Public Leger, Volume 1, Number 21, Richmond, Wayne County, 31 July 1824 — Page 2

FOR THE PUBLIC LEGER. Mr. Editor, It would indeed be matter of serious regret, if the course pursued and arguments used by Mr. Test, on the bill creating a stock of live millions to be obtained by our government by loan,should want friends and advocates in the western country. As I understand the Judge's speech, it is a clear, distinct argument, strongly fortified by sound reason, and in support of the construction which he gives a certain article in our treaty with Spain ; and his whole argument goes to sustain his construction in the clearest and most forcible manner. The'article reads in these words: "The government may, after the commissioners shall have admitted and allowed tbeclaims to an amount not exceeding five millions of dollars, pay them immediately at the Treasury, or in the creation of stock, at six per centum per annum, payable from the proceeds of sales from the public lands in the Territories ceeded, (Florida) or in such other manner as the Congress Gf the U. S. may prescribe by law.' Under this article, Mr. Test contended that our government was only bound to pay Spanish debts to the amount of the proceeds of the sale of Florida lands, which was ceded to us by Spain for that express purpose, and if in the sequel it should turn out that the Florida lands would not produce a sum sufficient to pay the deM of five millions, that we, in that case, did we adopt (hat method of payment, was bound for the residue. Those are the principles of construction for which Mr. Test contended, and whether they be correct or incorrect, no man can doubt but that construction would have been the

m st beneficial for our government; nor will any man doubt for a moment, that if the above article will hear the construction contended for by Mr. Test, that the policy contended for by his speech, would be an annual saving to our government of three hundred thousand dollars, the interest of the five millions guaranteed by our government. Taking the whole speech together, it is a clear developement of the motives which led us to the acquisition of the Florida?, and shews great labour on the part of Mr. Test.and if he spent months or weeks in its composition I prize him the higher, it is a strong argument in his favour, fie w ished to raise the prostrate character of Indiana, and convince the sister states that we were capable of conceiving opinionsof our own, and Mjatamingthem by arguments worthy of republicans. A word more, Mr. Printer, and I have done: a writer in you paper, who signs himself L. J. 13. seems to deal in wholesale calumny against Mr. Test on account of the course he took on that bill, but has made but one specific charge; which is, that Mr. Test took up some time in the House in delivering his sentiments on a very important measure, involving the interest of the general government, which sentiments he says was wrong, and bv w ay ot knock-down argument, tcll u it was wrong because a majority of Congress thought so. By way of answer, let me ask L. J. B. if the Gag-law was right because

a majority of Congress thought at its passage it was so, if the position amed by this writer be correct, the latter conclusion follows as necessarily as the former. But why murmer if Mr." Test was mistaken in the construction of that treaty, neither him nor his friends pretend to his "infallibility he surely strove to make the best he could out of a bad bargain, and let me ask if there be any amongst us who wish to proscribe ourmembersin CongrestoeternaUilence, or make them answer at the peril of their reputations for every word thev utter: if so, let hm speak and point out the man fit to till that dangerous responsible situation. For my part I think that sper& does honor to the state which Mr. Test represents. As to the charge of shewing two fares on the Presidential question, it is an unnatural abortion of Mr. L. J. B. Mr. Test could not do so, his circular and newspnner

publication would stare him in the face, ai d neutralize his deception. In mV opinion, his course on that question is truly republican: he will do what the people would do themselves w ere they personally presentwho would act otherwise ? G. R. W ayne township, July 28. F0R THE leELIC LEGF.R. "Know, immortal truth shall mo.k thy toil Immortal truth fhall hid the shaft recoil: ' With rngc retorted win:: the eVa.lIy 1arf And mpty all its poienn in thy hc-art."p0PE. Mr. Editor,To be expert in plastering over the misdeeds of another, requires considerable experience; and he is but a wretched dauber, who lays it on so thick that it falls olTof its own weight. While the advocates of Judge Test resort to misrepresentation and detraction to bolster up his cause; while family connexions, as

sisted "by n accommodating Editor are straining every nerve to ensure his election, I will submit a few facts to the consideration of the public. The sapient editor of the Western Emporium in his last No. has poured out the vials of his wrath on my first article, and 1 will, with your permission, correct his misstatements. Passing over a few contemptuous expressions, (the common cant of every electioneering tool.) I come directly to the point. He asserts with all the confidence of truth, that Judge Test, while opposing the five million loan bill u was supporting the best interests of the country, and saving to the government about three hundred thousand dollars"!! Such assertions carry along with them their own refutationand I call upon the Editor to give to the public that proof that amounts "to actual demonstration." His mere word will not be taken, and unless he maintains his assertion oracknowledges his error, he lies under the imputation of a . There is something so base and execrable in the means which this man uses to uphold a sinking cause, that it ought to excite the indignation of the honest yeomanry of our country. He says: "Among those who voted in the minority of the said 6, are to be found the names of Henry Clay P. P. Barbour of-Virginia," &c. !! Did he really suppose the people were so ignorant as to believe this statement? Or is the truth of so little consequence, that he can overleap its barriers w ithout compunction? The records of Congress are open

to every man. Judge Test says he sent them to tou, Mr. Editor, for those who choose to inspect them; and by them am I furnished w ith the follow ing list of those who voted on that question: r'rom the National Journal Extra, of May 15, 1 82-1. YEAS, ll?-.Mesr. Abhot Alexander of a. Allison Archer Rlu P. P BAKFOUR nartlett R nsH'tt Blair Br ek Buchanan Buck Burleigh Burton Cady (JaiuhreJerijc Cnmphell of Sj. C. Carter Cary Ca-setlj Cobb Collin Conflict CookCr dts Craig Crovninhield Culj.eper CusLman Cuthhert Day Dur'ec Dwinell Dwijrht En tun Eddy EdwardsofPenn. EdwardsofN. C. Farrelly Foot of Con. Foot of N. V. Forward Fnwst Garnett Gat liu Goven Hall Hamilton II.rey IIa-ward Hobart Hrmpl.ill Holcorwhe Houston Jei.kins Kei.t Kidder Kr iner Lathroo Lawrence Le Lincoln Litchfield Little Liernore Livinetlon Longfellow Locke M'Kee M'Kim M'Lant- of Del. Markly M;ir tindale Matfon Mitchell of Trim. Mitch 11 of Md. Morgan Neal Nelon Newton O'Brien Owen Patterson of Ptnn. Plumer of N. H. Poimett U-ed Rankin Rose Saunders Sharpe Sibley Alex. Smyth Win. Smith Spaight Sprnce A.-Stevenson, Swan J. Stephenson Storrs Strong Tatnall Ten Eyck Thompson of Geo. Tracv Tucker of Va. Turk r of S- C. Vinton Webt-r 'Whn.plp Wl.ittN Williams of N. Y. Williams of Va. Williams of N. C. Wihon and Wood. NAYS, 66. Messrs. Adams Alexander of Ten Allen of Ma-s. Allen ofT n. Burl rr of Con. J. S. Barbour Bterher Brnt Brow n Bin kn r JT am j I II ofO. Cocke Corner F.llis Garrison Gizlav Harris Harden Henry Herkimer Honks Ingham Lark" Johnson of Va. J. T. Jol mon F. Sot non L Ttuich Letcher Long M'Arthur M'Coy M'Kean MLaneofOhio Mancum M rvm Matlark M'fr-illV Moore of Ken. Mo re of Als. Patterson of O. Plumer of Penn. Prime Ratidoh h Reynold Ru lardRosa Sand ford S. ott S!oa;i Stan ; ft r Sterln g Taliafcrro Taylor TES i Thomson of K n.' Tondinson Tod Triir.hle VanreofO. Vin Wuk Whit man White Wiikliife Wilson of Ohio V00d3 and Wn-rht. Thus it appears that Mr. Clay did not vote on the bill at all. and that P. P. Barbour of Virginia, one of the ablest members of Congress, ictcd m favor of the bill, and in

opposition to Judge 1 est! I had always been of the opinion that it was an Editor? duty to state facts to the public; and diffuse correct information among the great body of the people: hut here is a man taking advantage of the opportunities his situation gives him to propoxate error, and deceive the people. What should be said of a man who thus betrays the trust reposed in him by a generous public; and who requites its kindness by ingratitude? Some do say that the Editor's partiality for Mr. Test is not a disinterested one, and I am inclined to think it true. I fancy I can see him approach his patron with the grin sycophantic on his countenance, and

lus paper in his hand, pointing to the article in question, and urging his loss of reputation as a reason why he should receive the patronage of the general government. out, if I am not mistaken the result of the canvass will twist his phiz to the grin horrific. 1 to Mr. Test's course with regard to the Presidency is, I repeat it, a xertj suspicious one. Wlule D. J. Ca.well Esq. and Col. Kay, have declared their sentiments with fearless independence, Mr. Test is determined to keep his "in the dark." For. tunately, however for the people, he has not been always thus discreet. Letters to different gentlemen throughout this district, from him, give sufficient evidence that he is in favor of Clav. Now I do not censure the Judge for his preference, although I prefer Adams; hut I do aver that his saying he has no choice on the subject betrays a great want of candor. He plainly evinces' that he has no confidence in the This is said to be the quid pro quo hich the editor expecta lor his icrvice.

people and it Terrains to- be seen whether they will place confidence in him. The Editor of the Emporium, with characteristic trickery, denies what has never been asserted : he says: "As to his Test's) expressing himself in the western parts of this county as particularly favorable to the election of Henry Clay, we know to be wholly without foundation." By reversing the Editors other assertions they are facts; and I doubt not this may he true by the same rule. I said that Mr. T's. principal supporter electioneered for him, on the ground that he is favorable to Clavyind that others electioneer for him on the ground that he is favorable to the election of Adams, and I still maintain its truth. There are several minor points in the editors production, that might be commented on, but 1 have produced evidence enough to show he is not entitled to credit. Upon the whole,I think his last paper is an admirable comment on a paragraph in his first, in which he says "we shall pursue a course uninfluenced by sectional feeling, and without becoming partizans of any particualar set of men. Wexvill in no case boni dozen and worship a. political u Baal" nor shall cither the smiles or frowns of the great induce us to szecrce from the path of rectitude.'1 I would merely tell him to "doff the lion's hide And hang a calf skin on hit recreant limb"?." I trust you will excuse me Sir for being thus verbose; the election is near at hand, and I cannot be an idle spectator when I see an attempt made to impose upon the people. I will therefore make a few remarks to the people generally on Mr. Test's speech. Fellow-citizens The speech of Mr. Test is the great hobby upon which his friends ride, and they will have no reason to complain if I should try its strength for a few moments. I have heretofore said that Mr. Test did not understand the principles of the bill, and I will now endeavor to show that he did not understand the treaiv. It is fresh in the recollection of every oncofyou that the Flridas opened, to the enemies of our country during the late war, a speedy intercourse with the Indians on our southern borders. Our country w as invaded several times from that quarter, and in order to. rid ourselves of them we had to trample on the rights of a neutral power; thereby bringing our government into frequent collision with it. The money spent in settling these differences, amounted to an immer.se sum: and to do awav all those differences, governmei t determined upon the purchase of Florida. For many years previous to this time, the Spanish cruisers had committed spoliations on the property of eur citizens to an amount estimated at ten millions of dollars. These claims, were the subject of negotiation, when government made a proposition for the purchase of Florida. The U. Slates agreed to pay to her own citizens five millions of the debt due from Spain to them. The Allowing are the words of the treaty: "the government of the U. States shall pay to its own citizens, a sum not exceeding five millions of dollars, for spoliations committed upon our commerce, nr d unlawful seizures made bv Spain, of the property of our citizens," the payment to be made immediately "0 the Treasury, or by the creation of stock, bearing an interest of six per cent, per annum, payable out of the proceeds of the sales rf the lands in Florida, or in such other manner as the Congress of the United States may by law prescribe." By this it will be seen that government were to pay either the one or the other, the principal or the interest at the Treasury; and the other out of the money arising from the sales of the lands. The object of every government is to protect the f-ubject in the enjoyment of his rights; and it is ils duty to seek that redress which an individual can never oltain, without its assistance. Men thus become an association as it were, pledged to the protection and support of each other. It was therefore the duty of the government of the United States to demand and obtain from Spain, by arms or negociation, a full satisfaction for all injuries done to its citizens. 'The Floridas were a desirable object for the reasons heretofore mentioned; and government agreed to pay one half of the debt due its citizens. It could never have entered into the heads of the treaty makers that it would be taken in any other way. They well knew the lands would never sell for that much, and therefore, it was to be paid, in any way the government chose. By negotiating fur the claimants, government became responsible; and what man among you would be willing to deprive a fellow-citizen of his rights? Vet such is the construction contended for by Mr. Test! It is a principle, which I trust in God will never be recognized by my intelligent countrymen. "Be ye not deceived" investigate the matter yourselves let it not be said that you estimate a man 6 abilities by the length of his harangues. Let not partiality Tor

a mart blind you to tbe superior aVtfif ! another. I conjure you by our rcruhf S institutions, by our civil liberty, by '1 thing you hold dear to investigate thjl its of all, and choose the one whom v0 1

L. JUNIUS BRUTCs

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Cuiiton, (China ,) Srpfm 17 1 On K IHtli ii.ct i

W 1 vn. nun iiiv VI V13U TCr l'l't

on the Governor.and informed him th was going to perform the autum.al -' rifice to the Namhoy God. "s On the 1 1th the Governor iued5onrf

congratulations to be paid,and ceren.oi'to be observed on the 13th inst. bein $ Emperors birthday a day sacred! .V anniversary of one of "the tea tho-wi years of his life'.!! On that day, at four o'clock in the moping all civil and military oiheers were required, in court dresses, to repair to tV hall dedicated to his Majesty, and t!icv perform the prostration usual on such y! casions; and to wear their court drts.s days before and 3 days after the birthjdli but the 9th and loth being aniiivcrir of the deaths of certain members cf t Imperial Family, they are not to weartCgarments of joy upon those days. HC7. ever to make up the full period ofdj). the court dresses are to be worn until t! 1 9th of September. On the 1 1th inst. the Govenor, Footer,', and ail the civil and military Otlirers d the city of Canton, repaired to the Tur, of the Queen of Heaven, and perf.iL:u the autumnal sacrifice before the idtl. Yen-lung, one of the commissioners cf t customs in the north, has reported to ij Majesty a deficiency in the recciptsfor i current year of 118,090 taels. The peror takes occasion to censure nil in commsioners, and orders the individuals question to pay the deficiency out of tLc own property.

A letter has been received by a gert! man in Staunton from his friend in Arkat sac, containing the melancholy infunriatk; of the death of Judge Joseph Si lle.v.; native of this state, and a highly respect hie man. He fell in a duel with Lists; ther Judge, on or about the 2Cth of MuT. y It is strange that in a Christian l.ud;: land that boasts of its civilization and ence, this barbarous practice should ri:j any conntenance ; and. that men, h;:.; guished alike for their talents, prel it.r.r:

general pnnanmropny, snoum ever tie:, it necessary thus to compmrnit their hci: and jeopardize their existence. Mcst:4 su redly there is something defective in tLf moral understand ing of the community. n this point. If it were not the ease, should there not be some strong t&?.,

muut iu )itLiu a: 11 is- ii pmMiif; and one that loudly calls for legislative i:tcrposition all over the country. Yirp

ia, w e are happy to say, has taken up tie subject, and acted upon it, with a spirit that at once evinced her horror ar.d ii ci; nation at the practice. She declares mtr-

der, in this wav, punishable with death. j

She savs no person who has been cer ccrr i

ed directly, or indirectly, in a duel, sWl

be eligible to any ofhee ol honor or pn-tf in the commonwealth; and requires evirj person, on being appointed to cilice, itake an oath that he never has beer, a:that he never will be, while in ollke, ct: ccrned, in any manner, in a duel! if Congress of the U. States and the Legislatures of the diflerent States, had adq ed similar measures borne years since should not, in all probability, have i:cv deplore the lots of a Hamilton, a Mason. J Decatur, and many, many other di:'i" guished and useful citizens. But it isi.ot' too late to do good; and Virginia caru'i? doubt, abundantly satisfy them, in Td to the happy effects of her systt m. Staunlon Sjrci. State Debt. It appears by tbe L'f expose of the Treasury a (fairs, that hV has been paid over to Gen. Noble ngi'i.tf the United States Treasury, on the boM of the state, about live hundred utdlars. -2 depreciated paper more than was h p''! collected for taxes. It is hoped that ttf Legislature will enquire into this, ar.d honorably, arid justly towards the L. and if that amount has been .rprcp( ' T paid,- it is just and right that it iheulvL paid back, w hether the amount can Ixf ' covered of the 'late Treasurer or not.-y Such wen; the instructions of the fcecrry of the Treasury to Gen. Noble, ai l;t state eould ask no more, than that the 1 A predated paper legally received in to1 should be paid on the bends. AUho more has been received, no blame car. -1 attached to Gen. Noble, as he had tu; governed by the report made to him b 1:1 Treasurer. If that report was erroi .cv'Jj he could not help it; and if crroncouwould be magnanimousand honorable Ii; our Legislature to correct it, and payj;11' the money, in good funds, to the Li -1 Statcs.Corj'raj7i Gazette. .