Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-04-25
CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30.
MISSOURI EXPEDITION.


the question on increasing the appro-
priation for the Quarter-Master-Gene-
rails Department., from 45O,O 900 to $780,
900 dollars, being still under considera-
ton
Mr.. Trim6le added some remarks to
what he said yesterday, and went into
sundry details to shew that the appro-
priation proposed would be necessary for
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES depart
ment, Independently of any regard to the
Missouri expedition; that it would be
less than the appropriation for the same
service in 1871 when the army was only
between five and six thousand men, and
no post more distant than Belle
Fountaine; that It would be inadequate
to the estimates of the Quarter Master
General, whose arrangements had great
ly economisedthee expenses ofthis branch
of the service, and their execution was
indispensable to the public interest.
Mr.. Smith was of opinion, that the
expedition for which this appropriation
was intended, was inexpedient-if en-
couraged it would in time draw the
whole army from the Atlantic states,
which proper defence of the sea coast
would not permit, and where the num-
Der now was too small, and involve the
necessity of increasing it, in which case
the amount now in question would be
but mere drop. The post now con-
templated was not for the protection of our
frontiers, because it was too far in the in
terror of the Indian country, by five OF
six hundred miles; that intermediate
posts must be maintained, and as soon as
this line was established, settlers would
follow them, right or wrong, and form
string of settleme nts for 1900 miles, and
involve the country in endless broils with
the Indians. Thinking thus, though he
entertained the highest respect for the
authority under which the expedition
was commenced, it was perfectly fair to
check it by Withholding the appropria-
ton, and thus expressing the sense OF
the Senate OH it, sc.
Mr.. Dana stated the object of this eX-
petition as far as the Mandan Villages,
taken in connection with the posts up the
Mississippi, to be for the protection of
our frontier and the advancement of the
northwest fur trade, as we'll as to pre-
vent that of foreigners from being car
ried on with the Indians in that quarter,
&c. and he read the report of the Secre-
tary of War to Congress, on this subject,
to shew more fully the objects and utili-
ty ofthe expedition. To effect these OBJ
jects, only 10000 dollars were required,
in addition to what would be, without it,
necessary, if the expedition remained at
the Council Bluffs. He insisted earnest
ly on the national advantages in view,
and which would accrue from it, if the
expedition should be judiciously exc
cuted
Mr.. Edwards spoke in reply to Mr..
Smith, and, by reference to the charac-
ter of the trade carried on formerly by
the French with the Indians, to obviate
the arguments of Mr.. S. and to shew, in
substance, that forts in the Indian coun-
try would have the effect of preventing
rather than exciting Indian hostiities-
neither would they produce illegalsettle-
ments on the Indian lands, as such settle
ments would be prevented by the very
means which it was argued would en-
courage 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 it and much
good expected from it by that branch OF
the government, he would not now en-
deavor to put it down by Withholding a
small additional sum; they would have
time to ascertain its advantages in the
course of the year and either send for.
ward or stop the expedition as prudence
might dictate; but he would leave it to
them, particularly as no one had yet pro-
nounced the enterprise absolutely i'm
proper or unwise; its expediency was
doubted only, its improperly matter oil
conjecture, and he would suffer it to be
fully tried, as it had advanced so far.
Mr.. Lanman advocated the expedi.
ton, and the policy of employing the ar.
my in extending and protecting the
valuable fur trade, and in excluding the
interference and mischiefs of foreign
traders; in promoting an influence and
amity with the Indians, and protecting
our frontier.-It would be much better
he argued, to keep the troops employed
in useful enterprise and active service
becoming the nature of their profession
than allow them to remain idly in the
large cities on the Atlantic, merely
cleaning their arms, and deterioratine
every day. He spoke of the great i'm
sc he IL,