The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-16
0memtp= Strth Congress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE
DEFENcEs or THE COUNTRY.
MONDAY, February 10, 1871,

MONDAY, February 10, lsii,
DEFENcEs or THE COUNTRY.
MIR. BUCHANAN presented memorial hume
rously signed by citizens Of Pennsy vana asking that
Congress should make appropriations for putting the
country into complete and efficient state Of de-
iencefor the construction Of steam vessels Of war
steam Observation-Disclosures &c, which would be
necessary in case Of war and particularly called
for al this time.
IL was referred 10 the Committee on Military AT
fairs.
Mr.. MERRlCK presented the memorial of the
Mayor and Board Of Aldermen and Board of Common
Council Of the city Of Baltimore praying for appro.
pration 10 commence the construction a fortifeaion
on Sellers Point Flats The memorial having been
read
Mr. MERRICK moved its reference to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, and took the occasion to
urge the attention ofhe Committee to the subject He
regretted that while great progress making in the
rest of the world, in the both of offensive and de-
fensve warfare, and WHILE from these improvements
especially those in naval warfare we were becoming
more and more exposed to the calamties Of any
sudden rupture between this and any European OF
other foreign country, defences were falling into
decay and most especially was the popuous and mpor-
tant city from which the memorial comes now in an
utterly deenceless state
The period Of the session and the state of our inan
ces would not allow now the vigorous measures re-
CURED But he hoped the day was at hand when the
energy and the skill OF the country would be properly
directed TO the subject; and he for ready to
proceed in the work at the earliest possible day and
far as prudence would dictate. The memorial had
only asked for small appropriation to commence the
fertilization at Sellers Point because it be work
Of time. Il would save time, and place the site in
condition which would render il capable of more
speedy completion, when the finances Of the country
and other circumstances should justify it. He hoped
the memorial would receive the serious consideration
of the Committee and the Senate.
MIR. PRESTON took the occasion 10 make some
Al
He adverted very infinitely to the improvements that
had been made of late years in the art of war; and
particularly to the progress which had been made by
England and France in applying steam to the pur-
poses of aggression and defence in erecting forica
tons; in constructing steam batteries and steamships
OF war; In the modes of throwing Shells &c These
subjects engaged the attention not only of the British
Parliament, and the French Chambers; but men of
science and of the naval and military profession in
both. countries pouring from the press, pubica-
tons designed still further to deveope the effects Of
these great improvements. II would become the duty
of American statesmen to keep up with this spirit Of
Improvement lie regretted that the resources of
country not such to allow W. to provide the
requisite means of defence and aggression. But he
hoped that the time not distant when an efficient
and complete plan might be adopted
REVOLUTIONARY PENSION BILL.
pAcIFIcATIoN AND REMOVAL OF FLORIDA
INDIANS.
Mr.. WRIGHT, from the Committee of Finance
reported the Bill from the House making approplia
tons for the payment Of Revolutionary and other pen
sions; and also providing one hundred thousand dol
lars for the pacfcaton and removal Of the Florida In
dans TO be expended under the direction of the Sc
creiary of War.
Mr.. WRIGHr explained the purposes of the mea-
sures, and stated the grounds which General ARMS
tead and the Secretary of War called for the appro
pration and the considerations which induced them
To believe that the would be sufficient to bring
the disastrous of affairs in Florida termina
ton.
Mr. SEWER expressed his decided opposition to
this mode of proceeding; and spoke with his usual
hemence in favor of continuing the until the In
dams subdued by force. He thought this propo
sedto buy, them of-which utterly repugnant TO
his feelings.
Mr.. LINN brify advocated the measure as likely
to bring about pacifcation of Florida
Mr.. BENTON said it believed that the pro-
ceedngs in Florida Che would not say iear) could be
brought to close by this appropriation In regular
contest with civilized nation he would be ready to
cavl about single hair; but with this Wild savage,
and uniformed horde he ready to depart from the
ordinary principles of National War and to give this
money for pacification.
Mr.. PRESTON advocated very strenuously the
appropriation. There should be no delay about it,
The money, if given at all, ought to be fur
nsled al once so that the officers in command may
be enabled to make the necessary arrangements.
The debate further continued by Messrs Pierce
Preston, Sewer King Linn, Buchanan, and Fulton
Mr.. SEWER moved to strike out the appropriation
relative to the Florida Indians which was rejected .
yeas 26, nays 6.
The bill was then passed with an amendment pro-
vdng for the removal the Indians beyond the boun
Diary of Arkansas