Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-15

shores of Che Mediterranean. Grants ands,;b- /
sides had in former days been allowed them
with no sparing hand. Millions had been APP
propriatcd TO propliiate them, whilst our red
brethren of the forest we're now about 10 lee
denied a sum which was contemplated by
treaties and guaranteed By the busiest expecty-
lions of the people.
Air. MITcHELI, of s. G.. thought it incum-
bent upon him to explain the reasons of the
vote which he proposed TO give in opposition
To the report ofthc committee OF Ways and
Means, ef which he had the honor To he :;
member. Mr.. NJ. then examined ut 4 con
siderable length The various documents that
had been presented. in relation To the subject.
He thought there was not that full disclosure
on the part of the Secretary of War, in rela-
lion to the deficiency, which the house had y
right to expect. A full and complete account
current comprising the various items of OK
penditure should, in his opinion, he specifically
brought forward. lie was not for reposing
confidence where il did not meet recipro-
| cation. jealousy, however detcstable in pri-
vate life, was as necessary in relation 10 our
public servants, as courage was To the soldier,
or patriotism 10 the statesman. In Athens,
even virtue was sometimes banishea, lest its
influence might become toopoweriul for re-
sstaucc.
Mr. BUCuANAN observed, that il the ques-
ton had been taken the other day: he should
| have voted aganstthea appropriation but, since
| that time, by Il more ample discussion of the
subject the cloud which hld hung over Il was
dispcliCd.-'Ihe conduct of the Secretary was
not only cleared from obloauy, but Was shcwn
tn be pare and correct. Ii this House We're
To be eterna!ly urged on by sispic0n, they
would always be- left in alarm. lie would
| give to the Secretary of War. in tie present
| no. t,tr
| gven i'll other cases. II was Il maxim of
| the common law that man WAS to be pre-
| sumcd innocent until he was proved to be
guilty. The same statute of charity ought
40 be extended to our public officers and,
until they were proven to- be gully, their in
nocenCe ought to he presumed. The Secre-
tary of War had not only escaped the proof
| of guilt bnt in his mind not even shade of
suspicion had passed over him. The consli-
tuition had nothing To do with the question,
although it had been lug5cd into the debate.
1t provides that no money shall be drawn
from the Treasury without The authority oflaw.
And has any money hern SD drawn :? No, sir
! and the very object oftnc present applica-
| ton is to obtain such law, in conformity 10
the constitutions. Mr.. b then went into am
examination at length, of the necessity thai;
must always exist oisuppying by subsequent
appropriations. such amounts of expenditure
SdSdCll( CFillu not lOTcStc. Ite
would suppose case in which Il prospective
appropriation should bc considered as the law
of the land. Should domestic treason Or
foreign invasion should require movement
or augmentation of the military force Ia which
the appropriations were inadequate. Sup
pose in that case, the President to re-
main neu!ral-neither suppressing the one
nor repeliing the other--and in excuse should
aliege the want OF prior appropriations. On
the Argument alleged, he would he justified
but would he SO in foro conScientie or at the
har of the public opinion ? No, the heart of
every American would seal his condemnation.
Hr. b. enlarged upon the arguments adduc-
ed by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Smyth) in relation to the policy of subsequent
appropriations 10 supply deficits, and con
tended that they We're consistent with the
soandcst policy and economy, and also dila-
ted upon the suggestion ofthc gentleman from
Mass. Mr.. Dwight respecting the Importance
Indian border. He also ' aiMjGd9r e, extent of om
tant retTtnctMfRfs ina mad by the Secsearya Il
honor, as well as IFS interest and policy ,reauir-
ed the appropriation.
Mir SMITH of Nd. replied to many points of
argument offered by Mr.. Dwight, explained
the nature of appropriations for the Indian
department generally, and urged the exped-
epcy of granting without further delay the
100000 asked By the committee
MT GILMEn then moved to rise and report,
with i!e view of obtaining the Information
sought for by the resolutions that had bern
adopied-whlch motion was agreed TO and
the House adjourned.