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Gen. Harmar returned, without further molestation, to Fort Washington, and consoled himself with the belief, that if the enemy had not felt, severely, his chastising arm, they would have given him some further trouble on his return.

The failure of this expedition led the president, under the authority on an act of Congress, to cause a body of levies to be raised for six months, under the command of a major general, and a brigadier general, for an indefinite service, to carry into effect the plans of chastising these savages into an equitable peace.

Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed to the command of this force, who had been a veteran of the revolution, and whose reputation as a man, and a soldier, stood high; Gen. St. Clair was also vested with full powers to treat with the savages, and settle a just, and equitable peace.

Things thus being arranged for the north-western expedition, the president commenced his southern tour, to pay a visit to that section of the United States, as he had done in the northern, or eastern. It was highly gratifying to the president, to find in every stage of this tour, the same cordial expressions of the most affectionate regard, esteem, and respect that had so much delighted him in his northern, or eastern tour; but what most gratified him, was the happy effects which every where resulted to these states from the federal government; the following expressions in his letter of July 28th, addressed to Mr. Governeur Morris, will fully shew the feelings of the president upon this subject.

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"In my late tour through the southern states, perienced great satisfaction in seeing the good effects of the general government, in that part of the union; the people at large have felt the security which it gives, and VOL. III.

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the equal justice which it administers to them. The farmer, the merchant, and the mechanic, have seen their several interests attended to, and from thence they unite in placing a confidence in their representatives, as well as those in whose hands the execution of the laws is placed. Industry has there taken place of idleness, and economy of dissipation; the establishment of public credit is an immense point gained in our national concerns; this I believe exceeds the expectations of the most sanguine among us, and a late instance, unparalleled in this counrty, has been given of the confidence reposed in our measures, by the rapidity with which the subscriptions to the bank of the United States, were filled. In two hours after the books were opened by the commissioners, the whole number of shares were taken up, and four thousand more applied for, than were allowed by the institution. This circumstance was not only pleasing, as it related to the confidence in the government; but also as it exhibited an unexpected proof of the resources of our citi

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The recruiting service progressed so slowly, that the president availed himself of that part of the act of Congress, that authorised him to call a force, to any extent, of mounted militia, in defence of the western frontier.

Under this authority, the president sent forward two expeditions, in the course of the spring and autumn of 1791, against the Indian settlements on the Wabash, which laid waste their villages, and corn-fields; destroyed many of their warriors, and brought off many of their old men, women and children, as prisoners.

The object of this predatory warfare, was to compel the enemy to settle a just and equitable peace. But such was the distance, as well as the difficulties to be overcome, that no decisive operations took place, and no real good

resulted to the government. The enemy were exasperated; but not humbled; their repeated resentments called up the attention of the people of the United States, to a consideration of the causes that first excited, and still continued to encourage, and promote this hostile spirit amongst these savages. This was finally traced to the influence of the British in Canada, and at their western military posts, as well as to the influence of British traders, who frequented, in their excursions, this whole interior.

Impressed with a belief of these facts, the president remonstrated to a Colonel Beckwith, who resided at the seat of government, as an informal representative of his nation; and caused his sentiments to be fully disclosed to him upon the subject. the subject. Mr. Beckwith denied the charge, and disavowed all interference of the British government, either from Canada, or elsewhere; and declared that Lord Dorchester, then governor of Canada, had in no case authorised any presents to the Indians, other than the stipulated annual donation of arms, and ammunition, and at the usual time. The president remonstrated against this procedure in time of war; and Colonel Beckwith promised to communicate this remonstrance immediately to his lordship.

At this eventful moment, the second Congress convened at Philadelphia, (October 24th.)

The president in his speech at the opening of the session, congratulated Congress upon the prosperous state of the government, and of the nation, and thus concluded:

"I have endeavoured to carry into effect the laws, and resolutions of Congress, which respected the defence, and security of the western frontiers; have negociated provisional treaties, and used other proper means to attach the wavering, and to confirm in their friendship, the well

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disposed tribes of Indians. The means adopted for a pacification with those of a hostile disposition, having proved unsuccessful, offensive operations have been resorted to, some of which have proved completely successful, and others are still depending. Overtures of peace are still continued to these deluded tribes; and it is sincerely to be hoped, that all need of coercion may cease, and that an intimate intercourse may succeed, calculated to advance the happiness of the Indians, and to attach them firmly to the United States.

"A system, corresponding with the mild principles of religion and philanthropy towards an unenlightened race of men, whose happiness materially depends on the conduct of the United States, would be as honorable to the national character, as conformable to the dictates of sound policy."

The president proceeded thus to observe upon the excise law :

"Whatever of discontent might have arisen upon this measure, I entertain a full confidence, that it will give way to motives which arise out of a just sense of duty, and a virtuous regard to the public weal.

"It is desirable upon all occasions, to unite with a steady and firm adherence to constitutional, and necessary acts of government, the fullest evidence of a disposition, as far as may be practicable, to consult the wishes of every part of the community, and to lay the foundations of the public administration, in the affections of the people."

This speech was cordially received, and as cordially and respectfully echoed, by both houses.

Congress next proceeded to take into consideration a bill," for appointing the representatives of the several

states, according to the first enumeration." The ratio fixed by the constitution was, that the number should not exceed one for every thirty thousand; but that each state should have one.

The bill thus introduced into the house, appointed to each state one for every thrirty thousand.

A warm and animated debate took place upon a motion to amend this, by striking out the word thirty, in which some reflections were thrown out against executive patronage, the bank, &c. but the motion was lost. Several other amendments were proposed, viz. thirty-five, thirtyfour, and thirty-three-thousand; but these were all lost, and the bill passed as it was introduced.

The senate amended the bill by fixing the ratio at thirty-three thousand, and returned it to the house, who adhered to their own decision, and the bill was lost.

The house originated another bill, very similar to the first, which passed with but few remarks. This bill the senate amended by enlarging the number of representatives; but by an indiscriminate apportionment upon the states collectively, not individually, which at first was rejected by the house, and afterwards agreed to upon a

conference.

This bill was rejected by the executive, as being unconstitutional, and returned to the house, with the reasons of its unconstitutionality annexed, which were approved.

The house then introduced a third bill apportioning the representation to every thirty-three thousand persons in each state. It passed both houses, and was approved by the president.

Congress next proceeded to pass a bill for the establishment of a uniform militia system, agreeable to the recom mendation of the president in August, 1789.

Pending these proceedings in Congress, the army under Gen. St. Clair had been completed, and commenced ope

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