Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-02

MONDAY. JANUARY Is.
DEBATE ON THE SEMINOLE WAR.
CONTINUED.
In committee of the whole OIL the state
OF the Union, the resolution reported by
the committee on military affairs, and
The amendments proposed thereto. being
under consideration
MIR. Il. NJ. NILSSON, of Virginia. said,
II had been his intention, when the co m
mitee of the whole on the state of the
Union first took up the report which was
now the subject of delberalion, 10 have
stated briefly the view taken by The ma
jority of tho military committee. who con-
cured In the report; but, not having
been so fortunate as TO get the floor, lie
had been obliged to delay doing So until
now. IshouId not, said be, have obtrud-
ed any remarks upon YOU now, sir, had
tic report The aid of The chairman who
has 20 faithfully presided over fI,e militia
ry comnsittee ever since he has occupied
That station but, regret to say, we dit
Tered lii opinion on this occasion.
believe am correct in stating, that
thai part of the subject 10 which the re-
port Is confined, is The only one on which
majority Of the committee could be t-
nlled and, az The other branch of j,
hands OF another committee Of this house.
reason was found for passing il over in
silence. | moreover acknowledge, that
although did. previous 10 the decision
OF the committee. disappr0ve The pro-
cecdings against Pensacola and Baran-
cas-, as unauthorized aud unnecessary,
ten doubt whether ihe capture of ST.
Marks might not be justified, upon the
plea OF necessity ; but HAT is dispelled
by more minute examination 0f the do
cuments. A reference 10 the letter from
the commanding officer at ST. Marks 10
Gen. Jackson, bearing d$e III, April.
1918, 10 he found page 67 of The docu-
elenis 90 the Seminole war, aud which
had escaped my recollection, shows there
was no necessity for The capture Of that
post, 10 preserve it from falling into The
hands of the Indians; the apprehension
OF which seems TO be the original cause OF
Gen Jackson's design 10 take il. And.
Sn, ", for the peace of the United STATES.
Il was important that ST. Marks should
mol tall iuio the hands of The enemy. lie
proposition made TO Gen. Jackson i'm tie
letter ! have alluded to. 10 leave q force
III It's vicinity, with which the. Spanish,
troops would cooperate, to effect that
object, appears 10 me amply sufficient for
every purpose OF security and defence.
Gen. jackson thought differently . he
thought " 81. Marks was necessary as a
depot 10 ensure success, aud he occupied
II with an American force"
fine gentlemam (Mr. Holmcs) who pre-
coded nc in Isis debate, has gone into u
long train OF reasoning, 10 shOw that
SPAN has given Us just cdmse ofwar, and
thence infcrs that Cen. Jackson had a
right 10 take passessi1n of tie Spanish
gsrrisons in West Florida. Sir, am not
HE apologisl ni Spain | wish 10 be dis
iinciiy understood 10 say, that Ia Spain
we are under no obligations Tor Grneral
jackson's conduct whhr IN her territory
When the gentleman Who is cllair,nan III
tie committee 81 foreign relations, shall
offer proposition To 20 10 war with
Spain, II will he time enough to enquire
whether we lave jnsirause 81 wardsaiHst
Ter; bot there would be many other
points OF discussion beside the mere jus.
litioslIOm or cause Of war. WOuld il he
polite, would IL be riaenaDimous, IA
! make war upon degraded, enireblec
enemy These are questions Which an
not called upon at Iiils 'iGic 10 decide.
Sir, he question now before US, is. vine