Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-02-18
IN SENATE.

1IondaY, Feb. ID, 1S11.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate
communication from the Treasury Department. cover
ing abstracts prepared by the First Comptroller OF the
official enolumen,s and expenses Of the officers of the
customs for the year $40.
Also from the Legislature of Michigan, resolution
in relation the boundary line OF that State, and the
appointment of commissioner on the part OF the State
to Join the part of the Federal Government to
mark the same
Mr. BUCHANAN said he had received memorial
from Parkersburg, in the State OF Pennsylvania which
he would take leave to present 1t was signed by
a number of respectable citizens Of Pennsy vana, and
stated in strong terms the deenceless condition OF our
maritime cities on the seaboard, and the impending
danger of foreign and urged on Congress to
make appropriations for the of fortIiica
tons, the building of floating batteries for the defence
of our harbors aud the construction OF twenty oil the
first class Of steam frgates and as many more smaller
steam vessels The memorial was ordered to be print
cd, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. LINN presented the legal testimony taken be-
fore the Honorable A. A. King, Judge of the Fifth Ju-
dical Circuit of Missouri in the of Joseph Smith,
Sidney Rigdon, and sundry other individuals Of the
sect called Mormons, Later-day Saints, charges
preferred against them of against the State OF
Missouri, burglary, arson, robbery, and larceny.
Mr. Linn, in presenting this document, made some
remarks relation to the memorial presented at the
last session by the Mormons in which it seemed TO APP
pear that the State of Missouri had not acted towards
those people with that justice and humanity that had
ever characterized her. lie stated at that time that the
memorial was parte matter, and the Legislature
had since felt the necessity OF placing full record OF
all the facts before the country. He was aware that
the sympathes of the people always the weaker
side and that in this contest with the State the latter
had been improperly reflected upon. He had the plea
present statement of all the matters in dispute
which he asked might be printed. The motion was
agreed to.
Petitions were further presented
By Mr. MERRICK: From the corporate authorities
Of Baltimore, asking appropriation FOR the erection
Of afortress at Solerss Point Flats
Mr.. NJ. spoke of the importance Of this position to
the CITY of Baltimore, and expressed hope that IL
would receive the attention of The military commit
tee and such appropriation be made as would enable
them 10 commence the work.
Mr. LINN said it was mere isolated point, and par
tia appropriations would be of little service. Look to
the deienceess state of the whole maritime frontier
from Maine to the Sabine and talk Of partial appro-
priaton for single point. II would take hily millions
of dollars place this country in such state OF de-
fence would enable it successfully to resist foreign
aggression .,.,...
of the necessity there for some proper and efl-
cent being taken to place this country on
footing with European nations in points OF offence and
defence. He took view of the preparations making
by France and England, and the scientific researches
made by those Powers in relation 10 steam vessels,
foatng batteries, &c, &c, which bid fair to change
entirely the system of hurbor defence that had been
so long in vogue. He pointed TO the steam vessels OF
England
manded by naval officers, which at any moment could
be transformed into vessels of war: also to the French
steamers which had battered down of The strongest
forts on the American Continent; and the next day as
ii were in New Orleans, and anon at Baltimore, with
on, single gun having been fred to give notice of her
approach Mr. p thought this subject one of vast inn
pnrtnnce in national point of vew and ought to go 10
Select Committee with science and intelligence, that
would investigate the matter fully, and give detailed
report on the subject The late period of the present
Il.
pressed his regret that from negligence or what other
cause this nation should have slumbered until Others
had attained much more skill and strength. 1t was
now, however, for this country to make up for what
had been unfortunately lost.
The memorial was referred TO the Committee on Mi
litary Affairs.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
MIR. WRIGHT moved to take up the bill from the
House of Representatives, making appropriations ioi
the payment of pensions for the year 1916 which was
agreed to.
Mr.. SEWER said he understood the bill contained
item of 100000 TO buy peace with Tiger Tail and
Sam Jones.
MIR. WRIGHT explained the object, which was to
give much TO the Chiefs and $50 to each warrior,
blanket and gun, which was not 10 be delivered until
they reached their home; that Gen Armstead had
expressed his entire confidence in the Indians and thai
the war would be at an end. y
Mr. SEWER said he saw it was just what he had !.
tcipated-neither more less than bride for peace
He sid he must be permitted to express the deep NOR
LITIGATION which he felt, that after war of five years
the whole power Of this Government was not sufficient
TO defeat few hundred savages but had at last 10 buy
peace. Such policy, he insisted, would have bad
effect on the Indians. What would be SAID ~nen 'ney
wen, to the West, Why that, after expending be-
tween thirty and forty millions of dollars, you were
compelled at last TO buy peace Mr.. ). moved to
strike out the appropriation.
The subject was debated at some considerable length
and with much animation, by Messrs. WRIGHT, Sc