The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRrpaY, Feb. l6.

Mr. HOWARD stated to the House that be had this
morning received communication from the Secretary OF
State, in relation to the state of things the Northern
Frontier which called impcriousy for the immediate
action Of the House the bill for the preservation Of
the neutral relations of the United States the
Northern Frontier. The substance Of the information
was, that large military force moving from
the northern side of Lake Ere against Canada The
expedition would move through Michigan to Detroit,
where its force would, doubt, be greatly increased
The people on the route had literally Supplied the
troops with arms and munitions of He sent to
the Chair several communications sent from Generals
Scott and Brady on the subject, which were read.
Mr. HOWARD said there being no law for the pro-
lection Of the peace Of the frontier which could reach
the case had necessarily to interpose the military
power.
The bill from the Senate, entitled an act to amend
Gan act in addition to act to punish certain crimes
against the United States" was then read second
time. #,t
[The bill provides for the arrest trial. and punish
ment OF persons levying troops collecting military
stores the frontier Of the United States for trans
portaton any place within any foreign State colony
conerninous with the United States, when the crcum'
stances OF the shall render probable that troops
and stores intended TO be employed in carrying
on war against any citizens subjects Of sucn con-
terminous State colony
Mr. HOWARD offered an amendment to the bill
providing that the provisions Of the bill should not
tend to the trade in munitions Of war between
this and OtneT countries, not COHteTInlnOuS. TOT tHc
want Of some bill Of this kind the peace of as country
had often been hazarded The danger OF collision had
passed away from the theatre where lately apprc
ened and had sprung up IN another quarter To resort
to military power to enforce neutrality
sisent with the general policy Of this country where tho
object could be effected by the civil power The object
Of the bill 10 preserve neutrality by the interpo
sition Of the civil authority.
Mr. HOLSEY opposed any immediate and hasy
ton on the BILL It changed the general policy Of the
United States regard TO this subject, and calcu
lated to n,erpose obstacles the regular trade of
citizens He would 90 as far any to preserve the
neutrality Of the u S in regard any friendly nation
and to prevent citizens from taking pant in any war
But TO attempt TO restrict our regular export trade,
on account OF any war, waglng between two foreign
powers TO depart from uniform and well settled
policy as nation. He commended that our legislation
this subject must be confined othe prevention Of any
nerposition the part Of our citizens in the domestic
hrols of another state Togo any farther would be
violation Of the principles Of constitution and Of the
settled policy both Of this and other commercial ma
tons The bill did not confne itself TO civil wars, but
might be extended TO any war springIng up between
conterninous state aud any foreign country The bill
should he restricted merely TO authorize the selz
of any articles contraband Of war, intended to be
into any belhgercnt countries, the interference
Of citizens Of the U. S. in the domestic brols Of any
nation, whether conerminous with us or not
Mr. LOOMS suggested that he should be under the
necessity OF offering a substitute for the whole bill
In every quarrel borders the feeling arising on
side of the line would necessarily extend It 10 the
oher-especiay when the contest was between opPTes
sion and liberal principles The provisions OF this bill
he objected to- for its want Of sufficient guards. i cx-
posed czeus TO vcxaon and trouble, while in the pur
suit Of their ordinary aud legal business It gave OIL
the power to infringe upon private rghts-to arrest
the persons and property Of individuals without process
Of law and to seize upon belonging opriyate IN
diyiduals
After some farther discussion in which Messrs How
ard Shields, Holsey, and Smith took part,
Mr.. SHIELDS moved TO postpone the farther consl-
dera,ion Of the bill I'LL Tuesday next
Mr.. CAMBREI.ENG opposed this motion.
Mr.. HAYNES appealedt TO the gentleman from Ten
nessec to Withdraw the motion.
The motion TO postpone was rejected
The amendment offered by Mr. HOWARD was
agreed TO-
Mr.. FILLMORE spoke generally against the bill.
He considered il as infringing upon the rights OF his
fellow citizens the northern frontier and giving an
arbitrary power to Executive officers, TO he exercised
against our own citizens. Much as he deprecated q
war with England he would not from apprehension Of
such war; deprive his fellow citizens and constituents