
ministration of Mr. Van Buren, some twelve
or eighteen months back, respecting the course
of that Administration upon the North Eas
tern Boundary question. It was urged by
them that Mr. Van Buren. and the Secretary
of State, Mr. Forsyth, were acting with greet
rashness, and determined to precipitate the
United States into a war with the most pow
erful Nation on the earth, without the smallest
preparation, or the slightest justifiable cause—
that, ns a last and desperate resort, the Presi
dent, to secure his re-election, was willing to
bring us into hostile collision with “ our natu
ral ally”'—our “best friend”—“who enter
tained for us feelings of the greatest kindness,
and of the purest good will:” and this, too, in
violation of the wishes of the people, and to
the utter destruction of all the great interests
of the country. It was necessary, said they,
to avert the evils which Mr. Van Buren, and
his havglity Secretary of State, were madly
urging, to deprive them of the power to do
harm, and to place in their stead pure Repub
licans—men who loved their country, and
would sacrifice on the altar of peace all ambi
tious views and unholy aspirations. To what
extent, and with how much pertinacity, these
views were sought to be inculcated upon the
people, all must be aware who perused, at the
period referred to, the leading whig papers.^
Are the same sentiments entertained now,
and equal solicitude manifested for the pre
servation of peace, and the establishment of
permanent concord, between Nations, “united
by the ties of a common origin, and zealously
engaged in the same great work of ameliora
tion and reform”! Or have they, like the
thousand phantoms conjured up, previous to
the election of Gen. Harrison, to arouse the
feelings and alarm the prejudices of the people,
been consigned to the tomb, and numbered
among the things that were—or if remem
bered at all, remembered only as monuments
of the patience with which Americans will
suffer themselves to be ensnared, in moments
of excitement, by the electioneering tricks of
a party; cajoled into the support of measures
in direct hostility to their own rights; and in
fluenced to elevate to high official station,
political foes to those genuine principles of
freedom, which gave birth to the independence
of these States, and were re-established in
the political revolution of 1900. Look now at
many of the leading Harrison prints, and see
how changed their tone —how altered their
views upon questions of exterior policy. In
stead of haste and rashness on the part of the
President, and a determination to involve the
country in war—the Administration is dis
gracing and degrading the Nation—pusillani
mouslv submitting to the most outrageous
assaults upon its honor, and the integrity of its
territory—and unresistingly yielding to the
arbitrary encroachments of the most grasping
and avaricious Nation on the earth.
If we look through the correspondence be
tween the two countries with respect to the
points upon which they are at issue, front its
Commencement; to its close in the recent let
ters of Mr. Forsyth and Mr. Fox, we shall
find, on the part of the American Government*
the same views expressed—the same spirit
exhibited —and equal determination manifest
ed, throughout the whole of it, to compromit,
in nowise, the honor or the interests ot the
United States. The letters of the Secretary
of State addressed, the other day, to the Brit
ish Minister, Mr. Fox, relative to the arrest of
M’Leod, and which met with such especial
favor and commendation from the W hig side
of Congress, are but a repetition of the views
uniformly held and maintained by the present
administration, upon the subject ot our differ
ences with Great Britain. As, however, the
great object has been accomplished —the po
litical prostration of Mr. Van Burcn■ thcicis
now no motive for the misrepresentation of
facts, or the suppression of truth; and the
sentiments which, a twelve-month ago, were
to embroil the country, most unjustly and un
necessarily, in a war with a great Nation, are
now tame and disreputable; beneath the digni
ty of the American Government, and humilia
ting to the pride of every patriot. In the
language of the Pennsylvanian, quoted by us
a week or two since, “the successor of Air.
Forsyth, be he whom he may, will be a fortu
nate patriot if he can contribute to expand the
reputation, exalt the dignity, preserve the
peace, and maintain the rights of the United
States, to the same proportion that these ob
jects have been attained by the labors of Mr.
Forsyth.”
APALACHICOLA AND ST. JOSEPHS.
In the early part of last month, vve commu
nicated to the Public information of the fact,
that, by an arrangement then just concluded,
file trade and business of these cities would
he hereafter concentrated at Apalachicola; and
vve expressed our gratification that conflicting
interests, which had heretofore been the occa
sion of embittered feeling, and great pecuniary
sacrifices, had been reconciled, on terms mu
tually satisfactory; and that this reeonciliation
would be of immediate and permanent ad
vantage to the citizens of St. Josephs as well
as of Apalachicola. We remarked farther,
that, in accomplishing an object of so much
public importance, but little individual injury,
comparatively, had been inflicted.
It was unreasonable to suppose that, in ad
justing a matter which had given rise to so
much acrimony of feeling—had excited such
strong opposing efforts—and in which so large
a number of persons, of dissimilar views, and
of unequal degrees of prejudice, were directly
interested —-an arrangement could be made,
equally acceptable to every individual, whose
interests were identified with the one place or
the other. As, however, all had seen, and to
a greater or less extent felt, the injurious in
fluences resulting from the existence of two
towns in immediate contact —each contending
for supremacy, and both dependent for suc
cess and prosperity on the same sources; and
as all must have become thoroughly convinced
that, under the existing condition of things,
there could he no stability in the value of
property, nor any certainty and regularity in
the transaction of business—hopes were en
tertained that the terms of the compromise
would he favorably received, and cordially ac- i
ccpted, although they might operate less
liberally upon some than upon others. Inef
lecting an arrangement of such magnitude, in
which so many interests were involved—and
where some individual loss must necessarily
accrue—it must have been foreseen by all
concerned, that temporary sacrifices were to be
made on the one hand, and additional expenses
incurred on the other—-which time, and the
union of the two cities, would fully repair.
We are not apprised that any deep and j
wide-spread dissatisfaction exists, or that the j
arrangement will not be carried out in good
faith, by all interested. Wo have been led
to recur to the subject, and to make the fore
going comments, from observing in the Apala
chicola Journal, of the 271 h ult., the subjoined
spicy notice.
ADVERTISEMENT.
CITIZENS OF APALACHICOLA!
A subject of deep interest demands your
attention at Lewis’ Exchange Hotel, on Fri
day evening next, at half past 7 o’clock, to
decide whether the citizens of this city are to
be further taxed in the annual sum of S3OOO
to purchase anonentity--ihe city of StJosepb,
and a few identified with its interests.
A CITIZEN.
gov. McDonald—
THE ARGUS—RECORDER AND JEFFERSONIAN.
In previous numbers of this paper, we have
endeavored, in our desultory mariner, to up
hold the relief Message of the Executive, and
to specify some of the advantages to result
from the adoption of the recommendations of
His Excellency. We thought their rejection
by the Legislature improper and unwise-—and
we believed that the people, or a large ma
jority of them, on examination and reflection,
would approve the course of the Governor—
at this particular juncture—and, as a conse
quence, testify their disapprobation of the
hasty and inconsiderate action of the Legis-!
lature. We were not mistaken in this opin-j
ion. Our information on this subject, gathered i
from different journals, and from various pri- j
vate sources, authorises us to state, that the !
feeling is deep and general in favor of the i lan 1
proposed by the Executive, and so uncererno-!
niously discarded by the Legislature—and !
that its adoption will be strenuously urged by
the people.
The Argus of this City, the Recorder of
Milledgeville, and the Jeffersonian of West
Point, are arrayed against the plan, and de
nounce it as wlio'ly unwise, and utterly im
practicable. We shall hereafter examine in
detail the various objections urged by these j
journals, and endeavor to show wherein they
err in the deductions they have drawn, and ;
the conclusions to whifft they have arrived, j
In the mean-while, it may not be amiss to sub-:
mit the following queries :
We should be glad to learn from the Argus
whether there is no distress, caused other
wise than by expensive living—distress which
was unexpected, and that no prudence
could have averted —produced by an unpropi
tious season, and by the derangements in
every branch of business—whether cases
may not arise, and have not arisen, in which
temporary aid has evolved permanent relief,
without risk to any—whether it is fair rea- j
soiling to view the creditor* the debtor, and 1
the individual who is neither, as entirely dis- 1
tinct, and independent of each other—wheth
er these three are not in daily connection, and
derangement or disaster in the affairs of one,
does not necessarily cause inconvenience or
positive injury to the other—and the success
! and prosperity of one do not give corresponding
J relief to all—whether there is any rational
[ground for supposing that the Public, other
| than those who borrow the money, will be
called on to reimburse the StateWgand vvliat
’ necessity will exist to tax the large,,
iif the money be paid by the to
whom it is loaned—what proportion of the
wlk>l© sum discounted by the Central Bank
has been lost, and even if the new loan he
[made, and the same proportion lost in ita
i collection, and this deficiency be supplied by
taxation, what will he the burden on each ir-
I dividual—and finally, what are the appropriate
objects and powers of the Stat e Governments ?
The Recorder has placed the question in a
nut-shell—the “ utter impracticability” of the
plan—this impracticability consisting in two
things—first, the inability to sell the bonds—
secondly, if sold, at such ruinous rates as to
deter individuals from borrowing of the Cen
tral Bank on the same terms, without the cer
tainty of absolute ruin. If bonds based on
such securities as were proposed to be affixed
in this case cannot be sold, why did a distin
guished member of the Legislature, and of the
party to which the Recorder is attached, frame,
| and effect the passage of a Bill, authorising the
sale of bonds, to be issued in the same man
[ ner, and founded on precisely the same secu
| ritif s—to relieve the existing liabilities of the
! Central Bank! Is it reasonable to suppose
that a gentleman of such acknowledged abili
ty and judgment would do so senseless a tiling,
j as to pass an act utterly inefficient and useless!
; Has the Recorder heard of State bonds placed
j in market, carrying with them available means
for their redemption ? Does not the Recorder
j know that no euch bonds have been offered
any where—and that capitalists, prior to pur-
chasing, examine carefully into the character
of bonds—the amount of them—the periods of
payment, and the means contemplated for their
redemption! In short, why did not the Legis
lature sanction the issue of State bonds as
proposed by the Governor, prescribing the
terms upon whit h they might be sold—and
leave it to time to determine their fate! If
this had been done, there would be no
ground of complaint; and if the bonds had re
mained unsold, the Legislature would have
been faultless in the matter. If application
be made for aid to Legislature or individual, is
it liberal or just to say, my credit will avail
you nothing—if I give it, it will be useless in
your hands. I low do you know this] At any
rate, if I am disposed to risk it, ought you to
withhold it on the ground of its insufficiency?
! The Jeffersonian thinks the plan beneficial
to the debtor class only, and, as a corollary,
prejudicial to the creditor class. We would
bo pleased to see his reasoning on this point.
It would certainly be something new under
the sun, to see proof made that furnishing
means to the debtor to pay the creditor is pre
judicial to the latter. The Jeffersonian, too,
dislikes the project, as presenting an unsafe
precedent, to be used When the emergency
| is not as pressing as he admits it to be just
i now. This, it seems to us, is running counter
j to one of the cardinal doctrines of the Jeflcr
i soilian, and Argus also, that the people are
capable of self-government in its broadest
acceptation; and must, of course, be endowed
with some discretion—■enough certainly to
determine when the same measure is right,
and when wrong, which is one of the com
monest occurrences under the sun—especially
in a free government—as a measure may be
very proper to-day that, is very improper to
morrow.
We have given some of the heads upon
which we shall, probably, hereafter argue this
question, as it promises to occupy, during the
present year, a large share of public atten
tion.
The following are extracts from the Wash
ington correspondence of the Charleston
Courier, under date of Jan. 2.>lh and 2Gth.
Rumor says Mr. Preston will be offered the
mission to Fiance.
Mr. Waddv Thompson is spoken of as
Secretary of the Navy, or as Minister to
Spain.
Mr. Ogden II ifl’man has been offered the
District Attorneyship, of New Yoik, the
most profits be office under t lie government.
Hut there is a provision in the General appro
priation bill, as reported by Mr. Jones, limit
ing the compensation of this end other offices
to a reasonable amount.
The members of Congress from your Stale
waited on the President of the United States
en masse , and solicited the appointment of
Purser lor the son of the late Commodore T.
Stevens, as a vacancy had occurred in the
navy. Mr. Van Buren, under the circum
stances, immediately granted the petition, ami
it has given much satisfaction to the friends
of the Commodore, who are very numerous.
Booth attempted to play Richard last night
to a fashionable audience, but, alas! he was
in suffi a state as to incapacitate him from
performing, and nothing but the high esti
mation in which the manageress (Miss Mo
nier) is held by all classes, prevented a row.
The play was suffered to proceed, however,
amid shouts of laughter, particularly at the
conclusion, when Richmond and a host of
soldiers vainly endeavored to kill the crooked
j hack tyrant. He would not die, notwith
standing all their efforts, and the curtain fell
| while the supernumeraries seized him boldly,
j and carried him off the stage.
Mr. Calhoun presented a memorial fronr
I the Chamber of Commerce of New Orleans,,
in favor of a general bankrupt law. Mr..
C. took occasion to remark that fie consider
ed a voluntary bankrupt law
and a compulsory one inexpedient
The special session has been settled in. a
caucus of whig members. The- whigs are
I almost unanimous in favor of it, and the othr
ler party do not deprecate it. It with, they
[say probably take place by the middle of
May.
It is insisted upon one side, perhaps justly,
that the people are burning with impatience
to overthrow the sub-treasury system; and
that the States are determined not to wait
any longer for the distribution of the pro
ceeds of the public lands.
These two measures are the first which
are to he secured. The tariff, funded debt,
bank, &.c. wilt follow in due time.
The Charleston Courier remarks:-—We
have it from the most unquestionable authori
ty, that Mr. Preston has no intention of ac
cepting a seat in the Cabinet, (as has been
confidently reported) hut will remain in the
Senate for the purpose of giving his aid to
the m w administration in earrvitg out its
measures.
Wood vs. Water. —A scientific go t'’email,
of the literary emporium, asserts tint a cord
of green wood contains, exactly one hogshead
of water.
