Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-09

any allusion to il in his message. Early
in that session Mr.. Wise moved the ap.
pointment ola committee by ballot, 10 en-
pH.c into the delays and alleged abuses Of
that war. Mr.. GIascoek e.. + forth
with moved an amendment, which was in
substance to strike out the words "by bal
lot " thus leaving the appointment of the
rommittee to Mr.. Polk Mr.. Howard
II. FL moved that the inquiry be referred
IN the Committee on Military affairs
which was at that time composed Of eight
Loco Focos and one Wing! Mr.. Adams
opposed the reference on the ground that
il was the Uniform parliamentary practice
10 secure the appointment OF a committee,
favorable 10 investigation. Mr.. Gholson
IL. E. followed in the footsteps of Mr.
Howard. Mr.. M'kay a.. F. was op
posed 10 the raising Of any committee.
lie wished to wait till the commencement
Of the next session, and then refer one
branch Of the subject 10 the Committee on
Indian Affairs, another to the Committee
Of Military Affairs, and third to the Com.
m;ttee on the Expenditures Of the War
Department. Mr.. Wise opposed the de-
Law, as tic evil was urgent, and the rene.
dy to be applied Immediately: it was his
wish that the committee should be raised
with authority to sit during the recess of
Congress. Twenty times during the ses.
sion, the resolution of Mr.. Wise came be.
fore the House twenty times it was baf-
fed and talked down by the NJ Kays,
Gholsons, Towards, Glascccks, and other
merccnaries in the Kings Own, and the
session passed without the opportunity of
action.
What was the meaning oflhisl Whence
this solicitude to prevent Investigation p
Why this resolute determination to shut
out light from the people! Because the ad-
ministration knew full well the corruptions
and abuses practised under the p,eience
of a Florida war. Because it furnished
inexhaustibc resources for rewarding par
tisans, aud pensioniug favorltes.
Rice Garland stated on the floor of the
House, that he had it from unquestionabIe
authority, that instances had occurred in
which wood had been boua hit by the gov
eminent at Sl75 a cord-and in which
steamboat had made enough at a single
trip along the coast and up ore of the riv-
ers to cover her original cost. Mr.. Wise
made similar temcnts-declared his
readiness to prove them by satisfactory
evidence if the house would grant him a
comm ttce of investigation. The truth Of
these statements caS not denied by he nd
mnisirdEon; bit the resolution of inqt1yV
rds defe tied by intrigue and fraud
But while the President did not condo.
scend TO alludc TO this subject in the mes
sage of the Extra Session; and while ali
inquiry into the affairs of the war, was st-
fled by the myrnidons Of the administra-
ton Mr. Poinsctt came before the House
with a cool request for a MI ion and a
half dollars for the purpose ''of bringing
the war TO speedy and successful close"
The friends Of the Crown were unwilling
to inquire into the circumstances, which
called for the expenditure, but voted with
out investigation all that Mr.. Poinsel de-
sired.
Here VIC have an exhibition in the first
place Of gross negligence and insolerce
on the part of the President, in demand
ing million and half of dollars for the
prosecution of hostililes, which had not
been originated by Congress, had never
been the subject Of a special communica-
tion to Congress, and had not even been
alluded to III the most distant manner in
the Executive message.
We have again an exhibition Of fraud.
ulent result since on the part ofthe admin
istration to authorize a y inquiry into
abuses which were known to exist, and
which were supposed 10 protract the war.
lf the Executive had not profitted by those
abuses if it had not thrived and strength
ened on this corruption; if it had not in
fact stimulated, encouraged, and sustained
them, would it have resorted 10 such un.
worthy means TO suppress investigation
When attacked, if innocent, would 1t not
have challenged inquiry
So much for Mr.. Van BureG's first con-
nection, as President, with the Florida war;
silence in his message, the gag law in Con.
gress, and a draft of million and hall
OIL the Treasury