H. of R.]

Indian Affairs.

[FEB. 24, 1830.

He had voted, some

Mr. WICKLIFFE would be willing to print the same have done, and he wished it read. number of this report as had been ordered of a report on days ago, for printing six thousand copies of a report, the same subject made some years ago--he believed at without its being read, [the report made by Mr. CAMBREthe close of the nineteenth Congress-but no more. That LENG, from the Committee on Commerce,] and he confess report was made; and, without being read, a large addi-ed, if he had known what that report contained, he should tional number of copies were ordered to be printed. have voted differently. He was resolved not to commit Mr. EVERETT, of Massachusetts, said the gentleman the same error again. was mistaken. He [Mr. E.] made that report himself, and Mr. HAYNES, of Georgia, said the objection to the he well remembered that it was read through to the printing seemed to be the idea that the report was a par House, before the printing was ordered. But as to the tial one, an argument on one side. This was mere preother question, the gentleman from Pennsylvania had said sumption, and ought not to hinder the distribution of the that great misapprehension existed in the country on this information which it contained among the people. SupIndian subject; and gave that as a reason for moving the posing the character of the report such as was imputed to large additional number of copies of the report. Mr. it, the House had printed a large extra number of a for E. said, he would not contend about the correctness of mer report of an opposite character, and it would be unthis opinion, because that would be plunging into the dis- fair to withhold this.

cussion. But when the House is told that great error of Mr. WHITE, of New York, seeing no end to this de opinion prevails on this subject, and that a certain docu- bate, and perceiving its tendency to a premature discusment is calculated to contradict that opinion and correct sion of the whole subject, if indulged, moved the previous the misapprehenson, would the House favor the extensive question; but withdrew his motion at the request of distribution of that document without first hearing it?| Mr. CAMBRELENG, who regretted to hear what the Was it not proper first to know what opinions it contra- gentleman [Mr. MILLER] had said about the report of the dicts, and what it affirms? He had so much confidence in Committee on Commerce. He knew not whether to conthe committee, that had the printing been moved without sider those remarks as implying a compliment or a censure, any reason but the interest of the subject, he would have but he was bound to receive them as complimentary. voted for it without hesitation; but it was the reason as- Would that gentleman suppress information, or withhold signed for the motion which made him averse to consent to it. it from the people, because it might not correspond with Mr. GOODENOW, of Ohio, was in favor of the extra his own views, or because he might dissent from the de number of copies. As the subject was one of great ductions from it. Mr. C. was surprised at the opposition importance, and as he had perfect confidence in the com- to printing the extra number of the present report. There mittee, he was willing, on the faith of that confidence, to had been an Indian war raging out of doors; and he wish vote for the motion. There was nothing, he thought, more ed to have the question brought in here, where they might important, there was nothing more dear to him, than have a fair and honorable war with the other side, who had giving information to the people. been carrying it on out of doors. He should like to see

Mr. LAMAR, of Georgia, said he would not now enter who were the members that were opposed to having this into any discussion of the subject; but, when the time question placed fairly before the people; and he, there came, he could show, that, in the conduct of Georgia re- fore, demanded the yeas and nays on the motion for post. specting the Indians, there was nothing inconsistent with ponement.

the constitution or with propriety. That now was not the Mr. STORRS, of New York, said that he wished to vote question; but it was true that great misapprehension ex-understandingly on every matter connected with so deisted in some parts of the country on the subject; the licate and important a subject as that before the House, newspapers had teemed with statements and comments He might or might not agree to the principles of the re calculated to mislead the public mind; and he hoped that a large number of this report might be printed, and distributed among the people, to counteract the great misrepresentation on the subject.

of

port, and could not say whether he did or not, as it had not been read to the House, and he did not know exactly what the report was. He hoped that he should not be pressed to vote blindfolded on any question relating to it. He had, Mr. STERIGERE, of Pennsylvania, took it for granted during the debate, looked very slightly at some of the that the report embraced all the laws of Georgia respect- sheets at the table, but had not time to read a passage ing the Indians, and all the facts of the case, presented in it carefully. In that part which he cast his eye upon, he a fair view; and, as it would therefore enable the people saw that a paragraph from an opinion was quoted from a to form a correct opinion on the subject, he was in favor case in the Supreme Court of New York, but he had not of printing the additional copies. Mr. S. concurred in time to look and see whether the report further stated the opinion that the most erroneous impressions were en- that the case had been reversed in the court of errors there. tertained among the people on this subject. His own cor- He wanted information as to the nature of the report and respondence, as well as the numerous petitions received its principles. At any rate, he did not wish to act in darkby this House, convinced him of the fact. He had re-ness upon it. He moved that it should be read to the ceived a letter lately from home, expressing surprise at a House, and asked the yeas and nays on that question. proposition now before Congress, as was honestly believed, The yeas and nays were ordered; and the question was for removing the Indians by force; and the people in his taken on the reading of the report, and decided in the part of the country were actually holding meetings to pe-affirmative: yeas, 120—nays, 56. tition Congress against such a measure. Another letter was in favor of the extension of jurisdiction over the Indians by the State of Georgia; but protested against the Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, moved to dispense with the contemplated forcible removal, in favor of that which has further reading, which was agreed to--78 to 57. been done, and against that which is not intended. He A motion was then (about three o'clock) made to ad cited other cases to establish the fact of great misappre-journ, and lost: yeas, 48--nays, 90. hension on the subject; and as this report would correct Mr. WHITE now renewed his motion for the previous those erroneous impressions, he was in favor of the extra

number.

Mr. MILLER, of Pennsylvania, preferred knowing for himself what the report contained, before he voted for printing this large additional number. The debate had consumed more time than the reading of the report could

The Clerk accordingly commenced reading, and had proceeded about half an hour; when

question, which was seconded by a majority of the House. Mr. STORRS, of New York, then moved to lay the motion for printing on the table, and called for the yeas and nays on the motion.

The yeas and nays were ordered; and, being called, the motion to lay on the table was lost: yeas, 37-nays, 143.

583

FEB. 25, 1830.]

West Point Academy.

The main question was then accordingly put, viz. on the motion to print ten thousand additional copies of the report, and decided in the affirmative, by yeas and nays, as follows: yeas, 113--nays, 56.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1830.

[H. of R.

The previous question recurring, Mr. VANCE demanded the yeas and nays on it, and lars a month besides. Another bad effect of it was, that education of rich men's sons for nothing, twenty-eight dolthey were ordered. And the previous question being put, "Shall the main been educated at West Point; but the army had been no man could get a commission in the army unless he had question be now put?" it was carried: yeas, 126-headed very well by men who never went to that academy. nays, 48. ago, he had gone out and performed his twelve months He remembered, in the little struggle we had a few years tour of duty in the defence of his country, as well as he could. He did not mention this to boast of it; he there saw thousands of poor men who had also gone out to fight their country's battles, but none of them had ever been at West Point, and none of them had any sons at West Point. Mr. CROCKETT moved the following resolutions, viz. country's armies, without being educated at West Point. A man could fight the battles of his country, and lead his 1. Resolved, That if the bounty of the Government is Jackson never went to West Point school, nor Brown-to be at all bestowed, the destitute poor, and not the rich no, nor Governor Carroll; nor did Colonel Cannon, under and influential, are the objects who most claim it, and to whom Mr. C. said he served, and a faithful good officer whom the voice of humanity most loudly calls the atten- he was. tion of Congress. 2. Resolved, That no one class of the citizens of these the people of our country, and they were against it; the The truth was, [said Mr. C.] this academy did not suit United States has an exclusive right to demand or re-men who are raised there are too nice to work; they are ceive, for purposes of education, or for other purposes, first educated there for nothing, and then they must have more than an equal and ratable proportion of the funds of salaries to support them after they leave there--this does the national treasury, which is replenished by a common not suit the notions of working people, of men who had contribution, and, in some instances, more at the cost of to get their bread by their labor. He, therefore, felt it the poor man, who has but little to defend, than that of his duty to oppose this institution. He had intended, when the rich man, who seldom fights to defend himself or his the appropriation bills should come up, to move to strike property. 3. Resolved, That each and every institution, calculat- he waited the other day till after three o'clock, when it out the appropriation for the support of this academy; and ed, at public expense, and under the patronage and sanc-was expected they would be taken up, when the House tion of the Government, to grant exclusive privileges ex-was in committee; and, after he went away, the bills were cept in consideration of public services, is not only aristo- taken up, and passed through the committee. cratic, but a downright invasion of the rights of the citizen, and a violation of the civil compact called "the con-academy; perhaps they did not know enough about it; Mr. C. wanted information for the people about this stitution."

4. Resolved, further, That the Military Academy at West Point is subject to the foregoing objections, in as much as those who are educated there receive their instruction at the public expense, and are generally the sons of the rich and influential, who are able to educate their own children. While the sons of the poor, for want of active friends, are often neglected, or if educated, even at the expense of their parents, or by the liberality of their friends, are superseded in the service by cadets educated at the West Point academy.

5. Resolved, therefore, and for the foregoing reasons, That said institution should be abolished, and the appropriations annually made for its support be discontinued.

ed to let them hear of it, and know all about it. He must some of them, may be, had never heard of it, and he wantsay, however, that he did not offer his resolution with much hope of succeeding; there were too many gentlemen in the House interested in this academy, he feared, to allow his resolution to pass; but it was his duty to try.

Mr. CROCKETT said he had endeavored some days ago to get an opportunity to offer this resolution, without being able to succeed. with a duty which he owed his country, and to his conHe submitted it in compliance stituents especially. The people who sent him here were opposed to this institution; he had talked to the people on the subject; they had told him what their opinions were thought it could do no harm to point out these things, and Mr. C. said, he did not want to break the rules, but he respecting it, and, if he kept his mouth shut here, he would if we are going to retrench, [said he] let us retrench so that not discharge his duty faithfully. He believed the reso- we can feel it. lution to be correct; the institution was kept up for the C.] the young men educated there did not suit our serAs for this academy, however, [said Mr. education of the sons of the noble and wealthy, and of vice; they were too delicate, and could not rough it in the members of Congress, people of influence, and not for army like men differently raised. the children of the poor. Indeed, it could be of little use to school, they were too nice for hard service. the poor any how; for if a poor boy could by chance get them about here, and he supposed they had good salaries, When they left the appointed, he could not get there, the expense would be which the poor people, who consumed the salt and other He had seen too great; and if he could get there, it would be at the things which were taxed, had to pay. risk of his ruin, as the chance would be that he would have to go home on his own means. money of the Government should be expended in educat-terest of the Government was to put it down, although he It was not proper that the while, and see how it will work. Let us [said Mr. C.] put this institution down a little ing the children of the noble and wealthy; that money did not, for the reason before given, hope much to sucHe believed the true inwas raised from the poor man's pocket as well as the ceed. He wished, however, to see how the House stood rich. Every poor man, who buys a bushel of salt to salt on it, and he therefore requested the yeas and nays on his his pork, or a pound of sugar for his children, or a piece resolution.

ment, and they had been several weeks spending time A great deal had been said in the House about retrenchevery day in trying to dismiss a poor little draughtsman, who every body admitted had been useful, and whose dumissed for the sake of retrenchment. Well, what was the ties were necessary; notwithstanding this, he must be disconsequence? Why, as soon as his office was voted down, same work done by the job, which every body knows is an up get gentlemen to move that the committee have the expensive way of having public work done. That resoluorder to introduce those resolutions in debate on the pretion, sir--[The Speaker reminded Mr. C. that it was not in sent question.]

of cloth for his coat, pays his portion of the taxes out of

which this West Point academy was maintained for the much importance. He would agree with the gentleman, Mr. McDUFFIE said that the resolution was one of

H. of R.]

Ardent Spirits in the Navy.

[FEB. 25, 1830.

that there were many abuses connected with the institu- tions would evaporate, and the adoption of these regula tion; but, as the resolution ought not to be hastily acted on, he moved to lay it on the table, and print it; which motion was agreed to.

ARDENT SPIRITS IN THE NAVY.

tions would not be attended with any practical results. No one in the service was now obliged to drink ardent spirits, and he thought its discontinuance could not be enforced with advantage.

Mr. WICKLIFFE said, he did not believe that any prac Mr. CONDICT offered the following resolutions: tical results would be derived from the adoption of this re 1. Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be solution. He did not like the introduction of such topics instructed to inquire into the expediency of inducing the into this Hall; and, when he said so, he did not intend any seamen and marines in the navy of the United States, disrespect to the gentleman who moved the resolution. voluntarily to discontinue the use of ardent spirits, or vinous He knew [he said] that temperance societies of ladies and or fermented liquors, by substituting for it double its gentlemen had been established throughout the country, value in other necessaries and comforts whilst in service, and he did not doubt the benevolence of their efforts to or in money payable at the expiration of the service. prevent the use of ardent spirits. He objected to them 2. Resolved, also, As a further inducement to sobriety for one reason only. What [he asked] would the future and orderly deportment in the navy, as well as with a view historian of this country have to say when he should be to preserve the lives and morals of the seamen and marines, called upon to write the history of the events of the early that said committee be instructed to inquire into the ex- part of the nineteenth century? Will he not describe us pediency of allowing some additional bounty, in money or as a nation of drunkards? That historian would say, to clothing, or both, to be paid to every seaman and marine, such an extent had this vice been carried, that ladies form at the expiration of his service, who shall produce from ed themselves into societies for the promotion' of tempe. his commanding officer a certificate of total abstinence rance, and for the suppression of the vice of drunkenness from ardent spirits, and of orderly behavior, during the He hoped that to such a description of the state of our so term of his engagement. ciety, erroneous in point of fact, Congress would not give its false sanction by legislating on this subject, and espe cially when no practical benefit can arise from the adoption of this resolution.

3. Resolved, also, That the said committee inquire and report whether or not the public service, as well as the health, morals, and honor of the naval officers would be promoted by holding out to the midshipmen and junior officers some further inducements and incentives to abstinence from all intoxicating liquors.

Mr. W. moved to lay the resolution on the table, but subsequently withdrew it at the request of

Mr. DRAYTON, who said the gentleman from New Mr. CONDICT remarked that this subject had been York [Mr. HOFFMAN] is opposed to the resolution, because already referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, but he thinks what it seeks for cannot be accomplished. He they, under the impression that it was not within their pro- says, that in the Naval Committee the subject has been vince to report with respect to the navy, merely reported more than once considered, and that no practical mode oc with respect to the army. They made a favorable report curred to its members, by which they could put a stop to in regard to the army; and it was because they declined intemperance in the navy or marine corps; that he deplor reporting on the other branch of the service, that he offered this resolution to refer the inquiry to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

ed its existence as productive of the most injurious conse quences, and would gladily eradicate it, if it were in his power to do so. He added, that whiskey, in moderate Mr. HOFFMAN said that no man could rejoice more quantity, was not prejudicial; that it was sometimes nethan he would if the use of ardent spirits were discontinu-cessary to the health and vigor of the seamen; that it ought ed in the navy of the United States; nor was any man more not, therefore, to be altogether interdicted; and that he convinced than he was of its injurious effects. But this placed no reliance in legislation as a remedy for the evil ought to be left to the discretion of individuals, for he be- complained of. The surgeons and the officers in the army lieved that no regulations would effect the object which and the navy tell us, as will be seen by documents which the honorable mover of the resolution has in view. The have been laid upon our tables, that ardent spirits never resolution, it appears, deems whiskey that vulgar, demo- contribute to the health or permanent comfort of the sailor cratic drink which Captain Basil Hall so strenuously con- or the soldier; and that the intemperate use of them, in a demned. Mr. H. said, that when the people could pro- greater degree than all other causes combined, occasions cure good wine, although it is not so strong a drink, yet crimes, insubordination, punishments, diseases, and deaths. they would not ask for whiskey. With all our anxiety, it Admitting, then, that a small quantity of strong liquor is would be found that any regulations we can introduce not injurious, as it is not beneficial, no reasons exist for will be impracticable. The matter should be left optional drinking it. But it cannot have escaped our observation, with the officers and sailors themselves; and the example that its habitual consumption, even in moderation, too fre set to them by our people, and the judgment of the coun- quently excites a desire for more, and gradually leads to try, will be more effectual than any regulations we can the grossest excess. Much as I deprecate the baleful conadopt. It may be expedient [said Mr. H.] to make our sequences of drunken debauchery, I entirely concur with sailors cold water drinkers. He did not think so. He the gentleman from New York, in the impolicy of endea feared it would have the effect of reducing their efficiency, voring to correct it by a prohibitory law, which might raise of impairing the courage, the generosity, and bravery, and a spirit of discontent, counteracting the object of the law. all the other qualifications incidental to the character of I am opposed to sudden and violent innovations. Refor If by the resolution it is intended to dispense mation must commence with the delinquent himself. If, entirely with the use of ardent spirits in our navy, the object by appealing to the moral sense of the sailor, by diminishwould not, in his opinion, be obtained. If any gentleman ing the temptations to which he is exposed, by increasing will point out some practical scheme whereby to do away his comforts, and adding to his pecuniary stipend, an imwith this practice-because some practical measure will pression can be made upon him, hopes may be entertainbe necessary--he would willingly give it his support. He ed that the impression will be durable. Those powerful called on any gentleman to point out a practical scheme. inducements to human action, self-respect and interest, He felt indebted to the humanity of the gentlemen who may thus be brought to operate upon him. And this course, brought this subject under consideration; but he repeated according to the language of the resolution of the gentlethat he wanted them to send to the committee some prac-man from New Jersey, [Mr. CONDICT] is all that is requir tical scheme to effect their object, which the committee ed from this House. That from it beneficial effects may could report; otherwise, all their good and humane inten- be calculated upon, has been demonstrated by several in

our navy.

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

[H. of R.

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 imthe 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 we send out the commentary on these laws, why not also persons with whom I have had any communication relat send out the laws themselves, so that the public may be ing to the subject before us, are physicians in the army and enabled to decide whether the commentary is sustained by navy and military officers. But were it otherwise--were the text. Entertaining these views, he moved that the this resolution pressed upon us by visionaries and theo- laws of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, extending their rists, pushing their abstract notions of morality and bene- jurisdiction over the Indian tribes within their territorial volence to fanatical or ridiculous extremes, if it contained limits, be printed, and appended to the report of the Comsuggestions useful and practical, I would listen to them. mittee on Indian Affairs. Whether we shall be enabled, by any means which we can Mr. LUMPKIN said that the proposition of the gentledevise, to effect what is contemplated by the resolution, I man from Ohio appeared to him to be one of an extraor will not undertake to determine. It is our duty to make dinary character. A standing committee of this House the effort. If we fail, we shall have the consolation of re- makes a report on a subject according to their views of it; Hecting, that we have attempted to check the progress of and, after having presented it, and the House has ordered a vice which renders its victims not only useless and dis-it to be printed, a gentleman gets up in his place, and gusting, but a burden upon society. If we succeed, proposes that certain information, which he supposes is though success may be only partial, we shall improve the required, should be added to it. For my own part [said 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. 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

limits."

[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. 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, 1 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 moties 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 impress upon the House that the tendency of this resolution was to involve us in a discussion as to the character of State laws, the internal regulations of a State--a matter with which Congress cannot interfere.

States only. He trusted it would extend itself to the acts of every State and every provincial assembly which had legislated for the Indians. Much interesting matter might thus be embodied, very satisfactory to the curious in legisktion. An opportunity would be afforded for philosophical But, if gentlemen are determined to publish the laws reflection on the polity of different communities, and va of 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 beon Indian Affairs. The printing of that report had already yond that would be sheer waste. He therefore moved to been ordered, and he wished to have it before the public as soon as possible; but if these laws are to accompany it, considerable delay must be produced. He hoped, therefore, that, if the House determined to publish these laws at all, it would accept of his substitute, and print them separately from the report. For himself, [said Mr. F.] he 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:

strike out so much of the resolution as proposed to print an extra number of copies to be appended to the report, and offered an amendment, which he hoped his colleague would accept as a substitute-"And, also, so much of the laws of the several States as relates to the Indians within their limits."

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