The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-04-08


were taken up successfully as follows, and greed
An appropriation of 900 dollars for the repair
of Castle Island in the harbor of Boston.
100000 dollars for the defences within the State
Of Maryland;
\ section authorizing the Secretary of War TO
purchase acres Of land adjoining Fort McIIcnry,
near Baltimore
The bill was then reported to the Senate, and
these amendments were concurrcd in.
Mr. BENTON offered an amendment appro; ria
ting $4,000 dollars to the repair of Fort Mlifn and
the adjacent pier batteries in the river Delaware.
Mr. KING, ofGeorgia inquired what repairs there
were TO be done which made 50 large an appropria-
ton necessary.
Mr.. BUCHANAN replied that by the destruction
Of Fort Delaware, Philadelphia was left entirely
without protection, and the important question, with
the War Department was, where that city could be
most readily defended
The result of the inquiry was, that it could be bet
ter done at Fort Mifflin. He hoped it would not be
necessary but if it should, undOubtedv the repairs
ought to be made.
Mr. BENTON read an extract from the report of
the Srctretary of War on this subject, when the "a
mcndmcnt was agreed to-
Mr.. BENTON then moved, by the instructions Of
the Military Committee, to increase the appropria-
ton for the repair Of Fort Delaware (the Pea Patch
to 80, 900 dollars.
Mr. PRESTON made some general observations
upon the system of fortfcations, and expressed the
opinion that if these expenditures were increased
unreasonably, or beyond the amounts contempla-
ted i'm the system, the Treasury would not be com
potent to sustain it..
After some remarks from Mr.. CALHOUN and
Mr.. CLAYTON, in defence of the system and the
necessity of the increased sum, the amendment was
agreed to.
Mr. BENTON moved a further amendment for
Sl00, 900 for the of the several fortifca-
tlons which was agreed to.
The amendments were then all concurrcd in, and
the bill ordered to be cngrossed for a third reading
On motion of Mr. HENDRICKS, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration ofcxeeutiye business
and after some time spent therein,
The Senate ad journcd.
Now what one of these items of appropriations
were increased by the Senate WAS that relating
to the Fortifcation in this harbor There we're but
two; that relating to Fort Delaware and that re-
latng to the repairs of Castle Island in the harbor
of Boston all the others with the exception of the
hundred thousand dollars for arming the forti-
tications in reference to new works.
These appropriations for new works, were in ref
crer to a contingent War-State, as to which the
House had the same right to offer the Three millions
hundred thousand dollars.
Mr.. Buchanan's remarks settle the question as to
the Senatc's object; he says the question with the
War Department w;., where the City of Philadcl-
phia could be the most readily and ckcaply dcfen-
ded the result of the enquiry that it could bet
ter be done at Fort Mifllin. lie hoped mouH not
be necessary Jm iii shouId mdoaJfcdlv, the repairs
ought to be mdde."
We come back then to the only disputed point
the loss of the Fortifcation bill with which branch
must we charge the loss of that Bill They (hc
Scnate) had it about five weeks during the whole of
which time, they were doing every thing except what
they ought to have done; and when they sent it
back to the House, it was by way of amendments
laden with heavy items not to he justified except up
on an expectation of War. The House responded
to them, and in effect ssd that if your action has
been in reference state of War, we will give
you an addition of three millions, not however to
be touched unless War shall exist but this would
not do the popular brdnch-the Housc-hc peo-
pies men, are the friends of the executive and what
eyer they propose the President may have credit for
We will not, say the Senate, agree to any of your
propositions, we will sooner lose the Bill they
did cause the Bill to be lost. 1t is said the House
ought sooner to have taken up the bill, which the
Senate with their amendments, sent back to the
House. This could not have been done and none
but a wiseacrc will contend that it could be done
On Monday the Senate took up the bill, as
in Committee of the whole, and adopted the several
amendments proposed On Tuesday the bill was
cngrosscd and finally passed on Wednesday it was
sent to the House, and with the amendments referr-
ed to the Committee of Ways and Means, of the
House :-Thursday was the only day that commit
tee, as committee could consider Of it; aud ifthev
fully considered it on that day, which they did not,
and could not, for the committee of the House had
to apply to the War Department for information