AMERICAN VOLUNTEER.
BY SANDERSON & CORNMAN
$&///*■#
CARLISLE:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY ‘J3, IS3O.
To a Correspondent. —OuV friend in the
west is too late in Ms application. Wc arc
supplied for the present.
The news from the North Eastern Boun
dary is of thrilling interest. The latest and
most authentic accounts will“be found on
the opposite.page. The authorities of Maine
appear determined to enforce the right of
the State to the disputed territory at all haz
ards, while, on the other hand, the Governor
of New, Brunswick is preparing to assert the
English claim at the point of the bayonet.—
What may be the result of “this state of
things, it is not for us to say,—one thing,
however, is certain, that the question of sov
ereignty must shortly be determined cither
peaceably or forcibly.
10“ A special messenger from the Gover
nor of Maine arrived in Washington oh Fri
day night last, with a demand for aid from
the General Government.. A Cabinet Coun-_
cil was immediately called, and the Presi
dent, it was believed, would make a special
communication to Congress on Monday.
ICyThe territory in dispute betwixt the
State of Maine and the British Government
of New Brunswick comprises about 10,000
square miles of ihe most valuable land in
that section of the country.
New Judge.
By letters received from Harrisburg, we
learn that, on Saturday last. Gov. Porter
nominated pur esteemed felloW,townsman,
Samuel Hepduhx, Esq. to the office of Pre
sident Judge of this Judicial District, in the
room of the Hon. John Reed, whose term,
agreeably to the provision,s of the new Con
stitution, expired on yesterday. The nom
ination will doubtless be confirmed by the
Senate.
That the nomination of Mr. H. is a popu-
i n |\ wKn nrp with (ufl-iiiffh
Standing in this community, will readily ad
mit—and that it was made with an eye sin
gle to the beat interests of the people who
arc most interested in the matter, none will
dare to deny. Mr. H. although yet a young
man, has acquired a character at the Bar for
legal acquirements and high attainments in
the arduous duties of his profession,
few of his older brethren can aspire to. In
fact, he stands, second-to none at this Bar,
.which is confessedly one of the ablest in the
State, put of the-city of Philadelphia. To
his talents as a lawyer, we may add, that
his correct moral deportment, his pleasipg
address and urbanity of manners, all emi
nently qualify him to become, not only an
ornament to the Bench, but also one of .the
most popular Judges in the Commonwealth.
. The only objection that can be urged from
any quarter against Mr. H ? » appointment is
that he,is a democrat;. but the mass of tire
people have had'long enough trial of federal
judges to be satisfied, that a change of poli
tics even on the Bhrich can do no harm, and
may be productive of. much good.
New Line of Cars.—We, learn from the
Harrisburg Chronicle, that Gtn’l. David H.
Miller, of Philadelphia, is about placing an
extra line of cars on the road, by which pas
sengers will be carried from-the city to Har
risburg at the reduced price 1 of 94 00. Un
der the, present arrangement the fare is
95 00. We hope our friends who visit the
city will not fail to patronize the new line.
The pockets of the ! people have been long e
nough fleeced by the extortions practised
upon them by the different companies who
have all along monopolized the business of
the road.' " .■■■■*, ■ i
JO“Two oxen have been exhibiting in our
borough for the last! ew.jlay s. each:df which
is said to weigh about 4000 pounds. They
areof the Durham breed,were raised in New
Jersey, and are seven years old. '. ■
Flour.— The late advices from Europe
have had a tendency to unsettle our, mark
ets... On Thursday last, in Baltimore;'sales
of flour were made from stores at §7.75, and
on Friday from wagans at §7 30.
is stated that the cost gf transport
ing the conyicts, during,"the last ten years,
has cost tbe.English Government about/or
tymilliomofddllaral At that rate, we o
piusv the VcMjfißas overrun th e-profit.”
“To the Victors belong the Spoils.”
There is nothing in the whole vocabulary
of politics, that has given the federalists such
a frightful theme of abuse against their dem
ocratic opponents/as the above hackneyed
expression of Gov. Marcy, of New York,
delivered in the Senate of the United States
some ten or twelve years ago. No epithetp
which'federal ingenuity could, invent, Ims
been considered too base to apply to the rc
publican administrations of Gen. Jacksonand
Mr. Van Buren, in connexion with this doc
trine; and so unceasing have been their cries
of “proscription for opinion’s sake,” that
many of our citizens, who have not made
themselves acquainted with the real state of |
the case, no doubt suppose that they (the
federalists) are entirely excluded from the
enjoyment of the “loaves and fishes” of of
fice; —and this opinion would naturally be
imbibed, in consequence of the general suc
cess which has for some time past attended
the democratic cause: , Now, for the pur-,
pose of setting this matter straight, & show
ing the utter falsity ofthesc federal lamen
tations, we 'insert the following statement
from the “Metropolis,” a staunch democrat
ic paper published at Washington City,which
places the subject in its.true light: • In the
, LAND OFFICE.
Federalists, Salary. Democrats, Salary
-30 956,200 48 . 956,95 p
GENERAL POST OFFICE.
11 14,600 48 . 65,980
AUDITOR’S OFFICE.
25 3O 38,075
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
10 12,000 15 19,450
Register's. Office.
24 27,050 None.
First Comptroller's Office.
13 12,250 4 7,500
Second ComptKoUex'x Office.
IT 12,500 2 1,950
First Auditor's Office. „
5 .4,500 "11 ' ‘'14,400
, Second Auditor's Office. _
12 15,000 5 , 5,900
’ ' Fourth Auditor's Office.
8 8,700 8 10,550
Fiflli'Auditorl s Office,
8 11,700 1 " 1,150
Treasurer's Office.
8 11,750 3 5’,200
Solicitor's Office.
3 -2,800 . -Z
STATE DEPARTMENT.
10, *37.800 4 10.385
5258;250 181
196
This,then is the true state of the case, so
far as regards the Land Post
Office, Treasury and State Departments,—
In the War and Navy Departments the
same state of things unfortunately exists.—
Tire above tablc exhlbits the General Gov
ernment retaining in powder a majority of
federalists qt a large amount of salary over
and above that received by their democratic,
friends, and this too, in the face of all the
lying declarators made by the federal prints
from one extremity of the Union to the other.
In addition to all this, it is estimated that
out of 12,000 and upwards Postmasters in
the United States, at least two-thirds of
them are violent, brawling, and uncompro
mising opponents of the National Adminis
tration ! The. above are .facts which cannot
be controverted, ami the federalists ought to
blush at their own inconsistency in charging
“proscription for opinion’s sake” upon the
dominant party. We. shall advert to this
subject again. ~~
Earthquake. —The Island of Martinique
in the West Indies, suffered severely by an
earthquake on the 11th of January. In the
town of St. Pierre much damage was sus
tained, and in Fort Koyal no less-than about
400-lives were lost. Hundreds of plantations
in the Island were utterly destroyed—and
to augment, if possible, the sad calamity, the
yellow fever is making terrible ravages a
mong the inhabitants. The Governor of the
Island has issued a- proclamation, calling
upon tire citizens to succor each other in
their frightful disaster, and promises the
sympathy and assistance of the French gov
ernment. Thdcall.is answered with alac
rity, and many of, the citizens,, it is said!
’have joined the garrison-aud marin Ain dig
ging up the ruins, opening tire streets, prop
ping up buildings, and. repairing the" desola
tions which the calamity had made.- . ,
' A dreadful storm occurred oh the coast'of
England, oh 7 tlfe\6th of January, Three A
merican packet ships were wrecked,-besides
a liujnber of Britiah vessels. A'.greatnum-'
her of lives were lost, 1 and a vast.amount of
property destroyed. The towmj)f Liver
pool,in particular, suffered severely by the
storm—so also Manchester. .It is said to be
impossible to form, any estimate of the value
of property destroyed. ...
SCT'A biU has becn reported in the Neiv
York Legislature, appropriating®XO,OdO, for
tlie erection of : a monument tp the memory
of Dewitt Clinton; 1
Delaware Ymo/or.-lThe Delaware Jour
nal states that “no Senator is elected,, north
be elected this session,?’ by the LeeislatOre
of that State.
xd t a tt p( tt n’t fe ty
i •- :: ; I—ll t 'S-
*
The House of Representatives adopted, a
resolution.on Saturday/fixing-the 27th of
March as the day of temporary adjournment
of the Legislature, and the 7th of May as
'the time.of meeting, to hold an extra session.
This is another item of expense which may
justly be charged upon Joseph Ritner’s ad
ministration, inasmuch as the entire - month
of December was wasted by the. Governor
and his friends, in attempting to carry out
their nefarious designs against the rights and
liberties of the people, and neglecting , the
appropriate duties for which they were del
egated by their constituents. Dearly have
the people to pay for the misrule of the late
administration.
' Rumors were rife hero on Monday last,'
that Dr. Duncan, a member ol’C.ongress from
Ohio, was killed by Mr: Menifee, of Ken
tucky. The rumor is false and unfounded,
and, instead of being killed or even hurt,
the Dr. still lives a terrible eyesore to the
federalists in Congress.
fcCT’Tlic capture of the Land Agent of
Maine, Mr. -M’lntire, and seven men, and
their imprisonment by the British Authori
ties in Frederickton Jail,,is the cause of the
present excitement in that State.
is ascertained to be a fact, that
more than two-thirds of the defaulters under
den. Jackson’s administration were federal
ists. Yet the opposition are crying out most
lustily, that all “leg-treasufers” are demo
crats! Out upon such falsifiers!
Virginia. —After a great'number of inef
fectual ballotings for U. S. Senator, the Le
gislature of Virginia, on Saturday last, a
bandoned all further attempts fur the present
session, by postponing the election indefi
nitely. This must be poor consolation for
the traitor Rives. ;
tC/”The new Board of Canal Commis
sioners have set a praise-worthy example, by
passing ii .resolution continuing the present
Lock Keepers on the public works in office
until the Ist,day of April next.,. .Thisjvas.
done, as well to prevent the inconvenience
of removing their families, &c. at this in
clement season of the year, as to'afford them
-thc-means-of livelihood-until the spring sea
son commences. Quite different was the
policy pursued by their predecessors some
three years ago. Then the majn obycctj
peared to bt to turn out the d
"rieok and heels,” without rej
$240,140 1 uation of their families
lognizes- anil
/from ilbmcs
erence by that
intlTtliose rig!its~iyTH"tTil
-oy, and contrary to, the spirit of thausacred
charter of American liberty A /
_<trdto the Hit- 'JTeso/DBifT'.'Tliat' the forcgoingjn'eamblc &
... f resolutions be signed by the officers and pub-'
*■ * lished in the papers of Carlisle and York.
[ A. FERTENBAUGII, Brest:
' ! Joseph Atkinson,? v P ■'l t
.Mfiti-ilbolition •Electing. | Love Fisher, S ’ res ' c e " 3 '
At a large and respectable meeting of the Isaac Burton, Secretary,
citizens of Allen township in the county of n» a in T u' t;
Cumberland and Fairview township in tho BS-th TH fclillAN
county of York., held at the house of Peter Of Col. fMeCLXJRE, delivered in the'House
M’Cann in the town of Lisburn, on-Mondiiy of Representatives, an the resolution of
the 18th February, for the purpose of ex-' Jl Ir. Naylor for the appointment of a se
pressing their Views on the subject of Abo- led committee to enquire into the conduct \
litionism, when on motion Capt. ANDREIV of Commodore Elliott, while in cotmnandl
FERTENBAUGH was called to the Chair,! in the Mediterranean. j
.4,050
the season,
Joseph Atkinson and Love Kishep, chosen Mr. McCLURE rose and said: I believe
Vice Presidents, and Isaac Barton, Secre- ■ Mr. Speaker/the motion of my colleague is, ■
tary. On motion of Henry M’fconkey, Col. , that this communication be referred to a sq-
John Thompson of York county was called lect committee, for the purpose of invests
upon to address the meeting, Wlio appeared gallon, so that a report may be made tbere
and'.in a very clear and happy manner laid on, for the satisfaction not only of the mem
open to the public the designs of the fiery hers of this,House, but generally of the peo
emissary and domestic fanatic and abolition- pic of the United States. . So'far as this in
ist to the satisfaction of all who heard him, vestigafipn is concerned, I second the pro
when on motion the chair appointed the fol- position willingly and cordially. I believe
lowing gentlemen a committee to prepaTe-a-that_such an-investigatioiu.ought_to__b6_had.
preamble and resolutions expressive of the I believe that it is due, not less to the parties
sense, of this meeting, Viz; Col. John Thomp- concerned than to the honor of our Navy,
•son, Henry M’Konkey, John E- that a eleatvdfstirict, and full devel.npement
manuel Fettrow and Robert Nelson, whore- of all the facts connected with these'charges
tired foe a few moments arid reported the should be laid before the country. Sir, I
following-which were unanimously adopted: hope that no gentleman here will be found :
Whereas, The excitement that has been to .throw any obstacle in the way of this in’- !
created in our country by abolitionists and quii-y. Let us have it; let us hear all that
is still spreading through fanatics and other is to be heard, and let us know what foun
persons not having the welfare of our repub- -dation there is for, charges which have been
lie at heart, but to create a disunion of our s sO repeatedly and so boldly urged upon the
states, has at length reached our peaceful consideration of this House. ,' [
village and its vicinity, by persona who pro- What was the nature of the communica- 1
fess to be the servants of our Lord’s gospel, tiori received only a few days ago from the
And whereas, a lecture has already been de- Navy Department, in relation to one set of
livered in one of our villages by the Rev. E. \ charges against this officer? It.was, that no.
West, who- calls himself a servant in the information'respecting them was to befound
vineyard of the Lord and an elder in the ’on the files of the Department, and that,
church dr God, arid wishes to meet persons! therefore, the- Secretary could miihe no re
in or about the village of Lisburn to debate port in the premises.' Let honorable gentle
that subject. We would remark that' the then bear thrs, fact in mind,
formation of our glorious union; was, a great Mr. Speaker, Ido not appear here as the
experiiiient made by patriotism in the cause particular'friend of Commodore Elliott. It
of civil liberty„thus far successful, its results is true that I know him, and, so far as I
have been most beneficial, spreading' with know him, I believe him to be a high-mind
uncxampled profusion over our extensive ed and honorable man; and I know also that
country blessings which, distinguish. Jier a- he has at least .“done some service” to. the
bove all others. The offspring ■of common Republic.- Tf envy exists against him, let
sulferings and common triumphs among the that envy spit lier spite through Rcprcseri
states—the jpreseryation of this union is de- tatives on this floor for years—yes, sir, ! for
jlendent upon acommrirtity oPsympatliy'nnd at iast’dt wuMiirve-'‘to giiaw-a
good-feeling among their respective people, file.” Tf there is-a man living'iyho I believe
Any attempt; by a portion of the people of would, in his individual capacity do- justice
one state to interfere even indirectly with' to his country, that man is Com. Elliott.—
the domestic institutions of another has the: Brit, sir, let us look at him in another capri
■inevitable;teudehcy to destroy: that feeling, city—in his public character. 11
Such attempt is an insult on the state ag- 1 have said that he hits done “some ser
geieved, and tlie motives which impel.it are vice ito the State.” >Let us look at him, if
at variance with that paternal spirit which you please, at the battle of .Lake Erie;—
constitutes the people of these states breth- Eveiiy disputed question in relation to that
ren of pne great,family; but when such at- battle was settled, 1, believe., shortly after
tempt involves the, safety; of the people of a wards, by the Congress of thqU, States ve
stal*, the robbery bf their property, the des- ting a medal to him in tokeii of his gallant
ecration of their constitutional; rights, the conduct there. ..And, preyijbus to that bat
viqlation of their domestic peace"; infatuation tie, look at huLgonduct in' cuttirigout two
must admit that such'attempt perse- ships-Trom uridbr the enemy’s battery,-and;
Vefed in will inevitably convert pfe-existcht carrying them captive to our shores. Is
good .feeling.into..deadly, hostility, , the cer- there nothing in his conduct there? Is there
tain consequences of which will be a sunder- nothing in his conduct in South America?—
edmriion with all the horrors of civil com- Is there nothing in jiis coridu'et in thc West
motion.. That such attempt is being at this
time, made by certain fanatics, by their lec
turing and the distribution of pamphlets, cir- '
culars, almanacs,and every species of piibli-■'
cation, cannot be denied; yet it is ' a matter
of heartfelt congratulation to the friends of
the union that the geheral and spontaneous
expression of feeling which has burst from
the patriotism and intelligence of .the north,
affords the cheering hope that we arc prepa
red to frown indignantly upon the first dawn
ing of every attempt to alienate any portion
of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble
the sacred ties which now link together the
various parts. But notwithstanding the
manifestation of this spirit,the movement- of
the domestic fanatic and foreign emissary,
and-the insidious means to which they resort
are fraught with so much peril to the citizens
of the south themselves; their families and
their undoubted rights; arid a just regard fot*
the peace and harmony of our country de
mand that we should in temperate and res
pectful but determined language assist to
protect their domestic institutions and con
stitutional rights from all interference, eith
er direct or indirect, from any and -every
quarter. Therefore,'
Resolved, That the perpetuity of this glo
rious union which has shed such blessings on
Us as a people is only to be ensured by a
strict adherence to the letter of the constitu
tion, has guaranteed certain, rights
which we will suffer no power on earth to
interfere with, that itas deeply incumbent
on us as a part of the citizens of the north,
to crush the traitorous designs of the aboli
tionists, and that .the south may look to us
with confidence to snch movements on our
part as will effectually put an end to imper
tinent fanatical and disloyal interference
with matters, settled by the constitution.
flcsolved, That the Trustees of the Lis
burn Union Meeting House be requested not
to open the church or school house.to Mr.
West or any other person for the purpose of
lecturing on the subject of abolitionism, or
any persons fhat they know have at ahpfor
mer time delivered lectures on that subject;
that shmilihth£y*dosi) they willidepart from
that trust confideiHn them "by the contribu-'
tors of said church aitffschoul house; that we
will prevent it peaceably-if we can;
Resolved, That the Dismu-t. of Columbia
and the several Ccmtories of Stales
are the common property of the phople of
these states that the right of exclusive 1
lation in the former ami ilm power to
all needful rules and "
vcrnment of the flitter arc veste/
gross of the United States am(
from the constitution'which rei
guarantees the rights rc'suUiiijj
tic slavcrvjind that any inter
LTdlcs!* Nothing iti liis’conduct in the Med
iterranean? -Look to his whole career-a-look
to it with a fair and candid eye, anil tell me
whether his every energy has not been devo
ted to glory of his country and to the
protection of her flag? ' And yet, here we
see the exhibitions of this venomous spirit—
this disposition to persecute and trample
upon>him—in the introduction of resolution
after aiming, by insinua
tion, or more direct charge; at the destruc
tion Af,his character; and yet, 'each calling
for information which, when obtained, has,
up to this point at least, gone to clear up the
very character which it is designed to black
en and destroy.
It has been asserted, Mr. Speaker, by my
colleague who preceded me, that there is no
vice in the calender ofwvlrich Com. Elliott
has not been guilty. I, in my place, deny
the fact. Sir, it is not a fact. I fed'hound
to contradict the assertion. If Com. Elliott
had a fault, it was the fault of being too
strict a disciplinarian for the lax and loose
times in which we live, when every man
holding an inferior official station holds him
self equal to his superior. That is his only
fault; He is a sailor of the old school. He
is a man resolutely determined to enforce
discipline on board his own and, in do
ing so, it is.probable that the const! 1 ’
my colleague may think that too.se
flictions have been put-uppn them,
vouch that he will be correct in the
ment of discipline to the minutest ioi
Let us look at the case referred tc
or twelve days ago? I had the honor
senting to my colleague some authei
cuments, with a request that he woi
them, and in the belief that, if he i
•them, lie could npt.fajl_to_be_satisfii
the true state of the case of Mr. Bai
lJut what arc the facts of that case
have hoard a fine flourish on the matt
my'col league—you have heard fr<
loud declarations—(would to God I
/strength of lungs; but I have not, am
pose, therefore to confine myself as
as possible to facts.) And what ai
facts, as they appear from the'rioeiir
the hands of my colleague?
Mr. Barton met an inferior, or jiel
cer on the deck of the frigate Const
(which was commanded by .Com.
'hiicTasked him why he was not in _• ]se.
•tformance of some particular duty. The re
ply was, that he had been discharging the
duty assigned to him, and that he co.uld'not
attend to any other. Mr. Barton, losing on
the instant the control’ of liTs judgment,
and giving way to his passion, ditav tli rk
and stabbed the man in the thigh. The man
retreated below, and was taken wounded to
the hospital.. The matter was reported to
Com. Elliott. A’young officer, taking up
the quarrel of the inferior, subsequently
called Mr. Barton to the field.of honor, as
it is fermed*’ Com. Elliott, for the Very
purpose of avoiding'some such issue, order
ed Mr. Barton from the Constitution to the
'/schooner “Shark,” and wn-otc n letter to the
commander of the schooner notto.pcrmit Mr.
, B. to go on shore; for, if he did, a duel would
be the consequence. Contrary alike to (he
order of the Commodore and of the com
mander' of the schooner, Mr. Barton did
slink, or go’ secretly, over the side of the
vessel, was engaged in the duel, was wound
ed; and when carried back to the Constitu
tion, (to which' vessel it will be borne' in
mind, he did not belong.) was ordered back
to the shore?* !> This is the plain state of the
case. ’
‘gus
fuake
lie go
in the Con
are.' derived
i. And what was Com. ElliottV'mnt'ivc?—
The rules of the service had been disregard
cdalthe discipline of the s madron invaded,
and his own express commands set aside.—
He said to himself. Shall I maintain the
disciplinc.of nly squadron, or shall I not?—
Slial.l I, in the face of my crew, vindicate ,
the rules and discipline of the service which
Jiave thus been wantonly violated, or shall I
yield now and forever? Like a good officer,
he enforced his rules. He required Mr.
Barton to be carried on shore; but at the
same time that he thus determined to estab
lish and sustain his discipline, he gave di
rections that strict care should be taken of
Mr. B.‘, and gave him a .letter of credit for
any amount of money which might be re
quisite to provide for his recovery and com
fort. Sir,. if a dog were wounded and
brought to my door, 1 would send for a sur
geon and have his wounds dressed. But, I
say that, had! been in the situation of Com.
Elliott; ! should have taken the shine steps
that he did. He was not at liberty to for
get-that whilst he took proper means for the
protection of a human, being under his com
mand, it was his duty also to enforce the
.discipline of this must strong anti favorite
arm of-our-national defence. And it is not
a remarkable fact, Mr. Speaker, that whilst
the apparently harsh orders given in the e
vent referred to are-arrayed before this
House and- the country, for the purpose of
crushing the charSeter of a son of our Navy,
not'a word is heard of his kind and gentle
conduct, towards the wounded man. Sup
pose the Commodore had allowed him to
come on. board"the Constitution.' ' What
would have been the consequence? His
qrdfers .would' have been a nullity—his dis
cipline looser than the spider’s web—more
tender and more easily broken.. BUt. likea
man able and determined to sustain himself
arid the honor of Iris flag an distant seas, he
vindicated the rules and discipline of the
service, even whilst,-as I have said, he gave
a letter of credit to Mr. Barton for any a
mount of money he mjght-vequirc; and which
very letter of credit, if I am not mistaken,
you find Mr. Bartori using. Was there
jcruelty there? If so, I do riot know in wliat
cruelty consista. y —'--v
. I have thus, "Mr. Speaker, viewed with
calmness and deliberation-the facts as'l be
lieve ; .thenvto exist.ip the case of Mr, Bar
tpin. The soriie of'five resolu-
'This is a mistake; Mr. Barton chnllenped
, Mrilshipm'nri Wood, who had reproved him for
abuse to a Brother Midshipman of extreme youth,
arid .belonging to the same vessel with them.,-.
tions which have been offered on this floor 1
lias Wounded my feelings, and, probably, the
feelings of other members besides myself.
The language, as it seems to me, is of a na*
ture emphatically calculated to prejudice
the People of the U. States against Commo
dore Elliott, and to make them believe that
all is wrong abOut hipi. Sir, if any thihg is
wrong, I believe his greatest fault will be
fountl-in the fact that ne has sustained the
last and present A'dinipistrations, but more
especially the last“-thaf he Was thought
worthy of the special trust and confidence
of Gen’l. Jackson—and that Gen’l. Jackson
entrusted to his charge the performance of 1
one of the most delicate and critical duties
that 'has ever been assigned to any officer,
civil or military, since the-first- existence of .
this Republic. And, sir, those whose curi
osity or candor may dispose them to look a
little beyond the surface of things here, may
probably find a satisfactory return for their
trouble, in the clews which I have here sug
gested to their consideration.
We have had areportin the case of Lieut.
Hunter. 1 have-glanced my eye over it,
and I sec nothing in it to bring home a mis
demeanor—a dishonor—or an unworthy re
flection on Commodore Elliott. It appears
that on a race-course near Port Mahon, in
/•• Hunter used
[he Commodore
gentleman from
he had not done
id to do so. The
e done so—to
1; and Comnio
icrcise of his le
him on board.-
he. Governor of
the Commodore
in exercise that
ought to cxer
inces. Suppose
little beyond his
lunter on board
;ht? . What are
.ook t them for
ion t e superior
iferior officer in
im immediately,
rmy go further:
ofticer to arrest
ircumslanccs.—-
_uii you say that Commodore
Elliott has transgressed the bounds of. his'
just authority? Sir, he is more entitled to
credit, for having acted up to.that just.au
thority, then to censure for having passed
j beyond it.
[ Tire gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Al
ien) has introduccdanother resolution., _lts
language was more moderate, probably, than
I that of two or three others: it showed less of
I bitterness, Jess of an unrelenting spirit to
I crush; but yet. it came as a helpmate to oth
j ers, in calling for information..' And what
information have we obtained?- The Secre
tary of the Navy informs us that there is no
information in his Department in relation to
the case. And why? Because it is an ex
\parte call. I allude to the case of Mr.
| Etheridge—to the-call upon the Navy De
partment for information why .the Commo
j dore had not been court-martialled upon the
j charges preferred against him by Mr. Ether
| idge. Sir, the resolution called for ex parte
I evidence, for one-sided testimony. It is
true that resolutions might have been ofler
| ed calling for all information, but time and'
opportunity have not permitted. But what
is the reply of the Secretary to this resolu
tion? It is, that the Department has no in
formation to give to die Public; arid there’'
the matter rests. Now, I will state my own
honest conviction and belief, that if a reso--
’ lution had been adopted calling for informa
tion on the other side, this House and the
People of this country would have found
that Mr. Eth.eridgc'was a public functionary
employed at the navy yard in Charleston,
and that his mal conduct had been such (hat
the Secretary of the Navy, and probably the
Board of Commissioners, had proceeded a
gatnst him without a word from Commodore
Elliott, and that upon these "proceedings Mr.
Etheridge was convicted and discharged.—
This I believe to be the fact, from informa
tion on which I feel entitled to rely.
Mr. Fletcher, of Massachusetts, desired
the gentleman from Pe nnsy li at\i a' (M>' ■ Me-*
Clure) to state his authority for this state*-
merit.
Mr. McClure. . I have stated this as my
own conviction and belief. I could name
the authority from which I derive my infor
inatlon, but I respectfully decline to do so,-
i Mr. Fletcher, of Massachusetts, here re
quested the gentleman from Pennsylvania to
permit him to say a few words. He said he
had presented the resolution calling on the
Secretary of the Navy to communicate to
the House the charges filled by Mr. Ether
idge against Com. Elliott. The Secretary
had answered that he was unable to find the
charges referred to in his Department. He
(Mr. Fiythefefore.had never seen the charges,
and diih not know.their nature neither had
he any knowledge.of the circumstances un- .
der which Mr. Etheridge left his employ*-,
ment in the navy yard at Charleston, to
which the gentleinan from Pennsylvania re
ferred;-but he-(Mr. F.) knew Mr." Ether
idge, and knew him to be a highly respect
able gentleman, .and he. could not quietly
hear any imputations upon’.hifri, when,-he
was riot present,' opportunity "to an
swer for himself; and he hoped the gentle
man from Pennsylvania would state upon
whaf'pvidence or on what authority he made
his statements iri regard to Mr. Etheridge,-
Without a communication of his evidence or
authority, the-Houe could have. no. means of
judging of the justice of his reiriarks.
Mr. McClure resumed. I have all due
respect for Mr. Etheridge. I say, all due
respect. .'And I. have infinite respect for the
gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr Fletch
er;) but. at thc same “time/T niust rcpear
that I Respectfully decline to mention the
nam.g. of my authority. 1 have stated my
own beli.ef,- and £ hold myself personally re
sponsible for it. ; v -