Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-19

alton. 4 friend ,however,m whose hands
it was placed, has permitted us TO take
a copy for that purpose. Our readers
in this quarter of the country will pur-
sue it with zest, for it is sort of Off |
cial portrait gallery. in which the like
nesses are graphically portrayed. The
tone is dignified, and the letter itself,
cogent, pointed, and energetic in the
highest degree. 1t will be read with
interest by all.
BROWNSVILLE, Nov. ), 1851.
HIS ExcELLENcy, MiLLARD FILLMORE,
SIR: In dignity and Importance,
the office of President of the United
States is second to no other in the
world. The duties devolving on that
office are oftentimes of delicate and
embarrassing nature. Among these,
few are more SO than those relating to
a faithful enforcement of the "neutral-
ity laws" as they are usually denomi-
mated. Those laws were enacted TO
save our country from being embroiled
in the wars, revolutions and commo-
tions that may arise in other countries.
They were not designed 10 eXtinguish
generous emotions, or to extirpate SYM
pathy in the American, heart, in favor
of patriotic struggles for freedom.-
They are expressly formed to guaid "a
gainst the concerted action Of large bod
les of men within our territory, and to
prevent the "organizing and setting
on foot" considerable military enter
prizes. Their provisions are not aimed
al individuals, bat at organizations; and
hence an attempt to enforce them a
gainst seperate individual action is alike
futile and illegal. The history of all
attempts to enforce these laws, since
the first one was passed some sixty
years ago, throughout all commotions
that have since DISTRACTED the world,
proves the truth of this statement. 1t
is folly to deny that the restraints they
enforce are often felt to be grating to
those sympathies which are natural to
evey free-born American. We enjoy
| freedom ourselves, and earnestly desire
toseei it bestowed on all our fellowmen.
We dislike any impediment which
stands in the way of accomplishing
this great purpose. But this feeling OF
repugnance is increased ten fold when
the duty is confded to ignorant and
subordinate hands, of executing these
unpopular laws. | call them unpopu-
lar because, when they are sought. to
be enforced, the Government and its of
ficers are usually compelled TO retire
discomftted from the courts OF Justice.
Your own experience will confirm the
truth now utter, and must have satis-
fled you, that the American people
cannot be hedged in and cut off from
all interest in the cause of the.oppress-
ed in other parts of the globe.
The recent disturbances on this from
tier are not without their instructive
lessons. You have been represented
here by men whose position, charac-
ter, and conduct were such as to add
very little to the dignity of the admin
istration of justice. The Collector,
Mr.. Rhea, is well-disposed but weak
man-excited, agitated, and incapable
of forming Or acting on any definite
plan, he trusted almost every thing to
men, who if not so feeble, were not SC
honest as himself, and who, from igno-
rance OF malice, advised him to pursue
couse, which would have inevitably
ended in bloodshed, had not those he
was pursuing been more discreet and
|; patriotic than the Government officials
, His deputy, in Brownsville, named
Kingsbury, is as weak as Rhea, with
, less integrity, and with mischievous
and malicious disposition. He is too
of foreign merchants, busy intermed
dler in all local strifes, and was f1atter
ed into the belief, that the salvation OF
the country rested entirely upon . his
support. His conduct in this emergen
: cy, proves conclusively, that he abus-
ed his official power to wreak NEAR
vengeance on private individuals, who
had formerly offended him, and he has
shown himself capable Of perpetratins
the most revolving crimes 10 s'feed fat
his private grudges.
The military forces, commanded by
) Capt. Phelps, placed under his control
5 in a great measure, and he sought II
induce part Of them to assail boa
of unoffending men, in which wa
one of the passengers, by commanding
: Lieut.. Cummings, of the Z. S. Army
to fire upon US. This order was abou
to be executed, when the prompt AMI
. determined action of the men in tn,
boat arrested it, by threatening t.
, shoot in return. Many respectable
witnesses will prove, that during tn,
whole convulsion; his efforts were un
: remitting to create disturbance, and t.
produce collision between the troop
| and the people. He insulted all wh'
! had occasion to cross the river eithei
way, and whether singly, or in compa
nies OF. three or four unarmed persons
insisted upon their submission to tn,
! most humiliating espionage.
Capt. Phelps, commanding at For
Brown, acted a conspicuous part in thi
affair, and deserves more than a mer
passing notice. Whatever may be hi
military standing, he has shown yer.
! ordinary capacity to meet the crisis
: that seemed to be partially passed. II