Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-04-02
From the United States Gazette.
The case Of the Fertilization
BiIl fully stated.


Bill fully stated.
The Senate yindicated from the censure
OF defeating the Forti6cation Bill, and
the blame laid upon the shoulders OF
those whose conduct deserved il.
So many misrepresentation are circulated
respecting the Bill making appropriations for
Fortifications, that we have deemed it a duty
TO inquire particularly into the facts, and 10
present them in a form as clear md conden-
Sed as the circumstances would allow. These
facts we have gathered from the most anthem
tic sources, and every assertion which we
make, is sustained by reference 10 the record
of the proceedings of the two Houses or
where they were from the nature of the case,
deficient, we have resorted for information to
those whose situation gave them an opportu-
nifty of knowing all that took place.
The Bill, as originally reported in the
House and passed, contained appropriations
to the amount Of only four hundred and thirty
nine thousand dollars, Tor several of the forts,
and "for contingencies of Fortifcations."-
This amount is believed to be not much more
than one half the ordinary annual appropria-
ton on this subject, get this was the amount
which a Jackson House Of Representatives, pro-
crease Of it for several objects, the leading
men objecting to the increase.
The Bill was passed and sent to the Senate
on the 2lst January--at a lime, when, if ever,
during the last session, it became the friends
of the President TO prepare to meet the crisis
which was threatened BY the course of the
Executive, on the French question. There
,ras no more danger at the close Of the Session,
than there ,cas ,rhen this Bill passed The House
on The 2ld Of January. IT the Executive--iI'
the House OF Representatives intended further
appropriations, to put the country in posture
of defence, why were they not proposed at
that time? Why not offered, so that they
could be considered and examined? 1t would
be difficult for fair men of the administration
party to answer these questions. If four
hundred and thirty nine thousand dollars were
all that was necessary on the 2lst Of January,
it was all that was necessary at The close Of
the session. lfthat sum, for specific objects, Of
ichich Congress was to judge, was sutficient,it
is difficult to imagine any honest object, in
putting THREE MILLIONS more at the sole dis
posai Of General Jackson, to be used at has dis
cretion.
On the 23d of January, the bill from the
House, haring had t,co readings in The Senate,
was referred to the Finance Committee.
On the 10Th Of february, the Bill was re-
ported with an amendment. All the items in
the bill from the House weIe agreed to, and
reported by the committee, and no dminu-
ton made IN the sums but on the contrary,
ONE HUNDRED AND sEvENTY-FIvE THOUSAND
DOLLARS were added by the committee, for
Castle Island. in Boston Harbor, and for For
tifications in Maryland.
On the Odd of February, the Bill was taken
up, out Of its order, to expedite its passage
The Bill as it came from the House, and the
amendments proposed by the committee,
were agreed to and three other items were
added, upon motion in the Senate, viz:
$4,000 more for Fort Delaware in the De-
laware River.
$4,000 for repairs and armament Of Fort
Mlffiin, and the adjacent pier below Philadel-
pha.
100000 for the armament of Fortifcations
These three items, added to the amend
ment proposed by the committee, make FoUR
HUNDRED AND THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS,
which were added to the bill by the Senate,an
it was passed and sent back to the House in
this condition. 1t came with an appropriation
of S439, ,000-it was returned to the House
Iappropriating EIGHT HUNDRED g. sIxTYNINE
THOUSAND DOLLARS. This does not look
much like an unwllingness in the Senate, TO
put the country in state of defence. The
Senate was not behind, but in advance efthe
House, in providing for the defence Of the
country.
On the Oath of February, this bill was sent
to the House yet nothing was heard Of it
until past eight O'Clock at night, on the Sd Of
March. Why this delay? 1t was in the
hands of the friends of the Administration
they might have amended and sent it back at
any moment they pleased, for they had a
large and manageable majority--yet they
kept it until the last night of the session.
When it was returned to the Senate, the
House had DISAGREED to the additional ap
preparation Of SS0, ZOO for Fort Delaware, and
had added $4,000 for another object; to
which last the Senate Immediately agreed,
but insisted OIL the appropriation for Fort
Delaware. From this point, the House sub :.
sequently receded, and the sum Of Sl7OOOO
for Fort Delaware, was agreed to. Thus 1t
appears that the legitimate and proper appro-
prations for immediate and specified objects,
received the deliberate assent of both houses,
and ought to have become law. The Sc
nate had granted all, and much more than all
that the President and the departments had
asked, and that the House had thought pro-
per and necessary. Why did not these APP
preparations thus agreed to, become a law?-
The answer can be given. The House at 9
O'Clock on the last night, had added new
section in the following words, viz:
"Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That
the sum Of three millions Of dollars be, and
the same is hereby appropriated, out of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, to be expended in whole or in part,
under the direction Of the President of the
Unit, States, for the military and naval ser
vice, including Fortfcotions and ordnance,
and increase of the navy; Provided such cx-