The telescope. (Columbia, S.C.) 1815-1818, December 03, 1816, Image 1
{No. 50.]
riiiir.U!iRn wi..?tr
11V THOMAS w. I.ORRA1N.
Ttrmt ff Subicrijilhn.?'Tluvo l>oHrvni per iinnutn, pay.
able iii a<Wt?nce....Nu paptr to be timeout,nuctl, hut a*
(Ht'optiuo of the felitnr, until ull arreuru^ ?rc paid.
. I htrtlumtnH not excceri.ng fourteen Iiium, inserted
tltu (IrU time for ncvcnly-lUe rent*, and forty cent* for
each m?b*e\ptCnt i?*crtum. firtttrt to the tiditor (nun*
l>e |m?tpalO,nr thcp'istnjfe will bo clawed tu the writer.
Y
iwJi
8T.VFR LKGIftljATURR.
/ CJOVtUNOlt'8 MKSSAOK.
J T? Till-. MSim! AXII IIOt'SK or KKMMr.STATIVr.*.
' Fellow CUtxen??AW the measure* which, by
tau proceedings of your last session devolved
011 the Incentive, Imvc, so far as they depend*
ed on him, been accomplished. Where tlw le
gislative will wus expressed or clcarly indlcn
ted, it has been strictly obeyed j and whoro the
compliance wJjiLt ywiy wishes involved tho exor
cise of a itisu-fition it hiitjbcon used in a man
ner that I4rust will prove satisfactory. In this
respect 4lic paper* numbered from one to twelve
iucluslve, ami Wealth transmitted will place
l(i your rosscsflion nil tlie information that can
be desired.
'Ihonaner? numbered 1, 2, amid* shew tho
. terms or the convention negotiated at Washing
ton with tho cldofs of tho Chernkeo Indians,
? and of itsJinal ratification by the nation; al
though the luttcr was encunfbered with certain
r<.'M?fvatioiiM in favor of. individuals which les
sened in some measure, the importancu of the
acquisition in a pecuniary point of vigtt^yet
tiiuko were not considered so material alU^ire*
vent my acceptance of the treaty, which lian
accordingly received mv final sanction. A
prompt and effectual change in tho state of
thipgtt in that territory was essential to tliego ul
order of society, and ill thin respect the acqui
sition of jurisdiction ?vas con?idered more im
portant, than tliu compensation given. Whon to
this is added the fee simple of the soil, it is not
doubted, that my proeedings in relation to
this business will ijicct your approbation. The
diK|M)sition of the general government, 011 tliis
subject, and tho cheerful personal assistance of
the late secretary fur the department of war,
have obtained for us a relinquiidunent of title,
winch it is believed could not otherwise hav??
been accomplished. Le^al provisions will be
come necessary to extend to the territory tlm-?
acquired, our judicial und militia system*, and
to providp for the vurious circuinntuuce* which
belong to ijt. Among the?e you will not omit
/emulations for disposing of tho lamls und ad
vuutugcously investing the proceed*. I\jil>np:t
no an|Nropriutioh of the latter will be more bene
ficial to the state at hu ge, than the creuti mi of
ft PKf'l'mnent ftuid for tho maintainan.c of the
ft en schools. 8uch a course, will he lip lew de
lightful to tl e tninrt of the philanthropist, than
consonant with the liberal policy & enlightened
views of the legislature. In thus securing to the
poor, the advantages of education, and putting
this their precious inheritance, beyond the
teach of temporary feelings or mutable councils,
ti c character of the statu will ho established,
ajsd the general welfare nromoted.
'l ite papers 4, 5% C," exhibit tlio corrcspon*
deuce coDccming liio anus due to this state
front the general govern men t. Tho quota of
South i-araljua according to tl>,c apportionment
mnde at the department of war Iiiih Ih:cii receiv
ed. This in coimidcfcd fair, anil as far as it
goe* satisfactory j but tho meuuu provided by
Congies* on thin subject, fall greutly short of
the wishes and oxpc.etation:i of the tytate. It in
n-? longer a speculative ohjiiion. fur experience
{inches uh that our Mburtfoti t^iKl in:>(ity>toiis de
pend principally on tho militia for defence.?
Science in the art* and discipline in tho prac
tice of war, are iuclc?s without arms, and oven
anm; become dangerous, yude?s a propondering
|iortioii them Ik in the hands of virtue and
patriotism??the militia thorvforo are tfoe safe de?
po?it for them. llii| while there are no new ar
mories erecting, and no extended onterpri/.e fur
their mnnufucture commenced ; wo shall look
i:i vain fur the accomplishment of our wishes,
t?? those pf Springfield und |Iarpcr*s Forry.?
'I lie mere appropriation of a sum of money, ve
ry h? tall compared to the object to hdftpftveted,
no'withstanding its inapplicability to^any other
l>tu ixim*, is better calculated to ouJ
purpose, is oeuer caicuiateu to uuijiu'oumuc
ty and to disappoint our hope*, W "Win
u- nimle body of the militia.'* /futlie branch
es <if the ^eueraj government, arc no justly in
line need by public sentiment, that 1 cannot re
frain from recommending a continued expres
sion of our wishes (instruction to the state dele
gation in emigre** may be happily reported to)
until it idiall produce measures rorrenponding to
the vital importance & magnitude of this object.
'l'lie (taper 7, in a copy of the instruction*
prepared for (Jeorge IllacVlnirn Kjuj. under the
nntnoiityof the appropriation 44 for procuring a
map of ibis state." Your proceedings on tlii*
tuhj'-t t, wrro considered an pointing tothhaen
tlciiMii, as the person to be employed, not with
standm/ my discretion warn, in fol io, not limi
ted ; Mich an indicntiuu, however, wan not no
re?*ary t?? proruro for liiin the appointment?bin i
geiiiti* und anptiremenfH warranted the choice?
Jni zeal and industry, tJniK far, have justified
our coiifuleure. lie linn been directed to at
tend at < ?>luuihia, during the two Urst week*
of your session, to give Mich information and
eiphnatioiMi a;* may be required, touching the
piuuross nnd probable accomplishment of the
vorjt Hi:. Journal, also, if required, shall be
iflbjcrt to your cxjiuiinntiou.
'Iin appropriation for military boofc*? to l>e
r?s f?j ?ho?l to tho militia of thin state, has been
moic than sufficient for tkn purpose?^they lutve
Iwen procured and distributed. This measure
u ill not fad to produco all flirt benefit anficipa*
f*<! fe.jn if. I'i^fi'iictH wore to lw soon during
the review* of
distribution or
fo^tho olllcera ... , . ,
manifest^ throughout the stato, end the emu*
lation existing in almost every regiment, afford
the most gratifying proof? of tho correctness of
your measures concerning the raUitia, A mild
?mt steady execution of the laws* will in a very
few yeahr, elevate tliem at, least, to the level of
tho best in tho Union. >.?
'I'lie American tire has proved more deadly in
buttle than any other i probably, bccause Ave
iiave been from our earliest years familiar with
the uho of lire arms. The inducements, how
over, to such an use are fast decreasing. The
rapid progress of agriculture, accelerated by
tho uncommon rowards of labor, is by constant
though by almost imperceptible, degrees, impair
ing tlio efllciqncy of our arms, by lessening the
objects for their use. As the forests yield to the
sue, tho aamo which they contained disappear,
and with them much of t|lo excitement to a dex
trous uhc of arms. Whether, these have so fai*
flityhiiiihutlt at to, require other inceutivesfor tlio
}>iSwnfvaiion of our skill in gunnery, you bent
can determine J but surely*in honorable reward
to such individuals as may, from time to time,
distinguish themselves In the regiment*, by the
precision ojf their fire, would bo productive of
good, as it might assist to prolong the accuracy,
and of course, the efficiency of our fire. The
man who knows and feels that he is superior to
Ills enemy,- is very apt to meet him, a* .toe mili
tia met the Itritish near New-Orleans.* This
knowledge always enables the soldierto jfarform
wonders. Our measures should be, at I4ftst, an
much addressed to the moral ns tho physical en
ergies of tho (xiopln?with all armies eoual re*
liaueo may be placed on tho former an the lut
ter?-and witlt the militia infinitely greater.
The tenth section of the act of the tGth of
December last, requires to bo altered- or ex
plained sp as to operute alike on ull officers of
j uniform companies of Cavalry, Artilcrv, Infan
. try and iliilleoieii; as well ns those which were
nosed prior to tho passage of that law, as those
! subsequent. However contrary it may be to
j what is believed was the intention of the legis
. lature, it is contended, that the section per
mits tho furmer to hold their commissions, while
it deprives the latter of t'ieirs, when they Hhall
fail t.? have in uniform n certain number of rank
uoil lite. This is ton unjust a distinction, grow
ing out uf the accidental wording of tho section,
to be permitted to remuin.
Much inconvenience results from tl^e regi
ment* having no permanent place* of rcmlc/.-l
vous, 1 rccmnmciul (hat An (impropriation be
iu.uk* for each, to be expended at the discretion
ill the Muji/r tioneral, lb igadier Gcuernl. anil
r?i facii togtmeui u?; (mrncuiar coipmamiant.l
as commissioners to proviso a mustorfield fur
each. It* colonels were authorised to appoint!
Bottlers, who on the (lav* of general musters!
should bo protected in 'thu exclusive right to
Buttlo atHUcli places, it would in manv, if not
iu every instance, procure the muster-field wan
ted, without the expenditure of the sum appro*
printed. Should uii increase of population) in?
duce uii increase of the number of regiments,
and therefore u change of the place of t endey.
voub, it is believed, the appreciation of the value |
of land will bo such, as to prevent any lu?s in
tho purchase?-at all ovoiifc}, tin; inconvenien
ces, from a variety of cause** have become 1
hitch as to renuWe the interference of the legi?-j
laturo) which in called for, not more by the
good it may produce, than the improving state |
of tho.se for whom it it* intended to proviuo.
The uuthority given to sell such public, arms I
as should lie found inexpedient to repair, lias
been exeicUed but iu a very small degree, be
cuu&e there was iio demand for them. It wan
cousidcrud propv. to sullcr them to remain
where they were, listing the statu nothing, un
til Kales might Ins elVected to more advantage |
than at present. Ail tho other arms are in per
feet order and lit for instant use.
Your attention is rcoomuionded to a review of I
the Used laws of the State, at least, ho far ua
tu provide against an evil which may arise anil |
which will lie sugcste.d? Appropriations of mo
ney remain a* credit* in the treasury, payable I
mi uccouut of the mecilic objects fur wince they
were granted, until expiensly repealed by law.
Although our financial system lias been materi
ally citauged since the establishment of the bank
of thu Mate, and although all the balances in I
the treasury on tho ?d of April in each year,
are directed to bo paid over to the liank, on ac-i
count of capital; yet the bank being bound by
i's charter, to honor the drafts made ii|iou it fori
approbations, alt unexpended balances, not
repealed by the legislature, may be called for at
y time. It may ba very proper to grant mo
ney lor specific objects this year, which tho|
legislature might litid it cxpeihont to refuse a
few y.?ars hence. If no injury bus been sulVer
ed by the state under such a system, it argues
much nioro in favor of its public agonts than
ol tho system itself. There ure now subject to
the governor's draft, large balances of appro
priation-! made during the Tate war, lor military
purposes i also, more than twelve .thousand
dollars of tho contingent funH remain unex
pended.
The resignation of John Taylor, Ksq. late a I
Senator in congress, herewith submitted, and
marked H, induces the necessity of electing al
jieixon to represent tho state, in the Senate oft
the United States, until the expiration of tliel
term for which lie was elected ) as a|so some
one to succeed to that seat on the 4th of March
next, Klecturs of President And Vice President ]
of the United States are also to be chosen du
ring your present session.
The paper t>, contains the generAl regulations |
lor thesyivernnwnt of tho stjJVof tbeState. pre
pared arid submitted, in obcdioncc to the act of
the lit of December list. Those ftum tuo de
tiio Hth'of December kit; Those from the de
partmen} of war, to wjiicli these refer, would
Iiavebeoi printed u.id distributed among .the
otllcois,[biJtfoi tie alterations it is possible you
may -4iul expedient to make la them.
The letter.from Judge Dcssaunurc, marked
?v>? will satisfactorily slicvv, that tub Court
House ^erctofyro useu in the Equity district of
Cherav, in no longer suitable Tor tuo purpose*
intended >. indeed that aud the jail ucur it arc
|n a slate of/entire ruin.
. Tin Fa per If, is u copy or a la>v of tlie state
of Georgia, received froih the executivo of, tluit
state'since your lust meeting. Whether tho
neasjre which has been so long adopted by this
tateJ in anticipation of such a law on tlio part
tf Uiorgia, be now tho most proper to be pur
sued you have now an opportunity to decide, as
also,to consider maturely^ the expediency of
omocncing on a large scale, works of internal
pa>vciuout. Perhaps tho topography of no
ii present* more inviting opportunities for
juwiug inland navigation than our own;?
tone have stronger inducements* and yet, few
havo done less. Tho state is postered of ti$
most ample materials} puolic spirit, euterpriite,
perseverance, are not wanting^ aud uothiiig is
icqMifed for accoutplisinneni vr|fary desired
(inject in this renpcct but tiio patrtAfO of the
IcgiMatuio. Whether tiiis inait btf '{{Forded, by
gruuts or loans of money, l?jr Oecomibg pai^iei
liators in work* of puotic utility, or Ujf tiNnti*
ill tig tliem WiMUy on stale uccount, is uUbiiPlfte
teach Uf yourludom to determine. '' *
Permanent itogUlatiniis lor un exchunge of tho
laws Of tuis*tute, for tnoioof oilier states and
of tlie United btatea, are \?iy dusiraoie. 'lift}
convenience und utility of sucii un anaugement,
liitvo becii perceived, anil an excliun^e request
ed tiy nearly all tiie Mutes, A lie nicest pre
pared by Juri^o iiruVurd, oilers jou u ready
moue ol furniBliing sucli wv*? a* ba\e been en
acted, prior to its puolication. I nose aubse
<|uentiy ouueted, can be .ilao coinenieiillj pro
cured.
Two events have occurred, during the present 1
year, which required a remi l in n.t.iur} iorce. j
A lew runaway ucgroe*, uouccuinig lucninem's ,
in the swamps ami inuitiiius contiguous to i ?-???-.
bailee unci Ashepoo rivers, not iiauug been in-'
terrupted in their petty p?uuut!iin?h lui u lung
time, formed the nucleus, round wi.icii, an toe
illdispused und audacious near t:.em t,ati.view,
until at luiigth their robberies becu.i.e two nun*
ou? to he sptfered witli impunity. Attempts
wero then made to disperse ttiem, wlucn, eitoer
from insuflicieiicy of numbers, or bad uriuiige
metit, served by.iJ??ir. fnil"/"
rugo u ..?mon destruction ui pn>i>o>ty. Their
force now became alarming, nut less from its
number*, tiiun from tho arms and ammunition
with which it watt supplied. Tho peculiar situ
ation of the whole ol that portion of our coast,
rendered access to them difficult; white the nu
merous creek a antl water counted,, through the
marshes and round the island*, furnished them
*nsy opportunities to plunder, not only tho
planter* in open day, but the inland coasting
trade also, without leaving a truce of their
movements by which they could l>e pursued.?h
There wan but one more stage, to a state of
things altogether intolerable ; to prevent which,
1 felt it my duty to use the public force and the
public monev. 1 theroforo ordcied Col. now
Mi\j. (jen. \Vm. Youngblood, to take the ne
cessary measures for suppressing them, and au
thorised liim to incur tlie cistomury expellees of
such ail expedition. This wan immediately
executed* HVft judicious employment of toe
militia tinder iiiii command, he either captured
or destroyed the whole body. Ah the amount of
the exj>ciices authorised, ha* not yet been r.scer
taiued, and of coulso not paid, I ask of the
legislature to put at tho dis|H>Mil of my tiucces
tan, a sum adequate to redeem my promUe*
The other event happened in tfie neighborhood
of Camden. It appeuathat a schome for organ
izing insurrection nn^{( the slaves, had been
for years contemplated by a few des|>erato cha
racters there. '1 hey had nearly matured their
plans, when a communication of them was made
in the latter part of June last, to a faithful^ ser
vant belonging to a gentleman in that neighbor
hood. By him I was immediately advised of
the plot, whereupon 1 directed ono of my aids,
lit. col. James ('hesnut, to adopt such u course
as would lead, not only to n satisfactory knowl
edge of their whole project, but to its effectual
prevention. Ilis measures corresponded with
iny confidence. Tliey were an successful as
they were judicious. Through the instrumen
tality of tho good si'rvaut alluded to, he carried
on a counter plot, by which he was enabled to
procure ample te^ti-mmy to convict the princi
pals, without resorting to the evidence of the
servant who made t)io lirst disclosure, and to
seiv.n upon all who were implicated, before the
slightest suspicion of their guilt was entertain
ed t?y any one, except those engaged with him
to prevent it. They were immediately deliver
ed up to tho civil authority, and have been all
punished except one, whom tlyj court pardoned.
However certain of failure every such pro
ject must ultimately prove, from the circum
stances in which we now find ourselves placed,
it can scarcely be, doubted that but for the loyal
ty of tlie servant mentioned, much injury would
havo been sustained, prior to the filial destruc
tion of those, who so rashly plunged themselves
into roin. If ho has saved the life of a single
person, or tho lause of one ndividual from lire,
lor massacre and conflagration were Imth em
braced in the pnyect, Ins services to tho public
are such as to form a string claim on your go.
nerosity. lie has always supported a good clia*
raster, rtiid been for ft course of tear*entrusted
with the care of a portion of his master'* pro
perty. All that ma muter cnii do to better his
situation, without proclaiming his case to tho
neighborhood, from which be is restrained by n
promise, has beeti already done. 8hort of "In*
freedom* his reward will uot be ample, und this
in more becoming tho legislature, than any
other. His najne and every circumstance con
netted with his case, will be fully communica
ted to auy committee of your body, should
they, be required for the purpose of providing foi
his freedom.
These incident* admonish us to a careful rc
visal of our patrol system. IVrliap* the agents
selected for lit execution are proper ; lint dm
responsibility under which they net, is hi lie veil
to be inadequate to a junt aditiini?tration of it.
If the duties to be performed by the.se amenta,
at e to be cmuideredol'a military nature u holly,
ashy noine they havo b?en,no evii could rcMilt
from requiring aUuerior officers to nuperiuti-nil
their execttwtt^if of a civil character, t e aid
of the ui^ht he Micces.ifully ie
Hortod to. by a<jyiinfepin additional chiu >? ?<> ?l??r
adafluThe^ jflTo^ra; a jur t . T' vb< e\. nt*,
occurrence of liu\li ??
l, induced cot tain enquiries of
4 le,tcr reply, mark
before you for vonr consideration.
ijRU possible, that your deliberation* on
tlicso subjects can lo concluded before thut re
morselewi' mercilcfis t'ulVtc ?hi?h brings amnn<;
" "'" -^of jlll descriptions' from other states,
*1 is a reproach to our mural;, us... .m
k^ur feelings, shall press on vou for
I. It is time the c?ur-o of ceaselcs
dike regardless of country and cotise
'should be arrested ; hi^lt time, that our
?treit|ijind hhhwavs should he f.eed ?Vim the
cto'ida of suffering victims, tluit are cOiintantly
draggctyt^irougti them, to minister to ins tiaVu
avarice. The rights of homani'.?awi e poli
cy?the prayers of the Just, nil re ,uire, that the.
delightful avocations of domchtic life, should h<>
no longer defiled by the presi-nce o." convicts
and malefactors.
The time has parsed, when nil n-.u- r>?li. ???
, . ? ?? ?? ? M' ?D
ucrc excited in relation to the tnilitia diail* by
the general government. >Vc then saw the ?f
ticiency of our institutions par:tIiz?mI ; the pub
lic order threatenedj " tho voii of the temple"
of Hit' constitution *? rent in twain''?vet tho
rcdeeiam* spirit of tho people, without disorder
or commotion, patientl v struggling through thu
difiicultv. T!?" ??eriotl l as now arrived, when
we cun deliberately, without passion or preju
dice, review tise pr<gie?i>of e ??nts, touchiig
t.iirt interesting subjcct. and d< cide, whether it
be n .1 necesaarv 1?? ? r.~ ? '? ' ? ? ? ? ?
..miliar occnrroi.ce.s in liluie. It cau
, scarcely Im denieil tiiut a power oug t to be l.-id;;
cil ?.>cwhcre. competent to cul< out t!>ci>hs^i*
cal force of the nation, for nai ?nal emergen
cies. However ii.expedient m.d daugeroiiH it
would be to strip the state ;o crn ? Cit* of all
authority over tne militia, and \e?t it o clu-ho
ly in the general governmrnt, it can be neither
to give to this liist, complete power over it, f r
the specific purposes enumciated in the con-.ti
! tufion. Such a power appears to lie a ueeesiarv
attribute of sovereignty, and essential to itn
.preservation. Whether militia drafts were im
ipropcrly withheld or not, by home of the xt-ii i-h
during the late war, in not ncrrfooirv now to dis
cuss t it is sufficient, for all good purposes, t'.at
we know contests concerning tl-e exercise of
authority over them during a state of war, have
arisen. a.id may again occur, not only in rela
tion to the constitutional right to call for them,
but also, os to the sphere in which they may be.
employed. Such an evil ought to be removed.
This is not an affair involving paity considera
tion? at all??-it is tho great business of the na
tion to provide for tho nation's safety. What
ever may be the political character of t'ongress,
it ought to have full and entire power" to pro
vide for calling forth the militia to execute tho
law s of the union, suppress insurrections and re
pel invasions"?-to defend the sacred soil of
their country, without the possibility of its be
ing elided by (pierilous reasons or Factious ar
guments. ftherefore recommend an amend*
ment of the constitution of the United States on
this subject to your most serious delibeiation.
You have a^niu assembled, fellow-citizens, tin
der tho most propitious political clicumstan c- ,
The peace of the nation undisturbed* its diame
ter elevated and revered abroad } the empire of
the laws perfect at hornet blessed with o govern
ment, instituted oy the people, & administered
for their benefit* which, like the atmosphere per
vades every thing, yet is no whcr^felt? secured
alike in the Cull exercise of our religious and out
civil rights; cloying all the happiness of le;al
liberty ; the poor educated ; tho educated happy
?the people virtuous and every where industri
ous, prosperous and contented. That such a
rich stream of blessings should l>e poured out
to us, at a timo when all the nations of tho
earth with whom wc have intercourse, are
made to cat the bread of bitterness and sorrow,
call for tho most grateful and eurueitt thanksgiv
ing* to the great author of every good. Under
such circumstances, you have come up to the tip*
pointed house of the people* with none but dis
positions faithfully to do the woik of those who
sent you, in which may you lie >o enlightened,
with u that wisdom v.Inch h from above" t)<at
all your r t* may advance jour personal diame
ter and the public good.
It. Wll.l.l VMS.
Itorsp. OF IinPtHV<RSY..TIVRS.
'/'uetiltiy, .\'cvmtr>
The following standing committees were a;
pointed, viz.
Committee on the Jud clary?Messrs. M C,
Yancey, UUwsvoek, Spatin. Martin, Stephens,
Kirksoy, ('urchin, Noble, Daniel, Miotics, Wil