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them personally, and not to their chiefs. This mode of distribution senior. is not, under any circumstances, to be departed from.

I am,

&c.

P. G. RANDOLFH,

To Col. HUGH MONTGOMERY,
Cherokee Agent, Calhoun, Tennessee.

Act. Steretary of War.

This order was not confined to the Cherokees, but, in terms, was issued to the other nations. In January last, the Cherokee delegation were informed by the War Department, that the order referred to is not applicable to the annuities of their nation exclusively, but to those of all other tribes entitled to them."

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[FEB. 28, 1831.

What sort of a voucher is he to take? The Indian cannot write: he can make the racoon mark-that is all. The others come on in succession; and, before the payment is half closed, those whose business has been despatched, disguised by new paint and new ornaments, return. Then another class, still, who have become entitled since the last census, and for whom there is no money. And then come the children of those who have died since the last census, claiming their fathers' share, and each child his share of that share. After the racoons, then come the foxes, and the birds, and all the other living things, or material objects. I venture to say that the SeTo say nothing of the difficulty arising from the ambi-cretary himself, before half meridian, would throw down guous phraseology of this order, the House perceives at his money bags, and be off for Tennessee. What is to once that it takes from the Indian nations the right, and protect the agent from endless imposition? or the Indians assumes the burden, of distributing the Indian annuities. from endless frauds? How can the agent make the pay It makes them-chiefs, warriors, and all-the mere pas-ments? or, if he can, how produce the requisite vouchers? sive recipients of your bounty, in such proportion as the It is a plan expensive and troublesome to us; vexations Executive may see fit to dole out to them. and ruinous to the Indians. This order makes the annuity

But, in the first place, I would respectfully inquire, a debt due to individuals: you must, in justice, therefore, how is this order to be executed? Among whom are the see it paid to them. Hence we shall have a new class of priannuities to be distributed? Are females to be included? vate claims upon this Government, outnumbering all others. Or if only males, males of what age? What is to be the But, sir, I deny the right of the Executive to make this ratio of distribution? The order says, "to chiefs, war-order. These annuities are debts due to the Indiansriors, Indians with families, and Indians without families."not gratuities. They are debts for which you have the Is the chief to have more than the warrior? the warrior value received. You owe them. Your relation to them than the Indian? or the Indian with a family more than the is that of debtor, not master. They are not only debts, Indian without a family? In fixing the ratio of distribution, but they are debts due to nations. They are recognised is rank or property to be taken into the account? What- as such by every treaty-not as debts due to individuals, ever course is pursued, by reason that some must die and but, in terms, to nations. They are debts due nations some will be born, the House perceives that at least an who have a Government of their own, and want not our annual census will be indispensable: for if these annuitics interposition in their affairs. The Cherokees, the Creeks, are due to the people individually, and not to the nation, and Chickasaws are well known. The Secretary of War exact justice must be done to each. Well, sir, this seme- tells us that, in the Choctaw nation, there are three what difficult preliminary business being settled, let me divisions, each of which is governed by a chief, who, suppose the day of payment to have arrived. The amount within his limits, acts independently of the others. In his of the annuities exceeds by a fraction two hundred and Government he is aided by minor and subordinate chiefs, forty-five thousand dollars. The annuity to the Chero-called captains, each of whom acts, within his particular kees is between six and seven thousand. If the distribu-sphere, distinct. The people are subordinate to the caption be made according to numbers, without reference to tains, the captains to the chiefs." And all the other narank, property, or condition, each Cherokee will receive tions have a Government of some sort such as they about forty cents as his share. choose-one that satisfies them--and this should satisfy us. The annuities must, therefore, be paid in silver or cop-Now, sir, I demand, by what right do we undertake to say per coin, the transportation of which will be a heavy ex- that these annuities shall be paid to individuals? Might pense. The territory of the Cherokees does not vary we not as well have said that the purchase money of Loumuch from two hundred by eighty miles in extent, and the isiana should be paid to the citizens of France? Or may agency is established in the northwest corner of it. Now, we not as well now say that the debts due the States of sir, let me suppose that the agent, Colonel Montgomery, this Union shall be paid, not to the order of the Govern has received his money, and, with his wagon or mules meat, not into the State treasury, but directly to the pec laden, is on his way, making his annual visitation to each ple? And let but the Executive send agents and subagents member of the tribe. Perhaps it is not too much to say enough into the States, and they will find among the igno that he will need a guard, by night at least, if not to pro-rant, the disaffected, the servile, and the sycophantic, tect himself, to protect his treasure. But I shall be told those who will approve the measure, and, if need be, imthat this is not the plan; that the agent is not to go to the plore it. Sir, you have no right, but the right of the people, but that the people are to come to him. Well, strongest, the right of him who puts hand upon the hilt of sir, be it so. At the time appointed, the Cherokees come his sword for his proof. You have the power--the "gi to the agent, at his agency house, some of them a distance ant's power"--that is all. Will the House hear the opinion of two hundred miles-upon an average, near one hun-of Mr. Jefferson upon this subject? In 1808, he spoke dred. Now, the first thought that occurs to the mind is, to the chiefs of the Upper Cherokee towns as follows: that a single share-forty cents--will not pay the expense "You complain that you do not receive your just proof the journey, much less the loss of time in making it. The next is, that, for such a numerous, and, I may add, troublesome and dangerous assemblage of men, extensive provision must be made, which will add another item to the present enormous amount of our Indian appropriations. But to proceed. Few of the Indians except those who have had intercourse with the whites, have more than one name, and that has reference frequently to some living or material object. There are, for instance, many whose name, in English, means raccon, or fox, or bird. Now, sir, I will suppose that all of the same cognomen come at the same time to receive their portions of the annuity: there are three or four hundred racoons. The agent pays the

portion of the annuities we pay your nation--that the
chiefs of the lower towns take for them more than their
share. My children, this distribution is made by the all-
thority of the Cherokee nation, and according to their
own rules, over which we have no control.
duty in delivering the annuities to the headmen of the
nation, and we pretend to no authority over them, to no
right of directing how they are to be distributed.”

We do our

These are the correct principles upon this subject, of which one would think the practice of this Government for forty years, independent of the terins in your hand, would be satisfactory proof as of the wisdom of which it has been a continued illustration.

FEB. 28, 1831.]

Indian Affairs.

[H. OF R.

I might stop here, but I should do injustice to the claims their case might require. I have the order before me; of the Indian nations if I were to omit to state briefly the there is no question as to the power. They did draw, and effect of this order upon them. I will not speak of its payment was refused, and still is refused, by the Execuobject. It is known to this House, to the country, and to tive. At the same time, the Creek delegation have been the world, that the Cherokees are engaged in a most une-paid so far as they needed for their expenses, and so far qual conflict for their existence as a nation. They claim as the nation owed for the education of the Creck chilof the United States the execution of the Indian treaties dren "upon Colonel Johnson's farm in Kentucky." But which guaranty to them protection, and the execution of even the Creeks, as I am well informed, were refused, the intercourse law of 1802, in which the provisions of until assurance was given that they were not here co-opethose treaties are embodied. Georgia has decided that rating with the Cherokees. The House, therefore, perthese treaties, as also the law, are unconstitutional and ceives that this order cuts off, at once, the resources of void. The Executive has confirmed that decision, and the Cherokees, and as far as this Government can do it; refuses to execute them. Thus the Cherokees are aban-and, at this crisis of their affairs, takes from them the doned to their fate. In order to try this important, and means of defence, and denudes them for sacrifice. The to them and to us interesting and momentous question, further effect of this order will be to create a severalty the Cherokees, in a case in the courts of Georgia, in which and individuality of interest throughout all the Indian naone of the tribes was put on trial for his life, for an offence tions, that will weaken the mutual dependence and destroy committed within the jurisdiction of the Cherokee nation, the subsisting harmony among chiefs, warriors, and peocaused those treaties to be pleaded, which, if constitu- ple; bringing the agents and subagents of the United tional, ousted Georgia of her jurisdiction of the case, and States into contact with every individual native, and afturned the criminal over to the courts of his own nation, fording them an opportunity, if they shall be base enough, to be punished according to the laws of his own people. to use it, to distract, confound, and break them up forThe courts of Georgia decided that the treaties were un-ever. I beg the House, therefore, to consider the nature constitutional, and condemned the prisoner to death. To and extent of our obligations to these tribes, and whether bring the question under the revision of the Supreme it is not due to justice, and to our own honor, if nothing Court of the United States-a constitutional question be due to them, to interfere in their behalf, at least so far arising under the treaties of the United States, and there-as this amendment goes.

fore most appropriately to be examined and decided there I have thus spoken briefly of the tendency and effect --a writ of error was brought, according to the provisions of this order. Allow me to inquire, in conclusion, what of existing law, of which Georgia had notice, and which necessity or occasion there is for it. The Secretary has Georgia defeated by executing the Cherokee. This exe-given us the rules by which his department is governed. cution was against law, if there be any force in the Indian Some of the Choctaw nation, not satisfied with the late treaties, or in the intercourse law of 1802. Thus defeat-treaty, undertook to depose one of their chiefs, and to elect ed by such an act, the Cherokees have applied to the Su-another. They gave notice to the War Department of preme Court for an injunction against Georgia to stay her what they had done. The Secretary informed them that hand. Now, permit me to pause here for a moment, and "this Government means not to interfere with their maninquire, had the Cherokees declined this forum, and re- ner of self-government-it cannot recognise what has fused to submit this question to its decision, would not the been done by a few; when chosen by a majority of the world have said it was because they had no confidence in division, and that fact certified by their General Council, the justice of their cause? And yet the Cherokees might the chief will be recognised." Very properly the Secrewell have answered--we hold your treaties, for which we tary here says, that the complaints and acts of individuals have paid you-we have parted with our land, and you cannot be regarded, and nothing short of the doings of hold it by virtue of them. Down to these disastrous times the nation in "General Council," duly "certified," will you have always considered them as valid, and acted upon form a proper basis for the action or interposition of this them as valid. The Supreme Court is alien to us; we had Government.

no agency in its formation--can have no influence with nor The opinion of Mr. Jefferson, which I have quoted, is control over it: its interest and bias will be in favor of to the same effect. Whatever complaints, therefore, may your people, and against us. All this they might have have come from individuals, or from agents or subagents

said.

Yet, in the strong confidence they feel in the truth this order was not issued in consequence of them. But, and justice of their cause, and in the integrity, the honor, so far as the Cherokees are concerned, I have it in my and independence of the court, they seek this reference power to say, and to prove, that no complaints have been of the question, and Georgia-declines it! Nay, she insists made. In July last, the 12th day, Colonel Montgomery, upon the exclusive right, in virtue of her State sovereign- the agent, understanding "that there was to be a special ty, to settle this question finally and irreversibly for her- meeting of the General Council of the Cherokee nation," self, and by her own courts, the judges of which are enclosed to the chiefs a copy of the order of June, with elected periodically by her own citizens--are imbued, I a request "that the necessary arrangements be made by will not say inflamed, with her own feelings-swayed by the nation for the future reception of the annuities, so her own interests, having a common share in the wheel of that each Indian might get his share, agreeably to that the lottery that is to make partition and distribution of the order." On the 17th July, "the representatives of all spoils of the nation at their bar, and against which the the people of the Cherokee nation, convened in Genetreaties and the laws they annul are the only interposing ral Council," answered: "That the United States stood bound to pay the money to the 'nation,' and not to the indiAgainst this, the Cherokees, in their weakness, can only viduals of the nation." As to its future reception, they protest, and they do protest, and claim either the execu-say "that the nation has already made the arrangement tion of the treaties, or a decision of your own court upon for that in its constitution and laws; and to them the agent their constitutionality. The Executive refuses the one, is referred." That arrangement is, that the annuities and Georgia opposes, and will, if possible, defeat the shall be paid into the treasury for the use of the nation. In this anomalous condition of things, it became And they enter "their solemn protest against the distrinecessary for them to employ counsel, and to incur many bution of the annuities, in the way contemplated by the Goand heavy expenses; and when their delegation left for vernment, as a violation of the letter and spirit of the treaWashington, the Legislative Council of the Cherokee na- tics subsisting between the United States and them," and tion gave them authority to draw for such part of the decline inaking any further or other order. Of all this annuity due from the United States, as the exigency of the agent had notice; but not knowing what complaints

barrier and defence.

other.

H. OF R.]

Surveys, &c.-Duty on Sugar.--National Road in Ohio.

[MARCH 1, 1831.

might have been made, the delegation addressed a letter Chesapeake and Delaware canal,) was objected to by to Colonel Montgomery, the resident agent of the United Mr. DAVIS, of South Carolina; and he demanded the yeas States in the Cherokee nation; to which, under date of and nays on it, but they were refused, and the appropriaSeptember 20, 1830, he replies: "I will state that no tion was concurred in.

The previous question was moved by Mr. HUNTINGTON, and being sustained—88 to 81,

complaints have passed through me to the Executive, or And a motion was made by Mr. LECOMPTE further any other person, either from the Indians, or any other to amend said bill, by adding thereto the following item, person, on the subject of the distribution of the annuities." viz. "For removing certain obstructions in the Kentucky I hold the letter in my hand. Now, sir, what reason can river, at the mouth of Big Benson, twelve thousand dol be assigned to justify the order of June last, or a persist-lars;" which amendment Mr. L. made some remarks to ance in that order? I am unable to perceive any reason explain and support. for it, which will bear the scrutiny of this House. It is a wide departure from the ancient, established, and beaten way of this Government-a way safe and convenient for usa way familiar to the Indian nations-without their consent, certainly, the only right way. I will only add, in recapitulation, that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to execute the order. That this Government has no right to issue such an order; that it will be prejudicial to the Indian nations, and particularly the Cherokees-malign in all its influences-and that it is uncalled for by any new exigency, or by any one Indian tribe, and is unjustifiable, upon any principle consistent with our obligation, our convenience, or a just economy in the management of

our Indian affairs.

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The question was put on ordering the bill to be engrossed for a third reading, and carried-87 to 75. The bill having been engrossed, was subsequently read third time, and passed; and (about half after 10 'clock) The House adjourned.

TUESDAY, MARCH 1.

DUTY ON SUGAR.

taken up, and Mr. WHITE, of Louisiana, continued his reThe resolution to reduce the duty on sugar was again marks in opposition to the resolution until the expiration of the hour; when his argument was again arrested. NATIONAL. ROAD IN OHIO.

The bill from the Senate giving the assent of Congress to an act of the State of Ohio for the preservation of so much of the great national road as passes through that State, by the erection of toll gates, and the application of toll to the repairs of the road, was then taken up.

Mr. BUCHANAN obtained the floor, and said, that at the last session of Congress he had prepared himself to dis- Mr. DUNCAN moved to recommit the bill to the Com cuss what has been called the Indian question. He was mittee on Internal Improvements, with instructions to then called home before he had any opportunity of pre-insert the amendment offered yesterday by the gentleman senting his views upon this subject. He had again pre- from Ohio, [Mr. VINTON.]

pared himself to discuss this question at the present ses- Mr. DUNCAN said that the bill in its present shape sion, and was now ready to proceed with his argument. He was exceedingly objectionable, and he could not consent believed that the act of the last session was dictated not to its passage, without entering his solemn protest against only by the purest principles of policy and humanity, but it. He was not altogether satisfied with the amendment that it presented the only means of preserving and perpetu- proposed by the gentleman from Ohio, but it would, in ating the unfortunate and interesting children of the forest, his opinion, afford some protection to the rights of his who had so many claims upon our protection. He had constituents, and all those residing in the States west of the vanity to think he could present some new views upon Ohio, who must, if this bill passes, pay nearly all the ex this subject. But the hour was now late, and there were pense of keeping the road in repair, as Ohio had, by several important bills upon the table, which, unless they the provisions of this bill, which she had submitted for could pass the House, and go to the Senate this night, would be lost. He would therefore forbear; and for the first time, as he believed, since he had been a member of this House, he would move the previous question. The previous question was sustained, and the bill was ordered to a third reading.

the acceptance of Congress, and which had passed the Senate, and was now on its passage, exempted her own citizens, in nearly every possible case, from the payment of toll, and consequently taxing the citizens of other States, not only to keep the road in repair, but to pay an officer at every twenty miles. Mr. D. said that this measure Mr. LAMAR now moved an adjournment. Negatived. must drive his constituents, and all the people west of the The House proceeded to the consideration of the bill Ohio, from the road, as they could not and would not pay making an appropriation for a custom-house in the city of so unjust a tax, especially as the road was made by com New York; and the amendment reported thereto from the pact, and out of the funds of Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, Committee of the Whole House on the 25th ultimo was as well as those of Ohio. He thought the Legislature of read, and concurred in by the House, and the bill was or- Ohio was mistaken in the advantage it was to gain by exdered to be engrossed, and read a third time to-day, (and empting her own citizens from this tax, as the same policy was afterwards read a third time, and passed.)

SURVEYS, &c.

The House proceeded to the consideration of the bill for the improvement of certain harbors, and providing for

surveys.

would be adopted by Pennsylvania and Maryland, so as to make Chio pay a portion of the tax at last; but he could of Missouri travelling to the Atlantic cities; and then, he see no hope for his constituents, except to tax the citizens said, this tax would make it impossible for his constituents to drive their stock on this road, and would render it of He said that the liberal and just the motion of Mr. PEARCE, was now opposed by Mr. views expressed by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. VIN POLK and Mr. HOWARD, and was strenously advocated rox] met his entire approbation, and he firmly believed by Messrs. BURGES and PEARCE, and was finally con- with him, that the bill, should it pass, is calculated to decurred in without a division. In the course of the discus-stroy the road, and was, in his opinion, a covert blow aimed sion, Mr. LAMAR moved to lay the bill on the table, but at the whole system of internal improvements. the motion was negatived.

The amendment inserted in Committee of the Whole, on little or no use to them.

The appropriation for the improvement of Back creek, (the estuary leading from the Chesapeake bay to the

He dwelt on

Mr. MERCER supported the motion. the acknowledged importance and value of this great ne tional work, and insisted that it was incredible that the

MARCH 1, 1831.]

Baltimore and Washington Railroad.--General Appropriation Bill.

ments thereto, being taken up,

[H. of R.

Mr. DODDRIDGE, chairman of the Committee for the District of Columbia, moved that the House concur in the amendments of the Senate.

Mr. SEMMES, of Maryland, moved to recommit the bill to the Committee for the District.

The motion was opposed by Messrs. BROWN and HOWARD.

House could ever mean to let it go to ruin. But the Baltimore to Washington, together with certain amendlaw enacted by the Legislature of Ohio contained such provisions as were calculated rather to injure than to preserve the road. All that sort of use which went to destroy it, viz. the use of wagons with narrow wheels, was to be encouraged by passing toll free, while a heavy tax was at the same time laid upon large wagons with broad wheels; the use of which consolidated the road, and ought to have been more favored than travel of any other kind. Ohio had almost exempted her own citizens from any toll for the Mr. DODDRIDGE stated that he had examined all the use of the road, and had left it to be paid chiefly by the amendments of the Senate, and, considering them reasoncitizens of other States. Mr. M. referred to several parti-able, and in conformity with the wishes of the people of culars in support of the representation he had made, and the District, thought they ought to be adopted. contended that the act ought to be remodified before it Mr. TALIAFERRO professed unlimited confidence in was assented to. his colleague, and great reliance on his judgment; but that, Mr. IRVIN, of Ohio, was warmly opposed to the re-as this was the first moment in which the amendment commitment of the bill, which he insisted would be tan- had come to his knowledge, he thought further time should tamount to its rejection, and before next session the road be taken to consider them, and he therefore supported would become useless. Gentlemen seem to forget that the recommitment. Ohio had paid a large proportion of the money which had been already expended on this work; but how much, he would ask, had Illinois contributed? Less he believed than Ohio had paid towards making the road on this side the river. It was not to be expected the Government should continue contributing to the repairs of the road; and yet, unless it were repaired from time to time, it must go to destruction. The only system that gave any promise of saving this great national work, was the exaction of toll by the States through which the road passed.

Mr. VANCE, of Ohio, advocated the recommitment. He considered the arrangements of the law as it now stood to be palpably unjust. Those persons through whose property the road now ran, and whose estates had thereby been increased in value more than fifty per cent., were allowed to use the road free of toll, because they resided upon it; while those who lived in more distant parts of the State, and whose farms had, therefore, enjoyed much less of the benefit, were heavily taxed, together with citizens of other States who passed over the road.

Mr. HOWARD opposed the motion to recommit with great earnestness. He was confident that the amendments need only to be read, to have their propriety at once perceived. They had been printed; and if the gentlemen had not read them, it was their own fault. One of the amendments went to reserve the right of Congress to pass laws hereafter for the opening of branch roads, and to regulate the speed of cars. The other, which had been inserted at the instance of the representation of the District, went to limit the termination of the road within the District, to some point between the capitol and Seventh street--instead of carrying it to the President's house or Rock creek. If any objection were made to this, it was to be expected from the corporation of Washington. But both the boards constituting that body had prayed for this restriction; and, if they consented to it, who could justly oppose it? Mr. H. expressed a fear that if the bill should be now recommitted, it would never regain its place on the calendar. He explained what had been done by the Legislature of Maryland on this subject. They had granted to the comMr. WICKLIFFE opposed the recommitment. The pany liberty to make the road as far as the District line, argument of the gentleman last up would certainly be a on condition that it should be commenced within one year. very powerful one if addressed to the Legislature of his If the present bill should be rejected, or lost by delay, the own State; but it must be well known to that gentleman company would be left in an embarrassed situation. that a great proportion of the members of the House de- Mr. SEMMES stated that he had been indisposed for nied the power of Congress to interfere on the subject of some days, and had not seen the amendments. The subtolls in any form. For himself, he was one who admitted ject was important, and excited deep interest in Marythe power of Congress to construct a road through a State, land. It had been debated in her Legislature for several but he denied their right to erect toll gates upon it. It weeks. His constituents had embarked largely, both 1 was utterly vain to hope for any bill, in that House, which capital and credit, in the concerns of the company, and it should regulate the tolls to be paid in Ohio; and he, there- was his duty, as their Representative, to look cautiously at fore, was desirous that the several States through which the national road passes, might take charge of their respective portions of it. It was not probable that Ohio would persevere in any system of taxation that was palpably unjust; and if her law should prove unequal in its operation, no doubt her own sense of justice would induce her to modify it. Believing that to recommit the bill would be to destroy it, and that then the House would again be called upon for further contributions, he considered it his duty to demand the previous question.

The question being taken, it appeared that there was no quorum voting; whereupon, Mr. MERCER moved to lay the bill on the table." On this motion, Mr. ALEXANDER demanded the yeas and nays, which being taken, stood-yeas 63, nays 115.

So the motion to lay the bill on the table was lost. The call for the previous question was now sustained; and the main question being put on ordering the bill to its third reading, it was carried-yeas 89, nays 60. BALTIMORE & WASHINGTON RAILROAD BILL, The bill from the Senate, authorizing the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company to extend a lateral railroad from

whatever might affect their interest. He was in favor of the bill, but could not vote in the dark. He knew, however, that a majority of the Committee for the District differed from him in opinion, and he should cheerfully submit to any decision on the subject.

The question being then put on concurring with the Senate in their amendments to the bill, it was carried by a large majority.

THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL. The Senate's amendments to this bill came up for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

Various other amendments were considered, and agreed to without debate.

The amendment making provision for the pay of extra clerks in the Post Office Department, was then taken up, having been reported against by the Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. CONNER said: This amendment had been made the Senate; the evidence had not been laid before the by the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads of Committee of the House; but he was authorized to say that the object of the appropriation was to meet current

H. OF R.]

The Turkish Mission.

[MARCH 1, 1831.

expenses; that there was still something due to those clerks was assigned to two other commissioners associated with who were employed, many of them, by Mr. McLean; him,) gave rise to a short discussion, in which Messrs. and the still increasing business of the department had ELLSWORTH, DODDRIDGE, and DWIGHT explained compelled the present able incumbent to follow the ex- the service which had been performed, and the equity of ample of his predecessor, (Mr. McLean,) whose name, the claim-and Mr. McCOY opposed the appropriation as on being mentioned in that House, produced excitement; being an unsafe species of legislation. but he [Mr. C.] had no hesitation in saying, he had for that This amendment was agreed to. gentleman kind feelings, and that he was an efficient of The item providing for fees to be paid to assistant counficer. The gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. HUNTING- sel employed to aid the district attorneys of the United TON] had inquired of the committee if the department States had been originally $2,600. The amendment rewas not insolvent. He would answer that gentleman, that commended by the Committee of Ways and Means raised the Post Office Department was not only not insolvent, but the sum to $6,000; the amendment of the Senate proposed that its condition was a prosperous one; that for the last still further to increase it to $8,000; the last sum was dis eighteen months the increase for each quarter was some agreed to, and the appropriation fixed at $6,000. thirty or forty thousand dollars; and so far as the departTHE TURKISH MISSION. ment could be informed, the increase for this quarter would be in proportion with the preceding one; and he had no The next amendment in order was the appropriation of hesitation in saying that the increase of the present year $15,000, as compensation to the commissioners who negowould exceed that of the last year by $100,000. The policy tiated the late treaty with the Ottoman Porte. The Comof the late Postmaster General had been to retain but little mittee of Ways and Means had recommended to strike out surplus on hand. It was the true policy; and the present the amendment of the Senate which provided for this Postmaster General had very probably pursued the same item, with a proviso going to disapprove of the appointin returning the money received back again among ment of the commissioners during a recess of the Senate. the people from whom it had come, for their accommodation.

course,

Mr. VERPLANCK, chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, explained the grounds on which that The gentleman had also made an inquiry in relation to committee had recommended to strike out this item from the available funds of the department; and, on another occa- the amendments of the Senate. Of the exact character sion, a gentleman from New York [Mr. STORRS] had sneer- of the persons to be compensated, he would not speak, as ingly asked what had become of the $230,000 left by Mr. there was no distinct evidence on that subject before the McLean. He [Mr. C.] could tell the gentleman what had House; whether they were to be understood as acting unbecome of that money. There were now $148,000 of it der a special commission as the personal agents of the Prein the department; the seventy or eighty thousand dollars sident, or whether they were to be considered as chargés of that sum used, had gone to the extension of mail faci- des affaires, there was no evidence on which to decide. lities, and accommodation to the people and the country. The subject was known to have excited great warmth Where the mails were carried on horseback, they are now elsewhere; and the committee, considering the very inaccarried in sulkies or stages, and the trips increased; where curate information submitted to them, and believing that the mail was received only weekly, it is now received twice the great question entered into by the proviso was likely, in the week, on other routes three times a week, and, in especially at so late a period of the session, to delay, and many instances, daily stages were put in operation. This possibly endanger, the bill, and thereby injuriously to afwas asked for and required of him by the people and their fect other great interests, had been unanimous in recomrepresentatives, and this is the way that that money has mending that the whole amendment, as well the appropri gone. Sir, whilst all your other departments were station-ation as the proviso accompanying it, should be stricken ary, this department was annually extended, daily aug-out. The parties concerned would, he presumed, be paid menting in business and labor, which necessarily required either from the contingent fund, or from the secret service increased expenditures. Sir, the Postmaster General has fund; but, if not paid at this time, they must take their not overreached himself, as has been insinuated; and if chance of being provided for by the next Congress. The the House will take the trouble to reflect and examine for committee considered it an act of public duty to report themselves one moment, they must see the propriety of against the amendment. this amendment. It is in accordance with the usual mode Mr. WAYNE observed that he found one difficulty in of paying the officers of the departments, and, in accord- agreeing to the proposal of the Committee of Ways and ance with that, is this appropriation asked for. The ser- Means. If this appropriation should be stricken out, vices of those clerks employed must be paid for, and the there was no fund to which the individuals concerned only difference out of which fund they are paid is, that, could look for payment. They had rendered important if it be taken from the Post Office, it is so much withdrawn services; they had been the agents in the highest act which from mail facilities and accommodations. Sir, there was one department of the Government could perform. He laid on your table, at an early day in the session, a bill felt the force of the remarks of the gentleman from New providing for an additional number of clerks. It has not York, [Mr. VERPLANCK,] and he was, to a certain extent, been reached, nor can it, the present session. Its passage constrained to acquiesce in them; but the House must would have superseded the necessity of this amendment. make some certain provision for men who had performed There are now in your treasury more than a million of an important public service. Was there no other part of the dollars, which have been deposited there by the Post Of bill to which an additional appropriation might be appendfice Department; and he would, at all times, have been ed, by which the object could be secured? In the estimate willing to have appropriated from that sum an amount for the contingent expenses of foreign intercourse, there sufficient to have completed the mail arrangements through- was one item of $25,000. There was no proposal to strike out the country. The department, from its prosperous that out; and, with a view to avoid debate, he would condition, would, in a very few years, have reimbursed propose to amend the present amendment, by adding to the treasury, and more. He thought the appropriation that clause the words "and $15,000, to defray the conproper, and hoped the House would not withhold it. tingent expense of foreign intercourse, heretofore inThe question was then taken, and the appropriation curred." The Chair decided that it was not in order to was stricken out. amend an amendment recommended by the Committee of Ways and Means.

The item allowing compensation to Judge Cranch, for extra labor in preparing a code of laws for the District, Que having, at their request, assumed the share which

Mr. INGERSOLL said, the gentleman could easily arrive at his object, by allowing a vote first to be taken on

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