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FEBRUARY, 1815.]

Pay of the Members.

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in the debate, arising in a degree from State | city, aided by a small body of regular troops; thus feelings, but not from any denial of the merits illustrating the patriotic defence of the country with of Colonel Harrison, except by the assertion brilliant achievement, and signalizing the Americans that there were persons in other States of equal by steady perseverance, incessant vigilance, patient merit, to whom, or to whose representatives, suffering, undaunted firmness, and in victory moderno compensation had been granted for their ation and clemency: And that the President of the military services, comparable to that now pro- be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and United States be requested to cause a gold medal to posed to be too generously bestowed on the rep- presented to Major General Jackson, in testimony of resentatives of Colonel Harrison, in preference the high sense entertained by Congress of events so to the satisfaction of other claimants for Revo- memorable and of services so eminent. lutionary services, whose claims were rigorously barred by the statute of limitations. On the other hand, the location of the land warrant granted by Virginia, was claimed as a right growing out of the cession by Virginia to the General Government, with a reservation of a certain tract of land (which had proved insufficient) for the satisfaction of her military land warrants.

The resolution was twice read, and referred to a Committee of the Whole.

TUESDAY, February 7.
Pay of the Members.

Mr. SHIPARD, of New York, submitted for consideration the following resolution:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of providing for the making a

The debate resulted in a disagreement to the resolution reported by the Committee of Pensions and Revolutionary Claims, and the adop-reasonable compensation to the members of both tion of the following in lieu of it:

"Resolved, That so much of the said petition as prays compensation for the extraordinary and valuable revolutionary services of the ancestors of the petitioners, be rejected; and, that so much thereof as prays that a law may pass authorizing them to locate, on the lands of the United States, a warrant lately issued to them by the State of Virginia, for the services aforesaid, is reasonable and ought to be granted."

This resolve having been reported to the House, they adjourned without coming to a decision thereon.

SATURDAY, February 4.
Amy Dardin.

Houses of Congress for travelling to and from Congress, and attendance thereon, respectively; that they report thereon by bill or otherwise; and that the committee embrace in such inquiry the present

session.

Mr. PEARSON inquired the object of this motion, and the grounds for it.

Mr. SHIPARD said he should have supposed his honorable friend understood his own interest sufficiently not to have required any explanation on this head. Congress having the right to regulate their own pay, in the same manner as the compensation of other officers of the Government, they ought to render to themselves that justice which they feel bound to do other officers of the Government. He need not, he said, tell the House that the pay now reThe bill for the relief of Amy Dardin, the ceived by the members was not half what its representative of David Dardin, deceased, pass-value was when that pay was fixed; more pared through a Committee of the Whole, was widely debated, and at last (for perhaps the twentieth time in one or other branch of the Legislature) ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. For the bill 69, against it 59.

MONDAY, February 6.
Battle of New Orleans.

Mr. TROUP, of Georgia, from the Committee on Military Affairs, made a report recommending the adoption of the following resolve:

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major General Jackson, and through him to the officers and men under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct, in defeating the enemy before the city of New Orleans, in successive battles fought on the 23d of December, 1814, and 1st and 8th of Januaay, 1815; in which a British veteran army, formidable in number as in discipline, commanded by renowned Generals, was thrice beaten and driven back with great loss, and in the battle of the 8th of January, with immense slaughter, by a militia force hastily collected to the defence of that

ticularly when it was considered that the paper with which the members were paid, was full twenty-five per cent. below par or the value of specie. His object was so to augment the pay of the members as to make it equal to six dollars of that medium in which members formerly received their pay.

Mr. RHEA, of Tennessee, said he did not conceive this the proper time to enter into the consideration of this subject. He thought gentlemen should let the nation get through the war before they increased their pay.

Mr. FARROW was opposed to the motion throughout, on principle, and denied the alleged depreciation of money, which he said was very gladly received in payment, in dealings of any sort, in the District.

He had no fastidious

Mr. SHIPARD, in support of his first observation, said, that it was as obvious that all our paper was depreciated, as that the Continental money was depreciated. delicacy about him, which would prevent him from doing justice to himself. If payment could be obtained in specie, it would be a good argument against the proposed motion; but it was

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notorious that for specie they must pay a discount of twenty-five per cent. on the paper which they received for their pay.

Mr. RHEA said that every member knew, when he was chosen, what compensation he was to expect, and had no right to complain of it. He required the yeas and nays, that he might at least record his vote against the motion. Mr. HALL, of Georgia, observed, if the object of the gentleman was, as he had avowed, to give to the members a compensation adequate to their services, he would recommend to him to depreciate their pay instead of increasing it, for he was confident the acts of Congress had depreciated as much as the paper of which the gentleman had spoken.

The question on the adoption of the motion was decided in the negative, by yeas and nays, as follows: For the motion 8, against it 99.

[Those who voted in the affirmative were Messrs. BOYD, DAVIS of Massachusetts, FISK of Vermont, GROSVENOR, HOPKINS of Kentucky, SHIPARD, STURGES, and THOMPSON.]

Public Buildings.

The House then, on motion of Mr. LEWIS, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the bill from the Senate making an appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars, for repairing or rebuilding the public buildings in the city of Washington. [The money is to be borrowed of banks or individuals within the District, at six per cent. interest, for rebuilding or repairing the Capitol, President's House, and public offices, on their present sites.]

A debate arose on this bill which occupied the remainder of the day's sitting.

The advocates of the main object of the bill were, Messrs. LEWIS, FISK of Vermont, RHEA of Tennessee, INGERSOLL, WRIGHT, GROSVENOR, DUVALL, BOWEN, MOKIM, SHIPARD, HAWKINS, and PEARSON; its opponents, Messrs. ALSTON, FARROW, and WEBSTER. Of those who advocated the bill, there were several (Messrs. INGERSOLL, GROSVENOR, DUVALL, and SHIPARD) who have been in favor of the removal of the Seat of Government; but, considering the question as settled by the votes in both Houses, desired now to see the city rebuilt and beautified.

The debate was not so much on the expediency of rebuilding or repairing the public buildings, as on the mode of doing it.

Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH moved to strike out from the bill the "President's House," so as to confine the repairs to the Capitol and public offices, with a view to leave the repair of the President's House to times of more leisure and tranquillity than the present, and also with a view to a future concentration of the public buildings.

This motion, after debate, was negatived by large majority.

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Mr. GROSVENOR then moved an amendment, the object of which was, to cause the public offices to be removed to the public grounds on Capitol Hill, near the Capitol. This motion, after debate, was agreed to, 66 to 56.

[FEBRUARY, 1815, The committee then rose and reported the amendments to the House; and the House forthwith adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, February 8.
The Reward of Valor.

Mr. TROUP, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported the following resolutions, the adoption of which is recommended by the said committee, viz:

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and be is hereby, requested to cause a monument to be erected at a suitable place, and with a suitable inscription, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the military virtues of the late Brigadier General Pike, who, gallantly leading a column to the attack of York, in Upper Canada, fell, in the arms of victory, on the 27th April, 1812, terminating gloriously a life devoted to his country, and leaving Behind him an honorable example of enterprise, perseverance, and contempt of death, for the imitation of the American soldier.

2. Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major General Harrison and to Governor Shelby, and through them to the officers and men under their command, for their gallantry and good conduct in defeating the combined British and Indian forces under Major General Proc tor, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, the 5th of October, 1813, capturing the entire British army, with their baggage, camp equipage, and artillery; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematical of Governor Shelby. this triumph, and presented to General Harrison and

3. Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the gallantry and good conduct of Lieutenant Colonel Beatty, and the officers and men under his command, in repulsing, with inferior numbers, the combined attack of a British land and naval force on Craney Island, on the 22d of June, 1813; and that the President of the United States be requested to present an elegant sword to Lieutenant Colonel Beatty.

4. Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the merit of Colonel Croghan, and the officers of Fort Stephenson, on the Lower Sandusky, on the and men under his command, for the gallant defence 1st and 2d of August, 1813, repelling with great slaughter the assault of a British and Indian army much superior in number; and that the President be requested to present an elegant sword to Colonel Croghan.

5. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause a monument to be erected, at a suitable place and with a suitable inscription, to the memory of Brigadier General Covington, who, gallantly leading up his troops to a successful charge, fell in the battle of Williamsburg, in Upper Canada, on the 11th November, 1813.

they are hereby, presented to Major General Jack6. Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be, and and through them to the officers and men under their son, and to Brigadier Generals Floyd and Coffee, command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the campaign against the Creek Nation of Indians in the Winter of 1813-'14, defeating formidable tribes of savages in successive battles, fought with great ob

FEBRUARY, 1815.]

Public Buildings.

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stinacy, and finally subduing them to terms of peace; | that they were obliged to deny themselves." and that the President of the United States be re- He also read a letter from the commissioners of quested to cause gold medals to be struck, with suit- the city to General Washington, at Mount Verable emblems and devices, and presented to Major non, requesting him to fix on the sites for the General Jackson, and Brigadiers Floyd and Coffee. public offices, and his answer, fixing a day for 7. Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense that purpose and a letter from Mr. Adams, of the merit of Lieutenant Colonel Armistead, and ratifying and confirming the acts of the comthe officers and men under his command, in their missioners in fixing the sites of the public offices late gallant and successful defence of Fort McHenry under the direction of General Washington. against the attack of a formidable British squadron; and that the President of the United States be re

quested to present an elegant sword to Lieutenant Colonel Armistead.

8. Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the merit of Major Lawrence, and the officers and men under his command, in their late gallant defence of Fort Bowyer, repelling with inferior numbers, and with great slaughter, the combined attack of a British land and naval force, aided by a body of savages; and that the President of the United States be requested to present an elegant sword to Major Law

rence.

The resolutions were twice read, and referred to a Committee of the Whole.

Public Buildings.

The House resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of the Whole, on the bill for making appropriations for repairing or rebuilding the public buildings in the city of Washington.

That amendment being under consideration which requires the public offices to be built on Capitol Hill

Thus then, said Mr. L., we have not only the opinion of that illustrious man, as to the most proper sites for the public offices, but we have evidence that ought to satisfy the most incredulous, that he actually came upon the ground, and marked the very spots upon which the buildings were to be placed, and these acts were officially confirmed by his successor, Mr. Adams. But my honorable friend from New York (Mr. GROSVENOR) has said, that General Washington had been teased and importuned by those interested, into the location he had made. Sir, said Mr. L., my honorable friend can know little of the character of that great man, if he believes there existed a being who dared approach him in that way. No, sir, as soon would he attempt to grasp the forked lightning, as to intimate a wish that he would swerve from his public duty.

There were many considerations, said Mr. L., why no changes ought to be made in the present plan of the city, or of the sites for the public buildings; and that which operated most irresistibly with him was, that it was a plan sanctioned by that great and good man, whose name

Mr. LEWIS, of Virginia, rose and said, that he hoped the House would not concur in theit bears. Sir, said Mr. L., what that man has amendment made in Committee of the Whole. After the lengthy discussion of this subject yesterday, it was with extreme reluctance that he again obtruded himself upon the patience of the House; but the deep stake which the State he had the honor to represent, in part, had in its decision, he trusted would be a sufficient apology.

done, let no mortal attempt to undo. His ways are not to be mended by man. This House is not competent to do it. He considered the two public edifices, the foundation stones of which our ever to be revered hero, statesman, and patriot, laid, as permanently fixed, by public faith; particularly as maps were distributed throughout Europe, with the sanction of PresiMr. L. said, that since yesterday, he had been dent Washington, designating the sites of the enabled to fortify the opinions he had ad- Capitol, President's House, and other public vanced in opposition to the amendment, by an buildings, and that foreigners had been induced authority which ought to be revered by all. to purchase property, judging of its value from He had obtained the correspondence between its contiguity to some one of the public edifices General Washington, then President of the as marked upon the map. Change the situation United States, and Mr. Adams his successor, of your city, and they are deceived and injured; and the commissioners for the city, upon the hereafter they will have no confidence in your subject of the location of the public offices, acts. We have been told, that large quantities which he would take the liberty of reading. He of our public stock have been lately sent to Holthen read a letter from Mr. White, one of the land for sale. Is it to be believed, sir, with a commissioners, who stated "that in a conver- knowledge of what we are about to do, (for it sation with General Washington, upon the sub-is in that country that our city lots have been ject of the location of the public buildings, the General was decidedly of opinion, that the offices of the different departments should be as convenient to the President as possible, and that it was unnecessary, for any public convenience, that they should be contiguous to the Legislative Hall; indeed, that the officers had complained to him, when in Philadelphia, that it was impossible to attend to their public duties from the constant calls of the members, and

sold, and held as security for money borrowed,) that they will trust us for a cent, when every thing which they deemed sacred is thus violated? No, sir, they will not, and I will say, they ought not to trust us. But, sir, if we have no regard to our plighted faith to foreigners, let us at least save our own people. Do not, by this act, ruin thousands of honest, industrious mechanics, who have at very advanced prices purchased and improved lots near the present sites,

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Public Buildings.

[FEBRUARY, 1815.

under an assurance and firm belief in their per- | object so interesting to the District; and it was manency. Let us not do an act which will ex-probable that the sales of lots belonging to the cite distrust abroad and contempt at home.

public in the city, would furnish money enough to reimburse the loan before it became due. Reject this amendment-pass this bill, which will restore public confidence, and there will be no difficulty in selling, at good prices, the property of the public, which is now worthless. My friend from New Hampshire (Mr. WEBSTER) says, he does not think this a proper time to make an appropriation for building up the Capitol, and recommends that some trifling alterations be made in the present room, which will then answer very well until we have peace. Mr. L. said he congratulated his friend upon

But, why are gentlemen desirous of removing the offices from their present sites near the President's House, to the Capitol square? It had been shown, he hoped satisfactorily, that their appropriate place was near the President's House, and not the Capitol. The President must necessarily have considerable intercourse with the offices; but he was unable to see the recessity of any personal intercourse between the members of the Legislature and the offices. It is known that all public business between Congress or its members, and the public offices, is done by a resolution of the House, or by let-the sudden change of his feelings. It was but ter from any individual member, which is conveyed by a messenger of Congress paid for that purpose.

a few days since, the gentleman could not exist in this confined, inconvenient, and unwholesome room, and nothing but the pure atmosphere of Philadelphia would satisfy him; but now it seems, when it is ascertained he cannot get to Philadelphia, that he is perfectly reconciled with the present room, and thinks it good enough for war times. The gentleman from New Hamp

in population, in wealth and commerce, and therefore an improper place for the Seat of Government. If it be true that it is thus deficient, to what, I ask, is it to be ascribed? Let those who, like the gentleman from New Hampshire, are desirous of removing the Seat of Government, answer. It is to the repeated efforts to remove, to retrocede, and to concentrate, which have been alternately made for the last twelve years in Congress, that the population and wealth of Washington have not equalled any other town on the Continent of its age. What prudent man, I ask, would risk his fortune

In addition to the reasons given for a preference of the old sites, there would be a saving of more than one-half of the expense. The committee, to whom this subject was confided, attended personally at the Capitol, and examined the state of that building, when, after a confer-shire also complains, that this city is deficient ence, and making such inquiries of an architect on the spot, as was considered proper, they were induced to believe that the walls of both wings of the Capitol might be safely built on, and that the estimated expense of about $250,000 for repairing the same, was as nearly accurate, as could be reasonably expected. The President's House and the offices were not so particularly examined, but it was the opinion of the committee, that the whole might be repaired for about $500,000, which would be $715,110 less than the first cost of those buildings. But, Mr. L. said there was another objection which would be, with him, an insuper-in making improvements in a place, that was able one; and that was, that he would not be every year threatened with destruction, by the compelled by an act of the enemy to abandon, very power who ought to foster and protect it? or change in the smallest degree, any of the If inconveniences have been felt from the displans of the public edifices they had destroyed. persed population of the city and the want of acHe would rebuild them precisely on the same commodatious, those alone are accountable who ground; not a stone or brick should be changed, by their own acts have produced both. The but they should be finished in a style of increas- people of this District are political orphans. ed magnificence and granduer. It never should They have been abandoned by their legitimate be said, because the enemy had destroyed our parents, and claim protection of us, who are Capitol, that Congress were afraid to rebuild it, constitutionally bound to protect them; but, lest it might again be destroyed. No, let us instead of extending to them the parental hand have another trial, and if we cannot then de- of affection and assistance, we cruelly abandon fend our Capitol, it will be time to put an end them to their fate. If they ask us for bread, to the war in the best way we can. My friend we give them a stone. If they even ask us for from North Carolina (Mr. GASTON) objects to justice, we tell them they are rudely importuan appropriation of so much money at a time nate. Instead of extending to them the parentlike this, when the Treasury is bankrupt, our al hand of affection, we do all in our power to soldiers unpaid, &c., for repairing the public blight and destroy their fair prospects. If we buildings; but he has no objection to double are not disposed to be their guardians and the sum for the purpose of rebuilding on new friends, let us at least do nothing to injure them; sites. How inconsistent! The gentleman from let them pursue undisturbed their own way, and North Carolina ought to recollect, that not a you will not have to complain of the want of cent of this appropriation would come out of population, wealth, or accommodations in the the Treasury. The banks of the District had city. There are few places in the United States generously and magnanimously come forward possessing greater commercial advantages than and offered to loan the amount wanted upon Washington; placed at the head of an excellent reasonable terms, for the accomplishment of an | navigation, supported by an extensive and

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wealthy back country in Virginia and Maryland, and in a climate extremely healthy; if it has but fair play it will soon rival many of the most important towns in the Union, in wealth and population.

The public are greatly interested in promoting the welfare of the city, as it would make very valuable a large property given by the proprietors of the land on which the city stands, which at present is worth nothing. The proprietors of the city gave the land to the public, with an understanding that the sites for the public buildings should remain unchanged; therefore the present alteration would be unjust as to them. The States of Virginia and Maryland have both a deep stake in the permanency of the seat of Government. Virginia made a donation of $120,000, and a cession of a moiety of ten miles square of her territory, including a town which was the pride of the State. Maryland made a donation of $75,000, and a cession of a moiety of ten miles square of her territory, including a town, second to one only in the State; and these States will not view with complacency any act which may have a tendency to jeopardize the Seat of Government.

All the country within fifty miles of the Seat of Government, both in Virginia and Maryland, are greatly interested in the welfare of the city, and representing, as I do, an adjoining district, whose property would diminish at least 50 per cent. in value, if the Government is removed, I trust I shall be excused for the solicitude I have manifested, and the time I have occupied in the discussion.

The amendment was also opposed by Messrs. MASON, FORSYTH, and others, and advocated by Messrs. GROSVENOR and WRIGHT.

The question having been taken after much debate, by yeas and nays, was decided-for the amendment 55, against it 77.

The effect of this decision is that the public offices shall be rebuilt on their old sites.

Mr. BIGELOW moved to amend the bill so as to require the President, previously to expending the money to be appropriated, to cause to be laid before Congress a plan and estimates for the buildings; by which, he believed, one-half of the expense might be saved.

This motion was opposed as unnecessary, by Mr. LEWIS, and negatived-yeas 39.

Mr. FARROW assigned the reasons why he should vote against the bill; not because he was against rebuilding, but because of the great scarcity of money in the Treasury.

Mr. STANFORD moved to recommit the bill, with instructions to make some report as to concentration, and the manner and method of executing the provisions of the bill.

This motion was opposed by Mr. LEWIS, and negatived-ayes 44.

The question on ordering the bill to be read a third time, was then decided in the affirmative.

THURSDAY, February 9. Public Roads.

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It appears, by a treaty concluded with the Choctaws on the 25th October, 1801, and another with the Choctaws on the 17th December, in the same year, that the consent of these Indians was obtained spective lands; and by an act of Congress of the 21st to the opening of a wagon road through their reApril, 1806, that six thousand dollars was appopriated to this purpose; which was effected, as provided by those treaties and this act, under the direction of the President of the United States. It appears also by a treaty with the Creek Indians, concluded on the 14th November, 1805, that the United States have a right to a horse-path through their lands; and, by the act above mentioned, that six thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose of opening a road from the frontier of Georgia, on the route from Athens to New Orleans, as far as the thirty-first degree of vided, under the direction of the President of the north latitude; which was likewise effected, as proUnited States.

respectively pass is, naturally, as convenient for the Although the country through which these roads purposes of transportation and intercourse as any other parts of the United States, yet considering its great extent, it is not presumed that the appropriations heretofore made could have been considered as adequate to any other object than that of merely opening the roads. The necessary bridges over the streams, and the necessary causeways through the swamps on these extensive routes, would in the opinion of your committee require of themselves larger

sums than those mentioned above.

The sense

Your committee deem it wholly unnecessary to advantages of an easy and certain intercourse beoffer any general remarks to show the great national tween distant parts of the United States. of Congress on this subject is already well ascertained, from the large and liberal appropriations bestowed on the great Western road from the Potomac to the Ohio River. Without entering into comparisons as to which parts of the Union most require the provident attention of Government, in relation to this subject, it appears to your committee that the improvement of the roads in question, under the direction and at the expense of the National Government, is at all times recommended by a consideration of the importance of the country to which they lead, as well as the want of both authority and means to make it in the territory through which they pass. At this time the efforts of the enemy to seize upon the emporium the subject is rendered unusually interesting, from of an immense country, as well as other positions in the same quarter of less, though great importance to the United States. So long as the war continues, New Orleans and other adjacent parts will be liable to invasion, and will of course require no inconsider

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