12 – It has been, since the delivery of the speech, suggested,
that the reverend Robert Finley, of New Jersey, (who is
also, unfortunately, dead,) contemplated the formation of
a society, with a view to the establishment of a colony
in Africa, and probably first commenced the project.
It is quite likely that he did; and Mr. Clay recollects
seeing Mr. Finley and consulting with him on the subject,
about the period of the formation of the society. But
the allusion to Mr. Caldwell was founded on the facts,
well known to Mr. Clay, of his active agency in the
organization of the society, and his unremitted subsequent
labors, which were not confined to the District of
Columbia, in promoting the cause.
13 – A society of a few individuals, without power, without
other resources than those which are supplied by
spontaneous benevolence, to emancipate all the slaves of
the country!
14 – See the last annual report and the highly interesting
historical sketch of the reverend Mr. Ashmun.
15 – To say nothing of cotton produced in other foreign
countries, the cultivation of this article, of a very
superior quality, is constantly extending in the adjacent
Mexican provinces, and but for the duty, probably, a large
amount would be introduced into the United States, down
Red river and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
16 – Mr. Clay subsequently understood that colonel Murray was a
merchant.
17 – Mr. Clay stated that he assumed the quantity which was
generally computed, but he believed it much greater, and
subsequent information justifies his belief. It appears
from the report of the cotton committee appointed by
the New York convention, that _partial_ returns show a
consumption of upwards of two hundred and fifty thousand
bales; that the cotton manufacture employs nearly forty
thousand females, and about five thousand children; that
the total dependants on it are one hundred and thirty-one
thousand four hundred and eighty-nine; that the annual
wages paid are twelve million one hundred and fifty-five
thousand seven hundred and twenty-three dollars; the
annual value of its products thirty-two million three
hundred and six thousand and seventy-six dollars; the
capital forty-four million nine hundred and fourteen
thousand nine hundred and eighty-four dollars; the number
of mills seven hundred and ninety-five; of spindles, one
million two hundred and forty-six thousand five hundred
and three; and of cloth made, two hundred and sixty
million four hundred and sixty-one thousand nine hundred
and ninety yards. This statement does not comprehend the
western manufactures.
18 – As to Shirley, Mr. Clay acknowledges his mistake, made
in the warmth of debate. It is yet the abode of the
respectable and hospitable descendants of its former
opulent proprietor.
19 – This subject had been set down for this day. It was
generally expected, in and out of the senate, that it
would be taken up, and that Mr. Clay would address the
senate. The members were generally in their seats, and
the gallery and lobbies crowded. At the customary hour, he
moved that the subject pending should be laid on the table,
_to take up the land bill_. It was ordered accordingly.
At this point of time Mr. Forsyth made a motion, supported
by Mr. ♦Tazewell, that the senate proceed to executive
business. The motion was overruled.