Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-15

10 this amendment, the following amendment
had been offered by Mr. Storrs 10 be-, added 10 the
- amendment Of Mr.. Dwight; cor such of the vcio.
res achieved by the Navy of the United States, as
ia their opinion should be selectad far such natict
= al co.linemoratiSn"
1 he resolution, together with these several a.
mendinents. having now been again read and the
question being ON the amendment of Mr.. Stotrs:
Mr.. Hamilton of S. G. said, that after the in
tnigent attention with which he had been honored
oy Inc House yesterday, he felt great reluctance
IN Tespassing again upon that indulgencc; hut he
ieit satisfied that the resolution which he had sub
United, which was one merely OF inquiry, was,
nevertheless, in danger He certainly hal no;
expected that gentlemen would have embarrassed
IT'S passage by amendments which were calculated
10 defeat it. There two modes OF Legislative
hostility, which might be put prominently. The
nrst an open and undisguiscd opposition, by which
the issue was met and combated singly, and the
second IN opposition by suiiocaton, by which
S'rangu!aton was produced by amsnlnscpts, and
oy Whieh a measure was not defeated on its own
merits, but broken down by the weight which was
lungenerously put upon its back. Now sir, why
VIII not the gentlemen offer their amendments az
separate resolutions of inquiry 1, certainly, in
such shape, will cheerfuliy vote for them, as
am Tesirous that the Committee should not only
select the most competent artists, but the most
appropriate subjects, also; and that from the widest
sphere OF selection. Will they pardon me for say
ing, that conceive the compliments 10 the several
subjects they propose, would be much more de-
cisrVe by introducing them separately, than by
merely appending them TO previous and original
proposition! Their Is surely too much merit in
Inc battles of Bunker's Hin, Monmouth, and
Princeton, and in naval engagements, TO re-
cure that they sho, be assisted by the vote which
this House might be disposed TO give separately
on the pIopFiety Of delinealion OF the battle of
| New-Orlcans.
| iere the Chair informed MIR. Hamilton that
! the question was upon the amendment offered by
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Storrs) as TO
inc naval victories, and to that his remarks were
| TO be uiade.]
Sir, Continued Mr.. H. nothing could be more
| delightful 10 my feelings than 10 vote separately
and distinctly for a representation of most of the
latter events The naval engagements of the late
war, many OF them, would be particularly rich in
that dramatic effect, which is one Of the finest
| provinces OF painting. And hope the day is not
distant, and the day shall be distant if my hum
! Die efforts can in any measure contribute to it,
when these walls shall be decorated by delinea-
ton, by first rate artist, of the battle of Lake
| Erie, which - proud a subject for the canvass
as II was Tor national exultation when il occurred:
God knows, Sir, that there is not 4 man ia this
House, who would feel more delighted than my
self, however mournful the associations, in seeing
reflected back into life, as it were, amidst the de-
us'ons of the canvass, the manly FORM and the he
roc achievements which graced il, of our lament
cd Perry, although sad atty tells us that death
\ mas shrouded him forever from our view.
Let me, however, request the gentlemen who
| have proposed these amendments, and who profess
TO be entirely friendly TO the original proposition,
hiii Wlich PROCESSION 1 GO not desire to lmpeacn,
not to embarrass it, by which even the meriorious
| objects they have in view essentially endan-
| gered. 1t is n wise rule which dictates that we
should not ask 10: too much at time for gener-
osty, as distinguished British satirist has pointed
y said, like patience, is very good virtue but is
| apr 10 be tir-! by too much exercise.
ii, however, gentlemen persist III their amend
Inents, then hope the friends Of the original re-
solution VIII stick by it, The man whom we de-
sire to honor by its passage, did TO his country in
the hour OF her utmost need and after we have
carried IT. let Va, with comfy with which hone
we snail always treat our opponents, and with mat
Justlce which - due To the subject they propose
vote Tor them as separate and distinct propositions
| Mr. Barney OF Maryland said, he was apprchtn-
save that the train of argument adopted by the GEN
tieman from South Carolina calculated TO en-
parrass ms friends, who. approving of, were Dis
| posed TO sustain his proposition. The amendment
offered by the Hon. member from N. York (hlr
Storrs,) proposed TO commemorate one of the spen-
dld achievements OF oar gallant Navy, in which ne
earnestly desired to cooperate. Surely the time has
arrived, when it becomes us 70 express the deep
! toned gratitude which the nation had long since a.
waTdcd to the glorious exploits of this arm o! our
national defence. RE felt no preference whether
Tile ACTON on Lake Erie should be selected or the
capture of the Guerrero by the Constitution,
I which was the frs in series OF victories that
tsnatched the trident OF Neptune from the naughty
mistress oil the ocean, and taught her the severesr
lesson she had ever received in The school of hui
initiation. Two Of the panncls in the Rotlindo
were appropriately assigned 10 paintings enblena-
teal Of our successes on land, and he was willing
TO sustain the proposition before the House 20 de-
vote third 10 similar purpose; but, at the same
tune, desired to consecrate niche in ths tenn
pie Of fame 70 pcrpetuaiing the glory of a Navy
ON whose banner victory hal 80 often pcrched
while the annals Of history did record soiita-
ry instance wherein The fair fame Of her country
was furnished by ignohIe flight or ingloTous sur
! render: Tor, whenever her flag had been strlci
II was not until tie elements of res-tlnce were
exhausted, and scarce force enough left 10 hand it
| down.
| What have been the legislative lonors awarded
to our gallant naval officers, for long life Of scr
vice? Hailed by grateful nation, with one loud
acclaim, as the beneiactors OF their country not
even the honorary stimulus of Brevet rank has
been assigned 70 them. Beyond the grade OF Cap
tain they are not permitted TO aspire. Mere Cen
tu ions; nay, not much: for, in former times a
Centurion commanded one hundred men. Whe7e-
az, the grade OF Captan in our Army. extends 10
scarce half that nunber-and this Il the extent of
their promotion. In an army numerically less
than the existing forces employed on the Ocean
we find Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Com
missary Generals, Quartermaster Generals, Adiu-
tant Generals, and Inspector Generals all Of which
Mr. Barney approved ofin its organization, as hav-
ing contributed to give TO il it, present efficient
character, and to promote economy in its dishurse-
ments But, in his judgement, correspondent rank
ought to be extended TO the other branch of our
national protection and defence, now employing six
| thousand men, and requiring moro than twenty
thousand whenever the whole naval force should
be called INTO service. Hc must confess his sens-
blities excited by the fragrant injustice un-
! der which n gallant Corps had so long suffered
and be fondly hoped that his friend from South
Carolina would be willing that the coropli-
ment designed to be paid 10 the Hero Of Or
Loo al..s IL L.. ..f...a