Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-19
From Correspondent at IVashingl,n.

Gentlemen: We had little squirt in the House of
Representatives yesterday. In bill on the subject
OF Indian Treaties, there opraton for the
payment of General M'Neil, one of the Commission
ers, for his services in negotiating the Treaty with
the Winnebagoes last Summer. The bill went very
quietly through the Committee of the Whole hut as
soon as came into the House, discussion arose on
tue proprlety Of paying General M Neil for the civil
service, while he receiving his regular nav as an
officer in the service of the U. States. Some one
asked Mr.. Vance, who had moved an amendment
which seemed to be generally in favor with the House
giving to the General either the military or civil
compensation, at his option, 1t had been the practice
of the government to give double pay in cases where
u 5. officers were employed. He replied that he
recolected one prominent case-that of tie gentle
man who now fills the chair of the Chief Magistrate
and who received both pay officer and paw as
commissioner, when negotiating a treaty with the
Indians. This reference to General Jackson pro-
voked the Tennessee members, and presently MIR.
Polk sprang forward, evidently under great excite
ment accused the other side Of the House of giving
party complexion to the debate, talked about the out
fits which had been given during the late admnstra-
ton, without the sanction of law, and accused Mr..
Clay of having demanded more than he was entitled
to in 1913, charging Mr.. Vance with having made the
allusion to the President gratuitousiy AIr. Vance
replied that he called to state the practice of
the COVE rnmen, when he referred to the case of Ge-
neral Jackson. AT the same time he declared that
as he believed what he had stated to be correct he
would just soon state it gratuously, any other
way. As soon as he said this, there such con-
possible to assign other for the agitation
than that challenge about pass MIR. Vance.
Mr.. Polk walked across the floor to Mr.. Barnwell
with an nfiamed countenance. General Desha ap-
preached his colleague from the other side of the
House as if to support him, Mr.. Blair took seat
near him, and Mr.. Cambreeng had kind of sardonic
grin on his countenance, which showed that there
was poison ranking in his breast. he veteran Mr.
Burgess of Rhode Island then took up the cudees
and dealt some unmerciful blows on Mr.. Polk. s'If
had distinguished friend (said he) who had re-
ceivedl large sums of the public money, would court
investigation, and not dodge and shiyer and shrink
whenever allusion made to it, GAS to Mr.. Clay,
(sald hey he the to ask that to which
he Is not enliled; and whenever Henry Clay shall be
found making any such demand, then will say truth
and justice are bansbed from mankind" Mr.. Polk
sprang up again, and said this charge against
the friends of the Administration OF lodging SILVER
ing and shrinking. Mr.. Burgess ably repIied-"N Not
against the friends of the Administration, against
none but the gentleman himself He referred to no
other individual whatever Dir. Polk then began to
vituperate most vehcmenty. The Speaker, in sort
ofndeclsve tone called him to order. $50 on, (sad
Mr. Cambreleng) you have right TO reply"-and
disorder, from the mouth of Mr. Cambreleng, was
sufficiently loud to drown the moniton of .sorder'
from the mouth of the Speaker Mr. Polk raved
awhile, and then sat down exhausted, but not cooled
crushed, yet insaney thinking that he had crushed
his antagonist. If anger were talent, Mr.. Polk had
the superiority by odds.
! The Senate have been engaged to-day altogether
OIL undressing business.