JAN. 27, 28, 1834.] Appropriation Bill-Extension of the Pension Laws. [H. OF R. The first was, that it went to strike out a part of the bill, ing its provisions to the soldiers who fought in the wars n which the House had concurred. It was indeed true against the Indians. The gentleman is of the opinion that hat, in point of the mere letter of the bill, it was pro- Congress had no power to grant pensions to the soldiers posed to drop two lines, which neither House had stricken even of the revolution, and thinks the objection applies out: but they contained an integral part of the subject with greater force to the soldiers who were engaged in matter which had been objected to by the Senate. The the Indian wars. With regard to the power of Congress, subject was, in fact, but one. The question was, whether I have no doubt. The framers of the constitution did not One House should limit the other in the expenditure of its think it necessary to detail minutely all the powers to be contingent fund? The Senate had resisted the attempt exercised by Congress; to have done so, would have filled o do so by the House: the House had insisted on the your library with volumes on the subject. The authority measure. A committee of conference had been appoint-to raise and support armies" gives to Congress the pow ed, and they had confined themselves to this subject. er to promote enlistments, and to encourage persons to They had not gone beyond the matter of disagreement. enter the service of the country, by holding forth such inThe other objection of the gentleman from Georgia re- ducements as shall be deemed expedient. There is no ates to the additional appropriation asked for the library limit as to the pay to be allowed. Congress is not restrictof Congress. In consequence of his connexion with the ed, either in the amount, or the manner in which it shall ibrary, it might not be improper for him to make a re- be paid; it may be fixed at six, ten, or twenty dollars per nark. It was not strictly in order to refer to what had month. Extra or additional allowances may be authoreen done in the committee room; but he might allude ized, or not, while the soldier is in actual service, or after o what was not done; he might say that he had not pro- he shall have been discharged; and, as a primary induceosed that additional appropriation. He had, however, ment to enter the service, liberal bounties may be prossented to it when the suggestion came from a different posed, either in land or money, or both; and a further inuarter. He considered that, since the disagreement had ducement may be presented in the offer of a pension. espect only to the purchase of books for the use of the Bounty, pay, and pension may be taken into view when wo Houses, any arrangement on that subject was within the individual engages in the service; and all may be auhe power and competence of the committee. One source thorized by Congress. The gentleman has other objecf inconvenience, heretofore, had been the refusal of the tions to the system, arising from its origin, character, and Committee on the Library to apply any portion of their consequences." He ascribes its origin to the "protective and for the purchase of duplicate copies of the books for system." He should have gone to an earlier period. It le use of committees. Resolutions for their purchase out is, I may say, coeval with the Government itself; it ori f the contingent fund were consequently brought for-ginated before the adoption of the constitution under ard, from time to time, in either House. Hence, the which we are acting, and has continued under it to the onnexion of the two matters. An increase of the library present moment. Washington himself recommended a and would furnish a resource for any small calls of this provision of this kind for the officers; and, at his sugges ind; and was also highly desirable to place the libra- tion, the old Congress resolved to give half-pay for life to y on a proper footing, and fill up the chasms which still those who should serve through the war. And the power xisted in almost every department, which he admitted to grant pensions has been exercised by Congress, under as the main object of the increase asked for. the present constitution, from a very early period. The debate was further continued by Mr. WILLIAMS, who concurred in the views of Mr. Mr. FOOT followed in the same track. Mr. ARCHER, though strongly disposed to favor both The SPEAKER explained his view of the question of rder, maintaining that the whole subject of the purchase f books was within the cognizance of the committee. Mr. ADAMS insisted upon his former objection. The ommittee had, in fact, reported a new bill. He approved be compromise but for the precedent. Mr. WILLIAMS moved that the committee now rise, without reporting the compromise.) Mr. POLK moved that the committee now rise and re ort. It is further urged by the gentleman, that the system is "unjust and unequal," because the greater number of pensioners now on the rolls belong to States north of the Potomac, and but a few to the south. The reason for this difference will be obvious, if the gentleman will but advert to the history of the country. The war commenced in the northern colonies; against them the principal operations of the enemy were directed for several years. This necessarily drew into the service of the country a very large number of the colonists in that quarter, either as militia or enlisted soldiers. I believe there were at least thirty thousand men under arms, and in service in the North, at the time of the surrender of the army under Burgoyne, in 1777. And when the war was subsequently transferred to the South, in 1779-'80, these soldiers from the North were sent to assist against the enemy. A distinction is attempted to be made between those soldiers who fought the British enemy in the Atlantic colonies, and those who were employed against the Indian enemy on the frontiers. There is certainly no good reaAfter some conversation, Mr. WILLIAMS's motion was son for any distinction. The war against the British inost, and the committee rose and reported concurrence volved us in a war with her allies, the Indians. It was with the report of the conferees. Ayes 88, noes 79: leav-one and the same war, and sprung from the revolution. ng the subject, therefore, before the House. Adjourned. TUESDAY, JANUARY 28. The historians of the country have viewed it in this light. While the frontier inhabitants and militia were employed against the Indians, the colonists in other portions of the country were operating against the British. No difference, then, should be made between those who fought against the red man and those who fought against the red coat in the struggle for independence. It is said that, after the treaty of peace in 1783, the Indian wars were private wars, and for "the benefit of particular regions, Mr. DENNY rose, he said, to notice briefly a few of the and not for the benefit of the whole country." The war bjections made by the gentleman from South Carolina which originated with the revolution did not terminate Mr. PINCKNEY] to the pension system, and to extend- with the treaty of 1783. The British withdrew from the EXTENSION OF THE PENSION LAWS. ess VOL. X.-160 H. OF R.] Extension of the Pension Laws-Removal of the Deposites-Foreign Silver Coins. [Jan. 28, 29, 1834. contest, and left their Indian allies to contend against the in evacuating Ticonderoga, would call forth any censure States; with them, therefore, the war was continued. It is true, much excitement and disapprobation prevaled Although the Government made every effort to bring at the time; but all impartial military men agreed in the about peace, outrages continued to be committed by the propriety of the measure. The general exhibited more Indians along the whole frontier, from Lake Erie to Geor-true courage in abandoning the post than is required gia. Hostilities were kept up at the instigation of British meet the enemy in the field. The country became satis subjects. The influence exercised over the Indians, by fied with his conduct, as the event proved to be the com the subjects of the British King, with whom we were at mencement of a series of events which resulted in the peace, prolonged the war. This war was not of a pri- capture of Burgoyne. vate character; it concerned the whole nation, and was General St. Clair never lost the confidence of the conprosecuted under the direction of the National Govern- mander-in-chief, nor of the country, as is proved by s ment, and resulted to the benefit not of any particular being subsequently appointed to places of trust and de section solely, but of the whole nation. The lands ceded tinction. In his last battle he evinced the greatest col by the Indians became the property of the whole nation, ness and intrepidity, although laboring under severe bod and have added millions to the national treasury. The ily infirmity. He used every effort to take care of the campaigns undertaken by General Harmar, General St. wounded; and, when a retreat was ordered, he was the Clair, and General Wayne, were by orders of the Gov- last to leave the field. The Secretary of War, Gene ernment. Why, then, shall we not provide for the old Knox, made a report on the causes of the failure of th soldiers, who served with them, when the whole country expedition. A committee of Congress also investigates has been benefited by those services? the matter. By the reports, in both instances, the g I, equally with the gentleman from Indiana, regretted eral is honorably exonerated from all censure, and to hear the remarks made by the gentleman from Ken- misfortune ascribed to causes over which he had no c tucky, [Mr. HARDIN,] relative to the conduct of General trol, such as "the delay in furnishing materials and c Harmar and General St. Clair. I have heard the account mates for the protection of the frontier," "lateness of the of Harmar's expedition, and the sorrowful tale of St. season,"--I believe it was in June and July that the la Clair's misfortune, from one who participated in both af- of the troops reached Fort Washington, and in Septr fairs; and I never understood that either officer justly in- ber they marched into the Indian country, and the bath curred the slightest censure. General Harmar was se- occurred on the 4th of November-want of discpz, lected, as a veteran of the revolution, to conduct the ex- and an increased number of the enemy. General pedition against the Miami towns. When within about Clair, after he retired from public life, resided in thirty miles of the villages, he learned that the Indians county of Westmoreland, adjoining the district I rep were deserting them. This induced him to direct Colonel sent; and there he experienced the ingratitude and Hardin, an active and brave soldier, to push forward justice of his country, in the rejection by Congress with a detachment of several hundred light troops, to just claims for services, and for property furnished reach the towns before they should be abandoned; but, the use of the army. At last, worn down with age on arriving there, the enemy had disappeared from them. infirmity, he exchanged the solitude of the mountains 5 The expedition succeeded in its object; five or six vil- the solitude of the grave. lages, with a large quantity of corn, were destroyed. I need not take up the time of the House in fur Misrepresentations and complaints were made, because a urging the propriety of making some small provisioni greater loss was sustained by our troops, in two or three the heroes of our frontiers; nor need I repeat the story 1 engagements with parties of Indians, than ought to have their adventures, their perils, and sufferings, although occurred, as was supposed. A court of inquiry was in-subject is an interesting one. To do so, would be re stituted to examine into the conduct of the general, the pitulating accounts of actions similar to those which result of which was honorable to him. The whole pro- been ably described by the gentleman from Tennes ceedings of the court are to be found among the state papers of the Government. I will merely ask the attention of the House to the result of the examination. The court were "1st. Unanimous that the personal conduct of General Harmar was irreproachable. "2d. Approved of the organization of the army. "3d. Order of march was good, and adapted to the country. "4th. Order of encampment and battle judicious, and calculated to give security. 5th. Just reasons for the detachments of the 14th and 19th of October; and that on the 21st was made on good principles, and secured the return of the army. 6th. And that the conduct of Brigadier General Harmar merits high approbation. This court was composed of brave and honorable mer, at the head of whom, as president, was General Richard Butler, who, after earning many laurels in conflicts with the British enemy, was destined to close his high, honorable, and patriotic career, on the bloody field which was the theatre of St. Clair's disaster. I mention these circumstances in justice to the memory of one who served his country faithfully, and to correct any erroneous impres sion which might have been made by the remarks of the gentleman from Kentucky, in relation to the conduct of General Harmar. The gentleman from Indiana has ably vindicated the character of General St. Clair. I did not suppose that, at this period, the conduct of the general, And, while we are telling of their exploits and recom their services, the wings of time are in motion, but a bearing no relief to these old soldiers. Let us, then, m an effort to rescue, in some degree, our country from reproach of ingratitude, by affording to those who gaged in its defence on the frontier some small com for the remainder of their days. They are all far adva in years; let us, then, add a little oil to brighten the glimmerings of the lamp of life, before it shall be the extinguished; then will the frontier veteran, in breath i forth his last sigh, utter blessings, and not reproaches, his countrymen. Mr. D. closed his remarks with the hour; when ** House passed to the order of the day, being THE DEPOSITE QUESTION. Mr. HUNTINGTON, of Connecticut, then rose, oo tinued, and concluded his remarks, as given in exterm preceding pages. Mr. ARCHER, who next obtained the floor, moved adjournment, which prevailed; and The House adjourned. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29. AN. 29, 1834.] Foreign Silver Coins-History of the Bank of the United States--Armory in Kentucky, &c. [H. or R. Mr. ADAMS, of Massachusetts, inquired if there was ny report accompanying the bill from the committee. Mr. WHITE replied that there was not, as the subject ad been reported upon by the committee two sessions ago. The bill was then read twice and committed. HISTORY OF THE BANK OF UNITED STATES. Mr. ADAMS, of Massachusetts, said, that as many new embers complained they were not enabled to procure work, the publication of which was ordered by the last Congress, and which was essentially necessary for them › have, he was induced to submit a resolution on the bject now, lest any difficulty might arise hereafter as > its being procured, by the new understanding as to e provision inserted in the House appropriation bill, in espect to the purchase of books, &c. Thomas Lee, Leavitt, Lyon, Lytle, J. K. Mann, Marshall, So the House refused to lay the resolution on the table. Mr. LYTLE offered as an amendment a resolution proposing, in substance, that no candidate be hereafter admitted into the school unless he proved, under oath, that his parents were too poor to afford to educate him. This amendment, being in the nature of a substitute, was declared by the Chair not to be in order. substituting, for the Committee on Military Affairs, a seMr. HUBBARD moved to amend the resolution by lect committee, to consist of one member from each State of the Union. Resolved, That the Clerk of this House be directed to urchase a sufficient number of copies of the Legislative id Documentary History of the Bank of the United States furnish one copy to each member and delegate who as not a member of the last Congress. Mr. SPEIGHT supported the resolution, not so much The resolution was agreed to. from opposition to the military academy, as hoping that it might lead to an inquiry into the truth of the allegation RMORY IN KENTUCKY-WEST POINT ACAD-of abuses which were said to exist in the institution. EMY. Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be rected to inquire into the expediency of abolishing the litary institution at West Point, in the State of New ›rk. A division of the question on the resolutions being re. ired by Mr. WARD, the question was taken on the st, and agreed to without opposition. The question then recurring on the latter, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be ected to inquire into the expediency of abolishing the litary institution at West Point, in the State of New rk Mr. BROWN moved to lay it upon the table. Mr. HUBBARD said that he had voted against the moMr. HAWES submitted the following resolutions: tion to lay the resolution, offered by the gentleman from Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be Kentucky, upon the table; and he had done so from a rected to inquire into the expediency of erecting a pub-settled conviction that the time had arrived when some armory on the waters of Green river, in the State of inquiry into the affairs of this institution ought to be made. entucky. It was perfectly manifest, from what had transpired heretofore, and from passing events, that there was an opposition, and an increasing opposition, to the academy at West Point. The reasons why, he could not distinctly tell; but such he believed to be the fact. Whether it arises from the manner of administering the affairs of the institution, or whether from the creation of the institution itself, he was unable to say. From what had come to his knowledge, he believed that the Legislatures of two, at least, of the States of this Union have expressly instructed their respective delegations in Congress to oppose all appropriations, and every other measure, for the benefit of this academy; and in other parts of the confederacy there were objections to this institution. He, therefore, was of the opinion that an inquiry had better be made at once into the propriety of continuing the establishment. Such an inquiry will, of YEAS.—Messrs. John Adams, Heman Allen, Anthony, course, include every thing connected with the adminis cher, Ashley, Banks, Barnitz, Barringer, Bates, Bay-tration of its affairs. And, as it was a subject of very s, Bean, Binney, Bockee, Bodle, Briggs, Brown, Bull, general importance, and in which every part of the Unitirns, Cage, Cambreleng, Chambers, Samuel Clark,ed States had, most certainly, a deep interest--as no suborwin, Cramer, Crane, Deberry, Denny, Dennis, Dick-ject could engage the attention of Congress which was n, Evans, Edward Everett, Horace Everett, Foot, Fow-of more importance-he had proposed the amendment to , W. K. Fuller, Fulton, Gillet, Gorham, Graham, the resolution, so that the committee charged with the ennell, Halsey, Hannegan, Hard, Hardin, Jas. Harper, subjects of inquiry should be composed of one member athaway, Hazeltine, Howell, Abel Huntington, Jarvis, from each State; and he wished it to be understood, in ng, Lansing, Lay, Love, Loyall, A. Mann, Martindale, proposing this amendment, that he had not done it out of cIntyre, McKennan, McKim, McKinley, McVean, Muh-any disrespect to the Committee on Military Affairs, nor aberg, Page, D. J. Pearce, Ramsay, Reed, Schley, had he done it with a view of being placed upon the selden, William Slade, Francis Thomas, Turrill, Tweedy, lect committee, as it was his particular wish to be excused ance, Vanderpoel, Van Houten, Vinton, Wagener, Ward, from that service. ardwell, Watmough, Wayne, C. P. White, E. D. White, isha Whittlesey, Wise, Young.-87. On this motion Mr. BOULDIN demanded the yeas d nays. They were taken, accordingly, and resulted as lows: NAYS.-Messrs. J. Q. Adams, John J. Allen, C. Allan, William Allen, Barber, Beale, Beaty, Beaumont, John ell, James M. Bell, James Blair, John Blair, Bouldin, inch, Burd, Bynum, Carmichael, Carr, Casey, Chaney, hilton, Chinn, Claiborne, William Clark, Clay, Clayton, owney, Connor, Coulter, Crockett, Darlington, Amos avis, Davenport, Deming, Philemon Dickerson, D. W. ickinson, Duncan, Dunlap, Felder, Fillmore, Forester, ster, Gamble, Gholson, Gilmer, Gordon, Grayson, Griffin, seph Hall, Hiland Hall, T. H. Hall, Hamer, Hawes, ubbard, Inge, W. C. Johnson, Cave Johnson, Benjamin ones, Kavanagh, Kinnard, Lane, Laporte, Luke Lea, Mr. BROWN offered the following as an amendment to the amendment: Strike out all that follows after the word "inquire," and insert as follows: "What new enactments or legislative provisions (if any) are necessary for the improvement or better government of the military academy at West Point." The CHAIR pronounced it not to be in order, pending the motion of Mr. HUBBARD. Mr. MILLER moved to postpone the entire subject until Tuesday next. But the motion was negatived. Mr. AWES accepted Mr. HUBBARD'S amendment as a modification of his motion. Mr. MANN, of New York, obtained the floor, when, H. OF R.] Appropriation Bill.-Deposite Question—U. S. Liabilities to Indians--Pension Laws. [JAN. 29, 30, 1834. the hour having expired, the subject was postponed until to-morrow. APPROPRIATION BILL. Mr. POLK now asked the consent of the House to take up the appropriation bill--but the House refused: ayes 102, noes 66--(not two-thirds, which is requisite to change the order of business.) THE DEPOSITE QUESTION. The House then passed to the order of the day, being the motion on the subject of the deposites; when Mr. ARCHER addressed the House for a short time; but, being indisposed, yielded to a motion of Mr. GRENNELL for an adjournment; and The House, thereupon, adjourned. THURSDAY, JANUARY 30. pension system was established at least as far back as 1789, and he (Mr. H.) was willing to take for his text, on all co stitutional questions, the acts and the opinions of the who framed the instrument. It would seem, too, that South Carolina herself did not formerly regard it as constitutional; for, by a reference to the journals, it wa be found that, in the year 1804, her pensioners were placed upon the roll of the United States, without any apparent objection on her part. the It was not, however, to argue the constitutionality the matter that he had risen. His main object was, by brief review of the history of the times, to show that the honorable gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. Bun had-he would not say wilfully misrepresented-but he must have forgotten the real facts when he spoke these wars as "mere petty feuds, predatory excursion waged by way of retaliation for purposes of robbery a plunder." He (Mr. H.) esteemed the years, the character, and the standing of that gentleman too highly to suppe for a moment that he would wilfully and unjustly define the acts and the reputation of any, far less those of the time-worn soldier and patriot, who, in defence of his ca Mr. M. stated that the object of this bill was to refer try, had stained her soil with his blood. Unwilling to be all claims for commutation and other similar claims to the lieve such things of that honorable gentleman, he va Secretary of the Treasury for settlement, and the com- bound to presume that he had forgotten. The ver mittee had suspended its action upon these claims until given to the House by the honorable member would this bill should be decided upon. The committee hoped fouud to be widely different from what he (Mr. H.) the House would give it an early consideration; and he learned alike from history and tradition. moved its reference to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. Agreed to. Mr. MARSHALL, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, reported a bill providing for the settlement of certain revolutionary claims, which was twice read. UNITED STATES' LIABILITIES TO INDIANS. Mr. H. EVERETT moved that the resolution reported by him from the Committee on Indian Affairs, on the 28th instant, should be considered. This being objected to, the yeas and nays were taken upon the suspension of the rule, and it was decided that the rule should be suspended, so as to enable the House to proceed to the consideration of the said resolution. The resolution was then read as follows: Of tradition, however, he would not speak, but reár alone to history to sustain his remarks. The honorable gentleman from Pennsylvania, Y. DENNY,] and both the honorable members from Ter see, [Messrs. DICKINSON and PEYTON] had stated to the House the atrocious character of this war on the part the savages throughout the revolutionary struggle. A that period it had raged in the most horrid manner; if the honorable gentleman from Rhode Island was sta satisfied of the fact, he would refer him, for confirmati of the fact, and also for the character of the war, to Me shall's Life of Washington, representing, in the year 17" that whilst various "diplomatic concerns employed t American cabinet, and whilst the war seemed to hang on the Atlantic, it raged in the West in its most sma Would this appear to speak simply of some pe form." Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to lay before this House a statement of the present and future liabilities of the United States to Indians and Indian tribes, under existing Indian treaties; the names of the tribes, parties thereto; the several sums and annuities, designating whether in money or goods, stipulated to be paid or feud? He thought not. delivered; the term of payment or delivery; and the spe- Rhode Island has disavowed all knowledge of the But, said Mr. H., as the honorable gentleman f cific services and specific articles stipulated to be performed for and delivered to them; the terms thereof; the ence of such a war as had been spoken of by the hou place where to be performed or delivered; with an esti- ble gentleman from Tennessee, [Mr. DICKINSON, mate of the expense of the performance of such stipula- would ask the honorable gentleman from Rhode Island tions, and the stipulations for removing Indians from the there could be found any general treaty of peace, States; with an estimate of the number of Indians to be pension of the struggle with the hostile Indians, at the c removed, and the expense of their removal. clusion of the struggle with Great Britain? That ge man could not. Upon the contrary, although various ties had been occasionally formed with separate tribes. Fort Stanwix, Fort McIntosh, at Hopewell on the Keowe and at the mouth of the Great Miami of the Ohie, Lhad proved entirely ineffectual. In pursuance of all the however, a new treaty had been made at Fort Harm the year 1789, with numerous tribes, and almost the s stipulations adopted that had been agreed upon 4* four places just named. The resolution was then agreed to. EXTENSION OF THE PENSION LAWS. Mr. CHILTON's resolution on extending the pension law coming up, as the unfinished business of the morningMr. HANNEGAN said he did not wish to intrude upon the time of the House, but the present question was one in which he felt a more than ordinary anxiety, arising not alone from the fact that some few of those who would be benefited by the resolution under consideration were his At this last treaty, (said Mr. H.,) the Wabash and Ma immediate constituents, but he had a higher interest-an Indians, though specially urged, had refused to ster interest springing from another and a broader source-a They were bent upon war alone. wish to see some slight public recognition, some token of But, sir, to show how far this last treaty accomplish national gratitude, to those who, in youth and vigorous its object, it is only necessary to refer to a communic manhood, had devoted themselves exclusively to the service of their country. In the fulfilment of this obligation he was not, like the gentleman from South Carolina, [Mr. PINCKNEY,] deterred by constitutional scruples. Those who framed the constitution, it would seem, had not such scruples; for the made to Congress by General Washington, in the 1 1790, in which he informed that body that he had be compelled to call out the militia in the western cou in aid of the regular troops, against the increasing dep dations of the savage enemy. This force was comp of one thousand men from Virginia and Kentucky, ► AN. 30, 1834.] ave hundred from four counties in western Pennsylva-iary body of Canadian volunteers, on the 20th of August, 1794. Yes, a body of Canadian volunteers, drawn from Sir, (said Mr. H.,) the pay could not have been the around the British post of Detroit, and encouraged by object with these men. What was it? Contrast it with the Colonel McKee, the British agent at that place, together pay that has been given in latter times: it was $22 per with Captain Elliott and others, of the British army, who month to a lieutenant, $5 per month to a sergeant, $3 were actually in view amongst the Indians at the comper month to a private; and they were to receive this only mencement of the engagement, which was fought within n time of actual service, when required by imminent sight of a British post and garrison. beril. Mr. H. said he believed he used the very words But still further to show how little this war deserves of the instructions given to the commanding general. the unkind description given of it by the honorable genThe documents were within the reach of the House, tleman from Rhode Island, [Mr. BURGES,] let any gentlehowing that, up to the period just mentioned, savage out- man look at the report of General Wayne, shortly after ages had increased with even greater violence, and the taking command of the army, then composed of two whole frontier was stained with a repetition of the most thousand six hundred regular officers and soldiers, and hocking barbarities. three hundred and sixty mounted volunteers from KenShortly after these men were raised, the melancholy tucky, under the command of General Charles Scott. ampaigns of Harmar and St. Clair followed in quick suc- This force he reported at the time as utterly inadequate ession. They surely did not head mere predatory bands; to the difficulties of the enterprise, and the formidable hey were each followed by a strong and organized force, enemy against whom he was to act. To supply the ret the direction and under the auspices of the Govern- quisite force, a draught of the militia was deemed indispennent. The bare recollection of the names of those who sable. This officer had, as was known to all, succeeded ell on those fields would certainly destroy any impres- in the end: and the treaty of Greenville, made on the 3d ion, as to the character of the war, that might have been day of August, in the year 1795, had constituted the basis roduced on a portion of the House by the remarks of of all subsequent treaties held with the Indians northwest be honorable gentleman from Rhode Island. For years of the Ohio river; and it was the first and only sincere fter, their loss had been deplored as a public calamity all peace made by them with this republic, having, he (Mr. ver the Union. The father of his country, on receiving H.) believed, remained unbroken until within a short he news of St. Clair's defeat, was represented to have shed period anterior to the late war with Great Britain. ears: bitter and scalding they must have been, for num- Throughout the whole of this war, it would be found, ered with the dead was many a revolutionary comrade. upon examination, that instructions had been uniformly Sir, (said Mr. H.,) I concur with the honorable gentle-given by the department to the commanding general to an from Pennsylvania [Mr. DENNY] in his remarks upon procure, by all means, the services of some influential and he conduct of General Arthur St. Clair. Injustice has intelligent gentlemen resident in the West. A Logan, a een done his memory, notwithstanding a complete vindi- Shelby, a Hardin, or a Spenser, were uniformly found ation at the hands of those who best knew, and whose with their little bands around them, opening the way, and rovince it was to judge of the facts. He was sorry that directing the march of the advancing army. To the teme honorable gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. HARDIN] porizing policy of the Government, the valuable life of ad, in the course of his remarks on a former day, joined Colonel John Hardin had been finally sacrificed; he havthe censure of that man, whom he considered among ing, at the request of the Government, undertaken a mise most meritorious this country had ever produced. Hission to the Wabash and Miami Indians, accompanied only isasters on that campaign were caused entirely by circum- by an interpreter, for the purpose, if possible, of effectances beyond his control: their introduction, however, ing a reconciliation. Shortly after entering their country, It this time he (Mr. H.) considered as unnecessary, per- he was seized as a prisoner, and, regardless of the characaps unbecoming the present discussion; he hoped, how-ter in which he came, he was burnt at the stake, with ver, that history would finally do justice to the memory every circumstance of savage cruelty. their provisions in their wallets, without tents, with no shelter from the piercing night save a single blanket, their humble request is to be rejected without even an inquiry; whilst those who fought on this side the mountains have been so freely provided for. f this gallant soldier and accomplished gentleman, whose Are the survivors of these men, when now asking for ame stood so intimately blended with some of our proud-some little pecuniary aid to cheer their declining existst national recollections. ence, to be treated only with contumely? After having But to return to the subject: In September, 1791, a re- served for years, armed at their own expense, carrying ort from the Secretary of War, to which he had before Iluded, would be found to contain, amongst many other atements, a representation that "a strong coercive force" would be required to carry into effect the objects then ontemplated by the campaign; and the same report learly explained the principles of justice and of policy It could not be that greater devotion to their country hich dictated a most vigorous prosecution of this war. had characterized the soldiers of the East and the North, It was not for success against the Indians alone that we than those of the West. A more striking instance of were contending. Would the honorable gentleman from genuine patriotism could not be found, either in the history hode Island, [Mr. BURGES,] or any other gentleman on of this country or any other, than that displayed by some at floor, hazard an assertion to the contrary? They early settlers (intruders as they were termed) upon the ould not; for an object, which all must admit to have been vacant lands in East Tennessee. They were removed F the highest importance, was still further to be attained: in a large body by a military force despatched for the purwas the possession and subjugation of the British posts pose, under Major Bradly, some short time previous to the n Lake Michigan, and of Niagara and Detroit, withheld defeat of General St. Clair. Sir, these very men, although om us contrary to the treaty with Great Britain. From they had just beheld their families in the most distressing ese posts the hostile Indians were constantly furnished possible situation-naked, houseless, and starving, were with arms and munitions, and excited to continue their areer of indiscriminate butchery and massacre, to such n extent that the frontiers were made desolate from eorgia to Canada. among the first to volunteer in the expedition then contemplating; and met their fate in the ensuing campaign, gallantly fighting for the very Government that had just driven them from their cabins. From this state of things the country had been redeem- Sir, from the brief history of facts I have given, it will by the successful engagement of General Anthony be seen that, down to the year 1795, no general cessation Wayne with the combined Indian force and a large auxil- of hostilities had occurred; and that the savages were con |