The Georgia constitutionalist. (Augusta, Ga.) 1832-184?, December 28, 1832, Image 2

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nu: ro>*i taßTH >:\\l.isi-' = [gvoiivi .(• ~bu.vce. —For tho semi-weekly paper, published every TueeJay and Friday morning, §5 per annum and for the weekly §3, all payable in advance, nr ADVERTISEMENTS are inserted weekly for 62 1-2 cents per square; semi-weeklyC2 1-2 cents lor me j first, and 43 3-4 cents for each subsequent insertion, an d monthly for 81. 00 per square for each insertion. For yearly advertisements private twrangemer .6 arc to be made. A deduction is made on the advertise ments ofpubne oUlcers. q p o siagc must be paid on letters of bue.ncsK I————■■■■i.ijay. «ia Rcporl of Uao Secretary of the Xavv. Navy Department, Dec. 3, 1532. To the President of the United States. Sir : it is a source of much gratification to be able to lay before you an exposition of the transactions o[ this department the past xcar, evincing great prosperity. New evidences have been furnished of the importance of our Navy in sustaining the Ame rican character abroad, and in extending and protecting some of our most valuable i rite rests. Besides the ordinary aid given to commerce by the presence of a respectable force on eacli of our foreign stations, the cruising grounds of some of our squadrons have been cmarged ; convoy, and relief in distress, have been occa sionally afforded ; threatened aggressions have, in some cases, been deterred, and, in others, the commission of actual injuries has been sea sonably investigated air! stopped. In the performance of these duties, frequent- Iv very delicate and difficult, our officers have, in general, displaced commendable prudence, raid always their accustomed promptitude, zeal and bravery. Connected with the Mediterranean station, the onlv collision that has arisen between any part of our squadron and other powers, took place at Madeira between the Constellation and the blockading vessels of Donna Maria, i lie commander of the Constellation, under in structions to show entire impartiality towards tho contending claimants to the throne of Por tugal, and at the same time to respect, in all places, the actual government, found, on his ar rival at that island, the force employed in its blockade apparently insufficient for the due in vestment of the place, and partial in i s indul gencics towards the (lags of oilier nations. In flcr these impressions as to the facts, and under his general orders for the efficient protection of our commerce, ho came to a conclusion, very fortunate for tliose interested in the trade to Ma delra, that while such a s’atc of things continu ed, he was justified in extending assistance to our merchantmen to ent°r the port of their des tination with their perishable cargoes. The addition to the Mediterranean squadron, of the frigates Constellation and I nited States and the return of the Ontario, .are the only ma terial changes in it since my last annual report. The Delaware has been prepared for sea with a view to that station; but it was deemed expedi ent not to despatch her, unless some emergency occurred, until she •could undergo a thorough examination in one of our dry docks. The Brandywine, Boston, and Concord, being ex pected home the present winter, their places will prohablv, in a few months, be supplied by the Delaware. The chastisement inflicted by the frigate Po tomac on the piratical Malaysia February last, is the sole occurrence of importance among our vessels that compose the squadron in the Pacific. The orders given to her commander required him to ascertain, by careful inquiries, that the information received hero before his sailing, concerning the plunder and massacre committed on board the ship Friendship, was not exagge rated. Ho was further directed to satisfy him self that those outrages were not provoked by any misconduct on the part of the Americans ; and that the offenders were, as represented and believed to be true, a race of a character so law less and savage as not to come within the scope of regular diplomatic intercourse. He was al so instructed, if practicable, first to demand and obtain indemnity for the injury committed, and the punishment of those most conspicuous in these barbarous atrocities. It has been gratify ing to learn, bv accounts from that quarter ot the world, subsequent to the visit of the Poto mac to Sumatra, that the result ot that visit has been to silence till exultation and menaces of further violence from those sett robbers ; to draw from them acknowledgments ot past er rors, and promises of future forbearance from like offences, and to insure, as yet, a scrupulous fulfilment of those promises. But to guard a gainst their perfidy, orders were given that tho Potomac should be followed by a detachment from the Brazilian squadron, part of which de tachment has since sailed, and has instructions to touch not only at Sumatra, but such places in India, China, and on the eastern coast of A frica, as may be conducive to the security and prosperity of our important commercial inter ests in those regions. The stop put to the seizure of our vessels at the Falkland islands, in January last, was effect ed by a Brazilian squadron, under general in structions from this department to take ah pro. par measures for tho effectual security of our commerce and fisheries. Special orders on that •übject had been previously prepared and for warded bv this department; but they had not arrived at the time of the prompt and success ful interference bv the Lexington. Our com merce and fisheries have not been molested in that quarter since that occurrence. The Box er, another vessel of the same squadron, after visiting Liberia in Africa, lias, at a critical mo ment, extended our naval protection to the neighbourhood of Para and Marahnam. The schooner Enterprise, in the late disturbances at Montevideo, was also placed in a position of: much delicacy, and succeeded in furnishing vc- ] ry opportune assistance, not only to our own merchants, but to the constituted authorities of the country. Nothing else of interest connect ed with the Brazilian station, has occurred since my last annual report. But the unsettled con dition of South America, and the security of our commerce in India, have led to an increase ot our force on that station, by the addition ot the Peacock, Boxer, and Enterprise. The West India squadron has been employ- | ed in an active an! useful manner; and particu- ' lary so while on the coast of Mexico. During, the commotions in the country tho past season, this'squadron yielded verv efficient protection to our own citizens, and was, on some occasions, fortunately enabled to proffer security to the re sideats from other nations. The recent seizure of the Montezuma, a vessel belonging to Santa Anna, was made by the Grampus without any •peciul instructions from this department; but on the tacts reported to her commander, the seizure was deemed by him both necessary and proper in tha •xoculiou of bis genera! orders to shield our flag, our citizen?, and their property, from unlawful aggresions. A part of this squadron has recently been detached to visit the Western ilsands, the Cape de \ erds, and if necessary, the coast of Africa, in pursuit of a piratical vessej which in September last, robbed tiie American merchant brig Mexican, of a largo amount of property, near the Azores. This measure, aid ed by instructions to the commanders of vessels j o r i tiieir return from tho Mediterranean, and to those now in the West Indies, as well as to our consuls at Madeira, Lisbon and Gibraltar, to use all practicable vigilance in the detection A pun ishment of the authors of this wanton outrage, will, it is hoped, terminate successfully; and in any event, will tend to prevent any other at tempts of a like character, from the increased impracticability ofescape with impunity. The Only changes in the vessels of this squadron have been the withdrawal of the Fairfield, Vin cennes and Erie, for repairs, and the substitu tion of the St. Louis and Vandalia. For reasons suggested in the last annual report, it has been rny endeavor to keep one of our ves sels in commission remaining constantly on some O m/ portion of our own coast. The schooner Ex periment, after sundry trials of her qualities, which proved in a great degree satisfactory, and after a visit, during the past season, to most of our home stations, is still retained on our Atlan tic seahord, ready to be despatched to such quar ter of the world as any new incident may show to be* most expedient. Os the three small vessels heretofore employ ed in the protection ofour live oak, there seems now to be little doubt but one unfortunately foun dered in a severe gale during the previous year. The other two, under a belief that their future employment would not be so beneficial as tojus tify the expenses they occasion, have been re called. One ceased to be in commission in May last and was ordered to be sold; and the same dispos'tion will be made of the other on her arri val at Norfolk. A li.-?t of all our vessels now in commission, witli their stations and commanders, is annexed (A.) The vessels not in commission have all been recently examined by the Navy Board; and most of those in ordinary, as well as all on the stocks, have been found to bo in a good state of preservation. For their condition in detail, re ference may be had to the documents annexed (M. and N.) The acta of Congress, relative to to re-building of the Macedonian, and the pur chase of timber to rebuild, at some future period, the Java and Cyane, have both been executed as far as practicable. The rebuilding ot the form er lias already been commenced, and contracts have been made for timber for the others. The collection «f live oak frames, and of ether timber suitable for other parts of vessels, under the act for the gradual improvement ot the Na vy, is in progress as rapidly a* the supply of live oak timber from private lands, and the erec tion of sheds at the different yards to preserve our materials ofthat character, render judicious. On the subject of vessels, the Department has nothing more, of much importance, to remark, except the repetition of its earnest desire, express ed in the last annual report, for an appropriation to build a few steam batteries. In addition to the considerations then urged in favor ot early attention to this subject, may properly be sug gested the circumstances, that much time will be required, not only to procure their peculiar equipments, but to introduce the system of dis cipline, somewhat novel, which may be necessa ry for their crews ; to enable our officers to ac quire the new and necessary science suitable for trie supervision Jiiid management of steam batte ries, and to train a distinct class of persons in the service to become their engineers. It i« moreover ascertained, that these batteries can be so constructed as to prove highly useful during peace at the principal navy yards, in towing pub lic vessels towards their destination, at the time of their departure and return, under all winds and tides, and in the frequent and indispensable transportation of men, stores, and provisions. The property on hand at the several yards, consisting chiefly of timber, iron, copper, and arms, continues to increase in amount. The w hole now exceeds in value the sum of five mil lions five hundred and seventy nine thousand nine hundred and seventeen dollars, (B). inde pendent of what is provided for repairs of vessels wc have on hand the frames fur four ships of the line, seven frigates, four sloops, and three steam batteries ; nine hundred tons of iron, four hun dred and fifty eight tons of copper, ninety-three tons of lend ; two thousand two hundred tmd thir ty-two cannon and caronades; three thousand five hundred and four muskets —about thrice as many pistols and cutlasses; two hundred and twenty eight thousand nine hundred and eight round and double headed cannon balls, besides grape and canister; thirty five thousand six hundred pounds of powder; one hundred and ninety eight thousand three hundred and eighty two fiounds of sulphur, ami about double that quantity in nitre. For further particulars under t!»is head, reference may be had to the annexed report, (O.) Increased attention has been bes towed on the doe arrangement and preservation of all these materials ; and new securities for their proper use and tl»e accountability for them, will probably be introduced into the revised na val regulations now preparing. Without much previous attention to the ex tent and quality of thesa materials, it will never he in our power, in any future emergency, to devclope suddenly, and employ efficiently, the great naval capacities of this country for annoy ance of an enemy, and for protection to our com merce, as well as for maritime defence. The act of Congress for the gradual improve ment of the navy will expire next March : and this occasion is seized to recommend the con tinuance of its appropriations for the purchase of these materials, as well as for other valuable purposes at least six years longer. It these materials arc gradually collected and well pre served, In such quantities as to enable us, in ad dition to the force usually in commission, forth with, in any crisis, to put our vessels that may ' be in ordinary and on the stocks, into a condi-1 tion for active ami efficient service, and to build j and equip suitably such other vessels as our ; great commercial marine will ass.st us tally to ; man, wc shall then exercise that true foresight j and that sound sagacious economy in respect to . this branch of the public service, which all ex- j peiicncc of our own and other nations recom mends, and which the present flourishing state of our country justifies. Without any increase . of the number of seamen actually serving in the i 1 navy during peace, every sailor on our two j , thousand miles of seaboard, on our noble rivers and vast lakes, can then be considered as in a course of training to man the numerous vessels 1 of war, which our interests, our rights, and our honor, may at any future period require us to j arm, and our countless steam vessels on the navigable waters connected with some of our frontiers, could then, in any emergency, be at once supplied with the proper munitions of war, and be so far equipped as floating batteries, that they would furnish new and powerful aid, not only in the rapid transportation of men and stores, but in repressing hostile depreciations nearour shores, and in repelling an invading foe. Though nominally, as to vessels in commis sion, only the fifth or sixth naval power in the world, and not expending over one-eighth of the annual amount paid by some nations to maintain a naval establishment, yet, if we look to the true elements of naval power, to our ships in ordinary and on the stocks, to our materials for building and equipment collected and collecting, to our large commercial marine, whether of merchant vessels or steam boats, to cur flour ishing fisheries, our extended sea coast and ex cellent harbors, to our large number of naviga ble rivers and inland seas, and, at the same time, to our position in regard to other nations, with few neighbor* bordering on us by land, and an ocan rolling between us and most of the gov eminent* with whom we are likely to have col lision, it must be manifest that our greatest ex posure and danger are on the water, and that our means of attack and defence there, if duly husbanded and developed, will probably always prove equal to sustain us with credit in any hos tilities into which the convulsions of the world may hereafter plunge our peaceful confederacy. The buildings at the different yards, contem plated by the estimates of last year, have been commenced ; and such sums as are wanted to complete thorn, and to begin others necessary for the accommodation of .the officers, the con struction and repairs of vessels, and for the safe ly of the public property, are included in the estimates for the ensuing year. The appropriation, at the last session, for the survey of Narragansett Bay, received imme diate attention. The survey has been comple ted, and the chart is now preparing. When finished, it will be submitted for the purpose of being laid before Congress. Tiie liberal appropriations made at the last ; session in aid of (he navy hospital fund, have been partly expended ; and when the buildings are finished and furnished, they will conduce greatly to the health and comfort of their meri torious inmate*, and reflect much credit on the humanity and benevolence ofthe country. Mea sures have been adopted to obtain, if practica ble, the release of jurisdiction from the States over tiie several hospital sites, with a view to prevent the burden and annoyance of taxes, and the obstruction to due discipline in the establish, men*. The naval hospital, naval pension, and priva teer pension funds, since being placed exclu sively under the charge of this department, have all received careful attention ; and the present prosperous condition, especially of the two firs!, will be made the subject of a separate report, to be submitted to Congress in a few days. The payment of nine thousand dollars on the third of March, 1829, for the site of the naval hospital at Norfolk, having boon made out of the appropriation f«r pay and subsistence, instead of the navy hospital fund, and on a deed of conveyance deemed exceptionable in its form, the special interposition of Congress to arrange the subject was held to be proper by my pre decessor ; and on that account, the subject still remains unadjusted on the books of the Fourth Auditor. The entire completion of the dry docks lias been prevented by an accident to tiie coffer dam of one of them, the prevalence of the cholera in the neighborhood of the other, and the extraor dinary severity of the weather during the last winter. But, it is believed, that the solidity and durability of the works, generally, will be in creased by the delay; and that, during.the en suing season, we shall be enabled, with safety and great advantage, to use both the dry docks in the examination and repair of our public ves sels. The report annexed will furnish the de tails on thi* subject, as well as the other pro ceedings under the act for the gradual improve ment of the navy, (D.) A civil engineer will be needed in the future superintendence of these docks ; and he could otherwise be very useful in preparing plans and estimates for the erection of the various buildings and other public works at the different yards. Any increase in our ex pense by the services of such an olficer will be avoided, as estimates of this year omit two of the number of naval constructors, whose labor* at this time are not required. It will be seen by the geacral estimates for the naval service the ensuing year, which are annexed, (E,) that no other essential change is contemplated as to officers, except a small reduction in the number of captains and midshipmen, and a small in crease in that of masters commandant. The number of lieutenants is only apparently les sened, as it had been during the year no larger than .he present estimates contemplate; while the actual number of midshipmen has been the same as in the estimates of former years. The estimates extend this year to the purchase of suitable libraries for the officers in schooners, as well as in larger vessels ; and include school masters for ail the sloops. Until Congress may think proper to make provision for educating the younger officers, other than the present course of instruction on hoard the largest vessels,- and at two of the yards, with an occasional extension of it to i another, earnest and additional efforts should, in my opinion, bo made, to convert every vessel as large as a sloop, into a school efficient as po*sab!e, in bestowing on the midshipmen that elementary science and literature, as well as that discipline, necessary to qualify them for the honorable discharge of the higher and more re sponsible duties of the service, if, in such a floating academy, confined to the deck of a ship of war, they may tail to acquire in so great per fection some ofthe appropriate graces of their rank, it i« a consolation to reflect, that, by fur nishing them with improved means, what they may acquire in theoretic information will be in creased in quantity and excellence, will be sooner tested by experiment, and thus become more strongly incor;*orated with the memory and judgement; while much less will intervene, to tempt them from that rigid discipline, and that ardent devotion to the ocean, its scenes, its dan gers, and glories, which should be inseparable from their arduous and adventurous profession. The estimates for improvements at the differ ent yards, and for repairs of vessels, are some i what smallef than those ofthe previous year. But while retrenching, wherever practicable, all un | necessary expenditure, it has been ray constant endeavor to avoid weakening the efficiency of the whole naval establishment, either through an ■ inconsiderate impression that it is, as in some 1 older countries, already arrived at maturity, or ; overgrown and unwieldy : or that, from some other cause, it is not entitled to share in the gradual progress and improvements which the | advancing spirit of the age, and the increasing I power of a great and growing people, seem to j require from all our useful public establish ments. As respects the pecuniary concerns of the navy, generally, it gives me sincere satisfaction to state, that, during the year, not a single dollar is known to the department to have been misap propriated, or lost by misconduct on the part of any of our agent* or other officers. j By the changes made under the new arrange ment for drawing bills of exchange abroad, either on England or this country, as most ad vantageous, and by the exercise of more care in our agents concerning the forms of business and the communication of seasonable advices, all our payments abroad have been effected without delayer sacrifices. No bills of exchange have been protested ; the credit of our drafts has be come good on every station, and on the two ’ where most depressed heretofore, they have ad ' vanced considerably above par. (F.) Bv means ofthe seasonable appropriation at the last sosion of Congress, for the arrearages which had been some years accruing, and by ex treme caution since in relation to charges on the enumerated contingent fund, wo have as yet been enabled to pay promptly all the demands under that head. No transfer has been made to aid it, in any case, under the temporary act of the last session. Should Congress place the enumerated con tingent fund on the footing heretofore, and now recommended, and which new charges upon it in the present estimates render still more urgent, and which the experience ofthe last ten years, as shown by repeated bills for arrearages, and by irregular transfers from other approprations to aid it, proves to be indispensable to meet the usual demands upon it in the ordinary conting encies of the service, there is but little doubt that the present desirable state of our moneyed accounts will long continue. There is now on hand unexpended, of pre vious naval appropriations, about a million and a half of dollars ; but probably most of this sum will be requisite ta adjust outstanding claims, and complete the specific objects for which some appropriations were made. On one subject, connected with our pecunia ry matters, and which has heretofore excited some sensibility, both in and out of Congress, from other considerations as well as economy, it affords me gratification to add, that our public vessels have returned so seasonably during the year, that no expense whatever lias been incurr ed in the transportation, from foreign countries, of seamen whose term of of service had been al lowed to expire abroad. In respect to the preservation of live oak, the department, as before suggested, lias not deemed it proper to employ any longer the small ves sels engaged in that service: In two of the seven districts, the general examination having been completed, it has been considered not advisable to retain the agents in tlrem at a largo expend!- lure, merely for the preservation ofthe timber. It is expected that the examinations of three of the remaining districts will be finished during the present winter, and ofthe other two, in the course of the ensuing year. The general re sults from these examinations, and my opinion in detail on the plan most eligible to be pursued hereafte on this interesting subject, will soon be presented to Cong res in a special report, pre pared in conformity to a request contained in a resolution ofthe House of Representatives pass ed at the last session. Our seamen have, in general, evinced a strong and increasing attachment to the service. Great care has, with success, been taken to prevent their times ofenlistment from expiring abroad. No occasion has arisen to open the rendezvous at home, for some months. Whenever opened during the year, an ample supply of men has been readily obtained. The habits of our sea men are improving in respect to temperance. In most of our ships they have generally enjoy ed excellent health, and the visitations among them of that alarming scourge, the Asiatic chole ta, have been neither frequent nor severe. Cor poral punishment has become less common and less necessary. The present ration of provision issued for their sustenance, cannot lawfully be changed by the department alone, but could be altered by Congress so as to increase iis variety, its nutriment, and healthful qualities. Th* in gradients recommended in a special report from this department, at the last session, would be no more expensive than those now composing the ration, and much more acceptable to most sea men. Efforts have been made to apportion an equal share ofthe emoluments and hardship* ofthe ser vice to all officers of similar rank and date. Opportunities to test the fitness of all in subordin ate stations, have been, and will continue to be, furnished, as fast as the wants of the naval es tablishment may permit. It is essential to its i prosperity, that those officers found entirely > unfit for duty, should be placed on half pay, or ] retire altogether from the service, as their un- i fitness may have arisen either from wounds and < infirmities which happened in the discharge of ! duty, or from censurable causes. j Strict discipline among the officers has gener- 1 ally been attempted, tempered, it is hoped, with i all reasonable indulgencies -Such discipline ha* ( been found not only more beneficial to the olfi- * cers themselves, and the high reputation of the I service, but a most efficient instrument in tke < control and reformation of the seamen, who i seldom complain of a system of government ex- i tended with firmness and impartiality to their t •uperiors. i The annexed order (G) has been issued dur- t ing the year, with a view to furnish increased t incentives to vigilance in discipline on board < our vessels in commission, and as an additional means of obtaining more accurate information j on the peculiar merits of officers in command, < whose modesty will generally allow only the 1 report of their good w r orks, through the inspec- t tion of others, to recommend them. c No appropriation was made the last session l of Congress for the suppression of the slave j trade ; but the department lias been able to i meet all the demands growing out of that *ub- t ject, by the balances on hand from former 1 year*, as may be seen in the annexed statement, < (H.) In consequence of a supposed piracy on j the coast of Africa, the Boxer visited Liberia i in April Inst. The report of her commander is i annexed, (I.) As Congress did not, at their last i session, make any provision in regard to the ( public property there, the department has i deemed it expedient to sell such of it as was ] perishable and decaying, and to direct a careful , examination, by our agent resident in that coun- i trr, and an expression of his opinion, as to the future disposition of the residue. It may be proper to have, this year, at least a moiety of the last appropriation of ten thousand dollars - made, so as to enable the Government to meet any contingent calls which may happen in the further suppression of this inhuman trade. The rules and regulations for the administra tion of the civil branch of this department, men tioned in the last annual report, have been collcc ted, arranged and printed. From their subse quent distribution among the naval and civil officers, connected with the service, ail the benefit anticipated to the relief of the depart ment and the officers, from much unnecessary correspondence and many unpleasant decisions, have been fully realized. The code of regula tions for the naval branch, is undergoing revi sion and enlargement, under a resolution pass ed by Congress at it* last session, and will be submitted for approbation when completed, (K.) A list of the deaths, dismissions, and resigna tions, the past year, is annexed,(L). The condition of the marine corps, as to its organization and size, as well as the allowances to its officers, and the ruinous state of some of its barracks, have heretofore attracted the at tention of this department and of Congress. But except the small appropriation to rebuild the barracks at Philadelphia, and which is now in a course of expenditure, legislation has not been completed, though very desirable, on these subjects so interesting to the corps, and bo intimately connected, in my opinion, with its future services and usefulness. To avoid unnecessary repetition, and what 'might perhaps be deemed indecorous importuni ty, several other subjects intimately connected with the welfare of our naval establishment, are left to the decision of the proper authorities, on the suggestions and considerations Heretofore submitted by this department. Full confidence is cherished that they will receive all that attention which the acknowledged importance of many of them deserves, and that nothing exists in the pre sent slate of the establishment, or of the country, which should prevent the continuance of all that liberality towards the navy, which it has so often experienced, as well as merited, both from the Government and the public. Yours, respect fully, LliVI WOODBURY. FRIDAY. DECEMBER 28, 1832. O' On the first page will be found the reply of Mr. Berrien to Mr. Crawford’s letter. BANK DIRECTORS. The following gentlemen have been elected by the Legislature, Bank Directors on the part of the State ; Planter s Bank, Messrs. J.H. Morel andß. W. Flour noy. Darien Bank, Messrs. J. Troup, W. Green, W. Fraser, J. Dunwoody, and J. Holmes. Bank of the Stale, Messrs. W. B. Bulloch, G. Schley, G. W. Owens, and J. B. Gaudry. The Directors of the Branch of the Darien Bank in Savannah, have elected Ralph King, President, &. John Day, Cashier. MILLEDGEVIL.CE, DEC. 24. A correspondent writes us, that the drawing of the Lotteries has been suspended for the present week, and that, by calculation, the drawing of the Land Lottery will be completed by the end of January, and the G*ld Lottery by the Ist of March. GEORGIA BANKS. We have been at some pains to arrange the state ment we publish, of the situation of our Banks, on the Ist. October last. This statement discloses the follow ing facts : Bank Capital, .... $>6,584,000 Bills in circulation, ... 2,618,700 Notes & Bills of Exchange discounted, 7,159,700 Specie and specie Funds, - - 1,521,000 Real Estate, .... 331,300 SOI TH-CAROLIXA. General Orders have been issued, from the Head- Quarters of the Commandor-in-Chief, Columbia, Decern, her 21, 1832, appointing TWENTY-EIGHT aids-dc camps to that officer. THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE. Os all human contrivances to promot* and estab lish individual and public happiness, none is so important as a government to which is confided the authority to re quire from every member of the community, a faithful discharge of the duties prescribed in the constitution a dopted by the common consent. As the human specie is born for improvement, especially when arrived at a high state of civilization, every system of government should, like other things, be subject to the same rule, changed or altered to suit the advances and discoveries made in the sciences and arts, the increase of population, and the ad ditional means obtained by industry, to disseminate the blessings of civilization, and to insure to every member of the community the free enjoyment of civil, political, Sc religious liberty. The conclusion to be drawn fro»i the positions we have assumed, is, that a constitution, how. »ver efficient it may prove to have been, should be so a mended, at stated periods, as to accord with the pro. gress of the improvements of the age. We are there fore decidedly of the opinion of Mr. Jefferson, when he says; i •• Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and detem them, like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of a preceding age, a wisdom more than human, and sup pose what they did to he beyond amendment. I knew ‘ that age well; I belonged to it, and laboured with it; it deserved well of its country; it was very like the pre sent, but without experience of the present; and forty years experience in government is worth a century of book rc-idiiig; and this they would say themselves, were they to rise from the dead. lam certainly not an advo cate for frequent and untried changes in laws and con stitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with; because, when once known, we accommo- , date ourselves to them, and find practical mean* of cor recting their ill effects; but I know also that laws and institutions must ge hand in hand with the progress of the human mind As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with times.” We are of the opinion that the federal constitution requires amendment in several particulars, and that the sooner it is made the better will it be for the peace and happiness of the people. But why should the constitu- < tion be amended ? That every power intended to be delegated to the federal government, should be so clear ly expressed, as not to be mieeonetrued. That every power, which has been assumed by the federal govern, ment, but of which doubt exists as regards its consti- tutionality, should either be granted, or expressly with held. And that the constitution, with respect to pow. ers found expedient to be granted, and others certainly granted, but inexpedient to be conferred, should be es. fectively amended. Th© present crisis demonstrates ‘ the necessity of a revision of the federal constitution ; for as long as its provisions remain as they are, objects 1 of doubt and misconstruction, the country will continu- 1 ally be in a state of excitement. The question of the 1 protective system may be settled to the satisfaction of 1 every section of the Union, so far as its operations are concerned. But another constitutional question, equal ly involving the peace and safety of the Union, may a rise, with regard to powers delegated to the federal go vernment, of a doubtful character, and in the exercise of which particular sections of the Union may be bene fitted, while other sections may be seriously injured. It should be the duty of the American people, whenever such a question arises, to apply immediately a remedy to the evil, before it has grown to a fearful magnitude. A convention should assemble, to determine the ques tion in issue. If in the commencement of the opera tions of the federal constitution, means had been em ployed to explain and determine in the most solemn manner the powers conferred upon the federal govern ment, and which were considered as doubtful, no alarm would now exist for the integrity of that constitution, and for the preservation of the Union. The history of this country, since the adoption of the federal constitution, teaches the necessity of revising that instrument, when its construction becomes a ques tion of uncertainty. It was during the administration I of the successor of General Washington, that a >| mentation in the public mind was experienced m grew out of the manner the constitution was co ’ ng . by those then in power. The misrule, which Wa inevitable consequence of the exercise of unco If * tional powers, fortunately produced a revolution m lie feeling ; and- the change of policy which saved the country at that time from disunion struction. The same fermentation was exa er during the administration of the predecessor of C ’ i Jackson, which, notwithstanding the exertions of distinguished patriot now at the head of the cove ° ment, continues to pervade the public mind. T( le , " , feeling of discontent, which prevailed in 1790 out in 1828, and still continues to be entertainc 1 p * same means, which were employed in 1798, to su - * the expression of public indignation, were used in IS©^* In a different shape, to subdue resistance to unconsft ' tional laws, and to crush opposition to the encr j ; meats of the federal government. In 1798, almost il ry press was enlisted on the side of the and the sedition and alien acts were passed, givinir * imited powers to the President, to transport from it ■ • country the disaffected, and to suppress the public * I of the citizens, when it was presumed tii at object w r as to complain of intollerable grievances j 1828, a great number of presses mere purchased;, I port the measures of the administration, to support the encroachments upon the federal cor.i- ■ tion, to write down the expression of public in(j tion at the south, at the unconstitutional measures i dopted by the government, and at the corruption m- |1 duced in the administration of the laws, and in ij le I cal operations of the cointry. And yet, all to > I done under the sanction of the federal constitution 1 • If immediately on the accession of Mr. Jeffersan to th * presidency, the constitution had been amended so to determine the constitutionality of the powers assay ed by the federal government, during the precedin' sj ministration, it is very probable, that many of tha croachmcnts upon the federal constitution, which ha>» since been effected, would not have been successful attempted, or would have been counteracted by the clear and unequivocal expression given to the disputed pow ers said to have been conferred on the government I And if on the accession of General Jackson to the p ri . sidency, the constitution had been amended, so mt„ give a correct definition to those powers from which a I majority in Congress derive the authority to establish 1 the “ American System” as the settled policy of the country, it is most probable, that the danger of dis Un . 'I ion and civil war, would not now be ss imminent, and so likely to produce the total destruction of liberty, not only in this country, but in the world. Considering the subject under the point of vi;\v stat. ed in these cursory remarks, we shall strenuously re. commend and support the call of a federal convemloa for a revision of the constitution of the United States, «T s' * ■' 1 sr ; r, 7 I =•3-5 g Si ? i 3 f 5. wr a S- T 3 * r i = 5 63 • ?Sr e j- i s “= I >■ £ : 1 as 5- si- | s c ? a “ r = o- g s s * s. SI o •,7 51 * *■? Sr •»s tj ss* o S 1? i-s r .« j n * CO j, j. »op p O '-O o* CR OO' O O 1 C 2 * 1-- o o Q - —5- ~ T H 6 c s r £ H co oc C: _ O j 2 £ I 2 r* w <•> -* o >ii ca v c -r u • --o » r U T » f CI y -«C o-4-- ,> * J* It ’bi i; ox a-•- - -a H > 2 S sc I * ? j rt rz w —1 *4. -- o' 1 “ SrO- a ♦-> “ U U id P a- V. tw £5? -• » - ! S - 2 e ? ■ —* aO' - 5 ?• o-»mcr ot 5 i; i- | / 71 x X _ u j J’ uc7.gc -a -o a 1 c a C i C» -t ’j- ~C'- - :■ *. OLi 7. > * JC - ? O —; §• | B § R' 3I - -ois i: o to ! > n —S. V » r I O ~w’ a> _Cn co Op. P , o >d »► O G*s Cn O ——Oto * 3 c• *- In X -j n £ O I G* 'C. -■ »- - -I r- *4 -I CO • > gI-t=o -a -1- -i -j *. -J - tr W “ —C-£’ ® ?5 - ' c 50 Vy > %-i -- :,g | S S-66^ y* x ts o ko: a- trfi 2 - C » k "» »■ 5 I - cr. £- £Ous - - 4. r-O S 2| 2Z C ° ® ?f - Z A>l--J-o 3! 15 » ‘ “ J 5 ere «a 6- > - * so o c Ts q -j ‘ c,• -i - ~-i-c - ■ac» cs -O i «"■* isiiTas? r * -o —— o -i »w -i o—— w-i 2 C r* 2 ci i— . (Jt V 1 K) —O X “ --Jt*4 OCO ' “"Z i/j H T7 > - vl u(C « - M py* «O - yi A i /, fl (C X 'LI I co *-u V* slkV. amL I H W O 50 <% : « O .j i c. O-w ic ~ oc - o -a i pj v a , ce o R B I ~ n 'o v- To C c c- c; -a c | T V 2 ■ i | I * S’ H ■ =“ C* I “i .o 9 I - 1 •“ ? ! iSr I s si - c | r I p - -a I c = r~ <* i I 1“* j ► 3; II -3 —1 !c >3 -O I -j w ? »» "S -*5 s. o o ► P 'co I -I—OO I O "3 i ¥ 3 sill 1 ag I p Is B -• 1 |3« Si I« a n » i- O c - p 3> a 3 (S I o o-•j = o so > ■< • i f rt Aj - -o C- —C* O . O i 5‘ «(» Ip 1 I r u oh i |* I * i C. I _ I■ H a VO I ® — 1 J. 15 =— j 5 '» iL J \ ~ cn T. to jS oi »y --J « ] BJ * j- K> a * I *5 pi *- m 7* V s T f? i■ ► o -1 ®®§lßS r§s sssaasi »5 c ■ g O I c I wi. 1 |33 g 3 3 H od [ | IS * 58 2 0 B U »- > *3 - ° ?) 5 “? M m -i 7» “Y I at ! -Li o o*- o o o 9 » £ 1?? H f* B ML I - M '-4 2 Jlix I r- > B <M . —O' Vs CO ,»©!>-. Q 2 2 ► B - V 1 -c- ~ >1 -- ~ !__ C B i S I I 5 5 ’ Il V * - co m! Jo » 3 || ,, c; 'J *2 a ~ o * r. 2 o ■ • CB - aopO ?. cc aa*c» «j «» , 55 n B t ■ I C) © I ■ O 2 2 *■ | I » | M A OX-I - X 3 O' w ' rr H ■ I Oj O K ft 1 q I O - G J -• O *4 v- CJ 1 ©w IS : *“ _ VIRGINIA. The Richmond Enquirer of December 30, H following ©ynopsis of the resolutions adopted by the com. ■ mittee of the House of Delegates, appointed to take into I consideration the present crisis, the South Carolm* H Ordinance, and the Proclamation of the President. ■ From the Richmond Enquirer. f The Committee of 21 —and The Report. I The Committe were busily engaged on Tues- I day in discussing the several projels that had I been submitted. All these had been voted out> H except General Brodnax’s —and that was re- I committed to a Sub-Committee, consisting of Mes- It srs. Broclnax, Brown and Gholson. lesterdaj K they made their Report—which, after some a- 1 mendments, was adopted, and ordered to be re- ■ ported to the House to-day. We did not have* k proof-sheet of it till last night, when it was too ■ late to put it in type for our paper. I It consists of thirteen Resolutions. _ B The Ist insists upon the difficulty and danger K of the Crisis, to which we have arrived, and the ■ duty of interposing to arrest the progress ot :ne ■ The 2d urges the value of the Union —andt 11 B dangers which threaten it from the opposite •** ■ cesses of the centrifugal and the centripetal p 0 ''* ■ ers* H The 3d re-affirms the Virginia doctrines, 0 * ■ contained in the Resolutions of’9B and ’99, an ju the Report of 1800. • • 1 in B 4th, protests against the protective principle ■ the Tariff laws, as not only unequal and°PF II sive, but contrary to the spirit and intent of If Federal Compact. •_ B sth, expresses a determination not to aC^ ge If esce in the present system of duties, but to opp | I