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BV eUIEU & THOII PSOX. AVGUSTA, (6a.) SJITURDJtV,J.IA'VJHi V 23, 1836. VOL. IM.-siw SERIES. >«. 95.
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OFFICE IN MACINTOSH-STREET,
Third door from the N. W. comer of Broad-Street.
Sales of LAND, by Administrators, Executors, or
Guardians, are required, hy law, to he held on the
first Tuesday in the month, between the hours of
ten in the forenoon and three in the aitarturan, at
the Court-house in which the property is situate.—
Notice of these sales must be given in a public Ga
zette .0 Tty days previous lathe day of sale.
Sales of NEGROES must be at public auction, on the
first Tuesday of the month, between the usual
hoursofsale, at the place of public sales in the coun
ty where the letters Testamentary, or Administra
tion or Guardianship, may liave been granted, first
giving sixty days notice th-reof, in one of the pub
lic (iuzettes of this State, and at the dour of the
iourt-house where such sales are to be held.
Notice for the sale of Personal Property must be giv
en in like manner, forty days previous to day of sale.
Notice to the Debtors and Creditors of an Estate,
must be published for forty days.
Notice that application will be made to the Court o
Ordinary lor leave to sell LAND, must be pub
lished for four months.
Notice for leave to sell NEGROES, must be publish
ed _/oitr months, before any order absolute can he
made bv the Court.
Friday Morning, Jan.
O” We are informed, that arrangements have
been made for the steam packet George Wash,
ington, to take the Richmond Blues hence 10
Picolata, instead of the steam packet J. D.
Mongm. The George Washington is expected
to leave here on Saturday afternoon, at 3 o’clock,
and arrive in Savannah on Monday, take in some
provisions and proceed immediately on. We
are also informed, that the Committee hava
agreed to pay for the passage of the volunteers,
eleven dollars each, exclusive of Provisions.
The City Council at a meeeting yesterday, ad.
opted a resolution placing at the disposal of the
Committee, TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS,
to ho used, if needed, for the expedition.
The following are the names of the volnn.
tears handed to us. Those marked with a star
are the original members of the Richmond Blues.
F. M. ROBERTSON, Captain*
E. STARNES, l«t Lieutenant.*
WM. M. MARTIN, 2d Lieutenant*
S. C. WILSON, 3d Lieutenant,*
3’. J. BRO’ v N, Ist Sergeant.*
C. B. MARTIN, 2d Sergeant*
W. W. MANN, 3d Sergeant.*
J. W. STOY, 4th Sergeant.*
.1. B. CAMPBELL, 2d Corpora?.*
M. P. STOVALri. 3d Corporal *
J. A. BEARD, 4th Corporal*
Doctor DOUGLASS, Surgeon.
I’rlvates.
Geo. Anderson* Jess a Lloyd.
Geo. A Allen. Ira Lee.
F. 11. Alley. B. Labuzan.*
L. A. 1,. Boisclair.* C. R. Leitner.
Geo. It. Beard.* W. P. Lang.
Foster Blodgett. P. McMahon.*
O. P. Bassington. W. J. Mealing.
S. W. Bates. Samuel Milling.
H. Blinn. B. McWhorter.
J. C. Bartlett. vv . H. Michael.
Geo. It. Clayton, jr. W. C. Mnsgrove.
J. D. AlWmm. Win. McLaughlin.
K. H. Collier. Thomas W. Miller.
S B. Edgar. Joseph Marshall.
J. N. Copeland.* Lewis Moncriflf.
Samuel Campbell. Charles Maher.
11. C Clark. Samuel C. Muslin.
Patrick Crown. Robert Nesbit.
11. R Casov. H. P. O’Neill.
J. R. Davis.* C. M. Park.
Davie Douglass. Wm. F. IVmberton*
Isaac Darnall. Wm. Phillips.
Daniel W. Dill. I. C. P arson.
Arnett Dawes. t rederick Plyler.
G. W. Forrest. Win. A. Robertson.*
L. J. V. Frills. Aaron Ross.
Wm, O Eve. So mom on Rush.
J. G. Gallagher * 31. A. Stovall *
T. B. Glenn. W. A. Sandiford.
W. H. Grimes. Samuel Sandilord.
G. Gorton. Thomas Roberts.
J. T. Grey. R. C. Meredith*
Henrv flora. 11. H. Meals.
N. Holland. K. H. Watson.*
C. A. Hardwick. J. H. Wilson.
J. M. Haywood. H. W. Walter.
John Holcombe. Robert Webb.
Philip Happel. Charles Webber.
Henry Jessup. A. C. Walker.
R. Hassell. Wyatt Walker.
Thomas J. Johnson. W. J. Thompson.
P. A. King.* James McCafferty.
John Kirkpatrick.* Julius Chunn.
Hamilton A. Kendrick. B. F. Brown.
The Presidential Flection
It is surprising to what miserable shifts the
opposition to the federal administration resort,
for the purpose of deceiving the people. It the
Post Master General recommends to the p Ist
masters in the United States to exercise a sound
discretion in allowing the incendiary pamphlets
and newspapers of the abolitionists to be trans
ported in the public mails, the cry is immedi
ately raised by the opposition—whigs and nulli
tiers—that this is done to favor the election of
Mr. Van Buren. If the President recommends
to Congress the enacting of a law providing for
severe penalties against transmitting through the
public mails, incendiary pamphlets and newspa
pers, the cry is raised, that this is done to favor
the election of Mr. Van Buren. And if Mr.
Tappan and his co-adjutors protest against the
message of the President about the abolitionists,
this is done to favor the election of Mr. Van
Buren. The President declares himself against
the movements of tiie abolitionists, and Mr.
Tappan declares himseJf against the Presi.
dent, but both act in support of the election of
Mr- Van Buren ! Can the people be deceived by
such tricks of the opposition? It is impossible.
The people begin to open their eyes to the
machinations of the whigs and nullifiers. Alrea
dy have the legislature of Louisiana manifested
a desire to support the administration and the
election of Mr. Van Buren, by the choice Col.
Nicholas, as Senator in Congress; and already
have the legislature of Illinois manifested a de.
termination to continue in the support of the
Administration and of the election of Mr. Van
Buren, by the choice of Mr. Ewing, as dilator
in Congress. When, then, will the whigs and
nullificrs cease to promulgate misrepresentations
and deceptions? Is there any hope yet remain,
mg to defeat the election of there publican candi.
dale? Nonets lett; they should therefore
cease their opposition.
Aid to Florida
A detachment of seventeen men, left ?avan
r.ah ©n the IBth mst. for PtcoSata Florida.
The Indians.
The Darien Telegraph of the 19th mat. says:
—We have heard through a gentleman from
Camden county, that the Indians are encamped
on the North side of the St. Mary’s ; but of
course their present intentions are unknown.
It would seem, however, that they have aban.
doned the idea of attacking Picolata. if ever
they entertained it. Gen. Clinch has certainly
gone into camp, and will not stir, until he has
a force that will enable him to keep the field,
and ensure victory.
twe.vty-fdurth congress,
FIRST SESSION.
IN SENATE?"
SURPLUS REVENUE, BANK STOCK, AND
NATIONAL DEFENCE
The following resolution submitted yesterday
by Mr. BENTON, was taken up for considera
tion: ,
Resolved, That the surplus revenue of the
United Slates, and the dividends of stock recei
vable from the Bank of the United States.ought
to be set apart, and applied to the general de
fence and permanent security of the country.
That the Ptesident be requested to cause the
| Senate to be informed,
i 1. The probable amount that would be neces
j sary for fortifying the lake, maritime, and gulf
frontier of the United States, and such points of
the land frontier as may require permanent forti
fications.
2. The probable amount that would be neces.
sary to construct an adequate number of armories
and arsenals in the United Stales, and to supply
the States with field artillery, especially brass
field pieces, for their militia, and with side arms
and pistols for their cavalry.
3. The probable amount that would be neces.
sary to supply the United States with the ordi.
nance, arms, and munitions of war, which a pro
per regard to self-defence would require to be
always on hind.
4. The probable amount that would he neces
sary to place the naval defence of the United
States (including the increase of the navy, navy
yards, dock yards, and steam or floating batteries)
upon the footing of strength and respectability
which is due to the security and to the welfare of
the Union.
The resolution having been read, Mr. Benton
l rose, and said that the objects contemplated by it
were of a general and permanent nature, and re
quired attention without regard to existingeir
cmnstances. To place itself in a state of defence
was the duty of all countries, which desired to
preserve their independence, or to live with
honor. The United S r ates were not in a state
of defence, and it was their duty to attend to that
object. The present time was the proper time.
; The public debt was paid, a large surplus reve-
I nue was accumulating, and the country was eve
iry wav prosperous. Projects were devised to
j distribute these surpluses among the States; but
i he was in favor of setting them apart, and de
i dicatingthem to the defence of the Union.—
j Formerly, and by a law as old as the Republic,
! these surpluses were nil set apart, and constilu
ed a separate fund, called the sinking fund, and
inviolably applied to the sacred purpose of ex
tinguishing the national debt. By tins means,
the debt had been paid. He was for reviving and
continuing this policy, with a change of object,
from the debt to the defences of the Union, and
would wish to see all the surplus revenue take
that direction, until the country was as secure
from receiving as it is averse Irani offering,
offence. It would require ail the surplusses, and
many years of exertion to accomplish the ob.
ject.
Vlr. B. repeated, his motion was for objects of
a general and permanent character, an I he felt
it to be his duty to make it, without regard to
impending events,and to extrinsic circumstances.
But there were events and circumstances which
should give emphasis to his motion, and stimu
late its immediate adoption. A French fleet of
sixty vessels of war, to be followed by sixty
more, now in commission, approaches our const!
ami apnroaches it for the avowed purpose of oh.
serving our conduct in relation to France ! It is
stvled in the French papers, a squadron of ob
servation; and we are sufficiently acquainted
with the military vocabulary of France, to know
what that phrase means. In the days of the
great Emperor, we were accustomed to see the
armies which demolished empires at a blow,
wear that pacific title up to the moment that the
blow was ready to be struck. These grand
armies assembled on the frontiers of empires,
gave emphasis to negotiation, and crushed what
resisted. A squadron of observation, then, is a
squadron of intimidation first, and of attack even
tually ! and no'hiug could be more palpable than
that such was the character of the squadron in
question. It leaves the French coast cotempo
raneously with the departure of our diplomatic
agent, and the assembling of our Congress; it
arrives upon our coast at the very moment that
we shall have to vote upon French affairs; and it
takes a position upon our southern border—that
border, above all others, on which we are, at this
i time, peculiarly sensitive to hostile approach.
What have we done, continued Mr. 8., to draw
■ this squadn-n upon us ? We have done ne wrong
to France; we are making no preparations a
gainst her, ami not even ordinary preparations
for general and permanent security. We have
treaties, and are executing them, even the treatv
, that she does not execute! We have been exe
, curing that treaty for five years, and may say
that we have paid France as much under it as
' we have in vain demanded from her, as the first
i instalment of the indemnity; notin fact by ta
i - king money out of our treasury and delivering it
! to her. but, what is better for her. namely, leav.
I ingher own monev in her own hands, in the
shape of diminished duties upon her wines, as
provided for in this same treaty, which we exe
i cute, and wdiich she does not. In this way
France has gamed one or two millions of dollars
from us. besides the encouragement to her wine
j trade. On the article of silks she is also gain
ing money from us in the same way, not by trea.
1 ty, but by law. Our discriminating duties in fa
, vor of silks, from this side of the Cape of Good
Mope, operate almost entirely in her favor. Our
‘ great supplies of silks are from France, Eng
’ hmd, and China. In ten years, and under the
. operation of this discriminating duty, our im
, pons of French silks, have risen from two mil.
lions of dollars per annum to six millions and a
1 half; from England, they have risen from a quar
r ter of a million tu three quarters; Irom China,
i they have sunk, front three millions and a quarter
. to one million and a quarter. This discrimina
ting duty has left between one and two millions
' of dollars in the pockets of Frenchmen, besides
the encouragement to the silk manufacture and
i trade. Why then has she sent this squadron, to
observe us first, and to strike us eventually?
, She knows our pacific disposition towards her,
not only from our own words end actions, but
■ from the official report of her own officers; from
the very officer sent out l&st spring, in a frigate.
jto carry back the recalled minister. Here is his
I report, made to the Minister of Marine, and com
mumcated to the Chamber of Deputies in the
month of April last. Listen to it, and see how
fully it establishes, not only our pacific disposi
tions towards France, but the affection of our
citizens for her, and the solicitude of our officers
to honor her flag, ana gratify her feelines.
Brest, April 4, 1835.
“ I have the honor to inform you that the brig
d’Assas sailed from New York on the 11th of
March last, at the same time with the American
packet ship Albany, in which M. Serrurier and 1
his family are returning to France, and arrived
in the roads of Brest on the 14th of this month,
after a passage of twenty four days. I remain- 1
ed in the United States until the 11 tit of M arch, 1
as the Charge d’Affaires of France, at whose dis- i
position your Excellency placed me; did not wish
to despatch me back until the rising of Con I
gress, which took place on the 4th of that month.
During my stay at New York. I found among i
the richest and best educated persons, the great- 1
est affection and sympathy for France ; this they <
expressed to us by every possible attention and i
every delicate kindness which their hospitable i
dispositions could suggest. Half an hour alter
my leaving the East river, an American schoon: ]
er of war, knowing the lime at which I was (o
depart, got under sail; site crossed my way about i
a league from the place of anchorage, and when i
about two cables’ length from us, she hoisted the
French flag on her mizenmast, and fired seven I
guns, which were immediately returned; she I
kept the tri color flag flying as long as we were 1
insight. 1 then saw the American Frigate Con. s
stitution, towed by two steamboats, on her way i
to New York; as soon as I crossed her, I salu, i
ted her ConMnodore with thirteen guns, which i
he immediately returned, gun for gun.” i
Mr. B. resuming, said this was the report made I
to the French Government, by a French officer, i
after the rise of the last session of Congress, r
and after the departure of Mons. Serrurier ; and t
how was it received in the Chamber of Depu- ‘
ties, to which it was communicated? He, Mr.
B. would show one example of the manner tn
which it was received, and for that purpose,
would read a paragraph from the speech of the f
deputy, Mons. de Ranee. i
“ Gentlemen, we should put on one side of rite t
tribune the twenty.five millions, on the other the f
sword of France. When the Arrtericans see this I
good long sword, this very long sword, gentle- s
men, (for it struck down every thing from Lis. f
bon to Moscow,) they will perhaps recollect what c
it did for the independence of their country; i
they will perhaps, too, reflect upon what it could c
do to support and avenge the honor and dignity r
of France, when outraged bv an ungrateful Peo- r
pie. (Cries of, well said.) Believe me, gentle f
rn.cn, they would sooner touch your money,than t
dare to touch your sword; and for your twenty
five millions, they will bring you back the satis- t
factory receipis, which it is your duty to exact, t
(Great approbation from the extremities I
Another Deputy, Mons. Fleury, de Chabaulon. a
allowed himselt to discourse thus: *
“ The insult of President Jackson comes from r
himself only. This is more evident, from the t
refusal of the American Congress to concur with t
him in it. The French Chamber, by interfer
ing, would render the affair more serious, and 1
make its arrangement more difficult and even t
dangerous. Let us put the case ro ourselves. (
Suppose the United States had taken part with <
General Jackson; wo should have had to demand «
satisfaction not from him, hot from the United I
States; and instead of now talking about nego- <
Ration, we should have had to make nppropria- i
tton« for a war, ands to entrust to our heroes of I
Navarino and Algiers, the task of teaching the i
Americans, that France knows the way to i
Washington as well as England.” <
This was the language of the Deputies, and it
was thus received with applauses, and that eix ■
weeks after the rise of our Congress, which had I
shown itself pacific, and two weeks after the re
port of the captain of the frigate D’Assas, at. I
testing the friendship of our feelings, and the
readiness of our officers to salute, with honor, t
the flag of France. And this language was not <
only received with applause in the Chamber, i
but it has been acted upon by the French gov- I
erntnent. Two royal ordinances have appeared
in the Moniteur, under date of the 2d of Decern i
her last; and under these ordinances, Admiral I
Mackau is to take command of the ‘‘squadron <
of observation,” which was immediately to pro- ’
ceed to the West Indies; and ihe Cbnstitutionnel, I
which is the demi-official paper of the G'-vern j
ment, and nearly equal in authority to the Moni- i
tear, after stating that this measure was war i
ranted by the actual state of the difficulties with i
the United States, goes on to applaud the i
government , for thus preparing, long before i
hand, and concentrating the power in the I
hands of one who is firm, and capable of using ■
it to advantage when necessary !” Thus, the lan
gunge of the Deputies, and the couduct of the i
Government, correspond; and the fleets must i
now be approaching our coast, which bears that i
long sword, at the sight of which our terrified 1
hearts, and faltering tongues, must deliver the i
satisfactory answer which French chivalry t
exacts !
Mr. B. said, he had never spoken unkindly i
of the French nation, neither in his place here i
as Senator, nor in his private capacity elsewhere. I
Born, since the American Revolution, bred op i
in habitual affection for the French name, com
ing upon the stage of life when the glories of
the Republic and of the Empire were filling the
world and dazzling the imagination, politically
connected with the party which, a few years
ago, was called French, his bosom had glowed
with admiration for that great people, and youth
ful affection had ripened into manly friendship
He would not now permit himself to speak un
kindly, much less to use epithets; but he could not
avoid fixing his attention upon the reason assign
ed in the Constitutionnel for the present advance
ofthe French squadron upon us. That reason
is this: “ America will have no force capable of
being opposed to it." This is the reason. Our
nakedness, our destitution, has drawn upon us
the honor of this visit; and we are now to speak,
and vote and so demean ourselves, as men stand
ing in the presence of a force which they cannot
resist, and which had taught the lesson ol submis.
sion to the Turk and the Arab! And here I
change the theme; T turn from French intimidation
to American legislation; and I ask, how it conr.e«
that we have no force to oppose to this squadron
which comes here to take a position upon our bor
ders, and to show us that it knows the way to
Washington, as well as the English ? This is my
future theme; and I hive to present the Ameri
can Senate, as the responsible party for leaving
our country in this wretched condition. First,
there is the three million appropriation which was
lost by the opposition of the Senate, and which
carried down with-it, the whole fortification bill,
to which it was attached. That bill besides the
three millions, contained thirteen specific appro
priations (or works of defence, part originating
in the House of Representatives, and part in <
the Sennte, and the particulars of which fee
would read. Mr. B. men read ;
—3—B——aa—B—e———
For the fort on George’s island $15,000
For the repairs of Fort independence, B.ooo’
For Fort Adams, 100.000
For the F»*n at Throes neck, 30.000
Repairing Fort Columbus, 13,000
Rebuilding Fort Delaware, 150,000
For fortifications in Charleston harbor. 20,09(1
Fort at Cockspur island, 82,000
Fort at Pensacola, 20,000
Fort on Foster’s bank, 65,000
Repairs of Fort Miffiin, 75,000
Armament of fortifications. 100,000
Contingencies, 10,000
All these specific appropriations, continued
Mr. B. were lost in the bill, which was sunk by
the opposition of the Senate to the three mil
lions, which were attached to it, by the House
ofßepresenta’ives. He, (Mr. 8.,) was not a
member of the conference committee which
had the disagreement of the two Houses com
mitted to its charge, and could go into no detail
as to what happened in that conference; he took
his stand upon the palpaple ground, that the
opposition which the Senate made to the three
millions, the speeches which denounced it, and
the prolonged invectives against the President
which inflamed the passions, and consumed the
precious tune, at the last moment of the session,
were the true causes of the loss of that bill; and
so leaves the responsibility for the loss on Itie
shoulders on the Senate.
Os this three million appropriation. Mr.B. said,
the country had heard much; but there was ano
ther material appropriation lost in the Senate, of
which nothing had been said: he alluded to the
sum of $500,000, which originated in the Sen.
ate’s Committee of Military Affairs, and which,
as the chairman of that committee, and under
its direction, he had recommended in a Report,
and proposed ns an amendment to the same
fortification bill, which was afterwards sunk
under the three millions. The Report was
made on the 18th of February, and he would
rend it.
“The Senate’s Committee on Military Affairs,
which has had the subject under considera
tion, report:
“ That it is expedient to increase the appro,
priations heretofore made for the national de
fence ; and that in addition to the sums now con.
tamed in the bll for fortifications, and in addi
tion to the two sums of SIOO,OOO. each hereto
fore recommended by this committee to be in
serted in the said bill for fortifications, and the
nrmaqaeiit thereof, the further sum of five hun
dred thousand dollars be recommended to be
inserted therein, for the repair, complerion, and
construction of fortifications and to provide the
necessary armament therefor. And the com
mittee have directed their chairman to move an
amendment accordingly, at the proper time, to
the so .“ification appropriation bill.”
The motion was made in the Senate to insert
this appropriation of $500,000. The sense of
the Senate was so clearly against it, that he, Mr.
8., did not press it, nor call for a division. It
was rejected when offered ; and thus the Senate,
some days before they objected to the three
millions as being too large and general, had
rejected a much smaller appropriation, and one
that was specific. .
The third act of the Senate which Mr. B.
brought forward to establish the responsibility of ;
the Senate for the present condition of the conn
try, and the consequent visit ofthe French fleet, j
was the fact of laying on the table, and rt fusing
even to consider a resolution which lie brought ,
forward about the middle of February ; calling
on the President for plans and estimates for the ]
general and permanent defence o! the country
hy sea and land, ft was a call for plans and I
estimates and probable amounts of surplus reve.
nue, with the sole view' to the- defence of the j
country ; yet it was laid upon the table, by the ,
vote of the majority, and upon the morion of
an opposition Senator ; and of all the acts of the i
Senate it seemed to him to be the one which i
went further in showing the indisposition olfhis '•
body to provide fur the defence of the country 1
It was not merely a refusal to apply money, but j
a refusal to have information by which money
could be applied, and that while making it a j
standing topic of reproach, that the President
had not furnished plans and estimates. i
The fourth circumstance on whi«h Mr. B. 1
relied to show that the Senate was responsible
for the present naked and defenceless condition j
of the country, and for the humiliation to which '
we were now subjected in being superintended
by the heroes ol Algiers and Navarino, the pro
ject of certain Senators to apply the public
moneys in a different direction, namely,to divide
them among the States, and which required them
to keep the sum for distribution os large as pos- '
sihle, in order to present captivating dividends to
each distributee. The plan of putting the coun
try in a posture of defence, was incompatible
with these plans of distributing the revenues.
The two plans cannot go on together; one or the
other must give away, and he had purposely
drawn the resolution under consideration to
make an issue between them, and to draw the
line between those who will put their country in
a state of defence, and those who will leave it
naked and helpless.
Mr. B. had felt it his duty to bring to the
notice of the Senate the approach of the French
squadron ofobservation. and to show that it came
because, “ America had no for.ee capable of being
opposed to it.” It was a subsidiary argument,
and a fair illustration of the dangers, and humi
liations of a defenceless position. It should
stim ate ns to instant and vigorous action; —to
the concentration of all our money, and all our
hands, to the sacred task of national defence.
For himself he did not believe there would be
war, because he knew that there ought|not to be
war; but that belief would have no effect upon
conduct. He went for national defence,
because that policy was right in itself, without
regard to times and circumstances. He went
for it now, because it was the response, and the
only response which American honor could give
to the visit of admiral Mackau. Above ali, he
went for it because it was the wav, and the only
manly way, of letting France knew that she had
committed a mistake in sending this fleet upon
us. Tn conclusion, he would call for the yeas
and nays, and remark that our votes would have
to he given under the guns of France, and under
the eyes of Europe.
Mr. WEBSTER said his duty was to take
care that neither in nor out of the Senate there
should be any mistake,the effect of which, shoold
be to produce an impression unfavorable or re
proachful to the character and patriotism of the
American people. He remembered the pro
gress of that bill, (the bill alluded to by Mr.
Benton.) the incidents of its history, and thereat
cause of its loss. And he would satisfy any man
that the loss of it was not attributable to any
member or officer of the Senate, lie would not.
however, do so until the Senate should again
have been in session on Executive business. As
soon ae that took place, he should undertake to
show that it was nut from any dereliction of duty
on the part of the Senate, that the loss of that
bill was to be attributed to.
Mr. LEIGH said there was one or two facts
1 imbb—B——■—■——
in relation to this matter to which he would cal
the particular attention of the gentleman fron
Missouri (Mr. Benton.) Mr. L. referred toi
report of the Committee on Military Affairs a
the last session on the expediency of providing
for fortifications. He did not understand thi
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Benton) to saj
that that speaific report was rejected. He (Mr
L.) understood it was rejected with other appro
priations
Mr. BENTON explained.
Mr. L. continued. I have, said he,n particulai
recollection. My mind was attracted to the sub
ject by the quarrel going on between France anc
the United States. He expected-some means u
be resorted to in order to strengthen the nations
arm. The bill to strengthen the fortifications o!
the country had passed the House of Rcpresenta
lives on the 24th day of February, A so anxious
ly was his mini! on the subject, that he went to the
Secretary’s table to examine whether partictriat
appropriations were in the bill. He found none,
The Committee on Finance reported a series ol
amendments to the bill, tn no case diminishing ap
propriations. in some cases increasing them, and
in some instances making entirely new appropria
tions. All the gentlemen of the Senate with
whom he had familiar conveisations, would re
member his frequent expression of anxiety on the
subject of this bill. It was sent back to the
other House with agreements and disagreements
to the Senate amendments. He did nor now re
collect to which. Atjer five o’clock in the even,
tng of the third of March, this bill wa« reported
to<the Senate. They had joint conferences with
the different Departments on those new’ appro
priations, and came to the conclusion to retain all
the new appropriations. An amendment con,
tabling an appropriation of three millions ofdol.
lars, to be used under the direction of the Presi
dent of the United States, provided such expense
was necessary to the defence of the government,
was in it after it was from the House ol
Representatives. The objection to the appro'
pnation was not on account of any distrust to the
President. No, sir, said he, it was merely as
to the constitutionality of it. The Senate disc,
greed to the amendment of the House—the
House insisted, and refused to recede. He al.
luded to a practice of changing the time of the
clock on the last night of the session, and not
relying upon it, he took out his watch and ascer,
lained by it,if it did not deceive him,that the Com.
miltee of Conference on the part of the Senate
went cot before 11 o’clock, and, said he, here we
stood until twelve o’clock at night, waiting for
their report. They sent a messenger to keep
the House in mind of the appropriation bill. For
what reason the House did not take up the re.
port of the Committee of Conference, its would
be improper, indecent, and disorderly in him to
state. He had stated the facts; and every mem.
her who was present would remember them as
stated.
Mr. PRESTON said the gentleman from Virginia,
(Mr. Leigh,) had given a very clear view of the facts.
He, (Mr. P.,) did not feel called upon to explain, be
cause he had voted for the predion of a bill contain
ing an undefined appropriation of three millions of
dollars. It was enough for him to know that it was
an unconstitutional and indefinite appropriation, and
dangerous to bo put into the hands of the Executive.
He would go fitrthor. If instead of these vague rumors
about the movements ofthe French fleet, the whole
frontier had- been laid in ruins, be would have voted
against it. How was it, that ibis appropriation had
been sprung upon them? They were not called upon
for it, hy the proper department, and he did not feel
called upon- without ihs depanrnenf, whose business
it was, to isake recommendations requiring such ap
propriations. He was not then disposed to take the
responsibility from what belonged to the proper de
partments, and he was not now disposed lo do it.—
Und*r»fhe belter opportunities of the Executive to
acquire information, it was the duty ofthe department
to keep the Senate informed of the necessity, and
object of appropriations, and until that was done, the
Senate was nor bound to act. The Honorable Sena
tor from Kentucky, (Mr. Clay,} had introduced a re
solution for the distribution ofthe surplus revenue,
arising from the sales of the public lands, and bis
colleague, the honorable gentleman from South Caro
lina, had reported a bill far the appropriation of the
balance ofthe surplus revenue, for the purposes that
were defined. But in this case, the appropriation
is first made, and than the Executive is to be asked
how much- is necessary. You appropriate thirty
millions, and (he Executive says five millions is all
that is wanted, what comes of the rest? From these
vague rumors, the gentleman from Missouri, (.Mr.
Benton.) had taken occasion to remark, that he de
sired the exterior of the United States, put into a state
of defence. In all this he concurred. Every Senator
had concurred in general appropriations to put the
navy and army in a state of defence. This undefined
appropriation was not the only exception. The gen
tleman from Missouri, (37r. Benton,) had said this
appropriation was intended to operate as a permanent
defence. He would ask for what purpose was this
French fleet coming on our coast? Had he said for
what purpose they were coming? Why were the
breezes bringing ibis great armament? if they- were
coming in hostile array, why are we, said Mr. P.,
kept in the dark by the Presidentof ihe United States?
They had been looking—anxiously looking for a
mes.ege from the President, whether these newspa
per rumors respecting this fleet of observation were
true.
The President ought to know—it was his duly to
know. He . usted, however, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Benton) had superceded the faunc
tions of the President. Could it be for the purpose
of overawing them out of their voles that this alarm
had been raised ? France, our former ally, lie be
lieved did not doubt our valor. He believed she
had a due respect for us. Why, sir, said Mr. P. <ri>
they think that the approximation of a fleet of France
can alarm u-s intoa vote? No,sir,sakl be,we would cov
er ourselves with a panoply for our mutual defence.
The President of the United States in his message
had inflated them that be had ordered the repre
sentative of this country in France (Mr. Barton) to
receive the money due to ns or ask for his passports
to return to the United States. We were not now
represented in either England or France. He did
not say, however, tljat we were ent off from all
intercourse in England as in France.
The President had recommended making repri
sals if France refused payment. France had re
fused, but th° remedy was not pursu°d. It may be.
said he, that this fl-'et is merely coming to protect
the commerce of France. If the President of the
United Slates, al the last session of Congress had
suggested the necessity of making this appropriation,
we would have poured out the Treasury—we would
have filled his hands for all necessary purposes.
Th a re was one hundred thousand dollars appropri
at°d that fiid not been ca led for. He did not know
whether he was permitted to go any further and say
to what extent any of the Departments were disposed
to go in this matter. At the opening of this session
the President in his message entered intoa detail of
our affairs with France, and promised os on the re
turn ot .Mr. Barton a special message. Mr. Barton
bad returned, if they were lo rely upon the same
source of intelligence upon which the- gentleman
from Missouri (Mr. Benton) had relied. We are
asked why has the Senate not done its doty ? I ask,
said iMr. P. why tlv= President has not done- his dnty?
The Senator from Mtsaum (Mr. Benton) had pre
sered a general indictment against ihe Senate before
ihe People of the United Slates. If was strange the
gentleman should ask lV Departments for the cal
culalions to enable os to know how much was ne
ces sary lo appropriate, when the informer ion was
not given to us when we rejected" ibe undefined ap
propriations.
1 rejoice, said Mr. P. that the gentleman hss> said
eveq to my fears, there wit) be no French war
Franee was not going to squabbl* with America on
a little point of aooor—rha* migat dc far duelists to
quarrel abauf. burnotfor naiiics.
DISTINCT PRINT
11 J* 1 " 8 wn * no rw *»n why blood should 1* poured
71 Tui IC , r:^ tin fe’ this P^ l *tonop. If
8 1. ,£** plßOed T' its proper basis his hopes
M wutilri be lit np into a blate of confidence. Who
i? «^'beplaint.ff 1 m lias case ? not France. We
_ are The p.Rintiffs. France w the defendant If aca
sa should issue, it tvouKl be to levy HDon the rood*
Y and chattels of Fmace, or in cas» of {£ r insolvency
r. to levy on the body of Louise Phillippe No. sir*
3 said he, we shill h*ve n<> war with. France I can
imagine a state of ih.ng*, said Mr. P., calculated to
raake a war inevitable.
ir lhe Ssnate had wandered so far from its duties
as had been intimated, and a war was to he waged
j with the Senate; that m ght make a wnr with France
Q But God forbid that such n state of things should
:o exist. If a war of panizinship was lobe waged, he
il deplored the consequences. He hoped no measure*
,f would be adopted here that would lead to a war with
t France.
If *he real cause of apprehensions should occur
he hoped for unanimity. Whether the resolution of
the honorable gentleman from Mtssourii(Mr. Ben
r ion) —the propositions of the honorable gentleman'
f * from Kentucky, (Mr Clay,) or from his colleague
>f (Mr. Calhoun) should betaken up firs* he would’
i- leave to be settled between them,
d Mr. CLA.\ TON was surprised at the suggestion
i. of an idea that the American Senate was not dis-
posed to make the necessary preparations for the
, defence of the country, that they had endeavored
to prevent the passage of a bill, the object of which
8 was tti make provision fir la rge appropriations for our
e defence. The Senator from Missouri hadtgone into
a a liberal attack of the Senate. He (Mr. Cl) was not
disposed to say any thing further of the event*
i. of the last night of the session. He took occa»ion<
j lo »ay there were other matters in connection
. With this appropriation. Before any department
or any friend of the Administration had named an
appropriation for defence, he made the motion to
I* appropriate five hundred thousand dollars. It was
i. on his motion that the Committee on Military Af
|. fairs made the appropriation to increase the furtifica
i. lions. Actuated by the veiy same motives which*
e induced him to move that appropriation, he had
moved an additional appropriation to Fort Delaware,
r The motion was to increase the seventy five thousand
| in one hundred and fifty thousand, and elicited a pro*
r traded debate. The next question was whether in
e I lie genera I bill five hundred thousand dollars should
s he appropriated. He recollected the honorable Chair
. man of the Cominitree on Finance told them there
e was an amendment before that Committee of similar
tenor. As Chairmen of the Committee on Military
J Affairs, he silt disinclined to give it up. The
amendment fell on the single ground,,by onevote,
l that the Committee on Fmanee had before it the
■< identical pronosition made by the Committee on
. Military Affairs. He appealed to the countrjr
» whether under these circumstances they were to be
> arraigned before the people of the country on a
t charge of a want of patriotism. He had always felt
3 deeply affected when those general remarks were
made impugning the motives of patriotism of the
r Senators. He was willing to go as far as he who
• goes farthest m making appropriations for the n«-
1 tional protection. Nay he would be uvadyance of
3 the Administration.
. On motion of Mr. EWING, and without taking
5 the question on the resolution,
The Senate adjourned.
A FIST OF LETTERS
MEiWA.TN.ING in the Pbsi Office at Appling-
Columbia County, Georgia, on- the lab
s day of January, 1836.
j A Ileaverd John
Andeoson John L J
Avrrs Abram Jo-dart Mrs Mildied
4 Allen Francis T Junes Elias
' Alford Guilford L
i B Loyles>sTsß2
| Boston Hezekiah Lyons James
, LJt-nton NM’ Lamar John
j Blum Henry G JVJS
B anchard miss Relx-cra Marshall
* Blanchard'Benjamin Marshall Levi
Beal Andrew McDonald Henjmntn
5 C Magruder George
Calhune Alexander Magruder Wiliam
. Cutting DG McDonald Robart
, Collins mr« f'iissondre ' N
, Co lins VVi iiain A L Newman Wi Ham
I Callehand:David Ntttees William
1 Crawford miss Ann li. O
! I> Offutt Mrs Obedience
Darby Augustus R
• Day mrs .Vlarlha E B Pounds Robert S 2
Davis mrs Nancy Pounds Jonathan T’
’ Dnvismrs Mary P Parks rs Lucy
Davis James E Pitman Hiram 3
Drane Benjamin Parnell Edwin
‘ Derry Charles R
t E Reid Rev William M
i Eubank John H Reid Hon John
| F Rawls J C
Fuller Isbam RedCA&Co.
Flint Lucinda 3 S
G Stranford Daniel
Glascock mbs Hester B|«ar H P
Greene miss M Maria Panders Washington J
Griffin miss Rebecca Shaw Margaret
Gunby George t T
Gamble Joseph Taylor Gen John
Graves George Taylor N B D
ft Tendai Alford
' Hanson-William Tankersley Mrs Margaret'
Ha i Hardy \V
i Holton James White Miss Elizabeth
; Hoot WiMiam, guardian of Watson Isaac 2
, Sidnev Washington James
Ha land’s Orphan# Wright Augusta R;
Hall Justance Wooding Edward
JAMES BURNSIDE. P. M.
Jan 5 73
A JLffST OF LETTERS
Remaining in the Post office atWa?-
mngton, Ga. Ist January, 1836. If not :
taken out before the Ist April next, they will be
• sent to the Genera! Pbst Office as dead letters.
A Kil ebrew Lindsey 2
L*
, A a Leber Jacob
’ Anderson William Lockett Dr Cotlen
Atchison John Loonies Lorriun
Atkinson Green Lockett mias S’-Weri
S Leona rd J oeeph
> Bonner ■'’is' atherin« J>|
> Homier Mrs Marta Martin John S
Brvant Aivnis Me onald Andrew 2
Block Wii iam McNarr Daniel JL»
’ Burnley Richard MoGttire James'.
Bynuru Mrs Elizabeth Mallard John 2
Butt Dr Jeremiah HT
> Butler William Newsom Solomon
i Boggs Stewart Nicliois George
r Ueßtl Samuel p
| Burkhalter John 1" Pierson J arses
I Blount Wi tarn Pate David
BriVik* William E R
Craitsfey Jones Roney Thomas
C Rolterts Thomas M 2
• Carter Miss Sarah Reddish miss Jane A
, Cunningham Messrs. WsaE Roberts Wii iauiS
t fc v*’ s
, Co eon Mrs Georg ana Siras J B
Chandler »J A Esq. Sa ;tr JnoS
D Baiwjforel Hritcay
» Draper Wm 'I Sa Srs John
1 Danloo Wiiiß Spinks mrs-Lont*a
E Starke Uerwy J.
. Flewe'ren :nra E iiacOeih Sh.-vtro Gvorge
Fsurrer ie&cwm Vi- Swum JoSm
r G Si raw mrs. Maria
Gibson James C Se t miss As^etinx.
Gonder Jasper M Sea>s Aseftehaid
‘ Gres we! I Jesse Siurtlivant Aboer
Geeslttig Benpsmtrt Sen Smith t<>«£.i:rrd W
H T
s Hargroves George TiyierwisMidU
, Harns.lnfeD TiuupKsrttHtfpb
Hariaivsy Geo W Tnliuii James
1 lioweli mriLucy W
Harrei S G Wi'dyr m ss NtMscy
. Hitsoa Lewis Week,y
if J fV iik*rsoi» oinr 'ti.'i
vTT»f/?>€» Start ng Watson Isaac
, Jackson Wdhaot Walker
' ' Jotmsoo mrs. Martfca
K
Kincy Atfred C
•w JOHN MOOSE, P fit
f , .: Jan S 79
Fotatoe*.
1 £frdTfr BBLS pri Sr 2 Eserejft FOIATOBS,
, J. %F%P Lending tn.raefay, ml itn s»{e- br
I W'ILLXaM E. j ACXs&If
i jpet T* tSj-