The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-24
MONDAY MORNING, AUGUST "a.
EIoRIDA-THE BLOODY BILL.

ELORIDA.-IHE BI-OOD1 DILL
rur FRuITs OF FAvoRrTIsM AND CoRRUPTIoN!!
We have, on several occasions, identified Mr.
Poinsett's plan, with the "BLOODY BILL" OF
General jackson. We did not then expect that
the reality would have been so soon enacted; that
the Governor of petty province, himself, the
creature of corruption, the spawn Of eXecu-
tive favoriteism, weuld so soon demonstrate the
truth of all our objections to that fatal measure
By reference to the extraordinary news from
Florida, it will be seen that at the very time
that the Indians were numbering our citizens
and desolating an entire settlement, Governor
Reed. the chosen instrument of executive cor
ruption in Florida, was perpetratlng the most
daring outrage that has ever disgraced the histo-
nv of this country. There cannot be stronger
illustration of the extent to which the corrupt
use of patronage may be driven than this-there
can be no outrage on the laws calling for more
exemplary punishment Its enormity IS so great
that we are astounded, and cannot realise its
truth 1t is only by looking back tethe fatal con-
sequences of military usurpation in the past his
tsry of other governments, that we approach
fair estimate of the character of this transac-
ton. 1t has no parallel in the history of our
own country. The quartering of troops in the
city of Boston, which led to our glorious ReVo-
luton, had the pretence of law. 1t was to main
tain the will of Parliament-but here, after
spending millions upon millions of dollars, and
enriching favorites with the public plumber, at a
rate which was never before known in con-
queredprovince, to consummate the measure oil
oppression, the President dismissed from office
Coy. Call, and, in violation of the will Of the
people, appointed Gov. Reed, having no sim
gle recommendation for the office, but that he
was a favorite-a favorite, and willing to i'm
itate his master, and do his bidding.
Hence, instead of urging upon Congress
measures to terminate the war, that body was
permitted to adjourn without appropriations, and
DIr. Poinsett, of his own authority, undertook to
organize one thousand militia, not, as it would
seem, for the defence Of the injured people of
Florida, but a political corps, and to protect
the executive fayorite in his usurpation and cor
ruption.
We recur again to the extraordinary specta-
Gle BY recurrence to dates it will be seen that
the troops were called in from the frontier on
the 9Th, and that on the night of the sixth, the
massacre was perpetrated. But we recur to this
coincidence, only by way OF illustration-only by
way of demonstrating in more striking colors, the
manner in which MIR. Van Buren, administers the
law: we would call public attention also to the
fact that when the citizens of Florida remGn-
strated against an outrage, which, under almost
any other government, and among almost any
other people, would have led to bloody civil
war, this deputy of the petty tyrant at Wash
ington, sneeringly tells them that he knows his
master, that he is responsible to Mr.. Van Buren,
and not to them, for the manner in which he ex-
srcises the power placed in his hands
Gov. Reed knew his man. He knew that
MIR. Van Buren, appointed him as partisan, and
expected him to act as partisan. Hence, no
sooner did he ascertain that the people had APP
pealed to the President, than he despatched Mr.
Walker Anderson, the author of the insulting
and lying resolution, that gave birth to to the
excitement, to lay his merits at the feet of Mr..
Forsyth and Mr.. Van Buren,, and to interpose
his partisan services between the insulted majes-
ty of the laws and the punishment which his
conduct so richly deserves. What commenta-
nv on Mr. Van Buren's system of government!
Would Governor Reed have deputed the au-
thor of the outrage to Washington il he did not
expect to find protection in the partisan character
of the resolution.
For the present, we say nothing about the
manner in which Governor Reed has quartered
his sons-in-law and relations on the Public Trea-
sury--how he has divided the "spoils" among
his own family. We recur to the fact that he
has been emboldencd to commit this outrage by
the confidence which he reposes in the Executive
favor; and we recur to the fact that he sent up
Anderson, the author of this lying partisan
resolution, to plead his cause against the people,
to show that he relies upon the character of
that very resolution-false and calumnious as
he knows it to be-to cover over his outrageous
conduct, and to protect him from the consequent
ces of the public indignation. What a specta-
cle!. Was there ever any thing like it before
in the history of any people!! Here is Gov
ernor whose duty it is to protect people against
the murderous savage, and clothed with the
OF the militia for that purpose, calling
around his own person that very force which
should have been on the frontier, to protect him.
,elf from popular indignation, at moment
when whole neighborhood is murdered, and
heir dwellings laid in ashes. And how does
,e Justify himself' By sending partisan with
ring resolutions, got up to deceive and mislead
he judgment of an injured and insuited people,
) 4 messenger to the President, not with ex-
or reasons for his conduct, but with
Professions Of partisan fealty; invoking the Elk
,utive protection, not because he deserves 1t,
ut because he is partisan--an Executive tool
nd instrumental!
We await to see whether the President dares
, continue in Office such Governor, who, BY
Il