NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER.

NEW SERIES. No. 22-Vor.. I.] 1BAITIMORE, JAN. 24, 1818. [No. 22-VoL XIII. wHOLE No. 334.

THE PAST-THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HI. fILES, AT $5 PER ANNU3l, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.


SSQEIAEANNA'" BRIDGE AND iHAK COMPANY.-TheL
editor of the WEEKLY REGISTER has received a long
letter from a director of this institution, to which
he prepared a proper reply, intending to have
published both of them in this paper-but a dispo-
sition to "spare" an institution which has effected
such a splendid improvement as the bridge over
the Susquehannah river, has induced him to refrain
from it.
The law for establishing this corporation was
quoted for the sole purpose of fixing its date.'By an
"additional supplement" the powers of banking
were made co-existent with the business of building
the bridge. Influenced by the consideration just
stated, the editor hopes that the direct ors and stock-
holders will be content to let the matter rest where
it is. The solvency of the bank, and its ultimate
ability to meet its engagements, is, we believe, un-
doubted. But the facts stated in the RcEGISTRa of
the 27 ult. must not be invalidated.

"COMMONt SENSE."-WVedunesday's .urorVa has two
columns of remarks on the observations made in our
last paper respecting an article (which was quoted
entire) signed "Common Sense." As, in respect to
the chief things referred to, there is no difference
of opinion between that writer and myself, I can-
not discover any good as likely to result from a
continuance of the controversy, and shall decline
it; to this I am also induced by the denial of com-
mnon justice, which would have granted an insertion
to my articles precedent to any remarks upon them.

CoL. ASIElSOSr.-The imprudent conduct of col.
.lnderson has started several questions as to the
rights and privileges of the house of representa-
tives that yet seem unsettled, though the case that
originated the discussions respecting them has been
dismissed, without, perhaps, having satisfied either
party. The doctrine of contempt may easily be ex-
tended to a most dangerous length-yet the mem-
bers of the legislature must be protected from in-
sult. We shall make an effort to preserve the sub-
stance of the debate on those subjects, by inserting
Mr. Spencer's speech on one side, and some other
gentleman's on the other.
We would hope, from the facts stated, that col.
J/nderson meant only to expedite a settlement of
the claims with which he was charged. The tes-
timony in his behalf is interesting and affecting-
and the history of his sufferings and services can-
not be read with indifference by any. And, we
trust, that any resentment which may have been
excited.by his conduct towards Mr. Williams, which
was certainly improper, and properly resented and
exposed, will not be suffered to operate to the in-
jury of those wyho have confided their business to
his care.

PuBLnc oFrEibEs A.S CLERKS. Aln important pub.
lie service may be rendered if a thorough investi-
gation of the of;.en repeated insinuations of corrup-
tion in the public officers and clerks at Washington.
city, shall grow out of the late proceedings of
.congress on the subject. I have no personal know-
ledge that any such corruption exists; but charges
of it have been familiar to me for nearly twenty
'VOL. XIIT.- 23.


years past, and almost every body seems to believe
that it exists extensively there. If this, which I
take to be a general impression, is erroneous, the
people ought to be undeceived-if it is well found-
ed, the guilty should be exposed and punished.
Col. .Anderson's silly, or infamous, proposal to
Mir. Williams, was in the true spirit of what com-
mon fame has said was the best way to get an ac-
count settled at Washington; and lie seems to be
somewhat excusable on that account. I do not
know that it has been apprehended that money was
paid to pass accounts which were in themselves un-
just-but it was understood as having been paid to
to get them through promptly; and the necessity of
"currying favor" with some subordinate, I have
heard spoken of as a matter of course. The JI'"a*
tional Intelligencer, speaking on this matter, says-
"It appears, that rumors have been afloat in the
country of such practices: we can only say, the in-
formation is new to us-and we trust and believe
the enquiry will result in a conviction that nothing
of the sort has occurred, more blameable than the
receiving a compensation for labor done at hours
when the offices were not open, and when the time
and labor of the clerks employed in them are of
course their own property."
The time when the clerks are not employed in
the offices, is certainly their own, and they have a
right to dispose of it as they please-but the suspi.
cion is, that they purposely delay settlements of
certain accounts during office hours, for the employ-
ment of that time most advantageously.
I mention these things, not because I pretend to
know any thing about them, (for if I did I would
frankly state it at once)-but to give information
of what appears to me to be the public sentiment on
the subject; that, if it, is thought worthy of its
the enquiry may be directed so as to meet it-and
it is a great grievance that men of honorable minds,
as I know some of the clerks to be, should be lia-
ble to censures so humiliating and oppressive, even
if some few are really deserving of them.

RAVAL DEPOT IN THE CHESAPEAKE. We have been
furnished with a copy of a very able report, deli-
vered by Mr. Hughes to the corporation of the city,
entitled-"Annapolis considered us a suitable situation
for a greatnavaldepot, andarsenalfor marine stores."
Without violating the fundamental rules on which
the WEEKLY REGISTERi is conducted, we could not
have given place to the essay in the present sheet;
and indeed, at this season of the year we are al-
ways pressed for room to dispose of the public
current matter that immediately belongs to the
work: we shall, however, soon give an abstract of
this ingenious essay, if we do not insert it entire,.-
presuming that copies of it have been transmitted
to all w.io have influence in a consideration of the
inter .ting question, as to the location of a naval
depot in the Chesapeakie Hay. The editor does
not pretend to an acquaintance with the subject
treated of, but the arguments in favor of Jnnaipolia
seem irresistable, the whole facts being considered,
except on account of the bar at the mouth of the\
river, which it seems to be ascertained may be re.
moved so as to admit ships of the .' .' t elass, At
a very trifling expense.








U46 NILES' RE4jI-. I E k.(ANUA Va4, 18fS-AMELIA ISLAND.


NEwspAPEns.-We have, since our last, only re-
ceived a list of newspapers published in Vermont.
On the subject of our proposed list, the Aurora has
the following remarks:
"We would propose when the list is completed,
that Mr. Niles would commence an investigation
into the following particulars.
'How many of those newspapers are conducted
with judgment and capacity, such as should
characterise the free press of a free nation.
How many with an honest regard to republican
principles.
I-tow many of them are sufficiently well read in
the history of their own country, or in history
generally, to be qualified to-inform a people
to whom knowledge and virtue, are above all
things, most precious and necessary..
How many whose editors are competent to Write
with common sense on any subject.
*How many of them use the scissors to extract
other men's labor, and feed upon others men's
brains.
How many of them are really free and indepen-
dent of official power or influence.
How many of them exist by their baseness and
servility, to men in power, to faction, or to am-
bitious individuals.
How many of them are a disgrace to a free state
and a free press."
(0jNo doubt there are too "many" editors and
newspapers that would be seriously affected by a
just answer of several of those queries-and per-
haps, few of us would escape the suspicion, at least,
of being liable to discredit from one or another of
them-and we decline any attempt at such an "in-
vestigation"-those who read must each ore make
it for himself, and it is right and proper that he
should do so.

Virginia Armory.
Operations for the year ending VNov. 30, 1817.
Amount of materials on-haind-list of materials pur-
chased-cost of workmanship-contingencies-
repairs and improvements-officers' salaries, rent
of water from the canal, S95,618 02
By materials on hand and repairs of many
old muskets, pistols, and swords-mak-
ing 292 rifles at S17 50 and 4536 mus-
kets at 11 30, nearly, 95,618 02

A proposition was laid before the legislature to
sell or lease the factory, or to discontinue the ope-
rations of the establishment after October 1818.
The public arms on hand at the armory are as fol-
lows:
29,316 Muskets in order for service, composed of
newv arms, and of old arms which have been
repaired.
406 Old muskets newly stocked but not finished.
2,637 Old muskets in the very worst order, and of
.very inferior quality.
1,125 Rifles in order for service, composed of
new rifles, made at the armory, and by
contract, and of old rifles which have been
repaired.
108 Old.rifles out of repair.
811 Pistols in order for service.
3,993 Cavalry swords.
783 Artillery do.
243 Old cutlasses.
6 Pieces brass cannon, 24 pounders,
6 Iron ditto 12 do.
14 do do 4 do.


1 Brass 13 inch mortar, mounted.
1 do 16 inch do unmounted.
45 Tons cannon shot, assorted sizes, from 4
prs. to 32 prs.
3,700 lbs. Grape shot, for 32 pounders.
2,700 lbs. do do for 24 do.
1,250 lbs. do do for 12 do.
334 13 inch bomb shells, and 644 16 inch do.
297 Screw-drivers, 1,138 ball screen s.
295 Melting ladles, and 1 set wheels heavy can-
non.
1 Gin and sling for mounting cannon.


Trade of Boston.
Arrivals and clearances for the year 1817.

VESSELS VESSELS FRO.M AND FOR.
ARRIVED. CLEARED.

86 30 England.
23 22 France.
41 50 East-Indies and China.
305 256 West Indies and Spanish Maine
29 16 Russia and North of Europe.
13 29 Holland.
17 14 Brazils and South-America.
4 8 Africa.
14 5 Cape de Verds, Madeira, and
1 5 _Canaries.
187 184 British provinces in America.
39 50 Gibraltar and Mediterranean.
17 21 Spain and Portugal.

775 685
Total arrivals and clearances.
AIlRIVED. FEARED.
Foreign ports, 775 685
Coastwise, ". 1690 1994
The vessels that arrived and departed, in the
same time, laden with lumber, &c. which are not
required to enter or clear, are estimated at 2000-
making a grand total of 7103 arrivals and depar-
tures for that port in the year 1817.
The vessels that arrived from foreign porns were--
American 520
English 251
French 2
Danish 1
Swedish 1

775
(The facts stated above are derived from the
books of the "Merchants' Hall," at Boston. We
have thrown them into tabular form for more easy
use and reference.]
The "Palladium" gives the names of fifty-eight
ships and twenty.-two brigs, now absent from that
port, on voyages to India, China, North-West Coast
and South Seas.

Amelia Island.
DOCtUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE MESSAGE O0 THE PRE-
SIDENT TO CONGRESS, ON THE 12TH INSTANT.
Department of war, January 12th, 1818.
Srn-I have the honor to transmit copies of the
orders which have been given by the acting secre-
tary of war to major Bankhead, in relation to tak-
ing possession of Amelia Island, and copies of the
communications which have been made to this de-
partment by that officer, which embrace all the
information in my possession.








NILES' REGISTER--JANUARY 24, 1818-AMELIA ISLAND. 47


I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest re-
spect, your most obedient servant,
J. C. CALHOUN.
The President of the United States.

U. S. ship John Adams, off.dmielia, Dec. 22, 1817.
Sra-We have received orders from our govern-
ment to take possession of Amelia Island and to
occupy the post of Fernandina with a part of our
force, which will be moved over as soon as it will
be convenient for your troops to evacuate it.
To avoid unnecessary delay, we think proper at
this time to inform you, in the event of your acqui-
escence in this demand, that you will be at liberty
to depart with the forces underyour command, and
such property as belongs unquestionably to them
will be held sacred.
You are to leave the public property found by
gen. M'Gregor at Fernandina, in the same condition
it was taken, and the property of the inhabitants of
Amelia Island must be restored to them, where they
have been forcibly dispossessed of it, and no depre-
dations on private property from this period will
be permitted with impunity.
Should you, contrary to the expectations of tihe
president of the United States, refuse to give us
peaceable possession of the island,the consequences
of resistance must rest with you.
We have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
most obedient servants, 1. ). HENLEY,
Capt. in the navy and comd. in chief of the naval
forces of the U. S. off Amelia.
JAS. BANKHEAD,
Maj. 1st battalion artillery, comd. land forces.
Gen. Aury, commander in chief
of the forces at Fernandina.

Head-quarters, Fernandina, Island of Amelia,
Dec. 22d, 1817, and 8th of the Independence,
GENTLFrME1--I have had the honor to receive your
official letter ofthis day. The nature of its contents
requiring mature deliberation, 1 have submitted
the same to the representatives of therepublic, and,
as soon as I shall have obtained their opinion, it
shall be immediately sent toyou.
I can, however, state to you, gentlemen, that no
opposition will be made to surrender the island of
Amelia, on the part of this government.
I have the honor to remain, with consideration,
gentlemen, your obedient and humble servant,
AURY, commander in chief.
Com. J. D. Henley, and maj. Bankhead. Sc. &c.
on board the United States' ship John Adams.

[Here follows the letter from corn. Aury, inserted in
our last paper, page 339.]

U. S. ship John Adamda,
offAmelia Island, Dec. 23'd, 1817.
SIB-We have had the honor to receive your
communication of 22d inst. and will briefly remark
that, as officers in the service of the United States,
we are bound to obey the orders emanating from
the authorities of our government, ivithout any dis-
cussion or animadversion on our part as to the cor-
rectness of them. We have been ordered by the
president of the United States to take possession of
Amelia Island, and, as the president has expressed.
his solicitude that the effusion of blood may be
avoided, if possible, it must be gratifying to us to
be informed by you that no resistance will be made
to us.
We will again remark that private property will
be sacred, and that our orders extend only to the


public property captured by gen. McGregor at Fer-
nandina.
We propose to land a force to-day, and to hoist
the American flag. Under that flag no oppressive
or unjust measures will ever be witnessed, and we
feel assured that there will be no difficulties in the
arrangement made by us.
The squadron will immediately sail into the har-
bor, when the commanding officer of the land forces
will wait on the commander in chief to make the
necessary arrangements for the landing of the
troops.
We have the honor to be, very respectively, sir,
your most obedient servants, J. D. HENLEY,
Captain in the navy, and commander in chief
of the U. S. naval forces off Amelia.
JAMES BANKHEAD,
Major 1st battalion of artillery,
and commander of the land forces, &p,
Gen. Aury, commander in chief
of the forces at Fernandina.

Head-quarters, Fernandina, Island of Amelia,
Dec. 23d, 1817, and 8th of the independence.
I have had the honor to receive your letter of this
date. I am ready to surrender this place to the for-
ces underyour command, whenever you mayjudge
proper to come and take possession thereof.
I have .the honor to be, very respectfully, your
most obedient servant,
AURY, commander in chief.
J. D. Henley, esq. captain in the navy, &c.
.Tas. Bankhead, eoq. major slt bat. &c.

Department of war, 17th July, 1817.
Sii--,Circumstances having made it necessary to
occupy'without delay, Point Petre, and the St. Ma-
ry's river, by a military and naval force, I have to
request that you will instruct the officer whom, in
pursuance of the order issued through the adjutant
general, you may detail to take command at Point
Petre, to co-operate with the officer oommand-
ing the naval force on that station, in such mea-
sures as may be deemed necessary for the pre-
servation of the peace and tranquility of that sec-
tion of the country, which there is reason to appre.
hend may be disturbed in consequence of the con-
test between the Spanish royalists and patriots, for
the occupation of the adjacent territory. The offi-
cer will be instructed to use due vigilance to pre-.
.vent the violation of the revenue laws of the
United States, and in particular to prevent the
illicit introduction of slaves into the United States;
and in order to do this the more effectually, he will
prohibit all vessels freighted with slaves from en-
tering the river St. Mary's.
I have the honor to be, &c. GEO. GRAHAM.
The officer' commanding at Charleston, S. C.

Extract of a letter from George Graham, acting se-
cretary of uar, to major James Bankhead, Charles-
ton, S. C. dated jVov. 12th, 1817.
: "I am instructed by the president to direct you
to repair immediately to Point Petre, with the ef-
fective force under your command, leaving, only an
officer and a few men as a guard at forts Moultrie
and Johnson. Captain Wdison has been ordered to
repair with his company, now at fort Johnson, North
Carolina, to Point Petre, and a detachment of new
recruits, under the command of captain Hook, who
was on his route to join the 4:h infantry, has also
been ordered to that place. The troops enumerat-
ed above, and those now stationed at Point Petre,
will constitute a force of more than two hundred









348 NILESI REGISTER-JANUARY 24, iS---AMELIA-ISLAN)


men, of which you will take the command until thec Fernandina, .Amelia T.land, Dec. 24th 1817.
arrival of general Gaines. A remittance of five SIR-I have the honor to lay before you the cor-
thousand dollars has been made to your battalion respondence held with general Aury, the late
quartermaster, whom you will take with you: and commander of this place, and to inform you, that
you will make requisitions for the necessary supply the American flag was raised here yesterday after-
if provisions, on the contractor's agents. It will noon.
I-e advisable to take from Charleston a supply of Several days. will elapse before gen. A -ry can
salt meat, and a sufficient quantity of flour and withdraw his followers, but I have taken every
hard bread, to serve two hundred and fifty men for measure to ensure tranquility, by ordering all his
thirty days at least." black soldiers to be embarked on board one of the
-- ships lying in the port, and by not suffering any
Department of -war, .oAv. 12th, 1817. person to appear' in the town with arms, but his
Si n-It appearing to the satisfaction of the presi- officers; and the moment their vessels are prepar-
dent, that the persons who have lately taken posses- ed to receive the whole of them,, they shall depart.
sion of Amelia island have done it without the sane- Most of the inhabitants of this place, at this time,
tion of any of the Spanis.h colonies, or of any orga- are followers of Aury, and those persons who have
nized government whatever, and for purposes un- been drawn here from motives of speculation, who
friendly to, and incompatible with, the interests of are, I suspect, of that profligate character general-
,he United States, It. has decided to break tip that ly engaged in the violation or evasion of our reve-
establishment, and take temporary possession of nue laws. I shall, therefore, consult with commo-
Amelia island: for this purpose, the troops ordered dore Henley, and will enforce such regulations as
to assemble at Point Petre, will co-operate with may be most likely to preserve order, until I receive
the naval force which has been ordered to St Ma- orders from government.
ry's, under the command of captain Henly. Until this place is completely evacuated by this
It is the anxious wish of the president that this band of negroes and privateersmen, I have deemed
should be accomplished without the effusion of it prudent o keep the whole of my force here. On
blood; and he confidently hopes, that the force des- their departure I shall move all but one company to
tincd for'the.purpose will he of such an imposing Point Petre.
character, as to induce those persons who now I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
have the military occupation of the island, to aban- most obedient servant, JAMES BANKHEAD,
don it without the exercise of force; but it it should Major 1st battalion artillery, S. D
be found to be indispensably necessary, force must commandingdetachment U. S. troops.
be used. You will, therefore, immediately on the George Grahamn, esq. acting secretary of war.
arrival of captain Henley at St Mary's, and, in con-
junction with him, despatch an officer to demand Fernandina, dimelia Island, Dec. 27, 1817.
the abandonment of the island, by those who now Sin-I had the honor to forward to the war de-
exercise authority there, and take such other apartment, on the 24th inst, a copy of the correspon-
measures as may be deemed proper to obtain the deuce with gen. Aury, previous to the landing of the
peaceable possession of it; also for the preservation troops under my command; and I herewith send a
of %ihe property of llhose persons who were residents duplicate of the same.
of the island when it was first captured by general Some difficulty has arisen from a want of compe-
M'Gregbr. Should your demand for the evacua- tent authority, to settle the disputed claims of the
tion of Amelia be complied with, you will then residents of this place against the late government
occupy with a partof your force the position of and the followers of Aury, who do not seem dispos-
Fernandina, and take care that the cannon and ed to comply with their engagements.
other implementsof war which belongedtothe port One or two vessels have arrived here with car-
when captured by gen. M'Gregor, are not taken off. goes, which the owners are desirous to land, and it
If 1- .*.:-.,l'i possession of the island, however, might be improper to permit it without obtaining
cannot be obtained, and should it be the opinion security for the duties which the laws of the Unit-
of captain Heniey and yourself, that your joint for- ed States require; and other vessels loaded in this
ccs are not competent to the prompt and certain port have met with some delay in clearing for their
reduction of the naval and military forces which destination; but the counsel of gen Gaines, who ar-
may then occupy the harbor and post of Fernandi- rived here last night, will regulate my conduct,
na, you will, in that event, make a requisition on and will, in a great measure, relieve my anxiety.
general Floyd, or such other officer as may com- I have been obliged to exercise my authority, as
mand that division ofthe militia of Georgia in which commanding officer at this place, to preserve order;
Point Petre ,is situated, fbr a force not exceeding and I am happy to say, that nothing unpleasant has
five hundred men, to be held in readiness to march occurred. I cannot say when gen. Aury and his par-
at a moment's warning, and await the arrival of ty will sail. Their vessels are much out of order
general Gaines, who has been ordered to Point Pe- and their arrangements to that effect progress but
tre, for ulterior measures. slowly. The morning after I landed, I ordered all
You will take with you from Charleston the ne- the black and French troops to be embarked on
cessary military stores, and such heavy cannon as board some of their vessels; but the crews of their
may be required for the reduction of the fort on privateers, and many others of all nations, whom it
Amelia island, in the event of resistance, is difficult to restrainfrom violence and excess, are
As no answer has been received to the commu- still here.
nic.ti'on addressed to you from this department on Until I am honored with your instructions, Ihope
the 17th .iuly last, it becomes necessary that the that the course I may pursue may meet the appro-
receip ofthis should be acknowledged, and thatyou bation of the president.
also advise this department regularly of your move- Gen. Gaines leaves this for the western frontier
ments.' of Georgia the day after to morrow.
I have- the honor to be, &c. GEO. GRAHAM, I have the honor, &c. JAS. BANKHEAD,
.Mijoar .Jaes Bankichead, Maj. 1st bat. art. and command'g this post.
.; si nt:' at Cta!esftoS. C. C. To the tine, fte searetaor', of 7-lar







NILES' REGISTER-JANUARY 24, 1818--AMELIA-ISLAND. 349

,A'avy department, Jan. 13th, 1818. 168, lieutenant commandant R. M'Call, both of
SIR-1 have the honor to enclose, herewith, co- which vessels will act under your orders.
pies of orders to capt. John H. Elton, and commo- The object of the president of the United States
dore John 1)D. Henley, in relation to Amelia island: in ordering this naval force to the St. Mary's, is to
also a letter from the latter officer, communicating remove from Amelia island the persons who have
information 'of the surrender of that place to the lately taken possession thereof, and, as it is tinder-
military and naval force of the United States, to- stood and believed, without authority from the co-
gether with the correspondence which took place lonies, or any organized government whatever, and
on that occasion, to the great annoyance of the Unitedl States. It has
I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, therefore been determined that these persons shall
sir, your most obedient servant, be removed from that island, and that possession
B WV. CROWNINSHIELD. shall be taken for the present, by the land and naval
T'o the president of the United States. forces of the United States.
On your arrival at St. Mary's, you will consult
NVavy department, July 16, 1817. with the officer commanding the military force,
St -Proceed immediately with the United who is instructed to co-operate with you in the per-
States' brig Saranac under your command to the formance of this service.
river St. Mary's in Georgia, and inform the milita- It is hoped that these persons will withdraw with-
ry commander of your arrival, and of the objects out bloodshed; and you will, for this purpose,
specially designated to you in these orders, should your relative rank be superior to that of the
* The recent occupation of Amelia island by an commanding officer of the land forces, make known
officer in the service of the Spanish revolutionists, to the chief commanding in Amelia, the determi-
occasions just apprehensions, that from the vicini- nation of the government of the United States to
ty to the coast of Georgia, attempts will be made take possession of the island, and if the said chief,
to introduce slaves into the United States, contra- and the armed forces tinder his command, will
ry to the existing laws; and further attempts atil- peaceably quit the island, you will permit them so
licit trade in smuggling goods in violation of our i'e- to do, taking special care that no depredations be
venue laws. committed on the inhabitants, whom it will be your
You are hereby directed to detain and search eve- duty to protect from violation or injury, either in
ry vessel, under whatever flag, which may enter their persons or property.
the river St. Mary's or be found hovering upon Should the force, however, now in command of
the coast under suspicious circumstances, and seize the island, contrary to all expectations, resist and
every vessel freighted with slaves, or whose doubt- refuse absolutely to give up and abandon the same,
ful character and situation shall indicate an inten- you are, in co-operation with the military force of
tion of smuggling, the, United States, to proceed and take possession of
In the execution of these orders you will take the island, in the name and by the authority of the
special care not to interrupt or detain any vessels United States.
sailing with regular papers, and of a national cha- Should you fall in with, on your way to St. Mary's,
racter, upon a lawful voyage to or from a port or or find in Amelia, any vessels from the United
porcs of the United States. States, armed and equipped by American citizens,
The traffic in slaves is intended to be restrained, acting as privateers, contrary to the laws of the
and, in the performance of this duty, you will ex- United States, you will capture such, and send
'ercise your sound judgment in regard to all vessels them to Savannah, in Georgia, to be dealt with ac-
you may visit, cording to law.
Communicate frequently to this department, eve- You will detain all prizes, or other vessels, hav-
ry event connected with this service, and, if it ing slaves on board, as the presumption is strong
shall be found necessary, a further naval force will that they are intended to be smuggled into the Unit-
be sent, either to strengthen your command, or to ed States. You will report, from time to time, to
relieve you so as to pursue your original destination. this department, the operations of the force under
If you find it necessary upon your arrival at St Ma- your command.
ry's to employ a good pilot well acquainted with 1 am, very respectfully, &c.
the coast, rivers, and inlets, you are authorized to B. WV, CROWNINSHIIELD.
do so. Com. J. D. Hlenley.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. S. These orders are not to be delivered to
B. W. CROWNINSHIELD. any person.
Captain John If. Elton, commanding -
1. United States' brig Saranac, AJe-io York. V. S. ship John Adatms, J' Amelia, Dec. 24, 1817.
Sin-I have the honor to transmit a copy of the
NVavy department, .ov. 14, 1817. correspondence with general Aury, late comman-
Sin-Having been appointed to the command of der of this place, and to inform you that the Ame.
'the United States' ship John Adams, you are here- rican flag was yesterday hoisted at Fernandina, and
,by ordered, in conformity to the wishes of the pre- the Island of Amelia taken possession of by the land
sident of the United States, to proceed forthwith to forces under major Bankhead, of tile United State-,
'the port of St. Mary's, in Georgia, taking with you artillery.
the United States' brigs Enterprize "and Prome. The black troops of general Aury have been em-
theus, and the schooner Lynx. if the two latter have barked on board one of their ships lying in the port,
arrived in New York, and are in a state of readi- and the remainder of his followers will be sent od
ness to accompany you; but you will not procrasti- the Island, as soon as the necessary arrangemcnts
nate the departure of the ship John Adams on ac- can be made for the purpose. They are now engag-.
count of these vessels, as any of them not fully ed in watering their ships, and in the course of a
prepared to proceed with you shall be ordered to week I hope to see all of them over the bar.
join you as soon as practicable at St. Mary's, at Most of the respectable inlbitants ifthiis place
which place you will find the United States' brig retired on its capture by M'Gregor, and those now
Paranac. captain John H. Elton, and gun-boat No, here are principally adventurers who have been a;.







530 NILES' REGISTER-JANUARY 24, 1818-GALVEZTON AND AMELIA.


acted by motives of speculation, and, as I suspect Venezuela, and general in chief of the armies of
and have every reason to believe, been engaged in the two Floridas, commissioned by the supreme
the violation of our revenue laws, to prevent which directors of Mexico, South America," &c. &c.
in future, such precautions Will be taken as are "In the name of the independent governments of
within my power, and which will I presume be ade- South America, which I have the honor to repre-
quate to the purpose. sent, I thank you for this first proof of your ardor
This will be sent by an express to Darien, the and devotion to her cause, and I trust that, impel-
mail leaving this place but once a week. led by the same noble principles, you will soon be
I have the honor to be, &c. J. D. HENLEY. able to free the whole of the Floridas from tyranny
Hon,.B. W. Crowninshield, secretary of the navy. and oppression."

U. S s/.p J .ran ..danms, off Amelia, Dec. 30. 1817. Extract of a letter from gen. Aury to capt. J. D.
61in-Snce iny arrival here I have been so much Henley, commanding the United States naval
engaged that I have not had one moment to write forces off Amelia island and to major James Bank-
to my friends. You no doubt, however, have some head, commanding the United States military
idea of my situation; and from my official reports forces off the same place, dated at "Head-quar-
know that the American flag is now flying on Ame- ters, Fernandina, Island of Amelia, December
lia island. As there are many novel cases which 22nd, 1817."
must present themselves, I should have been better "Allow me, gentlemen, to observe to you, that
pleased had my instructions been full;but we are now from the moment we took Fernandina by the force
1cft to act as circumstances may require; and I am of our arms, we entered into full possession of all
fearfid that Aury anmd his followers will give us much the rights appertaining to our enemy, and that to
trouble before they quit the island. I am sorry to this day we have supported these rights at the risk
add that the Americans appear to be much worse of our lives and fortunes. The boundaries of the
than any others. Should we be able to get through Floridas and the United States, having been fairly
this business so as to meet the approbation of the settled by the treaty of friendship, limits, and na.
department, Ishall feel much gratified; but I trust vigation, on the twenty seventh of October, one
that should I err in any steps that I may take, it thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, leave us
will be considered by the president as an error of at a loss to ascertain your authority to interfere in
judgment; for I do assure youi that nothing would our internal concerns."
be so pleasing to me as to have my conduct here
approved by the executive. I have endeavored to The following, though not submitted to congress,
keep as close to the letter of my instructions as may be considered as belonging to the history of
possible, and have avoided every difficulty that I the establishments at Galvezton and Amelia.
possibly could. I regret very much the difficulty FRaImANDINA, Dec. 12.
of communicating with the government. We have From the commander in chief, to the honorable aesem-
only one mail per week, and that does not remain bly of representatives.
in St. Mary's long enough to enable us to answer GENTLEMEN-Some remarks having of late been
letters that we may receive by it. made in the United States, and the message of the
The situation of my ships you are no doubt ac- president tendingto create suspicions on the legali-
quainted with, as I have written several times to ty of the first establishment formed in the bay of
the secretary on that subject. I, however, do not Galvezton, province of Texas, anxious to remove
wish to leave this place until every thing is settled, any doubt that might exist in the mind of the pub.
and the government have established some kind of lic, relative to the authority under which I act-
police for the better government of this place, ed, and to prove that from its very commence-
which I am in hopes will take place ere long. I ment, all my cares were directed towards aiding
am fearful that Aury expects that the American and sustaining the cause of the independence
government will relinquish Amelia; which impr'es- of Mexico, and not to serve my private views or
sion will retard his departure. interest, or those of any other; I have now the ho-
I have the honor to be, &c. J. D. HENLEY. nor to lay before this honorable body, the original
Hion.B. W. Cro-wnishield, secretary of the navy. documents concerning the same, and beg leave to
state briefly the following facts, well known to all
"Extract from the capitulation of the Island ofAme- who were with me; some of whom are sitting in
lia," dated at ier.indiin, 29th June, 1817, and this assembly, who can correct me if I err.
signed by "Francisco Morales and Joseph de After the evacuation of Carthage, (S. A.) by the
Yribarren," attested by "Bernardo Segin" and few republicans, who preferred forcing their way
"approved" by "Gregor MacGregor." through the Spanish fleet, or perish sword in hand
"Brigadier General MacGregor, commander in rather than surrender to general Morillo; I pro-
chief of ,all the forces, both naval and military, des- ceeded with the squadron under my command to
tined to ITcet the independence of the Floridas, the island of St. Domingo to obtain provisions.-
and authorized by the constituted authorities of My brave followers seeing all hopes lost of render.
the republics of Mexico, BIuenos Ayres, New-Gre- ing any assistance to the cause of New-Grenada,
ntada, and Venezuela, offers to Don Francisco Mo- whose liberties were crushed in the fall of Cartha-
rales, Capitan del regimiento de Cuba, and comman- gena, now looked around whither to direct their
dant, civil and military, of the Island of Amelia, steps to offer their services, and to spill their blood
the following terms, &c: &c. in the cause of American independence and free-
dom. The patriots under generals Cadenas and
Extract from a proclamation of Gregor MacGregor, Gutierrez,who were at that time struggling for their
dated head-quarters, Amelia Island, June 30, rights in the province of Texas, attracted their at,
1817, and signed 'Gregor MacGregor," attested tention, and it was determined that we should pro-
by "Jos. Yribarren, secretary." ceed as soon as possible to the bay of Galvezton,
"PROCLAMATION. where we arrived with several prizes some time in
"Gregor MacGregor, Brigadier General of the July. I immediately wrote D. Manuel de Herrera,
armiess of the united provinces of New-Grenada and minister plenipotentiary of the republic of Mexico








ILES' REGISTER-JANUARY 24, 1818S-GALVEZTON AND AMELIA. 351

,to the United States, then at New-Orleans, who an- mence operations, I determined upon abandoning
swered me, and hailed my arrival as the means of this establishment, and seek a more convenient;
accelerating the execution of plans for establishing place to answer the views and purposes of my go-
forever the independence of Mexico. Mr. Herrera vernment, and give all the aid and assistance I was
shortly after arrived, and at a meeting of -heoffi able to the patriots. I took on board my vessel
cers, to whom lihe exhibited his credentials from the what troops and ammunition that could not be put
congress of Mexico, an act or convention was sign- on board the Cleopatra and Neptune, belonging to
ed on the 12th of September, 1816, and Galvezton gen. Mina, and conveyed them to Soto la Marina,
was declared and acknowledged Pueto llabillitado where his landing was effected, and, after seeing
of the republic of Mexico. I was appointed civil the disembarkment of all those arms, ammunitions,
and military governor, and instructions were left &c. proceeded again to Galvezton to take with me
me to be observed unless contrary orders weie given several vessels that I had left behind and repair to
by the congress itself, with whom I was to commu- Matagorda, which, as reported by officers sent for
nicate monthly or as often as I possibly could. Mr. the purpose of examining the harbor, was said to
Herrera, after having established the government, be far more advantageous than any other along
appointed a court of admiralty, named an adminis- this coast.
trator of public revenues, and collector of customs, On my arrival what was my astonishment to find
&c. &c.-and duly sworn all the officers, civil and the place very different from what I had been made
military, sailed in the armed schooner general Mo- to understand, for instead of 18 feet of water on
relos, captain Bougier, for Boquilla de Piedras, the bar, only 10 were found. Still considering that
from whence he was to proceed to meet congress, the present position might be advantageous, I re-
report his proceedings, and concert plans for fu- mained until experience taught that this point af-
ture operations. This vessel, a private armed one, forded no safety whatever as an entrepot, even
was lost in the service of the republic. In the be- in the finest season of the year, for a north wind
ginning of December, I despatched the private that blew a short time during the month of June
armed schooner, the Galvezton, captain Salain, with drove 4 vessels on the bar, and the people on board
,olonel Garcin on board, with instructions to lay the Champlain privateer were only saved by the
himself personally before the executive my trans- wind's shifting of a sudden, and driving these who
actions, and receive further instructions; also to had laid hold of parts of the wreck on the beach,
report the arrival of general Mina, with' several where ten days previous to our arrival, the canni.
vessels, arms, ammunition, troops, &c. &c. thedis- bals had massacred the crew of a vessel cast away
tressed situation' in which he was placed from want on the coast. Placed in this dilemma, having
of funds, and that I would continue to supply him scarcely 5 weeks of provision for those who were
with what he might require as long as at lied in my with me, the merchants in New Orleans refusing
power. This was effected, although at that time to furnish any upon the credit otf ie g..i.:rnir, w.
I had made considerable advances to the Mexican destitute of funds, even of my own,-:,.. hE,, n.o.
government. The Galvezton convoyed a schooner gen. M'Gregor was to come to Am.irnrl, I .eii-'.ir.
with arms and ammunition, which I sent over, hav- ed upon coming here, and in case he was not in
ing contracted in the name of the government for possession, to take Fernandina with the force under
the same, conformably to my instructions. These my command.
vessels found Boquilia de Piedras, and all the coast On the passage I touched at Galvezton to join
in possession of the royalists, thereby cutting off all other vessels that had sailed before re from Mtata-
communication between this new establishment and gorda, to whom I intimated my intentions of aban.
the other Mexican chiefs, with whom alone a cor- doing that establishment, giving them orders to
respondence could have been held, as the general follow the division to Amelia. I wrote in cose-
congress had been dissolved some time before by quence to com. Patterson at New Oirleas,, .nd to
general Teran, and the new one had not as yet met. the collector of the custom house, giving them
Captain Boguier with the existing part of his crew, timely notice, that any, transactions in Galvezton
arrived at Galvezton some time in January from after the 31st of July were I.IAurhiril.-..l by me.
Nautla, taken by the republicans under general On my arrival gen. M'Gregor had abandoned the
Victoria, and gave information of the loss of Bo- place attacked by the enemies, and the garrison
quills, where colonel Villapinto was killed at the harassed by fatigues, was on the point of evacua-
commencement of the action, which occasioned ting, if some arrangements could not be made or
his troops to disband, leaving captain Boguier any affectual measures taken. An agreement was
with his crew to defend a small battery. Overpow- entered into between the late governor Hubbard,
ered by numbers, wounded himself, his first officer col. Irwin and his officers, and myself, under the
killed, and thirty of his men either killed or express condition that the Mexican flag should
wounded, he was compelled to retreat to the head fly, being authorized to hoist the same as a chief of
quarters of general Victoria, who upon his safe the Mexican republic. This was effected.
arrival prepared an expedition against Nautla: that What could have been my motives in coming to
fell into his hands. Upon this, a vessel was imme. the Floridas? Those that always guided my con-
diately sent to inform general Victoria of the situa- duct as a superior officer in the Mexican service.
tion of things, of the number of troops I had united Unable to give any immediate assistance to the
together, &c. The place had once more fallen into .other rep-rhlirnu chief I came to assist gen.
the hands of the royalists, who took two men and M'I ..-:, I ., ,Il l... ing u,.. Floridas, thereby draw-
the captain, who had gone on shore in the boat.- ing the attention of our common enemy, and attack-
The vessel returned and gave ge.n. Mina and my- ing the tyrant in his other possessions; convinced,
self, the disagreeable certainty that all hopes were that the independence of the two Floridas once
lost of being able to communicate with the interior occurred, forces could be r.-'.. 1, which united
through this channel., with those of the other chiefs, might strike a de.
The bar of Galvezton, during our stay, having cisive blow to tyranny. My conduct since my arri-
proved extremely dangerous, and gen. Mina being val at Amelia is so well known to you all, gentle-
ready and desirous to effect his landing, in order men, that it requires no mention to be made of it.
to penetrate into the interior cf Mexico and com- I wll only asic wh.-Lher in any one single instance.








352 NILES' REGISTER-JANUARY 24, Si18--CONGRES8.

I have deviated from the principles which might pension fund, the state of the fund, list of pension..
insure liberty to our oppressed brethren, and give ers, &c.
succour to Mexican patriots, who in spite of re- Jan. 20. Mr. TTillianms, of Tenn. from the com-
peated disasters still rise with redoubled enthusi- mittee on military affairs to whom the subject had
asm in defence of their sacred rights, been referred, reported a bill directing the manner
I flatter myself, that in this narration of facts, of appointing Indian agents, and continuing the act
and by the documents I have presented,. I have for establishing trading houses with the Indian
proved beyond a doubt that the establishment of tribes; [providing that the superintendent of Indian
Galvezton was legally formed, and that all that trade, and agents and assistant agents for Indian
was doneby the existing authorities there, was not affairs, be hereafter appointed by nomination to the
for private motives or views as said, but for the wel- senate, and requiring of each of those officers bond
fare and aiding by every possible means the patri- with two securities in the sum of 10,000 dollars, for
ot cause. the faithful discharge of their respective duties.]-
I submit the whole to your wisdom, for you in The bill was passed to second reading.
your prudence to determine what is most appro- The following resolution submitted yesterday by
private to be done under existing circumstances. Mr. harbour, was taken up, and, after a fev expla-
I have the honor to remain, honorable gentlemen, natory remarks by the mover, and some observa.
AURY.. tions by Mr. Tait, appprobatory to the object of
the motion, it was agreed to without opposition:
Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be
CONGRESS. instructed to enquire into the expediency of esta-
SENATE. blishing naval depots in such numbers, and in such
.Tan, 14, 15. The chief thing done those two days, places, as may in their opinion be most advanta-
except executive business, was an agreement to geous to the United States.
the resolution offered by Mr. Wilson, on the 10th January 21.-Mr. Williams, of Ten. submitted the
inst. to instruct the committee on military affairs following resolution!
to enquire whether any, and if any, what further Resolved, That the president of the U. States be
provisions by law are necessary to secure to the requested to inform the senate in what manner the
heirs of soldiers who died, or who were killed, in troops in the service of the United States, now ope-
the service of their country, during the late war, rating against the Seminole tribe of Indians, have
the bounty in land to which they are equitably en- been subsisted, whether by contract or otherwise,
titled, and whether they have been furnished regularly
man. 19 A letter was laid before the senate, by with rations.
the president, from Madame Planton, proposing to The senate took up and concurred in the report
make sale to congress of an allegorical painting of the committee of pensions unfavorable to the
from her own pencil, representing the glory and petition of Ephraim Shaler, DeLa Fayette Wilcox,
triumph of the United States in the ratification of and Alphonso Wetmore, first lieutenants of the
the treaty of Ghent; which letter was referred to sixth regiment United States infantry, stating that,
the committee of commerce and manufactures, during tha late war, while engaged in action with
[Mad. Planton was born in Philadelphia, her paint- the enemy, they received several severe wounds,
ing is 11 feet by 7, and is spoken of as a splendid which occasioned to each the loss of an arm; that
performance, worthy of the native city of the cele- the loss and wounds subject them to daily pain
brated West.) and inconvenience, although the performance of
Mr Barbour submitted the following resolution, their duty as officers of the army has not been
Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be suspended on that account since their wounds
instructed to enquire into the expediency of estab- healed; and soliciting the aid of congress so far
lishing such naval depots, in such numbers and as to confer on them a compensation equal to their
such places, as may in their opinion be advantage- sufferings and expense by granting to them pensi-
ous to the United States. ons from the date of their several wounds.
Mr. .tfacon communicated to the senate the con- The report of the committee of commerce and
currency of the legislature of the state of North manufactures, unfavorable to the proposition of
Carolina, in the amendment proposed by the state Madame Planton, was taken up and agreed to.
of New Jersey, to the constitution of the United The president laid before the senate a letter from
States, to establish an uniform mode (by districts) Mr. Firk, of Vermont, resigning his seat in the se-
throughout the union, of electing electors of presi- nate, he having accepted an office from the execu-
dent and vice president of the United States. tive of the United States: when
The resolution for printing the journal of the On motion of Mr. Fromentin, it was
convention, was amended and ordered to a third Resolved, That the president of the senate be re-
reading. quested to notify the executive of the state of Ver-
Mr. Williams, of Ten. from the committee on mont ofsaid resignation.
military affairs, reported the bill from the house of The bill making provision for the surviving re-
representatives, to provide for the surviving officers evolutionary officers, &c. was further postponed to
and soldiers of the revolutionary army, with amend- this day week.
ments. HOUSE OF IREPrESENTATIVES.
[The principal and only material amendment [ We have appropriated a large space to detail the
proposed by the committee, limits the benefit of the proceedings on the case of col. John .2nderson, as well
act to such as served to the end of the war, on the i on account of any immediate interest they nmay have as
continental establishment.] to spread the whole facts before our readers, as a mat-
The bill to allow John Thompson interest on a ;. involving many questions of considerable import-
revolutionary claim heretofore granted:and paid to uance.]
him, was rejected. I Thursday, .Tan. 15.-The house resumed the con,
The president laid before the senate a letter from! sideration of the case of col. Anderson. The fol-
tbc secretary of the navy, transmitting the annual lowing resolutions, moved by Mr. Rhea, by way Of
,tateCrent of the dishbursemeri.s made from the navy' amendment, being yet under consideration.









N 1 L,' REG[STER-JANUARY 24, 1818-CONGRESS. 533

"Resolved. That this house possesseth competent power -.. 1-. P.l:rc, Peter, Pindall, Pih.;n. PI. .irT0, 'Rce,, Rhea, Richards,
nish for contempt of its authority-. .uggles, Sampson, Savage- 5-...; 1-,. uOiderr Sergeant, Settle,
Therefbre, Resolved, that th.. -.-.at at arms he directed to Se bert, Sherwood, Slecumb, S. Smith, Alex. E -i. i 5. ..iri,.
conduct John Anderson to the :.'- .:-1 i-j- house." Southard, Storrs, Strong, Strother, Stuatf. Til. .I .: c l. I'r, T. r.
M. Rhea, with a view to put his amendment in rell, Terry, Tompkins, Townsend, T, ,r % ... iyler. Upham,
a shape more acceptable to gentlemen, modifid Walker, N. C. Wallace, Wendover, Westerlo, Whiteside, Whitman,
a shape more acceptable to gentlemen, modified Williams, Con. Williams, K. C. Wilson, Pen.-i19.
his n1moion for amendment, so as to make the first So the housf refused to agree to ti. am r,.iement
resolution read as follows: proposed by Mr. Culbreth.
"f?,solved, That the house possesses adequate power to punish The question was then taken on the motion, that
for-eonteospts against it.
Mr. Pitkin assigned the reasons why he wished "John Anderson be forLthwith brought to the bar of
to avoid placing on the journal any thing affirming this house," and decided in the affirmative,- by
the authority of the house on the one band, or deny- yeas and nays: 118 to 45.
ing it on the other: and, to escape the alternative Whereupon the sergeant at arms brought the
presented to the house by the proposed resolution prisoner to the bar, and the speaker propounded t6
and amendment, he moved to postpone indefinitely him the following interrogatories, to which he made
the consideration of the main question and the amend- the. replies thereto:
1mer. Do you acknowledge yourself to be John Anderson! Answer.
Thent proposed thereto. Yes.
After some questions to the chair, and explana- 2,. Did you write and deliver to Lewis Williams, a member of
tions therefrom, respecting the effect of such this house, the letter of which a copy has been furnished to you by
the clerh? AIns. I did.
postponement, that effect was pronounced from the 3. From whatpart ofthe city did you write the letter? Ans. T
chair to be, to place the question in the state in wrote it at Mr. Bestor's, where I hoard.
which it was when the motion of Mr. Spencer was 4. What is the amount of yor own claims, which you are at-
a,,, liquida ns? Abhat 9o00dollars.
first made; and, if this course were pursued, that t 1 ,r is the amount of those of others which you are solicit-
the house would be at full liberty to take any course ing? Ans. About 21,000 dollars.
in respectto ohn Andrson, wih in5. Have you any interest in the latter? Ans. None, of a peeu-
in respect to John Anderson, which in its opinion niary kind, but am influenced in their pursuits by motives of ela.
was within the scope of its constitutional powers. rity.
After explanatory remarks from various mem- 7. Had you any authority from the persons you represent to
make the offer contained in your letter? Ass. 1 have a general
bers, among whom were Messrs. Rich, Rhea, Tall- power of attorney to do for them as I would do for myself; but
made, Ballard, Smith and Culbreth.- had no instructions to make that or any other offer.
The questio-n was taken on the postponement, and in. Ae oi alain : ... ons now in i solicit-
ing the elaimsof others? ., .,, them. Ans. i ,, ,. there is
decided as follows: a Mr. Pomeroy, who is soliciting his own claim, and col. Watson,
For indefinite postponement 117 who is a general agent.
A against it 42 9. Have you made any other offer to any person. Ans. No.
10. Did you consult or advise :.1, l .,I I ,. beforeyoutwrote
The propositions before the house were indefinite- and delivered the letter? Ans. I ., rn..I .
ly postponed. 11. Who is the Mr. Hulbard you mention in the letter? Ans.
-po t o el r. ; ., --a ii. I beeame partially ... ;r, :l, ,, ;,- ,-
Whereupon Mr. Tallmadge offered the following ...,,. ,, ,o -. Raise in I ha .. i I. 1 ..
resolu ion for consideration. till I arrived in this city at the pries, r I ... ....I .
"Resolved, That John Anderson, be forthwith brought to the did not recognize lim) utitil lie made I..-,, I .... ,,
bar of this house." 12. Has le any claims to solicit? A, 7..T, .,, i.r .i1 ,
Mr. Rich proposed to amend the resolution by js t tiayou ;, -... .,... .1- ... i,.., I... .,.
adding thereto the following: :,... ; now ready .. ,,.
"And that he have an opportunity of offering to the house any I -,r prisoner .1- ir I.. i.r i nn called upon his wit-
explanation of his alleged offence, which lie mayo think proper, nesses, viz. gen. IHarrison, col. Johlson, members of
This motion Mr. Rzch supported by observations the hotse; Mt'. R. J. ;l!egs, post ma'tsr guntral.
regardingthe general question, in which lhe opposed capt. Gray; Mr. Cyrus Hlulbard; capt. Laerabee;
the expediency of proceeding further than he had col. Jos. atso; Mr. John I Piatt; apt. S. D
suggested in Ule present ease.chro n; Mr er.oy; lu a; t al
After a few observations fiom Mr. Sergeant, how- Ric ardsonu Mr. omerrol; lieut. Con y; whIo, all
ever, Mr. Rich withdrew his proposition, being previously sworn, delivered in h ,
Mr. Rich subsequently moved to insert an amend- ny.he testimony was uniform, as far as
The testimony was uniform, as far as i.ee I:, r....
meant, denying the powe the r of the house to judge or ledge of tle witnesses extended, in giving the ac-
punish any individuals, its own members excepted, ledge
whpuniscih motion widias ngatived by a large majority, used a high character for probity, correct deport-
Mr. hich motion was negatived byto strike out large whorityle meant and patriotic conduct. It wa too diffuse for
of Mr. e then lution, andved t o strike out t ute bywhole publatin entire; that of colonel R. .. Johnon is
of Mpr .. .' resolution, asd to substitute by selected as a speciLmen of the general tenor of t,.
way of amendment the following:eece
"Whereas John Anderson is in custody for an offence which this evidence.
house does not possess the constitutional power to try, or right to Mr.; Jo/hnson, having been called on by the prl-
punish: "hierefbre, soner to give to tlhe house any infort-iation itn hit
"Resolved, That tihe said John Andersonshe discharged from the possession, touching his character and conduct,
custody of the sergeant at armss.' Jh Adro b c e d conduct,
And thie question was taken on the amendment testified to this effect: that his I... 1I--- he
* thus proposed, anrd decided as follows: character of col. John Anderson i .. -j- s. E
YEAS-Messrs. Allen, Mass. Anderson, Ken. Ball, Barbour, Va. much from personal intercourse as from the info--
Barber,;O. Bassett, Beecher, Bellinger, C'ruger, Culbreth, Edwards, nation of others; but, so far as his personal info0-
Erving, S. C. Forney, Fuller, Garnett, Hale, Hall, N. C. Herki-
mner, He...... ,i.,.,.... I s ..,,.. .s.. ... ;., ..... mation extended, was corroborated by it. W hen
Lawyer, -..,-. 1 ,'r..,.r.. 'u.- ,s I' i1 N-. ...... I,... i.... I .r- col. J. was on the north-western frontier, c-lonee
ter,Qual.. io ,h- Si.. ,lt ....i, .er, r, t i ble Anderson wasa a..-ii from Detroit, on the River
er. S. C. Walker, Ken. Williams, N. Y.-47. Raisin, as col. J. had understood,; and being wel
NAYS.-TM5essrs. Abbot, Adams, Alles, Vt. A Aderson, Pen. Aus- acquainted with the frontier of that part of the
'., i .. .l. ii .I .. I' '. i. ,,, .. ...i UUnited States, attached himself to the mounted
c..I.....: .. .i. i... c <.. ..... c .. .. iI, regiment. How long lie acted in thai t apacitv, M r.
s. 1.- -.-.i.1 I -' -... ..' 5 i. ." 'i J.- did not recollect. As far, said M r. .. as his cons-
bard, Hanter, Huntingdo, 1 ..... i. I .. r. ,..,.- '..,,. duct came within my own knoow'ledge, I considered
,Laie, W. Maclayv. W. P. Ma,, .... ,i,,... him a very gallant and a very br.ve mais. II rels-
Ss.n I. ..,. 1... Mrray i .. '. i.'ts, .s 5 e't- 'li *.' tiont to the information he had from other quarters,
bitt Ntw, O i.detn, r.. Or Owerair tleri was a general conses"t of opinion that, dlinp.







354 NILES' REGISTER-JANUARY 24, 1818-CONGRESS.


the war, col. Anderson had been considered not only Tolrmea also thought the manner of the enquiry was
a .-' 11 .t and patriotic man, but a man of integrity, too "loose." Mr. Strother held a similar opinion.
wto had made uncommon sacrifices, of nearly all The Speaker explained that he had put the ques-
his property, from his devotion to the cause of the tion at the request of a mrmhbr-he did not think
country. Mr. J. said he did also understand, from "rumor would be a fit ground to act upon, but it
several sources, that col. Anderson, at the risk of might develop a source from whence correct in-
his own life did, at the river Raison, rescue indivi- formation could be obtained." Mr. T.' M.V'elson
duals from the hands of the savages. Col. J. had pressed the house to proceed in the enquiry. Mr.
further understood, he said, that col. Anderson had Talbnadge was opposed to the course that things had
refused the command of a regiment, offered to him taken, but expressed his determination to submit a
by the British commander, when the enemy had motion for a regular enquiry into the subject. The
possession of that country; and col. Elliot, oa being Speaker called upon the house to decide whether it
pressed to repeat the offer, answered, that he knew would proceed to the enquiry or not. After some
the character of col. Anderson fully, and that he further remarks from Messrs. Strother and lolmes
knew he would as soon submit to have his head the house adjourned without a decision.]
chopped off as to accept of it. Of John Anderson, Friday, January 16. After some other proceed-
said, Mr. J. in relation to his conduct to me at the ings which shall be noticed below more particular-
last session and at this, I can say, without prejudice ly, a resolution was adopted to appoint a commit-
to the merits of others, I have never known an in- tee to enquire whether any of the clerks or other
dividual, whose losses were so great, and who knew persons in the offices of government have conduct-
I was disposed to advocate his claims, to take up ed themselves improperly or corruptly in the
so little of my time, and to be as modest in urging discharge of their duties.
his claims. All these circumstances together had Case of col. .inderson.
gi;, cn .) Mr. J. a high idea of the integrity, of the John Anderson was then remanded to the bar of
giil ,,,I i., and ofthe patriotism of col Anderson. the house, and proceeded in the fitrther examine.
Other facts than those above mentioned wbre es- tion of his witnesses.
tablished by ample testimony, descriptive of the General P. B. Porter, Wm. O'JVeale, and W. P.
sufferings and steadfastness of John Anderson in the Rathbone, where then examined as witnesses in
cause of the country during the war, &c. behalf of the accused, whose testimony was to the
In the course of the examinations of witnesses in same effect as that given yesterday.
the sitting of this day, in the case of col. Anderson, Mr. Williams, of North Carolina, was then call-
hi. fit.i.i;r,.: "., i,T, arose: ed upon by the accused, who put to him this ques-
A.,.. r, II a ,,., ,.:.e of the witnesses, being cal- tion:
led a second time by the speaker, was questioned Question-Did I ever directly or indirectly, by any verbal conr
ann. answered as follows: munication, offer you any reward or inducement, to influence your
an" answered as follows: pi',.. t avorof my claims or any other claims?
aes~tion-I thought I understood you to say that you had -.:.me- ._. ..,, -. ,. never made me any verbal oler of the kind?
eli.. .. ,, d,. r ..*..,*-,,,,r,,-iiT ,...ji .lr Col. Anderson-That is all I wished the house to know from your
-, ..-N I ,. i'., the settlement of claims, for testimony.
.... I. .... I., [. I ......l ,) '. ..0.. i, -. i 1....ty, where I re. lMlr. Wiltims-I presume, if you had made me any such offer, the
Ii. ... 7 r... i I I 'ri .. l'3 house would have known it, without yourasking it.
i. ,,. .... .... .. .i.., I,.:. ., cases whatever, Mr. Wilson, of Pennsylvania, being also called up-
S .. .... ., ,. ... .. ...... .. -..extra services? on, testified that col. A. had disclaimed, on finding
I,, .. ... I.,. n- a,,,veredfrom per- the letter had offended Mr. Williams, any intention
..', '...,,: I ..... '" .. owledge of any such eoa- of offering the money to him with any other view
". n^ ........ ., .1.,, ,,..n. of such practices, and if than as a compensation for extra trouble.
Sh' ear sh thi '" intimated. On further questions by the speaker to John An-
Q. By whom and as to whom? person, it appears that the accused is a native of
A. I have heard it intimated that clerks in some of the public Scotland, came to this country at three years old,
ofiiees we&. i.r .i. I., i. ..r -ai ... i.6 business as agents, and of and is a naturalized citizen.
0. specify, if you can, who gave you the information, and what The speaker then said he had been instructed to
claks were named. propound to the prisoner the following interrogate.
ifrmation tt s o r me a etter ry, to which cob Anderson made the reply subjoin.
a person of the name of Samuel How, who resides near PresquisleI ry, to which col Anderson made the reply subjoin.
who said he had engaged to pay a particular clerk five dollars for ed.
obtaininig a land warrant for him. Qoestion-Iln writing the letter to Lewis Will;am~- a miribvr rX
Q. Do yot recollect the name of the clerk? of this house, from North-Carolina, in which 1 ,,i. .,T. r ,. iL.:, he
A, \. i ..,n, E rly ..i. ...L. ijrepeat: but the letter is at thedis- sum of five hundred dollars, for services to lie performed by him
posal ..1 t,.. iin.., ,t r :1.n .. to call for it. I have an impres- in relation to claims for losses sustained. during the late war, had
aion as to the name, but not so clear and distinct as to give it in you or had you not any intention to induce hri to support your
evidence. .claims against his own convictions of their justice, or to interfere
rBy the SIpeaker.- Bring the letter with you to the house to-mor. witli the discharge of his legislative duties, or to offerany contempt
row. to the dignity of the house of representatives?
' The witness then retired, but was again called Answer-No, sir; I call God to witness to that, which is the most
and interrogated, sacred appeal I can make. I repeatedly assured him, that the offer
The Speke .-s that le instance you have referred to, the was made without any wish to influence his opinions in any degree.
onl onein yestahnvee youer r The accused was then questioned whether he had
lWinese.--I would state to the house, that 1 am very willing to other witnesses to examine: he replied in the nega-
afford it all the information iln my power to afford, which it may tive. The Speaker then called upon him for the
rY.quire. But I cannot butstate,that 1 fecla delicacy in mention. h er t c u h fr t
i,. n.. It... .h. it, 1, been reported to act as agents defence which he had intimated it was his intention
1 i .... ,. it. I .,11.,i t.- .uspected of improper motives to offer.
r-..-1,>, Br.,. r)eing under oath, if the house The prisoner, then addressing the chair, with
S ... i,,,, i ., .' ... your reply to the question. much earnestness, in a brief marnn r, st, ed 'bit thc
r. ,. -I ,..... ,. i. i,.., ..i at is now my duty.- same palliations of the offence % ith whic i- e -.,:. .
L. ; I.. 1 ... r that I have beard, charged, as are explained more at large in the fol-
..... 1 1.... r .r, .. the arid bounty office, there lopwing address, which he concluded by delivering
Wre-, to the clerk, by whom it was read:
Thus far had the witness proceeded, when he "Arraigned at the bar of the highest tribunal of the nation, for
was interrupted, an alleged infringement of its privileges, an attack upon its dig-
[By ",!r. Cobb, who doubted the propriety of such nity,aid tie honorable feelings of one of its embers, to express tia
hears evidence beg given to the house Mr. mmier regret I experience. and to apologize foy an the error I have
:'hearsay" evidence being given to the house. Mr. eurnitfed, oughtnottos uflite. To that eody and to myself, low6









NILES' REGISTER-JANUARY 24, 1818-CONGORESS. 55

an explanationof the motives which governedmy conduct. That deliberate on the course now proper to be pursued.
I have beenfoundin the rauks of our country's defenders,is known offered for nideratn motin
to may; that I have sustained a character, nblmisd by any Mr. Forsyt offered for consideration a motion
net which should crimson my withered cheeks, has been amply in substance like that which was i.li. iratelv ,.l.p-
prs -o c. i., 1,) 1- -. 11. whose good opinions are the greatest boon ed, but which proposed Wednesday next as the day
,.I r., nL 'I h .,,.r.aement of the late warfound meenvirot"ed oposed d t
by all the colforts of life; blessed with a sufficiency of property to Ol which John Anderson should be brought to the
enable me to wipe from theface of distress the falling tear, and to bar.
flatter my-self that want was not to salute me before the return of variety of p
ieace. hefallacy of my hopes have been too clearly demonstrated A ariety of propositions, suggestions, and re-
by the ravages of the war on the borders of Raisin, (my residence) marks, were made on this occasion, which it would
and the destruction of all the property which my industry had be difficult, if it were important, accurately to re-
amassed. After having seen the streets of Frenchtown overgrown
with grass; sighed unavailingly over the ashes of my own and my port.
neighbors' houses, and witnessed their necessities; reduced to sus-, One motion on which the yeas and nays were
sain life by means of wild animals, (muskrats) whose very smell is taken, is worthy of particular notice. It was made
repulsve to the stomach; I gladly hailed the beneficence of my P .inda ..ea
government in the enactment of the law, usually called the pro- by Mr. Poindexter, to strike out that passage, which
perty act, and. in the month of January, 1817,1 took leave of my charged John Anderson of being guilty of a con-
friends and Jl-.- t. and repaired to this city tt tanage temp .. i.. .le
terlaims on my arral, I found tatthe w h th empty against the rivileges ofthe house, the words
expected relief had been suspended, and I was forced to return "the privileges of," thus denying the house to have
with this unwelcome information; tears of disappointment suffused any privileges not conferred on them by the consti-
the cosuntena ces of every one-my heart sympathised with theirs, n f. re tm. o c _
and I then determined to prosecute their claimsto a result. With tutlon.-This motion was negatived, 108 to 54.
this view, I had been in this city more than a month; over-anxious The will of the house was ultimately con.,umnma.
to accomplish my object, exalted with te cess which sess w had at- tel by the passage of a resolution in the lowing
tended some of tie claims, and convinced that the committee of ye o a solution ine following
claims was overwhelmed with business, my inexperience in refer- Words:
ence to legislative proceedings induced me to suppose that, to in- Resolved, That John Anderson has been guilty ofa contempt and
sure despatch, I might without impropriety approach the chair- a violation of the privileges of the house, and that lie le brought
main of that committee with a proposal to compensate him for "ex- to the bar of tile house this day, and be there rtprimauded by the
tra trouble." That I have erred, grossly erred, I am convinced, speaker for the outrage he has committed, and then discharged
and my only consolation is, that error is no crime, when it is of Irom the custody of the sergeant at arms,
the head not of the heart. Had I .. v;rt. .,,... ...il. Whereupon John Anderson was brought to the
consulted ite views of others, I s*., I. 1 i...'i .: i.,, i... i l., ba ., a a
self in the disagreeable dilemma that I am. I should have. nted bar of the house, and addressed by the speaker as
snore consistent with myself: Whateversemblance my request of follows:
secrecy may assume, I can with truth aver that its basis in moy An s a ir t
mind was a desire that those for whom I act should have to ac- .John Anderson: You have been brought before
knowledge their increased gratitude for the promptitude with tills house upon a charge of having committed a
which their claims should have been acted upon. breach of its privileges in attempting to bribe one
It cannot be denied, that, after being assuredtliat my own claims of a h
would be allowed, I had less cause to think of obtaining by court of ts members filling a high and responsible situa-
raption the paymentof claims which I almost knew the justice of tion. The house has patiently heard you in your
congress could not refuse in the sequl--despatcl, thewa all I defence, and, in proportion to the pleasure which
wisled for, all I could gait; and I think that the world and ti cis
honorsabl.- body, will admitrl.r' ilf-b....' ., i.. relief would he it has derived from the concurrent testimonies in
n proportion to the time 1.-...i, IoII l.p.. ,.I affording it; at support of your character and good conduct here-
least, that in tiss view it would he appreciated by those who have
yet esin their recollection tlt a lsbd, a e a t ofre, is its de regret that you have deliberate-
child, a brother, or sister, was tomahawked, shot, or burnt alive ly attempted to contmmit a crime so entirely incom-
by the savage eneniy, their hearts inhumanly torn from their bo- patible with the high standing you have here tofore
dies, and whilst yet smoking with, the vitalheat, were triumphant-
ly exhibited to their weeping eyes. Letithe recollected that they mainttained. You have the less apology for the atb
have witnessed, whilst wandering without shelter, and almost un- tempt wlich you made, because you had yourself
I* ...i i t rt...i ii,, ene dead bodiemalsegedly o the ra experienced the justice of this house but a few
for a leg or an arm. Lest this picture may be supposed to be ex- days before, by the passage of two bills in your
aggerated, I annex the correspondence ,,..l. i.ik place between favor, founded on petitions presented to the house.
the hon. A. B. Woodward and general P.....r.., in the year 1813,
and shortly after the event occurred. Letitbe known that most, Your attempt to corrupt the fountain of legislation,
if not all, the articles they could collect from the ruins of their to undermine the integrity of a branch of the nati-
Ihouses, were generously, most generously, oapipropiriated ie. 0au p
purchase of prisoners of war. for the purpose of screening t,.- I legislature, is a crime of so deep a dye that
Ciom. the bloody tomahawk; that these purchases were made un- even you must acknowledge and be sensible of it.
der such circumstances as not to entitle them to reimbursement And if, John Anderson, you could have been suc-
nnder thIe "act relating to the ransms of Amserican captives otf the
late war;" and let it also be known that soi, are tie sufferers, cessful in such an attempt; if it were possible that
such the merits of the claimants I represent-and I feel confident representatives of the people could have been
that the clouds of indignation which, tbr a moment, threatened to 'found so lost to their duty as to accept your offer,
hburst over my f'osty head, will be dispelled 1s, the benign iu-nl.
ence of philanthropy-an influence which hias ever, and I trust ever you must yourself see the dreadful consequence of
will characterise my conduct. such a deplorable state of things: la your turn you
That I should le anxious to afford a prompt solace to tie suf. might all a victim: -br your right, your liberty,
feriugs of msy lfellow-citizens, will not be wondered at, when it is might fall a victim: foi your rights, your liberty,
known that they extended every kindness and protection to my fa- and your property, might in the end equally suffer
mily, (from whom I was separated during mostof the war) aud at with those of others. The house has seen with
a time when the Indians were accustomed to dance betbre the
door of my house, calling upon my wife to come out and select pleasure, that, at a very early period after making
her husband's scalpl. your base offer, you disclaimed, with symptoms of
lIhi 1*tpo the maxim, that "to err is human, to forgivedt apparent repentst
., I tthl tt ,ntyfself upon te tindulgence of this honorable bo- ace and contrition, any intention
dy, anid the magnanimity of tie honorable gentleman whose feel- to corrupt the integrity of a member; and, in direct-
ings I have had the misfortuneto wound. Ifomy services form no ing me to pronounce your discharge, the house in-
chani to indulgence, perhaps mysufferin'gsand s ho anytiy dug the hope that,ton your return o me, yo
may. I stand here prepared to meet all the consequences of an dulges the hope that, on your reurn home, yo
error committed without any sinister intention. will be more fully convinced of the magnitude of
In coenlusion, I must he permitted to remark that, during a your offence, and by the fitture tenor of your life
confinement, frum which I have forborne to adopt any legal tea- yu oence, ain y t- e tu tenor o you lfe
sores to extricate myself; the only|feliugs of pain which have hadt endeavor to obliterate, as far as it may be possible,
access to my breast, were those produced by the knowledge that an the stain your conduct on this occasion has impres-
Stn5;r.5 r .. p~, ,:1i t tt, g n the misfterutes of toy sed oe n the high and honorable character you ap-
.. a ,at,..ci, I it-1 b,,,,,.-,,t '5p) their claims at a very reduced oou
price. Li trs h,.,,rrl. t,1, -vould permit, I would, under the pear to have previously sustained. You are dis-
aolemnist w u.o s. 11 i,--.,-i God to bear testimony this charged from the custody of the sergeant at arms."
opinan. 1818.is Was Oerettpon John John Anderson was discharged
'I Ie prisi. r, being asked if hlie had any thing fiom custody:
uLIrther 1to s, and answering in the negative, was And the house adjourned to Monday.
. ~ien Ir.-ii, tt- bar: and the house proc-edo.d to







NILES, REGISTER-JANUARY 24, 1818-CONGRESS.


Other proceedings on Friday.
The following message received from the presi-
dent of the United States, was read, as follows, viz.
To the senate and house of representatives of the
United S;ates.
The claims of the representatives of Caron de
Beaumarchais, having been recommended to the
favorable .consideration of the legislature by my
predecessor, in his message to congress of the 31st
of January last; and concurring in the sentiments
therein expressed, now transmit copies of a repre-
sentation relative to it, received by the secretary of
state from the minister of Prance, and of correspon-
dence on the subject between the minister of the
TJnited States at Paris and the duke of Richelieu,
enclosed with that representation.
JAMES MONROE.
Wilshington, January 12, 1318.
This message, together with the petitions of J.
A. Chevallie, attorney for the heirs of Caron de
'Pe'nmarhi'', and the documents u.1 file in the
..:l.rki' .-i-.:, relating thereto, were referred to the
committee of ways and means.
The public offices.
The speaker laid before the house the following
letter which he had received from Joseph Watson,
the witness who was yesterday interrogated on the
subject referred to in the letter:
TVashingtson 16th -Tan. 1818.
Sna-I comply with the injunction of the house,
A;n pil.,;n" at its disposal the letter alluded to in the
answer given by me yesterday to a question which
.. a:, i-.sr.-.:ct:.1 ll, I...p..ld..d. Although the let-
.-.- 11 i J: t'. i .It', 3-.i. in reference to my-
self, I should observe that at the time the question
was answered, my impression was, that the letter
particularly mentioned that the person therein
named was attached to the office of the secretary
of war: that impression must have originated at
the time of reading the letter, from the similarity
of names.
I beg leave, sir, to avail myself of this opportuni
to explain the cause of my hesitating to answer
t'e question,above alluded to. I then consider it
as irrelevant to the subject about which I had
been sworn to testify, and hesitated for the purpose
of canvassing my right to refuse an answer, and the
expediency of subjecting myself to the implications
which would have been the concomitants of that
refusal.
Unwilling to be dragged before the eye of the
public, on a-question to which, advertingg to my
pursuits) so much delicacy is attached, I trust it
will r..,T J. -.. .1 : I" ,.n the high respect I entertain
for the honorable body over which you, sir, have
the honor to preside, that I would state that
.the information which I have been called upon to
afford, may be officially obtained from the treasu-
rer's warrant book, and the report of the secretary
of war, which was some time since called for by
the house. I will add, however, that, regardless of
the consequences, I shall endeavor to acquit myself
of any duty which the injunction of the honorable
house of representatives may require from from me.
1 cannot refrain to express my belief that there
aare clerks who transact '-,..: business, whose
small 1. 1 -' f.-.nt: cannot fail to pal-
Itate th i s', ....". *i' the course.
I have the honor, sir, to salute you with tlhe
h'igest sentiments of individual respect, and to be,
yours, &.c. JOS. WATSON.
[The letter enclosed states merely that he had
employed Mr. L. Edwards to procure certain claims
,b' him st ,0ve dollars each, &e.


The letter having been read-
Mr. Holmes, of Mass. offered for consideration
the following resolution:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to en-
quire whether any or what clerks, or other officers
in either of the departments or in any office at
the seat of the general government have conduct-
ed improperly in their official duties; and that the
committee have power to send for persons and
papers.
This motion gave rise to a'desultory debate of
considerable length, which the narrowness of our
limits compels us to omit-the question was at
length taken and agreed to by a large majority.
The house adjourned to Monday.
-Monday, January 19. On motion of Mr. Taylor,
Armistead, T. Mason had leave to withdraw his
petition, contesting the election of C. F. Mercer,
.a member of this house.
On motion of Mr. BIarrison, the committee on the
public lands were directed to enquire into the ex-
pediency of authorizing the state of Ohio to sell
thirty-five sections of land heretofore granted to
the said state for the support of the Sciota Salt
Works but which are no longer useful for that pur-
pose.
On motion of Mr. Hopkinson, it was
Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be
instructed to enquire what fees have been charged
and received by the district attorney of the south-
ern district of the state of New York, in prosecu-
tions brought by him against retailers of spirits, for
vending them without license; and, also, what fees
have been received and charged in the same cases,
by the other officers of the United States, ,in the
courts of the United States, in the said southern
district of the state of New York, and that the
said committee have power to send for persons and
papers.
The amendments of the senate to the bill fixing
the compensation of the senators, representatives,
and delegates in the congress of the United States,
were read and agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Low1ndes, the house having re-
solved itself into a committee of the whole on the
bill making appropriations for the support of the
military establishment for 1818: the several appro-
priations passed without opposition, except one
which provides for the appropriation of35,000 dol-
lars to compensate such brevet officers as may be
placed in service in such situations as to entitle
them to pay according to their brevet rank.
This provision Mr. Lowndes moved to strike out
of the bill.
Whereupon a debate arose on t .- ep.:.!.:;-:, of
,)r>i>inlI];i,,. this allowance. The d:bi. w ..1 f' so
.:....,.lrbit length, that even a brief sketch of it
would exceed our limits.
Those who supported the motion to strike out
this section, were Messrs. Lowndes, Clay, Sergeant,
Reed, of Md.; and those who opposed it were
Messrs. .erercer, Harrison, Ogle, Bald-win, and Smyth.
Mr.' Culbreth and Mr. Taylor also expressed their
views of it. ,
The motion was founded on the absence of any
necessity for employing brevet officers in situations,
entitling them to pay beyond that attached to their
lineal rank, and was supported on that and other
grounds. It was opposed on the ground that, as
the law now authorizes the employment and extra
pay of such officers when commanding separate
posts, &c. it contains a compact which the govern.
ment ought not to annul, between it and the officers







N ILE RP EG ATER--JANUARY 24, 1818-CONGRESS. S57,


and also on the ground, that, whilst the law exists, Wednesday, .Jan. 21.-The house took up for con-
the appropriations ought to be made accordingly. sideration an amendment to the rules of the house,
The motion to strike out this clause prevailed by proposed by Mr. Bassett, the object of which was
a large majority. to designate more distinctly the orders of the !,%.
The remainder of the bill having been gone and to make them peremptory (that is, the assig-
througth, the bill was reported to the house, and nation of particular business to particular days.)--
was ordered to be engrossed. A considerable conversation took place on the expe-
And the house adjourned, diency of the new rule proposed, which was ulti-
Tuesday .fan. 20. Mr. Sergeant, having obtained mately rejected.
leave, reported a bill to amend the act incorporat- The engrossed bills making appropriations for
ing the United Stales' .Bank, (authorizing the com- the military service, were read a third time, pass-
pany to dispense with the signatures of the presi- ed, and sent to the senate for concurrence.
dent and cashier of the principal bank, from all The remainder of the day was spent in committee
notes issued from the several branches, and autho- of the whole, Mr. Smith, of Maryland, in the chair,
rising the president and cashier of the branches to in debating the bill prescribing the effect of certain
sign ad countersign the bills issued from their judicial records.
respective ifllce:,, &c.) Mr. Pawling, Mr. Pindhll, and Mr. Storrs, deli-
Mr. IJurri.sn offered the following resolution for vered speeches of considerable length against the
consideration: bill, and Mr. Spencer replied, also at considerable
Resolved, That a committee be appointed jointly length.
with such committee as may be appointed by the The committee having risen, and the bill being
senate, to consider and report what measures it before the honse-
may be proper to adopt, to manifest the public re- Mr. Forsyth, to try the principle of the bill, which,
spent for the memory of general Thaddeus Koscius- having been so largely debated, must by this time
ko. formerly an officer in the service of the United be perfectly understood, moved to postpone the bill
States, and the uniform and distinguished friend of indefinitely.
liberty and the rights of man. The question on this motion was taken without
[Mr. Harrison introduced this motion by some debate, and decided in the affirmative by a large
feeling remarks on the subject of it, and by a majority.
view of the principal events ofgen.Kosciusko's life.] So the bill, after so much learning, labor, and
The speaker presented a letter from thesecreta ability displayed upon it, was finally'rejected.
ry of the treasury, transmitting, in obedience to a Thursday, .atn. 22. Mr. Johnson, oflVa. after an in-
resolution of the house of February, 1817, a report troductory explanation of his views, introduced a
on such measures as may be necessary for the more resolution, which, after being -1ni :'.' .,1l:, modi-
effectual execution of the laws for the collection of ftied, was agreed to, in the following words:
the duties on imports. "Resulved, That the committee on naval affairs
The speaker also presented the annual report be instructed to enquire whether any, and, if any,
from the navy department, of the state of the navy what alterations are proper to be made in the seve-
pension fund, the disbursements therefrom, a list of ral laws for the government of the navy."
the pensioners, &c. Connected with this motion, Mr. Johnson submit-
Also, from the same department a statement re- ted the following, which was also agreed to:
specting the condition and management of the navy "Resolved, That the .secretary of the navy be di-
hospital fund., reacted to report to this house the proceedings of a.
On motion of Mr. Bassett, the message qf the certain court, martial, ordered by commodore Isaac
president transmitting the claim of the representa- Chauncey, on the Mediterranean station, for the
tives of Caron de Beaumarchais, which had been trial of c.-ptain Oliver H. Perry; also the proceed-
referred to the committee of ways and means in the ings of a court martial, on the same station, ordered
first instance, and afterwards transferred to the by the same officer, for the trial of captain John
committee of claims, was now referred to a select Heath, of the marine corps."
committee. Mr. Harrison offered a resolution as a tribute of
In the conversation which took place respecting respect to tha memory of Kosciusko, which shall
the reference of this claim, one gentleman estimat- be noticed in our next, with all the proceedings on
ed its amount at four or five hundred thousand dol- the subject.
lars, and another at near a million. On motion of Mr. .Tohnsoni, of Ky. the house pro-
The house then resumed the consideration of needed to the consideration of the bill, now 1N ing
the report of yesterday's committee of the whole, on the table, for the commutation of soldiers'
on the :military appropriation bill for the year 1818. bounty lands, with the amendments proposed there.
The question to concur in the amendment which to.
strikes out the allowance of 35,000 dollars to defray After debate, a motion to postpone the subject
the expense of extra pay to brevet officers, who indefinitely was lost by the casting vote of li p .:-
hold separate commands of districts or posts, ac- er-77 being for and 77 against it. Some amend
cording to their brevet rank-gave rise to much de- ments were then offered to the bill.
bate, of considerable interest, and was at length
decided by yeas and nays. Messrs. Mercer, In-
ham, Hlarrison, Robertson and Palmer opposed the CiOngleSSional Reports.
amendment: and Messrs. Lowndes, Pitkin, John- PUBLIC ANnS.,
son of Ky. and Forsyth, supported it. Repot of the, committee on the public lands, on the sub-
On the question, the house agreed to concur with ject of --".* '. the price at which the lands of
-the committee in striking out the provision for the Un;it ... shall hereafter he sold.
brevet pay, by a vote of 130 to 30, being a very .s.NU v t 5, 1818.
decisive expression of the opinion of this house on The committee on the public lands, to whom 'as
the subject. referred a resolution, '.. :. ,.:'-,. '.... o inqture
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed and into the expediency :; 0, .- ,. price al:
read a third time. which the public lands. Eshall be scl Q .r al r






Si8 NILES RE(GtSTER-JANUARY 24, 1818-CONG RE..-


hLve had the same under consideration, and res-
pectfully report:
That the lands of the United States are carefully
surveyed and divided into sections of 640 acres,
quarter sections, and in certain cases of eighths of
sections; that they are advertised for, and set up at
public. sale, and disposed of to the highest bidder,
at any price above, two dollars per acre-if they
are not sold, they are returned to the register's
office, and may be entered for, in the office, at two
dollars per acre, with a credit, after the payment
of one fourth, of two, three, and four years; the
effects of this part of the system has been hereto-
fore, deemed beneficial, both to the public and to in-
dividuals. It is beneficial to individuals, because
the price is so moderate, that the poorest citizen
may place himself in the most useful and honora-
hle situation in.society, by becoming a cultivator
of:his own land: and the fixed value is so high,
connected with the abundance 'of our vacant terri-
tory, as to prevent individuals from purchasing
with a hope of advantage, unreasonably extensive
and'niumerous tracts, to be held for purposes of
speculation; that this is the case, that lands sold
by the United States, are not held by speculators,
may be fairly inferred by a consideration of the fol-
lowing facts:
Prom thie opening of the land offices in the north-
west territory, as it was then called, to the 30th
September, 1810, 3,167,829 acres of land were sold;
,;1" m,-,in', c.imp r.-I with the population in 1810,
i- 1. ih., r, ti.' of something less than 12 acres for
each individual; the free white inhabitants of Vir-
ginia in 1800, amounted to 518,674, the lands of the
state, valued in 1798, amounted to 40,458,644 acres;
this divided among the inhabitants, gives to each
indixil.,i d. tp'., arl nf 76 acres of land, but it will
not "..L: c..nric.l.. 1, tl'it the lands of Virginia are
held by speculators; and with much less truth can
it be so said of the lands northwest of the Ohio.
Again, to show by inference, that the public lands
are not disposed of at too low a price, the commit-
tee have thought proper to inquire into the estimat-
ed value of the lands in several of the states, and
they find, that in the year 1786, the lands of New
Hampshire, amounting to 3,749,061 acres, were
valued at 19,028,108 dollars, or B5 7 per acre.
I. pI. rr, I'..nr 11,959,865 acres were valued at
I' .',.. I ?. '-' '3- '. per acre.
I., Ml l,t'..I i. 144,272 acres were valued at
: I, 71 I' 04: .,'* 3 77 per acre.
I i\ .rni .-,,1.58,644 acres were valued at
.,,9 ', "., J,.lI r-, or $1 48 cents per acre; and
finally, in the sixteen states, at that time compos-
ing the United States, the land amounted to 163,
746,686 acres,valued at 479,293,263 dollars, or $2
92 cents per acre; now if the lands of the U. States,
settled and peopled as they were have been thus
valued, it may safely be concluded that the unin-
habited wilds of our forests are not disposed of at
too low a price.
Indeed the committee feel somewhat apprehen-
sive that the United States, so far from being ena-
bled to increase, will find themselves compelled
to lessen the price of the public lands, or to forego
the golden dreams they indulge in, of enormous
revenue to arise from their sale. It will be recol-
lected by the house, that heretofore, the public has
been the monopolist of land-that, notwithstanding
this advantage, not, more than eight or nine mil-
lions of acres have been disposed of, for a sum less
than 19,000,000 of dollars, and that too, during a
space of 18 or 20 years.
They will now take into consideration the fact,


that five or six millWons of acres have been given as
bounty to the soldiers of the late war, and now are
or soon will be the in marketto meet the demand
which the United States alone could heretofore sup-
ply. The committee will not obtrude upon the
house, the deductions or reflections which grow
out of this state of things, they content themselves
with the justification it affords of the resolution
which they respectfully submit:
Resolved, That it is inexpedient, at the present
time, to increase the price at which the public
lands are required to be sold.

WArloNSAL FLAG.
Report of the select committee, appointed on the 16th
ult. to enquire into the expediency of altering the
flag of the United States.
JAN AIr 6, 1818.
-.ccompanied with a bill to alter the flag of the United
States.'
The committee appointed to enquire into the expe-
diency of altering the flag of the United States,
beg leave to report:
That they have maturely, considered the subject
referred to them, and have adopted substantially,
the report of the committee,.to whom was referred
the same subject, at the last session of congress,
as forming a part of this report.
The committee are fully persuaded that the form
selected for the American flag, was truly emble-
matical of our origin, and existence as an indepen-
dent nation; and that as such, it having met the
approbation and received the support of the citi-
zens of the union, it ought to undergo no change
that would decrease its conspicuity, or tend to de-
prive it of its representative character; the com-
mittee however believe that an increase in .In. num
ber of the states in the union, since the flag was al-
tered by law, sufficiently indicates the propriety of
such a change in the arrangement of the flag as
shall best accord with the reasons that led to its
original adoption and sufficiently point to impor-
tant periods of our national history.
The original flag of the United States was com-
posed of thirteen stripes, and thirteen stars, and
was adopted by a resolution of the continental con-
gress on the 14th of June, 1777. On the 13th of
January 1794, after two new states had been admit-
ted into the union, the national utgi-.l'iire passed
an act, that the stripes and stars, should, on a day
fixed, be increased to fifteen each, to comport with
the then number of independent states. The ac-
cession of new states since that alteration, and the
certain'prospect that at no distant period the num-
ber of states will be considerably mulliplih,, ren-
der it in the opinion of the committee, highly inex-
pedient to increase the number of stripes, as every
flag must in some measure ba limited in its size,
from the circumstance of convenience to the place
on which it is to be displayed, while an increase
would necessarily decrease their magnitude and
render them proportionably less distinct to distant
observation. This consideration has induced many
to retain only the general form of the flag, while
there actually exists a great want of unif,,rmni't in
its adjustment, particularly hen used on small pri-
vate vessels.
The national flag being in general use, by vessels
of almost every description, it appears to the com-
mittee of considerable importance to adopt some
arrangement calculated to prevent, in future, great
or expensive alterations. Under these impressions
they are led to believe no alteration could be made
more emblematical of our origin, and present ex-









NILES' REGISTER-JANUARY 24, 1818-FOREIGN ARTICLES. S59

istence, ,as composed of a number of independent, 3. Congress having power to provide for govern-
and united states,'than to reduce the stripes in the ing the militia only when they are in the service of
flag to the original number of thirteen, to repre- the United States, and the authority of training
sent the number of states then contending for, and them belonging to the state governments, the corn-
happily achieving their independence, and to in- mittee have not deemed it proper that congress
crease the stars to correspond with the number of should prescribe the time to be devoted to training,
states now in the union: and hereafter to add one or the manner in which that object will be best
star to the flag, whenever a new state shall be fully effected. It is the duty of the state legislatures
admitted. to enact the necessary laws for that purpose. The
These slight alterations will, in the opinion of committee deem it a sufficient exercise of the pow-
the committee, meet the general approbation, as er to provide for disciplining the militia, to direct
well of those who may have regretted a former de the appointment of the necessary officers, to pre-
parture from the original, and such as are solicitous scribe their duties, and to provide a system of dis.
to see in it, a representation of every state in the cipline, comprehending the camp duties, ilns::'c-
union. tion, field exercise, and field service, for the militia.
The committee cannot believe that, in retaining 4. The committee are of opinion, that the regu-
only thirteen stripes, it necessarily follows, they lations for calling forth the militia may remain sub-
should be distinctly considered in reference to cer- stantially as at present existing: that the president
tain individual states, inasmuch as nearly all the should, in all cases, address his orders immediately
new states were a component part of and represent- to some officer of the militia, and not to the exe-
ed in, the original states-and inasmuch, also, as cutive of any state. The governor of a state is
the flag is intended to signify numbers, and not lo- not a militia officer, bound to execute the orders
cal and particular sections of the union-nor can of the president; he cannot be tried for disobedience
the committee view the proposed inconsiderable of orders, and punished by the sentence of a court
addition, to be made on the admission of a new martial.
state, in the lightof a departure from that perma- 5. In providing for governing the militia in the
nency of form which ought to characterise the flag service of the United States, it has appeared to
of the nation. your committee, that the senior class might be ex-
-- empted from being marched out of the state to
ARfIMING THE MILITIA, &c. which they may belong; that the junior class, com-
Report of the committee, on so much of the president's posed of ardent and vigorous men, the efficient force
message as relates to the militia., of the nation, should, when called into service, con-
JAxUARY 9, 1818. tinue therein some time after having acquired the
.Jccompanied -with a hill to provide for organizing, knowledge and habits of soldiers; that the officers
arming and disciplining the militia, cde. &c. should, by their own consent, be continued still
The committee to whom was referred so much of longer in service, as military knowledge, principles
the message of the president as relates to the and habits, are most essential to the officers, who
militia, have had that subject under considera- who are the souls of an army. It has also appeared
tion, and beg leave to report: to your committee, that those principles would be
rThat the constitution grants to congress the fol- best acquired by the officers of the militia, in serv-
lowing powers in relation to the militia, to wit: To ing with officers of the regular troops on courts
provide for organizing the militia; for arming them; martial, for the trial of offenders either of the
for disciplining them; for calling them into the ser- regular troops or militia.
vice of the United States; for governing them there- 6. The compensation to the militia for their ser-
in; and for compensating them for their services, vices, consisting of pay and allowance for clinic;,, .
which powers the committee have considered sepa- and of pensions in case of disability by wounds re-
rately ceived in the service, the committee would allo,.-
1 The committee are of opinion, that in organiz- to remain nearly as heretofore fixed by law.
ing the militia, it would be a great improvement to The committee acting according to the foregoing
divide them into two classes, with a view to train principles, report a bill to provide for organizn11,
diligently, and to provide to arm immediately, the arming, and disciplining the militia; for calling ihenm
young men and exempt the elderly men from that into the service of the United States; ftr- L.,. -r .
sacrifice 0o time which effective training would them therein; and for compensating l. .ai .: .
require-the organization of the militia might re. services,
main in all other respects nearly as heretofore estab-
lished.
2. The constitution having made it the duty of Foreign Articles.
congress to provide for arming the militia, this a of atel
power is not duly exercised by merely enacting that Summary of late news-London dates to the Sth of
the militia shall arm themselves. A law to that PDecember, inclusive.
effect, "unsanctioned by penalties, will be disregard- Parliament has been further proroguedto the 27th
ed, and if thus sanctioned, will be unjust, for it will of January. It is intimated that England has resolv-
operate as a capitation tax, which the opu-lent and ed to maintain a strict neutrality between Spaih
the needy will pay equally, and which will not be and her revolted colonies-a proclamation has been
borne by the states in the proportion fixed by the issued forbidding the service of British subjects in
constitution. The committee do not approve of the military force of either party-with an excep-
putting public arms into the hands of the militia, tiot in favor of those at present in Ferdinand's ser-
when not necessary. That mode would expose the vice, but they are not to act against the colonists.
arms to be lost and destroyed. They conceive that Austria is recruiting her army by a conscripuion-th e
congress should provide arsenals, from which the first chlss, those between twenty and twenty five
militia of every part of the United States could years of age, are to be drafted into the regiment of
draw ar.ms wheii necessary, which would be asuffi. the line. The Russian squadron, bound for Cadif:,
cient exercise of the power to provide for arming has arrived at Deal. A report prevails thltt i..ucieln
ha mi+-;. on arte hiai, esca ed Ni the Amnric'n i ',G n -


------------ p------- -------- --- ------------------ -.. i -- ....


a.1









60 NILES' REGISTER-JANUARY 24, 1818-CIIRONICLE.


samer, of eight guns, and was on his way for Boston.
The Prussian ambassador at Paris has very peremp-
torily demanded an explanation of a passage 'fi
Louis' speech, and of the reply of the deputies.-,
There is a report that the duke of York, being pre-
sumptive heir of the crown, will resign the command
of the army.
ErNGLIOn, &C.
The Boston Gazette has three and an half huge
columns, filled with a very small type, detailing the
ceremonies, &c. that took place at the funeral of
the princess Charlotte, and the "still-born male in-
fant!" The world will not come to an end because
that woman (though she may have been a good one)
and'her child are deposited.in the "narrow house,"
The English seem so much alarmed lest they
may not have a full blooded Guelph to ride them,
that there is some talk of legitimatizing the marri-
age of the duke of Sussex with lady Murray, struwn-
petized, by an act of.parliament, in 1794. Lady
Murray was honestly and fairly married to the duke
at Rome, and is said to have more virtue and intel-
ligence than belongs to the whole of the royal fa-
mily. It is said that she is a native American,
daughter of lord Dunmore, and,born in Virginia.
She has a son about 21 years of age and2 daughters,
nearly out of their teens.
Frequent meetings of the cabinet have caused
considerable fluctuations in the price of stocks.
The 3 per cent. consols fell from 84 to 80, on an
alarm of hostilities between Spain and Portugal;
but they had again nearly recovered their highest
price.
The season has been so fine in England that a se-
-.:.rc et..i of strawberries were said to be growing
on ti.. :-1,h Nov. in a certain garden at Prescott.
"SPANISa AMERICA."
We are compelled to express a belief that MOina
has been captured and executed, and his party de-
stroyed or dispersed. It is stated that he was put
to death' in the neighborhood of Mexico. The
town of Campeachy was illuminated on the news of
it. A letter, however, from Vera Cruz noticed in
the Aurora, dated November 11, states that he was
i,, 1,,.:iu, the communities in the very centre of
l : c ', ... .
We have several proclamations, &c. from Vene-
zuela. A proclamation by Bolivar, supreme chief,
dated ,lt A, ...-1 Oct. 17, announcing the dis-
covery.,I th. r,.,- ihc *., of Gen. Piar, and his exe-
cution-it would seem that his ambition and avarice
combined to cause him desert the banners of the
republic. 2. A despatch from the royal Col. Roque,
of :.i.. i>-:im.: .i of Navarre, announcing the defeat
of a detachment of the patriot forces at Hlogaza,
in which the whole of their infantry and 400 of
the cavalry perished"-that they lost 2 pieces of
artillery, and all their ammunition and stores, &c.
3. A letter from Angostura containing a favorable
account of the forces and proceedings of the patri-
ots, and stating that they would pacify all the pro-
vinces "before the end of the year." A supreme
council has been established at Angostura, and the
affairs of the republic appear to be well regulated
-an expedition of 1800 men, in 51 small vessels,
was about to sail from thence. 4. An address from
Gen. Bermudez to the people of Cumana, announc-
ing that his army is approaching to bring the "olive
of peace with the laurel of victory." An opinion
prevails that a decisive battle will speedily be
fought which may probably decide the fate of Ve-
nezuela, and stop the oceans of blood that have
flowed in that most unfortunate country. It is re-
ported that some troops were expected fr.,n Sp'ir'.


AMELIA.
It is stated that a Spanish officer had reached
F i-,n',.ii.a to ascertain whether the United States
had taken possession of the island as friends or ene.
mies; at the same time expressing his satisfaction
that the nest was broken up.
Com. .Jury has denounced a certain Wi/liaon P.
Jaoore as running away from Amelia with a certain
prize vessel, of about 70 tons, armed with 5 ., .,...
with an intention to commit depredations *-.,11, :
high seas-saying that he is unauthorised, and re.
questing that he may be brought to trial as a pirate.
It was expected that Aury, with his fleet, &c.
would leave Amelia about the 20th inst. Some of
the U. S. troops were embarking to join gen. Gaines
at fort Scott, for which place the general, as before
noticed, had departed.


CHRONICLE.
Ensntrroq. A gentleman at New York has fa-
vored the editor of the WEEKLY REGISTER, with the
following list of emigrants arriving at that port,
from the 1st of January to the 31st Dec. 1817, boti
inclusive, and assures us that its correctness may.
be relied upon.
England, Scotland and Wales, 3,131
Ireland, - - 1,703
France, - - 674
Germany and Holland, -' 252
Spain and Portugal, - 64
South America, - -. 40
West Indies, - - 464
British Possessions in North America 1,273
East Indies 15, Italy 14. - 29
Russia, Denmark and Sweden, 4

Total 7,634
Indian -roar.-Accbunts from our Southern fron-
tier, state that major Muhlenburg, who was ascend-
ing the Flint river with three vessels, having on
board a detachment of U. S. troops, provisions, &c.
was attacked 30 miles below Fort Scott by twelve
hundred Indians and negroes, on the 16th ultimo.
When the express left, which was on the the 18th,
the firing from both parties continued; at which
time major Muhlenburg had three men killed and
thirteen wounded; but there was not the least ap.
prehension of any the vessels being taken that were
under his command. The troops so defended them-
selves in the vessels, from the enemy, that they
were perfectly safe. No man was killed or wound-
ed except when in the act of warping or .: -. n,,
anchor. Capt. M'lntosh, who commanded a 1r
miles.from Fort Scott, with 40 men, was ,,, t 'k.-it
on the 15th ult. by between 2 and 300 indians.
Captain M. defeated them without losing a single
man, and has since been relieved. There had also
been a skirmish between the friendly and hostile
savages, in which the chief of the former was killed,
in consequence of which a number of the party un-.
der his command are said to have deserted and
joined the hostile indians.
We learn by a sick soldier who has just return-
ed home from the army, that the detachment of
militia from this state had reached Flint river and
commenced erecting the fortifications directed by
general Gaines. He also states, that the Indians
had sent deputies to sue forpeaceon the cond .ions
formerly reie-I by them, and that it was bel' ved
in camp, u r t...-:.'. i.- woqld cease without the
further effusion of blood. We have no late intelli-
gence from the regulars at fort Scott.
r .... .-. .: Journal, 6th inst'