The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-24
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, July 90, 1871.

After the communication of Message from the
President Of the United States transmitting report
from the Secretary of State with accompanying pa
pers, relative TO American citizens now prisoners in
Van Demans Land, in reply to resolution of inqui-
ry Of June 2lst,) the House, on motion Of Mr..
MALLORY, resolved itself into Committee Of the
Whole on w." .....s.. 81 . .".. g..
THE FoRTIFIcATIoN BILL.
The debate was continued by Mr.. JONES, of Ma
ryland, who made effective speech in favor of the
BILL depTecating the influence of party spirit Ma
tiOnal subjects such the defence of the county
He denounced the ambitious and grasping spirit Of the
British oligarchy, and their hostility to the United
States. The existence of such spirit power
full for thorough preparation for struggle with
them. 49,, 4.
Mr. MALLORY made an able speech in favor of
the continuation and completion of our present sys-
tenn Of defences adopted on the report and plan of
Gen. Bernard He discussed the whole subject cIiti
cally showing the superiority Of land Notifications
over floating batteries. 1 %a ,E#"s1@a ~
Mr.. BOARDMAN, Of Conn, observed that this
bill was measure preparatory for war, though not
made in expectation that war would now occur. Mr..
b. did not advocate it on that ground; yet he must
say, from what he had heard and seen, that should
Mcleod be hung, the catastrophe of war might occur
| in ten days. There was less excitement in England
Just at this time because the attention of the nation
had been diverted from the subject by another nearer
home in the contest produced by Parliamentary cleo
1 ton but still there was strong feeling there be-
half of Mcleod and if Mr. B. could understand the
papers and other British documents he saw, he should
be of opinion that Ministry could hold their places
an hour without declaration of war; should Mcleod
| be executed . -
| Mr.. B. dwet on the proprieiy, under such circum-
stances, of proceeding with the greatest caution. A
nation could always negotiate better when she was
prepared to do more than negotiate Our proud ma
ona emblem the eagle, held the olive branch, it was
true in hand but carried the thunderbolts in the
other in this respect Mr. B. would have it Just en-
blem ofthe condition and feelings of the nation itself
He left the whole subject of our foreign relations
where the Constitution had placed IT, in the hands OF
the Executive but in the meanwhile it was our duty
to place the country in state Of preparation They
were told from all sources that the Notifications were
in state of dapidation and he personally knew such
to he the fact in relation to some of them which had
fallen under his own observation. Il was also said,
and seemed in some to be taken for granted that
If war came we should probably be severely handled
during the first year of the contest; hut why must
this be sol Why not furnish the Administration
with means to guard against such resuta In that
case they could be held answerabe for results, but
not without He adyerted to the small sum Of 5 lS2,
600 expended last year. and the consequent necessity
of greater appropriations for the present year. even to
come up to the average Of former years. As to the
doctrine of the gentleman from Virginia Mr.. Wise)
that the in the bill could not be expended during
this year. seemed contrary to the common sense OF
| every man They all knew that along coast Of
5000 miles such sum not only but twice as great
might well and wisely be expended. Mr. B. consider
ed this sum as but small and would vote 1t with the
| utmost cheerfulness.
Mr.. b. expressed deep modification at the remem-
brance that our had during the last war, been
Insulted with mpunty-nay, that the foot Of an nso
lent British soldirry should have polluted that very
Hail. sacred as the palace Of legislation for this entire
nation Never, never let such outrage he repeat
but let US prepare to guard our soil from such pro-
fanation Gentlemen reminded the friends Of the pre-.
sent Administration that il was professedly reform
Administration and complained that its rst measures
should be expend large sums Of money. Yes, these
were their first measures And when in opposition,
had those now in power ever complained OF the ex
! pendture of money public objects Not at all
Il was the waste, the pcculaon, the corruption the
rewmdng Of partisans, the interpolation Of public
treasure. These were the themes of their indgnan,
circumstances. Il was the feeding Of avorites Will,
the public works were left 10 fall down from neglec
+ and decay. The American people would never com
plain that large sums had been expended 70 guar,
their persons and their property. AT all events, Mr.
b. was ready TO take his full share Of the responsible
y. On the subject Of the insufhciency of land for