Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-10
,Eventy-f0urtil Congrcss--lst scss
Wednesday, May 4.
IN cES A'rE

,a,n. ~ W. onl.;na list Of contracts made ny 'he
Department during the year lo.s: c the Treasury in
Also report from the Secretary OF u'e e 49, -;
renv 10 resolution of the Senate calling tor Inc OPP
MON, If The Department as the expectancy OF an IN
crease in the compensation OF ce'"s ,h;c,, ,so
AIR Clay offered the following sesosutioh' WINCH lies
over for consideration: l., A.
sctsd m inuuire into the expectancy OF so amending
the Existing laws to subject all hemp exported INTO
the u States from any place whatsoever, to The same
Jntv as Russian hemp may be liable to pay for the time
being ,r,
nli Benton from the Committee Military Affairs,
reported, with amendments, bill from the House to au
thcrse the President to accept The services OF volunteers
&c. asked the Senate 10 Proceed 10 the consideration
Of the bill and amendments.
zone Of these amendments provides for cons,dcru
bic addition to the army.
Mr. Linn expressed lis hone that the bill would he ia.
ken up at for consideration, some immediate ac
ton Of Congress necessary ia consequence OF the
state Of things the frontier and its exposed coalition
MIR. Ewing, of Ohio hoped that the amendments
would be allowed to take the course and lie ioe con-
sideration; and that the Land b which was the order
for yesterday, would be taken up and disposed Of
before my other subject should be taken up.
Mr.. Linn added few words in addition TO what ne
had before suggested and which We regret that our po
sition prevented US from hearing.
Mr. Preston stated that the amendments proposed ths
addition of regiment Of dragoons, and also consdera
bic augmentation Of the Army. 1t was suggested that
strange occurrences had taken place oar frontier
that an army flushed with and rendered furious
from the taste Of blood rapidly approaching our iron
tier Rumors of this character were we'll calculated to
produce certain degree Of anxiety in the boso.'s ID
American citizens. His Imagination had Leen
s,a,ed-hs feelings deeply panied he had been sens
bic Of something Of Indignation OF The runors Oh
outrages appalling to humanity, which had reached him.
His feelings had been reused our countryn'eh, our
friends our relatives massucrcd in cold blood, and
as report says in violation oeVery sort OF pedge-mas
sacred afis surrendering 10 powerful force, acting
under an able military commander. But the run"'s
went still further II said that there had been ne
potiations with the Indians the frontier Tor the pur
pose of enshg their hostility against citizens on
the frontier. True, there no other foundation for
these statements but these rumors and these FuEaors
were in themselves contra !icory. Gcnemcn wao nre
well versed in tn. geography OF the country, had been
unable to trace the operations the map. Tie whole
mass Of great confusion. We are all possessed
with vague idea that something hotsSe has hap.
pened. In this state Of things, perple ny vague and
general rumors, presented with OF possible
necessity to urge to hasten measure, in reference
TO which it TO be particularly desirable that Tue
Senate should have the most exact information ON the
subject There may be gentlemen who had better lntor-
nation than he had, and they should come forward
nnd communicate It.
Rumor says that distinguished officer, Msjor.Gene-
raj in the American Army, the frontiers, has made
call on the Executives Of three States for force a" mi
itn, and that the militia, to the nuuIbr OF OUu have
been embodied II is supposed thai still stronger mea-
will become necessary, and that the Executive arm
will have 10 be extended before more tranquil state
Of things be produced. lie willing as his
friend (Mr Lnn) tn protect the frontier. He was as
ready to 60 far whenever the exigences OF circum
stances should acquire it. Blu, he hoped that gentle.
would not suffer their feelings to be excited and
urged beyond what the law OF nations would justify
lie hoped that gentlemen would concur with him In OPT
Mon that they did not here to indulge private aud
personal feelings, but to shape their to in.
the greatest advantages to those whom they repre-
scented. He could not sit down without sayins that his
feelings had been panied; and lie would repeat that he
ready to far his friend from Missouri ~ pro-
tect the frontier, und in all circumstances, " 20 far
as he would in doing that which right. he hoped
that gentleman would take the necessary steps to
obtain the information much desired the ss.lect.
As member Of the Military Committee, he would be
glad that all possible information should be before the
Senate and that the should not I've pressed
til that information should be obtained. lie did not
into the Senate to-day prepared to go into this
question He should be ready at any time TO 60 into
the consideration of the subject but lie thought the best
to dispose of the land bill, and afterwards
to consider thI bill.
Mr. Clay said the proposition, if he understood it, was
TO take up military bill from the House, passed this
morning, providing Tor an increase Of the army, and au
thorzing the cslling out Of ten thousand volunteers
Every Senator here undoubtedly willing as the
gentleman from South Carolina, to do whatever the
honor, interest," and tranquility Of the country required
to be done But he must very different state of
things from cny that had as yet presented ITSELF before
he should be willing IL interrupt the pacific relations of
the Government, and precpitaling into u with
Mexico.
If there was cause just and righteous cause for
such step, he trusted should act promptly and
fully; but, yet, had bat rnmors Of the nl!uiuun
scenes which said to have been enacted. AS yet,
so lar as respected this county, there ground for
engaging in hostilities with aay tosegu power
1t was not yet the proper time TO into the consde
ration Of this subject. II should be taken up deliberate
ly, and with all the information that could possibly be
obtained II was proposed 10 augment the military force
OF The country; and il proper 10 consder by how
large number OF men, and Of officers capable Of
IN rhopc If bath
sary; but without great and controlling necessity,
there should be an increase of neither
fie came into the Senuir this morning under the full
expectation that the final disposition would be- made Of
the land BILL before proceeding to the consde ruon Of
any other subject. There time enough look into
this measure. There particular urgency for con-
sidering 1t at this moment. He had been told that We
had lately at Tampa Buy ,0UQ men, engaged in u con-
with or 7UO miserable indians: these we had mel
ther conquered nor found and unless could show
somewhat better capacity for war; We had better refrain
from engaging in one.
II Santa Anna should commence hostes with US
ii he should invade trunlicr-and he had q, yet.
shown no such lntenton-That WIS 10 prevent our
transporting this force from Tampa Bay TO the Sabine
prevent any violation OF neutrality and Of existing trea
ties IN that quarter? But unless there actual or
threatened INVASION We were not called upon for any
active measures. At any rate we wanted information
mas no communication been made 10 Government
from that of Mexico? No assurances been given tina,
existing treaties would be respected? II So let US have
Soi, i" hiS opiHlon, coulu not Idll 10 bring us
such facts as would in great quiet tn.
lie apprehension Ele had risen, however for the sole
purpose OF saying, that when final vote expected
on the Land bill to-day he was unwilling 10 have tha,
measure put aside, as it had been repeatedly and that
too' IN very unusual and unparlia,nentary manner
de hoped The Senate would proceed TO It's
Mr.. Benton SAID: Here meet the land bill again.
Call up what subject we will, find the lpndhil ia The
way Bills OF the greatest Importance arc foundcred by
coming INTO contact with the land bill The iar,l6cauon
Dill ioun1 tue 'au OH 100 great an impeachment tooyer-
come Every bill finds this land bill in its wav. /, i
like the frogs of Egypt which found On the tables
and even in the nuptia bed.
Mr. B. then went on TO state the course he had MR.
sued in the progress Of the land b and the efforts no
had made get up The fertilization bill He trusted tina,