FEB. 21, 1831.]

Indian Question.

[H. OF R.

heard before the convention of judges at Milledgeville. The plea was there elaborately re-argued by the counsel for the Indian, and overruled by the unanimous decision of the judges. Does this look like bloodthirstiness on the part of Georgia towards the Cherokee Indians? Most certainly it shows the contrary.

issuing out of or by authority of the Supreme Court of proceeding to immediate argument, overruling the plea the United States, or any other court having jurisdiction again, and trial of the accused, the judge adjourned under their authority, or which may at any period here- the court for several weeks, to allow counsel to be after, under the constitution of the United States as it now stands, be constituted, for or in behalf of the said beforementioned Alexander Chisholm, executor of Robert Farquhar, or for or in behalf of any other person or persons whatever, for the payment or recovery of any debt, or pretended debt, or claim, against the said State of Georgia, shall be, and he or they attempting to levy, as aforesaid, are hereby declared to be guilty of felony, and shall suffer death, without benefit of clergy, by being hanged."

This bill also passed the House. Upon any fair interpretation, no one can deny that Massachusetts and Georgia made common cause in resisting the power thus assumed over them by the Supreme Court. It might be an interesting subject of inquiry why they differ so widely in the case of Tassels. But comment was unnecessary.

Nor

Every one knows that Congress alone has the power to declare war. But can a single declaration of war against an Indian tribe be found upon the statute book?

The decision pronounced by the convention of judges had been published in a number of newspapers, how many he could not say; but this he could say, that he had not yet met with any attempt to overturn it in any of the papers which had fallen under his observation. Nor did he believe it could be overturned. That opinion proceeded upon the ground that the Cherokees were not an independent people; and among the arguments presented by it, the court had properly adverted to the course pursued by the Federal Government towards the Indians in supIf, he said, there was so much excitement produced port of their position. They showed most conclusively then by the attempt of the Supreme Court to exercise this that the commercial power had never been exercised topower over the States, (for the eleventh article of the wards them in the most usual manner of exercising it toamendments was not adopted by Congress until the fol-wards "foreign, sovereign, independent nations." lowing winter, and doubtless adopted in consequence of was the difference less striking in all the wars which this that excitement,) why should it be wondered at that Government had carried on against them. Georgia should resist the attempt to exercise the same power, when the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court has been since so much narrowed by the ratification of that amendment? But General Washington was then at the What does this prove, if it does not prove most inconhead of the Federal Government-a man not likely to be testibly that, however, in its intercourse with the Indians, moved from the discharge of his duty; and yet history the Federal Government has occasionally interfered with does not record (or, if it does, he is ignorant of it) any the rightful powers of the States, it has never considered evidence of his having considered the proceedings of Mas- the Indian tribes as sovereign and independent States? sachusetts rebellious or traitorous, or treated them accord- He said he might have adverted to various opinions of ingly. Nor has the same history dared to cast a shade distinguished men in support of the doctrines he had preupon the pure patriotism of John Hancock and Samuel sented to the consideration of the House, but he preferred Adams, or branded the name of either with rebel or trai-relying on constitutional principles to the opinion of any tor, in consequence of this transaction. But it has been man or set of men whatsoever. There were many points admitted that there was no power to enforce the citation embraced by the remarks of the honorable gentleman from in the case of Tassels, that citation not operating as a su- Massachusetts, to which he had not adverted. But, for his persedeas of the judgment against him. How idle, then, part, he did not consider it necessary. to accuse Georgia of resisting the authority of the Supreme He thought he had sufficiently shown that the jurisdicCourt, when the respiting power of her Governor, exertion claimed by Georgia over the Cherokee Indians was her cised in favor of the condemned murderer, could alone unalienated and unalienable right; and having that right, have given efficacy to the summons of the Chief Justice. as he thought he had sufficiently shown, if, in its exercise, But a sense of self-respect would not permit him, what-it had been or should be necessary, it was within her conever might be his feelings, to make any further comment stitutional competency to settle her white population on on the citation, as it regarded the propriety or impropriety the wild lands in the country inhabited by them. of the proceeding on the part of the high functionary by But let it not be understood that, in any thing he had whom it was issued. As it respected the powers now uttered, he had admitted the right of this Government to inpossessed by the Supreme Court, and on other subjects terfere with the constitutional right of Georgia to govern connected with that tribunal, he had well settled opinions, the people, and to dispose of the lands within her limits. which time and other circumstances might afford him a In the exercise of those rights, he trusted she always would more proper opportunity to express. He thought that exercise as she had heretofore exercised them, with a just he had shown that in no particular had the State of Geor-regard to what was due her own character. gia gone further in resisting the citation in the case of Tassels, than both she and Massachusetts had done in 1793. But he had a further reply to offer to some of the remarks of the honorable gentleman on the subject of the Cherokee murderer.

In presenting these observations, he hoped he had not overstepped the pledge he had given at the outset. As he had refrained from going into a detailed defence of Georgia against the various accusations of the gentleman from Massachusetts, so he had abstained from an elaboIt was well known that, in a case involving the crimi-rate attempt to defend the present administration of the nal jurisdiction over the country occupied by the Chero-Federal Government. But it must not be considered that kees, as carly as the spring of 1830, upon the arraignment he had declined doing so from any apprehended difficulty at Hall superior court of certain Cherokees for the viola-of such a task. But he was aware that he should be fol tion of the laws of Georgia, a plea to the jurisdiction of lowed by friends who would more than supply any thing the court was filed, solemnly argued, and the plea as so- and every thing which he had omittted. lemnly overruled by the court. Mr. BELL, of Tennessee, next addressed the House, and

In the month of September, of the same year, Tassels stated upon proofs which, as he observed, were satisfacwas arraigned for trial. But what was the course pursued tory to him, that the great majority of the Cherokees by the court on that occasion? Was the accused denied were in the most squalid and miserable condition; no furthe benefit of the plea to the jurisdiction of the court, ther advance in civilization, or in the arts of social life, which had been solemnly overruled at the preceding term? than their ancestors of a century ago, It was not the red No. The plea was permitted to be filed, and, instead of men who were benefited under the present system, but

H. OF R.] Foreign Coins.--Commerce on the Lakes.-Importers of Foreign Goods.--Western Armory. [FEB. 22, 1831. some twenty or thirty whites who had insinuated them- [explained the object of the bill, and of the proviso to it selves into the confidence of the Indians, and who, toge- which he proposed, and was as follows: ther with the half-breeds, controlled the whole tribe, and "Provided, also, That no person shall be entitled to the acquired wealth at the expense of those for whose welfare so relief authorized to be given by this act, who, by the cxmany philanthropic wishes were expressed in the House. ercise of reasonable diligence, by himself, or his agents, He deplored the revilings and denunciations that had oc- factors, or correspondents, could have complied with the curred during the discussions of this question, and depre- provis ons of the said third section of said act; and the cated the spirit of bigotry in which they had their origin. Secretary of the Treasury shall require and receive satis. The people of Georgia would rather suffer military execu- factory evidence from every person claiming the benefits tion than recede from their expressed determination to of this act, that such diligence has been used, and that he sustain their laws; and would those who, from party feel- has acted bona fide, and without any intent to violate or ing, pressed this measure forward at the awful risk of pro- evade the provisions of said third section, before he shall ducing a civil war, persist in a course which, while it en-grant the relief herein provided." croached upon the honor of the President, and the spirit The House unanimously consented to the course sugof the constitution, placed the country upon the brink of gested by Mr. H.; and the bill, with the proviso proposed an intestine commotion? After some further remarks, by Mr. H., was passed, and sent to the Senate for conMr. B., who was in a state of exhaustion from the effects currence. of ill health, at the request of his friends, suspended his remarks until the subject should again came up.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22.

FOREIGN COINS.

The bill for the relief of the sureties of Amos Edwards was read the third time, and the consideration thereof was postponed until to-morrow.

RELIEF OF LAND PURCHASERS.

The House resumed the consideration of the bill from

Mr. WHITE, of New York, from the committee ap the Senate, supplementary to an act of the 31st March, pointed on the 23d December "to inquire into the ex

pediency of providing that dollars of the New American 1830, for the relief of the purchasers of public lands, and Governments, and five franc pecies, shall be a legal tender for the suppression of fraudulent practices at the public in the payment of all debts and demands; and, also, whe-sales of the lands of the United States. ther any additional regulations are necessary to the recoin

When this bill was last under consideration, Mr. IRVIN, age of foreign silver coin at the mint," made a long and of Ohio, moved to strike out the second section. This detailed report, accompanied by a bill regulating the value motion again came up for consideration; when

of foreign silver coins within the United States. The bill and report were committed.

Mr. WHITE, of New York, from the same committee, to which was referred the bill from the Senate concerning the gold coins of the United States, also made a long and detailed report thereon, accompanied with an amendment to the said bill; which report and bill were also committed. On motion of Mr. BUCHANAN, three thousand additional copies of these reports were directed to be printed

for the use of the members of the House.

COMMERCE ON THE LAKES,

A long debate ensued, in which Messrs. WICKLIFFE, HUNT, TEST, LEWIS, VINTON, MCDUFFIE, and GRENNELL, participated. In the course of the debate, Mr. HUNT moved to amend the said second section; which motion being agreed to,

Mr. IRVIN withdrew his motion to strike out the section.

The amendments were then ordered to be engrossed, and the bill read a third time to-morrow.

WESTERN ARMORY.

The House proceeded to the consideration of the bill Mr. CAMBRELENG, from the Committee on Com-authorizing the President of the United States to select merce, to which was recommitted the bill to regulate the a site for the crection of an armory on the Western foreign and coasting trade on the Northern and Northwest-waters.

ern frontier of the United States, reported the same with Mr. CHILTON was very much in favor of an armery an amendment, which was concurred in by the House, on the Western waters, but he could not vote for this bill. Mr. CAMBRELENG, after some explanatory remarks, It gave too much discretion and patronage to the Execumoved that the bill be ordered to a third reading. tive; and, if the bill were to pass, he had reason to fear Mr. DAVIS, of Massachusetts, and Mr. HUNTING that the armory would not be located in the situation TON, as the bill contained a number of complex provi-where, in his opinion, it ought to be. sions, desired time to examine it.

Mr. BLAIR, of Tennessee, said that he would support

The bill was further explained and its expediency ad- the bill as reported by the Military committee, not be rocated by Messrs. CAMBRELENG, HOFFMAN, and SWIFT; when (with the consent of Messrs. DAVIS and HUNTINGTON) it was ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time on Thursday next.

cause it was what it should have been, but because it was the best that could be had under existing circumstances. Sir, said he, I found this proposition before the House, eight years ago, when I came into Congress, and On motion of Mr. CARSON, it was it has been a subject of controversy ever since. I have, Resolved, That two hundred additional copies of the re-myself, said he, taken such part in this controversy, as port of the select committee on the establishment of assay offices in the gold region of the South, be printed for the use of the members of the House.

IMPORTERS OF FOREIGN GOODS, The engrossed bill "for the relief of certain importers of foreign merchandise," was read a third time, and put on its passage.

perfectly to satisfy my mind that this House will never agree upon its location. I appeal to such members as have been here, and witnessed the progress of this thing-can they believe that another effort would be less fruitless than those which have been witnessed? The alternative now presented is to take this bill, and trust to the discretion of the Executive, or deprive the West of this necessary improvement yet a little longer. I have, said Mr. B., been Mr. HUNTINGTON observed that the bill, in his opi- astonished to hear the objection to this bill, that it con nion, required amendment, and suggested, that instead of ferred patronage on the President. What patronage? moving its recommitment, he would submit to the House That of discharging an irrevocable duty, in the discharge an amendment to it in the form of a proviso, which, by of which he must displease some forty or fifty neighbor unanimous consent, he would move should be now receiv hoods, in giving preference to one. As a friend to the ed, and incorporated into the bill. Mr. H. then briefly Presalent, were 1 to cast about for patronage, and the

FEB. 22, 1831.]

Insolvent Debtors.

[H. OF R.

And the main question being put, that is, "Shall the bill be engrossed, and read a third time?" it was carried by yeas and nays, as follows:

means of seeking popularity, this should be the last expe- The previous question was then moved by Mr. STANdient with me. I know, said he, the fearless independence DEFER, and was seconded by a majority of members of the President, and I am from necessity obliged, in this present. case, by my vote, to cast upon him that responsibility The previous question was then put, and carried in the from which he will not shrink, and this fruitless conflict affirmative, by which Mr. DENNY's amendment was set will be brought to a close, and I could not but be surprised aside. to hear the other day, when this subject was before the House, an opinion expressed as to the inutility of such establishment. Sir, he could forget, in a few short years, the scenes of the last war, and particularly the difficulties YEAS.-Messrs. Anderson, Arnold, Baylor, John Blair, in arming the soldiery, would require a herald to notify Boon, Brodhead, Buchanan, Cambreleng, Clay, Coleman, him of his being mortal. I perceive that the part of the Coulter, Craig, Crawford, Creighton, John Davis, Denny, country in which I reside was not singular, and less pro- Desha, De Witt, Doddridge, Draper, Drayton, Duncan, vided than all others. Such was the melancholy fact Findlay, Finch, Ford, Fry, Gaither, Gilmore, Green, there, that, to sustain the cause of the country, and put Gurley, Hemphill, Hinds, Hubbard, Hunt, Ihrie, Thomas into the hands of destitute soldiers the implements of war, Irwin, William W. Irvin, Jennings, Richard M. Johnson, press gangs were sent abroad to invade the family sanc- Cave Johnson, Kennon, Kincaid, Lea, Leavitt, Lecompte, tuary, and by the law of force was the owner deprived Leiper, Letcher, Lyon, Martindale, McCreery, McIntire, of his arms. And now, in these piping times of peace, Mercer, Miller, Muhlenberg, Overton, Pettis, Polk, we are to be told that there is no necessity for such esta- Ramsey, Sanford, Shields, Semmes, Sill, Smith, Speight, blishment. Sir, I am admonished at this stage of the session, Ambrose Spencer, Standefer, Sterigere, Stephens, Test, and with the press of business befo:e us, that I cannot John Thomson, Vance, Varnum, Verplanck, Vinton, better evince my friendship to this measure, than by with- Whittlesey, C. P. White, Edward D. White, Wilde, Yanholding further debate. I must, however, indulge, be- cey.-79. fore I take my seat, in the liberty of saying that, were I NAYS.-Messrs. Alexander, Alston, Angel, Armstrong, not admonished that it would tend to defeat the measure, Bailey, Barnwell, Barringer, James Blair, Brown, Butman, I would prefer eliciting from the House some expression Cahoon, Campbell, Carson, Chilton, Claiborne, Condict, of opinion, that necessarily would have its influence on Conner, Cooper, Crocheron, Crowninshield, Deberry, the future location of this armory; I am firmly convinced Dudley, Dwight, Eager, Earll, Ellsworth, George Evans, of the justice and policy of giving to it a location on such Horace Everett, Foster, llall, Halsey, Hawkins, Haynes, Western water as would supersede in future the erection Hoffman, Howard, Hughes, Ingersoll, Jarvis, Johns, of a Southern armory; the location would throw it on a Kendall, Perkins King, Adam King, Lamar, Lent, Loyall, tributary stream of the Tennessee river, and within the Lumpkin, Thomas Maxwell, McCoy, Mitchell, Nuckolls, district which I have the honor to represent. Were it Pierson, Potter, Randolph, Rencher, Roane, Russel, now proper to present the considerations for such location, William B. Shepard, Augustine H. Shepperd, Richard I feel very confident that I could show to this House rea- Spencer, Sprigg, H. R. Storrs, W. L. Storrs, Swann, sons which must outweigh any others, and, as regarded as Taylor, Tracy, Tucker, Wayne, Wickliffe, Williams, any one site, would be sufficient to ensure success, even Wilson.-70. in this House; but I am very sure they would not be sufficient to convince the House, when some thirty or forty others were brought into competition, and the members interested in each to be judges between them. I must, therefore, insist upon the passage of the bill as a dictate of necessity, and entreat its friends not to destroy it by provoking discussion.

Mr. JOHNSON, of Kentucky, also adverted to the vain attempts of Congress, for sixteen years past, to get the object through in any different mode, and urged the passage of the bill as it was, or all hope of getting an armory might be given up. Congress would never agree on the site. Mr. VANCE deemed the subject so well understood, that no further argument could promote it; and he entreat ed all who were friendly to the bill to content themselves with voting, lest delay might do what the opponents of the bill sought to do by argument.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS.

The House then took up the bill for the relief of certain insolvent debtors of the United States.

Mr. BUCHANAN said, that when the House some days since, upon his motion, had kindly consented to take this bill up out of its order, he had then declared he should occupy but a very short time in its discussion. He said he would now redeem that pledge; and as time had become still more precious, and the close of the session was so near at hand, he would content himself with a very brief exposition of the nature of the bill. Should any gentleman, however, desire a further explanation upon any point, he would hold himself ready to give it.

This bill, said Mr. B., contains but a single principle. It merely enables the Secretary of the Treasury to compromise with such debtors of the United States as were insolvent on the 1st day of January last, and confers upon him the same power of releasing those debtors which every individual possesses. All such debtors of the United States are embraced within the provisions of this bill; except the principals in official bonds, and those who have actually received public money, and not paid it over, or accounted for it according to law.

Mr. DENNY argued that Congress was competent to decide on the location of the site, and that there was no > necessity for leaving it to the discretion of the President. He adverted to the history of the subject, to show why Congress had not agreed heretofore, and referred to the g various surveys made. He was adverse to placing so troublesome and needless a responsibility on the President; and proposed at once to settle the question, as he thought At present, the Executive Government of the United it ought to be settled, by moving to strike out the clause States possesses no power, in any case, no matter what authorizing the President to "select a site for a national may be the circumstances, to compromise with its debtors, armory upon the Western waters, and for that purpose to and accept a part of the demand instead of the whole. cause such surveys to be made as he may deem necessa- The man who has become insolvent, should he be a ry," and insert the following: "A national armory upon debtor of the United States in a sum which he is unable the land belonging to the United States near Pittsburg, to pay, is, under existing laws, placed in a state of helpless or upon any other site which he may select in its vicinity; or, if water power shall be preferred, then to select a site for the said armory, at the falls of Big Beaver, in Pennsylvania."

and hopeless despair. His individual creditors, convinced of his honesty, may be willing to release him; his friends may be willing to furnish him the means of recommencing business; but this is all in vain, whilst the debt due

H. OF R.]

Insolvent Debtors.

[FEB. 22, 1831.

of the grave. Why will you not afford these men relief? Why will you not suffer them by their enterprise and industry to add to the wealth and prosperity of the country, when you can grant them this boon, not only without injury, but with positive benefit to your treasury? But I must be brief, and will pursue this branch of the subject no further.

the United States hangs like a millstone around his neck. prostrated in the dust by the weight of debts which has From this there is no escape. Justice, relentless justice, been continually pressing upon them, will again spring untempered by mercy, is now our only rule of conduct into fresh and vigorous action the moment this pressure towards our insolvent debtors. is removed. Hundreds and thousands are now looking Even if our policy were purely selfish, and we acted anxiously towards you for relief, and regard the adoption from no higher motives than a regard for dollars and of this measure as their only remaining hope on this side cents, we ought to pass this bill. From the examinations which I have made, and the information I have collected upon this subject, I entertain no doubt but that this bill, should it become a law, will bring at least one million of dollars into your treasury, not one cent of which can ever find its way there unless some measure of this nature shall be adopted. There are now in this country many, very many, honest and enterprising merchants, who, al- This bill is entirely retrospective in its nature, and can though they have become insolvent, retain the highest have no effect upon future cases of insolvency. Its relief character among their friends, and in the society of which will, in almost every case, be confined to men who are they are members. In a great number of instances their now notoriously insolvent. There is, therefore, much insolvency cannot be attributed even to negligence or less danger of fraud upon the Government, than if it want of skill, but has been wholly the effect of causes applied to future cases. But this consideration has not which they could neither foresee nor control. Some in- prevented the Judiciary committee from guarding the stances of this character have come to my knowledge, bill with the utmost care, and rendering it impossible, so which would be well calculated to enlist the feelings of far as they could, that a fraudulent debtor should take this House in favor of the bill. There is now an insolvent advantage of its provisions. In the performance of this merchant in the city of Philadelphia, whom this bill would task, they have been much assisted by the suggestions of relieve, who has paid into the Treasury of the United the Secretary of the Treasury, and, Mr. B. said, he would States between three and four millions of dollars in duties. venture to assert, there was greater danger that the bill His insolvency was, in a great degree, I think I might say instead of being too lax was too rigorous in its provisions. solely, occasioned by the passage of a bill through the Se- He said he would not, at present, remark upon any of its nate, in 1826, to reduce the duties on tea. The reputation details. of this gentleman, both as a man and as a merchant, stands as high as it ever did in his most prosperous days; and should the power be conferred on the Secretary of the Treasury to compromise with him for the debt which he owes the Government, his friends will immediately furnish him the means of recommencing business. He will have no difficulty in compromising with his individual creditors. This is but one instance out of many of a similar character, which have come to my knowledge.

Mr. WILLIAMS briefly submitted his objections to the bill. It was to a certain extent a bankrupt bill, and morcover placed too great a power in the hands of the Treasury Department. He was in favor of referring the cases in the first instance to judicial investigation.

Mr. JOHNSON, of Kentucky, made a few earnest remarks in support of the bill.

Mr. WAYNE combatted the objections of Mr. WILLIAMS, in an argument of some length, and urged with zeal the policy of the bill.

Suffer me to advert to another case by way of illustration. A merchant in the city of New York has become Mr. HUNTINGTON said, that after the full explanainsolvent. He is indebted to the Government in a very tion which had been given of the details of the bill, and large sum of money, one dollar of which he is not able to of the reasons evincing the propriety of its passage, by pay. The father of this merchant, anxious to obtain a the chairman of the committee who reported it, [Mr. release for his son, and enable him again to go into busi-BUCHANAN,] he would not consume the time of the House ness, has actually offered to transfer to the United States in repeating arguments which had been urged with so property estimated to be worth between four and five much ability. He had risen principally to reply to an cbhundred thousand dollars, provided his son shall be dis-jection which had been made to the bill by his friend charged from the debt. This offer could not be accepted from North Carolina, [Mr. WILLIAMS.] Before, however, by the President for want of power; and thus the United adverting to this objection, he would, in relation to the States, should this bill be negatived, will lose, in a single case, nearly half a million of dollars.

There are many similar cases in which the friends and the relatives of insolvent debtors will come forward and enable them to pay the Government a part of its debt, in consideration of obtaining a release for the whole. Mr. B. said he expressed his own opinion merely when he stated that the passage of the bill would bring at least a million of dollars into the treasury: there were others, with better means of judging than himself, who believed the sum would greatly exceed that amount.

But, sir, said Mr. B., much higher motives than those of a pecuniary character enter into the consideration of this question. There are many honest and enterprising men in this country, having families dependent upon their exertions, who will be left utterly without hope, should this measure be defeated. All their creditors, except ourselves, are willing to compromise with them. Shall we then continue to be inexorable?-shall we alone have no mercy, even although mercy be our best policy?-shall we, merely for the sake of oppressing our debtors, deprive ourselves of more than a million of dollars?

By the pa sige of this bill you will restore many of our best citizens to usefulness. Men who have long been

general merits of the measure under consideration, remark, that he considered the passage of the bill would be the performance of an act equitably, if not in justice, due to the public debtors embraced by its provisions, while, at the same time, it would be instrumental in causing a portion of the debts now due the United States, to be paid, which would otherwise be lost to the Government. This would be obvious, when the House should consider, as it would, that many of the public debtors, both principals and sureties, by misfortune, and from causes hot within their control, have become entirely insolvent; that they sustain irreproachable characters for integrity and industry; and that while pressed with the weight of their obligations to the Government, and without the means of removing it, they are alike without the ability and the motive necessary to enable or induce them again to commence business. So long as an authority to compromise with them is withheld; so long as their persons are subjected to imprisonment, and they held responsible for the debts until they shall have paid them in full, and this, too, when they have not the means of discharging any part of them--the industry, labor, and enterprise of this valuable class of our citizens are lost to the country. From this situation, so distressing to the debtors, without

To the Congress of the United States:

[H. or R.

any corresponding benefit to the Government, this bill relieves them. It enables them to obtain the assistance of I submit herewith to Congress a letter from Mr. Rhind, friends, through whose kindness and generosity they can stating the circumstances under which he received the make offers of compromise, pay their debts in part, and four Arabian horses that were brought by him to the United States from Turkey. This letter will enable Congress to decide what ought to be done with them.

ANDREW JACKSON.

be discharged from the residue; and thus, while the treasury is benefited, the individual debtors are enabled once more to engage in the business of the world, free from the pressure of debt, and stimulated to active exertion by the consciousness that the fruits of their industry will The following is a copy of Mr. Rhind's letter." be their own. The bill has been drawn up with great WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1830. care, to secure the Government against attempted fraud; SIR: I think it proper to state the circumstances under and if it be obnoxious to any objection, it arises perhaps which I became possessed of the Arabian horses landed from what might be thought to be the severity of some of from the vessel in which I reached the United States from its provisions upon the debtors. If, however, it be carried Turkey. into execution in the spirit of its various enactments, as it Finding, during my residence at Constantinople, that no doubt will be, a highly meritorious class of our citizens our Turkish friends were far behind us in many improvewill be raised from a state, now of hopeless depression, to ments, I suggested to the ministers several which were of one offering inducements to renewed exertions in useful great use to them; and, after closing the business of the employments; and a portion of the claims against them, negotiation, much of my time was occupied in giving them which are now of no value, by reason of the poverty of draughts, schemes, and elucidations. The Sultan, I underthe debtors, will be paid by the liberality of their friends. stood, took great interest in these suggestions, and many Thus much, Mr. H. observed, he was unwilling to omit inquiries were made of me, by his request, to all of which saying, in regard to the beneficial consequences which I afforded the best explanation in my power. would result, both to the debtors and to the United States, It being customary at that court for the person who should the bill become a law. negotiates a treaty to remain there until the ratifications The gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. WILLIAMS] are exchanged, or, by express assent of the Porte, to had urged, as an objection to the bill, (if he understood leave a person in his place, I was, therefore, under the him correctly,) that the power proposed to be vested in necessity of appointing Mr. Narvoni to that station, and the Secretary of the Treasury should be given to the presented him in that capacity to the Reis Effendi. courts of the United States; and that the facts to be I shortly thereafter took final leave of the Turkish proved, on which alone relief is to be granted, should be ministers. ascertained through the intervention of a court and jury. Finding that no vessel would leave Turkey for the In answer to this objection, Mr. H. said that it was diffi- United States prior to the 1st of September, I determined, cult to see why all the necessary facts could not be ascer-instead of remaining idle at Constantinople, to proceed tained by the commissioners to be appointed in the man-to Odessa, a voyage of three days, and make the necesner provided by the bill, with as much security to the sary arrangements there for the reception of our vessels; Government against fraud, as by any other tribunal. having accomplished this, I returned to Constantinople on They would be equally competent, vigilant, and trustwor- my way to Smyrna, where I was to embark. thy. Their proceedings will be public, and their means of detecting fraud as ample as can be devised; and the House would perceive that the power to afford the relief authorized by the bill to be given, could not be vested in any court, for the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized Being informed by the Reis Effendi that permission to compromise the debts of the applicants, on such terms would be granted me to export one or more Arabian as, under all the circumstances attending each particular horses, and conceiving that, whilst it would be a personal case, he may deem equitable to the debtor and just to object to myself, it would also be a benefit to our country, the Government. Neither a court of law nor of equity if I succeeded in conveying one to the United States, I could execute such a discretionary power. It must be visited the studs of many of the nobility, in order to select vested in some executive officer, and in no one with as some, and was on the eve of closing for the purchase of much propriety as in the officer at the head of the Treasury two, when, the circumstance coming to the knowledge of Department. Mr. H. said he would conclude by express- the Sultan, he, on the 31st of August, directed four horses ing the hope that a bill which had in view the twofold to be sent me in his name. Although this was evidently object of awarding both justice and equity to an unfortunate not intended as a present to me in my official capacity, and meritorious class of public debtors, and of enabling the Government to realize a portion of debts due to it, now wholly uncollectable, would receive the support of every member of the House.

Mr. STORRS, of New York, also replied to Mr. WILLIAMS, and advocated the bill.

Mr. SEMMES moved to limit the operation of the bill to two years; but, at the suggestion of Mr. ELLSWORTH, who doubted whether all the cases would be closed within that time, the motion was varied to three years, and thus was agreed to.

An appropriation of $3,000, to defray the expenses of the act, was inserted, on motion of Mr. BUCHANAN;

and

The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

Mr. RHIND'S ARABIAN HORSES.

The following message was received from the President of the United States:

On reaching the capital, I had several interviews and communications with my former Turkish friends, and suggested other improvements in their system, very gralifying to them.

since the ministers were aware I could not accept them as such, still the gift was one that could not be returned without giving offence. Being well informed that to refuse them would be considered an insult to the Sultan, and would doubtless be attended with injury to the interests of the United States, Mr. Navoni, as well as others, assured me that I must take them away from Constantinople, if I should cut their throats and throw them overboard the next day. I was consequently obliged to take them, and relinquish the purchase of those I had selected. I immediately had the four horses appraised, by competent judges, on the spot, and took them with me to Smyrna.

Having no funds of the United States, or the means of raising them, to pay for their expenses and passage to America, I shipped them as a commercial adventure, in the name of, and for account of, the owners of the vessel in which they came, and from whom I had secured an individual credit on London previous to leaving the United States. The horses are consequently in their pos