The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-22

of thunder upon this subject so destructive /,
their interests, who, think you, will be found OF
the side OF the Executive, and arraycd agains
the wish Of the People2 | am not prepared /,
think the member himself will 90 so far al thi.
time as TO insist that democracy consists in on
posing he People and in strengthening N,
Federal E.recmire.
every member of the party in power voting tina
the printing Of this House should not be done
by such person as would do il the cheapest and
saying substantially by their vote, that the PEG
Pile shall be taxed for the support of partisan
paper, which most of them despise. Is that de
mocracy2 Do members suppose that the intel
ligent freemen Of this nation are to be misled by
the repetition OF empty names, regardless of the
votes and acts Of their public servants2 The
time is coming, and now is, when public men
will be judged by their rorks and known by
their fruits.
Another grave charge, which was made by
the member from Hamilton, is, that The sup
porters Of General Harrison opposed The late
lrar. This charge, ! believe, also rests upon
mere assertion, unsustained by proof. Resting,
as il does, upon the word of the member. am
much embarrassed as 10 the mode of meeting il.
| can speak, however, what know in regard TO
IT, The district which have the honor TO repre-
sent contains, probably, from $4,000 10 100000
inhabitants. Il will, ] think, give General Har-
rison majority Of at least 5000 votes. have
lived within the district thirty -four years, and
am generally acquainted with The people can
say, with much pleasure, that, among all the
supporters Of General Harrison in that district,
am unable TO point 10 an individual who OPP
posed the late war. | regret that the member is
not in his seat | would have inquired lrh0 Of
the supporters Of General Harrison opposed the
war I? Did he mean TO include the Wing Sena-
tors. or the Wing members Of this House
can hardly suppose he would be willing 10 in
clude in his charge either Of the honorable gen
temen from Kentucky, (Messrs. Underwood
and Green,) who. | understand, fought so gal
lantly at Fort Meigs, under General Harrison,
and whose blood mingled with the soil Of the
Maumee valley, while death, with all its hor-
rors, and in all its varied forms, was visible on
every side. They are now charged with OPP
posing the war in which they bled. AT the time
Of General Hull's surrender, lived with my
father in the county in which still reside. The
regiment within the limits Of which lived ex-
tended over a territory OF perhaps thirty miles in
length and fifteen in width and contained pro-
badly -four hundred and fifty men. These men
were ordered out en- masse; every able-bodied
man, between eighteen and forty -ive years of
age, was called on to protect our frontier. With
them old men of sixty and lads of sixteen march
predecessor, with whom most of the committee
are acquainted, was as punctual and faithful in
serving his country then as he was while a
member here, and as he now is in sustaining
General Harrison. The regiment To which |
have alluded was first in the field, and preceded
the other troops, and took up a position within
the territory infested with savage foes. As early
as the 18th of September, one half the regiment
marched forward and took possession Of the
stockade, subsequently, called Fort Stephenson.
From that point small party advanced to
Portage river. q am aware, Mr.. Chairman,
that on may think me DEPRESSING but intend only
to follow out the charge in detaii) One-half Of
the regiment was lying at Camp Avery, under
the command of gallant officer, late Hon.
Richard HAYES now no more. While he lived,
he opposed present party inpower, and IN 1886,
used his efforts and influence in favor of the
brave General under whom he served. Another
part were at Fort Stephenson, under charge OF a
highly esteemed officer, MAJOR Frazler) who
long since left that country, but ! know not
whether he now lives to take part in the present
political contest, if So have no doubt he will
be found under the broad banner of $ Harrison
and Retorm." A company Of some forty men
were sent forward TO Portage river, under the
command of a most fearless officer and upright
citizen, Captain Parker) who ] believe is as
viglant now In convincing and converting what
few Administration men are to be found in his
neighborhood as he then was in searching out
the enemies of his country. On the evening of
the 2Sth September, the spies brought to Camp
Avery intelligence of a body of Indians having
been discovered on the peninsula north of San
dusky bay. Volunteers were called for, and
most Of the men then in camp able for duty
turned out. There We're scventy-two in all
knew them, and am still acquainted with most
of them The captain lieutenant, the non
commissioned officers and men, nearly all are
vet residents of my district, and, ] believe, are
all Harrison men at least am unable TO name
single man among them who supports MIR,
Van Buren,. They left camp at evening, march
ed all night and the next day encountered an
enemy far superior in numbers, and lost, in
killed and wounded, one-sixth of their men,
Twice they were furiously attacked by a supe-
rior force in one day, and twice they defeated
their enemies. Their leader, Captain Cotton,
and, believe, most Of his men, still live to put
forth their efforts once more for their country s
benefit Among those who fell on that day were
my friends and companions. The bodies OF my
comrades were buried in rude graves amid the
gloomy forest, which yet spreads its shade over
their uncoffined and slightly covered remains
The story Of their fall is still related by those
who were with them. But, believe il has ne
yer vet been told on paper | beg pardon for the
aggression. ! nave alluded 10 tneSe Iacts, IN
part, TO do justice TO some of the supporters OF
General Harrison, as well as to show the foun-
dation of the charge made by the member from
Hamilton | was then lad of sixteen. My
father had been soldier of the Revolution. He
was too nfrm for hard and active service; but,
feeling that our frontier was in danger, he did
not hesitate to send his son. | was dismissed
from the. paternal residence with the prayers OF
tender mother for my safety. Equipped with
my gun and knapsack, joined the regiment TO
which have alluded; and perhaps may be ex-
cused for saying that continued with them UNI
til they We're regularly discharged. But, sir,
myself and comrades are now said to have OPP
posed the late war Mr. Chairman, regret that
the ,,ln,L, L.r ,rLL. IL. .L.r / -, Ii