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CH. II.]

ATTEMPT TO CENSURE GENERAL JACKSON.

319

this House, a triumph over the Constitution of the land. And I pray most devoutly to heaven, that it may not prove, in its ultimate effects and conse quences, a triumph over the liberties of the people."*

Mr. Cobb, Mr. Hopkinson, Mr. Nelson, and others, joined their voices with Mr. Clay's in condemnation; while Mr. R. M. Johnson, Mr. Holmes, and other men of equal ability and force, defend

commencement of the session of Congress, communicated to both Houses all the papers relative to the Seminole war. In the Senate they were referred to a committee of five, Messrs. Burrell, Lacock, Eppes, King, and Eaton. The first three concurred in a report censuring in very severe terms the whole conduct of General Jackson in invading Florida, and putting to death Arbuthnot and Ambrister. The other members of the committee justified his pro-ed the measures of Jackson, and claimed ceedings; but, as the report was made near the close of the session, no vote was taken on the subject. In the House, the military committee, to whom the papers had been referred, were divided in opinion in a similar manner with the Senate's committee. Four of the committee denounced Jackson's conduct; three of their number vindicated it throughout, and declared that he deserved the thanks of the country. The debate was begun on the 18th of January,

and occupied the House for nearly three weeks. The best talent of the country was enlisted on both sides. The eloquent Henry Clay was astounded at the violence and lawlessness of General Jackson's proceedings. "I hope gentlemen will deliberately survey the awful isthmus on which we stand," he said, in concluding his long and able speech; "they may bear down all opposition; they may even vote the general the public thanks; they may carry him triumphantly through this House; but, if they do, in my humble judgment, it will be a triumph of the principle of insubordination, a triumph of the military over the civil authority, a triumph over the powers of

1819.

that he had added new laurels to those
which he had so nobly won at New
Orleans. When the vote was taken in
the House on the resolutions censuring
General Jackson, they were lost
by majorities of thirty and for-
ty; which demonstrated, that, whatever
may be said of the measures of the
American general in the conduct of this
war, and however doubtful they may
appear on a calm and candid investiga-
tion of them, Congress was willing to
pass a decided vote of approval, and
the people were ready to glorify one
whose decision of character, no less
than his energy and military ability,
possessed the highest attractions for the
popular eye. The president and cabi
net also, principally, it is said, through
the influence of Mr. Adams, expressed
their approbation of the conduct of
General Jackson.

Illinois was admitted into the Union by a resolution adopted on the 3d of December, 1818. The southern part of the Missouri Territory took the first step towards becoming a state, by ap

* See Moore's "American Eloquence," vol. ii., pp 273-86.

plying to Congress to be erected into a territorial government, to be called Arkansas; and the territories of Alabama and Missouri took the second step in February, 1819, of applying to be admitted as states of the Union. Mr. Tallmadge in the House, proposed to fix a limit to the existence of slavery in the new state of Missouri, prohibiting the introduction of slaves, and gradually emancipating those then in bondage. The discussion soon became warm and urgent on both sides of the slavery question; but the proposal of Mr. Tallmadge was carried, and the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate refused to concur in the clauses against slavery, by a vote of twenty-two to sixteen. The House insisted on retaining the clause prohibiting slavery generally; but neither receding on this point, the bill was lost. The whole subject was consequently laid over till the next Congress, when, as we shall see, the "Missouri Question" gave rise to scenes of excitement and discord hardly to be paralleled in our annals.

As to Alabama, there seemed to be no great difference of opinion in Congress, and it was agreed without difficulty to admit it as a slave state. This was accordingly done on the 14th of December, 1819. Contemporaneously with the action named above in regard to Missouri, the question of restricting the duration of slavery in Arkansas Territory was also discussed and voted down in both Houses, thus affording to the southern men the admission of their opponents, in addition to their own arguments, to be urged on this much litigated question.

Early in January, Mr. Calhoun, the secretary of war, made an able report on roads and canals, with a view to military operations. In this re- 1819. port he said, that he regarded a judicious system of roads and canals, constructed for the convenience of commerce, and the transmission of the mail, alone, without reference to military operations, as amongst the most efficient means of defence; since the same roads and canals would, with few exceptions, be required for these operations; and such a system, by consolidating the Union, and increasing its wealth and fiscal capacity, would greatly add to the resources of war. Mr. Calhoun also suggested the employment of the regular troops in the construction of some of the lines of communication which he indicated; and Congress so far adopted the suggestion as to appropriate $10,000 for the increase of the pay of the soldiers who should be so employed. An appropriation of $500,000 was also made towards the construction of the Cumberland Road, a project with which Henry Clay soon after became personally identified.

Towards the close of the month of January, Mr. Lowndes made a full and satisfactory report on the subject of weights and measures; and also on the subject of foreign coins in the United States, their value, etc. The suggestions and statements of the committee are of great interest and value.

Notwithstanding the unpleasant posture of affairs caused by General Jackson's march into Florida, negotiations were pushed forward with the Spanish minister, and a treaty was concluded

Сп. П.]

CLAIMS ON FOREIGN POWERS.

and signed on the 22d of February, by which Florida was ceded to the United States for $5,000,000. The treaty was not, however, to be promulgated until it was ratified by Spain; and the money was to be paid to the citizens of the United States, on account of spoliations by Spain on citizens of the United States. One of the last acts of the session was a bill authorizing the president to take possession of East and West Florida. The king and court of Spain, however, protracted the matter when it was submitted to them, greatly to the disgust of Mr. Forsyth, the American envoy; and it was not till more than a year had elapsed that his majesty saw fit to ratify the treaty; it was finally ratified on the 24th of October, 1820.

On the 3d of March this busy session terminated, and the fifteenth Congress brought its labors to a close.

321

1816.

by the president, in 1816, with a special
mission to Naples, before proceeding to
Russia as envoy of the United States
to that court. His object was
to endeavor to prevail upon the
king of Naples to make restitution for
the losses sustained by our merchants,
in consequence of seizure and confisca
tion of their property during the reign
of Murat. The sovereign now on the
throne, however, found it convenient to
decline all responsibility for what had
happened under his predecessor; and
Mr. Pinkney departed from Naples
without obtaining any redress what-
ever. Nor was Eustis more successful
at the Hague. There, too, the course
adopted by Naples was found equally
convenient, and a formal disclaimer
was put forth against being held to
answer for acts done under the Napo-
leonic dynasty. With Denmark, like-
wise, nothing could be accomplished.

1818.

Similar objections to many of the claims made claims made upon the Spanish government also, were urged in the course of the long and tedious negotiations with that court. Neither did an offer, in January, 1818, to accept the cession of Florida as full compensation of these claims, lead to a more satisfactory result; although it was supported by the proposal to be contented with a narrower boundary for Louisiana, on the side next Texas. The Spanish ambassador declined to open negotiations, until that part of Florida, of which, as we have said above (p. 316), the United States had taken possession, was restored. He also complained, and with some show of justice, of the vio

Before concluding the present chapter, we must give some attention to another topic, belonging to the present period, and which was of no less interest than moment to a large number of our fellow-citizens. American commerce had suffered so severely from the spoliations of the belligerent powers of Europe, that when peace returned, it was determined to endeavor to obtain as speedy redress as was possible. The treaty of Ghent had settled the question of these claims, as far as Great Britain was concerned; but there still remained those against France, Spain, Naples, Holland, and Denmark-some of them dating from before 1800-to be brought to a settlement. Mr. William Pinkney was charged lations of neutrality which had been

VOL. III.--41

with Spain in February, 1819, Florida was ceded to the United States, and $5,000,000 was agreed to be paid as indemnity for the spoliations on Ameri

can commerce.

France, we are sorry to say, showed as little disposition as any of the European powers just named, to make compensation for the depredations she had

tolerated, though proclaimed against, by the government of the United States; and still more of the privateering, which, it was said, was carried on against Spanish commerce, by citizens of the United States, under the flags of the insurgent colonies of Spain. Although no satisfaction for mercantile losses could be obtained from Spain, the president felt bound, after the rep-committed upon the property of our resentation made by the Spanish am- citizens. Nothing was accomplished at bassador, to secure the passage of an this date, and the whole subject formed act of Congress against the privateers, a theme of complaint and vexation for which was accordingly done. Subse- many years. Further on, we shall requently, as above stated, by the treaty | cur to this topic again.

CHAPTER III.

1819-1822.

PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS

DURING 1819-1822.

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The president visits the southern states - · The slavery question -- Congress in session - The president's messageThe "Missouri Question" - Great excitement. Abstract of the argument on both sides - The great men concerned in the debate - The Compromise - Result of the matter to the north and south Action of Congress in respect to other matters, bankruptcy law, national currency, revolutionary pensions, public land sales, etc. Commodore Decatur killed in a duel -The fourth census- Gloomy period of 1819 and 1820 — Congress re assembles in November, 1820-Abstract of the president's message-The Missouri question revived — The battle fought over again - Clay's efforts - Dispute how settled — Result of the presidential election - Financial disThe Florida treaty - Monroe's second inauguration - Jackson appointed governor of Florida — His proceedings and troubles there- The president's proclamation in regard to the admission of Missouri — The seventeenth Congress-The message of the president-The work of the session, investigating Jackson's conduct, fixing the ratio of representation, refusing further help to domestic manufactures, etc. - Congress adjourns on the 8th of May.

tress

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DURING the summer of 1819, Mr. Monroe, carrying out his plan with reference to personally examining the state of the country, made a short visit to the southern states. Proceeding to Charles- The slavery question, as may be supton first, and thence to Savannah, Au- posed from what had occurred in the gusta, and other places, he returned last Congress, began to assume an imthrough the Cherokee country to Nash-portance far beyond what had hereto

| ville, and so by Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky, to Washington. He reached the seat of government early in August.

CH. III.]

1819.

CONGRESS IN SESSION.

fore been accorded to it; and popular feeling, both at the north and the south, was greatly roused on this subject. Interest as well as principle; prejudice as well as conscientiousness; sectional feuds and jealousies as well as patriotism and love of the Union, moved the minds of men and guided their course of action; and before Congress assembled, it became evident, that the old battle was to be renewed, with circumstances of bitterness and savageness added to the contest. Under such a state of things as this, the whole country looked with no little interest and anxiety to the approaching session of the national legislature.

The first session of the sixteenth Congress was commenced on the 6th of December, 1819. Mr. Clay was re-elected speaker without opposition, and the president's third annual mesŝage was communicated to both Houses on the next day. A large portion of the message was taken up with a résumé of the state of affairs as regarded Spain, and the course that government had seen fit to adopt. The commercial convention with Great Britain had not resulted satisfactorily, and the president threw out suggestions as to "prohibitory provisions," in relation to intercourse with the British possessions. The pecuniary embarrassments of the country were spoken of; and Mr. Monroe intimated his willingness to go as far as was possible in consistency with the Constitution, for the purpose of affording relief to the sufferers. He was also quite in favor of giving further encouragement to domestic manufac

323

tures, due regard being paid to the other great interests of the nation. One very influential reason for these suggestions was the diminution of the receipts at the treasury, which had followed from the disastrous condition of trade and the currency. There would be no more than $23,000,000 for the year; and the pensions granted to the soldiers of the Revolution had made a larger income than ordinary needful; but a considerable surplus was, nevertheless, expected. Having spoken of coast fortifications, the increase of the navy, measures for suppressing the slave trade, etc., the president closed his message in the following terms:"In the execution of the duty imposed by these acts, and of a high trust connected with it, it is with deep regret I have to state the loss which has been sustained by the death of Commodore Perry. His gallantry in a brilliant exploit in the late war, added to the renown of his country. His death is deplored as a national misfortune."

1819.

The "Missouri Question," as was to be expected, formed the engrossing theme of the session, and was entered into at an early day after the assembling of Congress. Great excitement prevailed both in and out of Congress; the subject was discussed in all its details and its manifold ramifications; and the best talent of the national legislature was enlisted in the endeavor to determine upon the great question at issue, viz., whether slavery should be restricted within certain bounds and its progress put an end to, or whether it should be permitted to have free

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