The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-05


of the Revolution
Mr. CLAY, of Ala, submitted resolution inqur-
ing OF the Commissioner Of the General Office whe-
uer any clerks have been appointed by him while in
once, and the grounds ON which such appointments,
II any, have been made. After conversation by
Messrs WHITE, ARCHER, and CLAY, Of Ala,
as 10 the propret OF calling the Heads of Depart
ments for information the resolution was modified
as TO call on the Secretary OF the Treasury for this
purpose. The resolution lies over one day.
Mr.. BENTON, on leave, introduced joint resolu-
ton IN relation to the purchase OF waterrotted hemp
for The use Of The Navy which was referred TO the
Committee on Naval Affairs
On motion of Mr. SEW TER, resolution was adopt
ed directing the Secretary of the Treasury inform
the Senate the amount Of Indian money, legacies or
trust funds, which has been invested in State stocks
and the amounts III the respective States.
The Fertilization bill then taken up the ques.
ton4 being on concurrlng with the amendment Of
the committee appropriatng SIS 900 for the purchase
OF site ior Western Southwestern, or Northwest
ern armory.
Mr.. BENTON at length, advocated the amend
ment, conIending that the establishment of such an
armofy was absolutely necessary for the defence of
the Western country, in order avoid the enormous
expense OF transporting munitions of war as they
were now compelled To do from Springfield, Mass
and other great distances.
Mr.. CLAY said when the idea of Western ar
mory was first originated, the alton between
distant parts of the country and the transportation OF
arms and munitlons OF war was attended with great
delay and expense, but the modes of commu mic alton
Ind been greatly improved. The existing arlnores
now manufactured "a 600 muskeis pr year. which in
ten years would amount to 240 900, which would be
adequate TO the wants OF the country. He had
however risen todiscuss this subject; he had formerly
favored this idea OF an armoTy, and would now vote
Tor II at the proper time it, after review of the sub
Ject 1t appeared necessary but IN the financial con-
don OF the Treasury 1t was entirely inexpedient to
make this appropriation Of seventy-tve thousand dol
lars lor commencing the work-for purchasing the ste
only. w 18th these views, he had risen TO intimate his
desire that the amendment should not prevail.
Mr.. PRESTON said the amendment had received
the sanction Of the Military COMMITTEE; and in all
the vicssitudes oil the Treasury had long been
tied that an armory was necessary and measures for
would previously have been taken, had not the di
Gully OF selecting site, which would satisfy the
beers OF The different States, prevented. This
now obyIaed by referring lis selection to the Presi.
dent. Thepresent condition OF the country with
gard TO foreign nations rendered it appropriate
time for commencing this work He should for
the amendment
Mr.. WHITE moved to amend the amendment by
striking out the words, 2 Western, Southwestern,
Northwestern armoIy," and insert, an armory
the w estefn waters.
Mr. KING expressed doubt whether a location
coud be selected, which would be satisfactory 10 all
lie was not decided TO the expediency of this amend
nen at present they had not received sufficient in for
nation from the Department to the number of small
arms now manufactured, and whether there was ne
cesslty for further provision for them. He should not
under these circumstances vote for the appropriation.
"a,
BUCHANAN, LINN, SEWER, PRESTON, TAP
PAN, and WALKER, as to the location of the site,
Mr.. WHITE again modified the amendment
10 read on the waters of the valley of the Misss
sippl.
HE amendment was rejected.
The question then being on concurrng with the
amendment OF the Committee, il carried by the
following vote
lEAS--Messrs. Allen, Barrow, Bates, Benton,
Buchanan, Clay, of Ala Cuthbert, Fulton, Hen
IA 4 ,n, Md NJ.
Porter Preston, Sewer, Smith Of la, Sturgeon, Tall
madge, Tappan Walker, White, Williams, Wood
bridge Woodbury., Wright foung-2S.
Mans Messrs Bayard, Berren, Clay, Of Ky,
Clayton, Dixon, Evans, Graham, Kerr Miller,
Morehead Phepsll.
The next amendment was that offered by MIR Sc
Weir approprating fifty thousand dollars for repairs
at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Mr. SEWER stated that he had received letter
from the Secretary of War informing him that an
unexpended balance of appropriation for that fort
NAMED on hand, and consequently the amendment
unnecessary. The letter was read by the Secre-
tary and Mr. ). expressed the hope that the amend
men would not be concurred in.
II was accordingly rejected.
Mr. ALLEN renewed the motion for amendment
made Yesterday by him, approPrlatug one hundred
thousand dollars for the construction of armed steam
crs and such other vessels Of war; on Lake Erie, as
the President may think proper
Mr.. ALLEN advocated this amendment, de-
manded for the defence of Lake Erie, and for the pur
se Of making our force equal to that of the Brush
Government, whose steamers cruising about our
coast prylng into its exposed parts.
MT PRESTON opposed the amendment as rree-
the bill
Mr. CLAY, Of Ala, to determine the propriety of
the proposition, wished to know something OF the
alNe force Of the United States and Great Britain
tins lake
Mr.. PORTER said the British Government had
but two steamers Of one hundred tons each had
thirty Or forty steamers of from two To eight hundred
I. - - 49, ~.
That the British Government had recently bult two
armed steamers Of about four hundred tons each,
which Were now cruisin. about those waters. We
had decidedly the advantage IN point of number; but
whether our merchant steamers would be able to cope
with war Gamers, he was not able to Judge; but the
means Of transportation on those Lakes were almost
exclusively in our hands He was friendly to de-
enses IN this quarter and should vote for the amend
ment, although he did not think 1t would be adopted
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE was in favor of the amend
ment, bu wished it might be qualified by inserting
provision, to preserve nvolate the treaty existing be-
tween the two Governments as TO the navigation OF
these lakes.
Mr.. ALLEN proposed TO modify the amendment
Il, make il cover all the Northwestern lakes and
" order that the President might apply the power
wherever il should be deemed most appropriate.
\, 10 the statement OF the Senator from Michigan
Mr.. Portcr) he Thought he entirely misunderstood
sth, relative force Of the two Goyernments on those
lakes. lie Mr. 40 thought the great number OF
"u merchant vessels on those lakes rendered it more
necessary that armed steamers should be provided 10
defend hem and the property atloat with them
l.le steamship Fulton carried more timber in her
RIBS than any five merchant steamers aloat on Lake
Ere, her sides, instead Of being foot in thick
uc>, SIX seven feet thick, and Of solid oak
cur steamers were of no avail fordecnce, and might,
u ease Of war, only be used for transportation.
MIR. PRESTON said this was fertilization bill
tor terra iiruia and this proposition was out OF the
scope of the bill If this necessity existed, would
~ proper to refer the subject to the Naval Commit
ec The project was wild, inefficient, and incom-