Columbia telescope. (Columbia, S.C.) 1828-1839, January 20, 1838, Image 2
5??:
6s. Courier.
?t\Te bavi? received
r 7T_| excellent speech, iu
*5- J- institutions. (iciivfred in
^r3"rt>;bv T. Wsti.v,
f'BiiifcjSerat ?f at ?
cahe.f at tne insane? ol
and other absl.'tion fanatics.
f" gratification c<> number
^^".t>ar^ia>wpi^i>5 -on* occupy j.kg >u dis
., post inth^ service of Massachu
/ to . fiud !mn boldly proclaiming
from -flSewi&fy .-era-Tie of American Indvnen
*; dea?^?)i?v;co astitiit'rona I rights of Lhe South.
The- ?*$?1 *%*h\ck yMiv. A u s r t>- addresse J .
p urpose of urging the ex
isanrg* cr^s^e^ ngamstthe South, under the
pretext of ctmoiK&M^g ay a raarty. in the cau.se
?/ the freedom o/ the 'press, the "fanatic trOV?
>o>\ who bad bv violence provoked-a violent
death, -A'itog; m the State of ZttinoLs. ?
A r:er some preliminary remarks, "M r. A . pro
ceeds to cteHftt the p?rttea&rs connected with
Tuo career- death of firOTKJOY. He shews
h -v that misgi*a%red niau^iu violation. of
?"viie law of Missouri, a slave holding statewi
de* cook To establish therVnh abo'Tkioa press,
,the edett^Sd tendency of which, in rhejudir
ixcut of the wfepte^ people of that .state, was
and mnrderV and by
*vis termed h"rftdrat suasion, to produce a
gjrale war of bloodshed jaud distrncfjon" ?
k>w, being >h*iveii irom Missouri, he merely
>>ssed over to Alton, on t^pthersicle of the
a ..Mississippi, iu the noh-sfavi?-lipldi ng state of
^Bfiaels;- where there was no taw to punish
v fcaalbr inciting the sia?es of Missouri to rise
^ trust their masters, and when^ fesfimght
discharge into her bosom,. the ejiveuomed
?? '^hitu- ? and how the people of Alton true to
^^J&ewrconstit u tiona 1 duty, and considering this
extreme case, put down his abolition p a
which in their judgment was "violating
principles of religion, morality and order ;
?c seicrtTng a servile war under the guise of free
and preaching murder, in the name of
s^pKristianitv." The sequel of Lovkjoy's
gfjatn, we give in the speaker's own words ?
?:-k* fee Case has been iorsome time before the
^^gabllc, "hue we have never yet seen the details
^o^o^^sa tis fa c t o rily na rrated .
Another attempt was made to set up the
;^jpiaper- A new press was procured. It is
^jHttd that it was paid for by some abolition
^gterety, and the story was believed tlu?:e, but
w true it was. he couid not say. The peo
s.?3eelared ifshould _not be used. It was
^^BScect in a ware-house for safe keeping, and
surrounded the building aud demand
~ eijthrat it should be given up* considering it
P>i#*s an instrument for murder ? a sword in the
^ Sands of a crazy man. The mob surrounded \
and demanded it. Lovejoy and
fets friends stood on their legal rights, and de- !
r?&8ded their property. A gun was first fired j
l^&oui the budding, and a man by the name of
gP&siiDp was first killed; but as we are not j
|S|jtertled here to sympathize for him, his death j
t^^asses for nothing. The crowd became in
^furiated m the sight of blood, shed by a miu
ofthegospe' of peace. They surround
jylbe buildingant] threaten to bum it; one man
mounts the ladder to reach the Tool; Love
XOy comes outside, aud deliberately aims his !
i$pyiiuske? to take this man's life. At that mo- j
^^ent guns are llred at Lov'ejoy. The man J
: who was on the ladder was saved, and Love
~;3*y was shot, tie returned to his eornpan- '
- iaasr fell aud expired. He resorted to violence !
^ he feii by violence. He excited the !
- "passions of men, by conduct uuwise, impoli- j
trp,rashT extravagant atid unchristian; and the j
consequence of his conduct was as might {
-haVe beeu anticipated. |
_ ?, Nowt said Mr. A. wishing at all dmes a?d ,
?- en all occasions, that Tny abhorrence of mobs ;
'?siiottldbe distinctly understood, and meaning [
in no degree to coLiutenance-or excuse their |
- proceedings, I ;isk my feilo.w citizens if it may
not be said of this man, in the language of
scripture, that ke died as afoot dieth.
His clerical character is no paliiation of his j
tsondcrct,, I have as hule sympathy for a mm- j
ister of the gospel who isfoaad>gau in hand, '
fighting in a broil with a mob, as I have for
one who leaves his pulpit to mingle ta the
debates of a popular assembly, in matters that
cUCnat concern his sacred olfice. In either
'^diiLotion he is marvellously, out of place."
l^jtThe orator the a -retakes the fanatic portion
- of his audience for their misplaced sympathy*"
. and appeals to them whether the people ofj
f lilm. is and Missouri may not charge them
with having been instigated by the same pas-,
sio us, and with having yielded to the like in- |
. - "firmity of humaumature ? He tells them that
- ** wherever the abolition fever rages, there ai'e
. -mobs and murder," and remind^.- them that
~ he" would soon be called on, "in his oi?iciai|
- vapaciry, to try a man, indicted tor murde
growing out of this vety spirit, which was'
?yperatioa ui Alton." lie reeslls the.pe^i
wiiea BritUh oppression graded theu^in^es
?ors to resistance, and shews how whentt^sj
noble champions of Americau fte^eilom found i
-- their prayers and suppUcat'ons Ltfc^m^.that '
. .-there w;is no law to protect then%.fi^ middle
i jpath betweenruin auij*esistaAce^the^,4t took
^heir protectio? under the secuoti^f their
hands, -and imu*Ching ,dftwn^|ro.'n this
[jij. Hall ? an orderly :iwb ? poured ..tt^tjj^uest
ing instruiueot of their degradation-! nto the
sea.".. " So" continues he, fciw^||Le people
- %f Missouri claiia to do, when'th?Lf jives are
threatened by these abolition . cons|^|tors.?
*: wiH-tetf you. they wili caj#^ 3^.^ God
' "W^eaven, as your fathers. did, jin?':with his
-%or will deieavi themselve^>,M. Kfrlhe na
ioral operatiau of huiacUipiissiQJa, when stim
ulated and goaded to extremes^tOklKt&r out
us resistance irr ebullitions of ungbver aed
. wrath. Lament it as we may^acbig||-is the
coast i tu tio a of mankiud, and ail the preaching
ali the zealots of p-?uty will aot-j^roduce a
?iag pasts^e^ ^JWmirably put
, name force .ojfctru .y.
: % pe?pfe tbiit st^Lfijr lives are iu
of the press,.
>asiy andii^eiftperateiy operating on
js oCstive^^jl^lhe i n reason to fear
the breaking oat :<$>setviie war, in. whicii
. their wives and da"ug?Lt?^s ara to be tV vic
tims ot that a ratal ferocity that kabfflfSjhow to
adddiorrors to death, aa^U*
;such a peopie calm, and tr??KtnU^, ^B^cjuiet,
obedient to tite restraints of any iaw th^troan
bt. made, or to anv power that can eafor&e-k*.
you must first ^eat out of them every vestige
of humanity, and make them more ahject^
than slavery itself.
**^?t is the folly of the Abolition party that
* they wiil not learu xhis great truth."
The.sveaKer t?extte!is his audienze that to
svmp.:thtse with those wh# ar-e nwbl>ed, for
their own rashness and spirit of mischief, is
?ot the way to prevent mobs for the future
aud preserve the peace of society arid the ma
^?^jesty of the laws- -declares moderation and
- lorbearancp to be the great duty of the ftraes,
asol partic uiarly calls '-on the recere/ul g/u
**g*&etiMru at whose application the meeting was
?a*semf)ied-4f he must leave the -appropriate
'4? sphere of a Minister of thj Gosple, and min
gle in the strifes of party ? to teach those
great I^ssod* of cluistia moderation anU
mildness, that res^rd for other people's rights
i ii j i*i terfvngs, and that sympathy for the un
] fortunate condition of our free fellow-citizens
j i:i other States, which are the true doctrines
j of christian benevolence and good will to all
j mankind."
i Mr. Austin proceeds to argue that extreme
1 rights are not to be insisted upon by peacea
! hie meu ; that toe liberty of -speech and of
j (he press are to 3>e exercised with a due res
' ]*>ct to other's rights, and under a deep sense
of personal and religious responsibility and
obligation not to abuse it ; that if the press
| Le ;isade an instrawient to excite intemperate
j passions, it will create resistance? " such is
rhe primeval law of our nature, and no earth
! ly power can alter it*'? that il the press be
comes an iiicendiarv to put the passions of
mankind into a biaze, its conductors alone
j are to blame, if it perish in the conflagration
j it has made : that an abolition press will al
, ways be destroyed if established in a slave
; holding State or in its holders : and that we
may execrate the mob, but cannot wonder at
j its outrage.
, fn further illustration of the manly inde
i petidence of this true hearted son of the
j'Uniou. and gallant defender of the Constitu
j f.on, we take pleasure in mentioning that in
j a note appended to ":his speech, he properly
.stigmatizes the burning of the Catholic Nuu
j nery, at Charlesiown, and the omissions of
| the State to make compensation for the wan
j ton injury ; and declares that so long " as
I the blackened and battered walls of the Ursu
j lin Convent siauds by the half raised monu
ment of Bunker Hill*: * ."> '? ; ?
' Like a mildew'd ear.
Blasting its wholesome brother,'
I they will frown contemptuously on every at
tempt we may make to rebuke the violence
of other people, or admonish them to respect
the sanctity of law."
\y.e have devoted considerable space to this
admirable and spirited -defence of the South
and rebuke of her adversaries, but no more,
we trnst, than is due to the occasion and will
I prove interesting to our readers. -At a crisis
I like the present, wheu our abol;tion foes are
planting t&e ruin ami desolation of the fair
fields of the Sou thr arid battering against the
walls and pillars of the TTniop, -it cannot be
| otherwise tiian^gra^iiyiflg to learn, that the At
? torney General of Massachusetts has buckled
on the triple jkooFarmour of reason, light
and the Constitution^ and nobly do'ne battle
in the just cause" and. Quarrel of the South,
| We owe him our warmest thanks, and. bid
him God speed in bis honorable aud j'ighteous .
? career. ' ~ f?
? "? ;
OF F ICl ALjpi|lCAf IONS'/ j :,,'j
HY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES' OF AxMERICAv. - , H
A PROCLAMATION,' . :
Whereas, information having been re
ceived of a dangerous excitement on the
northern frontier "of the TTuited States, ;?ul
consequence of the iivil war begun in Cana
da, and instntctions%aving: been given to the
United States officers, on that frontier, arid
applications having hefen:made to the Gov
ernors of the adj&mmg" StateS td" prevent,
any unlawful interference on the part of our
citizens in the contest unfortunately com
menced in the Bfrtish Provinces; additional
information has jusfheen received, that not
withstanding the- proclamations of the Gov
ernors of the States of "New York and Ver
mont, exhorting the citizens to refrain from
any unlawful acts within the territory of the
United States ; and, notwithstanding the
presence of the .eirtf officers of the United
States, who, by my directions, have visited
the scenes of commotion with the view of
impressing the citizens with a proper sense
of their duty, thej%xcitement instead of
being appeased, irjevery day increasing hi
degree ? that arms ammunitions of war, and
other supplies hav^^eeH procured by .the '
insurgents in the Hotted., States ? that a mih
tary force, eonsi^n?;.'in part at least, of citi
zens of the P^cl States, had been act u
aily orgaoked.a^Navy Island, and were still
inarms uh$er the'.eommand of a citizen of
the United. States, and that they were con
stantly receiving accessions and aid :
. m - fherefore, to the end that the an
jSpF? of the laws may be maintained, and
iSie faith of treaties observed, I, -Martin
Van Bure.v, do most earnestly exhort all
pfflzens of the Uuited States who have thus
iifcj'Jted their duties, to return peaceably to
t&Sr respective homes; and I hereby warn
fngp. i, that any persons who shall compro
injr the neutrality' of thi$r. Government by
jprcrfering in an unlawful manner with the
wffairs of the. neighboring British Provinces,
%ill render themselves- liable to' arrest and
punishment under the laws of the United
Stales, w-biych ?'iii be, rigidly enforced ;. and,
also, that ihey will receive no aid or coun
tenance from their Government, into whatever .
difficulties they may be thrown by the viola
tion of the laws of their country, and. of the
territory of a neighboring and friendly nation*.
Given under my hand at the city of Wash*'
ington, the tilth day of January, A. D.
1838, and the sixty-second of the iude
v pendenee of the United States. * -
By the President:
JoH^.Fojasvr il, Secretary of State, .
To the Senate and House of Representatives
^ . . of the, U. States
In the highly excited state of feeling on
the Northern frontier, occasioned by the
disturbances in Canada, it was to be appre
hended that -causes of complaint mi^ht arise
on the line dividing the United States from
her Britannic Majesty's dominions. , Every
precaution was therefore taken on our part
authariaed by the existing laws; and as the
troops. of the provinces, were embodied on the
Canadian side, it was hoped that no serious
violation .the* rights of the Uuited States
woujd be permitted to occur. I regret, how
ever, to mform you that an outrage of a most
aggravated character has been committed, '
accompanied by a hostile though temporary
invasion of our territory, producing the
^strongest ieeiings of resentment on the part
of oar citizens in the neighborhood, and on
.the whole border line; and that the excite
ment previously existing has been alarming
^;iiiae^^;)J'Q guard against the possible
.or%simil race, I have thought
It i nd tsjicjreab e to .call out a portion of the
"militia to be posted ?ou that frontier. The
doc aments herewith presented to Congress
show the character o f the, , Outrage commit
ted, the measures takeu iu ..consequence of
its occurrence, and the necessity ^^resort
ing to them. It will also be seen that the
subject was immediately brought toc^the
iH3tii:?e of the British Minister accredittedkto
j tins country, and the proper steps tafe^.-ein
i our part to obtain the fullest information of
j all the. circumstances leading to and attend-,
: aut upon the trausactiou, preparatorv to a
\ demand for reparation. I ask such appropri
i ations as the circumstances in which our
t couutry is thus unexpectedly placed required
MARTIN VAN BUREN.^
\V.ASai WOT ON, January 8? 1838. '?
* ' ? - X:
\ Mr. Roger# to the President..
Buffalo, Dec, 30, 1837.
| To his Excellency* M. Van Burkn :
President, of the Unite<l States :
Sir: ? Enclosed are copies of affidavits
which I have prepared in great haste, and
which contain all that is material in relation
to the gross and extraordinary, transaction to
which they relate. Our whole frontier is in
commotion, and J fear it will be difficult to
restrain our citizens from revenging, by a re
i sort to arms, this flagrant invasion of our
i territory- Every tiling that can be done will
i be by the public authorities to prevent so in
| judicious a movement. The respective sher
iffs of Erie and Niagara have taken the re
sponsibility of calling out the militia, to
guard the frontier, and prevent any further
depredations.
I atn, sir, with great consideration, your
obedient servant,
H. \V. ROGERS,
District Attorney for Erie co., and acting
i for the U. S. ;
il/r. Poinsett to Gen - Scott -
Department of War
January 5, 1^8.
Sir: You will repair, without delay, to
the Canada frontier ol the United States, aud
assume the military command there.
Herewith you will receive duplicate letters
to the Governors of the States of New \ ork
and Vermont, requesting them to call into
the service ol the United States such a mili
tia force as you may deem necessary for
the defence of that froutier of the United
States.
' This power has beeu confided to you in
the full persuasion that you will use it dis
creetly, and extend the call only so far as
circumstances may seem to require.
- It is important that the troops called into
the service should be, ii possible, exempt
from that s;ate of exciteifcent which the late
violation of our territory- has created, and
you will therefore impress upou the Gover r
nors of these border States the propriety of
selecting troops from a portion of the State
distant from the theatre of action. ?
. The Executive presses no legal authori
ty to "employ the military force to restrain
persons within our jurisdiction-, and who
ought to be under our control, from violating
the Ictws, by making incursions into the terri
tory of neighboring .and friendly nations,
witfr hostile intent.- I can give you, there
fore, no instructions on that subject ; but re
quest that' you will' use yonx .influence to
prevent such excesses, and to preserve the
character of this Government for 'good faith
and a proper regard for the rights of friendly
Powers; " r*"'/; ' ' ? - % i
The militia will b<3 called into the tCfVice
for tlrtee months; unless sooner discharged ;
and in your :feqnisitibnsv-you 'will designate
the number of men, and take care that the
officers do not exceed a due proportion.
It is deemed 'impoVtaht. that the .adminis
trative branch of the servicie should be con
ducted, wherever practicable, by officers of
'the regular army. " ^ *"? j
Tlie disposition of the force, with regard
to the points to be occupied, is confided to
syour discretion, military skill, and intimate
knowledge of the country ; and the amount
"of that force must depend upon the charac
ter and duration of the contest now going on
in Canada, and the disposition manifested
by the' people and the public authorities of
"that colony. ' . ' . ?
^The President indulges the hope that out
rages, similar to that which lately occurred
at Schlosser, will not be repeated ; and that
vou will be able to maintain the peace of that
frontier without being called upon to use the
force which has been confided to you.
* Very respectfully, , your most obedient
?^(Signed) V ' J- R- POINSETT
Bvt. Maj. Gea. Winfield Scott, \V ash
ingtoa City.- . ? * **
V. ' : Mr. Forsyth, to Mr. Fox. .
Department of State,
Washington, Jan. 5, 1838.
' Sir: By the direction of the President of
the United States, I have the honor to com
municate to you a copy of the evidence fur
nished to this Department of an extraordina
ry outrage committed from Her Britannic
Majesty's province of Upper Canada, on the
persons and property of citizens of the
United- States, within the jurisdiction of the
State 'of New York. : The destruction of
property, and the assassination of citizens of
the United States on the soil of New Y ork,
at the moment when as is we'll known to you,
the President was anxiously endeavoring to
allay the excitement, and earnestly seeking
to prevent any unfortunate occurrence on the
frontier of Canada, has produced upon his
mind the most painful emotions of surprise
and regret. ? It will necessarily form the sub
ject of a demand for redress upon Her
'Majesty's Government. This communica
tion is made to you under the expectation
-that through your instrumentality, an early
explanation may be -obtained from the au
thorities of Upper Canada of all the circum
stances of the transaction ; and that, oy your
advice to these authorities,^ such decisive
precautions may be used as will render the
perpetration of similar acts hereafter impos
sible. Not doubting the disposition of the
Government of Upper Canada to do its duty
in punishing the aggressors and preventing
future outrage, the President, notwithstand
ing has deemed it necessary to order a suf
ficient force on the frontier to repel any
attempt of a like- character, and to make
known to you that if it should occur, he
-cannot be answerable for the eflects of the
indignation of the neighboring People of the
United States.'.
L take this occasion to renew to you the
-insurance of my distinguished consideration,
assurance oi uiy JOHN* FORSYTH.
To Henry S. Fox, Esq., &c. &c.
? SPECIAL MESSAGE.
i To the Legislature: \ '
I' I received last evening, after my annual
message was prepared, information of an
I occurrence which 1 hasten to communicate
to vou- . , .
The territory of this State has been inva
ded, aud some of our citizens murdered by
an armed force from the Province of L ppei
Canada. w '? "...
.Py.thp documents accompanying this com
munication, it will be perceived that the
steamboat Caroline, owned by one of our
t citizens, while' lying at Schlosser on the Ni
agara river, within the limits of this State,
on the night of the '29tli of December last,
was forcibly seized by a party of seventy or
^eighty armed men in boats, which came
"jfroig, and returned to the Canada shore.
and other persons in this steam
r^dat^aiHtounting to 33, were > suddenly at
tacked^ ^lid night, after they had retired to
repose, and probably more than one third of
them wantonly- massacred/, The Boat was
detached from the wharf to which it had 1
been secured, set on fire, taken into the
river, and by the force of the current carried
over the Niagara Falls. Twelve of the per
sons who were on board of it are missing,
and there is ground to fear that they were
killed by the invaders in their attack upon it,
or perished in its desceut over the cataract.
Of those who escaped from the boat one was
killed on the wharf, and several wounded.
I am warranted in assuring you, that the
authorities not only of this State, but the
United States, have felt an anxious solicitude
to maintain the relations of peace and strict
neutrality with the British provinces in Up
per and Lower Canada at all times since the
commencement of the civil disturbances
therein^ and have in all respects done what
was incumbent upon iheiu to do to sustain
these relations. The occurrence to which I
have alluded, is an outrage that has not been
provoked by any act done, or duty neglected,
by the Government of this State or of the
Union. If it should appear that this boat
was intended to be used for the purpose of
keeping up an intercourse between this
Stale and Navy Island, which is now held
by an assemblage of persons in defiance of
; the Canadian government, this circumstance
j would furnish no justification for the hostile
I invasion of our territory and the destruction
of the lives of our citizens.
The General Government is intrusted with
the maintenance of our foreign relations,
and will undoubtedly take the necessary steps
to redress the wrong and sustain the honor
of the country.
Though I have received no official inform
ation of the fact, I have good reason to be
lieve that the local authorities of this State
have taken prompt and efficient means, not
only to protect our soil from further invasion,
but to repress any retaliative measures which
our citizens, under the impulse of deeply
excited and indignant feelings, might rashly
resolve to adopt; and that the patriotic :
militia in the vicinity of the scene of the
outrage, have obeyed with alacrity the call
which has been made upon them, for these
purposes*
>It will probably be necessary for this State
to keep up a military force for the protection
of our citizens and the maintenance of peace,
until an opportunity is given for the general
government to interpose with its power. In
that event, 1 apprehend that it will be neces
sary for you to provide by law for the pay
tpen.t and maintenance. of such forces as the'
occasion may require. . .
I snail doubtless receive, within a short
time, official information of what the local
authorities have done, and shall be better
enabled to form an opinion of what may be
necess&ry on.the pai t of this State to preserve
? 11 V rights and die public tranquility. I shall
then communicate further with you on the
subject, and suggest such matters in relation
?to it as mav require your consideration.
W- h. MAKCY.
Albany , Jan. Id, 1838.
Nkw Orlbans, Jan. 4.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE! HEAVY LOSS!!
. One of the most devouring fires that has
ever visited our city, commenced between"
nine and ten . o'clock last evennig, in the
block of buildings on Front Levee. It was
first discovered in No. II, occupied as a
wholesale grocery store, by Ferguson
Parker; extending on the right and left,
taking in No. 10, occupied as a coffee house ;
No. 9, occupied by Messrs. Winston &
Shall, steamboat and family grocer; No. 9,
by S. Lock As Co hardware merchants. On
the right No. 12, by Delassus 6c Montreial,
extending to the corner, in which \Vm.
Vance kept a clothing store. The build
ings extending through to Clinton-street, in
their rear, from whence the fire was easily
communicated to the stores fronting on old
Levee, which were soon in complete posses
sion of the contending elements. Seven
stores sare now a heap of ruins, with most
of their contents. No. 25, Pencil & Deu
plissis, No. 30, Henshaw & Iiodgers, No.
32 James Allen, and D. Goldsmith, up stairs ;
No. 34, Beebe & Co, wooden-ware house
and carnage store. No. 36, Ducross & Mor
phy, and George <W. Pritchard. 31, God
frey & Blossom. No. 40 was used as a store
house by Jy \V. Zacharie & Co iu which
was.a large quantity of wines and raisius. ?
The lower floor of the corner was occupied
as a coffee-house, and the upper floors by the
office of the Louisiana Advertiser, which we^
fear, an almost total loss. - '
^sFothwithstanding the unremitted and ar
duous labors of the Fire Department, the
flames reached the opposite side of Old
Levee street, adding the store occupied by
Morris, Sniffen & Co, as a Clothing Store,
and Vining 6c Turelle, as a Shoe and Hat'
Store, to its ravages ; the Grocery of Messrs.
Jolly 6c. Vangike was much injured, some
others were slightly damaged. At half past
one the flames were subdued, after having
destroyed property to the amount of from 5
to 800,000 dollars ! Another damper to the.
mercantile community, we had thought that
the catalogue was already full. The insu
rance companies will be the principal look
ers, as most of the property was insured to
the full amount. But we learn with regret
that this was not the case with the Louisi
ana Advertiser, if so, the loss must come
particularly heavy upon the uufortunate pro
prietor* The height of the buildings pre
vented the water from having a fair chance
at its opponent. -
Fears are entertained that several lives,
have been lost. We are unable- to contra-,
diet or confirm the report. A fireman was,
however, much injured. .. . -
FROM WASHINGTON.
Our special correspondent transmits to us
the following notice of yesterday's proceed
ings in Congress: ? Boil. American . , -
Washington, Jan. 6, 1838."
The House did not sit to-day.
The Senate come together at 12 o'clock.
Mr. M'Kean brought forth another set of
resolutions touching the subject of Slavery
in the District of Columbia. The resolu
tians were but two jn number, and merely
resolved that it was inexpedient to legislate
on the subject at this time, and inexpedient
to consider the subject of Slavery at this
time in the Senate. The resolutions were
laid upon the table, by the rules of the Sen
ate, one day.
Mr. Robbins, of R. I., brought forward
some resolutions adopted by the legislature
of Khode Island against the annexation of
'I exas. They were laid on the table.
The orders of the day were then called for,
which were the further consideration of Mr.
Calhoun's resolutions on the subject of
Slavery.
Mr. Morris, of Ohio, was entitled to the
floor. ? He spoke again and more zealously
than ever in opposition to the resolutions.
In a speech of an hour long, he entered upon
the discussion ofthe following exciting topic,
which he assumed as a position ;-ruThe_
Constitution of the United States recogni
zes the institution of Slavery, hut the fra-';
mers of the Constitution intended, when they
framed that instrument, that Slavery should
be abolished in the Slates." The framcrs of
the Constitution intended the abolition of Sla
very ! Upon this topic Mr. Morris spoke
with great warmth and much feeling. Ihe
oreat opposition he has met with from almost
all quarters during the discussiou, has nerved
him to an artificial opposition which other
wise would not have been called forth. His
speech of course created a great excitement.
A vote was taken on Mr. Morris's amend
ment. as soon as he had concluded, and the
amendment was lost, 9 to 32. The resolu
tion contained an expression of opinion sim
ilar to that expressed in the amendment of
Mr. Smith. ? ?'*:
Mr. Davis followed in a Very long and very
able speech in opposition to Mr. Calhoun's
resolution, which was listened to with intense
interest by a very large audicncw. His man
ner and matter were calm and dignified and
respectful, and his arguments strong aud well
put. He objected to the resolution, because
it created what w,os most dangerous, and
what the South had most deprecated dis
cussion and agitation. He charged the
South with creating the discussion more than .
the North. The Senate was willing to lay
abolition petitions on the table yithout dis
cussion, without reference, without consider
ing, without printing, and what more should
the South ask ? They were making bad
worse by further agitation. Mr. Davis
thought that the extent and power of the
Abolitionists was not great,. and >he believed
they acquired lour-fold strength and power
from agitation in the Senate Chamber.
Mr. Calhoun replied, ;;and reiterated, the
remarks he made two days since, as to. his
motives in Introducing his resolutions, . their.
character, design, &c.
Mr. Niles, of Conn, made some remarks
in defence of the resolutions, and said he
should go as far as the farthest in defence 0f
them.- He wished jhe resolutions to receive
some support from the North, a6 well as from
the South. ? ??*' , ? vs,'- 1
. Mr. Bayard offered an amendment' to" ?the
resolution, so that "the several StaiesV ^be
stricken out, and "we the people" inserted^
Ther amendment was. lost ? :34 to- 8; - The
ypte then camo up on the third resolution, ;
which was adopted as follows :: ? _ ' ? &>
" YEAS? Messrs. Allen, Be n to n , ^ B lac k, :?
Buchanan } Calhoun, Cuthbert^ Fulton
bard , King, Lumpkin, Lipn, Merrick* , Nich
ols, Niles, Norvell, Pierce, Preston v^Uves,
Roane, Robinson*, Sevier, Siuilkj of Conn^
Strange, Walker, White, Williains, JVr.igh 'til
Young? 27.-\' , V ? ' '
* The nays I have not time torc
The Senate then adjourned over to Tues-j
day. , v<-r-^s -yV.~ 'IvS 3
The third Resolution is as follow?*:? ?; * ..y.
Resolved, That ;his Government was insti-.
tuted and adopted by the several^ States of
this Union as a commoji agent, in order to:
carrv into effect the po\Vers which. tljeyvhad^
delegated by the Constitution for , their , mu
tual "security and prosperity ; and that, in fuj-.
fillmcnt of this high and sacredr- trust, ?m?
this Government is bound to give, as-4arr?S(
mav be practicable, increased stability ancl^
security to the domestic institutions of the
States that compose the Union ^ and that n It.
is the solemn duty of the Government to
resist all attempts by one portion of the
Union to use it as an instrument to attack
the domestic institutions of another, or to
weakeii or destroy such institutions, instead
of strengthening and upholding them, as it is
iu dut^ bound to do.
i ? ? - - - *
( Correspondent of the Southern Patriot.)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.
The Senate did not sit today.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES .
In the House of Representatives, as soon
as 'the. Journal was read, a Message from the*
President of the U. S. was laid before thy
house communicating authentic ^information
in relation to the late outrage upon our citi
zens near Buffalo, acquainting Congiess of
his having appointed Gen. Scott, &c., and
recommending an appropriation to enable the
Executive to preserve our neutrality and pro--,
tect our citizens, . -
On a motion made to refer that part of the
Message relating to an appropriation, to the
Committee of Ways and Means, and the res-,
idue to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, a
considerable bebate arose. *
Mr. Waddy Thomson denounced in strong
terms, the conduct of the Canadian or .Brit
ish Forces, in the barbarous, wiltul, and un
provoked murder of o.ur citizens, and insisted
that we should demand a full and instant
atonement. Though he expressed his con
fidence that the whole matter would be pro
perly conducted bv the Federal Executive,
yet he regarded Mr. Forsyth's letter as too
vague.''
? Mr. Haynes said he could not regard an
exptession as-" vague," which characterised
the act referred to as an assassination, aiid
demanded the punishment of the perpetrators.
Mr. Rhett replied to Mr. Thompson, and
denied that there was any thing in the act, so
far as at present appeared, or in the princi
ples involved, which should justify our rush
ing into a war with Great Britain. - .
' Mr. Bkonson and others appealed earnest
ly to the House not to continue a protracted
debate on so delicate a subject, without hav
ing the facts before them. ;
It was moreover stated, that nearly all the
persons now on Navy Island, were_.c\tizens of
the United St ites. -
Mr. Mennefee held the present and late
Administration responsible (or the whole bus
iness, on account of the supineness of -our;
Government, and the countenance it leut in
the late expeditions in Texas. ? -
Mr. Waddy Thompson insisted that the
Government had done all that was in its pow
er to preserve its neutrality on that occa
sion. ' ? , .
' Mr. : .se deprecated the discussion at this
incipient stage, and in the absence of more
information. He therefore moved the previ
ous question, and as it prevailed the motion
was agreed to, and the reference made as
above; . , '
Two other Messages were sent in from the
President, one in relation to the capture of
the Mexican vessel, the General Urrea, and
the other transmitting the document called
for in the Resolution of Friday, on the^ttb
ject of Mexico, both of which were referred
to the Committee on Foreign Relations. " .
Petitions and Memorials were then called
for in the order of Stales, and after a large
mass had been presented, the House adjourn
ed. ? . . /;*
( Co rre. spo ndence of the Southern Patriot.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3^
SENATE.
' TT,". -
In the Senate, the Messages sent into the
House yesterday were received, and some
Mr. Clay admitted tlie necessity
Government resenting the outrage u[
citizens, but he was compelled to admit^l
that the Brkieh Government might find |
cedents for.it in the acts of our own Goyei
inent, {alluding to Texas.) ^
Mr. Benton replied with great warmth, and
asked the Senator to point out a single prece
dent of this characier. Mr. B. knew of none,
and he had no idea that the British Govern
ment would resort to such an expediency in
making its explanation of the occurrence re
ferred to.
Mr. Calhoun deprecated any debate on ?o
momentous a subject at this incipient stage,
without being in possession of all the facts
necessary to arriving at a definite conclusion..
. The Message was then referred, part to the i
Committee on Foreign Affairs. ^
The Senate then proceeded to the con?id-;f.
eration of Mr. Calhoun's Resolutions, and a ?
very exciting debate took place, when the 4th
Resolution "was agreed, to. Ayes, 34.--y
Noes, 5. * r :x
v - The, following is thfc-resokition y
Resolved , That domestic slavery, as it exists ?
in the Southern and Western States of thH^
Union, composes an important part of theif?
domestic institutions, inherited from their an-%
cestors, and existing at the adoption of the >
Constitution, by which It is recognized as %
constituting as essential element in the distri-^
bution of its powers among the States, ,and?
that ho change f>f opinion, or feeling, on the?.'
part -of &e other. States of the Unio^p^la- v
tiori tb ^ity can justify them <ir jthiwr-citizisti^ '
in open and systematic attacks thereon, with ^
the vie>v to its overthrow ; and that alt such 3;
attacks are in manifest violation of themuthal*
and "solemn ? pledge to- protect and defends
each other, given by tfi8 States "respectively,^
on entering into the Destitution a I compact,^
/.which/ormed the^Union,^and^ such is a
minifest breach of faitf}* aijcl a violation of
>_L?!_v^a A -** ^ " ^ , * -
7T-. . y -;v
American .
Jan. 9. v H
v 'g
The^fifth -resolution ^nfi.up^orconaide- i
ratioB^a v ?
. -M^Smltlj of Copu. , \vhd Jiad ; supported
the^ f^^^^jutiifns,^ - was^posed to the fiffch.
H^coiisidered the fouy resolutions as a mere .
recognition of'coWstituljgtnaf^rinclplesi, but.*:
the 'fifth was altogether -3iff?rent. The"peo
ptahatfa -right fa,- ^efegjJi(>?f&' jdbctrines-^
r.f They had;- m ills opinion, -a
8UC--tI
but&TaW;o^^ . . , . ,
e&tti?four first resolutions, ..and sai
contained the only weapon which ^ou
cessfuily be - b rough? against the" abolitionists. 3
Th^^vere the" only expression of opinioii^
thfc>Se6^te ucoujiL g^ving^ 'itJ$Ji5^5
hopetl it vvom(FsnoAvv^.r'cha n^e . of public^
opinion fdc the 'better; The battle, he saTd^J
wa"? to:be fo uglit^V tlie N ojrth.- The* . 4$dH^
sli qu Id' 1 u R he r i t>to no fa Ise '^ e cu ri ty . ^ There
wja^da'cTg)?r^aiid:he wa r^e^ th e;So utKl;?f jit.J
^Mr.Crittenrfeta followed/ arid commented *v
severely ou. the .resolutions; They placed
th& subject in the air, and wpre.but air bub- ,
Wes?mcre abstraction.^ meaning nothing-? ?
nothing? nothing., fle-'exaiiiined former re- j
marks and re plied j.o. thejpVvritlTgreat warmth 3
and spirit. He be?gfed;jM iy. Ga I honn.ro give ''I.
hiip.^ouie idea of a State vE3ghts man. He j
ipau^-ne mignc oe unc, - >v. j sum .uc /;
could uot'participate iu tHe fears of the Sen
; ?t"oraf ifrjbti^^la^holdm^^tafev ' F or hisowajl
part het?elj; strong in t^e ^ws? strong in the ^
Cohstiftkioii? strong in jhelUnion. He ae-^
;<yjsed--^lr; Oalhonn of rnaking the- slavery^ j
:<y|Sitidn and this disou^fujp a '*}>5!iticaA \
?^Ufc^ion .and a political discussion, and every ;
rpan Catcofding to 4iis notions was to
dubbed an Aboliiiodist wlfo wasr'not a States J
Rights man.. .V * " ;
'M^CJiiboun said he'was : not iirrprised arj,
the oppo*si/ ion of Mr. Crittenden. He looked^
upon t he fa c ts in a diffcrentlligfit from bim^ '
. an<i therefore lt wai inr'vain to argue with V
him. Mr. Cajhaun stated ibe numbferof the.t
Aboiiti^isto, theit ext^^ and though^
if.this.did -oat alarm him nothing would do?
s6.^He argued that ij the' Abolitionists
on, tli ere wou fJ be erther an end to tbe XTmoo |
or a civil war/ '^" T!
. . Mr. Clay, after some few remarks from <
Messrs. Crittenden and Preston, took the ^
floor.- He entered into a brief 'explanation orf
the origin of the constitution, its relationship^
between States and Government. He regret-^
ted that the resolutions had been designated*'^
as the doctrines of any one pdrfy.\ In such ^
great principles, intended, for-lhe security of ~
property and the preservation 'of the Union, t
there should be do appeal to one party but i
to all ? to the Democratic party ? to the Jack-J'
son party? rtO the old Republican party ? to
the.J^an Bureu party-r-to the Loco Foco^
party;- ... ? ?
[Mr. CIzTy here read an eloquent lettter.'
from Governor Pitmau, ofRhode Island, upon r
the progress of . the Abolition (juesrion and ?
the causes of its increase. The letter gave '/?
an accurate and interesting, view of the ex- ;
citement throughout the North.]
. \ Mr. Clay spoke of the right of petition, and \
said there were three views of this question ; j
one was where petitions were presented of a ?
character that undoubtedly did not belong *
to Congress to act upon; the second was
where the thing prayed for was a controvert
-ed question; and the third where it was un- i
doubted. ' Mr. Clay said that petitions for ^
the Abolition of Slavery in the District of -
Columbia belonged to this class. It was at
least a questionable position, and one which
he begged the Senate to consider" in all its
importance. If, said Mr?. Clay, you' would *
receive, refer, and report upon such petitions^
and against sucli.p?yer<r, it would satisfy the ?
petitioners, ' calm and tr^uquilize .the public ?
mind, a ud preserve the. XhiioBi - Mr. Clay ';
said the tifih resolution had a reference tof;
some quesfion .beyond the AboJition-of Sla
very. Texas, it might be seen, was thoughts
ot when the resolution was drawn up." Mr.^
Clay said, he hoped that this question would"
be kept free from partv politics and party
feeling.- He Concluded his renaarks with the'
presebt^tioii of a niimber of resolutions of a .
pacific character?designed -to harmonize and 4
tranquiiize the Northern' and Southern sec- *
tions of country. - The resolutions were nine ?
in number, and contain sentiments full of <
patriotism andstatesmanshlp. Mr. Clay read *
theih himselC-and they excited great interest-^
in the Senate Chamber which was crowded to
overflowing;^-^