H. of R.] Amendment of the Constitution.—Remains of Com. Perry.—Brandy, in small casks. [May 18, 1826. AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION. of the great and good man is not alone a land mark where Mr. McDUFFIE, from the select committee of twenty-private affection may pour forth even "the luxury of its four, appointed on the amendments of the Constitution, inade the following report: wo," by cherishing such memorials "for secret looks and solitary enjoyment," but it is as it were a living school, where patriotism may learn something of its duties, and virtue some of its rewards. It is not, therefore, for the sole purpose that his widow may be permitted to weep who gave him birth, stricken with grief and age, may bend over his tomb, and, in the bitterness of her heart, deplore the sad reversal of the order of nature, that had called her to mourn over the loss of such a child-or, that even his sons may lay their heads upon the verdant sod that rests upon his bosom, and, at once, in the sorrows of their bereavement, and in the pride of his name, bless the THE LATE COMMODORE PERRY. Almighty God that he had made him such a man. No, it Mr. PETER offered the following: is, that the grave of Perry may become one of the shrines Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be instructed of our country, where those who start in the race of honor to cause the remains of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and glory may go to pay their fond and useful pilgrim to be removed from the Island of Trinidad, in a public ages-that they may learn how noble efforts are to be vessel of the United States, and to have the same convey-made, how the glorious palm is to be won. ed to Newport, in the State of Rhode Island. "The committee to whom was referred the several resolutions of the House of Representatives, declaring the expediency of so amending the Constitution as to prevent the election of President and Vice President from devolv-over the urn of her departed husband-that the parent ing upon Congress, report, that they have had the said resolutions under consideration, but have not been able to agree upon any specific plan for carrying into effect the leading resolution, under which they have been appointed; and they, therefore, ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject." The question of consideration being demanded, it was decided in the affirmative. Mr. PETER, in submitting the resolution, observed that, as a gentleman from South Carolina, before him, had received a letter from the widow of Commodore Perry, written subsequently to the report of the Committee on Naval Affairs, in which that lady had expressed the most anxious desire for the removal of the remains of her husband to the soil of that country whose fame he had so highly honored and enriched, he hoped that the resolution would now pass without opposition. Mr. HAMILTON said, I rise, sir, for the purpose of confirming what my friend from Maryland has stated to the House. It is true that I have received a letter from the widow of our lamented Perry, and I wish it were in my power, without violating the sacredness and seclusion of those griefs I am bound to respect, to read this letter to those who now hear me for it would not only shew the keen solicitude with which she cherishes the accomplishment of the purpose of the resolution, but of what sort of eloquence that is which springs from the sorrows of a widowed heart. Let us, then, give our cheering sympathy, with cordial unanimity, to this too long neglected purpose, and restore the ashes of our friend to that beautiful Island, the spot of his birth, where they may sleep, guarded by the valor, and cherished by the gratitude of its People. The resolution was agreed to. Mr. NEWTON moved to discharge the Committee of the Whole from the further consideration of the bill "to authorize the importation of gin and brandy in casks of a capacity of not less than fifteen gallons." The motion prevailed-ayes 64, noes 51. Mr. TOMLINSON moved to amend the bill by strik ing out the words, "and gin," wherever it occurs. [This amendment goes to exclude the article of gin from the provisions of the bill, restricting it to brandy alone.] The amendment was adopted. Mr. TOMLINSON also offered the following proviso, which was also adopted, to come in at the close of the first section : act providing for the deposite of arms and distilled spirits, in public warehouses, and for other purposes." Several amendments were offered by Mr. TOMLINSON, and adopted. When, after a few words, in opposition, from Mr. TRIMBLE, the bill was ordered to its third reading. NON-RESIDENTS' LANDS IN ARKANSAS. And provided further, That all brandy, imported in casks, of a capacity less than ninety gallons, shall be deposited at the expense and risk of the importer, in such public or other warehouses, as shall be designated by the I hope that the House will indulge me with one word collector or surveyor for the port where the same shall be more. The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom the landed, and shall be removed therefrom, for importation resolution was referred which the gentleman from Mary-only, in the manner prescribed by the act, entitled "An land offered some weeks since, appear not to have comprehended the object which we had in view. My friend and myself knew, perfectly well, that, as neither legislation or appropriation was required, it was fully within the competency of the Secretary of the Navy to have ordered some one of the vessels attached to the West India squadron to touch at Trinidad, and there to receive the remains of our countryman, that have so long slumbered under the protecting chivalry and veneration of those who were Mr. STRONG moved to discharge the Committee of once that very enemy whom, for us, he conquered. But, the Whole from the bill "concerning lands in the Terriwe confess, we had a higher aim. It was, that this re-tories of the United States, belonging to non-residents.” moval should not be done in secrecy, as a mere offering The motion prevailed; and the question being on orto private affection, but as a token of public gratitude dering the bill to its third readingand esteem; that we might obtain a distinct and feeling expression of the sentiments of this House; that we might here say to the Secretary of the Navy, go on, and discharge the duties of this pious office: for the little bark, however humble it may be, which sails in quest of remains as dear to his country as those of Patroclus to the son of Peleus, carries, with the cypress around its banner, the sorrows and the sympathy of a whole People. I know, sir, that a cold philosophy tells us, it matters not where the poor dust, of which this body is composed, moulders into a clod of the valley; but the instincts and affections of the human heart instruct us in a more amiable and gratifying lesson. The spot which holds the ashes Mr. CONWAY said, he was sorry that the bill before the House had been called up out of its order. It was not expected by him, and he was, therefore, not prepared, at this moment, to present to the House his objections to its passage. Those objections could not be made properly, without a particular reference to the revenue laws of Arkansas; and he had not them here: they were at his room among his books. Under these circumstances, said Mr. C., I can only submit to the House, in general terms, what I have to say upon the subject. The first and greatest objection that I have to the proposed law, is, that it will derange the whole revenue system of Arkansas, and consume, in its MAY 18, 1826.] Non-residents' Lands in Arkansas.—The Public Offices. operations, the whole tax on non-resident lands; or throw upon the proprietors of those lands an expense much greater than they have now to pay. By the laws of Arkansas, the assessment is made in January of each year, and the Sheriffs of the counties enter into bonds to collect and pay over the taxes to the Treasurer, and to settle with the Auditor by the first of December; and, if the tax on lands cannot be collected without doing so, the Sheriff is authorized to sell as much of the land as will pay the amount due, the sale to take place on the first Monday of November; sixty days' notice being given of the sale, by publishing a list of the lands in some newspaper in the Territory. Lands thus sold are redeemable for twelve months from the day of sale, by refunding to the purchaser his money, with interest, and one hundred per cent. per annum. By the organic law of Arkansas, all the military bounty lands are exempt from taxation for three years, from the date of the patent, and not one tract has ever been sold under four years, from the date of the patent; and yet the Territory is charged with being cruel and oppressive in its revenue laws. The General Assembly meets but once in two years: its last session was in the month of October of the present year. Pass this bill, and an extra session must be held to change the revenue laws to suit its provisions. This will cost some five or six thousand dollars-a sum which the Territory is unable to pay. [H. of R. members to that determination. It is novel and unprece dented in its character. I will ask you, sir, when did Congress before dream of appointing a Collector of tho Revenue for a Territory, to reside fifteen hundred miles from the Territorial Seat of Government; and who, in his character as an officer, is to be perfectly independent of the Territory? It must be answered, that nothing of the kind was ever proposed until it was thought of for Arkansas. What would become of your law and your Agent, if the Territory was to exempt the lands of non-residents from taxes? This power it certainly possesses: or do you claim the right to compel the Territory to continue the tax, to give your Agent business and fees? I cannot think that such a claim will be set up, when it is known that you cannot, by a law of Congress, tax the People of a Territory without their consent: and here, on this floor, they are not allowed to vote. The General Assembly of Arkansas might, I say, with propriety, appoint an Agent to reside at the Seat of the General Government, or at any other point in the Union, to collect taxes from non-resident proprietors of lands in that Territory; but it appears to me that Congress cannot, with propriety, do so. You can, sir, exempt those lands from taxes altogether if you choose to do so; and I should greatly prefer such a law, provided you will appropriate money out of your Treasury to meet the expenses of the Legislative Department of the Government of Arkansas. The bounty which you gave to your soldiers for their serWhen the Committee on the Territories was instructed vices in the late war, was a National one; and any extraby a resolution submitted by the honorable gentleman ordinary indulgence which is granted to them now, should from Connecticut, (Mr. TOMLINSON) to inquire into this also be National, and not at the expense of a few thousubject, I submitted a resolution, which was referred, by sand inhabitants of one of your remote Territories. Pass order of the House, to the same committee, to inquire into a law making it the duty of the Commissioner of the Gethe expediency of making an appropriation to defray the neral Land Office to receive the taxes on non-resident expenses of the Legislative Department of Arkansas. The lands, without expense to the Territory or to the land proreport of the committee, it will be recollected, was un-prietors, and I shall be satisfied: But, to a law so injuri favorable; and yet an appropriation is made annually of more than five thousand dollars to meet similar expenses in Michigan and Florida. How it happens that this spirit of favoritism exists, I cannot tell. The General Government has never paid one cent of the expenses of the Legislative Department of Arkansas; the whole has been thrown upon the People of that Territory; and now it is proposed to add to that expense, by compelling the Territory, at an unreasonable time, to change its laws. ous to the interests of the Territory and to the soldier, as I think this will be, I can never consent; and I therefore move to lay the bill upon the table. The motion was negatived. After some amendments offered by Mr. STRONG, When Mr. VANCE called for the yeas and nays, on ordering the bill to a third reading. The House refused to sustain the call. Mr. SCOTT now renewed the opposition, and closed his speech with a motion to postpone the bill to Monday next. Mr. CONWAY urged the postponement: but it was negatived, and the bill was ordered to its third reading this day. THE PUBLIC OFFICES. One provision of the bill before the House is, that the lands of non-residents, on which taxes have not been paid, shall be advertised once a week, for six months, in some newspaper in the Territory. This single provision will create an expense of about three dollars twenty-five cents per tract: the tax is two dollars and forty cents; and another part of the bill proposes to give to your Agent one dollar as a fee for redeeming the land after it is sold: these sums, added together, make six dollars sixty-five cents tax on each quarter section of land, per annum. If this was all, it might be borne, perhaps, by the land pro- Mr. DWIGHT moved that the House go into Commitprietor without complaint; but your law will create other tee of the Whole on the State of the Union. The motion expenses which must be paid by him. You require the prevailed, and the House went into committee accordingGovernor to transmit to this place a list of the lands taxed, ly, Mr. BARTLETT in the Chair, on the bill, in addition and of those sold annually for taxes. Some person must to "An act, entitled 'An act to regulate and fix the combe employed by the Territory to perform the labor of pre-pensation of the Clerks in the different Offices," passed paring those lists, and that person must be paid for his ser- April 18, 1818. vices. The Agent, too, who is to reside at the Seat of the General Government, is to receive three per cent. of the amount collected by him. Now, sir, put all these sums together, and it shews, conclusively, that your law will, in its operations, as I have before stated, consume the whole of the tax on non-resident lands, or throw upon the proprietors of those lands a great additional expense, which I should consider unjust and cruel on your part. These objections alone ought, I think, Mr. Speaker, to induce the House to reject the bill; but there are others which should be conclusive in bringing the minds of the Some slight amendments were proposed by Mr. DWIGHT, and adopted. And, after some conversation between Messrs. DWIGHT, COOK, INGHAM, BRENT, COCKE, POLK, ALSTON, and CAMPBELL, and the adoption of various minor amendments, Mr. COOK moved that one thousand dollars be added to the salary of the Postmaster General. In support of this amendment, Mr. COOK went into a detailed statement of the labors performed in the Postmaster's Department, and the reforms produced by exertions of the present incumbent. Mr. COCKE moved to amend the bill, by increasing the salary to six thousand dollars; and supported the argument, that the duties of this Department were at least equal in labor with those of the other Departments of the Government, and the compensation for its labors ought to be of equivalent amount. The motion was advocated by Messrs. BRENT and MCDUFFIE, and opposed by Mr. COOK (who stated that the incumbent would, he believed, be satisfied with five thousand dollars.) The increase to six thousand dol. lars was then farther supported by Mr. COCKE, and adopted. Some farther amendments were proposed, but they did not succeed; and the committee then rose and reported the bill to the House. The amendments were then severally adopted by the House, until that for increasing the salary of the Postmaster General came up. This was opposed by Mr. FORSYTH. He urged, in substance, that the General Post Office was not a Department of the Government, but a branch only of the Department of State. The fidelity with which the present incumbent discharged his duties was no reason for raising the salary of the office itself, and it was proper that a difference should exist between the compensations of Heads of Departments and of the Post master General. Mr. TAYLOR, of Virginia, moved to strike out two, and insert one: so as to inake the salary five thousand dol lars, instead of six thousand dollars-and demanded the yeas and nays, but the House refused to order them. The question was then taken on the motion of Mr. TAYLOR, to fix the salary at five thousand dollars, and carriedayes 69, noes 45. Mr. POLK opposed the bill at large, on the ground that the House had no information which justified its provisions. Mr. DWIGHT replied, and the bill was then ordered to its third reading this day. (MAY 19, 1826. brouck, Hemphill, Henry, Hobart, Humphrey, Ingersoll, Isacks, Johnson, of N. Y., Francis Johnson, Kremer, Lawrence, Lecompte, Letcher, Little, Livingston, Mallary, Marable, Markley, Martindale, Martin, Marvin, of N. Y., Mattocks, McLean, of Ohio, Mercer, Merwin, of Conn., Metcalfe, James S. Mitchell, Mitchell, of Md., Moore, of Ken., Newton, Orr, Pearce, Peter, Plumer, Powell, Reed, Sands, Scott, Sloane, Sprague, Stevenson, of Pa., Stewart, Strong, Swan, Test, Thomson, of Pa, Thompson, of Ohio, Trimble, Van Horne, Vance, Varnum, Vinton, Wales, Webster, Weems, Whittemore, Whittlesey, Wickliffe, James Wilson, Wolf, Wright, Young-92. NAYS-Messrs. Alexander, of Va., Alexander, of Ten, Allen, of Mass., Angel, Archer, Ashley, Bailey, Badger, Baldwin, Bartlett, Barbour, of Va., Bassett, Bradley, Brown, Bryan, Burges, Cambreleng, Cary, Claiborne, Conner, Davenport, Deitz, Eastman, Edwards, of N. C., Floyd, Forsyth, Fosdick, Gova, Harvey, Haynes, Healey, Hoffman, Houston, Ingham, Kellogg, Kidder, Lathrop, Lincoln, Long, Mangum, McCoy, McNeil, Mitchell, of Ten., O'Brien, Owen, Polk, Ross, Saunders, Stevenson, of Va., Taliaferro, Tattnall, Taylor, of Va., Thompson, of Ga., Trezvant, Tucker, of S. C., Verplanck, Williams, Wilson, of S. C., Wood, of N. Y., Worthington, Wurts --62. So the bill was ordered to a third reading this day. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1826. INDIAN TREATIES. The following resolution, offered yesterday, by Mr. SLOANE, was taken up : REPAIR OF THE CUMBERLAND ROAD. The amendments reported by the Committee of the Whole to the bill "providing for the preservation and re-ed to negotiate a treaty, for his own private use and emopair of the Cumberland Road," were taken up in order; and some progress having been made in them Mr HOFFMAN, representing the bill as going to an act of robbery and usurpation, moved to lay the bill and amendments on the table. On this motion, Mr. EDWARDS, of North Carolina, demanded the yeas and nays, which were ordered; and the motion was negatived-yeas 48, nays 97. The other amendments were then agreed to, and the question being on ordering the bill to a third reading, Mr. WILLIAMS called for the yeas and nays. An inquiry of Mr. CAMBRELENG, whether any provision was made to obtain the consent of the States through which the road passes, before toll-gates were erected, was answered by Mr. STEWART and Mr. MALLARY. Motions were made to amend the bill, which gave rise to considerable debate-when the previous question was called for, and the call sustained by the House. And the question being, "Shall the main question now be put ?" Mr. BASSETT demanded the yeas and nays, which were ordered, and were-yeas 76, nays 70. The main question was then put, Shall the bill be engrossed and ordered to a third reading? and decided by yeas and nays, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Addams, of Pa., Ailen, of Ten., Alston, Anderson, Armstrong, Barney, Baylies, Beecher, Blair, Boon, Brent, Buckner, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Cocke, Cook, Crowninshield, Davis, Dorsey, Drayton, Dwight, Edwards, of Pa., Everett, Findlay, of Pa., Finday, of Ohio, Garnsey, Garrison, Gurley, Harris, as “Resolved, That the President of the United States be reqested to communicate to this House any information that may be in possession of the Executive Government, respecting any treaty, or supplement to a treaty, or any special agreement, entered into by any Agent or Commis sioner of the United States, with any tribe or tribes of Indians, by which any grant of land was made, or proposed to be made, by any such Agent or Commissioner, employlument; the nature and extent of such grant, also the purport of the instructions to such Agent or Commissioner employed to negotiate a treaty, and his communications to the Executive, on the subject of such grant; and whether such Agent or Commissioner agreed to accept such grant, so proposed or made, and whether any such grant has, at any time, been submitted by such Agent or Commissioner, for the ratification of the Government; and, if so, whether the same has been ratified." Mr. CAMPBELL expressed a wish that his colleague would state some of the reasons which had induced him to offer the resolution, and which ought to prevail on the House to adopt it. As a general reference had been made, but no individual specified, he thought it was due to those employed as Commissioners, that the mover should be more explicit. Mr. SLOANE did not wish to be drawn into discussion on this subject. He had offered the resolution in consequence of information he had received. Of the truth of that information, he expressed no opinion; but desired that the subject might be inquired into. He declined designating any individual by name. Mr. HAMILTON said he supposed it was not difficult to perceive the direction of the rifle, though the object aimed at was itself invisible; and he expressed, for one, a cordial hope that the resolution would be adopted. Mr. POLK wished to know of the mover of the resolu tion what object he had in view, in making the call which was contemplated by the resolution. He wished the gen tleman, if he possessed any information, to communicate it to the House. He wished him to specify in what in Accounts of Mr. Monroe.-Rules of United States' Courts.—Impressment of Seamen. The motion prevailed, and the resolution was laid on the table accordingly. ACCOUNTS OF MR. MONROE. MAY 20, 1826.] Mr. SLOANE replied; but declined giving the information, or making any specification. Mr. POLK said, he was at a loss to know the moving cause which had induced the gentleman from Ohio to offer the resolution. He had supposed that the gentleman had some distinct object in view, and it had been his purpose, when up before, to be informed what that object was. The gentleman had, however, declined giving to the House the information which had been desired. He had again risen to invite the gentleman to come out, if he really possessed, or supposed he possessed, any information, and communicate it to the House. He rose to insist on the gentleman to specify the treaty, and the individual or individuals who made it, on the part of the United States, in which any malconduct, such as that intimated in the resolution, had occurred. He hoped, if he possessed any such information, he would no longer pertinaciously withhold it. It was, certainly, strange, that a resolution of this importance should have been submitted at this late period of the session. The gentleman, certainly, knew, that no new act of legislation, predicated upon the information, in answer to the resolution, be it what it may, can take place during the present session of Congress. What, then, was his object in submitting the resolution at this late period? Does the gentleman really seek information, or has he some other object, which he does not wish to avow? The gentleman declines telling us. But, as the resolution had been submitted, he should certainly vote for its adoption, and was anxious that it should be adopted. And, with the view of obtaining all the information, and not a partial statement of any information which the gentleman, by offering the resolution, seems to suppose may be in possession of the Executive, he moved to amend the resolution, by striking out the words "any information" in the possession of the Executive, &c. and to insert, in lieu thereof, the words, "all the information" in the possession of the Executive, &c. And, at the same time that he moved the amendment, he hoped the gentleman, if he possessed any information, would favor the House with it. Mr. SLOANE still declined making any specification, or giving the information desired. The amendment of the Senate to the bill "for the relief of James Monroe," being taken up, and the question being on concurring with the amendment of the Senate, which goes to increase the amount of appropriation from $15,533 to $29,513, Mr. WHITTLESEY demanded the yeas and nays, which were ordered by the House, and So the amendment of the Senate was disagreed to. RULES OF THE FEDERAL COURTS. Mr. FRANCIS JOHNSON said, that the Committee He should not, therefore, throw any obstacles in the way of the passage of the bill, but should hold himself prepared to press the subject of those rules at the next session. The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The bill having been read a third time, its title was amended so as to read, "A bill concerning process and. execution in the States of Kentucky, Ohio, and LouisiThe House adjourned. Mr. CAMBRELENG, after a few remarks as to the effect of the resolution, moved that it be laid upon the ta-ana." ble, but afterwards consented to withdraw his motion, at the request of Mr. POLK, who farther insisted on the consideration of the resolution, since it had been brought forward. Mr. BARTLETT moved to refer it to the Committee on Indian Affairs. The motion was negatived. Mr. SLOANE now accepted the amendment of Mr. POLK, as a modification. SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1826 The following resolution, offered by Mr. LITTLE, w. s taken up; "Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House any inforMr. FORSYTH explained the remarks he had lately mation in his possession, touching the impressment of made on the subject of the mode of conducting Indian seamen, from on board American vessels on the high seas, Treaties, and exculpated the Commissioners from blame. or elsewhere, by the commanders of British or other foMr. WOOD, of New York, now moved to lay the reso-reign vessels or ships of war, since the 18th of February, tion on the table. 1815." Mr. FORSYTH moved to amend the resolution, by inserting the following words: "Together with any correspondence on the subject, with any foreign Government." [MAY 20, 1826. THE NEW CREEK TREATY. ings on the part of this Government, relative to the late occurrence, on the coast of Africa; although he was persuaded they were every thing the honor of the country prompted. But as to any cases of Colombian impressMr. EVERETT rose, to make a single suggestion to ment, of which he owned he was uninformed, he was perthe gentleman from Georgia. Mr. E. had not the slight- fectly willing to ask for the communication of any docu est objection to the object which that gentleman had in ment in the possession of the Government. In order, view. Whenever a proper time for such a disclosure therefore, to reconcile the attainment of the object of the should arrive, he wished the whole proceedings of the gentleman from Georgia with an orderly course, in relaGovernment, on this subject, to come before the House. tion to recent events, Mr. E. would suggest to the gentleBut although the resolution of the gentleman from Mary-man to insert the usual proviso: "As far as the communiland was couched in general terms, the House doubtless tion of the same is consistent with the public service." understood it to refer to recent events, of which intelli- Mr. FORSYTH accepted the modification. gence had been scarce two weeks in the country. Short In this form the resolution was agreed to. as the time was, Mr. E. had no doubt, although he had no particular information on the point, that the subject had received due attention from the Executive Government. But as it was not possible that, after the lapse of so short a period, an answer could have been received, from any foreign Government, to any remonstrance made by our own, Mr. E. submitted to the gentleman from Georgia whether it might not be premature to press his amendment. Mr. CONDICT suggested, that, as the information called for by the resolution could not, at any rate, be submitted to Congress before its next session, the objection urged by the gentleman from Massachusetts did not apply, as abundance of time would elapse, in the mean while, for the answers to be received from foreign Governments, and the information could then be communicated. Mr. C. expressed his satisfaction that such a resolution had been offered. He thought such a practice as that it alluded to, could not too soon be inquired into: it ought to be checked in the bud. Mr. FORSYTH said, that, if the form of the resolution had been specific, applying only to a single Government, the objection of the gentleman from Massachusetts might have weight; but the resolution is general in its form, and embraces any and every other Government that may have been concerned in like practices. And if, as he had good reason to believe, a similar occurrence had happened, under the alleged orders of any other Power, the correspondence may have already taken place. He alluded to the Colombian Government. Mr. DWIGHT, from the Committee of Conference, on the part of the House, on the disagreeing vote of the two Houses, on the bill "making appropriation for carrying into effect the treaty concluded between the United States and the Creek nation of Indians," made a report; which was ordered to lie upon the table. The following modification to the amendment of the Senate, reported by the Committee of Conference, to the bill making appropriation for carrying into effect the treaty concluded between the United States and the Creek nation of Indians, was subsequently taken up. "Both of which sums shall be paid to the Chiefs of the Creek nation, to be divided among the Chiefs and Warriors of the said nation; and that the same be done under the direction of the Secretary of War, in a full council of the nation, convened upon notice for that purpose." Mr. FORSYTH said: A stupendous fraud, it seems, was intended by the Delegation who had formed, with the Secretary of War, the new contract. The Chiefs composing the Creek diplomatic train, assisted by their Cherokee Secretaries of Legation, had combined to put into their own pockets, and those of a few select friends, somewhere about three-fourths of the first payment to be made for the second cession of the lands lying in Georgia. The facts connected with this transaction, although concealed from the Senate when the second contract was before them for ratification, and from the House when Mr. LITTLE said he had two objects in view in offer- the appropriation bill to carry it into effect was under ing this resolution: first, to establish the fact-for we have consideration, were perfectly understood at the War Deit only as newspaper information-and because I believe partment by the Secretary, and by his Clerk, who is callit true that impressments have been made; and, secondly, ed the Head of the Indian Bureau. The Senate having, to evince to the world that this Government does not look by some strange fortune, discovered the intended fraud, on such acts with indifference. The resolution is gene- after the ratification of the contract, and before they actral. On this subject the American People view all Go-ed on the appropriation bill, wished, by an amendment vernments and Nations alike. It was my lot, about four- to the bill, to prevent the success of the profitable scheme teen years ago, in this Hall, to introduce a similar resolu- of villany. The House, entirely ignorant of the facts, tion of inquiry. Impressments had then constituted a and not suspecting the motive of the amendment, had reprincipal item among the other causes which led to the jected it, insisted upon their disagreement to it, and a war in which we were last engaged. I will only add, I do Committee of the two Houses, as usual, had conferred on not see how it is possible that we can submit to the prac- the subject. Now, that the facts are ascertained by the tice, either as an independent nation, or as living under an separate reports of the Committees, there can be no difefficient Government. To allow the practice, would de- ference of opinion on the great point of defeating the infeat its primary end, which I consider to be for the mutual tended treachery of the Delegation and Secretaries to protection of our personal liberty, and protection in the the Creek tribe. The only matter which can bear dispursuit of happiness. No, Sir, the People of this coun- cussion, is, how shall the treachery be punished?-how try will not submit to the incarceration of their fellow-citi- shall the Creek tribe be protected from the abominable zens in foreign ships of war, perhaps to fight against their designs of their worthless and unprincipled agents? Will country and friends; so let not the world mistake their the amendment proposed by the Committee reach their character. I am sure I do not-this House will not. On object? The plan is, to pay the money to the Chiefs, to this point there can be no question of doubt. I accept be divided among the Chiefs and Warriors, under the the modification offered, if I am permitted to do so. direction of the Secretary of War, in a full Council of Mr. EVERETT said, he concurred, most heartily, with the Nation, convened for the purpose. Suppose the the gentleman from Maryland. He was very glad that the Council in solemn session, the money before them, and subject was thus promptly presented to the notice of the the division about to be made, under the direction of the House. Neither was he opposed to the object of the gentle-Secretary of War-may not the Chiefs and their Secre man from Georgia. Mr. E. did not, indeed, deem it expedi- taries claim the money, as promised to them under the ent to force, at this time, the communication of any proceed-treaty, and how will the Secretary or his Agent resist |