This sum (says the Georgia Journal) judiciously applied, would go very far towards opening our navigable rivers, improving public roads, and establishing free schools throughout the state. CONGRESS. SENATE. Jan. 9. Mr. Fromentin, of Louisiana, appeared and took his seat, The resolution offered on a former day, by Mr. Campbell, respecting the nomination of certain of ficers to the senate, was taken up, modified by the mover so as to include the superintendant of indian trade, and, after some conversation between Messrs. Campbell, King, Tait, and Morrow, on the most proper mode of attaining the object, the resolution thereof being added on the suggestion of Mr. Mor, was passed in the following shape, the last clause row: After debate, the question was taken by yeas and nays, and agreed to. Resolved, That the committee on military affairs IMPROVEMENTS. The legislature of Georgia, (says be instructed to inquire into the expediency of re the Savannah Republican of the 24th ult.) adjourn-quiring by law the nomination of superintendant of ed sine die, on Saturday morning last, after a ses- indian trade and of agents to indian tribes, as also sion of nearly two months. Among the number of of agents for trading house establishments, to be acts passed during the session, which are any way submitted to the senate for their consent and approimportant, was an act appropriating large sumsbation, in like manner as the nomination of other offi for internal navigation, as follows: For the Qco.cers now are; and generally to enquire whether any nee river, 15,000 dollars; Ocmulgee, 18,000 dol and what amendments are necessary to be made in lars; Alatamaha, 5,000 dollars; Ogechee, 3,000 dol the laws regulating intercourse, and for establishing lars; Savannah and Tugalo, 20,000 dollars; Broad trading houses with the indian tribes. River, 5,000 dollars; Brin Creek, 5,000 dollars.- Jan. 12. The following resolution, offered some An act to amend the penal code. An act to incor-days since, by Mr. Burrill, was taken up for consi porate the Steam Boat company. An act to raise a deration: tax for the political year 1818: a section in this. Resolved, That the committee to whom was refer. act imposes on the notes of unchartered banks a red the petition of the committee of the yearly tax of two and a half per cent. on the amount in meeting of the society of friends at Baltimore, be circulation; and subjects the branches of the Unit-instructed to enquire into the expediency of so ed States' bank in this state to the same tax paid amending the laws of the United States on the subby the banks chartered by the legislature, viz. thir-ject of the African slave trade as more effectually ty-one and a quarter cents on every hundred dol- to prevent said trade from being carried on by citi lars of the capital stock. The taxes in general re-zens of the United States under foreign flags; and main as heretofore, with the exception of the 50 per falso into the expediency of the United States takcentum to reimburse the direct tax, which is con- ing measures in concert with other nations for the tinued. A permanent fund of 250,000 dollars for entire abolition of said trade. internal navigation; and the like sum for the sup port of free schools, has also been appropriated. The bill from the house, making compensation TRIBUTE TO DEPARTED WORTH-Mr. Montgome-to the members of congress, was taken up in comry (of the legislature) from the committee on the mittee of the whole, and an amendment made in state of the republic, to whom was referred the the phraseology, which was agreed to by the senate; communication of his excellency the governor re: when, lative to the disposition to be made of the sword Mr. Wilson, after observing, that he should enter intended to have been presented to the late lieut. into no discussion of a question on which every col. Daniel Appling, of the United States' army, member had unquestionably made up his mind, but, reported on the 13th inst. That whereas a former in order to take the sense of the senate, moved to legislature, influenced by the distinguished bravery strike out eight and insert six dollars, as the daily and gallant conduct of lieutenant colonel Daniel pay, and also as the allowance for every twenty miles Appling, did authorise and direct the executive travelled. department to procure and present to that meritorious officer a sword suitable to his grade, a grate ful expression of the public approbation of his native state; but as the worthy object of her applause was removed by death before this laudable design could be carried into execution, and inasmuch as there remains no male heir either to the fortune or honors of this deserving young soldier, into whose hands the state could commit this sacred pledge of its affection and respect: It is resolved that the state will assume to itself the guardian- Jan. 13. The president presented a memorial ship of the fame and military reputation of her disfrom the president and directors of the bank of the tinguished son the late lieutenant colonel Daniel United States, stating certain inconvenienc es Appling, and that the sword intended by her as the experienced from the provision in the charter re just reward of his military achievments, be depo quiring the president and cashier of said bank to sited in the executive chamber, there to be pre-sign all the notes issued by the several branches of served and exhibited as a lasting monument of his said bank, and praying relief-which was read, and fame, and a grateful proof of the sensibility with referred to the committee of finance. which Georgia cherishes the patriotic services of per citizens. This motion was negatived, without debate, by a large majority, Mr. Dickerson, then moved to strike out eight and insert six, as the allowance for every twenty miles travelled, and made a few observations in support of his motion. Mr. Baggett briefly replied. The question was taken, the motion lost, the ver bal amendment made was ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time; and The senate adjourned. The bill providing compensation for members of congress, was read a third time and passed. Mr. Wilson submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to enquire whether any, and, if any, what further provisions by law are necessary to secure the heirs of soldiers who died, or were killed, in the service of their country during the late war, the bounty in land to which they are équitably entitled. January 14.-But little business was done in the senate to-day. A bill was reported to divide the state of Pennsylvania into two judicial districts, and one or two reports on private claims were acted on. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Forsyth, Tucker and Mercer opposed them, all a considerable length. The debate was one of unusual ability. When Mr. Ervin concluded, on motion of Mr. Holmes, of Massachusetts, the house adjourned at past 4 o'clock, without having come to any decision on the question before them. [The debate on the case of col. Anderson has been interesting, involving some constitutional points of much importance. We shall carefully preserve the sketches of the speeches of the members with the prospect of giving some of them at a future period, as it is impossible that we should afford room for them now.] Saturday, Jan. 10.-The speaker laid before the Friday, Jan. 9. Mr. Harrison, from the select house a letter directed to the congress of the Unit committee appointed on that subject, reported a ed States from a certain Carl. Theodore Mohr,'re bill to provide for organizing, arming and dissiding in Wallendorf, in Germany, offering to come cipling the militia; which was twice read and com- to America upon certain conditions, aud to estab. mitted. lish a manufactory of porcelain, which was read and Mr. Harrison offered a joint resolution, proposing ordered to lie on the table. to the states an amendment to the constitution of On motion of Mr. Sergeant, the committee of the United States, to give to congress, concurrently ways and means were instructed to enquire into the with the states, the power to provide for training expediency of allowing a drawback upon refined the militia according to the discipline prescribed sugar exported from the United States. for the purpose, &c. and to provide for teaching in the primary schools and other seminaries of learning 孟 AMELIA ISLAND. Mr. Midleton, from the committee on so much in the several states, the system of tactics prescrib- of the message of the president of the United ed for the militia: which resolution was twice read States as relates to the illicit introduction of slaves and committed. from Amelia into the United States, made the fol(In offering his resolution, Mr. Harrison remark-lowing report: ed, that it would be recollected, he presumed, that The committee to whom was referred so much a similar proposition had been laid on the table by of the president's message as relates to the illicit him at the last session. In doing so then, it was not introduction of slaves from Amelia Island, having with an expectation that any thing would be done carefully taken the matter committed to them into on the subject at that time, but it was to draw the consideration, respectfully report: : public attention to the subject, and prepare the That having applied to the department of state way for a decision at the present session. The bill for information respecting the illicit introduction of which had been reported on the subject, embraced slaves into the United States, they were referred by all the provisions within the power of congress re the secretary of state to the documents transmitted specting it which the committee had thought ne. to this house by the president's message of the cessary; but as the constitution had expressly re. 15th December last, consisting of various extracts served to the states the right of training and dis. of papers on the files of the departments of state, ciplining the militia, the adoption of the resolution of the treasury, and of the navy, relative to the might be deemed necessary; and he wished there-proceedings of certain persons who took possesfore that it might be committed to the same committee to whom the bill had been referred, that the whole subject might thus be presented to it for deliberation, &c. &c.] sion of Amelia Island in the summer of the past year, and also relative to a similar establishment previously made at Galveztea near the mouth of the river Trinity. Mr. Spencer, of New York, then presented to Upon a full investigation of these papers with a the house the following preamble and resolutions: view to the subject committed to them, your comThe house of representatives, entertaining great mittee are of opinion, that it is but too notorious, that doubts of its possessing the competent power to pu-numerous infractions of the law prohibiting the imnish John Anderson for his contempt of the house and his outrage upon one of its members: portation of slaves into the United States have been perpetrated with impunity upon our southern frontier; and they are further of opinion, that similar infractions would have been repeated with increas Resolved, That all further proceeding in this house against said John Anderson do cease, and that he be discharged from the custody of the ser-ing activity, without the timely interposition of the geant at arms. Resolved, That the attorney general of the United States be directed to institute such proceedings against the said John Anderson for his said offence as may be agreeable to the laws of the United States and ofthe district of Columbia. Resolved, That the committee of the judiciary be instructed to enquire into the expediency of providing by law for the punishment of any contempt of the senate or house of representatives of the United States and of any breach of the privileges of either house, naval force under direction of the executive of our government. In the course of the investigation, your committee have found it difficult to keep sepa rate the special matter given into their charge, from topics of a more general nature, which are necessarily interwoven therewith: they therefore crave the indulgence of the house, while they present some general views, connected with the subject, which have developed themselves in the prosecu tion of their enquiry. It would appear from what had been collected from these papers, that numerous violations of our Mr. Spencer opened a debate on the subject, taws have been latterly committed by a combina. which occupied the whole day; in which, besides tion of freebooters and smugglers of various nations, the mover, Messrs. Anderson, Barbour, Robertson who located themselves in the first instance upon and Ervin, supported the resolutions, and Messrs. Jan uninhabited spot near the mouth of the river Trinity within the jurisdictional limits of the Unit- to the cupidity of adventurers, and as resources for ed States, as claimed in virtue of the treaty of ces-defraying the expenses of the expedition. The sion of Louisiana by France. This association of greater part of West Florida, being in the actual persons organized a system of plunder upon the possession of the United States, this project involv high seas, directed chiefly against Spanish proper ed in it designs of direct hostility against them; ty; which consisted frequently of slaves from the and as the express object of the resolution and act coast of Africa; but their conduct appears not al of 15th January, 1811, was to authorize the presi ways to have been regulated by a strict regard to dent to prevent the province of East Florida from the national character of vessels failing into their passing into the hands of any foreign power, it be hands, when specie or other very valuable articles came the obvious duty of the president to exercise formed any part of the cargo. Their vessels gene- the authority vested in him by that law. It does rally sailed under a pretended Mexican flag, al- not appear that among these itinerant establishers though it does not appear that the establishment of of republics, and distributors of Florida lands, Galvezton was sanctioned by or connected with any there is a single individual inhabitant of the coungovernment. The presumption, too, of any autho- try where the republic was to be constituted, and rity ever having been given for such an establish whose lands were to be thus bestowed; the project ment, is strongly repelled as well by its piratical was therefore an attempt to occupy that territory character, as by its itinerant nature; for the firs: by a foreign power. Where the profession is in position, at Galvezton, was abandoned on or about such direct opposition to the fact; where the vene. the 5th of April last, for one near Matagorda, upon rable forms, by which a free people constitute a the Spanish territory; and at a later period this last frame of government for themselves, are prostituwas abandoned and a transfer made to Amelia Is. ted by a horde of foreign freebooters, for purposes land, in East Florida; a post which had been pre-of plunder; if, under color of authority from any viously seized by persons, who appear to have been equally unauthorized, and who were at the time of the said transfer, upon the point, it is believed, of abandoning their enterprize, from the failure of resources, which they expected to have drawn from within our limits, in defiance of our laws. There exists, on the part of these sea rovers, an organiz ed system of daring enterprize, supported by force of arms; and it is only by a correspondent system It is a matter of public notoriety, that two of the of coercion that they can be met and constrained persons who have successively held the command to respect the rights of property and the laws of at Amelia Island, whether authorized themselves nations. It is deeply to be regretted that practices of such a character, within our immediate neigh borhood, and even within our jurisdictional limits, should have prevailed unchecked for so long a time; more especially, as one of their immediate consequences was to give occasion to the illicit introduction of slaves from the coast of Africa into these United States, and thus to revive a traffic repugnant to humanity and to all sound principles of policy, as well as severely punishable by the laws of the land, of the provinces contending for their independence, the Floridas, or either of them, had been permitted to pass into the hands of such a power, the committee are persuaded it is quite unnecessary to point out to the discernment of the house the pernicious i: fluence which such a destiny of the ter ritories in question must have had upon the security, tranquility, and commerce of this union. by any government or not, have issued commissions for privateers, as in the name of the Venezuelian and Mexican governments, to vessels fitted out in the ports of the United States, and chiefly manned and officered by our own countrymen, for the purpose of capturing the property of nations with which the United States are at peace. One of the objects of the occupation of Amelia Island, it ap pears, was to possess a convenient resort for privateers of this description, equally reprobated by the laws of nations, which recognize them only By the 7th section of the act prohibiting the im-under the denomination of pirates, and by several portation of slaves, passed in 1807, the president of the treaties of the United States with different is fully authorized to employ the naval force to European powers, which expressly denominate them cruise on any part of the coast of the United States, as such. It was against the subjects of Spain, one or territories thereof, where he may judge attempts will be made to violate the provisions of that act, in order to seize and bring in for condemnation all vessels contravening its provisions, to be proceeded against according to law. of the powers with which the United States have entered into stipulations prohibiting their citizens from taking any commission from any power with which she may be at war for arming any ships to act as privateers, that these vessels have been comBy the joint resolution of the senate and house missioned to cruise; though, as the committee have of representatives of 15th January, 1811, and the observed, no flag, not even that of our own coun. act of the same date, the president is fully empowtry, has proved a protection from them. The im cred to occupy any part or the whole of the territo- mediate tendency of suffering such armaments, in ry lying east of the river Perdido, and south of the defiance of our laws, would have been to embroil state of Georgia, in the event of an attempt to occu- the United States with all the nations whose compy the said territory, or any part thereof, by any fo-merce with our country was suffering under these reign government or power; and, by the same reso- depredations; and, if not checked by all the means lution and act, he may employ any part of the army and navy of the United States, which he may deem necessary, for the purpose of taking possession and occupying the territory aforesaid, and in order to 'maintain therein the authority of the United States. Among the avowed projects of the persons who *See the treaty of peace with France, 1778, art. have occupied Amelia Island, was that of making 21st. U. S. Laws, vol. 1, p. 88; with the Netherthe conquest of East and West Florida, professed lands, 1782, art. 19, v. 1, p. 162: with Sweden, 1788, ly for the purpose of establishing there an indepen-art. 23, vol. 1, p. 190; with Great Britain, 1794, art. dent government; and the vacant lands in those 21, v. 1, p. 218; with Prussia, 1785, art. 20, v. 1, p. provinces have been, from the origin of this under-238, and 1797, art. 20, p. 256; with Spain, 1795, taking down to the latest period, held out as lures art. 14, v. 1, p. 270. in the power of the government, would have authorized claims from the subjects of foreign governments for indemnities, at the expense of this nation, for captures by our people, in vessels fitted out in our ports, and, as could not fail of being al-stances whatever, of an opportunity to explain to the leged, countenanced by the very neglect of the honorable house of representatives the motives necessary means for suppressing them. The pos. which have actuated my recent conduct, I beg session of Amelia Island as a port of refuge for leave to announce my wish to wave, with that obsuch privateers, and of illicit traffic in the United ject, any constitutional or other question which may States of their prizes, which were frequently, as have arisen. before stated, slave ships from Africa, was a pow. erful encouragement and temptation to multiply these violations of our laws, and made it the duty house. of the government to use all the means in its power to restore the security of our own commerce, and of that of friendly nations upon our coasts, which could in no other way more effectually be done than by taking from this piratical and smuggling com bination their place of refuge. I enclose a letter which I had the honor this JOHN ANDERSON. speaker of the house of representatives. r Washington, Jan 9, 1818. SIR-Considering the honorable body before In order, therefore, to give full effect to the in whose bar I am shortly to appear, as the guardian tentions of the legislature, and in pursuance of the of those rights which, as a citizen I possess, und provisions of the above recited resolution and acts, relying upon the generous feelings of its members, it became necessary (as it appears to your commit I have been induced to forego the privilege extendtee) to surpress all establishments of the hostile na-ed to me of employing counsel, lest it might be ture of those above described, made in our vicinity, supposed that I was inclined to shelter myself by the objects of which appear to have been the occu- legal exceptions. As the novelty of my situation pation of the Floridas, the spoliation of peaceful may, however, tend to surround me with embarrasscommerce upon and near our coasts by piratical privateers, the clandestine importation of goods, and the illicit introduction of slaves within our li mits. Such establishments, if suffered to subsist and strengthen, would probably have rendered nu.gatory all provisions made by law for the exclusion of prohibited persons. The course pursued on this occasion, will strongly mark the feelings and intentions of our government upon the great question of the slave trade, which is so justly considered by most civilized nations as repugnant to justice and humanity, and which, in our particular case, is not less so to all the dictates of a sound policy. ment, it is my wish, should the rule of proceeding Mr. Forsyth moved that the resolutions under consideration be laid on the table, that the house might proceed to the examination of the accused person. The debate was then resumed on the resolutions offered by Mr. Spencer, and continued by Messrs. Poindexter, Holmes of Mass. Storrs, and Pindall, until after 4 o'clock; when The house adjourned Your committee anticipate beneficial results from A brief debate took place on this motion (which the adoption of these measures by the executive, will be given in its place) in which Messrs. Forsyth, in the promotion of the security of our southern Pitkin, Spencer, Harrison, Hopkinson, Poindexter, frontier and its neighboring seas; and in the dimi-Desha, Rich, Beecher, and Pindall participated. nution of the evasions, latterly so frequent, of our The motion was finally disagreed to, ayes about revenue and prohibitory laws. The experience of 30; and ten years has however evinced the necessity of some new regulations being adopted in order effectually to put a stop to the further introduction of slaves into the United States. In the act of congress prohibiting this importation, the policy of giving the whole forfeiture of vessel and goods to the United States, and no part thereof to the informer, may justly be doubted. This is an oversight which should be remedied. The act does indeed give a part of the personal penalties to the informer, but these penalties are generally only nominal. As the persons engaged in such traffic are usually poor, the omission of the states to pass acts to meet the the act of congress and to establish regulations in aid of the same, can only be remedied by congress legislating directly on the subject themselves, as it is clearly within the scope of their constitutional powers to do. Monday, Jan. 12. After other business of no present interest, the house proceeded to the consideration of the resolutions offered by Mr. Spencer, touching the case of col. John Anderson. The debate on this subject was resumed by Mr. Quarles, and continued during the remainder of the sitting by Messrs. M'Lane, Alexander, Smyth, Lowndes, Livermore, Settle, Rhea, and Barbour. When the house adjourned, a motion was pending, made by Mr. Rhea, (for the purpose he said, of putting an end to a debate on a negative proposition) to strike out of the preamble to the resolu tions, the words, "entertaining great doubts of its," For these purposes your committee beg leave re-so as to make the preamble read, "this house posspectfully herewith to report a bill. sessing the competent power to punish John Anderson," &c. Mr. Middleton also reported a bill in addition to the former acts prohibiting the introduction of slaves into the United States; and the bill was twice read and committed. The house adjourned a little after 4 o'clock. Tuesday, Jan. 13.-Amongst the petitions this day presented, was one by Mr. Harrison, from col. The report was not read, but ordered to be print-Needham, and sundry other British officers, lately ed. The Speaker laid before the house the following letter and enclosure, yesterday received by him from John Anderson: January 9, 1818. SIR-Unwilling to be deprived, by any circum arrested and imprisoned at Philadelphia, ona charge of violating the neutrality of the United States between Spain and her colonies, but subsequently discharged from arrest and confinement, praying for the expense, trouble and inconvenience which they have suffered, such relief as congress shall deem just and reasonable. The petition was referred to a special committee. Mr. Johnson, of Ky, from the committee on mili tary affairs, reported a bill providing for half pay pensions, invalid pensioners, and for other purposes; which was twice read by its title and committed. [The provisions of this bill are substantially the following: These were the fees of the district attorney alone The resolution was agreed to mem, con. 1 The following message was transmitted, by the United States. The first section gives to the secretary of war the power of placing upon the pension list all officers and soldiers of the revolutionary war, who are I have the satisfaction to inform congress that entitled to such by the provisions of the act making provision on this subject, in the year 1816. Rules the establishment at Amelia Island has been sup and regulations in force, or hereafter to be made, pressed, and without the effusion of blood. The before congress. papers which explain this transaction, I now lay and put in force, as to the admission of the officers and soldiers of the militia, and the regular soldiers, on the pension roll of the United States, are made applicable to the invalids of the revolution, and of the Indian wars, placing all entitled to pensions on an equality. Second section extends the half pay pensions of five years to the widows and orphans of the officers and soldiers of the militia, and others, now entitled by law, for a further term of five additional years, which will make the pension if adopted, equal to half pay pensions to widows and orphans of ten years. Section third provides half pay pensions, for the term of five years, for the widows of the soldiers of the regular army, who were killed in battle, or who died in the service, during the late war. By the suppression of this establishment, and of that at Galvezton which will soon follow, if it has not already ceased to exist, there is good cause to believe that the consummation of a project fraught with much injury to the United States, has been prevented. When we consider the persons engaged in it, being adventurers from different countries, with very few, if any of the native inhabi tants of the Spanish colonies-the territory on which the establishments were made-one, on a ward of the Mississippi, the other, on a part of portion of that claimed by the United States, west. East Florida, a province in negotiation between the United States and Spain-the claim of their leader, as announced by his proclamation, in taking possession of Amelia Island, comprizing the whole of both the Floridas, without excepting that part of West Florida which is incorporated into the state of Louisiana-their conduct while in the posses Section fourth extends half pay pensions to all such widows as lost their husbands after their return home from the military service of the United States, provided they died within six months after such return, and of diseases contracted in the ser-sion of the Island, making it instrumental to every vice. By the fifth section, indigent mothers, who have fost an only son in the military service of the United States, provided such son died without wife or children, are to be provided for. Section sixth provides that every widow, whose husband was killed in battle, or died in the service of his country, during the revolutionary war, shall receive a half pay pension for five years.] the most odious and dangerous character-it may to the United States. Other circumstances were thought to be no less deserving of attention. The institution, of a government by foreign adventurers in the Island, disThe speaker laid before the house a letter from inct from the colonial governments of Buenos ▲ythe secretary of state, transmitting a list of names res, Venezuela, or Mexico, pretending to sovereignof such persons as have obtained patents during ty, and exercising its highest offices, particularly the last year; which was ordered to be printed. in granting commissions to privateers, were acts Mr. Hopkinson moved the adoption of the fol-which could not fail to draw after them the most serious consequences. It was the duty of the exe lowing resolution: Resolved, That the committee of the judiciary becutive, either to extend to this establishment all instructed to prepare and report a bill of fees for the advantages of that neutrality, which the Unitthe officers of the United States, in the courts of ed States had proclaimed, and have observed, in favor of the colonies of Spain, who, by the strength the United States. Mr. Hopkinson, observed. in offering this resolu- of their own population and resources, had declartion, that it was well known there was no uniformed their independence, and were affording strong rule on this subject in the different courts of the proof of their ability to maintain it, or to make the United States. It was not, however, to establish discrimination which circumstances required. Had uniformity only, but something like justice also, the first course been pursued, we should not only that he offered this motion: for, if his information have sanctioned all the unlawful claims and practices was correct, there were in some of the states im- of this pretended government, in regard to the Unit positions practised which were a disgrace to the ed States, but have countenanced a system of priva United States. In one which he would mention, in teering in the Gulf of Mexico, and elsewhere, the the state of New York, a degree of outrageous im- ill effects of which might, and probably would, positions existed which would shock every mem have been deeply and very extensively felt. The ber who heard him. In that state, Mr. H. said, if path of duty was plain from the commencement; he was truly informed, there had been one thousand but it was painful to enter upon it while the obligaprosecutions upon (the reporter understood him)tion could be resisted. The law of 1811, lately license bonds; upon each of these cases, untried, published, and which it is, therefore, proper now the fees of the district attorney were sixty dollars, to mention, was considered applicable to the case amounting to the sum of 60,000 dollars in the whole. from the moment that the proclamation of the chief 1 |