heard him as the author of an elaborate and very learned work upon the commerce of the Black Sea.

[H. OF R.

He had desired to go into some explanatory remarks as to the particular items of which our trade would probably consist, and also as to what might be calculated on as its gross amount; but not being willing to take up the time of the House, he would forbear the reading of the esti-thrown open to our mariners by the exertions of the Namates he held in his hand.

On the

pioneer to our bold and enterprising mariners. They had, by their own energy, doubled both the great Capes, and pushed their adventurous commerce into the polar regions, while the Government had been left far in their wake. But here the Sea had been closed. It had been sealed up. Not an American keel had divided its waters until it had been tional Government. They had long coasted all the shores Mr. A. said he had reason to expect that, in the debate of the Dardanelles: they had visited Smyrna, and Enos, which might now ensue, some gentlemen would take ex- and Thessalonica, still passing by the gates of the Euxine. ception to our making presents at all. On that subject he But now, when those gates had been thrown open, and at would refer them to the practice of Thomas Jefferson, this enlightened period of the world, when all other com(clarum et venerabile nomen,) an authority which he trust-mercial nations were emulating and contending with each ed would never be without weight on that floor. other for the extension of their commerce, should we, the In 1809 we had a Barbary ambassador to this country--second commercial nation in the world, be niggardly in a minister from Tunis. By order of Mr. Jefferson, two placing our mariners upon a footing with theirs? The hundred dollars a week were gratuitously allowed to his commerce of the Levant, and of the Euxine, had been the Barbarian excellency, besides large presents at the time first known to the world. Here the Phoenicians and the he left the country. He presumed gentlemen would Tyrians first spread their sails. Here Greece, Rome, and not claim a more fastidious devotion to republican princi- Carthage had first extended their enterprises; and so imples than was admitted on all sides to have distinguished portant had the commerce of the Black Sea been esteemthis eminent statesman. The Committee on Foreign Afed by Greece, that Jason had been immortalized by his fairs considered themselves as owing this explanation to expedition to Colchis, at the mouth of the Bathy's, from the House. If, nevertheless, gentlemen chose to assume whence he was fabled to have brought the golden fleece, the responsibility of jeopardizing all the advantages to be being a poetical mode of commemorating the rich and proderived from such a commercial arrangement as had, after fitable consequences of his expedition. It was a curious so many efforts, at length been successfully accomplished, fact, that we should be the last of all the nations to enter through mere fastidiousness on such a point as that, theirs into a sea where commerce had commenced its career. be it. The trade to Colchis had been of great consequence in the Mr. DEARBORN, of Massachusetts, addressed the time of Herodotus: that historian spoke in particular of House in support of the amendment. No person at all the beautiful dyes and rich goods brought in his day from acquainted with Asiatic affairs could be surprised at the that fertile region, and the Crimea was to this day covered application now made by one of the standing committees with the ruins of magnificent buildings erected by the of the House for an appropriation to be applied in pre-Greeks, who had been enriched by this trade. sents on the conclusion of the Turkish treaty. The prac- Southern shore was the valuable port of Trebisond, once tice of giving and receiving presents was not by any means of great commercial importance, and likely to become so peculiar to the Turkish court. All Asiatic and African again, in the neighborhood of which were very valuable Governments approached each other with presents in copper mines. On the opposite side lay Odessa, the seat hand: not as bribes, not as tribute, but as expressions of of a commerce whose importance was incalculable. At civility and respect. Nor was the practice confined to present we touched the great Russian empire only at two solemn public official intercourse. It pervaded society points, Petersburgh and Archangel; and the best of these from the highest to the lowest rank, through all those re- ports was sealed by the frost during a winter of seven gions of the world. No individual in private life pre-months. But the harbor of Odessa was accessible every sumed to approach a superior with whom he desired to month in the year, and all the products were to be obtainbe on good terms, without some slight present as a token ed there which we now imported from the North, besides of respect; and a practice of the same kind was to be many others which were indigenous. found in the diplomatic intercourse of European nations. All the trade of Russian Poland was carried on with France, Russia, Austria, and England, all had ministers at Odessa; that also from the shores of the Caspian Sea at Constantinople, with the rank of ambassador. Denmark, Taganrock, at the mouth of the Don, found the same outlet, Sweden, and even the small Italian States, were represent- The number of vessels cleared at that port every year was ed there by ministers plenipotentiary. They all made immense. The whole trade of the Greeks, before their presents, and the presents were usually in proportion to late revolution, was in carrying the products of the Black the importance of the nation represented. Of so much Sea to Italy, France, and Egypt. Here a market would consequence was the observance of this practice in Tur- be opened for all the manufactured articles of our own key, that some of the European Powers kept up their country, as well as the native products of our soil. Hence diplomatic relations with the court, at an annual expendi- a triple, and even a quadruple voyage might be made from ture little short of the amount appropriated to the whole our own country to Constantinople, thence into the Black foreign relations of the United States. Their ministers Sea, and thence to different ports in the Mediterranean; appeared in splendid equipages, and purchased or built the whole trade of Egypt and Palestine would, in like manmagnificent houses at Pera. Custom was a thing to which ner, be free to our vessels, and a circuitous commerce we could not dictate. Compliance with it was no act of would be carried on of immense advantage to the United degradation. It was not so viewed by any body there. It States. It was indeed surprising that no greater amount of was merely subscribing to a long established usage, sanc- trade had before this time been carried on between Egypt tioned by the example of all other nations, and which and the United States. A most advantageous commerce nobody but ourselves conceived to have the remotest con- had long been enjoyed by the French between the ports nexion with any thing disgraceful. Nor had our own Go- of Marseilles and Alexandria. From this we had been alvernment so held it to be. We had made presents in our most entirely foreclosed, because we were not known. negotiations with all the Barbary Powers. Nor could any Our Government had had no intercourse with theirs, and arrangements be made with the Emperor of Morocco, our merchants, in consequence of this state of things, had without a compliance with the same observance. As to participated less in the new channels which were opening the advantages to be derived from a commerce with the to the enterprise of commercial nations in that part of the Black Sea, they were great indeed. The present was the world than those of any other flag. Our Government had only instance in which the Government had acted as a done less to open new channels to its own citizens than the

H. OF R.]

Turkish Mission.

[MARCH 16, 1832.

some years past between Russia and Turkey. If he was not mistaken, Russia, by this treaty, had made the Black Sea an open sea for all the nations having friendly com mercial relations with that empire.

Government of any other nation. What voyages of dis- the Black Sea was not first opened to us by the treaty made covery had we projected? What maritime surveys had we made? What investigations had we authorized? What, in a word, had this Government done for the commerce of its citizens, but to behold it with good will, to cheer it on, and to extend to it the necessary protection? But now it was in the power of the Government to become its pioneer, not only to protect it, but to open for it new fields of enterprise; and surely it was the duty of the Government, with frankness and promptitude to embrace the opportunity.

Mr. CAMBRELENG said that it was extremely difficult to judge with accuracy of the value of a trade which had just commenced and could scarcely be said to exist. He concurred with the gentleman from South Carolina, in the belief that the importance of the trade to the Black Sea had been in some degree overrated; but still it was too Mr. McDUFFIE said he had no objection to the amount valuable to justify the gentleman in refusing some 20 or proposed to be appropriated to meet the expenses of the 30,000 dollars to secure it. He had thought this trade presents which he understood were stipulated to be given important last year, and had, therefore, been in favor of at the time the treaty was made; he presumed these pre- sending out a full minister, well knowing the great con sents were given as was usual in similar cases; but he want-tempt which was entertained by the Turks for persons in ed some explanation as to the remainder of the sum for subaltern situations. The Greeks had already 500 ships which the appropriation was required. In addition to the in that trade, and all past experience went to show that suin proposed for presents, and the six thousand dollars to Americans were capable of competing with any nation on reimburse Commodore Porter, there was yet nine thousand earth in seizing the advantages of a profitable trade; ay dollars to be accounted for; that was a large sum, and if and beating them out of it. If Americans were permitted intended for the contingent expenses of this mission, he to go into the Black Sea, they would soon become there was not disposed to grant it without some further explana- what they were in all other parts of the world, the carr tion. The experience he had in those matters in the ers to all other nations. Five hundred ships had entered Committee of Ways and Means had satisfied him that ap- the port of Odessa the last season, and the very articles propriations in the form of contingencies should never be which we now draw from Russia, all come over land to made except in cases of obvious unavoidable necessity. Petersburgh, and might be more readily obtained in the southern parts of the empire.

Mr. C. said he had been in that part of the world, and knew something about the matter.

Mr. McDUFFIE observed that, though a great dea had been said about the value of this trade, no gentleman had yet mentioned in what articles it consisted.

Mr. CAMBRELENG replied that hemp and iron migh be brought from Odessa.

Mr. McDUFFIE thought the gentleman mistaken in that statement, as the iron mines lay in the north of Russia.

Mr. CAMBRELENG replied that iron was to be obtain ed at the southern ports also.

If this appropriation was intended to cover the expense of this mission, there are already two contingent funds applicable to this purpose, the one "for the contingent expenses of all the missions abroad," and the other for "the contingent expenses of foreign intercourse." He was rather surprised at the extravagant account that had been given of the great benefits that would accrue to this country from the trade of the Black Sea, and he believed that those advantages existed more in expectation than in reality. However disposed he was to maintain the existing commercial relations between this country and Turkey, he had never understood the value of that commerce to be so great as it was now represented; and he should like to be informed what were the articles in which this valua- Mr. E. EVERETT observed that he had been in fave: ble commerce consisted, or was expected to consist. It of this appropriation, when the subject was before the would seem, from the discussion upon the subject, that Committee on Foreign Affairs; and he would therefore we were about to revive an Argonautic expedition, and say a word or two in support of the amendment. He sail to Colchis in search of the golden fleece. He could should not enlarge upon the subject of the commerce of find no note of this commerce in our commercial docu- the Black Sea. The Russia trade was a branch of com ments, and could not, therefore, understand the grounds merce in which some of his constituents were largely is upon which such mighty advantages were anticipated: nor terested. He presumed that the Russian trade of the could he comprehend why such extraordinary efforts were Black Sea was substantially the same as that of the Balt made to explore unknown regions and remote seas, to dis- and Archangel. We should carry there the same articles cover new branches of commerce, whilst we were doing of colonial produce, and bring back, he presumed, the every thing to obstruct the invaluable and safe channels great staples of Russian commerce-iron, hemp, tallos, presented to us by nature. By the existing policy, we &c. There was, besides, a great carrying trade betwee are absolutely blocking up the great highway of the At- the Black Sea and various ports of the Archipelag lantic by prohibitory interdicts, whilst at the same moment Adriatic, and Mediterranean, in which our vessels had al we are going out on new voyages of discovery in search of ready engaged, and would, no doubt, much more exten a trade, which, in any view of it, was perfectly contempti-sively. If they did not, it would be the first open trade ble in comparison with that which we are laboring so hard of which they failed to secure their share. As to the pre to destroy. sents, for which the greater part of the appropriation He was willing to vote for the sum required for the requested, they are a sine qua non of negotiation with stipulated presents, and to reimburse what Commodore the Eastern nations. Those which we shall have give Porter had expended, but he wished to have a separate if what is now asked for be granted, are much less than vote taken on the sum proposed for the contingencies. have been given by the Governments of Europe in the He requested the honorable chairman of the Committee negotiations with Turkey. They are much less than were on Foreign Affairs, dispensing for the present with poetic given by our Government to a single one of the description, to favor the House with a plain prosaic state-gencies on the Barbary coast. Mr. E. held in his hand a ment of this commerce. He begged the gentleman to report, which he had occasion to make three or four year state particularly whether there was a single article, the ago, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in the case produce of the United States, that went to the Black Sea, of Captain John Burnham, an Algerine captive. To th or a single article that came from the Black Sea to this report was appended a statement by Oliver Wolcott, the country; and if there were any such article, to state what Secretary of the Treasury, relative to the expense of the it was. In conclusion, he inquired of the chairman of the Algerine treaty of 1797; and gentlemen would there find Committee on Foreign Affairs, whether the commerce of the article of presents amounting to ninety-thousand de

petty

MARCH 16, 1832.]

Turkish Mission.

[H. or R.

lars. Mr. E. said that, in drawing that report, he had re- principle was rather to give millions for defence, than curred to a paper from the Department of State, giving a one cent for tribute; and however important the comminute statement-a regular tariff--of those presents, merce of this country with the countries bordering on showing what was paid to every officer of the Dey's house- the Black Sea, he would incur all the expense of sending hold, according to his rank, down even to the cook, if he thither vessels of war to enforce our rights, than pay a remembered rightly. Nor is this custom confined to the cent by way of tribute. With these views, and in order Eastern nations; it was, by no means, peculiar to our new to discharge the obligation of $6,000 to Commodore Porfriends, the Turks, to whom (though he was no admirer ter, and to defray the expense of a dragoman, he would of them) he would not do injustice. The custom of pre- move, as an amendment to the amendment, "that the sents obtains at many, perhaps all, the courts of Western $37,500 be stricken out, and $8,500 inserted in lieu Europe. He had heard of one snuffbox, set with bril- thereof." liants, in one of those courts, which on occasion of the Mr. ADAMS now rose, and observed that the appronegotiation of treaties had been presented to successive priation asked for by the chairman of the Committee on foreign ministers for fifty years. The minister received Foreign Relations had been very improperly considered it; sold it to the jeweller who made it for 5,000 dollars; as tribute. It was not tribute; it was not so intended, the jeweller sold it again to the Government, who pre- nor so received. The sentiment of "millions for defence, sented it to the next negotiator, to be disposed of in the but not a cent for tribute," had been much and very prosame way. As our constitution does not allow our minis- perly admired throughout this country; and if applied to ters to receive these presents, our Government is of course our intercourse with European Powers, it was worthy of dispensed from making them to the negotiators of the all the admiration it had received. The time had been, civilized Powers of Europe. But the case was different however, when a maxim directly the reverse of this had with Turkey; and it had in effect been found that the ra- been pursued by the Government of this country, and tification of the treaty could not be obtained without hold- that even under the administration of Washington. At ing out the reasonable expectation of presents, for which that time it might almost have been said that we gave this appropriation was asked. Like the gentleman from millions for tribute, and not a cent for defence. We paid New York, Mr. E. had been in favor of a full mission, to the regency of Algiers large sums as tribute down to differing in that respect from many of his friends in Con- the close of the last war with Great Britain, at which time gress. He had some personal acquaintance with the cha- we began to vote "a cent" for defence. From that racter of the Turks and their Government; and he knew period, we had ceased to pay it. He need not say that that, in dealing with them, the external show went much he referred to the achievement of that gallant hero, Defurther than with civilized Powers. He did not wish the catur; an achievement which had done more for the real Americans to get the name at Constantinople, which he glory and benefit of this nation, than one of which so had heard they sometimes received at Canton--that of se- much was said. It had liberated us from tribute. But cond chop Englishmen. He would not run a race of pro- the making of presents was a very different thing. Mr. digality with any foreign Power, but he would, in every A. read the following passage in Voltaire's History of proper way, impress the Governments of all countries Peter the Great: "It is the immemorial custom over with whom we have dealings, with the assurance that we all the East, whenever an audience is requested of the knew and were disposed to respect their usages, as far as sovereigns or their representatives, never to approach our own honor permitted. There were occasions when, them but with presents in the hand." Mr. A. observed in semi-civilized and barbarous countries, the property, that he adduced this remark to prove the distinction the liberty, and even the lives of our citizens depend- between presents thus made conformably to immeed on its being well known that they were under the morial custom and the humiliating payment of tribute. protection of a powerful Government. There is no way He added that this remark of the historian introduced more effectual, and he would add economical, of con- the narrative of the most interesting incident in the veying to those countries a proper impression of the life of one of the greatest men that ever lived in the power of this, than by keeping up our diplomatic es- tide of times. He spoke of the treaty effected for the tablishments in a respectable style. It would be easy Czar Peter by the immortal Catharine, at a time wher. his to multiply considerations on this subject, but he would army was nearly gone, and nothing was left him but his not, at this late hour, trespass longer on the time of the wife; a woman scarcely less extraordinary than himself— House. of Catharine, the captive of Menzikoff, at Marienburg. Mr. WHITTLESEY, of Ohio, professed his willingness Catharine resolved, in this emergency, to attempt a negoto redeem any pledge that had been advanced by Com-tiation. She attempted it, and succeeded. She collected modore Porter in good faith, on behalf of his country. all the diamonds and other valuables she had about her He should, therefore, vote for the sum intended to reim-person, and in one night effected the liberation of her burse him what he had advanced. He [Mr. W.] had been husband. And it was to be ascribed to this very policy of disposed also to vote for the $9,000 for the contingent making presents that posterity had ever heard the name expenses of this mission; but, from the explanation which of Peter the Czar. But for this, that great man would at had been just given to the House by the honorable mem- that time have been destroyed. The usage had been ber from South Carolina, [Mr. McDUFFIE,] that these universal among the Powers of the East from time immecontingents were otherwise provided for, he could not see morial. And as to the usage of our own Government on any necessity for including this amount in the appropria- that subject, the gentleman at the head of the Committee tion now before them. With respect to the $20,000 in- on Foreign Affairs had referred the House to the practice tended to cover the expense of presents to the officers of Mr. Jefferson. But he might have gone much farther at the Ottoman Porte, he could not understand from the back; for we have been in the habit of giving presents chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs that ever since we have been a nation. Our first treaty with there was any actual pledge given by Commodore Porter France had been effected through the influence of prethat presents should be made to that amount, or to any sents-by presents given by our ministers at Versailles; part of that amount. On the contrary, from what they and the old confederation had allowed our ministers not were told, it appeared that a list of articles, as usually only to give presents, but to receive them in return. Mr. given to these gentry on ratifications of treaties, was A. said he was not indeed sure but presents of some kind made out by the Turkish officers themselves, with which, had been received by our commissioners in the present when given, they were perfectly satisfied. He contended case. What had become of them, he did not know. against the system of making presents altogether. His an Emperor of Morocco died, but this country made preVOL. VIII.-138

Not

H. OF R.]

Turkish Mission.

[MARCH 16, 1832.

sents to the successor; not a Bey of Tunis, nor a Dey of in question was. Our own Government, indeed, formed Algiers, fell by disease, or died by the hand of some the only exception, and even that exception was not uniloving brother, but presents were still made to the new form; for he believed that there was seldom an Indian occupant of the throne. Congress, indeed, did not see treaty made in which we did not make presents, whether the appropriation, nor vote the money for that specific we received any or not. The Indian chiefs, indeed, were object; the Executive drew the necessary supply from a often much disposed to make presents on such occasions, fund set apart for the contingencies of foreign intercourse. so that whether nations were in a state of barbarism, or So that if the worthy gentleman from Ohio [Mr. WHIT- had advanced to the highest degrees of civilization, there TLESEY] insisted upon considering presents made to bar- still seemed to be something which suggested that, in orbarian Governments as tribute, he was paying every day der to propitiate man to man, it was necessary that some. not only many "cents" but many dollars, and many thou- thing should be given. sands of dollars, for tribute. But the matter was not so It had been said by the gentleman at the head of the considered elsewhere. Nay, the practice of making pre- Committee on Foreign Affairs, that the object of this sents in conducting negotiations prevailed even in Europe. treaty had been pursued by a preceding administration. We ourselves received presents on such occasions, not- It had so happened that the negotiations to effect it had withstanding the provision in the constitution to the con- been instituted by himself. But the fact had not been trary. The identical snuff box to which his colleague disclosed, because, in order to the success of the negotia had alluded had been in Mr. A.'s own hands. It had been tion, it was necessary that it should be secret. It had offered to him by the minister with whom he had conclud. been commenced in the midst of the war which had raged ed a treaty. The offer took him by surprise, being between Turkey, Russia, Great Britain, and France. At wholly unexpected, and the task of refusing was rendered that time none of those Powers had had accredited ministhe more embarrassing from the circumstance that the ters at Constantinople. If the fact had been otherwise, box contained on its lid a portrait of the reigning sove- Mr. A. could have indulged far less hopes of success. reign. He had, however, been obliged to say to the The negotiation had been commenced, and a treaty was, minister that it was with great regret he was compelled in part, concluded on before the close of the last adminis to refuse a present of that description, but he must do so, tration. As it had been necessary to keep these proceedings as the constitution of his own Government forbade him to secret from the nation, and as he well knew that it was accept of it. The minister had replied that there was a impossible to do any thing at that court without presents, similar regulation among European Powers, but the diffi- he had employed the whole of the sum constituting the culty was always gotten over by the minister's applying fund for the contingencies of foreign intercourse in proto his sovereign for leave to accept, which was never re-viding them on the present occasion; and one reason fused. The minister therefore continued to press the why the treaty had not been concluded at that time, was, snuff box upon him, urging him to take it, and suggest that the sum had not been sufficiently great, and the per ing a similar expedient to get over the prohibition of the sons employed had not seen proper, like Commodore constitution. Mr. A., however, had assured him that it Porter, to augment it on their own personal responsibility, would be very useless for him to make such an applica- The despatches from the confidential agents employed had tion, as he apprehended his sovereigns would not be very been received at the Department of State ten or fifteen likely to grant it. He had therefore requested him to re- days after the present administration came into power. tain the box, and he had accordingly done so. So custo- Those despatches, by order of the President, had been mary was this form of civility, that this was not the only submitted to his perusal, and his opinion had been asked instance which had occurred to himself. He had been whether it would be proper to go further in expenditures offered presents in like manner in other countries. In of the same kind, with a view to bring the negotiation to Holland it was the practice to present a heavy gold chain a close. And, in justice to the present administration, it having large medal appended to it, to every foreign was his duty to say that his reply to that inquiry had been, minister on his leaving the Hague. In England (where that although four times the sum already expended might they stuck closer to matter of fact) it was customary to be requisite, it should be given. The object had been ask a minister, on his departure, whether he chose to re-effected by an expenditure far within that amount. It ceive a snuff box containing a portrait of the King, or a was still his opinion that it was not only proper that these present of the like value in money. Some gentlemen usual presents should be made, but that the Legislature who were more sentimental, preferred accepting the box. should not be niggardly as to the amount applied to such Others, who looked closer to the pocket, received a sum an object. The sum could never be large; and if, instead of money. So perfectly was the thing understood, that of these $20,000, double that amount had been called for there was a regular graduation of the value of these pre- on the present occasion, he would venture to say that sents according to the grade of the minister to whom they the nation would receive five times such an amount in its were to be made, from an ambassador, down as low he pecuniary interest, and five hundred times the amount in believed as to a secretary of legation. It had happened reputation and influence.

He knew that we were

to him, when engaged in negotiating a treaty with that Mr. ROOT addressed the House for some time in oppo Power, that the British minister had put the question to sition to the amendment, and argued to show that the mo him. Mr. A. had replied that it was not in his power to ney asked for was to be considered as so much toll for accept either. The minister replied that he had himself liberty to pass the Dardanelles. received many of these presents, but never without ex-in the habit of paying toll at Elsineur; but that was a toll periencing a sense of shame. exacted by ancient usage, and paid by all nations. He A very good principle on that subject had been esta much doubted whether the trade of the Black Sea would blished by the directors of the East India Company. In be worth the toll that was demanded, especially as it would their intercourse with the nations of the East, the com- bring us, as he understood the matter, only the same pro pany always made valuable presents, and permitted their ducts we now obtained from St. Petersburgh. agents to receive corresponding presents in return. But Mr. WHITTLESEY now modified his amendment, so the value of the presents thus received was always charged as to include not only the amount advanced by Commo to the minister as so much on account towards his salary, dore Porter, but $2,500 for the dragoman, This, in the policy of merchants who were princes, and the amount proposed by his amendment $8,500. who united glory with interest in all their concerns, might Mr. ARCHER now said that, in deference to the opi be a very proper arrangement. He had mentioned these nion of his friend from South Carolina, [Mr. McDUFFIE, facts for the purpose of showing how universal the usage he would modify his amendment by omitting the $9,0

so as to make

C

SATURDAY, MARCH 17.

[H. or R.

to which that gentleman objected. Of the residue, $6,000| The motion was negatived, and the bill was then orderwas for the debt to Commodore Porter; $20,000 was for ed to a third reading. presents. It was, indeed, true that the minister had not expressly pledged himself to obtain this sum, nor had he felt himself warranted in borrowing it, as he had done the $6,000. It would not have been prudent for him to do so. But he had gained to the nation very signal commercial advantages, under a pledge that he would use his best exertions to obtain additional presents to this amount.

COMMISSIONER OF THE LAND OFFICE.

Mr. WICKLIFFE, by leave of the House, offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be Mr. A., therefore, put it to the nice sense of honor in instructed to inquire into and report to this House whethat House whether this did not virtually amount to a ther the Commissioner of the General Land Office was pledge of the nation itself. To such a question he well officially called upon, on or about the 27th December, knew he would find a ready response in every bosom, or 1831, to designate the boundaries of a new land district at least in every voice that would be uttered on this occa- proposed to be established in Michigan, by a bill reported sion. The two sums he had named, together with $2,500, from the Committee on Public Lands, which was printed the salary of the dragoman, would make, in all, $28,500. by order of this House, leaving the boundaries of said disIf he should yield to his own impressions, he should add trict blank, he being furnished with said bill. What were the remaining $9,000; but that he would waive, since the the reasons assigned for his refusal to obey the call thus gentleman at the head of Committee of Ways and Means officially made upon him, as assigned in two written comF did not seem to approve of it. Whether the prudence munications in answer to said call; whether the said comand dignity of this Government would dictate the with-missioner did not assign as a reason for not complying holding this amount from a meritorious officer, exposed with said official request "that he had no information in by his situation to peculiar and heavy expense, especially his office to give, and that, in his opinion, the public did when it was known that, out of his own penurious allow-not require an additional land district in Michigan," and ance of $4,500, he would probably be obliged to advance whether, at the same time, he had or had not advised the sums requisite in the public service, and for which the delegate from Michigan that two additional land offices committee would be obliged hereafter to apply to the were required in said territory; what information was House, it was not for him to say. The effect would be it which was "lately received," which, on the 9th Fethat the money must be advanced either by Commodore bruary, 1832, enabled the said commissioner to comply Porter, or the Government-a Government oppressed by with the official request made upon him in December, ats own revenues, and almost at a loss how to dispose of 1832, by giving the boundaries of said district, and which its superabundant means. He should be gratified if the he had declined, because, in his opinion, (as expressed gentleman from South Carolina would withdraw his ob- in two communications in writing to the Secretary of the (jection, or consent himself to propose the amount in Treasury,) the establishment of a new land office and disquestion. trict in Michigan was inexpedient; whether the two first communications in writing, in answer to the request aforesaid, to give the boundaries of said district, addressed to the Mr. ARCHER replied in the affirmative, and added Secretary of the Treasury, and signed "Elijah Hayward, that the gallant Commodore had been under the necessity Commissioner of the General Land Office," formed a part of borrowing money for his own subsistence. Mr. A. of the informal correspondence between the Secretary further said that he was in the possession of documents and the said commissioner "on the subject of an addiwhich would enable him to give a full and particular re- tional land district in Michigan;" whether these letters ply to the inquiries of the gentleman from South Caro-" were unofficial," whether they have or have not been lina, as to the particular items as well of import as export recorded; and whether copies of the said letters have or which would probably enter into our commerce in the have not been denied to a person having a right to demand them of the commissioner, upon the allegation on the part of the commissioner that they formed a part of the informal correspondence between the Secretary of the Treasury and "the commissioner, alleging that the originals were destroyed;" if said letters were official, and have not been recorded or preserved in the office of the Commis sioner of the General Land Office. That the said comMr. WAYNE observed that if the gentleman from Vir-mittee also inquire into the expediency of providing by ginia persisted in moving for only $28,500, he should con- law that all official communications in writing, signed by sider it his duty to amend the amendment so as to include the Commissioner of the General Land Office, shall be the original sum of $37,500. preserved, by requiring the same to be recorded in a book to be kept for that purpose; and that the said committee have leave to send for persons and papers.

Mr. McDUFFIE inquired whether Commodore Porter was not now in advance for the Government.

Black Sea.

He would read it to the House, unless the lateness of the hour (it was now near six o'clock) should render the House too impatient to listen. [Mr. A. was about to read the paper, when cries of no, no, were heard in all parts of the House. Several voices said, renew your original motion; withdraw your modification.]

Mr. McDUFFIE relinquished his objection to the $9,000; and

Mr. ARCHER thereupon withdrew his modification, and renewed his motion for the latter sum.

The question was then put on Mr. WHITTLESEY'S amendment, and promptly negatived.

Mr. WILLIAMS moved for $28,500; but this motion was rejected with equal promptitude, and the sum of $37,500 was agreed to by a large majority.

Mr. ARNOLD wished to be informed by the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations whether it was expected that a minister would be appointed to England; to which Mr. ARCHER replied in the affirmative.

Mr. LETCHER made an inquiry respecting the appropriation for a mission to Central America, (Guatimala,) which not being answered to his satisfaction, he moved to strike out that part of the bill.

Mr. W. said he had proposed to send the inquiry to the Committee on Private Land Claims rather than to the Committee on Public Lands, to which it might be considered as more appropriately belonging, in consequence of the fact of his being himself a member of the latter committee, and therefore the reference might seem to have had some personal end in view. He should therefore be unwilling to give the inquiry that direction, unless the members of the committee should themselves desire it.

Mr. WICKLIFFE said he proposed to send this inquiry to the Committee on Private Land Claims, from a sense of the impropriety of sending it to the Committee on Public Lands, to which he belonged. If it was sent there, he should feel bound to withdraw himself from taking part in