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TWENTY FOURTH CONGRESS FIRS 7 SESSION,
Lv .Senate, Monday, January 13.
ELECTIONEERING AGENTS.
Mr. WHITE, of Tennessee, rose arid said :
? I rise, Mr. President, to offer lira resolution
which I IntlJ in my hand ; bui to en -b!e the Se
nate to understand why it is offered, and the ob.
•'ject I wish to accomplish, it is a duty incumbent
r>n me to accompany it with some explanation ;•
I will therefore read, and then p iss it to your ta-
Lie : L
Resoloed, That the Secretary of IV ;r be, and
he herebv is. requested to inform the Senate
what office Be; janiio F. Carry holds in the
Cherokee Nation, under what law he was ap.
pointed, and nt what time; what salary he re
ceives, and whether he has at any time received ,
any allowance, in addition to his salary, and how
much ; stating particularly the whole amount he
• has received each year.
This Mr. Carry (proceeded Mr. W.) went
info the nation some time after the election of
the present Chief Magistrate, and I believed
until about a twelve month ago, he had been em
ployed ss an inferior agent to superintend ihe
enrolment of Cherokees for emigration, to have
their improvements valued. &c. During the
last winter he was here, anJ when I returned
home last spring, I understood ho was m king
some figure ns a politician ; that oat of his own
head, or by the instigation of some person more
wicked than himself, he had, while here, written
some letters for publication to a small newspaper
unlmy own State, which had engaged in the bu
sine.-s of traducing me. In the course of the
summer, we had. in some of our congressional
districts, animated contests between candidates
for Congress. This gentleman, I understood,
look an active part. He sometimes travelled out
of the nation, and even out of his congressional
district, was zealous in propagating his opinions,
and. as I am informed and believe, either w rote
liimsa'*, or furnished the mnteria’s for one or
more pieces, for the same vehicle,-of slander to
which lie had written while in Washington.
In the distric’ including the Cherokee Agen
cy, he was zealous :n opposing the election of
the former member, and, with a view to en Tie
him to act efficiently, was in the habit of read
ing and showing, confidentially, a letter sai l io
be written by the President himself, finding fault
with the former member by name, and using gc.
neral expressions, which Mr. Curry said were
intended (or mo. 1 have likewise been informed
that, still further to succeed in his plans of defa
mation, ha confidentally used a letter, eai 1 to
bo written to him by my honorable colleague,
(Mr. Grundy,) in which my name was used, not
much to my advantage; and I now take this
occasion, in the Senate, in presence of our bro
ther Senators, in presence of this audience, and
in the face of the world, to ask my colleague to
say whether, at any lime, he wrote any letter to
Hr. Curry, in which my name is used.
[Mr. Grundy answered that lie was taken by
surprise with the question; but ha did not re
member he had ever written a letter on any sub
ject to Mr. Curry, and th >t he felt certain if he
had he had never used his colleague’s name in
othertenns than those of respect J
Mr. White proceeded : I am then satisfied
with the answer given fir the present, and. this
artifice must have beon used by Mr. Curry the
more effectually to deceive and misle ad those to
whom he made such statements.
All this conduct I disregarded, and did not even
think it worthy to be made matter of converse,
tion. Oar elections terminated; the former
member was re.eleeied; and when the Legisla
ture met. I was again honored with a seat here
by a unanimous vote.
Some time ago a friend brought mo a Geor.
;*ia newspaper, and pointed me to a letter under
Ike signature of Mr. Curry, dated Ist December,
1833, and addressed io the editor of a newspd
tier called ihe Federal Union. In that paper it
had been published, and fiom it n pied into vari
ous other papers, and finally into one in my own
State, called the Nashville Union, gotten up by
funds furnished here expressly for ihe purpose
of distributing, in mv own Sute. and else where,
nil tlie dirty filth and slander which could be col
lected, with a view to detract from my humble
standing.
Tho time at which this letter was published,
ns well as ’he place where, and ihe matter of it.
struck me with some force. The Legislatures
of Georgia, of Alabama, of Tennessee, of North
Carolina, Virginia, and several other States,
were then in session, if I mis'tike not, and if I
do I hope gentlemen will correct me, and that of
Mississippi was soon to meet. Four of these
States had a deep stake in ihe Indian question,
because the Indians now reside in portions of
them.
I saw that ihe most gross and base falsehoods
were contained in it, as to myself. That I did
not so much regard ; but I saw’ further, that,
with a view to reach me, a statement was made
respecting Mr. McConnell, one of my constitu
ent?, an humble and inoffensive citizen, which
would, in all probability, cyst him his life. I
felt hurt by this, as I had been the medium j
through which the Secretary of War had indn- :
ced him to undertake this delicate, confidential
and hazardous agency.
The falsehoods were so glaring, and the mis
chievous tendency of the letter so obvious, that |
I, at first, hoped, so soon as it met tho eye of
the Administration, the matter would bo set I
light without any application from any quarter, j
After waiting soma lime without any step having !
been taken, and having good reason to believe 1
the letter had been seen hv at least one member
of the Administration, I addressed a letter to i
the Secretary of War. under date of the 3d hi. j
slant, a copy of w hich I wiil now read.
Washington. Jan. 2, 1833.
Dear Sir: I must take the liberty of inviting I
vour attention to a letter under the signature of j
Benjamin F. Curry, published in a newspaper '
called the Federal Union, and bearing date 1
'“Cherokee Agency, Dec. Ist, 1335 ”
In it you will see, in speaking of Samuel Me- j
Connell, Mr. Curry uses this language; he “has, i
for some years past, under tho procurement of ;
Judge White, of Tennessee, been receiving pay j
from the United States Govor-imcm, as a secret !
and confidential agent, while a!! his visible efforts !
have been to defeat the measures of the oaten- j
sible agents in bringing about a treaty.”
1 feel assured your own sense of justice will I
nt once pronounce that tins statemen’, so far as I
I am concerned, is entirely unfounded.
The name of Mr. McConnell was not brought
to your notice by me; I never asked or procured
the Department to appoint him. Any agency I
had in the matter was at the instance of the De- I
parunem. and to.carry into effect its wishes, as
is fully in she letter from the acting
Secretary of War to me, and my answer, with
its enclosure, to him, to which I beg leave to
reler you.
. V n " ‘ n ever y thing else, I wa-s willing
tadiisll iamvDowsr, n
the tviehej of <h- b“ i? ca . rr )"»& ™«
Indians, end m
» , nnfe 1 df tt treated wdhfroat
i just:cr> 1 1 your agents attached to your Depart
ment a ra thus to misrepresent and calumniate
me. Frcmall the information I possess, I must
think in the charges against McConnell there is
1 great disregard of :r rb. I had bver believed,
m.! yet do, that he acted with great fidelity, and
that Irom his services much benefit resulted.
But, sir. if Mr. McConnell was a secret agent,
appointed by vour Department, does he merit
that hia life should he endangered by this state
ment of your agent? If he Was not a secret
a£ent, is it right tint he should be endangered by
t.'.e statement of such a falsehood ?
In another part of Mr. Curry’s letter he states,
p h rtlv, before the council, Lewis Ross came to
Knoxville, and after his return rumors were put
•afloat connected with rny name.
Th s inference Mr. Curry wishes should be
drawn from this statement no doubt was, that
Lewis Ross came to. Knoxville to consult me. I
assure you, that it Mr. Ross was at Knoxville,
from tiie time I left Washington in March, till mv.
return this fall. I never heard of it, until I read
Mr. Cin r/’s letter, and have itad no communica
tion whatever with hint.
The whole teiior of this letter; so far as I am !
concerned, is a tissue of misrepresentations, in
tended to place my conduct in a false view before
ihe world.
I am well aware (hat those who know Mr.
Curry would not excuse me for taking any notice
, of his slanders generally; but from the peculiar
nature of his charge, ami the circumstance of
his connexion with your Department, his state
ment, may be thought entitled to some credit
should it pass without rebuke.
He is your officer; von are the witness, who j
knows the gross injustice done mo. and to you I
confidently appeal for such steps as will do that
which is just to the country, to Mr. Curry and to
mvse'l f,
I beg to be informed what course you will pur.
sue in this matter.
I have the honor to he. roost respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
On the night of the 15th, I received his answer,
dated the 14t!i, enclosing a copy of one written
to Mr. Curry on the 9 : h.,
Department of War,
January 14, 1833.
DearPir; I must ask your indulgence for not
having answered your letter of the 2d instant,
which was received here on the s: lt. Tiie delay
has been owing to ilie great press of business,
and to the propriety of laying the matter before
the President,
I have now tho Inmorto send the copy of a
’fitter addressed to Major Currv, and in which
the President’s disapprobation is conveyed to
him. The statement that Mr. McConnell was
emplovi d at vour suggestion, is altogether er
roneous. and I havo put the matter right by
giving the true facts of the case, J considered
the Department under obligations to you for the
trouble you took on the *u’ ject of the empleyme )'
and proceedings of .Mr. McConnell, and I have
endeavored to do justice to his services, so far
as these are known to me.
If Major Curry intended to intimate, as you
suppose,that there was a communica'ion between
yourself and Mr, Ross, such an intimation was
highly improper. Independent of the entire want
of proof of such a course, your word is quite
sufficient to satisfy me that there was no just
ground for the fuggeslion.
I am. dear sir. very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
LEWIS CASS.
lion. Hugh L. White.
War Department. Jan. 9. 1835.
Sir; The attention of this Department has
been drawn to a letter from yoti to the Editor
of the Federal Union, and which w as publ shed
in the Augusta Sentinel of the 22d ult.
1 am instructed by the President, if that
letter was written by you. to convey to you his
disapprobation of a part of it. There certain
ly can-toe no impropriety in an officer’s commu
nicating to the public proper information when
- ircumstances require it, and the general pro
ceedings relating to the prospects anriJJ -progress
of the Cherokee emigration are of this na'ure.
Rut it is with regret the President observes in
this communication, allusions to persons and
parties, which do not seem to be necessary, ard
are calculated to produce an injurious effect
There is one error of fact, which it becomes
the special duty of this Department to corrcf,
ns tho requisite information is upon its files
You st»t3 that Mr. McConnell “has for some
veara past, under the procurement of Judge
White, of Tennessee, been receiving pay from
the United States Government, as a secret and
confidential agent,” &c. You have been led
into a mistake on this subject. Mr. McConnell
was not employed under tho proenrem nt of
of Judge White. The suggestion that Mr. Mc-
Connell’s services might be useful, as well to
the United States as the Cherokee Indians, whs
made to this Department from another and very
respectable quarter. As all the necessary cir
cumstances were not fully known at the De
partment, proper instructions were given to Mr.
McConnell, and enclosed to Judge White, to he
delivered if he thought the arrangement would
be useful, Judge White hid no agency what
ever in the matter; ha was requested, by the
express direction of the President, to serve as a
medium of communication between Mr. Mc-
Connell and (his Department.
Mr, McConnell transmitted various reports,
containing information respecting the state of
things in the Cherokee country. But there is
nothing in these, going in the slightest degree,
to show that he did not act with due fidelity,
as well to tho United States as to the Cherokee
Indians.
!t is also a matter of regret that you should
■ have attended at all to the employment of Mr.
McConnell. From the relation in which he
stands to the Cherokees, and the suspicious
disposition of Indians, the disclosure may even
| put his life at hazznrd. It is therefore the more
imperative upon me to state explicitly, as I have
I done, that there was nothing in the reoorts
j of Mr, McConnell which could give just offence
: to the Indians.
The President has directed me to say that he
j has read and approves this letter; and that,
I while he appreciates the zeal you have display- !
j ed in the execution .of your duties, he deems it 1
i incumbent upon him to recommend to you great |
discretion, and particularly convey to you his i
i disapprobation of the allusion you ’ have made to i
I the employment of McConnell.
' Very respectfully, your mo«t obedient servant, '
LEWIS CASS. I
j Major B. F. Currv, New Echota, Ga.
To this, on the 16th, I wrote a very short reply;
Washington, Jan 16, 1835.
Dear Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
that I received last night your favor under date
of the 14t!i, with its enclosure, in answer to
' mine of the 3d instant.
The result is so different from what, I think
j I had a right to anticipate, that I refrain from
I any remarks on the contents of the letter writ
j ten to Mr. Curry by direction of the President.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully,
your obedient servant, HU. L. WHITE.
I had applied in the only friendly mode I
could devise, for the interposition of the execu
tive power, I remembered well the great prin.
cip'e for which the party had struggled to ele.
vate the President to his present sttiation. I re
membered his recognition of it in his Inaugural
Address, which thousands of the citizens of the
United. Slates, as wei! as most ofthose now in
the reach of my voice heard him deliver, as
containing the principles upon which he would
administer the Government. The paragraph i«
in the fpl’-owinj word*-
** The recent demonstration of public senti. ,
meat inscribed on the list of executive duties,
•n characters too legible to be overlooked, the
i;isk of reform, which will require, particularly,
die correction of those abuses that have brought
the patronage of the Federal Government into
conflict with the freedvm'of elections, and the
counteraction of those causes which have dis.
turbed the rightful course of appointment, nnd
have placed, or continued, powers in' unfaith,
ful or incnnijjetent hands."
This short paragraph shows the*main ground
on which tire contest rested, which ended in the '
election of the present Chief Magistrate. I I
contains the sentiments avowed by him in pre. !
seace of nearly twenty thousand freemen. It
contains the sentiments which, as one cf his
advocates , I honestly entertained. It contains
■ the sentiments on the maintenance or which I
: believe our freedom and Itbefty essentially tie
pend. I felt hurt and mortified upon reading
the Secretary’s letter; I could not reply without
i using expressions not fit to address to a mem
ber of the Presidents Cabinet. In place of Mr.
Curry receiving such rebuke as would deter
him from committing a similar offence in future,
it appeared to mo that he was complimented.
Although his conduct was not approved as to
McConnell, as to me it wa« very well; that, in
stead of an inferior agent, he was to ba viewed
as an electioneering political diplomatist, and
that hereafter, if the gardener, spoken of by the
Senator from Massachusetts the other day, is
to wear his diplomatic button, Mr. Curry ought
to figure in his political electioneering star and
i garter.
Cut, sir, what was Ito do next? The false
hood has gone forth to answer tha meditated
mischief. In somo of the State* it is probable
it has accomplished its object. How is it to be
contradicted? 1 have been furnished with a
document proving the falsehood. Is it supposed
that I would sneak to a printing office to beg a
publication of us contradiction? No, I cannot
I descend to such an act of meanness. If I
could, I dare not. The proud, high-minded,
honorable men who sent we here would, for
such an act of degredation, recall me from a
station among honorable men, and thus gratify
some high in office, who seek to displace me.
My course is here, my place is here. From
my stand, on this floor, I contradict the sales- |
hood, and expose the injustice. If any oppon.
ent will deny my statement or justify this out.
rage, I meet him here openly, face to face, eye
to eye, and maintain and assert what is due to
my constituents and myself, by all honorable
means in mv power.
But the Nashville Union—this vehicle of
slanders and falsehoods, gotten up in this city,
as I have understood, for just such purposes.
The editor came here last winter, upon his
own mere notion, or by the solicitation of some
other person, with, as I have understood and
believe, not more money than would bear his
expenses. He lived in the house with my
honorable coiloasue. and, while here, was
furnished with some five or six thousand dollars
to establish his press in Nashville, and, without
reiving upon subscribers, to’be enabled to throw
his paper into the hands of every man who would
condescend to read it. Even this very number,
containing this letter, I have no doubt, has been
innocently sent, under the frank of Senators
from this flour, to many of the Suites in the Un
ion.
If there is any person within my hearing, who
can contradict my statement as to the manner in
winch this paper was established, I wish to hear
him do so.
Mr. Grundy rose, and stated that the editor
had come here last winter not at his instance;
■that how the money was raised, or bv whom, he
had no knowledge; that the paper had taken
its side, and was maintaining it as well ns it
could ; that he had not noticed this letter in it,
and that be knew there was great scuffling to
get subscribers for it at home. Mr. McConnell
he knew, and thought him a clever man, of good
•sense, and he believed he had recommended
him for this 'flue.
To which Mr, White rose and replied: Yes,
Mr. President, there was a great scuffling to
get subscribers forit;so great that our old ac.
quaint.unce. Samuel Gw nn, he 'an 1 officer from
Mississippi, was called into service; and, when
procuring subscribers at Gallatin in April last,
wrote to Mr. Ritchie, of the Enquirer, the cel
ebrated letter as to Tennessee politics, intended
unjustly to influence the Virginia elecions, and
which no doubt had the desired effect. Mr
President. I have made these disclosures with
great pain and the most deep mortification ; but
I deemed it my duty to do so. The answer to
my resolution will show whether it will he in
my power, and whether it will be rny duty, to
attempt any thing farther on the unpleasant
subject.
XT’ The letter alluded to by Mr. White, from
Mnj. Gurry, to the Federal Union, was publish
ed about a month ago in the Constitutionalist,
SAVANNAH, Jan. 28.—The Steamboat Dol
phin, Capt. King, arrived last night from Charles
ton, with 150 Volunteers under the command of
Captam Finley, of the Washington Volunteers,
nnd Capt. Raven el of the Washington Light In.
fantry, bound to St. Augustine, and proceeded
on, this morning at 2 o’clock.— Georgia.
Departure of the Volunteer s for Florida —At
nine o’clock yesterday morning, the Augusta Vo
lunteers were escorted to the Steamboat Florida
by the U. S. Troops under command of Capt.
Merchant. A large assemblage witnessed their
departure; as the boat left the wharf, the gal
hint volunteers were sa'ufed with loud huzzars.
They carried with them the best wishes of the
whole community.— lb.
More Savannah Volunteers —Yesterday at 4
o’clock, a large detachment of 26 of the Plice
nix Riflemen of this city, with upwards of 100
other Volunteers, left here in the John David
Mongin, for Picolata. Their general purpose is
to aid the Floridi ans. Their in’ermediate desli.
nation is St. John’s River. The Mongin is
armed, equipped and provisioned for active ser
vice in the waters of that river and its tribnta
; ries. We understand that the boat, her arma
: merit and all the Volunteers are to be reported
i to Gen. Clinch and to remain subject to his or
I der.
The above arrangements were made in onrsu
i ance of the resolutions of the citizens on Satur-
I day last.
' Savannah has thus, not only been content with
| pioneering the way in sending aid to the Floridi
I an?, but has followed it up by zealously rivalling
( her sister cities in all measures calculated to as-
I ford them substantial assistance.
The Volunteers started in fine spirits. Before
their departure, at the request of the Committee
they were addressed by M. H. il/cA'lister, Esq,
in his usual eloquent and spirit stirring manner.
Including the Augusta Volunteers, nearly 250
men left this city yesterday (or Florida.
We unders’and that Capt. Merchant departs
today with the U. S. Troops.— lb.
Savannah Jockey Club. —Yesterday the first
days Race, 2 mile heals for a purse of S3OO,
came of.-- ;
The contest was between Capt. Shick’s El.
brorak, arid Col, Crowell’s Bolivia.
The purse was won bv Bolivia in two heats.
Time of first heat, 4 rn. 2d heat. 4m. 4s. The
first heat was won by about two lengths, the se
cond by about 4 lengths.
———■»-
BEEF.
bids Fulton Market BJSEF,
received this day by
DORTIC & LEE.
AUGUSTA, GA.
Saturday Maruiug, Jan. 30,. 18 36.
sK5“\Ve have before us a copy of the third edition
of “Horse Shoe Robinson, a Tale of the Tory Ascen
dendency,” during the war of our Revolution. This
work is for sale at Mr. Richards’ Book Store. The
events recorded in this tale are mostly historical, and
cannot fail to please and to be most acceptable to th >se
l who delight in the recollection of the deeds of our
i Revolution. The work his been reviewed by the
'■ critics, and their opinion has been in its favor, so
much so, that a third edition is now published with
corrections by the author. We recommend “Horse
Shoe Robinson” to our friends : they will not ba
disappointed by a perusal of the tale.
The Mails.
All of our citizens are complaining about the irre
gularity of the Mails. Fwr the past month or two
there has been a complete derangement in the North
ern line, and, instead of getting better, it is growing
worse and worse every day. Hitherto the contrac
tors did, soma how or other, manage generally to
bring ONE paper that was due from New York—the
balance were generally left to be brought on one or
two days after. Within the last two days, however,
we have received no papers at all by the northern
mail, although the letter mail from New York came
regularly to hand. There is something wrong some
where, and we hope the Post Master General will
ferrit it out and apply the necessary remedy. Every
contractor detected in leaving behind a bag of news
papers ought to be fined doable, for novv-a-dajs every
on a looks to newspapers for information.
The French Question.
The less wo are involved in European diplomacy,
the belter will it be for the peace of our country and
the safely of our public institutions. W e were, there
fore, Wtjl pleased with the conduct of the Secretary
of State with regard to the letter of the Duke da
Broglie. That letter could not have been received
without involving the government in endless nego
tiations with France, and without departing from that
j line of conduct which it has been the policy of the
country ever to preserve with foreign nations, never
to negotiate but in such manner as can sea the light.
If Mr. Forsyth had accepted the letter, what answer
could he have given to its ■contents, and to whom
could he have addressed the answer? Certainly not
to the Duke de Broglie, because the letter was ad
dressed to the French Charge des Affaires. Certain
ly not to the French Charge des Affaires, because no
showing was made that M. Pageot was directed to
lay the letter officially before the American Govern
ment. Unde*- any circumstance, Mr. Foray th could
not act otherwise than he did, without sacrificing the
honor and reputation of his country. But why was
the latter placed before the Secretary of Slate for
perusal, and why was h? urged to receive it? There
is no doubt that the letter was w ritten by the Duke
of Broglie with the view of its being read by the
Secretary of State, and of involving the Government
of the United States in a secret negotiation which
might lead to the adjustment of the differences be
tween the two countries, without disclosing the
bungling manner with which the negotiations for the
fu'fillment of the treaty of July, 1831, had been car
ried on by the French Ministry. It cannot be doubt
ed that the King of France and the French Ministry
are desirous of adjusting all differences with this
country; and the reasons, to us,"are obvious.
Some months ago we expressed the opinion, that
a war with this country would possibly lead to the
downfall of the present King of the French. A war
with this country, would add to the strength and to
the discontent of tha several parties opposed to the
present dynasty. The republican parly, composed
of men of great talents and influence, would take
advantage of this war to draw the commercial class
of the French people from the support of tha Govern,
merit, as this class will be the greatest sufferers. It
U true that a great number of the republican party in
the Chamber of Deputies, voted against the appro
priation tor the indemnity; but it must be observed
that they did so to embarrass the ministry, and to
show the weakness of the government. If war should
actually take place, this same republican party would
with great effect appeal to the feelings and passions
offithe French people, fur the purpose of defending
their freedom against the encroachments of the
French King, who, not content with destroying the
freedom of the press, is making war against a country
where free principles and free governments are main
tained nnd in operation in all their strength and effi
cacy. This party would warn the French people
against their government, which aims at tlie destruc
tion of free principles, hv rendering enemies a people
the government of which, is the must free upon earth;
fur, would the republicans say, destroy the govern
ment of the United States, and despotic governments
will soon he established all over the world. And
would not this republican parly, by such language,
obtain a hearing in France, and exercise much influ
ence with the people?.
Important.
The following letter was received by yester
day’s mail, by a gentlennn in this city from" his
friend on his way to Alabama. The writer of
the letter is a respectable gentleman, an done on
whose statements, reliance can he placed.
“ Columbus, Jan. 26.—We arrived here two
days ago, and have been detuned by excessive
rains, insomuch, tiie mail has not passed be
tween this and Montgomery, yet To morrow
morning we expect to proceed. This morning
an express arrived to Gen. McDougald, stating
that sue hundred Indians passed the river fifteen
miles below this at Bryans’ Ferry, swearing
vengeance against the whites. Orders were
immediately issued to call out the Militia. The
consequence is, most of the citizens of the place
are .and have been under arms during the day.
At 2 P. M, news came that 300 or more Indians
were within 5 miles of the place, which pro.
duced great consternation. At SP.M. a negro
came over the river and stated that the Indians
were assembling on the opposite side, to attack
the town to night, consequently every man is
arming himself. We are called upon with the
rest of tha peopl; here. and myself ara
ready for the night with arms and arnunition.
What the result may prove we know not, but
hope for the best. With regard to myself,
we have had so many exaggerated reports
during the day, that I think we are in perfect
safety. It has been a fine day for those who
had guns to sell, every gun, rifle, pistol, &c.
has been bought up—price no object, It j g
now getting dark—the troops mounting guard
poorly equipped, and so far as I can judge
in regularly organized—but ambitionjand milita
ry spirit plenty. All strangers are called on
to arm. We obey. I have conversed with
Mr. , and several of my old acquaintan
ces, wbo slate they do no: bshevo there will
an attack nolr, but that the lower Creeks,
■
I
the Hitchetees, and Outchees Indians are
hostile, and from the circumstance 'of two of
their men being killed a few days ago by
white men below, that they have now come
over to lake vengeance
“lt is now 6 o’clock P. M.—A. new report
lias come that the town will be burnt to night.
You may imagine the coafusio i and consterna
tion now here among every class. One thing
is certain, if one hundred Indians should at
tack this place they would destroy it, for there
is not sufirient force enough, arms and amu
nition, &c. to protect it. The only feature
that I can discover like war, for I place no
confidence in the reports of the ■day) is the
fact that for the last ten days, the Indians have
bought up most of the powder here. This in
formation is correct, and may be relied upon.
Another circumstance is, thafthe Indians and
Squaws generally here, absented themselves to
day.
“7 o’clock, P. M—l have opened this letter
to inform yon that an expres swae sent below this
morning, viz: John Watson, son of Gen. J.
C, Watson, of Baldwin county, went down
15 miles to his fathers plantation, where he
found 18 or 20 men under arms, who imme
diately put him in command. The Indians
were embodied in a swamp. He charged up
on them—two of his men were killed. Watson
remained to assist the last one wounded—four
ball holes through his clothes was the conse
quence. He rode here as fast as he could—l
have examined his clothes myself—this is cor
rect —all confusion here.
“So’alock. The guards out. I have been
called upon and cheerfully obey. I do not yet be
lieve we are to be disturbed, but we have put
ourselves in the best possible state of defence,
and shall fight bravely if necessary. You can
not imagine the confusion of families, women
and children. I hnd rather fight than witnesAit.
“Report to night states that, commutwa
tion through the nation is cut off. Wo Wave
had so many different reports to day, it is diffi
cult to get at any thing like accuracy. If we
get through the night, and any conveyance goes
to Montgomery, I shall go; but if we must fight
I shall sell myself at the dearest rate—no mis
take.”
I'o t!vc Editors of the Constitutionalist.
As there wore eight passengers from Augusta on
board the steam packet William Gibbons, during the
melancholy disaster yesterday, I hasten to send you
a brief account of it, to allay the anxiety of friends.
In consequence of the easterly winds, we did not
leave Charleston until the raorningof (he I7th inst.
Vv e had a fine run on Sunday and Monday, and pass
ed Cape Hatteras before night on Monday, the wind
being strong from the Sooth. On Monday night the
boiler sprung aleak at 11 o’clock. By the direction
of a kind Providence the wind had died away, and
the ocean was perfectly calm. The steam was let off
and the boiler mended in about eight hours—the pas
sengers generally remaining unconscious of the acci
dent, in undisturbed sleep. On Tuesday morning
early, wa wereagain under weigh, and had tocontend
with head winds during that and the following day.
Yesterday (Thursday) morning, ws rose, finding that
we had passed Sandy Hook, and were expecting to
be in New Fork in two hoars. We had an early
breakfast, and the passengers were all in high spirits
preparing for their arrival in the city. In a few
minutes after breakfast, most of the passengers being
in the dining cabin, tha steam flew collapsed in the
directional the forward cabin—two passengers being
in that cabin, and four of the hands of the boat were
so scalded by the steam that they expired in a few
hours. The other passengers all escaped without the
least injury to any one.
Tha unfortunate passengers wer~, Mr. Davega, a
man of family from this city, and Mr. B. F. Rogers,
a young gentleman, merchant of Columbia, S. C. ]
Most of the ladies were taken immediately from the ,
Gibbons, on board the brig Tuscan, which was lying
in tha neighborhood, until steam boats came down
from the city and towed the packet up. We arrived
about sun set on Thursday in the city. The dying
groans of the sufferers—their bloated, disfigured '
faces—their Treble, expiring cries Mr water, to relieve
the tormenting pain—together with the attempt of .
one to gel overboard for relieffrom the burning agony, i
were scenes and sounds that can never be forgotten.
I trust the event has been sanctified to the spectators
who were mercifully spared, and that it will be bless
ed be their distant friends, teaching us all, that in the
midst of life we are surrounded with death, and that
it is wise always to stand prepared for that summons
that will call us to the bar of God.
In great haste, very respectfully, yours, &,c.
SAMUEL K. TALMAGE.
American Hotel,
New York, Jan. 22, 1836.
From AewYork.
The steam packet Columbia.J arrived at
Charleston on Wednesday last, brings New
York papers of Saturday evening last, incusive,
in anticipation of to«day’s Mail We take the
following from the Charleston Courier of
Thursday.
They contain no later foreign news, and little
domestic intelligence of interest.
It will be seen from our extracts, that a most
unfortunate acoidentoccurred onboard the Steam
Packet Win. Gibbons. In the account copied,
it is stated that six persons were dead, but we
learn, verbally, that one of them, Mr. R. Totty,
was still living when the Columbia left.
The following is a list of the passengers in
the Gibbons, at the time the accident occurred:
Mrs. Day, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Lane, Mrs. Robbins
and serv’t. Mrs. Nafew, Mrs. Talmage, Messrs,
D. B. Nafew, J. S. Smith, J. Rose, Joseph New
mark, C. B. Seymour, Robert Day, Isaac Dave
ga, (dead,) J. M’Dowell, Robt. Cochran, J. H.
Sniffm, E. Sebring, C. Emmons, John Bryan, B.
F. Rogers, (dead,) N Peck, R. Higharn, S. K.
Talmage, Joseph Callender, E. Robbins, Wm. (
Swift, O. E. Carmichael, J. F. M’Fenny, R. D.
Humlen, P. S. Frost, E. S. Minns, J.Wethrebee, i
J. Hibbere, F. A. Barnard, C. C. Elmes, J. 1
Tholman. Col. Fanning Master R. Day.
The New York Mercantile Advertiser <J- Ad.
vacate, contains the following; (
“The present condition of our affairs with ‘
Franee, is the subject of much conversation, and !
various opinions are expressed as to what will '
be the future course of our Government. It is 1
now said that we have not the power to resort to *
any commercial restrictions against France, 1
without giving six months’ notice of such inten-
tion, without a violation of the Convention of *
Reciprocity between France and the United 1
estates, of the 34th June, 1639. The seventh
3 i
article of that Convention is in the following
words :
'Article 7.—The present temporary Conven
tion shall be in force for two years from the first
day of October next, and even after the expira
tion of that term, until the conclusion of a de.
fioitive treaty, or until one of the parties shall
have declared its intention to renounce it; which
declaration shall be made at least six months
befoi ehand.'
“An eminent civilian of this city is of the
opinion that this article is not affected by anjr
subsequent convention or treaty, and is still in'
force. If this doctrine be correct, and is to be :
practiced upon, it is somewhat important to com
merce that it should be publicly known.”
The same paper conjoins an'extraet of a letter
from Paris, which says—“ There has lately been
published here, Charts of our whole Sea Coast,
and especially accurate Maps of the entrance of
every harbor on the Gulf of Mexico. The
Chart of Pensacola gives the CliatlHfef,'position,
of the Forts and Navy Yard, and is beautifully
executed. In the event of a war betweervFrance'
and the United States, the station of the French
, fleet will he the West Indies, and their first at
tempt will be to take Pensacola, and command
the commerce of the Mississippi,
“Admiral Mackau understands the position of
things in quarter, and may look to this as
the point of the greatest moment in annoying tha
commerce of sixty millions, which now passes
through (he Gulf of Florida.”
The ground on which the Phoenix bailings
stood corner on Wall and Water streets, N.
Y. was sold lately a' auction, for 51,500 dollars
purchased by Hale & Hallock. Lot 40 feet on
Water street, and 65 on Wall street.
The brig Aurora, Taylor, at New York, from
Matauzas, states that the crew and passengers
of the American schr. Hannah Elizabeth ,
which was chased ashore and captured by the
Mexican armed schr. Braiko, had been convey
ed in irons to Matanzas, where they remained
when Capt. T. left.
The House of Representatives of Pennsylva
nia,have determined, by a vote of 47 to 43, that
tiie Sergeant-at-Arms should arrest and bring be
fore the House,the witnesses who refused, under
protest, to testify, before the Committee of the
House, charged with investigating the subject
of Masonry. Ex-Gov. Wolf, J, R. Chandler,
editor of the V. S. Gazette, and other prominent
citizens, are among the proteslants.
A convention of the Whig party of New Jer
sey, is to be held at Trenton, on the 24th Feb
next, for the purpose of nominating candidates
for President and Vice President ofthe United
States, in opposition to the Baltimore nomi.
cations.
M.Rayner,Jr. has published an Almanac,
calculated for 200 years, from the year 1700
to 1900.
During the fire at New York, a store was
burned, in which was contained 800,000 lbs. of
pig lead, belonging to a merchant in Philadel
phia. After the fire was over, and the rubbish
removed, it was found that the lead had
melted into large masses, so that the owner
was obliged to quarry it out. One piece alone
was got out, wheighing near a ton,
U. S. Bank. —A Bill has been reported in
the Legislature of Pennsylvania, for the rechar
ter of the U. S. Bank by that body, with a capi
tal of .§28,000,000, the same amount as at pre.
sent, after deducting the §7,000,000 belong,
ing to the Government. The stock of the
Bank (says the N. Y. Journal of Commerce)
has experienced a considerable rise within a
few day s past, occasioned by an increasing ex
pectation, or hope, that the proposed new char
ter will be granted.
The hill provides for the appropriation of the
bonus of two millions, to various works of In
ternal Improvement, in the State of PennsyL
nia.
The ship Kensington, at Philadelphia from
Liverpool, had a very valuable cargo on board.
Her freight bill is said to amount to jCI.TOO 1 .
A fracas (says the New York Mercantile
Advertiser of last Thursday) took place in front
of our office, between Mr. Webb, of the Courier
<s• Enquirer, and Mr. Bennett, of the Herald ,
We did not witness the engagement, but under
stand that Mr. Bennett was knocked down wJfn
a cane. He was assisted into this office, and
we found that he was wounded in the head
After remaining a moment, he walked away to
procure surgical aid.
NEW-YORK, JAN. 23 —Airicalof the Wil.
Ham Gibbons — Bursting; of her Boiler in the
Outer Harbor —6 Persons killed
It is with the deepest sorrow that we have to
state, that the steam packet William Gibbons,
Capt. Halsey, on coming up the lower bay of our
harbor yesterday morning, collapsed her steam
chimney, by which means the boiler exploded,
and six lives were lost and several persons bad
ly scalded.
Apprehensions have long been entertained
that some accident in the natural course of
events, would occur to the enterprising line of
steam packets which have been running with
such unprecedented success for two years, with
out the slightest interruption, scarcely to the
regular performance of their trips. It was fear,
ed that such misfortunes might happen at sea, \
where the consequences, especially in the mild- |
er season when the boats are crowded with i
passengers, and always a large number of ladies
and children, would indeed have been appaiing. •
Therefore, in the present affliction, which can r
be attributed to no carelessness or neglect, as
we learn, there is some consolation that it hap.
pened where it did, within the immediate reach 1
of prompt assistance, and that the destruction of
human life has been no greater. If it had been
out at sea, having as these boats do only one t
boiler, probably all would have perished. We
learn the engine is low pressure. All circum. I
stances considered, it is a miracle no disaster ‘
has hitherto interrupted the extraordinary proi *
perity which the proprietors of this Una have
met with It is averred that there were only 11
nine inches of steam on.
The explosion took place about 9A. M. near *
the Upoer M’ddfe. The steam rushed into the
fore cabin, where luckily there were but two 1
passengers. The remainder being on deck to
witness the approach to the land. ,£
Intelligence of the event was immediately
communicated by telegraph to the city, and the
owners of the Wm. Gibbons despatched the
steam boat Hercules to her assistance. Capt,
Halsey his boat for medical assis! J
tance. and in th«pTarrnw3 meeting the steam -
boat Citizen, toe ratter preceeded to the quaran- *■
tine ground, and procured Drs. Hitchcock and r ’
Harcourt, who proceeded forthwith to the un
fortunate boat. They arrived about 11 o’clock, ,j
and found the bodies ofthe following individual;: j
n which life was entirely extinct; Mr. Isaacs
1 ts
V