The motion submitted by Mr. Bassett, of Va. to amend the rules of the house, was taken up and agreed o. [The question of consideration, which has heretofore been a matter of much contention if the house, in the days of party conflict, is thus expunged from the rules of the house.] On motion of Mr. Edwards, of North Carolina, the committee on public lands were instructed to enquire what further provisions are necessary in the existing laws, for the more effectual prevention of frands by the purchasers of the public lands. red the resolution of the house of representatives of the 8th inst. requesting the president to lay before the house any information he may possess, and think proper to communicate, relative to the proceedings of certain persons who took possession of Amelia island, at the mouth of St. Mary's river, in the summer of the present year, and made an establishment there; and relative to a similar establishment, previously made at Galvezton, has the honor to submit to the president the accompanying papers containing the information received at the respecOn motion of Mr. M3 Lane, of Del. the committee tive departments of state, the treasury and the naon so much of the message of the president, as re- vy upon the subjects embraced in the resolution. ` [On this the National Intellige cer observes.-The lates to roads and canals, were instructed to en quire into the expediency of authorizing the secre- documents respect ng affairs at Amelia Island and tary of the treasury of the United States to sub Galvezton were yesterday transmitted to the house scribe for stock in the company incorporated under of representatives by the president. Consisting of the name and style of the Chesapeake and Delaware a voluminous compilation of correspondence from canal company, or any other company now, or here- officers of government and others in the neighboraf er to be, incorporated for similar purpose, to be hood of those depots, the papers were not read, paid by the appropriation of the public lands, or by but ordered to be printed. They shall be laid be any surplus money in the treasury of the United fore our readers as early as practicable. They' afford, in a more authentic shape, judging from a [The rest of the business transacted is not of gene hasty glance at them, information of nearly the ral importance, or will be noticed in its progress. This same character as that already received by the pubremark will generally apply to our accounts of the protic through the medium of the newspapers.] ceedings in congress.] "States. Monday, Dec. 15-Mr. Tucker, of Va. from the committee to whom was referred so much of the message of the president of the United States as relates to the subject of internal improvements, made a long and elaborate report, concluding with the following resolution: The report was read, and referred to a committee of the whole. Mr. Robertson, of Louisiana, offered the following resolution to the house: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of providing by law for the exercise of the right of expatriation; and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise. Mr. Robertson said, that for a very considerable length of time he had wished this question to be decided by that tribunal to whom the decision of Resolved, That, in order to promote and give se curity to the internal commerce among the several states; to facilitate the safe and expeditious trans-it belonged. He had, some years ago, offered a portation of the mails by the improvement of post resolution similar to this, which was then not roads with the assent of the respective states; to adopted; whether on account of the war in which render more easy and less expensive the means and we were then engaged, or for what other consideraprovisions necessary for the common defence, by tions he had never been able to decide. The ques the construction of military roads, with the like as- tion which had arisen during the late war made sent of the respective states; and for such other a decision of it necessary. It would be well recolinternal improvements as may be within the consti-lected, that, among the soldiers of the United tutional powers of the general government, it is ex- States were many individuals, natives of Great Bripedient that the sum to be paid to the United tain, who were taken prisoners of war, and, accordStates by the 20th section of the act to incorporate ing to the doctrine of the British government, an the subscribers to the bank of the United States, and odious doctrine, reprobated, he believed, by every the dividends which shall arise from their shares in other government, were treated as traitors fighting its capital stock, be constituted as a fund for interagamst their government; and that, if this construction had been consummated, our government nal improvement. bad menaced severe retaliation. Be, with what consistency could the United States take the [1hs is really a very important report, and seems ground of retaliation, when they themselves had intended to try the question in respect to internal im-never recognized, in regard to our citizens, what provement, in a manner different from that suggested we demanded of Great Britain in regard to her's? It is very possible that two So far as proceedings have been had on this point, in he president's message. thirds of both houses may agree to pass such a law, Mr. R. said he was led to believe this right had and thus defeat the pre determined veto of the presi-been denied to our citizens. He would not dwell on the particulars of the decision on this subject by deni.] Judge Ellsworth some years ago, but merely state that Isaac Williams, a citizen of the United States, became a citizen of the French republic, and was thereafter fined and imprisoned, by the decision of In compliance with the resolution of the house of four courts, for making war on Great Britain, on the representatives of the 8th of this month, I transmit, ground, that he could not divest himself of the alfor the information of this house, a report from the legiance he owed the United States. It was certainsecretary of state, with the documents referredly proper, Mr. R. said that there should be some to in it, containing all the information of the ex-decision of the legislature on a question of this naecutive, which it is proper to disclose, relative to who lately took possession of Amecertain persons JAMES MONROE. lia island and Galvezton. Washington, Dec. 15, 1817. The following message was received from the president of the United States, by Mr. J.J. Monroe, his secretary: To the house of representatives. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Dec. 13, 1817. ture and magnitude, which at present depended on the opinions of the judiciary; and, as far as acts of congress can regulate judicial opinions, that such directions should be given on this bead as be thought were obviously just and necessary. He had thought proper to make these remarks because, al the gover the right to be clear, and that than half would commute for money, say 25,000: though he A debate of some length arose on this bill, and particularly on it details, which did not, however, result in any final decision. would maintain it as they ought to pay this number the proposed commutation to do, if they possessed the respect which is profes- would require five millions of dollars, or 1,250.000, sed for the principles of liberty and for civil rights annually, for four years, which mode of payme.t -a decision of the legislature on the subject was had been selected, as well with a view to the bene. more important at this moment, from considerations fit of the soldiers as to the relief of the treasury. growing out of the present relations between the The committee, he said, had no doubt but the an United States and foreign nations. By the existing nual proceeds from the very land commuted would treaty with Spain, a citizen of the United States, be sufficient to defray the whole amount; which holding a commission under any government at war would remove all objections of a financial nature with Spain, whilst we are at peace with her, is con-and he was not aware of any other. The measidered as a pirate. This extraordinary provision sure, he hoped, would have the effect of cutting off of the treaty must have escaped the attention of all speculation, of which there was so much comthat power in our government which makes treaties, plaint, and by which the soldier was deprived of or it would have been rejected, as well for its cruel his rights under the influence of his necessities. ty as because it is an act of legislation to define and punish piracies, and not a power confided to the treaty-making authority. To say nothing more of that, however, Mr. R. observed, that he deemed Mr. Holmes doubted the policy of the bill, and it necessary to protect the citizens of the United expressed his fears that the speculator rather than States from punishment, due only to piracy, when the soldier would receive the benefit of it, Mr. found with commissions in their hands from any Clay held an opinion directly oposite to that of government at war with Spain. He wished to see Mr. H. and supported the bill with much zeal. our citizens at perfect liberty to become citizens of He did not, however, entirely approve of the details what nation they chose, on such terms as that na of the bill; to which he moved amendments, going tion should prescribe. It would appear, moreover, to exclude any but original grantees from the bene from what he had said, Mr. R remarked, that there fit of the provision, and reducing the commutation was not that neutrality in our conduct towards the to one hundred dollars for every 160 acres, and two two parties, in the war between Spain a d her colo-hundred dollars for every 320. These amendments, nies, which we all profess. In this respect the par- however, he waved for the present, to give place to ties were certainly not on the same footing; since a a motion to strike out the first section of the bill, Citizen of the United States in the employ of Spain in order to try the principle of the bill. against the colonies is not considered as a pirate, but, engaged in the service of the colonies against Spain, he is. He did not know that this fact would have induced him to have brought the question before the house, but for the deep impression he felt of the justice and propriety of adopting the principle, abstracted from the existing state of things. But it was the more necessary to reduce the principle to legislation, because of the situation in which the want of it has placed us in regard to foreign nations. The motion of Mr. Robertson was adopted out opposition, and without a division. A motion was made to strike out the first sec tion of the bill. After considerable discussion the committee rose, reported progress, and had leave to sit again. Adjourned. Tuesday, December 16-Mr. Rhea of Tennessee, offered for consideration the following resolution: Resolved, That the committee on pensions and and revolutionary claims be instructed to enquire into the expediency of suspending, for one year so much of the act, entitled "an act making further with-provisions for the support of the public credit and for the redemption of the public debt," passed the Mr. Harrison, of Ohio, offered the following reso-third day of March, 1795, as bars from settlement lution: or allowance, certificates, commonly called loan office and final settlement certificates, and indents of interest. Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be and they are hereby instructed to enquire into the expediency of continuing the pensions which How are or have been heretofore allowed to the widows and orphans of the offieers and soldiers who were killed or wounded in service of the late war, for a term of five years beyond the periods when they shall respectively cease under existing laws. (Mr. H. introduced the preceding resolution by a speech of considerable length, and with handsome effect-it passed without opposition.) The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Bassett in the chair, on the bill for the commutation of soldiers' pay. After some spirited remarks from Mr. Rhea, the resolution was agreed to without a division. Mr. Scott, delegate from Missouri, submitted a resolution which had for its object the regulation and leasing of the public lead mines in that territo ry-and another for leasing the public salines. Mr. Bassett of Virginia, submitted for consideration the following proposition: Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in congrees assembled, That the daily compensation of members of the se nate and house of representatives, and delegates from territories, shall (until further provided for by law) be the same as in the year 1813. On the question, "will the house now consider this resolution?" which the speaker, in this instance, thought proper to put, the house decided in the negative. Mr. Johnson, of Ky. as chairman of the military committee, stated a number of facts bearing on the subject of the bill. The number of inen in the service at the close of the war was ascertained to have been 34,000; the number who died in service or were killed in battle was estimated at about 17,000; making in the whole about 50,000 soldiers (and heirs of soldiers) entitled to the bounty in land. For this number eight millions of acres On motion of Mr. Whitman, of Mass. it was would be required. But it was a number overra- Resolved, That the committee on pensions and ted; and he did not believe that 40,000 would come revolutionary claims be directed to enquire into forward to claim the land bounty. Of the whole the expediency of continuing the pensions granted number of 50,000, he calculated that not more to invalids of the army who served in the late war, So the house refused to take Mr. Bassett's mo tion into consideration. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of altering the flag of the United States, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise, The funds out of which the appropiations for the year 1818 may be discharged, are the following: 1, The sum of $6,000,000, annually reserved by the act of the 4th August, 1790, out of the Duties and Customs, towards the expenses of government. 2. The proceeds of the Stamp Duties, and the duty on Sugar refined within the United States. 3. The surplus which may remain of the Customs and Internal Duties, after satisfying the pledge for which they are pledged and appropriated. 4. Any other unappropriated money which may come into the Treasury during the year 1818.06! I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant, when to amento ay WM. H. CRAWFORD. The Hon, the Speaker Mr. W. sald, in submitting this motion, that he should make but few remarks on this subject, not being a novel one; a bill relative thereto having been reported at the last session, but laid over from the pressure of business deemed of more inportance. Had the flag of the United States never have undergone an alteration, he certainly should not, he said, propose to make a further alteration in it. But, having been altered once, he thought it necessary and proper that an alteration should now be made. It was his impression, and he thought it was generally believed, that the flag would be essentially injured by an alteration on the same principle as that which had before been made, of increasing the stripes and the stars. Mr. W. stated the incongruity of the flags in general use (except those in the navy) not agreeing with the law, and He instanced greatly varying from each other. the flags flying over the building in which congress sat and that at the navy yard; one of which contained nine stripes, the other eighteen, and neither of them conformable to the law. It was of some importance, he conceived, that the flag of the na-ed to be printed: tion should be designated with precision, and that the practice under the law should be conformned to Its requisitions. " of the House of Representatives. inde ino The Speaker also presented to the House a report from the Department of State on the petition of sundry inhabitants of the District of Detroit, in the Territory of Michigan, respecting losses incurred during the invasion of 1812, by the British, which was referred to a select committee, and ordernil mi bayagne jud On motion of Mr. Holmes, of Mass. * munge Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of providing by law for the pay of the members of the senate and house of com-representatives and the deputies from the territories of the United States and that the said committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise, The motion was agreed to without opposition. 59 The house resumed the consideration, in mittee of the whole, Mr. Bassett in the chair, on the bill for the commutation of soldiers' pay: 33The question being on striking out the first section of the bill 19A debate of much length ensued-it resulted in no final decision of the question; before coming to which, the committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again. In the course of the debate, Mr, Clay read a long amendment of detail, which *he intended to submit, should the motion to strike out the first section of the bill not prevail. After the committee rose Mr. Sergeant, desiring teave to sit again to be refused to the committee, signified his intention, in that event, to move a recommitment of the bill, with instructions to the committee to report a bill authorizing commutation of the land bounty for a pension during life. This suggestion was overruled for the present, Sby the house granting leave to the committee to sit again. | Mr, Livermore proposed that this resolution should be referred to a committee of trenity members, one from each state. But he withdrew it, and the usual number was ordered to be appointed. After several other resolutions had been received -The House then again resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Basselt in the chair, on the bill to provide for commuting the bounty lands of the soldiers of the late army-the motion to strike out the first section being still under consideration. The debate was resumed, and continued to a late hour, in which Messrs: Ball, Colston, Livermore, Starrs, Holmes, of Ms. and Beecher, spoke against the bill, and Messrs. Anderson, of Ky. Baldwin, Harrison, Clay and Johnson, of Ky.advocated it. In conclusion, Mr. Clay remarked, that as, with the view of trying the principle of the bill, the motion was made to strike out the first section, he had prepared a substitute which he believed would Wednesday, Dec. 17.-Mr. Bryan, of North Caroobviate many of the objections which had been Tina, appeared and took his seat. And the house adjourned. The Speaker laid before the House the following communication from the Treasury Department, which was ordered to be printed, with the accompanying documents: Treasury Department, December 17th, 1817, Miscellaneous Expenses, urged against it-he suggested to the gentleman (Mr. Holmes) who moved to strike out the first section the propriety of withdrawing that 'motion, so as to give him (Mr. Clay) an opportunity of presenting his amendment to the consideration of the committee. Mr. Holmes, desirous of giving the friends of the bill every opportunity of making it acceptable to the house, withdrew his motion to strike out the borsoner od blues first section; when. Mr. Clay offered a substitute by way of amend. ment, embracing various provisions varying in many points from the original bill. The amendment hav ing been read, the committee rose, reported pro- ment"-but it occupies about eleven 8vo pages, and gress, and obtained leave to sit again-the house must, reluctantly, be laid over for our next-the having previously ordered Mr. Clay's amendment resolution attached to it is inserted in the precedto be printed. ing matter. The amendments of the senate to the bill to abolish the internal taxes, were taken up and severally agreed to; so that the bill now wants only the approbation of the president to become a law. CHRONICLE. Gen., Gaines, having arrived at the Flint river, sent a friendly message to the Indian Thursday, Dec. 18. After rece.ving and deter-chief on the opposite side, which he would not mining on several resolutions, &c. offered, some of listen to. A small detachment under maj. Twiggs which will be noticed in their progress, the houe then crossed, the indians fired upon them, and the again resolved itself into a committee of the whole fire was returned. The Indians left four killed on the bill for the commutation of soldiers' pay-on the field and fled-we suffered no loss. The The question was taken on agreeing to the official letter from gen. Gaines is in type, but we amendment of detail (being a substitute for the cannot squeeze it in; an industrious congress occu bill before the committee) proposed by Mr. Claypying more space than we expected. But this letand decided affirmatively, 96 gentlemen rising inter with other neglected matter shall be preserved. its favor. The Savannah Republican, of the 9th instant, The amendment of Mr. Clay being then open for gives a report that Woodb ne has arrived at Pensaamendment, was read over for that purpose. Mr. T M. Nelson, having moved to fill the blank for the amount of commutation with 160 dollars for one dollar per acre) The question was decided in the negative, by majority of about 20 votes. cola from New Providence with an expedition fitted out at that place; that he is accompanied by MacGregor, and has enlisted a considerable number of Indians and blacks in his service. We hope it may abe the fortune of gen. Gaines to catch the wretch that has cost us the lives of hundreds of women Mr. Claiborne, of Tenn. on the principle, that if and children, that he may be tried and punished as the bill passed (to which, however, he was alto murderer, as he deserves. We cannot believe that gether opposed) the government ought not to spe- he has any authority from the British government culate on the soldier, by giving him less than it for his proceedings since the peace; and whether own price for the same article, moved to fill these has or has not, his infamous career should be blank with 320 dollars, or two dollars per acre. stopped. Negatived, eyes 25. Mj. Christopher Van de Venter, of the army, has Mr. Cobb, of Geo. having moved to fill the blank been appointed chief clerk, in the department of with 120 dollars, (or 75 cents per acre) it was de-var, vice Mr. John Graham, resigned. cided in the negative, ayes 48. Mr. Harrison, of Ohio, moved 130, and Mr. Little, of Md. 150; both of which were negatived. The legislature of Vermont, in granting a bank at Windsor, have exacted of the stockholders a bonus of 1000 dollars for the first year, and 1500 dollars for every subsequent year. Mr. Clay then moved to fill the blank with the sum, originally proposed by him, of one hundre l The rev. Dr. Ambrose Mareschal has been condollars, though he confessed he should have pre-secrated Ronan catholic arch-bishop of Baltimore. ferred one dellar per acre. He was under the im- Bishop Cheverous, of Boston, and bishop Conally, pression, however, that the bill had a better chance of New York, performed the ceremony on Sunday to pass in this shape than with a higher sum, and it would yet produce much good. On this question the house divided thus: For the motion, Against it, 75 78 last. The city council of Charleston have appointed a. day of thanksgiving to Almighty God for restoring to that city its ordinary state of health. A second count being called, the vote stood thus: enigrated from Peansylvania to Indiana, and are For the motion, Against it, 84 67 The amount of commutation was therefore decid ed to stand at one hundred dollars for one hundred and sixty acres. The celebrated Harmony society, which lately delightfully seated on the Wabash, have recently received eighty additional members from Germany -1000 are expec.ed. The U. S. ship Alert has arrived at Washington city from Norfolk. The committee proceeded in the consideration Gen. Ripley has arrived at Philadelphia from New of the bill, and made thereto a variety of amend-Orieans, on his way to the seat of government. ments, on which much desultory debate took place, A special session of the circuit court of the Unilittle interesting, it is presumed, to the general ted States was opened at Philadelphia on the 15th reader, and which is therefore not noted. The question being stated, "Shall the committee rise and report the bill?" Mr. Whitman, of Mass. assigned the reasons which would induce him to oppose the bill. On motion of Mr. Spencer, of New York, the com mittee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again. And the house adjourned at 4 o'clock. inst. for the trial of the British officers charged with a misdemeanor in violating the neutral relations of the United States, by attempting to pass to South America to aid the patriots. The grand jury returned the bills ignoramus, and the officers were discharged. The steain boat Massachusetts has departed from Salem "on a voyage for North Carolina or Mobile." Constitutional amendment.-We regret to learn Yesterday (Friday evening) a friend in con- that the amendment recommended by the legisgress furnished us with a copy of "a report in lature of New Jersey, at its session last winter, to part of the committee of the house of representa the constitution of the United States, providing for tives of the United States, on so much of the presi districting the several states for the election of redent's message as relates to roads, canals and semi-presentatives to congress, &c. has been rejected in aries of learning." It is truly an "important docu- Rhode Island and Vermont. SUPPLEMENTARY TO NO. 17-VOLUME I—NEW SERIES. THE PAST—THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURL. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. Services of Militia.. jimmediate vicinity of their homes and where The militia of a free state is justly regarded they, of course, possessed every possible ac as the natural bulwark of the civil and religi-commodation. In this light service, as some ous rights of its people-as the best and safest may esteem it, we lost quite as many men as defence against sudden invasion from abroad, were killed (on our side) in the battles of Bla and as the only faithful barrier to domestic densburg and at North-Point,-by diseases encroachment. The armed citizen cannot gendered from the new condition in which our easily be made a slave: a sense of the duty that citizens were placed. Yet the regular soldiers he owes to the law and to his country in the at the fort were healthy; either because they time of its need, teaches him obedience, and he had learnt how to live, or were compelled to yields himself up to those whose province it is live according to certain rules which military to coinmand him, for the time being but he men know must be observed to prevent di still reasons upon the fitness of the things re-sease and death in the service. The ever-to-bequired of him, and, when his period of service lamented PIKE disciplined the 15th regiment is ended, carries the result of that reasoning, to every thing he began by teaching his raw together with his experience in the business of officers and men how to make their fires then a soldier, into the mass of the people and adds how to cook their victuals, how to drink, how them to the common stock of intelligence and to sleep, &c-nothing was too minute or ap force. And, perhaps, the restraints that he parently too trifling to be unworthy of the atsuffered in his militury character may also tention of that inestimable soldier. What was cause him more dearly to estimate the rights the consequence? His regiment was healthy that belong to him as a citizen: because he is and robust, and his men were very soon pre sensible that as a government gains power the pared for any service that might be required people must suffer restraint. Rome did not of them. Disease, that mowed down the ranks fose her liberty until the jealousy of her rulers of other regiments, found a barrier in the dis deprived the people of the use of arms: faction cipline of his. And, further, this fact soon and the spirit of party, it is true, often caused occurred-that while other troops which rethe government to assume a shape as hateful as ceived the same quantity and quality of prothat of an absolute monarchy could easily do visions as were distributed to the 15th regi but yet the body of the population-that por-ment, were in a state approaching starvation, tion which had no active participation in the his men had an abundance and a variety that feuds of those factions, retained a very consi- was astonishing. Initiated into the art of cookderable portion of their natural rights until ing their victuals, they soon had bread and the line was clearly and determinately drawn meat to spare, which they sold or bartered for between the soldier and the citizen; and the vegetables, and additionally obtained some of former, in a mere me cenary animal, lost the the little luxuries of the table. All this resulted habits of thinking and acting as a MAN: then because Pike was himself a soldier; brought up in came the declension and fall of that once most camps, every way skilled in the duties and requirements of the profession of arms. powerful nation. The want of such knowledge, industry and But, with all its important and imposing attention in others with the continually en character, the embodying of a militia force, bodying and discharging of the militia (ever the only force that can be tolerated with safety furnishing fresh victims) probably cost us more by a free people, in times of peace (except to men, in the late war, than have been killed in a very limitted extent) is terribly destructive of battle, or who have died in consequence of human life-much more so than occurs in re-wounds received therein, in all the affairs that gular armies. It is the great misfortune at- have taken place in the country that now forms tending it, that by the time when the citizen the United States, from its first discovery until has learnt how to live as a soldier, and has this time, in which white people were on either been made efficient through discipline, that his side engaged. It is fearful to calculate the loss duties are at an end; and others continually at certain posts where the militia were assem‐ succeed him who require the same course of bled. instruction and of experience that he did,in obtaining which so many of his comrades and The fact is, that we were wretchedly igno uselessly perished. In the summer of 1815, rant of almost every thing that belonged to a the Baltimore brigade, (by detachments of a The like of this happened every where. When regiment at a time, for a week's service) for a the militia were dying by scores, the regulars werefew weeks, did duty at Fort McHenry-in the healthy. VOL. XIII.-18. |