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proposed congress would afford a favorable opportunity to attempt, by a general agreement among the American powers, to abolish the system of privateering, which he considered as nothing less than a licensed system of piracy, and thereby remove one of the strongest inducements to future wars, and diminish their horrors. That it would afford occasion to further the abolition of the slave trade, and to promote liberal principles on the subject of religious liberty, by stipulations that the citizens of the respective governments, resident abroad, should enjoy a perfect freedom of religious worship. That a united declaration of the whole of civilized America against the further extension of European colonization on this continent, and against any interference in the existing contest, would have a powerful effect to prevent both. The president stated that no danger could be apprehended from the measure, as the envoys would be allowed to take no part in the discussions relating to the prosecution of the war; to do nothing inconsistent with the strictest principles of neutrality; and as their powers would be only of the diplomatic kind, all their proceedings would be subject to the revision of the president and senate.

The message and accompanying documents were referred in the house to the committee of foreign relations, who, after taking an extensive view of the subject, reported that it was expedient to make the necessary appropriation. The report underwent a discussion, which occupied the house almost exclusively from the 3d to the 21st of April. This debate also proceeded upon the ground, that the house had a right, by withholding the necessary appropriation, to control the proceedings of the executive, and prevent any office from being executed; a principle calculated to destroy the independence of the executive, and throw the whole power into the hands of the legislative department. The appropriation bill passed the house of representatives, 133 to 61.

Under the restrictions with which it was proposed to send envoys to Panama; no serious evils were to be apprehended, and much good might result. The appointments would doubtless have been sanctioned, and the requisite appropriations made without any unusual delay or opposition, had it not been that the occasion afforded an opportunity to arraign the conduct of the new executive at the commencement of his administration. It was eagerly seized. In the senate, Mr. Randolph, in one of the most eccentric, incoherent, and inflammatory harangues that ever disgraced a deliberative

assembly, poured forth a torrent of reproach upon the president, his cabinet, and their supporters. On the question of assenting to the nomination of two individuals as envoys to the southern republics, the only legitimate considerations were the qualifications of the persons nominated for the office; yet the senate sat day after day, and heard the most virulent abuse thrown on the executive, on topics no ways connected with the main question, without check. The president of the senate, whose imperious duty it was to preserve order and decorum in debate, excused himself from interfering, on the ground that his office did not authorize or require him to call a member to order. In the house, on the appropriation bill, where the only legitimate question could be, what sum was necessary to cover the expenses of the embassy, the debate, though conducted with more decorum, took the same wide range, and manifested a spirit of determined hostility on the part of the opponents against the administration.

Immediately after the passage of the appropriation bill, Mr. Anderson, then minister to Colombia, was directed to repair to Panama. On his way, he was attacked at Carthagena with a malignant fever, which proved fatal, and deprived the country of an able and faithful representative to the republics of the south.

The short time that remained after the final determination of the question, before the expected meeting of the congress, and the approach of the unhealthy season, rendered it inexpedient for Mr. Sargeant to proceed.

Proceedings of the congress. The representatives of Mexico, Peru, Central America, and Colombia, assembled at Panama on the 22d of June, 1826. The government of Great Britain and the Netherlands, though uninvited, sent diplomatic agents to this congress. They were not permit. ted to be present at their sittings, but most of the important proceedings were communicated to them. The body continued its session until the 15th of July. Their most important acts were,

A treaty of friendship, and perpetual confederation between the republics represented, to which the others were invited to accede :

A convention, fixing the quotas of the several governments towards the common defense:

An agreement to hold future meetings annually in time of war, and biennially in time of peace.

The next meeting was fixed at Tacubaya, a small village in the neighborhood of Mexico, in the month of February, 1827. Mr. Sargeant, as envoy from the United States, left Philadelphia in season to be at this meeting near the time of its commencement. After waiting some time at Mexico, and finding that the proposed congress.was not likely to convene soon, if at all, he returned.

CHAPTER XI.

Death of commodore Perry-Duel between commodores Decatur and Barron-Its occasion-Previous correspondence-Decatur slain-Proceedings of congress relating to his funeral-Duelling not allowed in the European service-Not noticed or punished in the United States-Second session of the 16th congress-Balloting for a successor to Mr. Clay-Speaker chosenMessage-Constitution of Missouri presented-Exceptionable clause-Not accepted-Proposition to reduce the civil list negatived-Report of the secretary at war on the subject of reducing the army-Plan of retaining supernumerary officers rejected-Army reduced to six thousand-Situation of the public lands-Arrears of debt for lands-Terms of selling land altered -Relief to debtors for lands-Electoral votes counted-Proceedings relating to the votes of Missouri-Result declared-Inauguration and speech of the president.

Death of Commodore Perry. In the year 1820, the citizens of the United States had occasion to lament the death of two of their distinguished naval commanders. Oliver H. Perry died of a fever at Trinidad, where he had been dispatched in the Hornet, as part of a squadron, stationed in the West Indies, for the suppression of piracy. He had been most of the time in active service, since the war, on the Mediterranean, and West India stations, and acquitted himself with honor; though no opportunities had offered for brilliant achievments. His remains were interred on the island with military honors; but afterwards removed by order of government, to Newport.

Duel between Decatur and Barron. Commodore Decatur was killed in a duel with Commodore Barron, on the 22d of March, 1820, at Bladensburgh, near the city of Washington. Barron received a severe wound, which proved not to be mortal. Congress being in session, a motion was made to take measures for a public funeral, and to wear a badge of mourning, as is usual on occasion of the death of one of their members, but on a suggestion that this could not be done without appearing to give public countenance to duelling, the motion was withdrawn. Both houses adjourned on the day of the interment, without entering on business. On the 24th, his funeral was attended by the president, heads of departments, foreign ministers, members of congress, officers of the army and navy, and a numerous con

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course of citizens, testifying their sympathy with the distressed widow and family, and their grief at the national loss. Commodore Decatur stood at the head of his profession; none of his fellow-officers had had equal opportunities of distinguishing themselves in active and hazardous enterprizes. His eminent services, which had contributed in so great a degree to raise the character of the navy, were fresh in the recollection of his countrymen. His high reputation for courage was established beyond a doubt, and needed not the miserable aid of a duel, often the refuge of cowardice, to give it additional support.

Causes of the duel. The facts which led to this unhappy tragedy, are of a date as early as 1806. The conduct of Commodore Barron in not fighting the Leopard, a ship of vastly superior force, and well prepared for action, with the Chesapeake, when unexpectedly attacked, although the consequence must have been the immediate destruction of his ship, was universally censured, and public sentiment seemed to require a sacrifice. A court of inquiry was first held, who passed a censure upon his conduct. A court martial was then called, on which Commodore Decatur was detailed as one of the members. Having previously formed and expressed an opinion unfavorable to Barron, he declined sitting. The secretary of the navy would not excuse him, and he took his seat as a member of that court. Their decision, after an investigation of two weeks was, that the commodore was not guilty of any cowardice or want of firmness on the occasion, but was guilty of neglect of duty, and unofficer-like conduct, in not clearing his ship for action on the probability of an engagement; and sentenced him to be suspended from all command in the navy, and from all pay and emoluments, for the term of five years, from the 8th of February, 1808. This sentence was approved by the president, and carried into effect. Barron imputed the severity of this sentence, in a great measure, to the influence of Decatur. During a part of the period of his suspension, he resorted to the merchant service for support, and afterwards retired to France. The government mitigated the sentence so far as to grant half pay to his family, during his absence. When the period of his suspension expired, February 8th, 1813, the country being at war with England, he solicited employment in her service. Not being encouraged by the secretary of the navy, he remained in France until the close of the war. On his return to the United States, he again claimed his rank and employment

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