Слике страница
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

his former home, after the expiration of this lingering and ruinous period of service, he will return, not to the cheerful cottage which he left, where joy and plenty smiled, but to a comfortless dwelling, from which want and misery have chased every endearment, save only those whom Providence may have spared, to meet their benefactors' return, with haggard eye and squalid aspect, the miserable evidences of his long and cruel exile. These, sir, are to be some of the certain results of this dreadful conscription; and how few of the many who are doomed to suffer, now dream of the distress which you are at this hour preparing for them! Sir, believe me, there is no fiction in all this; it is but a faint sketch of the calamities that are destined to afflict us, the reality of which will far outstrip the anticipation of the liveliest imagination. Let me then ask you, sir, if you really intend to adopt this system as the law of the land, hostile as it is to the Constitution, and pregnant with all these ills? Have the people of this country not yet suffered enough? Will this honorable Senate, wise, discreet, and reflecting, on whom the nation rests its hopes, to whom they have been taught to look in the moment of anxiety and trial, and upon whose floor, we have been once told, the last expiring struggles of the liberties of this country would be exhibited, if they are doomed to expire-will they sanction, by their approbation, such a measure as this?

Sir, it is not wise in those who are ambitious of fame to indulge too much in prophetic views of things, but I fancy that I put little to hazard, when I say, carry this system into execution when you will, and you will find that the people of the country will not bear it; not that a party will not bear it, but the great body of the people will frown indignant upon this attempt to despoil them of the blessings of their Constitutional rights and personal liberties.

Sir, you dare not, at least I hope you dare not, attempt a conscription to fill the ranks of your regular army. When the plan of the Secretary of War made its appearance, it was gratifying to find that it met with the abhorrence of almost every man in the nation, and the merit of the bill before you, if such a measure can be supposed to have merit at all, is, that it is little else, as regards the militia, than a servile imitation of the Secretary's plan. And will you treat your militia with more rigor than you are willing to practise upon your regular soldiers? Will you adopt a system of tyranny towards them, that you are reluctant to attempt towards the Army? Availing yourselves of the popular appellation of militia, you undertake to enforce a system of conscription whose very severity must rouse those who may have been lulled into acquiescence, by a total want of suspicion. Thus, sir, it is, that the warspirit of the nation has sunk so low that, like the fallen public credit of the country, neither banks or bounties can revive it. And the advocates of this bill, becoming rash by disaster, since neither monstrous bounties in money or in land will avail them, now call upon us to pursue the freemen of

NOVEMBER, 1814.

the country, even to their very hearths and firesides, to drag them forth in handcuffs to the field of battle, there to fight against the wrongs of impressment, and to conquer the freedom of the seas.

Mr. President, there is a foreboding that arises from all this which fills me with the deepest concern. The growth of tyranny, when it once begins, is strong and rapid. A few years past, and the name of conscription was never uttered but it was coupled with execration; last year, it found its way into a letter from the then Secretary of War to the chairman of the Military Committee, and it was then so odious that it was but little exposed to view. This year, we have conscription openly recommended to us by the Secretary of War in an official paper; and, worst of all, it finds champions and advocates on this floor. What have we to expect next, but that, in the ensuing year, we shall see it stalking abroad through the land, accompanied by its loathsome train of fetters and chains, and executioners. And why is all this to be done? The necessity of the crisis is offered as the plea; yes, sir, necessity, that blood-stained plea of tyrants, which has served every scheme of usurpation, to sacrifice the lives and liberties of men, to aid its projects of self-aggrandizement and ambition, is now given to justify this measure; nothing is therefore left to us, but, before it be too late, to improve the experience which the misfortunes of others have taught us, to our own and the national preservation. The necessities of the times, of which we hear so much and feel so sensibly, ought properly enough to urge us to active and animated exertions in behalf of the nation; there is a vigor and a zeal which should characterize all our conduct at this doubtful moment; but the ardor which impels to action should be watched, lest it betray us into error and excess. Times of imminent peril and alarm, are periods when public liberty is most in danger, and it is difficult to decide whether he is the worthiest patriot who goes to battle in defence of a nation's rights, or he who stands the faithful sentinel over the Constitution in times of general effervescence, to guard it from violation and abuse.

Unwilling, sir, to consume the time of the Senate, whose patience, as well as my own, has been much exhausted by the lingering progress of this bill, I shall content myself with the remarks I have made upon the point which seemed most particularly to demand an open and avowed opposition. Having before taken an occasion to express my opinion upon the other exceptionable parts of the bill, I will not trouble you with a recapitulation.

I must once more express to you, Mr. President, the deep regret I feel, at not being able to give my vote in favor of a measure, which is said to be designed to be for the defence of the States. There is not a man in this Senate, or in this nation, who is more willing, or who will go further in applying the true means of the country to its defence at this time, than myself. But, upon all questions, sir, there are certain bounds beyond which I can

[blocks in formation]

never consent to go; and I must be understood at all times, whatever pledges I may make, as imposing this restriction, this obligation upon myself, viz: neither to overleap the limits of the Constitution, or to be accessary to an invasion of the essential principles of civil liberty.

SENATE.

respect to the late ELBRIDGE GERRY, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, the Chair of the President of the Senate be shrouded with black during the present session; and as a further testimony of respect for the memory of the deceased, the members of the Senate will go into mourning, and wear black

On the question, Shall this bill pass? it was then taken and determined in the affirmative-crape round the left arm for thirty days. yeas 19, nays 12, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bibb, Bledsoe, Brent, Brown, Chace, Condit, Fromentin, Gaillard, Giles, Lacock, Morrow, Roberts, Smith, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Walker, Wharton, and Worthington.

NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Daggett, Dana, German, Goldsborough, Gore, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Mason, Thompson, and Varnum.

FRIDAY, November 25.

The resolution brought up from the House of Representatives the 22d instant, for appointing a joint committee, was read, and passed to the second reading.

The resolution for furnishing the American Antiquarian Society with a copy of the Journals of Congress, and of the documents published under their order, was read a third time, and passed. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An

So it was Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be "An act to authorize the President of the United States to call upon the several States and Territories thereof for their respective quotas of eighty thousand four hundred and thirty militia, for the defence of the fron-act for the relief of the petty officers and seamen tiers of the United States against invasion."

WEDNESDAY, November 23.

DEATH OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.

About the hour of meeting, a report having reached the Senate Chamber of the death of the VICE PRESIDENT of the United States, the members from Massachusetts, Messrs. VÁRNUM and GORE, proceeded to his lodgings to ascertain the fact; and, on their return, having announced the fact to the Senate, the following proceeding took place, on motion of Mr. BLEDSOE,

The Senate, being informed of the death of their distinguished fellow-citizen, ELBRIDGE GERRY, Vice President of the United States,

Do Resolve, That a committee be appointed, jointly with such committee as may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to consider and report measures most proper to manifest the public respect for the memory of the deceased, and expressive of the deep regret of the Congress of the United States for the loss of a citizen so highly respected and revered.

Ordered, That Messrs. GORE, VARNUM, SMITH, ANDERSON, and GAILLARD, be the committee.

On motion of Mr. BLEDSOE,

Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives of the decease of the Vice President of the United States, and communicate the foregoing resolution.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House concur in the resolution of the Senate for the appointment of a joint committee, to consider and report measures proper to manifest the public respect for the memory of the VICE PRESIDENT of the United States, deceased; and have appointed a committee on their part.

The Senate then adjourned.

THURSDAY, November 24.

On motion, by Mr. GORE,

Resolved, unanimously,That from an unfeigned

under the command of Captain Joshua Barney;" and Mr. SMITH was requested to take the Chair.

On motion, by Mr. GAILLARD, the bill having been amended, so as to include the non-commissioned officers and privates of the marine corps, on motion, by Mr. BROWN, the further consideration thereof was postponed until the first Monday in April next.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill for the relief of Bowie and Kurtz, and others; and, on motion, the further consideration thereof was postponed until Monday next.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill supplementary to an act laying duties on notes of banks, bankers, and certain companies; on notes, bonds, and obligations, discounted by banks, bankers, and certain companies; and on bills of exchange of certain descriptions; and, no amendment having been proposed, the bill was ordered to be engrossed and read the third time.

ELECTION OF PRESIDING OFFICER On motion, by Mr. BRENT, that the Senate now proceed to the election of President pro tempore.

Mr. GERMAN Submitted the following motion :

66

at 12 o'clock, proceed to the choice of a President pro Resolved, That the Senate will on Monday next, tempore."

This question was negatived by the following

vote:

For the motion-Messrs. Daggett, Dana, German, Goldsborough, Gore, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Mason, and Thompson-10.

Against it-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Bledsoe, Brent, Brown, Chace, Condit, Fromentin, Gaillard, Lacock, Morrow, Roberts, Robinson, Smith, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, Walker, and Wharton-20.

Mr. BRENT's motion was then agreed to, and the Senate proceeded to a choice accordingly.

On the first ballot, the whole number of votes being thirty, there were: For Mr. GAILLARD, 14 ;

[blocks in formation]

Mr. KING, 10; Mr. CHACE, 3; Mr. ANDERSON, 1; Mr. SMITH, 1; and Mr. TAIT, 1.

On the second ballot, there were: For Mr. GAILLARD, 16; Mr. KING, 10; Mr. CHACE, 5; and Mr. ANDERSON, 1.

Mr. GAILLARD was therefore declared duly elected; and, on taking the Chair, addressed the Senate nearly as follows:

"Honorable Gentlemen: While I lament the sudden and melancholy event which has led to the distinguished honor conferred on me, I am so truly sensible of my own incompetency to discharge the duties of the station to which I am called, in a manner suitable to their importance, and correspondent to the dignity of this honorable body, that I approach the exercise of them with unfeigned diffidence and apprehension. All that I dare hope is, that my efforts will be considered as the result of well-meant intentions: all that I dare promise is, that my best exertions shall be directed to a faithful and impartial execution of the trust confided to me. Relying, then, on the candor and liberality which have ever characterized this respectable Assembly, I will proceed to the performance of the duties assigned me.'

On motion, by Mr. BIBB,

Ordered, That the Secretary wait on the President of the United States, and acquaint him that the Senate have, in consequence of the decease of the VICE PRESIDENT of the United States, elected the Honorable JOHN GAILLARD President of the Senate pro tempore.

Ordered. That the Secretary make a similar communication to the House of Representatives.

NOVEMBER, 1814.

[blocks in formation]

Mr. FROMENTIN, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of John Castille, of the city of New Orleans," reported it without amendment; and, on his motion, the bill was considered as in Committee of the Whole, and it was ordered to a third reading.

The bill supplementary to an act laying duties on notes of banks, bankers, and certain companies; on notes, bonds, and obligations, discounted by banks, bankers, and certain companies; and on bills of exchange of certain descriptions, was reported by the committee correctly engrossed.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to extend the time of Oliver Evans's patent for his improvement on steam engines; and, after debate, the Senate adjourned.

MONDAY, November 28.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill for the relief of Bowie and Kurtz, and others; and, no amendment having been proposed, on the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third On motion, by Mr. VARNUM, to amend the time? on motion, by Mr. SMITH, the further conJournal of yesterday, by striking out the follow-sideration thereof was postponed until to-morrow. ing words:

SATURDAY, November 26.

"On motion of Mr. Anderson,

"Having been required by a majority," and inserting, in lieu thereof, "being desired by one-fifth," so to read, "the yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present.'

It was determined in the affirmative-yeas 18 nays 7.

On motion, by Mr. GERMAN, the yeas and nays having been desired by one-fifth of the Senators present, those who voted in the affirmative areMessrs. Bibb, Daggett, Dana, Gaillard, German, Goldsborough, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Mason, Morrow, Smith, Tait, Taylor, Thompson, Turner, Varnum, and Walker.

Those who voted in the negative areMessrs. Anderson, Chace, Condit, Fromentin, Lacock, Roberts, and Robinson.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the Secretary of State, during the continuance of the present war, to make an additional allowance to the owners and masters of vessels for bringing back to the United States destitute and distressed American seamen;" and the bill was ordered to the third reading.

The bill was then read a third time, by unanimous consent, and passed.

The resolution from the House of Representatives, appointing a committee on their part to join such committee as may be appointed on the part of the Senate, to inquire and report whether Congress may not be more conveniently accommodated, either by an alteration of the present Chambers, or by procuring other rooms within a convenient distance of the public offices, was read the second time, considered as in Committee of the Whole, and ordered to a third reading.

The engrossed bill supplementary to an act laying duties on notes of banks, bankers, and certain companies; on notes, bonds, and obligations, discounted by banks, bankers, and certain companies; and on bills of exchange of certain descriptions, having been reported correct, was read a third time.

On the question, Shall this bill pass? it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 20, nays 7, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Bledsoe, Brown, Chase, Condit, Dana, Fromentin, Gaillard, Lacock, Morrow, Roberts, Robinson, Smith, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, Walker, and Wharton.

NAYS-Messrs. Daggett, Goldsborough, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Mason, and Thompson.

So it was Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be "An act supplementary to

[blocks in formation]

an act laying duties on notes of banks, bankers, and certain companies; on notes, bonds, and obligations, discounted by banks, bankers, and certain companies, and on bills of exchange of certain descriptions.

The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of John Castille, of the city of New Orleans," was read a third time, and passed.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to extend the time of Oliver Evans's patent for his improvement on steam engines; and sundry amendments having been agreed to, the President reported it to the House accordingly.

On the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 21, nays 8, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bledsoe, Brown, Chace, Condit, Dana, Fromentin, Gaillard, German, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Morrow, Roberts, Robinson, Smith,

Tait, Turner, Varnum, Walker, and Wharton.
NAYS-Messrs. Bibb, Brent, Daggett, Goldsborough,
Lacock, Mason, Taylor, and Thompson.

Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH, from the joint Library Committee of Congress, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill to authorize the purchase of the library of Thomas Jefferson, late President of the United States; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT.

Mr. TAIT, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom were referred two resolutions of the 7th instant," instructing them to inquire what provision should be made for the appointment of officers above the grade of Captain in the Navy of the United States," and also, "to inquire what provision should be made for conferring naval rank by brevet, in consideration of meritorious service," made a report as follows:

That your committee assume it as a policy now settled, that the United States are to have a permanent Naval Establishment, which is to be gradually increased, according to circumstances, and as the ability of the Government may permit. Your committee deem it unnecessary to go into a course of reasoning to support the soundness of this policy, and to establish (what is now generally conceded) that a navy is the most appropriate, the most efficient, and the least expensive defence of this country.

The commercial and maritime habits of a large portion of the people of the United States press them to the ocean; hence have arisen competition and rivalship with other nations, pursuing the same course of industry. The history of all nations teaches us that the persons and the property of our citizens on the high seas, unprotected, must be (as indeed they have been) the subjects of frequent violence and injustice. The true remedy against these maritime wrongs is maritime force. A navy, growing up with the growth of the nation, cannot fail, before the lapse of many years, to procure respect from abroad, and safety at home.

Congress, apparently influenced by these considerations, at an early period after the establishment of the General Government, created a Naval Department, and have authorized, from time to time, the building of

SENATE.

ships of war, until the Navy has become respectable, both from the number and rates of its vessels, and, still more so, from the gallantry and splendor of its achievements. By the laws now in force, the Navy will consist of four seventy-fours, three thirty-sixes, eight sloops of war, besides a great number of brigs and schooners, carrying, on the whole, not less than thirteen hundred guns. Of these, there remain to be put on the stocks This force is exclusive of the gunboats, the fotillas, one of the seventy-fours and four of the forty-fours. and lake squadrons; the latter of which consist of between thirty and forty ships, some of which are large. The national vessels on the Lakes do not carry less than five hundred guns.

Your committee are not aware, nor do they believe, that any nation possessing a naval force, such as the above, is without a grade of officers above that of captain. The nation with whom the United States are now at war, is said to have about a thousand public ships; to command which, she has not less than two from rear admiral of the blue to the admiral of the fleet. hundred admirals of ten different grades, ascending At present, the Navy of the United States is comlieutenants, master commandants, and post captains. manded by commissioned officers of three grades only,

The committee would feel that they had not done justice to the subject committed to them, if they failed to contrast the situation of the Army with that of the Navy, as it respects the scope of promotion in each. The Army presents, for the encouragement of an honorable ambition, the high station of major general through ten different grades. It has also advantages in the variety of its corps unknown to the Navy. The youth of our country, ambitious of military fame, may, according to their taste, enter the Army as officers of cavalry, of artillery, of infantry, or of the rifle corps. is, to be transferred from a subordinate station to the Not so with the naval officer. All that he can expect, command of a ship of war. The rapid promotions of late in the Army cannot but strongly impress the naval officer with a deep sense of his own confined situation, and of the cheerless prospect before him. Does not justice, then, dictate that the range for promotion should be enlarged in our Naval Establishment?

Your committee are of opinion that a discreet policy, and a prudent foresight, not less than a just regard to the strong claims of the Navy, call for an enlargement of the sphere of promotion. It cannot be long before the Navy will be called on to sail in squadron. The highest attainments in naval tactics should be encouraged. If you expect men to labor for the highest qualifications in their professions, it is necessary to open to them the way to the station requiring them. The surest mean by which you will probably induce the officers to qualify themselves for an admiral's command, is, to create that grade in the Navy; thereby requiring, in the same act, great professional attainments, and offering a reward for them.

Your committee are therefore of opinion, that, whether they view this subject in reference to the practice of older and more experienced nations, or in regard to the just claims and the long and meritorious services of the naval officers, or with a view to a just, prudent, and liberal policy, on the part of the Government, a grade or grades superior to that of captain should now be created in the Naval Establishment.

As to the second resolution, relative to conferring naval rank by brevet, it does occur to your committee as necessary; it having been the practice of the Government to confer actual rank without regard to senior

[blocks in formation]

ity, in reward of brilliant achievements or meritorious service.

The committee respectfully submit the following resolutions:

Resolved, That it is expedient to authorize by law the appointment of officers above the grade of captain in the Navy of the United States.

Resolved, That it is inexpedient, at this time, to make any provision for conferring naval rank by brevet.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 15, 1814. SIR: In answer to the inquiry contained in your letter of the 8th instant, founded upon two resolutions of the Senate, passed on the 7th instant, instructing the Committee on Naval Affairs to inquire "what provision should be made for the appointment of officers above the grade of captain in the Navy of the United States," and "what provision should be made for conferring naval rank by brevet, in consideration of meritorious service," I have the honor to represent, that the high character which the American Navy has justly acquired; the general sentiment which indicates its rapid increase and permanency; and the long, faithful, and honorable service which its senior officers have rendered their country; appear to me to justify and call for the appointment of officers of a higher grade than that of captain.

Love of country, and the laudable desire of honorable fame, are strong excitements to noble action; but the prospect of progressive promotion to the highest distinction which talents, zeal, and valor, may justly aspire to, is not perhaps less active and stimulating.

Captains of long and honorable standing in the Navy cannot but contrast the cheerless prospect of promotion in the naval service, with the rapid and high distinction to which their military brethren, with equal, but not higher pretensions, have attained.

The naval force, in officers, seamen, and marines, is probably two-fifth parts of the whole military force of the United States, actually employed, in which there are, I think, eight major generals and sixteen brigadiers, exclusive of those of the staff, who enjoy the rank, pay, and emoluments, of brigadiers.

pro

The effect of a limited grade, without hope of motion, is to contract the range of study and professional attainment within the sphere of the command thus limited. Hold out but the prospect of elevated rank and command, and every officer of talents and worth will aspire to the highest qualifications.

Foreign example is to be received with caution; yet, the practice of nations of great maritime experience may throw some light upon the subject. A comparison of the force of the British navy, with the number of admirals in that service, will exhibit the following result, viz: of ships of seventy-four guns and upwards, there are

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

NOVEMBER, 1814.

We often see on our own coast admirals with commands inferior to those which the American Navy may even now afford.

The new grade to be established, and number of promotions, should be consistent with the scale and character of the Naval Establishment, which may not, for some years, require the distinction of flags as in the British navy, viz: red, white, and blue, at the main, fore, or mizen of each; making nine grades of admirals, rising in the order of the flags, from blue to red.

I am therefore of opinion, that it is now expedient to establish the grade of rear admiral, without any distinction of flags, leaving the promotions to vice admiral and admiral for future services, and an enlarged

establishment.

I am also of opinion, that the same principle which induced the establishment of brevet rank in the Army, for gallant actions, meritorious conduct, or long service, is equally applicable to the Navy, and cannot fail to excite to those actions which it is intended to reward; but no officer so brevetted should be entitled to any additional pay or emoluments, except when commanding on separate service.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your W. JONES. obedient servant, Hon. C. TAIT, Ch'n Naval Committee, Senate. The report, together with the resolutions, were read, and the report ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

TUESDAY, November 29.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill for the relief of Bowie and Kurtz, and others; and the following amendment was proposed, by Mr. BLEDSOE:

Strike out, from the word "of," in the seventh line, to the end of the bill, and insert, "as a full compensation for the freight of the ship Allegany from Algiers to Gibraltar."

On motion, by Mr. SMITH, the further consideration thereof was postponed to, and made the order of the day for, Friday next.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act to provide additional revenues for defraying the expenses of Government, and maintaining the public credit, by laying duties on spirits distilled within the United States, and by amending the act laying duties on licenses to distillers of spirituous liquors;" in which bill they request the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill last mentioned was read, and passed to the second reading.

The resolution from the House of Representatives appointing a committee on their part, to join such committee as may be appointed on the part of the Senate, to inquire and report whether Congress may not be more conveniently accommodated, either by an alteration of the present Chambers, or by procuring other rooms within a convenient distance of the public offices, was read a third time.

On the question, Shall this resolution pass? it was determined in the negative-yeas 11, nays 19, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Brown, Dana, Fromentin, Gaillard,

« ПретходнаНастави »