Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-01


holding the appropriation, and thus express
| ing the sense 81 the Senate On i &c,
Mr.. Dana stated the object Of this expe.
dition as far as the Mandan Villages, taken
in connect ton with the posts up the Missis-
sippi, to be for the protectionof our frontier
and the advancements Of the North Vest
fur trade, as well as 10 prevent thatof TO-
reigners from being carried on with The In
dams 10 that quarter &c. and he read the
report ofthe Secretary OF war to congress.
on this subject, to shew more fully the OBJ
|jects and utility ofihe expedition. To ef-
feet these objects, only 10000 dollars were
required, in addition to what would be
without il, necessary, il the expedition re-
NAMED at the Council Bluffs. He insisted
earnestly on the national advantages IN view,
and which would accrue from it, if the ex-
petition should be judiciously executed. =
Mr.. Ewards. spoke in reply TO Mr. Smith,
and, by q reference TO the character Of
the trade carried on formerly by the French
with the Indians, to obyiste the argument
Of Mr.. S. and to shew, in substance, that
forts in the Indian country would have the
effect Of preventing rather than exciting In
dian hostilities-- neither would they pro-
duce Illegal sentimests on the Inaisn lands.
as such settlements would be prevented by
the very means which It was argued would
encourage them, &c.
Mr.. Wilson would hesitate, were this a
new question but having been gone into
deliberately by the executive, and as great
stress was laid on il and much good expect
ed from it by that branch Of The govern
ment, he would not now endeavor to put 1t
down by withholding small additional
SUM, they would have time to ascertain its
advantages in the course Of the year and Ell.
Their send forward or stop the expedition as
prudence might dictate-but be would leave
il to them, particularly as no one had yet
pronounced the enterprise absolutely I'M
proper or unwise; its expediency was doubt
ed only, its improperly matter Of corjsc-
ture, and he would suffer it to be fully tri.
ed, as it had advanced 50 far.
Mr. Lanman advocated the expedition,
and the policy of employing the armv in
extending and protecting the valuable fur
trade, and in including the interference and
mischiefs of foreign traders in promoting
an influence and amity with the Indians,
and protecting our frontier. II would be
much better. be argued. to keep the troops
employed in useful enterprise and active
service, becoming the nature of their pro.
iession, thaH>aIlow them 10 remain idly in
the large cities on the Atlantic. merely
cleaning their arms, and deteriorating eve
by day. Hespoke Of the great importance
Ipf the fur trade, and the immense extent Of
hat which would be opened by this expe-
ltion, and which he would not suffer to be
surped BY foreign raiders, even it were of
liss value that, TO permit the intrusion OF
ireign traders within our limits was vic.
laion of the rights and honor, and endan-.
gsed the safety of the country to shut
THIN out was necessary to the welfare of
thsfrontiers and interests of the people
tha settlements would follow these posts
wal admitted, hut they would spread 10 the
| ives in spite Of all regulations, until they
hadEeached the Pacific. He defended the
wisdln of the policy OF which this expedi-
ton Iormed part, the expediency Of pro-
secutbg it, and the improperly OF gripping
and chmping ii by refusing the small sum
| in QUESTION, &c.
Nj. Smith maintained that, as the
laws Rohi5ited settlements on the In
dian lads. their violation ought not to be
permitted or encouraged by chain ofposts
for lSo miles into the Indian country, and
spoke : shew the detenceless condition
OF the brts on the seaboard, in which he
Acknowledgement facts, and tie inexped,en-
cy Of driving off into the west troops me-
cessary 10 nan the maritime works. He
replied considerable leagth to Mr.. Ian
man, arging that if rights were to be so ri,
gidly defpded, why not at once go against
the toreih entertainments south Of the CO.
lumbia, atl force justice from Spain, S't,
The quttion was then taken on concur
ring in tlA amendment reported by the
committee VI finance, 10 increase the ap-
! nrnnriation ~ the quarter master fgeneral,s