The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-04-15
CONGR ESS.

States 10 raise 1900 men TO serve against the
Florida Indians. The introduction of this bill
gave rise to debate, in The course Of which Mr.. !
Preston stated that although the Indians had
killed many white men within the two years
past, not one Indian had been killed in that
space Of time. The expense OF the war was
$4,000 a day. After some further debate the
bill was ordered 10 be engrossed.
In the House, the whole day was devoted to
the consideration Of resolutions and the reeep-
ton of petitions. Among the resolutions agreed
10 was the following:
On motion Of Mr.. Briggs,
ReSoIuCd, That the Committee on Manufae-
lures be instructed to inquire into the expeden-
cy Of laying duties on imported wines, foreign
silks, silk worsted goods. and such foreign aui-
ces Of luxury that are now duty free as come
in competition with the growth OF our own soil.
or the products Of our labor. and yield no rev
cnue TO the Government.
On Tuesday and Wednesday no business was
done in either House, in consequence Of the
death of Senator Thadeus Bets OF Connect
cut, which occurred on Tuesday morning
His funeral took place on Wednesday.
THURSDAY in the Senate. was chiefly spent in
the consideration Of private bills.
! In the House, an interesting debate arose on
the subject Of national de(ences. Of which we
take the following account from the
/ Correspondence Of the Journal of Commerce
WAsHISGToN, Thursday, April 9Th.
NATIONAL DEFENCE.
In the House, Mr.. Hands resolution calling
upon the Secretary of War for statement of
the works necessary TO place the northern and
north western frontier in a permanent state Of
defence, was taken up. On the suggestion of
Mr.. Wise. the resolution was so amended rs 10
authorize the Secretary to report full and
corrected system Of national defence, embrac-
ing steam aud other vessels of war, and floating
batteries, for coast and harbor defence. Some
discussion upon II ensued, which was Of a
character, on the whole, favorable TO the pre-
valllng idea that there can be no difficulty with
England the subj Ject of this Boundary ques-
ton,
Mr.. Adams's views on the sublect were re-
ceved with that profound attention which was
due his patriotism, as an American. and his
wisdom, as a statesman. While he supported
the rights of Maine, in regard TO the territory,
he discouraged the war fever, which has seem
ed ready to rise on this occasion. He in
Forsyth and Mr.. Fox. that the matter was on
the eve of adjustment, unless Maine should
commit some rash act; and ha Of opinion
that Maine would continue 10 conduct with
the utmost forbearance and proprety. He
deemed il next to impossible that any collision
could grow out Of the question; but he did not
consider this as any reason for negectng the
national deiences. The country in his opin-
, ion. ought 10 be always prepared against any
: eudden attack.
Mr. Smith, of Maine, in some animated re-
marks, expressed the opinion that Maine could
not and would not recede from the position she
, bad taken on this subject.
MIR. Thompson. OF >. c., said that he could
not oppose The course taken by this sdmnstrs-
ton, on the Maine boundary question. II was
due to it TO say that its course had been moder-
ate and dignlfed, while, AZ the same time, it
showed a proper American spirit. lie believed
war to be impossible. II could only arise from
rashness on the part OF the State OF Maine /:
and, while we would forgive much even to ex-
cesses IN quarrel of so irritating a nature, he
would hold Maine to strict responsibility for
the public peace. To talk Of a war by her a.
lone was 4 mere Bobadil. The war would be
ours; aud therefore the negotiation should be
} ours. AS To preparations for war, he could
advise none, under the present state OF things.
Should news from England Justify preparation
which he could not anticipate--there would
be ample time for il. He could not concu ur
. withthe gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Wise) in
= the apprehension that single frgate could
put our cities under contribution. Ele did
not believe that we were so very weak and de
fenceless as that gentleman supposed.
Mr.. Wise demanded of the gentleman. as a
member of the Committee OF Military Affairs.
whether he knew the actual state OF the fortfi-
{ cations, aud OF the Navy-whsther he knew
the actual number of guns that were wanting
10 arm these forifcations-in short, whether
: he was prepared TO inform the House on this
subject.
Mr.. Thompson could not respond to quss-
ton of this sort. The committee might do il.
But this he was ready to say-that no one YES
sci, nor fleet of vessels, would find il so easy
matter TO lay one of our towns under contrihu-
) tiou rs he imagined. He believed, moreover
that. in six months time, we could put fort.
in state of defence.
The previous question was moved and the
resolution was agreed to rerl. diss.
Mr. Bond of Ohio, asked leave to make =
personal explanation, which of course was
= granted. The explanation related to some
passage in debate, reported in the Globe
between him and two OF his colleagues. Messrs
Weller and Medll. quarrel followed. OF
course. and harsh words were banded Mr.
Wise well remarked that explanations we're
: formerly granted TO prevent misunderstanding
but now they were used 10 promote brdwls.
10 the Senate ou Friday. there was more thar
6 the ordinary number OF petitions, together will
= private reports.
In the House, the resolution reported frou
q the Committee on Public Expenditures, pro
q posing TO abolish that committee on the groun,
= that said committee had no duties TO perform
0 wa, discussed during the morning hour by Mr.
= Gushing in opposition to, and Mr.. Briggs in ia
a vor OF, the resolution. During the remainds
e OF the dsy, the Ci'il aud Diplomatic ApprOpra
rion bill was discussed in committee on ih