Indiana Centinel, Volume 4, Number 2, Vincennes, Knox County, 22 April 1820 — Page 2

"vrniie hUovVr i constrained io?dunt,to a continual dprebsion. .Yolhing in'rre fiSTtviilalcs c man .V a htast. than liriw u:vng freemen, himself a stave. Such people as lhefe are to natural enemies of the societies, and their numbers must In dangerous." ?iot gradual r.mancipal ions, therefore, but the ertewum of civil t! a very ought to Jarni us : and in truth we are the only nation upon earth, that tier considered the lirr.t as a ground of apprehension, or

th- lust as a pohiic-sl desideratum In England, while, bondage e.ited a-! moog In it enlightened people, enfranch-j bcmcr.ts were always encouraged by parliament, and tho--e who were entrusted with the adminis ration of jit'tice ; and throughout all Europe indeed, after the introduction of christiaritv, the cloom cf civil slavery tv-adually receded, os liif-ir horizon was enhrolenfJd by t ie ilnvn of political liberty. Even in India, rhcre the climate auu the nature of the country have of necessity c&tablUhed a political despotism, their slaves are rcnnu nutted without dilbculty. JNo Ic to, restrictions to observe !! raimic clogs to struggle with ! No tyThese were reserved for that hallowed a:i i, when the rulers, in a republic produced by the perfection of human reason, should foriret the principles' of their consti tution, of that religion thr.y profess, of the eternal law of" nature, nay, the suggestions of common' prudence. When eastern uesnots surpass us m numanity, vVhen India affords an evidence of justice, i wh:ch Maryland hesitates 10 exniuir, who m does not lament the corruption of t L UU 1 generous spirit whote exertions so lately attracted the attention of an admiring Universe ! lint it has also been said (and who knows but the same opinion may still have its advocates) that JWdi'rc has blackbulled these icvciches out cf society. . Gracious God ! Can it be supposed that thy almighty Providence ioUmded to proscribe these victims of fraud arid power, from the pale of society, because thou hast denied the delicacy cf an European complexion ! ;Is their color.Mr. Speaker, the mark cf Divine cngeance, cr is it only the flimsy pretext upon T.-'nich v.re attempt to justify our treatment of them ? Arrogant and presumptuous is it thuf to make the dispensations .of Providence subservient to the purposes of iniquity, and every slight diversity in the works of nature the apology for oppression. Thus acts the intemperate bi rot in religion. He persecutes every Ii-senier from Lis creed, in tne name of Cod, and even re r the norr.'d fabiic of an inquisition, upofk heavenly foundations!! I do not like these holy arguments.--CThey are as convenient f i" the tyrant sail then to know that turse suackieu y.-retclies arc JJ&V as v:til a v'3 are, sp. from the same COMMON PAHEXT, and crdxed icith equal faculties ir.i;.ul and body, is to know enough to make i.u disdain to turn casuists on their co npleviou V) the destruction of their rig:.U The beauty of a complexion is ljire matter of taste, and vanes in &Sthe Deitv ? As if the ruler cf the irni - w w - - cr beauties as the undulating tribunal of taste shall determbe, the indicia of Ills if I Mr. Speaker, it is pitiable to reft1 on the mistaken lirrht in which thH un fortunate generation are viewed by the people in general. Hardly do they deign to rank them in the order of beings above a : oe re animal

as the patriot : the enemy as the insr.d j ennseess barbarity. The more mild a

lii.ii-ikiu. uuiiu lujj.cio "'j'-i- peqitaDje cur ia.vs upon i.ns suojecr, uie through the calm medium of philosophy, J e .eP t'ne situation of our slaves. And

fere-.t countries, nay, even in the ame ; inilrence ? Look bad: for examples to

and shrill we dare to set up this vauc, j the republics of Athens and of Sparta. undeJeni iuate, weathercock standard, as 2rever did the sedition of her slaves dls-

tiic iiitiiuu uy wmiii mjjui us uLxiuvut,nn) itiQ traaquiutv or me lorincr, ue-i 'ui ""in aaj .tc on what completions the iigkts.of human j c?.u?e the lenity, the justice of her rgu- mnt-antiful river; also navigable benature are conferred, an 1 to what thy htiens with resy !ect to them, preclu(?ed ttri two and three hundred miles. , irc de:;:ed by the srreat ordinances cf!lf T.i5wibiiitv f a murmur. Eut the " There are many other fine rivers,

vers? r.:ai rnaae tne darkness oi a skui, perpetual scene of commotion, because the ilatness of the nose, or the widens ; jn considering them as slaves, the repubof the mouth, which are only deformities lie tcrrot that they were men.

li ii n y '

il that grazes the field of or if the temper of the jecple would alThat an bumble, dusky, un- ow it (for there are times when the best

the owner. lettered wretch, that drags, the chain of! bondage through the weary ro ad of life, with no olhcr privilege than ihat cf exist- j

:ii:for another mans bene at, shoma have to lite co . Ti? of voluntary liberation. teea iatendad f.r Iheir equal, they will They have forbid a manumission by hist believe. liut let me appeal to the ?m testament, or in any manner duinlehigent mind and ask. in what repect j r;n the lat sickness of the owner ; a time 'are they our inferiors? Though they when the heart is most powerfully dipoh iv e never been taught to tread the . Sed to be generous andjiiit. They have paths of science, or embellish human life destroyed" almost the only opportunity Ly literary acquirements; though they those wretches can have, of rerrainin-r the

cannot soar into lae roiaiis or wsce anu 0:.t;ment. or explore the scenes of phi- .. . t loM'ohical research, is it to be inferred that they want the power, if the yoke of shivery did not check each aspiring eUort, ftnd clog the springs jof action ? Let the Lit:d band of an assiduous care mature their powers, let the genius of freedom excite to manly thought and liberal investigation, we should not then be found to monopolise the vigor of fane v, the delicacy of taste, or the solidity of scientific ei -hv.vine'ali. Horn with hearts as susceptible of virtuous impressions as our own, nud with minds as capable of benefitting by improvement, ihey in ail rc tUo'tr c'.i'k bj n-itvre ; and he "who Unie- h-js never re.'lccteil, il.t talents, however great, may polish unnotie-ed and jnkuovn,uniess au-ptciouscircumshT.crs i-u-pre to draxv thcia fcrLh;ond ar.iaisic tlu !r eseiiio.K in the Miind of. knowledge. As well niht you o.pcct to see the bubbling fountain guh from the burning v.inJi of Arabia, ai that the inspiration of genru, or the ciitliusiifiistic glow oT liiimrt hon:i rouse the mind which Jia yielded its elasticity to habitual &ub-

vices of tliC-5 wTctcbf s fire flu lesu't of of benevolence may be gratified, right situation, -a-ftf therefore no evidence ofund justic add their sanction to the mea-

their inferiority. , Like the tower wnoc ; culture has been neglected, and perishes amidst permitted weeds before it openv its blossoms to the spring, they only prove the imbecility of human nature, unassisted and oppressed. Well has Cowper said, ' Tis Liberty atone which gives thefioiccr Of Jhilin? lift its lustre end perfume : And ire are WEEDS viihout U. Again, it has been urged that "manumitted slaves will be, as in many instances they have been, namr.ces in the . community." I knort-not of instances 0f (hi kind in number sufficient to justify a general inference to the prejudice of the blacks ; but even it they exist, the argument has no weight, for it is founded on what is net peculiar to these people, but from an imperfect administration of criminal justice, is equally applicable to their v. later neighbors. Will any one pretend that they alone merit this imputation ? Extend it to your white citizens in the same proportion, and you will not censure uncharitably. I would not give a ctraw to choose between them. The majority of them will be honest and industrious. I would trust them as soon as the majority of your white people in general, sooner, because the plain simple method of life to which shey are accustomed, supercedes the necessity of much, and the little to which they are accustomed, supercedes the necessity of much, and their habits of labor will render it easy to supply ; and because the terror 0f (ie 9AV operates stronger upon their minds, tkon on the minds of tliose who have b?cn Wo? hackneyed m tne world. They have also the same inducement to industry ith other's, and I eec no reason to suppose they will be lazier. Tims have I anticipated and answered such objections as have come to my knowledge, against maitumissiGii in general. One word moreIt h?s been alleged u that such humane provisions in favor of slaves will diminish their value, by rendering them turbulent, disobedient and unruly. Far different, IMr. Speaker, was the idea of a man whose name and whose opinions cannot be too often repeated ; and whoso opinions cannot be too often repeated ; a man whose greatness of soul, and profound discernment, beaming in every page of hi?, works, have deservedly acqnired birr, the admiration of his cotempcraries and posterity ; I n;ean Montesquieu. Let those who hold this opinion, read the Spirit of Laws, with their understaudlrurs onen to conviction, and, if they t till retain this sentiment, I rhall ahall despair cf producing their conversion. Ar;i vet, fc:r, I cannot help remarking tiikt gentleness and humanity are ihe parer-t of con i'iation ; but stubnd ca-tl it be believed, that to better their situation will make them more discontented with it ? Is it probable tiint to abolish one sad consequence of their bondage willive additional weight to their chains? Is the snirit of acquiescence known only in the gloomy regions of despair ? Cr j 3 it rather to'be tiauud where the cheerfa tavs 0r 10r)e dinuse their soothiri lie u L'nves nf Snnrta rnnda that rri.ubUe a TilUhen, sir, let the subject rest with ; the house upon ii. obvious merits. I do not know what will be their determina tion but I have no doubt what it oujrht You arc not called urK3n to com pel an emancipation of your slaves. For such a measure 1 am no advocate, however proper it inhrht be upon principle. hws cannot with propriety be enacted. ) Thus stands tbc ouestion at present. A former ir-islature has created a barrier . - . ' station to which God and nature hns ciren them a title. They have thrown up an insuperable mound against toe gentlcurrent of humanity, to the additional injury of those whom they had already injured beyond the reach of jiu-tillcatior-All this they have dene without one rational inducement; without evroi policy to plead in its extenuation. Shall you,

then, whose councils the breath of free- arr,v.e ,n season, a suspicion wa er.terdom has heretofore inspired; vhoe citi- tcrtained that it had been robbed and

zens Iiave been led bv Providence to conquest as glorir.ur. as unexpected, in the sacred cause of human nature ; whoe ovenment is founded on the never rr.oulJt.nng bv-is of eyrA ri'ht ; hall yf'i, I say, behold this wanton abure of legislative avtacrity; this shainef d dis - regard of every moral ami religious ob ligation ; this ihgrant ct of strained and urpnrokcd cruelty, "and not attempt rejrss, when redrew is so easy to be effected ? Often. Hr. Speaker, has the p:iblic treasure relieved the wants of sullering merit, when the bounty cf government wf.s hardly rcconcile"ibl Mith justice; lint vou have nor cuDnnttccl to voiir con - t&eiitbaacaWwLcw but you have no suDmrttcd to voirr con

sure, while the community sustains no

damage. Yours, too, will be the gratitude of the millions whom this day's vote mav give to breathe the air of freedom. Yours the flattering approbation of the friend's of mankind ; and yours the pleasing consciousness of having, under the influence of every nobler sentiment, unloosed the manacles of many a fellow creature ,nnd led him by the hand to LIBERT 1' and SOCIAL 'HAPPINESS. TUXAS. The fullov.icg is an extract of a letter from a Reutlcman in Virginia, veil acquainted, from actual observation, with the province of I'cjras, to a Member of Congress, dated "I.F-xiKGiON. March 12, 1820. I will with, with pleasure, civc vou a description of the province of Te.ras, ! so far as my information extends. It is bounded on the Muth by the Gulf of Mexico, extending along its coat from the river Sabine, by computation, 700 miles ; the latitude you will easily discover from Meiish's map. " The gca-board, so far as I penetrated the province, v hich was within an hundred miles of the Ilio del Norte, i? rather a prairie country, and I was informed it continued the same to that river ; it is waving, vet not so steep any vicre as that it cannot be cultivated to advantage. i: The soil is fir superior to an v thins 1 ever Faw, too IVlissusjppi bottoms not eTceptetl. The climate ib peculiarly adapted to the culture f sugar and cotton, for an hundred and fifty miles from the fiulf towards the mountains. After vou have travelled about that distance, on an average, the country becomes more broken and a little hilly, in some places the rock is to be seen on the surface. Nevertheless, that part of it is well cal culated for firming and razinS, the latter particularly; in mariy places salt is found in great abundance j so much so, that 1 have seen rallies so complete ly revered with it4 that it resembled a large white frost ; consequently, your cattle get what they want of it, and the jrrass being so exceedingly fine, that, wHiout feeding them, they continue fat winter and summer. 44 Taking the province of Te.vas generally, it certainly is the finest part of the world I ever heboid ; as it combines ail the advantages of xrazimr, farming' and planting. I have seen, up the St. Antonio, as fine sugar cane, cotton, wheat, and corn, as I ever looked at any where. The ueather always mild and pleasant ; I never felt the heat oppressive, or the cold severe; in two winters i never saw the ice an inch thick. " From the Trinity river to the Rift del Norte, there is a good deal of prairie, except on the wattr-courses, where timber is akvays plenty; 'the rivers of that country run parcllel to each other, from north to goutli ; some approach the mountains, which mav be distant from the ea perhaps 500 miles. 4i Some of the rivers ailord considerable navigation, and all of them for a short distance. The Ilrassos is distant frcm the Trinity about 70 miles, and is navigable upwards cf SCO miles ; from thence to the Colorado is 90 miles, the but that cn which the capital stands is called St. Antonio, and is navigable but a fdiort distance: it fidls into the bay cf Maiagorda,. about V20 miles from the town, which contains about a000 inhabitants. Labihia is also situated on that river, about SO milas below it, containing perhaps 2,bC0 inhabitants, and may well be called the garden pot of the province. The Uay oflleinaid, Matfgorda, a Jul the mouth of the Ilio del Norte, arc ail said to bz gaod bar)or?. Si The limber of Texas differs hut little from that of other countries where he soil is fertile, with the exception of live Oiik, which you find in reat abuoi'ance all along the Coast of the Gulf, extending a considerable distance up the rivers into the country. " The dye -stuff?, which came within my observation, were indigo and cochi neal ; the former can be cultivated to any extent ;iha litter abundance without any care or attention.. On the Trinity and Colorado, there are immense quantities of ea coal, or stone coaL as it is called. The o; her j minerals of the country, consists ofgold, silver, iron copper, and lead." MAIL UOHBIUJII. As the eitcru nail du at altipiore, on Satuulay las?, the 25th ult. did not horses employed in conveying it wer found tied to a tree about three mile frcm the city. The mail is at present tranfported by a carriage prepared for tne purpose, and not in stszes tne gen J F"1 preference of travelling in the itt-am boats rendering the latter mode unprof itable to the contractors. The alarm was instantly raiicd. Parties of patriotic citizens went out immediately, on the invitation cf Mr. Skinner, the post master, to cour the country in all directions : The dr'iTcr, ma'd and carriage were found about eight and an half miles from the city, in a 1 iut 4 iju.a.nn oltvuctl thicket near the road, where a quantity

it. The driver was discovered with hi arms extended and fastened to trees, murdered, by a bullet wound ar.d two

stabs in the breast: : v lne man oa; cut open and rifled, and the fragment of letters strewed upon the grminu. The situation cfthei.orsrs mdtcateu that the murderers awl 'robbers bad rttired from the horrid deed towards Baltimore heavy rewards were ottered for the discovery of the wretches every body was on the" alert, for all were "deeply interested in detecting the flagrant offenders; and,on the afternoon of the game day, tv.o persons were arrested and committed to jail, charged with the murder and robbery. One of thin named Perry liutton, a native of Delaware, orrr.crl a well known stage driver, who lately kroke jail at Richmond where he had been committed Icr kidnapping; the other a certain Morris N. 11. Hub, a na tivc of New York, passing for a doctor. On their persons were found more than G0C0 dollars, and their trunks brin examined, upwards of 10,000 dollar more were recovered, a considerable part in half notes. Thevare both youn men, about 2b years ct age, and tiail arrived at Baltimore from New York on the Tuesday preceding. Other person? were taken up on suspicion of being accompjices. but uisxhared. Poor Heaps, the muidered driver, was a foreigner who emigrated to the Uniiet States about two years since. Having established a fair character and found the means of subsistence, he sent for his family, a wife and several children who recently arrived ! The pistol was put so near to his breast, that his clothes were sinired. A leather mask lias been found near the spot at which he was kil led. P. S. The mail robbers, Hutton anc Hull, have made a free confession of their guilt to jude Bland, of the U. S. district court. They agree in every thing but this: Hutton says that they did net origiuallj intend to kill the driver, the other declares that they did. Hull nhot him, and Hutton, (as repot t says.) stabbed him to put him out ot his misery, from the first wound. The driver did. not resist. The robbers assert that they had no accomplice?, and that every dollar which they obtained has been recovered. f JW'ic Vorlc March 27. For a few days past, a man who calls his name Smith, has been attempting to seduce the driver of the eastern mail stage into a conspiracy to rob the mail. The driver having acted with great discretion on the occasion, has been the means of arrcstrng the man, and frustrating hi wicked intentions. He pretended to Smith that & would aid in the robbery and fehare with him the plunder. In the meantime, he informed gen. Bailev of the circumstances, who took nieasurcs accordingly. Yesterday (Sunday) morning, being the time agreed upon, tne robber took hi3 station on the iront seat of the coach, with the driver, as they started from East Chester. He soon opened the mail with a faiye Key, and took out several package ; when, on a signal from the driver, the gentlemen inside the coach; Mr. Cusdi.s a police ctiicer, and Mr. Wiley, of the post office, immediately fiecured him. The rillain h safs in Bridewell. It was his intention to have opentd tha mail occasionally with his false key and take out a few packages, then close it so that uo clue could have been had to the manner of the robbery, and suspicion would have fiord upmi the post masters2.IV2rAJli:TT.V, TLB. 20. The naval expedition lias not sailsd the delav is owing to soma mismanagement of Admiral Drion. Cm. Stafford, a distinguished aod brave officer, formerly of the Dolphin privateer, v Baltimore, has been appointed to command the tleet, and'every thing ;ill nu doubt g on wtil. Gen. Devereux has not arrived. II is legion, with the Knglish troops recently arrived here, arc to embaik on bard the squadron in about two weeks. Com. Stafford is to have the whole command and plan of attack, and from his experience and bravery we anticipate a sucrc.isful issue. The Squadron consists of 18 sail in number, amongst which are tome as fine vessels as ever swam th ocean. Tut to Cabsllo and Laguira wii! no doubt, be in posses-don oJ the Patriots by the middle of March." SETKOIT, MATCH o. Important tour. We aie informed that the Secretary of War has inducted Governor Cacs, to proceed upon an exploring tour to the lOrthweatern e.rtretnitv of Lake Superior, awd thence t the heads of the Mississippi, and by way t f Praire iu Chicii and Gicen llay t Lake Michigan. No pai t td" the United States is less known than ti e country upon thUrnul. We depend, for our intormation resp?ctiojr it, ah.jo?t wholly nnon the ienoits f indian traders. It is certainly time that the important geographical and political questians connected with itu cie satisfactorily solved. The meeting which wa.3 advertised to be held in.lioston," to take into consideration the decision of Congress on the Miisuri Question !'? it appears by the Boston Gazette of Thursday, is postnnel indellnitel v." A verv wise determinaticn but a most lame and impotent conclusion. i.v . o n.io 1 .uu.)iut ici AlttUrfroro AVabbbjtoa, after tiv DECATUR'S LAST MOMENTS.

plnn? the death of the ga'.hnt Derafuf, observes, that 'after his wound he lived

just long enough to declare his convic tion ot the improper mar ner in un.cn he had consulted tu the meeting, whicli resulted in bis tlvus premature diss sic tion, and to throw himself up n th! incrcv of that God whose laws he bad thu3 violated." ARKANSAS, March 525. A Duel wai foazht on the 10th Inst in the vicinity offhi village, bi tween General miliar O. .i.Vr, a member of the Legislature from this county, and. Robert C. OJen, Ksn. On cxcnii.g a shot, the gentlemen each received a se vere wound, which has since proved JJ tat to Gen. Alien. TRANSLATION. Extract at a tipsr.alch from (-ran S tetrode, to ur. I'otetica, umtsier "J If. I. M. the Einperor tf Itussla. in tie United States, dated 2ith .Yjv. (PtVc.)18l9You have doubtless been able to obtain information how far the President's last instructions to Mr. ForsyJi nere positive. The Kmpcror will not now take it upon him to justify Spain, but he charges you t plead, with the Government at Wahinton, the cau?c of peace arid concord. That Govcrnmtnt is too enlightened to take hasty stps, and its rights appear to be too solid, not to be weakened by a. violent course of proceeding : and on the other hand, i-uch U the character cf the consideration? v.Hdi command the ratification, by Spain, of the arrangement relative to the l:iorida?, that it is to he hoped she will at liifh yield to the. force of evidence. The UStates will then hav added to the imputation of an able, that of a ir.odrrate, policy, and will gather, with security, the fruits of their wisdom. His Imperial Majesty, therefore, wishes that if there be yettime,you would engage the Government at Washington to irivc to the Spanish Ministry a proof of patience, which its circumstances might indeed so -m to suget. Nevertheless, the Kmpe or does nut interpose in this discus si.n. He makes, above all, no pretention to exercise an influence in the councils of a forjgn pwer. He merely expresses a wih, dictated by his concern f.r the general welfare, and worthy of the generous good faith which character izes tho Government of the Uaited States." The Richmond (Virginia) Enquirer says, " We hold rlavery to he unjust in itself ;and nothing could juitify its continuance, but that we did not bring it on oursc-Ue, and cannot ged rid of it Then why wish to bring a sister stats into this unenviable situation ?J Cincinnati, April K OnFridav Evening week, Capt. John Cleves Symmes, of this city, deliveml, before a very numerous and most respectable audience of both the sexes, a Lecture upon his novel Theory of tho Earth. Itwa certainly, to say the least of it, a most ingenious" production. Cincinnati Spy. Arrival vf the Franklin, 74. Tfce U. States ship Frcnklin, of seventy-four guns, Commodore Stewart, ai rived ia Hampton Uoads on th 24th inst. lroui the Mediterranean. A letter from New-Orleans of the ICth ult state that the river had there riien 4 fset, and several boats had t;ot down. Another letter inentions that Paul Laurens, late president cf the Planle. s lunk, has stopped payment for a million cf dollars, of whic- a hiig1 amount was tiua to the bank. The apprehension that ti e Iiink would lose this debt, had caused a great run upon it, but their bills uer promptly redeemed u ith ? p cie. It v as believed, honever. that the bank v.ould be under the necessity of ckwng i9 conserns, though it was net thought the holders of their bill, but stockholder? would lose. The same letter mentions the house of Dnitilet and Sagery aa having stopped tcr S0O,0C0. On the subjects of the difEcultie iting between" the. King of Kogliil and his Ministers .with regard to the Qaeen. a London pap-r ftaya that the law ctiicers of the crown had made a repoit to hi majesty's cabinet council, mat, upon the body of evidence submitted to th.cf.i. it was their unanimous 0-ir-ion, t'mt an iir.iirtcimt or irnpeach :r.c..t against the ti'i:ea cou!d cot t e I gaily fcustainrd- Tiie cabinet had alio UuaiimcKaly decided that no process f.r a divorce could he agitated; but t uy uhnitpd a short bill, which might be . ra-.g'.rt into Ptrlir.xaent, with a prcba hitity ol it parsing the t hoa..'. de-cia-in. in it- preamidc, that, as their i .jestics had been sepa-ated, and had lived separate for several ears, il was ri'jt e.rpoJient that the uen should ir.iv fiJ ctrei&ony of coronati:,::. Awl if this -should pass, that her m?jesty might be inclined, ou a suitabte proviso ion, to remain abroad. With thi esi hfi order in council had passed for ths alteration of the church service, ia n!)ich the special w er of her mi jety is omitted. . ...... I vish you vash tead,' said a Dutftis man to his wife. 'Vatycu vishme tcatl forr Vy den, knowat I vould write on your grave.' Vat vould you write?' Vy", I vould write, dis 'Here, lies ir.ir.i vifj, Ccl piesscd pif For sh? use clvaji to scoU at me Shcntle reader, tolrek her not, Qr e.2?rr:J ct yjby Co.