stances, in which it has proved successful in the army, in the navy, and in our merchant ships.

[H. of R.

we send out the commentary on these laws, why not also send out the laws themselves, so that the public may be enabled to decide whether the commentary is sustained by the text. Entertaining these views, he moved that the laws of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, extending their jurisdiction over the Indian tribes within their territorial limits, be printed, and appended to the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Indian tribes within their limits, will unavoidably be drawn into the debate. The questions, whether these laws conThe gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr. WICKLIFFE] is ad- flict with the existing treaties of the United States with verse to the resolution, because he conceives it to have these tribes? with any of the admitted rights of the Inoriginated in temperance societies, or similar associations, dians or of the United States? These are grave questions, from which have issued numerous memorials and petitions which we must decide. These laws, therefore, ought, in of a certain cast, with which our tables have been fre- his opinion, to be published; and, unless they are, he quently covered. Sir, no one condemns more than I do would ask, how are the people to judge whether the im the language and the spirit of many of the papers to which pressions they have already received are correct? When the gentleman alludes. I can assure him, that the only persons with whom I have had any communication relat ing to the subject before us, are physicians in the army and navy and military officers. But were it otherwise--were this resolution pressed upon us by visionaries and theorists, pushing their abstract notions of morality and benevolence to fanatical or ridiculous extremes, if it contained suggestions useful and practical, I would listen to them. Whether we shall be enabled, by any means which we can devise, to effect what is contemplated by the resolution, I will not undertake to determine. It is our duty to make the effort. If we fail, we shall have the consolation of reflecting, that we have attempted to check the progress of a vice which renders its victims not only useless and dis. gusting, but a burden upon society. If we succeed, though success may be only partial, we shall improve the intellectual, and moral, and physical condition of our army and our navy. I trust, therefore, that the resolution will be adopted, and that an opportunity will be afforded for making an experiment, by which much may be gained, and from which no possible injury can result.

Mr. HOFFMAN rose to reply, but the expiration of the hour cut short the debate.

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

The rule having been suspended,

Mr. VINTON moved the following order:

Mr. LUMPKIN said that the proposition of the gentleman from Ohio appeared to him to be one of an extraordinary character. A standing committee of this House makes a report on a subject according to their views of it; and, after having presented it, and the House has ordered it to be printed, a gentleman gets up in his place, and proposes that certain information, which he supposes is required, should be added to it. For my own part [said Mr. L.] I have no objection to the laws referred to, being distributed through every hamlet, town, and county in the United States; nor do I care how they are distributed; but I cannot consent that they shall be appended to a report of a standing committee of this House. There would be no impropriety in a motion to print these laws; but, to move that they should be printed as an appendage to a report, is, in my opinion, rather an extraordinary idea. The gentleman, with equal propriety, might move to print and attach to this report the laws of New York, Massachusetts, &c. relating to the Indian tribes. We are not unwil

Ordered, That a law of the State of Georgia, and a lawling to publish these laws, but we object to have a report of the State of Alabama, and Mississippi, to extend the of a committee of this House encumbered with them. We jurisdiction of those States over the Indian tribes within have had presented to us so many memorials on this subtheir respective territorial limits, be printed, and appended ject, with references to books of history, &c., that it would to the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs, directed be impossible to append them all to the report, without yesterday to be printed. rendering it too voluminous. The committee have, therefore, exercised their judgment in making selections from the whole.

Mr. VINTON said, that he wished, yesterday, when the question on printing an additional number of copies of the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs was under con- Mr. GOODENOW said, he did not rise to enter into the sideration, to make an inquiry of the chairman of that debate, but merely to make a few remarks with regard committee, but it was decided by the Chair that such an in- to the propriety of adopting the motion made by his colquiry was not then in order. The object he had then in league, [Mr. VINTON] whose suggestion, that peradvenview, was to ascertain whether the laws of the States of ture the committee may not have made fair inferences Georgia and Alabama, extending the jurisdiction of those from the laws of the States, by them quoted or referred States over the Indian tribes residing within their limits, to, and therefore we ought to append to their report were appended to the report of the committee. Having those laws, tends to cast suspicion upon the committee since learned that they were not, he said that he had now and their report, and weakens its effect. To adopt this risen to move that these laws be printed, and appended to it. motion, would be setting a precedent, improvident, to say It was yesterday said that wrong impressions had obtained the least of it. When a respectable standing committee of in the community; that much misrepresentation had gone this House make a report upon a subject referred to them, abroad in reference to the intentions of Georgia towards and illustrate their views by refer ences or extracts from the Indian tribes within her territory; but as he had not the laws of the States or of the Union, why suspect their seen the laws of that State relating to this subject, he was integrity, or their commentaries, at the threshold, before unable to form any opinion whether these impressions are any examination of that report is made--before an inaccucorrect or not. It is [said Mr. V.] a fair presumption that rate quotation is detected--before any erroneous concluthe State of Georgia intends to execute her laws, what- sion or inference is exposed? We refer matters submitted. ever they may be, bearing on this matter; and perhaps it to the decision of this House to a committee always supwould be unfair to presume that she intends to do any posed to be in favor of the subject referred, who are exthing more than execute them. For the purpose of cor-pected to present in their report a fair, and, usually, the recting the erroneous impressions which, it is said, have most favorable view of it; and, without knowing whether gone abroad, and to arrest the progress of the alleged mis- they have honestly and ingenuously examined, and made representations, he voted to print an extra number of co- a full and impartial exposition of it, why should we cenpies of the report of the committee, to be distributed sure them, by tacking to their report that which they did amongst the people, so as to give them correct information not consider necessary to accompany it? The opposition on the subject. When the bill for the removal of the In- to the report, in its present form, seems to rest on the dians shall come up for discussion, the character of the suggestion that perhaps the laws, sought now to be incorlaws of these States, extending their jurisdiction over the porated at large in the printing of the report, may be

VOL. VI.-74

H. of R.]

Indian Affairs.

(FEB. 25, 1830. inaccurately quoted, or an unfair exposition thereof may "That the Clerk of the House be ordered to have have been made. When the gentleman shall have detect-printed the laws of the several States, extending and creed any misquotation, or error in commentary, then will ating jurisdiction over the several Indian tribes within their the time come for the House to act upon his proposition. limits." I hope my colleague will see, on reflection, that it would Mr. VINTON said, it was not his object or desire to be setting a bad precedent, to say, by a solemn act of the conceal from the House, or the people, any information House, before any inaccuracy or error be detected in a that might exist in relation to this subject. He was willing report of a respectable committee, lest it may contain an to modify his resolution so as to include the laws of all the erroneous commentary, the original text shall be publish- States referred to, if gentlemen so pleased. I have had ed, and appended to it. I wish the report to go to the [said Mr. V.] no opportunity of seeing the laws of Alabaworld as the committee have given it to us, unincumbered ma and Georgia; and shall I be, under such circumstances, by any extraneous matter; and I do hope, on further re-compelled to decide on this subject without ever having flection, my colleague [Mr. VINTON] will perceive the im-seen the laws relating to it? In my opinion, this informapropriety of urging his motion. tion is required, not only by the people of this country,

Mr. FOSTER, of Georgia, said he did not intend to but by this House, for a fair and full examination of the complain of the resolution proposed. He must, however, subject; and when I say that, without it, the report is be permitted to say, it was one of a very extraordinary incomplete and imperfect, I do not mean to cast any recharacter. He would venture to say, that, if the journals flections on the committee. In order to judge of the report of this House, from the organization of this Government correctly, we must read the laws upon which the report down to the present day, were searched, a proposition to is founded; and when I have had an opportunity to do so, print the laws of a particular State, for the information of for one, I will endeavor to form a just and impartial opinion the people at large, could not be found. The House fre- of their true character. I am willing, therefore, to accept quently, and for the use of its own members, on particu- the modification of the gentleman from Georgia, [Mr. Foslar occasions, order the printing of a State law; but to TER] and I hope he will withdraw that part of his motion publish them for general information, is unprecedented. which proposes to lay the whole upon the table. Mr. V. But, [said Mr. F.] what is the reason assigned for the said he wished to have all the information which can be passage of this resolution? It is, that the people at large procured in relation to this question laid before the House may be correctly informed as to the provisions of the laws and the country. which are to operate on the Indians. Now, sir, what ob- Mr. WILDE said, he would not oppose printing any ject is to be thus attained? What effect can the particular document wanted for the information of the House: it provisions of those laws have on the question of the right could hardly be requisite, however, for that purpose, to of jurisdiction? If the States have the right to extend the print ten thousand copies of the laws in question. They operation of their laws over the Indians within their limits, had long since been published in the gazettes of the States the General Government cannot interfere, even if those which passed them, and copied into other newspapers laws be of the most cruel and sanguinary character. On throughout the Union. If they were now wanted for the the contrary, if they have not the right, they could not use of the members of Congress, the usual number would acquire it by the enactment of laws the most mild and be-be sufficient. But if information of this description was nignant. He did not intend, at present, to go into an ex-required, it occurred to him that a liberal curiosity would amination of this right--that would more properly present not be satisfied by looking into the laws of two, three, or four itself on a future occasion. He wished now merely to im- States only. He trusted it would extend itself to the acts press upon the House that the tendency of this resolution of every State and every provincial assembly which had was to involve us in a discussion as to the character of legislated for the Indians. Much interesting matter might State laws, the internal regulations of a State--a matter with which Congress cannot interfere.

thus be embodied, very satisfactory to the curious in legislation. An opportunity would be afforded for philosophical But, if gentlemen are determined to publish the laws reflection on the polity of different communities, and vaof Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, for the purpose of rious stages of society. He must be allowed, however, informing the public at large of their provisions, Mr. F. to express a doubt whether any errors in public opinion insisted on attaching to them the laws of all the other would be corrected, the harmony of the House increased, States which have extended the operation of their laws or the dispassionate consideration of Indian Affairs proover the Indians within their limits. If those three States moted, by singling out a few laws from a few States, to be are to be put on trial before the country, let others, simi- dispersed over the country in the form of an appendix to larly situated, be brought to the same tribunal. Let them the report of our committee. If injustice had been done undergo a general inspection; place the different statutes to the Indians any where, by State Legislatures, and we of each side by side, and let the public have an opportu- are competent to its redress, let the inquiry be co-extennity of judging impartially between them. For this pur- sive with the evil. Why not embrace all States and all pose Mr. F. had prepared a substitute for the resolution Indians? If our interference is proper in one instance, is of the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. VINTON] which he would it not equally proper in the rest? But, in any event, it presently send to the Chair. But he protested against could be necessary, in his view of the subject, to print having these laws attached to the report of the Committee only what was required for our own information; all beHe therefore moved to on Indian Affairs. The printing of that report had already yond that would be sheer waste. been ordered, and he wished to have it before the public strike out so much of the resolution as proposed to print as soon as possible; but if these laws are to accompany it, an extra number of copies to be appended to the report, considerable delay must be produced. He hoped, there- and offered an amendment, which he hoped his colleague fore, that, if the House determined to publish these laws at would accept as a substitute-"And, also, so much of the all, it would accept of his substitute, and print them sepa- laws of the several States as relates to the Indians within rately from the report. For himself, [said Mr. F.] he their limits." would candidly add, that, even should the substitute be received, he should ultimately vote against its passage, conceiving it not only unnecessary, but improper, for this House to undertake to publish the laws of the States for the information of the public.

Mr. FOSTER then submitted the following, as a substitute for the resolution of Mr. VINTON:

Mr. HUNTINGTON said that the gentleman from Georgia, [Mr. WILDE] with his usual candor, had admitted that no objection to the printing of these laws could be made, if they were necessary to enable the House to decide correctly on the bill accompanying the report, but that they ought not to be appended to the report; for, if they were needed at all, it was only for the use of the

FEB. 26, 1830.]

Ardent Spirits in the Navy.

[H. of R.

House. If this be so, why was the printing of an extra drunkenness prevailed in a great extent in the navy, is exnumber of copies of the report deemed expedient? Ten tremely incorrect. The case is not so. He was not an thousand copies, surely, were not necessary for the House advocate of drinking ardent spirits in any form; but he merely. Was not this printing ordered on the motion of was opposed to the interference of the Legislature on this a gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. BUCHANAN] who subject; he was opposed to the proposition to commute urged as a reason for it that erroneous impressions existed the wages of seamen, if they will not drink their rations in many parts of the country in relation to the subject em- of ardent spirits. This is a matter he would leave to their braced in the report; and that the people ought to be put own discretion; for, in attempting to devise measures nein possession of a document by which these supposed mis-cessary to effect this object, we must consult the habits conceptions and erroneous impressions could be correct- and dispositions of the people for whom these measures ed? Now, sir, I do not admit that these impressions are are intended. All men are the best judges of their own erroneous; that the feeling and excitement which exist, in concerns: sometimes we commit mistakes; but if we are regard to this subject, are without cause. I say nothing wrong in judging for ourselves, we may be wrong in judg now on that point; but if it be so, and this report will ing for others. The seamen and marines of the United tend to remove errors and allay feeling, and an extra States' navy can judge as well for themselves as the Legisnumber of copies of it has been ordered to be printed to lature. These regulations may be adapted to the army, effect this object, surely the laws referred to in the reso- who are always supplied with good fresh water, and have lution of my friend from Ohio [Mr. VINTON] ought to ac- no necessity for the vulgar, democratic whiskey; but it company the report; for they, among other things, have was different with respect to the navy. He had no obtended to produce the state of feeling and of public senti- jection to stopping the use of ardent spirits in the army, ment, in some parts of the country, to which allusion has as it would, in his opinion, prevent desertions. Mr. H. been made. And if it be important that the report be ex- said, the officers, seamen, and marines of the navy would, tensively circulated, for the purposes suggested, is it not if left to themselves, follow the example set to them by as important that the laws which are connected with the the country.

subject of that report should have an equally extended Mr. REED said, if it was right for this House to legiscirculation? Ought they not both to go forth together to late with respect to the navy, and to prescribe rules for it, the people of this country? I submit, therefore, whether it is certainly equally right to legislate on this subject. it be entirely consistent to vote for the printing of a large Dealing out spirits in the navy in small quantities tends to number of the report, for the reasons which were urged in disqualify men for their duty, and is a direct way to make support of it, and to vote against printing an equal number them drunkards. Mr. B. referred to the temperance soof the laws to accompany it, which are supposed to have cieties which had been introduced into the debate, and an important connexion with the subject of that report. said they contributed much to the improvement of the Mr. H. said, he would make another suggestion. Would state of our society; manifestly so, to the great joy of all it not be as well for the State of Georgia, of which the ho- sober men. He had no hesitation in saying he attributed norable gentleman is so able a representative; indeed, this improvement to the temperance societies established should she not desire that these laws should accompany in the country. He had no doubt that the adoption of this the report, if, as is claimed, they afford no pretext for the resolution would have good effects on the navy. It has representations which have been made in various memo-been stated by the chairman of the Committee on Milirials presented to us, on the subject of the Indians within tary Affairs, [Mr. DnAYTON] that it has produced benefiher limits The honorable member is surely not unwil- cial effects in the army. Why [he asked] would it not be ling that the people should judge for themselves; and, if attended with similar effects in the navy? Mr. R. hoped these laws are of a nature which ought not to occasion the resolution would be adopted. any fears lest the rights of the Indians should be invaded, is Mr. RICHARDSON said, he should be unfaithful to the he unwilling that the people should be possessed of them? principles by which he professed to be governed in this The amendment proposes the printing of such of the House, and in all other places, if he gave not his voice in laws of the other States of the Union within whose limits support of the resolutions under consideration. The exIndian tribes exist, as extend or relate to the jurisdiction isting law [said Mr. R.] provides that each seaman and of such States over those tribes. I interpose no objection marine shall be supplied daily with rations of ardent spito this amendment, if they are appended to the report; rits. However temperate their habits, or disinclined by their though there seems to be a peculiar propriety in printing taste or early education to the use of ardent spirits, the those referred to in the original resolution, as the Indian law holds out to them a strong inducement to become intribes within those States are those to which our attention temperate. It is too well known to be doubted, that the has been particularly called, in the message of the President, and which the report of the Committee on Indian Affairs embraces. I hope, therefore, the honorable member from Georgia will consent to modify his amendment, so as to provide for the annexation of the laws named in it to the report; and let them all go forth to the people at one and the same time, and in one and the same document. On motion of Mr. HOFFMAN, the resolution and amendment were laid on the table.-Yeas, 94-nays, 42. The House then went again into Committee of the Whole on the Judiciary bill, when Mr. SPENCER concluded the remarks which he commenced on a former day against the bill, and in favor of his amendment. The com- ardent spirits; but they propose to the seamen and mamittee then rose.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1830.

ARDENT SPIRITS IN THE NAVY. The House resumed the consideration of the resolutions moved by Mr. CONDICT yesterday.

Mr. HOFFMAN said, the supposition of gentlemen, that

constant use of the quantity of spirits allowed by the law, must necessarily form a strong propensity to excess. The best judges of this matter agree that the use of ardent spirits gives neither vigor to the body, nor courage, nor any other valuable property to the mind. It is said that men are not compelled to the use of spirits. But, sir, it is provided for them by law, and by law measured out to them. If they reject it, they sustain so much loss. They are not permitted to substitute for it articles of real use or necessity. Thus intemperance is virtually imposed on them by public authority. And what do the resolutions propose? They do not propose to deny to any the use of

rines an inducement to abstain from the use of them. They offer to them the option of having, instead of their rations in spirits, articles that may conduce to their comfort; or double the amount of their rations, to procure bread for their wives and children, or to provide for the seasons of sickness and old age. Sir, [said Mr. R.] I thank the gentleman [Mr. CONDICT] who offered these resolutions. They do him honor as a friend to his country.

H. of R.]

Ardent Spirits in the Navy.

He

By

Some

[FEB. 26, 1830. I thank the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. believed and felt. We have it, too, from the highest in DRAYTON] for the able remarks he made yesterday in sup-authority-from the honorable Secretary, and the officers port of them. They furnish lessons friendly to public in the naval service. A very intelligent lieutenant of the virtue. The existing law cannot be defended. With navy recently informed me that a great proportion, I think one hand it holds out to those engaged in the public ser-he said eight-tenths, of the whipping on board of our navice a constant and strong inducement to intemperance; tional ships was made necessary by intemperance. and, on the other hand, the penalties of disgrace and death said it was a monstrous evil; and who would doubt it, ifit for crimes to which intemperance leads. Intemperance caused nothing else but the brutal and debasing practice is the great instigator of crimes. Its name is "Legion," of whipping. and its work destruction. The gentleman from Kentucky, Mr. E. said, he was astonished that some gentlemen in [Ho Mr. WICKLIFFE] yesterday said, that the efforts this House looked upon this subject with so much indifmade "by temperance societies," and what passed in this ference, if not contempt. As legislators, as men, we have House to check the vice of intemperance, would justify a responsible duty here to perform. We hold in our hands some future historian in describing this as a nation of the destiny of thousands, and the well-being of multitudes drunkards. Do attempts to prevent a vice prove its entire more. Sir, we legalize drunkenness in our navy. prevalence? [said Mr. R.] That gentleman has been zeal- law, we provide that all, both midshipmen and sailors, shall ously engaged this session in the work of retrenchment. have their half a pint per day, under all circumstances, in But it is a fair inference, to say that such efforts prove that fair weather as well as foul. An enlistment is ordinarily this Government is extravagant and corrupt in all its de- for three years. Now, sir, where are the men to be found, partments? The premises will justify no such inference who, after having this daily allowance dealt out to them for as he thinks may be drawn from them. Sir, I have no this period of time, do not become the victims of a vicious ⚫ hesitation in declaring it as my opinion, and long and deep-appetite? It is almost impossible they should not. ly settled, that if there be one vice which, more than any few there may be, who have self-government and considerother, threatens the liberty and the prosperity of this ation enough to resist the beneficent provision of the law. country, it is the vice of intemperance. I therefore hope But hundreds comply where ten refuse. And such are that the resolutions will be adopted, and that they will re- the surrounding circumstances, that the young and inexceive the deliberate and solemn consideration of the ap- perienced cannot resist the influences upon them. propriate committee. tempt them to taste the poison. We virtually compel Mr. BURGES said, he could demonstrate from princi- them to do it. There are among our midshipmen boys, ples, and would undertake to do it before any college of mere boys; and so, too, among our sailors. Think, sir, of physicians, that nothing could be swallowed so invigorat-arranging these boys daily with the veteran topers, to paring, strengthening, and healthy, as cold water. He did ticipate in the ruinous potation, and drink their half a pint not say this in jest; it was too solemn a matter to jest twenty-three gallons per year. Let us blush for our about. Nothing could be more injurious than giving him laws. Let us mourn over the desolation and death we his regular eleven o'clock or his four o'clock. At first the pa- scatter through the land. late of the boy of fourteen rejects the spirit, but in the mess And now, [said Mr. E.] he had to ask if nothing can be room he sees, by the example of those who think cold water done? Is all remedy so perfectly hopeless, that we will not sufficiently stimulating, that he cannot become a man un- not even inquire if something may not be done? The intil he can take his ration. Let him follow this until he is thirty telligent lieutenant, to whom [he said] he had already reyears of age, and unless his constitution is made of steel, ferred, told him that something could be done; something he will be, if not a drunkard, at least a confirmed tippler; like what is proposed in these resolutions; and Mr. E. and then, if his mind should be by some misfortune thrown said he would appeal to the good sense of gentlemen, if off its balance, he would resort to maddening potations. they did not believe much might be done. We certainly He thought if they succeeded in saving one soul from this can place before our seamen a temptation to temperance. perdition, they should do a deed making them worthy of This expedient has succeeded on land-it may on water. remembrance. When all seemed to be united in restoring Much [he said] had been done in some parts of this counthe country to the station in which it was some years ago, try; and, although the honorable chairman of the Naval he thought the House would be acting agreeably to the Committee [Mr. HOFFMAN] had, he thought, attempted to desires of their constituents if they united with the tem- ridicule the efforts of temperance societies, and properance societies. nounced a sort of eulogy upon that "democratic thing,

We

Be

Mr. ELLSWORTH said, he rose for the purpose of call-whiskey," as he repeated several times, for what purpose ing the attention of the House to certain communications [said Mr. E.] he could not understand. He would lift up laid on our tables, from the then Secretary of the Navy, his voice, in this public place, in favor of these benevolent intimately connected with the subject of this resolution; and efficient means of saving our fellow-men. Health, and, as he was now up, he would express his regret that reputation, riches, and life followed in their train. The any gentleman of this House wished to suppress the be- tears of parents and wives had been dried up, and their nevolent inquiry proposed to be instituted." Mr. E. said hearts made to overflow with expressions of gratitude and there had been no resolution before Congress, this session, joy to the authors of these benevolent movements. of greater magnitude and urgency. He hoped the House sides, sir, the experiment has been tried in naval service. would give it a most serious attention. It is one of vital Mr. E. appealed to France and England. The former [he importance to the navy and the country. He was per- said] used a cheap wine, and the latter beer, in their navies. suaded that opposition must spring from either a disbe- We find, sir, [he said] in a letter from the honorable Seclief of the fact, viz. the prevalence of intemperance, or retary of War, laid upon our tables the other day, that, that all attempts to eradicate or restrain it were futile. As in his opinion, intemperance in the army cannot be reto the existence of intemperance, to a melancholy degree, strained, because the soldiers will obtain liquor from those in the navy, as well as in the army, no one could, he who plant themselves in the neighborhood of our military thought, doubt. He did not wish to speak to the dispa-posts and stations. He says, that the most successful exragement of the navy. He honored, he gloried in its fame periment in the army has been to impose no restraints upand gallant heroism; but as to the matter of fact, it is as on the soldiers, but let them have as much, and as often as certain as that we are in this hall of legislation. The they want, except so far as, by rules of their own making, loathsome objects we meet daily wandering in our streets, the tears and broken hearts of thousands in our land, of parents, wives, and children, testified too strongly not to be

they impose restraints. Mr. E. said he was no believer in this doctrine. But, however difficult it might be to prevent soldiers from getting liquor from persons in the neigh

FEB. 27, 1830.]

Ardent Spirits in the Navy.

LH. of R.

These "American system gentle

borhood on land, no such difficulty existed in the navy. ferociously virtuous. A ship at sea was a little territory by itself. The com- men," both by precept and example, adopt, in my opinion, mander could do as he pleased; and Mr. E. said he did a doctrine wholly at war with the provisions of the present not believe that there would be much difficulty in inducing proposition, and their former declarations. They have habits of temperance, if the Government would set se- been clamorous for the "Tariff," the encouragement of riously and perseveringly about it. "Domestic Industry," and an increase of the duties on the

Mr. E. said, he had detained the House longer than he importation of articles manufactured abroad. One of the was aware of, and would resume his seat after reading an staples of the Western country is whiskey, into which, by extract or two from the letters of Doctors Heerman, Bar- distillation, the farmers convert their immense surplus ton, and Harris. At the last Congress, by a resolution of of corn, rye, fruit, &c. To have a market for this article, this House, the Secretary of the Navy was requested to we must have consumers: to prevent its consumption, no obtain the opinions, separately, of three medical officers legislative sanction can be adequate. Sir, I am no friend of the navy, whether it is necessary or expedient that dis- to intemperance, either on land or at sea; but I think it tilled spirits should constitute a part of the rations allowed infinitely better to abandon the votary of intemperance to to midshipmen, and also their opinion of the effect upon the his fate, than to abridge the natural liberties of man. morals and health of the individuals, and upon the charac- I make the remark, and I make it seriously, that legister and discipline of the navy. In submitting these opinions, lation upon this subject is as useless as was the attempt of the Secretary says that he deems it unnecessary to add any King Canute, who, flattered by his courtiers, commandremarks of his own, in illustration and enforcement of the ed the "tide to recede," and was well nigh overwhelmed views therein expressed, further than that they are ear-in its waves, before he discovered his presumption and nestly concurred in. Mr. E. said, he wished he could read the whole of those letters; but time would not admit of it. He would recommend them to the serious perusal of every one in this House.

Mr. BUCHANAN said that he had but one remark to make, and that was, that the practice of this House had of late wonderfully changed, and gentlemen discuss resolutions, proposing merely an inquiry, as if a bill on the subject, or the merits of the question, was before them. He presumed that there was no gentleman opposed to the inquiry which these resolutions proposed, and he hoped they would be permitted to pass without further debate. The debate was here arrested, the hour for considering resolutions having expired.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1830.

The House resumed the consideration of the resolutions moved by Mr. CONDICT on the 25th instant; when

A motion was made by Mr. CHILTON to amend the said resolutions, by striking out from the word "Resolved," in the first resolution, to the end of the last resolution, and inserting the following:

service.

folly.

[Mr. DRAYTON, of South Carolina, here rose, and said that he had heard the amendment read, and it appeared the object of the gentleman was merely to indulge his humor. The SPEAKER, nevertheless, decided that Mr. CHILTON was in order. Whereupon, he proceeded as follows.]

Mr. Speaker: I must ask the gentleman's pardon for his polite interruption of me, while I was surely not interrupting him. I understood perfectly well what I had intended to say, and what it was in order for me to say; and if the gentleman will look more deeply into the question presented, and anticipate me with slower progress, he will perceive that I am in good earnest, and not playing with either the feelings or time of the House. But, sir, as I before remarked, while we are extending through so boundless a range the work of "Retrenchment," I should be gratified to despatch for its helpmate the fair nymph "Reform." Surely its way is lovely-its dimensions being small, and the company of a twin sister cannot be unacceptable.

Whether this "reform" in the navy is to be charged under the head of "cleansing the Augean stable," or whether it properly falls under some other head, I will "That the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to not pretend to say. But I will say that the legislation is inquire whether the public interest and the cause of moral- as partial in its effects and character, as was that which I ity would be most effectually promoted, by emphatically witnessed in this House a few days since; when gentlemen, prohibiting the use of ardent, vinous, and other fermented who even denied me the yeas and nays upon a proposition liquors in the navy of the United States, by the officers to "retrench" their own wages, voted to discontinue the and seamen belonging thereto, or by permitting a continu- humble draughtsman of this House. I am determined in ation of the practice of issuing them as rations in said this case, as in that, to try the liberality of gentlemen, and to ascertain whether they are as willing to "retrench" "Resolved, further, That, in the event said committee their own allowances of intoxicating liquids, as they are shall be of opinion that it is expedient to continue the ra- to limit those of others. I venture to predict that in this, tion aforesaid, in the naval establishment, they be instruct- as in the instance alluded to, there will be opposition to ed to inquire into the expediency of providing some mode having the question taken by yeas and nays. It behoves for procuring the discontinuance of the use of ardent, me to show why my substitute should be adopted. It is vinous, and other fermented liquors in the various civil de- here attempted to bargain with men to become "virtuous." partments, and among the members of Congress, and I am reminded, sir, of a maxim which I learned at an others holding offices of either trust, honor, or profit, un-early age, and in which experience has confirmed me, to der the authority of the people of the United States." wit, that "virtue which required to be watched, is not Mr. CHILTON said that he was proud to hail the pre-worth watching." Vows to be temperate (where the resent day as a day of "Retrenchment and Reform;" and in-straints imposed by public sentiment-by the endearing and deed so many evidences had been given of a disposition heart rending tears which often flow around the domesto accomplish each, that it would now amount almost to tic fireside-aided by the claims of helpless innocence)— moral treason to dispute the rapid and mystical progress are all insufficient. If the pride of character cannot avail, of either. So far as relates to "Retrenchment," upon a money cannot. mere guess, [said Mr. C.] I should suppose that not more than one hundred thousand dollars have been expended in arguing the question in its various ramifications, while Mr. PEARCE then said, he was prepared to express not one solitary dollar, so far as I am advised, or can un his opinions on this subject; but as he presumed the House derstand, has been saved to the Government. I am much had heard enough on it, he moved that the resolutions surprised, sir, to discover gentlemen, as I humbly think, lie on the table; which motion was negatived: yeas, 57-so vastly inconsistent, and yet so externally sensitive, and nays, 108.

The question to agree to this amendment was decided in the negative.