knowledged to the committee who yet reported to But, further-in the act incorporating the bank, this house a recommendation that the committee be there is a provision that, the bank shall charge discharged from the further consideration of the nothing to the government for difference of exsubject. Mr, Lowndes said he would now enter change. Was this not, Mr. Lowndes asked, posiinto an investigation of the conduct of the bank on tive proof that it was expected that the bank that occasion; his impression at the time had been, would charge in some cases the difference of that the arrangement was beneficial to the commu-exchange? Was it not proof, that it was the exnity, by facilitating and expediting the organiza-pectation of the framers of the law, that the pretion of the bank, &c, but that it was an imprudent sent state of things would result? He would not one, on the part of the directors of that institution, enter at all into the general question, whether whose object it should be to adhere to the very line it would or would not be possible for the bank of of their duty, as pointed out by the charter. The the United States to equalize without great loss, point, however, to which he desired to call the at-the exchange between different sections of the tention of the house, was, that when the corrective country, if by their charter they were bound to and remedy were in their hands if the act was do so. If it were practicable, it would be even wrong, a committee having been instructed to en-now their interest to do it; but Mr. C. said, he quire into it, and having reported the fact, the believed it would be wholly impracticable. The house had not thought proper to interfere at all in question was not, however, whether it was posthe business. Under these circumstances, said he,sible for the bank of the United States to effect it, it would be harsh indeed, at this late hour, availing whether it would be beneficial to the country or to Ourselves of the new lights which experience has the institution, but whether the bank was bound to afforded us, to censure the bank for having done effect the object. The exsion of the clause that to which, at the time, we tacitly consented. A having this object, after it had been incl ed in distinction, of course, must be drawn between the a like bilt before congrese, at the preceeding second and third instalments, in regard to the mode session, and, in addition, the express exception of payment: the payment of the latter by notes, of the government from all charge for difference discounted for that purpose, every body antici-of exoliange, shewed that it was not expected pated. The bank was then in full operation, dis-of the bank. If, however, he were to go into counting all good paper offered to it, and could not the discusssion of the practicability of establishbe expected to pass a law of exclusion in regard to ing a circulating medium of equal value in every its own stockholders, who had as fair a claim at least part of the country, it would appear not only as others to accommodation: indeed, there never that in the reason of the thing it was not perhaps had gone a bank into operation in which the practicable, but experience also would shew that same thing had not occurred; it was therefore ex-in a large empire it is visionary to look for it.pected of the bank of the United States in regard Even in England, as gentlemen well knew, when to the third instalinent on its stock, and could not the bank, paid in specie, the value of a bank note be considered as forming a ground of complaint the different parts of the country was not the same. against it. Another specific object of the enquiry There was a settled rate of exchange between Edinwas, whether the bank or its branches had sold burg and London, and between all the important draughts and received a premium thereon. The towns in Great Britain: and the bank of England, gentleman from New York had stated, with great with every advantage, improved by an hundred candor, as he understood him, that he did not con-years of experience, had never been able to accomsider it an imputation on the bank that it had re-plish that object, The enquiry, however, was not fused to pay specie for its notes at any other branch whether the object was practicable or possible, than that from which they issued; and that he but whether the bank was bound to effect it; and therefore did not mean to contend that the bank he had shewn that it was not. Objections of a siought to have made its paper and that of its milar nature might be urged to most of the specibranches payable indifferently at the bank or at fications in the resolve, but it was sufficient to say any and all its branches. Connected very closely that, if necessary, the committee, under the gewith this subject, Mr. L said, was the practice of neral terms of enquiry, would feel themselves at selling drafts on distant banks for a premium. He liberty to enquire and report on any of the points knew, he said, that much of the disapprobation of in question; that, no additional power could be the conduct of the bank proceeded from the disap.conferrred on the committee by descending to parpointment of an expectation that it would emit and ticulars; and that, to retain the specification might sustain a currency which should be of equal value produce an impression that the house had deterthroughout the union; and, it might be of some mined certain facts, if proved, to be conclusive importance, as many members of the present con- against the bank, whilst the house had, in fact, exgress were not members of the last, to advert to pressed no opinion upon them. There was another circumstances which proved that the expectation objection, of a different kind, to the terms of the referred to was never entertained in this house at resolve as it now stood: that it specified certain obthe time the bank was incorporated. The congress jects, to which it in a manner thus limited the prowhich preceded that by which the bank was estab-posed enquiry, whilst, in his opinion, there were lished, Mr. L. said, had under its consideration a many facts not referred to, equally if not more imbill for establishing a bank, one clause of which did portant to the bank, and to the public interests, provide that the bank and all its branches should than those which were. Without justifying or cen be obliged to pay the notes of each other; by which suring the conduct of the banks, without express. means, if practicable, the paper of all would haveing, in a parenthesis, or by inuendo, an opinion unbeen every where of an equal value. That clause, favorable to it, Mr. L. said he thought it would however, was not inserted in the bill which actual- be proper to institute a committee of enquiry, and ly passed. If there were no other, this would be leave them, on their own responsibility, to settle sufficient proof, from the records of the house, that the principles on which they should proceed in it it was not expected that a currency that should be and to report accordingly. He was in favor of leavevery where of equal value would be established. ing the committee wholly unfettered, except by

Mr. Lowndes made a few other remarks in favor of the amendment; among which was this: that he could not conceive what greater power any committee could desire over a Bank, than a carte blanche to examine into its whole proceedings.

Mr. Spencer suggested a different amendment, for directing the committee also to inquire into the instances of misconduct on the part of the Directors of the Bank, or of any of its Ofices of Discount and Deposit.

their own opinion or what was required by the pub-sary to state, to justify that part of the enquiry lic good; and therefore hoped the amendment which relates to the fart of the bank's having refu sed to redeem with specie the notes of its branchwould be agreed to. He took a different es, &c. Because, if the fact were so, the commit Mr. Spencer again arose, Tiew of his own motion from that which had been tee would enquire whether it was owing to causes taken by the gentleman who had preceded him. not within the control of the bank, or to the mi The first branch of it embraced a distinct subconduct of the latter. This enquiry, he said, was stantive object of enquiry, whether the bank has properly embraced in the resolution, although it violated its charter: the resolution then recited did not go to establish the fact of a violation of the other objects of enquiry, on which information was charter of the bank. There were remedies in the desirable, by which the house might be induced to power of government to correct any misconduct exercise or refrain from exercising its discretion short of a violation of its charter on the part of the of requesting a removal of the directors on the bank: it was in the power of congress to request part of the United States, &c. After denying that the removal of the directors; to direct the depothe enumeration of objects limited the range of sites of the government to be withdrawn from the enquiry to the committee, Mr. S. proceeded to bank,or to declare that the notes of the bank should notice the observation of Mr. Lowndes, that he no longer be received in payment of duties. There was therefore abundant reason for enquiry into any (Mr. S.) had admitted that the bank was not cen surable, perhaps, in the present state of the cur particular misconduct of the bank, though it should rency, for not paying specie for the notes of its not aimount to a violation of its charter. branches, &c. I might have proceeded, said Mr. $. and perhaps ought to have remarked, that it was a proper subject of enquiry, how far the state of the currency referred to has been produced by the bank itself. So far as he had understood, Mr. The question having been taken on the proposed. S. said, at the time the bank was chartered, loud complaints were made against the state banks, that amendment, was decided in the affirmative, 85 ayes, they had issued a large amount of notes without a 6 noes. Mr. Lowndes then, to make the inquiry as com specie basis, which had of course ceased to circulate out of their immediate vicinity, except at a prehensive as possible, moved to insert, after the great rate of depreciation. This institution was words "Bank of the United States," the words "2 established to remedy the evil, and was founded report thereon," the bearing of which the reader will on a basis of specie and of public debt, so solid see. that it was supposed it would never be distressed for the means of paying its own notes, but would be always able to sustain the currency as well as the credit of the country. But, instead of correcting the evil, the bank had pursued the same Mr. Lowndes said he preferred his own motion, course (as he understood it) as the state banks, and made things worse than they were. Instead of since that of Mr. S. would convey an imputation on gold and silver, and public debt, it had received, the conduct of the Directors, when it was only the in payment of its instalments, the credit of indivi-object of the house to inquire what that conduct duals as the basis on which to issue its notes and had been. The amendment of Mr. Lowndes was adopted. carry on its operations. How far, therefore, the Mr. Barbour, of Virginia, moved to strike out so present state of the currency was attributable to this institution itself, Mr. S. said, he was not pre-much of the resolution as amended, as gives leave He wished for facts to enable to the committee to meet in the city of Philadelphia; pared to answer. him to decide. Whatever, Mr. S. further said, had which, it appeared to him, it was not necessary to been the expectation in congress at the time of retain. With respect to an inspection of the books passing the bank law respecting the establishment of the Bank, if the necessary books could not be by it of an uniform national currency, the fact was brought here, he should suppose the House might otherwise with the public; and it became proper safely rely on transcripts made by the officers of the for him to shew on what grounds the public ex Bank, under the inspection of the Directors gene pectation rested. The first document on the sub rally, of whom five were appointed by the United ject to which he referred was the message of pre. States. He would not say that he would refuse to sident Madison to congress, of December 5th, 1815, agree to such a proposition, if he was convinced it in which the establishment of a bank was suggest was absolutely necessary; but, until he was, he ed as the means of restoring the currency of the thought it would comport better with the usual mancountry from its disordered state; and, next, he re-ner of proceeding in the Congress of the United ferred to the annual report of Mr. secretary Dal-States, to have a transcript from the books brought las, about the same period, wherein he proposed here, rather than that the committee should travel to the establishment of a national bank, as the means where the books are. Mr. Terry, of Cont. hoped that the motion would of establishing an uniform national currency. With these inducements before them, congress had pas-not be agreed to, as it would defeat the object of sed the law, and it was not without reason the pub-the resolution. In the first place, the books were lic expected, from what had been predicted of it not in the keeping of the Directors-they have a out of congress, if not on this floor, that the bank right to inspect the books, but they are in the keepwould be the means of establishing an uniform na-ing of the Cashier. The books, he said, could not tional currency. He had, however, been informed be brought here, because they were wanted every by many who were members of congress, that the day and every hour. As to making transcripts of only consideration which had induced them to vote the books, that, he said, would indeed be an Herfor the bill for establishing the bank, was, that it culean task. It would be impossible to make the was expected to restore an uniform national cur-transcripts within a reasonable time. It woul rency. Thus much, Mr. S. said, he thought neces-sides, be imposing a hardship on the Bank of

United States, to send its books here and keep them here the necessary time, so long almost wholly interrupting the business of the bank. He thought the object of the resolve could not be attained so readily in any other way as by an inspection of the books; for which purpose, it appeared to him, absolutely necessary that the committee should go to Philadelphia.

be

Williams, N. Y. Williams, N. C. Wilson, Mass. Wilson, Penn.—115.
So the motion was negatived.

amended, so as to read as follows:
The question was taken on the resolution as

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inspect the books and examine into the proceedings of the Bank of the United States, to report thereon, and to report whether the provisions of its charter have been violated or not; that the said committee have leave to meet in the city of Philadelphia, and remain there as long as may be necessary; that they shall have power to send for persons and papers, and to employ the requisite clerks; the expense of which shall be audited and allowed by the Committee of Accounts, and paid out of the contingent fund of this House.

NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Anderson, Pa. Anderson, Ky. Austin, Baldwin, Ball, Bassett, Bateman, Beecher, Bellinger, Bennett, Colston, Comstock, Cook, Crawford, Cruger, Drake, Edwards, ElliBlount, Boden, Boss, Burwell. Batler, Lou. Campbell, Claiborne, cott, Ervin, S. C. Floyd, Gilbert, Hall, N. C. Harrison, Hendricks, Huntingdon, Irving. N. Y. Johnson, Va. Johnson, Ky. Jones, KinHerrick, Hogg, Holmes, Hopkinson, Hostetter, Hubbard, Hunter, sey, Lawyer, Lincoln, Lynn, Little, M Lane, Del. W. Maclay, Wm. P. Maclay, M Coy, Marchand, Mason, Mass. Mercer, Merrill, Robert Moore, Samuel Moore, Moseley, Murray, T. M. Nelson, New, Ogden, Ogle, Orr, Parrott, Patterson, Pegram, Pitkin, Pleasants, PoinMr. Spencer considered the part proposed to dexter, Porter, Reed, Rhea, Rich, Robertson, Rogers, Ruggles, stricken out as the essence of the resolution. It Sampson, Savage, Sawyer, Schuyler, Scudder, Seybert, Shaw, Sim amounted, after all, only to a leave to the committee N. C. Tallmadge, Farr, Taylor, Terrill, Terry, Tompkins, Town kins, Slocumb, Bal. Smith, Alex. Smyth, Speed, Spencer, Stewart, to go to Philadelphia if they should think it neces-send, Trimble, Tucker, S. C. Tyler, Walker, N. C. Walker, Ken. sary. Since an inspection of the books of the Bank Wallace, Wendover, Westerlo, Whiteside, Wilkin, Williams, Con. was the object of the resolve, the question which presented itself was, whether it was better to bring the books here or to go to the books. If they were brought hither, independent of the consequent suspension of the business of the Bank, the labour of the committee would be unusually increased by the confusion in which they must be brought, and the difficulty ef afterwards arranging them. In regard to transcripts, the great labour of making them out of the question, it seemed hardly fair to call on the gentlemen implicated for the evidence of their own Condemnation. How far others would be satisfied, said Mr. S. I know not-but, for myself, I should not be satisfied with any transcript from the books; not that I would impeach the integrity of those who would have to make them, but that it will take so long as to defeat the inquiry altogether. It was due to the Bank as well as to the nation, that the inquiry should be so conducted, as that there should be no pretence for any doubt of the entire correctness of the facts which the committee should report. Mr. Lowndes said, if there was to be an inspection of the books of the Bank at all, it could only take place where the books were. He wished for his part, that the investigation should be as close as possible, that no doubt should possibly be left on the subject upon the mind of any one. He had no objection that the committee should go not only to hiladelphia, but that they should afterwards repair to the different places, in succession, where branches were established. He had no objection, therefore, to give all necessary powers; but he wished to give no more power than was necessary, and should have preferred withholding the leave to go to Philadelphia until the committee, finding it necessary, in the course of their investigation, should ask for it. This, he believed, had been the usual course in every case heretofore in which such pow-resolution. ers had been granted. He should, therefore, vote for the amendment, with the determination, if the committee should, in the progress of their inquiry, think it necessary to go to Philadelphia, to vote for granting to them the necessary leave.

The House then again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the report of the select committee on the claims of the representatives of Caron de Beaumarchis.

Mr. Baldwin, of Pennsylvania, rose in support of the claim; and, having spoken in defence of it for nearly an hour

The committee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again; and

The House adjourned.

TUESDAY, DEC. 1.—Mr. Abbott, from Georgia, and Mr. Mason from Rhode Island, attended yesterday. as the committee of inquiry into the conduct of the The following gentlemen were announced to-day Bank of the United States; Messrs. Spencer, Lowndes, MLane, Bryan and Taylor.

Mr. Poindexter, from the committee on the Public Lands, reported a bill to prohibit the Choctaw tribe of Indians from settling or hunting on the lands of the United States west of the Mississippi; which was twice read and committed.

Mr. Linn, of New-Jersey, offered the following

much of the Message of the president of the United "Resolved, That the committee appointed on so' States as relates to the unlawful introduction of slaves into the United States, be instructed to inMr. Spencer demanded the Yeas and Nays on this quire into the expediency of passing a law prohibitmotion. Unless the committee had adequate pow-vants of color from any state to any other part of the ing the migration or transportation of slaves or serers to obtain the object in view, the resolution was United States, in cases where, by the laws of such mere waste paper. What means would they have here of detecting deception, if any were attempted they have leave to report by bill or otherwise." state, such transportation is prohibited; and that How could they tell, any better than they could now, whether the measures of the bank were correct or not? It seemed from the very nature of the inquiry, that personal inspection was necessary; and it was the mode of inquiry which the charter itself seemed to have contemplated.

On the question on Mr. Barbour's motion to strike out the leave to repair to Philadelphia, the votes were, by Yeas and Nays, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Abbot, Allen, Vt. Barbour, Va. Bayley, Bryan, Butler, NH Clagett, Cobb, Crafts, Cushman, Darlington, Desha, Farles Cequett, Hale, Lowndes, Middleton, Morton. Mumford, Jer. Nelson, H. Nelson, Newton, Owen, Pindall, Rice, Richards, Sen Sherwood, Silsbee, J. S. Smith, Southard, Storrs, Strother, Whit

man-34

it related to a subject of much interest in his part of Mr. Jann said, in introducing his resolution, that the country, and, as the resolution only proposed an inquiry, he hoped it would not be objected to.

Mr. Poindexter, of Mississippi, objected to it. Any from one state to another, and slaves as well as any man, he said, had a right to remove his property other property, if not prohibited from doing so by the state laws. With those laws, whatever they were, the United States, he said, had no right to interfere. The idea was a perfectly novel one, that there should be a double set of penal statutes on the same subject, one set by the states and one by

CAL

ing refused, and the consequent accessity of extend ing the indulgence mentioned in his resolution. The motion was agreed to.

Mr. Bryan, of North Carolina, asked and obtained

the United States; and that the military force of the United States should be employed to carry into effect the penal statute of any state. How were the United States to interfere on this subject? What judicial tribunal would they resort to, to effect the ob-permission of the House to be excused from serving ject contemplated? Any penal statute they could pass on the subject, Mr. P. said, would be entirely nugatory, as it could not be carried into effect; and he was, therefore, opposed even to an inquiry into the subject.

on the committee appointed to inquire into the conduct of the Bank of the United States. Mr. B. stated that, in asking this indulgence, he was not actuated by a desire to shrink from the important duty assigned him, but that he was a stockholder of the institution, and, as such, conceived that delicacy forinvestigation ordered by the House--an investigation, upon the result of which the future character and prospects of the institution would mainly depend.*

Mr. Colston, of Virginia, in addition to what had fallen from Mr. Poindexter, in opposition to the re-bade his being one of those appointed to make the solution, suggested that it was perfectly within the power of the state sovereignties to execute any law they might enact on this subject, more effectually than they could do by the aid of the authority of the United States.

The question on the passage of the resolve was then taken, and decided in the negative-ayes 60

noes 63.

The bill from the Senate for increasing the salaries of certain officers of the government, was twice read and committed.

The bill for granting a pension of sixty dollars per month to Major General John Stark, was read a third time.

On the question-Shall the bill pass?

Various other business was transacted of no present importance. Beaumarchais' claim again occupied the time of a committee of the whole. Mr. Hopkinson opposed, and Mr. Ervin, of S. C. supported the claim.

Thursday's proceedings.

The president communicated to the senate "a full view of the operations of our troops employed in the Seminole war in Florida." This will be published, of course.

Also a message as follows:

To the senate of the United States. [A good deal of remark followed-very honoura- In compliance with a resolution of the senate of ble to the hoary veteran, "the only surviving gene-the 25th of last month, requesting to be furnished ral officer of the revolution," ninety years old; poor and helpless; foremost in the battles of his country, in two wars, and now dependent on the support of his children; "themselves in very moderate circumstances," &c.]

The question on the passage of the bill was finally decided in the affirmative without division: and it was sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Beaumarchais' claim occupied the remainder of the sitting.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2.-Mr. William Davidson, a representative from the state of North Carolina, in the place of Daniel M. Forney, resigned, appeared this day, was qualified and took his seat.

Mr. Smith, of Md. from the committee of Ways and Means, to whom was referred an inquiry into. the expediency of repealing the duty on imported salt, made a report adverse to the expediency of the abolition of the duty, which was committed to a committee of the whole.

with such information as may be possessed by the
executive, touching the execution of so much of
the first article of the late treaty of peace and ami.
ty between his Britannic majesty and the United
States, as relates to the restitution of slaves, and
which has not heretofore been communicated, I
lay before the senate a report made by the secre-
tary of state, on the 1st inst. in relation to that
subject.
JAMES MONROE.

December 2, 1818.

Department of State, 1st December, 1818. the resolution of the senate, on the 25th ultimo, The secretary of state, to whom has been referred cated, relating to the restitution of slaves, conformrequesting information not heretofore communiably to the first article of the late treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain, has United States, that the difference of construction the honor of reporting to the president of the Mr. Johnson, of Ky. from the committee on milita- given by the two governments to that part of the ry affairs, reported a bill authorizing the establish- first article of the treaty, and the claim of the citizens of the United States to indemnity for ment of a national armory on the western waters. The Speaker laid before the House a communica- slaves carried away contrary to its stipulations, tion from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmit-form one of the subjects of negociation now pend ting an estimate of the appropriations proposed for ing in England; which negociation having com. the service of the year 1819; which was referred to menced towards the close of the month of August, the committee of Ways and Means. no report of its progress has yet been received at this department, from the plenipotentiaries, to whom, on the part of the United States, it has been committed.

Mr. Harrison, of Ohio, offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the committee on the public lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of continuing the act passed at the last session, entitled "An Act to suspend, for a limited time, the sale or forfeiture of lands for failure in completing the payments thereon;" and also to inquire what further relief it may be proper to give to the persons who are indebted to the United States for the purchase of lands

And after the disposal of some minor business, the house went into a committee of the whole on

Beaumarchais claim.

In support of the inquiry, Mr. H. briefly referred to the difficulty which at present existed in Ohio, in making payments for land in the kind of money required by the Treasury Department, which, from the *It would have been well if every gentleman, sisuspension of specie payments by the banks of Ohio, tuated like Mr. Bryan, had felt the like delicacy in was now very limited, the notes of all such banks be-voting upon the subject at all.-En. REG,

Gov. Rabun and Gen. Jackson.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GOVERNOR

RABUN AND GENERAL JACKSON.

Copy of a letter from governor Rabun to general Jack
son, dated Executive Department, Ga. Milledgeville,
21st March, 1818.

Sin,You have no doubt been apprised, that since your departure from Hartford with the Georgia militia, that the Indians have been lovering on the frontier of Telfar county; that they have killed a Mr. Bush, and wounded his son, and being pursued by the citizens of that county have met them in hostile array, when an engagement took place which lasted nearly an hour, in which our little detachment (consisting of only thirty four men) lost sevetal killed and a number badly wounded. This rencountre has excited considerable alarm on that frontier, and the inhabitants, in many instances, flying from their homes for the want of protection.

left Hartford before my order reaches him, I call rying into effect, my order for his arrest and conupon you, as governor of Georgia, to aid in carWright brought to condign punishment for this unfinement, which I trust will be afforded, and capt. paralleled murder. It is strange that this hero had zens, it would have led to Mickasucký, where we not followed the trail of the murderers of your citifound the bleeding scalps of your citizens, but there might have been more danger in this, than attacking a village containing a few superannuated women and men, and a few young women, without arms or protectors. This act will, to the last age, fix a stain upon the character of Georgia.

Copy of a letter from governor Rabun to general Jackson, in reply, dated Executive Department, Ga. Milledgeville, 1st June, 1818.

Sin, I have lately had the honor to receive The object of this communication is to request tion from general Glascock, relative to the attack yours of the 7th of May, founded on a communicayou will be so good, as to station some troops near recently made on the Chehaw village. Had you, the Big-bend of the Oakmulgee, and at or near the sir, or gen. Glascock been in possession of the facts most assailable points below that place. If it is not that produced the affair, it is to be presumed at convenient for you to furnish the necessary force, least, that you would not have indulged in a strain you will please give instructions for supplying such so indecorous and unbecoming.-I had on the 21st detachments as may in that event be ordered into of March last, stated the situation of our bleeding the service under the authority of the state, with frontier to you, and requested you, in respectful rations, &c. 1 hope you will write me on this sub-terms, to detach a part of your overwhelming force ject without delay, as great alarm has been produced by the hostile attitude which the enemy has

assumed.

Copy of it letter from general Jackson to governor Raban, dated on march towards Pensacola, 7 miles adwance of Fort Gadsden, May 7, 1818.

Sia, have this moment received by express, the letter of general Glascock, (a copy of which is enclosed) detailing the base, cowardly and inhuman attack, on the old women and men of the Chehaw village, whilst the warriors of that village were with me fighting the battles of our country against the common enemy, and at a time too, when undoubted testimony had been obtained, and was in my possession, and also in the possession of general Glascock, of their innocence of the charge of kiling Leigh and the other Georgian at Cedar creek.

for our protection, or, that you would furnish supplies and I would order out more troops, to which you have never yet deigned to reply. You state in within your military division have no right to give a a very haughty tone, that "Ias governor of a state military order whilst you are in the field." Wretched this be the fact; when the liberties of the people of and contemptible indeed, must be our situation if Georgia shall have been prostrated at the feet of a military despotism, then, and not till then, will your imperious doctrine be tamely submitted to.

their depredations on our unprotected frontier, I You may rest assured that if the savages continue shall think and act for myself in that respect. You demand, that "capt. Wright be delivered in irons to mafor Davis, your agent." If you, sir, are unacquainted with the fact, I beg leave to inform you, that capt.. That a governor of state should assume the right been appointed an officer in the Chatham county Wright was not under your command, for he has to make war against an Indian tribe, in perfect peace militia, which had been drafted for the special purwith, and under the protection of the United States, pose of assisting gen. Gaines in reducing Amelia is assuming a responsibility, that I trust, you will Island. That object having been accomplished bebe able to excuse to the government of the United fore our militia had taken the field, gen. Gaines às States, to which you will have to answer, and soon as their organization was completed, assumed. through which I had so recently passed, promising the right of ordering them to the frontier without the aged that remained at home my protection, and even consulting the state authority on the subject, taking the warriors with me in the campaign, is as capt. Wright at that time being in a state of debiliunaccountable as strange.-But it is still more ty, failed to march, and of course was not mustered strange that there could exist, within the United into the service of the United States-he, howStates, a cowardly monster in human shape, that ever, followed on to Hartford, where, finding himcould violate the sanctity of a flag, when borne by self not likely to be received into the service of the any person, but more particularly when in the hands United States, tendered his services to command of a superannuated Indian chief, worn down with the contemplated expedition, which were accordage. Such base cowardice and murderous conduct, ingly accepted; having violated his orders by deas this transaction affords, has not its parallel in bis-stroying the Chehaw village, instead of Hoponnis tory, and shall meet with its merited punishment.

You, sir, as governor of a state, within my milita- was directed) I had previous to receiving your deand Philemmis towns (against which the expedition ry division, have no right to give a military order mand, ordered him to be arrested; but before he whilst I am in the field; and this being an open and was apprehended, agreeably to my orders, he was violent infringement of the treaty with the Creek taken by your agent, and afterwards liberated by Indians, capt. Wright must be prosecuted and pu- the civil authority.-I have since had hith arrested nished for this outrageous murdier, and I have and confined; and shall communicate the whole ordered him to be arrested and contfined in irons, transaction to the president of the United States, until the pleasure of the president of the United for his decision, together with a copy of your letStates is known upon the subject. If he has ter.