Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-23

derable as the one requested, no ex-
traordinary appropriation would be
necessary. In stating these facts to
you, Sir, make myself the organ Of
the inhabitants Of Missouri, in transfer
ring their request, for the post in ques-
ton, from the Legislative to the execu.
tive branch of the government, and
pray you to obtain the Presidents de-
cision upon it.
Very respectfully, sir, your ob't.
servant,
THOMAS H. BENTON.
Hon. Mr. BARBOUR, Secretary Of War.
Department Of Var, May %, 1925.
Sir: Your letter Of the 18th March,
was not received at this Department
for weeks after its date. Immediately
on its coming to hand, after its con-
tents were communicated TO the Presi-
dent, it was referred to Maj. General
Brown for the purpose Of ascertaining
the practicability of complying with
the wishes of the people Of Missouri,
to establish military post on the Ar
kansas River, convenient to the route
of the caravans trading to Mexico. In
performance of the duty assigned the
General, he states that he has address
ed letters to four different officers Of
intelligence, commanding in quarters
enabling them to give the best infor-
nation as to the object desired, by
which he will be capacitated to execute
the duty assigned him, and, without
which, his information is not sufficient
to recommend the measure asked. So
soon as this difficulty is removed, the
subject will be submitted to the Presi-
dent for his decision. The points on
which information is wanting, are the
distance from the highest post now es-
tablished to the crossing place, and the
facilities with which supplies can be
transported to the post proposed, the
number and character Of Indian tribes
in that quarter, and what portions OF
the garrisons now established i'll that
widely extended region and country,
might be safely detached with due con-
sideration to the just claims Of existing
interest. Your particular knowledge
of the country will enable you to give
some information on this point-parti-
cularly the three first. Any commune
cation thereon which you can convent
emily make, will be thankfully received.
/ offer you assurances Of my most
respectful consideration.
JAMES BARBOUR.
The Hon. THOMAS B. BENTON,
St. Louis, Missouri.
Extract of letter from Columbus, Ohio, da.
ted JULY.
"Governor CLINTON, and the gen.
tlemen who accompanied him to this
state, were received on the morning of
the fourth instant, six miles from New
ark, by the late Governors Worthing-
ton and Brown, the canal commission
ers, and a large detachment Of horse,
by whom they were conducted to New
ark. About ten O'Clock a procession
was formed. to proceed to the place,
four miles from the village, where
ground was to be broken for the canal,
and where the day was to be celebrated.
Here were assembled about three thou.
sand people, exclusive of the military
encamped on the ground. The day
was beautiful, and every one appeared
to be pleased. The festivities were o.
pened by an Grafton from Mr.. Giving,
one Of the first lawyers Of the state; he
was followed by Gov. Clinton, both Of
whose addresses were very good, and
will soon be published. The process
sion was them reformed, and marched
to the place ofexcavation. Here Gov.
Clinton dug a wheelbarrow full of
earth: he was followed by Governor
Morrow, and then by all the suites of
their excellencies, and any one else
who felt disposed to do so. They then
sat down to dinner, in the open woods,
with about 1900 people You can have
NO idea of the beauty, may almost
say the grandeur Of the scene; such a
multitude seated quietly at table, with
no covering save the skies and trees,
encircled by large body Of military,
with tolerably good music, and three
loudly sounding pieces of artillery. A
great number Of tolerable toasts were
drank, and all with enthusiasm, parti.
cularly when Gov. Clinton was toasted,
the whole crowd huzzaed in symphony
with every drum, gun and cannon that
could be collected together. The COM
pany dispersed without disorder" and
the Governor and suite were safely es-