The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-09-01
EXECUTIVE UsURpATIoN.

On the 3lst of July last, public attention was
called to the fact, that Congress refused 10 add
fifteen hundred men 10 the standing army in
Florida. This was no sooner done than Mr.
Poinsett ordered 1900 men into the Florida ser
vice, either upon his own, or Mr. Van Buren,s
responsibility, and had given the command Of
them 10 Gen. Read, in connection with the CO
vernon OF that Territory II was asked. what
right had Mr. Poinsett TO do this, or where did
he procure the means? twas maintained that
Il he possessed this right, he might order out his
100000 men, appoint his officers distribute pay
amongst them, and, like Cromwell, set himself
up TO be the protector Of the Empre.p The
public were reminded that in the course Of along
series Of usurpations, the Executive Department
had swallowed up all the powers Of the Govern
ment, including banking, legislating, carry ing on
war, &c, and thus there was no further use for
Congress. Among the first effects of this last
acio Executive usurpaton, TO which we directed
the notice OF our readers, was the assembling. by
the Governor, of large number of hired soldiery
in the streets Of Tallahassee, to overawe the
citizens, under pretence OF preserving the public
peace, but in reality, to intimidate a political
meeting How gloriousy this creature of the
Executive was driven by the Justly indignant
Ialahasseeans from the 'pidRn of substitution
OF the bdyonet for the lars we have already
shown.
The Globe, with characteristic mpudence
and disregard OF the truth, denies the charge
above mentioned, and gives the following ac-
count of the facts
There were 1000 militia raised, and in service in
orida, Tor the defence of the settlement They
were called out In the usual manner under the autho
rity vested IN the Executive by the Constitution
Finding this force sufficient and thai murders
continued to be perpetrated the War Department
called upon the Governor of Florida to increase to
100 men, to divide 1t into two regiments and place
the whole under the command Of Brigadier General
Reid OF the Florida militia. All this would have
been done if Congress had acted on the measure pro-
posed by the War Department, and granted two or
three battalions of light troops be enlisted for the
continuance OF the war, and TO be armed equipped,
and drilled with a view to prepare them TO take the
field against the Indians of Florida"
Now, these laundering paragraphs contain
"A series of mstakes-and worse than mistakes.
The assertions of the Madsonian no more
referred to the 1000 militia that "were"
raised, than TO the blood hounds .'in servicen
The Ignorant editors of the Globe ought TO
States officers, is TO be commanded by General
Read not REID"
Robert Raymond Reid, though, as Governor
OF the Territory, Commander-in-C Chief. was,
apparently, deemed man of peace, and only
equal to the drilling of .'he pdrty.n
The onmmittaa an hoh,f 10 H. a;,,,o,a r.
Tallahassee, however, in their remonstrance of
the 10th instant, assure Mr.. VAN buren, that,
''towards the PEOPLE he assumes a belHgerent
attitude, employ the troops in parading around
his house and through the streets, 10 the terror
| Of orr peaceable citizens, misappyng the
time OF the military, and squandering the means
of the Government, not for the defence of the
| orpREssIoN.o
| Gen. Read Is younger man, and it is believ-
ed of purer patriotism, which will not permit
him 10 withdraw the troops he is ron raising,
from those frontiers exposed to real and terrific
| foe, to protect the Governor in the bosom of
| peaceable community from idle and childish
fears.
/ L
sertion Of the Madsonian, relative to the Sin
crease" As to the rest Of the officials silly
twaddle, il would be a waste oftime to notice
it.
The "assertions" so insolently denied are re-
peated, and the Globe is challenged to produce
the constitutional order of the President for this
new species Of brigade of 1900 men furnished
with officers of the regular staff.
Will the Government editor say where the
"means" are procured What estimates were
furnished for any appropriation for such an OBJ
ject? What act of Congress authorized it?
II is to the mode and manner of this exc
cutive usurpation," that the Madisonian invoked
the attention of the people. 1t has been par
tcular, concise, and correct in its assertions"
as will abundantly appear on the production of
the record.
u