Seminole War.
Mr. R. M. JOHNSON, (of Kentucky.) As early as 1787, and farther back, if it were necessary to trace, provisions of the same nature as those now existing were enacted by the venerable Congress of the Confederation. By various statutes, the same provisions had been continued to the present day. The statute gave to the President a discretionary power to employ the forces of the United States, and to call forth the militia to repress Indian hostility; and gave it to him properly on the principles of the Constitution. By the Constitution, the President is made commander-in-chief of the army; and it is made his duty to take care that the laws are executed, to suppress insurrections, and repel invasions; and by the same instrument it is made our duty to provide for calling forth the militia, to be employed in these objects. That power has been exercised in the manner which will be shown by the laws of the United States. [Mr. J. here requested the clerk to read the statute to which he alluded and it was read accordingly.] Now, Mr. J. said, he thought this was a declaration of war of at least equal dignity to the manner in which the savages make war against us, and to the light in which we view them. We treat them, it is true, and we ought to treat them, with humanity; we have given them privileges beyond all other nations; but we reserve the right to repel their invasions, and to put to death murderers and violators of our peace, whether Indians or white men.