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COHTAIMIIfO 


POLITICAL,  HISTORICAL,  GEOGRAPHICAL,  SCIENTIFICAL,  STATISTICAL, 
ECONOMICAL  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL 


SiTlJn  ISV     TEE  £X>  rVf  2TFD  *f 
SMJ  J^j1     2*  e^jwl*  1^^ 


TOGETHER   WITH 


NOTICES  OF  THE  ARTS  AND  MANUFACTURES, 


AND    A 


RECORD  OF  THE  EVEJVTS  OF  THE  Tl.JIES. 


II.  MILES,  EDITOR. 


THE  PAST— THE  PRESENT— FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


FROM   MARCH,  1831,  TO    SEPTEMBER,  1834— VOL.  XLVl. 
OR,  VOLUME  X.— FOURTH  SERIES. 


PRINTED  BY  THE  EDITOR, 
AT    THE    FRANKLLV    PRESS,   WATER-STREET,   EAST    Of    SOUTH-STREET. 


IJVDEX  TO  VOLUME  XL, VI. 


Abolitionists'  riots         ffi«v332, 
Abolition  laws  of  England 
Accidents 


ion*     For  things  happening  in  Great  Britain,  France,   kc.  or  the  several  states,  see  their  own 
proper  heads;  ihNX'ngre*!,  see  congress,  &c. 
rt«in  W2;  U 


Adams,  JohtvCW  t^ort  >>  >K  Po 
arioiis  S3,  64V"n  internal-  inl)trhv< 


lk  51; 


380;  hi*  views  of  the  pressure  and  t^lief 
121;  literary  works  of  2.">6;  reply  to  ihe%ia 
lem  invitation  409;  suppressed  epeech    448 


Addfngton,  II.  r. 
-fErolites,  fall  of 
./Kronaulic  expedition 


119 
'177 


Jlfrica  —  sale  of  Cape  Palmas  174;  slave 


trade 


317 


Agricultural  labor  reduced  by  improved 


implements,  Stc. 


345,  393,  426 


»— march  «f  civilization  in  366 
•Alabama— t>f  Ihe  controversy  35,  118; 
meetings  87;  the  Alabama  river  255;  elec- 
tions 430, 443 
Albany  Argus  114,187,242,259,291 
Allan,  Mr.  of  Ky.  122 
Alley,  Saul  243 
Allen,  Mr.  of  Ohio  361 
Amendments  of  the  constitution  421 
American  Weekly  Mercury  334 
American  ingenuity,  Mr.  Bates'  on  388 
Americans,  foreign  opinions  of  302,  388 
Ancient  opinions  334;  copper  coin  384; 


jealousy  over  the  purse-Firings 
Andrews,  M.  A.  death  of 
Anecdotes 


428 
444 
17,185 


Annual  production!*  U.  S.  essay  on  the  1 
Anti  masons,  correspondence   between 
gov.  Davis  and  the  433 

Appointment*  by  the  president  and  the 
senate  18,  13-2,  149,  291,  297,  313,  314,  Xl-2, 
347,369;  appointment  of  editors  314 

Appropriations  by  congress          348,  447 
Arbuckle,  col.  Matthew  dinner  to      379 
Arkansas — Judges'    draughts    347,  362; 
cholera  205 

Army,  U.  8.  156,  381,  389;  promotions, 
lie.  407 

Arson  191 

AuduhonV  ornithology  33-2 

Aurora,  the  407 

Australia  413, 423 

Austrian  frigates  arrive  85 

Awful  calamity  149 

Baltimore— Siisquehannah  branch  bank 
5,  33;  bank  of  Maryland  65,  66,  67,  94,  108, 
218,  245,255;  U.  S.  Insurance  Co.  145,245; 
Saving;'  Inst.  171,  245;  report  of  the  com- 
mittee sent  to  Washington,  with  the  cards, 
letter*,  kc.  and  ease  of  Mr.  Mi-Kim  30, 
34,  49,  55,  56,  57,  70,  81,  107,  203;  the 
market  house  memorial  81;  pressure  at  87, 
133;  number  of  buildings  87,  346;  sale  of 
properly  118;  orphans'  fair  118;  Mechanics 
bank  133;  Savings  bank  185;  Franklin  do. 
190;  Union  do.  347;  congressional  orators 
at  129,  146;  whig  meeting  130,  165;  Jack- 
son do.  173,  196;  riot  130;  politics  190,  203; 
Virginia  money  in  circulntion  133;  insol- 
Yent*86,  118,133,  149;  honors  to  Lafayette 
329;  produce  from  Wheeling  430,442;  Ta- 
ney,  Mr.  at  361;  the  John  Giluin  381;  emi 


hank  ntf  Tennessee 
iiks  iuc.oj>nrated  It, 
81,  86, 188,299;  bank  ol  Suffolk  85;  UinVn, 
of  Maryland  67,  68,  347;  safely  fund  banks 
*TN.X"fX  **!  Mechanics'  ha'nk  of  Balti- 
more T35;  bank  of  the  Metropolis  17-2; 
Farmers  and  Mechanics  bank  ol  Albany 
118;  Savings  bank  of  Baltimore  185;  Me- 
chanics bank  ol  Patterson,  N.  J.  245;  New 
Hampshire  banks  Uoll;  of  the  slat':  banks 
356;  Augusta  hanks,  Geo.  of  the  combina- 
tion of  411;  robberies  of  certain  172,245, 
301;  plan  for  equalizing  the  circulation  299; 
bank  U.  S.  statements  ol'iis  discounts,  con- 
dition, kc.  33,  54,  126,  184,  242,  257,330, 

362,411,432;  imporlai sol  specie  by  133, 

value  of  the  notes  of  the  86,  168;  dividend 
332;  facilities  of  the  86;  proceedings  of  the 
hoard  127;  nomination  of  directors,  kc.  1, 
35,  50,  145,  169, 180, 182,  188,  203,217,  213, 
332;  resolutions  of  the  legislature  of  Penn- 
sylvania concerning  the  85,  428;  certain 
paragraphs  concerning  86,87,205,364,427; 
Albany  memorial  for  a  branch  126;  of  the 
examining  committee  149,171,187;  of  the 
publishing  their  report 217;  the  reports  221 
225;  branch  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  130;  in 
consistencies  of  its  enemies  97,  98;  vote  of 
the  Pennsylvania  delegation  19;  of  its  dis- 
counts 21 7, 257,  362;  Mr.Biddleand  the  N. 
Y.  com. 355;  editorial  remarks 98, 109;  com. 
mittee  on  finance  in  the  senate,  correspon- 
dence with  the  370;  the  Lyile  correspon- 
dence 310;  N.  Hampshire  resolutions  con- 
cerning the  335;  profits  by  the  gold  bills 


394;  congressional  reports 


grant*  398;  health  of 


399,444 


Balloons    85,  148,  177,  293,  379,  397,  444 


Bancroft,  Mr. 


149,  401 


Bank*— failures  of  the  bank  of  N.  Binns- 
wick  5;  the  Port  Deposit**,  at  Baltimore  5, 
33;  certain  in  the  Di«t.  of  Col.  97,  113,  117, 
1*2,  33(1;  bank  of  Maryland  65. 66,67,82, 94, 
108,  118,  218,  24.").  251,  362,  :»:);  Mil.  Sav 
ings  Inn.  171,245;  hank  of  Chaltahooehie, 
Geo.  133;  hank  of  Salisbury  133;  bank  of 
Millington  -215;  reports  of  failure*,  kc.  18, 
51,97;  hank  of  Knsland  av>;  banks  of  Ca 
nadu  356;  Mechanics  nnd  Trader*  of  New 
Orlean*  172;  of  the  Valley  of  Virginia  l.T>; 
of  Georgia  210;  depn.'ile  hanks  5,  126,399; 
bank*  of  Piit.luirgh  17;  Planter*  bank  of 
Natchez  86,67;  stale  hank  of  Kentucky  17. 
86;  do.  of  V.  Carolina  149;  bank  of  Louis- 
ville 17;Girard  hank  50,67,  133,  17-2,430, 
445;  Western  bnnkof  Penn.  17;  guarantiee 


38,57 
255,256 


Baring  Se.  Hi-others 

Barry,  W.  T.  203,  313,  388,  396 

Barbarism  381 

Bayard,  Janrts  A.  1;  Richard  II.         24-2 


Beardsley,  Mr. 


87,  149,  214 


lands  9%p;  fire  404;  Grc-y,  lord  5,  431;  444; 
l*-tonn  yei.  irt>pN-«%m  lit  for  debt  415; 
MWnd,  statiIW;O>f  *18;  riols'"t«4,209.  351, 
84, 404, 431 ;  ol  Ihejt^iil  of  tTTe  union  209; 
real  funeral  209;  famine  jn  414,  431;  cner- 
:ion  bill  404,415,444;  Jewish  disabilities 
J50,  389;  king's  speech  54;  his  drawing 
IMIIII  101;  declaration  33-J;  address  to  the 
irelates  351;  knowledge,  lor  the  promotion 
if  404;  laborers  428;  Lander'*  expe.d.  ifcc.  5, 
209,  260;  libel  404;  Mma.  gen.  383;  ministry 
303,  33-2,  350,399, 4-26, 431, 444;  militaiy  pti- 
it8hmenl444;  money  86,218,  351;  Morn- 
ig  Post  404;  Napier,  adm.  404;  navy  102, 
404;  N.  Holland  383,  39";  Nova  Scona  332; 
O'Connell 209,  351,413;  parliaments!, 209, 
351,389,404;  Polish  exiles  351;  poor  rates 
365;  poor  laws  415;  population  174,  381; 
:>roxy  voting  102;  protestants  383;  queen 
101,  332,  351,415,  444;  railway  paii-li  ratca 
150;  reforms  102,  209,256,  365,382;  reve- 
nue 5,  102,  174;  Rice,  Mr.  383;  riots  102, 
174;  relation  with  Russia  5;  shipments  to 
America  5;  specie  exportation*  1,21;  sta- 
tistics 119,  174,  191,253,  365,  3*1,  382,  384, 
404;  stocks  174,  260;  storm  5:  larnffim 
queen  101:  trades'  unions  280:  treaiy  with 
tl:e  four  powers  351:  vestrymen  191:  Wel- 
lington, duke  444:  wheat,  importations,  of  5 
Brown,  George  56,72,81,133 

Brown,  Alexander  81,  87,  95,  102 

Brown,  John  A.  and  the  president       85 
Brutality,  case  of  153 

Bryant,  Mr.  314:  Burden  Mr.  398 

Burges,  Tristam  396:  Buller,  B.  F.  97,297 

Cabinet  at  Washington  291,  313,  331,347 
Cachemire  shawls  422 

Cage,  Mr.  84,  203 

Calhoun,  John  C.  his  speech  on  the  pre- 
sident's protest,  213;  his  reply  to  an  invita- 


Belgiiun— affairs  with  Holland  102,351; 
rebuilding  citadel  of  Antwerp  431;  king 
burnt  in  effigy  102;  his  visit  to  Paris  431: 
his  difference  with  the  duke  of  Orleans  119; 
Jerome  Bonaparte  ordered  to  quit  Brussel: 
383;  riot  in  209;  Orange  predilections  351 


Bentick,  lord  William 
Beriton,  Thomas  H. 
Bibb,  Geo^M. 


316 

148,  173,  259,  361 
416 


Bills,  on  England  86;  of  credit    201,  210 
Binney,  Mr.  129,  146,  29« 

Birds,  account  of  certain  16" 


Black,  Mr. 

Black  wife  wanted 


84 
346,380 


Blair,  James,  death  of  85;  Blue  book  293 

Bonaparte,  Jos.  N.  protest  against  the 

proscription  254;  Joseph,  Liicir.n  and  Je- 

rome 332,  383,  429;  the  family  claims    444 

Book  manufacture  in  U.  S.  87,  44: 

Borrowed  capital  87 

Boston  —  wxcliangpK  84;  discounts  87;  ar 

rangements  of  dealers  86;  pressure  in  86 

whig  salute  1  16;  revenue  99;  debt  174;  salei 

of  wool  and  woollens  150,  19U;  gamblers 

punished  174;  Bunker  Hill  monument  lt-9 

Potomac  frigate  at  256;  "figure  head"  189 

329,  347;   collection  for  the  Poles  348;  na 

lionnl  ve-seis  at  381;  cause  of  fire  in  384 

relative  to  the  burning  of  the  convent  413 

43H;  school  festival  4< 

Botildin,  J.  W.  r, 

Bowen,  Thoma*  C.  elopement  of       17 

Breathitt,  gov.  death  of  1 

Breach  oftrust  172 

Briliih  affair*. 
Agricultural  distress  *r9;  Amer.  charge 
383;  arrival  (valuable)  444;  bank  356;  hooki 
donations  of'3H.V,  Hilten,  bishop  404;  Boyd, 
Mr.  rase  of  hi*  murder  404;  Brougham,  lor< 
404;  Cambridge  :i^3;  cholera  383,  4:tl;  Car 
In*,  Don.  in  383;  the  church,  kc.  10-2,  260 
350,  35  1,382,  383,  403;  convict*  tran«porl 


5;  corn  laws  5,  109;  cro 


;  debt  119.382 


384;  the  drama  205;  Durham  404;  emigra 
lion  383;  equivalents  of  gold  and  wheat  382 
expenditures  174;  execution*  191  ;  Falklan 


tion  to  a  dinner 
Caldwell.  Mr. 


405 
384 


Canada — dissentions  in  35.85,191,244, 
York,  called  Toronto  148;  Mr.  Gates  149; 
commerce  of  253;  emigrations  244,  260, 
368,  381,429,  442;  statistics  253;  banks  356; 
competition  on  the  St.  Lawrence  332;  co- 
lored settlement  347;  cholera  362,  379,  399, 
412,  429,  442,  444;  internal  impro.  t410 

Canals— Chesapeake  and  Ohio  101,  119, 
1X1,  149,  326,  442;  New  York  173;  Penn- 
sylvania 173,255,256,  301;  Erie  191;  Che- 
sapeake and  Delaware  260;  Delaware  and 
Raritan  260;  steam  navigation  in  301;  sheet 


Carriage  wheel  guard 
Cape  de  Verd  Islands 
Cape  May,  trip  to 
Carey,  M'.  compliments  to 
Carrington,  Mr. 
Cas»,  gen. 


iron  gig?  382;  grand  project  of  a  ship      442 
~  --•-'-   '  •  317 

167 
315 

121,  433 
146 
42!) 


Censuses  of  the  U.  S.  tabular  statement 
of  the  several  424;  continuation  of  do.  425 
Challenge  to  duel  203 

Chambers,  E.  F.  33,  146,  298,  409 

Charles  X  and  Don  Carlos  383 

Chilton,  Mr.  173 

China  trade  nnd  the  U.  S.  hank  86;  Chi- 
nese crack  eri  315 

Cholera—  35,  102,  173,  174,205,21*  255. 
256,260,  292,316,  332,  361,  3fi2,  379,38s! 
399,  412,  429,  431,  442,  443,  444;  Dr.  Man- 
ley's  prescription  for  Ihe  431 

Christ,  Dr.  Cox  on  the  complexion  of  301 
Christian  publications  404 

Church  proscription  260 

Churchill,  Mr.  of  Maine  409 

Circulation  of  values,  kc.  essay  on  the  1 
Circumnavigation  315 

Classification  of  the  hnmnn  species    301 
Clay,  H.  67,204,241,257,2.19,  395;  lejlem 
from  166,  417—  see  ronerc?*;  accident  to  329 
Clayton,  Mr.  of  Del.  109,  314—  see   eon- 


Clayton,  Mr.  of  Georgia 
Cloth*,  sale  of 


231 
190 


Coal,  duty  132;  trade  315,  397;  discovery 
of  in  India  316;  do.  in  Gieece  384;  regions 
in  lYnn-j  Ivama  386 

Cobbetl's  slander  of  Lafayette  260;  his 
jiroianiiy  314;  views  on  education  3U3,  4Ul 


cUliurii,  admiral 
Culiin,  fir  Isaac 
Colhn,  captain  Joshua 
Coincidence  of  deaths 


174 

4  •-''.) 
444 
360 


Coins  —  value  of  ccium  252,300;  coinage 
in  France  315;    U.  .S.  laws   regulating  321, 
337,  338 

Golden,  Cadwallader  D.  death  of  1 

Colonization  society  <>l  Maryland        174 
Columbus,  Christopher  380 

Coinlis  ]9l 

Commercial  Intelligencer  06 

Commercial  terms  397 

Commerce  and  navigation,  U.  S.  99,  346, 
361,  371;  do.  of  New  Yoik  410 

Conlessional,  the  173 

Continuation:;  liy  the  U.  S.  senate      329 
Congress. 


Adams,  Mr.  J.  Q.  8,25.  38,  51,  53,  107, 
137,  138,  152,  176,  177,  193,  220,  221,  247, 
848,  262,253,  307,321;  oa  thedeposile  banks 
89,  9U,  262,  295;  to  amend  Hie  journals  137, 
138;  to  restrict  small  notes  in  Hie  District 
152;  concerning  Hie  majority  of  the  bank 
committee   220;  paying  Honors  to  general 
Lafayette,   306;   adjournment  of  congress 
107,  151,  194,  195,  207,  220,  246,  262,  305, 
319,  320,  321;  agent  for  tin:  deposit*:  banks 
103,  104;  agent  at  Havana  194;  Albany  me- 
morial —  card   concerning   119,  Mr.    Web- 
ster's explanation  134;  Allan,  Air.  of  Ky. 
70,  89,  90,  106,  207,  247,  248;  Allen,  Mr.  of 
Vt.  106,  177;  Allen,  Mr.  ot  Va.  193;  Alley, 
Saul  IsJ;  amendments  of  the  constitution 
421;  American  stale  papers  192,  206;  An- 
thoiiy,  Mr.  69,  106,  120,  5207,  295;  appro- 
priations 7.  8,  38,  53,  69,  89,  90,  107,  119, 
120,  137,  138,  150,  151,  152,  176,  177,  192, 
193,  194,  195,  206,  207,  262,  263,  294,  295, 
296,304,  31)5,  3U3,  307,  318,  319,320,321, 
Archer,  Mr.  38,  90,  176,  177,  30o,  307;  Ar- 
kansas 175,  192,  248,  321;  army  38,  53,  69, 
88,  192,  194;  ladies  of  the  107;  pay  ol  sur 
geons25l;  fortifications  207,  296,  320,321; 
urmory  53,  2o2,  294:  Ashley,  Mr.      70,  152 
Baltimore  —  whig  meeting  151;certain  ve» 
sets  sunk  at  296,  305,  306:  marine  ho.-pilal 
321;  balances  296;  banks—  bank  U.  S.  me 
mortals,  resolutions,  &c.  5,  6,  7,  8,  22,  23, 
24,  25,  35,  36,  37,  38,  51,  52,  53,  54,  57,  67, 
68,  69,  70,  87,  88,  89,  90,  103,  104,  105,  106, 
107,119,120,133,135,  136,  137,  150,   151, 
152,  175,  176,  177,  192,  194,  206,  207,  21«, 
219,  220,  245,  246,  261,262,263,295,296, 
304,  305,  306,  317,319,  320;  transfer  draughts 
206;  monthly   returns  23,  295;  Mr.   Web- 
ster's resolution  7;  his  bank  project  52,  53, 

67,  68,  69;  Mr.  Adams'  resolutions  220;  Mr. 
Clay's  joint  resolutions  219,  245,  246,  295; 
call  on  the  president  for  a  project  120;  Mr. 
Duncan's  project  151;  investigating  com- 
mittee's reports  208,  221,  2£5,  233;  printing 
of  do.  220;  Western  hank  ol  Philadelphia 
7;  Hartford  bank  7;  Phenix  bank  7;  Con- 
necticut river  bank  7;  New  Bedford  banks 
7;   Planters'   bank  at  Natchez  7,  22,  23; 
Connecticut  banks  8;  Mr.  Southard's  call 
for  information  175;  his  resolution  institut- 
ing inquiries  318,  319;  Union  bank  of  Md. 

68,  88,  102;  agent  of  the  deposits  103,  104, 
119;  Disliujt  hanks  119,  120,  136,  137,  151, 
152,  206,  248,  295;   employment  of  state 
banks   157;   nomination  of   directors   182, 
183;  small  notes  in  the  District  248;  Mr. 
Adam's  call  for  information   from  deposile 
banks  89,  90,  262,  263;  general  abstractor 
the  number  and  situation  of  state  banks 
356;  Banks,  Mr.  69,  177,  193.  194.  207,  246, 
247,248;  Barber,  Mr.  321;  Barringer,  Mr. 
177;   Barniiz,  Mr.  69,  70,  fc9,  106,  194,  207, 
220,2fi3;  Bates,  Mr.  120,  177,  194;  Baylies, 
Mr.  9U;  Bayard.  Mr.  183;  Bayou  pigwim  207; 
Beardsley,  Mr.'  8,  90,   106,   120,  135,  176, 
194,  2->0,  247,  263;  Beale,  Mr.  of  Virginia 
106;   Bean,  Mr.    120;    Beaumont,  surgeon, 
38,  207;  Bell,  Mr  of  N.  H  37.  150,  207,200, 
304;  Hell,  Mr.  of  Ohio  230;  Bell,  Mr.  ofTen. 
•speaker  24S,  284;  Beaty.  Mr.  151,248,  263, 
295;  Benton,  Mr.  67,  68.  88.  104,  133.  134, 
135,  176,  192,206,218,  219,  245,  246,  262, 
304,  318,  319,  403,  421;  Biliti,  Mr.  52,53,68, 


Mr.  8, 23,  24,  53,  69,  106,  107, 120, 138, 176, 
207,  296;  Black,  Mr.  22,  52,  175,  31U;  Blair, 
Mr.  ol  S.  C.  69,  00;  Boon,  Mr.  107,  137, 
138,  151,  193,  1K4,  195,  208,  220;  BoulUin, 
James  VV.  89;  hooks  lor  the  u.-i:  of  mem 
tiers  53;  bounty  lands  53;  lirevel  rank  ^45; 
Brings,  Mr.  'JO,  138,  207,  220,  248;  Brown, 
Mr.  of  N.  C.  7,38,52,  103,  15U,  151,  170, 
206,295,  304;  Brown,  Mr.  of  N.  YOIK  193, 
194;  Hinges,  Mr.  38,  53,  54,  69  70,  90,  104, 
10S,  120,  170,  177,248,  263,  296,  306,  32J, 
321;  Burd,  Mr.  207,  220;  his  resolution  to 
connect  the  Chesapeake  and  Uluo  ami 
Pcnn.  canal  220;  Bynuni,  Mr.  106,  177,  193 
Cage,  Mr.  70,  194;  Calhoun,  Mr.  52,  53, 
67,  68,  89,  103,  104,  134,  135,  136,  154,  161, 
175,  176,  295,  304,  318, 319,  his  umcnuinenl 
to  Mr.  Poiiulexiri  '„  resolutions  on  the  pre 
.-nlent's  protest  175;  his  speech  on  do.  213; 
Cambreli-ng,  Mr.  8,  137,  193,  195,262,  320; 
Campbell,  Mr.  8;  calls  of  the  house  263; 
Canals — Louisville  and  Portland  25;  Che- 
sapeake and  Uhio  88,  193,  220,  263;  James 
River  207,  208;  Appalachicola  and  St.  An 
iliews  246;  Alexandria  246;  WabaMi  and 
line  304;  from  Michigan  to  Illinois  306; 
canals  and  rail  roads  321;  Carr,  Mr.  120; 
census,  classification  317;  Chambers,  Mr. 


in 

177;  on  the  propositions  to  reduce  certain 
salaries  193;  on  the  adjournment  of  con- 
gress 221;  on  Mr.  Adama'  resolution  call- 
ing lor  inlormaiion  conctrning  Ihe  depm-iuj 
bunks  262,309;  on  the  navy  ration  bill  320; 
on  lh«  resolution  amendatory  of  the  cou- 
sliliiunn  relative  lo  the  election  (if  presi- 
dent and  vice  president  421;  Decatur,  Mr*. 
Susan,  8,  23,  137,  151;  Delaware  remon- 
strating against  the  prote.-l  193;  Denny, 
Mr.  23,  207,248,  296,  320;  Dennis,  L.  P. 
death  ol,  119.  120;  depo<-ue  banks  69,  90, 
119,  137,  262,  263,  296,305,306,319;  Mr. 
Webster's  report  327;  niimlier  of  depo.-ue 
nienioiiali-ts  119,  150,  262,299;  Dicksou, 
Mr.  177,207;  Dickeroon,  Mr.  of  N.  J.  7U, 
90,  106,  194;  digest  of  stale  banks  306;  di- 
plomatic services  90;  do.  correspondence 
192,248,294;  do.  code  262,319;  director* 
U.S.  bank  183, 184;  Dislricl ol  Columbia— 
slavery  in  the  25;  Pennsylvania  avenue 
70;  Potomac  bridge  90,263,319,3*1;  Alex- 
andria 8,  90,  263,  319;  do.  canal  246,  321; 
Ihe  failure  of  certain  banks  120,  136,  137, 
151;  appropriations  to  the  corporations  of 
the,  262;  do.  lo  Ihe  cily  of  Washington 
262,263;  various  262,263,321;  small  notes 
152,248,263,321;  discriminating  duties  of 


ol  Md.  5,  7,  23,  37,  135,  150,  151,  175,  206,  |  the  islands  of  Cuba  and  Pono  Rico  53;  di»- 


219,  245,  2ti2,  294,  295,  304,318,319;  Ins 
resolution  concerning  draughts  150;  Cham 
hers,  Mr.  of  Pa.  69, 191,220;  chaplain  house 
321;  chart  of  foreign  coins  246;  Chesa- 
peake and  Ohio  canal  88;  Chilton,  Mr.  38, 
90,  106, 120,  138, 151,  152, 177,  296;  his  posl 
oflice  expose  151;  Chinn,  Mr.  70,  246; 
Cnoctaw  reservations  88, 104;  Choate,  Mr. 


70,  89.  90;  Clarke,  Mr.  90,  177;  Clay  Ion, 
Mr.  of  Del.  7,  35,  52,  68,  89,  103,  104,  1 19, 
134,   136,  161,  164,  175,192,193,206,218,     nating 
245,246,248,305,318;  remarks  on  the  New 
Ceulle  mem.  22;  do.  on  the  protest  154, 164; 
do.  on  the  Cherokee  mem.  264:  Clayton, 
Mr.  of  Gto.  136,  193,  208.  221,  264;  hi*  res. 
on  the  salary  of  oilicers   136,  137;  report 
306;  his  statement  of  the  N.  York  custom 
house  193;  relative  to  the  bank  of  U.  8.251; 
Clay,  Ml.  of  ICy.  his  res's.  on  the  deposits 
question  7,  23,  51,  88;  his  joint  do.  on  do. 
219, 245, 246. 295,296;  do.  on  the  president's 
powers  37,  103;  do.  on  the  Union  bank  of 
Maryland  68,88;  leply  to  102;  various  7, 
22,  23,  37,  52,  53,  67,  68,  69,  87,  88,  89, 104, 
119,  134,  135,  136,  150,  151,   152,   175,  176, 
192,  193,206,  218,  245,  246,  262,295,304, 
317,  318,  319,  320;    his  land  bill  175;  his 
report  on  do.  268;  his  appeal  to  the  vice 
president  36;  his  allusion  to  the  presence 
of  tlie  regency  204;  his  views  on  Hie  force 
act  104;  his  remarks  on  the  presentation  ol 
the  Berks  county  memorial  7;  on  present- 
ing the  Troy  and  Schenectady  niemoiials 
125;  do.  the  Doylestown  204;  his  amend- 
ment lo  Mr.  Poindexlcr's  protest  resolu- 
tions 135;  resolutions  concerning  the  re- 
venue 176;  Clay,  Mi.  of  Ala.  24. 69,  70, 120, 
194;  Clowney,  Mr.  8;  coins — and  curren- 
cy 88,  90;  committee  ;;n  finance  to  sit  in 
the  recess  318,  319;  do.  to  wait  on  the  pre- 
sident 319;  commutation  bill  107, 193;  Con- 
nor, Mr.  23,  24,  151,  194,  296;  speech  of 
210;  constitution  219, 246, 262;  Corwin,Mr. 
106,  107,  119,  120,  152,  207;  cotton,  loss  on, 
by  the  experiment  151;  Coulter,  Mr.  8, 176, 
263;  counterfeiting  of  foreign  coin  90;  Cra- 
mer, Mr.  107;  Crane,  Mr.   107;   Crockett, 
Mr.  speeches  of,  8,  38,  221,  295,  321;  va- 
rious  295,296;  Croghan,  col.  George  206, 
295;  Cumberland  road  69,89,  107, 176,  192, 
194,  195,  296;  Cumberland  river  151;  cur- 
rency and  coins  88,  107,  177,  194,  245,  252, 
294,296,304,318;  Cuttis.  James  304;  cus- 
tom house  officers  107,  121,  152,  175,  176, 


tribuiion  of  the  census  264,295;  district  at- 
torney's, U.  S.  compensation  of  152;  docu- 
mentary history  U.  ti.304;  Duncan,  Mr.  In* 
project  to  renew  the  U.  8.  bank  charter 
151,207;  duties  on  locomotive  engines  53, 
319;  do.  on  certain  pieces  of  sculpture  69; 
on  sugar  89;  on  imports  206,  207,  219,  262, 
293,294;  on  ceitain  church  bells  206;  on 
hardware  and  manufactures  of  copper  and 
brass  219,  319;  on  lead  295,  306;  dmcrimi- 


296 

Ellsworth,  Mr.  25,  70, 137,  220, 247, 296, 
321;  Elliott's  diplomatic  code  262,  319; 
election  of  speaker  248,  set  contested  elec- 
tions; election  of  president  and  vice  presi- 
dent 421;  Evans,  Mr.  ot  Maine,  53,  90,  120, 
151,  220;  his  propositions  relative  to  the 
deposited  137;  Everett,  Mr.  E.  38,  90,  306, 
320;  his  bank  report  225:  Everett,  Mr.  H. 
8,53,  151,  176.  193,  207,  248,  307;  Ewing, 
Mr.  of  Ohio,  7,  35,  38,  67,  88,  89,  104,  119, 
134,  155,  161,  175,  192,  206,219,245,261, 
304,  305,  317,  318;  his  resolutions  concern- 
ing post  office  department  67,  88,  261,  262, 
318;  his  report  on  ditto,  273,  318;  con- 
cerning district  banks  119;  Ewing,  Mr.  of 
Indiana,  24,  89,  107,  151,  177,  192,  193;  of 
his  plan  concerning  national  currency  107; 
executive  business  5,  7,  8,  22. 23,  G"9,  88, 
89,  103, 134, 136. 151, 175,176, 192,207,220, 
262,  294,  295,  304,  305,  318,  319;  executive 
powers  37, 103;  examinations  ai.d  surveys, 

247 


193,  295;   do.  revenue 


305 


Darlington,  Mr.  106;  Davis,  Mr.  of  S.  C. 
107,  193.296;  on  power  and  patronage  107; 
Davis,  Mr.  of  Ky.  220;  debates  in  the  senate 
— on  the  presentation  ol  deposits  memorials 
5,6,  7,  22,  36,  37,38.  51,  68,  151;  motion  to 
clear  Ihe  galleries  133;  on  the  president's 
protest  161,213,249;  on  the  Seneca  coun- 
ty resolutions  192;  on  the  Indiana  me- 
morials 218;  on  the  po-t  office  dep.  403;  do. 
in  I  hi:  house  »f  reps,  on  the  presentation  ot 
memorials.  &.c.  on  the  deposite  question 
23,  24,  25,  3?;  on  the  general  appropriation 


103,  119,  135,  136.150,   175,  192,  205,  218,    bill   176;  on  the  motion  to  print  Ihe  evi- 
219,  646,  261,  262,  294,  319,421;  Bimicy,  I  dence  in  the  case  of  Letcherand  Moore 


Sic. 


Fillehrown, Thomas,  jnn.  103;  Fillmore, 
Mr.  8,  53,  69,  106,  137,  208,  263,  307;  Flo- 
rida 248,  321;  Fool,  Mr.  138,  176;  his  re- 
signation 195;  force  act,  repeal  of  the  89, 

103,  104;  foreign  coins,  90,  177;  see  coin*, 
Hold  and  sitter,  &c.  foreign  ministers,  176; 
Forsyth,  Mr.  5,  7,22,  37,  38,  67,68,  88,  103, 

104,  134,  135,  150,  151,  161,  162,  175,  176, 
193,206,  245,246,362,  294,  295,  304,305, 
318;  his  amendment  lo  Mr.   Poindeiler'* 
resolutions  on  the  president's  protest,  134, 
175,  176;  his  scire  facias  proposition,  245, 
246;  his  speech  on  the  president's  protesl, 
249;  foitifications,  8,  207,  296,  320,  321; 
Foster,  Mr.  25,  90,305;   Fowler,  Mr.   194; 
frnnking  privilege  103;  Frelinehuysen,  Mr. 
7,37,68,  89,  103,134,  135,  176,  192,  206, 
245,  295,  305,  319;  remarks  on  introducing 
memorial  from   Somerset  co.  135;  French 
spoliations,  23,  206,  245.  261,  262,  294,  295, 
308;  amount  of  claims,  308;  French  treaty, 
extens-ion   of  the  commission   under    the 
150,  177,294;  Fuller,  Mr.  ofN.  Y.  177, 194 

Galbrailh,  Mr.  69,  70,  106,  153,  207;  gal- 
leries, order  to  clear  Ihe  133;  Gamble,  Mr. 
120,  151,  177,  207;  Garland,  Mr.  151,177, 
194,207;  Georgia  militia  claims  207,  294, 
296,  32(1;  Gholson,  Mr.  38,  247;  Gi liner, 
Mr.  69,  152,208,  307;  Gilpin,  Henry  D.  183; 
Gillet,  Mr.  264;  cold  and  silver  coin*,  Sec. 
88,  107,  177,  194,  245,  252,  294,  296,304, 
306,  318;  Gordon,  Mr.  23,  24,  305;  Gorhnni, 
Mr.  53,  177.220,  252;  Graham,  Mr.  120,  1SI; 
Gravson,  Mr.  306;  Grennell.  Mr.  138,  9-20-, 
Griffin,  Mr.  208;  Grundy,  Mr.  32,  23,150, 


»v 


131,  306,345,  362,  395,  318,318,  320; 
report  uu  (lie  |»>ni  uthce  2«2 

Hall,  Mr.  of  Vcriuuul,  177;  Hull,  Mr.  » 
North  Carolina,  23,  10<j,  151;  In*  resolutioi 
to  reduce  (lie  revenue  23;  II. ill,  Mr.  o 
M..I.II:,  24;  Hdiner,  Mr.  208,247,  246;  llun 
liagan,  .Mr.  151,  UU,  264;  haibois,  &.C.  lU 
2U7,-JUO,  306,  321;  ll.uiilii,  Mr.  24,  9O,  136 
137,  lit,  177,  IWj,  207,5*08,247,  248,  2o4 
Haid,  Mr  6ti;  Harper,  Mi.  ill  Penn.  23,  6U 
VU,  US,  l«;  Hau-es,  Mr.  S,  24,  1U4;  Haw 
kin:»,  Mr.  320;  Heath,  Mr.  J.  I'.'-JO,  13*5,  346 
Heisler,  Ml.  VJJ,  69,  207,  220,  2yti,  321 
Hendricks,  Mr.  06,  by,  136,  206,  218,  318 
319;  his  remarks  on  presenting  ceriain  me- 
morials in  liivnr  ol  the  bank,  218;  (lender 
•on,  Mr.  ol  Tenn.  106,  I 'JO,  1U4;  Hill,. Mr.  7 
2J,  -£H,  304;  hospital  money,  oOO;  hour  o 
meeting  59,  3Ul>;  Hubburd,  Mr.  137,  138 
308,  246,  246;  Hudson  river,  319,  3-20,321 
Huiitiuitlon,  Mr.  177,  193;  Humuidun,  (N 
J.)  245 

Indiana,  concerning  a  grant  of  land  to 
264;  Indians,  and  Indian  attains,  Choclaw 
reservation^,  22,  88;  Wyaiidou,  do.  89;  ap- 
piopriati..ii  lull,  Jyo,  -JUti,  207,  30(j,  307; 
Mr.  Lewis'  proposition,  195;  annuities  ol 
the  J95,  293,  305,307;  Cherokee*,  206,  304, 
305;  organization  of  tin;  Indian  department, 
207;  trade  and  intercourse,  207,  307,  319, 
321;  establishment  ol  the  western  territory, 

207.  30V;   report  of  tlie    committee,   29ti; 
Indian  department,  307;   treaty   with   the 
Creeks,  307;  see  laws;  insolvent  debtors, 
192,  206,  207,  220;  institution  for  the  deal 
and  dumb.  245;  internal  improvements,  69, 

89,  107,  151,  177,  306.  319,  321 
Jarvi*,  Mr.  53,  120,  136,  137,  iol,  193, 
320;  Jefferson's  statue  70,  320;  Johnson, 
U.  M.  38,  53,  107,  15-2,  207,  247,263,321; 
Johnson,  Cave  194,  321;  Junes,  ol  Ueo.  38, 
177,207,  208,  220,  248,  296;  journals  of  old 
congress 89;  judiciary,  U.S.  88,177,206,305 
Kane,  Mr.  7,  52,  68,  89,  134,  136, 
176,  183,  193,  218;  Kavanagli,  Mr.  9J; 
Kent,  Mr.  7,  67,  84,  119,  133,  150;  Kentuc- 
ky contested  election  177,  193,  194,  207, 

208,  220,  246,  247,  248,  263,  264;  King,  Mr. 
of  Ala.  22,  53,  (Hi,  68,  104,  ltd,  134, 135, 
161,  175,  304;  King,  Mr.  of  fa.  23,  69,  220; 
King,  Mr.  of  Geo.  37,  52,  69,  119.  246,  318; 
Knight,  Mr.  175,  192,  295 

Lalayelte,  gen.  token  of  respect  to  304, 
305,  3«6;  Lands,  the  public— Mr.  Poindex 
ter's  resolution  22;  of  certain  Indian  rescrv. 
22,  88,  104;  frauds  by  agents  23,  303,  319, 
321:  Row's  deposition  326;  graduation  of 
prices  of  296,  319;  Georgia  resolutions 
concerning  the  25;  Ohio  do.  103;  bounty 
lands  53,  103,  iaJ.  32M,  321;  number  of  pa- 
tents  ready  for  signature  88;  school  reser- 
vations 119;  <to.  selections  305;  Mr.  Clay's 
call  (or  certain  information  150;  his  bill  ap- 
propriating Ihe  proceeds,  &c.  175;  printing 
report  on  do.  175;  Im  report  268;  various 
17a;  Mr.  Poindexter's  call  219;  surveyor 
general  207;  grants  of  townships  to  certain 
states  319;  donations  for  schools  in  Ohio 
246,  231:  grant  to  Indiana  264;  receipts 
from  sales  of  294;  additional  districts  lor 
Ibe  sale  of  294,  305:  claims  in  Alabama  294; 
do.  in  Florida  321;  dn.  in  Arkansas  321; 
pre-emption  rights  296;  grants  to  the  Wa- 
bash  and  Erie  canal  304;  proceeds  from 
•ales  of  the  Louisiana  purchase  306;  Lane, 
Mr.  152,  248;  Lansing,  Mr.  106,  120;  La 
pnrtr,  Mr.  207;  Lawrence,  Mr.  177;  laws, 
U.  3.— See  lawt;  Leavitt,  Mr.  70,  106, 
152,  177,247;  Lee,  Mr.  69,  70,  120;  Letch 
er,  Itohcrl  I*.  Bee  Kentucky,  ante;  Leigh, 
Mr.  23,  37,  38,  52,  53,  67,  133,  134,  150.  206, 
262,  421;  Levy,  lieill.  70;  Lewis.  Mr.  of 
Ala.  195;  limitation  of  debate  263;  light 
•mine*  318,  321;  Lincoln,  Mr.  21,  53,  136, 
151,  152,  177,  194,320;  his  res.  concerning 
the  post  office  department  152;  his  speech 
197;  locomotive  engines  53;  longitude  .mil 
latitude  of  certain  pUces  264;  Loynll  Mr. 
69,207,230;  Love,  Mr. 907;  L>on,Mr.  1.V3: 
Lucas,  Mr.  207;  Lytlc,  Mr.  70,  221,  2li3 

Man-uni,  Mr.  7,  22,  52,  53,68,  88,  104, 
206,282,  :«)4,  318,  319;  Mann,  Mr.  of  N.  Y. 
UO,  -J4-,  -Jii;t;  Murdu,  Mr.  hi*  resolution 
coifi  riitiii;  the  public  deposits*  8,  53,  54, 
69.70,89,  90,  107,  119,  120,  138,  1.11.  I.YJ, 
207;  marine  corpi  -JfiM;  Marshall,  Mr.  90, 
208,  247,  248,  263;  Maryland  legi-lalur*, 
resolutions  of  the  88;  marine  hospitals  207, 


INDEX. 


McUuttie,  Mr.  8,  23,  24,  38,  90,  104;  MiKI- 
dtrry,  Hugh  183;  M«  Kean,  Mi.  6,  7,  22,  23, 
35,37,  51,62,  B8,  103,  104,  119,  135,  136, 
150,  151,  192,  206,  245,  216,  261,262:  on 
changes  in  I'cnn.  150;  on  pie»eiiling  Har 
ri.-buigh  mem.  246;  reasons  for  a  vole  246; 
explanation  295;  McKennan,  Mr.  8,  106, 
120,  138,  151,  152,  296;  McKay,  Mr.  8,  151, 
177.  J94,  264;  McKim,  Mr.  23,  24,  120,  137, 
207,  296,  320;  Ins  financial  project  296:  Mc- 
Kinley,  Mr.  8,  89,  90,  138,  152,247;  Me 
Vean,  Mr.  70;  Meade,  Kichard  VV.  137 
members  of  congress,  pny,  &c.  306;  Mer- 
cer, Mr.  8,  90,  137,  138,  207,  247,  263,  306 
messages  of  the  president — on  the  adjust- 
ment of  the  boundary  line  between  New 
York  and  New  Jersey  89;  the  protest  138 
supplement  to  do.  144;  renoniinaiing  the 
bank  directors  180;  on  the  Toulon  disaster 
293;  Michigan,  state  government  175,  192, 
248;  territorial  addition  to  306;  militia 
clnims  175;  survey  of  roads,  &c.  306;  Mil- 
ler, Mr.  69,  70,  106,  177,  2l)7,  208,  220,263: 
Milligan,  Mr.  23,  24.207;  Mi.-sissippi  river, 
improvements  on  the  177,  247;  military 
land  warrants  53,  103,  263,  320,  321;  Mit- 
chell, Mr.  106,  152,  207;  Mint,  U.  S.  88, 
305,  306;  Moore,  Mr.  of  Ala.  22,  133,  175; 
Moore,  Mr.  of  Va.  38,  137, 247;  Moore,  Mr. 
Thomas  P.  see  Kentucky,  ante;  Morris,  Mr. 
of  Ohio  23,  119,  184,  192,  304,  317;  his 
amendment  to  Mr.  Poindexler's  resolu- 
tions on  the  land  frauds  23;  Muhlenberg, 
Mr.  8,  106,  247;  Murphy,  Mr.  152 

Naples,  treaty  with  152,  294;  Naudain, 
Mr.  193,  305;  his  remarks  on  presenting  the 
proceedings  of  the  Jacksonians  of  New 
Castle  265;  navy  and  naval — hospital  at 
Charleston  88;  printing  rules  and  rcgula 
lions  193;  increase  of  pay  220,  320;  steam 
batteries  263,  320;  rations  263,  303,  320; 
changes  in  the  titles  ol  officers  303;  acade- 
my 303;  pensions  305;  navy  yard  at  Charles- 
ton 306;  live  oak  frames  lor  certain  vessels 
320,  321;  rebuilding  frigate  Congress  320, 
321;  transfer  of  appropriations  303,  321;  N. 
Jersey,  and  N.  York  247;  New  Hampshire 
resolutions  304 

Ohio,  resolutions  of  103;  boundary  245, 
246,  231,  295;  donations  ol  land  to  246,  261; 
iltiee,  concerning  the  tenure  of  37;  officers 
of  the  late  war  103,262;  old  journals,  print 
rig  of  the  319;  Osgood,  Mr.  90,  120,  152, 
176,  177;  Owen,  Hardiman  152 

Page,   Mr.  70;   Parker,  Mr.  70,90,  151, 
194,  263,  320;  pale.it  office  193, 218;  Patton, 
Mr.  24,  70,  320;  Patterson,  Mr.  89,  207; 
Paul  Jones,  the  frigate  320;  Pearce,  Mr.  of 
a.  I.  90,  106,  120, "177,  193,  194,  207,296, 
306;  penal  law  system  306;  pension  agency 
mil  the  U.  S.  bank  7,  70,  89,  192,  193,  206, 
218;  Mr.  Clayton's  report  10;  pensions  and 
pensioners  7,  8.  25,  90,  151,  195,  219,  220, 
246,  294,  303,  305,  306,  318,  319;  Peyton, 
Mr. 70,  248;  on  executive  power  136;  his  re- 
solutions 137,  263;  Pierson,  Mr.  106,  320; 
Pinckney,  Mr.  of  S.  C.  38,  53, 54,207;  Pitts, 
Sell)  261;  Plummer,  Mr.  70,  90,  136,  194, 
!07,  220;  Pnindexter,  Mr.  concerning  the 
.Maulers' bank  of  Natchez  7.  22,  23;  con- 
cerning the  public  lands,  &c.  22, 23, 51,  52, 
*8,  304;  concerning  the  president's  protest 
34,  135,  136,  150,  175, 176;  Hie  resolution* 
76;  report  in  favor  of  the  Polish  exiles  219; 
variou*  23,  51,  52,  67,  68,  69,  88,  89,  104, 
19,134,135.  150,  161,  175.  176,  192,245, 
246,  294,  295,  303,  304,  305,  318;  his  re 
narks  on  the  land  frauds  303;  his  address 
n   being  elected    president  pro  torn.  318; 
'olish  exiles   137,    150,   192.196,220,319, 
J21;  Polk,  Mr.  8,24,38.53,  89.  90,  107,119, 
36,  137,  138,  151,  152,  177,  194,  207,  220, 
263,295,296,  305,  306,  307,  320,  321;  his 
.in. irk-  on    Mr.  Adams'  resolution   cnn- 
erniiiL'  the  deposits  hanks  309;   Pope,  Mr. 
15,  151,  152,  220,  247,  248;  population  U. 
.  88;  classification  of  do.  317;  Porter,  .Mr. 
,  175,  262.  318;   ports  of  c-nlry,  Natchez 
fill;  post  office  depnrtment — Mr.  Clayton's 
nqniry  ns  to  amount  ol  postages  7,  23;  in- 
quiry as  lo  removals   35;  do.  as  to  returns 
f  newspapers,  &c.  36;  appointment  of  de- 
my postmasters  37;  inquiry  n«  lo  the  con- 
iiion  ot  67,  88;  of  Hie  clerk*  136,  194;  af- 
air«  of  151;  Mr.  Lincoln'*  resolution  152; 


his  speech  197;  postage  on  periodlcsli  90*3, 
245;  .Mr.  Ewing's  resolutions  67,  88,26!, 
262,  318;  examining  committee— of  the  re- 
ports ol  261.  262,  294,  the  reports  273,  282; 
extra  allowances  to  mail  conlruclois  294, 
296;  resjliiclioii  of  contract*  and  extras  296; 
Mr.  Sprague's  resolutions  lor  a  committee 
to  sit  in  the  recess  304,  305;  committee  H. 
of  R.  to  sit  in  the  r«cess  321;  Potts,  Mr.  8, 
23,  24,  106;  Potomac  bridge  8,  90,  263,  319, 
321;  Potter,  K.  R's  pay  and  mileage  246, 
26°  294.  304;  Premiss,  Mr.  37,  51,  89,  1  19; 
Preston,  Mr.  23,  38.  51,  52,  68,  69,  88,  89, 
103,  104,  134,  135,  136,  161,  175,  193,  219, 
246,  262,  294,  295,  305,  319;  eulogy  on  Mr. 
Blair  89;  his  call  lor  names  of  pensioners, 
&c.  219,  220,  246,  318,319;  president  of  the 
senates,  23,  51,  52,  53,  67,  68,  88,  104,  133, 
175,  176,  192,  206,  218,  303,  318;  piesident 
pro  lent,  appeals  from  lhe  134,  135;  elec- 
tion of  the  318;  president  U.  8.  inquiry  as 
to  the  powers  of  the  37;  Mr.  Davis'  resolu- 
tion concerning  107;  of  the  protest  of  the 
119,  121,133,134,135,136,150,  175, 176;  the 
prnlest  138;  supplement  to  do.  144;  ol  Mr. 
I). /nelson's  corrections  134;  Mr.  Wise'* 
resolutions  136,  263;  withholding  the 
Wabash  bill  by  the  319;  the  pledges  to 
the  smith  of  the  177;  Mr.  Demon's 
resolution  lo  expunge  the  resolution* 
of  the  senate  against  the  319;  president  and 
vice  president  219,  246,  262;  piinting  old 
journals  319;  properly  destroyed  during  the 
late  war  53,  90,  120,305,321;  proUst  of  the 
president — see  presitlent,  ante;  previous 
questions  104,  193,  194,  220,  247,  263,  264, 
321;  provident  pension  fund  88;  public  mo- 
neys, inquiry  concerning  the  deposile  of 
8,  53,  54,  69,  70,  89;  public  officers,  Mr. 
Vance's  pioposition  to  ted'iee  the  salaries 
of  107,  121;  Mr.  Clayton's  (of  Geo.)  do.  do. 
136;  public  deposiles,  regulation  of  the  137; 
public  schools  246;  public  buildings  263; 
punishment  of  certain  crimes  192,  220 
Bail  rnads,  branch  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  103,  206,  208,  263,  321;  Winchester 
and  Potomac  207,  248;  rail  rnads  and  ca- 
nals through  the  U.  8.  lands  54;  Ramsay, 
Mr.  207;  Reed,  Mr.  24,  138,  151,  176,  177, 
194;  regulation  of  the  deposites,  Mr.  Web- 
ster's report  on  the  bill  J'or  the  327;  remon- 
strances against  the  protest  193,  262;  re- 
movals from  office  35,  37;  removal  of  'he 
deposites  5,  6,  7,  8,  22,  23,  24,  25,  £5,  36, 

37,  38,  51,  52,  53,  54,  67,  68,  69,  70,  87,  88, 
89.  90,  103,  104,  105,  106,  107,  119,  120,  133, 
134,  135,  136,  137,  138,  150,   151,  152,  175, 
176,  177,  192,  194,  206,  207,218,219,290, 
245,246,  261,262,  263,  205,  296,304,305, 
306.317,319,  320:  reports— of  Mr.  Polk'» 
report  on  the  removal  of  the  deposites  24, 

38,  53,  54,  70,  89,  90,   104;  do.  on   state 
banks  157;  the  report  38;  of  Mr.  liinney'* 
report  24,  57;  secretary  of  lhe  treasury's 
concerning  the  Union   bank   102;   do.  on 
stale  hanks  157;  on  lhe  receipts  of  the  first 
quarter  293;  on  lhe  affairs  of  the  post  of- 
fice 23,  273,  282;  of  Mr.  Webster's  or»  the 
removal  of  the  deposits  88;  on  the  bill  re- 
Hulaling  the  deposites  327;  of  Mr.  Tyler  on 
the  president's  message  miominating  hanlc 
directors   182;  of  Mr.  Poindex ter  in  favor 
of  the  Polish  exiles  196;  of  Mr.  Clay  on  the 
(Hihlic  lands  268;  of  the  investigating  bank 
committee's  re  port  208, 220;  the  reportfi221, 
225,233;  restoration  nfdepnsiies — number 
r)f  petitioners,  &c.  119,  150.262;  retrench- 
ment 107,  121,  152,  177,  193;  revenue— re- 
duction of  lhe  23;  inquiry  concerning  the 
176;  evasions  of  the  revenue  lawn  pnnisli- 
sd  264;  revolutionary  scrip  262,  295;  revo- 
ulinnary  land  warrants  53,  103,  120;  re- 
leii'-hmei:!  306;  Rhode  Island  senatorial 
•lection  23,  67,  89,  103,  104,  192,  206,  219; 
•iL-lii  ..I  wav  through  public  lands  207,  248, 
296,  304,  321;  Riveo,  Mr.  opeech  on  rffiaii- 

n «  Ins  sent  5;  roads— Mnrs  Mill  53,  2<)7, 
394;  Memphis  119.  176;  Cumberland  69, 
89,  107,  176,  192,  194,  19.5,296;  in  Arkan- 
xn«  248,  306;  do.  in  Florida  248,  306;  do.  in 
Michican262;  Bobbin*.  Mr.  23.  67,  89,  103, 

04,  136,  219,  261,  262,  305;  Robinson,  Mr. 

318;   Unman  Catholic  church  of  St.  Loui* 

206,207,  263,321;  rule*  of  the  house  90, 

263,  318,320,321;  of  the  senate  103,104 

Sale  of  forfeited  property  264;  salaries  of 

imcers  306;  ceamen,  register  of  American 

17;  Scbley,  Mr.  70;  schools  for  mariner* 


INDEX. 


S19;  Schenck,  Mr.  130;  gcire  facias  again 
Mm   bunk  245;  Selden,  Mr.   69,   100,  152 
177,   194,  -Mil,  296;    his   proposition  coi 
cerning  a  unHorm  currency  177,  194;  Se 
INM  ,i  county  resolutions  1U-J;  senate,  hou 
ol'  meeting  2i>2,  305;  Sevier,  Mr.  8.321 
Shepley,  Mr.  5,  104,  119,  175,  245,261,304 
tihinn,  Mr.  69;  Silsbce,  Mr. 37,  i>2,  103,  104 
119,  175,  192,  263,  3U5,  318;  Ins  resolution 
concerning  the  revenue  anil  cn.-iinn  IHMI- 
offieers  30j;  silver  coins — see  gold  and  sit 
tier  coins;  Slade,  Mr.  of  Vt.  Iu6,  120;  sla 
very  in  the  District  of  Columbia  25;  Sloane 
Mr.  2U7;  Smith,  Mr.  of  Con.  7.  319;  South 
ard,  Mr.  5,  67,68,  69,   104,  119,  135,  175 
245,  26-2,  303,304,305,  316;  hid  resolutions 
concerning  certain  hanks  175;  his  rcsolu 
tion  for  the  committee  ol  finance  to  Kit  ii 
the  recess  318, 319;  Spangler.Mr.  106;  Spa 
nish  convention  208,  296;  speakers  of  the 
house  24,  53,  70,  89,  90,  106,  120,  137,  138 
177,  194,  195,  207,  247,  262,  263,  296,  3-20 
decisions  of  138,  320;  Mr.  S  te  veil  son  '.s  an 
n  initiation  of  in  ten  tion  to  resign  246;  his  ad 
tlre<-s247-,  thanks  to  321;  Speighl.Mr.  89,90 
138, 207,321;  specie  exportation*  319;  spies! 
relief  of  certain  305;  Sprague,  Mr.  5, 38, 52 
89,  150,  155,  175,206,245,261,305,318;  hi* 
resolution  concerning  the   fees,  &.<:.  175; 
call  for  amount  of  claims  against  France 
207;  concerning  the  post  office  depart.  304; 
speech  on  Hie  claims  against  France  308; 
standard  of  weights  and  measures  133;  sta- 
tue of  Mr.  Jeftersen  70,  320;  states'  claims 
(or  interest  261,  294;  statistical  report  ol 
utates,  &c.  319,  Stewart,  Mr.  of  Pa.  23,69, 
120,  177,  194,  207,  262,  263,  296;  steam  en- 
gines,  improvements    in    151;    steamboat 
navigation    177,  262;  steam- batteries  263; 
Sleele,  Mr.  263;  Stevenson,  Andrew,  exe- 
cutive proceedings  on  his  rejection  311,  see 
tpeaker;  Stoddeit,  Mr.  106,  120,  208,248; 
suitar,  duties  oil  89;  Sullivan, John  T.  183; 
Sutherland,  Mr.  23,  24,  69,  70,  106,  138, 
193,  264,  321;  Swift,  Mr.  37,262 

Tallmadge,  Mr.  7,  37,  51,  53,  319,  326; 
Taney,  Mr.  rejection  of  297,  314;  tariff,  53, 
C9,  89,  206,  207,  219,262,  295,  306,319,  321; 
Thomas,  Mr.  of  Lou.  8;  Thoma<,  Mr.  of 
Md.  106,  220;  his  bank  report  221;  ot  do. 
306;  Thomson,  Mr.  of  O.  152,  207;  Tiplon, 
Mr.  175,262;  Touilinson,  Mr.  52,  219,  262, 
304,  317,  319;  tonnage  duty  on  Spanish 
vessels,  207;  Toulon,  afl'air  of,  296;  pen 
sioiis  to  the  KiiJfi-icrs  at  303,  305,  306;  trade 
with  the  VV.  Indies  296;  transfer  draughts 
7,  22,  23,  206;  transfer  of  appropriations 
303,  321;  treaty  with  Naples  53,  88,  152, 
192;  with  France  152,  192,  207;  with  Chili 
193,  with  Spain  207,321;  with  the  Creeks 
307;  treasury  department,  of  the  repeal  of 
a  certain  act  for  the  collection  of  revenue 
104,  treasury  draughts  7,  •>>,  23,  150;  agent 
of  the  new  deposiie  banks  119;  report  on  the 
ejiiploymeut  of  state  banks  157;  on  (he  re 
ceipts  of  *iie  revenue  for  the  first  quarter 
293;  concerning  the  officers  of  the  cus 
toms  303;  joint  resolutions  on  his  reasons 
for  the  removal  of  the  deposites  219,  245, 
246,295,296;  rejection  of  Mr.  Taney  314; 
treasury  uote  project  296;  Turner,  Mr. 
106;  Turret),  Mr.  8,  137;  Tyler,  Mr.  5,  7, 
38,  51,  88,  104,  150,  192,  206,  262,  295,  304, 
422;  his  report  on  the  president's  message, 
renominating  bank  directors  182 

Unavailable  funds  in  the  treasury  25;  un- 
expended balance*  294 

Vance,  Mr.  24,  152,  177,  193,  207,  295; 
hi!!  proposition  to  reduce  salaries  107,  121, 
152,  177,  193;  Vanderpool,  Mr.  208,  220, 
248;  Vandetlyn's  portrait  of  Washington 
320;  Vinton,  Mr.  8,  120,  151,  152,  193,  207, 
220.  321 ;  Virginia  resolutions  23,  24,  38,  53, 
69:  land  warrants  of  the  Virginia  liuu  319 

Wal.ash  river  319;  Wagoner,  Mr.  23,  69, 
106;  Wrigxamau,  Mr.  53,  192,304;  Wager, 
Peter,  183;  war  department  175;  Ward, 
Mr.  119;  VVardwell,  Mr.  151,  177,  194,263, 
296;  waidmusing  system  150;  Washington, 
gen.  birth  day  8;  purchase  of  his  library  and 
private  papers  38,320,321;  statue  262;  por- 
trait of  3-20;  Watmbuph,  Mr.  8,  23.24,  69, 
220,  296,  3-20;  Wayne,  Mr.  89,  90,  138,  152, 
177,  207.  248,  295,  307,320;  Webster,  Mr. 
5,  7,  8,  35,  37,  38,  51,  52,  53,  67,  68,  87,  88, 
134,  135,  136,  150,  161,  162,  175,  176,  177, 
193,  206,  219,  220,  245,  246,  862,  294,  295, 


304,  305,  317,  318,  319,  320,  327;  his  re 
murks  on  presenting  the  1'hilad.  mechanics 
mem.  36;  do.  concerning  the  Albany  do.  13' 
do.  on  the  Doyleslown  mem.  204;  do.  con 
cerning  Lalayellc305;  hi.-  report  on  the  hi 
regulating  thedepositef.327;  lemarkson  th 
post  office  report  403;  his  bank  project  52 
53,67,68,  69;  weights  and  measures  133 
West  Point  academy  103,  177,  296,  320 
Whallon,  Mr.  194;  White,  Mr.  of  Teimes 
see,  22,  68,  104,  207,  304,  305;  While.  Mr 
of  Lou.  90,  151,  152;  While,  Campbell  P 

193,  263;  White,  Mr.ol  Florida  193;  Whit 
tler-ey,  Mr.  of  Ohio,  53,  90,  107,  119,  120 

194,  207,  248,  295.296,306,307;  Wilkin 
Mr.  5,  51,  69,  88,  89,  134,  136, 150, 155,  192 
206,  262,  304,  318;  Wilde,  Mr.  8,  24, 53,  90 
137,  138,  176,  194,  220,  264,  305,  306,  320 
his  resolution  on  the  removal  of  llie  depo 
sites  53;  Williams,  Mr.  8,  89,  90,  106,  120 
136,  151,  177,194,247,248,296,307;  Wilde 
Mr.  8,  24,  177;  Wirt,  Mr.  8;  Wise,  Mr.  69 
70,  106,  136,  137,  193, 194,207,220,263;  hi 
resolutions  on  the  power  of  the  execulive 
136.  194,220,263;  his  reasons  for  receding 
335;  Wright,  Mr.  7,  23,  37,  51,52,53,68 
69,  88,  89,  103,  119,  133,  135,  150,  175,  192 

245,  246,  261 ,  262,  318,  319 
yeas  and  nays — In  Ike  senate.  On  the 
refusal  to  receive  the  York  county  memo- 
rial 52;  do.  on  the  postponement  of  Mr 
Webster's  leave  to  report  hU  bank  projec 
69;  do.  on  llie  report  of  the  committee  01 
finance  on  llie  removal  of  the  deposited  88 
138;  do.  on  the  Cumberland  road  bill  89 
176;  on  the  appeal  from  the  chair  135; 
in  printing  Mr.  Clay's  report  on  the  land 
bill  175;  on  Mr.  Calhoun's  resolutions  on 
the  president's  protest  175;  on  Mi.  For 
sylh's  amendment  to  Mr.  Poindexter's  re 
solutions  on  do.  176;  on  Mr.  Poindexltr's 
resolutions  on  do.  176;  on  the  nominations 
of  U.  S.  bank  directors  183, 184;  on  the  bill 
granting  a  donation  of  land  to  the  Polish 
:xiles  192;  on  the  Seneca  county  resulu 
.ions  192;  on  the  Washington  and  Haiti 
nore  rail  road  bill  206;  on  the  reception  of 
he  Cherokee  memorial  206;  on  the  report 
and  resolutions  on  the  pension  agency  219; 
in  the  Rhode  Island  contested  election219; 
Mr.  Clay's  joint  resolutions  219,  245, 
246;  on  the  payment  of  interest  to  status  for 
idvances  261,  294:  on  printing  the  post  of 
fice  reports  294;  on  postponing  the  hill 
conci-ming  French  spoliations  294;  on 
Mr.  Mangnm's  motion  to  amend  the  ge- 
leral  appropriation  bill  304;  on  the  mm  ion 
o  lake  up  the  New  Hampshire  resolutions 
i04;  on  Mr.  Sprague's  resolutions  concern 
ng  llie  post  office  investigations  305;  on 
he  rejection  of  Mr.  Stevenson  311,312;  on 
he  rejection  of  Mr.  Taney  314;  on  tin:  mo- 
ion  of  Mr.  Wright  to  lay  the  reports  on 
he  post  office  on  the  table  318;  on  the  first 
Rsolution  of  the  committee  declaring  the 
inrinwing  of  money  by  the  postmaster  ille 
at  318,403;  on  the  bill  to  regulate  the  gold 
oins  of  the  United  States  318;  on  la)  ing 
he  light  house  bill  on  the  table  318;  on 
he  resolution  directing  the  committee  on 
inance  to  sit  in  the  recess,  Stc.  319;  on  the 
lotion  to  lay  llie  bill  lor  the  improvement 
f  the  Hudson  river  on  the  table  319;  on 
he  engrossment  of  do.  319;  on  Mr.  Ben- 
in's motion  to  withdraw  certain  land  bills 
19;  on  Mr.  Pomdexlcr's  amendment  to 
iie  general  appropriation  bill  362;  tabular 
tatement  shewing  the  votes  on  several 
uestions  by  states 

In  the  house  of  representatives.  On  llie 
revious  queslion  on  the  report  on  the  rc- 
loval  of  the  deposiles  104;  do.  on  the  re- 
ohitions,  severally,  104,  105;  the  yeas  and 
ays  by  states  thert-on  106;  on  Mr.  Vance's 
Ktrenchinenl  proposition  107,  193;  mi  tin: 
lotion  to  su.-pend  the  rules  to  consider  Mr. 
/Vise's  resolution  13(5;  do.  on  Mr.  Peyton's 
evolutions  137;  on  Mr.  Selden's  res.  cnu- 
erning  a  uniform  currency  194;  on  IheKen- 
icky  contested  election  247,  307;  on  the 
lolion  to  lay  Mr.  Wise  and  Mr.  Peyton's 
evolutions  on  llie  table 263;  on  the  joint  re- 
lutions  from  the  senate  concerning  the 
posites  307;  York  county,  Pa.  deposit,: 
1'innrials  51,68.263;  on  the  deposite  bill 
23;  on  the  West  Point  bill  323;  on  the  light 
ouse  bill  324;  on  the  bill  for  the  relief  of 
he  city  of  Washington  324;  Yorktown  mo- 


nument 194,205,220;  on  the  vote  of  thank* 
to  Mr.  Stevenson  337;  Young,  Mr.  220 
Congress,  vacancies  in  35;  prorogation 
of  84;  anecdoiet>  146;  llie  Crawford  caucu* 
of  1824  266 

Connecticut— elections  101, 117, 132,  150. 
189;  accident  to  a  church  191;  school  fund 
255;  gov.  message  3*4;   resolutions  of  the 
legislature  324;  congr.  delegation  34<?;  par- 
son mobbed  360;  Miss  Crandall  393 
Convent  at  Charlestown  413,  426,  436, 
441,  443 

Conner,  Mr.  speech  of  210 

Cooper,  Mr.    *  292,  428 

Copper  mine  256 

Costs  of  suits  3-0 

Cotton — decreased  consumption  of  86; 
crops  191;  exportation  of  259,  352,  397;  the 
early  Irade  in,  ttc.  352;  shipped  down  llie 
Yazoo  444 

County  museums,  &c.  418,  445 

Counterfeiters  35,  301 

Countermanded  orders  86 

Cowan,  judge,  death  of  429 

Crawford,  W.  jr.  and  other*          55,  70 
Crawford,  Win.  H.  266 

Credit  system,  fathers  of  the  86 

Credit,  currency  and  the  banks  345 

Crockett,  col.  D.  148,  149,173,252,380 
Crops  315,  329,  360,  441 

Crying  evils  118 

Cumberland  road  314,  430 

Curiosity  85 

Cui  rency  1 17,  217,  185,  252,  258 

Dallas,  A.  J.  against  stale  banks          133 
Dallas,  George  M. 
Darnsinonl,  Mrs. 

Davis,  gov.  426,  433 

Death*,!,  384 — see  names  of  persons;  by 
burning  149;  by   firing  of  cannon  348;   by 
cold  water  379;  from  spirit  lamp* 
Dearborn,  gen.  H.  A.  S. 
Decapitated  coins  443 

Delaware — the  committee  to  Washing- 
ton 50;  a  whaling  ship  191;  meeting  of 
roung  men  242;  Mr.  Bayard  242;  honors  to 
Uifayflte 

Deming,  Mr.  364 

Democratic-  republican-- Jackson — Wolf 
citizens 

Denmark — emancipation  and  equality  of 
colored  persons 

Dennis,  Littleton  P.  death  of  116 

Deposites,  public  122— see  various  heads. 
Deposite  hanks        126,  149,  399,  430,  445 
Dew,  professor,  on  usury 
Diekerson,  Malilnn  201,217 

Discharge  of  hands  5,  84,  86,  97, 130, 172, 
331 

Discounts  on  bank  notes  4,  17, 18,33,  34, 

85,86,  87,113,  132,  133,  149,  190,  191 

Di-triet  of  Columbia— banking  mailers  in 

97, 113,  1 17,  132,  330;  new  paper  established 

47;  election   of  mayor  242;    Washington 

ity,  3J8;  assessment  of  389;  cholera     429 

Dodse,  gen. 

Dollars,  value  of  the  patriot 
Donation  by  the  British  government  385 
Donelson,  A.  J.  and  the  prole«t 
Donelson,  Alexander  death  of 
Downce,  commodore 
Dragoons,  U.  S. 

Draughls,  dishonored    5,  18,  86,  347,  362 
Dry  rot  384 

Dunne,  W.  J.  33,  83,  130,  190,  243,  292, 
l4;Dnane,  Win.  243,292,407 

Dubniiue'!)  mines,  execution  at 
Dnlioi..,  bishop 
Duels 

Due  bills  5;  Dunlop,  Mr.  109,  3o 

Earthquake 

Earth,  new  theory  of  the 
East  Indies— discovery  of  conl  in        316 
Eaton,  major  J.  H.  101,133 

Editorial  essays,  notices,  fc. 

Abolition  of  slavery  301,346:  annual  pro- 

uclions,  U.  3.  1,  377:  anniversary  3-29;  ap- 

recialionof  money  99:  appropriations  297: 

nrora  ^3-  292 

Hank,  U.  S.  currency,  credit,  Stc.—  es- 

ns  and  notices  concrrninz  the  1,4.  33,49, 

0  66.  83,  84.  97,98.  99,  113,  117,  118,  145, 

49   171,185,  187,188,  203,  217,843,257, 

i8,  292,  303.  345,  346,  347,  362,  394,  411, 

30:  of  the  old  97:  bank  making  84:  table* 

345 

Cage,  Mr.  203:  censuses  394,  409,  425: 
laracter  of  the  American  people  43fl:  eir- 


IXDKX. 


culation  and  cieallona  of  values,  Sec.  1,84, 
345,377:  committees  visiting  Washington 
1,  49.  complimentary  toast  114:  congres- 
sional notices  33,  81, 145, 185, 201, 217,  257 , 
313,  314,  393:  county  museums  409:  cou- 
rage ami  per.-everance  17:  cn.-is  10i>:  Cum 
bcrJand  I D.nl  314 

Deleiied  articles  33:  democrats  and  lie. 
mot-racy  265:  depo.-ites— and  the  Di.-lrii  t 
banks  202:  the  regulation  ol  Hit;  public  •-!.>',. 
number  of  ueiiuouuia  173:  dtlliculty  ol  so 
lection  1 

F.ditor  charged  with  being  a  foreigner 
131:  an  exccur-ion  329:  his  past  and  picsenl 
views  of  Hie  bank  L .  S.  18:  un  elections 
34.66,  131,  211,40(5,441:  extent  of  bunk 
depredations 


299 
348 
83,  87 
147 


Fin-wen's  zeal  301:  French  treaty  lt>9, 
2U1 

Globe's  attack  131:  gold  and  silver,  iin 
poruiions,  coins,  cuire.ncy,  new  emisMons 
Sec.  1 ,  300,  330,  3G4,  394,  427 

Horrors  of  Sing  Snig  14eS 

Jefferson's  protest  2u2 

Land  bill  241:  legislative  action  on  the 
depojiie  question  51:  letters — long  deten 
lion  ol  a  1:  certain  to  the  editor  35.84, 117: 
from  the  editor  to  the  Washington  Typ. 
Society  114:  do.  the  Baltimore  Gazuile  18 
Meetings  of  the  people  80,  82,  130,  203, 
243:  members  of  congress  and  pet  bank 
notes  170:  Mexican  currency  217,258:  mo 
iiey  market,  piessure,  &c.  1,  4,  17,  33,  34, 
49,  61,  84,  »6,  67,  97, 122, 13-J,  133, 145, 149. 
185,  202,  2J4,  315,  345,  34U,  362,  377,  426 
New  inventions,  steam  power  and  then 
effects  315,  393,  426:  notices — to  subscri- 
bers 17:  ot  certain  speeches  50, 51,  114,  llli: 
of  the  Buffalo  Journal  3'.il 

Orders  countermanded  86 

Party  and  Hie  liank  questions  97,  98: 
payment  ol  U.  6s.  sailors  348,302,414:  pen- 
t-ion I'uinl  4,217:  political  battles  243:  post 
office  affaiis  257,  329,  378,  393:  press  ol 
inntter  1,  257:  presidential  election  returns 
410:  previous  i|iic.-tion  97:  protection  to  l.i- 
lior  o'JO,  l:ib.  |>,-iividential  puuishuienl  3U1: 
public  feeling  130,  131,242:  public  officers 
51,  14U:  ol  Him  salaries  64,  99,  145 

Reference*  to  the  Ucgi.ster  393:  reform 
148:  remarks  on  Hie  conduct  of  certain  di- 
rectors 171:  revenue  prophecies  98,  202, 
245:  n^li  l  of  in  MI  in:  lion  395,  410:  do.  ol  pe- 
iition  81:  robbing  190:  tumors  145,201.291, 


Foot,  8.  A.  173,  189,  905,  324 

Fi.rge.nes  245,301 

Vorsyth,  Mr.  65,  86,  129,  146,  161,217, 

249,297.314 

Foreign  capital  187;  murderers  191,244; 
paupers  2  !4;  logues  244;  opinions  35,  1"" 

Fortification* 

i'lani.nii.  Hi.  opinions,  &.C.  of 

Flanking  pnvilege 

French,  affairs. 

Agricultural,  &c.  3s4;  Algiers  3C6,  384; 
American  indemnities  5,  179,  195,  206;  ar- 
tny  2i,2ul.3t3;arre»ls  102,  364,  445;  cham- 
ber of  deputies  351,  415,  431;  of  Hie  liona- 
parles  102;  C.ialeaubriaud  404;  coinage  315; 
di.-iurbaiiees  102,  201,  208,  261;  Mr.  Uu- 
long  54;  drama  206;  duchess  d«  Berri  384; 
duels  35;  duke  of  Orleans  5,  415;  elections 
383,384,404;  harvests  351;  king,  Ihe  208; 
Lalayeite,  yen.  208;  Lyons  208,  2ol,  30-J; 
niini*liy  21,  174,  445,  reorganization  174; 
nation, il  guard  102;  naval  preparations  5; 
do.  lorce  258;  La  c?upeibe  21;  tin:  cuiras- 
sier 243;  steam  frigate  332;  illegitimate 
children  118;  Neapolitan  princess  4 15;  par- 
lies 431;  peers  384;  prices  209,  351,  3c3; 
lelalions  with  Russia  5,  22;  pressure  261; 
specie  currency  315;  silk,  exports  of  350; 
statistics  150,  191,  364;  Toulon  salule  260 
French  claims,  concerning  ihe  5,  179, 


Indiani— Cherokees   174,  255;  death  of 
Hick:.  WJ;  ol    llle  committee'*  report  31" 


aiilU|iiinea  334;  Chickasaw  liealy 


454 


Fridge,  Mr. 
Floats,  ctiects  of 


195.  201,308,:i51 
108 
191,255 


Sloop  canal   -ill.:    South   Carolina   I 

oath  117,  173,  -.259:  supplements       169,  233 

Tempeiaiiire  ol  the  weather  349:  traders' 

memorial  99:  treaty  with  Clnckasaws  441 

Uncle  -Sam's  news'  satchel  117 

Washington,  gen.  393:  whig  celebrations 

116,  130 — dee  tin;  various  proper  heads. 

Editorial  blunder  300 

K,i-t  room  298 

Education,  statistics  of  256 

Effigy  signers  to  the  N.  Y.  memorial    85 

Egypt — antiquities,  &c.  332;  fresh  water 

iu      '  431 

Electioneering  bombast  179 

Elections — lime  when  held  395 

Kllieott,  Thomas  C6,  04,  108,  347 

Ellswnith,  Mr.  !•->:> 

Emigration  Irom  Europe  1,218,244,260, 

368,  361,  363,  31)8,  429;  letuimng  of  1,  331; 

to  the  wetil  398 

Evans,  Hugh  VV.  347;  Evani,  O.  397,  427 

Everetl,  Mr.  II.  3  i5,  3til 

Everett,  Mr.  Edward  430,  441,  451 

Ettiiitf,  Mr.  ol  Ohio   109,  203,  256,  273, 

314,  304,  396,  442— see  congresi. 

Ewmg,  Mr.  of  Indmna  298 

Exchanges  17,  bl,  83,  80,  87,  190,  191, 

908,315 

"Experiment"  5,  S7,  172,  245,  31 

Expons  35-i,  41 

Factories,  (topping  of  5,  64,  85,  86,87, 
118,  130,  153,  172;  burnt  413 

Failures  86,97,149 

Falkland  JiJundi  - 

Fed*— a  new  party  name  188,248 

Fenwii-k,  ln-lni|i  4)3 

Fires  35,  152,  173,  189,5156,301,315.  3IH 
384,404,413 

Fwlierli-x  191,192,385 

Flowd,  Thomas  aga 

Florida— kuyar  culture   118;    wrecks  or 
the  reel*  of  38- 

rieui— markeu      5,  17,  18,  49,  85,  4i!t> 


Gallalin,  A.  the  report  of  73;  toast  to  149 
Gales  it   Seatori 

Gambling  punished  17-1,  397 

Gambling  speculators  301 

Georgia— cholera    174;   the   state   bank 

210;  me.  tings  243;  elections  430;  murder  of 

Hicks  303;  crops  360;  Augusta  banks  412; 

Mr.  Tronp's  Inter  417 

Giant,  the  Mexican 

%  Gibbs,  gen.  368 

Gibraltar,  cholera  444 

Gill,  II.  W.  218 

Gilpin,  Mr.  1;  John,  the  brig  381 

Girard,  Stephen  256 

"Globe."  the  "official,"  extracts  from, 
&c.  34,  67,  1 13,  132,  133,  146,  205,243,245, 
260, 267, 292, 300, 330, 347, 363, 364, 427, 441 
Gloucester  Telegraph  396 

Gold-mines,  &.c.  «5,  119,  172,  365,  444; 
value  of  coins  252,  300,  354;  the  laws  337, 
338;  new  coinage  394,  432;  effects  and  re- 
maiks  330,  364,  394;  counterfeits  427;  his- 
tory of  gold  coins  390,  446;  gold  mines  and 


coal  mines  191 

Gordon,  Mai  tin  217,  291,  347 

Gouging,  case  of  118 

Grand  jury,  presentment  by  a  148,  155 
Grand  Gulf— u  new  town  174 

Greece — coal  in  384;  reforms  442 

Green  house,  a  great  444 

Grennell,  Mr.  191 

Grundy,  Mr.  298,314 

Gnrney,  Mr.  314 

Gwynii,  Win.  361;  Gwin,  Samuel  432 
Hailstoim  380,383 

Hanover  350 

II, mlm,  Mr.  149;  Harper's  Ferry  148 
li.iitioiit  convention — Mr.  I'earce's  re- 
larks  on  404;  replies  lo  404,405,414 

Hayti—  condition  of  366;  letter  liom  the 
>0|ie  to  president  Boyer  369 


Insolvents  86,118,133,149 

Indiana — state  bank  chartered  86;  loan 
taken  412;  meetings  243;  electioneering  in 
39u;  Mr.  Tipton  blJ9,  443;  elections  413, 
426,  430,  443;  cholera  429 

Internal  improvements  380,  410, 430,  442 
Inventions  301,349 

Jackson,  gen.  former  opinions  ol  266;  the 

Richmond  Enquirer's  views  of  267;  orders 
in  honor  of  gen.  Lafayette  325;  cabinet  ap- 
pointments 347;  vole  against  gen.  Wash- 
ington 406;  his  illness  '12(j;  toast  441;  his 
reception  liy  the  Tennessee  convention  450 
Jamestown  jubilee  307 

Jennings,  Jonathan — death  of  430 

Jews — consecration  of  a  synagogue  292; 
debate  in  the  British  parliament  concern- 
ing Ihe 

Johnson,  R.  M.  nomination  of  1;  his  re- 
ply lo  Ihe  Philadelphia  invitation  416 
Johnson,  H.  149 
Johnson,  judge  398;  Jones,  Talbot 
Jones,  William  Gwynn 
Kemble,  Miss  Fanny— marriage  of     260 
Kennedy,  John  P.  202 
Kentucky— R.  hi.  Johnson  1;  gov.  Breath- 
ill  17;  new  bank   17,  66;  Louisville  bank 
17;  currency  at  132;   Louisville  300,  316; 
dinner  lo  Mr.  Poindexler  415;  Lelcher,  R. 
P.  257,297,299,364,430,441;  Mr.  Bibb416; 
Mr.  Clay  417;  cholera  102,  379;   elections 
412,430,441,443 

Kissinger,  J.  C.  149;  Kremer,  George    1 
Lacock,  Mr.  speech  of 
Ladies'  combs  191 

Lal'ayelte,  gen.  195,  208;  death  of  and 
honors  to  291,  297,  325,  329.  333,  301,  368, 
379,  380 

Lake  navigation  118,  191 

Lane,  Mr.  of  Indiana  202 

Landing  of  ihe  falhers  401 

Lauds,  tin:  public,  report  on  268;  com- 
mittee continued  297;  E.  Row's  deposition 
326;  sales  350 

Lawrence,  Mr.  of  N.Y.  97,173,169 
Law  and  law  cases — commonwealth  of 
Kentucky  vs.  Nelson  Mayes  210;  John  H. 
Saichet  vs.  Samuel  Swarlwoul  252,  300; 
law  of  Massachusetts  against  gaming  252; 
case  of  an  Indian  for  horse  stealing  255;  of 
another  arrested  for  debt  256;  of  a  bequest 
to  living  grand  children  256;  certain  stock- 
holders U.  B.  of  Maryland  vs.  Poullney, 
Ellicott  &  Co.  317;  U.  B.  of  Tennessee  «. 
Ellicott,  Morris  and  Giil  317;  steamboat  law 
153;  graining  pensions  lo  ihe  Toulon  suf- 
ferers 337;  regulating  silver  coins  321;  do. 


Heath,  U.  S. 
Heath,  James  P. 


55 
17,25,100,201 

4-20 


Heal,  comparative  statement  of 
Il,'i,trr,  William  124 

Hemp  culler  393 

Hill,  Isaac  34,357,298 

Hits  in  congress  298 

lloliuook,  Josiah  445 

Holland — arrangement  with  Belgium  102; 
Ghent  102;  population  174,  350;  expendi- 
tures 174,  350;  navy  350;  army  415;  emi 
gralion  from  351 

Howard,  Dr.  William  444 

Hill. hard,  Henry  298 

lee,  exportation  of  174,  191 

Illinois— school  fund  118;  Mem».  <'a<ev 
and  rilad.!  :iii.'.;  eleeiioim  430,443 

Importation*  86,  301;  of  specie  412 

Imprecations  of  public  men  87 

Improvements  and  steam      345,  393,  426 
Impressment,  rase  of  .  174 

Imprisonment  tor  debt  .103.381 

Inclined  plane*,  cor  for  3-19 


gold  coins  253,  337,  338;  for  the  relief  of  in- 
solvent debtors  337;  settling  the  lerritorial 
dispute  between  New  York  and  N.  Jeisey 
353;  summary  process  at  Uubuque's  mines 
352;  concerning  Ihe  duty  on  lead  354;  sus- 
pending part  of  (he  tariff  law  of  1832  354; 
concerning  copy  rights  354;  concerning  ex- 
periments on  the  -team  engine  354;  regu- 
lating trade  with  the  Indian  tribes  373;  pro- 
viding for  ihe  organization  of  Ihe  depart- 
ment of  Indian  affairs  375;  in  addition  lo 
Ihe  acl  for  the  punishment  of  crimes  376; 
liability  of  clergymen  380;  U.  S.  courts, 
costs  of  suits  in  the  380;  granting  bounty 
on  lost  fishing  vessels  391;  concerning  ton- 
nage duty  on  Spanish  vessels  391;  making 
appropriations  for  harbors,  rivers,  &c.  391; 
lion-citizenship  of  the  blacks  in  Connecti- 
cut 398;  Bullock  vs.  Mnnice,  Phelps  &,  Co. 
liability  of  partners  and  usury  420 

l.eavcnwoiih,  gen.  443 

Lederer,  baron  167 

Legare,  Solomon,  death  of  314 

Legal  tender  369 

Leigh,  Benjamin  W.  17,35,108,146,203 
l,i  onida«  ami  Washington  316 

I.,  .-lie.  James  109 

Leslie,  C.  R.  artist  1 18;  Levy,  lieut.  117 
Liberia— prospccls  of  332,  367;  ihe  Ma- 
ryland colony  333 
Liberty  cap  and  motto  394,  448 
Lincoln,  Levi  1,  17,  185,  197,201 
Liveipool  trader,  the  first  American  '^">fi 
Livingston,  Mr.  18,208,312 
Lloyd,  Edward  243 
Loc  lists  255,  409;  exuay  on  419 
Longevity,  cases  of  '  384,404 
Louisville  Advertiser  259 


Loultiann — riots  on  the  canal*  35,  85; 
meetings  88,  87;  fire  152;  pressure  at  86,  87, 
149;  brutality  152;  slave  value  174;  sugar 
refineries  174;  gasworks  384;  H.  Johnson 
149;  elections  364,  379, 399;  bank  robberies 
245,301;  forgeries  245,  301;  steamboat  law 

152 

Lowell,  John  405 

LIISIIS  natural  191 

Lyceums,  on  the  establishment  of  445 
Ly  tie,  Mr.  of  Ohio  309 

Lynch's  law  352 

Macadam,  knighted  191 

Macnevcn,  Dr.  W.  J.  81,  90, 1 15, 122,  1-23 
Madagascar—  the  French  king  of  2o6 
Madison,  James  100,  149,  202,  387,  405 
Magnificent  donation  384 

Marl  robber  and  robberies  149,  255 

Mail  contractors'  extras  101 

Maine — elections  1 17,4J9;  .meetings  24;t; 
the  ancient  widows  256;  Madawaska  3tO; 
Mr.  Sprague  395;  Mr.  Cliurclull  409 

Malihian,  Madam  431 

Manning,  Richard  J.  230 

Manufactures — of  books  87;  of  sugar  1 1H; 
cloths  190;  buttons  172;  straw  191;  combs 
191;  iron  315;  salt  412;  in  S.  Carolina  384; 
of  pnhlic  o/iiidon  43-j 

Markets— the  home  5,  17,  18,  49,  84,  85, 
150,  190,  315,  349,  425;  a  new  one  tor  bread 
stuffs.  444 

March  of  improvement  315 

Marine  hospital*  369 

Marine  corps  3fi9 

Marshall,  chief  justice  3b8 

Maryland— legislature  51,  147;  loan  ?7; 
elections  116,  24-2;  electioneering  430;  lac 
lories  slopped  130;  failures  of  banks,  &c. 
51,  65,  66,  67,  84,  94,  97,  108,  113.  132,  133, 
145,  171,218,245;  state  colonization  sotie 
ty  174;  Mr.  Chambers  409;  Mr.  Taney  at 


INDEX. 

Haplet— revolutionary  moreruenm  109 
National  Intelligencer  121,2(57,292,314 
National  Gazette-  188,201 

Naudain,  Mr.  24-2,  265 

Navy  and  naval,  American,  U.  S.  21 , 35. 
118,260,  293;  hospitals  369;  Constellation 
35;  Lexinglon  414:  Brand)  wine  102;  Con- 
stitution, the  docking  the'  174;  the  figure 
head  189,329.347;  Grampus  191;  Potomac 
218,256;  Peacock  218;  vessels  on  foreign 
stations  33-2,  365;  at  Charlestown  and  in 
commission  381;  Natchez  36G;  marine  corps 
369:  midshipmen  309 

ffeirfonndlanH — legislative  furniture   31-fl 
Ne>n    H>tmp*hirc — salute    and    mob    130; 
the  Patriot  204;  U.  H.  senator  29*;  the  le- 
gi-lativc  resolution*  335;  brinks  350;  Sal- 
mon Falls  factory  413  Mr.  Waldron      414 
Negro  traders  kill,  d  191 

New  inventions,  effects  of  393,  397 

New  Jersey — factories  in  5;  new  hanks 
17;  meetings  of  the  people  85,243;  elec- 
tions 132,  190,411;  bank  failure  245;  cop 
per  mine  256;  territorial  dispute  wiih  N. 
Y.  333;  Newark  360;  political  excitement 
429;  capt.  Stockton  441 

JVem  South  11'alcs— notices  of  3S3,  399 
Newspaper  publications,  perishing  ten- 
dency of  29s;  an  old  one  '  298 
New  Yolk  city— the  Tammany,  &c  27, 
154;  Mr.  Gallalm  65,  73;  elections  34,  100, 
115,  131,  132:  public  officers  34.  51,  259: 
meetings  82,  147,  396:  Polish  exiles  85,  101, 
166,256:  ami  bank  mem.  85:  bank  projec 
86:  the  exchange  147:  failures  86:  fires  35, 
173,  189,  315,  348:  Dr.  Msu  neven  90,  123: 
meeting  of  Irishmen  115,  122:  attack  on  I. 
Lewis  118:  riots  100,  115,210.332,  346,357. 


Til 


Frederick 


453 


Masons  and  masonic  charters,  surren- 
ders of  118,  189,  336,  447;  decrease  of  cer- 
tain lodges  348 
Massachusetts — elections  1, 17,35;  Lowell 
riot  5;  rail  road  do.  147;  bank  charters  86; 
button  factories  17-2;  straw  factory  191;  law 
against  gaming  252;  imprisonment  for  debt 
303;  discharge  of  hands  331;  Harvard  uni- 
versity 332;  Bunker  Hill  monument  335; 
old  soldiers  384;  office  holders' convention 
396;  dinner  at  Salem  409,  salt  manufactures 
412;  riots  at  Charlestown  413,  436,440,  441, 
442,  Mr.  Everett  430,441;  gov.  Davis  and 
the  anti-masons  433;  masons  of  Worcester 

447 

McClure,  lieut.  G.  W.  442 

McDuffie,  George  100, 113,  129,  M6,  250, 


414:  conviction   of  rioters 


fur 


Parties  and  party  naoiM 

Pauper* 

Pearce,  Duiee  J. 
Penitentiaries,  labor  in 
Pensioner*  undecided  on 
Pew,  Mr.  the  centenarian 
Philadelphia  Sentinel 


McElroy,  rev.  John 
McElderry,  Hugh 


29-2,  297,  430 
316 
1,  183,  184,392 


McKim,  1.49,57,82,99,107,114, 173,291 


McLean,  John,  judge 


153, 417 


McLane,  Louis      190,  292.  314,  361,  418 
Meteoric  stones  119 

Mexico— conspiracies,  &e.  102,  218,  365; 
the  currency  of  217,  258;  curse  of  365,  430, 
442;  population  258;  revolution  316,  332, 


Metalic  currency 


380 
217,  258 


Michigan  territory— Detroit  118;  a  new 

territory  1 18;  eov.  Porter  349;  cholera  429 
Militia,  U.  8.  381;  Miller,  Mr.  146 

Mines,  comparative  view  of  certain  191 
Mint,  U.  S.  354,  394,  427,  432,  448 

Mississippi — Messrs.  Cage  and  Black  84; 

Mr.  Owin  432;  Planter's  bank  of  Natche/. 

86;   electioneering  443;    meetinss  87,  243; 

delegates  to  the  Van  Buren  convention  397; 

the   pressure   149;   murder  150;   murderer 


ehot  151;  cholera 


174,  205 


Missouri  —  St.  Louis  332;  Mormon  diffi 
cullies  255,  336,  365;  Lynch's  law  352;  gov. 
Dtinklin  3f>8;  elections  430,443;  cholera  379 


Mitchi-ltrec,  L>r.  William  280 

Money  value  of  certain  produce  49 

Money  market  in  England  118,  218,  245 
Money  and  currency,  Mr.  Reid  on  370 
Moore,  Philip  149;  Moore,  Thos.  P.  291 
Moreno,  general  399 

Mormoriites  255,  336,  365,  368 

Morris,  John  B.  133,  218;  Molt,  Dr.  25  > 
Mule,  a  breeding  191:  murders  151,191 
Museums,  county  419 

Nankeens,  American  442 

Napier,  admiral  404 


projected  118:  counsellor  Samp-on  122: 
country  notes  255,  299,315:  arrest,  for  hri 
bery  147:  mayor's,  reception  173,  1S9:  Chi- 
nese crackers  316:  ship  building  189:  rais- 
ing brick  bouses  315:  journeymen  bakers 
316:  city  government  190,259:  anti-sl,ivei\ 
meetings  190:  Laurens'  sireel  302:  of  Ihe 
nrscnal  132,  20;<:  ihe  uiimpel  contest  44-i: 
ancient  Liverpool  trader  256:  packet  ships 
410:  emigration  260:  the  Astor  hotel  385: 
the  custom  house  385:  the  Jews'  synagogue 
292:  horrid  deaths  339:  cholera  399,  412, 
429,444:  Dr.  Manly's  prescription  for  431: 
the  Standard  147,  173:  Evening  Post  173, 
187.  4<!0,  441:  Annual  Register  200:  the 
Tillies  259:  Mercantile  and  Advocate  428 
A'cic  York  slate— cov.  Marry  and  the 
loan  66, 81,  87, 95, 99, 101, 109, 112, 114, 118: 
meetings  82,  85:  factories  84:  the  Albany 
mem.  84, 126:  the  Utica  do.  244:  safety  fund 
banks  86:  new  banks  188,299:  Gi-nnesse. 
district  248:  elections  100,  115,  172,  190: 
the  penitentiaries  102:  Chcnango  loan  118: 
Albany,  charter  officers  132:  the  "regency" 
201:  canal  trade  149,  173,  191:  the  legisla- 
ture 187:  whig  celebrations  190,243:  Sara- 
toga springs  190:  Utica  202:  Mr.  Beardsley 
244:  the  Argus  114,242,259:  public  officers 
243,442:  Jackson  majority  244:  great  rob 
bery  255:  Evening  Journal  25'J:  masonic 
lodges  348:  territorial  dispute  with  N.  J. 
353:  convention  on  penitentiary  labor  428: 
cholera  412,  429,  444:  grand  canal  project 
ed  442:  Buffalo  444 

Niger  expedition  209 

Noah  and  the  ark  122:  Noah,  M.  M.  29-2 
North  American,  the  147 

Korth  Carolina — gold  mines  85:  meet 
ings  in  87:  emigration  from  117:  the  presi- 
dent presented  155:  state  bank.  149:  Mr. 
Brown  409:  elections  430,  44:! 

Ohio— Cincinnati,  markets  5;  rrlebra 
lion  al  243;  cholera  316,  361 .  379,  412,  429 
of  hanks  18;  gen.  Cass  429;  resolutions 
against  the  hank  51;  the  pressure.  Sic.  84 
8fi;  elections  430;  MiM--rshiirg  256;  floo< 


173, 185 
87 
404 

102, 428 
174 
384 
131 

Pennnilcania— loans  1,  4,  17,  18,27,85, 
101.  346,  362;  meeting*,  Ss.e.5,  190,  24:);  po- 
litics 187;  flour  at  Pitlsl.iirsh  5;oCihe  banks 
17,  84,  «5,  97;  Columbia  rail  road  17;  on  the 
U.  S.  hank  19,85, 132, 428; sov. Wolf  »*  mes- 
-  age  26;  his  sudden  change  34;  Lanra-ter 
86;  Pottsville  86;  Unkxilnwn  315;  Carbon- 
lole  87;  a  ease  r>f  contempt  109;  coal  duty 
132;  do.  trade  315,  3-6;  Mr.  Dunlop  109, 
42f;  fires  149,301;  pensioners  at  Piiisl.urzh 
l.">li;  Mr.  Lacock'8  speech  153;  elections 
172.  173;  canal  rui-iiie--*  173.  055,  256; 
Pittsburgh  in>nranee  co.  413;  Hamshiir»li 
convention 243;  r.-liL'ious  persecution  260; 
rail  road  accidents  301,  302;  e»hl  vein*  315; 
hickory  pole  316;  eherifl  's  t ales  331;  torna- 
do 348;  .Mr.  Rapp  349;  Valley  Forge  381; 
cholera  412,  429;  anti-masons  429 

Priiiisy  Iviiiiinn,  the  83,  131 ,  2GO,  364 
Pension  agency,  Mr.  Clayton'-  rr|'"'t  10 
P»  n-ions  and  pensioners,  U.  S.  150,  174 
Petition,  Die  righl  of  84 

Petitions  a/nin^t  despotic  power  85 

Pet  bank  notes  170 

Peyton,  Mr.  129 

Phelps,  l!ie  highwayman  150 

PhUaileljiliii: — acridenl  5;  public  meet- 
ings 29.  66.  S2.  '.',9.  116,  130;  pressure  5,  85; 
delegation  to  Washington  8,  10;  the  Wil- 
liam Penn  21;  length  of  a  petition  from  W; 
Girard  hank  50,67,  17-7;  election-  66,  172; 
prayers  against  despotic  power  ^5;  punish- 
ment for  rescue  of  slaves  118.  174;  stealing 
118;  Maihevv  Carey  124,  43:);  discount  on 
notes  133;  col.  Crockett  in  149;  correspon- 
dence with  the  president  U.  S.  150;  Polish 
exiles  190;  Mr.  Southard  203;  unfinished 
buildings  in  331;  valuation  of  real  estate 
f>5;  l.i-hop  White  100.  :369;  mobs  413,  435, 


348;  gen.  Vance  348;  Mr.  Ewing  396;  Dr 
Drake  on  the  cholera  361;  importation  o 
cattle  384;  Cleveland  396;  expenditures  01 
the  harbors  of  398 

Opinions  of  public  men  266;  do.  oftlie 
olden  time 

Otis,   II.  G.  his   letter  concerning  Mr 
Pearce's  accusation 

Palmer's  Land  118.16 

Panic  makers  66,24 

Patterson,  thn  ancient  widows  25( 


Party  madness 


18 


41;  revolutions  of  the  Snnthwark  "demo- 
rats"  408;  post  office  442;  health  444 
Physicians,  of  191 
Pickpockets  148 
Pike,  col.  Zebulon 

Pilgrim  fathers  401:  Plnmmer.  Mr.      203 

Poindexter,  Mr.      113,  129,  196,  362,  415 

Poland— exiles  in  America  85,  101,  166, 

90,  196,  256,  348;  in  Switzerland  167;  t>ar- 

jarities  of  Constantine 

Polk.  Mr.  and  the  Catholic  bells 

Political  movements  201 

Political  hi-tory  404,414 

Polari,  the  jewel  robber  191 

Population   U.  S.    tabular  statement  of 

he  424;  continuation  of  do.  425 

Portugal—  Don  Miguel  V  army  5, 102;  de- 
eats  of  do.  209,  351;  embarkation  of  do. 
"583;  Don  Pedro's  army — operations  of  21, 
02,209,261;  his  health  431;  rejoicings  102; 
_,eira21;  Camina  174;  Brana  209;  Viana 
and  Caminha  209;  free  ports  209;  accession 
o  the  queen  209;  excommunication  by  the 
>ope  261;  his  concessions  415;  Miguel  and 
Don  Carlos  351;  Miguel's  declaration  383; 
surrender  of  the  crown  jewels  383;  am- 
nesty 351,  383;  his  expulsion  3W5;  Lisbon 
383;  Hie  cones  431;  convents  383,  415,  429, 
431;  the  volunteers  431;  the  quadripartite 
treaty  431;  cholera 

Porter,  judge  Alexander  149,178 

Porter,  gov.  G.  B.  349;  Potter,  Mr.      150 
Post  office  department — surplus  fund  4; 
loss  of  mails  21;  extra  allowance*  85,  101, 
108;  Wcirick  pardoned  148;  postages  154; 
judge  Story's  views  of  185;  the  Nat.  Intel- 
ligencer's view  of  267;  the  Globe's  do.  267; 
robberies  255;  investigations  in  the  recess 
097;  Mr.  Barry's  memorial  313;  his  address 
338;  the  Phil,  post  office  442— see  congrcw- 
Potter,  Elisha  R.  414 

Poultney,  Evan  68,  36-2. 393 

Pound  sterling  86,  331,397 

Precious  metals,  the  decreased  produc- 
tion of  354 
Press,  specimens  of  the  "organized"  203 
Preston,  Mr.    113,  120.  12-2,  129,  146,  161 
Presidential  caucus  nominations  I 
President  U.  S. — interviews  of  commit- 
tees with   1,  8;  tefnsal  to  receive  do.  ?3; 
opinions  of  foreign  journal!  concerning  lh« 


Till 

35, 299;  the  protest,  fcc.  113,  121,  129, 130, 
138,  144,  154,  156,  169;  certam  secretaries 
84;  of  the  dwellingof  the  148;  presented  155, 
the  Philadelphia  committee  157;  renom 
r,"  tin.'  bank  directors  180;  ofh.s  bank  veto 
187-  o?  the  Wahash  bill  314;  Mr.  Taney  326; 
hh 'Nashville  toast  441;  nominations  by  Uje 
35  50,  145,  169,  188,  203,  217;  reforms  250; 
leaves  Washlnsloii  328;  on  his  journey  J9a; 
reports  concern,,,*  329;  at  Nashville  4»l 
Presidents,  U.  S.  terms  of  service,  &c. 

Presidential  election,   statement  of  the 
popular  votes  of  the  lasl  441,  447 

Prices  current  5,  17,  18,  49,  I  iJ 

Prince,  Enoch 

Produce,  diminished  value  of 

Proprieties  non  reception  of  deputies^ 

Pnmia-non  reception  of  the  Belgian 
minister 

Productive  family 

Public  mm,  sentiments  of  certain        B7 

Public  money 

Public  lands,  Mr.  Clay's  report  on  the 
268 — see  congress,  i(c. 

Public  opinion,  a  manufactory  of 

n'liUoads— Columbia  and  Philadelphia 
17;  Charleston  118, 148,256;  Baltimore  and 
nhio  148.  425;  Camden  and  Amhoy  1J1, 
from  Home  to  Nap"^  256;  accidents  on 
191  301,  302,  315;  new  projects  for  2o 
Danville  and  Pottsville  301;  Liverpool  and 
Manchester  150:  London  and  Birmingham 

5  ereat  speed  on  349:  Bright'*  improved 
car  349:  great  facilities  of  transportiUion^on 

Happ,  Frederick,  death  of 
Rales  of  discount  in  England 
"Refractory  subordinate' 
Removal  of  the  ^•|.«sil^-P^«d.1"^ 
of  meetings,  reports  ol  delegations  visii 

Reshipm'eiits'to  England 

Retrenchment  and  reform  *•*= 

Revenue,  receipt*  of  the  202,  245:  Gen- 
nessee  district 

Revolutionary  soldiers 

Rhoie  War-d-businesi)  in  84,  86:  the 
fortifications  86, 348:  masonic  charters  118: 
ftctories  stopped  130,  153:  elections  132 
188  430,443:  Mr.  Tillinghast  148:  mason- 
in  189,  336:  legislature  173;  perpetuatior 
act  188:  removal  of  deposites  188,  19o:  M 
Robbins  217:  the  "Mercury"  298:  smal 
pox  348:  collector  of  Newport  318:  'mprif 
Moment  for  debt  380:  U.  a.  senator  396, 430 

Rich  man  and  the  beggar 

Risht  of  inslruelion  14i 6,  J9, 5,  411 

Rio.s  35,  85,  100,  130,  147,  152,  210,  291 
300,  332,  346, 357, 365, 413, 426, 435, 441 , 44< 

Ritchie,  Thomas  131,146,  154,169.202 
204  205,218,  260,266,267,312,347,363 

Rives,  Mr.  resignation  of  25:  on  the  righ 
of  instruction  146:  on  the  French  claim* 
201-  reply  to  the  Philad.  "democrats" 

JtobberiW  150,245,255,301 

Rock,  great  haul  of 

Rome— letter  from  the  popo  38! 

RoThichild,  Mr.  102, 257;  38: 

Row,  Edmund  32j> 

Rush,  Richard  149, 172, 188 

Russia— famine    in    5:    difference    with 
France  5,22:  present  to  Achmet  Pacha  174 
of  soldiers'  children  350:  cruelties  of  th( 
grand  duke 
Bailors,  U.  8.  348,  362,  414;  amusement 

•01 

Bait  manufactures 

Salutes 

Sampson,  William  81,  12 

Sandford,  sir  Daniel 

Baunders,gen. 

Scarlet  fever 

Bchley,  Mr.  of  Georgia 

Bedgwick,  Mr.  35 

Selden,  Mr.  146 

Senate,  U.  S.  applaudine  in,  &c.  129;  de 
nunciations  of  146,  259, 260;  toasted  149 
curious  incident  in  the  gallery  205;  rejec 
tion  of  Mr.  Stevenson  310,  confirmation 
and  rejections  241,  297,  329 


INDEX. 

Sheen,  Uaac  in  search  of  a  btact^  wJto 
Shetland  Islands— account  of 

iSwrecU*9  244,060,  35 

Ship  Am.-riean  burnt  J|" 

piL-iier,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  death  of 
Silver  coins— the  law  regulating  the  va- 
ne of  321;  large  lump  found 

Silks  culture  348;  ancient  cost  ofo4S;  ex- 
portation, to  England 
Skinner,  John  S.  21;  Slade,  Mr. 
Slave  traders  301;  slave  trade 
Slighter,  Henry  singularities  of         «<S4 
Small  pox 
Snow 

Social  intercourse,  D.  Webster's  views 
of 

South  Jlmtrica— Buenos  Ayres  concern 
n»the  currency  of  113;  toleration  in  Ve- 
rexuela  150.  316;  treaty  with  U.  S.  205;  re- 
solution, &c.  218;  earthquake?,  303;  revo- 
ution  in  Peru  366;  correspondence  con- 
'erning  the  independence  of  409,41. 

South  Carolina— test  oath  117,173,259; 
emiaration  from  117;  elections  260;  go- 
vernor declines  to  call  the  legislature  29i 
his  proclamation  325;  Solom.  Legnre  314; 
Charleston  Library  332;  manufactories  oj 
384;  exports 

South   exploring  expedition   16/;   souin 
pole  168,  southern  discoveries 
Southard,  Mr.  Samuel  203,  314 

Spain-state  of  5,  21,  35,102.  261,351, 
?82,  404,  415,  431;  Don  Carlos  21,  102,  261, 
351,  431,  445;  Donna  Maria  of  PorUmal  174; 
crce   of   retaliation    191;   col.    O'Donnel 
2;  secular  orders  209;  great  mortality  256; 
Zumalacaraany,  een.  382,  404;  cholera  383, 
429,  431,  444,  4~45;  storms  431;  Russian  am- 
bassador recalled    383;  Rothschild's   loan 
383;  church  property  and  income  399;  re- 
culations  of  trade  401;  rrview  by  the  queen 
415;  South  American  independence      419 
Specie— importations  of  1,  87,  118,  132, 
133,  172,  217,  412,  442,  currency 
Spindles  stopped  130, 153,  172 

Spirit  laiQ ps 

Spraeue,  Mr.  308.,  429 

Stanhope,  lady  Hester 
St.  Simonians 

Slate  banks— non- efficiency  of  133;  de 

cision  on  the  unconstutionality  of         210 

Statistics  118.  119,  150,174,191,253,256, 

350,  352,  356,  365,  381,382.  383,  384,  389, 

396,  399,  404,  424 

Stealing  in  high  life  118 

Steam  and  boats  and  wagons  on  lake 
Erie  118;  rapid  trip  119;  from  Charleston  to 
Boston  332;  passengers  174;  the  Caroline 
316;  a  large  boat  365;  disasters,  &C.21,  119, 
150, 174, 398;  steamboat  law  153;  navigation 
of  canals  301;  boats  on  the  lakes  314;  com- 
peilion  332;  on  the  western  waters  384,  lo- 
comotion by  314;  effect  on  agriculture,  &c 
426;  boilers  to  prevent  the  explosion  o 
301,  354:  carriaees  316;  332,  349,  422,  426 
power  of  steam  explained  38f 

Steele,  John  N.  242 

Stevenson,  Andrew   102,  146,  201,  217 
251,297,310,311,337 
Stewart,  Andrew  101,  32( 

Stocks,  sales  of  50,  113,172;   prices  in 
England  245;  arrival   of  American  stocks 
from  abroad  for  sale  245;  U.  S.  bank      430 
Stone,  operation  for  255 

Storms  5,  35,  431 

Story,  judge,  on  the  post  office  dept.  18.' 
Straw  factory  191 

Suicides  85,  301 

Sugar,  culture  in  Florida  ofllS,  refinery 
of  17' 

Sullivan,  Mr. 

Survivors  of  the  revolution 

Suspension  of  works  1' 

Sutherland,  Mr.  298 

Sweden— ardent  spirits  consumed  in    384 

Striker/and- of  the  constitution  149,261 

Austria's  ultimatum  26! 

Taney,  Roger  B.  49,  55,83, 145,  204,  297 

314,326,  361,  45C 

Tappnn,  Arthur  361 

Tariff,    laws  concerning  the   354;  Mr 
Bates  before  the  British  parliament  388 
Pennsylvania  resolutions 
Taylor,  gen.  Robert  B. 
Temperance  ship 


Tennesiee— Union  bank  84, 150;  choters 
02;  Mr.  Potter  150;  cotton  crops  191;  Alex. 
)onel?on  302;  a?ainst  gambling  397;  Mr. 
{ell's  letter  415;  reception  of  gen.  Jackson 
50;  bonds 
Texas — condition 
Tipton,  John 

Toasts  114,149,291,409,415 

Tobacco,  the  price  of 
Tornadoes  360,  316,  349 

Toulon  disaster  260,  29- 

Trade,  the  Spanish  regulations  of 
Treasury  depart.  U.  S.  certain  draughts 
18,  149,  362;  report  on  the  »evenue  293; 
ireasury  notes 

Trotting  match  a  great  244,  Jl< 

Treaty  with  France  179,  195;  with  Chi 

205;  between  the  rail  road  rioters  300,  316; 

the  quadruple  400;  with   the  Chickasaw 

Indians 

Tioup,  Georee  M.  417,  4.JO 

Turkey— of  the  Russian   indemnity  102; 
army  174;  revolt  174;  conspiracy  and  exe- 
cutions 261;   hopes  of  improvement  365; 
trade  of  366;  the  Seraskia 
Turner,  Mr.  J. 
United  Slates  Gazette 
Usury,  Mr.  Dew  on  395;  case  of 
Valley  Forge 

Van  Bnren  and  the  Albany  branch  97; 

the  memorial  126;  correspondence  with  the 

pope  389;  speech  on   Foot's  resolution  43' 

Vance,  gen.  99,  133,  348 

Van  Ness,  J.  P. 

Ferment— union  of  parlies  in  86;   pres- 
sure in 

Veto  bespoke 

rirgiiiia— deposite  meeting.',  fce.  55 
Wheeling  5,  315,  379;  minority  address  495 
legislature  51,97,173,292;  Mr.  Leigh  17; 
elections  51,  100,  116,  132,  146,  179,  218, 
2.V7,  379;  parties  190;  gold  mines  85,  118, 
119;  on  bank  failures  in  97;  bank  paper  of 
113,  133,  149,  Monticello  117;  gov.  installed 
118;  Valley  bank  132;  gov.  Floyd  149;  con- 
gressional districts  147, 173, 179;  excitement 
218;  Mr.  McDuffie  250;  A.  Stevenson  251; 
tornadoes 260, 316;  inter,  impro.  314;  James- 
town jubilee  307;  flour  at  Kanawha  315; 
Mr.  Swine  364:  Mr.  Tyler  396:  Mr.  Ran- 
dolph's will  367:  state  of  the  ancient  colo- 
ny of  357:  "old  dominion,"  384:  university 
379:  the  springs  444— see  Ritchie,  Thomas, 
Rives,  &c. 
"Vulgar  herds" 

Wages,  concerning  the  reduction  of  5, 
147:  prices  in  England 
Wager,  Mr. 

Wandering  piper  350 

Washington  and  the  credit  system  86:  do. 
on  the  tenure  of  office  204:  nomination  a* 
commander  in-chief  253:   eulogy  on  316: 
preservation  of  his  portrait  346:  the  votr  in 
the  U.  S.  H.  R.  on  the  address  to  him  406: 
the  Aurora  on  his  retirement 
Water  in  the  salt  mountain' 
Weather,  temperature  of  the  349 

Webster,  D.  35,  49,  113,  129,  146,  201, 
204,  205,  257,  381,  403 
Webster,  Charles  364 

Weirick,  the  mail  robber  148 

West,  expedition  to  the  442 

West  Indies— Cuba  54:  Porto  Rico  54: 
Hayti  54,  389:  emancipation  302,  442:  cho- 
lera 444 
West  Point  academy  390,  397 
Whale  fishery,  account  of th*  385 
Wheat,  price  of  5,  17,  18,  49,  84:  in  Eu- 
rope 316 
Whigs  and  lories  101,  331,  434 
White,  bishop  100,  369;  While,  Jos.  243 
Whitllesey.Mr.  E.  17,  396— see  congreti. 
Whitney,  Reuben  M.  85 
Whitfield,  rev.  Mr.  185 
Williams'  Annual  Register  260 
Wilde,  Mr.  84,  100,  398 
Wilkins,  William  430 
Wirt,  Wm.  202;  Wise,  Mr.  100,  129,  335 
Wisconsin  terrilory  118 
Wood,  table  of  the  weight,  kc.  of  256 
Wood,  Mr.  and  Mr*,  the  singers  444 
Wool,  woollens,  &c.  150,  190,  315,  349, 
379,  397,  409,  423 

Wrecks  on  the  Florida  reafs  384 

Wricht,  Silas  2M 

Wright,  Frances  380 

Youne,  McClintock  293 

Zollickoffer,  Dr.  W.  3)7 


NILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 


FOUHT«  SERIES.  Ne.  1— Vol..  X.]     BALTIMORE,  MARCH  1,  1834.    [VoL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,171. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT— FOH  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED    BY   H.  NILES,  AT  $5   PER  ANNUM,   PAYABLE  IN  ADVANCE. 


We  have,  as  it  were,  by  force,  made  room  for  one  of 
the  many  articles  of  our  own  manufacture,  which  have 
been  latterly  prepared,  and  then  postponed,  or  destroy- 
ed— being  cast  out  of  time,  by  delay. 

If  we  bad  sixty  instead  of  sixteen  pages,  we  could  fill 
them  all  with  matter  proper  to  be  Registered.  The 
reading  of  the  masses  of  matter,  which  we  must  read  to 
keep  ourselves  "posted-up"  in  a  knowledge  of  what  is 
going  on,  is  four  or  five  hours  hard  work,  daily. 

The  rather  new  practice,  as  we  esteem  it,  which  is  now 
pursued  in  both  houses  of  congress  on  presenting  peti- 
tions, causes  a  great  overflow  of  prompt  and  able  speeches, 
on  that  subject  wbicli  swallows  up  all  others.  We  notice 
some  of  them — as  well  as  we  can. 

Under  the  proper  head  we  have  mentioned  a  few  things 
to  shew  the  "pressure" — not  as  alarmists,  but  in  the  way 
of  record.  There  is  a  great  excitement  in  many  parts 
of  the  country,  and  the  people  are  filled  with  apprehen- 
sions. We  shall  not  give  the  many  reports  which  reach 
us  relating  to  these  apprehensions;  for  surely,  if  they 
have  any  effect,  it  must  be  only  to  hasten  events  that 
are  so  much  dreaded. 

Mr.  Dunne's  fourth  letter  has  appeared.  These  let- 
ters are  exciting  a  great  deal  of  attention.  We  know  not 
what  to  say  about  giving  them  a  place  in  the  REGISTER, 
where  they  ouglit  to  be  recorded. 

We  publish,  at  length,  Mr.  Rives'1  speech  in  the  se- 
nate on  resigning  his  seat  in  that  body,  in  consequence  of 
the  receipt  of  the  instructions  of  the  legislature  of  Virgi- 
nia— to  which  also  he  has  assigned  his  reasons  for  retir- 
ing. It  is  said  that  he  has  been  offered,  but  declines  to 
accept  any  place  under  the  administration.  This  course 
of  proceeding  must  be  approved.  It  would  "look  bad" 
if  otherwise. 

Though  we  had  seen  many  reports  concerning  the  in- 
terviews of  the  several  committees  who  have  visited 
Washington,  and  waited  on  the  president,  to  obtain  a  re- 
lief of  the  public  distress,  through  a  restoration  of  the 
public  deposites,  none  of  them  possessed  that  formal  and 
decided  character  which  we  thought  a  record  in  this  work 
ought  to  have,  and  were,  therefore,  laid  aside;  but  in  the 
report  of  the  Philadelphia  committee,  to  a  multitude  of 
persons,*  convened,  in  the  day-time,  at  the  exchange,  on 
Saturday  last,  we  have  what  may  well  be  regarded  a  do- 
cumentary statement,  the  verity  of  which  cannot  be  im- 
peached; and  the  part  which  relates  to  the  interview  with 
the.presidt.-nt  is  given  at  full  length — for  it  belongs  to  the 
history  of  these  momentous  times. 

The  "National  Intelligencer,"  which  is  not  oftentimes 
forward  in  such  things,  "ventures  to  predict"  that  the 
house  of  representatives  will  show  a  majority  against  the 
removal  of  the  deposites,  "when  the  question  shall  be 
fairly  and  directly  presented."  This  opinion  is  also  en- 
tertained by  many  of  the  best  judging  members  of  the 
house;  and  some  think  that  the  movements  of  the  people, 
(and,  indeed,  the  people  c<rc  inovinp;),  may  possibly  cause 
a  considerable  majority  on  the  main  question,  even  with- 
out the  happening  of  certain  fearful  events  which  are 
every  day  looked  for. 

Messrs.  Gilpin,  Sullivan,  Wager  and  J\fcElderry,  no- 
minated for  re-election  as  directors  of  the  bank,  on  the 
part  of  "the  government,"  have  been  rejected  by  the  se- 


*This  meeting  consisted  of  more  thnn  trn  thousand,  r.iubrac- 
ing  a  very  Inrge  proportion  of  the  productive  labor,  wenlth  «nd 
capital  of  the  city — nnd  probably  five-sixths  of  its  business-men. 
Vot.  XLVI— 810.  1. 


nate.     Mr.  J.  A.  Jiayard  was  approved  as  the  fifth  di- 
rector, some  time  ago. 

By  the/«s/  mail,  we  received,  on  Monday  last,  an  or- 
der for  a  new  subscription,  enclosing  five  dollars,  from 
Brooklyn,  Ohio,  358  miles  from  Washington,  and  about 
the  same  from  Baltimore,  dated  November  28,  1833  in 
ninety  days  passage,  and  which  had  evidently  encoun- 
tered much  rough  usage  on  its  voyage.  We  are  thankful 
for  its  arrival — at  the  rate  of  four  miles  a  day.  "Slow 
and  sure."  The  letter  was  plainly  and  correctly  address- 
ed. The  business  of  the  post  office  is  in  a  horrible  state. 
We  hear  of  it,  and  feel  it,  almost  every  day. 

The  last  year's  permanent  loan,  in  Pennsylvania,  was 
taken  at  13$  per  eent.  premium.  There  is  not  one  offer 
to  take  the  present  year's.  The  state  requires  about 
$2,500,000  to  complete  certain  works,  and  for  repairs, 

KC. 


of  it  in  the  other,  causes  these  strange  things. 


Richard  M.  Johnson  has  been  named  for  the  presiden- 
cy, by  a  caucus  of  the  "Jackson"  members  of  the  legis- 
lature of  Kentucky — subject,  however,  to  the  decision  of 
a  national  convention. 

Mr.  Lincoln,  late  governor  of  Massachusetts,  has  been 
elected  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the 
United  States,  by  a  majority  of  from  6  to  8  for  1,  in  the 
place  of  Mr.  Davis,  present  governor  of  the  state.  He 
arrived  at  Washington  on  Thursday  last. 

The  much  esteemed  Cadieallader  D.  Cohkn,  esq.  died 
at  his  seat  in  Jersey  City,  opposite  New  York,  on  the  7th 
tilt,  in  the  65th  year  of  his  age. 

The  tide  of  emigration  is  setting  back  to  England — 171 
steerage  passengers  lately  arrived  at  Liverpool  from  New 
York,  in  one  vessel.  This  is  well;  we  have  a  great  sur- 
plus of  labor  just  now— and  do  not  wish  new  importa- 
tions to  send  our  own  people  supperless  to  bed. 

George  Kremer  has  been  named,  by  a  meeting  held  in 
Union  county,  as  a  proper  person  to  supersede  Mr.  Wolf 
in  the  gubernatorial  chair  of  Pennsylvania! 

{tCJ-In  the  absence  of  statistical  facts,  we  can  do  but  little 
to  obtain  correct  ideas  of  practical  results,  though  they 
belong  to  the  every-day's  business  of  the  people — nor  do 
we  esteem  the  importance  of  many  things,  on  account  of 
our  familiarity  with  them. 

We  propose  to  make  some  remarks,  (and  they  must 
necessarily  be  brief,  for  it  is  hardly  within  the  power  of 
the  human  mind  to  carry  them  out),  on  three  great  sub- 
jects— which,  not  capable  of  demonstration,  may  yet  be 
so  presented,  perhaps,  as  to  give  to  the  reflecting  reader 
some  notion  of  their  extent,  as  astronomers  point  out  the 
distances  of  the  fixed  stars;  but  when  thousands  of  mil- 
lions  are  spoken  of,  we  wonder  at,  rather  than  compre- 
hend, the  amount. 

1.  The  value  of  the  annual  productions  of  the  United 
States; 

2.  The  divisibility  of  matter  and  principle  of  aggrega- 
tion; 

3.  The  circulation  of  values. 

These  subjects  are  not  merely  speculative.  Each  re- 
lates to  things  which  reach  the  heart  and  home  of  every 


WILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  1,  1834— CIRCULATION  OF  VALUES,  &c. 


man.  And  we  hope  in  the  progress  of  the  present  writ 
ing, to  bring  out  certain  probabilities  ami  principles  whic! 
may  instruct,  as  well  as  amuse,  ourselves  and  others. 

1.  The  value  of  the  annual  productions  of  the  people  o 
the  United  States. 

What  is  value'  Civilized  communities  have,  at  d:f 
ferent  limes,  adopted  different  things  by  which  they  mea 
sured  value — generally  pieces  of  gold  or  silver,  or  of  pa 

Eer,  stamped  or  marked  in  certain  ways;  and  in  Mary 
uid  and  Virginia,  pounds  of  tobacco  were  measures  o 
value.  The  student  of  political  economy  is  continual!; 
presented  with  new  difficulties  when  the  terms  value  am 
money  are  placed  in  adjusted  comparisons — for  they  have 
no  necessary  affinities  one  to  the  other,  though  often  ratee 
as  the  same.  The  affinity  is  only  conventional  or  comli 
tional,  or  rendered  absolute  by  "existing  circumstances.' 
At  one  time  and  place,  a  pound  of  diamonds  might  1> 
less  valuable  than  a  pound  of  potatoes — at  another  tirm 
and  place,  a  pound  of  diamonds  will  be  more  nimbl 
than  many  millions  of  pounds  of  potatoes.  The  qiianti 
ties  have  the  same  denominations,  though  the  eompara 
live  values  are  almost  immeasurably  changed.  Mone} 
too,  even  gold  and  silver  coin,  is  subject  to  frequen 
changes  of  value — by  contractions  or  expansions  of  thi 
circulation,  supply  and  demand.  But  we  shall  leavi 
these  matters  on  the  simple  suggestion  of  them,  and  con 
sider  value  as  determined  by  money — which  is  some 
thing,  any  thing,  metal  or  paper,  but  with  a  certain  ge- 
neral relation  to  pennyweights  of  gold  or  ounces  of  sil- 
ver. Money  is,  in  fact,  the  circulating  medium,  atid  a 
five  dollar  note  issued  by  what  is  called  a  specie-paying 
bank,  is  regarded  as  five  dollars. 

After  much  reflection  on  the  subject,  and  the  use  01 
some  data  obtained  as  to  the  cost  of  subsistence,  clothing 
and  shelter,  we  have,  by  several  calculations,  arrived  a 
the  conclusion,  that  the  annually  produced  values  in  the 
United  States  are  certainly  not  less  than  fifteen  hundrec 
millions  of  dollars.  This  is  meant  to  include  a  supply  ol 
all  the  new  wants  of  twelve  millions  of  persons,  extend- 
ing through  every  class  of  society,  from  the  making  or 
repairs  of  a  fence  on  a  farm  to  the  tear  and  wear  and  sup- 
ply of  a  needle— all  sorts  of  necessary  labor  by  which 
value  is  created,  and  the  obtainment  of  all  sorts  of  imple- 
ments and  tools,  animals  or  buildings,  useful  in  such  cre- 
ations— houses  or  ships,  wagons  or  wheelbarrows — the 
making  or  repairs  of  roads,  canals  and  bridges,  with  the 
cost  of  education — and  in  short,  all  the  requirements  ol 
civilized  life.  The  sum  above  slated  seems  a  large  one; 
but  when  we  reflect  that  it  allows  only  125  dollars  for 
each  individual,  the  great  amount  is  narrowed  down,  and 
the  mind  can  grapple  the  probability  of  the  fact  as  sug- 
gested. The  average  annual  cost  of  paupers  in  our  pool 
houses,  without  any  allowance  for  the  buildings  in  which 
they  live,  would  be  nearly  one  half  of  the  1'25  dollars 
above  stated — if  the  value  of  the  products  of  their  labor 
was  added  to  the  money  actually  disbursed  on  account  ol 
them.  The  common  laborer  who  has  a  family  of  three 
other  persons,  and  receives  only  one  dollar  a  day,  or  300 
dollars  per  annum,  would  not  appear  to  live  at  the  rate 
of  125  per  head — but  his  wife  also  produces  value  in  the 
preparation  of  his  food  or  the  making  and  washing  of  his 
clothes;  and  these  being  necessary  to  his  subsistence  and 
shelter,  or  comfort,  should  be  admitted  into  such  aggre- 
gates of  values  in  the  full  sum  that  it  would  have  cost,  in 
money,  to  have  had  such  services  performed  by  another 
person.  The  correctness  of  these  principles  being  ad- 
mitted, and  we  do  not  see  how  it  ran  be  objected  to,  we 
think  it  w  ill  appear  manifest,  that  the  money  value  of  all 
the  annual  products  of  the  United  States,  (whether  natu- 
ral, such  as  the  yearly  growth  of  trees  in  the  forest,  or 
by  labor  expended  such  as  in  rendering  forest  trees  useful 
as  fire-wood)  cautwt\n-  less  than  1,. MX), 000,000  dollars. 
Such  are  the  annual  creations  of  value  which  seeming- 
ly must  be  made,  for  the  preservation  and  :«>commo<la- 
tion  of  society.  A  part  of  the  sum  suggested  may  go  in. 
to  accumulating  rallies.  Thus — if  1UO.OOO  dollar*  w  orth 
of  new  houses  are  rrei-ted  in  a  year,  in  •m  ritv  or  town, 
or  H  mill  worth  lh:it  sun,  is  built  and  fitted,  the  whole  of 
this  amount,  less  the  tear  and  wear  and  natural  decay, 
with  cost  of  alterations  or  repairs,  is  passed  into  the  ac- 
cumulating \alue;  but  if  such  houses  or  mill  he  totally 
destroyed  by  fire,  or  otherwise,  t|,t.  ;,,.(„„]  money  cost  i"s 
wn  the  attmml  production  of  vuhuti. 


These  things  seem  rery  clear  to  our  mind.  There  doe» 
not  appear  any  sort  of  mystery  about  them.  But  to  un- 
derstand them,  the  reader  must  think  a  little  for  himself. 
2.  The  divisibility  of  matter  and  principle  of  aggrega- 
tion. Here  is,  indeed,  a  wide  field  for  observation,  and 
we  should  not  affect  an  ability  to  comprehend  the  ideas 
that  belong  to  it,  unless  in  a  familiarity  with  manifest 
facts  which  bear  upon  divisibility  and  aggregation.  By 
these  facts  we  are  enabled,  as  it  were,  to  measure  immea- 
surable things.  Thus  we  know  that  the  mighty  Missis- 
sippi, which  discharges  her  thirty-fathom-deep  flood  into 
the  sea,  is  made  up  of  particles  of  moisture,  or  water,  so 
minute  as  to  be  incomprehensible.  So  is  the  vast  ocean 
itself  formed  of  inconceivably  small  atoms  of  matter. 
And  if  we  regard  animal  life,  the  whale's  vast  bulk  is 
believed  to  be  made  up  in  the  consumption  of  other  ani- 
mals so  minute,  that,  possibly,  his  daily  supply  of  food 
in, iy  require  a  million  of  millions  of  them.  And  with 
regard  to  ourselves — in  a  spoon  full  of  vinegar,  used  on 
our  cabbage  at  dinner,  perhaps  we  take  in  half  a  mil- 
lion of  little  snake-like  things,  whose  bitings  and  scratch- 
ings  when  they  reach  our  palates  produce  that  sensation, 
or  taste,  for  which  vinegar  is  desired;  and  if  we  eat  » 
single  fig  after  dinner,  what  is  the  number  of  crab-like 
and  pugnacious  animals  that  pass  into  our  stomachs ?  It 
is  so  also  in  the  works  of  man.  Instance  the  divisibility  of 
gold.  So  in  the  works  of  insects — witness  the  fineness  of 
a  spider's  web.  It  is  not  worth  while  to  dwell  on  these 
subjects — for  the  divisibility  of  matter  and  force  of  ag- 
gregation are  manifest  to  our  senses,  though  we  cannot 
count  up  the  power  of  either— in  its  minuteness,  on  the 
one  hand,  or  magnitude  on  the  other. 

The  preceding  remarks  on  the  two  first  propositions 
offered  appear  necessary  to  a  consideration  of  the  third, 
which  is 

The  circulation  of  values;  more  difficult,  perhaps,  to  re- 
duce into  an  intelligible  statement  than  either  of  the  others, 
however  important  are  its  operations  on  the  condition 
of  society.  But,  that  the  reader  may  more  easily  under- 
stand what  is  intended  to  be  said  on  this  subject,  we  shall 
premise,  that  the  "circulation  of  values,'1  though  not  in 
all  cases  synonymous,  is  here  intended  to  mean  nearly 
the  same  thing  as  exchanges  of  values,  and  the  effect  of 
the  currency  on  them— and  on  all  persons  w  ho  buy  or 
sell,x>r  make  exchanges  of  values,  whether  in  labor  or 
in  the  products  of  labor.  And,  with  craving  the  attention 
of  the  reader,  we  shall,  at  once,  proceed  to  the  conside- 
ration of  certain  subjects  that  we  have  never  seen  referred 
to  in  a  methodical  manner,  which,  however,  are  so  nu- 
merous in  their  mutations  that  the  mind  must  be  exerted 
to  perceive  what  the  pen  cannot  describe. 

The  annual  productions  of  the  United  States  may  be 
called  the  starting  point  of  the  exchanges,  or  circulations 
of  value.  It  is  no  matter  in  what  shape  they  appear. 
Ever}'  grain  of  corn  that  enters  into  the  subsistence  of  a 
negro  employed  in  the  growth  of  cotton,  passes  into  the 
circulation  of  values  until  the  cotton  becomes  cloth;  and 
then,  reduced  into  rags,  is  made  into  paper,  and  such 
paper  into  books,  &c.  We  have  shewn  w  hat  is  the  divisi- 
bility of  matter;  we  have  spoken  of  aggregation;  but  to 
l>egin  at  the  beginning  and  end  at  the  ending  of  the  cir- 
culation of  values,  would  be  something  like  an  atttempt 
to  calculate  the  boundaries  of  space,  except  in  believing 
that  space,  (in  the  human  understanding),  cannot  have 
any  boundary.  To  makejhe  compass,  for  an  example, 
with  which  the  land  was  surveyed  on  which  the  grain  of 
corn  above  alluded  to  grew,  involved  many  thousands  of 
•xi-hanges  of  values,  and  yet  some  part  of  the  value  of 
hat  compass  passed  into  that  grain  of  corn.  The  survey 
jave  value  to  the  land,  and  many  other  values  were  add- 
ed before  the  grain  of  corn  was  produced |  but  that  grain 
-mrtook  of  them  all,  and,  passing  into  the  subsistence  of 
he  laborer,  entered  into  the  value  of  the  cotton,  and 
hat  indescribably  small  portion  of  cotton  ma}-  have  ex- 
stence,  after  all  its  mutations,  in  the  value  of  a  volume 
of  the  HKGISTEH.  The  value  of  the  -cear  of  the  knife 
with  which  an  animal  is  flayed,  enters  into  the  value  of  a 
inir  of  boots;  and  all  values  are  continually  exchanging. 
There  are  many  other  classes  of  circulations  of  values. 
Thus,  after  a  house  worth  $1,000  is  built,  or  a  value  of 
11,000  so  created,  every  sale  of  that  house  puts  2,000  dol- 
HI-R  into  the  r.n-luinges — for  the  operation  between  the 
nver  and  seller  is  a  double  one.  W*  once  traced  the 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH   1,  1834— CIRCULATION  OF  VALUES,  &«.         3 


history  of  a  check  on  a  bank  for  $300,  which,  having 
changed  hands  11  times  on  the  day  of  its  issue  arid  before 
it  reached  the  bank,  of  course  caused  the  payment  of 
3,300  dollars  and  the. receipt  of  the  same  sum,  or  6,600 
in  all.  So  it  is  with  bank  notes,  or  private  bills.  Every 
change  that  is  made  in  the  possession  of  them,  is  a  "circu- 
lation of  value,  "and  at  every  turn  must  needs  yield  some 
portion  of  profit  to  the  community,  if  the  note  is  finally 
paid,  and  then  its  value  as  a  circulating  medium  makes  a 
pause,  or  altogether  ceases,  as  the  case  may  be. 

From  these  broad  and  general  views  we  shall  retire 
into  a  consideration  of  operations  that  may  be  more  easily 
understood,  being  direct  and  palpable,  hi  every  move. 

In  the  following  pro  furii'a  statement,  exact  amounts 
are  not  even  aimed  at — the  whole  purpose  being  to  note 
the  various  chief  circulations  of  values. 

Let  us  suppose— 

1.  There  is'ona  certain  plantation  in  the  interior 
of  South   Carolina,  a  quantity  of  cotton  in  the 
seed,  (that  will  yield  1,000  Ibs.  of  clean  cotton,) 
which  is  worth,  as  it  came  from  the  field,  $     80 

2.  For  costs  of  transportation  to  the  gin,  ginning 
and  packing,    transportation  to  the  factor  at 
Charleston,  his  commissions,  charges  for  store 

rent,  &c.  20 

3.  The  factor  sells  the  1,000  Ibs.  of  cotton  to  the 
agent  of  a  mill  at  Lowell,  for  100  dollars — the 
agent's  commission  on  the  purchase,  and  cost 
of  transportation  by  land  and  water  to  Lowell, 

&c.  is  10 

4.  This  110  dollars  worth  of  cotton  at  Lowell  is 
there  woven,  spun,  and  printed,  and  produces 
5,000  yards  of  calico,  worth  10  cents  per  yard, 

or  500 

5.  The  goods  are  sent  from  Lowell  to  the  agent 
in  Boston,  and,  with  various  costs  and  commis- 
sions paid  to  him,  have  a  value  of  515 

6.  They  are  sold  to  a  house  in  Baltimore,  and, 

with  charges  for  transportation,  &c.  cost  that         S125 
house 

7.  To  pay  house  rent,  clerk  hire,  and   subsist 
himself,  the  Baltimore   merchant  must   have 
not  less  than  5  per  cent,  profit  on  his  sale  of 

this  lot  of  goods  to  a  country  merchant,  or  say         550 

8.  To  indemnify  the  country  merchant  for  his 
expenses  variously  incurred,  charges  for  trans- 
portation, risk  and  profits,  lie  must  gain  20  per 

cent,  on  the  $550,  and  his  sales  amount  to  660 

Forward  circulation  $2,885 

But  with  the  consumer  it  ma}'  be  said  that  a  back  cir- 
culation commences,  and  all  the  exchanges  of  values  are 
reversed;  so  that  a  quantity  of  cotton  which,  as  it  came 
from  the  field,  was  worth  only  80  dollars,  may,  and  no 
doubt  oftentimes  does,  set  into  motion  a  circulating  me- 
dium of  5,770  dollars.*  It  is  on  the  celerity  or  slowness  of 
this  circulation  that  the  "pi en ti fulness"  or  "scarcity"  of 
money  much  depends.  If  a  miser  hoards  1,000  silver  dol- 
lars, they  are  no  more  useful  than  their  weight  in  brick- 
hats.  But  if  he  takes  them  out  of  his  chest,  and  builds 
a  house  with  them,  an  active  value  is  spread  among  the 
working  people,  and  it  goes  on  to  accumulate  values, 
perhaps,  in  the  shape  of  new  houses — or  in  some  other 
uxchangable  commodity,  no  matter  what. 

And  in  the  preceding  pro  forma  statement  may  be 
seen  the  effects  of  the  "American  System."  If  the:  par- 
ticular lot  of  cotton,  worth  100  dollars  at  Charleston,  was 
exported,  in  an  English  ship,  and  manufactured  in  Eng- 
land, the  circulation  of  values  in  the  4lh  and  5th  ileius, 
(making  more  than  one-third  of  the  whole  amount), 
could  not  happen  in  the  United  Stales.  This  is  mani- 
fest, and  we  shall  not  dwell  upon  it. 


*The  reader  will  please  to  recollect  that  the  consumption  of 
cotton  in  the  United  Stales  may  be  placed  at  about  101). 000,000 
Ibs. — or  so  it  would  have  been  in  the  present  year  had  the  cur- 
rency not  been  disturbed.  Add  up  the  domestic  "CIRCULA- 
TIONS or  VAI.DB,"  then,  which  are  dependent  on  the  home 
manufacture  of  this  huge  amount  of  cotton,  regarding  only  the 
regular  imitations  which  are  above  described!  If  1,000  Ibs. 
S\vt:  so  much,  what  will  100  millions  of  pounds  c'v<>-?  Work  it 
by  the  rule  of  three!  The  principle  will  extend  to  the  aggre- 
gate produced.  We  appeal  to  all  business  men — to  every  man 
who  understands  the  first  rules  of  arithmetic. 


But  to  return  to  the  preceding  statement.  If  money  it 
"plenty,"  the  planter,  on  depositing  his  cotton,  draws  on 
the  factor,  the  factor  has  the  note  of  the  agent  discount- 
ed, and  the  agent  realizes  his  draught  on  the  house  at 
Lowell,  and  so  it  goes  on  through  the  whole  of  the  pri- 
mary, or  secondary,  exchanges,  in  a  week's  time  for  each 
series,  and  the  money  derived  from  each  commences 
new  operations,  and  proceeds  without  any  definite  end, 
branching  out  into  tens  of  thousands  of  divisibilities,  and] 
filtering  into  the  business  of  tens  of  thousands  of  per- 
sons. But  how  must  it  be  when  the  factor  cannot  pay 
the  draught  of  the  planter  until  the  money-worth  of  the 
cotton  is  realized  from  the  consumer — the  operation  will 
require  from  twelve  to  eighteen  months,  and  the  "scarci- 
ty" of  money  be  felt  by  all  the  parties,  as  well  as  by  all 
w'ho  are  dependent  on  them  respectively.*  The  general 
business  of  the  United  States  is  performed  on  a  credit 
system,  except  that  vital  and  important  part  which  per- 
tains to  first  labor,  and  the  money  need  in  the  payment  of 
daily  or  weekly  wages,  vivifies  the  whole;  and  thus  it 
works:  the  planter  draws  on  his  factor,  and  the  latter 
pays  the  draught,  because  the  note  given  lo  him  by  the 
agent  has  been  discounted,  or  the  money  is  paid,  for  the 
reason  that  the  agent  has  made  a  draught  on  the  princi- 
pal at  Lowell,  for  which  the  bank  has  given  him  mt-.ey, 
and  so  on  through  all  the  changes:  but  if  the  bank  de- 
clines the  exchange  of  its  notes,  or  money,  for  the  notes 
of  individuals  offered,  all  the  operations  must  await  their 
own  time,  or  a  great  reduction  of  prices  and  profits  ensue, 
in  every  department  of  this  circulation  of  values.  Certain 
Cobbetians  talk  about  the  establishment  of  a  specie  cur- 
rency— that  would  reduce  the  circulation  of  values,  and 
reduce  wages,  perhaps,  two-thirds  of  their  present  gene- 
ral amount,  and  what  would  be  gained  by  ibis?  Price, 
we  admit,  is  only  a  comparative  term — but  a  five  dollar 
note  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  is  worth  rather 
more  than  five  silver  dollars,  on  account  of  the  conveni- 
ence of  its  transportation,  and  why  should  all  the  habits 
of  society  be  unhinged  by  the  extinguishment  of  such  a 
currency,  and  labor  be  reduced  from  100  to  33  cents  pel- 
day?  There  is  a  great  objection  to  a  paper  currency 
when  it  does  not  truly  represent  money,  by  being  redu- 
cible into  solid  cash;  but  while  it  may  be,  it  is  the  agent 
of  uncounted  blessings,  and  especially  to  the  laboring 
poor.  The  only  thing  10  be  desired  is  to  keep  it  in  due 
bounds,  by  sale  checks  and  wholesome  balances;  such  as 
we  had  between  the  national  and  state  banks,  a  little 
while  ago. 

If  we  have  measurably  succeeded  in  making  ourselves 
understood,  the  reflecting  reader,  like  ourselves,  will  be 
afraid  to  mention  a  sum  as  the  probable  amount  of  the 
circulation  of  values,  for  the  magnitude  of  the  subject 
seems  to  place  it  without  the  limits  of  our  comprehen- 
sion, though,  as  it  is  with  reference  to  space,  ice  can  com- 
p/rehend  that  it  is  incomprehensibly  and  that  is  a  great 
point  gained:  for  in  even  thus  comprehending,  we  must 
believe  in  the  incomprehensible.  So  all  believe  except 
the  wretched  fools  who  suppose  that  all  things  happened 
"by  chance" — without  reflecting,  that  there  mu>t  have 
been  a  pre-existing  cause  to  give  the  power  ot  action  evc-n 
to  "chance."  These  things  are  humbly  suggested — and 
for  the  simple  and  sole  purpose  of  repeating,  that  a  great 
point  is  gained,  when,  with  the  evidence  of  indisputable 
tacts  before  us,  we  are  able  to  comprehend  that  some 
things  are  not  comprehensible,  that  ive  may  believe. 

And  now  to  the  application  of  the  preceding  remarks. 
The  mighty  aggregations  of  values,  with  the  swiftness  of 
the  circulations,  essentially  depend  on  \\iesoitntlnessand 
uniformity  of  the  currency — which  is,  let  us  say  125  mil- 
lions in  bank  notes,  which  bank  notes  have  vahii/  on  25 
millions  in  specie,  and  which  specie  remains,  or  is  made 
useful,  on  confidence.  "Caution  is  the  parent  of  secu- 
rity"— and  very  wise,  and  very  cool-thinking  men,  only, 
should  raeddle'with  the  currency  of  a  country  !  The  nps 
and  downs  of  hurrah  party-politic*  should  no  more  be 
permitted  to  approach  it,  than  the  Caliban,  of  Shak- 
speaiv,  (in  the  play  of  the  "Tempest"),  have  had  an  in- 
troduction into  the  nuptial  bed  of  the  chaste  Miranda,  to 
bei^in  a  new  begetting  of  horrid  monstc'rs  there.  The 
mattiT  that  belongs  to  the  application  is  designed  to  be 
the  subject  of  another  essay.  In  the  mean  time  we  clV<  r 


Tnlew  the  money  is  obtained  by  shavings,  or  lest 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  l.  1834— THE  PRESSURE. 


the  following  extract  from  the  speech  of  Henry  Brough- 
am, now  belittled  by  the  title  of  lord  Brougham,  in 
opening  a  speech  in  August  last  on  the  bill  for  a  rechar- 
ter  of  the  bank  of  England: 

He  "begged  to  state  that  he  would  be  the  last  man  to 
express  an  approval  of  any  measure,  if  he  thought  that 
its  results  would  be  to  lead,  by  however  long  a  process, 
to  a  depreciation  of  the  currency  of  the  kingdom.  It 
•was  absolutely  and  imperatively  necessary  for  the  safety 
of  all  interests  in  this  country,  mercantile  or  otherwise — 
for  the  stability  of  trade  and  agriculture — that  there 
should  be  no  further  tampering  with  the  currency,  ( hear, 
hear),  and  that  no  attempt  or  proceeding  should  be  sanc- 
tioned by  parliament,  or  the  executive  government, 
•which  could  by  any  remote  possibility,  cause  any  change 
in  the  value  of 'the  circulating  medium." 

It  was  not  easy  to  decide  whether  precedence  should 
be  given  to  ihe  insertion  of  the  report  of  the  judiciary 
committee  of  the  senate,  or  to  the  dissent  of  the  minority 
to  the  report  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  of  the 
house  of  representathes  concerning  the  pension  fund. 
We  have,  however,  given  a  place  to  the  former,  for  one 
reason,  perhaps,  that  it  was  the  -unanimous  act  of  the 
conr.iittee,*  and  so  stands  more  fully  in  opposition  to 
the  report  made  to  the  other  house.  And,  as  the  same 
general  argument  prevails  in  both  papers,  it  does  not 
seem  necessary  to  present  more  than  one  of  them,  at  a 
time  when  room  is  so  much  needed  by  us.  The  reader, 
to  form  the  more  correct  conclusions  on  this  subject, 
should  have  before  him  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
ways  and  means,  inserted  in  the  last  REGISTER.  Pet-- 
haps, a  better  understanding  might  be  obtained  if  the  ar- 
gument of  the  attorney  general  was  also  given — but  we 
cannot  ;jet  space  for  it.  The  ground  taken  by  him,  how- 
ever, sufficiently  appears  in  the  reports  alluded  to.  It 
seems  clearly  admitted  that  pensions  must  be  paid  at  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  and  its  offices,  or  under  charge 
of  the  bank,  in  certain  other  cases  prescribed  by  law;  but 
the  right  in  the  secretary  of  war  to  remove  the  deposite 
of  what  the  bank  considers  pension  money,  is  in  the  sup- 
position that  certain  laws  are  not  pension  laws,  though  so 
officially  called  over  and  over  again,  as  shewn  in  the  re- 
port made  to  the  senate;  and  it  is  further  said,  that  the 
taw  gives  to  the  secretary  of  tear  no  power  over  the  pub- 
lic deposites — though  the  secretary  of  tho  treasury  may 
exert  such  power  on  certain  occasions,  &c.  two  instance's 
being  given  in  which  the  war  secretary  retraced  his  steps 
in  this  very  matter,  on  the  remonstrance  of  the  bank. 
And  it  is  manifest  that  the  present  order  must  be  with- 
drawn, or  that  the  pensioners  will  not  he  paid,  unless 
congress  shall  pass  an  act  to  relieve  the  bank  of  its  re- 
sponsibilities in  this  case,  when  the  hank  will  gladly  re 
Jinquish  the  agency,  for  it  is  a  very  burthensome  one,  as 
is  shewn  in  the  letter  of  the  president  of  one  the  new  de- 
posite banks,  at  N.  York,  published  in  the  last  RKGISTKB. 

Some  years  ago,  a  person  permitted  (for  his  own  pur- 
poses), a  small  sum  of  money  to  accumulate  and  remain 
in  our  hands.  He  suddenly  became  a  bankrupt,  and  pe- 
titioned for  relief  under  the  insolvent  laws  of  the  state. 
Whereupon  five  processes  were  served  upon  us  about 
the  money  due — each  individually  claiming  it.  The 
debt  was  freely  acknowledged  to  all  the  parties — and  yet 
we  were  damned  in  atlendances  nt  court,  time  after 
time,  as  a  witness.  Thus  worried,  it  was  respectfully 
asked,  and  leave  obtained  of  the  court,  to  say,  that  s-> 
many  dollars  and  cents  stood  on  our  hooks  to  the  credit 
of  the  bankrupt,  which  would  be  paid  into  court  in  five 
minutes,  or  placed  in  the  hands  of  either  of  the  parties, 
as  the  court  should  be  pleased  to  decide.  The  court 
then  released  us  from  further  attendance;  and  when  the 
claim  was  established  by  the  proper  authoritv,  it  was  in- 
stantly satisfied.  So  stands  the  bank — the'extra  clerk 
hire  and  labor  expended  in  paying  the  pensions  far  ex- 
oeeds  the  profits  derivable  from  the  use  of  the  pension 
money — but  the  law,  as  the  bank  believes,  has  required 
this  duty  of  them,  as  one  of  the  onermu  conditions  of  it> 
charter,  und  simply  asks  that  the  lav>  will  relieve  them 
of  all  responsibility  on  the  subject,  as  is  proposed  in  the 
bill  reported  by  Mr.  Polk,  from  the  committee  of  wavs 
and  means.  If  it  is  right  that  the  secretary  of  war  should 

*Me*ira.  Clayton,  Bibb,  Pretton,  Smith  and  Bell. 


have  the  disposition  or  charge  of  the  money,  let  Mr. 
folk's  bill  pass,  and  all  the  difficulty  is  over.  If  it  is 
not  right  that  such  disposition  or  charge  should  be  made 
—•what  remedy  would  remain  to  the  bank,  if  the  court 
decided,  that  it  had  -wrongfully  parted  -with  money,  ex- 
pressly appropriated,  and  placed  in  its  possession,  for  the 
payment  of  certain  meritorious  individuals,  for  services 
rendered?  In  such  a  case,  every  one  of  these  might  sus- 
tain an  action  against  the  bank,  if,  (from  any  cause),  not 
paid  the  money  respectively  due  them. 

We  must  confess  our  surprise,  after  what  has  happen- 
ed, that  the  secretary  of  war  should  have  again  attempt- 
ed such  a  proceeding.  We  rather  expected  that  he  would 
have  followed  the  course  pursued  by  Mr.  Duane;  and, 
as  it  is  morally  certain  that  the  bill  reported  by  Mr. 
Polk  will  not  be  passed  into  a  law — perhaps  not  pass 
either  house  of  congress,  it  is  certain  that  the  bank  will 
hold  on  to  the  money,  as  it  ought,  until  lawfully  relieved 
of  the  responsibility  of  a  just  distribution  of  it,  by  the 
expiration  of  the  period  of  its  charter,  March,  1836. 
Future  deposites  for  the  payment  of  pensions,  may  not 
be  made  in  it — the  new  deposite  banks  may  be  arranged 
for  that  duly,  in  the  power  assumed;  but  as  this  money 
went  into  the  bank  according  to  law,  there  is  no  power  to 
lake  it  out  unless  in  concord  with  the  law;  as  the  fact  of 
the  bill  reported  by  Mr.  Polk  conclusively  shews.  Why 
such  a  hnv,  if  laivful  pywer  already  existed  to  remove  the 
pension  money?  And  all  that  can  be  done  in  this  new 
war  against  the  bank,  is — to  suffer  the  money,  at  present 
deposited,  to  be  paid,  by  it,  to  those  to  whom  it  belongs, 
and  refuse  to  send  other  moneys  to  the  bank,  on  ac- 
count of  pensions.  Thus  "the  government"  may  take  the 
"responsibility,"  and  relieve  the  hank  of  it,  hereafter — 
without  the  enactment  of  a  new  law,  though  existing  laws 
declare  that  pensions  shall  be  paid  by  the  bank  of  the 
United  States;  presuming,  however  that  the  pension  mo- 
ney must  first  be  deposited  therein. 

A  great  effort  is  making  in  Pennsylvania,  by  petitioning 
the  legislature,  pr.i)ing  for  its  action  that  the  public  de- 
posites may  be  restored  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 
Saturday  last,  being  the  time  fixed  for  opening  proposals 
for  a  permanent  loan  of  $729,354,  at  Harrisburgh,  it  was 
trmnd  that  not  a  single  offer  had  been  made.  Under  pre- 
sent prospects,  the  public  works  of  Pennsylvania  must  be 
discontinued,  and  great  public  loss,  as  well  as  much  pri- 
vate distress  thereby  ensue. 

We  have  been  promised  a  currency,  and  by  high  au- 
thority too,  better  than  that  which  the'baiik  of  the  United 
States  furnished. 

On  Tuesday  last  we  paid  5  per  cent,  discount  on  a  note 
of  one  of  tlie  banks  at  Hartford,  Con.  and  3  per  cent,  dis- 
count on  one  of  those  issued  by  a  bank  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
in  exchange  for  Baltimore  bank  notes.  We  do  not  know 
the  present  shaving  tariff* at  Hartford  and  Pittsburgh,  but 
venture  nothing  in  saying  that  the  notes  of  the  banks  al- 
luded to,  at  home,  are,  together,  3  or  4  per  cent,  more 
valuable  than  any  Baltimore  bank  notes  there.  And  on  the 
same  day,  a  gentleman  of  Kentucky,  paving  us  a  small 
bill,  was  careful  to  select  Baltimore  paper,  which  he  had 
bought  at  3  per  cent,  discount.  The  "safely  fund" 
hank  notes  are  at  2  per  cent,  discount  in  the  city*  of  New 
York,  and,  for  one  or  two  days,  were  at  5!  Some  ar- 
rangements are  said  to  have  been  made  for  the  relief 
of  these  hanks,  by  which  the  discount  receded  as  stated 
above.  The  shaving  of  bank  notes  is  now  a  mighty  bu- 
siness, and  employs  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars. 
Exchange  on  England  remains  below  "par."  That  is, 
say  9  per  cent,  below  the  real  par. 

The  committee  on  post  offices  and  post  roads  of  the 
house  of  representatives,  have  made  a  report  that  it  is 
inexpedient  to  restore  to  the  post  office  department  the 
sum  of  1,103,927  dollars,  which,  at  different  periods, 
since  the  establishment  of  that  department,  have  been 
paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  United  States.  But  no  part 
of  this  sum  has  been  paid  into  the  treasury  for  several 
years  last  past. 

THE   PHKSSCRE,  fcc. 

Groat  meetings  of  tlic  people  are  holding  in  many  of  the  Mates 
al  which  memorials  to  «ongre«  ait  adopted,  praying  ri-lwf  from 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH   1,  1834-CONGUESS. 


the  pressure  on  tilt-  money  market,  liy  a  resloralion  of  the  |>nb- 
lic  deposits  to  the  bank  ol  the  United  Status.  The  citizen*  of 
Virginia  are  all  alive  on  this  subject,  bill  rather  more,  perlni|is, 
on  what  they  regard  a  violent  t-eizure  of  the  public  piir.«e,  tlmn 
on  account  of  the  deranged  state  ol  the  currency  that  has  ful 
lowed  it.  A  lew  meetings  ol'  a  different  character  have  been 
"gotten"  up  in  Pennsylvania,  and  by  person*  who,  before  the 
veto  of  the  bank  bill,  would  have  pronounced  it  treason  again*! 
the  '-democracy"  of  Pennsylvania  to  suppose  that  the  events 
which  have  happened  could  take  place. 

We  have  fresh  accounts  of  the  proceeding*  of,  perhaps,  one 
hundred  meetings  lor  a  restoration  of  the  deposiies,  in  the  cur- 
rent week.  At  some  of  those  held  ia  Virginia,  lately,  very  strong 
language  wan  used. 

We  noticed  in  our  last  the  pro?pect  of  things  at  Lowel.  Since 
then  a  large  number  of  girls  have  "turned  out"  to  prevent  a  re- 
duction of  wages,  and  they  committed  gome  things  which  fe- 
males ought  not  have  done,  such  as  processions  through  Hie 
streets,  "marching  ankle-deep  in  the  mud"  and  "waving  their 
handkerchiefs  and  scarfs,"  &.c.  and  one  or  two  ol  them  deliver 
ed  public  speeches.  They  also  made  an  attempt  to  break  Hie 
banks,  by  demands  for  specie,  in  large  numbers — but  it  ended 
only  in  their  own  shame.  The  chiefs  have  been  dismissed,  and 
new  supplies  from  the  country  rushed  in  to  take  their  places; 
but  they  generally  submitted  to  the  reduction  proposed,  nnd 
which  had  been  proposed  in  kindness  to  them;  for,  if  not  sub 
milled  to,  the  mills,  in  the  present  slate  of  business,  would  have 
bten,  of  sheer  necessity,  closed. 

The  melancholy  ti'uth  is— that  a  large  reduction  of  wages 
must  be  submitted  to  by  the  working  people,  generally,  or  dis- 
missions from  employment  ensue.  The  reduced  money-value 
of  all  sorts  of  products,  and  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  money, 
ure  such,  that  one  or  the  other  n.ust  take  place.  High  wages 
cannot  much  longer  be  paid  in  any  branch  of  business,  unless 
there  is  a  change  in  the  state  of  the  money  market.  In  many 
branches,  mechanic*  would  now  gladly  obtain  even  50  cents 
per  day  ''finding  themselves." 

Many  of  the  eastern  faciories  have  stopped — and  1,100  per- 
sons were  discharged  from  4  of  them  only.  It  is  said  that  most 
of  the  iron  furnaces  in  New  Jersey  are,  or  soon  will  be,  out  of 
blast.  In  Philadelphia  official  permits  must  be  obtained  to  oc- 
cupy a  part  of  the  street  for  builiiing  purposes— at  this  time  last 
year,  such  permits  issued  were  more  than  six  hundred,  and  at  a 
corresponding  date  in  the  present  year  amounted  only  to  eight. 
Here  is  a  matter  about  which  there  cannot  be  a  mistake.  The 
same  operation  is  going  on  every  where.  Many  additional 
failures  have  happened  in  the  chief  cities.  The  general  rat-:  of 
money  is  21  per  cent,  a  month,  and  a  vast  business  is  doing  at 
that  pi  ice. 

Let  the  working  people  look  at  the  following — 

The  Leeds  Intelligencer  states  that  the  cotton  loom  weavers 
at  Oldham  have  full  work,  but  their  wages  are  most  misernble, 
as  the  best  workmen  cannot  get  more,  on  an  average,  than  iw. 
6<f.  per  week — that  is,  at  the  real  par  132  cents.  [Will  they 
agree  to  be  reduced  to  this  English  pauper  state?] 

The  b.\nk  of  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  has  suspended 
payment.  The  branch  ofthe  Susi|uehaniKih  bank,  at  Baltimore, 
ha«  b«en  withdrawn — but  it  i.<  published  that  its  notes  issued 
will  be  paid  as  usual,  and  all  he.  retired.  A  draft  of  the  4lh 
auditor  has  been  dishonored  at  Cincinnati,  by  the  new  depositu 
bank.  The  contractors  for  carrying  tile  mails  are  very  clamoi- 
ou»  for  the  money  which  they  have  earned.  The  working  peo- 
ple, at  several  places,  are  protesting  against  the  "due  hills"  is- 
sued by  their  employer*,  as  they  ought,  if  the  latter  could  satisfy 
them  in  money.  The  alternative  \*,  to  receive  "due  bills" 
or  he  discharged,  anil  the  choice  is  a  sad  onti. 

Wheal,  at  New  York  90  cents.  Flour,  at  Pittsburgh  2  87J 
bbl.— at  Wheeling -2  50— at  Cincinnati  3  a  3  12£.  Whiskey  at 
same  place,  20  a  24  pent*,  gal.  Nothing  doing  in  bacon,  pork  or 
Inrd,  as  the  prices  offered  will  not  pay  the  cost  of  the  packer. 
Cincinnati  is  the  greatest  pork  market  in  the  United  States. 

FOREIGN  NEWS. 

From  London  papers  to  the  1th  and  Paris  to  the  8th  January,  both 

inclusive. 

SREAT   BRITAIN. 

Bart  Fitzwilliam  was  determined  to  persevere  with  his  mo 
tlon  to  repeal  the  corn  law*.  The  misunderstanding  existing 
between  the  governments  of  England  and  Russia,  through  the 
Intervention  of  prince  E?terhazy,the  Austrian  ambassador,  was 
in  a  fair  way  to  he  adjusted.  Considerable  importations  of  wheat 
had  been  made  into  England  from  Van  Deiman's  land;  to  which 
latter  place  6,000  convict*  had  been  transported  during  the  last 
year.  A  dieadfnl  storm  had  swept  over  England  nnd  the  north 
of  Europe,  causing  great  destruclion  both  on  land  and  at  sea 
many  live*  wore  lost  and  several  houses  burnt  by  lightning 
There  had  been  a  decrease  in  the  revenue  for  the  quarter  made 
up  to  the  5th  of  January  of  £91.547,  as  compared  with  the  same 
quarter  last  year.  The  Columbine,  one  of  tin*  vessel*  of  Lan 
der's  expedition  up  the  Niger,  had  arrived  in  England.  Mr 
Lander  and  lient.  Allan,  had  proceeded  in  the  Alburka  steame 
up  that  river,  and  were  sanguine  of  ultimately  establishing  i 
successful  system  of  commercial  intercourse  between  England 
and  Africa. 

FRANCE. 

Thq  papers  contain  various  speculations  touching  an  nntici 
pated  rupture  between  England  and  France,  on  the  one  side 
and  Russia  on  the  other<  but  these  are  «ot  boras  out  by  the 


riemlly  tenor  of  the  congratulatory  address  of  the  ambassador 
if  tile  laller  power  In  ihe  king  orrranrr,  on  new  year'*  day. 
;oii«ider.ihle  uavul  prrpaiiitii.ns  \\rr«-  tit-ing  niiulr,  which  we 
ire-iime  gave  birth  to  the  rumors  in  i|u«-»m,n.  'J'he  chambers 
would,  it  U  thought*  VOU  tin-  necc.sai;, •  appropriation*  to  pay 
be  instalment  due  to  the  U.  Sum's,  and  thus  nctilc  that  difiei- 
ce.  The  departure  of  the  duk«  o[  Orleans,  for  Amc-nca  was 

0  lake  piuce  the  present  month. 

SPAIN. 

The  affairs  of  the  queen  were  rather  more  promising;  but  still 
vithoiil  material  change.  The  contest  between  the  contending 
larties  I, ud  assumed  the  character  of  a  guerilla  wai fare.  Mo- 
ilto's  troops  had  again  entered  Portugal  und  eaptun  d  40  Car- 
isis;  and  the  insurgents  of  Navarre,  after  a  severe  conflict,  had 
ecu  beaten  by  general  Lorenzo. 

STILL   LATER. 

From  London  papers  to  tlic  1B/A  Jan.  inclusive. 
It  was  calculated  in  England  that  the  present  situation  of  this 
country  would  seriously  interfere  with  the  manufacturing  in- 
lustry  of  that  country,  as  ull  the  advices  from  here  admonished 
he  manufacturing  and  shipping  houses  not  to  send  out  goods  us 
here  was  no  money  lo  pay  foi  them,  and  the  manufacturer* 
were,  in  many  instances,  acting  upon  them. 
The  afi'uirs  of  Spain  have  ast.umed  a  new  and  moie  important 
nn.  A  captain  general,  Llander,  who  appears  to  act  in  con- 
cert with  the  municipality  of  Barcelona,  and  to  have,  among 
other  distinguished  adherents,  generals  Qiiesado  and  Morillo, 
>ad  sent  an  embassy  to  the  queen  intimating  lo  her  as  the  nishe* 
of  the  province,  1st,  thai  Ihe  Spaniards  receive  a  representative 
ivernmeot,  with  the  liberlies  connected  with  it— 3d,  the  sup- 
iression  of  abbeys  and  monks — 3d,  the  liberty  of  the  press — 4th, 
he  reform  of  Ihe  clergy — 5ih,  ihe  distribution  of  ils  property 
among  Ihe  people,  and  6th,  that  the  tithes  and  other  imposts, 
njurious  to  farmers,  be  suppressed.  Liander  has  45,000  men 
at  his  command;  his  address  to  the  queen  was  hacked  by  50,000 
signatures,  and  Ihe  people  of  Catalonia  had  risen  en  mnsic  in 
suppoil  of  his  demand.  The  queen  is  said  to  have  returned 
.. lander's  address,  without  giving  any  satisfaction  as  to  the 
course  she  would  pursue.  The  queen,  Imwtver,  \  icldiim  to  the 
iressure  of  circumstance.",  it  is  said,  has  changed  lu-r  ministers, 
ind  consented  lo  the  tonvt  ration  of  the  com  s.  The  president 

01  the  new  cabinet  is  said  lo  be  the  marquis  de  las  Armarilla. 
Mitnj  liisiiiiuiiislied  conslitutionalisu  have  returned  to  Spain. 

Advices  from  Lisbon  stale  thai  Don  Miguel's  army  had  suf- 
fered greatly  from  sickness,  and  was  reduced  to  6,000;  his  for- 
tifications were  strong  and  would  require-  much  greater  force 
than  Don  Pedro's  to  dislodge  him. 

The  rush-in  pails  of  Russia  are  suffering  dreadfully  from  the 
effects  of  famine. 

There  is  a  report  that  earl  Grey  was  about  to  resign. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

February  21.  Mr.  Southard  presented  three  petitions  from 
New  Jersey,  praying  fora  restoration  of  the  deposites,  one  of 
them  signed  by  2,7&o  voters  of  Burlington  county.  He  spoke 
highly  of  i  lie  character  of  the  memorialists,  and,  out  of  these  pe- 
titions and  others,  attempted  to  shew  thai  the  legislature  of  the 
stale  did  not  express  the  voice  of  the  people  on  this  matter. 
And  these  petitions,  he  aUo  said,  were  signed  by  many  friends 
of  the  administration. 

Mr.  Wilkins  presented  resolutions  adopted  by  two  of  the  lo- 
cal bank j  at  Pittsburgh,  staling  the  general  distress  and  praying 
for  relief.  He  also  presented  a  set  of  resolutions  passed  at  a 
large  meeting  of  the  people,  with  the  same  character  and  bear- 
ing; and  be  spoke  highly  of  the  respectability  of  the  actors  in 
these  proceedings. 

Mr.  Sprague  presented  a  memorial  of  606  citizens  of  Portland, 
Me.  in  relation  lo  the  distresses  of  the  country,  and  praying  for 
relief,  lie  spoke  of  the  respectability  and  business  of  the  sign- 
ers, and  among  other  things  stated  that  ihe  branch  bank  in  that 
cily  had  actually  sustained  the  local  banks.  He  spoke  at  con- 
siderable length',  and  was  followed  by  Mr.  Shepley,  who  read  an 
anonymout  communication  from  the  "National  Intelligencer," 
to  shew  the  intention  of  the  bank.  A  long  and  very  lively  de- 
bate ensued;  in  which  Messrs.  Sprague  Fortyth  and  Chamber* 
took  part.  The  lattor  explained  the  late  "run"  on  the  branch 
at  Savannah,  nnd  placed  that  affair  in  n  very  ridiculous,  but 
censurable,  light.  [We  must  recur  to  this  debate,  if  we  can, 
for  parts  of  it  are  uncommonly  interesting.]  Mr.  Jfebiter  rose 
to  deliver  his  sentiments,  but  on  the  suggestion  that  impoitnnt 
executive  business  required  atlention,  gavo  way,  and  the  senate 
went  into  secret  session,  and  so  remained  until  the  hour  of  ad- 
journment. 

February  22.  [For  the  first  time  this  session,  the  senate  sat 
on  Saturday.] 

Mr.  Toiler  said  he  rose  to  present  the  resolution*  recently 
adopted  'by  the  two  houses  of  assembly  of  the  state  of  Virginia, 
expressive  of  their  opinions  and  views  relative  to  the  conduct 
of  the  executive  with  regard  to  the  bank  of  the  United  Slatee 
and  the  deposited  of  the  public  revenue.  He  proposed  to  ab- 
stain, at  this  time,  from  making  any  remarks  on  tho  subjects 
embraced  in  the  resolutions,  other  than  to  say,  that,  concurring 
as  he  did  most  fully  in  Ihe  views  expressed  by  ihe  legislature  of 
his  state,  ho  should  use  all  the  means  in  his  power  to  carry  them 
into  effect.  He  should  nt  another  time,  more  convenient  to  the 
senate,  make  such  remarks  as  the  importance  of  the  subject  re- 
quired. He  should,  lor  the  present,  merely  move  for  the  prut- 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH   i,  1834— CONGRESS. 


ing  of  the  resolutions,  and  their  reference  to  the  coinniittee  on 

finance. 

The  resolutions  having  been  read — 

Mr.  Rivet  rose  and  said: 

Mr.  President:  The  senate,  will  indulge  me,  I  hope,  standing 
in  the  position  1  do,  with  a  low  remarks  on  the  subject  of  the 
resolutions  just  read.  It  is  very  fur  from  my  intention  to  at- 
tempt to  impugn,  in  any  manner,  the  force  of  those  resolutions, 
or  to  derogate,  in  the  slightest  degree,  from  the  high  respect  to 
which  tin y  are  entitled  Mere  ami  claewuerB.  On  the  contrary, 
I  recognise  them  as  the  legitimate  expression  of  the  opinion  of 
my  Plate,  conveyed  through  the  only  authentic  organ  known  to 
her  constitution  and  laws. 

The  senate  will  have  perceived,  from  tire  reading  of  the  reso- 
lutions, that  it  is  my  misfortune  to  entertain,  and  to  have  ex- 
pres:-cd,  on  the  grave  questions  now  occupying  the  public  mind, 
opinions  very  different  from  those  asserted  liy  the  resolutions. 
Notwithstanding  this  difference  of  opinion,  I  should  IVel  it  my 
duty,  as  one  of  the  representatives  of  Virginia  on  this  floor,  to 
cori'lorm  to  the  views  exposed  by  her  legislature,  if,  in  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  I  am  placed,  I  could  do  so  without  dis- 
honor. I  hold  it,  sir,  to  be  a  vital  principle  of  our  political  sys- 
tem, one  indispensable  to  the  preservation  of  our  institutions, 
that  the  representative,  whether  a  member  of  tins  or  the  other 
house,  is  bound  to  conform  to  the  opinions  and  u  i-h-s  of  his 
constituent*  authentically  expressed;  or  if  he  be  unable  to  do 
BO,  from  over  ruling  and  imperious  considerations  operating 
Upon  his  conscience  or  honor,  to  surrender  his  trust  into  the 
hands  of  those  from  whom  he  derived  it,  that  they  may  select 
an  agent  who  can  better  carry  therr  views  into  eflVct. 

On  all  occasions  involving  questions  of  expediency  only,  it  is. 
I  conceive,  the  bounden  duty  of  the  representative  to  conform 
implicitly  to  the  instructions  of  the  constituent  body,  where  tho.-e 
instructions  are  to  be  carried  into  execution  by  a  legislative  act, 
which,  as  a  mandate  of  the  public  will,  prescribes  and  directs 
what  shall  be  dune  for  the  public  good.  But  where  the  instruc- 
tions contemplate  a  declaration  of  ptiticiples  or  opinions,  which 
are  contrary  to  the  sincere  and  honest  convictions  of  the  repre- 
sentative, as  there  is  no  means  of  forcing  the  assent  of  the  un- 
derstanding to  abstract  propositions,  the  only  course  left  to  him 
is  by  the  surrender  of  his  commission,  to  put  it  in  the  power  of 
bis  constituents  to  confer  it  on  another  whose  opinions  corres- 
pond with  their  own. 

To  apply  these  principles  to  my  own  case,  I  do  not  hesitate 
to  say,  that  if  the  instructions  of  the  legislature  of  my  state  had 
required  me  specifically  to  vote  for  a  law  or  other  legislative 
act,  providing  for  the  restoration  of  the  public  deposites  to  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  however  highly  inexpedient  I  deem 
such  a  measure  to  be,  I  should  nevertheless  have  felt  it  my  duty 
to  give  the  vole  required. 

Soch  it  will  be  recollected,  was  the  precise  demand  of  the 
memorial  of  the  citizens  of  Richmond  presented  a  few  days  ago 
by  my  honorable  colleague, and  which  concluded  by  asking,  that 
congress  "would  provide  bylaw  for  the  immediate  restoration 
of  the  public  moneys  to  the  bank  of  the  U.  States."  But,  sir, 
this  is  not  the  shape  in  which  the  question  is  presented  to  me, 
by  the  resolutions  of  the  general  assembly  of  nry  stale,  or  by  the 
proceedings  pending  in  this  body.  Those  resolutions  instruct 
the  senators  of  Virginia,  in  general  terms,  "to  use  their  best  ex- 
ertions to  procure  the  adoption  by  congress  of  proper  measures 
for  restoring  the  public  moneys  to  the  bank  of  the  U.  States." 
Now,  sir,  I  am  bound  to  inquire  what  are  those  proper  mea- 
sures, in  the  contemplation  of  the  legislature  of  Virginia. 

We  all  know  that  the  only  measures  proposed,  or  contem- 
plated in  this  body,  are  the  Iwo  declaratory  resolutions  offered 
by  the  senator  from  Kentucky;  the  first  affirming  that  the  conduct 
of  the  president  with  reference  to  the  removal  of  the  public  de- 
posite«,  was  a  dangerous  and  unconstitutional  assumption  of 
power;  the  second,  declaring  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury  for  that  removal,  to  be  unsatisfactory  and 
insufficient.  When  the  latter  of  these  resolutions,  together 
Will)  the  report  of  Ihe  secretary  of  the  treasury,  was  referred 
some  days  airo  to  the  committee  of  finance,  that  committee  did 
not  report  a  bill,  or  joint  resolution  for  the  restoration  of  the 
deposites,  but  simply  a  recommendation,  thai  the  senate  adopt 
the  declaratory  resolution  of  the  senator  from  Kentucky.  In 
short,  it  in  now  avowed  and  understood  on  all  hands,  that  all 
that  is  deemed  necessary,  or  will  be  proposed  here,  to  effect  a 
restoration  of  the  public  money  to  the  bank  of  the  U.  Stales,  is 
a  mere  der.lnralion  by  congress,  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  rea- 
sons assigned  for  their  removal. 

The  only  measures,  then,  on  which  I  shall  he  called  to  carry 
into  effect  the  instructions  of  the  legislature  of  my  stale  urn,  the 
declaratory  resolutions  moved  by  the  senator  from  Krniucky, 
and  now  depending  before  the  senate.  That  these  resolutions 
are,  in  the,  estimation  of  the  general  assembly  of  Virginia,  j/ro- 
j>«r  nifumrcs — that  the  opinions  and  principles  declared  by 
them,  are  believed  by  the  general  assembly  to  be  correct  anil 
well  founded— it  would  be  unpardonable  blindness  to  the  lan- 
guage and  tenor  of  their  instructions  not.  to  see.  At  the  same 
lime,  it  it  well  known  to  the  senate,  that  on  each  of  the  propo- 
sitions declared  in  these  resolutions,  I  had  (and  I  will  take 
leave  to  add.  aft<  r  the  most  careful  and  anxious  invotiL'iition), 
com*  to  opposite  conclusions,  which  I  had  earnestly  asserted 
and  maintained  on  this  floor.  I  am,  therefore,  placed  hv  the 
tiii>lru<-lioiiR  of  the  legitlaiurn  of  my  state,  in  tins  dil.rnma— ei- 
ther to  vote  for  the  declaratory  resolutions  of  rhe  senator  from 
Kentucky,  and  thereby  express  opinions  whieh  I  not  only  do 


not  entertain,  bill  the  reverse  of  which  I  have  sincerely  nnd 
earnestly  maintained  on  this  floor;  or.  by  voting  ngainsi  thi-in, 
to  oppose  Hie  only  measures  which*  are  likely  to  come  before 
this  body,  having  in  view  the  restoration  of  the  public  deposites 
to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  thus  appear  in  the  attitude 
of  disregarding  and  thwarting  the  declared  wishes  of  the  gene- 
ral assembly  of  Virginia.  I  am  sure  I  but  respond  to  the  honor- 
aide  leclings  of  all  who  hear  me,  in  saying,  that  the  first  branch 
of  the  alternative  is  impossible,  while  tile  latter  is  no  less  forbid- 
den by  my  principles,  and  a  proper  sense  of  my  duty  to  the  con- 
stituted authorities  of  my  state.  The  only  course  left  to  me 
then,  is  one  which  the  senate  can  be  at  no  loss  to  anticipate. 

Before  I  close  the  few  remarks  with  which  I  have  felt  myself 
called  on  to  trouble  the  senate,  I  beg  leave  to  say,  that  while  I 
recognise  implicitly  the  resolutions  just  read  as  the  legitimate 
and  constitutional  expressions  of  the  opinion  of  my  slate,  I  wish 
not  to  be  understood  as  saying  that  they  express  the  real  public 
opinion  of  the  state — that  of  the  PEOPL$.  On  the  contrary,  my 
firm  and  clear  conviction  is,  that  Ihe  sentiments  of  the  people 
in  the  present  instance  are  not  in  unison  with  the  proceedings 
of  the  legislative  authority.  The  manifestations  of  popular  sen- 
timent already  commencing  in  various  quarters  of  the  state — 
the  principles  and  opinions  heretofore  steadily  cherished  by  Vir- 
ginia— multiplied  communications  received  from  the  most  re- 
spectable sources;  and  my  own  knowledge,  I  may  be  permitted 
to  add,  of  a  people  with  whom  I  have  been  connected,  in  rela- 
tions of  public  service,  for  now  near  twenty  years,  assure  me 
that  they  are  not;  and  the  revolution  of  a  lew  months,  will,  I 
confidently  believe,  render  the  fact  manifest  to  all  the  world. 
But  in  the  regulation  of  my  official  conduct  here,  I  am  not  per- 
mitted lo  look  beyond  the  constitutional  expression  of  the  opi- 
nion of  the  state,  by  its  regular  and  proper  organ.  If  a  senator 
were  allowed  to  set  tip  against  the  public  opinion  of  his  state  as 
otficially  and  solemnly  declared  by  her  legislature,  a  hypotheti- 
cal public  opinion,  which  may  or  may  not  he  that  of  the  people 
of  the  state,  it  is  obvious  that  a  door  would  be  opened  for  the 
total  evasion  of  all  effective  responsibility  of  this  body  to  public 
opinion.  It  is  on  the  legislatures  of  the  states  that  the  consti- 
tution has  devolved  the  choice  of  members  of  this  body,  and  Ihe 
same  legislatures  must  be  the  interpreters  of  the  public  opinion 
of  their  respective  states  to  the  senators  chosen  by  them,  when- 
ever an  occasion  shall  arise  which  may  call  for  a  solemn  mani- 
festation of  that  opinion. 

This  is  indeed  the  only  prarticnlle  mode  of  bringing  the  opi- 
nion of  the  sovereign  communities  represented  in  this  body  to 
act,  with  authoritative  influence,  on  iis  proceedings:  and  when 
it  is  considered  that  the  senate  is,  by  the  greater  permanency  of 
its  official  tenure,  farther  removed  from  the  salutary  controls  of 
the  representative  system  than  any  other  branch  of  the  govern- 
ment, all  will  see  the  necessity  of  keeping  open  a  clear  and  de- 
signated channel  by  which  public  opinion  may  promptly  reach 
it  in  an  authoritative  form,  and  be  made  effectual  on  its  deli- 
berations. It  is  thus,  essential  to  the  practical  supremacy  of 
the  popular  will  itself,  that  the  state  legislatures  should  bn  re- 
cognised as  the  authentic  and  constitutional  exponents  of  the 
popular  opinion  of  the  respective  states,  in  all  relations  with 
this  body.  If,  in  any  instance,  the  legislatures  of  the  stales 
shall  mistake  the  opinions  of  the  people,  it  is,  as  I  conceive,  for 
Ihe  people  themselves,  and  not  for  us.  to  correct  the  mistake. 

These,  Mr.  President,  are  very  briefly  the  opinions  I  enter- 
tain on  the  delicate  questions  presented  for  my  consideration 
by  the  instructions  of  the  legislature  of  my  state  just  read;  and 
the  only  alternative  they  leave  me,  in  the  circumstances  in 
which  I  am  placed,  is  to  surrender  the  trust  with  which  I  have 
been  honored  as  a  member  of  this  body  into  the  hands  of  those 
from  whom  I  received  it.  I  know  well,  Mr.  President,  and  I 
feel  how  much  of  honor  and  of  satisfaction  I  give  up  in  aban- 
doning my  seat  on  this  floor.  I  abandon  what  I  have  ever  re- 
garded the  highest  honor  of  my  public  life — an  honor  than  which 
none  higher,  in  my  opinion,  can  be  presented  to  the  ambition  of 
an  American  citizen.  I  sacrifice  social  and  kindly  relations 
with  many  members  of  this  body— I  would  fain  hope'with  all — 
which  have  been  the  source  of  the  highest  satisfaction  to  me 
here,  and  the  remembrance  of  which  I  shall  cherish  with  sin- 
cere pleasure  in  the  retirement  whither  I  go.  I  know  and  feel 
the  weight  of  these  sacrifices,  but  great  as  they  are.  I  make  them 
without  a  sigh,  as  the  most  emphatic  homage  I  can  render  lo  a 
principle  I  believe  vital  to  the  republican  system,  and  indispen- 
sable to  Ihe  safe  and  salutary  action  of  our  political  institution*. 

The  resolutions  were  then  referred  to  the  committee  on 
finance  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  McKcan  rose  and  said,  that  he  had  on  hand  numerous 
petition*  and  memorials,  from  large  numbers  of  citizens  of 
Pennsylvania,  all  complaining  of  deep  distress,  and  protesting 
against  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the.  United 
Slates  Lank,  and  praying  for  their  restoration.  He  said  he  had, 
for  several  days,  anxiously  sought  an  opportunity  to  present 
them,  but  could  not  obtain  the  floor.  True,  he  said,  in  accord- 
ance with  thr  humor  of  the  times,  some  of  them  were  express- 
ed in  pretty  strong  terrn«.  He  believed,  however,  they  would 
all  come  within  the  narlmmrntftry  nnderstnndinc  of  resprctftil 
languo&e}  and  to  save  time,  as  he  "now  had  Ihe  floor,  he  would 
a-k  permission  to  send  them  to  Ihe  chair  collcctivelv,  and  «sk 
Ibal  they  be  rend,  referred  to  the  committee  on  finance,  and  be 
printed;  which  was  nureed  lo. 

The  papers  sent  to  the  chair  by  Mr.  McfCrnn.  consisted  of  the 
proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  hoot  and  shoe  makers  and  «hoe 
dealers  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia;  a  memorial  of  nearly  700  ci- 


NILES'  K KG ISTER— MARCH   ),   1834— CONGRESS. 


tizens  of  Poltsville  and  vicinity;  the  memorial  of  citizens  of 
Schuylkill  county,  and  the  memorial  of  the  president  and  direc- 
tors ol  the  Western  hank  of  Philadelphia. 

The  chair  also  communicated  the  petition  of  a  number  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  township  of  Moyamensing,  in  the  state  of 
Pennsylvania,  praying  for  the  restoration  of  the  public  deposites 
to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  which  was  read,  referred  lo 
the  committee  on  finance,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  unfi- 
nished business  of  yesterday,  being  the  motion  to  refer  the  me- 
morials of  the  citizens  of  Portland  and  of  Bangor,  Maine,  on 
the  subject  of  the  deranged  currency  and  distress  of  the  coun- 
try, consequent  upon  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from 
the  bank  of  the  United  Slales;  and,  after  a  debate,  in  which 
Messrs.  Webster,  Forsyth,  Chambers  and  Kane  severally  took 
part,  the  question  was  taken,  and  the  motion  for  a  reference 
carried. 

The  other  business  attended  to  will  sufficiently  appear  in  its 
progress. 

February  24.    After  other  business — 

Mr.  Smith  rose  and  presented  several  memorials  and  resolu- 
tions from  New  Haven  and  Hartford,  embracing  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Harlford  bank,  Ihe  Phoenix  bank,  the  Connecticut 
River  bank  and  the  Hartford  fire  insurance  company,  all  pray- 
ing for  the  restoration  of  the  deposites. 

In  presenting  these  documents.  Mr.  Smith  made  some  re- 
marks on  the  character  and  extenl  of  the  existing  pressure,  its 
cause,  and  the  remedy  which  was  demanded  by  public  opinion. 

The  petitions  and  resolutions  were  laid  on  the  table,  Mr. 
Smith  postponing  his  motion  to  read  them,  in  consequence  of 
the  arrival  of  the  hour  for  the  special  order. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  special 
order,  &c.  when 

Mr.  Tyler  rose  and  addressed  the  senate  in  opposition  to  the 
removal  of  the  deposites,  and  in  favor  of  their  restoration,  until 
half  past  3  o'clock,  when,  having  concluded, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hill,  the  senate  adjourned. 

February  25.  Mr.  Clayton  submitted  resolutions  calling  for 
information  concerning  the  pension  agents — and  also  as  lo  the 
amount  of  money  that  had  been  received  for  postages,  in  a  cer- 
tain period. 

Mr.  Frclinghuysen  presented  the  petition  of  810  of  the  citizens 
of  Cumberland  county,  N.  J.  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  de 
posites,  and  made  some  remarks  on  the  general  subject,  as  well 
as  with  reference  to  his  own  position.  He  was  followed  by  Mr. 
Clayton,  in  a  very  animated  speech. 

Mr.  Wri«ht  presented  a  petition  from  Troy,N.  Y.  praying  for  a 
restoration  of  the  deposites,  and  bore  a  testimony  of  the  respec 
lability  of  the  signers.  Mr.  Clay  said  that  the  vote  of  Troy  was 
2,200,  and  that  the  petition  was  signed  by  1.730  persons. 

These  memorials  being  read  were  referred  and  ordered  to  be 
printed. 

The  further  consideration  of  the  memorials  from  North  Caro- 
lina on  the  subject  of  the  finances  and  the  distressed  state  of  the 
country,  was  called  for  by  Mr.  H(tn«uin.  and  a  lively  debate  fol- 
lowed, in  which  Messrs.  Brown,  Forsyth,  Chambers  and  Porter, 
(the  new  senator  from  Louisiana  for  the  first  time),  took  part. 

Mr.  Webster  moved  that  the  senate  postpone  the  previous  or- 
ders, for  the  purpose  of  taking  up  the  bill  from  the  house  making 
an  appropriation  for  the  payment  of  the  revolutionary  and  other 
pensions  for  the  year  1834,  and  in  the  course  of  his  remarks  no- 
ticed an  article  in  the  "(Jlobe"  which  rudely  charged  him,  and 
the  committee  of  finance,  with  u-ithholding  the  bill,  and  imput- 
ing bad  motives;  but  Mr.  Webster  shewed,  from  the  journal  of 
the  senate,  and  even  the  "Globe"  itself,  that  this  hill,  received 
from  the  house  on  the  6th  February,  was  reported  by  the  com- 
mittee to  the  senate  on  the  10th — (and  so  the  committee  was 
relieved  of  any  particular  care  over  the  subject).  The  bill  was 
read  a  second  and  third  time,  and  passed,  without  opposition, 
as  such  bills  usually  are. 

February  26.  Mr.  Chambers,  at  the  request  of  the  committee 
deputed  for  the  purpose,  presented  a  memorial  from  Baltimore 
against  the  restoration  of  the  deposites,  &c.  the  signer?  to  which 
were  said  lo  amount  to  3,558.  The  memorial  was  read  and  or- 
dered to  be  printed,  with  the  names  of  the  signers  appended. 

After  some  other  proceedings,  Mr.  Webster  moved  that  the 
senate  should  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  executive  busi- 
ness— which  Mr.  Chambers  opposed,  an  account  of  the  illness 
of  his  colleague,  Mr.  Kent.  Mr.  W.  then  waived  his  motion, 
but  would  call  it  up  again  to  morrow. 

Mr.  McKean  presented  a  petition  from  Berks  county,  Pa. 
signed  by  1,858  persons  praying  a  restoration  of  the  deposites, 
and  referred  to  a  letter  addressed  lo  him  saying  that  about  one- 
half  of  the  signers  had  never  been  opposed  lo  gen.  Jackson;  and 
added  he  himself  knew  some  of  them  to  he  among  his  warmest 
friends.  Mr.  M<-K.  also  presentr-d  the  proceedings  of  the  me- 
chanics, &.C.  of  the  Northern  Liberties  (Phila.}  in  favor  of  the 
bank,  and  one  from  51  persons  of  Schuylkill  county,  against  the 
bank. 

Mr.  Clay  made  some  poitited  remark*  on  the  petition  from 
Beiks,  ami,  after  referring  to  certain  facts  shewn  at  Ihe  last  pre- 
sidential election,  proceeded  to  Ray- 
He  hoped  he  might  be  allowed  to  state  a  single  fact,  which 
would  show  the  impressions  upon  the  public  mind  in  regard  to 
the  present  distress.  In  the  town  of  Reading,  in  the  county  of 
Berks,  he  understood  that  five  hundred  vote*  were  given  for  the 
present  chief  magistrate,  at  a  late  election,  and  only  one  hun- 
dred against  him;  yet  five  hundred  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 


same  town  had  Kiib-crihrd  tint  petition  Ketting  forth  the  existin? 
dUtrt*»,  and  praying  the  aid  ol  congress  to  afloid  them  torn* 
effectual  relief. 

J-'rom  nil  quarters  from  whence  memorials  had  issued,  Mr.  C. 
said,  we  learn  a  similar  state  of  facts.  Ueiitlcineri  may  b«  as- 
sured that  this  is  no  party  struggle  that  now  agitates  the  coun- 
try. It  H  a  question  between  the  will  of  one  man  and  that  of 

twelve  million*  of  people.  It  is  a  question  between  power 

ruthless,  relentless,  inexorable  power— on  the  one  hand,  and 
the  strong,  deep-fell  sufferings  of  a  vast  community,  on  the 
other.  He  trusted  that  these  memorials  would  be  the  meruiKof 
softening  his  heart,  and  presenting  to  him  the  true  condition  of 
our  afflicted  country,  and  induce  him,  to  the  utmost  of  his  abili- 
ty, to  afford  that  relief  to  it  which  he  and  his  secretary  could 
instantly  supply. 

Mr.  Clayton  made  a  few  observations,  to  show  how  very  far 
the  petitioners  for  restoring  the  deposites,  &c.  in  these  conflict- 
ing petitions,  exceeded  the  number  of  those  who  approved  of 
their  removal. 

Mr.  Clay  presented  a  memorial  from  a  large  number  of  citi- 
zens of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  on  the  subject  of  the  pecuniary 
distresses  of  the  country,  ascribing  them  to  the  removal  of  the 
deposites,  and  praying  lor  their  restoration;  and  moved  to  refer 
them  to  the  committee  of  finance,  and  print  them. 

A  debate  then  ensued,  which  lasted  until  a  late  hour,  in  which 
Messrs.  Clay,  Clayton,  Tallmadge,  Wright,  Ewing,  Webster, 
Chambers  and  Forsyth  took  part,  when  the  senate  adjourned. 

February^.  Mr.  Webster  presented  several  petitions  for  a 
restoration  of  the  deposites,  &c.  viz.  from  the  presidents  and 
directors  of  all  the  banks  in  New  Bedford;  from  Warren  coun- 
ty, New  York,  signed  by  303  persons;  the  major  part  of  whom 
say  they  have  been  friendly  to  the  present  administration;  and 
from  866  citizens. of  NorthamptoH  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
W.  added  that  the  two  last  petitions  had  been  sent  to  him,  be- 
cause that  his  views  were  supposed  lo  be  more  in  accordance 
with  those  of  the  petitions  than  were  those  of  the  senators  from 
the  states  named. 

Mr.  Clay  made  some  remarks  on  certain  observations  of  Mr. 
Wright,  in  relation  to  the  Troy  petition  recently  presented,  lo 
which  Mr.  W.  replied.  [Mr.  C.  stated  some  highly  interesting 
facts,  but  we  cannot  get  room  for  them.] 

Mr.  Webster  presented  the-  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  lay  before  the 
senate  the  monthly  returns  of  the  bank  of  the  I'nitfd  States, 
from  August,  1833, "to  February,  1834,  inclusive. 

Mr.  Poindcxtcr  presented  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to 
'ommunicate  to  the  senate,  copies  of  any  order  or  treasury 


liich  it  is  go  transferred,  or  intended  to  be 


ted  that  Mr.  P.  should  call  for  the  conside- 


resentcd   a   petition   from   Schuylkill  county, 


country,  &c. 

Mr.  Tyler  rose;  to  present  two  memorial?  on  the  subject  of  ih* 
pecuniary  embairassments  and  deranged  currency  of  the  coun- 
try, praying  for  relief— one  signed  by  500  citizens  of  th«  town  «f 


8       WILES'  REGISTER—MARCH  l,  1834— PHILADELPHIA  COMMITTEE,  &.c. 


Wheeling,  Virginia,  anil  thcotiier  from  500  citizens  ot'the  town 
ofNorfolk,  in  the  same  stale.  These  memorials  came,  he  said, 
t'r> m  the  extremes  of  tlw  state — from  the  Ohio  river  to  tlie  At- 
lantic seaboard. 

On  mmion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  con- 
sideration of  executive  hu>iin'<?,  and  alter  remaining  in  secret 
session  some  hours,  adjourned. 

BOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVE*. 

Friday,  Feb.  21.  .Mr.  J.  Q.  Mams,  on  a  proposition  to  amend 
th>;  jtiurnal,  look  an  opportunity  lo  pronounce  a  beautiful  eulo- 
giuin  on  the  character  of  Mr.  WIRT,  which  we  arc  compelled 
lu  postpone,  but,  Mjr.lv,  will  insert. 

Alter  which  the  bill  to  compensate  Susan  Decaiur  was  taken 
up  and  discussed,  and  supponed  and  opposed  ul  some  len^lli— 
without  coming  to  any  decision  in  the  committee  of  the  whole, 
which  had  leave  to  sit  again. 

.Mr.  Thomas,  of  Louisiana,  observed,  thai  to  morrow  was  the 
22d,  [WASHINGTON'S  birthday]  a  day  when  it  was  not  nsiinl 
for  public  bodies  10  sit.  He  therefore  wished  to  move  thai  the 
hou-c,  when  it  did  adjourn,  would  adjourn  to  Monday  next. 

Objection  being  made,  he:  moved  (.,,  n.c  suspension  of  the 
rule.  It  was  suspended  accordingly,  :iyrs  114,  noes  7;  and 
ttitieupon  the  house  adjourned  over  to  Monday. 

Monday,  Feb.  24.  The  house  was  occupied  the  whole  of  this 
day  with  receiving  petitions,  and  hearing  the  discussions  that 
grew  out  of  them,  though  proceeding  no  further  Ulan  i'l-nn.-;.  I- 
vania  in  the  cull  lor  petition*. 

J'-etitions  in  favor  of  a  rustoralion  of  the  depositcs  were  pre- 
sented as  follows — 

From  Bangor,  Miiine,  signed  hy  238  persons — from  six  hr\nks 
in  Connecticut— from  the  people  of  New  Haven;  from  Troy, 
signed  by  1,730  persons;  from  Burlington  county,  N.  J.  signed 
by  2,785  persons;  two  from  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania,  by  Mr. 
Poll*;  from  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  signed  by  1,850  per- 
eons.  And  here  the  presentation  of  petitions  lor  the  day  was 
arrested  by  the  debate  that  ensued,  of  which  we  cannot  make 
ruoin  for  a  sketch. 

Mr.  Ifuhlcnbcrg,  on  presenting  the  last  mentioned  petition, 
made  some  remarks  to  shew  that  this  petition  did  not  represent 
the  wishes  of  a  majority  of  his  constituents,  and  used  some  ex- 
pressions that  were  deemed  offensivw,  which  produced  an  inquiry 
from  Mr.  McKennan,  and  a  desultory  debate  followed,  in  which 
Messrs.  Binney,  Watmough,  and  others  took  part.  The  petition 
had  been  drawn  up  both  in  English  and  German,  and  Mr.  Muh- 
tenberg  had  detached  the  latter  before  its  presentation — but  it 
was  restored  on  the  suggestion  of  several  members.  Then  a 
discussion  on  printing  the  names  took  place,  and  most  of  them 
being  in  German,  it  was  proposed  that  they  should  be  printed 
in  that  language,  and  so  it  was  finally  agreed  by  yeas  and  nays, 
112  to  90.  In  the  course  of  the  debate — 

Mr.  Tutrctl  would  oppose,  if  he  stood  alone,  the  printinj  of 
all  such  petitions.  It  was  surprising  to  him,  to  hear  such  an 
unnecessary  expense  advocated.  There  was  among  others,  a 
petition  already  printed  on  this  subject  with  sixty-two  pages  of 
names,  at  a  considerable  expuiisv.  Those  petitions,  he  believ- 
ed, were  got  up  originally  by  the  bank, and  those  who  procured 
the  signatures  were  paid  for  their  trouble  out  of  Mr.  Biddle's 
fcreecbes'  pocket.  He  felt  that  it  was  time  for  the  house  to  take 
a  stand,  and  save  the  treasury  this  expense  which  was  sought 
to  be  llirowu  upon  it.  It  was  possible  that  many  of  those  who 
signed  the  petitions  from  I  he  large  cities,  were  stimulated  by 
the  atturance  that  their  names  would  appear  in  a  printed  bool:. 

Mr.  Crockett  said:  Sir,  as  I  am  the  only  person  from  Tennes- 
see in  this  house  Tvho  am  opposed  to  the  administration,  I  hope 
I  may  get  a  few  words  in;  that  I  may  say  what  are  my  own 
notions  on  these  matters— sir,  I  think  the  member  from  N.  Vork, 
(.Mr.  Turrcll),  who  has  just  spoke,  has  been  a  little  testy  ... 
his  objections;  he  talks  much  about  this,  as  if  it  was  a  great  mat- 
ter. Sir,  are  we  to  stick  at  such  trifles  as  a  few  dollars  in  the 
printing  a  mailer  so  important.  It  seems,  sir,  to  me  to  be  sonic 
thing  like  loading  a  twenty  four  pounder  to  shoot  a  flea.  Sir, 
is  il  not  so.  We  are  spending  3  or  4,000  dollars  in  discussing 
the  printing  of  a  matter  that  perhaps  after  all  will  not  be  20  cost! 
But,  sir,  this  is  retrenchment;  but  it  is  the  old  rule  for  retrench- 
ing. I  love,  sir,  to  see  the  petitioners  come  here,  and  my  life 
on  it,  sir,  they  will  conn-;  aye,  and  from  Indiana,  for  all  that  we 
hear  to  the  contrary;  and  yet  from  my  own  stale,  every  day  my 
letter*  It'll  m«  they  wish  this  question  settled. 

Tliey  know  very  well  in  my  district  the  character  of  tho  man; 
who  when  he  takep  any  thing  into  his  head,  will  carry  it  into  ef- 
ect.  They  knew  how  I  should  act  in  this  bank  business,  for  I  told 
them,  belorc  I  wan  el.-etcd,  how  I  should  vote — that  I  would 
recharler  Hie  bank,  and  restore  the  deposites.  Sir,  I  get  letters 
every  day  from  all  parts,  which  tell  me  these  acts  are  disap- 
probaUd.  The  question  is  now  whether  we  shall  be  under  the 
old  ami  happy  st.ito  of  things,  or  have  a  despot.  Sir,  the  peo- 
ple Uavn  a  risht  to  tell  their  grievances,  and  sir,  I  tell  you  they 
must  not  be  refused— I  can't  stand  it  longer — I  won't. 

Tuetday,  Feb.  25.  After  the  morning  business- 
Till!  hpu*e  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  bill  making  np 
propriations  for  certain  fortifications,  the  question  tiring  «ii  tin- 
•motion  of  Mr.  McDuffie  to  commit  the  bill,  that  its  provisions 
-niisl»t  be  more  fully  investigated.  Thin  was  opposed  by  Mr. 
folk,  and  a  debate  ensued.  At  last  the  bill  was  recommitted 
a*  il  were  by  content. 

The  Indian  appropriation  bill  next  camo  up— the  iiii'sr 
being  on  a  motion  of  Mr.  H.  Everett  to  recommit  it,  which  he 


withdrew,  because  certain  information  desired  had  since  been 
obtained.  The  bill  was  read  a  ihird  time,  and  the  <jtit.-8tion  be- 
in;;  0:1  it."  passage  a  debate  arose  which  lasted  until  the  aiijonrn- 
•••irrit.  of  ihe  house. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  26.  The  resolution  offered  by  Mr.  Mardit 
was  taken  up,  and  discussed  by  Mr.  Clowney,  in  opposition  to 
its  passage,  until  the  arrival  ol  the  hour  for  the  orders  of  the 
day. 

The  house  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  bill  making 
approprialiou&ybrtAe  Indian  department  for  the  year  1831.  The 
question  bring  on  the  third  reading  of  the  bill, 

Mr.  McKay  moved  to  recommit  the  bill  to  the  committee  of 
the  whole  on  the  state  of  the  union. 

[The  reasons  assigned  for  the  motion  were  the  necessity  of  a 
more  deliberate  examination  of  the  items,  particularly  lliose 
which  related  to  the  expenditures  for  agents  and  transportation 
of  presents,  for  blacksmiths  and  gunsmiths,  which  last  item,  it 
was  contended,  was  reported  in  the  Indian  annuity  bill,  as  well 
as  the  present. 

It  was  replied,  that  this  was  a  regular  appropriation  bill;  that 
ihe  funds  were  required  to  pay  expenses  incurred  and  indivi- 
duals employed  in  the  Indian  country;  that  the  agents  were  ap- 
pointed by  treaty;  and  that  the  items  in  the  bill  were  precisely 
tin)  same,  except  that  they  were  diminished  in  amount,  as  iu 
former  bills.] 

The  motion  was  supported  by  Mr.  McKay,  Mr.  Coulter.  Mr. 
Hawep,  Mr.  II.  Everett,  Mr.  Fillmore,  Mr.  Mercer.  Mr.  L.  Wil- 
linms,  Mr.  Vinton,  Mr.  Wilde,  and  opposed  by  Mr.  Polk,  Mr. 
Sevier,  Mr.  McKinley,  Mr.  Cambrelcii"  and  Mr.  Beardslcy. 

The  yeas  and  nays  were  finally  taken  on  the  motion  to  re- 
commit, and  stood  as  follows:  yeas  106,  nays  101. 

So  the  motion  to  recommit  the  bill  was  agreed  to,  and  then 
the  house  adjourned. 

TAursdai/,  Feb.  -27.  The  resolution  offered  by  Mr.  Martlis  was 
further  discussed,  and  Mr.  Clowney  having  spoken  to  the  expi- 
ration of  il;«  hour,  the  house  proceeded  to  the  orders  of  the  day. 

liobert  B.  Campbell,  a  member  elect  from  South  Carolina  in 
the  place  of  Mr.  Singleton,  deceased,  appeared,  was  sworn,  and 
took  his  seat. 

The  remainder  of  the  sitting  was  spent  in  considerins  the  bill 
lo  authorise  Ihe  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Potomac, 
and  a  bill  to  provide  for  the  settlement  of  certain  revolutionary 
claims. 


REPORT  OF  THE  PHILADELPHIA  COMMIT- 
TEE, &c. 

The  very  respectable  committee  appointed  to  carry  to 
Washington  the  memorial  of  10,259  citizens  of  Phila- 
delphia, (to  whose  names  were  attached  their  various 
professions,  business,  trades,  &c. )  made  a  report  of  their 
proceedings  to  a  very  numerous  meeting,  convened  at 
the  exchange  on  the  22d  ult.  for  the  purpose  of  receiv- 
ing it. 

The  facts  stated  by  the  committee  are  highly  import- 
ant, especially  as  they  occurred  in  their  interview  with 
the  president  of  the  United  Stales,  and  we  shall  extract 
that  part  entire.  Much  moderation  is  observed,  as  it 
should  be,  in  this  statement,  and  that  it  is  substantially 
correct,  certified  as  it  is  by  twenty-one  gentlemen  of  ex- 
alted character,  cannot  admit  of  a  doubt.  Hence  it  as- 
sumes the  shape  of  an  official  paper,  in  relation  to  a  most 
interesting  subject.  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that 
the  private  statements  made  by  the  members,  of  like 
committees  from  the  citizens  of  JVew  York  and  Balti- 
more,  astonishingly  conform  with  the  facts  more  pre- 
cisely and  publicly  stated  by  the  Philadelphia  commit- 
tee, even  in  the  very  -words  and  terms  used  by  the  presi- 
dent, in  particular  cases.  As  an  evidence  of  this,  we  heard 
the  intelligent  and  worthy  chairman  of  the  Baltimore 
committee  give  a  full  narrative  of  what  passed  in  the  in- 
terview with  the  president,  and,  the  next  day,  received 
New  York  papers  with  such  an  account  of  what  happen- 
ed to  the  New  York  committee,  that,  on  meeting  with  the 
chairman  alluded  to,  we  laughingly  charged  him  with 
some  sort  of  second-sight  knowledge  by  which  he  had 
made  his  account  so  nearly  correspond  with  that  of  the 
New  York  gentlemen,  before  a  publication  had  reached 
us  on  the  part  of  the  latter,  in  the  "Commercial  Adver- 
tiser" of  Feb.  15. 

After  giving  a  narrative  of  the  incipient  proceedings 
at  Washington,  as  to  the  presentation  of  the  Philadel- 
phia memorial — Ihe  report  proceeds: 

The  memorial  having  been  satisfacioiily  disposed  of  in  bolh 
bouses  ofcongrw*,  tin-  delegates  thought  it  respectful  to  call 
on  the  president  of  tin;  United  States,  and  rnako  known  to  him 
tlm  condition,  the  sufferings  and  opinions  of  their  constituent*. 
Tin -i  interview  took  pine.:  In  appointment  at  two  o'clock  On 
the  11  th  of  lYhrii.iry.  The  rich-gates  having  been  severally  in- 
troduced lo  the  president,  WITH  Vfc-rived  with  such  puliii-negsj 
and  courtesy  of  manner,  as  to  justify  the  expectation  of  a  pa- 
tient and  candid  hearing,  tn  this,  however,  they  were  disap- 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH   1,  1834— PHILADELPHIA  COMMITTEE,  &e.       t 


pointed.  The  chainmii  had  hardly  announced  in  one  or  two 
sentences  the  general  nature  of  our  mission,  when  tin-  pre>i- 
dent  interrupted  hi::i,  amt  proceeded  iu  a  Vehement  ducourse 
of  more  than  twenty  minutes  duration,  to  announce  to  us,  anil 
through  us  to  our  constituents,  A  is  opinions  and  his  determina- 
tions iu  reference  to  the  restoration  ol  tin:  deposites,  the  rechar- 
ter  of  the  bank,  and  the  Hit  lire  deposition  of  the  public  reve- 
nue. In  the  course  of  those  remarks  (which  as  they  were  long, 
and  somewhat  desultory,  it  is  deemed  unnecessary  to  present 
in  detail),  tin:  following  positions  were  distinctly  assumed  by 
the  president: 

1.  That  application  for  relief  must  be  made  to  the  bank  of 
the  United  States  and  not  to  him;  that  whatever  distress  exist 
ed  in  the  community  (and  lie  believed  there  was  some  distress) 
had  been  caused  by  the  bank,  which  was  hoarding  its  specie 
and  curtailing  its  discounts  in  order  to  crush  the  state  banks 
and  compel  the  government  to  abandon  its  policy.    That  the 
executive  had  no  power  to  relieve  the  distresses  of  the  com- 
munity, but  that  (he  stockholders  of  the  bank  might  effect  that 
object  by  electing  directors  who  would  conduct  its  affairs  ho- 
nestly and  on  principles  of  Christian  benevolence. 

2.  That  the   present  directors  of  the  bank  had  violated  its 
charter,  by  giving  to  the  president  the  whole  power  of  the  bank; 
a  power  to  use  its  funds   without  voucher  or  receipt.    That 
t-ucli  a  power  in  the  hands  of  one  man,  was  dangerous  to  the 
liberties  of  the  country,  and  had  been  used  to  destroy  the  elec- 
tive franchise.    That  the  president  of  the  bank,  if  an  honest 
man,  would  not  have  accepted  a  trust  so  unlawful.    That  for 
these  reasons  he  regarded  the  bank  as  a  monster  of  corruption, 
which  he  was  determined  to  put  down.     That,  a  bank  so  using 
its  powers  ought  (as  he  repeatedly  expressed  it)  to  be  robbed  of 
those  powers. 

3.  That  the  law  creating  the  bunk  of  the  United  States,  was 
in  his  opinion  unconstitutional.    That  no  power  to  create  a 
national  bank  was  conferred,  or  intended  to  be  conferred  by 
the  constitution — that  the  provision  by  which  congress  was  au- 
thorised to  regulate  the  currency,  had  reference  only  to  domes- 
tic and  foreign  coin,  and  not  to  paper  of  any  description. 

-  4.  That,  having  made  up  l.'is  mind  irrevocably  upon  all  these 
points — Jlndreu'  Jackson  never  would  restore  the  deposites  to 
the  bank — Andrew  Jackson  would  never  reeharter  that  monster 
of  corruption— that  neither  persuasion  nor  coercion,  nor  the 
opinions  of  the  people,  nor  the  voice  of  the  legislature,  could 
shake  his  fixed  detciinination — that  sooner  than  consent  to  re- 
store the  deposites,  or  reeharter  the  bank,  he  would  undergo 
the  tortures  of  ten  Spanish  inquisitions;  that  sooner  than  live 
ji)  a  country  where  sneh  a  power  prevailed.,  he  would  seek  an 
asylum  in  the  wilds  of  Aiahia. 

5.  It  was  announced  by  the  president  that  he  meant  to  conti- 
nue the  present  system  of  collecting  the  revenue  by  the  state 
tanks,  until  the  experiment  had  been  fully  tried,  and  at  all  events 
tmtil  the  expiration  of  the  charter  of  the  United  States  bank. 
That  he  had  no  doubt  of  the  success  of  the  experiment,  nor  that 
the  state  banks  would  answer  all  the  purposes  of  the  country. 
That  Ac  would  furnish  the  country  with  as  good,  nay,  a  better 
and  more  solvent  currency  than  that  of  the  national  hank — that 
he  had  early  foreseen  and  provided  against  the  inclination  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States  to  crush  the  state  banks,  and  that  his 
interposition.alone  had  saved  them  from  ruin — that  he  would 
continue  to  protect  the  stale  banks  by  all  the  means  in  his 
power. 

6.  The  president  admitted  that  considerable  distress  had  fol- 
lowed the  action  of  the  government  in  relation  to  the  deposites. 
He  had  never  doubted  lhalirofrers  and  stock  speculators,  and  all 
iclio  were  doing  business  upon  borrowed  capital,  would  suffer  se- 
verely under  the  effects  of  the  measure,  and  that  all  such  peo- 
ple ought  to  break. 

The  foregoing  paragraphs  are  believed  to  contain  all  the  im- 
portant ideas  expressed  by  the  president,  in  the  first  part  of  his 
discourse  to  the  delegates.  In  some  emphatic  expressions  his 
language  is  accurately  preserved,  while  his  numerous  repeti 
lions  of  the  same  idea  in  different  words,  which  served  unne- 
cessarily to  prolong  the  interview,  have  been  avoided.  Once 
or  twice  the  chairman  took  occasion  to  explain  that  he  seemed 
to  misapprehend  the  position  of  the  delegates;  that  they  had  not 
come  to  represent  the  bank  or  promote  its  interests,  but  to  lay 
before  him  the  condition  and  wishes  of  citizensof  Philadelphia, 
unconnected  with  that  institution  and  engaged  in  the  various 
departments  of  commerce  and  industry.  Such  explanations, 
however,  produced  no  visible  effect  on"  the  tenor  of  the  presi- 
dent's discourse,  nor  did  he  allow  an  opportunity  to  make  those 
statements  as  to  the  condition  of  this  community,  with  which 
the  delegates  were  especially  charged. 

In  reference  to  his  declaration,  that  he  would  continue  the 
present  system  of  collecting  the  revenue  through  the  state 
banks,  until  the  experiment  had  been  fairly  tried,  one  of  the  de- 
legates inquired,  whether  he  had  determined  upon  any  plan  by 
which  the'  country  might  be  relieved  in  case  the  experiment 
failed.  His  answer  was,  that  he  was  disposed  to  be  candid, 
and  would  explain  his  views  on  that  point.  That  in  order  to 
restore  the  currency  to  the-condition  intended  by  she  constitu- 
tion, and  place  the  moneyed  concerns  of  the  country  where  the 
sngea  of  the  constitution  found  and  left  them,  he  proposed  to 
put  out  of  circulation  all  notes  of  five  th. liars  and  under  by  plac- 
ing the  public  money  in  such  str.tr  hanks,  as  would  issue  no 
notes  below  ten  dollars— nn<1  by  forbidding  the.  receipt  in  pay- 
ment of  the  revrmip.  of  ihn  notes  of  nil  banks,  which  should 
ieciio  Bolus  under  ton  dollar*. 


That  the  «ame  process  would  next  be  pursued  in  reference  to 
all  notes  under  twenty  dollars,  and  thus  a  metallic  currency  be 
ensured  for  all  the  common  purpose*  of  liie,  while  the  use  of 
bank  notes  would  be  confined  to  those  eniruL-ed  in  commerce. 

The  same  delegate  having  inquired  when  "he  proposed  to  put 
this  plan  into  execution,  the  answer  was,-u<.t  immediately— not 
until  the  expiration  of  the  charter  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
Suite:-.  Go  home,  gentlemen,  (said  he)  and  tell  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  to  relieve:  the  country  by  increasing  IU  business 
Let  the  United  States  bank  make  no  ruti  upon  the  stale  banks 
and  I  will  take  care  that  the  state  bunks  make  no  run  upon  her. 
Let  the  war  between  the  banks  cease,  and  all  will  be  well  in 
forty-eight  hours.  The  bank  of  the  United  States  is  trying  to 
crush  the  state  hanks.  Tell  the  state  banks  that  I  will  protect 
them,  and  that  the  power  of  tin;  United  Slates  bunk  is  nearly 
gone,  and  that  it  will  be  compelled  to  cease  its  present  course. 
Here  one  of  the  delegates  observed  to  the  president— we  are 
many  of  us,  sir,  connected  with  state  banks,  and  yet  we  know 
of  no  such  warfare  between  them  and  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  as  you  speak  of.  It  does  not  exist  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia. There  i?,  on  the  contrary,  the  utmost  goodwill  and 
harmony  between  the  United  State*  bank  and  the  other  banks 
of  our  city,  and  nearly  all  the  latter  are  in  favor  of  a  reeharter. 
To  which  the  president  quickly  replied— I  know  all  about  it,  sir; 
I  know  that  some  of  your  hanks  have  combined  in  favor  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  Stales;  I  have  examined  the  whole  subject, 
and  understand  it  better  than  any  of  you.  I  have  looked  im- 
partially at  both  sides  of  the-queslion,  and  have  Ihe  best  infor- 
mation on  the  subject,  from  Maine  lo  New  Orleans,  from  the 
most  undoubted  sources.  I  learn  this  morning,  (Feb.  11),  from 
New  York,  that  stocks  are  rising,  and  that  money  is  becoming 
abundant.  Let  the  directors  of  the  bank  pursue  their  business 
on  principles  of  Christian  benevolence,  and  all  will  be  well. 
Let  them  wind  up  the  business  of  the  bank,  without  attempting 
10  break  down  the  government,  and  force  a  reeharter,  and  it 
will  die  with  the  blessings  of  thousands;  otherwise,  it  will  hava 
the  curses  of  millions.  I  have  read  the  scriptures,  gentlemea, 
and  I  find  that  when  Moses  ascended  the  mountain,  the  children 
of  Israel  rebelled,  and  made  a  golden  calf  and  worshipped  it, 
and  it  brought  a  curse  upon  them.  This  bank  will  be  a  greater 
curse.  I  have  no  hostility  to  the  bank;  I  am  willing  it  should 
expire  in  peace;  but  if  it  does  persist  in  its  war  will)  the  govern- 
ment, I  have  a  measure  in  contemplation  which  will  destroy  it 
at  once,  and  which  I  am  resolved  to  apply,  be  the  consequences 
to  individuals  what  they  may.  The  bank  has  in  circulation  ten 
millions  of  checks,  which  I  have  no  doubt  are  illegal,  and  which 
I  will  direct  the  state  banks  to  refuse  in  payment'of  the  public 
revenue.  These  checks  must  then  be  returned  upon  the  bank, 
and  will  drain  her  of  the  specie  she  is  hoarding.  This  measure 
I  will  apply,  unless  the  bank  desists  from  its  course. 

Here  the  chairman  remarked,  that  the  batik  was  perfectly 
aware  of  the  design  of  the  executive  in  reference  to  the  checks, 
and  gave  it  as  a  reason  for  not  extending  its  discounts,  and  for 
retaining  so  large  an  amount  of  specie  on  hand.  That  daily  and 
hourly  applications  for  relief  were  made  by  our  cilizens  lo  the 
bank,  without  effect.  That  the  directors  of  that  institution  felt 
bound  to  husband  their  resources  and  stand  on  the  defensive, 
while  so  serious  a  weapon  is  in  (he  hands  of  the  executive. 
Well  sir,  replied  the  president,  let  them  do  right  and  I  will  not 
injure  them,  hut  if  they  persist  in  measures  which  I  deem  op- 
pressive and  unjust,  they  must  expect  lo  feel  my  power.  In  the 
course  of  these  remarks,  of  which  a  plain  and  certainly  not  an 
exaggerated  sketch  has  been  attempted  by  your  delegates,  the 
president  very  frequently  used  the  expression  that  HE  was  de- 
termined to  place  and  to  leave  HIS  government,  where  the  sa- 
ges who  framed  the  constitution  found  and  left  it,  and  also  to 
place  the  currency  and  revenue  of  the  country  where  the  sages 
found  and  left  it. 

It  occurred  to  several  of  the  delegates  to  ask  for  an  explana- 
tion of  phrases  which  conveyed  no  distincl  or  tangible  meaning 
to  thrir  minds.  Their  historical  reading  had  taugbl  Ihcm,  that 
the  framers  of  the  constitution  found  the  government  in  anar- 
chy and  left  it  in  order;  that  they  found  the  currency  and  reve- 
nue in  ruins,  and  left  both  in  a  state  of  exalted  prosperity;  and 
that  one  of  the  instruments  by  which  this  change  had  been  ef- 
fected, was  a  national  hank,  hearing  almost  equal  date  with  the 
constitution  itself— a  bank  of  Ihe  same  kind  which  Ihe  presi- 
dent had  stigmatized  as  a  monstrous  contrivance  above  and 
against  both  the  constitution  and  the  law.  Fearing,  however, 
that  it  might  lead  lo  a  controversy  aboul  facts  and  history,  and 
unwilling  to  contend  with  one  whose  opportunities  at  least 
have  been  better  than  their  own,  they  abstained  from  inquiries 
which  their  curiosity  strongly  urged,  but  which  promised  to 
lead  to  no  useful  result. 

The  interview  had  now  lasted  about  an  hour,  and  during  that 
period  it  had  been  impossible  for  the  delegates,  without  unpar- 
donable rudeness  towards  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation,  to 
explain  to  him  their  business  and  their  wishes.  It  had  become 
obvious,  moreover,  that  his  mind  was  pre-occupied  by  a  view 
of  the  subject,  which  would  neutralize  the  effects  of  facts  or 
reasoning,  that  he  regarded  the  whole  question  as  a  contest  be- 
tween the  bank  on  the  one  hand,  and  him  and  HIS  government 
on  the  other;  a  contest  in  which  the  people  had  no  concern, 
except  as  they  might  array  themselves  as  partisans  of  either, 
that  he  considered  hi*  own  power,  and  the  stability  of  HIS  go- 
vernment naked  upon  the  issue;  and  consequently  that  the  ar- 
guments of  thooe  who  disclaimed  connection  with  either  party, 
and  owed  no  allegiance  bat  to  truth  and  Juiliee,  nod  ttt«  «os»- 


10 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  1,  1834— DEPOSITES  FOR  PENSIONS. 


mon  weal,  would  either  be  rejected  without  a  hearing,  or  i 
heard,  would  be  utterly  disregarded. 

The  delegates,  therefore,  as  soon  as  this  painful  and  (as  free 
citizens  they  must  add)  humiliating  conviction  was  forced  upoi 
their  minds,  rose  to  take  leave.  One  of  their  number  seizec 
the  opportunity  of  a  parting  word  to  say,  with  emphasi?,  that  to 
the  president,  and  to  his  conduct  in  removing  the  public  depo 
sites,  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia  attributed  the  distress  uude 
which  they  labor.  His  reply  to  this  remark  was  but  a  repetitioi 
of  assertions  previously  made,  and  the  delegates  retired  witl 
no  cause  of  complaint  as  to  their  personal  treatment,  but  indig 
nant  that  the  voice  of  more  than  ten  thousand  citizens,  couU 
be  deemed  by  the  president  unworthy  his  attention,  and  with  a 
sad  conviction  that  the  high  places  of  power,  in  a  land  boasting 
of  its  freedom,  were  closed  and  barred  against  unpalatable  truth 
The  committee  tlien  proceeded  to  give  an  account  ol 
the  further  proceedings,  holding  out  encouraging  pros- 
pects as  to  the  result,  iti  changes  of  opinion  effected,  01 
expected  to  be  made,  in  the  minds  of  members  of  con- 
gress; and  they  exhort  the  people  to  perseverance,  in  a 
hope  that  their  representatives  will  finally  act  to  relieve 
the  awful  and  extensive  public  distress  that  prevails. 
This  part  is  very  interesting,  but  we  cannot  get  room  for 
it,  at  length.  They  refer  to  the  fiscal  concerns  of  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania,  and  call  upon  the  people  to  redeem 
themselves  and  their  country,  &c. 
The  report  concludes  as  follows: 
One  word  of  exhortation  to  their  fellow  citizens  and  the  de- 
legates have  done.  It  is  no  common  occasion  which  has  callec 
for  this  unprecedented  assemblage.  The  evils  to  be  averted  are  o 
no  common  character,  and  call  for  the  exertion  of  extraordinary 
energy.  A  contest  has  commenced — the  parties  to  which  are 
the  people  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  executive  on  the  other — a 
contest  full  of  difficulty  and  involving  our  dearest  interests 
as  citizens  and  as  freemen.  Let  all  so  regard  it,  and  let 
all  so  conduct  themselves  as  to  show  they  understand  its 
nature  and  its  consequences.  Let  him  that  bath  property, 
spare  of  his  abundance  to  secure  the  remainder;  let  him  thai 
hath  talents  or  affluence  expend  them  freely  in  the  cause  ol 
social  happiness  and  of  chartered  rights — and  he  that  hath  nei- 
ther of  these,  let  him  bring  a  patriot's  heart  and  a  patriot's  voice 
as  his  most  acceptable  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  his  country. 

Let  old  and  young,  rich  and  poor,  the  learned  and  the  un- 
learned join  hand  in  hand,  and  with  one  voice  and  spirit,  as 
they  have  one  interest  in  the  event,  unite  their  efforts  to  hind 
up  the  wounds  of  their  afflicted  coutitry  and  restore  her  once 
more  to  health  and  prosperity.  If  the  prevalence  of  such  a 
feeling  shall  date  from  this  day,  the  hallowed  anniversary  of  the 
birth  of  the  father  of  his  country,  each  succeeding  return  of  the 
same  auspicious  day,  will  carry  with  it  an  additional  claim  to 
the  respect  and  veneration  of  the  American  people. 
Signed  by  the  committee  as  follows: 


JO  LI  H  i)  CHAUNCEY, 
THOMAS  FASSITT, 
JAMES  MARTIN, 
WILLIAM  GILL, 
JOHN  STRUTHERS, 
SAMUEL  COMLY, 
CALEB  COPE, 
JOSEPH  H.  DDLLES, 
THOMAS  FLETCHER, 
GIDEON  SCULL, 
JOHN  WATERS, 


ROBERT  T.  POTTS, 
BENJAMIM  NAGLEE, 
HENRY  TROTH, 
MORDECAI  D.  LEWIS, 
JOSEPH  SMITH, 
MERRIT  CANBY, 
JOHN  S.  WARNER, 
J.  FISHER  LEAMINO, 
ISAAC  MACAULEY, 
JOSEPH  MclLVAiNE, 
BELA  BADOER. 


Caleb  Cope,  esq.  on  behalf  of  the  delegation,  offered  the  fol- 
lowing preamble  and  resolutions,  which  were  seconded  by  Jos. 
R.  IngersoZ/,esq.  by  which  gentleman  they  were  most  eloquent- 
ly and  ably  supported,  and  were  adopted  without  dissent. 

The  committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  pre- 
amble and  resolutions. 

Whereas,  it  is  believed,  that  a  sound  currency  is  essential  to 
national  prosperity,  atid  that  to  the  influence  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  are  to  be  attributed  the  Advantages  «f  a  sound 
and  equal  circulating  medium,  high  public  credit  and  low  rates 
of  interest,  in  the  enjoyment  of  which,  private  enterprise  has 
flourished,  and  the  finances  of  the  state  and  general  govern- 
ment have  been  successfully  managed,  anil  it  in  evident  lli.it 
the  attempts  now  made  to  break  up  a  system  so  fully  tested  and 
«o  admirably  adapted  to  our  country,  are  highly  injurious,  and 
if  persisted  in  will  be  destructive  alike  to  public  and  private 
prosperity,  Therefore 

1.  Resolved,  That  the,  present  crisis,  so  full  of  danger  to  the 
constitution,  and  so  marked  by  assaults  upon  all  that  is  valuable 
In  property  and  in  civil  rights,  demands  our  resolute,  active  and 
unyielding  efforts,  to  restore  the  broken  faith  of  the  government 
and  lo  sustain  the  institutions  of  our  country. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  avowed  intention  of  the  executive  to 
prosecute  nn   EXPERIMENT  on   the  national  currency,   by 
•wielding  at  his  sole  will  the  entire  revenue,  is  a  usurpation  in- 
compatible with  our  (syetein  of  government,  and  at  utter  vari 
ance  with  the  duties  of  a  chief  magistrate  of  a  republic,  who  is 
no  more  above  the  law  than  the  humblest  citizen  of  our  land. 

3.  B.e*oh-ed,  That  the  sentiments  of  the  president  of  the  Knit 
ed  States,  his  manner  and  tone  at  the  recent  interview  with  the 
delegate*  from  this  community,  and  his  open   declarations  on 
that  and  other  occasions,  evinc«  a  settled  purpose  to  destroy 


the  present  currency  of  the  country,  by  a  rash  and  ruinous  ex- 
periment. That  by  his  disregard  of  consequences,  rusnlting 
from  the  measures  of  his  administration;  by  his  reluctance  to 
listen  to  facts  or  reason,  and  by  substituting  the  personal  feel- 
ings and  arbitrary  will  of  ANDREW  JACKSON,  in  place  of  the 
official  dignity  and  constitutional  action  of  the  PRESIDENT 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  he  has  introduced  into  the  go- 
vernment a  feature  unknown  to  the  constitution  and  dangerous 
to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  people. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  common  prosperity  of  the  inhibitants  of 
the  United  States,  and  more  especially  the  peculiar  interests  of 
the  state  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  de- 
mand an  immediate  recharter  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 
so  that  confidence  may  be  restored,  lost  faith  be  recovered, 
an  impulse  to  industry  be  given,  and  our  country  be  raised  from 
its  present  despondency,  to  a  state  of  active  and  cheerful  en- 
terprise. 

5.  Resolved,  That  in  the  present  suspension  of  commerce  and 
the  arts;  and  in  the  consequent  distress  spread  through  society, 
we  see  but  the  beginning  of  those  evils,  which  if  they  be  not  re- 
medied by  the  action  of  congress,  will  eventually  produce  most 
extended  ruin  —  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  man,  who  has  any 
thing  to  lose  by  a  revolution,  or  any  thing  to  gain  by  a  govern- 
ment of  laws,  to  put  forth  his  strength  in  behalf  of  his  country, 
and  not  to  give  back  until  truth  shall  prevail,  and  the  country 
be  restored  to  its  former  prosperity. 

6.  Resolved,  That,  in  a  crisis  like  this,  all  minor  differences 
of  opinion,  all  secondary  distinctions  of  section   or  of  party 
should  be  cast  aside,  and  the  freemen  of  the  country  should  be 
urged  to  rally  under  the  broad  banner  of  the  constitution,  in  de- 
fence of  their  primary  and  essential  rights. 

7.  Resolved,  That  the  people  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  other 
states,  be  invited  to  hold  county  and  town   meetings,  for  the 
purpose  of  averting  the  approaching  ruin  —  and  it  is  recommend- 
ed that  committees  of  correspondence  be  organized,  and  that 
deputations  from  each  meeting  be  sent  to  Washington,  to  explain 
to  congress  the  condition  or  the  country,  and  to  enforce  the 
necessity  of  immediate  relief;  by  a  restoration  of  the  currency 
and  public  confidence. 

8.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  freemen  of  the 
several  counties  of  Pennsylvania  who  agree  with  us  in  senti- 
ment as  to  the  causes  and  remedy  of  the  present  distress  to  ap- 
point delegates  to  a  general  convention  to  be  held  in  Harrisburg, 
for  the  purpose  of  devising  measures  to  restore  the  prosperity  of 
the  country. 

9.  Resolved,  That  in   the  opinion  of  this  meeting  the  Girard 
bank  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  ought  not  to  retain  the  public 
deposites  and  thereby  countenance  and  uphold  a  system  which 
is  believed  to  be  unlawful,  and  which  experience  has  already 
shown  to  have  a  disastrous  influence  on  the  prosperity  of  the 
city. 

10.  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  thirty  be  appointed  by  this 
meeting  with  power  to  convene  from  time  to  time,  to  nil  vacan- 
cies in  their  own  body  or  otherwise  to  enforce  the  objects  of 
this  meeting  at  Washington,  Ilarrishurg  and  elsewhere,  to  cor- 
respond  with  other  committees  throughout  the  United  States, 
and  to  adopt  such  measures  as  in  their  judgment  will  tend  to 
accomplish  the  objects  of  the  foregoing  resolutions,  and  to  con- 
tinue the  same  until  their  exertions  shall  be  crowned  with  suc- 
cess. 

Some  other  resolutions  of  a  local  nature,  or  as  votes  of 
thanks  to  the  committee,  &c,  -were  passed,  and  the  whole 
are  signed  by 

JOHN  A.  BEOWJT,  Resident—  Samuel  Richards,  Wil- 
iam  Gill,  Benjamin  Naglee,  George  Miller,  Bela  Bad- 
ger, Israel  Roberts,  Thomas  Fletcher,  Robert  Burton, 
John  Scholefield,  vice  presidents,  and  Jacob  M.  Thomas, 
Henry  C.  Corbit,  Richard  Morgan,  J.  C.  Wolbert,  se- 
cretaries. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting  nine  hearty  cheers 
ere  given  for  the  "constitution  and  the  laws," 

PUBLIC  DEPOSITES. 
In  the  senate  o/  the   United  States,   February  17. 

PENSION   AGENCY—  UNITED    STATES    BANK. 

Mr.  Clayton  from  tin-  committee  on  the  judiciary,  to  whom 
have  been  referred  the  messaje  of  the  president  of  the  United 
htates  of  the  4th  February  Ust,  and  the  accompanying  ,locu 
ments  in  relation  to  the  removal  of  the  funds,  books  and  pa- 
pers connected  with  the  pension  affencv  of  tlie  bank  of  H,,- 
United  States,  under  the  art  of  June  7th,  18.T9,  have  urreed 
in  the  following  report: 

The  message  and  documents  referred  to  the  cnmi.iittre  show 
he  fact,  that  the  hank  of  the  United  Si.ites  had  declined  to 
comply  with  an  order  of  the  department  »f  war.  issued  on  thn 
id  of  January,  1834,  demanding  a  surrender  of  ibe  funds,  books 
rid  papers  belonging  to  the  pension  a»e,icy  of  the  bank,  under 

' 


he  act  of  congress  approved  on  Hie  7lh  of  Juno..  I8.'i^   entitled 

an  act  supplementary  to  the  act  for  the  relj,  f  Of  ceilain  «ur- 

ng  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  revolution."    The  orders  ap- 

pear to  have  been  issued  by  the  commission,  r  of  pension.,  act- 

ngunder  tho  direction  of  the  secretary  ofwar,  and  it  announces 

ie  appointment,  on   tho  snmo  day,"  of  fifleen    new    pension 

Bent-  to  perform  the  duties   heretofore   performed   by  thn  bank 

i  pension  wnt*  under  that  law.     Tho^e  agent*  are  the  ,,r«*i. 

«nu  of  curtain  <tate  banks  to  which  a  portion  of  the  public 


NILES'  REGISTER- MARCH   1,   1834— DEPOSITES  FOR  PENSIONS 


11 


deposites  has  been  removed  by  tlio  late  order  of  Hie  secretary 
of  the  treasury.  At  the  same  time,  and  by  the  said  order,  the 
bank  of  the  United  States  was  commanded  to  cease  paying  pen- 
sions nndc-r  the  law  referred  to.  The  hank  in  repiy  to  the 
mandate  of  the  secretary,  while  it  respectfully  declines  to  de- 
liver the  funds  and  papers  as  directed,  withont  the  consent  of 
congress,  profess  its  perfect  willingness  to  surrender  its  trust  as 
pension  agents,  if  it  shall  he  the  pleasure  of  congress  to  release 
it  from  the  charge,  but  regarding  such  a  surrender,  without  the 
permission,  to  be  a  violation  of  its  duty  to  congress  and  llie 
country,  it  awaits  some  decision,  either  legislative  or  judicial, 
to  discharge  it  from  the  burden  of  this  agency,  or  to  reinstate  it 
in  the  discharge  of  its  duties.  In  the  mean  time,  fearing  an  ob- 
stacle in  the  settlement  of  its  accounts  for  future  disbursements, 
should  it  pay  any  more  pensioners  under  this  act,  after  the  pro- 
hibition of  the  secretary,  it  has  obeyed  his  injunction  to  cease 
paving  them  until  further  directions. 

For  the  course  pursued  by  the  bank,  the  message,  if  it  does 
not  invoke  the  vengeance  of  the  public  against  the  institution, 
certainly  denounces  it  as  the  cause  of  all  the  delay  and  embar- 
rassment which  has  occurred  since  the  secretary's  order  in  the 
payment  of  the  debt  which  the  gratitude  of  the  nation  has 
awarded  to  the  surviving  veterans  of  the  revolution.  The  pre- 
sident considers  the  conduct  of  the  bank  as  an  usurpation  of 
the  functions  of  the  judicial  power,  and  an  attempt  to  prescribe 
to  the  executive  department  the  manner  in  which  it  shall  exe- 
cute the  trust  confided  to  it  by  law;  condemns  it  as  without  ex- 
ample in  the  history  of  our  country,  and  declares  that,  if  the 
acts  of  the  executive  may  he  thus  checked,  and  controlled 
"the  whole  frame  of  our  government  is  changed." 

The  committee  have  examined  the  questions  growing  out  of 
the  documents  referred  to  them  with  all  the  care  required 'by  a 
matter  which,  in  the  opinion  of  a  co-ordinate  branch  of  the  go- 
vernment, touches  the  honor  of  that  government,  as  well  as  the 
just  claims  of  the  surviving  soldiers  of  the  revolution.  They 
have  found  no  ground  for  any  difference  of  opinion  among 
themselves,  and  they  now  unanimously  submit  the  following 
view  of  the  whole  subject  for  the  consideration  of  the  senate. 
The  loth  section  of  the  act  to  incorporate  the  subscribers  to 
the  hank  of  the  United  States,  approved  on  the  10th  of  April, 
1816.  provides  that  during  the  continuance  of  that  act,  the  cor- 
poration shall,  among  other  things,  "do  and  perform  the  several 
and  respective  duties  of  the  commissioners  of  loans  for  the  se- 
veral states,  or  of  any  one  or  more  of  them,  whenever  required 
by  law."  fn  lees  than  one  year  after  the  approval  of  this  act, 
congress  passed  "the  act  transferring  the  duties  of  the  commis- 
sioners of  loans  to  the  hank  of  the  United  States,  and  abolish- 
ing the  office  of  commissioner  of  loans,"  which  act  was  ap- 
proved on  the  3d  of  March,  1817.  Both  statutes  were  passed  by 
the  fourteenth  congress.  The  first  section  of  the  last  act  pro- 
vides, "that  the  bank  of  the  U.  States  and  its  several  branch*-* 
shall  he,  and  they  are  hereby  required  to  do  and  perform  the 
several  duties  of  commissioiiBrs  of  loans  for  the  several  states; 
and  the  bank  of  the  U.  States,  and  its  several  branches,  and  such 
Rtate  banks  as  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates  may  employ  in 
those  state*  where  no  branch  bank  shall  be  established,  shall 
observe  and  conform  to  the  directions  which  have  been,  or  may 
hereafter  be  prescribed  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  with 
the  approbation  of  the  president  of  the  United  States,  touching 
the  execution  of  the  duties  aforesaid.  " 

This  statute  in  connexion  with  the  loth  section  of  the  charter, 
imposed  a  burden  on  the  bank  important  to  the  government, 
and  still  more  important  to  those  who  were  the  most  meritori- 
ous objects  of  its  bounty.  For  while  that  section  enjoined  it 
as  a  duty  on  the  corp'oration  to  give  the  necessary  facilities  for 
transferring  the  public  moneys  to  any  part  of  the  country,  and 
for  distributing  the  same  in  payment  of  the  public  creditors, 
without  charging  commissions,  or  claiming  allowance  on  ac- 
count of  the  difference  of  exchange,  the  same  section,  in  con- 
junction with  the  act  of  the  3d  of  M.irch,  1817,  made  it  the  im- 
j»erative  duly  of  the  bank  to  assume  the  agency  of  paying  all 
pensioners  of  the  government;  such  being  at  this  time,  one  of 
the  principal  duties  of  the  commissioners  of  loans.  But  the 
agent  thus  appointed  by  special  act  of  congress  was  not  vested 
with  a, general  discretion  in  the  discharge  of  those  duties.  It 
was  bound  to  conform  to  the  directions  of  the  secretary,  with 
the  approbation  of  the  president,  "touching  the  execution  of  the 
duties  aforesaid."  The  power  of  the  executive  over  the  bank, 
ID  this  matter,  was  conferred  by  congress,  and  the  extent  of 
th«  power  of  the  former  over  the  latter  was  clearly  defined  by 
the  same  authority.  No  rislit  is  vested  in  the  executive  to  an- 
nihilate Hie  agency  of  the  bank,  or  to  substitute  another  at  exe- 
cutive discretion.  The  agency  shall  exist,  says  the  law— the 
bank  shall  pay  certain  moneys;  but  as  to  the  time  and  place  of 
payment,  the  portions  of  these  pensions  to  be  paid  in  certain 
cases:  in  short,  in  all  things  tsuf.hins.  the  manner  of  executing  its 
duties,  this  public  servant  shall  be  subject  to  the  control  ol 
another  who  shall,  so  far  exercise  a  roperin tendance  over  the 
former.  The  duties  enjoined  on  the  bank  by  this  act  are  mi- 
nisterial—those  of  the  secretary  arc  supervisory;  and  the  two  au- 
thorities do  no  more  clash  with  each  other  than  those  of  the 
court  and  the  marshal  of  the  district,  each  of  which  is  created 
by  law,  anil  liable  to  all  the  restraints  imposed  by  that  law 
The  bank  being  subject  to  the  liability*  of  a  paying  agent,  was 
to  have  the  choice  of  its  own  suh-agents  among  the  state  banks 
in  those  states  where  no  branch  bank  of  the  United  States  was 
established-  and  bv  a  proviso  of  the  third  section  of  the  same 
act  of  tUu  3d  of  March,  1817,  a  saving  clause  was  introduced 


for  its  benefit  in  case  no  state  bank  should  be  established  by 
law  in  any  one  of  the  states,  in  which  case  the  aii-ncy  for  mi- 
litary pensions  in  that  slate  was  not  to  be  effected  by  the  act. 

The  committee  consider  that  the  attorney  general  manifestly 
errs  when  he  represents  the  " presidents  ui  tin;  |,ank  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  and  its  several  branches"  as  the  agi-iits  constituted  by 
this  act.  The  only  agenu  known  to  the  law  were  the  bank  ami 
its  several  branches.  They,  and  not  their  respective  pie.-!i!>  nts, 
were  required  to  do  the  several  duties  of  commissioners  of 
loans.  They,  not  their  presidents,  were  to  choose  sub-agent* 
among  the  state  banks,  and  the  injunction  to  observe  and  con- 
form to  the  directions  of  the  secretary  in  regard  to  the  execution 
of  their  duties  operated  on  them,  not  on  their  several  presidents 
merely.  The  attorney  general  says,  the  law  of  1817,  by  which 
the  duties  then  performed  by  the  commississoners  of  loans, 
including  the  general  pension  agency,  are  transferred  to  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  expressly  declares  that  these  powers 
"shall  be  performed"  by  the  president  of  the  bank  and  iw 
branches,  and  that  their  acts  shall  be  countersigned  by  the 
cashier."  It  is  true,  that  the  second  section,  to  winch  he  pro- 
bably referred,  enacts  "that  all  such  duties  and  acts  as  are  now 
done  and  performed  by  the  commissioners  of  loans,  in  transfer- 
ring stock  from  the  books  of  one  loan  office  to  another,  or  to  the 
books  of  the  treasunj,  or  from  the  books  of  the  treasury  to  the 
books  of  the  loan  offices  shall  be  done  and  performed  by  the  pre- 
sident of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  the  presidents  of  the 
several  branches  of  the  said  bank,  and  by  the  presidents  of  such 
state  banks  as  the  bank  of  the  United  States  may  employ,  (in 
states  where  no  branch  of  the  United  States1  bank  shall  be  es- 
tablished); and  the  acts  of  the  presidents  aforesaid  shall  be 
countersigned  by  the  cashiers  of  those  banks  respectively." 
This  section  is  the  only  one  prescribing  services  to  he  performed 
by  the  presidents  of  the  bank  and  its  branches,  unless  the  third 
section  should  be  deemed  to  be  of  this  character,  which  directs 
the  transfer  of  the  papers  to  the  presidents,  while  it  unequivo- 
cally recognizes  them  only  as  agents  of  the  bank  to  receive 
those  papers,  by  an  express  direction  that  the  notice  of  the 
transfer  shall  be,  "that  the  duties  u-ill  be  transferred  to  the 
ianft."  Where  the  attorney  general  can  find  that  part  of  the 
law  of  1817,  by  which  the  general  pension  agency  is  transferred 
to  the  presidents  or  cashiers  of  the  bank  and  its  branches,  or 
which  "expressly  declares  that  the  powers  of  the  commis- 
sioners of  loans,  including  the  general  pension  agency,  shall  be 
performed  by  the  presidents  of  the  hank  and  its  branches,  with 
the  counter-signature  of  the  cashiers,  the  committee  are  at  a 
loss  to  imagine.  It  is  true,  that,  as  sub-delegates  and  organs  of 
the  bank,  they  have  been  sometimes  addressed  as  pension 
agents  iu  the  correspondence  with  the  department  which  they 
have  always  conducted.  It  is  true,  that,  as  the  agents  of  the 
bank,  conducting  business  by  its  orders,  the  pension  rolls  have 
been  sent  to  them  to  be  placed  in  the  custody  of  the  bank;  and 
that  as  the  officers  of  the  corporation,  they  have  been  directed  to 
inscribe  the  name  of  the  pensioner  on  the  rolls;  and  to  pay  to  the 
time  of  the  semi-annual  payment,  if  the  claimant  should  be  still 
living,  and,  if  not,  then  up  to  the  day  of  his  death.  So  the 
cashiers  of  the  several  branches  might  have  performed  the  same 
duties  with  the  consent  of  the  bank;  and  we  find  that,  under 
the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  the  business  of 
this  agency,  so  far  as  regards  the  pension  act  of  the  15th  of 
May,  1828,  has  been  conducted  through  the  cashier  of  the 
branch  bank  of  the  United  States  at  Washington.  The  error 
to  which  we  have  referred  admits  a  construction  which  would 
deny  the  liability  of  the  institution  whose  capital  is  bound  for 
the  safety  of  th«t  pension  fund.  It  would  divide  that  liability 
among  the  presidents  of  the  branches,  who  never  gave  bonds 
for  the  money,  and  whose  personal  responsibility  would,  if  the 
opinion  we  controvert  were  sound,  furnish  the  only  security 
for  the  safety  of  the  millions  which  have  been  entrusted  to  the 
bank  on  the  credit  of  its  whole  capital.  It  is  the  more  unob- 
jectionable as  it  would  strengthen  the  untenable  position  that 
the  pension  agent  of  this  government,  accountable  now  for  the 
payment  of  more  than  twenty-three  thousand  pensioners,  is, 
and  ever  has  been,  a  creature  of  the  executive,  and  not  the  de- 
legated agent  of  congress. 

In  the  opinion  of  the  committee  there  can  be  no  greater  error 
on  this  subject  than  to  suppose  that  it  is  through  a  mere  ex- 
ercise of  executive  authority  that  the  banks  has  became  the 
legal  asent  for  the  payment  of  pension  money— "It  took."  says 
the  attorney  general,  "the  agency  from  the  commissioners  of 
loans  by  substitution  in  their  stead:  and  those  commissioners 
derived  it  from  an  executive  regulation."  But  the  substitution 
was  by  an  act  of  congress.  In  addition  to  those  parts  of 
the  act  of  the  3d  of  March,  1817,  to  which  we  have  referred 
for  the  purpose  of  showing  this,  the  third  section  of  the  same 
act  directs  "that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury to  notify  the  president  of  the  United  States  that  the  duty 
now  performed  by  the  commissioners  of  loans  will  be  transfer- 
red to  the  hank  of  the  United  States,  and  shall  so  direct  the 
commissioners  of  loans,  and  the  agents  for  military  pensions 
where  there  is  no  commissioner,  respectively,  in  the  several 
states  to  deliver  to  the  president  of  the  United  States  bank  or 
to  the  president  of  a  branch  thereof,  or  to  the  president  of  such 
state  bank  as  the  bank  of  the  United  States  may  employ  on 
sMieh  day  or  days  as  he  may  designate,  the  register  and  all  the 
records  anil  papers  of  the  respective  officers,  and  it  shall  be  the 
dutv  of  said  commissioner!  of  loans,  and  agents  for  pension 
to  comply  with  the  said  direction,  and  also  to  duplicate  receipts 
for  the  delivery  of  the  papers  and  rocoraa  hereto  described,  ene 


18          NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH   1,  1834— DEPOS1TES  FOR  PENSIONS. 


with  one  or  more  securities,  conditioned  for  tlieir  good  be- 
haviour in  their  offices,  respectively.  Whether  these  officers 
were  originally  bound  by  executive  regulation  only,  or  by  ex- 


inunications  referred  to  tiie  committee  aime  aunm  me  wen 
known  fact  that  these  commissioners  wfcre  employed  as  agents 
of  the  government  in  the  payment  of  pensions,  and  that  they 
continued  to  be  so  employed  until  after  the  organization  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States.  The  act  passed  on  the  24th  of 
April,  1816,  authorises  the  secretary  for  the  department  of  war, 
"to  appoint  some  fit  and  proper  person  in  those  states  and  terri- 
tories where  there  is  no  eommisKioner  of  loans,  and  also  in  the 
district  of  Maine,  to  perform  the  duties  in  those  states  and  terri- 
tories, and  in  said  district,  respectively,  relating  to  pensions 
nnd  pensioners  whkh  are  now  required  by  said  commissioners 
in  their  respective  states."  This  act  recognises  the  duties  of 
pension  agents  as  pertaining  to  these  commissioners  before  the 
passage  of  the  act  of  the  3d  of  March,  1817,  and  restricts  the 


:tary  of  war,  in  his  correspondence  with  the  presi- 
bank,  (to  be  found  in  their  reports  of  committees  of 


No  matter  who  may  desire  to  take 


liter,  IAJ  »up|M-y  no  fuace.  raw  matter  wuu  may  ursire  10  i:ihe 
he  responsibility  of  the  act  which  the  secretary  of  war  has  coin- 
lilled,  we  can  look  only  to  htm  as  properly  answerable  for  it; 
.nd  it  is  therefore  that  we  refer  particularly  to  his  opinion  which, 


and  ins  iiiKiKiure  mm  we  ruer  particularly  10  ms  opinion  wnicli, 
under  any  other  circumstances,  would  have  come  to  us  as  the 
conviction  of  an  able  expositor  of  the  law,  but  would  have  been 
entitled  only  to  the  same  weight  which  we  should  have  accord- 
ed to  any  other  man  of  equal  learning  and  ability.  To  enable 
the  senate  to  see  under  what  circumstances  this  opinion  was 
given,  let  us  recur  to  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  bank.  It  ap- 
pears by  the  document  last  referred  to,  that,  in  the  summer  of 
1829,  an  attempt  was  made  by  the  honorable  John  H.  Eaton, 
then  secretary  of  war,  to  remove  the  pension  agency  from  the 
branch  bank  of  the  United  Slates  at  Portsmouth,  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, to  a  state  bank  at  Concord,  in  that  state,  and  that  the  au- 
thority of  the  secretary  to  effect  this  was  then  denied  by  the 
bank  of  the  United  States.  The  commissioner  of  pensions,  in 

Vila  letter    In    Mr.   \1;i«nn      tlia     r\i  i> .  i/l.  1 1 1  t\f    Ilia    !.. ••!,,,.)•     I.....I      :. 


to  the  interests  ol  the  pensioners,  in  wishing  to  have  them  pai 
In  that  part  of  the  state  where  the  greater  facilities  are  prcsc.nl 
ed."  If  this  were  intended  as  an  apology  for  the  act  of  the  then 
•ecretary,it  cannot  avail  in  the.  ca<e  now  before  us,  because 
the  agent  selected  by  the  present  secretary  is  the  Commercial 
bank  at  Porttmoulk,  the  very  place  where  the  branch  bunk  ol 
the  United  States  is  established.  But  whatever  may  have  been 
the  object  of  this  part  of  Ihe  correspondence;,  the  rest  of  the 
letter  of  the  commissioner  waives  all  further  discussion  of  the 
subject,  revokes  the  order  for  the  change  of  the  agrm-y  and 
directs  the  branch  bank  of  the  U.  States  to  resume  its  duties. 
Two  years  afterwards  there  was  a  similar  attempt"with  a  view 
to  accommodate  the  pensioners,"  again;  and  a  transfer  was  nc- 
tually  made  of  a  considerable  part  of  the  pension  list  from  the 
office  ht  New  York  to  the  Mechanics'  and  Farmers'  bank  in  the 
city  of  Albany.  The  ba,,k  of  the  i;,,ii,.,|  stales  slrotHy  remon- 
•trated  ayamst  the  measure  as  illegal  and  unwarrantable.  A 
change  of  the  heads  of  departments  having  occurred  alter  the 
alurntinn  of  ih«  agnncy,  the  bunk  appealed  to  the  present  head  of 
I)*  d<ip»rtin««l  of  war,  in  a  letter  dated  the  10th  of  Anguit  1831 


and  the  subject  was  held  under  advisement  by  that  officer  until 
the  Ut  of  March,  1832,  aperiod  of  more  than  six  months,  at  the 
expiration  of  which  the  secretary  writes  to  the  president  of  the 
Itank,  as  before  stated,  his  etiliie  satisfaction,  from  a  careful 
examination  of  the  l.iws  of  congress,  that  the  department  is  not 
warranted  in  appointing  a  pension  agent.  "Hence,"  says  the 
secretary,  "the  agent  at  Albany  has  been  notified  that  his  ap- 
pointment, by  this  department,  has  from  this  day  ceastd."  And 
so  the  matter  ended. 

This  opinion  of  the  secretary  is  approved  and  adopted  by  the 
committee.  It  was  formed  in  the  spirit  which  should  direct 
all  the  operation*  of  a  government  recognising  nothing  arbitrary 
or  oprressive  in  its  character,  and  we  think  that  the  retraction 
of  error,  when  thus  convinced  of  it,  after  taking  due  delibera- 
tion, was  honorable  as  well  as  just  in  the  officer.  To  support 
him  in  the  result  at  which  he  had  arrived,  he  saw  among  the 
acts  of  congress,  which  he  professes  carefully  to  have  examin- 
ed, that  an  act  of  congress  had  been  at  all  times  held  necessary 
to  create  a  new  pension  agency;  in  pursuance  of  this  construc- 
tion, on  the  3d  of  March,  1819,  an  act  passed  by  which  the  se- 
cretary of  war  was  authorised  to  appoint  an  agent,  in  addition 
to  one  already  appointed  in  the  state  of  Tennessee,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  paying  pensioners  of  the  United  States  residing  in  East 
Tennessee:"  that,  again, on  the  20th  of  May,  1826,  the  secretary 
of  war  was  "authorised  to  establish  a  pension  agency  at  Pitts- 
burgh, in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  for  the  payment  of  pen- 
sioners of  the  United  States,  resident  in  that  vicinity;"  and  that 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  was,  by  the  same  act  authorised  to 
make  the  necessary  arrangement  with  the  bank  of  the  United 
States  for  paying  the  before  mentioned  pensioners  at  the  office 
of  discount  and  depositc  of  said  bank  at  Pittsburgh.  He  knew 
that  the  secretary  of  war  could  not  exercise  the  power  of  ap- 
pointing such  agents  as  his  own  deputies;  that  he  was  not  the 
paymaster  of  pensions;  and  that  long  before  the  charter  of  the 
bank,  while  the  agency  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  commis- 
sioners of  loans,  congress  found  it  necessary,  by  the  act  of  the 
7th  January,  1809,  to  give  even  him  authority  to  act  as  agent  in 
a  few  cases,  by  enacting  "that  every  pension,  or  arrearage  of 
pension  due  to  every  officer  or  soldier  residing  in  either  of  the 
United  States  or  the  territories  thereof  in  which  there  has  not 
been  appointed  an  agent  for  the  payment  of  pensions,  shall  be 
paid  at  ;he  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United  States  by  the 
secretary  for  the  war  department,  and  that  the  name  of  the 
pensioner  shall,  on  his  application  to  the  secretary  of  war,  be 
transferred  from  the  books  of  the  state  in  which  it  was  original- 
ly registered,  to  a  register  to  be  opened  for  that  purpose  at  the 
war  office  of  the  United  Slates,"  the  act  of  congress  of  the  24th 
of  April,  1816,  authorising  the  secretary  of  war  to  appoint  pen- 
sion agents  where  there  was  no  commissioner  of  loans,  was 
also  before  him,  to  satisfy  him  that,  as  well  before  as  after  the 
bank  had  assumed  the  agency,  no  such  agent  could  be  created 
by  the  head  of  his  department.  He  took  no  distinction  between 
the  act  of  the  15th  of  May,  1828,  and  any  other  pension  law  of 
this  government;  but,  with  a  full  knowledge  of  all  the  views  of 
his  predecessors,  with  all  the  books  and  accounts  of  his  office 
before  him,  exhibiting  the  construction  which  had  ever  been 
given  to  the  duties  of  the  bank — xvith  the  aid  ofall  the  learning 
of  the  then  attorney  general,  if  he  choose  to  put  it  in  requisi- 
tion, he  concurred  in  the  result  at  which  Mr.  Binney,  Mr.  Sear- 
geant  and  Mr.  Mason,  had  before  arrived — that  new  pension 
agents  could  not  be  appointed  by  the  department,  except  in  the 
single  class  of  cases  in  which  such  appointments  were  expressly 
authorised  by  the  act  of  1816. 

As  to  the  expediency  of  the  law,  which  was  thus  considered 
settled  by  the  secretary,  whether  we  consider  the  importance 
of  a  permanent  establishment  of  such  an  agency  in  reference  to 
the  chief  object  of  its  creation,  which  was  the  payment  of  pen- 
sioners in  a  sound  currency,  without  charge  to  the  government; 
or,  in  reference  to  the  limitation  it  was  supposed  to  have  fixed 
for  the  exercise  of  executive  power  over  this  portion  of  the 
public  treasure,  we  are  convinced  that  it  was  such  as  highly  to 
recommend  it  in  its  origin,  and  that  it  is  yet  such  as  to  forbid 
any  chanae  of  its  provisions.  At  the  time  of  the  passage  of  the 
act  of  the  3d  of  March,  1817,  the  government  incurred  great  ex- 
pense in  the  payment  of  salaries  and  clerk  hire,  appertaining  to 
the  commissioners  of  loans.  The  bank  having  assumed  the 
duties  of  those  officers,  without  charge  on  ihe  treasury  for  their 
performance,  incurred  a  responsibility,  the  neglect  or  refusal  to 
meet  which  subjected  it  to  all  the  penal  consequences  of  a  vio- 
lation of  its  charter.  The  pension  aecncy  is  a  duty  imposed  on 
the  institution,  onerous  and  expensive,  which  the"  president  of 
the  bank  now  informs  us  it  is  willing  to  he  digchar-ed  from  if 
congress  Ihe  creator  ofthat  agency,  v\  ill  r<-|,-a«e  it;  and  that  it  if 
a  burden,  nnd  not  a  mere  henefil  to  the  instiiiition,  is  -atisfnctori- 
ly  established  not  only  by  his  declaration*,  but  by  Hie  concur- 
rent testimony  of  several  of  the  local  banks  to  wh'if-h  the  public 
deposited  have  hfcn  recently  removed.  Tliii*  Inn 'president  of 
the.  Mechanics'  hank  at  New  York,  in  his  Idler  to  the  rninini*- 
Moner  of  thr  27lh  of  January  last,  complains:  "The  ngency  at 
I  learn,  is  exceedingly  complicated  in  its  details,  required  c'on- 
ildorable  office  room,  the  employment  of  at  least  three  clerk* 
Which  mn<t  nece^nrily  involve  n-  in  a  very  roriT-i.l.«r,il,ln  extra 
exprn-e.  Why  this  bank  should  have  bee,,'  „-, .|,.f.t,.,|  |,,  perform 
tin  -  sei  vi.  -e,  whilst  the  other  selected  hniiks  |,l!re  nrr-  exempt 
from  the  responsibility,  labor  nnd  expens-e,  i?  u  matter  of  KorriB 
mrprise,  particularly  whan  it  u  Unmvn  tlmt  we  have  not  hither- 
to had  a  (Inn  prorimlkin  of  the  public  ilepnujtim.  Havlnz  as- 
sented, howi-vrt,  in  our  agrccmout  with  Dm  treasury,  to  pet- 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  i,  1834— DEPOSITES  FOR  PENSIONS, 


form  the  duties  incidental  to  the  agency,  we  cannot  or  course 
abject  to  the  execution  of  those  duties,  but  must,  at  the  same 
time,  be  permitted  to  say  that  an  agency  involving  such  great 
responsibility,  arduous  duties,  and  heavy  expenses,  should  be 
borne  in  common  by  the  three  banks;  or,  it'  this  should  be  con 
sulered  impracticable,  that  the  other  two  should  at  least  bear  a 
pro  rata  poilion  of  the  expenses." 

In  several  instances  presented  by  the  correspondence  between 
the  commissioner  of  pensions  and  the  presidents  of  tin-  -t.itr 
banks,  which  have  been  recently  selected  as  bunks  of  drposile, 
those  officers  hiivt:  declined  Ihe  agency,  or  refused  to  uive  bond 
for   the  performance  of  the  duties.     In   some  cases  the    loml 
banking  corporations   are  themselves  made  executive   agents; 
the  presidents  of  banks  are  selected,  without  any  accountability 
on  the  part  of  the  banks  over  which  they  preside.     For  the  per- 
formance of  this  trust,  before  the  change  was  wade,  the  whole 
capital  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  was  bound  to  this  go 
vernment.  The  institution,  by  long  practice,  had  become  expert 
in  the  conduct  of  all  the  complicated  details  of  the  trust  confid- 
ed to  it.     It  had  reduced  the  whole  business  of  the  agency  to  a 
system  which  alike  secured  the  interests  of  the  government, 
and  the  pensioners,  and  its  own  stockholders.    "We  have  no 
"evidence"  says  the  commissioner,  in  a  letter  from  the  pension 
office  to  the  president  of  the  Girard  bank  in  Philadelphia,  of  the 
24th  of  February  last,  "that  the  United  States  bank  has  ever  lost 
a  cent  by   paying  pensions,   although   that  institution  and  its 
branches  have  disbursed  large  sums  for  this  office  for  seventeen 
years  past."    And  while  the  bank  was  so  well  managing  this 
interest  for  its  own  stockholders,  we  have  never  heard  that,  at 
any  time,  the  government  found  fault  with  its  accounts,  or  that 
any  revolutionary  soldier,  or  other  pensioner  on  the  lists,  was 
turned  from  its  doors  without  receiving  in  hard  dollars,  or  their 
full   equivalent  in   value,  the  whole  amount  of  the  intended 
bounty  of  his  country,  unless  the  executive  department  had 
previously  interfered  to  arrest  the  performance  of  the  duties  of 
the  corporation.    In  the  judgment  of  your  committee,  this  trust, 
for  the  performance  of  which  the  honor,  faith  and  best  feelings 
of  the  country  are  enlisted,  cannot  be  as  well  discharged  by  in- 
dividual agents,  or  by  state  institutions,  which  owe  no  respon- 
sibility to  this  government,  and  which,  finding  no  source  of 
profit  in  the  pension  fund,  already  view  it,  and  may  soon  treat 
it,  as  an  incumhrance.     Should  they  be  all  equally  faithful  with 
the  bank  of  the  United  States,  can  it  be  expected  that  fifteen 
new  agents,  acting  independently  of  each  other,  can  be  equally 
skilful?    Is  it  to  be  anticipated  that  they  will  all  adopt  the  same 
guards,  both  for  public  and  private  security?  pursue  the  same 
mode  of  accounting  and  transacting  the  business  which  has 
been  perfected  by  the  bank  of  the  United  States  after  seventeen 
years'  experience?  or  maintain  any  one  general  system  what- 
ever, to  attain  the  same  objects?    We  think  that  as,  by  the  new 
arrangement  different  agents  are  selected  to  pay  the  pensions 
under  the  act  of  the  7th  of  June,  183-2,  and  as  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  is  still  to  pay  all  pensions  allowed  by  laws  an- 
terior to  that  date,  there  will  be  no  longer  any  one  system  pre- 
served in  the  pension  agency  of  the  government,  and  that  the 
confusion  incident  to  this  slate  of  things  will  be  an  evil  much  to 
be  regretted.    We  think,  too,  that,  should  congress  sanction 
the  changes  which  have  been  made,  it  is  by  no  means  withou 
the  range  of  probability  that,  at  no  very  distant  period,  and  a 
some  one  of  the  numerous  agencies   recently  created,  those 
gallant  defender?  of  their  country,  who  have  attracted  the  prcsi 
dent's  sympathies  in  the  message  before  us,  may  sometimes  re- 
ceive their  allowance  in  depreciated  currency.     In  the  opinion 
of  the  committee,  therefore,  however  willing  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  may  be  to  relinquish  this  agency  by  the  permis 
sion  of  congress,  the  object  for  which  the  trust  was  estnblishec 
requires  that  it  should  not  be  permitted  to  discharge  itself  from 
the  obligations  it  incurred  by  the  assumption  of  that  trust.   The 
policy  of  that  limitation  of  the  executive  power  over  this  por 
lion  of  the  public  treasure,  which  was  acknowledged  by  the  se 
cretary  of  war,  as  we   have  stated  it,  is  to  the  committee  no 
less  apparent.    The  permanent  appointment  of  an   agent,  no 
subject  to  removal  at  executive  discretion,  is  important  to  se 
cure  a  steady  and  punctual  payment  of  the  money  upon  whicl 
many  of  the  pensioners  depend  for  actual  subsistence.    To  sub 
ject  them  to  the  inconvenience  and  loss  arising  from  a  changi 
of  the  agency  at  every  revolution  of  the  political  wheel,  wouli 
be  not  only  to  embarrass  and  distress  those  who  should  mee 
with  no  obstacles  in  the  receipt  of  the  meed  of  their  patriotism 
but  to  add  another  stream  to  the  swollen  current  of  powe 
which  already  threatens  to  deluge  and  destroy  the  best  interest 
of  the  country. 

The  committee  might  here  have  rested  on  the  secretary's  ow 
view  of  the  subject,  but  for  the  reasoning  of  the  attorney  gent 
ral,  contained  in  the  opinion  accompanying  the  president' 
message.  This  opinion  appears  to  have  been  given,  at  the  re 
quest  of  the  president,  one  month  after  the  order  issued  froi 
the  department  of  war.  Thus  called  upon  either  to  justify  c 
condemn  a  measure  of  the  administration  which  had  been  pre 
viously  adopted,  the  arguments  of  the  attorney  general  do  no 
teem  to  us  to  concur  with  that  view  of  the  powers  of  the  de 
partment  of  war  which  the  secretary  himself  had  formerl 
taken. 

He  introduces  his  principal  argument  with  the  assertion  lha 
all  the  pension  laws  up  to  the  3d  of  March,  1817,  provided  on 
for  invalids;  that  the  act  of  the  18th  March,  1818,  which  autho 
rised  the  payment  of  pensions  to  certain  indigent  officers  an 
soldiers  of  the  revolution,  declared  that  they  should  be  paid  "' 


he  same  manner  as  pensions  to  invalids,  who  had  been  placed 
n  the  pension  list,  were  then  paid;"  that  similar  clauses  have 
een  inserted  in  the  various  pension  acts  since  passed;  and  be 
elinctly  admits  that  the  payment*  under  all  those  acts  are  to 
e  made  through  the  agency  ol  the  bank,  except  10  far  at  con- 
ress  shall  have  au\horised,  by  special  lawn,  me  employment  of 
her  agents.  Fie  tlu.ii  denies  to  the  act*  of  1826  and  1832,  the 
mracter  of  pension  law;-;  on  which  last  (IOMIKIM  his  chief  ar- 
ument  is  rested.  Before  we  proceed  to  examine  this,  we  will 
otice  the  lemarkx  with  which  it  was  thus  introduced,  and  the 
ilerenci'S  which  the  rcasoner  intended,  ad  we  pieaume,  should 

drawn  from  them. 

It  is  not  true  that  all  the  pension  laws  up  to  the  3d  of  March, 
817,  provided  only  lor  invalids;  because,  among  other  law* 
Inch  infill  be  mentioned,  the  first  suction  of  the  act  of  the 
6th  of  April,  1816,  directing  half  pay  for  five  years,  for  the  wi- 
<>ws  and  children  of  officers  and  soldiers  who  died  in  the  ser- 
ice  during  the  last  war,  is  not  a  law  providing  only  for  inva- 
ds.  This  act,  which,  it  is  to  he  observed,  does  not  designate 
le  agent  to  pay  the  pensions  allowed  by  the  section  referred 
o,  was  extended  by  the  act  of  the  3d  ol  March,  1817,  to  the  wi- 
ows  and  children  of  the  soldiers  ol  the  militia,  volunteers, 
Tiigers  and  sea-fencibles.  The  second  section  of  the  act  of 
6lh  of  April,  1816,  providing  half  pay  for  five  years  to  the  chil- 
ren  of  such  as  died  in  service  in  the  last  war  on  the  relinqnish- 
icnt  of  bounty  lauds,  directs  "the  payment  thereof  to  be  made 
vhen  and  where  other  military  pensions  are  or  shall  be  paid." 
t  will  be  seen,  then,  that  the  argument  which  would  exclude 
•om  the  agency  of  the  bank  all  pensioners  except  invalids,  and 
tose  who  are  by  express  act  to  be  paid  in  the  same  manner  a* 
ivalids,  would  have  excluded  pensioners  under  the  first  sec- 
ions  of  the  act  of  the  16lh  of  April,  1816,  and  of  the  act  to 
mend  that  act,  passed  on  the  3d  of  March,  1817.  But  the 
gency  of  the  bank  was  always  extended  to  them.  They  were 
ndisputnhly  entitled  to  the  character  of  pension  laws,  the  pay- 
ments under  which,  by  the  admissions  of  the  attorney  general, 
nust  be  made  through  the  agency  of  the  bank,  except  so  far  as 
ongress  shall  have  authorised,  by  special  laws,  the  employ- 
lent  of  other  agents.  The  committee  do  not  consider  the 
>ank  as  deriving  its  agency  under  the  pension  act  of  the  18th  of 
March,  1818,  or  any  other  act,  from  the  mere  direction  that 
layment  shall  be  made  "in  the  same  manner  as  pensions  to  in- 
valids are  now  paid."  The  mode  of  payment  might  well  be, 
and,  indeed,  frequently  is,  prescribed  in  an  act  recognising  the 
existence  of  an  established  paymaster.  Had  there  been  no 
other  authority  from  congress  than  is  to  be  found  in  this  clause, 
o  constitute  the  agency  of  the  bank,  the  secretary,  so  far  from 
admitting,  as  he  did'on  the  first  of  March,  1832,  that  the  depart- 
nent  was  not  warranted  in  appointing  a  pension  agent  where 
he  bank  or  one  of  its  branches  was  established,  would  proba- 
bly have  informed  the  president  of  the  bank  that  different 
agents  could  pay  the  pensioners  "in  the  same  manner,"  and 
hat  the  new  mode  of  paying  invalids  could  be  as  strictly  ob- 
ierved  by  the  Mechanics'  and  Farmers'  bank  at  Albany,  as  by 
the  branch  bank  of  the  United  Slates  there  established. 

The  committee  is  now  prepared  to  examine  the  principal  ar- 
_jument  advanced  by  the  attorney  general,  and  most  relied  upon 
jy  him  to  justify  the  order  of  the  secretary.  He  maintains  that 
the  acl  of  the  loth  of  May,  1828,  "for  the  relief  of  certain  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  of  the  army  of  the  revolution,"  and  the  sup- 
plement thereto  of  the  7th  of  June,  1832,  are  not  pension  laws; 
[hat  they  have  no  connexion  whatever  with  the  general  system 
of  pension  laws,  but  are  the  commencement  of  another,  and  an 
entirely  different  system.  He  asserts  that  these  aie  laws  in 
which  the  "pay"  mentioned  is  to  be  understood  as  contradis- 
tinguished from  "pensions"  and  which  carefully  avoid  any  such 
expression  as  might  connect  them  with  the  system  of  pensions. 

The  committee  have  investigated  this  question,  and  they  find 
that  both  houses  of  congress,  the  president,  the  secretary  him- 
self, the  commissioner  of  pension?,  the  secretary  of  the  treasu- 
ry, and  indeed  every  department  of  the  government,  having  oc- 
casion to  administer  or  to  refer  to  these  acts,  have,  from  their 
very  origin,  invariably  treated  them  as  pension  laws,  until  the 
present  controversy  arose;  while  the  committee  do  also  find  the 
character  of  pension  acts  indelibly  impressed  on  the  laws  them- 
selves by  the  hands  that  framed  them. 

By  reference  to  the  history  of  the  debates  at  the  time  of  the 
passage  of  these  law?,  it  appears  that  each  of  them  was  advo- 
cated and  opposed  in  both  houses  of  congress  as  pension  laws. 
In  principle,  these  pensions  are  founded  on  the  same  revolu- 
tionary services  with  those  conferred  by  the  act  of  1818,  which 
is  admitted  to  be  a  pension  law.  The  acts  of  1828  and  1832 
both  contain  a  perpetual  appropriation,  but  it  seems  that  spe- 
cial appropriations  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  net  of  1^-JS, 
were  annually  marie  and  continued  until  the  year  1833, a  mi  that 
each  of  these  appropriations  is  for  "revolutionary  pensions." 
By  the  act  of  the  12th  of  February,  1828,  there  was  appropriat- 
ed "for  the  revolutionary  pensioners  of  the  United  States." 
(meaning  those  embraced  by  the  art  of  1818)  $564.236.  The 
pension  act  of  1828  having  passed  on  the  15th  of  May,  a  new 
appropriation  to  inert  theVxpenses  innirrrd  by  it  was  made  on 
the  24lh  of  May,  for  ihe  prn-ions  to  the  revolutionary  pension- 
ers of  the  United  States.  ,f.-JOO.OOO."  The  appropriation  of  the 
2d  of  March,  1W3.  r«  i-oi'i.isfs  the  claimants  under  both  the 
acts  of  182S  and  1832,  as  pensioners,  in  tho  followins  words: 
"For  the  revolutionary  pensioners  under  the  several  acts  prior 
to  that  of  7th  June,  1832,  $624,685."  The  same  appropriation 
act  of  1833,  which,  rt  is  to  be  observed,  was  patted  at  the  »«- 


14         N1L1S'  REGISTER— MARCH  I,  1834— DEPOS1TES  FOR  PENSIONS. 


cond  session  of  the  22d  congress,  and  by  the  framers  of  the  act 
of  1832,  whose  cOtemporaneous  exposition  of  that  law  ought  to 
have  some  weight  in  deciding  on  its  character,  contains  another 
appropriation  in  the  following  words:  "For  additional  tempora- 
ry clerk  hire  during  the  years  1832  and  1833,  iu  order  to  carry 
into  effect  the  act  of  7th  June,  1832,£ran/in«  revolutionary  men- 
tions, $24,039." 

At  the  same  session,  and  on  the  same  day,  a  joint  resolution 
was  passed  by  both  houses  in  relation  to  the  act  of  the  7tl* 
June,  1832,  which  ordains  that,  "in  the  execution  of  that  act, 
whenever  it  shall  be  made  to  appear  that  any  applicant  for  a 
pension  under  said  act  entered  the  army  of  the  revolution  in 
pursuance  of  a  contract  with  the  government  made  previous  to 
the  llth  of  April,  1783,  and  continual  in  service  until  after  that 
period,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  war  to  compute 
the  period  of  any  such  applicant's  service  from  the  time  he 
thus  entered  the  army,  and  until  the  date  of  the  definitive  trea- 
ty of  peace,  and  to  allow  him  a  pension  accordingly."  If  it  be 
insisted  that  the  very  congress  which  made  the  law  misunder- 
stood its  character,  let  us  next  inquire  how  the  president  him- 
self has  always  understood  it  until  his  recent  message.  The 
act  of  the  2d  March,  1833,  provides  "that  a  commissioner  of 
pensions  shall  be  appointed  by  the  president  arid  senate.  He 
shall  execute,  under  the  directions  of  the  secretary  of  war,  such 
•duties  in  relation  to  the  various  pension  laws  as  may  be  prescrib- 
fd  by  the  president  of  the  United  States."  It  appears  by  the 
statement  of  the  attorney  general  that,  immediately  after  the 
passage  of  the  law  of  1832,  the  president  assigned  the  execu- 
tion of  it  to  the  commissioner  of  pensions,  to  whom  the  same 
duty  has  been  ever  since  prescribed  by  the  president.  The  pre- 
fiident  must,  therefore,  have  always  regarded  this  act  as  a  pen- 
sion law.  If  it  be  not  of  this  character  the  order  to  the  com- 
missioner of  the  2d  of  January,  1834,  is  illegal,  as  the  president 
was  only  authorised  by  it  to  prescribe  the  duties  of  the  com- 
missioner "in  relation  to  pension  laws." 

The  president  signed  and  approved  both  the  act  and  the  joint 
resolution  of  the  2d  of  March,  1833,  before  referred  to,  in  which 
this  act  of  June  7,  1832,  is  over  and  over  again  characterized  as 
a  pension  law  in  express  terms.  We  know  that  his  message 
now  expresses  his  entire  concurrence  in  the  views  of  the  attor- 
uey  general,  but  may  he  not  be  understood  as  referring  rather 
to  that  officer's  general  conclusions  than  to  all  his  particular 
arguments?  We  incline  to  that  interpretation  of  the  message 
in  reference  to  this  part  of  the  subject,  mote  especially  because 
we  find  that  nearly  all  the  members  of  his  cabinet,  as  well  as 
the  commissioner  of  pensions,  have  always  styled  and  treated 
this  act  of  the  7th  June,  1832,  as  a  pension  law.  To  begin  with 
the  secretary  of  war,  under  whose  direction  the  commissioner 
of  pensions  has  always  acted  in  execution  of  the  duties  in  rela- 
tion to  this  law  prescribed  by  the  president.  In  the  close  of  his 
annual  report  of  the  29th  November,  1833,  accompanying  the 
president's  message,  and  which  we  presume  must  have  met 
the  approbation  of  the  president,  he  states,  "there  have  been 
presented  for  allowance  under  the  PENSION  ACT  of  June  7, 1832, 
thirty  thousand  six  hundred  claims.  The  whole  of  these  have 
been  examined,  and  either  admitted,  rejected  or  returned  to  the 
parties  for  supplementary  action."  *  *  *  "It  is  creditable 
to  the  industry  and  efficiency  of  the  pension  office  that  such  a 
mass  of  business  should  have  been  performed  within  the  period 
which  has  elapsed  since  the  passage  of  the  above  law." 

The  secretary,  in  a  letter  to  the  commissioner,  dated  Nov. 
2d,  1832,  observes, ''on  consultation  with  the  attorney  general, 
I  have  decided,  that  the  probate  courts  of  Vermont  are  courts 
of  record,  within  the  meaning  of  the  regulations  prescribed  by 
the  department  for  carrying  into  effect  the  act  of  June  7th,  1832, 
granting  revolutionary  pensions."  In  another  letter  to  the  same 
officer,  dated  February  21st,  1833,  the  claim  under  this  act  is  again 
characterized  as  a  pension.  The  present  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury, in  his  report  on  the  finances  of  the  17th  of  December  last, 
page  5th,  described  these  claims  as  "revolutionary  pensions  un- 
der the  act  of  the  7th  of  June,  1832."  In  his  account  of  the  ex- 
penditures for  1833,  they  are  included,  with  all  others  of  the 
same  character,  under  the  designation  of  "pensions."  The  pre- 
Benlnecretary  of  state,  when  secretary  of  the  treasury,  in  his  ac- 
count of  the  expenditures  for  1832,  describes  them  as  "revolu- 
tionary pensions  per  act  of  seventh  of  June,  1832."  The  com- 
missioner of  pensions,  in  nig  report  of  the  27th  of  November 
last,  <>ives  us  a  "statement  showing  the  number  of  persons  that 
have  been  placed  on  the  pension  roll  of  the  different  states  and 
territories  under  the  act  of  June  7th,  1832;"  also,  "a  statement 
showing  the  number  of  persons  who  have  died  since  making 
application  for  pension*  under  the  act  of  June  7th,  1832;"  also, 
a  "statement  showing  the  number  of  persons  who  have  applied 
for  pension*  under  the  act  of  June  "III,  1832;"  also,  "a  state 
tnenl  showing  the  number  who  have  relinquished  their  pen- 
nons under  the  act  of  March  18th,  1818,  and  have  been  placed 


inissioner  to  tin-  new  pension  agents,  the  law  receives  the  sa 


It  is  relied  upon  by  the  executive,  that  the  act  of  1828,  like 
that  of  1832,  uses  the  word  "pay,"  instead  of  "pension."  So 
does  the  first  section  of  the  act  of  April  24th,  1816,  the  claim- 
ants under  which  are  admitted  to  the  benefits  of  the  pension 
agency,  and  have  been  always  designated  by  the  name  of  pen- 
sioners. In  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  the  use  of  the  word 
'•pension"  in  a  law  is  not  essential  to  entitle  it  to  the  charac- 
ter of  a  pension  law.  Whether  it  be  or  be  not  entitled  to  that 
character,  must  depend  on  the  general  intent  ofilig  legislature, 
as  collected  from  all  its  provisions.  This  like  other  pension 
laws,  provides  that  no  person  receiving  any  annuity  or  pension 
under  a  former  law,  shall  be  entitled  to  its  benefits,  "unless  he 
shall  first  relinquish  his  further  claim  to  such  pension."  The 
construction  given  to  this  by  the  department,  may  be  discover- 
ed in  the  declaration  prescribed  by  it  in  order  to  obtain  the  be- 
nefit of  the  act,  in  which  declaration  the  applicant  is  required 
to  say,  "he  hereby  relinquishes  every  claim  whatever  to  a  pen- 
sion, except  the  present."  Like  the  other  pension  laws,  it  pro- 
vides that  "the  pay  allowed  by  it  shall  not  be  in  any  way  trans- 
ferrable,  or  liable  to  attachment,  levy  or  seizure,  by  any  legal 
process  whatever,  but  shall  enure  wholly  to  the  personal  bene- 
fit of  the  officer,  non-comuiissioned  officer,  musician  or  soldier, 
entitled  to  the  same." 

If  this  were  regarded  by  congress  as  a  law  for  the  payment  of 
an  actual  debt  by  instalments,  and  riot  a  pension  act,  why  was 
the  debt  secured  against  creditors?  Why  should  the  pay  enure 
wholly  to  the  personal  benefit  of  the  claimant,  free  and  dis- 
charged from  the  ordinary  operation  of  the  law  on  other  men  to 
whom  the  public  money  is  paid  for  a  public  debt?  Was  it  ever 
heard  before — can  an  instance  be  adduced  from  the  annals  of 
congress,  in  which  such  a  provision  has  been  introduced  to  se- 
cure any  mere  creditor  of  the  government  against  the  just 
claims  of  his  own  creditors?  The  fact  is,  that,  by  our  laws,  no 
pension  is  conferred  except  for  services  rendered.  Congress 
does  not  grant  pensions  to  court  favorites,  nor  mere  gratuities 
under  any  pretext.  We  understand  the  term  "pension,"  as  it 
is  commonly  defined,  "an  allowance  for  services  rendered,  to 
be  paid  at  stated  intervals."  We  are  compelled  to  reject  any 
construction  of  the  law  which  places  the  services  of  tlie  six 
months'  militia  man,  or  of  the  Indian  spy,  under  the  act  of  1832, 
above  that  of  the  regular  soldier  who  served  till  the  end  of  the 
war  of  the  revolution,  and  is  entitled  to  be  paid  under  the  act 
of  1818.  Both  are,  in  a  peculiar  sense,  the  creditois  of  the  na- 
tion. Both  are  meritorious.  But  the  character  of  a  debt  can 
surely  not  he  conferred  upon  the  claims  of  the  former  with 
more  propriety  than  upon  those  of  the  latter. 

It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  opinion  of  the  attorney  general 
appears  to  be  at  variance,  on  this  subject,  with  that  of  his  im- 
mediate predecessor,  the  hon.  R.  B.  Taney,  the  present  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury.  Mr.  Taney,  in  his  reply  of  the  27th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1832,  to  a  question  proposed  by  the  present  secretary  of 
war,  touching  the  execution  of  the  act  of  7th  June,  1S32,  says: 
"It  is  not  obligatory  on  the  secretary  of  war  to  issue  a  new  pen- 
sion certificate  when  the  party  has  pledged  it  for  a  debt,  and  the 
creditor  refuses  to  deliver  it  without  payment.  The  law  does 
not  require  the  certificate,  in  such  a  case,  to  be  renewed,  &c. 
But  as  the  law  intended  to  prevent  the  pensioner  from  selling 
or  mortgaging  his  pension,  it  would  defeat  its  obvious  policy  if 
the  creditor,  by  withholding  his  certificate,  could  deprive  the 
party  of  his  pension,  and  thereby  compel  him  to  appropriate  a 
part  of  it  to  the  payment  of  his  debt.  The  act  of  the  creditor, 
therefore,  ought  not  to  prevent  the  payment  of  the  pensioner; 
and,  if  satisfactory  proof  is  offered  that  the  certificate  is  in  the 
hands  of  the  creditor  or  any  other  person,  and  that  it  has  been 
demanded  by  the  pensioner,  and  the  delivery  refused;  and  if 
sufficient  evidence  is  also  adduced  of  the  identity  of  the  appli- 
cant for  the  pension,  I  think  he  is  entitled  to  payment."  In  the 
same  letter,  he  also  says:  "the  act  of  June  7th,  1832,  granting 
pensions  for  revolutionary  sen-ices,  is  wot  confined  to  resideiil 
American  citizens.  The  first  section  gives  the  pension,  &c. 

In  an  opinion  given  by  Mr.  Taney  to  the  secretary,  dated 
May  18tb,  1833,  he  observes  that,  "by  a  liberal  construction  of 
the  first  section  of  the  act  of  1832,  every  officer  who  was  en- 
titled to  a  pension  under  the  act  of  May  15th,  1828,  would  be  ex- 
cluded from  a  pension  under  the  act  of  1832.  And  if  such  a 
construction  were  adopted,  an  officer  who  had  served  to  the 
end  of  the  war  as  ensign,  &c.  would  be  excluded  from  a  pension 
under  the  last  mentioned  law.  Bui,  looking  at  the  whole  act 
it  appears  that  those  who  were  on  the  pension  list  of  1828  were 
not  excluded,  &c.  The  third  section  of  the  law  shows  that  it 
was  not  designed  to  exclude  any  of  those  who  had  pensions 
under  other  acts  of  congress,  where  the  pensions  of  the  act  of 
1832  were  more  favorable  to  their  interests.  ***** 
Ifthe  commissary,  therefore,  held  no  rank  in  the  line,  he  would 
be  entitled  to  his  pension,  because  lie  was  not  provided  for  by 
the  act  of  1828.  *  *  And  as,  in  the  case  you  state, 

the  applicant  was  not  entitled  to  a  pension  as  commissar*  un- 
der the  law  of  1828,  he  is  not  excluded  from  a  pension  on  ac- 
count of  services  in  that  character  under  the  act  of  1832.  and  is 
entitled  to  the  pension  as  commissary  upon  relinuuishin"  his 
claim  ns  piisien." 

Anioiii!  tin-  iliii-iimcnu  referred  to  us,  are  the  copies  of  two 
ImiicN.  which  appear  to  have  been  taken  from  ihr  am  nis  at 
Cini-iiinati  and  1'ortland,  (Me.)  the  one  diiu.d  the  I3ih,  and  tin- 
other  the  20th  of  January  la>i;  eaeh  of  which  is  e.\|ires.-h  con 
ditioned  for  the  performance  of  the  duties  of  njjfni  for  paving 
pensions  under  the  act  of  congress  of  June  7th,  1832.  We  know 
not  that  any  others  have  been  received  by  the  department;  but 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  1,  1834— DEPOSITES  FOR  PENSIONS.          if 


tn  reference  to  these,  independently  of  the  fact  that  no  law  e_ 
iats  authorising  the  commissioner  to  take  such  securities,  if  the 
attorney  general's  construction  of  the  law  be  correct,  the  utili- 
ty or  value  of  the  instruments  may  be  questioned.  We  forbear 
however,  to  express  any  opinion  on  that  subject,  or  to  swel 
this  report  with  further  extracts  to  prove  the  executive  con- 
struction of  the  law.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that,  although  the  attor- 
ney genaral  so  strongly  maintains  that  the  acts  of  1828  and  1832 
are  to  be  distinguished  from  all  pension  acts,  and  that  they  ar< 
not  entitled  to  the  name  of  pension  laws,  we  find  that  no  otlie 
•officer  of  this  government  who  has  had  occasion  to  consider  tin 
subject,  has  ever  adopted  his  construction.  He  may,  we  think, 
support  a  claim,  as  the  discoverer  of  this  distinction,  without  a 
competitor. 

It  remains  for  the  committee  to  examine  another  argumen 
advanced  in  defence  of  the  secretary's  order,  founded  on  tin 
provision  in  the  acts  of  the  15th  of  May,  1828,  and  the  7th  o. 
June,  1832,  relative  to  the  manner  of  paying  the  pensions  they 
allow.  The  clause  referred  to  in  the  first  act  is  in  thesr  words 
— "that  the  pay  allowed  by  this  act  shall,  under  the  direction  of 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  be  paid  to  the  officers  or  soldiers  en- 
titled thereto,  or  to  their  authorised  attorney,  at  such  places  and 
days  as  ike  said  secretary  may  direct. "  The  act  of  1835  contains 
a  similar  provision;  and  the  resolution  of  congress  of  the  28th 
of  June,  1832,  transfers  to  the  secretary  of  war  all  the  duties 
which  devolved  upon  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  by  virtue  ol 
that  act.  The  money  appropriated  by  the  act  was,  in  pursuance 
of  this  provision,  drawn  from  the  treasury  by  warrant,  and  un- 
der  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  war,  deposited  in  the  bank 
as  the  established  pension  agent  of  this  government.  It  is  now 
contended  that  the  secretary  may  of  right,  without  the  aid  of 
congress,  change  the  pension  agency,  so  far  as  regards  the  pen- 
sions under  this  last  act,  from  the  bank  which  has  exercised  that 
agency  since  the  law  was  passed,  or,  in  other  words,  that  he 
may  appoint  fifteen  other  banks  or  private  individuals  to  do  the 
eame  offices  which  that  bank  has  hitherto  performed.  The  case 
presented  is,  that,  of  two  agents,  each  appointed  by  congress, 
the  one  to  act  under  the  direction  of  the  other.  But  the  agent 
appointed  to  direct,  claims  the  power  to  annihilate  the  other, 
and  to  substitute  in  lieu  of  it  fifteen  new  agents  to  do  the  same 
duties.  The  committee  propose  to  inquire  from  what  part  of 
the  clause  in  question  such  a  power  is  to  be  derived. 

Is  it  from  the  words,  "the  pay  allowed  shall,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  secretary,  be  paid  to  the  person  entitled  thereto?" 

Or  is  it  to  be  found  in  the  remaining  part  of  the  sentence, 
which  orders  the  payment  to  be  made  "at  such  days  and  places 
as  the  secretary  may  direct." 

It  is  admitted  by  both  parties,  as  we  have  already  stated,  that 
the  agency  of  the  bank  under  the  laws  up  to  the  3d  of  March, 
1817,  inclusive,  can  be  changed  only  by  act  of  congress.  The 
act  of  that  date  commands  the  bank  to  observe  and  conform  to 
the  directions  which  have  been,  or  may  thereafter  be,  prescrib- 
ed by  the  secretary  of  the  treasuiy,  with  the  approbation  of  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  touching  the  execution  of  its  du- 
ties as  commissioner  of  loans.  The  clause  in  question,  in  the 
act  of  June  7th,  1832,  is  of  similar  import,  though  it  subjects  the 
agent  in  the  execution  of  the  duties  to  the  direction  of  a  differ- 
ent executive  officer.  We  have  not  heard  that  it  was  ever  in- 
tended that  these  words  in  the  act  of  the  3d  of  March,  1817, 
gave  the  executive  such  a  power  as  is  claimed  for  a  similar 
provision  in  the  act  of  7th  June,  1832.  The  commissioners  of 
loans  were  bound  to  pay,  under  the  directions  of  the  secretary, 
before  the  bank  chailur;  yet  the  power  to  abolish  their  agency 
was  never  claimed  by  any  executive,  nor  the  power  to  substi- 
tute a  pension  agent  to  act  in  conjunction  with  them.  The  se- 
cretary, by  the  act  of  April  24,  1816,  was  authorised  only  to  ap- 
point pension  agents  in  those  states  and  territories  "where  there 
is  no  commissioner  of  loans."  When  this  act,  and  the  other 
acts  before  referred  to,  authorising  him  to  appoint  pension  agents 
in  Pittsburgh  and  Tennessee,  were  passed,  was  it  imagined  that 
any  executive  department  had  the  power  now  claimed  liy  vir- 
tue of  the  injunction  to  be  found  in  our  laws  on  all  pension 
agents;  compelling  them,  in  the  execution  of  their  duties,  to  act 
under  the  direction  of  an  executive  officer?  If  these  words  give 
such  a  power  we  see  not  why  the  agency  of  the  commissioner 
of  pensions,  who  is,  as  we  have  seen,  bound  to  execute  his  du- 
ty under  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  war,  might  not  be 
abolished  by  the  secretary,  and  fifteen  other  commissioners  ap- 
pointed by  him  to  execute  the  same  duties.  Scarce  two  years 
have  elapsed  since  a  bill  passed  the  other  house  to  authorise 
the  secretary  to  appoint  a  pension  agent  in  Alabama.  This  bill, 
we  know,  was  defeated  in  the  senate  because  it  was  thought  to 
be  altogether  inexpedient  to  interfere  with  the  duties  of  the 
bank.  The  same  bill  is  now  before  congress  again.  Until  the 
order  of  the  secretary  of  war  was  issued,  its  friends  as  well  as 
its  enemies  thought  the  power  to  change  or  abolish  an  agency 
was  not  involved  in  the  power  to  direct  the  agent,  or  to  check 
him  in  the  exercise  of  his  duties,  but  resided  only  in  congress. 
If  we  are  mistaken  in  this — if  indeed  the  power  to  destroy  is  in- 
cident to  the  power  to  direct — we  do  not  perceive  why  so  much 
of  this  act  of  the  3d  of  March,  1817,  as  abolishes  the  offices  of 
commissioners  of  loans  was  not  rejected  as  useless  by  the  con- 
gress and  president  who  chartered  the  bank;  nor  why  the  high 
executive  power  now  contended  for  was  not  exercised  in  that 
day  by  the  same  summary  mode  of  changing  the  pension  agency. 
The  concluding  part  of  the  clause  in  question,  which  order.' 
tlf  payment  of  these  pensions  to  be  made  at  "such  days  and 
plates  at  the  seeretary  may  dirtet,"  whether  considered  sepa- 


rately, or  in  connexion  with  the  preceding  part  of  the  section, 
cannot,  in  the  judgment  of  the  committee,  be  held  as  furnishing 
any  authority  whatever  to  abolish  the  agency  of  the  bank,  and 
substitute  other  agents  in  lieu  of  it.  The  power  conferred  by 
these  words  is  strictly  supervisory,  and  that,  too,  of  a  qualified 
character.  The  superintending  agent  derives  authority  from 
these  words,  not  appoint  the  person  to  pay,  but  merely  to  di- 
rect the  time  and  place  of  payment.  With  an  existing  pension 
agent  established  by  congress,  and  recognised  ag  such  by  the 
government  for  more  than  forty  years,  the  secretary  herein  is 
simply  authorised  to  fix  the  time  and  place  at  which  it  shall 
act.  In  the  case  of  a  law  ordering  money  to  be  levied  and  col- 
lected under  the  direction  of  a  court,  at  such  times  and  places 
as  the  court  shall  direct,  no  one  could  infer  the  existence  of  a 
power  in  the  court  to  remove  the  marshal,  or  to  substitute  ano- 
ther person  unknown  to  the  laws  to  execute  his  duties.  The 
officer  of  the  ministerial  agent  in  that  case  being  created  by  act 
of  congress,  no  other  office  could  be  created  to  supercede  it,  ex- 
cept by  the  same  power.  When  congress  directs  money  to  be 
paid  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  out  of  any  money  in  the 
treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  the  treasurer  himself, 
though  not  mentioned  in  the  act  of  appropriation,  must  dis- 
burse the  money  on  a  proper  warrant;  because,  as  in  the  case 
under  consideration,  he  is  the  paying  agent  of  the  government, 
created  by  act  of  congress,  though  bound  to  pay  under  the  di- 
rection of  a  superintending  officer;  and  in  this  instance,  the 
power  to  appoint  twenty  new  treasurers  might  with  as  much 
propriety  be  claimed  for  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  as  the 
power  to  make  new  pension  agents  is  now  claimed  for  the  se- 
cretary of  war. 

The  distinction  between  places  and  persons  is  essential  to  a 
correct  understanding  of  the  subject.  The  right  to  direct  the 
places  where  a  pension  shall  be  paid,  is,  as  we  apprehended, 
perfectly  consistent  with  the  existence  of  an  established  agency 
to  perform  that  duty  at  that  place  when  directed;  and  we  hold 
that  the  mere  authority  to  give  or  countermand  an  order  to  pay, 
can  confer  no  power  to  destroy  the  paymaster,  or  to  make  a 
new  one.  If  the  paying  agent  is,  as  the  adverse  argument  pre- 
supposes, a  mere  deputy  of  the  secretary,  removable  at  execu- 
tive pleasure,  then  the  millions  which  are  directed  to  be  dis- 
bursed to  pay  pensions  are  liable  to  be  placed  in  the  hands 
of  individuals  without  any  security;  and  we  have  already  seen 
how  the  work  under  this  new  construction  of  the  law  is  pro- 
gressing. We  do  not  believe  that  congress  has  so  far  neglect- 
ed its  duty  to  the  country.  We  think  that  the  clause  reserv- 
ing to  the  secretary  the  right  to  direct  the  times  and  places  of 
payments  is  the  same  in  substance  with  that  to  be  found  in 
the  act  establishing  commissioners  of  loans,  and  the  act  trans- 
ferring their  duties  to  the  bank;  in  both  of  which  it  is  provided 
that  one  of  the  heads  of  departments  shall  direct — not  the  agent 
to  execute,  but  merely  "touching  the  execution  of  his  duties." 

The  attorney  general  finds  in  the  conduct  of  the  bank,  in  re- 
ference to  the  order  of  the  secretary  to  surrender  the  pension 
fund,  a  breach  of  trust,  and  a  violation  of  duty  to  the  govern- 
ment. We  think,  on  the  contrary,  that  had  it  surrendered  that 
fund  on  such  an  order,  without  the  consent  of  congress,  it  could 
not  have  escaped  the  imputation  of  having  sought  a  recharur 
by  a  dereliction  of  its  trust,  arid  the  exhibition  of  a  spirit  of  sul- 
serviency  to  the  executive  will.  The  president,  while  he  con- 
curs in  the  views  of  the  attorney  general,  denounces  the  bank 
as  an  "irresponsible  money  corporation."  In  what  sense  is  it 
irresponsible?  Its  charter  provides  "that  whenever  a  commit- 
tee of  either  house  of  congress  shall  find  and  report,  or  the  pre- 
sident of  the  United  States,  shall  have  reason  to  believe  that  the 
charter  has  been  violated,  it  may  then  be  lawful  for  congress  to 
direct,  or  the  president  to  order,  a  scire.  facias  to  be  sued  out, 
calling  on  the  corporation  to  show  cause  wherefore  the  charter 
shall  not  be  declared  forfeited."  The  responsibility  of  the  bank 
to  the  president  himself,  as  well  as  to  congress,  in  case  any  pro- 
vision in  the  charter  has  been  violated,  appears  to  us  to  be  quite 
as  satisfactory  as  that  of  any  officer  of  this  government.  The 
17th  section  of  the  charter  also  provides  that  the  corporation 
shall  not,  at  any  time,  refuse  payment  of  any  money  received 
upon  deposite,  and  that,  if  it  do  neglect  or  refuse  to  pay  on  de- 
mand, any  money  received  upon  deposite,  to  the  person  or  per- 
sons entitled  to  receive  the  same,  such  person  shall  be  entitled 
to  recover  interest  on  the  money  until  the  same  shall  be  fully 
paid,  at  the  rate  of  twelve  per  cent,  from  the  time  of  the  de- 
iiand.  If  the  president  thinks  he  has  reason  to  believe  that  this 
provision  has  been  violated,  the  remedy  is  in  his  own  hands, 
ind  it  appears  to  us  to  be  ample.  If  it  were  not  sufficient,  con- 
;ress,  on  that  fact  being  shown,  has  the  power  reserved  by  the 
;harter  to  supply  any  deficiency  by  farther  legislation.  \Ve  do 
not  understand  that  the  ability  of  the  bank  to  respond  lo  any 
lecuniary  demand  upon  it  by  the  government  for  public  dues  is 
juestioned;  and  as  an  engine  of  power,  with  all  the  guards  plac- 
ed around  it  by  the  charter,  we  think  it  is  far  less  to  be  dreaded 
than  twenty  stale  banks,  affiliated  by  llwir  allegiance  to  a  com- 
non  master,  and  strengthened  not  only  by  the  funds  of  the  pen- 
sioners, but  by  all  the  money  in  the.  treasury. 

We  are  also  told  that  the  refusal  of  the  bank  to  deliver  over 
the  books  and  papers  belonging  to  this  agency  is  a  still  more 
>alpable  breach  of  the  duly  which  results  fiom  what  the  altor- 
,iey  general  terms  the  subordination  of  the  agent  to  his  princi- 
iai.  If  the  secretary,  iii.-luarl  of  congress  or  the  government, 
were  the  principal,  and  the  bank  merely  the  secretary'*  deputy, 
the  right  of  the  former  to  the  custody  of  Uie.«e  hooks  and  paper* 
>efore  a  final  settlement  of  the  accounts,  might  well  be  (jues- 


16  NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH   1,  1834— DEPOS1TES  FOR- PENSIONS. 


tioned  by  the  latter.  But  when  we  repudiate;  the  whole  doc- 
trine which  subjects  the  pension  fund  to  be.  disposed  of  at  the 
will  of  the  executive,  and  acknowledge  congress  as  the  power 
which  created  the  agency,  this  executive  pretension  become 
absolutely  preposterous.  VVe  have  shown  that  the  act  transfer- 
ring the  duties  of  the  commissioners  of  loans  to  the  bank  of  the 
United  Stales,  and  abolishing  their  officer,  directs  them  and 
the  agents  for  military  pensions,  where  there  is  no  such  com- 
inUsioner,  to  deliver  to  the  hank  "the  register,  and  all  the  re- 
cords and  papers  of  their  respective  officer,"  and  that,  "upon 
the  delivery  of  the  records  and  papers,  the  office  of  the  commis- 
sioners' shall  be  abolished."  The  books  and  papers  of  the  pen- 
sion agents  of  that  day  were,  therefore,  deposited  in  the  bank 
by  virtue  of  a  positive  statute,  and  neither  the  congress  that 
passed  the  bank  charter,  nor  the  president  who  approved  it, 
seems  to  have  supposed  that  it  could  obtain  them  in  any  other 
way.  What  was  eoiididered  in  1817  as  no  lit  subject  for  mere 
executive  regulation,  does  not  now  appear  otherwise  to  the 
committee  than  it  did  to  the  Iramers  of  the  charter.  Without 
legislative  interposition,  the  books  and  papers  necessary  fur  the 
transaction  of  the  business  of  the  pension  agent  should  remain 
in  the  bunk;  and  neither  executive  denunciation,  nor  any  mere 
desire  of  the  corporation  to  get  rid  of  a  troublesome  and  expen- 
sive duty  should  induce  it  to  desert  the  important  trust  which 
has  been  confided  to  it  by  the  legislature  of  the  country. 

VVe  understand  the  attorney  general  as  claiming  for  the  de- 
partment of  war  the  custody  of  these  books  and  papers  during 
the  interval  between  the  semi  annual  payments,  even  though  it 
should  be  obliged  to  return  them  again  to  the  bank  when  the 
day  of  payment  shall  arrive.  The  order  of  the  secretary  was 
for  a  permanent  and  absolute  transfer  of  the  hooks  and  papers; 
and,  in  justice  to  the  directors  of  the  bank,  the  committee  feel 
bound  to  say  that  the  attempt  of  the  attorney  general  to  put 
them  in  the  wrong,  by  placing  the  order  of  the  secretary,  which 
they  have  refused  to  obey,  on  the  basis  of  a  mere  request  for 
the  temporary  use  of  the  papers  until  the  day  of  semi-annual 
payments  should  return,  is  not  warranted  by  the  facts,  and  is 
BO  far  an  abandonment  of  the  real  ground  of  the  controversy. 

We  cannot  take  leave  of  the  opinion  of  the  attorney  general 
without  farther  commentary  on  his  concluding  observations. 
lie  contends  not  only  that  the  books  arid  papers,  but  the  funds 
also  in  the  pension  agency,  may  be  removed  for  temporary  pur- 
poses. "They  (the  hooks  and  papers)  are,"  says  he.  "exclu- 
sively the  property  of  the  government."  Hence  he  contends 
that  "the  government"  is  entitled  to  them  during  the  interval 
between  the  semi-annual  payments!  "The  same  remark,"  he 
adds,  "may  also  be  applied  to  the  moneys  of  the  agency,  which 
the  government  is  not  bound  to  leave  on  deposite  in  the  bank, 
even  if  it  were  admitted  that  the  law  has  imposed  on  it  the  duty 
of  employing  the  bank  to  pay  them  out.  The  conduct  of  the 
bank,  regarding  it  in  this  lii;ht,and  independently  of  every  other 
objection,  appears  to  me  to  be  wholly  indefensible." 

The  president,  in  the  message,  says.  "I  add  my  entire  con- 
currence in  the  views  he  (the  attorney  general,  in  this  opinion) 
has  taken." 

What  is  meant  by  "the  government?"  If  this  expression 
here  has  any  meaning,  it  is  confined  to  the  executive  depart- 
ment alone.  No  other  branch  of  the  government  had  any  thins 
to  do  with  the  change  of  the  pension  agency;  and  in  a  spirit  of 
candor  towards  the  officer  who  made  this  report  at  the  request 
of  the  president,  we  have  combatted  his  argument  as  wo  felt 
bound  to  consider  he  intended  it  should  be  understood.  We 
have,  therefore,  answered  his  reasoning  in  relation  to  the  books 
and  papers  of  the  agency  as  if  he  had  said  that  the  executive  or 
the  department  of  war  was  entitled  to  their  custody.  But  this 
ia  not  the  "government."  Ours  u  a  government  of  laws.  To 
say  that  the  president  and  congress  can,  only  by  law,  reclaim 
the  agency;  that  none  but  the  government,  in  the  proper  signi- 
fication of  the  ward,  ia  entitled  to  the  books  and  papers,  as  well 
ns  the  funds  in  the  hands  of  the  agent  it  has  created,  when  it 
may  demand  them,  according  to  the  forms  of  law,  is  to  say  just 
what  we  have  contended  for,  and  to  admit  what  we  understand 
the  attorney  cc.ncral  to  deny.  If  the  attorney  general  supposes 
that  the  president  is  the  government,  or  that  any  executive  de- 
partment is  the  government  of  this  country,  it  is  time  that  his 
reading  of  the  constitution  should  be  examined,  especially  by 
congress. 

The  power  to  remove  the  public  deposites  from  the  hank  has 
never  been  confided  to  the  secretary  of  war.  The  bank  charter 
enacts  that  the  depnsites  shall  remain  in  the  brink,  unless  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury  shall  otherwise  direct.  The  duties  of 
tho  latter,  under  the  act  of  the  7th  of  June,  1832,  which  devolv- 
ed on  the  former  officer  by  virtue  of  the  joint  resolution  of  the 
28th  of  June,  1833,  do  not  embrace  the  superintendence  of  the 
system  of  finance,  but  the  direction  of  the  times  and  places  of 
paying  one  class  of  pi  iisioners.  When  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  shall  direct  the.  surrender  of  these  funds,  after  his  war- 
rant for  ihrm  has  been  once  issued  with  all  tin;  forms  of  law; 
after  they  have  been  paid  out  of  the  treasury  on  that  warrant 
Into  the  bank,  nmi  there  placed  loth*  credit  of  the  pension.fund, 
it  will  be  lime  to  consider  whether  hia  direction  ought  to  be 
obey.  i|,  and  whenever  it  shall  he  decidrd  by  the  sccict.-iry  m 
tin-. tn-ii,  wry  lh;ii  tin;  pension  fund  is  still  in' the  treasury,  and 
he  ,-ti.i!!  niirmjil  to  make  pension  agencies  for  congress,  that 
bod)  will  .r.niitle-s  nivis  tin;  proper  attention  to  the  subject. 
But  if  ihe  pnwer  is  IHIW  el.iimi-,1  to  be  in  the-  secretary  of  war 
(in  viuue  of  his  right  to  dirert  the  pension  agent)  to  put  the 
pension  fund  m  )ii.«  pocket  when  he  pleases,  or,  during  the  in- 


tervals between  the  semi-annual  payments  of  pensioners,  we 
hid  in  tiic  laws  no  warrant  for  Mich  a  pretension.  The  duties 
ol  the  secretary  were  to  be  auxiliary  to  those  of  the  bank  in  the 
duty  of  paying  pensions.  Their  co-ordinate  powers  are  misun- 
derstood when  the  former  attempts  to  remove  the  latter,  as  his 
subordinate,  at  pleasure,  or  to  assume  the  execution  of  those 
duties  which  congress  has  confided  to  the  latter  alone. 

It  appears  that,  in  the  matter  which  has  been  referred  to  the 
committee,  the  bank  has  acted  only  on  the  defensive,  and  lias 
done  no  more  than  is  required  of  every  trustee.  It  has  assum- 
ed no  attitude  which  ought  to  be  considered  as  offensive  to  any 
department  of  the  government,  but  it  has  been  faithful  toils 
trust.  In  this  country  every  man  must  exercise  his  own  judg- 
ment in  matters  touching  his  rights  and  duties.  This  is  inci- 
dent to  his  right  ol  self-defence.  Had  the  president  demanded 
of  the  bank  their  banking  house  in  Washington  as  a  suitable 
place  for  the  treasury  department,  after  the  late  conflagration  of 
the  treasury  buildings,  might  not  the  bank  have  decided  against 
the  application  without  being  censured  for  "sitting  in  judgment 
pon  the  legality  of  the  acts  of  the  constituted  authorities?" 
May  not  the  opinion  of  the  corporation  upon  the  construction 
of  any  law  differ  from  that  of  the  executive  officers  of  the  Unit- 
ed States?  The  citizens  who  subscribed  for  slock  in  lliis  bank 
have  not  thereby  lost  the  right  to  sit  in  judgment,  in  this  sense, 
on  the  acts  and  conductor  any  man  or  set  of  men  in  this  nation, 
who,  in  their  honest  judgment,  may  invade  their  privileges,  or 
seek  to  deprive  them  of  an  opportunity  of  discharging  their  du- 
ties. The  case  of  a  corporation  is  like  that  of  every  individual 
in  this  respect.  The  president  has  no  right  to  take  private  pro- 
perty for  public  use  from  any  man  without  his  consent,  or  the 
consent  of  his  representatives,  and  compensation  to  him.  Now, 
if  the  president  demands  the  land  of  a  citizen  for  a  light  house, 
or  any  other  public  work,  may  not  the  owner  consider  and  de- 
cide for  himself  the  question  of  title,  without  being  reproached 
for  a  "usurpation  of  the  judicial  power?"  Must  he  who  says  to 
an  executive  officer,  "I  contend  for  my  property,  and  have  de- 
cided that,  before  I  surrender  to  you  what  I  believe  to  be  mine, 
I  will  defend  myself  in  the  courts  of  law,"  be  therefore  denounc- 
ed as  usurping  judicial  power?  The  bank  has  done  no  more  to 
occasion  such  a  denunciation.  It  has  respectfully  considered, 
and  fully  replied  to  the  executive  mandate.  Its  answer  is,  th:it 
it  considers  itself  bound  by  the  laws  of  congress  not  to  surren- 
der the  pension  agency  without  the  consent  of  congress.  It 
professes  its  perfect  willingness  to  yield  the  trust  if  congress 
will  release  it.  Without  that  release,  it  must,  in  self-defence, 
abide  a  suit  in  the  court,  if  the  executive  choose  to  go  to  law. 
It  has  not  relied  alone  on  its  own  judgment.  In  doubt  of  its 
own  opinion,  it  has  loft  the  question  to  eminent  counsel,  and, 
in  perfect  frankness,  it  lias  communicated  to  the  executive  offi- 
cer their  views  and  arguments.  This  is  what  the  president 
terms  "usurping  judicial  power,"  and  prescribing  to  ihe  execu- 
tive department  the  manner  in  which  it  shall  execute  the  tru.«t 
confided  to  it  by  law.  This  is  called  "checking  and  controlling 
the  acts  of  the  public  servants  by  an  irresponsible  money-cor- 
poration;" and  we  are  gravely  told  that,  if  this  be  tolerated, 
"Ihe  whole  frame  of  our  government  is  changed,  and  we  have 
established  a  power  in  the  bank  above  what  we  derive  from  the 
people."  It  appears  to  the  committee  that  the  executive  in  this 
case  assumes  to  itself  the  judicial  power,  for  the  very  reason 
that  it  denies  to  the  bank  the  right  to  inquire  into  its  duties.  It 
sets  up  a  claim  which  it  will  not  suffer  the  bank  to  deny  or 
doubt.  It  demands  an  immediate  surrender  on  its  own  judg- 
ment, and  necessarily  refuses  to  the  agent  of  the  government 
the  right  to  invoke  the  decision  of  the  court  for  its  protection. 
Such  pretensions  are  new  in  the  history  of  executive  power  in 
this  nation.  They  are  unsuited  to  the  genius  of  the  government 
under  which  we  live;  and  wherever  they  shall  so  prevail,  that 
an  American  citizen  shall  not  dare  to  dispute  with  an  executive 
officer  upon  any  question  touching  his  right  to  either  property, 
character  or  liberty,  then  indeed,  in  the  language  of  the  presi- 
dent, "the  whole  frame  of  our  government  will  be  changed." 
and,  no  matter  what  may  be  its  name,  it  will  be  a  hateful  des- 
potism. 

The  president  complains  that  the  pensioners  will  suffer  by 
the  conduct  of  the  bank.  From  a  pnrt  of  the  correspondence 
submitted  to  us,  it  would  appear  that  the  new  pension  nstMiu 
have,  in  some  instances  at  least,  been  paying  their  claims,  lint 
if  they  are  indeed  sufferers,  if  delays  and  embarrassments  have 
been  incurred  by  the  gallant  defenders  of  their  country  in  the 
receipt  of  the  debt  which  the  gratitude  of  the  nation  has  award- 
ed to  them, and  which,  in  many  instance.-:,  is  necessary  for  their 
subsistence  and  comfort  in  their  declining  years,  it  is  plain  that 
nil  those  delays  and  embarrassments  have  hern  occasioned  (sole- 
ly by  an  illegal  order  emanating  from  the  executive,  and  com- 
manding ihr.  hank  "to  cease  paying  the  pensions."  The  best 
mode  of  exhibiting  exerniive  sympathy  for  the  soldiers  of  the 
revolution  is  not  in  publicly  deploring  their  unhappy  fp.te  nml 
their  distressed  condition,  but  in  rescinding  the  order  which 
prohibits  the  bank  from  paying  them  their  dues.  Until  this  be 
done,  the  committee  is  compelled  to  acquit  the  bank,  when 
thus  arraigned  before  them  on  a  charge  of  cruelty  to  the  revolu- 
tionary soldiers. 

In  conclusion  the  committee  recommend  for  the  adoption  of 
the  senate,  the  following  resolution,  and  pray  to  be  discharged] 
from  HIP  further  consideration  of  the  subject: 

Resolved,  That  tho  department  of  war  is  not  warranted  in  np- 
poinlinc  pension  agents  in  any  state  or  territory  where  the  bank 
of  the  United  State*  or  one  of  its  branches  has  been  eftabl'whed. 


FOURTH  SERIES.  N«.  2— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  MARCH  8,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,172. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT — FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND   PUBLISHED    BT    U.   NILES,  AT   $5    PKR   ANNUM,    PAYABLE    IN   ADYANCE. 


It  is  a  long  time  since  when  we  said  any  thing  to  our 
friends  about  the  snwll  money  matters  between  them  and 
us — and  we  would  not  now  be  importunate;  but  a  valua- 
ble favor  might  be  conferred,  if  those  to  whom  the  pay- 
ment of  our  little  demands,  now  or  a  short  time  hence,  is 
unimportant,  would  promptly  recollect  and  relieve  us. 

The  brief  speech  of  Mr.  Heath,  our  own  immediate 
representative  in  congress,  on  presenting  the  Baltimore 
memorial  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  public  depo- 
sites,  is  inserted  iu  a  subsequent  page.  Mr.  H.  has  fully 
realized,  in  all  his  proceedings,  and  in  this  matter  espe- 
cially, the  just  expectations  of  those  who  supported  him; 
and  he  is,  besides,  a  very  industrious  and  attentive  mem- 
ber in  the  house,  and  also  to  the  private  business  and  lo- 
cal affairs  of  his  constituents. 

The  following,  from  a  Philadelphia  paper,  though  not 
exactly  in  our  way  because  of  its  personally  political 
bearing,  is  such  a  "good  thing"  that  we  give  it  a  place. 
It  is  genutoinely  "salted,"  as  major  Downing  would  say. 

"Mr.  Heath,  of  Maryland,  made  some  remarks,  in  the  course 
of  which,  he  stated  that  he  was  a  Jackson  man;  that  he  had 
supported  the  administration,  but  that  he  was  not  a  "collar 
man."  The  speaker  called  him  to  order.  Mr.  W hittlesey,  of 
Ohio,  who  is  not  only  a  sensible,  but  a  pleasant,  sarcastic  man, 
remarked,  in  an  under  tone,  'that  the  speaker  was  determined 
not  to  have  any  stray  horses  running  about  here,  without  collars 
on,  and  therefore  stopped  Mr.  Heath.'  " 

We  give  accounts  of  two  meetings  about  the  bank  and 
the  deposites,  &c.  of  very  different  character,  which  it 
seemed  necessary  to  make  room  for  in  the  REGISTER — 
one  held  at  Tammany  hall,  New  York,  and  the  other  in 
Monument  square,  Baltimore;  and  in  the  proceedings  of 
each  there  is  much  matter  for  reflection. 

A  retirement  from  such  publications,  and  pretty  full 
notices  of  other  matters  connected  with  the  proceedings 
had  in  this  season  of  excitement,  cannot  be  promised, 
and  the  report  and  counter  report  of  the  committee  of 
•ways  and  means  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the 
United  States,  and  such  like  papers,  must  obtain  room; 
and  other  articles  will  be  presented  over  which  we  shall 
not  have  any  sort  of  discretion;  but  we.  are  really  wearied 
and  worn-out  by  the  pressure  of  such  things,  which  bears 
as  hard  upon  our  pages,  as  the  pressure  caused  by  the  re- 
moval of  the  deposites  bears  upon  our  means  to  print 
them!— and  the  misery  is,  that,  in  neither  case,  is  there 
a  present  prospect  of  relief  to  cheer  us.  But  with  regard 
to  the  REGISTER,  itself,  we  know  that  its  utility  is  reduc- 
ed, in  the  consequent  neglect  of  other  important  things 
•which  ought  to  be  recorded,  and  which  all  persons  will, 
hereafter,  expect  to  find  preserved  in  it. 

We  have  a  copy  of  the  report  of  the  committee  of  the 
mechanics,  &c.  of  New  York,  giving  an  account  of  their 
visit  to  Washington  and  interview  with  the  president, 
and  also  of  the  proceedings  of  a  great  meeting  of  the 
people  held  at  Philadelphia  on  Tuesday  last,  at  which 
earnest  resolutions,  Sic.  were  passed  in  support  of  tin- 
president  and  his  measures,  in  relation  to  the  bank.  We 
cannot  give  either. 

Courage  and  perseverance  have  various  qualities;  and 
ane  of  the  greatest  exertions  of  them  is  for  a  member  of 
congress,  to  rise  in  his  place,  and  expel  the  audience, 
and  then  whip  out  the  members  themselves,  in  "less  than 
no  time,"  as  major  Downing  sayg. 

THE  CURRENCY,   &C.    BRIEF  NOTICES. 

The  banks  of  Pittsburgh  have  resolved  not  to  receive 
the  notes  of  the  Ohio  banks. 

A  bill  has  passed  both  houses  of  the  legislature  of  Ken- 
tucky establishing  a  state  bank. 

The  bank  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  one  of  the  new  de- 
posite  banks,  has  refused  to  receive  further  deposites  on 
VOL.  XLVI-Sio.  2. 


account  of  the  United  States,  and  deposited  with  the 
branch  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  in  that  city,  all 
the  public  money  or  effects  in  possession,  to  be  paid  over 
as  a  "special"  concern,  when  demanded. 

The  Columbia  (Pa.)  Spy  of  Saturday  says:  "We  un- 
derstaiid  that  orders  have  been  received  to' stop  all  work 
on  the  second  track  of  the  railway  between  this  place  and 
Philadelphia." 

The  "New  York  Commercial  Advertiser"  of  the  1st 
inst.  had  the  following  bank  note  table — 

A  considerable  improvement  has  taken  place  this  day. 
The  Eastern  bank  notes  are  redeemed  at  ^  per  cent,  dis- 
count. JVew  York,  city  notes,  par.  Long  Island,  do. 
Dutcliess  and  Poughkeepsie,  do.  Hudson  River,  do. 
Other  River  notes,  including  West  Chester,  £  per  cent. 
Albany, Troy,  Lansingburgh  and  Schenectady,  £  percent. 
All  others,  west  of  Albany,  £  per  cent.  JVVw  Jersey,  % 
a  1  percent.  Pennsylvania,  l£  a  2  per  cent.  J)elaivareT 
2.  Maryland,  1  a  1^.  District  oj  Columbia,  l£.  Vir- 
ginia, 2J.  JVurth  and  South  Carolina,  2£.  Georgia,  S 
a  5.  Ohio,  Cleaveland,  1^.  G'.  auga,  3;  all  others  5. 
Michigan,  l£.  Canada,  3  a  6  per  cent. 

[The  rates  in  Baltimore,  as  to  eastern  money,  are  much- 
higher.  Bills  of  the  New  England  banks  average  2  per 
cent,  and  those  of  New  York,  except  of  the  city  banks, 
from  2^  to  3  per  cent,  discount — and  so  of  others.  Those 
of  the  District,  and  of  Virginia,  are  at  a  lower  rate.] 

By  the  direction  of  a  majority  of  the  stockholders,  the 
Western  bank  of  Philadelphia,  has  petitioned  congress 
for  a  restoration  of  the  public  deposites  to  the  bank  of 
the  United  Stales. 

The  price  of  wheat  at  Le  Roy,  N.  Y.  is  "five  shil- 
lings," or  62J  cents.  It  was  recently  one  dollar.  At 
Genesseo  wheat  is  said  to  have  "no  price."  At  Zaue>- 
ville,  O.  the  price  of  wheat  is  reported  at  57£  cents,  and 
flour  at  Wheeling  $2  30. 

Several  new  banks  have  just  been  incorporated  in  New 
Jersey. 

The  Harrisburgh  Chronicle  of  Monday  says,  "two  bids 
are  now  before  the  governor,  for  the  temporary  and  per- 
manent state  loans,  but  neither  of  them  will  be  accepted 
before  the  25th  of  this  month — as  the  time  for  receiving 
proposals  is  extended  to  that  date. 

Since  the  above  was  in  type,  we  have  understood  that 
one  of  the  bids  is  for  $100,000— the  other  for  $729,000, 
being  the  whole  of  the  balance  of  the  permanent  loan  of 
1853." 

The  money  market,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  becomes  "hard- 
er and  harder,"  though  the  bank  of  the  U.  S.  has  much 
extended  its  line  of  discounts  at  several  places,*  and  has 
a  circulation  of  nearly  two  millions  more  than  it  had  at 
this  time  last  year— the  removal  of  the  deposites  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding.  Why  then  is  not  the  market 
made  easy  ?  Confidence  is  Taunting;  and  confidence  is 
the  life  of  a  free  circulation  of  money.  We  shall  not  re- 
capitulate the  unpleasant  things  before  us.  The  distress 
so  much  spoken  of  is  now  reaching  the  "working  men." 
Due  bills  are  issued  at  many  of  our  large  manufacturing 
establishments,  and  the  desire  to  build  nouses  seems  al- 
most totally  suppressed,  in  an  inability  to  pay  the  cost  of 
their  erection,  in  all  our  chief  cities  and  towns.  Thou- 
sands of  persons  are  yet  at  work  because-  of  the  indisposi- 
tion of  their  employers  to  discharge  them,  though  the 
latter  would  be  gladly  relieved  of  them,  at  this  time. 

ITF.">rS OR    BRIEF   NOTICES. 

Gov.  Jireathitt,  of  Kentucky,  is  deceased.  Lieutenant 
gov.  Atorehefjd(wb\\  ad.)  takes  his  place. 

It  will  be  seen  that  ex-governor  Lintoln  has  taken  his 
seat  in  the  house,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Davis,  (now  gov. 
of  Massachusetts)  resigned — and  Benjamin  Watkins 
Leigh,  his  place  in  the  senate,  vice  Mr.  Rives,  resigned1. 


*The  Boston  Transcript  states  that  the  branch  bank  discount  - 
ed  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  on  Wednesday  last  week. 


18    NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— A  BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


The  "Albany  Daily  Advertiser"  gives  the  unwelcome 
report,  that  some  of  the  Ohio  banks  have  stopped  specie 
payments,  and  that  others  were  "tottering. "  We  would 
hope  it  is  not  true. 

But  that  the  distress  which  has  not  yet,  as  we  fear, 
nearly  reached  its  extent  on  the  sea-board,  will  reach  the 
interior,  must  be  expected.  One  thing  is  certain — the 
present  stale  of  things  cannot  endure  much  longer.  There 
must  be  a  restoration  of  confidence — a  general  ruin  of 
business  men,  or  a  "rag  currency,"  with  some  few  ex- 
ceptions. 

Flour  at  Cincinnati,  Feb.  25 — 3  dollars.  Wheat  at 
Syracuse,  X.  Y.  62^  cents.  Cotton  at  Mobile,  from  "^ 
to  11  cents.  Eastern  bank  notes,  at  Baltimore,  2  per 
cent,  discount.  New  York  (country)  A  per  cent.  The 
bills  of  several  of  the  southern  banks  are  at  28  per  cent, 
in  New-York. 

The  draughts  of  the  U.  States  officers  at  St.  Louis,  on 
the  treasury  at  Washington,  have  been  returned  protested. 

It  is  broadly  insinuated,  that  the  Pennsylvania  state 
loan,  has  really  been  offered  for  ($300,000  in  part),  by 
the  use  of  moneys  belonging  to  the  U.  States,  through 
the  Girard  bank!  We  are  not  prepared  to  believe  this. 

The  nominations  of  Mr.  Livingston  as  our  minister  to 
France;  of  Mr.  T.  P.  Barton  to  be  secretary  to  the  same 
legation;  of  Mr.  .-2.  Middieton,\r.\.o  be  secretary  of  the 
legation  of  the  United  States  at  Madrid;  of/.  S.  Cabot  to 
he  commissioner  under  the  Neapolitan  treaty;  of  R.  JW. 
Saunders  to  be  commissioner  under  the  French  treaty; 
of  J.  IF.  Overtoil  to  be  secretary  to  the  commission  un- 
der the  Neapolitan  treaty,  and"  of  Alexander  Hunter, 
as  marshal  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  vice  Ashton,  de- 
ceased, have  been  lately  confirmed  by  the  senate. 

We  have  many  other  such  like  items  before  us — but 
cannot  make  room  for  them. 

To  the  editor  of  the  Baltimore  Gazette. 

DEAR  SIR — A  writer  in  the  "Baltimore  Gazette"  (J. 
S. )  a  few  days  ago,  had  the  following  paragraph: 

"If  there  was  any  tiling  wanting  sir,  to  show  that  the 
opposition  to  the  president  in  this  matter — at  least  among 
some  of  the  most  prominent  leaders  of  it — was  the  result 
of  mere  party  animosity,  and  a  disposition  to  oppose  and 
embarrass  him  by  every  means — it  might  be  found  in  the 
speeches  and  writings  of  those  very  men,  (who  are  the 
most  clamorous  now),  in  former  times,  in  relation  to  a 
similar  institution.  In  fact  you  might  with  some  plausi- 
bilitv  charge  the  president  and  his  friends  with  having 
borrowed  their  arguments  and  views  against  the  present 
United  States  bank,  from  those  very  documents  to  which 
I  refer.  In  proof  of  what  I  state,  I  am  sure  it  is  not 
necessary  for  me  to  bring  to  your  view  the  speeches  and 
votes  and  writings  in  former  times,  of  such  men  as  Clay, 
Webster  and  H.  Niles,  on  the  subject — men  who  are 
avowedly  among  the  leaders  of  the  bank  party  at  the  pre- 
sent moment." 

Similar  things,  and  in  a  much  more  exceptionable 
manner,  have  oftentimes  been  said  of  "H.  Niles" — but 
their  source  was  from  a  quarter  that  I  could  not  descend  to 
notice. 

It  is  a  most  unfortunate  event  that  politics,  properly  so 
called,  ever  entered  into  so  delicate  and  profound  a  matter 
as  the  currency  of  the  country.  Why  such  "two-penny" 
considerations  as  the  interest  of  office-holders,  and  as- 
pirants for  offices  of  profit  and  of  honor,  should  have  in- 
fluence over  this  subject — or  by  whom  they  were  intro- 
duced, it  is  not  important  now  to  examine:  but  that  even 
personally  political  considerations  have  a  powerful  in- 
fluence over  it,  is  not  to  be  questioned.*  To  bring  about 
this  state  of  things  1  have  not,  knowingly,  had  the  least 
concern.  But  thus  it  was  in  relation  to  internal  improve- 
ments and  the  protection  of  American  industry — these, 
too,  were  furiously  forced  into  petty  political  interests  and 
passions.  How  do  the  POLITICS  of  Pennsylvania,  for  a 
remarkable  instance,  stand  with  her  hitherto  nearly  nna- 


mClllUt.l*.   CAt.l.|Jb   u*   »A%-«fBVM,    Hl«»     WVUUFU   7IUIT    IIUV1M 

of  the  deposits,  wat  tUe  question  submitted  to  them 


ninwus  support  of  internal  improvements,  a  protecting 
tarifi",  and  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  all  which  were 
lately  considered,  and  openly  avowed,  as  "PENNSYL- 
VANIA MEASURES,"and  by  all  parties  in  that  state? 
And  how  stands  the  case  now?  These  things  are  only 
hinted  at.  They  deserve  the  presentation  of  a  body  of 
official  facts,  with  remarks,  that  I  have  not  time  to  collect 
and  arrange  at  present.  But  will  simply  ask— has  not  a 
turn  of  the  party-wheel  almost  capsized  what  all  men 
regarded  as  essential  principles  in  the  policy  of  the  great 
state  just  named? 

For  myself,  however,  I  throw  back  on  the  writer  of 
the  communication  in  the  "Gazette,"  the  imputation  that 
party,  in  its  present  phases,  had  the  shadow  of  an  in- 
fluence over  my  conduct,  in  either  of  these  great  points — ' 
for  1  was  earnestly  the  friend  of  each,  (qualified,  as  I  still 
am,  with  regard  to  the  last),  before  the  slightest  suspicion 
was  entertained  that  gen.  Jackson  stood  opposed  to  either; 
and  up  to  the  very  hour  of  his  vetoes  on  two  of  them,  a 
large  majority  of  his  most  earnest  friends,  in  the  middle 
and  western  states,  entirely  believed  that  he  would  re- 
spect the  "policy  of  Pennsylvania,"  which  had  so  faith- 
fully supported  him. 

Politics,  however,  had  much  influence  over  the  minds 
of  the  people,  as  to  the  old  bank  of  the  United  States. 
They  were,  however,  of  a  more  generous  and  liberal  na- 
ture, and  with  a  more  manifest  regard  to  just  principles. 
And  that  hank,  whether  justly  or  unjustly  accused,  was 
certainly  believed,  (by  its  opponents),  to  have  lent  the 
whole  of  its  influence  to  party-politics;  and,  in  those  days, 
1  was  familiar  with  many  apparently  well-attested  cases 
to  shew  that  a  man's  political  principles  were  weighed 
by  the  boards  of  directors,  in  granting  accommodations; 
and  so,  also,  with  some  of  the  directors  of  other  hanks.  I 
do  know  that  the  politics  of  "H.  Niles,"  then  an  opponent 
of  the  administration  in  1800,  was  offered  as  a  reason 
why  a  note  offered  by  him  should  not  be  discounted — and 
that  that  reason  was  not  esteemed  a  good  one;  the  re- 
quisite number  of  directors  believing  that  the  bank  had 
nothing  to  do  with  the  politics  of  the  party  making  the 
note.  But  as  to  the  present  bank  of  the  United  States, 
who  ever  heard  a  suspicion  breathed,  in  any  manner 
whatsoever,  of  its  interference  with  party  politics  until  it 
was  put  upon  its  defence,  by  a  premature  attack  upon  it; 
premature  even  if  it  was  proper  that  its  charter  should 
not  be  renewed?  And,  while  agreeing  that  it  has  no 
claim  to  a  renewal  of  its  charter,  as  a  matter  of  right, 
I  must  say  that  the  uncalled-for  attack  upon  it  was, 
time  and  circumstances  being  regarded,  one  of  the  most 
extraordinary  proceedings  that  I  have  witnessed. t  It 
was  doing  more  than  '•'•meeting  evil  half-way."  IT  ix- 
TiT£D  EVIL;  and  though  not,  I  would  hope,  so  design- 
ed by  the  president,  placed  the  decision  of  the  question 
much  on  party  grounds.  And  I  have  many  reasons  to 
believe  that  this  movement  had  its  origin  (not  with  the 
president)  but  in  local  cosiderations  or  personal  views. 

An  examination  of  these  matters  would  require  much 
room,  and  a  great  deal  of  laboi — I  think  that  they  are 
capable  of  the  clearest  demonstration;  but  that  would  lead 
to  presentations  of  supposed  motives  of  individuals,  and 
open  a  field  for  such  discussions  as  have  been  seldom 
indulged  in  by  me.  If  the  doctrines  that  relate  to  in- 
ternal improvements,  the  tariff,  and  the  bank,  have  been 
made  party  matters,  I  am  guiltless  of  that  sin;  but  do 
know  that  certain  principles,  as  to  the  second  especially, 
which  I  held  and  supported  more  than  thirty-Jive  years 
ago,  have  been  arrayed  against  me  as  party  politics  of 
these  latter  times!  The  reason  is  obvious.  As  persons 
turn  round,  they  sometimes  suppose  that  a  post  runs 
against  them.  This  may  easily  happen  in  a  state  of  ex- 
citement. 

As  to  the  bank — I  admit  one  change  of  opinion,  and  one 
only,  except  on  that  great  and  glorious  principle  by  which 
the  "chief  of  sinners"  is  accepted — 'being  sanctified  by  re- 
pentance, evidenced  \ngoodieorks. 

The  change  of  opinion  is  as  to  the  constitutionality  of 
the  bank,  in  which  1  followed  the  "father  of  the  constitu- 
tion," the  illustrious  MABISOX,  and  other  men  of  the 
highest  grade  in  the  republic — and  also  fell  in  with  the 


t  I  could  mention  the  names  of  several  of  ihr  present  iuo»t 
(li^tinzuishi'd  fricnilr  of  the  administration,  who  so  regarded 
the  first  message  of  Hie  president  in  relation  to  it. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— A  BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


doctrines  of  ALWAYS  "DEMOCRATIC"  PENNSYLVANIA,  I  bank  was  rendering  most  important  public  services  to  the 


•which,  more  than  once,  through  her  DEMOCRATIC  legisla- 
ture, has  passed  an  unanimous,  or  nearly  unanimous, 
vote  in  favor  of  that  institution,  and  in  the  most  decided 
terms,  though  once  opposed  to  such  an  institution,  as  Un- 
constitutional, &c.*  May  not  the  men  alluded  to,  and  the 
"key-state"  the  "honest  state"  the"  whole"  ever  democratic 
state  of  Pennsylvania,  save  so  humble  an  individual  as  H. 
Niles  from  political  condemnation  on  this  account!  But 
other  instances  might  be  added,  and  equally  remarkable, 
if  necessary.  They  are  not  necessary.  If  so,  the  deci- 
sion of  the  council  of  Castile,  that  it  was  ''wrong  to  make 
a  certain  river  navigable,  because  that  if  GOD  had  intend- 
ed it  to  be  navigated,  he  would,  Himself,  have  made  it 
navigable,"  was  a  just  one.  Is  it  blasphemy,  as  it  was 
once  considered,  to  believe  that  the  earth  which  we  in- 
habit, is  a  globe  and  not  a  plain?  Is  it  the  end  of  know- 
ledge in  agriculture  to  attach  a  woman  and  a  cow  to  the 
plough— to  make  horses  draw  by  their  tails?  or  to  depend 
on  the  stars,  and  not  on  the  compass,  for  the  correct 
sailing  of  ships?  Jn  htiotvledge  to  stand  still? 

The  change  of  opinion  alluded  to  was  brought  about  in 
a  certain  belief,  gradually  and  cautiously  established,  of 
the  NECESsrrr  of  a  national  bank.  The  constitutional 
power  did  not,  and  yet  does  not,  clearly  appear,  except 
in  this — that  there  must  exist  a  p'ower  to  regulate  the 
currency  and  commerce  of  the  country,  so  as  best  to 
"promote  the  general  welfare."  And  the  necessity  of  a 
national  bank  is  now  so  apparent,  that  many  of  the  old 
and  most  able  and  strict  construers  of  the  constitution,  are 
anxious  that  the  power  to  establish  one  should  be  given 
by  an  amendment  of  the  constitution.  The  good  conduct 
of  the  bank,  too,  since  its  reformation,  had  much  influence 
over  my  mind.  I  never  heard  of  it,  or  saw  it,  or  felt  it, 
(for  many  years)  as  an  oppressor,  unless  in  solitary  cases, 
perhaps,  not  fairly  represented.  On  the  other  hand,  1 
knew  and  felt  that  it  was  rendering  most  important  ser- 
vices in  facilitating  and  equalising  the  exchanges  of  the 
whole  country,  and  in  furnishing  a  circulating  medium 
which  was  more  nearly  at  par  than  coin  itself — because 
of  the  cost  and  risk  of  transportations  of  the  latter,  to 
keep  up  the  exchanges;  and  soon  believed,  as  I  still  be- 


lieve 


up  t 
,  that 


these  exchanges  must  be  exceedingly  embar- 


rassed and  greatly  diminished,  without  such  circulations 
of  values  as  the  bank  of  the  United  States  furnished,  and 
would  yet  supply,  if  it  had  only  been  permitted  to  wind 
up  its  affairs  unobstructed  by  the  hostility  of  "the  go- 
vernment." These  good  opinions  of  the  bank  were  the 
result  only  of  considerations  of  the  general  benefit,  in 


government  and  people,  and  accomplishing  all  the  good 
which  its  most  sanguine  friends  had  expected,  without 
iniquitous  exertions  of  its  great  power,  (which  I  had  so 
much  feared,  and  would  not  re-grant  in  a  new  charter,  as 
shall  be  stated  below),  to  produce  evil,  confidence  was 
yielded  because  it  was  deserved;  and,  the  constitutional 
objection  waived  for  the  present,  if  not  surrendered,  in 
the  seemingly  manifest  necessity  of  some  such  au  estab- 
lishment. 

It  does  not  appear  required  of  me  to  pursue  this  part  of 
the  subject  any  further.  I  opposed  the  bank  as  unconsti- 
tutional, arid  now  believe  that  it  is  constitutional  —  the 
expediency  of  renewing  the  present  act  of  incorporation, 
however,  is  another  affair.  This  change  of  opinion  is 
freely  admitted.  It  is,  perhaps,  the  only  material  one 
that  I  have  made,  as  to  any  matter  of  principle,  though 
between  50  or  40  years  before  the  public  as  a  free  wri- 
ter on  polity  and  politics. 

But  I  was  opposed  —  aye,  violently  opposed,  to  the  bank, 
on  account  of  what  I  thought  its  bad  conduct  in  1818-19. 
I  truly  beli«ved,  whether  rightfully  or  wrongfully  is  no 
matter  now,  that  its  management  was  in  the  hands  of  indi- 
viduals who  were  improperly  using  its  mighty  means  to 
promote  their  own  personal  interests,*  at  the  sacrifice  of 
the  public  interest;  and  some  things  were  reported,  or 
made  known  to  me,  that  I  thought  deserved  the  severest 
reprehension,  and  so  did  I  reprehend  them,  with  a  degree 
of  industry  and  zeal  that  was  never  surpassed;  and  have 
always  believed  that  I  deserved  some  degree  of  credit  for 
the  courage  with  which  I  attacked  this  bank,   and  the 
"raff  barons"  generally,  andthe  constancy  with  which  I 
pursued  both,  until  a  reformation  was  effected,  through 
the  force  of  public  opinion-  —  for  it  was  freely  predicted 
and  generally  believed,  by  many  of  my  best  friends,  that 
I  would,  and  must,  fall  a  victim  to  the  power  of  the  paper 
money  makers  and  lenders  of  currency      It  was  not  so. 
When  I  began  the  attack,  the  stock  of  the  bank,  being 
abominably  hypothecated,  (as  I  thought),  had  a  selling  or 
a  market  value  of  more  than  150  dollars  a  share  —  when  I 
ceased  the  attack,  because  of  a  reformation  effected,  the 
stock  was  selling  at  about  85  or  90  dollars.  Idonotbelieve, 
and  cannot  affect  a  belief,  that  this  revolution  was  brought 
about  by  myself  —  but  I  had,  perhaps,  rather  more  to  do 
in  it  than  any  other  person,  and  do  take   some  credit  to 
myself  for  the  amendments  that  were  made,  whereby  the 
bank  was  brought  back  to  its  original  purposes,  as  I  es- 
teemed them;  and  the  reform  quieted  my  opposition  to 
the  bank,  for  then  no  desire  existed  in  me  to  embarrass 


which  I  liberally  participated  —  for  I  never  received  the 
slightest  matter  of  favor  or  accommodation  from  it,  un- 
less of  a  general  nature;  and  my  name,  by  an  act  of  my 
own,  was  never  presented  to  the  bank,  two  instances  ex- 
cepted,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection—  unless  in  the  en- 
dorsement of  checks  made  payable  to  me,  and  remitted 
from  distant  places.:):  Thus  seeing  and  feeling  that  the 


or  destroy  it. 

With  these  explanations  and  references  to  facts,  which 
re  accessible  to  thousands  through  the  preservation  of 
umerous  files  of  the  REGISTER,  I  appeal  to  the  common 
ense  of  my  fellow  citizens,  to  the  good  feeling  of  every 


*The  leading  "democrats"  of  Pennsylvania  opposed  the  old 
bank  as  being  unconstitutional.  I  cannot  just  now  lay  my  hand 
upon  the  yeas  and  nays  in  congress  concerning  it — hut  well 
know  that,  to  put  it  down,  for  the  reasons  assigned  above,  as 
well  as  on  constitutional  principles,  was  the  "democratic"  or- 
der of  thaeday. 

The  Pennsylvania  delegation  in  congress  voted  against  the 
present  bank,  on  constitutional  grounds  chiefly— against  it  12, 
for  it  7,  absent  4. 

But  the  Pennsylvania  delegation,  with  both  the  senators 
(Messrs.  Wilkins  and  Dallas),  voted  for  the  bill  of  1832,  whicl 
was  vetoed  by  the  president — for  that  bill  24,  against  it  1,  am 
one  absent,  in  the  bouse.  The  solitary  nay  was  given  by  Mr 
A.  King,  the  absent  member  was  Mr.  Muhlenburg. 

And  in  1832,  the  following  resolution  passed  the  legislature  o 
Pennsylvania  unanimously: 

Resolved  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  connected   as   tilt 
prosperity  of  AGRICULTURE  and  MANUFACTURES  are  with  Hi 
successful  financial  operations  and  sound  currency  of  the  noun 
try,  we  view  the  speedy  rechartering  of  the  bank  of  the  Unitec 
States  as  of  VITAL  IMPORTANCE  to  trie  public  welfare." 

JThese  things  are  mentioned  because  that  venal  and  corrup 
rnen  always  measure  other  men's  actions  by  the  base  motive 
which  influence  their  own.  And  I  repeat  it,  that  the  name  < 
"H.  Niles,"  lo  the  best  of  his  recollection,  (except  in  emlorst 
ment  of  checks  payable  to  him),  was  never  by  hini,  or  for  h 
use,  presented  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  or  any  ot  i 
offices,  but  in  two  instances.  The  first  was  for  the  purpose  o 
remitting  100  dollars  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  by  the  grea 


re  at  Fayetteville,  (as  president  of  the  Mechanical  fire  compa- 
y);  and  the  second  in  the  sale  or  collection  of  a  check  on  one 
f  the  western  offices  for  a  little  money  deposited  to  his  credit 
lerein.  His  small  account  was  kept  in  the  Union  bank  of 
larvliitid.  (the  present  deposite  bank),  in  which  he  takes  much 
)leasure  to  say,  that  every  request  made  by  him,  being  consiiier- 
d  moderate,  (one  excepted,  and  then  only  for  the  moment,  as 
t  were),  has  been  complied  with — since  the  present  adminis- 
ration  of  that  bank,  at  least. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  Tammany  Hall,  New  York,  on  the  19th 
''eb.  (last)  a  certain  report  was  presented  and  adopted,  signed 
ly  Preserved  Fis/i  and  James  J.  Roosevelt,  esqs.  in  which  certain 
extracts  were  made  from  my  work  (the  "Register")  of  1819,  as 
to  the  prodigality  of  some  of  the  speculators  in  the  bank,  and  the 
pressure  on  the  people,  at  that  lime.  There  is  not  one  word  in 
:hese  extracts  that  1  will  retract.  They  were  true,  as  were  a 
thousand  other  things  that  1  said,  at  the  time;  and  it  will  he  re- 
collected by  many  th.il  I  then  propheoied,  " palactt  u-ould  he 
turned  into  poor  ftouses"  beoanse  of  such  proceeding*.  Did  it 


ito  pc 

not  happen?  Let  the  like  be  avoided,  hereafter!  Rut  if  thcsf  mat- 
ters are  brought  up  in  judgment  aeainst  me, — Peter,  the  apostle, 
as  is  stated  below,  should  always  be  esteemed  a  base  coward 
and  liar.  He  was  not  so — nor  do  honest  men  so  esttrm  him. 
The  wron^  that  he  committed  was  washed  away  by  repentance 
and  good  works,  and  so  it  was  with  the  reformed  bank. 

It  is  proper  to  add,  that  the  presMire  on  the  people  above 
spoken  of  was  as  much  caused  by  the  deranged  stale  of  the 
local  banks,  called  upon  to  make  specie  payments,  as  by  the 
acts  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  Jobbers  and  gambler? 
and  shavers  were  riot  confined  whhin  the  walls  of  that  iBst^ 
tution. 
For  the  article  atbove  alluded  to  see  page  VI. 


20    NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— A  BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


upright  man,  whether  what  I  said  of  the  hank  as  it  -was 
in  my  opinion,  should  be  retorted  against  me  as  applica 
ble  to  the  bank  as  it  is,  in  my  opinion.  If  such  a  pro 
ceeding  is  right,  or  honest, — Peter,  the  "prince  of  the 
apostles,"  as  he  is  called,  should  bear  rank  only  with  Juda 
Iscariot.  But  Peter  wept  and  repented,  and  reformed — 
and  suffered  martyrdom  in  testimony  of  the  doctrines  o 
his  Lord  and  Master,  whom  he  had,  in  a  season  of  weak 
ness,  three  times  denied,  and  just  after  professions  of  thi 
most  ardent  attachment  to  him!  And  who  shall  stand  in 
that  great  day  of  condemnation  which  the  Christian  pub 
lie  believes  in,  if  repentance  and  reformation  do  not  re 
lieve  the  burthen  of  sin  committed?  And  we  are  tolc 
that  there  is  more  rejoicing  over  one  man  that  repentell 
than  over  ninety  and  nine  who  needeth  it  not.  And  so  ' 
certainly  should  be,  amongst  men,  else  every  motive  to 
reformation  of  the  heart  and  conduct  must  expire. 

I  blame  not  those  who  sincerely  believe,  as  I  believet 
in  1818-19,  that  the  bank  of  the  United  States  has  be- 
haved improperly.  They  have  an  undoubted  right  to 
enjoy  their  belief  and  to  act  upon  it;  but  the  same  righ 
belongs  also  to  me.  Some  tharges  are  preferred  agains 
the  bank,  for  which  it  is  desirable  that  no  foundation 
for  a  suspicion  should  have  been  laid — but  consider 
ing  the  position  in  which  the  bank  was  placed,  by  the  ex- 
traordinary war  that  was  commenced  against  it,  withou 
cause,  in  the  out-set,  at  least, — these  things,  if  not  to  he 
justified,  may  be  excused,  in  its  defence;  for  it  must  be 
recollected  that  its  very  solvency  was  assailed,  though  its 
power  to  maintain  itself  is  now  the  leading  cause  of  vitu- 
peration against  it!  Does  not  this  show  that  some  gram 
"mistake"  has  been  made? 

Though  no  man  expected  that  such  a  war  as  has  pre- 
vailed against  the  bank  could  be  waged,*  the  ability  of  the 
bank  to  defend  itself  is  conclusive  evidence  of  the  exist- 
ence of  a  power  in  that  institution  whieh,  in  1818-19,  1 
spoke  so  freely  of,  and  certainly  feared;  which  power, 
though  if  admitted  to  be  now  exerted  only  for  the  noble 
purpose  of  preserving  a  wholesome  and  sound  currency, 
1  -would  not  agree  to  continue;  but,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  power  of  the  executive  against  the  bank,  should  be 
also  restrained.  I  shall  not  discuss  these  matters;  but 
proceed  to  make  some  remarks  as  to  a  renewal  of  the 
ehurter,  on  certain  conditions,  and  conclude — just  taking 
leave  to  say,  that  my  wish  for  the  continuation  of  «  na- 
tional bank,  is  not  quite  the  same  thing  as  a  continuation 
of  the  present  charter  to  the  national  bank! 

1.  I  prefer  a  renewal  of  the  charter,  to  the  establish- 
ment of  a   new  bank,  for  the  highly  important  reason, 
that  the  latter  would  open  a  new  and  vast  field  for  new 
speculations  (in  which  the  public  has  no  sort  of  interest, 
except  in  public  suffering  because  of  them),  more  preg- 
nant in  rascalities  [I  have  written  the  word  and  will  not 
blot  it],  than  even  were  those  imputed  to  the  early  mana- 
ger! of  the  present  bank,  and  about  which  I  was  so  anxi- 
ous, at  the  time. 

2.  Whether  the  location  of  a  renewed  bank  shall  be  at 
Philadelphia  or  New  York,  is  of  little  moment  to  the 
people,  at  large;  but  a  plan  could  lie  easily  devised  (as  I 
think),  by  which  all  reasonable  cause  for  local  jealousies, 
or  interferences  with  local  concerns,  might  be  relieved. 
There  must,  however,  be  only  one  head — for  the  gene- 
ral policy  of  the  bank,  to  be  wholesome,  must  be  a  stea- 
dy one. 

3.  Heduce  the  capital  of  the  bank  to  the  28  million*, 
as  now  held  by  the  private  stockholders — forbid  the  hank 
to  issue  notes,  or  any  thing  in  lieu  thereof,  of  a  less  deno- 
mination than  10,  15  or  even  20  dollars,  and  provide  that 
the  least  denomination  of  notes  shall   be  paid  at  any,  or 
cither,  of  the  offices,  in  specif,  on  demand;  and  that  all 
other  notes  shall  be  received  in  settlements  wilh  banks, 
:ts  was  provided  for  in  the  vetoed  bill  of  1832.     Thus  the 
burthen  of  preserving  a  sound  and  equal  currency  would 
be   laid  on   the  bank,  while  it  would   be   protected    in  a 
considerable  degree,  as  it  ought,  from  unjust  "runs"  that 
otherwise  might  he  made  upon  it,  by  malicious  and  irre- 
sponsible individuals — for,  in  this  case,  the  state  banks 
•would  have  a  deep  interest  in  the  national  bank,  and  the 
business  of  the  currency    proofed,   and    be   respected, 
as  a  mutual  concern.     The  people  could  not  suffer  by  this 

*For  the  government  has  a  Inree  pecuniary  interest  in  the 
flack— without  reference  to  other  aud  vastly  more  important 


arrangement,  and  the  well  managed  state  banks  -woulc? 
be  always  safe  under  it — which  is  a  matter  of  high  con- 
sideration  with  every  man.  Impose  on  the  bank  all  it» 
duties,  restraints  and  checks  as  provided  in  the  present 
charter,  and  add  others,  if  necessary;  prohibit  it  from 
establishing  new  branches,  without  the  consent  of  th« 
states  in  which  they  are  to  be  located,  and  provide  means 
by  which  the  states  may  discontinue  branches  under  certain 
strictly  guarded  regulations,  to  prevent  sudden  embarrass- 
ments of  the  currency,  and  let  the  capital  vested  in  the 
branches  be  subject  to  the  state  laws  which  levy  taxes  on 
the  capital  of  their  own  banks,  on  the  same  conditions — but 
with  these  strong  restraints,  (the  political  iniquity  of 
selling  acts  of  incorporation  being  also  regarded)  let  the 
recharter  be  made  without  demanding  a  bontts. 

4.  Vest  the  power  concerning  the  deposites  only  ii* 
congress — the  senate  and  house  of  representatives,  with-- 
out  resort  or  reference  to  the  president  OF  secretary  of 
the  treasury,  when  congress  is  in  session;  in  the  recess,, 
let  the  secretary  have  power  to  remove  the  public  mo-- 
neys  only  in  cases  of  imminent  danger  of  the  insel>vency* 
of  the  bank,  (indicated  by  overt  acts)  with  the  approba- 
tion of  the  chief  justice  of  the  United  States,  foe  the  time 
being* — that  officer  being,  as  much  as  is  possible,  remoY- 
ed  from  ^otfrtcal  impulses;  which  should  never  preTail  in- 
die consideration  oi  a  matter  so  delicate  as  the  state  of 
the  currency. 

5.  But  the  state  banks  which  issue  notes  of  a  less  de- 
nomination than  five  dollars,  shall  not  be  entitled  to  press 
on  the  bank  of  the  United  States  or  any  of  its  offices,  as 
provided  for  in  No.  3 — and  all  receivers  of  public  mo- 
ney should  be  forbidden  to  receive  any  of  the  notes  of 
such  banks,  whether  large  or  small,  in  the  payment  of 
debts  due  the  United  States. 

6.  To  provide  against  the  want  of  a  general,  convenient 
and  equal  currency,  (for  the  state  banks  connoifurnishit), 
and  to  make  a  further  and  wholesome  advance  in  the  use 
of  coin,  and  check  the  shaving  of  state  bank  notes  with- 
out the  range  of  their  own  approved  circulation,  let  the 
value  of  gold,  in  weight  or  fineness,   be  reduced  one  or 
two  percent,  below  that  of  silver,  as  such  value  is  ge- 
nerally measured  in  our  exchanges  with  Great  Britain 
and  France,  that  we  may  have  a  free  circulation  of  gold 
coins — eagles,  halves  and  quarters,  made  out  of  our  own 
gold.     At  the  general  rate  of  exchanges,  our  eagles  are 
worth  $10  30  to  $10  50  in  dollars,  and  they  "flee  away;" 
but  make  them  worth  $9  80,  and  they,  and  their  parts, 
will  remain  with  us,  and  the  amount  allowed  for  seig^nor- 
age  could  not  furnish  any  just  cause  for  complaint,  inas- 
much as  bank  notes  or  silver  might  still  be  used,  if  per- 
sons preferred  the  risk,  expense,  and  labor  or  loss,  of 
making  disbursements  with  them. 

Such  are  the  "checks  and  balances"  that  I  would  pro- 
pose to  restrain  the  power  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  (and  of  the  state  banks,  also),  to  do  wrong,  and 
render  both  more  useful  and  safe  than  they  are.  It  is  no 
argument  in  favor  of  the  present  power  of  the  bank  of  the 
I'.  States  that  it  has  not  abused  it,  as  most  business  men 
jelieve  that  it  has  not,  since  its  reformation;  but  it  ha* 
^ower,  in  its  ability  to  regulate  the  "circulation  of  va- 
lues." as  stated  in  the  last  URRISTER,  to  assess,  as  it 
were,  the  money-value  of  every  man's  field  or  house, 
•which  power  has  been  exerted  by  the  president  of  the  U* 
States  in  removing  the  deposites,  and  I -mould  not  grant  it 
'o  either;  for  the  reason  that  it  may  be  abused,  and  is  not 
nt  all  necessary  to  the  public  good. 

Such  is  a  free  outline  of  my  views.  Perhaps,  they 
will  not  please  either  party  to  the  present  controversy, 
nit  1  think  them  sound— and,  so  thinking,  present  them. 
t  is  my  opinion,  that  the  provisions  suggested  would 
check  the  power  of  the  hank,  without  affecting  either  its 
usefulness  or  the  profit  of  its  stockholders.  The  cha- 
racter of  its  business  might  be  considerably  changed,  in 
ome  places— inland  bills  taking  the  place  of  domestic 
lotos,  and  for  which  a  national  bank  is  most  needed;  and 
he  tariff" on  them  would  be  continually  regulated  by  the 
*ood  state  banks,  so  far  as  they  should  be  capable  of  sus- 
ttining  a  uniform  currency.  But  I  cannot  go  into  fur- 
lier  details.  The  article  is  too  long  already. 


There  i*  nome  difficulty  in  this  reference,  for  the  reason  that 
he  matter  might  come  into  court— liut  confidence  may  be 
afely  repoged  in  the  rest  of  the  bench  of  judges' — should  it  ever 
o  happen. 


NILES>  REGISTER- MARCH  8,   1834-FOREIGN  NEWS. 


In  -speaking  above  of  the  currency  being  a  "delit 
*nd  profound"  subject,  I  am    well  aware  that  some  n 


'delicat 
lie  ma 

ask,  why  /  have  meddled  with  it?  But  the  attitude  i 
which  1  am  seemingly  placed,  whether  in  relation  to  pai 
or  present  things,  in  relation  to  the  bank,  appeared  t 
require  such  an  adventure  on  my  part.  In  the  ex  1st  in 
state  of  parties,  I  think  that  a  spirit  of  accommodatio 
ought  to  prevail.  THE  NATION  STANDS  ON  THE  VEII 

BRINK   OF   A   HORRIBLE   PRECIPICE. 

The  preceding  remarks  are  not  offered  in  the  way  o 
an  apology.  What  I  said  and  did  in  1818-19,  I  wouli 
say  and  do  again,  under  the  same  impressions  of  duty — 
the  same  offences  against  the  "common  welfare,"  and  to 
relieve  the  people  of  a  "rag  currency"  or  "rag  barons,' 
of  all  sorts  and  sizes,  from  the  bank  of  the  United  State's 
to  the  travelling  or  "saddlebags  bank"  of  Parkersburg* 
or  equally  famous  bank  of  "Owl  Creek." 

Very  respectfully,        H.  NILES. 

Baltimore,  March  3,  1834. 

AWFUL  DISASTER.  The  splendid  steamboat,  William 
Perm,  capt.  Jefferies,  of  the  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia 
Citizens  Union  Line,  when  off  Gloucester  Point  House 
about  three  miles  below  Philadelphia,  on  her  regulai 
trip  from  New  Castle,  was  discovered  to  be  on  fire  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  4th  inst.  in  or  near  the  wheel  house 
There  were  from  150  to  200  persons  on  board,  and.  as 
the  flames  spread  with  almost  inconceivable  rapidity, 
from  the  lightness  of  the  wood  used  in  her  upper  deck, 
&c.  the  scene  thai  followed  may  be  imagined,  but  can- 
not be  described.  Capt.  Jefferies,  on  this  trying  occa- 
sion, appears  to  have  behaved  with  great  energy  and 
thoughtfulness.  He  ordered  the  boat  run  a-shore,  side 
on,  but  it  seems  that  the  helmsman,  in  the  confusion,  run 
her  stem  on — 'thus  placing  the  bow  in  the  mud  while  the 
stern  was  yet  in  deep  water,  and  the  "wall  of  fire,"  in 
the  middle  of  the  boat,  separated  the  passengers,  and 
seems  chiefly  to  have  caused  the  loss  of  life  that  follow- 
ed, as  well  as  much  increased  the  difficulty  of  escaping 
even  from  the  bow,  for  the  passengers,  after'letting  them- 
selves down,  or  jumping  overboard,  had  to  wade  through 
deep  water  and  soft  mud  nearly  200  feet,  before  they 
reached  the  firm  ground,  and  two  or  three  are  supposed 
to  have  been  drowned  by  jumping  off  the  stern.  Bein°- 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city,  verv  prompt  and  gener- 
ous assistance  was  rendered,  whereby  the  amount  of  suf- 
fering was  much  alleviated — but  those  who  escaped  were 
in  a  wretched  plight  from  wading  to  shore. 

As  we  suppose  that  a  particular  statement  of  this  me- 
lancholy affair  will  be  published,  we  shall  not  now  at- 
tempt a  gathering  of  the  facts  given  in  the  Philadelphia 
papers.  It  is  only  certainly  known  th;>t  five  persons  were 
lost — among  them  the  rev.  Mr.  Moore,  of  Lewistown, 
Del.  col  Porter,  of  Philadelphia,  and  a  female  unknown, 
by  drowning,  and  Walter  M.  Bulkley,  a  respectable  mer- 
chant of  Hartford,  Con.  because  of  wounds  and  expo- 
sure, being  in  bad  health;  what  became  of  the  other  is 
not  stated.  A  great  deal  of  the  baggage  was  thrown 
overboard  and  saved,  and  the  chief  of  the  mails.  But  the 
Baltimore  bag,  which  contained  also  the  letters  receiv- 
ed by  the  great  western  mails,  was  no  doubt,  as  we  think, 
consumed,  for  it  could  not  be  found;  and  a  mail  lock  and 
chain  were  discovered,  partially  melted  by  the  fire,  on 
searching  the  ruins  of  the  boat.  Other  malls  may  have 
shared  the  same  fate. 

Soon  after  the  William  Penn  struck  the  bottom,  she 
was  in  one  tremendous  sheet  of  flame — but  at  half  past  6 
o'clock,  floated  oft"  with  the  tide,  and  went  up  the  river, 
still  burning,  until  she  grounded  on  the  island  opposite 
the  city,  where  she  burnt  down  to  the  water's-edge. 

Besides  the  loss  of  life,  several  were  very  badly  wound- 
ed. Mr.  Bulkley  had  $900  in  his  stock,  which-were  sav- 
ed. There  were  about  12  women,  wiih  several  children 
on  board — all  the  latter  saved,  two  of  the  former  lost. 
The  mayor  of  Philadelphia,  and  others,  made  great 
exertions  to  relieve  the  sufferings,  and  afford  such  com- 
fort to  the  passengers  as  their  several  cases  required. 


*lfl  have  wrongfully  located  tins  bank,  I  beg  pardon  of  the 
good  people  of  Parkersburgh—  and  it  may  be  that  I  have,  for  it 
is  several  years  since  ttiat  I  lit  a  segar  with  one  of  its  ten  dol- 
lar notes!  Bin  there  was  a  "bank"  whose  notes  were  carried 
about  the  country  in  saddle  hags,  to  b*  exchanged  with  land- 
holder* and  other*  for  their  notes'. 


The  boat  was  worth  70  or  80,000  dollar*— and  «om« 
very  valuable  effects  are  supposed  to  have  been  lost,  be- 
sides the  mails.  One  lot  of  jewelry,  worth  $15,000,  ii 
mentioned. 

Philadelphia  post  office,  March  5,  1834,  7  o'clock. 

Three  bags,  containing  newspapers  and  pamphlets, 
were  received  on  the  evening  of  the  4th,  from  on  board 
the  William  Penn — one  of  them  partly  burnt,  some  of 
the  packages  missing,  and  a  portion  of  the  remainder  so 
wetted  and  defaced,  as  to  render  further  transportation 
useless.  One  package,  marked  "Massachusetts  state," 
taken  from  the  Washington  city  letter  mail,  the  only  one 
saved,  and  containing  letters  for  parts  of  New  Hampshire, 
and  Massachusetts,  was  detained,  the  letters  being  too 
damp  to  be  forwarded. 

A  number  of  bags,  containing  newspapers  and  pam- 
phlets, are  missing,  some  it  is  supposed  were  burnt,  and 
others  thrown  overboard  and  lost, 

Persons  finding  any  loose  packages,  and  detaining  or 
embezzelling  them,  will  be  prosecuted  under  the  act  of 
congress,  and  become  liable  to  fine  and  imprisonment. 
If  returned  immediately  to  the  office,  a  suitable  reward 
will  be  given. 

Further  search  has  led  to  the  conclusion  that  two  large 
portmanteaus,  containing  the  letters  from  Baltimore  city 
and  the  west— embracing,  as  is  supposed,  Cincinnati, 
and  Ohio  state;  (south)  Illinois,  Indiana,  Kentucky,  west 
Tennessee,  Western  Shore  of  Maryland,  and  Washing- 
ton, Brownsville,  Union  Town  and  New  Geneva,  Pa. 
and  for  distribution,  have  been  entirely  consumed. 
Their  locks  and  chains,  partly  melted,  were  found  in  the 
wreck  of  the  boat,  on  the  falling  of  the  tide,  by  Mr.  Me 
Cnhen,  chief  carrier,  and  the  proprietors  of  the  hotel  at 
Kaign's  Point.  Messrs.  Taher  and  Potter,  after  a  dili- 
gent search  on  the  fiats,  at  low  water,  were  unable  to 
discover  any  of  the  lost  mails.  It  is  impossible  to  tell 
the  extent  of  the  loss  occasioned  by  the  destruction  of 
he  portmanteaus.  JAMES  PAGE,  P.  M. 

Baltimore  pnsl  office— 1  P.  M.  6th  March,  1834. 
It  would  appear  by  a  letter  just  received  by  me  from 
Hoi.   Page,   postmaster  of  Philadelphia,  that  all  letter 
mails  made  up  at  this  office  for  Philadelphia  and  for  cities 
ast  of  that  office,  hare  been  destroyed  or  lost.  The  same 
jortnianteau  conveyed  the  letter  mail  from  the  west  forci- 
;ies  east  of  this.  The  letter  from  the  postmaster  of  Phila- 
lelphia,  with  any  otrier  particulars  which  may  he  receiv- 
ed, will  be  sent  to  the  Exchange  rooms,  for  the  informa- 
tion of  merchants  and  others.          J.  S.  SKINNER,  P.  M. 


FOREIGN  NEWS. 

FVom  London  papers  to  the  21th  and  Havre  to  the  30/4  Jan.  botk 

inclusive. 

GREAT  BRITAIN. 

The  king  was  to  open  the  approaching  session  of  parliament 
n  person.  Much  speculation  exists  in  the  money  market  iu 
"ngland,  as  to  the  probable  effect  of  the  crisis  in  the  United 
States,  brought  on  by  the  controversy  between  our  government 
nd  the  United  Slates  bank.  The  general  impression  was  that 
arge  importations  of  specie  from  that  country  to  this  will  he 
endered  necessary  to  sustain  credit  here,  and  that  tins  will 
reduce  an  influence  on  the  exchanges  in  England. 

SPAIN. 

A  conspiracy  against  the  life  of  the  queen  and  her  regent 

mother,  had  been  discovered,  and  several  distinguished  persons 

rrested.    The  change  in  the  ministry  is  confirmed,  the  liberal 

arty  having  succeeded  in  obtaining  power.    The  consequence 

vas  that  the  government  had  issued  ordonnance?  for  the  iui- 

ediate  convocation  of  the  cartes.    Don  Carlos  was  still  in 

'ortugal.    Gen.  Llander,  who  sejit  so  strong  n  remonstrance  to 

>e  queen,  has  issued  a  proclamation,  in  which  lie  states  time 

II  his  hopes  have  been  realized  by  the  late  political  changes  at 

Madrid. 

PORTUGAL. 

Gen.  Salilanlin  with  a  body  of  Don  Pedro's  army  had  captnred 
.e  town  of  Leira;  the  entire  garrison,  comprising  1,476  men 
6  cavalry,  with  the  exception  of  three  officers  and  sli  cavalry  fell 
ntohis  hands.  Don  Pedro's  forces  had  also  gained  an  advantage 
t  Marvao,  and  it  was  supposed  that  the  Migueliles  could  not 
old  out  much  longer. 

FRANCE. 

Humors  were  rile  of  the  expected  resignation  of  ministers, 
'here  had  been  a  difficulty  between  the  committee  of  thechsm- 
ers  and  the  minister  of  war,  with  respect  to  the  estimates  for 
:e  sririy,  which,  on  conference,  had  been  adjusted.  The  French 
lip  of  the  line,  La  Snperbe,  had  been  lost  in  the  Levant.  The 
arne  letter  which  announces  this  fact,  also  states  that  the  frigala 
Tnifed  States,  commodore  Patteroon,  lost  some  of  her  maiu, 
ad  her  sails  toru  awny  and  her  boats  carried  off,  and  after  b«- 


NJLES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— CONGRESS. 


ing  nearly  embayed  off  the  coast  of  Andros,  had  been  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  gain  the  harbor  of  iMilo.  Tin;  paper*  contain  the  nojes 
which  passed  between  the  French  minister  J.  de  Lagrcne  and 
the  Russian  minister,  Nesselrode,  relative  to  the  treaty  between 
the  latter  power  and  the  porte.  Tlie  French  minister  is  instruct- 
ed to  declare,  that  it'  the.  stipulations  of  this  act  should  lead  to 
an  armed  intervention  of  Russia  in  the  internal  affairs  of  Tur- 
key, the  French  government  will  consider  iu>e If  at  liberty  to  act 
as  may  be  suggested  by  circumstance*.  The  reply  of  the  Rus- 
sian minister  denies  the  ri«hl  of  a  third  party  to  interfere  be- 
jweeen  two  independent  nations  in  their  treaty  arrangemenls, 
and  that,  acting  on  this  principle,  the  emperor  will  fultil  all  his 
obligations  towards  TurUey. 


TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SKNATE. 

February  28.  Among  other  morning  business  attended  to, 
many  resolutions  that  had  been  laid  on  the  table  were  taken  up 
and  agreed  to. 

The  resolution  offered  yesterday  byMr.  Poindexter  was  then 
taken  up,  and  discussed  for  nearly  three  hours,  in  which 
Messrs.  Poindeiter,  f'orsyth,  King,  GrunJy,  Clay,  Black,  Moore, 
Man°um  and  White,  participated. 

The  resolution  was  agreed  to.  [The  discussion  was  very- 
warm  and  personal,  between  Messrs.  Poi/irfer/er  and  t'orsyth,, 
)t>e,cause  of  impeachments  of  the  facts  suggested  by  the  former — 
which  led  to  an  apprehension  that  they  must  result  in  a  person- 
al rencontre.  But  by  the  interference  of  distinguished  friends 
of  both  parties,  the  difference  was  satisfactorily  adjusted — as  i 
should  have  been.] 

Many  bills  weie  taken  up  and  considered,  and  referred  or 
passed.  After  which  the  senate  went  into  the  consideration  o 
executive  business,  and  when  the  doors  were  opened,  adjourn 
ed  uniil  Monday. 

March  3.  Mr.  Clayton  presented  the  draught  of  a  memorial 
rigtied  by  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty 'citizens  of  thi 
county  of  Newcastle,  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  praying  the  res 
toration  of  the  public  deposites,io  ihe  bank  of  the  United  State 
and  the  permanent  establishment  of  a  sound  mid  uniform  cur 
rency.  After  stating  the  contents  of  the  memorial,  Mr.  C.  ob 
served,  tiiat  it  had  been  delivi-.red  to  him  by  a  delegation  com 
posed  of  gentlemen  of  the  first  respectability,  appointed  at 
"meeting  of  the  citizens  of  that  county,  held  at  the  city  of  Wil 
mington,  on  the  -22tl  ult.  and  represented  to  be  the  largest  as 
Be-mUlage  at  that  place  within  the  recollection  of  those  who  at 
tended  it. 

The  memorial,  said  Mr.  C.  is  signed  by  a  majority  of  all  th 
legal  voters  of  the  only  county  in  the  state  which  has  ever  ex 

?ressed  an  opinion,  by  a  plurality  of  VOK-S  at  any  election,  in  fa 
or  of  the  present  chief  magistrate  of  the  United  States.  Me 
of  all  parties,  of  all  trades  and  profession',  of  all  the  grades  o 
Jife,  wln-ther  rich  or  poor,  farmers,  manufacturers,  merchant, 
mechanics  and  laborers,  have  concurred  in  the  expression  c 
that  sentiment  which  is  now  pervading  all  the  ranks  and  t-las 
'es  of  men  in  other  sections  of  the  union,  that  the  appropriai 
remedy  for  the  distresses  of  the  country  is  the  icstoration  of  tl 
public  treasure  to  the  public  agent,  primarily  appointed  by  con- 
gress to  receive  it. 

'  Mr.  C.  proceeded  to  speak  at  considerable  length  on  the  cha- 
j-acler  of  the  petition  and  stale  of  things  in  Delaware.  He  first 
f  poke  of  the  farmers,  who  had  sustained  a  loss  in  the  price  of 
corn  of  25  cent?  a  bushel — at  the  lime  of  the  removal  of  the  depo- 
nitusit  was 70  cents,  and  expected  to  increase,  it  is  now  45  cents, 
and  dull,  and  declining.  He  next  referred  to  the  manufactur- 
er', and  said  many  were  compelled  to  receive  due.  bills,  called 
"Jackson  money,"  payable  lour  or  five  months  after  date, 
whj-li  they  had  to  <;i:l  "shaved" — the  employer  having  no  otht-r 
•(tentative  but  ti.is  from  the  necessity  01  "turning  his  workmen 
out  of  doors.  He  also  stated  the  following  significant  facts: 

"The  mechanics  and  merchants,  too,  have  participated  fully 
in  lli«  difficulties  which  embarrass  the  farmer  and  manufactur- 
er. The  effect  is  felt  of  course  with  most  severity  by  those  to 


ully  convinced  that  this  is  the  cause  of  their  embarrassment, 
icy  earnestly  pray  that  the  depositeg  may  be  restored;  and, 
ithout  soliciting  a  recharter  of  the  present  bank,  or  venturing 
i  point  out  any  other  course,  they  ask  from  congress,  in  gener- 

bul  expressive  language,  the  adoption  of  some  mearurefor 
le  permanent  establishment  of  a  sound  currency. 

[Mr.  C.  pursued  the  subject  much  further,  with  his  usnal 
bility,  but  we  cannot  follow  him].  The  memorial  was  referred. 

Mr-  Poindexter  rose  for  the  purpose  of  redeeming  the  pledge 
•hich  he  had  given  to  institute  an  inquiry  into  the  allegej 
auds  in  the  sali-s  of  the  public  lands;  and  having  made  a  tew 
irong  remarks  on  the  matter  generally,  he  submitted  the  fol- 
owing  resolutions: 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  public  lands  be  in- 
truded to  inquire  into  the  circumstances  attending  the  recent 
ales  of  the  public  lands  in  the  state  of  Mississippi  and  Alal.-ama: 
nd  whether  the  pioclamations  of  the  president  of  the  United 

States,  causing  the  public  lands  in  the  districts  of  country  ae- 
uired  from  the  Choctaw  tribe  of  Indians  by  the  treaty  of  Danc- 
ng  Rabbit  creek,  and  from  the  Creek  tribe  of  Indians  in  Alaba- 
ma, to  be  offered  at  public  sale,  were  issued  and  promulgated 
i  reasonable  length  of  time  prior  to  the  day  on  which  said  sales 
were  directed  to  be  commenced  in  each  of  said  districts,  to  give 
>roper  notice  to.  the  people  of  the  United  Stales  of  the  days  ap- 
loinled  fur  said  sales. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  same  committee  inquire  whether  any 
'raudulent  practices,  to  the  injury  of  the  public  interests,  took 
)lace  at  said  sales  by  reasons  of  combinations  of  companies  or 
individuals,  interdicting  or  unfavorable  to  a  fair  competition  be- 
tween bidders  for  the  public  lands  offered  for  sale  in  said  d)?- 
:ricis;  and,  if  so,  whether  the  officers  superintending  said  sales 
liad  knowledge  of,  or  participated  in,  such  fraudulent  practices 
or  combinations. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  said  committee  be  instructed  to  inquire 
whether  the  registers  of  the  land  offices  and  the  receivers  of 
public  moneys  at  any  of  the  land  offices  of  the  United  States,  or 
either  of  them,  have,  in  violation  of  law  and  of  their  official 
duties,  demanded  or  accepted  a  bonus  or  premium  from  any 
purchaser  or  purchasers  of  the  public  lands,  at  public  or  private 
sale,  for  the  benefit  of  such  officer  or  officers,  as  a  condition  on 
which  such  purchaser  or  purchasers  should  be  allowed  to  enter 
or  purchase  any  tract  or  tracts  of  land  offered  for  sale  by  the 
United  States;  and,  also,  whether  any  register  or  receiver  as 
aforesaid  has  been  guilty  of  fraud  or  partiality  in  the  sales  of  the 
public  lands,  by  adopting  rules  and  regulations,  in  their  respec- 
tive offices,  inconsistent  with  the  laws  of  the  United  States. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  said  committee  inquire  whether  the 
public  lands,  at  any  land  office  in  the  state  of  Mississippi,  have 
been  sold  otherwise  than  for  cash;  and  whether  any  register  or 
receiver  in  said  state  has,  at  any  time,  taken  in  payment  the 
promissory  note  of  any  purchaser  or  purchasers,  bearing  an  in- 
terest to  accrue  to  the  benefit  of  such  reaister  or  receiver. 

5.  Resolved,  That,  in  prosecution  of  said  inquiries,  the  said 
committee  have  power  to  send  for  persons  and  papers,  and  to 
examine  witnesses  before  them  on  oath,  touching  the  matters 
aforesaid. 

Mr.  Poindexter  also  offered  the  following: 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  war  department  be  di- 
rected to  communicate  to  the  senate,  the  name  or  name  s  of  the 
agent  or  agents  appointed  by  the  president  of  the  United  Stales 
to  locate  the  reseivations  granted  to  individuals  of  the  Choctaw 
tribe  of  Indians,  by  the  treaty  of  Dancing  Rabbit  creek;  and  also, 
copies  of  such  instructions  as  may  have  beet)  given  to  the  agent 
or  agents  so  appointed;  and  of  any  correspondence  which  may 
have  taken  place  between  any  officer  in  the  department  of  war 
and  said  agent  or  agents,  or  any  other  person  or  persons,  whose 
correspondence  may  be  in  the  department,  touching  the  loca- 
tion of  said  reservations,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  duties  of 
said  agent  or  asents  may  have  been  performed. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  said  secretary  be  directed  to  transmit 
to  the  senate,  a  copy  of  the  register  of  the  names  of  such  Choe- 


whom  they  have  heretofore  given  employment.  To  illustrate 
the  real  state  of  things  existing  among  the  poor,  I  will  mention 
a  single  fact  which  has  been  related  to  me  !iy  a  friend.  In  the 
cily  [Wilmington]  win-re  this  memorial  originated,  there  is,  as 
in  oilier  large  towns  throughout  the  country,  a  tarings'  bank, in 
which  the  wages  of  labor  have  been  deposited.  Ln-t  year  at 
thie  season  the  drposiies  for  a  month  were  about  ,«1. 200,  the 
amount  withdrawn  about  .*400.  In  the  corresponding  month 
of  the  present  year  il.  ivc  been  about  ft-100,  and  the 


taw  Indians,  as  claim  reservations  of  lands,  under  the  14th  and 
19lh  articles  of  said  treaty. 

Mr.  Grundy  expressed  Ilia  satisfaction  thatthii  movement  had 
been  made.  If  any  thins  wrong  had  been  done,  he  would  be 
glad  to  see  it  exposed.  His  object  in  rising,  was  to  ask  for  the 
printing  of  the  resolutions,  in  order  that  he  niisht  be  able  to  as- 
certain whether  it  might  not  be  necessary  to  give  some  further 
instruction  10  the  committee. 

The  resolutions  calling  for  information,  were  then  considered 
and  adopted. 


amount  withdraw*  *3,700.     Is  the  inference  fair,  that  the  poor       The  other  resolutions  were  ordered  to  be  printed, 
are  now  living  on  their  former  earning,  and  that  the  laborer        Mr.  McKean  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  "the 
want*  employment."  ]  friends  of  the  constitution  and  laws,"  comprising  the  farmers. 

He  further  observed— "No,  fir,  the  hope  of  the  petitionrrp    manufacturers  and  mechanics,  laborers  in  wood,  ciiizrns  of  the 


rests  not  on  such  as  the«e,  ["regiments  of  office  holders,"  &,c. 
which  ho  had  ju«t  described]  hut  on  congress,  and  on  congress 
alone.  They  present  themselves  here,  neither  a*  stockholders 
nor  as  debtors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States;  as  men  in  no 
manner  connected  with  the  institution,  or  subject  to  its  control. 
They  tell  y  MI  in  their  memorial,  that  there  is  in  their  slate  no 
branch  of  the  bank  of  Die  United  Slates,  and  thai  llipcurlail- 
nienU  which  Iheir  own  state  banks  have  been  compelled  to  re- 
*ort  to,  were  not  caused  hy  any  prensure  of  the  bank  of  the  U. 
Plates  upon  them.  Iml  by  Hie  general  distrust  which  the  unex- 
pected removal  of  the  public  moneys  from  an  institution  where 
they  were  sdvantageoiHv  amplovfd,  ha*  created  in  all  the 
^UUe  banks,  and  among  tin;  wi-olfj  commercial  community. 


town»hip*  of  Oxford,  Lower  Dublin,  Byherry.  Mori-land,  and 
un incorporated  Northern  Liberties  of  the  county  of  Philadel- 
phia, condemnine,  in  strong  nnd  emphatic  language,  the  con- 
duct of  the  president  of  (he  United  Ptntes,  in  reference  to  the 
removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  United  Slates'  bank, 
a«  an  act  "unv-iie.  ii'/r »<;.'.  rinrfjrfiVr,  unnecessary  find  «njtjtt." 
They  Migijert  various  expedients  for  redress,  and  intimate  the 
propriety  of  congress  withholding  appropriations  and  supplie* 
for  certain  portion'  of  the  public  service,  until  the  executive 
phall  yield  IIH  assent  to  other  measures  necessary  for  the  public 
welfare. 

Mr.  Mr.Kean  also  presented  the  proceedings  ofan  union  meet- 
ing (qfall  political  parties)  of  the  city  and  county  of  Lancaster 


NiLES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,   1834— CONGRESS. 


opposed  to  the  removal  of  tin;  depoaites,  arid  in  favor  of  rechur- 
turiii«  the  United  Slates'  bank. 

Mr.  McKean  further  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting 
of  citizen*  of  the  township  of  Kovhorough  and  town  of  Maha; 
yunk,  in  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  in  favor  of  restoring  llie 
deposii.es  and  rechartering  the  United  States'  hank;  which  were 
road,  referred  to  the  committee  of  finance  and  ordered  to  be 
printed. 

The  chair  having  called  the  special  order,  &.C.  Mr.  Chambers 
moved  thai  it  might  he  postponed  for  the  purpose  of  taking  up 
the  French  spoliation  bill.  Mr.  Clay  objected,  and  hoped  that 
the.  subject  under  discussion  would  not  be  postponed — he  wish- 
ed it  closed,  and  thought  a  few  days  would  suffice  for  that  pur- 
pose. After  some  further  remarks.  Mr.  Hill  rose  and  made 
gnme  observations  in  favor  of  the  report  of  the  secretary  on  re- 
moving the  deposites;  and  the  senate  adjourned,  (at  4  o'clock) 
before  he  had  concluded. 

March.4.  The  chair  communicated  the  proceedings  of.  and 
resolutions  adopted  at,  a  town  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  of  a 
large  number  of  its  citizens,  who  describe  themselves  friendly 
to  the  administration,  and  opposed  to  the  United  States  bank, 
but  remonstrating  against  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites, 
i  impolitic,  unjust,  and  in  violation  of  the  public  faith;  and  as 
cribing  the  pecuniary  embarrassments  of  the  country  to  that 
measure. 

Mr.  McKean  moved  that  it  should  be  referred  and  printed; 
but  before  the  question  was  taken,  Mr.  Clay  made  a  few,  but 
forcible  remarks  on  the  current  of  public  opinion,  &c,  and  con- 
cluded with  asking — "Would  any  one  say,  alter  what  wo  have 
witnessed — ruinous  scenes  of  distress,  worse  than  the  devasta- 
tions of  an  invading  army— that  we  can  gel  on  without  a  na- 
tional bank?  No,  after  years  of  suffering,  gentlemen  would  gin 
up  and  say,  that  their  experiment  had  not  been  worked  out,  and 
they  would  propose  a  bank  in  a  certain  street  and  in  a  certain 
city  he  had  before  named;  and  if  the  statute  of  limitation,  to 
which  he  had  alluded,  as  to  political  opinions,  should  not  be  re- 
scinded, such  a  proposition  would  no  doubt  be  supported  by 
gentlemen  now  opposed  to  a  bank.  He  had  made  these  few 
observations  because  the  memorial,  coming  from  the  source  it 
did,  was  about  to  be  referred  without  one  single  remark,  with- 
out one  single  remark,  without  one  word  expressive  of  satisfac- 
tion from  the  friends  of  the  administration." 

Mr.  McKean  spoke  of  the  signers  of  the  petition  as  gentle- 
men of  the  highest  respectability,  &c.  Mr.  Grundy  then  made 
a  few  remarks,  shewing  his  preference  for  Philadelphia,  as  the 
seat  of  the  national  bank,  if  such  an  institution  shall  be  conti- 
nued. The  petition  was  then  referred,  Sic. 

When  the  cAatr  presented  the  proceedings  of  the  people  of 
Chester  county,  Pa.  as  noticed  in  the  proceedings  of  the  other 
house — 

Mr.  McKean  said,  that,  while  he  did  not  doubt  the  existence 
of  pecuniary  embarrassments  and  distress  in  the  country;  on  the 
contrary,  believing  it  to  exist  to  some  extent — he  did  not  feel 
himself  compelled  to  express  his  entire  satisfaction  in  all  the 
sentiments  expressed  by  iiis  friend  from  Kentucky.  The  sub- 
ject matter  of  the  memorials  had  been  well  described  by  the 
gentleman,  and  the  senate  had,  no  doubt,  been  better  entertain- 
ed by  hearing  them  read,  than  by  any  remarks  he  could  make. 
He  moved  that  the  memorials  be  referred  to  the  committee  on 
finance  and  printed;  which  motion  was  carried. 

The  cAatr  communicated  a  report  from  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  transmitting  the  information  called  for  by  the  resolu- 
tion of  the  28th  ult.  on  the  subject  of  the  transfer  of  public  de- 
po*itea  from  the  Planters'  bank  at  Natchez. 

Also,  a  report  from  the  same  department,  made  in  compli- 
ance with  the  resolution  of  the  28th  ult.  enclosing  copies  ot 
statements  of  the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  from 
August,  1833,  to  February,  1834,  inclusive. 

Also,  a  report  from  the  postmaster  general,  made  in  compli- 
ance with  the  resolution  of  the  ]9th  of  December  last. 

All  of  which,  without  reading,  were  laid  on  the  table,  and  or- 
dered to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Poindexter,  fiom  the  select  committee,  to  whom  the  sub- 
ject was  referred,  made  a  report  on  ths  subject  of  the  election 
of  the  hon.  A.  Robbing,  and  the  memorial  of  the  lion.  E.  R. 
Potter. 

[The  report  gives  the  right  of  the  seat  to  Mr.  Robbing.  Mr. 
Wright,  on  the  part  of  the  minority,  said  he  should  present  a 
counter  teport,  when  he  could  obtain  possession  of  the  papers, 
ice.  After  considerable  debate  on  the  order  of  proceeding,  the 
report  was  ordered  to  be  printed.  It  is  very  long,  and  occupied 
about  an  hour  in  the  reading.] 

After  some  other  business,  Mr.  Hill  continued  and  conclud- 
ed his  remark*,  and  then  the  senate,  after  spending  «ome  time 
in  executive  business,  adjourned. 

March  5.  Mr.  Preston  presented  the  credentials  of  Benjamin 
Watkimt  Leigh,  sleeted  a  senator  by  the  legislature  of  the  -=tate 
of  Virginia,  to  supply  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation 
of  hon.  William  C.  Rivet.  Mr.  Leigh  was  qualified  and  took 
his  «eat. 

After  somfi  other  proceedings,  thn  senate  proceeded  to  consi- 
der the  resolutions  moved  by  Mr.  Poindexter  on  Monday  last, 
which  after  several  verbal  amendmpnts  were  severally  adopted. 
Mr.  Morris  moved  to  adopt  the  following  as  a  sixth  resolution, 
but  subsequently  withdrew  his  motion: 

Reiolved,  Thnt  the  committee,  before  they  proceed  to  inquire 
into  the  conduct  of  any  register  or  receiver  of  the  public  money 


at  any  land  office  in  the  United  States,  make  out  a  specification 
of  charges  and  facts  which  the  committee  believe  to  be  true, 
and  into  which  they  shall  be  of  opinion  an  inquiry  ought  to  be 
made;  that  thi-y  transmit  a  copy  01  the  fame  to  inch  regi»ter  or 
receiver,  who  »hall  have  the  privilege  to  produce  before  tho 
commilti'i;  such  testimony  IH  his  favor  as  he  Miall  think  proper. 


The 


thin  adjourned. 


March  6.  Many  petitions  were  presented  this  day,  and  one  by 
Mr.  Wright,  from  310  respectable  citizens  of  Buffalo,  praying 
for  a  restoration  of  the  deposited. 

The  senate  attended  to  a  good  deal  of  local  and  private  busi- 
ness this  day,  and  spent  some  time  in  secret  session. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  Feb.  28.  This  day  is  given  up  to  the  consideration  of 
private  business  —  hut  among  the  morning  proceeding*  — 
Mr.  Hull,  of  North  Carolina,  offered  the  following  resolution: 
Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  be  instruct- 
ed  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  reporting  a  plan,  accom- 
panied by  a  bill,  to  reduce  the  revenue  to  the  necessary  eiprn-cs 
of  the  government. 

Mr.  Stewart  moved  the  question  of  consideration. 
Mr.  McDuffie  requested  Mr.  S.  to  withdraw  his  motion;  hut 
he  declined  doing  so. 

Mr.  Conner  then  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays  upon  the  pre- 
liminary question  of  consideration;  which  were  ordered  and 
taken,  as  follow?: 

For  the  consideration  69  —  against  it  115.  [And  so  the  con»ide- 
ration  was  refused,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Stewart,  who  voted 
with  the  majority  —  his  ohjeot  being  to  put  the  matter  at  rest.J 

Other  things  being  attended  to,  the  house  proceeded  to  the 
order  of  the  day,  and  ordered  a  numberof  private  bills  to  a  third 
reading,  &c.  that  for  the  relief  of  Mrs.  Dooatnr  remaining  as  it 
was,  al'tor  considerable  discussion.  Adjourned  until  .Monday. 

Monday,  March  3.  This  being  petition-day,  as  soon  as  the 
journal  was  read  — 

Mr.  Heister  of  Pennsylvania,  rose  and  said,  I  have  had  trans- 
mitted to  me,  for  presentation  to  this  house,  llie  proceedings  (if 
a  meeting  held  on  the  22d  ult.  in  the  city  of  Lancaster,  Penn- 
sylvania. On  tho  authority  of  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  the 
first  respectability,  I  take  occasion  lo  state,  that  it  was  a  meet- 
ing as  numerously  attended  as  any  ever  held  in  that  populous 
and  highly  favored  agricultural  county;  that  it  was  principally 
composed  of  ihe&one  and  sinew,  the  ycomamni  and  business-  mm 
of  the  country;  and  it  may  be  proper  to  state,  further,  that  the 
meeting  tons,  as  it  purports  to  have  been,  a  "union  meelinf," 
composed  of  a  very  respectable  proportion  of  the  original,  and 
many  of  the  continued  friends  of  the  present  r>hi"f  magistrate, 
down  to  the  time  of  his  unfortunate  interference  with,  and  direc- 
tion of,  and  removal  of  the  public  deposites,  which,  in  one  of 
the  resolutions,  is  so  justly  characterized  "as  nn  act  in  itself  un- 
wi<e,  the  effect  not  having  been  duly  considered,  not  called  for 
hy  the  exigency  of  the  times,  ad  verse  to  the  real  interests  of  the 
county,  and  derogatory  to  the  national  character  of  the  United 
States." 

On  this  all  important  and  interesting  subject,  F  have  nnt,  for 
one  moment,  doubted  what  course,  not  only  the  intnresls  of  my 
immediate  constituents,  but  the  great  interests  of  the  whole 
country,  required  me,  as  an  humble  member  of  this  honorable 
body,  to  pursue;  nncl  it  is  no  small  gratification  to  me  to  be  so 
strongly  and  creditably  sustained  in  what  i  had  conscientiously 
conceived  to  be  my  duty. 

Mr.  H.  made  many  oilier  remarks,  ngainn  the  "experiment'' 
that  was  now  going  on,  &c.  and  staled  that  thfi  memorial*  now 
presented  by  him  were  signed  by  2,840  citizens  of  Lancaster 
county,  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  deposites  and  a  ri'ditir- 
ter  of  tho  bank. 

Many  petitions  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  dcpo?ite«,  SLC. 
were  also  presented 

By  Mr.  Potts,  from  the  -people  of  Chester  county.  Pa.  The  num- 
ber of  the  namea  is  not  given,  but  Mr.  P.  said  that  in  some  of 
the  townships,  they  had  been  signed  by  ewry  voter,  four  or  five 
persons  excepted,  and  without  regard  to  party. 

By  the  speaker,  from  citizens  of  Philadelphia  friendly  to  the 
administration,  but  opposed  to  the  removal  of  the  deposits. 

By  Mr.  Wa^encr,  Irom  250  citizens  of  Northampton  co.  Pa. 

By  Mr.  Btnnei/,  from  1,700  citizens  of  the  same  county; 

By  Mr.  Harper,  from  the  -  bank,  Philadelphia; 

By  Mr.  Sutherlaml,  from  a  great  meeting  at  Roxbury,  Pa. 

By  Mr.  Denny,  from  the  bank  of  Pitt*borg; 

By  the  same  from  the  borough  of  Allegheny; 

By  Mr.  Jfinj,  from  Schuylkill  co.  Pn. 

By  Mr.  Watmough,  two  memorials  from  the  third  congres- 
sional district  (his  own)  of  Pennsylvania—  one  from  the  mecha- 
nics and  working  men  of  the  Northern  Libprties,  the  other  from 
the  farmers,  manufacturers,  Sic.  of  several  township*  in  Phila- 
delphia county,  &c. 

By  Mr.  MiHi'son,  from  New  Ca«t|o  county,  Delaware,  signed 
by  nearly  1,700  citizens,  a  majority  of  all  the  voters  in  the 
county. 

Mr.  Gordon  presented  the  resolutions  of  the  legislature  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

Petitions  against  a  restoration  of  the  deposited  were  presented 

By  Mr.  King,  from  Schuylkill  co.  Pa. 

By  Mr.  Sutherland,  signed  by  4,000  working  men  of  tho  3d 
congressional  district  of  Pennsylvania. 

By  Mr.  MefCim,  from  3,624  persons  of  Baltimore.  [On  most  of 
the  presentations  of  petitions  tome  remarks  were  offered  —  w« 


24 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  S,  ISS4— COiNGRESS. 


cannot  give  them  at  length,  unless  they  wore  very  brief,  but 
shall  take  a  rapid  view  of  tin:  most  material  tilings  which  hap- 
pened this  day.] 

Mr.  Potlt  spoke  at  considerable  length  of  the  force  and  una- 
nimity of  tlin  resolutions,  &c.  adopted  in  Chester  county,  liy 
persons  of  all  parties,  Sic.  and  said  thai  the  lime  had  come  when 
frui-iiicu  must  prove  their  title  to  Unit  name,  or  lose  it  forever. 

Mr.  Sutherland  a*  well  as  Mr.  Harper,  spuke  decidedly  in  fa- 
vor of  the  character  of  those  friends  of  the  administration,  in 
Philadelphia,  who  petitioned  for  a  restoration  of  the  deposites. 

When  .Mr.  Sutkerlatid  presented  the  petition  signed  by  "4,000 
working  men"  of  the  3d  congressional  district  of  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  IVutmovgh,  (whose  district  it  is)  expressed  much  surprize 
— seeing  that  he  held  other  memorials  of  an  opposite  nature, 
fcc.  It  was  ordered  that  the  names  should  be  printed  with  the 
memorial. 

Mr.  AtiUigan  on  presenting  the  petition  from  New  Castle 
county, •poke  highly  of  the  signers  and  of  the  committee  charg- 
ed witb  its  delivery  at  Washington,  and  entered  warmly,  and 
M  much  length,  into  the  general  merits  of  the  subject. 

Mr.  Mc,Kim  said — I  am  requited  to  present  two  memorials, 
Netted  by  '3,524  citizens  of  li.iltimort-  statma  thnt  they  approve 
of  the  course  of  the  administration  in  relmiuii  tolhr;  hank  of  the 
United  States,  aud  praying  that  the  charier  of  said  bank  may 
not  be  renewed.  X  shall  uot,  Mr.  Speaker,  lrespa>a  on  the  time 
of  tin:  house,  by  detailing  the  various  trades  and  professions  of 
the  signers  lo  this  memorial;  it  is  sufficient  for  my  purpose  to 
lay,  tli.it  they  are  American  freemen,  and  as  such,  entitled  to  he 
beard,  and  lo  have  equal  weight  mid  consideration,  in  propor- 
tion to  their  numbers,  as  to  any  memorial  yet  presented  to  this 

1)01186. 

Mr.  Gordon  when  presenting  the  Virginia  resolutions,  very 
earnestly  supported  the  principles  staled  in  them,  and  warmly 
reprobated  ihe  seizure  of  the  public  purse  by  the  president. 
Mr.  Patton.  in  reply,  defended  the  president,  and  warmly  at- 
tacked the  governor  of  Virginia  because  he  had  enclosed  the  re- 
eolulions  in  the  following  letter,  in  which  he  insisted  that  he 
(the  governor)  had  travelled  out  of  the  line  of  his  duty: 

Virginia,  executive  department,  Feb.  13, 1834. 

SIR:  In  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  general  assembly 
of  (the  common  wealth,  it  gives  me  great  pleasuie  to  transmit  to 
you  the  accompanying  resolutions  adopted  hy  that  body,  disap- 
proving of  the  recent  act  of  the  president,  in  withdrawal?  and 
withholding  the  public  deposite.  from  ihe  bauk  where  they  bad 
been  placed  by  law. 

This  dangerous  and  alarming  assumption  of  power  has  al- 
ready inflicted  deep  and  lasUnj.'  injury  upon  the  citizens  of  this 
commonwealth,  which  your  efforts  and  exertions  in  the  cou- 
eress  ol  Ihe  United  States,  it  is  hoped,  will  aid  in  alleviating  as 
far  as  practicable,  and  restraining  the  disposition  which  the 
president  has  manifested  to  extend  his  official  authority  beyond 
its  just  and  proper  limits,  which  he  has  so  clearly  manifested 
in  his  recent  interference  with  the  treasury  department  of  the 
federal  government. 

I  am.  sir,  u'ilh  respectful  consideration,  your  ohedient  servant, 

JOHN  FLOYD. 

Tuesday,  March.  4.  Mr.  Polk,  from  the  committee  of  ways 
and  means,  to  which  had  been  referred  ihe  letter  of  the  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury,  giving  his  reasons  for  withdrawing  the  pub- 
iic  deposites  from  toe  bank  of  the  United  States;  ihe  memorial 
of  tUe  bank,  and  various  other  papers  on  ihe  same  general  sub- 
ject, uiade  a  report:  Ho  moved  that  it  be  priuted,  and  its  con- 
sideration postponed  to  to  morrow  week. 

Mr.  Clay  called  for  the  reading  of  thfi  report. 

Mr.  McDuffie  objecled. 

The  chair  decided  ihat  k  was  the  right  of  a  member  to  have 
any  paper  read  when  first  presented  in  the  house. 

Mr.  McDuffie  moved  that  the  reading  be  dispensed  with. 

The  cliair  pronounced  that  motion  out  of  order;  as  the  read- 
ing was  of  rii-ht. 

Mr.  Hardin  remonstrated  ngaiost  the  unnecessary  consump- 
tion of  lime  in  reading  a  lone  report,  and  probably  a  counter  ic- 
{torl,  both  of  which  would  be  immedaaiely  printed. 

Mr.  C/ayNHid  that  hu  wished  I  lie  re.-idinc:,  because  he  meant 
40  follow  it  by  a  motion  for  printing  an  extra  number  of  copies 
of  the  report. 

Mr.  Hardin  said  lie  would  vote  for  the  extra  number  without 
the  read  in 'i. 

The  chair  staled,  at  length,  why  he  had  decided  that  the  read- 
ins  wa»  of  right,  when  called  for,  and  then  said 

The  reporl  must  therefore  be  read,  if  desired  by  the  member 
from  Alabama. 

The  bouse  acquiesced  in  the  decision  of  the  speaker,  and  the 
.paper  was  ordered  lo  be  read. 

The  reading  of  the  report  was  then  commenced,  and  had  pro- 
orr-ded  »ome  time;  when 

Mr.  Clay  statin;  it  to  be  his  underslandinc  that  no  objection 
would  be  ma<:e  to  the  pun  twig  of  an  extra  number  of  the  report, 
withdrew  his  call  for  the  reading:  and  it  was  thereupon  HU«- 
{vindiMl;  Ust,  attlirt  request  of  a  member,  the  resolutions  with 
'which  the  report  closed  were  road,  as  follows: 

1.  ReiolMil,  That  the  banU  of  the  United  States  ought  not  to 
tie  rcrhartered. 

2.  Retol>\ed,  That  the  public  deposites  ought  not  to  be  restor- 
ed to  the  bank  of  the  United  State*. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  stats  bank*  ought  to  !«•  continued  as 
Uie  places  ol  depotite  of  the  public  money,  and  that  it  is  expe- 
dient for  congress  to  make  further  provision  byjaiv,  prescribing 


the  mode  of  selection,  the  securities  to  be  taken,  and  the  man- 
ner  and  terms  on  which  they  are  to  be  employed. 

4.  Resolved,  That,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining,  as  far  a* 
practicable,  the  cause  of  the  commercial  embarrassment  and 
distress  complained  of  hy  numerous  citizens  of  Ihe  U.  States, 
in  sundry  memorials  which  have  been  presented  lo  congress  at 
the  present  session,  and  of  inquiring  whether  Ihe  charier  of  the 
bank  of  Hie  United  States  has  been  violated;  and,  a!>o,  what 
corruptions  and  abuses  have  existed  in  its  management;  whe- 
ther it  has  used  its  corporate  power  or  money  to  control  the 
press,  to  interfere  in  politics,  or  influence  elections;  and  whe- 
ther it  has  had  any  agency,  through  its  management  or  money, 
in  producing  the  existing  pressure;  a  select  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  inspect  the  books  and  examine  into  the  proceeding* 
of  the  said  bank,  who  shall  report  whether  the  provisions  of  the 
charter  have  been  violated  or  not;  and,  also,  what  abwses,  cor- 
ruptions or  mal  practices  have  existed  in  the  management  of 
said  bank;  and  thai  Ihe  said  committee  be  authorised  to  send 
for  persons  and  papers,  and  to  summon  and  examine  witnesses, 
on  oath,  and  lo  examine  into  the  affairs  of  the  said  bank  and 
branches,  and  they  are  further  authorised  to  visit  the  principal 
bank,  or  any  of  it.s  branches,  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  ther 
books,  correspondence,  accounts  and  other  papers  connected* 
with  its  management  or  business;  and  that  the  said  committee 
be  required  to  report  the  result  of  such  investigation,  together 
with  the  evidence  they  may  lake,  at  as  early  a  day  as  practica- 
ble. 

M.  McDuffie  asked  whether  it  would  be  in  order,  at  this  lime, 
to  move  an  amendment  to  these  resolutions. 

The  chair  replied  in  the  negative,  as  the  question  before  the 
house  was  on  the  postponement. 

Mr.  McDuffie  then  requested  Mr.  Polk  to  withdraw  bis  mo- 
tion; but  he  declined. 

Mr.  Wilde  inquired  whether  it  would  be  in  order  to  more  a 
reference  of  the  report  to  a  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  itate 
of  the  union.' 

The  chair  replied  that  ihe  question  of  postponement  had  pre- 
cedence. 

The  question  was  put  on  Ihe  postponement  and  carried— and 
the  report  was  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Binney  presented  to  the  house  a  report  from  the  minority 
of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  on  the  same  subject,  and 
moved  t.'iat  it  receive  the  same  destination  with  tbe  last  paper; 
which  was  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Clay  inoved  that  10,000  extra  copies  erf  both  reports  be 
printed. 

Mr.  Hatces  move'J,  as  an  amendment,  that  there  be  50,000; 
but  it  was  negatived. 

Mr.  Reed  then  moved  20,000;  but  this  was  also  negaiive4» 
Mr.  Hail,  of  Maine,  moved  15,000. 

Mr.  Einng,  of  Indiana,  opposed  Ihe  printing  of  so  great  A 
number  of  a  report  calculated,  as  tliia  is,  to  extend  the  existing, 
panic,  by  tending  to  create  a  wrong  belief,  that  no  adequate 
substilute  for  the  existing  United  Stales'  bank  can  be  created. 
He  contended  that  the  people  would  not,  as  they  consulted  their 
own  and  the  general  good,  place  reliance  upon  a  local  currency 
that  would  eventually  operate  as  a  severe  tax  upon  th«  >mlus- 
try  of  the  country.  He  thought  thai  Ihe  committee  should  haver 
sliown  and  recommended  a  suitable  and  proper  subslitose  for 
the  general  good,  when  it  is  determined  the  existing  corporators 
hank  shall  cease.  He  would  oppose  Ihe  priming  of  so  many 
thousands  of  a  report  that  could  not  fail  to  extend  the  existing 
want  of  confidence,  and  consequently  increase  the  existing  em- 
barrassment of  the  country.  He  would  return  it  witli  instruc- 
tions to  the  committee,  or  lay  it  upon  the  table. 

[The  speaker  here  informed  the  member  from  Indiana  that  it 
was  not  in  order  to  debate  the  merits  of  the  question.] 
The  motion  for  printing  15,000  copies  was  agreed  to. 
Mr.  Wilde  wished  to  move  that  an  amendment  be  printed, 
which  he  desired  to  offer  when  the  subject  came  up,  (the  sama 
in  substance  as  the  second  resolution  of  Mr.  Clay's  motion  in 
the  senate,  viz:  that  the  reasons  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
for  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  are  unsatisfactory  and 
insufficient),  but  the  house  refused  to  suspend  the  rule  in  order 
to  receive  Mr.  Wildest  molion. 
After  some  other  business  the  house  adjourned. 
Wednesday,  March  5.    Levi  Lincoln,  member  elect  from  Mas- 
sachusetts, vice  John  Davis,  resigned,  appeared,  was  sworn  and 
took  his  neat. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Vance,  the  rule  of  the  house  was  suspended 
in  order  to  resume  the  calling  of  petitions  suspended  on  Mon- 
day last. 

Memorials  in  favor  of  the  restoration  of  the  deposited  were 
presented  as  follows: 

From  Wheeling,  Virginia,  signed  by  500  citizens — from  Fay- 
etteviile.  North  Carolina — from  Norfolk,  Virginia — from  Augus- 
ta Georgia,  signed  by  400  persons— from  Salem,  Kentucky— from 
Union,  Boone  comity,  Kenluckv — two  from  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, signed  by  upwards  of  1,000  inhabitants— from  Madison, 
Indiana — from  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  signed  by  1,920 
persons — from  Durlington,  Vermont. 

Mr.  Conner,  of  North  Carolina,  presented  the  proceedings  of 
a  meeting  in  Cab;.rHis  county,  North  Carolina,  of  tin-  same  le- 
nor  as  the  above  memorials. 

Memorials  approving  of  Ihe  removal  of  the  deponites  weru 
presented  as  follows: 

From  Zanesville  and  Norwich,  Ohio— from  Cbatauqoe  coun- 
ty, New  York,  signed  by  570  inhabitants. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— RESIGNATION  OF  MR.  RIVES        25 


Mr.  Pope  presented  a  petition  in  relation  to  the  Louisville  am 
Portland  canal. 

Mr.  Foster  presented  certain  resolutions  of  the  state  of  Geor- 
gia in  relation  to  the  public  lands. 

Mr.  Ellsworth  presented  a  number  of  memorials  on  the  sub- 
ject of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  house  then  ad- 
journed. 

Thursday,  March  6.  Mr.  J.  Q.  Mams  asked  leave  to  offer  a 
resolution,  which  being  objected  to,  the  rule  was  suspended  by 
the  house,  and  the  resolution  was  offered,  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to  re- 
port to  this  house  a  statement  of  all  the  sums  denominated  in 
the  treasury  accounts  unavailable  funds;  specifically  designat- 
ing the  several  banks,  or  individuals,  indebted  to  the  treasury 
therefor;  the  time  when  each  debt  first  became  due;  the  time 
when  failure  of  payment  thereof  first  occurred;  the  security,  i 
any,  which  the  public  have  for  payment  thereof  at  any  time, 
and  the  prospect  of  such  eventual  payment. 

This  resolve,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  house,  lies  on  the 
table  for  one  day. 

The  commutation  pension  bill  was  discussed— but  nothing 
important  transacted  this  day. 

MR.  HEATH'S  SPEECH 

IN  THE    HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Mr.  Heath,  in  presenting  a  memorial,  from  a  numerous  body 
of  citizens  in  Baltimore,  condemning  the  removal  of  the  public 
deposites,  said,  he  should  avail  himself  of  the  opportunity  of  ad- 
dressing a  few  remarks  to  the  house  on  this  subject. 

First,  with  regard  to  the  memorial  which  had  been  entrusted 
to  his  care,  it  was  signed  by  upwards  of  three  thousand  indivi- 
duals of  all  classes  and  without  distinction  of  party.  It  includ- 
ed the  whole  of  the  commercial,  trading  and  manufacturing  in- 
terests of  that  portion  of  the  community  which  he  had  the  ho- 
nor to  represent.  Among  other  names  of  high  respectability, 
were  to  be  found  several  of  the  directors  of  the  Union  bank  of 
Maryland,  a  bank  which  had  been  selected  by  the  administra- 
tion as  a  place  of  depositeforthe  public  moneys — together  with 
the  presidents,  cashiers  and  diiectors  of  several  other  banks  in 
Baltimore.  The  memorial  in  fact,  contained  scarcely  a  single 
name  that  was  not  well  known  for  integrity  and  moral  worth. 
He  would  confidently  appeal  to  his  honorable  colleague  (Mr. 
McKim)  who,  he  was  sure,  would  at  all  times  be  found  ready 
to  testify  to  the  high  standing,  intelligence,  enterprise  and  ta- 
lents of  the  citizens  of  the  district  which  he,  (Mr.  H.)  had  the 
honor  to  represent.  He  said  it  with  pride,  and  yet  with  confi- 
dence, that  there  was  no  city  in  this  great  union,  possessed 
men  more  ardent  for  their  country's  welfare,  more  able  to  sus- 
tain her  glory  and  honor,  or  more  free  from  the  trammels  of 
.party  prejudice,  than  the  city  of  Baltimore.  In  commercial  en- 
iier.piise  and  in  the  rigid  fulfilment  of  engagements,  her  citizens 
•yielded  to  none,  and  it  was  a  memorial  signed  by  such  men,  he 
now  presented  to  the  house. 

He  was  well  aware  of  the  nature  of  the  oath  taken  by  him  as 
A  member  of  that  house,  and  he  was  not  the  less  aware  that 
neither  that  oath,  nor  the  constitution  of  his  country,  which  he 
had  so  solemnly  sworn  to  maintain,  recognized  any  party  feel- 
ting  or  party  prejudice.  But  he  could  not  help  expressing  his 
.astonishment  and  regret  to  observe  that  too  many  honorable 
#eji.Ueinen  who  had  addressed  the  house  upon  this  vital  ques- 
tion, Irad  manifested  a  warmth  of  party  feeling  little  consistent 
with  the  character  of  the  deliberative  representation  of  the  peo- 
ple. In  saying  thus  much,  he  wished  not  to  be  understood  as 
meaning  to  reflect  personally,  upon  the  line  of  conduct,  any 
other  member  might  have  deemed  it  his  duty  to  pursue.  For 
himself,  he  could  solemnly  and  conscienciously  aver,  that  when 
he  first  entered  the  door  of  that  hall,  he  entered  it  divested  of 
the  remotest  principle  of  party  feeling  or  party  prejudice.  He 
.entered  it  as  an  American  freeman,  to  exercise  the  right  be- 
ctowed  upon  a  free  representative  of  a  free  and  enlightened 
people,  resolved  to  act  for  his  country  and  his  country  only.  It 
was  these  views  and  these  feelings  that  should  alone  bias  the 
course  he  intended  to  adopt. 

It  has  been  said  upon  that  floor  that  the  bank  of  the  United 
plates  had  been  guilty  of  a  violation  of  its  charter.  If  so,  the 
flgfV  had  provided  an  ample  remedy,  and  he  thought  that  reme- 
'.dy,s\i<3U'.d  have  been  first  applied.  He  would  not  that  the  writ 
nfseire  faeiat  should  have  been  withheld  one  hour  after  the  de- 
linquency. !:ad  been  proved.  We  have  been  told  that  the  bank 
had  made  u*e,of  tiiv.it  funds  for  electioneering  and  other  illegal 
purpose^.  It  wight  be  so,  but  he  would  ask,  was  not  the  same 
to  be  apprehended  from  the  state  banks?  Had  they  not  the 
same  means,  the  same  aWJify,  the  same  end  to  answer,  and 
what  proof  was  there  that  they  would  be  more  immaculate  than 
this  chartered  institution:  p«  called  upon  every  member  ol'j 
that  house  to  divest  himself  of  party  feeling — he  called  upon 
them  in  the  name  of  thejr  constituents  and  of  their  country  to 
•do  so,  and  he  would  ask,  if  they  could  .lay  their  hands  upon 
their  hearts  in  the  presence  of  their  God,  and  reconcile  it  to 
•their  conscience  in  considering  a  question  of  this  important 
character  upon  partv  ptineiple.s?  Had  the  guilt  of  the  bank 
been  established?  Wtye  all  the  charges  brought  against  tljut 
institution  madfi  ouJ?  He  had  not  seen  them.  The  public, 
however,  did  know  something  about  the  conduct  of  the  bank, 
and  he  would  briefly  enumerate  what  that  was. 

The  bank  had  acted  as  the  faithful  ;><!ent.  of  the  covernmenf 
iibr.a]38t!od  of  seventeen  years,  during  which  time  it  had  paid  I 


to  that  government  from  six  to  aeven  per  cent,  annually.  It 
had  disbursed  all  the  draughts  made  upon  it  by  government, 
and  distributed  the  depo-ites  of  the  public  money  free  of  charge 
and  free  of  risk  throughout  every  slate  and  territory  of  the 
union.  Nor  had  the  country  been  a  loser  to  the  amount  of  one 
solitary  cent  in  any  of  these  great  transactions.  These  were 
facts  known  to  the  world,  and  in  the  face  of  them  he  would 
ask,  if  it  were  good  policy  to  withdraw  the  funds  from  an  insti- 
tution like  this,  and  scatter  them  over  the  country,  scarce  any 
one  knew  where?  To  take  them  out  of  vaults  over  which  the 
government  had  complete  control,  and  place  them  where  it  had 
none.  To  remove  them  from  a  bank  in  which  they  appointed 
directors  of  their  own,  and  deposile  them  in  others,  in  not  one 
of  which  they  had  the  power  of  appointing  a  single  director,  or 
a  prospect  of  receiving  one  cent  of  interest  for  the  public  mo- 
ney. 

Of  one  thing  the  country  had  hitherto  been  assured,  that 
whatever  might  have  been  the  conduct  of  the  United  States' 
bank  in  regard  to  other  matters,  the  public  money  was  at  least 
safe  in  its  vaults,  which  was  more  than  they  could  assure  them- 
selves of  at  this  time.  He  greatly  feared  that  it  would  be  found 
in  perhaps  not  a  few  of  them,  when  the  people  called  for  their 
money,  that  more  than  one  hole  had  existed  through  which 
the  deposites  had  escaped,  never  more  to  be  recovered.  He 
should  be  happy  if  his  fears  were  groundless,  but  from  what  he 
knew  he  could  augur  nothing  better. 

Mr.  H.  paid  he  had  been  sent  to  that  house  not  as  a  partisan, 
nor  upon  party  feelings,  but  as  a  free  and  independent  Ameri- 
can citizen,  who  would  never  bend  his  neck  to  the  collar  nor  to 
the  yoke.  He  stood  before  that  house  with  the  proud  con- 
sciousness of  possessing  a  character  that  had  never  been  known 
to  swerve  from  duty.  This  was  perhaps  much  to  gay,  but  he 
would  appeal  to  those  who  had  long  known  him,  and  there 
were  some  within  the  sound  of  his  voice,  for  the  truth  of  this 
declaration.  It  was  the  duty  he  owed  his  constituents  and  hig 
country,  that  impelled  him  to  the  course  he  should  pursue  on 
this  question.  It  was  with  pain  that  he  found  himself  arrayed 
against  the  course  of  the  present  executive,  for  he  would  say 
that  general  Jackson  had  not  a  more  ardent,  zealous  or  sincere 
friend  on  this  floor  that  he  had  been.  The  whole  of  (Mr.  H's.) 
public  lilt:  would  attest  the  truth  of  this.  He  had  uniformly 
supported  all  his  measures,  and  had  the  greatest  confidence  in 
his  integrity.  He  would  say  more,  he  was  still  his  friend  and 
admirer,  and  happy  should  he  be  if  he  could  add,  he  was  still 
his  advocate.  His  duty  impelled  him  to  an  opposite  course, 
and  the  period  had  not  yet  arrived  in  this  country  when  an 
American  citizen  dared  not  differ  from  the  president  of  the 
United  States  in  any  matter  brought  before  congress  or  the  pub- 
lic. He  was  not  prepared  to  receive  either  the  collar  or  the 
yoke.  He  could  not  help  expressing  his  regret  that  such  terms 
were  drawn  from  him,  but  he  would  appeal  to  the  partizans  of 
the  president  of  the  United  States  on  that  floor,  and  ask  them 
if  instead  of  sending  a  message  announcing  the  withdrawal  of 
the  deposites  from  the  United  States'  bankj  he  had  thought  fit 
to  send  a  message  directing  them  to  be  restored,  whether  they 
would  not  have  lifted  their  voices  highly  and  as  loudly  in  favor 
of  their  return  as  they  had  done  in  support  of  their  removal. 
He  was  firmly  of  opinion  they  would  have  done  so. 

The  speaker  called  the  honorable  member  to  order.  Remarks 
of  that  character,  impugning  the  motives  of  members  of  the 
house,  could  not  be  allowed. 

Mr.  Heath,  hoped  he  should  be  excused  if  he  had  not  confined 
himself  within  the  strict  rules  of  debate,  since  it  was  the  first 
time  he  had  ever  addressed  that  honorable  assembly.  HE  AD- 
MITTED HE  WAS  NOT  YET  CONVERSANT  WITH  THE  RULES  Ot 
ORDER,  AS  TECHNICALLY  TNDERSTOOD  HERE;  HPT  HE  HAD 
BEEN  ALWAYS  TAUOHT  TO  BELIEVE  THAT  TRUTH  WAS  IK 

ORDER  WHENEVER  IT  WAS  SPOKEN.  He  said  he  should  not 
detain  the  house  with  any  further  observations,  but  would  ask 
"or  the  reading  of  the  memori.1l. 

The  clerk  read  the  memorial;  and 

Mr.  Heath  moved  that  it  be  referred  to  the  committee  of  ways 
and  means  and  printed;  which  motion  was  agreed  to. 

RESIGNATION  OF  MR.  RIVES. 

Washington,  February  22<f,  1834. 
To  the  hon.  the  speaker  of  the  house  of  delegates. 

SIR — i  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  communication  to  the  jre- 
neml  assembly  of  Virginia,  which  I  pray  you  to  have  the  good- 
ness to  lay  before  the  house  of  delegates. 

I  avail  myself,  with  great  pleasure,  of  the  occasion  10  offer 
vnu  the  assurances  of  the  distinenished  consideration  with 
\rliicli  I  am  your  fellow  citizen  and  most  obedient  cervr.nt. 

W.  C.  RIVES. 

Washington,  22rf  February.  1 834. 

To  the  speakers  anH  members  of  both  houses  of  the  general  assem- 
bly of  Virginia. 

I  yesterday  had  the  honor  to  receive  the  resolutions  of  the 
general  assembly  of  Virginia,  adopted  on  the  llth  instant,  in 
relation  to  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  bank  of 
the  United  States;  and  have  considered  them  with  all  the  re- 
spectful attonlion  due  to  the  hisrh  source  from  which  they  ema- 
ijate,  ns  well  as  to  the  unusual  gravity  of  the  mutters  which 
they  concern.  Under  n  deep  sense  of  the  oblication  of  the  re- 
presentative to  conform  to  the  wishes  and  opinions  of  his  con- 
stituent^ or  otherwise,  to  surrender  tbe  trust  committed  to 


26     NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— LEGISLATURE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


him,  (which  is  justly  regarded  as  a  fundamental  principle  of  our 
institutions),  1  have  anxiously  sought  the  line  of  duty,  which 
the  occasion  made  it  incumbent  on  me  to  pursue. 

A  full  and  unreserved  execution  ot  the  opinions  of  the  general 
assembly,  if  Hie  circumstances  of  the  case  permuted  it,  is  the 
alternative  I  should  greatly  have  preferred,  m  more  consonant, 
as  well  to  my  own  feeling*  and  iii<-linations,  as  to  Hie  deference 
entertained  for  the  general  assembly  itself.  Knowing  no  oh- 
ject  more  woilhy  the  amUitiou  of  liei  sons  ih.in  10  represent  in 
the  congress  of  the  United  Stales  the  ancient  and  lionorahle 
commonwealth  \vhich  has  given  me  liirth.  and  to  who-e  favor  I 
am  indfhtcd  for  whatever  of  consideration  I  may  have  acquired 
amount  my  fellow  rnizens,  I  have  earnestly  wished  to  adopt 
that  alternative,  which  would  leave  me  still,  where  it  has  been 
my  pride  to  be  employed— in  her  service.  But  the  resolutions 
of  the  general  assembly  render  this  course,  however,  gratifying 
it  would  be,  impossible.  Had  those  resolutions  instructed  me 
to  vote  for  or  ;tg.un<t  a  specific  leaislulirc  net,  whatever  different 
opinions  I  might  have  formed  in  my  own  imperfect  judgment  of 
the  expediency  of  the  measure,  I  should  have  u  It  no  hei-ilalion 
in  executing  the  instruction,  and  giving  the  vote  required.  But, 
in  the  present  instance, the  instruction  reqiiirrs-'the  senators  to 
use  their  beat  exertions  In  procure  the  adoption  by  congress  of 
proper  mcusmcs  for  restoring  the  public  moneys  to  the  bank  of 
tile  Uniled  States,"  &.c.  leaving  it  to  be  interred  from  the  pre- 
vailing spirit  and  tenor  of  the  (evolutions  only,  what  measures 
might  be  deemed  by  the  general  assembly  to  be  proper  to  that 
end. 

The  very  peneral  terms  thus  adopted  by  the  legislature,  have 
made  it  my  duty  carefully  to  examine  the  whole  of  the  resolu 
tions  for  the  indications  they  furnish  of  its  views  in  that  re 
sped.  The  1st  resolution,  I  find,  declares, ''the  recent  act  ol 
thu  president  exerting  a  control,  Sic.  to  be  a  dangerous  and 
alarming  usurpation  of  power,  by  that  officer,  which  cannot  be 
too  strongly  condemned,"  It  would  seem,  therefore,  that  a  de- 
claration to  that  effect  by  congress  was  among  the  measures 
deemed  proper  by  die  general  assembly,  and  in  which  the  se- 
nators of  Virginia  were  instructed  to  co  operate  in  order  to  ef- 
fect a  restoration  of  the  public  dtposiies  to  the  bank  of  the  U. 
States.  This  supposition  is  continued  by  the  fact,  that  die  only 
measures  proposed,  or  likely  to  be  proposed  in  the  senate,  wilh 
a  view  to  that  object,  are  two  declaratory  resolutions,  moved 
by  an  honorable  senator  from  Kentucky,  the  first  of  which  con 
tains  the  declaration  of  an  unconstitutional  and  dangtrous  as- 
sumption of  power  by  the  president,  in  substantially  the  same 
language  as  that  of  the  1st  resolution  of  the  general  assembly; 
and  the  other  declares  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  secretary  of 
the  treasury,  for  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  to  be  unsatisfac- 
tory and  insufficient. 

The  last  of  these  resolutions,  together  wilh  the  report  of  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  assigning  his  reasons  for  the  removal 
of  the  deposites,  had  been  referred  to  the  committee  of  finance 
of  the  senate.  That  committee  after  a  detailed  examination  of 
the  reasons  of  the  secretary,  and  pronouncing  them  successive- 
ly to  be  irrelevant,  insufficient  and,  unfounded, conclude  their 
report,  not  with  a  bill  or  joint  resolution  of  the  two  houses,  di- 
recting the  restoration  of  tiie  deposites,  hut  simply  with  a  re- 
commendation that  the  senate  adopt  the.  declaratory  resolution 
of  the  senator  Horn  Kentucky.  The  chairman  of  the  committee, 
moreover,  distinctly  stated  on  the  floor  of  the  senate,  that  a 
mere  declaration  by  congress  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  reasons 
assigned  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  was  all  thai  was  deem- 
ed necessary  to  effect  a  restoration  of  the  deposites,  the  act  of 
the  secretary  on  the  subject  being  considered  by  the  committee 
as  provisional  only.  Similar  views  hud  also  been  intimated  by 
the  iiiover  of  the  resolutions;  and  thai  such  is  now  the  settled 
plan  of  those  in  congress  who  advocate  a  restoration  of  the  de- 
posites,  there  is  not  in  my  mind,  judging  from  the  facts  I  have 
stated  and  other  concurring  circumstances,  the  slightest  room 
for  doubt. 

The  measure*,  then,  and  the  only  measures  on  which  I  should 
be  called  to  carry  into  effect  the  instructions  of  the  general  a»- 
lenibly,  are  the  two  resolutions  referred  to  and  now  depending 
before  the  senate.  These  resolutions  contain  nothing  but  ex- 
pression* of  opinion ;  the  1st.  as  already  mentioned,  declaring 
that  the  act  of  the  president  in  dismissing  one  secretary,  and  ap- 
pointing another,  was,  under  the  circumstances  of  the  ca«e,  an 
unconstitutional  and  dangerous  assumption  of  power;  the  2d, 
that  the  reasons  aligned  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  for  the 
removal  of  the  dcpositcs,  were  insiinViant  and  unsatisfactory. 
On  both  of  these  propositions,  after  the  most  careful  and  anx 
iou*  reflection  I  was  capable  of  bestowing  on  the  subject,  I  had 
formed  opposite  opinions,  which  I  had  already  expressed  and 
maintained  on  the  floor  of  the  senate.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is 
now  apparent,  and  not  to  be  questioned,  that  the  views  express. 
ed  by  the  general  assembly  are  in  perfect  concurrence  with  the 
renoiutions  of  the  senator  from  Kentucky  pending  before  the 
senate.  I  am  placed,  therefore,  by  the  instructions  of  the  gene- 
ral assembly  in  this  dilemma— either  to  vote  for  the  resolutions 
of  the  senator  from  Kentucky,  and  thereby  adopt  as  my  own 
Opinions  which  I  not  only  do  not  entertain,  hut  which  had  al 
ready  been  repudiated  by  rue  in  the  most  solemn  form  ;  or,  by 
voting  against  them,  to  oppose  the  only  measures  likely  to  e.nn 
before  the  senate  lor  a  restoration  of  the  deposites,  and  thus  ap 
pear  in  the  attitude  of  disregarding  and  thwarting  the.  declared 
wishes  of  the  general  assembly.  The  first  branch  of  the  alter- 
native, the  just  and  correct  feeling*  of  the  general  assembly 
will,  I  am  periuad«il,  at  once  put  snide  as  entirely  inadmissible, 


while  the  latter  is  no  less  repelled  on  my  part  by  a  sense  of  duty, 
and  an  honorable  fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  the  trust  reposed 
i  me. 

The  only  course,  then,  left  to  me,  recognizing  as  I  do  ihe  fun- 
damental obligations  growing  out  of  the  relation  of  representa- 
tive and  constituent,  and  winch  constitute  the  vital  principle  of 
the  republican  syMem,  is,  by  resigning  the  trust  with  which  I 
have  been  heretoiore  honored  by  the  confidence  of  the  general 
assembly,  to  enable  them  to  confer  it  on  another,  who  can  better 
cairy  their  views  and  opinions  into  effect.  I  beg  leave  to  repeat, 
that  if  I  had  been  called  on  to  vote  for  a  specific  legislature  act, 
however  it  might  have  been  my  misfortune  to  differ  in  opinion 
from  the  general  assembly  as  to  the  expediency  of  the  act,  I 
should  have  felt  it  my  duty  to  give  the  vote  required.  But,  as 
under  the  circumstances  in  which  I  am  placed,  the  views  of  the 
general  assembly  can  be  carried  inlo  effecl  only  by  my  concur- 
ring in  the  declaration  of  opinions  which,  as  already  remarked, 
I  not  only  do  not  entertain,  but  the  opposite  of  which  [  have 
earnestly  asserted  and  maintained.  I  do  not  deceive  myself,  I 
trust,  in  supposing  that  there  is  no  principle  of  obligation  or  pro- 
priety on  which  I  could  be  expected  or  required  to  do  an  act  in- 
volving equal  violence  to  character  end  conscience.  I  have 
thought  it,  on  the  contrary,  more  consistent  with  the  wishes 
anil  intentions  of  the  general  assembly,  as  well  as  with  my  own 
character,  to  resign  into  their  hands,  as  I  now  respectfully  do, 
the  office  of  senator  of  Virginia  in  the  congress  of  the  United 
Stales,  which  lias  been,  and  would  have  continued  to  be,  my 
highest  piide  to  hold,  so  long  as  I  could  do  so  with  honor. 

To  this  communication,  I  beg  leave  to  add  the  expression  of 
the  dutiful  and  distinguished  consideration  with  winch  I  am, 
your  fellow  citizen  and  most  obedient  servant, 

XV.  C.  RIVES. 

Mr.  Hires,  on  the  21st  Feb.  addressed  a  letter  to  the  editor  of 
the  "  Richmond  Enquirer,"  from  which,  in  justice  to  him,  we 
make  the  following  extracts: 

'•I  am  sorry  that  my  friends  should,  for  amoment,  have  given 
any  sort  of  credit  to  the  rumor  that  I  am  going  into  the  cabinet. 
There  is  not.  my  dear  sir,  the  slightest  foundation  for  this  rumor; 
and  I  beg  you  to  be  assured,  and  to  assure  all  my  friends,  that 
no  earthly  considerations  would  induce  me,  standing  in  the  po- 
sition I  now  do,  to  take  an  executive  appointment.  Whatever 
other  denunciations  may  be  poured  out  against  me,  no  suspi- 
cion shall  rest  upon  the  purity  of  my  motives  in  the  course 
which,  from  the  deepest  conviction,  I  have  pursued  here.  I 
shall  throw  myself  fearlessly  upon  the  people  of  Virginia,  to  sus- 
tain and  vindicate  the  principles  I  have  contended  for  in  their 
name.  I  go  at  once  into  private  life,  to  cooperate,  neverthe- 
less, to  the  best  of  my  ability,  in  the  maintenance  of  the  princi- 
ples which  have  heretofore  been  cherished  by  Virginia, and  with 
the  di.-tinct  understanding,  that  I  invoke  tile  judgment  of  the 
people  in  die  coming  elections.  The  issue  will  thus  be  joined 
with  our  adversaries  in  the  most  emphatic  manner,  and  in  the 
way  best  calculated  to  arouse  the  vigilance  of  the  people  in  the 
selection  of  their  representatives." 

:  I  shall  go  upon  ihe  republican  principle  which  \ve  have  al- 
ways recognised  in  Virginia,  to  obey  or  resign;  and  my  resigna- 
tion, under  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  will  be  the  most  une- 
quivocal recognition  I  could  make  of  the  authority  of  the  legis- 
lature. Be  assured,  \  shall  give  no  countenance  to  the  sophism 
of  .Mr.  Southard  and  Mr.  Frelinghiiysen,  that  the  senator  must 
look  to  the  people  and  not  to  the  legislature— n  principle  which 
opens  the  widest  door  for  the  evasion  of  all  responsibility  on  the 
part  of  the  senators  of  the  United  States." 


LEGISLATURE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GOVERNOR'S   MESSARE. 

Rend  in  the  senate  and  house  of  representative!,  Feb.  26,  1834. 
To  the  senate  and  house  ofrepresentulires 

of  the  commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania. 

GENTLEMEN:  Recent  events  have  produced  a  change  in  the 
pecuniary  relations  of  the  commonwealth  so  sudden  and  unex- 
pected, and  of  a  character  so  blighting  to  the  reasonable  hopes 
and  expectations  which  had  heretofore  been  fondly  cherished, 
and  which,  from  the  flattering  prospects  the  recent  prosperous 
condition  of  the  commonwealth  held  out  to  us,  we  had  every 
reason  to  believe  would  be  realized,  that  I  feel  it  my  duty  to 
bring  the  subject  before  the  representatives  of  the  people,  ns 
claiming,  in  a  peculiar  manner,  their  attention,  and  such  prompt 
legislative  action,  as  will  be  best  calculated  to  meet  tlie  emer- 


Of  the  loan  of  three  hundred  thousand  dollars,  recently  mt- 
thorised  by  the  geri'-ral  assembly,  to  meet  the  demands  upon  the 
treasury,  arising  from  the  failure  on  the  part  of  the  holders  of 
the  principal  loan  of  last  year,  to  comply  with  their  contract, 
the  sum  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  still  remains  undispos- 
ed of;  and  for  the  balance  of  the  last  year's  loan,  amounting  to 
seven  hundred  and  twenty- nine  thousand  dollars,  and  upwards. 
which  had  been  thrown  into  the  market,  and  which  it  was  ex- 
pected would  have  been  negotiated  on  the  twenty-second  in- 
stant, I  regret  to  say,  not  a  bid  was  received.  A  disappointment 
so  extraordinary,  was  scarcely  to  have  been  expected,  even 
under  the  present  deranged  slate  of  the  money  market;  hut 
whilst  we  mav  regrrt  that  a  combination  of  circumstances,  *o 
nnpropitious  and  discouraging  in  their  character,  and  bearing 
upon  the  important  interests  of  the  commonwealth,  should  ex- 
ist, it  is  at  the  same  time  gratifying  to  know,  that  the  causes  in 
which  they  originated  are  not  ascrihable  to  any  depression  of 
the  credit  of  the  state;  to  any  want  of  punctuality  in  meeting  iu 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAKGH  8,  1834— NEW  YORK  [TAMMANY]  REPORT.      47 


engagements,  in  the  payment  of  interest  upon  ils  debt,  or  to  any 
imsnianagemcnl  on  the  part  of  those  to  vvlium  lias  ticni  ciitrin-t- 
ed  lh«  charge  and  adiiiinuilrnlion  of  its  fiscal  and  other  concerns. 
I  infer  tins  I'ruin  tltr  liicl,  that  if  Mich  Ciiusu  had  existed,  Mr.  no- 
toriety would  Idii^  since,  have  been  made  manliest.  It  is  said 
by  those  conversant  with  such  matters,  and  whose  opportuni- 
ties of  acquiring  conect  information  on  the  subject,  cniiilr.-. 
theni  to  belief,  that  Pennsylvania  stocks  are  in  as  good  credit, 
and  maintain  as  high  prices  in  foreign  markets  now,  as  tin -y 
have  done  at  any  time  heretofore.  To  what  cause  then  are  we 
to  look  for  the  difficulties  which  embarrass  us  on  every  side? 

It  must  be  owing  to  extraneous  circumstances,  unconnected 
with  lite  commonwealth  or  its  transactions,  and  over  which  it 
has  no  control.  We  must  be  indebted,  it  is  presumed,  for  this 
unpropiUous  state  of  things,  to  the  existing  excitement  and 
alarm,  got  up  in  relation  to  a  supposed  general  state  of  pressure, 
distress  and  enibarrassrne  nt,  said  now  to  be  prevalent  in  the 
money  market,  and  about  which  we  hear  so  much.  All  confi- 
dence in  the  currency  of  the  country  is  said  to  be  destroyed; 
that  banks  as  well  as  individual  capitalists,  are  unwilling  to  ad- 
venujru  upon  speculations  or  investments  of  any  kind,  or  to 
part  with  their  money  upon  any  terms.  Various  causes  have 
been  assigned  lor  this  alarming  slate  of  things,  all  more  or  less 
plausible.  Among  others  il  is  said  that  the  removal  of  the  pub- 
lic deposites  from  the  bank  of  ihe  Uniled  States,  by  the  general 
government,  has  been  the  means  of  producing  all  the  mischief 
and  pressure  under  which  the  country  is  now  laboring;  and  yet 
many  of  the  friends  of  that  institution  admit,  that  a  restoration 
of  the  deposites  is  not  necessary  to  the  relief  of  ihe  money  mar- 
ket. Whatever  olher  causes  may  exist,  it  cannot  be  disguised 
that  we  have  among  us  a  powerful  moneyed  institution,  which  is 
at  this  lime  seeking,  by  all  the  means  nt' which  it  is  capable,  to 
accomplish  certain  objects  indispensable  to  ils  existence;  and 
having  an  energetic,  a  firm  and  unbending  antagonist  to  contend 
against,  all  its  energies  and  all  its  powers  (and  they  are  of  no 
ordinary  character)  have  been  put  in  motion,  to  defeat  his  mea- 
sures and  to  frustrate  his  designs  in  relation  to  it. 

It  can  scarcely  be  doubted,  from  the  course  of  operations  that 
institution  has  been  pursuing  for  some  time  past  (whether  jus- 
tifiable or  not  I  will  not  undertake  to  determine),  thai  the  state 
is  indebted  in  a  great  measure  for  its  disappointments  hereto- 
fore, and  for  the  failure  to  obtain  its  loan  on  Saturday  last. 
Whether  by  bringing  indiscriminate  ruin  and  distress  upon  an 
unoffending  community  by  the  bank  is  the  most  certain  mode 
of  obtaining  a  return  of  the  public  deposites,  a  renewal  of  its 
charter,  or  an  extension  of  time  to  wind  up  its  business,  is  a 
question  for  those  who  have  the  direction  and  management  of 
its  affairs,  to  determine.  A  milder  and  more  liberal  course  might 
have  been  attended  with  more  favorable  results.  The  state  of 
Pennsylvania  may  be  crippled  and  embarrassed  in  her  pecunia- 
ry arrangements,  and  paralysed  for  a  time,  in  her  efforts  to  com- 
plete her  great  chain  of  improvements,  by  the  depressing  policy 
of  the  bank,  but  that  is  no  reason  why  we  should  despair  ot  the 
commonwealth;  our  public  works  may  languish  for  a  season, 
but  will  not  be  suffered  to  languish  Ions;  the  resources  of  the 
*tate  are  ample;  her  credit  is  unimpaired;  her  public  stocks, 
although  under  a  momentary  depression  at  home,  are  highly  ac- 
ceptable abroad,  and  will  before  long  he  as  eagerly  sought  after 
by  the  capitalist  as  ever;  the  crisis  in  our  pecuniary  affairs  must 
soon  arrive,  if  we  have  not  already  reached  it— the  clouds  of 
distress  and  despondency  which  have  been,  in  my  humble  esti- 
mation,  inconsiderately  and  needlessly  brought  upon  us,  must 
soon  be  removed,  and  a  happy  change  and  a  more  prosperous 
era  must  inevitably  await  us. 

In  the  mean  time,  tbe  balance  of  llie  old  loan,  for  which  no 
offer  was  obtained  on  Saturday  last,  will  be  again  placed  in  the 
market, and  continued  there  until  it  shall  have  been  negotiated. 
I  would  take  this  occasion,  respectfully  to  recommend  to  the 
consideration  of  the  general  assembly,  the  propriety  of  passing 
a  law,  forthwith  authorising  a  call  upon  the  several  state  banks, 
which  by  their  chatters  are  bound  to  loan  to  the  commonwealth 
five  per  cent,  upon  their  capital  actually  paid  in,  for  a  compli- 
ance with  that  provision;  part  of  this  sum  to  be  applied  to  the 
payment  of  debts  of  the  commonwealth  due  to  contractors  upon 
the  public  works,  and  the  residue  thereof  to  be  made  applicable 
lo  repairs  along  Ihe  lines  of  the  public  improvements.  The 
board  of  canal  commissioners  will  give  the  necessary  informa- 
tion in  reference  to  the  sum  that  oii"hl  to  be  made  applicable  to 
each  object.  An  immediate  suspension  of  the  work  upon  the 
several  lines  of  improvement,  until  the  loan  first  mentioned 
shall  have  been  negotiated,  will  be  indispensable.  Permit  me 
also  respeclfnlly  to  urge  upon  the  consideration  of  the  general 
assembly,  the  propriety  of  authorising  a  loan  of  such  a  sum  as 
will  he  sufficient  to  finish  the  public  works  now  in  progress  at 
least;  for  although  the  prospect  is  gloomy,  and  the  money  mar- 
ket may  continue  to  be  embarrassed  for  a  time,  yet  that  gloom 
and  that  embarrassment  may  pass  away  like  a  mist  before  the 
morning  sun,  and  our  pecuniary  affivirs  may  take  a  turn  so  fa- 
vorable, as  to  enable  us  not  only  lo  obtain  a  loan  upon  advan- 
tageous lerms,  but  also  to  complete  the  works  alluded  to,  before 


and  we  know  not  but  some  other*  are.    If  not,  the  stale  can 


raise  the  following  sum: 
5  per  cent,  on  1'liiladi  Iphia  banks 
do.  county  bunks 


State  temporary  loan  from  liable  banks 


.«:/>  1. 4:,0 
203,596 

728.M8 

225,000 


^503,048 

The  above  sum  of  $503,048  can  be  raised  from  the  banks,  un- 
less the  loans  which  they  have  already  made  will  exempt  tbem. 
If  they  are  exempted,  then  the  sum  of  $225,000,  nliich  bas  al- 
ready been  borrowed  from  the  country  banks,  must  be  deducted 
which  will  reduce  the  sum  lo  little  more  than  $300,000. 


the  end  of  the  coining  *c 

Harrisburgh,  February  26M,  1834. 


The  Pennsylvania  Intelligencer  says — It  will  be  seen  that  the 
governor  recommends  to  the  legislature  to  pass  a  law  forthwith, 
obliging  the, stale  banks  lo  loan  lo  Ihe  commonwealth  5  percent, 
on  their  capital  stock,  according  to  a  provision  in  their  charters 


when  called  upon.    The  bank  of  Pennsylvania  U  exempted 


NEW  YORK  [TAMMANY]  REPORT. 

It  is  our  desire  to  present  different  views  of  the  great 
subject  which  now  agitates  all  the  classes  of  the  business 
and  producing  parts  of  the  American  people,  and,  on  that 
principle,  we  give  the  following  report. 

We  rather  prefer,  and  generally  do,  publish  such  things 
without  comment,  and  though  there  is  matter  for  much 
discussion  in  this  report,  we  shall  only  briefly  notice  some 
of  the  points  made  in  it;  while  believing  that  there  are 
parts  of  the  argument  that  will  not  stand  the  test  of  a  care- 
ful investigation,  by  those  who  have  studied  the  principles 
of  finance  and  the  nature  of  currency.  But  let  these  pass, 
for  the  present. 

1.  The  facts  stated,  as  drawn  from  the  "Weekly  Re- 
gister," we  then  thought  and  still  believe,  were  strictly 
true.     We  will  not  abate  one  word  of  what  we  then  said. 
And  they  only  show  bad  management  of  the  early  direc- 
tion of  the  bank  of  the  U.  States,  as  stated  in  the  leading 
editorial  article*  in  this  sheet,  and  furnish  some  of  the 
reasons  why  we  attacked  it   in  1818-19.     They  thought 
that  they  had  "the  world  in  a  sling,"  and  seemed  to  act 
accordingly;  and  the  many  hundred   local  "rag-shops" 
assisted  to  heap  up  the  misery  that  followed,  as  was  then 
stated. 

2.  AVe   deny  the  great  influence  which  is  attributed 
to  the  "new  system  of  duties."    It  may  have  had  some 
effect  at  New  York,  as  the  chief  place"  of  importation. 
But  the  effect  was  local,  and,  in  our  opinion,  not  import- 
ant. And,  what  extent  has  this  doctrine1   Look  at  the  case 
of  the  cargo  of  tea,  as  stated.     This  is  an  article  which 
our  country  does  not  produce — in  which  we  can  have  no 
interest,  unless  as  revenue,  or  in  its  cheapness.  But  shall 
high  duties  be  laid  for  the  sole  purpose  of  giving  artificial 
credits  to  merchants,  which,  indeed,  have  done  much  to 
cause  the  "over-tradings"  alluded  to,  by  adding  greatly 

"circulation  of  values,"  spoken  of  in  the  last  "Re- 
gister," as  dependent  on  foreign  labor  and  production  for 
its  amount — which  is  an  unsafe  one. 

3.  We  accord,  generally,  with  what  is  said  about  a  "pa- 
per foundation,  "but  contend  that,  as  is  stated  in  the  article 
just  above  referred  to,  that  a  sound  and  wholesome  paper 
currency,  (such  as  we  have  latterly  had),  is  better  and 
cheaper  than  the  use  of  coin.f  The  only  thing  requisite 

"The  editorial  article  was  prepared  before  we  saw  the  report 
given  below,  though  an  after-allusion  is  made  to  it. 
f  A  Philadelphia  paper  has  the  following — 
At  such  n  crisis  as  this,  every  patriot  should  bring  his  offering 
to  the  shrine  of  thejiuWtc  good;  and  we  rejoice  to  see  professor 
Hare,  losing  sight  for  a  moment  of  the  attractions  of  science, 
to  pay  a  just  tribute,  lo  ihe  emergency  of  the  times.    Now  is 
the  hour,  when  every  man  should  bring  forward  his  plans  for 
the  general  welfare,  and  exert  his  talents  to  rescue  our  beloved 
country  from  impending  ruin! 

These  remarks  have  been  elieted.  by  a  pamphlet,  entitled 
;Proofs  that  credit  as  money,  in  a  truly  free  country,  is  to  a 
great  extent  preferable  to  coin.  By  Robert  Hare,  M.  D.  profes- 
sor, &c.  Abstracted  from  a  pamphlet,  published  in  1810,  and 
revised  by  the  author,  1834." 

This  is  not  only  an  ingenious,  but  a  powerful  disquisition  on  th« 
great  advantages,  and  stupendous  agencies  of  credit,  employed 
as  a  medium  of  exchange;  and  a  substitute  for  money,  and  wo 
deeply  regret  that  our  limits  prevent  us  from  making  copious 
quotations  from  ibis  sound  and  patriotic  essay.  Suffice  it  here 
to  observe,  that  it  is  this  species  of  money  which  Ihe  tyrannical 
usurpntion  of  gen.  Jackson  ha*  deslroyed,  by  his  wicked  war- 
fare againsl  Ihe  currency,  the  laws  anil  Ihe  constitution. 

GEO:  WOLF.  Some  idea  of  the  principle?  which  form  the  basis  of  professor 

Hare's  theory,  may  he  obtained  from  the  following  fact,  that 
the  hank  of  the  Uniled  States,  by  Ibis  kind  of  credit,  accomplish 
domestic  exchanges  to  the  immense  amount  of  240  millions  of 
dollars — which  in  silver  coin,  would  weigh  twelve  millions  five 
hundred  thousand  pounds,  a  weight  which  never  could  be  re- 
mitted from  place  to  place,  without  an  expense  that  would  da- 


stroy  all  profit. 


29     NILES'  REGISTER-MARCH  S,  1834-NEW  YORK  [TAMMANY]  REPORT. 


it  to  regulate  that  currency  wisely.  The  operations 
this  country  cannot  be  performed  by  coin — unless  re- 
stricted to  an  absolutely  ruinous  extent,  and  changes  ii 
the  ralue  of  all  sorts  of  property  that  -would  unhinge  every 
department  of  society. 

From  the  New  York  Standard. 
The  following  interesting  document  was  to  have  appeared  in 
<Hir  paper  yesterday,  but  was  delayed   for  the  want  of  some 
statistical  detail:).    The  committee  explain  in  a  note  vdiy  it  ap- 
pears without  them. 

At  a  meeting  of  merchants,  traders,  mechanics  and  others, 
held  at  Tammany  hall  on  the  19th  of  February,  1834,  of  which 
the  honorable  Stephen  Allen  was  president,  the  following  per- 
•oni,  nnim  ly: 

Preserved  Fish,  Walter  Bowne, 

Jacob  Lorrilard,  John  Bolton, 

Morgan  Lewis,  Gideon  Lee, 

Eldad  Holmes,  James  J.  Roosevelt,  Jr. 

Thomas  .Suin-rn,  Reuben  Withers, 

Abraham  Van  Ne»s,  James  McBride, 

David  Bryson,  Thaddeus  Phelps, 

Abraham  Bloodgood,  John  Leonard, 

John  W.  Hardenbrook,  George  Sharpe, 

George  Douglas,  Morgan  L.  Smith, 

John  Lovett,  John  Lozier, 

Samuel  Thompson,  Stephen  Allen, 

John  R.  Marshall,  M.  M.  Quackenboss, 

John  II.  Howland.  John  L.  Graham, 

Prosper  M.  Welmore, 

were  appointed  •  committee,  "with  power  to  confer  and  advise 
with  other  constituted  bodies,  and  to  adopt  measures  necessary 
to  remove  existing  difficulties,  restore  public  confidence,  and 
thereby  avert  predicted  evils." 

The  committee  having  assembled  at  the  city  hall  on  the  21st 
instant,  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  several  matters 
embraced  in  the  resolutions  under  which  they  were  appointed, 
and  after  some  time  spent  thereon,  it  was  referred  to  a  sub-com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Messrs.  Lorrilard,  Allen,  Douglas,  Wet- 
more,  Withers,  Fish  and  Roosevelt,  to  prepare  a  suitable  report 
to  be  submitted  to  a  subsequent  meeting.  Accordingly  at  an 
adjourned  meeting  of  the  committee,  held  at  the  same  place  on 
the  25th  initant,  Mr.  Roosevelt,  from  the  sub-committee  pre- 
sented the  following  report,  which  having  been  read  and  dis- 
cuited  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  signed  by 
the  chairman  and  secretary  and  published  in  all  the  papers  of 
the  city. 

Having  carefully  deliberated  on  the  subject,  the  committee, 
in  part  discharge  of  their  duties,  would  respectfully  submit  to 
their  fellow  citizens,  the  following 
REPORT. 

In  the  performance  ofa  duty  of  such  high  importance,  as  that 
which  hag  been  confided  to  the  committee,  they  have  felt  it 
incumbent  on  them  to  enter  somewhat  at  large  into  the  ex- 
amination of  the  subject  contemplated  by  their  .appointment. 
They  have  been  desirous  to  demonstrate,  to  all  such  at  least  as 
do  not  wilfully  close  their  eyes  against  the  truth,  the  injuries 
which  may  be  inflicted  upon  a  people  by  hasty  and  improvi- 
dent legislation,  and  by  the  improper,  if  not  dishonest  adminis- 
tration of  institutions  incorporated  ostensibly  for  the  public  good. 
One  of  the  most  common  errors  in  popular  reasoning,  and  of 
which  the  artful  and  designing  too  often  avail  themselves,  is  the 
babit  of  regarding  whatever  goes  before  as  necessarily  the  cause 
of  whatever  immediately  follows.  A  striking  illustration  of  this 
position  is  to  be  found  in  the  opinion  now  no  strongly  entertain- 
ed by  some  persons,  hut  only  used  by  others,  that  the  present 
pecuniary  embarrassments  is  the  effect  of  the  removal  of  the 
public  deposited  from  the  national  bank  to  the  banks  of  the 
•tales. 

To  any  one  who  looks  into  the  matter  coolly  and  dispassion- 
ately, it  must  be  obvious  that  so  far  at  least  as  this  city  is  con- 
cerned, the  alleged  cause  of  the  distren  has  been  a  real  cause 
of  its  partial  alienation;  inasmuch  as  a  large  portion  nf  the 
public  rev«nue«,  under  the  former  arrangement,  were  collected 
her*  to  he  loaned  elsewhere,  are  now  loaned  here,  where  they 
•re  collected. 

The  true  causes,  in  the  opinion  of  thi«  committee  of  tlie  pre- 
•ent  derangement  of  our  moneyed  affair*,  are  to  be  found  prin- 
cipally, first,  in  the  unavoidably  reaction  always  cons,  qucni 
upon  a  great  and  midden  nxpansion  of  the  circulating  medium; 
and,  tecondly,  in  the  extensive  and  fundamental  alterations 
made  by  the  last  congress  both  in  the  amount  of  the  commercial 
imposts  and  in  the  mode  of  their  collection. 

In  regard  to  the  first  of  these  cause«.  its  di«Mis«ion,  at  the 
present  time,  is  mingled  with  so  many  of  the  elements  of  party 
and  pa«sion,  that  the  more  moderate  portion  of  the  community 
are  becoming  distrustful  of  even  the  Roundest  argunvno,  and 
the  most  candid  statements,  in  any  way  connected  with  it. 

The  committee  have  d.-emed  it  proper  therefore  to  refer  to  the 
hiMorv  of  mioihrr  period. 

In  the  fir«l  eighteen  months  of  its  existence,  namely,  during 
the  year  1817  and  part  of  1818,  the  bank  of  the  United  Plates, 

Another  fact — the  bank  with  10  millions  of  specie  can  circu- 
late credit  amounting  to  70  millions,  or  inn  million',  and  save 
the  tpteit  from  all  wear,  tare  and  Pip* nsc .'  What  a  transcen- 
dent advantage  of  lound  credit  over  hard  money. 


lill    \VaSllniUiy     IWU     UIIII1U1I3,     CA^^Cutu     i«n  i(r     1111  oo     IIIIIIIIMIC*  ui 

dollars.  Every  department  of  business,  and  speculation,  and 
living,  was  as  a  necessary  consequence,  stimulated  to  the  ut- 
most— costly  mansions  were  erected,  and  adorned  with  the 


most  expensive  furniture,  sumptuous  entertainments  were 
given,  and  splendid  equipages  were  set  up.  And  every  man 
seemed  to  imagine  that  because  credits  were  abundant,  riches 
must  equally  abound.  The  prodigality  and  waste  of  some  of 
our  citizens  were  almost  beyond  belief.  "We  have  heard," 
says  the  Weekly  Register,  of  1819,  "that  the  furniture  ofa  sin- 
gle parlor,  possessed  by,  we  cannot  say,  belonging  to  one  in- 
dividual, (who  afterwards  became  bankrupt),  cost  forty  thou- 
sand dollars."  In  this  way,  according  to  the  views  of  those 
who  looked  only  at  the  surface,  the  country  enjoyed  a  state  of 
"unexampled  prosperity."  And  what  without  any  "removal  of 
the  deposites"  was  the  sequel  of  this  previously  brilliant  drama.- 
A  rapid  curtailment  of  discounts  was  commenced.  The  south- 
ern and  western  offices  were  directed  not  to  issue  their  notes; 
the  bank  ceased  to  purchase  and  collect  exchanges  on  the  south 
and  west;  and  the  local  institutions  were  called  upon  to  pay  up 
their  balances. 

These  measures  according  to  the  report  of  its  then  president, 
Mr.  Cbeves,  simple  and  obvious  as  they  are,  and  some  of  them 
so  strangely  overlooked  so  long,  lifted  the  bank  in  the  short 
space  of  seventy  days,  from  the  extreme  of  prostration  to  a 
state  of  safety,  and  even,  in  degree,  of  power;  and  enabled  it  to 
defy  all  attacks. 

"The  bank,"  observes  a  judicious  commentator  on  this  state- 
nent,  "was  saved,  and  the  people  were  ruined."  For  a  time 
he  question  every  morning,  was,  not  who  had  broken  the  pre- 
vious day,  but,  who  yet  stood?  Suits,  warrants  and  executions 
took  the  place  of  bank  credits.  "From  all  parts  of  the  coun- 
try," says  the  Weekly  Register  of  April  10, 1819,  "we  hear  ofa 
severe  pressure  on  men  in  business,  a  general  stagnation  of 
trade,  a  large  reduction  in  the  price  of  staple  articles.  Real 
property  is  rapidly  depreciating  in  its  nominal  value  and  its 
rents  or  profits  are  exceedingly  diminishing.  Many  highly  re- 
spectable traders  have  become  bankrupts,  and  it  is  agreed  that 
many  other  must  go — the  banks  are  refusing  their  customary 
accommodations,  confidence  among  merchants  is  shaken,  and 
3  per  cent,  a  month  is  offered  for  the  discount  of  prommissory 
notes  which  a  little  while  ago  were  considered  as  good  as  old 
gold,  and  whose  makers  have  not  since  suffered  any  losses  to 
render  their  notes  less  valuable  than  heretofore."  Four  months 
afterwards,  August  7th,  1819,  the  same  journal  says,  "it  in  es- 
timated that  there  are  20,000  persons  daily  seeking  work  in  Phi- 
ladelphia; in  New  York  10.000  able  bodied  men  are  said  to  be 
wandering  about  the  streets  looking  for  it,  and  if  we  add  to 
them  the  women  who  desire  something  to  do,  the  amount  can- 
not be  less  than  20,000."  A  committee  appointed  by  a  meet- 
ing of  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia  on  the  21st  August,  1819,  to 
inquire  into  the  situation  of  the  manufacturers  of  the  city  and 
its  vicinity  reported  on  the  2d  of  October,  that  of  thirty  me- 
chanical and  manufacturing  branches  of  trade,  which  they  enu- 
merated, which  gave  employment  to  9,188  persons  in  1814, 
and  to  9,672  in  1816,  there  were  but  2,137  persons  employed  in 
1819. 

Here  then  we  have  a  case  of  former  days,  precisely  so  far  as 
.he  effect  of  moneyed  credits  is  concerned  analogous  to  the- 
jresent.  As  mote  recently  in  1831  so  in  1817,  the  flood  gates 
)f  circulation  bad  been  opened  wide,  a  scene  of  unexampled 
prosperity  as  it  seemed,  but  of  delusive  intoxication  as  it  really 
vas,  ensued. 

The  day  of  contraction,  however,  as  we  have  seen,  soon 
came;  the  order  for  that  purpose  was  issued  from  Philadelphia 
on  the  20th  July,  1818,  and  by  the  1st  of  April  following,  the 
curtailments  had  amounted  to  the  immense  sum  of  $6,530,159. 
And  what  then  became  of  the  unexampled  prosperity,  about 
which,  then,  as  now,  so  much  has  been  said.  Being  a  mere 
>hantom,  it  vanished,  as  we  have  seen,  in  an  instant,  and  uni- 
versal ruin  and  dismay  followed  in  its  footsteps.  The  communi- 
ty then  saw,  and  felt,  as  they  now  feel,  without  seeing,  and  of 
course,  without  acknowledging,  that  paper  money,  like  dram 
drinking,  relieves  for  the  moment  by  the  deceitful  sensation  it 
creates;  but  gradually  exhausting  the  natural  heat,  leaves  the 
body  at  length  in  a  worse  state  than  it  found  it. 

We  have  the  authority  of  the  printed  statement,  laid  before 
he  stockholders  by  their  then  president,  for  saying  that  during 
all  this  time  (1817,  '18  and  '19),  the  bank  had  the  advantage  of 
mmense  government  depositeg— that  at  the  very  moment  when 
IIP  curtailments  were  ordered,  "the  government  deposites  in 
IIP  bank  and  its  branches  amounted  to  eight  millions  of  dol- 
ar»." 

If,  then,  the  possession  of  the  deposites  did  not  prevent  the 
contraction  nnd  consequent  ruin  of  1819,  why  should  the  re- 
moral  flf  the  deposites  be  the  cause,  under  precisely  similar  cir- 
cumstances, of  the  contraction  and  ruin  ot'  1834. 

The  truth  i«.  tin-  removal  of  the  drpo-it.-s,  unless  it  he  as  fur- 
lishins  a  motive  for  a  course  of  me.i-ures  which  would  not 
Uherwipe  have  been  adopted,  has,  as  your  committee  believe, 
tail  no  agency  whatever  in  producing  the  present  pecuniary  dif- 
ficulties; hut,  on  th«  contrary,  has  prevented  their  being  much 
greater  than  they  are. 

The  committee  helier*  that  the  directors  of  the  United  Stntws' 
bank,  in  th*  enormous  addition  in  the  years  1830  and  '31  of 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8, 1834— PHILADELPHIA  (JACKSON)  MEETING.     89 


twenty-sight  millions  to  the  already  adequate  quantity  of  bank 

facilities,  (to  say  nothing  of  the  very  questionable  design  of  the 
measure),  were  guilty  of  a  great  public  injury,  and  by  thus, 
themselves  creating  the  necessity  for  the  present  curtailments, 
were  the  real  authors  of  by  far  the  larger  portion  of  the  calami- 
ties which  they  now  seek  to  ascribe  to  the  president  of  the 
United  States. 

The  second  leading  cause  of  the  present  commercial  pressure, 
will  be  found  in  the  new  system  of  duties  and  imports. 

The  influence  of  the  late  tariff  acts,  in  bringing  about  the  state 
of  things  so  loudly  complained  of,  would  seem  to  be  little  un- 
derstood, and  still  loss  appreciated. 

To  say  that  a  partial  reduction  in  some  cases  or  total  removal 
of  duties  on  imposts  creates  commercial  distress,  would  appear, 
at  first  blush,  a  paradox.  But  let  us  see  its  operation. 

A  merchant  under  the  old  system  imported,  we  will  suppose, 
a  cargo  of  tea,  costing  in  China  one  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
the  duties  on  which,  we  will  also  suppose,  were  one  hundred 
thousand  more,  not  payable,  however,  till  the  expiration  of 
twelve  months.  The  value  here  then  of  the  cargo  for  the  pur- 
pose of  our  argument,  would  be  200,000  dollars,  and  for  that 
sum  hfi  would  of  course  be  able  to  sell  it  for  short  notes  of  indi- 
viduals, which  being  discounted,  would  be  immediately  turned 
into  so  much  bank  paper,  and  added  to  the  circulating  medium. 
Now  take  off  the  duty,  and  what  was  before  $200,000  sinks  im- 
mediately to  $100,000,  and  with  it  sinks  the  corresponding 
amount  of  circulating  medium. 

The  reduction  of  duties  of  the  New  York  custom  house  with- 
in the  last months,  and  the  consequent  reduction  in  the 

same  short  period  of  circulating  credit,  in  this  single  city,  has 
been  estimated  at millions. 

The  evil,  however,  does  not  stop  here.  Of  the  remaining  du- 
ties, about millions  have  been  made  payable  in  cash,  and 

that,  too,  before  the  possession  of  the  goods  on  which  they  are 

laid,  and  the  residue,  says millions  in  bonds  with  greatly 

shortened  credits* 

Although  this  part  of  the  system  has  not,  like  the  other,  effect- 
ed an  absolute  destruction  of  so  much  of  the  moneyed  capital 
•of  the  city,  yet  it  is  apparent  that  it  must  have  created  a  greatly 
increased  demand  for  the  diminished  portion  which  the  other 
had  left. 

In  addition  to  these  effects  of  the  new  tariff,  which  are  per- 
manent, there  is  another,  arising  merely  out  of  the  transition 
from  the  former  system  to  the  present,  which  has  served  greatly 
for  the  moment  to  aggravate  the  evil.  The  long  bonds  of  the 
•old  system,  and  the  short  bonds  and  cash  duties  of  the  new, 
have  fallen  due  simultaneously;  thus  concentrating,  to  a  great 
degree,  the  burthens  of  two  years  upon  the  shoulders  of  one. 

We  have  thus  briefly  adverted  to  the  two  leading  sources  of 
the  present  difficulties — the  sudden  expansion  and  the  sudden 
•contraction  of  the  circulating  medium — and  the  radical  changes, 
now  in  a  course  of  operation,  in  the  amount  and  mode  of  col- 
lecting the  national  revenues. 

Overtrading  also  has  contributed  its  share,  not  overtrading  in 
stocks  and  merchandise  merely,  but  overtrading  also  in  real 
«state.  The  whole  neighbourhood  of  the  city  at  an  exorbitantly 
enhanced  valuation,  has  been  literally  covered  with  contracts, 
requiring  sooner  or  later  the  payment  of  money,  and  of  course 
augmenting,  in  a  corresponding  degree,  the  demand  for  its  pos- 
session. 

The  overtrading  and  speculation,  however,  has  rather  been 
an  effect  than  a  cause.  It  resulted,  necessarily,  like  other  de- 
ceptive appearances  of  great  prosperity,  from  the  enormous  ex- 
pansion of  the  circulating  medium,  and  has  hardly  yet  had  time 
to  subside. 

Havins  thus  ascertained,  truly  a?  we  believe,  the  nature  and 
•origin  of  the  disease  under.which  the  community  is  laboring,  we 
feel  the  more  confident  in  the  suggestions  we  shall  offer  as  the 
remedy. 

First  then,  admitting  as  we  do  that  the  hank  issues  had  been 
unduly  expanded,  and  that  a  great  curtailment  was  therefore 
necessary,  we  insist,  that  to  make  it  suddenly  and  rapidly,  or 
even  at  all,  at  a  period,  when  other  causes,  as  wn  have  shown, 
are  producing  an  unwonted  demand  for  business  facilities,  is 
inexpedient  and  unjustifiable,  and  on  the  part  of  the  bank,  whose 
•own  previous  acts  created  the  necessity,  is  obnoxious  to  the  se- 
verest censure. 

The  curtailment,  indispensable  as  it  will  ultimately  be, ought, 
and  in  the  present  state  of  our  foreign  exchange,  may,  with  per- 
fect safety,  be  postponed  until  the  commercial  operations  of  the 
•city  shall  have  had  time  to  accommodate  themselves  to  the  new 
revenue  code. 

We  feel  ourselves  warranted,  therefore,  in  making  an  earnest 
appeal  to  our  local  institutions  to  aid  for  the  present  the  com- 
mercial and  business  community,  by  such  an  extension  of  dis- 
counts as  may  be  consistent  with  their  own  safety. 

In  the  second  place,  we  would  urge  up»n  congress  the  adop- 
tion of  the  warehouse  system,  so  that  importers  may  not  be  com- 
pelled to  pay  their  duties,  or  procure  sureties  for  the  purpose, 
until  they  are  ready  to  dispose  of  their  goods. 

*  The  committee  being  desirous  of  minute  accuracy  in  their 
statements,  delayed  the  publication  of  the  report  with  the  view 
•of  obtaining  the  materials  necessary  for  filling  up  these  blanks. 
Not  having  been  able,  as  yet,  to  procure  them,  they  have  not 
deemed  it  necessary  to  delay  the  report  longer,  inasmuch  as  the 
defect  can  be  supplied  in  their  future  commiinisation. 


Thirdly,  as  panic  in  times  of  pecuniary  pressure,  tends  to  dry 
up  the  sources  of  credit,  and  thus  to  aggravate  the  mischief 
which  it  dreads,  we  cannot  too  earnestly  recommend  to  the 
conductors  of  the  public  press,  to  abstain  as  far  as  practicable, 
from  tho.se  topics  and  modes  of  excitement  in  which,  it  is  appa- 
rent, some  of  them,  of  late,  have  too  much  indulged. 

Arid  lastly,  though  beyond  all  comparison  first  in  importance 
—  we  would  recommend  to  all  classes  of  our  fellow  citizens,  U> 
dismiss  from  their  minds  inflated  and  delusive  ideas  of  wealth, 
which  never  had  any  other  than  a  paper  foundation,  and  to  in- 
troduce into  their  business  arrangements  a  system  of  economy 
and  retrenchment  and  diminished  credits,  adapted  to  their  real, 
instead  of  their  imaginary  means,  and  the  diminished  indulgence 
of  the  new  revenue  code.  Let  them  look  to  industry,  sobriety 
and  frugality,  and  not  to  speculation  and  bank  favors,  as  the 
only  safe  and  permanent  sources  of  riches  and  prosperity. 

The  committee,  in  these  suggestions,  do  not  wish  to  be  un- 
derstood as  having  ceased  their  labors.  They  know,  and  fully 
sympathise  in  the  deep  anxiety  of  the  public  mind.  They  per- 
ceive, and  feel  no  disposition  to  disguise  the  truth,  that  a  severe 
pecuniary  pressure,  the  origin  of  which  they  have  endeavored 
to  trace  and  expose,  exists;  and  it  will  be  the  object  of  their  fur- 
ther efforts  and  deliberations  to  devise  some  plan,  if  possible,  ir» 
addition  to  the  measures  already  recommended,  to  allay  excite- 
ment, restore  confidence,  and  mitigate,  if  not  remove,  the  evil* 
complained  of.  PRESERVED  FISH,  chairman. 

JAMES  J.  ROOSEVELT,  jun.  secretary. 


MEETING  OP  MERCHANTS  AND  TRADERS. 
A  very  numerous  meeting  of  the  merchant*  and  trader*  of  the 
interior,  now  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  was  held  in  the  spa- 
cious dining  room  of  the  United  States'  hotel,  in  Philadelphia, 
on  Saturday  evening,  the  1st  of  March,  1834,  at  which  Jamet 
Barbour,  of  Kentucky,  presided,  and  the  following  resolutions 
were  unanimously  adopted: 

1.  Resolved,  That  a  national  bank  is  essential  to  the  prosperi- 
ty of  the  United  States;  and  especially  to  the  interior  of  th» 
country,  to  the  inhabitants  of  which,  a  sound  currency,  and 
equal  exchanges  are  of  the  highest  moment. 

2.  Resolved]  That  the  bank  of  the  United  States  has  furnished 
a  currency  always  as  good,  and  often  more  desirable  than  spe- 
cie; and  has  afforded  all  the  benefits  which  could  be  desired  for 
trade;  and  that  we  apprehend  as  the  greatest  of  evils,  a  return 
to  a  state  bank  currency,  unchecked  by  the  existence  of  a  na- 
tional bank  —  our  experience  having  shown  the  course  of  such  a 
system,  in  a  flood  of  uncurrent  and  irredeemable  paper,  and  a 
series  of  relief  and  stop  laws. 

3.  Resolved,  That,  as  under  the  present  organization  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  portions  of  its  capital  are  distributed 
over  every  section  of  the  union,  and  in  this  way  the  public  de- 
posites  are  rendered  beneficial  to  the  whole  country,  we  cannot 
recognise  the  justice  of  the  claim  of  those  who  demand  the  ex- 
clusive use  of  this  treasure  for  banking  purposes  —  for  how  can 
the  importing  merchants  pay  the  duties  on  goods  without  send- 
ing them  to  us,  and  how  can  we  pay  for  goods  without  vending 
them  again?    We  contend  that  it  is  not  the  importer  or  the  re- 
tailer, but  the  consumer,  who  ultimately  pays  the  duties,  and 
therefore  we  prefer  a  national  bank,  with  branches,  that  the 
whole  country  may  participate  in  its  benefits. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  depreciation  in   the  value  of  property 
and  produce,  together  with  the  losses  and  difficulties  now  sus- 
tained in  trade  by  the  interior,  are  unreasonable  and  grievous; 
and  such  as,  if  not  speedily  prevented,  will  involve  the  western 
country  in  the  greatest  embarrassments. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  senators  and  representatives  from  tha 
interior  are  hereby  earnestly  requested,  as  they  regard  the  in- 
terests of  their  constituents,  to  use  their  efforts  to  effect  a  re- 
charter  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales  with  such  modifica- 
tions as  the  wisdom  of  congress  may  devise. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the   present  condition  of  the  country  ii 
alarming  in  the  extreme;  that  the  consequences  to  the  interior, 
where  capital  is  less  accumulated  than  on  the  seaboard,  must  be 
most  severe,  and  that  the  state  of  the  nation  demands  imme- 
diate and  efficient  measures  of  relief,  without  which  we  see 
nothing  but  ruin  to  our  country. 

7.  Resolved,  That  Hie  present  sufferings  of  the  people  being 
entirely  the  result  of  human  action,  the  means  of  relief  are  alto- 
gether within  the  reach  of  legislative  control,  and  that  congress 
is  bound  to  consult  the  public  good,  and  to  take  immediate  stepi 
to  secure  it. 


PHILADELPHIA  (JACKSON)  MEETING. 

A  town  meeting  was  held  at  Philadelphia,  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  26th  February,  composed  of  "the  citizens  of  the  city  and 
county,  friendly  to  general  Jackson,  and"  the  general  policy  of 
the  administration,  but  who  disapprove  of  the  removal  of  the 
public  deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States."  The 
meeting  was  large  and  respectable,  and  its  proceedings  orderly 
and  decorous.  Among  the  resolutions  adopted  on  (he  occasion 
were  the  following,  which  require  no  explanation: 

Resolved,  That,  In  our  opinions,  the  present  pecuniary  em- 
barrassments of  the  country  have  been  principally  occasioned 
by  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  U. 
States. 

Resolved.  That  the  removal  of  the  deposites  was  impolitic, 
because  the  public  mind  is  diverted  from  the  only  questions  that 


30     NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— PUBLIC  MEETING  AT  BALTIMORE. 


should  occupy  it,  in  relation  to  the  bank,  its  constitutionality 
•and  public  convenience,  to  another,  and  wholly  dirtl-rent  sub- 
ject, calculated  to  enlist  the  passions  of  the  people,  and  prevent 
that  cool  and  dispassionate  consideration  so  important  a  subject 
demands. 

Resolved,  That  it  was  also  impolitic,  because  the  public  has 
an  interest  in  the  stock  of  the  bank  to  tlie  amount  of  jJT,  000,000, 
which  has  much  depreciated  in  value  by  the  measures  com- 
plained: And,  because,  by  the  embarrassment  ol  trade,  a  great 
diminution  of  the  public  revenue  may  be  expected  for  the  cur- 
rent year. 

Resolved,  That,  in  our  opinions,  the  removal  of  the  public 
depoMtes  was  a  violation  of  public  faith  pledged  to  the  bank; 
because,  by  the  terms  of  the  charter,  the  deposits  were  to  be 
made  with  it,  on  certain  conditions,  which  we  believe  to  have 
been  fully  complied  with  by  the  bank.  The  last  se:>sion  of  con- 
press  declared  that  the  deposiles  might  be  "safely  continued  in 
the  bank,"  and  it  is  not  pretended  that  any  circumstance  has 
since  arisen  to  make  them  less  safe  in  that  than  iu  any  oilier 
institution. 

Resolved,  That,  as  yet,  the  distress  and  embarrassments  pro- 
duced by  the  measure,  principally  affect  laige  cities-  and  inland 
towns,  but  must  soon  be  felt  by  every  Class  of  the  community. 


The  people  of  this  state  have  always  manifested  a  willingness 
to  submit  to  loss  and  privation  for  the  sake  of  principle;  but  we 
can  see  no  wisdom  or  propriety  in  calling  suffering  from  afar, 
at  an  unexpected  moment,  that  their  virtues  and  endurance  and 
patience  may  be  unnecessarily  tried. 

Resolved,  That  as  from  the  time  of  removing  the  deposites 
until  the  expiration  of  the  time  allowed  the  bank  to  settle,  and 
finally  close  iu  concerns,  a  period  of  four  years  and  a  half  would 
elapse,  that  measure  brought  on  the  public  suddenly  and  un- 
guardedly an  immediate,  unmitigated,  and  we  fear  a  protracted, 
instead  of  a  remote  and  much  alleviated  evil,  against  which  the 
community  would  have  gradually  and  prudently  prepared,  hav- 
ing been  apprised  of  the  Improbability  ofa  recharterof  the  bank. 

Rejoiced,  That  we  believe  that  the  removal  of  the  deposites 
is  part  of  a  great  scheme  designed  by  some  leading  politicians 
to  destroy  the  present  bank  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  upon  its 
ruins  another  bank  to  be  located  in  New  York  for  political  and 
speculating  purposes. 

Resolved,  That  although  we  have  always  given  to  gen.  Jack- 
son our  warm  and  zealous  support,  we  do  not  think  it  incom- 
patible with  our  regard  for  him,  and  the  general  principles  of 
his  administration,  but  the  duty  and  privilege  of  freemen,  to  ex- 
press our  opinions  that  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from 
the  bank  of  the  United  Stales  was  impolitic,  unwise  and  un- 
necessary, and  has  deranged  the  currency  and  paralyzed  the  in- 
dustry of  the  country. 

A  resolution  was  offered  by  B.  W.  Richards,  esq.  preceded  by 
some  explanatory  remarks  as  follows,  v  i/.: 

Resolved,  That  as  Pennsylvariians,  we  hail  the  bright  exam- 
ple of  our  ancient  and  honorable  ally,  Virginia;  and  that  we  are 
ready  with  her  to  rally  again  on  the  doctrines  of  '98,  in  a  vigor- 
ous effort,  to  restrain  the  encroachments  of  executive  power,  to 
sustain  the  rights  of  the  slates,  and  the  perpetuity  of  our  union 
and  iu  happy  institutions. 

PUBLIC  MEETING  AT  BALTIMORE. 

At  a  very  large  and  highly  respectable  meeting  of  the  signers 
of  the  memorial  to  congress,  and  others,  favorable  to  the  resto- 
ration of  the  deposites,  convened  in  Monument  square  on  Wed- 
nesday afternoon,  the  5th  of  March,  at  4  o'clock,  to  receive  the 
report  of  the  delegation  which  lately  visited  Washington  with 
the  memorial: 

His  honor,  judge  Brice,  president. 

William  Crawford,  jr.  William  H.  Conkling.  Joseph  K.  Sta- 


ng.  J 
rd,  J 


pleton,  Samuel  D.  Walker,  William  Hubbard,  Joseph  W.  Pat- 
terson ,  vice  president*. 

Hugh  W.  Evans  and  George  Rogers,  secretaries. 

Judge  Brice  having  opened  the  meeting  with  a  short  address, 
explanatory  of  its  objects, 

William  Crawford,  jr.  esq.  chairman  of  the  delegation,  on  pre- 
senting the  report,  made  the  following  observations: 

Fellow  citizens:  As  chairman  of  your  committee  I  have  the 
honor  to  present  to  this  meeting  a  report  which  I  now  hold  in 
my  hand,  and  while  I  ask  for  it  your  kind  attention,  permit  me  to 
say  one  word  for  this  my  beloved,  my  adopted  country.  We  have 
arrived  at  an  awful  crisis,  but  one  short  year  ha*  passed  from  a 
f  tale  of  unprecedented  prosperity,  to  a  state  of  awful  distress, 
unexampled  in  the  history  ofour  country. 

I  beg  you  to  turn  your  eyes  to  the  root  of  this  evil;  does  there 
exist  a  shadow  of  doubt  fiom  whence  it  emanated? 

The  constitution  gives  to  the  president  veto  powers,  which 
have  been  carried  to  great  extremes,  in  his  refusal  to  sign  a 
modified  charter,  pi-*i-.l  la-i  se—inn  by  both  houses  of  congress 
by  large  majorities,  asserting  among.!  oilier  reasons  that  the 
public  money  was  not  safe  in  the  United  Stairs'  bank!  Is  there 
a  man  in  thin  country  divested  of  parly  let-ling*  w  ho  hulieved 
it  —  no  my  countrymen—  a  national  hank  properly  ronstiiiiini  is 
as  necessary  to  regulate  the  exchanges  ami  currency  of  the 
country  and  preserve  a  sound  and  healthy  circulation,  as  the 
tun  i»  to  the  planetary  system. 

Our  currency  ought  to  be  lik«  Cesar's  wife,  not  only  pure 
but  beyond  suspicion.  We  art-  told  that  in  the  early  history  of 
our  country  there  was  a  lime  that  turd  men's  souls;  that  lima 
has  again  arrived;  let  us  meet  the  crisis  like  men.  I  have  too 


much  confidence  in  the  virtue  and  integrity  of  the  people  to  de- 
spair of  the  republic.  It  is  known  to  many  of  you  that  I  have 
gone  for  the  piusidenl  through  evil  and  through  good  report,  and 
part  with  him  now  as  with  my  lirst  love.  On  this  stand,  where 
I  appear  for  (he  first  lime,l  renounce  all  allegiance  with  un- 
holy affections.  The  subject  is  fruitful,  but  I  cannot  longer  de- 
tain you.  One  word  more,  and  I  have  done.  Can  you  my 
countrymen  longer  cling  to  him  who  is  regulated  by  an  under 
current  of  bad  advisers?  Submit  to  this  and  be  slaves! — Again 
1  answer  NO. 

After  which  David  Stewart,  esq.  being  called  on  by  the  pre- 
sident, read  the  following  report,  which  wag  duly  accepted  by 
the  meeting. 

Report  of  the  Baltimore  committee. 

The  delegation  appointed  by  the  meeting  of  the  signers  of  the 
memorial  lor  the  restoration  of  the  government  deposites  to  the 
bank  of  the  United  Stales,  held  at  the  exchange,  in  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  on  Thursday  6lh  of  February,  1834. 
Respectfully  4e»  leave  to  report: 

That  in  compliance  v.ith  the  duly  required  of  them  hy  the 
meeting,  they  proceeded  with  the  memorial  to  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington, on  Monday  the  10th  of  February,  and  immediately  appli- 
ed ihein.se I ves  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  objects  ol  their  mis- 
sion. They  visited  gen.  Chambers,  of  the  senate,  and  received 
from  him  assurances  of  his  warm  support;  and  the  memorial 
being  placed  in  his  hands,  it  was  accordingly  presented  to  the 
senate,  on  the  following  Wednesday,  with  such  a  notice  of  it 
as  was  calculated  to  insure  it  a  respectful  consideration  from 
that  body.  The  delegation  also  visited  Mr.  J.  P.  Heath.,  one  of 
the  representatives  of  the  city  of  Baltimore.  They  fonnd  him 
actively  disposed  to  promote  the  wishes  of  the  signers  of  the 
memorial,  and,  equally  with  general  Chambers,  kind  and  assi- 
duous in  his  attentions  to  the  delegation.  They  had  also  the 
good  fortune  to  enlist  the  regards  of  many  members  of  both 
houses  of  congress,  who  promised  them  a  ready  co-operation 
and  support. 

The  delegation  regret  that  the  same  favor  was  not  extended 
to  them  by  the  other  representative  from  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
Mr.  Isaac  McKim.  From  the  elevated  position  which  that  gen- 
tleman held  as  the  representative,  in  part,  of  a  great  trading 
community,  himself  extensively  encaged  in  commerce,  and  sup- 
posed to  be  conversant  with  the  varied  interests  of  the  society 
in  which  he  lived,  the  delegation  were  disposed  to  attach  some 
' mportance  to  his  efforts'  in  behalf  of  the  objects  of  the  memo- 
rial. And  they  felt  the  more  anxious  on  this  score,  as  they  had 
understood  that  Mr.  McKim  had  given  the  sanction  of  his  name 
to  the  opinion  that  the  city  of  Baltimore  had  not  suffered  by  the 
recent  derangement  of  the  commerce  and  industry  of  the  na- 
tion:— an  opinion  which  they  did  not  doubt  ihey  would  effectu- 
ally remove  from  his  mind  by  the  cogency  of  the  evidence 
which  they  were  enabled  to  furnUh,  under  the  sign  manual  of 
so  large  and  respectable  a  meeting  of  his  constituents.  Aiid  it 
is  due  to  Mr.  McKim,  to  say,  that  in  his  interview  with  the  de- 
legation— whatever  might  have  been  his  former  opinions— he 
no  longer  doubted  the  reality  of  the  distress  in  the  city  of  Balti- 
more. The  fact  Mr.  McKim  admitted,  and  also  acknowledged 
that,  in  his  judgment,  the  removal  of  the  deposites  was  a  wrong 
aud  injurious  measure.  This  conviction,  however,  he  intimat- 
ed could  not  change  his  course  in  reference  to  the  subject  of 
the  removal.  His  remark  was  "that  the  act  was  done;  and  that 
he  should  therefore,  nt  all  hazards  vote  with  the  government." 
The  reason  assigned  by  him  for  this  determination  was,  that  he 
had  some  influence  with  ihe  execuiive  which  he  might  turn  to 
the  advantage  of  his  constituents,  ami  that  he  did  not  wish  to 
lose  this  by  differing  with  the  executive  in  opinion.  Moreover, 
thai  he  was  elected  to  support  gen.  Jackson,  and  would  do  so  at 
the  risk  of  his  life  and  fortune:  that  no  friend  of  the  adminis- 
tration could  differ  in  opinion  with  gen.  Jackson,  and  prt  serve 
his  influence,  thai  any  attempt  to  advise  gen.  Jackson,  by  his 
friends,  would  be  met  with  an  expression  of  displeasure,  and  ris 
an  instance  of  this,  Mr.  hilih  had  once  attempted  it,  and  wa» 
told,  in  consequence— "when  the  president  wanted  him  he 
would  send  for  him." 

With  these  sentiments,  Mr.  AfcKim  seemed  particularly  anxi- 
ous to  avoid  bring  asked  to  present  the  memorial — intimating, 
lhat  if  he  were  to  present  it,  it  would  operate  d,  his  disadvant- 
age, and  also  saying,  lhat  he  would  be  expected  to  present  the 
counter  memorial,  which  was  then  preparing  in  Baltimore. 

These  declarations  on  the  part  of  Mr.  McKim, — even  if  the 
delegation  had  designed  to  request  him  to  present  the  memorial 
in  the  house  of  representatives,— ami  many  remarks  of  a  similar 
import,  sufficiently  indicated  to  the  delegation  that  they  had 
nothing  to  hope  from  his  services,  and  they,  accordingly,  for- 
bore to  hold  further  intercourse  with  him  on  the  subject.  Indeed, 
from  a  gentleman  holding  a  position  in  society  which  gave  him 
every  privilege  of  Independence,  and  invested  also  with  a  public 
station  an  the  representative  of  an  intelligent  and  patriotic  com- 
munity, who  have  always  b«en  accustomed  to  expect,  and  ready 
to  applaud  (he  exercise  of  an  upright  and  independent  judgment 


by  their  official  servants— the  delegation  were  not  prepared  to 
hear  eniii'essed  mieh  complete  submission  to  the  views,  present 
and  future,  of  the  executive;  nor  did  they  believe,  until  now, 
that  th<-  requisitions  made  by  the  executive  upon  its  supporters 
were  of  so  exaeiina  and  rigorous  a  character,  ns  seemed  to  be 
inferred  by  the  objection  of  Mr.  McKim—  especially  as  they  had 
recently  seen  many  evidences,  in  both  houses  of  congress,  in 
which  some  of  the  most  devoted  followers  of  the  party  in  power 
were  not  ufraid  to  do  justice  to  their  own  constituents,  in  the 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— PUBLIC  MEETING  AT  BALTIMORE.     Si 


presentation  of  memorials  that  certified  tin:  public  distress  even 
to  the  ear  of  him  who  claims  to  be  the  government. 

It  was  therefore  with  a  more  satisfied  feeling,  mid  with  more 
confident  assurance,  of  efficient  aid,  tlml  tin;  deh  salion  betook 
tln:msi:lves  to  Mr.  Heath,  whom  they  now  determined  to  solicit 
to  lay  the  memorial  before  the  house  of  representatives.  This 
gentleman  presented  that  document  to  the  house,  on  Monday 
the  17th,  and  recommended  it  by  a  speech  which  has  since  ap- 
peared in  the  public  journals,  and  which  has  won  him  the  thanks 
of  his  fellow  citizens — a  speech  that  glows  with  the  fervor  of  a 
manly  mind,  and  evinces  a  spirit  that  cannot  be  warped  from  its 
duty  either  by  the  fear  of  executive  denunciation,  or  by  the 
hope  of  preserving,  through  blind  obedience  and  servile  submis- 
sion, a  share  of  executive  favor. 

During  their  stay  at  Washington,  a  part  of  the  delegation  took  an 
opportunity  to  call  on  Mr.  Tuney,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury. 
They  were  received  with  the  courtesy  natural  to  that  gentleman; 
and  in  the  course  of  an  audience  of  half  an  hour,  were  enabled 
to  hear  his  views  on  the  subject  of  the  present  difficulties  of  the 
country,  and  the  course  which  the  executive  branch  of  the  go- 
vernment was  likely  to  pursue.  Mr.  Taney  remarked,  that  the 
bank  had  arrayed  itself  against  the  government,  and  that  the 
government  would  not  yield  :  that  the  impression  of  the  govern- 
ment was,  that  the  evil  the  people  complained  of,  grew  out  of 
the  great  power  of  the  bank:  that  the  government  was  making 
an  experiment — and,  however  bold,  he  would  not  undertake  to 
advise  any  change  from  the  position  it  had  assumed  against  the 
bank:  that  he,  (the  secretary),  found  no  difficulty  in  trans- 
mitting funds  from  one  part  of  this  extensive  country  to  the 
other.  In  the  course  of  this  conversation  one  of  the  delegation 
remarked  to  Mr.  Taney, — "Sir,  if  this  experiment  should  be 
persisted  in,  and  some  relief — such  as  we  do  not  now  antici- 
pate— should  not  be  given,  a  targe  proportion  of  the  tradinc  com- 
munity must  fail."  The  secretary  replied — "  [f  all  did  fail,  the 
policy  of  the  government  would  not  be  changed."  He  proceed- 
ed to  say,  "  that  if  the  commercial  classes  had  properly  sustain- 
ed their  state  institutions,  the  present  state  of  things  would  not 
have  existed, "^-adding,  "that  the  government  would  make  no 
change  until  the  present  bank  charter  expired."  He  also  ex- 
pressed his  surprise  "  that,  after  what  had  appeared  in  the  news- 
papers, and  the  long  speeches  made  in  congress,  more  failures 
had  not  taken  place." 

By  an  arrangement  procured  through  the  attention  of  Mr, 
Heatk,  the  delegation  were  enabled  to  visit  the  president.  They 
thought  it  a  part  of  their  duty  to  make  this  visit,  and  to  lay  be- 
fore the  chief  magistrate  such  information  as  might  exhibit  to 
him  the  actual  state  of  affairs  in  this  community.  The  time 
appointed  for  the  interview  was  at  eleven  o'clock  on  Wednes- 
day, and,  accordingly,  at  that  time,  seven  of  the  delegation  re 
paired  with  Mr.  Heath  to  the  residence  of  the  president,  where 
they  were  severally  presented  to  him;  and  after  a  few  minutes 
during  which  the  president  was  engaged  with  other  viMlers,  the 
chairman  of  the  delegation  addressed  the  president  in  the  fol- 
lowing terms: — 

"General,  you  arc,  no  doubt,  aware,  that  this  committee  has 
the  honour  to  be  delegated  by  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  with 
out  regard  to  party,  to  come  to  you,  sir, — the  fountain  head, — 
to  make  known  the  distressing  situation  of  the  currency  of  th 

country,  and  respectfully  to  ask,  from  you,  relief," 

"  Relief,  sir!" — interrupted  the  president  in  a  tone  of  excite 
ment! — "  Come  not  to  me,  sir! — Go  to  the  monster!  Did  no 
Nicholas  Biddle  come  here,  sir,  and  on  his  oath,  swear  before  r 
committee,  that  with  six  millions  in  his  vaults  he  could  mee 
tho  wants  of  the  whole  people?— And  now, — when  he  has  wran 
more  than  ten  millions  from  the  people, — he  sends  you  to  m 
for  relief.  It  is  folly,  sir,  to  talk  to  Jlndreui  Jackson — The  go 
vernment  will  not  bow  to  the  monster! — 

"Sir,"  said  the  chairman — "the  currency  of  the  country  is  i 
n  dreadful  situation.    The  state  banks  have  not  confidence  in 
each  other: — they  cannat  give  trade  the  facilities  required, 
have  recently  travelled  to  and  from  the  Falls  of  Ohio  to  Haiti 
more,  and  can  assure  you,  sir,  I  have  heard  but  one  opinion  o 
this  subject.     We  are  your  friends — not  politicians,     I  have  al 
ways  been,  up  to  the  present  moment,  a  decided  friend  of  you 
administration." — Here,  the  president,  in  a  very  angry  tone  o 
voice,  interrupted  the  chairman,  by  saying — 

"Sir,  you  keep  onu-sided  company.  Andrew  Jackson  has  fift 
letters  from  persons  of  all  parties,  daily  on  this  subject.  Sir 
he  has  more  and  better  information  than  you  sir — or  any  of  you 
Andrew  Jackson  published  his  opinions  in  September  last, 
am  surprised  that  yon  thus  talk  to  me,  sir  ! — It  is  folly:  you  woul 
have  us  like  the  people  of  Ireland,  paying  tribute  to  Londoi 
that  already  gets  a  large  amount  annually  from  this  count'j 
extorted  from  the  laboring  part  of  the  community.  The  failure 
that  are  now  takina  place  are  amongst  the  stock-jobbers,  broker- 
and  gamblers,  and  would  to  God,  they  were  all  swept  from  th 
land! — it  would  be  a  happy  thing  for  the  country. 

"Sir,"  said  the  chairman,  "all  my  experience  goes  to  sho 
that  there  is  no  money  more  cheerfully  paid  by  the  merchan 
and  people  of  this  country  than  interest — bank  interest — m 
such  interest  as  they  now  pay— say  two  and  a  half  per  cent,  t 
collect  a  sight  draught  drawn  in  Baltimore  on  Pittsburgh." 

"Sir,"  replied  the  president,  "I  had,  last  night,  any  amour 
of  money  offered  me  on  good  security,  by  a  gentleman  froi 
New  York,  at  six  per  cent.  They  are,  sir,  men  who  have  ove 
traded  that  are  now  pressed.  The  real  capitalists  of  the  coui 
try  felt  the  pressure  last  September  and  October,  when  tl 
monster  first  put  the  screw  down.  Did  not  the  monster  dra 


om  the  south  and  west,  last  fall,  thirty-five  millions?  For 
hat,  sir?  To  oppress  the  elate  liank>  in  your  city,  Philadel- 
lia,  New  York  and  tio.-ton.  l!ut  slndre,"  Jm-k^on  tort-saw 
bat  they  were  about,  and  met  tlieni.  Sir,  I  could  have  de- 
royed  the  monster  in  thirty  days — but  tlie  president  would  not 

0  it — not  wishing  to  bring  distress  upon  the  people.     Jt^dreta 
ackson  invited  a  compromise  with  the  mammoth— they  would 
ave  nothing  to  do  with  me,  and  now,  sir.  I  will  have  nothing 

1  do  will)  them.     The  restoration  of  the  depo?iies  is  virtually 
renewal  of  the  charter,  one  and  the  same  thing." 

The  chairman  answered,  "The  people,  sir,  have  not  under- 
tood  the  character  of  the  president,  it  he  is  unwilling  to  hear 
teir  calls  and  demands." 

Here,  in  a  vehement  manner,  the  president  exclaimed — ''The 
eople!  Talk  to  Jlndreui  Jackson,  fir,  about  the  people!  The 
eople,  sir,  are  with  me.  I  have  undergone  much  peril  for  the 
berties  of  this  people,  and  Andrew  Jackson  yet  lives  to  put  his 
>ot  upon  the  head  of  the  monster  and  crush  him  to  the  duel." 
Sir,"  interrupted  the  chairman  again,  "the  country  has  tried 
our  measures — ihuy  will  not  do.  They  will  ruin  two-thirds  of 
he  good  trading  men  of  the  country.  You  have  bled  us — we 
re  sick,  fainting  and  dying,  one  after  another." 
"The  mammoth,  sir,"  replied  the  president  in  a  violent  rage, 
'hns  bled  you!  When  I  put  him  down,  sir,  the  other  money- 
d  institutions  will  meet  all  the  wants  of  the  people.  It  is  folly 
ii  the  extreme,  to  talk  to  me  thus,  sir.  I  would  rather  under- 
;o  the  tortures  of  ten  Spanish  inquisitions  than  that  the  depo- 
ites  should  be  restored,  or  the  monster  be  rechartered." 
"Sir,"  said  the  chairman,  "as  there  is  no  general  relief  to  be 
ad,  direct  the  public  money  now  in  the  state  bank,  in  our  city, 
ack  to  the  branch  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  they 
will  at  once  give  Baltimore  relief." 

"Talk  not  to  me,  sir,  about  your  branch!"  exclaimed  the  pre- 
ident,  "did  they  not  send  in  nine  thousand  dollars  of  their  ille- 
gal lulls  or  checks  to  the  bank,  the  first  day!    Let  them  make 
nother  move  on  the  board,  and  Andrew  Jackson  will  check- 
nate  them.    Let  them  turn  the  screw  again,  and  I  will  make 
hem  feel  the  power  of  the  executive,  by  returning  on  them  ten 
millions  of  dollars  of  their  illegal  checks  now  in  circulation." 
"1  hope,  sir,"  said  the  chairman,  "you  will  be  able  to  demon- 
trate  how  the  country  is  to  pay  upwards  of  fifty  millions  of  dis- 
counted paper  now  due  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  with 
a  metallic  currency  but  little  over  twenty  millions." 

The  answer  was — "Go,  go  to  the  monsttr! — and  only  the 
other  day,  sir,  what  did  the  monster  do?  Disputed  with  the  ex- 
ecutive the  right  to  the  pension  fund?"  At  this  time,  the  presi- 
dent had  grown  into  such  a  rasie,  that  no  object  was  to  he  gain- 
Hi  by  attempting  to  prolong  the  discussion,  and  as  several  of 
he  delegation  had  already  manifested  their  wish  and  their  im- 
patience to  close  the  conference,  the  members  of  the  delegation 
withdrew. 

The  delegation  have  endeavored  to  report  all  that  passed  at 
this  interview  as  accurately  as  possible.  They  have  employed, 
as  far  as  their  memory  has  allowed  them,  the  exact  words, "that 
were  used  on  both  sides,  and  have  set  nothing  down  which  was 
not  distinctly  within  the  recollection  of  some  of  their  party; 
whilst,  at  the  same  time,  they  believe  they  have  omitted  no- 
thing of  importance  to  the  illustration  of  the  opinions  which 
the  president  endeavored  to  express,  except  one  assurance 
from  the  president  which,  upon  reviewing  what  they  have  de- 
tailed above,  they  now  supply.  In  the  course  of  his  remarks 
on  the  state  of  the  question  before  the  country,  the  president  de- 
clared, that  he  meant  to  try  the  present  experiment  with  the 
state  banks,  until  the  period  of  the  expiration  of  the  charter  of 
the  bank  of  the  United  States;  and  that  if  it  then  should  be 
found  not  to  answer,  some  other  plan  would  be  resorted  to. 

This  concludes  all  that  the  delegation  have  to  report  of  th* 
sentiments  of  the  president. 

Soon  after  this  interview,  the  delegation  returned  to  the  city 
of  Baltimore.  They  deem  it  unnecessary  to  comment  upon 
the  incidents  of  their  visit  to  the  city  of  Washington.  The 
above  narrative,  faithfully  detailing  all  that  passed  as  nearly  as 
it  was  possible  for  the  delegation  to  report  the  same,  will  afford 
every  citizen  of  Baltimore  the  menus  of  making  up  his  own 
opinion  in  regard  to  the  probable  duration  of  the  present  state 
of  things. 

The  delegation  see  no  reason  to  despond.  They  have  confi- 
dence in  the  wisdom  and  integrity  of  the  nation,  and  believe 
that  misrule,  whether  it  be  produced  by  passion,  or  by  error  of 
judgment,  cannot  long  go  uncorrected  amongst  an  intelligent 
and  patriotic  people. 

WM.  CRAWFORD,  jr. 
HUGH  BIRCKHEAD, 
G.  BROWN, 
J.  W.  PATTERSON, 
GEO.  R.  GAITHER, 

w.  c.  SHAW, 

WM.  <;K  VHAM, 

JNO.  BROWN  HOWELL, 

Thereupon  John  P.  Kennedy,  esq.  rose  and  addressed  the 
meeting  in  an  eloquent  and  appropriate  speech,  and  concluded 
by  offeiing  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  duly  second- 
ed by  S.  D.  Walker,  esq. 

I.  Resolved,  as  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  that  the  long  avow- 
ed hostility  of  president  Andrew  Jackson  against  the  bank  of 
the  U.  States — an  hostility  which  has  pursued  its  object  with 
a  bitterness  increased  by  every  failure  of  its  purpose — has  en- 
gendered a  temper  thai  wholly  incapacitate!)  him  for  wise  coun- 


WILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  8,  1834— PUBLIC  MEETING  AT  BALTIMORE, 


sel  in  reference  to  that  institution;  his  course,  towards  it,  has 
consequently  been  marked  by  passion  and  private  resentment, 
rather  than  by  the  sound  precepts  or  public  good. 

That,  having,  in  a  period  of  profound  tranquillity,  when  the 
great  mass  of  the  community  neither  saw  the  abuses  alleged 
against  the  bank,  nor  feared  its  power,  brought  it  within  the 
circle  of  executive  denunciation,  and  marshaled  the  forces  of 
party  to  act  against  it:  And  when,  nevertheless,  it  was  still  so 
much  a  favorite  with  the  country  as  to  obtain  the  vote  of  con- 
gress in  favor  of  the  renewal  of  its  charter,  his  greater  anger 
was  kindled  against  it,  and  a  system  of  warfare  was  adopted  by 
him  for  its  overthrow,  which  has  been  characterised  by  an  acri- 
mony unknown  in  the  annals  of  our  political  history.  That,  in 
the  course  of  this  warfare,  he  has  resorted  to  every  expedient 
within  his  reach,  to  injure  the  credit  of  the  bank,  and  impair  its 
means  of  fulfilling  its  engagements  to  the  nation— thereby  evinc- 
ing a  reckless  spirit  of  persecution,  more  resembling  personal 
hatred  than  official  zeal. 

Thai,  in  the  headlong  fervor  inspired  by  these  feelings,  goad- 
ed and  exasperated  by  disappointment,  he  has  forgotten  the 
constitutional  limits  of  his  own  power,  and  for  the  purpose  of 


inflicting  punishment  upon  his  victim,  he  has  unlawfully  seized 
upon  the  public  treasure  deposited  in  the  vaults  df  the  bank, 
under  the  obligation  of  a  contract,  for  which  the  honor  of  the 
nation  was  pledged,  and  has  distributed  this  treasure  whereso- 
ever, in  his  judgment,  the  convenience  of  the  public,  as  he  in- 
terprets it,  requires. 

That  in  the  performance  of  this  act,  he  has,  under  the  pretext 
of  power,  conferred  upon  him  by  the  constitution,  assumed  and 
adopted  a  principle  which  involves  a  dangerous  violation  of  the 
duties  of  a  good  magistrate;  a  principle  that  has  been  developed 
in  the  act  of  discarding  a  secretary,  who  held  his  office  at  the 
executive  pleasure,  because  that  secretary  refused  to  obey  the 
will  of  the  president  in  a  matter  not  within  the  president's  su- 
pervision, but  exclusively  confided  to  the  secretary  by  law;  and 
then  substituting  in  the  place  of  the  conscientious,  but  "refrac- 
tory subordinate,"  another,  better  inclined  to  obey  his  behests; 
thus  inculcating  the  mischievous  political  doctrine  that  the  pub- 
lic functionaries  can  only  expect  to  hold  office  upon  the  terms 
of  unqualified  obedience  to  his  wishes. 

That,  in  the  removal  ofthe  deposites,  he  tins  disregarded  the 
clear,  plain  and  almost  prophetic  warnings  as  to  the  fatal  effects 
of  the  measure,  of  the  councillors  whom  the  laws  had  placed 
around  him,  and  in  opposition  to  their  wholesome  advice,  has 
rushed,  with  precipitate  and  most  pernicious  haele,  to  the  ac- 
complishment of  his  will. 

That,  in  the  same  act,  he  has  endeavored  to  bring  into  con- 
tempt the  authority  and  reputation  of  congress,  by  forestalling 
the  action  of  that  body  on  the  subject,  and  menacing  the  exer- 
cise of  his  veto  upon  any  attempt  it  might  make  to  restore  the 
nation  to  its  former  attitude;  thus,  after  many  illusory  profes- 
sions of  respect  for  the  majority  of  the  nation,  actually  threat- 
ening to  shelter  himself  in  the  exceptionable  powers  conferred 
upon  a  minority. 

That,  in  like  manner,  he  has  derogated  from  the  importance 
and  value  of  the  co  ordinate  branches  ofthe  government,  by  the 
tone  with  which  he  claims  to  consider  the  government  as  only 
tii-iiii^  in  himself  and  the  officers  of  his  cabinet. 

That,  relying  upon  the  great  and  overwhelming  popularity 
which  a  past  renown  has  conferred  upon  him,  and  which  has 
begotten  towards  him  a  man-worship  altogether  unbecoming 
the  cilizens  of  a  free  republic,  he  has  been  emboldened  to  pur- 
•ue  his  passionate  and  self- willed  career,  in  the  idea  that  the  peo- 
ple will  sustain  him  in  whatever  he  chooses  to  propose.  In  this 
spirit  he  ha*  declared  that,  "he  assumes  the  responsibility  of  the 
removal  ofthe  deposites" — aiming,  by  this  declaration,  to  rally 
the  people  around  him,  and  to  transfer  the  question  of  an  inde- 
fensible and  pernicious  measure  into  one  of  party  and  personal 
attachment. 

That  the  bank  of  the  United  States  having,  by  a  strict  and 
compulsory  compliance  with  the  policy  dictated  to  it  by  the  pre- 
sident, conclusively  demonstrated  the  evil  consequences  of  that 
policy;  and  from  tho  constrained  position  which  has  been  forc- 
ed upon  that  institution,  severe  calamity  and  not  unforeseen 
di«a«ter  having  ensued — the  responsibility  for  these  evils  mutt 
fall  upon  the  head  of  him  who  assumed  the  responsibility;  and  it 
ii  but  little  compatible  with  the  moral  courage,  which  ha<  licen 
claimed  for  the  president,  that  he  should  shrink,  in  the  moment 
of  difficulty,  from  his  accountability  for  the  result,  and  seek  to 
throw  Hint  accountability  upon  the  bank.  He  has  indeed  de- 
clared that  much  of  the  di-a>ter  now  experienced  was  not  only 
looked  for  by  him,  but  that  it  is  also  in  accordance  with  hi's 
wi«hcs.  If.  however,  more  distress  than  he  expected  has  re- 
united, that  fact  alone  should  admonish  him  to  restore  the  coun- 
try to  its  original  happy  condition,  by  a  magnanimous  retrac- 
tion of  his  error.  The  glory  of  never  retracing  a  step,  is  both 
an  obstinate  and  wicked  pride,  incompatible  with  the  character 
of  a  wi*e  nnd  uprisht  statesman. 

That  TUT.  r.XI'F.HIMKNT  of  creating  a  sound  currency, 
through  tin:  innlrumf  ntalitv  of  associated  state  banks — in  which 
experiment  tin  present  j,;l<  announced  his  determination  to 
pereiM — is  one  that  has  heretofore  been  fully  tried  and  univer- 
sally deplored:  it  is  an  experiment  which  was  then  proved,  ami 
will  bn  proved  again,  to  be  fatal  to  the  public  prosperity,  and  if 
n>d  in  will  goon  redoubling  and  perpetuating  the  ca- 
lamities of  the  nation.  Political  wisdom,  even  more  than  pri- 
vate, is  but  conducted  bv  the  experience  of  history.  Not  less 
objectionable  is  the  experiment  of  banishing  a  mixed  paper  and 


specie  circulation,  and  substituting  for  it  a  metallic  currency. 
In  such  a  community  as  ours,  it  is  a  visionary  and  impractica- 
ble expedient;  and  even  if  practicable',  a  mischievous  scheme 
that  would  be  attended  with  such  distress  as  would  speedily 
cause  it  to  be  exploded  as  a  gross  absurdity.  Whichever,  there- 
fore, of  these  two  opposite  and  incongruous  experiments  the 
executive  designs  eventually  to  rest  upon — whether  that  of  a 
state  bank  currency,  which  must  be  depreciated  by  expansion, 
or  that  of  the  precious  metals,  which  must  do  its  mischief  by 
contraction — they  are  both  equally  unworthy  of  a  wise  govern- 
ment. 

That  the  hitherto  prosperous  and  eminently  happy  condition 
of  the  country  rendered  all  such  experiments  not  only  unwise, 
but  unjust;  and  the  attempting  them  argues  a  disposition  in  the 
executive  to  trifle  with  the  best  ami  dearest  interests  of  the 
community.  The  effect  of  all  measures  which  tend  to  embarasg 
the  currency,  inasmuch  as  they  operate  upon  the  relations  of 
debtor  and  creditor,  and  produce  frequent  changes  in  money 
values,  is  peculiarly  afflictive  to  the  poor  and  laboring  classes. 
These  disorders,  by  the  destruction  of  credit  and  confidence 
that  inevitably  attends  them,  deprive  labor  of  its  proper  reward, 
drive  it  from  its  lawful  employments  and  make  sad  inroads  upon 
the  welfare  of  every  man  who  subsists  by  his  daily  toil;  whilst 
at  the  same  time  they  prepare  a  bountiful  harvest  of  profit  for 
those  who,  free  from  the  cares  of  earning  their  subsistence, 
have  capital  at  hand  to  take  advantage  of  the  wants  of  the 
needy.  They  emphatically  make  "the  rich  richer,  and  poor 
poorer."  The  system,  therefore,  proposed  by  the  president,  is 
conspicuously  entitled  to  be  called  "the  industrious  and  the  la- 
boring man's  curse." 

II.  Therefore  resolved,  For  all  these  reasons,  this  meeting 
utterly  reprobate  the  policy  lately  adopted  by  the  president  of 
tbe  United  Slates,  in  regard  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites;  and 
they  solemnly  PROTEST  against  the  exercise  of  the  powers  by 
which  he  has  attempted  to  effectuate  his  purpose.    And  the 
members  of  this  meeting  pledge  themselves  to  use  all  lawful 
means  within  their  command  to  rescue  the  country  from  the 
consequence  of  Jhis  misrule. 

III.  Resolved,  That  this  meeting  have  full  confidence  rn  the 
good  sense,  virtue  and  love  of  country  of  their  fellow  citizens 
throughout  the  union,  and  trust  securely  in  the  beKef  that,  as 
the  eyes  of  the  people  are  opened  to  Hie  true  character  of  the 
measures  of  their  public  servants,  the  nation  will  effectually 
vindicate  the  integrity  of  the  constitution  in  the  enforcement 
of  a  strict  account  and  due  responsibility  from  those  who-  ad- 
minister the  gnvernment. 

IV.  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  meeting  be  accorded! 
to  gen.  Chambers,  of  the  senate,  nnd  James  P.  Heathrof  the 
house  of  representatives,  for  their  prompt  and  zealous  ce»opera- 
tion  in  the  views  of  the  signers  of  the  memorial,  lately  presented 
by  them  to  congress;  and  that  the  grateful  acknowledgments 
ofttail  meeting  are  due  to  the  delegation  whose  report  has  been 
read  this  day,  for  their  able  and  efficient  services  in  the  dis- 
charge of  the  duty  assigned  to  them. 

V.  Resolved,  That  this  meeting  entirely  and  unhesitatingly  dis- 
approve ofthe  conduct  of  Isaac  MeKim,  esq.  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives from  this  city;  and  that  they  perceive,  in  his  course, 
a  subserviency  to  the  views  of  the  executive,  altogether  irrecon- 
cileable  to  the  exercise  of  a  manly  freedom,  and  incompatible- 
with  the  duties  ofthe  representative  at'  an  enlightened  and1  free 
community — A  subserviency  that  is  calculated  to  surrender  the 
independence  of  congress  at  the  footstool  of  executive  power- 
as  degrading  in  the  one,  as  it  is  dangerous  in  the  other. 

VI.  ResoU-ed,  That  a  committee  of  thirty-one  citizens  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  chairman  of  this  meeting,  (of  which  committee 
the  president  of  this  meeting  beclmm>tan),to  net  as  a  committwe 
of  safety,  and  that  they  be  authorised  to  take  such  measure* 
as  they  may  deem  -necessary  to  promote  the  objects  of  thi* 
meeting. 

VII.  Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  printed  in  the  publie- 
newspapers,and  that  a  copy  be  sent  by  the  secretary  to  each  of 
the  senators  and  representatives  of  the  state  of  Maryland  in> 
congress. 

The  question  being  propounded  by  the  president  to  the  meeting 
on  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions,  they  were  carried  by  an  al- 
most unanimous  vote,  some  two  or  three  voice*  only  dissenting. 

After  this,  the  meeting  adjourned  about  sundown  with  three 
hearty  cheers.  The  chairman  then  appointed  the.  following  gen- 
tlemen as  the  committee  of  safety  of  thirty-one,  in  pursuance  to> 
the  foregoing  resolutions: 


William  Crawford,  jr. 

Talbot  Jones, 

George  Brown. 

Jacob  Albert, 

Joseph  W.  Patterson, 

James  Wilson, 

John  B.  Howell, 

John  McKim,jr. 

William  C  Shaw, 

William  Hubbard, 

George  R.  Gaithcr, 
Hugh  Birckhead, 

Joseph  K.  Stapleton, 
W.  H.  Conklinc, 

William  Graham, 
David  Stexvart, 

Reverdy  Johnson, 
John  P.  Kennedy, 

George  Rogers, 

H.W.Evans, 

Samuel  D.  Walker, 

Jonathan  Meredith, 

Matthew  Kollv, 

Peter  Leary, 

Gen.  Wm.  McDonald, 

James  Corner, 

Job  Smith,  jr. 

James  Biays,  jr. 

J.  V.  L.  McMahon, 

R.  D.  Burns, 

(Signed) 

f?       \V      F*V*K!I                   2 

N.  BRICE,  president. 

GEORGE  ROOERS,     $*««*««"• 

JVILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SEUIES.  Ne.  3— VOL.  X.]   BALTIMORE,  MARCH  15,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,173. 


THE  PAST-^THE  PRESENT—FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,   PRINTED   AND   PUBLISHED    BY   H.  NILE8,  AT  $5   PER  ANNUM,   PAYABLE   IN  ADYASCE. 


We  have,  by  a  moderate  computation,  about  five  hun- 
dred articles  and  items  of  information,  remaining  on  the 
table,  which  ought  to  be  inserted  or  noticed ! 

The  occasional  debates  which  take  place  in  congress 
on  the  presentation  of  petitions,  are  very  interesting, 
much  more  so  than  the  regular  debates  usually  are;  but  we 
cannot  pretend  to  keep  pace  with  them.  We  have,  how- 
ever, made  some  extracts  from  certain  remarks  of  Messrs. 
Webster  and  Clay,  when  the  memorial  of  the  builders  of 
Philadelphia  was  offered  in  the  senate. 

We  publish,  at  full  length,  the  report  of  the  commit- 
tee of  ways  and  means  of  the  house  of  representatives, 
sustaining  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  for  removing  the  public  deposites,  and  intend, 
in  our  next,  in  like  manner  to  offer  the  dissent  of  the  mi- 
nority of  that  committee.  Perhaps,  these  are  the  only 
long  papers  that  we  shall  be  required  to  publish  on  this 
subject  for  some  time — but  these  are  of  a  character  which 
demands  a  place. 

To  record  the  various  proceedings  had  in  consequence 
of  the  derangement  of  the  currency,  &tc.  is  impossible;  and 
even  to  mention  the  whole,  is  impracticable.  A  large 
part  of  the  people  of  the  U.  States  is  much  agitated,  and 
an  extraordinary  excitement  prevails — and  meetings  for 
and  against  a  restoration  of  the  public  deposites  are  yet 
being  held  in  many  places.  The  latter,  we  regret  to  ob- 
serve, are  called  with  entire  reference  to  party  politics, 
in  many  cases.  Those  in  favor  of  the  restoration  do  not 
make  such  a  discrimination,  and  are  attended  by  many- 
strong  friends  of  the  executive,  at  different  places. 

The  report  of  the  Pittsburgh  committee  who  visited 
Washington,  and  waited  on  the  president,  has  been  some 
time  before  us.  It  very  closely  corroborates  the  reports 
of  other  like  committees,  and,  indeed,  goes  beyond  them 
in  some  important  respects.  It  is  laid  aside  for  preser- 
vation. 

A  great  movement  is  making  in  Massachusetts.  A 
petition  for  the  restoration  of  the  deposites  had  been  sign- 
ed by  6,700  citizens  of  Boston,*  and  it  was  thought  the 
number  would  be  much  increased;  and  one  of  the  largest 
meetings  ever  held  at  Fanueil  Hall  was  assembled,  at 
•which  many  resolutions  of  a  decided  character  were  pass- 
ed, one  of  which  appointed  a  "committee  of  safety"  of 
thirty.  Another  appointed  a  delegation  to  hear  the  peti- 
tion to  Washington,  the  chairman  of  which  is  Mr.  ~ip[>le- 
ton,  late  the  member  of  congress  from  that  city. 

But  neither  the  excitement,  nor  the  pressure,  has  yet 
nearly  reached  the  extent  to  which  both  will  proceed. 
Every  da}'  adds  failure  to  failure,  misery  to  misery,  and 
reduces  the  means  of  the  most  solvent  persons.  Many 
men,  as  yet,  pay  their  debts  by  exhausting  their  fortunes, 
in  sacrifices  to  perserve  their  credit!  A  member  of  the 
legislature  of  Massachusetts  lately  said,  in  his  place  that 
$2,500,000  had  been  paid,  in  that  state,  for  extra  interests 
since  the  removal  of  the  deposites.  We  think  that  this 
is  less  than  the  truth,  in  a  community  so  eminently  com- 
mercial as  the  state  named.  It  is  our  opinion,  derived 
from  several  conversations  with  persons  who  ought  to 
know,  that  the  daily  amount  of  shavings  in  Baltimore 
amounts  to  100,000  dollars.  It  is,  of  all  sorts,  more  than 
less  that  sum.  The  average  is  not  less  than  3  per  cent. 
a  month,  including  brokerage,  and  other  charges,  such  as 
in  the  borrowing  of  tmciirrent  money,  etc.  and  the  shaving 
of  payable-  post  checks.  The  legal  rate  of  interest  is  the 
half  of  one  cent,  on  the  dollar,  per  da}- — the  present  rate 
three  cents:  100,000  dollars,  at  a  £  per  cent,  per  dollar, 
is  500  dollars,  at  3  per  cent.  3,000 — difference  in  a  month 


*The  professions  of  the  signers  are  added — that  they  may  be 
found.    Of  the  6,700  there  were  3,200  mechanics,  manufacturers 
and   laboring  men,  2,300  merchants  and  traders — the   ie»t  of 
other  occupations,  professional  men,  &c. 
VOL.  XLVI— 610.  3. 


of  30  days.  $75,000,  or,  for  four  months,  300,000  dollars. 
But  the  dealings  in  Jialtimore  are  not  a  tenth  part  of 
those  of  Massachusetts;  and  besides,  Baltimore  seems  as 
yet  to  have  suffered  less  from  the  pressure  than  any  other 
place  of  business  east  or  northward  of  this  city,  for  our 
people  had  been  taught  caution  in  the  school  of  adversity, 
and  not  yet  forgotten  their  lessons.  We  then  easily  be- 
lieve in  the  fact  stated  by  the  gentleman  of  Massachu- 
setts; and  yet  there  is  no  dealing  people  on  the  face  of  the 
earth  better  able  to  pay  their  debts,  in  ordinary  times, 
than  the  inhabitants  of  that  industrous  and  thrifty  and 
economical  commonwealth.  The  scarcity  of  money,  or 
want  of  confidence  in  Baltimore,  may  be  gathered  from 
the  rates  of  exchanges.  The  bills  of  as  good  banks,  at 
home,  to  say  the  least  of  them  as  our  own,  have  these 
rates — New  England  bank"  notes  3  per  cent,  discount, 
New  York,  (country  and  safety  fund)  5,  unless  of  Al- 
bany which  are  at  3.  Pennsylvania,  even  if  payable  at, 
or  received  by  the  banks  of  Philadelphia,  (but  not  de- 
positable  in  our  own  banks),  1  to  2;  others,  (good  banks)  3 
@  5  percent.  District  of  Columbia  ^  to  1;  Virginia  2  per 
cent.  South  Carolina  3,  North  Carolina,  Georgia,  Loui- 
siana, Alabama,  and  other  states  south  and  west,  "no 
sales," or  at  from  7^  to  10  percent,  discount.  But  the 
"safely  fund"  banks,  at  New  York,  have  a  rate  of  dis- 
count that  does  not  exceed  1^  per  cent,  if  the  average 
amounts  to  so  much — and  a  good  many  of  them  are  really 
at  par,  in  that  city,  at  this  time. 

The  preceding  facts  are  not  stated  to  injure  the  credit 
of  the  banks  alluded  to,  for  most  of  them  may  be  as 
sound  as  other  banks  are;  but  for  the  simple  purpose  of 
sliewng  the  pressure  for  present  means,  with  the  want  of 
confidence,  that  prevails  in  this  city. 

It  is  with  much  regret,  and  only  in  a  sense  of  duty,  we 
must  add — that  on  the  8th  inst.  we  sold  a  note  of  the  Sus- 
quehannah  bridge  and  bank  company,  issued  by  the  office 
in  this  city,  at  10  per  cent,  dissount,  and  that,  on  the 
13th,  we  saw  them  refused  by  a  broker  at  that  rate,  when 
present  and  getting  other  notes  shaved.  They  were  al- 
together rejected.  But  the  failure  of  this  institution, 
though  distressing  some  individuals,  cannot  have  any 
sensible  effect  on  the  Baltimore  banks,  generally,  and 
their  credit  ought  not  to  be  in  the  least  impaired,  from 
the  circumstances  mentioned. 

[It  is  said  that  the  redemption  of  the  bills  of  this  bank 
will  soon  be  commenced,  and  that  the  whole  issue  will  be 
paid.  We  shall  derive  much  pleasure  in  stating  the  fact 
to  the  public.] 

We  have  an  official  statement,  and  intended  to  publish 
it  this  week,  shewing  the  condition  of  the  bank  of  the  U. 
States  on  the  1st  October,  1833,  and  1st  March,  1834,' 
from  which  we  can  only  give  the  following  summary 
statement,  at  present. 

Loans.  Depositet. 

October  1,  1833,  60,094,202  93  17,877,298  36 

March  1, 1834,  56,157,829  86  9,947,363  54 


October  1,  1833, 
March  1,  1834, 


3,926,373  07 
Circulation. 
19,1-28,189  57 
18,523,189  00 


7,929,934  82 

Specie. 
10,663,441  51 
10,385,439  15 


605,000  57  278,002  36 

This  shows  that  the  reduction  of  the  loans  has  not 
been,  by  upwards  of  four  millions  of  dollars,  as  great  as 
the  reduction  of  the  deposites,  and  yet  the  bank  is  blamed 
for  causing  the  pressure.  Money  was  yet  plenty  in  Oc- 
tober last — why  then  is  it  scarce  now? 

Mr.  Chambers  in  reply  to  Mr.  King  of  Geo.  in  the 
senate  of  the  United  States  on  the  10th  inst.  (the  latter 
having  said  that  he  had  heard  nothing  of  distress  among 
the  people,  or  violation  of  the  law  by  the  president,  until 
he  heard  of  them  on  that  floor,  &c. )  made  a  reference  to 


34 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH   15,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


Mr.  Duane's  letters  to  the  people  now  publishing,  and 
•aid  that  on  the  10th  of  July  last,  Messrs.  Ihiaiie  and 
JUcLutie  " sounded  in  the  president's  ear  the  warning 
•voice  of  caution,  and  foretold,  with  prophetic  accuracy, 
the  results  of  his  mischievous  experiment. " 

Mr.  Duane's  letter  to  the  president  of  the  10th  of  July, 
(verv  recently  published),  plainly  says  that  the  remo- 
val of  the  deposites  would  be  regarded  as  an  "extreme 
and  arbitrary  measure," — and  lie  also,  with  wonderful 
certainty,  foretold  the  deranged  state  of  the  currency  and 
pressure  on  the  people,  that  would  follow  it.  No  man 
now  could  describe  the  existing  state  of  things  more 
clearly  than  Mr.  Duane  predicted  them,  in  his  formal 
letter  to  the  president  of  July  10,  1833. 

The  "Globe"  of  Monday  last  asserted,  as  on  the  au- 
thority of  Mr.  Taney,  that  the  statement  made  by  the 
Baltimore  committee  of  the  conversation  of  a  part  of  that 
committee  with  him  was  misrepresented;  on  -which 
Messrs.  William  Crawford,  jr.  George  Jiro-wn  and  Joseph 
W.  Patterson  (the  other  gentleman  who  waited  on  Mr. 
Taney,  Mr.  Gaither,  being  absent)  addri  ssed  a  note  to 
Mr.  T.  asking  whether  the  editor  of  the  "Globe"  had 
his  (Mr.  T's)  authority  tor  the  assertion  that  he  had 
made;  and,  receiving  no  answer,  they  published  their  note 
to  Mr.  T.  on  Thursday  last,  affirming,  over  their  own 
proper  signatures,  the  accuracy  of  their  statement.  And 
vesterday  morning  there  was  published  a  long  private 
letter  of  Mr.  Taney  to  a  gentleman  of  Baltimore,  dated 
on  the  10th,  in  which  he  observes,  "1  cannot  undertake 
to  say  whether  1  did  or  did  not  use  the  words  imputed  to 
me.  But  if  they  were  used  they  were  applied  to  the  ge- 
neral ruin  which  the  mercantile  community  should  wil- 
lingly bring  on  itself  by  creating  a  panic  for  party  pur- 
poses." This  is  sufficient  for  a  general  view  of  the  state 
of  this  matter.  We  cannot  go  into  particulars. 

It  is  probable  that  the  most  animated  political  contest 
which  has  happened  in  the  state  for  many  years  will 
take  place  in  Virginia,  in  the  ensuing  month,  when  the 
members  of  the  legislature  are  to  he  chosen.  The  strong- 
est men,  on  both  sides,  are  being  brought  out,  and  each 
party  will  exert  itself  to  the  utmost.  It  is  said  that  both  .of 
the  great  parties  in  the  legislature  will  publish  an  address 
to  the  people.  Parties  in  this  state  seem  to  have  nearly 
settled  down  into  a  Jackson  and  Van  Buren  party,  and 
an  anti-Jackson  and  anti-Van  Buren  party;  all  minor 
questions  being  merged  in  the  success  or  defeat  of  the 
individuals  named. 

In  the  city  of  New  York,  the  election  of  charter  or 
corporation  "officers,  takes  place  on  the  second  Tuesday 
of  next  month.  These  are  very  important,  because  of 
the  disbursements  and  patronage  of  the  government  of 
that  great  city.  The  "independent  republicans,"  are 
making  much  preparation  to  encounter  the  "Tamma- 
nies"— and,  warmed  with  the  hope  of  success,  though  the 
odds  have  been  so  much  in  favor  of  the  latter,  the  former 
are  rallying  their  strength  and  organizing  themselves  with 
all  diligence.  While  the  Evening  Post  charges  it  upon 
the  "independent  republicans"  that  some  individuals  are 
giving  from  100  to  1,000  dollars  to  carry  on  the  business 
of  the  election,  the  Evening  Star  asserts  that  all  per- 
sons in  public  office  have  been  ordered  to  pay  up  an  as- 
sessment, at  a  rate  equal  to  the  highest  that  has  ever  been 
imposed  upon  them;  which  we  have  heretofore  heard 
was  ten  per  cent,  on  the  whole  amount  of  a  year's  salary 
or  feesf 

At  a  meeting  in  favor  of  the  bank,  held  in  Vermont, 
Mr.  JHeech,  late  "Jackson"  candidate  for  governor,  pre- 
sided—-and  at  another  held  at  Princeton,  X.  J.  John  C. 
Schenck,  esq.  recently  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
friends  of  the  administration  in  that  state,  took  a  leading 
part.  Such  tilings  are  of  frequent  occurrence — and  so 
they  should  be.  It  is  an  act  of  great  violence  to  force  a 
eoniideration  of  the  state  of  the  currency,  into  the  tran- 
sient and  turbulent  upg  and  downs  of  political  parties. 

Hundreds  of  new  meetings  of  the  people  have  just  been 
held  or  called  to  be  held,  in  different  parts  of  the  union, 
but  most  numerously  in  New  Jeriwy,  Pennsylvania  anil 
Virginia,  on  account  of  the  distressed  state  of  the  coun- 
try. Oo  th«  20th  inst.  there  is  to  be  a  grand  meeting  of 


Lhe  people  of  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia,  at  which 
it  is  recommended  thai  the  different  trades  shi.ll  appear 
w  ith  their  banners  and  badges — and  that  the  store-keep- 
ers close  their  stores,  for  the  afternoon. 

Gov.  Wolf's  veiy  sudden  change  of  opinion,  causes 
much  speculation  in  Pennsylvania.  The  Pittsburgh 
committee,  who  called  at  Harrisburgh,  on  their  way  to 
Washington,  a  short  time  ago,  reported  that  his  former 
good  opinion  of  the  bank  was  unchanged. 

On  the  8th  inst.  Baltimore  bank  notes  were  at  ^  per 
cent,  discount  at  Pittsburgh— and  on  the  same  day  Pitts- 
burgh bank  notes  were  at  3  per  cent,  discount  al  Balti- 
more— both  being  equally  good,  at  home!  The  time  be- 
tween these  cities  is  less  than  3  days,  or,  going  and  re- 
turning, with  one  day  to  make  the  exchange,  say  s-eveu 
days,  or  exactly  a  half  per  cent,  per  day  on  money  be- 
tween the  two  places — or  182^  per  cent,  per  annum! 
This  is  a  pretty  state  of  things — but  it  prevails  in  all  parts 
of  the  union.  There  was,  and,  perhaps,  yet  is,  a  tariff  of 
exchange  even  between  Albany  and  Troy,  five  miles 
apart,  the  banks  in  each  being  equally  good  !  But  the  con- 
dition of  things  within  the  state  of  New-York  s>eems  to 
be  generally  improved. 

We  observe  that  the  somniferous  paper  read  by  the 
honorable*  and  "honest"  Isaac  Hill  in  the  senate  cham- 
ber, (but  not  to  the  senate,  for  friends  and  enemies 
"cleared  out"  to  avoid  the  punishment  of  hearing  it), 
has  been  published  in  the  "Globe"  as  Mr.  Hill's  speech, 
into  which  the  writer  or  reader  has  introduced  some  ex- 
tracts from  the  REGISTER  of  18'20,  in  relation  to  the 
bank.  "Hezekiah  Niles"  sees  not  one  word  in  the  ho- 
norable arid  "honest"  gentleman's  quotation  that  he  will 
retract — for  every  word  had  respect  to  then  existing 
facts,  and  \v  hat  seemed  to  be  the  manifest  intentions  of 
those  who  then  had  charge  o\er  the  affairs  of  the  bank. 
We  just  take  the  liberty,  however,  to  say,  that  in  his 
comments  on  the  extract  presented,  the  honorable  and 
"hontst"  gentleman  says  some  things  that  are  not  true. 
But  "that's  not/ten,"  as  major  Downing  would  say — and 
"some  things  are  so  despicable,"  as  Mr.  Senator  Clayton 
said,  that  we  must  pass  them  over. 

As  the  honorable  and  "honest"  senator  is  pleased  with 
"extracts,"  we  shall  give  one  or  two  out  of  many  in  our 
possession,  which  we  find  marked  as  from  the  .TV.  Hamp- 
slure  Patriot  of  1 824 — and  we  guess  that  they  are  "ge- 
nuwine" — for  they  have  been  repeatedly  published  as 
such,  and  we  never  heard  their  verity  denied: 

"General  Jackson,  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  now 
finds  those  only  opposed  to  his  election,  who  defended 
his  honest  but  indiscreet  zeal,  iv/ien  he  tiampled  on  the 
civil  authority,  by  arresting  the  United  Stales'  judge, 
and  other  citizens  at  J\fcu>  Orleans,  and  telien  /te  seized 
itnd  executed  Jirbnthnot  and  Jimbrister,  in  Florida;  he 
has  there  changed  friends,  combining  what  with  the  ho- 
nest portion  of  the  community  who  gaze  with  admiration 
at  his  military  prowess,  what  -with  abortion  of  men  ambi- 
tious for  place  and  preferment ,  and  what  with  THAT  PAR- 
TI who  care  not  -who  they  support,  so  that  they  make  mis- 
chief, AND  BREAK  UP  THE  REPUBLICAN  PARTY,  a  llOSt  in 

that  state,  which  will  probably  outnumber  the  friends  of 
any  other  presidential  candidate." 

"We  love  our  civil  rights  and  privileges  too  well  to 
place  Jackson  in  the  presidential  chair.  H'e  do  not  like 
to  be  hanged  without  "rhyme  or  reason." 

Now,  will  the  honorable  and  "honest"  senator,  who 
has  "waxed  fat"  on  mail  contracts  and  hea\y  feedings  at 
the  public  crib,  stand  by  what  he  said,  as  we  are  ready 
to  stand  by  what  we  said'1  The  administration  of  the 
bank  when  placed  in  new  hands,  relieved  it  from  those 
causes  for  censure  which  wre  thought  it  well  deserved — 
but  how  is  it  with  the  facts  urs;ed  by  Mr.  /////against 
general  Jackson?  Have  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister,  for 
example,  been  restored  to  life,  as  the  bank,  under  its  new 


*VVe  hav«  italiciied  the  word  "honorable"  hivaiiM'  that  Hie 
"New  Iliitiip.-liiri-  I'ainnt"  ot  the  'M  .May.  iN'iU,  lur  inslaiicr, 
h.ul  his  name  KW  times,  in  different  e^ays  and  mini  with  HIM 
prefiimre;  anil  in  uvo  columns  of  tlini  paper  ofthfi  10th  of  the 
same  iiinnth.  his  name  was  u*p(l  42  tiirtfg,  several  of  which 
were  in  flaming  eapiials,  and,  perhaps,  all  manufactured  by  Ins 
own  honoralle  and  "honest"  self. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1884— CONGRESS. 


35 


direction,  was  reformed? — and  proceeded  to  accomplish 
the  purposes  lor  wliicli  it  was  dcsignt  (I,  in  tlie  establish- 
ment of  a  sound  and  wholesome  currency  ?  VVe  p refer 
not  these  things  against  the  president — but  refer  to  tliern 
for  the  sole  benefit  of  the  honorable  and  "honest"  sena- 
tor— who  said  more  against  gen.  Jackson,  personally,  in 
the  little  paragraphs  quoted,  than  is  contained  in  all  the 
forty-five  capacious  volumes  of  the  REIHSTKH,  as  written 
by  us — there  is  more  pure  malignity  and  caucus-slavish 
abuse  in  it,  than  we  ever  extended  towards  an  individual, 
(for  we  seldom  indulge  at  all  in  personalities,  unless  in 
the  lex  taltonis);  but  Isaac  Hill  cannot  complain  that  we 
have  "returned  his  compliment" — extract  against  extract. 

On  Monday  next  it  is  probable  that  Mr.  Webster  will 
bring  out  his  project  concerning  the  bank— prefer! ng  a 
renewal  of  its  charter,  with  certain  modifications.  A  ge- 
neral discussion  in  the  house  on  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee of  ways  and  means  (inserted  in  the  present  sheet), 
will  also  soon  be  going  on. 

A  gentleman  of  Soutli  Carolina,  remitting  his  payment 
for  the  UKGISTEH,  says,  "I  am  the  only  union  man  in  this 
village,  and  have  often  been  insulted  by  being  told  that  it 
was  because  I  read  old  Niles'  paper.  I  fear,  and  am  sor- 
ry to  say  that  more  has  been  done  [by"the  government"], 
in  the  last  four  months  to  promote  nullification,  than  ever 
before  was  done  for  it." 

The  National  Intelligencer  of  the  12th  says — The  pre- 
sident yesterday  re-nominated  to  the  senate  the  three  per- 
sons lately  rejected  as  government  directors  of  the  bank 
of  the  United  States.  The  reasons  which  he  assigned  to 
the  senate  for  this  unusual  step,  if  any,  werer  communi- 
cated in  confidence,  and  are  of  course  unknown  to  us. 

Mr.  Leigh  the  new  senator  from  Virginia,  made  his 
first  speech  on  the  12th  inst.  It  was  a  brief  one — of 
some  30  or  40  minutes;  but  is  said  to  have  fully  sustained 
the  high  reputation  which  he  has  long  borne  at  home, 
and  had  preceded  him  to  the  senate.  What  a  constella- 
tion of  talent  is  now  collected  in  that  body,  though  it 
contains  some  very  small  men ! 

ITEMS. 

The  frigates  United  States  and  Constellation  suffered 
much  damage  in  a  severe  gale,  on  the  14th  Dec.  and 
were  in  great  danger  of  being  lost,  but  they  got  into 
Milo,  where  they  were  repaired,  and  had  since  arrived 
at  Malta  on  their  way  to  Mahon. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  difficulties  in  Alabama  are 
yet  adjusted.  It  is  said  that  the  removal  of  the  while 
settlers  have  been  commenced  by  the  U.  S.  officers. 

At  last,  a  representative  has  been  chosen  in  the  9th 
congressional  district  of  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Jackson, 
anti-masonic,  has  succeeded  by  a  small  majority  of  all  the 
votes;  and,  as  on  all  leading  questions  that  has  been  or 
are  before  congress,  Mr.  J.  declared  that  he  coincided 
in  opinion  with  gen.  Dearborn,  the  late  representative — 
many  of  the  friends  of  the  latter,  to  end  the  contest  at  a 
crisis  so  important,  cast  their  votes  for  Mr.  Jackson. 
There  are  yet  three  vacant  seats  in  congress — 'that  which 
is  contested  by  Messrs.  Letcherand  Moore,  the  one  made 
vacant  by  the  decease  of  Mr.  Bonldin,  of  Va.  and  the 
other  by  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Bullard,  appointed  a 
judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Louisiana. 

We  much  regret  to  hear  that  the  cholera  has  reappear- 
ed in  some  parts  of  the  west,  bordering  on  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

There  have  recently  been  several  great  fires  at  New 
York.  This  city  has  very  many  buildings  fair  to  the  eye, 
like  "painted  sepulchres,"  but  made  up  of  the  most  com- 
bustible materials  within,  as  well  as  many  frame  edifices, 
built  in  a  hurry,  to  accommodate  the  rush  of  popula- 
tion— and  to  have  a  dozen  or  two  of  these  burnt  down  at 
a  time,  is  no  extraordinary  affair,  in  the  want  of  water 
to  extinguish  the  flames,  let  the  valuable  firemen  do  all 
that  they  can.  About  50  families,  of  the  poorest  classes, 
were  dislodged  by  one  fire  on  the  evening  of  the  lUth 
instant — chiefly  natives  of  Ireland. 

The  Corkonians  and  United  Irishmen,  laborers  on  the 
canal,  have  had  a  terrible  fight  at  New  Orleans,  in  which 
several  were  killed  and  wounded,  when  the  riot  was  sup- 


pressed and  many  of  the  rioters  arrested  to  answer  for 
it.  We  wish  that  these  people  would  leave  their  abomi- 
lable  local  hatreds  of  each  other,  as  well  as  their  much 
cherished  desire  of  appealing  to  force,  behind  them. 

LOWER  CAXA  DA.  The  dissensions  between  the  colonial 
legislature  and  the  governor-general  Aylmer  and  the 
royal  government  at  home,  have  risen  to  a  great  height. 
Early  in  last  month,  a  set  of  resolutions,  nearly  one  hun- 
dred in  number,  was  moved,  forming  a  sort  of  declara- 
tion of  rights  of  the  people  of  Canada,  and  concluding  by 
>roposingjo  expunge  from  llie  journals  of  the  house  the 
Jespatches  of  Mr.  Stanley,  the  British  colonial  secretary, 
and  the  'impeaching;  of  the  governor-general.  They  wtr« 
"jrought  up  for  discussion  on  the  15th,  ult.  and  debated  all 
hat  day  and  the  next.  All  substitutes  were  rejected  by 
>verwhelming  majorities,  and  late  in  the  night  of  the  16th, 
fifty-five  of  the  resolutions  were  agrees!  to  without  oppo- 
sition. The  whole  probably  passed  as  reported.  The 
•esolntions  adopted  contain  a  call  for  conventions  of  the 
jepple.  The  results  of  this  bold  attitude  which  the 
louse  have  assumed,  must  be  important  to  the  future  re- 
ations  of  the  colony  with  Great  Britain. 

In  one  of  the  resolutions  it  is  significantly  remarked, 
:hat  the  population  of  the  United  States  will,  in  twenty 
years,  be  equal  to  that  of  Great  Britain,  and  that  of  the 
British  North  American  colonies  will,  in  the  same  period, 
be  equal  to  that  of  the  United  States  when  they  declared 
their  independence. 

Upper  Canada  is  also  in  a  state  of  high  excitement. 

Two  or  three  great  nests  of  counterfeiters  of  bank 
notes  have  been  broken  up.  The  extent  to  which  this 
Business  was  proceeding,  is  truly  astonishing.  The  in- 
crease of  banking  institutions  will  giv«  it  a  new  impetus. 

—•»»»©»*•« — 

FOREIGN  NEWS. 

From  London  papers  to  the  28<A  and  Paris  to  the  3lst  January. 

FRANCE. 

A  duel  was  .fought  on  Ihe  29ih  January,  between  gen.  Bu- 

aud  and  M.  Dulong,  two  members  of  the  chamber  of  deputies. 
Tin;  seconds  of  gen.  I!,  were  gen.  Rnmigny  and  col.  Lamy,  and 
those  of  the  latter,  M.  George  Lafayette  and  col.  Bacot.  The 
duel  resulted  in  the  death  of  M.  Dulong.  There  had  been  seve- 
ral oiher  duels  between  students  of  medicine,  one  of  which  also 
proved  morlal  to  one  of  the  parties. 

The  French  journals  are  equally  severe  with  the  English,  in 
regard  to  the  conduct  of  the  president  of  the  U.  States  on  ihe 
subject  of  the  currency  of  the  country.    They  say  lhat  no  con- 
stitutional, or  absolute  monarch  would  have  dared  lo  commit 
uch  an  oulrage  upon  llie  laws. 

SPAIN. 

Marlinez  de  la  Rozo  had  been  nominaled  to  succeed  M.  Zea, 
the  prime  minister.  This  nomination  gives  universal  satisfac- 
tion and  the  best  anticipations  are  indulged  in  for  the  success 
of  the  monarchy  under  his  guidance.  The  national  guard  had 
been  reorganized,  Ihe  government  reserving  lo  ilself  the  choice 
of  the  officers.  The  entire  military  force  of  the  country  i»  to 
consist  of  120,000  men. 

The  most  important  feature  in  the  present  aspect  of  Spain, 
.„  the  contemplated  re-tireanizalion  of  ils  government  The 
conez,  it  is  understood,  will  not  be  convoked;  but  instead  of 
it  a  representative  government  established,  consisting  of  two 
branches.  Two-thirds  of  llie  upper  branch  is  to  consist  of  the 
nobility,  and  one  Ihird  of  the  higher  orders  of  the  clergy.  The 
lower  branch  is  to  consist  of  250  members,  elected  from  the  ci- 
ties, towns  and  villages. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

March  7.  Mr.  McKean  presented  the  petition  of  2,500  or 
3,0t)0  citizens  of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  praying  lor  a 
return  of  the  public  deposited  to  the  hank  of  the  U.  Slates.  On 
which  Mr.  Webster  rose  and  expressed  much  satisfaction  at 
this  movement  of  the  agriculturalists  of  that  rich  and  populoui 
county.  This  memorial  came  from  the  agricuhural  interest, 
and  he  said— it  was  the  "real  lion  of  the  country." 

Mr.  Ewinn  offered  a  series  of  searching  resolutions  at)  t» 
condition  ol  ihe  posl  office  department. 

Mr.  McKean  presented  the  petition  of  613  citizens  of  Manet- 
la.  Pa.  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  deposings. 

Mr.  Cl<iiiton  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  1 
dav  on  the  table: 


UitV    »lll    IHC    IH1IIC.  .  .      f 

Resolved,  That  the  postmaster  general  be  directed  to  inform 
the  senate,  how  many,  and  what  postmasters,  clerks  and  oth« 
a.Tiits  iii    his  department,  have  IIPPII   hy   him  removed  from 
oiti.-r,  since  the  3d  day  of  Marrh.  1R-29;  also,  to  stale  the  name* 
of  those  who  havv  be«-n  appointed  in  lien  of  the  [H>slroa*t«r«  si: 
removed,  their  places  of  residence,  and  to  furnish  tin 
letters,  or  copies  thereof,  addressed  to  him  as  postmaster  ge- 
neral, communicating  the  political  character  of  those  removed, 
or  those  who  have  been  appointed  to  supply  their  places. 


36 


N1LES*  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834— CONGRESS. 


Resolved,  That  the  postmaster  general  be  directed  to  com- 
municate to  the  senate  a  copy  of  any  and  every  circular,  or  or- 
der, to  bis  deputies,  directing  them,  or  any  of  them,  to  transmit 
to  his  department  the  names  of  the  newspapers  taken  at  their 
respective  offices,  or  the  names  of  the  subscribers  to  such  news- 
papers; and  generally  to  state  whether  his  department  receives 
quarterly  returns  of  newspapers  taken  in  the  United  States,  and 
the  names  and  places  of  residence  of  their  subscribers. 
Mr,  Webster  rose,  and  addressed  the  senate  as  follows: 
I  rise,  sir,  to  perform  a  pleasing  duty.  It  is  lo  lay  before  the 
senate  the  proceedings  ol  a  meeting  of  the  building  mechanics  of 
the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia,  convened  ibr  the  purpose 
of  expressing  their  opinions  on  the  present  state  of  the  country, 
on  the  24th  of  February.  This  meeting  consisted  of  three  thou- 
land  persons,  and  was  composed  of  carpenters,  masons,  brick- 
makers,  bricklayers,  painters  and  glaziers,  lime  burners,  plas- 
terers, lumber  merchants  and  others,  whose  occupations  am 
connected  with  the  building  of  houses.  I  am  proud,  sir,  that 
so  respectable,  so  important,  and  so  substantial  a  class  of  me- 
chanics, have  entrusted  me  with  the  presentment  of  their  opi- 
nions and  feelings,  respecting  the  present  distress  of  the  conn 
try,  to  the  senate.  I  am  happy  if  they  h;:ve  seen,  in  the  course 
pursued  by  me  here,  a  policy  favorable  to  the  protection  of  their 
interest,  and  the  prosperity  of  their  families.  These  intelligent 
and  sensible  men,  these  highly  useful  citizens,  have  witnessed 
the  effect  of  the  late  measures  of  government  upon  their  own 
concerns  and  the  resolutions  which  I  have  now  to  present, 
fully  express  their  convictions  on  the  subject.  They  propose 
not  to  reason,  but  to  testily;  they  speak  what  they  do  know. 

Mr.  President,  the  members  of  this  meeting  liave  not  trans 
milted  their  proceedings  by  mail,  nor  have  they  rested  satisfied 
with  merely  causing  them,  in  any  way,  to  reach  the  two  houses 
of  congress,  and  to  be  read  and  disposed  of  in  the  ordinary 
manner.  They  have  forwarded  them  by  a  committee  of  thirty 
persons  of  their  own  body,  and  those  thirty  persons  are  now 
within  the  wall,  of  the  senate.  I  wish,  sir,  that  honorable  se- 
nators would  converse  with  these  gentlemen;  1  wish  they 
would  use  the  opportunity  of  satisfying  themselves  of  their  in 
telligence,  their  fairness,  their  freedom  from  the  influence  o 
all  oblique  or  improper  motives,  and  the  unquestionable  trull 
of  the  existence  of  that  distress,  which  they  come  here  to  rcpre 
sent.  Such  a  communication  would  convince  honorable  mem 
bers,  that  there  is  no  pretence,  no  fiction,  no  exaggeration,  in 
the  whole  matter;  but  that  all  their  words  are  words  of  trutl 
and  soberness. 

[Mr.  Webster  then  urged  the  necessity  of  action  to  reliev 
the  distresses  of  the  people— and  said]— 

Sir,  listen  to  the  statement;  hear  the  facts.  The  committee 
stale,  sir,  that  eight  thousand  persons  are  ordinarily  raiptyyef 
in  building  houses,  in  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia; 
number  which,  with  their  families,  would  make  quite  a  cousi 
derable  town.  They  further  state,  that  the  average  number  o 
bouses,  which  this  body  of  mechanics  has  built,  for  the  last  fiv 
years,  is  twelve  hundred  houses  a  year.  The,  average  cost  o 
these  houses  is  computed  at  two  thousand  dollars  each.  Her 
is  a  busin«ss,  then,  sir,  of  two  millions  four  hundred  tkousan 
dollars  a  year.  Such  has  been  the  average  of  the  last  five  years 
And  what  w  it  now?  Sir,  the  committee  state  that  the  busines 
lias  fallen  off  seventy-five  per  cent,  at  least;  that  is  to  say,  thai 
at  most,  only  one-quarter  part  of  their  usual  employment  nox 
remains.  This  is  the  season  of  the  year  in  which  building  con 
tracts  are  made.  It  is  now  known  what  is  to  be  the  businei- 
of  the  year.  Many  of  these  persons,  who  have  heretofore  had 
every  year,  contracts  for  several  houses  on  hand,  have  this  ye; 
no  contract  at  all.  They  have  been  obliged  to  dismiss  tlm 
hands,  to  turn  them  over  to  any  scraps  of  employment  the 
could  find,  or  to  leave  them  in  idleness,  for  want  of  any  em 
ployment. 

[Mr.  W.  then  went  into  some  detail  to  shew  the  former  ope 
rations  of  the  builders  of  houses,  which  were  almost  totally  de 
•troyed  by  the  "experiment"  now  going  on;  and  then  saidj — 
These,  sir,  are  plain  matters  of  fact,  and  they  are  manifest! 
the  resulu  of  the  measurus  of  government;  and  have  not  thes 
mechanics,  then,  a  right  to  complain.  Ought  they  to  hold  the 
tongues,  and  starve,  in  order  to  enable  the  secretary  lo  try  h 
experiment?  Are  they  to  be  ihe  willing  victims  of  such  fanta. 
tical  and  arrogant  schemes?  No,  sir,  that  is  not  their  notion  f 
patriotism  and  duty.  They  think  the  government  was  eslah 
lished  for  them,  and  the  rent  of  the  people  of  the  United  Stale 
for  their  protection,  security  and  happiness.  They  think  it  IK 
a  subjecl  for  Ihc  practice  of  every  raw  conceit,  every  presum 
tiious  theory,  every  impulse  of  arrogant  and  self-sufficient  lov 
of  change.  Sir,  they  are  not  the  dupe*  of  Ihe  secretary's  exp< 
riment;  and,  if  they  can  help  it,  they  do  not  intend  to  be  its  vu 
limit.  They  know  full  well  in  what  purpose  ihe-e  measure 
originated,  which  have  since  obtained  Ihe  name  of  the  "expe 
riment."  They  think  they  have  a  right  to  demand  of  congre 
not  to  sanction  such  purposes,  to  their  ruin.  As  American  < 
tizenx,  they  demand  the  shelter  of  the  laws;  as  tn x- payers 
government,  they  demand  the  protection  of  government;  as  ii 
duslrious  citizens,  they  demand  security  for  their  industry;  ai 
they  protest,  »oleinnly  protest— in  tlirir  name,  sir,  in  their  b 
half,  in  their  presence,  I  now  enter  their  protest— aeninst  that 
unnecessary  and  wanton  measures,  wliieh  destroy  their  propc 
tv,  break  up  their  employment!,  and  reduce  them  and  the 
children  to  want  and  beggary! 

Mr.  Wtbsler  concluded  as  followi: 


Sir,  the  agitations  of  the  country  are  not  to  be  hushed  by  ao- 
ority.  Opinioas,  from  however  higb  quarters,  will  not  quiet 
em.  The  condition  of  the  nation  calls  for  action,  for  mea- 
ures,  for  the  prompt  interposition  of  congress;  and  until  con- 
ess  shall  act,  be  it  sooner  or  be  it  later,  there  will  bs  no  con>- 
nt,  no  repose,  no  restoration  of  former  prosperity.  Whoever 
upposes,  sir,  that  he,  or  that  any  man,  can  quiet  the  discort- 
nts,  or  hush  the  complaints  of  the  people,  by  merely  saying, 
tieace,  be  still!"  mistakes,  shockingly  mistakes,  the  real  con- 
lion  of  things.  It  is  an  agitation  of  interests,  not  of  opinion?; 
severe  pressure  on  men's  property  and  their  means  of  living, 
ot  a  barren  conlesl  about  abstract  sentiments.  Even,  sir,  the 
oice  of  party,  often  so  sovereign,  is  not  of  power  lo  subdue 
iscnnienu  and  slide  complaints.  The  people,  sir,  feel  great 
iterests  to  be  at  stake,  and  they  are  rousing  themselves  to  pro- 
cct  those  interests.  They  consider  the  question  to  be,  whe- 
icr  the  government  is  made  for  the  people,  or  the  people  for  ths 
ivernmeiit.  They  hold  the  former  of  these  two  proposition?, 
id  they  mean  to  prove  it. 

Mr.  President,  this  measure  of  the  secretary  has  produced  a 
.agree  of  evil  tiiat  cannot  be  borne.  Talk  about  it  as  we  will, 
t  cannot  bu  borne.  A  tottering  stale  of  creditrcramped  means, 
oss  of  property  and  loss  of  employment,  doubts  of  the  condi- 
011  of  others,  doubts  of  their  own  condition,  constant  fear  of 
lilnrcs  and  new  explosions,  an  awful  dread  of  the  future— sir, 
vhen  a  conscioMsnuss  of  all  these  things  accompanies  a  man, 
t  his  breakfast,  his  dinner  and  his  supper;  when  it  attends  him 
rtrongh  his  hours,  both  of  labor  and  rest;  when  it  even  disturbs 
nd  haunts  IMS  dreams,  and  when  he  feel?,  too,  that  that  which 
s  thus  gnawing  upon  him  is  the  pure  result  of  foolish  and  rasb 
measures  of  government,  depend  upon  it  he  will  not  bear  it.  A 
leranged  and  disordered  currency,  the  ruin  of  occupation,  dis- 
re#s  for  present  means,  the  prostration  of  credit  and  confr- 
lence,  ami  all  this  without  hope  of  improvement  or  change 
slate  of  things  which  no  intelligent  people  can  long  endure. 

Mr.  Clay  rose  and  said:  I  have  been  requested  by  the  com- 
mittee from  Philadelphia,  charged  with  presenting  the  memo- 
rial to  congress,  to  say  a  few  words  on  ihe  subject;  and  although 
after  the  ample  and  very  satisfactory  exposition  which  it  has 
received  from  the  senator  from  Massachusetts,  (Mr.  Webster), 
urther  observations  are  entirely  unnecessary,  I  ca.mot  deny 
nyself  the  gratification  of  complying  with  a  request,  proceeding 
rom  a  source  so  highly  worthy  of  respectful  consideration. 

[Mr.  C.  then  proceeded  to  show  the  effect  of  the  measures  of 
the  government  on  the  state  of  the  country,  and  ottered  an  opi- 
lion  that  the  value  of  property  in  the  United  States  had  bees 
reduced  by  them,  in  the  great  amount  of  four  hundred  millions 
of  dollars,— a  sum  which  would  be  less  than  half  the  real 
amount,  were  ihe  property  of  the  people  placed  in  the  market, 
and  to  be  sold,  as  we  believe.  UKO.] 

Mr.  Clay  next  asked — 

And  what  is  the  remedy  to  be  provided  for  this  most  unhappy 
state  of  the  country?  I  have  conversed  freely  with  the  members 
of  the  Philadelphia  committee.  They  are  real,  practical,  work- 
ing men;  intelligent,  well  acquainted  with  the  general  condition, 
and  with  the  sufferings  of  their  particular  community.  No  one, 
who  has  not  a  heart  of  steel,  can  listen  to  them,  without  feeling 
the  deepest  sympathy  for  the  privations  and  sufferings  unneces- 
sarily brought  upon  the  laboring  classes.  Both  the  committee 
and  the  memorial  declare  that  their  reliance  is,  exclusively,  on 
the  legislative  branch  of  the  government.  Mr.  President,  il  is 
with  subdued  feelings,  of  the  profoundest  humility  and  mortifi- 
cation, that  I  nm  compelled  to  say  that,  constituted  as  congress 
now  is.  no  relief  will  be  afforded  by  it,  unless  its  members  shall 
be  enlightened  and  instructed  by"  the  people  themselves.  A 
large  portion  of  the  body,  whatever  may  be  their  private  judg- 
ment upon  the  course  of  the  president,  believe  it  to  be  their 
duty,  at  all  events  safest  for  themselves,  to  sustain  him  without 
regard  to  the  consequences  of  his  measii-cs  upon  the  public  in- 
leresls.  And  nothing  but  clear,  decided  and  unequivocal  de- 
monstrations of  the  popular  disapprobation  of  what  has  been 
done,  will  divert  them  from  their  present  purpose. 

But  there  is  another  quarter  which  possosses  sufficient  power 
and  influence  to  relieve  the  public  distresses.  In  twenty-four 
hours,  the  executive  branch  could  adopt  a  measure  which 
would  afford  an  efficacious  and  substantial  remedy,  and  re-es- 
tnblish  confidence.  And  Ihose  who,  in  this  chamber,  support  the 
ad  ministration,  could  not  render  a  better  service  than  to  repair  lo 
the  executive  mansion,  and,  placing  before  the  chief  magi-irate 
the  naked  and  undisguised  truth,  prevail  upon  him  to  retrace  his 
steps  and  abandon  his  fatal  experiment.  No  one,  sir,  can  per- 
form that  duty  with  more  propriety  than  yourself.  [The  vise  pre- 
sident] You  can,  if  you  will,  induce  him  lo  change  his  course. 
To  you,  then,  sir,  in  no  unfriendly  spirit,  but  with  feeling-*  soft- 
ened and  subdued  by  the  deep  distress  which  pervades  every 
class  of  our  countrymen,  I  make  the  appeal.  By  your  official 
and  personal  relations  with  the  president,  you  maintain  with 
him  an  intercourse  which  I  neither  enjoy  nor  covet.  Go  to  him 
and  tell  him,  without  exaggeration,  but  in  the  language  of  truth 
and  sincerity,  the  actual  condition  of  his  bleeding  country.  Tell 
him  it  is  nearly  ruined  and  undone  by  the  measures  which  he 
has  been  induced  lo  put  in  operation.  Tell  him  that  his  expe- 
riment is  operating  on  the  nation  like  the  philosopher'*  experi- 
ment upon  a  convulsed  animal,  in  an  exhausted  receiver,  and 
that  it  must  expire,  in  agony,  it  he  dues  nol  pause,  give  it  free 
and  sound  rireiil.itum,  and  suffer  the  energies  of  the  people  to 
be  revived  and  restored.  Tell  him  that,  in  a  single,  city,  more 
than  sixty  bankruptcies,  involving  a  loss  of  upwards  of  fifteen 


NILES'  REGISTER—MARCH   15,  1834— CONGRESS. 


87 


millions  of  dollar*,  have  occurred.  'I'd!  him  of  the  alarming 
decline  in  the  value  of  all  properly,  of  the  depreciation  of  all  the 
products  ol  industry,  of  the  stagnation  in  every  branch  of  busi- 
ness, and  of  ttie  close  of  numerous  manufacturing  r.-iahlUli- 
inents,  which,  a  few  short  months  ago,  were  in  active  arid  flou- 
rishing operation.  Depict  to  him,  if  you  can  find  language  to 
portray,  the  heart-rending  wretchedness  of  thousands  of  the 
working  classes  cast  out  Of  employment.  Tell  him  of  the  tears 
of  helpless  widows,  no  longer  able  to  earn  their  bread,  and  of 
unclad  and  unfed  orphans  who  have  been  driven,  by  bis  policy, 
out  of  the  busy  pursuits  in  which  but  yesterday  they  were  gain- 
ing an  honest  livelihood.  Say  to  him  that  if  firmness  be  honor- 
able, when  guided  by  truth  and  justice,  it  is  intimately  allied  to 
another  quality,  of  the  most  pernicious  tendency,  in  the  prose- 
cution of  an  erroneous  system.  Tell  him  how  much  more  true 
glory  is  to  be  won  by  retracing  false  steps,  than  by  blindly  rush- 
ing on  until  his  country  is  overwhelmed  in  bankruptcy  and  ruin. 
Tell  him  of  the  ardent  attachment,  the  unbounded  devotion,  the 
enthusiastic  gratitude,  towards  him,  so  often  signally  manifest- 
ed by  the  American  people,  and  that  they  deserve  at  his  hands 
better  treatment.  Tell  him  to  guard  himself  against  thfi  possi- 
bility of  an  odious  comparison  with  that  worst  of  the  Roman 
emperors,  who,  contemplating  with  indifference  the  conflagra- 
tion of  the  mistress  of  the  world,  regaled  himself  during  the  ter- 
rific scene  in  the  throng  of  his  dancing  courtiers,  if  you  desire 
to  secure  for  yourself  the  reputation  of  a  public  benefactor,  de- 
scribe to  him  truly  the  universal  distress  already  produced,  and 
the  certain  ruin  which  must  ensue  from  perseverance  in  his 
measures.  Tell  him  that  he  has  been  abused,  deceived,  betray- 
ed, by  the  wicked  counsels  of  unprincipled  men  around  him. 
Inform  him  that  all  efforts  in  congress  to  alleviate  or  terminate 
the  public  distress  are  paralyzed  and  likely  to  prove  totally  una- 
vailing, from  his  influence  upon  a  large  portion  of  the  members, 
who  are  unwilling  to  withdraw  their  support,  or  to  take  a  course 
repugnant  to  his  wishes  and  feelings.  Tell  him  that,  in  his  bo- 
som alone,  under  actual  circumstances,  does  the  power  abide 
to  relieve  the  country;  and  that,  unless  he  opens  it  to  convic 
lion,  and  corrects  the  errors  of  his  administration,  no  human 
imagination  can  conceive,  and  no  human  tongue  can  express, 
the  awful  consequences  which  may  follow.  Intreat  him  to 
pause,  and  to  reflect  that  there  is  a  point  beyond  which  human 
endurance  cannot  go;  and  let  him  not  drive  (Jiis  bravo,  generous, 
and  patriotic  people  to  madness  and  despair. 

Mr.  President,  unaffectedly  indisposed,  and  unwilling  as  1 
am  to  trespass  upon  the  senate,  I  could  not  decline  complying 
with  a  request  addressed  to  me  by  a  respectable  portion  of  my 
fellow  citizens,  part  of  i\:i>  hone  and  sinew  of  the  American 
public.  L.ike  the  senator  from  Massachusetts,  who  has  been 
entrusted  with  the  presentation  of  their  petition  to  the  senate,  I 
found  them  plain,  judicious,  sensililn  men,  cli'arly  understand 
ing  their  own  interests,  and,  wilh  the  rest  of  the  community, 
writhing  under  the  operation  of  the  measures  of  the  executive. 
If  I  have  deviated  from  the  beaten  track  of  debute  in  the  senate, 
my  apology  must  be  found  in  the  anxious  solicitude  which  I 
feel  for  the  condition  of  the  country.  And,  sir,  if  I  shall  have 
been  successful  in  touching  your  heart,  and  exciting  in  you  a 
glow  of  patriotism.  I  shall  he  most  happy.  You  can  prevail 
upon  the  president  to  abandon  Ins  ruinous  course;  and,  if  you 
will  exert  the  influence  which  you  possess,  you  will  command 
the  (hanks  and  the,  plaudits  of  a  grateful  people. 

The  memorial  was  then  referred. 

After  other  business,  Mr.  Clay  ro=e  to  present  the  four  roso 
lutions  that  follow,  and  pronounced  come,  strong  observations 
in  support  of  them — which  cannot  be  made  room  for: 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  constitution  of  the  United  States  docs 
not  vest  in  the  president  power  to  remove  at  his  pleasure  offi- 
cers under  the  government  of  the  United  States,  whose  offices 
have  been  established  hy  law. 

2.  Resolved.  That,  in  all  cafes  of  offices  created  by  law.  the 
tenure  of  holding  which  is  not  prescribed  by  the  constitution, 
congress  is  authorised  by  the  constitution  to  prescribe  the  ten- 
ure, terms,  and  conditions  on  which  they  are  to  be  holden. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  judiciary  be  instruct- 
ed to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  providing  hy  law  that  in  all 
instances  of  appointment  to  office  by  the  president,  by  and  with 
the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  other  than  diplomatic  np 
pointments,  the  power  of  removal  shall  be  exercised  only  in 
concurrence  with  the  senate,  arid,  when  the  senate  is  not  in 
session,  that  the  president  may  «u&peud  any  such  officer,  com- 
municating his  reasons  for  the  suspension  to  the  senate  at  its 
first  succeeding  session;  and.  if  the  senate  concur  with  him,  (he 
officer  shall  be  removed,  but  if  it  do  not  concur  with  him,  the 
officer  shall  he  restored  to  office. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  post  office  and  post 
roads  be?  instructed  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  making  pro- 
vision by  law  for  the  appointment,  by  and  with  tin:  advice  and 
consent  of  the  senate,  of  all  deputy  postmasters,  whose  annual 
emoluments  exceed  a  prescribed  amount. 

March  10.  Mr.  Silsbee  presented  the  resolutions  of  the  le- 
gislature of  Massachusetts  in  relation  to  the  currency  and  re- 
moval of  the  deposites;  and,  at  fonsiderable  length  and  witt 
much  ability,  set  forth  the  deranged  state  of  business  in  conse- 
quence of  the  proceedings  of  the  executive  of  the  United  States. 
He  said  that  commission  merchants  declined  not  only  the 
usual  guaranty  on  sales,  but  refused  to  make  advances.  He 
mentioned  the  ca«e  of  a  cnrao  from  the  south  worth  3,000  dol 
lars,  subject  to  n  freight  of  500,  in  cash,  which  was  surrendered 
to  the  ship  owner  that  he  might  make  hi*  freight  out  of  it.  He 


said  that  lie  daily  heard  of  failures,  and  that  70  had  taken  place 
in  one  late  flourishing  town  in  Massachusetts.  He  spoke  of  the 
manufacturers  and  other  working  people  discharged^  He  said 
that  six  months  ago,  the  legal  rate  of  interest  for  large  sums  of 
money  could  not  be  obtained,  though  now  worth  from  3  even  to 
5  percent,  per  month!  [We  wish  that  we  could  make  room 
lor  this  speech  of  a  practical  man.] 

Mr  Webster  followed,  and  observing  that  his  colleague  had 
left  him  little  to  say  concerning  the  resolutions,  &c.  took  the 
opportunity  to  speak  of  the  necessity  of  rechartering  the  bank, 
for  which  the  committee  of  finance  had  agreed  upon  apian  to 
be  laid  before  the  senate  on  Monday  next;  and  he  gave  it 
out  as  his  opinion  that  congress  ought  not  to  adjourn  until  some 
measures  were  adopted  to  relieve  the  people. 

His  idea  was  that  the  present  bank,  with  some  few  modifica- 
tions of  its  charter,  should  he  continued  for  a  short  time,  and  so 
as  to  leave  the  question  open  as  to  the  establishment  of  a  new 
one;  or  to  renew  the  charter  lor  a  number  of  years  with  other 
modifications,  among  them  to  prevent  the  issue  of  notes  of  a 
less  denomination  than  of  20  dollars,  &c.  But  as  we  shall  have 
the  plan  next  week,  the  want  of  room  will  excuse  us  from 
giving  a  report  of  his  speech  now. 

Air.  Forsylh  followed  and  expressed  his  surprize  at  the  idea 
thrown  out,  that  congress  would  sit  until  the  distresses  of  the 
country  were  relieved,  by  the  gentleman's  plan  for  rechartering 
the  bank.  Would  the  senate  compel  the  other  house  and  the 
executive  to  acceed  to  his  proposition?  He  expressed  an  opinion 
fovorable  to  a  bank,  if  the  rate  of  interest  was  fixed  at  5  per 
cent,  and  the  power  of  the  state  governments  over  it  were  duly 
secured,  and  the  power  of  the  general  government  over  it  was 
:nade  greater,  &c. 

Mr.  Webster  replied  at  considerable  length,  and  the  debate 
was  continued,  by  Messrs.  King,  of  Geo.  Chambers,  Forsyth  and 
Webster. 

Mr.  Bell  had  leave  of  absence  for  three  weeks.     Adjourned. 

March  11.  Mr.  Prentiss  presented  a  memorial  from  Bur- 
ington,  Vt.  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  deposites,  and  spoke 
at  considerable  length  on  the  subject  at  large;  he  was  lollmved 
by  Mr.  Stcift,  who  described  the  derangement  of  business  in 
Vermont,  and  the  distress  that  prevailed,  aggravated,  as  it  is, 
by  tlie  failure  of  the  grain  crops  last  season. 

Mr.  Clay  took  an  opportunity  to  correct  certain  things  as  to 
the  petition  from  Troy  for  a  restoration  of  the  deposites.  He 
referred  to  Mr.  Wright,  who,  had  said,  on  the  information  of  a 
member  of  the  other  house  that  only  100  of  the  signers  were 
friendly  to  the  administration.  Mr.  Clay  read  a  letter  dated 
the  6th  instant,  sa\  ing  that  by  a  critical  examination,  recently 
nuide,  there  were  at  least  400  signers  who  are,  or  have  been 
administration  men,  &c.  Mr.  Wright  explained — he  had  not 
made  Hie  remark  on  his  own  knowledge,  and  spoke  warmly 
as  to  the  integrity: of  his  informant,  but  supposed  that  some 
nistake  may  have  been  made,  &.C. 

Mr.  Freiinghnysen  presented  the  petition  of  454  citizens  of 
Patcrson,  N.  J.  praying  for  a  return  of  the  deposites,  on  which 
occasion  he  offered  a  brief  statistical  state  of  tne  business  of 
that  town,  and  said  that  5,130  spindles,  which  had  annually 
consumed  2,200,000  Ibs.  of  cotton,  were  stopped,  owing  to  the 
pressure  of  the  times.  Mr.  F.  also  presented  a  memorial  from 
Patcrson  and  its  vicinity,  signed  by  600  persons,  approving  of 
the  removal  of  the  deposites — and  a  long  debate  followed. 

Other  business  attended  to  will  appear  in  its  course. 

March  12.  Mr.  McKean  presented  three  memorials,  one  from 
a  meeting  of  tin-plate  workers,  sheet  iron  workers  and  copper- 
smiths, of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  one  from  the  citizens  of  the 
borough  of  Southwark,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  other  from  a 
meeting  of  citizens  of  Carlisle,  in  the  same  state,  on  the  subject 
of  the  pecuniary  embarrassments  of  the  country,  which  the  me- 
morialists ascribe  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites  from  the  bank 
of  the  United  States,  and  severally  praying  for  their  restoration. 
The  memorialists,  Mr.  McK.  said,  so  far  as  he  was  able  to  as- 
certain, were  highly  respectable,  and  consisted  of  persons  with- 
out distinction  of  party.  He  asked  that  the  memorials  be  read, 
referred  to  the  committee  on  finance  and  printvd;  which  was 
done  accordingly. 

Mr.  Leigh  presented  the  memorial  of  sundry  merchants,  me- 
chanics, professional  men  and  others,  of  the  city  of  Petersburg!], 
in  the  state  of  Virginia,  on  the  subject  of  the  pecuniary  embar- 
rassments of  the  country;  which  the  memorialists  ascribe  to  the 
removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  United 
States;  and  praying  congress  to  take  such  measures  as  will  af- 
ford them  redress. 

Mr.  Leigh  accompanied  the  presentation  of  the  memorial  with 
some  appropriate  remarks;  after  which,  he  asked  that  the  me- 
morial be  read,  referred  to  the  committee  on  finance  and  print- 
ed. 

The  memorial  having  been  read,  a  debate  ensued,  in  which 
Messrs.  Forsyth,  Leigh  and  King,  of  Georgia,  took  part;  when 
the  question  was  taken,  and  the  memorial  referred,  nem.  con. 
to  the  committee  on  finance,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  senate  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  special  or- 
der, being  the  resolutions  of  Mr.  Clay,  and  the  report  of  the  se- 
cretary of  the  treasury  on  the  subject  of  the  removal  of  the  puh- 
lir  deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States;  when 

Mr.  Tallmadfe,  who  was  entitled  to  the  floor,  commenced 
his  remarks,  and  addressed  the  senate  until  three  o'clock;  nnd 
then  the  senate  adjourned. 

March  13.  Mr.  Webster  presented  a  memorial  numerously 
signed  by  the  people  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  aluo  the  pro- 


SS  WILES'  REGISTER— MARCH   15,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


ceedings  of  a  public  meeting  of  the  citizens,  asking  for  a  resto 
ration  of  the  pnhlic  deposited.  Mr.  W.  read  «me  oi"  tlie  resoln- 
fions  of  the  mee-liiiij,  containing  some  Mrong  remarks  in  support 
of  the  constiiinionalily  of  a  hank  of  the  United  Stales. 

Mr.  Sjira°ue  presented  two  memorials — one  I'riini  East  port 
anil  the  other  from  Lubec,  Maine,  praying  for  a  restoration  ol 
llie  de  po.-ites,  &c. 

Mr.  Tyler  presented  two  memorials,  from  the  towns  of  Fal- 
moulh  and  Frederieksbnrgh,  anil  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting 
held  in  Afcomaek,  Virginia,  with  reference  to  the  public  dis- 
tress, and  pi  ay  ing  for  a  restoration  of  the  deposites.  A  debate 
ensued,  in  which  Messrs.  Tyler,  BTOWH,  Leigh,  Forsyth,  Web- 
ster, Preston  and  Ewing  took  part. 

The  other  business  attended  to  will  sufficiently  appear  in  its 
progress.  Adjourned. 


BOUSE   Or   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  March  7.  The  whole  of  this  day  was  given  up  to  the 
consideration  of  private  or  local  business,  and  a  large  number 
of  bill*  for  the  relief  of  individuals  were  ordered  to  be  engrossed 
or  passed. 

Adjourned  until  Monday. 

Monday,  March  10.  This  being  the  weekly  day  for  present- 
ing memorials,  ie.  and  the  consideration  of  the  resolutions  of 
the  Virginia  legislature,  presented  last  Monday,  being  the  morn- 
ing business  first  in  order — 

Mr.  Ghohon,  who  had  the  floor,  was  about  to  address  the 
house,  but  yielded  his  right  for  the  present,  at  the  request  of 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Jldanu,  who  asked  leave  to  present  certain  resolu- 
tions of  the  legislature  of  MassachusetU  on  the  subject  of  the 
removal  of  the  deposites,  stating,  that,  if  the  leave  were  grant- 
ed, he  ehould,  in  accordance  with  the  rule  or  understanding  in 
such  cases,  abstain  from  any  remarks  on  the  subject  of  the  me- 
morial, and  take  some  other  opportunity  of  expressing  his  sen- 
timents on  it. 

Mr.  Gholson,  (who  was  entitled  to  the  floor  on  the  Virginia 
memorial,  lying  over  from  last  Monday)  signified  his  assent  to 
Mr.  A's  request;  but,  objection  being  made  by  some  other  mem- 
ber, the  leave  was  not  granted. 

Mr.  Ghokon  took  the  floor,  and  addressed  the  house,  in  ex- 
tenso,  in  support  of  the  resolutions  of  his  state,  nnd  particularly 
in  reply  to  Mr.  Pattern**  argument  on  the  other  side. 

Mr.  Moore,,  of  Va.  followed,  in  an  animated  speech,  on  the 
same  side. 

Mr.  Pinckney,  of  S.  C.  noil  addressed  the  house,  also  in  sup- 
support  of  the  resolutions,  and  continued  to  speak  until  half 
past  three,  when  he  yielded  to  a  motion  for  adjournment. 

All  three  of  these  gentlemen  went  occasionally  into  very  se- 
vere animadversion  upon  the  course  of  the  administration  in 
reference  to  the  depositrs. 

The  house  then  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  March  11.  Many  bills  of  a  private  nature  were  re- 
ported, and  a  great  deal  oflocal  or  private  htmnrsi*  attended  to. 

Mr.  Mami,  of  Mass,  asked  the  consent  of  the  house  to  pre- 
sent certain  resolutions  of  the  legislature  of  his  state.  Objec- 
tion being  madp,  he  moved  to  suspend  the  rules  for  this  purpose. 

Mr.  R.  M.  Johnson  suggested  that,  if  the  motion  were  made 
general,  so  as  to  admit  of  the  preseiilation  of  other  resolutions 
and  memorials,  it  would  be  more,  likely  to  be  generally  voted 
for. 

Mr.  Jtiams  consented  FO  to  modify  his  motion. 

The  question  being  twice  put,  and  no  quorum  voting,  lie 
withdrew  his  assent  to  modify,  and  renewed  the  motion  in  its 
original  form. 

The  question  being  once  more  put,  it  was  negatived — ayes 
70,  noes  56,  (not  two- thirds.) 

Mr.  Jlrtker  offered,  by  leave,  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  agreed  to. 

Rtsolced,  That  the  committee  on  foreign  nffairs  be  instructed 
to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  purchasing  the  library  and  the 
official  private  manuscript  pipe/s  of  gen.  Washington,  to  be 
deposited  in  the  department  of  state. 

The  army  appropriation  bill  was  rend  by  sections.  In  the 
course  of  the  proceedings — 

Mr  Everett  moved  an  additional  clause  to  the  bill,  including 
$1,825  for  surgeon  Rcaumont,  in  performing  a  series  of  experi- 
ment* on  the  stomach  of  a  wounded  soldier,  in  illustration  of 
thr  process  of  digestion.  The  appropriation  had  been  recom- 
mended by  the  surgeon  general.  Allowances  were  made  to  of- 
ficer; of  the  line  for  extra  services,  hut  this  could  not  be  done  to 
Burgeons  unless  by  express  provision. 

Some  objection  being  made  by  Mr.  Polkund  Mr.  Jone»,ofGco. 
Mr.  Erf  reft  said,  that  thii  soldier  had  been  placed  under  the 
rare  of  siirzenn  Beaumont;  and  he  had  cipended  upwards  of 
§5,000  out  of  his  own  pocket,  in  the  process  of  measures  by 
which  hi*  life  had  been  saved  and  prolonged.  He  might,  no 
doubt,  have  Ip.fl  the  man  to  die,  but  because  he  acted,  first  from 
humanity,  and  then  from  the  love  of  science,  and  had  thereby 
succeeded,  not  only  in  saving  his  patient,  hut  in  presenting  tlie 
mo»t  curious  and  valuable  results  in  aid  of  the  groat  objects  of 
the  surgical  department  «f  the  army,  was  he  to  be  refused  Fiich 
it  pitiance  »•  this,  when  it  was  recommended  by  the  head  of  the 
surgical  staff? 

Mr.  McDuffie  supported  Mr.  R's  proposition.  Mr.  Chilian  rr- 
pres»ed  hi«  hearty  concurrence  in  these  views.  The  house  vot- 
«d  thousands  upon  thousands  to  reward  persons  who  had  killed 
men;  but  in  ihi<  rx*p.  not  only  hart  the  life  of  a  man  been  pre- 
served, but  facts  discovered  and  plans  suggested,  which  might 


lead  to  the  saving  of  millions  of  human  lives.  Mr.  Jones  still 
objected,  and  s;.id,  this  surgeon  was  paid  by  the  month,  and  had 
tixi.-ii  niiiuns.  \\~as  not  all  he  had  done  included  in  the  duty 
lor  which  he  was  paid? 

Mr.  Crockett  rose.  Gentlemen  objected  to  paying  for  experi- 
ments; but  in  these  days,  when  we  were  trying  experiments  on 
the  currency,  why  not  try  experiments  on  tlie  sciences?  Though, 
for  his  part,  he  thought  it  was  hardly  necessary  to  make  any  ap- 
propriations at  nil,  lor  this,  or  any  tiling  else.  He  had  been  al- 
most ready  to  go  against  all  appropriation  bills,  till  he  knew 
where  the  money  was.  If  one  man  in  the  country  could  take 
all  the  money,  what  was  the  use  of  passing  any  bill  about  it?  It 
was  a  mockery — it  was  childish,  to  sit  there  and  appropriate  at 
all.  If  one  man  could  take  the  money,  and  put  it  where  the 
law  had  not  placed  it,  how  did  the  bouse  know  where  it  was? 
How  could  they  tell  but  it  might  be  in  his  royal  majesty's  pock- 
et, or  in  the  pocket  of  that  imp  of  famine,  his  4th  auditor.  The 
money  was  not  where  the  law  put  it,  and  who  knew  where  it 
was?  He  would  vote  for  one  experiment,  but  he  should  for  cer- 
tain vote  against  the  other. 

The  quesiion  was  now  put,  and  the  amendment  proposed  by 
Mr.  Everett  agreed  to— ayes  80,  noes  53. 

Other  amendments  being  made,  the  committee  rose,  reported 
progress  and  had  leave  to  sit  again,  Adjourned. 

Wednesday.  March  12.  This  being  the  day  to  which  the  con- 
sideration ot  the  report  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  on 
the  deposite  question,  and  also  of  the  report  from  the  minority 
of  that  committee,  had  been  deferred,  and  this  subject  being, 
therefore,  the  order  of  the  day — 

Mr.  Polk  rose  and  observed,  that,  although  the  two  reports 
were  printed,  and  on  the  tables  of  members,  yet  the  appendix 
to  the  committee's  report,  containing  certain  documents  refer- 
red to  in  it,  were  not  yet  on  their  tablet;:  and,  as  he  considered 
these  as  essential  to  a  due  consideration  ol  the  report  itself,  he 
moved  that  the  subject  be  further  postponed  until  Tuesday 
next. 

On  this  a  very  long  debate  took  place — many  distinguished 
gentlemen  taking  part  in  it.  The  differences  of  opinion  were 
chiefly  as  to  the  order  of  proceeding,  and  the  disposition  of  ma- 
ny bills  already  before  the  house.  Mr.  Polk's  motion  to  post- 
pone was  adopted. 

Mr.  JJdams,  of  Mass,  once  more  asked  permission  of  the  house 
to  present  certain  resolutions  of  the  legislature  of  that  state. — 
Objections  being  made,  he  moved  to  suspend  the  rule;  but  the 
house  refused  to  do  so. 

Mr.  Pott  then  made  a  similar  request,  for  leave  to  introduce 
a  resolution  referring  lo  the  subject  vrl'ich  had  been  postponed. 

Mr.  Jldams  objecting, 

Mr.  Polk  asked  the  suspension  of  the  rule;  which  was  carri- 
ed— ayes  119,  noes  47. 

Mr.  P.  thereupon  offered  a  resolution,  in  the  form  of  an  or- 
der, that  the  report  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  on  the 
subject  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury's  letter,  &.c.  he  the  order 
of  the  day  at  1  o'clock  on  every  day,  except  Saturdays. 

Mr.  Polk  then  moved  that  the  rule  which  requires  such  a  re- 
solution to  lie  on  the  table  for  one  day  be  suspended,  and  that 
it  be  considered  at  this  time. 

After  some  conversation,  this  was  carried — ayes  115,  noes  56. 

So  the  house  proceeded  to  consider  the  order. 

The  debate  was  renewed  with  much  spirit.  Finally,  Mr. 
Folk's  proposition  was  agreed  to,  and  the  house  adjourned. 

Thursday,  March  13.  After  some  other  business — 

Mr.  Surges  moved  to  recommit  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
ways  and  means  to  that  committee,  with  instructions  to  report 
that  the  reasons  of  the  secretary  for  removing  the  deposites  were 
insufficient. 

Mr.  Burges  addressed  the  house  at  length  in  support  of  the 
motion  he  had  made,  and  continued  to  speak  till  the  expiration 
of  the  morning  hour;  when  the  residue  of  his  remarks  was  cut 
off  by  the  house  passing  to  the  order  of  the  day,  (which  was 
the  commutation  pension  bill).  Before  the  order,  however,  was 
proclaimed  from  the  chair. 

Mr.  Polk  moved  to  go  into  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  state 
of  the  union,  with  a  view  to  take  up  the  appropriation  bills, 

Which  being  agreed  to,  the  house,  in  committee,  took  up  the 
military  appropriation  bill,  and  finally  passed  through  the  bill, 
and  reported  it  as  amended  to  the  house.  Some  of  the  items 
caused  considerable  debate,  though  their  subjects  were  not  im- 
portant. Adjourned. 

UNITED  STATES  BANK. 

REPORT   Or  THE   COMMITTEE   OF   WATS    ASD    MEANS. 

House  of  representatives.  March  4,  1834. 
Mr.  Folk,  from  tiie  committee  of  ways  and  means,  made  the 

following  report: 

The  committee  of  ways  and  means  have  had  under  considera- 
tion the  letter  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  of  the  3d  of 
December  la«t,  communicating  to  concrpss  his.  reasons  for 
ordering  the  public  deposite*  to  he  removed  from  the  hank 
of  the  United  States;  the  memorial  of  the  president  and  di- 
rectors of  the  hank  of  the.  United  Plates,  complaining  that 
the  "chartered  rights  of  the  stockholders"  have  been  violated, 
nnd  asking  redress  the  memorial  of  that  portion  of  the  direc- 
tors of  the  bank  appointed  by  the  United  States,  making  cer- 
tain charges  of  misconduct  acrainst  the  hank;  nnrt,  also,  sundry 
other  memorials  and  resolution*  from  other  banks,  and  citi- 
rens  in  relation  thereto,  which  have  brpn  referred  to  them  by 
the  house,  and  have  agreed  to  the  following 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,   1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS.  39 


REPORT: 

The  secretary  of  the  treasury,  in  his  letter  of  the  3d  of  De 
cumber  lust,  mlorins  congress.  Unit  "in  pursuance  of  the  powei 
re.-Krved  to  him  by  the  act  to  incorporate  the  subscribers  to  the 
bank  of  the  U  Slates,"  he  had  "directed  that  the  depos-ites  o 
the  money  of  the  U.  States  shall  not  be  made  in  the  said  bank  or 
branches  thereof,  but  in  certain  state  hanks  which  had  been  de 
signaled  lor  thiit  purpose, "and  he  proceeds  to  lay  before  congress 
the  reasons  U'hich  induced  him  to  uive  such  order  and  direction 
The  hank,  in  its  memorial,  draws  in  question  the  power  o 
the  secrelaiy  to  issue  such  order,  and  also  the  sufficiency  of  his 
reasons  for  the  act. 

From  the  language  employed,  it  is  apparent  that  the  bank 
claims  the  custody  and  use  ol  the  public  deposiles  as  a  "charter- 
ed right,"  and  in  case  ol  a  removal  lor  reasons  which  the  presi- 
dent and  directors  may  not  deem  sufficient,  asserts  the  preroga- 
tive of  making  the  bank  a  party  in  the  transaction.  They  as- 
sume that  the  "chartered  rights  of  the  stockholders"  have  been 
"violated,"  and  demand  "redress,"  as  an  act  of  "justice." 

Jt  is  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  that  the  question  as  to  the 
power  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  the  sufficiency  or 
insufficiency  of  the  reasons  for  which  he  may  have  ceased  to 
make  the  bank  of  the  United  States  the  depository  of  the  public 
moneys,  is  one  exclusively  between  that  officer  and  the  consti- 
tuted authorities  to  whom  he  is  responsible.  To  pronounce  a 
decision  upon  the  act,  and  the  reasons  which  superinduced  it, 
appertains  exclusively  to  the  government,  and  is  a  question  in 
which  the  bank  has  no  right  to  interpose  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
fluencing the  decision. 

The  bank  denies  the  authority  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
to  issue  his  order  for  removing  the  public  deposites  from  its  cus- 
tody, and  claims  possession  of  these  deposites  as  a  chartered 
right,  because,  as  it  alleges,  "the  bank  has  in  all  things  perform- 
ed the  stipulations  of  the  charter." 

The  secretary  of  the  treasury,  in  his  letter,  affirms  that  the 
bank  charter  conferred  upon  him  no  new  power  or  control  over 
the  public  deposites,  but  was  a  reservation  of  a  power  previously 
possessed  by  him,  and  one  which  h:id  been  exercised  by  the 
head  of  the  treasury  department  from  the  origin  of  the  govern- 
ment, and  that  none  of  the  "chartered  rights"  of  the  bank  have 
been  violated  by  the  act  complained  of.  ' 

The  ground  should  be  well  examined  before  it  is  conceded 
that  a  power  which  essentially  belongs  to  the  treasury  depart- 
ment, and  has  always  been  exercised  under  the  responsibility  of 
the  secretary,  has  been  transferred  to  a  cor  poration,  which  claims 
to  be  irresponsible  to  the  government  and  people  of  the  United 
States,  except  for  palpable  violations  of  its  charter. 

To  arrive  at  a  clear  understanding  of  the  power  of  the.  secre- 
tary to  designate  and  direct  the  place  of  deposite  of  the  public- 
moneys,  it  is  necessary  to  trace  it  from  its  origin;  to  show  by 
whom  and  how  it  was  exercised,  prior  to  the  establishment  of 
the  bank  of  the  United  States;  and  how  farit  hnsbeen  regulated, 
modified  or  transferred,  by  the  charter  of  that  institution.  The 
continental  congress  of  the  revolution,  as  far  as  it  possessed  any 
attributes  of  government,  united  in  itself  the  powers  of  every 
department.  In  managing  the  concerns  entrusted  to  its  guar- 
dianship, it  acted  as  much  in  an  executive  as  a  legislative  capa- 
city. The  first  germ  of  the  treasury  department  of  the  United 
States  is  found  in  a  resolution  of  that  body,  as  early  as  the  26ih 
of  July.  1775,  to  (he  following  effect,  viz: 

"Resolved,  That  Michael  Ilillig;ts  and  George  Clymer  lie  joint 
treasurers  of  the  Unilrd  Colonies;  that  the  treasurers  reside  in 
Philadelphia;  and  that  they  shall  give  bond  with  security  for  the 
faith lul  performance  of  their  office.,  in  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars,"  &e. 

In  their  hands  werr  placed  all  the  funds  of  congress,  to  be 
drawn  out  on  the  warrants  of  the  president  of  congress.  They 
were  directly  responsible  to  coneress,  settled  their  accounts 
with  that  body,  and  held  their  offices  at  its  will. 

Tn  various  other  resolutions  and  ordinances  subsequently 
passsed,  we  trace  ihe.  process  by  which  the  continental  con- 
gress gradually  vested  a  portion  of  its  executive  powers  in  sub- 
ordinate agonts  appointed  by  its  vote,  and  removable  at  its 
will.  It  began  with  appointing  treasurers  over  whom  it  exercis- 
ed a  direct  superintendence.  It  next  vested  the  superintending 
power  over  that  and  other  offices  of  the  treasury,  in  a  standing 
committee  of  its  own  body.  Next,  it  was  vested  in  commis- 
lioners,  a  part  of  whom  were  members  of  congress,  and  a  part 
not  members.  Finally,  by  crcaiirig  "civil  executive  depart- 
ment*," of  the  treasury,  war  and  marine,  it  separated  the  su- 
perintending power  over  the  treasurer  and  other  subordinate 
officers  of  the  treasury,  wholly  from  its  own  body,  reserving 
the  right  of  removal;  and  in  case  of  necessity,  controlling  the 
whole  system.  The  principle  on  which  the  department  was 
organized,  was  in  no  degree  changed  by  afterwards  instituting  a 
"board  of  treasury,"  for  the  "superintendent  of  finance." 

It  will  he  observed  that  in  the  first  instance,  the  power  to 
direct  the  treasurers,  in  relation  to  the  place  where  they  should 
keep  the  public  money,  as  well  as  every  other  portion  of  their 
duties,  was  vested  in  congress.  This  power  was  afterwards 
vested,  successively,  in  the  committee  on  the  treasury,  the  com- 
missioners of  the  treasury,  the  superintendent  of  finance,  and 
the  honrd  of  treasury.  The  power  was  expressly  conferred  on 
the  "superintendent  of  finance,"  and  "board  of  treasury,"  to 
superintend  and  control  the  settlement  of  all  public  accounts, 
and  to  direct  and  control  all  persons  ftnplnyed  in  procuring  "*P 
plies  for  the  pullir.  service,  nnij  in  the  npendilirrf  of  jnMir  mo- 
ney"—and  the  ordinance  expressly  provides,  that' a  treasurer, 


&c.  shnll  be  appointed  "in  aid  of  the  superintendent  of  Jinan  e." 
The,  superintendent,  therefore,  had  a  right  to  direct  him  in  nil 
things,  in  subordination  to  the  resolutions  and  ordinances  of 
congress,  which  was  the  head  of  the  executive  department. 

At  the  lime  the  present  constitution  wait  adopted,  the  treasury 
department  was  managed  by  the"board  of  treasury,"  eowbUnf 
of  three  commissioners,  aided  by  a  comptroller,  a  treasurer,  a 
register,  auditors  and  a  competent  riuinbe.r  of  clerks.  The  board 
had  power  to  direct  the  treasurer  in  all  his  act*,  and  were  them- 
selves responsible  to  congress,  the  head  of  the  executive  depart- 
ment in  the  existing  government. 

The  new  constitution  took  the  entire  executive  power  away 
from  congress,  and  vested  it  in  an  independent  co-ordinate  de- 
partment of  the  government.  U  declare*  that  "the  executive 
powers  shall  be  vested  in  a  president  of  the  U.  Slates  of  Ame- 
rica;" "lhat  he  shall  nominate,  and  by  and  with  the  consent  of 
the  senate,  shall  appoint  ambassadors,  or  other  public  minister* 
and  consuls,  judges  of  the  supreme  court,  and  all  other  officers 
of  the  United  States,  whose  appointment  are  not  herein  other- 
wise provided  for,  and  which  shall  be  established  by  law.  But 
the  congress  may  by  law,  vest  the  appointment  of  such  inferior 
officers  as  they  think  proper,  iu  the  president  alone,  in  the  courts 
of  law,  or  in  the  heads  of  departments." 

Thus,  by  the  voice  of  the  people  of  the  states,  assembled  In 
the  several  sovereignties,  was  the  entire  executive  power,  in- 
cluding the  power  of  appointment,  and  consequently  of  re- 
moval, taken  away  from  congress  and  vested  in  the  presi- 
dent. The  ultimate  supervision  and  control  of  the  officers  of 
the  "civil  executive  department*"  was  taken  from  congress  and 
vested  in  the  president  of  the  United  States;  and  to  enable  him 
to  exercise  it  with  the  more  effect,  he  was.  by  the  constitution 
itself,  clothed  with  authority  to  "require  the  opinion  in  writing 
of  the  principal  officers  in  each  of  the  executive  departments, 
upon  any  subject  relating  to  the  duties  of  thtir  respective  of- 
ficrs?"  To  the  president,  therefore,  was  transferred,  by  the 
new  constitution,  that  power  of  appointment  and  removal,  and 
ultimate  supervision  over  all  the  executive  departments  of  the 
government  which  had  before  belonged  to  congress. 

The  change  in  the  form  of  government  effected  hy  the  new 
constitution,  made  it  necessary  to  reorganize  "the  civil  execu- 
tive departments,"  which  existed  under  the  confederation.  At 
the  first  session  of  the  new  congress,  therefore,  an  act  was  pass- 
ed entitled  "an  act  to  establish  the  treasury  department."  The 
first  section  of  that  provides  "that  there  shall  he  a  department 
if  treasury,  in  which  shall  he  the  following  officers,  namely:  a 
'ecretary  of  the  treasury,  to  he  deemed  head  of  the  department; 
a  comptroller,  an  auditor,  a  treasurer,  a  register  and  an  assistant 
to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  which  assistant  shall  be  ap- 
pointed by  Ihe  said  secretary." 

The  duties  assigned  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  are,  in  a 
great  measure,  identical  with  those  assigned  by  the  old  congress 
to  the  superintendent  of  finance. 

The.  offices  of  comptroller,  treasurer  and  register  of  the  trea 
ury  department,  under  the  confederation,  were  retained  under 
the  new  system,  with  similar  duties  attached  to  them.  The 
very  language  of  the  old  oidinunces  in  relation  to  the  leading 
duties  of  the  treasurer,  is  copied  into  the  act  nf  congress  of  1789, 
establishing  the  treasury  department,  viz.  It  shall  lie  Ihe  duty  of 
the  treasurer  to  receive  and  keep  the  moneys  of  the  United  States, 
and  disburse  the  same  upon  t"«rrnn's,  &.c. 

That  act  was  construed  at  the  time  of  its  passage,  and  hag 
bfe.n  ever  since,  as  conferring  on  the  secretary  of  HIP  treasury 
all  the  powers  which,  under  the  old  confederation,  had  been 
exercised  by  the  "board  of  treasury;"  and  we  accordingly  find 
that  Alexander  Hamilton,  the  first  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
and  all  of  his  successors  in  that  office,  down  to  the  time  of  es- 
nblishing  the  present  bank  of  the  United  States,  constantly  ej 
ercised  the  power  of  directing  where  the  public  moneys  in  thn 
treasury  were  to  lie  deposited.  It  was  sometimes  placed  in  the 
•lands  of  individuals,  sometimes  in  state  banks,  and  a  part  of  it 
n  tho  former  hank  of  the  United  States.  It  was  never  suppoi- 
sd,  during  the  period  above  mentioned,  to  be  the  province  of 
thp  treasurer  to  make  the  selection,  nor  did  he  ever  attempt  to 
exercise  the  power.  It  was,  by  uniform  usage  and  the  acqui- 
escence of  congress  and  all  the  branches  of  government,  from 
1789  down  to  181-6,  admitted  to  be  placed  by  law  under  the-  ex- 
elusive  power  of  the  secretary,  subject  to  the  supervision  of  the 
president  as  the  head  of  the  executive  department.  Under  the 
construction  given  to  the  same  act,  and  by  uniform  usage,  the 
principle  was  equally  well  established,  that  to  the  secretary  of 
;he  treasury  belonged  the  exclusive  power  of  ordering  transfers 
of  public  money  from  one  place  of  deposite  to  another,  and  the 
warrants  or  draughts  issued  for  that  purpose,  did  not  tako  the 
"unds  from  the  debit  of  the  treasurer,  and  were  never  con--ider- 
>d  as  drawing  them  out  of  the  treasury.  The  public  revenue 
can  never  be  entirely  collected  or  disbursed  ut  the  same  place?. 
Tt  must  necessarily  be  transferred  from  the  points  of  collection 
o  places  where  it  may  be  needed,  and  deposited  in  secure 
ilaces  for  safe  keeping  prior  to  disbursement.  If,  in  this  ope- 
ration, it  remains  charged  to  the  treasurer  on  the  hooks  of  the 
reasury,  although  separated  into  a  thons-and  parcel?,  and  in 
•very  P'irt  of  the  union,  it  is  still  in  the  treasury,  ready  to  I 
disbursed  upon  warrants  drawn  ac<  ording  to  the  lawn'.  T 
'OinmittPP  annex  to  this  report,  hy  way  of  appendix,  va- 
official  documents,  establishing  conclusively  the  pusitio- 
\ave  here  Flitted. 

At  the  period,  therefore,  that  the  Charter  of  tho  prf 
was  granted,  the  power  of  the  »ecretary  of  the  Uf 


40  NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH   15,  1884— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


this  subject  was  one  well  known  and  understood.  It  bad  been 
clearly  sealed  by  long  ii-nui;  and  invariable  practice  under  the 
act  of  1789,  and  with  which  the  congress  of  1816,  when  they 
chartered  this  bank,  were  perfectly  acquainted,  and  to  which 
they  must  have  intended  to  refer,  whtn  they  speak  in  general 
terms  of  his  power  over  the  public  deposites,  without  defining 
or  prescribing  its  limits. 

The  16th  section  of  the  charter  declares  that  the  deposites  of 
the  moneys  of  "the  United  States  in  places  in  which  the  said 
bunk  and  branches  thereof  may  be  established,  shall  be  made 
in  the  said  hank  or  branches  thereof,  unless  the  secretary  ol  the 
treasury  shall  at  any  tune  otherwise  order  and  direct;  in  which 
case,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  shall  immediately  lay  before 
congruss,  if  in  session,  and  if  not,  immediately  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  next  session,  the  reasons  of  such  order  and 
direction." 

This  section  grants  no  new  power  to  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury.  On  the  contrary,  as  far  as  it  operates  at  all,  it  is  a 
reservation  of  the  power  which  before  existed,  to  select  the  de- 
positories for  the  public  funds.  The  secretary,  therefore,  does 
not  derive  his  power  over  the  subject  from  this  act. 

Being  a  reservation,  and  not  a  grant  of  power,  the  secretary 
of  the  treasury  retains  all  the  powers  over  tin- public  moneys 
he  before  possessed,  except  so  far  as  tln*y  may  bo  modified  or 
taken  away  by  the  bank  charter.  The  power  of  transfer,  not 
being  alluded  to  in  the  section,  is  not  restricted  by  it,  atid  of 
course  is  possessed  by  the  secretary  oi  the  treasury  to  the  same 
extent  as  before. 

Accordingly,  transfers  have  constantly  been  made,  since  the 
bank  charter  was  granted,  as  before,  not  only  from  one  oflice  ol 
that  bank  to  another,  but  from  that  hank  and  its  offices  to  state 
banks.  Hereto  annexed  is  a  list  of  numerous  transfers  from 
the  bank  of  the  United  States  to  state  hanks,  taken  from  a  re- 
port of  Mr.  Secretary  Crawford  to  the  house  of  representatives, 
dated  February  7th,  1823. 

The  error  upon  this  point  consists  in  considering  the  provi- 
sion in  the  bank  charter  a  grant  of  power,  instead  of  the  reser- 
vation of  a  power  previously  existing.  Not  finding  the  power 
of  transfer  granted,  it  has  been  denied  that  it  exists,  when,  in 
fact,  the  silence  of  the  section  leaves  it  as  it  was  before. 

The  effect  of  the  16th  section  of  the  bank  charter  is,  to  take 
from  congress  entirely  the  power  to  control  the  public  depo- 
sites, which  that  body  before  possessed.  It  provides  that  the 
deposites  of  the  moneys  of  the  United  States  shall  be  made  in 
the  bank  of  the  United  States,  without  reserving  to  the  legisla 
tive  authority  any  power  to  order  their  removal,  with  reason  or 
without  reason. 

Whether  the  congress  of  1816  acted  wisely  in  thus  divesting 
themselves  of  all  control  over  the  places  of  public  deposite  ol 
the  public  moneys,  for  the  long  period  of  twenty  years,  is  a 
question  which  it  is  unnecessary  to  determine.  It  is  certain 
that  they  did  so;  and  during  the  continuance  of  the  charter, 
therefore,  they  must  have  continued  to  be  made  in  the  bank  oi 
the  United  States,  unless  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  had 
otherwise  ordered  and  directed.  It  was  stipulated  with  the 
stockholders  that  they  should  h.ive  the  public  deposites,  unless 
the  secretary  otherwise  ordered,  and  that  the  legislative  autho- 
rity would  not  interfere  to  take  them  away  during  the  continu- 
ance of  their  charter. 

This  section  of  the  bank  charier,  although  it  surrenders  the 
power  of  congress  over  the  public  deposites  for  twenty  years, 
and  indicates  a  legislative  preference  for  the  hank  of  the  United 
States  as  a  depository,  docs  not  diminish  the  positive  power  of 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  over  the  subject.  lie  had  the 
same  legal  power  after  the  passage  of  this  act,  to  order  and  di- 
rect tin:  public  deposites  to  be  made  in  other  banks,  as  he  had 
before.  An  additional  duty  was  imposed  upon  him.  But  how 
can  this  requirement  impair  his  power?  Had  the  clause  requir- 
ing the  reasons  to  be  reported,  been  omitted,  could  it  have  been 
doubted  thnl  the  power  of  the  secretary  to  cause  the  deposites 
to  be  made  in  other  banks  would  iiave  breri  absolute  and  nn 
qualified?  And  how  can  the  necessity  for  uivin^  his  reasons  af- 
ter the  ac!  is  done,  impair  his  power  to  do  it?  Before  the  bank 
charter  was  granted,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  was  liable  to 
be  called  on  by  congress  for  his  reasons  for  discharging  one 
bank  from  the  service  of  the  treasury,  and  employing  another, 
and  it  was  his  duty  to  give  them.  The  change  effected  in  his 
position  is,  that  he  is  now  hound  by  law  to  give  his  reasons 
without  a  special  call.  Hut  the  giving  his  reasons  now,  after 
the  act  is  done,  can  no  more  affect  hi.*  power  to  do  it,  than  giv- 
ing his  reasons  then  under  a  special  cull  of  congress;  and  his 
duty  to  act  only  for  good  reasons,  and  his  liability  to  be  punish- 
ed for  measure*  originating  in  corrupt  or  wicked  motives,  were 
just  as  strong  then  as  now. 

That  it  was  intended  that  this  power  should  be  exercised,  as 
It  nhvays  has  been,  by  the  executive  authority,  without  con- 
sulting con,irrs«.  is  proved  by  the  fact,  that  the  secretary  is  not 
required  to  cive  his  reasons  to  congress,  even  though  they  may 
be  in  session,  until  after  the  act  is  done.  If  it  had  been  intend  • 
ed  that  he  should  be  directed  and  advised  by  congress  before  he 
acted,  provision  would  have  been  made  that  when  coiiL'iexsiirr 
Jn  session,  the  reasons  should  bo  laid  before  them  for  their  con- 
sideration and  approval  before  the  act  was  done. 

In  illustration  of  the  view  here  taken  of  the  proper  interpre- 
tation of  IhiP  provision  of  the  bank  dinner,  nud  the  povvpr  re- 
served by  it  to  in*  secretary  over  HIP  public  rtj-posiip*,  the  com 
mittee  refer  to  another  provision  of  that  chartrr.  Dy  the  1  lib 


section,  it  was  stipulated  by  congress,  in  behalf  of  the  United 
Slates,  with  the  stockholders  of  the  bank,  'Mhat  the  bills  or 
notes  of  the  said  corporation  originally  made  payable,  or  which 
shall  have  become  payable,  on  demand,  shall  be  receivable  in 
ill  payments  to  the  United  States,  unless  otherwise  directed  by 
act  of  congress."  It  W!is  important  for  the  bank,  in  order  to  ob- 
tain general  credit  and  circulation  for  its  notes,  lhat  they  should 
be  received  in  payment  of  public  dues.  The  charter  provides 
that  they  shall  he  receivable  in  all  payments  to  the  United 
Slates,  but  upon  the  express  condition  that  congress  reserves  to 
itself  the  right  to  provide  by  law  that  its  notes  shall  not  be  re- 
ceived in  payment  of  the  public  revenue.  This  was  a  power 
reserved  to  congress,  to  which  the  bank  agreed;  as  was  the 
power  reserved  to  the  secretary  to  remove  the  deposiies,  to 
which  the  bank  in  like  manner  agreed.  Now  it  will  not  be 
maintained  by  any  one,  that  congress  may  not  at  pleasure,  with- 
out any  violation  of  the  charter,  or  any  infringement  of  the  con- 
trad  with  the  bank,  by  law  refuse  to  receive  the  notes  of  Ihe" 
bank  in  the  payment  of  the.  public  dues. 

If  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  without  an  act  of  congress, 
should  attempt  to  prohibit  the  receipt  of  the  notes  of  the  bank 
in  payments  to  the  United  States,  he  would  usurp  a  power 
which  belongs  to  the  legislative  authority;  and  in  like  manner, 
ifcongress,  without  the  previous  order  and  direction  of  the  se- 
cretary of  Ihe  treasury,  were  to  attempt  to  cause  the  public  de- 
posites to  be  removed  from  the  bank,  they  would  usurp  a  pow- 
er which  does  riol  belong  to  them. 

The  bank  would  have  the  same  cause  to  complain,  if  the  ex- 
ecutive refused  lo  receive  its  notes  in  payment  of  public  dues 
wilhout  the  authority  of  an  act  of  congress,  as  it  would  have 
if  congress  were  to  remove  the  deposites,  without  the  previous 
order  and  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  no 
more. 

The  power  reserved  to  congress  to  discontinue  Ihe  receipt  of 
Ihe  notes  of  the  bank  in  "payment  to  Ihe  United  States,"  is  ab- 
solute and  unqualified,  in  like  manner,  the  power  of  the  se- 
cretary  of  the  treasury,  for  reasons  which  he  is  required  to  re- 
port to  congress,  to  employ  other  depositories  of  the  public  mo- 
ney, is  equally  absolute  and  unqualified.  Neither  congress  nor 
the  secretary  are  required  to  give  any  reasons  to  the  bank. 
And  if  congress  were,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to  themselves,  lo 
pass  a  law,  declaring  lhat  the  notes  of  the  bank  shall  no  longer 
be  taken  in  payments  to  the  United  Slates,  the  president  and 
directors  of  Ihe  bank  would  have  no  just  ground  of  complaint 
that  their  "chartered  rights"  had  been  violated.  Is  the  case 
now  presented  at  all  different  in  principle?  Have  they  any  just 
ground  to  complain  that  their  "chartered  rights"  have  been 
violated,  by  the  act  of  the  secretary,  in  the  removal  of  the  de- 
posiies? The  hank  charter  is  a  contract  between  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  and  the  stockholders.  To  sen  that 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  acts  from  pure  motives,  and  judge 
whether  further  legislation  be  not  necessary  on  the  subject, 
congress  require  of  him  to  report  his  reasons' to  them.  This  is 
an  arrangement  between  the  legislative  and  executive  depart- 
ments of  the  government,  who  are  jointly  one  party  to  the  con- 
tract, wilh  whose  arrangement,  the  bank,  as  the  other  party, 
has  no  concern.  The  stockholders  entered  into  the  contract, 
in  which  the  government  reserved  the  right  to  reject  their 
notes,  and  discontinue  their  bank  as  a  depository,  the  one 
through  congress  and  the  other  through  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  wilhout  assigning  to  them  any  reasons  whatever. 
Whenever  either  of  these  powers  is  exercised  by  the  agent  to 
whom  il  has  been  reserved,  no  stipulation  of  the  contract  has 
been  violated,  and  the  bank  has  no  right  to  complain. 

Not  only  was  no  stipulation  made  with  the  bank  that  its 
notes  should  be  received  in  payments  to  the  United  Slates,  and 
that  it  should  be  employed  as  a  depository  of  the  public  mo- 
neys, longer  than  it  should  be  the  pleasure  of  the  government; 
but  any  contract  of  that  sort  on  Ihe  parl  of  Ihe  government 
would  have  been  indiscreet  and  improper.  To  have  absolately 
bartered  away  to  a  corporation,  the  high  powers  of  both  the  le- 
gislative and  executive  departments,  and  left  the  government 
of  the  people  absolutely  dependent  on  a  corporation  of  ils  own 
creation  for  the  currency  in  which  public  dues  should  be  paid, 
and  the  places  in  which  the  public  moneys  should  be  kept, 
would  have  been  an  assumption  of  power  on  the  part  of  those 
who  created  the  bank  charter,  which  the  boldest  advocates  of  a 
controlling  power  over  the  popular  will,  never  dared  to  main- 
tain. Many  unforeseen  considerations,  might  render  it  expe- 
dient, if  not  indispensable  to  the  preservation  and  protection  of 
the  public  interests,  within  a  less  period  than  twenty  years,  to 
sever  the  connection  between  the  government  and  the  bank, 
and  no  congress  has  yet  been  found  so  improvident  as  to  trans- 
fer from  the  government  the  power  to  determine  what  curren- 
cy it  will  or  will  not  receive  in  payment  of  the  public  dues,  and 
to  select  at  will  tho  deposilories  of  Ihe  public  funds;  much  less, 
have  they  imposed  on  the  public  authorities,  and  on  congress 
theinsi  Ives,  the  degrading  duty  of  giving  reasons  to  a  corpora- 
tion, for  measures  they  may  deem  essential  to  the  interests  of 
llin  people,  the  purity  of  Hie  government,  and  the  preservalion 
of  our  invaluable  institutions. 

The  removal  of  tin;  deposites  by  thn  secretary  of  the  treasury 
from  the  bank  ot'lhe  United  .States,  so  far  from  being  an  usur- 
pation of  a  power  liclonzipig  to  congress,  actually  restored  to 
that  body  a  power,  of  which  they  hail  by  HIP  terms  of  the  char- 
ter divested  themselves.  Ho  far  as  r<-«ards  ronsre**,  the  con- 
tract is  nhioliiie,  that  the  deposiies  shnll  be  made  in  the  bank  of 
ihp  United  Plates,  and  no  shadow  of  Authority  is  reserved  to 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WATS  AND  MEANS.  41 


them  otherwise  to  "order  and  direct."  Congress  divested  itself 
of  all  power  or  control  over  the  deposites  unless  the  secretary 
should  first  issue  his  order  for  the  removal.  The  exclusive 
power  to  issue  such  order  was  reserved  to  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  and  hut  lor  his  action,  the  deposits  must  have  re- 
mained beyond  the  reach  of  congress  uulil  the  termination  of 
the  bank  charter.  The  moment  they  are  out  of  the  bank,  by 
the  order  and  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  as  pro- 
vided in  the  charier,  all  the  original  power  which  congress  pos- 
sessed over  them,  reveits  to  that  body.  They  may  by  law  di- 
rect their  future  disposition.  If  they  think  proper  to  relieve  the 
executive  from  all  responsibility  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the 
public  funds,  they  may,  by  an  act  of  legislation,  designate  the 
depositories  in  which  they  shall  be  kept.  The  power  with 
which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  congress  should  never 
have  parted,  has  been  restored  to  that  body  by  the  act  of  the 
secretary,  and  it  is  not  perceived  upon  what  ground  he  can  be 
charged  with  an  usurpation  of  their  powers,  by  an  act  which 
has  essentially  enlarged  them. 

In  the  section  of  the  bank  charter  reserving  to  the  secretary 
of  the  treasury  the  power  over  the  deposites,  it  is  not  stated 
what  reasons  may  be  sufficient  to  justify  him  in  directing  the 
money  of  the  United  States  to  be  deposited  in  other  banks. 
That  they  ought  to  be  good  and  honest  reasons,  there  can  be  no 
doubt.  Before  the  bank  of  the  United  States  existed,  he  was 
equally  bound  to  have  such  reasons  for  discharging  one  bank 
and  employing  another,  as  well  as  for  all  his  other  official  acts. 
If  they  be  not  honest,  he  may  be  impeached  by  congress,  or  dis- 
missed from  office  by  the  president.  If  they  be  not  good,  he 
may  be  overruled  by  a  subsequent  act  of  legislation,  providing 
for  their  restoration,  or  designating  some  other  place  of  depo- 
sit«  than  that  which  he  may  have  selected.  But  if  they  be  both 
honest  and  good,  the  transaction  should  be  at  an  end,  when  they 
are  reported  to  congress. 

It  has  recently  been  maintained  in  argument,  that  no  reason 
but  a  want  of  safety  can  justify  the  removal  of  the  deposites 
from  the  bank  of  the  United  States;  that  the  security  of  the  pub- 
lic funds  was  the  sole  object  which  congress  had  in  view;  that 
having  confidence  in  the  bank,  the  act  of  charter  directed  the 
deposites  to  be  made  in  it,  hut  lest,  at  any  time  they  should  be- 
come insecure,  they  reserved  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
the  power  of  removing  them,  with  a  view  solely  to  render  them 
more  secure;  and  that,  for  the  same  reason,  he  was  required  to 
assign  his  reasons  to  congress,  whenever  he  did  order  the  re- 
moval, that  congress  might  review  his  act. 

It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  words  of  the  bank  charter  recog 
nizing  the  power  of  the  secretary  to  remove  the  deposites,  do 
not  define  the  reasons  or  circumstances  which  will  authorise 
him  to  act;  and  the  necessary  inference  is,  that  lie  may  act,  foi 
any  reasons,  which  to  him  may  seem  sufficient. 

If  want  of  safety  was  the  only  reason  which  could  justify  a 
removal  of  the  deposites,  why  was  the  secretary  required  to  re 
port  his  reasons  at  all?  If  there  could  be  but  one  sufficient  rea 
son,  congress  would  have  known  it  as  well  without  being  re 
ported  as  with  it;  and  if  there  could  be  but  one  reason, ,wh; 
was  it  not  so  declared  in  the  charter? 

There  are  good  grounds  to  believe  that  want  of  security  wa 
not  the  only,  nor  the  chief  reason  in  the  minds  of  congress 
when  they  required  of  the  secretary  to  assign  the  reasons  of  th 
act  to  them.  Suppose  it  to  be  discovered  by  the  secretary,  tha 
the  bank  is  in  a  tottering  condition,  and  on  the  verge  of  stop 
ping  payment,  what  advantage  would  the  government  gain  by 
sudden  withdrawal  of  its  funds?  Under  the  circumstance 
supposed,  the  first  effect  of  such  a  measure  would  probably  be 
to  compel  the  bank  instantly  to  stop  payment,  and  as  a  conse 
quence,  its  notes  would  become  fatally  depreciated.  But  th 
bank  charter  requires  that  its  notes  shall  be  received  in  all  pay 
ments  to  the  United  States,  unless  congress  shall  by  law  other 
wise  direct.  All  the  revenues  would  then  be  paid  in  thei 
notes,  however  much  they  might  be  depreciated,  for  the  secre 
tary  would  have  no  authority  to  refuse  them  until  congress  re 
pealed  the  provision  which  required  them  to  he  received  in  pay 
ments  to  the  United  States.  To  remove  the  public  funds,  there 
tore,  for  want  of  safety,  would  be  to  depreciate  the  currency 
which  the  accruing  revenue  must  be  received.  Instead  of  hav 
ing  a  deposite  of  good  money  in  a  doubtful  bank,  we  might  hav 
one  of  bad  money  in  °ood  banks.  The  bank  of  the  United  State 
would  be  more  likely  to  pay  the  warrants  of  the  treasurer  if  th 
deposites  were  left  in  its  possession,  than  it  would  to  pay  it 
own  notes,  r«ceived  in  payment  of  revenue,  if  they  were  take 
away. 

Instead  of  removing  the  deposiles  in  such  a  case,  the  publi 
interest  would  require  every  practicable  effort  on  the  part  of  th 
treasury  to  sustain  the  credit  of  the  bank,  at  least  until  conare^ 
could  repeal  the  provision  which  makes  its  notes  a  tender  in  n 
payments  to  the  government.  He  would  be  a  faithless  secrela 
ry  who  should  depreciate  the  currency  he  is  bound  by  law  t 
receive  in  payment  of  public  dues;  and  under  pretence  of  pn 
ting  the  public  funds  already  collected  in  a  safe  place,  resort  t 
a  measure  which  would  inevitably  make  the  currency  which  h 
was  bound  to  receive  in  payment  of  the  accruing  revenue,  in 
great  degree,  worthless. 

But  the  cotemporaneons  and  continued  construction  of  tl; 
clause  in  the  charter  relative  10  the  secretary's  reasons,  even 
the  meaning  of  the  word*  themselves  was  at  all  doubtful, 
conclusive  to  show,  not  only  thni  the  secretary  possesses  fn 
power  to  order  tlie  removal,  but  that  it  i*  hi*  duty  to  do  so  (< 
other  reason*  than  the  insecurity  of  tlie  public  funds. 


On  reference  to  the  correspondence  and  documents  connect- 
d  with  the  treasury  department,  we  find  that  Mr.  Crawford, 
bo  was  secretary  of  the  treasury  at  the  linn:  tlie  bank  went 
ito  operation,  in  sundry  letters,  distinctly  asserted  his  power 
nder  the  charter  to  cause  the  deposited  of  puUn:  money  to  be 
rule  in  state  banks  for  various  leasons,  and  that  he  did  aclu- 
ly  exercise  that  power  during  the  first  year  of  the  bank's  ex- 
tence,  reporting  his  reasons  to  congress  at  the  next  i-e.-Mon: 
nd  that  he  did  again  exercise  it  in  the  year  1818 — on  both  of 
'hic.h  occasions  it  was  not  contested  by  the  bank,  and  not  call- 
d  in  question  by  congress.  We  find  that  in  1819  the  power  was 
xpressly  asserted  by  a  committee  of  congress,  and  by  eminent 
icmbcrs,  in  debate,  without  controversy;  and  that  at  a  eubse- 
uent  period  (1824)  when  Mr.  Crawford's  arrangements  with 
tate  banks  were  called  in  question  and  investigated,  it  was  de- 
lared  by  a  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives,  that  there 
v;is  nothing  in  them  in  violation  of  law,  or  contrary  to  the 
sages  of  the  department. 

The  successors  of  Mr.  Crawford  in  the  treasury  department, 
dr.  Rush  and  Mr.  Inghnm,  have  asserted  the  power;  and  it  was 
dmilted'to  exist  for  other  purposes  than  the  security  of  ihe 
ublic  deposites  Uy  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  of  (his 
ou.se,  as  late  as  1S30. 

The  grounds  on  which  it  has  been  asserted  the  power  may  be 
xercised,  have  been,  to  equalise  the  benefits  resulting  from  the 
eposites  among  the  bank  community;  to  aid  the  state  banks  in 
jaintaining  their  credit;  to  induce  them  to  resume  specie  pay- 
ments; to  prevent  a  pressure  on  their  debtors;  the  refusal  of  the 
>ank  of  the  United  States  to  receive  as  cash  the  notes  of  banks 
vhich  it  was  deemed  the  interest  of  government  to  receive  from 
Is  debtois;  the  public  convenience;  the  misconduct  of  the  bank; 
ts  interference  in  politics,  and  the  use  of  its  pecuniary  power  to 
iroduco  injustice  and  oppression.  These  several  grounds  of 
iction,  suggested  sometimes  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
sometimes  by  committees  of  congress  or  its  members,  as  well  in 
mblic  documents  as  private  correspondence,  were  never  decla- 
ilared  to  be  illegal  or  invalid  even  by  the  bank  itself;  nor  does 
t  appear  ever  to  have  been  maintained  or  suggested,  that  the 
want  of  security  was  the  only  good  reason  for  the  action  of  the 
secretary,  until  since  the  removal  by  order  and  direction  of  the 
>resent  incumbent.  The  committee  consider  the  point  too  clear, 
nider  the  words  of  the  law  and  the  practice  of  the  government, 
to  be  now  seriously  called  in  question.  Extracts  of  letters  and 
reports  are  given  in  the  appendix  to  this  report,  which  fully  es- 
.ablish  the  positions  here  asserted. 

It  has  also  been  objected  to  the  act  of  the  secretary,  that  con- 
eding  to  him  the  power  to  remove  the  deposites,  and  to  direct 
them  to  be  placed  in  state  banks,  that  yet  he  had  exceeded  his 
authority  in  entering  into  contracts  with  the  new  depositories, 
prescribing  the  terms  of  deposile  and  the  duties  and  services 
which  they  should  be  required  to  perform  for  the  government, 
!n  consideration  of  the  use  of  the  public  moneys. 

The  committee  are  of  opinion  that  there  is  nothing  in  this  ob- 
jection. Money  of  the  United  Stales  could  not  be  placed  in 
their  keeping  without  a  contract  with  Ihem.  If  there  was  no 
written  agreement,  the  law  would  imply  one.  It  would  imply 
a  contract  on  the  part  of  the  deposite  bank  to  pay;  and  if  they 
refused  to  pay,  the  United  States  might  sue  and  recover  the 
money. 

If  the  secretary,  by  depositing  the  money  in  a  state  bank,  may 
make  an  implied  contract,  by  which  the  bank  would  be  bound 
to  pay,  surely  he  may  make  an  express  one.  The  objection, 
therefore,  that  he  may  not  enter  into  a  contract,  although  he  has 
a  right  to  deposite  the  money,  is  wholly  untenable.  If  tho  state 
banks  are  selected  lawfully  as  agents,  and  their  duties  not  de- 
fined by  law,  they  must  necessarily  be  defined  by  contract,  and 
the  United  States  have  the  same  right  to  take  care  of  their  inter- 
ests in  this  respect  as  an  individual. 

In  making  these  contracts,  the  present  secretary  has  but  fol- 
lowed the  example  of  his  predecessors,  and  has  manifested  an 
anxious  care  to  protect  the  interests  of  the  United  States;  and 
so  far  from  being  justly  subject  to  censure,  deserves  rather  to  be 
commended  for  his  vigilance,  in  guarding  the  public  treasure 
as  far  as  possible  from  danger  of  loss.  Rut  suppose  all  that  has 
been  urged  by  those  who  rely  upon  this  objection  to  be  true; 
suppose  the  contracts  to  he  in  fact  void;  still  the  public  money 
is  not  Ifiss  secure  i?i  ihe  stale  banks  ihan  il  would  have  been  if 
no  contract;!  had  been  made.  In  any  view,  therefore,  the  com- 
mittee are  of  opinion  that  the  objection  is  utlerly  fulile,  and  de- 
serving of  no  consideration.  Il  has  been  the  constant  practice 
of  the  treasury  to  make  such  contracts  with  the  banks  selected 
as  tho  public  depositories,  examples  of  which  may  be  found  in 
official  letters  of  Mr.  Gallatin  and  Mr.  Crawford,  hereto  an- 
nexed. 

The  commitlce  are  of  opinion,  therefore,  that  the  secretary 
possessed  the  power  to  issue  his  order  for  the  removal  of  the 
depf)«ites,  and  they  are  further  of  opinion  that  none  of  the  char- 
tered rights  of  the  stockholders  of  the  bank  have  been  violated 
by  it. 

The  bank  in  their  memorial  allege,  "  that  in  consideration  of 
a  full  equivalent,  rendered  by  them  in  money  and  services,  they 
were  entitled  to  the  custody  of  the  public  deposites."  To  this 
proposition  the  committee  do  not  assent.  It  appears  by  the  20lh 
section  of  the  act  of  the  charter,  that  the  bonus  of  a  million  and 
a  half  of  dollars  was  paid  by  the  bank  in  "consideration  of  the 
exclusive  privileges  and  benefits  conferred  by  this  act  upon  the 
'snid  Ivnik."  This  was  the  only  money  paid  by  the  bank  to  the 
United  Stales,  and  it  was  paid,  nol  for  the  use  of  the  public  de- 


42  WILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


nosites,  but  for  the  exclusive  privilege  and  bunefit  of  banking 
conferred  by  the  charter,  and  especially  by  the  pruvi.-iun  con 
taincd  in  the  21st  section,  viz: 

"That  no  other  bank  shall  be  established  by  any  future  law 
of  the  United  Stater  duriiii!  the  continuance  ot  the  corporation 
herd*  created,  fur  which  the  faith  ot  Hie  United  States  is  here- 
by pledged." 

The  only  services  which  the  bank  stipulates  to  perform  for 
the  government,  are,  "to  perform  the  several  and  respective  du- 
ties ot  the  commissioners  of  loans  for  tin-  several  states,  or  of 
any  one  or  more  of  them,  whenever  required  by  law;"  and  to 
"give  the  necessary  facilities  for  transferring  the  public  funds 
from  place  to  place,  williin  the  United  Slates,  or  the  territories 
thereof,  and  liir  distributing  the  same  in  payment  of  the  public 
creditors,  without  charging  com  missions,  or  claiming  allowance, 
on  account  of  difference  of  exchange." 

It  no  where  appears  in  the  charter  of  the  bank  that  these  ser- 
vices were  to  be  performed  by  the  bank  in  consideration  of  the 
use  of  the  public  deposiles;  hut  if  it  did  so  appear,  it  is  evident 
that  so  soon  as  the  public  deposites  are  withdrawn,  the  bank, 
not  'having  possession  of  the  public  funds,  can  no  lunger  be  re- 
quired to  perform  those  dutirs.  The  committee  think  it  much 
niote  likely  that  the  consideration  for  these  services  in  the 
minds  of  those  who  enacted  the  bank  charter,  was,  that  the 
United  Statee  agreed  on  their  part  to  receive  the  notes  or  bills 
Of  the  bank  in  payment  of  the  public  revenue,  thereby  enabling 
the  bank  to  give  general  credit  and  circulation  to  their  paper. 
Mr.  Dallas,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  at  the  time  the  bank 
charter  was  granted,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the  "  committee  on 
the  national  currency,"  dated  the  24th  of  December,  1815,  con- 
firms this  opinion,  in  that  letter  Mr.  D.illas  states,  "  It  is  pro- 
posed that  in  addition  to  the  usual  privileges  of  a  corporation,  the 
notes  of  the  national  bank  shall  be  received  in  all  payments  to 
the  United  States,  unless  congress  shall  hereafter  otherwise  pro- 
vide by  law;  and  that  in  addition  to  the  duties  usually  required 
from  a  corporation  of  this  description,  the  national  bank  shall 
be  employed  to  receive,  transfer,  and  distribute  the  public  reve- 
nue, under  the  direction  of  the  proper  department."  Congress 
adopted  this  suggestion  of  the  secretary,  and  hence  we  find,  that 
by  the  14th  section  of  the  hank  charter, congress  agree  to  receive 
the  notes  and  bills  of  the  bank  in  payment  of  public  dues,  and 
by  the  loth  section  immediately  following,  the  bank  stipulates 
to  transfer  and  distribute  the  public  funds  from  place  to  place, 
without  charge  to  the  United  States.  In  the  same  letter,  Mr. 
Dallas  negatives  the  idea  that  the  deposites  constituted  any 
part  of  the  consideration  either  for  the  bonus  or  the  services  sti- 
pulated to  be  performed  by  the  bank.  He  states  that,  "it  is  pro- 
posed that  a  bonus  be  paid  to  the  government  by  the  subscri- 
bers to  the  national  bank,  in  consideration  of  the  emoluments 
to  be  derived  from  an  exclusive  charter  during  a  period  of  twen- 
ty years."  This  suggestion  of  Mr.  Secretary  Dallas,  was  also 
adopted  by  congress  by  a  -irovi-ion  to  that  effect  contained  in 
the  20th  section  of  the  bank  charier  before  recited.  In  thosame 
letter,  Mr.  Dallas  holds  the  following  language  in  relation  to  the 
"depo-ites  and  the  distribution  of  the  public  revenue,"  viz. 
"Independent  of  the  bonus  here  proposed  to  he  exacted,  there 
•re  undoubtedly  many  public  advantages  to  be  drawn  from  the 
establishment  ofthe  national  hank;  but  these  are  generally  of  an 
incidental  kind,  and  (as  in  the  case  of  the  deposited  and  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  revenue)  may  be  regarded  in  the  light  of  equiva- 
lents, not  for  the  monopoly  of  the  charter,  but  for  the  reciprocal 
advantages  of  a  fiscal  connexion  with  the  public  treasury."  It 
thus  clearly  appears  that  the  ground  assumed  by  the  bank,  that 
it  had  rendered  l:a  full  equivalent"  in  "money  and  services"  for 
the  use  ofthe  public  deposites,  is  erroneous,  and  is  not  sustained 
either  by  the  bank  charter  itself,  or  the  opinion  of  the  head  of 
the  treasury  department — who  furnished  the  plan,  and  largely 
contributed  to  found  the  present  bank  of  the  United  States. 
Upon  this  ground,  therefore,  the  committee  think  the  bank  can- 
not  justly  complain,  that  any  of  the  "chartered  rights  of  the 
ttockholders"  have  been  violated  by  the  late  removal  of  the 
public  deposites  from  its  custody. 

The  committee  proceed  to  consider  the  sufficiency  of  the  rea- 
sons assigned  by  the  secretary  for  the  exercise  of  his  power  in 
the  case  submitted  to  them  by  the  house  for  their  examination. 
These  reasons  may  be  classed  under  two  general  heads: 
1st.  Those  which  have  relation  to  the  public  interest. 
2d.  Tho«e  which  have  reference  to  the  conduct  of  the  bank. 
The  first  reason  given  by  the  secretary  is  Ihe  fact  that  the 
charter  of  the  hank  of  the  United  Plates  will  expire  on  the  3d 
of  March  1836,  and  Ihe  probability  that  it  will  not  he  renewed. 
He  ha«  not  undertaken  to  decide  that  the  hank  will  not  be  re- 
chartered;  but  he  has  said  he  has  no  right  to  presume  that  it  will 
be.  He  has  said  that  he  must  act  under  the  law  as  it  exists,  and 
not  as  it  may  by  possibility  be  changed  or  altered  by  the  action 
of  congress  hereafter.  He  has  said  that  the  hank  chartrr  will 
expire  by  its  own  limitation  in  the  year  1836.  and  that  lie  would 
not  be  justified  in  acting  upon  the  supposition  that  the  charier 
will  he  extended  beyond  that  period;  he  has  said  further,  that  in 
his  judgment,  the  presumption  was  very  strong,  that  Ihe  charter 
would  not  be  renewed.  In  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  he 
was  warranted  in  coming  to  this  conclusion.  What  are  the  facts 
upon  which  an  opinion  on  this  point  is  to  be  formed?  The  cor- 
poration itself  had  made  the  renewal  of  its  charter  the  leading 


stepped  into  the  arena  itself,  and  resorted  to  unusual  means  to 
give  information  to  the  people  "relative  to  its  nature  and  opera- 
lions."  Although,  in  addition  to  its  own  strength,  it  was  MIS- 
tained  in  the  conflict  by  a  combination  ot  'powerful  political  ele- 
ments, it  was  signally  defeated,  and  the  president  triumphantly 
re  elected.  This  result  could  not  be  otherwise  con»idered 
than  as  a  verdict  of  the  people  in  favor  ofthe  veto,  and  against 
the  bank. 

If  any  doubt  had  existed  in  relation  to  the  decision  of  the 
people  on  that  point,  we  may  confidently  appeal  to  the  elections 
of  members  to  the  present  congress  for  its  solution.  Ofthe  many 
expressions  of  public  opinion,  through  the  more  numerous  re- 
presentatives of  the  people  in  the  stale  legislature:-,  presented 
to  congress  and  referred  to  this  committee,  during  the  present 
session,  in  relation  to  the  bank,  not  one  has  recommended  its 
reclnirter,  while  most  have  declared  it  unconstitutional. 

That  the  bank  would  ever  be  rechartered,  there  was,  there- 
fore, when  the  secretary  gave  his  order  to  remove  the  deposites, 
but  little  reason  to  believe;  and  there  is  less  now. 

Nor  was  there  any  reason  to  believe  that  a  substitute  for  the 
present  bank  could  be  provided  by  congress.  Of  all  the  schemes 
suggested,  none  seemed  to  have  met  with  any  considerable  por- 
tion of  favor  from  the  people.  There  were,  therefore,  abundant 
reasons  to  believe  that  the  government  would  be  under  the  ne- 
cessity of  resorting  to  the  employment  of  state  hanks,  in  the 
same  manner  as  before  the  present  bank  of  the  United  States 
was  created. 

The  transfer  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  U. 
Slates  and  branches,  to  the  state  banks,  at  some  period,  was 
therefore  inevitable.  The  only  question  was  as  to  the  time. 
Ought  they  to  have  been  made  in  the  bank  ofthe  United  States 
to  the  last  day  of  its  existence,  or  to  have  been  changed  at  an 
earlier  day?  and  if  so,  how  much  earlier? 

The  public  deposites  continued  substantially  a  part  of  the 
,  .ipiial  of  the  bank,  and  enabled  it  to  maintian  an  extension  of 
business  which  would  have  been  impracticable  without  them. 
If  the  deposites  had  remained  in  Ihe  bank  until  the  close  ofthe 
charter,  that  institution  must  either  have  commenced  its  curtail- 
ments at  a  preceding  period,  and  locked  up  from  the  use  of  the 
community  a  large  amount  of  funds,  or  the  contraction  of  its  bu- 
siness at  the  termination  of  its  charter,  to  meet  the  demands 
from  the  public  deposites,  pay  overits  private  deposites,  redeem 
its  returning  circulation,  and  re-imhiirse  its  stockholders,  must 
have  created  a  most  appalling  pressure  upon  the  country.  It 
was  certainly  wise  policy  to  divide  this  operation,  and  save  the 
community  from  being  overwhelmed  by  all  these  demands  at 
once.  A  withdrawal  of  the  public  deposites  was  calculated  to 
produce  that  result.  A  part  of  the  private  dejyosites  would  na- 
turally follow  the  public;  and  it  was  reasonable  to  suppose,  that 
when  the  effective,  capital  of  the  bank  was  curtailed,  and  it 
ceased  to  be  the  disbursing  hank  for  the  officers  of  the  govern- 
ment, its  circulation  would  be  diminished.  These  consequences 
flowing  gradually  from  a  gradual  removal  of  the  deposites, 
would  make  it  necessary  for  the  bank,  by  gentle  degrees,  to  call 
in  its  loans,  and  restrict  its  business,  so  that,  at  thn  termination 
of  its  charter,  its  demands  on  the  community  would  he  less, 
and  the  pressure  lighter.  These  views,  which  appear  to  have 
been  entertained  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  seem  to  have 
been  verified  by  results. 

The  bank  has  proceeded  to  call  in  its  loans,  and  has  already 
wound  up  its  concerns  to  the  amount  of  about  fifteen  per  cent, 
of  all  it  had  under  discount.  The  manner  in  which  this  opera- 
tion has  been  conducted,  will  be  adverted  to  in  anolher  part  of 
this  report,  as  will  also  the  effect  produced  by  it.  It  is  sufficient 
to  remark  here,  that  if  embarrassment  has  been  produced  by  it, 
(which  could  not  have  been  its  necessary  effect),  it  rather 
proves  the  prudence  and  wisdom  of  the  measure,  than  its  im- 
providence or  hastiness.  And  if  the  mere  removal  of  the  d"- 
posites  so  long  before  thn  termination  ofthe  charter,  has  caus- 
ed the  public  distress  which  is  now  alleged  to  exist,  how  over- 
whelming must  it  have  been  if  that  operation  had  been  delayed 
until  the  expiration  of  the  charter,  when  other  inevitable  de- 
mands to  a  large  amount  would  have  been  superadded!  Il  is 
only  by  dividing  the  evils  which  this  bank,  in  its  last  moment", 
has  power  and  seems  disposed  to  inflict  upon  the  country,  that 
they  can  be  made  tolerable.  And  it  is  wise  in  the  government 
so  to  conduct  its  policy,  that  they  shall  riot  be  brought  upon  it 
fit  once.  A  new  sy--tem  of  collection  and  disbursement  cannot 
be  introduced  and  put  inlo  operation  throughout  t'>is  extensive 
country  at.  once.  Local  and  temporary  causes  will  be  likely  to 
interfere  with  its  introduction,  which  it  will  require  time,  pa- 
tience and  labor  to  surmount.  In  some  places,  it  mny  he  dif- 
ficult at  first  to  find  safe  and  willing  agent-  to  transact  the  busi- 
ness of  the  treasury.  By  introducing  the  new  svstem  before  the 
old  sj-Ftcm  is  out  of  existence,  the  former  agents  may  continue 
to  he  employed  in  such  places  until  th"  difficulties  he  overcome. 
Rut  if  the  removal  were  delayed  until  llie  moment  the  old  sys- 
tem censed  to  exist,  such  might  he  the  influence  or  power  of  its 
advocates,  nnd  their  resolute  determination  to  force  its  con- 
tinuance, that  they  might  make  it  impossible  for  Ihe  govern- 
ment, upon  the  emergency,  to  employ  suitable,  agents.  To 
obviate  those  difficulties,  which  might  create  great  embar.i«s- 
meut.  to  introduce  and  put  into  harmonious  operation  all  the 
machinery  of  a  new  system  throughout  a  country  so  extensive, 
cannot  surely  require  lea*  tjme  than  has  been  taken  by  the  se- 
cretary of  the  treasury. 

There  Appear*  also  to  be  much  force  in  the  considerations 
urged  by  the  secretary,  connected  with  lb«  currency  of  th« 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS.  43 


country,  and  the  domestic  exchanges.  The  notes  of  the  hank 
of  the  United  States  must  necessarily  in  a  short  time  be  with- 
drawn from  circulation.  The  principal  currency  of  the  country 
for  many  years  to  come,  will  he  liank  notes,  there  is  no  reason 
to  doubt,  ami  it.  is  certainly  good  policy  to  foster  the  state  hanks 
which  furnish  them,  in  measures  tending  to  give  them  as  ge- 
neral  credit  us  has  been  heretofore  attached  to  the  notes  of  the 
United  Stales  hank  and  branches. 

That  the  natural  and  ascertained  course  of  trade,  circulation 
and  exchange,  connected  with  the  interests  of  banking  institu- 
tions, will  ultimately  produce  this  result  in  relation  to  the  notes 
of  the  principal  Mate  hr.nks,  there  is  every  reason  to  anticipate; 
but  their  employment  in  the  business  uf  the  government,  hy 
awakening  them  to  their  capacities  and  interests,  is  calculated 
to  hasten  the  consummation  of  so  desirable  an  event. 

It  was  a  matter  of  no  small  moment,  to  encourage  and  hasten 
the  banks  in  maturing  their  system  of  circulation  and  exchange, 
so  that  at  the  termination  of  the  charter  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States,  the  trade  of  the  country  might  not  encounter  at 
the  same  time  the  loss  of  a  general  currency  and  the  entire 
breaking  up  of  the  domestic  exchanges,  a  partial  intenuption  of 
which,  by  that  bank  is  now  producing  such  serious  incon- 
venience. By  the  latest  returns  of  the  banks  employed  by  the 
government,  it  appears  that  they  are  already  rapidly  taking  the 
place  of  the  hank  of  the  United  Slates  in  the  exchange  opera- 
tions. Upon  all  the  points  hitherto  considered,  there  is  room 
for  a  difference  of  opinion,  as  to  the  time  when  the  public  de- 
posites  should  have  been  shifted  to  the  state  banks. 

It  is  evident  that  it  would  have  required  one,  two  or  three 
years,  to  realize  the  result  which  the  public  good  required 
should  be  brought  about  before  the  termination  of  the  bank's 
charter;  but  whether  the  greatest  or  least  of  those  periods,  men 
may  differ  according  to  their  views  of  their  several  operations. 
But  there  was  another  consideration  connected  with  the  public 
good,  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  made  it  the  im- 
perative duty  of  the  secretary  to  act  without  delay.  Without 
waiting  for  the  final  decision  of  the  secretary,  the  bank  of  the 
United  States,  early  in  August  last,  although  then  in  possession 
of  specie  to  an  amount  exceeding  ten  millions  of  dollars,  and 
receiving  a  rapid  accession  to  the  public  deposites,  commenc- 
ed a  system  of  severe  curtailment,  and  before  the.  end  of  that 
month  took  large  sums  in  specie  from  the  state  banks.  Be- 
fore the  1st  of  October  there  was  a  pressure  upon  the  money 
market,  and  serious  apprehensions  for  the  future.  The  hoard 
hoarded  up  the  deposites  it  had  received,  and  at  the  same  time 
made  a  rapid  curtailment  of  its  loans.  The  secretary  has  ac- 
curately set  forth  the  accession  of  public  deposites,  and  the 
curtailment  of  loans  during  the  months  of  August  and  Septem- 
ber. The  former  amounting  t«  $4,066,146  21,  and  the  latter  to 
$2,268,504  11,  showing  the  whole  amount  abstracted  from  the 
use  of  the  mercantile  community,  chiefly  in  the  commercial 
cities,  during  these  two  months  to  have  been  no  less  than 
$6.334,650  32.  In  consequence  of  the  change  in  the  tariff, 
which  threw  into  the  lalter  part  of  the  last  year  the  payment  of 
two  sets  of  duties,  the  old  credit  and  the  new  cash  duties,  the 
public  deposites  were  accumulating  in  the  Atlantic  cities  with 
unprecedented  rapidity,  and  it  was  apparent  that  the  business 
of  the  cities  could  not  long  bear  the  double  drain  of  bank  calls, 
and  public  revenue,  without  some  return. 

As  the  bank  had  commenced  this  course  in  anticipation  of  a 
removal  of  the  deposites,  it  could  not  be  expected  to  change  it 
until  all  idea  of  that  measure  should  be  abandoned.  Had  it,  been 
postponed  until  the  first  of  January,  if  i?  not  to  be  imagined  that 
the  hank  would  have  relaxed  its  rigid  policy  upon  any  other 
consideration  than  a  disposition  in  the  executive  to  abandon 
the  measure,  or  in  the  legislature  to  overrule  him.  It  cannot  he 
doubted  that  the  government  would  have  been  forced  from  its 
position,  or  that  a  scene  of  ruin  and  distress  would  have  been 
produced  by  the  unfeeling  cupidity  of  the  bank,  and  its  determi- 
nation to  force  a  recharter. 

If,  under  the  circumstances,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  had 
delayed  the  execution  of  his  order  for  the  change  of  the  de- 
posites  to  the  first  "of  December  or  January,  he  would,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  committee,  have  been  culpably  regardless  of  the 
great  public  interests  intrusted  to  his  superintendence.  But, 
independent  of  these  considerations,  it  was  the  undoubted  duty 
of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  order  and  direct  the  tranfer 
of  the  depositps  whenever,  in  his  opinion,  it  was  required  by  the 
public  interests. 

It  is  proper  to  observe,  that  in  expressing  the  opinion  that  it 
ii  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  change  the  place  of  deposite, 
whenever  the  public  interest  or  convenience  require  it,  the 
committee  have  no  reference  to  interests  which  are  not  im- 
mediately connected  with  the  financial  concerns  of  the  country, 
or  the  conduct  of  the  hank  as  the  fiscal  agent  of  the  government. 
Beyond  these  limits,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  does  not  and 
has  not  claimed  the  right  to  interfere.  The  reasons  upon  which 
he  appears  to  have  acted  are  fiscal  merely,  and  am  confined  en- 
tirely to  the  condition  in  which  the  government  and  people 
would  he  placed  hy  the  state  of  the  currency  on  the  termination 
of  the  charter  of  the  hank,  and  to  the  misconduct  of  the  bank 
in  its  character  of  fiscal  agent  of  the  government. 

He  does  not  claim  for  himself,  nor  do  the  committee  claim 
for  him,  the  right  to  regulate  the  currency,  nor  to  influence  by 
hi«  power  over  the  depositog  any  political  movements  affecting 
either  our  internal  concerns  or  foreign  relations.  But  it  is  un- 
questionably his  duty  to  look  forward  to  the  condition  in  which 
>he  currency  will  in  a  short  time  be  placed,  by  the  existing 


laws,  when  the  charter  of  the  bank  expires;  and  it  is  clearly 
his  duty  to  examine  also  into  the  conduct  of  the  agent  which 
has  been  placod  by  law  under  his  supervision;  and  to  inquire 
whether  its  money  or  corporate  powers  are  used  in  good  faith, 
for  the  purposes  for  which  they  were  given.  As  the  presiding 
Officer  of  the  treasury  deparlmmt,  these  subjcctx  were  legally 
under  his  supervision,  and  came  directly  within  the  range  of 
his  official  duties.  In  acting  upon  these  reasons,  it  is  not  the 
theory  of  our  system,  nor  has  it  been  the  practice,  to  consult 
the  legislative  power  in  relation  to  acts  which  are  entrusted  to 
the  direction  of  the  executive;  and  to  ask  the  sane-lion  of  con- 
gress beforehand,  to  acts  which  a  sense  of  dutv  require*  him  to 
perform,  would  be  to  shrink  from  his  constitutional  responsibi- 
lity, and  throw  it  upon  another  department  of  the  government. 
With  thr:  lemoval  »f  the  deposiles,  and  the  reasons  for  it,  con- 
gress, according  to  the  charter  of  the  bank,  have  clearly  no  con- 
cern, even  if  they  he  in  session  when,  in  the  opinion  of  the  se- 
cretary of  the  treasury,  a  removal  becomes  necessary  or  proper, 
until  the  act  be  done  and  the  reasons  be  reported  to  them. 

The  committee  come  next  to  examine  such  of  the  secretary's 
reasons  for  the  removal  of  the  deposites  as  relate  to  the  conduct 
of  the  hank. 

The  United  States  are  the  owners  of  seven  millions  of  the 
capital  stock  of  the  bank,  and  by  the  charter  are  entitled  to  be 
represented  at  the  board  by  five  directors.  The  charter  provides 
that  "not  less  than  seven  directors  shall  constitute  a  board  for 
the  transaction  of  business." 

Although  the  charter  of  the  bank  declares,  in  express  terms, 
that  it  shall  require  the  allendance  of  seven  members  of  the 
board  of  directors  to  constitute  a  quorum  fordoing  business,  the 
government  directors  state,  and  the  fact  also  appears  from  the 
evidence  accompanying  the  report  of  the  committee  of  investi- 
gation.in  1832,  and  that  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  at 
the  last  session,  that,  for  some  time  past,  all  the  most  import- 
ant business  of  the  board  has  been  done  by  committees  of  less 
than  seven,  selected  by  the  president,  of  which  he  is  ex-officio  a 
member;  that  these  committees  seldom  report,  and  many  of 
their  most,  important  transactions  are  secret,  and  remain  for  a 
long  time  unknown  to  the  board. 

This  delegation  of  powerlo  committees  of  the  bank,  the  com- 
mittee consider  to  be  a  direct  arid  palpable  violation  of  the  char- 
ter of  the  hank.  From  all  these  committees,  the  government 
directors,  who  are  appointed  to  represent  the  stock,  and  watch 
over  the  interest  of  the  United  States  in  the  bank,  slate,  in  their 
memorial,  they  are  entirely  excluded.  They  state  that,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  last  year,  not  one  of  their  number  was 
placed  on  any  of  these  committees,  and  although,  at  a  subse- 
quent day,  two  of  them  were  assigned  to  stations  on  commit- 
tees, they  were  again,  in  a  short  time,  excluded  from  them  alto- 
gether. Thus  were  they  cut  off  from  all  participation  in  the 
most  important  business  of  the  bank,  and  know  nothing  of 
what  is  done  except  by  accident  or  results.  They  state  that 
all  important  negotiations  are  carried  on  by  the  committee  of 
exchange,  who  grant  discounts  to  printers,  politicians  and  others 
almost  without  limit,  often  upon  securities  wholly  inadmissible, 
according  to  the  rules  of  the  board,  on  extraordinary  terms,  and 
for  unusual  times.  They  state  that,  in  one  instance,  when  they 
discovered  that  certain  debtors  had  been  permitted  largely  to 
overdraw,  and  that  their  paper  remained  unprotected  when  due, 
and  unpaid,  they  procured  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to 
investigate  the  account,  but  before  that  committee  could  act, 
the  committee  on  exchange,  in  violation  of  the  rules  of  the 
bank,  discounted  to  the  same  men,  certain  noies  and  draughts 
(some  of  which  on  security  of  the  most  unusual  kind)  sufficient 
to  pay  the  over  draughts,  and  take  up  the  unprotested  paper;  al- 
though they  were  then  many  times  protested  on  other  paper; 
and  the  board,  to  consummate  the  transaction,  rescinded  the 
order  under  which  the  select  committee  was  appointed,  three 
days  alter  it  was  adopted. 

To  conform  the  practice  of  the  hank  to  the  charter,  the  go- 
vernment directors  state,  that  they  proposed  to  restore  the  bu- 
siness of  discounts  to  the  hoard  of  directors;  hut  this  was  over- 
ruled. To  enable  them  to  participate,  in  some  degree,  in  the 
business  of  the  hank,  they  proposed  that  the  members  of  the 
whole  hoard  should  be  selected,  in  rotation,  to  form  the  com- 
mittees, in  conformity  with  former  practice,  and  an  unrescind- 
ed  rule;  hut  this  also  was  refused. 

Finally,  instead  of  reforming  the  practice  of  the  bank,  so  as 
to  make  it  conform  to  the  charter  and  the  rules,  the  majority  of 
the  hoard  of  directors  changed  the  rules,  and  made  them  con- 
form to  the  practice.  Thus,  rules  made  by  themselves,  are 
taken  as  authority  for  disregarding  the  restrictions  of  the  charter 
and  of  the  regulations  prescribed  by  the  stockholders;  and  from 
the  statement  of  these  directors,  it  appears  that  almost  all  the 
business  of  the  bank  is  done  by  committees  of  three  or  five,  to 
which  thr  president  is  attached  ex-officio.  The  board  of  direc- 
tors remain  ignorant  of  the  movement  of  the  corporation,  which 
has  been  put  under  their  management,  and  by  an  entire  exclu- 
sion of  the  government  directors  from  the  committees,  they  are 
rendered  useless  for  all  the  purposes,  which  induced  their  being 
placed  in  the  direction.  Under  such  management,  could  the  in- 
terest of  the  government  he  considered  secure  in  their  hands? 
The  committee  think  not — nnd  that  this,  with  other  abuses  con- 
nected with  its  management,  which  will  be  noticed  in  the  sub- 
sequent part  of  this  report,  was  a  sufficient  reason  to  justify  the 
secretary  in  the  removal  of  the  dcposile?. 

The  conduct  of  the  bank  in  the  year  1832,  in  secretly  inter- 
fering, through  the  agency  of  its  president  and  one  of  its  «ecrat 


44  N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834-COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


committees,  with  the  policy  of  government,  whereby  they 
sought,  without  (he  knowledge  or  consent  of  the  government, 
to  postpone  the  payment  of  a  large  portion  of  the  public  debt, 
denominated  the  'J  per  cent,  stock,  for  a  long  period  beyond  the 
time  fixed  by  the  government  lor  its  reimbursement,  was,  in  the 
opinion  ol'Uie  committee,  not  only  without  warrant  of  law,  but 
highly  reprehensible.  The  conduct  of  the  bank  in  this  transac- 
tion, was  fully  examined  by  a  committee  of  the  house  at  the  last 
session  of  congress,  and  resulted  in  a  report  from  the  majority, 
and  a  counter-report  from  the  minority  of  that  committee.  To 
these  reports,  hereto  appended,  the  committee  refer  for  all  the 
facia  connected  with  this  illegal  and  unwarrantable  act  on  the 
part  of  the  bank.  In  neither  of  these  reports  is  the  conduct  of 
the  bank  approved.  In  the  report  of  the  majority  it  is  admitted 
that  "it  is  due  however,  to  the  government,  to  express  the  opi- 
nion, that  the  arrangement  made  by  the  agent  in  England  for 
the  purchase  of  the  3  per  cent,  stock,  and  the  detention  of  the  cer- 
tificates (which  measures  were  subsequently  disclaimed  by  the 
bank),  the  institution  exceeded  its  legitimate  authority,  and  had 
no  warrant  in  the  correspondence  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasu- 
ry." The  minority  of  that  committee  in  their  report,  present 
all  the  fuels  in  detail,  derived  from  official  correspondence  and 
documents,  and  from  the  personal  examination  on  oath  of  a 
part  of  the  directors  of  the  bank.  Ileferring  to  these  official  re- 
porU  of  a  former  committee,  of  the  house,  the  committee  deem 
it  unnecessary  to  do  more  than  to  call  the  attention  of  the  house 
to  them  as  developing  all  the  facu  and  circumstances  connect- 
ed with  this  transaction. 

Hut  it  has  been  urged  that  the  conduct  of  the  bank,  in  regard 
to  the  three  per  cent,  stock,  should  have  constituted  no  part  of 
the  reasons  which  should  have  influenced  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  in  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  because  a  majority  of 
the  house  of  representatives  bad,  at  the  last  session,  expressed 
an  opinion,  by  the  adoption  of  a  resolution,  that  the  deposites 
may  be  "safely  continued  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States." 
To  determine  what  consideration  ought  to  be  given  to  such  an 
expression  of  the  opinion  of  the  house,  it  is  necessary  to  look 
to  the  circumstances  under  which  it  was  given.  By  the  journals 
it  appears  that  the  committee  reported  to  the  house  on  the  first 
March,  and  on  the  next  day  (second  March)  the  minority  made 
a  further  supplemental  report.  The  resolution  in  question  was 
adopted  on  the  second  of  March,  being  the  last  day  but  one  of 
the  session.  The  reports  of  the  majority  and  minority  of  the 
committee  were  very  long,  and  were  accompanied  by  a  mass  of 
testimony,  upon  which  they  were  based,  and  which  it  had  oc- 
cupied the  committee  many  weeks  to  collect.  The  reports  had 
not  been  printed,  and  could  not  have  been  examined  or  read  by 
any  member  of  the  house  except  the  committee  themselves. 

The  house,  by  this  vote,  did  not  approve  the  conduct  of  the 
bank  in  regard  to  the  three  per  cents.  They  expressed  no  opi- 
nion that  other  causes  than  the  insecurity  of  the  public  depo- 
sites in  the  bank,  would  or  would  not  be  sufficient  to  justify  the 
secretary  in  removing  them.  These  points  were  not  presented 
for  their  consideration  or  decision.  The  vote,  in  fact,  amount- 
ed to  nothing  more  than  a  simple  expression  of  the  opinion  of 
a  majority  of  the  house,  that  as  the  deposites  had  been  hereto 
fore  kept  in  the  bank,  for  aught  that  appeared,  (the  reports  of 
the  committee  not  having  been  printed  or  examined  by  the 
house),  they  might  be  safely  continued  there.  This  expression 
of  opinion,  given  under  the  circumstances  stated,  ought  not,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  committee,  to  have  restrained  the  secretary 
from  the  performance  of  his  duty,  if,  in  his  opinion,  the  bank 
had  become  faithless  to  its  trust,  or  the  public  interest  made  it 
necessary  for  him  to  act. 

The  next  reason  assigned  by  the  secretary  for  the  removal  of 
the  deposites,  is  the  unjust  and  unconscicntious  demand  on  the 
part  of  the  bank  for  damages  to  the  amount  of  $158,842  77,  upon 
the  protested  bill  drawn  by  the  United  States  on  the  French  go- 
vernment. A  bare  statement  of  the  facts  connected  with  this 
transaction  will  show  the  true  character  of  this  demand  on  the 
part  of  the  bank.  The  bank  is  the  fiscal  agent  of  the  govern- 
ment, and  during  the  whole  period  of  its  existence,  has  held  on 
deposite  very  large  amounts  of  the  public  money,  which  it  has 
used  (without  the  payment  of  interest  to  the  government,  in 
loans  to  the  community)  and  has  been  thus  enabled  largely  to 
increase  its  profits.  From  an  official  statement  appended  to 
this  report,  it  appears  that  the  average  amount  of  deposite  of 
the  public  money  in  thy;  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  its  offi- 
ces, for  each  month,  from  the  year  1818  to  the  yrar  1833,  both 
inclusive,  (being  a  period  of  10  years)  was  $6,717,253  67:  the 
annual  interest  accruing  to  the  bank  upon  this  amount  of  pub- 
lic deposites),  at  6  per  cent,  per  annum,  would  be  $403,635  22, 
and  for  a  period  of  16  years,  would  be  $6,448,563  5-7.  During 
the  month  of  February,  1833,  the  government  were  desirous  to 
have  remitted  from  Paris  to  the  United  Stains,  the  amount  of 
the  first  instalment  due  to  the  United  Stales  from  France  under 
the  Fieneli  treaty  of  the  4lh  July,  1831.  For  the  purpose  of 
effecting  the  remittance  in  the  most  convenient  and  least  ex- 
(ifiiMve  form,  the  government  of  the  United  States  drew  on  the 
7th  of  February,  1833,  a  bill  on  the  French  government  for 
$903,505  89,  and  sold  the  hill  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 
The  bill  was  paid  for  liy  the  bank,  not  by  cash  advanced  nnd 
paid  out  of  the  bank,  but  hy  simply  c-uterini;  the  amount  lo  th« 
credit  of  the  treasurer  on  the  books  of  the  bank,  ami  thuain- 
•MtiDg  by  that  amount  the  public  depogitca  in  ih"  bank;  the 
bank  continuing  in  the  possession  and  use  nf  the  money  as  be- 
fore the.  purchase,  with  this  difference  only,  that  the  nmoiinl 
paid  for  the  hill  was  mibjnct,  with  the  other  public  money*  on 


deposite,  to  be  drawn  for  by  the  government  as  the  public  ser- 
vice might  require.  The  bill  was  sold  by  the  bank  in  London 
and  forwarded  by  the  purchaser  to  Paris  for  collection,  where 
it  was  protested,  because  Ihe  French  chambers  bad  failed  to 
make  provision  for  its  payment,  and  was  afterwards  taken  up 
for  the  honor  of  the  bank,  by  its  agent.  The  government  im- 
mediately paid  back  to  the  bank  the  principal  of  the  bill. 

But  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  declined  paying  the  damages 
which  the  bank  claimed.  In  the  monthly  statement  from  the 
bank  of  the  3d  of  June  following,  and  in  all  the  monthly  state- 
ments since  that  time,  (in  each  of  which  is  contained,  amongst 
other  things,  the  bank's  account  with  the  treasury),  the  follow- 
ing item  is  charged  by  the  bank,  to  wit:  "Due  by  the  U.  S.  for 
protested  bill  of  exchange  on  France,  $158,842  77." 

What  makes  this  demand  the  more  unconscietitious,  is,  that 
during  the  whole  period,  from  the  7th  of  February,  the  day  the 
bill  was  drawn,  until  it  was  repaid  to  the  bank,  the  public  de- 
positor in  bank,  and  which  it  held  and  used  without  interest, 
greatly  exceeded  the  amount  of  the  bill.  The  bank  then  did 
not  in  fact  suffer  any  damages,  or  losses,  other  than  the  inter- 
est, cost  of  protest  and  re-exchange,  which  the  government 
promptly,  and  without  hesitation,  avowed  its  willingness  to  re- 
pay, together  with  the  principal  of  the  bill.  But  the  bank  claims 
more  than  this.  They  claim  $156,842  77  as  damages,  not  on 
the  ground  that  any  damages  were  in  fact  sustained,  but  upon 
a  technical  claim  of  a  legal  right  to  damages.  Under  such  cir- 
cumstances, the  committee  consider  it  to  have  been  the  duty 
of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  not  only  to  decline  making  the 
payment,  but  to  discontinue  the  fiscal  agency  of  an  institution 
capable  of  asserting  so  unjust  a  demand,  and  seeking  to  enrieh 
itself  at  the  loss  of  its  principal.  Here  was  a  bank  which,  for 
upwards  of  16  years,  had  had  the  use  of  an  average  deposite  of 
public  money  of  near  seven  millions  of  dollars,  without  the  pay- 
ment of  interest,  deriving  a  profit  from  the  use  of  the  public 
money  during  that  period  of  upwards  of  six  millions;  and  ut  the 
very  moment  when  it  has  in  uss  millions  of  the  public  money, 
is  taking  advantage  of  the  disappointment  of  the  government 
which  employs  it,  and  that  disappointment  too  growing  out  of 
an  unforeseen  contingency,  against  which  the  government 
could  not  guard;  and  seeking,  upon  what  it  is  pleased  to  regard 
as  the  strict  law  of  the  case,  without  even  color  of  justice,  to 
make  the  government,  in  whose  employ  it  is,  pay  in  damages 
the  large  amount  already  stated.  No  prudent  individual,  who 
had  any  regard  to  his  own  interests  or  rights,  would  continue 
an  agent  who  would  manifest  such  an  utter  disregard  of  his  in- 
terests. An  individual  would  have  taken  his  business  out  of 
the  hands  of  such  an  agent.  The  secretary  of  the  treasury,  as 
the  only  authorised  agent  of  the  government  competent  to  do 
so,  has  done  nothing  more,  by  the  removal  of  the  deposites, 
than  discontinue  the  fiscal  agency  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
States. 

In  the  view  which  they  have  here  presented,  the  committee 
have  proceeded  upon  the  supposition  that  by  the  strict  lair,  the 
bank  might  demand  the  damages  in  question.  If  that  were  the 
case,  the  demand  would  be  most  uuconscientious  and  unjust. 

The  committee  do  not,  however,  concede  that  the  bank  has 
even  a  legal  right  to  the  damaces  claimed.  In  general,  the 
drawer  of  a  foreign  bill  returned  protested,  is  liable  for  the 
amount  on  the  face  of  the  bill,  for  interest,  for  cost  of  protest, 
for  re-exchange,  and  for  the  reasonable  expenses  which  have 
been  incurred  by  the  dishonor  of  the  bill,  and,  according  to  llio 
general  usages  which  regulate  foreign  bills  of  exchange,  he  i* 
liable  for  nothing  more.  There  is  no  general  commercial  usage 
which  gives  damages  of  15  per  cent,  or  at  any  other  rale,  on  the 
return  of  a  protested  foreign  bill  of  exchange.  Damages  of  that 
description,  whenever  they  are  allowed  against  the  drawer,  are 
either  given  by  statute  or  depend  upon  the  established  local 
usages  of  particular  places,  and  not  upon  the  general  usages  of 
trade.  In  the  United  States,  the  amount  of  damages,  recovera- 
ble upon  a  foreign  bill  returned  protested,  varies  according  to 
the  local  usages  or  statutory  provisions  of  the  different  states, 
respectively.  In  Massachusetts  the  damages  are  10  per  cent. 
JH  addition  to  interest  and  cost  of  protest;  in  Pennsylvania  the 
damages  are  20  per  cent,  on  bills  drawn  on  Kurope,  and  return- 
ed protested.  In  Maryland  15  per  cent.  The  amount  of  da- 
mages in  the  respective  states  being  regulated  hv  statute,  there 
is  no  general  u*nge  pervading  all  the  states,  which  can  miniate 
the  amount  of  damages.  This  hill  wns  drawn  and  sold  to  the 
bank  at  the  treasury  in  the  District  of  Columbia— and  in  that 
portion  of  the  district  which  was  before  the  cession  to  the  U. 
Stales  a  part  of  Maryland.  The  risht  of  the  hank  to  recover 
the  damages  claimed,  must  depend  upon  the  laws  of  Maryland, 
still  in  force  in  Ibis  district — congress  never  having  passed  any 
law  on  the  subject  since  the  cession  of  the  territory,  and  the 
exclusive  jurisdiction  over  it  lo  the  United  States.  The  only 
statute  of  the  state  of  Maryland  in  force  in  that  part  of  the  dis- 
trict formerly  held  by  Maryland,  is  an  net  passed  in  173T>,  chap. 
33,  S.  l.by  which  it  is  provided,  "That  upon  all  hills  of  ex- 
change hereafter  drawn  in  this  stale,  on  any  person,  corpora- 
tion, company  or  society,  in  any  foreign  country,  and  regularly 
protested,  the  owner  or  holder  of  such  bill,  or  the  person  or  ptr- 
soni,  company,  society  or  corporation,  entitli  d  to  the  >ame.  shall 
have  a  right  to  receive  and  recover  so  mnrh  current  money  as 
will  purchase  a  coo*l  hill  of  exchange  of  the  snine  lime  of  pay- 
ment, and  upon  the  same  place,  nl  the  current  evehange  of 
Kiie.li  hi!U,  &c.;  also,  fifteen  percent,  ilainnae*  upon  the  v  line 
of  |he  principal  sum  mentioned  ill  soon  hill,  and  co-st  of  protect, 
together  with  legal  interest  upon  tho  value  of  lliv  principal  sum 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS.    45 


mentioned  in  such  bill,  from  the  time  of  protest,  until  the  prin- 
cipal damages  are  paid  and  satisfied."  The  account  rendered 
by  the  bank  (see  letter  of  cashier  of  the  13th  May,  1833,  hereto 
annexed),  appears  to  have  been  made  out  according  to  the  pro- 
visions of  this  act,  and  the  question  is,  whether  this  bill  is  em- 
braced by  the  act  of  1785. 

The  committee  are  of  opinion  that  a  bill  of  exchange  drawn 
by  the  United  States,  is  not  embraced  by  this  act. 

The  state  is  never  construed  to  be  included  in  the  general 
provisions  of  a  statute,  unless  it  is  expressly  named,  or  the  lan- 
guage of  the  law,  or  the  nature  of  its  provisions  plainly  imply, 
that  its  enactments  were  designed  to  bind  the  stale  as  well  as 
individuals.  A  bill  of  exchange  drawn  by  the  state  would  not 
have  embraced  by  the  act  of  1785,  already  referred  to,  because 
the  state  is  not  named  in  the  act,  and  the  whole  scope  and  lan- 
guage of  the  law,  shows  that  its  object  was  to  provide  for  the 
dealings  of  individuals,  corporations,  companies,  societies,  and 
not  to  regulate  the  action  of  the  government  by  which  it  was 
enacted.  The  large  damages  mentioned  in  the  law,  are  evi- 
dently intended  for  the  benefit  and  convenience  of  commerce, 
and  to  prevent  persons  from  drawing  bills  on  foreign  countries, 
where  tlie  drawer  bad  reason  to  believe  they  would  not  be  ho- 
nored. The  reason  could  not  apply  to  the  state,  and  there  can 
be  no  ground  to  suppose  that  the  state,  in  passing  this  law,  in- 
tended to  inflict  upon  herself  a  penalty,  if  a  bill  drawn  by  her 
should  be  unexpectedly  returned  protested.  If  a  bill  then 
drawn  by  the  state  of  Maryland  on  a  foreign  country,  and  pro- 
tested, would  not  have  entitled  the  holder  to  the  15  per  cent, 
damages  against  the  slate  under  this  law,  neither  can  these  da- 
mages be  claimed  against  the  United  States,  who  now  stand  in 
the  place  of  Maryland,  in  that  part  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
where  this  bill  was  drawn.  But  this  bill  is  not  embraced  by 
this  law,  because  a  bill  drawn  by  an  individual  on  a  foreign  go- 
vernment, would  not  be  included  by  the  terms  of  the  law.  The 
language  of  the  law  confines  its  operation  to  bills  drawn  on 
"any  person,  corporation,  company  or  society,  in  any  foreign 
country,"  and  these  words  cannot  by  any  fair  rule  of  interpreta- 
tion be  conslrued  to  mean  a  foreign  nation,  or  to  embrace  a 
bill  drawn  on  a  foreign  government.  Neither  the  drawer  nor 
drawee  then,  in  this  case,seem  to  be  embraced  within  the  pur- 
view of  this  law;  but  if  they  were,  yet  this  transaction  does  not 
seem  to  be  one  of  the  description  for  which  it  intended  to  pro- 
vide. 

A  bill  of  exchange,  as  known  in  commerce,  is  of  itself  a  suffi- 
cient authority  to  the  drawee  to  pay  the  money,  and  a  proper 
endorsement  on  it  transfers  the  right  to  the  endorsee,  and  the 
bill  and  its  endorsements  do  not  require  the  aid  of  any  other  in- 
strument to  give  them  force  and  authority.  The  endorsement 
of  the  bill  by  the  payee,  in  blank,  is  of  itself  sufficient  to  war- 
rant the  payment  to  the  holder.  The  bill  in  question  is  not  an 
instrument  of  this  description;  standing  by  itself  it  was  of  no 
value,  and  gave  no  right  to  the  payee  or  the  holder  to  whom  he 
might  endorse  it  to  receive  the  money.  It  was  deemed  neces- 
sary by  the  parties  to  this  transaction,  that  there  should  be 
other  and  higher  authority,  in  order  to  enable  the  bank  to  re- 
ceive the  money,  and  this  authoiity  accompanied  the  bill. 

This  authority  was  executed  by  the  president  of  the  United 
States  on  the  same  day  that  the  bill  was  drawn  by  the  secreta- 
ry of  the  treasury,  under  the  seal  of  the  United  States,  and 
countersigned  by  the  secretary  of  state,  whereby  the  bill  was 
recognized,  and  the  cashier  of  the  bank  (who  was  the  payee), 
or  his  assignee  of  the  bill,  was  authorised  to  receive  the  money 
and  to  give  an  acquittance  to  the  French  government,  and  the 
bill,  sustained  by  this  authority,  was  sold  to  the  bank  at  the 
treasury,  and  the  proceeds  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  United 
States  on  their  books.  The  act  of  the  president  under  the  seal 
of  the  United  Slates,  which  accompanied  the  bill,  was  the  only 
instrument  which  conferred  on  the  bank  the  right  to  receive 
the  money,  and  the  only  instrument  which  enabled  them  to  as- 
sign their  right  to  receive  it.  The  government  and  the  bank 
both  acted  with  a  full  knowledge  that  the  bill  itself  would  be 
unavailing  to  accomplish  the  object  in  view,  and  the  proper 
authority  in  another  instrument  was  executed  for  that  purpose. 
This  was  a  transaction  between  governments,  and  the  authori- 
ty given  by  the  government  of  the  United  States  to  the  bank  to 
receive  the  money  from  the  French  government,  cannot  be  re- 
garded in  the  commercial  sense  as  an  ordinary  bill  of  exchange. 

By  the  treaty,  the  money  was  to  be  paid  by  the  French  go- 
vernment at  Paris,  "into  the  hands  of  such  person  or  persons 
as  shall  be  authorised  by  the  government  of  the  United  States 
to  receive  it."  In  order,  therefore,  to  obtain  the  money,  it  was 
necessary  that  a  person  should  present  himself  at  Paris,  with 
the  usual  testimonials  from  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  of  his  authority  to  receive  it.  And  the  evidence  of  his 
authority, according  to  the  laws  which  regulate  the  intercourse 
between  nations,  must  be  furnished  by  the  president  of  the 
United  States,  through  the  department  charged  with  our  foreign 
relations.  This  was  done  in  the  power  executed  by  the  presi- 
dent, before  referred  to.  It  was  this  power,  and  not  the  bill, 
which  authorised  the  demand  upon  the  French  government  for 
payment.  The  bill,  without  this  power,  would  have  been  in- 
sufficient; but  the  power  without  the  bill  would  have  been  suf- 
ficient. If  the  bill  had  been  presented  alone,  the  French  go- 
vernment might  have  refused  to  pay,  without  any  violation  of 
its  engagements.  It  was  necessary  that  the  person  demanding 
the  money  from  the  French  government  should  have  authority 
accompanied  by  the  customary  testimonials  in  the  intercourse 
between  nations,  to  receive  it. 


This  authority  the  instrument  executed  by  the  president  gave, 
but  none  such  was  conferred  by  the  bill  alone.  ID  truth,  the 
bill  of  exchange  and  the  endorsements  contributed  in  no  degree 
to  the  authority  of  the  holder  to  demand  or  receive  the  money. 
His  right  to  demand  depended  upon  the  formal  power  executed 
by  the  president;  and  the  bank,  or  its  assignee  of  the  bill,  be- 
came entitled  to  demand  it  by  virtue  of  thU  power,  and  not  by 
virtue  of  the  bill  or  the  endorsements  on  it.  The  bill  itself,  and 
the  endorsements  on  it,  did  nothing  more  than  designate  the 
person  whom  the  government  of  the  United  States,  by  the  in- 
strument executed  by  the  president  according  to  the  treaty,  had 
authorised  to  receive  it.  The  government  and  the  bank  show, 
from  the  instruments  executed,  that  neither  of  them  regarded 
the  bill  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  as  sufficient  to  authorise 
the  bank  or  its  endorsee  to  receive  the  money:  for  the  bill  stand- 
ing alone,  had  no  authentication  which  would  entitle  it  to  be  re- 
garded by  the  French  government  as  sufficient  evidence  of  the 
authority  of  the  holder  to  receive  the  money.  The  question, 
then  is,  did  the  act  of  Maryland,  of  1785  (under  which  these  da- 
mages are  claimed)  intend  to  give  fifteen  per  centum  damages 
on  an  instrument  in  the  form  of  a  bill  of  exchange,  which  the 
parties  to  it  knew  had  none  of  its  substance  and  qualities,  and 
upon  the  authority  of  which  the  payee  himself  did  not  rely?  or 
did  the  act  mean  to  give  damages  on  those  instruments  only 
which  are  recognized  and  known'  in  the  commercial  world  aa 
bills  of  exchange,  and  possessing  all  the  qualities  of  such  instru- 
ments? The  act  obviously  alludes  to  the  instruments  known  and 
understood  in  commerce,  when  the  bill  itself,  and  the  endorse- 
ments on  it  are  sufficient  of  themselves  to  convey  the  right  to 
the  holder,  and  not  to  instruments  in  the  form  of  bills,  which 
give  no  authority,  and  are  merely  useful  in  designating  the  per- 
son on  whom  another  instrument  has  devolved  the  power  to  re- 
ceive the  money.  If  the  power  given  by  the  president  to  the 
cashier  of  the  bank,  or  his  assignee  of  that  instrument,  as  the 
person  authorised  to  receive  the  amount  due  to  the  United 
States  from  France,  and  the  bill  had  been  endorsed  to  different 
persons,  jt  is  very  clear  that  the  assignee  of  the  instrument  exe- 
cuted by  the  president,  and  not  the  assignee  of  the  bill,  would 
have  been  entitled  to  demand  the  money.  The  bill  of  the  secre- 
tary wa*  therefore  one  of  the  forms  in  which,  for  the  sake  of 
convenience,  the  government  gave  its  authority  to  the  bank  to 
receive  the  money,  and  it  is  evident,  from  the  papers  executed, 
that  the  bank,  as  well  as  the  government,  so  understood  it.  The 
parties  to  the  bill  in  question,  and  the  bill  itself,  is  not  therefore, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  such  an  instrument  as  the  act 
of  Maryland,  1785,  contemplated,  and  that  the  bank  is  not  enti- 
tled, as  o  mere  strict  legal  right,  (independent  of  the  manifest 
injustice  of  the  demand,)  to  claim  the  15  per  cent,  damages  by 
virtue  of  that  law.  If  an  instrument,  in  the  shape  of  a  bill  of 
exchange,  forming  a  part  of  such  a  transaction  as  this,  between 
two  governments,  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  the  bill  of  exchange 
known  in  the  usage  of  trade,  then  the  liabilities  on  bills  of  ex- 
change will  not  apply  to  it,  by  force  of  the  law  which  regulates 
contracts  amongst  private  persons. 

The  government  is  ready  fully  to  indemnify  the  bank  against 
loss  in  this  transaction,  and  the  bank  cannot,  either  in  law  or 
justice,  demand  more.  The  committee  think  the  bank  had  for- 
feited all  claims  to  be  any  longer  trusted  with  the  keeping  of  the 
public  moneys,  and  that  the  secretary  would  have  failed  to  per- 
form his  duty,  had  he  permitted  the  public  moneys  longer  to  re- 
main with  the  bank. 

In  his  annual  message  of  December,  1829,  the  president  of  the 
United  Slates  expressed  his  doubts  of  the  constitutionality  and 
expediency  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  This  part  of  the 
message  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  finance  in  the  senate, 
and  to  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  in  the  house  of  repre- 
sentative-!; both  of  which  made  reports  in  favor  of  the  bank, 
which  were  ordered  to  be  printed  by  congress.  It  appears  that 
the  bank,  not  content  with  the  circulation  of  these  imposing 
documents,  through  extra  copies  printed  at  the  public  expense, 
through  the  newspapers,  and  all  the  usual  channels  of  commu- 
nication to  the  people,  applied  its  corporate  funds,  and  exerted 
its  corporate  power,  to  multiply  and  circulate  them  through 
pamphlets  and  extra  newspapers  into  every  part  of  the  union. 

In  November,  1830,  an  article  on  banks  and  currency,  exhibit- 
ing great  research  and  much  talent,  appeared  in  the  American 
Quarterly  Review,  which  was  by  the  president  of  the  bank  sub- 
mitted to  the  board  of  director?,  with  a  suggestion  as  to  the  "ex- 
pediency of  making  the  views  of  the  author  more  extensively 
known  to  the  public  than  they  can  be  through  the  means  of  the 
subscription  lists."  The  board,  therefore,  adopted  the  following 
resolution,  viz:  "Resolved,  That  the  president  be  authorised  to 
take  such  measures  in  rcgiird  to  Hie  circulation  of  the  contents 
of  an  article  on  banks  and  currency,  published  in  the  American 
Quarterly  Review,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  as  he  may  deem 
most  expedient  for  the  interests  of  the  bank."  Here  was  no- 
limit  to  the  president's  discretion,  or  the  amount  which  he 
was  authorised  to  expend.  His  power  was  very  extensively 
exerted. 

In  his  annual  message  of  December,  1830,  the  president  reite- 
rated the  opinion  previously  expressed  by  him  in  relation  to  the 
bank  of  the  United  States.  The  subject  was  not  agitated  in 
congress  at  that  session,  and  that  body  adjourned  on  the  3d 
March,  1831.  The  subsequent  session  of  congress  was  neces- 
sarily to  be  the  long  session,  immediately  preceding  the  presi- 
dential election.  Onthellth  March,  1831,  a  resolution  wag 
adopted  by  the,  bank,  as  reported  to  the  president  of  tha  United 
States  by  the  government  directors,  authorising  the  president 


46   NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


of  the  hank  to  cause  to  be  prepared  "and  circulated,  s?uch  docii- 
nients  and  papers  ,ts  may  communicate  to  tin-  people  iiifnruia- 
tin, i  in  regard  to  Hie  iialure  and  operations  ol'  ihe  bank."  By 
this  resolution,  the  president  was  authorised,  not  to  cause  spe- 
cific papers  to  lie  printed  and  circulated  as  before,  but  power 
was  conferred  upon  him  to  lure  writers,  for  Ihe  purpo.-e  of  pr 
paring  documents  and  papers,  without  designation  as  to  Ihcir 
character  or  numbers,  to  employ  piintcr.*  to  print  them,  and 
carriers  to  distribute  them.  Neither  was  there  any  restriction 
as  to  the  amount  of  luiuls  which  he  was  authorised  to  employ 
in  carrying  into  effect  this  new  system  for  disseminating  infor- 
mation among  the  people.  A  short  time  alter  the  passage  of 
this  resolution,  conferring  upon  the  picsidenl  of  the  bank  such 
extraordinary  and  unusual  powers  over  the  funds  of  the  bank,  a 
negotiation  commenced,  (as  appears  by  the  evidence  accompa- 
nying the  report  of  the  investigating  committee  in  1832),  in  re- 
lation to  a  press  in  New  York,  in  the  progress  of  which  Ihe  pre- 
sident of  the  bank,  on  the  26th  day  of  March,  1831,  advanced 
$15,000,  which  was  not  entered  on  the  books  of  the  bank  as  a 
loan  until  January  2d,  1832  The  paper  which  had  before  that 
time  been  decidedly  oppo.-cd  to  the  bank,  imineilialelv  became 
JU  advocate;  and  in  a  lew  months,  the  notes  discounted  for  it- 
benelil  amounted  to  .$52,975,  and  at  periods  of  from  six  months 
•o  five  years,  the  last  of  which  did  not  fall  due  until  the  year 
1836,  and  several  months  alter  the  bank  chillier  would  expire. 
These  were  credits  altogether  unusual  in  Ihe  regular  business 
of  banks.  AboHt  the  same  period  large  sums  were  advanced  to 
editor:!  of  political  papers  in  other  parts  of  the  union.  During 
this  period  a  most  unprecedented  extension  of  loans  was  grant 
ed  by  the  bank.  For  some  years,  its  loans  had  not  varied  nine  h 
ill  the  aggregate  from  forlv  millions  of  dollars.  In  October.  1830, 
they  amounted  to  $40,527,523.  From  that  lime  they  began  ra 
pidly  to  extend,  and  on  the  1st  of  May,  1832.  amounted  to 
$70,428,007.  In  eighteen  months  the  extension  was  near  thirty 
millions,  being  at  the  rate  of  about  two  millions  per  month. 

Whilst  these  accommodations  to  editors,  and  rhis  great  exten- 
sion of  its  loans,  were  in  progress,  the  hank  in  December,  1831, 
applied  for  a  renewal  of  its  charter,  which  then  had  upwards  of 
four  years  to  run.  A  bill  to  renew  it  passed  both  hon-es  of  con 
gress,  was  presented  to  the  president  of  the  United  States,  and 
on  the  4lh  of  July,  1832,  received  his  veto. 

The  president  was  then  a  candidate  for  re-election,  and  that 
question  was  to  he  settled  in  November  of  that  year.  The  power 
givttii  to  tin-  president  of  the  bank  by  the  resolution  of  the  11  ill 
March,  1831,  was  during  that  and  Ihe  succeeding  year  exerted 
with  great  industry.  The  fact  of  the  existence  of  this  resolu- 
tion, and  the  expenditures  under  it,  came  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  president  for  the  first  time,  through  the  report  of  the  govern- 
ment director*,  during  the  last  summer.  From  that  report  it 
appears,  that  for  the  last  half  of  1829  these  expenditures  were 
$3,765  94,  giving  as  an  average  for  the  year  $7,531  88.  In  1830 
they  increased  to  ($14,081  47,  about  $7,000  of  which  were  "for 
printing  and  distributing  the  reporl  of  the  committee  of  ways 
and  means,  and  Mr.  Gallalin's  pamphlets."  [n  1831  Kiev  in 
creased  to  $43,204  79,  and  in  1832,  they  were  $38,667  88,  of 
which  ,$28,543  72  were  incurred  in  the  last  half  year,  including 
the  presidential  election;  so  thai  ihese  expenditures  continued 
to  increase  from  1829  up  to  the  presidential  election. 

So  far  as  communicated  by  the  government  directors,  the  do- 
cuments and  papers  printed  and  distributed  with  this  money, 
appear  to  have  been  chiefly  reports  of  committees  in  congress, 
and  speeches  of  members  friendly  to  the  bank,  and  generally 
opposed  to  the  president;  extra  newspapers  containing  similar 
matter,  and  other  electioneering  matter  calculated  to  defeat  the 
election  of  the  president;  reviews  of  speeches  and  of  the  veto 
prepared  with  the  same  object;  addresses  to  state  legislatures, 
and  editorial  articles  in  favor  of  the  bank. 

It  is  further  stated  by  the  government  directors,  that  for  about 
$24,UOO  of  the  expenditures,  no  vouchers  whatsoever  had  been 
rendered.  The  several  sinus  were  paid  on  the  orders  of  the  pre- 
sident of  the  bank,  referring  lo  the  resolution  of  llth  March, 

1831,  as  Ins  authority  to  make  the  expenditures,  hut  not  stating 
the  persons  to  whom  they  were  paid,  nor  the  purposes  for  which 
they  were  expended.     Nor  does  ji   appear  that  Ihe  board  of  di- 
rectors, or  any  committee  of  the  hoard,  or  any  other  person,  ex- 
cept the  president  of  the  bank  and  the  parties  receiving  Ihe  mo- 
ney, passed  upon  the  claims,  or  know  for  what  object  this  large 
expenditure  was  incurred.     As  the  government  is  Ihe  owner  of 
the  fifth  of  the  capital  stock  of  the  bank,  one  fifth  of  this  unwar- 
rantable expenditure  was  the  money  of  the  people. 

In  this  narrative  of  facts  are  ffiiiiiri  ample  reasons  to  justify  the 
•ecrelary  in  the  removal  of  Ihe  ricpositcs.  It  seems  impossible 
to  resist  the  conviction,  that  from  1830  down  to  November. 

1832,  the  hank  was  managed  with  reference  to  the  presidential 
election;  that  all   its   mighty  means  and  power  were  exeried  to 
influence  and  control  the  people  in  ibe  exercise  of  their  right  of 
•tiffrage,  and  secure  a  reelmrlcr,  by  filling  congress  and  the  cv 
ecuhve  offices  with  its  friends  anil  supporters.      It  was  said  In 
a  wi«e  man  of  antiquity,  "that  the  borrower  is  the  servant  of  the 
lender"— and  with  equal   truth    it    has    been    reccntlv    a~-crli-d. 
that  "he  who  controls  a  bank,  controls  the  d<  hi  or-  of  that  hank." 
No    adequate    motive  <-an   be  conceived  for  the  unprecedented 
extension   of  the    business  of  the   bank   from   forty  to   sevent> 

millions  of  dollars  ighieen  months,  but  n  determination  to 

make  as  many  debtors  to  the  hank  as   possible,  and  thus  brin» 
multitudes  of  men  under  its  control.    Through  the  f(-ar  of  being 
pressed  too  severely  for  re  payment  it  might  have  been  reasona- 
bly expected  that  inoal  of  the»«  debtors,  and  the  fuends  th«y 


could  influences,  would  support  the  bank  in  a  struggle  fora  re- 
charter.  While  this  process  ol  extension  was  going  on,  nume- 
rous editors  of  political  papers  appear  to  have  received  large 
.-urns  of  the  bank's  money,  and  were  thus  prepared  to  advocate 
niea-ures  or  men,  as  the  ultimate  interests  or  views  of  that  in- 
flilulion  or  its  manageis  uimhl  indicate  or  require.  Cotempo- 
raneon.-ly  the  fund-  of  thw  hank  were  put  at  the  diposal  of  ils 
president,  to  he  used  without  limit,  ami  their  expenditure  sanc- 
tioned without  vouchers,  as  a  means  of  accomplishing  Ihe  great 
design. 

Connected  with  these  operations  was  the  conduct  of  the  bank 
during  the  same  period,  in  the  three  per  cent,  transaction,  exa- 
mined by  a  committee  of  congress  last  year,  whereby  the  bank 
attempted  to  baffle  the  government  in  its  efforts  to  pay  the  pub- 
lic debt,  and  secretly  sought  the  aid  of  foreign  bankers  to  in- 
crease Us  means  to  control  the  government.  In  addition  to  its 
failhles.snt-.ss  to  thr  government,  the  bank  seems  to  have  formed 
a  foreign  alliance,  and  procured  foreign  aid,  in  its  war  with  the 
president  of  the  people.  The  three  per  cent,  transaction  was 
condemned  by  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  last  year,  as 
alieaily  staled,  and  the  pretences  on  which  it  sought  to  be  justi- 
fied, declared  lo  be  unfounded.  Of  itself,  it  would  have  justi- 
fied a  removal  of  the  deposites;  but  it  seems  to  have  been  but 
an  incident  in  ,i  grand  scheme,  lo  make  our  whole  people  and 
their  government  subservient  lo  this  moneyed  incorporation. 
A  scheme,  which,  if  successful,  would  have  left  us  but  the 
name  of  a  republic. 

lint  (he  hank  «  a-  not  content  to  submit  to  its  fate  and  exe 
cute  its  duties  as  a  faithful  agent  of  Ihe  government,  when,  with 
all  its  debtors,  its  presses,  iis  advocates,  ils  foreign  aid,  hired 
writers,  and  extra  documents,  it  received  the  dicisive  rebuke  of 
the  American  people  in  the  result  of  the  presidential  election. 
During  the  last  summer, one  of  the  governmentdirectors,  by  be- 
ing placed  on  the  dividend  committee,  a  tempoiary  body  ap- 
pointed every  six  months  lo  ascertain  what  dividend  shall  be 
declared,  discovered  in  the  expense  account  of  the  hank,  some 
of  those  items  lor  printing  which  have  since  been  reported.  On 
consulting  his  colleagues,  the  other  government  directors,  tlmy 
deemed  it  their  duly  lo  inspect  thai  account.  Having  done  so, 
and  found  that  it  gave  no  definite  information  relative  lo  large 
portions  of  Ihe  expenditure,  they  brought  the  subject  before  the 
board,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  more  certain  information  and 
recinding  the  resolutions  under  which  it  had  been  incurred. 
Nol  only  did  the  board  refuse  to  cause  the  account  to  be  staled 
wiih  such  percision  that  it  could  be  understood,  and  to  rescind 
the  resolutions  of  the  ;(0th  of  November.  If30,  and  Match  llth, 
1831,  but,  instead  thereof,  resolved  us  follows,  viz: 

"That  the  hoard  have  confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  integrity 
of  the  president  and  in  the  propriety  of  the  resolutions  of  30th 
November,  1830,  and  lllh  March,  1831,  and  entertain  a  full 
conviction  of  the  necessity  of  the  renewed  attention  to  the  ob- 
ject of  Ihose  resolutions;  and  that  the  president  be  authorised 
and  requested  to  continue  his  exertions  for  the  promotion  of  that 
object." 

Thus  was  the  formal  sanction  of  the  board  given  to  the  acts 
of  Iheir  president  under  their  former  resolutions,  and  he  was 
stimulated  to  renewed  vigilance  in  employing  writers  and  pressea 
to  influence  the  public  mind.  Tims,  expressly  did  they  approve 
of  the  expenditure  of  the  $24,000,  without  vouchers,  and  promise 
to  their  president  future  immunity  and  irresponsibility  for  the 
use  of  any  larger  sum. 

Corporations  have  no  powers  bill  such  as  are  granted  in  their 
charters,  and  those  necessarily  incidental.  As  tin  incident,  the 
hank  of  ihe  United  Slates  has  an  unquestionable  right  to  pro- 
cure and  pay  for  hank  notes,  the  necessary  blanks  and  such 
other  papers  as  are  requisite  in  the  transaction  of  all  business 
which  it  may  he  expressly  aulhorised  to  perform  by  ils  charier. 
When  ii  proceeds  further,  and  prints  documents,  speeches, 
handbills  or  newspapers,  ii  transcends  the  power  granted  to  it. 
The  bank  of  the  United  States  was  not  created  "to  communi- 
cate to  the  people  information  in  regard  lo"  its  own  "nature 
and  operation"  or  the  acts  of  iheir  chosen  rulers.  The  people 
supposed  they  understood  its  "nature  and  operation"  before 
they  gave  it  existence,  and  they  tolerated  its  establishment  as  a 
servant,  and  not  as  a  teacher.  Few  would  have  been  found  to 
advocate  ils  creation,  if  it  had  been  a  provision  of  its  charter 
that  it  might  apply  its  corporate  funds  to  the  printing  and  circu- 
lation of  such  congressional  reports,  speeches  anil  other  political 
documents,  as  its  managers  might  deem  useful  in  conciliating 
public  opinion  to  its  management,  and  even  to  the  hiring  of 
wriiers  to  advocate  its  interests,  and  circulating  denunciations 
against  the  constituted  authorities  for  their  official  acts.  Cer- 
tainly  no  friend  or  enemy  of  ihe  bank  at  that  lime  conceived 
that  the  bank  had  a  right  to  employ  its  corporate  funds  for  the 
purpose  Of  teaching  tin-  people  how  to  estimate  the  acts  of  Iheir 
representatives,  in  either  ihe  executive  or  legislative  branches 
of  Ihe  government.  The  idea  that  such  a  right  was  veiled 
under  the  charter,  or  any  of  its  provisions,  would  have  been 
fatal  lo  ils  passage.  Is  it  less  alarming  that  it  has  now  usurped 
the  right.9 

The  conduct  of  the  hank,  in  this  respect,  has  been  attempted 
10  lie  justified  on  the  ground  of  self  defence.  The  error  in  this 
point  consi-K  in  considering  ihe  bank  nnd  its  managers  as  iden- 
tical. The  bank  has  not  been  attacked.  The  president  of  the 
U.  States,  in  his  messages  to  congress,  has  expressed  his  opinion 
that  the  charter  ought  riot  to  he  renewed,  and  has  pulhis  consti- 
tutional veto  on  a  hill  puttied  by  congress  for  that  purpose.  But 
this  was  no  attack  upon  the  corporation,  for,  lo  a  renewal  of  iu 


NILES*  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS    47 


charter  it  had  no  legal  right.  None  of  the  chartered  lights  of 
the  bank  have  heeu  wr<  sled  from  it;  no  judicial  process  ha 
been  instiluled  to  vucute  Us  charier.  When  such  attacks  are 
made,  no  man  will  complain  of  the  bunk  lor  defending  itself  in 
Uie  com  is  ii\  tlie  t'iii|ili>>  nirni  of  coun-i  I,  and  paying  their  !«•<•.- 
out  u(  Hie  corporate  funds.  But  the  president  and  directors  of 
tlie  bank  have  no  right  to  use  thu  luini>  of  the  institution  in 
making  publications  vindicatory  of  their  own  management,  or 
tending  to  show  that  the  president  of  the  United  Stales  lias 
been  guilty  of  usurpation  of  power,  or  dereliction  of  duty  in  re- 
fusing his  assent  to  u  renewal  of  its  ch.iili  r.  The.-c  are  mat 
lers  winch  belong  to  the  loruin  ol  the  public;  into  the  discus- 
sion of  which  the  inanageis  ol  the  bank,  in  common  \\itli  other 
citizens,  had  a  light  to  enter,  not  in  their  corpoiate,  bin  in  their 
individual  capacities,  and  at  their  own  expense.  The  manager* 
of  the  bank,  if  assailed  lor  misconduct,  may,  like  every  oilier 
citizen  or  olhccr  ol  ti.e  government.  ilHrnd  themselves,  but  not 
by  Hie  use  ol  the  uorporale  funds  or  power.  They  may  expend 
their  own  money  without  limit,  in  employing  w  mi  r.-  ami  piess.cs. 
to  defend  them. 

What  would  be  said  of  the  president  of  the  United  Stales  if 
be  were  to  expend  the  money  in  the  treasury  in  printing  con- 
gressional rrpoitr,  and  speeches,  hiring  writers,  employing  cili 
tors,  printers  and  distributors,  for  the  purpose  of  defending  him 
sell  and  the  executive  officers  against  attacks  made  upon  them 
from  sources  official  and  unofficial?  If  he  were  to  request  con- 
gress to  put  the  whole  dcpo.-iu-s  of  the  treasury  at  his  disposi- 
tion, lor  such  a  purpose,  how  would  it  be  received?  If  the  se- 
nate and  house  of  representatives  were  to  employ  their  contin- 
gent fund  in  printing  and  circulating  speeches  of  members,  and 
articles  prepared  by  hired  writers,  paid  from  the  same  fund, 
under  pretence  of  defending  the  members  of  the  liun.-e  against 
the  attacks  daily  made  upon  them,  would  it  be  tolerated  by  the 
Aineiican  people? 

The  committee  consider  this  delegation  of  unlimited  and  ir- 
responsible power  to  the  president  of  the  bunk  over  the  whole 
funds  of  the  institution,  the  most  atrocious  violation  of  the  bank 
charlei,and  the  most  daring  abuse  oi  its  power,  which  lias 
hitherto  been  disclosed. 

It  is  sufficiently  alarming  that  the  government  directors  have 
been  deprived  of  all  participation  in  the  principal  business  of  the 
bank — thai,  its  most  important  discounts  and  other  business  are 
managed  by  committees  selected  by  the  president,  who  seldom 
report — that  the  restrictive  provisions  ol  the  charter  have  been 
subverted  by  arbitrary  rules,  and  responsibility  to  the  govern- 
ment, which  owns  a  tilth  part  of  its  slock,  in  effect  destroyed. 

But,  in  addition  to  all  this,  here  is  a  discretionary  power 
vested  in  the  president  ot  the  hank  alone,  to  be  exercised  with- 
out the  responsibility  of  rendering  specific  accounts,  or  vouch- 
ers, under  which  he  may  apply  hundreds  of  thousands  and  mil- 
lions to  operate  on  public  opinion,  and  through  the  prostration 
of  enemies,  and  the  advancement  of  friends,  procure  a  new 
charier.  In  causing  to  be  piepared  and  circulated  such  docu- 
ments and  papers  as  come  within  the  scope  of  the  authority 
vested  in  him,  he  may  hire  editors,  and  set  up  newspapers 
throughout  the  whole  union,  and  by  the  use  of  unlimited  sums 
of  money,  without  appropriation  or  accountability,  he  may  dis- 
tribute a  patronage  more  potent  than  that  of  many  governments, 
because  all  wielded  by  Hie  same  hand,  to  secure  a  single  object. 

When  Ihe  government  directors,  as  liiithful  sentinels  over  the 
public  interest  in  the  bank,  communicated  the  fact  that  this 
power  had  not  only  been  assumed  by  the  bank,  hut  that  its 
managers  were  determined  that  it  should  be  wielded  with  re- 
newed energy,  and  lor  an  indefinite  period,  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  was  fully  justified  for  this  reason,  if  there  had  been  no 
other,  in  severing  us  connexion  with  the  government,  and,  as 
far  as  he  legitimately  could,  lessening  its  power. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  views  already  taken  by  the  committee, 
that  in  their  opinion,  the  deposites  have  been  lawfully  removed 
from  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates,  and  the  money  now  in  the 
treasury  has  been  legally  deposiied  in  the  state  banks. 

In  these  circumstances,  it  remains  to  be  considered,  whether 
any,  and  if  any,  what  legislation  is  neces.ary,  in  consequence 
of  the  change  of  the  deposites. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  committee  that  the  bank  of  the  United 
States  ought  not  to  be  reclnirtered.  The  constitutional  objec- 
tions to  it  are,  in  their  judgment,  insuperable;  and  if  its  charter 
could  be  justified  by  the  constitution,  recent  events  have  de- 
monstrated that  the  continued  existence  of  such  a  vast  con- 
centrated money  power,  must  prove  dangerous  to  the  freedom 
and  purity  of  our  institutions. 

And  after  the  greal  abuses  of  which  it  has  been  guilty,  a  re- 
charter,  under  any  modifications,  would  he  offering  the  liigh  le- 
gislative sanction  and  approbation  of  congress,  to  the  various  acts 
of  misconduct  detailed  in  tins  anil  former  reports  lo  congress. 
It  is  impossible  that  a  corporation,  which  is  proved  to  have 
used  its  money  to  corrupt  the  press,  to  influence  elections,  and 
control  the  government,  can  ever  be  selected  as  tlie  peculiar  ob- 
ject of  the  favor  and  bounty  of  the  government.  The  bank 
ought  nol  therefore  to  be  recharted  on  any  terms.  And  as  the 
charter  ouaht  not  to  be  renewed,  it  is  manifest  that  Ihe  de- 
posites  ought  not  to  he  restored  to  it.  For,  setting  aside  the  va- 
rious acts  of  misconduct,  by  which  the  present  corporation  has 
justly  forfeiled  the  public  confidence,  it  is  obvious  that  the  resto- 
ration of  the  deposites  to  the  present  bank,  to  be  removed  again 
in  two  years,  would  produce  nothing  but  the  most  serious  evil 
and  distress  to  the  country,  without  any  possible  advantage.  The 
restoration  of  the  depusites  and  the  recharter  of  the  bank,  are, 


in  the  judgment  of  the  committee,  inseparably  connected  to- 
gether, and  nt  iihcr  can  with  any  propriety  be  adopted  wuhuut 
the.  other. 

The  question  then  arises,  whether  Ihe  state  banks  should  be 
continued  a>  the  fi.-cal  agents  ol  Ihe.  government. 

The  cominitlt-e  are  saiislicti  that  the  state  banks  are  fully  com- 
petent to  pei  IOMII  all  the  services  which  the  general  govt  inment 
ought  to  require,  in  tin:  collection  ami  disbursement  of  the  re- 
venue; run!  to  uttord  also  all  the  facilities  to  the  intein:.!  com- 
merce and  exchanges  ol  the  country,  winch  have  been  derived 
fiom  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates. 

'I  In- collection  and  disbursement  of  the  public  revenue  may 
be  safely  placed  when,  the  tages  v>  ho  framed  the  com  million 
left  it.  They  ditl  nol  deem  a  national  bank  essential,  >  ithi.r  to 
the  government  they  were  loiuiing,  or  to  the  .-uecessiul  admi- 
nistration ot  ils  finance*.  The  opinion  ha-  alii  ady  tieen  ex- 
pressed, Ihat  the  Male  banks  aie  competent  to  pcrioin,  all  the 
liniirs  which  the  government  or  the  public  convenience  may 
requite.  And  theie  are  many  ciicumstaiices  which  strongly  re- 
commend them  lo  a  preieience  over  Ihe  bank  of  the  United 
States.  No  one  ol  Hit  lu  can  exerci.-e  a  general  contiol  ovt  r  all 
Ihe  others,  and  expand  anil  contract  the  whole  cumin  >  ol  Ihe 
country  at  its  pleasure,  to  favor  the  private  speculation.-  of  in- 
dividuals, or  to  increase  us  own  profits.  And  they  ca  n  never 
combine  together  lor  political  object.-,  nor  hope  to  gain  posses- 
sion of  the  government,  and  control  us  operations.  The  stale 
banks  are  now  firmly  interwoven  wilh  the  in.-tilulious  of  the 
country.  They  are  generally  under  the  management  ol  .citizens 
as  respectable,  as  trustworthy,  as  any  directors  of  the  bank  of 
the  United  Slates.  And  it  would  be  unjust, and  coiura  ,y  to  the 
spirit  of  our  institutions,  Ibrcongrefs  to  sustain  a  greal  i.iom  yed 
power  to  overawe  and  oppress  them,  and  bring  ruin  uf-un  mul- 
titudes of  our  citizens,  whenever  cupidity  or  amhiunn  shall 
tempt  them  to  excrcUe  Iheir  power.  The  slock  of  tlie  bank  of 
the  United  Stales  has  fallen  lor  the  most  part  into  the  Lands  of 
the  great  capitalists  of  this  and  foreign  countries,  who  have  but 
little  sympathy  for  lln-  suffering  of  our  people,  when  tlieir  owu 
sordid  or  ambitious  views  makes  il  Iheir  inteie.-t  lo  intlii  l  it. 

If  it  should  be  niged  as  an  objection  lo  the  state  ban  \s,  that 
they  cannot  afford  a  general  currency,  the  answer  is  obvious. 
If  il  were  necessary  to  create  a  paper  curiencv,  possessing  equal 
credit  wilh  that  of  the  present  bank  of  the  United  States,  the 
object  can  be  as  well  accomplished  wilh  the  stale  banks,  aj 
with  Ihe  bank  of  the  United  Slates.  The  provision  winch  has 
made  the  latter  current  every  where,  is  the  clause  in  the  char- 
ter which  compels  the  government  to  receive  their  notes  in  pay- 
ment of  all  debt*  due  lo  the  public,  and  a  similar  provision  in 
litvor  of  Ihe  stale  banks,  which  might  be  selected  as  the  depo- 
sitories of  the  money  of  Ihe  Uhiled  Stales,  would  immediately 
make  their  notes  equally  current,  and  t  nMire  for  them  equal 
confidence  in  any  part  of  the  United  States. 

But  the  committee  are  not  prepared  to  recommend  the  adop- 
tion of  such  a  measure.  They  are  convinced  that  all  which 
public  convenience  requites,  in  this  respect,  will  soon  be  ac- 
complished by  arrangements  among  the  banks  themselves;  and 
that  there  ought  to  be  no  legislation  of  congress  lor  the  purpose 
of  establishing  a  currency  of  paper. 

The  main  object  of  legislation  should  be,  to  enlarge  the  basis 
of  specie,  on  which  the  paper  circulation  of  the  stale  banks  is 
lo  depend  for  support.  And  Ihe  committee  are  persuaded,  that 
by  the  adoption  of  the  stale  hanks  as  the  fiscal  agents  of  the  ge- 
neral government,  and  a  judicious  course  of  legislation  founded 
upon  it,  thai  a  sounder  state  of  the  currency  than  now  exists 
would  soon  be  attained,  and  the  couniry  rescued  permanently 
from  the  dancer  of  those  sudden  expansions  and  contractions  of 
the  paper  currency  which  have  been  constantly  succeeding  each 
other,  since  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales  was  established, 
which  have  brought  such  severe  and  extensive  evils  upon  Ihe 
country.  The  aid  and  co-operation  of  the  several  slates  may  he 
relied  on.  to  banish  giadually  the  smaller  nous,  and  introduce 
in  their  place  silver  and  aold,  for  ordinary  domestic  purposes, 
and  the  convenience  of  travel  between  distant  places.  Such  a 
reform  if  strongly  called  for  by  sound  policy,  and  the  best  inler- 
ests  of  the  couniry,  ami  the  accomplishment  ol  an  object  so  de- 
sirable, may  be  mainly  accelerated  by  laws  passed  by  congress, 
adjusting  the  standard  of  value  of  our  coins,  and  repulalina  the 
deposites  and  collection  of  Ihe  revenue.  If  gold  and  silver  were 
hioiiL'lit  into  common  use,  and  the  small  notes  banished  from 
circulation,  pa>  infills  of  small  sums  would  probably  be  made  in 
specie.  The  sreal  objeci  is  nol  to  diminish  Ihe  amount  of  ihe 
ordinary  circulating  medium,  hut  lo  give  il  a  broader  and  firmer 
foundation  on  the  precious  metals. 

Wilh  Ihese  views,  the  committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  state 
banks  oiisht  to  be  continued  as  the  depositories  of  the  money  of 
the  United  Slates,  and  dial  measuies  ought  forthwith  to  be  ta- 
ken, to  regulate  by  law  the  manner  in  which  they  shall  be  se- 
lected, and  lo  ensure  the  safety  of  the  public  money. 

According  to  the  Inw,  as  it  now  stands,  the  duly  of  selecting 
the  banks,  and  of  prescribing  the  securities  to  be  taken  is  de- 
volved upon  the  secretary  of  ihe  treasury,  under  the  supervision 
of  the  president.  This  power  has  been  In  relolore  exercised  by 
the  head  of  the  treasury  department,  and  in  a  manner  advanla- 
ifs  lo  the  public,  nnd  it  is  not  doubled,  if  the  law  should  con- 
tinue unchanged,  thai  it  may  anil  will  continue  lo  be  so  exer- 
cised by  the  head  of  that  department— yet  il  is  ihe  opinion  of  ihe 
committee,  that  discielionary  power  should  never  be  Riven,  in 
any  case,  to  any  officer  of  the  government,  where  it  can  he  re- 
guiated  and  defined  by  law.  They  think  that  it  would  be  moro 


48  WILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  15,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


consistent  with  the  principles  of  our  government,  for  congress 
to  regulate  by  law,  the  mode  of  selecting  the  fiscal  agents,  the 
securities  proper  to  be  taken,  the  duties  they  shall  be  required 
to  perform,  and  the  terms  on  which  they  shall  be  employed. 

In  accordance  with  these  views  they  accordingly  report  for 
tbe  consideration  of  the  house,  resolutions  declaring  that  the 
bank  of  the  United  Slates  ought  not  to  be  rechartered,  and  that 
tbe  sttte  banks  ought  to  continue  to  be  employed  as  the  fiscal 
agents  of  the  government,  under  such  regulations  as  congress 
shall  prescribe. 

Before  they  close  this  report,  the  committee  consider  it  to  be 
their  duty  to  stale,  that  in  their  judgment,  a  necessity  exists  for 
AH  imnediate  examination  into  the  conduct  of  the  bank,  and 
they  pioceed  to  state  ihe  grounds  which  make  il  absolutely  ne- 
•cessarj,  that  a  strict  and  rigorous  scrutiny  should  be  instituted. 
They  think  such  an  examination  necessary  in  reference  to  the 
security  of  the  interests  which  the  United  States  as  a  stockhold- 
er hav«  in  the  batik,  as  well  as  to  correcl  as  far  as  practicable, 
the  atases  of  which  it  has  been  guilty,  and  to  prevent  it  from 
using  is  corporate  power  and  money  for  purposes  of  corruption 
•and  Digression. 

Numerous  memorials  have  been  referred  to  the  committee, 
compliining  of  embarrassments  in  mercantile  transactions,  some 
•attributing  them  to  the  removal  of  tbe  deposiles,  and  others 
chiefly  to  the  subsequent  conduct  ot  the  bank  of  the  United 
States.  That  serious  embarrassments  exist  in  many  of  the  com- 
inercul  cities,  cannot  be  doubted,  and  it  seems  necessary  clear- 
ly to  ascertain  Ihe  cause  before  an  altempt  be  made  to  prescribe 
the  resiedy.  The  powers  possessed  by  the  committee  are  in- 
adequate to  that  object,  and  they  are  unable  to  do  more  at  pre- 
sent, tian  to  submit  the  facts  which  have  come  to  iheir  know- 
ledge, with  the  course  they  seem  lo  suggest.  That  the  simple 
transfer  of  e  sum  of  money  from  one  bank  of  deposite  to  ano- 
ther, could  have  produced  the  commercial  embarrassments  com- 
plained of,  is  impossible.  The  public  deposites  have  not  been 
annihilated;  nor  have  they  been  transported  from  the  country; 
they  ate  still  in  the  country,  and  in  the  use  of  the  community. 
It  lain  vain  that  they  look  for  the  cause  of  embarrassment  in 
the  sute  of  our  markets,  or  the  operations  of  trade.  Our  agri- 
cultural productions,  and  manufactures  generally,  bear  a  good 
price;  foreign  exchange  is  at  its  lowest  rate;  the  balance  of  trade 
is  decidedly  in  our  favor,  and  the  precious  metals  are  flowing 
in  upon  us  from  South  America,  Mexico- and  Europe.  None 
can  doubt  the  power  of  the  bank  tocreale  embarrassment  when- 
ever its  managers  deem  it  expedient.  In  four  months,  com- 
mencing with  August  last,  and  ending  with  November,  it  called 
in  $9,707,245  of  iis  loans.  .As  ihe  state  banks  could  not  com- 
mence extending  until  they  began  lo  receive  the  public  depo- 
sites in  October, and  from  that  till  December  could  not,  in  their 
extension,  keep  pace  with  the  curtailment  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States,  it  is  evident  thai  such  rapid  curiailmenl  by  ihe 
bank  of  the  United  States  must  have  created  some  sensation  in 
tbe  commerce  of  the  country.  But  it  is  easy  for  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  to  produce  universal  embarrassment,  without  any 
aggregate  curiailmenl  of  its  accommodations,  by  calling  in  ra- 
pidly one  month,  letting  out  the  next,  and  calling  again  during 
the  third;  while  il  loans  out  in  one  place  what  it  curtails  in  ano- 
ther, and  in  this  manner,  fulls  upon  all  the  commercial  cities  in 
rotation,  il  may  more  effectually  embarrass  trade  than  by  a  stea- 
dy curtailment.  When  the  policy  of  the  bank  is  unsteady  and 
capricious,  producing  a  scarcity  of  money  to-day,  and  an  abun- 
dance to  morrow,  lo  he  succeeded  by  a  greater  dearth  the  next 
day,  it  is  impossible  for  merchants  lo  conducl  business  with 
safety,  and  prudent  men  will  restrict  or  discontinue  their  ope- 
rations. The  bank  has  long  enjoyed  a  large  portion  of  ihe  bu- 
siness ef  domeslic  exchange,  and  whenever  il  chooses  to  cut 
off  ihe  supply  in  any  or  all  direclione,  embarrassmeni  and  diffi- 
culty naturally  ensue. 

There  is  much  reason  to  suspect  that  the  bank  has  been  ma- 
naged, for  Ihe  last  six  monlhs,  with  a  view  to  embarrass  the 
community,  as  a  means  of  operating  on  public  opinion,  and  con- 
trolling the  action  of  government. 

In  the  proceedings  of  the  bank,  in  relation  lo  domestic  ex- 
change, as  far  as  known,  are  perceived  indications  of  a  dispo- 
sition to  use  the  power  il  possesses  Ihrough  that  branch  of  its 
business,  for  the  purpose  of  producing  excitement  and  distress. 
The  government  direclors  inform  us,  in  Iheir  memorial,  thai 
on  tin1  Kith  of  August  last,  two  weeks  before  the  Ireasury  agent, 
returned  from  hi*  mission  to  confer  wilh  Ihe  state;  banks,  and 
five  weeks  before  Ihe  determination  of  Ihe  execulive  was  an- 
nounced, Ihe  board  of  direclors  adopted  a  resolution,  declaring: 
"Thai  the  bills  of  exchange  purchased  at  the  bank,  and  all 
the  offices,  except  the  rive  western  offices,  shall  not  have  more 
than  nineiy  days  lo  run.  That  the  five  western  offices  be  in- 
structed to  purchase  no  bills  of  exchange,  except  those  payable 
in  the  Atlantic  cities,  not  having  more  than  ninety  days  to  run, 
or  those  which  may  he  received,  in  payment  of  existing  debls 
to  the  bank  and  the  offices,  and  then  not  have  more  than  four 
months  to  run." 

The  government  directors  inform  us,  that  on  a  subsequent 
day,  a  series  of  resolutions  were  adoptrd  for  reducing  Ihe  bu- 
siness of  the  institution,  and  authority  given  to  the  committee  on 
tke  officct  to  modify  (Hem  at  pleasure,  and  although  a  strenuous 
effort  was  made  to  require  them  to  report  such  measures  m 
might  he  directed  by  them  lo  the  board,  the  proposition  wot  cot- 
td  rfo.cn. 

Thu»,  in  direct  violation  of  the  charier,  and  in  defiance  of  nil 
prudence  and  propriety,  was  the  whole  power  of  thi*  vast  and 


powerful  corporation  to  relieve  or  to  oppress  vested  in  a  com- 
mittee, who  are  not  subjecl  lo  the  responsibility  of  even  making 
reports  lo  the  board  of  directors.  A  few  irresponsible  men,  is- 
suing secrel  orders  from  Iheir  private  chamber,  possess  more 
power  to  distress  tbe  American  people,  than  any  department  of 
their  government,  or  all  departments,  by  an  act  short  of  a  de- 
claration of  war.  What  the  resolves  and  orders  of  this  potent 
body  have  been,  we  have  no  means  of  knowing.  The  president 
of  the  bank  who  is  ex  officio  a  member  of  this  committee,  and 
undoubtedly  directs  its  operations,  is  also  clothed  wilh  unlimit- 
ed power  to  set  the  press  in  motion  for  the  purpose  of  promot- 
ing the  views  of  Ibe  bank.  For  monlhs,  those  presses  which 
are  known  to  have  been  sustained  by  enormous  loans,  and  those 
which  have  received  the  most  liberal  allowances  for  printing, 
have  been  incessantly  engaged  in  an  effort  to  spread  alarm  and 
dismay  throughout  the  land.  Il  is  impossible  nol  lo  suspect 
that  the  secret  management  of  the  bank,  and  the  use  of  its  funds 
by  its  presidenl,  are  in  perfect  concert  with  their  dependent 
and  devoted  presses,  all  aiming  to  create  a  general  panic,  and 
produce  the  same  result.  That  result  is  the  restoration  of  the 
depositee,  and,  iis  certain  consequence,  the  recharter  of  Ibe 
bank. 

If  any  thing  was  wanting  to  confirm,  these  suspicions,  Ihe  al- 
leged refusal  ol  this  bank  lo  co-operate  wilh  the  state  banks  in 
their  laudable  efforts  to  relieve  the  existing  pressnre  upon  the 
community,  in  Ihe  larger  commercial  cilies,  is  sufficient  to  re- 
move all  doubts  from  the  minds  of  the  most  incredulous. 

It  is  due  to  Ihe  country,  thai  Ihe  source  of  Ihe  embarrass- 
ments which  oppress  a  porlion  of  its  commerce  shall  be  laid 
bare.  Should  they  appear  lo  spring  solely  from  Ibe  manage- 
ment of  the  bank,  wantonly  and  wickedly  directed  lo  produce 
Ibem,  il  may  become  Ihe  duly  of  congress  to  resort  lo  all  the 
means  wilbin  Iheir  constitutional  authority  to  check  its  career. 

If  it  shall  appear  that  the  bank,  by  means  of  its  money  and 
the  papers  under  its  control,  has  wilfully  and  intentionally  pro- 
duced Ihese  embarrassments;  and  if  iis  power  has  thus  been 
abused,  it  cannol  be  endured  that  for  two  years  longer  it  shall 
be  suffered  wantonly  to  excite  alarm  in  the  counlry,  lo  direct  a 
pressure  first  on  one  point  and  Ihen  on  anolher,  enlarge  at  one 
place  and  contract  in  another,  for  the  purpose  of  continuing  lo 
ihe  end  of  its  existence  the  evils  which  there  is  too  much  rea- 
son to  believe  it  has  already  inflicted  on  the  community.  If, 
upon  examination,  it  shall  be  found  that  il  has  been  guilty  of 
such  offences,  its  charter  cannot  be  too  soon  terminated,  and  a 
scire  facias  would  be  imperatively  demanded  to  put  an  end  to 
'ts  machinations  against  the  peace  and  interests  of  Ibe  people. 
The  government  owns  seven  millions  of  its  stock,  equal  to  one- 
fifth  o!  the  whole  amount.  It  is  the  duty  of  congress  to  see 
that  it  be  not  used  lo  oppress  the  people  and  subvert  the  princi- 
ples of  our  government.  Of  every  hundred  thousand  dollars 
spent  by  the  president  of  the  bank,  or  distributed  to  advocates 
under  the  name  of  loans,  and  forever  lost,  $20,000  belong  to  the 
people  of  the  United  Slates.  Thai  Iheir  property  may  not  be 
wasted,  thai  the  cause  of  their  distress  may  be  ascertained  and 
a  remedy  applied,  and  above  all,  thai  iheir  own  funds,  and  the 
money  and  power  of  this  corporation  may  not  be  employed  to 
subvert  the  principles  of  Iheir  government  by  controlling  their 
elections — the  committee  deem  it  necessary,  that  there  should 
be  a  thorough  investigation  into  the  alleged  abuses  and  corrup- 
tions of  that  institution,  and  particularly  into  the  details  of  its 
management  for  the  last  six  months.  To  this  end,  they  propose 
a  resolution  lo  invest  a  committee  of  the  house  with  power  to 
make  such  investigations. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  bank  of  ihe  United  Stales  ought  nol  to 
be  rechartered. 

2.  Resolved,  Thai  ihe  public  deposites  ought  not  to  be  restor- 
ed to  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  state  banks  ought  to  be  continued  as 
the  places  of  deposite  of  the  public  money,  and  thai  il  is  expe- 
dient for  congress  to  make  further  provision  by  law,  prescribing 
the  mode  of  selection,  the  securities  to  be  taken,  and  the  man- 
ner and  terms  on  which  ibey  are  lo  be  employed. 

4.  Resolved,  Thai,  for  Ihe  purpose  of  ascertaining,  as  far  as 
practicable,  the  cause  of  the  commercial  embarrassment  nnd 
distress  complained  of  by  numerous  cilizens  of  Ihe  U.  Stales, 
in  sundry  memorials  which  have  been  presented  lo  congress  at 
the  present  session,  and  of  inquiring  whether  the  charter  of  tbe 
bank  of  the  United  Stales  has  been  violated;  and,  also,  what 
corruptions  and  abuses  have  existed  in  its  management;  whe- 
ther it  has  used  its  corporate  power  or  money  to  control  tUe 
press,  lo  interfere  in  politics,  or  influence  elections;  and  whe- 
ther it  has  had  any  agency,  through  its  management  or  money, 
in  producing  Ihe  exisling  pressure;  a  selecl  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  inspecl  Ihe  books  and  examine  inlo  the  proceedings 
of  the  said  bank,  who  shall  report  whether  the  provisions  of  ihe 
charter  have  been  violated  or  not;  and,  also,  what  abuses,  or 
nial  practices  have  existed  in  Ihe  management  of  said  bank; 
and  that  the  said  committee  be  authorised  to  send  for  \ter- 
sonsand  papers, and  to  summon  and  examine  witnesses,  on  oaih, 
and  lo  examine  inlo  the  affairs  of  the  said  bank  and  branches, 
and    that  they  are  further  authorised   to   visit  the   principal 
hank,  or  any  of  its  branches,  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  the 
books,  correspondence,  accounts  and  other  papers  connccled 
with  its  management  or  business;  and  thai  Ihe  said  comniitltie 
be  required  lo  report  the  re»ull  of  such  investigation,  together 
with  the  evidence  they  may  take,  at  as  early  a  day  as  practica- 
ble. 


NIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  Ne.  4— VOL.  X.]   BALTIMORE,  MARCH  22,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,174. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT— FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITKD,    PRINTED    AND   PUBLISHED    BY    H.  N1LKS,  AT   $5    PKR   ANNUM,    PAYABLE    IN   ADVANCE. 


Iu  our  account  of  the  proceedings  of  congress  we  a 
compelled  to  omit  notices  of  many  things  which  we  ha 
been  accustomed  to  record;  but  this  is  of  less  important 
than  usual — for  very  few  important  things  will  beattem 
ed  to  or  fully  disposed  of,  until  after  the  great  subjec 
under  discussion  are,  in  some  way,  put  aside. 

In  conformity  with  the  strict  rule  of  impartiality   th 
we  profess,  with  regard  to   what  may  be  esteemed  pe 
sonal  matters,  at  least,  we  have  made  room  for  the  lette 
of  Mr.  Taney,  and  the  address  of  Mr.  McKim,  in  co 
sequence  of  certain  statements  contained  in  the  report 
the  Baltimore  committee,  charged  with  the  memorial 
the  citizens  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  public  depo 
sites.     We  have    added    the    "card"  of   Mr.    Georg 
Brotvn,  and  shall  give  the  response  of  the  committee,  i 
our  next. 

The  committee  have  fully  replied  to  Messrs.  Tone 
and  McKim,  in  a  well-written  address  of  considerab] 
length,  published  in  yesterday's  "Chronicle."  It  make 
three  columns;  and  yet,  with  an  earnest  desire  to  give  a 
the  papers  belonging  to  this  matter  together,  it  mus, 
therefor,  be  postponed.  We  could  easily  put  it  into  type 
but  the  character  of  the  contents  of  the  present  numbe 
is  such,  that,  if  we  excluded  every  article  over  which 
discretion  might  be  exerted,  the  room  for  it  could  not  b 
obtained.  We  cannot,  as  the  newspapers  may,  "mak 
room,"  for  we  have  no  advertisements  to  lay  aside,  an 
so  relieve  our  pages. 

The  gentlemen  reaffirm,  in  the  most  decided  manner 
the  strict  verity  of  all  that  they  stated  in  their  report — 
and  of  every  word  used  by  them.  They  reject,  wit 
much  severity,  the  idea  that  any  part  of  their  report  wa 
founded  on  private  or  confidential  communications  wit 
Mr.  McKim — saying  "they  have  not  stated  one  word 
nor  referred,  by  the  remotest  allusion,  to  one  expression 
used  by  JUr.  McKim  any  -cohere  but  in  their  oivn  rnom, ' 
when  Mr.  McKim  paid  them  a  visit,  after  their  call  upon 
him,  and  remained  two  hours  with  them,  conversing  o 
the  subject  of  their  mission,  Sec. 

We  have  some  later  news  from  Europe.  The  detail 
are  not  of  much  interest — and  we  can  make  space  oulj 
for  the  British  king's  speech  on  opening  the  session  o 
parliament  on  the  4th  ult. 

It  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Webster  was  prevented,  on 
Monday  last,  from  presenting  his  project  with  relation 
to  the  bank,  by  an  extraordinary  discussion  and  proceed- 
ing in  the  senate — but  that  he  olfered  it  on  Tuesday. 
Public  opinion  seems  much  divided  as  to  the  expediency 
of  this  proceeding,  at  the  present  moment.  Mr.  W. 
however,  no  doubt,  has  viewed  the  whole  ground,  and 
thought  it  best  to  have  some  object  a-head  to  aim  at. 
There  is  a  report  that  Mr.  Wilkins  will,  also,  present  a 
plan  for  a  bank,  which  may  have  the  support  of  several 
of  the  leading  friends  of  the  administration  in  the  senate, 
and  it  is  probable  that  Mr.  Webster's  purpose  was  to  draw 
out  one  from  the  other  party,  by  taking  his  new  position. 
We  wish  that  something  could  be  done  to  relieve  us  of 
the  pecuniary  embarrassments  which  beset  the  people, 
at  large,  and  almost  banish  the  hope  of  a  reward  for  labor 
performed;  even  the  products  of  the  earth,  including  the 
most  substantial  and  necessary  articles  for  food  and  cloth- 
ing, have  fallen  25  per  cent,  in  price,  within  the  last  four 
months.  This  may  help  the  consumers,  but  is  hard  on 
producers,  who  have  made  engagements  that  were  gra- 
duated by  the  higher  or  general  price  of  their  commo- 
dities. The  diminished  money-value  of  the  bread  stuffs 
and  meats,  or  live  cattle,  cotton,  wool  and  tobacco,  is  of 
an  enormous  amount.  Flour  at  Wheeling  has  been  sold 
for  $2  12£  the  barrel,  at  Alexandria  for  $3  75.  Wheat, 
at  Frederick,  Md.  75  cents,  and  so  on.  Let  us-  offer  a 
rough  statement  with  relation  to  this  subject. 
Vot.  XLVI— Sis.  4. 


If  the  general  money-value  of  the  bread-stuffs  and 
meats,  of  all  sorts  consumed,  be  equal  to  only  30  cents 
per  head  per  week,  the  aggregate  value  will  amount  to 
-00  millions  per  annum.  Three-fifths  of  these,  perhaps, 
are  consumed  by  the  producers  of  them,  and  the  markct- 
value  of  the  remainder,  at  late  prices,  would  be,  sav 

$80,000,000 

Crop  of  cotton,  at  fair  prices  35,000,000 

Crop  of  wool  20,000,000 

Crop  of  tobaceo  8,000,000 

$143,000,000 

If  the  reduced  price  is  only  at  the  rate  of  20  per  cent, 
the  money-value  lost,  in  the  whole  year,  would  be  nearly 
30  millions,  on  these  few  leading  artick  s,  to  the  growers 
of  them.  The  consumers  would  receive  the  benefit  of 
this,  provided  the  price  of  -mages  -were  kept  up,  and  em- 
ployment could  be  obtained.  Instead  ol  30  cents  per 
nead,  for  an  example,  bread  and  meat  mig^ht  be  had,  at 
the  reduction  supposed,  for  25  cents;  but  it  wages  declin- 
ed from  100  cents  a  day  to  50  cents,  or  at  that  rate,  the 
loss  to  the  laborer  would  be  as  300  cents  a  week,  for  5 
cents  gained,  and  so  on. 

The  counter  report  of  the  minority  of  the  committee 
of  ways  and  means  fills  a  large  portion  of  the  present 
sheet.  Its  length,  as  was  the  case  with  the  report  of  the 
majority,  has  much  interfered  with  the  general  business 
of  the  week.  We  hope  for  a  little  more  variety  in  our 
next  paper. 

The  minority  in  the  legislature  of  Virginia  have  pub- 
lished a  sixteen-column  address  to  the  people  "on  the 
deposite  question,  and  the  present  condition  of  the  coun- 
try." It  is  signed  Joseph  S.  Watkins,  chairman,  and 
Hugh  .#.  Garland,  secretary,  and  earnestly  calls  upon 
:he  citizens  of  the  state  not  to  '•'•desert  the  present  ad  mi- 
listration,"  and  '•'•betray  the  best  interests  of  their  coun- 
ry"— "commit  an  act  of  treason,  and  deserve  the  bitter 
curses  of  their  children,"  &c.  It  is  a  discussion  of  mat- 
,ers  and  things  in  general,  but  especially  about  the  bank, 
ind  the  removal  of  the  deposites. 

Several  extracts  from  JViles'  Register  of  1818,  are  in- 
roduced  into  this  address.  They  consist  chiefly  of 
jome  remarks  on  a  project  then  supposed  to  be  entertain- 
:d,  of  making  "a  paper  currency  a  legal  tender  instead 
if  coin" — to  relieve  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
Certain  of  the  local  banks,  from  the  pressure  caused  by 
heir  own  imprudent  proceedings — and,  certainly,  ntver 
was  business  more  wildly  conducted  than  for  some  time 
fter  the  establishment  of  the  bank  named,  and  in  vari- 
us  respects,  to  say  nothing  of  the  great  speculations  in 
'hieh  some  persons  were  engaged,  and  the  frauds  in 
'Inch  others  soon  after  involved  a  considerable  number 
f  our  banking  institutions.  To  all  these  things  we 
tood  resolutely  opposed,  and,  perhaps,  had  a  degree  ot" 
ifluence,  (in  the  freedom  with  which  we  spoke  of  them), 

0  check  their  progress,  and  finally  to  restore  the  bank  to 
ic  purposes  of  its  establishment — which  was  not  for  the 
enefit  of  some  twenty  or  thirty  huge  speculators,  but  to 
irnish   the  people   with  a  sound  and  uniform  currency^ 

d  on  that  occasion,  we  said,  "Give  me  to  live  under 
ly  despotism  but  that  which  springs  from  the  command 
f  money — for  it  is  the  most  base  and  unprincipled  of 
1."  We  thank  the  addressers  for  the  honor  conferred 

1  quoting  us.     We  took  no  ground  then  that  we  would 
ot  take  now,  in  the  existence  of  similar  circumstances; 
ut  do  not  perceive  how  the  matters  stated  in  1818  can  be 
•ought  to  bear  upon  the  real  state  of  things,  and  actual 

ontlition  of  the  currency,  at  the  time  of  the  removal  of 
e  deposites,  or  since — so  far  as  the  bank  of  the  U.  S. 
concerned.  Money  was  abundant,  and  the  bills  of 
at  bank  better  than  coin,  as  exchangeable  eommo- 
ties,  because  convertible  into  coin  at  the  will  and 


50 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


pleasure  (if  its  holder,  and  prosperity  abounded;  all  the 
great  pursuits  of  industry,  in  agriculture,  manufactures, 
commerce,  and  the  mechanic  arts,  flourished — and  the 
internal  trade  and  business  of  the  whole  country  was  ot 
a  mighty  and  yet  "onward"  amount — and  success  in  all 
these  kept  down  the  exchanges  on  Europe  to  rates  that 
were  below  real  par,  though  the  importations  of  foreign 
goods  were  heavy.  But  how  stands  the  case  now?  The 
"command  of  money"  assumed  by  the  president  of  the 
Tjnited  States,  has  caused  so  great  a  want  of  paper  redu- 
cible into  coin,  (though  coin  is  more  abundant  than  it 
was  in  years  past),  that  there  is  not  enough  of  it  in  cir- 
culation to  perform  the  ordinary  business  of  the  people, 
and  the  banks  hold  fast  to  the  coin  which  they  have  to 
save  themselves,  if  it  be  possible,  in  the  ruin  which 
seemingly  impends,  through  the  loss  of  public  confidence 
HIM!  a  wide-sweeping  bankruptcy;  and  the  demand  for 
labor  is  immeasurably  diminished,  in  the  uncertainty  of 
a  reward  for  it.  Bills  on  Europe,  too,  are  much  lower 
than  they  were  a  few  months  ago,  being  realty  nine  or 
ten  per  cent,  below  par,  not  from  tlie.  successful  in- 
dustry of  the  American  people,  but  in  the  want  of  it,  and 
the  severity  of  the  demand  for  money,  not  for  new 

enterprises,  but  to  fulfil  old  engagements hence  there 

is  a  depreciation  of  the  value  of  property,  and  a  state  of 
embarrassment,  which  causes  some  men  (though  not  yet 
consenting  to  make  paper  a  "legal  tender")  to  be  nearly 
prepared,  in  the  desperation  of  circumstances,  to  desire 
a  suspension  of  specie  payments  by  the  banks!*  This  is 
a  fearful  state  of  things,  but  not  the  most  fearful  that 
others  apprehend  will,  or  may,  ensue  before  the  close  of 
tlie  present  year — if  present  projects  are  persevered  in. 

What  we  said  in  1818  we  say  still.     We  still  fear  the 
command 
polisms. 

polism — but  failed;  and  a  reformation  was  effected. 
Since  then  all  has  been  peace  and  quietness,  and  the  cur- 
rency remained  as  steady  as  it  was  possible  to  keep  it — 
for,  on  account  of  high  or  low  prices  of  commodities,  of 
excessive  importations,  and,  for  many  other  reasons, 
there  must  needs  be  occasional  contractions  and  expan- 
sions; and,  perhaps,  no  better  evidence  can  be  offered  of 
the  good  conduct  of  the  bank  than  the  good  will  of  nearly- 
all  the  local  institutions,  though  rivals  in  the  business  of 
money  lending.  Yet  the  bank  had  the  "command  of  mo- 
ney"— a  dangerous  command,  which  we  would  not  con- 
tinue, nor  is  it  probable  that  the  batik  itself  wishes  it,  to 
the  extent  given  in  the  present  charter.  But  what  is  the 
new  "command  of  money"  doing'  The  power  which 
laid  dormant  in  the  directors  of  tlie  bank,  has  been  grasped 
and  used  by  the  president,  "on  his  own  responsibility," 
and  the  effect  is  the  misery  of  which  the  people  now  so 
generally  complain,  and  the  losses  which  they  are  daily 
sustaining.  The  price,  as  above  stated,  of  necessaries 
has  suddenly  fallen  from  20  to  25  per  cent,  and  many 
hundred  persons  who  were  solvent,  and,  indeed,  some  of 
them  rich,  at  this  time  last  year,  have  become  bankrupts, 
in  a  presidential  exertion  in  the  "command  of  money." 
The  power  to  do  this  is  that  which  was  and  ought  to  be 
feared  in  the  bank;  but  is  not  the  less  grievous  when  ex- 
ercised by  "the  government."  T/te principle  is  the  same 
— the  effect  the  same.  And  a  retracing  of  false  steps,  as 
to  the  "command  of  money,"  is  just  as  necessary  now 
by  the  president,  in  our  opinion,  as  it  was  by  the  bank  in 
1818.  The  withdrawal  of  the  public  deposites,  with  re- 


of  money  as  the  most  dangerous  of  all 
The  bank,  as  we  believed,  attempted  thii 


des- 
is  des- 


c     ep 

spect  to  their  amount,  is  a  matter  of  small  consideration. 
The  bank  has  made  many  times  more  heavy  payments, 
on  account  of  the  United  Slates,  in  the  same  |>eriod  of 
lime,  and  without  any  material  derangement  of  business, 
unless  for  a  short  season;  but  it  is  the  general  Mat  61 
confidence  thereby  produced,  and  the  absolute  necessity 
cast  upon  the  bank  to  preserve  itself  against  the  "com- 
mand of  money"  in  the  hands  of  "the  government," 
which  forbids  its  heretofore  confident  operations,  and 
keeps  the  local  banks,  also,  continually  on  the  "look-out 
for  squalls!"  Had  the  bank  been  permitted  quietly  to 


tain  the  favor  of  the  government  in  a  renewal  of  its 
charter,  would  not  have  apprehended  the  hostility  of  "the 
^overiuntnl"  in  measures  adopted  to  wind  up  its  affairs, 
ll  is  the  abominable  of  this  business,  that  transient  political 
barty  has  entered  into  the  consideration  of  matters  so  im- 
portant as  the  currency  of  the  country. 

We  have  seen  accounts  since  our  last  publication,  of, 
we  think,  about  one  hundred  meetings  of  the  people  for 
and  against  a  restoration  of  the  deposites!  Most  of  them 
will,  probably,  be  briefly  noticed  in  our  sketches  of  the 
proceedings  of  congress,  and  that  is  all  that  we  can  do 
with  them. 

It  may  be  mentioned,  however,  that  there  has  been  one 
great  meeting  at  Albany,  at  which,  it  is  said,  that  3,000 
persons  were  present,  against  restoring  the  deposites — 
and  about  3,000  signed  a  call  for  a  meeting  to  adopt 
resolutions  in  favor  of  restoring  the  deposites.  [This 
meeting  has  been  held,  and  said  to  have  been  attended  by 
from  4  to  6,000  persons.] 

Monday  last  was  appointed  for  a  meeting  of  the  stock- 
holders of  the  Girard  bank,  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  considering  the  propriety  of  declining  to  receive 
the  public  deposites.  This  matter  caused  a  mighty  ex- 
citement in  that  city,  an  immense  crowd  filled  the  streets, 
and  the  rooms  and  passages  of  the  bank  were  crammed 
with  persons,  and  great  confusion  ensued;  for  it  was  ren- 
dered impossible,  by  the  press,  for  the  stockholders  them- 
selves to  attend  to  the  business  about  which  they  had  as- 
sembled. It  appears,  however,  that  each  party  to  the 
subject  passed  a  set  of  resolutions — and  that  each  claims 
the  majority!  We  gather  from  the  proceedings,  how- 
ever, that  means  have  been  taken,  (by  the  party  in  favor 
of  giving  up  the  deposites),  to  ascertain  with  whom  the 
majority  rests,  by  receiving  the  signatures  of  the  stock- 
holders. 

There  was  to  have  been  a  general  meeting  at  Phila- 
delphia, on  Thursday  afternoon  last,  of  those  opposed  to 

he  removal  of  the  public  deposites,  at  which  the  differ- 
ent classes  of  persons  and  trades,  were  to  appear  with 

heir  badges  and  banners — and  the  papers  have  been  fill- 
ed with  notices  of  the  preparations  making  or  made  for 

.his  assembly.  It  is  probable  that  we  may  be  enabled  to 
add  a  few  lines,  if  the  mail  arrives  in  season. 

The  Delaware  committee  made  a  report  of  their  pro- 
ceedings, with  an  account  of  their  interview  with  the 
president,  &cc.  to  a  meeting  of  the  people  of  New  Castle 
iouuty,  on  Saturday  last. 

Sales  of  170  shares  of  U.  S.  bank  stock,  at  New  York 
stock  exchange  on  Tuesday  last,  105@105^. 

There  are  many  rumors  as  to  the  substance  of  the  mes- 
sage of  the  president  on  a  renomination  to  the  senate 
of  certain  gentlemen  for  directors  of  the  bank.  It  is  said 
to  contain  a  declaration  that  he  will  name  no  others — 
and  added,  that  an  appeal  from  the  senate  to  the  people 
will  or  may  be  made.  We  hope  this  is  a  mistake.  It 
relates  to  a  matter  in  which  the  senate  has  a  perfectly 
concurrent  right  and  power  with  the  president — standing, 
indeed,  in  a  more  lofty  position  than  the  executive  itself. 
The  nominations  of  the  president  generally  are,  as  they 
ought  to  be,  treated  with  the  greatest  respect;  but  so 
should  also  the  disapprovals  of  the  senate.  In  such  things 
it  is  not  easy  to  believe  that  the  latter  has  acted  on  what 
may  be  called  party  grounds.  Fora  striking  example, 
Mr.  Henshaiu,  the  collector  at  Boston,  a  gentleman  re- 
markable for  his  party  zeal,  but  who  is  reported  an  ex- 
cellent officer,  received  every  vote  of  the  senate  on  his 
nomination  for  reappointment.  A  majority  of  the  senate 
believes  that  the  late  "government  directors"  of  the  bank 
are  enemies  of  the  bank — committed,  in  fact,  to  carry  on 
a  war  against  an  institution  in  which  seven  millions  of 


die  a  natural  death,  it  is  our  serious  belief  that  not  a 
tithe  of  the  present  evils,  or  those  which  are  expected, 
would  have  ensued;  for  the  bank,  though  not  able  to  ob- 


*Thi»,  indeed,  lias  keen  broadly  thrown  out,  as  to  the  *afriy 
fund  banks  of  New  York— and  tbe  authority  of  the  legislature 
invoked  to  Biulain  the  proceeding,  "to  uphold  the  president  and 
truth  the  monitor'." 


the  money  of  the  United  States  are  invested — and  the 
fitness  of  the  gentlemen,  surely,  the  senate  may  and 
should  be  careful  to  ascertain.  Mr.  Suyard,  though 
as  decided  a  friend  of  the  administration  as  either  of  those 
renominated,  was  promptly  approved  by  the  senate;  and 
so  would  others,  we  presume,  if  well  known  as  opposed 
to  a  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  bank,  but  untrammelled 
by  former  proceedings. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— CONGRESS. 


The  legislatures  of  Maryland,  VirginiumA  Ohio,  have 
recently  adjourned — lUe  house  of  delegates,  of  the  for- 


without  opposition.  The  charier,  or  town  elections,  in  JV*. 
York  are  contesting  with  unusual  activity.  The  array  of 
the  contending  parties  in  Virginia  is  more  resolute  than 
it  has  been  for  many  years,  each  party  seems  sanguine  of 
success,  and  both  have  addressed  the  people  at  much 
length.  I  I 

_  to  Monday. 

The  "National  Intelligencer"  of  Thursday  last  con-       March  \1.    The  .nee  president  submitted  certain  resolution. 


Mr.  Poindexter  reported  a  bill  j.r>  -crilnu^  the  manner  and 
time  ill'  advertising  Hie  sale*  of  tlie  public  lauds;  which  wan 
read  and  ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Poindexter  gave  notice  that  he  would,  to  morrow,  auk 
leave  to  introduce  a  resolution  authoring  the  committee  on 
public  lands  to  employ  a  clerk  to  take  down  the  testimony  of 
witnesses  summoned  in  appear  before  xaid  committee,  touch- 
ing the  alleged  frauds  in  the  sales  of  public  lands. 

The  senate  then  resumed  the  consideiulion  of  tlie  gperial 
order  of  the  day,  being  the  seeietury  of  the  treasury's  reason*, 
&c.  for  the  removal  of  the  dtpo»ites;  when 


Mr.  Tallmadge  resumed  his  speech,  but  before  he  concluded, 
e  gave  way  to  a  motion  to  adjourn — and  the  senate  ailjourned 


in  reply; 

rial  of  Worcester  county,  signed  8y  6,207  of  his  fellow  I  part  of  the  people  of  his  state,  he  spoke  in  terms  of  lofty  praise 


_  . — _ny  difference  ot  opi; 

linson's,  in  the  senate,  introductory  to  a  memorial  ot  the  them  and  himself. 

people  of  Bridgeport,  Con.  signed  by  380  legal  voters  of  Tlie  chair  communicated  a  paper  containing  the   proceedings 

that  town,  which  contains  but  a  few  more  than  400,  in  all.  antl  resolutions  of  a  meeting  of  citizens  of  York  county,  Pmn- 

In  ordinary  times,  all  of  these  speeches  would  have  s^an':l'  frl?"'ls ,of  ll";  ^''""'strmion,  in  favor  of  the  removt 

J  ,     .     .' .                                                    »»      T1  ,,  ot  the  deposites  from  the  bank  ot  the  united  slates,  and  against 

been  registered— but  they  cannot  now  be,  by  us    Mr.  Polk  tne  rechl|rter  of  ,llal  itl,litiuiori;  ahd>  it  ,invil,B  bce\t  rea,i_ 

undertook  to  lecture  Mr.  Jidams  because  ot  the  freedom       Mr.  Wilkins  moved  that  it  be  referred  to  the  committee  oh 
of  his  remarks  when  commenting  upon  the  resolves  of   finance  and  printed. 

Massachusetts,  which  produced  from  the  latter  the  fol-       (J^-This  matter  produced  a  debate  which  lasted  all  day— irt 

lowing  very  severe  remarks  and  quotation:  which  a  majority  of  the  senate  took  part.    We  caniiot  do  mine 

After  Mr.  P.  had  concluded—  I  l'uin  briery  notice  its  cause,  and  shew  a  few  of  the  principal 


shall   nerer  be   disposed  to  interfere  with  any  member    following  extract "from  what  it  contains  concerning  one  of  the 
who  shall   rise  on  this  floor  and   pronounce  a  panegyric  |     «One  word  in  conclusion:  Daniel  Webster,  how  a  senator 


upon  the  chief  magistrate. 

"No!  LET  the  candied  tongue  lick  absurd  pomp, 
And  crook  tlie  pregnant  hinges  of  the  knee, 
Where  TUUIFT  may  follow  fawning!" 


and  a  champion  of  the  bank  was,  at  its  creation,  a  member  of 
the  house  of  representatives.  Then  the  bank  was  not  his  client) 
and  he  was  opposed. to  it.     His  unbiassed  opinion,  as  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  people,  was  in  direct  opposition  to  \vhai  rie  nb* 
holds;  but  cow  he  is  'concerned  for  the  bank,'  (in  legal  phraseo- 
logy), and  no  doubt  finds  it  a  good  fat  client,  as  it  has  already 
J.  W.  Bouldin  has  been  elected   (o  congress  from  the  I  disposed  of  more  than  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  the  shape  of  fees; 
Charlotte  district,  Va.  as  the  successor  of  his  late  brother    '»  1816> lle  was  alarmed  at  the  dangerous  powers  such  an  rri- 


seat.  This  is  the  third  election,  held  in  that  district  for  the  world  abroad,  and  that,  in  the  present  stale  of  the  worldj 
the  same  session  of  congress.  J.  \V.  B.  is  friendly  to  the  there  could  be  no  other  currency.'  » 

administration,  and  against  the  bank.  Before  presenting  the  paper,  the  vice  president  directed  the 

_  attention  of  Mr.  Wilkins  to  the  preceding  and  other  objection- 

WP  havp  a  list  nf  the  TTnitpil  Vlnte*  oiKsrnm  IIOIKSP  nfli-     able  P:lssases)  "n'1  the  latter  was  ready  to  take  the  responsibili- 
VXT        v     i  '  Ur"eU  ****  Ft?  '    ty  of  striking  th<  in  out,  to  which  also  Mr.  McKean,  with  indif- 

cers  at  New  York,  and  ot  the  corporation  officers  of  that  femice  as  to  tne  subject,  asscnted-and  they  were  so  marked 
city,  with  the  amount  ot  the  compensation  received  by  as  not  to  be  read  by  the  secretary  to  the  senate.  Aftrrthe  read- 
each  person.  The  number  of  tlie  first  is  323,  the  amount  ing,  Mr.  Webster  rose  and  stated  that  he  had  been  advised  of  the 
of  their  compensation  340,000  dollars!  The  number  of  character  of  these  proceeding?,  which  he  stated,  on  ihe  ihibr- 
the  second  is  171,  and,  including  the  watchmen,  719,  and  m!llio"  °.f  IJ,er*0"?  of.lhe  11li1-lle^t  respectability,  some  of  whom 
.  .- .,  .  .a  ,,,„  „,,_  ,  ,,  he  named,  tmn  boon  issued  by  Ihe  minority  of  the  meeting  held 

the  amount  ot  their  compensation  2*8,337  dollars— toge-  jn  York,  a'nd  he  offeree!  a  protest  against  them  winch  had"  been 
ther  1,0*2  persons,  and  588,337  dollars;  and  the  corpora-  sent  to  him;  he  also  read  a  l.-tter  from  York  which  concluded 
tion  officers,  besides,  disburse  very  large  sums,  and  have  with  saying  "there  are  enough  administration  men  woo  iiav« 
many  hundred  persons  in  constant  employment.  When  changed  to  revolutionize  tins  state— if  they  u-ill  stay  cftnngcd." 
•we  get  a  table  also  of  the  State  and  other  officers  of  the  After  the  names  attached  to  the  resolutions  had  been  read, 
United  States  in  that  city,  we  may  present  a  view  of  the  Mr-  Proton  asked  "how  came  this  paper  before  the  senat.  ?•> 
•n/hnl*.  tno-pthpn  Tlle  vil>e  president  answt  red  that  he  had  received  it  in  a  letter 

1  "  addressed  to  himself,  which  was  read;  and  in  explanation,  the 

'""""'  I  vice  president  stated  the  facts  as  to  the  suppression  of  the  ex- 

We  are  not  "panic  makers"— but  duty  requires  us  to  ceptionable  paragraphs,  as  miefly  noticed  above.  Mr.  Preston 
say,  there  are  strong  reports  that  two  of  the  deposite  then  asked— Did  the  chair  mean  id  state  that  UIH  obliteration 
banks  in  the  south  had  stopped  payment — in  one  of  which  took  l'lilcc  aftfir  the  paper  was  in  the  possession  of  the  senate, 
"the  government"  had  about  a  million  of  dollars.  *nd  TO*  f"  ?°'.le  wilh  ,th.e  knowledge  of  the  vibe  present,* 

To  which  the  chair  assented. 

~*  After  some  further  remarks  of  Mr.  Webster,  in  which  he  said 

TWENTY-TlllRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION.  that  he  had  felt  it  his  duty  to  notice  this  "miserable  Maieinent," 

SENATE.  though  for  himself  he  would  rather  have  permitted  Mich  idle 

March  14.    Mr.  Wright  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meet-    and  ridiculous  scandal  to  have  passed  unnoticed  by  him — 

ing  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  and  also        Mr.  Preston  rose,  and  warmly  denied  the  right  of  any  person 

a  memorial  on  the  same  subject  from  the  same  town,  approving    to  alter  or  mutilate  a  petition — the  right  to  petition  being  a  sa- 

the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  pronouncing  the  chartering  of    cred  one— and  he  protested  against  the  alteration  made  after 

a  national  bank  unconstitutional,  N.C.  this  paper  was  In  the  custody  of  an  orlirer  of  that  house.     Mr. 

Mr.   Prentiss  presented  the  proceedings  and  memorial  of  a     Wilkins  explained  Ihe  part  that  he  had  taken  in  this  maltfr.     It 

convention  of  delegates  from  the  several  towns  and  counties  of  I  was  obvious,  he  said,  on  Ihe  face  of  the  fact,  that  Ihe  striking 

the  state  of  Vermont,  disapproving  the  removal  of  the  public    out  matter  which  tvas  individually  offensive  to  a  member  of  the 

deposiles  and  praying  a  restoration  thereof  to  the  bank  of  the    senate,  could   not  have  proceeded  from  any  improper  motive} 

United  States.  and  it  did  not .  i:hangt>,  in  any  es.-entinl   point,   wti;it  the   people 

Mr.   M^Ke.in  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  large  meeting    of  York  had  presented:  and  hf  added   that  there  was  ahothef 

held  ia  the  city  and  county  of  Pbiladelpbia,  approving  the  ac-     paragraph  in  the  proceedings  which  ought  not  to  be  there.     H6 

tion  of  the  executive  government  in  reference  to  the  removal  of    then  spoke  of  the  protest  against  the  proceedings  of  the  meet- 

the  public  deposites.     [The  matters  stated  in  the  three  preced-     ing,  and  .made   light  of  it,   and  concluded   by   saying— "AS 

ing  items,  were  read,  and  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed.]     I  to  the  erasure,  it  might  have  been  unjustifiable,  as  he  bad  bi:-' 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— CONGRESS, 


fore  said,  but  it  was  made  entirely  out  of  delicacy  to  the  mem 
her  assailed.  If  this  motive  was  not  sufficient  to  justify  th 
act,  it  ought,  at  least,  to  excuse  it." 

Mr.  Preston  replied,  and  insisted  that  the  mutilation  of  tl 
paper  had  changed  its  character — and  that  it  was  wrong,  b 
cause  that  paper  was  in  the  possession  of  an  officer  ofthe  houi 
— individual  senators  might  do  what  an  officer  should  not  d 
&c.  Mr.  Clay  followed,  and  said  that  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  1 
was  a  just  one — il  was  evidenl  lhat  if  a  right  existed  in  an  of 
cer  to  make  an  erasure,  there  was  also  a  right  of  insertion;  ai 
he  asserted  that  the  paper  had  lost  its  "identity" — it  was  not ' 
genuine  document."  Atler  he  had  concluded,  the  vice  pres 
dent  stated  the  question,  "shall  the  petition  be  received?"  ai 
a  long  debate  followed,  the  various  questions  raised  being  di 
cussed  by  Messrs.  Kane,  King,  of  Geo.,  Preston,  Wright,  Leig] 
Bibb,  Poindexter,  Manguin,  McKean,  Black,  Calhoun,  Claytoi 
Webster,  Forsylh,  Brown,  Sprague  and  the  chair.  The  dcba 
lasted  until  hall"  past  5  o'clock,  and  was  listened  to  by  one  i 
the  most  closely  packed  auditories  that  ever  filled  the  g:\llern 
ofthe  senate.  Finally — the  senate  refused  to  receive  the  con 
muiiication*  presented  by  the  chair,  by  the  following  vote: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Benton.  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grnndy,  Hemlrick 
Hill,  Kane.  King,  of  Ala.,  King,  of  Geo.,  Linn,  McKean,  Mai 
gum,  Morris,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White 
Wilkins,  Wright— 20. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Bibb.  Black,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton,  Swing 
Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  Leigh,  Moore,  N.iudain,  Poindexter,  Po 
ter,  Preston,  Robliins,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swil 
Tomlinson,  Waggaman,  Webster — 24. 
The  senate  then,  soon  after  adjourned. 
March  18.  After  other  proceedings — Mr.  Webster  rose  nn 
presented  a  protest  against  the  reeent  measures  ofthe  executiv 
in  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  &c.  signed  by  6,841  voters  an 
tax  payers  of  Boston,  which  had  just  been  brought  to  these; 
ofthe  national  government  by  a  most  respectable  committee 
Mr.  W.  proceeded,  at  length,  to  shew  the  character  ofthe  sign 
ers,  and  referred,  with  much  force  and  beauty,  to  limes  Ion 
past,  and  he  commented  on  the  proceedings  ofthe  executive  a 
much  length  and  with  great  freedom.  We  can  only  make  root 
for  the  following  paragraphs: 

"They  thought  that  the  effect  ofthe  measure  was  to  produce 
to  augment,  the  rapidity  of  certain  tendencies  which  they  be 
lieved  had  attended  the  government  for  some  years  past,  an 
that  was  the  tendenr-y  to  increase  power  and  influence  in  th 
executive  hands.  They  were  of  opinion,  that  the  substraclioi 
of  the  public  revenue  from  a  custody  where  it  was  under  th 
eye  of  congress — to  a  custody  where  il  was  only  under  Ihe  eye 
ofthe  secretary  ofthe  treasury,  was  one  great  proof  of  the  ex 
islence  of  that  tendency  to  increase  power.  Were  they  no 
right?  Where  were  the  public  Ireasures  of  Ihe  United  Slates 
No  man  in  that  senate  knew;  no  man  in  the  other  house  knew 
The  last  time  that  the  senate  had  heard  of"  them  they  were  de 
posited  in  certain  banks  not  created  or  fixed  by  its  will.  Tliej 
might  be  changed,  for  aught  the  senate  know,  within  the  las 
half  hour,  to  some  other  place,  which  it  knew  not.  What  war. 
(said  Mr.  W.)  the  condition  of  the  treasure  six  months  ago; 
Was  it  situated  as  it  is  now?  Did  not  every  member  know 
where  the  money  was  then? — and  had  not  congress  an  account 
of  it,  and  could  see  that  it  was  all  there?  Had  congress  any 
such  right  now?  Had  that  house,  or  the  other,  the)  power  to  go 
to  the  bank  ofthe  Metropolis,  or  to  the  Manhattan  bank,  in  or- 
der to  see  that  the  money  deposited  in  those  places  was  safe? 
The  executive  had  now  the  preservation  ofthe  public  treasure, 
and  congress  had  no  control  over  it. 

"It  was  a  fact  not  to  be  denied,  that  every  dollar  ofthe  pub- 
lic money — ordinarily  eight  or  ten  millions — between  the  mo- 
ment of  its  receipt  at  the  custom  house  and  the  land  offices — 
from  the  moment  of  its  appropriation  under  the  authority  ol 
Jaw,  was  under  the  entire,  exclusive  government  of  the  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury — congress  knew  nol  where — congress  de- 
clared not  how." 

He  was  followed  by  Mr.  Silsbee  who  made  a  few  remarks  on 
the  competency  of  the  signers  lo  form  correct  opinions  on  the 
subjects  presented  by  them;  and  Mr.  S/>r«gt/e,  more  ill  length, 
bore  a  like  testimony,  and  with  reference  to  Boston,  said — 

"II  was  from  the  same  source;  it  was  under  the  same  roof,  a? 
has  been  so  well  remarked  by  the  gentleman  from  Massachu- 
setts, that  memorials,  protests  and  petitions,  were  transmitted 
to  the  British  parliament.  Those  memorials,  proieM.-*  and  peti- 
tions, denounced,  at  thai  lime,  an  act  of  political  poiver,  s>  i/.ing 
their  money  without  the  consent  of  either  [hem-elves  or  their 
representatives.  The  descendants  of  those  people  come  now, 
and  protest  against  an  act  of  political  power,  also  seizing  their 
money  without  their  consent,  or  the  consent  of  their  represen- 
tatives. The  memorials,  protests  and  petitions  .sent  to  the  Bri 
tish  parliament  were  contemned.  He  trusted  tlt.it  a  different 
fate  awaited  those  which  were  now  sent  to  conuress.  The 
memorialists  had  come  hither  because  they  thought  that  they 
lived,  or  ought  to  live,  under  a  government  of  laws.  They  have 
come  here  with  faith  in  law,  and  in  the  national  legislature,  and 
ask  for  relief  and  for  redress. 

"It  has  been  remarked,  that  they  did  not  go  to  the  executive 
mansion,  they  did  not  pass  by  the  halls  of  congress  to  lay  their 
complaints  at  the  feet  ofthe  executive.  They  believed  that  the 
executive  had  no  right  to  interfere:  and  the  manner  in  which 


ing 


•So  called  in  the  motion  -as  being  the  proceedings  of  a  meet- 


the  other  committees  who  had  come  hither,  were  treated*  &y  flrtf 
chief  magistrate,  had  prevented  them  from  exposing  themselres 
to  similar  treatment.  Their  behaviour  to  the  chief  magistral* 
in  the  city  of  Boston,  shows  that  they  know  Jw>w  to  respect  tn« 
official  dignitaries  ofthe  county:  their  refusal  now  to  go  to  him? 
shows  that  they  know  how  to  respecl  themselves." 

The  memorial  was  then  read;  and  referred  to  the  committee 
on  finance,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Wtbster  then  rose  to  introduce  the  bill,  of  which  he  had 
given  notice,  and  which  is  as  follows: 
A  bill  to  continue  for  the  term  of  six  years,  the  act  entitled  "an 

act  to  incorporate  the  subscribers  to  the  bank  of  Mie  United 

States." 

He  it  enacted,  Sfc.  That  the  act  entitled  "an  act  to  incorporate 
the  subscribers  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,"  approved  on 
the  tenth  day  of  April,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  sixteen,  shall  continue  in  full  force  and  effect  for  Ihe  tertu 
of  six  years,  fiom  and  after  the  period  therein  limited  for  its  ex- 
piration, to  wit:  the  third  day  of  March,  in  the  year  one  thorr- 
saiid  eight  hundred  and  thirty-six;  and  that  all  the  rights,  iih- 
terests,  properties,  powers  and  privileges  secured  by  the  same 
aet,  with  all  the  rules,  conditions,  restrictions  and  duties  therein 
pi  escribed  and  imposed,  be  and  remain  alter  Ihe  said  third  day 
of  March,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty- 
six,  during  the  said  six  ye;us,  as  if  Ihe  said  limitation  in  the 
said  act,  had  riot  been  made;  provided,  nevertheless,  that  so 
much  of  the.  said  act  as  declares  that  no  other  bank  shall  be 
established  by  any  fature  law  of  the  United  States,  during  the 
continuance  of  the  corporation  thereby  created,  shall  not  be 
continued  by  this  act;  but  that  it  shall  be  lawful  for  congress, 
whenever  it  shall  see  fil,  to  establish  any  other  bank,  to  come 
into  existence  and  operation  at  any  time,  on  or  after  the  fourth 
day  of  March,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-six. 

Sec.  2.  And.  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  the  public  mo- 
neys accruing  to  the  United  States,  and  becoming  payable  from 
and  after  the  passage  of  this  act,  in  places  where  Ihe  said  bank, 
or  any  of  its  offices,  is  established,  shall  be  deposited  hi  the 
bank  ofthe  United  States  and  its  offices  as  heretofore;  provided, 
That,  at  any  time  after  this  act  shall  have  been  accepted,  con- 
gress may,  by  law  or  joint  resolution,  cause  such  moneys  to  be 
withdrawn  and  removed  to  any  other  custody  or  place  of  de- 
posites. 

Sec.  3.  And  be  it  farther  enacted,  That,  in  consideration  of 
the  benefits  and  privileges  conferred  by  this  act,  the  said  bank 
shall  pay  to  the  United  States  the  annuity  or  yearly  sum  of  two 
litindrcd  thousand  dollars,  which  said  sum  shall  tin  paid,  by  the 
said  bank,  on  the  4lh  day  of  March,  in  each  and  every  year, 
during  the  said  term  of  six  years. 

Sec.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  Thnt  congress  may  provide 
->y  law,  that  the  said  bank  shall  be  restrained  at  any  time  after 
the  third  day  of  March,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  ihirty-six,  from  making,  issuing  or  keeping  in  circulation, 
any  notes  or  bills  of  said  bank,  or  any  of  its  offices,  of  a  less 
sum  or  denomination  than  twenty  dollars. 

Sec.  5.  And,  be  it  further  enacted,  That,  any  time  or  times 
ivithin  the  last  three  years  ofthe  existence  of  said  corporation, 
is  continued  by  this  act,  it  shall  i>e  lawful  for  the  president  and 
lirectors  to  divide  among  Ihe  several  slockholders  thereof,  such 
lortions  ofthe  capital  stock  ofthe  said  corporation  as  they  may 
lave  withdrawn  from  active  use,  and  may  judge  proper  so  to 
livide. 

See.  6.  And,  be  it  further  enacted,  That  so  much  of  any  act 
ir  acts  of  congress,  heretofore  passed  and  now  in  force,  sup- 
ilementary  to,  or  in  any  wise  connected  with,  the  said  original 
ct  of  incorporalion,  approved  on  the  tenth  day  of  April,  in  the 
ear  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixteen,  as  is  not  incon- 
istent  with  this  act,  shall  be  continued  in  full  force  and  effect 
uring  the  said  six  years,  after  the  third  day  of  March,  in  the 
ear  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty  six. 
Sec.  7.  And,  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty 
f  the  president  and  directors  of  Ihe  said  bank,  on  or  before 
IP.  first  day  of  the  next  session  of  congress,  to  signify  to  the 
resident  of  the  United  States  their  acceptance,  on  behalf  of 
!ie  bank  of  the  United  States,  of  the  Irrms  and  conditions  in 
lis  act  contained,  and  if  they  shall  fail  to  do  so  on  or  before 
•ic  day  above  mentioned,  then  this  acl  shall  cease  lo  be  in 
jrce. 

Previous  to  the  introduction  of  the  bill,  Mr.  Webster  address- 
d  the  senate  at  some  length,  expounding  Ihe  situation  of  the 
ountry,  the  opinions  of  the  committee,  and  his  own  views,  in 
ic  presentation  of  this  measure. 

Mr.  LeijA  then  gave  the  reasons  which  would  compel  him  to 
ote  against  the  prolongation  ofthe  charter  of  this  bank,  or  the 
larler  of  a  now  one;  at  the  same  time  he  threw  out  the  idea 
hat  a  condition  of  things  might  be  developed  which  would 
tanan  both  ihe  views  of  the  state  of  Virginia  and  his  own,  on 
ie  subject  ofthe  bnnk. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wright,  who  then  expressed  a  desire  to 
ve  some  views,  the  senate  adjourned. 

March  19.  Mr.  Tomlinson  rose  and  presented  the  memorial 
'Hie  merchant.*,  manufacturers  and  other  citizens  ofthe  town 
"Bridgeport,  iii  Connecticut,  signed  by  380  voters,  against  the 
inoval  of  the  deposites.  Mr.  T.  stated  that  there  were  but 
)()  legal  voters  residing  in  the  town;  and  entered  into  a  very 
K:restiii2  history  of  the  place,  and  testified  in  the  strongest 
rms  to  the  high  character  of  the  memorialists. 
Mr.  McKean  presented  the  proceedings  and  memorial  of  700 
binet  makers  piano  foite  makers  and  olhcr  mechanics  ef  the 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— CONGRESS. 


53 


city  of  Philadelphia,  also  opposed  to  the  removal  of  the  de- 
posiles. 

Mr.  Mbb  presented  similar  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  the 
Citizens  ol  Madison  comity,  Kentucky. 

Mr.  Waggaman  presented  the  resolutions  and  memorial  of  a 
meeting  ol  the  merchants  of  New  Orleans,  al.so  opposed  to  the 
removal  of  the  deposites. 

Mr.  Alangam  presented  a  memorial  signed  by  250  citizens  of 
Plymouth,  North  Carolina,  of  a  similar  character  to  the  above; 
he  stated  that  the  voters  of  the  place  were  about  450. 

All  the  above  memorials,  resolutions,  &c.  were  read,  referred 
to  the  committee  on  finance  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Preston  reported  the  bill  to  increase  and  regulate  the  pay 
of  surgeons  and  assistant  surgeons  in  the  army  of  the  U.  State*, 
without  amendment. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  bill  from  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  army  of 
the  U.  Slates,  for  the  year  1834,  was  taken  up,  twice  read  by 
unanimous  consent,  and  referred  to  the  committee  on  finance. 

Mr.  A'ing  reported  a  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  repairs 
of  the  military  road  to  Mars  Hill,  in  Maine,  which  was  read  and 
ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

The  chair  then  announced  the  special  order  of  the  day,  being 
the  unfinished  business  of  yesterday,  the  bill  to  continue  for  a 
limited  time  the  charter  of  the  bunk  of  the  United  Stales. 

Mr.  Webster  said,  as  the  gentleman  from  New  York. (Mr. 
Wright)  had  expressed  a  wish  to  say  something  on  this  subject, 
and  as  the  senator  from  S.  Carolina  also  wished  to  say  some- 
thing on  it,  he  would  move  to  lay  the  bill  on  the  table,  and  thus 
give  the  other  senator  from  New  York  (Mr.  Tullmadge)  an  op- 
portunity of  continuing  his  remarks  on  the  other  speeial  order, 
the  removal  of  the  deposiles.  He  would  make  this  motion  now, 
at  the  same  time  giving  notice  that  he  would  call  up  the  bill  at 
an  early  hour  to  morrow. 

The  motion  was  then  agreed  to. 

The  chair  then  announced  the  second  special  order,  being 
the  report  of  the  committ.ee  on  finance,  and  the  resolutions  of- 
fered by  Mr.  Clay;  when — 

Mr.  Tallmage  resumed  his  observations  commenced  last 
week,  in  defence  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  in  vindi- 
cation of  the  power  exercised  by  the  executive,  and  continued 
until  near  5  o'clock,  when  he  concluded, 

And,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  the  senate  adjourned. 

MarchZQ.  The  chair  communicated  a  report  from  the  war 
department,  transmitting  copies  of  the  Army  Register  for  1834. 

Various  memorials,  petitions  and  reports,  were  presented  and 
made,  on  private  claims,  and  referred  and  disposed  of. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster  the  senate  resumed  the  considera- 
tion of  his  motion  for  leave  to  introduce  a  bill  to  continue,  for 
a  limited  lime,  the  charter  of  the  bunk  of  the  United  States; 
when 

Mr.  Wright,  Mr.  Webster  and  Mr.  Leigh  successively  address- 
ed the  senate  on  the  subject,  and,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Cal/ioun, 
the  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF    REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  March  14.  Ntaily  the  whole  of  this  day  was  given 
Up  to  the  consideration  of  private  or  local  business,  and  a  large 
number  of  bills  for  the  relief  of  individuals  were  considered,  and 
ordered  to  be  engrossed  or  passed. 

The  consideration  of  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Mardis,  on  the 
subject  of  ihe  deposites,  being  the  unfinished  business  of  the 
morning — 

Mr.  Burges  resumed  the  course  of  his  remarks  in  opposition 
to  Ihn  resolution,  and  continued  to  speak  for  some  time,  though 
in  a  state  of  indisposition,  when  he  save  way  for  a  motion  to 
postpone  the  further  consideration  of  the  resolution  to  to-mor- 
row. 

The  army  appropriation  bill  wa<  then  considered,  amended 
and  ordered  to  be  engrossed  f-.it  a  third  reading— when  the 
house  adjourned. 

Saturday,  March  15.  Tbe  resolution  of  Mr.  Mardis  respect- 
ing the  public  deposites,  vas  taken  up. 

The  speaker  informed  the  house  that  he  had  received  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Buries,  stating  that  he  was  prevented  by  indisposition 
from  attending  the  luiuse  to  day,  and  requesting  that  the  const 
deration  on  the  resolution  be  postponed  till  Monday. 

On  molion  of  Mr.  WIMlesey,  of  Ohio,  the  further  considera 
lion  of  the  resolution  was  postponed  till  Monday. 

The  army  appropriation  bill  was  read  a  third  time  and  passed. 

The  house  proceeded  to  consider  a  joint  resolution  for  the 
purchase  of  certain  books,  for  the  use  of  the  new  members,  Ihe 
question  being  on  the  amendment  reported  from  the  committee 
of  the  whole,  for  the  purchase  of  additional  copies  of  Gales  & 
Seaton's  debates,  which  amendment  liein"  agreed  to,  the  reso- 
lution, as  amended,  after  an.animated  debate,  which  lasted  till 
near  4  o'clock,  in  which  several  gentlemen  took  part,  was 
agreed  lo,  and  the  house  adjourned. 

Monday,  March  17.  The  consideration  of  the  Virginia  reso- 
lutions on  the  removal  of  the  deposites  beins;  the  unfinished  bu- 
siness of  the  morning,  Mr.  Pinckney,  of  S.  C.  who  was  entitled 
to  the  floor,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Mams,  of  Mass,  waived  his 
right,  in  order  to  allow  the  presentation  of  memorials. 

Memorials  favorable  to  the  restoralion  of  the  deposites  were 
then  presented  by  the  following  persons: 

By  Mr.  Jarvis,  of  Maine,  from  inhabitants  of  Eastport;  by 
Mr.  Evans,  from  inhabitants  of  Lubec,  Maine;  by  Mr.  Gorkam, 
frosi  nearly  7,000  citizens  of  Boston,  all  of  them  voters  in  that 


city;  by  Mr.  Lincoln,  from  6,207  citizens  of  Worcester,  Mass.; 
by  Mr.  Everett,  of  Vermont,  from  delegates  from  all  the  towns 
of  Wiridham  county  in  that  state;  and  by  Mr.  f'illmore,  from 
729  citizens  of  Bulfalo,  New  York,  all  praying  for  a  restoration 
ol  the  deposiles,  which  were  severally  read,  ordered  to  be  print- 
ed, and  referred  to  the  committee  of  ways  and  means.  Mr. 
Jldams  presented  the  resolutions  of  the  Massachusetts  legisla- 
ture, also  disapproving  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and 
applying  to  congress  lor  relief.  On  presenting  them  Mr.  A. 
went  very  much  at  length  into  an  explanation  and  commentary 
on  the  several  resolutions,  which  he  read  in  succession,  and 
moved  that  they  be  referred  to  a  select  committee,  and  that  hia 
motion  and  the  resolutions,  for  the  present,  he  on  the  table. 
He  withdrew  his  last  motion  al  the  request  ol 

Mr.  Polk,  who  replied  to  Mr.  A.  in  defence  of  the  adminis- 
tration. Mr.  A.  made  a  brief  response. 

After  several  other  petititions  on  various  subjects  had  been 
presented  and  disposed  of,  the  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  March  18.  Mr.  Binney  reported  a  bill  to  remit  the 
duty  on  locomotive  engines  heretofore  reported,  and  to  allow 
their  future  importation  duty  free. 

Mr.  Leavitt  reported  a  bill  appropriating  150,000  acres  of  land, 
in  addition  to  Ihe  quantity  heretofore  appropriated,  for  the  §a- 
lislaciion  of  bounly  land  warrants. 

Mr.  R.  M.  Johnson  reported  a  bill  for  the  erection  of  an  ar- 
mory.on  the  western  waters. 
Tbe  above  bills  were  twice  read  and  committed. 
A  message  was  received  from  the  president  of  the  U.  States, 
suggesting  the  expediency  of  extending  the  term  allowed  for  the 
settlement  of  the  claims  under  the   late  treaty  with  Naples; 
which  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  foreign  relations. 

Mr.  Pinckney  obtained  leave,  and  submitted  the  following  re- 
solution: 

Resolved,  That  the  documents  communicated  by  the  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  in  relation  to  the  trade  between  the 
United  States  and  the  islands  ot'Cuba  arid  Porto  Rico,  be  refer- 
red to  the  committee  on  commerce;  and  that  said  committee  be 
instructed  to  inquire  into  the  discriminating  duties  referred  to 
by  the  president  in  his  message,  and  into  lt~,e  expediency  of 
adopting  countervailing  measures,  for  vhe  protection  of  Ameri- 
can merchants  and  ship  owners.  Agreed  to. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  resolu- 
tion of  Mr.  Mardis,  of  Alabama;  when 

Mr.  Surges  look  the  floor  and  continued  his  speech  in  oppo- 
sition thereto,  until  one  o'clock,  when  he  suspended  his  re- 
marks; and  the  speaker  announced  the  special  order  of  the  day, 
being  the  resolutions  reported  by  the  committee  of  ways  and 
means  on  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  the  house  proceed- 
ed to  consider  the  same;  when 

Mr.  Wilde  said  he  would  now  proceed  to  offer  some  observa- 
tions to  the  house,  unless  the  gentleman  from  Tennessee  desir- 
ed to  speak. 

Mr.  Polkhavinn  signified  that  he  did  not  wish  lo  speak, 
Mr.  Wilde  look  the  floor, and  offered  the  following  resolution 
as  a  substitute  for  the  first  resolution  reported  from  the  com- 
mittee of  ways  and  means: 

Resolved,  That  the  reasons  submitted  by  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  for  removing  the  pi>'olic  deposites  are  insufficient  and 
unsatisfactory. 

Mr.  Wilde,  after  speaking  nearly  Ihree  hours,  yielded  the 
floor,  without  concluding,  to  a  molion  lo  adjourn;  when,  on 
motion  of  Mr.  Williams,  the  house  adjourned. 

Wednesday,  March  19.  Mr.  Elhha  Whittlesey,  from  the  com- 
mittee ofcla'ims,  reported  the  following  resolution,  viz: 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  claims  be  instructed  to  in- 
quire into  the  expediency  of  providing  by  law  for  referring  all 
claims  for  buildiiig?  burnt  and  deslroyed  by  the  enemy  during 
the  late  war,  because  they  were  in  the  military  occupation  of 
the  United  States,  by  an  order  of  an  officer,  or  agent  of  the 
United  Stales,  as  places  of  deposile,  or  as  barracks,  to  the 
third  auditor  of  the  treasury  department,  on  principles  that 
have  been  heretofore  prescribed  in  the  settlement  of  such 
claims,  and  thai  they  further  inquire  into  Ihe  expediency  of 
providing  by  law  for  the  settlement  of  all  claims  arising 
from  the  loss  of  property  in  the  military  service  of  the  United 
Stales,  by  contract  or  employment,  and  for  horses  lost  during 
the  late  war— also,  during  Ihe  war  with  the  Seminole  Indians; 
and  the  late  war  with  the  Indians  commanded  by  Black  Hawk, 
on  such  principles  as  have  heretofore  been  prescribed  in  such 
cases. 

Mr.  WhUtlesey  explained  the  reason  why  the  commissioner  of 
claims  had  not  acted  on  these  cases,  which  was  understood  to 
be,  a  limitation  as  to  time  in  the  their  presentation,  and  con- 
tended that  no  such  limitation  should  be  interposed.  The  re- 
solution was  agreed  to. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  Mr.  Mardis' 
resolution  on  the  deposites,  when, 

Mr.  Buroes  resumed  the  floor,  and  continued  his  speech  in 
Opposition  to  the  resolution,  until  1  o'clock,  when  they  were 
again  cut  short  by  Ihe  expiration  of  the  morning  hour. 

The  house  then  went  into  the  consideration  of  the  report  of 
the  committee  of  ways  and  means  on  the  removal  of  Ihe  de- 
posites, when 

Mr.  Wilde  again  took  the  floor,  and  concluded  a  very  animat- 
ed and  sarcastic  speech,  in  support  of  the  amendment  he  had 
offered  declaring  the  reasons  of  the  secretary  insufficient  and 
unsatisfactory.  He  closed  at  half  past  three  o'clock,  when,  OB 
motion  of  Mr.  Pinckney  the  house  adjourned. 


54      NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Thursday,  March  20.  Mr.  Clay  reported  a  hill  authorising  the 
jEonstruelioij  of  rail  road*  and  can-alt,  through  lands  of  the  Unit 
ed  States. 

After  various  other  business  of  a  private  or  local  character, 
Ihe  house  took  up  tin;  unfinished  business  of  the  morning, 
which  was  the  consideration  of  Mr.  Mardis'  resolution  on  lh« 
deposites,  when 

Mr.  Surges  once  more  addressed  the  house  in  opposition  to 
the  resolution,  and  held  (he  tlnnr  until  the  expiration  of  the 
morning  hour,  w'iien  his  remarks  were  suspended. 

The  house  tin  n  proceeded  at  one  o'clock,  to  the  orders  of 
Ihe  day,  viz:  the  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  committee 
'of  ways  and  mean-;  wbeu 

Mr.  Pinckney,  of  South  Carolina,  rose  and  addressed  the 
house  at  large,  in  opposition  to  the  resolutions  with  which  the 
r«jx>rl  concludes,  and  which  it  recommends  for  adoption. 

BRITISH  KING'S  SPEECH. 

House  of  lords,  Tuesday  February  4. 

His  majesty  this  day  opened  the  sessions  of  parliament  in  per- 
son. 

At  half  past  1,  the  lord  chancellor  took  his  seat  on  the  wool- 
lark. 

His  majesty,  attended  by  the  usual  ministers  of  state,  entered 
the  house  at  a  quarter  after  2  o'clock.  His  majesty,  we  are 
Jjappy  to  say  looked  very  well.  He  appeared  to  be  in  excellent 
health. 

The  pommons  having  been  summoned,  ttbout  200  of  them, 
headed  by  the  speaker,  immediately  presented  themselves  at 
the  bar,  when  his  majesty  proceeded  to  read,  in  a  distinct  and 
audible  voice,  the  following  gracious  speech: 
My  lords  and  gentlemen: 

"In  calling  you  again  together  for  the  discharge  of  your  high 
dti'iex,  1  rely  with  entire  confidence  on  your  zeal  arid  diligence, 
on  y;"r  sincere  devotion  to  the  public  interests,  and  on  your 
firmness  j^i  supporting  on  its  ancient  foundations,  and  in  the 
Just  distribution  of  its  powers,  the  established  constitution  of  the 
state. 

"These  qualities  eminently  distinguished  your  labors  during 
the  last  session,  in  which  more  numerous  and  more  important 
questions  were  brought  under  the  consideration  of  parliament 
.lhan  during  any  former  period  of  a  similar  duration. 

"Of  the  measures  which  have  in  consequence  received  the 
c-Tirtion  of  the  legislature,  one  of  the  most  difficult  and  import- 
ant was  the  hill  for  the  abolition  of  slavery.  Tim  manner  in 
which  that  beneficent  measure  has  been  received  throughout 
•.he  Bnti?li  colonies,  and  the  progress  already  made  in  carrying 
ji  in,;o  execution  by  the  legislature  of  the  island  of  Jamaica,  af- 
ford  just  Grounds  for  anticipating  the  happiest  results. 

."JIhriy  other  important  subjects  will  still  call  for  your  mos 
attentive  consideration.  The  reports  which  I  will  order  to  he 
laid  before  yon  from  the  commissions  appointed  to  inquire  into 
the  state  of  the  municipal  corporations,  into  the  administration 
and  effects  of  the  poor  laws,  and  into  ecclesiastical  revenues 
;»nd  patronage  in  England  and  Wales,  cannot  fail  to  afford  you 
jnudi  .useful  information,  by  which  you  will  be  enabled  to 
judge  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  any  existing  defects  an 
abuses,  and  in  what  manner  the  necessary  corrections  may,  in 
due  season,  be  safely  and  beneficially  applied. 

"It  has  beep  the  constant  aim  of  my  policy  to  secure  to  m; 
people  the  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  the  blessings  of  peace.  l' 
.this  I  have  been  much  assisted  by  the  good  understanding  whic 
has  been  so  happily  established  between  my  government  an 
that  of  France;  and  the  assurance  which  I  receive  of  the  friend 
ly  disposition  of  the  other  powers  of  ti:«;  continent  give  me  con 
fidence  in  vh'e  continued  success  of  my  endeavors. 
'  "I  have,  however,  to  regret  that  a  final  settlement  betwee 
Holland  and  Belgium  has  not  yet  been  effected,  nnd  that  th 
civil  war  in  Portugal  still  continues.  You  may  be  assured  that 
shall  he  careful  and  anxious  to  av:iil  myself  of  any  opportunil. 
which  may  afford  me  the  means  of  assisting  the  establishment  o 
a  state  of  security  and  peace  in  countries  the  interest  of  whic 
are  so  iniirnalely  connected  with  those  of  my  dominions. 

"Upon  the  Heath  of  the  late  king  of  Spain  I  did  not  hesitate  t 
recognize  the  accession  of  his  infant  daughter;  and  I  shall  watc 
with  the  greatest  solicitude  Ihe  progress  of  events  which  ma 
affect  a  government,  the  peaceable  settlement  of  which  is  o 
the  first  importance  to  this  country,  as  well  as  to  the  genera 
tratiqiiility  of  Europe. 

"The  peace  of  Turkey  since  the  settlement  that  wn.-s  mad 
with  Mehemet  Ali,  has  not  been  interrupted;  and  will  not, 
trust,  he  threatened  with  any  new  danger.  It  will  be  my  ob 
ject  t"  prevent  any  change  in  the  relations  of  that  empire  wit 
other  powers,  which  might  affect  ;ts  future  stability  and  indi 
pendenre.. 
Gentlemen  of  the  house  of  commons: 

I  have  directed  the  estimates  for  the  ensuing  year  to  be  la 
before  you 

Thfv  have  been  framed  with  a  view  to  the  strictest  econom 
and  to  such  reduction  as  may  not  be  injurious  to  the  public se 
vicr. 

I  am  confident  that  f  may  rely  on  your  enlightened  patrio 
ism,  and  on  llir  cheerful  acquiescence  of  my  people  for  xnpph 
ing  the  menn*  which  may  he.  required  to  uphold  the  honor' 
Biv  crown  and  the  imprest  of  my  dominions. 

The  account-  wliieh  will  he  h'nd  before  you  ofthfi  state  of  tl 
revenue,  as  compared  with  the  expenditure,  will  be  found  rno 
satisfactory. 


i/  lords  nnd  gentlemen: 

••I  have  to  lament  the  continuance  of  distress  amongst  the 
•oprietors  and  occupiers  of  land,  though  in  other  respects  the 
ate  of  the  country,  both  as  regards  its  internal  traiiquility,  and 
<  commerce  and  manufactures,  affords  the  most  encouraging 
•ospects  of  progressive  improvement. 

'•The  acts  passed  in  this  last  session,  for  carrying  into  effect 
arious  salutary  and  remedial  measures  in  Ireland,  are  now  in 
leranon.  and  further  improvements  may  be  expected  to  result 
om  the  commissions  which  have  been  issued  for  ether  import- 
nt  objects  of  inquiry. 

"I  recommend  to  you  the  early  consideration  of  such  a  final 
djuslment  of  the  tithes  in  that  part  of  the  United  Kingdom  as 
lay  extinguish  all  just  causes  of  complaint,  without  injury  to 
IB  rights  and  property  of  any  class  of  my  subjects;  or  to  any 
nstilulion  in  church  or  state. 

"The  public  tranquillity  has  been  generally  observed,  and  the 
ate  of  all  the  provinces  of  Ireland  present,  upon  the  whole,  a 
mch  more  favorable  appearance  lhan  at  any  period  during  the 
ast  year.  But  I  have  seen  with  feelings  of  deep  regret  and 
ust  indignation,  the  countenance  of  attempts  to  excite  the  peo- 
le  of  that  country  to  demand  a  repeal  of  the  legislative  union, 
'his  bond  of  our  national  strength  and  safety,  I  have  already 
eclared  my  fixed  and  unalterable  resolution,  under  the  bless- 
ngs  of  Providence,  to  maintain  inviolate  by  all  the  means  in 
ny  power.  In  support  of  this  determination,  I  cannot  doubt 
zealous  and  effectual  co-operation  of  my  parliament  and 
ny  people. 

"Te  the  practices  which  have  been  used  to  produce  disaffec- 
on  to  the  state,  and  mutual  distrust  and  animosity  between 
ie  people  of  the  two  countries,  is  chiefly  to  be  attributed  to 
lie  spirit  of  insubordination,  which,  though  for  the  present  in 
great  degree  controlled  by  the  power  of  the  law,  lias  been  but 
oo  perceptible  in  many  instances. 

"To  none  more  than  to  the  deluded  instruments  thus  perni- 
ionsly  excited,  is  the  continuance  of  such  a  spirit  productive 
f  the  most  ruinous  consequences,  and  the  united  and  vigorous 
xertions  of  the  loyal  and  well  affected  in  aid  of  the  govern- 
lent,  are  imperiously  required  to  put  an  end  to  a  system  of  ex- 
ilement and  violence,  which,  while  it  continues;  is  destruc- 
ive  to  the  peace  of  society,  and  if  successful,  must  inevitably 
rove  fatal  to  the,  power  and  safety  of  the  United  Kingdom." 
London,  Feb.  A.     We  have  received  by  express  the  Paris  pa- 
pers of  Sunday,  together  with  letters  from  Madrid  of  the  21st 
ind  22d  ult.    The  particulars  of  M.  Dulong's  funeral,  which 
ook  place  on  Saturday,  occupy  a  considerable  fpace  of  most 
of  the  Paris  papers.     It  appears  that  there  were  30,000  men  un- 
der arms,  for  the  purpose  of  suppressing  any  movement  which 
might  have  threatened  an  emruie. 

THE  WEST  INDIES. 

James  McQueen  is  the  name  of  a  well  known  writer  of  va- 
rious pamphlets  and  letters  in  behalf  of  the  West  India  proprie- 
tors, and  hostile  in  the  course  of  the  British  ministry  in  relation 
to  the  West  India  colonies.  One  of  his  recent  letters,  since  the 
adoption  of  the  emancipation  bill,  contains  a  large  amount  of 
statistical  information  with  respect  to  the  population,  progress 
and  production  of  the  islands  belonging  to  the  several  European 
powers.  Some  of  the  items  are  interesting  to  Americans,  and 
they  are  believed  to  be,  in  the  main,  accurate. 

The  island  of  Cvta  is  first  noticed.  The  whole  value  of  the 
property  in  the  island,  in  1830,  is  put  down  at  §562,191,730. 
The  exports  of  that  year  were  $49,662.000,  and  the  consump- 
tion §50,776.200.  The  total  imports  in  1829,  were  $14,300,000. 
of  which  $4.100,000  were  received  directly  from  the  United 
States,  and  $3,200,000  indirectly.  From  all' other  sources  the 
imports  were  $7,000,000.  From  1821  to  1830,  inclusive,  the 
United  Slates  received  from  Cuba  upwards  of  sixty  millions  of 
dollars  in  return  for  exports,  chiefly  of  provisions.  The  annual 
amount  of  actual  produce,  bona  /Me  of  the  United  States,  taken 
by  Cuba,  is  averaged  at  $8,000,000. 

Porto  Rice  exported,  in  1630,  to  the  value  of  $3,491,805,  and 
in  1832,  $5,095,996.  About  one-half  of  the  imports  of  the  island 
are  received  through  St.  Thomas.  One-half  of  all  she  exports 
is  carried  directly  to  Ihe  United  Plates.  Thirty  thousand  tons 
of  shipping  owned  in  the  United  States,  nearly  one-half  of  the 
shipping  of  the  island,  were  engaged  in  the  direct  trade  with 
this  country,  and  a  large  part  of  the  remaining  half,  engaged  in 
the  trade  belween  Ihe  island  and  Spain,  nlso  beloved  10  Ame- 
ricans. The  revenue  of  Cuba  in  1829  was  $9,150',COO,  and  of 
Porto  Rico  in  1832,  $1,000,000. 

Hayti  presents  a  miserable  account.  The  year  1826  is  Ihe 
last  for  which  correct  return?  have  been  found,  and  Mr.  Mc- 
Queen presents  some  strong  evidences  of  the  decay  of  the  island. 
The  value  of  the  produce  of  the  French  part  of  the  island,  in 
1791,  was  upwards  of£7,000,000  sterling.  In  1826  it  did  not  ifx- 
ceed  £  1 ,000,000  for  the  whole  island.  In  1789  the  trade  em- 
ployed 1,700  vessels,  or  237,800  tons;  in  1822  only  947  vessel*,  or 
162,693  lon«  of  every  description  and  from  all  'nations.  Two- 
thirds  of  the  whole  were  from  the  United  States.  The  popula- 
tion in  1790  was  about  750,000;  in  1826  it  was  a  little  more  than 
420,000.  [Bolt.  dm. 

—-«»«»•*•-- 
BAXIC  Or  TI!F.  UNITED  STATES. 

March  Mh.  1834. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  hoard  of  directors  held  thin  day.  Mr.  Eyre, 
from  the  committee  on  the  offices,  presented  the  following  re- 
port, which  was  read. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— THE  BALTIMORE  COMM ITTEE,  &c.     55 


REPORT. 

The  committee  on  the  offices  having  now  ascertained  by  an 
experience  of  several  months,  the  progress  of  the  reductions  in 
the  business  of  the  bank  ordered  by  the  board  on  the  8th  of  Oc- 
tober last,  avail  themselves  of  the  monthly  returns  of  the  bank 
and  all  its  offices,  made  up  for  the  month  of  March,  to  present 
a  statement  of  those  reductions. 

The  desian  of  the  board  in  directing  them  was  to  protect  the 
institution,  and  to  provide  the  means  of  paying  the  deposites  of 
the  government,  so  as  to  press  with  as  little  injury  as  possible 
on  Hie  community.  How  far  that  purpose  has  been  accomplish- 
ed, will  be  seen  from  the  following  detailed  statement  of  the 
amount  of  the  loans,  deposites,  specie  and  circulation  of  the 
bank,  from  the  1st  of  October,  1833,  to  the  1st  of  March,  1834. 
1833.  Discounts.  Domestic  bills.  Total. 

October  1  42,226,275  42  17,867,927  51  60,094,202  93 
November  1  41,062,813  94  16,147,790  44  57,210,604  38 
December  1  38,780,567  49  15,672,537  18  54,453,104  67 

1834. 

January  1  38,609,069  46  16,302,392  24  54,911,461  70 
February  1  37,544,252  82  17,098,720  82  54,824,973  64 
March  1  37,381,131  86  18,786,698  00  56,167,829  86 

1833.  Public  deposits*.    Private  deposites.  Total. 

October  1  9,868,435  58  8,008,862  78        17,877,298  36 

November  1       8,232,31118  7,285,04188        15,517,35306 

December  1       5,162,26063  6,827,17310        11,989,43373 

1834. 

January  1  4,230,509  63  6,734,866  06        10,965,375  69 

February  1         3,066,561  72  6,715,312  60         9,781,874  32 

March  1  2,604,233  62  7,343,129  92         9,947,363  54 

1833.  Specie.  Circulation 

October  1  10,663,44151  19,128,18951 

November  1  10,342.160  46  18,518,000  57 

December  1  9,818,529  25  18,650,912  90 

1834. 

January  1  10,031,23773  19,208.37990 

February  1  10,523,385  69  19,260,472  90 

March  1  10,385,430  15  18,523,189  00 

From  this  statement  it  will  be  perceived  that  from  the  1st  o 

October  to  the  1st  of  March,  the  total  reduction  in  the  line  o 

local  discounts  wag  4,845,143  56 

While  there  hag  been  an  increase  in  the  domestic 

bills  of  918,770  49 

Making  the  total  reduction  of  loans  3,926,373  07 

During  the  same  period  the  reduction  of  the  public  deposites 

was  7,264,201  96 

And  of  the  private  deposites  665,732  86 


Making  a  total  reduction  of  deposites  of  7,929,934  82 

During  the  same  time  the  specie  of  the  bank  lias  diminished 

278,002  36 

And  the  circulation  of  the  bank  605,000  5' 

The  comparison  of  the  two  periods  will  be  more  obvious  fron 
the  following  tabular  statement: 

Loans.  Deposites. 

October  1, 1833  60,094,202  93  17,877,298  3i 

March  1, 1834  56,157,829  86  9,947,363  5 


October  1,  1833 
March  1,  1834 


3,926,373  07 
Circulation. 
19,198,189  57 
18,523,189  00 


7,929,934  8 

Specie. 
10,663,441  5 
10,385,439  1 


605,000  57  278,002  3 

The  general  result  of  the  operations  of  ths  bank  during  th 
last  five  monlhs  has  been — 

1st.  That  the  reduction  of  tho  loans  has  not  been,  by  upward 
of  four  millions  of  dollars,  as  great  as  the  reduction  of  deposites 
and 

2d.  That  the  withdrawal  of  nearly  eight  millions  of  dollars  o 
those  funds  on  which  the  bank  had  based  its  accommodation 
to  the  community,  has  not  yet  been  followed  by  a  reduction  o 
accommodation  equal  to  one-half  the  amount  of  funds  with 
drawn. 

3d.  That  from  the  1st  of  January  to  the  1st  of  March,  the  in 
crease  in  the  line  of  domestic  bills  amounted  to  nearly  two  mil 
lions  and  a  half  of  dollars. 

4th.  That  during  the  same  period  there  has  been  an  actua 
increase  in  the  total  loans  of  the  bank  of  1,256,368  dollars  1 
cents. 

The  committee  cannot  regret  the  smallness  of  this  reductio 
during  the  last  five  months,  nor  even  the  actual  increase  of  it 
loans  lince,  the  1st  of  January;  because  both  have  arisen  fron 
the  strong  desire  of  the  bank  to  give  every  relief  to  the  commii 
nity  consistent  with  its  own  safety.  But  they  cannot  forbear  t 
express  their  deliberate  conviction  that  these  reductions  ar 
much  less  than  are  required  for  its  security  during  the  presen 
unsettled  state  of  the  currency;  that  it  has  now  become  the  du 
ty  of  the  bank,  gently  but  steadily,  to  diminish  the  amount  o 
the  claims  upon  it  by  continuing  to  lessen  its  business. 

Whereupon,  on  motion  of  Newkirk,  the  following  resolutio 
was  unanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  as  much  misapprehension  appears  to  exii 
throughout  the  country  in  regard  to  the  reduction  of  the  loar 
of  the  bank  since  the  removal  of  the  government  depogites,  th 
foregoing  report  be  published  for  general  information. 

Extract  from  the  minutes.  8.  JAUDON,  eaikitr. 


BANK  COMMITTEE  AND   MR.  TANEY. 
From  the  Baltimore  Republican  of  March  14. 
We  copy  from  the  Chronicle  of  yesterday  morning,  the  fol- 
owing  card,  giving  one  side  of  the  account  of  the  conversation 
etween  the  committee  of  the  memorialists  in  favor  of  Uie  bank 
ml  Mr.  Taney. 

TO   THE   PUBLIC. 

Our  attention  having  been  directed  on  Monday,  the  10th  in- 
tant,  to  an  editorial  article  in  the  Washington  Globe  of  that 
orning — we,  the  same  day, addressed  the  annexed  note  to  Mr. 
aney,  and  not  having  heard  from  him,  it  becomes  our  duty  to 
n:  community,  as  well  as  to  ourselves,  explicitly  to  repeat, 
hat  the  conversation  between  Mr.  Taney  and  us,  wan  correctly 
tated  in  the  report  of  the  committee. 

WM.  CRAWFORD,- jr. 
G.  BROWN. 
J.  VV.  PATTERSON. 
Baltimore,  12</i  March,  1834. 

Baltimore,  10th  March,  1834. 

The  undersigned,  (Mr.  Gaithcr  being  absent)  the  member*  of 
.he  Baltimore  committee,  who  had  the  interview  with  you,  and 
responsible  for  that  part  of  the  report  made  at  a  public  meeting 
on  the  5th  inst.  having  seen  by  the  Globe  of  this  morning,  that 
he  editor  of  that  paper  asserts  that  he  has  your  authority  for 
saying  that  that  part  of  the  report  which  refers  to  our  conversa- 
tion with  you  is  a  misrepresentation,  we  deem  it  necessary  to 
ask  of  you  whether  the  editor  had  your  authority  for  his  asser- 
tion. We  are  respectfully  yours, 

WM.  CRAWFORD,  jr. 
GEO.  BROWN. 
J.  W.  PATTERSON. 

To  R.  B.  Taney.  esq.  secretary  of  the  treasury,  Washington. 
It  strikes  us  that  the  committee  were  rather  hasty  in  publish- 
ing this  letter.  It  was  written,  it  seems,  on  the  10th  instant, 
and  could  not  have  been  received  by  Mr.  Taney  before  the  llth. 
Had  he  been  entirely  disengaged,  he  could  not  have  answered 
it  before  the  12lh.  But  with  the  multifarious  duties  he  has  to 
perform,  it  was  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  they  should  he 
laid  aside  to  attend  immediately  to  such  a  matter.  And  yet, 
because  the  answer  was  not  received  by  the  return  mail,  they 
seem  to  have  taken  it  for  granted  that  none  was  to  be  expected. 
It  is  a  trite  saying  that  one  story  is  good  until  another  is  told. 
And  here  follows  the  answer.  The  public  have  now  the  whole 
matter  before  them,  and  will  decide  according  to  the  evidence 
of  the  case. 

To  the  editor  of  the  Republican. 

March  13,  1834. 

SIR — I  transmit  to  you  for  publication  a  letter  which  I  receiv- 
ed the  day  before  yesterday  from  Mr.  Taney.  Understanding 
yesterday  that  a  portion  of  the  committee  that  recently  visited 
Washington,  had  addressed  a  note  to  him  in  relation  to  an  edi- 
torial paragraph  which  appeared  in  the  Globe,  I  had  determin- 
ed not  to  publish  the  letter  at  present;  but  the  card  of  Messrs. 
Crawford.  Brown  and  Patterson,  in  the  Chronicle  of  this  morn- 
ing, appears  to  me  to  render  its  publication  proper.  I  therefore 
avail  myself  of  the  authority  which  the  letter  uives.  and  desire 
you  to  insert  it  in  to-morrow's  Republican,  with  the  request 
that  the  editors  of  other  papers  who  may  have  published  the 
card  of  those  gentlemen,  will  republish  from  the  Republican  Mr. 
Taney 'a  letter.  Very  respectlully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  HEATH. 

Washington,  March  10,  1834. 

Mv  DEAR  SIR:  I  have  read  with  much  surprise  the  report 
made  by  the  committee  to  the  meeting  at  Monument  .Square, 
in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  on  the  5th  instant.  The  report  does 
me  great  injustice,  and  does  not  present  the  opinions  which  I 
expressed  to  the  members  of  the  committee  with  whom  I  con- 
versed. 

I  must  begin  by  observing  that  Mr.  Birckbead,  Mr.  Shaw,  Mr. 
Graham  and  Mr.  Ilowell,  whose  names  are  signed  to  the  report 
were  not  present  at  any  part  of  the  conversation,  and  can  have 
no  personal  knowledge  of  any  thing  that  was  said.  I  did  not 
see  either  of  them  while  they  were  in  Washington.  Mr.  Pat- 
terson came  in  near  the  close  of  the  interview,  and  was  in  the 
room  but  a  few  minutes. 

The  only  persons  who  were  present  throughout  the  conver- 
sa.tion  were  Messrs.  Brown,  Crawford  and  Gaither.  My  ac- 
quaintance with  the  two  latter  was  a  vrry  slight  one.  But  cir- 
cumstances had  often  brought  Mr.  Brown  and  myself  together 
while  I  lived  in  Baltimore,  and  we  had,  for  several  years  past, 
been  on  terms  of  familiar  and  friendly  acquaintance.  He  intro- 
duced the  conversation  soon  after  they  came  into  the  room  by 
giving  me  to  understand  that  they  had  called  on  me  n*  members 
of  the  committee,  and  that  they  wished  a  free,  and  friendly  con- 
versation with  me,  not  only  in  my  official  character,  hut  as  a 
citizen  of  Baltimore,  and  as  one  who  could  not  he  indifferent  to 
the  welfare  of  a  community  of  which  I  had  so  long  been  a  mem- 
ber. It  never  entered  my  mind  that  a  conversation  so  invited 
by  Mr.  Brown  was  designed  for  publication;  much  less  that  de- 
tached expressions  wore  to  be  selected  separating  them  from 
the  connecting  observations,  so  as  to  create  an  impression  en- 
tirely different  from  the  one  I  intended  to  convey. 

The  common  principles  of  fair  dealing  between  man  and  man 
would  seem  to  require  that  when  such  a  design  was  entertain- 
ed, I  should  have  been  warned  of  tlu1  intention,  in  order  that 
others  might  be  present  to  hear  what  passed,  an  well  as  the  per- 


56     NfLES'  KEG ISTER—  MARCH  22,  1834— THE  BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE,  &c. 


FOHS,  who,  it  now  serins,  were  secretly  awaiting  some  phrase 
or  expression  winch  Ua-y  uiigiit  note  down  and  publish  to  do 
me  injury. 

The  conversation  was  chiefly  carried  on  between  Mr.  Brown 
and  myself.  The  others  occasionally  look  part  in  it.  He  re- 
probated the  conduct  of  the  liank  ot'lhn  L'niied  States  in  strong 
terms.  lie  said  that  it  had  abused  its  powers  by  wilfully  op- 
pressing the  community,  and  that  it  ought  not  to  be  recharterud 
mi  any  trims.  He  iidinitu-d  that  tin;  deposits  ought  not  to  he 
restored,  and  that  the  restoration  would  not  relieve  the  pressure 
which  he  stated  to  exist.  But  he  and  (he  other  persons  present 
with  him  drew  a  strong  picture  of  ihe  distress  in  Baltimore,  Bud 
represented  that  the  commercial  community  there  was  in  dan- 
ger of  general  bankruptcy  unless  something  was  done  by  the  go- 
vernment to  relieve  it.  His  plan  of  relief  was  a  new  bank,  and 
tie  lelt  with  me  a  draught  of  his  project.  He  u rued  me  to  con- 
sider it,  saying  it  was  iht*  plan  of  one  of  my  friends,  in  whom 
he  knew  1  hud  much  confidence.  Bui  he  did  not  name  him. 

In  reply  to  llie.e  .-lateim-nts  1  told  them  that  I  was  opposed 
to  the  recharter  of  the  present  bank  on  any  terms — and  that  if 
it  succeeded  in  its  present  altempl  to  coerce  the  renewal  of  its 
charter,  the  government  of  the  country  would,  in  eft'ect,  be  sur- 
rendered into  the  hands  of  a  money  corporation — that  I  was 
opposed  to  any  hank  of  the  United  States,  anil  h.-licvod  such  an 
institution  wholly  unnecessary — that  the  stale  banks,  1  had  no 
<louiit,  were  fully  competent  to  perform  the  duties  ol  fiscal  agents 
— and  that  notwithstanding  the  efforts  to  embarrass  their  opera- 
tions and  to  discredit  them,  I  had  found  no  difficulty  in  carrying 
on  the  operations  of  the  treasury,  ami  placing  money  wherever 
it  was  needed  for  public  use — and  that  I  was  satisfied  they 
would  be  uble  to  afford  all  the  facilities  in  the  domestic  ex 
•changes  which  the  interest  of  thu-  country  required,  and  upon 
terms  as  favorable  as  any  hank  of  the  United  Slates — that  the 
pressure,  of  which  they  had  spoken,  had  been  designedly  creat 
«d  by  the  hank  of  tin;  United  States  for  the  purpose  of  compel- 
ling the  people  to  yield  to  the  demands  of  the  bank — but  it  was 
greatly  aggravated  by  the  panic  which  had  been  got  up  to  aid 
the  bank  in  its  attempts  to  bring  distress  and  ruin  on  the  coun- 
try— that  the  newspapers  in  the  commercial  cities,  which  were 
understood  to  belong  to  the  bank,  or  to  be  under  its  control, 
had  teemed,  for  months  past,  with  groundless  reports  of  fai- 
lure?, arid  bankruptcies,  and  predictions  of  the  approaching 
ruin  of  the  mercantile  community,  and  the  stoppage  of  specie 
payments  by  the  state  banks — that  the  merchants  themselves 
bad,  by  their  own  conduct,  and  meetings,  and  resolutions,  and 
deputations  to  Washington,  contributed  greatly  to  increase  the 
excitement  and  alarm,  and  by  that  means  disabled  the  state 
banks  from  loaning  as  freely  as  they  would  otherwise  have  done 
— that  ifthe  mercantile  community  of  a  commercial  city  chose 
to  proclaim  itself  on  the  eve  of  bankruptcy,  every  body  would 
fiaturally  believe  them,  and  be  unwilling  to  trust  them,  and  that 
embarrassment  and  distress  would  unavoidably  follow  the  de- 
struction of  credit.. 

That  if  they  expected  to  drive  the  administration  from  its 
course  by  such  measures  they  were  mistaken,  that  the  govern- 
ment was  not  responsible  for  evils  which  merchants,  or  any 
other  class  of  individuals  voluntarily  brought  on  themselves  for 
political  party  purpo.-es;  and  it  could  not  be  expected  to  change 
its  course  on  that  account.  And  if  by  persisting  in  fostering 
the  alarm  they  had  excited,  and  increasing  the  panic,  they 
•  hould  produce  the  geimral  ruin  which  they  said  was  about  to 
foil  An  HID  city,  it  would  not  change  the  measures  of  the  admi- 
nistration— that  the  evil  would  be  the  work  of  their  own  hands 
for  winch  the  government  was  in  no  degree  responsible;  that  it 
WAS  111  their  own  power  to  produce  or  avert  it,  and  they  could 
not  justly  charge,  upon  the  government,  the  evils  which  they 
themselves  should  voluntarily  occasion. 

I  do  not  profess  to  give  you  the  whole  conversation  between 
us  which  lasted  more  than  half  an  hour.  But  I  give  the  opi- 
nions distinctly  stated  by  me,  to  which  the  passages  mentioned 
in  the  report,  (if  I  used  such  expressions)  must  have  had  refer- 
ence. 

I  cannot  undertake  tn  say  whether  I  dirt  or  did  not  use  the  words 
imputed  to  me.  But,  if  they  were  used,  they  were  applied  to 
the  general  ruin  which  the  mercantile  community  should  wil- 
fully bring  on  itself  by  creating  a  panic  for  party  purposes.  The 
committee  have  reported  my  language,  as  if  I  hud  expressed  a 
cold  and  callous  indifference  to  the  sufferings  of  Baltimore. 
Nothing  could  be  more  unjust.  I  was  endeavoring  to  impress 
upon  them  trie  folly  of  co  operating  with  the  bank  in  exciting 
an  alarm  for  political  objeot«,  and  ruining  the  credit  of  their 
whole  community  to  give  political  power  to  the  hunk.  I  wished 
to  satisfy  them,  thai  while  il  endangered  the  happiness  and  com- 
fort of  innumerable  industrious  and  valuable  citizen*,  it  would 
fail  to  produce  the  political  object  it  was  intended  to  accomplish. 

To  you,  my  dear  «ir,  this  explanation  U,  I  know,  unnecessa- 
ry. Yon  have  often  heard  me  express  my  opinion  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  would  at  mice  see  the  unjustifiable  use  made  by  the 
•committee,  of  certain  expressions,  which  they  say  I  used.  But 
I  am  not  willing  to  be  misrepresented  to  the  people  of  Balti- 
more. Aud  in  a  community  in  which  I  lived  so  long,  and 
where  my  (irinciples,  feelings  and  opinions  are  *o  well  known, 
I  tru>t  Hint  not  even  the  sanction  of  the  names  attached  to  the 
report  can  persuade  the  people  that  I  could  express  that  heart 
less  indifference  to  their  sufferings  which  this  report  imputes 
to  me. 

A§  I  have  already  naid  four  of  those  whose  names  are  signed 
to  toe  report  never  beard  a  word  of  the  conversation  alluded 


to,  and  I  did  not  even  see  them  while  they  were  in  Washing- 
ton, and  one  of  the  others  heard  but  a  small  poriion  of  it.  And 
without  meaning  any  disrespect  to  others,  1  most  say  that  I  am 
as  well  known  to  the  people  of  Baltimore,  as  the  four  gentle- 
men who  were  present  at  the  conversation,  and  I  am  willing  to 
leave  it  to  the  community  in  which  we  have  all  lived,  to  de- 
cide from  their  knowledge  of  us,  whether  more  sympathy 
would  be  likely  to  be  felt  for  the  sufferings  of  our  citizens  by 
Mr.  J.  W.  Patterson,  Mr.  George  Brown,  Mr.  George  R.  Gai- 
ther  and  Mr.  Win.  Crawford,  jr.  than  by  myself— and  whether 
either  of  these  four  gentlemen  would  be  expected  or  disposed 
to  make  greater  personal  sacrifices  to  alleviate  and  relieve  them 
than  I  would. 

I  commit  this  letter  to  your  friendship  and  discretion.  Use 
it  as  you  think  right  to  vindicate  me  from  the  unjust  imputa- 
tions contained  in  the  report. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  great  respect  and  regard,  your  friend  and 
obedient  servant,  R.  B.  TANEY. 

Ujiton  S.  Heath,  esq.  Baltimore. 

P.  S.  I  have  not  deemed  it  necessary  to  give  more  of  my 
conversation  with  the  committee,  than  was  required  to  vindi- 
cate myself  against  an  imputation  calculated  to  do  me  personal 
injury  with  the  citizens  of  Baltimore.  But  il  must  not  be  under- 
stood that  I  admit  that  my  opinions  are  given  in  the  report 
with  ordinary  fairness  in  other  respects.  On  the  contrary,  the 
conversation  is  garbled  by  the  committee  in  such  a  manner,  as 
to  misrepresent  me  most  grossly  in  other  instances,  in  which 
they  profess  to  give  the  opinions  I  expressed  to  them. 

R.  £.  TANEY. 

From  the  Baltimore  Patriot  of  Match  18. 
A  CARD. 

It  is  with  regret  I  find  mysell  compelled  to  appear  before  the 
public,  to  shew  the  injustice  done  me  in  the  letter  of  R.  B.  Ta- 
ney,  esq.  secretary  of  the  treasury,  under  date  of  the  Itlih  inst. 
addressed  to  U.  S.  Heath,  esq.  and  published  in  the  Baltimore 
Republican  of  the  Kith  inst. 

Mr.  Taney  says,  that  I  "reprobated  the  conduct  of  the  bank 
of  the  United  Slates  in  strong  terms,  said  that  it  had  abused  its 
power  l>y  wilfully  oppressing  the  community,  and  that  it  ought 
not  to  be  rechartered  on  any  terms,  that  I  admitted  the  depo- 
sites  ought  not  to  be  restored,  and  that  the  restoration  would 
not  relieve  the  pressure." 

How  he  could  have  so  entirely  misunderstood  my  expressions 
in  regard  to  the  bank,  I  cannot  conceive,  never  having  enter- 
tained them;  such  a  view  expressed  by  me  would  have  been 
completely  at  variance  with  the  object  of  my  visit  to  Washing- 
ton; and  with  the  sentiments  I  .-till  entertain.  Mr.  Taney 
would  be  correct  in  saying,  that  I  admitted  there  were  objec- 
tions to  the  present  bank  charter,  and  I  admit  that  I  also  said  it 
might  be  questionable,  whether  it  would  be  prudent  to  direct 
the  immediate  change  of  the  public  money  now  deposited  in 
the  state  banks;  but  I  gave  it  as  my  decided  opinion,  that  if  the 
public  revenue  were  in  future  deposited  in  the  United  States 
bank,  it  would  restore  confidence  and  relieve  the  public  dis- 
tress. The  views  I  intended  to  convey  were  decidedly  in  favor 
of  a  renewal  of  the  present  bank,  or  the  establishment  of  a  new 
bank  with  a  modified  charter,  and  I  left  with  Mr.  Young,  his 
chief  clerk,  an  outline  of  such  a  bank  as  would,  in  my  opinion, 
remove  many  of  the  objections  now  entertained  against  a  na- 
tional bank,  and  requested  him  at  bis  leisure  to  look  at  it. 

For  the  correctness  of  this  statement,  I  confidently  appeal  to 
the  other  gentlemen  who  were  present  at  the  time  and  heard 
the  whole  conversation.  In  concluding  these  remarks,  I  need 
scarcely  add,  that  nothing  was  stated  in  the  report  as  regarded 
Mr.  Taney,  but  what  was  deemed  necessary  to  show  his  decid- 
ed determination  against  the  object  of  the  mission,  and  that  hi* 
views  were  no  further  detailed  than  were  considered  necessary 
to  the  discharge  of  a  public  duty.  GEO.  BROWN. 

Baltimore,  March  18, 1834. 

In  corroboralion  of  the  correctness  of  the  statement  made  by 
Mr.  Brown,  and  as  a  proof  that  he  never  could  have  expressed 
himself  as  represented  by  Mr.  Taney,  we  also  publish  the  letter 
of  Mr.  B.  as  president  of  the  Mechanics'  hank  of  Baltimore,  in 
relation  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites  from  the  U.  S.  bank; 
which  must  satisfy  every  one  that  Mr.  B.  never  did  approve  of 
the  removal,  and  never  could  have  expressed  himself  in  the 
terms  expressed  by  Mr.  Taney. 

Mechanic*'  bank  of  Baltimore,  31st  July,  1833. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  30th,  stating  that  you  have  been  appoint- 
to  confer  with  such  state  banks  as  you  may  think  proper,  in  re- 
lation to  the  future  deposite  and  distribution  of  the  public  reve- 
nue, and  inquiring  whether  this  bank  is  desirous  of  undertaking 
the  business  of  the  government  as  now  transacted  by  the  branch 
bank  of  the  United  States,  has  been  submitted  to  our  board  of 
directors. 

I  am  instructed  to  inform  you,  in  reply,  that,  although  grati- 
fied nt  brini!  considered  worthy  of  so  high  and  important  a  trust, 
we  are  nnu  ilting  to  n.-sume  it. 

Our  capital  is  not  large,  and  we  find  that  all  our  means  and 
resource*  are  actively  and  profitably  occupied.  We  are  appre- 
hensive that  the  facilities  and  accommodations  which  govern- 
ment will  require  in  the  prompt  payment  and  transmission  to 
different  quarter*  of  large  sums,  &.c.  kc.  could  not  always  be 
afforded  by  a  stale  bank,  without  much  embarrassment  and 
difficulty.  I  am,  verv  respectfully,  vour  obedient  servant, 

G.  BROWN,  pr«'t. 

Amot  Kendall,  etg. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1HS4— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS    57 


MR.  MoKIM  AND  THE  COMMITTEE. 
From  the  Baltimore  Republican  of  March  17. 

TO  MY  FELLOW  CITIZENS  OT  THE  OTH  CONGRESSIONAL  DISTRICT. 

The  great  principle  upon  winch  every  representative'  in  this 
free  government  is  hound  to  his  con.itiluents  by  a  responsibility 
to  them,  for  the  purity  of  hi-  motives,  and  the  integrity  of  his 
public  course  (directed  by  tlieir  interests  and  instruction)  brings 
your  representative  before  you,  Cor  justification  or  condemna- 
tion of  that  course,  under  circumstances  of  unusual  provocation 
and  necessity. 

It  must  be  known  to  all  of  you,  that  I  have  been  wantonly 
assailed  by  a  committee  opposed  to  the  present  administration 
of  the  government  deputed  in  a  great  part,  from  a  neighboring 
congressional  district,  and  that  at  a  public  meeting  convened 
without  the  limits  of  my  district,  upon  the  report  of  this  game 
committee,  without  even  the  means  or  opportunity  of  a  hearing 
on  the  part  of  myself  or  friends,  that  meeting  has  pronounced 
me  subservient  and  unfit  to  be  the  representative  of  n  free  and 
enlightened  people.  This  denunciation  it  will  readily  be  per- 
ceived, affects  you  as  well  as  myself,  and  if  they  generously 
concede  to  you,  thesame  measure  of  light  and  freedom  of  which 
they  boast  themselves,  it  will  follow  that,  I  am  not  worthy  of 
the  higli  relations  in  which  I  am  placed  to  you,  and  that  the 
judgment  pronounced  on  me  is  just,  provided  the  facts  and  pre- 
mises upon  which  they  are  based  are  true;  and  here  you  have 
precisely  the  issue  between  these  gentlemen  and  myself,  as  it  is 
my  intention  to  show  to  you,  that  where  they  even  stated  any 
thing  that  approached  the  truth,  they  have  managed  to  distort 
it,  and  that  in  other  instances,  they  have  stated  what  is  entirely 
unfounded. 

In  this  appeal  of  necessity  and  self-defence  OB  my  part,  I 
make  no  claim  upon  your  known  generosity.  I  appeal  to  a  loftier 
and  more  moral  feeling — your  sense  of  justice;  and  upon  the 
statement  of  facts  I  shall  now  lay  before  you,  compared  with 
their  own  report  upon  the  subject,  decide,  between  these  gen- 
tlemen and  your  representative.  I  was  elected  by  you,  as  a 
friend  of  the  administration  of  gen.  Jackson,  and  as  an  oppo- 
nent, of  the  existing  bank  of  the  United  Slates.  It  cannot  be 
assumed,  that  this  was  unknown  to  any  of  those  gentlemen.  It 
must  likewise  be  borne  in  mind,  that  I  hud  the  strongest  indi- 
cation of  the  sentiments  of  the  people  by  the  vote  of  a  meeting 
in  my  district,  convened  without  regard  of  party,  approving  the 
course  of  the  administration  in  the  removal  of  the  deposites 
from  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  All  this  was  matter  of 
publicity  in  Baltimore;  none  of  the  committee  were  ignorant  of 
it;  and  the  first  intimation  I  had  of  their  arrival  in  Washington 
was  through  Mr.  John  B.  Unwell,  who  with  his  friend  Mr.  Shel- 
ton,  from  0:<ba,  on  Monday  evening  the  10th  February,  called 
to  see  me  at  my  room,  Gadsby's  hotel,  and  were  received  in  the 
roam  in  which  the  ladies  of  my  family  and  myself  were.  After 
Ihe  usual  salutations  and  inquiries,  1  asked  Mr.  Howell,  if  the 
committee  from  Baltimore  had  arrived:  he  answered  in  the  af- 
firmative and  said,  that  he  wished  to  confer  with  me  on  the 
subject  of  presenting  the  memorial.  I  told  him,  that  as  the 
greater  portion  of  the  signers  to  the  memorial  resided  in  the 
district  represented  by  Mr.  Heath,  it  might  be  deemed  improper 
on  my  part  to  present  it,  particularly  as  I  understood  that  Mr. 
Heath  concurred  in  the  views  of  the  memorialists  and  would 
support  Ilium,  and  that  as  I  believed  a  majority  of  my  constitu- 
ents were  opposed  to  the  bank,  I  could  not  give  it  my  support; 
yet,  if  the  committee  of  which  lie  was  a  member,  wished  me  to 
present  the  memorial,  I  should  certainly  do  so;  that  I  should 
feel  it  niy  duty  to  say  to  the  house,  on  presenting  the  memorial, 
that  the  signers  were  respectable  and  incapable  of  stating  any 
tiling,  but  what  they  believed  to  be  UUP;  that  [  could  not  in  dis- 
charging what  I  considered  to  be  my  duty,  give  the  memorial 
my  support.  At  this  Mr.  Howell  seemed  to  be  somewhat  sur- 
prised, under  an  impression,  on  his  part,  that  rny  mind  had  not 
been  made  up  on  the  subject  submitted  by  the  memorial.  I  re- 
minded him  then,  that  my  election  had  taken  place  after  the 
order  for  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  by  a  majority  of 
those  opposed,  as  I  believed,  to  the  bank,  that  I  therefore  con- 
sidered myself  bound  to  carry  the  will  and  wishes  of  my  con- 
stituents into  effect;  that  I  should  be  a  traitor  to  them,  if,  hav- 
ing been  elected  to  support  the  president  and  his  administration, 
I  could  abandon  the  solemn  pledges  I  gave  to  do  so;  and  1  did 
intimate,  perhaps  warmly  too,  that  I  would  risk  my  life  and  for- 
tune rather  than  betray  the  trust  which  they  had  delegated  to 
me.  These  are,  I  am  sure,  the  sentiments  expressed  at  that 
time.  Mr.  Howell  beiim  an  old  friend  and  neighbor,  I  invited 
him  and  his  friend  Mr.  Shelton  (who  was  present,  and  as  I  pre- 
sume heard  the  conversation),  to  dine  with  me  the  next  day; 
which  invitation  they  accepted,  and  took  their  leave. 

On  Tuesday  morning,  February  llth,  at  10  o'clock,  captain 
Graham,  the  only  member  of  the  committee  from  the  district  I 
represent,  called  at  my  room,  I  received  him  as  an  old  acquaint- 
ance and  townsman,  and  invited  him  to  join  Mr.  Howell  at  din- 
ner, which  he  declined.  He  took  occasion  to  say  to  me,  that 
a  gr'eat  many  of  those  who  had  voted  (or  me  had  signed  the  me- 
morial. In  reply  I  reminded  him  of  the  large  meeting  which 
had  taken  place  at  White  hall  at  which  resolutions  had  been 
adopted  acainst  the  bank,  and  in  support  of  the  administration 
in  its  course  with  regard  to  the  deposiles.  He  appeared  to  re 
card  this  meeting  as  of  little  importance.  I  do  not  recollect 
that  capt.  Graham  said  a  word  about  presenting  the  memorial. 
Being  myself  under  engagement  to  meet  the  committee  of  ways 
and  means  that  morning,  at  10  o'clock,  capt.  Graham  left  me. 


At  that  moment  Mr.  Hugh  Birckhead,  another  of  the  com- 
mittee came  into  my  room,  said  his  visit  was  intended  for  the 
ladies,  and  while  1  remained  with  him,  not  a  word  was  said 
about  presenting  the  memorial.  I  also  requested  Mr.  Birckhead 
to  dine  with  me  that  day,  but  he  said  In;  \v;i»  under  a  prior  «n- 
ganeineiit.  I  then  went  to  the  committee  room,  and  immedi- 
ately afterwards  into  the  house. 

Mr.  Howell  and  Mr.  Shelton,  dined  with  me  agreeably  to  ap- 
pointment, and  I  trust  that  I  shall  be  excused  from  relating  the 
conversation  that  passed  at  dinner.  1  am  quite,sure  however, 
that  there  was  nothing  said  about  the  memorial.  Mr.  Howell 
and  Mr.  Shelton  having  expressed  a  desire  to  wait  on  the  pre- 
sident, 10  o'clock  Wednesday  morning  was  appointed,  and  I 
was  to  introduce  them. 

As  during  my  absence  in  the  morning,  the  committee  had 
left  their  card,  lor  me,  I  deemed  it  proper,  as  a  mark  of  respect, 
to  return  the  call,  on  the  same  day.  I  did  so  in  the  evening, 
and  on  calling  at  their  room,  I  found  Mr.  Crawford,  the  chair- 
man of  the  committee.  This  was  the  first  time  I  had  seen 
him,  since  his  arrival  in  Washington.  Mr.  1'atterson  and  capt. 
Graham,  of  the  committee,  were  in  the  room,  and  gen.  Cham- 
bers and  Mr.  Maxcy,  as  visitors.  The  rest  of  the  committee  were 
absent.  General  Chambers  and  Mr.  Maxcy  soon  look  leave, 
when  I  had  some  general  conversation  with  Mr.  Crawford,  and 
the  other  gentlemen  present,  about  the  slate  of  the  money  mar- 
ket— but  not  a  word  to  my  recollection  was  said  by  the  chairman 
about  presenting  the  memorial.  Some  other  visiters  to  the  com- 
mitteee  then  came  in,  as  also  Mr.  Brown,  Mr.  Gaither  and  Mr. 
Shaw,  members  of  the  committee.  To  the  two  last  named  gen- 
tlemen, I  was  introduced,  and  with  them,  I  conversed  separate- 
ly on  the  subject  of  the  bank  and  the  pressure  in  the  money 
market,  but  I  do  not  recollect  a  word  being  said  about  present- 
ing the  memorial.  After  remaining  about  an  hour,  I  took  my 
leave. 

The  next  morning,  Wednesday,  12th  February,  about  11 
o'clock,  1  went  with  Mr.  Howell  and  Mr.  Shelton  to  the  presi- 
dent'?, and  after  paying  our  respects  there,  we  visited  the  vice 
president,  and  then  wenl  to  the  secretary  of  state's  office.  Dur- 
ing this  ride,  a  variety  of  free  and  familiar  conversation  passed, 
and  we  returned  to  Mr.  Gadsby's.  This  terminated  all  the  in- 
tercourse I  had  with  any  members  of  ihe  committee,  from  their 
arrival  until  their  departure  on  Wednesday,  the  12th  February, 
about  2  o'clock.  I  have  no  recollection  of  having  mentioned 
the  name  of  Mr.  Bibb  in  any  manner,  to  any  member  of  the 
committee,  and  shall/or  the  present,  content  myself  with  a  posi- 
tive denial  of  that  assertion. 

This  is  the  history,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection,  of  what 
took  place  between  the  committee  and  myself,  in  relation  to 
this  subject,  and  upon  which,  they  have  felt  themselves  au- 
thorised in  making  the  report,  which  denounces  me  as  ntb- 
servient,  and  unfit  for  the  station  in  which  you  have  placed  me. 

I  have  deemed  it  rny  duty  to  lay  the  facts  before  you  at  the 
first  moment  my  official  duties  permitted  in  my  own  name,  lest 
my  silence  might  be  construed  into  an  admission  of  the  correct- 
ness of  any  part  of  lhat  report  which  relates  to  myself.  Of  the 
justice  and  propriety  of  this  proceeding  on  the  part  of  the  com- 
mittee, the  public  will  now  be  able  to  judge.  I  have  only  to 
add,  that  I  utterly  deny  having  said  any  thing  to  any  member  of 
the  committee  which  could  warrant  them  to  infer  for  a  mo- 
ment, that  I  was  willing  to  surrender  my  own  opinions  and  in- 
dependence, or  violate  my  duty  as  a  representative,  under  the 
influence  of  official  power,  or  to  subserve  any  political  or  party 
purpose  whatsoever — and  to  those  who  know  how  Httle  I  could 
gain  by  such  a  course,  and  what  I  must  lose,  it  is  scarcely  ne- 
cessary to  make  this  denial.  For  what  purpose  then,  some  of 
those  gentlemen  upon  the  list,  with  whom  I  never  exchanged  a 
word  upon  the  subject  of  their  mission,  have  by  their  names 
sanctioned  those  misrepresentations  of  me,  I  leave  to  others  to 
infer,  and  to  their  sense  of  honor  to  approve  if  they  can — my  ob 
jecl  has  been  to  discharge  my  duty  according  to  my  own  sense 
of  what  is  right,  and  best  calculated  to  promote  the  interests 
and  wishes  of  my  immediate  constituents  and  that,  regardless 
of  consequences  to  myself.  This  was  what  I  meant  to  impress 
on  those  of  the  committee  with  whom  I  conversed  on  this  sub- 
ject, and  without  some  design  to  injure  me,  I  could  not  have  been 
otherwise  represented.  It  may  be  proper  in  conclusion  to  say, 
that  however  these  conversations  may  have  been  regarded  by 
the  members  of  the  committee  with  whom  they  were  held, 
garbled  and  distorted  as  they  have  been,  I  never  for  my  own 
part  considered  any  of  them  official,  and  if  the  use  that  has 
been  made  of  them  is  conformable  lo  the  moral  and  social  code 
of  this  committee,  I  am  not  yet  prepared  to  become  a  convert 
to  the  system.  ISAAC  MeKIM. 

Baltimore,  15th  March,  1834. 

P.  S.  The  editors  of  papers  who  have  published  the  report 
and  proceedings  of  the  committee,  will  please  publish  this. 

UNITED  STATES  BANK. 

REPORT    OF   THE   MINORITY   OF  THE    COMMITTEE   Of   WATS    AND 
MEANS,   SUBMITTED    BY   MR.    BINNEY. 

House  of  representatives,  March  4,  1834. 

The  undersigned,  minority  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means, 
to  which  was  referred  the  letter  of  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury, communicating  to  the  house  his  reasons  for  removing 
the  deposites  of  the  public  money  from  the  bank  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  and  several  memorials  upon  the  same  subject,  sub- 
mit the  following  reasons  for  not  concurring  in  the  report  of 
the  majority  of  that  committee: 


58   N1LES'  REGISTEK-MARCH  22,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


The  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  U. 
States  is  an  act  upon  which  the.  judgment  or'  the  couulrj'  lias 
now  irrevocably  passed.  The  reasons  have  been  investigated 
in  boih  houses  of  congress,  and  by  the  public  press,  to  such  an 
extent  that  it  may  be  fairly  deemed  i  ill  practicable  to  add  any 
thing  to  the  arguments  by  which  they  are  cither  refuted  or 
nj-t.imeil;  tut  being  most  thoroughly  convinced  that  the  act 
ot  removal  was  wholly  indefensible,  without  color  of  probable 
cause,  a  violation  of  the  bank  charter,  an  inroad  upon  the  pro 
perty  and  security  of  the  citizens,  and  upon  the  rights  of  the 
legislative  department,  the  undersigned  deem  it  their  duty  to  sub- 
mit such  a  statement  as  will  recoid  their  personal  opinion  upon 
the  subject. 

I.  The  power  of  removing  the  public  deposite.s  is  granted  or 
reserved  by  the  16lh  section  of  the  bank  charter,  to  be  exercised 
by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  for  reasons  to  be  communicat- 
ed to  congress.  This  power  is  not  absolute  or  unconditional, 
in  regard  either  to  the  bank  or  to  the  country.  Absolute  and 
unconditional  power  does  not  reside  in  any  department  of  go- 
vernment. Congress  hold  their  own  power  under  the  condition 
of  conforming  to  the  principles  of  justice,  as  well  as  to  the  re- 
stratnlri  of  limitations  contained  or  prescribed  in  the  constitu- 
tion. They  cannot  grant  an  absolute  and  unconditional  power 
to  any  officer  of  government  for  any  purpose  of  eove.rnment. 
The  broadest  discretion  they  can  give,  must  be  subject  to  the 
implied  condition  of  beiug  exercised  in  conformity  with  the 
constitution,  the  laws,  the  rights  of  individuals,  and  the  princi- 
ples of  natural  justice.  Above  all,  they  cannot,  in  the  absence 
of  express  declaration,  be  presumed  to  have  given  an  uncon- 
ditional power  t«  an  officer  of  government  to  affect  rights  and 
privileges  conferred  or  sanctioned  by  law. 

Congress  have  not  granted  to  the  secretay  of  the  treasury  any 
power  over  the  public  deposites  that  is  inconsistent  with  these 
principles.  The  grant  or  reservation  of  power  in  the  16th  sec- 
tion of  the  charter  is  qualified  by  the  express  provision  that  the 
reasons  for  its  exercise  shall  be  immediately  reported  to  con 
gre?s,  and  the  sufficiency  of  the  reasons  concerns  all  who  may 
be  affected  by  the  act,  that  is  to  say,  the  bank,  congress  and  the 
people  especially,  who  are  vitally  interested  in  every  act  Ilia 
invades  a  legal  or  constitutional  right. 

The  charter  is  a  contract  between  the  stockholders  of  the 
bank  and  the  United  Slates,  and  all  its  clauses  must  receive 
such  an  interpretation  as  is  consistent  with  the  principles  o 
contract.  The  United  States  contracted  to  allow  to  the  bank 
the  benefit  of  receiving  and  holding  the  public  moneys,  unles 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  should,  at  any  time,  see  fit  to  orde 
otherwise;  in  which  case  he  should  immediately  lay  before 
congress  tiie  reasons  of  such  order  and  decision.  "In  consiilera 
tion  oftlie  exclusive  privileges  and  benefits  Conferred  by  this  act,' 
the  bank  contiacted  to  pay,  and  did  pay  to  the  United  State 
one  million  five  hundred  thousand  dollars;  and  also  encaged  t 
perform,  and  has  performed  for  seventeen  years,  importan 
duties,  in  exoneration  of  the  treasury,  at  an  expense  of  severa 
hundred  thousand  dollars  more.  The  custody  of  the  public  dr 
posites  is  not  only  a  benefit,  but,  next  to  the  power  of  exclusiv 
banking,  it  is  the  principle  benefit  conferred  by  the  act.  It  is  con 
trary  to  every  sound  rule  of  interpretation  that  has  ever  hereto 
fore  been  applied  to  a  contract,  or  to  a  law  regulating  a  con 
tract,  that  a  power  like  the  secretary's,  to  suspend  the  enjoy 
tnent  of  a  rijitit.  for  reasons  to  be  communicated  forthwith  t 
congress,  should  he  deemed  an  absolute  and  unconditiona 
power  as  it  regards  the  bank.  The  minority  reject  this  doc 
trine  as  utterly  irreconcilable  with  justice  or  with  law,  wit 
reason,  whether  natural  or  technical,  with  the  meaning  of  tl 
charter,  or  with  the  faith  ol  the  nation. 

Various  suggestions  are  made  to  sustain  the  position  that  th 
exercise  of  the  secretary's  power,  whether  for  good  reasons,  o 
for  no  reasons  at  all,  determine--  the  right  of  the  bank  to  the  dp 
po»ites,  and  leaves  the  nation  free  from  all  reproach  of  violate 
faith. 

It  is  said  that  he  is  authorised  to  act,  before  he  gives  his  rea 
eons  to  congress;  and  his  act,  therefore,  has  validity,  whateve 
may  be  his  reasons.  The  efficacy  of  his  act  to  remove  the  dp 
posites  is  not  the  question.  Whether  his  reasons  be  eood  o 
bad,  his  order  is,  in  the  first  instance,  to  he  respected;  hut  if  h 
il  bound  to  have  gnod  reasons,  and  his  reasons  have  not  bee 
good,  the  subsequent  communication  of  them  will  show  th 
his  act  was  unjust  at  the  time;  and  if  congress  do  not  rescind  i 
they  will  sanction  the  injustice.  There  are  innumerable  in 
stances  in  which  an  order,  right  or  wrong,  must  be  respecte 
when  it  is  given;  yet  when  it  is  subsequently  shown  to  hav 
been  wrong,  the  injustice  is  declared,  and  the  aggressor  punisf 
ed. 

It  is  further  said  that  the  bank  has  paid  nothing  for  HIP  use 
the  deposites,  and  therefore  has  no  right  to  them  that  may  n 
be  revoked  at  pleasure,  and  that  the  bonus  and  other  expent 
tures  in  the  public  behalf  have  been  paid  by  the  bank  for  tl 
privilege  of  exclusive  banking,  and  for  the  benefit  of  havin 
their  notes  received  in  all  payments  to  the  United  States, 
the  deposites  be  a  benefit,  (and  of  this  there  can  be  no  doubt 
the  20lh  section  of  the  charter  shows  that  the  bonus  was  L'i^i 
for  that  benefit  as  mnrh  as  for  any  other.    The  language  of  tl 
section  is  general.    The  payment  is  "in  consideration  of  th 
exclusive  privileges  and  benefit*  conferred  by  the  act,"  and  th 
it  one  of  them.     Whether  the  receipt  of  the  notes  in  puhl 
payments  is  really  a  benefit  to  the  bank,  has  been  much  doub 
«d.    That  it  ia  a  benefit  at  all  comparablt  to  that  of  having  IF 


posites,  cannot  he  maintained.    The  obligation  of  the  United 

atestn  receive  these  notes  was  absolute  and  unlimited  in  the 

arl.-r  of  the  first  bank,  which  did  not  pay  any  bonus  at  all;  and 

the  present  charter,  for  which  a  larirr  bonus  was  paid,  the  en- 

gemctit  to  receive  them  is  subject  to  the  pleasure  of  congress. 

IK  great  different*;  in  benefit  of  the  respective  charters  of  the 

vo  banks  is,  that  in  the  first  there  was  no  stipulation  for  the 

ublic  deposiles,  and  the   hank  paid   nothing  for  its  charter; 

hereas,  in  the  present  charter,  the  case  is  otherwise  in  both 

articulars. 

Another  suggestion  to  show  that  the  power  of  the  secreta 
.'er  the  deposites  is  absolute   and  unconditional,  is,  that  the 
ower  of  congress   to  repeal  the  guaranty  of  the  notes  is  so. 
he  difference  between  the  cases  is,  that  the  secretary  must 
ave  reasons  for  his  direction,  as  the  16th  section  expressly 
eclares,  whereas  the   14th  section,   in   regard  to   the  notes, 
akes  no  sueh  qualification  of  the  powers  of  congress. 
It  is  again  said  that  the  power  given  to  the  secretary  by  the 
6th  section  is  his  old,  or  former  power,  which  was  absolute 
nd  unconditional  as  it  regarded  every  depository  with  whom 
he  public  money  was  placed,  and  therefore  the  present  power 
lust  be  the  same.     If  the  power  given   hy  the  16th  section  is 
IB  old  power,  the  house  is  possessed  of  the  secretary's  opinion 
s  to  the  extent  of  it.     The  language  of  the  secretary's  letter  is 
s  follows:  "The  treasury  department  being  intrusted  with  the 
dmiuistration  of  the  finances  of  the  country,  it  was  always  the 
my  of  the  secretary,  in  the  absence  of  any  legislative   provi- 
ion  on  the  subject,  to  take  care  that  the  public  money  was  de- 
osited  in  safe  keeping,  in  the  hands  of  faithful  agents,  and  in 
onvenient  places,  ready  to  be  applied  according  to  the  wants  of 
IB  government.    The  law  incorporating  the  bank  has  reserved 
o  him,  in  the  fullest  extent,  the  power  .he  before  possessed, 
t  does  not  confer  upon  him  any  new  power,  but  reserves  to 
im  his  former  authority  without  any  new  limitation."    It  is 
.nnecessary  to  dispute  the  position  that  the  power  in  the  16th 
eotion  is  the  old  power  in  this  sense;  for  the  power  in  the  16th 
fiction  is  not  only  admitted,  but  asserted  to  go  to  the  very  extent 
ivhich  the  secretary  claims  for  the  old  power,  and  no  further, 
lamely,  to  the  extent  that  the  safety  of  the  deposites,  and  their 
listribution  in  convenient  places,  require.    Such  a  power  is  oh 
iously  neither  absolute  nor  unconditional.     But  independent 
f  this  definition  of  his  own  power  by  the  secretary,  it  seemi 
o  have  been  overlooked  by  the  committee  that  the   present 
>ower  is  to  be  applied  to  divest  a  right,  whereas  the  former 
•ower  was  exercised  over  the  possession  of  depositories  who 
lad  no  right  whateve-r.     The  control  ofihe  treasury  department 
over  the  public  moneys,  until  the  charter  of  the  present  bank, 
was  universally  a  question  between  the  treasury  and  congress; 
t  is  now  a  question  between  the  bank  and  congress. 

It  is  finally  said  that  the  power  of  the  secretary  is  absolute 
and  unconditional,  because  congress  have  given  to  him  their 
whole  power,  reserving  none  whatever  to  themselves  to  touch 
he  deposites  uniil  he  shall  have  restored  their  power  to  them. 
This  argument  begs  the  question  in  dispute.  The  secretary 
supposes  himself  to  be  an  independent  judge  in  this  matter, 
whereas  the  minority  suppose  that  he  is  merely  the  agent  of 
congress.  His  power  in  the  premises  is  a  part  of  their  power 
ntrusted  to  him  as  their  representative.  Though  he  may  use 
t  for  sufficient  reasons,  congress  may  use  it  also  for  the  same 
reasons.  The  restraint  upon  the  exercise  of  his  power  is  im- 
posed by  the  right  of  the  hank,  and  this  is  all  the  restraint  that 
is  imposed  upon  the  right  ol  congress.  If  the  bank  has  no 
riulit.  as  the  committee  appear  to  assert,  upon  whnt  grouml  onn 
the  right  of  congress  be  denied?  If  the  power  reserved  to  the 
secretary,  by  the  16th  section,  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  the 
old  power,  how  is  it  possible  to  deny  the  right  ofconzress  to  con- 
trol the  deposites,  under  the  charter,  if  congress  had  any  riuht  to 
control  them  before  the  charter?  It  is  worthy  of  deep  reflection, 
that  the  argument  put  forward  by  the  committee,  to  sustain  the 
secretary's  reasoning,  has  carried  them  to  the  extent  of  assert- 
ing that  congress  abandoned  the  public  treasure  to  the  secretary 
and  the  bank  beyond  the  possibility  of  recall. 

Upon  this  head  the  minority  state  their  opinion  to  the  house, 
that  the  power  of  the  secretary  over  the  deposites  in  the  bank 
depends  for  its  just  exerrise  upon  the  existence  of  adequate 
causes;  that  the  bank  had  a  direct  and  immediate  interest  in 
them,  and  is  entitled  to  an  impartial  decision  upon  them;  that 
an  unjust  derision  upon  them  will  be  a  violation  of  the  charter, 
and  a  stain  upon  the  public  faith;  and  that  the  secretary's  po- 
sition, that  his  power  is  absolute  and  unconditional  in  regard 
to  the  bank,  is  an  unwarrantable  assumption  of  power,  instead 
of  a  just  interpretation  of  that  which  has  been  civen. 

II.  In  the  execution  of  this  power,  the  secretary  was  the 
agent  of  congress,  and  not  of  the  president.  He  derived  the 
power  from  congress;  he  is  to  report  his  reasons  for  usins  it  to 
congress.  The  act  of  the  secretary  in  removinB  the  deposit?* 
is  neither  actually,  nor  by  construction ,  the  act  of  the  president, 
nor  are  the  reasons  of  the  president  a  satisfaction,  either  in  ef- 
fect or  form,  of  the  requisition  on  the  secretary  to  report  his 
reasons.  The  exercise  of  this  power  affects  the  ptililir-  treasure 
which  congress  directed  to  be  placed  in  the  bank  of  the  United 
States.  That  trea-ure  is  tin-  treasure  ofthe.  people,  the  custody 
and  control  of  which  belongs  to  the  legislature  and  to  the  agentx 
of  the  legislature.  The  custody  of  the  legislature  is  exclusive 
of  the  executive  department.  The  custody  of  the  hank,  aa  the 
agent  ofthe  legislature,  it  equally  exclusive.  The  power  of  the 
secretary  is,  in  like  manner,  exclusive.  The  chief  executive 
magistrate  has  no  constitutional  authority  to  raise  revenue,  or 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS.  69 


to  take  it  into  his  official  possession  when  raised,  or  to  direct 
who  shall  possess  it,  or  to  ipterfere  with  a  direction  or  authority 
in  this  behalf,  proceeding  from  congress,  any  more  tlian  he  pos- 
sesses authority  to  direct  by  whom  the  public  money  shall  be 
Used  and  consumed.  The  secretary  cannot  he  relieved  from 
the  duty  of  accounting  to  congresn  by  any  order  of  the  president; 
nor  can  the  reasons  of  the  president  be  imposed  upon  him  as  a 
guide,  nor  be  offered  to  congress  as  an  excuse.  The  discretion 
which  is  given  by  the  charter,  is  given  to  the  secretary  alone. 
The  order  of  removal  must  come  directly  from  the  secretary; 
and  if  it  came  from  the  president  alone,  it  would  be  null  and 
void. 

The  power  of  the  president  to  remove  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  is  no  reason  for  holding  that  the  secretary  is  under  the 
direction  of  the  president  in  the  exercise  of  the  discretion  con- 
ferred by  the  charter.  The  president  may  remove  the  secretary 
whether  he  performs  or  does  not  perform  his  duty.  The  legal 
power  to  do  it  is  as  perfect  in  the  one  case  as  the  other.  The 
mere  existence  of  the  power  does  not  consequently  imply  the 
right  of  direction  or  control.  The  constitutional  duty  of  the 
president,  to  see  that  the  laws  are  faithfully  executed,  requires 
him  to  see  that  an  officer  to  whom  the  law  confides  a  discretion 
is  permitted  fairly  to  exercise  it.  A  law  which  confers  a  discre- 
tion upon  one  officer,  is  violated,  instead  of  being  faithfully 
executed,  by  compelling  him  to  submit  to  the  discretion  ol 
another  officer.  If  the  president  has  in  this  matter,  directly  or 
indirectly,  controlled  the  discretion  of  the  secretary,  the  law  has 
not  been  faithfully  executed,  and  his  act  has  been  a  violation 
both  of  the  law  and  of  the  constitution. 

III.  The  only  adequate  cause  for  removing  the  public  depo- 
posites,  must  be  a  cause  affecting  the  safety  of  the  public  mo- 
neys in  the  bank,  or  their  distribution  for  the  public  service 
Such  a  cause  alone  directly  concerns  the  subject  upon  which 
the  power  is  to  be  exercised.  It  is  the  only  cause  of  which  the 
functions  of  his  office  and  his  relations  to  the  bank  authorise 
and  enable  the  secretary  to  judge,  and  which  is  of  such  a  nature 
as  to  require  immediate  action  without  a  previous  reference  to 
congress.  It  is  the  only  cause  which  would  justly  deprive  the 
bank  of  the  use  of  the  public  moneys  after  having  paid  for  it 
It  is  the  only  cause  which  congress  could  safely  submit  to  the 
discretion  of  the  treasury,  without  abandoning  to  that  officer 
the  whole  scheme  of  public  policy  in  regard  to  a  national  bank. 

1.  A  cause  that  does  not  directly  concern  the  subject  upon 
which  the  power  is  to  be  exercised,  must  regard  the  public  mo- 
neys as  an  instrument,  and  not  as  an  object  of  the  power.     To 
comprehend   such  a  cause,  the  charter  must  be  construed  to 
give  the  secretary  an  unlimited  choice  of  the  objects  to  be  at- 
tained by  the  custody  of  the  public   moneys;   for  as  none  are 
pointed  out  by  the  charter  but  those  of  mere  custody  and  trans- 
fer, the  instant  that  these  cease  to  be  only  objects  of  the  power, 
we  are  without  any  limitation.    Whether  the  purpose  of  the  se- 
cretary be  local  or  general,  whether  it  be  to  make  money  dear  or 
cheap,  to  regulate  or  disturb  exchanges,  to  promote  or  retard 
public  works,  to  increase  or  diminish  the  amount  of  bank  dis- 
counts, to  excite  or  counteract  political  movements,  each  and 
all  of  these  objects  must  be  within  the  discretion  of  the  secretary, 
if  any  of  them  are. 

2.  That  the  secretary  should  be  entrusted  with  a  power  ne- 
cessary to  protect  the  treasury  itself,  or  to  meet  the  demands 
upon  it,  is  reasonable.  If  the  public  moneys  are  exposed  to  dan- 
ger, he  must  first  perceive  its  approach,  and  would  be  best  able 
to  measure  its  extent.     He  also,  from  his  official  position,  must 
know  the  direction  which  public  engagements  require   to  be 
given   to  the   means  of  satisfying  them.     The   power,  which 
either  danger  or  the  public  credit  makes  necessary,  is  one  that 
does  not  admit  of  delay,  whether  congress  be  in  session  or  not. 
The  action  required,  to  be  effectual,  must  be  in  some  cases  in- 
stantaneous.    The  grant  or  reservation  of  such  a  power  to  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury  wa*  necessary  and  proper.     Rut  if  the 
public  moneys  were  to  be  made  an  instrument  for  affecting  an 
ulterior  object,  no  reason  can  be  imagined  why  the  power  of 
using  them  should  be  given  to  the  secretary  rather  than  to  the. 
president,  or  why  it  should  be  given  to  cither  instead  of  being 
left  to  the  action  of  congress.     That  nothing  but  the  safety  and 
distribution  of  the  national  treasure  were  the  lawful  objects  of 
the  secretary's  power,  is  conclusively  shown   by  the  circum- 
stance that  the  "act  to  establish  the  treasury  department,"  the 
very  moment  that  the  secretary  gave  the  order  not  to  make  the 
depojites  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  placed  them  in  the 
hands  of  the  treasurer,  who  could  lawfully  make  no  disposition 
of  them,  but  to  keep  them  securely,  to  be  disbursed  according  to 
law.    A  removal  of  the  deposites  for  any  purpose,  except  to 
place  them  in  this  custody,  would  he  not  only  a  violation  of  the 
rights  of  the  bank,  but  of  the  functions  of  the  treasurer  as  creat- 
ed by  law. 

The  minority  are  aware  that  an  elaborate  inquiry  into  the 
histnry  and  practice  of  the  treasury  department  has  been  made 
by  th6  committee,  for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  the  positiot 
that  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  has  the  right,  not  only  to  su 
perintend  the  collection  of  the  revenue,  but  to  direct  in  whose 
hands  it  shall  be  placed  after  it  has  been  collected,  and  fo 
What  purposes  it  shall  be  placed  there.  The  minority  do  no 
entertain  the  opinion  that  the  inquiry  has  sustained  the  position 
of  the  committee.  It  ought  to  be  a  sufficient  objection  to  it 
that  it  gives  to  the  secretary  a  power  which  the  law  Hoes  no 
give  him.  The  secretary's  asserted  power  is  both  without  lax 
and  against  law.  It  is  a  further  objection  to  it,  that  most  o 
the  precedents  of  treasury  practice  referred  to,  are  direction 


affecting  the  collection  of  the  revenue,  which,  by  law,  jg  under 
he  superintendence  of  the  secretary.  The  acts  or  gen.  Hamil- 
on,  the  first  secretary  of  the  treasury,  are  all  ol  tins  description' 
hey  prove  nothing  to  the  pnrpo.-e.  Order*  to  collector*  to  place 
he  duty  bonds  in  particular  banks  tor  collection,  are  strictly 
within  the  legal  authority  of  the  secretary.  More  must  be 
shown,  in  make  any  of  the  precedents  conclusive  ort  the  point 
for  which  they  are  cited,  namely,  the  existence  of  a  treasury 
jractice.  But  if  the  practice  were,  in  point  of  fact,  established 
10  instance,  has  been  produced,  in  which  the  law  has  sanction- 

The  language  of  the  16th  sec.  of  the  present  charter  expressly 
confines  the  .power  of  the  secretary  to  the  making  ofan  order  or 
direction,  that  the  deposites  of  the  public  moneys  shall  not' be 
made  in  that  bank;  and  does  not  give  him  authority  to  direct 
where  they  shall  be  made,  or  recognise  such  an  authority  as  ex- 
isting in  him.  It  does  not  authorise  him  to  remove  the  deposites 
already  made  there,  or  to  select  another  place  of  deposite.  He  is 
to  order  or  direct  that  they  shall  not  be  made  there,  and  this  order 
is  not  to  be  executed  by  himself,  but  by  those  to  whom  the  ge- 
neral law  gives  the  custody  of  the  treasure,  when  the  place 
selected  by  congress  is  repudiated  by  the  secretary.  Nothing 
can  afford  a  stronger  argument  against  the  asserted  authority  of 
the  secretary  to  direct  in  what  place  the  public  deposites  shall 
be  made,  than  the  omission  to  describe  his  power  as  that  ot  or- 
dering or  directing  them  to  be  made  in  some  other  place  or  placet. 
Until  the  law  shall  give  the  power  to  the  secretary,  whicb  it 
probably  never  will  do,  without  regulating  its  exercise  so  as 
to  make  it  consistent  with  the  public  safety,  the  minority  must 
be  understood  as  wholly  denying  the  efficacy  of  any  practice 
whatever  to  give  it,  in  violation  of  the  plain  provisions  of  the 
act  of  1789. 

But  if  the  treasury  practice  was  known  to  congress,  what  fol- 
lows? What  is  the  import  of  the  provision  in  the  charter  that 
the  public  moneys  shall  be  deposited  in  the  bank,  except  that 
the  practice  was  thought  dangerous  to  the  safely  of  the  public 
moneys,  and  therefore  was  to  be  abolished,  unless  where  that 
satety  itself  required  a  change  of  the  place  of  deposite?  The 
question  under  consideration  is,  whether  any  thing  but  the  safe- 
ty of  those  moneys,  and  their  due  distribution,  authorised  the 
order:  and  it  is  an  extraordinary  mode  of  proving  the  secreta- 
ry's power,  to  show  a  former  practice  to  that  effect,  before  the 
charter  was  granted,  and  which  the  charter  provision  effectual- 
ly opposed. 

3.  The  removal  of  the  deposites  must  have  been  regarded  by 
the  congress  which  gave  the  charter  as  a  certain  loss  to  the 
bank.    The  hank  was  to  pay  for  them,  and  to  be  at  liberty  to 
employ  them  according  to  the  usage  and  practice  of  banks;  hold- 
ing itself  ready  to  pay,  on  demand,  whatever  should  be  requir- 
ed, in  pursuance  of  appropriations  by  law.    The  advantage  of 
possessing  them  was  great,  and  the  disadvantage  of  losing  them, 
after  paying  for  the.  possession,  was  greater.    If  they  were  to  be 
removed  on  account  of  their  insecurity,  or  for  any  breach  of 
contract  by  the  bank,  or  to  place  them  where  the  bank  could 
not  herself  distribute  them,  it  is  easy  to  perceive  why  no  provi- 
sion is  made  for  an  indemnity  to  the  bank;  hut  if  they  might  be 
removed  for  other  causes,  particularly  if  removed  to  promote 
other  interests,  at  the  expense  of  the  bank,  indemnity  would 
have  been  provided,  because  it  would  incontestably  be  due. 

4.  The  decisive  reasons,  however,  against  allowing  the  se- 
cretary to  order  the  removal  for  any  other  cause,  is  that  the 

rant  of  such  a  discretion  abandons  the  bank,  as  well  as  the 
ountry,  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  gives  him  a  sway 
ver  the  nation,  which  belongs  to  no  other  than  the  legislative 
parlment. 

It  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  the  entire  removal  of  the  deposites 
s  fatal  to  the  bank  as  a  national  bank.  Instead  of  being  the 
ank  of  the  nation,  the  nation,  by  depositing  its  treasure  else- 
where, adopts  other  banks,  and  sets  them  up  in  opposition. 
"his  is  the  certain  and  undeniable  effect  of  the  secretary's  act; 
nd  if  he  had  power  to  do  this,  he  had  power  to  repeal  the  hank 
barter.  If,  indeed,  the  bank  had  disqualified  herself  for  her 
uties,  by  insolvency  or  infidelity,  the  removal  of  the  deposites, 
o  secure  their  safety,  could  only  be  considered  as  a  renuncia- 
ion  of  the  bank,  after  the  bank  had  renounced  the  nation;  but 
a  removal  for  other  causes,  however  honest  or  good  they  may 
je,  curi  only  be  regarded  as  a  removal  to  destroy  the  bank. 

As  to  the  suggestion,  upon  which  the.  committee  appear  to 
>lace  some  reliance,  that  safety  cannot  be  the  only  reason,  be- 
cause, in  case  of  danger,  the  removal  could  not  be  effected,  if  it 
jroves  any  thine,  it  proves  that  safety  cannot  have  been  even 
one  of  the  objects  of  the  power,  because  it  was  an  unattainable 
object;  and  then  it  prove?  too  much. 

A  cause,  then,  which  neither  concerns  the  safety  and  due 
transfer  of  the  public  moneys;  nor  is  within  the  cognizance  ef 
the  secretary's  office;  nor  furnishes  a  moral  justification  for  de- 
priving the  bank  of  a  benefit  which  it  has  purchased  and  paid 
for;  nor  can  be  confided  to  the  judgment  and  discretion  of  an 
individual,  without  surrendering  to  him  the.  established  policy 
of  the  nation,  cannot  be  such  a  cause  as  justifies  the  secretary 
in  ordering  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites,  because  it  can- 
not be  maintained  that  congress  meant  to  give  him  a  discretion 
to  such  an  extent. 

IV.  The  secretary's  communication  admits  that  the  public 
moneys  were  safe  in  the  bank,  and  that  in  the  transfer  of  them 
from  place  to  place,  and  in  the  performance  of  every  duty  to  the 
treasury,  which  the  law  requires,  there  was  no  ground  of  com- 
plaint whatever  against  the  bank.  Thee*  facti  art  admitted, 


60  NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


because,  in  a  communication  which  accumulates  all  the  re 
sons  which  have  governed  the  secretary,  there  is  no  su»aesii< 
of  danger  to  the  public  moneys,  or  of  infidelity  in  the  transfer 
them. 

V.  The  causes  which  the  secretary  has  assigned  for  the  r< 
moval  of  the  duposites,  miyhl,  therefore,  if  the  preceding  prop 
siliuns  are  true,  be  generally  rejected  as  insufficient  and  illega 
since  they  do  not  come  within  the  only  description  of  cause 
which  the  minority  hold  to  be  adequate.  They  are,  howeve 
deemed  to  be  particularly  and  specially  inadequate,  and  mo 
of  them  for  reasons  which  are  independent  of  any  of  the  prece 
ing  propositions.  Such  of  them  as  do  not  involve  any  dispute 
tacts,  are  inadequate  in  law.  Those  which  depend  upon  sue 
matters  of  tact,  are  inadequate  in  law,  and  also  in  point  of  proo 
All  of  them  which  accuse  the  bank  of  violation  of  charter,  an 
claim  to  proceed  upon  that  ground,  are  themselves  in  flagran 
violation  of  the  charter,  and  of  the  constitution  of  the  union 
which  entitle  the  bank  before  the  infliction  of  any  penally  wha 
ever,  to  an  impartial  sentence  of  the  judicial  department.  Upo 
these  reasons,  the  undersigned  proceed  to  submit  the  foilowiu 
remarks: 

At  the  head  of  the  secretary's  reasons,  is  placed  the  expira 
tion  of  the  charter  and  corporate  powers  of  the  bank,  on  the  3 
of  March,  1836.  This  is  a  reason  which  congress,  by  the  clear 
est  implication  in  the  charter,  have  declared  to  be  insufficient 
1.  By  the  15th  section,  congress  have  exacted  of  the  bank 
whenever  required  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  to  give  th 
necessary  facilities  for  transferring  the  public  funds  from  plac 
to  place  within  the  United  Stales,  or  the  territories  thereof,  an 
fat  distributing  the  same  in  payment  of  the  public  creditor: 
during  the  continuance  of  the  act;  and  also  to  do  and  perform  th 
several  and  respective  duties  of  commissioners  of  loans,  when 
ever  required  by  law,  which  requisilion  was  made  in  terms  o 
unlimited  continuance,  that  is  to  say,  for  the  whole  period  o 
the  charter,  by  the  act  of  3d  March,  1817.  These  provisions  o 
law  are  in  irreconcilable  hostility  with  the  notion  that,  for  th 
mere  lapse  of  time,  congress  authorised  the  secretary  to  remove 
the  public  moneys  from  the  bank  two  years  and  more  before  th 
charter  would  expire.  The  bank  cannot  give  facilities  for  trans- 
ferring and  distributing  the  public  funds  throughout  the  Unite 
States,  in  payment  of  the  public  creditors,  without  having  the 
funds  in  her  possession  to  transfer  and  distribute.  The  duty  i, 
for  the  whole  period  of  the  charter.  The  possession  is  impliei 
•or  the  same  period.  Whatever  may  be  the  discretion  of  tin 
secretary  as  to  other  causes,  be  has  no  discretion  to  remove  tin 
deposites  for  the  mere  lapse  of  time,  since  the  15th  section  se 
cured  to  the  public,  for  the  whole  lime  of  the  charter,  the  per 
formance  of  the  duty  by  the  bank. 

2.  Tills  cause  has  not,  and  never  had  any  contingency  abou 
it,  nor  is  the  removal  on  account  of  it,  a  remedy  for  an  unex- 
pected evil.     If  there  is  any  evil  in  permitting  ihe  deposiles  to 
remain  in  the  bank  until  the  expiration  of  the  charter,  congress 
knew  that  the  evil  would  occur,  unless  they  should  guard  agains 
Hand  yet  they  did  not  guard  against  it,  but  gave  the  bank  a  righ 
to  the  deposites  for  the  whole  time,  and  received  from  the  bank 
a  compensation  proportioned  lo  that  time. 

3.  The  cause  is  not  well  founded  in  point  of  fact.    The  char- 
ter does  not  expire  on  ihe  3d  of  March,  1836.     Certain  of  the 
faculties  of  the  corporation  will  expire  at  that  time,  and  certain 
of  them  will  not;  and  Ihe  very  faculties  which  will  not  expire 
are  those  whose  cessation  would  atone  give  color  to  the  remov- 
al, upon  the  ground  ofliine.    The  faculty  of  retaining  the  pub- 
lic and  private  deposites,  and  paying  them  in  such  porlions  as 
may  be  required,  will  continue  after  the  3d  of  March,  1836,  in 
as  much  rigor  as  before.    The  bank  will  continue  for  two  years 
after  that  time  lo  be  a  corporation  for  the  purpose  of  holding 
and  paying  deposites,  and  of  owning  and  paying  her  bank  notes 
in  circulation;  and  what  other  corporate  faculties  concern  the 
security  of  the  public  treasure? 

4.  This  cause  is  founded,  moreover,  upon  an  assumption  that 
it  would  be  the  height  of  extravagance  to  suppose  it  was  con 
lemplaied  by  Ihe  congress  which  incorporated  ihe  bank.    The 
secretary  supposes  that  the  charter,  "in  many  of  its  provisions, 
is  not  warranted  by  the  constitution,  and  that  such  a  powerful 
moneyed  monopoly  is  dangerous  to  ihe  liberlies  of  ihe  people, 
and  to  ihe  puriiy  of  our  political  institutions;"  and  ihat  he  is 
required  to  act  upon  the  mere  lapse  of  time,  because  he  has  no 
right  to  assume  thai  unconstitutional  law,  and  a  law  dangerous 
to  the  liberlies  of  the  people,  will  be  renewed.     But  it  seems  lo 
have  been  forgolleu   that  Ihe  question  of  removal  is  not  ihe 
question  of  renewal,  but  a  question  of  the  interprelalion  of  the 
charter;  and,  it  this  is  the  true  question,  can  it  be  seriously  al- 
leged that  the  congress  which  passed  this  law  meanl  to  include 
among  the  sufficient  causes  of  removal,  one  that  depended  on 
the  assumption  that  the  charter  was  againsi  (ho  constitution? 
Had  the  charier  conlained  an  express  stipulation  thai  ii  never 
should  be  renewed,  inslead  of  its  fallowing  as  a  consequence 
lhal  the  bank  ought  not  to  enjoy  the  privileges  and  benefits  pro- 
mised her  up  to  the  last  moment  of  her  existence,  the  contrary 
would  have  followed,  because  the  bank  could  not  have  an  in- 
demnity for  the  wrong  in  the  terms  of  a  subsequent  charier. 

5.  ll  U  attempted  lo  sustain  Ihe  propriely  of  ihe  removal  for 
this  cause,  upon  the.  further  ground,  thai  Ihequealion  of  renew- 
al has  been  decided  adversely  to  the  bank  by  the  last  election 
of  president.    But  what  pan  of  ihe  charier,  or  of  any  law  of 
congress,  authorises  the  secretary  to  communicate  such  a  rea- 
ton  to  the  house?    Where  is  ihe  warrant  for  the  secretary's  in- 
structing congress  as  to  the  decision  of  the  people  upon  a  mat- 


ler of  fulure  legislation?  By  whal  channel  does  ihe  secrelary 
maintain  an  intercourse  with  Ihe  people  lhal  is  not  open  to  their 
representatives?  How  does  the  secretary  know  any  thing  as  to 
the  wishes  of  ihe  people,  which  the  representatives  of  ihe  peo- 
ple do  not  belter  know  themselves?  The  communication  of 
such  a  reason  to  the  representatives  of  freemen,  who  are  them- 
selves freemen,  is  without  a  precedent  in  the  hislory  of  this  or 
any  other  representative  government.  The  alleged  fact  is, 
moreover,  an  assumption,  and  a  mere  assumption,  without 
proof,  and  withoul  ihe  means  of  proof.  Il  is  a  political  infer- 
ence which  ihe  people  of  this  counlry  will  never  susiain,  until 
they  are  prepared  lo  say  that  the  election  of  a  presidenl  is  not 
the  result  of  a  preference  founded  upon  his  general  qualifica- 
tions, opinions  and  aclions,  bul  is  an  adoption  and  ratification 
of  bis  single  will  to  any  extent  that  he  has  at  any  lime  declared 
it,  and  even  when  he  may  have  declared  it  in  contrary  direc- 
tions at  different  times. 

6.  Another  suggestion  by  the  secretary,  in  connexion  with 
the  question  of  time,  is  the  apprehension  of  danger  to  the  depo- 
sites, by  permitting  them  lo  remain  in  ihe  hank  until  ihe  expi- 
ration of  the  charter.  The  congress  of  1816  were  but  a  very  few 
years  removed  from  a  parallel  case  in  the  history  of  our  govern- 
ment,calculated  lo  pul  to  flight  every  such  apprehension.  They 
had  at  thai  time  before  them  the  closing  transactions  of  the  first 
hunk  of  the  United  Stales.  They  had  seen  thai  ihe  first  admi- 
nistration of  Mr.  Madison  (and  it  was  in  his  second  term  of  of- 
fice that  the  present  bank  was  chartered)  wilnessed  Ihe  con- 
tinuance of  Ihe  public  deposiles  in  that  bank  to  Ihe  last  mo- 
ineiit  of  its  existence.  They  had  seen  that  the  then  secretary 
of  the  treasury,  Mr.  Gallatin,  who  had  been  in  office  for  ten 
years,  and  who  had  for  twice  ten  years  given  the  strength  of 
his  powerful  mind  to  the  investigations  of  finance,  and  of  prac- 
tical banking,  had  not  directed  a  removal  of  ihe  deposites  from 
any  apprehension  of  a  final  default  in  the  bank.  They  had  seen 
this,  moreover,  in  the  case  of  a  bank  whose  corporate  powers 
expired  totally  and  absoluiely  on  Ihe  3d  ofMarch,  1811,  so  that 
all  subsequent  operalions  were  lo  he  conducted  by  the  machine- 
ry of  a  trusl,  and  by  no  olher  means.  They  had  seen  Ibis  bank 
expire  with  a  circulation  then  flowing  through  the  country 
,'reater  than  the  maximum  of  ils  amount  at  any  previous  time, 
with  Ihe  usual  extent  of  deposites,  public  and  private,  in  its 
vaults;  with  nearly  all  its  canvas  of  every  kind  spread  to  the 
asl  hour  of  its  voyage,  and  which  the  jusl  and  amicable  rela- 
.ions  subsisting  between  the  administration  and  ihe  bank  made 
I  safe  lo  spread  for  Ihe  good  of  ihe  counlry.  They  had  seen 
Ihe  trustees  of  that  bank  pay  every  dollar  of  its  debls  instantly 
upon  demand;  and  finally,  they  had  seen  that  demand  so  much 
behind  the  ability  of  ihe  trustees  to  meet  it,  that  ils  lardy  ap- 
proaches were  quickened  by  repealed  public  noiices  to  come  in 
ind  relieve  the  trusl,  by  presenling  the  notes  for  payment. 
Ami  what  did  the  congress  of  1816  provide,  or  mean  to  provide, 
or  the  occurrence  of  the  same  day  in  Ihe  career  of  the  present 
>ank?  Did  "they  mean  lo  provide  for  an  apprehension  which 
hey  knew  to  be  chimerical?  Did  they  mean  to  give  occasion 
or  aclual  apprehension  and  dismay,  by  authorising  Ibe  officer 
at  the  head  of  the  treasury  to  declare  that  there  was  cause  for 
hem,  and  by  his  very  declaration  to  creale  Ihem?  On  the  con- 
rary,  they  negalive  all  such  fears  and  suppositions,  by  adding 
wo  years  more  lo  Ihe  corporate  existence  of  the  bank,  for  the 
/ery  purpose  of  enabling  it  to  liquidate  its  affairs  after  its  bank- 
ng  powers  were  at  an  end. 

The  minority  deem  it  expedient  to  add  a  summary  statement 

jf  the  condilion  of  the  first  bank  of  the  United  Slates  on  Ihe  1st 

larch,  181 1,  two  days  before  the  expiration  of  its  charier,  and 

I  two  semi-annual  periods  after  the  expiration,  and  to  n.ime 
lie  tables  from  which' they  are  derived,  that  the  benefit  of  the 
acts  may  avail  hereafter,  if  unfortunately  they  are  to  be  lost  to 
he  counlry 'for  all  purposes  of  present  good. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1811,  the  situation  of  the  bank  was  as 
ollows: 

Notes  discounted  and  loans  $17,759,001 

Specie  5,317,885 

Public  deposites  6,474,402 

Private  deposiles  3,S5">,402 

Notes  in  circulalion  6,070,153 

On  Ihe  1st  ofMarch,  1811,  the  same  items  stood  thus: 
Notes  discounted  and  loans  1  :,587,134 

Specie  .4,835,702 

Public  deposites  2,874,833 

Private  deposiles  3.583,596 

Notes  in  circulation  6,552,875 

On  the  1st  of  September,  1811,  ihe  same  items  stood  thus: 
Amount  of  discounts  and  loans  7,152,786 

Specie  4,500,527 

Public  deposites  322,349 

Private  deposites  448,113 

Notes  in  circulalion  2,963,209 

On  Ihe  1st  ofMarch,  1812,  twelve  months  after  Ihe  expiration 
'the  charter: 
Amount  of  discounts  and  loans  3,792,975 

Specie.  6,116,776 

Public  deposites  81,517 

Private  deposites  223,442 

Notes  in  circulation  1,070,459 

II  is  unnecessary  to  suggest  Ihe  inferences  lo  which  these 
alcmenla  give  rise.     By  advening  to  ihe  ralio  which  the  ca- 
lal  of  the  first  bank,  ten  millions  of  dollars,  bears  to  thirty-five 
illions,  th«  capital  of  the  present  bank,  and  by  applying  ihe 


NILES*  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS.  61 


ham*  ratio  to  the  liabilities  and  resources  or  the  two  banks, 
Will  be  easy  to  perceive  whether  the  case  of  the  first  bank  was 
or  was  not,  of  a  character  to  allay  the  alleged  apprehensions  o 
the  secretary. 

1  7.  The  remaining^suggestion  of  the  secretary,  under  the  hea 
Of  time,  is  the  necessity  or  expediency  of  providing  the  counir 
with  a  paper  currency  from  ili«  local  banks,  as  a  substitute  fo 
that  of  the  bank  of'ilie  untied  Stales. 

The  minority  have  understood  the  committee  to  say  that  the; 
flo  not  claim  for  the  secretary  a  power  to  remove  the  deposite 
for  the  purpose  of  regulating  the  currency.  The  question  i 
what  the  secretary  has  claimed  for  himself;  and  that  there  ma) 
be  no  misunderstanding  about  it.  extracts  from  his  letter  ar 
given,  that  it  may  be  seen  not  only  that  the  secretary  has  claim 
«d  this  power,  but  that  the  effect  upon  the  currency  was  tht 
great  public  and  political  purpose  of  the  whole  operation.  No 
thing  can  be  more  distinctly  and  literally  avowed.  "It  is  obvi 
ous,"  the  secretary  says,  "that  the  interests  of  the  countr.v 
would  not  be  promoted  by  permitting  the  deposites  of  the  pub 
lie  money  to  continue  in  the  bank  until  its  charter  expired 
Judging  from  the  past,  it  is  highly  probable  that  they  will  always 
amount  to  several  millions  of  dollars.  It  would  evidently  pro 
duce  serious  inconvenience,  if  such  a  large  sum  were  left  in 
possession  of  the  bank  until  the  last  moment  of  its  existence 
and  then  be  suddenly  withdrawn,  when  its  immense  circulation 
is  returning  upon  it  to  be  redeemed,  and  its  private  depositors 
removing  their  funds  into  other  institutions.  The  ability  of  the 
bank,  under  such  circumstances,  to  be  prompt  in  its  payments 
to  the  government,  may  be  well  doubted,  even  if  the  ultimate 
safety  of  the  deposites  could  be  relied  upon.  Besides,  the  prin- 
cipal circulating  medium  now  in  the  hands  of  the  people,  and 
the  one  most  commonly  used  in  the  exchanges  between  distant 
places,  consists  of  the  notes  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales 
and  its  numerous  branches.  The  sudden  withdrawal  ofils  pre- 
sent amount  of  circulation,  or  its  sudden  depreciation  before  any 
other  sound  and  convenient  currency  was  substituted  for  it,  woulc 
certainly  produce  extensive  evils,  and  be  sensibly  felt  amonj, 
all  classes  of  society." 

The  secretary  then  adverts  to  the  public  agreement  to  receive 
the  notes  of  the  bank  in  payment  of  its  dues,  and  proceeds  as 
follows:  "But  this  obligation  on  the  pan  of  Ihe  United  States 
will  cease  on  the  third  of  March,  1836,  when  the  charier  expires; 
and  so  soon  as  tliis  happens,  all  the  outstanding  notes  of  the 
bank  will  lose  the  peculiar  value  they  now  possess,  and  the 
notes  payable  at  distant  places  become  as  much  depreciated  as 
the  notes  of  local  hanks.  And  if,  in  the  mean  lime,  no  other 
currency  is  substituted  in  its  place  by  common  consent,  it  is  easy  to 
foresee  the  extent  of  the  embarrassment  which  would  be  caused  by 
the  sudden  derangement  of  the  circulating  medium,  ft  would  be 
too  iate,  at  that  time,  to  provide  a  substitute  which  would  ward 
off  the  evil.  The  notes  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  in  cir- 
culation on  the  second  of  September  last,  which  was  the  dale 
of  the  latest  return  before  me  when  the  order  for  removal  was 
given,  amounted  to  $18.413,287  07,  scattered  in  every  part  of 
the  United  States:  and  if  a  safe  and  sound  currency  were  imme- 
diately provided,  on  the  termination  of  the  charter,  to  take  the 
place  of  these  notes,  it  would  still  require  time  to  bring  it  into  ge- 
neral use,  and  in  the  interim  the  people  would  be  subjected  to  all 
the  inconveniences  and  losses  which  necessarily  arise  from  an  un- 
tound  state  of  the  currency.  The  evil  would  be  so  great,  and  the 
distress  so  general,  that  it  might  even  compel  congress',  against 
its  wishes,  to  recharter  the  bank;  and  perhaps  more  effectual 
means  could  hardly  be  devised  for  insuring  the  renewal  of  tiie 
charier.  It  is  evidenl  thai  a  slale  of  things  so  much  to  be  de- 
precaled  can  only  be  avoided  by  timely  preparation;  and  Ihe  con- 
tinuance of  the  deposites  can  only  lie  justified  by  the  determi- 
nation to  renew  the  charter.  The  state  banks  can,  I  have  no 
doubl,/urnisA  a  general  circulating  medium,  quite  as  uniform  in 
value  as  that  which  has  been  afforded  by  the  bank  of  the  United 
States — probably  more  so.  For  it  is  well  known  that,  in  some 
of  the  cities,  Ihe  branches  of  the  bank  have  been  in  the  habit, 
whenever  they  thought  proper,  of  refusing  to  honor  the  notes  of 
their  own  hank,  payable  at  other  branches,  when  they  were  not 
offered  in  discharge  of  a  debt  due  lo  the  United  Stales.  But  a 
currency  founded  on  the  notes  of  state  banks  could  not  be  suddenly 
substituted  for  that  heretofore  furnished  by  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  and  take  the  place  of  it,  at  the  same  moment,  in  every  part 
of  the  union.  It  is  essential  that  the  change  should  be  gradual, 
anil  sufficient  time  should  be  allowed  to  suffer  it  to  make  its  way  by 
the  ordinary  operations  of  commerce,  without  requiring  a  hasty 
and  violent  effort. 

"In  Ihis  view  of  Ihe  subject,  it  would  be  highly  injudicious  to 
suffer  the  deposites  to  remain  in  ilie  bank  of  the  United  States 
until  the  close  of  its  corporate  existence.  And  as  they  cannot 
be  withdrawn  without  the  action  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasu- 
ry, it  must  unavoidably  become  his  duty,  at  some  period  of  time, 
to  exercise  the  power  of  removal." 

These  are  literal  extracts  from  the  secretary's  letter,  and  no 
one  who  reads  them  can  doubt  that  the  secretary  claims  the 
right  to  regulate  tin:  currency,  and  that  he  meant  to  force  one 
kind  of  currency  out,  and,  by  means  of  the  state  banks,  to  force 
another  kind  of  currency  into  use.  Can  any  one  who  has  read 
his  letter,  doubt  that,  if  this  power  is  denied  by  the  committee, 
they  deny  the  whole  case  of  the  secretary?  The  lever  he  has 
undertaken  to  use,  is  one  which  not  only  cannot  be  used  with- 
out changing  the  currency,  but  the  secretary  has  used  it  for  the 
express  determinate  purpose  of  producing  the  change.  But  to 
proceed  with  the  reason  itself: 


The  value  of  the  measure,  as  an  operation  of  finance,  to  ex- 
pel one  currency,  and  to  introduce  a  belter,  has  been  already 
tested,  in  the  short  time  which  has  elapsed  since  the  order  of 
removal.  The  discounts  of  the  bank  h.-ivu  been  partially  reduc- 
ed, yet  the  circulation  of  the  batik,  instead  of  being  diminished, 
has  increased.  The  local  bank  paper,  except  for  local  purposes, 
has  generally  depreciated,  and  the  paper  of  Ihe  batik  of  the  U. 
Slates  is  at  par  in  all  pla-  .,•  except  where  it  is  above  par.  But 
without  adverting  further  to  Ihe  incompetency  of  the  means 
proposed  lo  attain  the  end,  it  is  an  imputation  upon  the  congreaa 
of  1816  lo  say  they  intended  to  authorise  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  to  use  any  means  whatever  for  the  attainment  of  gucb 
an  end.  The  avowed  purpose  of  the  secretary  is  to  change  ihe 
currency  of  the  country,  and  to  change  it  during  the  very  time 
in  which  congress  have  made  a  differenl  provision  in  regard  lo 
it.  The  purpose  is  lo  be  effected  by  compelling  Ihe  bank  of  lha 
United  Stales  to  cease  lending,  arid  by  enabling  the  deposite 
banks  to  lend;  by  compelling  the  one  lo  cease  circulating  bank 
notes,  and  enabling  the  others  lo  circulale  Ihem  more  exten- 
sively. In  fine,  by  compelling  them  all  to  give  him  indirectly 
the  management  of  banks,  withoul  any  law  lo  warrant  it,  and 
to  surrender  it  themselves,  contrary  lo  ihe  laws  by  which  they 
are  exclusively  entitled  to  it.  A  power  to  do  this  no  congress 
could  lawfully  give  to  a  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  no  con- 
gress therefore  should  be  presumed  to  have  given  it.  It  is  a  de- 
legation of  the  highest  powers  of  legislation,  under  the  form  of 
ministerial  agency.  If  there  i?  any  legislative  power  which  de- 
mands more  circumspection  in  its  use  than  any  other,  it  is  that 
of  regulating  the  currency.  The  currency  is  the  measure  of 
value  of  every  man's  property,  of  his  contracts,  of  indemnity 
for  the  breach  of  them,  and  of  the  revenue  of  the  country;  and 
without  a  due  adjustment  of  it,  it  is  a  hopeless  efforl  to  distri- 
bute in  equal  proportion  among  the  citizens  either  the  burdens 
or  advantages  of  civil  society.  A  deranged  currency  deranges 
every  institution  of  the  country  that  has  any  relation  to  proper- 
ty. It  makes  laws,  promises,  the  verdicts  of  juries  and  the 
judgments  of  courts, speak  unintentionally  the  language  of  false- 
hood or  deceit.  It  gives  a  premium  to  fraud,  and  strips  honest 
labor  of  its  scanty  earnings,  by  paying  to  it  half  of  its  just  re- 
compense in  the  false  and  counterfeit  name  of  the  whole.  Yet 
this  power  the  secretary  of  ihe  Ireasury  claims  lo  exercise,  by 
delegation  from  the  representatives  of  the  people,  and  he  has 
proceeded  to  the  exercise  of  it,  with  consequences  which  are 
now  spreading  in  a  wave  of  desiruclion  over  the  whole  country. 
The  secretary  claims  the  power  to  remove  the  public  deposites 
from  the  bank,  if  in  any  degree  it  tends  to  promote  the  conve- 
nience of  the  people,  that  is  to  say,  if  it  so  tends  in  his  opinion; 
and  his  opinion,  with  this  mighty  lever  of  the  public  revenue, 
s,  consequently,  to  sway  the  universal  interests  of  this  immense 
leople.  And  what  are  the  direct  evidences  that  congress  meant 

0  give  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  any  such  power?   He  is  not 
>y  law  intrusted  with  the  cusiody  of  a  single  dollar  of  ihe  pub- 
ic treasure.     His  hands  do  noi  legally  receive  it,  and  cannot 
egally  hold  it.     His  duty  is  to  prepare  plans  for  ihe  manage- 
nent  and  improvement  of  the  revenue,  to  prepare  estimates  of 
he  revenue  and  expenditures,  to  superintend  the  collection  of 
he  revenue,  to  decide  on  the  forms  of  keeping  and  stating  ac- 
counts, and  to  grant  warrants  in  pursuance  of  appropriations  by 

aw.  The  notes  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  against  which 
his  battery  is  directed,  he  as  bound  by  law  to  protect,  by  requir- 
ng  all  public  collectors  to  receive  them  in  all  payments  to  the 
Jniled  States.  The  stock  of  the  nation  in  the  bank  of  ihe  U. 
States  he  cannot  sell,  nor  separale  Iheir  interest,  to  the  extent 
if  seven  millions,  from  that  of  the  other  stockholders  of  the 
>ank.  The  payment  of  the  interest  and  principal  of  the  public 
lebt  must  be  made  by  and  throiiah  ihe  bank,  as  commissioners 
.("loans.  The  rniliiary  pengiom  must  be  paid  Ihrough  the  same 
hannel.  And  thus,  while  several  permanent  laws,  of  congress, 
vithout  any  limitation  in  point  of  time,  sustain  the  circulation 
'f  the  bank,  the  relations  between  the  bank  and  the  treasury, 
nd  Ihe  conlrol  thus  obtained  over  the  curreney  of  the  country, 
he  secretary  of  the  treasury,  under  a  provisional  clause  in  the 
ank  charier,  lo  order  lhal  the  deposites  of  the  public  moneys 
hall  not  be  made  there,  claims  the  authority  to  break  up  Ihe  •• 
iresent  system,  and  to  substitute  another,  for  regulating  the 
urrency  and  properly  of  twenty-four  states,  and  thirteen  mil- 
ions  of  people.  The  minorily  do  not  believe  thai  a  like  attempt 
as  ever  before  been  made,  with  or  without  authority,  and  all 
iresent  indications  are  inconceivably  deceptive,  if  the  result 
hall  not  afford  a  memorable  warning  against  the  like  attempt 
gain. 

The  secretary's  plan  is  now  called  an  erperiment.  The  name 
adopted,  because  it  would  seem  only  to  defer,  and  not  ah?o- 
itely  to  destroy,  the  hope  of  ultimate  safety.  It  is  adopted,  be- 
ause  it  would  seem  to  make  those  who  prosecute  it  responsi- 
le  for  less,  because  they  promise  less.  But  the  change  of  name 
hanges  neither  the  thing  nor  the  responsibility  for  it. 
n  experiment,  what  law,  what  principle  of  our  civil  associa- 
ons,  authorises  the  treasury  department  to  try  such  an  experi- 
ment? What  security  does  government  afford  to  the  property 
f  the  citizens,  if  the  treasury  may  try  oxperimenls  wilh  il?  If 
be  an  experiment,  whal  authorised  its  Irial  in  a  day  of  unusn- 

1  prosperity,  and  when  the  only  rational,  prayer  to  the  Civil 
uler  was,  "let  us  alone?"    What  justifies  its  continuance, 

.'hen  the  first  test  that  has  been  cast  into  the  the  crucible  wilh 
IB  precious  materialc  of  human  happiness,  has  nearly  decom- 
osed  them  all,  and  ihreatens  to  convert  them  info  poisons  that 
ill  corrode  and  canker  the  country  to  its  very  heart?  Il  is  no 


62  NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


longer  an  experiment.  It  has  been  tried,  exposed,  and  ought  lo  i  10  begin  lhe  traffic?  For  specie,  like  other  merchandise,  is  to 
be  rejected.  It  is  no  longer  an  experiment,  unless  it  would  de  be  bought  and  paid  for;  and  it  must  be  bought  and  paid  lor  by 
seive  Hie  name  of  an  experiment  lo  try  whether  life  can  be  sup-  something  besides  paper.  And  when  there  shall  be  a  thoiough 
ported  without  vital  air,  or  the  laborer  and  his  children  without  abolition  of  every  kind  of  paper  from  use,  how  will  the  gold  and 
Sarfy  bread.  silver  be  better  than  lhe  paper  we  have  had  hitherto,  which  gave 
il  it  should  finally  happen,  in  the  progress  of  the  experiment,  us  all  the  gold  and  silver  we  wanted,  and  did  not  compel  us  to 
that  a  currency  is  created  such  as  the  secretary  anticipates,  take  it  when  we  did  not  want  it?  What  will  the  country  have 
what  is  thai  currency  lo  be  to  the  country,  and  what  is  the  coun-  gained,  and  particularly  lhe  industrious  and  enterprising,  who 
try  to  be  by  means  of  il?  This  question  may  be  answered  by  are  without  capital,  and  must  borrow  il  in  order  lo  use  il — the 
our  own  history,  as  it  might  be  answered  without  lhe  aid  of  men  by  whom  this  nation  has  been  enriched  and  BUvMflBCIMMii 
history.  It  is  nol  t'»  be  a  national  currency,  nor  a  currency  What  will  lhe  industrious  and  enterprising  do,  after  a  scheme 
partly  local,  and  partly  national,  maintained  every  where  in  shall  have  succeeded,  which,  by  deslroying  paper,  will  infalli- 
the  condition  of  equality,  by  a  universally  pervading  influence,  bly  destroy  bank  credit,  and  give  to  the  mini  of  capilal  a  mono- 
bul  il  is  to  be  a  variely  of  "locnl  currencies,  subject  to  local  in-  poly  of  the  trade  and  industry  of  the  country?  The  subject, 
flucncc  only.  The  state  banks,  .-uul  the  state  banks  only,  are  however,  need  not  be  pursued.  There  is  a  power  in  the  necea- 
to  furnish  it.  They  are  lo  furnish  it  under  lhe  patronage  of  the  sities  of  men,  which  will  baffle  all  such  designs,  if  they  shall  be 
treasury,  and  with  a  lull  knowledge  of  the  maxims  which  have  seriously  entertained;  and  this  the  minority  do  not,  in  the  slight- 
been  quoted  by  the  committee,  "that  the  borrower  is  Ike  serou.nl  est  degree,  apprehend.  If  bank  paper  is  not  to  be  wholly  ex- 
of  the  Under,"  and  that  "Ae  who  conirols  a.  bank,  controls  the  tinguished,  but  only  diminished  by  the  substitution  of  metal  for 
debtors  of  a  bank,"  maxims  which  will  be  found  lo  lose  none  of  the  smaller  denominations  of  notes,  this,  indeed,  is  admitted  to 
their  force  when  state  hanks  shall  feel  the  eJV.-ct  of  llieir  posi  be  an  ohjecl  of  greal  importance,  and  mainly  for  the  reason 
lion  as  borrowers  of  the  treasury,  and  debtors  sijall  feel  it  also  that,  in  case  of  an  unusual  call  upon  banks  for  specie,  they  may 
as  borrowers  of  stale  banks  that  are  under  the  control  of  the  be  able  the  more  readily  to  repair  their  resources  from  the  chan- 
trtasury.  |  iiels  of  the  country.  Hut,  if  this  design  is  to  be  carried  into  ef- 


It  w,l,   be  a  currency  wholly  removed  from  that  restraint 


targe  profit*  shall  tempt  stale  banks  to  extend  their  issues  be    '  '' 
yond  that  measure  which  experience  has  ascertained  to  he  lhe 


Anolner  rcason  of  ,he  gecretary  for  reinoving  ,|)e  depo- 


every  where,  and  lurnishing  a  sumard  of  comparison  every  UHlieces,.lr*  Heveri  lv  „         „  er  debtors,  of  whi  eh  the y  have  seen 

where.     Whe.e,  again   is  lo  be  found  the  necessity   as  well  as  uviduncj  llle  bauk  'slall(ls  exciued  before  the  world  by  the  , 

the  power,  of  applying  the  corrective?     1  his  corrective  is  lo  be  courge  rf^J  treasury  department.     The  act  of  removal  has  not 

found  in  an  in.m.Hion  winch  issues  that  national  paper,  and  * 


not  as  good  as  us  own,  such  an  m.titii  ion  cannot  leceive  it,  ||e  d         UHS  nas  ,,ot   to  this  (,        been  made  known  to 

because  it  cannot  account  lor  it  every  where  to  government,  in  ,     b     fc  b       ^  ()fficja|  communication  flora  the  treasury;  no 

&n  equa  amount  of  its  own  paper  or  of  specie.     II  il  cannot  be  t,vid(,I)CK  certainly  of  such  a  communication  has  been  sent  to 

received  by  the  national,  inxiituiion,  it  must  return  lo  Ihose  who  .    ,              A|1  ^    f  ,     mh  September,  1833.  by  lhe  secre- 

assue  it,  and  the  corrective  is  at  oiict  applied.  lary  w  lhe  presidt.nt  of  the  uallk   lo'  Mivn'  lo  IM(,  collector  at 

The  system  of  local  banks,  of  which  those  to  be  employed  by  Philadelphia  all  bonds  to  the  United  Stales,  payable  on  or  after 

the  treasury  are  lo  form  a  part,  is,  therefore,  defective  in  this,  the  1st  of  October,  was  the  only  annunciation  to  the  bank  in 

that  their  circulation  will  be  local.    They  will  be  constantly  Philadelphia;  and   this,  by  the  collector's  letter  of  the  28th, 

endeavoring,  al  leasl  in  a  great  many  ea.es,  to  send  out  their  would  seem  to  have  been  communicated  to  the  bank  on  lhe  30tli 

paper  to  excess,  and  there  cannot  be  the  regular  application  o(  of  September.     Yet  il  is  now   known  that  the  removal  of  the 

the  corrective,  that  will  as  constantly  prevent  it.     Il  may  be  re-  deposiles  was  a  foregone  conclusion  a  considerable  lime  before 
pressed  in  some  instance;*,  in  an  irregular  way,  by  sound  state 
banks:  it  may  also  be  partially  repressed  by  demands  from  other 


states;  but  the  effort  to  do  it  regularly,  will  be  without  induce- 
ment, and  will  not  be  sustained  by  lhe  requisite  ability.  Ex- 
cess will  creep  upon  the  country  until  it  is  universally  diffused; 
and  when  an  accidental  state  of  lit*;  balances  shall  lurii  the  cx- 
cess  suddenly  back  upon  the  banks  which  have  issued  it,  dis- 
honor will  come,  and  with  it  universal  alarm  anil  bankruptcy. 
This  is  lhe  history  of  lhe  past,  and  a  lesson  for  the  future.  A 
confederation  of  slate  banks,  sanctioned  by  lhe  laws  of  lhe 
•tales,  is  a  scheme  which  the  minority  do  not  think  il  necessa- 
ry to  combat,  until  some  one  shall  propose  ft  and  present  its 
outlines.  An  attempt  to  regulate  the  currency  by  the  opera- 
tions of  *tate  banks,  through  private  compnels,  with  oach  other, 
or  with  the  treasury  department,  will  probably  fail,  however 
often  repeated,  as  it  has  failed  already.  A  partnership  of  differ- 
ent corporations,  for  profit  and  loss,  or  for  mutual  guaranty, 
with  independent  boards  of  direction,  is  as  str.miie  ;i  contrivance 
for  the  security  of  stockholders,  us  it  is  for  the  control  and  re- 
gulation of  the  currency.  When  the  question  of  providing  n 
regulation  for  the  currency  shall  be  deliberately  considered,  the 
minority  have  no  doubt  that  lhe  project  of  employing  stale 
banks  for  national  purposes  will  be  universally  rejected  as  mi 
practicable. 

The  hope  of  obvinling  all  these  difficulties  by  the  final  substi- 
tution ofa  metallic  currency  in  exclusion  of  bank  paper  of  eve- 
ry kind,  is  a  mere  delusion.  No  one  who  reflects  upon  Ilie  sub- 
ject  at  all,  ran  either  set;  how  it  is  to  hit  effeetecl,  or  what  it  in 
to  do  but  harm,  when  it  shall  lie  etl'eeted.  Throu!>h  wlml  pro 
cess  ant  Hi,-  state  hiinki!  to  be  extinguished,  as  well  as  the  U. 
Sl(U»'»  hank?  If  tliey  continue,  how  is  their  paper  to  he  super 
ledcd:  If  their  paper  is  to  remain,  who  is  to  exchange  a  pro- 
ductive capital  for  specie  to  serve  HO  currency,  when  paper, 
which  costs  nothing,  will  answer  the  same  purpose?  Who  is 


that. 

The  times  and  amounts  in  which  the  depositcs  were  to  be 
drawn  by  the  treasury,  were  not  only  not  made  known,  but 
were  concealed  from  the  hank.  The  treasurer  had  been  for 
years  in  the  practice  of  sending  daily  lists  to  lhe  bank  of  every 
draught  drawn  upon  it,  staling  both  the  date  and  the  amounts, 
without  the  names  of  the  holders;  and  he  also  sent  weekly  lists 
of  the  draughts,  with  the  particulars  in  every  point.  These 
were  the  suggestions  of  amity  to  assist  the  bank,  by  the  fullest 
information  of  lhe  treasury  purposes.  But  as  soon  as  the  policy 
of  the  treasury  department  was  altered,  and  a  hostile  attitude 
assumed,  tin-  practice  of  daily  and  weekly  lists  was  continued; 
but  they  did  not  speak  the  whole  trutii.  Draughts  to  an  im- 
mense amount  were  withheld  from  the  li.-ls,  t(,  be  used  accord- 
ing to  contingencies,  and  al  points  where  the  hank  might  or 
might  not  be  prepared  to  meet  them;  and  the  daily  and  weekly 
lists  consequently  became  instruments  of  deception  to  the  bank. 
The  bank  was  left  to  ascertain  and  prepare  for  the  treasury  de- 
mand, with  deceplive  information  as  to  its  extent.  The  mino- 
rity annex  hereto  the  correspondence  between  the  treasurer 
and  the  cashier  of  the  bank  upon  this  subject. 

And  even  now,  when  the  cry  is  still  that  the  bank  is  oppres- 
finz  the  country,  rumor  zivits  out,  with  her  thousand  tongues, 
that  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  treasurerlo  reject  lhe  whole  mass  of 
bank  drauahls  at  present  in  circulation,  amounting  probably  to 
more  than  live  millions,  and  to  force  them  hack  upon  the  hank, 
by  refusing  in  receive  them  in  payment-"  to  the  United  States. 
The  hnnk  is  left  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  this  also,  and  lo  pre- 
pare for  it  as  she  mav. 

Can  il  he  ju-tly  said  that  the  bank  has.  nt  any  time,  done 
more  than  \va<  neeesvary  for  hrr  protection,  when  the  treasury 
department  has  made  it  impossible  for  the  bank  to  know  whe- 
ther any  thing  short  of  defence,  at  all  points  and  in  every  form, 
would  give  protection. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  1834— COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS.    63 


What  is  tin-  position  in  which  the  removal  of  the  deposilea 
has  placed  thu  bunk  ot  the  United  States?  Before  that  removal, 
the  bunk  collected  ;uid  disbursed  the  public  revenue,  facilitated 
the  domestic  exchanges  by  means  ot  it,  and  kept  in  order  HIK 
currency  of  the  country  every  where.  The  hank  then  owed 
these  duties  to  the  whole  nation,  and  her  obligations  to  the 
stockholders  were  secondary.  She  is  now  deprived  of  the 
means  of  performing  them,  and  her  obligations  to  her  stock- 
holders and  creditors  have  become  primuiy.  The  bank  of  the 
United  Slate*  is  now  a  private  bunk,  forced  to  become  so 
against  the  will  of  her  directors  and  stockholders,  not  sustained 
but  opposed  by  the  irea.-ury,  and  therefore  lett  to  sustain  her- 
self. What  is  to  measure  her  loans  to  the  community,  but  the 
sense  of  her  own  safely.  What  is  to  be  the  judgment  she  is  to 
form  of  the  experiment  now  on  trial,  but  her  own  judgment? 
She  considers,  and,  according  to  the  report  of  the  coi»mitt<  e, 
she  is  hound  to  consider,  that  the  sentence  .of  death  has  gone 
forth  against  hei;  and  it  this  be  so,  what  principle  compels  her 
to  put  the  capital  of  her  stockholders  at  lisk  upon  the  issue  of 
an  experiment? 

The  alleged  pressure  by  the  bank  in  August  and  September, 
1833,  with  a  view  to  coerce  a  rechaner,  requires  to  be  particu- 
larly considered,  for  two  reasons:  first,  because  it  is  believed 
that  the  reason  of  the  secretary  is  not  in  this  instance  sustained 
by  evidence;  and,  secondly,  because  it  is  also  believed  that 
what  the  bank  has  done,  is  doing,  and  will  probably  be  forced 
to  continue  to  do,  is  in  perfect  coincidence  in  all  its  parts  with 
the  plan  which  the  secretary  intended,  by  the  removal  of  the 
deposites,  to  force  upon  the  bank  and  the  country. 

1.  The  imputed  design  of  the  bank  to  coerce  the  renewal  of 
its  charter,  is  an  inference  from  the  mere  fact  of  its  reductions. 
There  is  nothing  else  suggested  to  justify  the  imputation,  and  its 
propriety  is  consequently  not  to  be  made  either  more  or  less 
clear  by  argument.  If  such  was  the  design  of  the  bank,  it  is 
impossible  to  imagine  any  plan  that  could  more  effectually 
have  promoted  it,  than  that  of  the  secretary.  The  fact  of  pres- 
sure and  distress  in  August  and  September,  1833,  is  however 
now  known  to  have  been  assumed  as  a  motive  for  the  removal, 
without  sufficient  evidence  or  consideration.  Pressure  and 
distress  are,  it  is  true,  terms  which  indicate  comparative  rather 
than  absolute  difficulty,  and,  then-fore,  it  is  not  easy  to  prove 
that  the  payment  of  debts  to  a  bank  is  not  always  the  occasion 
of  some  pressure  and  distress  to  those  who  are  compelled  to 
pay.  But  such  as  are  sufficiently  at  ease  to  consider  what  was 
the  condition  of  the  country  during  the  sixty  days  which  pre- 
ceded the  removal  of  the  public  deposites,  and  to  compare  it 
with  that  which  it  has  assumed  in  the  course  of  the  last  two 
months,  will  admit  that  the  state  of  the  country,  up  to  the 
hour  of  removing  the  deposites,  was  a  state  of  comparative 
beatitude.  In  the  now  established  sense  of  pressure  and  dis 
tress,  the  commercial  cities  and  the  country,  up  to  the  lemova 
of  the  deposites,  were  wholly  exempt  from  every  appearance  o 
either.  That  justification  of  the  secretary's  motive  fails  there- 
fore entirely  in  point  of  fact.  Had  any  such  pressure  existed 
the  intention  to  remove  was  so  justly  apprehended  for  months 
before  it  was  executed,  and  the  reductions  by  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  in  August  and  September  were  so  indispensable 
to  her  safety,  in  the  extraordiuary  relation  in  which  the  treasury 
was  about  to'  place  her,  that  few  persons,  who  consider  the  sub 
ject  dispassionately,  would  he  inclined  to  infer  a  purpose  o 
coercion  from  that  which  could  be  so  much  more  natural!; 
traced  to  the  motive  of  self-protection. 

2.  But  the  conclusive  answer  to  the  secretary's  reason  is 

that  what  the  bank  did,  is  doing,  and  must  continue  to  do,  was 

and  is,  and  will  continue  to  be,  the  inevitable  effect,  as  well  a 

the  declared  purpose,  of  the  secretary's  plan.     That  plan  seem 

of  late  to  have  been  put  aside  for  the  more  satisfactory  occupa 

lion  of  censuring  the  bank.     It  deserves  to  be  recalled  to  the 

consideration  of  the  house.     It  is  to  be  recollected  that  the  se 

crelary  assumes  as  a  postulate,  that  the  notes  of  the  bank,  a 

soon  as  the  charter  expires  on  the  3d  of  March,  183(3,  "will  los 

the  peculiar  value  they  now  possess,  and   the  notes  payable  a 

distant  places  become  as  much  depreciated  as  the  notes  of  loca 

banks;  and  if  in  the  mean  time  no  other  currency  is  substitute 

in  its  place,  by  common  consent,  it  is  easy  to  foresee  the  exten 

of  the  embarrassment  which  would  be  caused  by  the  sudde 

derangement  of  the  circulating  medium."    The  secretary  the 

proceeds  to  say,  that  "it  is  of  the  first  importance  to  the  inter 

ests  of  the  public,  that  these  notes  should  all  be  taken  out  o 

circulation  before  they  depreciate  in  the  hands  of  individual 

who  hold  them;  and  they  ought  to  be  withdrawn  gradually,  an 

their  places  supplied  as  they  retire,  by  the  currency  which  wi 

become  the  substitute  for  them."    The  secretary  then  immed 

ately  inquires,  "How  long  will  it  require  for  the  ordinary  ope 

rations  of  commerce,  and  the  re/luction  of  discounts  by  the  bani 

to  withdraw  the  amount  of  circulation  before  mentioned,  with 

out  giving  a  shock  to  the  currency,  or  producing  a  distressii 

pressure  upon  the  community?"    The  secretary  answers  h 

own  question— "I  am  convinced  that  the  time  which  remaine 

for  the  charter  to  run  after  the  first  of  October,  (the  day  on  whi< 

the  first  order  for  removal  took  effect),  was  not  more  than  wa 

proper  to  accomplish  the  object  with  safety  to  the  coinmunit 

and  if  it  had  depended  on  my  Judgment  at  an  earlier  period, 

should  have  preferred,  and  should  have  taken,  a  longer  time. 

Here,  then,  is  the  secretary's  plan  distinctly  announced.    T 

bank  was  to  be  compelled  to  withdraw  nil  he*  notes  from  circ 

lation  before  the  3d  of  March,  1836,  and  was  to  begin  forthwii 


the  whole  time    that   remained    was   not  more   than    wa* 
ough.     The  secretary  would  have  taken   more  if  he  could, 
id  the  hank,  by  tukin;  the  two  month..,  before  the  removal,  did 
ul  assist  the  design  of  the  secretary.     The  secretary  liinu-elf 
•rceives  that  the  bank  c.m  effect  the  recall  of  the  notes  only 
1  rediiciiii!  the  discounts.     His  plan,  therefore,  was  to  compel 
duction  forthwith  by  reniovii:i!  the  deposited.     This  is  demon- 
lahly  plain.     It  admits  of  no  doubt  whatever.     The  extent  of 
duclion  necessary  to  produce  this  effect,  was  consequently 
e  very  extent  of  reduction  which  the  secretary  meant  to  force 
ion  the  bank,  and  any  reduction  short  of  it  i»  le»>  than  he  m- 
nded.     Now,  it  is  equally  clear  thai  nothing  could  call  in  the 
hole  ciiculation,  but  calling  in  all  the  durounls  and  cloning 
le  bank.     With  tht:  first  il,. -count  the  first  l.n.ik  note  went  out. 
lie   last  note  may  be  expected  to  come  m  tvi.'h  the  last  loan 
at  shall  be  repaid.     The  secretary's  plan,  to  take  all  the  riotvi 
ut  of  circulation  before  the  3d  of  Match,  183G,  was  thereloie  a 
an   to  call  in  all  the  discounts  before  the  same  day;  and  in 
hat  way  sixty-lour  millions  of  discounts,  the  amount  in  Au- 
ust,  1833,  could  he  called  in,  in  thirty  one  month.-,  at  a  legs 
ate.  than  two  millions  per  month,  remains  to  be  shown.     It  it 
ipo»iblc  to  show  it.     The  bank  has  not,  in  fact,  called  in  ten 
illioti.s  in  six  months;  and  more  than  what  she  has  called  in 
as  been  taken  away  from  her  by  public  and  private  depositor*. 
'he  rate  of  reduction  has  been  less,  consequently,  than  the  se- 
•etary's  plan  required, and  there  must  be  more  reduction  if  the 
ink  does  not  mean  to  defeat  the  plan  of  the  secretary. 
One  alternative  only  is  then  presented  to  those  who  object  to 
le  reductions  ot  the  bank.     Either  the  bank  has  not  yet  reduc- 
d  enough,  for  she  has  not  been  able  to  (educe  her  circulation 
t  all,  or  the  whole  scheme  is  exploded  the  in.-tant  it  is  subjecl- 
d  to  practice.     It  is  obvious  that  the  only  measure  which  the 
ecretary  deemed  repugnant  to  the  interests  of  the  country  was 
le  extension  of  discounts  by"  the  bunk,  or  the  continuance  of 
leir  amount  as  it  stood  at  !•••;  time  of  the  removal.    Reduction 
/as  the  agent  and  the  only  agent  that  he  intended  to  use.     If 
ne  plan  of  the  secretary  is  to  be  defended  and  maintained,  com- 
laints  of  reduction  by  the  bank,  far  greater  than  she  has  order- 
d,  will  be  without  color  of  justification,  since  far  greater  re- 
lictions will  be  necessary  to  effect  his  plan.     If,  on  the  contra- 
v,  the  plan  is  to  be  abandoned  because  it  is  utterly  impraclica- 
le,  it  ought  to  be  wholly  abandoned,  and  the  path  of  wisdom 
s  well  as  of  justice  will  then  be  found  in  a  return  to  the  point 
('departure.    The  fact  unquestionably  is,  that  the  removal  of 
lie  deposites,  the  reduction  of  discounts,  and  the  consequent 
eduction  of  the  bank  circulation,  have  been  considered  witu- 
iil  the  slightest  reference  to  the  complex  state  of  pecuniary 
elations  existing  in  the  country.     The  whole  process  has  been 
egarded  as  a  mechanical  affair,  of  which  all  the  details  would 
.11  icily  come  out  as  necessary  results  of  the  first  measure.    No 
.llowance  has  been  made  for  the  consequences  of  confidence 
roken  up,  of  the  interruption  of  that  regular  series  of  receipts 
and  payments,  by  which  the  resources  of  the  creditor  and  bebt- 
or  are  alternately  repaired,  of  exposing  to  trial,  or  even  to  sus- 
licion,  the  fragile  virtue  of  those  state  banks  that  are  able  to 
ive  upon  tiMir  reputation  merely  because  it  is  not  questioned, 
tnd  of  attempting  to  take  out  of  a  powerful  machine,  while  it  is 
n  full  operation,  the  wheel  that  balances  and  regulates  the 
whole.     No  allowance  has  been  made  for  any  of  these  conse- 
quences, by  those  who  have  led  to  their  occurrence;  and  now 
when  we  are  surrounded  by  them,  and  cannot  escape  from 
hem,  even  the  plan  which  has  caused  them  is  forgotten  in  the 
censure  of  the  bank  for  conforming  to  it.  -The  bank  is  but  tra- 
velling in  the  path  which  the  secretary  prescribed,  and  to  which 
the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  the  collection  of  the  revenue 
:hrough  other  banks,  must  inevitably  confine  her.     Her  resour- 
ces for  general  relief  have  been  taken  away,  and  given  to  those 
who  cannot  use  them.     Her  ability  to  secure  the  return  of  what 
she  lends  in  the  sound  currency  in.  which  she  lends,  is  also 
gone.    The  whole  country  perceives  that  what  is  wanted  is  se- 
curity for  the  future;  and  while  the  plan  of  the  secretary  shall 
be  prosecuted  in  any  of  its  parts,  the  people  will  not  believe 
that  a  single  day  of  the  future  is  secure.     This  universal  dis- 
trust and  apprehension,  and  not  the  operations  of  the  bank,  will 
be  received  by  the  dispassionate  observer  as  the  solution  of  the 
difficulties  which  now  surround  us;  and  whatever  will  remove 
this  distrust  and  apprehension,  and  nothing  short  of  it,  will 
provide  the  remedy.     The  return  of  the  deposites  is,  in  the 
judgment  of  the  minority,  an  indispensable  part  of  this  remedy, 
due  by  public  faith  to  the  bank,  due  also  by   public  policy  as  a 
declaration  of  peace  between  the  treasury  and  the  bank.     But 
they  cannot  regard  the  m«re  return  as  affording  the  promise  of 
a  radical  cure.    The  eyes  of  the  nation  are  now  intently  fixed 
upon  the  currency.     If  the  present  bank  is  not  to  be  recharler- 
ed,  something  to  regulate  the  currency  must  be  provided  in  its 
place.     The  plan  of  the  secretary  gives  over  the  regulation  to 
state  hanks,  which  will  themselves  be  promoters  of  the  disor- 
der.    The  country  requires  something  which  will   regulate  the 
state  banks.     Until  this  i*  effectually   provided,  the  minority 
have  no  expectation  that  distrust  and  apprehension  will  disap- 
pear, however  they  may  be  diminished. 

VIII.  The  remaining  reasons  of  the  secretary  may  be  classed 
under  two  heads:  acts  by  the  bank  in  violation  ot"  its  charter, 
and  an  act  or  acts  of  unfaithfulness  in  the  execution  of  its  duty 
to  the  treasury.  Under  the  first  must  be  included  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  exchange  committee  of  the  bank,  the  alleged  exclu- 
sion from  that  committee  of  the  directors  appointed  by  the  pre- 
sident of  the  United  States,  and  the  expenditure  of  money  for 


64  N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  22,  18 34 -COMMITTEE  OF  WAYS  AND  MEANS. 


printing  and  circulating  pamphlets.  Under  the  second,  no  fact 
is  particularly  noticed  by  tlie  secretary,  but  the  case  of  the 
French  bill. 

1.  In  relation  to  all  the  operations  of  the  bank  included  under 
the  first  head,  it  must  be  answered,  that  whether  the  bank  has 
been  right  or  wrong,  her  board  of  directors  assert  the  legal  right 
to  do  whatever  has  been  done.  Her  American  stockholders 
also,  who,  with  the  fullest  knowledge  of  all  the  circumstances, 
have  repeatedly  elected  the  same  directors,  assert  the  same 
right,  arid  approve  the  acts  which  have  been  done  in  execution 
of  it.  If  these  acts  are  not  in  violation  of  the  charter,  they  are 
mere  acts  of  administration  or  management  of  the  bank,  which 
the  United  Stales  as  a  stockholder  have  agreed  to  commit  to 
the  discretion  of  the  board  of  directors. 

The  directors  appointed  by  the  president  have  no  veto  upon 
the  resolutions  of  the  board.  The  president  has  no  such  veto. 
If  the  resolutions  are  lawful,  the  charter,  and  all  the  stockhold- 
ers, public  and  private,  as  parties  to  it,  must  be  considered  as 
Jiaving  committed  to  the  directors  the  entire  discretion  to  make 
and  execute  them.  They  may  have  been  inexpedient,  and  if 
they  have  been,  the  corrective  is  to  be  sought  in  the  annual 
elections.  They  may  have  been  deemed  inexpedient  by  the  di- 
rectors appointed  by  the  president,  but  if  they  have  been,  the 
law  has  determined  that  they  are  legally  bound  by  the  voice  of 
a  majority  of  the  board.  Upon  questions  of  administration 
within  the  legal  competency  of  the  board,  there  is  no  more  jus- 
tification of  an  attempt  to  tear  the  bank  to  pieces,  by  a  pnrt  of 
the  directors,  or  by  the  treasury  department  in  support  of  them, 
because  the  voice  of  the  minority  is  not  respected,  than  there 
would  be  for  an  attempt  by  a  state  or  states,  for  the  like  reason, 
to  sever  the  union.  All  the  parties  to  the  compact  have  a«r«ed 
that  questions  of  administration  within  the  lawful  competency 
of  the  legislature,  whether  of  the  bank  or  of  the  union,  shall  be 
decided  by  a  majority,  and  if  they  require  correction,  that  they 
shall  be  corrected  by  a  majority,  and  in  no  other  way. 

Upon  the  supposition,  then,  that  these  measures  of  adminis- 
tration by  the  bank  have  been  lawful,  the  minority  take  it  to  be 
free  from  doubt,  that  the  secretary's  dissatisfaction  with  them 
is  not  one  of  the  causes  which  authorised  him  to  remove  the 
deposites.  The  management  of  the  bank  has  not  been  com- 
mitted to  the  secretary.  He  has  no  right  whatever  to  inspect 
its  management,  or  even  its  condition,  except  in  a  limited  way, 
for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  security  of  the  deposites. 
To  have  given  him  the  power  of  removal  in  any  case,  in  which 
he  should  deem  the  management  wrong,  would  have  been  to 
give  him  effectually  the  management  of  the  bank  in  every  par- 
ticular. The  charter  removes  all  such  causes  from  his  cogni- 
zance by  committing  the  management  of  the  bank  to  the  direc- 
tors, under  such  powers  and  restrictions  as  the  charter  and  by- 
laws determine. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  acts  thus  questioned  are  violations 
of  charter,  the  objection*  to  the  secretary's  act  are  equally 
plain.  In  the  first  place,  he  is  not  the  officer  to  whom  the 
charter  has  confided  the  authority  to  direct  a  prosecution  for  a 
violation  of  charter;  in  the  next  place,  it  has  expressly  confided 
tbat  authority  to  others;  in  the  third  place,  the  bank  is  entitled 
-  to  be  heard  before  any  judgment  of  violation  is  pronounced; 
and  lastly,  that  judgment  is  to  be  pronounced  by  the  judicial 
department  only. 

The  secretary's  power  to  arraign  the  bank  for  violation  of 
charter  cannot  be  asserted.  Ft  is  a  power  of  the  most  delicate 
and  critical  nature,  and  the  23d  section  of  the  charter  commits 
It  to  the  president  and  to  congress  only.  That  the  secretary 
should  be  iinpliedly  authorised  to  decide  the  whole  question, 
and  to  remove  the  deposites  at  once  upon  that  ground,  when 
the  charter  does  not  give  him  authority  to  issue  a  scire  facias  to 
hare  the  question  tried,  cannot  be  maintained.  Those  who 
have  authority  to  direct  the  prosecution,  have  no  right  to  try  it, 
or  to  give  judgment  on  it.  The  judicial  power  is  not  in  con- 
gress or  in  the  president,  and  they  cannot  exercise  it  without 
themselves  violating  the  charter  of  the  bank,  and  the  constitu- 
tion also.  The  bank  is  not  even  charged  with  violation  of  char- 
ter. When  charged,  she  will  be  entitled  to  a  hearing;  when 
heard,  she  will  have  the  benefit  of  trial  by  jury;  and  when  the 
first  judgment  shall  have  been  rendered,  she  will  be  entitled,  i 
it  be  adverse,  to  a  review  in  the  supreme  court  of  the  union 
In  the  mean  time,  in  the  sight  of  the  nation  and  the  law,  all  her 
charter  rights  remain  in  their  original  vigor.  If  the  want  of  suf 
flcient  time  to  try  the  question  is  a  reason  for  deciding  it  with- 
out trial,  it  is  one  that  prostrates  all  the  barriers  which  the  con- 
stitution has  raised  between  the  assertion  of  arbitrary  power, 
and  the  life,  liberty  and  property  of  the  citizens.  The  spirii 
which  frowns  upon  the  temperate  and  deliberate  inquiries  of 
the  judicial  magistrate,  and  demands  its  victim  in  anticipation 
of  the  tardy  and  unaccommodating  sentence  of  the  law,  is  nol 
the  spirit  of  the  constitution,  nor  of  the  law  abiding  people  of 
the  United  States. 

The  bank  then  has  a  legal  ritjht  to  .say,  as  her  directors  have 
said,  that  she  has  not  been  guilty  of  any  violation  of  charter, 
and  congress  have  not  the  legal  right  to  adjudge  the  contrary. 
If  they  cannot  adjudge  the  contrary,  they  cannot  lawfully  de- 
prive the  bank  of  a  single  privilege  or  benefit  conferred  by  the 
charter,  upon  the  ground  that  she  has  lost  them  by  violation  of 
charter.  Every  hem-fit  of  the  charter  is  a  right  of  property,  and 
it  would  be  infinitely  better  for  the  constitution  and  for  the  peo- 
ple, that  congress  should  at  once  hold  the  public  deposites  to 
b<  removable  without  cause,  rather  than  assign  the  cause  of 
violation  of  charter,  and  enforce  the  sentence  of  forfeiture  to 


the  extent  of  a  dollar,  upon  the  ex  parte  report  of  a  committee. 
The  minority  do  not  mean,  so  far  as  they  are  concerned,  to  im- 
pair the  chartered  rights  of  the  bank,  by  attempting  an  investi- 
gation of  the  law  and  the  facts  before  a  body  that  is  not  consti- 
tutionally authorised  to  try  them. 

The  exclusion  of  the  directors  appointed  by  the  president  is 
nowhere  shown  to  have  been  ordered  by  the  board,  or  by  the 
president  of  the  board.  They  have  not  been  appointed  on  cer- 
tain committees,  and  this  is  all  that  can  be  said,  and  the  same 
may  probably  be  said  of  many  directors  appointed  by  the  private 
stockholders.  It  depends  upon  the  pleasure  of  the  board,  and 
is  a  matter  of  administration.  Whether  theie  was  any  thing  in 
the  capacity  or  dispositions  of  the  individual  directors  referred 
to,  to  make  their  appointment  upon  certain  committees  proper 
or  improper,  it  might  be  deemed  invidious  in  a  paper  of  this 
kind  to  inquire,  particularly  as  it  is  understood  that  the  senate 
of  the  United  States  have  not  advised  their  re-appointment  to 
office,  and  they  therefore  do  not  at  present  stand  in  the  position 
of  public  servants,  whose  acts  require  further  investigation. 

The  expenditure  of  money  for  printing  and  circulating  pam- 
phlets has  not  been  questioned  by  the  stockholders.  They  have 
been  fully  apprised  of  it,  and  they  have  more  than  once  re- 
elected  the  directors  who  have  authorised  it.  The  right  to  print 
and  publish  is  a  constitutional  right.  It  belongs  to  corporations 
as  well  as  to  natural  persons.  It  cannot  be  previously  restrain- 
ed, and  it  cannot  be  subsequently  punished,  except  by  the  sen- 
tence of  a  court,  when  it  is  proved  to  have  been  done  in  viola- 
tion of  law.  If  it  has  been  necessary  to  defend  the  directors  of 
the  bank  from  aspersions  upon  their  characters  for  what  they 
have  done  as  directors,  or  to  prevent  the  credit  of  the  bank 
from  suffering  by  imputations  upon  its  solvency,  or  the  integrity 
of  its  administration,  the  charge  of  the  expenditure  belongs 
properly  to  the  bank,  because  it  is  in  vindication  of  the  opera- 
tions of  the  bank.  As  to  such  expenditures,  the  stockholders 
are 'the  ultimate  judges,  and  all  the  stockholders  are  bound  by  a 
vote  of  the  majority  ratifying  the  expenditure,  as  much  as  they 
would  be  by  an  order  to  incur  it.  The  subsequent  ratification, 
by  the  re  election  of  the  directors  who  ordered  it,  is  equivalent 
to  an  original  command.  Whatever  printing  or  publishing  has 
been  done  by  the  bank,  has  been  done  openly,  without  cover  or 
disguise.  It  has  been  done  in  the  asssertion  of  a  right,  and  the 
public  have  known  it.  Whether  an  influence  equally  public, 
and  equally  innocent,  has  directed  and  supported  those  attacks 
upon  the  bank,  which  have  thrown  upon  the  in.-aiiutron  the  ex- 
pense of  resisting  them,  it  does  not  belong  to  the  minority  of 
this  committee  to  inquire. 

2.  The  case  of  the  French  bill,  as  upon  a  claim  for  damages 
by  the  bank,  is  not  before  the  committee  of  ways  and  means. 
If  the  bank  should  make  a  claim  upon  congress  for  the  satisfac- 
tion of  that  demand,  it  would  probably  be  referred  to  a  different 
committee.  It  is  before  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  upon 
the  question  whether  the  act  of  the  bank  in  making  such  a 
claim  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  is  a  reason  for  dismissing 
the  bank  as  a  fiscal  agent  of  the  nation,  and  the  majority  of  the 
committee  have  decided  that  it  is.  The  minority  are  willing  to 
leave  this  question  to  th-e  decision  of  the  house  and  of  the  coun- 
try. It  is  a  principle  which,  if  rigorously  applied,  will  possibly 
economize  the  time  of  the  house,  and  the  labor  of  the  committee 
of  claims.  If  it  is  understood  to  be  the  opinion  of  the  house 
that  every  agent  or  officer  of  the  nation,  who  makes  n  claim 
upon  congress  or  upon  the  treasury,  deserves  to  be  dismissed 
from  his  office,  it  will  probably  put  an  end  to  alt  claims  that  are 
not  thought  to  be  worth  more  than  the  office,  to  the  person  who 
makes  them.  No  one  can  by  possibility  doless  than  the  hank  has 
done  in  the  prosecution  of  her  claim,  and  therefore  safety  rs  to 
be  found  only,  in  not  making  claim  at  all.  This  objection  doe?  nol 
unfitly  close  the  test  of  the  secretary's  reasons.  It  is  a  case  in 
which  there  was  no  agency  in  the  b.ink,  and  no  unfaithfulness 
in  any  one  of  her  steps,  from  the  time  when  the  bill  was  bought 
from  the  treasury,  to  the  time  when  it  was  returned  under  pro- 
test, and  the  treasury  refunded  the  amount.  The  bill  was 
bought,  paid  for,  and  duly  forwarded  by  the  bank,  duly  present- 
ed, duly  protested  for  dishonor,  duly  returned,  and  duly  notified 
to  the  treasury  department.  It  was  notified  with  n  claim  for 
damages,  in  the  same  manner  in  which  the  United  States  have 
for  forty-five  years  notified  similar  claims  to  the  drawers  and 
endorsers  of  dishonored  bills,  and  enforced  them  also  with- 
out any  exception.  If  this  notification  of  a  claim  is  sufficient 
to  deprive  the  bank  of  her  right  to  the  public  deposites,  the 
minority  are  not  unwilling  that  the  character  of  the  other  rea- 
sons shall  be  inferred  from  that  of  their  associate. 

The  minority  are  upon  the  whole  of  opinion  that  none  of  the 
reasons  assigned  by  the  secretary  in  his  communication  to  con- 
gress are  sufficient  to  justify  the  removal  of  the  deposites.  They 
are  also  of  opinion  that  it  is  due  to  the  bank  to  return  them 
without  regard  to  the  sentiment  of  the  house  upon  the  subject 
of  recharter.  They  are  further  of  opinion  that  the  situation 
of  the  country  requires  immediate  action  by  congress,  to  restore 
public  confidence,  and  to  prevent  a  derangement  of  the  cur- 
rency. And  they  express  to  the  house  their  settled  conviction 
that  these  objects  will  not  be  attained  if  the  public  deposits 
are  left  in  the  state  banks.  They  think,  besides,  that  the  uni- 
versal voice  of  the  country  requires  that  something  shall  be  im- 
mediately done  for  public  relief,  and  that  the  resolutions  pro- 
posed by  the  committee,  will  only  aggravate  the  existing  evils, 


nstcad  of  providing  a  remedy. 


R.  H.  WILDE, 
BEN.  GORHAM. 
HOR.  BINNEV. 


FOURTH  SERIES.  Na.  5— VOL.  X.]   BALTIMORE,  MARCH  29,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOM  No.  1,175. 


THE    PAST THE   PRRSEITT FOR  THE   FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED   AND   PUBLISHED    BT   H.  JflLES,  AT  $5   PER  ANNUM,    PAYABLE   IN  ADVANCE. 


The  reply  of  the  Baltimore  committee  to  Mr.  JVLcKim'a 
address,  published  in  our  last  paper,  will  be  found  in  the 
present. 

The  proceedings  of  a  great  meeting  held  at  New  York 
a  few  days  ago,  with  the  report  of  the  "union  committee" 
raised  on  the  llth  ult.  fill  a  large  part  of  our  sheet.  We 
had  nearly  resolved  not  to  enter  upon  the  publication  of 
any  more  long  articles  on  the  subject  to  which  this  re- 
port refers — but  the  importance  of  the  facts  generally 
offered,  and  the  power  with  which  they  are  presented 
to  the  public  mind,  have  caused  us  to  regard  it  as  a  do- 


cument of  great  value,  for  present  or  future  use. 
the  work  ot  Mr.    Gallatin. 


It  is 


On  Monday  last,  24th  inst.  the  people  of  Baltimore 
were  thrown  into  a  state  of  high  excitement  by  the  pub- 
lication of  the  following  notice,  in  two  of  the  morning 
papers  of  that  day: 

TO   THE    PUBLIC. 

Bank  of  Maryland.  24th  March,  1834. 

The  board  of  directors  of  this  institution  have  ascertained, 
with  surprise  and  deep  regret,  equal  to  any  that  the  community 
will  feel,  that  this  institution  is  unable  to  proceed  with  its  bu- 
siness, and  they  have  resolved  to  transfer  all  its  effects  to  a 
trustee,  for  the  equal  benefit  01  the  creditors  of  the  bank. 

The  board  of  directors  hope  and  trust  that  the  assets  will  be 
sufficient  to  discharge  the  debts  of  the  institution,  and  their  de- 
termination to  stop  its  business  at  once,  is  from  a  conviction 
that  to  continue  it  longer  would  only  be  attended  with  loss  to 
the  community.  Their  advice  to  the  creditors,  founded  upon 
the  best  judgment  they  are  now  able  to  form,  is,  not  to  sacri- 
fice their  claims.  The  debtors  of  the  institution  will  hnve  the 
privilege  of  paying  their  debts  witb  the  notes  and  certificates  of 
deposite,  and  the  open  accounts  due  by  the  bank,  and  these 
alone  they  hope  will  enable  the  note  holders  and  depositors 
speedily  to  realize  nearly  all  if  not  the  entire  amount  of  their 


small  deposites  were  fclso  withdrawn — but  the  resource* 
of  the  bank  were  ample.  On  Tuesday  there  were  light 
demands  on  most  of  the  banks,  and  a  considerable  press 
again  at  the  Union — but  the  alarm  rapidly  subsided, 
and,  perhaps,  the  specie  in  the  banks,  (generally)  that 
evening,  was  greater  than  it  had  been  before  the  "run" 


credits.    By  order, 


R.  WILSON,  catfiier. 


[This  notice  was  left  at  the  offices  late  on  Sunday  even- 
ing, the  23d,  though  dated  on  the  24th.] 

When  this  news  reached  the  morning  steamboat  for 
Philadelphia,  some  of  the  intended  passengers  rushed 
on  shore,  "as  though  she  had  been  on  fire,"  as  a  gentle- 
man present  remarked  to  us — and,  by  8  o'clock,  A.  M. 
South  street,  (in  which  the  bank  of  Maryland  is,  or  was, 
located),  was  filled  with  an  anxious  and  distressed  mul- 
titude, some  of  whom  were  females!  The  crowd  in- 
creased— but  9  o'clock  arrived,  and  the  door  remained 
shut.  This  batik  had  heavy  deposites  on  certificates 
bearing  interest,  and  we  think  it  probable  that  a  larger 
amount  of  its  notes  were  in  the  local  circulation  than 
the  aggregate  of  all  the  rest  of  our  banks,  though  its  ca- 
pital was  only  300,000  dollars! — and  it  is  very  possible 
that  from  25  to  30,000  dollars  in  its  bills  were  paid 
away,  in  wages  to  working  people,  last  Saturday  even- 
ing, when  they  were  offered  and  received  in  good  faith! 
A  large  crowd  remained  before  the  door  until  even  10 
or  11  o'clock  at  night,  chiefly  of  the  poorer  classes  of 
the  people;  and  yet,  to  their  lasting  honor  be  it  said,  no 
act  of  violence  was  attempted,  though  "curses  loud  and 
deep"  were  uttered  against  "the  experiment"  which  is 
now  going  out  As  soon  as  the  other  banks  opened, 
"runs"  were  made  upon  them  all,  for  small  sums  in  coin 
— which  were  promptly  and  good-humoredly  satisfied; 
and  hundreds  of  persons  were  seen  in  the  streets  carry- 
ing-on" parcels  of  specie.  The  press  at  the  Union  bank 
was  by  far  the  greatest — there  was  a  constant  crowd  be- 
fore the  door  until  about  4  o'clock,  when,  all  who  pre- 
sented a  claim  against  that  bank  being  quieted,  the 
doors  were  closed  and  the  people  retired,  peaceably. 
This  is  the  deposite  bank;  but,  like  the  rest  of  the  hanks 
of  this  city,  (except  the  Susquehannah  and  the  Mary- 
land, which  have  failed),  had  a  small  and  well-guarded 
circulation,  compared  with  its  means;  but  a  belief  was 
generally,  (though  erroneously)  entertained,  that  it  had 
some  close  and  intimate  connexion  with  the  bank  of  Ma- 
ry land,  and  would  be  involved  in  a  common  fate.  A  few 
VOL.  XLVI— SIB.  5. 


ȣ. 

commenced,  many  persons  who  held  quantities  of  coin 
freely  depositing  it — and  the  office  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  behaved  nobly,  being  willing  to  extend  the 
use  of  its  means  on  the  emergency — for  the  demand  on 
this  bank  was  insignificant;  and,  at  some  of  the  other 
banks,  " Uncle  Sam's  money"  ica»  preferred  to  coin' 
On  Wednesday,  though  many  gloomy  i'aces  were  seer* 
in  the  streets,  there  was  no  general  excitement— extra 
demands  for  coin  were  still  made;  but  many  returned  on, 
deposite  that  which  had  been  previously  withdrawn. 
Some  engagements  were  violated,  however,  that  would 
have  been  kept,  if  the  bank  of  Maryland  had  not  stop- 
ped payment;  but  the  amount  was  not  large.  On  Thurs- 
day extra  demands  for  specie  were  still  made— but  no 
new  difficulty  has  since  occurred,  or  is  just  now  expect- 
ed— so  far  as  we  are  informed. 

The  bank  of  Maryland  had  an  extraordinary  circula- 
tion! and  enjoyed  an  uncommon  degree  of  the  public 
confidence;  perhaps,  for  one  reason,  that  its  stock,  the 
par  value  of  which  being  only  300  dollars,  was  steadily 
quoted  in  the  newspapers  at  500  dollars!  This  may  be- 
come a  subject  for  future  remark — for  it  presented  an 
appearance  of  things  which  had  no  substantiality  in  it. 
But  this  bank  held  a  large  amount  of  the  money  of  wi- 
dows and  orphans,  small  dealers  and  thrifty  persons,  me- 
chanics and  others,  for  interest  was  allowed  even  on  tran- 
sient deposites;  and  the  manners  of  the  president  were 
popular,  and  his  accommodations  liberal.  Perhaps  the 
failure  of  any  other  three  of  our  local  banks  would  not 
have  so  immediately  affected  the  classes  of  society  refer- 
red to — all  the  means  of  many  being  lost  to  present  use, 
unless  sold  at  ffty  per  cent,  discount.  We  have  heard 
of  many  cases  any  one  of  which  is  enough  to  make  a  man's 
heart  ache — but  "perish  credit"  is  proclaimed  in  con- 
gress, and  "the  experiment"  is  to  be  persevered  in  by 
"the  government."  We  lost  nothing  by  this  bank.*  It 
was  manifest  to  us  that  the  circulation  of  its  notes  was 
violently  forced;  and,  since  the  "experiment"  began,  we 
steadily,  but  quietly,  acted  towards  that  bank  as  though  it 
might  fail  within  the  next  twenty-four  hours — and  if  one 
or  two  of  our  friends,  to  whom  we  confidentially,  (and  for 
theirownuse  only), stated  our  fears>had  acted  upon  them, 
they  would  have  been  belter  off  than  they  are;  but  no- 
thing had  openly  happened  that  could  have  justified  us  in 
throwing  those  fears  before  the  public — and  no  disposition 
existed  to  injure  the  credit  ef  the  bank,  or  embarrass  its 
operations.  A  good  deal  could  be  said  on  these  matters, 
but  we  shall  refrain. 

The  effect  of  this  failure  is  yet  to  be  seen.  Those  who 
have  charge  of  hs  affairs  ought  to  publish  an  exact  state- 
ment of  them  as  soon  as  possible,  and,  no  doubt,  wit)  tfo 
it.  The  notes  of  the  bank,  and  the  certificates  of  depo- 
sites issued  by  it,  it  is  posted  up  at  some  of  the  brokers' 
offices,  will  be  exchanged  at  50  per  cent,  loss  to  the  hold- 
ers of  them!  But  it  is  expected  that  all  these,  at  least, 
will  be  ultimately  paid;  and  more  may  be  done,  if  the 
debtors  of  the  bank  do  not  give  way. 

There  is  a  large  amount  of  bills  issued  by  the  "Union 
bank  of  Tsnnessee,"  made  payable  at  the  bank  of  Mary- 
land, in  circulation.  We  think  that  the  Tennessee  bank 
cannot  be  held  accountable  for  the  amount  of  these  bills 
unless  they  are  formally  protested,  the  demand  at  the 
bank  of  Maryland  not  being  satisfied.!  These  notes,  as 


'Being  also  sorry  to  Bay  thai  we  have  but  little  "money,"  just 
now,  to  lore! 

fThe  (B8ltirn«re)  American  of  yesterday  says— We  kwiK. 
from  an  unniw»ikmable  source,  that  large  remittances  from  the 
Union  bank  of  Tennessee  have  been  received  witlyj&afcw  <teys. 


66 


NILES'   REGISTER—MARCH  29,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


well  as  those  of  the  last  named  bank,  have  a  wide  "range 
in  th«  south  and  west. 

We  shall  close  this  article  by  taking  leave  to  say,  that, 
in  our  serious  opinion,  the  Baltimore  banks,  (with  llie 
exception  of  the  Susquehai.nah  bank  and  the  bank  of  Ma- 
ryland), are  in  as  good  a  condition  as  those  of  any  other 
c'fty — and  that  we  regard  every  one  of  them  trust -worthy. 
If  we  thought  otherwise,  we  dare  say  it — and,  surely, 
would  not  mislead  any  o.ie  on  this  subject.  We  have  a 
great  stake  in  the  soundness  and  uniformity,  and  suffi- 
ciency, of  the  currency;  but  no  other  particular  interest 
in  any  bank  than  proportionally  belongs  to  those  who  trap 
beaver  in  the  regions  beyond  the  Roeky  Mountains.  We 
do  not  hold  one  share  of  bank  stock,  nor  feel  ourselves 
under  a  sense  of  favor  to  any  bank.  Our  litile  account 
has  been  kept  in  the  Uniiin  bunk  of  Maryland  many- 
years,  without  a  single  jar  or  hard  thought,  so  far  as  we 
know,  between  the  parties — and  it  will  yet  remain  in  that 
bank,  only  regreltii.g  that  the  balance  on  our  side  is  very 
small,  iii  this  season  of  pressure,  excitement  and  peril. 

In  the  afternoon  of  Monday,  the  following  was  pub- 
lished— 

At  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  the  several  banks  of  ihe  city, 
conveued  at  llie  Union  bank  of  Marylarid,  in  consequence  ol  a 
n.mce  luceivcd  from  the  piesident  of  tbu  Union  bank  ul  Mary- 
land, to  t.iki:  into  consideration  the  state  of  affairs  arising  from 
tin-  cl'isiiij.;  of  tin.'  biiMwss  of  the  hank  of  Maryland,  the  follow- 
ing presidents  and  cashiers  were  present: 

William  Lonnan,  president  of  the  bank  of  Ballimoiti. 

Philip  Moore,  of  llie  Fianklin. 

Wm.  tiohn,  of  the  Coiniu«.rciul  and  Farmers. 

Nicholas  .Price,  of  the  Fanners  and  Merchants. 

Wm.  If.  Murray,  cashier  of  the  Mechanics. 

J.  Kier,  cashier  of  llie  Marine. 

William  Lorman  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  W.  Bric.c  acted 
as  secretary.  Amongst  other  proceedings  the  following  took 
place. 

The  president  «(  the  Union  brxnk  informed  ihe  mei-'tinjr  that 
the  bank  of  .Maryland  li.ul  made  a  deed  of  trust,  which  they 
were  prepared  to  deliver,  conveying  all  the  property  of  the. 
bank  to  him  in  trust,  for  the  pnnerul  and  equal  benefit  of  its 
creditors — that  he  had  nut  as  yet  read  it,  nor  accepted  it,  and 
declined  doing  so  without  the  advice  and  concurrence  of  the 
other  hanks  interest!  d  in  the  distribution  of  the  funds,  and  that 
this  meeting  was  called  to  lay  the  subject  before  them  for  their 
direction  concerning  it. 

It  was  then  by  the  meeting, unanimously  resolved  by  the  pre- 
sidents and  cashiers  present,  that  in  their  opinion  it  is  advisa- 
ble that  Mr.  Ellicott  accept  the  deed  of  trust  proposed  by  Ihe 
president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  and  that  they 
therefore  unite  in  recommending  him  to  do  so.  it  being  under- 
stood among  other  tiling*  of  detail,  that  the  different  banks  shall 
trijin  time  to  lime  hi:  informed  of  the  progress  of  the  trust,  and 
that  their  several  officers  shall  have  free  access  to  every  infor- 
irmtion  that  they  may  require  until  its  close. 

And  on  Tuesday  afternoon  the  following,  addressed  to 
the  public  by  the  president  of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  and 
to  the  editors  of  the  newspapers  by  the  trustee — botli 
which  had  a  cheering  effect,  especially  the  last: 

TO   THE    PDBLIC. 

In  consequence  of  the  extreme  pressure  upon  the  money 
market,  and  the  unprecedentedly  severe  demands  upon  the 
bank  of  Maryland,  I  regret  deeply,  with  my  fellow  citizens,  that 
it  has  been  compelled  to  stop  its  business. 

The  suspension  has  been  sudden  because  it  has  occurred  at 
nt  the  very  first  moment  it  appeared  that  the  interest  of  the  cre- 
ditors of  the  bank  required  it — if  efforts  had  been  made  to  sus- 
tain the  credit  of  the  institution  at  the  expense  of  heavy  sacri- 
fices of  property,  the  result  would  have  still  been  questionable, 
but  the  certainty  of  loss  would  have  occurred.  Under  all  cir 
cuin.-tancc.-,  it  has  been  deemed  best  by  the  soundest  judgment 
to  which  we  conld  have  resort,  to  adopt  the  course  which  has 
been  adopted,  viz:  to  place  in  the  hands  of  a  suitable  trustee, 
under  the  direction  of  the  honorable  Stevenson  Archer,  and  the 
honorable  Thomas  B.  Dorsey,or  such  person  or  persons  as  they 
may  appoint,  all  the  effects  of  the  bank,  to  be  kept  together. 
collected  and  faithfully  distributed  among  the  creditors,  a« 
speedily  as  it  can  possibly  be  done. 

My  confident  opinion  is,  that  the  bank  is  able  to  pay  all  its 
obligations,  but  to  obviate  any  difficulty  whatever,  and  to  -"ati-«- 
fy  the  holders  of  the  notes  and  the  special  certificates  of  the 
bank,  I  hereby  pledge  my  whole  private  estate,  whether  real, 
private,  personal  or  mixed,  to  redeem  any  deficiency  that  the 
means  of  the  bank  may  by  any  possibility  ho  unable  to  redeem. 

afar.*  85,  IBM.  EVAN  POULTRY. 


for  the  redemption  ot  its  notes  made  payable  at  the  bank  of  Ma 
ryland,  and  that  thHse  f.md-1  have  been  forwarded  to  Philadel 
phia.  I  is  potable  that  nrrHIH;l.ments  will  goon  be  made  for 
their  proper  application  in  Baltimore. 


Von  are  requested  to  state  in  your  paper,  for  the  information 
of  all  parties  who  have  notes  or  other  securities  deposited  for 
collection  in  the  bankof  Maryland,  that  they  will  have  the  same 
returned  to  them  on  application  to  11,  Wilson,  eaq.  cashier, 
)rovided  that  such  notes  or  securities  have  not  been  deposited 
is  security,  or  the  depositors  thereof  are  not  indebted  to  the 
bank  on  notes,  bills,  or  other  iwponsibilitiei  which  have  be- 
come due  or  otherwise — such  notes  not  being  considered  as  any 
part  of  the  assigned  fund.  THO.  ELL1COTT,  trustee. 

It  would  be  well,  indeed,  if  the  enemies  of  the  hank  of 
the  United  States  would  agree  upon  some  course  for  that 
institution  to  pursue!  In  the  first  place,  its  ability  to  meet 
its  engagements  was  doubted  by  the  highest  authority— 
and  now,  by  the  same  party,  its  power  to  maintain  itself 
subjects  it  to  be  called  by  many  hard  names.  In  the  se- 
cond,  when,  because  the  business  of  the  country  was  large, 
and  the  general  price  of  commodities  high,  requir'nig  a 
greater  sum  in  money  to  carry  on  the  exchanges,  it  was 
charged  with  a  design  to  corrupt  the  people  by  the  libe- 
ralitv  of  its  accommodations — and,  though  four  or  five 
years  ago,  as  appears  by  the  president's  messages,  the 
lime  had  arrived  when  it  should  look  to  a  closing  of  its 
concerns,  it  is  abused  for  causing  the  present  pressure 
on  the  people  by  the  curtailment  of  its  discounts.  In  the 
third,  it  is  said  that  such  curtailment  is  wantonly  oppres- 
sive, and  yet  the  sober  Tact  is  that  the  reduction  does  not 
exceed  the  reduction  of  its  deposites.  In  the  fourth,  it 
is  blamed  for  making  money  scarce,  though  its  circula- 
tion lias  been  increased  about  two  millions,  which  is  as  if 
added  to  the  specie  of  the  country,  to  enable  the  state 
banks  to  pay  their  debts !  In  the  fifth,  it  is  imperiously 
said  that  it  must  and  shall  wind  up  its  affairs,  and  then  it 
is  denounced  for  retirements  from  its  discount  line  which 
have  a  less  amount  than  the  retirements  from  the  line  of 
its  deposites.  In  the  sixth,  it  is  threatened,  in  "high 
places,"  with  "runs"  for  payment  of  its  issues,  and  abus- 
ed, in  the  same,  because  it  holds  on  to  its  coin  to  satisfy 
all  reasonable  or  unreasonable  demands  upon  it !  So  we 
might  pass  to  the  fiftieth  place,  and  present  similar  con- 
trasts. NVill  it  please  those  in  power  to  lay  down  some 
course  for  the  bank  to  pursue,  that  the  people  may  he  re- 
lieved of  an  oppression  which  we  really  fear  may  make 
them  "mad?"  For  the  old  proverb  says — "oppression 
maketh  a  wise  man  mad." 


Considerable  political  importance  has  lately  been  at- 
tached to  the  ward  elections  for  constables  in  the  city 
of  Philadelphia.  At  that  held  last  year  11  "Jackson" 
and  4  anti-Jackson  men  were  chosen;  but  at  that  held  on 
the  20th  inst.  13  anti-Jackson  and  2  Jackson  men  were 
chosen;  and  similar  changes  have  been  made  in  some  of 
the  adjoining  districts.  For  instance,  the  Jackson  can- 
didates were  defeated  in  each  of  the  four  wards  of  Spring 
Garden.  It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  excitement 
which  prevails  in  Philadelphia  and  its  neighborhood.  It 
may,  however,  be  partially  esteemed  from  the  fact  that, 
by  .the  lowest  calculation,  25,000  men  of  the  city  and  county 
assembled^  with  banners,  in  Independence  Square  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  20th  instant,  and  passed  certain  resolu- 
tions, &c.  some  account  of  which  must  be  recorded;  but 
we  cannot  make  room  for  it  this  week. 

We  have  recently  heard  a  great  deal  about  "panic 
makers;"  but  gov.  Marcy,  of  New  York,  in  our  humble 
opinion,  has  done  more  than  any  other  person  to  make  a 
panic — by  his  message  to  the  legislature  of  the  state  on 
the  23d  inst.  which,  we  regret,  cannot  now  be  inserted. 

After  speaking  of  the  "rapid  curtailments"  of  the  dis- 
counts of  the  hank  of  the  United  States,  and  manifesting 
much  hostility  towards  that  institution,  and  assigning, 
also,  several  other  reasoi.s  for  the  pressure  on  the  money 
market,  and  saying  that  the  safety  fund  banks  have  re- 
duced their  circulation  three  millions  of  dollart  since  the 
1st  of  January  lant!  he  proceeds  to  the  consideration  of 
other  subjects,  and  proposes,  as  the  best  means  of  obtain- 
ing relief,  the  creation  of  a  state  stock  of  four  or  five 
millions,  to  be  loaned  to  the  state  banks  in  the  city  of 
New  York  (for  which  he  thinks  money  may  be  borrowed 
in  Enrufit;\  that  these  banks  may  relieve  the  other  banks 
ot  the  state,  etc.  which  the  deposite  and  use  of  several 
millions  of  the  canal  fund,  with  the  deposites  of  the  U. 
States,  has  not  been  able  to  accomplish ! 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  29,   1834— CONGRESS. 


67 


With  a  resort  to  the  trial  of  such  remedies,  the  pros- 
pect a-head  is  really  awful. 

It  is  now  understood  that  the  United  States  deposites 
in  the  Girard  bank,  at  Philadelphia,  will  be  given  up. 
At  a  late  meeting  of  the  stockholders,  the  noise  being  on 
one  side,  some  sober  citizens  thought,  and  the  shouting 
ones  believed,  that  the  question  was  doubtful,  if  not  decid- 
ed according  to  thenprouriousness  of  the  latter  parly;  but 
the  other  side  took  sure  and  quiet  means — they  opened 
a  paper,  and  invited  subscribers;  and  it  now  appears  that 
17,500,  out  of  the  30,000  shares,  have  been  signed  for,  to 
give  up  the  dcposites;  and  it  is  well  known,  (say  the  Pbila- 
phia  papers),  that  several  thousand  shares  are  not  availa- 
ble for  uses  of  this  kind — bo-ing  held,  perhaps,  in  distant 
places,  or  in  Europe.  It  is  added,  that  the  officers  of  the 
bank  approve  the  measure,  though  they  have  not  taken 
any  part  in  bringing  it  tibont.  From  this  it  appears  that 
ft  very  large  majority  of  the  stock  is  in  the  hands  of  per- 
sons opposed  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  though 
placed  in  their  own  bank — as  was  the  case  in  Virginia — 
and,  perhaps,  would  be  elsewhere,  if  the  matter  was  fairly 
tested. 

The  Philadelphia  Gazette  asserts  that  8,000  shares  are 
held  by  persons  in  Europe,  and  2,000  by  the  directors, 
and  20,000  by  the  citizens — so  that  of  those  who  have 
acted  on  the  present  occasion  seven-eighths  are  for  giving 
up  the  deposites. 

The  official  "Globe"  of  Monday,  speaking  of  the  Gi- 
rard bank,  says — '"That  bank  ought,  and  no  doubt  will, 
in  pursuance  of  its  contract,  be  required  to  pay  every  dol- 
lar of  deposite  on  hand  the  moment  it  refuses  to  receive  the 
accruing  revenue.  Not  the  indulgence  of  a  day,  nor  an 
hour,  should  be  given  to  an  institution  which  deserts  the 
post  it  has  voluntarily  assumed,"  &c.  and  then  suggests 
that  the  deposites  may  be  removed  to  New  York  ar  Bal- 
timore, or  locked  up  in  the  vault  of  the  custom  house. 
Tlte  spirit  of  this  article  is  of  a  horrible  kind.  An  exer- 
cise of  the  right  of  opinion,  and  by  those  most  interested, 
is  to  be  followed  by  swift  ruin,  if  possible,  for  desertion! 
Why  was  not  the  batik  of  VIRSINIA  so  threatened?  But 
the  agreement  between  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  and 
the  new  deposite  banks,  left  each  party  free  to  retire  from 
the  contract,  at  discretion,  the  secretary  being  required 
to  give  reasonable  notice  of  his  intention  to  remove  the 
public  money.  "JVoits  verrons!" 

In  our  congressional  proceedings  will  be  found  a  brief 
abstract  of  a  speech  of  Mr.  Clay,  in  the  senate,  on  the 
25th  inst.  respecting  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland,  in 
which  Mr.  Taney  is  a  stockholder,  Sec.  with  a  copy  of  a 
note  published  by  the  directors  of  the  bank  appended. 
Intending  to  present  all  such  tilings  fully,  we  think  it 
right  to  add,  that  the  "Globe"  of  the  27th  has  an  article 
saying,  that,  for  some  time  past,  Mr.  Taney  had  held, 
and  held  when  the  deposites  were  removed,  "six  or 
seven"  thousand  dollars  of  stock  of  this  bank — that,  on 
this  account,  he  requested  the  president  himself  to  select 
the  deposite  bank  in  Baltimore,  saying  "however"  that 
he  thought  the  capital  of  the  bank  of  Maryland  was  too 
small  to  make  it  a  suitable  depository — that  he  has  not 
bought  or  sold  any  bank  stock  since  the  removal  of  the 
deposites — that  he  never  was  a  director  in  the  Union 
bank,  though  once  elected,  without  his  knowledge — that 
no  treasury  draught  has  been  given  to  the  Union  bank 
since  October  last,  and  that  this  bank  had  not  asked  the 
aid  of  the  department  to  sustain  it — 'that  the  secretary 
has  never  doubted,  and  does  not  now  doubt,  that  the 
Union  bank  is  perfectly  able  to  sustain  itself  against  any 
attempts  that  may  be  made  against  it. 

In  the  same  degree  of  fairness  it  is  proper  to  observe, 
that  it  was  commonly  said  and  currently  believed,  that 
Mr.  T.  held  25,000  dollars  worth  in  the  stock  of  this 
bank,  and  that  the  aid  spoken  of  had  been  afforded. 

Orj=Since  the  preceding  was  written,  we  have  seen  the 
following  in  the  "New  York  American"  of  the  2Gth,  as 
an  extract  of  a  letter  from  Baltimore,  speaking  of  the 
'•bank  of  Maryland" — and  also  an  article  of  the  same 
purport  in  the  Commercial  Advertiser  of  the  same  date — 

"This  bank  has  been  circulating  vast  numbers  of  its  notes  in 
the  west;  last  week  a  draught  from  the  west  for  $150,000  was 
presented  through  the  branch  bank — the  president,  Poultney, 
asked  one  (fay.  It  was  granted — an  express  was  sent  to  Mr. 


Secretary  Taney,  who  drew  on  the  branch  fur  $200,000,  thui 
the  draught  on  the  Maryland  bank  was  paid,  and  the  other 
$50,000  wore  deposited  in  the  pet  bank,  the  Union,  which  has 
done  every  thing  in  it*  power  to  sustain  Poullney'g  bank,  but 
nil  in  vain,  tliou^li  aided  by  the  government  ill  Hie  bum  of 
§150,000." 

And  the  "Commercial"  observes — '"There  are  cir- 
cumstances connected  with  the  failure  of  the  Bank  of 
Maryland,  which  will  require  an  immediate  investiga- 
tion by  the  senate.  The  bank  of  Maryland  was  latterly 
a  political  b:mk.  Having  extended  itself,  through  the 
patronage  of  the  government,  it  has  at  last  met  the  coil- 
sequences  of  a  dependence  on  executive  wisdom  and  in- 
terference with  the  currency,"  i*cc. 

We  [Register]  had  not  before  heard  any  thing  of  this 
transaction* — but,  if  the  facts  stated  are  true,  it  will  only 
shew  that  the  likeness  of  the  names  of  the  bank  of  Ma- 
ryland and  of  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland,  has  caused 
another  mistake — the  latter  having  been  charged  with 
making  a  loan  of  $50,000  to  Mr.  Barry,  P.  M.  G.  which 
had  been  made  by  the  iormer. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONCRESS-FIEST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

March  21.    After  some  other  business — 

Memorials  were  presented  by  the  following  member!  praying 
for  the  restoration  of  the  deposites,  &.C.  by  Mr.  Clay  from  up- 
wards of  3,000  persons,  clerks  of  mercantile  men,  and  others 
engaged  in  trade,  in  the  city  of  New  York;  also  by  the  same 
from  a  large  number  of  traders  from  ten  different  slates  on  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi,  who  happened  lately  to  be  in  Phila- 
delphia, laying  in  their  stock  of  goods  for  the  season;  five  by 
Mr.  Southard,  one  from  three  of  the  banks  of  New  Jersey,  and 
the  others  from  the  counties  of  Monmouth,  Gloucester  and  Huu- 
terdon;  and  three  by  Mr.  Kent,  from  the  banks  of  Frederick  and 
Washington  counties.  All  which  were  severally  read,  referred, 
to  the  committee  on  finance  and  ordered  to  he  printed. 

Mr.  Ewiny  submitted  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  (he  post  office  and  post  roads 
be  instructed  to  examine  and  report  upon  the  present  condition 
of  the  post  office  department,  and  that  they  have  power  to  send 
for  persons  and  papers  to  take  testimony  for  that  purpose;  and 
that  the  secretary  of  the  senate  shall,  on  application  of  the  com- 
mittee, appoint  a  clerk  lo  attend  them. 

[This  resolve  lies  on  the  table.] 

The  chair  communicated  a  report  from  the  state  department 
shewing  the  number  of  American  seamen  registered  up  to  the 
last  quarter  of  ilje  year  1833. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  order 
of  the  day,  being  the  bill  to  continue  for  a  limited  time,  tbe 
charter  of  the  United  States  bank;  when 

Mr.  Callioun  addressed  the  senate  at  large  upon  the  question! 
brought  into  view  hy  the  bill.  After  he  concluded,  Mr.  Benton 
addressed  the  senate,  until  near  4  o'clock,  when,  without  con- 
cluding, having  yielded  the  floor,  the  senate  adjourned. 

March  22.  Mr.  Poindexter  presented  the  petition  of  John 
Cumrnings,  of  Oliio,  praying  to  be  relieved  from  lossea  sustain- 
ed by  him  in  consequence  of  a  fraud  committed  by  one  of  the 
United  States  land  officers;  which  was  referred  to  tile  commit- 
tee on  public  lands. 

Mr.  Webster  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  large  and  respect- 
able meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
also  a  memorial  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  same  county  signed 
hy  upwards  of  1,800  voters,  complaining  of  the  distress  caused 
by  the  experiment  of  the  government,  and  asking  a  restoration 
of  the  deposites,  &c.  Mr.  W.  in  presenting  the  above  made 
some  eloquent  remarks  descriptive  of  the  character  of  the  sign- 
ers of  the  memorial,  the  productions  of  the  county,  and  of  their 
depreciated  value,  &e.;  and  amongst  other  things  stated  that  it 
contained  10  or  12  forges;  that  there  were  upwards  of  4,000  pel- 
sons  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  iron;  that,  in  addition  to 
these  manufacturers,  there  wrre  others  engaged  in  paper  mak- 
ing; that  all  had  been  compelled  to  dismiss  or  decrease  their 
hands;  that  the  agriculturists  had  also  comn  in  for  their  share 
of  loss;  that  corn  and  rye  could  hardly  be  got  rid  of  at  Cham- 
bersburgh  ,tt  any  price;  the  loss  on  wheat,  the  great  product  of 
the  county,  wns  30  cents  per  bushel;  and  that  clover  seed  ano- 
ther great  product,  had  fallen  from  46  1°  -IN  P^r  bushel. 

Mr.  Forsytfi  presented  the  memorial  of  300  citizens  of  Peters- 
burgh,  Va.  approving  the  removal  of  the  deposites. 

Mr.  Lei»h  boro  testimony  to  the  respectability  of  many  of  the 
signers  of  the  memorial,  but  doubted  whether  there  were  as 
many  as  300  voters  in  Petersburgli;  he  then  presented  the  me- 
morial of  the  citizens  of  Princess  Anne  county,  Va. 

Mr.  JlolMns  presented  two  memorials  against  removing  the 
depo-=ilps,  one  from  Newport,  the  other  from  Smithfield,  R. 
[sliuirt.  The  above  proceedings  and  memorials  were  severally 
rend,  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  E>Hn«  reported  a  bill  to  settle  the  boundary  line  of  the 
state  of  Ohio,  which  was  read  and  ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

*Nor  as  yet  (Fiiday  evening)  have  we  heard  the  stalem«nt 
either  affirmed  or  denied.  We  have,  however,  rensons  to  be- 
lieva  that  the  whole  is  a  mistake,  as  to  rime  and  circumstance! , 
at  least. 


6S 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  2-9,  1834— CONGRESS. 


The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  order  of  the  day,  being  the 
leave  on  Mr.  Webster's  bill  for  continuing  the  charter  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  when 

Mr.  Benton  resumed  his  remarks,  and  concluded  about  a 
quarter  past  3  o'clock;  when 

Mr.  White  rose  and  said  he  wished  to  express  his  sentiments 
on  this  question,  and  would  do  BO  then,  or  on  Monday  next  as 
might  be  the  pleasure  of  the  senate. 

Mr.  Wright  stated  there  was  much  business  of  an  executive 
nature  before  the  senate,  and  expressed  a  wish  that  the  senator 
from  Tennessee  would  defer  his  remarks  till  Monday.  After 
some  remarks  by  Messrs.  Clay  and  Webster,  on  motion  of  Mr, 
Wright,  the  senate  went  into  executive  business;  and  after  the 
doors  were  reopened,  the  senate  adjourned. 

March  24.  Mr.  Webster  presented  a  memorial  signed  by  900 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Lynn,  Mass,  remonstrating  against 
the  removal  of  ilia  deposites,  and  prnying  for  their  restoration 
to  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  Mr.  VV.  said  that  the  town 
of  Lynn  was  beautifully  situated,  is  highly  industrious,  and 
had  been  hitherto  prosperous  and  flourishing.  With  a  popula- 
tion of  8,000  souls,  its  great  business  was  the  manufacture  of 
•hoes;  that  3,000  persons,  men,  women  and  children,  are  en- 
gaged in  this  manufacture.  They  make  and  sell  ordinarily,  two 
millions  of  pairs  of  shoes  a  year,  for  which,  at  75  cents  per  pair, 
they  receive  1,500,000  dollars;  that  they  consume  half  a  million 
of  dollars  worth  of  leather,  a  large  portion  of  which  was  pro- 
cured at  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore.  The  largest  number  of 
votes  ever  known  to  have  been  given  in  Lynn  was  1,060,  and 
900  had  signed  the  memorial.  He  staled  that  the  manufacturers 
of  Lynn  sent  their  articles  to  every  state  in  the  union;  for  the 
proceeds  of  the  sales  they  draw  their  bills  on  lime,  discount 
them  and  receive  the  cash.  They  had  heretofore  found  no  dif- 
ficulty in  caching  their  bills  at  three  fourth*  of  one  percent. 
though  drawn  on  the  most  distant  places.  But  the  executive 
government  has  broke  up  all  this,  and  these  manufacturers  sell 
their  bills  now  at  a  discount  of  three  per  cent.,  thus  losing  two 
dollars  and  a  quarter  in  every  hundred  by  losing  Hie  former  fa- 
cilities of  exchange.  Jn  the  present  state  of  things,  the  manu- 
facturers are  unwilling  to  buy  stock,  and  afraid  to  enter  into  any 
new  engagements.  They  cannot  therefore  employ  labor  as  for- 
merly, and  a  slate  of  confusion  and  embarrassment  has  conse- 
quently ensued.  Three  hundred  hands  have  been  dismissed 
from  employment,  sines  the  date  of  the  memorial,  and  others 
must  be  dismissed.  "When  (asked  Mr.  W.)  will  this  foolish 
experiment  be  abandoned?"  All  men  may  commit  errors,  but 
wise  men.  and  candid  men,  will  retracl  them,  so  soon  as  they 
see  them  to  be  errors.  They  will  not  adhere  to  errors  in  spite 
of  experience,  and  grow  more  obstinate  and  more  angry,  in  pro- 
portion as  that  error  becomes  more  and  more  manifest.  The 
country,  said  Mr.  W.  must  be  saved;  and  the  people  must  save 
it  by  compelling  those  who  have  adopted  ruinous  measures  to 
retrace  their  steps. 

The  memorial  was  then  referred,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  chair  presented  the  proceedings  and  resolutions  of  a 
meeting  held  in  York  county,  Pa.  approving  the  conduct  of  the 
executive  in  removing  the  deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  Unit- 
ed States.  The  chair  stated  that  this  was  a  printed  paper  trans- 
mitted to  him  by  the  committee  appointed  by  the  meeting;  thai 
it  was  the  same  paper  which  had  been  presented  to  the  senate 
•ome  days  since,  with  the  exception  of  the  preamble  which  had 
been  expunged,  and  which  the  senate  had  refused  to  receive. 
The  committee,  (the  cAair  said)  had  expressed  their  regrets 
that  they  were  not  authorised  by  the  meeling  lo  make  any  al- 
terations in  the  proceedings;  and  the  senate  would,  therefore, 
be  left  to  decide  whether  the  paper  was  proper  to  he  received. 

Mr.  Clay  inquired  of  the  chair  whether  the  paper  was  couch- 
ed in  respectful  language,  and  such  as  was  proper  to  be  pre- 
•ented  to  the  senate? 

The  chair  would  not  undertake  to  decide  that  question. 

The  reception  of  ihe  paper  was  then  opposed  by  Messrs. 
Clay,  Webster,  Calhoun,  Poindexter,  Ewing  and  Southard,  and 
seconded  by  Messrs.  King,  Wright,  Preston  and  Kane. 

The  ground  on  which  the  reception  of  the  paper  was  resisted 
was,  that  it  was  incumbent  on  every  person,  under  the  rules 
which  govern  deliberative  bodies,  in  presenting  a  paper,  to  state 
that  its  language  was  respectful, ami  such  as  might  be  received; 
and  that  the  cAatr  had  expressly  declined  giving  any  statement 
as  to  the  contents  of  this  paper. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  the  paper  was  then  Inid  on 
the  table. 

The  senate  resumed  the  consideration  of  Mr.  Webster's  bill 
to  continue  the  charter  of  the  bank  of  the  U.  Stales,  when 

Mr.  White,  of  Tennessee,  addressed  the  F enate  until  half 
past  3  o'clock,  without  coming  to  a  conclusion,  when  he  yield- 
ed the  floor  and  the  senate  adjourned. 

Af«rcA25.  Mr.  Mangum  presented  a  memorial  from  HIP  vil- 
lage of  Wilkesboro,  in  the  western  part  of  the  state  of  North 
Carolina,  complaining  of  the  violation  of  law  and  assumption 
of  power  by  the  executive,  in  the  removal  of  the  deposites.  On 
the  authority  of  a  letter  he  slated  that  nin*  tenths  of  the  me- 
alists  had  recently  been  Ihe  friends  of  the  administration 
and  tn  favor  ofgeneral  Jackson. 

He  also  presented  a  similar  memorial  from  the  citizens  of  Ha- 
lifax county,  North  Carolina.  Both  memorials  were  read  and 
rcfcrren. 

Mr.  Clay  rose  and  .aid  that  he  had  heard,  and  he  presumed 
that  every  member  of  the  lenate  had  heard,  that  yesterday  the 


bank  of  Maryland,  situated  in  Baltimore,  had  stopped  payment. 
He  stated  further,  that  he  had  heard,  that,  in  consequence  of  a 
connection,  supposed  or  actual,  between  that  bank  and  the 
Union  bank  of  Maryland,  one  of  the  banks  selected  by  the  trea- 
sury department  as  a  depository  of  ihe  public  revenue,  Ihere 
was,  yeslerday,  a  run  on  the  latler  bank  to  obtain  metallic  cur- 
rency for  the  paper  in  their  hands.  The  connection  between 
the  two  banks  seemed  so  intimate,  that  great  danger  was  appre- 
hended as  to  the  stability  of  the  Union  bank.  He  also  staled 
lhat  by  ihe  official  returns  made  by  Ihe  treasury  department,  it 
appeared  that  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  was  a  stockholder  to 
a  considerable  extent;  that  he  had  heard' the  slock  held  by  the 
secretary  in  that  institution  constituted  a  considerable  part  of 
his  property.  He  expressed  a  hope  it  would  turn  out  that  the 
Union  bank  was  in  a  safe  condition,  and  lhat  there  were  no 
just  grounds  for  the  apprehension  which  existed  as  lo  jis  safety, 
and  hoped  it  would  also  appear  that  the  secretary  of  ihe  treasury 
was  not  a  stockholder  in  this  bank  to  any  extenl  which  would 
authorise  an  impression  tlmt  he  had  suffered  his  own  interests 
to  enter  into  the  considerations  which  led  him  to  select  tbia 
bank  as  one  of  the  depositories  of  the  public  money. 

He  had  also  heard  this  morning  that  a  treasury  draught  or 
treasury  draughts,  to  the  amount  of.«150,000,  had,  in  ihe  courts 
of  a  few  days,  been  furnished  to  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland, 
by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury.  He,  therefore,  considered  it 
the  official  dut*  of  ihe  senate  lo  inquire  into  the  facts,  whether 
there  was  any  danger  to  the  public  interests  likely  to  result  from 
the  circumstance  of  the  public  money  being  in  that  institution. 
And  to  that  end  submitted  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to  re- 
port to  the  senate  what  amount  of  public  money  is  now  on  de- 
pome  in  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland,  and  on  what  account  it 
was  deposited;  and  whether  any  treasury  draughts,  contingent 
or  other,  have  been,  during  the  month  of  March,  1834,  furnished 
to  the  said  bank,  to  enable  it  to  meet  any  demands  which  might 
be  made  upon  it.' 

This  motion  lo  consider  the  resolution  requiring  the  unani- 
mous consent  of  the  senate- 
Mr.  Forsyth  objecting,  it  was  laid  over  until  to-morrow. 

Mr.  Clnyton  presented  certain  resolutions  of  a  large  public 
meeting  of  silversmiths,  watchmakers,  jewellers,  &.C.  of  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  praying  for  the  restoration  of  the  deposites — 
which  was  read,  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  senate  then  look  up  ihe  bill  fur  the  continuation  of  tire 
Cumberland  road  in  the  states  of  Ohio,  &.c.  as  in  committee  of 
the  whole,  which,  after  being  amended,  was  laid  on  the  table. 

The  senate  next  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  special 
order,  being  the  leave  asked  by  Mr.  Webster  to  introduce  his 
bill  continuing  the  charier  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States: 
when 

Mr.  White  resumed  his  speech  and  concluded  at  4  o'clock: 
when 

Mr.  Clay  obtained  the  floor,  bpt  yielded  to 

Mr.  Webster,  who  rose  and  said,  that  he  had  seen  with  regret 
a  disposition  to  enter  into  a  wide  debate  upon  the  whole  merits 
of  the  conduct  of  the  administration,  upon  a  mere  motion  for 
leave  to  bring  in  a  bill;  the  effect  of  which  course  of  proceeding 
would  be,  to  put  off  the  vote  on  Mr.  Clay's  resolutions.  He 
could  not  concur  in  promoting  that  object,  and  as  he  had  now 
answered  his  own  purpose,  which  simply  was  to  present  a  spe- 
cific measure  for  Ihe  consideration  of  congress  and  the  country, 
he  should  move  to  lay  it  upon  the  table,  that  Mr.  Clay's  resolu- 
tions might  be  acted  on,  and  accordingly  moved  thai  his  motion 

*The  Union  bank,  on  ihe  26th  inst.  after  quoting  Mr.  Clay's 
speech,  of  which  the  preceding  is  a  brief  abstract,  issued  the 
following  notice: 

"There  is  no  foundation  whatever  for  the  rumor  that  any  other 
connection  has  ever  existed  between  ihe  bank  of  Maryland  and 
the  Union  hank  of  Maryland,  than  has  existed  between  the 
Union  bank  of  Maryland  and  other  banks  in  the  city  of  Balti 
more. 

"It  is  not  a  fact  lhat,  'in  consequcnre  of  any  (supposed)  con- 
nection between  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland  and  the  bank  of 
Maryland,  a  treasury  draught  or  treasury  draught?  to  the  amount 
of  $150,000  (or  forany  other  amount),  have,  in  Ihe  course  of  the 
last  few  days,  been  furnished  to  the  Union  bunk  of  Maryland,  by 
the  secretary  of  ihe  ireasury:'  No  such  draughts  having  been 
received  aince  Oclober  lasl.  Nor  has  Ihere  been  any  occasion 
for  such  funds;  ihe  means  of  the  Union  bank  being  amply  suffi- 
cient to  discharge  all  the  claims  against  it,  as  they  may  be  de- 
manded. 

"The  board  feel  reluctanl  thus  to  appear  before  the  public;  but 
find  themselves  compelled  to  do  so,  by  a  sense  of  duty  to  the 
stockholders,  at  a  time  when  unfounded  rumors  are  in  circula- 
tion, in  prejudice  of  the  institution. 

(Signed)  THOS.  ELLICOTT,  president. 

LUKE  TIERNAN, 
HENRY  PAYSON, 
WILLIAM  E.  MAYHEW. 
JAMES  CAMPBELL, 
JOHN  H.  B.  LATROBE, 
JOHN  Q.  HEWLETT, 
DAVID  M.  FERINE, 
ISAAC  TYSOV, 
THOMAS  A.  \ORRfS, 
WILLIAM  F.  MURDOCH." 
[See  also  page  67.J 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  29,   1884— CONGRESS. 


69 


or  leave  be  laid  on  the  table,  giving  notice  that  he  should  agair 
call  it  up  on  the  first  Monday  in  May. 

Mi.  Forsyth  asked  for  the  yeas  and  nays;  which  were  order- 
ed; and  the  question  was  taken  and  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Black,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton,  Evving,  Fre 
linghuysen,  Hendricks,  King,  of  Geo.  Mangum,  Moore,  Nau- 
daiii,  Poindexter,  I'orter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Kobhin*,  Silst'ee 
Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift, Tomlinsori,  Wagguman,  Web 
ster— 24. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Benlori,  Brown,  For>>yth,Grundy,  Hill,  Kane, 
King,  of  Alabama,  Morris,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Tallinadge,  Tip- 
ton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright — 15. 
So  the  motion  wan  laid  on  the  table. 
Mr.  Clay  then  asked  if  the  senator  from  N.  York,  Mr.  Wright, 
desired  to  say  any  thing  on  the  subject  of  hi*  resolutions,  if  not 
that  he  should  say  a  word  or  two  in  reply  to  those  who  had  spo 
ken. 

Mr.  Wright  answering  in  the  affirmative,  the  senate  adjourn- 
ed. 

March  26.  Mr.  Southard  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meet- 
ing of  5,000  young  men  of  Philadelphia,  opposed  to  the  course 
of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  in  removing  the  deposiles. 

Mr.  Preston  presented  the  proceeding  of  4,627  young  men  of 
the  same  place,  in  favor  of  the  restoration  of  the  deposites. 

The  special  order  of  the  day,  being  the  report  of  the  commit 
tee  on  finance  on  Mr.  Clay'i  resolution  upon  the  removal  of  the 
deposites,  was  then  taken  up,  and 

Mr.  Wright  rose  and  spoke  at  large,  sustaining  the  secretary. 
When  he  had  concluded, 

Mr.  Clay  obtained  the  floor,  and  intimated  that  if  it  was  the 
wish  of  any  gentleman  to  address  the  senate,  he  would  yield 
the  privilege.  No  senator  rising,  Mr.  Clay  moved  an  adjourn- 
ment, but  gave  way  to  Mr.  Poindexter,  upon  whose  motion  the 
senate  went  into  executive  business;  and  after  some  time  spent 
therein  adjourned. 

March  27.  Mr.  King,  of  Geo.  presented  a  memorial  signed 
by  about  400  persons,  citizens  of  Augusta,  Georgia,  praying  for 
the  restoration  of  the  deposites  to,  and  for  the  recharter  of,  the 
bank  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Clay  presented  a  similar  memorial  from  the  citizens  of 
Lexington  and  the  county  of  Fayette,  Kentucky,  signed  by  up- 
wards of  1,200  persons. 

Mr.  Clay,  in  presenting  the  memorial,  said,  that  the  memorial 
ists  were  composed  of  numbers  of  his  friends  and  neighbors; 
some  of  whom  he  had  known  for  forty  years — by  individuals 
embracing  all  the  various  callings  of  life,  mechanics,  manufac- 
turers, farmers,  merchants,  and  the  great  body  of  men  of  busi 
ness  of  those  places. 

It  was  true  that  the  memorialists  did  not  speak  of  any  great 
present  pressure  in  their  portion  of  the  country;  they  spoke  of 
the  approach  of  great  distress,  and  expressed  their  apprehen 
sions  that  it  would  increase. 

After  paying  them  an  eloquent  compliment,  he  said  they  had 
their  apprehensions  excited  by  what  they  deemed  an  assault  on 
the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  country.  If,  said  he,  there  be 
a  spot  in  the  union  liktly  to  be  exemptfrom  the  calamities  that 
had  afflicted  the  others,  it  would  he  that  region  aliont  Lexing- 
ton and  its  immediate  neighborhood.  Nowhere,  to  no  other 
country,  has  Providence  been  more  bountiful  in  its  gifts.  He 
stated  that  it  yielded  from  60  to  70  bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre; 
but  there  were  6,000  lal  bullocks  remaining  unsold  because  the 
butchers  could  not  obtain  the  usual  facilities  from  the  banks  to 
purchase— thus  $100,000  worth  of  this  species  of  property  re- 
mained on  hand. 

The  above  memorials  were  read,  referred  and  ordered  to  be 
printed. 

Mr.  Webster gave  notice  that  he  would  call  up  his  bill  extend- 
ing the  charter  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  on  the  21st  of 
April. 

Mr.  Wilkin*  presented  the  proceedings  and  resolutions  of  a 
meeting  of  citizens  of  the  town  and  county  of  Beaver,  Penn 
sylvania,  praying  for  a  recharter  of  the  hank,  with  certain  mo- 
difications, foi  a  restoration  of  the  deposites,  and  disapproving 
of  the  late  message  of  governor  Wolf,  commending  the  con- 
duct of  Mr.  Duane,  and  censuring  that  of  Messrs.  Wilkins  and 
McKean. 

Mr.  Wilkins  paid  it  gave  him   pleasure   to  present  these  pro 
ceedings,  though  they  rapt  him   arid   his  colleague  over  the 
knuckles,  and  though  he  dissented  from  their  opinions. 
The  proceedings  were  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 
Mr.    Wilkins,  reported  the  army  appropriation  bill  without 
amendment. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  report 

of  the  committee  on  finance  on  Mr.  Clay's  resolutions,  when 

Mr.  Clay  arose  and  addressed  the  senate,  and,  after  speaking 

two  hours  without  concluding  his  remarks,  IIP  gave  way  to  a 

motion  to  that  effect,  and  the  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  March  21.  Various  bills  of  a  private  nature  being  re- 
ported and  disposed  of. 

The  bill  to  continue  the  Cumberland  road  from  the  Missis- 
sippi river  to  Jefferson,  in  the  state  of  Missouri,  and  the  bill  to 
continue  the  same  road  from  Vandalia,  in  Illinois,  to  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  were  read,  respectively,  and  referred  to  the  com- 
mittee of  the  whole  house  on  the  state  of  the  union. 

The  resolution  of  Mr.  Aforrfi?  was  further  discussed  by  Mr. 
B  urges,  until  the  expiration  of  the  hour,  and  then  the  considera- 


tion of  the  report  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  4.C.  was 
taken  up. 

Mr.  Gilmer,  of  Geo.  then  addressed  the  house  in  opposition 
to  a  restoration  of  the  deposites.  and  concluded  at  half  pant  2 
o'clock,  when  no  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  the  house  adjourned. 

Saturday,  March  22.  Motions  were  respectively  made  to  sus- 
pend the  rules  of  the  house  to  take  up  certain  bill*,  which  fail- 
ed, or  were  withdrawn. 

The  bill  to  return  the  duties  on  certain  pieces  of  sculpture, 
the  capitals  of  the  columns  of  the  exchange  at  Philadelphia, 
was  then  read  the  third  time,  and  rejected  by  a  vote  of  ayes  45, 
nays  135;  and  the  house  adjourned. 

Monday,  March  24.  The  order  of  the  morning  being  the 
consideration  of  the  Virginia  resolutions,  the  house  took  up 
the  same,  when,  Mr.  Pinckney,  who  had  the  floor,  being  absent, 
the  resolutions  were  laid  on  the  table  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  chair  then  resumed  the  call  of  the  states  for  ihe  presenta- 
tion of  petitions  and  memorials;  when 

Memorials,  petitions,  proceedings  of  meetings,  Sic.  were  pre- 
sented in  favor  of  the  restoration  of  the  deposites  and  the  re- 
charter  of  the  bank,  by  the  following  persons — by  Mr.  Hard 
from  citizens  of  New  York;  by  Mr.  Selden  from  600  citizens  of 
Brooklyn,  New  York;  by  Mr.  Fillmore  from  the  citizens  of  Buf- 
falo, New  York;  by  Mr.  Shinn  from  the  president  and  directors 
of  tin.-  state  bank  of  Camden,  the  Cumberland  bank  of  Bridge- 
ton,  and  the  Farmers  bank  of  N.  Jersey;  and  from  the  citizens  of 
Gloucester  county,  and  another  county,  in  New  Jersey;  by  Mr. 
Lee  from  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Cumberland  county,  New 
Jersey;  by  Mr.  Wagener  from  citizens  of  Northampton  county, 
Pennsylvania;  by  Mr.  Miller  from  citizens  of  Cumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania;  thirteen  memorials  by  Mr.  Heister  from  about 
750  [additional]  citizens  of  Lancaster  county;  by  Mr.  Chambers 
from  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Franklin  county,  Pennsyvania; 
from  the  inhabitants  of  tile  township  of  Washington  in  the 
same  county,  also  from  other  inhabitants  of  the  county,  t-igned  in 
all  by  upwards  of  1,800  voters;  by  Mr.  IHnney  from  a  meeting  of 
building  mechanics  of  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia;  by 
the  sau;e  from  a  meeting  of  tin-plate  workers,  sheet  iron  work- 
ers and  coppersmiths  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia;  by  the  same 
from  a  meeting  of  cabinet  makers,  piano  forte  niaki  rs,  chair 
makers,  upholsterers,  fancy  fuinishers,  fringB  makers,  carvers, 
gilders,  varnishers,  turners,  lamp  makers,  coach  makers,  aud 
others  engaged  in  furnishing  materials  and  labor  connected 
with  these  arts,  in  Ike  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia;  by  the 
same  from  authors,  editors,  booksellers,  publishers,  printers, 
look  binders,  paper  makers,  paper  dealers,  stationers,  en- 
gravers, copper  plate  printers,  type  and  stereotype  founders, 
•Hinting  press  mukers,  and  ink  manufacturers,  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia;  by  the  name,  the  proceeding!  of  a  meeting  of 
young  men  of  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia;  by  Mr.  Banki 
from  a  meeting  of  inhabitants  of  the  county  of  Beaver,  in  the 
slate  of  Pennsylvania,  by  Mt.  Henry  King  from  farmers,  iron 
na-iters,  storekeepers,  mechanics  and  others,  residing  in  the 
ower  part  of  the  county  of  Schuylkill,  Pennsylvania;  by  Mr. 
fVatmoui>h  from  a  meeting  of  citizens  of  Oxford,  Lower  Dub- 
in,  Byberry.  Moreland  and  unincorporated  Northern  Liberties 
if  the  county  of  Philadelphia;  by  the  same  from  a  meeting  of 
he  citizens  of  the  third  congressional  district  of  Pennsylvania; 
>y  i he  same  from  another  meeting  of  citizens  of  the  same  dis- 
trict. Mr.  H'atmough  presented,  also,  a  memorial  of  citizens 
>f  the  third  congressional  district  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania, 
complaining  of  a  misrepresentation  attending  the  presentation 
o  the  house,  on  the  3d  of  March,  instant,  of  a  memorial  from 
certain  citizens  of  said  third  congressional  district,  as  to  the 
lumber  of  signers,  and  representing  that  many  hundred  of  said 
signatures  were  duplicates.  The  said  memorials,  so  presented 
on  the  3d,  though  stated  by  Mr.  Sutherland  to  contain  4,000 
signatures,  upon  strict  examination  were  found  to  have  but  1,497 
names  in  all;  of  which,  467  were  duplicates.  So  that  the  teal 
lumber  of  signers,  instead  of  being,  as  alleged,  4,000  was,  in 
reality,  but  1,050.  Mr.  W.  laid  a  synopsis  of  these  signatures 
>efore  the  house,  and  moved  for  its  printing,  together  with  the 
nemorial  he  presented.  Mr.  Sutherland,  having  obtained  h-ave 
o  reply,  gave  the  authority  on  which  he  had  made  his  former 
statement,  but  admitted  that  there  must  have  been  some  mis- 
,ake.  The  duplicate  signatures  he  accounted  for  from  different 
copies  of  the  memorial  having  been  circulated,  and  the  signa- 
ures  to  each,  by  accident,  put  together.  To  show  how  easily 
this  might  occur,  he  referred  to  about  ninety  names  in  the  me- 
morial presented  some  days  since  by  Mr.  Binney.  which  were 
o  be  found  in  similar  succession  in  two  different  portions  of 
.he  roll  of  signatures.  Some  further  explanations  took  place, 
which  we  do  notunderlake  to  give  in  detail,  but  which  resulted 
n  a  request  from  Mr.  Binney  that  Mr.  Satforiand  would  send 
to  the  clerk  an  exam  list  of  the  names  he  had  referred  to,  as 
tfr.  Watmough  hail  done  in  reference  to  the  memorial  present- 
ed by  Mr.  Sutherland.  By  Mr.  Anthony,  two  memorials  from 
Lvcoming  county,  Pennsylvania;  by  Mr.  Harper  from  a  meet- 
n'g  of  silver  smiths,  wateh  makers  and  jewellers  of  the  city 
and  county  of  Philadelphia;  by  Mr.  Stewart  the  memorial  of 
nhabilanls  of  Brownsville  and  vicinity,  in  Pennsylvania;  by 
Vlr  Galbraith  from  inhabitants  ofCrawford  county,  Pennsylva- 
lia-  by  Mr.  Barnitz,  (a  protest  from  70  citizens  of  York  county, 
a»ainM.tht"  proceedings  of  a  meeting  held  on  the  4th  March); 
)V  Mr.  Wist  from  citizens  of  Northampton  county,  Virginia;  by 
the  same  from  citizens  of  Arcomac  county,  Virginia;  by  Mr. 
Mf«on  from  merchants,  manufacturers,  mechanics  and  other 
citizens  of  the  town  of  Peterbtugb,  Virginia;  by  Mr.  Loyal!  from 


70     NILES'  REGISTER -MARCH  29,  1834— THE  BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE,  &c. 


inhabitants  of  Princess  Anne  county,  Virginia;  by  Mr.  Palton 
from  inhabitants  of  the  towns  of  Fre.dt-rick*b;irch  and  Falmoulh, 
Virginia;  by  Mr.  Cage  from  inhabitants  of  Wilkinson  county, 
Mississippi,  by  the  same  from  inhabitants  of  Adams  county, 
Mississippi. 

All  the  above  memorial?,  proceedings,  &c.  were  read,  refer- 
red to  the  committee  ol  ways  and  means  and  ordered  to  lie 
limited,  with  the  exception  ot  the  one  presented  by  Mr.  Barnitz 


Mr.  Ellsworth,  of  Conn,  took  the  floor  and  spoke  in  opposition 
to  the  secretary  of  tlie  treasury's  reasons  unlit  past  3  o'clock, 
and  having  concluded, 

Mr.  Choate  obtained  the  floor,  and  the  house  adjourned. 


THE  BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE  AND  MR.  McKIM. 
delegation   appointed  to   visit  tbe  city  of  Washington, 


i,  . 

Iron,  York  county,  Pa.  which  was  ordered   to  In-   primed  and  j  to  presein  the^mc-mm.*!  ol^  the  citizen*  of  Baltimore,  in  favor 
laid  on  the  table,  and  those  by  Mr.  Ca°e,  from  MissisMppi,  which 


were  simply  presented  and  not  disposed  of. 

Memorials,  petitions  and  resolutions  against  a  restoration  of 
the  public  deposites  to  the  bank  of  the  U.  Stales,  and  against 
a  renewal  of  the  charter  of  said  bank,  were  presented  as  fol- 
lows, viz: 

By  Mr.  Page  from  inhabitants  of  the  couniy  of  ptsego,  New 
York;  by  Mr.  McVean  from  a  meeting  of  inhabitants  of  the 
county  of  Montgomery,  New  York;  by  Mr.  Dickenon  from  ma- 
nufacturers, mechanics,  merchants  and  farmers  of  Pateison 
and  its  vicinity,  New  Jersey;  by  Mr.  Lee  from  a  meeting  of  citi- 
tens  of  Cumberland  county,  New  Jersey;  by  Mr.  Miller  from  a 
meeting  of  citizens  of  Carlisle  and  vicinity,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Suther- 
land from  citizens  of  unincorporated  Penn  township,  Pa;  by  the 
same  from  a  meeting  of  citizens  of  Philadelphia;  by  Mr.  Gal- 
braUk  from  inhabitants  of  Ciawford  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Mason 
from  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Petersburgli,  Va.;  by  Mr.  ll'tsc 
ironi  a  meeting  of  inhabitants  of  Matthews  comity,  Va.;  by  Mr. 
SLytle  from  a  convention  of  inhabitants  of  Hamilton  couniy, 
Ohio;  by  Mr.  Leavilt  two  memorials  from  inhabitants  of  the 
"  itate  of  Ohio;  by  Mr.  Parker  sundry  resolutions  adopted  by  the 
general  assembly  of  Now  Jersey  adhering  to  the  resolution? 
passed  by  them  on  the  llth  January  last;  by  Mr.  Jiarnitz  cer- 
tain resolutions  passed  at  a  meeting  held  in  York,  Pa. 

All  the  above  memorials,  &c.  were  read,  rcf.-rred  to  the  com- 
mittee of  way*  and  means  and  ordered  to  be  printed,  except  the 
last  which  was  ordered  to  he  printed  and  laid  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Peyton,  of  Va.  moved  a  resolution  calling  upon  Hie  secre- 
tary of  war  for  all  the  correspondence  since  March  4.  1829,  rela- 
tive *o  a  removal  or  change  ol  the  pension  office  from  the  bank 
of  the  United  States,  and  its  several  branches,  to  any  of  the  local 
banks. 

After  attending  to  various  other  matters  connected  with  posi 
routes,  or  of  a  private  and  personal  character,  there  being  but 
.forty-seven  members  present,  the  house  adjourned. 

Taetday,  March  25.  Mr.  Chinn  reported  a  hill  to  complete 
the  improvement  of  Pennsylvania  avenue. 

Mr.  Ashley,  of  Missouri,  having  obtained  leave,  presented  a 
memorial  from  certain  merchant*,  citizens  of  the  western  slates 
•convened  at  Philadelphia,  praying  fur  a  restoration  of  the  de 
polite*  and  a  rcchartcr  of  the  hank. 

Mr.  Burget,  who  h>id  the  floor  on  Mr.  JfnrJts'  resolution  on 
the  subject  of  the  depo«i<e<,  waived   his  right,  in  order  that  Hit 
•tales  might  be  called  for  memorials  and  petitions. 
The  house  Having  granted  leave, 

The  chair  resumed  the  call  of  the  states,  commencing  with 
Mississippi. 

Mr.  Cai;e  moved  tint  the  resolutions  which  he  presented  yes- 
terday from  certain  citizens  of  Mississippi  be  laid  on  the  table 
and  be  printed. 

Mr.  Plummer  asked  leave  to  address  the  house,  in  order  to 
express  hi*  dissonl  to  the  doctrines  of  the  resolutions. 
Mr.  Cage  withdrew  his  motion  to  lay  them  on  the  table,  when 
Mr.  Plummer  moved  to  commit  the  resolutions  to  the  com- 
mittee of  ways  and  means,  with  instructions  to  report  adverse- 
ly to  the  prayer  thereof;  hut  the  resolutions  having,  by  mistake, 
been  sent  to  the  printer,  Hie  motion  of  Mr.  P.  was  laid  over  un- 
til the  next  petition  day. 

Tbt  chair  laid  before  the  house  a  letter  from  lieut.  Levy,  of 
the  navy,  presenting  to  the  U.  States  a  colossal  bronze  statue 
of  Mr.  Jefferson,  which  on  motion  of  Mr.  Pattern,  of  Va.  was 
referred  to  the  commitiee  on  Ihe  library,  and  ordered  to  he 
printed. 

The  house  th«:n  took  up  the  order  of  the  day,  being  the  con- 
sideration of  the  report  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  on 
the  subject  of  the  removal  of  the  denosilcs,  when 

Mr.  Clay,  of  Ala.  took  Hie  floor  and  spoke  till  3  o'clock,  and 
tbfn,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Srhlai,  of  Geo.  the  house  adjourned. 

JPeJnetHay,  March  26.  The  resolution  submitted  hy  Mr. 
Murdit,  of  Ala.  relative  to  the  public  deposited  was  taken  up, 
and 

Mr.  Burgei  resumed  and  concluded  his  remarks  on  the  sub- 
ject, when 

Mr    Chilton  Jlllan  obtained  the  floor. 

At  one  o'clock  the  house  proceeded  to  the  considciation  of 
the  resolutions  reported  by  the  committee  of  ways  and  means. 
tc. 

Mr.  Schley,  ofGao.  took  tin-  floor  and  addressed  the  house  in 
support  of  tlie  .»eer»tary.  When  Mr.  S.  concluded, 

Mr.  ElUtrorth  obtained  l!ic  floor,  and  moved  Hint  ihe  lum^e 
adjourned,  which  motion  was  negatived;  but  the  motion  to  ad- 
journ being  renewed  by  Mr.  Me  Co  me.?,  nfler  some  explanations, 


th<-  hmisc  adjourned 

v,  March  27. 


>iution  of  Mr.  Mnrdti  on  the 


subject  of  the  pnhtic  dwpiifites  WN«  Ukcn  up,  when 

Mr.  CMHon  *9lltm  xridrcsgril  the  house,  in  opposition  thereto, 

until  the  hour  expired  without  concluding,  when 

The  hou«e  resumed  the  consideration  of  lite  report  of  the 

-ewmmutee  ot  ways  and  means,  and 


I'  the  restoration  of  the  deposites,  who  made  their  report  at 
he  meeting  in  Monument  square  on  tin:  5th  instant,  have  found 
he.inselves  compelled  to  appear  again  before  the  public,  in 
answer  to  an  attempt  that  has  been  made  by  the  secretary  of 
he  treasury  and  one  of  ihe  representatives  from  the  city  of  Bal- 
imore,  to  discredit  the  statements  contained  in  the  report  re- 
erred  to. 

The  delegation,  consisting  of  individuals  who  have  never 
coveted  the  honors  of  political  preferment,  who  have  for  the 
most  part  but  little  mingled  in  the  strifes  and  contentions  which 
lave  unfortunately  so  much  agitated  our  country,  and  whose 
ives  have  been  engrossed  in  pursuits  thai  left  them  small  lei- 
sure and  less  desire  for  public  affairs,  were  not  prepared  to 
expect  thai  Ihe  duties  they  had  reluctantly  assumed,  in  visiting 
Washington,  wure  to   be  subjected  to  such  harsh  imputations, 
as  would  put  the  delegation   upon  the  necessity  of  vindicating, 
before  their  fellow  citizens,  their  personal  veracity  and  honor. 
In  the  excited  stale  of  the  times,  they  had,  it  is  true,  good 
reason  to  believe  that  party  exasperation  would  supply  much 
severe  comment  upon  the  motives  of  the  memorialists  and  upon 
the  conduct  of  the  delegation;  and  as  citizens  charged  with  an 
important  trust,  they  were  willing  to  abide  the  spleen  of  those 
who  inis-ht  be  offended.     But  Ihey  did  not  suppose  that  facts, 
solemnly   asserted   under  the   responsibility   of    their  names, 
would   be  flatly  denied.    This  extreme,  however,  they  have 
already  encountered  from  various  quarters,  in  forms  so  authori- 
tative as  to  compel  them  in  their  own  defence,  to  throw  them- 
selves before  their  fellow  townsmen,  with  such  a  statement  as 
they  hope  will,  amongst  all  who  are  acquainted  with  the  dele- 
gation, leave  the  question  of  fact,  at  least,  beyond  controversy. 
The  unusual  circumstance  of  appointing  a  special  delegation 
to  visit  the  seat  of  government  in  order  to  present  the  memo- 
rial, indicated  the   deep  and  momentous  concern  which  the 
citizens  of  Baltimore  felt  in  the  pan  and  in  the  pending  mea- 
sures of  the  government.    The  memorial  itself  expressed  the 
language  of  extraordinary  present  distress  and  of  anxious  fear 
for  the  future  welfare  of  the  nation.     In  every  quarter  the  dis- 
turbed and  dismayed  condition  of  the  people,  the  frequency  of 
public  meetings,  the  intensity  of  the  public  discussions,  and  the 
sad  forebodings  which  the  wisest  and  best  men  in  the  nation 
had  openly  expressed,  showed,  too  clearly  to  he  mistaken,  that 
sreat  interests  were  at  hazard  —  interests  that  involved  some- 
thing more  than  the  personal  calamities  of  individuals,  and  re- 
lated to  the  permanency  and  integrity  of  our  government.     In 
such  a  slate  of  thine?,  the  delegation  were  selected  to  proceed 
to  the  city  of  Washington.     It  was  their  duty,  as  they  under- 
stood it,  not  only  to  present  the  memorial  with  which  they  were 
charged,  but,  also,  to  ascertain,  as  accurately  as  their  inquiries 
iniiilit  enable  them,  whnt  were  the  sentiments  of  the  prevailing 
party,  both  in  and  out  of  congress,  in  reference  to  the  increas- 
ing distress  of  the  time",  and  whnt  were  the  hopes  of  change. 
In  this  interpretation  of  the   purposes  of  their  mission    they 
could  not  neglect  the  obvious  duty  of  holding  communication, 
not  qnly  with  members  of  both  houses  of  congress,  but.  nlso, 
with  such  portions  of  the  executive,  as  mieht  be  supposed  to  be 
able  to  communicate  the  authentic  views  of  that  parly  in  whose 
hands,  alone,  the  power  to  redress  the  people   resided.    They 
felt  that,  as  American  citizens,  representing  a  large  and  res- 
pcclahln  portion   of  the  constituent  body,  they  had  a  right  to 
this  information:  thai  the  genius  of  our  government   defied   the 
concealment  of  Ibe  principles  hy  which  the  public  functionaries 
were  regulated;  and  that  as  the  halls  of  congress  were  open  to 
petition,  so  should  the  executive  department  be  open    to  the 
access  of  every  citizen  who  respectfully  approached  it  to  make 
known  the  actual  stale  of  the  country,  and  the  influence  of  the 
public  measures  upon   the  welfare  of  the  pcopl.-.     With  this 
persuasion  the  delegation  felt  no  delicacy  in   holding  an  inter- 
view with  the  president  and  his  secretary  of  the  treasury;   and 
having  done  so,  they  reported  the  rcsuli  of  these  interviews  to 
Iheir  fellow  citizens,  as  accurately  ns  they  are  able  to  recollect 
them.     And  here  they  lake  leave  to  observe,  that  they  do  not 
recognize  the   doctrine   that  any  public  functionary,"  in   this 
countiy.  can.  consistently   with  the  principles  of  our  govern- 
ment, claim  to  consider  his  communications  to  a   commiiree. 
of  the  people,  in  rmttors  rclntint:  to  great  and  important  public 
measure.*,  in  the  liaht  rif  confidential  disclosures,  which  they 
are  not  at  liberty  asain  to  repeat—  and  more  particularly  is  this 
remark  applicable  to  the  represcntntivcs  of  the  people,  in   their 
relation  wilh  Iheir   own   rnn«titurnts.     Our's   is  a  government 
«lne.h    professes  to  n»ove   in   the  light  of  public  scrutiny.     To 
ciiiiiine.nl  upon  tin-  principles  of  those  who  administer  if.  whe- 
ther in  nr  out   nf  congress,  is  a  boasted   prerogative  of  the  peo- 
ple; and  if  the  representative  entertain  docltines,  or  i?  governed 
by  motives  of  which  his  constituents  arc  igm>rani.  the  conceal- 
ment of  them   is  ntiu-iirihv  of  his   station.     If  they  be  of  evil 
tendency,  he  is  not  fit  for  his  place—  if  Ihey  be  good,  there  can 
be  no  private  reason  to  withhold  them. 

Wilh  these   preliminary  remarks,  the   delegation  proceed  to 
examine  a  letter,  addressed  by  the  honorable  Roger  B.  Taney, 


NILES'  REGiSTEll— MARCH  29,   1*34— THE  BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE,  Sic.     71 


secretary  of  the  treasury,  to  Upon  S.  llenlth,  esq.  of  this  city, 
dated  the  lUtli  instant,  and  lately  published  in  the  newspapers 
of  this  city;  an  answer  to  which,  it  is  proper  to  say,  would  have 
been  sooner  laid  before  the  public,  but  for  the  absence  of  two 
of  the  delegation  from  the  city. 

Mr.  Tancy,  from  the  particularity  with  which  he  remarks, 
that  four  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  delegation  were  not  present  at 
the  interview  with  him,  seems  to  infer  that  the  report  had  con- 
veyed a  different  impression  to  the  public:  but  it  will  be  seen, 
by  reference  to  the  report  itself,  that  the  statement  there  given 
is,  that  "a  part  of  the  delegation"  only  called  upon  liim.  He 
complains  that,  in  the  conversation  to  which  he  was  invited 
by  Mr.  Brown,  one  of  the  four  who  visited  him,  he  had  no 
reason  to  expect  that  it  was  designed  for  publication.  He  then 
proceeds  to  detail  the  substance  of  the  conversation  which  he 
held  with  Mr.  Brown,  and  with  Messrs.  Crawford  and  Gaither, 
having  previously  remarked  that  Mr.  Patterson  did  not  come 
into  the  room  until  near  the  close  of  the  interview. 

That  part  of  the  conversation,  as  detailed  by  thn  secretary, 
in  which  he  ar.serts  that  Mr.  Brown  expressed  himself  opposed 
to  the  restoration  of  the  depositeg,  the  latter  gentleman  has  un- 
dertaken to  answer  for  himself,  and  expressly  denies,  (what 
would  seem  to  be  sufficiently  incompatible  in  itself),  that  he 
who  went  to  Washington  lo  ask  for  a  restoration  of  the  depo- 
sites,  should  have  declared  himself  opposed  to  such  a  measure. 
The  contradiction  may  be  reconciled  by  adverting  to  the  fact 
stated  by  Mr.  Brown  in  his  separate  publication,  namely,  that  his 
opinion  was,  that  the  future  ileposilei  should  be  made  in  the 
United  States  bank,  an  opinion  which  the  secretary's  statement 
does  not  controvert,  and  which  may  be  assumed  to  he  the  com- 
mon wish  of  the  great  mass  of  the  people  of  the  U.  States,  who 
are  at  present  petitioning  for  their  restoration.  The  fact  also 
that  Mr.  Brown  desired  to  see  the  charter  of  the  bank  modified, 
or  a  new  bank  erected  in  its  place,  is  conformable  to  the  known 
sentiments  of  that  gentleman,  though  a  matter  of  no  interest  to 
the  mission  upon  which  the  delegation  proceeded  to  Washington. 
It  is  a  fact,  however,  which  may  serve  to  show  that  the  mea- 
sure of  restoring  the  deposites  is  not  so  inseparably  connected 
in  the  minds  of  the  people  with  the  renewal  of  the  present  bank 
charter,  as  the  public  have  been  taught  at  Washington  to  be- 
lieve. 

Thus  disposing  of  such  part  of  tho  secretary's  letter,  as  re- 
fers to  Mr.  Brown,  the  delegation  cannot  perceive  much  dif- 
ference between  the  statements  of  Mr.  Taney  and  those  given 
in  the  report;  and  it  will  perhaps  relieve  the  secretary  fiom  his 
suspicion  that  the  confidence  invited  by  Mr.  Brown,  has  been 
violated,  when  the  delegation  assure  the  public  that  they  have 
reported  nothing  that  was  not  uttered  after  Mr.  Patterson  came 
into  the  room.  The  object  of  the  delegation  was  in  no  respect 
unfriendly  to  Mr.  Taney,  nor  did  they  seek  to  cast  a  censure 
upon  him,  nor  expose  him,  in  any  degree  to  public  animadver- 
sion. His  sentiments  had  been  already  given  in  an  official  form 
to  the  nation,  and  had  been  so  largely  canvassed  that  no  one 
could  be  supposed  to  be  ignorant  of  them.  It  was,  therefore,  not 
a  subject  of  their  concern,  to  repeat  Mr.  Taney 's  views  as  declar- 
ed to  Mr.  Brown,  in  regard  to  his  conceptions  of  the  danger  and 
abuses  of  the  powers  of  the  bank.  The  principal  objsct  of  their 
visit  to  the  secretary  was  to  communicate  to  him  their  own 
knowledge  of  the  public  distress,  of  their  conviction  of  the  source 
from  which  it  sprang,  and  to  learn  from  him  whether,  with  these 
evidences  before  his  eyes  of  the  unpredicted  and  fatal  conse- 
quences  of  his  own  error  of  policy,  this  department  of"  the  exe- 
cutive still  adhered  to  the  determination  of  maintaining  the  un 
fortunate  position  ithad  previously  assumed.  His  answer  to  this 
communication  was  all  that  it  interested  the  signers  to  know, 
and  it  was  to  this  point,  accordingly,  that  they  directed  their 
attention.  Mr.  Taney  was  informed,  by  the  chairman  of  the 
delegation,  in  what  capacity  they  visited  him,  and  they  cannot 
but  feel  surprised  that  the  secretary  should  have  supposed  Hint 
an  answer  so  pregnant  of  interest  to  the  nation  should  not  be 
duly  and  faithfully  reported.  They  have  so  reported  it.  Mr. 
Taney  had  spoken  to  them  of  the  experiment — although  his 
letter  does  not  admit  this  phrase — and  had  said  that  it  would  be. 
continued  regardless  of  the  present  difficulties;  upon  which  Mr. 
Patterson,  conceiving  this  to  be  the  great  and  paramount  ques- 
tion before  the  people,  addressed  the  remark  to  the  secretary— 
"Sir,  if  this  experiment  should  he  persisted  in.  and  some  relief 
— such  as  we  do  not  now  anticipate — should  not  be  given,  a 
large  portion  of  the  trading  community  must  fail."  The  se- 
cretary's reply  was— "If  all  did  fail  the  policy  of  the  govern- 
ment "would  not  be  changed."  To  the  verbal  accuracy  of  this 
language,  on  both  sides,  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  pre- 
sent, now,  after  mature  deliberation,  give  their  most  solemn 
declaration.  And  they  bep  ngain  to  repeat  that  all  that  is  con- 
tained in  their  report  was,  in  "substance,  communicated  to  them 
by  Mr.  Taney,  at  that  stase  of  the  conference  at  which  Mr 
Patterson  was  present — this  gentleman  now  affirming  to  his  re 
collection  of  all  therein  contained. 

In  making  this  communication,  the  delegation  think  trie  cili 
zens  of  Baltimore  will  perceive  that  there  is  no  substantial  dir 
ference  between  their  report,  and  the  admitted  views  of  Mr 
Taney,  as  declared  by  himself— although  the  secretary  ha. 
somewhat  softened  the  import  of  the  language  used  by  him.  Hi 
still,  however,  does  not  deny  t'.mt  he  may  hnve  u?ed  thn  exae 
expressions  imputed  to  him  by  the  delegation — and  with  tliii 
explanation  the  delegation  are  willing  to  dismiss  the  subject 
taking  the  occasion  at  the  same  time,  to  protest,  that  they  neve 
iupposed  they  were  violating  a  private  confidence,  in  repotting 


what  they  heard— and  aUo,  to  assure  Mr.  Taney  that  tiiey  ap- 
proached him  and  left  him  with  sentiment*  of  private  respect 
unchanged  by  the  intervinw— regarding  the  communication  he 
had  made  lo  them,  as  the  deliberate  arid  approved  course  of 
the  executive,  guided,  doubtless,  by  its  own  sense  of  the  public 
good,  and  of  the  importance  of  ils  policy. 

The  delegation  proceed  to  consider  the  letter  addressed  by 
Issac  McKim,  esq.  to  the  citizens  of  Ihe  fifth  congressional  dU- 
iriol,  daled  on  the  15th  instant. 

This  letter,  they  a.re  sorry  to  remark,  indicates  a  drgrcp  of 
temper  on  the  part  of  the  writer,  lhal  has  led  him  inlo  imputa- 
tions upon  the  delegation,  which,  perhaps,  in  a  cooler  moment 
he  will  regret.  The  duty  of  a  representative  to  submit  to  a 
scrutiny  of  his  public  character,  conveys  un  obligation  too  vital 
to  the  lilierly  of  the  people,  lo  justify  the  exhibition  of  resent- 
ment against  any  constituent  who  demands  the  inquiry.  The 
representative  is  entitled  lo  personal  respect— to  fair  examina- 
tion— and  to  impartial  judgment— he  is  entitled  lo  be  protected, 
as  in  this  community  he  mosl  assuredly  would  be,  against  false 
accusations  and  misapprehension; — but  he  is  not  entitled  to  the 
veil  of  secrecy  to  cover  his  opinions,  or  screen  his  acts  from 
public  review.  The  people — and,  especially,  in  limes  whan  il 
IR  important  that  their  voice  should  be  truly  heard  in  the  public 
councils— have  a  right  to  inquire,  and  to  speak;  and  commen- 
surate with  their  right  to  inquire,  is  it  the  icpreatntalive's  duly 
lo  submit  io  the  investigation. 

The  delegation  make  these  observations,  because,  In  the  part 
they  have  had  to  perform,  it  has  been  their  misfortune  to  incur 
from  Mr.  McKim,  the  imputation  of  a  <fcsi»n  to  injure  him.  To 
this  they  reply,  thai  some  of  them  have  been  long  in  Ihe  en- 
joymenl  of  social  relations  with  that  gentleman,  which  had  won 
from  Ihem  Iheit  private  regard,  and  that  it  is  doing  violence  lo 
their  personal  sentiments,  when  Mr.  McKim  attribute!,  to  them 
any  other  motive  or  impulse,  in  making  iheir  reporl,  than  Ihose 
which  strictly  belong  to  their  regard  for  truth,  and  lo  their  sense 
of  duty  to  the  citizens,  by  whom  they  were  deputed  to  visit  the 
seat  of  governmeril.  Their  veracity,  however,  havinz  been 
most  uncourieously  challenged  by  Mr.  MeKim,  they  feel  no 
lesitation  in  encountering  his  letter  with  a  statement  which 
hey  feel  assured  Ihe  citizens  of  Baltimore  will  not  discredit — 
ind,  in  the  beginning,  they  earnestly  reaffirm  Ihe  entire  and 
icrupulous  truth  of  Ihe  statement  heretofore  submitted  to  the 
>ublic. 

Before  the  delegation  enter  upon  the  examination  of  Mr. 
McKim's  letler,  they  will  pause  to  dispose  of  one  objection 
which,  from  the  phraseology  used  by  him,  would  seem  to  imply 
an  exception  to  the  right  of  the  signers  of  the  memorial  to  ex- 
peel  from  him  eilher  accountability  to  them  as  a  representative, 
>r  his  aid  in  presenting  tke  memorial  to  congress.  His  letter 
•i  addressed  lo  the  citi/.ens  of  "Ihe  fifth  congressional  district," 
nrludinc  a  portion  only  of  Ihe  citizens  of  Baltimore;  and  he 
«peaks  of  being  "wantonly  assailed  by  a  committee  opposed  to 
the  present  administration  of  the  government,  deputed,  in  treat 
part,  from  a  neighboring  congressional  district,  and  that  a  public 
meetingconvened  without  the  limitsnfhif  district."  It  is  scarce- 
ly necessary  to  say  more  to  this  objection,  than  thai  a  very  re- 
spectable number  of  his  own  immediate  constituents  had  Finned 
the  memorial,  and  that  two  of  them,  caplnin  Graham  and  Mr. 
Hubbard,  (the  latter  of  whom  was  prevented  by  his 'engage 
ments  in  the  city  council  from  accompanying  his  colleagues), 
were  appointed  on  the  delegation.  To  this  fnct  may  be  added, 
Mr.  McKim's  notification  to  Ihe  delegation  that  he  was  expect- 


:TI  I  .  ifurvnn   S>UI?IIIIL.  n  ia<-i  iu«^_  .  -  _        . 

the  objection  intimated  above.     The  delegation  now  purpose  to 
xamine  the  statements  contained  in  Mr.  McKim's  lellcr. 

By  that  document  it  will  be  perceived  that  Mr.  McKim's  in 
terviewa  with  the  members  of  Ihe  delegation,  are  described  as 


terviews  WHII  me  menioers  <>i  uiu  ueiegBiwu,  urc 
havinz  taken  place,  firsl  in  his  own  parlor,  anil  secondly,  in 
the  parlor  of  the  delegation.  The  individuals  of  the  delegation 
present  at  his  own  parlor  interviews  are  stated  by  him  lo  be 
Mr.  Howcll,  on  the  night  of  the  10th,  and  Messrs.  Birckhead 
and  Graham  separately  on  the  morning  of  Ihe  lllh.  By  the 
same  statement,  his  visit  to  the  delegation  in  their  own  room 
took  place  on  the  night  of  the  llth  and  lasted  about  nn  hour,  he 
pays  the  person  there  present  were  Mr.  Crawford,  Mr.  Patter- 


72     NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  29,  1834— THE  BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE,  &c. 


e  pro- 


one  conclusion—  namely,  that  the  gentlemen  referred  to  ap- 
proached him  under  the  mask  of  friendship,  artfully  insinuat- 
ed themselves  into  the  secrets  of  his  bosom,  and  whilst  ac- 
cepting the  hospitality  of  his  table,  or  the  privileges 
family  sanctuary,  wsre  conspiring  to  betray  him,  hy  th 
roiilg.ilion  of  falsehoods  to  the  public.  It  will  be  seen  before 
this  reply  is  concluded,  with  what  propriety  these  insinuations 
are  thrown  out. 

Mr.  McKim  purport*  to  give  what  he  calls  the  "history"  of 
wti.it  took  place  between  himself  and  the  delegation  —  meaning, 
of  course,  (as,  in  such  circumstances,  it  was  liis  duty  to  give), 
a  faithful  narrative  of  every  thing  that  he  could  remember.  It  is 
upon  this  narrative  lhat  he  invokes  the  public  judgment;  and, 
in  the  beginning  of  his  letter,  confesses  that  if  the  repoit  of  the 
delegation  be  true  he  is  "unfit  to  be  the  representative  of  a  free 
and  enlightened  people."  It  is  upon  this  issue  that  the  delega- 
tion now  present  themselves  to  the  public. 

The  delegation  take  this  occa.-ion  earnestly  to  remark,  that, 
in  the  report  made  by  them  to  the  citizens  of  Baltimore,  they 
have  not  stated  one  word,  nor  referred,  by  the  remotest  dilution 
to  one  expression  used  by  Air,  McKim  any  where  but  in  their  owi 
room.  Mr.  Howell,  who  visited  .Mr.  McKim  in  his  parlor 
was  not  requested  to  make  that  visit,  nor  wa-  lie  commissionei 
to  speak  the  sentiments  of  the  delegation.  \o  report  was  made 
by  Mr.  Howell  to  the  rest  of  the  delegation,  except  a  casna 
remark,  importing  that  Mr.  McKim  did  not  wi.-h  to  present  the 
memorial  —  a  remark  that  was  not  repented  in  the  report.  His 
visit  was  regarded  by  the  delegation  us  entirely  private,  and  he 
did  not  feel  himself  at  liberty  tn  detail,  especially  for  the  public 
ear,  any  thing  that  was  there  uttered  by  Mr.  McKim. 

It  is  true  that  capt.  Graham,  bring  Mr.  McKmi's  immediate 
constituent,  was  deputed  with  Mr.  Birekhead  to  call  on  .Mr. 
McKim,  on  the  morning  of  the  llth,  and  inform  him  that  ttie 
delegation  had  arrived;  but  nothing  that  passed  between  these 
gentlemen  and  the  representative  was  incorporated  into  the  re- 
port. Indeed,  so  great  has  been  the  reluctance  of  the  delega- 
tion to  say  any  thing  of  Mr.  McKim's  opinions,  except  as  they 
referred  to  the  immediate  subject  of  their  mission,  that  they 
have  in  their  report  scrupulously  omitted  many  particulars 
which,  although  properly  subject  to  public  remark,  were  of 
such  a  nature  as  to  indicate  a  want  of  due  reflection  on  his 
part,  and  for  that  reason  alone  were  withheld  from  the  report. 

VVHh  this  statement  it  cannot  but  be  seen  how  very  unjust  h 
the  attempt  of  Mr.  McKim  to  enlist  the  public  sympathy  in  his 
favor,  by  endeavoring  to  cast  upon  the  delegation  the  implied 
offence  of  violating  the  confidence  of  his  fireside.  He  has, 
however,  in  bis  letter,  broken  this  seal  of  confidence,  and  pub- 
lished to  the  world  for  the  first  time,  the  conversation  he  had 
iicld  with  Mr.  Howell.  As  this  conversation  is  now  referred 
to,  somewhat  in  the  light  of  an  official  answer  to  an  official 
communication  —  a  character  which  Mr.  Howell  certainly  never 
gave  it,  it  is  proper  to  say  that  it  is  in  general  n  true  statement, 
except  that  Mr.  McKim  (according  to  Mr.  Howell's  recollec- 
tion), instead  of  saying  that  "he  would  risk  bis  life  and  fortune 
rather  than  betray  the  trust  which  his  constituents  had  delegat- 
ed to  him"—  remarked  lhat  he  would  encounter  this  risk  "ra- 
ther than  abandon  the  course  of  the  administration"  —  a  remark 
which  he  reiterated  in  the  room  of  the  delegation.  The  delega- 
tion repeat  that  no  part  of  this  conversation  ever  entered  into 
the  report. 

From  Mr.  McKim's  "history  "of  the  case,  it  would  seem  that 
(the  only  occasion  on  which  he  had  any  conversation  with  any 
members  of  the  delegation  regarding  the  immediate  object  of 
their  vi'it  to  Washington,  was  in  his  own  parlor;  since  he  de- 
elates  *bat  when  he  visited  the  delegation  in  their  room  on  the 
night  of  the  llth,  (where  he  remained,  according  to  his  own 
statement,  mn  hour,  and,  according  to  that  of  the  delegation, 
upwards  of  two  hours)  he  had  only  a  general  conversation 
About  the  etate  of  the  money  market,  the  bank  and  the  pres- 
sure— but  not  a  word,  that  he  can  remember,  "about  presenting 
the  memorial."  If  this  be  correct,  it  is  a  littlo  strange  that  Mr. 
McKini  should  consider  the  communication  he  had  in  his  own 
parlor  relating  to  the  presentation  of  the  memorial,  confiden- 
tial, since  it  is,  according  to  his  own  testimony,  the  only  occa- 
*.-ja«  on  which  the  subject  was  opened  to  him  by  any  member 
of  the  delegation.  Mr.  McKim,  however,  the  delegation  affirm, 
is  altogether  in  mistake—  and  as  his  "history"  is  written  to  ena- 
ble the  public  to  decide  the  important  issue  which  he  himself 
has  tendered,  it  might  naturally  be  expected  that  a  little  more 
particularity  should  have  been  indulged  as  regards  the  conver- 
sations and  eventt  of  this  visit. 

As  it  was  at  this  visit  to  the  delegation  in  their  own  parlor, 
that  Mr.  McKim  expressed  himself  in  the  language  ascribed  to 
him  in  the  report,  the  delegation  feel  themselves  authorised  to 
refer  to  so  much  of  the  conversation  lhat  passed  there,  as  may 
be  necessary  to  recall  to  Mr.  McKim,  more  explicitly  than  they 
have  heretofore  done,  the  subjects  that  were  then  brought  into 
discussion.  And  as  Mr.  McKim  is  not  only  silent  in  his  letter 
us  to  what  pasxed  on  this  occasion,  but  also  expressly  negatives 
the  statement  heretofore  made  by  the  delegation,  they  take  the 
opportunity  to  reaffirm,  in  the  most  impressive  lancuage,  the 
perfect  truth  of  that  statement,  and  to  declare  that  all  (here  re- 
ported and  much  more,  was  uttered  by  Mr.  McKim  at  this  visit; 
find  consequently  that  the  visit  was  not  of  so  informal  and  un- 
important a  character  as  the  letter  would  leave  the  public  to 
0upl«Jse. 

When  Mr.  McKim  entered  the  room  of  the  delegation,  he  in- 
quired  for  the  chairman.  It  is  true,  an  Mr.  McKim  .states,  that 


the  chairman  did  not  introduce  the  subject  of  presenting  the 
memorial  —  because,  from  what  Mr.  Hon-ell  had  intimated  .the 
night  before,  the  delegation  were  led  to  believe  that  Mi.  MoKiin 
did  not  wish  to  present  it.  But  Mr.  MeKim  himself  introduced 
tin;  subject,  and  gave  the  reasons  for  not  presenting  the  memo- 
rial already  detailed  in  the  report.  It  may  iivsfet  hi.-  memory 


. 

I  to  recall  this  circumstance,  so  strenuou>ly  denied  by  him,  to  re 
fer  to  a  fact,  the  announcement  of  which  particularly  stiuck 
the  attention  of  the  members  of  the  delegation  to  whom  it  was 
addressed:  Mr.  McKim  stated  to  the  chairman,  amongst  other 
reasons  for  not  presenting  the  memorial  —  that  it  was  the  cus- 
tom, on  such  occasions  to  make  a  long  speech  —  that  this  would 
be  expected  of  him  by  the  delegation,  and  therefore  h«  would 
have  to  make  one,  which  he  could  (Jo,  but  he  had  been  advised 
not  to  make  speeches,  because  it  would  hurt  his  influence  in 
the  house.  He  further  remarked,  as  an  additional  reason,  that 
he  would  be  called  on  to  present  the  counter  memorial,  which 
he  expected  in  a  few  days:  and  he  said  other  things  bearing  on 
the  same  subject,  which  the  delegation  do  not  choose  to  repeat, 
being  too  confident  in  their  own  recollections,  to  allow  them- 
selves an  instant  of  doubt  as  to  the  accuracy  of  their  statement. 
Mr.  McKim  has,  by  his  silence,  also  denied  his  opposition  to 
the  policy  of  the  removal  of  the  de|X>siles.  The  delegation,  in 
addition  to  the  statement  in  their  report,  say,  that  Mr.  McKim 
had  his  attention  drawn  to  this  subject,  when  he  candidly 
avowed  his  opposition  to  the  measure,  and  said  that  he  had 
written  letters  against  it,  which  were  read  in  the  cabinet;  and, 
moreover,  that  in  Baltimore,  he  had  urged  Amos  Kendall  not 
to  do  it—  at  all  events,  until  after  his  election.  These  remarks 
were  followed  by  ni.s  declarations  relating  to  his  influence  with 
tlie  executive,  as  detailed  in  the  rnport;  and  also  of  his  own 
knowledge  of  th«  distress  existing  in  Baltimore,  which,  he  said, 
he  had  not  made  known,  as  he  thought  it  might  injure  the  city 
—illustrating  his  remark,  at  the  same  limo,  with  a  proverb 
which  it  is  not  necessary  to  repeat  —  and  declaring,  as  a  further 
mason,  that  lie  was  not  going  to  admit  the  distress  to  the  Yan- 
kee members  of  congress.  His  expression,  at  this  interview,  in 
regard  to  Mr.  Bibb,  of  which,  "for  tlie  present,  he  contents 
himself  wilh  a  positive  denial"  —  the  delegation  now  emphati- 
cally reassert,  as  made  by  him,  on  this  occasion,  to  Mr.  Patter- 
son anil  the  chairman  Mr.  Crawford. 

These  remarks  were  made  by  Mr.  McKim  during  the  inter- 
view, to  portions  of  the  delegation,  as  the  conversation  respect- 
in!:  the  objects  of  the  mission  led  to  these  topics;  and  although 
not  all  heard  by  each  member  of  the  delegation,  yet  they  were 
sufficiently  general  to  remove  any  pretext  for  Ihe  supposition 
lhat  they  were  intended  to  be  confidential,  or  to  express  any 
other  than  the  public  sentiments  nnd  opinions  of  the  represen- 
tatives, and  too  explicitly  declared  to  admit  of  the  possibility  of 
misapprehension. 

The  delegation  regret  that  they  should  be  put  so  distinctly 
upon  the  defence  of  their  own  veracity,  as  to  make  it  necessary 
to  repeat  assertions  heretofore  given  to  the  world  under  their 
own  hands.  But  they  trust  their  fellow  citizens  will  perceive 
that  no  alternative  was  left  them  but  to  take  up  the  is.«ue  pre- 
sented to  them  by  Mr.  McKim.  In  doing  so,  they  have  exhi- 
bited the  case  so  strongly  as,  for  the  present,  it  is  necessary  to 
do.  They  have  shown  that  Mr.  Kim  is  entirely  mistaken,  in 
supposing  any  confidence  of  private  friendship  has  been  violat- 
ed, that  the  interview  with  him  was  upon  his  own  call,  in  the 
parlor  of  the  delegation,  and  that  he  has  not  given  in  his  letter 
any  particulars  of  the  conversation  which  occurred  there, 
whilst  he  has  filled  it  with  conversations  which  the  delegation 
did  not  report:  that  his  memory,  as  to  what  occurred  in  the  par- 
tor  of  the  delegation,  is  treacherous  and  cannot  he  depended 
upon:  whilst  the  recollection  of  the  several  members  of  the  de- 
legation of  such  parts  of  the  conversation  as  fell  within  their 
hearing,  is  accurate  and  fresh,  and  warrants  them  severally,  in 
giving  the  most  solemn  avouch  to  the  public,  of  the  truth  of 
their  previous  report,  and  of  the  facts  herein  added  to  it. 

With  tiiis  explanation  they  desire  to  take  leave  of  the  sub- 
ject, confidently  relying  upon  their  credit  and  character  with 
their  fellow  citizens,  to  whom  they  beg  permission  to  add,  not- 
withstanding recent  attempts  to  discredit  other  parts  of  their 
report,  that  upon  a  deliberate  review  of  the  whole  of  that  do- 
cument, they  are  willing  to  pledge  their  honor  and  reputation 
for  its  entire  and  unexaggerated  truth. 

WM.  CRAWFORD,  jr. 
HUGH  BIRCKHEAD, 
J.  W.  PATTERSON, 
GEO.  R.  GAITHER, 
W.  C.  SHAW, 
WM.  GRAHAM, 
JOHN  BROWN  HOWELL. 

P.  S.  Since  this  reply  has  been  prepared  by  the  delegation, 
Mr.  Brown,  conceiving  from  the  special  manner  in  which  he 
tias  been  singled  out  by  Mr.  Taney  for  remark,  and  believing, 
from  his  being  the  only  member  of  the  delegation  with  whom 
Mr.  McKim  had  no  conversation,  that  he  is  the  person  referred 
to  in  that  gentleman's  letter,  has  thought  it  his  duty  to  annex  a 
separate  reply  in  his  own  name. 

For  this  reason,  alone,  Mr.  Brown's  name  does  not  appear 
with  the  rest  of  the  delegatioa,  his  separate  reply  being  snb- 
oiucd. 

CARD. 

Tn  addition  to  the  notice  published  on  the  18th  inst.  of  the 
statement  made  by  Mr.  Taney  respecting  the  conversation  re- 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  29,  1834— NEW  YORK  REPORT. 


75 


ferred  to  by  him,  as  having  taken  place  between  him  and  my- 
KclfiH  Washington,  I  consider  it  also  my  duly,  under  existing 
Circumstances,  to  suy,  that  so  far  as  concerns  my  interview 
with  Mr.  McKim,  if  lie  alluded  to  me,  IK;  is  correct  in  stating 
that  I  Imd  no  conversation  with  him — as  I  came  into  the  com- 
mittee room  where  he  was  when  the  interview  between  him 
and  the  delegation  was  nearly  closed.  But  it  is  my  duty  fur 
ther  to  state,  that  although  I  had  not  an  opportunity  myself  to 
tiear  his  remarks,  yet  trout  the  representations  of  my  colleagues 
imim'iliately  afterwards,  and  from  my  entire  confidence  in  their 
veracity  as  gentlemen,  1  cannot  entertain  the  slightest  doubt  of 
Hie  statement  made;  mil  I  do  now,  as  I  did  wlien  I  signed  the 
report,  hold  myself  responsible  in  common  with  them,  for  the 
truth  of  every  word  therein  stated.  I  have  thought  it  necessary 
to  make  this  separate  statement,  because  I  am  the  only  person 
of  the  committee  to  whom  Mr.  McKim's  remarks  could  apply, 
and  I  cheerfully  submit  my  course  to  the  public  decision. 

GEO.   BROWN. 
Baltimore,  19th.  March,  1834. 

REPORT  OF  THE  "UNION  COMMITTEE"  OF  N.  YORK 
Appointed  by  the  meeting  of  the  signers  of  the  memorial  to 
congress,  held  on  the  llth  day  of  February,  1834,  at  the  Mer- 
chants' Exchange,  in  the  city  of  New  York. 
The  "vniou  committee"  appointed  by  the  meeting  of  mer- 
chants and  others  (signers  of  the  memorial  to  congress)  held  on 
*he  lltb  day  of  February,  1834,  at  the  Merchants'  Exchange  of 
New  York,  submit  the  following  report:  in  which  as  the  only 
means  in  their  power  of  inducing  a  reconsideration  of  the  sub- 
ject by  the  state  legislature,  the  committee  have  embodied  their 
views  respecting  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  and  a  na 
tional  iiank. 

The  committee,  anxious  in  the  first  instance  to  ascertain  the 
situation  of  the  state  banks  and  of  the  branch  bank  in  this  city, 
and  the  probable  amount  to  which  their  accommodations  might 
be  extended,  applied  to  them  for  that  purpose.  The  banks 
have,  almost  universally, cheerfully  complied  with  that  request, 
although  aome  delay  has  necessarily  taken  place;  and  the  state- 
ment annexed  to  this  report  which  exhibits  their  situation  on 
the  1st  of  October,  1833,  and  the  1st  of  February,  1834,  respec- 
tively, shows  that,  so  far  from  any  curtailment  having  taken 
place,  the  accommodations  given  by  the  banks  have,  during 
that  period,  been  increased  more  than  five  millions  of  dollars, 
and  on  the  1st  of  Feb.  amounted  to  almost  forty  millions  of 
•dollars. 

On  the  1st  of  October  last  the  loans  and  discounts 
of  the  three  banks,  which  have  since  been  se- 
lected to  collect  the  revenue  of  the  U.  States, 
amounted  to  $9,189,593 

Those  of  the  other  16  banks,  then  in  operation  to        18.953,183 
.And  those  of  the  branch  of  the  United  States  6,180,833 


$34,323,609 


$13,769,552 

19,494,185 
6,458,540 


On  the  1st  of  February  last  those  of  the  three  se- 
lected banks  amounted  to 

Those  of  the  17  other  city  banks  then  in  operation 
to 

And  those  of  the  branch  bank  to 

$39,722,277 

It  was  evident  from  that  statement,  that  the  city  banks  had 
•extended  their  loans  and  discounts  to  the  utmost  extent  con- 
sistent with  their  safety.  The  liabilities  of  the  eighteen  bank* 
of  which  we  have  complete  returns,  including  the  aggregate 
amount  of  their  circulation  and  public  and  private  deposites, 
and  deducting  that  of  their  own  notes  and  checks  drawn  upon 
them,  in  the  possession  of  the  several  banks,  and  not  returned 
and  exchanged  till  the  ensuing  morning,  amounted  on  the  1*1 
of  February  last,  exclusively  of  the  balances  due  to  the  banks 
out  of  the  city,  to  $15,500,000;  and  the  aggregate  amount  of  spe- 
cie in  their  vaults  to  1,652,000  dollars.  This  proportion  is 
known  from  experience  to  be  sufficient  in  ordinary  times,  and 
will  prove  so  now,  so  long  as  the  amount  of  public  deposites 
shall  not  be  materially  diminished;  and  especially  at  a  time 
when  there  is  not  and  cannot  be  any  foreign  demand  for  specie; 
but  this  amount  of  specie  could  not  be  sensibly  lessened  with- 
out, endangering  the  safety  of  the  banks. 

Even  if  willing  to  encounter  the  risk  of  still  further  lessening 
the  ratio  of  .specie  to  liabilities  payable  on  demand,  it  is  not  in 
the  power  of  the  banks  to  do  it  at  pleasure;  since  the  ability  to 
extend  their  discounts  beyond  the  amount  of  their  capital,  de- 
pends entirely  on  that  of  Iheir  circulation  and  deposites,  and 
these  are  regulated  by  the  wants  of  tho  community,  and  not  by 
the  operations  of  the  banks.  Should  they,  by  a  simultaneous 
effort,  increase  at  this  time  their  discounts  by  two  millions  of 
dollars,  they  must  to  the  same  extent  issue  an  additional 
amount  of  bank  notes,  or  open  additional  credits  on  their  books 
(commonly  called  deposites)  in  favor  of  those  whose  notes  they 
might  discount;  and  by  far  the  greater  part  of  this  excess  of  is- 
sues, or  book  credits,  beyond  the  amount  wanted  to  effect  the 
payments  of  the  city,  would  be  almost  instantaneously  return- 
ed upon  them,  either  by  transfers  of  the  surplus  amount  toother 
cities,  or  in  some  other  way. 

In  the  present  state  of  public  excitement  and  apprehension, 
the  slightest  incidents  may  produce  fatal  effects.  An  unfound- 
ed alarm  as  to  the  sitiiatio'n  of  the  country  banks,  has  sli.nvn 
the  necessity  imposed  on  those  of  the  city  to  husband  tUtir  re- 


sources. In  that  instance,  we  are  gratified  to  find  that  the 
measures  of  relief  which  were  immediately  adopted  have  been 
attended  with  complete  success;  and  that  the  banks  of  the  in- 
terior by  a  salutary  though  painful  curtailment  of  their  issues, 
and  by  judicious  measures  for  the  redemption  of  their  notes, 
enjoy  now  the  same  confidence  as  heretofore. 

The  preceding  observations  are  strictly  applicable  to  all  the 
city  banks  which  rely  exclusively  on  their  otv  n  resources.  The 
late  great  increase  in  the  amount  of  loans  ;md  discount*  be- 
longs almost  entirely  to  the  three  hanks  M  lect^d  to  colltct  the 
public  revenue,  and  is  due  partly  to  the  increase  of  about  one 
million  of  dollars  in  the  amount  of  public  dcpusiies  in  this  city, 
since  the  first  of  August  last;  but  principally  to  the  fact  that  the 
selected  banks  have  increased  their  discounts  almost  to  the 
whole  extent  of  the  public  moneys  in  their  hands.  Whether 
they  will  be  able  to  continue  their  accommodations  to  the  same 
amount  depends  on  a  contingi-iicy,  which  it  is  not  yet  in  their 
power  to  ascertain,  viz:  whether  their  receipts  derived  from  the 
United  States  revenue,  which  may  be  collected  during  the  en- 
suing months  at  New  York,  will  be  equal  to  the  amount  of  the 
treasury  draushts  for  the  public  service  during  the  same  period. 

The  city  of  New  York  has  had  no  reason  to  complain  of  the 
curtailments  made  here  in  its  discounts  by  the  bank  of  the 
United  States.  Notwithstanding  a  decrease  of  more  than  four 
millions  of  dollars  in  the  amount  of  the  public  and  private  de- 
posites in  the  New  York  branch  since  the  first  of  August  last, 
the  loans  and  discounts  here  do  not  vary  essentially  fiom  the 
amount  allowed,  either  on  the  first  of  August  or  the  first  of  Oc- 
tober, 1833.  But  it  was  presumed  that  the  same  reasons  which 
had  induced  the  bank  to  strengthen  this  important  place,  had 
lost  nothing  of  their  force;  and  it  was  the  opinion  of  Hie  com- 
mittee that  the  capital  of  two  millions  and  a  half,  originally  as- 
signed to  the  branch  of  this  city,  which  is  but  one-fourteenth 
part  of  the  whole  capital  of  the  bank,  was  much  less  than  is 
now  due  to  the  principal  centre  of  the  commerce  and  moneyed 
transactions  of  the  country.  Strong  representations  were 
therefore  made  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  from  the  bank  posi- 
tive assurances,  that  no  diminution  at  least  of  their  discounts, 
or  in  the  purchase  of  bill*  of  exchange,  should  take  place  in 
this  city,  arid  that  the  forbearance  in  calling  for  balances  due 
by  the  city  banks,  should  be  continued  to  the  same  extent  as 
heretofore,  during  the  two  ensuing  months. 

A  disposition  to  comply  with  this  request  was  early  manifest- 
ed, but  an  intervening  incident  induced  the  bank  to  postpone  a 
definitive  answer,  which  was  not  received  till  yesterday.  It 
will  be  seen  by  this,  that  the  bank  of  the  United  States  accedes 
to  the  course  proposed  by  the  committee  of  correspondence, 
"that  no  diminution  up  to  the  first  of  May  next,  be  made  in  the 
present  amount  of  loans  and  discounts  in  the  city  and  state  of 
New  York,  and,  if  practicable,  that  an  increase  be  made  in  the 
line  of  domestic  bills  of  exchange,  discounted  at  the  office  in 
that  city,  and  that  the  bank  will  not  call  for  the  payment  of  such 
balances  as  may  become  due  to  it  by  the  city  banks  up  to  the 
first  of  May  next,"  it  being  understood  that,  in  case  the  bank  of 
the  United  States  should  become  indebted  to  the  city  banks,  a 
similar  forbearance  on  their  part  is  to  be  observed.  The  ar- 
rangement to  be  subject  to  be  changed  by  the  bank,  in  case  of 
further  hostile  action  of  the  executive,  or  any  unforeseen  event. 

Upon  the  whole,  the  committee  entertain  a  confident  hope 
that  the  accommodations  now  given  by  the  banks  will  not  be 
lessened  during  the  ensuing  months;  but  cannot  hold  out  the 
expectation  of  any  material  increase.  The  only  mode  by  which 
some  relief  can  be  obtained  from  that  source,  without  increas- 
ing the  liabilities  of  the  banks  payable  on  demand,  which  sug- 
gests itself,  is  some  uniform  plan  for  an  increase  of  special  de- 
posites, bearing  a  moderate  rate  of  interest,  and  not  to  be  with- 
drawn before  stated  periods  according  to  agreement. 

The  object  of  this  measure  must  not  be  misunderstood.  It 
cannot  bring  into  action  any  considerable  portion  of  inactive 
moneyed  capital,  since  there  is  hardly  any  which  is  not  at  this 
time  actively  employed,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  as  ordina- 
ry hank  rieposites.  Its  only  effect  would  be  to  substitute,  for 
the  private  credit  which  from  want  of  confidence  is  now  with- 
rirawn,  bank  credit  in  the  shape  of  certificates  of  deposite,  which 
the  holders  might  negotiate.  Post  notes  would  be  more  conve- 
nient, but  seem  to  be  forbidden  by  law.  That  plan  has  been 
successfully  adopted  in  Massachusetts,  and  several  foreign 
countries.  The  eity  banks  are  the  only  proper  judges  of  its 
practicability,  safety  and  utility,  here,  and  at  this  time;  and 
they  have  accordingly  been  requested  to  take  it  into  considera- 
tion. 

In  other  respects  the  committee  could  recommend  to  them 
nothins  mnre  than  to  take  also  into  consideration  the  propriety 
of  the  following  measures: 

An  8«r«emnnt  between  the  several  banks,  founded  upon  equi- 
table piinciples,  not  to  demand  from  each  other,  for  the  pre- 
sent, payment  in  tpecieofthe  balances  which  may  respectively 
become  due  to  any  of  them;  unless  such  balance  should  exceed 
a  certain  sum  in  proportion  to  their  respective  capitals. 

A  uniform  and  efficient  plan  for  the  redemption  of  country 
notes  in  this  city,  together  xvilh  such  means  as  may  be  devised 
for  the  purpose  of  facilitating,  at  this  time,  the  country  remit- 
tances. 

An  application  to  our  representatives  in  congress,  urging  the 
necessity  of  passing  immediate! v  the  hills  now  before  that  body, 
for  making  the  silver  coins  of  Mexico  and  the  states  of  South 
America  a  legal  tender,  and  for  raising  the  vnlue  of  the  gold 
coins  to  their  market  price;  suggesting,  in  reference  to  the  laet 


74 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  2!),   1834— N£W  YORK  KEFOKT. 


subject,  that,  fur  the  sake  i»f  uiiiformiiy,  and  of  avoiding  delay, 
the  same  rule  should  be  adopted  as  in  the  estimation  of  duties 
on  foreign  importations. 

An  application  to  congress  for  n  moderate  and  permanent  ap- 
propriation, which  may  enable  tin'  mini  10  p.iy  in  Ann-iican 
coins,  without  delay  or  expense,  for  the  gold  ami  silver  bullion, 
or  iincurrent  foreign  coins  which  may  be  brought  to  [hat  estab- 
lishment. 


Since  it  was  obvious  that  the  pressure  on  the  money  market 


which  this  flate  of  things  must  he  ascribed. 

The  causes  which  have  been  suggested  as  more  specially 
affecting  this  city,  are  the  effects  of  the  tariff,  and  of  Hie  pur 
chase  of  foreign  slocks  on  its  capital.  Public  opinion  amigne 
the  removal  of  the  deposites  and  the  curtailment  by  the  bank  of 
the  United  Slates,  as  the  general  and  immediate  causes  of  the 
present  crisi.-  throughout  tlie  whole  country. 

I.  It  was  found  impracticable  during  the  last  session  of  con- 
gress to  arrange  the  existing  differences  on  the  subject  of  the 
tariff,  by  an  net  that  should  embrace  all  the  details  pertaining 
to  that  iniricaie  subject.  In  order  to  remove  a  pressing  and  im 
minent  danger,  it  became  necessary  to  discard  all  the  details, 
and  resort  to  a  compromise  embracing  only  general  principles. 
It  could  not  but  be  expected  that  defects  might  be  discovered, 
and  consequences  ensue,  not  perceived  or  contemplated  at  the 
time  when  the  act  was  passed.  It  is  believed  that  the  great  un- 


i  nat  facrince  inns  most  neaviiy  on  mat  cuy  in  wuicu  more 
than  one-half  of  the  revenue  is  collected.  The  duties  did  not, 
under  the  old  system,  become  payable  till  about  the  time  when 
the  importer  was  paid  by  the  consumer.  At  present,  the  New 
York  importers  not  only  collect  as  heretofore,  but  in  fact  ad- 
vance to  government  one  half  of  the  whole  amount  of  duties  on 
importations,  which  is  ultimately  paid  by  the  consumer. 

Without  entering  into  a  critical  analysis  ot  the  subject,  it  is 
sufficient  to  observe,  that  an  additional  amount  of  capital,  equal 
to  that  of  the  duties,  is  now  required,  in  order  to  carry  on  the 
same  quantity  of  business  in  articles  on  which  the  duties  are 
now  payable  in  cash,  or  at  much  shorter  periods  than  formerly. 

The  committee  are  unanimous  in  the  opinion,  that  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  tariff  compromise  ought  to  be  strictly  respected, 
and  no  modification?  proposed  but  suuh  as  are  consistent  with 
iu  true  intent  and  spirit.  A  warehousing  system,  founded  on 
the  principle,  that  the  time  at  which  the  duties  shall  be  paid 
shall  be  computed  from  the  time  when  the  merchandise  is  with- 
drawn by  the  importer  from  the  warehouse,  and  not  from  the 
date  of  importation,  the  committee  believe  to  be  entirely  ol 
that  character,  similar  to  that  adopted  in  every  other  commer- 
cial country,  and  absolutely  necessary  for  the  protection  ot 
commerce.  As  a  bill  having  that  object  in  view  is  now  before 
congress,  a  sub  committee  has  been  appointed,  for  the  purpose 
of  collecting  all  the  information  connected  with  the  subject, 
and  of  corresponding  with  the  representatives  of  this  city  ii 
that  body. 

2.  New  York  has  become  the  principal  centre  of  all  the  mo- 
neyed transactions  of  the  United  States.  Large  amounts  ol 
•locks,  principally  from  the  south  west,  have  been  purchased 
here,  with  a  view,  in  a  great  degree,  to  their  sale  in  the  English 
markets.  This  has  not  of  late  answered  the  expectations  ol 
the  contractors.  They  may  indeed  have  been  enabled  to  bor- 
row abroad  to  a  considerable  extent  on  the  credit  of  those 
stocks;  but  it  cannot  br.  doubted  that  a  large  amount  remains 
on  hand,  and  has  absorbed  a  corresponding  portion  of  the  capi- 
tal or  credit  of  this  city.  For  this  there  is  no  remedy.  But  a 
still  greater  evil  has  crown  out  of  the  speculations  on  some  of 
those  and  several  other  stocks  foreign  to  the  city.  Ceasing  to 


of  artificial  and  sudden  lalls  in  the  price  of  stocks,  ruinous  I 
innocent  individuals,  and  generally  to  those  engaged  in  it;  an. 
which  has  tended  at  this  crisis  to  increase  the  want  of  confi 
dence.  The  committee  has  thought  it  its  duly  to  pass  a  resolu 
tion,  earnestly  recommending  to  the  board  of  brokers  to  dis 
continue  the  practice,  and  has  requested  the  co-operalion  of  tin 
banks  to  carry  that  measure  into  effect. 

In  approaching  the  subject  of  the  removal  of  the  public  de 
posites,  the  first  observation  that  occurs  is.  that  tin-  measure 
considered  only  in  its  connexion  with  the  fiscal  arrangements 
the  currency,  commerce  and  public,  or  private  crudit  of  th 
country,  was  at  least  wholly  unnecessary  and  uncalled  fur 
Abstaining  from  the  discussion  of  any  question,  either  concern 
ing  the  rights  of  the  hank,  or  ai  issue  between  the  a<l,imn-tra 
tion  and  that  institution,  or  reUting  to  the  respective  powers  n 
tlW executive, legislative  and  judicial  departments  of  the  govern 
ment,  it  is  only  as  they  are  of  a  commercial  and  fiscal  naluie 
that  the  committee  intends  to  examine  the  masons  assignee 
by  the  secretary  ofthe  treasuty  for  the  removal. 

The  first  reason  was,  that,  judging  from  the  past,  it  was  high 
ly  probable  that '-the  public  dcponites  would  always  amount  to 


everal  millions  of  dollars;  and  that  it  would  evidently  produce 
ins  inconvenience,  if  such  a  large  sum  were  Ictt  in  posses- 
ton  of  liie  bank  until  the  last  moment  of  in  existence,  and 
hen  he  suddenly  withdrawn,  when  its  immense  circulation 
voiild  lie  returning  upon  it  to  be  redeemed,  and  its  private  ile- 
nors  n  'moving  their  funds  into  other  institutions."  It  may 
observed  in  the  first  place,  that  no  inconvenience  was  felt 
n  March.  1811,  when  the  charter  of  the  former  bank  of  the  U. 
States  expired,  from  the  fact,  that  as  late  as  the  first  of  January 
filial  year,  the  public  moneys  in  thai  institution  exceeded  six 
iillMns,  and  on  the  day  of  the  termination  of  the  charter 
mounted  to  iwo  and  a  half  millions  of  dollars.  But  the  ec- 
retary  of  the  treasury,  in  his  annual  report  on  the  finances, 
•stimates  '-the  balance  that  would  be  left  in  the  treasury,  (that 
to  say,  the  whole  amount  ofthe  public  deposites).  on  the  31st 
Jecemher,  1834.  at  less  than  three  millions  of  dollars;  and  that 
he  receipts  of  1835  will  be  less  than  those  of  1834."  The  se- 
vetary  could  not,  on  the  28th  September,  when  he  removed 
he  public  deposites,  have  hern  aware  that  such  would  be  the 
esult  of  his  further  investigations,  and  that  since  the  public 
deposites  would  naturally  and  gradually  be  lessened  between 
he  1st  of  October,  1833',  and  the  31st  December,  1834,  from 
near  ten  millions  to  less  than  three  millions  of  dollars,  and 
would  probably  be  liable  to  a  still  greater  reduction  during  the 
'ear  1835,  it  was  quite  unnecessary  lo  order  an  immediate  ro- 
moval,  in  order  to  avoid  the  danger  of  their  magnitude  in  the 
pring  of  the  year  1836.  This  single  fact,  thus  officially  an- 
nounced— the  natural  and  gradual  reduction  of  the  public  de- 
tosites,  in  the  course  of  Ihe  present  year,  to  less  than  three 
nillions  of  dollars — refutes  all  the  arguments,  of  every  descnp- 
:ion,  urged  in  justification  of  that  measure. 

The  second  reason  assigned  is,  however,  of  a  more  complex 
nature.  Th«  secretary  is  of  opinion,  that  Ihe  superior  credil  of 
:he  notes  of  the  bank  of  the  U.  States  is  occasioned  altogether 
ly  the  provision  in  the  charter  to  receive  them  in  all  payments 
to  the  United  Stales;  that  they  will  be  subject  to  an  immediate 
depreciation  at  the  expiration  of  the  charter,  and  ought  to  be 
previously  and  gradually  withdrawn;  and  that  the  same  engage- 
ment in  favor  of  the  notes  of  any  state  bank  wouM  give  them 
equal  credit,  and  render  them  equally  convenient.  And  he 
considered  the  immediate  removal  of  the  public  deposites  ne- 
nessary  for  the  double  purpose  of  preventing  the  inconvenience 
of  the  sudden  withdrawing  of  the  whole  circulation  of  the 
hank  of  the  United  Slates,  when  its  charter  shall  expire,  and 
of  preparing  in  time  the  substitution  of  an  equally  sound  and 
uniform  currency  to  be  furnished  by  the  state  banks. 

The  committee  is  of  opinion  that  the  superior  credit  enjoyed 
by  the  notes  ofthe  bank  of  the  United  Stales  is  due  principally 
to  the  general  confidence  in  its  management  and  solidity;  lhat 
they  have  occasionally,  in  the  interior  districts  of  country,  a 
greater  value  than  the  notes  of  specie  paying  local  banks;  not 
for  local  payments  hut  as  remittances  to  the  sea  ports;  ami 
that  the  principal'effect  of  their  being  received  every  where  in 
payment  of  debts  due  to  the  United  States  has  been  to  enable 
the  bank  to  increase  the  amount  of  its  notes  in  circulation. — 
Those  notes  alone  may,  at  the  expiration  of  the  charter,  ex- 
perience a  depreciation,  which  being  payable  at  distant  places 
in  the  interior,  may  at  that  time  be  found  in  the  sea  ports,  un- 
less the  hank,  as  is  probable,  should  find  it  their  interest  to  pay 
Ihem  wherever  Ihey  are  presented. 

Rut  the  obvious  mode  to  lessen  the  gross  amount  of  the«e 
notes  would  he  a  repeal  by  congress  of  the  provision  which 
makes  ihem  receivable  in  payment  of  debts  due  to  the  United 
States.  The  removal  ofthe  public  deposites,  by  compelling  the 
hank  to  curtail  it«  discounts,  and  only  on  that  account,  has  an 
immediate  effect  on  the  amount  of  its  private  deposites,  hut 
cannot  alone  have  the  slightest  on  the  circulation  of  its  notes. 
We  find,  accordingly,  that  while  the  individual  deposites  of  the 
bank  have  been  lessened  between  the  1st  of  August.  1833.  and 
the  1st  of  February,  1S34  by  a  sum  of  near  three  n,  illjons  and  a 
half  dollars,  the  nett  circulation,  as  appears  by  the  following 
table,  has  remained  the  same. 

Loans  and          piMie  inrfirM'/  nett 

rfi«c*f.s.  rfrp'ts.  rlrp'ts.         rirciilntinn. 

1833,  1  Aug.  ,«(54. 160,000    $7,600.000    $10,153,000    $18890000 
Sep.      62.653.000       9.186.000         9.457.000       18.413,000 
Oct.      r.O.OO^.nOO       9.869,000         8.009.000       19,128,000 
Nov.     .VT.-1IO.OOO       8,233.000         7.°.«5.0i)0       18518000 
Dec.     ft4.453.000       5,109,000         6.827,000       18651000 
1831,     Jan.     54.911.000       4.Q30.000         6,735,000       19205000 
Ffb.     54,843,008       3,126,000         6,715,000       19,260,000 
No  effect  whatever  ha.*  been  produced  by  the  withdrawing, 
between  the  1-t  of  October,  and  the  1st  of  February,  public  do- 
pnsilcs  to  the  amount  of  §0.743,000.     If  the  removal   can  in  no 
way  lessen    tlie  cirrulation.it  was  certainly  unnecessary  to  re- 
sort to  that  measure   for  that   purpose,     fiut  it  is   worthy  of 
notice,  thai  at  the  very  time  when  the  curtailments  by  the  bank 
were  alleged  as  a  eau-e  for  the  immri'iatp  removal  ofthe  public 
deposite^.  the  attempt  should  have  been  made  to  justify  tint  net, 
on  the  ground  thnt  it  was  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  les-i -ning 
the  hank  circulation;  and  thereby  compelling  it  lo  le*sen  still 
more  the  amount  of  it«  discounts. 

T|H>  committee,  will  not.  discuss  here  either  the  propriety  or 
the  prartirahilily  of  the  substitution,  for  a  national,  of  an  t exe- 
cutive li:iiik,  formed  by  the  association  of  state  bnnks,  selected 
for  that  purpose  hy  the  treasury.  Put  if,  an  the  secretary  as- 
sert?, the  privilege  of  being  received  in  piymenl  of  nil  debt* 
due  to  the  United  Sates  is  sufficient  to  render  Hit  notes  of  stale 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  -29,  1 834— NEW  YORK  REPORT. 


75 


result  will  be 

Discounts  on  1st  August,  1833, 


banks  equally  convenient,  and  entitled  to  the  cairn-  credit,  as 
those  of  the  bank  of  tin;  U.  States,  there  was  certainly  no  ne- 
cessity for  intermediate  preparation.     It  was  quite  unnecessary 
to  remove,  for  that   purpose,  the  public  deposits,  which  at  all 
events  must,  within  a  year,  according  to  the  treasury  estimates, 
have  been  reduced  gradually  and  without  effort  to  a  very  mo- 
derate amount.     The  state   hank    notes  are  nlwayst  abundant 
and  ready;  mid  an  act  investing  ilium  with  the  privilege  of  being 
received  every  where  in   payment  of  debts  due  to  the  United 
States,  and  passed  the  month  before  the  charier  expired,  would, 
if  the  opinion  of  the  secretary  oftlie  treasury  is  correct,  at  onee 
brim;  them   into  circulation,  and   effect  the   contemplated  sub- 
stitution.    But  if  preparation   were  requisite,  the   removal   of 
the  deposites  was  still  unnecessary.    There  is  nothing  to  pre- 
vent, and  the  proper  and  obvious  mode  of  effecting  the  object    been  discovered,  a 
is,  an  early  act  of  congress  to  the  same  effect.     It  is  not  quite    come  undeniable, 
certain  that  the  executive  is  not  of  opinion  that  this  may  be 
done  by  his  sole  authority,  and  without  any  legislatives  action. 
An  anxinus  wish  and  design  to  concentrate  all  the  powers  of 
government  in  that  department,  and  to  snhj'-ct  the  public  purse, 
the  currency  and  the  commerce  of  the  country  to  the   will  of 
one  man,  is  apparent  through  all  the  arguments  and  acts  of  the 
administration  in  relation  to  that  subject. 

The  curtailment  of  its  discounts  by  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  during  the  months  of  August  and  September  1833,  ap 
pears  to  have  been  alleged  in  justification  only  of  the  immediate 
removal  of  the  deposites.  Those  curtailments  were  evidently 
made  in  anticipation  of  the  proposed  removal,  and  would  have 
ceased,  of  course,  had  the  plan  been  abandoned.  But  it  is  ne- 
cessary to  observe  that  the  pressure,  which  the  secretary  states 
to  have  become  so  intense  before  the  1st  of  October  in  the 
principal  commercial  cities,  and  the  presumed  curtailments  by 
the  state  banks,  had  no  existence  in  the  city  of  New  York.  It 
appears  by  returns  of  the  bank  commissioners  that  the  loans 
and  discounts  of  the  fourteen  city  banks,  under  the  safety  fund, 
amounted  on  the  1st  January,  1833,  to  $20,742;000;  and  on  1st 
April  ensuing  to  21,180,000  dollars.  On  the  1st  of  October  of 
the  same  year,  they  amounted  to  21,766,000  dollars:  and  the 
increase  of  capital  in  operation  between  the  1st  of  January  and 
the  1st  of  October  was  only  two  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
this  being  the  amount  added  to  that  of  the  Butcher's  and  Drov- 
er's bank.  He  was  equally  mistaken  when  he  supposed  that 
the  balances  due  by  the  city  banks  to  the  branch  in  the  city, 
would,  on  the  1st  of  October,  amount  to  $1,500,000;  and  that  it 
was  apprehended  that  the  immediate  payment  of  that  balance 
would  be  insisted  on  by  the  branch.  The  balances  due  on  that 
day  to  the  branch  by  the  city  banks  amounted  to  less  than 
§602,000:  and  the  apprehension  of  an  immediate  demand  for 
payment  proved  entirely  groundless. 

It  must  be  kept  in  view  that  in  nil  that  precedes,  the  com- 
mittee hag  assumed  the  position  asserted  by  the  secretary,  that 
the  bank  could  not  be  rechartered.  It  is  in  that  view  of  the 
subject,  and  on  that  supposition,  thnt  the  reasons  assigned  for 
the  propriety  or  necessity  of  a  removal  of  the  public  deposites, 
prior  to  the  expiration  of  the  charier,  appear  wholly  insuffi- 
cient. 

It  has  indeed  been  suggested,  that  there  was  an  intimate  con- 
nexion between  the  immediate  removal  ofthe  deposites  and  the 
non-renewal  of  the  charter;  and  that  to  suffer  them  to  remain 
in  the  bank  implied  an  obligation  of  rcehartering  that  institu- 
tion. This  assertion  is  purely  gratuitous  and  altogether  disprov- 
ed by  positive  facts. 

At  this  moment  the  state  of  Virginia  expresses  its  opinion 
that  the  bank  is  unconstitutional,  and  ought  not  therefore  to  he 
rechartered,  and  reproves  at  the  same  time,  in  the  most  ex- 
plicit terms,  the  previous  removal  of  the  public  deposites. 

A  president  avowedly  hostile  to  the  whole  of  our  hanking 
system,  and  particularly  so  to  the  former  bank  of  the  United 
States,  and  whose  term  of  office  expired  only  two  years  prior 
to  the  termination  of  its  charter,  never  intimated  a  desire  thai 
the  public  moneys  should  be  withdrawn  from  it,  although  there 
was  not  at  that  time  any  law  directing  that  the  public  moneys 
should  be  placed  in  that  institution. 

Those  deposites  remained  in  that  bank  to  the  last,  moment  of 
its  existence.  This  circumstance  did  not  prevent  the  refusal  hy 
congress  to  renew  the  charter,  and  was  not  alluded  to,  by  any 
of  those  who  were  in  favor  of  a  continuance,  as  a  rcasun  why 
the  bank  should  be  rechartered. 

The  committee  can  see  nothing  in  that  assertion,  but.  an  at- 
tempt to  divert  public  attention  from  the  true  question  at  issue, 
and  the  admission  that  the  removal  of  the  deposites  cannot  be 
defended  0:1  its  own  merits. 

A  curtailment  of  its  discounts  by  the  bank  of  the  United 
States  was  a  necessary  consequence  oftlie  withdrawing  of  the 
public  deposites.  The  author  of  this  measure  is  responsible  for 
II  the  effects  that  may  have  flowed  from  the  curtailments.  It 


the  relations  between   the  government  and   the   bank,  no  one 


foresaw  the  extent  of  the  evils  which  have  ensued.  In  the  net 
we  only  blamu  UK;  boldness  of  having  minuci:-n:irily  tampered 
with  the  paper  currency  and  eredii  m  the  country.  This  hii- 
porlant  view  of  the'  subject  seems  indeed  to  have  entirely  es- 
caped the  notice  ofthe  executive.  Among  the  inquiries  which 
pieceded  the  removal,  we  see  none  that  might  huve  elicited  the 
opinions  of  practical  men  on  the  probable  effects  of  that  mea- 
sure on  commerce  and  on  the  community  at  large.  The  in- 
quiry was  confined  to  the  laudable,  but  secondary  object  of 
ascertaining  what  conditions  might  br.  imposed  on  the  state 
banks  selected  for  collecting  the  revenue.  Hut,  if  there  is  an 
excuse  Tor  want  of  foresight,  no  apology  can  be  found  for  ob- 
stinately persevering  in  an  erroneous  course,  after  the  error  had 
been  discovered,  and  the  fatal  effect*  of  the  measure  had  be- 
onte  undeniable. 

The  gross  amount  of  curtailments  made  by  the  bank  has  not 
in  the  whole  much  exceeded  the  decrease  in  its  public  and  pri- 
vate deposites.  There  are  fluctuations  depending  on  the  sea- 
son of  the  year  and  the  course  of  trade.  The  fairest  mode  of 
computation  is  a  comparison  of  similar  periods  of  the  year. 
The  preceding  tabular  statement  shows  that  the  decrease  in  the 


discounts  amounted  during  the  year  to 


$7, 01 0,000 


and  the  decrease  in  its  public  and  private  deposites  to  6,822,000 
If  the  comparison  is  instituted    between   ihe   l*t  of  August, 
1833,  when  the  discounts  of  the  bank  had  reached  the  highest 
point  and  it  began  to  curtail,  and  the  1st  of  February,  1834,  the 

$64,160,000 
on  1st  February,  1834,  54,843,000 


Decrease, 


$9,317,000 


Public  and  individual  deposites  on  the  1st  Aug.  1833,  17,752,000 

1st  Feb.  1834,     9,781,000 

Decrease,  $7,971,000 

But  the  curtailments  ofthe  bank  commenced  in  August,  and 
continued  till  the  1st  of  December,  when  its  discounts  had 
reached  the  lowest  point;  while  the  revenue  did  not  begin  to  be 
collected  by  the  state  banks  before  the  1st  of  October;  from, 
which  time  the  public  deposiles  have  been  gradually  withdrawn. 
The  bank,  therefore,  did  not  decrease  its  discounts  at  the  same 
rate  and  in  the  same  proportion  as  its  deposites  were  with- 
drawn. A  comparison  between  the  1st  of  August  and  the  1st 
of  December  shows  the  greatest  amount  of  difference  between 
the  respective  decrease  of  each. 

Its  discounts  were,  on  the  1st  of  August,  1833  $64,160,000 

On  the  1st  December,  1833  54,453,000 

Decrease  $9,707.000 

Public  and  individual  deposites  on  1st  Aug.  1833       $17,752^000 
1st  December,  1833          11,989,000 

Decrease  only  $5,763,000 

The  bank  had  in  fact  curtailed  their  discounts  more  than  four 
millions  between  the  1st  of  August  and  the  1st  of  October.  It 
cannot  be  doubted  that  this  measure  produced  a  derangement 
in  the  business  of  certain  sections  of  the  country,  and  had  its 
share  in  producing  the  distress  which  afterwards  ensued.  But 
that  curtailment  began  only  after  the  agent  of  the  treasury  ap- 
pointed to  make  the  preparatory  arrangements  for  the  removal, 
had  commenced  liis  inquiries.  The  object  of  his  mission  was 
one  of  public  notoriety;  and  it  was  a  natural  course  on  the  part 
ofthe  board  of  directors,  when  they  had  lost  the  confidence  of 
the  administration  and  were  threatened  with  an  early  withdraw- 
ing ofthe  large  funds  belonging  to  the  public  in  their  hands,  to 
prepare  themselves  for  the  event,  and  provide  in  time  Die  ne- 
cessary funds.  It  may  be  that  the  precautions  were  carried 
farther  than  may  now  appear  to  have  been  strictly  necessary. 
The  decidedly  hostile  altitude  assumed  by  the  executive,  and 
the  necessity  of  protecting  twenty-four  branches  against  attacks, 
which,  if  not  intended,  were  at  least  threatened,  under  certain 
vague  contingencies,  and,  at  a  later  period,  the  contingent 
draught?  and  other  circumstances,  were  calculated  to  impose 
on  the  bank  the  necessity  of  effectually  providing  for  its  own 
safety.  The  committee  is  perfectly  satisfied  that  the  executive 
is  wholly  incapable  of  having  countenanced  any  plan  for  disho- 
noring any  of  the  branches  of  the  bank;  nor  do  they  know  the 
circumstances  which  led  to  the  sudden  call  of  more  than  300,000 
dollars  in  specie  on  that  of  Savannah.  B.ut  the  fact  is  a  matter 
of  great  regret;  and  they  must  be  permitted  to  say,  that  if  this 
blow  had  been  successful  (or  if  a  similar  one  had  been  aimed 
one  month  ago,  at  the  country  hanks  of  this  state,  and  before 
they  were,  prepared  for  the  present  state  of  things),  it  would 
have  IH-CII  most  fatal  and  might  have  been  attended  with  a  ge- 
neral suspension  of  specie  payments.  Any  premeditated  at- 


is  Idle  to  sav  that  they  have  been  greater  than  was  expected,  or    tempt  of  that  kind,  on  whatever  pretence  and  by  whomsoever 
made'at  a  different  time,  or  in  a  difivrpnt  manner  from  what  had     made,  must  originate  in  gross  ignorance  of  the  system  of  credit 


been  anticipated.  If  it  was  impossible  for  the  executive,  or  for 
any  human  being,  to  foresee  what  the  bank,  under  those  circum- 
stances, might  be  compelled  or  inclined  to  do,  and  the  effect? 
which  its  acts  might  have  on  the  currency  and  commerce  of 
the  country,  that  was  a  sufficient  reason  for  not  adopting  with 
precipitation  a  measure  in  itself  wholly  unnecessary.  Rut  we. 
are  quite  satisfied  that  the  result  which  has  taken  place  was 
not  and  could  not  have  been  anticipated  by  the  executive.  And 
we  believe,  that  although  general  apprehensions  were  enter- 


which  connects  all  the  moneyed  interests  of  the  United  States, 
and  in  the  detestable  maxim,  that  the  end  justifies  the  means. 
The  banks  selected  for  collecting  the  revenue  after  the  1st  of 
October,  commenced  immediately  to  extend  their  discounts; 
and  from  an  examination  of  their  returns,  it  appears  probable, 
that  the  whole  amount  of  discounts  by  all  the  banks  in  the  U. 
Plates,  including  that  of  the  United  States,  has  not  in  the  ag- 
gresate  been  lessened  at  any  time  more  than  four  millions  of 
dollars  since  the,  1st  of  August,  1833.  The  committee  is  confi- 


ined  of  the  effect  which  might  he  produced  hy  that  change  in  1  dent  that  there  has  been  no  very  sensible  diminution  since  ilia 


76 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  29,  1834— NEW  YORK  REPORT. 


first  of  October,  that  it  could  not  at  any  time  have  amounted  to 
six  million?,  that  there  has  been  a  gradual  increase  since  the 
1st  of  December,  and  that  the  aggregate  of  bank  discounts  and 
loans,  including  the  purchase  by  banks  of  bills  of  exchange, 
through  the  United  Stales,  is  at  this  tune  nearly,  if  not  altoge- 
ther, equal  to  what  it  was  on  the  1st  of  August,  1833. 

These  facts  and  all  the  symptoms  of  the  present  crisis  clearly 
prove,  that  it  is  not  in  the  amount  alone  of  lessened  accommo- 
dations of  the  bank?-,  that  we  are  to  seek  for  the  immediate 
cause  of  the  general  distress;  and  render  it  highly  probable  that 
the  previous  state  of  the  commercial  transactions  and  of  com- 
mercial credit  made  it  liable  to  be  disturbed  by  what  may  ap 
pear  comparatively  slight  causes. 

Credit  is  indispensable  to  commerce,  and  to  every  species  o 
active  business.  To  the  proper  use  of  credit,  in  supplying  th 
want  of  an  adequate  capital,  the  United  States  are  in  a  grea 
degree  indebted  for  their  truly  astonishing  progress  in  naviga 
lion,  commerce  and  the  manufactures;  for  their  stupendous  in 
ternal  improvements';  for  the  stimulus  given  to  agriculture,  am 
the  price  obtained  for  every  species  of  agricultural  produce;  fo 
the  employment  and  adequate  compensation  of  labor.  But  tin 
abuse  of  one  of  the  most  powerful  elements  of  its  prosperity  if 
in  this  energetic  and  enterprising  country,  almost  unavoidable 
Successive  years  of  prosperous  enterprise  hardly  ever  fail  to 
produce  a  further  extension  of  business  beyond  the  actual  capi- 
tal; and  it  may  be  that  this  was  the  case  during  the  period  which 
immediately  preceded  the  present  crisis.  There  were,  how 
ever,  no  apparent  symptoms  of  what  is  generally  designated  b> 
the  term  of  "over  trading;"  and  the  state  of  the  foreign  ex 
changes  has  not  given  any  indication  in  an  excess  in  our  im 
portations.  Still,  and  at  all  times,  in  no  country,  has  the  ex- 
tension of  credit,  in  all  its  forms,  been  carried  farther  than  in 
the  United  States.  The  currency  of  the  country,  founded  on  a 
•pecie  basis  generally  too  narrow  for  the  superstructure,  rests 
almost  exclusively  on  the  confidence  placed  in  the  solidity  o 
the  notes  discounted  by  near  four  hundred  banks  of  issue.  A 
similar  disproportion  is  to  be  found  between  the  actual  capi- 
tal of  merchants,  manufacturers,  mechanics,  and  of  almost 
all  men  engaged  in  the  active  pursuits  of  life,  and  the  amount 
of  their  business.  All  those  men  are  at  the  same  time  debtors 
and  creditors  for  sums  generally  far  exceeding  their  respective 
capitals.  All  depend  for  the  ability  of  punctually  discharging 
their  engagements,  on  the  punctuality  of  each  other. 

The  increased  facilities  of  communication  and  inland  ex- 
changes have,  within  the  last  years,  multiplied  to  an  extent 
heretofore  unknown,  the  transactions,  contracts  and  responsi- 
bilities, between  the  several  cities,  and  between  the  cities  and 
even  the  most  remote  parts  of  the  country. 

The  regularity  with  which  the  enormous  mass  of  engagements 
resulting  from  those  transactions  spread  over  the  whole  coun- 
try, and  all  intimately  connected  together,  can  be  discharged, 
depends  entirely  on  an  uninterrupted  continuance  of  the  ordi- 
nary sales,  payments,  remittances  and  credits.  The  whole  ma- 
chinery, by  which  business  in  all  its  various  branches  is  carried 
on,  is  credit  extended  lo  its  utmost  limits.  Whatever  lessens 
the  general  confidence,  on  which  credit  it  founded,  must  neces- 
sarily produce  a  fatal  derangement  and  interruption  in  every 
branch  of  business.* 

It  is  with  this  state  of  things,  that,  without  any  necessity  or 
investigation,  the  executive  thought  proper  to  interfere.  The 
bank  ol  the  United  States,  from  its  capital  and  the  ground  it  oc- 
cupies, must,  while  it  exists,  act  a  prominent  part  in  the  com- 
mercial concerns  of  the  country.  The  measures  which  that  in- 
stitution was  obliged  to  take  for  its  own  safety  mud  necessarily 
have  caused  some  derangement  in  the  ordinary  operations  of 
commerce.  But  the  fatal  injury  inflicted  by  the  executive  mea- 
sure, was  its  effect  on  general  confidence. 

The  threat  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  especially 
their  actual  removal,  created  apprehensions  of  danger,  imme- 
diately to  the  bank  itself,  and  more  remotely  to  all  the  moneyed 
institutions  and  concerns  of  the  country.  Retrenchment  at  all, 
and  rigorous  enforcements  of  its  claim-;  at  some  points,  were 
presumed  to  be  indispensable  to  the  safety  of  the  bank;  and  the 
extent  being  conjectural,  was  exaggerated  l>y  timid  capitalists, 
who,  as  a  class,  are  perhaps  more  fearful  than  men  of  le.«s 
wealth.  Men  raw  that  the  relations  between  the  government 
and  the  bank  were  thenceforth  to  be  ho-tile;  that  between  it 
and  the  selected  banks  they  were  to  be  those  of  mistrust,  nml 
that  without  a  national  bank  the  stability  and  safety  of  the  whole 
monetary  system  of  the  country  would  be  endangered.  This 
was  the  first  instance  in  the  history  of  our  government  of  a  di- 
rect interference  of  the  president  with  one  of  its  officers,  in  the 
performance  of  the  duties  which  by  law  devolved  exHusivi  li- 
on that  officer.  It  was  the  more  dangerous,  as  being  made  iii 
defiance  of  a  solemn  vote  of  the  late  connress  at  their  ln>!  sex 
pion;  and  as  if  with  the  intention  to  forestall  the  opinion  of  that 


*Some  notion  of  the  magnitude  of  these  encasements  may  be 
formed  by  a  view  of  those  of  this  city.  The  statement  annexed 
to  this  report,  shows  the  amount  of  the  daily  exchanges  of  the 
banks,  consisting  of  the  daily  payments  for  the  1st  of  October 
and  the  1st  of  February  respectively,  in  the  several  bank-,  in 
notes  of  the  other  oily  hanks,  and  checks  drawn  on  «HP|I  I, , inks. 
It  does  not  include  the  payments  made  in  paeh  bank  in  notes  of 
that  bank  or  in  chpeks  upon  it.  The  medium  of  the  two  davs 
»»  about  tour  millions  and  .1  half  a  day— nnd  nddinc  tin-  pay- 
ments omitted,  may  \>:i  estimated  ;lt  (jve  mj||jollK  „  ,|av  or  mo 
than  fifteen  hundred  of  millions  of  dollars  a  year 


which  must  meet  within  sixty  days  after  the  interference  wa» 
made,  and  as  if  to  encroach  on  its  legitimate  rights.  But  no- 
thing could  be  more  alarming  to  men  of  business,  who  rely  for 
the  success  of  their  operations,  on  that  stability  in  those  of  go- 
vernment which  can  only  be  guarantied  by  law,  than  unexpect- 
edly lo  discover  that  ihe  commerce,  the  currency  and  the  mo- 
neyed inslitutions  of  the  country,  its  credit,  and  their  own  cre- 
dit and  fortunes,  were  thenceforth  to  depend  on  the  private  opi- 
nions, the  presumed  wisdom,  and  the  arbitrary  will  of  one  man. 
Other  minor  causes  increased  the  apprehensions,  and  restricted 
more  and  more  the  use  of  privale  capital  and  private  credit; 
and  the  alarm  became  a  panic,  not  dependent  upon,  or  to  be 
explained  as  a  matter  of  ordinary  reason.  The  banks,  indeed, 
protected  by  the  impossibility  of  exporting  specie  without  loss, 
have  preserved  their  credit,  and  been  enabled  generally  to  con- 
tinue their  usual  accommodations.  It  is  private  credit  which 
has  been  most  deeply  affected;  and  the  leading  feature  of  the 
present  distress  is  the  consequent  interruption,  and  in  many 
cases,  cessation  of  business. 

The  importers  diminish  greatly  their  orders  and  their  pur- 
chases of  foreign  exchange.  The  intermediate  wholesale  mer- 
chants, fearful  to  contract  new  engagements,  are  only  anxious 
about  the  remittances  necessary  to  discharge  those  already  con- 
tracted. Those  engaged  in  the  exportation  of  the  produce  of 
the  country,  doubtful  whether  they  can  sell  the  foreign  bills  on 
which  that  exportation  depends,  give  but  limited  orders  for  it. 
The  country  merchants  and  the  manufacturers  are  no  longer 
permitted  to  draw  as  formerly  in  advance  on  the  cities  for  the 
products  of  the  soil  or  of  their  industry.  Men  with  small  capi- 
tals, if  at  all  extended,  when  disappointed  in  the  remittances 
they  naturally  expected,  are  crushed.  New  enterprizes  and  en- 
gagements of  every  description  are  avoided,  and,  in  many  in- 
stances, workmen  are  discharged,  or  a  reduction  of  wages  re- 
quired. We  state  only  what  we  see  and  feel.  If  correctly  in- 
formed, the  effects  of  the  distress  are  still  more  extensive  in 
other  places.  The  actual  evils  are  aggravated  by  general  ap- 
prehension, and  the  alarm  may  be  greater  than  the  true  state  of 
things  justifies:  in  every  aspect  of  the  subject,  Ihe  true  and  effi- 
cient remedy  consists  in  restoring  confidence  and  credit. 

It  in  obvious  that  the  most  prompt  and  effective  mode  of  at- 
taining thai  object  is  to  remove  the  cause  of  the  evil;  and  that 
confidence  would  be  almost  instantaneously  restored,  by  re- 
placing the  bank,  during  the  remainder  of  its  existence,  in  the 
situation  it  had  heretofore  occupied,  and  thus  enabling  it  to  re- 
sums  its  functions  to  their  usual  extent.  It  is  in  the  power  of 
the  executive  to  do  this  at  once;  and  the  committee  deeply  re- 
grets to  find  itself  compelled  to  say  that  there  is  hardly  any  hope 
of  relief  from  that  quarter.  Our  reliance  is  on  the  representa- 
tives of  the  people  in  congress,  in  whom  the  power  of  ultimate- 
ly deciding  the  question  is  clearly  vested,  and  whose  acts  will 
not,  we  trust,  disappoint  the  expectations  of  a  suffering  com- 
"nunity. 

In  the  mean  while,  the  committee  intreats  their  fellow  citi- 
zens not  to  despair;  and  to  reflect  that  there  are  limits  to  the 
njuries  which  any  administration  can  inflict  on  the  people. 
The  usual  channels  of  circulation  are  indeed  obstructed;  but 
the  productsof  the  national  industry,  though  stagnant,  are  abun- 
dant: the  actual  capital  of  the  country  still  remains  unimpaired, 
:hough  the  nominal  value  of  property  is  for  a  time  lessened. 
There  is  BO  foreign  pressure,  and  the  skill  and  activity  of  our 
iitelligc.nl  merchants  must,  after  a  while,  renew  that  chain  of 
operations  which  has  been  interrupted.  The  evil,  through  a 
min  fill  process,  is  gradually  working  its  remedy.  In  proportion 
is  no  new  engagement  are  contracted,  the  whole  mass  is  daily 
essened,  and  we  must,  after  a  period  of  severe  suffering  unne- 
cessarily inflicted,  be  placed  in  a  situation  better  adapied  to  a 
new  order  of  things. 

Among  the  sources  from  which  relief  ere  long  may  be  expect- 
d,  the  attention  of  the  committee  has  been  naturally  turned 
owards  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  Since  the  object  of  ihe 
jresidenl  was  lo  cripple  an  institution  which  he  considered  as 
pernicious,  he  must  have  calculated  the  extent  of  the  injury 
vhich  that  measure  would  inflict  on  the  hank;  and  he  mishi 
lave  anticipated  that  it  would  in  one  respect  produce  a  result, 
he  reverse  of  that  which  it  was  his  object  to  effect.  The  ex- 
entofthe  injury  to  the  brink  was  to  lessen  its  discounts  eight 
>r  ten  millions  a  year,  and  to  cause  a  proportionate  reduction 
n  its  profits  during  the  remainder  of  its  existence;  hut  it  might 
lave  been  anticipated,  and  it  was  predicted  by  calm  observers, 
hat,  though  the  bank  might  be  annoyed  so  long  as  it  remained 
table  greater  treasury  draughts  than  it  was  convenient  (o  pay, 
he  power  of  the  treasury  would  he  exhausted  whenever  tlie 
irocess  of  withdrawing  the  public  moneys  should  bi!  at  an  end; 
nd  thai  the  hank,  though  deprived  of  the  public  depof  iteg, 
would  still  remain  with  great  comparative  strength,  derived 
rom  il8  capital,  its  specie,  its  branches,  and  its  superiority  in 
acilitating  inland  exchnnces.  ft  might  therefore  have  been 
ustly  apprehended,  that,  according  to  the.  opinion  entertained 
f  the  hank  by  the  executive,  that  institution,  no  longer  rpstrain- 
d  hy  HIP  fear  (.Closing  the  publie  deposit"*,  and  released  frorn 
very  obligation  to  government,  might  exprl  its  power  in  a  man 
er  most  injurious  to  the  community. 

But  thai  power  may  also  he  exercised  for  the  be«t  of  purpov,...., 
nd  as  ihe  means  of  affording  relief.  Tliat  such  is  the  fact  is 
ow  most  clearly  acknowledged  both  hy  the  clamor  inppssantlv 
•lised  against  the  line  of  conduct  heretofore  adopted  by  the 
nnk,  and  by  ibe  lepeatpil  declarations  of  the  prpsident  himself. 
'  It  is  indeed  :i  im>..t  sin2,,|;,r  feature  in  the  conduct  of  the  rvei  it- 


WILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  29,  1834— NEW  YORK  REPORT. 


live;  after  a  most  express  declaration,  that  one  of  the  avowed 
objects  of  its  measure  was,  to  compel  the  bank  gradually  to 
withdraw  its  circulation  and  reduce  its  discounts,  (in  order  to 
prevent  the  general  distress  that  might  ensue  if  this  was  not 
done  in  time  before  the  expiration  of  the  charter),  that  those 
who  apply  for  relief  should  now  receive  for  answer  that  their 
application  should  be  made  to  the  bank;  that  is  to  say,  that  it  is 
not  only  in  the  power  of  that  institution,  but  that  it  is  bound  to 
relieve  the  community  by  an  increase  of  its  discounts.    Leav 
ing  to  others  the  task  of  explaining  this  contradiction,  the  com- 
mittee is  of  opinion,  that  the  time  is  not  far  distant,  when,  after 
the  remaining  deposites  shall  have  been  entirely  withdrawn,  the 
bank  will  find  itselfin  a  state  of  perfect  safety,  which  will  ena 
ble  it,  though  with  far  less  efficacy  than  if  they  were  restored, 
to  resume  to  a  certain  extent  its  usual  operations,  and  to  afford 
considerable  relief  to  the  commerce  of  the  country:    The  per- 
fect safety  of  the  bank  must  necessarily  be  the  primary  object 
of  the  board  of  directors.    Our  opinion,  that  a  moderate  exten- 
sion of  its  accommodations,  and  a  fearless  application  of  its 
means  within  proper  limits  will,  at  no  very  distant  time,  be 
compatible  with  that  object,  is  derived  from  a  view  of  its  liabili- 
ties and  cash  resources  at  this  time,  as  compared  with  its  situa- 
tion prior  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  with  that  of  the 
other  banks  at  this  moment. 

The  following  statements  exhibit  the  situation  of  the  bank,  on 
the  1st  of  February  and  1st  of  Aug.  1833,  and  on  the  1st  Februa- 
ry, 1834;  that  of  the  banks  selected  to  collect  the  revenue  at  the 
last  mentioned  date;  and  that  of  a  great  portion  of  the  hanks  of 
the  Atlantic  states  north  of  the  Potomac  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1834. 

Bank  of  the  United  States. 
1st  February,  1834. 
Liabilities  payable  on  demand, 
Notes  net  circulation  ...........................  $19,260,500 

Deposites  and  unclaimed  dividends  ...............  10,033,500 


29,293,000 
Capital  ..........................................  35,000,000 


64,293,000 
Apparent  surplus 8/943,000 


$73,236,000 

Cash  resources, 

Specie $10,523,000 

Funds  in  Europe  and  foreign  exchange 1,644,000 

Due  by  state  banks  and  notes  of  ditto 3,121,000 

15,288,000 

Loan?,  discounts  and  bills  of  exchange 54,843,000 

Real  estate,  banking  houses,  and  sundries 3,105,000 

$73,236,000 
1st  JJugwt,  1833. 
Liabilities  payable  on  demand, 

Notes  net  circulation $18,890,500 

Deposites  and  unclaimed  dividends 17,951,700 


36.842,200 


Cash  resource*, 

Specie 10,024,000 

Funds  in  Europe  and  foreign  exchange 2,148,000 

Due  by  state  banks  and  notes  of  ditto 2,970,000 

15,142,000 
Loans,  discounts  and  bills  of  exchange 64,140,000 

1st  February,  1833. 
Liabilities  payable  on  demand, 

Notes  net  circulation $23,672,400 

Deposites  and  unclaimed  dividends 18,021,100 


41,693,500 


Cash  resources, 

Specie 9,046,000 

Funds  in  Europe  and  foreign  exchange 3,101,000 

"Due  by  state  banks  and  notes  of  ditto 2,447,500 

14,594,500 
Loans,  discounts  and  bills  of  exchange 61,921,500 

Approximate  situation  of  the  banks  of  Maine,  Massachusetts ,  R. 

Island,  Connecticut,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Baltimore  and 

District  of  Columbia. 
1st  January,  1834. 
Liabilities  payable  on  demand, 

Notes  net  circulation $32,550,000 

Deposites 35,150,000 

67,700,000 

Sundry  debts  not  on  demand 12,300,000 

Capital 96,076,000 

Apparent  surplus 5,814,000 


181,890,000 


Cash  resources, 

Specie $8,750,000 

Due  by  banks 880,000 

9,6JO,000 

Loans  and  discounts 165,860,000 

Real  estate  and  sundries 6,400,000 

181,890,000 

Approximate  situation  of  the  twenty-five  banks  selected  to  collect 
the  U.  S.  revenue,  from  the  latest  returns  to  February,  1834. 

1st  February,  1834. 
Liabilities  payable  on  demand, 

Notes  net  circulation $8,620,000 

Public  deposites 10,800,000 

Individual  ditto 9,940,000 

20,740,000 

29,360,000 

Debts  not  payable  on  demand 1,200,000 

Capital 28, 115,000 

58,675,000 

Cash  resources, 

Specie 3,000,000 

Due  by  banks 2,670,000 

5,675,000 

Loans  and  discounts 47,711,000 

Real  estate  and  sundries 6,264,000 

59,650,000 

N.  B.  Various  items  are  so  blended  in  some  of  the  returns, 
that  in  attempting  to  separate  them,  some  ertors  must  have  been 
unavoidable. 

The  views  here  exhibited  affords  on  the  one  hand  a  conclu- 
sive proof  of  the  solidity  of  the  bank  and  of  the  safety  of  the 
public  moneys  while  permitted  to  remain  in  its  possession.  But 
it  also  shows  that  the  ratio  of  the  cash  resources  of  the  bank  to 
its  liabilities  payable  on  demand,  was  on  the  1st  of  February 
last  as  1  to  1  9-10;  while  the  same  ratio  was  on  the  1st  Februa- 
ry, 1833,  as  1  to  2  8-10,  and  on  the  1st  of  August  last,  as  1  to  2 
4-10;  while  the  cash  resources  of  the  northern  banks  to  their 
liabilities  payable  on  demand  is  in  the  ratio  of  one  to  near  71-3; 
and  the  banks  selected  to  collect  the  revenue,  and  in  which  all 
the  power  of  the  treasury  is  concentrated,  are  nearly  as  power- 
less, since  the  ratio  is  near  that  of  1  to  5  1-5. 

We  admit  that  in  ordinary  times  and  with  the  great  uncer- 
tainty respecting  the  renewal  of  its  charter,  it  would  be  expedi- 
ent for  the  bank  rather  gradually  to  reduce  than  to  extend  its 
discounts;  but  the  present  crisis  calls  for  extraordinary  exer- 
tions, and  the  bank  of  the  United  States  having,  though  uncon- 
nected with  government,  a  common  interest  with  all  the  other 
members  of  society  in  its  welfare,  and  the  same  duties  to  per- 
form towards  the  community  which  at  such  times  are  imposed 
upon  every  other  moneyed  institution,  will  most  undoubtedly 
alter  as  far  as  practicable  the  course  which  prudence  heretofore 
dictated,  so  soon  as  it  shall  see  itselfin  a  state  of  perfect  safety; 
ind  provided  that  no  new  and  unforeseen  acts  of  hostility  shall 
:>e  committed  by  the  executive  against  it. 

It  i?,  however,  much  less  in  the  amount  of  increased  accom- 
modations by  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  than  in  the  confi- 
dence which  the  fact  that  is  has  resolved  to  extend  Us  opera- 
lions  to  a  certain  extent  will  inspire,  that  we  look  for  some  re- 
lief. The  amount  itself,  so  long  as  the  bank  continues  to  be  de- 
prived of  the  public  deposites  and  until  it  shall  be  able  to  re- 
sume its  ordinary  functions,  can  he  but  moderate.  It  is  evident 
thai  its  discounts  cannot  be  increased  without  a  proportionate 
ncrease  of  its  circulation,  or  individual  deposites,  or  without 
es&ening  its  stock  of  specie  by  an  equal  amount.  The  increase 
either  of  its  circulation  or  of  its  private  deposites  does  not  de- 
pend on  its  own  acts:  and,  in  the  present  state  of  things,  it  is 
ibsolutely  necessary,  not  only  for  its  own  safety,  but  for  that  of 
all  the  state  banks,  and  as  the  ultimate  means  of  sustaining 
through  the  crisis  the  general  currency  of  the  country,  that  the 
specie  in  its  vaults  should  not  be  considerably  diminished.  The 
committee  is  informed  that  the  bank  has  taken  measures  for  in- 
creasing the  amount  through  the  means  of  its  foreign  funds.  It 
does  not  appear  from  the  situation  of  the  banks  appointed  to 
collect  the  revenue,  that  any  measures  have  been  taken  by  the 
treasury  with  a  view  to  that  object:  and  we  beg  leave  again  to 
nsist  on  the  necessity,  in  order  to  render  the  whole  amount  of 
.he  precious  metals  in  the  country  available,  of  passing  without 
delay  the  acts  intended  to  make  all  the  American  and  foreign 
silver  coins  a  legal  tender,  and  to  raise  the  gold  coins  to  their 
real  value. 

The  committee  is  aware  that,  in  order  to  restore  public  confi- 
dence, more  is  wanted  than  temporary  expedients,  and  is  also 
aware  of  the  anxiety  which  prevails  concerning  the  prospective 
views  of  the  administration  in  reference  to  the  currency  of  the 
country. 

Without  dwelling  on  the  danger  of  recurring  to  hazardous 
and  premature  experiments,  at  the  expense  of  the  community, 
we  will  only  siibmit  some  cursory  observations  on  plans  hardly 
digested  and  which  have  not  yet  been  developed  in  their  de- 
tails. Two  have  been  suggested;  a  currency  founded  exclu- 


78 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAKCH  29,  1834— NEW  YORK  REPORT. 


sively  on  tin:  precious  metals,  or  a  paper  currency  consisting 
exclusively  uflliat  issued  by  banks  incorporated  by  tlie  several 
states. 

It  is  not  necessary  at  this  time  to  discus?  the  respective  ad- 
vantages and  inconveniences  of  a  metallic  and  of  a  paper  cur- 
rency. It  is  evident  tli.il  the  first  could  be  established  but  gra- 
dually, and  at  a  considerable:  expense;  since  llie  purchase  of 
sixty  to  eiglity  million-  of  dollars,  in  gold  and  silver,  would  be 
necessary  to  supply  tin:  place  of  the  existing  paper  currency. 
But  tlie  banking  system  and  its  appendage  of  paper  issues  now 
p'Tvailt-s  every  district  of  the  union;  and  a  total  change  in 
the  habits  of  the  people  must  take  place,  In-run;  the  plan  can 
he  carried  into  ett'ect.  The  impossibility  of  attaining  the  ob- 
ject through  tin:  action  of  the  revenue  alone  is  palpable,  and 
result.-,  from  the  immense  disproportion  between  the  mass  of 
payments  for  the  ordinary  and  current  business  of  the  country, 
and  those  which  are  etlVcli-d  by  the  general  government. 

It  lias  alieady  bi-en  staled  that  the  daily  payments  in  the 
banks  of  this  city  mummied  to  near  live  millions  on  the  first  of 
October,  and  exceeded  four  millions  on  the  first  of  February 
last.  This  includes  neither  tile  payments  made  in  each  bank 
in  its  own  notes,  or  in  checks  drawn  upon  it;  nor  any  portion  of 
the  retail  business  of  the  city,  or  of  any  of  the  other  payments 
made  without  the  intermediate  agency  of  the  banks.  The  daily 
payments,  in  this  city  alone,  amount  to  at  least  live  millions  of 
dollars  a  day.  or  near  sixteen  hundred  millions  of  dollars  ;i 
year.  The  annual  revenue  collected  in  New  York  cannot  now 
exceed  fifteen  millions:  and  the  action  of  government  cannot 
extend  beyond  it.*  receipt*  and  us  disbursements,  that  is  to  suy, 
to  more  than  than  thirty  millions  of  dollars,  or  less  than  one 
fiftieth  part  of  UK-  whole.  All  that  government  could  do  would 
be  to  accumulate,  an  amount  of  specie  equal  to  the  perma- 
nent public  deposites.  It  might,  at  most,  establish  a  separate 
metallic  currency  for  government,  by  compelling  importers  and 
purchasers  of  public  lands  to  pay  in  specie,  and  by  paying  its 
creditors  in  the  same  currency.  But  this  metallic  currency 
would  be  used  for  that,  and  for  no  oilier  purpose.  It  could 
have  no  control  over  the  general  currency  of  the  country,  nor 
prevent  its  depreciation,  or  a  general  suspension  of  specie  pay- 
ments. It  might  only  enable  izovernment,  if  such  a  catasttophu 
should  ensue,  to  preserve  through  the  general  confusion,  the 
public  laith  towards  the  creditors  of  the  public.  \Ve  must 
only  aim  at  what  is  practicable:  and  the  only  rational  plan,  for 
the  present,  must  he,  without  excluding  the  paper  currency,  to 
restrict  it  within  proper  limits. 

The  objects  and  expectations  of  the  administration,  in  the  at- 
tempt to  establish  a  sound  currency  through  the  agency  of  state 
banks,  have  not  been  distinctly  explained,  and  are  not  thorough- 
ly understood. 

If  we  recur  to  the  past,  we  may  say  that  the  experiment  was 
already  made  in  theyear  1811,  at  the  termination  of  the  charter 
of  Ihe  former  hank  of  the  United  Stales;  and  no  disappoint- 
ment, though  some  inconvenience  was  experienced  in  carrying 
on  the  ordinary  operations  of  government,  so  long  as  no  un- 
toward event  disturb  the  ordinary  state  of  things.  During  the 
two  or  three  ensuing  years,  no  loss  occurred  in  the  collection 
of  the  revenue,  or  in  the  safe  keeping  and  transmission  of  the 
public  moneys.  Hut  the  currency  had  been  left  to  the  sole  con- 
trol of  twenty  different  state  lejislatures;  the  mania  of  estab- 
lishing new  banks  without  restrictions,  or  under  restrictions 
purely  nominal,  pervaded  the  whole  country,  and  terminated 
in  that  suspension  of  specie  payments,  and  ihe  confusions  in- 
cident to  it,  which  induced  congress,  in  1816,  to  recur  again  to 
a  national  bank,  with  what  success,  for  the  purposes  intended, 
the  event  has  shown. 

The  observation  already  made,  with  respect  to  the  hard 
money  experiment,  is  applicable  to  that  of  establishing  a  ge- 
neral, uniform  and  sound  currency,  through  the  aaency  of  Mate. 
banks,  in  the  manner  which  seems  to  be  contemplated.  The 
action  of  the  treasury  is  confined  to  Ihe  collection  and  disburse- 
ment of  the  revenue.  Through  those  means,  and  yupposiii!: 
that  the  plan  should  succeed,  its  effect,  at  the  utmost,  could 
only  he  to  regulate,  by  some  special  contract,  the  currency  of 
the  few  selected  hank;  this  could  have  no  control  over  the  ge- 
neral currency  of  the  country,  or  to  reslrk-l  its  amount  in  the 
slightest  desree.  Hut  to  the  plan  itself  there  arc  two  insupe- 
rable objections. 

Although  the  terms  upon  which  a  contract  shall  be  made 
wilh  any  state  bank  selected  for  Ihe  purpose,  may  be  regulated 
by  law,  the  selection  of  Ihe  banks  from  the  necessity  of  the 
case,  and,  according  to  the  views  entertained  by  the.  adminis- 
tration, the  removal  of  the  public  moneys  froin  one  bank  to 
another,  must  be  intrusted  to  the  discretionary  power  of  the 
treasury,  or  of  the  president.  An  executive  will  he  substitut- 
ed for  a  legislative  bank,  cubject  to  the  abuses  incident  to  arbi- 
trary power,  increasing  the  patronage  of  the  executive,  and 
giving  to  the  administration,  not  only  a  power  ov«r  ihe  public 
purse  not  intended  by  the  constitution,  but  even  if  it  chooses, 
that  of  interfering,  in  the  most  direct  manner,  with  the  private 
concerns  and  interests  of  nien  in  bu«inei«».  To  thai  concentra- 
tion of  power  in  one  man  we  most  decidedly  object.  It  is  no 
arpuinent  to  say,  that  thn  power  did  formerly  exist,  and  was  not 
mrt.  Even  U.*n,  it  proved  iiltiumlelv  ihe  can.-e  of  a  lorn 
2!  °j  e  ?  lwo  nr""{on»  "f  dollars  to  ihe  public,  in  what  is  called 
the  dead  money  in  Uie  treasury.  We  wish  ever  1-.  live  under  a 
'ernraent  oflHws,  and  not  of  men.  The  provision  in  the  act 
ornoranng  the  present  bank,  which  designated  the  place 
where  the  pablic  moneys  should  be  dcpositad,  wan  in  every 


e?pcet  proper  and  salutary;  not  less  acceptable  to  the  secretary 
if  the  treasury,  who  must  always  wish  lo  be  guarded  by  law 
rather  than  be  clothed  witn  discretionary  powers,  than  benefi- 
cial to  the  public  interests,  by  guarding  against  the  danger  of 
the  control  of  the  public  purse  being  convened  into  an  engine 
of  power,  if  government  should  eve.r  fall  into  improper  hands. 
\Ve  have  only  lo  lament,  that,  in  order  to  guard  against  an 
inauinary  danger,  the  provision  was  expressed  in  such  terms 
as  to  have  permitted  the  act  of  which  we  now  complain. 

But  while  the  selected  state  banks  shall  he  under  the  execu- 
tive control  in  the  manner  above  stated,  they  cannot  he  regu- 
aled  by  either  congress  or  the  treasury,  in  any  point  connected 
with  the  currency  of  the  country,  that  may  interfere  with  their 
charters,  or  not  be  permitted  by  the  laws  of  the  stale. 

The  state  banks  are  artificial  bodies,  deriving  their  existence 
from  the  several  stales  by  which  they  have  been  incorporated, 
and  subject  lo  the  laws  and  lo  the  control  of  each  state  respec- 
tively. They  may,  or  may  not,  be  permitted  to  accede  lo  llie 
terms  prescribed  by  congress,  or  by  the  executive,  for  becoming 
the  collectors  and  the  depositories  of  the  public  moneys.  If 
any  state  shall  think  thai  a  compliance,  on  the  part  of  the  se- 
lected bank,  with  the  lesislative  or  treasury  regulations  shall 
ntcrlVrH  \vitli  th«  banking  system,  or  currency,  which  that 
<tate  wishes  to  maintain,  it  will  forbid  the  bank  to  accept  those 
terms.  Whether  any  bank  may,  on  any  terms,  become  a  sub- 
ordinate branch  of  the  treasury  of  the  United  States,  depends 
entirely  on  llie  will  of  Ihe  several  states. 

It  has  been  asked,  ii  the  stale  banks  were  deemed  necessary 
for  carrying  inlo  effect  the  It-uitimrile  powers  of  Ihe  national 
'government,  whether  Ibis  was  nol  an  admission  that  a  national 
hank  was  authorised  by  the  constitution?  But  without  discus- 
sing the  constitutional  i]iieslio:i,  it  is  impossible  to  suppose 
that  the  government  of  the  United  Siat.-s  is  so  constituted,  that 
it  cannot  perform  it*  most  legitimate  functions  through  its  own 
officers  and  agents;  that,  even  for  collecting  its  own  revenue,  it 
is  compelled  to  resort  to  stale  in.-litutions.  Why  not  at  once 
recur  to  the  treasurers  of  the  several  states,  and  make  them 
sub  treasurers  of  the  United  States?  Should  any  one,  startled 
with  such  a  supposition, charge  us  with  having  stated  an  im- 
possible case,  we  reply  thai  Ibis  is  not  a  supposition,  but  a  fact. 
Among  the  banks  selected  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  ii 
the  Mobile  branch  of  the  bank  of  the  state  of  Alabama.  Neither 
in  that  bank  or  its  branches  ia  there  a  single  individual  stock- 
holder. All  the  funds  ar :  furnished  by  the  stale;  the  business  of 
the  bank  is  carried  on  solely  for  the  benefit  and  at  the  risk  of  llie 
state,  whose  credit  is  pledged  for  the  ultimate  redemption  and 
payment  of  all  noles  issued,  and  all  debts  contracted  by  said 
bank;  and  it  is  managed  by  a  president  and  fourteen  directors, 
annually  elected  by  a  joint  vote  of  both  houses  of  ihe  legisla- 
ture. Whether  the  notes  issued  by  that  bank  of  the  state  are 
not  to  all  intents  and  purposes  '-bill*  of  credit  emitted  by  lhat 
slate"  it  is  nol  our  province  to  inquire;  we  only  state  the  fact, 
that  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  has  selected  as  an  agent  of 
that  department,  a  branch  of  a  branch  of  the  treasury  of  one  of 
tin:  states. 

It  is  principally  because  congress  either  has  not,  or  will  not 
exercise  the  power  of  regulating  and  restraining  the  currency 
issued,  under  the  authority  of  the  several  states,  that  resort  has 
been  had  twice  to  a  national  bank.  Until  a  more  direct  and 
etl'icient  mode  shall  have  been  suggested,  we  niusl  look  to  that 
institution  as  the  only  means  through  which  a  sound  and  uni- 
form paper  currency  can  he  issued  under  the  authority  of  the 
national  government,  and  as  the  best  instrument  for  regulating, 
though  indirectly  and  but  partially,  the  whole  currency  of  the 
country;  but  no  substitute  will  answer  the  purpose,  unless  the 
power  of  congress  to  regulate  the  currency  of  llie  states  should 
be  admitted  and  exercised.  We  know  from  the  experience  of 
nearly  forty  years,  lhat  so  long  as  a  bank  of  the  United  States 
has  hern  in  operation  we  have  had  a  sound  currency;  and  that 
it  was  thrown  into  utler  confusion,  when  left  to  the  control  of 
lire  several  stales,  each  acting  according  lo  iis  particular  views 
of  the  subject.  Experience  has  shown  in  what  respects  the 
powers  with  which  the  bank  was  invested  may  be  abused,  and 
what  modifications  may  be  necessary,  in  order  to  remove  well 
grounded  objections,  and,  wilhoul  lessening  its  utility,  to  adapt 
it  better  to  the  wishes  and  the  wants  of  the  people.  We  ab- 
stain al  Ibis  lime  from  any  expression  of  the  views  of  the  com- 
mittee respecting  the  several  modifications  which  have  hereto- 
fore been  suggested,  as  we  believe  the  discussion  would  be  pre- 
mature, and  the  time  unpiopitious  for  a  calm  investigation  of 
that  important  subject.  In  the  mean  while,  and  while  the 
question  whether  congress  shall  ultimately  charter  a  national 
bank  remains  in  a  state  of  uncertainty,  "the  intention  of  the 
committee  has  been  forcibly  turned  towards  the  banking  sys- 
tem and  the  currency  of  this  state. 

It  is  ineontestihlc,  that  the  defects  in  the  laws  of  the  several 
states  on  thnt  subject,  the  excessive  issues  of  paper  by  some  of 
the  slate  banks,  and  the  consequences  felt  or  apprehended  to 
ensue,  furnish  the  strongest  argument  in  favor  of  a  bank  of  the 
United  States.  It  is  highly  probably  that  if  at  the  termination 
of  the  charier  of  the  former  bank,  the  several  states,  instead  of 
indulging  the  mania  which  prevailed  for  multiplying  unrestrict- 
ed bank*,  had  each  passed  the  necessary  laws  for  regulating 
and  restraining  their  own  paper  currency,  the  present  bank  of 
th«  United  States  would  nol  hav«  been  called  into  existence. 
We  are  ready  to  adroit  thnt  even  with  a  national  bank,  the  co- 
operation of  the  several  elates  would  be  highly  useful,  for  the 
purpose  of  establishing  a  sound  currency  throughout  the  whole 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MARCH  a9,   1834— NEW  YORK  REPORT. 


79 


country,  so  long  as  the  power  of  congress  to  regulate  it  by  law, 
in  a  direct  itiuniier,  shall  be  either  denied  or  not  exercised.  In 
every  view  of  the  subject,  it  is  highly  important  that  the  defect? 
of  our  own  system  .should  be  corrected.  It  is  not  judging  by 
the  result  thai  we  are  disposed  to  think  it  worse  than  that  of 
most  of  the  other  states.  Tin:  disproportion  between  specie  and 
issues  isassretit  in  Massachusetts  and  Virginia  as  in  New  York. 
But  the  affairs  of  our  own  stale  are  our  own  concern;  and  we 
believe  that,  considering  its  population,  geographical  position, 
wealth  and  commercial  connexions,  its  example  would  have  a 
happy  influence  over  the  other  slates. 

The  first  observation  we  beg  leave  to  submit,  is  the  propriety 
of  repealing  thai  law  of  the  stale  which  forbids  every  prr.-on  or 
association  of  persons,  other  than  incorporated  banks,  not  only 
to  issue  any  notes  or  bills  and  put  them  in  circulation  as  money 
(a  prohibition  equally  proper  and  necessary),  but  which  ex- 
tends  the  prohibition  to  the  "keeping  of  any  ollice  for  the  pur- 
pose of  receiving  deposites  or  discounting  notes  or  bills." 
This  last  restriction  on  Hie  common  and  legitimate  use  of  pri- 
vate capital,  is,  we  believe,  peculiar  to  the  state  of  New  York, 
and  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  code  of  the  other  stales,  nor  in- 
dued of  any  other  commercial  country.  Instead  of  making  the 
lending  and  borrowing  of  money  tor  commercial  purposes  an 
exclusive  privilege,  it  is  the  policy  of  every  commercial  coun- 
try, and  far  more  consistent  with  the  spirit  of  our  institutions, 
to  set  private  capital  free  from  any  unnecessary  restriction,  as 
the  best  means  of  producing  competition,  and  of  reducing  by 
natural  means  the  price  paid  for  the  use  of  money. 

We  concur  also  in  the  opinion  of  the  bank  commissioners, 
that  the  number  of  banks  ought  not  to  be  increased  but  with 
great  caution;  that  the  natural  tendency  of  an  increased  num- 
ber is  to  increase  bank  issues  beyond  what  is  nece>sary  and 
proper;  that  if  any  additional  banking  capital  is  wanted  it  is  for 
the  purpose  of  increasing  bank  accommodations  in  favor  of  the 
community,  and  not  for  that  of  increasing  bank  issues  and  bank 
profits,  and  that  for  that  purpose,  the  increase  of  the  capital  of 
existing  banks,  so  as  to  equalize  as  far  as  practicable  that  of 
banks  in  the  same  locality,  is  preferable  to  the  creation  of  new 
banks. 

We  must  add,  in  reference  to  that  equality  of  capital  between 
banks  in  the  same  locality  or  placed  under  similar  circumstan- 
ces, that  the  only  reason  forgiving  to  the  bank  of  the  United 
States  its  large  capital  was,  besides  the  extent  of  territory  over 
which  its  operations  must  be  carried,  the  necessity  of  investing 
it  with  power  »urficienl  lo  check  and  regulate  the  issues  of  the 
other  banks.  And  the  power  was  thus  given,  only  because 
congress  was  presumed  not  to  have  the  authority  of  restraining 
those  issues,  by  laws  directly  applicable  to  that  object.  But 
the  states  are  under  no  such  restrictions.  They  have  the  full 
and  unlimited  power  to  regulate  and  restrain  their  own  bank- 
ing system,  and  the  circulation  of  their  own  banks,  to  any  ex- 
tent and  in  whatever  manner  they  please.  There  is,  therefore, 
110  necessity  or  reason  for  Ihe  erection  by  the  state,  of  a  bank 
with  a  capital  superior  to  that  of  all  its  other  moneyed  institu- 
tions, enabled  thereby  to  govern  and  oppress  all  of  them,  and 
obnoxious,  without  any  apology  for  it,  to  all  the  objections 
which  have  been  raised  against  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates. 
Free  competition  as  it  now  exists  between  the  several  banks,  is 
highly  useful;  and  there  are  few  things  more  to  be  deprecated 
than  a  powerful  moneyed  institution,  not  merely  regulated  by 
a  general  law,  but  kept  in  its  operations  under  the  immediate 
control  of  government,  and  liable  to  be  used  as  an  engine  by 
those  who  administer  government. 

The  laws  of  the  state  contain  many  provisions  well  calculat 
ed  to  prevent  and  to  punish  fraud,  and  to  ensure,  so  far  as  it 
can  be  done  by  legal  enactments,  the  ultimate  solvency  of  the 
banks.  And  the  act,  commonly  called  the  "safety  fund  act," 
has  provided  for  annual  and  intermediary  investigations  which 
we  consider  as  salutary,  and  which  we  wish  only  to  see  accom- 
panied by  annual,  clear  and  complete  statements  of  the  situa- 
tion of  every  bank  subject  to  the  provisions  of  the  act.  We  see 
indeed  no  reason  why  every  bank  in  this  state,  without  excep- 
tion, should  not  be  made  subject  to  the  same  investigation  and 
publicity,  and,  to  all  the  general  laws  of  the  state  respecting 
moneyed  corporations,  save  only  such  as  may  impose  the  pay- 
ment of  any  money,  or  render  them  liable  to  any  moneyed  re- 
sponsibility, not  within  the  purport  of  their  respective  charters. 

But  although  gross  mismanagement  may  produce  some  ex- 
ceptions, it  is  not  the  ultimate  insolvency  of  the  banks  which  is 
to  be  apprehended.  The  great  danger  to  be  guarded  against  if, 
that  general  suspension  of  specie  payments,  which  both  imme- 
diately and  afterwards  when  such  payments  are  resumed,  is  at- 
tended with  the  utter  subversion  of  existing  contracts,  and  with 
calamities  which  effect  every  class,  and  none  more  than  the 
poorer  classes  of  society. 

The  fundamental  and  objectionable  provision  of  the  safety 
fund  act  is  that  which  lays"  a  yearly  tax  of  one-half  per  cent, 
on  the  capital  of  all  the  banks,  for  the  purpose  of  applying  the 
pioceeds  to  the  payment  of  any  part  of  its  debts,  which  any 
bank,  by  its  own  misconduct,  may  become  unable  to  discharge. 

This  tax  is  unjust,  inasmuch  as  it  renders  banks  responsible 
for  others  over  which  they  have  no  control:  and  in  that  it  offers 
a  premium  in  favor  of  misconduct  or  unskilful  management,  at 
the  expense  of  those  which  are  wisely  and  cautiously  managed. 
It  is  more  particularly  unjust  in  reference  to  this  city;  inasmuch 

*The  tax  is  for  six  years  certain,  and  contingent  for  the  en- 
suing years  until  the  charter  expires. 


as  the  lax  is  laid  in  proportion  to  the  capital  and  not  lo  the  cir- 
culation. It  will  be  seen  by  the  report  ol  the  bank  commission- 
ers Dial  Ihe  apparent  circulation  of  the  cily  banks  amounted  on 
tin:  fust  January  la.-i  to  £4,909,000, and  that  of  the  country  banks 
to  10,500,000  dollars;  while  the  tax  being  laid  mi  the  capital,  iho 
city  hanks  pay  annually  more  than  63,000  dollars  towards  the 
fund  and  the  country  banks  l«.-s  than  titty-one  thousand.  The 
disproportion  would,  it  is  true,  be  considerably  less  by  includ- 
ing the  depostles.  But  the  report  does  not  enable  us  to  state 
the  precise  amount  ol  the  aggregate  of  the  circulation  and  indi- 
vidual deposites  in  the  city  and  country  respectively. 

What  renders  the  tax  still  moie  unjust,  is  the  total  want  of 
reciprocity.  The  notes  of  the  city  banks  did  not  require  the 
guaranty  of  those  in  the  country;  and.  so  far  from  their  circu- 
lation being  increased  by  th.tt  provision,  it  has,  in  fact,  been 
lessened,  within  the  city  ilM-lf,  by  Ihe  introduction  of  country 
paper,  to  which  the  guaranty  of  the  city  bunks  ha«  given  an 
artificial  value. 

It  is  this,  last  circumstance  which,  apart  from  its  injustice, 
renders  the  system  unsafe  and  dangerous  to  the  community  at 
large.  Instead  of  suffering  the  circulation  of  each  hank  to  rest 
on  the  confidence  lo  which  il  was  naturally  entitled,  each  one 
has  been  enabled  to  extend  its  circulation  as  far  as  its  local  si- 
tuation permitted,  without  icgaid  lo  its  capital,  its  resources, 
it.s  management,  and  to  the  degree  of  confidence  to  which  il  ia 
entitled  by  all  those  circumstances-,  and  solely  on  account  of 
the  artificial  confidence  aiising  from  the  guaranty  of  more  re- 
sponsible institutions  which  has  been  created  by  the  law.  Hence 
the  extravagant  issues  of  some  of  them,  the  disproportion  be- 
tween their  specie  and  their  issues, and  the  imminent  danger  of 
suspension  of  specie  payments  which  threatens  the  whole  sys- 
tem, whenever  any  untoward  event,  such  as  must  necessarily 
occur  in  the  course  of  human  affairs,  may  dislurb  the  ordinary 
state  of  things.  It  is  perfectly  natural  that  every  bank  should 
avail  itself  of  the  advantages  derived  from  its  situation,  whether 
natural  or  bestowed  on  it  by  the  laws  of  the  land.  Each  will 
naturally  try  to  increase  its  profits  to  the  utmost  limits;.  We 
find. .accordingly,  by  Ihe  report  of  the  bank  commissioners  of 
the  lOih  day  of  March,  1833,  thai,  while  the  average  dividends 
of  thirteen  city  banks  amounted  to  little  more  than  six  percent, 
those  of  seven  of  the  banks  in  Albany  and  Troy  were  nearly  at 
the  rale  of  eighl  percent,  and  the  average  of  the  thirty-lwo  olher 
hanks,  included  in  the  report,  was  almost  nine  and  a  half  per 
cent,  on  their  capitals.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that,  under 
such  circumstances,  perpetual  applications  should  be  made  for 
new  bank.-;  that  they  should  be  at  last  considered  less  in  refer- 
ence to  their  utility  to  the  community,  than  as  special  favors 
granted  to  the  applicants;  that  there  should  be  a  perpetual  and 
unnecessary  increase  of  new  banks,  and  that,  as  has  been  con- 
clusively proved  by  the  bank  commissioners,  this  should  have 
been. attended  with  a  dangerous  and  immoderate  increase  of  the 
bank  issues. 

We  think  it,  therefore,  of  the  highest  importance  that  those 
defects  in  the  existing  system,  which  endanger  the  soundness 
of  the  currency,  and  which  may  render  the  rechartering  of  Ihe 
bank  of  Hie  Uniled  States,  on  any  terms,  absolutely  necessary, 
should  be  corrected;  and  the  remedies  for  that  purpose  are  most 
simple  and  obvious. 

They  consist  merely  in  restricting  the  amount  of  the  loans  and 
circulation  of  each  bank,  by  substantial,  and  not  by  nominal, 
restrictions.  The  suppression  of  notes  of  a  less  denomination 
than  five  dollars,  we  believe,  is  generally  demanded.  It  will 
have,  among  others,  the  great  advantage  of  causing  all  small 
payments,  those  for  articles  daily  brought  for  sale  at  market, 
and  those  for  the  daily  compensation  of  labor,  to  be  made  in 
specie,  and  of  lessening  the  injury  which  the  suspension  of  spe- 
cie payments, or  failure  of  any  bank,  always  inflicts  on  the  poor- 
er classes.  But  this  measure  will  ati'nrd  but  a  partial  remedy 
against  the  general  danger.  The  amount  is  variously  estimat- 
ed—at  one  fifth  or  one  fourth  part  of  the  whole  circulation:  but 
no  inconsiderable  portion  of  this  would  be  soon  again  supplied 
by  five  dollar  notes.  We  repeat,  that  the  tru*  and  efficient  re- 
medy is  only  to  be  found  in  a  substantial  restriction  on  the  is- 
sues and  loans  of  the  banks. 

According  to  the  existing  laws,  the  loans  are  restricted  to 
twice  and  a  half,  and  the  amount  of  bank  notes  to  twice  ths 
amo  -lit  of  the  capital.  The  first  restriction  is  insufficient;  and 
the  last  can  hardly  be  called  a  restriction.  There  is  no  bank 
which  may  not  divide  more  than  six  per  cent,  if  its  loans  are 
limited  to"  twice  the  amount  of  its  capital.  Under  proper  ma- 
nagement a  much  smaller  amount  is  sufficient.  The  total 
amount  of  notes  issued  by  all  the  banks  of  the  northern  states 
is  less  than  one-third  part  of  their  capital.  It  will  be  seen  by 
the  last  report  of  the  bank  commissioners,  that  the  gross  amount 
of  all  the  notes  issued,  that  is  to  say,  the  whole  of  the  apparent 
circulation  of  the  hanks  under  the  safety  fund  amounted  to 
15,400.000  on  a  capital  of  22,700.000  of  dollars.  The  dispropor- 
tion between  the  liabilities  and  resources  is  to  be  found  in  the 
extraordinary  amount  of  issues  by  some  of  the  banks.  Il  is  not 
for  the  purpose  of  enabling  stockholders  to  make  extraordinary 
profits,  but  for  the  public  good,  that  banks  are  instituted.  We 
are  perfectly  satisfied,  that  a  restriction  which  would  limit  the 
issues  oOvi-ry  bank  to  two-thirds  of  it  capital,  would  be  amply 
sufficiPiit  lo  secure  to  each  a  dividend  of  six  per  cent,  and,  in  a 
great  degree,  to  Ihe  stale  a  sound  currency,  independent  of  the 
acts  of  any  other  legislative  body. 

By  the  inetruction  given  to  the  committee  at  the  public  meet 
ing,  by  which  they  were  instituted,  il  became  their  duty  to  en- 


80 


NILES'  REGISTER— MARCH  29,  1834— NEW  YORK  REPORT. 


deavor  to  effect  an  union  of  the  chamber  of  commerce  and  thi 
board  of  trade.    This  subject  has  been  committed  to  a  sub-corn 
mittee,  and  has  been  brought  by  them  to  the  consideration  o 
those  associations.     It  is  understood  that  no  definite  plan  o 
union  has  yet  been  agreed  upon;  but  the  committee  trust,  tha 
as  there  are  so  many  objects  of  great  and  mutual  interest,  somi 
plan  may  be  devi.-ed   by  which  an  efficient  action  and  millet 
efforts  of  both  may  always  hereafter  be  secured,  without  th( 
loss  of  any  distinctive  powers  which  either  may  desire  to  retain 
ALBERT  GALLATIN, 
JOHN  G.  COSTER, 
HUBERT  VAN  WAGENEN, 
RUFUS  L.  LORD, 
JONATHAN  GOODHUE, 
NATHANIEL    WEED, 
D.  W.  C.  OLYPHANT, 
JOHN  P.  STAGG, 
JOHN  W.  LEAVITT, 
PHILIP  HONE, 
THOMAS  BROOKS, 
EDWARD  G.  FAILE, 
DAVID  LEE, 
JOHN  HAGERTY, 
FANNING  C.  TUCKER, 
JAMES  DOORMAN, 
GARDNER  G.  HOWLAND, 
CHARLES  H.  RUSSELL, 
ISAAC  CAROW, 
JOSEPH  KERNOCHAN, 
JAMES  BROWN, 
JAMES  G.  KING, 
JOHN  A.  STEVENS. 


Before  the  preceding  report  had  been  read  and  unanimously 
accepted,  by  the  meeting  (more  than  3,000  in  number) — 

John  Ji.  Stevens,  a  member  of  Hit;  committee,  came  forward, 
and,  in  the  name  of  jilbert  Gallatin,  esq.  their  chairman,  pre- 
sented the  report  prepared  by  them.  The  advanced  age  and 
feeble  health  of  Mr.  Gallatin,  he  trusted,  would  be  a  sufficient 
apology  for  the  absence  of  that  gentleman,  who  was  particular- 
ly desirous  on  this  occasion  to  meet  his  fellow  citizens,  and,  by 
his  presence,  bear  testimony  to  the  deep  interest  he  took  in  the 
present  momentous  state  of  affairs.  Philip  Hone,  after  some 
preliminary  remarks,  read  the  report.  Pelatiah  Peril,  esq.  then 
offered  the  following  resolutions: 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  meeting,  concurring  in  the  views  and 
opinions  of  the  committee  on  the  causes  of  the  present  distress, 
its  proper  remedies,  and  the  measures  of  alleviation  they  have 
suggested,  approved  and  adopt  this  report. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  city  banks  be  requested  to  take  into 
earnest  consideration  the  several  propositions  submitted  to  them 
by  the  committee,  and  to  adopt  all  the  measures  founded  on  mu- 
tual forbearance  and  assistance,  and  on  concert  and  harmony 
of  action,  which  may  enable  them  to  afford  the  greatest  relief 
to  the  community. 

3.  Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  board 
of  brokers  to  discontinue,  in  compliance  with  public  opinion, 
sales  of  stocks  on  time,  in  the  manner  proposed  by  the  com- 
mittee. 

4.  Resolved,  That    the  thanks  of  this  meeting  be  given   to 
the  union  committee  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties  to 
this  lime,  and  that  they  be  requested  to  continue  their  patriotic 
labors  and  to  report  further  to  a  public  meeting,  or  otherwise, 
as  they  may  deem  expedient. 

After  some  remarks  by  Mr.  Peril,  the  resolutions  were  una- 
nimously adopted. 

Then  the  following  resolutions,  sent  to  the  meeting  by  Mbert 
Gallatin,  esq.  were  proposed  in  his  absence  by  John  Ji.  Stevens: 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  removal  of  the  public  moneys  from  the 
place  where  they  were  by  law  deposited  and  declared  by  a  late 
vote  of  congress  to  be  perfectly  safe,  in  virtue  of  th«  sole  order 
of  the  president,  issued  only  two  months  before  that  body  was 
again  to  assemble,  and  with  the  avowed  object  of  being  enabled 
thereby  to  interpose  his  veto,  if  congress  persisted  in  its  opi- 
nion; 

The  unexampled  interference  with  the  officer  to  whom  the 
public  purse  is  intrusted,  in  the  performance  of  duties  by  law 
exclusively  assigned  to  that  officer; 

The  appointment,  during  the  recess  of  the  senate,  of  a  tem- 
porary officer,  for  the  special  purpose  of  doing  an  act,  which  no 
secretary  of  the  treasury  regularly  appointed  with  the  advice 
and  consent  of  the  senate  would  have  performed; 

Are  an  abuse  of  the  powers  vested  by  the  constitution  in  the 
^resident,  and  encroachments  upon  the  legislative  authority  of 
congress,  upon  the  laws  and  upon  the  constitutional  participa- 
tion of  the  senate  in  appointments  to  office,  which,  unless  ar- 
rested, must  give  to  the  president  alone,  the  exclusive  control 
over  the  public  purse,  over  the  currency,  and  over  private  and 
public  credit. 

2.  Resolved,  That  these  acts,  and  others  of  a  similar  descrip- 
ion;   the  frequent  and  indiscriminate   use  of  the  president's 

veto;  his  belief  in  bis  own  infallibility;  his  fixed  determination 
that  his  will  alone  shall  govern;  the  avowal  that,  whatever  that 
may  be,  he  must  at  all  events,  be  sustained;  or,  in  other  words, 
'that  the  king  can  do  no  wrong"  the  substitution  of  the  worship 
of  a  man  for  our  ancient  notions  of  entire  freedom  of  opinion 
and  love  of  liberty,  are  subversive  of  the  principles  of  our  in- 
stitutions, and  lend,  ultimately,  leaving  us  hardly  the  name  and 
"onus  of  a  republic,  to  convert  it  substantially  into  a  monarchy. 

3.  Resolved,  That  there  is  a  redeeming  spirit  in  our  free  and 
[lorious  institutions,  which  guaranties  their  perpetuity;  and1  that, 
or  the  true  and  only  remedy,  and  with  a  perfect  conviction  of 

ultimale  success,  we  fearlessly  appeal  to  "the  people  of  th«  U. 

States,"  pur  and  their  own  legitimate  sovereign. 

All  which  were  unanimously  adopted. 


Hundreds  of  meetings  of  the  people  are  yet  just  held 
or  holding  to  adopt  various  proceedings  with  relation  to 
he  state  of  the  currency,  and  effect  a  return  of  the  public 
leposites.  They  sometimes  meet  in  huge  masses.  The 
anti-bank  meeting  at  Jllbany  was  succeeded  by  what  is 
said  to  be  a  much  larger  one  on  the  other  side;  and  the 
spirit  of  it  is  running  through  the  west  with  extraordinary 
rapidity  and  force.  Similar  meetings  are  going  on,  es- 
pecially in  Massachusetts,  Vermont,  Rhode  Island,  Con- 
necticut, New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  and  a  good  many 
n  Kentucky,  Ohio,  Virginia,  N.  Carolina,  Mississippi, 
jouisiana,  Alabama,  with  some  in  nearly  every  other 
state.  The  movements  of  the  people  have  no  precedent 
n  our  country — nor  perhaps,  in  any  other;  but  we  regret 
o  beljeve,  that,  comparatively  speaking,  the  pressure  is 
only  just  beginning  to  be  felt.  There  already  has  been 
some  occasional  relaxations,  and  others,  it  is  to  be  hoped, 
will  happen,  else  "credit  must  perish, "and  one  wide 
•uin  over-shadow  the  whole  l»nd — which  ought  to  be 
iright  and  flourishing  and  happy,  as  it  was  until  politi- 
cians meddled  -with  the  currency. ' 


JV1L.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  Ne.  6— VOL.  X.]      BALTIMORE,  APRIL  5,  1834.     [Vol..  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,176. 


THE  FAST— THE  PRESENT— FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EIIITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    BT    H.   JULES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PAYABLE    IN    ADYANCE. 


\JCj*We  publish  this  week  a  large  collection  of  scraps 
illustrative  of  the  present  state  of  the  currency  and  ol'tli 
times — useful  for  present  notice,  and  important  to  th 
history  of  "the  experiment"  that  is  making. 

An  abstinence  from  the  publication  of  any  long  articli 
this  week,  has  given  to  the  present  number  of  the  RE 
BISTEII  a  great  variety  of  articles,  though  most  of  therr 
relate  to  the  all-engrossing  subject — the  state  of  the  cur 
rency,  and  the  pressure  on  the  money  market.  The  spe 
cial  message  of  the  governor  of  JVew  York — the  accoun 
of  the  great  meeting  at  PhiladelpJua,  and  the  letter  o 
Dr.  JMacneven,  will  claim  much  attention.  Dr.  Macne- 
ven  is  among  the  last  survivors  of  the  grand  rally  of  the 
Irish  patriots,  and  of  the  associates  of  the  Emmets,  the 
Orrs,  the  Tandys,  the  Keoghs,  the  Oitrrans,  the  Samp- 
sons, the  Tones,  the  Rowans  and  the  JWoores,  and  others 
— a  race  of  giants  in  intellect,  with  a  purity  of  principle 
and  firmness  of  purpose,  worthy  of  leaders  in  a  sublime 
contest  for  genuine  liberty.  In  early  life,  we  had  the 
pleasure  of  being  personally  acquainted  with  three  or 
four  of  those  named,  and  considered  them  as  among  the 
most  splendid  specimens  of  the  human  kind  that  we  hac 
ever  met  with.  But  Dr.  JMacneven  needs  not  our  hum- 
ble testimony  of  his  devotion  to  democratic  principle: 
and  the  power  which  he  possesses  to  support  them,  will 
be  seen  in  his  letter. 

It  is  added  that  counsellor  Sampson,  and  others  of  like 
high  character  and  standing,  agree  with  Dr.  J\facneven. 

Baltimore  has  met  wifh  two  severe  losses  within  a  week. 
On  Monday  last,  the  remains  of  Talbot  Jones,  esq.  were 
returned  to  the  earth,  and  on  Thursday  night  Alexander 
JSroten,  esq.  died!  These  were  two  of  our  oldest  and 
most  valued  merchants — persons  beloved  for  their  private 
virtues,  and  esteemed  for  their  public  conduct.  The 
first  was  among  the  most  extensive  of  our  traders  with 
the  interior;  the  second  of  the  most  important  in  our  rela- 
tions with  Europe.  It  was  the  house  of  Jl.  Bro-wn 
Sons  that  took  the  late  loan  required  by  the  state  of  Ma- 
ryland of  500,000  dollars,  and  if  he.  the  deceased,  had 
not  moved  in  that  business,  it  is  said  that  1,000  poor  la- 
borers on  the  Baltimore  and  Washington  rail  road  would 
have  been  discharged —  and,  at  a  time  like  the  present, 
to  suffer! 

We  present  gov.  Marcy's  special  message  to  the  le- 
gislature of  New  York,  and  submit  it  to  the  cool  consi- 
deration of  our  readers  whether  he  is  not  at  the  "head 
of  the  heap"  of  the  "panic  makers?"  What  is  it? — to  bor- 
roto  money,  in  fact,  on  the  credit  of  tlie  state,  in  Europe 
[!)Cf*foreiffn  money!]  to  lend  to  the  banks  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  that  they  may  lend  to  the  country  banks,  that 
they  may  lend  to  the  people!  If  "all  who  borrow  money 
ought  to  break" — here  is  a  "pretty  kettle  offish,"  and  a 
big  one  too!  And  what  are  the  "four  or  five  millions" 
proposed  to  be  borrowed?  As  the  "small  dust  of  the 
balance!"  The  banks  in  the  city  of  Xew  York  have 
lately  increased  their  discounts  3^  millions,  and  the  mo- 
ney-pressure increases!  And  it  will,  until  CONFIDENCE 
is  restored.  We  have  money  enough,  and,  with  confi- 
dence, would  soon  have  credit  enough. 

[We  have  since  received  the  report  of  a  joint  commit- 
tee of  the  legislature  of  New  York,  to  whom  the  gover- 
nor's messnge  was  referred,  and  shall  insert  it  next 
•week.  It  concludes  with  a  bill  providing  for  the  creation 
of  a  five  per  cent,  state  stock,  amounting  to  six  millions 
of  dollars,  redeemable  in  twelve  years.  Four  millions 
of  dollars  of  this  stock  is  proposed  to  be  loaned  to  the 
banks  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  two  millions  to  be 
sent  to  the  loan  offices  in  diffierent  parts  of  the  state,  to 
be  loaned  when  the  supervisors  of  the  respective  counties 
determine  that  they  are  in  need  of  such  aid.  It  iilso  pro- 
vides for  a  bonnl  of  officers,  See. 
VOL.  XLVI -Sin.  G. 


This  novel  and  very  important  measure  has,  probably, 
been  already  passed  into  a  law! — for  the  first  section  of 
it  was  passed  by  the  assembly  before  certain  of  the 
members  had  had  time  to  read  the  bill.  For  whatever 
reason  these  things  have  taken  plaee,  we  think  thatevrrv 
reflecting  friend  of  a  sound  currency  will  view  them  with 
alarm.  The  precedent  is  dangerous — the  practice  alto- 
gether unsound — in  our  opinion;  and  we  think  that  this 
is  a  subject  on  which  we  have  some  right  to  have  and  ex- 
press an  opinion.] 

We  have  received  the  officially  published  lists  of 
names  attached  to  the  petitions  from  Baltimore,  for  and 
against  the  restoration  of  the  public  deposites.  We  ob- 
serve many  mistakes  of  the  printer  in  spelling  them — • 
but  they  are  unavoidable.* 

These  lists  of  names  have  been  looked  over,  and  we 
note  the  following  facts:  to  the  petition  for  a  restoration 
of  the  deposites  there  are  signed  183  business  firms,  of 
which  number  176  are  known  to  us:  on  the  other  there 
are  only  six  business  firms,  of  which  only  one  is  known 
to  us. 

Of  the  first  hundred  names  on  the  petition  for  restora- 
tion, eighty-four  are  those  of  persons  known  to  us — and 
of  the  remaining  16  there  are  several  so  misspelled  that 
we  cannot  surely  identify  them.  On  the  other  list,  of  the 
first  hundred  names  only  twenty-two  are  identified  a» 
being  known  to  us. 

Ot  the  last  hundred  names  on  the  first  list  we  know 
fifty-one  persons  answering  thereto — of  the  last  hundred 
names  on  the  second  list  we  can,  in  like  manner,  identify 
only  seven  persons. 

Each  page  of  the  lists  contains  about  150  names.  Let 
us  see  how  this  sort  of  knowledge  extends  to  some  of 
them,  taken  at  random. 

On  the  2d  page  of  the  first  petition  we  know  one  hun- 
dred and  seventeen  persons  and  firms,  as  they  are  put 
down:  on  the  same  page  of  the  second  list  we  know  only 
eleven  persons. 

On  the  7th  page  of  the  first  list  we  know  66  persons — • 
on  the  same  page  of  the  second  list  no  more  than  8  per- 
sons. 

On  the  12th  page  of  the  first  list  we  know  93  persons— 
on  the  same  page  of  the  second,  we  cannot  undertake  to 
say  that  more  than  three  persons  are  identified  bv  us— 
:hough  the  name  of  "Martin  Van  Buren"  is  on  this  page! 

On  the  first  list  one  person  has  made  his  mark  with  an 
>"i,  and  six  names  were  "illegible:"  on  the  second,  24 
are  marked  with  a  cross  X,  and  27  are  reported  "illegi- 
>le" — six  being  in  "German." 

The  last  petition  has  the  names  of  "Geo.  W.  Freas, 
esq."  "Stephen   Gates,   esq."  and   "John  Freas,  e$q," 
We  have  not  the  pleasure  of  being  acquainted  with  either 
f  these  esquires. 

Such  are  the  results  of  a  hasty  examination.  We  do 
not  pretend  to  perfect  accuracy,  but  are  sure  that  no  great 
mistake  has  been  made. 

We  have  been  doing  business  in  this  city  since  1798, 
nd  came  hither  permanently  to  reside  in  1805,  and  have 
mixed  much  with  the  people  since  the  latter  period.  We 
efer  to  individuals,  in  both  cases,  that  are  personally 
inown  to  us,  or  whom  we  otherwise  know  are  in  the 
'land  of  the  living,"  and  can  be  found. 

If  the  decision  of  the  question  concerning  the  public 
leposites  were  left  to  the  judgment  of  the  business-men 
)f  Baltimore,  at  least  seven-eighths  would  say,  restore 
hem!  And  if,  with  the  knowledge  obtained  through  ex- 
icrience,  they  were  called  upon  to  decide,  shall  the  de- 
osites  be  removed?  we  think  that  49  out  of  every  50 


It  is  impossible  to  (It-cypher  many  signatures— for  many,  like 
r^rlves,  have  acquired  a  wrrtehed  habit  of  making  certain 
rfrs,  standing  for  our  names,  that  are  unintelligible  to  persons 
lot  familiar  with  them. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


would  give  a  loud  and  emphatic  negative.  Indeed,  ve 
can  sincerely  say  t!i;\l  we  have  not  met  with  n  single  man 
who,  when  pushed  ta  give  an  honest  answer,  that  has  not 
pronounced  the  measure  an  unwise  one — a  "mistake;" 
but,  as  it  was  done,  why — //  couldn't  be  retired  from, 
some  said;  i.  e.  the  party  must  not -waver  in  a  course  ad- 
mitted to  be  unwise,  though  ruin  shall  folloio  a  perseve- 
rance in  it\  By  hus'mess-men  we  mean  merchants  and 
other  dealers,  shop  keepers,  mechanics,  of  all  sorts,  em- 
ployers and  journeymen,  artists  and  trades-people — pro- 
perty holders  and  rent  payers,  anil  all  persons  who  have 
had  a  settled  home  and  citizenship  with  us  two  years, 
excluding  however  office-holders,  who  feed  at  the  public 
crib,  and  t!ie  miserables  who  hope  to  get  their  share  of 
the  fodder — for  all  these  like  "mother  Carey's  chickens," 
lean,  lank  and  hungry,  delight  in  the  storm.  Il  is  their 
"glory"  to  be  in  the  whirlwind! — they  have  every  thing 
to  hope  tor,  and  not/ting  to  lone. 

Mr.  Me  Kim  represents  the  5th  congressional  district, 
•which  is  composed  of  the  five  first  wards  of  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  and  the  county  of  Anne  Arundel.  At  the  late 
election  the  votes  stood  thus — 

JMcKim.  Stewart. 

5  wards  of  Baltimore  2,049  1,678 

A:me  Arundel  county  1,132  1,114 

3,181  2.792 

Now  an  instruction  has  been  forwarded  to  Mr.  jilcKim 
that  ha  shall  vote  fora  restoration  of  the  public  deposites. 
The  exact  number  is  not  known  to  us — but  it  has  been 
signed  by  more  than  3,300  -voters  of  the  district — not  per- 
sons who  appear  on  an  election-day  and  are  not  there- 
after at  all  to  be  found;  but  individuals  who  have  fixed 
residences  with  us,  and  probably  being  not  less  than 
three-fourths  ol  the  business-men,  with  the  same  propor- 
tion of  the  stationary  and  regular  working  people,  me- 
chanics or  farmers,  &c. 

The  committee  who  had  this  matter  in  charge,  are  ho- 
norable men.  They  personally  obtained  most  of  the  names 
subscribed,  and  declare,  that,  to  the  best  of  their  know- 
ledge, there  is  not  one  person  on  the  list  who  is  not  a  voter 
of  the  district — and,  as  the  vote,  as  stated  above,  was  a 
high  one,  (5,973)  it  unquestionably  appears  that  there  is 
a  clear  majority  of  several  hundred  votes  in  favor  of  a 
restoration  of  the  deposites,*  and  yet  several  populous 
districts  had  been  neglected  by  those  who  had  them  in 
charge.  Indeed,  we  understand  that  in  the  3,300  is  not 
included  any  names  from  the  city  of  Annapolis,  and  from 
a  whole  election  district  of  Anne  Arundel  county. 

[P.  8.  As  this  paper  was  going  to  press  we  nre  told  iliat  the 
figners  of  lh<:  instruction,  compared  with  the  whole  number  of 
votet  shew  a  majority  of  715!  Others  lists  were  expected.] 

The  New  York  papers  are  filled  with  accounts  of  ward 
meetings,  and  meetings  of  different  trades,  or  callings, 
to  bear  upon  the  ensuing  election  of  corporation  officers. 
Never  before  were  such  movements  made  in  that  city! 
For  instance,  a  meeting  of  the  carters  opposed  to  the 
removal  of  the  deposites,  See.  was  called  by  300  or  400 
of  them,  the  numbers  of  whose  carts  being  attached  to 
their  names — and  there  has  been  such  another  call  and 
meeting  of  landlords  and  seamen— another  signed  by  one 
hundred  and  eighty  stone  cutters,  &c.  &c.  Powerful 
committees  have  been  appointed  on  both  sides — for  an 
example,  the  anti-Tammany  carters  have  appointed  a 
committee  of  twenty  to  attend  the  polls  of  each  ward, 
(dressed  in  their  frocks),  during  the  whole  period  of  the 
election;  and  it  is  recommended  that  the  friends  of  a  re- 
storation shall  close  their  stores  and  work  shops  that  they 
may  attend  to  the  business  of  the  election!  The  "Tam- 
manies" are  equally  busy.  They  have  the  benefit  of  an  old 
organization — the  respect  of  party  for  "regular  nomina- 
tions," an  army  of  officers  of  the  U.  States,  and  of  the  state 
and  city  of  New  York  of  about  1,/itK)  men,  \\lio  have 
many  dependents,  whose  persons  and  fnirtes  arc  at  the 
command  of  the  party,  and  the  "spoils  arnoant  to  a  mil- 
lion of  dollars  a  year!  All  these  will  bu  on  "duty." 
Besides  this  the  "Tammanies"  have  that  powerful  in- 

•Wliole  number  ol  votes  5,973— the  hnlf  of  which  i<  2,986,  or 
lp»9  by  300  than  tin-  number  of  the  sign.'rs.  Tin}  ilisirid-  n<>( 
heard  from  might  have  «n#ily  furoUhed  from  4  to  500  good 
namw. 


fluence  which  proceeds  from  the  possession  of  fomer 
majoritiesof  about  sixthousand  votes.  Mr.  I'erplanck,  late 
a  member  of  congress  from  that  city,  is  the  candidate  of 
the  "independent  democrats"  for  the  mayoralty,  and  Mr. 
Lawrence,  a  member  of  the  present  congress,  will  be 
supported  by  the  "Tammanies."  Mr.  Lee,  the  present 
mayor,  declined  a  poll. 

The  excitement  is  not  confined  to  the  city  of  New 
York.  Great  masses  of  the  people  have  met  at  Albany, 
Troy.  Utica,  Rochester,  and,  indeed,  in  most  of  the 
chief  towns,  and  warmly  expressed  their  feelings  against 
the  removal  of  the  deposites,  &c. ,  and  the  local  elections 
held  in  Poughkepsie,  Hudson,  Newburg,  Schenectady, 
Rliiuebeck,  ClaVerack,  Lansinburgh,  Sic.  shew  the  effect 
of  this  excitement.  The  first  for  example,  had  a  "Jack- 
son" majority  of  150  last  year,  now  of  144  anti-Jackson. 

At  one  of  the  great  meetings  lately  held  in  New  York, 
fifteen  associations  of  different  mechanics,  &c.  connected 
with  commerce,  sent  in  resolutions  against  the  measures 
of  the  general  and  state  governments. 

A  friend  has  asked,  why  we  fixed  the  commencement 
of  the  "experiment"  as  the  period  at  which  we  supposed 
it  possible  the  hank  of  Maryland  might  fail  any  day,  as 
stated  in  our  last — say  ing  that  its  issues  had  long  before 
been  excessive.  In  return,  we  said, — "We  also  so  be- 
lieved— but  until  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  money 
was  'plenty,'  and  confidence  great;  and,  in  case  of  a  pres- 
sure, it  was  easy  to  obtain  redeeming  funds  on  good  secu- 
rity offered:  soon  after  the  credit  of  the  best  of  our  citizens 
availed  little,  and  money  became  scarce."  We  reasoned 
on  this  subject  as  Mr.  Duane  had  done  in  his  letter  to 
the  president  of  July  last — though  then  we  knew  not  that 
such  a  letter  had  been  written — but  supposed  that  every 
one  who  had  considered  the  nature  of  the  currency  held 
the  opinions  which  we  oftentimes  freely  expressed,  and 
also  acted  upon,  to  a  considerable  extent.  There  are 
several  who  will  bear  testimony  that  we  cautioned  them 
against  entering  into  new  engagements  to  pav  monev, 
if  rightfully  to  be  avoided — until  the  effects  of  the  re- 
moval of  the  deposites  should  become  manifest  to  them. 

The  pressure  on  the  money  market  does  not  arise 
from  any  real  scarcity  of  money,  nor  has  it  any  sort  of 
connection  with  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  bank 
of  the  United  States — unless  local.  1.  The  specie  capi- 
tal has,  probably,  been  increased  more  than  two  millions 
since  the  1st  October  last,  and  there  is  no  demand  for 
money  abroad,  exchange  being  really  8  or  9  per  cent,  be- 
low par;  and  besides,  the  reduced  price  of  almost  every 
commodity  has  lessened  the  want  for  money  to  make 
purchases,  in  the  amount  of  tens  of  millions  of  dollars. 
For  instance,  a  cargo  of  1,000  barrels  of  flour  may  now 
be  obtained  for  4,000  dollars,  which  would  have  cost 
5,000,  a  little  while  ago — and  t  ,000  dollars  less  of  money, 
or  credit,  is  needed  to  carry  on  ibis  small  operation;  and 
when  we  regard  the  diminished  value  of  cotton,  tobacco, 
rice,  lumber,  &c.  See.  it  may  be  easily  believed  that;no?it/ 
millions  less  are  now  needed  than  svere  required  before 
the  "experiment"  began.  This  is  a  matter  of  consider- 
able importance,  and  the  political  economist  will  easily 
appreciate  it.  2.  But — while  the  bank  of  the  United 
States  has  increased  its  circulation,  and  the  line  of  its 
discounts  is  not  reduced  so  much  as  that  of  its  deposites, 
it  appears  l>\  the  report  of  the  New  York  committee,  in- 
serted in  the  last  RKKISTKH,  that  the  banks  in  that  city  (for 
an  example)  including  the  office,  have  increased  their 
loans  more  than  £3,500,000 — Feb.  19,  1834  being  com- 
pared with  1st  October,  18.33. 

Why  then  is  money  "scarce'"  It  is  because  con- 
fidence, the  corner  stone  on  which  a  wholesome  cur- 
rency rests,  has  been  destroyed  by  a  wild  "experiment," 
and  the  hostile  attitude  \t  hich  "the  government"  of  the  U. 
States  has  assumed  against  the  bank;  wlnrehy  industry  is 
paralyzed,  m.-w  enterprises  abandoned,  the  Circulation  of 
money  n-ndered  a  sluggish  one,  and  a  thousand  bankrupt- 
cies happened.  And  so  it  is — that  though  money  is  really 
more  plentiful  than  it  was  in  October  last,  and  though 
much  less  of  it  is  needed  to  carry  on  the  operations  of 
business,  than  before  the  removal  of  the  deposites — there 
dues  not  appear  to  he  a  circulating  medium  sufficient  to 
satisfy  the  common  wants  of  the  people!*  We  foresaw 


'Thi-  paradox  is  sulvcd  in  the  ej/'tcl  before  us. 


WILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,   1SS4— MISCELLANEOUS. 


83 


these  things — they  appeared  as  plain  to  us  as  they  Ap- 
peared to  Mr.  Duaiie* — and  on  this  principle  it  was  that 
we  thought  a  failure  of  the  bank  of  Maryland  miff/it  hap- 
pen on  any  day  since  the  1st  October,  1833. 

By  the  vote  in  the  senate  on  the  28th  nit.  see  page  88, 
it  will  be  seen  that  Air.  'fancy's  reasons  for  removing 
the  deposites  would  have  been  pronounced  "unsatisfacto- 
ry anil  insufficient"  thirty  to  eighteen,  had  Messrs.  Hell 
and  Chambers  been  present,  in  the  senate!  We  are  in- 
clined to  believe  that  never  before  since  the  organization 
of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  has  so  large  a 
majority  appeared  in  the  senate  against  any  leading  mea- 
sure of  the  executive  branch  of  the  government.  And  the 
present  senate  has  a  decided  majority  of  those  who  -were 
among  the  powerful  supporters  of  the  first  election  of  ge- 
neral Jackson  to  the  presidency. 

Th«  history  of  the  existing  administration  bears  an 
extraordinary  character — one  that  has  no  parallel  in  our 

*Tlie  4lh  letter  of  Mr.  Duanc  addressed  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States  contains  a  letter  from  him  to  the  president  dated 
July  10, 1833,  from  which  we  make  the  following  brief  extracts — 
n  purl  of  which  we  have  taken  the  liberty  to  present  in  italics. 

"Credit,  like  female  fame,  is  of  such  a  peculiar  nature,  that 
its  blossoms  may  be  blighted  even  by  the  breath  of  inquiry;  what 
then,  might  not  be  the  consequence  of  the  blast  of  the  indigna- 
tion of  government  against  an  agent,  in  "hose  interest  it  was 
itself  so  deeply  concerned?  Much  more  tricial  changes  than  that 
proposed  by  the  president,  hare  produced  great  commercial  con- 
vulsions. Such  a  measure,  as  is  urged,  would  he  regarded  by 
the  hank,  so  decidedly  hostile,  as  to  ati'ord  ii  an  excuse  to  shake 
the  fabric  of  credit,  for  the  purpose  of  throwing  odium  on  the 
government,  and  producing  a  persuasion,  that  in  the  extension 
of  the  charter  would  be  found  the  only  remedy  for  the  mischief. 
That  it  would  not  hesitate  to  do  so,  the  president  believes — that 
it  ought  not  to  have  an  excuse  for  doing  so,  the  undersigned  is 
tain. 

'It  is,  indeed,  mentioned,  in  the  letter  of  the  president,  that 
the  United  States  bank  will  not  be  able  to  effect  any  such  pur- 
pose. But  the  undersigned  is  not  satisfied,  that  an  institution 
with  so  large  a  capital,  with  branches  at  so  many  important 


certain. 


points,  acting  with  one  accord,  and  for  a  single  end,  with  specie 
equal  to  half  its  circulation,  has  it  not  in  its  power  to  affect  the 
operations  of  local  batiks,  with  specie  equal  to  about  a  sixth  o 
their  circulation  only.  If  the  bank  is  really  so  harmless  as  this 
part  of  the  president's  letter  supposes,  then  the  alarm  that  the  un- 
dersigned has  at  all  times  entertained,  at  the  existence  of  such  a 
power,  is  unfounded,  and  one  of  the  most  serious  objections  to  the 
renewal  af  the  charter  is  obviated.  But  the  undersigned  is  not 
nble  to  arrive  at  such  a  conclusion;  he  is  convinced  that  it  is  in 
the  power  of  the  United  States  bank,  so  organized  and  so  se- 
cured, grievously  to  affect  the  local  banks  and  the  community; 
the  undersigned  thinks  that  the  trial  ought  not  to  he  made. 

"Beyond  doubt,  the  power  of  the  United  States  bank  to  con- 
trol the  local  banks,  and,  through  them,  masses  of  the  people, 
and  through  those  masses,  some  of  the  constituted  authorities 
of  the  country,  is  of  such  a  character  and  tendency,  as  to  ex- 
cite alarm.  But  the  very  existence  of  such  a  power  teaches  ex- 
treme caution — such  an  adversary  should  sain  no  advantage  from 
an  abortive  experiment  to  limit  its  influence. 

"The  struggle,  to  be  made,  is  not  to  see,  which  can  do  the 
other  the  most  harm,  the  government  or  the  hank.  The  govern- 
ment has  hnt  one  duty  to  execute,  to  inform  the  people  and 
their  representatives  of  the  apprehended  danger.  It  is  not  call- 
ed upon  to  maim  the  bank,  lest  the  bank  should  muster  the 
country.  In  any  attempt  to  maim,  the  aoents  of  the  bank  would 
be  those  likely  to  escape:  the  wound  would  he  felt  in  the  cottage  of 
the  farmer,  rather  than  in  the  palace  of  the  banker. 

*;On  the  other  hand,  if  the  suggestion  of  the  president  is 
sound,  that  the  United  Stales  bank  dare  not  operate  oppres- 
sively, because  the  state  banks  having  government  deposites, 
might  run  upon  the  branches,  then  there  is  a  check  at  all  times, 
in  the  hands  of  the  government;  and  the  bank,  during  its  legal 
existence,  will  be  careful  not  to  do  or  omit,  what  might  warrant 
a  total  removal  of  the  deposites. 

"So  that  the  United  States  hank  is  represented  fty  some  of  the 
local  banks  as  an  engine  so  pan-erf ul  as  te  be  tin  object  of  universal 
alarm;  and,  the  next  moment,  so  utterly  feeble,  that  by  the  simple 
operation  of  a  treasury  order,  the  entire  branches  may  be  broken 
u;i  one  after  the  other,  and  the  paper  flung  upon  them  in  masses, 
which  they  mil  not  be  prepared  to  redeem!  Which  of  these  is 
the  true  picture?  If  a  treasury  order  has  such  talism.inic  in- 
fluence, can  there  he  a  better  pledge  for  the  safety  of  the  public 
deposits?  But,  if  it  has  no  such  power,  is  it  discreet  to  com- 
mence the  war?  In  nil  such  calculations,  as  those  referred  to, 
the  flinging  back  masses  of  bank  paper,  and  breaking  up  th^ 
branches,  are  items,  that  seem  to  have  caused  no  compassion 
for  the  ultimate  sufferer*.  It  appears  to  have  been  forgotten 
that  a  larye  portion  of  the  °ood  and  pnre  people  of  the  Ininl  >'-nntr 
he  ruined — and  why  mined!  brcnn«p  the  government  of  thci 
country  hnd  put  the  power  to  ruin  them  in  the  hands  of  corpo 
rations,  intent  alone  upon  their  own  nssrnnrJlBoment! — Whctlip. 
it  is  wise  to  make  such  experiments,  the  undersigned,  with  con 
fidence  respectfully  submits."' 


nnnals.  The  vice  president,  with  the  secretaries  of  state, 
war,  navy  and  attorney  general,  and  we  think,  also,  the 
inst master  general,  (which  takes  in  ail  the  "cabinet  pro- 
per," except  the  secretary  of  the  treasury),  were  of  those 
who  most  decidedly  rejected  the  "pretensions  of  Mr. 
Jackson"*  in  182i — but  the  latter  supported  them  out  of 
opposition  to  Mr.  Adams,  because  that  he,  in  the  opinion 
of  Mr.  Taney,  had  deserted  the  federal  party;  and,  if  we 
are  not  mistaken,  there  is  not,  in  what  is  called  the 
'kitchen  cabinet,"  more;  than  one  "original"  friend  of 
the  general!  The  "eleventh  hour  men"  have  gathered 
the  "spoils  of  the  victory"  gained.  And  of  the  eighteen 
senators  who  voted  on  ihe  occasion  above  stated,  we  can 
count  up  five  or  six,  and,  perhaps,  there  are  more,  (for 
we  do  not  know  the  original  opinions  of  several  of  them), 
who  stood  in  the  same  hostile  position,  even  at  the  elec- 
tion of  1 824. 

And  again — with  the  exception  of  the  "force  bill," 
which  depended  on  other  considerations  than  such  as  re- 
lated to  the  support  of  the  executive,  (for  it  was  earned 
by  the  votes  of  the  opponents  of  the  administration),  only 
one  favorite  measure  of  the  executive  (the  Indian  bill) 
has  been  sanctioned  by  congress,  and  that  by  a  weak  ma- 
jority (obtained  we  shall  not  sav  how),  though  in  both 
houses  there  were  large  majorities  of  loud  and  lusty  pro- 
fessing friends  of  the  president.  The  exercise,  however, 
of  the  hateful  and  despotic  power  of  the  veto,  a  power 
which  a  king  of  Great  Britain  has  not  dared  to  exercise 
for  centuries,  has  placed  the  will  of  the  senate  and  house 
of  representatives  at  defiance,  with  respect  to  certain  of 
the  most  important  acts  ever  passed  upon  by  these  legis- 
lative hodies;t  the  first  representing  the  states  and  the  se- 
cond the  people. 

Every  one  may  make  for  himself  reflections  of  the  sim- 
ple, but  singular,  facts  presented.  Never  since  constitu- 
tional governments  began  has  the  like  happened  before— 
never  will  they  happen  again. 

With  the  result  above  stated,  will  Mr.  Taney  restore 
the  deposites,  or  retire  from  the  place  which  he  holds? 

It  is  stated  in  the  official  "Glohe"  that  the  president 
will  not  receive  any  more  committees,  sent  by  the  peo- 
ple to  carry  their  petitions  to   Washington,  praying  for 
relief  from   sufferings  inflicted  by  the  acts  of  "the  go- 
vernment."    And  on  this  subject  the  "by  authority"  pa- 
>er,  at  Philadelphia,  the  Pennsylranian,  observes— 
"Would  not  the  uses  to  which  the  bitter  enemies  of  the  pre- 
ident  pervert  every  thing  which  falls  from  his  lips,  justify  him 
n  closing  his  doors  against  the  intrusion  of  the  vulgar  herds 
that  daily  infest  his  apartments?" 

Who  is  the  editor  of  the  "Pennsylvanian?" — a  foreign- 
•r  or  a  native?  We  must  suppose  the  former,  and  of  a 
resh  importation,  and  hardly  naturalized — certainly  not 
civilized.  "Vulgar  herds'"  of  the  people !| 


*  Albany  Argus. 

fAII  the  great  Pennsylvania  measures  have  gone  by  the 
joard — 

1.  Internal  improvements; 

2.  The  protection  of  the  national  industry: 

3.  The  bank  of  the  United  States; 

4.  The  public  land  bill,  as  proposed  by  Mr.  Clay. 

All  which  had  had  the  almost  unanimous  support  of  the  poli- 
ticians, as  well  as  of  the  people  of  the  slate. 

The  1st,  3d  and  4th  were  put  down  by  the  veto  of  the  presi- 
dent— the  -3d  partially  yielded  because  of  a  justly  entertained 
belief  that  the  party  in  power  would  wholly  destroy  it. 

J  Doc  tor  Franklin  in  hi*  historical  review  of  Pen  nsy  Ivan  in, 
holds  the  following  manly  and  spirited  language,  in  relation  to 
the  refusal  of  the  proprietaries  to  recieve  "deputies  from  the 
people  who  asked  for  a  redress  of  grievances. 

"No  king  nf  England,  ns  we  can  remember  has  ever  taken 
upon  himself  such  state,  as  to  refuse  personal  applications  from 
the  meanest  of  his  subjects.  Even  sultnns,  supines  and  other 
eastern  absolute  manarchs  will,  it  is  yaid,  sometimes  sit  whole 
days  In  hear  the  complaints  and  petitions  of  their  very  slares; 
and  are  the  proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania  become  too  great  to 
he  addressed  by  thn  representations  of  the  freemen  of  the  pro- 
vince? If  they  tmjel  not  be  reasoned  with,  because  they  have 
aivfn  instructions,  nor  their  deputy  because  he  has  received 
them,  our  meetings  and  deliberations  nre  henceforth  useless, 
we  have  only  to  know  their  it-ill  and  to  ofcciy." 

Dr.  Fra*  l;iin  concludes  his  review  with  the  following  advice 
to  thn  proprietaries,  "that  if  they  follow  the  advice  of  Reho- 
honm's  counsellors,  they  will,  like  him,  absolutely  lose,  at  least, 
Mr  nffrrtioni  of  HIP  jirnplc.  A  hiss,  which,  however  they  affect 
to  despise,  will  he  found  of  more  consequence  to  them  than 
they  setm  at  present  to  be  aware  of." 


84 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


We  are  not  disposed  to  find  fault — but  claim,  and  wil! 
enjoy,  the  right  of  uttering  the  thoughts  of  our  heart,  in 
respectful  terms,  on  all  occasions.  "Truth  is  a  victor 
withont  violence." 

Is  it  true  that  the  acting  secretary  of  state,  and  acting 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  have  not  yet  been  nominated  to 
the  senate?  Did  it  ever  happen  before,  that  a  congress 
had  beenybwr  months  in  session,  and  two  appointments  by 
the  president,  of  officers  of  such  high  dignity,  remain  in 
office,  nnapproved  by  the  senate?  We  think  not — am: 
one  of  these  important  appointments,  at  least,  would  have 
been  promptly  ratified,  by  the  concurrent  power,  if  it  hac 
been  offered  for  approval. 

If  we  regard  lite  power  of  the  president,  in  the  recess 
of  the  senate,  to  appoint  persons  to  office,  as  being  abso- 
lute— it  is  not  less  clear  to  our  mind,  that,  while  the  se- 
nate is  in  session,  such  appointments  are  only  acting,  un- 
less they  are  ratified.  Such  was  the  principle  and  prac- 
tice of  the  old  "democracy. " 

The  reduced  price  of  commodities  and  of  wages,  with 
the  discharge  of  thousands  of  persons  from  employment,* 
have  a  powerful  tendency  to  relieve  the  pressure  of  the 
money  market  on  business-men — but  at  the  cost  of  pro- 
ducers, farmers  and  other  working  people,  in  great  sa- 
crifices of  private  comfort  and  of  the  public  good.  Wheat, 
at  Zanegville,  Ohio,  was  44  cents  per  bushel,  on  the  26th 
ultimo — at  Batavin,  Ohio,  37^  cents — flour  at  Cincinnati 
275  @  287£;  and  the  Hudson,  (N.  Y. )  Republican  says 
that  two  oi  the  cotton  factories  at  Klnderhook  have  stop- 
ped work — that  a  large  quantity  of  butter  which  had  been 
sent  to  New  York  from  Poughkepsie,  had  been  brought 
back,  because  a  market  could  not  be  found  for  it — and 
that  hay  had  been  sold  in  the  city  of  New  York  at  "two 
shillings  and  six  pence,"  that  is,  3lJ  cent*  the  100,  equal 
6J  dollars  the  ton — adding  that  a  quantity  shipped  from 
Catskill  and  Athens,  (towns  on  the  Hudson  river),  had 
been  brought  back.  Bring  back  hay  one  hundred  miles? 
But  such  things  must  reduce  the  amount  of  money  want- 
ed— at  whose  cost? 

The  state  of  things  at  Providence  and  its  neighbor- 
hood may  be  partially  estimated  from  the  following  brief 
notices  of  a  memorial  about  to  be  presented  to  congress 
from  the  mechanics  and  artizans,  a  convention  of  whom 
(208  strong)  was  held  a  few  days  ago: 

50,000  spindles  are  already  stopped,  and  so  have  many 
of  the  machine  shops — as  for  example,  2,475  tons  of  iron 
•was  used  in  the  last  year,  but  the  present  rate  is  less  than 
350  tons  per  annum — 300  men  were  employed  in  the  fur- 
naces—now only  50.  At  this  time  last  year,  contracts 
for  lumber  amounting  to  $70,000  had  been  entered  into 
—now  only  t,400  dollars.  The  master  builders  are  now 
without  contracts,  and  so  sortli. 

A  profligate  idea  has  been  thrown  out  that  if  the  senate 
and  house  of  representatives  shall  not  agree  on  the  time 
of  adjournment,  the  president  will  dissolve  the  "refrac- 
tory" body!  If  so — this  is  the  last  congress  that  will  be 
held  under  the  present  constitution. t 


A  Canada  paper  says — "Under  the  monarchy  of  (England, 
the  right  of  petition  is  held  sacred.  However  tumultuous,  or 
even  danjerous  the  crisis,  the  avenues  to  the  throne  are  kept 
open  that  the  voice  of  complaint  may  he  heard.  In  Denmark, 
we  have  been  recently  informed  l>y  Mr.  Whcatoti,  the,  Ameri- 
can charge,  where  the  Government  is  an  absolute  monarchy, 
the  kin?  holds  open  coilrt  every  Monday,  where  he  receives 
petitions  and  applications  for  redresses  of  •jrievanees  from  every 
class  of  the  people,  from  the  lowest  lo  the  highest.  All  ap- 
proach his  majesty  freely,  and  are  received  with  the  utmost 
courtesy  and  attention." 

*They  ware  often  discharged  by  hundreds  at  a  lime. 

fMr.  John  Ciuiney  Ad.im«,  in  some  late  remark*  in  the  house 
of  representatives,  snid,  among  other  thin;:-: 

"It  has,  indeed, been  freely  surmised  around  this  pnpitnl,  and 
circulated  in  whispers  within  this  hall,  that  con-ire**  itself  it 
not  to  be  indulged  with  a  session  iinrca-miably  long;  but,  when 
the  deliberations  of  the  house  shall  be  sufficiently  matured,  ac- 
cording to  the  jii'lument  of  the  chairman  of  the  committee, 
then,  by  hi*  fiat  they  art:  to  cease,  and  as  we  have  not  had  er- 
nmptes  sufficiently  signalized  with  arbitrary  power,  a  disagree 
ment  is  to  lie  cot  ten  up  between  the  two  houses  of  congress,  in 
the  result  of  which  this  homo— the  immediate  representative 
body  of  the  whole  people  of  tt,K  union— is  to  he  nitide  the  ser- 
vile instrument  of  ministering  to  another  exercise  of  royalprc 


The  Philadelphia  papers  say — We  understand  that  the 
Girard  bank  redeems  the  notes  of  the  Union  bank  of 
Tennessee  made  payable  at  the  bank  of  Maryland;  and 
that  funds  amounting  to  100,000  dollars  have  been  re- 
ceived for  that  purpose. 

We  lately  published  an  article  on  the  circulation  of 
values;  and  see  it  mentioned  that  at  the  Suffolk  [Boston  J 
bank,  the  exchanges  were  eight  millions  in  the  last  year, 
of  country  notes  only. 

In  former  times,  the  fashion  of  bank-making  was,  that 
those  who  had  money  associated  that  they  might  Itnd  \\; 
but  the  fashion  has  latterly  been  for  those  who  have  not' 
money  to  make  banks,  that  they  liorroiv  its  credits!  In- 
deed, in  times  not  long  past,  associations  of  knaves  were 
made,  who,  among  them  all,  had  not  money  enough  to 
pay  for  the  paper  and  the  plates  for  the  purpose  of  mak- 
ing it,  until  they  had  in  circulation  a  sufficiency  of  their 
own  manufactured  rags.'  As  the  beginning  of  such 
banks  was  rags,  so  will  the  end  be.  Are  we  not  to  have 
another  huge  crop  of  "rag  barons?"  Well — if  so,  we 
are  ready  to  fight  them  again  ! 

In  1826,  Martin  Van  Bnren,  W.  L.  Marcy,  B.  F.  But- 
ler, C.  E.  Dudley,  N.  Sanford  and  others,  the  chief*  of 
what  was  called  the  "regency,"  very  earnestly  petitioned 
the  bank  of  the  United  States  to  establish  *  branch  at  Al- 
bany; and,  among  other  inducements,  said  that  the  loeal 
situation  of  that  city  "would,  in  a  great  measure  render 
the  bills  of  a  branch  established  there  the  circulating 
medium  of  the  extensive  regions  whose  produce  would! 
be  brought  to  that  market!"  If  the  bank  is  an  "uncon- 
stitutional monster,"  these  gentlemen,  surely  "commit- 
ted" themselves  wofully. 

A  letter  from  a  gentleman  of  Ohio  to  the  editor  of  this 
paper,  after  speaking  of  the  general  distress,  says— "I 
will  state  to  you  a  single  fact  with  regard  to  myself  (and 
I  am  only  one  of  thousands  in  the  same  situation) — I  am, 
and  have  been  for  several  years,  doing  a  considerable 
business,  and  have  now  on  hand  5,000  dollars  worth  of 
wheat,  at  its  average  cost  to  me  of  57  cents  a  bushel — but 
the  best  offer  that  I  can  get  for  it  is  40  cents.  The  spring 
season  has  arrived,  and  my  means  to  continue  business 
are  vested  in  wheat.  Now  I  must  submit  to  a  loss  of  850 
dollars  on  my  wheat,  for  which  1  have  paid  out  my  mo- 
ney for  no  other  reason  than  to  gratify  the  — — — —  of 
persons  in  power;  for  no  man  of  common  sense  can  de- 
ny that  this  state  of  things  has  been  brought  about  by  the 
attacks  of  the  government  on  the  currency.  But  for  this, 
my  business  this  season  would  have  been  as  prosperous 
as  ever. " 

Letters  from  Mr.  Black,  a  senator,  and  from  Mr.  Cage, 
a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United 
States,  both  from  Mississippi,  are  published  in  the  Nat- 
chez papers,  and  shew  the  determination  of  both  to  op- 
pose the  administration  in  its  projects  concerning  the 
bank  and  the  currency,  kc.  but  neither  of  the  gentlemen 
hold  out  *  hope  (hat  relief  may  be  expected  from  con- 
gress. 

It  is  mentioned  in  the  Pittsburgh  papers,  that  reports 
prevailed  in  Baltimore  prejudicial  to  the  credit  of  the 
Merchants  &  Manufacturers  bank.  We  had  not,  before 
seeing  the  Pittsburgh  papers,  heard  of  any  such  reports. 
The  credit  of  the  bank  stands  fair  in  this  citv. 


rotative.  I  am  not  disposed  to  give  credit  to  idle  rumors,  of 
which,  there  are,  no  doubt,  now,  us  at  all  times,  many  in  cir- 
culation without  this  house,  and  sometimes  within  it;  bin,  from 
what  I  have  seen  and  heard  this  morning,  I  cannot  but  cast, 
within  iiiyx-ir,  ominous  conjectures  upon  the  humiliating  uses, 
of  which  this  house  is  to  be  miide  the  submissive  instrument." 
Mr.  H'tHe,  said — "In  the  opinion  of  his  honorable  frVnd 
"roin  Missouri,  (Mr.  Ashley),  that  we  ought  to  proceed  to  the 
ippropriation  bills,  he  could  not  concur.  The  moment  these 
iMU  were  passed,  congress  was  no  longer  necessnrv  lr>  tht;  "go- 
vernment," and  there  wns  n  measure — which  iniehl  ho  resorted 
,o — which  had  been  mooted — and  which  would  effectually  pre- 
clude all  further  disriusion.  as  the  favorite  remedy  of  the  ma- 
ority  for  that  great  evil,  freedom  ofdebntc.  Bt  need  not  be 
nore  explicit.  Every  one  understood  him.-' 


NTLES1  REGISTER— APRIL  5,   1834— THE  BANKS,  CURRENCY,  Stc.  85 


We  have  astonishing'  accounts  of  the  product  of  certain 
of  the  gold  mines  in  Virginia!  Some  of  the  rock  ore  of 
Mr.  Boocker's  mine  is  said  to  be  worth  from  250  to  300 
dollars  a  bushel;  other  parcels  weighing  100  Ibs.  worth 
1,000  dollars!  The  mining  business  is  also  said  to  be 
good  in  North  Carolina,  as  a  regular  employment. 

The  extra  allowances  made  by  the  postmaster  general 
to  contractors  for  carrying  the  mail,  though  often  slight- 
ly spoken  of,  have  not  yet  excited  much  attention — the 
public  mind  being  filled  with  other  and  more  immedi- 
ately important  matters.  The  committee  of  the  senate, 
however,  will  soon  present  as  full  a  view  of  the  affairs  of 

f  ten  or 

eleven  different  contractors  in  Virginia,\\\io  have  receiv- 
ed about  $60,000  for  extra  allowances,  on  contracts 
which  amounted  to  only  about  $90,000!  One  of  these, 
Mr.  W.  Smith,  editor  of  a  paper  published  in  Culpepper, 
has  three  contracts,  for  a  compliance  with  which  he  was 
to  have  received  8,100  dollars— but  the  extra  allowances 
made  him  are  presented  in  the  sum  of  9,550  dollars,  or 
nearly  120  per  cent,  for  extra  services! 

It  will  be  seen  in  the  proceedings  of  congress,  that  Mr. 
Elair,  of  the  house  of  representatives  from  South  Caro- 
lina, is  dead.  He  shot  himself,  in  a  fit  of  insanity.  He 
was  one  of  the  stoutest  men  that  we  ever  saw. 


the  department  as  circumstances  will  permit. 
The  "Telegraph"  of  the  28th  ult.  gives  »  list  o 


A  young  Baltimore  mechanic  named  James  Mills,  made 
a  beautiful  ascent  from  Federal  Hill  on  Wednesday  even- 
ing last.  It  is  thought  to  have  been  a  more  splendid  one 
than  either  of  Mr.  JOurant's — but  we  are  rather  "used" 
to  such  tilings.  The  balloon,  and  all  the  preparations 
for  the  voyage,  were  made  by  Mr.  Mills  himself.  He 
ascended  a  little  before  5  o'clock,  and  landed  at  ihe  Bod- 
kin— 16  miles,  in  70  minutes  after  his  balloon  was  let-go, 
without  accident  or  injury. 

Canada  remains  in  a  very  agitated  state-— -the  represen- 
tatives of  the  people  resisting  and  protesting  against  the  I  po.-ites: 
acts  of  the  governor-general,  against   whom  they   were 
also  preparing  articles  of  impeachment. 

Two  Austrian  frigates  have  arrived  nt  New  York  with 
245  Polish  exiles.  They  have  come  to  us  in  evil  times. 
Thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of  our  own  people  are 
hard  put  to  it  to  get  a  living,  and  make  heavy  claims  on 
those  yet  able  to  do  deeds  of  charitv.  The  Poles  at 
Harwich,  in  England, and  Havre,  in  France,  and  also  212 
who  lately  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  Eng.  on  their  way  to 
the  United  States,  have  obtained  liberty  of  the  French 
government  to  settle  in  Algiers.  There  is  a  great  field 


truth  is  every  where  becoming  manifest,  thai  it  if  the  war  of 
politician!  against  the  Lank  of  the  United  States,  which  hai 
caused  the  oppression  under  which  the  people  "groan."* 

Petitions  have  been  presented  to  the  legislature  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  praying  for  the  interference  of  the  slate  to  prevent  gen. 
Jackson  from  assuming  despotic  power! 

The  best  flour  was  recently  sold  at  Maysville,  Ky.  at  2J  dok 
lars  per  barrel.  Great  consternation  among  the  buoinepK  men 
of  the  west  prevails,  on  account  of  the  embarraasmeuu  and  re- 
ported bankruptcies  at  New  Orleans. 

A  committee  of  the  common  council  of  Philadelphia,  ap- 
pointed to  inquire  into  the  effect  of  removing  the  deposiles  on 
the  interest  of  the  city,  shew  a  loss  of  the  large  sum  of  312,304 
dollars — the  cost  of  various  bank  and  canal  stocks  in  charge  of 
the  city  for  different  public  purposes,  being  compared  with  the 
present  jirices  of  them.  They  also  speak  of  the  depreciated  va- 
lue of  the  real  estate  left  them  by  Stephen  Girard.  They  advise 
that  the  city  councils  shall  petition  congress,  praying  for  a  res- 
toration of  the  deposites,  &e. 

We  hear  of  many  more  manufactories  that  have  stopped 
work— in  others  a  part  of  the  working  people  are  discharged, 
and  those  who  remain  have  submitted  to  reduced  wages,  which 
are  paid  rather  in  a  good  feeling  on  the  part  of  the  employers, 
than  in  a  hope  of  profit. 

The  rates  of  exchange  are  rising.  "Virginia  money"  is  at  4 
anil  5  per  cent,  in  Baltimore,  southern  and  south  western  8  to 
JO.  New  York  (country  notes)  6  to  8  per  cent.  Ohio  (i>nod 
banks)  10  per  cent.  Pennsylvania  (interior)  from  2  to  5.  New 
England  2A  lo  3.  District  of  Columbia  1  to  2 — unsteady. 

These  rates  of  shaving  are  extensively  paid,  tor  the  people 
must  have  "Baltimore  money"  to  pay  their  notes,  unless  of  the 
hank  of  the  United  States,  which  is  "current,"  llioush  issued 
»t  Portland,  in  the  north,  Si.  Lour?,  in  the  west,  or  New  Or- 
leans in  the  south. 

In  an  interview  of  one  of  the  committees,  the  president,  on  the 
authority  of  "Henry  Horn,"  of  Philadelphia,  who,  as  he  said, 
"could  not  lie,"  declared  thai  John  A-  Krown,  et-q.  of  the  city 
just  named,  had  been  "bought  up  by  the  U.  S.  bank,  with  a 
million  of  dollars."  But  the  matter  charged  being  totally  taint, 
and  without  a  shadow  of  foundation,  has  given  rise  to  a  sharp 
correspondence  whieh  will,  probably,  be  soon  laid  before  the 
public.  Somebody  has  "lied." 

The  following  arc  among  the  names  signed  to  a  petition  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  Luinbreleng,  approving  of  the  removal  of  the  d«- 


for  honest  labor  in  that  country — >as  well  as  military  em- 
ployment, if  preferred. 

At  a  great  riot  among  the  Irishmen  employed  on  the 
canal  making  near  New  Orleans,  they  had  the  presump- 
tion to  resort  to  force,  and  to  fire  upon  the  city-guard 
sent  out  to  restore  them  to  order!  They  were  quickly 
fired  upon  in  return,  and  some  of  them  wounded — and 
23  leading  ruffians  were  made  prisoners.  They  had 
committed  very  great  excesses.  Such  poor  men,  made 
mad  by  oppression  at  home — 'too  often  have  to  be  brought 
to  the  necessity  of  submitting  to  the  law  in  America.  It 
is  a  misfortune  that  they  are  employed  in  masses.  Se- 
parated, they  soon  learn  to  reason — if  disposed  to  listen 
to  its  dictates.  The  time  was  when  every  good  Jlmerican 
citizen  considered  himself  as  a  special  constable  to  pre- 


serve the  public  peace, 
turn  to  us ! 


We  hope  that  that  time  will  re- 


THE  BANKS— THE  CURRENCY  AND  THE  TIMES. 

Among  the  curiosities,  of  the  present  times  is  the  publication 
of  a  letter  signed  Reuben  M.  Whitney,  in  which  he  denies  a 
statement  made  concerning  himself  by  WILLIAM  J.  DOANI: ! 

Meetings  of  the  people,  because  of  the  embarrassments  of 
their  business  and  on  account  of  the  general  ruin  which  seems 
to  impend,  are  yet  holding,  in  undiminUhed  numbers,  and  in 
many  cases  attended  by  persons  who  were  among  the  most  fir- 
dent  supporters  of  the  present  administration.  They  assemble 
in  multitudes.  More  than  three  thousand  attended  a  meeting  at 
Newark,  N.  J.  and  great  movements  have  lately  been  made  in 
the  rich  and  populous  western  counties  of  New  York.  The 


Hilly  Crthill, 
Tom  Noles, 
Jim  Crow.  jr. 
Teddy  O'Rooke, 
Dtift'Green  not  dcvl, 
Col.  Pluck, 
Black  Hawk, 
Hurrah  for  Jackson, 
Peter  Pocuck, 
Peter  Parley, 


Nick  Corshoar, 

Peter  Goircrow, 

Bull  Burk,  jr. 

Port  Luvi, 

Bryon  the  Brave,  king  of  Leinster, 

James  Twaedle, 

Jirn  Cunnon, 

Tim  Floomly, 

Hugh  Toughy, 

Peter  Scrap. 


A  Harrisburg  paper  says — "The  state  loan,  of  n  little  more 
than  $729,000,  was  taken  on  Tuesday,  by  Mr.  Most,  of  Phila- 
delphia,  acting  as  agentof  tlie.Ro/AscAi/<is,  of  London.  The  pre- 
mium given,  is  one  fourth  of  one  per  cent,  or  two  dollars  and 
fifty  cents  for  a  thousand  dollars.  The  premium  promise)]  by 
Dr.  Burden  on  the  same  loan,  was  thirteen  and  fifty-one 
hundredth*  per  cent.  The  premium  now  received,  is  about 
$1.823;  makings  loss  to  the  state  of  more  than  thirteen  and  a 
quarter  per  cent,  or  a  portion  more  than  $96,564.  ll  is  said  lhat 
the  Messrs.  Aliens,  who  purchased  the  loan  of  Or.  Buiden, 
will  pay  the  difference  to  the  state.  Whether  they  arc  obliged 
to  do  it  we  do  not  know." 

It  is  added,  that  the  same  party  has  offered  to  take  the  two 
million  loan  which  is  required  at  one  mill  above  par— that  is, 
one  dollar  premium  on  1,000,  or  9,000  dollars  in  two  millions! 
The  same,  at  this  time  last  year,  would  have  been  gladly  taken 
at  130  dollars  on  the  1,000,  or  260,000  dollars  premium  on  the 
two  millions.  So  works  the  "experiment" — for  which  the 
politicians  of  Pennsylvania  have  changed  one  of  the  late  most 
cherished  principles  of  the  people  of  the  state,  and  thrown  up 
their  hats.  The  difference  is  nearly  350,000  dollars  against  the 
people  of  the  slate  in  one  year.  And  yet,  on  the  21st  ult.  the 
following  resolutions  passed  the  senate  of  the  state: 

"1.  Resolved,  That  he  present  bank  of  the  United  States 
ought  not  to  lie  reckaitered  by  congress. 

"2.  Resolved,  That  the  government  depositet  which  hare  been 
withdrawn  fioin  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates  ought  nat  to  b* 
restored." 

The  first  of  these  wan  adopted  by  a  vote  of  19  to  13— ihe 
second  by  a  vole  of  18  to  14.  A  resolution  offered  as  a  suhsti 
lute,  to  the  effect  that  a  bank  of  the  United  State*  ought  to  be 
established  during  the  present  session  of  congress,  was  lost  U 
voting  for,  and  21  against  it.  Two  other  resolutions  for  the  r«- 


*Mr.  Forsylh,  of  Geo.  lately  said  in  the  senate,  when  speak- 
.ng  of  the  committees  who  had  visitud  Washinglon — "Certaki 
gentlemen  who  come  here  complaining  of  the  public  distress 
may  well  be  compared  with  a  Methodist  preacher  exhorting  bit 
congregation  groan.'  sinners,'  groan.'" 


86 


NILES'  REGISTER —APRIL  5,    ib34— THE  BANKS,  CURRENCY, 


charter  of  tlie  bank  and  against  the  removal  of  the  deposites, 
were  rejected— ayes  10,  nays  2:2.  Another  for  making  the  bank 
the  depository  ol  the  public  funds,  was  nryalivtd  by  20  votes  to 
12. 

The  project  of  establishing  a  (en  million  bank  has,  however, 
been  promptly  put  down  in  llic  house  of  representatives  of 
i'ennsylvunia. 

The  "pressure"  is  only  just  beginning  to  be  felt,  as  it  were, 
in  the  south-west;  and  many  doleful  letters  are  published  from 
Louisiana  and  Mississippi.  A  considerable  amount,  in  draughts 
of  the  Planters  bank  of  Natchez,  on  one  of  the  banks  of  New 
York,  have  been  dishonored  and  returned — Hie  solvency  of  the 
drawer  was  not  then  doubted,  but  an  instant  regard  to  means 
forbade  accommodations.  "Save  himself  who  can, "is  the  prin- 
ciple on  winch  the  banks  most  commonly  act,  ami  now  must 
act. 

With  respect  to  the  petitions  presented  to  congress,  Mr.  For- 
tyth.  lately  said  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States!  "Our  tables 
axe  loaded  with  miserable  jietiliuns,  got  up  by  miserable  means 
and  for  miserable  objects,  and  oiganized  iu  pot  houses." 

A  large  part  of  our  trade  will)  China  has  been  carried  on  hy 
liills  ot'tlif  bank  of  the  United  Stales,  drawn  on  London,  which 
were  better  than  dollars,  even  at  Canton,  without  considering 
the  risk  and  trouble  and  cost  of  their  exportation;  and  with  this 
advantage  also,  that  if  the  ship,  wilh  all  on  board  of  her,  goes 
to  the  bottom  of  the  ocean,  or  is  captured  hy  pirates,  Sic.  the 
amount  of  sue  It  bills  are  still  safe  for  the  rightful  owners.  Such 
was  the  credit  of  an  institution  which  has  been  denounced  as 
an  unsafe  depository  ol  the  public  money! 

The  effect  of  the  "experiment"  on  real  property  may  be  ap- 
preciated from  tiie  following — It  is  mentioned  in  the  Lancaster 
(Pa.)  Examiner,  that  a  two  story  brick  dwelling  house  in  that 
city,  within  a  few  doors  ol  the  court  house,  \vns  offered  at  pub- 
lic sale  a  short  time  since,  and  not  a  single  bid  obtained!  A  year 
ago  it  would  have  sold  readily  lor  five  or  six  thousand  dollars. 
The  like  has  pfVibably  not  occurred  befoie  since  Lancaster  was 
u  town. 

It  is  stated  that  the  work  on  the  fortification,  at  Newport, 
Rhode  Island,  has  been  suspended,  and  a  great  number  of  work- 
aien  tui  ned  adrift.  While  the  work  went  on,  there  was  a  month 
ly  disbursement  of  about  $12,000,  a  great  part  of  which  went 
into  immediate  circulation  in  the  town. 

From  what  we  see  in  the  various  papers  received  by  us,  it 
would  appear  that  tens  of  thousands  of  dollars  in  draughts, 
drawn  by  certain  of  the  local  banks  or  others,  have  been  pro 
tested,  within  the  period  of  the  past  month.  We  frequently  see 
the  notice  of  fresh  incidents  of  this  kind.  The  stale  hanks 
cannot  carry  on  the  exchanges  of  the  country.  The  "experi- 
ment" has  already  most  miserably  and  oppressively  failed. 

from  seven  to  eight  thousand  spindles  have  been  stopped  ou 
Fall  Itiver. 

The  economical  and,  heretofore,  thrifty  state  of  Vermont  is  ir 
a  high  degree  ot  excitement,  on  account  of  the  general  distress 
produced  by  the  measures  of  "the  government."  The  late  th-re 
jiurlies  in  that  slate  are  lapidly  uniting  into  one,  in  u  sense  o 
common  danger. 

The  official  "Globe,"  lately  speaking  of  Mr.  Duane,  as  secre 
lary  of  the  treasury,  and  with  relation  to  the  public  deposiles 
called  him  a  "REFRACTORY  SUBORDINATE,"  fur  not  do 

ing,  at  the  command  of  the  president,  that  over  which,  tlic  I,A\\ 
gave  Aim  the  sole  discretion!  This  is  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  inipu 
«ence — a  submission  to  power  that  a  Russian  boor  might  blusl 
M. 

H  it  supposed. that  35,000  bales  of  cotton  less  than  in  the  las 
year,  will  he  consumed  in  New  England,  in  the  present. 

The  petition  from  the  3d  congressional  dislrict  of  Pennsylva 
nia  for  the  restoration  , of  the  depo*ites,  &.c.  contained  4,67; 
names,  and  was  240  feet  9  inches  long. 

One  to  two  pe.r  cent,  premium  is  paid  in  Ohio,  in  exchange 
of  coin  for  the  bills  of  lite,  hank  of  the  United  States,  and  fou 
per  cent,  in  north  Alabama! 

BANKS    AND   THE    CCRIlIiNCy— MISCELLANEOUS. 

|  Deferred  iicms.J 

A  late  number  of  the   Providence  Journal  contained  ninety 

nint  applications,  to  the  court  of  the  county  for  the  benefit  of  th 

insolvent  laws. 

In  the  present  emergency,  many  of  the  wholesale  dealers  o 
•Boston  have  entered  into  an  agreement,  not  to  sue  for,  or  tak 
security  of  their  debtors,  except  in  r.i.-ei,  of  clear  necessity,  an 
then  only  for  the  benefit  of  all  the  parlies  so  associated. 

The  "Boston  Couriur"  with  reference  to  a  letter  published  i 
the  "Globe"  as  .if  written  at  Boston,  which  says  the  "mom; 
pressure  is  very  much  exasperated,"  observes — "No  accou 
can  exaggerate  it.    The  types  are  not  yet  cast,  thai  can  reprc 
sent  things  worse  than  they  really  are." 

Many  and  heavy  failures  are  taking  place.     We  have  no  hear 
to  give  detailed   aeeonnls  of  them.     Tnere  is  another  "sign 
tht)  times."     It  seems  that  the  individual  frauds  of  IHiy  20 
are  about  to  be  revived  b>  persons  in  whom  much  tontidcnc 
4ias  been  reposed. 


Seventy  piotesu  were  recorded  in  one  bank  of  New  York, 
on  the  3d  ultimo. 

The  importation  Of  foreign  goods  will,  probably,  be  very  small, 
this  spring — many  orders  have  been  countermanded,  rind  some 
large  lots  actually  sent  back,  rather  than  pay  or  secure  thu  du- 
es upon  them,  in   the  "prospect  before  us;"  and  yet  all  sorts 
f  goods  are  very  low,  because  of  the  appreciated  value,  and 
revailing  scaicity  of  money.     Bills  on  England  are  U  percent. 
below  par," as  it  is  called — that  is  438 cents  for  the  £  sterling, 
le  legal  par  being  480,  and  the  average  real  par,  for  many  years 
ast,  about  483. 

In  corroboration  of  the  above,  a  letter  from  Manchester,  Eng. 
ecently  published  in  a  New  York  paper,  informs,  that  "an  im- 
iense  number  of  countermand  orders"  have  just  heen  received 
lere.  These  orders  foibid  the  shipping  of  another  piece  of 
oods  and  direct  the  sale  of  those  that  arc  ready  for  shipment, 
iid  adds  thai,  us  money  is  plenty  in  England  at  3  per  cent,  the 
writer  hopes  that  it  may  be  employed  through  private  bankers 
lithe  United  States.  This  would  be  a  thriving  business  just 
ow.  Several  millions  sterling  might  be  loaned  out  on  the  best 
ossible  security  at  12  per  cent,  per  annum,  or  more. 

Ten  new  banking  institutions  with  an  aggregate  capital  of 
!4,400,000,  were  incorporated  at  the  late  session  of  the  If-uisla- 
nie  of  Ohio.  The  bank  of  Kentucky,  just  incorporated,  is  lo 
lave  a  capilal  of  rive  millions.  Indiana  has  also  established  a 
tate  bank.  Very  strict  conditions  appear  lo  be  provided  for 
he  good  and  safe  management  of  these  institutions.  A  friend 
as  transmitted  to  us  a  very  interesting  view  of  the  organiza- 
ion  of  the  latter,  which  we  shall  yet  endeavor  to  make  a  place 

r,  at  a  future  day.  A  ten  million  bank  is  asked  to  be  in- 
*orporated  in  New  For/c— half  of  the  stock  lobe  held  by  the 
tate.  The  project  is  said  lo  embrace  a  borrowing  of  money 
from  foreigners.  Oughl  not  such  a  bank  to  "break?"  But  if 
ill  persons  who  trade  on  borrowed  capilal  should  break,  how 
nany  dealers  would  stand  firm?  The  members  of  the  first  con- 
^re.-s  and  president  WASHINGTON,  were  the  lathers  of  the  credit 
system  in  the  United  Stales,  hy  allowing  lime  for  the  payment  of 
luties  on  goods  imported,  and  the  avowed  object  was  to  furnish 
i  borrowed  capilal  lo  favor  the  merchants  and  dealers.  And 
even  yel,  though  the  period  of  the  credits  on  duties  has  been 
considerably  reduced,  the  United  States  is  a  great  lender  of  ca- 
.lital — for  the  duties  pass  into  the  value  of  the  goods  when  sold 
ly  the  merchant,  in  the  >-ame  manner  as  his  own  original  invest- 
ne.ui  of  money  in  them. 

It  is  said  that  the  safety  fund  banks  are  rapidly  reducing  their 
discounts. 

At  Boston  the  tariff  of  bank  notes  was  as  follows  on  the  10th 
nil.  Bills  of  the  banks  of  NVw  England  (generally)  par — bf 
New  York  city  1  per  cent,  dieeou  it,  others  of  New  York  3a5; 
New  Jersey  5alO;  city  of  Philadelphia  2;  of  Baltimore  2;  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  4.  The  eastern  bankers  deserve  great  cre- 
dit for  keeping  their  own  notes  at  par  all  over  New  England. 
It  is  not  so  in  any  other  dislrict  of  country  in  which  there  are 
many  banks,  though  "specie  paying." 

A  very  large  public  meeting  of  the  citizens  and  merchants  of 
New  Orleans  was  held  at  the  Planters'  hotel,  in  that  city,  on  the 
evening  of  the  19th  ult.  S.  W.  Okey,  esq.  presided.  The  reso- 
lutions, which  weie  adopted  with  great  unanimity,  state  that 
tin:  "people  of  New  Orleans,  from  a  state  of  high  prosperity,  are 
reduced  to  one  of  misery  and  distress,  by  the  pressure  on  the 
money  market,  which  has  depressed  the  value  of  produce  and 
ofrei.i  property,  and  increased  the  rate  of  interest  lo  18  and  24 
per  cent,  per  annum,  which  is  grinding  every  portion  of  the 
community,  and,  unless  relief  is  soon  afforded,  must  be  produc- 
tive of  the  heaviest  calamities" — and  attribute  this  condition  of 
thin j-i  to  tin:  unfortunate  collision  between  the  government  and 
the  bank  of  the  United  Slates,  and  more  particularly  to  the  re- 
moval of  the  public  deposites.  The  New  Orleans  Bulletin 
states  that  the  assemblage  was  overflowing,  and  without  dis- 
tinction of  party. 

And  a  late  letter  says  that  some  loans  had  heen  negotiated  at 
five  per  cent,  a  month!  And  adds — it  is  reported  that  the  pay- 
ments to  be  made  iu  this  city,  on  or  before  the  3d  day  of  April 
next,  will  exceed  two  millions  of  dollars,  and  tn.it  one  million 
of  dollars  are  due  on  real  estate  in  the  city  or  suburbs. 

A  letter  from  Pottsville,  Pa.  published  in  the  Philadelphia 
papers,  dated  March  10,  says — "I  have  In  en  in  business  for 
many  years,  but  I  never  saw  such  times.  There  is  no  business 
doing  here.  About  two  thousand  men  are  looking  for  work, 
and  everything  is  at  a  stand.  A  great  many  men  with  their 
families  have  to  go  to  the  house  of  employment  to  keep  from 
starving.  Hands  can  be  got  for  their  boarding." 

Thfi  bank  committee  in  the  satiate  of  Massachusetts  hava  re- 
ported  that,  in  thr.ir  opinion,  it  is  inexpedient  to  grant  any  new 
bank  charters  during  the  present  session. 

It  is  stated  that  "one  bank  in  N.  York  \»  in  possession  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  houses  that  have  suspended  payment  since 
the  removal  of  the  public  deposites. 

The  Philadelphia  "Commercial  Inlellieencer"obsnrves— "we 
have  never  been  the  apologist  or  champion  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  states;  but  own  that  we  are  struck  wilh  surprise  at  the 
blindness  of  those  who  piefer  one  hundred  United  Stnt-es  hanks, 
equally  corrupt,  and,  as  organized,  far  more  powerful.  Such 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,   1834— CONGRESS. 


87 


an  engine  will  be  enabled  to  rule  the  country  with  a  rod  of  iron; 
and  it  will  be  in  the  hands  of  those  who  will  not  leave  it  unem- 
ployed." 

The  cotton  planting  states  are  beginning  to  feel  the  pressure, 
and  are  holding  many  meetings,  and  petitioning  lor  relief;  say 
in  Louisiana,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  and  some  in  North  Caroli- 
na and  Georgia. 

The  N.  Y.  "Journal  of  Commerce"  has  lha  following  para- 
graph— We  understand  that  specie  has  been  imported  fiom 
France,  which  cost  in  Paris  five  francs  and  a  quarter  per  silver 
dollar,  and  lias  been  paid  for  in  bills  of  exchange  purchased 
here,  at  a  fraction  less  than  five  francs  and  three  quarters  for 
a  dollar.  This  calculation  exhibits  the  actual  rate  of  exchange 
as  nine  per  cent,  in  favor  of  this  country.  A  favor  however 
which  costs  us  rather  too  dear.  At  this  rate  a  bill  of  exchange 
on  Paris  which  costs  one  hundred  dollars  in  New  York,  will 
purchase  one  bundled  and  nine  just  such  dollars  in  Paris.  Af- 
ter deducting  all  expenses  of  freight,  interest,  insurance,  &d. 
there  is  good  room  for  profit  on  the  importation.  In  France  at 
this  time,  money  is  cheap  and  every  tiling  else  dear.  Here, 
the  opposite  is  the  case;  money  is  near  and  almost  every  thing 
else  cheap;  especially  ail  manufactured  articles,  whether  of  our 
own  or  other  countries.  But  few  articles  in  all  the  range  of 
fabrics  of  wool,  cotton  or  silk  can  either  be  made  or  imported 
at  this  time,  and  sold  by  auction,  without  a  loss  of  ten  to  twen- 
ty-five per  cent. 


JICT  cent,  yer  annum;  aiiu  me  ueinanu  was  lar  irom  ueing 
lied  at  that  precipitous  usance.     Fires  acyuirit  eundol 

Doctor  Franklin,  in  his  will,  providing  a  fund  for  loans  to  in- 
dustrious young  men,  remarks: 


[Franklin  was  a  fool!  The  moment  a  man  borrow 
that  he  may  make  money,  he  "ought  to  break."  It  in  the  "un- 
pardonable (political)  sin"  to  doubt  this — and  the  proof  is,  that 
no  small  number  of  the  honorable  ones  who  "glory"  in  this 
principle,  have  acted  upon  it,  and  "punished"  those  who  be- 
friended and  confided  in  them!] 

Hundreds  of  manufacturing  establishments  have  much  redu 
ed,  or  altogether  slopped  their  operations.    There  would  be  a 
great  rise  in  the  price  of  goods  in  consequence  of  such  proceed 
ings,  if  the  people  had  the  usual  supply  of  money  to  pay  for 
them. 

There  have  latterly  been  many  arrivals  of  specie  in  the  Unit- 
ed States,  and  more  may  be  expected,  so  long  as  bills  on  Lon- 
don are  nine  or  ten  per  cent,  below  par,  and  millions  may  be 
safely  invested  in  the  United  States  at  from  one  to  two  per  cent 
per  month,  or  12  a  24  per  cent,  a  year!  In  this  condition  of  the 
country,  specie  will  not  be  exported— nor  will  itdo  us  mud 
good.  Of  what  consideration  is  ten  millions  in  specie,  comparc( 
with  the  wreck  of  confidence  and  embarrassments  of  the  banks 
The  chief  part  of  the  arrivals  of  specie  has  been  at  New  Orleans 
— but  the  want  of  money  is  severely  felt  in  that  city  and  its  vi 
cinity.*  And  even  treasury  draughts  on  New  Orleans  have 
been  sold  at  2  per  cent,  discount  at  Louisville  and  other  places 
on  the  Ohio;  and  notes  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales  are 
worth  from  3  to  4  per  cent,  advance  at  sundry  places  on  the 
western  waters.  One  could  hardly  believe  in  this  deranget 
state  of  the  currency,  unless  in  the  certainty  of  its  existence. 

If  all  who  do  business  on  a  "borrowed  capital  ought  to  break, 
the  canals  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  should  be  filled  up 
as  having  been  dishonestly  made — on  borrowed  capital,  and  no 
yet  returned.  Let  the  wrong  be  quieted!  Nay,  the  Unitei 
States  ought  to  surrender  up  their  sovereignty  lo  his  "most  gra 
cious  majesty,  William  IV"— for  that  sovereignty  was  won  b> 
the  aid  of  borrowed  capital.  "Perish  credit!" 

The  state  of  Maryland  five  per  cent,  loan  of  $500,000,  bein 
the  state's  proportion  of  the  capital  required  for  the  construe 
tion  of  the  Washington  rail  road,  has  been  taken,  at  par,  by  th 
house  of  Alexander  Brown  if  sons,  of  Baltimore;  and  will,  mos 
probably,  fail  into  the  possession  of/orei»ners,  unless  prevente 
by  the  want  of  confidence  in  American  stocks.  Ought  Mary 
land  to  break,  for  thus  borrowing  money? 

A  gentleman  residing  near  Carbondale,  Pa.  in  a  letter  to  th 
editor  of  the  REGISTER  dated  March  5,  communicates  the  foi 
lowing: 

About  six  years  ago,  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  canal  com 
pany  commenced  operations  in  this  valley— at  that  time  ther 
only  stood  a  solitary  log  house  where  now  stands  Carbondalt 
which,  last  summer,  had  a  population  of  3,000  souls;  and  A 
things  were  lively,  and  continually  pressing  onward.  To  th 


*The  "Globe"  of  the  10th  has  a  paragraph  which  says  the 
the  deposite  banks  at  New  Orleans,  "in  connexion  with  tl 
branch  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,"  bnve  increased  the 
loans  in  the  ium  of  3,189,666  dollars!  Why  is  money  "scarce? 


ilarged  and  enlarging  business  of  the  coal  company,  was  add- 
d  a  great  business  doing  in  lumber,  Sic.  Now  the  prospect 
In  ail  i-  oppressive  in  the  extreme,  and  hundreds  of  laborer*, 
iners  and  mechanics  are  wandering  about,  totally  idle,  and 
any  of  them  pennylc-ss.  The  merchants  cannot  collect  Ibeir 
;bti,  for  the  reward  of  labor  is  no  longer  to  be  found.  Would 
nt  those  who  have  caused  thi.i  changed  aspect  of  things,  (says 
e  leller)  were  present  to  witness  the  cflecl  of  their  meddling* 
illi  Hie  currency  of  ihe  country. 

The  various  trades  connected  with  the  manufacture  and  pub- 
caiion  of  books  are  suffering  very  severely.  This  has  been  a 
eat  business  in  the  United  States;  and  beginning  with  Hie  rap- 
n  hen-rand  ending  with  the  bookseller,  probably  employing  not 
ss  than  40,000  persons— chiefly  aduit  males — and,  perhaps, 
ubsisting  60,000  free  people. 

We  recently  made  two  walks  through  Baltimore,  and  in  each 
roceeded  beyond  the  closely- built  parts  of  the  city — the  du- 
nces, going  and  returning,  (by  different  routM),  being  about 
ve  miles,  in  the  whole  of  which  we  observed  the  building  cotn- 
enced  of  only  one  good  house  this  season,  and  the  cellars  pre- 
aring  for  four  small  ours.  One  walk  was  lo  the  east,  the  other 
est.  It  is  well  that  ihere  is  u  good  deal  of  work  yet  to  do  be- 
>re  the  houses  commenced  in  the  !a*t  season  will  be  finished. 

The  secretary  of  the  treasury  has  reported,  in  consequence  of 
le  call  made  upon  him  in  Mr.  Poindexler's  resolutions  con- 

rning  the  transfer  of  certain  deposites  Irom  Die  Planters'  bank 
f  Mississippi.  Ii  appears  that  nearly  a  million  of  dollars  had 
ccumulated  in  that  bank,  and  that  the  secretory  thought  it  btvt 
o  Iransfer  250,000.  each,  to  the  Commercial  bank  at  New  Or- 
:ans,  and  Union  bank  of  Tennessee,  al  Nashville,  to  be  dis- 
uised  for  the  removal  of  the  Indians  and  other  expenses  in  the 

est. 

The  London  Morning  Chronicle  of  January  29th,  speaking  of 
te  commercial  distress  in  the  United  Slates  on  account  of  the 
resident's  hostility  to  the  bank,  observes,  "while  the  question 
emains  under  agitation  the  ino*t  serious  injniy  is  inflicted  on 
rude.  Correspondents  of  mercantile  houses  here  intreal  them 
ot  to  make  any  shipments  whatever,  as  it  wns  impossible  to 
oresee  to  what  extent  the  failures  would  be  carried,  and  that  it 
vas  impossible  to  give  the  usual  credit  lo  those  parlies  who 
lood  high  in  public  estimation." 

The  Manchester  (Eng.)  Chronicle,  in  allu-ion  to  the  laborers 
mployed  upon  our  canals,  rail  roads,  &c.  observes, "thus  many 
>f  the  gigantic  undertakings,  which  gave  employment  to  im- 
mense numbers  of  laborers,  have  been  suspended.  As  no  cer- 
ain  calculation  can  be  formed  of  the  possible  extent  to  which 
natters  will  be  carried  in  the  United  States,  the  export  trade 
las  almost  ceased,  whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  the  natural  atixi- 
ely  of  Ihe  American  men-hauls  in  turn  their  goods  into  money 
las  occasioned  a  considerable  increase  in  the  amounl  of  their 
•or.siiinmenls  to  England.1' 

[We  hope  that  the  spread  of  this  news  by  the  Manchester 
Chronicle,  may  have  effect  to  prevent  the  emigration  or  expor- 
.ation  of  paupers  to  the  United  States.  We  may  have  quite 
enough  to  do  to  find  employment  and  food  for  our  own  working 
jeople.] 

Mr.  Beardsley,  one  of  the  representatives  in  congress  from 
Vow  York,  recently  said  in  hU  place — "Sooner  than  extend  the 
jsistence  oflhe  bank  of  the  United  Stales,  let  it  perish,  and  ia 
Is  fall  carry  down  every  bank  in  the  union.  I  say  for  one,  pe- 
rish credit,  perish  commerce,  perish  the  state  institutions.  Gice 
us  a  broken,  decayed,  worthless  currency,  rather  than  the  ignoble 
and  corrupt  tyranny  of  an  irresponsible  corporation." 

It  is  stated  that  one  oflhe  members  of  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives of  pensylvania,  had  openly  said — "I  would  sooner  see 
every  constituent  I  have  reduced  to  be  worth  but  24  hours  pro- 
visions, than  to  see  the  United  Slates'  bank  reclmrtered." 

And  that  a  person  holding  one  oflhe  mosl  lucrative  offices  in 
the  gill  of  the  United  Slates,  at  Boston,  has  declared — 

Were  a  torch  applied  to  ihe  whole  line  of  cities  on  the  At- 
lantic coast  of  the  Uniled  Stales,  and  each  one  razed  to  the 
ground,  the  loss  to  the  country  would  be  of  little  consequence 
compared  with  a  relaxation  of  the  measures  of  the  executive 
against  the  bank." 

The  favorite  argument  of  those  who  advocate  the  killing  of 
the  United  States'  bank  is,  thai  if  it  occasions  so  much  commo- 
tion iind  distress  to  wind  it  up,  it  is  a  dangerous  institution,  and 
ought  not  to  be  permitted  to  exist.  Now,  we  all  know  we  must 
die,  and  that  when  the  lime  comes  there  will  be  a  great  deal  of 
grief,  and  perhaps  distress:  But  who  would  commit  suicide  to 
avoid  these  consequences?  No  man  in  his  senses,  certainly. 

Seventy  notes  were  lately  protested  in  a  bank  in  Philadelphia 
in  one  day. 

[If  the  condition  of  things  i*  not  speedily  chanced. Mr.  BearJt- 
ley  may  be  pretty  nearly  gratified,  in  the  fulfilment  of  his  impie- 
cations.] 


TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

March  28.  Mr.  Wcbtter  presented  a  memorial  signed  hy  about 
2,800  of  the  citizens  of  Albany,  New  York,  ascribing  the  pecu- 
niary embarrassments  of  the  country  to  !he\  removal  of  Hie  pub- 
lic deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  praying  for 
their  restoration  nnd  for  their  rechartcr  of  the  bank. 


83 


NiLES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,   1834— CONGRESS. 


Mr.  Webster  accompanied  ihe  presentation  with  .some  appro- 
priate and  ibrcilile  remarks. 

.Mr.  H'rigfit,  of  New  York,  expressed  a  wish  to  reply  to  the 
senator  from  Massachusetts,  in  case  the  tenator  from  Kentucky 
(Mr.  Clay),  wlio  was  entitled  to  the  floor,  was  willing  to  post 
pone  the  continuation  of  his  remarks  to  another  day.  He  held 
in  his  hand  another  memorial  adverse  to  the  one  just  presentee 
containing  the  signatures  of  1,700  of  the  citizens  of  Albany. 

Mr.  Clay i  said  he  felt  some  reluctance  to  interfere  with  the 
remarks  of  the  senator  from  New  York,  but  as  he  was  confi- 
dent lie  shared  in  the  anxiety  to  go  on  with  the  debate  on  the 
resolutions  which  were  the  Older  of  the  day,  if  it  met  with  his 
entire  approbation,  he  would  move  to  lay  the  memorial  on  the 
table,  in  order  to  give  him  an  opportunity  of  making  his  remarks 
to  morrow.  Mr.  C.  then  made  a  motion  to  that  effect,  whicl: 
was  carried. 

Mr.  Forsyth.  then  suggested  to  the  genlleman  from  Kentucky 
to  take  up  his  resolution  on  the  subject  of  the  Union  bank  of 
Maryland. 

Mr.  Clay  said  he  had  intended  to  call  up  that  resolution  yes- 
terday, but  as  the  gentleman  from  Georgia  was  not  in  his  seat 
who  he  understood  wtabed  to  addror.  the  senate  on  the  sub 
ject,  he  declined  doing  so;  and  that  he  no\v  proposed  to  call  it 
up  on  Monday  next. 

Th«  chair  then  called  the  order  of  Ihc  day,  bring  the  report  ol 
the  finance  committee  on  the  removal  of  the  dcnosites,  &c 
when 

Mr.  Clay  rose  and  concluded  his  remarks. 
Mr.  McKtan  rose,  at  the  moment  when  the  question  was 
about  to  he  put,  and  said  he  should  vote  against  both  resolutions 
because  they  were  censorious;  but  that  his  votes  on  these  re- 
solutions were  not  to  be  taken  as  evidence-  of  what  his  course 
would  be  when  a  distinct  proposition,  granting  relief  to  a  suf 
fenny  community,  should  be  presented. 

The  question  was  then  taken  upon  agreeing  to  the  first  of  the 
above  mentioned  resolutions,  in  the  following  words: 

Resolved,  That  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  secretary  of  the 
Treasury  for  the  removal  of  the  money  of  the  United  States, 
deposited  in  the  hank  of  the  United  Stales  and  its  branches, 
communicated  to  congress  on  the  4th  day  of  December,  1833, 
are  unsatisfactory  and  insufficient. 

And  the  question  upon  agreeing  to  this  resolution  was  taken 
as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewing, 
Frelinghuyseu,  Hendricks,  Kent,  King,  of  Geo.  Knight,  Leigh, 
Mangum,  Xaudain,  Poindexter,  Porter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Rob- 
bins,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tornlinson,  Ty- 
ler, Waggaman,  Webster— 28. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Ben  ton.  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy,  Hill,  Kane. 
King,  of  Ala.  LiriH,  McICean,  Moore,  Morris,  Robinson,  Shep- 
ley,  Tallmadse,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright— 18. 
So  the  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Clay,  then,  at  the  in-Uance  of  some  of  his  friends,  modi- 
fied his  resolution,  so  as  to  read  as  follows: 

Resolved,  Tnat  the  president,  in  the  late  executive  proceed- 
ings in  relation  to  the  public  revenue,  has  assumed  upon  him- 
self authority  and  power  not  conferred  by  the  constitution  and 
laws,  but  in  derogation  of  both. 

And  the  question  being  taken  on  agreeing  to  this  resolution, 
it  was  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ew- 
ing, Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  Knight,  Leigh,  Mangum,  Naudain, 
Poindexter,  Porter,  Premiss,  Pre.-ton,  Robbins,  Sil.-bee,  Smith, 
Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Web- 
tter — '2fi. 

NAYS — Mrssrs.   Beiiton,    Brown,  Forsyth,   Grundy,  Hen- 
dricks,  Hill,  Kano,  King,  of  Ala.  King,  of  Geo.  Linn,  McKean, 
Moore,  Morris,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White, 
Wilkiiii.  Wright— 20. 
So  this  resolution  also  was  agreed  to. 

[The  absent  senators  were  Messrs.  Bell,  of  N.  H.  and  Cham- 
bers, of  Md.  both  of  whom  would  have  voted  with  the  majority, 
in  either  case.] 

Mr.  JFViegnman  moved  that,  when  the  senate  adjourn,  it  ad- 
journ to  meet  on  Monday;  but  the  motion  was  negatived — ayes 
21,  noes  23. 
The  senate  then  adjourned. 

March  29.  Mr.  Webster  presented  two  memorials;  one  from 
the  borough  of  Muncey,  Pa.  jiid  the  other  from  ths  township  of 
Muncey  creek,  in  the  same  state,  against  the  removal  of  the  de- 
posites.  Which  memorials  were  read,  referred  and  ordered  to 
be  printed. 

Mr.  Wehcter  also  pres-ented  the  memorial  of  312  inhabitants 
of  Watervliet,  New  York,  of  the  same  character,  and  praying 
that  their  memorial  may  be  considered  as  united  with  the  one 
|ir<  ••'•nteil  from  the  citizens  of  Albany,  (the  day  before). 

Mr.  W ehster  said  he  would  not  ask  for  the  reading  and  refer- 
ence nf  the  Watervliet  memorial  until  the  one  from  Albany 
fc-hnuUl  b*  taken  up. 

Memorials  of  .1  punilar  nature  were  also  presented  by  Mr. 
McKean  froru  the.  citizens  of  York,  Pa.  and  by  Mr.  Tyler  from 
about  300  citizens  of  the  county  of  Culpeper,  Va.  which  memo- 
rials were  read,  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Kent,  of  Md.  presented  a  resolution  passed  by  the  legis- 
lature of  Maryland,  nnjoining  upon  the  senators  from  that  state 
jii  use  their  best  exertions  to  obtain  from  congress  such  a  liberal 
gporopriation  of  the  public  funds,  in  aid  of  the  further  construc- 


tion of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,  as  shall  insure  its  com- 
pletion. 

Mr.  Kent,  in  presenting  the  resolution,  said  he  took  great 
pleasure  in  laying  it  before  the  senate,  because  the  legislature 
of  Maryland  have  not  approached  congress  before  they  had  done 
something  themselves  to  the  purpose.  They  have  not  prayed 
to  Hercules  without  first  putting  their  own  shoulders  to  the 
wheel.  They  have  made  a  further  subscription  to  the  great 
work,  and  they  rely  on  the  government  of  the  United  Slates, 
who  is  a  joint  stockholder  with  Virginia  and  Maryland,  to  do  so 
likewise,  and  he  looked  forward  with  confidence,  that  when 
the  proper  period  arrives,  the  senate  would  not  disappoint  them. 
The  resolution  was  read  and  referred  to  the  committee  on 
roads  and  canals. 

The  lesolution  submitted  by  Mr.  Eiving,  calling  for  informa- 
tion relative  to  the  post  office  department;  and 

The  resolution  relative  to  the  lands  acquired  by  the  trtaty  of 
Dancing  Rabbit  Creek,  were  severally  considered  and  adopted. 
Mr.  Benton  submitted  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
ordered  to  be  printed: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  on  the  part  of  the 
senate,  jointly  with  such  committee  as  may  be  appointed  on  the 
part  of  the  house  of  representatives,  to  consider  and  report  to 
the  senate  and  to  the  house  respectively,  what  alterations,  if 
any,  aie  necessary  to  be  made — 

Ut.  In  the  value  of  the  gold  coined  at  the  mint  of  the  United 
States,  so  as  to  check  the  exportation  of  that  coin,  and  to  re- 
store it  to  circulation  in  the  United  States. 

2d.  In  the  laws  relative  to  foreign  coins,  so  ac  to  restore  the 
gold  and  silver  coin  of  foreign  nations  to  their  former  circula- 
tion within  the  United  States. 

3d.  In  the  joint  resolution  of  1816,  (for  the  better  collection 
of  the  revenue)  so  as  to  exclude  all  bank  notes,  under  twenty 
dollars,  from  revenue  payments  after  a  given  period,  and  to 
make  the  revenue  system  of  the  United  Slates  instrumental  in 
the  gradual  suppression  of  the  small  note  circulation,  and  the 
introduction,  of  gold  and  silver  for  the  common  currency  of  the 
country. 

Mr-  WVtiiru,  from  the  committee  on  foreign  relations,  report- 
ed a  bill  extending  the  time  for  settling  Ihe  claims  of  American 
citizens  under  the  late  treaty  with  Naples;  wbicb  was  read  and 
ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Preston  presented  the  memorial  of  the  city  authorities  of 
Charleston,  S.  C.  praying  for  the  establishment  of  a  naval  hos- 
pital— referred. 

Mr.  Hendricks  presented  the  petition  of  the  officers  of  the  ar- 
my stationed  at  Fort  Dearborn,  remonstrating  against  the  pas- 
sage of  the  bill  before  congress  for  the  creation  of  a  provident 
pension  fund,  &c. — referred. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wright,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  confi- 
deration  of  executive  business;  and  when  the  doors  were  opea- 
ed  the  senate  adjourned. 

March3l.  Mr.  Bibb  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  considered  and  agreed  to. 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  department  of  state  be  re- 
quested to  lay  before  the  senate,  as  soon  as  practicable,  all  the 
information  which  has  been  obtained  under  a  resolution  of  the 
senate  of  the  26th  February,  1833,  touching  the  population  ef 
the  United  States,  of  all  kinds,  native  and  alien,  the  militia,  and 
such  other  statistical  information  as  the  secretary  might  deem 
useful  and  expedient.  And  particularly  that  ha  lay  before  the 
senate  all  the  information  which  has  been  obtained  under  the 
circulars  issued  by  Mr.  Livingston,  propounding  queries  to  ob- 
tain information,  as  well  on  the  subjects  particularly  mention- 
ed, as  upon  the  subjects  confided  to  his  discretion  by  that  reso- 
lution. 

Memorials  in  favor  of  the  restoration  of  the  depositeg,  &c. 
were  presented  by  the  following  persons:  by  Mr.  Mangum,  from 
citizens  of  the  town  of  Wilkesborough,  by  the  same  from  citi- 
zen* of  Mounlsville,  by  the  same  from  500  citizens  of  Beaufort, 
North  Carolina;  as  also  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  the 
county:  by  Mr.  King,  of  Ala.  from  citizens  of  Mobile,  who  com- 
plain grievously  ol  the  embarrassment  and  losses  sustained  by 
them. 

All  which  were  read,  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 
Mr.  King  introduced  a  bill  for  the  better  organization  of  the 
district  courts  of  Alabama,  which  was  read  a  first  and  second 
time  and  referred. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  the  resolution  moved  some  days  since 
relative  to  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland,  was  taken  up  for  con- 
sideration. 

Mr.  f'ln.}i  then  modified  his  resolution  to  read  as  follows: 
Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to  re- 
port to  the  senate  what  amount  of  public  money  is  now  on  de- 
posits in  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland,  when  or  on  what  ac- 
count it  was  deposited,  and  also  whether  any  treasury  draughts, 
contingent  or  other,  have  been,  during  the  month  of  March, 
1834,  furnished  to  the  said  bank,  or  at  any  time  heretofore,  to 
the  bank  of  Maryland,  for  any  and  what  purpose.     And  that  he 
likewise  report  what  amount  of  stock  in  the  capital  of  said 
Union  bank  was  held  by  R.  B.  Taney,  esq.  when  the  said  bank 
was  selected  as  one  of  thu  banks  to  receive  in  deposits  the  pub- 
lic money,  and  what  amount  of  the  said  stock  he  now  holds. 
The  resolution,  as  modified,  was  then  agreed  to. 
Mr.  Pnindexter  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
considered  and  agreed  to: 

Resolved,  That  the  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office  be 
directed  to  communicate  to  the  senate  the  number  of  patent* 


N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,  1834— CONGRESS. 


89 


in  his  office  prepared  for  the  signature  of  the  president  of  the 
United  States,  which  have  not  been  signed,  and  the  number  of 
final  certificates  filed  in  his  office  on  which  patents  have  not 
been  prepared  for  signature. 

Mr.  Poindexter  ottered  the  following  resolution,  which  lies 
one  day  on  the  table: 

Resolved,  That  one  thousand  copies  of  the  journals  of  the  old 
congress  and  of  the  senate,  including  in  separate  volumes  the 
confidential  proceedings,  with  a  compendious  index  to  the 
whole,  in  each  volume,  be  printed  for  the  use  of  the  senate,  and 
that  the  same  be  retained,  subject  to  the  further  order  of  the 
senate. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wright,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  consi- 
deration of  the  memorial  of  the  citizens  of  Albany,  in  favor  of 
'the  restoration  of  the  deposiles,  presented  a  few  days  since  by 
Mr.  Webster. 

Mr.  Wright  rose  and  replied  to  Mr.  Webster,  and  was  follow- 
•eel  by  Messrs.  Ewing  and  Clay.  The  memorial  was  read,  re- 
ferred and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Wright  then  piesented  the  memorial  of  1,700  citizens  of 
Albany  in  favor  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  which  was  also 
read,  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  senate  then  took  up  in  succession  thirty-eight  bills  for 
the  relief  of  private  individuals,  which  were  severally  read  a 
first  and  second  time  and  referred:  and  the  senate  then  ad- 
journed. 

^pril  1.  Mr.  Wright  asked  leave  to  present  to  the  senate  a 
report  from  the  minority  of  the  select  committee  on  the  subject 
of  the  contested  election  of  Messrs.  Robbing  and  Potter,  each 
claiming  a  seat  as  a  senator  fiom  Rhode  Island. 

After  some  conversation  between  Messrs.  Wright,  Poindexter, 
Frelinghuysen,  Sprague  and  Ewing,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Swing  it 
was  laid  on  the  table. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  the  senate  took  up  the  bill 
making  appropriations  for  the  repair  and  completion  of  the  Cum- 
berland road. 

Mr.  Hendricks  moved  an  amendment,  to  apply  a  portion  of 
the  appropriation  to  bunding  toll  gates  and  toll  houses  on  the 
road. 

Mr.  Poindexter  opposed  the  application  of  the  money  to  any 
purpose  but  the  repair  of  the  road. 

Mr.  Hcnkricks  proposed  the  amendment  because  the  act  of 
the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania  contemplated  the  taking  of  the 
road  when  the  toll  gates  and  houses  were  up. 

Mr.  Clayton  was  opposed  to  the  whole  bill  on  principle.  The 
•internal  improvement  system,  was  designed  as  a  national  sys- 
lem;  and  the  proposed  cession  to  the  states  through  which  the 
road  passed,  would  be  destructive  of  this  great  principle. 

After  some  further  remarks  favorable  to  the  amendment,  by 
Messrs.  Ewing  and  Frelinghuysen,  Mr.  Hendricks  withdrew  his 
amendment,  when. 

Mr.  Preston  offered  an  amendment,  proposing  a  conditional 
cession  of  those  parts  of  the  road  passing  through  the  states  of 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  to  those  states  respectively. 

Mr.  Wilkins  opposed  the  amendment,  on  the  ground  that  it 
would  defeat  the  bill. 

After  some  further  remarks  by  Messrs.  Clay,  Ewing  and  Kane, 
the  amendment  was  disagreed  to. 

The  question  on  ordering  to  be  engrossed,  and  read  a  third 
time,  recurring,  it  was  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bentoii,  Bibb,  Clay,  Ewing,  Frelinghiiysen, 
Hendricks,  Kane,  Kent,  Linn,  Morris,  Poindexter,  Porter, 
Prentiss,  Rohbins,  Robinson,  Silobee,  Southard,  Tipton,  Wag- 
gaman,  Wilkins — 20.  ^j. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Black,  Brown,  Calhoun,  Clayton,  Forsyth, 
Hill,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Knight,  Leigh,  Man- 
gum,  Moore,  Naudain,  Preston,  Shepley,  Smith,  Sprajjue,  Swift, 
Tornlinson,  Tyler,  White,  Wright— 22. 

The  senate  artjournod. 

JlprilS.  Mr.  White,  one  of  the  majority,  moved  a  reconsi- 
deration of  the  vote  taken  yesterday  on  the  rejection  of  the  bill 
making  appropriations  for  the  repairs  and  continuation  of  the 
Cumberland  road;  and  after  a  short  and  desultory  debate,  in 
which  Messrs.  White,  Clay,  Poindexter,  Ewing.  Sprague  and 
King,  of  Alabama,  took  part. 

Mr.  Preston  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays,  which  having  been 
ordered,  the  question  was  taken,  and  decided  in  the  affirmative, 
as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Benton,  Clay,  Ewine,  Grundy,  Hendricks, 
Ka«e,  King,  of  Ala.,  Knight,  Linn,  McKean,  Morris,  Poindex- 
ter, Porter,  Prentiss,  Robhins,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Silsbee, 
S.mith,  Southard,  Spraaue,  Swift,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  Tomlin- 
son,  White.  Wilkins,  Wright— 28. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Brown,  Calhoun,  Hill,  King,  of  Geo.  Leigh, 
Moore,  Preston,  Tyler — 8. 

The  bill  was  then  recommitted  to  the  committee  on  roads 
and  canals. 

The  following  message  was  received  from  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, by  Mr.  Franklin,  their  clerk: 

In  the  house  of  representatives,  Wednesday,  Jl-pril  2d,  1834. 

Ordered,  That  a  message  be  sent  to  the  senate  to  notify  that 
tody  of  the  death  of  JAMES  BLAIR,  late  one  of  the  representa- 
tives from  the  state  of  South  Carolina,  and  that  his  funeral  will 
,tak«  place  this  day,  at.  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  from  the  hull 
.of  the  house  of  representatives. 

The  message  having  been  read- 
Mr.  Preston  said — I  am  sure  the  senate  will  sympathise  with 
me  io  those  emotions  of  profound  sorrow  with  which  I  rise  to 


propose  the  customary  resolution  upon  such  an  event.  The 
sudden  death  of  general  Blair,  in  the  vigor  of  life,  and  in  the 
midst  of  its  most  strenuous  pursuits,  cannot  fail  to  impress  all 
minds  with  the  most  solemn  feelings— which  to  us  are  enhanc- 
ed by  his  association  with  us  in  the  same  pursuits,  and  by  the 
fact  Ihitl-this  is  the  second  instance  this  .-ie.-sioii  (if  such  nn  aw- 
ful and  sudden  dispensation  of  Providence.  We,  his  colleague* 
of  the  South  Carolina  delegation,  lament  his  loss  not  the  led 
that  he  has  differed  with  us  in  some  points  of  public  policy. 
Such  differences  have  never  extended  to  personal  separation; 
for  each  has  excused  the  zeal  of  the  other,  by  n  mutual  and 
equal  acknowledgement  of  zeal;  and  God  forbid  that  any  such 
difference  should  impede  for  a  moment  the  sad  current  of  feel- 
ing which  now  passes  through  my  heart.  To  whatever  the  de- 
ceased addressed  himself,  he  brought  uncommon  force  of  cha- 
racter, firmness  of  purpose  and  vigor  of  intellect.  His  country 
and  his  constituents  have  to  mourn  the  loss  of  these  qualities 
at  this  important  juncture  of  our  affairs;  and  upon  me  devolves 
the  melancholy  duty  of  moving  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  senate  will  attend  the  funeral  of  the  lion. 
James  Blair,  late  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives 
from  the  state  of  South  Carolina,  at  the  hour  of  4  o'clock  this 
evening;  and,  as  a  testimony  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  the 
deceased,  they  will  go  into  mourning  by  wearing  crape  round 
the  left  arm  for  thirty  days. 

The  resolution  was  then  unanimously  adopted;  and,  on  mo- 
tion of  Mr.  Preston,  the  senate  adjourned. 

April  3.  The  chair  laid  before  the  senate  a  message  from  the 
president  of  the  U.  S.  enclosing  a  communication  from  the  go- 
vernor of  New  Jersey,  on  the  subject  of  the  adjustment  of  the 
boundary  line  between  that  state  and  the  state  of  N.  York. 

Memorials,  &c.  praying  for  the  restoration  of  the  deposites, 
were  presented  as  follows — by  Mr.  Prentiss,  from  inhabitants 
of  Chittenden  county,  Vermont;  by  Mr.  Sprague,  from  the  citi- 
zens of  Bath,  Maine.  Read,  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Benton  presented  certain  resolutions  adopted  at  a  meet- 
ing held  in  Boston,  adverse  to  the  restoration  of  the  deposites, 
&c.  Read  and  referred,  &c. 

The  special  order,  being  the  report  of  the  judiciary  commit- 
tee on  the  pension  funds  in  the  U.  S.  bank,  was  taken  up,  when 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clayton,  it  was  postponed  until  Tuesday 
next. 

Mr.  Wright  then  moved  that  the  senate  go  into  executive  bu- 
siness, which  motion  was  negatived. 

The  bill  to  repeal  the  force  bill  was  then  taken  up,  but  on 
motion  of  Mr.  Calhoun  was  laid  on  the  table. 

Several  bills  of  a  private  or  local  character  being  attended  to  , 
the  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  March  28.  Mr.  J.  Q.  JiA.ams  asked  leave  to  offer  the 
following: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to 
lay  before  this  house,  copies  of  the  charters  of  all  the  banks  se- 
lected by  him,  as  depositories  of  the  public  moneys  in  the  place 
of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  and  its  banches — together  with 
the  names  of  the  presidents,  directors  and  stockholders,  in  the 
said  selected  banks,  with  the  amount  of  stock  in  said  banks, 
held  by  each  stockholder,  and  the  amount  of  debt  due  by  each 
president,  cashier  and  director,  of  each  of  the  banks,  to  the  said 
banks,  at  the  time  when  it  was  selected  as  a  depository,  and  at 
this  time. 

Mr.  Polk  said,  as  the  information  was  already  before  the  house, 
he  must  object. 

Mr.  Jldams  insisted  that  it  was  not,  and  he  moved  the  suspen- 
sion of  the  rule  of  the  house  to  enable  him  to  offer  it. 

Mr.  Williams  called  for  the  yeas  nnd  nays. 

Mr.  Polk  then  said,  that  he  would  withdraw  his  objection. 

The  resolution  having  been  read. 

Mr.  Eiring  rose  for  the  purpose  of  submitting  an  amendment, 
call  in;;  for  information  whether  the  deposite  banks  had  lawyers 
and  solicitors  employed. 

Mr.  Wayne  said  as  the  resolution  must  stand  over  one  day 
tho  amendment  was  not  in  order. 

After  a  few  remarks  from  Mr.  Speight — 

The  chair  explained  the  rule;  when 

Mr.  Jldams  accepted  Mr.  En-ing's  amendment  as  a  modifica- 
tion, and  the  resolution  lies  over  until  to-morrow. 

James  W.  Boulrlin  elected  in  the  place  of  Thomas  T.  Bouldin, 
deceased,  from  Virginia,  appeared,  was  qualified  and  took  his 
seat. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McKinley,  the  house  agreed  to  meet,  hence- 
forth, at  11  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Mr.  Patterson  submitted  a  resolution,  which  was  agreed  to,  in- 
structing the  committee  on  Indian  affairs  to  inquire  into  the  ex- 
pediency of  making  an  appropriation  for  the  purpose  of  pur- 
chasing the  Wyandot  Indian  reservations,  in  the  state  of  Ohio, 
and  removing  the  Wyandot  tribe  of  Indians  west  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. 

Mr.  Polk  asked  and  obtained  leave  from  the  committee  of 
ways  and  means  to  be  discharged  from  the  consideration  of  the 
petition  of  certain  sugar  refiners  of  Boston,  praying  a  reduction 
of  duties  on  sugar. 

The  house  proceeded  to  the  consideration  Mr.  Mardii'  reso- 
lution, when 

Mr.  Ckilton  Lilian,  resumed  and  continued  his  remarks  until 
the  expiration  of  the  hour. 


90 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,  1834— DR.  MACNEVEN'S  LETTER. 


The  house  took  up  the  report  of  tlie  committee  of  ways  and 
means  on  the  deposite  question,  &c. 

Mr.  Ckoate  then  rose  and  addressed  the  house  in  favor  of  the 
restoration;  when  lie  had  concluded — 

Mr.  Dickerson.  of  Xew  Jersey,  rose  and  spoke  at  considerable 
length  in  support  of  the  resolutions  of  the  committee.  • 

Mr.  Ilurdinax pressed  a  wish  to  speak  on  tin:  question,  and,  as 
he  was  not  prepared  with  cettain  documents,  moved  that  the 
house  adjourn. 

Mr.  Mercer  requested  him  to  withdraw  the  motion,  in  order 
to  take  up  the  bridge  bill. 

The  motion  nut  being  withdrawn,  the  question  was  taken 
upon  ii,  mid  it  was  rejeeird  -10  to  56. 

The  speaker  staltd  that  there  was  not  a  quorum,  and  directed 
the  sergeant  at  arms  to  invite  the  members  to  attend. 

Mr.  llardin  then  moved  that  the  house  do  now  adjourn,  which 
was  agreed  to  without  a  count,  and  the  house  adjourned. 

Saturday,  March.  29.  Mr.  Jldams,  of  Mass,  a^ked  consent  to 
take  up  the  resolution  moved  by  him  yesterday,  calling  for  cer- 
tain information  relative  to  the  deposite  banks. 

[Mr.  Foster,  of  Georgia,  objecting — Mr.  -ii/ams  moved  to  sus- 
penJ  the  rule,  to  enalile  him  to  call  up  his  resolution.  On  this 
motion  .Mr.  Williams  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays — whereupon 
Mr.  foster  withdrew  his  opposition.] 

Mr.  Jldams  then  modified  his  resolution  by  adding  the  follow- 
ing clause: 

"And  that  the  secretary  ol  the  treasury  be  directed  to  report  to 
this  house,  a  statement  of  all  the  SUNK  denominated  in  the 
treasury  accounts  unavailable  fund*;  specific-all)  designating  the 
several  banks,  or  individuals  indebted  to  the  treasury  therefor; 
the  lime  when  each  debt  first  became  due— the  time  when  fail- 
ure of  payment  thereof  first  occurred;  the  security,  if  any,  which 
the  public  have  for  payment  thereof  at  any  time,  and  the  pros- 
pect of  such  eventual  payment." 

Mr.  Harper,  of  Perm,  objected  to  the  adoption  of  that  clause 
of  the  resolution  which  called  for  a  statement  of  the  debts  due 
by  the  respective  presidents,  cashier*  and  directors  of  the  banks 
referred  to. 

Mr.  Jidams  should  be  entirely  willing  to  acquiesce  in  the 
amendment  proposed  by  the  gentleman  from  Pennsylvania,  if 
such  had  been  the  measure  meted  out  on  other  occasions.  Tin 
ground  taken  by  the  gentleman  was  precisely  that  which  he 
Mr.  A.  had  taken  two  years  ago,  on  the  occasion  of  an  invt-stiga 
tion  into  the  affairs  of  the  United  States  bank;  but  he  had  been 
overruled.  And,  aside  from  this,  one  of  the  resolutions  re 
ported  by  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  proposed  a  simila 
investigation  on  a  much  more  extensive  plan,  in  relation  to  the 
bank  of  the  United  Slates. 

That  measure,  which  had  been  meted  to  one  institution,  Mr 
Jidams  was  for  meting  out  to  others.  If  in  the  one  case,  a! 
the  accounts  of  individuals,  of  every  description,  especially  o 
persons  connected  with  the  government,  members  of  congress 
printers  and  editors,  had,  in  the  one  case,  been  subjected  t 
scrutiny,  (as  the  affairs  of  the  editors  ofthe  National  Intelligence 
hid  been,  and  subjected  to  numerous  public  comments),  thei 
there  was  nothing  but  fairness  and  equity  in  permitting  th 
same  scrutiny  in  relation  to  the  CRACK  banks,  (which  he  consi 
dered  a  better  name  than  that  of  pet  banks.) 

Mr.  Wayne  acquiesced  wilh  the  gentleman  from  Pennsyl 
vania,  (Mr.  Harper),  in  his  objection  to  one  of  the  clauses  of  in 
resolution;  besides  which  it  contained  two  calls  which  wer 
unnecessary.  The  charters  ofthe  bunks,  and  the  names  of  thei 
stockholders  had  already  been  reported.  He  contended  als 
that  the  resolution  called  for  certain  information,  which,  whil 
it  might  essentially  injure  individuals,  could  effect  no  publi 
good.  The  secretary  had  no  power  to  demand  such  information 
and,  if  he  had,  it  ought  not  to  he  exerted. 
Mr.  McKinley  took  similar  ground. 
Mr.  Speight  was  willing  to  allow  the  largest  latitude  of  in 
nuiry.  He  was  particularly  surprised  at  the  remarks  of  th 
gentleman  from  Georgia,  (Mr.  Wayne),  who  bad  said,  if  he  un 
derstood  him,  that  the  house  had  "no  right  to  inquire  into  th 
affairs  ofthe  hanks  selected  to  receive  the  deposites. 

Messrs.  Wilde  and  Mann  addressed  the  house,  the  latter  gen 
tleman  concluding  his  remarks  with  a  request  that  the  gentle 
man  from  Pennsylvania  would  withdraw  his  objection. 
Mr.  Harper  expressed  his  willingness  to  do  so. 
Mr.  Beardsley  rose  to  address  the  house,  but  the  hour  allotte 
to  resolutions  having  expired, 

Mr.  Polk  moved  that  the  rules  of  the  house  be  suspended  fo 
the  purpose  of  taking  up  the  general  appropriation  lull,  wliic 
motion  was  negatived. 

The  house  then  took  up  several  bills  of  a  private  or  loea 
character,  which  being  severally  disposed  of,  the  house  adjourn 
ed. 

Monday,  March  31.    The  house  took  up  the  motion  of  M 
Plummer,  of  Mississippi,   for   referring   the   proceedings  of 
meeting  ofthe  citizens  of  Natchez  in  that  state,  in  favor  of  tli 
restoration  of  the  deposilea,  to  the  committee  of  ways  an 
means;  when 

Mr.  Plummer  addressed  the  house  adversely  to  the  views  r 
he  meeting,  and  being  replied  to  by  his  colleague  Mr.  Cat; 
withdrew  his  motion,  and  the  proeeedings  were  laid  on  the  ta 
Die  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Memorials,  petitions,  &c.  favorable  to  the  restoration  of  th 
depositeg,  «tc.  were  presented,  as  follows— by  Mr.  Karanag 
Horn  Bath,  Miine;  by  Mr.  Evant,  from  450  citizen*  of  Somer 
worth,  constituting  a  majority  of  the  voters;  by  Mr.  Bri^S 


om  370  citizens  of  Adams,  Berkshire  county,  Mass.;  by  Mr. 
aylies,  from  2,429  inhabitants  of  Bristol  co.  Mass.  (4  towns 
the  slime,  county  had  already  memorialized  congress);  by 
r.  Choate,  from  900  inhabitants  of  Lynn,  Mass.:  by  Mr.  Bnr- 
es,  from  450  out  of  TOO  votes  of  the  town  of  Paterson,  New 
rsi-y;  by  the  same  from  the  villages  of  $rnilhfield  and  Cum- 
:rland,  R.  Island;  [Mr.  Peurce  presented  a  letter  from  certain 
ti/.ens  ol'R.  Island  in  reference  to  the  above  memorial,  which 
il  to  a  succession  of  speeches,  replies  and  rejoinders  between 
lese  gentlemen,  ofquite  a  personal  character;  in  the  course  of 
hicli  Mr.  Hur^es  pronounced  the  paper  presented  by  his  col- 
ague  to  he  a  forgery];  by  Mr.  Burges,  from  inhabitants  of 
ewport,  R.  Island. 

Mr.  Osgood  presented  certain  resolutions,  passed  at  Faneuil 
all,  Boston,  in  support  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites. 
The  house  then  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  April  \.  A  communication  was  received  from  the 
ecrelary  of  state,  on  the  subject  of  the  prevention  ofthe  coun- 
erfeiting  of  foreign  coin. 

After  attending  to  several  matters  of  a  private  character, 
The  house  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  bill  provid- 
m  for  the  settlement  of  certain  revolutionary  claims;  when 
Mr.  Marshall  resumed  his  speech  commenced  several  week* 
go,  and  spoke  until  the  expiration  ofthe  hour. 
The  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  committee  of  ways 
:id  means  on  the  removal  of  the  deposites  was  then  resumed, 
vhen 

Mr.  Harden,  of  Ky.  spoke  in  opposition  to  the  removal  until 
late  hour.  In  the  course  of  his  speech  there  were  motions 
or  adjournment  successively  made  by  Messrs.  McComas,  Chil- 
011  and  Clarke.  On  the  motion  being  made  by  the  latter  gen- 
leman,  the  house  agreed  to  adjourn  by  a  vote  of  82  to  80,  and 
o  the  house  adjourned. 

Wednesday,  Jlpril  2.  As  soon  as  the  sitting  of  to-day  was 
opened — 

Mr.  McDuffie  rose,  and  in  a  feeling  and  proper  manner,  an- 
lounced  to  the  house  the  decease  of  the.  lion.  James  Blair,  of 
South  Carolina,  one  of  his  colleagues,  a  member  of  this  house, 
and  moved  the  customary  resolutions  of  respect  to  the  memory 
of  deceased  members,  and  also  that  a  message  he  sent  to  the 
senate,  informing  them  of  his  death  and  the  time  of  his  funeral; 
which  being  unanimously  concurred  in,  the  house  adjourned. 

Thursday.  Jlpril  3.  Mr.  Elisha  Whittlesey  reported  a  bill  to 
jrovide  for  the  payment  of  claims  for  property  lost,  captured  or 
destroyed  by  the  enemy,  while  in  the  military  service  of  the 
United  Stales,  during  the  late  war  with  Greai'Britain,  and  the 
Indian  wars  subsequent  thereto;  which  was  twice  read  and 
made  the  special  order  ofthe  day  for  the  llth  instant. 

Mr.  Edward  Everett  reported  a  bill  making  compensation  for 
'ertain  diplomatic  services  and  for  other  purposes;  which  was 
twice  read  and  committed. 

The  resolution  of  Mr.  Mardis  on  the  subject  of  the  deposites, 
was  then  taken  up;  when 

Mr.  Chilian  Allan  resumed  and  concluded  his  remarks,  in  op- 
position to  the  resolution. 

Mr.  While,  of  Lou.  moved  that  there  be  a  partial  suspension 
ofthe  rule  ofthe  house,  so  as  to  allow  the  states  to  be  called  for 
memorials  between  the  close  of  the  morning  business  and  the 
hour  fixed  for  the  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  committee 
of  ways  and  means,  and  to  invert  the  usual  order  of  calling  the 
states,  so  as  to  begin  at  the  extreme  south,  instead  of  the  ex- 
treme north.  The  motion,  after  an  objection  by  Mr.  Parker,  of 
New  Jersey,  was  lost. 

Mir.  Marshall  resumed  and  concluded  his  speech  on  the  com- 
mutation bill;  and  the  hour  having  expired, 

The  report  ofthe  committee  of  ways  and  means  on  the  depo- 
sites was  taken  up. 

Mr.  Harden  resumed  the  floor  and  concluded  his  speech  in 
opposition  to  it. 

Mr.  Mc&uffie  next  rose  and  addressed  the  house  on  the  same 
side  for  about  half  an  hour,  when,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Jlrcher, 
the  house  adjourned. 


DR.  MACNEVEN'S  LETTER. 

New  York,  29th  March,  1834. 
Dr.  Wm.  J.  Slacneven, 

SIR — Having  seen  contradictory  statements  in  two  of  the 
daily  papers  in  relation  to  your  political  opinions  us  to  the  pre- 
sent course  of  the  executive  of  our  country,  the  vigilance  com- 
mittee of  the  independent  republicans  of  the  fourteenth  ward, 
have  deputed  the  undersigned  most  respectfully  to  request,  that 
you  will  be  pleased  to  make  known  to  us,  your  sentiments  on  the 
leading  political  question,  which  at  present,  so  deeply  agitate* 
the  nation;  and  it  is  particularly  desirable,  that  if  consistent 
with  your  views,  you  should  frankly  give  your  opinion  as  to  the 
removal  of  the  deposites,  and  whether  you  are  or  are  not  in  fa- 
vor of  a  national  bank. 

Il  is  also  desirable  to  know  if  the  nomination  made  nt  the 
Broadway  house,  of  William  C.  Wales  for  alderman,  and  Lam- 
bert  Suydam  for  assistant,  to  represent  this  wnrd  in  common 
council,  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  of  Gulian  C.  Verplanck,  as  a 
candidate  for  mayor,  meets  your  approbation. 

The  importance  of  affairs,  at  ibis  crisis,  must  plead  for  the 
liberty  we  take  upon  the  present  occasion.  Very  respectfully, 
yours,  &c. 

MOSES  WANZER,  ACSTIN  BALDWIN, 

J.  K.  HAMILTON,  CHESTER  CI.ARK. 

P.  W.  Esos, 


N1LES'  KEG ISTEK— APRIL  5,  1834— DR.  MACKNEVEN'S  LETTER. 


91 


New  York,  31st  March,  1834. 

Chester  Clark,  Austin  Baldwin,  P.  W.  JEngs,  James  K.  Hamil- 
ton, Moses  Warner — 

GENTLEMEN — The  statements  in  the  papers  to  which  you  re- 
fer, were  certainly  unauthorised  by  inland  appeared  to  my  !-ur- 
prise.  They  must  have  been  derived  from  casual  conversations 
and  promulgated  by  party  spirit,  which  too  often  infringes  upon 
delicacy  in  its  zeal.  Rather  than  lake  a  different  side  from  old 
associates,  who  still  profess  to  find  those  measures  riaht  which 
I  deem  wrong,  I  wUhrd  to  hold  mysclfaloof,  and  where  I  could 
not  approve  to  refrain,  if  possible,  from  opposing.  But  called 
upon  now  officially  by  so  respectable  a  body  of  my  neighbors 
and  fellow  citizens  to  dticlare  my  sentiments  unequivocally,  [ 
cannot  be  deemed  forward  in  stating  them,  since  compliance  is 
a  duty. 

I  supported  general  Jackson's  election,  and  I  continue  to  feel 
the  highest  sense  of  gratitude  for  his  eminent  services  in  Hie 
field.  Though  perhaps  disappointed  in  some  of  the  expecta- 
tions I  hud  formed  of  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  his  admi 
Diatration,  still  preferring  him  far  before  those  who  were  brought 
as  candidates  against  him,  I  have  sustained  him  as  long  as  I 
could  do  so  conscientiously.  In  relation  to  the  great  question 
which  agitates  and  engrosses  congress  and  the  people,  after 
having  examined  his  course  with  every  disposition  to  find  it 
justifiable,  I  cannot  possibly  approve  it. 

The  fiscal  reasons  which  have  been  assigned  for  the  removal 
of  the  public  deposites  are  so  futile,  that  they  hardly  deserve  an 
answer.  To  say  in  the  same  breath  that  the  necessary  demands 
of  government  will  reduce  them  in  one  year  to  little  or  nothing, 
and  yet  that  they  must  be  removed  at  once,  lest  thtty  should  be 
fa  greatly  accumulated  by  the  time  the  charter  will  expire,  as 
to  compel!  congress  to  renew  the  charier,  is  really  too  absurd  to 
be  deemed  serious.  When  I  am  told  that  the  public  moneys 
were  not  safe  in  the  United  Slates  bank,  and  looking  at  the 
public  documents,  I  find  that  just  before  the  removal,  they 
amounted  in  the  whole  to  less  than  ten  millions,  while  the 
bank  had  eleven  millions  in  specie;  but  now  that  they  amount  in 
this  city  alone  to  five  millions,  while  the  banks  in  which  they 
are  placed  have  only  eight  hundred  thousand  dollars  in  specie,  I 
cannot  see  what  has  been  gained  in  point  of  safety. 

The  true  and  indeed  avowed  motive  was  a  political  one. 
The  object  was  to  cripple,  nay  to  crush  an  instilulion  deemed 
dangerous,  and  which  is  said  to  have  set  itself  in  opposition  to 
the  will  of  ihe  people,  and  to  have  improperly  interfered  in  the 
election  of  our  chief  magislraie.  Bui  the  folly  of  the  attempt  of 
the  bank,  if  it  really  was  made,  has  been  fully  demonstrated  by 
the  result  of  the  elections.  We  are  not,  thank  God,  governed 
by  wealth,  but  by  numbers.  The  bank  was  proved  to  have  no 
political  power.  Out  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  it  was  every 
where  a  dead  weight  on  every  candidate  who  attempted  to  sup- 
port it.  It  lay  prostrate  as  a  political  body,  and  there  was  no 
necessity,  on  that  score,  for  further  attack.  If,  indeed,  the  pre- 
sident, by  removing  the  deposites,  could  at  once  have  strangled 
that  which  he  thinks  a  monster,  there  might  have  been  some 
sense  in  doing  the  act;  but  since  he  could  not  effect  ihat,  far 
betler  would  it  be  to  leave  the  bank  undisturbed  lo  die  rts  natu- 
ral death.  The  fact  cannot  now  be  denied  that  more  efficient 
means  could  not  have  been  devised  lo  cause  a  reaction,  and 
give  a  chance  of  a  recharler  to  the  bank,  than  those  which  were 
employed  for  annoying  it  and  exercUing  a  useless  revenge.  It 
is  thus  that  uncontroled  passions  ever  blind  the  understanding. 
Since  there  was  no  sufficient  motive,  fiscal  or  political,  for 
the  act,  it  was  unwise  and  unslatesmanlike.  It  required  no 
great  sagacity  to  foresee  that  it  must  cause  a  derangement  in 
the  commercial  operations  and  credit  of  ihe  country;  and  where 
no  good  could  ensue,  it  could  only  be  under  the  dictates  of  pas- 
sion that  any  executive  officer  would  run  the  risk  of  subjecting 
the  country  to  the  evils  that  attend  any  siuh  derangement. 
After  those  evils  had  actually  occurred,  and  could  no  lonj-er  be 
denied,  a  magnanimous  mind  would  have  retracied,  instead  of 
perse vei ing  in  the  error. 

Yet  it  is  not  simply  because  an  unwise  aud  unfortunate  me a- 
sure  has  been  adopted  and  is  obstinately  maintained,  that  I  feel 
myselfcalled  upon  to  express  my  dissent.  Though  an  humble 
individual,  I  may  be  permitted  lo  say,  that  I  am  actuaied  by 
much  higher  motives.  I  have  looked  al  the  law  which  is  said 
to  warrant  the  deed,  and  I  see  that  by  it  the  public  moneys 
were  ordered  to  be  kept  in  a  certain  place,  unless  the  secretary 
of  the  treasury  thoughl  it  necessary  to  remove  them,  in  which 
case  he  was  bound  lo  lay  before  congress  his  reasons  for  so  do- 
ing. To  the  president  no  power  is  delegaled  on  the  sub- 
ject. He  may,  indeed,  remove  the  secretary  if  he  thinks  him 
dishonest  or  incapable;  but  this  does  not  imply  the  power  to  re- 
move the  officer  for  the  express  p  -pose  of  having  the  act  o 
which  that  officer  is  by  law  ihe  only  judge,  done  accordingly  in 
the  will  of  the  president.  That  would  be  uniting  in  one  persoi 
the  powers  of  both  ihe  president  and  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury. Had  this  been  the  intention  of  the  law,  the  power  of  re- 
moving the  deposites  would  have  been  given  to  the  presiden 
alone.  Had  it  been  intended  that  the  president  should  have 
any  control  whatever  in  the  case,  it  would  have  been  provide 
that  the  secretary  might  remove  the  public  moneys  with  Ihe  ap 


gresg.  The  conduct  of  the  president  in  this  is  greatly  aegravat- 
•  •(I  l>y  the  circumstances  by  win.  I,  it  was  accompanied.  It  was 
done  alter  congress  had  passed  judgment  on  the  acts  ascribed 
to  Hi,:  bank,  and  declared  it  to  be  a  >ale  depository  of  the  public 
moneys.  It  was  done  without  waiiins  f,,r  the  opinion  and  ac- 
tion of  the  new  congress,  in  UK-  recess  of  the  senate,  by  an  offi- 
cer not  confirmed  by  thai  body,  and  selected  lor  one  ex urcss 


purpose 

1  cannot  sustain  such  a  measure.  It  is  a  palpable  infringe- 
ment ol  the  laws.  U  is  equally  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  our 
constitution,  to  the  principles  of  geuuine  liberty,  and  of  repub- 
lican institutions.  The  executive  magistrate  is  necessarily 
vested  with  great  powers,  and  liable  to  imposition.  He  has  the 
exclusive  direction  of  all  negotiations  with  foieign  nations,  and 
the  exclusive  risht  of  nomination  to  all  offices.  No  treaty  can 
be  made,  no  officer  be  appointed,  without  his  previous  appro- 
bation. He  exeicises  the  power  of  removing  by  his  sole  autho- 
rity every  officer,  the  judges  only  excepted.  He  is  Command- 
er-in-chief of  all  the  armed  forces  of  the  nation,  by  sea  or  by 
land.  He  executes,  and  at  times  inlerprels,  the  laws  and  trea- 
ties. He  has  a  qualified  negative  on  all  laws,  and  exercises  it 


Against  the  dangerous  abuse  of  those  powers  centered  in  one 
man,  we  have,  heretofore,  been  protected  by  the  constitutional 
Check  of  the  senate,  which  has  now  been  evaded;  by  salutary 
legal  barriers,  which  have  been  overleaped;  by  that  admirable 
temper  and  moderation  which  had  characterised  our  former 
presidents,  and  on  whieh  my  reliance  is  now  greatly  lessened. 

This  is  the  only  quarter  from  which  encroachments  that 
might  gradually  undermine  our  liberties  and  subvert  tiie  princi- 
ples of  republican  government,  can  be  apprehended.  And  let 
it  not  be  forgotten  thai  the  danger  is  never  greater  than  when 
that  high  functionary  happens  to  enjoy  an  excessive  degree  of 
popularity;  capable  of  inducing  the  people  to  sustain  all  his  pre- 
tensions; and  that  the  attempt  to  establish  a  fatal  precedent  is 
never  more  likely  to  succeed,  than  when  the  object  of  the  at- 
tack happens  to  be  an  Unpopular  institution;  when  those  cir- 
cumstances are  combined,  public  attention  is  but  too  easily  di- 
verted from  the  true  state  of  the  momentous  question  at  issue. 

Should  the  attempt  now  made  be  sanctioned  by  the  people, 
he  purse  and  the  sword  would  be  placed  in  the  same  hands, 
ind  ihe  first  visible  effect  will  be  a  corrupt  influence  introduced 
n to  our  government  Six  months  have  not  elapsed  since  the 
executive  transfer  of  the  public  moneys  was  made,  and  what  is 
already  the  result  in  this  cily  alone? 

The  three  respectable  banks  selected  for  the  purpose  have  a 
capital  of  six  millions  of  dollars.  Their  discounts  before  they 
lad  Ihe  public  deposites,  amounted  to  9,200,000  dollars,  and 
hey  made  with  one  another,  an  annual  dividend  of  six  and  a 
lalf  per  cent.  But  with  the  aid  of  the  public  moneys  they  are 
now  able  to  discount  near  13,^00,000  dollars,  or  four  millions 
six  hundred  thousand  dollars  more  than  formerly,  giving  an  ad- 
ditional profit  of  four  and  a  half  per  cent,  a  year  on  their  capital. 
Thus  we  have  forty  bank  directors  endowed  with  the  power  of 
distributing  four  millions  and  a  half  in  loans,  beyond  the  natu- 
ral resources  of  their  banks;  and  two  thousand  stockholders 
whose  income  is  at  once  raised  from  6£  to  11  percent.  This 
night  not  give  much  influence  lo  ihe  granlor  if  the  boon  was 
revocable.  Bui  on  what  tenuie  is  it  held?  It  depends  on  the 
sole  will  of  th«  secretary,  who  has  reserved  the  power  to  annul 
the  conlract  whenever  lie  pleases,  and  who  for  any  such  change 
is  no  longer  bound  to  assign  reasons.  Or  I  should  rather  say,  it 
depends  on  the  all  controlling  will  of  the  president,  since  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury  has  ceased  to  be  the  officer  of  the  law, 
and  is  a  mere  puppet  moved  by  the  chief  magistrate,  who  re- 
mains himself  legally  irresponsible,  for  acts,  which,  according  to 
law,  must  be  performed  by  the  said  secretary.  If  this  uncon- 
trolled and  irresponsible  power  lo  grant,  and,  at  will,  to  shift  fa- 
vors'to  that  extenl,  is  not  an  improper,  and,  prospectively  at 
least,  a  corrupt  and  most  dangerous  species  of  influence,  I  am 
at  a  loss  to  know  how  a  worse  kind  can  be  devised. 

The  democratic  party  was  founded  on  the  purest  principles; 
and,  whilst  adhering  to,  and  bound  by  these,  it  had  a  right  to 


ami,  wllllaL  iiuin  [  iiiu    Uf,  illiu     iniunu     n\    IIK  >tr,  11    iiiiu    a    I  mill  lu 

require  personal  sacrifices  from  its  friends — namely,  that  they 
should  yield  their  opinions  to  those  of  the  majority,  on  unirn- 


standing,  or  it  renders  the  act  invalid,  unless  approved  by  con 


,  , 
a  sacrifice  of  all  that  is  dear  to  us,  and  thereby  sub 



sanctonng  even  te  mos      anger  ,  s        ey 

havB  originated  with  our  chief  magistrate.  Loyalty  to  his  king 
is,  indeed,  ihe  prelended  virtue  of  the  subject  of  a  monarchy. 
To  live  under  a  government  of  laws,  and  not  of  men,  is  the  boast 


of  the  citizens  of  our  republic. 

To  you,  my  friends  and  fellow  citizens,  who  know  me,  I  need 
not  say  lhal  I  am  not  one  of  the  rich,  that  I  derive  my  means  of 
existence  from  the  moderate  profits  of  my  professional  industry, 
that  I  am,  and  cannot  cease  to  be,  a  democrat;  that  I  have  lived 
a  friend  of  liberty,  and  have  once  suffered  for  that  cause.  For 
my  zeal  in  its  defence  I  became  a  proscribed  exile  from  my  na- 


52     NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,  1834— GREAT  MEETING  AT  PHILADELPHIA. 


livu  land.     Here,  in  this  asylum  of  the  oppressed,  I  have  now 


lived  almost  twenty-nine  years.  I  have,  you  well  know,  no 
other  country.  I  am  identified  with  its  interests,  its  prosperity, 
iu  glorious  institutions.  These  I  cannot  desert.  On  their  pre- 
servation depends  our  happiness  and  that  of  our  posterity.  They 
are  the  boast,  the  model,  and  the  hope  of  the  friends  of  liberty 
throughout  the  civilized  world.  1  adjure  my  fellow  citizens  not 
to  blast  those  hopes  and  the  high  destinies  to  which  this  nation 
in  called;  to  preserve  those  institutions  inviolate;  to  defend  and 
protect  them  against  every  attack,  and  every  attempted  infringe- 
ment from  whatever  source,  or  from  whomsoever  they  may 
come;  to  briny  back  the  administration  of  our  government  to  its 
native  purity,  and  to  leave  to  their  children  entire,  unshackled 
and  unblemished,  the  sacred  inheritance,  such  as  they  received 
it  from  their  fathers. 

To  sum  up  in  a  few  words,  gentlemen,  my  answers  to  your 
questions:  I  disapprove  of  the  removal  of  the  deposited,  and  am 
iu  favor  of  their  restoration  forthwith. 

I  am  opposed  to  the  continuation  of  the  present  bank  of  the 
United  Slates,  but  am  in  favor  of  a  national  bank  that  shall  pos- 
sess the  advantages  of  this,  and  distribute  them  as  equally  as 
may  be  for  the  public  accommodation,  without  prejudice  to  li- 
berty. 

I  am  opposed  to  constructive  versions  of  the  constitution, 
whereby  the  executive  shall  take  powers  by  implication  or  eva- 
sion, instead  of  applying  to  ronurrss  for  authority. 

[Here  fallows  a  paragraph  which  relates  to  the  local  election 
in  New  York,  which  is  omitted  lor  the  reason  that  we  do  not 
interfere  with  such  things.'  It  may  be  mentioned,  however,  that 
the  doctor  says  he  will  support  Mr.  VerjUanck,  for  mayor,  and 
the  candidates  of  the  independent  democrats  for  aldermen.] 

In  compliance,  gentlemen,  with  your  request,  I  have  candid- 
ly opened  to  you  my  sentiments,  and  1  respectfully  submit  them 
to  your  judgment.  WILLIAM  JAMES  MACNEVEN. 

GREAT  MEETING  AT  PHILADELPHIA. 
On  Thursday,  the  20th  March,  agreeably  to  notice,  the  de- 
mocratic citizens  of  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia,  with 
"all  others  who  are  resolved  to  defend  the  constitution  and 
laws  against  executive  usurpation,"  assembled  in  Independent 
square,  at  four  o'clock. 

Before  three  o'clock,  the  processions  of  different  kinds  began 
to  enter  the  square,  as  neatly  as  we  could  ascertain,  in  the  fol- 
lowing order: — 

The  citizens  of  Manayunk,  with  a  handsome  flag — they  form- 
ed a  very  long  cavalcade,  composed  evidently  of  the  bone  and 
sinew  of  the  country.  They  were  preceded  by  a  golden  eagle 
dressed  in  black  crape  as  an  emblem  of  mourning. 

The  citizens  of  Southwark,  a  large  and  highly  respectable 
body. 

The  citizens  of  Moyamensinj,  to  the  number  of  several  hun- 
dred, preceded  by  a  flag  with  the  inscription  of  "Washington 
our  guide  and  monitor." 

The  Moyamensing  weavers,  preceded  by  a  loom  out  of  gear, 
and  mounted  on  a  cart,  on  which  was  legibly  written  "no 
work."  On  the  banner,  "American  industry  the  road  to  inde- 
pendence." 

The  merchants  and  traders  of  the  city  and  county.  The  num- 
ber of  this  very  respectable  body  in  the  procession  exceeded 
five  hundred,  and  certainly  a  more  respectable  body  never 
made  their  appearance  in  our  streets.  Among  them  were  re- 
cognized many  who  had  but  lately  been  the  president's  warm- 
est supporters;  but  who,  on  the  present  momentous  occasion, 
were  proud  to  show  themselves  in  the  ranks  of  the  free.  Their 
motto  was  appropriately  inscribed  on  a  flag,  "supporting  the 
constitution  and  laws."  All  the  shipping  in  the  port  had  their 
flags  at  half  mast — so  that  the  occasion  may  be  said  to  have 
been  sanctioned  by  the  entire  body  of  our  merchants. 

The  tailors  and  clothiers,  preceded  by  a  modest  flag — but  this 
was  attended  by  a  large  class  of  men  who  are  never  missin* 
when  the  country  is  in  danger. 

The  cabinet  makers  and  furnishers,  with  a  flag  containing 
the  motto,  "the  constitution  inviolate — the  laws  triumphant." 
The  booksellers  and  bookbinders,  with  two  banners;  the  first, 
which  was  an  elegant  one  of  blue  silk,  had  the  sentence,  "we 
bind  and  preserve  the  literature  of  the  present  age  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  future;"  the  second  bore  the  inscription,  "our  coun- 
try and  the  constitution." 

The  printers,  with  a  banner  inscribed  "our  country  and  its 
constitution— truth  is  great  and  must  prevail."  It  is  declared 
on  good  authority  that  it  has  been  ascertained  that  seven  eighths 
of  the  two  latter  professions  are  opposed  to  the  removal  of  the 
deposites. 

The  coal  dealers,  and  others  interested  in  the  trade  of  the 
Schuylkill,  a  respectable  and  numerous  body,  who  were  preced- 
ed by  a  banner  with  a  view  of  a  canal  lock,  and  coal  cars  drawn 
on  a  rail  road.  Passing  through  the  canal  was  the  fine  boat ''Con- 
stitution." This  body  also  had  a  banner  inscribed  -'united  we 
stand,  divided  we  fall."  A  very  great  number  of  dealers,  boat- 
men and  others  were  in  attendance. 

The  painters  and  glaziers,  with  a  banner,  the  inscription  of 
which  was  forcible  and  striking— "Go  TKLI.  HIM!!!  FRKEMEN 

WILL  NOT   BOW   NOR   WEAR  THE    COLLAR!!!" 

The  hatters,  displaying  an  appropriate  banner,  surmounted 
by  a  cocked  hat,  inscribed  all  round  "seventy-six." 

The  builders,  to  the  number  of  several  hundreds. 

The  cordwainers,  with  a  plain  white  banner,  inscribed  with 
the  name,  Sic.  of  their  profession. 


The  marble  masons,  with  a  bright  flag  bearing  the  motto  "w« 
defend  the  constitution  from  present  and  future  violence." 

The  gold  and  silver  artists,  with  a  flag  bearing  the  head  of 
Washington. 

The  ship  builders,  stevedores,  sailors,  &c.  flag  inscribed, 
"don't  give  up  the  ship,"  "labor  is  wealth." 

Farmers  and  millers,  in  great  numbers,  carrying  a  flag  with 
the  inscription  "our  country  and  the  constitution." 

People  of  Germantown.  This  most  truly  respectable  and  nu- 
merous body  was  loudly  cheered  on  all  hands  on  entering  the 
square.  The  best  feeling  seemed  to  prevail  towards  them,  and 
they  walked  in  excellent  order;  their  countenances  spoke  as 
plainly  as  words  could  have  done — "We  are  determined  to  re- 
sist oppression."  On  their  flag  "the  constitution  and  laws." 

The  sugar  refiners,  whose  banner  said— "support  the  consti- 
tution and  laws." 

The  tobacconists,  with  a  suitable  banner,  representing  Wash- 
ington receiving  the  calumet  of  peace  from  an  Indian,  and  the 
motto,  "flourish  the  plant." 

The  next  that  entered,  was  a  very  long  procession  of  citizens 
from  the  townships  of  Blockley  and  Kingsessing,  headed  by  a 
banner  inscribed  "we  do  not  despair  of  the  republic." 

These  were  followed  by  the  young  men  of  the  city  and  coun- 
ty, a  truly  interesting  procession,  which  was  hailed  by  all  as  it 
passed  in,  with  loud  acclamations.  There  were  at  least  4,000 
of  them. 

But  perhaps  the  most  interesting  incident  of  the  day  was  the 
circumstance  which  occurred,  on  those  young  men  passing  by 
the  house  of  the  firm  and  independent  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
William  J.  Dunne.  His  person  was  discovered  at  the  window 
of  his  house,  overlooking  Independence  square,  and  no  sooner 
was  he  seen  than  a  loud  and  universal  shout  rose  from  the  en- 
thusiastic multitude,  evincing  most  forcibly  their  approbation 
of  his  course.  Mr.  Duane  bowed  repeatedly  to  the  crowd,  and 
we  saw  his  handkerchief  more  than  once  wiping  a  coursing 
tear  from  his  cheeks,  at  this  demonstration  of  their  affection  for 
a  man  displaying  independence  in  the  cause  of  the  constitution, 
which  they  were  now  assembling  to  avow  their  intention  to 
vindicate,  and  keep  "unsullied  from  a  spot." 

Mrs.  Duane  was  so  much  affected  by  this  sudden  and  unex- 
pected demonstration  of  public  respect,  that  after  one  full  and 
hearty  cheer,  she  was  compelled  by  her  emotions  to  leavs  the 
window. 

The  young  men  also  displayed  a  flag  inscribed,  "Our  country, 
not  party— principles,  not  men." 

The  iron  workers,  with  a  picture  representing  an  anvil  and 
a  sledge-hammer. 

The  black  and  white  smith?,  iron  masters,  hardware  mer- 
chants, tin  plate  workers,  copper  smiths,  &c.  with  a  plain 
white  banner;  motto,  "our  country  and  constitution." 

The  coopers  made  a  considerable  turn  oat,  but  as  far  as  we 
could  see  bore  no  banner. 
The  citizens  of  Kensington  district. 
The  citizens  of  the  Northern  Liberties  and  Spring  Garden. 
The  tanners  and  curriers  and  leather  dealers. 
The  'citizens  of  Lower  Dublin  and  Byberry. 
We  have  given  only  a  part  of  the  movements— the  crowd  in 
the  state  house  yard  was  so  dense  that  it  was  impossible  to  note 
the  entrance  of  all  the  different  processions. 

A  capacious  rostrum  was  erected  against  the  south  front  of 
the  state  house,  facing  the  Independence  square.  On  this,  the 
officers  of  the  meeting,  the  orators  and  the  committee  of  ar- 
rangements were  placed. 

A  few  minutes  before  4  o'clock,  the  hon.  John  Sergeant  en- 
tered the  rostrum;  his  presence  was  hailed  by  the  multitude 
with  enthusiastic  shouts. 
N.  Foster,  esq.  called  the  meeting  to  order,  and  nominated— 

President— DANIEL  GROVES. 

Vice  presidents— William  Wagner,  Northern  Liberties;  Alex- 
ander Cook,  city;  Benj.  Naglee,  Northern  Liberties;  gen.  A.  M. 
Provost,  city;  John  Brilton,  Blockley;  John  Green,  German- 
town;  gen.  John  D.  Goodwin,  Northern  Liberties-  Alexander 
Quint  in,  Roxborough;  Henry  H.  Miller,  Spring  Garden;  John 
Boilcan,  Lower  Dublin;  Charles  Penrose,  Southwark;  Arundius 
Tiers,  Kensington;  John  Lentz,  Passyunk;  Jacob  M.  Thomas, 
Moyamensing;  Pettr  Castor,  Oxford;  John  M.  Ogden.  Spring 
Garden;  Dr.  George  De  Benneville,  Germantown. 

To  which  are  added  the  chief  marshals  of  the  various  trades 
and  processions. 

Secretaries— Charles  J.  Jack,  city;  William  M.  Kennedy, 
Northern  Liberties;  Thomas  Boach,  unincorporated  Northern 
Liberties;  D.  Henry  Flickwir,  Southwark;  Franklin  Cumly, 
Moreland;  George  Myers,  Spring  Garden. 

Peter  A.  Browne,  esq.  r.oved  the  following  resolutions,  which 
were  unanimously  adopted: 

We,  a  portion  of  the  free  people  of  tin-  Unitfd  States,  having 
mot  together  with  no  object  but  the  public  good,  and  with  a  fix- 
ed determination  to  preserve  the  constitution,  and  defend  the 
liberties  of  our  common  country— do  solemnly  resolve  and  de- 
clare— 

1.  That  in  us,  and  our  fellow  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
the  sovereignty  of  this  nation  abides,  that  from  us  and  our  fel- 
low citizens,  all   lawful   power   must  proreed,  and  that  it  is 
equally  our  duty  and  our  right,  to  watch  ov«r  the  agents  whom 
we  have  entrusted  with  power,  and  to  rebuke  them  when  guil- 
ty ofnegligei.ee,  misconduct  or  usurpation. 

2.  That  Andrew  Jackson,  as  president  of  the  United  States, 
has  evinced  a  settled  disregard  for  th«  constitution  and  th« 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,  1834— GREAT  MEETING  AT  PHILADELPHIA.      93 


laws,  that  he  has  broken  the  national  faith,  trampled  on  the 
rights  and  interests  of  the  people,  and  endeavored  by  the  over- 
throw of  all  other  departments  of  the  government,  to  unite  all 
power  in  his  own  hands. 

3.  That  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  bank  of 
the  United  Slates,  was  an  assumption  of  power  not  confided  to 
him  by  the  people,  an  usurpation  dictated  by  passion  and  exe- 
cuted to  gratify  his  vindictive  feelings. 

4.  That  to  this  unlawful  and  unnecessary  act,  to  the  course 
which  Ac  and  his  government  and  his  banks  have  since  pursued, 
and  to  the  consequent  destruction  of  public  confidence,  we  attri- 
bute the  unexampled  distress  now  pervading  the  community, 
the  disarrangement  of  the  currency,  the  depression  of  com 
merce,  manufactures  and  the  mechanic  arts,  the  low  price  of 
agricultural  products,  and  the  almost  total  suspension  of  our 
public  improvements. 

5.  That  we  have  neither  faith  in  the  motives,  nor  hope  from 
the  result  of  the  president's  experiment,  to  substitute  a  number 
of  scattered  banks  for  a  single  national  institution.     It  has  al 
ready  failed  of  its  ostensible  objects;  and  we  fear  it  is  a  means 
by  which  the  whole  moneyed  power  of  the  country,  may  be 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  a  corrupt  executive. 

6.  That  public  confidence  cannot  be  restored,  nor  the  nation- 
al honor  kept  sacred,  without  an  immediate  order  for  the  resto- 
ration of  the  deposites  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 

7.  That  the  veto  power,  now  claimed  and  exercised  by  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  is  a  gross  perversion  of  the  ori- 
ginal design  of  the  framers  of  the  constitution,  in  conferring  a 
veto  power  upon  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation. 

8.  That  the  conduct  of  the  president  and  those  who  support 
him  in  congress,  or  elsewhere  exhibits  a  determination  to  place 
his  will  above  the  opinions  or  interests  of  the  people,  and  thus 
to  convert  our  onre  free  and  happy  republic  into  an  absolute 
and  oppressive  despotism. 

9.  That  looking  to  the  practice  of  men,  and  not  to  their  pro- 
fessions, we  cannot  recognise  the  Jackson  party,  a  party  ruled 
by  the  will  of  one  individual  whom  they  consider  born  to  com- 
mand, as  the  democracy  of  the  country. 

10.  That  in  the  independent  portion  of  our  fellow  citizens 
who  have  arrayed  themselves  against  executive  usurpation, 
who  compose  a  large  majority  of  the  bone  and  sinew  of  the  na- 
tion, and  with  whom  we  are  proud  to  he  numbered,  we  recog- 
nise the  true  friends  of  the  people,  and  therefore  the  only  real 
democratic  party. 

11.  That  the  present  crisis  demands  of  every  citizen,  who 
lovei  the  constitution,  and  would   preserve  the  liberties  of  his 
country,  the   utmost  firmness  and   devotion  in   the  common 
cause.     When    the   hi«hest  and  dearest  interests   of  all  are 
threatened,  none  can  refuse  his  labor  and  his  voice— where  all 
is  at  stake,  every  thing  must  be  periled — every  thing  dared  to 
save  it. 

12.  That  as  a  means  of  concentrating  the  efforts  of  all  who 
ngree  with  us  in  opinion  throughout  the  state,  and  making  that 
opinion  felt  hereafter  at  the  polls,  we  approve  cordially  of  the 
proposed  convention  to  be  held  at  Harrisburg  on  the22d  day  of 
May  next. 

13.- That  to  the  present  congress  we  look  for  an  exercise  of 
independence  worthy  the  crisis,  and  of  the  trust  committed  to 
its  care.  Of  that  congress  we  demand  the  safety  of  the  republic. 

14.  That  it  is  the  right  of  the  people  to  have  access  at  all 
times  to  their  servants,  however  high   their  stations — that  to 
deny  such  access,  savours  of  royalty,  and   does  not  comport 
with  the  plain  manners  and  republican  habits  of  a  republican 
people. 

15.  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  the  congress  of  the 
United  States  ought  not  to  adjourn  until  they  shall  have  provid- 
ed effectually  for  the   relief  of  the  distresses  of  the  country, 
vindicated  the  constitution  and  laws  so  wantonly  violated,  as- 
serted the  dignity  and  authority  of  the  representatives  of  the 
people,  and  secured  the  constitution  and  the  currency  against 
the  lawless  tampering  of  the  executive,  so  that  hereafter  the 
well   defined  boundaries  of  our  republican  institutions  may  be 
respected  in  practice,  and  the  happiness  of  the  nation  not  be 
made  the  sport  of  the  will  or  passions  of  one  man. 

After  an  address  from  Samuel  W.  Rush,  esq.  col.  C.  J.  Jack 
offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted. 

Resolved,  That  as  members  of  a  great  confederacy,  we  abjure 
all  sectional  jealousies,  but  that  as  citizens  of  Pennsylvania, 
we  behold  in  the  present  conduct  of  those  who  rule  the  execu 
live  of  this  country,  a  plan  to  destroy  the  present  bank  of  the 
United  States,  and  after  the  term  of  service  of  gen.  Jackson  shall 
expire,  the  certainty  of  establishing  another  bank,  to  be  located 
out  of  the  state,  whose  stock  will  be  divided  among  the  mem- 
bers of  an  ascendant  regency,  whose  management  and  direc- 
tion will  be  made  subservient  to  the  ambition  and  intrigues  of 
political  aspirants,  and  whose  consummation  will  finally  com 
plete  the  experiment  of  trying  to  unite  the  purse  and  the  sword 
in  one  hand. 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  firmly  believe  that  the  citizens 
of  this  commonwealth  have  been  perfectly  satisfied  with  the 
paper  currency,  existing  in  Pennsylvania,  since  the  establish- 
ment of  the  bank  of  the  United  States;  that,  they  have  desired 
no  change  in  it;  and  that  if  any  change  shall  be  made,  they  do 
most  earnestly  deprecate  the  substitution  of  the  New  York 
safety  fund  system,  by  which  a  bank  is  authorised  to  issue  notes 
to  the  amount  of  $349,470,  while  it  possesses  in  specie  in  its 
vaults  no  more  than  the  sum  of  $6,558  dollars!  to  redeem  all 


the  notes  issued  by  it  and  circulated  in  the  community,  as  the 
representatives  of  a  solvent  and  specie  paying  bank. 

Resolved,  That  we  do  solemnly  protest  against  the  friends  of 
gen.  Jackson,  assuming  to  themselves  the  title  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania democracy,  when  they  have  avowed  that  they  will  gup- 
port  the  opinions  of  one  man,  "whether  right  or  wrong,"  and 
we  do  conscientiously  believe,  that  if  general  Jack.-ori  should 
this  day  publicly  announce  his  determination  to  return  the  de- 
positee  to  tho  bank  of  the  United  Slates,  that  the  Jackson  re- 
presentation of  this  state  in  congress,  would  instantly  support 
the  measure;  that  the  Jackson  portion  of  the  legislature  of 
Pennsylvania  would  add  their  hearty  concurrence;  and  that 
the  whole  Jackson  party  throughout  the  United  States,  would 
rejoice  in  their  release  from  their  present  dilemma;  and  as  in- 
stantly proclaim  this  last  act  of  their  chief,  the  most  disinterest- 
ed and  noble  deed  of  his  life 

It  was  resolved,  that  the  president  of  this  meeting  have  power 
to  appoint  a  committee  of  correspondence. 

The  following  resolutions  were  presented  by  the  different 
trades: 

By  the  painters  of  the  city  and  county. 

Resolved,  That  Martin  Van  Buren  deserves,  and  will  receive 
the  execrations  of  all  good  men,  should  he  shrink  from  the  re- 
sponsibility of  conveying  to  Andrew  Jackson,  the  message  sent 
by  the  honorable  Henry  Clay,  when  the  builders'  memorial  was 
presented  'to  the  senate.  I  charge  you,  said  he,  go  to  the  presi- 
dent, and  tell  him — tell  him  if  he  would  save  his  country — if  ha 
would  save  himself — tell  him  to  stop  short,  and  ponder  well  his 
course — tell  him  to  retrace  his  steps,  before  an  injured  an  in- 
sulted people,  infuriated  by  his  experiment  upon  their  happi- 
ness, rises  in  the  majesty  of  power,  and  hurls  the  usurper  down 
from  the  seat  he  occupies,  like  Lucifer,  never  to  rise  again. 
By  the  builders  of  the  city  and  county. 

Resolved,  That  the  amount  of  present  and  perspective  employ- 
ment for  all  the  branches  of  industry  connected  with  the  erec- 
tion of  buildings  in  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia,  has 
been  affected  to  the  extent  of  75  per  cent,  compared  with  last 
year's  business,  by  the  present  disastrous  and  ruinous  measure* 
of  Andrew  Jackson. 

Resoli-ed,  That  it  is  the  solemn  and  deliberate  conviefton  of 
those  whose  employment  depends  npon  the  erection  of  build- 
ings, that  the  immediate  restoration  of  t!r.?  deposites,  and  the 
recharter  of  the  United  States'  bank,  are  Ihe  wify  means  by 
which  confidence  can  be  restored,  lost  faith  recovered,  and  the 
late  cheering  prospect  which  animated  and  diffused  its  bless- 
ings throughout  the  whole  community,  regained. 

Resolved,  That  the  declarations  of  the  representative  to  con- 
gress from  Montgomery  county,  that  the  mechanics  a-nd  tebor- 
ers  have  hitherto  been  too  highly  favored — that  their  prosperity 
has  been  too  great — that  the  bank  has  afforded  them  Coo  many 
facilities — that  they  have  been  adding  house  to  house  and  that 
it  is  time  they  were  put  down,  merits  and  should  receive  the 
scorn  and  contempt  of  freemen,  and  indicates  a  mind  so  sordid-, 
narrow  and  selfish,  and  so  disgraceful  to  the  feelings  of  huma- 
nity, and  revolting  to  every  sentiment  of  the  heart,  that  we  are 
almost  constrained  to  ascribe  them  to  the  ravings  of  a  maniac, 
rather  than  the  expressions  of  a  sane  and  thinking  mind. 

Resolved,  That  we  now  earnestly  call  upon  all  our  fellow  ci- 
tizens to  aid  us,  e'er  it  is  too  late,  in  our  endeavors  to  put  down, 
as  speedily  as  possible,  the  alarming  power  claimed  by  the  pre- 
sent chief  magistrate,  and  to  prevent,  if  possible,  the  prostra- 
tion of  our  interests  being  consummated  to  satisfy  the  unbound- 
ed ambition  of  a  military  despot. 

The  committee  take  occasion  to  say,  the  foregoing  expres- 
sions ascribed  to  Joel  K.  Mann,  of  Montgomery  county,  were 
used  by  him  to  a  part  of  the  builders'  committee,  late  on  a  visit 
to  Washington. 

By  the  hatters. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  degrading  to  freemen  to  wear  the  collar, 
or  drag  the  chains  of  any  man,  whatever  may  have  been  his 
claims  upon  tho  veneration  and  gratitude  of  the  people. 

That  we  behold  in  the  blind  servility  of  the  supporters  of  An- 
drew Jackson,  and  his  unprincipled  warfare  upon  the  currency 
of  the  country,  not  only  a  surrender  of  the  dignity  and  the  rights 
of  freemen,  but  also,  a  basis  on  which  some  political  aspirant 
may  erect  a  despotism  which  shall  crush  the  last  refuge  and 
hope  of  freedom. 

That  the  people  assembled  here,  disclaiming  all  party  consi- 
derations, pledge  themselves  as  citizens  of  our  common  coun- 
try, never  to  rejax  their  efforts,  until  the  supremacy  of  the  con- 
stitution arid  laws  shall  he  acknowledged,  and  the  protection  of 
the  government  secured,  in  support  of  a  sound  and  uniform  cur- 
rency, the  sinews  of  the  enterprise,  wealth  and  prosperity  of  a 
nation  of  freemen,  and  we  earnestly  entreat  the  independent 
yeomanry  of  the  country,  to  elect  honest  men  to  represent  them 
in  consress;  that  the  president  may  no  longer  be  able  to  veto 
the  passage  of  laws  enacted  for  the  promotion  of  the  general 
welfare. 

Bv  the  gold  and  silver  artificers,  w a tch  makers  and  other  branches 
of  the  trade. 

Resolved,  That  when  the  time  arrives  for  an  expression  of  nur 
opinions  by  the  ballot  box— that  we  here  declare  our  determina- 
tion to  support  no  individual  for  office  who  will  not  unite  with 
us  in  tearing  aside  the  flimsy  veil  which  conceals  the  "kitchen 
cabinet,"  and  expnse  them  in  nil  their  naked  deformity  to  the 
eyes  of  the  nation,  H5  objects  fit  only  for  the  scorn  and  contempt 
ol'mankind. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,  1834— BANK  OF  MARYLAND. 


By  the  cordvcainers. 

This  day.  22  years  ago,  was  the  great  earthquake  at  Carrac- 
cas,  and  the  meeting  tliis  afternoon  will  cause  a  great  earth- 
quake with  politicians  according  to  inn-rest,  therefore  resolved, 
that  we,  the  cordwainers  of  the  city  and  comity  ot'  Philadelphia, 
considering  the  name  of  democrat  .sub-United  lor  man  wor-hip- 
er,  or  going  the  whole  hog,  as  deviating  from  the  principles  of 
'93,  do  agree,  as  republicans,  to  support  piinciples  instead  of 
men,  and  shali  consider  this  day  as  tlie  beginning  of  the  second 
republican  era  of  this  country. 

U  was  resolved,  That  the  president  of  this  meeting  have  pow- 
er to  appoint  a  committee  of  correspondence. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  meeting  approve  of  the  delegates  chosen 
by  the  city  and  the  county  to  the  convention  to  be  held  in  llar- 
rUburgh,  on  the  20ih  of  May.  They  are  as  follows: 

for  tke  city— John  Sergeant,  John  M.  Scott.  John  S.  Riddle, 
Win.  M.  Meredith,  Daniel  Groves,  Joseph  R.  Ingersoll,  Silas 
VV.  Sexton,  Bernard  McCredy,  Joseph  Murray. 

far  the  county — Northern  Liberties — William  Wagner,  Jos. 
Smith.  Spring  Garden — David  VV'oelpper.  Southwark — Nathl. 
C.  Foster,  George  P.  Lillle.  Moyamcn-ing— T.  M.  Hubbell. 
Kensington — Win.  Filler.  Unincorporated  Northen  Liberties — 
Thomas  Roach.  Bristol  township— William  Wister.  Oxford 
township— Geo.  K.  Budd.  Moreland  township-Franklin  Comly. 

The  meeting  adjourned  after  giving  nine  cheers  for  the  con- 
stitution. UAMEL  GROVES,  jircM'rfcnt. 

Peter  A.  Browne,  esq.  delivered  an  impressive  speech  on 
presenting  the  resolutions. 

Samuel  Rush,  esq.  succeeded  Mr.  Browne,  and  in  an  impas- 
•ioned  address  of  great  pith,  kept  the  people  in  a  constant  good 
humor;  C.  J.  Jack,  esq.  followed.  The  resolutions  were  passed 
with  the  utmost  unanimity,  and  the  immense  multitude  began 
to  disperse  peaceably  10  their  homes  before  five  o'clock. 

On  leaving  the  yard,  the  several  processions  piled  their  ban- 
ners fancifully  before  Mr.  Dunne's  door, and  commenced  giving 
him  loudly  vociferated  cheers  at  the  rate  of  "three  times  three." 
This  brought  Mr.  D.  to  the  door,  and  he  addressed  them  for  a 
few  moments,  evidently  deeply  affected  by  their  enthusiasm. 
The  applause  which  followed  we  will  not  attempt  to  describe: 
it  has  made  an  impression  on  all  who  heard  it  which  death 
alone  can  obliterate,  and  which  should  encourage  statesmen  to 
pursue  the  honest  dictates  of  their  hearts. 

Much  credit  is  due  to  all  parties  engaged — the  marshals  of  the 
day,  who  appointed  places  for  the  trades,  &c.  were  so  active 
and  intelligent  as  to  prevent  all  confusion.  To  general  Prevost, 
the  chief  Marshal,  in  particular,  the  citizens  arc  greatly  indebt 
ed. 

The  stores  in  Chesnnt,  Market  and  the  adjacent  streets  were 
generally  closed — and  business  suspended. 

BANK  OF  MARYLAND. 
A  very  numtrnus  meeting  of  the  creditors  of  the  bank  of  Ma- 
ryland, was  held  at  the  Exchange,  at  four  o'clock  on  Friday, 
the  28lh  nil.  WILLIAM  PATTERSON,  esq.  was  called  to  the  chair, 
and  the  lion.  NICHOLAS  BRICE  appointed  secretary.  After  the 
object  of  the  meeting  had  been  explained,  judge  BRICE  submit- 
ted the  following  resolution,  which,  after  considerable  discus- 
sion, was  adopted: 

Retolvfd,  That  a  committee  of  fifteen  persons  he  appointed 
from  amongst  the  creditors,  with  full  power  and  authority  to 
devise  and  adopt  all  such  measures  as  in  their  judgment  shall 
be  found  necessnry  to  protect  and  advance  the  interest  of  said 
creditors,  ami  to  bring  the  affairs  of  the  said  bank  of  Maryland 
to  a  just  and  speedy  settlement  and  distribution  of  its  assets 
among  them;  and  that  said  committee  he  aiithnri-ed  to  fill  up 
vacancies  and  appoint  from  their  own  body  or  other  creditors  a 
sub-committee,  who  shall  act  in  all  matters  with  the  like  pow- 
ers as  are  above  conferred. 

A  motion  was  then  made  and  carried  that  the  committee 
should  he  appointed  by  the  chairman,  who  subsequently  ap- 
pointed the  following  gentlemen: 

Alexander  Fridge,  Jacob  Rogrrx. 

Col.  William   Sieuart,  George  MrCubliin, 

Thomas  Kelso,  U    \V.  Gill. 

Jacob  Albert,  Charles  C.  Harper. 

William  A.  Tucker,  Charles  Nicols, 

Frederick  Dawson,  Levin  Gale,  of  Cecil. 

Alexander  Brown,  Jere.  Nicolls,  of  Kent. 

Jonathan  Men-dim, 

[Messrs-.  McCuhhin  and  Xicol?  having  ih-elined  serving, 
Me-srs.  John  Johnson,  of  Annapolis,  and  George  \V.  Thomas, 
of  Kent,  were  appointed  in  their  .-te.-id.J 

At  \\\\-  stage  of  the  proceeding*,  the  f,, Mowing  communication 
from  THOMAS  r.t.t.icoTT.  i-sq.  nddrcs.-ed  t»  the  cliamnan  of  th 
meeting,  was  received  and  read: 

To  the  crc<litor*ofttit  hnnk  of  M<-ryl,in>J. 

The  recent  and  sudden  frloppApe  of  tlie  bank  of  Maryland, 
with  the  consequences  arising  from  lhat  event,  has  impo-ril 
upon  me  n-laln.ns  with  you  which  render  it  an  imperative  duly 
that  I  slKHiM.iu  the  e;lr|je..-t  period  possible,  give  you  all  the  in'- 
formation  m  my  pnwrr  concerning  the  funds  nixf  effect*  of  that 
corporation,  and  of  the  extent  of  in  debts-  ,-ind  liabilities  to  you, 
8«  ah.,  the  circumstance*  under  which  I  consented  tc. 
the  tru-tee. 

The  present  nutation  of  the  ir,,^t  property  will  all  he  prepar- 
ed and  laid  before  you  n<  early  a*  it  Miall  l,«  p.,^ib|p  for  Robeit 
Wilson,  esq.  cashier,  with  the  aid  of  as  many  ckrkg  ag  he  can 


employ  in  the  service,  to  make  an  accurate  statement  of  the 
condition  of  the  bank,  as  it  was  at  the  time  of  its  final  close  at 
three  o'clock,  P.  M.  on  the  22d  instant. 

On  the  same  day,  and  after  that  hour,  a  partial  view  of  the 
mount  of  the  debts  and  credits  of  the  hank  was  exhibited  to 
ne,  with  information,  lhat  unless  very  important  aid  was  ex- 
ended  to  it  in  coin,  at  its  opening  on  the  24th,  it  would  be  un- 
ible  to  sustain  its  credit  another  day.  This  annunciation  wag 
nade  to  me  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  whether  it  was  proba- 
ile  the  Union  hank  of  Maryland  would  consent  lo  extend  the 
equisiie  support  to  the  bank  of  Maryland.  I  stated  lhat  from 
ihe  viuws  I  then  had  of  ihe  subject,  lhat  it  would  not  only  be 
highly  improper  for  the  Union  bank,  or  for  any  other,  or  for  all 
of  the  other  banks  in  the  cily,  to  afford  the  aid  which  seemed 
absolutely  necessary  to  effect  the  ohjecl  of  sustaining  the  bank 
>f  Maryland  under  the  demands  to  which  it  was  then  liable, 
and  which  would,  from  every  appearance,  daily  and  hourly  aug- 
ment to  a  great  extent,  hut  that  it  would  be  highly  unjust  to  the 
trading  community  generally  loabsiracl  tlie  funds  from  the  other 
banks,  and  thereby  lessen  the  ability  of  such  banks  to  supply 
liu  necessary  and  proper  facilities  to  the  merchants  of  the  city 
n  the  ordinary  course  of  their  business:  That  under  this  eon~- 
^iciion,  I  could  nnt  give  any  reason  lo  hope  thai  the  object  so 
much  desired  could  be  accomplished  in  the  way  suggested. 
The  friends  of  the  bank  of  Maryland  then  decided  that  the  whole 
funds  and  effects  of  every  nature  and  kind  should  remain  in  the 
absolute  custody  and  care  of  the  cashier  of  the  hank,  beyond  the 
reach  of  any  other  person,  until  a  final  decision  should  be.  made, 
as  to  the  proper  course  to  be  pursued,  to  guard  and  protect, 
equally  and  ratealdy,  the  rights  and  interests  of  all  Ihe  creditors 
of  the  bank.  The  whole  of  the  property  of  the  bank  being  thus 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  gentleman  who  had  been  its  principal 
officer  for  thirty  or  forty  years,  and  in  whose  integrity  every  one 
had  justly  the  most  implicit  confidence,  time  was  taken  for  fur- 
ther deliberation  by  ihe.  president  and  directors  of  ihe  bank  of 
Marj  land.  This  resulted  in  the  conclusion  by  ihem  in  the  course 
of  the  succeeding  twenty  four  hours,  that  the  bank  could  not 
properly  be  opened  for  the  transaction  of  business  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  24th.*  and  that  it  was  necessary  that  a  deed  of  trust 
should  he  executed,  at  once,  of  all  the  corporate  funds  and  ef- 
fects for  the  equal  benefit  of  all  the  creditors,  for  the  purpose  of 
preventing  legal  impediments,  and  especially  of  guarding  against 
attachments  of  its  property  abroad  by  foreign  or  other  creditors. 

In  this  stage  of  the  business  I  was  applied  to,  lo  know  If  I 
would  accept  the  trust,  if  the  deed  were  made  to  me,  and  pro- 
vided it  subsequently  met  the  approbation  of  the  chief  officers 
of  the  other  hanks  in  the  city.  I  declined  giving  an  immediate 
answer,  but  slated  that  I  would  not  accept  the  trust  unless,  in 
the  first  place,  the  deed  were  made,  as  had  been  suggested  by 
the  directors,  without  giving  a  preference  to  anyone:  secondly, 
unless  it  was  so  drawn  that  t  could  place  the  collection  of  the 
chums-  in  the  hands  of  R.  Wilson,  e?q.  the  cashier,  as  well  as 
Ihe  adjustment  of  the  accounts  in  such  way  as  that  the  funds 
and  effects  should  never  come  into  my  hands,  so  as  lo  subject 
them  to  my  individual  control;  thirdly,  that  the  whole  power 
and  direction  as  to  the  mariner  in  which  the  trust  should  he  ex- 
ecuted should  be  directed  by  the  lion.  Stevenson  Archer  and  Ihe 
hon.  Thomas  Beale  Dorsey,  or  if  they  should  decline  to  act  in 
that  particular,  under  the  direction  of  such  person  or  persons  *a 
they  would  appoint  for  the  purpose;  and  fourthly,  unle-s,  as 
suggested  by  the  friends  of  the  bank,  my  acceptance  should 
meet  wnh  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the  principal  officer* 
of  the  banks  in  the  city  of  Baltimore. 

These  condition*  were  complied  with,  and  the  trust  is  now  in 
a  course  of  execution  under  the  ag<>ncy  of  R.  Wilson,  cashier 
and  will  continue  so  until  the  creditors",  whose  interest  it  is  th* 
duty  of  the  trusjee  to  protect,  shall  direct  otherwise.  In  the 
meantime,  they  may  he  assured  lhat  every  exertion  which  it  is 
possible  to  make,  shall  he  marie  to  place  before  them,  as  early 
as  practicable,  a  true  statement  of  the  situation  of  ihe  affairs  of 
the  bank  of  Maryland,  in  order  to  enable  them  to  decide  upon 
future  proceedings:  and  I  beg  them  alyo  to  be  assured  that  it  is 
my  anxious  desire  that  they  shall  select  some  suitable  gentle- 
man to  co-operate  with  me  in  the  execution  of  the  da  tics  of 
trustee  as  early  as  circumstances  will  permit. 

I  am  awan:  lhat  rumors  have  been  put  inlo  circulation,  hot 
by  whom  or  for  what  purpose  I  know  not,  thai  I  have  a  person- 
al interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  hank  of  Maryland,  or  that  I  are 
in  some  way  implicated  will)  the  institution,  or  with  its  presi- 
dent, and  I  deem  the  present  a  proper  occasion  to  say,  at  once 
lor  the  purpose  of  silencing  a  rumor  <x>  offensive,  under  existing 
circumstances,  to  my  feelings,  lhat  I  am  not  now,  nor  have  I 
ever  been  since  ihe  year  1MU  or  ISO:.,  interested  in  that  bank  to 
the  valuu  of  one  dollar,  cither  as  an  owner  of  slock,  or  a  bor- 
rower from  n,  an, I  thai  there  is  not  now  nor  ever  has  been  anr 
conneclion  in  trade  or  business  h,  twee,,  the  president  of  that 
hank  and  myself.  That  I  have  never  known  anv  thing  more 
oF  the  hiwlne««  and  transactions  of  that  bank  than  I  havekoown 
01  1,1:11  ofall  the  other  banks  in  Baltimore,  nor  even  as  much 

W«htl xcention  of  It*  applications  untie  president  and  di- 

rflCtnn  ..t  ih.-  Union  hank  ofMarylaml  for  occasional  facilities 
by  the  discount  "i  pnpei  within  the  laM  four  month*,  t.,  relieve 
il  from  temporary  pressures  for  coin.  lam  i 

THOMAS 

March  ^?l/i,  I-::i. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned. 


•The  23d  being  Sabbalh. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  £,  1834— LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW  YORK.         95 


To  the  creditors  of  the  bank  of  Maryland. 

The  committee  appointed  pursuant  to  a  resolution  adopted  at 
a  meeting  of  the  credjtorg  of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  held  at  the 
Exchange  on  Friday  last,  the  28th  ult.  beg  leave  to  report; 

That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  Maryland 
having  determined  to  suspend  the  operations  of  that  institution, 
executed  on  the  23d  of  March  an  assignment  of  all  tlie/cornornte 
property  in  trust  for  the  e.(|iirtl  benefit  of  the  creditor.*;  which, 
having  for  its  object  the  protection  of  the  effects  of  the  hank 
abroad  from  attachments,  was,  in  the  opinion  of  the  cnminiu.ee, 
a  proper  and  judicious  measure.  Looking,  however,  among 
other  considerations,  to  the  magnitude  of  the  trust  created  by 
that  assignment,  the  committee  deemed  it  proper  that  two  per- 
sons should  be  associated  as  co-trustees  with  Mr.  Thointi*  F.lli- 
cott;  and  after  due  de.liheration  with  regard  to  the  mode  of  their 
appointment,  passed  the  following  resolution: — 

"Refolved,  That  this  meeting  proceed  to  the  appointment  of 
a  trustee  to  be  associated  with  Thomas  Eilicott  in  the  affairs  of 
the  bank  of  Maryland,  and  that  Stevenson  Archer  and  Thomas 
B.  Dorsey  be  requested  to  select  another  trustee  to  act  with 
said  Eilicott  and  the  trustee  of  this  committee;  and  in  case  the 
gaid  Archer  and  Dorsey  differ  in  the  selection  of  a  trustee,  that 
they  have  power  to  call  in  a  third  person  to  decide  beuveen 
them." 

In  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  Messrs.  John  B.  Morri*  and 
Richard  W.  Gill  have  been  appointed  co-trustees  with  Mr. 
Thomas  Eilicott,  and  having  signified  their  acceptance,  will  en- 
ter upon  the  performance  of  their  duties  as  soon  as  practicable. 

This  committee  beg  leave  further  to  report,  that  previous  to 
the  appointment  of  these  two  gentlemen,  the  following  resolu- 
tions were  passed,  and  have  been  communicated  to  the  trus- 
tees:— 

"Resolved,  That  the  compensation  to  which  said  trustees 
shall  be  entitled  shall  he  fixed  from  time  to  time  as  the  trust 
progresses,  by  the  judges  of  Baltimore  county  court,  or  any  two 
of  them. 

"Resolved,  That  said  trustees  be  authorised  and  required  to 
deposite  the  moneys  of  the  hank  of  Maryland,  as  they  shall  lie 
received,  and  such  as  are  now  on  hand,  with  and  amongst  such 
of  the  creditor  chartered  banks  of  the  city,  in  proportion  to  their 
respective  claims,  as  shall  agree  to  pay  such  interest  on  all 
turns  so  deposited,  as  the  trustees  shall  think  proper. 

"Resolved,  That  Robert  Wilson,  esq.  cashier  of  the  hank  of 
Maryland,  be  recommended  to  the  trustees  as  a  suitable  assist- 
ant to  them  in  adjusting  the  affairs  of  the  institution." 

The  committee,  in  conclusion,  beg  leave  further  to  state  to 
the  creditors,  that  from  the  progress  which  they  understand  has 
already  been  made,  there  is  a  reasonable  prospect  that  the  af- 
fiiirs  of  the  bank  of  Maryland  will  be  brought  to  a  speedy  settle- 
ment. The  trustees  will,  no  doubt,  prepare  as  soon  as  possible 
a  statement  of  the  actual  condition  of  the  bank,  lobe  laid  before 
the  creditors  for  their  information. 

By  order  of  the  committee. 

ALEX.  BROWN,  chairman. 

CHARLES  C.  HARPER,  secretary. 

LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 

GOVERNOR'S  MESSAGE. 
Fellow  citizens  of  the  senate,  and  of  the  assembly: 

Since  my  communication  to  the  legislature  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  session,  the  unusual  derangement  of  the 
business  operations  of  the  community  has  been  such,  as  in  my 
judgment  to  render  it  the  duty  of  the  executive  to  call  your  at- 
tention to  the  subject. 

It  was  not  then  perceived  that  the  order  of  the  treasury  de- 
partment, directing  the  accruing  receipts  of  the  public  moneys 
to  be  deposited  in  the  local  banks  instead  of  the  hank  of  the  U. 
States,  could  essentially  interrupt  the  business  transactions  of 
the  community;  nor  is  it  now  supposed  that  any  necessary  con- 
nexion exists  between  that  act,  and  the  present  state  of  com- 
mercial embarassment. 

Although  it  was  known  thatthebank  of  the  United  States  had 
commenced  a  rapid  curtailment  of  its  del>t  (interior  to  the  ac- 
tion of  the  government  upon  the  deposites,  and  had  actually  re- 
duced it  more  than  four  millions  of  dollars  during  the  sixty  days 
previous  to  the  first  of  October,  when  the  order  of  the  secretary 
took  effect;  yet  as  the  government  had  directed  the  change  to 
be  made  in  a  manner  best  calculated  to  avoid  any  pressure 
upon  the  bank  or  injury  to  the  community,  it  was  not  rea- 
sonable to  suppose  that  the  occasion  would  have  been  seized 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  an  unnecessary  shock  to  business,  much 
less  of  exciting  a  causeless  panic.  Certain  it  is,  however,  that 
since  the  change  referred  to,  such  has  ln-en  the  attitude  assum 
ed  by  that  institution  in  regard  to  the  local  banks,  that  the  latter 
are  nimble  to  afford  to  the  community  those  assurances  o 
future  accommodations,  which  are  so  essentially  necessary  to 
inspire  confidence  among  business  men  in  entering  into  new 
engagements. 

The  partisans  of  that  institution,  and  certnin  presses  devotee 
to  its  recharter,  by  systematic  and  persevering  efforts  in  dis- 
seminating distrust  of  the  credit  of  our  moneyed  instiMitinns 
particularfy  those  of  this  state,  of  the  credit  of  individuals,  o 
the  resources  of  the  country,  and  its  ability  to  meet  the  crisi* 
and  by  endeavoring  to  fasten  public  opinion  upon  this  net  of  th( 
government  as  the  c.Mise  of  all  the  depression  which  has  been 
experienced,  as  well  as  that  which  is  daily  predicted  and  held  up 
to  the  pubtic  view  in  a  distorted  and  exaggerated  form;  hav 


ilso  produced  an  excitement  among  the  business  community. 
:alculated  essentially  to  aggravate  the  pressure,  and  proUng  ita 
ixistence. 

Looking  at  the  immense  wealth  and  resources  of  the  coun- 
ry— presenting  externally,  as  indicated  by  the  couree  of  cx- 
haiiLM  ,  an  appearance  of  prosperity  unknown  for  many  years 
ind  internally,  until  within  a  short  period,  the  same  favorable 
.ppearancc,  as  indicated  by  alnmdiiril  crops,  f;ur  piictn,  active 
iiercantile  and  manufacturing  operations;  it  iippi-ars  to  be  im- 
inssible  that  the.  existing  slate  of  things  should  have  sprung 
rom  a,  cause  so  inadequate  as  the  mere  FUbstiiution  of  one 
dace  for  another  as  the  depository  of  the  accruing  receipts  by 
lie  government. 

Although  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  effected  as  it  was  prog- 
icetively,  and  operating  upon  the  funds  in  hand,  not  by  with- 
drawing the  whole  suddenly,  hut  giadually,  as  (he  wants  of  the 
lovernment  required,  furnished  of  itself  no  sufficient  cause  for 
lie  results  which  in  point  of  lime  have  followed  it;  yet  it  is  said 
.hat  its  operation  has  been  to  derange  the  currency,  to  destroy 
lonfidenee,  and  thus  to  produce  the  present  embariassment. 

It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  much  of  the  pressure  upon  the 
noney  market  has  been  occasioned  by  the  destruction  of  confi- 
lence,  hut  it  is  not  easy  to  perceive  how  that  is  to  be  charged  aa 
he  necessary  consequence  of  the  action  of  the  government. 
It  is  the  consequence  of  the  attitude  assumed  by  the  bank  of 
;he  United  States  towards  other  banks— an  attitude  not  neces- 
sary, although  its  advocates  attempt  to  justify  it,  either  as  a 
ueasure  of  retaliation  upon  the  government,  or  for  the  purpose 
of  compelling  those  institutions  to  surrender  or  to  refuse  to  ac- 
cept the  public  deposites. 

Nor  is  it  easy  to  perceive  how  the  action  of  the  government 
should  of  necessity  derange  the  currency  or  the  commercial 
operations  of  the  country,  through  the  medium  of  domestic  ex- 
changes. The  ability  of  the  bank  to  conduct  all  ordinary  bu- 
siness, has  not  been  essentially  impaired,  and  its  amount  of 
discounted  bills  of  exchange  is  at  this  moment  as  large  or  about 
as  large  as  it  ever  has  been.  Whatever  inconveniences  may 
lave  resulted  from  its  refusal  latterly  to  furnish  draughts  at 
sight  between  its  different  offices  at  the  usual  rates,  (and  these 
inconveniences  undoubtedly  have  been  great),  would  seem, 
therefore,  to  he  of  its  own  creation,  or  the  result  of  that  posi- 
tion in  regard  to  the  other  banks  which  it  ban  chosen  to  assume. 

It  is  believed  that  the  principal  causes  of  the  present  embar- 
rassment have  no  essential  connexion  with  the  removal  of  the 
depovites. 

In  December,  1830,  the  bank  of  the  United  States  commenc- 
ed a  rapid  increase  of  its  loans  and  circulation,  and  continued 
augmenting  them  until  May,  1833,  having  within  that  period 
added  about  twenty-eight  millions  of  dollars  to  its  accommoda- 
tions to  the  public,  and  over  four  millions  to  its  notes  in  circu- 
lation. The  necessary  consequence  of  such  a  large  and  sudden 
increase  of  facilities  to  business  men,  was  to  encourage  a  cor- 
responding liberality  on  the  part  of  the  local  banks,  over  action 
in  trade,  and  to  stimulate  to  excess  the  industry  and  enterprise  of 
the  country.  At  all  events,  since  that  period,  foreign  commercial 
operations,  domestic  trade  and  manufactures,  speculations  in 
stocks,  lands  and  produce,  have  been  carried  on  to  an  extent 
and  upon  a  scale  before  entirely  unknown. 

The  policy  of  contraction  on  the  part  of  the  hank,  which  im- 
mediately followed  this  unexampled  expansion,  bad  scarcely 
been  commenced  when  the  tariff  law  of  July,  1832,  went  into 
effect,  the  operation  of  which,  with  its  subsequent  modification, 
was  well  calculated  to  develope  the  injurious  consequences  of 
the  overtrading  which  had  preceded. 

Under  the  former  law,  duties  to  the  amount  of  about  fifteen 
millions  annually,  accrued  upon  imports  at  the  port  of  N.  York, 
the  payment  of  which  was  secured  by  bonds  payable  at  different 
periods,  some  as  Ions:  as  eighteen  months.  As  the  merchandise 
was  generally  sold  by  the  importer,  soon  after  the  execution  of 
his  bond  for  the  duties,  it  is  obvious  that,  the  credit  afforded  by 
the  government,  was  to  him  equivalent  to  so  mm  h  capital  until 
the  time,  ol  payment  should  arrive.  Before  this  time  a  fresh 
importation  ennhled  him  to  create  a  new  credit,  and  thus  a  very 
large  amount  of  capital  was  constantly  in  use  among  those  en- 
gaged in  commercial  pursuits. 

The  law  of  July,  183*3,  considerably  reduced  the  amount  of 
duties,  while  tliat  of  183.'i,  operated  still  further  to  diminish  the 
capital  of  the  importer  thus  derived  from  government  credits, 
by  admitting  many  new  articles  to  the  free  list,  by  shortening 
the  bonds  in  some  case*,  and  by  substituting  cash  payments  on 
innny  articles  subject  to  duty. 

This  law  took  effect  on  tlie  fourth  of  March,  1833,  and  during 
the  past  year  the  bonds  of  the  preceding  have  been  fnllius  due, 
while  the  shortened  bonds  and  cash  duties  have  created  an  ad- 
ditional demand  for  money,  thus  casting  upon  the  importer  the 
burthen  of  repaying  the  capital  formerly  loaned  to  him  by  the 
government,  and  also  of  paying  the  cash  duties  required  upon 
his  recent  imputations,  if  h:is  been  estimated  that  the  effect 
of  this  iaw  has  been  equivalent  to  the  withdrawal  from  cnm- 
mercial  investments  of  from  twelve  to  thirteen  millions  of  ca- 
pital. 

The  depressed  rate  of  forei«n  exchanse  nlso.  although  an  in- 
dication favorable  to  the  general  condition  of  the  country,  has  it 
is  understood,  prevented  the  drawing  ot  considerable  sums  of 
money  from  Europe,  the  proceeds  of  produce  as  well  as  of 
stocks  sold  abroad. 

There  causes,  tngcthnr  with  the  rapid  enrfiilmcnt  of  its  debt 
by  the  United  States  bank,  between  the  1st  days  of  August  and 


96        NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  5,  1834— LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


December,  amounting  to  nearly  ten  millions  of  dollars,  and  a 
operating  upon  a  state  of  trade  unusually  and  extravagantly  e 
tended,  are  supposed  to  be  sufficient  to  account  for  most  of  t 
distress  hitherto  experienced. 

The  severity  of  the  pressure  in  New  York,  has  undoubted 
bee«  very  much  mitigated,  by  placing  the  public  deposiles 
the  local  banks,  which  have  thereby  been  enabled  to  discoun 
•and  have  actually  discounted  upwards  of  four  millions  mo 
than  they  otherwise  could  have  done.  . 

And  as  the  charter  was  soon  to  expire,  and  the  bank  had  a 
tually  commenced  its  curtailments  some  time  previous  to  tl 
action  of  the  government,  that  action  would  seem  to  have  bee 
indispensably  necessary  lor  the  protection  of  the  public,  so  f 
as  the  funds  of  the  government  would  afford  the  means.  Th 
measure,  however,  which  as  we  have  seen,  involved  no  n 
cessary  destruction  of  individual  confidence  or  credit,  no  nece 
sary  derangement  of  ordinary  commercial  operations,  much  le 
any  necessity  for  the  panic  which  has  followed,  has  furnished 
the  bank  the  pretext  for  placing  itself  in  a  new  and  menaci 
attilude,  and  to  its  partisans  the  occasion  of  wantonly  sporlin 
with  the  fears  of  the  timid,  the  standing  of  the  weak,  the  stabi 
ty  of  the  currency,  and  the  credit  of  our  moneyed  institution 
This  corporation,  brought  into  existence  for  the  purpose 
subserving  the  general  good,  (if  for  any  justifiable  purpose 
seems  to  be  bending  the  whole  of  its  prodigious  energies  lowan 
compelling  the  people,  by  force  of  pecuniary  suffering,  to  a 
knowledge  the  ritcessiy  of  its  recharter. 

Our  constituents  have  distinctly  expressed  their  unbiasse 
judgment  upon  the  question  of  recharter;  and  I  cannot  dou 
that  they  possess  sufficient  patriotism  to  meet  any  crisis,  whic 
the  controversy  may  produce,  and  that  in  the  maintenance  c 
principles  of  vital  importance  to  themselves  and  to  posterity 
they  will  be  ready  to  endure  any  pecuniary  privation,  rathe 
than  submit  to  the  dictation  of  a  great  moneyed  power. 

From  recent  debates  in  the  national  legislature;  from  the  ton 
of  the  presses  which  advocate  the  cause  of  the  bank;  from  th 
language  of  public  meetings;  from  the  organizations  of  party;  an 
from  other  indications  loo  plain  to  be  mistaken,  the  efforts  o 
the  part  of  the  bank  seem  to  be  direcied  especially  against  th 
moneyed  institutions  and  the  business  relations  of  the  state  o 
New  York.  Under  such  circumstances,  I  deem  it  the  impera 
live  duty  of  the  slate,  to  put  forth  its  energies  to  aid  these  in 
stilulions  in  the  struggle,  and  to  protect  its  citizens  from  op 
pre<sion.  Connected  as  these  institutions  are,  with  the  indus 
try  and  prosperity  of  the  stale,  all  classes  of  our  constituent* 
whether  agricultural,  mercantile  or  manufacturing  are  equal! 
interested  in  their  welfare. 

I  am  furnished  by  the  bank  commissioners,  with  a  statemen 
of  the  condition  of  the  banks  subject  to  their  supervision  on  the 
fourth  of  Mareh  instant,  by  which  it  appears  that  their  circula 
lion  had  been  diminished  since  the  first  day  of  January  last 
more  than  three  millions  of  dollars;  and  that  the  country  in 
stitutious,  or  ihose  located  out  of  in?  cities  of  New  York  am 
Albany,  while  they  had  reduced  their  loans  and  discounts  onl; 
about  $600,000,  had  reduced  their  circulation  aboul  two  rnilloii 
ofdollars.  The  entire  resources  of  the  counlry  banks  on  the  4ll 
of  March,  excluding  the  bank  fund,  amounted  to  $21,984,000 
and  their  entire  liabilities  to  $12,462,000.  Notwithstanding  the 
redemption  belween  those  dates,  of  aboul  two  millions  of  their 
paper,  the  reduction  of  the  specie  was  less  than  $25,000:  am 
their  immediate  means  of  redemplion,  consisting  of  specie  a 
home  and  funds  on  deposile  in  Albany  and  New  York,  subjec 
to  be  drawn  at  sight,  amounted  to  more  than  thirty  five  per 
cent,  of  their  whole  circulation. 

80  far,  therefore,  as  the  banks  themselves  are  concerned,  I 
entertain  not  the  slightest  doubt,  either  of  their  presenter  future 
ability  to  meet  any  crisis  that  can  occur;  but  under  a  state  01 
things  which  may  be  imagined,  a  proper  regard  for  their  own 
safety,  may  put  it  out  of  their  power  to  afford  those  accom- 
modations to  the  public,  which  its  interests  may  require. 

The  bank  of  the  United  States  has  recently  declared  its  in- 
tention to  continue  its  curtailments,  but  in  what  ratio  we  know 
not.  It  probably  has  due  to  it  in  this  stale  about  seven  mil- 
lions; and  what  portion  of  this  amount  our  citizens  may  be  call- 
ed upon  to  pay  before  the  next  session  of  the  legislature,  cannot 
now  be  determined.  If  this  amount  shall  be  called  in  rapidly, 
our  hanks  must  necessarily  strengthen  themselves  by  calling  in 
a  portion  of  their  debt;  and  thus  it  will  be  in  the  power  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  Stales,  if  il  should  have  ihe  disposiiion,  to 
occasion  serious  embarrassment  to  all  classes  of  the  community, 
unless  the  legislature  make  some  suitable  provision  to  guard 
against  such  a  result. 

It  has  been  suggested  to  me  by  several  intelligent  and  practi- 
cal gentlemen  from  the  city  of  New  York,  for  whom  and  for 
whose  opinion  I  entertain  the  highest  respect,  and  who,  I  am 
•ure,  were  governed  by  no  motives  of  individual  interest  in  the 
matter,  that  the  establishment  of  a  large  banking  institution  in 
that  city  was  called  for  at  the  present  lime.  A  capilal  of  eight  or 
ten  millions  was  mentioned:  and  it  was  proposed  that  the  state 
should  take  one  half,  and  pay  for  it  by  a  state  stock,  bearing  an 
interest  of  four  or  five  per  cent,  redeemable  at  the  expiration  of 
the  charier;  the  balance  of  stock  lo  be  distributed  by  commis- 
sioners to  be  appointed  by  the  governor  and  senate,  or  in  such 
other  manner  as  should  be  thought  best;  thr  stale  to  appoint  its 
•bare  of  directors;  the  rate  of  discount  to  be  fixed  at  six  percent, 
and  if  detmod  proper,  the  surplus  profits  over  six  or  seven  per 
eent.  P«r  annum  fo  be  paid  into  the  state  treasury;  the  institu- 
tion t«  i«»»e  no  notes  under  twenty  dollars,  and"  in  other  re- 


spects  to  be  made  subject  to  the  general  laws  of  the  state,  re- 
serving to  the  legislature  the  usual  right  to  modify  or  repeal  the 
charter. 

It  was  urged  that  the  stock  issued  by  the  state  might  readily 
be  disposed  of  in  Europe  for  specie,  and  that  such  a  charier 
would  furnish  a  sufficient  inducement  to  insure  the  necessary 
subscriptions  for  the  residue  of  the  capital;  that  such  an  insti- 
tution would  be  able  to  take  the  debt  now  due  to  the  United 
States' bank  in  this  state,  whenever  it  should  be  called  in;  to 
furnish  the  requisite  facilities  lo  the  commercial  interests  of  the 
city  of  New  York  in  the  discount  and  collection  of  domestic 
exchange;  lo  acquire  a  character  in  Europe  which  would  ena- 
ble it  to  sustain  mercantile  credit  in  limes  of  revulsion  in  irade; 
and,  in  short,  to  exercise  a  healthful  influence  over  all  the  di- 
versified interesls  of  that  great  city,  and  consequently  over 
every  branch  of  industry  throughout  the  state. 

Although  many  of  the  advantages  anticipaled  from  an  insti- 
tution of  such  a  character,  might  and  probably  would  be  realiz- 
ed, there  are,  nevertheless,  objections  to  this  proposition,  of  se- 
rious if  nol  preponderating  weight.  It  is  deemed  by  many  to 
be  objectionable  in  principle  for  any  government  to  engage  in 
the  ordinary  pursuits  of  individual  enterprise.  Such  an  institu- 
tion, possessing  ample  powers  over  the  currency  of  the  state, 
which,  properly  directed,  might  be  productive  of  salutary  effects, 
might  also,  by  a  misdirection  of  ils  efforts,  be  equally  capable 
of  producing  serious  and  exiensive  injury.  It  might  in  its  ad- 
ministration be  subject  to  ihe  fluctuations  of  political  power, 
and  thereby  be  in  danger  of  becoming  an  engine  wielded  to  sub- 
serve the  interests  of  a  party.  It  might,  by  Ihe  acquisition  of 
political  influence,  paralyze  the  controlling  power  reserved  to 
the  legislature;  it  might,  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  this  influ- 
ence, openly  take  the  field  of  party  politics,  and  exhibit  the  dis- 
gusting spectacle,  wilh  which  we  are  already  too  familiar,  of  a 
large  moneyed  corporation  arrayed  in  political  opposition  to  the 
government  of  the  country. 

Unless,  therefore,  such  an  institution,  or  one  of  a  somewhat 
similar  character,  should  be  found  indispensably  necessary  to 
enable  us  to  counteract  a  greater  evil,  I  should  be  unwilling  t» 
liazard  so  dangerous  an  experiment. 

It  has  occurred  to  me,  that  a  remedy,  as  well  for  the  existing 
evil,  as  for  the  inconvenience  which  may  in  any  event  resuU 
rrom  the  withdrawal  of  the  capilal  now  employed  by  ihe  bank 
n  this  state,  may  be  provided,  by  the  issue  of  a  state  stock,  if 
lecessary.  to  the  amount  of  four  or  five  millions  of  dollars,  and 
by  increasing  the  ability  of  the  banks  in  the  cily  of  New  York 
with  loans  of  this  stock,  in  such  manner  as  wouM  be  perfectly 
safe  to  the  stale,  and  at  the  same  time  enable  them  to  extend 
heir  accommodations  so  as  to  supply  the  amount  of  capital  to 
>e  withdrawn  by  the  branch  in  that  cily.  It  rs  due  to  Ihe  eily 
>anks  to  say,  that  this  suggestion  does  net  proceed  from  them; 
hey  have  thus  far  sustained  themselves  with  creditable  abUily, 
and  feel  a  perfecl  confidence  in  iheir  resources  to  do- so  under 
any  emergency  that  may  happen;  hut  Ihe  suggestion  is  intended 
or  the  relief  of  the  whole  community,  by  sustaining  the  markets 
or  our  agricultural  and  manufactured  productions,. and  giving 
activity  and  vigor  to  commercial  enlerprise. 

Should  this  measure  be  adopted,  the  necessity  will  at  once  be 

jerceived  of  imposing  npon  certain  persons  to  be  designated  by 

he  legislature,  ihe  power  and  responsibility  of  carrying  it  into 

ffect.    Ample  provision  should  be  made  to  secure  the  regular 

jayment  of  interest,  and  the  ultimate  redemption  of  the  stock 

y  the  hanks  to  which  the  loans  may  be  made,  so  that  the  stats 

vill  neither  be  subject  to  inconvenience,  nor  incur  any  respon>- 

ibility  beyond  the  loan  of  its  credit  lo  stable  and  well  conduct- 

d  institutions.     It  may  also  be  necessary  to  provide,  that  rtur- 

ig  the  continuance  of  the  loans  to  the  banks,  they  shall  possess 

ic  power  of  discounting  upon  them  as  upon  so  much  addition- 

I  capital,  without  allowing  them  to  extend  their  circulation 

Beyond  the  limits  now  prescribed  by  law.    The  banks  in  New 

'ork,  from  their  position,  must  necessarily  meet  nnd  sustain 

ic  first  shock  of  any  pressure  upon  the  money  market,  and  by 

trengthening  them  therefore,  we  aid  every  branch  of  industry 

iroughout  the  state.    A  depression  in  the  city  necessarily  af- 

ects  prices  in  the  country,  and  operates  to  the  injury  of  the 

gricultural,  as  well  as  tlie  manufacturing  and  mercantile  in- 

erests  of  the  whole  state.     Should  it  l»e  deemed  advisable,  a 

Dorlion  of  this  stock  might  be  disposed  of,  and  ihe  avails  loaned 

n  the  different  counties  of  the  state  through  the  agency  of  the 

ounty  loan  officers,  as  has  heretofore  been  done  on  several  oc- 

asions,  to  the  great  relief  of  the  community. 

It  is  not  doubted  that  the  state,  by  the  loan  of  its  credit  in- 

ome  such  manner,  may,  without  incurring  any  loss  or  inron- 

nience,  do  much  to  sustain  the  great  interests  of  the  people, 

the  necessity  for  it  should  arise;  and  I  cannot  entertain  thr> 

ightest  doubt  lhal  the  measure  would  meet  with  their  cordial 

•probation. 

ing  perfectly  sntisfled,  that  the  energies  and  resources  of 
is  state,  xvill  enable  it  to  bear  up  against  any  temporary  «V- 
ession  of  business  which  can  be  anticipated;  that  in  this"de.«- 
erate  striiircle  by  n  great  moneyed  power  to  perpetuate  its  own 
istence  by  the  force  of  its  pressure  upon  the  community,  lh« 
triotism  of  the  people  will  he  found  10  rise,  regardless  of  inerf 
cnniary  sacrifices;  and  thai  il  ia  ihe  duty  of  the  state  to  stand 
"Ih  in  its  strength,  nnd  by  the  use  of  its  credit  and  the  s.inc- 
>n  of  its  name,  to  shield  its  institutions  and  its  citizens  from 
rm;-I  commit  the  entire  subject  to  your  deliberate  oonsMprn- 
>"•  W.  I,.  MARCY. 

Albany,  .VrrrrA  23,  1834. 


IVILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  7— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  APRIL  12,  1834.    [VoL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,177. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT — FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED   AND    PUBLISHED    BY    H.  NILES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PAYABLE    IN   ADVANCE. 


tos  given  are  calculated  to  make  erroneous  impre 
on  the  minds  of  the  people. 


The  present  sheet  contains  important  notices  of  th 
proceedings  of  the  house  of  representatives,  in  relatio 
to  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  They  are  not,  how 
ever,  final;  though  strongly  indicative  of  what  may  h 
expected  when  other  questions  on  the  same  subject  shai 
be  raised. 

The  resolutions  attached  to  the  report  of  the  commit 
tee  of  ways  and  means,  were  ingeniously  prepared.     Th 
leading — and,  indeed,  as  we  esteem  it,  the  only  questio 
that  naturally  offered  itself  for  presentation,  was  the  ex 
press! on  of  an  opinion  on  the  sufficiency  of  the  reason 
of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  for  the  removal  of  the 
public  deposites.     But  this  was  rather  evaded  than  de- 
cided, unless  indirectly;  and,  mixed  up  with  other  things 
the  votes  given  are  calculated  to  make  erroneous  impres- 
sions on 

A  call  for  the  previous  question  being  seconded  am 
enforced,  116  to  107,  the  pending  amendments  were  cut- 
off, and  others  were  not  admissible.  1'hat  tins  forcing 
of  the  question,  and  on  the  day  that  it  was  forced,  had 
been  agreed  upon,  seems  undoubted — for  the  result  con- 
summated, it  was  freely  said,  in  advance,  would  be  at- 
tempted. Several  of  the  members,  however,  were  not 
in  the  secret— and  so  missed  an  opportunity  to  record 
their  votes. 

The  main  question,  "that  the  public  deposites  ought 
not  to  be  restored"  was  decided  in  the  affirmative,  118  to 
103 — as  will  be  seen  in  a  subsequent  page.  Those  con- 
cerning the  recharter  of  the  bank,  and  the  appointment 
of  a  committee  to  investigate  its  proceedings,  &c.  do  not 
settle  any  thing.  There  are  several  against  the  rechar- 
ter who  would  vote  for  the  bank,  or  a  bank,  with  a  mo- 
dified charter;  but  the  naked  question  was  presented 
as  to  a  renewal  of  the  present  charter,  and,  explanations 
not  being  permitted,  they  were  compelled  to  vote 
against  it. 

The  main  question  was  decided  on  party  grounds. 
The  distinguished  member  from  New  York,  Mr.  Law- 
rence, the  candidate  of  the  party  for  mayor  of  that  city, 
has  said,  as  we  see  it  published  in  the  papers — 

"The  motion  to  return  the  depo&ites  is  justly  considered  an 
attack  upon  the  president,  and  it  is  resisted  on  that  account!" 

And  we  have  hardly  yet  met  with  an  intelligent  mem- 
ber of  the  party,  however  much  opposed  to  the  bank, 
from  constitutional  principles  or  otherwise,  who  has  not 
admitted  that  the  removal  of  the  deposites  was  wrong; 
but  most  of  them  said,  "the  president  must  be  support- 
ed!" We  shall  recur  to  these  matters  at  a  future  day. 

The  question  on  the  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  old 
bank  of  the  United  States  was  made  a.  parly  one  by  the 
"democrats  of  '98,"  because  of  a  very  generally  enter- 
tained belief,  (whether  well  or  ill  founded  it  is  not  worth 
while  to  inquire),  that  it  granted  or  refused  its  accom- 
modations to  individuals  in  proportion  to  their  zeal  for 
or  against  the  "federal"  party.  Stick  was  the  general 


this  weighty  question!  How  was  it  in  "democratic" 
Pennsylvania  less  than  two  years  ago?  Every  body  was 
in  favor  of  the  bank!  How  with  gov.  fPolftome  months 
ago.'  The  bank  had  not  a  better  friend  thiinhewas! 
And  so  we  might  go  on  for  an  hour — but  it  is  uniK-i-essa- 
ry.  It  is  president  Jackson  who  has  caused  (he  results  on 
the  bank  questions  to  be  made  thro'  the  force  of  political 
parly.  The  bank,  admitting  all  that  is  said  to  be  true, 
has  not,  in  our  opinion,  expended  so  much  money  in  de- 
fending herself,  as  has  been  expended  at  the  late  election 
held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  alone,  by  persons  holding 
offices  there,  that  the  "spoils  of  victor/"  may  be  and  re- 
main with  them. 

The  question  even  concerning  the  renewal  of  the  char- 
ter of  the  bank,  was  not  made  a  party  one,  until  forced 
!iy  the  president's  veto.  The  bill  to  renew  it  passed  the 
louse  of  ..-.-. 


any 


belief.  But  until  the  assault  of  the  president  of  the 
United  States  on  the  present  bank,  who  ever  suspected 
that  it  meddled  in  polities'1  Did  not  Mr.  Van  Buren, 
vice  president,  even  so  late  as  1820,  with  Mr.  Sutler, 
the  present  attorney-general  of  the  United  States,  Mr. 
Marcy,  the  present  governor  of  New  York,  and  others 
of  the  highest  class  of  present  politicians,  earnestly  en- 
treat the  bank  to  establish  a  branch  at  Albany?  Would 
they  have  asked  the  location  of  a  "monster"  in  the  midst 
of  them?  Had  it  ever  been  said  that  political  party  in- 
fluenced the  appointment  of  directors  of  the  bank,  or  its 
offices?  Was  not  the  generally  acting  president  of  the 
bank,  in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Biddle,  until  lately  a  "Jack- 
son man'"  Are  there  not  "Jackson  men"  even  yet  in 
all  the  offices?  Indeed  we  are  informed  that,  in  several 
of  them,  a  majority  were  "Jackson  men,"  at  the  time  of 
their  nppointment,  and  perhaps,  vet  remain  so,  except  ou 
VOL.  XLVI-Sio.  7. 


of  representatives  on  the  3d  July,  1832,  107  to  85, 
of  the  most  sturdy  and  "entire"  friends  of  the  pre- 
sident voting  for  it,  having  passed  the  senate  on  the  llth 
of  the  preceding  month  28  to  20,  Messrs.  Dal/as,  Wil- 
kins,  &c.  in  the  affirmative.  In  both  houses  there  were 
arge  "Jackson"  majorities.  The  veto,  however,  came, 
the  act  of  one  man  against  such  decided  votes  in  both 
louses),  on  the  lOth  July — and  then,  ./or  the  first  time,  did 
he  affairs  of  the  bank  begin  to  assume  a  political  charat- 
er,  so  far  as  the  "Jackson"  or  "anti-Jackson  parties" 
a'ere  concerned.  And  in  further  proof,  yet,  even  yet, 
Messrs.  Dallas  and  Wilkins  voted  to  pass  the  bank  bill, 
lie  veto  of  the  president  notwithstanding,  though  as 
loroiigh-party  men  as  any  in  congress,  in  pursuance  of 
ic  almost  unanimous  instructions  of  both  branches  of 
"democratic"  legislature  of  Pennsylvania!  And  it 
•ill  be  recollected,  that,  only  about  thirteen  months  ago, 
nd  in  1833,  the  house  rejected  a  proposition  to  sell  the 
lock,  and  declared  that  it  was  a  safe  depository  of  the 
ublic  money — which,  however,  was  withdrawn  by  the 
resident,  six  or  seven  months  afterwards — to  wit,  oh  the 
st  October,  1833. 

The  "experiment"  gathers  strength  as  it  proceeds — 
distress  is  heaped  on  distress,  loss  upon  loss,  and  bank- 
ruptcy on  bankruptcy — without  one  ray  of  hope  to  cheer 
a  suffering  people,  unless,  in  the  majesty  of  their  own 
strength,  they  shall  arise  and  arrest  the  downward  course 
of  things.  We  have  advices  of  the  stopping  of  many  ad- 
ditional factories,  of  the  discharge  of  many  working'peo- 
ple  in  numerous  employments,  and  of  a  daily  increasing 
pressure  for  money — though  much  specie  is  now  being 
imported,  at  n  ruinous  rate,  and  in  sacrifices  of  property 
that  will  not  be  easily  recovered;  and  yet  this  specie 
seems  as  if  it  served  only  personal  purposes — not  re- 
lievingthe  general  want  of  money,  because  of  the  general 
want  of  confidence.  A  severely  reduced  business  and 
the  ruin  of  business-men,  with  the  non-employment  of 
the  laboring  classes,  is,  certainly,  reducing  the  demand 
for  money  on  business  paper  at  the  banks — but  what  are 
to  be  the  effects  of  such  reductions?  Let  reflecting  men 
think  of  them ! 

Evil  reports  are  started  as  to  the  condition  of  many  of 
the  banks  in  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  &c.  and  runs  have 
been  made  upon  them,  without  reasonable  cause.  But 
the  Washington  city  papers  have  the  following  official 
announcement  of  the  failure  of  another  bank.  The  effect 
is,  that  the  notes  of  all  the  District  banks  are  refused  in 
this  cityr,  for  the  present. 

The  bank  of  Washington  announces  to  the  public  its  inability 
to  continue,  for  the  present,  specie  payments.  In  adopting  this 
necessitous  and  unpleasant  course,  the  directors  confidently 
assert,  thut  the  affairs  of  the  institution  are  safe,  and  capable  to 
meet  all  its  engagements.  Under  the  genera!  distrust  which 
prevails,  the  hank  is  reluctantly  compelled  to  declare  its  inabi- 
lity longer  to  discharge  its  engagements,  for  the  present,  in  gold 
and  silver.  It  will  proceed  to  collect  its  means  as  fast  as  the 
times  will  authoiisf ,  and  fairly  and  fully  pay  all  its  creditors; 


-LKS'   KEG ISTEK—  APRIL  12,  1831— MISCELLANEOUS. 


mid  in  this,  entire  confidence  may  he  reposed.     By  the  unani 
innu*  order  of  the  board,  K.  C.  WEIGHTMAN,  cashier. 

April  11,  1834. 

We  have  always  understood  tliat  this  bank  was  pru- 
dently managed  —  but  banks  are  like  individuals.  Nei- 
ther property  nor  credit  uvails  much,  in  this  season  of 
pressure;  and  many  that  could  have  paid  iheir  debts  ten 
dollars  for  one,  a  year  ago,  are  now  hard  put  to  it  to  pay 
them  at  all. 


following  article  was  (in-pared  for  la^t  week's  RE- 
GISTER —  Iml  deferred  for  want  of  room. 

It  is  a  great  misfortune  that  the  question  as  to  a  resto- 
ration ot  the  public  deposited  was  suffered  to  run  into 
that  concerning  a  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  present 
bank  of  thu  United  States.  It  was  not  the  will  of  the 
friends  of  a  national  hank  that  it  should  have  been  so; 
but  the  other  party,  in  pursuit  of  its  original  design  to 
destroy  the  present  bank,  with  a  general  view,  perhaps, 
to  the  establishment  of  a  political  one,  forced  the  con- 
nexion, and  (he  removal  of  the  deposites,  by  the  presi- 
dent, rallied  this  parly,  and  pushed  it  into  action  against 
1  1  ii  currency  of  the  country.  And  if  this  shall  not  prove 
sufficient,  the  power  of  the  veto  is  held  in  reserve! 

Some  gentlemen  have  said  that  a  restoration  of  the  de- 
posites, without  a  renewal,  or  extension,  of  the  charter 
of  the  bank,  would  do  no  good.  With  certain  of  these 
we  feel  great  delicacy  in  dissenting  —  but  still  must  dis- 
sent. A  simple  restoration  of  the  deposites  might  not 
much,  if  anj-,  relieve  the  pressure  on  the  money  market 
hy  enabling  the  bank  to  discount  more  freely  —  but,  serv- 
ing as  a  pledge  that  the  bank  would  not  be  disturbed  in 
its  rightful  and  necessary  operations,  though  a  resolution 
be  manifest  that  it  shall  die  a  natural  death  at  the  expi- 
ration of  the  term  of  its  charter,  the  bank  will  calculate 
her  means  and  freely  use  them,  with  greater  safety  to  her- 
self, ami  the  great  effect  be  a  restoration  of  PUBLIC  CONFI- 
DENCE, whiclx  would  relieve  the  present  sudden  and  se- 
vere pressure,  and  enable  persons  in  business,  also,  to 
make  calculations  on  their  means,  with  a  view  to  a  libe- 
ral use  of  them  for  the  time  being,  and  a  gradual  gather- 
ing-in  of  them  as  future  circumstances  should  indicate 
the  necessity  of  doing.  But,  without  such  restoration,  the 
war,  as  it  may  well  be  called,  of  "the  government" 
against  the  bank,  by  compelling  the  bank  to  defend  her- 
self, and  each  of  her  branches,  (not  knowing  where  an 
assault  may  be  made),  so  acts  and  must  act,  for  self-pre- 
servation, as  to  forbid  full  confidence  in  money  transac- 
tions, until,  perhaps,  the  last  year  in  which  it  will  be  per- 
mitted to  do  business  in  winding  up  its  concerns;  and  we 
see  no  possible  way  in  which  this  state  of  things  can  he 
speedily  and  safely  changed,  in  the  relations  at  present 
existing  bet  ween  (he  government  and  the  bank:  for  those 
causes  which  forbid  the  free  operations  of  the  bank  of 
the  United  States,  affect  all  the  state  hanks  in  the  same 
manner  —  and  the  possessor  of  the  best  paper  which  can 
be  made  has  no  certainty  that  he  can  obtain  an  accommo- 
dation upon  it,  as  heretofore.  And  although  it  is  the 
fashion  to  accuse  the  bank  of  the  U.  States  of  causing 
the  pressure,  though  as  we  have  said  in  another  place, 
the  line  of  its  discounts  has  not  been  so  much  reduced  as 
the  line  of  its  deposites,  since  October  last*—-  the  truth  is, 
that  the  state  banks,  in  general,  and  other  money-lend- 
ing institutions,  have  reduced  their  discounts  at  a  more 
rapid  rate.  And  in  gov.  J\larcytf  late  message  it  is 
stated  that  the  67  banks  in  New  York,  under  charge  ol 
the  commissioners  of  the  safety  fund,  have  reduced  theii 
circulation  three  millions,  since  the  1st  of  January  last!  — 
but  the  circulation  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  is 
greater  now  than  it  was  in  October. 

The  action  of  "the  government"  against  the  bank  be- 
gan in  the  president's  message  to  congress  of  7th  Dec. 


'Loans,  Oct.  1,  1833,  (50,094,20-J 

April  1,  1834,  54,806,817 


Reduction  of  loan?,  95,287,386 

Dupoiitci,  Oct.  I,  1833,    public, 
private, 


9,833,43: 
8,008,86:; 


««         April  1,183  4, 


deduction  of  depoilte*, 


public, 
private, 


17,877,29 
3,932,86tf 
7,160,223 
10,099,0<J4 


$7,778/203 


1829.  It  was  even  then  thought  by  him  the  time  had  ar- 
rived when  a  winding-up  of  its  affairs  should  be  looked 
to — and  yet  the  bank  is  blamed  for  the  pressure,  became 
of  a  present  curtailment  of  its  discounts  at  a  less  rate  than 
ike  curtailment  of  its  deposites!  What  can  be  done  by 
the  bank  to  appease  its  enemies!  There  is  no  pleasing— 
either  by  discounting  freely, or  in  withholding  discounts! 
It  was  said  to  be  an  unsafe  depository  of  the  public  mo- 
ney, and  is  yet  charged,  on  high  authority,  with  having 
an  ability  to  relieve  the  money  market,  and  of  lefusing 
to  do  it ! 

Such  wretched  inconsistencies  in  times  of  less  excite- 
ment than  the  present,  would  cause  one  to  suspect  the 
sanity  of  those  who  are  guilty  of  them.  Yesterday,  the 
bank  was  "«  reptile  to  be  crushed  at  will" — to  day,  it  is  a 
''monster,"  and  its  president  the  "money-king."' 

But  this  is  manifest,  that,  without  a  restoration  of  the 
public  deposites,  and  of  the  PUBLIC  CONFIDENCE  which 
would  flow  from  that  measure,  the  present  evils  must  be 
increased,  so  far  as  they  shall  depend  upon  the  proceed- 
ings ot  the  bank — for,  having  no  favor  to  expect  of  "the 
government,"  it  must  begin  a  serious  retirement  of  its 
business.  On  the  first  of  March  last,  its  discounts 
amounted  to  56  millions  of  dollars,  and  it  then  had  48 
months  only  to  close  its  affairs,  being  allowed  2  years  af- 
ter the  expiration  of  the  charter  for  that  purpose.  To 
meet  the  case  the  discount  line  must  be  reduced  nearly 
$1,200^000  a  month,  or  exactly  fourteen  millions  a  jear, 
for  these  4  years.  Has  any  one  calculated  the  effects  of 
such  a  reduction?  From  whence  will  the  needful  supply 
of  "money"  he  obtained  ?  The  supply  cannot  be  obtain- 
ed, without  great  public  and  private  sacrifices  of  proper- 
ty or  credit.  Indeed,  we  fear  that  it  cannot  be  obtained 
at  all  in  "money"  to  be  regarded  as  the  equivalent  of  coin. 
Hut,  if  in  this  pressure  the  bank  shall  force  the  payment 
of  the  debts  due  to  it,  what  will  result.' 

With  a  restoration  of  the  deposites,  in  our  humble  opi- 
nion, this  great  good  might  be  accomplished,  without 
any  regard  to  a  renewal  of  the  charter,  or  the  establish- 
ment of  another  national  bank — The  bank,  for  its  own 
interest,  would  endeavor  to  collect  its  debts  with  all  pos- 
sible rapidity  consistent  with  a  due  regard  for  the  conre- 
niency,  or  solvency,  of  its  debtors;  and  if,  towards  the  ex- 
piration of  the  time  allowed  for  closing  its  concerns,  it 
bhould  appear  that  its  debts  cannot  be  collected  without 
causing  great  public  distress,  a  brief  indulgence  might 
be  expected  as  to  time,  in  the  same  manner  and  spirit  as 
the  bank  shall  feel  it  necessary  to  indulge  her  debtors. 
But  as  things  are,  and  without  a  restoration  of  the  depo- 
sites, the  bank  cannot  hope  for  any  such  indulgence  on 
the  part  of  "the  government,"  nor  extend  its  indulgence 
to  others. 

As  to  the  public  deposites — the  sum  of  them  may  not 
long  be  a  matter  of  much  importance  to  the  bank  or  the 
public,  speaking  of  them  with  regard  to  their  amount  in 
dollars,  only. 

It  will  be  recollected  that,  some  months  ago,  we  laugh- 
ed at  the  fears  of  the  wise  ones,  as  to  the  vast  heaps  of  mo- 
ney that  would  remain  locked  up  in  the  treasury  of  the 
United  States,  or  in  the  selected  banks!  Certain  of  these 
wise  ones,  we  think,  in  about  September  last,  apprehend- 
ed that  some  twenty  or  thirty  millions  of  dollars  would 
remain  as  surplus  funds,  and  they  did'nt  "know  what  in 
the  mischief"  to  do  with  them!  We  told  them  to  "keep 
cool" — but  were  thought  reckless  when  we  suggested  it 
as  being  within  the  range  of  possibility,  that  the  calls 
upon  the  treasury,  in  the  year  1834,  might  not  be  satisfi- 
ed as  they  ought,  without  borrowing  money!  Well — 
soon  after  we  ha<l  the  president's  message  at  the  opening 
of  the  session  of  congress,  and  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury's annual  report,  both  of  which  contained  exhorta- 
tions to  keep  down  the  amount  of  the  appropriations, 
shewing  it  was  probable  that  it  would  be  "touch  and  go" 
between  the  expenditures  and  the  receipts,  and  that  it 
small  balance  of  available  funds  only  would  remain  in 
the  treasury.  The  wise  ones  rubbed  their  eyes,  and  read 
these  parts  of  the  message  and  report  twice  over,  and 
wondered  and  wondered,  saying  "how  can  this  be?" 
We  had  stated  why  it  would  or  might  be — but  were  not 
"democratic"  enough  to  be  believed;  it  then  being  the 
will  of  the  party  that  the  people  should  be  alnrmedtA  tho 
excess  of  money  that  must  remain  idle  in  the  treasury ! 
The  reason  of  things,  with  the  increased  expenditures, 


N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  12,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


and,  in  some  cases,  prodigal  uses  of  the  public  money 
(instance  in  the  post  office  department),  ware  all  disre- 
garded— the  people  were  to  be  made  to  believe  that  the 
treasury  would  become  oppressive  by  its  repletion! 

We  have  recurred  to  this  subject  on  seeing  the  follow- 
ing statement  in  the  newspapers: 

The  revenue  of  ISoslon  from  January  1st  to  December  31ft, 
183-2,  was  $5,424,839  36;  from  January  1st  to  December  31st, 
1833,  $3,893,036  71.  The  revenue  arising  on  niercliandi.se  im- 
ported from  January  1st  to  March  31st  of  this  year,  $642,200  00 
— during  the  same  lime  last  year,  $913,600  00.  The  number  of 
foreign  arrivals  up  to  March  31st,  1834,  150;  during  the  same 
time  last  year,  153 — the  number  of  foreign  clearances  for  the 
same  lime  this  year  170— the  clearances  last  year  during  the 
corresponding  time,  was  158. 

This  s'lews  a  reduction  of  the  revenue  Rt  Boston,  1832 
being  compared  with  1833,  in  the  sum  of  1,529,803  dol- 
lars; and  yet  further  a  reduction  in  the  first  quarter  ot 
1834  compared  with  that  of  1833,  of  271,400  dollars,  or 
at  the  rate  of  $1,085,000  for  the  yeai — which  if  maintain- 
ed, will  give  only  $2,809,430  in  18.34,  to  be  compared 
with  $5,424,839,  in  1832— difference  $2,615,409. 

An  important  report  of  the  state  of  the  United  States 
bank,  on  the  1st  of  April,  has  been  made.  It  shews  that 
the  bank,  instead  of  acting  to  increase  the  pressure,  has 
acted  to  relieve  it — the  line  of  the  discounts,  com- 
pared with  that  of  the  deposites,  being  reduced  nearlj 
three  millions  less  since  the  1st  October,  1833!  And  also 
shewing  that  the  present  state  of  the  balances  with  the 
state  banks  was  2,195,489  dollars  on  the  1st  instant,  in 
favor  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  The  bank,  how- 
ever, is  about  to  begin  a  reduction  of  its  discounts. 
This  report  was  received  too  late  for  the  present  num- 
ber of  the  REGISTER. 

It  will  he  seen  that  the  house  of  representatives,  on 
Tuesday  last,  refused  leave  to  print  an  amendment  to  the 
appropriation  bill,  offered  by  Mr.  Vance,  by  which  it  is 
proposed  to  reduce  the  salaries  of  many  officers  of  the 
United  States,  (beginning  with  the  the  president,  and 
ending  with  the  tide  waiters,  including  clerks  in  all  pub- 
lic offices,  and  agents  and  sub-agents  of  all  sorts),  thirty- 
three  per  cent.  For  the  leave  105,  against  it  67 — two- 


The  appreciated  value  of  money  will  justify  the  pro- 
posed reductions* — and  if  "ice  the  people"  mast  ruffer 
under  "the  experiment,"  let  the  public  officer*  partake 
of  our  fare;  let  the  same  measure  he  meted  to  them 
which  is  meted  to  us.  If  this  matter  shall  fail  in  the 


iible  support  of  col.  Benton,  in  that  body — without   it, 
he,   surely,  will  not  vote  for  any  appropriation  bill. 


r] 

house,  it  will,  certainly,  pass    the  senate,   through  the      ^    > 

V' 

y 
k 


t  money. 
will  fall, 


The  iva- 
more  than 


thirds  being  required,  the  leave  was  not  granted, 
the  yeas  and  nays. 


See 


The  present  is  an  auspicious  season  for  this  glorious 
"retrenchment!"    The  "East  Room"  is  furnished — the 
bare   mention   of  which  a  few  years  ago,  threw  all   the 
friends  of  economy  into  "the  horrors,"  though  a  wilful 
falsehood — and   we  see  it  stated  that  plates  of  gold  are 
used  at  Washington;  and  now  let  us  have  a  little  of  the 
long  and  loudly   promised  "reform!"     A  reduction   of 
thirty-three  percent,  on  the  salaries  of  the  army  of  public 
officers,  would  be  of  infinite  service  in  purging  the  poli- 
tical atmosphere,  and,  we  hope,  will  be  effected.    We  do 
not  see  why  these  should  be  set  aside  as  a  privileged  class, 
a  peculiar  people,  rioting  on  the  distress  of  the  farmers  and 
mechanics  and  other  honest  men,  and  insulting  honorable 
labor  in  the  "spoils"  made  upon  it.  It  would  also  tend  to 
preserve  the  purity  of  our  elections,  or  at  least  diminish 
the  amount  of  frauds  committed.     We  have  seen  it  re- 
peatedly said  that  these  highly  favored  persons  have  been 
sometimes  assessed  as  high  as  10  per  cent,  on  their  sala- 
ries for  electioneering  purposes,  and  compelled  to  pay  it, 
under  the  fear  of  being  dismissed!*  Now  the  full  bat- 
talion employed  at  the  N.  York  custom  house,  (323  men), 
receive  340,000  dollars  a  year — 10  per  cent,  on  which, 
for  obtaining  or  making  votes,  is  34,000  dollars;  but   if 
their   aggregate   salaries    be   reduced    one-third,    or   to 
227,000  dollars,  the  election  money,  at  the  same  rate  of 
assessment,  will  amount  only  to  22,700  dollars!       How 
many  perjuries  may  be  prevented  by  this  retrenchment! 
In  Baltimore,  the    pay  of  the    custom  house  officers  is 
only  about  $45,000 — and  some  of  them,  we  are  certain, 
do  not  submit  to  the  assessment  above  stated;  but  others 
are  exceedingly  busy  in  all  electioneering  matters,  and 
appear  to  spend  money  freely.      Wt:  may  see  how  it  will 
be  under  a  thirty-three  and  a  third  percent,  reduction  of 
their  salaries.     Bui  even   then  a  few  of  them  will  pos- 
sibly receive  from  10  to  20   dollars  an  hour,  for  every 
hour  actually  employed  in  the  business  of  the  customs. 

*Some  few  however,  to  their  honor  he  it  said  we  are  sine 
have  refused  to  pay  their  assessment  for  corruption. 


We  heartily  thank  Air.  Vance  for  his  amendment  of- 
fered to  the  appropriation  bill,  as  above  stated.  Ji  mighty 
good  -mill  be  effected  by  its  passage;  and  tve  hatie  a  strong  +  ' 
hope  that  it  ifill  6--,  or  that  the  Sill,  itself,  will  fail'.  The 
times  require  energy,  and  it  will  not  be  wanting.  Under 
such  a  reduction  of  salaries,  the  ins  will  be  less  zealous 
to  retain  what  they  have,  and  outs  less  anxious  to  get 
their  noses  into  the  public  trough;  and  the  people,  Jesa 
disturbed  by  the  squealings  of  both  parties,  the  grnnlers 
here  and  the  grunters  there,  will  more  quietly  attend 
to  their  own  business,  and  more  clearly  discern  the  true 
interests  of  the  country.  The  proposed  reduction  is  also 
just.  The  salaries  were  increased,  some  years  ago,  be- 
cause of  the  depreciated  value  of  money,  compared  with 
the  cost  of  subsistence,  ike.  and  now  ought  to  be  reduced 
on  account  of  the  appreciated  value  c  " 
ges  of  ivor king  people  have  fallen,  or 
one-third — and  so  should  the  wages  of  the  public  officers. 

We  noticed  some  time  ago,  the  presentation  of  a  me- 
morial to  congress,  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  de- 
posites, signed  "by  sundry  merchants  and  traders  from      jfc 
the  interior  of  the  United  States  then  [1st  March,  1834} 
in  Philadelphia/'  As  a  matter  of  information,  and  to  give 
an  idea  of  the  number  of  such  merchants  sometimes  pre-     ^ 
sent  in  Philadelphia  and  ether  cities,  it  may  be  mention-      . 
ed,  that  the  number  of  the  signers  of  this  memorial  is       r 
about  280;  but  what  allowances  should  be  made  for  others     / 
who,  ihougn.  then  in  the  citVj  either  had  not  an  opportu- 
nity to  sign  or  refused  to  sign  this  memorial,  we  cannot 
pretend  to  guess. 

The  residences  of  the  gentlemen  are  given,  and  the  ^' 
following  is  their  distribution,  viz:  Kentucky  125,  Mis- 
souri 23,  Tennessee  21,  Ohio  44,  Pennsylvania  10,  Illi- 
nois 5,  Virginia  6,  Indiana  17,  Louisiana  1,  Mississippi, 
7,  Alabama  5,  Connecticut  2,  New  York  2,  Delaware  1, 
Massachusetts  1,  North  Carolina  2,  Georgia  1,  &c. 

The  particulars  of  the  instruction  to  Isaac  JlfcJfim, 
esq.  one  of  the  Maryland  delegation  in  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives, will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  page.     To       .  * 
the  best  of  our  recollection,  ihis  is  the  first  regular  trans- 
action of  its  kind  that  has  happened — wherein  a  large  * 
majority  of  the  bonu  fide  voters  of  a  district  have  so  act-        -, 
ed.     It  is,  on  this  account,  specially  worthy  of  a  record.     *  • 
The   "instruction"  was   presented  to  Mr.  McKim  on    ** 
Thursday  last  week,  and,  though  it  was  a  matter  of  consi-        >•' 
derable  notoriety  that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  force  ^P^v 
a  decision  on  the  resolutions  attached  to  the  report  of  the 
committee  of  ways  and    means  on  the  following    day,, 
through  the  agency  of  the  previous  question,  he  so  far 
respected  the  voice  of  his  constituents  as  to  decline  vot- 
ing, and  to  proceed  to  Baltimore,  for  a  more  close  inves- 
tigation of  the  facts  slated.     On  the  list  of  names  are 
hundreds  of  persons  who  voted  for  Mr.   McKim — but 
who  had  not,  at  that  time,  appreciated  the  effect  of  a  re- 
moval of  the  public  deposites. 

We  copy  the  report  of  the  joint  committee  of  the  le- 
gislature of  New  York,  on  gov.  Jllarcy's  special  message, 
inserted  in  our  last,  with  the  bill  annexed — which  we 
suppose  has  become  a  law.  The  opponents  of  this  law 
say  that  it  "mortgages"  the  state;  and  the  10th  section 
looks  very  much  like  it.  We  think  that  we  never  before 


v 


knew  a  similar  principle  recognized.  If  the  money,  or 
credit,  borrowed,  is  not  paid  by  the  borrower!,  it  seems 
that  the  deficit  is  to  be  made  up  by  a  general  tax  on  the 
county  in  which  the  deficiency  happens,  with  interest  and 
costs!  Those  concerned  will  refer  to  it,  and  see  if  our 
reading  is  a  correct  one. 


hp  project  is  aleo  to  reduce  the  per  diem  of  members  ofeon- 
from  8  to  6  dollars. 


100 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  12,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


Mr.  Wise  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives 
from  Virginia,  has  addressed  a  brief  letter  to  his  con- 
stituents, on  account  of  his  absence  when  the  votes  on  the 
resolutions  attached  to  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
ways  and  means  were- taken  on  the  4th  inst. 

He  saysthat  he  had  proceeded  to  Baltimore  to  meet  his 
family-— they  had  not  arrived  as  he  expected,  and  he  re- 
mained to  receive  them,  not  apprehensive  that  the  "gat* 
lavi"  would  so  soon  be  again  applied.  He  adds,  that  if 
he  had  been  present,  lie  should  have  voted  against  the 
previous  question,  and  for  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Wilde, 
declaring  the  reasons  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  in- 
'  sufficient,  &c.  if  the  previous  question  had  not  been  car- 
ried— that,  though  he  disapproves  of  the  charter  of  tin- 
present  bank,  he  "should  have  voled  against  the  1st  re- 
solution of  the  committee,  declaring  "that  th«  bank  of 
United  States  ought  not  to  be  recharlered,"  with  the  un- 
derstanding that  the  bank  should  be  rechartered  under 
various  modi6cations." 

Adding — • 

I  should  have  voted  against  the  second  resolution  declaring 
"that  the  public  deposites  ought  not  to  be  restored,"  &.c.  and 
against  the  third,  declaring  that  the  state  hanks  ought  to  be 
continued  as  the  places  of  dcposite,"  &c.  and  I  should  have 
voted  for  the  fourth  resolution,  ordering  an  investigation  into  th« 
conduct  and  concerns  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  an 
inquiry  into  its  alleged  corruptions,  abuses  and  malpractices, 
not  only  because,  if  such  corruptions,  abuses  and  malpractices 
exist,  I  wish  them  exposed  and  corrected,  but  mainly  because  I 
desire  all  the  light  to  be  revealed  which  can  possibly  he  shed  on 
this  vexed  subject,  that  we  may  see  and  remedy  the  defects, 
and  know  and  avoid  the  dangers  of  this  present  bank  and  its 
administration,  in  creating  any  similar  institution  which  may 
hereafter,  and  which  (  hope  will  hereafter,  be  incorporated. 

Having  thus  discharged  a  duly  to  myself  in  warding  off  any 
unjust  imputation  which  might  have  been  made,  of  skulking 
from  my  post  in  time*  like  these,  when  the  country  expects 
"every  man  to  do  his  duly,"  and  my  duty  to  you  by  putting  you 
in  possession  of  my  votes  and  opinions  which  were  concealed 
by  my  absence,  I  will  conclude  by  saying,  that,  though  the  laws 
and  the  constitution  he  hard  pressed  upon  by  abuses  of  tfie 
powers  of  government,  tolerated  by  a  blind  party  spirit,  yet  there 
is  a  rebounding  elasticity  in  the  spirit  of  our  institutions,  which 
will  react  and  restore  all  things  to  their  wonted  equilibrium. 
The  people  must  guard  and  preserve  that  spirit  now,  by  their 
own  vigilance  and  majesty. 

Under  a  due  sense  of  responsibility  and  obligation,  I  am,  fel- 
low citizens,  your  humble  servant,  HENRY  A.  WISE. 

Wathinzton,  Jpril  5,  1834. 

Mr.  Turner,  one  of  the  delegation  from  Maryland  in 
congress,  and  representing  Baltimore  and  Hartford  coun- 
ties, has  addressed  a  letter  to  the  publie  wherein  he  speaks 
freely,  and  well,  of  some  remarks  in  the  "government 
paper,"  as  he  calls  the  "Globe,"  in  which  he  has  been 
treated  with  much  disrespect,  for  his  vote  on  the  resolu- 
tions reported  by  the  committee  of  ways  and  means. 
The  time  -was,  when  the  official  paper,  conducted  by 
gentlemen,  however  much  its  editors  might  differ  in  opi- 
nion with  members  of  congress  on  particular  points,  ne- 
Iver  forgot  the  courtesy  due  to  the  honorable  place  held 
by  them,  unless  in  personal  defence,  and  not  often  even 
under  such  circumstances — but  noiv  any  refusal  to  go  all 
lengths  with  "the  government" — seems  a  sufficient  jus- 
tification for  the  editor  of  the  official  print  to  treat  mem- 
bers of  congress  as  he  would  a  political  opponent  at  a 
gathering  of  persons  in  a  X  roads  tavern,  at  night. 

Mr.  Turner  states  that  he  always  thought  the  removal 
of  the  deposites  would  be  productive  of  ruinous  conse- 
quences— that  the  measure  was  "a  rash  experiment," 
and  that,  though  he  had  been  an  ardent  supporter  of  the 
present  chief  magistrate,  he  could  not  sustain  him  in  this 
proceeding.  He  also  says  that  though  he  unhesitatingly 
voted  against  a  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  present 
bank,  he  would  vote  for  a  national  bank,  modified  and 
improved,  &c. 

Mr.  Heath,  from  the  city  of  Baltimore,  voted  with 
Mr.  Turner,  on  the  naked  proposition  concerning  the 
reeharter  of  the  bank — but  would  renew  its  charter,  we 
understand,  with  certain  modifications.  The  acreit-s  of 
the  previous  question,  however,  and  the  address  of  the 
anti-dank  committee,  in  framing  and  dove-tailing  the  re- 
solutions, forbade  an  explanation,  and  causes  the  vote  on 
this  question  to  appear  in  a  false  light. 

The  "Alexandria  Gazette,"  with  reference  to  the  late 
epeech  of  Mr.  McDtiffie,  gives  us  to  understand  that  he 


announced  a  determination  to  retire  from  public  service^ 
in  the  congress  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Wilde's  speech  in  the  house  of  representatives,  in 
favor  of  a  restoration  of  the  public  deposites  fills  the  four 
capacious  pages,  (less  one  column,  of  the  "National  In- 
telligencer"), of  Wednesday  last  week!  It  concludes  as 
follows — 

We  are  told  this  "experiment"  will  not  be  abandoned  what. 
ever  may  be  the  consequence?,  until  it  has  been  tried  and  fails. 

And  what  sort  of  experiment  is  it?  The  president  has  the  agri- 
culture, commerce,  manufactures  and  constitution  of  the  coun- 
try with  a  large  portion  of  the  fortunes  and  happiness  of  twelve 
millions  of  people  in  his  crucible.  It  is  on  the  subterranean  fire 
of  the  palace,  and  we  can  all  discern  through  the  smoke,  what 
a>c lictnyst  it  is>  that  promises  to  extract  a  metallic  currency 
out  of  misery,  and  ruin,  and  to  restore  the  goWen  age.  The 
cries  of  the  wretches  whose  substance-is  consuming  in  this 
witches  caldron,  are  droivned  by  the  attendant  spirits  in  bursts  of 
mocking  laughter,  mixed  with  taunts  and  bitter  irony.  One 
gibbering  elf  traces  a  caricature  upon  the  walls,  and  calls  it 
'•PANIC  DAY."  A  voice  of  nneaithly  music,  sweet  and  seornfuf 
aa  tin;  accents  of  Archangel  ruined,  rings  in  the  sufferer's  ears 
the  scoffing  exhortation,  "groan  sinner*  groan.'"*  while  the 
guardian  angels  of  ih«  treasury,  unable  to  be  heard  amid  th« 
din,  hold  up  a  mighty  scroll  labelled  "BANK  INVESTIG AXIOM." 

Perhaps  no  two  other  persons  in  the  United  State* 
stand  higher  in  the  estimation  of  worthy  and  intelligent 
men,  than  James  Jllatlison  and  William  White.  The  first 
is  the  father  of  our  constitution,  and  entered  the  84lh 
year  of  his  age  on  the  16th  of  March  last.  The  second 
is  the  father  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  Ame- 
rica, being  its  first  bishop,  and  said  also  to  be  the  oldest 
Protestai>t  bishop  living,  entered  his  87th  year  on  the  4lh 
instant.  Though  the  bodily  strength  of  these  illustrious 
men  (as  well  as  that  of  judge  Marshall,  who  must  be 
placed  in  their  rank),  is  much  lessened,  their  power  of 
mind  does  not  appear  to  be  diminished.  It  would  be 
worth  a  journey  from  Boston  to  Washington,  to  see  the 
three  named  all  together!  Such  a  trio  of  talent  and  cha- 
racter and  goodness,  has  not,  perhaps,  ever  yet  met. 

We  have  only  a  few  and  partial  returns  of  the  Virginia 
elections.  So  far  there  does  not  appear  to  be  any  mate- 
rial change  in  the  political  character  of  the  members  of 
the  legislature  chosen.  We  shall  have  many  returns  for 
our  next. 

The  New  York  local  or  town  elections  have  just  been 
or  are  about  to  be  held.  In  the  opposing  accounts,  it  is 
hard  to  ascertain  the  truth — but  it  would  appear  that 
there  has  been  a  great  rallying  against  the  general  admi- 
nistration, and  that  of  the  state  government.  We  shall 
know  the  real  state  of  things  in  a  few  days,  the  N.  York 
city  election  for  mayor,  &c.  being  now  over. 

The  New  York  city  election  for  mayor,  aldermen,  &c. 
commenced  on  Tuesday  last,  and  was  continued  on 
Wednesday  and  concluded  on  Thursday.  We  cannot 
know  the  result  until  this  evening  (Saturday),  and,  of 
course,  too  late  for  this  paper.  We  have  some  account 
of  what  happened  on  Tuesday,  and  as  late  as  ^  past  1 
o'clock  on  Wednesday,  which  we  shall  briefly  notice. 

It  rained  heavily,  and  sometimes  in  torrents,  on  Tues- 
day, but  it  had  no  effect  to  reduce  the  temperament  of 
the  people,  and  the  extraordinary  number  of  20,257 
votes  were  polled  on  that  daj-,  being  6,416  more  than 
was  polled  on  the  1st  day  in  1832,  and  3,000  more  than 
in  the  three  days  of  the  November  election,  1833. 

From  what  we  have  heretofore  briefly  mentioned,  our 
readers  will  have  entertained  some  idea  of  the  arrange- 
ment, resolution  and  energy  of  the  parties  to  this  con- 
test— but  the  reality  has  gone  far  beyond  any  thing  that 
we  expected.  The  parties  seem  to  have  been  engaged 
in  a  death  struggle:  the  public  officers  and  all  their  depen- 
dents, with  the  friends  of  the  general  and  state  govern- 
ments, on  the  one  side — and  the  merchants  arid  traders, 
and  mechanics,  and  opponents  of  the  general  and  state 
governments,  on  the  other.  Business  of  all  sorts  was 
nearly  suspended — at  12  M.  the  flag  of  the  union  was 
hoisted  each  day  on  the  exchange,  the  building  was  then 
deserted,  and  the  stores  in  all  parts  of  the  city  generally 
closed,  that  every  man  might  go  to  the  polls! 


'.Mr.  Vorsijth,  in  the  senate. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  12,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


101 


At  most  of  the  wards  in  which  the  anti-Jackson  men 
expected  a  majority,  the  election  proceeded  as  peaceablj 
ns  could  have  been  hoped  in  sucli  a  state  of  excitement — 
but  in  the  6th  and  llth  wards  there  was  much  violence 
and  confusion.  The  former  has  sometimes  been  called  the 
office-holders  ward,  being  the  residence  of  many  of  them, 
and  the  latter  is  thought  to  be  the  strongest  in  their  fa- 
vor. In  the  6th,  "the  party"  commenced  with  a  gencra' 
attack  on  the  committee  room  of  their  opponents,  am 
possessed  themselves  of  it,  tearing  down  the  banners,  am 
destroying  the  ballots,  &c.  Many  were  armed  with 
bludgeons,  and  some  with  knives.  They  were  headed  by 
an  ex-alderman — and  knocked  down  about  20  persons,  one 
man  was  reported  killed,*  and  several  injured,  one  so 
much  so  that  he  was  carried  off  lifeless,  but,  recovering, 
he  again  took  his  place  at  the  polls.  The  mayor  was  call- 
ed upon  for  aid,  but  said  that  he  could  not  render  it,  all 
his  force  being  already  on  duty.  In  this  emergency,  a 
meeting  was  called  at  the  Masonic  Hall,  and  four  thou- 
sand "Whigs"  attended  it.  Gen.  Robert  Bogardus,  was 
called  to  the  chair  and  the  following  resolutions  passed: 

Whereas  the  authority  of  the  POLICE  of  the  city  has  been  set 
at  defiance  by  a  band  of  hirelings,  mercenaries  and  bullies  in 
the  6th  ward,  and  the  LIVES  of  our  follow  citizens  put  in  jeo- 
pardy; Jlnd  whereat  it  is  evident  that  we  are  in  a  state  of  AN- 
ARCHY which  requires  the  prompt  and  efficient  interposition  of 
every  friend  of  good  order  who  is  disposed  to  sustain  the  con- 
stitution and  the  laws — therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  order  to  preserve  the  PEACE  of  the  city,  and 
especially  of  the  6th  ward,  the  friends  of  the  constitution  and 
the  liberties  of  the  citizen,  will  meet  at  this  place.  (Masonic 
Hall),  to-morrow,  (Wednesday  at  half  past  seven  o'clock,  and 
repair  to  the  6th  ward  poll,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  it  open 
to  ALL  VOTERS  until  such  time  as  the  official  authorities  may 
"procure  a  sufficient  number  of  special  constables  to  preserve 
the  public  peace." 

"Resolved,  That  while  at  the  6th  ward  poll,  those  who  aro 
not  residents  thereof,  will  not  take  any  part  in  the  election,  but 
simply  act  as  conservators  of  the  peace,  until  such  times  as  tlifi 
MAJESTY  or  THE  LAWS  shiill  be  acknowledged  and  respected," 

Various  other  proceedings  for  the  preservation  of  the 
public  peace  were  had— and  many  special  constables  ap- 
pointed on  the  ensuing  morning,  &c.  A  large  meeting 
was  again  held  at  the  Masonic  Hall  at  ^  past  7,  A.  M. 
on  Wednesday,  when  it  was  plainly  to  be  seen  that  order 
would  be  preserved  by  the  application  of  force,  if  need- 
ed. Particular  bodies  of  men  were  rallied  and  prepared, 
and  the  mayor,  sheriff,  &c.  exerted  themselves,  being  in 
attendance  at  the  6th  ward;  and,  though  another  great 
effort  was  made  to  bring  about  a  general  riot,  and  many 
stones  were  thrown  and  bludgeons  used,  the  force  pre- 
sent put  it  down,  and  at  1  o'clock  (Wednesday),  the  polls 
were  of  easy  access  to  voters.  Several  rioters,  (chiefly 
Irishmen),  were  arrested  and  sent  to  prison — though  vio- 
lent attempts  to  rescue  them  were  made,  in  which  per- 
sons, who  ought  to  be  regarded  as  gentlemen,  were  con- 
cerned. But  they  were  defeated. 

At  the  11  tli  ward  the  "Jackson"  men  had  two  private 
entrances  to  the  poll  room,  which  they  exclusively  used 
for  their  own  friends,  blocking  up  the  public  entrance! 
These  proceedings  caused  a  great  excitement — and  mea- 
sures were  taking  to  have  the  private  entrances  closed. 

Several  persons  appear  to  have  been  stabbed — one  of 
them  it  was  feared  would  die,  being  struck  in  the  bowels. 

The  estimates  as  to  the  state  of  the  polls  before  the 
ballots  are  counted,  cannot  to  be  relied  ou — and  both  par- 
ties suppose  that  they  have  the  majority. 

P.  S.  We  have  accounts  from  New  York  to  J  past  1 
o'clock  on  Thursday.  At  about  12  o'clock,  a  large  body 
of  Irishmen,  armed  with  bludgeons  and  stones,  marched 
in  a  body  to  attack  the  anti-Jackson  committee,  meeting 
in  the  Masonic  Hall !  The  mayor,  sheriff,  &c.  with  a 
strong  posse  of  constables,  repaired  to  the  scene  of  ac- 
tion. The  mayor  held  up  his  stafT,  and  commanded  the 
peace — but  was  answered  with  a  shower  of  stones  and 
other  missiles.  The  herd  rushed  on> — •the  mayor  and 
sheriff  were  assailed — 'numbers  of  ruffians  rushed  into 
the  hall,  and  put  the  defenceless  committee  to  rout — 
they  fled  for  their  lives!  They  knocked  down,  and  are 
believed  to  have  killed  several  persons  in  the  street! 
The  mayor  was  badly  injured.  After  this,  the  mob  at- 
tempted to  gain  the  arsenal — 'but  the  citizens  anticipated 
them,  and  kept  them  off;  and,  at  the  latest  moment  of  our 


•He  \v:«n,  however,  yet  living,  at  the  latest  date. 


advices,  the  officers  at  the  arsenal  were  pausing  out  arms 
to  the  citizens,  to  suppress  the  rioters. 

Such  is  the  substance  of  the  account — hastily  written, 
and,  no  doubt,  under  much  excitement.  The  stores  in 
Broadway  were  closed — and  the  riot  continued,  to  end 
we  know  not  how.  Several  peace  officers  were  much 
hurt. 

On  the  second  day  9,2"!  additional  votes  were  polled. 

The  present  governor  of  Connecticut,  Mr.  Edwards, 
was  elected  last  year  by  the  "Jackson"  party  in  the 
state;  but,  from  the  accounts  before  us.  it  appears  that 
Mr.  Fool,  (anti-Jackson)  at  present  a  member  of  con- 
gress, has  ousted  Mr.  E.  with  a  majority  unprecedented 
since  the  rise  of  present  parties  in  that  state.  It  is  said 
that  only  one  "Jackson  man"  has  been  returned  to  the 
state  senate,  and  that  the  house  of  representatives  will 
be  from  two-thirds  to  five-sixths  anti-Jackson. 

In  J\few  York  and  Connecticut  the  term  "whigs"  is 
now  used  by  the  opponents  of  the  administration  when 
speaking  of  themselves,  and  they  call  the  "Jackson  men" 
by  the  offensive  name  of  "lories." 

It  is  reported  that  major  Eaton  has  been  nominated  go- 
vernor of  Florida,  in  the  place  of  gov.  Duval;  and  inti- 
mated that  Andrew  Stewart,  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  de- 
legation in  congress,  will  probably  be  chosen  president 
of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal  company,  in  the  place 
of  major  Eaton,  resigned. 

A  considerable  subscription  has  been  made  in  New 
York  for  the  relief  of  the  Polish  exiles,  who  have  arrived 
in  that  city.  One  person  unknown  contributed  $200. 

There  wns  a  drawing  room  held  at  St.  James'  palace, 
on  the  24th  Feb.  last,  the  anniversary  of  the  queen's  birth 
day.  It  was  numerously  attended,  and  the  ladies  were 
splendidly  dressed,  kc.  The  queen,  the  queen  that  is 
to  be,  (the  princess  Victoria,)  and  her  mother,  the  duchess 
of  Kent,  ivere  -wholly  dressed  in  articles  of  British  manu- 
facture. THEY  ARE  "TAKIFFITES  ! " 

It  appears  from  the  official  papers  that  the  extra  allow- 
ances made  by  the  post  master  general,  in  the  last  four 
years,  amount  to  the  enormous  sum  of  $1,515,589!  The 
attribution  of  this  money  is  not  less  remarkable  than  its 
amount,  as  the  following  summary  statement  will  shew: 
„,  ,  ,  .  ...  Sums  appropriated  under  the  title 

States  and  territories.  ,  f^  £  maU  contractorSi 

Maine, $7,529  60 

New  Hampshire, 1,520  00 

Vermont, 1 ,480  00 

Massachusetts, 4,248  64 

Connecticut, 3,478  80 

New  York, 8,650  08 

New  Jersey, 37,552  00 

Pennsylvania, 158,133  20 

Delaware, 6,304  00 

Maryland, 94,853  28 

Virginia, 315,414  6O 

North  Carolina, 1 12,036  48 

South  Carolina, 62,448  32 

Georgia, 144,974  84 

Florida, 5,190  72 

Alabama, 186,822  68 

Mississippi 3,618  56 

Louisiana, 5,040  00 

Ohio, 92,518  56 

Kentucky, 72,850  72 

Tennessee, 41,380  32 

Indiana, 95,379  84 

Illinois 39,369  56 

Missouri, 4,360  96 

Arkansas, 10,434  08 

Total,  $1,515,580  84 

To  pay-off  the  post  office  debts  and  relieve  it  from  its 
>resent  bankruptcy,  we  understand  that  a  curtailment  of 
'hese  extra  allo-wances  will  be  made\  For  instances,  Kee- 
side  will  be  cut-down  73,693  dollars  in  4  years!  Stock- 
ton and  Neil  f>3,920  dollars!  Porter  &  Co.  67,776  dol- 
ars!  and  so  on. 


102 


N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  12,   1834— CONGRESS. 


It  is  reported  at  New  York,  that  the  Brandywine  fri- 
gate will  soon  proceed  from  that  port  for  Norfolk,  from 
whence  she  will  take  out  "Mr.  Speaker"  Stevenson  as  our 
minister  to  England,  and  thence  proceed  to  her  station 
in  the  Pacific.  We  have  only  just  heard  that  .Mr.  S.  has 
been  nominated  to  the  senate — the  result  has  not  yet 
reached  us.  We  did  hope  that  the  practice  of  taking 
members  of  congress  from  their  places  to  fill  offices  in 
the^gift  of  the  executive,  would  not  be  preserved  in. 

ALEXANDER  BROWN.  We  noticed  the  decease  of  this  much 
valued  citizen  in  the  last  REGISTER— of  whom  the  "American" 
of  ibe  Stb  instant,  says — "A  circumstance  lias  he.cn  mentioned 
to  us  which  illustrates  in  a  striking  manner  the  liberal  character 
of  the  deceased.  After  the  sitting  of  the  committee,  of  the  cre- 
ditors of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  on  Tuesday  evening:  last,  Mr. 
Brown,  in  the.eourse  of  a  conversation  on  the  moneyed  di.-tress 
of  the  times  with  one  of  the  members — an  old  personal  friend — 
remarked  with  much  emphasis,  that  "he  would  not  permit  one 
solvent  merchant  in  Baltimore  to  fail."  The  same  night  he 
was  attacked  with  the  illness  which  caused  his  death,  hut  there 
is  no  doubt  that  had  his  valuable  life  been  spared,  his  ample 
wealth  would  have  been  freely  employed  in  the  noble  purpose 
which  be  then  avowed. 

LABOR  in  THIS  PENITENTIARIES.  Grnal complaints  are  made 
of  the  interference  of  the  labor  of  criminals  with  that  of  honest 
men,  and  they  are  just;  but  the  way  to  relieve,  them  doc*  not 
seem  clear  to  us.  As  we  have  several  times  said,  we  think 
that  the  penitentiary  system  has  failed  to  effect  the  reformation 
hoped  for  by  it — hut  rogues  must  be  punished,  or  at  least  with- 
held from  society,  shall  they  be  subsided  without  labor,  orhovv 
•hall  we  employ  them? 

The  following  statement  of  the  number  of  convicts  and  their 
employment  in  the  Sing  Sing  prison,  in  October,  1830,  extracted 
from  the  report  of  the  inspectors,  was  lately  published  in  se- 
veral ol  the  New  York  daily  papers: — 

40  locksmiths;  56  blacksmiths,  grate  makers,  fcc.  99  shoe 
makers;  56  weavers  and  tailors:  11  silk  hatters,  to  which  tnon 
is  added  now;  174  coopers;  22  assistant  coopf  rs;  15  laborers;  76 
quarry  men;  18  cooks  and  bakers;  45  masons  and  stone  cutters 
working  on  work  shops;  15  waiters  and  tendeis;  22  men  in  hos 
pit:U.  Total  649. 

The  provisions  for  649  men,  agreeable  to  the  report,  do?*  no 
exceed  6}  cents  per  day.  The  whole  cost  for  sustenance,  cloth 
jug  and  keeping  each  convict  will  not  exceed  12  cents  per  day 


FOREIGN  NEWS. 
From  London  papers  to  the  10/ft  March.,  inclusive. 

GREAT   BRITAIN    AND    IRELAND. 

A  serious  riot  recently  occurred  in  Liverpool  between  the 
Leinster  and  Ulster  Irish  factions.  They  had  previously  Tough 
three  pitched  battles  in  the  county  of  Cheshire,  and  on  return 
ing  to  Liverpool  commenced  an  indiscriminate  attack  upon  a! 
they  met.  Seventeen  of  them  were  taken  and  imprisoned,  prio 
to  which,  however,  they  wounded  ssvcra)  of  the  police  officer 
severely. 

Lord  Althorp  had  notified  hi*  intention  of  introduces  a  bil 
for  reforming  the  reform  bill;  and  the  marquis  of  WcstminMe 
had  given  notice  of4)U  determination  of  altering  the  system  o 
voting  by -proxy  in  the  house  of  lords. 

The  balance  in  the  treasury,  according  to  lord  Allhorp's  finan 
cial  statement,  was,  on  the  5th  of  January  last,  £1,513,000:  an 
his  lordship  calculates  that  the  opening  of  the  China  trade  wi 
add  £600,000  to  the  revenue  derived  from  Hint  source;  that  ih 
estimates  of  the  present  year  will  be  less  by  half  a  million  tha 
those  of  1833;  that,  if  the  present  taxes  were  continued,  ther 
would  be  a  surplus  of  £2,600,000  at  the  end  of  the  year.     Aftc 
providing  for  the  interest  of  the  twenty  millions  to  be  paid  a 
indemnity  to  the  West  India  proprietors,  which  he  puts  dow 
£800,000,  the  estimated  surplus  will  be  reduced  to  £1,800,000 
find  he  introduced  a  bill,  on  the  7th  March,  to  repeal  the  hnn 
4ax,  amounting  to   £1,200,000,  leaving  a  surplus  of  £600,000 
On  the  same  day,  Mr.  Hume's  bill  to  repeal  the  corn  laws  wa. 
defeated  by  a  vote  of  312  to  155. 

It  is  also  proposed  to  reduce  the  navy  estimates  £  180,000. 
From  actual  returns,  the  property  of  the  church  of  F.nsland, 
consisting  of  bishop*'  incomes,  deans'  and  chapters'  incomes, 
together  with  11,400  benefices,  amount,  to  £3,621, IS",. 

FRANCE. 

Disturbances  of  a  serious  nature,  but  without  bloodshed,  oc- 
curred in  Paris, on  the  23d  of  February,  which  were  undergoing 


jjainst  tin'  Bonaparte  family,  and  praying  for  the  removal  of  the 
mains  of  Napoleon  to  France. 

The  government  had  signified  its  opposition  to  the  first  branch 
f  these  measures. 

Alarming  dissentlons  had  taken  place  among  the  workmen 
nd  their  employers  at  Lyons,  Nantz  and  Marseilles;  those  at 
first  place  were  so  serious  as  to  cau«e  many  families  to  re- 
love,  and  the  rioters  at  the  second  had  got  possession  of  the 
uagazine.    Many  arrests  had  taken  place. 

SPAIN. 

Ordonnances  for  the  organization  of  the  national  man)?;  for 
hieing  tho  financial  affairs  nf  the  country  in  ihe  hands  of  I  mas; 
nd  for  appointing  several  commanders  of  provinces,  had  been 
'sued  by  the  queen  regent.  She  had  also  consented  to  the 
onvocation  of  the  cortes  in  consequence  of  the  tender  of  the 
esisiiation  of  two  of  her  most  popular  ministers,  and  the  con- 
equent  occurrence  of  an  immediate  commotion  in  the  very 
eighborhood  of  the  palace. 

In  the  north  the  insurgents  were  in  very  great  force.  Zahaln, 
vith  5.000,  men  was  besieging  Guernica;  and  other  chiefs  had 
approached  I  run. 

It  was  slated  that  Don  Carlos  had  negotiated  a  loan  of 
;.000,000.000  of  reals,  the  name  of  the  contractor  is  not  how- 
ever given,  nor  is  credit  to  the  statement. 

PORTUGAL. 

A  battle  occurred  on  the  18th  February,  between  5,000  of 
")on  Miguel's  troops  at  Snntarem,  and  the  Pedroites,  under  gen. 
Sandanha,  near  Cartaxo,  which,  according  to  the  report  of  the 
American  consul  at  Lisbon,  was  most  decisive  in  favor  of  the 
Prdroiti!.--,  the  whole  force  of  the  Miguelites  being  either  killed 
or  taken  prisoners.  Great  rejoicings  had  taken  place  in  conse- 
quence of  the  victory,  and  Lisbon  was  brilliantly  illuminated. 
Previously,  some  apprehension  had  been  felt  at  Lisbon  in  con- 
sequence of  the  proximity  of  a  large  Miguelite  force;  but  they 
ivere  now  dispelled.  Miguel  still,  however,  held  on  to  Santa- 
re  ID. 

HOLLAND   AND  BELGIUM. 

The  arrangements  between  these  powers,  it  is  stated,  will  be 
very  speedily  brought  to  a  favorable  termination.  Holland  is 
to  have  the  province  of  Luxemburg,  and  Belgium  that  of  Lim- 
Inirg.  This  arrangement,  it  is  said,  will  be  carried  into  effect, 
notwithstanding  the  refusal  of  the  collateral  branches  of  the 
house  of  Nassau.  This  will  leave  the  regulation  of  the  trade 
of  the  Scheldt  the  only  remaining  point  to  be  settled. 

The  Hague  papers,  however,  speak  of  the  marching  of  10,000 
Belgian  troops  into  Luxemburg. 

At  Brussels,  the  reply  of  king  Leopold  to  the  address  of  the 
representatives  of  the  people,  had  produced  great  discontent, 
and  the  king,  and  his  minister  of  justice,  were  both  burnt  in 
effigy  on  the  great  square.  At  the  last  advices  all  was  quiet  in 
the  capital. 

At  Ghent  there  had  been  tumultuous  proceedings  among  the 
students,  nineteen  of  whom  had  heen«Qrre»ted. 

Many  nf  ihe  large  commercial  houses  and  ship  owners  of 
Antwerp  weie  emigrating  to  Holland. 
NAPLES. 

A  revolution  had  broken  out  in  the  capital,  and  had  extend- 
ed itself  throughout  the  kingdom. 

THRKEY. 

M.  Rothschild  had  come  to  a  final   arrangement  with  the 
Porte  relative  to  the  payment  of  Ihe   indemnity,  and  would  re- 
main at  Constantinople  for  some  months. 
MEXICO. 

Conspiracies_and  robberies  continued  to  be  the  order  of  the 
day  in  this  country.  There  had  been  500  criminals  arrested  in 
one  district,  in  about  a  month  prior  to  the  16lh  February,  200  of 
the  number  for  robberies. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

•tipril  3.  The  vire  president  presented  the  following  com- 
muni"ation  from  the  secretary  of  the  treasuiy,  responsive  to 
Mr.  Clay's  resolution  of  the  31  st  March. 

Treasury  department,  Jipril  3,  1834. 

SIR — In  obedience  to  the  resolution  of  the  senate  of  the  31st 
ultimo,  requiring  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  "to  report  to  the 
senate  what  amount  of  public  money  is  now  on  deposite  in  the 
Union  bank  of  Maryland,  when  and  on  what  account  it  was 
deposited,  and  also,  whether  any  treasury  draughts,  contingent 
or  other,  have  been,  during  the  month  of  March,  1834,  furnished 
to  the  said  hank,  or  at  any  time  heretofore,  to  the  hank  of 
Maryland,  for  any  and  what  purpose:  And  that  he  likewise 
report  what  amount  of  stock  in  the  capital  of  the  said  Union 
bank  was  held  by  R.  B.  Taney,  csq.  when  the  said  hank 

_._, ._  was  selected  as  one  of  the  banks  to  receive  on  deposite  the 

judicial  inquiry.    The  unstable  tenure  by  which  peace  is  main-  J  public   money,  nnd  what  amount  of  the  said   stock  he  now 

holds,"  I    have   the   honor  to   transmit  herewith  a  statement, 
(marked  A.  to  U.)  of  the  public  money  deposited  in  Ihe  Union 


tained  in  Paris,  maybe  gathered  from  the  pithy  remarks  of  gen. 
Jacqueminot,  the  commander  of  the  national  guards,  madf  in 
the  chamber  of  deputies,  on  the  occasion  oC  the  discussion  of 
the  above  disturbances.  He  said:  "the  national  cuard  is  tired, 
fatigued  and  discontented;,  that  the  position  of  the  gentlemen 
composing  it  had  become  intolerable,  for  they  were  continually 
under  the  necessity  of  taking  up  arms  to  defe'nd  their  shops  and 


.          . 

hank  of  Maryland,  showins  when  it  was  deposited  and  on  what 
account.  The  difference  between  the  balance  to  the  credit  of 
the  treasurer,  in  his  statement,  and  in  that  furnished  by  the 
bank,  arises  from  warrants  which  have  bee.n  issued  by  the 
treasurer  on  tUe  bank,  btit  which  bave  not  been  presented  fo 


NILE8'  REGISTER—  APRIL  12,   1834 -CONGRESS. 


103 


payment,  and  a  dcposite  to  hi*  credit  since  the  latt  weekly,  re 
tuin. 

No  treasury  draughts,  contingent  or  otlior  were  furnished  to 
the  Union  bank  of  Maryland  during  the  month  of  March,  1834. 
And  no  transfer  draught  of  any  description,  contingent  or  other, 
lias  ever  been  furnished  to  the  bank  of  Maryland,  since  I  came 
into  office.  In  answer  to  that  purl  of  the  resolution,  which 
calls  for  information  as  to  the  amount  of  stock  held  by  Roger 
B.  Taney  in  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland;  "when  the  said  bank 
was  selected  as  one  of  the  banks  to  receive  in  deposile  the 
public  money,  and  what  amount  of  the  said  stock  he  now 
holds,"  1  have  the  honor  to  state  that  inasmuch  as  the  inquiry 
does  not  embrace  the  stockholders  generally,  but  is  confined  to 
the  stock  of  a  particular  individual,  it  must,  by  necessary  im- 
plication, be  understood  as  pointing  the  inquiry  to  the  motives 
which  influenced  the  individual  named  in  the  transactions  he 
may  have  had  in  the  stock  of  the  said  bank  —  and  tinder  such 
circumstances,  it  is  due  lo  his  official  relations  to  the  senate 
and  to  the  public,  that  his  motives  in  any  such  transactions 
should  be  fully  and  clearly  disclosed.  I  therefore  transmit  to 
the  senate  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  this  department,  to  the  pre- 
sident of  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland,  dated  ihe  31ft  day  of 
March,  1834,  apprising  him  of  the  information  required  by  the 
senate,  requesting  him  lo  forward  to  the  department,  a  state- 
ment of  the  amount  of  stock  in  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland, 
held  by  Roger  B.  Taney,  at  the  time  the  deposites  were  re- 
moved —  time  at  which  it  was  purchased  —  and  the  amount  now 
held  by  him  —  and  the  original  private  letter  of  Roger  B.  Taney 


authorising 
lately  sold 


him  to  sell  certain  shares  of  stock  which   were 


Also,  the  letter  from  the  president  of  the  Union  bank  of  Mary- 
land, in  reply,  dated  April  1st  mentioned,  which  are  herewith 
transmitted  and  are  as  follows: 

1.  The  statement  of  the  cashier,  showing  that  at  the  time  of 
the  selection  of  the  said  bank  an  one  of  the  banks  to  receive  in 
deposites  ihe  public  money,  Roger  B.  Taney  held  in  the  stock 
of  the  said  bank,  71  full  shares,  and  4  half  shares,  the  par  value 
of  which  amounted  to  $5,475.    That  the  last  of  these  shares 
were  purchased  by  him  on  the  12th  of  May,  1831,  before  he  re- 
ceived any  appointment  under  the  government  of  ihe  United 
States;  and  that  he  now  holds  G3  full  shares  of  stock  in  the 
said  bank,  showing  that  8  full  shares  and  4  half  shares  which 
were  held  by  him  at  the  time  the  deposites  were  removed,  were 
gold  and  transferred  on  the  20lh  February,  1834. 

2.  The  original  private  letter  of  Roger  B.  Taney,  of  the  18th 
February,  1834,  to  the  president  of  the  Union  bank,  directing  so 
many  shares  to  be  sold,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the  debt 
therein  mentioned,  as  might  be  necessary  for  thai  purpose,  and 
the  balance  of  the  shares  to  be  returned  to  him;  and  the  affirma- 
tion of  the  president  of  the  Union  bank  that  he  sold,  under 
the  power  of  attorney  mentioned  in  that  lettor,  eight  full  shares, 
and  four  half  shares,  and  returned  to  Roger  B.  Taney  a  certifi- 
cate of  the  remaining  one  share.    The.  letter  states  the  certifi- 
cate sent  to  the  president  of  the  bank  at  nine  full  shares;    the 
affirmation  of  the  president  of  the  hank  shows,  that  it  contained 
nine  full  shares  and  four  half  shares,  Ihe  half  slKtres  being  omit- 
ted in  the  letter,  included  in  the  power  of  attorney  lo  sell. 

I  also  transmit  herewith  the  original  letter,  dated  15th  Fe- 
bruary, 1834,  from  Somerville  Pinkney,  csq.  of  tho  city  of  An- 
napolis, the  counsel  for  the  creditor  lo  whom  the  debt  was  due 
from  Roger  B.  Taney,  as  trustee,  requesting  thn  payment  of  the 
said  debt.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  sir,  very  respectfully,  your 
obedient  servant,  R.  B.  TANUY, 

secretary  of  the  treasury. 
Hon.  Martin.  Van  Buren,  vice  president  oftke  U.  States 

and  president  of  the  senate. 

Mr.  Clay  briefly  explained,  that,  in  consequence  of  the  return 
made  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Union  hank  of  Maryland;  in 
which  the  name  of  R.  B.  Taney  appeared  as  stockholder,  he 
Itad  thought  it  but  justice  to  Ihe  public,  that  it  should  bo  asccr 
tained  what  amount  of  stock  was  held  by  Mr.  Taney  in  this 
bank.  It  was  a  mere  fact  which  was  called  for,  and  nothing 
had  been  dropped,  when  the  call  was  made,  on  the  subject  of 
motives.  When  the  people  had  the  facts  bffore  them,  they 
would  be  able  to  make  their  own  inferences.  He  had  not 
thought  it  proper  that  the  name  of  Mr.  Taney  should  be  sent 
forth  to  the  world  as  a  stockholder,  withoutfurth«rinfortnation. 
He*  moved  that  the  communication  be  printed;  which  was 
agreed  to. 

April  4.  Mr.  McKenn  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  large 
meeting  of  friends  of  the  administration,  field  in  Centre  county, 
Pennsylvania,  one  of  the  most  prominent  actors  in  which  was 
the  venerable  Andrew  Greaa,  a  member  of  the  first  congress 
that  assembled  under  the  present  constitution,  &.c.  This  meet- 
ing, said  Mr.  McK.  among  other  things,  resolve  that  they  have 
continued  confidence  in  the  integrity  and  patriotism  of  our  prc- 
•ent  venerable  president,  and  that  they  see  no  reason  to  doubt 
the  purity  of  his  purpose  and  honesty  of  intention,  which  guid- 
ed him  in  his  recent  course  against  the  United  Stales  bank;  bul, 
as  congress  alone  possesses  the  power,  under  the  constitution, 
to  raise  revenue,  and  direct  its  appropriations,  so,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  same  principle,  the  place  of  deposite  and  safe 
keeping  of  the  public  money  should  be  provided  for  by  law. 
And  they  request  their  senators  and  representatives  in  congress 
to  use  their  bust  exertions  to  procure  an  early  and  satisfactory 
adjustment  of  the  questions  affecting  the  currency  of  the  coun- 
try. 
The  proceedings  having  been  rend — 


Mr.  Clayton  rose  merely  to  correct  an  error,  inlo  which  the 
persons  composing  the  meeting  had  fallen.  They  expressed 
their  regret  that  a  compromise  offered  by  the  senator  from 
Georgia,  when  the  bank  charter  was  under  consideration,  won 
not  accepted  by  the  senate.  Now  he,  Mr.  C.  recollected  that 
no  such  compromise  was  offered  by  the  senator  from  Georgia. 
That  gentleman  did  not  say  that  he  would  vote  for  UK?  rochar- 
ler  of  the  bank,  if  the  restrictions  and  limitations  be  suggested 
were  accepted  by  the  senate,  although  he  did  say  that  he  would 
vote  for  no  bank  bill  that  did  not  contain  them.  These  were 
his  recollections  of  facts:  if  he  was  in  error  the  gentleman  from 
Georgia  would  correct  him. 

Mr.  Forsyth  replied,  that  he  should  have  a  dreadful  tank  of  it, 
if  he  undertook  to  correct  every  error  to  be  found  in  the  memo- 
rials presented  to  the  senate.  The  gentleman  from  Delaware, 
however,  was  right  in  his  statement  of  facts.  He  did  not  offer 
a  compromise.  His  convictions  were,  that  no  bill  to  recharter 
the  bank  could  be  so  framed,  at  this  session,  a>>  to  meet  with 
the  concurrence  of  every  member  of  the  senate.  Perhaps  there 
never  could  be  Euch  a  bill  framed. 

Mr.  Clayton  agreed  entirely  with  the  gentleman  from  Geor- 
gia. Il  was  not  possible,  he  lhought,to  frame  a  hill  ai  this  ses- 
sion, that  would  meet  wilh  the  concurrence  of  a  majority  of 
both  houses  of  congress. 

Mr.  McKenn  Ihen  presented  the  proceedings  of  another  meet- 
ing held  in  the  Fame  county,  of  ihe  respectability  of  the  name* 
attached  to  which  he  bore  a  high  testimony,  disapproving  of  the 
removal  of  the  deposites,  to  which  cause  they  attribute  the  pre- 
sent distresses  of  the  country,  and  recommend,  for  a  limited 
lime,  the  extension  of  the  charter  of  ihe  present  bank,  and  that 
the  public  revenues,  to  be  collected  hereafter,  shall  be  deposit- 
ed in  it  and  its  branches. 

The  proceedings  arid  resolutions  were  read,  referred  to  the 
committee  on  finance  and  ordered  lo  be  printed. 

After  some  debate,  the  matters  relating  to  the  contested  eleo- 
tion  for  a  senator  in  Rhode  Island,  were  laid  on  the  table. 

The  bill  authorising  ihe  governors  of  the  several  ctatos  to 
transmit,  by  mail,  certain  papers  and  documents  free  of  post- 
age, was  read  the  third  lime  and  paseed,  by  yea*  nnd  nays— 37 
yeas,  1  nay. 

The  hill  for  ihe  relief  of  Thomas  Fillebrown,  jr.  was  ordered 
lo  a  Ihird  reading. 

Mr.  Clayton  submitted  Ihe  following  resolution: 
Resolved,  That  the  following  be  added  lo,  and  form  a  part  of, 
the  rules  of  the  senate: 

"As  soon  as  the  journal  is  read,  the  president  shall  call  for 
petitions  from  the  members  of  each  stale,  beginning  with 
Maine,  and,  if  in  any  day  the  whole  of  the  Mates  shall  not  b« 
called,  the  president  shall  begin  on  the  next  day  where  he  lefl 
off  Ihe  previous  day," 

A  good  deal  of  oilier  bu=inpss  was  attended  lo  this  day,  which 
will  be  sufficiently  noticed  in  its  progress. 
The  senate  adjourned  till  Monday. 

Afirin.  Memorials,  proceedings  of  meetings,  &c.  favorable 
to  the  restoration  of  the  deposites.  &c.  were  presented,  an  fol- 
lows: by  Mr.  Silshec,  of  Massachusetls,  from  1,208  inhabitant* 
of  the  town  of  Salem  in  thai  state;  by  Mr.  Wright,  of  N.  York, 
from  55  citizens  of  the  villaue  of  Syracuse;  by  the  same  from 
1. 1-"}  citizens  of  Roches-let;  by  Mr.  Eibb  from  upwards  of  1,000 
cilizens  of  Shelby  county,  Kentucky;  which  wore  severally 
read,  referred  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Proceedings  and  resolutions  approving  the  removal  of  the  de- 
posites, &c.  were  presented  by  Mr.  Frelinqhuysen ,  from  a  nipct- 
ina  of  friends  of  the  adminislralion  in  Essex  county.  New  Jer- 
sey; by  Mr.  Bro>rn,  of  North  Carolina,  from  a  meeting  held  in 
Tarborough,  in  Edgecombe  countv— which  were  read,  referred, 
&e. 

Mr.  Mnrris  presented  certain  resolutions  from  the  legislature 
of  Iheslate  of  Ohio:  I.  A  resolution  askinzforan  appropriation 
of  public  lands  for  the  use  of  school?  in  thnt  Mate:  2.  A  resolu- 
tion disapproving  of  the  Wesl  Poinl  academy:  3.  A  resolution 
asking  a  gram  of  land  lo  aid  in  Ihe  construction  of  the  Ohio  and 
Pennsylvania  canal,  and  4.  a  resolution  asking  that  grants  of 
land  may  be  made  to  the  survivins  officers  of  the  last  war  with 


Great  Britain:  which  were  severally  read  and  referred. 

The  special  order,  being  the  resolutions  introduced  by  Mr. 
Clay  on  the  subject  of  executive  power,  being  announced  by 
the  chair,  the  senate,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  postponed  their 
consideration  until  this  day  fortnicht. 

Mr.  Preston  submitled  Ihe  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  he  directed  to 
communicate  to  the  senate  the  name  of  the  agent  or  ajents  em- 
ployed by  him  to  transact  the  business  of  the  treasury  wilh  the 
banks  selected  for  the  deposite  of  the  public  funds;  the  nature 
of  the  duties  performed  by  said  agent  or  agents;  the  amount  of 
compensation  paid  for  the  discharge  of  the  said  dulies,  and  by 
whom  and  from  what  fund  the  said  compensation  was  paid; 
and  whether  thn  said  agent  or  agents  have  been  appointed  in 
pursuance  of  law. 

Mr.  Crt/Aounaave  notivo  ibat  he  would  call  up  his  bill  repeal- 
ing the  force  bill,  on  Wednesday  next. 

The  hill  making  a«  appropriation  for  the  construction  of  a 
lateral  branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail  road  in  the  District 
of  Columbia,  was  laid  on  the  table. 

The  senate  having  successively  takon  up  and  acted  ii|x>n  se- 
veral hills  of  n  private  character,  w«nt  into  executive  hucjnesa, 
and,  after,  being  sometime  engaged  therein,  the  senate  adjown- 
ed. 


104 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  12,  1834— CONGRESS. 


Jlpril  8.  Memorials,  proceedings  of  public  meetings,  Jte.  fa- 
vorable to  the  restoration  of  the  deposilus,  Jcc.  were  presented 
by  tlie  following  persons;  by  Mr.  Southard  from  a  meeting  of 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Clinton,  by  the  same  from  large  pub 
lie  meetings  in  the  town  of  Morris,  [lunterdon  county,  in  the 
county  of  Cape  May,  as  also  oi  Salem  county,  all  in  the  state  of 
New  Jersey;  by  Mr.  Silsbec  from  inhabitants  of  New  Bedford, 
Mass.;  by  Mr.  McKean  from  a  large  meeting  of  citizens  of  De- 
laware, county,  Pa.  also  from  the  city  authorities  of  the  city  and 
county  ofPhiladelphia;  all  which  were  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Southnrd  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  citi- 
zens of  Clinton,  Huntingdon  county,  New  Jersey,  approving  of 
the  removal  of  the  deposites,  &c.  which  was  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Silsbee  reported  a  bill  in  aid  of  the  marine  hospital  at 
Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

Mr.  King  submitted  a  resolution  inquiring  into  the  expedien- 
cy of  authorising  the  nccompting  officers  ol  the  treasury  to  cre- 
dit the  account  of  David  McCord',  late  receiver  of  public  moneys 
at  the  land  office  at  Cahawb.t,  Alabama,  with  a  certain  amount 
of  money  received  hy  him  for  the  sale  of  public  lands,  and  lost 
by  the  burning  of  the  steamboat  Florida,  while  taking  the  same 
to  Mobile  to  depoeile  it  in  the  branch  bank  of  the  United  States. 

The  chair  communicated  a  report  fioin  tin;  general  land  office 
in  answer  to  a  call  for  the  number  of  patents  ready  for  the  sig- 
nature of,  and  unsigned  by,  the  president,  &c. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  White,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  consi 
deration  of  executive  business,  and  remained  in  secret  session 
two  hours. 

On  the  reopening  of  the  doors,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  a  resolution  offered  by  Mr.  Clayton  proposing  a 
change  in  the  rules  of  the  senate,  on  the  subject  of  the  presen 
tation  of  petitions. 

A  debate  ensued  in  which  Messrs.  Clayton  nnd  Southard  de- 
fended th«  resolution,  and  were  opposed  by  Messrs.  Clay,  Cal 
koun  and  Kin*,  of  Ala.  After  several  unsuccessful  attempts  to 
lay  the  resolution  on  tlie  table,  and  an  amendment  being  offer- 
ed by  Mr.  Clay,  the  senate,  on  motion  of  Mr.  String,  adjourned. 

Jlpril  9.  A  message  was  received  from  the  president  of  the 
United  States,  transmitting  the  information  called  for  relative 
to  the  proclamation  for  the  sales  of  the  Choctaw  lands,  and  giv- 
ing the  reasons  for  the  shortness  of  the  notice. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Preston,  the  resolution  submitted  by  him  a 
few  days  ago,  calling  on  the  treasury  department  for  informa- 
tion respecting  the  agent  appointed  to  arrange  the  affairs  of  the 
government  with  the  several  state  banks  selected  to  receive  the 
public  dcposiles,  was  taken  up,  modified  and  adopted. 

After  attending  to  some  private  business, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  CnlAounthe  senate  proceeded  to  the  consi- 
deration of  the  bill  to  repeal  the  force  act,  when 

Mr.  Calkoun  addressed  the  senate  in  support  of  the  bill  for  an 
hour  and  a  half. 

Mr.  Clay  said  he  should  have  voted  for  the  force  bill  if  he  had 
been  in  his  seat  when  the  bill  passed— that  he  would  go  for  the 
repeal  of  the  military  part  of  the  bill,  if  it  would  soothe  any  un- 
kind feelings  in  the  south,  for  that  part  of  the  bill  was  now  un- 
important, and  he  had  not  much  confidence  in  the  man  whom 
it  clothed  with  extraordinary  power — but  he  would  not  vote  to 
repeal  the  judicial  part  of  the  bill— and  he  was  sorry  the  ques- 
tion was  agitated  at  all.  He  then  moved  to  refer  the  bill  to..the 
judiciary  committee. 

Mr.  Calhoun  opposed  the  reference;  and  after  a  brief  debate 
in  which  Messrs.  Forsyth,  Preston  and  Poindexter  took  part, 
and  a  few  remarks  in  explanation  hy  Mr.  Clay,  Mr.  Calhoun 
withdrew  hi3  objection,  and  the  bill  was  referred  to  said  com- 

A  joint resolKtion,  offered  by  Mr.  J?enion,was  then  taken  up; 
but  in  consequence  of  bis  absence,  was  laid  on  the  table.  The 
senate  then  adjourned. 

Jlpril  10.  Mr.  3fan»nm  presented  the  memorial  of  103  citi- 
zens of  Terrill  county,  N.  C.  remonstrating  against  the  removal 
of  the  deposites. 

Mr.  Shrplcy  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  public  meeting 
held  in  the  towns  of  Gardiner  and  Pixton,  Maine,  signed  by  634 
individuals,  without  distinction  of  parly,  equal  to  the  average 
number  of  voters  of  both  political  parties,  complaining  of  dis- 
tress and  embarrassment,  and  in  favor  of  a  bank  to  regulate  the 
money  concerns  of  the  country. 

Both  the  above  were  read,  referred,  &c. 

The  report  on  the  contested  election  of  the  Rhode  Island  se- 
nator, was  taken  up,  and  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  this  day 

The  bill  to  repeal  the  act  for  the  better  organization  of  the 
treasury  department,  was  taken  up,  ag  in  committee  of  the 
whole,  nnd,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Tyler,  laid  on  the  table. 

The  resolution  moved  by  Mr.  Clayton  to  change  the  rules  of 
the  senate  relative  to  the  reception  of  petitions,  &c.  was  taken 
up,  amended  and  agreed  to. 

The  senate,  then  successively  took  up,  as  in  committee  of  the 
whole,  several  bills  of  a  private  or  local  character,  which  were 
•everally  read  the  second  time  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for 
a  third  reading— and  then  the  senate  adjourned. 

HOCSR   OP   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  Jlpril  4.    After  the  morning  business — 

Mr.  iicDuffie  continued  and  concluded  an  animated  and  elo- 

auent  speech  in  opposition  to  the  report  of  the  committee  of 

waye  and  means. 


When  Mr.  McD.  resumed  his  seat,  which  he  did  at  a  quarter 
after  four  o'clock,  a  number  of  gentlemen  started  to  obtain  the 
floor;  Mr.  Mason,  of  Virginia,  succeeded,  and,  after  some  brief 
prefatory  remarks,  moved  the  PHEVIOUS  QUESTION. 

On  the  question  whether  that  motion  was  seconded  by  the 
house,  (which  it  must  be  by  a  majority,  or  it  fails),  the  mem- 
bers passed  between  tellers,  and  the  vote  stood  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  John  Adams,  Win.  Allen,  Anthony,  Scale, 
Bean,  Beardsley,  Beaumont,  John  Bell,  John  Blair,  Bockee, 
Boon,  Bouldin,  Brown,  Bunch,  Bynum,  Cambreleng,  Carmi- 
chael,  Carr,  Casey,  Chaney,  Chinn,  Samuel  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee, 
Connor,  Cramer,  Day,  Dickerson,  Dickinson,  Dunlap,  Forester, 
W.  K.  Fuller,  Galbraith,  Gillett,  Joseph  Hall,  T.  H.  Hall,  Hal- 
sey,  Hamer,  Hannegan,  Joseph  M.  Harper,  Harrison,  Hathaway, 
Hawkins,  Hawes,  Henderson,  Howell,  Hubbard,  Abel  Hunting- 
ton,  Inge,  Jarvis.  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Noadiah  Johnson,  Cave 
Johnson,  Seaborn  Jones,  Benjamin  Jones,  Kavanagh,  Kinnard, 
Lane,  Lansing,  Laporte,  Lawrence,  Luke  Lea.  Thomas  Lee, 
Leavitt,  Loyall,  Lucas,  Lyon,  Lylle,  Abijah  Mann,  jr.  J.  K. 
Mann,  Mardis,  J.  Y.  Mason,  Moses  Mason,  Mclntire,  McKny, 
McKinley,  IN/cLene,  McVean,  Miller,  Henry  Mitchell,  Robert 
Mitchell,  Miihleiihnrg,  Murphy,  O-rgood,  Page,  Parks,  Parker, 
Patterson,  Dntee  J.  Pearee,  Peyton.  Franklin  Pierce,  Fierson, 
Plummer,  Polk,  Pope,  Schenck,  Shinn,  Charles  Slade,  Smith, 
Speight,  Standifer,  Stoddert,  Sutherland,  Win.  Taylor,  Fiancis 
Thomas,  Thomson,  Turrill,  Vanderpoel,  Wagener,  Ward, 
Wardwell,  Wayne,  Webster,  Whallon — 114. 

NAYS — Messrs.  J.  ft.  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen, 
C.Allan,  Archer,  Ashley,  Bank?,  Barber,  Barnitz,  Barringer, 
Baylies,  Beatty,  Jamns  M.  Bell,  Binney,  Briggs,  Bull,  Burd, 
Burees,  Cage,  Campbell,  Chamber?,  Cliilton,  Choate,  Claiborne, 
William  Clarke,  Clayton,  Clowney,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Crane, 
Crockett,  Darlington,  Warren  R.  Davis,  Amos  Davis,  Daven- 
port, Deberry,  Deminz,  Denny,  Dennis,  Dickson,  Duncan,  Ells- 
worth, Evans,  Edward  Everett,  Horace  Everett,  Ewing,  Felder, 
Fillmore,  Foot,  Foster,  Philo  C.  Fuller,  Fulton,  Gholson,  Gor- 
don, Graham,  Grayson,  Grennell.  Griffin,  Hiland  Hall,  Hard, 
Hardin,  J.  Harper,  Hazeltine,  Heath,  J.  W.  Huntington.  Jack- 
son, W.  C.  Johnson,  Kins,  Lay,  Lincoln,  Martindale,  Marshall, 
McCarty,  McComas,  McDnffie,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Milligan, 
Moore,  Pinekney,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Renche-r,  Selden,  W. 
H.  Shepard,  Aug.  II.  Shepperd,  William  Slade,  Sloane,  Spang- 
ler,  Stewart,  William  P.  Taylor, Philemon  Thomas,  Tompkin?, 
Turner,  Tweedy,  Vance,  Vinton,  Watmnugh,  E.  D.  White, 
F.  Whitllesey,  JElisha  Whittlesey,  Wilde,  Williams,  Wilson, 
Young— 106. 

So  it  was  seconded  that  the  main  question  should  now  be 
put — cutting  off  the  proposed  amendment  of  Mr.  H'ilde,  and 
precluding  all  other  amendments. 

Mr.  ScWen  rose  and  called  the  attention  of  the  chair  to  the 
2'2d  rule  of  order,  which  forbids  any  member  to  vote  on  a  ques- 
tion ii:  which  he  is  personally  interested,  and  stated  lhat  seve- 
ral members  of  the  house  were  stockholders  in  the  banks  which 
had  been  selected  to  receive  the  deposites. 

The  chair  decided  that  no  question  could  be  interposed,  nor 
question  of  order  discussed,  until  the  vote  on  the  previous  ques- 
tion had  been  taken;  inasmuch  as  the  house,  by  supporting  the 
motion  for  the  previous  question,  had  determined  that  the  ques- 
tion should  at  once  be  put. 

A  variety  of  motions  and  proceedings  followed — the  majority 
refusing  to  adjourn,  and  the  yeas  and  nays  being  called  several 
times,  &c. 

Mr.  Wilde  asked  if  it  would  be  in  order  to  move  to  suspend 
the  rules  of  the  house,  so  as  to  obtain  a  direct  vote  by  yeas  nnd 
nays  on  his  amendment? 

The  chair  decided  in  the  negative.  The  nature  of  the  previ- 
ous question  did  not  depend  on  the  rules  of  the  house,  but  on 
the  lex  parliamentary,  and  the  suspension  of  the  rules  would 
not  affect  it. 

Mr.  Jldams  inquired  whether,  after  the  previous  question 
should  have  been  ordered,  it  applied  to  all  the  resolutions,  or 
only  to  the  first? 

The  chair  said  that  the  question  now  was.  only  whether  the 
main  question  should  be  put:  when  the  house  had  decided  this, 
the  main  question  itself  would  be  susceptible  of  division,  so  as 
to  get  a  separate  vote  on  each  resolution. 

The  previous  question  was  now  put  as  follows: 

"Shall  the  main  question  now  be  put:''  And  decided  by  yeas 
and  nays  as  follows: — yeas  114,  nays  107. 

So  the  house  determined  that  the  main  question  should  now 
be  put. 

The  main  question  was  then  put,  viz:  will  this  house  concur 
with  the  committee  of  ways  and  means  in  the  resolutions  re- 
ported by  them  to  this  house? 

Mr.  Wilde  demanded  that  the  question  should  be  divided,  so 
as  to  take  a  vote  separately  on  each  resolution. 

It  was  divided  accordingly:  and  put.  first,  upon  concurring  in 
the  first  of  the  resolutions  reported,  viz: 

"Hemlrrd,  That  the  bank  of  the  United  States  ought  not  to 
be  rechartered." 

And  determined  as  follows: 

V 1 :  A S —Messrs.  John  Adams,  Win.  Allen,  Anthony,  Archer, 
Beale,  Bean,  Beardsley,  Beaumont,  J.  Bell,  Jno.  Blair,  Bockee, 
Itoon,  Bouldin,  Brown,  Bunch,  Bynum,  Campbell,  Cnmbreleng, 
Carmiclmel,  Carr,  Casey,  Chaney,  Chinn,  Claiborne,  Samuel 
Clark,  Clay,  Clayton,  Clowney,  Coffee,  Connor,  Cramer,  W. 
R.  Davis,  Davenport,  Day,  Dickerson,  Dickinson,  Dunlap,  Fel- 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  12,  1834— CONGRESS. 


105 


d«jr,  Forester,  Foster,  VV.  K.  Fuller,  Fulton,  Galbraith,  Gholson 
Gillel,  Gilmer,  Gordon,  Grayson,  Griffin,  Jos.  Hall,  T.  H.  Hall 
Halsey,  (lamer,  Hannegan,  Joa.  M.  Harper,  Harrison,  Hatha 
way,  Hawkins,  Hawes,  Heath,  Henderson,  Huwell,  Hnbbard 
Abel  Huntiogloti,  Inge,  Jarvis,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Noadiah 
Jahnson,  Cave  Johnson,  Seaborn  Jones,  Benjamin  Jones,  Kn- 
vaiiagli,  Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing,  Laporte,  Lawrence,  Lay 
Luke  Lea,  Thomas  Lee,  Leavitt,  Loyall,  Lucas,  Lyon,  Lytle; 
Abijah  Mann,  Joel  K.Mann,  Mardis,  John  V.  Mason,  Moses 
Mason,  Mclntire,  McKay,  McKinley,  McLene,  McVean,  Mil- 
ler, Henry  Mitchell,  Robert  Mitchell,  Muhlenberg,  Murphy,  Os- 
good,  Page,  Parks,  Parker,  Patterson,  D.  J.  Pearce,  Peyton,  F. 
I'ierce,  Pierson,  Pinckney,  Plummer,  Polk,  Rencher,  Schenck 
Schley,  Sltinn,  Smith,  Speight,  Standit'er,  Sloddert,  Sutherland, 
William  Taylor,  William  P.  Taylor,  Francis  Thomas.  Thom- 
son, Turner,  Turrill,  Vanderpoel,  Wagener,  Ward,  Wardvvell, 
Wayne,  Webster,  Whalon— 132. 

NAYS — Messrs.  John  Quiiicy  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J. 
Allen,  Chilton  Allan,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  Barnitz,  Barringer, 
Baylies,  Beatty,  James  M.  Bell,  Binney,  Briggs,  Bull,  Burgee, 
Cage,  Chambers,  Chilton,  Choate,  William  Clark,  Corwin, 
Coulter,  Crane,  Crockett,  Darlington,  Amos  Davis,  Deberry, 
Deming,  Denny,  Dennis,  Dickson,  Duncan,  Ellsworth,  Evans, 
Edward  Everett,  Horace  Everett,  Fillmore,  Foot,  Philo  C.  Ful- 
ler, Graham,  Grennell,  Hiland  Hall,  Hard,  Hardin,  James  Har- 
per, Hazeltine,  Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Jackson,  William  C. 
Johnson,  Lincoln,  Martindale,  Marshall,  McCarty,  McComas, 
McDuffie,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Moore,  Pope,  Potts, 
Reed,  William  B.  Sliepard,  Aug.  H.  Shepperd,  William  Slade, 
Charles  Slade,  Sloane,  Spangler,  Philemon  Thomas,  Tompkins, 
Tweedy,  Vance,  Vinton,  Watmough,  Edward  D.  White,  Fred. 
Whittlesey,  E.  Whittlesey,  Wilde,  Williams,  Wilson,  Young— 
82. 

So  the  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

The  question  was  then  put  on  agreeing  to  the  following  (the 
second)  resolution: 

"2.  Resolved,  That  the  public  deposites  ought  not  to  be  re- 
stored to  the  bank  of  the  United  States." 

And  determined  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  J.  Adams,  Win.  Allen,  Anthony,  Beale, 
Bean,  Beardsley,  Beaumont,  J.  Boll,  J.  Blair,  Bockee,  Boon, 
Brown,  Bunch,  Bynum,  Cambreleng,  Carmichael,Carr,  Casey, 
Chancy,  Chinn,  Samuel  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee,  Connor,  Cramer, 
Day,  Philemon  Dickerson,  David  W.  Dickinson,  Dunlap,  Fo- 
rester, Wm.  K.  Fuller,  Galbraith,  Gillet,  Gilmer,  Joseph  Hall, 
Thomas  H.  Hall,  Halsey,  Hamer,  Hannegan,  Jos.  M.  Harper, 
Harrison,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  Hawes,  Henderson,  Howell, 
Hubbard,  Abel  Huntington,  Inge,  Jarvis,  Richard  M.  Johnson, 
Noadiah  Johnson,  Cave  Johnson,  Seaborn  Jones,  Benjamin 
Jones,  Edward  Kavanagh,  Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing,  Laporte, 
Lawrence,  Luke  Lea.,  Thomas  Lee,  Leavitt,  Loyall,  Lucas, 
Lyon,  Lytle,  Abijah  Mann,  J.  K.  Mann,  Mardis,  J.  Y.  Mason, 
Moses  Mason,  McCarty,  Mclntosh,  McKay,  McKinley,  Mc- 
Lene, McVean,  Miller,  Henry  Mitchell,  Robt.  Mitchell,  Muh- 
lenberg, Murphy,  Osgood,  Page,  Parks,  Parker,  Patterson,  Du- 
tee  J.  Pearce,  Peyton,  Franklin  Pierce.  Pierson,  Plummer, 
Polk,  Pope,  Schenck,  Schley,  Chas.  Slade,  Smith,  Spangler, 
Speight,  Standifer,  Stoddert,  Sutherland,  Wm.  Taylor,  Francis 
Thomas,  Thomson,  Turril,  Vanderpoel,  Wagoner,  Ward, 
Wardwell,  Wayne,  Webster,  Whalon — 118. 

NAYS— Messrs.  J.  d.  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen, 
Chilton  Allan,  Archer,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  Barnitz,  Barring- 
ton,  Baylies,  Beatty ,  James  M.  Bell,  Binney,  Briggs,  Bull,  Kuril, 
Cage,  Campbell,  Chambers,  Chilton,  Choate,  Claiborne,  Wm. 
Clark,  Clayton,  Clowney,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Crane,  Crockett, 
Darlington,  Warren  R.  Davis,  Davenport,  Deberry,  Deming, 
Denny,  Dennis,  Dickson,  Duncan,  Ellsworth,  Evans,  Edward 
Everett,  Horace  Everett,  Ewinz,  Felder,  Fillmore,  Foot,  Fos- 
ter, Pliilo  C.  Fuller,  Fulton,  Glfolson,  Gordon,  Graham,  Gray- 
son,  Grennell,  Griffin,  Hiland  Hall,  Hard,  Hardin,  James  Har- 
per, Hazeltine,  Heath,  Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Jackson,  William 
C.  Johnson,  King,  Lay,  Lincoln,  Martindale,  Marshall,  McCo- 
mas, McDnffie,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Moore,  Pinck- 
ney, Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Rencher,  Selden,  William  B.  Shep- 
ard,  Aug.  H.  Shepperd,  William  Slade,  Sloane,  Stewart,  Win. 
P.  Taylor,  Philemon  Thomas,  Tompkins,  Turner,  Tweedy, 
Vance,  Vinton,  Watmouzh,  Edward  D.  White,  Frederick 
Whilllesey,  Elisha  Whiulesey,  Wilde,  Williams,  Wilson, 
Young— 103. 

So  the  second  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

The  question  was  then  put  on  agreeing  to  the  third  resolu 
tion,  as  follows: 

"3.  Resolved,  That  tlio  state  hanks  ought  to  be  continued  as 
the  places  of  doposite  of  tlits  public  money,  and  that  it  is  expe- 
dient for  congress  to  make  further  provision  by  law,  prescribing 
the  mode  of  selection,  the  secuiitics  to  he  taken,  and  the  man- 
ner and  terms  on  which  they  are  to  be  employed." 

And  determined  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  John  Adams,  Wm.  Allen,  Anthony,  Beale, 
Bean,  Beardsley,  Beaumont,  John  Bell,  John  Blair,  Bockee, 
Boon,  Bouldin,  Brown,  Bunch,  Bynum.  Camhrelcng,  Carmi- 
chael,  Carr,  Casey,  Ch.iney,  Chinn,  S.'  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee, 
Connor,  Cramer,  Day,  Dickerson,  Dickinson,  Dunlap,  Fores- 
ter, Wm.  K.  Fuller,  Galbraith,  Gillet,  Gilmer,  Jnseph  Hall,  T. 
K.  Flail,  Halsey,  Hanicr,  Hanm-can,  J.  M.  Ilarprr,  Harrison, 
Halhmvay,  Hawkins,  Hawrs,  Henderson,  Howell,  Ilnhb.ird, 
Ahel  (funtinglnn,  Ince,  Jarvis,  Rirhaid  M.  Johnson,  Noailiah 
Jolmsou,  Caw:  Johnson,  Seaborn  Jonas,  Benjamin  Jones,  Ka 


vanagh,  Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing,  Laporte,  Lawrence,  Lea, 
Lee,  Leavitt,  Loyall,  Lucas,  Lyon,  Lytle,  Abijab  Manu,  J.  K. 
Mann,  Mardis,  Moses  Mason,  John  Y.  Mason,  McCarty,  Mcln- 
tire, McKay,  McKinley,  McLene,  McVean,  Miller,  Henry 
Mitchell,  Robert  Mitchell,  Muhlenberg,  Murphy,  Ogood,  Page, 
Parks,  Parker,  Patterson,  Dutee  J.  Pearce,  PeyHm,  i'lanklm 
Pierce,  Pierson,  Plummer,  Polk,  Pope,  Sclieuefc,  Schley, 
Shinn,  Charles  Slade,  Smith,  Speight,  Standit'er,  StwWm,  Su- 
therland, Wm.  Taylor,  Francis  Thomas',  Tbomeon,  '1'ntrill, 
Vanderpoel,  Van  Houtcn,  Wagener,  Ward,  WauiweU,  Wayne. 
Webster,  Whalon— 117. 

NAYS— Messrs.  J.  Q.  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  J.  ).  Alfen,  C. 
Allan,  Archer,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  Baruitz,  Bawmger, 
Baylies,  Beatty,  James  M.  Bell,  Binney,  Briggs,  B*ll,  B»rdT 
Burges,  Cage,  Campbell,  Chambers,  Chilton,  Cboate,  Clai- 
borne,  Wm.  Clark,  Clayton,  Clowney,  Corwin,  Conhe»,€Van«, 
Crockett,  Darlington,  Warren  R.  Davis,  Amos  Davis,  Daven- 
port, Deberry,  Doming,  Denny,  Dennis,  Dickson,  Duncan,  Ells- 
worth, Evans,  Edward  Everett,  Horace  Everett,  Ewing,  FeMer, 
Fillmore,  Foot,  Foster,  P.  C.  Fuller,  Fulton,  Gholson,  Gordon, 
Graham,  Grayson,  Grennell,  Griffin,  Hiland  Hall,  Hard,  Harrfin, 
James  Harper,  Hazeltine,  Heath,  Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Jack- 
son, W.  C.  Johnson,  King,  Lay,  Lincoln,  Martindale,  Marshall,. 
McComas,  MeDuftie,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Moore,. 
Pinckney,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Rencher,  Selden,  William  B.- 
Shepard,  A.  H.  Shepperd,  Wtn.  Slade,  Sloane,  Spangler,  Stew- 
art, Wm.  P.  Taylor,  P.  Thomas,  Tompkins,  Turner,  Tweedy,, 
Vance,  Vinton,  Watmough,  E.  D.  White,  Frederick  Whittle- 
sey, Elisha  Whittlesey,  Wilde,  Williams,  Wilson,  Young — 105, 
So  this  resolution  also  was  agreed  to. 

The  question  was  then  put  on  agreeing  to  the  fourth  and  last 
resolution,  as  follows: 

"4.  Resolved,  That,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining,  as  far  a» 
practicable,  the  cause  of  the  commercial  embarrassment  and 
distress  complained  of  by  numerous  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  in  sundry  memorials  which  have  been  presented  to  con- 
gress at  the  present  session,  and  of  inquiring  whether  the  char- 
ter of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  has  been  violated,  and  also 
what  corruptions  and  abuses  have  existed  in  its  management; 
whether  it  has  used  its  corporate  power,  or  money  to  control 
the  press,  to  interfere  in  politics,  or  influence  elections,  and 
whether  it  has  had  any  agency  through  its  management  or  mo- 
ney, in  producing  the  existing  pressure,  a  select  committee  be 
appointed  to  inspect  the  books  and  examine  into  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  said  bank,  who  shall  report  whether  the  provisions 
of  the  charter  have  been  violated  or  not,  and  also  what  abuses, 
corruptions  or  malpractices  have  existed  in  the  management  of 
said  bank,  and  that  the  said  committee  be  authorised  to  send 
for  persons  and  paper;,  and  to  summon  and  examine  witnesses 
on  oath,  and  to  examine  into  the  affairs  of  the  bank  and 
branches;  and  they  are  further  authorised  to  visit  the  principal 
bank,  or  any  of  its  branches,  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  the 
books,  correspondence,  accounts  and  other  papers  connected 
with  its  management  or  business;  and  that  the  said  committee 
be  required  to  report  the  result  of  such  investigation,  together 
with  the  evidence  they  may  lake,  at  as  early  a  day  as  practica- 
ble." 

And  determined  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  John  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen, 
Win.  Allen,  Archer,  Ashley,  Barringer,  Baylies,  Beale,  Bean, 
Beardsley,  Beaumont,  John  Bell,  James  M.  Bell,  Blair,  Bockee, 
Boon,  Bouldin,  Briggs,  Brown,  Bunch,  Burges,  Bynnm,  Cage, 
Campbell,  Cambrele.ng,  Carmichael,  Carr,  Casey,  Chaney, 
Chinn,  Claiborne,  Samuel  Clark,  William  Clark,  Clay,  Clowney, 
Coffee,  Conner,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Cramer,  Warren  R.  Davis, 
Davenport,  Day,  Deberry,  Deniing,  Dennis,  Dickerson,  Dicker- 
son,  Duncan,  Dunlap,  Horace  Everett,  Ewing,  Felder,  Fill- 
more,  Forester,  Foster,  Fowler,  Philo  C.  Fuller,  Wm.  K.  Fuller, 
Pulton,  Galbraith,  Gholson,  Gillet,  Gordon,  Graham,  Grayson, 
Srennell,  Joseph  Hall,  Hiland  Hull,  Thomas  H.  Hall,  Halsey, 
Flamer,  Hannegan,  Hardin,  Joseph  M.  Harper,  James  Harper, 
Harrison,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  Haws,  Heath,  Howell,  H»b- 
.iard,  Abel  Huntington,  Inge,  Jackson,  Jarvis,  Wm.  Cost  John' 
son,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Noadiah  Johnson,  Cave  Johnson, 
Seaborn  Jones,  Benjamin  Jones,  Kavanagh,  King,  Kinnard, 
Naiie,  Lansing,  Laporte,  Lawrence,  Lay,  Luke  Lea,  Thomas 
f.ee,  Leavitt,  Loyall,  Lucas,  Lyon,  Lytle,  Abijah  Mann,  Joel 
i{.  Mann,  Martindale,  Mardis,  John  Y.  Mason,  Moses  Mason, 
McCarty,  McComas,  Mclntire,  McKay,  McKinley,  McLene, 
McVean,  Miller  H.  Mitchell,  R.  Mitchell,  Moore,  Muhlenberg, 
Osgood,  Page,  Parks,  Parker,  Patterson,  D.  J.  Pearce,  Peyton, 
Franklin  Pierce,  Pierson,  Plummer,  Polk,  Pope,  Ramsay,  Ren- 
ohcr,  Schonck,  Srhley,  Selden,  Augustus  H.  Shepperd,  Shinn, 
William  Slade,  Chas.  Slade,  Sloane,  Smith,  Spangler,  Speight, 
Standifer,  Stewart,  Stoddert,  Sutherland,  William  Taylor,  Wm. 
P.  Taylor,  Francis  Thomas,  Philemon  Thomas,  Thomson,  Tur- 
icr,  Turrill,  Vanderpool,  Vinton,  Wagener,  Ward,  Wardwell, 
Wane,  Webster,  Whalon,  Frederick  Whitllesey,  Elisha  Whit- 
lesey,  Wilde,  Wilson— 171. 

NAYS— Messrs.  John  Q.  Adams,  Chilton  Allan,  Anthony, 
Ranks,  Barber,  Bnrnilz,  Bealty,  Binney,  Burd,  Chambers,  Chil- 
on,  Choate,  Clayton,  Crane,  Crockett,  Darlington,  A.  Davis, 
Denny.  Dickson,  Evans,  Edward  Everett,  Gilmer,  Hard,  Hazel- 
Inn,  Henderson,  Lincoln,  Marshall,  McDuffle,  MoKennan, 
Hercer,  Milligan,  Murphy,  Pinckney,  Potts,  Reed,  William  B. 
Shepanl,  Toiiipkins,  Tweedy,  Vance,  Watmough,  William?, 
['onus — 42. 
So  this  resolution  was  agreed  to. 


100 


N1LES'  KEG  1STEK— APRIL  12,   1834— CONGRESS. 


And  it  was  agreed  that  the  committee  to  he  appointed  in  pur-        Kentucky,  ayes— Messrs.  Johnson,  I, yon,  Pope,  Haws,  4. 
aance  of  this  last  resolution,  should  consist  of  seven  members,    Nays— .Messrs..  Allan,  Marshall,  Davis,  Chillon,  Ilardm.  Bnalty, 


(who  are  of  course  appointed  by  the  speaker.) 

[The  committee  above  authorised,  i  onsists  of  Mr.  Thomas, 
of  Maryland,  Mr.  Even-It,  of  Massachusetts,  Mr.  MoMenb«fg, 
of  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Mason,  of  Viiiimia.  Mr.  Ell- worth,  of  Con 
neclicut,  Mr.  Mann,  ot  New  York,  anil  Mi.  I.ytlc,  of  Oliio.j 

Mr.  Wilde  asked  consent  to  otter  a  5ih  resolution,  declaring 


'ompkins,  7 — [absent,  Mr.  Love,  and  one  vacancy,  2.] 
Tennessee,  ayes — Messrs.    Bell,  Johnson,    Polk.   Dickinson, 

Vyion,  Dlair,  Bunch,  Lea,  Siandifer,  Forrester,  Inge,  Dunlap, 

a.     Nay— Mr.  Crockett,  1. 

Ohio,  ayes— Messrs.  Lylle,  Webster,  Allen,  McLene,  Hamer, 
haney,  Mitchell,  Thomson,  Jones,  Patterson,  Leavitl,  Span- 


the  reasons  ottered  by  the  secretary  insufficient  and  unsatisfac-    pier,  12.      Nays— Messrs".   Bell,   Whitllcsey,  Corwin,   Vance 


lory 


Objection  being  made,  he  moved  to  suspend  the  rules. 


Sloane,  Crane,  Vinton,  7. 

Louisiana,  ayes — none.    Nays — Messrs.  Thomas,  White,  2 — 


The  house,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Polk,  at  i  past  7  clock,  ad-     [absent,  Mr.  Garland,  not  arrived,  1.] 


jourued  to  Monday. 


[For  that  on  the  previous  question  we  are  endebted  to  the  Na- 
tional Intelligencer  —  that  part  against  the  restoration  of  the  de- 
posites is  our  own;  as  well  as  the  classification  of  the  members 
by  their  several  stales;  which  is  added:] 
,  .       \    Jl°ain<it  resforiti"  the 
Of  the  vote  upon  the  previous  question.                 Acnosites 

States.        Yeas. 
Maine 

If  ays.  Deficient.* 
1            0 

Yeas.  Kays.  Deficient.* 
7          1            0 

N.  Hampshire,   4 

0 

1 

4 

0 

1 

Massachusetts,  1 

9 

o 

1 

9 

• 

Rhode  Island,     1 

1 

0 

1 

0 

1 

Connecticut,       0 

6 

0 

0 

6 

0 

Vermont,            0 

5 

0 

0 

5 

0 

New  York,        28 

9 

3 

28 

9 

3 

New  Jersey,        5 

0 

1 

5 

0 

1 

Pennsylvania,  11 

16 

1 

11 

16 

1 

Delaware,            0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

Maryland,           3 

4 

1 

3 

4 

1 

Virginia,              6 

12 

3 

6 

12 

3 

North  Carolina,  6 

7 

0 

6 

7 

0 

South  Carolina,  0 

8 

1 

0 

8 

1 

Georgia,               3 

3 

3 

5 

3 

1 

Kentucky,           4 

7 

2 

4 

7 

2 

Tennessee,       12 

1 

0 

1-2 

1 

0 

Ohio,                  11 

8 

0 

12 

7 

0 

Louisiana,          0 

2 

1 

0 

2 

1 

Indiana,              5 

2 

0 

6 

1 

0 

Mississippi,          1 

1 

0 

1 

1 

0 

Illinois,               2 

1 

0 

2 

1 

0 

Alabama,            4 

0 

1 

4 

0 

1 

Missouri,              0 

2 

0 

0 

2 

0 

114 

106 

SO 

118 

103 

19 

Vote  on  the  resolution  against  restoring  the  deposiles. 

Maine,  ayes — Messrs.    Smith,  Mclntire,  Kavanugh,  Park) 
Hall,  Jarvis,  Mason  7.    Nay — Mr.  Evans  1. 

Neu>  Hampshire,  ayes — Messrs.  Hubbard,  Harper.  Bean 
Pierce,  4 — [absent,  Mr.  Burns. J 

Massachusetts,  ay c, — Mr.  Osgood,  1.  Nayp — Messrs.  Adams, 
Choate,  Everett,  Lincoln,  Briggs,Grenn  ell,  Bay  lies,  Reed,  Jack- 
son, 9 — [absent,  Messrs.  Bates  and  Gotham. J 

Rhode  Island,  aye — Mr.  Pearce,  1 — [absent.  Mr.  Burses.] 

Connecticut,  ayes — none.  Nays — Messrs.  Barber,  Ellsworth, 
Foot,  Huntington,  Tweedy,  Young,  6. 

Vermont,  ayes — none.  Nays — Messrs.  Allen,  Deming,  Ever- 
ett, Hall,  Slade,  5. 

New  York,  ayes— Messrs.  Huntington,  Cambreleng,  Law- 
rence, Ward,  Bockee,  Brown,  Adams,  Vanderpoel,  Pierson, 
Lansing,  Cramer,  Whalon,  Gillet,  Mo  Venn.  Mann,  Beardsley, 
Turrell,  Page,  Johnson,  Mitchell,  Halsey,  Hathaway,  Taylo'r, 
Fuller,  Day,  Clark,  Howell.  Ward  well,  28.  Nays— Messrs.  Set- 
den,  Martindale,  Dickson,  Whiltlesey*,  Lay,  Fuller,  Hazeltine, 
Filmore,  Hard.  9— [absent,  Messrs.  Van  Houten,  C.  P.  White, 
Bodle,  3.] 

New  Jersey,  ayes — Messrs.  Dickerson,  Parker,  Schenck, 
Shinn,Lee,  5 — [absent,  Mr.  Fowler,  1.] 

Pennsylvania,  ayes — Messrs.  Miller,  Anthony,  Muhlenbcrg, 
Mann,  Wagener,  Beaumont,  Laporte,  Henderson,  Galhrailh, 
Harrison,  Sutherland,  11.  Nays — Messrs.  Binney,  Harper, 
Watmough,  Darlington,  Potts,  Clark,  Denny,  Chambers,  Me 
Herman,  Banks,  Stewart,  Barnitz,  Burd,  Ramsay,  King,  Coul- 
ter, 16— [absent,  Mr.  Heister,  l.J 

Delaware,  aye — none.    Nay — Mr.  Milligan.  1. 

Maryland,  ayes — Messrs.  Stoddert,  Carmichael,  Thomas,  3. 
Nays — Messrs.  Heath,  Turner,  Johnson,  Dennis,  4 — [absent, 
Mr.  McKim,  1.] 

Virginia,  ayes — Messrs.  Mason,  Bouldin,Chinn,  Lucas,  Loy- 
ftll,  Beale,  6.  Nays — Messrs.  Gordon,  Archer,  Claihorne,  Mer- 
cer, Moore,  Davenport,  Allen,  Gholson,  Wilson,  Taylor,  Ful- 
ton, McComas,  12 — [absent,  Messrs.  Patton  and  Wise,  2;  and 
Mr.  Speaker  Stevenson  did  not  vole,  3.] 

North  Carolina,  ayes — Messrs.  Hawkins,  Hall,  Speight,  Mc- 
Kay, Connor,  Bynum,  6.  Nays— Messrs.  William  B.  Shepard, 
Rencher,  Barringer,  Deberry,  Williams,  A.  II.  Shepperd,  Gra- 
ham, 7. 

S.  Carolina, ayea — none.  Nays — Messrs. McDuffie,  Campbell, 
Clowney,  Pinckney,  Gravvon,  Davis,  Felder,  Griffin,  8— [dead, 
Mr.  Blair,  1.] 

Georgia,  ayes— Messrs.  Wayne,  Gilmer,  Jones,  Schley,  Cof- 
fee, 5.  Nays— Messrs.  Wilde,  Clavton,  Foster,  3— [absent,  Mr. 
Gambia,  1.] 


'Including  the  speaker,  abientees  and  vacancies. 


Indiana,  ayes — Messrs.  Lane,  McCarty,  Carr,  Kinnard,  Ilan- 
ncgan,  Boon,  6.     Nay — Mr.  Ewing,  1. 

Mississippi,  aye — Mr.  Plummer,  1.     Nay — Mr.  Cape.  1. 
Illinois,  ayes—  Messrs.  Casey,  Slade. 2.   Nay— Mr.  Duncan,  1. 
Alabama,  ayes — Messrs.  Clay,  Murphy,  Mardis.  McKinlcy,  4 
— [absent,  Mr.  Lewis,  1.] 

Missouri,  ayes— none.     Nayp— Messrs.  Ashley,  Bull,  2. 
Monday,  jlpril  7.     Mr.  ISurgcs  said  he  held  in  his  hand  a  me- 
morial from  the  county  of  Bristol,  Rhode  Island,  accompanied 
by  a  letter  which  he  wished  to  have  read. 
The  chair  paid  it  could  only  be  done  hy  unanimous  consent. 
Mr.  Chilian  objected  to  the  reading  of  the  letter. 
Mr.  Burs.es  th'-n  made  some  remarks  as  to  the  respectability 
of  the  memorialists;  when  the  memorial  was  read  and  laid  on 
the  table. 

Mr.  Bars.cs  then  moved  that  a  certain  letter,  or  letters,  read 
on  the  last  petition  day  by  his  colleague,  and  which  had  been 
withdrawn  from  the  files  o'f  the  house,  inL'ht  be  restored  thereto. 
The  chair  stated  that  this  motion  could  only  be  received  by 
unanimous  consent,  and  doubted  if  it  would  be  in  order  then, 
as  the  house  had  no  power  over  the  paper  in  question,  it  being 
a  private  letter. 

Objection  being  made,  and  the  motion  requiring  unanimity, 
was  not  received. 

Mr.  Pearce  presented  resolutions  adopted  at  Providence  and 
North  Providence,  R.  Island:  read  and  laid  on  the  table.  He 
nl-o  wished  to  present  two  communications  addu.-sed  to  him 
self  on  the  subject  of  the  deposites. 

Objection  being  made  to  their  reception,  Mr.  P.  moved  to  sus- 
pend Die  rule;  which  motion  was  negatived. 

Memorials,  &c.  in  favor  of  the  restoration  of  the  deposites, 
&c.  were  presented  by  Mr.  Jillen,  of  Vt.  from  the  inhabitants  of 
the  county  of  Chittendeii,  in  that  slate;  by  Mr.  Slade,  of  Vt. 
from  inhabitants  of  the  county  of  Rutland,  Vt.;  by  Mr.  Seldrn, 
from  881  of  the  mechanics  of  Troy,  N.  York;  by  the  same  from 
2,800  citizens  of  Albany,  N.  Y.;  by  Mr.  Filrnore,  (a  spniird  n  • 
monstrance)  from  the  young  men  of  Troy;  by  Mr.  McKrnnan, 
from  inhabitants  of  Washington  county,  Pa  ;  by  Mr.  Darlington, 
from  2,530  inhabitants  of  Delaware  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  IHrn- 
derson,  from  600  citizens  of  Belfont,  Centre  county,  Pa.;  hy  Mr. 
.Qnlliony.  from  100  citizens  of  Mwncy,  Lycoming  county,  Pa.; 
hy  Mr.  Potts,  23  memorials  signed  by  I  ,(>()0  citizens  of  Chester 
county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Miller,  from  a  large,  meeting  of  citizens  of 
Adams  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Jiarintz,  the  proceedings  of  a  inert, 
ing  at  West  Manchester,  York  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  F.  Thomas, 
from  the  Washington  county  ban!;,  and  three  hanks  in  Frede- 
rick county,  Md.;  by  Mr.  StoMert.  from  800  voters  of  Prince 
(Jennie's  county.  Md.:  by  Mr.  Turner,  ofMd.  from  328  citizens 
of  his  district;  by  Mr.  Wise,  from  inhabitants  of  James  City,  Va  ; 
by  Mr.  Witti-ims,  of  N.  C.  two  memorials  from  his  district;  by 
Mr.  »tf//«»i,of  Ky.  from  the  citizens  of  Li-rinslon  and  Fayetle 
county  in  that  state;  by  Mr.  Chilian,  of  Ky.  from  citizens  of 
his  district;  by  Mr.  Mitchell,  of  Ohio,  from  citizens  of  his  dU- 
trict;  by  Mr.  T.caritt,  from  2.000  persons  of  Harrison  county, 
Ohio;  hy  Mr.  Srmn»/fr,  from  inhabitants  of  Tu-»caTuvas  county, 
Ohio;  by  Mr.  Corirtn,  from  citizens  of  Warn  n  county.  <  Hiin; 
by  Mr.  Dicltenson,  from  a  meeliii"  of  inhnhitrtnl!"  of  the  village 
of  Clinton,  N.  Jersey;  by  Mr.  Jlall,  of  N.  C.  from  inhabitants  of 
Beaufort  county,  in  thru  stale;  all  which  were  read,  referred.  &c. 
Mr.  /JtiiTiei;  presented  a  memorial  from  the  select  and  com- 
mon council  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  statin"  the  effect  of  the 
course  pursued  in  relation  to  the  currency,  especially  on  the 
property  held  by  them  in  trust  for  the  benefit  of  the  city,  and 
praying  for  a  recharter  of  the  brink. 

Memorials,  8tc.  approvinc  of  the  removal  of  the  d<  posites.  £.e. 
were  presented  by  Mr.  Pierson.  frc.m  certain  citizens  of  Troy, 
N.  York;  by  Mr.  'Bcardslcy,  from  000  citizens  of  Utica;  by  Mr. 
Dickerson,  from  Peterson,  N.  J.;  by  Mr.  Muhlenlitre,  (several 
memorials,  some  in  German  and  others  in  English)  from  .Ii.4PO 
inhabitants  of  Berks  county,  Pa  ;  by  Mr.  Sutherland,  from  a 
meeting  in  Delaware  county.  Pa.;  by  the  same  ftom  certain  c|- 
tizens  of  Blocklcy,  Pa.;  by  the  snme  from  the  democratic.  Jack- 
son association  of  Sonthwnrk;  by  the  same  from  3.179  voters  nf 
the  third  congressional  district; 'by  Mr.  Wagrncr.  from  inhabi- 
tants of  Northampton  county.  Pa.:  by  Mr.  .Inthanv.  of  Pa.  from 
1,118  citizens  of  Northampton  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Gntlrrnith, 
from  Ihe  town  of  Franklin,  Vcnango  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Pcale, 
of  Vn.  from  certain  citizens  of  that  state  belonging  to  the  state 
rights  party;  by  Mr.  Bynum,  of  N.  C.  from  citizens  of  Halifax 
county,  in  that  state;  by  Mr.  Learitt.  from  inhabitant*  of  Jef- 
ferson county,  Ohio;  by  the  same  from  inhabitants  of  Harrison 
county,  Ohio;  by  Mr.  Pearce,  from  citizens  of  Pawtucket  vil- 
lage, R.  Island:  by  Mr.  I.i.nsine,  from  inhabitants  of  Albany,  V. 
York;  by  Mr.  Dirkcrsou.  from  inhabitants  of  Es«e.t  county,  \. 
Jersey:  by  Mr.  7fa//,of  N.  C.froin  citizens  of  Edpecombc  coun- 
ty, ill  that  state;  all  which  were  read,  referred,  &c. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  14,  1834— INSTRUCTION  TO  MR.  McKIM.       107 


Mr.  Boon  asked  leave  to  offer  a  resolution,  fixing  n  day  for  the  |  Kavnnagh,  King,  Lansing,  Lawrence,  Luke  Lea,  Loyall  Abi  - 
niljoimiiuriil  of  congress.  Objections  being  made,  lit;  moved  to  jah  Mann,  Jo«,'l  K.  Mann,  Mardjs,  Moses  Mason,  Mclntire,  Mc- 
siis|>end  the  rule,  but,  in  consequence  of  numerous  remonslraii-  Kiriley,  McLfne,  Miller,  ( >>«»od.  Pace,  I'arker,  I).  J.  Pearce 
ces  all  around  him,  lie  immediately  withdiew  tlie  motion.  Peyton,  Franklin  Pearce,  Polk,  Sclilcx ,  Smith,  Speight,  Htan- 

Mr.  Eicin°  sent  certain  papers  to  the  clerk's  table  eontaining  diler,  Htocldert,  Sutherland,  Franris  Thomas,  Philemon  Tho- 
pro)>r.imiiies,  drafts  and  outlines  for  the  eitahlUhrnentof  a  na-  I  mas,  Turrill,  Wagener,  Wayne — 67. 

lional  currency,  which  he  wished  to  have  printed,  iiml  obicrv-  I  There  being  not  two-thirds  in  favor  of  suspending  the  rule, as 
ed,  thai,  if  the  house  would  hear  him  on  the  subject,  he  would  moved,  the  motion  of  Mr.  Vance,  to  print  the  amendment  was 
promise  to  occupy  not  more  than  an  hour.  The  speaker  said  overruled.  The  house  then  adjourned. 

tiiese  p.ip.-rs  co, ii>l  not  be  presented  but  by  unanimous  consent.         Wednesday,  April  9.    The   resolution   submitted   yesterday 

Loud   objections  being  made  to  the  leave,  Mr.  Swing  with-     ca||ii,g  upon  the  secretary  of  war  for  a  detailed  estimate  for  the 

drew  his  motion.  repairs  of  the  Cumberland  road,  east  of  the  Ohio  river,  was 

1  he  whole  ot  the  residue  of  the  day  was  taken  up  in  the  pre-     taken  up  arid  agreed  to. 

mentation  of  memorials  and  petitions,  generally  of  a  private  or  The  resolution  of  Mr.  Mardi$  relative  to  the  deposites  wa» 
local  character.  1  he  house  adjourned.  I  taken  up  when 

Tuesday,  April  8.  Various  hills  for  the  relief  of  private  indi-  Mr.  Co'nnn  resumed  and  continued  his  remarks  till  the  expi- 
viduals  were  reported,  twice  read  and  committed.  I  ration  of  the  hour 

Mr.  R.  if.  Johnson  submitted  a  resolution  which  was  agreed  On  motion  of  Mr.  Polk,  the  house  went  into  committee  of  the 
to,  directing  the  secretary  of  war  to  cause  a  revision  of  the  sys-  wi,ole  on  the  general  appropriation  bill. 

tern  of  army  tactics  to  be  made,  and  reported  to  the  next  ses-        Mr.  J.  Q.  Adams  moved  to  amend  the  bill  so  as  to  strike  out 

sion  of  congress.  tnat  itern  in  the  bm  wjn-cn  neilt  to  a||ow  §U40Q  for  the  salary 

The  resolution  of  Mr.  Mardis  on  the  deposite  question  com-    ofa  c|e.rk  in  the  office  of  the  department  of  state,  for  one  year, 

ing  up,  to  arrange  and  index  certain  papers;  whereupon  a  long  and  ani- 

Mr.  Corwin,  of  Ohio,  resumed  the  floor,  and  continued  his    mated  debats  arose,  and,  after  a  verbal  amendment  being  offered 

speech  until  the  expiration  of  the  hour— when  to  tne  ilcm  in  thn  nj|i5  hy  Mr.  Binney,  the  amendment  of  Mr. 

The  house  took  up  the  commutation  bill  as  in  committee  of   Mams  prevailed  hy  a  vote  of  ayes  89  iiays  70;  so  the  approoria- 

the  whole.  tion  was  stricken  out. 

Mr.  Cramer  resumed  his  remarks,  and  having  concluded  his  |      Thereupon  the  committee,  rose,  and  reported  progress.    And 


speech, 

Mr.  Crane  obtained  the  floor,  but  yielded  it  at  the  suggestion 
of  Mr.  I'olk,  when  the  house,  on  motion  of  the  latter  gentle- 
man, took  up  the  general  appropriation  bill. 
The  bill  was  read  by  sections,  and,  after  various  proceedings — 
Mr.  Fiance,  of  Ohio,  asked  lea  veto  have  an  amendment  print- 
ed, which  he  proposed  at  the  proper  time,  to  offer,  in  commit- 
tee of  the  whole,  in  connection  with  the  appropiiatioii  bill, 
which  had  been  under  consideration  to-day. 


the  house  at  5  o'clock  adjourned. 

Thursday,  April  10.  Owing  to  the  indisposition  of  Mr.  Cor- 
nn,  who  is  entitled  to  the  floor,  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Mardis, 
relative  to  the  deposites,  was  laid  over  until  to-morrow. 

At  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Whittlesey,  of  Ohio,  the  house  agreed 
up  such  resolutions  as  had  been  long  lying  on  the  speak- 
le,  as  would  not  elicit  debate. 

.aken  up,  and  seventy  or  eighty  of 


the  treasury,  two  thousand  dollars.  To  the  solicitor  of  llie  |  States  has  increased  is  increasing,  and  ought  to  be  dimiBished.] 
treasury,  two  thousand  dollars.  To  the  register  of  the  treasury,  At  one  "clock,  the  house,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Polk,  took  up 
two  thousand  dollars.  To  the  treasurer,  two  thousand  dollars.  th?  Sencr2,1  appropriation  bill,  as  in  committee  of  the  whole. 
To  the  commissioner  of  Indian  affairs,  two  thousand  dollars.  Wnen  M/'  Vanfce  mo*e.d,  a?  amendment  (the  same,  an  sub- 
To  the  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office,  two  thousand  sta:ice> as  heretofore  published,  but  with  some  variations,  limit- 
dollars."  I  In8  tne  reduction  of  clerk's  salaries  to  twenty-five  percent. 


iiu.i.  all  persons  connected  with  the  Indian  drp.in.nn.iii.  .IB  au-  i     ,     -.  . 

pfrintendents,  agents,  sub  agents,  interpreters,  agents  for  re-    ed  with  them.    The  committee  then  rose,  and  the  house  ad- 

inovals,  commissioners,  or  in  whatever  other  manner  employed,  j  Journed. 

INSTRUCTION  TO  MR.  McKtM. 

To  the  voters  of  the  fifth  congressional  district  of  Maryland. 
The  delegates  appointed  by  the  first  five  wards  of  the  city  of 


It  also  proposes  to  reduce  the  per  diem  of  members  of  congress 
to  $6  instead  of  $8,  and  a  like  reduction  on  their  travelling  al- 
lowance  to  and  from  the  seat  of  government,  and  it  provides 


after  the  expiration  of  the  present  presidential  term,  the  salary 

of  the  president  of  the  United  States  shall  be  $15,000  instead  of  Baltimore,  the  county  ot  Anne  Arundel  and  the  city  of  Anna- 
$25,000  as  now  allowed.  polls,  to  proceed  to  the  city  of  Washington,  and  present  certain 

Mr.  Vance  now  moved  for  the  suspension  of  the  rule,  so  as  to  I  instructions  to  the  lion.  Isaac  McKim,  our  representative  in 
allow  him  to  make  a  motion  to  have  his  amendment  printed.  I  congress  —  respectfully  beg  leave  to  report: 
On  which  question,  That  they  assembled  at  the  city  of  Washington  on  Tuesday, 

Mr.  Crane  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays.  I  the  1st  April,  organized  their  body  by  caMms  Charles  Carroll,  of 

They  were  ordered  and  taken,  and  stood  as  follows:  I  Anne  Arundel,  to  the  chair,  and  according  to  arrangement, 

YEAS  —  Messrs.  John  duiney  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  waited  upon  Mr.  McKim  on  Thursday,  3d  April,  at  12  o'clock, 
Allen,  Chilton  Allan,  William  Allen,  Archer,  Barber,  Barrin-  when  the  following  letter  was  read  by  the  chairman  and  then 
per,  Bates,  Baylies,  Beany,  Binney,  Bouldin,  lirijms,  Bull,  Burd,  presented  to  him: 

Casey,  Chambers,  Chaney,  Chilton,  William  Clark,  Clayton,  I  Washington  city,  Gadsby's  hotel,  3d  April,  1834. 

Clowney,  Connor,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Crane,  Crockett,  Daven-  I  To  the  hon.  Isaac  McKim. 

port,  Deberry,  Deming,  Denny,  Dennis,  Duncan,  Ellsworth,  I  SIR:  The  undersigned,  deeply  impressed  with  the  conviction 
Evans,  Edward  Everett,  II.  Everett,  Ewing,  Fillmore,  Foot,  I  that  the  distress  which  now  pervades  our  country,  has  been 
Philo  C.  Fuller,  Fulton,  Gholson,  Gilmer,  Gorhain,  Graham,  J  produced  by  the  removal  of  the  deposites  from  the  bank  of  iho 
Grayson,  Grennell,  Hiland  Hall,  Hard,  Hardin,  Jos.  M.  Harper,  United  States,  and  the  attitude  assumed  by  the  executive  with 
James  Harper,  Ilazclline,  Heath,  Ileister,  Jabez  W.  Hunting-  I  regard  to  that  question,  look  to  congress  alone  for  relief  from 
ton,  Jackson,  William  C.Johnson,  Benjamin  Jones,  Kinnard,  the  evils  which  this  ill  advised  measure  has  brought  upon  the 
Lane,  Lay,  Leavitt,  Lincoln,  Lytle,  Marlindalo,  Marshall,  Me-  !  country. 

Carty,  McKennan,  McVean,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Robert  Mitchell,  In  order  that  our  representative  in  congress  should  be  appris- 
Moore,  Patterson,  Pinckney,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Selden,  W.  ed  of  the  real  wishes  of  his  constituents,  and  feeling  assured 
B.  Shepard,  Aug.  H.  Shepperd,  William  SJade,  Charles  Slad«,  that  he  will  not  hesitate  to  conform  to  those  wishes  to  their  full- 
Sloane,  Spangler,  William  P.  Taylor,  Thompson,  Tompkins,  e.st  extent,  when  properly  made  acquainted  with  them—  we  beg 
Turner,  Tweedy,  Vance,  Van  Houlen,  Vinton,  Watmough,  leave  to  inform  you,  that  meetings  have  been  held  in  various 
Whalon,  Edward  D.  White,  Fred.  Whilllesey,Elisha  Whittle-  sections  of  the  5th  congressional  district  of  .Maryland,  and  that 


sey,  Wilde,  Williams,  Wise,  Young— 105. 

NAYS— Messrs.  J.  Adams,  Anthony,  Bealc,  Bean,  Beards- 
ley,  Beaumont,  John  Bell,  Bockee,  Bodle,  Brown,  Bunch,  By- 
num,  Cage,  Camhreleng,  Carmichael,  Carr,  Chinn,  Soil.  Clark, 
Clay,  Coffee,  Day,  W.  K.  Fuller,  Gillet,  J.  Hall,  Halsey,  Han- 
negan,  Harrison,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  Henderson,  Howell, 
Abel  Huntington,  Jarvis,  R.  M.  Johnson,  Noadiah  Johnson, 


resolutions  have  been  adopted  at  those  meetings,  and  signed  by 
a  large  majority  of  your  constituent*. 

The  undersigned  were  appointed  a  delegation  to  proceed  to 
Washington  to  communicate  to  you  this  fact.  In  obedience  lo 
their  instructions,  they  have  now  the  honor  to  present  to  yon 
the  resolutions  as  passed  at  those  meetings,  with  the  accompa- 
nying sijnaturtii. 


103         NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  12,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


Annexed  is  an  official  statement*  of  the  number  of  votes  tak 
at  the  last  congressional  election  in  the  5th  district,  on  exarr 
nation  of  which,  it  will  be  found  that  there  were  6,001  vot 
taken  al  that  election. 

The  resolutions  which  the  undersigned  have  now  the  hon 
to  hand  to  you  have  been  signed  by  3,717  voters,  all  of  who 
we  firmly  believe  to  be  legal  voters  in  their  respeclive  districts 
showing  a  majority  of  715  [l,433]f  votes. 

From  the  anxiety  which  your  constituents  feel  to  know  yo 
determination  on  this  important  subject,  the  undersigned  w 
conclude  this  communication  by  remarking  that  they  will  b 
most  happy  to  hear  from  you  at  your  earliest  convenience.  W 
are,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servants. 

CHARLES  CARROLL,  chairman. 
ALEXANDER  KlRKLAND.l  n  .       ..       ,. 
MATTHEW  KELLY,  ,i     f   ,  r"  -'r°? 

R.  D.  MILLHOLLAND,          I,,/™,     TSi 
AARON  CLAP,  (ofthecityofBal- 

GEORGE  F.  THOM.E. 
JAMES  TONGUE, 
WILLIAM  BROGDEN, 
THOMAS  HODGES, 
BENJAMIN  W  ATKINS, 
CHAS.  S.  W.  DORSEY, 
GEORGE  HOWARD, 
THOMAS  S.  HERBERT, 
THOMAS  DUCKETT, 
JOSEPH  H.  NICHOLSON,  J 
To  which  Mr.  McKim  made  the  following  reply: 
Mr.  Chairman:  I  beg  leave  to  state  to  the  delegation  that 
fully  acknowledge  the  right  of  instruction  by  the  majority,  whe 
that  majority  can  be  well  ascertained. 

The  papers  now  left  with  me  by  the  delegation,  shall  receiv 
n  most  careful  and  attentive  consideration,  as  the  subject  mos 
justly  demands,  and  I  shall  try,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  t 
come  to  a  just  and  correct  decision  thereon. 

ISAAC  McKIM. 

The  delegation  having  thus  committed  the  subject  of  the  re 
solutions  to  the  representative  of  the  district,  consider  their  du 
ties  closed;  and  they  cannot  but  hope  that  so  authentic  a  mani 
festation  of  the  wishes  of  his  constituents  will  not  be  withou 
iu  proper  influence,  while  they  believe  that  the  example  which 
this  proceeding  has  afforded  to  the  country,  may  be  beneficiallj 
followed  in  the  other  districts  of  the  slate, 
t  at  above. 


timore. 


Delegation  from 

Anne  Jlrundrl 
county  and  the  ci- 
ty of  Annapolis. 


BANK  OF  MARYLAND. 

The  following  correspondence  has  been  published  in  the  dail> 
papers: 

Baltimore,  April  2d,  1834 
To  R.  W.  Bill,  Jacob  Albert,  Alexander  Fridge,  esq's. 

GENTLEMEN— The  report  of  the  committee  of  fifteen,  which 
appears  in  the  papers  of  this  morning,  in  relation  to  the  con- 
cerns of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  seems,  not  only  in  my  own 
opinion,  but  in  the  opinion  of  friends  in  whose  judgment  I  con 
fide,  to  be  calculated  to  convey  the  impression  that  I  had  no 
cheerfully  acceded  to  each  of  the  propositions  made  to  me  by 
the  committee  that  were  finally  thought  by  them  to  be  just  in 
relation  to  the  trustees,  or  at  all  material  to  the  interests  of  ihe 
creditors. 

As  both  my  verbal  and  written  communications  in  the  whole 
of  this  affair  were  with  you  as  the  organs  of  the  committee, 
you  will,  I  am  sure,  do  me  the  justice  to  state  in  reply  to  this 
note,  whether  I  have  not  throughout  the  entire  negotiation,  not 
only  willingly  consented  but  desired  that  the  trust  should  be 


*Note  by  the  editor  of  the  Register— Here  are  added  rhe  cer- 
tificates of  the  clerk  of  the  executive  council  shewing  the  fol- 
lowing results  of  the  election  held  in  October  last — 

McKim.  Stewart. 

Anne  A  run  del  county 1,132  1,114 

5  wards  Baltimore 2,049  1,678 


2,792 


5,973 


So  it  appears  that  28  votes  were,  in  the  whole,  without  the 
name  of  either  gentleman  for  congress.  Mr.  McKim's  majority 
369. 

fTo  make  the  matter  plain  we  add  the  following  note  which 
appears  in  the  Baltimore  Chronicle  of  Monday  last. 

The  worthy  gentlemen  who  presented  the  instruction  of  the 
voters  of  the  5th  congresssion.il  district  to  Mr.  McKim,  made  a 
great  mistake  in  the  use  of  the  word  "majority." 

They  say  that  the  whole  number  of  votes  taken  at  the  last 
election  was  6,001— and  that  3,717  voter*  have  signed  the  in- 
rtrnction.  Then — 

From  the  whole  number  of  votes  6,001 

Deduct  the  number  of  the  signers  3,717 

And  there  is  left  2.284 

which  deducted   from  3,717  leaves  a  majority  of  1,433— one 
thousand  four  hundred  and  Ihirty-three. 

If  one  be  taken  from  one  side  and  added  to  the  other,  it  does 
not  chaiifu  Hie  "plurality,"  but  gives  tiro  to  the  majority. 


placed  as  well  in  relation  to  the  number  of  trustees  to  be  as- 
sociated with  me,  the  mode  of  their  appointment,  and  the  man- 
ner of  executing  the  trust,  precisely  upon  the  fooling  which  the 
committee  have  ultimately  recommended. 

You  will  further  oblige  me,  by  stating,  what  I  understand  to 
be  the  fact,  if  in  our  acceptance  of  the  trust,  as  proposed  tn  be 
regulated  by  the  committee,  there  was  any  material  difference 
of  opinion  between  my  co-trustee,  J.  B.  Morris,  esq.  and  my- 
self, when  we  were  called  upon  prior  to  the  final  arrangement, 
to  express  our  determination  upon  the  subject. 

The  acceptance  of  the  third  trustee,  R.  W.  Gill,  esq.  having 
been  given  after  all  the  conditions  of  the  trust  had  been  agreed 
upon,  is  of  course  evidence  of  his  entire  acquiescence  in  their 
propriety.  Very  respectfully.  THO:  ELLICOTT. 

Baltimore,  April  2d,  1834. 

SIR — Your  letter  of  this  date,  addressed  to  Messrs.  GiH,  Fridgs 
and  Albert,  has  been  laid  before  ihe  committee  by  those  gentle- 
men, who  beg  leave  in  reply  to  state,  that  having  again  care- 
fully examined  the  report,  we  cannot  discover  any  ground  for 
the  impression  it  seems  to  have  made  upon  you  and  the  friends 
you  have  consulted.  A  recurrence  to  the  correspondence  which 
has  taken  place  on  this  subject  will  show  that  it  could  not  have 
been  the  intention  of  the  committee  that  any  such  impressions 
should  be  made.  If  desired  by  you,  that  correspondence  shall 
be  published. 

It  is  proper  in  explanation  to  say,  that  the  propositions  to 

•Inch  you  alluded  came  originally  from  yourself— that  which 
related  to  the  appointment  of  additional  trustee.-,  was  acceded 
to  by  the  committee — the  others  were  modified..  By  order  of 
the  committee  of  fifteen,  I  am  respectfully, 

ALEX'R  FRIDGE,  chairman,  pro  tern. 

CHARLES  C.  HARPER,  secretary. 

To  the  creditors  of  the  bank  of  Maryland. 
The  original  deeds  executed  by  the  president  and  directors  of 
.he  bank  of  Maryland  to  Thomas  Ellicott,  provided,  that  he,  in 
the  entire  execution  of  the  trust  created  thereby,  should  act 
under  the  advice  and  direction  of  the  honorable  Stevenson  Ar- 
cher and  Thomas  B.  Dorsey,  and  in  case  they  declined  to  act, 
then  under  the  advice  and  direction  of  such  other  person  or 
persons  as  they  might  name.  Those  gentlemen  having  declined 
acting,  appointed  Reverdy  Johnson  and  John  V.  L.  McMahon, 
esquires,  as  the  advisers  and  directors  of  said  trust.  In  confor- 
mity with  the  resolutions  agreed  upon  by  the  general  committee 
of  the  creditors,  and  Thomas  Ellicott,  and  by  the  direction  of 
.he  said  advisers  of  the  trustees,  a  deed  of  assignment  from 
Thomas  Ellicott,  and  the  president  and  directors  of  the  hank  of 
Maryland,  uniting  John  B.  Morris  and  Richard  W.  Gill,  as 
rustees  with  the  said  Thomas  Ellicott,  according  to  the  eondi- 
ions  of  the  original  deed  of  trust,  was  executed  and  delivered 
o  the  subscribers  upon  the  5th  April,  instant,  who  were  thus 
iroperly  authorised  to  proceed  with  the  affairs  of  the  said  trust. 
The  trustees  have  directed  a  statement  of  the  condition  of  the 
iank  to  be  prepared  for  the  information  of  the  creditors  as 
peedily  as  practicable,  which,  when  ready,  will  be  submitted 

0  them. 

Persons  interested,  will  please  take  notice,  that  in  relation  to 
otes  and  draughts,  not  yet  due,  deposited  with  the  bank  of 
Maryland,  merely  for  collection,  by  parties  not  indebted  nor 
iabl*  to  the  hank,  and  over  which  the  bank  has  no  right  or  con- 
rol,  other  than  as  agent,  the  trustees  do  not  consider  that  such 
lotcs  or  draughts  passed  to  them  by  the  assignment.  Applica- 
ions  for  such  notes  and  draughts  will  be  made  to  the  cashier  of 
ic  bank. 

It  is  proper  also  to  notify  the  debtors  and  creditors  of  the 
ank,  that  we  are  instructed  by  the  advisers  and  directors  of  the 
rust,  that  the  debtors  of  the  bank  are  under  the  circumstances 
ttending  the  creation  of  this  trust,  and  by  the  statute  laws  of 
Maryland,  privileged  to  discharge  their  debts  with  Ihe  notes  of 
le  bank,  certificates  of  deposite  issued  by  it,  or  the  open  ac- 
ounts  due  by  it,  and  that,  without  regard  to  the  period  at  which 
uch  debtors  may  have  become  the  proprietors  of  such  notes, 
ertificates  or  accounts,  or  the  value  they  may  have  paid  for 
lem.  This  instruction  is  in  answer  to  an  inquiry  made  by  the 
ustces  for  their  government,  and  it  is  their  intention  to  fol- 
>w  it.  THOMAS  ELLICOTT,  ) 

JOHN  B.  MORRIS,          C  trustees. 

RICHARD  W.  GILL.     ) 
Baltimore,  1th  April,  1834. 

POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 

As  we  cannot  publish,  .it  length,  the  debate  in  the  senate,  on 
ie  29th  ult.  on  the  concerns  of  the  post  office  department,  we 
opy  the  following  abstract  from  the  "Alexandria  Gazette"— 
Mr.  Lci°h  said,  referring  to  the  statement  made  in  the  Blue 
ook  with  regard  to  extra  allowances  to  contractors— 
"The  contract  prices  of  each  and  all  are  slated,  and  under 
em  the  extra  allowances  (where  there  are  anv)  are  set  down, 
id  indicated  by  an  asterism.     I  began  my  examination  of  this 
st  of  mail  contractors  with  the  state  of  Maine,  and   having 
sard  a  good  deal  of  conversation  since  I  eame  here  on  the  «til>- 
ct  of  these  extra  allowances,  I  was  agreeably  surprised  to  see 
•>w  few  of  those  stars  were  in   Main.-,  .-mil   in  the  other  \nv 
ngland  states,  and  how  small  was  the  amount  of  Ihe  extra  al 
wanees  in  that  part  of  the  union.    The  number  of  them,  firm- 
er, Mgini  to  increase  in   New  York,  and   ihence,  gi.-iclii.illv, 

1  ihe  mail  routes  ernes  the  Potomac.    Gelling  to  Virginia,  I 


NILES>  REGISTER— APRIL  15,  1834— LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW  YORK.        109 


found  such  a  number  of  asterisms  as  quite  astonished  me — there 
is  a  perfect  galaxy,  a  milky  way,  illuminating  the  mall  routes 
through  that  state.  In  a  single  page  (page  256),  I  find,  anionj 
others,  the  following:  Alex.  Patterson,  $2,300  contract  price 
*$2,300  extra  allowance;  Peck  &  Welford,  $5,221  contrac 
price,  *$6,557  extra  allowance;  E.  Porter  &  Co.  $25,436  con- 
tract price,  *$28,232  extra  allowance;  D.  A.  &  O.  Saltmarsh, 
$8,000  contract  price,  *$4,913  extra  allowance;  Win.  Smith 
<who  lives  in  the  county  of  Culpeper,  from  which  this  memo- 
rial conies,  and  if  reports  say  true,  takes  a  busy  part  in  politics 
there)  $10,897  68  contract  price,  *$9,550  extra  allowance;  and 
J.  N.  C.  Stockton,  $8,155  contract  price,  and  *$7,610  extra  al- 
lowance. 

These  extra  allowances,  in  that  single  page,  (to  which  my  at- 
tention was  attracted  by  the  Unlit  of  those  ominous  stars), 
amount  in  the  aggregate,  to  $59,162,  while  the  aggregate  of  the 
contract  prices  is  but  $60,709. 

Mr.  Clayton  said,  referring  to  a  report  which  had  bsen  made 
from  the  post  office  department — 

"£  glanced  my  eye  over  it,  and  found  among  other  things 
there,  by  the  help  of  a  friend,  that  the  statements  of  the  most 
extravagant  of  the  extra  allowances  had,  in  some  thirty  or  forty 
instances,  undergone  erasure;  and  although  the  operation  had 
been  most  delicately  performed,  it  was  on  investigation  ascer- 
tained that  the  name  of  the  person  who  really  made  the  allow- 
ances (William  T.  Barry,  namely)  had  been  scratched  out,  and 
that  of  an  assistant  postmaster  general  under  Mr.  McLean's 
administration  substituted  for  it.  It  appeared  also  that  the  re- 
port entirely  evaded  and  omitted  to  answer  this  call  expressly 
made  for  the  additional  services  of  contractors.  The  man  most 
injured  by  the  misslatement  of  this  official  report,  applied  to  the 
senate  for  redress,  and  the  senate  did,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  re- 
scind the  order  for  printing  the  document,  on  the  ground  that  a 
report,  thus  discredited  in  so  many  instances  was  creditable  in 
none.  Vet  we  are  now,  by  the  burning  of  the  treasury  build- 
ings, deprived  of  all  other  statements  than  those  coming  from 
the  same  sources  from  which  this  document  proceeded." 

Mr.  Ewing  said:  "It  is  now  3  or  4  weeks  since  we  called  on 
the  treasury  department  for  information  respecting  mail  con- 
tracts and  extra  allowances,  which,  by  law,  are  to  be  deposited 
there  within  a  short  time  after  they  shall  have  been  made.  It 
was  not  until  last  evening  that  any  information  was  given  us  on 
that  subject,  and  we  were  then  informed  that  the  papers  relat- 
ing to  that  subject  had  been  nearly  all  consumed,  and,  among 
those  that  remained,  no  extra  allowances  appeared  to  have  been 
reported.  The  clerk  who  gave  the  information,  for  it  was  mere- 
ly verbal,  stated,  also,  that  those  allowances  appear  only  in 
pencil  marks  in  the  books,  or  on  the  copies  of  the  contracts  in 
the  post  office  department.  This,  sir,  is  truly  a  most  startling 
fact.  Those  extra  allowances  appear  on  the  Blue  Book  to  the 
amount  of  nearly  four  hundred  thousand  dollars;  have  been 
made  by  that  department  which  is  rendered  insolvent  by  the 
waste  and  extravagance  of  those  who  control  it,  and  they  have 
avoided  the  only  check  which  the  law  imposes  upon  them,  by 
neglecting  to  report  to  the  treasury  department;  and  the  whole 
matter  stands  in  pencil  marks  only  on  them,  in  a  situation  to  be 
altered  or  obliterated,  as  may  best  suit  the  views  of  those  who 
have  access  to  them." 

In  any  other  age  of  the  republic,  how  such  facts  as  these 
would  have  startled  and  aroused  every  mini  in  the  country! 
Will  the  people  suffer  such  conduct  now?  Are  they  prepared 
to  countenance  corruption  and  abuse  so  monstrous,  gross  and 
palpable? 

LEGISLATURE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 
From  the  Harrisburgh  Intelligencer,  of  dpril  3. 
Substance  of  the  remarks  of  IMr.  Dunlop,  delivered  on  Tuesday 
in  the  house  of  representatives,  upon  the  resolution  of  the 
judiciary  committee,  "that  the  speaker  issue  a  warrant  to 
bring  James  Lesley,  esq.  before  the  house  to  answer  fora 
contempt,  for  refusal  to  answer,  (before  the  committee  ap- 
pointed to  investigate  the   expenditures  on  the  canal),  the 
question: 

"Do  you  know  whether  any  engineer,  superintendent,  super- 
visor, or  any  other  person  or  persons  holding  appointments 
under  them,  have  been,  or  are  now  interested  in  contracts,  on 
any  of  the  public  works,  or  whether  any  of  the  public  moneys 
have  been  used  by  any  of  the  public  agents  now  in  office,  for  pur- 
poses other  than  those  authorised  by  law?" 

Mr.  Dunlop  said,  that  the  house  had  certain  express  powers 
relating  to  powers  of  investigation  of  matters  of  fact — and  cer- 
tain implied  powers  necessary  to  carry  those  powers  into  suc- 
cessful operation.  That  the  house  has  power  of  impeachment, 
and  of  voting  for  the  removal  of  judges,  for  instance.  That 
these  express  powers  imply  the  power  of  examination  and  en- 
forcing the  disclosure  of  facts  relating  to  the  subject  or  matter. 
But  he  said  he  could  not  assent  to  the  doctrine  that  the  house 
have  the  implied  power  to  enforce  the  disclosure  of  facts  and 
discovery  of  papers  by  force,  the  purpose  of  procuring  informa- 
tion upon  any  and  every  subject.  That  the  right  of  enforcing 
disclosure  of  facts  and  discovery  of  papers  by  force  could  not 
legally  be  carried  beyond  the  execution  of  the  express  powers 
of  investigation  as  in  case  of  impeachment.  But  that  the  house 
could  not  enforce  the  disclosure  of  facts  to  enlighten  their 
minds  on  subjects  of  a  merely  legislative  nature.  That  he  could 
not  consent  to  the  doctrine  of  his  colleague  that  the  powers  of 
Uie  house  to  punish  for  contempt  extended,  for  instance,  to  the 
offer  of  a  bribe  to  a  member  in  bis  chamber— but  that  the  ne- 


cessarily implied  powers  of  the  bouse  to  arrest  for  contempt, 
ought  not  to  be  extended  beyond  the  protection  of  themselves 
whilst  actually  acting  or  about  to  act  as  a  legislative  body  and 
the  prosecution  of  the,  powers  expressly  confided  to  them  by 
the  constitution. 

With  regard  to  the  particular  case  before  the  hoase  he  argued 
that  the  house  ought  not  to  issue  the  warrant  to  arrest  Mr.  Lesley 
on  the  ground  of  his  being  in  contempt  as  he  Mr.  L.  was  not 
bound  to  answer  the  question  put  in  the  committee,  in  as  much 
as  it  was  too  broad  in  its  terms.  That  as  the  committee  report- 
ed  the  case  to  the  house,  the  house  ought  not  to  hold  Mr.  Lesley 
in  contempt,  unless,  (if  the  investigation  was  before  the  house), 
he  would  be  bound  to  answer.  That  he  thought  the  committee 
might  as  well  have  asked,  do  you  know  any  scoundrels  in 
Pennsylvania?  If  you  do  please  state  who  they  arc  and  wby 
yon  think  so.  That  though  the  llth  section  of  the  resolution 
ordering  the  inquiry,  was  as  general  as  the  question,  it  did  not 
follow  that  the  committee  could  put  all  sorts  of  questions  to  a 
witness,  not  directed  to  a  particular  malpractice  or  the  miscon- 
duct of  a  particular  individual. 

He  concluded  his  remarks  by  offering  a  resolution,  that  the 
question  propounded  to  James  Lesley,  esq.  by  the  committee, 
appointed,  &c.  is  too  general  in  its  terms  to  justify  the  hoase 
in  issuing  a  warrant  to  bring  him  before  the  bouse  for  contempt. 

From  the  same,  same  date. 

{jQHVearly  all  day  yesterday  was  taken  up  in  debating  a  re- 
solution from  the  judiciary  committee,  in  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives, that  the  sergeant-at-arms  take  into  custody  James  Les- 
ley, esq.  and  bring  him  before  the  bar  of  the  bouse  to  answer 
for  a  contempt  of  the  house  in  refusing  to  answer  a  question 
put  to  him  by  the  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  con- 
duct of  the  public  agents  in  the  disbursement  of  money  on  the 
public  works.  Mr.  Lesley  refused  to  disclose  private  and  con- 
fidential correspondence  solicited  by  himself,  after  stating  that 
the  facts  to  be  disclosed  would  in  no  manner  criminate  himself. 

[The  resolution  was  passed — 67  yeas,  17  nays.] 


is  morning,  (April  3),  James  Lesley,  esq.  was  brought 
to  the  bar  of  the  house  by  the  sergeant-at-arms.  Mr.  Lacock 
read  a  casein  congress,  of  a  publisher  of  a  paper  that  refused 
in  1812  to  testify  before  the  committee  of  foreign  relations.  Mr. 
Alexander  moved  that  the  question  which  Mr.  LesJey  refused  to 
answer  before  the  committee,  be  now  put  to  him  by  the  speaker, 
which  after  the  reading,  the  report  of  the  committee,  was  agreed 
to.  Mr.  Lesley  then  stood  up  and  the  speaker  asked  him  the 
question.  Mr.  Lesley  replied  in  substance  that  ke  had  every 
respect  for  the  house,  but  that  he  had  divulged  every  thing  which, 
he  could  as  a  man  of  honor.  Mr.  Lesley  was  then  recommitted 
to  the  custody  of  the  sergeant-at-arms.  Mr.  Alexander  then 
offered  the  following  resolution: 

Whereas,  James  Lesley  having  been  brought  before  the  hoase 
of  representatives,  by  the  sergeant-at-arms,  on  a  warrant  issued 
against  him  fora  contempt,  and  it  appearing  from  the  testimony 
offered  and  accepted,  to  sustain  the  charge  against  him,  and 
from  his  answer  before  the  house,  that  there  was  no  intention: 
on  his  part  to  resist  the  due  execution  of  the  laws;  but,  that  he 
was  actuated  solely  by  a  principle  of  honor,  magnanimous  in 
its  conception,  yet  mistaken  in  abstract  legal  contemplation. 
And,  as  the  majesty  of  the  laws,  and  the  dignity  of  the  house 
of  representatives,  have  been  fully  vindicated  and  sustained; 
Therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  said  James  Lesley  be  forthwith  discharged 
from  custody. 

After  considerable  debate,  in  which  Messrs.  Alexander,  Hoi  ' 
comb,  Walker,  Crawford,  of  Franklin,  Stevens,  Lacock  and 
Keating  took  part,  the  resolution  was  postponed,  and  Mr.  Les- 
ey  was  again  brought  before  the  house,  when  he  again  refused 
to  testify,  but  stated  that  nothing  that  he  could  state  would  im- 
alicate  the  canal  commissioners.  He  was  again  committed  to 
the  custody  of  the  sergeant-at-arms,  and  the  resolution  of  Mr. 
Alexander  to  discharge  him,  was  again  taken  up. 

The  debate  on  the  resolution  was  continued  by  Messrs, 
Alexander,  Lacock,  Thompson,  Holcomb,  McCreery,  Barclay, 
Wallace,  Dunlop,  Crawford,  of  Franklin  and  Kerr,  of  Butler, 
to  a  late  hour,  when  it  was  negatived,  the  vole  being  ayes  19, 
nays  69. 

So  Mr.  Lesley,  is  still  in  the  custody  of  the  sergeant-at-arrar, 

[Mr.  L.  remained  in  custody  at  the  date  of  our  last  account?, 

ED.  RES.] 


LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 

REPORT   OF   THE  JOINT   COMMITTEE    ON   THE     GOVERNOR'S   MES- 
SAGE. 

[Report  made  to  the  assembly,  March  31.] 
Mr.  Morris,  from  the  joint  committee  of  the  two  houses,  to 
whom  was  referred  the  special  message  of  the  governor,  of  the 
24th  March,  1834,  reported: 

That  they  have  given  to  the  subject  all  the  consideration 
which  its  importance  demands,  and  that  their  deliberations  have 
resulted  in  an  unanimous  assent  to  ihe  propriety  of  the  measure, 
which  the  governor  has  recommended  to  the  legislature.  They 
lave  prepared  a  bill  accordingly;  but  before  they  proceed  to 
_  tibmit  the  details  of  the  plan  on  which  they  have  united,  they 
deem  it  due  to  the  occasion  to  advert  to  the  circumstances 
which  render  its  adoption  expedient,  and  to  the  relation  in 
which  the  state  of  New  York  has  for  several  years  stood  to  ths 
•real  question  of  rechartering  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 


1 10       N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  I  a,  1834— LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


The  right  of  congress,  under  the  constitution  of  the  U.  .States, 
to  incorporate  such  an  institution,  lias  uniformly  been  denied 
by  many  of  our  citizens;  while  others,  who  supposed  that  such 
a  right,  though  not  given  in  terms,  might  be  drawn  by  implica- 
tion from  express  grants  of  power,  became  at  an  early  day 
alarmed  at  Hie  influence  which  ihe  bank  had  acquired  by  its 
control  over  the  moneyed  institutions  of  the  state'*, and  by  gain- 
ing over  to  its  service  many  individuals  of  distinguished  talents, 
who  had  uniformly  been  hostile  to  it.  All  saw  in  these  indica- 
tions of  strength,  a  danger  that  it  might  be  perverted  to  the  ac- 
complishment of  objects  altogether  inconsistent  with  that  free- 
dom of  opinion,  on  which  the  durability  of  our  political  institu- 
tions essentially  depends.  An  apprehension  on  the  one  hand, 
of  a  concentration  of  power  dangerous  to  the  government  and 
the  people;  and  on  the  other,  a  deliberate  conviction  of  the  un- 
constitutionally of  the  bank,  led,  in  the  year  1631,  to  an  expres- 
sion on  the  part  of  the  legislature  of  this  state,  adverse  to  the  re- 
newal of  its  charter.  Since  that  ti:ne,  the  electors  of  this  state 
have  repeatedly  evinced  their  strong  repugnance  to  it,  notwith- 
standing the  efforts  of  that  institution  to  brim;  about  a  change  in 
its  favor,  by  purchasing  presses  and  attempting  to  corrupt  the 
fountains  of  public  opinion.  Hut  the  firmness  with  which  all 
these  efforts  have  been  resisted  by  the  great  body  of  the  peo- 
ple, has  lully  demonstrated  the  existence  of  a  deep-rooted  con- 
viction on  their  part,  that  it  ought  not  to  be  continued  beyond 
the  period  for  which  it  is  chartered. 

In  pursuance  of  the  design  referred  loon  the  part  of  the  b.ink, 
to  produce  a  change  of  opinion  in  its  favor,  its  accommodation, 
were  extended  throughout  the  union,  from  about  forty-two  to 
seventy  millions  of  dollars,  between  December,  1830,  and  May 
1832.  In  this  expansion  of  its  loans,  our  own  citizens  largely 
participated;  and  the  unnatural  impulse  which  it  gave  to  busi- 
ness and  the  spirit  of  commercial  enterprise,  has  made  the  sub- 
requent  contraction  of  the  operations  of  the  bank,  more  embar- 
rassing and  disastrous  in  its  consequences. 

Unsuccessful  ia  its  attempts  to  control  public  opinion,  by  ap- 
peals to  the  pecuniary  interests  of  the  people,  the  bank  imme- 
diately commenced  a  system  of  curtailment;  and  there  is  abund- 
ant reason  to  believe  that  it  was  the  result  of  a  deliberate  plan 
to  create  wide-spread  embarrassment  and  suffering,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  extorting  from  the  wants  and  fears  of  the  community  an 
expression  which  it  had  failed  to  obtain  by  the  extension  of  its 
favors.  There  is  equal  reason  to  believe  that  the  princip.il  ef- 
fects of  the  contraction  referred  to,  have  been  made  to  fall  upon 
the  citizens  of  this  state:  an  object  by  no  means  difficult  to  ac- 
complish, as  the  commercial  operations  of  the  union  have  cen- 
tered for  many  years  in  the  city  of  New  York.  And  although 
the  statements  of  the  branch  in  that  city  exhibit  no  diminution 
of  the  amount  of  its  discounts,  it  is  nevertheless  well  understood 
that  the  hank,  while  it  has  refused  to  the  city  merchants  the 
usual  accommodations  in  collecting  the  debts  due  them  from 
other  states,  has,  by  the  purchase  of  domestic  exchange  on  N. 
York,  through  its  southern  and  western  branches,  availed  itself 
of  their  indebtedness,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  upon  them  the 
distress  and  alarm  on  which  it  founded  its  hopes  of  coercing  the 
people  into  a  renewal  of  its  charter. 

It  is  conceded  on  all  hands,  that  the  condition  of  this  stale 
would  have  been  one  of  extraordinary  prosperity,  but  for  the 
embarrassments  which  have  grown  out  of  the  operations  of  the 
hank.  That  tile  payment  of  duties  in  cash,  by  withdrawing  a 
large  amount  of  credits,  which  were  equivalent  to  capital  in  Ihe 
business  of  the  merchants,  has  contributed  to  the  prevailing  dif 
liculties,  cannot  be  denied.  Uut  it  is  believed  that  this  clKin^ 
of  system  might  have  been  made  without  serious  .embarrass- 
ment, if  the  bank  had  not  retrenched  its  accomodations  at  the 
same  time,  and  by  creating  alarm,  put  an  end  to  that  inter- 
change of  confidence  and  credit,  which  is  indispensable  to  the 
successful  prosecution  of  commercial  enterprises.  The  ele- 
ments of  our  prosperity  are  undimini?  lied:  ihe  state  was  never 
essentially  more  prosperous:  the  surplus  production  of  the  last 
season  was  almost  unexampled;  no  foreign  market  has  been 
closed  against  us;  and  until  the  presses  in  the  service  of  Ihe 
bank,  and  the  public  men  who  are  advocating  its  recharler,  pro- 
claimed that  the  country  was  overwhelmed  with  embarrassment 
and  suffering,  our  commerce  and  enterprise  wore  pursuing  their 
accustomed  channels  with  activity  and  sucte>-. 

That  much  of  the  existing  pressure  is  the  fruit  of  distrust 
cannot  be  denied;  but  that  any  portion  of  this  distrust  is  to  be 
attributed,  as  the  partisans  of  the  bank  assert,  to  tin: 
made  by  the  government  in  the  places  for  d<:po>iting  the  public 
moneys,  will  not  he  a  moment  conceded.  It  llie  public  monry 
had  been  withdrawn  from  the  commercial  operations  of  the 
country,  a  corresponding  retrenchment  would  have  born  tin 
consequence.  Hut  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  in  what  manner 
their  transfer  from  one  institution  to  another,  bavins  neatly  tin 
same  lural  situation,  nnd  po<.»e»iiig  siuiilnr  means  nf  exlendMl 
accommodations  to  buafheM  nn  n.  roiild  have  prodnrnl  • 
facts  ascribed  to  it.  The  loc.il  banks,  winch  icoeived  these 
moneys,  have  discounted  upon  them  freely,  and  it  is  bclj.-\  •  . 
that  they  have  been  the  principal  mrans  uf  sustaining  the  com- 
munity against  the  evil  eo>i~eivi.-ie-es  re.-iilnug  from  ihe  con 
trnetion  of  the  accommodation-'  ol  the  bank  of  llio  United  Si.ites 
which,  from  th«  period  wht  n  its  curtailment*  commenced,  have 
been  reduced  about  sixteen  million*  of  dollars.  Thai  this  con 
traction  ha»  been  mud'-  in  a  caprii-i.m...  manner  and  been  car 
n«rl  to  nn  unnecessary  extent,  ran  h.irrily  lie  disputed:  nor  is  i 
doubi. -d  HIM  it  might  cluT  .,:i  it*  concerns  without  praduoim 
embarrassment  in  it).;  buMiic-av  affairs  of  the  count/}',  if  it  hat 


lot  assumed  an  attitude  of  hostility  to  ihe  local  banks  as  vrell 


is  to  the  decided  expressions  of  public  opinion.  The  former 
bank  of  the  United  Stales  discontinued  its  operations  without 
any  material  check  to  the  public  prosperily,  although  during  the 
contest  in  congress  for  a  recharter,  the  same  scenes  of  panic 
and  distress  were  enacted  by  its  partisans.  But  the  question 
ol  its  recharler  being  disposed  of,  it  submitted  to  its  fate,  and  by 
means  of  the  state  banks,  with  which  it  had  a  friendly  under- 
standing, the  transfer  of  ils  accommodations  arid  business  was 
made  without  difficulty  or  commotion. 

It  is  not  to  disguised  that  the  state  of  New  York  is  the  pecu- 
liar object  of  hostility  to  the  bank  and  its  partisans.     Although 
we  hear  of  embarrassment  and  distress  in  other  status,  those 
evils  are  not  depicted  elsewhere  with  the  same  exaggerated  fea- 
tures. Bill-liolders  have  been  urged  to  make  demands  of  specie 
on   the  banks;   unwearied   attempts  have   been  made  to  bring 
them  into  disrepute,  by  declaring  them  to  be  on  the  verge  of  in- 
solvency; and  it  has  been  their  misfortune  to  incur  the  enmity 
of  men  distinguished  for  their  talents  in  congress,  while  the  mo- 
neyed institutions  of  other  slates  have  been  almost  entirely  ex- 
empt from  their  animadversions.     Humors  of  the  failure  of  par- 
ticular institutions  have  been  put  in  circulation  simultaneously 
in  different  sections  of  the  country;  merchants  of  high  standing 
have  been  made  ihe  subjects  of  similar  impeachment;  and  no 
effort  has  been  spared  to  produce  panic  and  distress  for  the  pur- 
pose of  inducing  the  people  of  this  stale  to  lake  shelter  from 
impending  evils  under  the  shadow  of  ihe  bank  of  the   United 
States.     The  credit  and  stability  which  our  local  institutions 
have,  derived  from  the  safely  fund  system   have  enabled  them 
successfully  to  resist  that  grasping  monopoly:  and  we  have  no 
hesitation  in  saying  that  the  attacks,  which  they  have  sustain- 
ed, would,  in   the  absence  of  the  provisions  of  the  safely  fund 
acl,  have  produced   the   most  disastrous   consequences.     The 
objeclions  which  have  been  urged  against  them,  by  those  who 
have  manifested  a  greater  willingness  to  assail  than  to  under- 
stand  the  system,  have  been  so  satisfactorily  answered  by  our 
senators  and  lepresentatives  in  congress,  that  it  is  unnecessary 
or  us  to  recapitulate  either  the  aspersions  or  their  refutation. 
\Ve  cannot,  however,  forbear  to  remark  that  if  the  annual  con- 
ributions  of  one-half  of  one  per  cent,  for  six  years  only,  for  the 
»urpose  of  creating  a  fund  to  secure  bill-holders,  is  objected  to, 
he  objection  is  answered  by  the  facl,  that  in  other  states  the 
banks  are  required  to  contribute  annually  during  the  continu- 
ance of  their  charters  a  larger  amount  for  the  support  of  go- 
vernment; if  the  evils  of  a  paper  currency  are  pointed  out  as  a 
source  of  apprehension,  the  answer  is,  that  in  other  states  the 
issues  of  paper  exceed  the  amount  to  which  our  banks  are  re- 
stricted: if  a  concentration   of  power  by  means  of  the  safety 
fund   is  feared,  we  answer,  that  the  inierest  of  each  bank  is 
concerned  in  confining  the  operations  of  all  the  others  to  their 
piopt-r  limits,  and  that  at  least  two  thirds  of  the  banks  are  con- 
trolled by  individuals,  who  are  politically  opposed  bolh  to  the 
administration  of  the  state  and  the  nation.     Although  it  is  an- 
lounced   that  a  more  liberal  policy  has  been  adopted  by  the 
bank,  it  is  well  known  that  the  arrangement  is  to  be  temporary 
in  its  duration.    There   ia  even  reason  to  believe  that  the  po- 
licy of  curtailment  will  be  resumed  arid  pursued;  and  that  the 
people  have  nothing  to  hope  from  the  liberality  of  ihe  bank  but 
through  the  surrender  of  principles,  which  they  have  repeatedly 
asserted,  and  which  we  are  satisfied  they  will  never  abandon. 
The  people  of  this  stale  have  always  been  ready  to  make  all 
necessary  sacrifices  of  their  interest  for  the  public  good;  and 
we  much  mistake  them  if  they  do  not  meet,  with  a  firm  and  un- 
yielding resistance,  every  effort  to  coerce  Ihem  inlo  an  aban- 
donment of  their  honest  opinions  on  the  part  of  an  institution, 
which  has  set  the  authority  of  the  general  government  at  de- 
fiance, which  has  declared  thai  it  held  in  its  hand  the  exis- 
tence of  the  state  banks,  and   which  has   exhibited  both  the 
power  and  the  disposition  to  inflict  injury  and  suffering  upon 
the  community. 

Experience  teaches  us  that  in  this  warfare  upon  us  our  re- 
liance must  be  upon  our  own  resources.  Our  banks  stand  firm, 
and  they  are  better  prepared  for  Ihe  prosecution  of  the  contest 
then  they  wore  when  it  commenced.  Many  individuals,  how- 
ever, in  our  commercial  cilies,  have  yielded  to  the  pressure; 
although  the  distress  has  been  by  no  means  so  great  as  has  been 
represented.  The  efforts  lo  creale  a  panic,  which  should  re- 
.•iill  in  the  prostration  of  our  moneyed  institutions,  have  been 
fruitless;  and  if  the  business  of  our  citizens  wore  left  to  regulate 
itself,  confidence  would  soon  be  restored.  But  how  long  the 
bank  may  allow  tlu-ir  operations  to  continue  undisturbed,  can- 
not he  foreseen;  nor  is  it  practicable  to  ascertain  the  precise 
amount  of  tin;  liabilities  of  our  eiii/.ens  to  that  institution,  when 
its  operations  art*  spread  out  through  its  numerous  branches, 
and  when  tin!  only  avenue,  through  which  any  detailed  infor- 
malion  o.m  b.-  reached.  i«  eUVclnally  closod  up  against  the  peo- 
plr  by  tho  rejection  oi'iho  government  directora.  It  is,  however, 
Mated  ill  it  it?  tmal  amount  of  loans  on  the  1st  of  March,  inst. 
r\oi-odr:|  fitly  lour  millions  of  dollars,  of  which  it  is  believe,! 
seven  millions  at  li-ast,  are  due  from  ihe  citizens  of  this  state. 
It  i<  in  tin.  poivi-r  nfihat  institution  10  mil  in  a  great  portion  of 
this  amount  in  a  short  iieriod;  and  it  m:iy  also  reach  us  by  sud- 
den curtailments  in  places  having  intimate  commercial  con- 
nexions with  the  city  of  New  York:  and  we  should  be  wanting 
in  prudenro  nnd  foresight,  when  we  recur  to  the  past  manifes- 
tations of  its  designs,  if  we  were  not  to  anticipate  and  guard 
against  »uch  an  exercise  of  it.*  power  as  ils  inteiest  or  ambition 
may  dictate. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  13,  1834— LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW  YORK.        Ill 


Other  states  have  already  taken  such  measures  as  were  deem- 
ed necessary  to  protect  their  citizens  both  against  the  gradual 
withdrawal  of  its  capital  and  its  struggles  to  perpetuate  itself. 
On  our  part,  no  extraordinary  legislation  would  bu  necessary,  if 
we  were  sure  that  its  affairs  would  be  closed  in  cueli  a  manner 
as  the  interest  of  the  public  and  its  stockholders  requires.  But 
when  we  consider  iho  desperate  efforts  which  it  has  made  lo 
procure  a  recharler,  the  assaults  of  its  partisans  upon  the  ciedit 
of  the  country,  and  the  evils  which  it  has  visited  upon  the  pros- 
perity of  this  state,  the  committee  deem  it  due  to  our  citizens 
that  sonic  measure  should  be  adopted  to  protect  them  from  an 
arbitrary  exercise  of  its  power.  The  necessity  of  such  a  mea- 
sure does  not  grow  out  of  the  condition  of  the  banks,  or  any 
doubt  on  our  part  of  their  ability  to  withstand  any  assault  which 
may  be  made  on  them.  On  the  contrary,  we  are  fully  satisfied, 
from  a  careful  rxamination  of  the  returns  of  the  hanks  to  the 
commissioners  on  the  4th  ot  March  instant,  which  were  exhibit- 
ed to  us  at  our  request,  that  nothing  but  a  scries  of  unforeseen 
and  extraordinary  calamities  could  jeopard  their  safety.  But  in 
order  to  place  themselves,  as  the  committee  now  consider 
them,  beyond  the  reach  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  they 
have  been  compelled  to  withhold  from  their  customers  the  ac- 
commodations usually  granted  at  this  season  of  the  year:  and 
any  further  contraction  of  its  operations  by  that  institution, 
might  compel  them  to  curtail  still  farther  and  thus  increase  the 
existing  pressure. 

It  is  only  under  this  view  of  the  subject — for  the  purpose  of 
affording  to  the  business  of  the  city  its  usual  accommodations, 
and  thus  securing  the  country  a  market  for  its  productions— 
that  tho  committee  feel  it  incumbent  on  them  to  recommend 
any  measure  of  precaution.  Such  they  understand  to  be  the 
purport  of  the  governor's  message,  and  concurring,  as  they  do, 
in  the  views  presented  by  him,  their  attention  has  been  direct- 
ed solely  to  the  object  referred  lo. 

[u  addition  to  the  objections  suggested  by  the  governor  to  the 
project  of  a  large  bank,  other  considerations  of  force  might  b 
urged  against  it.  But  the  committee  limit  themselves  to  the 
single  remark,  that,  in  their  opinion,  no  such  indispensable  ne- 
cessity exists  as  to  warrant  the  legislature  in  hazarding  the  ex- 
periment. 

The  project  of  a  loan  upon  the  credit  of  the  state,  is  not  open 
to  the  same  objections.  It  will  be  a  mere  pledge  of  the  credit  of 
the  state,  to  the  amount  loaned,  for  the  protection  of  its  citizens 
against  an  unprovoked  warfare  upon  their  prosperity,  and  to 
enable  them  to  sustain  themselves  in  the  effort  which  they  are 
making,  in  common  vvitli  the  citizens  of  other  states,  to  cast  of 
a  monopoly  alike  irresponsible  and  dangerous  to  «ur  populai 
institutions.  For  the  accomplishment  of  these  great  objects 
affecting  the  interests  of  the  whole  union  as  well  as  our  own 
the  committee  conceive  that  we  should  be  wanting  in  our  duty 
if  we  wwre  to  hesitate  in  resorting  to  the  credit  ot  the  state  us  a 
means  of  protection,  in  case  the  necessity  for  its  interpositioi 
should  arise.  It  is,  therefore,  suggested  that  the  authority  to 
tnake  the  loan  and  issue  the  stock,  be  vested  in  a  board  of  com 
inlssioriers,  composed  partly  of  stale  officers,  in  whom  the  pub 
lie  have  long  reposed  confidence,  and  partly  of  individual 
known  for  their  talents  and  integrity,  to  be  appointed  by  Hie  go 
vernor  and  senate,  whose  duty  it  will  also  bi;  to  determine 
when  and  to  what  extent  the  execution  of  the  measure  shal 
be  demanded  by  the  public  exigencies.  The  committee  ar 
aware  that  such  a  discretion  may  be  objected  to:  but  they  se 
no  alternative  but  to  confide  it  as  they  propose.  Unless  this  b 
done,  the  legislature  must  either  declare  that  the  loan  shall  b 
made  absolutely,  or  by  refusing  to  act,  leave  their  constituent 
at  the  mercy  of  an  institution,  from  which  they  have  nothing  t 
expect  on  the  score  of  justice  er  liberality. 

The  amount  proposed  to  be  loaned  is  $6,000,000,  of  whic 
$4,000,000  is  set  apart  for  the  city  of  New  York,  and  $2,000.00 
for  the  different  counties  of  the  state,  excepting  those  in  th 
first  senate  district.  The  commissioners  are  to  !>H  authorise 
to  issue  5  per  cent,  stale  stock  for  this  amount,  redeemable  a 
different  period*,  as  they  may  think  proper,  but  not  exceedin 
1'2  years  in  any  case.  It  is  proposed  to  loan  the  amount,  st 
apart  for  the  counlies,  through  the  agency  of  the  loan  otficers 
under  the  restrictions  of  the  act  authorising  the  loan  of  19 
but  the  money  is  in  no  instance  to  be  delivered  to  those  officer 
until  the  board  of  supervisors  of  the  county  shall  first  deterrnin 
that  their  citizens  require  it;  and,  as  in  the  case  of  the  loan  c 
1792,  the  county  will  be  responsible  for  any  deficiency  of  prir 
cipal  or  interest  in  the  payment  of  the  sums  loaned  within  i 
These  provisions,  while  they  leave  it  to  the  several  counties  t 
decide  whether  the  loan  is  necessary,  will  insure  a  certain  re 
turn  of  the  money  to  the  treasury  of  the  state,  after  having  pe 
formed  its  office  of  guarding  against  the  evils  of  factitious  a 
well  as  real  pressure. 

His  proposed  to  loan  tJie  sum  set  apart  for  the  first  dislric 
to  the  banks  in  the  city  of  New  York,  which  shall  make  appl 
cation  for  it,  and  shall  offer  to  the  state  such  ample  security  f 
the  payment  of  the  interest  and  the  reimbursement  of  the  pri 
pal  as  shall  be  satisfactory  to  the  commissioners;  bill  no  part 
the  sum  In  to  be  loaned  to  any  bank,  unless  in  the  judgment 
the  board  the  public  exigencies  require  it,  and  in  no  case  is 
loan  to  a  bank  to  exceed  one-half  of  its  capital  stock.  Whe 
ever  a  loan  shall  be  made,  the  bank  receiving  it,  should,  in  o 
der  to  render  it  beneficial  lo  Ihe  community,  be  authorised 
discount  upon  it  as  capital;  and  in  this  manner  it  is  helievi. 
that  lite  necessities  of  business  men  will  be  much  more  effect 


y  relieved  than  they  could  be  by  the  intervention  of  loan  »ffi- 


yery  section  of  the  stall ;  for  il  is  in  that  city  that  all  our  com- 
ercial  operations  centre.  The  abundance  or  scarcity  of  mo- 
ey  there,  fixes  the  prices  of  all  the  productions  of  Ihe  interior; 
id  upon  Ihe  ability  of  the  merchant  to  make  purchaser,  will 
•pend  the  reward  which  the  farmer,  the  mechanic  and  the 
.inufacturer  receive  for  the  fruits  of  their  industry.  Thus  are 
I  classes  of  our  citizens,  and  all  sections  of  the  state,  linked 
>gether  hy  common  lies  of  interest,  which  can  neither  be  brok- 
n  nor  relaxed  without  general  embarrassment  and  suffering, 
is  by  the  pressure  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  upon  the 
oney  market  of  the  city,  that  the  distress  which  is  felt  in 
orne  of  the  interior  counties,  has  been  produced;  and  it  ii  for 
te  purpose  of  alleviating  il  and  guarding  against  its  recur- 
:riee,  that  the  proposed  loan  is  set  apart  to  sustain  the  pro.-pe- 
ty  of  the  city;  indispensable  as  it  is  to  the  successful  employ- 
lent  of  the  wealth,  enterprise  and  industry  of  the  whole  state. 
Such  are  the  general  features  of  the  relief  proposed  by  the 
ill,  which  the  committee  ask  leave  to  introduce.  They  are 
ware  that  the  measure  is  of  no  ordinary  character,  but  at  the 
ime  time  it  is  not  without  precedent.  In  1786,  when  the 
ountry  had  passed  through  a  long  and  sanguinary  struggle  for 
ndependerice,  and  had  come  out  of  that  contest  with  its  com- 
nercial  confidence  impaired,  and  its  citizens  embarrassed  by 
le  pressure  of  pecuniary  distress,  the  legislature  of  this  state 
itc-rposed  its  credit  and  loaned  to  the  counties  the  sum  of  five 
undred  thousand  dollars.  In  1808,  when  the  commerce  of  the 
ountry  had  been  suspended  by  measures  of  restriction,  indis- 
ensable  to  its  preservation,  the  legislature  authorised  the  fiscal 
flicer  of  the  government  to  borrow  the  sum  of  four  hundred 
lon.-aiid  dollars,  and  to  loan  it  to  the  citizens  of  the  state.  In 
ach  of  these  cases,  immediate  and  effectual  relief  from  a  tem- 
orary  pressure  was  afforded.  Then  as  now,  the  state  was 
ailed  on  by  a  regard  to  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  its  citi- 
ens,  to  put  forth  ils  credit  for  their  support.  And  the  cominit- 
ee  cannot  forbear  to  add,  that  if  in  the  cases  referred  to,  the 
ppeal  was  not  unsuccessful,  the  obligation  of  the  state  to  stand 
orth  in  its  strength,  seems  at  least  equally  imperious,  when 
er  commercial  prosperity  is  assailed,  the  freedom  of  opinion 
utraged,  and  a  vast  moneyed  power  seeks  to  perpetuate  itself 
upon  the  ruins  of  our  political  institulions. 

The  loans  of  1786  and  1808  were  not  made  to  banks,  or  to  ci- 
izens  through  the  agency  of  banks;  and  although  the  proposi- 
ion  to  intrust  so  large  an  amount  to  the  credit  of  the  local  in- 
tilutions  may  meet  with  some  objections,  it  is  apparent  that 
liis  mode  of  extending  relief  and  giving  renewed  activity  to 
jur  commerce  will  be  more  effectual  than  any  other.  When 
ve  consider  that  the  general  government  has  not  hesitated  to 
ntrust  to  three  banks  in  the  city  of  New  York  a  larger  sum 
han  is  now  proposed  to  be  loaned  to  all  of  them,  and  that  our 
citizens  have  confided  to  fifteen  of  those  institutions  private  de- 
losites  exceeding  $6,500,000,  no  reason  can  be  perceived  why 
.he  state  should  put  less  confidence  in  them  than  those  who 
iave  a  deeper  interest  in  thrir  stability  and  credit.  Our  canal 
'und,  exceeding  $2,500.000,  is  now  and  has  been  for  some 
years,  deposited,  not  only  with  safety,  but  with  profit,  in  our 
lanks,  principally  in  the  interior  of  the  state;  and  in  the  year 
1833,  the  sum  of  nearly  two  millions  of  dollars  was  drawn  from 
them  by  the  commissioners  of  the  canal  fund  for  the  redemption 
of  canal  stock.  In  1797  the  legislature  authorised  the  sale  of 
the  Unitod  States  bank  stock,  held  by  the  state,  amounting  to 
$1,300,000.  to  the  bank  of  New  York,  for  which  that  bank  gave 
its  bond.  The  capital  of  the  bank  was  never  more  than  one 
million  of  dollars;  yet  a  debt  exceeding  that  amount  existed 
against  it  more  than  twenty  years  without  any  loss  to  the  state: 
while  in  the  present  case,  the  proposed  loans  are  not  to  exceed 
one-half  the  capital  of  the  banks  to  which  they  are  made. 

It  is  not  to  be  disguised  that  this  measure  ought  not  to  be 
adopted  without  necessity.  But  when  we  consider  the  power 
of  the  bank  of  tht)  United  Slates,  and  its  attempts  to  control 
public  opinion  by  successive  appeals  to  Ihe  favoi  and  the  wants 
of  Ihe  community,  the  committee  rely  with  confidence  on  the 
patriotism  of  our  citizens  to  support  all  measures  necessary  for 
our  common  protection.  They  will  not  fail  to  perceive,  that  if 
this  vast  and  irresponsible  monopoly  is  successful  in  its  strug- 
gles to  maintain  itself  in  opposition  to  the  declared  will  of  the 
people,  it  will  gradually  overshadow  and  destroy  the  free  insti- 
tutions under  which  we  lire. 

J.  W.  EDMONDS,  ) 

C.L.LIVINGSTON,       >  of  the  senate. 

SAM'L  L.  EDWARDS,   ) 

ROBT.  H.  MORRIS, 

OLIVER  PHELPS,  / 

AMASA  J.  PARKER,  >  of  the  assembly. 

M EL ANCTON  WHEELER,  V 

W.  H.  ANGEL, 
March  31,  1834. 

An  act  to  loan  the  credit  of  this  state  to  the  people  thereof. 

The  people  of  the  slate  of  Hew  York,  represented  in  the  senate 
and  assembly,  do  enact  asfulloics: 

41  The  commissioners  hereinafter  named  are  hereby  autho- 
rised if,  in  their  opinion,  the  public  interest  shall  require  it,  by 


115        tflLES*  REGISTER— APRIL  12,  1834— LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


an  order  in  Writing  sighed  by  a  majority  of  them  and  filed  in  the 
office  of  the  comptroller,  from  time  to  time,  whenever  they 
shall  deem  it  expedient,  to  direct  the  comptroller  to  issue  spe- 
cial certificates  of  stock,  in  such  manner  and  under  such  re- 
strictions as  are  hereinafter  provided,  for  an  amount  not  ex- 
ceeding in  the  whole  six  millions  of  dollars;  for  the  redemption 
•of  which,  and  the  punctual  payment  of  the  interest  thereon,  as 
herein  provided,  to  the  owners  of  such  stock,  the  faith  and  cre- 
dit of  the  people  of  this  state  is  hereby  pledged. 

42.  Upon  the  filing  of  every  such  order,  the  comptroller  shall 
issue  certificates  of  stock  to  the  amount  required  thereby,  in 
such  sums  and  to  such  persons  or  bodies  corporate  as  the  said 
commissioners,  or  a  majority  of  them,  may  direct,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  being  loaned  as  hereinafter  directed. 

63.  The  said  commissioners  are  hereby  authorised  to  loan  so 
much  of  the  said  stock  when  so  issued  as  aforesaid,  as  in  their 
opinion  the  public  interest  may  require,  to  such  of  the  incorpo- 
rated banking  institutions  in  the  city  of  New  York,  as  they 
•hall  deem  proper,  not  exceeding  in  the  whole  four  millions  of 
dollars,  and  in  such  sums  to  each  as  they  shall  deem  proper, 
•not  exceeding  in  amount  to  any  one  institution  one-halfthe  ca- 
pital stock  of  such  institution,  at  a  rate  of  interest  not  less  than 
five  per  cent,  upon  its  par  value;  and  the  said  commissioners 
before  they  shall  make  any  such  loan, shall  examine  particular- 
ly into  the  affairs  of  such  bank.  And  the  said  commissioners 
jiiay  also  at  their  discretion,  take  such  security  for  the  punctu- 
al payment  of  said  interest  and  the  ultimate  payment  of  said 
principal,  as  they  shall  deem  proper  and  necessary  to  insure 
such  payments  at  such  time  as  inixy  be  agreed  upon,  not  ex- 
tending beyond  the  time  when  the  principal  of  said  stock  shall 
be  reimbursable. 

§4.  The  certificates  of  stock  to  be  issued  as  aforesaid  shall  be 
issued  in  the  manner  provided  by  chapter  320  of  the  laws  c 
1831,  and  the  said  stock  shall  be  transferable  at  the  pleasure  c 
the  owner,  in  the  same  manner  and  at  the  same  place  as  th 
canal  stocks  of  this  state  are  now  transferable. 

§5.  The  said  stock  shall  bear  an  interest  of  five  per  centun 
per  annum,  payable  quarter  yearly  at  the  Manhattan  bank  i 
the  city  of  New  York,  and  shall  be  reimbursable  at  such  tim 
or  times  within  twelve  years  from  the  passage  of  this  act, 
the  said  commissioners  shall  designate. 

§6.  The  presidents  of  the  respective  banks  to  which  sue 
stock  may  be  loaned,  shall  cause  public  notice  to  be  given  fo 
at  least  two  days  in  two  of  the  daily  newspapers  printed  in  th 
city  of  New  York, of  the  lime  and  place  at  which  the  said  stoc 
will  be  sold,  and  the  said  stock  shall  be  sold  at  such  time  an 
place  at  public  auction  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  the  amount  o 
any  premium  received  on  such  sales  shall  be  paid  into  the  trea 
sury  of  this  state  for  the  benefit  of  the  general  fund.  But  a 
any  such  sale  the  corporation  to  which  such  stock  may  belong 
shall  be  at  liberty  to  bid  for  the  same  and  become  the  purchase 
thereof. 

§7.  The  said  commissioners  hereinafter  named,  are  also  au 
thorised  in  like  manner,  from  time  to  time,  as  they  may  judgi 
•expedient,  to  require  an  issue  of  like  stock  to  an  amount  no 
exceeding  in  the  whole  two  millions  of  dollars,  and  when  so  is 
sued  to  convert  the  same  into  money  and  pay  the  same  into  Ihi 
treasury  of  this  state,  the  premium  thereon  to  belong  to  the  ge 
neral  fund,  and  the  capital  to  be  loaned  to  the  citizens  of  the 
different  counties  of  this  state,  except  the  counties  in  the  firs 
senatorial  district,  in  the  manner  and  subject  to  the  provisions 
hereinafter  mentioned,  to  wit: 

1.  The  amount  to  be  loaned  in  each  county  shall  be  ascer- 
tained by  an  apportionment  of  the  whole  amount  of  two  mil- 
lions of  dollars,  among  such  counties  according  to  the  number 
•of  inhabitants  in  each,  as  ascertained  by  the  census  taken  i 
'.he  year  1830. 

2.  No  loan  shall  be  made  to  the  citizens  of  any  county  untii 
«n  application  therefor  shall  have  been  made  to  said  commis- 
sioners by  the  beard  of  supervisors  of  such  county. 

3.  The  moneys  to  be  loaned  in  each  county  shall  be  loaned 
by  the  "commissioners  for  loaning  money"  in  such  county,  un- 
der the  act  of  April  11, 1808,  and  where  there  shall  be  no  such 
commissioners  in  any  county,  they  may  be  appointed  in  the 
same  manner,  and  shall  hold  their  offices  for  the  same  term  and 
upon  the  same  tenure  as  if  appointed  under  said  act. 

4.  The  commissioners  of  each  county,  before  entering  upon 
the  duties  of  their  office  under  this  act,  shall  take  the  oath  of 
office  as  prescribed  by  the  constitution  of  this  state,  and  file  in 
the  office  of  the  comptroller  a  like  bond  as  is  provided  for  by  the 
fourth  section  of  the  act  last  aforesaid,  in  addition  to  the  bond 
required  by  that  section  in  cases  where  that  may  now  be  re- 
quired. 

5.  The  principal  moneys  to  be  loaned  under  this  act  shall  be 
payable  at  such   time  or  times,  within  twelve  years  from  the 
passage  of  this  act,  as  the  said  commissioners  mentioned  in  the 
eleventh  section  of  this  act,  shall  designate,  and  the  interest 
thereon  at  the  rate  of  six  per  centum  per  annum,  shall  be  paya- 
ble on  the  first  Tuesday  of  May  in  each  year. 

6.  The  said  commissioners  for  loaning  money  shall  keep  se- 
parate books  and  accounts  relating  to  the  loan  authorised  by  this 
act.  distinct  from  their  other  loan  office  books  and  accounts, 
anil  in  addition  to  the  evidences  of  title  required  by  said  lait 
mentioned  act,  it  (hall  be  the  duty  of  the  said  commissioners  to 
require  of  the  borrower  a  certificate  from  the  county  clerk  and 
a  clcrh  of  the  supreme  court,  shewing  that  there  is  no  incum- , 


brance  upon  the  properly  proposed  to  be  mortgaged  on  record  in 
their  offices. 

7.  Whenever  any  principal  moneys  loaned  by  said  commis- 
sioners shall  be  paid  in  to  them,  it  shall  not  be  reloaned,  but 
shall  be  paid  into  the  treasury  of  this  state. 

$8.  The  moneys  to  be  realized  from  the  stock  authorised  to 
be  issued  under  the  preceding  section  of  this  act,  shall  belong 
to  the  general  fund  of  this  stale,  and  the  interest  upon  said  stock 
shall  be  paid  out  of  the  said  general  fund. 

§9.  Except  as  herein  otherwise  provided,  all  the  provisions  of 
the  act  aforesaid,  entitled  "an  act  authorising  a  loan  of  moneys 
to  the  people  of  this  state,"  passed  April  11,  1808;  and  also  of 
the  act  to  amend  the  same,  passed  March  29,  1839;  and  also 
of  the  act,  entitled  "an  act  to  provide  for  the  conveyance  of 
land  sold  by  a  commissioner  of  loans  under  the  act,  entitled  'an 
act  authorising  a  loan  of  moneys  to  the  citizens  of  this  state, 
passed  April  11,  1808,'"  passed  April  21,1825,  shall  apply  to 
the  loans  to  be  made  under  the  seventh  section  of  this  act,  in 
the  same  manner  as  if  the  moneys  loaned  constiluted  a  pan  of 
the  said  loan  of  1808. 

§10.  Whenever  upon  the  foreclosure  and  sale  of  any  pre- 
mises mortgaged  to  secure  any  loan  made  under  the  seventh 
section  of  this  act,  the  said  mortgaged  premises  shall  not  bring 
the  amount  due  and  to  become  due  upon  said  mortgage  with  the 
costs  of  foreclosure  and  sale,  the  deficiency  shall  be  reported  by 
the  commissioners  making  such  sale,  to  ibe  board  of  supervi- 
sors of  the  county,  who  shall  at  their  next  annual  meeting  for 
that  purpose,  cause  such  deficiency  and  the  interesl  thereon,  to 
be  raised  as  part  of  the  contingent  charges  of  such  county,  and 
paid  over  to  the  county  treasurer  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  pay 
the  same  over  to  the  said  commissioners  for  loaning  money. 

§11.  The  comptroller,  the  attorney  general,  the  secretary  of 
state  and  the  bank  commissioner  appointed  by  the  governor, 
and  three  such  citizens  as  shall  for  that  purpose  be  appointed 
by  the  senate  on  the  nomination  of  the  governor,  shall  be  com- 
missioners to  carry  this  act  into  effect;  but  it  shall  not  be  law- 
ful for  them  to  require  any  issue  of  stock  as  herein  before  pro- 
vided, after  the  first  day  of  February  next. 

§12.  This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately  upon  the  passage 
ihereof. 

An  act  in  relation  to  certain  banks. 

The  people  of  the  state  of  New  York,  represented  in  senate  and 
assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

§1.  When  any  bank  shall  obtain  a  loan  pursuant  to  the  act  en 
titled  "an  act  to  loan  the  credit  of  this  state  to  the  peopre  there 
of,"  the  amount  of  such  loan  may  be  regarded  as  capital,  for 
the  purpose  of  enabling  the  bank  to  increase  its  discounts;  but 
such  bank  shall  not  increase  its  circulation  beyond  the  amount 
now  authorised  by  law. 

§•2.  This  act  shall  take  effect  on  the  passing  thereof. 

In  assembly — dpril  2. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  A.  J.  Parker,  the  general  orders  were  larcf 
on  the  table,  and  the  house  resolved  itself  into  a  committee  of 
the  whole,  Mr.  McKnight  in  the  chair,  on  the  bill  to  loan  the 
credit  of  this  state  to  the  people  thereof. 

The  commillee  passed  the  remaining  sections  of  the  bill,  <rs 
reported  by  the  joint  committee,  without  material  amendment. 

An  additional  section  was  adopted,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Haight, 
providing  that,  in  case  the  supervisors  of  any  county  should  re- 
fuse or  neglect  to  take  the  loans  provided  for  such  county,  loa« 
should  be  made  to  the  bank  or  banks  in  the  county;  and  if  there 
shall  be  no  bank  in  the  county,  then  to  any  other  banks  in  the 
late,  at  the  discrelion  of  the  commissioners. 

Another  section  was  adopted  on  motion  of  the  speaker,  pro- 
viding for  calling  special  meetings  of  the  boards  of  supervisors 
of  the  several  counties. 

The  same  committee  passed  the  bill  in  relation  to  certain 
>anks.  [Authorises  the  banks  to  which  loans  shall  be  made  in 
mrsuance  of  the  act  just  passed,  to  discount  on  such  loans  aa 
n  so  much  additional  capital.] 

The  question  on  agreeing  with  the  committee  in  their  report 
)n  the  bill  to  loan  the  credit  of  the  state  to  the  people  thereof  was 
ended  in  the  affirmative,  ayes  89,  noes  12. 
The  following  are  the  ayes  and  noes  on  the  final  passage  of 
he  bill— 

Jlyes— Messrs.  Anderson,  Angel,  Anthony,  Archibald,  Arnold, 
lames,  Bartle,  Beardslee,  Bockeven,  Bowne,  Brasher,  Brown, 
•utrick,  Campbell,  Cargill,  Case,  Chamherlin,  Church,  Clark, 
'oe,  Conklin,  Crosby,  Culver,  Cuykendall,  Degrauw,  Dusenbu- 
ry,  Dyer,  Ellithorp,  Enos,  Fowler,  Gardner,  Germond,  Gordon, 
rnmrll,  Groom,  Guinnip,  Haight,  Hall,  Hasbroocfc,  Heally, 
lerttEil,  Hone,  Hough,  Humphrey,  Hunt,  Ingulfs,  Johnston, 
ones,  Kernan,  Kingman,  Livingston,  Mabbett,  Marvin,  Mr- 
C«on,  McKnight,  Mersercau,  Morrell,  Morris,  Myers.  Myrrck, 
ichols,  Orr,  Osborne,  Palmer,  A.  J.  Parker,  I.  S.  Parker,  J. 
!.  Parker,  Phelps,  KinjrcoM,  O.  Robbinson,  J.  P.  Robinson, 
uggles,  Schermerhorn,  Shays,  Smith,  Snyder,  Spafard,  Ppeak- 
r,  Staats,  Stafford,  Stevenson,  Stone,  Strong,  Smnner,  Terry, 
homsoii,  Titus,  Todd,  Wait,  West,  Wheaton,  Wheeler,  Wil- 
s,  Williams,  Winfield,  Wright,  Younglove,  Youne— 98. 
Noes— Messrs.  Clary,  Dana,  Emmons,  Fleming,  Fox,  Harris, 
ewis.  ParkhurM,  Patterson,  Robertson,  Ward,  Whipple— 12. 
[The  bill  has  also  probably  passed  the  senate,  with  not  more 
an  5  or  6  nays.  But  we  have  not  yet  received  the  narticu- 


IVlLES'  WEEKLY  UEGISTER. 

FOUBTH  SERIES.  N«.  8— VOL.  X.]    BALTIMORE,  APRIL  19,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WBOLK  No.  1,178. 


THE  PAST — THE  PHESEXT — FOlt  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PHINTF.I)    AND    PUBLISHED    IIY    H.   NILKS,   AT   $5    PEK    AXNtJM,    PAYAHLE    IN   ADVANCE. 


Many  articles  prepared  for  this  paper  have  bee 
shoved  out.  We  do  all  that  we  can  to  keep  pace  wit 
events,  and  the  duties  which  appear  to  devolve  upon  u 
in  these  portentous  times. 

It  is  quite  plain,  we  think,  that  a  great  crisis  in  tli 
history  of  our  country  is  rapidly  approaching,  and,  pei 
Imps,  is  closer  at  hand  than  is  generally  appfehendec 
Things  cannot  remain  and  stand  still — 'tis  they  fire 
There  must  be  a  forward  or  retrograde  movement!  Tli 
usual  political  questions  of  parties  are  merging  into  per 
sonally  interesting,  or  yet  loftier  consideration*!  J 
whole  loaf  or  half  of  one — bread  or  no  bread;  the  con 
stitution  and  the  laws,  or  the  will  of  individuals.  It  i 
not  a  party  question  when  an  hundred  men,  chiefly  -will 
families,  shall  he  discharged  from  one  employ,  on  twi 
succeeding  Saturdays,  as  it  is  freely  said  will  be  consum 
fhated  in  Baltimore  this  day.  for  want  of  means  to  pa' 
them;  and  that  several  hundreds  of  other  working  peo 
pie  may  fearfully  look  to  a  like  operation  at  the  end  o 
the  present  month,  in  our  vicinity,  from  the  same  cause 
to  be  added  to  the  hundreds  already  out  of  employment 
These  are  not  party  matters!  There  are  no  speculative 
tf pinions  in  them!  They  reach  the  heart  and  home  o 
every  body,  and  are  felt — bitterly  felt.  Gloomy  or  des- 
perate faces  are  met  with  at  every  step.  Party  has  no- 
thing to  do  with  them.  Wives,  children  and  property — 
liberty  and  peace — are  the  things  which  are  under  consi- 
deration. Pass  over  the  Point  and  round  our  wharves, 
and  it  would  seem  as  if  a  withering  pestilence  was  raging 
amongst  us.  A  worse  or  better  state  must  soon  happen. 
We  repeat  it,  things  cannot  remain,  and  stand  still — as 
they  are. 

In  a  succeeding  page  will  he  found  a  brief  notice  oi 
the  contents  of  an  extraordinary  paper  sent  by  the  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  to  the  senate,  on  Thursday 
list.  The  "Globe"  of  the  following  day  contains  this 
paper  at  full  length,  but  we  cannot  make  room  for  it 
•without  an  utter  derangement  of  the  week's  business. 
We  the  less  regret  this  delay  because  of  the  abstract  ol 
its  contents,  for  which  we  are  indebted  to  the  "National 
Intelligencer." 

We  had  heard  that  such  a  proceeding  was  contemplat- 
ed, by  way  of  an  appeal  to  the  people,  but  did  not  be- 
lieve that  it  would  be  carried  out.  It  will  cause  a  great 
excitement,  and  especially  in  the  minds  of  those  opposed 
to  "the  government." 

It  will  be  observed  that  when  the  senate  adjourned,  a 
motion  that  the  paper  be  not  received,  was  before  that 
body.  With  a  full  senate,  we  think,  there  would  be  no 
great  difficulty  in  deciding  how  that  proposition  would 
be  disposed  of. 

The  house  of  representatives,  in  committee  of  the 
•whole,  is  voting  down  all  Mr.  Vance^s  proposed  retrench- 
ments, and  it  is  believed  that  the  fa^-laiv  will  be  enforc- 
ed to  prevent  calls  of  the  yeas  and  nays,  when  the  appro- 
priation bill  is  reported  to  the  house — hut  the  senate  can 
and  will  ''correct  the  procedure",  and,  by  amendments, 
compel  a  taking  of  the  yeas  and  nays  in  the  house,  that 
the  people  may  know  those  who  profess,  and  those  who 
would  practice  economy. 

Mr.  Webster,  on  his  late  journey  to  Boston,  was  re- 
ceived and  parted  with  at  Philaxlelphia,  New  York,  Pro- 
vidence, &c.  by  thousands  of  the  people. 

Messrs.  Poindexter,  Preston  and  McDitffie  visited 
Philadelphia  the  beginning  of  this  week,  and  received 
the  most  flattering  attentions  of  the  citizens — thousands 
having  waited  upon  to  honor  them;  nnd  they  were 
dined,  &e.  with  great  enthusiasm.  We  intend  to  give 
some  of  the  particulars  in  our  next. 
VOL.  XLVl-Bio.  8. 


The  bank  of  the  United  States  is  arming  itself  with 
specie.  Most  of  the  late  large  importations  are  on  its 
account.  It  will  sustain  a  sound  currency.  Its  notes  are 
like  old  gold.  The  confidence  of  the  people  reposes  in 
it.  The  sound  of  "the  horn,"  or  of  the  hurrah,  is  si- 
lenced  by  the  jingling  of. its  dollars!  In  the  wreck  oi 
banks,  it  stands  fearless.  The  "reptile"  is  the  chief — 
the  "monster"  has  become  the  barrier  between  honest 
tabor  and  "rug-barons;"  and  other  paper  money  manu- 
facturers. It  is  like  a  rock  in  the  ocean.  It  laughs  at 
the  storms  which  folly  and  prejudice  and  passion  and 
false  dealing  raise  against  it.  The  story  sent  forth  "by 
authority"  that  it  has  caused  the  pressure,  is  kicked  out 
of  every  decent  company,  by  the  power  of  truth,  and 
even  the  least  informed  of  the  people  begin  to  ask' — what 
harm  hath  the  bank  rendered  to  me?  "Uncle  Sam's"  pa- 
per reposes  in  the  back  part  of  the  most  common  labor 
er's  pocket  book,  if  possessed  of  various  kinds  of  notes.. 
He  relies  upon  it  as  a  "friend  in  need."  The  bank  is 
winning  for  itself  "golden  opinions"  by  its  moderation 
and  K&eraliiy.  A  farthing  candle  does  not  affect  the 
light  of  the  sun.  The  bank  has  the  power  to  return  the 
mischiefs  devised  against  it — and  refrains.  It  is  ready  to 
help  its  enemies  out  of  the  dark  ditch  into  which  their 
own  ignorance,  or  something  worse,  has  cast  them. 
And,  it  is  within  the  range  of  probabilities,  that  its  aid 
may  be  required  by  its  bitterest  opponents!  ./Vows  rer- 
'ons! 

At  the  New  York  stock  exchange  on  Monday  last,  141 
shares  of  the  stock  of  this  bank  were  sold  at  105@t05£. 

We  were  promised  a  "better  currency"  than  the  bank 
of  the  United  States  furnished!  Behold  "the  experi- 
ment!" Bills  of  the  Virginia  banks  were  at  5  per  cent, 
discount  on  Monday  last,  at  Baltimore— at  7$  per  cent, 
on  Tuesday,  at  10  per  cent,  on  Wednesday,  and  Jifleeii 
>er  cent,  on  Thursday  last,  in  exchange  for  Baltimore 
jarik  notes;  and,  on  the  same  days,  such  Baltimore  bank 
notes  were  at  a  discount  in  Richmond!! !  Hence  we  see 

"glorious"  operation — but  the  poor  man  "pays  the  pi- 
>er."  It  is  an  abominable  state  of  things,  and  will  not 
>e  submitted  to. 

It  is  our  opinion  that  the  Virginia  banks  are  as  good 
is  any  other  state  banks  in  the  union. 

The  Bueno?  Ayres  papers  present  a  fine  specimen  of 
'rag  money,"  in  the  prices  current  of  commodities.  For 
nstances,  a  silver  dollar  is  worth  7  dollars  02^  cents  in 
aper,  a  doubloon  120,  a  barrel  of  flour  60  dollars,  and 

0  on. 

Speaking  of  the  failure  of  the  four  banks  in  the  Dis- 
rict  of  Columbia — viz:  two  at  Washington  and  one  each 
u  Georgetown  and  Alexandria,  the  "Globe"  of  Wed- 
icsilay  says — 

"Tlio  stoppage  of  the  District  banks  is,  doubtless,  intended  to 
rod  we  effect  on  the  Virginia  elections.  Recent  movements 

1  lliiseity  demonstrate  the  gametli.it  is  playing.    The  banks 
tint  have  alrendy  closed  within  the  District  have  done  so  in  ac- 
nrdance,  no  doubt,  with  the  views  and  wishes  of  the  United 
1tat.es  bank." 

•  Now  this  is  very  obliging,  indeed,  in  the  District 
ntiks!  They  become  bankrupts  just  to  accommodate 
ic  bank  of  the  United  States!  This  brings  to  recollec- 
ion  what  is  said  to  have  happened  at  Newgate,  England, 
rhen  a  person  was  about  to  be  hung,  who  kicked  and 
truggled  and  made  battle,  to  prolong  his  life — on  which 
e  reverend  chaplain  advanced,  and  in  the  most  soolh- 
g  and  fatherly  manner  said — "Do,  good  man,  oblige  me 
y  being  hung,  peaceably — for  the  morning  is  chilly,  and 
"wish  to  retire!  Do  my  good  man — do  be  hung!" 
We  are  not  surprised  that  such  absurdities  are  manu- 
.ctured  and  published  in  the  "Globe" — nnd  they  may  be 
elievcd  in  a  certain  quarter,  and  there  have  the  desired 
Elect:  bnt  hi1.- mess-men  w»H  regard  those  who  believe 


114 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


them  as  candidates  for  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  S.  S. 
The  idea  is  not,  however,  original  in  the  "Globe." 
We  think  that  it  was  thrown  out  by  some  imported  pa- 
triot in  the  West,  as  to  the  bank  of  Maryland,  that  it  had 
tailed  just  to  assist  in  carrying  on  the  war  of  the  bank  of 
the  United  States  against  the  president !  We  guess  there 
was  a  better  reason  than  this  for  the  failure  of  the  bank  of 
Maryland,  or  its  notes  would  not  now  be  selling  at  from 
40  to  50  cents  in  the  dollar! 

The  six  million  loan  bill  has  passed  the  senate  of  New 
York,  as  we  expected,  17  to  4.  If  all  who  "do  business 
on  borrowed  capital  ought  to  break,"  the  state  of  New 
York,  and  the  banks  that  borrow  parts  of  this  loan,  will 
be  in  a  bad  way! 

We  most  heartily  wish  relief  to  the  people,  and  shall 
be  glad  to  find  ourselves  mistaken  as  to  the  result  of  this 
extraordinary  proceeding.  We  think  it  is  calculated  to 
increase  the  alarm,  and  add  to  the  pressure  on  the  mo- 
ney market,  in  the  general  opinion  formed  on  hundreds 
of  close  observations,  that  a  forced  credit  is  altogether 
inconsistent  with  a  sound  or  safe  policy,  in  individuals  or 
communities — and  affords,  in  itself,  evidence  of  despe- 
rate circumstances.  To  borrow  money  in  the  ordinary 
operations  of  business  anil  things,  and  in  the  usual  way, 
is  often  highly  beneficial,  as  well  as  absolutely  necessa- 
ry— but  this  is  '•'another  affair."  The  credit  of  the  state 
is  avowedly  sent  forth  to  sustain  the  credit  of  the  banks, 
that  they  may  sustain  the  credit  of  individuals!  This 
is,  indeed,  an  "experiment"  We  shall  see  "how  it  will 
work. " 

In  the  congressional  proceedings  will  be  found  a  brief 
speech  of  Mr.  McKim,  the  member  from  the  5th  Mary- 
.  land  district.  It  is  very  nearly  in  the  words  of  a  card 
issued  by  him,  at  Baltimore,  on  the  12th  inst.  and  it  is 
not  worth  while  to  insert  both.  But  in  reply  to  his  card 
we  have  the  following  notices: 

The  delegates  from  the  first  five  wards  of  the  city  of  Balti- 
more, who  were  charged  with  certain  instructions  to  the  lion. 
Isaac  MuKiiu,  representative  in  congress  from  the  5th  congres- 
sional district  ol  Man  land,  will,  in  the  course  of  a  few  days, 
reply  to  the  address  of  thai  gentleman  to  the  voters  of  the  dis- 
trict, which  appeared  in  the  Republican  of  yesterday. 

April  15,  1KJ4. 

The  delegates  from  the  seven  election  districts  of  Anne  Arun- 
rifl  county,  will  reply  to  the  communication  of  the  lion.  Isaac 
McKiui  as  soon  as  the  names  which  he  has  adverted  to  as  not 
being  on  the  poll  books  of  the  last  election  can  be  ascertained. 
It  is  well  for  the  present  to  remark,  that  there  may  be  a  great 
numbor  of  voters  whose  names  are  attached  to  the  resolutions 
presented  to  Mr.  McKim,  who  did  not  vote  at  the  last  election, 
and  whose  names  do  not  appear  upon  those  books.  It  is  obvi- 
ous therefore,  that  the  poll  books  cannot  be  taken  as  the  only 
proper  guide  in  ascertaining  the  number  of  legal  voters  in  the 
district. 

Ayril  15,  1834. 

The  mis-spelling  of  names,  in  the  hurry  and  bustle  of 
an  election,  by  the  clerks,  not  personally  acquainted  with 
one-fourth  of  the  voters,  perhaps,  at  the  utmost  extent, 
and  other  causes,  renders  our  poll  books  very  uncertain 
guides,  in  the  absence  of  any  regularly  taken  list  of  qua- 
lified voters;  for  the  right  of  suffrage,  in  Maryland,  as  in 
New  York,  is  a  little  MORE  thanunitiersal!  If  a  stranger 
is  resolved  in  himself,  and  has  good  backers  at  hand, 
(and  they  are  easily  obtained),  he  may  vote  several  times 
at  different  wards,  or  more  than  once,  even  in  one  of  them, 
under  different  names,  if  he  keeps  a  "bright  look  out" 
when  a  great  pi-ess  is  made  on  the  judges — for  tlu-re  is 
no  check  on  them  except  in  their  own  discretion,  exerted 
at  the  moment.  We  mutt  have  a  register  of  voters,  at 
least  in  our  large  cities  and  towns,  made  out  not  less  than 
six  months  before  any  election  at  which  a  person  shall 
be  allowed  to  put  in  his  ballot;  and,  if  his  name  is  not 
on  the  list  of  the  ward,  being  personally  unknown  to  the 
judges  at  a  resident  thereof,  let  him  be  rejected,  un- 
less on  the  recorded  oaths  of  two  householders  that  he  is 
entitled  to  the  vote  which  he  offers,  under  the  penalty  of 
perjury  to  all  the  parties.  This  would  correct  an  evil 
which,  if  uncontroled  much  longer,  will  dclugi-  the 
street*  of  our  chief  cities  with  blood.  The  resident,  or 
tax-paying  population,  will  not  suffer  the  perpetration  of 
tuch  frauds  upon  the  right  of  »uffrage  with  impunity. 
They  will  not  permit  persons  to  "kill  their  votes"  to- 


day, who,  even  by  the  vigilance  of  a  Parisian  police,  could 
not  be  found  as  citizens  to-morrow.  It  is  an  abuse  that 
must  be  abated.  Let  every  man  vote  as  the  law  gives 
him  a  right;  but  we  would  make  it  a  penitentiary  offence 
to  vote  contrary  to  the  law. 

[DEFERRED  ARTICLE.] 

That  always  -veracious  paper,  the  "Albany  Jlrgus"  of 
Feb.  14,  had  a  long  letter  from  Washington,  pretending 
to  give  an  account  of  the  anniversary  supper  of  the  "Ty- 
pographical society,"  in  that  city,  from  which  the  follow- 
ing is  extracted: 

After  few  moments  of  respectful  silence,  a  letter  was  read 
from  Hezekiah  Niles,  esq.  regretting  his  inability  lobe  present 
at  the  festival,  and  wishing  health  and  happiness  to  the  compa- 
ny, and  all  practitioners  of  the  Milack  art'  the  world  over.  The 
letter  of  Mr.  N.  as  well  as  I  could  hear,  was  exceedingly  violent 
and  bitter.  After  it  was  fiiiUhed,  his  health  was  diunk  03  fol- 
lows: 

Mr.  Nile*,  and  his  'black  heart'  (A  unaspirated)." 

The  "entire"  account  is  of  a-piece  with  this  extract — 
and  the  whole  may  be  judged  by  this  part.  Now,  the 
following  is  taken  from  the  official  account  of  the  pro- 
ceedings had  on  that  anniversary,  copied  from  the  "Tele- 
graph" of  January  14 — 

"The  following  letter  from  the  veteran  printer  and  editor,  He- 
zekiah Niles,  esq.  of  Baltimore,  to  whom  a  special  invitation 
was  forwarded,  breathes  sentiments  that  show  how  deserving 
he  is  of  the  courtesy  and  esleeui  of  his  fellow  craftsmen: 

Baltimore,  Jan.  3,  1834. 

Dear  sir:  I  regret  to  say  that  the  nature  of  my  engagements 
are  such,  being  indeed  &  working-man,  \\ial  I  cannot  visit  Wash- 
ington to-morrow,  as  I  wished;  be  pleased,  therefore,  to  accept 
of  my  thanks  for  your  kind  invitation,  and  present  to  the  com- 
mittee and  the  society  my  sincere,  earnest,  and  hearty  wishes 
for  the  health  and  happiness  of  you  all,  and  every  practitioner 
of  the  "black  art,"  "rats"  and  "collar"  men  always  excepled. 
The  former  shall  not  steal  the  [bread  anil]  cheese  in  my  office 
from  the  mouth  of  honest  labor,  nor  the  latter  ever  find  an  as- 
sociate in  me.  And,  while  it  is  with  just  pleasure  that  I  bear 
testimony  in  behalf  of  the  improved  standing  of  the  u-orking 
printers,  I  much  regret  to  say  that  the  profession  is  suffering  in 
the  public  estimation,  because  that  the  press  lias  been  made  the 
chief  instrument  of  jockeys,  wishing  to  ride  into  office  by  the 
promulgation  of  error,  and  the  blackening  of  private  persons — 
and  with  loo  much  success.  Of  this  sin — of  this  degradation  of 
our  noble  art,  every  regular-bred  printer  will  feel  as  I  do;  and, 
consistently  with  his  other  obligations,  do  all  that  he  can  to 
correct  and  restrain  what  he  cannot  "reform." 

I  take  leave,  however,  to  otter  you  a  sentiment: 

In  the  mutual  respect  which  is  due  between  employers  and 
the  employed,  may  the  liberality  and  justice  of  the  former  be 
only  exceeded  by  the  industry  and  fidelity  of  the  latter. 

Yours  truly.  H.  NILEI. 

Mr.  John  Dowling,  chairman  of  committee,  Sfe." 

And  soon  after  the  preceding  letter  was  read,  the  fol- 
lowing toast  was  offered — 

By  J.  F.  Crooker:*  Our  fellow  craftsman  Hezckiak  Niles, 
esq.  of  Baltimore — His  successful  career  as  an  editor  proves  that 
none  are  more  faithful  "Registers"  of  the  events  of  their  coun- 
try, than  those  who  had  first  learned  to  Rcsiiter  the  press. 

This  is  all  that  is  said  about  "Hezekiah  Niles,  esq." 
And  how  out  of  this  could  be  made  the  story  which  ap- 
pears in  the  "Albany  Argus,"  can  be  understood  only  by 
those  who  are  conversant  with  the  arts  (and  know  the 
fiearts),  of  "able  editors." 

The  technical  terms  are  simple,  but  should  be  explain- 
ed. By  "rats"  are  meant  irregular  workmen,  a  class  of 
persons  that  I  have  never  encouraged;  "bread  and  cheese" 
is  an  old  term  in  the  "chapel"  or  printing  house,  and 
means  subsistence — but  the  words  "breatl  and"  were 
either  omitted  by  me  in  the  hasty  note,  or  left  out  in  the 
copy.  The  word  "collar"  needs  no  explanation;  every 
diriii  dog  knows  the  meaning  of  it,  as  the  badge  of  a 
MASTER — or  the  pledge  of  crawling  and  crouching,  though 
flogged,  as  evidence  of  his  claim  to  a  bone  when  wagging 
his  tail, — as  a  dog  otight  to  -wag  it,  and  belching  "6&w, 
looiv,  woir,"  at  the  master's  bidi'ing,  without  any  rea- 
soning why,  as  every  entire  dog  should  do. 

What  is  there  in  my  note  that  is  "violent  and  bitter.'" 
The  word  "collar"  may  have  offended  some  present,  and 
probably  caused  the  chaste  communication  to  the  editor 
of  the  "Argus."  These  fellows  often  put  me  in  mind  of 
a  \Vi-st  India  story, about  the  policy  used  to  detect  a  thief. 
The  negro  slaves  of  the  plantation  being  gathered,  it 
was  proclaimed  that  the  thief  was  revealed  by  a  par- 

*The  editor  has  not  the  pleasure  of  recollecting  Mr.  Crooker 
—but  a<k.<  leave  to  present  hit  thanks  to  that  gentleman  for  hit 
handsome  compliment  on  the  occasion. 


NILES*  REGISTER—APRIL  19,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


115 


rot's  leather  hanging  to  his  nose,  and  the  culprit  put  up 
his  hand  to  brush  it  away.  So  with  the  miserable s — talk 
of  a  collar,  and  each  of  them  believes  that  a  personal  re- 
ference is  made  to  himself*—- 

"Thus  conscience  dotli  make  cowards  of  us  all." 

If  this  communication  be  riot  the  product  of  the  "ho- 
norable and  honest"  Isaac,  it  must  be  that  of  some  Eng- 
lishman, many  of  whom,  or  of  other  fresh  importations, 
are  now  employed  in  teaching  us  "democracy;"  for  no 
American,  unless  as  cunning  as  Isaac,  would  thus  have 
/[asperated  Aau  Aaich  for  the  use  of  the  //albany  //argus. 

NEW  YORK  CITY  ELECTION.  The  latest  accounts  from 
New  York,  published  in  our  last  paper,  were  dated  £  past  1 
o'clock  on  the  last  day  of  the  election,  being  the  lOih  inst. 
and  then  the  report  was  that  the  citizens  were  arming 
themselves  at  the  arsenal,  to  suppress  large  masses  of 
rioters,  who  were  attacking,  and  knocking  down,  and,  as 
it  was  then  thought,  killing  persons  at  will!  \Ve  shall 
now  proceed  to  make  a  brief  record  of  subsequent  pro- 
ceedings, &c.  and  give  the  results. 

The  affair  at  the  Masonic  Hall  has  been  mentioned. 
A  strong  body  of  Irishmen  attacked  the  "whig"  com- 
mittee, whose  head  quarters  were  in  that  building' — a 
rally  was  made  by  the  Americans,  and  a  terrific  scene 
followed.  The  mayor  and  the  police  were  disregarded, 
and  about  15  of  the  peace  officers  badly  wounded,  some 
of  them  dangerously,  their  bones  being  broken,  Sec.  and 
"dozens  lay  on  the  ground  bleeding  at  a  time."  It  was 
horrible.  Another  rally  was  made.  The  Americans 
rushed  to  the  affray,  and  10  or  12  of  the  rioters  were  ar- 
rested, and,  in  spite  of  resistance,  sent  to  Bridewell.  It 
was  now  evident  that  a  military  force  was  necessary.  The 
mayor  did  not  wish  to  use  it — but  it  was  decided  that  the 
city  was  in  a  state  of  insurrection,  and  an  application  was 
first  made  to  the  United  States  officers  on  the  station. 
They  declined  interfering,  not  feeling  authorised.  In 
the  mean  time  the  "wliigs"  had  taken  possession  of  the 
arsenal,  and  they  held  it  until  the  arrival  of  the  mayor 
and  his  posse.  Gen.  MLurton  soon  prepared  1 .200  men 
for  instant  service.  They  were  at  the  arsenal  by  3  o'clock, 
and  bodies  of  cavalry  were  ready,  armed  and  mounted  in 
haste.  These  preparations  quickly  cooled  down  the  fury 
of  the  mob,  and  order  was  pretty  soon  restored,  when  it 
was  manifest  that  prompt  punishment  would  follow  its 
violation.  Many  men  remained  under  arms  during  the 
night — for  attacks  upon  the  bank  and  Merchants  ex- 
change were  loudly  threatened,  as  well  as  on  two  or  three 
of  the  printing  offices.  But  the  exertions  of  the  mayor 
and  the  vigilance  of  the  police,  supported  by  the  military, 
preserved  the  public  peace;  and  the  rebellious  spirits,  ex- 
hausted by  three  days  of  almost  unremitted  exertion  and 
excitement,  were  thus  quieted. 

In  the  affray  at  the  Masonic  Hall  eight  of  the  police  of- 
ficers were  so  much  hurt  that  they  were  carried  to  the 
hospital.  Capt.  Munson,  of  the  city  watch,  so  much  so 
that  his  life  was  despaired  of.  He  was  shockingly  man- 
gled, and  several  of  his  ribs  were  broken.  He  was  also 
struck  with  an  axe! 

Several  persons  of  good  standing  in  society  have  been 
freely  named  in  the  New  York  papers,  as  directing  or 
abetting  the  rioters,  and  it  seems  probable  that  some  of 
their  cases  will  come  before  the  courts.  A  large  num- 
ber of  persons  were  arrested  at  different  times,  and  sent 
to  prison — these  were  nearly  all  Irishmen;  and  as  in  such 
cases  it  m<ost  commonly  happens,  were  made  the  victims 
of  persons  "behind  the  scenes,"  less  brave  but  more  cun- 
ning than  they. 

We  might  fill  several  pages  with  details  of  disgusting 
things  that  happened — but  would  forget  them,  and  hope 
that  they  will  be  forgotten,  except  in  organizations  to 
prevent  their  repetition.  They  cannot  be  permitted. 
Life  and  property,  in  the  great  city  of  New  York,  must 
not  be  thus  made  insecure.  The  mob  must  be  taught 

*\Ve  recollect  another  case  that  is  applicable  to  the  present 
<.ieeiir>ioii.  A  gentleman  vv<is  writing  a  letter  in  a  public  coffee 
It'iuso  in  London,  and  closed  by  saying,  "I  would  write  further, 
inn  :ui  impudent  scoundrel  is  looking  over  my  shoulder.  I  shall 
knock  him  down  directly,  if  lie  is  worth  it."  "I'm  not,  looking 
over  your  shouldei!"  said  the  scoundrel.  On  which  tbe  gentle- 
man rose  and  looking  at  the  thing,  with  bitter  contempt  said — 
"Be  easy— you  are  not  worth  knocking  down." 


obedience  to  the  law.     The  extent  of  the  danger  is  now 
Jearly  perceived,  and  it  will  be  guarded  against. 
On  the  day  aftrr  the  election,   general  Morton   issued 

an  order  in  which  he  handsomely  acknowledged  the  ser- 
ices  of  thu  military. 

THE    RESULT. 

The  following  shews  the  whole  number  of  votes,  for 
mayor,  anil  the  majorities  in  each  of  the  wards: 
Wards.         Whole  fio.        Lawrence  (J.)        t'erplanck  (anti-J.) 
juniorities.  MtijoriHts. 

] 2,104 926 

2 1 ,678 604 

3 1,911 529 

4 2,413 244 

5 2,483 127 

G 1,898 313 

7 3,003 182 

8 3,630 69 

9.... 2,725 255 

10 2,850 ,.363 

11 3,090 832 

12 1,475 455 

13 2,240 445 

14 2,095 141 

15 1,531 298 


35,147 


2,986 
2,807 


2,807 


Majority  for  Lawrence         179 

01        >*-        CO  -  ?        C.T        .£-        CJ        ICJ 


S-     ffl&^ZHHSlfJiEKfrS^ 
=  3  =  £.=  =  =     =     f§l3fi4§. 

5 «    S  ;?  *•  E    =   <!2  3  3    ^-a» 


OD   I     M 

CO 

CJ    I     * 


:  =  £-•       s 

"S-    s 
=     -S-53-     -     |gS     o    '«    a., 

CD          "  B    3  ? 

3  ~ 

en     en     oo  S 

tn        00        OD        i- '        "'A. 

w     01      o     to     o»  • 

&, 

i-"      en      en      to      ? 

5    2    S    3    S    a 


u     *• 

*.        CO 


»2        tO 

i?      to      -i 


CO  o        (0*1 


If  these  results  are  fairly  stated,  it  appears  that  there 
was  a  decided  majority  in  favor  of  the  "whig"  (as  they 
call  themselves)  aldermen  and  assistant  aldermen. 

The  effect  of  this  election  places  all  the  municipal 
power  of  the  city — such  as  the  appointment  of  all  offi- 
cers, (including  the  judges  of  the  elections),  and  disburse- 
ment of  the  city's  money,  in  the  hands  of  the  anti-Jackson 
party — by  a  majority  of  four  in  joint  ballot — to  say  no- 
thing of  the  election  in  the  6th  ward,  which  may  be  set 
aside.  The  majority  in  the  board  of  aldermen  is  3,  in 
that  of  assistant  aldermen  1. 

We  publish  some  account  of  a  large  meeting;  of  adopt- 
ed [Irish]  citizens  recently  held  in  New  York,  with  ano- 
ther letter  from  Dr.  Macneven  and  one  from  counsellor 
Samson,  on  the  recent  state  of  affairs,  chiefly  for  the 
purpose  of  relieving  those  severely  hostile  feelings  which 
have  been  extensively  produced,  because  that  marshalled 
bands  of  native;;  of  Ireland  were  used  at  the  late  election 
in  the  city  just  named  as  mere  figliting  machines*  acting 
with  suoh  indiscretion  and  violence  as  to  make  it  neces- 

*It  is  admitted  by  all  sides,  we  believe,  that  the  mobs  were 
composed  of  Irishmen,  and  the  proof  is  in  the  fact  that  nearly 
all  arrested  by  the  police  were  of  that  class  of  persons — others 
not  having  the  reckless  courage  to  do  in  person,  what  they  ad- 
vised them  to  do. 


116 


NILES'  REGISTER—APRIL  19,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


sary  to  call  out  the  military  to  restrain  and  reduce  them 
to  order.  The  outrageous  proceeding!  of  these  poor 
and  ignorant  men,  congregated  on  the  worst  principles 
and  for  the  most  reprehensible  purposes,  wtrc  more  on 
account,  perhaps,  of  the  had  hearts  of  those  who  arrayed 
and  stimulated  them,  than  of  their  own  wrong  heads. 
They  were  ralliud  by  a  battle  cry,  and,  b\  force,  were 
expected  to  decide  great  questions  in  political  economy, 
of  the  real  merits  of  uhichthey  generally  know  about  as 
much  as  the  rudest  inhabitants  of  an  eqninoxial  wilder- 
ness know  of  the  nature  of  the  mountains  of  ice  which 
roll  in  the  northern  seas,  or  of  the  vast  fields  of  frozen 
water  that  surround  the  poles!  What  could  these  men 
know  of  the  principles  of  the  currency,  and  the  delicate 
relations  between  men  of  business,  on  which  the  public 
prosperity  so  materially  depends'  Nothing!  And  yet 
their  aid  was  invoked  to  settle  disputed  questions  of 
right — to  act  violently  against  the  body  of  the  American 
merchants  and  traders  and  mechanics,  and  establish  a 
quasi  FOHKIGX  dominion  over  the  great  city  of  N.  York! — 
and  it  was  reasonably  believed,  as  we  should  suppose, 
that  from  four  to  six  thousand  of  them,  many  congre- 
gated from  distant  parts  of  the  countrj ,  voted  at  the  late 
election,  who  had  no  sort  of  interest  in  the  city  govern- 
ment!  For  these  and  other  reasons  that  might  be  given, 
a  great  degree  of  excitement  has  sprung  up  against  this 
class  of  persons,  and  is  extending  all  over  the  United 
States.  To  allay  this,  and  induct  persons  to  make  just 
(fiscriminations,  at  least,  as  before  observed,  we  pub- 
lish the  proceedings  stated— bearing  a  willing  testimony 
on  our  part,  that  natives  of  Ireland,  however  ignorant 
they  may  be,  and  rough  as  they  appear,  on  their  arrival 
in  America,  because  of  their  privations  and  oppressions 
at  home,  being  permanently  located  in  some  regular  bu- 
siness, arid  spread  among  the  people  at  large,  are  capa- 
ble of  the  highest  state  of  improvement,  and  often  be- 
come among  the  most  discreet  and  useful  part  of  the  po- 
pulation. It  is  unfortunate  that  they  are  collected  in 
masses  on  any  occasion,  but  wicked  to  use  them  Asjight- 
ing  machines  at  the  polls — arid  it  is  no  wonder  when  we 
see  them  arrayed  as  a  separated  class  of  the  people,  that 
native  Americans  feel  indignant  at  such  proceedings  as 
those  which  have  happened  at  New  York. 

The  first  paragraph  of  Dr.  Jfacneven''s  letter,  we  hope, 
will  be  carefully  considered  by  all  the  natives  of  Ireland, 
adopted  in  America.  His  exhortation,  that  these  should 
not  keep  themselves  as  a  separated  class,  is  worthy  of 
his  honored  name,  and  that  of  the  illustrious  men  with 
whom  he  struck  for  liberty — in  "times  that  tried  men's 
souls,"  in  the  land  of  his  fathers. 

A  very  large  public  meeting  was  held  at  the  Musical 
Fund  Hall,  Philadelphia,  on  Monday  afternoon  last,  to 
compliment  the  "whigs:'of  New  York  on  the  late  victory 
gained  by  them.  Though  thousands  were  in  the  huge 
room,  other  thousands  could  not  get  in!  It  was  a  com- 
plete "jam."  John  Sergeant  was  called  to  the  chair,  and 
delivered  an  address  of  "great  power  and  ability" — "one 
of  the  happiest  efforts"  ot  that  distinguished  man.  Mr. 
Preston,  of  the  senate,  and  Mr.  McDiiffie,  of  the  house 
of  representatives,  were  present.  The  first  was  loudly 
called  for,  when  Mr.  Sergeant  had  concluded,  and  he 
addressed  the  meeting  at  considerable  length.  Mr.  J\tc- 
Dujfie  was  then  as  loudly  named,  and  he  also  spoke 
with  his  usual  ardency  and  power,  in  which  he  paid  a 
handsome  compliment  to  Mr.  Sergeant,  who,  though  he 
had  differed  in  opinion  with  him,  he  regarded  as  a 
"sterling  patriot,"  &cc.  Each  of  these  speeches  were  re- 
ceived with  hearty  and  continued  marks  of  approbation, 
and  often  interrupted  with  shout*  of  applause.  The  like, 
it  is  said,  had  never  before  been  witnessed  in  Philadel- 
phia. The  people  were  in  the  highest  possible  state  of 
enthusiasm.  Gen.  Green,  editor  of  the  "Telegraph," 
was  also  called,  and  briefly  tlmnked  the  meeting,  in  an 
appropriate  manner.  The  resolutions  were  then  read  by 
Jttia/i  Randall,  and  unanimously  adopted.  "They  allude 
to  the  recent  triumph  of  the  friends  of  the  constitution  in 
New  York,  in  a  becoming  spirit,  and  recommend  that  a 
public  celebration  of  the  victory  take  place  on  Saturday 
next  at  Powelton,  and  that  our  friends  in  New  York  be 
invited  to  participate  with  us  in  the  festival." 

We  must,  at  least,  dtftr  the  particulars  of  this  meet- 
ing. 


A  grand  "whig"  salute  of  one  hundred  guns  was  fired 
on  the  Common,  at  Moiston,  on  receiving  news  of  the  re- 
sult of  the  election  of  New  York,  and  a  general  meeting 
of  thu  people  had  been  called  to  express  their  joy,  "in 
the  redemption  of  the  political  character  of  that  great 
commercial  metropolis." 

An  immense  multitude  of  people  partook  of  a  collation 
in  Castle  Garden,  New  York,  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  to 
celebrate  the  victory  gfined  in  the  "three  days."  The 
garden  \vas  dressed  with  fl:igs,  and  every  thing  prepared 
on  a  grand  so.nle.  Pipes  of  wine  and  barrels  of  beer  were 
present  in  abundance,  with  a  full  supply  of  eatables.  Af- 
ter partaking  of  refreshments,  (in  which  a  great  deal  of 
business  was  done  in  a  short  lime,  by  the  thousands  em- 
ployed— for  many  mouths,  like  many  hands,  make  quick 
work!)  the  meeting  was  organized,  by  appointing  Henja- 
min  Wells,  carpenter,  president,  12  vice  presidents  and 
4  secretaries,  of  whom  there  was  one  cartmim,*  one  sail 
maker,  one  grocer,  one  watehmaker,  one  ship  carpenter, 
one  potter,  one  mariner,  one  physician,  one  printer,  one 
surveyor,  four  merchants,  fccc.  The  president  briefly, 
but  strongly,  addressed  the  multitude  as  did  several  other 
gentlemen.  A  committee  of  congratulation  from  Phila- 
deljjlda,  was  presented  to  the  people,  and  received  with 
shouts.  Mr.  Verplanck  was  tl>en  introduced,  and  re- 
ceived with  enthusiastic  cheers.  An  address  w  us  read 
and  agreed  to.  Mr.  Webster,  being  in  New  York,  on  his 
way  to  Washington,  was  invited  to  this  festival,  but  he 
declined  in  a  letter  of  considerable  length,  which  was 
now  read.  A  series  of  strong  toasts,  and  many  volun- 
teers, were  next  given.  A  salute  was  then  fired  from 
the  miniature  frigate  COSSTITUTJOK,  (which  had  been 
drawn  through  the  streets  the  "three  days") — it  was  re- 
turnedx  by  one  of  the  Austrian  frigates,  on  which  the 
stripes  and  stars  Boated,  and  that  compliment  was  ac- 
knowledged  by  a  salute  from  the  frigate  Brandy-wine, 
which  had  just  hauled  into  the  Hudson.  When  the  time 
for  adjournment  arrived,  the  vast  multitude,  in  a  solid 
column,  taking  a  considerable  circuit,  proceeded  to 
Greenwich  street,  where  Mr.  Webster  was  dining  with  a 
friend.  Loudly  called  for,  he  came  forw-ard,  and  was  in- 
stantly surrounded  by  a  dense  mass  of  merchants  and 
cartmen,  sailors  and  mechanics,  professional  men  and 
laborers,  &c.  seizing  him  by  his  hands.  He  was  asked 
to  say  a  few  words  to  the  people,  and  did  so.  He  ex- 
horted them  to  perseverance  in  support  of  the  constitu- 
tion, and,  as  a  dead  silence  prevailed,  he  was  heard  by 
thousands.  He  thanked  them,  and  ended  by  hoping  that 
God  would  bless  them  all.  Nine  cheers  were  given,  and 
the  people  departed  for  the  residence  of  Dr.  Jlfameven, 
whom  they  cheered,  and  he  made  a  grateful  reply  to  the 
compliment  paid  him.  Here  ended  the  day's  festival, 
and  before  6  o'clock  all  was  quiet — no  excesses  of  any 
sort  were  committed,  nothing  happened  to  mar  the  har- 
mony of  the  meeting,  and  no  act  of  intemperance  was 
committed,  though  the  means  of  indulgence  were  so  free- 
ly at  hand. 

Some  three  or  four  of  the  late  [regular]  speeches  deli- 
vered in  cnnpress  should  be  registered — but  the  flow  of 
matter  is  still  so  great  that  we  do  not  know  what  to  do 
with  it.  The  simple  reading  of  all  trul  we  ought  to 
read,  is  a  severe  operation — in  addition  to  other  duties. 

We  have  nothing  yet  to  give  any  certain  indication  of 
the  general  result  of  the  \  irginia  elections.  The  "En- 
quirer" claims  a  gain  of  three  or  four  members,  in  east- 
ern Virginia — but  we  have  no  accounts  from  the  western 
parts  of  the  state.  We  incline  to  a  belief  that  the  state 
of  parties  will  remain  nearly  the  same  as  it  was. 

There  are  returns  from  29  counties,  which  give  15 
Jackson,  and  19  "opposition"  members. 

Littleton  P.  Dennis,  esq.  a  worthy  representative  from 
the  state  of  Maryland  in  the  congress  of  the  United 
States,  died,  at  Washington,  on  Monday  last,  after  an 
illness  of  six  or  scvfii  davs. 


Thin  gentleman, 'Mr.  A/i//i»an.  came  forward  mid  took  hi« 
srnt  on  the  riytit  ol  the  president,  ringed  in  hi*  frock,  wilh  Ins 
wtiip  in  hia  hand,  and  wus  received  with  nui«  cheers,  in  winch 
he  lieartilv  joined  waiving  hi*  whip. 


NILES'  REG  ISTEK— APRIL  19,   I  S3 4— BANKS,  CURRENCY, 


117 


General  Robert  H.  Taylor,  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished sons  of  Virginia,  as  a  practitioner  at  the  bar  anc 
n  judge,  in  peace,  or  as  a  soldier,  in  war,  died  at  Norfolk 
on  the  13th  inst.  universally  lamented.  He  had  a  peculiar 
•way  of  obtaining,  because  he  deserved  them,  the  entire 
confidence  and  earnest  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him,  in 
every  department  of  his  active  life.  He  held  the  com- 
mand at  Norfolk  during  the  late  war — and  a  very  ardu- 
ous and  important  one  it  was.  He  was  equally  prompt 
in  his  attention  to  the  hospitals,  in  which  hundreds  of 
Americans  suffered  or  died,  as  he  was  to  the  movements 
of  a  barbarian-like  enemy  on  the  waters  of  the  Chesa- 
peake. 

It  is  stated  that  JWenticello,  the  late  residence  of  Mr. 
Jefferson,  has  been  purchased  by  lieut.  Levy  of  the  navy 
ol  the  UnLted  States,  and  that  he  intends  to  commence 
immediate!)  such  improvements  and  repairs,  as  will  fully 
restore  the  buildings,  &c.  to  their  original  condition: 
after  which  it  will  be  accessible  to  visitors  once  a  week. 

There  is  yet  much  excitement  in  South  Carolina  on 
account  of  the  test-oath  required  of  militia  officers,  and 
some  talk  of  resisting  it  by  violence!  Many  meetings 
on  this  subject,  especially  in  the  mountain  parts  of  tin- 
state,  have  been  held,  at  which  the  oath,  and  those  who 
made  it,  or  take  it,  were  severely  denounced. 

There  is  a  considerable  emigration  from  North  Caro- 
lina, and  a  great  one  from  South  Carolina,  to  Alabama 
and  Mississippi. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  to  tlie  editor, 
from  a  gentleman  of  Mississippi— just  as  it  is  written 
and  marked — exci-pt  the  name: 

"I  am  requested  by  Mr.  G.  to  say  to  you  that  the  re- 
mittance by  him  would  have  taken  place  sooner  but  for 
the  glorious  uncertainty  of  Uncle  Sum's  news  satchel  in 
tltese  strange  times;  he  had  doubts  whether  there  was  any 
communication,  direct  or  indirect,  from  here  to  Balti- 
more until  recently,  when  one  of  your  papers  came  to 
hand,  and  brought  the  glorious  news  of  a  clear  passage." 

MAINE.  The  municipal  election  took  place  in  the 
«ity  of  Portland  last  week,  and  was  a  fair  and  ardent 
trial  of  the  strength  of  parties.  Last  year  the  Jackson 
party  elected  their  candidate  for  mayor  by  a  majority  of 
about  200  volet,  now  Levi  Cutter,  esq.  anti-Jackson,  has 
been  elected  by  a  majority  of  416,  obtaining  a  majority  in 
six  wards  out  of  seven — and  all  the  aldermen  and  other 
officers  are  elected  in  every  ward  except  No.  7. 

CONNECTICUT.  The  returns  of  the  late  election  are 
not  yet  complete.  Mr.  Foot  is  chosen  governor,  having 
a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  votes;  and  his  votes, 
added  to  those  given  to  the  anti-masonic  candidate,  place 
Mr.  Edwards,  the  Jackson  candidate,  between  5  ami 
6,000  behind.  Seventeen  senatorial  districts  have  return- 
ed "whig"  members,  and  the  other  four  districts  "Jauk- 
»on"  members.  Tin;  assembly  will  stand  about  three  to 
one  anti-Jackson. 

There  has  been  a  great  rally  and  revolution  in  this 
state,  by  the  "experiment. "  It  has  warmed  the  people 
into  action. 

THE  RICH  HAN  AND  THE  BEGGAR.  A  rii'li  iimn  was  passing 
along  the  road  in  n  splendid  conch,  when  a  cur  sallied  out, 
snarling  and  barking,  and  trying  to  stop  his  horses  hy  setting 
before  ilium.  A  beggar  was  sitting  by  the  road  side,  unaivinH  a 
bone,  anil  apparently  half  Tarnished,  while  hi*  clothes  were 
falling  from  him  in  THIS.  The  cur  seeing  him  thus  employed, 
ran  toward*  him,  and  fawned  :ir  hi*  feet: 

"You  should  teach  your  dog  better  manners,"  said  the  rich 
man. 

"  He  is  not  mine,"  paid  the  other. 

"Why  then  does  he  hark  at  me  and  fawn  on  yon?" 

"Don't  you  see  I've  got  a  bone  to  throw  uwayf"  replied  the 
beggar.  [Paulding. 

BANKS,    cmUKjrCT   AND  TItF.  TIMT.S. 

The  "experiment"  has  a  "beautiful"  effect,  as  old  col. 
Laval  used  to  say  was  the  effect  of  grape-shot  upon  ca- 
valry! There  is  killing  and  wounding,  arid  floundering 
and  flouneing  without  limit,  and  without  the  prospect 
of  an  end ! 


In  our  last  we  gave  the  official  notice  of  the  closing  of 
the  bank  of  Washington,  which  we  thought  was  one  of 
the  most  carefully  managed  banks  in  the  District;  but 
now  we  have  to  add  three  similar  notices. 

Farmer*'  and  Mechanics'  bank  of  Georgetown,  April  13,  1834. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  directors,  culled  thi»  day,  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted: 

The  board  of  directors  of  tliia  hank  have,  for  the  present,  de- 
cided to  discontinue  specie  payments,  and  »uspend  active  baud- 
ing  operations. 

In  coiniiii!  to  this  painful  decision,  the  board  of  directors  ar« 
actuated  by  a  high  sense  of  duty,  alike  to  the  creditors  and  the 
stockholders  of  the  bank,  to  whose  respective  inture,st.s,  involv- 
ed in  the  proper  administration  of  the  insiilution  entrusted  lu 
their  charge,  they  owe  their  best  serviced. 

They  foresee  that  the  present  prostration  of  confidence,  anil 
consequent  derangement  of  the  currency,  must  eventually  re- 
duce them  to  this  course;  and  they  prefer  to  anticipate  the 
event,  by  yielding  at  once  to  the  pressure,  rather  than  avert  it 
during  the  short  practicable  period  of  dtlay,  at  the  expense  of 
sacrifices  thut  may  be  prejudicial  to  those  interested  in  the 
bank. 

This  measure  is  expected  to  be  of  temporary  duration.  The 
board  see  no  necessity,  in  the  condition  of  the  bank,  for  extend- 
ing it  beyond  the  present  singular  crisis  in  the  banking  histoiy 
of  the  country,  and  confidently  anticipate  the  resumption  of  ac- 
tive business,  on  a  specie  basis,  with  abundant  resources,  so 
soon  as  this  crisis  shall  pass  away;  meanwhile,  they  ;t»-iue  the 
public,  with  entire  confidence,  that  they  consider  the  resources 
of  the  bank  most  ample  to  redeem  all  its  engagements,  and  that 
they  will  proceed  at  once  to  realize  its  means,  und  redeem  those 
engagements  as  promptly  as  practicable. 

All  obligations  of  the  bank  will  continue  to  he  received  in 
payment  of  debts;  the  transfer  and  (subdivision  of  those  obliga- 
tions for  that  purpose  will  be  allowed  without  restiiclion. 

By  unanimous  ordci  of  the  board.          J.  1.  STULL,  cashier. 

Bank  of  Alexandria,  Jlyril  19/A,  1834. 

It  is  deeply  resreltcd  by  the  hoard  of  directors  ol  this  institu- 
tion, that  it  has  beun  compelled  to  yield  to  the  necessity  of  sus- 
pending, for  the  present,  the  redemption  of  its  notes,  now  in 
circulation,  with  specie  funds.  Inasmuch  ns  the  amount  nf 
notes  in  circulation  is  very  small,  it  is  hoped  they  will  be  spee- 
dily redeemed;  and  they  will  be  received  in  payment  of  all  debts 
due  to  the  bunk,  liy  order  of  the  board. 

J.  L.  AlcKENNi,  cashier. 

Patriotic  bank,  I4lh  rfpril,  1834. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Pa- 
triotic bank,  held  .this  day,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  consi- 
deration the  alarming  -state  of  the  commercial  all'nirs  of  this 
District,  it  was  unanimously 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  board  the  interests  of  the 
bank,  and  its  creditors,  requires  that  the  payment  of  specie  for 
its  obligations  ought  to  he,  for  the  present,  suspended. 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  the  board,  the  report  mndn 
by  tlie  committee  ofinvestigation,  in  January  last,  showing  that 
the  bank  had  not  only  the  ability  to  pay  its  obligations,  hut  to 
pay  the  stockholders  upwards  of  110  per  cent,  was  a  true  and 
correct  statement  of  the  affairs  of  tin;  bank,  nnd  that  nothing 
lias  occurred,  thus  far,  to  render  the  securities  of  the  bunk  less 
cafe  than  at  that  pi;riod. 

Resolved,  Thut  the  creditors  of  the  bank  be  requested  not  to 
sacrifice  their  claims,  n«  the  board  fesl  authorised  to  assure 
lh<  in  that  they  will  all  be.  paid. 

fn  making  known  this  determination,  the  hoard  need  hardly 

y  that  nothing  hut  the  extraordinary  juiu  tore  of  nftairs  could 
lave  brought  them  to  the  painful  necessity  of  this  anniincj.ition. 
They  earnestly  invite  Hll  persons  interested  to  call  and  satisfy 
hemselve.s  ol  the  condition  of  the  bank,  and  the.  exertion*  rniule 
iy  the  hoard  to  sustain  the  institution,  and  tlmt,  so  far  ns  dis- 
cretion and  prudence  would  authorise,  they  have  personally 
gone.  W.  A.  BRADLEY,  ^-resident. 

NATHAN  SMITH,  EDWARD  FNQI.E, 

JOHN  COYI.E,  PHINEAS  HRADLKY, 

THOMAS  BI.AODEX,  Mw.  ST.  CLAIR  CLARKE, 

J.  W.  HAND,  PISHEY  THOMPSON. 

THOMAS  HCOHKS, 

Attest:    G.  K.  DYSON,  cashier. 

One  or  two  other  banks  of  the  District  have  been  "hard 
•un,"  but  have,  BO  far,  held  up.  On  Monday  and  Tues- 
day last  the  notes  of  all  the  hunks  at  Washington  were 
refused  in  Baltimore,  except  of  the  office  of  the  bank  of 
lie  United  States — and  sales  of  those  that  had  not  broken 
were  made  at  5  per  cent,  discount. 

The  Farmers  and  Mechanics'  bank  of  Georgetown 
lossessed  a  large  share  of  the  public  confidence.  'XVe 
lad  often  heard  reports  and  whispers  prejudicial  to  the 
;redit  of  the  bank  of  Alexandria,  though  it  was  (he  one 
n  which  the  public  revenue  collected  at  that  port  hns 
ong  been  deposited.  It  is  net  stated  how  much  of  our 
money  (if  we  may  dare  to  call  it  so!)  remained  in  this 
bank  at  the  moment  of  its  blow  up.  Th«  Patriotic  bank 


113 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  1834— ITEMS. 


appears  lo  have  had  some  large  dealings  with  the  general 
post  office  department,  and  its  issues  must  have  been 
heavy,  compered  with  its  means,  jndp;iii'»  bv  the  facts 
made  apparent  in  our  own  little  business — a  seemingly 
undue  proportion  of  its  notes  being  sent  to  us.  This 
eaused  us  to  suspect  them,  and  promptly  to  part  with 
them. 

Experiments  in  forcing  a  circulation,  as  well  fis  the 
"experiment"  of  "the  government"  in  a  sudden  re.slrie- 
tion  of  the  circulation,  and  prostration  of  confidence 
through  ill  advised -acts,  have  the  same  end  in  bankrupt- 
cy. 

It  is  reported  that  several  of  the  "PERISH  r.nEniT" 
members  of  congress,  who  had  on  hand  hills  of  the  Dis- 
trict hanks,  were  among  the  fastest  runners  for  specie, 
and  that  others  hastily  put  off  such  hills  in  exchange  for 
.those  "monsters,"  signed  by  the  "money-king,"  or  some 
of  his  ministering  spirits. 

The  failure  of  the  hank  of  Maryland  is  a  bad  one.  The 
bills  and  notes  and  certificates  of  deposited  issued  by  it, 
are  selling  at  about  fifty  cents  in  the  dollar.  Indeed  it  is 
just  now  said  that  onlv  40  cents,  in  cash,  can  be  obtained 
for  them!  This  is  very  "comfortable"  to  those  who  owe 
money  lo  that  hank — but  not  very  agreeable  to  others  lo 
•whom  it  is  indebted.  But  some  of  the  debtors  of  the 
tank  will  make  little  fortunes  out  of  its  bankruptcy,  and 
4n  the  desolation  of  the  hearts  of  many  widows  and  or- 
phans, ruined.  The  gentlemen,  however,  who  have  the 
affair?  of  this  bank  now  in  charge,  will  save  all  that  can 
be  saved,  and  faithfully  keep  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  con- 
cerned. 

A  weekly  list  of  the  applications  made  for  the  benefit 
of  the  insolvent  laws  of  Maryland  is  published  in  the 
Baltimore  papers.  The  last  contains  13  names.  We 
•liave  a  personal  knowledge  of  only  three  persons  on  this 
list — and  two  of  them  are  on  the  memorial  which  was 
presented  to  congress  from  this  city  against  a  restora- 
tion of  the  deposites,  &c.  . 

We  fear  that  the  question,  -what  is  money?  is  about  to 
become  a  very  common  one. 

It  has  been  made  a  matter  of  great  complaint  against 
the  bank  of  the  United  States  that  a  part  of  its  stock  is 
held  in  Europe — but  the  same  men  rejoice  that  a  loan  for 
the  establishment  of  a  huge  bank  at  New  Orleans  has 
•been  borrowed  in  Europe!  It  is  hoped,  also,  that  the 
New  York  stock,  about  to  be  issued,  may  be  sold  in  Eu- 
rope, and  its  product  in  money  loaned  to  the  banks.'* 
j^.nd  yet  the  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  bank  of  Albany- 
has  taken  the  Chenango  canal  loan  of  900,000  dollars,  at 
6$  per  cent,  premium,  for  a  5  per  cent,  stock!  Here  is 
an  operation  that  we  do  not  understand.  This  bank  takes 
a  loan  at  a  rate  of  interest  less  than  5  per  cent,  but  can- 
not lend  money  to  its  customers,  in  sufficient  quantities, 
at  seven  percent,  interest;  while  the  state  is  lending  its 
credit  to  the  banks  that  they  may  relieve  the  wants  of  the 
people! 

Specie  continues  to  pour  in,  and  yet  money  every  dav 
becomes  more  scarce!  Will  the  wise  ones  tell  us  how 
this  happens?  Money  is  very  plentiful  in  England. 

We  bear  of  the  stoppage  of  several  additional  factories 
since  our  last. 

Three  snug  two  story  houses,  14  feet  front,  and  on  a 
lot  running  back  80  feet,  situate  on  Orlenns  street,  Halli- 
more,  in  fee  simple,  were  sold  on  the  10th  instant  for 
$2,600  in  notes  of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  on  that  day 
worth  65  cents  to  the  dollar.  These  houses  are  well 


*An  i»ct  has  passed  the  "democratic"  kfMmhire  of  Peuns-yl 
vania,  authorising  the  governor  to  np|iojnt  nn  ngenl  to  goto 
Europe  to  borrow  monci/,  on  the  credit  ef  the  slate. 

What  a  grand  farce  lias  been  performed.  "Down  with  the 
bank"— it  has  foreign  stockholders!  "All  who  do  hiiMncs*  "i 
a  borrowed  capital  ought  to  break!"  "Perish  credit"— "peris! 
thfi  state  institutions" — perish  thf  states! 

It  appears  probable  that  it' confidence  can  be  obtained  in  En 
rope,  the  Rothschilds  and  other  bankers  may  have  cnn^iderahli 
claims  on  the  fee  of  the  "sovereign"  states  of  New  York  an. 
Pennsylvania,  not  riirei-tly,  hut  not  the  less  certainly,  on  thru 
account;  and  if  tin-  present  patriotic  maxim  is  just,  that  all  who 
borrow  money  of  ihe  hank  of  the  United  Slates,  ore  bought  ii| 
•by  the  bank  and  arc  slaves  of  the  b?n'<,  *in  it  be  said  that  tin 
elates  named  are  independem? 


finished,  having  two  rooms  with  folding  doors,  and  only 
about  one  year  old. 

ITEMS. 

The  orphan's  fair  held  a  short  time  since  in  Baltimore,  pro- 
duced, within  a  traction,  the  large  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars, 
and  yet  many  beautiful  articles  remained  on  hand. 

The  r.iil  road  of  Charleston,  it  i;  said,  is  in  a  flourishing  con- 
dition. The  receipts  avera-iinu  six  or  seven  hundred  dollars 
IMT  day  more  than  the  expenditures,  and  a  handsome  dividend 

expected  to  be  declared  in  July  next. 

The  sect  of  mad  enthusiasts,  called  the,  St.  Simonians,  who 
lately  made  a  considerable  noise  in  France,  have  become  ex- 
tinet,  as  a  society. 

Mr.  Titzewell  has  been  installed  governor  of  Virginia. 

During  the  year  1832,  there  were  born  in  the  city  of  Paris, 
seven  thousand  and,  eighty  illegitimate  children.  These  are  called 
"crt/ine  evils." 

The  frigate  UnileJ  Slates,  after  waiting/our  K-eefrs  at  the  Dar- 
danelles for  a  leading!  wind  (to  overcome  the  current),  and, 
having  obtained  one,  reached  Constantinople  in  24  hoHrs. 

Four  ruffians  suddenly  rushed  into  a  house  in  \ew  York,  a 
few  days  ago,  and  forced  themselves  into  a  back  room,  where 
they  gouged  out  the  eyes  of  a  man  named  Israel  Lewis,  and  then 
made  an  escape.  No  motive  is  assigned  for  this  diabolical  net. 

Several  negroes  have  been  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  a  late 
attempt  made  by  them,  at  Philadelphia,  to  rescue  the  person  of 
a  slave  from  the  possession  of  the  peace  officers  who  had  him 
n  charge,  after  a  hearing  before  the  judge,  for  delivery  lo  his 
master. 

The  population  of  the  city  of  Detroit  is  4,973— white  persons 
4,448,  colored  138,  strangers  387.  The  children  attending  the 
various  schools  amount  lo  448. 

The  state  of  Illinois  has  a  fund  of  $2,000,000  which  is  to  be 
exclusively  applied  to  the  purposes  of  public  education.  This 
sum  is  now  bearing  interest;  and  the  difficulty  now  is  in  the 
adoption  of  a  system  best  calculated  to  diffuse  useful  know- 
ledge among  every  class  of  the  community. 

A  lady  of  the  most  respectable  connexions,  and  of  ereat 
wealth,  who  has  for  a  long  period  been  in  the  habit  of  pilfering 
goods  from  stores,  (payment  for  which  has  always  been  made 
by  her  family  on  presentation  of  bill*),  has  been  arrested  in 
Philadelphia  for  stealing  a  pair  of  silver  pitchers  from  the  side- 
board in  the  parlor  of  one  of  her  friends!  Her  propensity  for 
stealing  is  attributed  to  monomania. 

In  Michigan,  resolutions  have  been  adopted  at  a  public  meet- 
ing, asking  conzress  to  create  a  territorial  government  under 
the  title  of  Wisconsin,  and  recommending  general  Dodge  for 
the  appointment  of  governor. 

A  letter,  published  in  the  Journal  of  Commerce,  from  an 
emicrant  from  the  United  States,  now  residing  in  Texas,  de- 
scribes the  country  as  a  paradise,  and  urges  his  friends  to  come 
and  enjoy  the  fat  of  the  land.  He  writes,  "Be  sure  to  bring  out 
all  the  books  you  have,  or  can  get  hold  of.  Bring  out  all  the 
vegetables,  garden  and  fruit  seeds  you  can— also,  one  wife  for 
me,  handsome,  &c.  Mother  knows  what  will  suit  me". 

The  following  is  nn  abstract  of  the  population  returns  for  Ire- 
land, for  the  year  1833,  lately  made  to  the  British  parliament: 
English  statute  acres,  17,183,763;  houses  inhabited,  1,249,816; 
buildings,  15.308;  uninhabited,  40,654;  total  families,  1,385,066; 
familiee  chiefly  employed  in  agriculture,  884,339;  chiefly  em- 
ployed in  trade,  manufactures  and  handicraft,  249,359;  families 
not  compri-ed  in  these  two  classes,  251,368;  males  3,794,880; 
females  3,972,521;  total  number  of  persons  7,767,401. 

It  is  stated  that  sugar  of  the  1st  quality,  4  hhds.  to  the  hand, 
were  made  last  year  in  Florida. 

The  difficulties  between  Alabama  and  the  gnneral  govern- 
ment are  finally  closed.  A  letter  from  the  secretary  of  war  to 
the  governor  of  Alabama,  dated  Ihe  12th  of  March,  gives  him 
official  notice  that  the  additional  troops  ordered  into  Alabama 
have  been  withdrawn,  and  that  only  the  ordinary  garrison  at 
Fort  Mitchell  will  remain  in  the  Creek  country.  The  letter 
also  expresses  the  pleasure  of  the  president  at  a  recent  act  of 
the  legislature  of  Alabama,  and  states  th.it  he  will  be  much  gra- 
tified, if  the  enforcement  of  the  stipulations  of  the  Creek  treaty 
shall  render  it  unnecessary  for  him  to  resort  to  the  provisions 
of  Ihe  act  of  1807,  which  he  has  not  the  slightest  wish  to  do, 
unless  required  by  the  obligations  assumed  by  the  United  Slates 
in  that  treaty. 

An  enterprise  is  on  foot  (says  a  New  York  paper),  to  visit 
the  recently  discovered  island  or  continent  of  Palmer's  Land,  in 
the  remote  southern  s?eas,  for  the  purpose  of  hunting  seals  and 
collecting  furs.  The  Ophir,  commanded  by  an  i-xpei  fenced 
seaman,  eapt.  A.  P.  Rrluingham,  and  now  lying  in  this  port, 
will  proceed  on  this  voyage  as  soon  as  the  requisite  arrange- 
ments can  he  made. 

The  grand  lodge  of  Rhode  Island,  at  n  late  meetins  in  Provi- 
dence, resolved  to  surrender  their  charter  to  the  general  assem- 
bly of  that  state,  at  its  session  in  May  ne.vt,  and  recommended 
to  Ihe  subordinate  lodges  throuahout  the  state,  that  they  should 
also  deliver  up  their  several  acts  of  incorporation. 

Wo  learn  lhat  »'harle<  R.  Leslie.  e«].  not  loni:  since  appoint- 
ed instructor  of  drawin?  at  West  Point,  has  resigned  the  situa- 
tion, and  embarked  for  England. 

The  I'.rie  Observer  Mates  that  there  arc,  this  fpnson.  more 
than  thirty  steamboat*  plying  on  lake  Eiir.  besides  a  number  of 
others  connected  with  them,  running  on  Detroit  river  and  lake 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  1834— CONGRESS. 


1 19 


Michigan.  There  are  also  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  schoon- 
ers. 

The  trip  between  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia  was  made  by 
the  rail  road  line  in  7A.  20m.  a  day  or  two  ago.  We  believe 
this  is  the  shortest  passage  ever  made. 

The  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal  is  in  full  operation  from 
Harper's  Ferry  to  the  District  of  Columbia. 

A  heavy  shower  of  tereolites  fell  lately  in  the  city  of  Kanda- 
hor;  owing  to  the  weight  of  the  shower  the  roofs  of  many 
houses  fell  in,  and  ethers  were  perforated.  Zelfekar  Aly  Khan, 
the  son  of  Olimala,  having  (although  forbidden  by  his  parents) 
gone  to  the  court  yard  of  their  bouse  to  gather  some  of  these 
pebbles,  which  were  very  round  and  smooth,  was  killed  by  the 
fall  of  one  of  these  fiery  meteors,  which  struck  him  with  such 
violence  on  the  head  as  to  fracture  his  skull  into  three  pieces. 
The  flash  which  accompanied  the  stroke  was  so  vivid,  that  it 
dazzled  the  eyes  of  those  silting  in  the  balcony  of  the  house. 
The  stone  was  found  to  weigh  three  seers,  and  many  of  the 
stones  weighed  upwards  of  two  seers.  This  phenomenon  was 
succeeded  by  so  dense  a  fog,  that  the  rays  of  the  sun  could  not 
be  perceived  for  three  days  that  it  lasted. 

The  amount  of  the  funded  debt  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland 
i*  £754,100,549;  of  the  unfunded  debt,  £27,278,000;  total 
£781,278,449. 

High  words,  it  is  said,  have  arisen  between  the  duke  of  Or- 
leans and  king  Leopold,  upon  the  subject  of  the  conduct  of  the 
Utter  towards  his  sister,  whose  air  of  settled  melancholy  had 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  duke.  His  Belgic  majesty  is  re- 
ported to  have  given  a  very  short  answer  to  the  remonstrance 
of  his  wife's  brother. 

Several  steam  boats  have  been  snagged  and  sunk  in  the  wes- 
tern waters.  It  will  be  many  years  before  this  great  danger 
can  be  removed — but  it  will  become  less  and  less  as  the  coun- 
tries bordering  on  the  rivers  are  cleared. 

Six  gold  mining  companies  have  recently  been  incorporated 
by  the  legislature  of  Virginia. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

April  11.  The  vice  president  presented  the  following  com- 
munication from  the  secretary  of  the  treasury;  which  was  or- 
dered to  be  printed: 

Treasury  department,  April  i\th,  1834. 

SIR:  In  obedience  to  the  resolution  of  the  senate,  of  the  8th 
inst.  directing  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  "to  communicate  to 
the  senate  the  name  of  any  agent,  or  agents,  employed  by  hii 
to  transact  the  business  of  the  treasury  with  the  hanks  selected 
for  the  deposite  of  the  public  fund;  the  nature  of  the  duties  per- 
'  formed  by  said  agent  or  agents;  the  amount  of  the  compensa- 
tion paid  for  the  discharge  of  the  said  duties,  and  by  whom,  and 
from  what  fund  the  said  compensation  is  paid;  and  in  pursuance 
of  what  law  the  said  agent  or  agents  have  been  appointed,"] 
have  the  honor  to  state,  that  for  many  years  past,  it  has  been 
the  duty  of  one  of  the  clerks  of  this  department  to  attend  to  the 
business  of  the  treasury  with  banks.  The  clerkship  to  whicl 
that  duty  is  assigned,  has  been  tilled  for  upwards  of  four  years 
by  Samuel  M.  McKean.  He  is  appointed  under  the  act  of  con- 
gress of  20th  April,  1818,  and  the  salary  to  which  he  is  <;iititln 
under  that  act,  is  .$1,000  a  year;  and  since  the  deposites  have 
been  removed,  as  well  as  before,  he  has  continued  to  attend  to 
the  business  of  the  department  with  banks,  without  any  addi- 
tional compensation  for  such  services. 

If  this  clerk  in  the  department  is  not  to  be  considered  as  em 
braced  in  the  call  made  by  the  senate,  no  agent  has  beon  em 
ployed  by  me  to  transact  the  business  of  the  treasury  with  tin- 
banks  selected  for  the  deposite  of  the  public  funds. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedien 
servant,  R.  B.  TANEY,  sect'yofthe  treasury. 

Hon.  Martin  Van  Burcn,  viceprcst.  U.  S.  andprest.  of  senate 
Mr.  McKean  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting,  and  tin 
memorial  adopted  thereat,  held  by  citizens  of  Blockley,  in  Phi 
ladelphia  county,  Pa.  sustaining  the  executive,  &.C.  in  the  re 
moval  of  the  deposited.    Read,  referred,  Sec. 

Memorials  praying  the  restoration  of  the  deposiles,  &.C.  wer 
presented  by  Mr.  Prentiss,  from  1,619  citizens  of  Rutland  coun 
ty,  Vt.  and  by  Mr.  Siting,  from  2,000  inhabitants  of  Franklin 
county,  and  4,310  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. — 
Read,  referred1.  &c. 
Mr.  Clay  submitted  the  following: 

Ordered,  That  the  secretary  of  the  senate  be  directed  t 
cause  to  be  ascertained  and  reported  to  the  senate,  the  a™sre 
gate  numbers  of  all  who  have,  or  shall  have  on  the  day  of  hi 
report,  presented  petitions,  memorials,  or  other  proceedings  t 
the  senate,  for  or  against  the  executive  measure  of  the  remova 
of  the  deposites,  distinguishing  the  number  appertaining  to  eac 
petition,  memorial  or  other  proceeding.  Modified  as  follows 
at  Mr.  Poindexier's  suggestion:  "And  specifying  the  city ,  towi 
county  and  state  from  which  the  memorial  or  petition  was  re 
ceived." 

Mr.  Clay  was  desirous  that  the  service  should  be  performer 
because  it  was  of  importance  to  have  collected  in  one  view,  tl 
number  of  our  fellow  citizens,  pro  and  con  who  have  come  her 
soliciting  relief. 

Mr.  Wright,  thought  the  duty  a  delicate  one.    He  won 
name  one  circumstance.    A  short  time  sinre,  a  memorial  wa 
presented  by  an  honorable  senator,  coming  from  the  city  of  A 
bany,  and  he  (Mr.  Wright),  also  presented  another  from  th 
lame  city.  They  came  in  from  the  printer  the  day  before  yeste 


ay,  and  the  one  which  was  said  to  have  been  signed  by  9,800* 
tizens  of  Albany,  was  found  to  contain  the  names  ofbut  1,316; 
nd  the  memorial  he  presented  said  to  contain  1,700  names,  had 
ily  1,606.  He  thought  it  best  to  lay  the  subject  on  the  tattle. 
Mr.  Clay  was  aware  that  entire  precision  was  not  attainable, 
he  gentleman  alluded  to  the  mistake  in  the  memorial  from 
Ibany.  But  was  it  not  possible  that  it  might  turn  out  that  a 
onion  of  one  memorial  had  been  detached  from  it  and  addsd 

his.    Something  like  it  had  occurred  in  Philadelphia,  fcc. 
Mr.  Wright  took  leave  to  say  that  the  gentleman  from  Ken- 
ucky  did  him  injustice  in  the  imputation  that  hi:  had  any  agen- 
y  in  cutting  offuny  part  of  the  memorial  alluded  to. 
Mr.  Clay  disclaimed  any  allusion  to  the  honorable  gentleman 
— he  only  intimated  that  such  a  thing  might  be  done. 
After  some  further  remarks  by  Messrs.  Wright,  King,  of  Ala. 
nd  Clay,  the  order  was  adopted. 

The  senate  took  up,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Poindexter,  the  resnlu- 
on  offered  a  few  days  since,  for  the  printing  of  1,000  copies  of 
le  journal  of  the  old  congress. 

Upon  this  resolution  a  debate  ensued,  in  which  Messrs.  South- 
rd,  King,  of  Georgia,  Poindexter,  Ewing,  Bibb  and  Sheplcy 
ook  part.  Without  taking  the  question,  at  4  o'clock,  on  mo- 
on of  Mr.  Morris,  the  senate  adjourned  until  Monday.  • 

April  14.  Mr.  Clay  presented  two  memorials,  numerously 
gned;  one  from  Troy,  and  the  other  from  Schenectady,  New 
'ork,  praying  for  the  restoration  of  the  depoiites.f  Read,  re- 
erred,  &c. 

Mr.  SiUbte,  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  held  at 
alem,  Massachusetts,  approving  of  the  removal  of  the  depo 
tes.  Read,  referred,  &.c. 

Mr.  Clayton  reported  a  bill  to  compromise  and  finally  settle 
he  claims  of  the  United  States  on  the  Allegany  bank  of  Penu- 
ylvania.  Read  and  ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Eieing  submitted  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to 

port  to  the  senate,  whether  any  of  the  banks  which  have  re- 
ently  failed,  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  had  in  dtpo^ite,  or 
therwisu  in  their  possession,  any  of  the  public  money,  and,  if 
ny,  how  much,  at  the  time  of  their  failure. 

Several  bills  for  the  relief  of  private  individuals,  or  of  a  local 
haracler,  were  taken  up  and  disposed  of. 

The  senate  then  took  up  the  bill  authorising  the  relinquish 
ment  of  the  16th  sections  of  public  lands,  granted  for  the  use  of 
chools,  and  the  location  of  other  lands  in  lieu  thereof,  which 
after  debate,  was,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  laid  on  the  table. 

The  bill  for  the  completion  of  a  road  from  Memphis,  Tennes- 
efi,  to  Little  Rock,  in  the  territory  of  Arkansas,  was  read  a 
econd  time  and  ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

The  senate  adjourned. 

April  15.  A  message  was  received  from  the  house  of  repre- 
entatives  notifying  the  senate  of  the  death  of  the  honorable 
Littleton  Purnell  Dennis,  late  a  member  of  that  house,  from  the 
late  of  Maryland,  artd  that  his  funeral  would  take  place  from 
he  hall  of  the  house  of  representatives  to  morrow  at  13  o'clock. 

The  message  havine  been  read, 

Mr. -Kent,  of  Maryland,  rose  and  pronounced  a  neat,  appro- 
priate and  impressive  eulogium  upon  the  virtues  of  Mr.  Dtnnii, 

nd  concluded  by  moving  the  customary  resolution,  to  attend 
lis  funeral  and  wear  mourning  as  a  testimony  of  respect  to  his 
nemory;  which  wa*  unanimously  adopted;  whereupon,  on  mo- 
ion  of  Mr.  Kent  the  senate  adjourned. 

[On  the  16lh  the  senate  attended  the  funeral  of  Mr.  Dennis, 
_nd  on  the  17th  the  senate  was  engaged  in  a  discussion  con 
cerning  a  paper  transmitted  by  the  president— see  page  121.] 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  April  11.  The  house  resumed  the  consideration  of 
the  resolution  offered  by  Mr.  Mardis,  in  relation  to  the  deposites; 
and  Mr.  Corwin  continued  his  remarks. 

Mr.  Polk  moved  the  suspension  of  the  rulM  in  order  to  move 
that  the  house  resume  the  consideration  of  the  general  appro- 
priation bill. 

Mr.  Ward  supported  Mr.  Folk's  motion,  and  contended  that 
public  business  should  be  first  attended  to;  and  called  for  the 
yeas  and  nays. 

Mr.  Whittlesey,  of  Ohio,  spoke  of  the  urgent  importance  of 
the  private  business. 

Mr.  Polk  urged  the  necessity  of  going  on  with  the  appropria- 
tion bill.  The  question  was  finally  negatived  by  the  following 
vote,  yea?  92,  nays  93. 


ly  eight  hundred,  or  thereabouts. 

JACOB  TEN  F.TCK,  )  members  of  the 
Rurr»  H.  KINO,      \     eommlttee. 
April  16, 1834. 
JSee  liis  remarks  on  this  occasion,  page  195. 


1-20 


N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  1334— CONGRESS. 


The  house  then  went  into  coiuiuittue  of  tlie  whole, on  the  till 
to  provide  lor  the  payment  of  property  lost  and  destroyed  while 
in  the  military  service  during  the  late  war  w ilh  Great  Britain, 
and  after  making  some  progress  therein,  the  committee  rose,  re- 
poil«d  progress,  &c.  and  then  tin:  hon-e  adjourned. 

Saturday,  Jiyril  \ii.  The  rei-olulion  oi  Air.  Mardis  on  the 
subject  ot  the  deposits  was  resumed,  and  Mr.  Concin  conclud- 
ed his  remarks;  and  at  the  close  of  them,  offered  a  resolution 
by  way  of  amendment,  declaring  the  reasons  given  liy  Mr. 
Taney,  for  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  to  be  insufficient  and 
unsatisfactory. 

Mr.  Clay,  of  Alabama,  after  a  remark  or  two,  moved  to  lay 
the  resolution  and  the  amendment  on  the  table. 

On  this  motion,  Mr.  Vinton  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays; 
which  was  ordered. 

Mr.  McKennan  stated  that  he  thought  he  had  the  floor  as 
coon,  jf  not  sooner,  than  the  gentleman  from  Alabama,  who  had 
already  had  an  opportunity  of  expressing  his  views  on  the  sub- 
ject, whilst  other  gentlemen  were  cut  off  hy  the  power  of  the  ma- 
jority in  the  house.  He,  therefore,  appealed  to  the  courtesy  of 
the  gentleman,  and  asked  him  to  withdraw  his  motion  10  afford 
the  same  privilege  to  other)'  which  he  had  enjoyed  himself. 

Mr.  Clay  declining  to  withdraw  his  motion — 

Mr.  Carr  moved  a  call  of  the  house. 

On  this  motion,  Mr.  Williams  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays, 
and  being  ordered,  stood  as  follows:  yeas  152,  nays  11. 

The  call  of  the  house  being  ordered,  proceeded  for  some  time, 
.when  the  hour  having  expired,  was,  ou  motion  of  Mr.  Wlditle 
jet/,  ant-sled,  and  the  whole  subject  lies  over  until  Tuesday, 
Monday  being  petition  day. 

The  house  then,  as  in  committee  of  Ihe  whole,  took  up  the 
bill  providing  compensation  for  property  lost,  raptured  or  de- 
stroyed by  the  enemy  during  the  last  war;  which  alter  being 
gone  through  with  and  amended,  was  agreed  to  in  committee, 
and  reported  to  the  bouse,  when  the  house  adjouriu  d. 

Monday,  Jlpril  14.  Memorials^  proceedings  of  meetings,  re- 
solutions', &c.  favorable  to  the  restoration  of  the  drposites,  &c. 
were  presented  as  follows:  by  Mr-  Bean,  from  citizens  of  the 
town  of  Dover,  New  Hampshire,  by  Mr.  Hates,  from  700  inha- 
bitants ot  Springfield,  Massachusetts;  by  Mr.  Burgcs  from  3,468 
citizens  of  the  county  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island;  by  Mr. 
Slade,  from  160  (additional)  citizens  of  Rutland  county,  Ver- 
piont;  by  Mr.  Beardsley  from  111  inhabitants  of  Pittsford,  Mon- 
roe county,  New  York;  by  Mr.  Lee,  from  inhabitants  of  Salem 
comity.  New  Jersey;  by  Mr.  Henderson,  fiom  citizens  of  Lewis- 
low n,  1'eniisj  Ivania;  by  Mr.  Stewart,  three  memorials,  which 
with  one  presented  a  few  days  since,  were  signed  liy  983 citi- 
zens of  Fayetle  county,  Pennsylvania;  by  Air.  Bioney,  from  487 
/drillers,  mechanics  and  traders  of  Union  county,  Pennsylvania; 
.which  were,  severally,  read  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Evant  presented  a  memorial  of  a  large  number  of  citizens 
of  Gardiner  and  Pittston,  in  the  slate  of  Maine,  praying  fora 
speedy  remedy  from  the  present  pressure.  Mr.  E.  concluded 
by  moving  to  commit  the  memorial  to  the  committee  of  ways 
and  means,  with  instructions  to  report  two  resolutions — one  de- 
claring that  the  reasons  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  for  the 
Removal  of  the  public  money  from  the  United  States  bank  are 
insufficient  and  unsatM'actory— and  the  olher  declaring  that  a 
bank,  created  by  the  authority  of  congress,  is  necessary,  ex- 
pedient, and  ought  to  be  established. 

The  spcnk;r  suggested  that  the  instructions  first  proposed 
were  not  in  order,  inasmuch  as  a  re-oluiion  similar  in  diameter 
was  already  before  tlie,  house. 

Mr.  Ei-ant  said,  that  he  would  then  move  the  commitment, 
with  instructions  to  report  the  second  resolution.  The  sub- 
ject was  postponed  to  Monday  in M. 

Mr.  Graham  presented  resolutions:  adopted  by  the  citizens  of 
Morgantown,  Burke  county,  North  Carolina,  alluding,  in  haMi 
term*,  to  the  language  applied  by  Messrs.  Brown  and  Forsi/tfi, 
to  a  memorial  some  tune  .-ince  forwarded  hv  them,  and  laid  be- 
fore the  senate,  in  which  they  attribute  Mr.  Forsi/th's  depar- 
ture from  the  ordinary  courtesy  of  debate  to  the  inllnenei;  of 
•orae  peculiar  excitement,  but  whether  from  ihu  pot  house  or 
the  palace,  they  do  not  lliink  it  important  to  inquire.  lie  mov 
ed  that  the  resolutions  lie  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Mi-Kim,  of  Mnrvlnml,  said:  I  arn  requested  to  present 
the  procnedui'j-  of  a  meeting  held  in  Ihe  filth  conu'res.-ional  dis- 
trict of  Man  land,  as,  D)*O,  inntrnClloM  tn  me,  signed  by  3,715 
voters  of  said  district.  As  I  admit,  Mr.  5//c«/fer,  the  rit-Mt  of 
instruction  by  thu  majority,  when  that  majority  can  be  ui  II  as- 
certained, Ihe  only  inquiry  which  I  Seemed  it  nenessary  to 
make,  when  I  receiver!  these  irislruetions,  was,  whether  they 
were  sanctioned  hy  tlie  -ien.i.'ures  of  a  majority  ofthp  legal  anil 
qualified  voter*  oflbe  district?  And  this  could  only  be  done  by 
an  accurate  investiiratinn  of  the  poll  book*.  Fur  (hat  purpose. 
I  proceeded  immediately  to  Rnlliniorp.  ns  I  did  not  fei-l  at  li- 
berty to  vote  on  any  question  alTectini:  the  Instruction*,  while 
such  document.*  remained  uhinvwligated  by  me.  'flint  iiiveni- 
.galion  has  heen  made,  at  my  iiKfnnr-e,  and,  in  part,  under  my 
particular  inspection.  The  result,  it,  ItuM.  of  (he  3.71 
lures  mi  the  proceeding*  and  instrnetjoii=,  there  ar*  1,802  ol  the 
nime»  of  the  signers  to  the  same  which  Hrp  not  to  be  found  nn 
the  poll  books,  at  the  elr-etion  h>  III  in  Oetnlicrlnst.nl  which 
election,  shcrifis  were  elected  for  all  the  counties  in  the  stale  of 
Mar>lmid.  A  ditTtrcnr-e  ol'this  remarkable  character  leaves  me 
at  liberty  to  make  no  other  conclusion.  o>n.-istenl  with  what  I 
believe  to  he  the  accuracy  of  the  examination  had  in  this  affair, 
than  tbal  I  am  not  instructed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  and 


qualified  voters  of  the  district,  otherwise  than  by  my  electiofu 
1  consider  it  my  duty  further  to  stale,  that,  if  J  bad  not  received 
the  instructions  prior  to  the,  vote  being  taken  on  the  resolutions 
leporteil  by  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  rcspeclinu  the 
bank  ot  the  United  .States  and  the  deposites,  I  should  have  vot- 
ed with  Ihe  majority  on  all  the  resolutions.  1  forbear  all  futther 
remark,  and  ask  that  the  proceedings  and  instructions  be  read, 
laid  on  the  table,  and  printed. 

The  motion  was  agreed  to. 

Memorials,  proceedings  of  meetings,  Sec.  against  the  restora- 
tion of  the  deposites  Were  presented  as  follows:  by  Mr.  Osgood, 
from  a  meeting  of  citizens  of  Salem,  Massachusetts;  by  Mr. 
Pearce,  from  1,6(JO  citizens  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island;  by  the 
speaker,  from  Slralfoid,  Connecticut;  by  Mr.  Lansing,  from  a 
town  in  thu  vicinity  of  Albany,  New  York;  hy  Mr.  Schenck, 
from  a  meeting  held  in  Somerset  county,  New  Jersey;  hy  Mr. 
Stewait.  seven  memorial?,  signed  by  675  citizens  of  Fayette 
county,  Pennsylvania,  also  proceedings  of  a  meeting  in  said 
county;  by  Mr.  Anthony,  from  324  citizens  of  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania;  also  from  a  meeting  at  Muncey  in  Ly- 
coming  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Various  other  memorials,  generally  of  a  private  character, 
were  presented,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Gamble  presented  a  memorial  from  the  citizens  of  Savan- 
nah, Georgia,  strongly  opposed  to  the  conduct  of  the  adminis- 
tration in  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  &c.  Mr.  G.  then  asked 
leaye  of  Ihe  house;  to  make  a  few  remarks  but  there  being  no 
quorum,  the  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  Jl-pril  15.  The  journal  of  yesterday's  proceedings 
having  been  read, 

Mr.  Stoddert,  of  Maryland,  rose  and  addressed  the  houee  as 
follows: 

Mr.  Speaker:  In  announcing  the  death  of  Littleton  Purnell 
Dennis,  a  representative  on  this  floor  fiom  the  state  of  Mary- 
land, I  discharge  a  sad  and  solemn  duty.  Not  a  week  hag 
elapsed  since  he  mingled  in  the  deliberations,  and  co  operated 
in  the  active  duties  of  this  house:  he  now  sleeps  the  sleep  of 
death.  What  an  impressive  illustration  of  the  instability  of  hu- 
man life — "of  what  shadows  we  are.,  and  what  shadows  we 
pursue."  The  deceased  stood  to  me,  sir,  in  the  double  relation 
of  colleague  and  friend.  I  knew  him  long  and  well.  He  was 
a  useful,  benevolent  and  estimable  man,  and  has  finished  his 
course  in  honor.  He  was  no  tame  and  ordinary  character; 
and  although  his  modesty  may  have  delayed  the  development 
of  his  faculties  for  public  service,  during  his  brief  connection 
with  this  house,  his  stale  is  not  left  without  proofs  of  his  legis- 
lative prudence  and  skill,  He  served  her  in  both  branches  of 
her  legislature  for  many  years  with  honor  and  ability.  He  was 
well  sifted  by  nature,  well  educated  and  well  principled.  His 
native  sagacity,  sound  judgment  and  decision,  and  purity  of 
purpose,  made  him  what  he  was,  a  capable  and  honest  public 
agent.  The.  brave,  generous,  open  and  manly  qualities  of  his 
nature  secured  him  the  confidence  and  affections  of  the  people 
among  whom  he  lived,  and  made  it  their  delight  to  honor  him. 

He  is  gone  hence,  sir,  but  his  memory  will  survive,  embalm- 
ed in  the  kindly  regards  of  those  who  knew  and  appreciated 
his  noble  anil  manly  qualities,  and  unembiltered  and  untarnish- 
ed by  a  single  not  of  meanness,  injustice  and  oppression.  He 
died  as  lie  lived,  desen  ins  and  possessing  the  warm  hearted 
esteem  of  many,  the  ill  will  of  none.  As  Hie  last  aclof  respeclful 
duty  which  it  remain*  for  friendship  to  perform,  1  move  you,  sir, 
the  follow  ins  re.r-olnlions: 

Resolred,  That  the  members  oftbis  house  will  attend  the  fune- 
ral of  the  laie  Li/leton  Purnell  Dennis,  at  12  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Resoli-ed,  That  x  committee  lie  appointed  to  lake  order  lor 
superintending  the  funeral  of  Littleton  Purnell  Dennis,  deceas- 
ed, late  a  member  of  this  house  from  Ihe  state  ofMaryiand. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  house  will  testify  their 
respect  lo  tin;  i.iemory  of  Little  Purnell  Dennis,  by  wearing 
crape  on  the  left  arm  for  thirty  days. 

Orrfrrcd,  That  a  message  be  sent  lo  the  senate  to  nolify  lhat 
body  of  the  death  of  Littleton  P.  Dennis,  late  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives from  the  state  of  Maryland,  and  that  his  funeral  will 
take  place  tomorrow,  at  twelve  o'clock,  from  the  hall  of  the 
house  of  representative.--. 

The  above  resolutions  and  order  were  unanimously  adopted; 
and  then  the  hoii.-o  adjourned. 

Wednesday,  Jipril  16.  The  house  this  dav  attended  the  in- 
lerinenl  of  liie  remains  of  the  late  Mr.  Dennis. 

Thursday,  ~?;>r!/  17.  Mr.  .Jarris  asked  leave  to  offer  a  resolu- 
tion for  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  investigate  the  af- 
fair." of  the  hanks  in  thi*  District  which  have  suspended  sptcie 
payments,  with  a  view  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  their  having 
done  so. 

Objection  was  made  by  Mr.  If'hiltlcicy  and  Mr.  Williami.the 
laitrr  of  whom  said  lie  had  no  objection  to  the  inquiry,  but 
would  imt  consent  to  receive  resolutions  of  any  kind  at  this 
period  of  the  proceedings  of  the  hoiife. 

Mr.  Jarvit  moved  to  suspend  the  rules,  lo  allow  him  to  offer 
the  resolution:  bur  the  motion  was  negatived. 

Mr.  Chilian  called  up  the  consideration  of  the  resolntion, 
moved  by  him  a  day  or  two  since,  calling  upon  the  president  to 
submit  to  concress  the  />;"uY  ol  a  national  bank,  and  demanded 
the  yeas  and  nays  upon  Ihe  motion  to  suspend  the  rule  to  allow 
of  iis  consideration.  They  were  taken,  and  stood  as  follows: 
year  50;  nays  II:!.  So  the  house  refused  to  .consider. 

After  some  other  business  which  will  sufficiently  appear  in 
its  progress — 


7 


N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


121 


The  house,  in  committee  of  the  whole,  took  up  the  general 
appropriation  bill,  and,  after  a  long  and  animated  debate, consi- 
deied  and  negatived  three  more  items  of  Mr.  Vance's  proposed 
"reforms,"  and  then  adjourned. 

THE  PRESIDENT  AND  THE  SENATE. 
From  the  National  Intelligencer  of  ye&tcrduy — Jljiril  18. 

A  new  chapter  is  opened  in  the  political  history  ol  our  coun- 
try. 

A  message  was  yesterday  received  in  the  senate  from  the 
president  of  the  United  Stales,  purporting  to  lie  a  protest,  on 
the  part  of  tlmt  hiiili  functionary,  against  the  resolutions  ex- 
pressive ol  the  opinion  of  the  senate  touching  th«  constitution- 
ality and  expediency  of  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites,  in 
the  manner  in  whick  it  was  effected,  from  the  bank  of  the  U. 
Stales. 

The  message  is  of  great  length,  the  reading  thereof  by  the  se- 
.cretary  of  the  senate  having  occupied  more  than  an  hour.  Hav- 
ing had  no  opportunity  of  access  to  the  document,  we  are  only 
able  to  give  our  readers  such  ail  idea  of  it  as  an  imperfect  hear- 
ing of  it  will  enable  us. 

The  message  begins  by  reciting  the  resolutions  passed  by  the 
senate;  and,  considering  it  the  duty  of  the  president  to  protect 
his  privileges  from  encroachment  by  every  means  in  his  power, 
declares  the  proceedings  of  the  senate  to  be  unprecedented  and 
extraordinary,  and  enters  his  solemn  protest  against  them. 

Except  as  otherwise  specially  provided  in  the  constitution, 
the  message  declares  the  rights  of  the  executive  and  of  the  le- 
gislature to  be  co-equal.  In  this  view  the  president  is  of  opinion 
that  the  proceedings  of  the  senate,  in  the  case  referred  to,  are 
wholly  unauthorised  by  the  constitution.  No  such  power  as 
the  senate  has  assumed  is,  he  says,  to  be  found,  in  any  part  of 
the  constitution,  granted  to  either  branch  of  the  legislature.  To 
prove  this  he  enters  into  "a  brief  analysis"  of  the  powers  con- 
ferred upon  the  senate  by  the  constitution.  Any  proposition 
acted  upon  by  the  senate,  to  be  within  the  sphere  of  its  powers, 
he  argues,  mint  lend  to  legislative  action,  or,  in  its  conclusion, 
must  take  the  form  of  some  executive  or  legislative  act.  The 
resolutions  in  question,  he  says,  were  not  a  legislative  act;  nor 
did  they  apply  to  any  treaty  or  nomination  before  the  senate  in 
its  executive  capacity.  Nor  did  they  relate  to  any  of  the  cases 
in  which  the  senate  might  lawfully  act,  (in  reference  to  its  own 
organization,  &c.)  without  the  consent  of  the  other  house. 

They  have,  therefore,  in  his  opinion,  no  warrant  in  the  con- 
stitution. They  amount  to  an  impeachment,  if  the  senate  had 
the  power:  but  the  house  only  has  power  to  impeach,  and  the 
senate  only  power  to  try  impeachments  when  preferred  by  that 
body.  The  resolutions,  the  president  says,  embrace  charges  of 
usurpation  aud  violation  of  the  constitution,  impeachable  of- 
fences, and  declare  the  president  to  be  guilty  of  them;  thus  at- 
tempting to  exercise  all  the  moral  power  of  impeachment,  with- 
out observing,  in  any  part  of  the  proceedings  the  provisions  or 
requirements  of  the  constitution  in  regard  to  impeachments. 
The  resolutions,  he  further  argues,  prejudge  a  .case  in  which  the 
senate  might  have  been  called  upon  to  act  judicially,  had  the 
house  of  representatives  preferred  an  impeachment  against  the 
president,  &c. 

The  whole  proceeding,  the  president  .declares,  in  very  plain 
terms,  to  have  been  an  assumption,  by  the  senate,  of  powers 
not  conferred  upon  it  by  the  constitution,  and  utterly  incompa- 
tible with  that  instrument,  and  with  the  plainest  dictates  of 
equity  arid  justice. 

The  president  then  goes  on  to  object  to  the  vagueness  of  the 
resolution  censuring  the  conduct  of  the  executive.  Though 
comprehensive  enough,  he  says  it  contains  no  certainty  of  time, 
place  or  circumstance,  which  induced  any  one  senator  to  vote 
for  it.  Although  the  resolution,  as  originally  modified,  specified 
certain  particular  acts  alleged  to  be  contrary  to  the  constitution 
and  the  laws,  yet  at  the  close  of  the  debate  it  was  so  modified 
as  to  particularize  nothing;  a  proceeding  which  the  general  very 
pointedly  condemns:  for,  he  adds,  if  the  resolution  had  been 
put  to  the  vote  in  its  original  form,  it  is  presumed  it  would  have 
received  the  sanction  of  hut  few  votes,  since  the  acts  specified 
in  it  were  clearly  not  contrary  to  the  constitution,  &c. 

The  message  then  enters  into  an  elaborate  exposition  of  the 
views  which  the  president  entertains  of  the  extent  of  his  own 
powers,  reviewing  the  provisions  of  the  constitution  respecting 
the  power  of  appointing  officers  of  government,  and  the  con- 
struction which  they  have  received  in  practice.  There  is  no 
such  thing  as  officers  under  the  control  of  congress,  it  is  argued, 
but  those  which  spring  from  the  power  conferred  upon  each 
house  by  the  constitution  to  choose  its  own  officers.  All  the 
other  officers,  except  judges  and  the  officers  of  courts,  are  ap- 
pointed by  the  president,  with  or  without  the  consent  of  the  se- 
nate, and  subject  to  his  will  and  pleasure,  through  the  power  of 
removal,  he  being  responsible  for  their  good  conduct,  and  for 
the  due  execution  of  the  laws.  The  treasury  department,  like 
others,  is  wholly  executive  in  its  character,  and  likewise  in  its 
responsibility.  The  custody  of  the  public  money  is  one  of  the 
functions  of  that  department.  For  the  discharge  of  that  func- 
tion it  is  responsible,  not  to  congress,  but  to  the  president. 
The  law  establishing  the  bank  of  the  United  States  did  not,  the 
message  argues,  change  the  relations  of  the  president  and  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury  to  the  public  money:  it  did  not  release 
the  former  from  the  duty  of  directing  where  the  public  money 
should  be  kept,  nor  the  latter  from  the  executive  supervision  in 
relation  to  the  discharge  of  his  duties:  it  merely  supnradded  a 
requisition,  that,  when  the  secretary  should  think  fit  to  remove 


it  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  the  reasons  for  so  doing 
should  he  laid  before  congress.  So  glaring  had  been  the  abuse* 
of  the  bank,  so  determined  it  appeared  to  be  to  interlere  in  elec- 
tions, and  to  .corrupt  the  press,  &c.  the  message  says,  that  the 
president  had  felt  il  to  be  his  duly  to  interpose,  to  check  the 
bank  in  its  career,  lessen  its  power  to  do  mischief,  Sic.  and,  in 
doing  so,  remove  the  disobedient  secretary  who  relused  to  act 
in  Hie  case.  In  such  a  case  as  this  the  senate  has  no  right, 
upon  the  general  argument  of  the  message,  to  interfere.  If  the 
senate  hail  a  right  to  interfere  in  such  a  case,  says  the  president, 
it  had  a  right  to  make  its  interference  effectual.  ID  such  a  case 
some  future  senate  might,  in  order  to  make  such  interlereuce 
effective,  omit  to  perform  their  own  constitutional  functions; 
refuse  to  pass  ihe  necessary  appropriation  laws,  or  to  confirm 
proper  nominations  by  the  president— thus  shadowing  out  Hie 
consequences  which  might  result  from  such  an  usurping  dispo- 
sition on  the  part  of  the  senate,  &c.  &c. 

The  message  then  ad verls  to  circumstances  connected  with 
the  discussion  and  passage  of  the  resolution  censuring  the  pre- 
sident, who,  it  is  argued,  is  the  direct  representative  of  the  peo- 
ple, whilst  the  senate  only  intermediately  represents  them. 
The  instructions  from  the  legislatures  of  the  states  of  Maine, 
New  Jersey  and  Ohio,  expressing  their  attachment  to  the  pre- 
sident, and  their  hostility  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
instructing  thoir  senators  to  vote  accordingly,  are  all  embodied 
at  length  in  the  message.  From  these  states,  the  message  says, 
four  senators  out  of  the  twenty  six  voled  in  favor  of  the  cen- 
sure of  the  president:  had  they  voted  as  instructed,  22  only,  out 
of  48,  would  have  sanctioned  the  accusation  against  the  presi- 
dent, &.C. 

The  message  then  goes  on  to  depict  the  awful  consequences 
which  mighi  follow  from  a  submission  to  such  usurpations,  by 
the  senate,  of  the  rights  of  the  executive;  such  as  aristocracy, 
anarchy,  or  dismemberment  of  the  government,  &c. 

The  president  also  vindicates  his  private  reputation  from  im- 
plications which  he  conceives  to  he  contained  in  the  vote  of 
censure,  &c. 

The  whole  message  concludes,  for  the  reasons  briefly  hinted 
at  above,  and  other  reasons  which  arc  not  enumerated,  (in  the 
course  of  which  the  length  of  term  of  service  and  irresponsibi- 
lity of  senators  are  more  than  once  alluded  to),  with  a  solemn 
protest,  which,  with  the  message,  the  president  requests  may 
be  entered  at  large  upon  the  journal  of  the  senate. 

The  above  is  a  hasty  and  faint  outline,  but  substantially  a 
correct  one,  of  this  important  executive  missive  to  the  senate; 
which,  Ihe  reader  may  very  well  conceive,  produced  not  a  little 
sensation  within  the  precincts,  of  the  capital. 

The  moment  the  senate  was  called  to  order  yesterday,  the 
private  secretary  of  the  president  of  the  United  States  present- 
ed a  message  to  the  senate,  protesting  against  the  resolutions 
of  the  senate,  touching  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites. 
The  message  seemed  to  have  been  expected,  at  least  during  the 
morning;  for  there  was  gathered  an  unusually  early  audience  of 
both  sexes.  The  senate,  however,  was  not  full.  Mr.  Webster, 
Mr.  Chambers  and  Mr.  Bell,  were  still  absent;  Mr.  Forsyth,  Mr. 
Preston  and  Mr.  Porter,  were  casually  absent — and  Mr.  Clay 
had  yesterday  accomoanied  his  lady,  who  is  in  ill  health,  on 
her  way  to  a  watering  place  in  Virginia,  where  she  is  to  slay 
some  weeks.  An  soon  as  the  last  word  of  the  message,  as  iu 
reading  was  concluded,  fell  from  the  lips  ofthe  secretary  of  the 
senate,  Mr.  Poindexter  addressed  the  chair.  In  indignant 
terms  he  denounced  ihe  message,  which  he  declared  could  not 
be  considered  an  execulive  message,  as  not  pertaining  to  any 
of  the  public  occasions  on  which  the  president  of  the  United 
States  U  authorised  by  the  constitution  to  address  himself  to 
the  senate.  He  considered  it  an  unofficial  paper  merely,  sign- 
ed by  ANDREW  JACKSON.  In  any  view,  considering  it  a  docu- 
ment not  respectful  to  the  senate,  he  moved  that  it  lie  not  r«- 
ceireil.  On  this  motion  a  debate  ensued,  which  continued  un- 
til 5  o'clock,  in  which  the  motion  was  supported  by  Mr.  Poin- 
dexter, Mr.  Sprague,  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  and  Mr.  Southard,  and 
opposed  by  Mr.  Beaton  and  Mr.  King,  of  Alabama.  But  before 
taking  any  question,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Leigh,  the  senate  ad- 
journed. And  so  the  matter  rests. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Mr.  John  Q.  JLdams  recently  said  in  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives— 

"From  the  present  and  approaching  pressure  upon  the  na- 
tion, it  is  clear,  that  no  relief  is  to  be  expected  from  any  thing 
that  this  house  will  do;  arid  in  this  hour  of  difficulty  and  dan- 
ger, it  is  my  consolation  that  nothing  that  this  house  can  do 
will  have  any  other  effect  than  merely  to  refuse  or  withhold  re- 
lief. It  appears  to  he  the  opinion  of  .«ome,  that  a  decision  of 
this  house,  whatever  il  might  be,  would  quiet  the  agitation  of 
the  public  mind.  That,  I  believe,  is  a  fallacy.  I  have  seen  in 
the  public  prints  a  statement  by  some  of  those  who  have  placed 
some  reliance  upon  appeals  to  the  executive  magistrate,  that 
such  reliance  is  in  vain.  That  t|iey  must  not  go  to  him  for  re- 
lief. However  that  may  be,  I  tell  them,  and  I  believe  it  is  best 
for  them  to  know  the  truth,  I  tell  them  it  is  vain  for  them  to 
come  to  this  house  for  relief— no  such  relief  will  be  granted.  It 
is  upon  themselves  that  ihe  people  must  depend  for  relief— 
upon  themselves  alone,  and  not  upon  this  house,  or  upon  th« 


191  NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  1834— MESSRS.  MACNEVEN  AND  SAMPSON. 


Mr.  Mian,  of  Kentucky,  when  speaking  ou  the  reso- 
lution offered  by  Mr.  Mardis,  said — 

"The  president  having  proposed  10  use  the  state  banks,  a 
question  was  involved,  whether  the  power  of  the  house,  over 
the  public  money,  was  to  be  surrendered?  It  then  became  ne- 
cessary, before  the  power  was  surrendered,  to  inquire  into  their 
condition,  that  it  might  b«  ascertained  whether  they  wer«  ca- 
pable of  performing  all  Unit  was  required  of  them,  and  so  sup- 
ply the  country  with  a  sound  currency.  He  proceeded  to  do 
so,  and  referring  to  their  number,  being  450  throughout  the  U. 
States,  having  a  paper  circulation  of  100  millions  of  dollars, 
based  on  a  supply  of  only  12  millions  of  specie  in  their  vaults, 
he  inferred  that  they  would  not  have  it  in  their  power  to  main- 
tain, as  the  bank  of  the  United  States  had  done,  a  sound  and 
general  circulation  throughout  the  union;  and  he  desired  to 
have  the  name  of  any  one  statesman  who  could  be  said  to  have 
advocated  the  state  bank,  in  preference  to  the  United  Slates 
bank,  for  such  purposes?  Such  was  not  to  be  given.  On  the 
contrary,  Mr.  Jetterson,  he  proved,  by  referring  to  the  fourth 
volume  of  his  correspondence  with  Mr.  Eppes,  denounced  such 
institution!",  and  their  paper,  as  trash;  ami  .Mr.  .Madison  ac- 
knowledged that,  at  the  formation  of  the  constitution,  the  mis- 
chief of  a  state  bank  currency  was  not  foreseen. 

But  they  were  to  hav«  a  metallic  currency,  while  he  would 
be  bound  to  say,  that  the  very  party  engaged  in  crying  it  up, 
were  actively  Batting  up  state  banks  in  many  places.  He  in- 
stanced Indiana,  and  other  states,  and  he  then  argued  to  prove 
that  after  an  experience  of  forty  years,  such  banks  were  proved 
to  be  inadequate  to  do  that  agency  which  had  been  beneficially 
done  by  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  He  reverted  to  arid  de- 
nied the  statement  that  the  question  of  chartering  the  United 
Stales  bank  was  made  a  question  to  the  people  at  the  last  elec- 
tion. 

Mr.  Ellsworth,  when  speaking  of  the  resolutions  at- 
tached to  the  report  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means 
contended — 

That  the  executive  had  drawn  to  himself  a  portion  of  the  le- 
gislative power  of  the  government.  This  was  the  main  view 
which  he  should  present,  and  in  sustaining  that  view,  he  did 
not  think  it  necessary  to  call  in  question  the  motives  of  the  pre- 
sident. The  removal  of  eight  or  nine  millions  of  dollars  was  a 
matter,  in  itself,  of  small  consideration.  But  the  president  had 
destroyed  the  legal  fiscal  agent  of  the  government,  and  created 
twen'.y  other  fiscal  agents.  He  had  entered  upon  an  experi- 
ment to  put  down  the  hank  of  the  United  States,  and  substitute 
for  it  the  state  banks— to  fill  up  the  vacuum  created  by  the 
withdrawal  of  the  United  States  bank  paper,  with  the  currency 
of  the  state  banks.  The  manner  in  which  this  was  done  was 
bold  and  daring— and  that  there  was,  he  believed,  some  charm 
in  a  bold  and  daring  deed,  which  silenced  the  dictates  of  the 
judgment  and  even  of  conscience.  The  unnatural  war  waged 
upon  the  bank,  appeared  to  hffa  to  spring  from  love  of  con- 
quest, victory  and  spoil. 

And  he  asked — 

Would  any  gentleman  tell  him  where  the  treasury  was? 
Where,  he  repeated,  is  the  treasury?  Does  not  the  president 
hold  in  his  hands  all  the  money  of  the  government?  Does  he 
net  claim  authority  to  move  the  whole  public  treasure  from  one 
bank  to  another?  What  guards,  what  laws,  secure  the  treasu- 
ry? The  treasury  was  not  kept  in  any  known  place,  under  the 
safeguard  of  any  known  laws.  Mr.  E.  declared  that  he  would 
not  give  much  for  all  the  deposites  in  the  state  banks,  should 
this  house  adjourn,  leaving  things  as  they  are. 

We  could  not  collect  the  revenue,  nor  carry  on  any  commer- 
cial operations  if  the  experiment  should  be  attempted.  But 
the  states  were  going  to  extend  the  paper  system.  They  show 
no  disposition  to  return  to  a  hard  money  currency.  They  are 
increasing  their  paper  currency  to  meet  the  withdrawal  of  the 
U.  S.  paper  and  we  have  no  control  over  their  operations.  He 
called  upon  gentlemen  to  tell  him  what  great  interest  of  the 
country  had  suffered  from  the  currency  of  the  United  States 
bank.  Had  commerce,  agriculture  or  manufactures  suffered 
from  it?  On  the  contrary,  those  interests  had  been  fostered  by 
the  bank.  This  was  a  young  and  enterprising  country,  and  re- 
quired credit  as  a  substitute  for  capital.  In  England  it  was  es- 
timated that  one  dollar  in  specie  afforded  to  the  community  a 
currency  of  three  dollars.  The  same  facilities  were  still  more 
requisite  for  us. 

The  storm  waa  but  now  beginning  which  was  to  pour  de- 
struction upon  the  business  interests  of  this  country.  His  con- 
stituents had  extensive  connexions  with  the  sonth  and  west, 
but  theii  trade  was  almost  entirely  cut  off.  Nothing  was  made 
to  send  abroad,  because  the  difference  of  exchange  was  suffi- 
ciently great  to  swallow  up  all  the  profits  on  business.  Many 
large  manufacturing  establishments  had  dismissed  half  of  their 
hands,  and  some  had  stopped  entirely.  No  relief  was  expected 
from  any  source,  except  the  abandonment  of  the  experiment 


hiding  to  Mr.  King's  remark,  that  the  bank  had  a  lion's  strength, 
he  traced  out  the  figure.  A  lion,  it  was,  he  said,  but  a  lion 
subdued  on  its  lair,  shorn  of  its  locks,  and  folding  its  limbs  to 
die  in  pence.  As  it  was  breathing  its  dying  brtalh,  and  strug- 
gling at  the  last  gasp,  a  huntsman  appeared,  a  huntsman  bent 
upon  sport  with  the  noble,  annual,  and  determined  to  try  his 
mettle  before  he  died.  He  recklessly  darts  his  spear  upon  him, 
and  the  lion  arouses  in  his  might,  and  bounds  across  the  field 
spreading  terror  and  desolation;  and  the  cry  is  raised— the  horn 
is  sounded,  the  whole  country  is  alarmed — and  I  now  ask,  he 
exclaimed,  after  delivering  tliis  with  the  most  animated  and  ef- 
fective oratory,  who  is  to  blame,  the  noble  lion,  or  the  ruthless 
huntsman? 

The  following  has  been  published  as  an  extract  from  a 
letter  from  a  gentleman  of  Vermont  to  a  member  of 
congress — 

"I  am  sorry  to  inform  you,  that  J.  3.  of  T ,  has  gone  by 

the  board.  He  is^one  of  the  few  in  that  place  who  has  traded 
in  both  politics  and  merchandise.  Till  within  a  few  days  of  his 
failure,  he  persisted  in  declaring  there  was  no  distress!  The 
party  obstinacy  of  such  men  reminds  me  of  an  anecdote  of  one 

of  Noah's  neighbors,  which  our  friend  P tells  something 

after  this  sort:  'In  the  lime  of  the  flood,  one  of  Noah's  neigh- 
bors, as  the  water  began  to  rise,  retreated  from  one  hill  lop  to  a 
higher,  until  he  found  himself  on  the  highest  pinnacle  in  the  vi- 
cinity. The  water  still  kept  rising,  and  was  actually  washing 
about  his  middle.  While  in  that  predicament,  the  ark  floated 
along;  he  called  out— 'Noah!  Noah!  for  God's  sake  take  us  in.' 
'No!  answered  Noah;  you  had  warning  of  tho  danger,  but  took 
no  heed.  You  must  take  care  of  yourself. '  'Well,' says  he, 
'neighbor  Noah,  go  to  thunder  with  your  old  ark;  I  don't  think 
there's  going  to  be  muck  of  a  storm  '  " 

MESSRS.  MACNEVEN  AND  SAMPSON. 
Inconsequence  of  the  letter  of  Dr.  Macncven,  published  in 
the  REGISTER  of  the  5th  inst.  he  was  subjected  to  much  severi- 
ty of  remark  from  one  part  of  the  natives  of  Ireland  resilient  at 
or  colluded  in  New  York,  which  led  to  n  very  large  meeting  of 
other  "adopted  citizens,"  al  the.Masonic  Hall,  for  the  purpose 
of  sustaining  the  venerable  patriot  from  the  "Emerald  Isle;"  at 
which  meeting  Dr.  Hugh  Sweeney  was  called  to  the  chair,  sup- 
ported by  John  B.  Lasala,  John  Quin,  Robert  Donaldson,  P.  S. 
Casserly,  Mr.  Flinn  and  Bernard  Graham,  vice  presidents;  and 
Dudley  Persse,  Thomas  W.  Clerke,  Michael  Burke,  William 
Edmonds,  Daniel  Geary,  William  S.  Redden  and  John  Benson, 
were  chosen  secretaries. 

Among  others,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  unani- 
mously, and  with  acclamation: 

Resolved,  That  we  have  full  and  unshaken  confidence  in  the 
wisdom,  patriotism  and  integrity  of  our  fellow  citizen,  William 
James  Macneven,  whose  clear  and  plain  arguments  his  oppo- 
nents have  not  even  attempted  to  confute,  and  which  they  only 
answer  by  personalities. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  by  the  chair  to  com- 
municate this  resolution  to  Dr.  Macneven. 

Resolved,  That  we  have  seen  with  indignation  the  personal 
abuse  and  political  slanders,  which  have  been  uttered  a^aiixt 
William  James  Macneven,  having  done  what  every  freeman 
has  a  ri;:ln  to  do  in  this  land  of  liberty — to  express  his  opinions 


attempted  by  the  government. 
The  correspondent  of  the 


'Portland  Advertiser"  un- 


der date  of  Washington  March  13,  said — 

The  offering  of  memorials  is  the  point  on  which  the  senate 
has  almost  all  their  interesting  speeches.  This  was  the  occa- 
sion which  brought  nut  Mr.  Preston  to  day  in  a  speech  of  about 
an  hour's  length.  Many  of  his  metaphors  were  very  beautiful, 


fearlessly  on  a  great  national  question. 

Resolved,  That  in  coining  forward  as  he  has  done  at  thU  cri- 
sis, Dr.  Macneven  has  proved  himself  to  hi:  the  same  undeviat- 
in^  patriot — the  same  pure  republican — the  same  defender  of 
constitutional  liberty  that  he  was  in  1793,  when,  with  the  la- 
menlbd  Emmet,  Tone,  Arthur  O'Connor  and  Fitzgerald,  brave- 
ly, he  risked  his  life  in  the  cause  of  Irish  freedom,  and  was 
ready  to  suffer  death  sooner  than  renounce  his  principles. 

Resolred,  That  we  view  with  disgust  the  attacks  made  upon 
Dr.  Macneven's  opinions  on  the  currency  question,  by  those 
very  men  who  privately  hold  the  same  opinions — who  advocate 
a  national  bank,  and  condemn  the  removal  of  the  deposites  out- 
side of  Tammany  Hall,  hut  who  want  the  moral  courage  which 
he  has  displayed  in  preferring  honesty  and  sincerity  to  mere 
party  bondage,  and  who  have  not  dared  in  any  of  their  resolu- 
tions to  assert  those  very  opinions  which  they  entertain. 

Several  others  of  like  character  were  presented  and  unani- 
mously accepted.    One  of  them  pledging  to  support  Mr.  Ver- 
planck  for  ihe  office  of  mayor  of  the  city. 
And  also  the  following— 

Resolved,  That  as  adopted  citizens  of  this  republic  we  regard 
with  unfeigned  satisfaction  the  course  pursued  by  onr  fellow 
citizen,  judge  Porter,  of  Louisiana,  (the  first  naturalized  Irish- 
man who  has  attained  to  the  distinguished  honor  of  a  seat  in 
the  senate  of  the  United  States),  in  his  manful  and  strenuous 
opposition  to  executive  usurpation,  and  his  firm  and  vigorous 
support  of  the  constitution  and  the  supremacy  of  the  laws. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  this  resolution,  signed  by  the  officers 
of  tins  meeting,  he  forwarded  to  judge  Porter  a<  a  token  of  the 
estimation  in  which  he  is  h«ld  by  the  naturalized  citizens  of 
New  York. 

Thre«  more  resolutions  followed,  but  having  immediate  re- 
ference to  local  affairs,  are  omitted. 

The  following  is  Mr.  S«m/>ioiTj  letter  in  reply  to  the  gentle- 
men who  waited  on  him  to  request  he  would  preside  at  the 


long  all  of  which  I  must  give  you  one  as  a  specimen.    In  al-  |  great  meeting  of  adopted  citizens  above  mentioned. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  1834— MESSRS.  MACNEVEN  AND  SAMPSON.    123 


Lispenard  street,  Jipril  7,  1834. 

GENTLKMKN:  Gratified  as  I  am  l>y  the  niiirk  you  have  given 
me  of  your  confidence  and  regard,  I  must  beg  leave,  to  decline 
your  invitation  to  preside  at  your  meeting.  I  have  determined 
to  attend  no  fiuuii:  meetings  of  adopted  cilix.nis.  miles.*  win K: 
their  interests  as  such  may  happen  lo  juulily  it.  Tin,  woithy 
purpose  you  have  in  view,  might  well  warrant  an  exi-rpiion, 
were  it  not  that  there  exists  an  impediment  stronger  than  my 
will.  A  severe  and  long  continued  eold  has  so  prostrated  my 
strength,  as  lo  render  me  unfit  lor  any  exertion  of  body  or  liiind. 
In  approving  of  the  sentiments  which  were  lately  expressed 
by  Dr.  Maeneven,  you  have  my  full  concurrence  except  that  in 
respect  to  the  re-establishment  of  a  national  hank,  I  do  not  find 
my  judgment  sufficiently  matured  to  pronounce  decidedly.  If 
the  wisdom  of  the  national  councils  shall  be  able  to  provide 
guards  and  restraints'  sufficient  to  prevent  its  ever  becoming  a 
political  engine,  I  should  then  incline  to  consider  it  beneficial 
and  expedient. 

As  to  the  letter  of  Dr.  Maeneven,  in  answer  to  a  requisition 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  it  is  manifestly  the  production  of  a  sound 
and  vigorous  understanding,  and  I  am  well  convinced  the  heart 
of  him  who  penned  it  is  no  less  sound.  It  is  clear,  unsophisti- 
cated and  unequivocal.  He  has  however  been  accused  of  ter- 
giversation and  inconsistency,  and  for  this  reason,  that  on  the 
29th  of  January,  he  offered  a  resolution  at  his  ward,  approving 
the  measures  of  the  executive,  which  in  his  letter,  after  a  lapse 
of  about  two  months,  he  as  posilively  condemned;  and  for  this, 
without  any  regard  lo  circumstances,  or  any  account  made  of 
the  character  of  the  man,  gross  and  unfounded  calumnies  have 
been  heaped  upon  his  head.  It  has  been  maliciously  said  that 
lie  was  bribed  and  corrupted  by  the  bank,*  and  when  this  was 
found  too  revolting,  another  charge  was  added,  that  he  had, 
through  pique  and  disappointment  on  the  refusal  of  an  office, 
betrayed  his  friends,  his  party  and  his  own  unsullied  reputation. 
Is  this,  my  fellow  citizens,  to  be  endured?  Is  this  a  fair  use 
to  be  made  of  the  liberty  of  the  press?  Are  such  calumnies  lo 
h 


e  justified  by  party  spirit,  or  indulged  as  electioneering  squibs? 
Are  they  not  blisters  on  tlie  foul  tongue  of  him  who  utters  them? 
Is.  it  a  maxim  lo  be  countenanced  by  honest  citizens,  that  all  is 
fair  in  politics,  and  that  the  exercise  of  the  most  important  fran- 
chise, upon  whose  purity  all  security  of  our  rights  and  liberties 
depends,  is  to  be  polluted  by  means  so  base  and  unworthy?  Is 
that  being  true  to  a  party  which  is  false  to  justice  and  reckless 
of  common  decency'  It  is  from  the  too  great  encouragement 
given  to  such  unworthy  means,  that  I  have  always  stood  aloof 
from  party,  and  rather  chosen  to  renounce  its  emoluments  than 
bind  myself  to  connive  at  what  ought  not  to  be  tolerated. 

I  have  nothing  to  say  against  those  respectable  citizens  whose 
names  have  been  used,  I  am  convinced,  against  their  will,  to 
sanction  the  denunciation  of  my  honored  friend.  As  to  that 
great  and  mixed  gathering  which  was  brought  together  on  Fri- 
day evening  at  Tammany  Hall,  tor  the  purpose,  as  the  call  ex- 
pressed it,  of  removing  the  imputations  of  a  previous  meeting 
of  adopted  citizens  unfavorable  to  the  present  administration, 
all  upon  the  face  of  it  was  fair  enough.  They  had  a  right  to 
their  opinions,  and  to  speak  according  to  their  interests,  their 
principles  or  their  feelings.  But  there  is  a  fact  of  which  I  have 
positive  knowledge,  and  which  ought  not  to  be  concealed.  Be- 
fore tliateall  was  agreed  to,  another  had  betn  proposed,  in  which 
the  name  of  Dr.  Maeneven  was  specially  inserted.  Il  was  dis- 
countenanced by  the  more  discreet  and  creditable,  and  the  call 
upon  which  the  meeting  was  convened,  substituted  in  its  stead; 
and  thus  the  names  of  many  respectable  individuals  were  art- 
fully brought  out  to  sanction  resolutions  with  respect  to  Dr. 
Maeneven,  which  I  will  confidently  assert  not  one  of  them  ap- 
proved of.  I  could  as  well  believe  that  such  men  could  coun- 
tenance that  emanation  from  their  meeting,  which  invaded  the 
sanctity  of  the  private  abode  of  my  friend,  whose  hisses  and 
groans,  and  brutal  exclamations,  ominous  of  evil  and  charac- 
teristic of  depravity,  penetraied  the  recesses  of  his  dwelling, 
carrying  terror  and  alarm  to  the  hearts  of  those  females,  to  whom 
the  ties  of  nature,  and  the  knowledge  of  his  virtues  had  render- 
ed him  so  justly  honored  and  so  dear. 

But  if  it  be  such  a  crime  lo  change  opinions,  how  many  are 
there  Hint  may  wince;  and  why  is  that  indulgence  refused  to 
Maeneven,  which  is  so  largely  accorded  to  others.  The  times 
were  changeful  and  eventful.  Discussion  by  the  ablest  states- 
men in  the  land  was  daily  throwing  additional  light  upon  a  sub- 
ject, difficult  and  intricate  in  its  nature  and  details;  the  aspecl 
of  public  affairs  was  greatly  altered,  and  those  hardy  assertions 
that  there  existed  no  pressure  or  distress  became  contradictec 
by  facls  loo  positive  and  peremplory.  No  man  could  go  abroai 
into  the  scene  of  public  affairs  or  to  the  seat  of  business,  am 
ghut  his  ears  to  the  general  complaints.  Great  failures  were 
daily  announced,  and  in  those  abodes  of  penury  and  suffering 
where  the  charitable  spirit  of  Maeneven  so  often  directed  hi 
steps,  he  witnessed  the  too  moving  instances  of  the  sad  truth 
And  many  altered  their  opinions  as  the  evil  became  more  appa 
rent,  the  causes  more  developed,  and  the  subject  better  under 
Htood;  and  has  it  not  at  lenuth  been  brought  to  this,  thai  our  stat 
is  to  be  laid  under  mortgage,  as  our  Ireland  was  once  about  to  b 
sold  to  the  Jews,  and  the  proceeds  applied  to  staunch  the  leak. 
Th'-re  is  one  point,  however,  upon  which  I  cannot  excuse  m 
friend,  and  upon  which  I  must  give  him  up.  That  point  is  th 


want  of  worldly  policy.  In  wisdom  a  man,  he  is  in  simplicit? 
a  child;  in  crall  or  cunning  he  is  until  to  cope  with  a  pigmy. 
Had  he  been  an  artful  man,  he  wouhl  have  laken  pains  lo  show 
liy  what  steps  he  arrived  ai  his  conclusions,  and  belter  prepar- 
ed his  friends,  with  whom  he  had  acted  in  confidence,  lo  under- 
stand his  motives.  He  would  have  ln.rn  circumspect  and  plau- 
sible. But  this  will  be  readily  forgiven  by  us  who  know  his  na- 
ture, and  can  allow  for  the  abstraction  which  the  examination 
of  such  a  Mihjeet  requires.  As  to  the  assertion  thai  he  has  been 
influenced  by  pique  and  disappointment  there  is  this  plain  an- 
swer, that  before  t'.ie  resolutions  of  the  29th  January,  the  three 
medical  offices,  including  that  of  which  he  was  deprived  by  the 
federal  administration,  ami  lo  which  none  of  the  republican  go- 
vernors that  have  succeeded,  neither  Mr.  Van  Buren,  nor  Mr. 
Throop,  nor  Mr.  Marcy  have  thought  proper  to  restore  him, 
were  all  given  away  to  others,  before  he  offered  that  resolution 
so  strongly  in  favor  of  the  measures  of  president  Jackson.  Does 
not  this  show  that,  even  at  the  moment  when  that  unworthy 
slight  of  one  who  had  devoted  so  much  /.eal  and  talent,  and  so 
much  of  his  means  to  the  democratic  paity,  might  have  been 
most  pungent,  he  still  rose  above  the  mean  motives  imputed  to 
him,  arid  continued  to  support  his  principles.  But  there  are 
some  of  such  sinister  disposition  that  cannot  believe  in  that  ge- 
nerosity which  they  never  felt  within  themselves,  and  to  whom 
the  heart  of  an  honest  and  high  minded  man  is  a  sealed  book  in 
which  they  cannot  read. 

In  one  point  the  adopted  citizens  have  not  had  fair  play,  the 
Truth  Teller,  to  which  they  look  for  information,  condemned 
the  conduct  of  the  doctor,  but  omitted  the  letter  to  which  that 
censure  referred,  and  some  who  came  to  the  meeting  full  of  in- 
dignation, would  have  been,  I  apprehend, somewhat  puzzled  to 
say  what  it  was  about.  But  my  countrymen  have  honest  and 
feeling  hearts,  and  will  not  be  long  deceived,  they  will  read  and 
judge  for  themselves,  and  remember  that  the  man  against  whom 
they  have  been  so  suddenly  inflamed,  is  the  same  united  Irish- 
man, the  same  conspicuous  and  efficient  member  of  the  great 
Catholic  committee,  whose  energies  and  courage  first  forced 
the  chain  and  broke  the  spell  which  held  the  Irish  nation  in  ab- 
ject slavery.  The  colleague  of  the  amiable  and  virtuous  Feel- 
ins,  the  bosom  friend  of  that  ever  memorable  hero,  the  eallant, 
the  accomplished,  the  lion-hearted  THEOBALD  WOLFE 
TONE.  They  will  remember  that  from  these  and  their  inter- 
ests he  has  nevttr  swerved.  That  his  heart  and  hand  have  ever 
been  open  to  the  needy  and  distressed.  That  if  for  their  sakes 
he  has  sometimes  turned  from  the  rich,  at  no  time  has  he  turn- 
ed his  face  from  the  poor  man,  and  if  any  feelings  of  gratitude 
remain,  they  will  come  back  to  him  with  redoubled  affection, 
and  if  any  honest  pride,  they  will  be  proud  of  such  a  compatriot. 


*An  aloVrmnn  of  the  city,  it  appears,  wns  "pretty  nearly, 
not  quite ,"  kicked  out  of  the  office  of  the  sons  of  Emnett,  f< 
a  cha  rge  of  this  kind  against  the  doctor.  ED.  REG. 


I  am,  gentlemen,  with  much  respect,  yours  very  truly, 

WILLIAM  SAMPSON. 

To  Messrs.  John  B.  Lasala,  Daniel  Geary,  William  Flinn,  B. 
Graham  and  Hu%h  Sweeny. 

The  following  is  Dr.  Macneven's  answer  to  the  deputation 
from  the  great  meeting  of  adopted  citizens,  sent  in  pursuance 
of  the  second  resolution: 

GENTLEMEN:   I  sincerely  thank  you  and  my  fellow  citizens 
whom  you  represent  for  this  testimony  of  your  approbation. 
Permit  me,  at  the  same  time,  to  use  the  liberty  of  a  friend  and 
to  express  to  you  frankly  how  much  I  disapprove  of  the  com- 
mon distinction  taken  between  native  and  adopted  citizens,  as 
the  latter  are  improperly  called.    The  law  knows  no  such  clas- 
sification, and  it  is  contrary  to  our  interest  and  our  duty  to  make 
it  ourselves,  or  countenance  it  from  others.     Whenever  there 
is  any  thing  to  be  lost  or  gained  by  it,  there  will  not  be  wanting 
persons  enough  to  bring  up,  without  our  snegestion  that  the 
aturalized  is  not  a  native  born  citizen.     We  have,  on  our 
aths,  renounced  every  foreign  allegiance.    We  should  there- 
ire  merge  ourselves  entirely  in  the  great  American  family,  and 
whenever  we  think  of  any  other  nation,  should  only  do  it  in  be- 
evolence,  or  for  purposes  altogether  disconnected  from  this 
ountry. 

I  will  also  avail  myself  of  the  present  opportunity  to  say,  that, 
with  many  others,  I  usually  relied,  in  my  estimate  of  the  com- 
non  effects  of  political  measures,  on  the  sentiments  of  those  of 
ny  party  who  bad  more  time  and  facility  to  study  them  than 
myself, "and  conformed  to  this  easy  course,  until  the  latter  end 
of  January.  Alter  this  time,  in  the  early  part  of  February,  and 
ever  since,  the  appaling  failures  of  our  traders  and  merchants 
ook  place,  and  that  scene  of  general  distress  ensued  which  af- 
licts  us  still.  This  induced  me  to  reflect  more  seriously  on  the 
causes  and  extent  of  the  evil.  I  examined  and  judged  for  my- 
self, and  was  struck  with  those  acts  of  unwise  policy,  those 
transgressions  against  the  principles  of  the  constituiion  and  re- 
publican government  which  I  have  atlempled  to  set  forth  in  my 
letter.  It  is  no  impeachment  of  my  change  of  opinion,  that,  in 
declining  to  preside  at  Tammany  Hall,  I  employed  expressions 
of  politeness  in  my  answer  to  two  centlemen  whom  I  respect. 
But  I  leave  it  to  any  candid  mind,  whether  there  is  in  my  note 
on  that  occasion  any  commital  of  my  opinion  on  the  subject  for 
which  they  met. 

Office  holders  may  alledge  that  there  is  nothing  amiss  in  this 
community,  and  perhaps  they  feel  no  distress;  but  persons  who 
have  to  depend  upon  productive  industry,  meet  it  in  their  busi- 
ness, and  their  mean;  of  living.  How  long  this  state  of  thing* 
shall  continue,  depends  upon  the  people;  but  it  appears  to  me 
clear  as  noon  day,  that  it  must  prevail  until  the  general  govern- 


124         N1LES1  REGISTER— APRIL   19,  1834— COMPLIMENT  TO  MR.  CARET. 


ment  shall  change  its  measures.  As  soon  as  I  felt  this  eonvic 
lion  1  was  not  deterred  by  obstinacy,  false  pride  or  pnidenlia 
cowardice,  from  avcwing  the  change. 

I  had  never  come  up  to  that  point  of  subordination,  the  per 
fection  of  the  drill,  at  which  Hie  soldier  is  more  in  terror  ol  li 
officers  than  of  the  enemy.  The  only  thing  1  am  afraid  of  is 
the  beiii!!  knowingly  and  wilfully  in  error.  1  fear  this  more  tha 
the  displeasure  ot  my  opponents,  much  as  I  respect  them,  an 
until  they  prove  to  me  that  I  have  violated  one  moral  or  politi 
cal  principle,  they  must  allow  me  to  hear  their  abuse  with  coin 
pnsure. 

Be  pleased,  gentlemen,  to  accept  for  yourselves  and  your  con 
slilueuu,  my  best  wishes  and  profound  respect. 

\VILL1AM  JAMES  MACNEVEN. 


A  LETTER  FROM  MR.  HEISTER. 

Washington,  Jljiril  9th,  1834 
Messrs.  GALES  &  SEATON: 

As  it  may  be  interesting  to  many  of  my  constituents  to  know 
why  my  vote  U  not  fuund  recorded  on  the  very  important  ques 
lions  decided  in  the  house  of  representatives  on  Friday,  the  4lh 
instant,  and  also  how  I  would  have  voted  on  the  several  pro 
positions  reported  by  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  if  I 
had  been  present,  I  deem  it  proper  to  make  the  following  slate 
merit  in  relation  thereto;  and  respectfully  request  that  you  wil 
give  it  an  insertion  in  the  Intelligencer  for  the  information  o 
those  who  have  honored  me  with  iheir  Confidence  and  trust,  as 
tbeir  representative. 

My  private  business  rendering  my  presence  at  home  essen 
lially  necessary  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  month,  I  con 
suited  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  the  house,  and,  amongst  those 
several  prominent  friends  of  the  administration,  as  to  the  pro 
liability  of  the  vote  being  taken  the  succeeding  week  after  my 
leaving  here  on  the  all-absorbing  subject  then  under  the  fnl 
tide  of  discussion.  The  general  opinion  was,  as  tai  as  1  couli 
lea; n,  lhal,  as  there  were  a  number  of  members  on  both  sides 
ol"  HIM  question  desirous  to  express  their  views,  the  question 
would  not  deforced  for  at  least  two  weeks  from  that  lime.  The 
latter  gentleman  in  particular,  assured  me  that  there  was  no 
disposition  on  the  part  of  the  majority  to  cut  off  debate  for  a 
couple  of  weeks — one  of  whom  said  he  was  going  to  set  out  for 
Philadelphia  the  same  day  I  left  here,  and  would  be  absent 
about  as  long  as  I  expected  to  be  gone,  and  that  he  felt  perfectly 
satisfied  lhat  there  was  no  danger  that  the  vole  would  be  taken 
in  that  time.  He,  however,  did  not  leave  the  city  at  that  time, 
an  he  said  he  would,  and  voted  for  the  previous  question. 
Another  of  them  said  emphatically  he  should  not  give  his  con- 
sent to  cut  off  debate  until  about  the  middle  of  the  present 
month.  He  also  voted  for  the  previous  question.  It  is  not  my 
intention  to  reflect  on  those  gentlemen,  for  I  believe  them  to 
have  been  sincere  in  what  they  then  said.  I  merely  state  facts. 
Certain  it  is,  however,  that  I  was  influenced,  ;\M\  felt  safe  in 
then  leaving  my  post,  in  consequence  of  those  assurances. 
Under  these  circumslances  I  left  ihis  on  Hie  28th  ull.  aud  re- 
turned on  the  6th  instant,  little  expecting  that  the  gng  law  was 
again  to  be  resorted  to  so  soon  after  my  leaving  here.  And  al- 
though my  vote  would  not  have  changed  the  result,  yet  I  re- 
gret that  I  missed  the  opportunity  of  recording  it,  so  that  all 
concerned  might  sue  how  the  trust  confided  to  me  was  dis- 
charged on  that  occasion.  And  in  order  distinctly  to  manifest 
my  sentiments  to  them,  1  will  stale  that  had  I  been  in  Ihe  house 
I  should  have  voted  against  Ihe  previous  qucstiun,  which  cut  ofl 
the  amendment  offered  by  Mr.  Wilde  declaring  "that  the  rea- 
sons of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  for  removing  the  deposiles 
were  insufficient."  And,  if  the  previous  question  had  not  been 
carried,  I  should  have  voted/or  the  amendment  already  quoted. 
The  previous  question,  however,  having  been  carried,  and  a 
separate  vote  having  been  taken  on  each  of  the  resoluiions  re- 
ported by  the  coniniitu.c  of  ways  and  means,  I  should  have 
voted  against  the  first  resolution  of  the  committee,  declaring 
that  "the  bank  of  the  United  States  ought  not  to  be  recharter- 
ed;"  because  I  believe  such  an  institution  essentially  necessary 
for  the  prosperity  of  the  country;  and  lhat  the  continuance  of 
the  charter  of  the  present  bunk,  judicially  restricted,  would  sub- 
•erve  the  general  interests  of  the  community  better  than  could 
be  effected  by  destroying  it  and  creating  a  new  one. 

I  should  have  voted  against  the  second  resolution,  declaring 
"that  the  dcposites  ought  not  to  be  restored,"  &c.  aud  against 
the  third,  declaring  that  the  stale  banks  ought  to  be  continued 
as  the  places  of  deposite,"  &c.  for  lh«  two  fold  reason,  that,  in 
my  judgment,  they  were  wrongfully,  injudiciously  and  illegally 
removed,  and  that  they  are  now  in  unsafe  repositories— placed 
there  not  by  the  act  of  the  representatives  of  the  people,  to 
whom  alone  the  constitution  has  entrusted  the  charge  of  the 
public  treasure.  I  should  have  voted  for  the  fourth  resolution, 
directing  an  investigation  into  the  conduct  and  concerns  of  the 
bank,  and  an  inquiry  into  its  alleged  corruption*  and  abuses: 
not  because  I  believe  that  any  good  can  possibly  arise  from 
such  investigation,  for  I  am  persuaded  that  the  public  is  already 
sufficiently  informed  of  the  whole  course  and  conduct  of  that  in- 
stitution, to  form  a  correct  judgment  in  relation  to  it.  And  on 
the  action  of  the  house  of  representatives  it  can  certainly  not  be 
designed  to  have  any  effect,  for  by  their  vote  they  have  prejudg- 
ed and  condemned  it  already.  I  should  have  voted  for  it,  how- 
ever, to  avoid  the  imputation  of  shrinking  from  the  investiga- 
tion, and  thereby  leaving  the  impression  Hint  it  was  for  fear  of 
the  development  of  mal  practices,  which,  in  my  opinion,  do  not 
exist. 


Thus  much  I  have  thought  proper  to  say,  as  a  duly  to  my- 
self, in  warding  off  any  unjust  imputation  that  miglil  be  made, 
lhai  I  have  skulked  from  my  posi  10  avoid  the  "responsibility" 
of  voting  on  a  subject  now  convulsing  the  whole  country — for 
which,  (if  1  were  capable  of  acting,  so  unmanly  and  disinge- 
nuous, a  part),  I  should  most  heartily  despise  myself.  Very  re- 
spectfully, WM.  HEISTEU. 
— ~»e@e«H~ 

COMPLIMENT  TO  MR.  CAREY. 

Philadelphia,  March  19,  1834. 

On  Monday  evening,  a  number  of  citizens,  who  had  subscrib- 
ed lor  the  piiichasr;  ol  a  pair  of  silver  pitchers,*  to  be  presented 
to  Mr.  Carey,  as  a  mark,  of  respect,  assembled  at  the  Mansion 
House,  for  the  purpose  of  presentation  by  col.  Folterall,  Adam 
Ramatje  and  James  Ronaldson,  the  commitlee  to  whom  Ihnt 
office  was  appointed.  Col.  Folterall,  the  chairman,  delivered 
the  following  address: 

Philadelphia,  March  17,  1834. 
To  Mathew  Carey,  ecq. 

SIR — We  have  been  appointed  on  behalfa  number  of  citizens, 
to  present  you  with  ihese  two  pitchers  in  token  ol  their  high  re- 
spect tor  your  character,  both  public  and  private,  the  excellence 
ol  which  has  been  evinced  in  your  long  and  unwearied  exer- 
tions to  promote  the  manufacturing  industry  of  the  country, 
anil  in  your  ever  attentive  anxiety  to  discharge  promptly  and 
efficiently  that  first  of  Christian  duties,  the  relief  of  private 
distress. 

To  say  to  a  man  who  has  been  so  long  active  on  the  theaire 
of  life,  and  who  has  been  so  much  in  tiie  habit  of  expressing 
his  opinions  on  controverted  subjects,  that  he  has  never  been 
n  error,  would  be  neither  in  accordance  with  the  sincerity 
of  our  esteem  for  you,  nor  complimentary  In  that  good  seiiatt 
which  would  enable  you  to  distinguish  between  an  unworthy  at- 
lempl  lo  flatter,  and  the  effusions  of  good  will  and  true  respect. 
But  this  we  will  say,  that  for  untiring  industry,  and  purity  of 
purpose,  we  know  of  no  man  whom  we  cottHder  more  entitled 
lo  Ihe  approbation  and  thanks  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

Accept  for  ourselves,  who  have  been  so  long  witnesses  of 
your  active  benevolence,  our  best  wishes  for  your  health  and 
liappine»s.  STEPHEN  E.  FOTTERALL, 

JAMES  RONALDSON, 
ADAM  RAM AGE. 

To  which  address  Mr.  Carey  replied: 

GENTLEMEN — The  consciousness  of  a  correct  course  of  con- 
duct is,  to  n  well  constituted  mind,  not  merely  an  adequate 
motive,  bul  the  highest  possible  reward  fors-uch  a  course.  Next 
to  that  reward,  is  the  unbought  and  unsought  for,  approbation 
nf  fellow  citizens,  above  the  suspicion  of  smi.-ler  motives  for 
heir  suffrages.  Under  this  view  of  the  subject,  yon  may  readily 
conceive  how  hiuhly  1  appreciate  ihis  very  flattering  testimony 
of  your  regard,  and  lhat  of  your  constituents. 

To  have  gratuitously  defended — for  fourteen  years,  with  nil 

he  zeal  and  energy  of  my  mind,  and  at  a  heavy  expense  of 

.ime  and  money,  and — while  I  continued  in  Irade — at  a  great 

oss  of  business — the  glorious  cause  of  the  piotection  of  that 

mpnrtant  portion  of  the  national  industry,  which  furnishc.j 

agriculture  with  those  most  valuable  and  extensive  ni.nkeu, 

hat  gladden  the  hearts  and  enrich   the  pockets  of  the   dinner, 

which  converts  his  boundless  raw  productions  into  means  of 

comfort  and  enjoyment  for  the  nation;  affords  the  pabulum  lor 

he  most  important  portion  of  a  widely  extended  and  constantly 

nereasin"  domestic  trade,  (the  best  of  all  trades — a  trade,  iml«- 

lendent.  during  peace,  of  foreign  regulations  and  restrictions, 

and  during  war,  of  decrees  and  orders   in  council);  and  at  the 

ame.  time  contributes  largely  to  the  prosperity  of  commerce,  by 

niinense  freights  on   imported  Imlky  raw  unit-rials,  (ihrice  as 

real  as  on  imported  manufactures),  and  by  the  expoitaiiuu  of 

laboraled  articles,  which  fonn  a  great  find  crowing  item  of  our 

ireign  trade — to  have,  I  say,  thus  defended  this  cause,  under 

Imost   every   possible  discoiiraaement,   (incomparably  more 

rom  its  wealthy  friends  than  from  iis  inveterate  enemies) — a 

au.sc  in  which  I  never  had   the  least   personal  interest — will 

fford  me  more   satisfaction  at  that  serious  hour  when  my  au- 

ounts  with  time  shall  close  forever,  nnd  those  with  eternity 

onimence — an  hour  which,  at  74,  cannot  be  very  remote — than 

I  possessed  the  envied  and  mormons   treasures  of  a  fSirnrd, 

loatr-d  on  and  hoarded,  till  i;lo,itiiis  and  hoarding  were  at  once 

rrninnted  by  the  irrevocable  decree  of  the  conquerer  death. 

How  far  my  efforts  in  favor  of  the  protecting  system,  a  FVS- 

cm  so  vitally  important  to  national  greatness  and  grandeur, 

nd  to  individual  comfort  and  happiness— tended  lo  produce  ihe 


*The  pitchers  above  referred  to  are  of  an  Etruscan  form,  en- 
irclcd  by  a  wreath  of  grape  vinrs,  nnd  the  handles  richly  chas- 
d.  The  front  of  each  bears  the  following  inscription:— 

('Presented  lo  Mathew  Carey,  esq.  by  his  fellow  citizens,  ni 

testimony  of  the  hiah  respect  tliry  have  for  his  public  and 
rivate  character,  A.  D.  1834." 

( )n  ihe  side  of  one  of  them  is  the  following  motto: 

'•  True  dory  consists  in  performing  acts  worthy  of  rrcord.  or 
n  writing  matter  calculated  to  render  mankind  wiser,  better 
nd  happier." 

On  the  side  of  the  other — 

"The  constitution:  E.«tn  perpetitn." 

Opposite  Ihe  mottoes  on  each  is  a  handsomely  rn/rnved  i!e- 
ice,  composed  of  the  Irish  harp,  decorated  with  ^pri;?  of  Sham- 
ock,  and  supporting  lh«  American  eagle. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  1834— REMARKS  OF  MR.  CLAY.          125 


wilutary  tarifl'of  1624—  carried  by  a  mere  majority  of  four—  to 
which  we  owe  so  large  a  portion  of  the  prosperity  of  the  coun- 
try, and  its  rescue  from  the  abyss  of  distress  and  suffering  into 
which  it  was  plunged  from  1816  till  1822—3,  by  the  miserable 
tariff  of  181C;  to  what  fatal  and  faiuiious  conduct  \\eare  to  de- 
scribe the  deplorable  change  which  has  taken  place  in  that  be- 
nign system;  and  how  easily  that  change  and  its  ultimate  ruin 
ous  consequences  might  have  been  prevented,  by  moderate  sa 
entices,  to  dispel  the  wonderful  delusion  which  produced  that 
disastrous  result,  I  leave  you  to  judge. 

It  would  be  mo»t  extraordinaiy,  if,  in  the  great  variety  of 
topics  I  have  discussed  since  i  began  to  write,  above  half  a 
century  ago,  I  had  not,  as  you  say,  fallen  into  errors  occasional- 
ly. But  when  you  are  so  kind  as  to  give  me  credit  for  "purity  of 
purpose,"  I  fain  would  hope  you  do  me  no  more  than  justice. 


Yours,  very  respectfully, 
Philadelphia,  March  17,  1834. 


MATHEW  CAREY. 


REMARKS  OF  MR.  CLAY, 

On  presenting  certain  memorials,  in  the  senate,  on  Monday  last. 
Mr.  Clay  said  he  was  charged  with  the  pleasing  duty  of  pre- 
senting to  the  atiiate  the  proceedings  of  a  public  meeting  of  the 
people,  and  two  memorials,  subscribed  by  large  numbers  of  his 
fellow  citizens,  in  respect  to  the  existing  state  of  public  affairs. 
The  first  he  would  offer  were  the  resolutions  of  the  young 
men  of  Troy,  assembled  upon  a  call  of  upwards  of  seven  bun- 
Bred  of  iheir  number.  He  had  recently  visited  that  interesting 
city.  It  is  (said  he)  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  a  succession 
ol  fine  cities  and  villages  that  decorate  the  borders  of  one  of  the 
noblest  rivers  of  our  country.  In  spite  of  the  shade  cast  upon 
it  by  ita  ancient  and  venerable  sister  and  neighbor,  it  has  sprung 
up  with  asionising  rapidity.  When  he  saw  it  last  fall,  he  never 
beheld  a  more  respectable,  active,  enterprising  and  intelligent 
business  community.  Every  branch  of  employment  was  flou- 
rishing. Every  heart  beat  high  in  satisfaction  with  present  en- 
joyment, and  in  hopes  from  the  prospect  of  future  success. 
How  sadly  has  the  scene  changed!  How  terribly  have  all  their 
anticipations  of  continued  and  increasing  prosperity  been  dash- 
ed and  disappointed  by"  the  folly  and  wickedness  of  misguided 
rulers! 

The  young  men  advert  to  ibis  change,  in  Iheir  resolutions,  and 
to  its  true  cause.  They  denounce  all  experiments  upon  their 
happiness.  They  call  for  the  safer  councils  which  prevailed  un- 
der the  auspices  of  Washington  and  Madison,  both  of  whom 
gave  their  approbation  to  charters  of  a  bank  of  the  Q.  States. 

But  what  gives  to  these  resolutions  peculiar  interest,  in  his 
estimation,  is,  that  they  uxhibil  a  tone  of  feeling  which  rises  far 
above  any  loss  of  property,  however  great,  any  distress  from  the 
stagnation  of  business,  however  intense.  They  manifest  a  deep 
and  patriotic  sensibility  to  executive  usurpations,  and  to  the 
consequent  danger  to  civil  liberty.  They  solemnly  protest 
against  the  union  of  the  purse  and  the  sword  in  the  hands  of  one 
mail.  They  would  not  have  consented  to  such  an  union  iu  the 
person  of  the  father  of  his  country,  much  less  will  they  in  that 
of  any  living  man.  They  feel  that,  when  liberty  is  safe,  the  loss 
of  fortune  and  property  is  comparatively  nothing;  but  that  when 
liberty  is  sacrificed,  existence  has  lost  all  its  charms. 

The  next  document  which  he  had  to  offer  was  a  memorial, 
signed  by  near  nine  hundred  mechanics  of  the  city  of  Troy. 
Several  of  them  were  personally  known  to  him.  And  judging 
from  what  he  knew,  saw,  and  heard,  he  believed  there  was  not 
any  where  a  more  skilful,  industrious  and  respectable  body  of 
mechanics  than  in  Troy.  They  bear  testimony  to  the  preva- 
lence of  distress,  trace  it  to  the  illegal  acts  of  the  executive 
branch  of  the  government  in  the  removal  of  the  public  depo- 
sites;  ask  their  restoration,  and  the  rechnrler  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  Slates.  And  the  committee,  in  their  letter  addressed  to 
him,  say:  "We  are,  what  we  profess  to  be,  working  men,  de- 
pendent upon  our  labor  for  our  daily  bread,  confine  our  atten- 
tion to  our  several  vocations,  and  trust  in  God  and  the  conti- 
nental congress  for  such  protection  as  will  enable  us  to  operate 
successfully." 

The  first  mentioned  depository  of  their  confidence  will  not 
deceive  them.  But  I  lament  to  say  that  the  experience,  during 
this  session,  does  not  authorise  us  to  anticipate  that  co-opera- 
tion in  another  quarter  which  is  indispensable  to  the  restoration 
of  the  constitution  and  laws,  and  the  recovery  of  the  public 
purse. 

The  last  memorial  he  would  present,  had  been  transmitted  to 
him  by  the  secretaries  to  a  meeting  stated  to  be  the  largest  ever 
held  in  the  county  of  Schenectady.  in  New  York.  It  is  signed 
by  about  eight  hundred  persons.  In  a  few  instances,  owing  to 
the  subscriptions  having  been  obtained  by  different  individuals, 
the  same  name  occurs  twice.  The  memorialists  bring  their  tes- 
timony to  the  existence  of  distress,  and  the  disorders  of  the  cur- 
rency, and  invoke  the  application  of  the  only  known,  tried  and 
certain  remedy,  ihe  establishment  of  a  national  bank. 

And  now,  Mr.  President  (continued  Mr.  Clay)  I  will  avail  my- 
self of  the  occasion  to  say  a  few  words  on  the  subject-matter 
of  these  proceedings  and  memorials,  and  on  the  state  of  the 
country  as  we  found  it  at  the  commencement  of  the  session, 
and  its  present  state. 

When  we  met,  we  found  the  executive  in  the,  full  possession 
of  the  public  treasury.  All  its  barriers  had  been  broken  down, 
and  in  place  of  the  control  of  tha  law  was  substituted  the  nn 
contrnled  will  of  the  ehief  magistrate.  I  say  uncontrolled:  fur 
it  is  idle  to  pretend  that  the  ex<  eiitive  has  not  urirestraiimd  ae 
cess  to  the  public  treasury,  when  every  officer  connected  with 


itis  hound  to  obey  his  paramount  will.  It  is  not  the  form  of 
keeping  the  accounts;  it  is  not  the  place  alone  where  the  pub- 
lic money  is  kept;  but  it  is  the  power,  the  auihority,  the  respon- 
sibility of  independent  officers,  checking  and  checked  by  each 
other,  that  constitute  the  public  security  for  the  satety  of  tbe 
public  treasure.  This  no  longer  exists,  is  gone,  is  annihilated. 
The  secretary  sfnt  us  in  a  report  containing  the  reasons  (if 
they  can  be  dignified  with  that  appellation)  tor  the  executive 
seizure  of  the  public  purse.  Resolution*  were  promptly  ofler- 
cd  in  this  body,  denouncing  the  procedure  as  unconstitutional 
and  dangerous  to  liberty,  and  declaring  the  total  in.-ufficieiu  y  of 
the  reasons.  Near  three  months  were  consumed  in  the  discus- 
sion of  them.  In  the  early  part  of  this,  protracted  debate,  the 
supporters  of  the  executive  measure  stoutly  denied  the  exist- 
ence of  distress,  pronounced  it  a  panic  got  up  for  dramatic  ef- 
fect, and  affirmed  that  the  country  was  enjoying  great  prospe- 
rity, instances  occurred  of  members  asserting  that  the  places 
of  their  own  residence  was  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  enviable 
and  unexampled  prosperity,  who,  in  the  progress  ol  the  debate, 
were  compelled  reluctantly  to  own  their  mistake,  and  to  admit 
the  existence  of  deep  and  intense  distress.  Memorial  after  me- 
morial poured  in,  committee  after  committee  repaired  to  the  ca- 
pitol  to  represent  the  sufferings  of  the  people,  until  incredulity 
itself  stood  rebuked  and  abashed.  Then  it  was  the  bank  that 
had  inflicted  the  calamity  upon  the  country— that  bank  which 
was  to  be  brought  under  the  feet  of  the  executive,  and  which  it 
was  necessary,  at  all  events,  in  the  opinion  of  the  president, 
should  proceed  forthwith  to  wind  up  its  affairs. 

And,  during  the  debate,  it  was  again  and  again  pronounced 
by  the  partisans  of  the  executive,  that  the  sole  question  involv- 
:d  in  the  resolutions  was  bank  or  no  bank.  It  was  in  vain  that 
we  protested,  solemnly  protested,  that  that  was  not  the  ques- 
tion; and  that  the  true  question  was  of  immensely  higher  im- 
port; that  it  comprehended  the  inviolability  of  the  constitution, 
he  supremacy  of  the  laws,  and  the  union  of  the  purse  and  the 
sword  in  the  hands  of  one  man.  In  vain  did  members  re- 
)eatedly  rise  in  their  places,  and  proclaim  their  intention  to 
vote  for  the  restoration  of  the  deposited,  and  their  settled  deter- 
nination  to  vote  against  the  reeharter  of  the  bank,  and  against 
he  charter  of  any  bank.  Gentlemen  persisted  in  asserting  thu 
dentity  of  the  bank  question,  and  that  contained  in  the  resolu- 
inns;  and  thousands  of  the  people  of  the  country  are,  to  this 
nomeiit,  deluded  by  the  erroneous  belief  in  that  identity. 

Mr.  President,  the  arts  of  power  and  its  minions  are  the  samn 
11  all  countries  and  in  all  aues.  It  marks  a  victim;  denounce;* 
I;  and  excites  the  public  odium  and  the  public  hatred,  to  con- 
ceal its  own  abuses  and  encroachments.  It  avails  itsi.lf  of  the 
prejudices,  and  the  passions  of  the  people,  silently  and  secretly, 
to  forge  chains  to  enslave  the  people. 

Well,  sir,  during  the  continuance  of  the  debate,  we  have  been 
told  over  and  over  again,  that,  let  the  question  of  the  depositea 
be  settled,  let  congress  pass  upon  the  report  of  the  secretary, 
and  the  activity  of  business  and  the  prosperity  of  ,the  country 
will  again  speedily  revive.  The  senate  has  passed  upon  the  re- 
solutions, and  has  done  its  duly  to  the  country,  to  the  constitu- 
tion, and  lo  its  conscience. 

And  the  report  of  the  secretary  has  been  also  passed  upon  in 
the  other  house;  but  how  passed  upon?  The  official  relations 
which  exist  between  the  two  houses,  and  the  expediency  of 
preserving  good  feelings  and  harmony  between  them,  forbid  my 
saying  all  thai  I  feel  on  this  momentous  subject.  But  I  11111*1 
say,  tiiat  the  house,  by  the  constitution,  is  deemed  the  especial 
guardian  of  the  rights  and  interests  of  the  people;  and,  above 
all,  the  guardian  of  the  people's  money  in  the  public  treasury. 
The  house  has  given  the  question  of  the  sufficiency  of  the  se- 
cretary's reasons  the  go-by,  evaded  it,  shunned  it,  or  rather 
merged  it,  in  the  previous  question.  The  house  of  representa- 
tives has  not  ventured  to  approve  the  secretary's  reasons.  It 
cannot  approve  them;  but,  avoiding  the  true  and  original  ques- 
tion, has  <>c)iie  off  upon  a  subordinate  and  collateral  point.  It 
has  indirectly  sanctioned  the  executive  usurpation.  It  has  vir- 
tually abandoned  its  constitutional  care  and  control  over  the 
public  treasuiy.  It  has  surrendered  the  keys,  or  rather  permits 
the  executive  to  retain  their  custody;  and  thus  acquiesces  in 
that  conjunction  of  the  sword  and  the  purse  of  the  nation,  which 
all  experience  has  evinced,  and  all  patriots  have  believed,  to  be 
fatal  to  ihe  continuance  of  public  liberty. 

Such  has  been  the  extraordinary  disposition  of  this  greatques-; 
tion.  Has  the  promised  rt  lief  come?  In  one  short  week,  after 
the  house  pronounced  its  singular  decision,  three  banks  in  this 
District  of  Columbia  have  stopped  payment  and  exploded.  In 
one  of  them  the  government  has,  we  understand,  sustained  a 
loss  of  thirty  thousand  dollars.  And  in  another,  almost  within 
a  stone's  throw  of  the  capitol,  that  navy  pension  fund,  created 
for  our  infirm  and  disabled,  but  gallant  tars,  which  oncla  to  be 
.luld  sacred,  has  experienced  an  abstraction  of  ,*20,000!  Such 
s  the  realization  of  the  prediction  of  relief  made  by  the  sup- 
porters of  the  executive. 

And  what  is  the  actual  state  of  the  public  treasury?  The  pre- 
sident, not  satisfied  with  the  seizure  of  it,  more  than  two  months 
jefore  the  commencement  of  the  session,  appointed  a  second 
secretary  of  Ihe  treasury  since  Ilie  adjournment  of  the  last  con 
;ress.  We  are  now  in  the  fifth  month  of  the  session;  and  in 
defiance  of  the  sense  of  the.  country,  and  in  contempt  of  the 
larlioipaliun  of  the  senate  in  the  appointing  power,  the  presi- 
ient  has  not  yet  deigned  to  submit  the  nomination  of  his  seere- 
,ary  to  the  consideration  of  the  spunte.  Sir.  I  have  not  looked 
ato  llie  record,  but,  from  the  habitual  practice  of  every  pre- 


135      NfLES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  18S4— BANK  OF  THE  U.  STATES— 1826. 


vious  president,  from  the  deference  and  respect  which  they  all 
maintained  towards  a  co-ordinate  branch  of  the  government,  I 
venture  to  say  that  a  parallel  case  is  not  to  be  found. 
Mr.  President,  it  is  a  question  of  the  highest  importance  what 


is  to  be  the  issue,  what  the  remedy,  of  the  existing  evils, 
should  deal   with   the  people  openly,  frankly,  sincerely. 


We 
The 


senate  stands  ready  to  do  whatever  is  incumbent  upon  it;  but 
unless  the  majority  in  Hie  house  will  relent;  unless  it  will  take 
heed  of  and  profit  by  recent  events,  there  is  no  hope  tor  the  na- 
tion from  the  joint  action  of  the  two  houses  of  congress  at  this 
sesMon.  .Still,  I  would  say  to  my  countrymen,  do  not  despair. 
Von  are  a  young,  brave,  intelligent,  and  as  yet  a  free  people.  A 
complete  remedy  for  all  that  you  suffer,  and  all  that  you  dread, 
'  iii  your  own  hands.  And  the  events,  to  which  I  have  just 


out  the  concurrence  of  another  branch  of  congress,  which 
ought  to  be  the  first  to  yield  it,  the  senate  alone  can  send  forth 
no  act  of  legislation.  Unaided,  it  can  do  no  positive  good;  but 
it  has  vast  pruveulive  power.  It  may  avert  and  arrest  evil,  if 
it  cannot  rebuke  Usurpation.  Senators,  let  us  remain  steadily 
by  the  constitution  and  the  country,  in  this  most  portentous 
crisis;  let  us  oppose,  to  all  encroachments  and  to  all  corruption, 
a  manly,  resolute  and  uncompromising  resistance;  let  us  adopt 
two  rule*  from  which  we  will  never  deviate,  in  deliberating 
upon  all  nominations.  In  the  first  place,  to  preserve  untar- 
nished and  unsuspected  the  purity  of  congress,  let  us  negative 
the  nomination  of  every  member  for  any  office,  high  or  low, 
foreign  or  domestic,  until  the  authority  of  the  constitution  and 
laws  is  fully  restored.  I  know  not  that  there  is  any  member  of 


alluded,  demonstrate  that  those  of  us  have  not  been  deceived  |  either  house  capable  of  being  influenced  by  the  prospect  of  ad- 


who  have  always  relied  upon  the  virtue,  the  capacity,  and  the 
intelligence  of  the  people. 

I  congratulate  you,  Mr.  President,  and  I  hope  you  will  receive 
the  congratulation  with  the  same  heartfelt  cordiality  with  which 
I  lender  it,  upon  the  issue  of  the  late  election  in  the  city  of  N. 
York.  I  hope  it  will  excite  a  patriotic  glow  in  your  bosom.  I 
congratulate  the  senate,  the  country,  the  city  of  New  York,  the 
friendsof  liberty  every  where.  It  was  a  great  victory.  It  must 
be  ao  regarded  in  every  aspect.  From  a  majority  of  more  than 
six  thousand,  which  the  dominant  party  boasted  a  few  months 
ago,  if  it  retain  any.  it  is  a  meagre  and  spurious  majority  of 
less  than  two  hundred.  And  the  whigs  contended  with  such 
odds  against  them.  A  triple  alliance  of  state  placemen,  cor- 
poration placemen  and  federal  placemen,  amounting  to  about 
thirty-five  hundred,  and  deriving,  in  the  form  of  salaries,  com- 
pensations and  allowances,  ordinary  and  extra,  from  the  public 
chests,  the  enormous  sum,  annually,  of  near  one  million  of 
dollars.  Marshalled,  drilled,  disciplined,  commanded.  The 
struggle  was  tremendous;  hut  what  can  withstand  the  irresistible 
powerof  the  votaries  oftrulli,  liberty  and  their  country?  Jt  was 
an  immortal  triumph — a  tiiumph  of  the  constitution  and  the 
laws  over  usurpation  here,  and  over  clubs  and  bludgeons  and 
violence  there. 

Go  on,  noble  city!  Go  on,  patriotic  whigs!  follow  up  your 
glorious  commencement;  persevere,  and  pause  not  until  you 
have  regenerated  and  disenthralled  yoursplendid  city,  and  plac- 
«d  it  at  the  head  of  American  cities  devoted  to  civil  liberty,  as 
it  now  stands  pre-eminently  the  first  as  the  commercial  empori- 
um of  our  common  country!  Merchants,  mechanics,  traders, 
laborers,  never  cease  to  recollect  that,  without  freedom,  you 
can  have  no  sure  commerce  or  business;  and  that  without  law 
you  have  no  security  lor  personal  liberty,  property,  or  even  ex- 
istence! Countrymen  of  Tone,  of  Emmel,  of  Macneven,  and 
of  Sampson,  if  any  of  you  have  been  deceived,  and  seduced  into 
the  support  of  a  cause  dangerous  to  American  liberty,  hasten  to 
review  and  correct  your  course!  Do  nol  forget  that  you  aban- 
doned the  green  fields  of  your  native  island  to  escape  what  you 
believed  thu  tyranny  of  a  British  king!  Do  not,  I  adjure  you, 
lend  yourselves,  in  this  land  of  yogr  asylum,  this  last  retreat  of 
the  freedom  of  man,  lo  the  establishment  here,  for  you,  and  for 
us  all,  of  that  despotism  which  you  had  proudly  hoped  had  been 
left  behind  you,  in  Europe,  forever!  There  is  much,  I  would 
fain  believe,  in  the  constitutional  forms  of  government.  But  at 
last  it  is  its  parental  and  beneficent  operation  that  must  fix  its 
character.  A  government  may  in  form  be  free,  in  practice  ty- 
rannical; as  it  may  in  form  be  despotic,  and  in  practice  liberal 
and  free. 

It  was  a  brilliant  and  signal  triumph  of  the  whigs.  And  they 
have  assumed  for  themselves,  and  bestowed  on  their  opponents, 
a  demonstration  which,  according  to  all  the  analogy  of  history, 
is  strictly  correct.  It  deserves  to  be  extended  throughout  the 
whole  country.  What  was  the  origin,  among  our  British  an- 
cestors, of  those  appellations?  The  lories  were  the  supporters 
of  executive  power,  of  royal  prerogative,  of  the  maxim  that  the 
king  could  do  no  wrong,  of  the  detestable  doctrines  of  passive 
obedience  and  non-resistance.  The  whig*  were  the  champions 
of  liberty,  the  friends  of  the  people,  and  the  defenders  of  the 
power  of  their  representatives  in  the  house  of  commons. 

During  our  revolutionary  war,  the  lories  took  sides  with  exe- 
cutive power  and  prerogative,  and  with  the  king,  against  liberty 
and  independence.  And  tin:  whins,  true  to  their  principles, 
contended  against  royal  executive  power,  and  for  freedom  and 
independence. 

And  what  is  the  present  but  the  same  contest  in  another  form? 
The  partisans  of  the  present  executive  sustain  Ins  power  in  the 
most  boundless  extent.  They  claim  for  him  all  executive  an 
thority.  They  make  his  sole  will  the  eoveniiiiL'  power.  Every 
officer  concerned  in  the  administration,  from  the  highc>!  in  ibc 
lowest,  is  to  conform  (o  his  mandates.  Even  the  public  lrra>n- 
ry,  hitherto  regarded  as  sacred,  and  beyond  his  reach,  is  placed 
by  them  under  his  entire  direction  and  control.  The  wliics  ol 
lh«  present  day  are  opposing  executive  ciirionrhmcnl,  mid  a 
most  alarming  extension  of  executive  power  ami  prerogative. 
They  are  ferreting  out  the  abuses  and  corruptions  of  an  admin- 
istration, under  a  chief  magistrate  who  is  endeavorim:  \<i  con- 
centrate in  his  own  person  the  whole  powers  of  covei min'iit. 
They  are  contending  for  tin:  liu-lils  of  the  people,  for  civil  liber- 
ty, for  free  institutions,  tor  tin-  supremacy  of  the  constitution 
and  the  laws.  The  contest  is  an  arduous  yne;  lint,  although  the 
Struggle  may  b«  yet  awhile  prolonged,  by  the  hlessini!  of  God 
•od  the  spirit  of  our  ancestors,  the  i?sue  cannot  be  doubtful. 
The  senate  stands  in  the  breach,  ready  to  defend  the  consti- 


vanccment  or  promotion;  I  would  be  the  last  to  make  such  an 
insinuation;  but  suspicion  is  abroad,  and  it  is  best,  in  these 
times  of  trouble  and  revolution,  to  defend  the  integrity  of  the 
body  against  all  possible  imputations.  For  one,  whatever 
others  may  do,  I  here  deliberately  avow  my  settled  determina- 
tion, whilst  I  retain  a  seat  in  this  chamber,  to  act  in  conformity 
to  that  rule.  In  pursuing  it,  we  hut  act  in  consonance  witli  a 
principle  proclaimed  by  the  present  chief  magistrate  himself 
when  out  ot  power.  But,  alas!  how  little  has  he  respected  it 
in  power!  How  little  has  he,  in  office,  conformed  to  any  of  the 
principles  which  he  announced  when  out  of  office! 

And,  in  the  next  place,  let  us  approve  of  the  original  nomi- 
nation of  no  notorious  brawling  paitisan  and  eleclioneerer;  but, 
especially,  of  the  reappoiutment  of  no  officer  presented  to  us, 
who  shall  have  prostituted  the  influence  of  his  office  to  parti- 
san and  electioneering  purposes.  Every  incumbent  has  a  clear 
right  to  exercise  the  elective  franchise.  I  would  he  the  last  to 
controvert  or  deny  it.  But  he  has  no  right  to  employ  the  influ- 
ence of  his  office,  to  exercise  an  agency  which  he  holds  in  trust 
for  the  people,  to  promote  his  own  selfish  or  parly  purposes. 
Here,  also,  we  have  the  authority  of  the  present  chief  magis- 
trate for  this  rule;  and  the  authority  of  Mr.  Jefferson.  The  se- 
nator Irorn  Tennessee  (Mr;  Grundy)  merits  lasting  praise  for  his 
open  and  manly  condemnation  of  these  practices  of  official  in- 
cumbents. Me  was  right,  when  he  declared  his  suspicion  and 
distrust  of  the  purity  of  the  motives  of  any  officer  whom  he  saw 
busily  interfering  in  the  elections  of  the  people. 

Senators!  we  have  a  highly  responsible  and  arduous  position; 
sut  the  people  are  with  us,  and  the  path  of  duty  lies  clearly 
marked  before  us.  Let  us  be  firm,  persevering  and  unmoved. 
Let  us  perform  our  duty  in  a  manner  worthy  of  our  ancestors — 
worthy  of  American  senators — worthy  of  the  dignity  of  the  so- 
vereign states  that  we  represent — above  all,  worthy  of  the  name 
of  American  freemen!  Let  us  "pledge  our  lives,  our  fortunes, 
and  our  sacred  honor,"  to  rescue  our  beloved  country  from  all 
impending  dangers.  And,  amidst  the  general  gloom  and  dark- 
ness which  prevail,  let  us  continue  to  present  oire  unextin- 
guished  light,  steadily  burning,  in  the  cause  of  the  people,  of 
the  constitution,  and  of  civil  liberty. 


LIST  OF  DEPOSITE  BANKS. 


Date  of 
return. 

Name  and  location. 

Specie. 

Sillt  of 

oik.  Iks. 

February     1 

Marine  bank  of  Portland 

11,319 

49,360 

3 

Commercial,  Portsmouth 

54,390 

14,890 

3 

Commonwealth,  Boston 

118.544 

503,000 

3 

Merchants'           do. 

150,  135 

351,000 

January     31 

Merchants',  Salem,  Mass. 

5,869 

35,000 

30 

Bank  of  Burlington,  Vt. 

28,754 

6,000 

December  31 

New  London  bank 

5,fi97 

9,173 

January       1 

Mechanics,  New  Haven 

93,328 

7,991 

February     1 

Arcade,  Providence 

2-3,500 

9,000 

Newport,  Rhode  Island 

6,817 

22,000 

January     31 

Bristol,            do. 

2,880 

29,000 

February     7 

Bank  of  America,  New  York 

340,000 

913,266 

January     25 

Mechanics,                   do. 

259,638 

1,298,116 

February     1 

Manhattan,                  do. 

208,545 

1,210,585 

5 

Girard,  Philadelphia 

271,000 

787,825 

3 

Union  bank  of  Maryland 

*53,232 

368,449 

3 

Metropolis,  Washington 

153.997 

566,783 

December  31 

Bank  of  Virginia 

435,925 

130,755 

January     28 

Planters',  Savannah 

425,700 

10,730 

25 

Franklin,  Cincinnati 

113,349 

101,144 

17 

Union  bank  of  Louisiana 

242,358 

595,260 

35 

Commercial,  New  Orleans 

107,018 

272,973 

December  31 

Planters',  Natchez 

166,709 

29,419 

January     27 

Bank  S.  of  Ala.  Mobile 

145,766 

117,070 

December  31 

Bank  of  Michigan,  Del. 

37,300 

83,955 

(  Union  bank  of  Tennessee 
No  returns.    <  Farmers  and  Mechanics.  Hartford 
l  Bank  of  LuuUvillu,  Kentucky. 


I;\\K  OF  TIM:  UN/TED  STATE.s-i826. 

We  L'ive  the  following  curious  docunn  nt  without  remark — 
To  Ike  directors  of  the  bunk  of  the  ljnit<;l  .- 

The  memorial  of  the  subscribers,  in  In  >half ol  themselves  and 
their  follow  citizens  of  Albany,  respectfully  shcueth— 

[*ln  addition  to  the  specie  on  llml  day  in  Hie  vanhsof  the 
Union  bank,  we  have  ascertained  that  there  was  due  lo  that 
bank  from  the  other  hanks  in  th«  city  of  Baltimore,  payable  on 


tution,  and  to  relieve  the  dimnesses  of  the  people.     But,  with-  (  demand  in  coin,  a  net  balance  of  $125,007.] 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  19,  18S4— BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.     147 


That,  since  the  completion  of  the  northern  and  western  ca- 
nnls  of  this  state,  such  facilities  are  given  to  transportation, 
that  the  quantities  of  country  produce  hrought  to  this  market 
from  the  interior  of  this  state  are  increased  to  an  immense 
amount;  anil  when  to  this  is  added  the  produce  which  will  he 
brought  to  thU  market  from  the  fertile  regions  of  the  north- 
western parts  of  Pennsylvania,  the  state  of  Ohio,  and  the  terri- 
tory of  Michigan,  some  idea  may  he  formed  of  the  amount  of 
business  which  might  be  done  in  this  place,  was  there  a  sutti- 
eient  moneyed  capital  located  here,  to  give  countenance  and 
support  to  commercial  enterprise.  The  capital  of  the  banks  lo- 
cated here,  under  state  incorporations,  is  untirely  insufficient  to 
afford  those  facilities  to  commercial  enterprise  which  the  business 
of  the  place  would  warrant,  and  which  ths  most  cautions  pru- 
dence would  justify.  The  limited  capital  of  our  banks  forbids 
the  extension  of  our  trade.  Merchants  of  moderate  fortune  are 
discouraged  from  taking  up  their  abode  amongst  us,  from  a 
knowledge  that  the  banking  capital  of  the  place  is  not  adequate 
to  the  demands  which  are  made  upon  it  for  the  prosecuting  of 
a  sufficiently  extensive  business  to  render  it  profitable;  and  in- 
stances are  not  wanting  of  active,  intelligent  and  enterprising 
merchants  removing  from  this  place  to  the  city  of  New  York, 
to  participate  in  the  benefits  of  an  increased  banking  capital 
there,  although  their  business  has  principally  been  continued 
with  the  interior  of  this  state.  The  western  world  is  pouring 
its  treasures  into  the  market  of  Albany,  but  its  citizens  are 
doomed,  with  tantalized  feelings,  to  behold  a  rich  and  profitable 
trade  float  past  them  to  the  city  of  New  York,  solely  for  the 
want  of  a  sufficient  banking  capital  located  amongst  them. — 
Could  the  produce  brought  to  this  place  he  purchased  here,  such 
portion  as  is  not  wanted  for  home  consumption  might  be  ex- 
ported directly  from  here  to  a  foreign  market,  (as  far  as  the  na- 
vigation of  the  Hudson  would  permit),  and  return  cargoes,  cal- 
culated for  the  interior  of  the  country,  might  be  imported,  with- 
out tlie  expense  of  trans-shipment  at  New  York,  or  the  profits 
of  the  importing  merchant  there.  These  considerations  have 
induced  the  citizens  of  Albany  ONCE  MORE  to  ask  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  branch  or  office  of  discount  and  deposite  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  Slates  in  this  city. 

It  is  hoped  this  application  will  be  favorably  received,  as  the 
same  causes  which  render  it  desirable  to  the  citizens  of  Albany 
to  have  a  branch  of  the  United  States  bank  established  here, 
conclusively  shew,  that  it  would  be  a  source  of  profit  to  the  pa- 
rent institution.  Irrdeed,  it  is  believed  that  a  branch  here  would 
be  more  profitable  in  reference  to  the  extent  of  business  done, 
than  several  of  the  branches  located  in  sea  port  towns.  The 
local  situation  of  Albany  renders  it  an  entrepot  between  the 
eastern  states  and  the  western  countries;  between  the  south 
and  the  north,  and  consequently  a  very  extensive  currency 
would  be  given  to  the  bills  issued  from  a  branch  here,  and  the 
nature  of  the  trade  which  would  be  prosecuted  here,  v-ould  in  a 
great  measure  render  the  bills  of  a  branch  established  at  this  place 
the  circulating  medium  of  the  extensive  regions  whose  produce 
would  be  brought  to  this  market. 

Inasmuch,  therefore,  as  the  establishment  of  a  branch  here 
would  not  only  be  highly  advantageous  to  this  city,  but  be  a 
source  of  profit  to  the  parent  institution,  we  hope  that  the  direc- 
tors of  the  United  States  bank  will  establish,  an  office  of  discount 
and  deposite  at  this  place. 


Albany,  Jitly  10,  1826. 

McMillan  &  Bagley, 

William  Cook, 

John  J.  Godfrey, 

V.  W.  Rathbone, 

W.  &  J.  G.  White, 

William  McHarg, 

Hickcox  &  La  Grange, 

Wilder,  Hastings  &  Co. 

Spencer  Stafford, 

S.  &  H.  Stafford, 

G.  &  S.  Buckley, 

J.  Pruyn, 

Marvin  &  Raymond, 

Daniel  Steele, 

A.  &  S.  Lightbody, 

Gerrit  L.  Dox, 

Samuel  L.  Pruyn, 

Humphrey  &  Co. 

Mancius  &  Le  Breton, 

John  L.  Wendell, 

J.  McPherson. 

W.  C.  Miller, 

Tilly  Allen, 

Lyman  Root, 

Joseph  Dennison, 

John  Dow, 

W.  S.  &  E.  C.  Mclntosh, 

Lemuel  Steele, 

Wood  &  Acres, 

J.  &  H.  Meacham, 

C.  Baldwin, 


Charles  E.  Dudley, 
M.  Van  Buren, 
Israel  Smith, 
Corning  &.  Norton, 
J.  Stillwell  &  Co. 
J.  Backus, 
Webb  8t  Drummer, 
James  Stevenson, 

B.  F.  Butler, 
J.  J.  Hamilton, 
W.  L.  Marcy, 
J.  Dewitt, 
Isaac  Denniston, 
J.  &  I.  Townsend, 
Elisha  Jenkins, 
Charles  R.  Webster, 
James  La  Grange, 

K.  K.  Van  Renssalaer, 
Christian  Miller, 

C.  Humphreys, 
Walter  Clark, 
Alexander  Marvin, 
R.  H.  King  &  Co. 
S.  Van  Rensselaer, 
Nathan  Sanford, 
R.  M.  Meigs, 
Richard  Marvin, 
C.  &  E.  Egbert, 
Chandler  Starr, 
Isaac  W.  Siaats, 
Corns.  Van  Antwerp. 


BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

April  8th,  183-1. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  held  this  day,  Mr.  Eyre, 
from  the  committee  on  the  offices,  presented  the  following  re- 
port, which  was  rend.  Whereupon,  on  motion  Mr.  Sergeant, 
it  wa*  unanimously 


Resolved,  That  the  said  report  be  approved  and  published. 
Extract  from  the  minutes, 

S.  JAUDON,  caihier. 

The  committee  on  the  offices  deem  the  close  of  the  first  quar- 
ter of  the  year,  a  proper  occasion  to  present  a  review  of  the 
measures  adopted  by  them,  in  conformity  to  ihe  instruction*  of 
the  board,  on  the  24lh  of  September,  and  21st  January  last. 

During  the  summer  of  Iti'.U,  it  became  manliest  that  the  exe- 
cutive ol  the  United  States,  meditated  gome  signal  act  ol  hosti- 
lity to  the  hank;  ami,  accordingly,  the  board  took  early  mea- 
sures to  provide  against  it.  'For  this  purpose,  they  began  by 
preventing  the  increase  of  the  business  of  the  bank — by  dimi- 
nishing the  time  of  the  loans,  so  as  to  make  the  funds  of  the 
bank  more  available,  and  finally,  in  protecting  the  western  offi- 
ces against  a  repetition  of  the  effort  made  during  the  last  year  to 
cause  a  inn  upon  them. 

Accordingly,  on  the  13th  of  August,  1833,  the  board  adopled 
the  following  resolutions: 

1.  Resolved,  That  tor  the  present  and  until  the  further  order 
of  the  board,  the  amount  of  "bills  discounted,"  shall  not  be  in- 
creased at  tlie  bank  and  the  several  offices. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  bills  of  exchange,  purchased  at  the 
bank,  and  all  the  offices,  except  the  live  western  offices,  shall 
not  have  more  than  ninety  days  to  run. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  five  wustern  offices  be  instructed  to  pur- 
chase no  bills  of  exchange,  except  those  payable  in  the  Atlantic 
cities,  not  having  more  than  ninety  days  to  run — or  those  which 
may  be  received  in  payment  of  existing  debts  to  the  bank  and 
the  offices,  and  then  not  having  more  than  four  months  to  run. 

This  was  the  only  measure  then  deemed  necessary,  the  board 
being  anxious  to  make  the  bank  safe,  without  incommoding  the 
country.  So  strong  was  this  conviction,  and  so  reluctant  were 
the  board,  to  diminish  its  business  until  it  became  necessary, 
that  when,  on  the  16th  of  August,  the  government  directors  of- 
fered a  resolution  "for  the  gradual  reduction  of  the  business  of 
the  institution  throughout  all  sections  of  the  country,"  tbe 
board  declined  even  the  consideration  of  it. 

It  was  not  until  the  24th  of  September,  that  as  the  indica- 
tions of  an  approaching  act  of  aggression  were  multiplied,  the 
board  appointed  a  committee  of  seven  members  "to  take  into 
consideration  what  measures  it  is  necessary  and  proper  should 
be  adopted  on  the  part  of  the  bank  in  consequence  of  the  recent 
intimations  that  the  deposites  of  the  government  are  to  be  mov- 
ed. " 

The  committee,  still  unwilling  to  diminish  its  accommoda- 
tion to  the  community,  did  not  advise  any  curtailment  of  the 
loans,  but  merely  followed  out  the  plan  adopted  on  the  13th  of 
August;  of  keeping  the  funds  of  the  bank  in  a  state  of  activity, 
and  moving  them  forward  gradually  to  the  Atlantic  cities, 
where  the  bank  was  most  vulnerable  by  the  treasury.  They 
therefore,  on  the  1st  of  October  proposed  resolutions,  which 
were  adopted  to  the  following  effect: 

1st.  To  extend  their  third  resolution  of  the  13th  of  August 
from  the  five  western  offices  to  the  offices  of  Burlington,  Utica, 
Buffalo,  Pittsburgh,  Natchez  and  New  Orleans. 

2d.  That  all  the  other  offices  should  likewise  purchase  bills 
only  on  the  Atlantic  cities,  New  Orleans  and  Mobile,  not  hav- 
ing more  than  90  day  to  run. 

3d.  To  increase  the  rates  of  buying  bills  of  exchange. 

4th.  To  restrict  the  receipt  of  the  state  bank  notes  to  those  in 
the  same  places  with  the  offices; — and 

5th.  To  collect  the  debts  due  by  distant  state  banks. 

Up  then  to  the  1st  of  October,  1833,  no  order  had  been  given 
to  curtail  the  loans.  But  all  who  are  familiar  with  our  com- 
merce know  that  during  the  summer,  in  the  interval  between 
the  old  and  the  new  crop,  commercial  operations  and  the  loans 
founded  on  thorn,  subside.  This  may  be  seen  in  the  following 
statement  of  the  reduction  of  the  business  of  the  bank  between 
the  1st  of  July  and  1st  of  October  for  many  successiTe  years. 
That  reduction  amounted — 
In  1823  to  1,240,436  14 

1824  to  2,119,291  31 

1825  to     131,436  75 

1826  to  3,012,258  41 

1827  to  2,215,818  61 

1828  to  1,473,926  98 

1829  to  3,258,080  10 

1830  to  2,710,644  14 

1831  Here  there  was  an  increase  under  the  peculiar  cir- 

cumstances of  the  country  during  that  year. 

1832  to  4,722,770  70 

1833  to  3,275,694  62 

So  that,  without  any  orders  to  that  purpose,  but  in  the  natu- 
ral course  of  business,  the  loans  had  diminished  from  the  1st  of 
July  to  the  1st  of  October,  1833,  $3,275,694  62— a  result  occa- 
sioned by  the  voluntary  payment  at  maturity  of  bills  of  exchange 

amounting  to 3,808,761  00 

And  an  increase  of  the  local  lomis 533,066  38 

Leaving  the  aggregate  reduction 3,275,694  63 

It  was  probably  in  consequence  of  ianorance  of  the  business 
of  the  country  that  the  secretary  assigned  as  a  reason  for  remov- 
ing the  deposites,  the  "curtailments"  and  the  "oppressive  sys- 
tem of  policy"  of  the  bank,  because  the  returns  of  the  bank 
showed  a  reduction  from  August  to  October  of  $4,066,146  21. 

He  ought  to  have  seen  from  the  statements  t'urnishnl  to  him, 
that  there  wore  no  curtailments  at  all.  He  ought  further  to 


188      NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL   19,  1834— BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


have  known  thai  this  "Oppressive  system"  consisted  of  a  volun 
tary  reduction  by  the  maturity  of  bills  of  exchange  drawn  at  IS 

Orleans  to  the  amount  of $2,037,099  5 

Of  bills  drawn  at  other  places 1,018,215  9 


Making 3,065,315  4 

And  of  a  voluntary  diminution  of  local  loans  of.  ...1,010,830  7 


4,066,146  2 

This  very  reduction  in  the  local  loans  moreover  consists 
merely  of  a  voluntary  payment  by  a  mercantile  house,  under  a 
arrangement  for  paying  the  3  per  cents,  in  Europe,  by  wliicl 
bills  on  London  were  substituted  for  the  sum  of  $1,046,678  60 
advanced  to  them;  so  that  there  was  not  one  dollar  of  involun 
lary  reduction  of  the  Joans  at  the  very  moment  when  the  secre 
tary  gave  as  a  reason  for  removing  tlie  deposites,  the  oppressiv' 
curtailments  of  the  bank. 

About  the  1st  of  October  the  removal  of  the  deposites  tool 
place.  Without  a  moment's  previous  notice,  the  bonds  actual 
ly  in  the  bank  were  withdrawn  from  it — and  it  has  since  ap 
peared  that  while  the  treasury  was  sending  daily  and  weeklj 
lists,  professing  to  contain  all  the  orders  on  the  bank— score 
draughts  suppressed  from  the  lists,  to  the  amount  of  $2,300,000 
were  distributed  for  the  purpose  of  being  suddenly  used,  while 
the  bank  was  ignorant  of  their  existence.  It  was  then  for  the 
lirst  time  that  the  bank  yielded  to  the  necessity  of  diminishing, 
iu  accommodations  to  the  community. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  the  committee  appointed  on  the  24tl 
of  September,  reported  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted. 

"That  the  committee  on  the  offices  be  authorised  to  direc 
ruch  a  gradual  reduction  in  the  amount  and  the  time  of  the 
loans  at  the  respective  offices,  as  may  in  their  judgment  be 
made  without  inconvenience  to  the  customers  of  the  bank  or 
the  community." 

The  committee  endeavored  to  execute  this  authority  in  such 
a  manner  as  would  accomplish  the  object  of  securing  the  bank 
without  injuring  the  community,  and  they  accordingly  directec 
a  reduction  of  the  loans  in  conformity  to  the  situation  of  each 
office,  while  at  the  same  time  the  purchase  of  domestic  bills  was 
lull  as  unrestricted  as  the  state  of  the  bank  permitted,  in  order 
to  facilitate  the  reduction  of  the  local  .loans,  and  also  provide 
the  means  of  transmitting  the  proceeds  of  these  reductions  to 
the  exposed  parts  of  the  establishment. 

The  progress  of  these  reductions  will  be  seen  in  the  annexed 
comparative  statement,  marked  A,  of  the  condition  of  the  bank 
on  the  1st  of  October  and  the  1st  of  April  respectively: 
From  this  table  it  appears  that  the  total  amount  of  reduction 

was $5,087,385  31 

But  from  this  should  be  deducted  the  operations  in 
the  old  suspended  debt  at  the  agencies  at  Cincin- 
nati and  Chilicothe,  which  being  settlements  in, 
or  for,  real  estate,  are  not  connected  with  this 
movement;— they  amount  to 239,858  19 


So  that  the  actual  reduction  of  loans  from  the  1st 

of  October  to  1st  of  April,  has  been  only $5,057,527  12 

During  the  same  period  the  reduction  of  deposites 

was 7,778,403  41 

This  will  be  more  perspicuously  seen  in  the  following  state- 
ment: 

Public  iepoiitcs.  Private  deposites. 
9,868,435  58         8,008,862  78 


1833.  Loans. 

October  1,  60,094.202  93 
November  1,  57,210,604  38 
December  1,  54,453,104  67 

1834. 

January  1,  54,911,461  70 
February  1,  54,842,973  64 
March  1,  56,167,829  86 
April  1,  54,806,817  62 


8,232,311  18 
5,162,260  63 


7,285.041  88 
6,827,173  10 


4,230,503  63  6,734,866  06 
3,066,561  72  6,715.312  60 
2,604,233  62  7,343,129  92 
2,932,866  74  7,166,028  21 

Reduction  on  public  deposites $6,935,568  84 

private  deposites 842,334  57 

7.778,403  41 

Reduction  of  loan? 5,057,527  13 

During  the  same  period  the  accommodation  given  to  the  state 
banks  will  he  exhibited  in  the  following  statement  of  the  ba 
lances  due  from  them,  arid  the  amount  of  their  notes  on  band 
at  these  several  periods: — 

October!,    $4,719.1)72  February  1,    $3,211,385 

November  1,  4,489,217  March  1,          2,035,985 

December  1,  4,063,258  April  1,  2,195,489 

January  1,      3,519,385 

I, ravin:,'  the  monthly  average $3,464,9(6 

In  the  same  period  the  bank  has  purchaxvd  of  donie>nc  InlN  of 

exchanee $^' 

Ar.d  of  foreign  bill* I,8«v>,(i20 

In  the  same-  timr  it  lia<  paid  its  branch  notes  which 
it  wa*  nut  obliged  lo  pay  except  where  i-->m  il.  :it 
I?altiinor«.  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  UOMOII, 

to  the  amount  of 1 2  .!>!'  1, 130 

Having  thus  succeeded  in  bringing  the  funds  of  ih<:  hank  iuto 
a  state  of  control,  ready  to  lie  applied  in  whatever  quarter  they 
t/e  most  needed,  the  committee  in  Ihc  month  of  .Match  directed 
in.  «oiiihrrn  offices  to  ntistain  from  incrrasirnj  the  amount  of 
their  purchases  of  domestic  billx  of  exchange  beyond  their  in- 


Such  is  the  history  and  the  present  state  of  the  reductions  di- 
rected hy  the  committee. 

The  examination  of  it  will  present  the  following  result: 
1st.  That  the  bank  never  directed  any  curtailment  of  its  loans 

until  the  actual  removal  of  the  deposites. 
2d.  That  the  only  actual  reduction  of  loans  took  place  from 
the  1st  of  October  to  .the  1st  of  December,  when  the  loans 

were  diminished §5,641,098  26 

While  at  Hie  same  time  the  public  and  private 

deposites  were  reduced 5,887,864  63 

3d.  That  from  the  1st  of  December,  1S33,  to  the  1st 
of  April,  1834,  the  loans  have  not  been  reduced, 
but  on  the  contrary  have  actually  been  increas- 
ing, and  are  greater  on  the  1st  of  April,  183-1,  than 

on  the  1st  of  October,  1833,  hy 353,712  95 

While  during  that  same  period  the  public  depo- 
sites. had  decreased  no  less  than 2,239,393  89 

4th.  That  the  total  reduction  of  loans  from  1st  of 

Oct.  to  1st  of  April,  was 5,057,527  22 

While  the  public  deposites  had  been 

reduced $6,935.568  84 

Private  deposites 842,834  57 

MakiiiL'  an  aggregate  of 7,778,403  41 

being  a  reduction  of  loans  less,  by  nearly  three 
millions,  than  the  reduction  of  deputies. 
5th.  That  so  far  from  restricting  the  trade  of  the 
country,  it  has  actually  purchased  from  the  1st 
of  October  lo  the  l.st  of  April  of  domestic  and 

foreign  bills  of  exchange $34,671,324 

6th.  That  the  stale  banks  were  permitted  to  be  in- 
debted to  the  bank  an  average  monthly  amount 

of 3,464,956 

These  statements  may  be  not  inappropriately  closed,  by  a  few 
remaiks. 

Up  to  the  1st  of  October,  1833,  the  bank  of  the  United  States 
was  responsible  for  the  general  condition  of  the  currency  of  the 
country.  After  years  of  effort  and  sacrifice,  it  had  brought  the 
currency  and  tin;  exchanges  of  the  union  into  a  condition  pro- 
jably  better,  in  many  respects,  than  existed  elsewhere.  With 
this  responsibility  was  mingled  the  duty  of  averting  every  cala- 
mity, and  mitigating  every  shock  that  might,  by  deranging  the 
currency,  injure  the  community.  It  was  for  this  purpose  that 
the  bank  interposed  in  the  disastrous  crisis  of  1825,— for  this 
that  it  extended  its  loans  in  1831  until  the  country  could  reco- 
ver from  its  excessive  importations — for  this  that  it  defrayed, 
out  of  its  own  funds,  the  cost  of  postponing  the  payment  of  the 
three  per  cents,  in  1832 — for  this  that,  in  the  same,  year,  it  as- 
sumed the  payment  oflhe  debt  to  foreigners,  le*l  their  demands 
might  add  to  the  troubles  of  a  pestilence  which  was  disordering 
he  commerce  of  the  country.  It  was  for  this,  in  short,  that,  at 
all  times  and  under  all  circumstances,  the  currency  and  the  ex- 
changes were  objects  of  its  constant  solicitude. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  1833,  the  violation  of  the  charter  of  the 
>ank  put  an  end  to  all  that  responsibility.  On  that  day,  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  as  a  component  part  of  the  financial 
system  established  by  congress,  in  which  the  public  revenue 
vas  to  sustain  the  public  currency,  ceased  to  exist.  It  became 
he  properly  of  its  stockholders — and  whether  that  property 
iiouid  continue  to  be  lent,  or  should  be  recalled  from  the  bor- 
owers  in  greater  'or  less  proportions,  was  a  matter  for  them, 
and  for  them  alone,  to  decide,  ff,  therefore,  in  the  effort  to 
ustaiii  its  credit,  the  directors  of  the  hank  had  reduced  its  loans 
more  rapidly  than  consisted  with  public  convenience,  the  re- 
iroach  should  be  on  the  aggressors  who  had  made  this  act  of 
elf-defence  necessary. 

It  lias  indeed  been  asserted,  that  the  bank  has  made  oppres- 
ive  curtailments;  and  the  motives  ascribed  for  them  are  un 
\indness  to  the  executive,  and  a  desire  to  extort  Irom  public 
u  tier  ing  a  continuance  of  its  charter.  Nothing  can  be  more 
loundless  than  the  allegation,  except  the  causes  assigned  for 
t.  So  far  from  making  any  unnecessary  curtailments,  it  has 
ieeii  seen  that  the  bank  has  made  the  least  possible  reduction, 
onsistent  with  its  own  security.  True  it  is,  that  since  tin; 
auk  refused  to  permit  the  political  interference  of  the  execu- 
ive  officers,  it  has  been  the  object  of  embittered  hostility,  and 
qually  true  that  this  very  removal  of  the  drposiie.-,  was  declar- 
d,  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  who  refused  to  make  it.  to 
e  a  "vindictive"  act  against  the  institution.  But  these  are 
i:elings  which  the  directors  of  the  bank  cannot  possibly  recipro- 
ate.  Nor  would  they  deem  so  meanly  of  the  spirit  and  intelli- 
ence  of  their  connlnincn,as  to  believe  that  they  would  hedri- 
en  to  support  what  their  judgments  disapproved  by  any  incon- 
cniences  which  the  bank  could  occasion.  So  far  from  having 
IB  remotest  wish  to  eau.-e  such  sufferings,  the  bank,  if  it  has 
rred,  has  erred  on  the  gentler  side  of  looking  less  to  its  own 
itere-ts  than  to  those  of  the  country.  For  thai  extreme  for- 
earaiu-c,  however,  it  finds  an  adequate  justification  in  the  ex- 
•aurdiiiary  position  in  which  the  country  is  now  placed. 
Tin1,  violation  of  the  law?  commiilod  by  the  executive,  is  of 
•  c|f  calculated,  by  de- iroyin-i  confidence,  and  breaking  down 
IB  established  currency,  to  afflict  and  convulse  the  country. 
n  ouch  a  crisis  the  bank,  unwilling  to  aggravate  rhese  evils, 
as  forborne  to  press  us  claim-;,  but  constantly  endeavored  lo 
iiij.ii>'  tlie  <cvrriiy  oflhe  injuries  iiiftVied  on  the  community, 
will  siill  continue  to  do  KO,  whenever  it  ran  be  done  with- 
ifcly.  Hut  lhat  safety  if  its  fir-t  ditty  and  mu«t  be  iu-  chief 
are. 


NILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SKRIKS.  N».  9— VOL.  X.]    BALTIMO11E,  APRIL  26,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,179. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT — TOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    BT    H.   NILES,  AT   $5    PER    ANNUM,    PAYABLE   IN    ADYASCE. 


The  protest  of  the  president  of  the  United  States  to 
the  senate,  against  a  certain  resolution  which  recently 
passed  that  body,  communicatud  by  message  on  the  17th 
instant,  will  be  found,  at  length,  in  subsequent  pages,  and 
also  &  second  message  transmitted  on  the  21st,  explana- 
tory of  some  matters  stated  in  that  of  the  17th.  These 
extraordinary  proceedings  have  caused  an  extraordinary 
agitation  in  the  senate,  as  well  as  in  the  public  mind. 
It  is  impossible  for  us  to  give  the  speeches  of  the  senators, 
though  we  may  briefly  notice  some  of  them.  They  are 
very  animated,  and  parts  of  them  very  severe. 

In  our  journal  of  the  proceedings  of  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives, it  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Wise,  of  Virginia, 
and  Mr.  Peyton,  of  Tennessee,  have  introduced  certain 
series  of  resolutions  which  have  caused  much  excite- 
ment, especially  those  of  the  last,  as  casting  a  censure 
on  a  particular  act  of  the  senate.  The  majority  required 
to  suspend  the  rule  concerning  the  offering  of  resolu- 
tions, was  not  obtained  in  either  case.  "We  have  given 
the  yeas  and  nays  in  full.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  op- 
ponents of  the  administration  generally,  with  several 
other  gentlemen,  supported  the  motion  of  Mr.  Wise,  as 
•well  as  that  of  Mr.  Peyton — and  so  it  appears  that,  if  the 
party  with  whom  the  latter  gentleman  acts,  had  been 
willing  to  discuss  and  support  the  propositions  made  by 
him,  the  leave  asked  for  would  have  been  easily  obtained. 

The  motion  of  Mr.  Forsyth,  in  the  senate,  on  Monday 
last,  to  insert,  in  the  resolutions  of  Mr.  Poindexter,  a 
certain  paper  which  these  resolutions  declared  should 
not  be  received,  must  have  had  for  its  example  a  famous 
decree  of  the  Athenians,  who. gave  the  name  of  a  person 
to  the  memory  of  ages  yet  distant,  by  declaring  it  a  pub- 
lic offence  to  pronounce  it! 

Another  strange  circumstance  appears  in  this  day's 
proceedings,  as  we  copy  them  (on  this  occasion)  from  the 
"Globe."  The  alteration  of  certain  words  of  the  "pro- 
test," after  it  was  in  possession  of  the  senate,  on  the  sug- 
gestion of  the  private  secretary  of  the  president.  The 
practice,  in  this  instance,  may  have  been  innocent,  but 
the  principle,  we  think,  ought  not  to  be  submitted  to. 
The  whole  paper,  and  every  word  on  the  paper,  was  the 
unquestionable  property  of  the  senate,  and  the  senate, 
only,  had  power  to  admit  an  alteration  or  amendment  of 
it,  on  application  made  for  that  purpose. 

The  protest,  as  read  to  the  senate,  had  bten  even  dis- 
cussed at  considerable  length' — >an  action  had  been  had 
upon  it;  and  yet  it  was  sent  forth  to  the  people,  not  as  it 
was  discussed  by  the  senate,  but  as  amended  by  an  indi- 
vidual who  had  no  sort  of  authority  over  it,  except  to 
keep  it  safely,  and  in  its  original  shape.  The  power  to 
alter  a  word,  extends  to  the  alteration  of  a  paragraph — 
the  change  of  a  part  to  a  change  of  the  whole.  It  can 
have  no  limit.* 

Such  an  excitement  as  showed  itself  in  the  galleries  of 
the  senate  on  Friday  the  20th  inst.  when  Mr.  Leigh  spoke 
of  the  compromise  of  the  tariff  bill,  should  not  be  per- 
mitted; and  yet  spontaneous  and  involuntary  bursts  of  ap- 


*We  see  it  stated  by  the  correspondent  of  the  Philade)phia 
"American  Daily  Advertiser"  that  Mr.  Ewing  said  that  the 
word  "his,"  as  frequently  read  to  the  senate,  was  altered  to  the 
word  "the"  as  published  in  tin;  "Globe"— and  that  40,000  o 
these  altered  copies  had  been  printed,  &c.  fn  tin:  nriuinal.  tor 
example,  the  secretary  of  tint  treasury  was  called  hi*  or  my  [i.  e 
the  president's]  secretary,  but  in  the  amended  copy  the  secre- 
tary. 

The  account  proceeds  to  say,  that,  after  the  secretary  of  ihe 
senate  had  been  called  to  state  the  facts,  and  did  state  them — 
Mr.  Clay  .«aid,  "I  call  upon  the  senate  and  the  whole  country  to 
witness,  that  the  day  after  a  document  ?ont  to  the  senate  by  tin 
pr«?ident  of  the  United  States  waa  read.  and  debated,  the  prcsi 
dent  sends  his  secretary  to  the  clerk  of  the  senate,  alters  the 
document,  and  sends  it  out  to  the  people,  with  its  most  odious 
features  conoi-jiled." 

VOL.  XLVI— Sio.  9. 


ilause,  or  of  laughter,  cannot  always  be  suppressed,  even 
>y  those  who  would  be  among  the  last  men  living  to  treat 
he  senate  with  disrespect.  We  think  that  a  distinc- 
ion  might  and  should  be  made — though,  in  all  cases, 
such  proceedings  ought  to  be  rebuked.  The  clearing  of 
he  galleries,  however,  is  a  severe  measure — and  a  gene- 
•al  order  for  the  arrest  of  persons,  innocent  of  the  least 
lisposition  to  offend,  will  clear  the  galleries  of  the  se- 
late,  without  the  agency  of  the  sergeant-at-arrns — for  no 
freeman,  who  has  a  moderate  share  of  respect  for  the  re- 
>resentntives  of  the  people,  or  for  himself,  will  plate 
limself  in  a  condition  in  which  he  may  be  treated  like  a 
elon,  because  he  happens  to  laugh  or  make  a  little  noise, 
nadvertently,  as  those  who  are  BELOW  him  oftentimes  do. 
These  exertions  of  "brief  authority"  should  be  abated. 
The  general  disorderly  congregations  of  individuals,  w  ho 
make  up  even  the  always  enlightened  house  of  delegates 
)f  the  state  of  Maryland,  for  an  example,  pushing  about 
n  all  directions,  with  hats  on  or  hats  off,  and  loudly 
alking  about  what  they  please — require  stillness  in  ihe 
obby,  hats  off,  and  conversation  in  whispers.  If  they 
;laim  the  respect  of  the  people,  let  these  men  respect 
.he  people.  \Ve  shall  endeavor  to  "reform"  this  iinpu- 
ience,  in  the  season  for  action  upon  it.  We  knew  not 
of  its  existence  until  at  a  late  period  in  the  last  session, 
or  should  have  brought  it  before  the  "bar  of  the  public 
reason"  long  ago.  We  will  not  lift  our  beaver,  in  the 
jresence  of  any  man  in  America  who  requires  it,  and  re- 
fuses a  return  of  the  compliment,  unless  through  the  ap- 
plication of  force  that  we  are  unable  to  resist  by  force. 
There  is  a  sort  of  puppyism  in  it,  that  we  will  not  quiet- 
*y  submit  to. 

We  have  briefly  refeired  to  the  attention  paid  to 
Messrs.  J\fcDitffie  and  Preston,  in  Philadelphia.  Seve- 
ral public  dinners  were  given,  and  incessant  marks  of 
lublic  respect  paid  to  them,  by  multitudes  of  the  people. 
That  peaceable  city  was  thrown  into  a  state  of  much  bus- 
tle and  agitation — all  other  considerations  being  appa- 
rently merged  in  the  great  questions  which  involve  the 
inisiness  and  prosperity,  labor  and  profits,  liberty  and 
safety,  of  its  industrious  inhabitants — as  they  believe. 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  people  was  much  increased  by 
the  arrival  of  Mr.  Webster,  on  his  return  to  Washington. 
Masses  of  the  population  continually  pressed  round  about 
liim;  and  he  was  forced  to  address  a  great  multitude  at 
the  Exchange.  His  remarks  were,  of  coarse,  strong,  and 
received  with  shouts  of  approbation,  by  the  venerable 
aged  and  ardent  youth  gathered  together. 

On  Saturday  evening,  last  Messrs.  Webster,  McDuJKe 
and  Preston  were  expected  to  arrive  at  Baltimore,  and, 
though  it  rained,  about  two  thousand  persons  spontane- 
ously assembled  on  Bowley's  wharf  to  receive  them.  On 
the  arrival  of  the  steamboat,  it  was  said  that  neither  were 
on  board,  and  many  departed  for  their  homes  and  places 
of  business;  but  it  was  discovered  that  Mr.  Preston  was 
among  the  passengers,  and  he  was  called  upon  to  address 
the  people.  He  commenced  from  the  steamboat,  but  the 
cry  of  "to  the  exchange"  became  general  and  loud,  and, 
in  a  few  minutes,  2,(XK)  persons  were  in  or  about  the 
building.  Mr.  Preston  soon  appeared,  and  delivered  a 
brief  but  very  animated  address  and  exhortation,  which 
was  received  with  peals  of  applause  that  shook  the  loftv 
dome — the  crowd  being  in  a  state  of  feverish  excitement. 
On  Sunday,  as  it  was,  Messrs.  Webster  and  Binney 
arrived  in  Baltimore,  that  they  might  be  present  in  Wash- 
ington on  Monday.  It  ha<l  been  given  out  that  th*y 
would  not  come  that  day,  perhaps  to  prevent  the  gathering- 
of  a  crowd;  but  the  people,  by  thousands,  assembled  on 
the  wharf.  Mr.  Webster  being  called  on,  made  a  few  ani- 
mated remarks  from  the  boat,  and  with  a  view  of  dismiss- 
ing the  "friends  of  the  constitution"  assembled  to  meet 
him.  But  they  would  not  be  dismissed.  They  formed 
into  a  solid  body,  filling  the  whole  street,  and  marched  up 


130 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


to  the  City  Hotel.  Mr.  Binney,  less  personally  known  t 
the  people  than  Mr.  Webster,  nearly  effected  an  escape 
but  he  was  recognized  and  taken  into  the  possession  o 
an  enthusiastic  multitude.  When  arrived  at  the  hole 
hardly  less  than  five  thousand  well  dressed  persons,  ver 
man}'  of  them  elderly  men  and  of  lofty  standing  in  society 
•were  assembled  in  front  of  it,  and  the  gentlemen  wer 
successively  called  on  to  offer  a  few  words  of  exhortatioi 
They  appeared  (though  with  evident  reluctance),  and  ar] 
dressed  the  assembly,  with  much  animation  and  electri 
cal  effect.  The  people  were  highly  excited  and  often 
times  cheered,  but  in  a  subdued  tone  of  voice;  and,  Mr 
Binney  having  concluded,  the  crowd  retired  in  an  or 
derly  and  respectful  manner,  having  cheered  ihe  gentle 
men  on  their  departure  for  Washington. 

We  happened  to  see  both  these  assemblages  of  the  peo 
pie— one  of  them  accidentally.  W'e  have  seen  many  liki 
gatherings  in  large  cities — but  never  before  witnessed  si 
much  earnestness  and  animation  among  those  classes  o 
persons  \>  ho  attended. 

Detailed  accounts  of  the  proceedings  of  the  people  a 
various  places,  and  with  reference  to  the  late  elections  ii 
New  York— ar  the  more  recent  protest  of  the  presided 
of  the  United  States  against  a  certain  resolution  of  th 
senate,  would  overflow  many  as  closely  filled  sheets  a 
our  numbers  of  the  REUISTEH!  We  must  suffer  them  t 
pass,  with  a  multitude  of  speeches,  addresses,  letters,  ike 
by  or  from  distinguished  individuals,  the  like  of  all  whicl 
we  never  saw  or  heard  of  before.  W'e  have  passed  througl 
several  seasons  of  high  excitement,  and  mixed  much  will 
the  people,  and  felt  and  acteil  freely  with  them,  at  differ 
ent  limes,  since  the  year  1797;  but  a  degree  of  animatio 
now  prevails,  or  is  about  to  prevail,  which  goes  beyont 
that  of  past  times,  and  may  be  considered  an  augur) 
of  exceedingly  important  public  events.  And  this  ani- 
mation and  excitement  is  hourly  increased  by  the  new 
difficulties  experienced  in  business,  and  the  greatly  in- 
creasing number  of  persons  cast  out  of  employment 
More  than  70,000  spindles  have  been  stopped  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  only;  the 
Union  manufacturing  company  of  Maryland  have  stoppec 
both  their  great  cotton  mills,  and  discharged  several 
hundred  persons — another  large  establishment  in  the 
neighborhood  is  doing  only  half  work,  that  the  people 
may  earn  something,  and  others  must  soon  follow  this 
lead — and  a  large  number  of  mechanics  are  without  work. 
All  these  things  adil  to  the  excitement.  We  hope  that 
it  will  be,  every  where,  and  on  behalf  of  all  parties,  re- 
strained, by  just  observances  of  the  constitution  and  laws 
of  the  land,  and  solemn  determinations  to  preserve  the 
public  tranquillity,  by  bearing  and  forbearing,  and  ren- 
dering such  assistance  or  accommodation  to  one  another 
as  may  be  in  the  power  of  the  people,  to  sustain  each 
other's  credit,  or  relieve  each  other's  wants;  and  espe- 
cially with  relation  to  ihe  worthy  and  industrious  of  work- 
ing classes,  loo  generally  dependent  on  their  daily  labor 
for  actual  subsistence. 

There  was  a  mighty  meeting  of  the  people,  and  such  a 
feast  as  was  never  before  prepared  in  the  United  States, 
held  near  Philadelphia,  on  Tuesday  last,  as  a  rallying 
"to  support  the  constitution,"  and  "in  honor  of  the  late 
whig  victory  at  Now  Y'ork,"a  very  large  delegation  from 
that  city  being  in  attendance,  bringing  with  them  their 
frigate  rigged  and  highly  finished  boat, called  the"  Consti- 
tution," which  had  been  passed  through  the  streets  during 
the  "three  days."  The  arrival  of  the  steamboat  with 
this  delegation  on  board,  and  the  procession  that  was 
then  formed,  are  described  in  glowing  terms.  The  whole 
number  congregated  was  supposed  not  to  be  less  than 
Jifly  thousand,  multitudes  attending  from  adjacent  parts 
of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  kc..  Many 
cattle  and  other  animals  had  been  roasted  whole,  and 
there  were  200  great  rounds  of  beef,  400  hams,  as  many 
•  heaves' tongues,  &c.  and  15,000  loaves  of  bread,  with 
crackers  and  cheese,  &cc.  and  equal  supplies  of  wine, 
beer  and  cider.  This  may  give  some  idea  of  the  magni- 
tude of  the  feast.  John  Sergeant  presided,  assisted  by  a 
large  number  of  vice  presidents,  &c.  Strong  bands'  of 
music  played  at  intervals,  and  several  salutes  were  fired 
from  the  miniature  frigate,  which  were  returned  by  heavy 
artillery  provided  for  the  purpose,  &c.  Several  specche's 


were  delivered,  and  a  number  of  regular  toasts  drunk. 
At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  nine  cheers  were  given  for 
the  "whigs  of  New  York,"  and  the  people  then,  in  pro- 
cession, escorted  the  delegates  from  that  citv  to  their 
quarters,  and  dispersed  themselves  in  peace.  On  Wed- 
nesday a  public  dinner  was  given  to  the  New  York  dele- 
gation, &c.  Among  those  who  addressed  the  meeting, 
was  Mr.  W.  J.  Duaue. 

On  Wednesday  afternoon  a  great  meeting  of  the  peo- 
ple, certainly  the  largest  that  ever  assembled  in  Balti- 
more on  any  like  occasion,*  was  held  in  Monument 
Square,  to  adopt  certain  proceedings  with  a  view  of  ex- 
pressing the  opinions  of  the  citizens  on  the  late  protest  of 
the  president  of  the  United  States.  That  venerable  sol- 
dier of  the  revolution,  and  much  valued  and  long  useful 
citizen,  gen.  Hi  Ilium  McDonald,  presided,  assisted  by 
many  vice  presidents,  &c.  The  multitude  was  addressed 
by  John  P.  Kennedy,  diaries  C.  Harper,  Joshua  Jones 
and  Julin  V.  L.  McMahtm,  esqs.  and  it  is  not  a  little  re- 
markable, (though  purely  accidental,  as  we  are  inform- 
ed), that  each  of  those  gentlemen,  in  times  not  long  past, 
were  among  the  most  zealous  and  distinguished  support- 
ers of  tho  present  president  of  the  United  States.  A  se- 
ries of  resolutions  was  passed,  repudiating  the  doctrines 
of  the  protest  and  sustaining  the  senate,  and  others  for 
the  formation  of  a  "state  whig  society,"  &c.  But  all 
that  we  can  do  is  to  mention  such  proceedings.  If  our 
whole  sheet  was  given  up  to  the  insertion  of  like  doings, 
it  would  contain  only  a  small  portion  of  them1 

We  regret  'to  add,  that  some  violent  actions  were 
had,  with  an  evident  design  to  disturb  or  break  up  the 
meeting,  by  persons  who  had  not  been  invited  to  attend 
it — but  they  were  resisted  ami  put  down.  Surely,  every 
sect  or  party,  religious  or  political,  may  assemble  toge- 
ther, for  the  better  support  or  further  extension  of  their 
own  particular  opinions — and,  if  persons  holding  differ- 
ent opinions  attend,  uninvited,  every  principle  of  com- 
mon sense,  and  of  respect  for  themselves,  should  induce 
them  to  remain  peaceable.  Without  the  exercise  of  such 
mutual  regard,  our  churches,  as  well  as  primary  assem- 
blies of  the  people,  must  be  rendered  places  for  battle— 
'or  neither  parly  ought  or  will  submit  to  such  interfer- 
ences. In  the  perfect  freedom  which  all  are  entitled  to 
enjoy,  there  is  the  best  motive  of  the  human  heart  to  pro- 
tect that  freedom  in  others,  that  it  may  be  safe  for  them- 
selves. As  decency  begets  a  respect  for  decency,  so  does 
violence  beget  a  spirit  of  violence,  and  the  end  is  anarchy 
mrestrained. 

Salutes  of  one  hundred  guns  are  much   in  fashion,  in 

lie  eastern  states,  and  several  have  been  fired  on  account 

of  the  result  of  the  New  York  election,  at  different  places 

— yet  we  should  not  have  mentioned  them,  uow,  perhaps, 

jut  for  the  following  incidents: 

When  the  deposites  were  removed  from  the  office  of 
he  bank  of  the  United  States,  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  the 
•democrats"  fired  a  salute  of  one  hundred  guns — and 
.vhen  the  news  of  the  New  York  election  reached  that 
city,  the  "whigs"  fired  a  salute  of  one  hundred  guns.  So 
ar  the  account  was  fairly  balanced!  But  in  the  evening 
if  the  day  of  the  latter  occurrence,  the  "democrat*"  made 

great  fire  of  tar-barrels,  and  burnt  certain  effigies  which 
vere  called  Webster,  Clay,  &c.  and  then  tne  mob  pro- 
ceded  to  attack  the  United  States  bank,  and  tore  off  the 
ign,  eagle,  &cc.  and  burnt  them,  likewise.'  Some  of  the 
ioters  were  armed,  and  they  drove  off  the  peace-officers 
nd  kept-it-up  all  night.  The  etid  is  not  in  these  pro- 
eedings. 

Talking  nbnut  riots,  there  was  a  pretty  fair  specimen 
f  one  in  Baltimore,  on  Tuesday  evening  last,  in  South 
treet.  Some  young  "whigs"  had  met  to  form  a  milita- 
y  association,  and  were  attacked  by  the  "democrats" — 
ut  the  mayor  and  his  posse  interfered,  and  not  much 
arm  was  done.  If  it  is  in  this  manner  that  political 
uestions  are  to  be  settled — wo  may  well  tremble  for  our 
ountry,  though  resolved  to  meet  the  dreadful  state  of 
lings  imposed  on  a  peaceable  population.  Those  who 
oncoct  such  things  have  much  to  answer  for,  and  should 


'About  ten  Ihoufand,  (accenting  to  ineammTiirrit*  of  the 
ounil),  including,  of  (  nurse,  nil  tUranifcrs,  a«  well  u«  some 
cretins  iiulriciully  to  the  cull  ol'tlic  meeting,  &c. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


131 


be  held  directly  responsible,  when  dragged  forth  from 
their  concealments — responsible  to  public  opinion,  to  th 
latv,  or  the  operation  of  such  force  as  they  had  prepare 
the  action  of  on  other  persons. 

The  ardency  of  the  public  feeling  hourly  increases — 
and  its  influence  is  extending  with  accelerated  force  over 
all  parts  of  the  country.  The  result  of  the  New  York 
election,  with  the  now  relied  on  issue  in  Virginia,  have 
given  fresh  courage  to  one  party,  and  even  increased  the 
zeal  of  the  other,  whose  strength  is  said  to  be  weaken- 
ing— but  these  are  matters  in  which  we  do  not  interfere. 
It  may  be  observed,  also,  that  the  "anti-Jackson"  party 
are  generally  assuming  the  appellation  of  "whigs" — to 
this  no  objection  ought  to  be  made,  seeing  that  the  "Jack- 
son" party  exclusively  assumed  to  itself  the  "democra- 
tic" name;  but  we  think  it  unjust,  and  surely  inexpedient, 
for  the  first  to  apply  the  term  "lories"  to  their  opponents, 
though  the  other  side  has  freely  used  that  of  "federalists' 
in  the  way  of  reproach.*  "Every  good  rule  works  boll 
ways."  And,  whatever  may  be  the  secret  purposes  or 
private  motives  of  individuals  prominent  in  the  fields  ol 
political  controversy,  the  great  body  of  the  intelligent 
members  of  every  party  must  needs  be  honest,  and  ought 
to  be  so  regarded.  The  present  chief  causes  whiuh  agi- 
tate the  public  mind  we  do  not  think,  however,  should 
be  considered  as  mere  party  questions.  They  involve  a 
condition  of  things  infinitely  more  important  than  the 
upholding  of  this  man,  or  putting  down  of  that — and  new 
principles  of  action  are  pressing  themselves  on  the  pub- 
lic attention,  in  the  wreck  of  confidence,  derangement 
and  loss  of  business,  and  alarming  deficiency  of  employ- 
ment for  laboring  persons,  the  effect  of  which  no  man 
can  yet  at  all  appreciate;  and  there  is  a  degree  of  fever- 
ishness  among  the  people  on  these,  and  other  accounts, 
that  indicates  a  still  much  worse  state  of  things.  Mode- 
ration, with  firmness,  and  proper  degrees  of  bearing  and 
forbearing,  may  relieve  present  prospects,  and  restore 
the  nation  to  the  peaceful  and  prosperous  state  which  we 
lately  enjoyed. 

The  "Globe"  of  Tuesday  last  makes  certain  "hits"  at 
me — which,  for  the  reason  that  it  is  the  "official"  paper, 
I  shall  briefly  notice. 

The  short  article  in  the  last  REGISTER  is  quoted,  which 
begins  thus: 

"ft  is  quite  plain,  we  think,  that  a  great  crisis  in  the  history 
of  our  country  is  rapidly  approaching,  and,  perhaps,  is  closer  at 
hand  than  is  generally  apprehended.  Thing*  cannot  remain  and 
stand  still — as  they  arc.  There  must  he  a  forward  or  retrograde 
movement!  The  usual  political  questions  of  parties  are  merg- 
ing into  personally  interesting,  or  yet  loftier  considerations," 

&.C. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  the  publisher  of  certain  ano- 
nymously-murdering-fetter*  should  have  discovered  con- 
templated breaches  of  the  peace,  in  this  article!  The 
"official"  editor  knows  no  more  of  my  principles  and 
practices,  than  he  does  of  my  birth  place,  to  be  noticed 
below.  I  never,  in  my  whole  life,  counselled  or  know- 
ingly excited  or  aided,  in  any  manner  whatsoever,  a 
breach  of  the  public  peace,  nor  encouraged  partizans  to 
do  what  I  myself  was  unwilling  or  ashamed  to  do.  My  edu- 
cation, habits  and  poor  capabilities,  have  confined  me 
as  well  to  defensive  propositions  as  defensive  proceed- 
ings. The  matters  suggested  had  relation  only,  and  ex- 
clusively, to  the  growing  pressure  on  the  money  market, 
and  want  of  employment  for  laboring  men.  I  had  Just 
been  informed  that  several  heavy  failures  were  feared, 
and  of  large  amounts  of  working  people  about  to  be  dis- 
charged. The  first  has  not  yet  happened,  and  I  wish 
that  it  may  not;  but  the  latter  is  in  powerful  operation, 
in  this  eity  and  its  vicinity.  I  did  apprehend,  however, 
that  the  people,  rendered  "mad"  by  the  want  of  subsist- 
ence or  a  waste  of  means,  might  commit  acts  of  violence 
on  persons  and  property,  and  so  lead  on  to  unhappy,  but 
at  the  same  time  unpremeditated,  events.  I  do  seriously 
apprehend  this.  The  want  of  employment  has  prepared 
many  for  a  high  state  of  political  excitement,  and  action. 

In  the  same  number  of  the  REGISTER  it  is  said  that  I 
"complimented"  Mr.  JWcDuffie,  in  simply  stating  the 
fact,  that  he  and  others  had  been  received  with  "flatter- 


*Thoui»h  a  name  in  which  several  of  those  who  stand  nearest 
the  president  have  gloried'. 


ing  attentions"  at  Pi.iladeJphia.     I  paid  no  other  "com- 
pliment" than  this.     Was  it  not  so? 

The  "Globe"  next  makes  some  extracts  from  a  speech 
of  Mr.  McDuffie,  in  which  he  quoted  a  few  sentence* 
from  the  REGISTER. 

That  proceeding  was  promptly  met  at  the  time — and 
it  is  not  at  all  necessary  to  recur  to  il  now. 

Bui — would  it  have  been  sinful  to  have  complimented 
Mr.  McDujfie?  Are  hard  words,  used  in  the  heat  of 
discussions,  to  remain  as  perpetu.nl  barriers  between  indi- 
viduals, and  on  all  subjects?  If  so — what  would  be  the 
relation  between  president  Jackson,  and  my  old  brother 
editor,  Mr.  Ritchie?  I  have  often  heard  the  personal 
opinions  of  the  former  concerning  the  latter — and  every 
body  has  seen  the  prophecies  of  Mr.  R.  as  to  gen.  Jack- 
son's election  to  the  presidency.  And  how  would  it  be 
with  nearly  every  person  who  now  is  regarded  as  of  the 
most  faithful  and  familiar  friends  of  the  president?  It  is 
the  fashion  of  the  "organized  press"  of  the  present  dar, 
to  call  every  man  an  "apostate,"  "turncoat,"  &c.  "if 
changing  his  political  opinions  against  the  policy  which 
the  president  is  pleased  to  prescribe — but  the  "organiz- 
ed" should  recollect  that  changes  to  their  side  are  as  well 
the  acts  of  apostates  and  turncoats!  Thus,  if  a  person 
leaves  one  religious  society  and  joins  himself  to  another, 
his  old  associates  may  consider  him  a  renegade,  but  the 
other  respects  \\\m  &s  A  saint .  The  difference  between 
revolution  and  rebellion  is  only  in  the  success,  or  want  of 
success,  as  may  happen — and 

"Treason  has  never  prospered— what's  the  reason? 
Why— when  it  prospers  none  do  call  it  treason.'"  ' 

And  it  is  possible,  also,  that  we  may  hate  nullification 
less  than  consolidation. 

The  last  paragraph  of  the  "Globe"  concludes  thus 
speaking  of  the  editor  of  the  REGISTER — 

"Thank  God  he  is  not  an  American  by  birth.  He  has  not  the 
lean  of  an  American." 

Finis  coronal  opus!  As  to  the  land  of  my  nativity— 
my  paternal  grandfather,  as  I  have  alwavs  understood 
was  born  either  at  "Upland"  or  Philadelphia— my  father 
at  Philadelphia — myself  near  the  banks  of  the  Brandv- 
wme,  and  a  few  days  after  my  mother  had  narrowly  es- 
caped with  her  life  from  the  bayonet  of  a  British  soldier, 
who  bravely  attacked  her,  just  previous  to  the  battle.  My 
ather's  brother  (also  born  in  Philadelphia),  died  not 
ong  ago  in  that  city  of  extreme  old  age;  and  it  is  now 
one  hundred  years  since  the  lime  of  his  birth.  My  mo- 
her  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Del.  about  eighty-five  years 
ago,  and  was  of  the  family  of  the  Ways,  distinguished 
rtmong  the  companions,  disciples,  or  followers  of  William 
Penn, 

Of  my  "heart"  I  shall  say  nothing — except  to  thank 
leaven  that  such  persons  as"  the  editor  of  the  "Globe" 
lave  no  part  in,  or  influence  over  it. 

The  following  queer  paragraph  appears  in  the  Phila- 
lelphia  "Sentinel" — the  "bv  authority"  paper — 

We  understand,  that  there  will  he  no  election  for  a  member 
it  congress  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Lawrence,  the  newly  elected 
mayor  of  New  York,  until  November  next.  By  that  time,  there 
s  reason  to  hope,  that  the  extraordinary  political  excitement, 
which  now  prevails  in  our  sitter  city,  will  have  subsided,  and 
he  selection  of  a  suitable  successor  be  calmly  and  dispassion- 
tely  made. 

This  idea  must  have  been  matured  in  the  same  shop 
n  which  the  notion  was  entertained  of  postponing  the 
harter  eleclion  of  Albany,  until  a  more  "convenient 
"ason." 

The  "Pennsylvanian"  speaking  of  the  senate  of  the 
Jnited  States,  says — 

"The  democrats  never  heartily  sanctionrd  it,  nnd  now,  hav- 
g  the  power,  should  amend  or  ge<  rid  of  it  once  and  forever'." 
And  then  cautions  the  senate  against  refusing  to  pass 
be  appropriation  bills,  adding— 

"Let  them,  if  they  dare,  and  haslet)  the  bursting  of  the  storm 
vhich  is  already  lowering  above  their  heads.  They  have  yet 
o  learn  to  what  an  indignant  people  may  be  aroused." 

We  hope  that  the  sedate  and  peace-loving  editor  of 
he   "Globe,"  will  take  the  editor  of  the  "PennsyNa- 
ian"  in  charge — lecture  him  soundly,  and  tell  us  from 
whence  he  came,  and  when,  and  who  he  is. 

Our  old  friend  of  the  "Richmond  Enquirer"  is  thrown 
poii  two  horns  of  a  dilemma  by  the  president's  pro- 


132 


N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— BANKS,  CURRENCY,  &c. 


test,  and  is  in  the  same  "fix"  that  the  proclamation  plac- 
ed him  in — that  of  being  compelled  to  argue  on  both 
sides.  If  we  had  room,  we  should  give  his  essay  of 
Tuesday  last,  for  it  is,  indeed,  a  funny  one.  When  his 
rudder  escapes  Seylla,  the  prow  is  in  danger  of  Chnryb- 
dis;  and  there  is  no  "middle  way"  of  safety  unless  in 
the  craft  of  the  ink-fish,  which  sometimes  conceals  it- 
self, and  escapes,  hy  blackening  the  space  that  it  holds 
in  the  sea. 

John  H.  Eaton  has  been  appointed  by  the  president  ol 
the  United  States,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  se- 
nate, to  be  governor  of  the  territory  of  Florida,  to  suc- 
ceed governor  Duval,  whose  term  of  service  has  expir- 
ed. The  nomination,  made  to  the  senate  some  days  ago, 


•was  confirmed  yesterday. 


[Nut.  Int.  Jlp.  25. 


RHODE  ISLAND.  Mr.  Francis,  being  supported  by  the 
anti-masonic  and  administration  parties,  has  been  re- 
elected  governor  of  this  state,  by  a  majority  of  about  125 


or  150  votes.     Last  year  his  majority  was  749. 
litical  character  of  the  legislature  is  disputed. 


The  po- 


CoxjfECTicuT.     Contrary  to  first  reports,   it   appear 
that,  by  the  division  of  the  votes  between  three  parties 
Mr.  Foot  has  not  been  elected  governor,  by  the  majori 
ty  required.     He  wants   from  40  to  60  votes.     So  the 
choice  devolves  on  the  legislature. 

NEW  YOIIK,  (CITT),  ELECTION.  The  following  is  pub 
lishcd  as  shewing  the  official  returns  of  votes,  at  the  lat 


election: 


•Aldermen, 


Wards. 
1 

Verplitnck. 
1,516 

Lati-rence. 
588 

Whigs. 
1.480 

Tammany. 

2 

1,134 

531 

1,117 

51  0 

3 

1,2-24 

684 

1,221 

665 

4 

1,317 

1.093 

1  ,239 

1,147 

5 

1,303 

l',175 

1,266 

1,191 

6 

790 

1,103 

80S 

1,033 

7 

1.418 

1,600 

1,484 

1,483 

8 

1,841 

1,769 

1,820 

1,725 

9 

1,201 

1,453 

1,239 

1,378 

10 

1,244 

1,588 

1,282 

1,550 

11 

1,128 

1,959 

1,072 

1,974 

12 

506 

950 

635 

830 

13 

885 

1,346 

891 

1,307 

14 

973 

1,120 

951 

1,083 

15 

914 

614 

903 

614 

17,394 

17,575 

17,314 

17,062 

17,394 

17,062 

Tammany  majority, 


181 


[The  vote  at  the  electoral  election  of  1832  was — Jack- 
son 18,020,  anti-Jackson  12,506.] 

NEW  YORK.  House  of  assembly,  Jpril  19.  Mr.  Gan- 
sevoort  reported  in  favor  of  the  bill  from  t/te  assembly 
relating  to  the  city  of  Jlluany. 

Mr.  Livingston  moved  to  refer  this  bill  to  the  attorney 
general  for  his  opinion  in  relation  to  the  constitutionality 
of  that  section  which  authorises  some  officers  of  the  city 
of  Albany  to  hold  their  places  for  six  months  after  the 
time  for  which  they  have  been  elected  by  the  people 
shall  have  expired.  His  present  opinion  was,  that  if  they 
could  be  legislated  into  office  for  six  months,  they  might 
be  so  continued  in  office  for  any  length  of  time. 

The  motion  to  refer  to  the  attorney  general  was  adopt- 
ed. 

[It  is  said  that  the  object  of  this  bill  is  to  continue  cer- 
tain persons  in  office,  to  avoid  a  popular  election,  at  the 
present  time — the  period  fixed  in  the  charter  for  choos- 
ing them  being  close  at  hand.] 

On  another  day,  in  the  assembly — 

Mr.  Humphrey  offered  a  resolution  direetini  the  committee 
on  the  militia  and  tin;  public  defence  to  inquire  into  Hie  expe- 
diency of  removing  the  state  arsenal  from  the  city  of  New  York, 
and  selling  the  lot  on  which  it  is  situated. 

Mr.  H.  said  that  recent  evonts  had  demonstrated  that  the 
arsenal  situated  as  it  was  in  the  centre  of  the  city  of  New  York, 
was  not  a  safe  depository  of  the  public  arms  and  ammunition. 
It  was  evident  that  at  any  time  nn  excited  mob  might  get  pos- 
session of  the  arsenal  and  turn  the  arms  intended  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  whole  against  on*  portion  of  our  citizen*.  There 
was  no  object  of  public  utility  to  be  answered  by  retaining  them 
wheie  they  wure.  For  all  purposes  of  supplying  the  miluia,  an 


r?enal  thirty  miles  off  would  be  as  valuable  and  convenient  a« 
ne  in  the  centre  of  the  city.  He  trusted  that  extended  remarks 
were  not  necessary  on  this  subject.    It  must  force  itself  on  the 
idgment  of  every  member  of  the  house,  that  it  was  unsafe  to 
lace  arms  and  ammunition  where  they  might  be  seized  by  a 
nob  under  any  pretext  which  they  might  choose  to  assign  at  a 
moment  of  excitement.     It  was  owing  to  a  merciful  interposi- 
ion  of  Providence   in  assuaging  the   passions  of  a  miillitiite, 
hat  the  city  of  New  York,  was  not  very  recently  the  theatre  of 
a  scene   of  slaughter  that  would  have  disgraced  this  country 
brever.     He  hoped  that  another  opportunity  would  not  be  sut- 
ured to  pass  by  without  guarding  against  the  recurrence  of  such 
a  calamity  in  future. 

Mr-  Myers  paid  he  had  no  objection  to  the  reference,  as  it 
proposed  simply  nn  inquiry.  He  conceived  it  to  be  a  libel  on 
he  citizens  of  New  York,  to  say  that  they  were  not  to  be  trust- 
id  with  arms  and  ammunition  in  the  centre  of  the  city.  The 
great  mass  of  the  prople  ought  not  to  be  held  responsible  for 
he  acts  of  the  few  excited  persons  who  recently  broke  into  the 
•usenal.  Such  scenes  as  the  gentleman  had  referred  to,  were 
uncommon,  and  peculiarly  so,  considering  Hie  very  great  num- 
ber of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city.  Still  he  could  not  object  to 
an  inquiry,  and  he  was  in  favor  of  having  a  report  on  the  sub- 
ject. 

The  resolution  was  then  adopted. 

NEW  JEIISF.Y.  The  local  elections  in  this  state,  as  re- 
ferred to  by  Messrs.  Fretinghiiysen  and  Southard,  in  the 
senate,  are  said  to  shew  a  great  revolution  in  public 
opinion. 

PKJJNSTLVASIA.  The  following  resolutions  wereadopt- 
ed  unanimously  in  the  legislature  of  this  stale: 

Whereas,  an  application  is  now  pending  in  the  con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  for  the  repeal  or  reduction  of 
the  duty  on  Nova  Scotia  and  Liverpool  coal;  therefore, 

Resolved  by  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives,  &c. 
That  in  the  opinion  of  this  legislature,  the  repeal  of  the 
duly  on  foreign  coal  would  be  against  the  best  policy  of 
the  country,  and  particularly  injurious  to  the  interests  of 
the  people  of  Pennsylvania;  and  that  if  any  alteration  be 
made  in  the  tariff  of  duties  upon  those  articles,  it  should 
be  rather  increased  than  diminished. 

Resolved,  That  the  governor  be  requested  to  transmit 
a  copy  of  the  above  resolution  to  each  of  our  senators 
and  representatives  in  congress,  as  an  expression  of  the 
opinion  of  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania. 

fJtf«So  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  two  years  ago, 
passed  resolutions  in  favor  of  rechartering  the  bank  of 
the  United  States! 

VIHGIXIA.  The  "National  Intelligencer"  gives  what 
it  calls  a  corrected  table  of  the  return  of  members  of  the 
house  of  delegates,  so  far  as  received — and  shews  that  25 
0  wn'BrnnJ-  administration  and  39  "opposition"  members  have  been 
chosen.  The  whole  number  is  134.  It  is  said — of  those 
who  yet  remain  to  be  heard  from,  that  a  decided  ma- 
jority is  anticipated  in  opposition  to  the  recent  measures 
of  the  administration. 

[VV«  have  some  further  accounts  from  Virginia.  Several 
more  counties  are  reported  against  the  administration,  two  of 
which  are  changes.  Even  Culpeper,  the  late  "brag"  county  of 
Mr.  Ritckie,  is  against  him — 375  to  359.  Mr.  R.  expc'-'ed,  at 
least,  500  votes  in  this  county,  and  said  that  Mr.  Hill,  (the  un- 
successful candidate),  was  the  -'very  strongest  man"  in  it. 
But  the  "protest"  arrived  on  the  day  of  the  election,  and  cap- 
sized all  calculations  that  had  been  made  on  Culpeper.  It  is 
the  opinion  of  well  informed  men,  that,  if  the  protest  had  been 
published  and  spread  through  the  stale  before  the  elections 
commenced,  the  friends  of  the  administration,  in  the  next  hnupe 
cif  deli.'LMten,  would  have  been  "like  angels'  visits— few  and  far 
between."] 

BANKS — CDRRENCY — AND    THE   TIMES. 

The  very  respectable  directors  of  the  bank  of  Potomac,  anil 
Farmer*  hank  of  Alexandria,  have  given  notice,  under  their 
hands  and  seals,  that  they  jointly  and  severally  have  bound 
themselves,  and  their  heirs,  Sec.  to  guaranty  the  payment  of 
all  notes  issued  by  mid  bank*,  or  claims  against  them,  on  ac- 
count of  dcpositesor  otherwise — which  guaranty  extends  to  the 
period  for  which  they  have  been  elected.  This  proceeding  will 
do  much  to  quiet  the  public  mind  concerning  these  hanks. 

A  similar  guaranty  has  been  made  and  procl.iiiiH'd  by  the  di- 
rectors of  the  bank  of  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  at  Leesbmg. 

The  following  shows  the  mte  of  the  currency,  at  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  on  the  12th  instant— 

I'nili'd  States  hank  notes,  wherever  payable — par;  bank  of 
Kentucky  and  Commonwealth  bunk  15  per  cent.  dis.  Tennes- 
>!•!•,  Ii,>,.t  2£  dig.  others  5  dis.  Ohio,  notes  of  many  bank*  not 
received— others  2i  dis.  Virginia,  all  the  banks,  21  dis.  Mis- 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— CONGRESS. 


133 


sissippi,  a"  the  banks,  10  dis.  Louisiana,  do.  5  per  cent.  dis. 
Pennsylvania— many  uncertain— Girard  bank  2i  (Us.  Indiana, 
(one  bank),  2-i  dis.  Michigan  2J  dis.  Alabama,  all  the  banks 
12  discount. 

The  Washington  Globe  lately  said  the  friends  of  the  consti- 
tntion,  (meaning  the  friend*  of  the  administration),  will  not 
compromise  with  their  consciences  and  oaths,  by  conjuring  up 
alternatives.  They  have  no  alternative,  but  to  go  resolutely 
against  a  national  bank,  fty  whomsoever  proposed,  and  in  what- 
soever form.  This  is  plain  English. 

George  Brown,  e?q.  having  resigned  the  office  of  president  of 
the  Mechanic's  bank  of  Baltimore,  with  the  view  of  giving  his 
attention  to  the  affairs  of  the  house  of  Alexander  Brown  &  Sons, 
which  devolved  upon  him  by  the  death  of  his  father,  the  board 
of  directors  of  that  institution  have  unanimously  elected  John 
B.  Morris, esq.  president  in  his  room,  and  passed  a  well  deserv- 
ed and  highly  complimentary  resolution  concerning  Mr.  Brown. 
It  is  known  that  large  quantities  of  specie  have  lately  been 
imported  into  the  United  States.  Nearly  the  whole  of  it,  how- 
ever, it  appears,  belongs  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  The 
Philadelphia  National  Gazette  of  Saturday  says— "We  under- 
stand that  there  has  arrived,  since  October. last,  at  the  ports  of 
New  York  and  Philadelphia,  no  less  than  two  millions  three 
hundred  thousand  dollars  for  the  bank,  and  that  six  hundred 
thousand  more  are  expected— making  an  aggregate  of  nearly 
three  millions;  so  that  the  bank  itself  is  the  real  introducer  of 
specie  in  those  ports." 

On  the  19th  of  March,  1816,  Alexander  J.  Dallas,  then  sec- 
retary of  the  treasury,  in  a  letter  to  congress,  on  the  national 
currency,  made  the  following  important  declaration,  founded 
upon  actual  practical  experience: 

"1  cannot  conclude  this  letter,"  says  Mr.  Dallas,  "without 
an  expression  of  some  solicitude  at  the  situation  of  the  treasu 
rv.  The  state  banks  have  ceased  to  afford  any  accommoda 
lion  for  the  transfer  of  its  funds.  The  revenue  is  paid  in  treasu- 
ry notes,where  treasury  notes  are  below  par;  and  the  public 
engagements  can  only  be  satisfactorily  discharg«d  in  treasury 
notes,  which  are  immediately  funded  at  7  per  cent.  &c.  Dis- 
content and  speculations  are  abroad;  and  all  the  estimates  of  the 
amount  of  the  funded  debt,  created  since  the  commencement  of 
the  late  war,  will  probably  fail,  unless  the  wisdom  of  congress 
shall  effectually  provide  for  the  restoration  of  a  uniform  national 
currency. 

Mr.  Dallas,  in  his  annual  treasury  report  to  congress,  on  the 
6th  of  December,  1815,  observes: 

"Of  the  services  rendered  to  the  government  by  some  of  the 
state  banks,  justice  requires  an  explicit  acknowledgment.  It  is 
A  fact,  however,  inconteslibly  proved,  that  those  institutions 
cannot  at  this  time  be  successfully  employed  to  furnish  a  uni- 
form national  currency.  The  failure  of  an  attempt  to  associate 
them  with  that  view  has  already  been  stated.  Another  at- 
tempt, by  their  agency  in  circulating  treasury  notes,  to  over- 
come the  inequalities  of  the  exchange,  has  only  b«en  partially 
successful,"  &c.  "The  truth  is,  that  the  charter  restrictions 
of  some  of  the  banks,  the  mutual  relations  and  dependence  of 
the  hanks  of  the  same  slate,  and  even  banks  of  different  states, 
and  the  duty  which  the  directors  of  each  bank  conceive  that 
they  owe  to  their  constituents,  upon  points  of  security  or  emo- 
lument, interpose  an  insuperable  obstacle  to.  any  voluntary  ar- 
rangements, upon  national  considerations  alone,  for  the  esta- 
blishment of  a  national  medium  through  the  agency  of  the  slate 
banks." 

A  great  deal  of  suffering  has  been  caused  in  Baltimore  on 
account  of  the  sudden  and  unreasonable  depression  of  the  cur- 
rent value  of  the  notes  of  the  hanks  of  Virginia— as  sound  and 
wholesome,  we  believe,  as  those  of  any  other  state.  A  very 
large  part  of  our  common  circulation  was  in  these  notes.  Some 
were,  partially,  received  in  certain  of  our  banks,  and  the  rest 
used  for  the  discharge  of  debts  and  bills  not  payable  in  bank, 
and  fifties  of  thousands  of  dollars  in  them  changed  hands 
eveiy  week,  being  turned  over  and  over  and  over  again.  The 
linker  and  the  butcher  and  the  grocer,  and  store- keeper  receiv- 
ed them  as  par  money,  and  so  they  were  paid  out  to  working 
people  of  every  description  as  a  SOUTH!  currency,  which  might 
be  converted  into  bank  currency,  at  1  per  cent,  loss  only,  or  a 
little  more.  But  few  of  these  notes  were  sent  home  by  those 
who  dealt  in  them.  The  brokers  exchanged,  at  their  own 
counters,  in  one  way  or  another,  the  amounts  received  by  them 
and  they  were  preferred,  at  a  small  rate  of  discount,  by  those 
who  brought  in  Virginia  flour,  caltl«,  &c.  But  when  tlie  higl 
discount  of  5  or  even  10  per  cent,  was  demanded,  the  peopli 
foli'jht  iij-Mmst,  and  rejected  them,  mid  their  circulation  wa 
only  at  or  from  the  brokers'  office!';  and  the  bank  mnitpy  of  the 
brokers  was  coon  swallowed  up  in  purchases  of  th'>m,  to  b 
relieved  only  by  time  and  expense  in  sending  them  home.  I 
is  not  easy  to  fix  a  probable  amount  ofViruinii  money"  cir 
culatina  ill  Baltimore  and  its  immediate  vicinity,  a  month  ago — 
but  if  we  said  200.000  dollars,  wo  think  that  it  would  he  below 
the  real  sum.  Thec#ect  of  the  sudden  retirement  of  such  a  larg 
amount  from  th«  continually  moving  business  of  the  people 
superadded  to  the  general  want  of  currency,  may  be  easier  ni 
ticiputed  than  described. 

The  Williams-port.  Banner  states  "tlmt  the  Chesapeake  an 
Ohio  canal  company  have  resolved  to  Issue  its  own  notes  i 
payment  for  labor.  &.c.  on  the  canal.  These  notes  will  be  re 


deemed  in  twelve  months,  with  interest  al4  percent,  (by  the 
sale  of  the  slock  of  the  stale  of  Maryland,  and  ihe  District  cor- 
porations) which  are  to  be  conveyed  to  trustees  for  that  pur- 
pose. They  will  also  be  received  by  the  canal  company  in 
payment  of  all  debts  due  to  it,  and  likewise  for  tolls.  This 
measure  has  been  resorted  to  by  the  company  because  il  was 
found  impracticable,  under  the  exisling  Mate  of  the  money 
market,  to  convert  the  slocks  il  held  into  money,  wilhoul  great 
loss." 

We  have  reports  of  a  pressure  on  the  money  market  at  New 
Orleans  that  are  too  extravagant  to  be  believed.  They  would 
imply  that  a  season  of  almost  universal  bankruptcy  had  been 
arrived  at. 

Rates  of  discount,  Sec.  on  bank  notes  at  Philadelphia,  April 
19 — broken  banks,  in  all  cases,  excepted.  Banks  of  Maine,  New 
Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut  and 
Vermont,  li  a  2  per  cent,  discount;  New  York  (cily)  par  a  1— 
country  2  a  4;  New  Jersey,  several  at  par — others  1  a  3;  Penn- 
sylvania, country  banks — several  at  par,  others  various,  from 
1£  to  5;  Delaware,  at  par  a  1;  Maryland— Baltimore  notes,  par 
a  I — country  banks  3  a  5;  District  of  Columbia  5  a  10,  Virginia. 
5  a  10 — except  Wheeling  3  a  5;  North  Carolina  and  South  Ca- 
rolina 3  a  5;  Georgia  5  a  10;  Ohio  3  a  10;  Kentucky — Louisville 
4  a  6 — other  13  a  Ifi;  Tennessee  4  a  6;  Alabama  7  a  12;  Missis- 
sippi 7  a  10;  Louisiana,  at  New  Orleans,  5  a  8;  Michigan  3  a  5; 
Indiana,  Illinois,  &c.  no  sales.  Canada  banks  6  a  8.  These 
rates  are  charged  on  what  are  called  the  notes  of  "specie  pay- 
ing banks" — and  the  excessive  amount  of  them  shows  a  great 
scarcity  of  money,  with  much  want  of  confidence;  for  inrely, 
without  disparagement  lo  the  Philadelphia  banks,  others  are 
equally  solvent,  and  as  able  lo  meet  their  engagements. 

The  Globe  says— "We  learn  that  on  the  7lh,8th,  9th,  lOlh, 
llth  and  12lh  of  this  month,  §1,292,135,  was  imported  into  one 
cily  north  of  us.  This  shows  how  readily  our  commerce  may 
supply  specie  currency  for  general  circulation." 

Bui  Ihe  Journal  of  Commerce  remarks — "A   man   may  die 
readily  after  being  beaten  until  his  senses  are  benumbed.     And 
it  is  with  such  a  readily  that  specie  is  now  importing.     It.  is  ihe 
consequence  of  an  agony  in  the  money  markrt.  which  forced 
down  the  price  of  exchange  lower  than  it  had  been  for  twenty 
ears,  which  stopped  importation,  and  indeed,  suspended  all 
isincss.  We  beg  to  he  delivered  from  these  ready  operations." 
And  we  add — the  money  chiefly,  if  not  in  its  whole  amount, 
elongs  to  the.  bank  of  the  United  Stales,  who  is  arming  herself 
jr  yel  wors«  limes,  or  preparing  lo  make  a  large  profit  on  the 
i\u  of  specie,  when  commerce,  in  better  times,  shall  require  ihe 
se  of  it.     Specie  is  under  par,  from  the  want  of  means  to  pur- 
Jiase  it! — that  is,  because  of  Ihe  low  price  of  commodities  it  ml 
ahor  in  Ihe  United  States,  or  the  surplus  of  both. 
The  Girard  bank,  Philadelphia,  will  cease  to  receive  the  puu- 
c  deposites  on  the  1st  of  July,  ensuing. 

It  is  officially  announced  that  the  Farmers'  bank  of  Caiahoo- 
hee,  at  Columbus,  Georgia,  has  failed. 

The  "bank  of  Salisbury,"  on  tue  eastern  shore  of  Maryland, 
as  failed. 

Last  week's  list  of  applications  for  the  benefit  of  the  insolvent 
iws  contain  16  names — one  of  which  is  from  a  colored  man 
Hd  two  from  Baltimore  county,  leaving  13  for  tliu  cily.  We 
an  identify  only  three  persons  on  this  list;  but  the  names  of 
hree  of  them  are  found  on  the  "no  pressure"  memorial  from 
Baltimore. 


TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

April  18.  The  cAair  communicated  certain  resolutions  of  llie 
egislature  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  subject  of  a  ge- 
neral standard  of  weights  and  measures;  which  was  read  and 
eferred. 

Mr.  Kent,  of  Md.  presenled  a  memorial  from  citizens  of 
'rince  George's  county,  favorable  to  the  restoration  of  Hie  de- 
josites,  which  was  read,  referred,  ftc. 

[Mr.  Kent,  on  Ihis  occasion,  pronounced  a  long  and  able 
ipccch,  which  would  be  gladly  made  room  for — in  time-:  li.-ss 
>usy  than  the  present.] 

Mr.  Wright  presented  five  memorials  from  citizen*  of  the 
towns  of  Pittsfoid  and  Seneca  Falls,  and  the  counties  of  Rock- 
•and  and  Rensselatr,  opposed  to  the  restoration  of  the  rtepo- 
sites,  which  were  referred,  &c." 

The  senate  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  unfinished 
business  of  yesterday,  being  ihe  motion  not  to  receive  the  mes- 
sage of  the  president  of  the"  United  States  on  the  subject  of  the 
resolution  of  the  senate  of  the  28th  ult ;  when 

Mr.  Lri«h  addressed  the  senate  for  about  two  hours.  He  had 
(in  rrply  to  Mr.  King,  of  Alabama,  who  had  claimed  for  the 
president  the  merit  of  adjusting  the  tariff  question),  just  paid  an 
incidental  compliment  to  Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  Lelcher  for  the 
agency  they  had  in  adjusting  the  toriffquestion  al  the  last  ses- 
sion, when  he  was  interrupted  by  loud  plaudits  in  the  gallery. 

The  cAair  suspended  the  discussion,  and  ordered  the  galleries 
to  he  cleared.  . 

While  the  sergeant-at-arms  was  in  the  act  ofcleanng  the  gal- 
leries the  noise  was  repealed;  whereupon 

Mr.  Senton  inovfd  that  the  persons  who  were  disturbing  the 
senate  should  be  taken  into  cuslody. 

Mr   Moore  doubted  the  propiiety  of  the  motion,  considering 

it  utterly  impracticable.    The  galleries  were  clearing  as  rapidly 

as  possible,  anil  he  was  not  disposed  to  vote  for  the  motion. 


134 


WILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  2G,  1834— CONGRESS. 


Mr.  Clayton  said,  that  he  regretted  the  niolion  had  been 
made;  but  since  it  had  been,  he  would  vote  against  it.  The 
gentleman  from  Missouri  placed  it  on  the  ground  of  a  contempt 
of  the  senate — he  did  not  view  it  in  that  light;  but  as  nn  indis- 
•creel  expression  of  public  opinion;  he  would  not  consent  that 
tiir  senate  should  array  itself  against  the  pcoj)le. 

Mr.  Benton  would  not  he  misunderstood.  He  did  not  move 
to  take  into  custody  those  who,  in  an  unguarded  moment,  ap- 
plauded the  sentiments  tittered  hy  the  senator  from  Virginia, 
but  those  who,  Inn;;  after  (hat  gentleman  had  taken  his  seat, 
continued  to  outrage  and  insult  the  senate. 

Motions  were  successively  made  to  adjourn,  and  to  lay  Mr. 
Jlenton's  motion  on  the  table,  which  were  respectively  declared 
out  of  order  hy  the  chair. 

Messrs.  Calhoun,  Poindext cr ,  Eiring  and  EilJ>,  severally  op- 
posed the  order  on  the  ground  of  its  impracticability,  its  uncon- 
Btitutionality,  inasmuch  as  any  piicli  order  would  be  a  general 
warrant  of  arrest,  which  could  not  be  legally  issued,  as  all  war- 
rant* emanating  from  the  senate,  to  be  within  the  pale  of  its 
constitutional  power,  must  designate  the  person  and  the  offence 
committed.  A  general  warrant  could  noi  be  issued  in  any  free 
country.  The  interruption  in  the  galleries  was  regretted  and 
condemned;  and,  while  the  power  of  the  senate  to  protect  its 
own  deliberations  was  fully  maintained,  the  idea  of  carrying  it 
to  excess  was  as  freely  rejected. 

Mr.  Benton  hoped  that  those  who  heard  him  and  those  who 
were  taking  notes,  would  not  represent  him  as  making  a  motion 
for  a  general  order  of  arrest.  He  then  withdrew  his  motion,  as- 
signing a*  his  reason  that  the  people  were  all  gone. 

Air.  Leizh  then  resumed  and  concluded  his  remarks;  when 

tilr.  K-nn*  obtained  the  floor,  hut  forbearing  to  proceed  at  so 
late  an  hour,  yielded  the  floor  for  the  present:  and 

Mr.  WMins  then  moved  the  senate  to  proceed  to  executive 
business. 

Mr.  Clayton  opposed  the  motion  on  the  ground  that  it  did  not 
become  the  senate  to  transact  any  other  executive  business  un 
til  the  present  debate  was  terminated,  and  the  communication 
,cf  the  president  disposed  of. 

Mr.  H-'iUctn*  explained,  that  his  only  reason  was  to  consider 
a  treaty  which  would  require  ratification  in  a  few  days,  and 
then  withdrew  his  motion;  when  the  senate  adjourned  until 
Monday. 

April  21.  A  message  was  received  from  the  president  of  the 
United  States,  explanatory  of  some  of  the  expression*  and  ar- 
gument-' contained  in  his  message  and  protest,  communicated 
last  week,  which  was  read.  [This  message  will  be  found  in  a 
subsequent  page],  it  gave  rise  to  an  animated  debate, in  a  dis- 
cussion growing  out  of  the  original  message,  and  this  amend- 
ment to  it.  Mr.  Poindexter  rose  and  said  he  desired  to  make 
the- same  motion  in  regard  to  this,  that  he  had  made  relative  to 
the  original  message;  he  moved  to  lay  this  on  the  table,  and 
would  send  to  the  chair  the  following  resolutions  which  he 
offered  as  a  modification  of  his  original  motion,  that  the  paper 
-be  not  received,  and  whieh  he  moved  to  print. 

The  resolutions  were  then  read  as  follows: 

"Resolved,  That  the  president,  in  transmitting  the  paper 
whieh  he  did  to  the  senate,  on  the  17th  instant,  which  lie  re- 
quested lo  he  placed  on  its  journals,  as  an  executive  protest, 
against  a  resolution  passed  by  the  senate,  made  a  communica- 
tion not  authorised  by  the  constitution,  nor  warranted  by  that 
mutual  interchange  of  communications  which  the  discharge  of 
official  dalies  render  necessary  arid  proper  between  the  legisla- 
tive departments  of  the  government. 

"Resolved,  That  the  president,  in  the  paper  above  referred 
lo,  assumes  powers  in  relation  to  the  senate  not  authorised  by 
the  constitution,  and  calculated,  in  its  consequences,  to  destroy 
that  harmony  which  ought  to  exist  between  the  coordinate 
departments  of  the  general  government;  to  interfere  with  the 
senate  in  the  discharge  of  its  duties;  to  degrade  it  in  the  public 
opinion;  and  finally,  to  destroy  its  independence,  by  subjecting 
its  right*  and  duties  to  the  detcrinJHaiiou  and  control  of  the 
chief  magistrate. 

"Resolved,  That  the  communication  of  a  paper  of  such  a 
character,  with  the  declarations  that  accompanied  it,  is  a  plain, 
nn  open  breaeli  of  the  constitutional  rights  and  privileges  of  the 
senate,  nnd  that  it  cannot  be  received  by  the  body,  without  a 
surrender  of  the  just  powers  confided  to  it  by  the  constitution, 
in  trust,  to  secure  the  liberty,  and  promote  the  prosperity  of 
these  slates,  and  which  the  members  are  hound  to  maintain 
tinder  .the  sacred  obligations  of  an  oath. 

"Resolce't,  therefore,  That  the  paper  be  not  received  by  the 
Donate." 

A  debate  nf  some  length  then  ensued,  upon  the  supplemental 
message  of  the  president,  and  Mr.  Poindexter^*  motion,  in 
which  Messrs.  Preston,  Forsyth,  Ewing,  Poindexter,  Clayton, 
Webster  and  Clay  participated. 

The  supplemental  message  was  then  laid  on  the  table,  and 
the  senate  proceeded  to  the  special  order  of  the  day,  being  the 
motion  of  Mr.  Poinderter,  that  the  president's  pro'lest  be  not 
rereived,  us  modified  l>v  his  resolutions. 

Mr.  K '-in;  took  the  floor  and  spoke  at  length  in  support  of 
the  motion,  and  the  resolutions,  and  \vhen  he  concluded, 

Mr.  A'ii««  ro«e-tn  speak  to  the  question,  but  gave  way  to 

Mr.  IFilfrtru,  who  moved  to  go  into  the  consideration  of  ex- 
ecutive business;  whieh  motion  was  disagreed  to. 

Mr.  Forsyth  said,  before,  the  senator  from  Illinois  proceeded, 
tie  wished  to  make  «  motion  hy  way  of  amendment,  and  ac- 
cordingly moved  ai  «n  amendment  to  th«  resolutions,  after  tbe 


words  "passed  hy  the  senate,"  in  the  first  resolution,  to  insert 
the  protest  at  length,  and  also  the  supplemental  message. 

Mr.  Leigh  asked  whether  he  was  to  understand  that  the  mere 
motion  of  tint  gentlemen  from  Georgia,  would  have  the  effect 
of  spreading  the  protest  on  the  journal. 

The  presiding  officer,  (Mr.  King,  of  Ala.)  replied  that  it 
would. 

Mr.  SM  then  objected  to  the  motion  as  being  out  of  order, 
inasmuch  as  it  went  lo  defeat  the  very  intention  of  the  resolu- 
tion. 

Mr.  Calhoun  thought  it  a  very  novel  case.  The  object  of  all 
rules  was  to  carry  into  effect  the  intention  of  the  body,  and  the 
very  point  under  debate  was  whether  the  paper  should  go  on 
the  journals.  He,  therefore,  submitted  whether  the  main  ob- 
ject could  thus  be  defeated  by  a  side  movement. 

Mr.  Forsyth  desired  to  incorporate  the  true  character  of  the 
message  in  the  resolutions,  in  order  that  both  might  be  present- 
ed together. 

Mr.  Calhoun  then  insisted  that  Mr.  Forsytli'i  motion  be  re- 
duced to  writing  in  accordance  with  the  rules. 

Some  conversation  then  took  place  between  Mr.  Clayton, 
Mr.  Clay,  and  the  secretary,  about  certain  alterations  all'eged 
to  have  been  made  in  the  protest  after  it  had  been  presented  lo 
the  senate— the  printed  copy  not  being  identical  with  the  manu- 
script message. 

The  secretary  being  called  on  lo  explain  that  matter,  stated 
that  the  private  secretary  of  the  president,  Mr.  Donclson,  call- 
ed on  him  the  day  following  the  presentation  of  the  message, 
and  desired  to  make  a  few  verbal  corrections  of  errors,  which 
existed  in  the  message.  But  the  secretary  believing  that  he 
had  no  authority  to  allow  any,  the  least  alteration  to"  be  made 
in  thr  paper,  told  Mr.  Donelson  so,  who  was  perfectly  satisfied 
with  the  answer.  The  secretary  afterwards  made  pencil  marks 
of  the  corrections  suggested  by  Mr.  Donelson,  above  the  words 
in  the  manuscript  proposed  to  be  struck  out,  which  now  ap- 
pear on  the  paper, 

Mr.  Foreyih  then  sent  to  the  chair  the  original  paper,  na  his 
motion  reduced  to  writing,  in  accordance  with  the  requisition 
of  Mr.  Calhoun  to  that  effect. 

Mr.  Poindexter  and  Mr.  Calhoun  then  objected  that  the 
document  itself  could  not  be  so  used— that  it  was  out  of  order. 

The  chair  decided  that  it  was  in  order. 

Mr.   Calhoun  then  appealed  from  the  decision  of  the  chair. 

Mr.  Webster  approved  oflhe  appeal.  If  the  motion  was  re- 
jected, the  gentleman  from  Georgia  might  put  the  document  in 
his  pocket,  and  move  off  with  it.  It  was  onr  own  document, 
not  that  he  had  any  particular  desire  to  have  it.  but  he  would 
rather  have  it  in  our  own  power.  The  gentleman  had  no  right 
to  the  document  of  the  senate. 

Mr.  Preston  said,  it  was  remarkable  how  gentlemen  contrived 
to  make  one  document  perform  so  many  offices.  One  day  it 
was  a  protest — another  an  answer.  And  while  in  discussion 
here,  it  assumes  another  shape  hy  the  interposition  of  the  pri- 
vate secretary  of  the  president,  and  now  it  is  an  amendment  to 
a  resolution. 

Mr.  Calhoun  said  he  would  not  hesitate  to  withdraw  his  ob- 
jection, if  the  gentleman  from  Georgia  would  withdraw  his  mo- 
tion, and  send  the  paper  hack  where  it  came  from. 

Mr.  Forsvth  said  he  might  suppose  from  the  manner  in  which 
his  motion  had  been  treated, that  gentleman  intended  to  deprive 
him  of  his  right  to  have  his  proposed  amendment  on  the  jour- 
nal'. The  rules  of  the  senate  did  not  require  him  to  have  his 
motion  written  out  expressly  for  the  purpose;  for  if  he  should 
be  required  to  copy  the  message,  it  would  take  him  several 
hours,  and  the  lime  for  offering  it  would  pass  away.  The  gen- 
tlemen were  to  use  it  as  a  means  of  invective  against  the  presi- 
dent, and  he  (Mr.  F.)  was  not  to  be  permitted  to  use  it  in  his  de- 
fence. As  respects  the  alleged  alterations,  he  would  say,  that 
the  paper  was  the  president's  till  it  was  received  by  th«  senate, 
and  he  had  a  right  to  alter  it  till  it  was  received  by  the  senate. 
And  what  were  the  alterations?  Was  there  any  attempt  at 
fraud  or  covertly  effecting  them?  The  president  did  not  desire, 
nor  was  he  inclined  to  shrink  from  any  tiling  that  he  had  ever 
said  or  done,  either  here  or  elsewhere. 

Mr.  Frelinghuysen  then  moved  tlmt  the  senate  adjourn;which 
was  agreed  loon  a  division  of  19  to  18. 

The  senate  adjourned. 

Jlpril  22.  The  chair  communicated  the  annual  commercial 
statements  from  the  treasury  department. 

Mr.  Webster  rose  and  said,  it  would  b«  remembered  that  not 
long  before  he  left  his  seal,  on  leave  of  absence,  he  had  had  the 
honor  of  presenting  a  memorial  from  citizens  of  Albany,  com- 
plaining of  recent  measures  of  government.  He  had  been  au- 
thorised on  that  occasion  to  state,  and  had  stated,  that  the  num- 
ber of  signers  was  about  2,800.  He  soon  saw  thnt  Ibis  statement 
was  denied,  and  Dial  only  thirteen  or  fourteen  hundred  nnmei 
were  on  the  memorial:  and  Ihe  gentleman  from  New  Yoik,  Mr. 
Wri°M,  alluded  lo  this  apparent  deficiency.  This  mistake 
nrtt"K  from  a  long  roll  of  names  bring  left  out  of  the  packnge 
handed  to  him.  Thi<  omission  has  been  supplied,  and,  to  hf, 
sure  a'jninst  further  error,  he  hail  asked  an  officer  of  the  senate 
to  have  these  additional  names  counted,  nnd  he  certifies  them 
to  amount  lo  1,485.  Here  they  are,  sir — the  original  signatures, 
and  here  comes  with  them  a  regular  affidavit,  verifying  th«  pa- 
per and  accounting  for  Ihe  omission.  This  makes  up.  sir,  the 
nnmhe.r  as  originally  staled;  and  I  hope  will  be  satisfactory, 
If  it  should  not  be,  and  if  it  would  give  gentlemen  any  gratifi- 
cation to  receive  an  additional  five  hundred,  or  thousand  name*. 


WILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,   1834— CONGRESS. 


135 


lie  imagined  little  paius  would  be  necessary  In  furnish  them  ilia 
gratification. 

Mr.  President,  (said  Mr.W.)  in  one  of  those  unrivaled  speeches 
of  Mr.  Burke,  in  wliicli  he  indulged  Ins  admiration  of  America 
he  says,  when  speaking  of  the  growth  of  our  population,  "whe- 
ther 1  put  the  present  numbers  too  high  or  too  low,  is  n  matter  o 
little  moment.  Such  in  Hie  strength  with  which  population 
•hoots  in  that  part  of  the  world,  that,  state  the  numbers  .1*  big! 
as  we  will,  while  the  dispute  continue§  the  exaggeration  ends 
While  w«  are  discussing  any  given  magnitude,  they  are  grown 
to  it." 

Sir,  a  similar  sentiment  would  be  just,  in  regard  to  the  num- 
bers among  our  fellow  citizens,  who  are  rallying  to  oppose  the 
recent  measures  of  government.  Slate  the  number*  as  we  will 
if  the  statement  be  not  true  to-day,  it  will  yet  probably  be  true 
to-morrow. 

Mr.  Wright  rose  to  move  the  printing  of  the  names.  lie  add- 
ed, that  the  senate  would  do  him  the  credit  to  say,  that  he  bar 
expressed  his  belief  that  there  was  some  mistake  about  the  mat- 
ter. He  moved  that  these  names  be  printed. 

Mr.  Webster  expressed  his  wish  that  the  names  might  be 
printed.  He  would  do  the  justice  to  the  honorable  member  to 
gay,  that  he  understood  him  to  have  expressed  himself  as  he 
had  stated. 

The  paper  was  then  referred  and  the  names  ordered  to  be 
printed. 

Mr.  IVebstcr  then  said  he  Iin4  to  present  to  the  senate  a  me 
morial  from  the  farmers,  manufacturers,  mechanics  and  traders 
of  the  town  of  Adams,  Massachusetts,  complaining  of  the  re- 
cent measures  of  the  government.  The  memorialists  state  that 
there  were  1,900  persons  in  that  town  who  have  been  engaged 
in  manufacturing,  who  had  entered  into  those  pursuits  under 
the  assurance  of  protection  from  government.  That,  amidst 
prosperity,  their  career  has  been  suddenly  arrested,  some  of  the 
establishments  have  been  obliged  to  stop,  nnd  others  to  dismiss 
Iheir  hands,  more  or  less, and  many  individuals  have  fallen  into 
great  want  and  distress. 

These  memorialists  aver,  sir,  that  that  is  true,  which  I  have 
more  than  once  predicted  would  soon  be  found  true;  and  that 
is,  that  the  measures  of  the  administration  tend  to  make  some 
of  the  rich  richer,  and  all  the  poor  poorer;  and  all,  they  say,  of 
whatever  tongue  or  kindred,  who  have/oreijn  capital  at  com- 
mand, enjoy  advantages  over  American  industry  and  persever- 
ance. As  Americans,  then,  they  address  themselves  to  con- 
gress: they  say  to  congress,  "restore  the  currency,  restore  the 
confidence  of  the  people,  restore  the  character  and  credit  of  the 
nation,  restore  our  prosperity  and  happiness.  One  act  of  yours 
ean  do  all  this." 

Sir,  as  one  of  the  representatives  of  the  people  of  North 
Adams,  I  respond  to  them  by  saying,  that,  so  far  as  depends  on 
my  efforts  here,  and  on  those  of  my  colleague,  and  on  those  of 
their  own  able  and  excellent  representative  in  the  other  house, 
and  most  of  his  colleagues,  there  will  he  no  abandonment  of 
present  object  and  present  purpose,  till  their  prosperity  be  re- 
stored, till  the  credit  of  the  nation  be  restored,  and  till  the  con- 
stitution of  the  country  be  restored  also.  .Let  them  be  of  good 
cheer.  Permanent  distress,  from  mere  inisgovernment,  can 
hardly  be  the  lot  of  an  intelligent  people. 

Mr.  Bilib  presented  certain  proceedings  and  resolutions  adopt- 
ed at  a  meeting  at  Mopkinsvillc,  Ky.  and  Mr.  Memginn  a  me- 
morial from  sundry  citizens  of  North  Carolina,  disapproving  the 
removal  ol  the  deposites,  &c.  which  were  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  f'relinghuyaen  presented  a  certified  copy  of  certain  reso- 
lutions and  a  memorial  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  the  friends  of 
the  president  and  the  administration  at  a  county  meeting  held 
in  Somerville,  Somerset  county,  New  Jersey. 

Mr.  Frelin^knysensnM,  I  take  pleasure  in  assuring  the  senate 
of  the  respectability  of  the  gentlemen  who  conducted  this  meet- 
ing, and  that  their  opinions  are  entitled  to  receive  from  me  and 
this  body,  respectful  consideration.  It  was  with  satisfaction, 
and  gome  consolation  too,  that  I  find  these  proceedings  convey- 
ed in  decorous  and  dignified  language.  While  I  say  this,  how- 
ever, sir,  I  am  constrained  to  dissent  from  the  opinions  of 
these,  my  respectable  constituents.  I  especially  advert  to  the 
fifth  resolution,  wherein,  speaking  of  the  late  instructions  of 
the  legislature,  they  resolve  in  the  following  terms:  "We  be- 
lieve they  expressed  the  sentiments  of  the  state — we  know 
they  gave  the  voice  of  the  county  of  Somerset."  Mr.  Presi- 
dent, this  matter  of  belief  and  knowledge  is  a  voluntary  exer- 
cise— it  cannot  be  forced;  and  as  this  meeting  has  not  instruct- 
ed me  to  believe  with  tlu-m,  I  shall  certainly  continue  to  think 
according  to  my  own  lights,  and  tha  conclusions  of  my  own 
mind. 

Now  I  do  not  believe,  either  in  the  majority  of  the  state,  and 
I  certainly  can  not  know,  nnd  do  not  believe,  the  alleged  state 
of  public  sentiment,  in  the  county  of  Somerset.  This  ancient, 
honored  county,  sustain  the  encroachments  of  arbitrary  power! 
If  I  was  to  select  n  district  in  the  state,  where  the  pure,  per- 
vading, uncompromising  whig  principles  of  the  revolution  pre- 
vailed, it  would  be  the  good  old  county  of  Somerset.  Sir,  it 
has  been  true  to  these  principles  from  its  earliest  history.  The 
first  war  note  that  ever  disturbed  the  tranquillity  of  its  valleys, 
was  in  that  eventful  hour  when  resistance  to  arbitrary  power 
was  resolved.  Yes,  sir,  it  was  against  its  encroachments  that 
our  fathers  buckled  on  their  armor — and  the  plains  of  Mon- 
mouth,  Trenton  and  Princeton,  still  hold  n  lansunce  that  has 
lost  none  of  it*  energy  by  time,  lint  will,  when  needs  br,  warm 
every  patriot  bosom  into  enthusiasm. 


Sir,  the  true  issue  was  not  yet  formed  at  tin;,  dale  of  tl;i« 
meeting.  The  bank  is  certainly  denounced  for  siinVient  varie- 
ty of  charges  and  misconduct,  in  IIIK  resolutions  and  memorial 
before  us,  hul  the  great  question  of  power,  on  the  one  hand, 
and  the  majesty  and  dominion  of  our  laws  on  the  other,  \va« 
not  then  raised.  But  I  rejoice  to  know  that  the  people  are 
now  coming  up  to  the  case,  with  the  spirit  and  solemnity  be- 
coming enlightened  freemen,  jealous  of  their  liberties. 

Mr.  F.  in  proof  of  this,  referred  to  the  resolutions  and  memo- 
rial of  a  public  meeting  held  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  nnd  of 
the  townships  of  Montgomery,  in  Somerset,  and  West  Wind- 
sor, in  Middlesex  counties, signed  by  more  than  200  citizens,  and 
a  memorial  of  more  than  1,100  farmers,  mechanics,  Dierchants 
and  citizens  of  the  county  of  Middlesex  and  city  of  New  Bruns- 
wick, which  he  also  presented.  These  respective  memorial* 
with  like  justice  and  truth,  complain  of  the  general  interrup- 
tion of  commerce  and  business,  induced  by  unlawful  and  un- 
constitutional executive  interference. 

Mr.  F.  then  proceeded  to  explain  the  state  of  things  in  New 
Jersey,  and  said — 

Thus  far,  then,  sir,  have  my  colleague  and  myself  been  sus- 
tained in  our  reference  to  the  people  of  New  Jer*ey.  We  have 
put  the  matter  fairly  and  feailessly  before  them.  We  have  no 
anxieties  about  the  issue.  I  believe,  sir,  that  an  inquisition  is 
going  forward,  that  will  make  the  very  pillars  of  power  trem- 
ble. I  make,  sir,  the  usual  motion,  that  the  memorials  and  re- 
solutions be  read  and  printed,  and  referred  to  the  committee  on 
finance. 

Some  remarks  were  mndc  by  Mr.  Southard  and  Mr.  Benton, 
after  which  the  reference  was  ordered. 

The  chair  then  announced  the  special  order,  being  the  reso- 
lutions offered  by  Mr.  Poinderter,  as  a  modification  of  his  mo- 
tion that  the  messages  be  not  received. 

Mr.  Forsyth  having  yesterday  moved  to  amend  these  resolu- 
tions, so  as  to  introduce  the  messages  into  Hie  resolutions — 

The  question  being  on  the  appeal  of  Mr.  Cnl/ionn  Irani  the 
decision  of  the  chair,  that  the  amendment  of  Mr.  Forsyth  was 
n  order — 

Mr.  Poindcrtcr  requested  the  withdrawal  of  ihe  appeal,  in 
order  that  he  might  submit  the  question  ol  the  general  order. 
He  objected  to  the  reception  of  the  amendment,  because,  whe- 
ther it  was  adopted  or  rejected,  it  destroyed  the  object  of  the 
original  proposition,  and  defeated  the  purpose  of  the  pending 
discussion. 

Mr.  Calhonn  withdrew  his  appeal. 

At  this  point  of  the  discussion,  a  doubt  arose  as  to  the  fact 
whether  any  decision  on  the  point  of  order  had  been  made  by 
the  chair,  and  the  chair  being  pressed,  declined  staling  any 
tiling  more  explicitly  than  that  the  writing  which  Mr.  Forsyth 
had  put  in,  was,  in  the  opinion  of  the  chair,  such  a  writing  of 
the  •amendment  ns  was  contemplated  by  the  rule  of  the  senate. 

The  chair,  in  reply  to  a  question  by  Mr.  Clay,  expressed  a 
willingness  to  receive  the  opinions  of  the  senate. 

The  question  of  order  was  then  again  discussed,  by  Messrs. 
Wright,  Clay,  Forsyth,  Calhonn  and  BM;  Mr.  Fortytk  handing 
in  a  copy  of  the  messages,  and  inking  fof  the  yeas  and  nays  on 
the  question  of  receiving  them  ns  an  amendment;  after  which, 
thec/tair  (Mr.  King)  decided  that  the  amendment  was  in  order. 

Mr.  Poinderter  appealed  from  the  decision  of  the  chair,  and 
xprcsseri  a  hope  that  the  question  would  be  taken  without  de- 
bate.    He  asked  for  the  yeas  and  nays,  but  before  the  question 
was  taken,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  senate  adjourned. 

jlpril'23.  Memorials  condemning  the  removal  of  the  depo- 
ites  and  praying  their  restoration,  were  presented  by  Mr.  Me- 
Kean  from  citizt-ns  of  Chester  and  Miftliu  counties.  Pa.;  by  Mr. 
Southard  from  the  city  of  Trenton  and  county  of  Warren,  New 
Jersey.  Mr.  Southard  also  presented  the  proceedings  of  th«« 
delegates  assembled  at  the  scat  of  government  of  the  state  of 
Vew  Jersey,  stating,  as  their  opinion,  that  the  removal  of  the 
leposites  is  the  cause  of  the  existing  distress,  and  ns  proceed- 
ng  from  an  unwarranted  assumption  of  power  by  the  execu- 
tive. These  several  memorials,  proceedings,  &c.  were  seve- 
rally read,  referred,  fee.  after  observations  by  Messrs.  South- 
ard. Clay,  Preston,  Forsyth,  Webster  and  Chambers,  which 
occupied  until  3  o'clock. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  special 
order,  being  the  appeal  against  the  decision  of  the  chair,  that 
lie  amendment  of  Mr.  Forsylh  was  in  order. 

The  yeas  and  nays  were  then  ordered,  and  the  question  was 
aken  without  discussion,  and  determined  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Benton,  Blnck,  Forsyth, Gmndy,  Hill,  Kane, 
King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Geo.  Linn,  McKran,  Morris,  Eo- 
nson.  Shepley,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wricht — 17. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  flay- 
:on,  Ewing,  Frelinghnysen,  Hemlricks.  Kent,  Leich,  Mangum, 
Moore,  Poindexter,  Prentiss,  Preston,  Rohbin=,  Silsbee,  Smith, 
Southard,  Sprague,  Swift, Tomlinson, Tyler,  Waggamnn,  Web- 
ster—26. 

So  the  decision  of  the  chair  wsa  reversed,  and  the  amend- 
ment offered  by  Mr.  Forsyth  was  declared  to  be  out  of  order. 

Mr.  Forsyth  then  demanded  that  the  question  be  taken  on 
he  resolutions  separately. 

Mr.  Clay  then  moved  to  strike  out  nil  the  resolution*  after 
he  word  "Resolved,"  in  the  first  resolution,  and  to  insert  the 
bllowing: 

Resolved,  That,  the  protest  comitiunicnted  to  the  senate  on 
.he  10th  inst.  by  the  president  of  thn  United  States,  nssert* 
lowers  as  belonging  to  the  president  wliicU  are  inconsistent 


136 


N1LE3'  REGISTER— APRIL  -26,   1S34— CONGRESS. 


witli  the  Just  nntl.'oiity  of  the  two  douses  of  congress,  anil  in- 
consistent vviili  Hie  constitution  of  the  United  Slates. 

Resolved,  That  while  lh<:  senate  is  ami  ever  will  b«,  ready  to 
receive  from  Ihe  president  nil  such  messages  and  communica- 
tions a«  llie  constitution  and  taws  iiiid  the  usual  course  of  bu- 
siness anlhoiise  him  to  liaiismil  to  it,  ycl  it  cannot  recognise 
any  right  in  dim  to  make  a  formal  protest  against  votes  and 
proceedings  of  the  senate,  declaring  such  votes  and  proceed- 
in  gs  to  lie  illegal  and  unconstitutional,  and  requesting  the  se- 
nale  to  enter  such  protest  on  its  journals. 

Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  piotcsl  is  a  breach  of  Ilie  privi- 
leges of  Ihe  senate,  and  that  it  liu  not  entered  on  the  journal. 

Mr.  C.  explained  that  his  modification  varied  only  from  the 
original  re.Milulious  in  two  particulars.  The  modification  plac- 


trict  banks.  After  some  explanation,  the  rule  was  suspended, 
wlicreupon  Mr.  J.  moved  his  resolution;  and 

Mr.  Harrfin  moved  an  amendment  to  extend  the  inquiry  to 
the  bank  of  ilia  Metropolis;  hut  before  it  was  read  the  morning 
hour  expired,  and  the  resolution  and  amendment  lie  over. 

Mr.  ljolk  moved  lo  suspend  the  rules  for  the  purpose  of  going 
into  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  general  appropriation  bill. 

Mr.  McKim  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays,  and  they  were  or- 
di.red  and  stood,  yeas  91,  nays  60.  So  the  house  refused  to 
suspend  the  rules. 

Mr.  Wise,  of  Virginia,  now  asked  leave  to  offer  resolutions 
declaring  the  custody  of  the  public  treasure  to  be  in  congress; 
that  no  further  legislation  is  necessary  to  empower  congress  to 
create  an  agency  for  the  custody  of  the  public  money;  and  that 


es  on  record  what  must  indeed  have  otherwise  been  obvious,  |  tdey  can  take  Ihe  custody  out  ofthe  executive  hands,  &c.    [See 


tho  readiness  of  the  senate  to  record,  at  all  times,  sued  pro 
ceedings  and  me.-sagee  as  Ihe  president  may  think  proper-to 
transmit,  in  compliance  with  his  constitutional  duties.  There 
was  another  difference,  consisting  in  this.  The  proposition  of 
the  gentleman  from  Mississippi  is,  not  to  receive  the  messages. 
The  last  resolution  of  the  modification  proposes  not  to  record 
it  on  the  journal.  In  his  opinion,  the  recoirling  of  a  paper  was 
its  reception.  According  to  the  uiiifoim  practice,  the  messages 
arc  all  recorded.  The  last  resolution  marks  tlie  iii<iinctioii  be- 
twccn  the  regular  and  usual  messages  of  the  president  and  the 
present,  and  refuses  to  the  latter  that  place  on  the.  journal  to 
which  all  messages,  agreeably  to  the  'constitution,  an;  entitled. 
Mr.  Poindexter  expressed  his  readiness  to  lake  either  course 
which  might  b«  most  agreeable  to  the  senate.  After  some  lew 
remark*,  be  moved  to  lay  the  resolution!,  and  modifications  on 
the  table,  in  order  to  give  time  for  reflection  on  the  subject. 
He  withdrew  his  motion. 

Some  di.-cus.-ion  ensued,  in  which  Mr.  Calhoun,  Mr.  Clay- 
ton, Mr.  Preston  and  Mr.  Pibb  took  part. 

Mr.  Hibb  sent  the  chair  the  following  amendment,  which  he 
proposed  to  move  when  the  amendment  proposed  by  Mr.  Clan 
should  be  called  up: 

After  the  words  "president  of  the  United  States,"  in  the  se- 
cond line,  of  the  amendment,  strike  out  the  residua  of  the 
amendment,  and  insert  "lie  not  received." 

Mr.  Poindexter  expressed  his  intention  to  accept  this  modifi- 
cation. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Kane,  the  senate  then  adjourned. 
Jipril  21.  Memorials,  &c.  condemning  the  removal  of  the 
deposites  were  presented— by  Mr.  Webster  from  490  farmers, 
traders  and  mechanics  of  Union  county,  Pennsylvania;  by  Mr. 
Clayton  from  a  public  meeting,  and  also  from  736  citizens  of 
Kent  county,  Delaware;  by  Mr.  Robbins  from  Providence,  R. 
Island;  which  were  read,  referred,  &.C.  after 

Some  remaiks  from  the  gentlemen,  respectively,  were  made 
on  the  presentations. 

The  senate  then  took  up  the  resolutions,  on  the  subject  of 
the  president's  protest,  offered  by  Mr.  Poindexter,  as  modified 
i.y  Mr.  Clay. 

The  question  being  on  the  amendment  offered  by  Mr.  Bibb — 
Mr.  Kane  addressed  the  senate  in  defence  of  the  protest  and 
the  executive,  until  near  3  o'clock. 

Mr.  Mlih  then  rose  to  reply,  but  gave  way  to  Mr.  Wilkins. 
Mr.  Wilkins  then  moved  to  postpone  the  consideration  of  the 
special  order  till  to  morrow. 
The  motion  was  agreed  to,  and 

On  motion  of  Mr.  WWdns  the  senate,  proceeded  to  the  con- 
sideration of  executive  business,  and  remained  for  some  time 
therein. 

At  half  past  4  o'clock,  the  doors  were  re-opened,  when 
Mr.  Hendricks  offered  a  resolution  allotting   Fridays  and   Sa- 
turdays of  each  and  every  week  to  the  consideration  of  bills. 
The  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF    REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  April  IS.  Mr.  Heath  rose  and  remarked,  that,  as  one 
of  the  guardians  of  the  people's  interest  OH  this  floor,  he  felt  it 
to  be  liia  duty  to  make  an  effort  to  secure  their  money,  and 
which  induced  him  to  offer  a  resolution  with  that  object  in  view. 
As  to  the  money  already  taken  from  the  United  States  bank,  ht 
never  expected  ita  return,  and  his  object  now  was  to  secure  all 
that  would  be  received  herxafter.  He,  therefore,  asked  leave 
to  submit  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to  de- 
posite  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States  and  its  branches,  from 
the  first  day  of  May  next,  and  until  the  expiration  of  its  charter, 
all  the  accruing  resources  of  the  government. 

Objection  being  made  to  granting  leave,  Mr.  H.  moved  to 
suspend  the  rules  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  him  to  offer  thii 
resolution. 

Mr.  Williams  demanded  the  yens  and  nays;  which  were  or- 
dered, ami  being  taken,  stood  as  follows:  yeas  83,  nays  89.  Not 
being  two-thirds,  the  house  of  course  refused  to  suspend  the 
rules  in  allow  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Heath  to  be  proposed. 

Mr.  Lincoln  asked  leave  to  offer  a  resolution  calling  on  the 
postmaster  general  for  certain  information  connected  with  the 
appointment  and  number  of  clerks,  Sic. 

Objection  being  made,  Mr.  L.  moved  to  suspend  the  rule*  so 
as  to  allow  him  to  move  it;  but  the  bouse  refused.  Ayes  78, 
HOPS  not  counted. 

Mr.  Jam*  now  renewed  the  request  he  dad  made  yesterday 
to  suspend  Ihe  rules  so  aa  to  allow  him  to  move  a  resolution 
calling  for  certain  information  relative  to  the  failure  of  (he  Pis 


nexl  day's  proceedings.] 

Objection  being  made,  Mr.  Wise  moved  to  suspend  the  rules 
of  the  house,  ami  asked  the  yeas  and  nays,  whereupon,  on  mo- 
tion of  Mr.  Love,  a  call  of  the  douse  was  ordered. 

After  the  call  had  proceeded  a  considerable  time,  a  motion 
was  made  to  adjourn,  (lost  by  4  votes  only);  and  the  call  of  the 
house  was  at  length  suspended,  and  the  doors  thrown  open. 

Mr.  Wise  renewed  his  motion  to  suspend  Ihe  rules  of  the 
house — on  which  Mr.  Beariisley  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays, 
and  they  were  ordered,  and  stood  103  y«as,  93  nays.  So  the 
rule  was  not  suspended,  two  thirds  being  required. 

Mr.  Wise  then  gave  notice  that  ho  should  ranaw  the  same 
motion  every  day,  until  leave  should  be  given  to  introduce  Ihe 
resolutions. 

Mr.  Peyton,  of  Tennessee,  asked  for  a  suspension  of  the  rules, 
to  enable  him  to  offer  a  scries  of  resolutions  acquitting  the  presi- 
dent of  censure  in  relation  to  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites; 
condemning  the  senate,  and  conceding  to  congress  the  power 
(if  selecting  the  places  of  deposite  for  the  public  moneys.  [Sec 
next  day's  proceedings.] 

These  resolutions  having  bcrn  read,  a  very  strong  sensation 
wa.s  c.vincrd  by  a  large  portion  of  the  house;  when 

Mr.  1'cylon  withdrew  them,  but  gave  notice  that  he  should 
continue  to  offer  lliem  whenever  those  of  Mr.  Wise  were  offer- 
ed. The  house  then  adjourned. 

Saturday,  slfiril  19.  Mr.  Clayton  asked  leave  to  offer  a  re- 
solution: objection  being  made,  In;  moved  for  the  suspension  of 
he  rules,  to  allow  dim  to  move  it,  which  motion  prevailed,  by 
n  vote  of  ayes  127,  nays  Hi.  So  the  house  having  agreed  to 
suspend  the  rules,  Mr.  C.  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  read. 

Resolved,  That  a  special  committee  be  appointed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  inquiring  into  the  expediency  of  equalizing  and  reduc- 
ing the  salaries  of  officers,  and  all  other  expenses  of  government, 
in  erery  department  thereof  where  the  same  can  be  constitu- 
tionally done,  and  also  to  abolish  such  offices  as  may  be  deem- 
ed unnecessary,  and  that  they  have  power  to  report  liy  bill  or 
otherwise. 

Mr.  Jarris  suggested  an  amendment  extending  the  inquiry  to 
the  cases  where  an  increased  compensation  might  be  expedient. 
Mr.  Plummer  moved  an  amendment  to  include  the  pay  of 
members  of  congress;  and 
Mr.  Hardin  moved  to  include  mileage  also. 
Mr.  Clayton  accepted  these  several  resolutions,  and  tde  ques- 
tion was  taken  on  agreeing  to  the  resolution  as  amended,  by 
yeas  and  nays,  and  appeared  as  follows,  ayes  183,  nays  2. 
So  the  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Wise  now  asked  consent  of  the  house  to  offer,  in  a  mo- 
dified form,  the  resolutions  de  had  desired  to  offer  yesterday. 
Objection  being  made,  he  moved  to  suspend  the  rules,  to  allow 
dim  to  move  them,  and  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays  which 
were  ordered. 

The  resolutions  were  then  read  as  follows: 
Resolved,  That  the  custody  and  control  of  tha  moneys  of  the 
United  Slates,  not  appropriated  by  law,  and  not  disbursed  un- 
der appropriations  by  law,  are,  by  the  constitution,  placed  un- 
der the  order  and  direction  of  the  congress  of  the  Uniled  Slates. 
Resolved,  That  no  change  of  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States  is  necessary  to  authorise  the  congress  of  the  United 
Slates  to  entrust  the  custody  of  the  public  money,  not  appro- 
priated by  law,  to  other  agency  than  that  of  the  executive  de- 
partment, and  that  the  custody  of  the  public  money  must  not 
be,  necessarily,  under  the  constitution,  entrusted  to  the  execu- 
tive department. 

Resolved,  That  congress  can  take  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
executive  department  the  custody  of  the  public  property  or 
money,  without  an  assumption  of  executive  power,  or  a  sub- 
version of  the  first  principles  of  the  constitution,  by  the  repeal 
and  enactment  of  such  laws  as  may  be  necessary  to  that  end. 
The  yeas  and  nays  being  taken  upon  tde  question  of  suspend- 
ing the  rule,  were  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  John  Quincy  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J. 
Allen,  Chillon  Allan,  Win.  Allen,  Archer,  Ashley,  Banks,  Bar- 
ber, Rarnitz,  Barringer,  Bates,  Baylies,  Beale,  Beatty,  James M. 
Bell,  Itoiildin,  Briggs,  Bull,  Burd, "Bulges,  Bynum,  Cage,  Camp- 
bell, Chambers,  Chilton,  Claiborne,  William  Clark,  Clayton, 
Clowney,  Connor,  Corwin,  Crockett,  Darlington,  Amos  Dm  is, 
Davenport,  Deberry,  Denny,  Dickson,  Duncan,  KIlMvorth, 
Kvaiij",  Horace  Everett,  Ewing,  Felder,  Foot,  Fowler,  \V.  K. 
Fuller,  Fulton,  Galhiaith,  Gamble,  Gholson,  Gordon,  Gorh.im, 
Graham,  Grayson,  Grennell,  Ilardin,  James  Harper,  Hazeltine, 
Heath,  Hiester,  Jahez  W.  ITuniingtnn,  William  C.  Johnson, 
Seaborn  Jones,  Lincoln,  Love,  I.oynll,  Martindale,  Marshall 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— CONGRESS. 


1S7 


John  Y.  Mason,  McCarty,  McComas,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Mil- 
ligiiii,  Moore,  Palton,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Selden,  William 
B.  Shepard,  Aug^H.  Shepperd,  William  Slade,  Sloane,  Stewart, 
William  P.  Taylor,  Philemon  Thomas,  Tweedy,  Vance,  Vin- 
ton,  Watmough,  E.  D.  While,  F.  Whitllesey,  E.  Whittlesey, 
Wilde,  Williams,  Wilson,  Wise,  Young— 99. 

NAYS — Messrs.  John  Adams,  Anthony,  Bean,  Beardsley, 
Beaumont,  J.  Bell,  Blair,  Bockee,  Boon,  Bunch,  Cambreleng, 
Caimichael,  Carr,  Casey,  Chaney,  Samuel  Clark,  Coffee,  Cra- 
mer, Day,  Dickinson,  Dunlap,  Fillmore,  Forrester,  P.  C.  Fuller, 
Gillet,  Jos.  Hall,  T.  H.  Hall,  Halsey,  HaniiFgan,  Jos.  M.  Harper, 
Harrison,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  liowell,  Hubbard,  Abel  Hunt 
inglun,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Cave  Johnson,  Benjamin  Jones, 
Kavanayh,  Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing,  Laporte,  Lawrence,  Lea, 
Lee,  Leavitt,  Lyon,  Lylle,  Joel  K.  Mann,  Mardis,  Moses  Ma- 
son, Mclntyre,  McKay,  MoKim,  McKinley,  McLene,  McVean, 
Murphy,  Osgood,  Page,  Parks,  Parker,  Patterson,  D.  J.  Pearce, 
Peyton,  F.  Pierce,  Pierson,  Hummer,  Polk,  Pope,  Schenck, 
Schley,  Charles  Slade,  Smith.  Speight,  Slandifer,  Sloddert, 
Wm.  Taylor,  Thomson, Turrill,  Van  Houten,  Wagener,  Ward, 
Wardwell,  Webster,  Whalon,  C.  P.  While— 91. 

Two-thirds  not  having  voted  in  the  affirmative,  the  rules  were 
not  suspended. 

Mr.  Peyton  renewed  his  motion  for  leave  to  offer  the  resolu 
tious  he  had  brought  forward  yesterday.  Objection  being  made, 
lie  moved  for  a  suspension  of  the  rules,  to  allow  him  to  offer 
them.  The  resolutions  were  read  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  president  of  the  United  States,  in  the  late 
executive  proceedings  in  relation  to  the  public  revenue,  has  not 
assumed  "upon  himself  authority  and  power  not  conferred  by 
the  constitution  and  laws,"  but  that  h«  has  acted  in  conformi- 
ty to  both. 

Resolved,  That  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  in  a  late  re- 
solution passed  by  that  body,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 
"Resolved,  That  the  president,  in  the  late  executive  proceed- 
ings in  relation  to  the  public  revenue,  has  assumed  upon  him- 
self authority  and  power  not  conferred  by  the  constitution  and 
laws,  but  in  derogation  of  both,"  have,  by  that  resolution,  not 
with  a  view  to  legislative  action,  but  as  a  solemn  censure  upon 
the  president,  infringed  upon  the  rightful  and  legitimate  powers 
nod  prerogatives  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

Resolved,  That  congress  have  the  power,  by  law,  to  select  the 
places  of  depositing  the  public  money  and  providing  for  its  safe 
keeping. 

Mr.  Hardin  said  he  hoped  that  every  member  would  vote  to 
suspend  the  rules  to  allow  the  introduction  of  these  resolves. 

Mr.  Wilde  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays,  and  they  were  or- 
dered. 

Mr.  Moore,  of  Virginia,  inquired  of  the  chair  whether  the  re- 
solutions did  not  involve  a  violation  of  the  rules  of  order,  which 
forbade,  any  reference  in  one  house  to  words  spoken  or  mea- 
sures pending  in  the  other  branch. 

The  chair  replied  that  that  question  would  arise  when  the  re- 
solutions came  to  be  considered. 

Mr.  Ellsworth  inquired  whether  any  body  objected  to  the  in- 
troduction of  the  resolutions. 

The  chair  said  that  that  would  be  decided  when  the  question 
should  be  put. 

Mr.  Mercer  inquired  whether  the  question  of  consideration 
would  not  be  in  order. 

The  chair  said  it  would,  after  the  rules  should  have  been  sus- 
pended. 

The  yeas  and  nays  were  now  taken  on  suspending  the  rules 
and  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  J.  Q,.  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen 
Chillon  Allan,  Win.  Allen.  Archer,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  Bar 
Ritz,  Bariington,  Bates,  Baylies,  Beale,  Beatty,  James  M.  Bell 
Blair,  Briggs,  Bull,  Burd,  Surges,  Bynuin,  Cage,  Campbell,  Ca 
B«y,  Cliamhers,  Chilton,  Claiborne,  Win.  Clark,  Clayton,  Clow 
ney,  Connor,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Crockett,  Darlington,  Amos 
Davis.  Denny,  Dickson,  Ellsworth,  Evans,  Horace  Everett,  Ew 
ing,  Folder,  Foot,  Philo  C.  Fuller,  Fulton,  Garland,  Gholson 
Gordon,  Gorham,  Grayson,  Grennell,  Hilanii  Hall,  Hannegan 
Hard,  Hardin,  Hazeltine,  Heath,  Heister,  Jabcz  W.  Huntingtnn 
William  C.  Johnson,  Seaborn  Jones.  Lay,  Leavitt,  Lincoln 
Love,  Loyall,  Martindale,  Marshall,  McCarty,  McComas,  Me 
Kennan,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Patton,  Peyton,  Pierson,  Pott; 
Uevd,  Renchcr,  Selden,  Wm.  Slade,  Sloane,  Stewart,  Wn 
P.  Taylor,  Philemon  Thomas,  Tweedy,  Vance,  Vinton,  Wat 
tiioiii!li,  Edward  D.  White,  Elisha  WniUlesey,  Wilde,  Williams 
Wilson,  Wise,  Young — 98. 

NAYS — Messrs.  J.  Adams,  Anthony,  Bean, Benrdsley,  Beat 
mout,  J.  Bell,  Bookee,  Boon,  Bunch,  Cambreleng,  Carmichae 
Cair,  Chaney,  Samuel  Clark.  Coffee,  Cramer,  Davenport,  Day 
Deberry,  Duncan,  Dunlap,  Fillmore,  Forrester,  Fowler,  W.  K 
Fuller,  Gamble,  Gillet,  Giliner,  Graham,  Joseph  Hall,  Halsey 
Jos.  M.  Harper,  Harrison,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  Howell,  Hul 
bard,  Abel  Hiintington,  Jarvis,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Cave  Join 
son,  Benjamin  Jones,  Kavanagh,  King,  Kinnard.  Lane,  Lan 
sins,  Laporte,  Lawrence,  Luke  Lea,  Thos.  Lee,  Lucas,  Lyon 
,T.  K.  Mann,  Mardis,  J.  Y.  Mason,  Moses  Mason,  Mclntire 
McKay,  McKim,  McKinlwy,  McLene,  McVean,  Moore,  Mu 
phy,  Osgood,  Page,  Parks.  Parker,  Patterson.  Dutee  J.  Pearce 
F.  Pierce.  I'lummer,  Polk,  Pope,  Ramsay,  Schfiiek,  Schle: 
Aug.  H.  Shepperd,  Chas.  Blade,  Smith,  Speight,  Standifer,  Stoi 
dert,  Wm.  Taylor.  Thomson,  Tnrril,  Vnndi-rpoel,  Van  Homo1 
»Va«rner.  Wnrd,  W,ij-<l\ve!l,  Wcbuer,  Whalon,  C.  P.  Whi 


80  the  house  refused  to  suspend  the  rule*,  two-thirds  of  the 
)use  not  sustaining  the  motion. 

Several  private  bills    being  considered  and  deposed  of, 
The   house  took   up  the  bill  for  the  rein  f  of  Mrs.  D«caturr 
hen  Mr.  Uubbard  explained  his  views  at  large  >u  favor  of  the 
aim. 

Amendments  being  offered  and  rejected,  the  hill  wag  laid 
jide.  When  the  bill  for  the  relief  of  Ku  liar  I  W.  Mt-.ade,  (111- 
olving  a  claim  of  $490,000)  was  taken  up  lu  committee  of  the 
hole. 

After  being  sometime  engaged  therein,  tb«  committee  rose,, 
id  reported  progress,  on  both  bills — and  hail  leave  to  sit  again., 
he  house  then  adjourned. 

Monday,  JlprilSl.  This  being  petition  day, the  first  question 
hich  came  up  was  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Evunt,of  Maine,  that 
le  memorial  presented  by  him  on  Monday  last,  be  referred  to 
te  committee  of  ways  and  means,  with  instructions  "to  report, 
wo  resolutions — one  declaring  that  the  reasons  of  the  secreta- 
y  of  the  treasury  for  the  removal  01  the  public  money  from  the 
ank  of  the  United  States,  are  insufficient  and  nnsausfaclory — 
mi  the  other  declaring  that  a  bank,  created  by  authority  of  cou- 
ress,  is  necessary,  expedient,  and  ought  to  be  established." 
Mr.  Evans  took  the  floor,  and  addressed  the  house  in  a  speech,, 
n  which  he  took  a  general  view  of  the  bank  question.  After 
e  had  concluded, 

Mr.  Wise  renewed  and  offered  his  resolutions  as  an  amend- 
ment to  Mr.  1-Yaji.v'  resolutions. 

The  chair  deciding  that  Mr.  Wise  could  not  offer  them  as  an 
mendment,  because  they  were  on  a  different  subject — 
Mr.  Wise  stated  that  Mr.  Evans  was  willing  to  adopt  them  as 
modification  of  his  own  proposition;  and  the  resolutions  being- 
HIS  before  the  house,  he  entered  into  a  very  free  and  animated 
ourse  of  remarks,  assigning  his  reasons  for  offering  his  resolu- 
lons. 

Mr.  Peyton,  of  Tennessee,  renewed  his  motion,  to  substitute 
ic  resolutions  he  had  twice  before  proposed  to  offer  last  week 
s  a  substitute  for  those  of  Mr.  Wise,  and  replied  to  Mr.  W.  bur 
ecoming  discursive,  was  called  to  order  by  tb«  chair. 

Mr.  Wise  rejoined. 

Mr.  Turrell,  of  N.  Y.  moved  to  lay  the  memorial,  resolutions 
f  instruction  and  amendments  thereto  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Evans  then  withdrew  from  his  proposition  the  resolutions 
ccepted  by  him  from  Mr.  Wise,  so  as  to  leave  the  motion  to 
ay  on  the  table,  to  apply  only  to  the  memorial  and  instructions- 
its  originally  moved  by  himself. 

Mr.  Turrell  then,  on  request,  Withdrew  his  motion;  and  Mr. 
Zvans  moved  to  postpone  the  whole  subject  until  Monday  next- 
Mr.  Filmore,  of  N.  Y.  moved  to  lay  the  whole  subject  on  the 
able. 

Mr.  McKim  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays;  and  they  were 
aken  on  the  motion  to  lay  on  the  table,  which  motion  prevail' 
ed — ayes  107,  nays  91;  when  the  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  Jlpril  22.     On  motion  of  Mr.  Clayton,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  of 
nquiring  into  the  expediency  of  equalizing  and  reducing  the 
salaries  of  officers,  and  for  other  purposes,  contained  in  a  re- 
solution passed  by  this  house  on  the  19th  inst.  be  authorised  to 
send  for  persons  and  papers,  in  executing  the  objects  of  said  re- 
solution. 

Mr.  Camfireleng  presented  a  memorial  of  235  Poles  now  in 
.he  city  of  New  York,  praying  for  a  grant  of  land. 

Various  business  of  a  private  or  local  character  being  attend- 
ed to, 

The  speaker  laid  before  the  house  a  letter  from  the  secretary 
if  the  treasury,  transmitting  the  annual  commercial  statements. 

Mr.  Jaruis'  resolution  authorising  an  investigation  of  the  af- 
fairs of  those  district  banks  which  have  suspended  specie  pay- 
ments, was  taken  up,  but,  before  it  was  disposed  of,  the  house 
proceeded  t«  the  orders  of  the  day. 

Mr.  Polk  reported  a  bill  regulating  the  dcposites  of  the  mo- 
neys of  ilie  United  States  in  certain  local  banks,  which  after 
some  discussion,  was  twice  read  and  committed. 

The  residue  of  the  day  was  occupied  in  Ihe  consideration  of 
the  general  appropriation  bill.    The  house  adjourned. 
Wednesday,  *9;iriJ23.    The  journal  having  been  read — 

Mr.  J.  Q. -4Jrtms  moved  that  the  journal  be  amended,  so  as 
to  present  the  following  as  an  entry  theiein: 

"After  some  time  spent  therein,  [that  is,  in  the  committee  of 
the  whole],  the  speaker  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Hubbard 
reported  that  the  committee  had,  according  to  order,  had  the 
said  bill  [i.  e.  the  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  civil  and 
diplomatic  expenses  of  government  for  Ihe  year  1834]  under 
consideration,  and  finding  itself  without  a  quorum,  had  risen 
and  directed  him  to  report  that  fact  to  the  house." 

Again;  to  amend  the  journal,  in  another  part  thereof,  so  as 
to  read  as  follows: 

"The  house  again  resolved  itself  into  the  committee  of  thp 
whole  hoiue  on  the  state  of  the  union,  and  proceeded  in  the 
consideration  of  the  said  bill:  and  after  some  time  spent  therein, 
the  speaker  aanin  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Hubbard  reported 
that  the  committee,  finding  itself  again  without  a  quorum,  had 
risen  and  dirncted  him  to  report  that  fact  to  the  house." 

Mr.  A.  supported  his  motion  by  a  speech  of  grrat  animation. 
Toward  the  close  of  it,  Mr.  A.  was  called  to  order  by  Mr.  Boon, 
and  by  the  chair. 

Mr.'  .liiams  nsked  and  obtained  leave  to  that  effect,  and  made 
an  explanation. 


138 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,   1834— PRESIDENT'S  PROTEST. 


The  ipeaker  went  into  an  explanation  in  reference  to  M 
Mams'  amendment  mid  speech. 

Mr.  Polk  then  claimed  the  floor,  and  the  speaker  decided  th; 
lie  was  entitled  to  it. 

An  appeal  being  taken  from  the  decision  of  the  chair,  afte 
some  explanations  between  Mr.  Adams  and  that  officer, 

Mr.  Adami  was  allowed  to  proceed  and  conclude  his  speech 

Mr.  Folk  replied  with  warmth,  and  was  repeatedly  called  t 
order  by  Mr.  Adams. 

Messrs.  Huhbnrd  and  Speight,  who  had  occupied  the  chair 
explained  their  conduct,  respectively. 

The  question  of  order  was  argued  at  great  length  by  Messr 
Reed,  Fuot,  S/<ei»A/,  Bri'i;s,  Binnty,  Mercer,  Wayne,  Suthf 
land,  McKinley  and  Chilian;  when 

Mr.  Boon  moved  to  lay  the  motion  of  Mr.  Adams  on  the  tabd 

Mr.  Adams  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays.  They  were  ordei 
«d  and  stood  as  follows:  yeas  100,  nays  89.  So  the  motion  o 
Mr.  Adams  was  laid  on  (he  table. 

Mr.  Adams  then  moved,  that  the  following  paragraph  b 
placed  on  the  journal  of  the  house,  of  yesterday: 

"Mr.  J.  Q.  Adams  moved,  that  there  be  a  call  of  the  house 
The  speaker  (the  chair  being  temporarily  occupied  by  Mr 
Speifht,  of  Nodh  Carolina)  refused  to  put  the  question.  Up 
on  which  Mr.  Adams  appealed  from  the  decision  of  the  speaker 
who  refused  to  entertain  the  motion,  and  left  the  chair;  whicl 
was  immediately  resumed  by  Mr.  Hubbard,  as  chairman  of  tin 
committee  of  the  whole." 

Mr.  Boon  moved  to  lay  this  also  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Grennell  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays;  which  being  ta 
ken,  stood  as  follows:  yeas  94,  nays  95.  So  the  house  refused  ti 
lay  the  amendment  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Adams  again  addressed  the  house  at  considerable  length 
and  was  replied  to  by  Mr.  Polk.  After  other  proceedings — 

Mr.  Harper  moved  to  lay  the  amendment  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Wilde  moved  an  adjournment,  which  was  negatived. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  taken  on  Mr.  Harper* *  motion  stooi 
as  follows:  yeas  98,  nays  90. 

The  other  proceedings  of  the  day  will  sufficiently  appca 
hereafter. 

Thursday,  April  24.  Several  private  bills  and  other  business 
being  attended  to, 

The  resolution  of  Mr.  MarJis  was  again  considered. 

Mr.  AfcKennan,  of  Pa.  took  Ihe  floor  and  spoke,  in  opposi 
lion,  till  the  expiration  of  the  hour. 

The  general  appropriation  bill  was  then  taken  up,  and  occil 
pied  the  house  till  a  late  hour  of  the  day,  when,  without  haviiij 
gone  through  it,  the  house  adjourned. 

THE  PRESIDENT  AND  THE  SENATE. 

IN    SENATE    APRIL    17,    1834. 

Several  messages  were  received  from  the  president  of  the 
United  States,  by  Mr.  Donclson,  his  private  secretary;  among 
them  the  following 

PROTRST: 
To  the  senate  of  the   United  States: 

It  appears  by  the  published  journal  of  the  senate,  that  on  the 
26th  of  December  last,  a  resolution  was  offered  by  a  member  o 
Ihe  senate,  which,  after  a  protracted  debate,  was  on  the  28th  da> 
of  March  last,  modified  by  the  mover,  and  passed  by  the  votes  01 
twenty  six  senators  out  of  forty-six,*  who  were  present  and 
voted  in  the  following  words,  viz: 

"Resolved,  That  the  president,  in  the  late  executive  proceed- 
ings in  relation  to  the  public  revenue,  has  assumed  upon  him- 
self authority  and  power  not  conferred  by  the  constitution  and 
laws,  but  in  derogation  of  both." 

Having  had  the  honor,  through  the  voluntary  suffrages  of  the 
American  people,  to  fill  the  office  of  president  of  the  United 
States  during  the  period  which  may  be  presumed  to  have  been 
referred  to  in  this  resolution,  it  is  sufficiently  evident  that  the 
censure  it  inflicts  was  intended  for  myself.  Without  notice, 
unheard  and  untried,  I  thus  find  myself  charged  on  the  record 
of  Ihe  senate,  and  in  a  form  hitherto  unknown  in  our  history, 
with  the  high  crimcof  violating  the  laws  and  constitution  of  my 
country. 

It  can  seldom  be  necessary  for  any  department  of  the  govern- 
ment, when  assailed  in  conversation,  or  debate,  or  by  the  stric- 
tures of  the  press  or  of  popular  assemblies,  to  step  out  of  its 
ordinary  path  for  the  purpose  of  vindicating  its  conduct,  or  of 
pointing  out  any  irregularity  or  injustice  in  the  manner  of  the 
attack.  Rut  when  the  chief  executive  magistrate  is,  by  one  of 
the  most  important  brandies  of  the  government,  in  its  official 
capacity,  in  a  public  manner,  and  by  its  recorded  sentence,  hut 
without  precedent,  competent  authority,  or  just  cause,  declared 
guilty  of  a  breach  of  the  laws  nnd  constitution,  it  is  due  to  his 
station,  to  public  opinion,  and  to  a  proper  self  respect,  that  the 
officer  thus  denounced  should  promptly  expose  the  wrong  which 
lias  been  done. 


*YEAS— Messrs.  Piihb,  Rlack,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton.  Ew- 
ing,  Frclinghiiysen,  Kent,  Knight,  Leigh,  Mangnm, "Naudain, 
Poindexter.  Porter,  Prenti«s,  Preston,  Bobbins.  SiUhce,  Smith, 
Southard, Sprague,  S wifl,Tomlinson,  Tyler,  VVaggaman,  Web- 
Eter — 26. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Renton,  Brown,  Forcyth,  Grnndy,  Hen- 
drlckn,  Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Ala.  King,  of  Geo.  Linn,  MrKean 
*'-"0n'  8hepley'  T"IIm»(l8e.  Tipton,  White, 


In  the  present  case,  moreover,  there  it  even  a  stronger  ne- 
cessity lor  such  a  vindication.  By  an  express  provision  of  the 
constitution,  helort- :  the  president  of  the  United  States  can  en- 
ter on  the  execution  of  hi.<  office,  he  is  required  to  take  an  oath 
or  affirmation  in  the  following  words: 

"I  do  solemnly  swear,  (or  affirm),  that  I  will  faithfully  exe- 
cute the  office  of  president  of  the  United  Slates;  and  will,  to  Ihe 
best  of  my  ability,  preserve,  protect  and  defend,  the  constitution 
of  Ihe  United  States." 

The  duty  of  defending,  so  far  as  in  him  lies,  the  integrity  of 
the  constitution,  would  indeed  have  resulted  from  the  very  na- 
ture of  his  office:  but  by  thus  expressing  it  in  the  official  oath  or 
affirmation,  which,  in  this  respect,  differs  from  that  of  every 
other  functionary,  the  founders  of  our  republic  have  attested 
their  sense  of  its  importance,  and  have  given  to  it  a  peculiar  so- 
lemnity and  force.  Hound  to  the  performance  of  this  duty  by 
the  oath  I  have  taken,  by  the  strongest  obligation!)  of  gratitude 
to  the  American  people,  and  by  the  ties  which  unite  my  every 
earthly  interest  with  the  welfare  and  glory  of  my  country;  and 
perfectly  convinced  that  the  discussion  and  passage  of  the'ahove 
mentioned  resolution  were  not  only  unauthorised  by  the  con- 
stitution, but  in  many  respect*  repugnant  toils  provisions  and 
subversive  of  the  rights  secured  by  it  to  other  co-ordinate  de- 
partments, I  deem  it  an  imperative  duty  to  maintain  the  supre- 
macy of  that  sacred  instrument,  and  the  immunities  of  the  de- 
partment intrusted  to  my  care,  by  all  means  consistent  with 
my  own  lawful  powers,  with  the  rights  of  others,  and  with  the 
genius  of  our  civil  institutions.  To  this  end,  I  have  caused 
this,  my  solemn  protest  against  the  aforesaid  proceedings,  to  be 
placed  on  the  files  of  the  executive  department,  and  to  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  senate. 

It  is  alike  due  to  the  subject,  the  senate  and  the  people,  that 
the  views  which  I  have  taken  of  the  proceedings  referred  to, 
and  which  compel  me  to  regard  them  in  the  light  that  has  been 
mentioned,  should  be  exhibited  at  length,  and  with  the  freedom 
and  firmness  which  are  required  by  an  occasion  so  unprece- 
dented and  peculiar. 

Under  the  constitution  of  the  United  Plates,  the  powers  nnrt 
functions  of  the  various  departments  of  the  federal  government, 
and  their  responsibilities  for  violation  or  negloct  of  duty,  are 
clearly  defined  or  result  by  necessary  inference.  The  legislative 
power  subject  to  the  qualified  negative  ofthe  president,  is  vest- 
ed in  the  congress  of  the  United  Slates,  corn  posed  of  Ihe  senate 
and  house  of  representatives.  The  executive  power  is  vested 
exclusively  in  Ihe  president,  except  that  in  the  cor. elusion  of 
treaties  and  in  certain  appointments  to  office,  he  is  to  net  with 
the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate.  The  judicial  powit  is 
vested  exclusively  in  the  supreme  and  other  courts  of  the  U. 
States,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment,  for  which  purpose  the 
accusatory  power  is  vested  in  the  house  of  representatives,  nnd 
that  of  hearing  and  determining,  in  the  senate.  Ro.t  although 
for  the  special  purposes  which  have  been  mentioned,  there  is 
an  occasional  intermixture  of  the  powers  of  the  different  de- 
partments, yet  with  these  exceptions,  each  of  the  three  preat 
departments  is  independent  of  the  others  in  its  sphere  of  action; 
and  when  it  deviates  from  that  sphere  is  not  responsible  to  the 
others,  further  than  it  is  expressly  made  so  in  the  constitution. 
In  every  other  respect,  rach  of  them  is  the  coequal  of  the  other 
two,  and  all  are  the  servants  of  the  American  people,  without 
power  or  right  to  control  or  censure  each  other  in  Ihe  service 
of  their  common  superior,  save  only  in  the  manner  and  to  the 
degree  which  that  superior  has  prescribed. 

The  responsibilities  of  the  president  are  numerous  nnd  weigh- 
ty. He  is  liable  to  impeachment  for  high  crime*  and  misde- 
meanors, and,  on  due  conviction,  to  removal  from  office,  and 
lerpelual  disqualification;  and  notwithstanding  such  convic- 
ion,  he  may  also  he  indicted  and  punished  according  to  law. 
Fie  is  also  liable  to  the  private  action  of  any  party  who  may 
"lave  been  injured  by  his  illegal  mandates  or  instruction*,  in 
he  same  manner  and  to  the  same  extent  of  the  humblest  func- 
tionary. In  addition  to  the  responsibilities  which  may  thus  he 
•nforced  by  impeachment,  criminal  prosecution,  or  suit  at  law, 
IB  is  nlso  accountable  at  the  bnr  of  public  opinion,  for  every 
act  of  his  administration.  Subject  only  to  Ihe  restraints  of 
.ruth  and  justice,  the  free  people  of  the  United  Plates  have  the 
indoutited  right,  as  individuals  or  collectively,  ornlly  or  in 
writing,  ntfiich  times,  and  in  such  laneuagr  nnd  form  as  thoy 
may  think  proper,  to  discu«s  hi«  official  conduct,  nnd  t,  express 
and  promulgate  their  opinions  concerning  it.  Indirectly,  also 
lii  conduct  may  come  under  review  in  either  branch"  of  the 


he  president  of  the  United  States  is  to  be  held  accountable  for 
•s  official  conduct. 

Tested  by  these  principles,  the  re.=nliition  of  the  scnnte  is 
vholly  unauthorised  by  the  constitution,  nnd   in  derogation  of 
ntire  spirit.     It  assumes  that  n  single  branch  of  the  le- 
tive  department  may  for  Ihe   purposes  of  a   public   cen- 
ure,  nnd  without  niiy  view  lo  legislation  or  impeachment,  take 
p,  consider,  and  decide  upon,  the  official  acts  ofthe  executive. 
Jut  in  no  part  of  the  constitution  is  the  president  subjected  to 
ny  such  responsibility;  and  in  no  part  of  that  instrument  is  any 
uch  power  conferred  on  either  branch  of  the  legHnture. 
The  ju«licc  of  these  conditions  will  be  illustrated  and  enn- 
med  by  n  brief  analysis  of  the  powers  of  the  senate,  nnd  a 
ornpartson  of  their  recent  proceeding*  with  those  powers. 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— PRESIDENT'S  PROTEST. 


189 


The  high  functions  assigned  by  the  constitution  to  the  senate, 
arc  in  their  nanire  either  legislative,  executive  or  judicial.  It  is 
only  in  the  exercise  of  its  Judicial  powers,  when  sitting  as  a  court 
for  the  trial  of  impeachment*,  that  the  senate  is  expressly  an 
Ihorised  and  necessarily  required  to  consider  and  decide  upon 
Hie  conduct  of  the  president,  or  any  other  puhlic  officer.  In- 
directly however,  as  has  already  been  suggested,  it  may  fre- 
quently be  called  on  lo  perfom  that  office.  Cases  may  occur  in 
the  course  of  its  legislative  or  executive  proceedings,  in  which 
it  may  be  indispensible  to  the  proper  exercise  of  its  powers, 
that  it  should  inquire  into,  and  decide  upon,  the  conduct  of  the 
president  or  other  public  officers;  and  in  every  such  case  ils  con- 
stitutional right  to  do  so  is  cheerfully  conceded.  But  to  autho- 
rise the  senate  to  enter  on  such  a  task  in  its  legislative  or  exe- 
cutive capacity,  the  inquiry  must  actually  grow  out  of  and  tend 
to  some  legislative  or  executive  action,  and  the  decision  when 
expressed  must  take  the  form  of  some  appropriate  legislative  or 
executive  act. 

The  resolution  in  question  was  introduced,  discussed  and 
passed,  not  as  a  joint,  but  as  a  separate  resolution.  It  asserts  no 
legislative  power,  proposes  no  legislative  action;  «nd  neither 
possesses  the  form  nor  any  of  the  attributes  of  a  legislative 
measure.  It  does  not  appear  to  have  been  entertained  or  pass- 
ed, with  any  view  or  expectation  of  its  issuing  in  a  law  or  joint 
resolution,  or  in  the  repeal  of  any  law  or  joint  resolution,  or  in 
any  other  legislative  action. 

Whilst  wanting  both  the  form  and  substance  of  a  legislative 
measure,  it  is  equally  manifest,  that  the  resolution  was  not  jus- 
tified hy  any  of  the  executive  powers  conferred  on  the  senate. 
These  powers  relate  exclusively  to  the  consideration  of  treaties 
and  nominations  to  office;  and  they  are  exercised  in  secret  ses- 
sion, and  with  closed  doors.  This  resolution  does  not  apply  to 
any  treaty  or  nomination,  and  was  passed  in  a  public  session. 

Nor  does  this  proceeding  in  any  way  belong  to  that  class  of 
incidental  resolutions  which  relate  to  the  officers  of  the  senate, 
to  their  chamber,  and  other  appurtenances,  or  to  subjects  of 
order,  and  other  matters  of  the  like  nature — in  all  which  either 
house  may  lawfully  proceed  without  any  co-operation  with  the 
other,  or  with  the  president. 

On  the  contrary  the  whole  phraseology  and  sense  of  the  re- 
solution seem  to  be  judicial.  Its  essence,  true  character,  and 
only  practical  effect,  are  lo  he  found  in  the  conduct  which  its 
charges  upon  the  president,  and  in  the  judgment  which  it  pro- 
nounces on  that  conduct.  The  resolution  therefore,  though 
discussed  and  adopted  by  the  senate  in  its  legislative  capacity, 
is,  in  its  office,  and  in  all  its  characteristics,  essentially  ju- 
dicial. 

That  the  senate  possesses  a  high  judicial  power,  and  that  in- 
stances may  occur  in  which  the  president  of  the  United  States 
will  be.  amenable  to  it,  is  undeniable.  But  under  the  provisions 
of  the  constitution,  it  would  seem  to  be  equally  plain  that 
neither  the  president  nor  any  other  officer  can  he  rightfully  sub- 
jected to  the  operation  of  the  judicial  power  of  the  senate,  ex- 
cept in  the  cases  and  under  the  forms  prescribed  by  the  constitu- 
tion. 

The  constitution  declares  that  "the  president,  vice  president 
and  all  civil  officers  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  removed  from 
office  on  impeachment  for,  and  conviction  of  treason,  bribery, 
or  other  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors" — that  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives "shall  have  the  sole  power  of  impeachment" — 
that  the  senate  "shall  have  the  sole  power  to  try  all  impeach- 
wents" — that  "when  sitting  for  that  purpose,  they  shall  be  on 
oath  or  affirmation" — that  "when  the  president  of  the  United 
States  is  tried,  the  chief  justice  shall  preside" — that  no  person 
shall  be  convicted  without  the  concurrence  of  two  thirds  of  the 
members  present"— and  that  "judgment  shall  not  extend  fur- 
ther than  to  rsmove  from  office,  and  disqualification  to  hold 
nnd  enjoy  any  office  of  honor,  trust  or  profit,  under  the  United 
States." 

The  resolution  above  quoted,  charges  in  substance  that  in 
certain  proceedings  relating  to  the  public  revenue,  the  president 
has  usurped  authority  and  power  not  conferred  upon  him  by  the 
constitution  and  laws,  and  that  in  doing  so  he  violated  both. 
Any  such  act  constitutes  a  high  crime — one  of  the  highest,  in- 
deed, which -thr.  president  can  commit — a  crime  which  justly 
exposes  him  to  impeachment  by  the  house  of  representatives, 
and  upon  due  conviction,  to  removal  from  office,  and  to  the 
complete  and  immutable  disfranchisement  prescribed  by  the 
constitution. 

The  resolution,  thrn,  was  in  substance  an  impeachment  of 
the  president;  and  in  its  passage  amounts  to  a  declaration  by  a 
majority  of  the  senate,  that  he  is  guilty  of  an  impeachable  of- 
fence. As  such  it  is  spread  upon  the  journals  of  the  senate 
— published  to  the  nation  and  to  the  world— made  part  of  our 
enduring  archives— and  incorporated  in  the  history  of  the  age. 
The  piinishmf.nt  of  removal  from  office  and  future  disqualifica- 
tion, does  not,  it  if  true,  follow  this  decision;  nor  would  it  have 
followed  thr  like  decision,  ifthe  regular  forms  of  proceeding  had 
been  pursu?''d,  because  the  nqnhite  number  did  not  concur  in 
the  re«nlt.  Rut  the  mnral  influence  of  a  solemn  declaration,  hy 
,1  majority  of  the  senate,  that  the  accused  is  guilty  of  the  of- 
fence charged  uiion  him,  has  been  as  effectually  secured,  as  if 
the  like  declaration  had  hern  made  upon  an  impeachment  ex- 
pre*;ed  in  the  same  terms.  Indeed,  a  greater  practical  effect  has 
been  gained,  because  the  votes  given  for  the  resolution,  though 
not  sufficient  to  authorise  a  judgment  of  guilty  on  an  impeadi- 
ment,  wern  nunioroug  enough  to  enrry  that  resolution. 


That  the  resolution  does  not  expressly  alledge  that  the  as- 
sumption of  power  and  authority,  which  it  condemns,  was  in- 
tentional and  corrupt,  is  no  answer  to  the  preceding  view  of 
its  character  and  effect.  The  act  time  condemned,  necessarily 
implies  volition  and  design  in  the  individual  to  whom  it  i-  im- 
puted, and  being  unlawful  in  its  character,  the  legal  conclusion 
is,  that  it  was  prompted  by  improper  motives,  and  committed 
with  an  unlawful  intent.  The  charge  is  not  of  a  mistake  in 
the  exercise  of  supposed  powers,  hut  of  the  assumption  of 
power-  not  conferred  hy  the  constitution  and  laws,  but  in  de- 
rogation of  both,  and  nothing  is  suggested  to  excuse  or  palliate 
the  terpitude  of  the  act.  In  the  absence  of  any  such  excuse, 
or  palliation,  there  is  room  only  for  one  inference;  and  that  ia, 
that  the  intent  was  unlawful  and  corrupt.  Besides,  the  revolu- 
tion not  only  contains  no  mitigating  suggestion,  but  on  the  con- 
trary, it  holds  up  the  act  complained  of  as  justly  obnoxious  to 
censure  and  reprobation:  and  thus  as  distinctly  stamps  it  with 
impurity  of  motive,  as  if  the  strongest  epithets  had  been  used. 

The  president  of  the  United  Stales,  therefore,  has  been  by  a 
majority  of  his  constitutional  triers,  accused  and  found  guilty 
of  an  impcachahle  offence:  but  in  no  part  of  this  proceeding 
have  llie  directions  of  the  constitution  been  observed. 

The  impeachment,  instead  of  being  preferred  and  prosecuted 
by  the  house  of  representatives,  originated  in  Ihe  senate,  and 
was.  prosecuted  without  the  aid  or  concurrence  of  the  other 
house.  The  oath  or  affirmation  prescribed  by  the  constitution, 
was  not  taken  liy  the  senators:  the  chief  justice  did  not  preside; 
no  notice  of  the  charge  was  given  to  the  accused;  and  no  op- 
portunity afforded  him  to  respond  to  Ihe  accusation,  to  meet  his 
accusers  face  to  face,  to  cross  examine  the  witnesses,  to  pro- 
cure counteracting  testimony,  or  to  be  heard  in  his  defence. 
The  safe-guards  and  formalities  which  the  constitulion  has  con- 
nected with  the  power  of  impeachment,  were  doubtless  sup- 
posed by  the  framers  of  thai  instrument,  to  be  essential  to  the 
protection  of  the  puhlic  servant,  to  the  attainment  of  justice, 
and  to  the  order,  impartiality,  and  dignity  of  the  procedure. 
These  safe-guards  and  formalities  were  not  only  practically 
disregarded,  in  the  commencement  and  conduct  of  these  pro- 
ceedings, hut  in  their  result.  I  find  myself  convicted  by  less 
than  two  thirds^of  the  members  present,  of  an  impeachable  of- 
fence. 

In  vain  it  may  be  alledged  in  defence  of  this  proceeding-thai 
the  form  of  the  resolution  is  not  that  of  an  impeachment;  or  of 
a  judgment  thereupon;  that  the  punishment  prescribed  in  the 
constitution  does  not  follow  its  adoplion,  or  that  in  this  case,  no 
mpeachment  is  to  be  expected  from  the  house  of  representa- 
tives. It  is  because  it  did  not  assume  the  form  of  an  impeach- 
ment, that  it  is  more  palpably  repugnant  to  the  constitulion; 
for  it  is  through  that  form  only  thai  Ihe  president  is  judicially 
responsible  to  the  senate;  and  though  neither  removal  from  of- 
fice nor  future  disqualification  ensues,  yet  it  is  not  to  be  pre- 
sumed, that  the  framers  of  the  constitution  considered  either 
or  both  of  those  results,  as  constituting  the  whole  of  Ihe  punish- 
menl  Ihey  prescribed.  The  judgment  of  guilty  by  the  highest 
tribunal  in  the  union;  Ihe  sligma  il  would  inflict  on  the  offender, 
His  family  and  fame:  and  the  perpetual  record  on  the  journal, 
landing  down  to  future  generations  the  story  of  his  disgrace, 
were  doubtless  regarded  by  them  as  the  bitterest  portions,  if 
not  the  very  essence  of  that  punishment.  So  far,  therefore,  as 
some  of  its  most  material  parts  are  concerned,  the  passage,  re- 
cording and  promulgation  of  the  resolution,  are  an  attempt  to 
bring  them  on  the  president,  in  a  manner  unauthorised  by  the 
constitution.  To  shield  him  and  other  officers  who  are  liable 
to  impeachment,  from  consequences  so  momentous,  except 
when  really  merited  by  official  delinquencies,  the  cnnslitulion 
lias  most  carefully  guarded  the  whole  process  of  impeachment. 
A  majority  of  the  house  of  representatives,  mus'.  think  the  of- 
ficer guilty,  before  he  can  he  charged.  Two-thirds  of  the  senate 
must  pronounce  him  guilty,  or  he  is  deemed  to  be  innocent. 
Forty-six  senators  appear  by  the  journal  to  have  been  present 
when  the  vote  on  the  resolution  was  taken.  If,  after  all  the 
solemnities  of  an  impeachment,  thirty  of  those  senators  had 
voted  that  the  president  was  guilty,  vet  would  he  have  been 
acquitted,  but  by  the  mode  of  proceeding  adopted  in  the  pre- 
sent case,  a  lasting  record  of  conviction  has  been  entered  up  by 
the  votes  of  twenty-six  senators,  without  an  impeachment  or 
trial;  whilst  the  constitution  expressly  declares  that  to  the  en- 
try of  such  a  judgment  an  acccusation  by  Ihe  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, a  trial  hy  the  senate,  and  a  concurrence  of  two- 
thirds  in  the  vote  of  guilty,  shall  be  indispensable  prerequisites. 

Whether  or  not  an  impeachment  was  to  be  expected  from 
the  house  of  representatives,  was  a  point  on  which  the  senate 
had  no  constitutional  right  to  speculate,  and  in  respect  to  which, 
even  had  it  possessed  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  its  anticipalioni 
would  have  furnished  no  just  grounds  for  this  procedure. 

Admitting  that  there  was  reason  to  believe  that  a  violation  o( 
the  constitution  nnd  laws  had  been  actually  committed  by  the 
president,  still  it  was  the  duty  of  the  senate,  as  his  sole  const) 
tutional  judoes,  to  wait  for  nn  impeachment  until  the  other 
house  should  think  proper  to  prefer  it.  The  members  ofthe  se- 
nate could  have  no  right  to  infer  that  no  impeachment  was  in- 
tended. On  the  contrary,  every  legal  and  rational  presumption 
on  their  part  ought  to  have  been,  that  if  there  was  good  reason 
to  believe  him  guilty  of  an  impenchable  offence,  the  house  of 
reiirpsentativcs'woiild  perform  ils  constitutional  duty,  by  ar- 
raigning the  offender  before  the  justice  of  his  country.  The 
contrary  presumption  would  involve  nn  implication  derogatory 
to  the  integrity  and  honor  of  the  representatives  of  the  people. 


140 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— PRESIDENT'S  PROTEST. 


But  suppose  the  suspicion  thus  implied  were  actually  enter- 
tained, and  for  good  cause,  how  can  it  justify  Hie  assumption 
by  the  senate  of  powers  not  conferred  by  the  constitution.' 

It  is  only  necessary  to  look  at  the  condition  in  which  the  se- 
nate and  the  president  have  been  placed  by  this  proceeding,  to 
perceive  its  utter  incompatibility  with  the  provisions  and  the 
spirit  of  the  constitution,  and  with  the  plainest  dictates  of  hu- 
manity and  justice. 

If  the  house  of  representatives  shall  he  of  opinion  that  there 
is  just  ground  for  the  censure  pronounced  upon  the  president, 
then  will  it  be  the  solemn  duly  of  that  house  to  prefer  the  pro- 
per accusation,  and  to  cause  him  to  be  brought  to  trial  by  the 
constitutional  tribunal.  But  in  what  condition  would  he  find 
that  tribunal?  A  majority  of  its  members  have  already  consi- 
dered the  case,  and  have  HOI  only  formed  but  expressed  a  de- 
liberate judgment  upon  its  merits.  It  is  the  policy  of  our  benign 
system  of  jurisprudence,  to  secure,  JH  all  criminal  proceedings, 
end  «ven  in  the  most  trivial  litigations,  a  fair,  unprejudiced,  and 
impartial  trial.  And  surely  it  cannot  be  less  important,  that 
each  a  trial  should  be  secured  to  the  highest  officer  of  the  go- 
vernment. 

The  constitution  makes  the  house  of  representatives  the  ex- 
clusive judges,  in  the  first  instance,  of  the  question,  whether 
the  president  has  committed  an  impeachahle  offence.  A  ma- 
jority of  the  senate,  whose  interference  with  this  preliminary 
question,  has,  for  the  best  of  all  reasons,  been  studiously  ex- 
cluded, anticipate  the  action  of  the  house  of  representatives,  as- 
sume not  only  the  function  which  belongs  exclusively  to  that 
body,  but  convert  themselves  into  accusers,  witnesses,  counsel 
and  judges,  and  prejudge  the  whole  case.  Thus  presenting  the 
appalling  spectacle,  in  a  free  state  of  judges  going  through  a  la- 
bored preparation  for  an  impartial  hearing  and  decision,  by  a 
previous  exparte  investigation  and  sentence  against  the  suppos- 
ed offender. 

There  is  no  more  settled  axiom  in  that  government  whence 
we  derived  the  model  of  this  part  of  our  constitution  than,  that 
"the  lords  cannot  impeach  any  to  themselves,  nor  join  in  the 
accusation,  becaute  they  are  judges."  Independently  of  the  ge- 
neral reason  on  which  this  rule  is  founded,  its  propriety  and 
importance  are  greatly  increased  by  the  nature  of  the  impeach- 
ing power.  The  power  of  arraigning  the  high  officers,  of  go- 
vernment, before  a  tribunal  whose  sentence  may  expel  them 
from  their  seats  and  brand  them  as  infamous,  is  eminently  a  po- 
pular remedy — a  remedy  designed  to  be  employed  for  the  pro- 
tection of  private  right  and  public  liberty,  against  the  abuses  ol 
injustice  and  the  encroachments  of  arbitrary  power.  But  the 
framers  of  the  constitution  were  also  undoubtedly  aware,  that 
this  formidable  instrument  had  been,  and  might  be  abused:  and 
that  from  its  very  nature,  an  impeachment  for  high  crimes  and 
misdemeanors,  whatever  might  be  its  result,  would  in  most 
cases  be  accompanied  by  so  much  of  dishonor  and  reproach, 
solicitude  and  suffering,  as  to"  make  the  power  of  preferring  it, 
one  of  the  highest  solemnity  and  importance.  It  was  due  to  botli 
these  considerations,  that  the  impeaching  power  should  be 
lodged  in  the  hands  of  those  who,  from  the  mode  of  their  elec- 
tion and  the  tenure  of  their  offices,  would  most  accurately  ex- 
press the  popular  will,  and  at  the  same  time  he  most  directly 
and  speedily  amenable  to  the  people. 

The  theory  of  these  wise  and  benignant  intentions  is  in  the 
present  case,  effectually  defeated  by  the  proceedings  of  the  se- 
nate. The  members  of  that  body  represent,  not  the  people,  but 
the  states:  and  though  they  are  undoubtedly  responsible  to  the 
states,  yet,  from  their  extended  term  of  service,  the  effect  o! 
that  responsibility,  during  the  whole  period  of  that  term,  must 
very  much  depend  upon  their  own  impressions  of  its  obligatory 
force.  When  a  body,  thus  constituted  expresses,  beforehand, 
its  opinion  in  a  particular  case,  and  thus  indirectly  invites  t 
prosecution,  it  not  only  assumes  a  power  intended  for  wise 
reasons  to  be  confined  to  others,  but  it  shields  the  latter  from 
that  exclusive  and  personal  responsibility  under  which  it  was 
intended  to  be  exercised,  and  reverses  the  whole  scheme  o 
this  part  of  the  constitution. 

Such  would  be  some  of  the  objections  to  this  procndure,  even 
if  it  were  admitted  that  there  is  just  ground  for  imputing  to  the 
president  the  offences  charged  iti  the  resolution.  But,  if,  nn 
.the  other  hand,  the  house  of  representatives  shall  be  of  opinion 
that  there  is  no  reason  for  charging  them  upon  him,  and  shal 
therefore  deem  it  improper  to  prefer  an  impeachment,  then  wil 
the  violation  of  privilege  as  it  respects  that  house,  of  justice  as 
it  regards  the  president,  and  of  the  constitution,  as  it  relates  to 
'both,  be  only  the  more  conspicuous  and  impressive. 

The  constitutional  mode  of  procedure  on  an  impeachment 
lias  not  ouly  been  wholly  disregarded,  but  some  of  the  first  prin- 
ciples of  natural  right  and  enlightened  jurisprudence,  h.ivc  been 
violated  in  the  very  form  of  the  resolution.  It  carefully  abstains 
from  averring  in  which  of  "the  late  proceedings  in  relation  t< 
the  public  revenue,  the  president  has  assumed  upon  himsel 
authority  and  power  not  conferred  by  the  constitution  anc 
laws."  It  carefully  abstains  from  specifying  what  lavs  or  what 
parti  of  the  constitution  have  been  violated.  Why  was  not  the 
certainty  of  the  offence — "the  nature  and  cause  of  the  nccusa 
tion" — sut  out  in  the  manner  required  in  the  constitution,  he- 
fore  even  the  humblest  individual,  for  the  smallest  crimp,  can 
be  exposed  to  condemnation?  Such  a  specification  was  due  to 
the  accused,  that  he  might  direct  his  defence  to  the  real  pnint.- 
ofattnck;  to  the  people,  that  they  might  clearly  understand  it 
what  particular*  their  institutions  had  been  violated;  nnd  to  tin 
truth  and  certainty  of  our  public  annals.  As  the  record  now 


mds,  whilst  the  resolution  plainly  charges  upon  the  president 
it  least  one  act  of  usurpation  in  "the  late  executive  proceed- 
ngs  in  relation  to  the  public  revenue,"  and  is  so  framed  that 

hose  senators  who  believe  that  one  such  act,  and  only  one, 
i.'i'l  been  committed,  could  assent  to  it,  its  language  is  yet  broad 
inougli  to  include  several  such  acts;  and  so  it  may  have  been 
•egarded  by  some  of  those  who  voted  for  it.  But  though  the 
tccusution  is  thus  comprehensive  in  the  censures  it  implies, 
.here  is  no  such  certainty  of  time,  place,  or  circumstance,  as  to 
.-.\lnbit  the  particular  conclusion  of  factor  law  which  induced 
»ny  one  senator  to  vole  for  it.  And  it  may  well  have  happened, 
.hut  whilst  one  senator  believed  thai  some  particular  act  em- 
oracud  in  the  resolution,  was  an  arhitary  and  unconstiluiional 
assumption  of  power,  others  of  the  majority  may  have  deemed 
that  very  act  both  constitutional  and  expedient,  or  if  not  expe- 
dient, yet  still  within  the  pale  of  the  constitution.  And  thus  a 
majority  of  the  senators  may  have  been  enabled  to  concur,  in  a 
vague  and  undefined  accusation,  that  the  president,  in  the 

ourse  of  "the  late  executive  proceedings  in  relation  to  the  pub- 
" had  violated  the  constitution  and  laws;  whilst,  if 


Still  further  to  exemplify  this  feature  of  the  proceeding,  it  is 
important  to  be  remarked,  that  the  resolution,  as  originally  of- 
fered to  the  senate,  specified,  with  adequate  precision  certain 
acts  of  the  president,  which  it  denounced  as  a  violation  of  the 
constitution  and  laws;  and  that  it  was  not  until  the  very  close 
of  the  debate,  and  when,  perhaps,  it  was  apprehended  lhat  a 
majority  might  not  sustain  the  specific  accusation  contained  in 
it,  that  the  resolution  was  so  modified  as  to  assume  its  present 
form.  A  more  striking  illustration  of  the  soundness  and  neces- 
sity of  the  rules  which  forbid  vague  and  indefinite  generalities, 
and  require  a  reasonable  certainty  in  all  judicial  allegations, 
and  a  more  glaring  instance  of  the  violation  of  those  rules,  has 
seldom  been  exhibited. 

In  this  view  of  the  resolution  it  must  certainly  be  regarded, 
not  as  a  vindication  of  any  particular  provision  of  the  law  or 
the  constitution,  but  simply  as  an  official  rebuke  or  condemna- 
tory sentence,  too  general  and  indefinite  to  be  easily  repelled, 
but  yet  sufficiently  precise  to  bring  into  discredit  the  conduct 
and  motives  ot  the  executive.  But  whatever  it  may  have  been 
intended  to  accomplish,  it  is  obvious  that  the  vagne.  general 
and  abstract  form  of  the  resolution,  is  in  perfect  keeping  with 
those  oilier  departures  from  first  principles  and  settled  improve- 
ments in  jurisprudence,  so  properly  the  boast  of  free  countries 
in  modern  times.  And  it  is  not  too  much  to  say,  of  the  whole 
of  these  proceedings,  that  if  they  shall  be  approved  and  sustain- 
ed by  an  intelligent  people,  then  will  that  great  contest  with  ar- 
bitrary power,  which  had  established  in  statutes,  in  hills  of 
rights,  in  sacred  charters,  and  in  constitutions  of  government, 
tin:  rizht  of  every  citizen,  to  a  notice  before  trial,  to  a  hearing 
before  conviction,  and  to  an  impartial  tribunal  for  deciding  on 
the  charge,  have  been  waged  in  vain. 

If  the  resolution  had  been  left  in  its  original  form,  it  is  not  to 
be  presumed  that  it  could  ever  have  received  the  assent  of  a 
majority  of  the  senate,  for  the  acts  therein  specified  as  violation* 
of  the  constitution  and  laws  were  clearly  within  the  limits  of 
the  executive  authority.  They  are  the  "dismissing  the  late  se- 
cretary of  the  treasury,  because  he  would  not,  contrary  to  his 
sense  of  his  own  duty,  remove  the  money  of  the  U.  States  in 
deposite  with  the  hank  of  the  United  States  and  its  branches,  in 
conformity  with  (he  president's  opinion;  and  appointing  his 
successor  to  effect  such  removal— which  has  been  done."  But 
as  no  other  specification  has  been  substituted,  and  as  these 
were  the  "executive  proceedings  in  relation  to  the  public  reve- 
nue," principally  referred  to  in  the  course  of  the  discussion, 
they  will  doubtless  be  generally  regarded  as  the  acts  intended  to 
be  denounced  as  "an  assumption  of  authority  and  power  not 
confeired  by  the  constitution  or  laws,  but  in  derogation  of  both." 
It  is  therefore  due  to  the  occasion  that  a  condensed  summnry  of 
the  views  of  the  executive  in  respect  to  them,  should  be  here 
exhibited. 

By  the  constitution,  "the  executive  power  is  invested  in  a 
president  of  the  United  States."  Among  the  duties  imposed 
upon  him,  and  which  he  i?  sworn  to  perform,  is  that  of ''taking 
care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  executed."  Being  thus  made 
responsible  for  the  entire  action  of  the  executive  department, 
it  was  but  reasonable  that  the  power  of  nppointiitc.  overseeing 
and  controling  those  who  execute  the  laws— a  power  in  its  na- 
ture executive— should  remain  in  his  hands.  It  id,  therefore, 
not  only  his  right,  but  the  constitution  makes  it  his  duty,  to 
"nominate,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  se- 
nate appoint, "nil  "officers  of  the  United  States  whose  appoint- 
ments are  not  in  the  constitution  otherwise  provided  for,"  with 
n  proviso  that  the  appointment  of  inferior  officers  mny  he  vest- 
ed in  the  president  alone,  in  the  courts  of  justice,  or  in  the 
heads  of  departments. 

The  executive  power  vested  in  the  senate,  is  neither  that  of 
"nominating"  nor  "appointing."  It  is  merely  n  check  upon 
the  executive  power  ol  appointment.  If  individuals  are  pro- 
posed for  appointment  by  the  president,  hy  them  deemed  in- 
competent or  unworthy,  they  mny  withhold  their  consent,  nnd 
the  appointment  cannot  he  made.  They  check  the  nni'in  ot' 
the  executive,  hut  ranimt,  in  r«I.ilion  In  tho*e  very  tultjrrt*, 
ii'' t  themselves,  nor  direi-i  him.  *ele<-lioin  nre  still  made  by 
th«  president, and  tins  negative  given  to  tin*  senate,  without  ill- 


N1LES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— PRESIDENT'8  PROTEST. 


141 


minishing  his  responsibility,  furnishes  an  additional  guarantee 
to  the  country  that  the  subordinate  executive,  as  well  as  the 
judicial  offices,  shall  be  filled  with  worthy  and  competent  men. 
The  whole  executive  power  being  vested  in  the  president, 
who  is  responsible  for  its  exercise,  it  is  a  necessary  conse- 
quence, that  he  should  have  a  right  to  employ  agents  of  his  own 
choice  to  aid  him  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  and  to  dis- 
charge them  when  he  is  no  longer  willing  to  be  responsible  for 
their  acts.  In  strict  accordance  with  tin.-:  principle,  the  power 
of  removal,  which,  like  that  of  appointment,  is  an  original  exe- 
cutive power,  is  left  unchecked  by  tin:  constitution  in  relation 
to  all  executive  officers,  for  whose  conduct  the  president  is  re- 
sponsible, while  it  is  taken  from  him  in  relation  to  judicial  of- 
ficers, for  whose  acts  he  is  riot  responsible.  In  the  government 
from  which  many  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  our  system 
are  derived,  the  head  of  the  executive  department  originally 
had  power  to  appoint  and  remove  at  will  all  officers,  executive 
and  judicial.  It  was  to  take  the  judges  out  of  this  general  pow- 
er of  removal,  and  thus  make  them  independent  of  the  execu- 
tive, that  the  tenure  of  their  offices  was  changed  to  good  beha- 
viour. Nor  is  it  conceivable,  why  they  are  placed,  in  our  con- 
stitution, upon  a  tenure  different  from  that  of  all  other  officers 
appointed  by  the  executive,  unless  it  he  for  the  same  purpose. 

But  if  there  were  any  just  ground  or  doubt  on  the  face  of  the 

constitution,  whether  all  executive  officers  are  removable  at  the    footing  with  correspc 
will  of  the  president,  it  is  obviate.d  by  the  contemporaneous    cutive  departments, 
construction  of  the  instrument,  and  the  uniform  practice  under 
it. 

The  power  of  removal  was  a  topic  of  solemn  debate  in  the 
congress  of  1789,  while  organizing  the  administrative  depart 
menu  of  the  government,  and  it  was  Anally  decided,  that  the 
president  derived  from  the  constitution,  the  power  of  removal 
so  far  as  it  regards  that  department  for  whose  acts  he  is  respon- 
sible. Although  the  debate  covered  the  whole  ground,  embrac- 
ing the  treasury  as  well  as  all  the  other  executive  departments, 
it  arose  on  a  motion  to  strike  out  of  the  bill  to  establish  a  depart- 
ment of  foreign  affairs,  since  called  the  department  of  state,  a 
clause  declaring  the  secretary  "to  be  removable  from  office  by 
the  president  of  the  United  States."  After  that  motion  had 
been  decided  in  the  negative,  it  was  perceived  that  these  words 
did  not  convey  the  sense  of  the  house  of  representatives,  in  re- 
lation to  the  true  source  of  the  power  of  removal.  With  the 
avowed  object  of  preventing  any  future  inference,  that  this  pow- 
er was  exercised  by  the  president  in  virtue  of  a  grant  from  con- 
gress, when  in  fact  that  body  considered  it  as  derived  from  the 
constitution,  the  words  which  had  been  the  subject  of  debate 
were  struck  out,  and  in  lieu  thereof  a  clause  was  inserted  in  a 
provision  concerning  the  chief  clerk  of  the  department,  which 
declared  that  "whenever  the  said  principal  officer  shall  be  re- 
moved from  office  by  the  president  of  the  United  States,  or  in 
any  other  case  of  vacancy,"  the  chief  clerk  should,  during  such 
vacancy,  have  charge  of  the  papers  of  the  office.  This  change 
having  been  made  for  the  express  purpose  of  declaring  the  sense 
of  congress,  that  the  president  derived  the  power  of  removal 
from  the  constitution,  the  act  as  it  passed  has  always  been  con- 
sidered as  a  full  expression  of  the  sense  of  the  legislature  on 
this  important  part  of  the  American  constitution. 

Here  then  we  have  the  concurrent  authority  of  president 
Washington,  of  the  senate,  and  the  house  of  representatives, 
numbers  of  whom  had  taken  an  active  part  in  the  convention 
which  framed  the  constitution,  and  in  the  state  conventions, 
which  adopted  it,  that  the  president  derived  an  unqualified 
power  of  removal  from  that  instrument  itself,  which  is  "beyond 
the  reach  ol  legislative  authority."  Upon  this  principle  the  go- 
vernment hag  now  been  steadily  administered  for  about  forty- 
five  years,  during  which  there  have  been  numerous  removals 
made  by  the  president  or  by  hi^  direction,  embracing  every  grade 
of  executive  officers,  from  the  heads  of  departments  to  the 
messengers  of  bureaus. 

The  treasury  department,  in  the  discussions  of  1789,  was  con- 
sidered on  the  same  footing  as  the  other  executive  departments, 
and  in  the  act  establishing  it,  the  precise  words  were  incorpo- 
rated indicative  of  the  sense  of  congress,  that  the  president  do- 
rives  his  power  to  remove  the  secretary  from  the  constitution, 
which  appear  in  the  act  establishing  the  department  of  foreign 
affairs.     An  assistant  secretary  of  the  treasury  was  created,  and 
it  was  provided  that  he  should  take  charge  of  the  books  and  pa- 
pers of  the  department"wheneverthe  secretary  shall  bcrcmou- 
ed  from  office  by  the  president  of  the  United  States."    The  se- 
cretary of  the  treasury  being  appointed  by  the  president,  and 
being  considered  as  constitutionally  removable  by  him,  it  ap- 
pears never  to  have  occurred  to  any  one  in  the  congress  of  1789, 
or  since,  until  very  recently,  that  he  was  other  thnn  an  execu- 
tive officer,  the  mere  instrument  of  the  chief  magistrate  in  the 
execution  of  the  laws,  subject,  like  all  other  heads  of  depart- 
ments, to  his  supervision  and  control.    No  such  idea  as  an  offi- 
cer of  the  congress  can  be  found  in  the  constitution,  or  appears 
to  have  suggested  itself  to  those  who  organized  the  government. 
There  are  officers  of  each  house,  the  appointment  of  which  is 
authorised  by  the  constitution,  but  all  officers  referred  to  in  that 
instrument,  as  coming  within  the  appointing  power  of  the  pre- 
sident, whether  established  thereby  or  created  by  law,  are  "offi- 
cers of  the  United  States."    No  joint  power  of  appointment  is 
given  to  the  two  houses  of  congress,  nor  is  there  any  accounta- 
bility to  them  as  one  body,  but  as  soon  as  any  office  is  createc 
by  law.  of  whatever  name  or  character,  the  appointment  of  the 
personor  persons  to  fill  it,  devolves  by  the  constitution  upon 
the  president,  with  tn-e  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  unlcs- 


t  be  an  inferior  office,  and  the  appointment  be  vested  by  the 
aw  itself  "in  the  president  alone,  in  the  courts  of  law,  or  in  the 
leads  of  departments." 

But  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  treasury  depart- 
ment, an  incident  occurred  which  distinctly  evinces  the  unani- 
mous concurrence  of  the  first  congress  in  th«  principle  that  the 
treasury  department  is  wholly  executive  in  its  character  and  re- 
sponsibilities. A  motion  was  made  to  strike  out  the  provisions 
of  the  bill  making  it  the  duty  of  the  secretary  "to  digest  and  re- 
port plans  for  the  improvement  and  management  of  the  reve- 
nue, mid  tor  the  support  of  public  credit,"  on  the  ground  that  it 
would  give  the  executive  department  of  the  government  too 
much  influence  and  power  in  congress.  The  motion  was  not 
opposed  on  the  ground  that  the  secretary  was  the  officer  of  con- 
gress and  responsible  to  that  body,  which  would  have  been  con- 
clusive, if  admitted,  but  on  other  grounds  which  conceded  his 
executive  character  throughout.  The  whole  discussion  evinces 
an  unanimous  concurrence  in  the  principle,  that  the  secretary 
of  the  treasury  is  wholly  an  executive  officer,  and  the  struggle 
of  the  minority  was  to  restrict  his  power  as  such. 

From  that  time  down  to  the  present,  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury, the  treasurer,  register,  comptrollers,  auditors'  and  clerks, 
who  fill  the  offices  of  that  department,  have  in  the  practice  of 
the  government,  been  considered  and  treated  as  on  the  same 
footing  with  corresponding  grades  of  officers  in  all  the  other  exe- 
itive  departments. 

The  custody  of  the  public  property,  under  such  regulations  as 
may  be  prescribed  by  legislative  authority,  has  always  been 
considered  an  appropriate  function  of  the  executive  department 
in  this  and  all  other  governments.  In  accordance  with  this 
principle,  every  species  of  property  belonging  to  the  U.  States, 
(excepting  that  which  is  in  the  use  of  the  several  co-ordinata 
departments  of  the  government,  as  means  to  aid  them  in  per- 
forming their  appropriate  functions),  is  in  charge  of  officers  ap- 
pointed by  the  president,  whether  it  be  lands,  or  buildings,  or 
merchandise,  or  provisions,  or  clothing,  or  arms  and  munition* 
of  war.  The  superintendents  and  keepers  of  the  whole  are  ap- 
pointed by  the  president,  responsible  to  him,  and  removable  at 
his  will. 

Public  money  is  but  a  species  of  public  property.  It  cannot 
be  raised  by  taxation  or  customs,  nor  brought  into  the  treasury 
in  any  other  way,  except  by  law;  but  whenever  or  howsoever 
obtained,  its  custody  always  has  been,  and  always  must  be,  un- 
less the  constitution  be  changed,  intrusted  to  the  executive  de- 
partment.— No  officer  can  be  created  by  congress  for  the  pur- 
pose of  taking  charge  of  it,  whose  appointment  would  not,  by 
the  constitution,  at  once  devolve  on  the  president,  and  who 
would  not  be  responsible  to  him  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
his  duties.  The  legislative  power  may  undoubtedly  bind  him 
and  the  president,  by  any  laws  they  may  think  proper  to  enact; 
they  may  prescribe  in  what  place  particular  portions  of  the  pub- 
lic money  shall  be  kept, and  for  what  reason  it  shall  be  removed, 
as  they  may  direct  that  supplies  for  the  army  or  navy  shall  be  kept 
in  particular  stores;  and  it  will  be  the  dnty  of  the  president  to  see 
that  the  law  is  faithfully  executed— yet  will  the  custody  remain 
in  the  executive  department  of  the  government.  Were  the  con- 
gress to  assume,  with  or  without  a  legislative  act  the  power  of 
appointing  officers  independently  of  the  president,  to  take  charge 
and  custody  of  the  public  property  contained  in  the  military  and 
naval  arsenals,  magazines  and  storehouses,  it  is  believed  that 
such  an  act  would  be  regarded  by  all  as  a  palpable  usurpation  of 
executive  power,  subversive  of  the  form  as  well  as  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  our  government.  But  where  is  the  differ- 
ence in  principle  whether  the  public  property  he  in  the  form  of 
arms,  munitions  of  war,  and  supplies  or  in  gold  and  silver,  or 
hank  notes?  None  can  be  perceived — none  is  believed  to  exist. 
Congress  cannot,  therefore  t«ke  out  of  the  hands  of  the  execu- 
ive  department,  the  custody  of  the  public  property  or  money, 
without  an  assumption  of  executive  power,  and  a  subversion  of 
he  first  principles  of  the  constitution. 

The  congress  of  the  United  States  have  never  passed  an  act 
mperatively  directing  that  the  public  moneys  shall  be  kept  in 
any  particular  place  or  places.  From  the  origin  of  the  govern- 
ment to  the  year  1816,  the  statute  book  was  wholly  silent  on 
the  subject.  In  1789,  a  treasurer  was  created,  subordinate  to 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  through  him  to  the  president. 
—He  was  required  to  give  bond,  safely  to  keep,  and  faithfully 
to  disburse  the  public  moneys,  without  any  direction  as  to  the 
manner  or  places  in  which  they  should  be  kept.  By  reference 
to  the  practice  of  the  government,  it  is  found,  that  from  its  first 
organization,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  acting  under  the  su- 
pervision of  the  president,  designated  the  places  in  which  the 
public  moneys  should  be  kept,  and  specially  directed  all  trans- 
fers from  place  to  place.  This  practice  was  continued,  with 
the  silent  acquiescence  of  congress,  from  1789,  down  to  1816; 
and  although  many  banks  were  selected  and  discharged,  and  al- 
though a  portion  of  the  moneys  were  first  placed  in  the  state 
banks,  and  then  in  the  former  bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
upon  the  dissolution  of  that,  were  again  transferred  to  the  state 
banks,  no  legislation  was  thnnght  necessary  by  congress,  nnd 
all  the  operations  were  originated  and  perfected  by  executive 
authority.  The  secretary  oftlie  treasury,  responsible  to  the 
president,  and  with  his  approbation,  made  contracts  and  ar- 
rangements in  relation  to  the  whole  subject  matter,  which  was 
thus  entirely  committed  to  (he  direction  of  the  president. under 
his  responsibilities  to  the  American  people,  and  to  those  who 
were  authorised  to  impeach  and  punish  him  for  any  breach  of 
this  important  trust. 


142 


NiLES'  REGISTER— APRIL  £6,  1 834— PRESIDENT'S  PROTEST. 


The  act  of  18J6,  establishing  the  bank  of  (he  United  Slate 
directed  thedeposiles  of  public  money  to  be  made  in  that  bai 
and  its  brandies,  in  pi, ices  in  which  the  said  bunks  and  brand 
«s  theieof  may  be  established,  '-unless  Hie  secretary  of  the  tre, 
sury  should  olhciwise  order  and  direct,"  in  winch  event,  1 
was  required  to  give  liis  reasons  to  congress.  This  was  b 
•.continuation  of  his  pie-existing  powers  as  the  head  of  an  e 
eculive  department,  to  direct  where  the  depo.-ites  should 
made,  with  the  superadded  obligation  of  giving  his  reasons 
congress  for  making  them  eUewhere  than  in  the  bank  of  tl 
United  States  and  us  branches.  It  is  not  to  be  crn»idered  Hi 
this  provision  in  any  degree  altered  the  relation  between  tl 
secretary  of  the  treasury  and  the  president,  as  the  reponsibl 
bead  ol  the  executive  department,  or  released  the  latter  froi 
bis  constitutional  obligation  to  "take  care  that  the  laws  be  faiil 
fully  executed. "  On  the  contrary,  it  increased  his  reponsibil 
ties,  by  adding  another  to  the  long  lists  of  laws,  which  it  w« 
his  duty  to  carry  into  effect. 

It  would  be  an  extraordinary  result,  if,  because  the  perso 
chaiged  by  law  with  a  public  duty,  is  one  of  the  secretaries, 
were  less  the  duty  ot  the  president  to  see  that  law  faithful] 
executed,  than  other  laws  enjoining  duties  upon  subordinal 
officers  or  private  citizens.  If  there  be  any  difference,  it  woul 
seem  that  the  obligation  is  the  stronger  in  relation  to  the  forme 
because  the  neglect  is  in  his  presence,  and  the  remedy  at  ham 

It  cannot  be  doubti.d  that  it  was  the  legal  duty  of  the  secret;. 
ry  of  the  treasury  to  order  and  direct  the  depomtes  of  the  publi 
money  to  be  made  elsewhere  than  in  the  bank  of  the  Unite 
States,  whenever  sufficient  reasons  existed  for  making  change 
If,  in  such  a  case,  he  neglected  or  refused  to  act,  he  would  lie 
gleet  or  refuse  to  execute  the  law. 

VV'nal  would  then  be  the  sworn  duty  of  the  president?  Coul 
he  say  dial  the  constitution  did  not  iiind  him  lo  see  the  law 
faithfully  executed,  because  it  was  one  of  his  secretaries,  am 
nut  himself  upon  whom  the  service  was  specially  imposed 
Alight  he  not  be  asked  whether  there  was  any  such  limitalio- 
to  his  obligations  prescribed  in  the  constitution?  Whether  1 


is  not  equally  bound  to  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  ex 
ecuted,  whether  they  impose  duties  on  the  highest  officer  o 
stale,  or  the  lowest  subordinate  in  any  of  the  departments 
Might  he  not  he  told,  that  it  was  for  llie  sole  purpose  of  causing 
all  executive  officers,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  faithfully 
to  perform  the  services  required  of  them  by  law — that  the  peo 
pie  ol'llie  United  Stales  have  made  him  their  chief  magistrate 
and  the  constitution  has  clothed  him  with  the  entire  exc.cutivt 
power  of  this  government?  The  principles  implied  in  these 
questions  appear  too  plain  to  need  elucidation. 

But  here,  also,  we  have  a  colempoianeons  construction  o 
the  act,  which  shows  that  it  was  not  understood  as  in  any  way 
changing  the  relalions  between  the  president  and  secretary  o 
the  treasury,  or  as  placing  the  latte.r  0111  of  execulive  control 
even  in  relation  to  the  deposites  of  the  public  money.  Nor  01 
this  point  are  we  left  to  any  equivocal  testimony.  The  docu- 
ments of  the  lieasury  departmenl  show  thai  the  secretary  o 
the  treasury  did  apply  to  the  president,  and  obtain  his  approh.i- 
lion  and  sanction  to  the  original  transfer  of  the  public  dcposites 
to  the  present  hank  of  ihc  United  States,  and  did  carry  the 


a  rti-i^.  <iii«»  ne  priui;i|iH»  on  \viut  n  inev  were  lonniien, 
were  known  to  all  the  departments  of  tin-  government,  to  con- 
gress, and  the  country,  and,  until  very  recently,  appear  never 
to  have  been  called  in  question. 

Thus  was  it  settled   by  the  constitution,  the  laws,  and  the 
Whole   practice  of  the  government,  that  the  entire   executive 


|slerl  in  the  president;  that  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  J8  on* 
of  those  officers;  that  the  cusuirly  of  the  public  property  am 
money  is  nn  executive  function,  which,  in  relation  to  the  "mo 
ney,  has  always  been  exercised  through  Ih 


secretary  of  the  treasury,  lo  place  the  moneys  of  the  United 
States  in  other  depositories.  The  secretary  did  not  concur  in 
that  opinion. and  declined  giving  Ihe  necessary  order  and  direc- 
tion. So  glaring  were  the  abuses  and  corruption  of  the  bank, 
so  evident  Us  fixed  purpose  lo  persevere  in  them,  and  so  palpa- 
ble its  design,  by  its  money  and  power,  to  control  the  govern- 
ment and  change  its  character,  that  1  deemed  it  the  imperative 
duty  of  the  executive  authority,  by  the  exertion  of  every  power 
confided  lo  ii  by  the  constitution  and  laws,  to  check  its  career, 
and  lessen  its  ability  lo  do  mischief,  even  in  the  painful  aller- 
naiive  of  dismissing  the  head  of  one  of  the  departments.  At 
the  lime  the  removal  was  made,  oilier  causes  sufficient  to  jus- 
tify it-existed;  but  if  they  had  not,  the  secretary  would  have 
been  dismissed  for  this  cause  only. 

His  place  I  supplied  by  one  whose  opinions  were  well  known 
to  me,  ati.-i  whose  frank  expression  of  them,  in  another  situa- 
tion, and  whose  generous  sacrifices  of  interest  and  feeling, 
when  unexpectedly  called  to  the  station  he  now  occupies, 
ought  forever  to  have  shielded  his  motives  from  suspicion,  and 
hi"  character  from  reproach.  In  accordance  with  the  opinions 
long  before  expressed  by  him,  he  proceeded,  wilh  my  sanclion, 
to  make  arrangements  for  depositing  the  moneys  of  the  United 
Stales  in  other  safe  institutions. 

The  resolution  of  the  senate,  as  originally  framed,  and  as 
passed  if  it  refers  to  these  acts,  presirpposes  a  right  in  that  body 
lo  interfere  with  this  exercise  of  executive  power.  If  the  prin- 
ciple be  once  admitted,  it  is  not  difficult  to  perceive  where  it 
may  end.  If,  by  a  mere  denunciation  like  this  resolution,  the 
president  should  ever  be  induced  to  act,  in  a  matter  of  official 
duty,  contrary  to  the  honest  convictions  of  his  own'mind,  in 
compliance  with  the  wishes  of  the  senate,  the  constitutional 
independence  of  the  executive  department  would  be  as  effectu- 
ally destroyed,  and  iir  power  as  effectually  transferred  to  the 
senate,  as  if  that  end  had  been  accomplished  by  an  amendment 
of  the  constitution. 

But  if  the  senate  have  a  right  to  interfere  with  the  executive 
powers,  they  have  also  Ihe  right  to  make  that  interference  effec- 
tive; and  if  the  assertion  of  the  power  implied  in  the  resolution 
be  silently  acquiesced  in,  we  may  reasonably  apprehend  that  it 
will  be  followed,  at  some  future  day,  by  an  attempt  at  actual 
enforcement.  The  senate  may  refuse,  except  on  the  condition 
that  he  will  surrender  his  opinions  to  theirs  and  obey  their  will, 
to  perform  their  own  constitutional  functions,  to  pass  the  ne- 
cessary laws,  to  sanction  appropriations  projiosed  by  the  house 
of  representatives,  and  to  confirm  proper  nominations  made  by 
the  president-  It  has  already  been  maintained  (and  it  is  not 
conceivable  that  the  resolution  ol  the  senate  can  be  based  on 
any  other  principle)  that  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  is  the 
ifficer  of  congress,  and  independent  of  the  president;  that  the 
president  has  no  right  lo  control  him,  and  consequently  none 
.o  remove  him.  With  the  same  propriety,  and  on  similar 
grounds,  may  the  secretary  of  state,  the  secretaries  of  war  and 
lavy,  and  the  postmaster  general,  each  in  succession,  be  de- 
clared independent  of  Ihe  president,  the  subordinates  of  con- 
gress, and  removable  only  wilh  the  concurrence  of  the  senate. 
Allowed  to  its  consequences,  this  principle  will  be  found  effec- 
u ally  lo  iles troy  one  co-ordinate  department  of  the  government, 
o  concentrate  in  the  hands  of  the  senate  the  whole  executive 
>ower,  and  to  leave  the  president  as  powerless  as  he  would  be 
iseless — the  shadow  of  authority,  after  the  substance  had  de- 
parted. 

The  time  and  the  occasion  which  have  called  forth  the  reso- 
ulion  of  the  senate,  si-em  to  impose  upon  me  an  additional  ob- 
igation  not  to  pass,  it  over  in  silence.     Nearly  forty  five  years 
ad  the  president  exercised,  without  a  question  as  to  his  right- 
ill  authority,  those  powers  for  the  recent  assumption  of  which 
e  is  now  denounced.     The  vicissitudes  of  peace  and  war  had 
ttcnded  our  government;  violent  parties,  watchful  to  take  ad- 
antage  of  any  seeming  usurpation  on  the  part  of  the  execu- 
ive,  had  distracted  our  councils;  frequent  removals,  or  forced 
esignations,  in  every  sense  tantamount  to  removals,  had  been 
lade  of  the  secretary  and  other  officers  of  the  treasury;  and 
et,  in  no  one  inslnnce  is  it  known,  that  any  man,  whether  pa- 
•iol  or  partisan,  had  raised  his  voice  against  it  as  a  violation  of 
IB  constitution.     The  expediency  and  justice  of  such  changes, 
n  reference  to  public  officers  of  all  grades,  have  frequently  been 
ir  topics  of  discussion;  but  the  constitutional   right  of  the  pre- 
idenl  lo  appoint,  control,  and  remove  t!ie  head  of  the  treasury, 
•*  well  as  all  other  departments,  seems  to  have  been  universal- 
•  conceded.     And  what  is  the  occasion  upon  which  other  prin- 
iplet.    have    bei-n    first  officially   averted:     The    bank   of  the 
nited  Slates,  a  great  moneyed   monopoly,  had  attempted  to 
htain  a  renewal  of  its  charier,  by  controlling  the  elections  of 
IB  people  and  Ihe  action  of  the  government.     The  use  of  its 
irporate  funds  and  power  in  that  attempt,  was  fully  disclosed; 
-id  it  was  mnde   known  lo  the  president  that  the  corporation 
as  pulling  in  train  the  same  course  of  measures,  with  the 
ew  of  making  nnotht-r  vigorous  effort,  through  an  interference 
Hie  election*  of  the  people,  to  control   public  opinion  and 
rce  the  government  to  yield  to  its  demands. 
This,  with  its  corruption  of  Ihc  press,  it*  violation  of  itschar- 
r,  its  exHtjjiion  of  the  government  directors  from  its  proceed- 
ed, H-  neglect  of  duty   and  arrogant  pretensions,  made  it,  in 
e  opinion  of  the   president,   incompatible   wilh  the  public  in- 
rest  and  the  safely  of  onr  institution*,  that  it  should  be  longer 
mployed  as  the  fiscal  agent  of  Ihe  treasury.     A  secretary  of 
e  treasury,  appointed  in  the  recess  of  the  senate,  who  bad  not 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— PRESIDENT'S  PROTEST. 


143 


been  continued  by  that  body,  and  whom  the  president  might  r 
might  nut  at  his  pleasure  nominate  to  them,  refused  to  do  wh: 
his  superior  in  the  executive  department  considered  the  mos 
imperative  of  his  duties,  and  became  in  fact,  however  innocei 
his  motives,  the  protector  of  the  bank.  And  on  tins  oecasiu 
it  is  discovered  for  th.j  first  time,  that  those  who  framed  tl 
constitulion  misunderslood  it;  that  the  first  congress  and  all  its 
successors  have  been  under  a  delusion;  that  the  practice  < 
near  forty-five  years  is  but  a  continued  usurpation;  that  the  se 
crelary  of  the  treasury  is  nol  responsible  to  the  president;  an 
that  to  remove  him  is  a  violation  of  the  constitution  and  law.- 
for  which  the  president  deserves  to  bland  forever  dislionore 
on  the  journals  of  the  senate. 

There  are  also  some  other  circumstances  connected  with  th 
discussion  and  passage  of  the  resolution,  to  which  1  feel  it  t 
be,  not  only  my  right,  but  my  duty  to  refer.  It  appears  by  th 
journal  of  the  senate,  that  among  the  twenty  six  senators  win 
voted  for  the  resolution  on  its  final  passage,  and  who  had  sup 
ported  it  in  debate,  in  its  original  form,  were  one  of  the  sena 
tors  from  the  state  of  Maine,  the  two  senators  from  New  Jcr 
aey,  and  one  of  the  senators  from  Ohio.  It  also  appears  liy  tin 
same  journal,  and  by  the  Mies  of  the  senate,  that  the  legislalur 
of  these  states  had  severally  expressed  their  opinions  in  respec 
to  the  executive  proceedings  drawn  in  question  before  the  se 
•ate. 

The  two  branches  of  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  Maine,  or 
the  25th  of  January,  1834,  passed  a  preamble  and  series  of  reso 
lutions  in  the  following  words: 

"  Whereas,  at  an  early  period  after  the  election  of  Andrew 
Jackson  to  the  presidency,  in  accordance  with  the  sentiment, 
which  he  had  uniformly  expressed,  the  attention  of  congress 
was  called  to  the  constitutionality  and  expediency  of  the  re 
newal  of  the  charter  of  the  United  Slates  bank:  And  whereas 
the  bank  lias  transcended  its  chartered  limits  in  the  manage 
ment  of  its  business  transactions,  and  has  abandoned  the  ob 
ject  of  its  creation,  by  engaging  in  political  controversies,  by 
wielding  its  power  and  influence  to  embarrass  the  administra- 
tion of  the  general  government,  and  by  bringing  insolvency  am 
distress  upon  the  commercial  community.  And  whereas,  the 
public  security  from  such  an  institution  consists  less  in  its  pre- 
sent pecuniary  capacity  to  discharge  its  liabilities  than  in  the 
fidelity  with  which  Hie  trusts  reposed  in  it  have  been  executed 
And  whereas,  the  abuse  arid  misapplication  of  the  powers  con- 
ferred have  destroyed  the  confidence  of  the  public  in  the  offi- 
cers of  the  bunk,  and  demonstrated  that  such  powers  endanger 
the  stability  of  republican  institutions:  Therefore,  Resolved, 
That  in  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  bank  oi 
the  United  States,  as  well  as  in  the  manner  of  their  removal, 
we  recognize  in  the  administration  an  adherence  to  constitu- 
tional rights,  and  the  performance  of  a  public  duly. 

"Resolved,  That  this  legislature  entertain  the  same  opintoi 
as  heretofore  expressed  by  preceding  legislatures  of  this  state, 
that  the  bank  of  the  United  St.ues  ought  not  to  be  recharlered. 

'•Resolved,  That  the  senators  of  this  state  in  the  congress  of 
the  United  States  be  instructed,  and  the  representatives  be  re- 
quested, to  oppose  the  restoration  of  the  deposites  and  the  re- 
newal of  the  chatter  of  the  United  States  bank." 

On  the,  I  1th  of  January,  1834,  the  house  of  assembly  and 
council  composing  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey, 
passed  a  preamble  and  a  series  of  resolutions  in  the  following 
words: 

"Whtreas  the  present  crisis  in  our  public  affairs  calls  fora 
decided  expression  of  the  voice  of  the  people  of  this  state:  anil 
whereas  we  consider  it  the  undoubted  right  of  the  legislature 
of  the  several  states  to  instruct  those  who  represent  their  inter- 
ests in  the  council  of  the  nation,  in  all  matters  which  intimate- 
ly concern  the  public  weal,  and  may  affect  the  happiness  or 
Well  being  of  the  people:  Therefore 

"1.  Be  it  resolved  by  the  council  and  general  assembly  of  this 
state,  That  while  we  acknowledge  with  feelings  of  devout  gra- 
titude our  obligations  to  the  Great  Ruler  of  nations  for  his  mer- 
cies to  us  as  a  people,  that  we  have  been  preserved  alike  from 
foreign  war,  from  the  evils  of  internal  commotions,  and  the 
machinations  of  designing  and  ambitious  men  who  would  pros 
trate  the  fair  fabric  of  our  union;  that  we  ought,  nevertheless, 
to  humble  ourselves  in  His  presence  and  implore  His  aid  for 
the  perpetuation  of  our  republican  institutions,  and  for  a  conti- 
nuance of  that  unexampled  prosperity  which  our  country  has 
hitherto  enjoyed. 

"2.  Resolved,  That  we  have  undiminished  confidence  in  the 
integrity  and  firmness  of  the  venerable  patriot  who  now  holds 
the.  distinguished  post  of  chief  magistrate  of  this  nation,  and 
whose  purity  of  purpose  and  elevated  motives  have  so  often  re- 
ceived the  unqualified  approbation  of  a  large  majority  of  his 
fellow  citizens. 

"3.  Resolved,  That  we  view  with  agitation  and  alarm  the  ex- 
istence of  a  great  moneyed  incorporation,  which  threatens  to 
embarrass  the  operations  of  the  government,  and  by  means  of 
its  unbounded  influence  upon  the  currency  of  the  country,  to 
scatter  distress  and  ruin  throughout  the  community;  and,  that 
we,  therefore,  solemnly  believe  the  present  bank  of  the  United 
States  ought  not  to  be  rechartered. 

"4.  Resolved,  That  our  senators  in  congress  he  instructed, 
and  our  members  of  the  house  of  representatives  be  requested 
to  sustain,  by  their  votes  and  influence,  the  course  adopted  by 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  Mr.  Taney,  in  relation  to  the  bank 
of  the  United  States  and  the  depofilcs  of  the  government  mo- 
neys, believing  as  we  do  the  course  of  the  secretary  to  have 


been  constitutional,  and  that  the  public  good  required  iu  adop- 
tion. 

"5.  Reiolced,  That  the  governor  be  requested  to  forward  a 
copy  of  the  above  resolutions  to  each"  of  our  senators  and  re- 
P'esentalives  from  this  stale  in  the  congress  of  Ihe  United 
Stales." 

On  the  21st  day  of  February  last,  the  legislature  of  the  same 
state  reiterated  the  opinions  and  instructions  before  given  by 
joint  resolutions,  in  the  following  words: 

"Resolved  by  the  council  and  general  assembly  of  the  ttote  of 
New  Jersey,  That  Ihey  do  adhere  to  Ihe  resolutions  passed  by 
them  on  the  11  th  day  of  January  last,  relative  to  Hie  president 
of  the  United  Slales,  the  bank  of  Hie  United  St.Ue-s,  and  the 
course  of  Mr.  Taney  in  removing  Hie  government  deposites. 

"Resolved,  That  the  legislature  of  New  Jersey  have  noi  seen 
any  reason  to  depart  from  such  resolutions  since  the  passage 
thereof;  and  it  is  their  wish  that  they  should  receive  from  our 
senators  and  representatives  of  this  stale  in  the  congress  of  the 
United  States,  that  attention  and  obedience  which  are  due  to 
the  opinion  of  a  sovereign  state  openly  expressed  in  its  legisla- 
tive capacity." 

On  the  2d  of  January,  1834,  the  senate  and  house  of  repre- 
sentatives composing  the  legislalure  of  Ohio,  passed  a  preamble 
iind  resolutions  in  the  following  words: 

"  Whereas  Hiere  is  reason  to  belif  ve  that  the  bank  of  the  U. 
States  will  attempt  to  obtain  a  renewal  of  its  charter  at  the  pre- 
sent session  of  congress:  And  whereas  it  is  abundantly  evident 
that  said  bank  has  exercised  powers  derogatory  to  the  spirit  of 
our  free  institutions  and  dangerous  to  the  liberties  of  these  U. 
States:  And  whereas,  there  is  just  reason  to  doubt  the  consti- 
tutional power  of  congress  to  grant  acts  of  incorporation  lor 
banking  purposes  out  of  the  District  of  Columbia:  And  where- 
as, we  believe  the  proper  disposal  of  the  public  lands  to  be  of 
the  utmost  importance  to  the  people  of  these  United  Stales,  and 
thai  honor  and  good  faith  require  their  equitable  distribution: 
therefore 

"Resolved  by  the  general  assembly  of  the  stale  of  Ohio,  That  we 
consider  the  removal  of  the  public  deposiles  from  the  bank  of 
the  United  States  as  required  by  the  best  interests  of  our  coun- 
try, and  that  a  proper  sense  of  public  duty  imperiously  demand- 
ed that  that  institution  should  be  rio  longer  used  as  a  depository 
of  the  public  funds. 

"Resolvtd,  also,  That  we  view,  with  decided  disapprobation, 
the  renewed  attempts  in  congress  to  secure  the  passage  of  the  bill 
providing  for  the  disposal  of  the  public  domain  upon  the  princi- 
»les  proposed  by  Mr.  Clay,  inasmuch  as  we  believe  thai  such  a 
aw  would  be  unequal  in  its  operations,  and  unjust  in  its  results. 

"Resolved,  also,  That  we  heartily  approve  of  the  principles 
set  forth  in  the  late  vetojnessagn  upon  that  subject,  and 

"Resolved,  That  our  senators  in  congress  be  instructed,  and 
ur  representatives  requested,  to  use  their  influence  to  prevent 
he  rccharteringof  the  bank  of  the  United  States;  to  sustain  the 
.((ministration  in  its  removal  of  the  public  deposites;  and  to 
ppose  the  passage  of  a  land  hill  containing  the  principles 
dopted  in  the  act  upon  that  subject,  passed  at  the  last  session 
if  congress. 

"Resolved,  That  the  governor  be  requested  to  transmit  copies 
f  the  foregoing  preamble  and  resolutions  to  each  of  our  sena- 
ors  arid  representatives." 

It  is  thus  seen  tli.il  four  senators  have  declared  by  their  votes 
li.it  the  president,  in  the  late  executive  proceedings  in  relation 
)  the  revenue,  had  been  guilty  of  the  impeachable  offence  of 
'assuming  upon  himself  authority  and  power  not  conferred  by 
tie  constitution  and  laws,  but  in  derogation  of  both,"  whilst 
in  legislatures  of  thrir  respeclive  states  had  deliberately  ap- 
roved  those  very  proceedings,  as  consistent  with  the  constilu- 
on,  and  demanded  by  the  public  good.  11"  these  four  votes  had 
eon  given  in  accordance  with  the  sentiments  of  the  legisla- 
tes, as  above  expressed,  there  would  have  been  but  twenly- 
inr  votes  oul  of  forty-fix  for  censuring  Hie  president,  and  Ihe 
nprecedfinted  record  of  his  conviction  could  not  have  been 
laced  upon  the  journals  of  the  senate. 

In  thus  referring  to  the  resolutions  and  instructions  of  state 
•gislalures,  I  disclaim  and  repudiate  nil  authority  or  design  to 
ilerfere  with  the  responsibility  due  from  members  of  the  *e- 
ite  to  their  own  consciences,  their  constituent*  and  their 
mil  try.  The  facts  now  stated  belong  to  the  history  of  these 
roceedings,  and  are  important  to  the  just  development  of  Ihe 
rinciples  and  interests  involved  in  them,  as  well  a*  to  the  pro-  ' 
e.r  vindication  of  the  executive  department;  and  with  th.it  view, 
nd  that  view  only,  are  they  here  made  the  topic  of  remark. 
The  dangerous  tendency  of  the  doctrine  which  denies  to  the 
resident  the  power  of  supervising,  directing  and  removing  the 
eeretary  of  the  treasury,  in  like  manner  with  the  other  exrcu- 
ve  officers,  would  soon  be  manifest  in  piactice,  were  the  doc- 
ine  to  be  established.  The  president  is  the  direct  representa- 
ve  of  the  American  people,  but  Ihe  secretaries  are  not.  If  the 
^cretary  of  the  treasury  be  independent  of  the  president  in  the 
xecution  of  Ihe  laws,  then  is  there  no  direct  responsibility  to 
)e  people  in  that  important  branch  ofthis  government,  to  which 

committed  the  care  of  the  national  finances.  And  it  is  in  Ihe 
ower  of  the  bank  of  Hie  United  States,  or  any  other  corpora- 
on,  body  of  men  or  individuals,  if  a  secretary  shall  be  found  lo 
ccord  with  them  in  opinion,  orcnn  be  induced  in  practice  to 
romote  their  views,  to  control,  thronch  him,  Ihe  whole  action 
f  the  government,  (so  far  a*  it  is  exercised  by  his  department), 

defiance  of  the  chief  magistrate  elected  by  the  people  and  re- 
poiisible  lo  them. 


144 


NILES'  REGISTER— APRIL  26,  1834— PRESIDENT'S  PROTEST. 


But  the  evil  tendency  of  the  particular  doctrine  adverted  to, 
though  sufficiently  serious,  would  be  as  nothing  in  comparison 
•with  the  pernicious  consequences  which  would  inevitably  flow 
from  the  approbation  and  allowance  by  the  people,  and  the 
practice  by  the  senate,  of  the  unconstitutional  power  of  arraign- 
ing and  censuring  the  official  conduct  of  the  executive,  in  the 
•manner  recently  pursued.  Such  proceedings  are  eminently  cal- 
culated to  unsettle  the  foundations  of  the  government;  to  dis- 
turb the  harmonious  action  of  its  different  departments;  and  to 
break  down  the  checks  and  balances  by  which  the  wisdom  of 
its  framers  sought  to  ensure  its  stability  and  usefulness. 

The  honest  differences  of  opinion  which  occasionally  exist 
between  the  senate  and  the  president,  in  regard  to  matters  in 
which  both  are  obliged  to  participate,  are  sufficiently  embar- 
rassing. But  if  the  course  recently  adopted  by,  the  senate  shall 
hereafter  be  frequently  pursued,  it  is  not  only  obvious  that  the 
harmony  of  the  relations  between  the  president  and  the  senate 
will  be  destroyed,  but  that  other  and  graver  effects  will  ulti- 
mately ensue.  If  the  censures  of  the  senate  be  submitted  to  by 
the  president,  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  his  ability  and 
virtue,  arid  the  character  and  usefulness  of  his  administration, 
-will  soon  be  at  an  end,  and  the  real  power  of  the  government 
•will  fall  into  the  hands  of  a  body,  holding  their  offices  for  long 
terms,  not  elected  by  the  people,  and  not  to  them  directly  re- 
sponsible. If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  illegal  censures  of  the  se- 
nate should  be  resisted  by  the  president,  collisions  and  angry 
controversies  might  ensue,  discreditable  in  their  progress,  and 
in  the  end  compelling  the  people  to  adopt  the  conclusion,  either 
•that  their  chief  magistrate  was  unworthy  of  their  respect,  or 
-that  the  senate  was  chargeable  with  calumny  and  injustice. 
Either  of  these  results  would  impair  public  confidence  in  the 
perfection  of  the  system,  and  lead  to  serious  alterations  of  its 
frame  work,  or  to  the  practical  abandonment  of  some  of  its  pro- 
visions. 

The  influence  of  such  proceedings  on  the  other  departments 
of  the  government,  and  more  especially  on  the  states,  could  not 
fail  to  be  extensively  pernicious.  When  the  judges  in  the  last 
resort  of  official  misconduct  themselves  overleap  the  bounds  of 
their  authority,  as  prescribed  by  the  constitution,  what  general 
disregard  of  its  provisions  might  not  their  example  be  expected 
to  produce?  And  who  does  not  perceive  thai  such  contempt  of 
the  federal  constitution,  by  one  of  its  most  important  depart- 
-menls,  would  hold  out  the  strongest  temptation  to  resistance 
on  the  part  of  the  state  sovereignties,  whenever  they  shall  sup- 
pose their  just  rights  to  have  been  invaded?  Thus  all  the  inde- 
pendent departments  of  the  government,  and  the  stales  which 
compose  our  confederated  union,  instead  of  attending  to  their 
appropriate  duties,  and  leaving  those  who  may  offend,  to  be  re- 
claimed or  punished  in  the  manner  pointed  out  in  the  constitu- 
tion, would  fall  to  mutual  crimination  and  recrimination,  and 
.give  to  the  people  confusion  and  anarchy,  instead  of  order  and 
law;  until  at  length  some  form  of  aristocratic  power  would  be 
established  on  the  ruins  of  the  constitution,  or  the  states  be 
.broken  into  separate  communities. 

Far  be  it  from  me  to  charge,  or  to  insinuate,  that  the  present 
senate  of  the  United  Stales  intend,  in  llie  most  distant  way,  to 
encourage  such  a  result.  It  is  not  of  their,  motives  or  designs, 
but  only  of  the  tendency  of  their  acts,  that  it  is  my  duty  to  speak. 
It  is,  if  possible,  to  make  senators  themselves  sensible  of  the 
danger  which  lurks  under  the  precedent  set  in  their  resolution, 
and  at  any  rate  to  perform  my  duty,  as  the  responsible  head  of 
one  of  the  coequal  departments  of  the  government,  that  I  have 
been  compelled  to  point  out  the  consequences  to  which  the  dis- 
cussion and  passage  of  the  resolution  may  lead,  if  the  tendency 
of  the  measure  be  not  checked  in  its  inception. 

It  is  due  to  the  high  trust  with  which  I  have  been  charged;  to 
those  who  may  be  called  to  succeed  me  in  it;  to  the  representa- 
tives of  the  people,  whose  constitutional  prerogative  has  been 
unlawfully  assumed;  to  the  people  of  the  states;  and  to  the  con- 
stitution they  have  established;  that  I  should  not  permit  its 
provisions  to  be  broken  down  by  such  an  attack  on  the  execu- 
tive department,  without  at  least  some  effort  "to  preserve,  pro- 
tect, and  defend  them."  With  this  view,  and  for  the  reasons 
which  have  been  stated,  I  do  herby  SOLEMNLY  PROTEST  against 
the  aforementioned  proceedings  of  the  senate,  as  unauthorized 
by  the  constitution;  contrary  to  its  spirit  and  to  several  of  its 
express  provisions;  subversive  of  that  distribution  of  the  powers 
of  government  which  it  has  ordained  and  established;  destruc- 
tive of  the  checks  and  safeguards  by  which  those  powers  were 
intended,  on  the  one  hand,  to  be  controlled,  and  on  the  other  to 
be  protected;  and  calculated  by  their  immediate  and  collateral 
.effects,  by  their  character  and  tendency,  to  concentrate  in  the 
hands  of  a  body  not  directly  amenable  to  the  people,  a  degree  ol 
influence  and  power  dangerous  to  their  liberties,  and  fatal  to 
the  constitution  of  their  choice. 

The  resolution  of  the  senate  contain-  an  imputation  upon  my 
private  as  well  upon  my  public  character;  and  as  it  must  stand 
forever  on  their  journals,  I  cannot  close  this  substitute  for  that 
defence  which  I  have  not  been  allowed  to  present  in  the  ord 
nary  form,  without  remarking,  that  I  have  lived  in  vain,  if  it 
be  necessary  to  enter  into  a  formal  vindication  of  my  character 
and  purposes  from  such  an  imputation.  In  vain  do  I  bear  upon 
my  person,  enduring  memorials  of  that  contest  in  which  Ameri- 
can liberty  was  purchased — in  vain  have  I  since  periled  proper 
ty,  fame,  and  lilV,  in  defence  of  the  rights  and  privilege*  to 
dearly  bought—in  vain  am  I  now, without  a  personal  aspiration, 
or  tli«  hope  of  individual  advantage,  encountering  responsibili- 
ties and  danger*,  from  which,  by  mere  inactivity  in  relation  to 


a  single  point,  I  might  have  been  exempt — if  any  serious  doubts 
can  be  eniertained  as  to  the  purity  of  my  purposes  and  motives. 
If  I  had  been  ambitious,  I  should  have  sought  an  alliance  with 
that  powerful  institution  which  even  now  aspires  lo  no  divided 
empire.  If  I  had  been  venal,  I  should  have  sold  myself  to  its 
designs — had  I  prefered  personal  comfort  and  official  ease  to 
the  performance  of  my  arduous  duty,  I  should  have  ceased  to 
molest  it.  In  the  history  of  conquerors  and  usurpers,  never, 
in  the  fire  of  youth,  nor  in  the  vigor  of  manhood,  could  I  find 
an  attraction  to  lure  me  from  the  path  of  duty;  and  now,  I 
shall  scarcely  find  an  inducement  lo  commence  their  career  of 
ambition,  when  gray  hairs  and  a  decay  ing  frame,  instead  of  invi- 
ting to  toil  and  battle,  call  me  to  the  conlemplalion  of  other 
worlds,  where  conquerors  cease  to  be  honored,  and  usurpers 
expiate  their  crimes.  • 

The  only  ambition  I  can  feel,  is  to  acquit  myself  to  Him  to 
whom  I  must  soon  renderan  account  of  my  stewardship;  to 
serve  my  fellow  men,  and  live  respected  and  honored  in  the 
history  of  my  country.  No;  the  ambition  which  leads  me  on, 
is  an  anxious  desire, and  a  fixed  determination,  to  return  to  the 
people,  unimpaired,  the  sacred  trust  they  have  confided  to  my 
charge;  to  heal  the  wounds  of  the  constitution  and  preserve  it 
from  further  violation;  to  persuade  my  countrymen,  so  far  as  I 
may,  that  it  is  not  in  a  splendid  government,  supported  by  pow- 
erful monopolies  and  aristocratical  establishments,  that  they 
will  find  happiness,  or  their  liberties  protection;  but  in  a  plain 
system,  void  of  pomp,  protecting  all,  and  granting  favors  to  none 
—dispensing  its  blessings  like  the  dews  of  heaven,  unseen  and 
unfelt,  save  in  the  freshness  and  beauty  they  contribute  to  pro- 
duce. It  is  such  a  govenment  that  the  genius  of  our  people  re- 
quires— such  an  one  only  under  which  our  stales  may  remain 
for  ages  to  come,  united,  prosperous, and  free.  If  the  Almighty 
Being  who  has  hitherto  sustained  and  protected  me,  will  but 
vouchsafe  to  make  my  feeble  powers  instrumental  to  such  a  re- 
sult, I  shall  anticipate  with  pleasure  the  place  to  be  assigned 
me  in  the  history  of  my  country,  and  die  contented  with  the  be- 
lief, that  I  have  contributed,  in  some  small  degree,  to  increase 
the  value  and  prolong  the  duration,  of  American  liberty. 

To  the  end  that  the  resolution  of  the  senate  may  not  be  here- 
after drawn  into  precedent,  with  the  authority  of  silent  acquies- 
cence on  the  part  of  ihe  executive  department;  and  to  the  end, 
also,  that  my  motives  and  views  in  the  executive  proceedings 
denounced  in  that  resolution,  may  be  known  to  ray  fellow  citi- 
zens, to  the  world,  and  to  all  posterity,  I  respectfully  request 
that  this  message  and  protest  may  be  entered  at  length  on  the 
journals  of  the  senate.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Jlfril  \5th,  1834. 

(The  preceding,  we  understand,  is  from  the  amended  copy. 
See  the  journal  of  the  senate,  Stc.] 

IN  THE    SENATE — APRIL  21. 

To  the  senate  of  the  United  States: 

Having  reason  to  believe  that  certain  passages  contained  in 
my  message  and  protest,  transmitted  to  the  senate  on  the  17th 
instant,  may  be  misunderstood.  I  think  it  proper  to  state  that  it 
was  not  my  intention  to  deny,  in  the  said  message,  the  power  and 
right  of  the  legislative  department  to  provide  by  law  for  Die  cus- 
tody, safe  keeping,  and  disposition  of  the  public  money  and  pro- 
perty of  the  United  States. 

Although  I  am  well  satisfied  that  such  a  construction  is  not 
warranted  by  any  thing  contained  in  that  message,  yet  aware, 
from  experience,  that  detached  passages  of  an  argumentative 
document,  when  disconnected  from  their  context,  and  consi- 
dered without  reference  lo  previous  limitations,  ami  the  parti- 
cular positions  they  were  intended  to  refute  or  to  establish,  may 
be  made  to  bear  a  construction  varying  altogether  from  Ihe  sen- 
timents really  entertained  and  intended  to  be  expressed;  and 
deeply  solicitous  that  my  views  on  this  point  should  not,  eitlw>r 
now  or  hereafter,  be  misapprehended,  I  have  deemed  it  due  to 
the  graviiy  of  ihe  subject,  lo  the  great  interests  it  involves,  and 
lo  Ihe  senate,  as  well  as  to  myself,  to  embrace  the  earliest  op- 
portunity to  make  this  communication. 

I  admit,  without  reserve,  as  I  have  before  done,  the  constitu- 
tional power  of  the  legislature  to  provide  by  law  the  place  er 
places  in  which  the  public  money  or  other  property  is  to  be  de- 
posited; and  to  make  such  regulations  concerning  its  custody, 
removal  or  disposition,  as  they  may  think  proper  to  enact.  Ner 
do  I  claim  for  the  executive  any  right  to  live  possession  or  dis- 
position of  the  public  property  or  treasure,  or  any  authority  to 
interfere  with  the  same,  except  when  such  possession,  disposi- 
tion, or  authority,  is  given  to  him  bylaw;  nor  do  I  claim  tltn 
right  in  any  manner  to  supervise  or  interfere,  with  the  person 
entrusted  with  such  property  or  treasure,  unless  he  be  an  officer 
whose  appointment,  under  the  constitution  and  laws,  is  devolv- 
ed upon  the  president  alone,  or  in  conjunction  with  the  senate, 
and  for  whose  conduct  he  is  constitutionally  responsible. 

As  the  message  and  protest  referred  to  "may  appear  on  life 
journal  of  the  senate,  and  remain  among  the  recorded  docu- 
ments of  the  nation,  I  am  unwilling  thai  opinions  should  be  im- 
puted to  me,  even  through  misconstruction,  which  are  not  con- 
tained in  it;  and  more  particularly  am  I  solicitous  that  I  may 
not  be  supposed  to  claim  for  mysclfj  or  my  successors,  any  pow- 
er or  authority  not  clearly  granted,  by  the  constitution  and  laws, 
to  the  president.  I  havn,  therefore,  respectfully  to  request  thar 
this  communication  may  be  considered  a  part  of  that  message, 
and  that  it  may  be  entered  therewith  on  the  journals  of  the  pe- 
nate.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

,1834. 


JVILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  10— VOL.  X.]      BALTIMORE,  MAY  3,  1834.       [VoL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,180. 


THE  PAST— THE  PRESENT — 'FOB  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    BY    H.  NILES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PATABI.E    IN   ADVANCE. 


To  dispose  of  some  portion  of  a  large  quantity  of  mat 
ter  which  has  accumulated  in  type  (being  postpone 
last  week  and  in  the  present),  we  shall,  with  our  ties 


number,  issue  a  supplement  to  this,  and  be  also  compel 
led  to  give  others  to  keep  decently  posted-tip  ID  our  re 
cord  of  public  papers  and  proceedings. 

The  president,  it  appears,  again  nominated  the  ol< 
bank  directors  who  had  been  rejected  by  the  senate  —  and 
on  Thursday  evening  last,  (the  injunction  of  secrecy  beiri 
removed),  we  learn  that  they  were  again  rejected  by  the 
great  vote  of  30  to  11.  The  proceedings  on  their  case 
will  soon  be  published. 

The  votes  are  not  given,  and  the  absentees  are  un 
known.  It  is  stated  that  Messrs.  MLoore,  of  Alabama 
King,  of  Georgia,  and  Tipton,  of  Indiana,  voted  with  tk< 
majority. 

There  are  several  fearful  reports  in  circulation—  sucl 
as  that  the  president  will  issue  a  proclamation  as  soon  as 
the  senate  decides  not  to  receive  his  protest,  and  that  a 
gathering  is  already  making  at  Washington  to  support 
him,  ih  certain  ulterior  measures.  We  question  the  pro- 
priety of  mentioning  such  things,  unless  there  should  be 
a  very  good  foundation  for  them  —  but  as  they  have  been 
freely  intimated,  we  think  it  right  to  notice  them;  ob- 
serving, however,  that  in  times  of  such  high  excitement 
as  the  present,  the  people  should  receive  like  reports 
with  great  caution  —  for  they  are,  indeed,  of  awful  im- 
port. 

It  is  freely  stated  that  a  clause  will  be  inserted  in  the 
general  appropriation  bill,  forbidding  the  payment  oi 
their  salaries  to  persons  in  office,  whose  appointment 
shall  not  have  been  approved  by  the  senate. 

The  United  States  insurance  company,  at  Baltimore, 
stopped  payment  on  Wednesday  last. 

This  company,  and  another  establishment  in  the  same 
street,  we  believe  are  on  the  principle  of  the  "Life  and 
Fire  insurance  company,"  which,  some  time  ago,  "flou- 
rished" its  brief  day,  and  died  in  New  York.  If  we  are 
rightly  informed  of  the  nature  and  operation  of  these  in- 
surance companies,  they  run  thus:  a  person  wishing  to 
"raise  the  wind,"  and  distrusting  the  credit  of  his  own 
note,  or  to  prevent  its  exposure  in  the  "market,"  or 
having  securities  of  any  description,  or  goods  or  other 
property,  deposites,  or  makes  a  lien  of,  such  notes,  secu- 
rities, goods  or  property  with  the  insurance  company, 
promising  the  payment  or  redemption  of  ihem  at  a  parti- 
cular time  —  on  which,  as  agreed  upon,  and  for  a  certain 
per  centum  charged,  the  insurance  company  issues  what 
is  called  ^policy,  promising  payment  on  a  certain  day  oi 
the  amount  stipulated;  which  policy  goes  into  the  "mar- 
ket," instead  of  the  credit  or  property  of  the  insured. 
The  selling  price  of  these  policies,  (whose  ]i;irent,  or  at 
least  nurse,  was  in  the  removal  of  ihe  public  deposites 
from  the  bank  of  the  United  States),  has  been  from  1^ 
to  2J^  per  cent,  per  month,  discount  —  and,  at  this  rate" 
there  is  reason  lo  believe  that  several  millions  have  been 
SHAVED  in  Baltimore  within  the  period  of  the  last  six 
months.  It  might  have  endured  yet  H  while  longer,  per- 
haps —  but  confidence  in  these  policies  declined,  or  their 
amount  was  greater  than  the  state  of  the  money  market 
would  bear,  nnd  it  became  difficult  to  sell  them;  and  then 
it  naturally  followed,  that,  as  the  insured  could  not  raise 
funds  to  meet  their  obligations,  the  insurers  were  render- 
ed unable  to  comply  with  theirs,  and  the  parties  fell  to- 
gether —  though  in  fact,  either  party,  or  both  parlies, 
may  be,  or  would  be,  entirely  solvent  in  a  different  state 
of  affairs,  when  credit  and  money  should  be  nearly  syno- 
nymousterms,  which  they  are  not  now  !  !  ! 

On  the  subject  of  certain  things  which  have  happened 
in  th«  management  of  credits  in  this  citv,  for  some 
VOL.  XLVI—  Siu.10. 


months  past,  perhaps,  we  shall  feel  it  a  public  duty  to 
speak  freely.  If  the  whole  could  be  unravelled,  strange 
tales  would  be  unfolded  !  But  we  think  it  best,  at  present, 
to  refrain,  that  honest  men  may  escape,  if  it  be  possible, 
some  greater  proportion  of  the  suffering  that  impends 
on  account  of  the  derangement  of  the  money  market,  than 
they  probably  would  do  under  the  exposure  of  specula* 
tors  and  gamblers  and  shavers,  as  suggested. 

We  present  the  views  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
as  to  the  future  regulations  of  the  currency.  We  think 
they  are  defective,  in  several  material  points — even  if 
practical  men,  arid  others,  who  have  reflected  upon  the 
principles  of  currency  and  laws  of  exchange,  should  ad- 
mit the  POSSIBILITY  of  some  of  the  fuels  proposed.  The 
state  banks  cannot,  and,  if  they  can,  WILL  NOT,  furnish 
us  with  a  circulating  medium  of  equal  value  in  all  parts 
of  the  United  States,  nor  carry  on  the  interior  com- 
merce of  the  country,  as  dependent  upon  the  prompti- 
tude and  safety  of  exchanges  of  values.  The  individual 
interest,  or  particular  condition,  of  each  of  the  indepen- 
dent banks,  forbids  the  hope  that,  by  any  possible  ar- 
rangement, they  can  be  brought  to  act  together,  for  a 
common  purpose.  Such  an  event  never  has  happened, 
and  never  will,  over  so  wide  a  country  as  the  United 
States.  There  are  parts  of  the  secretary's  letter,  however, 
that  we  most  heartily  approve  of- — such  as  fixing  a  just 
valuation  on  our  gold  coins,  and  the  abolition  of  small 
bank  notes,  as  long  since  suggested  by  us. 

But  we  think  that  the  general  effect  of  the  plan  must 
')e  to  encourage  the  establishment  of  many  new  banks,  or 
"resh  manufactories  of  paper  money.  Much  alarm  is  ex- 
pressed at  the  power  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 
Because  of  the  amount  of  its  capital — 35  millions;  but  the 
contemplated  creation  of  certain  new  state  'banks,  with 
n-oposed  aggregate  capitals  of  some  75  or  80  millions, 
lid  not  at  all  startle  these  alarmed  individuals!  Is  it  not 
)etter  to  have  one  "monster"  than  ten  monsters?  One 
whose  interest  is  the  prosperity  of  the  -whole  people  of 
:lie  country,  or  ten  whose  power  is  in  action  against  one 
another,  for  the  benefit  of  adverse  sets  of  gambling  spe- 
culators? The  power  of  a  bank  of  the  United  States 
may  be  restrained,  and  ought  to  be  restrained,  if  rechar- 
ered — but  how  is  the  power  of  the  state  banks,  charged 
.vith  the  keeping  of  the  public  money,  to  be  restrained? 
iVhy,  the  right  of  congress  to  inquire  even  into  the  con- 
lition  of  the  bank  of  the  Metropolis,  the  defiosite  bank 
n  the  District  of  Columbia,  is  "questioned"  by  some 
if  the  leaders  of  the  anti-bank  party  in  congress,  though 
bartered  by  congress!  Many  of  the  local  banks  are  ad- 
nitted  to  act  on  old  fashioned  and  just  principles  of  bauk- 
ng,  their  management  being  in  the  hands  of  intelligent 
nd  worthy  men — but  the  nature  of  their  constitution, 
nd  the  laws  which  govern  the  currency,  incapacitate 
hem  to  carry  on  the  exchanges,  unless  at  ruinous  rates— 
s  equal,  in  practice,  to  the  cost  of  transporting  specie 
rom  one  place  to  another,  as  balances  accumulate;  but 
lie  bank  of  the  United  States,  in  the  exchanges  which  it 
nade  in  one  year,  (250  millions!)  to  and  from  distant 
ilaces,  charged  only  an  average  rate  of  one-eleventh  of 
ne  percent,  which,  certainly  shews  that  a  small  expense, 
nly,  could  have  been  incurred  in  transmission  of  specie, 
Ise  the  bank  would  have  lost  much  money  by  its  ex- 
hanges,  and  these  give  life  and  vigor  to  business — money, 
oin,  denowted  at  New  Orleans,  being  made  available  «t 
'ortland,  without  trouble  or  risk  to  the  owner,  or  eveu 
t  Canton,  through  the  parent  bank  at  Philadelphia. 
>uch  is  the  effect  of  harmonious  co-operations,  which 
nay  thus  be  exemplified,  for  an  example:  the  cashier  of 
lie  office  of  the  bank  at  New  York  notifies  the  cashier  of 
ic  parent  bank  in  Philadelphia,  that  a  million  of  dol- 
ors is  required  by  the  merchants  of  New  York  to  pur- 
h:\se  cotton,  at  N.  Orleans.  The  cashier  at  Philadelphia, 
y  order  of  the  board,  informs  the  cashier  at  N.  Orleans 


146 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   8,   1 834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


that  such  draughts  w  ill  be  upon  him,  and  directs  tlie  pur- 
chase of  bills  on  the  north  more  freely,  if  offered,  or  :t 
restriction  of  the  domestic  loans,  th;it  lie  may  meet  this 
new  demand,  as  rendered  necessary  by  tlie  actual  condi- 
tion of  the  New  Orleans  office;  and  so  the  million  sold  at 
New  York,  is  paid  at  New  Orleans,  and  repaid  at  New 
York,  without  the  passing  of  a  single  silver  dollar  between 
the  two  cities,  the  bills  either  way,  being  better  than  coin, 
(it  either  place,  as  needed.*  But  the  slate  deposile  banks, 
each  acting  for  itself  only,  cannot  proceed  thus,  unless 
to  a  very  limited  extent,  and  are  altogether  incompetent 
to  afford  those  facilities  upon  which  the  mighty  internal 
trade  of  the  country  depends.  Such  are  the  results  of 
experience  against  "the  experiment"  that  18  making — and 
such  they  must  be. 

We  have  heard  some  curious  anecdotes  of  certain  of 
the  "perish  credit"  members  of  congress.  None  of  them 
send  any  portion  of  their  pay  home  in  bills  of  the  bank 
of  the  Metropolis! — :uid  they  will  take  precious  tare,  at 
the  close  of  the  session,  to  carry  with  ihem  their  surplus 
money  remaining  in  notes  or  bills  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States.  'J'/iey  will  not  suffer  their  own  money  to 
"pei-ith"  in  their  pockets,  out  of  tlie  d  ar  sweet  regard 
that  they  have  for  the  "/>oor,"  or  in  earnest  of  their  own 
belief  in  truth  of  those  doctrines  -which  they  gup/tort  in  the 
house!  No — verily,  no! 

The  late  proceedings  at  Baltimore  hare  offended  Mr. 
Forsyth,  and  lie  has  arraigned  the  people  before  tlie  se- 
nate, especially  on  account  of  gathering  on  Sunday,  when 
Messrs.  Webster  nnd  Jiinney  briefly  addressed  them. 
He  is  charged  with  having  said  that  they  made  a 
"wretched  clamor,"  as  being  "factious"  and  "almost 
guilty  of  treason;"  but  on  the  following  day — 

Mr.  Forsyth  rose  airainst  fearful  odds,  but  lie  recollected  a 
saying  of  the  poet,  tli.it  "tlirice  is  he  armed  that  linth  a  quarrel 
just."  He  did  not  s.iy  that  the  meeting  in  Baltimore  was  a  fac- 
tion, but  that  they  were  prompted  by  (actions  feelings.  He 
spoke  not  of  treason  either,  but  of  designs  to  exasperate  the 
people  to  treasonable  acts,  unless  they  submitted  to  the  power 
of  a  great  moneyed  corporation.  Here  Mr.  F.  read  a  passage 
from  a  Baltimore  piprr  to  sustain  this  remark. 

Mr.  Webster  said  that,  as  allusion  had  been  made  to  occur- 
rence* in  which  be  bad  some  part,  he  would  state,  that  when 
lie  arrived  in  I'hiladclphia,  on  Sunday  morning  last,  he  heard 
of  the  late  extraordinary  occurrence  in  sending  the  protest 
here,  which  induce.d  him  to  come  on  to  Washington  without 
delay.  When  h«  arrived  at  Baliimore,  he  saw  a  great  multi- 
tude of  people  assembled;  they  were  not  noisy  or  clamorous, 
but  a  deep  feeling  seemed  to  pervade  thorn.  "When  the  boat 
reached  the  wharf,  a  venerable  person  cam*  on  board  and  said 
to  him,  these  were  revolutionary  times,  nnd  [he  people  hail 
come  down  to  express  their  hopes  and  fears.  They  were  not 
exasperated  by  u  spirit  o!  faction,  but  tlivy  li-lt  an  exaspcralini 
of  patriotism;  they  were  exasperated  by  suffering,  by  threats  o 
Usurpation,  fcolilipa  which  called  crowd-  to  the  streets,  though 
it  was  Sunday.  Those  masses  of  people  as-rmhled  from  the 
general  spirit  ami  f.-i-lmy  ul  itp;>ic--ii>n.  damn:  the  worst.  Bin 
the  streets  uf  l!:ih  iiiioi  e  \\t  re  filleil  by  this,  spirit  ol  faction,  nnd 
against  u  bom:  That  city  \\.is  remarkable  fur  its  hospilahi)  , 
Its  virtue,  its  liijjh  spirit  of  patriotism  and  enterprise,  und  it* 
former  devotion  to  the  present  cliit-f  magistrate,  and  was  moved 
by  no  spirit  of  faction. 

Ou  which  the  "Baltimore  Gnzette"  remark*- — 

We  cannot  answer  lor  the  stcrei  intentions  or  feelings  of  the 
meeting  in  Baltimore  ilcsciiht  d  by  Mr.  ]-'ors)  Ih  as  prompted  by 
fiction*  let  lin?-!,  but  to  our  own  Knowledge  the  assi  mliliiue 
who  received  Mr.  Webster  and  Mr.  Blimey,  on  Sunday  last. 
comprised  many  of  our  most  otimalilc  citizens.,  and  was  irenot- 
ally  composed  of  pi  r-ons  a<  respectable  in  appearance,  and  as 
orderly  in  deportment,  as  could  be  collected  tojrt  ther  in  nny 
city,  on  an  occasion  of  public  interest  and  momi'iit.  They  cer- 
tainly did  not  deserve  the  appellation  n^ed  by  Mr.  Forsyth  in 
another  part  of  his  remarks,  of  a  "brawling  crowd.'' 

(JO-Previous  tn  Mr.  F»r*y<&'*  explanations,  Mr.  Cfiam- 
bert  earnestly  defended  the  chftrMtcrnfthe  Ballimoreans. 
Certainly,  ours  has  long  heeti  one  of  the  most  peaceable 
and  orderly  cities  in  the  world;  and,  whatever  objections 
may  be  made  to  the  gathering  to  meet  Messrs.  Webster 
and  Binney,  a  more  respectable  and  belter  behaved  peo- 
ple cannot  be  found,  tlmn  was  shewn  on  that  occasion. 

[We  have  since  received  a  full  report  of  these  debates, 
but  cannot  make  room  for  it  now.] 


Mr.  McDitJfie  reached  Baltimore  in  the  aflvrnoon  of 
Saturday  last,  on  his  return  to  Washington,  and  was  re- 
.eived  by  from  1.500  to  2,000  people,  who  were  waiting 
.MI  the  wharf  for  the  purpose,  lie  was  escorted  to  the 
Uity  Hotel,  and,  from  the  steps,  addressed  the  crowd, 
'now  increased  to  about  3,000  persons),  in  as  earnest  a 
peech,  perhaps,  as  he  ever  pronounced  —  and  the  man- 
ner of  its  delivery  was  not  less  forcible  than  the  matter 
of  his  remarks.  Mr.  McD.  spoke  for  about  half  an 
liour;  and,  while  at  one  moment  he  produced  a  roar  of 
laughter,  in  the  next  he  commanded  the  entire  attention 
of  the  audience,  or  elicited  loud  shouts  of  applause. 

The  brief  addresses  of  Messrs.  Webster,  Binney, 
McDuffie  and  Preston,  to  assembied  multitudes  in  Haiti- 
more,  and  the  manner  in  which  they  were  received, 
shew  a  new  state  of  feelings  and  of  things  in  this  city. 
When  Mr.  McDuflie  said  that  ten  days  after  the  entrance 
of  soldiers  into  the  senate  chamber,  to  send  the  senators 
home,  that  200,000  volunteers  would  be  in  Washington 
—  there  was  such  a  shout  as  we  have  seldom  before 
heard. 


Concerning  the  appointment  and  duration  of  officers, 
the  "Globe,"  in  replying  to  the  charge  that  the  presi- 
dent has  violated  the  constitution  in  so  long  withholding 
from  the  senate  the  nominations  of  several  members  of 
the  present  cabinet,  quotes  the  provision  of  the  constitu- 
tion empowering  the  president  to  fill  up  all  vacancies 
that  may  happen  during  the  recess  of  the  senate,  by  grant- 
ing commissions  which  shall  expire  at  tlie  end  of  their  next 
session. 

This  goes  to  the  extent,  that  the  president  may  fill  the 
offices  fiei-pttvally,  unless  a  vacancy  happens  during  the 
sittings  of  the  senate;  and  Mr.  Taney,  for  an  example, 
may  remain  in  his  place,  though  not  approved,  during 
the  whole  of  the  presidential  term:—  for  Air.  T.  may  re- 
sign, and  be  reappoiuted,  th;;  day  after  the  rising  of  con- 
gress. 

The  prompt  submission  of  Mr.  Rives  to  the  "right  of 
instruction"  by  the  legislature  of  a  state,  by  way  of  an 
appeal  to  the  people  of  Virginia,  being  accepted  of  in 
the  recent  elections,  brought  up  some  extracts  from  the 
"llichmond  Enquirer"  of  Jan.  13,  1820,  of  which  it  is 
only  necessary  to  use  the  following: 

Resolutions,  debate  and  vote  on  the  Missouri  question  and  right  of 
instruction. 

The  4th  resolution  reported  by  Mr.  Miller,  of  Powhattan, 
from  a  select  committee  on  the  Missouri  guts/ion,  instructed  the 
senators  of  Virginia,  to  oppose  the  imposition  of  restriction! 
upon  the  state  of  Missouri,  on  entering  the  union. 

The  4th  resolution  being  under  consideration,  Mr.  Henry 
Carrington,  of  Charlotte,  moved  to  amend  the  same  by  striking 
therefrom  the  words,  inttructing  the  senators  of  Virginia  in 
congress. 

Mr.  Carrington  contended  that  the  leci.sluture  had  no  right  to 
instruct  them  on  a  cniitliluliinial  »ulijecl.  They  lien:«  by  their 
u.illi.s  lionnd  to  .-iiinioit  UK-  cuiirliiulion,  the  legislature  could 
mil  dictate  to  them  on  i|nes,lions  of  conscience. 

Mr.  Miller,  ol  I'owliallan.  contended  it  hail  In  en  the  uniform 
practice  of  \  ircinia  to  instruct  her  senators;  it  had  been  stinc- 
tinii'il  In  I'aiin  I:  ll'-nrx:  and  now,  when  Pennsylvania  bad 
just  abandoned  the  doemiie,  it  was  peculiarly  incumbent  upon 
us  to  adhere  to  it. 

Mi.  Pfr.-f7.soti  (Andrew)  hoped  we  should  not  in  this  case, 
imitate  the  conduct  of  rcniisylvania;  and  believing  the  right  of 
instrucliun  to  be  a  vital  one,  lie  should  move  for  the  ayes  and 
noes. 

Mr.  Sclden  (present  register  of  the  land  office')  expressed  him- 
self strongly  in  favor  of  the  right  of  iustiuction  —  thnt  even  Mr. 
Giles,  the  Ajax  Ttlamon  ol  the  other  side,  admitted  the  power 
of  the  legislature  to  instruct,  though  lie  asserted  the  right  of  th« 
senator  to  judge  in  Hie  last  resort. 

Mr.  Ill  VliS  was  stron'ly  opposed  to  the  right  of  instruction: 
he  rcmaiked  that  the  doctrine  MI-I  up  by  Mr.  (liles,  involved  n 
<|iiihble  iinwoithy  of  his  distinguished  "  mind;  that  what  we 
mean  by  the  li^ht  of  instruction  xva»,  that  we  Inighl  command 
the  senator,  and  that  lie  was  hound  to  obey. 

The  question  was  (nit  upon  Mr.  Carrington'*  motion,  nnd  it 
was  rr/rrfivi,  ayes  3i,  noes  H2. 

Mr.  Jiifes  was  one  of  the  thirty-eight  who  voted  in 
the  Mifirmatixc. 


*H  it  proper,  however,  to  ndd  that  llii*  lale  state  of  thing*  i<« 
much  embarrassed  by  the  existing  hostile  act*  ol  'the  povem 
inent,"  and  that  iltv  bunk  is  compelled,  in  many  oases,  to  K  1, 
on  coin,  Tor  the  rcgulaiiou  of  exchanges. 


Mr.  Iifigli  was  elected  a  senator  from  Virginia  by  a 
majority  of  twelve  votes,  and  certain  papers  say  that  the 
"clear  gain  against  him"  is  already  sixteen;  so  Mr.  L. 
will  nut  hf  re-  elected,  and  hi*  period  of  sen  ice  expires 
on  the  4th  of  .March,  ISiiS  !  But  —  though  it  appears  pro- 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


147 


bable  that  the  senate  of  Virginia  will  remain  as  it  was, 

i,th:-f  papers  inform  us,  tliat  Uu:  returns  as  heard  from 
shew  (is  d'-legates  chosen  wlio  will  certainly  vole  for 
him,  and  35  delegates  who  may  not  vote  for  him,  the 
•whole  number  beting  134. 

Mr.  Itilclae  is  much   distressed  about  these  things — 
but  says  that  Virginia  will  go  against  a  recliarter  of  the 
bank,  and    vindicate   the   principles  of  the  constitution. 
"Blessed  are  they  who  bring  consolation!" 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Amhcrst  (pub- 
lished in  the  "Enquirer"),  may  shew  the  manners  of  the 
times: 

"Tin:  election  for  Amherst  is  ovr-r,  and  her  democracy  "lies 
prostrate  at  thr  feet,  of  tin:  hank."  The  myrmidons  of  power 
in  Lynchhiirg,  holding  .1  fair  portion  of  the  county  in  "bond*," 
arid  owning  no  Inconsiderable  portion  of  her  noil,  poured  forth 
their  inmost  strength — the  Jupiter  of  aristocracy 

"Shook  Ins  ambrosial  locks,  and  gave  the  nod, 
The  slump  of  fate:  and  fiat  of  a  God." 

It  is  supposed  that  the  bouse  of  delegates  will  stand 
about  50  "Jackson"  and  84  "opposition."  There  is  still 
a  "Jackson"  majority  of  2  in  tlie  senate,  as  heretofore. 
The  effect  of  die  "protest,"  however,  on  the  members 
elected  before  it  was  received  in  Virginia,  is  vet  to  be 
seen.  The  "Enquirer"  freely  admits  that  it  has  been 
adverse  to  the  administration. 

The  "Whig"  has  added  up  the  returns  of  the  first  52 
counties  received,  and  says  that,  in  1832,  they  gave  a  ma- 
jority of  about  10,000  to  "Jackson  and  Van  Buren" — but 
now  a  majority  of  3,257  against  them. 

Iii  Westmoreland,  "the  native  county  of  Washington," 
the  late  member  has  been  dismissed,  and  a  decided  anti- 
administration  man  put  in  his  place,  by  a  majority  of 
nearly  two  to  one. 

At  the  holding  of  the  election  in  Jefferson  count}',  the 
people  also  voted  for  or  against  a  restoration  of  the  depo- 
sites — the  votes  taken  were  299 — to  wit:  for  275,  against 
2i. 

The  steamboat  arrived  yesterday  at  Baltimore,  brought 
returns  of  the  election,  in  Accomack.  The  vote  is  report- 
ed 2  to  1  against  "Jackson" — last  year  it  was  nearly 
divided.  The  "protest,"  however,  arrived  only  on  the 
day  of  the  election. 

It  is  stated,  in  the  way  of  reproof,  that  a  Tennessee 
member  of  congress  franked  many  packages  of  political 
matters  to  certain  persons  in  Virginia,  just  previous  to 
the  late  election.  This  is  not  a  new  thing.  Nearly 
e\ery  voter  in  one  of  the  election  districts  in  Maryland, 
some  few  years  ago,  was  supplied  with  such  matters  by 
favor  of  a  member  of  congress  from  Kentucky,  three 
hundred  packages  arriving  by  one  mail. 

It  is  stated  that  every  county  in  Mr.  Speaker  Steven- 
son's district,  bus  enter",  d  a  "protest"  against  the  politi- 
cal course  pursued  by  him,  by  electing  anti-Jackson 
niembers.te  the  legislature  of  Virginia,  having  dismiss- 
ed even  Mr.  Jtoune,  who  was  one  of  the  chiefs  of  the 
party  in  the  late  bouse  of  delegates,  and  also  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  citizens  of  Virginia.  Will  Mr.  S. 
receive  this  "instruction?" 

There  is  no  manner  of  doubt,  if  the  flections  of  mem- 
bers of  congress  were  now  to  take  place,  that  a  large  ma- 
jority would  be  returned  opposed  to  "the  experiment," 
and  other  proceedings  of  "the  government."  There 
would  be  three  changes  in  Maryland — perhaps  four,  or 
of  all  who  support  these  proceedings. 

The  following  article,  with  all  its  capitals  and  italics, 
is  copied  from  the  "New  York  Standard,"  the  official  in 
that  city.  It  needs  no  comment.  It  refers  to  the  re- 
ception of  the  protest. 

iiuill  anil  terror  were  depicted  on  the  countenances  of  the 
I'.S'.'IU'EKS  in  l/ic  sciinff.  Tin-  Uct>  and  reasoning  of  the  do- 
cument were  too  conclusive  lor  reply,  and  its  eloquence  pow- 
erful enough  to  reach  the  In/art  of  every  patriot  mid  honest  man. 
Alter  a  pause,  l*oimle.\tcr.  who  skulked  at  the  battle  of  New 
Orleans,  ami  has  never  forgiven  K<-iicr.il  Jackson  for  lefiising  to 
certify  to  his  bravery,  ventured  to  Inv.r't  gnriiiid,  ami  pour  out 
a  torrent  of  ahii.-e  upon  tin:  head  of  the  o'd  p.-uriot.  He  moved 
that  tin:  pruleM  should  not  be  entered  on  lint  journals,  lie  was 
followed  by  those  traitors  to  their  constituents.  Spr;igiie  and 
Fielirttilniyseii.  I'..  IH.UI  then  obtained  Hie  [lour,  and  poured 
forth  a  torrent  of  cloc|iienee.  of  which  II  is  siilncienl  to  say,  he 
exceeded  all  Ins  former  ctlorts.  lie  gave  notice  that  he  should 


move  to  EXPUNGE  THE  UNCONSTITUTIONAL  RESO- 
LUTION FKO:tt  THE  JOURNALS  Of  THE  SENATE.  The 
opposition  were  more  lei  rifled  than  ever.  Southard  followed 
in  a  miserable,  apology  for  voting  for  the  resolution,  and  betray- 
ing lus  constituents.  He  was  followed  by  Mr.  King,  of  Alaba- 
ma, in  an  eloquent  drlenoe  of  the  president.  Mr.  Leigh  then 
obtained  the  Hour,  and  moved  an  adjournment,  which  was  car- 
ried. 

The  USURPERS  of  the  senate  will  not  suffer  the  protest  to  go 
upon  their  journals.  (Living  found  the  president  guilty  without 
a  trial,  they  will  not  allow  him  the  la=l  privilege  of  condemned 
innocence — that  of  saying  v/iysentei.  re  should  not  l:e  pronounced 
lUfuiiiiil-  him,  and  stand  forever  recorded  in  the  journals  of  the  i»- 
nnie. 

There  has  been  a  great  meeting  in  X.  York  to  receive 
the  report  of  the  "Whig  delegation,"  gent  to  Philadel- 
phia, to  unite  in  the  "jubilee, "at  which,  after  the  delivery 
of  several  speeches,  ninny  resolutions  were  passed,  and  a 
strong  committee  raised  to  call  a  meeting  of  those  oppos- 
ed to  the  principles  set  forth  in  the  late  protest  of  tho 
president,  &c.  of  which  Mr.  Gallatin  is  the  chairman. 

A  man  has  been  arrested,  and  is  to  be  tried  at  New 
York,  for  having  off  red  a  bribe  to  another  to  enlist  him 
in  an  attack  upon  the  Merchants'  Exchange,  at  the  late 
election!  lie  said  that  he  had  engaged  "a  company  of 
100  stout  Irishmen  at  a  dollar  each,"  for  that  purpose. 

Many  incidents  like  the  following,  copied  from  the 
Taunton,  Massachusetts,  "Whig,"  may  be  expected,  in 
the  present  state  of  things.  Wages  must  be  reduced,  or 
the  demand  for  labor  more-rapidly  diminished.  The  idea 
of  perilling  the  lives  of  persons,  however,  because  they 
will  not  pay  high  wages,  cannot  be  tolerated,  though  the 
practical  operation  of  it  is  one  of  the  results  that  we 
have  feared  from  "the  experiment, "  which,  having  first 
struck  at  employers,  is  now  being  felt  by  the  employed, 
and  will  yet  make  the  "poor  poorer." 

We  understand  (says  the  Taunton  Whig)  that  a  very  serioug 
riot  occurred  on  the  line  of  the  rail  road  in  Mansfield,  on  Mon- 
day last.  Tlifi  Irish  laborers  to  the  number  of  about  four  hun- 
dred, struck  tor  higher  wages  and  demanded  a  daily  allowance 
of  grog.  They  armed  themselves  with  clubs,  &c.  attacked  one 
of  the  contractors,  whose  life  was  put  in  imminent  peril.  Great 
alarm  was  felt  by  the  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity  of  the  road. 
The  high  sheriffol  'Norfolk  proceeded  to  the  scene  of  hostilities, 
with  a  company  of  militia,  and  succeeded  in  arresting  nine  of 
the  ringleaders,  who  were  lodged  in  the  jail  at  Dedham.  Mr. 
L.  Sweet,  a  deputy  sheriff  of  this  county,  also  called  out  a  com- 
pany of  militia,  and  arrested  six  of  the  rioters,  who  were  brought 
to  the  jail  in  this  town,  yesterday  morning.  The  militia  con- 
tinued under  arms  all  night,  and  yesterday,  we  are  informed, 
order  was  fully  restored. 

A  new  paper,  entitled  "  The  North  American"  was 
recently  established  at  Washington,  as,  it  is  said,  for  the 
support  of  Mr.  Van  J3nren  as  the  next  president  of  the 
United  States,  by  means  of  a  national  convention.  The 
character  of  the  paper  may  be  appreciated  from  the  fol- 
lowing extracts  made  Irom  it.  To  show  its  purposes, 
the  editor  says— 

"However  unfounded  the  supposition  [that  Mr.  Blair  is  infill 
diced  by  inleresled  motives]  the  editor  of  the  Globe  is  obliged 
to  act  with  reference  to  it.     He  is  no  doubt,  obliged,  by  the  pe 
culiar  pnsition  in  which  the  supposition  places  him,  to  be  more 
circumtrnbcJ  in  his  support  of  the  administration,  and  more  le- 
nient unit  forbearing   to  its  enemies,  than  is  demanded  by  the 
ends  ol  truth  and  justice,  and   the  good  of  the  country,  and  of 
the  cause  in  Which  he  is  engaged." 

We  shall  add  another — 

"It  hut  remains  for  us  to  say,  in  addition  to  this  explanation 
of  our  opinions,  r.:id  intended  course,  that  we  shall  urge  upon 
the  attention  of  the  national  convention,  Martin  Van  Buren  as 
our  favorite  candidate  for  Ihe  next  presidency.  We  have  long 
noted  with  attention  nnd  interest,  the  public  life  of  that  gentle- 
man, :md  have  never  failed  to  find  him  orthodox  in  his  demo- 
cracy, sound  and  enlightened  in  his  views  of  public  measures, 
and  able  nud  mastcily  in  his  intellectual  efforts.  He  ha«  been 
true  to  the  republican  party,  and  in  his  friend-hip  to  Jackson, 
amid  all  Ilie  assaults  of  his  enemies,  and  as  Jnck-nnmen  Jind 
democrats  we  will  st.-tud  by  him  until  the  convention  shall  pro- 
nounce him  wanting  and  prefer  another,  when  we  shall  cheer- 
fully acquiesce  in  that  choice,  let  it  he  for  whom  it  will,  ag  we 
have  a  perfect  confidence  that  it  cannot  fall  on  any  man  un- 
worthy of  the  presidency." 

Though  it  seemed  due  to  the  record  of  events  which 
it  is  tin-  leading  purpose  of  this  work  to  make — we  have 
endi-a  \ored  to  keep  onr  skirts  clear  of  controversial  pub- 
icjUions  concerning  masonry  and  anti-masonry,  having 


148 


NILfcS'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


had  more  of  other  matters  on  hand  than  we  could  dis- 

Eose  of.  The  recently  re-elected  governor  of  Rhode 
iland  is  an  anti-mason,  and  was  not  long  ago  a  "nation- 
al republican,"  but  he  received  the  undivided  support  of 
the  administration,  or  Jackson  party,  in  that  state.  The 
simple  mention  of  these  things  seemed  necessary  to  in- 
troduce the  following  address  to  the  printer: 

Socrates,  that  great  sage  and  moralist  of  antiquity,  was  once 
told  that  a  certain  man  had  spoken  evil  of  him.  Socrates  re- 
plied, "I  have  no  doubl  he  had  same  reason  for  saying  so,  but  I 
shall  endeavor  so  to  live  lor  the  future,  that  the  world  may  be- 
lieve that  lie  did  not  tell  the  truth  of  me." 

This  is  my  story:  now  for  the  application.  While  I  was  fight- 
ing in  the  anti-masonic  party,  I  was  often  charged  by  my  oppo- 
nents, that,  if  we  should  procure  from  the  general  assembly  all 
we  asked  of  them,  or  all  they  could  give,  we  should  snll  keep 
up  the  party,  merely  for  power  and  office,  regardless  of  the  good 
of  the  country. 

I  always  resented  this  foul  charge  against  me  with  indigna- 
tion, and  trusted  to  a  clear  conscience,  and  the  testimony  of 
future  time,  for  a  justification. 

Having  procured  Irom  the  general  assembly  all  we  could  ask, 
or  they  could  give,  I  yesterday  purged  myself  fiom  the  above 
charge,  by  voting,  as  I  thought,  for  the  good  of  the  state  and 
nation,  without  reference  to  masonry  or  anti-masonry. 

In  conclusion,  I  will  now  declare — not  rashly — not  from  any 
feeling  of  disappointment,  but  from  a  well  settled  and  delibe- 
rate conviction,  that  1  believe,  and  I  know  many  candid  men 
who  sustain  me  in  it — that  the  adhering  political  anti-masons 
of  Rhode  Island  have  injured  the  state  and  nation  more,  by 
their  conduct  yesterday,  than  the  freemasons  of  Rhode  Island 
have  since  the  days  of  Koger  Williams. 

WM.   I.   TlLLINGHAST. 

Providence,  Jipril  17, 1834. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  when  Messrs.  Benton,  Soun- 
der i,  and  others,  talked  so  much  and  so  loudly  about  "re- 
trenchment" and  "reform,"  that  a  very  long  and  excit- 
ing debate  took  place  in  the  house  of  representatives  on 
a  proposition  to  abolish  the  place  of  draughtsman  to  the 
house,  as  many  supposed,  on  account  of  the  accomplish- 
ed gentleman  who  happened  to  fill  it!  The  correspon- 
dent of  the  "Portland  Advertiser,"  noticing  a  late  de- 
bate, on  the  proposition  of  Mr.  J.  Q.  Jldams  to  strike 
out  the  amount  in  the  general  appropriation  bill  provid- 
ing for  the  payment  of  an  additional  clerk  in  the  de- 
partment of  state,  says— 

"And  so  the  debate  run  on,  as  water  runs  down  a  hill,  or  the 
fountain  flows  in  front  of  the  capitol — but  there  was  not  much 
in  it — till  col.  Crockett  arose.  Now  every  pen  was  dropped — 
every  head  was  aroused — every  eye  was  fixed — every  whisper 
was  hushed!  None  but  orators  can  throw  such  a  calm  over  the 
stormy  waters — and,  therefore,  the  colonel  must  be  an  orator: 
Friends  and  enemies  rallied  around.  The  galleries  hurried  to 
the  balustrades — and  the  colonel  began.  There  is  some  men 
whom  you  cannot  report.  The  colonel  is  one.  His  leer  you 
cannot  put  upon  paper — his  curious  drawl — the  odd  cant  of  bis 
body  and  his  self-congratulation.  He  is  an  original  in  every 
thing,  in  the  tone  and  structure  of  his  sentences,  in  the  force 
and  novelty  of  metaphors,  and  his  range  of  ideas.  'I  thought,' 
said  the  colonel,  'when  in  1826  the  gentleman  from  New  York, 
(Mr.  Cambreleng),  was  for  cutting  down  the  office  of  draughts 
man,  it  was  reforming  a  littlu  to  get  more.  It  was  like  the  child- 
ren on  the  branch  of  a  great  tree  hanging  over  the  river,  silting 
there  and  fishing  with  pin  hooks  to  catch  minnows.  It  was 
liKe  shearing  a  hog — great  squeal  and  little  wool.' 

"McDuffie's  most  potent  thunder,  Burges'  wit,  Binney's  logic, 
could  not  have  won  such  a  burst  of  applause  from  the  magnates 
of  the  land.  The  colonel  sal  down  with  delight— and  the  mem- 
bers here  and  there  gave  him  a  shake  of  the  hand,  as  they  often 
do  when  a  man  docs  a  wonderful  thing." 

Speaking  of  "retrenchment  and  reform"  we  may  add 
the  following  from  a  bill  reported  in  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, by  the  Cora  mil  tee  on  public  buildings. 

For  alterations  and  repairs  of  the  president's  house, 
flooring  tin:  lei  races,  and  erecting  stnbles  (§(5,670 

For  the  gardener's  salary,  and  for  laborers  employed  up- 
on the  grounds  and  walks  of  the  president's  house,  and 
for  planting  2,850 

For  paving  foot  ways  at  the  north  front  of  the  presi- 
dent's house,  and  making  a  Macadamized  carriage  way  13,744 

Fur  planting  trees  and  repairing  the  leiict  in  Lafayette 
square,  north  of  the  president'*  house  1,000 

For  co  npleiing  the  water  works  at  the  p:e-idcnt's 
DOOM,  and  executive  buildings  1,052 

For  compleling  ihu  furniture  of  the  president's  house      6,000 

For  excess  of  expenditures  beyond  the  appropriations 
made  by  the  late  commissioner  of  the  public  building 
during  l!ie  last  year  23,930 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  excursions  in  the  United 
States  may  now  b«  made,  with  much  promptitude  and 


without  fatigue,  from  Baltimore  to  Harper's  Ferry,  \>J 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail  road  and  the  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio  canal,  uniting  in  this  pleasant  little  journey  all 
that  is  sublime  and  beautiful  in  the  works  of  nature,  with 
the  most  splendid  specimens  of  the  works  of  art,  con- 
densing, as  it  were,  every  variety  of  mountain  or  valley, 
rocks  piled  on  rocks,  or  fertile  plains,  mighty  streams  or 
silver  rivulets — viaducts  and  aquaducts,  and  all  that  in- 
terests us  in  the  construction  of  rail  roads  or  canals,  in- 
cluding deep-cuts  and  side-cuts  and  embankments,  ke. 
on  the  greatest  scale.  'A  packet  boat  leaves  the  Point  of 
Rocks  for  Harper's  Ferry,  immediately  after  the  arrival 
of  the  rail  road  cars.  The  distance,  about  80  miles,  is 
performed  in  10  or  11  hours. 

Mr.  Mills  made  a  second  ascent  in  his  balloon,  from 
Fair  Mount,  Baltimore,  on  Thursday  evening  last.  It  was 
the  most  grand  as  well  as  most  beautiful  exhibition  of  the 
kind  that  we  ever  witnessed.  He  stood  suspended  near- 
ly over  the  city  for  more  than  half  an  hour,  when,  a  eur- 
rent  of  air  springing  up,  drove  the  balloon  a  S.  S.  E* 
course.  He  landed  safely. 

The  grand  jury  of  Davidson  county,  North  Carolina, 
has  solemnly  presented  Andrew  Jackson,  as  having  dis- 
appointed the  reasonable  expectations  of  the  people;  and 
for  his  arbitrary,  despotic  and  unconstitutional  conduct, 
&cc.  We  give  place  to  this  proceeding  in  a  subsequent 
page  as  one  of  the  curiosities  of  these  our  days — not  as 
approving  of  such  doings  by  grand  juries. 

The  notorious  Weirick,  the  postmaster  and  mail  rob- 
ber, has  been  released  from  the  penitentiary  by  the  pre- 
sident of  the  United  States,  to  which  he  was  sentenced 
for  21  years — and  a  son  of  the  postmaster  at  Middle- 
town,  Maryland,  has  been  arrested  for  robbing  the  mail. 
He  has  confessed  his  guilt.  His  robberies  amount  to> 
2,000  dollars. 

The  town  of  York,  Upper  Canada,  is  now  called  the 
City  of  Toronto — and  among  the  aldermen  lately  chosen 
is  Mr.  McKenzie,  so  often  voted  into  parliament  by  the 
people,  and  so  often  cast  out  through  the  iniluence  of  the 
officers  of  the  crown. 

We  have  heard  a  great  deal  about  the  horror*  of  Sing 
Sing  prison,  New  York;  and  the  sympathy  of  the  "dear 
sweet  people"  have  been  called  upon  to  relieve  the  poor 
sufferers!  Comparatively  honest  persons,  we  well  know, 
are  oftentimes  the  inmates  of  our  penitentiary  establish- 
ments— there  are  individuals  whose  depredations  on  so- 
ciety have  a  greater  amount  than  lots  of  an  hundred  in- 
habitants of  our  state  prisons,  and  there  is  a  prospect  that 
we  shall  have  more  "rag-barons,"gamblei-8  in  the  stocks, 
and  more  honest  "blacklegs,"  and  every  sort  of  specula- 
tors, than  all  of  them  will  contain — comfortably;  as  the 
chaplain  of  New-Gate  said,  on  examining  a  new  "drop," 
that  "six-  might  hcing  there  COMFORTAHLT!"  But  how  is 
it  that  so  many  encounter  the  "horrors"  of  Sing  Sing, 
and  other  state  prisons,  a  second  and  a  third  time?  In 
the  language  of  the  poet,  do  they  not  say  in  their  con- 
duct— 

"Horrors  all  hail?" 

A  large  business  has  been  lately  done  at  AVashington, 
in  the  pocket-picking  line,  even  in  the  sennte  chamber, 
or  in  the  gallery  of  the  senate,  during  the  exciting  de- 
bates that  have  recently  happened.  Two  of  the  gentle- 
men liavc  just  been  apprehended,  and,  among  other  odd 
things  found  in  their  possession  teas  a  poem  on  the  cruel- 
ties of  Sing  Sinp! 

There  has  been  a  large  importation  of  well-dressed, 
and  seemingly  well-bred  scoundrels  from  Europe,  espe- 
cially from  England — all  in  favor  of  a  removal  of  di'po- 
sitcs;  but  even  "the  government"  of  New  York  thinks  it 
right  to  defioslte  them,  and  retain  them,  in  the  vaults  of 
Sing  Sing.  The  depredations  of  these  knaves  may  be 
counted  by  tens  of 'thousands  of  dollars  a  year.  We  wish 
that  "Falb«r  Bull"  would  keep  them  at  home:  they  will 
write  accounts  of  American  manners! 

CIIAUI.ESTOX  n\Ti,  no  AH.  The  locomotive  E.  L.  Mil- 
ler, arrived  yesterday  afternoon  at  the  depository  with  a 


POLES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,   1834— BANKS,  CURRENCY,  &c. 


149 


train  of  sixteen  cars,  containing  three  hundred  and  si 
United  States  soldiers,  under  the  command  of  majo 
Heilemaii,  in  company  with  the  locomotive  Charlesto 
•with  eight  cars,  containing;  the  baggage  of  the  troop! 
The  trip  was  performed  from  Aiken  in  ten  and  a  ha^ 
hours.  The  spectacle  drew  a  large  concourse  of  specta 
tors',  who  were  highly  gratified.  [Patriot  Jlpril  11. 

VIRGINIA.  A  public  dinner  was  given  at  Richmond,  to  gen 
John  Floyd,  on  tliu  occasion  of  his  retirement  from  the  office  o 
governor  of  the  state.  Besides  the  toast  complimentary  to  him 
the  following  were  among  the  "regular"  toasts,  and  will  show 
the  general  temper  of  the  company: 

The  stnatc  of  the  United  States — Representing  the  state; 
and  nobly  discharging  the  high  functions  assigned  to  it  by  th 
constitution,  it  stands  a  bulwark  to  piotect  the  liberties  of  th 
people. 

James  Madison  and  Albert  Gallatin — When  the  patriarchs  o 
the  republic  are  found  in  the  ranks  of  the  opposition  to  power 
its  supporters  can  have  no  right  to  appropriate  to  themselve 
the  title  of  "the  republican  party." 

"Reform" — The  text  was,  that  the  patronage  of  the  govern 
ment  should  not  be  brought  in  conflict  with  the  freedom  o 
elections — the  practical  comment  is  the  systematic  prostilutioi 
of  it  to  the  subsidizing  of  the  press  and  the  reward  of  devotee 
partisans. 

The  retrenchment  so  vauntingly  promised  by  the  presented 
ministration — After  five  year's  possession  of  power,  the  fulfil 
ment  of  the  promise  is  found  in  the  insolvency  of  the  post  of- 
fice department,  and  the  augmentation  of  the  annual  charges 
of  the  government  from  13  to  33  millions. 

The  regency,  in  New  York  or  Virginia — Its  principle  is  to  ac- 
quire power  by  intri<!ue,  and  rule  the  people  by  the  instrumen- 
tality of  their  own  offices  and  their  own  money.  Virginia  "wil 
touch  not,  taste  not,  handle  not,  the  unclean  thing." 

SWITZERLAND.  The  following  is  the  plan  of  the  federal  con- 
stitution of  Switzerland,  which  was  to  be  presented  to  the  as- 
sembly of  the  Zofining,  on  the  26th  February. — It  is  divided  in- 
to two  parts — general  principles  and  special  provisions.  Among 
the  general  principles,  the  most  important  is  thnt  which  de- 
clares the  sovereignty  of  the  nation.  Paragraph  8  declares  the 
Swiss  territory  to  lie  one  and  indivisible,  and  stipulates  a  com- 
plete equality  of  rights  for  all  the  inhabitants.  The  liberty  ol 
the  press  and  the  freedom  of  discussion,  are  acknowledged 
without  any  restrictions.  The  first  part  of  the  compact,  which 
comprises  the  general  principle  in  13  paragraphs,  can  never  be 
altered.  Among  the  special  provisions,  we  observe  by  para- 
graph 13  the  nation  is  divided  into  tribes,  and  the  country  into 
cantons.  Paragraph  14  is  in  the  following  terms: 

"The  executive  of'the  federal  constitution  is  entrusted  to  a 
diet,  the  members  of  which  are  to  elected  by  the  tribes  in  the 
proportion  of  the  amount  of  their  population. — Paragraph  17. 
The  tribei  of  Switzerland  are  to  contribute  in  proportion  to  their 
resources  to  the  support  and  the  expenses  of  the  state. — Para- 
graph 18.  The  confederation  will  establish  at  its  own  charges 
such  patriotic  institutions  as  the  tribes  of  themselves  are  ena- 
bled to  establish.— Paragraph  19.  The  tribes  will  have  the  right 
of  giving  themselves  special  constitutions,  hut  on  the  express 
condition  that  they  are  not  at  variance  with  the  general  federal 
constitution."  [National  Gazette. 

BANKS— CURRENCY— AND    THE   TIMES. 

We  regret  that  a  line  or  two,  intended  to  hava  been  added  to 
our  notice  concerning  the  notes  of  the  banks  of  Virginia,  was 
o.nitled — the  purport  of  which  was,  that  these  notes  were  rapid- 
ly returning  to  a  more  moderate  rate  of  discount,  and  then 
were  only  2£  to  3  per  cent,  below  par,  or  bank  money,  in 
Baltimore,  at  which  ratcjtliey  remain,  and  probably  will  he,  for 
Home  time  to  come. 

A  letter  from  one  of  the  most  distinguished  gentlemen  of  Mis- 
sissippi, to  the  editor  of  the  REGISTER,  says — 

"We  are  in  as  much  distress  in  this  quarter,  and  in  inore,  I 
believe,  than  the  people  of  your  neighborhood,  in  consequence 
of  the  interruption  which  has  takon  place  in  our  currency.  We 
are  an  enterprising  people — have  a  new  country  to  settle,  a 
valuable  staple,  and  can  use  bank  facilities  to  great  advantage; 
and  we  deal  largely  in  exchange,  foreign  and  domestic."  [He 
then  speaks  of  great  political  changes  which  were  happening 
because  of  the  derangement  of  business,  and  general  distress 
that  attends  it.] 

The  insolvent  list  for  Baltimore,  for  the  last  week,  has  six- 
teen names,  one  of  them  from  tliu  county.  We  cannot  identify 
one  of  the  fifteen  in  the  city,  hut  find  the  names  of  three  of  them 
on  the  "no  pressure"  memorial  to  congress. 

The  New  York  papers  say  that  treasury  draughts  on  one  of 
the  deposite  banksf  in  that  city,  for  the  sum  of  $400,000,  have 
been  made,  for  the  purpose  of  placing  the  money  in  Baltimore 
or  at  Washington:  150,000  dollars  in  specie,  arrived  in  Balti- 
more a  few  days  since,  whether  to  remain  here,  or  pass  OH  to 
Washington,  we  are  not  informed. 

The  bank  committee  ofthe  house  of  representatives  commenc- 
ed businejR  Rt  Philadelphia  last  week.  Richard  Rnsh,  former 
•ecretary  of  the  treasury,  has  been  appointed  their  secretary. 


There  are  reports  that  the  committee  had  demanded  pouettion 
of  th«  books,  and  the  keeping  of  them,  at  lheir"own  inn" — and 
that  the  same  was,  of  course,  refused.  If  one  could  laugh  at 
things  so  grave— this  pretence  of  tin;  committee  of  the  house 
of  representatives  to  possess  the  books  of  the  bank  ofthe  United 
States,  while  Mr.  Beardsley,  and  others,  contend  that  congress 
has  no  power  even  to  examine  the  books  of  the  bank  of  the 
Metropolis,  one  of  the  deposites  banks,  nnd  also  chartered  by 
congress — he  might  well  laugh  at  such  consistent  doings. 

It  may  well  be  questioned  also,  whether  in  the  present  rela- 
tions ofthe  government  and  the  bank,  there  is  any  just  ri'.'ht  in 
congress  to  make  a  special  examination  of  the  affair*  of  the 
bank,  unless  as  simple  holders  of  a  part  of  its  .--took?  The  de- 
posites are  withdrawn!  But  in  any  case,  we  much  doubt  whe- 
ther such  committee  has  power,  (though  heretofore  partially 
exercised),  of  looking  into  the  account;  of  private  individuals — 
that  power  not  being  vested  in  the  directors  themselves,  unless 
on  special  occasions. 

A  sufficient  amount  of  subscription  has  been  made  to  ilie 
stock  of  the  new  stale  bank  of  North  Carolina,  (recently  in- 
corporated as  a  successor  or  substitute  lor  the  old  state  bank, 
now  winding  up),  to  authorise  the  bank's  going  into  operation. 

It  is  stated  in  the  Albany  Daily  Advertiser  that  the  tonnage 
received  from  New  York,  from  the  west,  was  4,475  tons  up  to 
the  22d  April,  1833— up  to  same  date  in  the  present  year,  1,550 
tons. 

The  board  of  directors  of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal, 
tiave  determined  to  issue  promissory  notes  of  five,  ten  nnd 
twenty  dollars,  payable  one  year  after  date,  with  four  per  cent, 
interest;  and  for  the  redemption  of  which,  stocks  of  tlie  state 
of  Maryland,  and  of  the  corporation  of  Washington,  nnd  George- 
town, will  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  Phincas  Janney,  John  P. 
Van  Ness  and  William  Price,  as  trustee?,  to  an  amount  greater 
han  it  is  proposed  to  issue  notes;  with  auihority  in  the  trust 
o  sell  the  stocks,  and  apply  the  proceeds  to  the  payment  of 
he  notes  when  nt  maturity. 

On  the  3d  and  4th  ult.  there  were.  200  protests  in  N.  Oi  leans — 
nit  no  others  of  consequence  had  happened  up  to  the  HUh, 
irst  rate  paper  being  then  only  15  per  cent. 

Mr.  Hardin,  in  a  speech  concerning  the  banks  of  the  District 

of  Columbia,  and  especially  to  obtain  an  examination   into  tint 

(fairs  ofthe  hank  of  the  Metropolis,  gives  a  t:ible  of  the  public 

leposites,  specie  and  circulation  ofthe  several  deposite  banks, 

he  sums  of  which  are  as  follows: 

Public  deposites §11 ,485.525* 

Specie 3.376,309 

Circulation 10,202,995 

The  deposite  banks  are  25. 

MISCELLANEOUS    ITEMS. 

H.  Johnson  has  consented  to  be  a  candidate  to  repre- 
sent the  New  Orleans  district  in  congress,  at  the  next 
election. 

Judge  Porter,  of  the  U.  S.  senate,  from  Louisiana,  is 
a  native  of  Ireland.  His  father,  though  a  clergyman, 
ell  a  victim,  in  1798,  to  the  tyranny  that  destroyed  the 
Smmetts  and  Tones, of  Ireland,  or  drove  them  into  exile 
rom  their  native  land. 

We  have  a  long  list  of  reappointments  made  by  the 
>resident  and  senate — and  a  few  new  appointments, 
:hiefly  in  the  revenue  service. 

Mr.  Gates,  the  celebrated  merchant  at  Montreal,  re- 
:ently  died  in  that  city;  and  a  day  or  two  afterwards, 
Mr.  Bancroft,  his  associate  in  business,  suffered  an  apo- 
lectic  attack,  and  also  departed  for  that  land  whence  no 
raveller  returns.  These  events  spread  a  general  gloom 
>ver  the^ people  of  Montreal. 

Died  on  Monday  last,  in  Baltimore,  in  tlia  64th  y?ar 
f  his  age,  Philip  Moore,  esq.  president  of  the  Franklin 
auk  in  this  city.  He  was  an  "honest  man." 

The  house  of  capt.  John  C.  Kissinger  was  lately  de- 
troyed  by  fire  in  Armslrong1  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
•:lh  it  nine  of  his  children,  the  oldest  about  19  years  of 
ge.  Capt.  K.  and  his  wife  were  on  a  visit  to  her  pa- 
ents,  about  8  miles  distant.  It  is  not  known  how  this 
wful  calamity  happened.  The  bones  of  the  deceased 
'ere  found  in  the  relative  positions  in  which  they  slept, 
nd  renders  it  probable  that  they  were  all  smothered  he- 
ore  the  fire  reached  them.  The  barn  was  also  consum- 
d,  and  with  it  one  horse,  two  oxen,  two  hogs  and  a 

ol.    Crockett  arrived  in    Philadelphia   on   Saturday 
ast,  nnd  in  the  evening  attended  the  theatre,  where  he  was 
ceived   with  great  glee,  by  a  very  numerous  body  of 
>e  people. 


This  sum,  perhaps,  does  not  exceed  11  million*— for  In  two 
asesi,  one  of  them  of  no  importance,  the  dpposite*,  public  or 
rlvate,  are  returned  en  mnsse. 


150 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY   3,  1334— CONGRESS. 


About  11)0,000  Ibs.  of  wool  were  recently  sold  at  pub- 
lic sale,  in  Boston.  The  t-al«  went  off  with  animation, 
and  the  prices  equalled  Ore  expectations  o£lhe  owners, 
though  they  were  from  15  to  2'J  per  cent,  lower  than  last 
fall.  Fleece  wool  brought  from  38  to  55  cents.  After 
the  public  sale,  about  00,000  pounds  were  taken  at  pri- 
vate side,  at  some  improvement  on  the  uuuion  prices. 

The  steamboat  Protector  was  lately  consumed  by  fire 
*  few  miles  below  Claihorne,  Alabama.  The  passen- 
gers and  crew  narrowly  escaped,  but  2UO  bales  of  cotton, 
KC,  were  consumed  in  the  boat. 

As  a  steamboat  was  leaving  Natchez  on  the  6th  nit.  a 
shot  was  fired  from  a  house  near  the  wharf,  and  a  pas- 
•enger  killed.  No  cause  is  assigned  for  this  p.iruciuiis 
act.  It  is  the  third  time  that  the  like  has  h&iupcued  ! 

The  complete  returns  of  the  late  election  i:i  Connecti- 
cut give  the  following  results: 

Foot  ("whig") 18>*H 

Edwards  (Jackson) l.),.S-i-i 

Storrs  (anti-mason) '2,398 

Scattering 305 

Total ... 36,958 


Foot's  plurality  over  Edwards 2,557 

Do.     majority  over  Edwards  and   Storrs 109 

Wanting  to  make  a  choice  in  consequence 

of  the  scattering  votes G3 

According  to  calculation,  said  to  be  exact,  made  from 
the  Almanacs  of  Paris,  and  the  different  departments, 
there  are  in  France,  1,700,843  doctors,  and  1,400,651 
sick  persons;  1,900,492  lawyers,  and  last  year  only 
•993,000  suits. 

The  assessment  upon  the  Liverpool  and  Manchester 
railway,  for  parish  rules,  is  estimated  on  a  rental  of 
,£3,200  per  mile,  or  ,£96,000  for  the  whole  thirty  miles. 

Mr.  Potter,  cashier  of  the  Union  bank,  at  Columbia, 
Teuiu  was  knocked  down  near  the  bank,  at  10  o'clock  at 
night,  and  rendered  insensible,  and  then  badly  stabbed — 
after  which  the  keys  were  taken  from  him,  and  the  bank 
robbed  of  $19, 000.  Mr.  P.  was  accidentally  discovered 
some  time  after  the  whole  affair  had  been  finished.  It 
was  expected  that  he  would  recover. 

Alonzo  Phelps,  a  murderer  a;;d  highwayman,  broke 
jail  at  Vicksburg,  on  the  day  previous  to  the  one  appoint- 
ed for  his  execution,  and,  while  running  from  the  prison, 
was  killed  by  the  sheriff  with  a  rifle. 

perfect  toleration  on  religious  subjects  has  been  pro- 
claimed in  Venezuela,  and  the  bishop  of  Harhadoes  luu 
arrived  at  Laguira  to  establish  an  Episcopal  church  there. 
The  president,  Paez,  would  assist  at  the  ceremony, 
•Under  such  proceedings,  we  hope  fora  better  slate  o 
things. 

"The  Pittsburgh  Gazette  of  Saturday  mentions  tha 
about  nine  hundred  old  soldiers  have  been  paid  theii 
pensions,  at  the  branch  bank  of  the  United  Slates,  in  tha 
.city,  since  the  3d  of  March.  The  total  amount  paid  ex- 
ceeds forty  thousand  dollars. 


TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS-FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

.4/H-U25.  Mr.  Webster  piesented  a  memorial  from  §,000  citi 
zens  of  Ontario  county,  New  York,  against  tne  removal  of  th 
deposites — referred,  &.c. 

Mr.  Clay  presented  the  proceed  in::*  nnd  resolutions  of  a  pnli 
lie  meeting  in  Hie  district  of  Hanover,  York  county,  I'a.  again* 
the  removal  of  the  dcposi1.cs.  There  was  considerable  dcltal 
on  the  presentation  of  these  proceedings,  in  which  Messrs.  Clay 
Forsyth,  McKean  mid  Brown  look  purl.  They  were,  tcmpora 
riiy.  on  motion  of  Mr.  1','ilUins,  laid  on  the  table. 

JTlie  seuale  then  proceeded  to  ilie  consideration  of  the  specia 
rx-rtur,  being  the  modified  resolutions  of  Mr.  I'oindcjrtcr,  on  th 
president's  protest,  Sec. 

The  question  being  on  the  motion  of  Mi .  Ki'ili  to  amend, 

Mr.  llilili  oluamrd  ilie  floor  at  half  past  2,  and  addressed  th 
g  'ii.it''  in  favor  of  Ins  amendmeni;  hut  before  In:  had  concluded 
'he  cave  way  to  a  motion  to  adjourn;  when  the  senate  ailjourii 
ed  till  Monday. 

Jlpril  28.  Memorials  proceedings  of  pnlilie  meeting,  &.< 
disapproving  ol  the  removal  ol  the  depnsiies  were  presented  a 
follows:  by  Mr.  Tyler,  fiotn  the  \nung  men  of  Richmond  an 
Manchester,  Va.;' by  Mr.  Lei^k,  from  cilir.en.-.  ol'  Clonce-t, 
.county,  Va  ;  and  by  Mr.  li'ehsler,  from  6,000  of  tin-  freemen  i 
.the  ciiy  oflltica,  and  ilie  county  of  Oneida,  New  York;  wliic 
,%wer«  severally  read,  referred,  See. 

Memorials,  8tc.  approving  ihe  conduct  of  the  exeentive  in  tU 
.removal  of  the  depose*  were  nrufeuicd,  by  Mr.  If'illiiit-  Lvi 


meeting  of  citizens  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.;  and  by  Mf> 
VoH-tj,  from  a  pnl)lic  meeting  in  Eilgecomb  county,  N.  Caro- 
ia;  which  were  lead,  referred,  Sic. 

.Mr.  (.'luu  .-iilniiiiti  d  two  leMihiticiiis  which  were  considered 
.il  adoj.it  d,  the  first  directing  tht  secretary  of  the  treasury  to 
poit  to  UK;  senate,  the  aross  amount  of  tile  proceeds  of  the 
iiles  ol  public  lands  and  the  number  of  acre's  ?old  during  1833, 
mniHiiii:.'  the  number  of  acre*  sold  in  eaeti  stale — nnd  tht! 
econd  inquiring  the  manner  by  which  the  20th  part  of  the  nelt 
rocecds  of  the  sales  of  the  lands  within  the  stale  of  Ohio,  set 
part  for  roads,  is  ar-ccruined. 

After  the  presentation,  &c.  of  various  petitions  and  the  report 
ml  deposition  of  several  private  bill.-, 

The  Semite  pmcecded  to  consider  Mr.  Poimlexter's  resolutions 
s  modified.  The  question  being  on  the  amendment  of  Mr. 
lilili;  and  Mr.  Kill*  resumed  and  concluded  his  remarks;  when 
'ii  iimiioii  ot  .Mr.  Grututy,  the  senate  adjourned. 

Jl^il  29.     The  chair  communicated  a  report  from  ilie  eecre- 

aiy  of  the  senate,  made  in  obedience  to  ilie  resolution  of  the 

2LKh  instant,  showing  the  number  of  memorials,  proceedings 

and  resolutions,  presented  to  the  senate  for  and  against  the  re- 

noval  of  the  deposites.     The  number  against  the  removal,  is 

laird  10  be  11-1,918,  and  that/or  il  8,721. 

Mr.  Belt  presented  a  memorial  from  Somersworth,  and  ano- 
her  from  Dover,  New  Hampshire,  the  first  signed  by  452  and  the 
alter  by  500  citizens,  opposed  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites, 
vhich  were  read,  &.C. 

Mr.  Poinilextcr  reported  a  bill  makinu  a  grant  of  land  for  the 

i!i.-li  paliiou;  which  was  read  and  ordered  to  a  second  read- 
n;;. 

Mr.  Chambers  submitted  the  following  resolution,  which  lies 
)ne  day  on  the  table: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to  in- 
orm  the  senate,  whether  any  other  treasury  draughts,  called  at 
he  department  transfer  draughts  on  the  United  State*  bank, 
lave  been  drawn  MIIC«  his  report  of  the  lllh  December,  1833; 
and  the  purposes  to  which  the  amounts  of  such  draughts,  if 
•uiy,  have  been  applied. 

Mr.  Webster  gave  notice,  that  he  would  move  to  morrow  to 
ake  up  the  military  appropriation  bill;  and  also  to  go  iulo  ex- 
ecutive busine.-s. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  protest 
if  the  president,  &c.  The  question  being  on  Mr.  Bibb's  amend- 
ment, 

M r.  GrwifM/  rose  and  addressed  the  senale  until  a  quarter 
;>ast  4  o'clock,  when,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  the  senate  ad- 
ourned. 

,'lpril.  30.  A  memorial  oppo?ed  to  the  removal  of  the  dcpos- 
itcs.  was  presented  by  Mr.  S;;rtz°ue  from  citizens  of  Hullowell, 
Maine;  which  was  read,  referred,  dc. 

Mr.  Kent  presented  the  memorial  of  certain  citizens  of  Balti- 
more, praying  for  the  adoption  of  the  warehousing  syMem. 

The  senale  Ihen  auain  look  up  Ihe  resolutions  ottered  by  Mr. 
Poindexter,  as  modiiied  by  Mr.  Clay,  on  the  president'*  protest. 

The  question  bein<;  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Bibb  to  amend,  Mr. 
Clay  addressed  the  senate  uniil  a  quarter  after  3  o'clock,  when 
on  motion  of  Mr.  ]Vri°ld,  the  senate  adjourned. 

May  1.  Mr.  McKeun  presented  memorials  from  Northumber- 
land. Husqu'.-liannah  and  Uiadford  counties,  Pa.  Mr.  McKeuit 
lilted  lhal  he  had  been  requested  lo  present  the  memorial  of 
about  two  hundred  and  sixty  inhabitants  ol  the  borough  of  Mil- 
ton, in  Northumberland,  one  of  the  middle  counties  of  Penn- 
sylvania. They  speak  in  the  usual  language  of  thvir  embar- 
rassments and  pecuniary  distress.  They  are  opposed  10  the  te- 
inoval  of  the  deposites,  and  in  favor  of  rechartering  the  United 
Slates  bank.  A  large  number  of  them  were  the  original  friends 
of  general  Jackson,  and  supported  him  in  1332.  Many  of  them 
he  knew  had  been  the  active  ti  n  ml?  of  the  general. 

The  second  came  nearer  home;  it  was  signed  by  1,300  citi- 
zens of  Susquehannah  county,  adjoining  the  one  in  which  he. 
resided.  A  warm  political  friend  of  his  own,  and  a  uniform 
supporter  of  general  Jackson,  authorised  him  to  say,  that  it 
contained  the  i.ames  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  whole  num- 
ber of  voters,  and  lhal  at  least  oUO  of  the  sigmers  voted  for  gen. 
Jackson  in  1832. 

The  third  came  from  his  own  county,  a  strong  Jackson  coun- 
ty, signed  by  about  1,600  citizens  without  dt-lim  lion  of  party. 
They  ?ay,  in  transmitting  Ihe  memorial, Ibey  de.-ire  it  to  be  dis- 
tinctly undeislood  tl.iil  they  ar"  actuated  by  no  p.iriy  or  politi- 
tieal  motives,  and  lliny  sincerely  re-ircl  and  deplore  Ihe  manner 
in  which  this  question  has,  by  arll'ul  means  and  dcsiuiiin^  men, 
been  mingled  with  the  party  Conrliets  of  the  day.  They  deem 
il  ii  subject  too  deeply  aHViling  tin;  interests  of  every  class  of 
the  community,  lo  be  prostituted  to  the  base  purposes  of  per- 
sonal aggrandizement,  and  express  a  hope  that  i  very  patriot 
will  di.-connlenance  tho  connexion  of  this  question  with  the 
poliiics  of  the  country. 

.Mr.  nv/.\(er  said  —  Now,  with  treat  respect  to  the  senator 
from  l'enns\lvania,  (Mr.  jVc /•><:. 0,  he.-hould  not  like  lo  make  mi 
inquiry  of  him  that  would  create  any  emburra.-sment,  but  as  he 
i-iiid  he  had  piusented  Ilie  names  ofthose.  some  of  whom  were 
friend-;  of  the  administration,  and  most  of  whom  he  knew,  nnd 
iis  he  resided  in  one  of  the  counties,  he,  (Mr.  \V.)  would  like 
to  know  of  him,  if  he  would  not  take  it  amiss,  wheihi-r  there 
was  or  \v;is  iini  :i  deep  and  jjroiviu,.  dis.ippiohation  of  the  mea- 
sure.-- of  the  executive  in  n  l.ition  to  the  removal  of  the  de- 
poj-itts  from  the  bank  of  thu  United  States? 


NILSS'  REGISTER— MAY   3,   1834— CONGRESS. 


151 


Mr.  McKenn  replied  that  lie  hail  not  the  slightest  objection  ID 
answering  the  inquiry,  lie  stated  the  fact  that,  BO  I'ar  as  tie 
knew  the  county  ol' Northumberland,  it  contained  a  number  of 
persons  who  were  actively  engaged  in  the  support  of  the  pre- 
sent executive.  They  themselves  stated  that  they  were  the 
original  friends  of  general  Jackson,  and  voted  for  him  in  1832. 
He  also  stated  that,  in  his  own  county,  their  memorial  was 
signed  without  distinction  of  patty.  Although  he  did  not  know 
the  sentiments  of  every  gentleman  in  his  county,  yet  those  gen- 
tlemen who  were  responsible  to  him  for  the  memorial  authoris- 
ed him  to  state  that  fact. 

His  desire,  Mr.  McK.  said,  was  to  reply  to  the  question  of  the 
gentleman  from  Massachusetts  distinctly.  As  far  as  he  knew, 
the  people  of  the  counties  with  which  he  was  acquainted,  (al- 
though he  unfortunately  differed  with  them  on  sonic  points), 
were  much  dissatisfied  with  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites. 
There  was  much  discontent,  and  he  believed  Hint  the  people 
were  against  the  administration  for  its  late  measures,  though 
they  attributed  them  only  to  error  of  judgment.  He  did  not 
mean  to  be  understood,  Mr.  McK.  said,  as  conveying  the  idea 
that  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  were  opposed  to  the  executive; 
he  only  meant  that  they  were  generally  opposed  to  the  removal 
of  the  deposites,  which  they  attributed,  as  before  said,  to  error. 
Mr.  McKcan  also  presented  a  memorial  from  Northampton 
county,  Pa.  approving  the  measures  of  the  executive  in  the  re- 
moval of  the  deposiles. 
These  memorials  were  read,  referred,  &c. 
Mr.  Clay  rose  to  present  a  memorial  which  would  neutralize 
the  last  one  presented  by  the  gentleman  from  Pennsylvania, 
(Mr.  McK.).  The  memorial,  with  the  presentation  of  which 
be  was  charged,  was  from  Bald  Eagle  township,  in  Centre 
county,  Pennsylvania.  It  is  accompanied  by  a  letter  which 
states  that  three-fourths  of  the  subscribers  to  the  memorial  have 
been,  until  very  recently,  the  most  unyielding  friends  of  the  ad 
ministration;  and  he  would  further  state,  for  the  comfort  of  the 
supporters  of  the  executive,  that  the  letter  adds,  "that  the  pre- 
sidential protest  has  reached  us,  and  I  feel  safe  in  assuring  you 
that  its  dangerous  doctrines  will  excite  utmost  universal  repro- 
bation." 

The  numerous  subscribers  to  this  memorial  testify  that,  in 
voting  for  the  re-election  of  general  Jackson  they  did  not  intend 
to  decide  against  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 
The  memorial  was  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Chambers  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  large  and  re- 
spectable meeting  recently  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  disap- 
proving of  the  measures  of  the  administration  in  relation  to  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  and  particularly  condemning  the  late 
protest  of  the  president. 

A  long  and  interesting  debate  then  followed,  in  which  Messrs. 
Chambers,  Grundy,  Clay,  Proton  and  .1/cA'canlook  part. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Forsyth,  the  proceedings  were  laid  on  the 
table. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  executive 
business,  and,  alter  remaining  some  time  with  closed  doors, 
the  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Thursday,  Jipril  24.  The  resolution  of  Mr.  Mardis  was  a«nin 
resumed,  when  Mr.  McKennan,  of  Pa.  occupied  the  morning 
hour  in  opposition  to  it,  without  concluding. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Polk,  the  house,  as  in  committee  of  the 
whole,  again  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  general  appropri- 
ation bill. 

Mr.  McKay  moved  to  strike  out  two  items  in  the  bill,  one  for 
a  clerk  in  the  topographical  bureau,  of  1,000  dollars,  and  another 
ill  the  clothing  bureau  of  700  dollars.  A  long  debate  arose,  unil 
the  motiou  was  finally  negatived,  ayes  81,  noes  63. 

A  motion  was  then  made  to  strike  out  an  item  of  $5,000  for 
additional  cleric  hire  in  the  pension  office. 

This  motion  led  to  an  animated  and  protracted  debate,  in 
which  the  authority  of  the  head  of  a  department  to  employ  ex- 
tra clerks  at  his  pleasure,  and  then  to  demand  from  congress  an 
appropriation  to  pay  them,  was  warmly  denied.  It  was  inci 
dentally  admitted  in  debate,  that  the  necessity  for  the  employ 
men t  of  these  additional  clerks  arose  in  part  from  the  transfer  o 
the  pension  agency  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  The 
committee  continued  to  sit  until  about  6  o'clock;  when 

Mr.  Vinton  moved  that  it  rise,  which  motion  prevailed— ayes 
75,  noes  71. 

Mr.  Polk  now  moved  for  leave  to  introduce  a  resolution  niak 
ing  the  present  bill  the  ordei  of  the  day,  at  12  o'clock,  evurj 
day,  Mondays  and  Saturdays  exccplcd. 
Mr.  Vinton  objected,  and 

Mr.  Polk  moved  to  suspend  the  rules;  but  before  any  deci 
sion  was  had.  on  motion  of  Mr.  Vinton,  the  house  adjourned. 

Friday,  Jlpril  25.  Mr.  Cliilton  made  an  adverse  report  or 
the  expediency  of  repealing  the  law  which  requiius  two  WIL 
nesses  to  establish  a  pension  for  wounds  received  during  tin 
revolutionary  war,  &c. 

Mr.  Duncan  asked  and  obtained  leave  of  the  house  to  lay  01 
the  table  and  have  printed,  a  bill  to  modify  and  extend  an  ac 
to  incorporate  the  subscribers  to  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates 
with  certain  limitations  and  conditions;  which  bill,  he  gave  no 
lice,  he  intends  to  offer  as  a  substitute  for  a  bill  reported  Iron 
the  committee  of  ways  and  means  to  regulate  the  deposites  o 
the  public  money  in  the  loeal  banks. 

[The  bill  introduced  by  Mi.  Duncan  proposes  that  the  char 
ter  of  the  present  bank  of  the  United  Suites  shall  be  continue 


urutiu   IIIT^    mi  u«ij    wi    i  iiMunijr,   luuv.        1  lie  ailirillllllulll  elllurti- 

ces  several  other. new  features;  such  as  limiting  the  dividend 
on  stock  to  seven  per  cent,  per  annum,  the  suiplus,  after  the 
accumulation  of  a  contingent  fund  of  three  millions,  to  he  paid 
over  into  the  treasury  of  the  United  States;  prohibiting  tho 
is.-ue-  of  any  notes  of  a  denomination  less  than  ten  dollar?;  re- 


any  lorm,  me  extension  01  me  cnarter  01  me  present  bank  of 
the  United  Slates,  we  have  thought  this  brief  note  of  it  might 
be  acceptable  to  our  readers.] 

The  resolution  of  Mr.  Jar  via,  for  an  investigation  of  certain 
of  the  district  banks,  was  again  taken  up  for  consideration; 
when  Messrs.  Htirdin  and  Cliilton  addressed  the  hoii.-e. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Polk,  the  house  went  into  committee  of 
the  whole  on  the  general  appropriation  bill. 

The  question  under  debate  bting  the  item  of  $31,731,  for  ad- 
ditional clerk  hire  in  the  post  master  general's  depaitment. 

A  very  warm  and  interesting  debate  ensued,  in  which  Messrs. 
Lincoln,  Pope,  Keed,  Parker,  Evans,  VVardwtll,  Polk,  11.  Eve- 
rett, Connor,  Cliillon,  llardin,  Ewing  and  llanm  pin  took  part. 

In  the  couise  of  Mr.  Cldlton'i  remarks,  he  leltrred  to  the  re- 
port of  the  retrenchment  committee  of  1828,  in  which,  in 


mentor  upwards  or  yM»,uw,  to  jietu  in    tea/,  a  nrlt  profit  or 
(100,312,  with  an  extension  of  post  toutes  and   post  office*. 
$nt  alas!  how  now?    The  department  by  its  own  ihmving,  h:is 
orrowed  at  a  per  centage,  and  without  law,  $--100,000,  mid  as 
[Imitted  by  the  gentleman  from  North  Carolina  $170,000  be- 
.ile.--;  and  how  much   more  it  owes,  no  one  can  tell.     In  the 
ame  time,  an  im-reasti  in  the  number  of  clerks  and  other  offi- 
cers, involvint!  an  expense  of  about  $50.000.     That  when  Mr. 
McLean  left  the  department  in  1828,  t!ie  number  of  clerks  wa« 
,38,  while  it  is  now  92. 

The  question  to  strike  out  the  item  was  negatived  without  a 
count. 

Mr.  Lincoln  moved  to  reduce  the  item  from  $31,700  to  17,000. 
The  question  was  taken  on   Mr.  Lincoln's  motion  and  nega- 
:ived,  ayes  53,  noes  85. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Polk  an  item  nf$3,500  for  additional  clerk 
-,ire  to  bring  up  the  arrears,  mid  transcribing  the  tit-Id  notes  of 
:he  [lost  office  department,  was  stricken  out;  when  the  com- 
mittee rose,  and,  on  motion  of  Mr.  ti'illiumt,  the  house  ad- 
journed. 

Saturday,  djrril  26.  The  resolution  moved  by  Mr.  Tleaty,  on 
the  l(;lh  instant,  authorising  a  survey  and  examination  of  the 
Cumberland  river,  with  a  view  of  rendering  it  navigable  for 
steamboats,  was  taken  up  and  agreed  to. 

Mr.  E.  D.  White  reported  a  bill  authorising  the  secretary  of 
the  navy  to  cause  improvements  on  the  steam  engine  to  b« 
m.ide. 

Mr.  Boon  moved  the  consideration  of  his  resolution  fixing  a 
day  of  adjournment;  but  It  Mug  objected  to,  h«  moved  to  dis- 
pense with  the  rule,  and  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays;  they 
were  taken  accordingly  and  stood  as  follows:  yeas  91,  nays  57. 
Two  thirds  not  voting  in  the  atlirmative,  the  motion  was  «e- 
galived. 

Mr.  Polk  then  moved  the  consideration  of  the  general  appro- 
priation bill,  which  was  refused. 

Alter  attending  to  several  private  bill*,  the  house  passed  to 
the  consideration  of  the  lull  for  the  relief  of  Susan  Lifcutur,  as 
in  committee  of  the  whole;  which,  having  been  gone  through, 
was  reported  to  the  house;  and  then  the  house  adjourned. 

MonJity,  dpril  28.  Mr.  Garland,  a  member  ih-ct  from  the 
state  of  Louisiana,  vice  Mi.  Bullard,  resigned,  appeared,  was 
qualified  and  took  his  seat. 

Messrs.  Hall  and  Graham,  of  North  Carolina,  who  had  each 
presented  memorials  from  their  respective  districts,  on  the  last 
petition  day,  addressed  the  house  on  the  subject,  the  former  in 
a  speech  of  two  hours.  The  memorials  of  each  were  read,  re- 
ferred, &e. 

Mr.  Gn  ,  lie  who  had  also,  on  the  last  petition  day.  presented 
thememoiial  of  183  persons,  nearly  all  voters,  of  Savannah, 
(Jen.  opposed  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  paid  some  v«  ry 
Haltering  compliments  to  the  character  of  the  memorialists. 
Mr  U.  stated  that  the  memorialists  represent  that  since  the 
rir  t  of  October  last,  the  fall  in  the  price  of  cotton,  I'.e  yreat 
southern  staple,  has  been  at  least  one  fourth  ot  Us  actual  value 
at  that  time.  The  entire  value  of  ihe  cotton  crop  is  estimated 
at  forty  millions  of  dollars,  and  the  direct  loss  of  the  cotton 
planters  may  Im  fairly  stated  at  from  six  to  eight  millions  of 
dollars;  of  which  more  than  a  million  falls  on  the  slate  of  Genr- 
••ia-  mid  this,  independently  of  the  loss  whieh  results  from  the 
fact,  that  50.000  bales  less  will  be  required  by  Ihe  manufac- 
turers of  the  United  Slaws"— Read,  referred,  he. 


152 


WILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,   1834— A  HORRIBLE  AFFAIR. 


Memorials,  &c.  opposed  to  the  removal  of  ilic  depnsites 
were  presented  by  Mr.  K.  M.  Johnion,  fnun  between  3  and  400 
•citizens  ol  Grant  coinuy,  Ky.;  by  .Mi.  Chilian,  Iron)  a  in>  eling  of 
Che  citizens  "I  the  town  ol  Br.-iinlenliiirg  Ky.;  liy  Mr.  Mitchell, 
from  i-iiizen.-  of  Uie  13ih  congressional  district  in  Ohio;  liy  Mr. 
f-'inton,  of  Ohio.  from  citizens  of  his  district;  hy  Mr.  Corwin, 
from  inhabitants  ol  the  county  of  Clinton,  Ohio;  by  Mr.  Vance, 
(•29  memorial!-),  signed  by  1,241  citizens  ot  Champaign  county, 
Ohio;  hy  Mr.  li'hitc,  of  Lou.  from  ;i  laige  meeting  of  the  citizens 
of  New  Orleans  liy  Mr.  Murphy,  from  cilizens  ol  Dallas  county 


Alabama;  by  .Mr. 


d,  of  Mass,  the  proceedings  of  a  public 


inet'iing  in  his  di.-tncl,  as  also  a  letter  of  instructions,  which 
Jetler,  lie  said  he  'should  not  comply  with.  All  which  were 
read,  referred,  fee. 

Memorial!),  &c.  approving  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites 
were  presented,  by  Mr.  Wayne,  from  687  citizens  of  Savannah, 
(Georgia;  liy  Mr.  Pope,  of  Ky.  from  a  meeting  in  his  district;  by 
Mr.  Thompson,  from  citizens  of  Salem,  Ohio;  hy  Mr.  Mitchell, 
•of  Ohio,  from  citizens  of  his  district;  and  Mr.  Lcarilt  from 
citizens  of  Harrison  county,  Ohio;  which  were  severally  read, 
referred,  &c.  and  tken  the  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  Jlpril  29.  Mr.  Lincoln  aski  il  leave  to  offer  a  reso- 
lution calling  for  information  from  one  of  the  departments. 

Opposition   being  made,  he  moved  for  the  suspension  of  the 
rule,  and  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays. 
The  resolution  was  read  as  follows: 

Reeolred,  That  tlw;  postmaster  general  be  directed  to  lay  be- 
fore this  house  a  statement  nf  lire  number,  and  names,  and  dales 
of  the  appointments,  respectively,  of  the  clerks,  agents  ami 
Other  officers  anil  persons  employed  in  his  department,  (other 
than  postmasters  and  persons  employed  in  the  respective  post 
offices),  and  of  the  distribution  and  assignment  of  the  appro- 
priate duties  of  each;  am)  especially  of  the  character  of  the 
services  required  by  the  solicitor,  and  clerks  of  the  solicitor's 
office;  and  the  duties  and  official  employment  of  each  of  the 
persons  who,  in  the  register  of  ihe  offices  and  agents  of  the 
government,  called  the  "Blue  Book,"  are  denominated  "clerks 
of  appointment;-'  and  that  he  do  inform  the  house  from  what 
fund  or  appropriation  all  the  officers  and  persons  aforesaid, 
employed  in  his  department,  have  received  their  compensa- 
tion; and  that  he  be  further  directed  to  state  to  this  liou«e, 
to  what  corporations  or  individuals,  (if  any),  the  post  office 
/iepartment  is  indebted  for  money  borrowed,  and  to  what 
amount  to  each  of  such  corporations  or  individuals  respectively, 
and  at  what  rates  of  interest  such  loans  have  been  obtained; 
whether  the  department  has  overdrawn  the  amount  of  depo- 
jsites  to  its  credit  in  bank  or  banks;  and  if  so,  in  wh.it  balances  it 
is  now  indebted  to  such  hanks;  in  what  instances,  (if  any),  and 
lo  what  amount,  the  department  has  anticipated  its  revenue  by 
.draughts  on  post  offices  in  advance  of  the  current  quarter,  and 
whether  there  are  arrearages  due  lo  any  contractors,  according 
to  the  terms  of  their  contracts,  either  executed  or  continuing 
<br  the  conveyance  of  the  mails,  and  to  whom,  and  to  what 
amount  respectively;  and  what  is  the  aggregate  amount  of  the 
indebtedness  of  the  department,  beyond  its  present  means  and 
resources,  to  discharge  all  its  pecuniary  obligations  in  time,  and 
accoiding  to  its  engagements  and  liabilities." 

The  yeas  and  nays  were  thereupon  taken,  and  stood  as  fol- 
lows: yeas  103,  nays  50. 
So  the  rule  was  suspended. 

The  speaker  said  the  resolution  must,  liy  rule,  lie  one  day. 
Mr.  Lincoln  moved  to  dispense  with  the  rule. 
Mr.  Jliiams  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays. 
They  were  taken,  and  stood,  yeas  110,  nays  68.    Two  thirds 
net  consenting,  the  rule  was  not  suspended;'  and  the  resolution 
lies  on  the  table  until  to-morrow. 

Mr.  Gilmcf  moved  that  the  letter  of  the  secretary  of  war  re- 
lative to  the  deatli  of  Hardiman  Owens,  be  taken  up;  and  it  he- 
ing  taken  up, 

Mr.  Gilmer  moved  that  it  be  referred  to  a  select  committee, 
and  Mr.  Clay  its  reference  to  the  judiciary  committee. 

A  debate  look  place  between  Messrs.  Gilmer  and  Clay,  in 
which  Ihe  former,  after  disavowing  any  intention  of  attacking 
the  administration,  alluded  to  the  order  given  by  the  commander 
f>(  the  United  States  troops  "to  take  Owens  dead  or  alive," 
and  to  the  order  from  the  war  department  to  defend  the  prose- 
cution against  those  who  shot  him,  at  the  expense  of  Uie  ge- 
neral government,  and  by  an  agent  sent  for  that  purpose  from 
Washington.  Before  nny  decision  was  had,  the  hour  expired, 
and  the  house  passed  to  the  orders  of  the  day. 

The  general  appropriation  hill  was  now  laken  up,  and 
Mr.  Vance,  of  Ohio,  moved  lo  strike  out  an  item  of  §3,500 
for  additional  clerk  hire  in  the  offices  of  the  surveyors  general 
of  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Michigan,  which  motion  was  opposed  by 
Messrs.  McKinley,  Polk,  Lyon,  Clay,  Ashley  ani)  Lane,  and 
finally  rejected. 

Mr.  Vance  then  moved  to  strike  out  an  ilem  allowing  $10,000 
for  supplying  town«hip  plats  to  certain  land  offices:  after  several 
motions  to  amend  Mr.  V's  motion  by  reducing  the  allowance  in 
the  item;  and  it  was,  after  considerable  debate,  reduced  to 
$5,000. 

Various  other  amendments  being  offered  and  disposed  of, 
Mr.  Selden  moved   to  introduce  a   proviso  in  the  clause  pro- 
viding for  the  compensation  of  United  States  district  attorneys, 
forbidding  them  to  brinj;  separate  suits   in  ca«es  where  they 
can  be  consolidated.  On  this  amendment,  a  debate  arose  which 
ill  5  o'clock,  when  the  committee  ro.se.  and  tin;  h-w-e 
adjourned. 


Wedneiday,  Jlpril  30.  Mr.  Jldcims  gave  notice  to  ihe  house 
that  he  should,  to  morrow,  ask  permission  to  introduce  a  bill 
forbidding  the  corporations  nt  Washington,  Alexandria  and 
Georgetown,  from  is-suing  promissory  notes  below  the  denomi- 
nation of  ten  dollars. 

Mr.  McKennan  resumed  and  concluded  his  remarks  in  oppo- 
sition lo  the  resolutions  of  Mr.  Mardis,a.nA  Mr.  Galbraith,o\  Fa. 
obtained  the  floor  for  to-morrow. 

The  bill  lo  regulate  the  value  of  gold  and  silver  coin?,  in  the 
United  States,  was  taken  up  and  passed  through  committee, 
without  amendment. 

The  bill  to  extend  the  duration  of  the  commission  under  the 
French  treaty  for  two  years, 

And  the  bill  makingan  extension  under  the  treaty  with  Naples 
for  six  months,  were  severally  taken  up  and  passed  through 
committee  of  the  whole. 

The  general  appropriation  hill  was  then  again  taken  up,  and 
the  remainder  of  the  day  consumed  in  discussing  its  details 
without  coming  to  a  conclusion.  At  a  late  hour  the  house  ad- 
journed. 

Thursday,  May  I.  Mr.  Jldams  asked  and  obtained  leave  to 
bring  in  a  bill  to  prevent  the  corporations  of  Washington.  Alex- 
andria, and  Georgetown  from  issuing  hills  of  a  less  denomina- 
tion than  Icn  dollars:  which  bill  was  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Lincoln  moved  that  ihe  house  lake  up  the  resolution  he 
had  moved  a  day  or  two  since,  relative  to  thu  affairs  of  the  post 
office  department 

Objection  being  made — 

Mr.  L.  moved  a  suspension  of  the  rule,  and  called  the  yeas 
ami  nays,  which  were  ordered.  The  yeas  and  nays  being  laken, 
stood  as  follows:  yeas  93,  nays  63.  There  not  being  two-thirds 
in  the  affirmative,  the  rule  was  not  suspended. 

The  general  appropriation  bill  WRS  then  taken  up  in  commit- 
tee of  the  whole.  The  question  still  being  on  the  allowances 
lo  foreign  ministers,  the  debale  was  renewed  with  additional 
spirit  and  interest,  and  continued  till  6  o'clock.  The  motion  to 
strike  out  the  salaries  of  ministers  to  England  and  Russia  was 
negatived  by  a  vote  of  101  to  69. 

Alter  which  the  house  adjourned. 

— - •»« @  8 

A  HORRIBLE  AFFAIR. 

The  occurrence  of  a  fire  in  New  Orleans,  on  the  ]0th  ult. 
has  led  to  a  disclosure  of  circumstances  of  a  horrifying  charac- 
ter. The  Courier  of  that  day  has  the  annexed  particulars: 

"A  fire  broke  out  this  morning. in  the  kitchen  of  madame  La- 
laurie,  corner  of  Royal  and  Bayou  streets,  which  was  soon 
wrapt  in  flames.  It  was  known  to  some  of  the  neighbors,  that 
the  upper  part  of  this  building  was  used  as  a  prison,  and  that  it 
was  then  tenanled  by  several  unfortunate  slaves  loaded  wilh 
chains.  Information  of  Ihis  fact  was  communicated  to  judge 
Canonge,  who  instantly  waited  on  Mr.  Lalaurie,  and  asked 
permission  of  that  gentleman,  in  a  polite  manner,  to  have  the 
slaves  removed  to  a  place  of  safety;  when  the  loiter,  with  much 
rudeness  replied,  that  'there  were  those  who  would  bo  better 
employed  if  they  would  attend  to  Iheir  own  affairs  insiead  of 
officiously  intermedling  with  the  concerns  of  other  people.' 
The  flames  gaining  rapidly  on  the  building,  orders  were  given 
to  break  open  the  doors,  which  being  promptly  obeyed,  a  most 
appalling  sight  was  presented,  in  the  shape  of  several  wretched 
negroes  emerging  from  the  fire,  their  bodies  covered  with  scars 
and  loaded  wilh  chains!  Amongst  them  was  a  female  slave, 
upwards  of  60  years  of  age,  who  could  not  move.  Some  young 
men  carried  her  to  the  cily  guard  house,  where  the  others,  six 
in  number,  were  also  conducted,  to  be  proiecled  from  the  cru- 
elty of  their  owner.  We  saw  one  of  these  miserable  beings. 
The  sight  was  so  horrible  that  we  could  scarce  look  upon  it. 
The  most  savage  heart  could  nol  have  witnessed  the  spectacle 
unmoved.  He  had  a  large  hole  in  his  head,  his  body  from  head 
to  foot  was  covered  with  scars  and  filled  with  worms!!!  The 
sight  inspired  us  with  so  much  horror,  that  even  at  the  moment 
of  writing  this  article  we  shudder  from  its  effects.  Those  who 
have  seen  the  other.'  represent  them  to  be  in  a  similar  condition. 

"We  forbear  a  further  description  of  this  revolting  spectacle, 
as  it  can  hardly  be  agreeable  to  the  feelings  of  our  readers.  We 
hope  thf!  grand  jury  will  lake  cognizance  of  Ibis  unparalleled  out- 
rage, and  bring  the  perpetrators  of  it  to  the  punishment  Ihcy  so 
richly  deserve." 

The  Bee  of  ihe  lllh  April,  says — "The  populace  have  repair- 
ed to  the  house  of  this  woman,  and  have  demolished  and  de- 
stroyed every  thing  upon  which  they  could  lay  their  hands.  At 
the  time  of  inditing  this  the  fury  of  the  mob  remained  still  una- 
bated and  threatens  the  demolition  of  the  entire  edifice." 

The  popular  fury  which  we  briefly  adverted  loin  our  paper  of 
yesterday,  as  consequent  upon  the  discovery  of  the  barbarous 
and  fiendish  atrocities  committed  by  the  woman  Lalaurie  upon 
the  person  of  her  slaves,  continued  unabated  the  whole  of  the 
evening  before  last  and  part  of  yesterday  morning.  It  was  found 
necessary  for  the  purpose  of  restoring  order,  for  the  sheriff  and 
his  officers  to  repair  to  the  place  of  riot  and  to  interpose  the  au- 
thority of  the  stale,  which  we  are  pleased  to  notice  proved  ef- 
fectual, without  the  occurrence  of  any  of  those  acts  of  violence 
which  arecommon  upon  similar  occasions.  We  regret  howrvrr, 
to  slate  that  previously,  some  indignities  had  been  shown  lo 
judge  ( 'nnonge,  who  ventured  to  expostulate  with  the  assailants 
upon  the  propriety  of  censing  their  operations,  and  (hat  during 
the  same,  deadly  weapons  were  in  the  hands  of  many  persons, 
R  resort  to  which  at  one  time  was  seriously  apprehended.  No- 
thing of  the  kind  happily,  however,  transpired. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  S,  1834— SPEECH  OF  MR.  LACOCK. 


1SS 


Nearly  the  whole  of  the  edifice  is  demolished,  and  scarcely 
any  thing  remains  hut  the  walls  which  tin:  popular  vengeance 
have  ornamented  with  various  writings  expressive  of  indigria 
lion  anil  the  justness  of  their  punishment. 

The  loss  of  property  sustained  is  estimuted  by  some  at  $40, 000 
but  others  think  this  calculation  exaggerated.  It  must,  how- 
ever, have  been  very  great  indeed,  as  the  furniture  alone  was  o" 
{he  most  costly  kind,  consisting  of  pianous,  armors,  Jtc.  &c 
which  were  removed  to  the  garret  and  thrown  from  thence  into 
Uie  street  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  them  of  no  possible  value 
whatever. 

This  is  the  first  act  of  the  kind  that  mur  populace  have  ever 
engaged  in;  and  although  the  provocation  pleads  much  in  favor 
of  the  excesses  committed,  yet  we  dread  the  precedent.  To  say 
the  least  of  it,  it  may  be  excused,  but  can't  be  justified.  Sum- 
mary punishments,  the  results  of  popular  excitement  in  a  go- 
vernment of  laws,  can  never  admit  of  justification,  let  the  cir- 
cumstances be  ever  so  aggravating, 

The  whole  of  yesterday  and  the  preceding  day,  the  police  jail 
wascrowded  by  persons  pressing  forward  to  witness  the  unfor- 
tunate wretches  who  had  escaped  cruelties  that  would  com- 
pare with  those  of  a  Domilien,  a  Nero  or  a  Caligula!  Four 
thousand  persons  at  least,  it  is  computed,  have  already  visited 
ihese  victims  to  convince  themselves  of  their  sufferings. 

STEAMBOAT  LAW. 
Louisiana  has  been  the  first  state  to  set  the  example  of  vigor- 
ous legislation  for  the  prevention  and  punishment  of  negligence 
in  the  navigation  and  management  of  steamboats.  For  the  sy- 
nopsis of  the  law  which  she  has  made  on  that  subject,  we  are 
indebted  to  the  Baltimore  American,  as  follows: 

"The  legislature  of  LOUISIANA,  which  has  just  adjourned, 
adopted  a  very  severe,  and,  we  trust,  efficient  law  for  the  regu- 
lation of  steamboats,  so  as  to  secure  them  from  explosion.  The 
number  of  fatal  accidents  on  the  MISSISSIPPI — paiticularly  the 
disastrous  one  by  which  senator  JOHNSTON  lost  his  life — impe- 
riously called  for  some  legislative  interference,  to  secure  care 
and  fidelity  in  the  management  of  engines,  and  every  practica- 
ble assurance  of  their  soundness.  The  new  law  manifests  great 
anxiety  to  establish  minute  precautions  against  accident,  as 
well  as  misconduct;  and  imposes  heavy  penalties  on  the  agents 
and  owners,  in  every  case  of  damage  which  any  possible  care 
might  have  prevented.  To  make  the  law  more  effective,  it  has 
been  sent  to  the  executives  of  all  the  states  bordering  on  the 
Mississippi,  and  its  tributaries,  for  similar  action. 

The  law  establishes  the  office  of  state  engineer  for  the  port  of 
New  Orleans.  The  duty  of  the  engineer  is  to  examine,  once  in 
three  months,  the  strength  of  the  boilers  of  steamboats  plying 
xvithin  the  waters  of  the  state;  to  test  them  by  hydraulic  pres- 
sure to  three  times  the  weight  of  steam  they  may  be  supposed 
capable  ofearrying;  and  to  furnish  each  boat  with  a  certificate, 
specifying  the  weight  of  steam  which  may  be  safely  used. 

In  case  any  accident  happens  on  board  of  any  boat,  not  pos- 
sessing the  proper  certificates,  neither  captain,  owner  nor  agent, 
can  recover  any  claim  for  freight  or  insurance;  the  owner  or 
agent  is  made  responsible  to  the  shipper,  to  the  full  amount  of 
all  damage;  and  the  captain  is  further  subjected  to  a  fine,  not 
less  than  $500,  nor  more  than  $2,000,  and  to  imprisonment  for  not 
less  than  three  months,  nor  more  than  three  years.  If  lives  are 
lost,  the  captain  is  to  be  adjudged  guilty  of  manslaughter. 

The  same  penalties  to  the  several  parties  are  provided  in  case 
•f  any  accident  in  navigation,  from  overloading,  racing,  carry- 
ing higher  steam  than  the  certificate  allows,  or  any  accident 
"that  may  occur  while  the  captain,  pilot  or  engineer  is  engaged 
in  gambling,  or  attending  to  any  game  of  chance  or  hazard." 

The  same  penalties  are  provided  in  case  of  any  accident  from 
gunpowder,  shipped  without  a  written  notice  of  the  fact  being 
posted  in  three  conspicuous  parts  of  the  boat. 

Shippers  are  made  liable  to  a  fine  of  $200  for  shipping  gun- 
powder without  notice  to  the  master  or  clerk;  and  also  made 
liable  for  damages  that  may  happen  by  any  accident  therefrom; 
and,  in  case  of  loss  rf  life,  are  adjudged  guilty  of  manslaughter. 

In  passing,  on  the  river,  the  descending  boat  is  commanded 
to  shut  off  steam  and  float  down,  when  within  a  mile  of  an  as- 
cending boat — the  latter  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  steering 
clear  of  the  other,  and  being  liable  for  all  damages. 

Other  minute  directions  are  given,  but  the  above  form  the 
principal  enactments  of  the  law,  which  appear  to  be  drawn  up 
with  a  determination  to  enforce  rigorous  penalties  against  any 
carelessness  in  the  management  of  steam  engines  on  the  Missis- 
sippi, within  the  limits  of  the  state  of  Louisiana. 

LETTER  FROM  JUDGE  McLEAN. 

Certain  assertions  that  Mr.  McLean  would  not  be  a  candidate 
for  the  presidency  in  opposition  to  the  decision  of  a  national 
convention,  gave  rise  to  the  following  letter  from  him: 
To  the  editor  of  the  Hamilton  (O.)  Intelligencer. 

Washington.  26«ft  March,  1834. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  just  received  your  letter  of  the  17th  inst.  in 
which  you  inform  me  that  at  a  late  public  meeting  in  Hamilton, 
"a  number  of  letters  were  read  to  the  meeting,  stating,  in  effect, 
that  I  had  expressed  a  determination  not  to  be  a  candidate  in 
opposition  to  Mr.  Van  Buren,  and  that  their  impression  was 
great;  and  you  request  me  to  say  whether  I  intend  to  become  a 
candidate  for  the  presidency  regardless  of  the  decision  of  a  na- 
tional convention." 

No  individual  has  h.-id  the  shadow  of  authority  for  making  the 
Slni'i:  slulcmeu}. 


Whether  I  shall  become  a  candidate  or  not,  will  depend  en- 
tirely on  the  voluntary  action  of  the  people.  The  choice  of 
their  public  servants,  in  my  opinion,  belongs  to  the  people,  and 
not  to  those  who,  I'lom  selfish  viewi-,  may  assume  the  respon- 
sibility of  acting  for  them. 

I  am  opposed  to  a  national  caucus  or  convention  now,  as  I 
WHS  in  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-three,  when  an  attempt 
was  made,  through  its  influence,  to  elect  a  president  of  the  U. 
States. 

A  national  convention  is  contrary  to  the  established  uragei  of 
the  democratic  party.  It  has  a  direct  tendency  to  place  the 
whole  political  power  of  the  country,  into  the  hands  of  a  few 
individuals,  and  to  deprive  the  people  of  a  full  and  fair  expres- 
sion of  their  will.  It  will  substitute  for  the  official  organs,  un- 
der the  constitution  and  laws,  a  cabal,  which  will  control, 
through  a  corrupt  influence,  the  whole  action  and  policy  of  the 
government. 

Under  such  a  system  the  people  will  be  kept  in  a  elate  of  ex- 
citement, the  moral  force  of  our  institutions  will  be  eventually 
destroyed,  and  the  ruin  of  our  government  must  soon  follow. 

To  keep  the  election  of  president  out  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, I  have  always  been  in  favor  ofso  altering  the  con- 
stitution as  to  send  the  election  a  second  time  to  the  people, 
if  there  should  be  a  failure  to  elect  on  the  first  attempt.  Under 
no  circumstances  will  I  consent  to  be  the  instrument  of  defeat- 
ing an  election  of  president  by  the  people. 

Believing,  as  I  do,  that  our  government  can  only  be  sustain- 
ed in  its  purity  and  vigor,  by  keeping  the  elective  franchise 
near  the  people,  and  out  of  the  hands  of  political  managers,  my 
course,  in  regard  to  the  future,  will  in  no  degree  be  influenced 
by  the  contemplated  national  convention. 

In  accordance  with  the  usages  of  the  democratic  party,  slate 
conventions,  under  certain  circumstances  are  not  only  proper, 
but  necessary.  But  the  only  legitimate  objects  of  such  i  con- 
vention, is  to  ascertain  public  sentiment,  and  not  to  manufac- 
ture it.  Its  members  should  be  chosen  by  the  people,  and  to  the 
convention  should  be  borne  and  expressed  the  known  wishes  of 
the  people.  With  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  McLEAN. 

"THE  EXPERIMENT." 

Jl  list  o/  cotton  mills  now  stopped  in  the  vicinity  o/  Providence, 

Rhode  Island. 

Spindle*. 

S.  &  I.  Slater,  at  Smithfield,  one  mill 2,500 

Blackstone  manufacturing  company,  one  mill.... 4, 000 
Carrington  manufacturing  company,  at  Smithfield  2,000 
Albion  do.  do.  do.  6,000 

Jenkins  &  Mann  do.  do.          3,200 

Londale  manufacturing  do.  do.          3,000 

Al my  &  Brown 2,000 

John  H.  Clark 1 ,700 

Richmond  munufacturing  company,  (Scituate).  ..1,800 

Pomlret  do.  do 3,200 

Dexter  Ballow 1,200 

Globe  manufacturing  company 1,800 

Peleg  C.  Remington 800 

Charles  Hadwin 1,800 

William  Read 1,100 

George  B.  Rnggles 2,000 

Phenix  manufacturing  company 4,500 

Merino  mills 3,000 

Mauchang  manufacturing  company 4,300 

Cuttler,  Stafford  &  Co 3,000 

W.  R.  Greene 1,000 

Eldridge  mills 2,500 

Leffinwell  &  Evans 1,000 

A.  &  F.  Alexander 1,000 

Masonville  mills 1,500 

Harvey.  Dresser  &  Co.  South  Bridge 2,000 

Exeter  mills 1,200 

Cove  mills 2,000 

Kenl's  mills 2,000 

Arnold's  mills,  Utter  manufacturing  company 1,200 

70,400 

— "H«  O  ft""1 

SPEECH  OF  MR.   LACOCK. 

Tim  following  is  the  conclusion  of  a  speech  recently  madfl  by 
Mr.  LACOCK,  in  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania. 

"It  i*  now,  Mr.  Speaker,  said  Mr.  LACOCK,  more  than  one- 
hird  of  a  century,  since  I  was  associated  in  political  life  with 
your  sire  and  your  grandsire.  And  the  same  may  be  said  of  your 
irother  from  Armstrong;  and  with  your  father,  and  yours,  I  was 
ong  and  honorably  associated.  (Here  Mr.  Lacock  designated 
ix  or  ei-iht  young  men,  the  fathers  of  whom  had  been  with  him 
n  the  legislature.)  It  was  from  and  with  them  I  learned  my 
political  creed,  and  was  taught  to  love  and  honor  Pennsylva- 
nia. They  have  gone,  or  most  of  them,  from  eood  works  I  trust, 
n  this,  to  hi»li  rewards,  in  a  better  world.  Will  not  you,  the 
sons  of  those  venerated  sires,  listen  to  the  warning  voice  of 
heir  old  political  friend,  who  now  addresses  yon,  and  who  has 
leen  permitted,  in  mercy,  to  linger  behind  his  associates,  and  is 
here  standing,  solitary  and  alone,  upon  this  floor,  conjuring  and 
eeching  his  youna  friends  to  redeem  and  save  the  country, 
t.=  constitution, and  its  laws.  This  can  only  be.  done  by  breofc- 
ng  the  political  fetters  with  which  you  are  bound. 


154  NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1834— REMARKS  OF  MR.  CLAYTON. 


Remember  we  have  taken  a  solemn  oath,  not  to  support  par- 
ty, but  the  constitution  ami  laws  of  the  countiv.  These  yon 
have  seen  trampled  under  loot.  You  find  a  wnle-»preaii  nun 
around  you;  and,  where  peace  and  plenty  had  lately  smiled,  you 
now  find  bitter  strife  and  contention  on  the  one  hand,  and  pe 
nury  and  waul  upon  the  other;  and  in  this  state  of  miseiy  and 
suffering,  the  cries  olthotir-ands  from  Philadelphia  and  Put* 
burgh  have,  by  their  delegates,  been  presented  at  the  foot  ol  Hit 
throne,  from  whence  the  suppliant*  lor  mercy  have  been  drivel 


trone,   rom  wence  te  suppan*   or  mrrcy    ae 

back,  loaded  wMb  outrage,  insult  and    conli  nrpt.     I-i1  t  nn; 


with  youthful  vigor,  to  speak,  and  stike  too,  in   ilelence   of  t 
liberty  and  freedom,  the  constitution  and  laws  of  my  country! 


RECEIPTS  FROM  POSTAGE. 
A  statement  of  the  net  amount  of  postage  accruing  in  each 

stat«  and  territory,  &c.  for  the  year  ending  on  the  31st  Alarcli 

1833. 

Maine  ....................................  $40,92453 

New  Hampshire  ............................  21,329  71 

Vermont  ...................................  2-J.685  56 

Massachusetts  .............................  15-1,444  45 

Rhode  Island  ...............................  17,686  44 

Connecticut  ................................  48,341  39 

New  York  .................................  40U.694  05 

New  Jersey  ................................  30,:JG:>  07 

Pennsyl  vaiua  ..............................  229,305  28 

Delaware  ...................................  6,390  98 

Maryland  ...................................  81,577  73 

District  of  Columbia  ........................  15,7-21  71 

Virginia  ...................................  109,990  16 

North  Carolina  .............................  35,722  53 

South  Carolina  .............................  58,004  34 

Georgia  ....................................  75,420  07 

Florida  territory  .............................  7,306  45 

Alabama  ..................................  37;582  58 

Mississippi  .................................  22,430  93 

Louisiana  ..................................  46,71843 

Arkansas  territory  ...........................  3,733  11 

Tennessee  .................................  41,402  33 

Kentucky  ..................................  49,511  44 

Ohio  .......................................  86,171  64 

Michigan  territory  ...........................  9.615  72 

Indiana  ....................................  18,146  48 

Illinois  .....................................  12,350  88 

Musouri  ...................................  17,648  52 

Grand  total  .....................  $1,701,332  71 

Posta^et  received  at  the  places  mentioned. 
New  York  city,  was  ......................  $179,732  77 

Philadelphia  ...............................  1  12,789  45 

Boston  .....................................  69,893  76 

Baltimore  ..................................  58,643  v!2 

New  Orleans  ...............................  34,361  93 

Charleston.  Jfc  ......................  .  ......  29,339  60 

Cincinnati  ..................................  20,140  31 

Richmond  ..................................  19,778  80 

Albany  .....................................  15,685  11 

Pittsburgh  ..................................  15,237  02 

Savannah  ............................  i  .....  14,896  44 

Augusta,  Geo  ...............................  14,202  78 

Providence  ..................................  9,954  59 

New  Haven  .................................  7,743  80 

Hartford  .....................................  6,818  71 

Portland  .....................................  5,195  67 

Newark  .....................................  4,483  75 

TAMMANY  SOCIETY,  OR  COLUMBIAN  ORDER. 
Ala  meeting  of  the  Tammany  society,  or  Columbian  orde 
held  at  the  great  wigwam,  New  York,  on  Monday  evening,  21 
April,  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  we  recognize  as  the  political  tenets  of  this  si 
ciely,  the  democratic  principles  of  Jefferson,  and  especial). 
also,  that  great  republican  feature  of  the  constitution,  that  a 
powers  not  clearly  delegated  by  instrument,  "are  reserved 
the  slate*  respectively,  or  to  the  people." 

Retained,  That  we  conceive  it  the  duty  of  the  senators  an 
representatives  in  congress,  to  confine  themselves  rigidly  to  tl 
sphere  of  action  assigned   them  by  the  constitution,  ami  not 
depart  from  the  legitimate  objects  of  legislation  by  the  passa 
of  "resolutions"  totally  disconnected  with  them. 

Resolved,  That  we  view  the  "protest"  of  the  president  again 
the  assumed  and  unconstitutional  course  of  the  senate,  as  \v< 
thy  the  high  source  whence  it  emanated;  and  as  a  state  pap 
in  which  the  duties  of  the  executive,  in  reference  to  the  treas 
ry  department,  are  clearly  and  correctly  expounded,  accordii 
to  the  spirit  a.s  well  as  the  letter  of  tin;  constitution. 

Retained,  That  we  retain  undimiiiished  confidence  in  t 
strict  integrity  and  singleness  of  purpose,  of  our  venerable  eh 
magistrate;  and  exceedingly  regret  that  in  the  decline  of  li 
and  in  the  maturity  of  experience,  he  should  be  uros-.lv  a-  -ail 
ami  calumniated  by  interested  partisans,  for  adopting  tho 
measures  which  tend  aloiiH  to  promotu  the  safety,  us  well 
luo  prosperity  and  glory  of  his  country. 


Retained,  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolutions,  signed  by 
i-  grand  sachem  anil  secretary,  be  tran.-milli-d  to  ltnj  president 
il  vice  president  of  the  United  ,Sl.ilr.-i,  senators  U'right  ami 
illrnadge,  and  honorable  Ales. is.  Camhiclpiig,  While  and 
ivvience,  and  be  published  in  all  the  drmoi-iatic  papers  in  this 
l\.  cMUVEKS  PAIlKliR,  grand  sachem. 

Job*  J.  Bedient,  secretary. 

Wigwam,  .Manhattan,  season  of  blossoms,  year  of  discovery 
2,  ol  independence  58,  and  of  the  institution  the  45lh. 

How  will  they  manage  with  the  "codicil?" 

Let  us  hear  what  Mr.  Ritchie  says — 

"Now,  we  admit  at  once  that  congress  lias  the  right  to  place 
ie  public  funds,  not  only  in  whatsoever  places  tin  y  MMV  please, 
it  in  whosever  hands  they  please.  We  contend,  that  -the 
ustody  and  control  of  the  moneys  of  the  United  States,  not 
jpropriated  by  law,  are,  by  the  constitution,  placed  under  the 

der  and  direction  of  the  congress  of  the  United  States' — that 
iej/ may  enlru.-t  its  custody  to 'other  agency  than  that  of  the 
vecutive  department;'  and  that  (Aej/'muy  take  out  of  the  hands 
f  the  executive  department'  the  custody  of  it,  'without  an  as- 
umplion  of  executive  power.'" 

REMARKS  OF  MR.  CLAYTON,  OF  DELAWARE. 

Following  Mr.  Leigh  in  debute  on  Fiiduy,  Jljiril  18. 
[Mr.  Leigh,  having  concluded,  Mr.  Etcing  obtained  the  floor, 
nd  dtsired  an  adjournment  before  he  proceeded  with  his  re- 
larks  on  the  president's  protest;  but  gave  way,  to  enable  Mr. 
ffilkins  to  move  that  the  senate  proceed  to  the  consideration  of 
xccutive  6u*ine$(.j 

Mr.  Clayton  said,  that  he  could  not  assent  to  this  motion. 
he  president  has  menaced  the  very  constitutional  existence  of 
he  senate.  He  says  that,  whether  ils  ceiisine.s  are  submitted 
o  or  resisted  by  him,  in  either  event  the  consequences  rcsult- 
ng  fiom  its  conduct,  must  "lead  to  serious  alterations  of  the 
rame-work  of  the  constitution."  And  he  gives  utterance  to 
his  sentiment  in  the  sentence  in  which  he  speaks  of  the  senate 
as  a  "body  holding  their  offices  for  long  terms,  not  elected  by 
he  people;"  while  in  the  communication  from  which  this  me- 
nace is  extracted,  the  object  of  it  is  exposed  by  the  insinuation 
hat  the  senate  may,  in  future,  refuse  to  sanction  the  apprnpria- 
ions  of  public  money  as  he  desire.*,  or  to  confirm  his  7ioinina- 
iont.  This  threat,  accompanied  by  an  appeal  to  the  people, 
while  his  executive  nomination  of  a  host  of  office  holders  is  be- 
"ore  us,  demand  of  us,  in  my  judgment,  the  exercise  of  whatever 
f  energy  and  firmness  of  character  we  possess,  to  vindicate 
ind  maintain  the  honor,  dignity  and  character  of  thu  American 
senate,  and  of  the  states  it  represents.  I  propose,  sir,  that  we 
»ass  no  bill,  nor  confirm  any  important  and  disputed  nomina- 
.ion,  until  we  have  decided  the  question  before  us;  after  which, 
unawed  by  power,  and  unruffled  by  passion,  let  us  proceed, 
without  the  slightest  regaid  to  the  president's  threat",  insults  or 
denunciations,  to  do  our  duty  precisely  as  it  he  had  not  violated 
lis.  Let  us  then — but  not  fill  then — forget  lliat  this  election- 
eering document  ever  had  an  existence,  and  proceed  to  reject 
all  his  nominations  which  ought  to  be  rejected,  as  well  a--  to 
confirm  all  that  ought  to  be  confirmed;  in  shot!,  to  do  all  that 
ought  to  be  done,  without  the  slightest  regard  to  any  stratagem 
tie  may  resort  to,  for  the  purpose  of  seducing  or  frightening  us 
from  our  duty. 

Sir,  the  true  view  of  this  subject  will  not  escape  the  Ameri- 
can people.  They  will  see  at  once,  that  the  president  has  been 
guilty  of  a  palpable  violation  of  the  fundamental  prioftegtt  of 
their  public  servants  in  this  hall.  The  third  section  of  the  second 
article  of  toe  constitution,  regulating  the  official  intercourse  of 
the  president  with  the  seriate,  gives  him  power  to  send  messa- 
ges to  the  senate — 1st,  containing  information  of  the  state  of  thu 
union — and,  3<ily,  recommending  some  measures  for  their  con- 
sideration and  adoption.  It  has  not  been  pretended  that  this 
message  purports  to  give  information  of  the  slate  of  the  union, 
or  that  it  recommends  any  measure  whatever  for  thn  senate  to 
adopt.  On  .the  contrary,  it  expressly  purports  to  be  a  more 
"protest"  against  a  measure  already  considered  and  adopted. 
It  denounces  the  conduct  of  the  senate,  as  unjustifiable  and  un- 
constitutional, in  agreeing  to  the  resolution  which  denied  his 
unlimited  authority  over  the  purse,  as  well  as  the  sword  of  thu 
nation;  it  debates  his  claim  of  royal  prerogative,  an<!  reaffirm* 
alibis  pretensions  to  unlimited  power;  it  professes -'promptly 
to  expose  the  wrongs  the  senate  has  done  him;"  and  for  this 
purpose,  and  under  this  pretence,  demands  a  place  on  our  re- 
cords. It  recommends  no  legislation,  proposes  nothing,  not 
even  the  repeal  of  the  obnoxious  resolution;  and  is  intended  as 
a  popular  harangue,  to  be  used  by  his  partisans  in  the  coining 
elections.  He  might  as  well  ask  us  to  insert  any  other  matter 
on  our  journals,  which  is  daily  published  by  his  government 
press,  for  the  same  purposes. 

The  senator  from  Virginia  (Mr.  LeirjA)  has  shown,  by  refer- 
ring to  Mr.  Jefferson's  Manual,  that,  independently  of  the  grant 
of  power  to  the  president  in  the  constitution,  to  send  li- 
tres touching  the  state  of  the  union,  and  to  recommend  certain 
measures  for  the  action  of  congress,  the  law  of  parliament  gives 
him  no  right  to  take  notice  of  any  matter  depending,  or  of  rotti 
that  A.trc  been  siren,  or  of  speeches  which  have  been  held  by 
the  members  of  either  of  the  branches  of  the  legislature,  until 
have  been  communicated  to  him  In  the  usual  parlia- 
mentary manner.  The  resolution  which  is  the  subject  of  tho 
pr"-iil-'ni's  message,  wa§  never  communicated  to  him.  It  was 
a  mere  test  of  the  opinions  of  Ilia  senate  preparatory  to  iu  own 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1834— PRESENTMENT  OF  A  GRAND  JURY.     155 


fiilnre  legislative  action,  ami,  as  such,  was  not  even  communi- 


in  which  the  coinriions  denied  the  king's  prerogative  in  anj 
case,  but  that  of  invasion  from  a  foreign  power,  to  press  tht 
freeborn  subject.  Remark,  sir,  that  the  dispute  between  the 
king  and  the  house  of  commons  was,  at  that  day.  ,is  this  be- 
tween the  president  and  senate  is,  a  question  of  executive 
power  and  prerogative.  We  deny  the  president's  right  to  UK 
purse,  whil<;  we  admit  his  right  to  the  sword.  They  deniet 

•      l:')erty  of  the  free 

wield  the  sword 
'ilh  the   kiiii;,  as 

uur  uuuse  01  representatives,  motion  undoubtedly  swayed  by 
the  best  of  motives,  now  take  part  with  the  president.  The 
commons  of  1641,  (the  whigs  of  the  day),  resisted  the  royal  pre- 
rogative, in  defiance  of  both  king  and  lords.  Thereupon,  the 
king  wwnl  to  the  house  of  commons  and  expressed  his  princely 
zeal  for  the  relief  of  Ireland,  in  itrms  as  honeyed  as  our  presi- 
dent has  employed  to  express  his  regard  fur  the  people  in  this 
message;  and,  (says  Clarendon),  "taking  notice  of  the  hill  for 
pressing,  depending  with  the  lords,  as  the  commons  had  passed 
it,  and  the  dispute  raised  concerning  that  ancient  and  undoubted 
prerogative,  to  avoid  further  debate,  the  king  offered  that  the 
bill  should  jiass  with  a  salvo  jure  both  for  the  king  and  peo- 
ple," (the  meaning  of  which  was  that  neither  the  claim  of  the 
commons  nor  that  of  the  king  should  be  considered  thereafter 
settled  by  the  precedent),  even  as  our  president  now  asks  to 
put  his  protest  on  the  journal,  "to  t/it  end  that  the  resolution  of 
Ike  senate  may  not  hereaj'ter  be  drawn  into  precedent  with  the  au- 
tharity  of  silent  acquiescence  on  the  part  of  the  executive  depart- 
ment." 

You  observe,  sir,  that  no  official  communication,  on  the  sub- 
ject before  the  commons  of  England,  had  been  made,  by  order 
of  that  house,  to  the  king.  His  majesty  sent  his  protest,  salvo 
jure,  to  that  house,  as  our  president  has  sent  his  protest  to  this 
senate,  without  any  previous  official  information  of  the  pro 
ceedings  regarding  tlie  executive  power  and  prerogative.  The 
important  difference  between  the  two  cases  lies  here:  that  in 
the  case  of  the  kin»,  notice  was  taken  of  the  bill  pending,  before 
it  was  presented  to  him  for  his  approbation  or  dislike,  in  due 
course  of  parliament;  in  the  case  of  the  president,  while  notice 
was  taken  of  a  resolution  before  it  was  presented  to  him  in  duo 
course  ol  congress,  and  which  was  never  intended  (as  he  well 
knew)  to  be,  nor  could  be,  presented  to  him  for  his  approbation 
or  dislike,  notice  was  also  taken  of  the  debates  on  the  resolu- 
tion, and  of  all  the  amendments  moved  to  it,  and  the  president's 
displeasure  was  also  distinctly  and  strongly  expressed  against 
at  least  four  of  the  senators  who  voted  for  it — I  mean,  sir,  tin, 
senators  from  New  Jersey,  Maine  and  Ohio. 

Now,  let  us  inquire  what  was  done  by  the  parliament  of  Eng 
land,  in  1G41,  after  the  lung  had  sent  in  his  protest.  Why,  the 
lords,  who  before  had  differed  in  opinion  with  the  commons  01 
the  subject  of  the  prerogative — yes,  sir,  those  peers  who  hat 
before  considered  the  doctrine  which  denied  the  authority  tt 
press  tlie  freeborn  subject  as  -'new,  anil  contrary  to  the  usage 
and  custom  of  all  tunes."  as  many  now  declare  our  denial  6 
the  president's  right  to  remove  even  a  marshal  who  shall  no 
refuse,  at  his  bidding,  to  execute  a  decision  of  one  of  our  courts 
if  the  president  chouse  to  consider  it  unconstitutional,  ,is  nev 
and  contrary  to  all  former  usage— tho.-e  very  lory  peers,  I  say 
voted,  with  the  commons,  that,  the  kinsr's  protest  was  a  MAN! 
FEST  BREACH  OF  THE  PRIVILEGES  OF  PARLIAMENT 
Clarendon  informs  us,  that,  as  soon  as  the  kind's  propositio 
was  received,  the  divided  lords  and  commons  immediately  unit 
ed  themselves  in  a  petition  to  the  king, declaring  "that,  arnongs 
the  privileges  of  parliament,  it  was  UK  ir  ancient  and  uudoubte 
right,  that  his  majesty  ouahl  not  to  take  notice  of  any  matter  i 
auilalion  or  debate,  in  either  house  of  parliament,  Init  by  tliei 
information  and  agreement;  and  that  his  majesty  ought  not  t 
propound  any  condition,  provision  or  limitation,  to  any  lull  o 
ael,  in  debate,  or  preparation,  in  either  house  of  parliament:  O 
TO  DECLARE  HIS  CONSENT  OR  DISSENT.  HIS  APPRO 
BATION  OR  DISLIKE  OP  THE  SAME,  BEFORE  IT  R 
PRESENTED  TO  HIM  IN  DUE  COURSE  OF  PARLIA 
MENT.  They  declared  that  all  those  privileges  had  been  late 
ly  broken,  to  their  groat  soi row  and  grief,  in  that  speech  whic 
his  majesty  had  made  to  them,  wherein  ho  took  notice  of  a  bi 


r  pressing  of  soldiers,  and  offered  a  talvo  jure  and  provisional 
au.se  to  be  added  to  it,  before  it  was  presented  to  him;  and 
lerefore  they  UL-.-oiialit  him,  by  his  royal  power, t;>  protect  them 
HIOM:  and  the  other  privili  ges  of  his  hi^h  court  of  parliament; 
id  that  he  would  not,  lor  the  time  to  come,  break  or  interrupt 
lem;  and  that,  for  the  reparation  ot  them  in  that  their  griev- 
ice  and  complaint,  he  would  declare  and  make  known  the 
lime  of  such  person,  by  whose  mi.-infoimaiion  and  «vil  coun- 
jl,  his  majesty  was  induced  to  the  same,  that  he  might  receive 
ndign  punishment." 

"And  having  delivered  this  petition,"  says  the  royal  hii-to- 
an,  "they  no  more  considered  Ireland,  till  this  manifest  brmck 
lould  be  repaired — which  they  resolved  nothing  should  do  but 
e  passing  of  the  bill" — and  so,  in  the  end,  after  a  long  eontro- 
:rsy  between  the  whig.*  and  lories  of  that  day,  between  the 
eople  or  parliament  on  the  one  side,  and  the  king  on  the  other, 
le  king,  he  adds,  "was  compelled  to  pass  the  bill  lor  pressing, 
Inch  the  commons  had  prepared."  Yts,  sir,  the  whigs  of  1641 
:fu»ed  to  transact  any  other  burincss,  under  these  circuinstari- 
es,  until  the  breach  of  their  privileges  was  repaired.  The  o  fo- 
ci of  the  "salvo  jure,"  or  protest  of  the  monarch,  was  to  gain 
1  the  supplies  for  his  army  withoul  a  surrender  ol  his  preroga- 
ve — Ihe  object  of  ihe  president  now  is,  to  obtain  our  consent 
o  all  his  appointments,  aud  to  gain  all  the  appropriations  for 
IB  salaries  of  all  his  officers,  as  he  terms  them,  not  only  with- 
ut  a  surrender  of  his  asserted  prerogative  of  unlimited  power 
ver  them  all,  but  in  defiance  of  the  senate,  and  while  he  corn- 
els us  to  admit  his  claim  on  our  own  records.  Sir,  I  desire  to 
nitate  at  least  a  part  of  the  example  set  me  in  the  illu«lrrouis 
recedent  of  1641.  I  will  not  fall  below  the  standard  of  opposi- 
on  to  kingly  prerogative  and  executive  encroachment,  estab- 
lieil  by  that  parliament,  which  brought  a  British  monarch  to 
erms,  and  to  which  we  are  indebted  for  the  first  light  of  civil 
berry.  This  act  of  Charles,  in  1641,  was  one  of  that  series  of 
ggressions  which  eventually  brought  the  English  tyrant  to  the 
lock.  It  remains  for  the  American  senate  to  say,  whether  it 
II  proceed  to  consider  the  other  business  of  the  session,  foe- 
ore  its  own  character  and  its  own  just  claims  and  privileges 
ave  been  vindicated  and  reasserted,  by  Ihe  proper  disposition 
f  this  protest.  But,  for  myself,  I  repeal  thai,  viewing  this  act 
s  a  flagrant  breach  of  privilege,  and  an  attempt  to  lecture  and 
iiliniulate  the  senate,  liecause  it  has  dared  to  discuss  and  de- 
hire  the  limits  of  the  prerogative  and  power  of  one  who  has 
xtended  his  claims  far  beyond  those  of  any  British  monarch 
ince  the  English  revolution,  I  shull  vote  against  the  motion  of 
he  honorable  member  from  Pennsylvania,  and  every  other  mo- 
ion  to  proceed  to  any  other  important  business,  before  this  pa- 
er  has  been  disposed  of. 

Mr.  Calhoun  followed  on  the  same  fide,  expressing  his  hearty 
concurrence  in  the  views  taken  bju'.ie  senator  from  Delaware, 
and  his  earnest  hope  that  the  senate  would  refuse  to  proceed  to 
any  other  business. 

Mr.  Wilhins,  replied  that  he  only  wished  the  senate  to  consi- 
der a  treaty. 

Mr.  Spra°ue  said  the  treaty  was  unimportant  at  this  time, 
and  concurred  fully  in  the  views  of  Mr.  Cluyton, 
On  motion  of  Mr.  Eiving,  the  seuale  then  adjourned. 

PRESENTMENT  OF   A  GRAtfD  JURY. 
From  the  A'euj  York  Courier  4"  Enquirer. 
The  grand  jury  of  Davidson  county,  N.  C.  have  presented 
Andrew  Jackson,  president  of  the  United  States,  as  having  dis- 
appointed the  reasonable  expectations  of  the  people  of  that 
country,  who   had  supported  him  "under  Ihe  conviction  that 
e  would  correct  the  abuses  which  had  crept  into  the  govern- 
ent and  bring  it  back  to  its  original    purity  and  simplicity;" 
jut  so  far  from  this,  he  is  doing  more  says  the  grand  jury,  "by  a 
Kindred  fold  to  subvert  the  constitution  and  change   the  form 
of  novel  u me nt  than  any  or  all  of  his  predecessors  put  together." 
The  grand  jury  goes  on  to  specify  his  acts.    The  following  are 
but  a  part  of  them;  we  have  not  room  fur  the  whole. 

1st.  For  his  arbitrary,  despotic  and  unconstitutional  con- 
duct, in  seizing  the  public  money,  removing  it  from  the  place 
where  it  had  been  deposited  by  law,  and  distributing  it  among 
various  favorite  local  banks,  scattered  all  over  the  country, 
many  of  which  are  of  very  doubtful  and  suspicions  character — 
thereby  endangering  the  safety  of  the  public  funds,  and  setting 
the  constitution  and  the  laws  at  naught.  This  act  of  arbitrary 
power  has  deranged  the  whole  trade  and  business  of  the  coun- 
try, and  has  brought  ruin  and  bankruptcy  oa  thousands  of  our 
fellow  citizens,  while  every  industrious  and  hard  working  man 
throughout  the  land  has,  more  or  less,  been  injured  by  it. 

2d.  We  present  him  for  his  reckless  obstinacy  in  this  mea- 
sure, after  he  sees  its  ruinous  consequences,  and  after  he  must 
see  that  it  incurs  the  general  disapprobation  of  the  American 

3d.  We  present  him  for  his  hauahty  and  kingly  deportment 
towards  various  fellow  citizens,  who,  from  time  to  time,  have 
called  on  him  as  deputations  sent  by  larso  assemblages  of  peo- 
ple, to  lav  their  sufferinss  and  distress  before  him,  and  to  ask 
relief.  We  think  it  a  bad  omon  for  liberty,  when  the  deputies 
of  the  people  are  denied  admittance  to  the  president,  who  is 
only  the  people's  servant,  or,  when  admitted,  to  be  spurned 
from  his  presence  with  words  of  anger  and  scorn,  and  told  lo  go 
and  seek  relief  elsewhere. 

4th.  We  present  him  as  having  violated  all  his  solemn  pro- 
mises and  pledges  made  lo  the  country  before  hi*  election,  Hurt 
while  he  was  a  candidate.  Among  other  things,  he  promised 


158 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1884— PHILADELPHIA  COUNCILS. 


lo  reform  the  abuses  of  the  government,  and  to  correct  the  e 
travagances  and  corruptions  which  had  crept  into  its  practic 
hut,  fo  far  from  having  done  tliu,  these  extravagances  and  co 
ruplions  have  increased  with  every  year  of  his  administrate 
We  see  that  during  the  last  year  the  expenditures  of  the  goveri 
ment  have  run  up  to  the  enormous  sum  ot"22,000,000  of  dollar 
nearly  or  altogether  double  what  they  ought  to  be,  and  trcb 
what  they  were  during  the  economical  administration  of  Tho 
Jefferson.  Unless  a  speedy  stop  be  put  to  this  prodigality,  it 
certain  thai,  in  a  very  short  time,  the  people  may  look  out  f< 
•dditional  taxes  and  burthens. 

5th.  We  present  him  for  his  ruthless  course  of  proscriptio 
towards  those  who  have  held  appointments  under  the  fcdcr. 
government,  and  who  were  not  his  political  partisans.  Con 
trary  to  the  example  of  all  his  predecessors,  he  has  drive 
hundreds  of  honest  men  out  of  office,  nolon  accounl  of  crimes 
or  malpractices,  but  merely  lor  opinions  sake — that  is,  becaus 
they  differed  with  him,  or  some  of  his  favorites,  in  their  polit 
cal  opinions.  And,  in  filling  offices,  in  most  cases,  he  puts  i 
those  who  will  not  only  flatter  his  vanity  by  fulsome  adulatio 
unbefitting  our  republican  manners  and  institutions,  but  wh 
constantly  busy  themselves  in  electioneering  to  impose  on  th 
country,  as  the  next  president,  his  avowed  favorile. 

6lh.  We  present  him  for  prostituling  the  patronage  and  th 
money  of  the  government  to  aid  his  favorite  in  his  struggle  t 
attain  the  next  presidential  chair;  thus  taking  on  himself  to  die 
lite  to  the  people  who  they  shall  elect,  and  like  the  Cicsar 
Home,  declare  his  successor. 

THE  ALTERATIONS  OF  THE  PROTEST. 
It  was  not  until  after  the  last  REGISTER  was  in  the  press,  tha 
we  saw  the  following  explanatory  article,  else  it  would  hav 
been  inserted: 

Washington,  April  22, 1834. 
To  the  editor  o/  the  Globe: 

SIR:  Understanding  that  certain  verbal  alterations  in  the  mes 
•age  transmitted  by  the  president  to  the  senate,  on  the  17lh  inst 
which  I  suggested  to  the  secretary  of  the  senate,  were  the  sub 
ject  of  comment  yesterday  by  members  of  that  honorable  body 
I  feel  that  I  am  called  upon  to  state  the  circumstances  unde 
which  I  thought  myself  warranted  in  making  this  suggestion 
and  with  this  view,  request  the  insertion  of  the  following  ex 
planation. 

About  3  o'clock  of  the  day  on  which  the  paper  in  question 
was  presented  to  the  senate,  I  received  from  the  publisher  o 
the  Globe  the  proof  impressions  of  the  same  paper,  which  hat 
been  set  up  from  the  duplicate  intended  for  the  president's  file 
and  which  had  been  previously  sent  lo  the  compositors.  In  the 
examination  of  the  proof,  among  the  corrections  that  were  made 
were  the  following  words,  which  I  supposed  to  be  clerical  mis 
takes: 

1st.  In  page  9  in  the  sentence  "Indirectly  also,  his  conduc 
•may  come  under  review  in  either  branch  of  the  legislature,  or 
in  the  senate  when  acting  in  its  executive  capacity,  and  so  fa 
«a  the  executive  or  legislative  proceedings  of  these  bodies  may 
require  it,  it  may  be  exercised  by  them."  The  word  "exercised 
was  stricken  out,  and  the  word  "examined"  which  was  obvious- 
ly the  word  required  by  the  sense  and  structure  of  the  sentence 
inserted. 

2d.  In  page  48,  in  the  sentence,  "This  change  having  been 
made  for  the  express  purpose  of  declaring  the  sense  of  congress 
that  the  president  derived  the  power  of  removal  from  the  con- 
stitution, the  act,  as  it  passed,  has  always  been  considered  as  a 
full  admission  of  Hie  sense  of  the  legislalure  on  this  important 
part  of  the  American  constitution,"  the  word  "expression"  was 
substituted  for  "admission,"  as  being  more  appropriate  to  the  idea 
intended  to  be  conveyed.  This  was  also  the  word  used  in  the 
corresponding  remark  of  chief  justice  Marshall,  in  his  account 
•of  the  passage  of  this  bill,  which  had  been  consulted,  nnd  was 
substantially  followed,  in  the  notes  from  which  this  part  of  the 
president's  message  was  drawn. 

3d.  In  page  55,  in  the  sentence,  "The  legislative  power  may 
undoubtedly  bind  him  and  the  president  by  any  laws  they  may 
think  proper  to  enact:  they  may  prescribe  in  what  place  par- 
ticular portions  of  the  public  property  shall  he  kept,  nnd  for 
what  reason  it  shall  be  removed,  as  they  may  direct  that  sup- 
plies for  the  army  or  navy  shall  be  kept  in  particular  stores;  and 
It  will  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  see  that  the  law  is  faith 
fully  executed — yet  will  the  custody  remain  in  the  executive 
department  of  the  eovernment,"  the  word"7noncy"  was  substi- 
tuted for"properti/,"a3  being  called  for  by  the  context,  and  being 
obviously  more  suitable  to  the  idea  of  the  president. 
f  4lh.  In  the  first  sentence  of  the  paracraph,  page  87,  beginning 
with  "The  dangerous  tendency  of  the  doctrine  which  denies  to 
the  president  the  power  of  KiipervNinz,  directinaand  controlling 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  in  like  in  inner  with  the  other  ex- 
ecutive officers,  would  soon  he  manifest  in  practice,  were  the 
doctrine  to  be  established."  The  word  "removing"  was  sub- 
stituted for  "controllina,"  because  it  was  considered  as  more 
fully  meeting  the  ideaof  the  president.  As  the  sentence  stood, 
the  word  "controlling"  expressed  no  other  idea  than  the  words 
"•uper vising  and  directing,"  whereas,  tho  powcrof  "removing" 
wa*  also  clniined  on  the  one  hand  and  denied  on  the  other. 

The  suggestion  of  the  alteration  in  page  60  of  the  expression 
"the  secretaries"  for  "his  secretaries,"  wan  dictated  simply  by 
a  wish  to  make  the  paper  transmitted  to  ihe  senate  correspond 
with  the  duplicate  retained  by  the  pretident,  and  with  the  pub 
lication  from  the  latter,  which  appeared  in  the  Globe.  In  the 


duplicate  retained  by  the  president,  the  words  stood  originally 
"the  secretaries,"  and  not  "his  secretaries"  in  this  paragraph— 
a  disagreement,  which  may  well  have  escaped  the  most  careful 
comparison  of  the  two  papers;  especially  as  it  was  not  perceived 
that  there  was  any  difference  between  the  two  terms.  In  the 
duplicate  as  well  as  in  the  publication  in  the  Globe,  the  expres- 
sion "his  secretaries,"  occurs  in  the  succeeding  paragraph;  in 
which  last  paragraph,  I  did  not  suggest  any  variation  of  the 
words  "his  secretaries,"  but  they  yet  remain  there. 

When  I  went  to  the  senate  on  Friday,  the  day  after  the  deli- 
very of  the  message,  I  carried  with  me  a  memorandum  of  the  er- 
rors thus  designated,  fully  expecting  to  find  that  they  would  not 
exist  in  the  paper  which  had  been  transmitted  to  the  senate;  but 
yet,  if  they  should,  considering  them  as  merely  verbal  and  un- 
important, I  was  not  sensible  of  any  impropriety  in  suggesting 
their  correction  to  the  secretary  of  the  senate.  The.  suggestion 
was  made  in  the  presence,  I  think,  of  several  members  of  the 
senate,  and  the  fact,  that  the  errors  were  ascertained,  was  sta- 
ted and  explained  to  at  least  one  member  of  the  senate,  in  the 
senate  chamber,  in  the  course  of  the  day,  and  before  the  senate 
proceeded  to  the  discussion  of  the  subject  on  Friday.  The  sug- 
gested corrections  were  entered  in  pencil  by  the  secretary,  leav- 
ing the  original  words  untouched,  and  the  propriety  of  adopting 
them  was  left  entirely  to  his  direction,  should  the  senate  decide 
to  enter  the  paper  on  their  journal. 

I  trust  that  there  will  be  seen  In  the  motives  for  this  explana- 
tion, a  sufficient  apology  for  laying  it  before  the  public,  as  not 
only  due  to  the  senate  but  lo  myself.  I  am  very  repectfully 
yourob't  serv'i  A.  J.  DONELSON. 

ARMT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
Head  quarters  of  the  army,  adjutant  general's  office, 

Washington,  Jlpril  19, 1834. 
[ORDER  NO.  31.] 

I.  The  field  officers  of  artillery  are  assigned  as  follows: 
colonel,  Fort  Washington, 

lieutenant  colonel,       Fort  Severn, 
major, 


Mst  reg't 
of  artillery, 


f2d  reg't 
of  artillery, 


Fort  Moultrie. 

Augusta  arsenal,  Georgia. 

Fort  Marion. 

Foil  Monroe. 

Fort  Monroe. 


)  colonel, 

>  lieutenant  colonel, 
3  major,  (acting) 

toj  ..purif     )  colonel,  Fort  Monroe, 

ofanll/rrv    ?  Hen  tenant  colonel,       Fort  Wolcott. 

rry'  )  major,  Fort  Independenae. 

(Uth  ro  'i    )  colonel, 
of  artillery      [  lieutenant  colonel, 
"    )  major, 


Fort  McHenry. 
Fort  Columbus. 
.     ,  Fort  Monroe. 

II.  Company  B,  1st  artillery,  now  stationed  at  Fort  McHen- 
•y,  will  relieve  company  I,  of  the  4th  artillery,  at  Fort  Severn, 

and  on  being  so  relieved,  brevet  major  Ervine,  with  his  compa- 
ny, will  repair  to  Fort  McHenry.  Capt.  F.  Whiting's  compa- 
ly,  (I),  1st  artillery,  will  repair  to  Fort  Washington,  and  re- 
ieve  company  F,  when  brevet  major  Mason,  with  his  compa- 
ny, will  proceed  to  join  the  garrison  at  Fort  Monroe. 

III.  Fort  Niagara  will  be  evacuated,  and  the  garrison,  con- 
isting  of  companies  D  and  H,  of  the  2d  infantry,  will  proceed 
o  Fort  Gratiot,  and  there  relieve  companies  E  and  II,  of  the 
th  artillery,  when   brevet  major  Payne,  with  his  command, 
vill  proceed  to  New  York,  and  thence,  with  his  company,  take 
lost  at  Fort  Trumhull.    Company  H  will  join  the  garrison  of 
•"orl  Hamilton. 

IV.  The  head  quarters  of  the  2d  and  4th  regiments  of  infan- 
ry  are  transferred,  the  former  from  Fort  Niagara  to  Madison 
'arracks,  the  latter  from  Mobile  to  Baton  Rmige. 

V.  The  field  officers  of  artillery  and  infantry,  will  proceed  to 
heir  respective  stations,  as  above  designated,  on   the  31st  of 

May,  or  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  permit;  and  the  rnove- 
>ent  of  troops,  under  the  direction  of  the  respective  cotnmand- 
ng  officers,  will  take  place  without  unnecessary  delay. 

VI.  Assistant  surgeon  Minis  is  assigned  to  duty  at  Castle 
'inckney,  to  which  post  he  will  repair  without  delay.     Assist- 
nt  surgeon  Stlnnache  will  continue  on  duty  at  Fort  Gratiot. 

VII.  The  garrison  of  Fort  Monroe  will  no"  longer  be  retarded 
s  the  exclusive  school  of  practice;  as,  at  all  military  posts,  tho 
ommandinc  officer  will  be  responsible  for  the  discipline  and 
roper  instruction  of  the  troops,  in  all  their  duties.     The  usual 

porls  and  returns  from  the  post,  will  be  made  direct  to  the 
•neral  of  department,  who  will  exercise  the  same  authority 
t  Fort  Monroe  as  at  other  military  posts  within  his  commnmi: 
ecordingly,  the  monthly,  and  other  returns  nnd  reports, 
eretofore  received  from  Fort  Monroe,  as  of  "the  militan  school 
f -practice,"  will  be  discontinued.  By  order  of  major  general 
lacomb,  R.  JONES,  adjutant  general. 

i  nlBC»*>"— 

PHILADELPHIA  COUNCILS. 

The  city  of  Philadelphia  is  a  \nrcr  holder  of  real  property  and 
ocks  by  the  lesaey  of  Stephen  Girard,  See.  They  memori- 
izrd  ron»rfss,  nnd  sent  a  committee  to  Washington  n-hh  it. 
hat  committee  has  recently  reported— and  the  following  parts 
r  their  report  we  think  ought  lo  be  preserved: 

Shortly  after  their  arrival  in  \Vnshinzton,  the  committee  nd- 
essert  a  note  to  the  president  of  the  United  Stales,  couched  in 
e  most  respectful  terms,  requesting  that  he  would  have  the 


'Honsn, 

Walhach, 

Gates. 


fLindsay, 
Crane, 
Heilcman. 


JArrnistead, 
Bankhwnd, 
Brook*. 


§  Fen  w  irk, 

E'i*ti", 
Fanning. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  8,  1834— STATE  BANKS. 


157 


goodness  to  appoint  a  time  when  it  would  be  agreeable  to  him 
lo  receive  them  for  the  purpose  of  expressing  to  him  the  view 
of  councils,  in  relation  to  the  official  object  of  their  visit  t< 
Washington. 

On  the  same  evening  they  received  from  him,  with  feeling 
which  they  will  not  describe,  the  following  very  unequivoca 
denial,  viz: 

"Washington,  April  7th,  1834. 

"GENTLEMEN:  In  reply  to  your  note  of  this  evening  expressin_ 
a  wish  to  present  to  me  the  views  of  the  select  and  common 
councils  of  Philadelphia,  in  relation  to  the  propriety  of  rechar 
tering  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  restoring  to  it  the  de 
positesof  public  money,  I  have  to  observe  that  it  will  give  me 
pleasure  to  see  you  as  individuals,  but  not  for  the  purpose  ofdis 
cussing  those  subjects,  at  any  time  to-morrow  between  10  am 
12  o'clock. 

Whatever  you  may  please  to  communicate,  as  a  committe.  i 
made  in  writing,  will  be  cheerfully  received  and  considered 
For  reasons  wliich  have  been  made  public,  I  hold  no  com  muni 
cation  with  committees  on  such  subjects  that  are  not  made  in 
writing.  I  am  very  respectfully,  your  ob't  serv't 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Messrs.  R.  M.  Houstin,  George  S.  Schott  and  others,  committee 
on  behalf  of  the  select  andcommon  councils  of  Philadelphia 

On  the  same  evening  the  committee  returned  the  following 
reply. 
"  To  the  president  of  the  United  States: 

SIR:  We  respectfully  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  note, 
in  reply  to  our  communication  of  this  evening,  and  duly  appre- 
ciate your  invitation  to  see  us  "as individuals." 

Under  any  other  circumstances,  we  should  have  given  re- 
spectful attention  to  this  invitation.  But  not  having  come  to 
this  city  "as  individuals,"  but  "as  o  committee  from  the  select 
and  common  councils  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  if  we  are  not 
permitted  to  appear  in  that  character  and  "to  discuss"  those 
matters  of  deep  interest  to  our  constituents  which  caused  ua  to 
tie  sent  here,  we  feel  constrained,  by  a  sense  of  what  is  due  lo 
them,  noi  to  appear  in  any  other. 

R.  M.  HOUSTIN, 
GEO.  S.  SCHOTT, 
JOS.  B.  SMITH, 
JOSHUA  LIPPINCOTT, 
JOHN  P.  WETHERILL. 

Washington,  April  7th,  1834. 

The  committee  acknowledge  having  received  very  kind  at 
lenlion  from  many  members  of  congress  from  different  parts  of 
the  union,  and  of  adverse  politics;  and  they  particularly  return 
thanks  on  that  account  to  Messrs.  Clay,  McKean  and  South- 
ard of  the  senate,  and  Messrs.  Binney,  Harper  and  Watmougb, 
ol  the  house  of  representatives. 

STATE  BANKS. 

Report  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  on  the  employment 
of  state  banks  as  depositories  of  public  money. 
[Read  in  the  house  of  representatives,  April  22. J 

Mr.  Polk,  from  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  made  the 
following  report: 
The  committee  of  ways  and  means,  in  pursuance  of  the  third 

resolution  of  their  former  report  upon  the  subject  of  the  bank 

of  the  United  States  and  the  public  depositess  which  was 

adopted  by  the  house,  submit  the  following 
REPORT: 

The  house,  by  its  vote,  having  decided  "that  the  state  banks 
ought  to  be  continued  as  the  places  of  deposite  of  the  public 
money,  and  that  it  is  expedient  for  congress  to  make  further 
provision,  by  law,  prescribing  the  mode  of  selection,  the  se- 
curities to  be  taken,  and  the  manner  and  terms  on  which  they 
are  to  be  employed,"  the  committee  deemed  it  proper,  in  a 
measure  of  so  much  importance,  to  ascertain  from  the  secreta- 
ry of  the  treasury  his  opinion  and  views,  in  regard  to  the  regu- 
lations proper  to  be  adopted  in  the  employment  of  the  state 
banks  as  the  depositories  of  the  public  money,  and  the  fiscal 
agents  of  the  government;  and  also  for  his  views  in  regard  to 
the  probable  effects  which  would  be  produced  upon  the  cur- 
rency by  such  regulations.  They  accordingly  addressed  a  let- 
ter to  the  secretary,  requesting  to  be  furnished  with  the  infor- 
mation desired,  and  herewith  report  the  answer  which  has 
been  received. 

In  determining  upon  the  mode  in  which  the  deposite  banks 
shall  be  selected,  the  committed  are  of  opinion  that  a  due  re- 
gard to  the  public  interests  will  make  it  proper  to  leave  the  se- 
lection, in  the  first  instance,  to  the  head  of  the  treasury  de- 
partment, or  to  some  other  person  designated  by  law;  but,  when 
once  selected,  to  put  it  out  of  the  power  of  the  executive  to 
discontinue  such  depository  without  the  sanction  or  approba- 
tion of  congress.  Should  it,  however,  be  deemed  expedient  for 
congress  themselves  to  designate,  by  law,  the  banks  which 
shall  hereafter  be  employed  as  depositories  instead  of  delegat- 
ing the  power  of  selection,  in  the  first  instance,  to  an  executive 
officer,  there  could  be  no  objection  to  that  mode,  provided  it  be 
deemed  practicable  to  make  the  selection,  in  such  manner  as  to 
protect  and  preserve  the  public  funds  to  be  deposited  therein. 

The  bill  which  they  report  prescribes— first  the  mode  in 
which,  and  by  whom,  the  state  banks  hereafter  to  be  employed 
as  the  public  depositories,  shall  be  selected.  Secondly,  the 
terms  and  conditions  upon  which  they  shall  be  employed,  the 
duties  and  services  they  shall  perform,  and  the  securities  which 


wliich  they  may  be  employed,  or  to  cases  in  which  any  of  the 
banks  may  become  unsafe  depositories  of  the  public  money, 
and  reserves  to  congress  the  ultimate  control  over  the  whole 


subject. 

By  its  provisions  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  cannot  dur- 
ing the  session  of  congress,  dismiss  from   the  service   of  the 
treasury  any  bank  of  depocite,  without  having  first  obtained  (he 
"auction  and  approbation  of  congress:  and  if  during  the  lecess 
f  congress,  any  bank  shall  fail  or  refuse  to  comply  with  th* 


»ny  ui  saiu  uariKS  as  puunc  depositories,  ne  is  aiillif 
issue  such  order,  temporarily,  but  is  required  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  next  session,  to  report  to  congress  the  reasons  and 
the  evidence  upon  which  he  has  ordered  such  discontinuance, 
reserving  to  congress  the  right  to  approve  or  reverse  such  order. 
Thus  all  apprehension  that  the  power  of  the  executive  over  the 
selected  banks  may  be  used  as  a  governmental  patronage,  or 
for  corrupt  purposes,  is  effectually  removed.  So  long  as  the 
selected  hanks  shall  continue  to  perform  the  duties  required  of 
them  by  the  prnvisinns  of  the  bill,  (should  it  become  a  law), 
and  so  long  as  they  shall  continue  so  to  conduct  their  business 
as  to  keep  the  public  funds  deposited  therein  secure,  they  can- 
not be  discontinued  at  the  will  of  the  executive,  but  will  be  en- 
titled to  their  custody  as  a  matter  of  right,  unless  it  shall  he  the 
pleasure  of  congress  to  withdraw  them,  or  change  the  place  of 
deposite. 


. 

The  committee  concur  with  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  in 
the  views  he  has  presented  in  his  letter  in  regard  to  the  import' 
ance  of  banishing  from  circulation  bank  notes  of  the  small  deno- 
minations, and  of  substituting  gold  and  silver  coin  in  their* 
place.  This  may,  doubtless,  to  some  extent  be  encouraged  and 
effected  through  the  collection  and  management  of  the  revenue* 
Congress  possesses  no  power  to  restrict  the  state  institutions 
from  issuing  small  notes;  but  they  have  the  power  to  impose  as  a 
condition  upon  which  any  bank  shall  be  amployed  as  a  depnsi- 
:ory,  that  it  shall  first  stipulate  not  to  issue  or  use,  after  a  given 
'uture  day,  notes  of  the  smaller  denominations,  in  the  course  of 
ts  business;  and  they  have  a  right'  to  refuse  to  receive  in  pay- 
nont  to  the  United  States,  the  notes  of  any  bank  which  sha'll 
lot  cease,  after  a  given  future  day,  to  issue  small  notes.  The 
till,  accordingly  contains  a  provision  to  this  effect,  designed  to 
nduce  the  state  banks  to  co-operate  in  banishing  from  circula- 
lion  all  notes  of  a  less  denomination  than  five  dollars,  after  a 
riven  future  day.  In  several  states  such  a  prohibition  already 
exists,  and  in  those  states  a  metallic  circulation  has  been  found 
o  take  the  place  of  the  small  notes  which  have  been  with- 
drawn. It  may  be  necessary,  hereafter,  for  congress  to  extend 
he  prohibition  to  the  issue  of  notes  below  the  denomination 
of  ten  or  twenty  dollars.  But  the  committee  do  not  deem  it 
expedient,  at  this  time  to  recommend  that  the  prohibition  should 
>e  extended  to  notes  above  the  denomination  of  five  dollars. 
should  it  hereafter  be  deemed  proper,  congress  can  adopt  further 
egUlativc  provisions  on  the  subject. 

It  will  be  perceived  from  the  letter  of  the  secretary  of  the 
reasury  herewith  reported,  that  further  legislation  in  relation 
o  the  coins  constitutes  an  important  part  of  his  scheme  of  the 
urrency.  The  committee  concur  in  opinion  that  it  is  import- 
nt  that  further  legal  provisions  should  he  made  regulating  the 
alue  of  foreign  coins,  and  making  the  foreign  gold  and  silver 
oins  a  tender  in  payment  of  debts,  and  also  regulating  the 
tandard  value  of  our  own  coins. 

They  have,  however,  reported  no  bill  on  the  subject  of  the 
oins.  because  bills  upon  that  subject,  have  already  been 
jrought  before  the  house  by  a  select  committee  to  whom  this 
>articular  branch  of  the  subject  had  been  referred  by  the  house. 
'hey  concur  in  opinion  that  it  is  important  they  should  be  act- 
d  on  at  the  present  session  of  congress. 

Treasury  department,  April  15,  1834. 

SIR—  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 

tter,  of  the  7th  inst.  and  proceed  to  reply  to  the  inquiries  made 
ly  the  committee  of  ways  and  means. 

In  my  report  to  congress  at  the  commencement  of  the  present 
ession,  assigning  my  reasons  for  removing  the  deposites  from 
he  bank  of  the  United  States,  I  expressed  the  opinion  that  a  cor- 
poration of  that  description,  was  not  necessary,  either  for  the 
iscal  operations  of  the  government,  or  the  general  convenience 
f  the  people. 

One  of  the  arguments  most  frequently  urged  in  favor  of  (he 
xpediency  of  a  hank  of  the  United  States,  is  the  salutary  in- 
luence  which  it  is  supposed  to  exert  in  securing  to  the  country 
.  sound  currency.  It  is  said  the  state  banks  have  a  constant 
endency  to  over  issues,  and  that  a  superior  power  is  necessary, 
o  keep  them  in  check,  and  to  control  them  in  this  particular  — 
nd  the  argument  is  constantly  and  earnestly  pressed,  that  a 
lank  of  the  United  States  is  the  fit  and  appropriate  means  to 


153 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   3,  1834— STATE  BARKS. 


accomplish  this  object.  If  there  he  any  force  in  this  argument. 
the  paper  currency  furnished  by  the  slate  hanks,  as  well  as  that 
issued  by  the  bank  of  the  U.  Slates,  ought  now  to  be  in  a  sound 
!«tale.  The  bank  of  the  United  Stales  ha-  been  in  existence 
seventeen  years,  and  must  have  already  exerted  all  the  infill 
e.nce  in  relation  to  the  currency,  which  can  rvr.r  he  expected 
from  such  an  institution.  And  if  it  exercises  a  wholesome  and 
salutary  control  over  Ihe  conduci-of  the  state  banks,  and  re 
strains  them  within  proper  bounds,  it  has  had  full  lime  and  op- 
portunity lo  exeit  lhat  power,  and  ihe  noles  of  ihe  Male  hanks, 
as  well  as  Ihose  ofthe  bank  of  the  United  Slates,  ought  now  lo 
be  found  in  a  safe  condition.  For  il  niusl  he  admitted,  thai  \ve 
have  gained  bin  little  by  chartering  the  bank  of  the  United 
Slates,  if  only  the  comparatively  small  portion  of  the  paper 
currency  furnished  by  itself,  is  sound,  while  the  great  mass  of 
the  circulating  medium  is  inherently  vicious,  and  liable  to  he 
disordered  at  any  moment.  1 1  is  believed  Ural  more  than  three- 
fourlhs  of  the  paper  currency,  is  furnished  by  ihe  stale  banks, 
and  if  so  large  a  portion  of  our  eirculaling  medium  is  unsafe  and 
uuworlhy  of  credit,  Uien  the  bank  ofthe  United  States  is  either 
incapable  of  excirising  the  salutary  control  claimed  for  it,  or  it 
lias  failed  to  perform  its  duty  to  the  public.  In  either  event  it 
is  time  to  look  for  some  other  remedy. 

Judging  from  ihe  best  information  which  the  department  has 
been  able  to  obtain,  the  paper  of  Hie  various  banks,  (including 
the  bank  of  the  Uniled  Stales),  in  aclual  circulation  in  ordinary 
times,  amounts  to  at  least  eighty  millions  of  dollars.  Of  Ihis 
Fum.  the  bank  of  the  United  Siales  furnishes  less  than  twenty 
millions,  and  the  various  stale  banks  more  than  sixty  millions; 
the  specie  in  Ihe  vaulls  of  ihe  same  banks,  to  support  this  ex- 
tensive credit,  does  not  probably  exceed  twenty-five  millions. 
In  estimating  the  amount  of  specie,  I  confine  myself  to  the 
coin  supposed  to  be  in  possession  of  the  hanks.  In  some  ofthe 
states,  the  circulation  of  bank  notes  below  five  dollars  is  pro- 
hibited by  law,  and  in  these  slates, there  is  a  considerable 
amount  ofspecie  passing  from  hand  to  hand,  and  forming  a 
pan  of  ihe  ordinary  circulating  medium.  Il  does  noi,  however, 
probably,  exceed  four  millions  of  dollars.  This  metallic  circu 
lation  lessens  by  so  much  the  amount  of  paper,  and  to  ibal  ex- 
tent it  diminishes  the  evil  occasioned  by  the  great  dispropor- 
tion between  the  paper  superstructure  and  its  metallic  basis. 
But  the  coin  which  is  thus  circulating,  cannot  he  brought  in  aic 
of  the  paper  currency,  when  a  panic,  or  any  other  cause,  sud- 
denly throws  il  hack  upon  Ihe  hank  for  redemption.  It  rannot, 
therefore,  be  estimated  as  a  part  of  the.  means  to  secure,  tin 
payment  of  the  actual  paper  circulation.  Il  takes  the  place  o 
so  much  paper  in  the  mass  of  the  eirculaling  medium,  am 
thereby  lessens  the  amount  to  be  redeemed.  But  it  will  neve 
find  iu  way  into  thu  banks  when  their  noles  are  rapidly  n 
turning  upon  them.  They  must  n-ly  upon  Ihe  amount  actually 
in  tht-ir  vaulls — and  il  i.«  will)- Ihis  amount  that  we  inusl  com 
pare  ihe  paper  circulation,  in  order  lo  decide  whether  it  is  in  a 
pale  condition.  It  is  evident  that  Ihe  chief  part  of  the  pape 
currency  of  ihe  Uniled  Siales  must  always  be  furnished  by  tin 
slate  banks.  No  bank  of  the  United  States  could  provide  a 
•Efficient  amount  for  the  whole  nation,  without  giving  to  it  a 
capital  of  such  enormous  and  start'iina  magnitude,  that  no  one 
il  is  presumed,  would  seriously  propose  it. 

And  if  congress  are  to  legi-laic,  with   ihe  view  of  securing  t 
the  people  of  the  United   Stales  a  sound  paper  currency,  th 
condition  of  the   notes  of  the  s'ate  banks  is  of  much  more  im- 
portance to  the  community,  than  that  of  any  bank  ofthe  Unted 
Stales.  The  notes  of  ihe  different  local  banks  form  the  oidinar\ 


circulating  medium   for   the  great  body  of  our  citizen; 
would    be    unjust    to    them,    lo  disregard    ils   conditi 


and  it 
.     The 

whole  currency  of  the  country  should  br  placed  in  a  sound  and 
liealty  stale,  as  far  as  the  legitimate  authority  of  the  United 
States  will  enable  them  lo  accomplish  that  object. 

Under  the  authority  delegated  to  congress  by  the  consitution 
ofthe  United  States,  they  hnve  no  power  to  establish  by  law  a 
paper  currency;  and  the  rnflucnce  which  they  may  lawfully  ex- 
ercise-in securing  ils  soundness,  is  altogether  incidental.  In 
legislating  wilhiu  the  admitted  scope  of  the  ir  authority,  they 
may,  withoul  assuming  powers  riol  granted,  look  to  the  eli'cct 
which  their  laws  will  produce  upon  an  interest  of  so  much  im- 
portance as  thai  of  Ihe  paper  circulation  now  floating  through 
tin  i  ountry. 

Taking  this  view  of  Ihe  subject,  the  first  inquiry  is,  what  is. 
the  present  condition  ofthe  ordinary  circulating  medium  of  the 
United  Stales?  Is  the  great  nriss  of  the  paper  currency  ill  a 
round  and  healthy  condition?  If  it  is,  we  IIHIM  endeavor  lo  find 
means  to  preserve  it  in  ils  present  state,  \vli-n  Hi,-  bank  of  Hie 
United  Stales  shall  cease  to  cxi-i.  liui  ii'  it  is  nut,  Uien  it  is 
obvious  lhat  the  civntiou  of  a  bank  ofthe  I'nited  Slates  will  not 
aecompli-h  tins  desiranle  object,  nnd  thai,  even  on  the  score 
of  expediiincy.  without  reference  t,>  coiistmaioiial  objections, 
come  other  plan  -hunlil  be  devi-cd. 

If  the  e-iimatc  I  have  made  of  the  proportion  between  the 
paper  circulation  and  the  «.pceie  in  posaenginit  ofihe  bank*  be 

correct,  or  nearly  -o,  the  condition  ofthe  currency  is  obviously 


nation  >Uonld  not  be  content  with  it.  noi  d-  sue  to 
il-   pic-cut   Mali!.      It   is  an   iiiiineiifc  Mlper>lruc- 


li,  dial  tin: 
continue   it  in 

ture  of  paper,  re-img  on  a   metallic   foundation    too  narrow  to 
mpport   it.     It    has   never   been   MiMained  by  Ms  own  inherent 
PUeugth,  but  by  public  confidence.      When  every  one  liimly  be. 
In  e,  ih  nt  the  noies  of  ihe   bunk*  will,  on  il.:iiiand,  be   paid   in 
com,  tn.-y  i,  a.lily  circulate  and  aiinwt  i  all  Hie  pu.-j  ......  >  of  mo 

uey.     Hut  the  moment  lhat  confidence  lo  impaired,  they  lo^e 


heir  value  as  a  part  ofthe  circulating  medium,  nnd  are  return- 
d  upon  tin;  hanks  for  redemption  in  specie,  and  the  dispropor- 
ion  between  tin-  paper  circulation  and  the  coin  prepared  to  re- 
Icrm  it,  is  so  great,  that  it  is  constantly  liable  to  have  its  chief 
upporl,  pullic  confidence,  withdrawn  fiom  it. 
In  speaking  of  the  dangers  to  which  Ihe  currency  is  exposed, 
do  not  mean  to  intimate  thai  ihe  slate  hanks  are  unable  to  fgiy 
lie  amounl  of  notes  they  have  issued.  On  the  contrary,  F  am 
lersuaded  lhat,  with  very  few  exceptions,  they  are  as  pate  as 
tie  bank  of  (he  United  Stales.  For  thai  bink  h;:<  n--v  -r  been 
n  a  condition  to  redeem  its  notes  in  specie,  if  they  were  nil  sud- 
denly thrown  back  upon  it.  My  object  in  inviting  the  attention 
of  the  committee  to  this  subject,  is  not  only  to  show  the  real 
condition  of  the  currency,  bill  to  mark  the  inter  inconsistency 
if  the  argument,  which  urges  the  recharler  of  the  bank  of  ihe 
United  Stales,  on  Ihe  ground  that  it  has  fnrni-h:d  a  sound  cur- 
rency to  the  nation,  and  at  the  same  time,  attempts  to  discredit 
the  notes  of  the  suite  hanks.  Both  parts  of  the  argument  can- 
not he  true.  The  bank  of  the  United  Slates  has  not  furnished 
the  nation  with  a  sound  paper  currency,  and  has  produced  no 
salutary  r-lTi-ct  on  the  great  ma-s  of  it,  unless  the  issues  of  the 
state  banks  are  now  in  a  safe  and  healthy  condition. 

The  difficulties  under  which  the  state -banks  are  laboring  at 
this  time,  does  not  prove  that  they  are  unsound,  and  that  they 
have  been  worse  managed  than  the  bank  of  ihe  United  Stales; 
when  reports  injurious  to  the  credit  of  the  slate  banks  are  in- 
dustriously and  widely  circulated,  some  degree  of  emharrass- 
nent  is  unavoidable;  especially  when  it  is  generally  supposed 
lo  be  in  thr  power  of  ihe  bank  rif  the  United  States  to  stop  them 
at  its  pleasure.  The  evil  is  however  in  its  nature  temporary, 
and  will  soon  pass  away.  And  the  inlHIisence  of  the  citizens 
will  readily  discover  that  Ihe  present  difficulty  is  the  offspring 
11!  n -e  I  ess  alarm,  and  of  a  deliberate  de.siin  to  destroy  the  credit 
of  the  st-ue  banks.  And  when  Ihe  real  object  of  ihe  excite- 
mriil,  and  unfounded  rumors  which  are  daily  circulated,  shall 
be  understood  by  ihe  people,  confidence  will  soon  be  reslored, 
and  business  resume  ils  usual  channel.  The  stoppage  of  a 
bank  from  any  cause  naturally  produces  a  run  on  the  hanks  in 
its  neighborhood,  and  if  pains  are  taken  to  increase  the1  excite- 
ment and  alarm,  the  evil  will  be  more  extensively  felt  than  it 
would  be  in  ordinary  limes. 

The  dangerous  expansion  of  the  paper  circulation,  compared 
with  its  specie  basis,  shows  that  there  is  something  essentially 
vicious  in  the  whole  system;  nnd  the  mischief,  so  far  from  be- 
ing correct cd  or  lessened  by  a  bank  of  Ihe  United  Stales,  is 
more  probably  aggravated  hy  such  an  institution.  The  great 
amounl  of  paper  afloal  proves  lhal  the  quantity  depends  more 
on  the  discretion  and  judgment  of  those  who  make  the  paper, 
than  on  their  ability  to  redeem  it  whenever  it  is  called  for.  The 
dominion  which  a  bank  ofthe  United  Stales  must  always  exer- 
cise over  tiie  smaller  corporations  of  the  stales,  vests  in  it  the 
entire  discretion  of  expansion  or  contraction.  If  it  discount 
and  issue  its  paper  freely,  the  state  banks  are  induced  by  Ihe 
hopes  of  profit,  to  follow" its  example.  If  it  suddenly  curtails; 
they  must  curtail  also,  or  become  ihe  victims  of  their  own  im- 
prudence. And  if,  hy  any  means,  the  conduct  of  thai  hank  dis- 
turbs the  public  confidence  in  the  safety  of  Ihe  state  hanks,  their 
notes  will  be  returned  upon  them  with  such  rapidily  a»  to  en- 
danger even  the  best  managed  institutions — and  while  such  a 
j  power  remains  in  the  hands  of  a  single  corporation,  ihe  coun- 
try will  be  constantly  liable  lo  sudden  agitations  and  excite- 
ments from  the.  alternate  expansion  and  contraction  ofthe  cur- 
rency; and  those  engaged  in  commerce  will,  in  the  years  i>f 
abundance,  be  led  into  an  extension  of  their  hn>nicss,  which 
must,  in  the  succeeding  years  ot  scarcity,  inevitably  icsull  in 
bankruptcy  and  ruin.  In  a  lime  of  pressure,  confidence  is  ea- 
sily shaken;  and  whenever  it  becomes  tin-  ii.tcrcst  of  the  hank 
o:  tin-  United  Stales  to  e.\<  ite  alarm  in  the  country,  its  great 
money  power  will  most  commonly  enable  il  to  effect  ihe  object, 
and  by  destroying  confidence  and  credit,  in  a  few  month*  throw 
the  whole  business  ofthe  nation  into  confusion. 

A  system  of  currency  thus  liable  10  constant  fluctuation?,  nnd 
always  in  danger  of  being  enliri'ly  overthrown,  is  certainly  one 
ofthe  worst  that  can  be  devised.  Kvery  species  of  property  is 
unstable  and  insecure,  unless  the  currency  which  is  to  liu  ex- 
changed lor  it  shall  be  steady  in  its  value,  and  not  liable  to  he 
seriou.lv  disturbed  by  accident  or  design.  And  the  danger  and 
evil  is  abundantly  manifested  by  the  history  of  the  U.  Stated, 
i-ince  the  establishini  nt  of  the  present  hank.  Years  of  hollow 
prosperity  h.ivr  hi  en  succeeded  by  years  of  pressure  and  suiter 
ing;  and  the  present  condition  of  thing'  demonstrates  how  rea- 
dily a  concerted  effort  to  excite  H  panic  and  destroy  confidence, 
ina\  •endanger  the  great  mass  of  thr  eirculaling  medium:  ami 
injure  most  extensively  the  properly  and  industry  of  Ihe  coun- 
try. The  great  evil  of  om  present  currency  is  the  di, proportion 
between  Ilia  paper  in  circulation  and  Ihe  coin  prepared  lo  re- 
deem it.  The  re Iv  is,  to  diminish  this  proportion,  nnd  lo 

give  to  the  paper  currency  a  broader  and    firmer  metallic  foun- 
dation.    Can  tliii  object  be   he.-i  ;,ci ipliMii-d  wuh  or  without 

a  bank  of  the  Criited  Stair-: 


I  do  not  perceive  that  a  b.ink  of  tin:  United  Slates,  ii|>«n  any 
plan,  is   likely  to  diminish  Iho  e\il. 

II  may  pel-hap-    be   supposed    that  a  le-lriction    on    Ihe   hank, 
which  would    prevent    it  from  i— ning  noit  -    bc'nw  twenty  dol- 

:hl  tend  to  rv-compli-h  rbc  object.  Hut  the  onlv  eilcel 
of  such  a  restriction  would  he.  t,,  siibstinn.  ihe  not.  -  ,.f  -tar.j 
hunks  of  the  lower  denomination.-,  in  the  place  of  the  notes  ot 
the  bank  of  the  United  Sutu*. 


NILKS'  REGISTER- MAY   3,   1834— STATE  HANKS. 


159 


<;old  and  silver  will  never  circulate,  where  banks  issue  notes 
which  come  in  eompclition  with  them.  For  il  will  invariably 
happen  that  when  the  circulating  medium  is  composed  of  dif- 
ferent kinds  of  money,  and  one  of  them  is  less  valuable  than 
Ihe  other,  but  not  sufficiently  depreciated  lo  be  discredited,  the 
inferior  will,  after  a  time,  become  the  general  currency,  and  the. 
more  valuable  will  entirely  disappear.  This  is  obvious  in  the 
states  where  the  banks  issue  notes  as  low  as  one  dollar.  For 
silver  dollars  are  never  found  in  circulation  where  paper  ones 
are  freely  issued  by  the  banks.  In  order,  therefore,  to  bringthe 
precious  metals  into  use,  the  rivalship  of  paper  must  be  effec-lu- 
ally  taken  away.  We  must  not  only  remove  the  notes  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  Stated,  but  also  the  noles  of  the  state  banks. 

And  to  create  a  bank  of  the  United  States,  arid  restrict  its  is 
sues,  as  above  suggested,  would  be  to  invite  the  state,  hanks  to 
issue  largely  that  description  of  paper  which  will  not  be  inter- 
rupted by  Ihe  eompclition  of  the  bank  of  ihe  U.  Stales.  The 
paper  circulation  would  not  be  diminished,  nor  would  the  pro- 
portions of  the  metals  be  increased.  Paper  dollars  would  still 
be  manufactured  in  the  same  abundance;  they  would  still  come 
in  competition  with  gold  and  silver,  and  drive  them  from  circu- 
lation. 

The  restriction  Ihcrefore  on  the  issue  of  the  smaller  notes, 
cannot  be  effectual,  unless  ihe  several  slates  shall  he  willing  lo 
co-operate  with  the  legislation  of  congress.  They  could  hardly 
be  expecled  to  prohibit  the  issue  of  notes  under  twcnly  dol- 
lars by  iheir  banks,  while  a  bank  of  ihe  United  Slates  was 
in  existence  with  all  the  advantage  it  would  possess  over  the 
state  instiluiions.  And  if  they  could  be  induced  lo  unite  in 
such  a  plan,  the  inevitable  result  would  be  to  put  an  end  to  the 
slate  banks.  For  Iheir  circulation  of  larger  notes  would  be  so 
much  restrained  by  the  competition  and  superior  advantages  of 
the  notes  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  that  the  small  state 
corporations  would  probably  soon  find  their  chatters  of  no  va- 
lue, and  be  compelled  to  wind  up  their  concerns.  The  field  for 
paper  currency  would  then  be  left  entirely  to  the  bank  of  the 
United  Stales.  Their  noles  being  receivable  every  where  in 
payment  of  debts  due  to  the  government,  would  give  them  a 
credil  beyond  their  real  value.  The  temptation  under  such  cir- 
cumstances to  over  issues  of  paper  would  be  almost  irresistible. 
And  alter  closing,  by  this  course  of  legislation,  the  doors  of  the 
stale  banks  we  should  soon  find  ourjelves  with  a  paper  curren- 
cy equally  liable  to  depreciation  with  the  present  one,  from  the 
great  disproportion  the  paper  would  bear  to  the  specie  provided 
to  redeem  it.  In  .1  plan 'which  would  lead  lo  such  results,  we 
could  hardly  expecl  the  states  to  come  in  aid  of  the  legislation 
of  congress,  but  we  might  count  on  tlieir  cordial  co  operation 
in  efforts  to  place  the  whole  circulating  medium  of  the  counliy 
on  a  safe  and  durable  foundation,  when  it  can  be  done  without 
injustice  to  their  own  citizens  who  are  interested  in  the  state 
institutions. 

The  first  step  towards  a  sound  condition  of  the. currency,  is 
to  reform  the  coinage  of  gold.    The  present  gold  coin  is  worth 
more  in  silver  lhau  ils  nominal  value.     It  is  therefore  never 
seen  in  ihe  ordinary  exchanges  of  ihe  country,  and  it  is  worse 
than  useless  to  continue  the  expense  of  coining  il  at  the  mint 
unless  it  is  intended  for  circulation.     It  will  never  make  its  way 
into  general  circulation  until  Ihe  relative  value  of  silver  and 
gold  is  observed,  as  near  as  may  be,  in  tin-  pieces  coined  of  the 
rcspeclive  metals.     It  has  been  truly  said  that  gold  is  the  anta 
gonist  of  paper.     Silver  is  too  heavy  to  be  transported  from 
place  to  place,  in  large  sums  without  inconvenience.     Some 
oilier  circulaling  medium  of  general  currency  is  therefore  neces- 
sary, even  for  the  expenses  of  a  journey  from  one  state  to  ano- 
ther.    There  must  be  either  a  paper  currency  of  general  credit, 
or  gold  must  be  introduced.     And  it  is  essential  that  in  its  stan- 
dard value  as  coin,  it  should  be  placed  on  its  proper  footing  in 
relation  to  silver,  before  a  paper  currency  of  general  credit,  can 
be  conveniently  dispensed  with.     The  charter  to  the  bank  of  the 
United  Slates,  by  making  ils  paper  receivable  every  where  for 
debls  due  to  the  government,  furnishes  a  paper  currency  no 
equal  lo  gold  and  silver,  but  yel  of  sufficient  credit  for  common 
use,  and   for  the  purposes  of  travelling  from  place  to  place 
This  will  continue  until  the  3d  of  March,  1836.     It  is  desirable, 
therefore,  that  provision  should  be  made  at  the  present  sessioi 
of  congress  for  the  reform  of  the  gold  coins.     The  coinage  wil 
require  time,  and  as  this  general  paper  currency  is  gradually  re 
tiring  from  circulalion,  Ihe  gold  should  be  prepared  lo  lake  it. 
place.     We  produce  gold  to  a  large  nmount  in  Ihe  U,  Slates 
and  the  product  is  increasing  every  year.     The  greater  part  o 
it  is  now  exported  as  bullion,  and  this  will  continue  to  be  I'M 
case  until  the  value  of  Ihe  gold  coin  is  changed;  even  if  thf 
change  should  be  made  at  the  present  session,  there  would  no 
perhaps  be  a  sufficient  supply  of  our  own  gold  coins  to  meet  III 
demand  for  a  circulating  medium  of  general  credit,  at  the  expi 
ration  of  the  charier  of  ihe  bank.     Cut  if  foreign  gold  coin 
should  be  made  a  legal  tender  al  Iheir  real  value,  there  woul< 
doubtless  lie  enough  of  that  metal,  at  the  time  above  incut  inner: 
to  meet  Ihe  wants  of  the  public.     And  there  can  he  no  sufficien 
reason  for  throwing  out  of  circulation  the  foreign  coins  of  gol 
or  silver,  which  are  current  in  other  parts  of  the  commeroia 
world.     Indeed  as  a  measure  of  immediate  relief  in  Ihe  presei 
state  of  things,  it  is  necessary  that  the   foreign   coins,  both  o 
gold  and  silver,  should   be  made   a   legal   tender,  in   payment  < 
debu,  according  to  their  intrinsic  value.     Very  large  imporla 
lions  of  the  foreign  coins  are  continually  arriving  in  the  Unite 
States,  and  if  they  can  be  used  by  the  EUte  banks  to  discharjj 


icir  engagements,  they  will,  probably,  remain  here,  and  b»- 
ome  a  part  of  our  circulating  medium! 

Anil  it  they  were  made  a  legal  tender  in  payment  of  debts,  it 
mild  enable  tile  Male  banks  lo  extend  ibeir  issues,  and  to  re- 
nu  tiieir  notes  with  greater  facility.  I  respectfully  invite  the 
aily  attention  of  congress  to  this  Hihjecl,  and  regard  Ihe  pro- 
osed  alteration  in  our  laws  as  peculiarly  necessary  in  the  pre- 
•:nt  exigency,  nnd  calculated  to  produce  immediate  and  exteii- 
ive  benefit.  As  Ihe  bank  of  the  United  Stales  withdraws  its 
in-ill, Ltion,  it  is  of  the  first  importance  that  the  Mate  banks 
hould  be  enabled  to  extend  their  issues  and  lo  supply  inune- 
iately  by  Iheir  notes,  the  place  which  was  filled  by  Hit  bank  of 
ne  United  States. 

With  the  reform  of  the  gold  currency,  it  is  proper  to  associate 
leasures  lo  prevent  the  issue  of  small  notes.  The  only  utep 
vliich  congress  could  with  propriety  take,  in  relation  to  the 
oles  of  the  slate  hanks,  would  be  to  provide  that  no  bank 
hould  be  a  depository  of  the  public  money,  nor  should  the 
les  of  any  bank  be  receivable  in  payments  of  debts  to  the 
Jnited  States,  which  issued  notes  below  a  certain  denomina- 
ion.  We  may  safely  rely  on  the  co  operation  of  the  several 
tales  to  impose  upon  tlieir  banks  the  restrictions  necessary  to 
.id  in  Ihis  desirablfc  change  in  ihe  slate  of  the  currency.  The 
Iteration  proposed,  should,  however,  be  gradual.  A  day  might 
ie  fixed  after  which  the  restriclion  above  mentioned  should  go 
nlo  operation,  as  relales  to  notes  below  five  dollars.  A  further 
estriclion,  so  as  lo  affect  notes  under  ten  dollars,  would  here- 
fler  be  advisable,  and  ought  lo  be  regarded  as  a  part  of  the 
Ian  now  proposed  to  be  adopted.  But  it  is  not  desirable,  at 
his  lime,  to  name  a  definite  day  for  that  purpose.  A  great  pro- 
ortion  of  the  issues  of  the  siale  banks  consists  of  five  dollar 
otes. 

Any  measure  calculated  to  impair  the  currency  of  notrs  of 
his  description,  about  ihe  lime  the  bank  of  the  United  States  i» 
'oing  out  of  existence,  would  be  injurious  to  the  public.  When 
he  bank  of  the  United  States  is  withdrawing  its  notes  from  cir- 
culation, the  void  must  be  filled  up  by  gold  nnd  silver,  or  by  the 
iotes  of  the  state  banks,  or  the  currency  will  be  injuriously 
:outracted.  And  if  notes  of  five  dollars  were  then  put  out  of 
circulation,  the  diminution  of  Ihe  currency  would  perhaps  be 
severely  fell.  And  no  measure  should  be  adopted,  calculated 
o  impede  their  citculalion,  until  it  shall  be  manifest  thai  the 
counlry  is  relieved  from  any  inconvenience  arising  from  ihe 
withdrawal  of  the  noles  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  But 
as  soon  as  that  period  arrives,  and  it  is  apparent  that  gold  and 
silver  can  hu  provided  for  the  ordinary  circulation  below  ten 
dollars,  it  would  be  advisable  lo  extend  the  restriction  lo  note* 
of  thai  denomination.  Foi  we  can  never  be  safe  from  ihe  fluc- 
ualions  of  Ihe  currency  until  all  notes  below  len  dollars  are 
lanished  from  circulalion.  And  it  will  be  still  more  secure 
when  the  restriction  is  carried  up  to  notes  of  twenly  dollars; 
o  as  to  substitute  Ihe  gold  eagles  in  Ihe  place  of  len  dollar 
bank  notes. 

It  wrll  be  seen  from  this  statement,  that  it  is  no  part  of  the 
iroposed  plan  to  dispense  with  the  state  banks.  It  obviously  is 
lot  in  the  power  of  congress  (if  it  desired  to  do  so)  to  take  any 
measures  for  thai  purpose,  without  an  amendment  to  Ihe  con- 
stitution; and  the  states  would  not,  and  ought  not  in  surrender 
Ihe  power  of  chartering  banking  companies.  The  state  banks 
lire  now  so  numerous,  and  are  so  intimately  connected  with 
r>ur  habits  and  pursuits,  that  it  is  impossible  to  suppose  that  the 
systrni  can  ever  be  entirely  abandoned.  Nor  is  it  desirable 
that  it  should  be.  They  are  often  abused,  like  all  oilier  human 
institutions;  yet  their  advanlagn.s  are  many,  and  under  proper 
regulations,  and  with  the  metallic  basis  now  proposed  for  their 
l>ap"r  issues,  ihcy  will  be  found  of  much  public  advantage. 

If  there  were  no  state  hanks,  the  profitable  business  of  bank- 
ing and  exchange  would  be  monopolized  by  the  great  capital- 
ists. Operations  of  this  sort  require  capital  ami  credit  to  a 
large  extent,  and  a  private  individual  in  moderate  circumstan- 
ces would  be  unable  to  conduct  them  with  any  advantage.  Vet 
there  is  perhaps  no  business  which  yields  a  profit  so  ceriain  and 
liberal  as  Die  business  of  banking  and  exchange,  and  it  is  pro- 
per lhat  it  should  be  open,  as  far  as  practicable,  to  the  most 
free  competition,  and  its  advantages  shared  by  all  classes  of  so- 
ciety. Individuals  of  moderate  means  cannot  participate  in 
them  unless  they  combine  together,  and  by  the  union  of  many 
small  sums  create  a  large  capital  nnd  establish  an  extensive 
credit.  It  is  impossible  to  accomplish  this  object  withoul  the  aid 
of  acls  of  incorporation  so  as  lo  give  liie  company  secnrily  of 
unity  of  action  and  save  it  from  the  disadvantage  of  frequent 
changes  in  the  partnership;  by  the  death  or  retirement  of  some 
one  of  the  numerous  partners.  The  incorporaled  banks  more- 
over, under  proper  regulations,  will  offer  a  safe  and  convenient 
investment  of  small  sums  to  persons  whose  situations  and  pur- 
suits disable  Ihem  from  employing  their  money  profitably  in  any 
other  mode.  It  is  no  more  liable  to  be  lost  when  vested  in  ihe 
stock  of  a  bank  than  when  it  is  loaned  to  individuals.  The  inter- 
est on  it  is  paid  with  more  punctuality  and  it  can  be  sold  and 
converted  into  cash  win-never  the  owner  desires  to  employ  it 
in  some  other  way,  and  if  a  larger  portion  of  the  metals  are  in- 
fused into  the  circulation,  the  business  of  banking  will  become 
more  sound  and  wholesome,  and  less  liable  to  the  disasters 
from  which  il  has  suffered  under  our  extravagant  and  ill-orga- 
ni/.ed  svsiem  of  paper  issues.  It  will  render  investments  in 
banking  companies  entirely  safe  and  secure  to  the  holders,  and 
afford  them  the  almost  absolute  certainty  of  a  reasonable  piofit, 
without  endangering  the  capilal  invested  in  it.  For  this  rea- 


160 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1834— STATE  BANKS. 


son,  it  is  neither  practicable  nor  desirable  to  discountenance  t 
continuance  of  the  state  banks. 

They  are  convenient  and  useful  also  for  the  purposes  of  com 
merce.     No  commercial   or   manufacturing  community  cou 
conduct  its  business  to  any  advantage  without  a  liberal  syste 
of  credit,  and  a  facility  of  obtaining  money  on   loan  when   t 

exigencies  of  their  business  may  require  it.    This  cannot  be  o' 

tainwl  without  the  aid  of  a  paper  circulation  founded  on  cred 
It-is  therefore  not  the  interest  of  this  country  to  put  down  tl 
paper  currency  altogether. 

The  great  object  should  be  to  give  to  it  a  foundation  o 
Which  it  will  safely  stand.  A  circulating  medium  composed 
paper  and  gold  and  silver  in  just  proportion,  would  not  be  li 
We  to  be  constantly  disordered  by  the  accidental  embarrassraen 
or  imprudences  ol  trade  nor  by  a  combination  of  the  moneye 
interest  for  political  purposes.  The  value  of  the  metals  in  ci 
culation  would  remain  the  same,  whether  there  was  a  panic  < 
not,  arid  the  proportion  of  paper  being  less,  the  credit  of  tl 
banks  could  not  be  so  readily  impaired  or  endangered. 

The  slate  of  the  currency  then,  which  is  proposed  in  tl 
foregoing  observations,  would  provide  silver  and  gold  for  ord 
nary  domestic  purposes,  and  the  smaller  payments — and  th 
banks  of  the  different  states  would  easily  be  able  to  furnish  ex 
changes  between  distant  places  according  to  the  wants  of  com 
merce.  There  cannot,  therefore  be  any  necessity  for  a  pape 
circulation  of  general  credit  throughout  the  country.  Func 
are  more  conveniently  and  safely  transferred  from  place  t 
place  by  draughts  and  bills  of  exchange  than  by  bank  notes.  Th 
immense  operations  between  different  parts  of  the  U.  Statee 
are  now  chiefly  carried  on  by  this  means,  and  it  is  only  in  pa 
ticular  places  and  for  comparatively  small  amounts,  that  note 
arc  used;  and  the  local  institutions  would,  without  doubt,  in 
very  short  time  make  arrangements  among  themselves  to  furnis 
the  exchanges  which  commerce  requires,  and  the  competitio 
among  many  would  reduce  the  rate  of  exchange  to  its  prope 
level.  Besides,  they  would  find  it  their  interest  to  make  agree 
merits  among  themselves  to  honor  each  other's  notes  to  a  cer 
tain  extent,  and  thus  furnish  as  far  as  might  be  necessary,  a  pa 
per  currency  of  general  circulation,  in  such  places  as  would  b 
likely,  from  their  intercourse  with  each  other,  to  require  such 
convenience.  But  the  establishment  of  such  a  paper  currenc 
ought  not  to  have  any  aid,  direct  or  incidental,  by  legislativ 
provisions.  While  it  rests  upon  mutual  arrangements  union 
the  banks  themselves,  they  will  keep  the  issues  of  each  othe 
within  proper  bounds.  But  when  they  are  able  to  extend  thei 
credit  by  any  legal  provisions,  in  favor  of  their  notes,  the  tempta 
lion  is  constantly  presented  toavail  themselves  of  this  advan 
tage;  and  over  issues  and  over  trading  .are  the  necessary  couse 
quencea. 

If,  however  a  different  policy  should  be  deemed  advisable 
llic  advantages  now  given  by  law  to  the  bank  of  the  Unitec 
Sutes  might  easily  be  extended  to  the  notes  of  the  depositor 
banks,  arid  if  their  notes  were  made  receivable  in  payment  o 
all  debts  to  the  government,  their  currency  and  general  ere 
dit  would  be  quite  equal  to  that  now  enjoyed  by  the  bank  o 
the  United  States.  Believing  however,  that  such  a  provision 
would  be  calculated  to  increase  the  issues  of  paper,  1  canno 
recommend  it.  The  chief  object  of  the  plan  I  propose  is  to  in 
crease  the  proportion  of  the  metallic  currency  without  diminish- 
ing inconveniently  the  general  mass  of  the  circulating  medium 
and  any  provision  tending  to  enlarge  the  proportion  of  paper  be- 
yond what  the  public  convenience  requires,  should  be  studious- 
ly avoided. 

The  advantage  of  the  proposed  plan  over  the  present  curren- 
cy, will  not  be  confined  to  the  superior  stability,  of  tbe  paper 
circulation. 

The  laboring  classes  of  the  community  are  new  paid  their 
daily,  or  weekly  wages,  in  bank  notes  of  the  smaller  denomi- 
nations, and  if  there  are  any  in  circulation  of  doubtful  value 
and  depreciated  in  public  estimation,  they  are  too  often  used  in 
payments  to  the  poorer  and  more  helpless  classes  of  society. 
They  are  no:  always  judges  of  the  value  or  genuineness  of  the 
notes  offered  to  them;  and  consequently,  are  often  imposed 
upon,  and  their  small  earnings  still  more  diminished,  by  the  de- 
preciated character  or  entire  worthlessness  of  paper  in  which 
they  are  paid.  If  the  alteration  suggested  should  be  adopted, 
the  smaller  notes  would  soon  be  banished  from  circulation 
every  where,  and  the  laborers  would,  therefore,  be  paid  in  gold 
and  silver,  and  that  portion  of  society  which  is  must  apt  to  suf- 
fer from  worthless  or  depreciated  paper,  and  who  are  least  able 
to  bear  the  loss,  would  be  guarded  from  imposition  and  injus- 
tice. It  is  time  that  the  just  claims  of  this  portion  of  society 
should  be  regarded  in  our  legislation  in  relation  to  the  currency. 
So  far  we  have  been  providing  facilities  for  those  employed  in 
extensive  commerce,  and  have  left  the  mechanic  and  the  la- 
borer to  all  the  hazards  of  an  insecure  and  unstable  circulating 
medium. 

It  may  be  objected  to  this  plan,  that  in  giving  to  the  execu- 
tive department,  the  power  of  selecting  these  fiscal  agents  from 
among  the  state  banks,  an  undue  influence  may  be  exercised 
over  them,  and  the  power  be  used  for  improper  and  corrupt  pur- 
poses. The  answer  to  it  appears  to  be  a  plain  one.  The  states 
in  which  these  institutions  are  situated,  can  at  all  timed  eontrol 
U)MB,  and  WOilM  effectually  interpose  to  prevent  such  aim -c.-i 
of  power.  BevMM,  with  the  diminished  revenue  which  will 
hereafter  be  collected,  on  the  reduced  tariff  of  duties,  it  U  im- 
possible to  imagine  that  the  gains  to  be  derived  from  tbe  public 
deposltec,  when  distributed,  as  they  must  be,  among  so  many 


banks,  and  among  so  many  stockholders  in  each  bank,  can  ever 
be  sufficiently  important  to  tempt  them  to  swerve  from  their 
duty,  or  to  influence,  in  any  respect,  their  conduct  or  opinions. 

But  it  is  proper,  no  doubt,  in  all  cases,  to  restrict  political 
power  within  certain  and  defined  limits,  and  it  will  be  advisa- 
ble, therefore,  to  regulate  the  selection  in  such  a  manner,  as  to 
remove  all  apprehensions  of  its  abuse.  The  following  are  re- 
spectfully suggested  for  consideration: 

If  the  danger  of  abuse  is  considered  by  congress  as  one  of  any 
magnitude,  and  as  likely  to  produce  improper  influence,  rt  may 
be  effectually  removed  by  making  it  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of 
the  treasury  to  divide  the  deposites  among  all  the  incorporated 
specie- paying  banks  of  the  place  where  the  revenue  is  collect- 
ed, in  proportion  to  their  respective  capitals  actually  paid  in, 
provided  they  are  alt  willing  to  receive  them  upon  the  terms 
prescribed  by  law;  and  if  they  are  not  all  willing,  then  among 
so  many  as  would  agree  to  lake  them. 

Every  danger  of  abuse  in  the  selection  will,  by  this  mode,  be 
taken  away;  and  the  safety  of  the  money  could  be  secured,  by 
authorising  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  demand  security 
from  any  of  these  banks,  when,  in  his  judgment,  the  public  in- 
terest required  it;  and  there  might  also  be  a  prohibition  against 
removing  the  money  to  any  place,  except  where  it  was  imme- 
diately necessary  for  tbe  purpose  of  disburse  men  I. 

This  mode  would  somewhat  complicate  the  operations  of  the 
department.  Yet  I  do  not  perceive  that  it  would  produce  any 
serious  inconvenience  to  the  public  service.  It  might, and  pro- 
bably would  make  it  necessary  to  employ  one  or  two  more 
clerks  in  the  department.  But  that  would  be  but  a  small  con- 
sideration, if  it  be  deemed  advisable  to  take  from  the  executive 
all  discretion  over  Ihe  subject. 

If,  however,  congress  should  agree  with  me  in  supposing  that 
the  danger  apprehended  from  this  discretion  is  more  imaginary 
than  real,  I  would  then  respectfully  propose  the  following  re- 
gulations: 

1.  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  should  annually,  at  the 
beginning  of  each  session,  report  to  congress  the  banks  which 
had  been  used'by  him  during  the  year,  as  the  depositories  of  the 
public  money. 

2.  That  the  banks  once  selected  as  the  depositories  of  the 
:inblic  money,  should  be  continued  as  such;  unless  in  the  judg- 
nent  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  the  public  interest  requir- 
ed the  depository  to  be  changed;  in  which  case  he  should  re- 
jort  to  congress,  at  its  next  session,  the  reason  of  the  change* 

3.  That,  in  all  cases  where  there  were  two  or  more  banks  at 
tbe  same  place  where  the  revenue  is  to  be  deposited,  at  least 

wo  should  be  employed  as  the  depositories  of  the  money  of  the 
United  States,  if  they  are  willing  to  receive  it,  and  give  the  se- 
curity that  may  be  required. 

4.  Where  there  shall  be  no  banks  at  the  places  where  the  re- 
venue is  received,  the  money  shall  be  deposited  in  such  places 
as  the  secretary  shall  direct,  subject  to  the  same  obligation  to 

eport  to  congress. 

5.  No  bank  to  be  selected  as  a  depository  of  the  public  mo- 
ney,  or  continued  as  such,  which  shall  deal  in  any  stocks,  ex- 
cept those  of  the  state  in  which  it  is  situated,  or  of  the  United! 
States. 

6.  After  the  third  of  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-sir, 
no  bank  to  be  used  as  the  depository  of  the  public  money,  which 

hall  issue  or  pay  out  notes  below  five  dollars,  and  the  notes  of 
no  bank  to  be  received  in  payment  of  debts  due  to  the  United1 
tales,  which  shall  issue  or  pay  out  notes  of  a  less  denomina- 
ion  than  that  above  mentioned,  after  the  time  aforesaid,  nor 
hall  any  bank  be  a  depository  of  public  money  which  does  not 
iay  spocie  on  demand  for  its  notes. 

7.  Each  bank  selected  for  the  deposite  of  the  public  money- 
hall  return  a  statement  of  its  affairs  to  the  secretary  of  the 
reasury,  once  a  month,  or  oftener,  if  required.    Such  state- 
ment shall  show  the  aggregate  amount  loaned  to  its  own  officers' 

nd  directors  and  also  the  amount  loaned  on  ils  own  stock. 

With  th«se  limitations  it  is  believed  that  the  public  money 

ill  be  safe — and  that  even  the  possibility  of  abuse  will  be- 
aken  away. 

In  submitting  this  view  of  the  currency  and  the  plan  of  im- 
roving  it,  I  have  endeavored  to  provide  against  the  danger  of 

too  sudden  contraction  of  the  present  circulating  medium.  I 
m  not  prepared  to  say  that  the  amount  in  circulation  is  at  this 

oment  greater,  or  even  so  great,  ns  the  convenience  of  the- 
ountry  requires.  I  think  it  is  not.  For  il  has  been  rapidly  and" 
njuriously  diminished — and  it  is  to  be  regretted-  that  the  pain* 
aken  to  destroy  confidence  in  the  great  mass  of  the  circulating, 
tedium,  has  so  far  succeeded  as  to  bring  upon  the  community, 
le  inconvenience  and  suffering  which  a  rapid  reduction  of  the 
reulating  medium  unavoidably  occasions.  The  great  object 
ow  in  view  is  to  terminate  forever  the  evil  of  the  present  sys- 
in,  and  to  place  the  currency  on  a  foundation  so  stable  that  it 
annot  again  be  shaken. 

If  a  broad  and  sure  foundation  of  gold  and  silver  is  provided 
r  our  system  of  paper  credits,  we  need  not  hereafter  appre- 
•ncl  those  alternate  seasons  of  abundance  and  scarcity  of  rno- 
•y  suddenly  succeeding  each  other,  which  has  so  far  marked 
ir  hi-tory,  and  irreparably  injured  so  many  of  our  citizens. 
These  remarks  are  respectfully  submitted' for  the  considera- 
on  of  the  committee. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient 
rvant.  R.  B.  TANEY,««cre«arj/  of  ike  treasury. 

Hon.  James  K.  Polk,  chairman  of  the  committet  of 

u-ayt  and  meant,  house  of  representative*. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1834— DEBATE  IN  THE  U.  S.  SENATE.      161 


SUPPLEMENTAL  TO  REGISTER,  MAY  3. 


DEBATE  IN  THE  UMTEL)  STATES  SENATE. 

Monday,  Jpril '21,  1834. 

The  explanatory  message  of  the  president  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  having  been  read,  and  a  motion  having  been 
made  by  Mr.  Puindexter,  in  accordance  with  his  motion 
in  reference  to  the  original  message,  that  it  be  not  re- 
ceived— 

Mr.  Preston  took  occasion  to  say  that  he  was  delight- 
ed at  the  message  which  the  president  of  the  United 
States  had  done  the  senate  the  honor  to  send  in  to-day. 
He  was  extremely  gratified  also  at  the  message  which 
Had  now  been  submitted,  not  only  because  it  put  a  gloss 
on  the  principles  contained  in  the  first  paper,  arid  thus 
betrays  the  apprehension  of  the  president,  that,  in  their 
original  and  naked  form  the  whole  country,  every  man 
in  tUe  country,  would  revolt  against  them.  And  he  was 
also  delighted,  because  it  proved  that  the  ear  of  the  pre- 
sident has  not  been  entirely  closed  against  the  debate  in 
senate,  and  that  these  debates  had  been  successful  in 
compelling  him  to  change  the  expression  of  his  views. 
He  believed  that,  before  the  termination  of  the  session, 
there  would  be  many  such  explanations;  that  every  day 
would  be  productive  of  them;  until  finally,  the  text  would 
be  absolutely  overwhelmed  by  the  commentaries* 

Mr.  Forsyth  did  not  understand  very  well  what  pro- 
gress was  to  be  made  in  this  business.  The  honorable 
senator  from  Mississippi  proposed  that  his  condemnato- 
ry resolutions  should  be  placed  upon  the  journals  ot  the 
senate,  and  that  the  message  should  not.  He  (Mr.  For- 
syth) should  imagine  it  must  be  decided,  in  the  first  in- 
stance, whether  the  document  would  be  received.  He 
submitted  to  the  gentleman  whether  it  was  not  due  to  the 
character  of  the  senate  and  that  of  the  chief  magistrate, 
that  the  paper,  as  well  as  the  resolutions  condemning  it, 
should  be  placed  on  the  records.  With  respect  to  the 
explanatory  message  to  which  reference  had  been  made, 
he  was  somewhat  glad  that  it  had  been  sent  to  them  this 
morning,  not  because  it  altered,  in  the  slightest  degree, 
in  his  opinion,  the  correctness  of  the  opinions  contained 
in  the  message  of  the  president,  but  because  it  prevented 
a  construction  being  given  to  his  language  different  from 
that  which  he  intended.  He  (Mr.  F. )  understood  the 
original  message  to  assert  only  a  ver_v  simple  proposition 
.—that  it  was  not  possible  for  the  legislature  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  to  create  another  executive -power.  The  gen- 
tleman from  South  Carolina  was  mistaken  in  regard  to 
the  object  of  the  supplementary  message;  it  was  not  sent 
to  correct  an  error,  but  for  the  purpose  of  giving  a  more 
full  explanation  of  a  previously  expressed  opinion,  to 
prevent  an  erroneous  impression  from  being  entertained. 
He  (Mr.  F. )  hoped  the  honorable  senator  from  Missis- 
sippi, with  his  usual  candor,  would  withdraw  his  motion 
to  print  the  resolutions,  and  let  the  senate  decide  first 
whether  it  would  not  receive  the  message.  It  would  be 
manifestly  unjust  to  refuse  to  put  the  paper  on  the  re- 
cords while  the  resolutions  were  placed  there.  It  would 
be  wrong  to  make  any  such  distinction.  What  would 
posterity  think  of  the  act?  recording  a  strong  condemna- 
tion of  a  chief  magistrate  without  doing  him  the  justice  to 
preserve  his  defence.  Would  they  think  it  just  or  un- 
just? Surely,  surely,  senators  would  not  act  so  unfairly. 
Independent  of  all  other  considerations,  such  as  the  high 
position  he  occupied  in  the  confidence  of  the  people,  it 
would  be  most  unjust  to  him  as  a  simple  individual. 

Mr.  Ewing  said,  the  gentleman  from  Georgia  was 
mistaken,  if  he  supposed  the  resolutions  of  the  senator 
from  Mississippi  were  moved  at  all.  They  were  merely 
laid  on  the  table,  to  be  taken  up  hereafter,  when  gentle- 
men would  have  an  opportunity  of  presenting  their  views 
on  the  subject  to  which  they  related.  He  would  make 
an  observation  or  two,  with  respect  to  what  fY-11  from  the 
honorable  senator  from  Georgia.  That  gentleman  had 
said,  that  it  would  be  extremely  unjust  in  the  senate  to 
put  upon  its  journals  the  resolutions  condemnatory  of  the 
protest,  without  that  paper.  Now,  the  honorable  sena- 
tor could  not  have  attended  to  the  protest,  or  he  would 
haw:  discovered  that  the  president  says  he  has  entered  it 
on  the  executive  journal,  as  condemnatory  of  the  resolu- 
tion of  the  senate.  The  senale  had  not  requested  him  to 
do  it,  and  took  it  for  granted  it  wns  not  dwir.  He  liad, 
VOL.  XI/VI— Si.;.  11 


no  doubt,  consulted  his  own  convenience  by  placing  it 
there,  as  it  would  serve  as  a  reference.  But,  as  for  put- 
ting his  protest  on  the  journals  of  the  senate,  he  (Mr.  E.) 
could  not  consent,  because  it  strongly  reflected  on  their 
own  resolution. 

Mr.  Pohulexter  said,  he  took  the  same  view  of  the 
subject  as  the  honorable  senator  from  Ohio;  that,  although 
the  protest  should  not  be  recorded  on  their  journals,  it 
was  entered  on  the  executive  journal.  It  was  a  part  of 
the  archives  of  the  state  department,  and  the  resolutions 
he  had  offered  to  the  senate,  would  be  nothing  more  than 
an  explanation  to  posterity,  showing  the  grounds  upon 
which  it  refused  to  receive  the  paper.  This  was  all.  It 
was  an  extra-official  document,  and  such  a  one  as  could 
not  be  made  to  either  house  of  congress,  and  therefore 
ought  not  to  he  received.  He  had  shaped  his  resolutions 
so  as  to  speak  in  general  terms  of  the  paper,  in  order  that 
hereafter  it  might  be  adverted  to  without  difficulty.  He 
would  not,  at  present,  go  into  any  discussion  on  the  sub- 
ject, but  would  merely  move  that  the  last  message  be  laid 
on  the  table. 

Mr.  P.  then  offered  his  resolutions,  and  moved  that 
they  be  printed. 

Mr.  JCuig  wished  to  know  whether  the  resolutions  pre- 
sented by  the  senator  from  Mississippi  were  offered  for 
consideration,  or  merely  informally?  If  they  are  laid  on 
the  table,  they  must  be  before  the  senate. 

Mr.  Calhoun  said,  the  motion  to  print  a  paper,  proposed 
to  be  offered  for  adoption,  was  one  of  those  motions  which 
were  frequently  made  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business. 

Mr.  Forsyth  said,  he  might  be  mistaken,  but  it  had  oc- 
curred to  him  that  the  motion  of  the  honorable  senator 
from  Mississippi,  to  print  the  resolutions,  which  were 
hereafter  to  be  presented  to  the  senate,  must  go  oil  the 
journals.  He  (Mr.  F.)  took  it  for  granted  that  the  mes- 
sage, as  well  as  the  resolutions,  would  be  put  upon  the 
journals  of  the  senate.  With  respect  to  what  had  been 
said  by  the  gentleman  from  Ohio,  he  was  entirely  mis- 
taken. The  president  had  done  justice  to  the  senate, 
whose  resolutions  were  spread  in  broad  characters  on 
the  protest.  So  that  posterity  would  be  able  to  see  all 
the  transaction. 

Mr.  Clayton  said  that  was  the  first  time  he  had  ever 
heard  of  the  executive  journals  of  the  president,  in  which 
he  might  enter  and  record  his  manifestoes,  or  the  reso- 
lutions either  in  this  or  the  other  house  of  congress.  But 
with  this,  he  (Mr.  C.)  had,  at  present,  nothing  to  do.  He 
rose  for  the  purpose  merely  of  expressing  his  surprise  at 
the  sentiment  advanced  by  the  gentleman  from  Georgia, 
that  the  paper  sent  to  the  senate  this  morning  retracted 
nothing  of  what  was  stated  in  the  original  protest.  The 
principle  argument  of  the  first  protest  stood  on  this  ground 
— that  the  executive  was  entitled,  by  the  constitution,  to 
the  care  of  the  public  money,  in  defiance  of  any  act  of 
Congress.  The  honorable  senator  from  Virginia,  and 
other  gentlemen  who  spoke  on  Thursday  and  Friday  last, 
contended  that,  if  that  was  constitutional  law,  the  neces- 
iary  inference  to  be  drawn  from  it  was,  that  should  both 
louses  of  congress  order  a  restoration  of  the  deposites  by 
t  constitutional  majority  of  two-thirds,  still,  the  president 
laving  the  cnstodv  of  the  money,  had  the  power  to  re- 
tain it.  He  (Mr.  C.)  understood  what  was  the  object  of 
sending  to  the  senate  this  supplementary  message.  The 
president,  having  found  out  that  such  sentiments  as  are 
contained  in  his  first  communication,  relative  to  this  to- 
ne, would  not  be  very  palatable  to  the  people,  had  at- 
empted  to  explain  away,  at  least,  a  part  of  his  assump- 
tion, which  was  to  his  (Mr.  C's)  mind,  the  most  excep- 
tionable feature  in  the  document,  and  one  which,  if  ac- 
quiesced in  by  the  American  people,  would  at  once  re- 
luce  this  government  to  a  despotism.  It  was  a  doctrine, 
he  principles  of  which,  if  admitted  now,  would  give  the 
incontrollable  right  to  the  present  president,  as  well  as 
ill  future  presidents,  over  the  public  purse,  in  addition 
to  the  sword  of  the  nation.  It  would  tax  even  the  inge- 
mity  of  the  honorable  gentleman  from  Georgia  himself, 
were  he  to  take  the  sentences  contained  in  the  first  pro- 
test, and  read  them  in  parallel  columns  with  sentences 
n  the  message  which  had  been  sent  to  the  senate  that 
iiorning,  to  take  a  plausible  explanation  of  the  one,  con- 
istently  with  the  doctrines  contained  in  the  other.  The 
\onorai>le  senator  from  Georgia  had  designated  it  a  men: 
'explanation  j"«nd  In-  (Mr.  <'.i  sh-mlil  not  qn.iirrl  with 


ib  i       N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY   3,  1834— DEBATE  IN  THE  U.  S.  SENATE. 


any  one  about  the  term.  He  considered  this  paper  as 
retracting;  withdrawing  much  of  what  had  heen  boldly 
claimed  in  the  other;  and  he  heartily  concurred  with  the 
gentleman  from  South  Carolina,  that  it  was  to  the  stand 
taken  in  that  senate  they  were  indebted  for  a  restoration 
of  even  so  much  of  the  constitution  and  laws. 

Yes,  sir,  t'tis  paper  was  received  in  such  a  spirit  as 
had  satisfied  the  executive  that  the  doctrines  which  it 
contained  Would  not  be  sustained  by  the  free  people  of 
this  country.  What  course  the  senate  would  take  with 
regard  to  the  protest,  in  which  there  was  still  left  so 
many  objectionable  features,  he  knew  not.  The  presi- 
dent still  denied  the  constitutional  right  of  the  senate  to 
consider  his  prerogative,  or  executive  power,  and  to  de- 
hate  upon  it,  much  more  to  express  an  opinion  by  a  vote 
with  respect  to  its  extent.  That  was  a  principle  which 
the  president  must  fully  and  clearly  retract,  before  he 
(Mr.  C.)  should  become  satisfied  with  the  document. 
His  next  message  must  contain  an  acknowledgment  of 
the  right  of  the  senate  to  express  its  opinion,  by  resolu- 


tions or  otherwise,  as  to  it  may  seem 


pimoi 
best, 


defining  the 


limits  of  his  power  for  its  own  government,  before  such 
a  document  would  become  palatable  to  him,  (Mr.  C. ), 
and  muet  with  his  concurrence  for  its  reception;  and  as 
a  doubt,  in  the  opinion  of  many,  is  still  left  as  to  his  en- 
lire  meaning  in  this  supplemental  message,  his  nexi 
must,  without  any  equivocation,  distinctly  renounce  all 
claim  to  the  uncontrolled  power  over  the  public  purse, 
before  it  can  be  adapted  to  the  taste  of  the  freemen  o:' 
this  country. 

Mr.  n'ebster  rose.     He  said  he  had  arrived  in  the  city 
and  resumed  his  seat  since  the  debate  began,  and  he  rose 
to  say  that  he  thought  the  transmission  of  this  protest  to 
be  one  of  the  most  important  and  ominous  occurrence: 
of  these  extraordinary  times.    It  is,  said  Mr.  W.  a  com 
munication   of  so   anomalous  a  character,   in   the   firs 
place,  that  it  perplexed  the  discrimination  of  the  senat 
to  know   what   preliminary   disposition  to  make  of  it 
Some  are  for  receiving  it,  others  are  against  receivini 
it,  although  it  has  been  read,  and  its  contents  commente( 
on.     It  seems  to  hang,  at  present,   in  a  pendulous  condi 
lion,  between  reception  and  rejection.     It  has  no  restini 
place.     It  is  like  the  coffin  of  Mahomet,   suspended  be 
I  ween  heaven  and  earth,  as  unfit  to  go  higher,  and  find 
ing  no  proper  abiding  place  below.     But  I  am  unwillin 
that  the  discussion  of  this  great  and  grave  topic  should 
he  embarrassed  by  questions  of  form.     I  am  obliged  to 
the  member  from  Mississippi  for  the  strong  grasp  which 
he  laid  on  the  principles  of  this  paper,  at  its  first  appear- 
ance, but  as  to  the  form  of  proceeding  with  it,  I  confess 
I  should  have  preferred  to  have  passed  over  the  question 
of  reception,  and  gone  at  once  into  the  substantial  cha- 
racter of  the  protest  itself.     It  is  too  interesting,  and 
will   prove  so — too  exciting,  and  will  prove  so,  to  go 
from  the  senate,   till  it  shall  have  received  such  discus- 
sion and  such  reply  as  it  is  entitled  to. 


It  is  said  that  the  paper  is  indecorous,  and  justly  offen- 
sive to  the  self-respect  of  the  senate;  but  there  is  much 
more  in  it  than  indecorum,  or  want  of  respect  to  the  se 


iples  in  the  history  of  free  governments,  in  the  practice 
f  legislatures  in  the  United  States,  or  elsewhere,  he 
as  contented  himself  with  an  ancient  truism  from  the 
lack  letter  law  books,  that  the  house  of  lords  cannot 
nslitute  an  impeachment,  or  frame  articles,  and  then  try 
t  themselves.  But  do  not  the  lords,  as  well  as  the  com- 
mons, express  their  opinions,  by  votes  and  resolutions, 
of  the  conduct  of  ministers  of  the  crown?  Yret  they  have 
lie  power,  and  the  sole  power  of  trying  impeachments. 
The  senate  has  an  undoubted  right,  in  niy  opinion,  to 
express  its  opinions  on  the  public  conduct  of  executive 
)fficers.  The  contingency,  that  it  may  be  called  on  lo 
ry  an  impeachment,  is  no  bar  to  the  exercise  of  this- 
right.  Doubtless  there  may  be  cases  in  which  the  pro-' 
jriety  of  its  exercise  might  be  much  influenced  by  the 
consideration  that  the  senate  held  the  power  of  judging 
on  impeachment.  But  this  is  matter  of  discretion.  In 
every  case,  the  senate  must  proceed  upon  its  own  sense 
of  propriety  and  justice.  There  may  be,  sometimes, 
;ood  reason  to  refrain  from  expressing  opinions,  anil 
iometimes  there  may  be  the  highest  propriety  in  ex- 
pressing such  opinions  in  the  strongest  manner.  The 
right  of  doing  so  is  clear,  and  is  not  to  be  disputed.  The 
possession  of  judicial  power  does  not  abridge  the  legis- 
lative power  of  the  senate.  It  does  not  take  away  any  of 
its  rights  as  a  representative  body. 

Sir,  the  president  of  the  United  States  has  been  mis- 
led. He  is  uninformed,  or  misinformed,  as  to  the  real 
state  of  opinion  in  the  country.  I  fear  there  are  those 
who  share  his  confidence,  and  who  present  to  his  yiew 
only  one  side  of  things.  The  state  of  the  country  is 
alarming.  Members  of  the  senate,  who  have  not  been 
out  of  this  city  for  five  months,  are  not  aware  of  the 
depth  and  strength  of  the  public  feeling.  I  should  like 
to  know  what  advisers  hava  recommended  to  the  presi- 
dent to  send  us  this  protest.  Its  circulation  through  the 
country  will  add  fuel  to  feelings  already  sufficiently  en- 
kindled. The  president  has  around  him  the  heads  of 
departments.  Can  any  body  teH  us  whether  any  of  those 
heads,  and  if  any,  which  of  them,  advised  to  send  tlm 
paper  to  the  senate?  Or  wh'rch  of  them,  if  any,  sat  by, 
neither  assenting  or  dissenting,  afraid  to  speak  their 
minds,  or  unwilling  to  hazard  their  places? 

Sir,  it  is  not  -without  some  color  of  reason,  that  the 
president,  in  this  paper,  speaks  of  the  heads  of  depart- 
nents  as  his  secretaries.  One  half  of  them  have  never 
>een  confirmed  by  the  senate.  Three  of  them,  usually 
called  members  of  the  cabinet,  being  one  half  of  the 
whole,  were  appointed  last  year,  in  the  recess  of  con- 
»ress,  and  now,  when  we  are  near  the  end  of  the  fifth 
month  of  the  session,  their  appointments  have  not  been 
sent  to  the  senate  for  confirmation.  This  is  a  thing  be- 
Fore  altogether  unheard  of.  I  hesitate  not  to  say  that 
this  course  is  derogatory  to  the  rights  of  the  senate,  and 
inconsistent  with  the  intent  and  spirit  of  the  constitution. 
It  is  altogether  without  precedent  Other  presidents 
have  felt  it  their  duty,  when  they  have  made  appoint- 
ments in  the  recess,  to  send  them  to  the  senate  immedi- 


nate;  and  I  think  we  shall  best  consult  the  character  of 
this  body,  and  better  fulfil  the  expectation  of  the  coun- 
try, by  going  at  once  to  the  dangerous  assertions  of  pow- 
er which  the  paper  sets  up,  and  fully  exposing  those 
claims  of  power  to  the  people. 

The  president  denies  that  this  house,  or  indeed  either 
house  of  congress  has  any  right  to  express  any  opinion 
upon  his  conduct,  except  by  way  of  impeachment.  This 
is,  indeed,  new  and  startling.  That  in  a  popular  repre- 
sentative government,  the  representative*  of  the  people 
may  not  express  their  opinions  upon  measures  of  the  exe- 
cutive power,  is  a  doctrine,  I  believe,  now,  for  the  very 
first  time  nut  forth.  Who  has  ever  heard  of  it  before? 
Though  this  right  is  denied  to  either  house,  the  presi- 
dent's reasons  are  urged  mainly  against  the  right  of  the 
senate,  and  the  chief  reason  is,  that  the  senate  are  judg- 
es in  case  of  impeachment,  and  that,  therefore,  until  im- 
peachment come,  it  should  be  silent.  But  this  objection, 
it  is  obvious,  would  stop  the  mouth  of  the  senate,  will 
respect  to  every  other  officer  of  the  government,  as  well 
as  the  president,  because  all  officers  are  equally  im- 
peachable,  and  the  senate  must  try  all  impeachments. 

I  know  not,  sir,  who  drew  this  protest;  but  whoever 
he  was,  instead  of  looking  for  sound  constitutional  prin 


ately  upon  its  assembling.  Usually  such  nominations 
come  to  us  the  first  ten  or  twelve  days  of  the  session.  It 
has  rarely  happened  that  they  have  been  delayed  as  long 
as  a  mouth.  But  near  five  months  have  now  elapsed, 
and  yet  these  nominations  are  not  sent  to  us.  When 
they  do  come,  I  hope  we  shall  know  who  has  approved 
the  sending  of  this  protest.  I  hope  -we  shall  learn  who 
has  made  himself  partaker  in  it  by  positive  sanction,  or 
silent  acquiescence. 

Sir,  I  will  not  now  discuss  the  assertions,  the  preten- 
sions, the  dangers,  of  this  protest.  Others  aru  in  pos- 
session of  the  (lebate.  I  do  not  see  that  the  case  is  alter- 
ed by  this  codicil.  The  whole  measure  is  of  an  alarm- 
ing character.  It  attempts  one  great  stride  towards  the 
accumulation  of  all  power  in  executive  hands;  a  stride 
which  I  doubt  not  the  senate  will  resist  with  firmness  and 
constancy;  and  in  that  resistance  they  will  be  supported 
by  the  country. 

Mr.  Farsytli  said,  it  was  very  unimportant  to  him  whe- 
ther the  last  message  was  considered  an  explanation  or  a 
retraction.  If  the  honorable  gentleman  from  Delaware 
entertained  such  impressions  as  he  had  just  stated,  it  was 
very  easy  to  he  accounted  for.  He  had  probably  read 
the  message  with  a  desire  to  see  thiit  thr  president  had 
committed  an  error,  and,  in  consequence,  niight  have 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   3,  1834— DEABTE  IN  THE  U.  S.  SENATE.       163 


fornittd  an  unfavorable  judgment  of  it.  Now,  with  re- 
gard to  what  had  been  said  by  the  honorable  senator  from 
Massachusetts,  he  begged  leave  to  say  a  word  or  two. 
That  senator  had  reiterated  u  complaint,  which  he  had 
heretofore  made,  in  regard  to  the  withholding  by  the  pre- 
sident of  certain  nominations  of  high  officers  of  the  go- 
vernment. He  was  mistaken  in  point  of  fact.  There 
•was  not  one-half  of  the  cabinet  whose  nominations  had 
not  been  sent  to  the  satiate. 

[Mr.  Webster  said  there  were  three — the  secretary  of 
state,  the  attorney  general,  and  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury.] 

Mr.  F.  resumed.  The  principle  was  the  same,  whe- 
ther it  was  a  portion  only  or  the  whole  of  the  cabinet. 
The  honorable  senator  had  told  the  senate  that  those  of- 
ficers were  in  the  discharge  of  important  duties,  in  viola- 
tion of  the  principles  ot  the  constitution,  and  in  deroga- 
tion of  the  rights  of  the  senate.  He  would  ask  the  honor- 
able gentleman  if  he  had  recently  read  the  constitution? 


[Mr.  Webster.     Yes,  sir.] 

Mr.  F.  continued.  Then  he  would  beg  to  call  his  at- 
tention to  a  particular  part  of  it,  which  declared  tha 
persons  commissioned  by  the  president  should  hol( 
to  the  termination  of  the  next  session  of  congress.  And 
this  was  an  answer  to  the  charge  of  a  violation  of  the 
constitution  having  been  committed.  They  were  the 
officers  of  the  United  States,  as  much  as  if  they  had  been 
confirmed  by  the  senate,  and  would  remain  so  to  the  ter- 
mination of  the  session.  It  was  true  there  would  have 
been  some  difference  in  their  position,  at  this  time,  if 
their  nominations  had  been  presented  to  the  senate  and 
they  had  been  condemned  by  it.  And  upon  this  was 
based  the  complaint.  Honorable  senators  desired  that 
the  nominations  might  be  made,  in  order  that  they  might 
sit  in  judgment  on  them.  He  had  reason  to  belitve  that 
that  was  ihe  fact,  from  the  suggestion  which  had  been 
made  by  the  honorable  senator  to-day,  that  some  plausi- 
ble reason  was  always  sought  for,  so  that  the  presenta- 
tion of  the  nominations  might  be  postponed.  The  gen- 
tleman had  expressed  a  wish  to  know  which  of  the  per- 


iis  views  might  be  preserved  on  the  record  of  the  coun- 
try; but  with  a  request  that  they  might  be  preserved  on 
.he  journal  of  the  senate  with  the  resolutions  condemn- 
ng   him — that  no   inference   contrary  to   the   executive 
jjower  hereafter  might  be  drawn,  and  for  the  purpose  of 
Having  justice  done  to  his  opinions  as  an  officer  and  a 
an. 

He  (Mr.  F.)  entirely  concurred   with   the  honorable 
senator  from  Massachusetts — that  the  country  expected 
and  would  demand,  at  the  hands  of  the  senate,  lh:it  this 
matter  should  be  solemnly  considered  and  decided;  that 
the  question  which  it  had  raised   should  be  treated  as  it 
deserved,  neither  forgetting  what  was  due  to  the  dignity 
of  this  body,  nor  to  the  high  station  and  dignity  of  our 
chief  magistrate.     There  were  most  important  and  grave 
considerations  connected  with  this  matter.     Be  they  true 
or  false,  they  must  be  treated  with  that  respect,  modera- 
tion and  forbearance,  which  became  the  dignity  of  the 
senate,  or  that  body  would  be  lost  in  the  opinion  of  the 
American  people.     Let  the  conduct  of  the  president  be 
fairly  examined,  and  no  incorrect  inferences  be  drawn. 
Yes,  that  was  the  way,  and  the  only  way  in  which  he 
ought  to  be  treated.    His  (Mr.  F's)  opinions  on  the  whole 
matter  were  perfectly  well  understood.     He  considered 
the  charge  which  had  been  made  against  the  president  as 
uncalled  for,  unnecessary,  and  improper;  but  he  trusted 
that  the  senate,  in   its  future  conduct,  would  not  forget 
what  was  due  to  itself,  and  to  the  dignity  of  our  chief  ma- 
gistrate, so  that  justice  might  be  done  him.     He  (Mr.  t'. ) 
WHS  of  opinion  that  the  senate  had   travelled  beyond  the 
bounds  of  propriety,   and   deserved— what  he  believed 
would,  in  due  time,  be  meted  to  them — a,  sentence  of 
condemnation  by  the  people. 

Mr.  Webster  replied.  The  gentleman  from  Georgia, 
said  he,  has  referred  to  the  decision  of  that  high  tribunal, 
by  whose  decision  all  public  men,  and  all  pulilic  bodies, 
must  ultimately  stand  or  fall.  1  cheerfully  join  in  Ihe 
appeal,  and  have  no  fear  of  the  result.  It  cm  never  be, 
that  the  people  of  the  United  States  will,  for  no  earthly 


sons  who  would  have  to  come  under  the  adjudication  of 
the  senate  had  acquiesced  in  the  message.  Perhaps  (said 
Mr.  F.)  there  might  be  an  occasion,  before  ihe  end  of 
the  session,  to  enlighten  his  judgment,  and  then  he  would 
know  exactly  how  he  should  decide  on  another  matter. 
He  (Mr.  F. )  would  contend  that  they  were  officers,  act- 
ing according  to  the  constitution,  and  that  the  president 
had  not  derogated  from  his  duty,  and  he  dare  not  do 
otherwise,  to  present  the  nominations  in  question  before 
the  adjournment  ot  congress. 

With  respect  to  this  anomalous  proceeding,  it  was  un- 
precedented— the  first  instance  in  the  history  of  the  go- 
vernment, in  which  the  executive  had  been  arraigned  be- 
fore the  people  by  the  extra-judicial  conduct  of  the  se- 
nate. Did  the  honorable  gentleman  from  Massachusetts 
think  it  a  trifling  matter  that  the  president  should  have 
been  charged  with  violating  his  duty  and  forgetting  the 
solemn  obligations  of  his  oath  1  And  to  whom  was  the 
president  to  address  himself  but  to  thnse  from  whom  ihe 
charge  had  emanated?  The  senate  had  arraigned  him; 
and  the  honorable  senator  particularly  and  others,  had 
said  that  the  remedy  for  all  this  lay  with  the  people.  He 
(Mr.  F.)  would  admit  that  it  was  for  them  to  decide 
whether  or  not  he  was  correct;  and,  if  he  was  found  guil- 
ty to  punish  him  for  violating  the  constitution  and  the 
laws. 

But,  he  would  ask,  if  it  wns  not  the  right  of  a  party, 
after  '  '  '  '  " 

therealter?      1  lie  q 
placed  there  by  the  senate. 


r  being  condemned  without  a  hearing,  to  be  heard 
reafter?     The  question  now  before  the  people  was 


people 
The  president  then  had,  at 


least  a  right  to  be  heard  by  the  people — no  one  would 
pretend  to  deny  it — and  (hey  would  decide  on  his  con- 
duct, and  either  sustain  or  condemn  him.  How  could 
the  executive  defend  himself,  without  presenting  to  the 
senate  a  statement  of  his  case?  If  he  had  thought  of 
committing  a  fraud,  he  might  have  interwoven  that  mes- 
sage with  a  legislative  proposition,  which  the  senate 
would  have  been  compelled  to  have  received,  and  could 
not  have  resisted;  hut  he  had  done  no  such  thing.  He 
had  presented  a  fair  statement  of  his  case,  and  asked  cm\y 
that  it  might  be  preserved,  in  order  that  his  views  might 
be  seen  by  posterity  and  the  world.  And  he  had  come 
to  the  senate,  not  as  a  chief  magistrate  demanding  that 


reason,  submit  to  severe  suffering  and  to  encroachments 
on  constitutional  liberty;  and,  I  doubt  not,  the  same  peo- 
ple will  stand  by  the  senate  in  all  its  just  and  constitu- 
tional efforts  to  sustain  its  own  rights  and  the  rights  of 
congress.  I  believe  the  senate  stands  strong  in  the  con- 
fidence of  a  majority  of  the  nation,  and  that  nothing  would 
more  produce  dismay  and  despair  than  that  this  body 
should  be  found  to  flinch  or  falter  in  a  moderate,  but  firm 
and  decided,  opposition  to  the  present  course  of  public 
measures. 

The,  gentleman  supposes  I  am  mistaken  as  to  the  num- 
ber of  members  of  the  cabinet  not  yet  nominated  to  the  se- 
nate. But  there  is  no  mistake.  The  secretary  of  state, 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  the  attorney  general, 
have  been  in  office  six  or  seven  months,  and  have  neither 
of  them  been  yet  sent  to  the  senate  for  confirmation. 
What  reason  is  to  be  given  for  this  departure  from  nil 
former  practice  of  the  government'  How  is  it  to  be  jus- 
tified? We  may  conjecture  a  reason,  indeed,  but  it  is 
such  a  reason  as  ought  not  to  exist.  I  knou  \vrll  ilmt 
these  officers  hold  commissions  which  run  to  the  end  of 
the  session.  Such  is  the  constitutional  provision.  But 
I  know,  too,  that  although  that  be  so,  all  other  presidents 
have  laid  such  appointments  before  the  senate  early  after 
the  commencement  of  the  session.  This  has  been  the 
uniform  course;  and  to  hold  so  many  of  the  heads  of  de- 
partments, for  so  many  months  from  the  beginning  ol  the 
session,  is  a  thing  altogether  without  precedent. 

As  to  the  protest,  sir,  it  appears  to  me,  tlint  the  honor- 
able member  from  Georgia  has  conceded  it  away.  He 
admits  that  there  may  arise  emergencies  in  which  the  se- 
nate has  a  right  to  express  its  opinion  upon  executive 
proceedings;  to  make  a  case,  as  he  expresses  it,  for  the 
consideration  of  the  people.  If  this  be  so,  then  the  se- 
nate itself  is  to  be  the  only  judge,  when  that  emergency 
has  arisen.  The  gentleman's  admission  acknowledges  the 
right.  The  exercise  of  the  right  then,  on  nny  given  oc- 
casion, is  matter  of  discretion;  and  this  is  precisely  the 
ground  on  which  I  placed  the  question  when  last  speak- 
ing. Indeed,  it  cannot  be  otherwise.  Suppose  the  pre- 
sident should  commission  persons  to  office,  whom  the  sr- 
nate  has  rejected;  might  we  jiot  resolve,  that  such  a  pro- 
ceeding was  unconstitutional?  Suppose  he  should  thrta- 


161       NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1834— DEBATE  IN  THE  U.  S.  SENATE. 


ten  to  turn  as  out  of  our  seats,  by  force;  might  we  not 
enter  on  our  journal  a  resolution  against  such  menace? 
No  one,  surely  can  doubt  tliis.  The  senate,  then  pos- 
sesses the  right;  on  a  recent  occasion  it  saw  (it  to  exer- 
cise that  right,  in  its  discretion,  and  under  its  own  sense 
of  duty;  and  it  is  a  right  which  its  members  are  bound  to 
maintain,  in  behalf  of  themselves,  and  tor  their  succes- 
sors in  all  time  to  come.  1  say  nothing,  at  present,  upon 
the  claims  of  executive  power  put  forth  in  the  protest. 
All  I  mean  now,  is,  to  assert  the  right  of  the  senate  to 
express  its  opinion  upon  the  conduct  of  the  executive,  in 
critical  emergencies,  and  on  momentous  occasions,  not- 
withstanding no  impeachment  be  pending  before  it. 

Air.  Clayton  said,  die  senator  from  Georgia  had  ob- 
served, that  perhaps  he  (Mr.  C.)  had  been  influenced  by 
a  desire  to  find  the  president  in  error  when  perusing  his 
protest.  Those  who  shall  read  the  remarks  of  the  mem- 
ber from  Georgia  himself,  in  reference  to  the  same  pa- 
per, and  who  are  not  acquainted  with  his  independent 
and  unyielding  course  of  opposition  to  all  executive  en- 
croachments, will  rise  from  that  reading  with  a  deep 
conviction  that  the  honorable  member,  before  he  knew 
the  contents  of  the  protest,  was  predetermined  to  support 
it,  with  every  thing  contained  in  it,  right  or  wrong;  and 
they  will  probably  not  consider  the  honorable  member  a 

E  roper  judge  of  the  motives  with  which  other  persons 
ave  perused  the  same  document. 

Sir,  ibis  protest,  which  meets  the  cordial  approbation 
of  the  senator  from  Georgia,  strikes  at  the  constitutional 
rights,  and  even  at  the  very  existence,  of  the  body  of 
which  he  is  a  member.  \Yhilo  the  president  complains 
of  the  length  of  the  senatorial  term  of  service,  he  dis- 
tinctly declares,  that  the  conduct  of  the  senate,  in  daring 
to  censure  his  acts,  if  persevered  in,  must  inevitably  lead 
to  changes  in  the  constitution  itself.  He  singles  out  in- 
dividual senators  as  the  objects  and  victims  of  his  displea- 
sure; almost  denies  to  them  the  privilege  of  sufferage 
here,  in  relation  to  his  conduct;  and  denounces  the  se- 
nate for  daring  to  debate  and  decide  upon  his  princely 
pretensions  to  prerogative — his  unlimited  and  illimita- 
ble claims  to  executive  power.  Because  we  have,  with 
a  view  to  regulate  our  own  legislative  and  executive  ac- 
tion, ventured  to  lay  down  a  principle,  by  a  resolution, 
defining  and  circumscribing  the  limits  of  his  power,  we 
are  not  only  menaced  by  him,  but  even  lectured  by  a 
member  of  the  body  itself.  To  what  period  of  history 
shall  we  look  for  a  parallel  to  these  things,  which  are 
daily  passing  before  our  eyes? 

Sir,  it  was  in  the  year  1591,  (was  it  not?)  that  the 
judges  solemnly  decreed  that  England  was  an  absolute 
empire,  of  which  the  king  was  the  head.  In  that  age, 
the  royal  claims  of  prerogative  gave  birth  to  a  debate  in 
parliament,  in  which  Mr.  Spicer,  (a  member  of  the 
kitchen  cabinet  of  the  lime,  1  suppose),  said,  the  crowu 
"could  not  be  tied  by  any  law,  because  it  might  loose 
itself  at  pleasure. "  And  Mr.  Secretary  Cecil  told  the 
other  members — "If  you  stand  upon  law,  and  dispute  of 
the  prerogative,  hark  ye  what  Uracton  says — prxrogati- 
vum  nostrum  nemo  AUJJEAT  disttiilare.'"  Mr.  Francis 
Bacon,  a  whole  hog  man,  sir,  said — "As  to  the  preroga- 
tives royal,  he  never  questioned  them,  and  he  hoped  they 
•would  never  be  discussed."  \Yhen  the  question  of  subsi- 
dy was  before  them,  Mr.  Sergeant  Ileyle  said — "Mr. 
Speaker,  1  marvel  much  that  the  house  should  stand  upon 
granting  of  a  subsidy,  or  the  time  of  payment,  when  all 
we  have  is  the  crown's,  and  may  be  lawfully  taken  at  its 
pleasure  from  us.  Yea,  it  hath  as  much  right  to  all  our 
lands  and  goods,  as  to  any  revenue  of  the  crown. "  At 
which  says  the  historian,  all  the  house  hemmed,  and 
laughed,  and  talked.  "Well,  quoth  servant  Hole,  all 
vour  hemming  shall  not  put  me  out  of  countenance." 
[We  have  some  in  this  day,  said  Mr.  ('.  who  areas  hard  to 
be  put  out  of  countenance.]  "So  the  sergeant  proceeded, 
and  when  he  had  spoken  a  little  while,  the  house  hem- 
med again,  and  so  he  sat  down.  In  his  hitler  speech,  he 
said  he  could  prove  bis  former  position  by  precedents,  in 
the  time  of  Henry  III,  king  John,  king  Stephen,  kc. 
•which  was  the  occasion  (if  their  hemming."  Had  sergeant 
Ileyle  lived  in  our  day,  th<-Te  is  no  telling  to  what  a 
piu-li  of  greatness  he  might  not  have  Attained.  It  can 
hardly  be  too  much  to  s:»v  thai  lie  might  have  been  :i 
jgecretary  of  the  treasury,  oral  least  a  postmaster  general, 
Jfith  a  promise  of  the  Russian  mission  in  reversion. 


Observe,  sir,  that,  in  the  debate  to  which  I  have  re- 
ferred you,  the  advocates  of  power  did,  as  they  do  still, 
seek  to  support  it  chiefly  by  precedent  and  usage.  The 
president  builds  his  pretended  prerogative  to  absolute 
control  over  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  in  the  matter  of 
managing;  the  public  revenue  and  keeping  the  public  de- 
posites,  on  "the  usages  and  precedents  of  the  govern- 
ment." The  precedent  on  which  he  and  his  advocates 
here  rely,  was  Established,  not  so  far  back  as  that  of 
sergeant  Heylc — not  in  the  days  of  king  John  or  king 
Stephen — but  in  the  day  when- the  elder  Adams  gave  his 
casting  vote  in  the  senate  in  favor  of  the  removing  power, 
and  laid  the  foundation  for  the  present  claim  in  the  most 
latitudinarian  of  all  constitutional  construction  that  was 
ever  attempted.  The  power  of  removal  was  based  ex- 
clusively on  the  pretence  that  it  was  necessary  for  the 
president  to  have  it,  as  an  incident  to  his  duty  to  "see 
that  the  laws  are  faithfully  executed."  But  until  this 
day,  it  was  never  dreamed,  by  the  most  visionary  of  the 
high  tory  school,  that  the  power  to  remove  embraced  the 
power  to  control,  the  officer  in  every  act  he  was  to  per- 
form. This  president  is  entitled  to  the  fame  of  disco- 
vering, that,  as  his  oath  of  office  binds  him  to  see  the 
laws  faithfully  executed,  he  is  to  exercise  the  power  of 
controlling  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  every  other 
officer,  in  the  discharge  of  duties.  The  monstrous  cha- 
racter of  this  pretension  has  been  thus  illustrated:  The 
president  thinks  that  a  decree  of  a  district  court,  or  a 
circuit  court,  or  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States, 
is  unconstitutional.  He  fulminates  a  bull  against  the 
court,  and  demands  of  it  to  enter  his  protest  on  its  re- 
cords "to  the  end  that  it  may  never  be  drawn  into  pre- 
cedent again,"  as  in  the  case  of  our  resolution.  He  then 
orders  the  marshal  not  to  execute  the  writ  issued  by  vir- 
tue of  the  decree.  The  marshal  persists  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duty,  and  says  he  is  sworn  to  execute  the  writ. 
The  president  replies,  you  are  an  executive  officer,  and 
as  I  must  "see  that  the  laws  are  faithfully  executed," 
and  as  the  constitutution,  which  has  been  violated  by  the 
court,  isthe  supreme  law,  I  command  you  not  to  execute 
the  writ.  The  marshal  still  persists,  and  the  president 
remove*  him — appoints  another,  and  removes  him,  and 
pursues  the  same  process  until  he  finds  a  tool  to  obey  his 
will,  and  thus  abrogates  the  decree  of  the  court.  He  is  to 
exercise  the  same  power  over  every  other  executive  officer 
appointed  by  him  alone,  or  by  the  president  and  senate. 
This  is  the  claim  he  sets  up  in  this  frrotest — this  is  the 
exact  character  of  that  ultra  despotic  rescript  which  he 
thinks  this  senate  is  bound  to  register  at  his  sovereign, 
will  and  pleasure.  In  every  state  constitution,  the  same 
provision,  on  which  the  president  erects  his  pretensions 
to  those  powers,  will  be  found.  They  all  provide  that 
"the  governor  shall  see  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  exe- 
cuted. "  If,  in  one  of  the  states,  the  governor  should 
order  the  public  money  to  be  removed  by  the  state  trea- 
surer, it  would  be  acknowledged  usurpation.  Should  he 
actually  remove  him  from  office  for  it,  he  would  hardly- 
escape  impeachment  himself.  Yet,  under  color  of  this 
single  clause  in  the  constitution  of  the  United  States, 
that,  "the  president  shall  see  that  the  laws  are  faithfully 
executed,"  the  chief  magistrate  has  claimed  the  power 
not  only  to  remove  every  agent  whom  congress  has  plac- 
ed in  custody  of  the  money  of  the  nation,  but  also  to  re- 
nove  the  money  itself,  when  and  where  he  pleases. 

Sir,  such  a  paper  as  this,  claiming  absolute  power,  and 
denying  to  the  representatives  of  the  people  of  England, 
or  either  house  of  parliament,  the  right  to  discuss  and 
lecide  upon  the  extent  of  kingly  power  for  the  govern- 
ment of  tlu-ir  legislalive  action,  would  bring  the  head  of 
i  British  monarch  to  the  block.  It  remains  to  be  seen 
whether  the  milder  temperament  of  the  people  of  our 
free  country  will  stamp  it  with  the  authoritative  sanction 
>f  their  verd'u-t  against  this  senate  at  the  polls.  For  one, 
[  will  stand  or  fall  on  tliis  issue  before  the  people  of  that 
state,  to  which — and  not  to  Andrew  Jackson — I  owe  al- 
.i.gianre.  15y  their  judgment,  unawed  as  they  have  ever 
lec-n,  and  ever  will  be,  by  official  patronage  and  executive 
(>ower,  will  I  be  tried,  and  by  no  other.  They  shall  sny 
"or  me  whether  this  paper,  couched  in  the  language  of  .1 
[{oman  dictator  to  the  senate,  proposing  only  to  "depose" 
land  degrade  it,  by  compelling  it  to  enter  on  its  own 
jeeords  such  claims  of  absolute  power  as  it  contains,  is, 
or  is  not,  a  breach  of  the  privileges  of  that  body  on  whose 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1834— BALTIMORE  MEETING. 


165 


preservation  their  rights,  and  those  of  all  other  sma 
states  of  tills  union,  eminently  depend.  If  this  lion 
•were  npw  to  send  to  the  representatives  a  bulletin  such  i 
this,  lecturing  them  for  the  passage  of  their  resolulioi 
approbatory  of  the  act  of  the  executive  in  continuing  tl 
pet  state  banks  as  bunks  of  deposite,  they  would  instant 
vote  such  an  interference  a  breach  of  their  privilege- 
Seeing  this,  the  people  to  whom  alone  I  defer  on  th 
subject,  shall  try  for  me,  in  the  last  resort,  the  co-ord 
nate  [lowers  and  privileges  of  the  two  branches  of  cor 
gress.  Hut  until  their  verdict  be  given  on  this  issue,  n 
judgment  will  be  entered  or  recorded  against  the  senat 
by  the  votes  of  their  representatives. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  th 
unfinished  business. 

BALTIMORE  MEETING. 

Held  23d  April,  1834. 
Having  briefly  noticed  this  great  meeting  of  the  people,  w 
did  not  expect  to  recur  to  it  again — hut  seeing  that  meetings  Co 
similar  purposes  are  about  to  be  held  at  other  places  and  ma 
become  general,  and  that  the  matter  of  the  protest  of  the  presi 
dent  will  probably  become  a  leading  subject  of  public  di 
cussion,  we  have  thought  it  "due  to  the  record,"  that  an  ac 
count  of  the  first  meeting  held  to  protest  against  the  proles 
should  be  registered,  for  future  reference  and  use. 

Fromtlie  Baltimore  Chronicle  of  Jljiril  24 . 

GREAT  CONSTITUTIONAL  MEETING  OF  THE  PEOPLE. 

At  an  early  hour  yesterday  afternoon,  in  pursuance  of  tin 

previous  call,  the  citizens  thronged  Monument  Square,  the  con 

tiguous  streets,  and  the  area  in  the  east  front  of  the  court  house 

The  meeting  was  organized  by  the  appointment  of 

General  WILLIAM  MCDONALD,  president* 

Vice  presidents, 

Luke  Tiernan,  Solomon  Eliing, 

Charles  F.  Mayer,  J.  K.  Stapleton, 

John  B.  Morris,  Nathaniel  F.  Williams, 

Jacob  Rogers,         ^  B.  I.  Cohen, 

Samuel  Mass,  Win.  Hubbard, 

Wm.  Lorman,  John  Me  Kim,  jr. 

Robert  Purviance,  George  Waters, 

Wm.  Crawford,  jr.  John  Falloii. 

Darius  Stansbury, 

Secretaries, 

David  Stewart,  Peter  Leary, 

S.  D.  Walker,  E.  Larrabee, 

W.  H.  Gatchell,  Z.  H.  Cooch. 

A.  Kirklaml, 

After  which  the  meeting  was  addressed  in  a  most  impressive 
and  eloquent  manner  by  John  P.  Kennedy,  esq.  who  concludec 
by  proposing  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  secondei 
by  diaries  Carroll  Harper,  esq.  in  a  speech  which  elicited  the 
most  cheering  applause  from  the  immense  multitude. 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  consider  the  protest  transmitted 
to  the  senate  by  the  president  on  the  17th  inst.  and  published 
on  the  18th  in  the  official  paper  at  Washington,  as  an  appeal  by 
the  chief  magistrate  to  the  people  against  the  proceedings  of  the 
senate  in  reference  to  the  resolution  passed  by  that  body  on  the 
28th  of  March  last;  and  as  the  said  protest  professes  to  set  forth 
the  views  entertained  by  the  president  as  to  his  powers  under 
the  constitution,  this  meeting  deem  it  their  right  and  duty  to 
express  freely  their  opinion  on  the  subject  matter  of  the  appeal: 

That  they  do,  therefore,  upon  mature  reflection,  uninfluenced 
by  sentiments  of  political  hostility  to  t+ie  president,  but  deeply 
impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  value  of  their  free  institutions, 
and  jealously  alive  to  every  form  of  encroachment  upon  the 
true  principles  of  the  constitution,  whether  the  same  proceed 
from  mistaken  views  of  power,  or  from  ambitious  motives, 
most  earnestly  and  heartily  dissent  from  the  doctrines  pi-omul 
gated  in  the  said  protest. 

1.  That  they  do  utterly  repudiate  the  doctrine  that  the  reso- 
lution complained  of  by  the  president  "is  wholly  unauthorised 
by  the  constitution  and  in  derogation  of  its  entire  spirit."    But, 
on  the  contrary,  they  hold  that  it  is  of  the  very  essence  of  our 
free  government,  that  either  branch  of  the  national  legislature 
shall  carefully  note  and  clearly  announce  in  the  form  of  joint 
or  separate   resolution,    any  act,  by  any   public   functionary 
which,  in  their  opinion,  may  be  an  invasion  of  the  constitution; 
and  that  "the  official  acts  of  the  executive  may  be  taken  up, 
considered  and  decided  upon,  by  either  branch  of  the  legislative 
department,  for  the  purpose  of  public  censure,  without  any 
view  to  legislation  or  impeachment!" 

2.  That  they  do  entirely  reject  the  doctrine  promulgated  in 
the  protest  that  because,  in  a  possible  contingency  of  rare  oc- 
currence, the  senate  may  be  resolved  into  a  judicial  body  to  try 
Impeachments,  it  is  thereby  debarred  the  right  of  announcing  to 
the  people  an  act  of   malversation,  constitutional  encroach- 
ment, usurpation  or  corrupt  design,  coming  within  its  know- 
ledge, of  any  officer  of  the  government,  although  it  may  have, 
at  the  same  time,  every  reason  to  believe  that  a  majority  of  the 
house  of  representatives  will  not  prefer  an  impeachment.     It 
being  the  opinion  of  this  meeting  that,  precisely  in  such  a  case, 
does  it  become  the  most  solemn  duty  of  the  senate  asmiardians 
of  the  constitution  to  proclaim  their  opinion  upon  such  official 
misconduct. 


3.  That  this  meeting  heartily  deprecate,  as  an  unauthorised 
assumption,  the  doctrine  that  "the  whole  executive  powwr  i* 
vested  in  the  president"— that  "he  is  responsible  for  Us  exer- 
cise"—am]  that  "it  is  a  necessary  consequence  that  he  should 
have  a  right  to  employ  agents  of  Ilia  own  choice  to  aid  him  in 
the  performance  of  his  duties,  and  to  discharge  them  when  he 
is  no  longer  willing  to  be  responsible  for  their-acis."  For  al- 
though tins  meeting  do  not  deny  that  he  has  the  power  of  free 
selection  in  his  appointments  to  office,  and,  by  settled  uea<-e 
under  the  constitution,  the  power  of  removal,  yet  they  do  uio'st 
strenuously  reject  the  notion  that  the  public  officer*  are  his 
agents,  subject  to  his  control  or  supervision,  or,  in  any  manner 
re>puii^ible  to  him  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  duties: 
This  meeting  hold  that,  like  himself,  these  are  the  officers  of  the 
law,  responsible  to  the  law,  and  subject  to  no  man's  dictation  in 
the  conscientious  performance  of  the  duties  assigned  to  them 
by  the  law:  That  neither  the  power  of  appointment  nor  of  re- 
moval infers  the  right  of  control,  asserted  by  the  president,  o»er 
the  conduct  of  the  officer  while  faithfully  performing  the  duty 
required  of  him  by  Ihe  law.  And  although  the  members  of  the 
cabinet,  being  in  matters  of  policy,  the  privy  councillors  or  con- 
fidential advisers  of  the  president,  may,  in  such  character,  be 
properly  subject  to  frequent  removal  from  office — yet,  in  all 
matters  where  special  duties  are  assigned  to  them  by  law,  they 
are  as  as  independent  of  the  president  as  any  other  functiona- 
ries of  the  government:  and  it  is  a  plain  infraction  of  the  spirit 
of  the  constitution,  for  the  president  to  use  his  power  of  remov- 
al in  order  to  subdue,  them  to  his  will,  in  a  matter  confided  by 
law  to  their  independent  official  judgment  and  discretion. 

4.  That  this  meeting  unhesitatingly  repel  the  inference  which 
the  president  draws  from  his  constitutional  obligation,  "to  take 
care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  executed."    They  hold,  thai 
:his  obligation  does  not  make  him  "responsible  for  the  entire 
action  of  the  executive  department" — nor  does  it  give  him  the 
jower  of  overseeing  and  controlling  those   who  execute  the 
aws:"  The  extent  of  his  obligation  being,  in  the  judgment  of 

this  meeting,  to  see  that  every  officer  faithfully  performs  the 
duty  required  of  him  by  law,  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  own 
;onscience  and  honest  judgment;  and  every  officer  so  performing 
lis  duty,  is  entirely  independent  of  the  president,  or  any  other 
authority  in  this  land.  He  is  then  amenable  to  the  law,  and 
he  law  alone. 

5.  That  this  meeting  utterly  reject,  as  dangerous  dogmas,  the 
iresident's  assertion  that  "whenever  or  howsoever  the  public 

money  be  obtained,  its  custody  always  has  been,  and  always 

must  be,  unless  the  constitution  be  changed,  intrusted  to  the 

executive  department;"  that  "no  officer  can  be  created  by  con- 
fess for  the  purpose  of  taking  charge  of  it,  whose  appointment 

would  not,  by  the  constitution,  at  once  devolve  on  the  presi- 
lent,  and  who  would  not  be  responsible  to  him  for  the  faithful 
>erformance  of  his  duties."  And,  that  "congress  cannot,  there- 
ore,  take  out  of  the  hands  of  the  executive  department  the  cus- 
ody  of  the  public  property  or  money,  without  an  assumption  of 

executive  power,  and  a  subversion  of  the  first  principles  of  the 

constitution." 

In  opposition  to  these  pretensions,  this  meeting  affirm,  as 
lieir  opinion,  that  it  is  entirely  competent  for  congress  to  place 
he  public  treasure  in  such  depositories,  and  in  the  custody  of 
uch  functionaries,  as  they  may  choose  to  create,  whether  they 
onsist  of  a  bank — of  commissioners  named  and  appointed  by 
n  act  of  congress — or  of  an  individual  empowered  by  law  to 
eep  the  public  funds — in  such  manner,  and  on  such  terms  as 
liey  shall  prescribe;  and  that 'the  public  treasure  shall  be  so 
ept,  free  from  all  possible  control,  supervision  or  direction  of 
he  president.  They  hold,  further,  that  congress  may,  in  like 
tanner,  confide  the  keeping  of  the  public  treasure  to  any  al- 
eady  existing  officer  of  the  government,  prescribing  the  terms 
IK!  manner  of  his  custody,  in  such  wise  as  shall  leave  him  en- 
rely  free  of  any  control  or  dictation  of  the  president,  in  the 
ischarge  of  the  duty  assigned  to  him. 

6.  That  this  meeting  distinctly  reprobate  the  reference  of  the 
resident  to  the  votes  of  individual  senators  who,  he  more  than 
isinuates,  were  bound  to  have  voted  against  the  resolution  of 
le  senate,  because,  as  he  affirms,  they  had  received  instruc- 
ons  from  the  legislatures  of  their  states.  Such  an  insinuation 
nplies  an  unwarrantable  interference  between  the  senators 
nd  their  constituents,  and  virtually  asserts  the  principle,  that 

whatever  encroachments  they  had  witnessed  by  the  executive 
pon  the  constitution,  they  were  bound  to  he  silent,  or  to  ap- 
ove  them,  and  were  not  at  liberty  even  to  take  the  responsi- 
ility  of  representing  what  they  believed  to  be  the  sentiments 
rid  opinions  of  the  mass  of  the  people  in  their  own  states,  in 
iposition  to  the  sentiments  and  opinions  of  their  legislatures. 
For  all  these  reasons  this  meeting  solemnly,  heartily  and 


ost  pointedly  disapprove  and  reject  the  pretensions  to  power 
id  prerogative  set  up  and  claimed  by  the  protest  of  the  presi- 


nn.77 

Further  resolved,  That  this  meeting  look  with  inexpressible 
strusl  and  jealousy  upon  the  protest  of  the  president,  as  an  at- 
mpt  to  avail  himself ofhis  hitherto  wide  and  unexampled  per- 
nal  popularity  to  denounce  and  bring  into  public  odium  the 
nate  of  the  U.  Ststes,  because  that  body  lias  had  the  firmness 
id  the  patriotism  to  -taiul  between  him  and  the  accomplishment 


NILES*  REGISTER— MAY   3,  1834— POLISH  EXILES— AT  NEW  YORK. 


of  his  will,  and  at  the  risk  of  popular  rebuke,  unjustly  threaten- 
ed against  them  by  the  president,  to  take  a  firm  and  decided 
position  in  defence  of  the  constitution. 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  most  cordially  and  gratefully 
sustain  and  applaud  the  senate  for  their  gallant,  palriotic  and 
efficient  resistance  of  the  first  assaults  upon  the  free  spirit,  of 
our  institutions— and  that  we  exhort  them  to  persevere  in  the 
noble  career  before  them,  assuring  tlieni  that  they  have  the 
heart,  the  judgment  and  the  moral  ftnce  of  the  nation  to  vindi 
dicate  and  support  them:  that  Uir.-  gleat  and  glorious  whig,  prin- 
ciple* that  worked  out  the  revolution  and  gave  political  liberty 
•nd  independence  to  this  Is-.nd,  are  again  awake  and  will  move 
forward  with  a  steady  ep.j  irresistible  enerey,  until  the  consti- 
tution and  its  defenders'  are  placed  high  abJve  the  reach  of  at- 
tack. 

John  y.  L,  Mc*Jakon,  esq.  then  rose  and  supported  the  reso- 
lutions i«  «  cpp^ch  which  justified  the  distinguished  reputation 
l»e  has  so  loir,,  enjoyed  for  the  eloquence  appropriate  to  the  pri- 
mary »ssera|,|ies  o(  a  free  and  intelligent  people. 

»**  resolutions  were  then  put,  and  as  announced  by  the  ve- 
*>et»b'.e  chairman,  were  carried  by  an  overwhelming  majority. 
Zoshua  Jones,  esq.  (one  of  the  late  delegates  to  the  general 
Assembly),  then  expressed  his  sentiments  in  connection  with 
th«  present  important  CRISIS,  in  a  manner  worthy  of  his  con- 
stituents, and  most  honorable  to  himself. 

He  concluded  by  offering  the  following  resolutions,  which 
were  seconded  by  Mr.  McMahon,  and  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  is  of  opinion  that  all  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Baltimore,  and  such  of  the  citizens  of  Maryland,  as  can 
conveniently  attend,  who  are  opposed  to  the  doctrines  promul- 
gated by  the  president  of  the  United  States,  in  his  protest  to  the 
senate  and  appeal  to  the  people,  should  assemble  at  an  early 
day  in  this  city,  for  the  purpose  of  most  maturely  considering, 
nnd  solemnly  adopting  such  an  answer  or  address,  and  resolu- 
tions as  will  make  known  to  him  and  the  world,  their  semi 
ments  and  unalterable  determination,  to  redress  by  every  law- 
ful and  necessary  means,  the  usurpation  and  exercise  of  powers 
not  delegated  by  the  constitution  and  laws  of  our  country — and 
the  further  purpose  of  forming  a  state  whig  society,  in  support  ol 
eaid  constitution  and  laws — and  to  this  end, 

Be  it  further  resolved,  That  a  committee  of  sixty  with  power 
to  increase  their  numbers,  be  appointed  by  the  chair,  with  in- 
structions and  authority  to  prepare  an  answer  to  said  protest, 
or  appeal,  and  such  resolutions  as  they  may  deem  appropriate 
to  be  submitted  to  that  meeting — to  fix  and  give  notice  of  the 
day  and  place  for  holding  the  same — to  invite  the  attendance  o 
distinguished  whigs  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  especial- 
ly of  Maryland — to  invite  persons  to  deliver  addresses  on  tha 
occasion — to  prepare  fundamental  rules  for  the  government  o 
a  ttate  whig  society— and  genejally  to  make  such  arrangements 
for  the  accommodation  and  comfort  of  said  meeting  as  they 
shall  deem  necessary  or  expedient. 

[Here  follow  the  names  of  the  committee  of  sixty  which  i 
does  not  appear  necessary  for  us  to  insert — and  this  committei 
being  appointed,  the  meeting  adjourned.] 

LETTER  FROM  MR.  CLAY. 

Mr.  Clay  being  invited  to  partake  of  a  public  dinner,  at  Nor 
folk,  at  such  time  as  might  best  suit  his  convenience,  declinei 
the  invitation  in  the  following  letter: 

Washington,  2&th  March,  1834 

GENTLEMEN— I  received  the  letter  which,  on  the  5th  inst.  a 
a  committee  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  the  borough  of  Norfol 
you  did  me  the  honor  to  address  to  me,  inviting  me  to  a  publi 
dinner  to  be  served  up  at  such  time  as  may  be  convenient  t 
roe.  You  have  been  pleased  to  accompany  the  invitation  wit 
many  flattering  and  friendly  sentiments  towards  me  personally 
I  am,  gentlemen,  greatly  obliged  and  deeply  penetrated  wit 
gratitude,  for  these  demonstrations  of  regard  and  attachmen 
Whilst  I  have  never  been  indifferent  to  the  opinion  of  my  pub 
lie  conduct  which  any  portion  of  ogr  countrymen  might  form, 
liave  been  always  particularly  desirous  so  to  acquit  myself  as  t 
deserve  the  esteem  of  my  native  state,  and  that  of  my  adopte 
residence.  The  assurances,  therefore,  contained  in  your  lette 
that  an  interest  has  always  been  felt  in  my  public  character  b 
the  people  of  Virginia,  and  particularly  by  that  portion  of  thcr 
residing  in  Norfolk  and  its  vicinity,  afford  me  high  satisfactioi 
On  the  two  occasions  to  which  you  are  pleased  to  refer,  with  ap 
probation  of  the  part  1  bore  in  them,  the  union  itself  was  suppo 
ed  to  be  exposed  to  danger;  but  I  solemnly  believe  that  iieithf 
civil  liberty  nor  the  union  can  long  endure  if  the  late  usurps 
tion  of  the  executive  of  the  United  Slates  over  the  public  trej 
eury.and  the  doctrines  by  which  it  is  sustained, are  sanctionc 
by  the  people. 

The  act  of  congress  of  1789,  establishing  the  treasury  depar 
nient,  was  framed  upon  the  principle  of  providing  four  distinc 
independent  and  responsible  checks,  (the  secretary,  comptro 
ler,  register  and  treasurer),  whose  concurrence  was  necessa 
before  a  single  dollar  could  be  drawn  from  the  treasury.  The 
officers  were  placed  under  the  authority  of  the  law,  and  in  tl 
discharge  of  their  official  duties  were  to  be  controlled  by  th 
authority  only.  It  is  now  contended,  in  effect,  that  they  a 
all  bound  to  obey,  not  the  law,  according  to  their  sense  of  i 
obligation,  but  the  will  of  the  president;  and  consequently  I 
may  command  them,  ,,t  his  pleasure,  whenever  he  thinks  pr 
per,  to  issue  the  last  dollar  from  the  public  treasury.  If thi» 
true,  it  is  clear  that  congress  might  as  well  at  once  have  plac 


the  treasury  in  the  sole  custody  of  the  president  with  liberty  to 


use  it  as  he  pleases.  The  supposed  security  of  four  independent 
officers  is  totally  destroyed;  and  their  responsibility  by  impeach- 
ment is  virtually  abolished.     For  they  cannot  be  amenable  to 
the  law  and  subject  to  the  will  of  the  president  both,  if  there 
be  any  incompatibility  between   his  will  and  the  law.     It  is 
further  contended,  that  the  treasury  department  is  a  branch  of 
e  executive  government,  under  the  charge  and  direction  of 
e  president.    Heretofore,  the  whole  money  power  of  the  go- 
rnment  has  been  supposed  to  be   under  the  immediate  and 
elusive  charge  of  congress.    By  the  constitution,  congress  is 
pressly  invested  with  powers  to  lay  and  collect  taxes  and  to 
jpropriate  by  law  the  public  revenue;  and  it  is  also  expressly 
vested   with  authority  to  pass  all  laws  necessary  and  proper 
carry   into  effect  those  powers.     It   was  in  virtue  of  these 
ovisions  of  the  constitution,  that  the  treasury  department  wa* 
nslracted,  and  that  the  secretary  was  brought  into  direct  of- 
cial  intercourse  with  congress. 

But  the  principle  that  the  money  power  of  government  is  in 
e  hands  of  the  legislature,  is  not  confined  to  the  federal  go- 
ernment.  Every  state  in  the  union  proceeds  upon  the  same 
iiiciple.  In  nineteen  states,  the  treasurer  is  appointed  by  the 
gislature,  in  four  by  elections  of  the  people,  and  in  the  re- 
laining  state  by  the  governor  and  council,  themselves  being 
hosen  by  their  legislature.  In  all,  the  treasurer  accounts  di- 
ectly  to  the  legislature.  In  no  one,  is  he  under  the  control  of 
e  governor.  These  are  the  doctrines  of  America  and  of  every 
eally  free  country.  For  the  first  time,  in  the  history  of  our  go- 
ernment,  they  are  now  controverted,  and  others  are  advanced 
liieh  tend  to  establish  that  union  between  the  purse  and  the 
word,  with  which  the  continuance  of  civil  liberty  is  absolutely 
[compatible, 

It  remains  to  be  seen  whether  they  will  be  approved  by  the  peo- 
le.  I  am  happy  to  find,  gentlemen,  that  they  obtain  no  support 
rom  you,  and  it  would  afford  me  very  great  pleasure  to  meet 
ou  on  the  festive  occasion  to  which  I  am  invited,  and  by  a  free 
nlerchange  of  sentiments  with  you,  on  public  affairs,  to  ac- 
uire  from  you  fresh  strength  and  encouragement  in  the  endea- 
or  which  is  now  making  to  sustain  the  constitution,  the  laws 
nd  the  free  institutions  of  our  country.  It  is  true,  as  suggested 
y  you,  that  the  restraints  which  existed  some  time  n«n,  as  to 
y  accepting  the  compliment  of  a  public  dinner,  no  longer  ope- 
ate.  And  I  feel  too,  that  after  a  session  of  near  four  months 
"uration,  a  relaxation  of  a  few  days  would  be  beneficial  to  me. 
lo  where  could  I  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  it  more  than  in  your 
orough.  But  to  the  considerations  arising  out  of  my  public 
uty  in  the  senate,  I  have  to  add,  that  the  delicate  state  of  Mrs. 
May's  health  is  such  as  to  make  me  unwilling  to  leave  her,  for 
even  a  few  days. 

I  regret,  therefore,  that  I  feel  constrained  to  decline  the  ho- 
or  which  you  have  tendered   to.  me.     Bull  request  you,  and 
hose  for  whom  you  act,  to  be  assured  that  I  shall  ever  cherish 
a  grateful  recollection  of  it.     I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  re- 
pect,  your  friend  and  fellow  citizen,  H.  CLAY. 

Messrs.  Joseph  II.  Robertson,  Francis  Maltary,  H.  B.  Gteath- 
mey,  S.  Whitehead,  H.  Woodis,  Edward  Delany,  Samuel  J). 
latrlim,  Thos.  G.  Brou^hlon,  Louis  J.  Fourniquet,  Alexander 
Clarke,  D.  Robertson,  Vincent  Lea,  Arthur  Emerson,  John  Jl. 
Chandler,  Charles  Reid,  Caleb  Bnnsal,  W.  Butt,  James  H.  in?ig- 
iorn,  John  N.  IValke,  John  P.  Leigh,  Richard  Watson,  Joseph 
T.  Jlllyn,  Marshall  Parks,  II.  Pendleton. 

POLISH  EXILES— AT  NEW  YORK. 
From  the  New   York  American. 

The  Polish  exiles,  who  have  come  hither  in  the  Austrian 
frigates,  not  only  without  their  own  consent,  asit  is  iindfrsinixl. 
but  protesting  solemnly  against  being  forcibly  torn  from  Euro- 
rope  and  thrown  destitute  upon  a  land  of  whose  language  they 
are  ignorant,  and  where  they  will  be  without  any  means  of  ex- 
istence, are  entitled  to  the  sympathy  of  this  community. 

These  unfortunate  men — as  we  learn  from  the  writer  of  the 
annexed  letter,  one  of  their  countrymen — were  calhered  to- 
gether from  different  parts  of  Austria— passed  from  brigade  to 
brigade,  down  to  Trieste,  and  there,  being  each  furnished  with  a 
«reat  eoat,  a  pair  of  trowsers,  and  one  or  two  other  necessa- 
ries, sent  on  board  the  frigates — and  thus  were  brought  away 
forcibly  from  Europe.  They  are  each  lo  receive  here  a  sum  of 
about  .«•",  there  is  one  female,  seven,  or  eight  officers,  and  the 
re-t  soldiers. 

The  first  steps  should  be  to  provide  these  people  with  som« 
clothing,  and  an  asylum,  so  thai  they  may  not  be  obliged  to 
prowl  about  the  streets,  or  be  stripped  of  their  little  mnney  by 
persons  taking  advantage  of  their  ignorance  of  our  lan|Mf0, 
&c.  Then  time  might  be  taken  for  making  ulterior  arrange- 
ments. 

Among  these  people  nre  some  who  have  been  f.irriers;  they 
may  find  employment,  we  presume,  with  our  blacksmiths.  The 
creat  mass,  however,  have  only  their  stout- arms  to  rely  upriH. 
Their  case,  we  are  sure,  will  excite  the  sympathy  of  our  citi- 
zens, to  whom  we  commend  the  annexed  appeal  of  Mr.  Gerard. 
To  the  editor  of  the  New  York  American. 

Pin— It  is  in  the  name  of  210  1'olish  exiles,  that  I  ask  thronch 
your  journal,  the  opportunity  of  making  an  appeal  to  your  fel- 
low citizens.  Emboldened  by  the  recollection  of  many  kind- 
nesses which  Americans  have  Invi-Oird  upon  me,  ilurin»  the 
riaht'-cn  months  that  I  have,  dwelt  amonj  them,  1  adders*  niy- 
sclf  to  their  hcaru,  in  the  full  convirtion  that  they  will  not  be 


N1LES1  REGISTER— MAY  9,  1893— SOUTH  EXPLORING  EXPEDITION,     167 


insensible  to  that  compassion,  which  constitutes  now  the  whole 
dependence  of  my  ill  filled  countrymen.  May  they  in  their 
turn  experience  the  blessed  fruits  of  thut  benevolence  which 
has  MO  much  contributed  to  ameliorate  my  condition.  Espe- 
cially, may  they  be  permitted  lo  draw  from  that  source,  which 
the  charities  of  the  ladies  of  New  York  so  abundantly  supplies. 
Soon,  then,  would  the  wretched  state  of  destitution  in  which 
they  now  are,  be  changed  for  one  less  discouraging— and  on  our 
part,  we  Poles,  will  know  how  to  acknowledge  the  aid  that 
shall  be  extended  to  our  misfortunes. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  the  highest  consideration, 
your  devoted  servant,  GERARD,  ancient  polish  officer. 

New  York,  31st  March,  1831. 

On  which  the  Austrian  consul  issued  the  following  card: 
(jtj-\s  it  appears  from  several  articles  published  in  the  daily 
papers  that  the  true  nature  «f  the  transaction  of  the  Polish  pns- 
scngers,  in  the  frigates  of  his  majesty  the  emperor  of  Austria, 
is  not  understood,  the  undersigned  thinks  that  the  following 
statements  of  facts  will  give  every  explanation  on  the  subject. 
In  the  years  of  1830  and  1831,  during  the  last  revolution  in  Po- 
land, a  number  of  those  who  had  taken  an  active  part  in  that 
revolution,  took  refug*  on,  or  were  driven  into  the  Austriar 
territory,  where  the  government  not  only  received  and  grantee 
them  an  asylum,  but  even  generously  maintained  them.  By  fa 
the  greatest  number  of  them  expressing  a  wish  to  go  to  France 
and  others  ta  avail  themselves  of  tlie  amnesty  offered  hy  his  ma 
jesty  the  emperor  of  Russia,  every  facility  was  atlbrded  them  to 
execute  these  their  purposes. 

There  remained,  however,  a  number,  who  could  not  or  wonh 
not  relurr.  to  their  country,  and  could  neither  obtain  passport 
for  other  countries  of  Europe,  all  of  which  were  shut  to  them  in 
consequence  of  sundry  events  well  known.    Under  these  cir 
ciimsliinces  his  majesty  the  emperor  of  Austria  offered  them 
free  passage,  in  national  vessels  to  this  country,  whieh  they  ac 
cepted,  and  signed  for  that  purpose  their   determination.     O 
their  landing  here,  after  having  paid  the  usual  charges  for  pas 
sengers,  the  undersigned,  by  command  of  his  imperial  majest 
paid  each  of  them  forty  dollars,  and  all  of  them,  on  parting  from 
the  ships,  manifested  feelings  of  gratitude  for  the  generous  con 
duct  of  his  majesty,  and  the  good  treatment  on  board  of  the  tw 
frigates. 

It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  their  genera 
f  nod  conduct,  and  having  contributed  all  that  I  have  been  au 
thorisod  to  do  by  my  government,  it  will  afford  me  additional  sa 
tisfaction  to  offer  them  all  the  advice  in  my  power,  and  it  is  pa 
ticularly  gratifying  to  witness  the  generous  feeling  manifested  b 
the  inhabitants  of  this  city,  towards  them,  as  I  feel  satisfie 
they  are  deserving  of  every  friendly  aid  and  assistance. 

L.  BARON  LEDERER,  consul  general. 
Jiustrian  consulate,  Jlpril  4,  1834. 

The  following  reply  has  been  made  on  behalf  of  the  Polish 
exiles  to  the  preceding  statement. 

It  is  but  too  well  known  in  all  Europe  what  reliance  is  to 
lie  placed  upon  the  amnesties  ofmonarchsin  regard  to  the  com- 
batants for  liberty;  and  particularly  upon  that  of  the  Russian 
cabinet.  In  spite  of  repeated  oaths,  the  regulators  of  the  fate 
of  nations,  only  do  what  their  interest  suggests.  The  amnes- 
ties of  Modena,  of  Spain,  of  Naples,  are  but  the  first  fruits 
which  flow  from  the  cornucopias  of  the  paternal  benevolence 
of  the  kings  and  petty  rulers  of  the  other  hemisphere.  The 
Polish  patriots  who  have  the  weakness  to  trust  to  the  emperor 
of  Russia's  forgetfulness  of  the  past,  are  expiating  their  cre- 
dulity in  Siberia,  in  prisons,  or  in  the  regiments  of  the  Musco- 
vites. 

We  have  in  vain  protested  against  our  deportation,  as  con- 
trary to  the  rights  of  nations;  there  remained  to  us  no  alternative 
but  to  return  under  the  reign  of  the  knout,  or  to  proceed  to 
America.  There  were  yet  but  two  chances  remaining:  either 
to  go  the  United  States  or  to  be  conveyed  to  South  America. 
After  having  endured  a  course  of  treatment  a  U  Metternich  in 
the  garrisons  of  Brunn  and  Trieste,  destitutes  of  the  means  and  of 
permission  to  proceed  to  France  and  England,  we  were  con- 
strained to  make  a  virtue  of  necessity,  arid  to  become  burden- 
some to  the  inhabitants  of  this  free  country.  What  could  be 
more  natural  than  what  the  Austrian  consul  has  recently  de- 
clared? He  has  resided  so  many  years  in  this  country  as  to 
forget  the  blessing  of  monarchical  paternity;  he  is  not  acquaint- 
ed with  the  frightful  details  of  the  last  catastrophes  in  Europe; 
find  he  only  does  his  duty  in  representing  things  according  to 
the  well  calculated  instructions  of  his  court.  Could  he,  with 
his  hands  on  his  heart,  putting  himself  in  our  place,  conscien- 
tiously say  that  he  would  have  us  follow  any  other  course  than 
that  which  has  rendered  us  free  from  all  persecution  in  this 
hospitable  land,  under  the  protection  of  thatconstitution-which 
has  been  the  guide  of  the  Poles  for  half  a  century. 

With  respect  to  our  treatment  on  board  of  the  Austrian  fri- 
gates, it  was  not  of  a  nature  lo  make  a  parade  of  it  in  the  port 
of  New  York.  We  abstain  both  from  praising  and  from  blam- 
ing certain  officers,  for  fear  that  the  praise  may  turn  to  the 
injury  of  those  who  are  worthy  of  it,  and  the  blame  to  the 
prolit  of  the  inhuman.  We  are  too  deeply  sensible  of  the  sol- 
vency of  the  holy  alliance  to  he  able  to  believe  a  single  mo- 
ment that  the  entire  expenses  of  our  deportation  are  not  fur- 
nished at  third  hands  from  tlie  proceeds  of  the  confiscated  cs- 


tes  of  the  most  zealous  patriots  of  our  unhappy  comrtrjr.    In 
ehalf  of  the  Poles.  ADALBERT  KONARZEWSKI. 

Reed  street,  No,  34. 

The  Poles  in  Switzerland.  The  French  papers  contsm  torn* 
iirther  particulars  of  the  fate  of  the  unfortunate  Pole*  >u  Swit- 
eiland,  which  show  their  position  to  be  tiuly  deploraftte.  It. 
)pears  that  they  are  carted  from  one  canton  to  the  oilier  wiih- 
ul  receiving  admission  or  shelter  in  any.  The  canton  of  VaudS 
ent  them  lo  that  of  Berne,  where  they  were  not  received.  Fri<- 
urg  refused  to  let  them  pass  through  its  territories,  and  through- 
ut  the  federation  the  troops  have  been  posted  at  the  froutter* 
o  repel  these  hapless  and  pestilent  intruders.  It  appears  that> 
i  trying  to  remove  them  from  the  castle  of  Rolle,  it  had  Seetv 
mud  necessary  to  give  orders  to  a  body  of  gens  d'anaea  tox 
harge  the  115  refugees  in  the  mass  with  bayonet,  but  sooie  hui- 
mne  persons  interposed  and  saved  them  from  this  wtxilstalet 
utchery.  It  is  no',  known  what  is  te  become  of  them. 

CAPE  DE  VERD  ISLANDS. 

A  number  of  residents  of  the  island  of  St.  Jago,  in  their  owi* 
name  and  in  the  name  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  Cape  de- 


Verd  Islands,  have  published  a  card  of  thanks  lo  th 


generou* 


citizens  of  the  United  States  who  contributed  to  their  reHef  in 
he  calamitous  famine  of  1832.  We  make  a  few  extracts  front 
t.  The  style  is  almost  as  flowery  as  thai  of  a  Chinese  procl*- 
uation: 

If  benevolence,  that  purest  emanation  from  the  bosom  of  Iho 
divinity,  first  of  virtues,  corner  stone  of  universal  morals,  and 
iand  of  love  which,  encircling  all  beings,  unites  in  brotherly 
affection  the  whole  human  family — if  benevolence  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlanlic,  in  the  happy  states  of  prosperous  America, 
has  recently  displayed  itself  by  an  act  worthy  of  the  admiration 
ot  ages  and  the  blessings  of  posterity  lo  the  latest  day — let  gra- 
titude arise  from  among  the  barren  rocks  of  burning  Africa, 
wing  its  flight  over  the  immensity  of  the  ocean,  and  present  it- 
self before  you,  generous  Americans. 

Let  nol  the  expression  of  our  gratitude  be  deemed  too  long 
delayed;  it  was  suppressed  by  the  heavy  yoke  which  weighed 
upon  us.  A  government  which  founded  its  authority  of  despo- 
tism, would  not  even  permit  us  to  address  to  you  our  grateful 
acknowledgments,  and  if,  through  an  absurd  policy  or  shameful 
neglect,  it  omilted  to  perform  an  act  of  such  manifest  obliga- 
tion, it  would  have  considered  improper  and  unlawful  any 
movement  which  did  not  proceed  from  its  own  omnipotent  au- 
Ihorily.  Now  the  scene  is  changed;  the  legitimate  government 
of  her  most  faithful  majesty  the  queen  of  Portugal  and  the  con- 
stitution have  been  proclaimed  in  this  archipelago.  We  are  ci- 
tizens, we  enjoy  freedom  of  expression,  and  as  we  can  say  of 
your  immortal  Franklin,  "Eripuit  cocle  fulmen,  sceptramque 
tyrannis,"  may  we  also  say  of  you,  you  snatched  a  numerous 
people  from  the  jaws  of  famine  and  death. 

The  promptness  and  greatness  of  your  benefits  are  equalled 
only  by  the  horrible  extent  of  the  evils  they  relieved.  When, 
your  vessel  arrived  in  this  archipelago,  laden  with  provisions, 
thousands  of  these  unhappy  islanders  were  shuddering  in  the 
grasp  of  death.  Total  destruction  was  the  frightful  destiny  im- 
pending over  them.  It  seemed  as  if  the  exterminating  angel, 
closing  the  fountains  of  the  heavens,  had  sent  forth  a  burning 
blast  and  swept  from  the  fields  all  traces  of  vegetation-.  -To  beg 
was  a  vain  recourse,  for  the  universality  of  the  evil  had  dried 
up  the  sources  of  public  charity.  The  unhappy  farmer  faint- 
ing with  hunger,  roused  by  the  clamorous  cries  of  his  starving 
children,  goes  lo  the  fields  to  tear  from  the  earth  something  to 
relieve  them,  but  all  his  efforts  are  fruitless,  he  falls  lifeless  on 
the  ungrateful  soil,  which  he  had  moistened  in  vain  with  tears 
— the  tender  mother,  turning  away  her  dying  eyes  thai  she  may 
not  witness  the  expiring  agonies  of  her  infant  babe,  suppresses 
her  last  breath  and  yields  up  her  spirit. 

In  this  scene  of  horror,  the  frightful  angel  of  death,  exulting 
in  his  work,  stalked  over  a  vasl  cemetry  heaped  with  dead  bo- 
dies; while  the  guardian  cherub  of  these  islands,  expanding  its 
snowy  wings,  soared  away  lo  yonder  regions  to  inspire  in  your 
breasts  that  pure  benevolence  with  which  you  have  so  gener- 
ously succoured  this  portion  of  the  human  family. 

Yes,  generous  citizens,  ihe  gratitude  we  feel  shall  endure  so 
long  as  there  is  memory  in  man— sooner  shall  the  voracily  o( 
time  destroy  marbles  and  bronzes,  and  the  plough  of  Ihe  farmer 
trace  its  furrows  in  the  soil  on  which  all  these  monuments  of 
human  vanity  now  rest,  than  the  remembrance  of  your  benefits 
be  effaced  from  the  heart*  of  these  islanders;  and  never  more 
shall  the  knee  be  bent  before  the  bright  throne  of  the  Almighty, 
in  prayer  for  deliverance  from  such  a  scourge,  without  at  the 
same  time  offering  up  ardent  supplications  for  the  happiness 
and  prosperity  of  the  country  of  Washington. 
Island  of  St.  Jago,  Cape  Vcrd,  24th  Sept.  1833. 

THE  SOUTH  EXPLORING  EXPEDITION. 

From  the  Mercantile  Advertiser  and  Advocate. 
Extract  from  the  report  of  Dr.  James  Eights,  naturalist  to  the 
late  American  exploring  expedition  of  brigs  Seraph  and  Anna- 
wan. 

After  eiving  a  description  ot  a  new  crustncecus  animal  tc 
on  the  shores  of  the  South  Shetland  islands,  this  talcnled  na- 
turalist remarks:     These  i.-lands  nro   formed  hy  an  extensiva 
clusler  of  rocks  rising  abruptly  from  the  ocean  to  a  consider*- 


169     NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  3,  1854— SOUTH  EXPLORING  EXPEDITION. 


ble  hei"hl  above  its  surface.  Tbcir  true  elevation  cannot  easily 
be  determined,  in  consequence  of  the  heavy  masses  of  snow 
which  lie  over  them,  concealing  them  almost  entirely  from  the 
sight.  Some  of  them,  however,  rear  their  glistening  summits 
to  an  altitude  of  about  three  thousand  feet,  and  when  the  hea- 
vens are  free  from  clouds,  imprint  a  sharp  rind  well  defined  out- 
line upon  the  intense  blui-nnse  of  the  sky;  they  are  divided 
every  where  by  straits  and  indented  by  deep  bays  or  coves,  ma- 
ny of  which  aftbrd  to  vessels  a  comfortable  shelter  from  the  rude 
gales  to  which  these  high  latitudes  are  subject.  When  the  winds 
have  ceased  to  blow  and  the  ocean  is  at  rest,  nothing  can  ex- 
ceed the  beautiful  clearness  of  the  atmosphere  in  these  elevated 


reE 


ions.   The  numerous  furrows  and  ravines  which  every  where 


impress  the  snowy  acclivity  of  the  hills,  are  distinctly  visible 
for  Sitv  or  sixty  miles;  »"<'  Hie  various  sea  fowl,  resting  upon 
thesli">ht  eminences  and  brought  in  strong  relief  against  the 
skv  oftentimes  deceive  the  inexperienced  eye  of  the  mariner 
by  having  their  puny  dimensions  magnified  in  size  to  those  o 
the  human  form. 

The  ocean  in  the  vicinity,  as  far  as  the  eye  has  vision,  is  her 
and  there  studded  with  iceberg?,  varying  in  magnitude  from 
few  feet  to  more  than  a  mile  in  extent,  and  not  (infrequent! 
rising  two  hundred  feet  in  the  air,  presenting  every  variety  o 
form,  from  the  snug  white- washed  cottage  of  the  peasant,  to  th 
enormous  architectural  pile,  containing  either  broadly  expande 
Grecian  domes,  or  having  the  many  lofty  and  finely  attenuate) 
spires  of  some  gothic  structure.  The  sun,  even  at  midsummer 
attains  but  a  moderate  altitude  in  these  dreary  regions,  an 
when  its  horizontal  beams  illume  these  masses  of  ice,  their  nu 
inerous  angles  and  indentations  catching  the  light  as  they  mov 
along,  exhibit  all  the  beautiful  gradations  of  color  from  an  erne 
raid  green  to  that  of  the  finest  blue.  Some  of  them  whose  slop 
ings'ides  will  admit  of  their  ascent,  are  tenanted  by  large  assem 
blades  of  penguins,  whose  chattering  noise  may  be  heard  on  s 
still  'day  at  an  incredible  distance  over  the  clear  smooth  surface 
of  the  sea.  When  the  storms  rage  and  the  ocean  rolls  its  moun 
lain  wave  against  their  slippery  sides,  the  scene  is  truly  sub 
Jime.  Tall  columns  of  spray  shooting  up  far  above  their  tops 
Lioon  become  dissipated  in  clouds  of  misty  white;  gradually  de 
sccnding,  they  envelope  the  whole  mass  for  a  short  space  o 
time,  giving  to  it  much  the  appearance  of  being  covered  with  a 
Tbil  of  silvery  gauze.  When  thus  agitated  they  not  unfrequent 
ly  explode  with  a  noise  of  thunder,  scattering  their  fragments 
far  and  wide  over  the  surrounding  surface  of  ihe  deep.  These 
hill*  of  ice  are  borne  onwards  at  a  considerable  rate,  by  the 
power  of  the  winds  and  waves — when  so,  they  sweep  along 
with  a  majesty  that  nothing  else  can  equal.  The  sun,  as  it  rises 
•or  sets  slowly  and  obliquely  in  Ihe  northern  horizon,  sends  its 
rays  through  the  many  openings  between,  tinging  them  hi-. re 
and  there  with  every  variety  of  hue  and  color;  from  Whence 
they  are  thrown,  in  rnild  and  beautiful  reflections,  upon  the  ex- 
tensive fields  of  snow  which  lie  piled  on  the  surrounding  hills, 
giving  to  tho  whole  scene,  fora  greater  part  of  the  long  summer 
day,  the  ever  varying  effect  of  a  most  gorijroiis  sunset. 

Entire  skeletons  of  the  whale,  fifty  or  sixty  feet  in  length,  are 
not  unfreqiicntly  found  in  elevated  situations,  along  the  shores 
of  the  South  Shetland  isles,  many  feet  above  the  high  water 
line.  Whales  are  very  common  in  their  vicinity,  and  in  calm 
weather  great  numbers  of  them  may  be  seen  breaking  the  sur- 
face of  the  ocean  in  the  many  interrals  which  occur  between 
its  numerous  icebergs,  sometimes  sending  forth  volumes  ol 
spray;  at  others,  elevating  their  huge  flukes  in  the  air.  to  de- 
scend, head  first,  as  it  were,  to  fathom  the  ocean's  depth. 
When  they  perish,  either  from  accident  or  some  more  natural 
cause,  their  carcasses,  in  drifting  towards  the  shore,  are  over- 
taken by  the  billows  and  thrown  thus  far  upon  the  land;  here 
they  are  left  by  the  retiring  wave,  and  in  a  few  hours  tln-.ir 
bones  become  perfectly  denuded  by  the  numberless  sea  birds 
that  feed  upon  tiic  flesh. 

Our  stay  at  these  islands  occupied  a  period  of  four  weeks, 
during  which  time  we  observed  but  one  ebb  and  flow  ol"  the  tide 
in  twuity-four  hours.  I  know  not  if  this  be  universal,  but  have 
been  informed  by  mariners  familiar  in  these  seas,  that  they  have 
generally  found  it  so. 

Not  a  day  occurred  that  snow  did  not  fall,  or  ice  make  on  our 
deck*;  and  during  the  time  we  spent  in  exploring,  between  the 
latitudes  of  60  and  70  degrees  south,  and  54  and  1 1!)  degrees 
west  longitude,  which  was  more  than  two  months,  we  found 
the  current  often  setting  with  eoM.-ideraldc  velocity  from  the 
south  wot  to  the  north  east.  The  prevailing  winds  were  also 
most  commonly  from  the  southwest  and  northwest.  There 
were  evidences  of  a  number  of  active  volcanoes  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  South  .Shetland  i:-lcs;  indications  were  daily  M-en  in  the 
pieces  of  pumice  found  strewed  aloni;  the  beach,  which,  no 
doubt,  comes  from  Palmer's  Land,  Miuati  d  to  the  smith;  De- 
caption  island,  also  one  o!  this  group,  has  boiling  ^pring-,  and 
a  whitish  substance  like  melted  felspar,  exudes  from  .-onie  of  its 
fisHUres. 

After  enumerating  the  amphibious  animals,  tin'-,  aide  natu- 
ralist observes — "There  is  also  a  fourth  species,  which  I  have 
no  recollection  of  ever  having  seen  the  slightest  notice  nf.  It 
is  probably  not  common,  as  I  saw  but  one:  it  u  as  standing  on 
the  extremities  of  it*  lore  fret  (flippers)  tin-  head  and  ehe-i  per- 
fectly erect,  abdomen  curved,  :iini  reMing  on  Ilie  ground;  the 
Uil  Wai  aUo  in  an  Upright  position;  tin:  animal  in  this  altitude 
bore  n  Milking  rc-cml>lanee  to  the  n  presentations  we  In  qiienllv 
mct'l  with  ol  the 'iner'iiaid.'  and  I  thin'<  it  was  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  animals  of  this  gennatM  first  gaveoriftuta  the 


fable  of  the  maid  of  the  sea.  I  regret  that  I  could  not  obtain  a 
nearer  view  of  this  interesting  animal.  When  I  approached 
within  one  hundred  feet,  it  threw  itself  flat  and  made  rapidly 
for  the  sea:  it  appeared  about  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  length, 
and  distinctly  more  slender  in  proportion  than  any  of  the  other 
species;  so  much  so,  that  the  motion  of  the  body  when  moving, 
seemed  perfectly  undulating.  Some  of  the  seamen  had  seen 
them  frequently  on  a  former  voyage,  but  they  were  too  much 
on  their  guard  and  alert  to  betaken."  When  speaking  ef  the 
fishes  inhabiting  this  ocean,  he  says — "Grampus  and  dolphins 
are  quite  common,  and  a  species  of  porpoise  which  I  had  not 
before  seen,  occurs  in  great  numbers.  From  their  appearance 
in  the  water,  their  color  seemed  dark,  with  a  broad  and  some- 
what waved  white  line  extending  from  the  posterior  and  infe- 
lior  part  of  the  head,  backward  and  upward  to  the  dorsal  fin;  a 
second  and  similar  one  commences  on  the  abdomen  imme- 
diately below  the  termination  of  the  first,  and  ends  at  the  origin 
of  the  tail  above;  these  marks  nre  distinctly  visible  as  they 
glide  through  the  sea.  They  are  by  the  sailors  called  sea 
skunks,  and  I  am  told  they  are  confined  to  high  southern  lati- 
tudes. 

The  birds  which  frequent  these  islands  are  much  more  nu- 
merous than  any  of  the  other  classes  of  animals.  Of  penguins 
there  are  five  species.  The  antenodyles  patagonica,  (king 
penguin),  is  Hie  largest  and  by  far  the  most  beautiful  of  the 
species,  and  may  be  seen  in  great  numbers  covering  the  shores 
for  some  considerable  extent.  They  are  remarkably  clean  in 
their  appearance;  not  a  speck  of  any  kind  is  suffered  for  a  mo- 
ment to  sully  the  pure  whiteness  or  the  principal  part  of  their 
plumage;  their  upright  position,  uniform  cleanliness,  and  bean- 
tiful  golden  yellow  cravat,  contrasts  finely  with  the  dark  back- 
ground by  which  they  are  relieved,  so  tlia't  the  similitude  is  no 
unapt  one,  which  compares  them  to  a  regiment  of  soldiers  im- 
mediately after  parade.  The  females  lay  but  one  ess,  on  the 
bare  ground,  which  is  rather  larger  than  that  of  a  goose,  and  of 
about  equal  value  as  an  article  of  food.  The  egg  lies  between 
the  feet,  the  tail  being  sufficiently  long  to  conceal  it  effectually 
from  the  sight.  When  approached,  they  move  from  you  with  a 
waddling  gate,  rolling  it  along  on  the  surface  of  the  ground,  so 
that  a  person  not  acquainted  with  the  fact  might  pass  through 
hundreds  of  them  without  discovering  it. 

The  chinois  forsteri,  (sheath  bill.)  This  is  the  white  pigcnn 
so  often  mentioned  by  mariners  as  inhabiting  the  islands  of  tii'6 
southern  ocoan;  it  is  easily  caught  by  the  hand,  and  soon  be- 
comes domesticated.  We  kept  a  number  of  them  several  days 
after  leaving  the  islands;  they  ran  about  the  decks  apparently 
without  any  disposition  to  leave  them,  feeding  from  the  band  of 
any  individual  that  offered  them  food. 

The  existence  of  a  southern  continent  within  the  Antarctic 
circle  is,  I  conceive,  a  matter  of  doubt  and  uncertainty;  but 
that  there  are  extensive  groups  or  chains  of  islands  yet  un- 
known, I  think  we  have  many  indications  to  prove,  and  were 
t  to  express  an  opinion,  {  would  say,  that  our  course  from  the 
south  Shetlands  to  the  south  west,  until  we  reached  the  101st 
degree  of  west  longitude,  was  at  no  great  distance  along  the 
northern  shores  of  one  of  these  chains. 

The  heavy  clouds  of  mist  which  encircled  ns  so  often,  could 
arise  from  no  other  cause  than  that  of  the  influence  of  large 
quantities  of  snow  or  ice  on  the  temperature  of  the  atmosphere? 
the  hills  of  floating  ice  we  encountered,  could  not  form  else- 
where than  at  the  land.  The  drifting  fuci  we  dlaily  saw,  grow 
only  in  the  vicinity  of  rocky  shores,  and  the  penguins  and  terns 
that  were  almost  at  all  times  abont  us,  from  my  observation  of 
their  habits,  I  am  satisfied,  never  leave  the  land  at  any  groat 
distance — the  current  and  prevailing  winds  continually  bearing 
the  plants  and  ice  along  in  its  course  towards  the  north  ea«t, 
some  of  the  latter  embracing  fragments  of  a  rock  of  a  kind,  Ihe 
of  which  we  could  discover  no  where  on  the  islands 


we  visited. 

When  Palmer's  land  becomes  properly  explored,  together 
with  the  known  islands,  I  think  they  will  prove  to  be  an  ex- 
tensive chain,  stretching  out  to  near  where  captain  Cook's  pro- 
gress was  arrested  by  the  firm  fields  of  ice,  in  lat.  71  deg.  10 
nin.  south  and  west  longitude  about  105  degrees.  Had  that  skil- 
ful navigator  succeeded  in  penetrating  this  mass  of  ire.  he 
would  unquestionably  in  a  short  time  have  made  the  land  to 

hich  it  vvns  formed.  Captain  Woddet.  alter  passing  the  icy 
inrricr  to  the  cast  of  the  south  Shetlands  and  Palmer's  land, 
-nr.-.'r.lcd  in  reaching  the  71  deg.  ].">  min.  south,  (the  highest 
iilitiide  ever  attained  by  man),  and  found  in  crossing  this  chain 
md  progressing  towards  the  south,  that  Ihe  sea  became  more 
reo  of  ice,  and  Ihe  weather  almost  as  mild  as  summer,  evi- 
dently proving  I  think  that  the  south  pole  can  be  nearly  np- 
iroachod,  without  incurring  any  great  degree  of  hazard  in  Ihe 
•Ulonipl.  Rut  for  further  information  on  the  practicability  of 

(•.idling :  the  south   pole.  I    st  refer  to  the  judicious   remarks 

n  Fanning'.-!  voy.iges,  page  472.  with  which  1  perfectly  coincide. 
To  conclude,  in  a  powerful  and  advancing  nation  like  the  Knit 
d  Slates,  with  a  population  whose  daring  enlerpri/.o  has  al- 
eady  carried  our  flag  into  the  remotest  corners  of  the  globe, 
will  not  tin;  just  liberality  of  congress,  authorise  a  di-r.'\.i\ 
ml  e.\jdi.mig  evpediiion  to  these  parts  of  our  globe.  They 
night  thn;  settle  this  interesting  question,  and  also  determine 
vith  cettainty  the  situation,  magnitude  and  evtent  of  these 
nuts,  , mil  by  tliiii  means  open  a  new  source  of  revenue,  and 
idies  to  our  country  in  the  oil,  fur,  animals,  Sic.  which  uiust 
ccessarily  exist  in  these  southern  regions. 


NILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  11— Vol..  X.]     BALTIMORE,  MAY  10,  1834.      [Voi..  XLYI.  WHOM  No.  1,181. 


TUB  PAST— ^THE  PRESENT— FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED   AND   PUBLISHED    BT   H.  NILES,  AT  $5   PER  ANNUM,   PAYABLE  IN  ADYAWCB. 


An  extra  half  sheet,  or  eight  pages,  as  supplementary 
to  the  last  number  of  the  RKQISTKU,  accompanies  the  pre- 
sent— to  dispose  of  some  interesting  articles  which  hail 
accumulated  in  type.  We  would  gladly  repeat  this  ope- 
ration frequently— (though  withouta  hope  of  keeping  pace 
with  the  new  productions  of  matter),  for  these  are  times 
that  will  be  earnestly  referred  to,  a  little  while  hence. 
Without  a  misuse  of  the  worn-out  catch-word  of  the 
"Richmond  Enquirer,"  we  are  on  the  borders  of  an  im- 
portant "crisis." 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  senate  has  refused  to  register 
the  president's  protest,  27  to  16.  It  is  again  reported  that 
there  will  be  an  appeal  to  the  people,  as  has  several  times 
before  been  mentioned. 

We  present  the  message  of  the  president  renominating 
Messrs.  Wager  and  others,  as  directors  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States,  with  the  report  of  the  senate's  committee 
of  finance  thereon,  and  some  extracts  from  the  "executive 
journal"  concerning  these  nominations,  with  the  yeas 
and  nays,  fecc. 

It  will  not  fail  to  strike  the  attention  of  the  reader,  that 
the  message  commences  with  disclaiming  all  pretension, 
or  right,  to  call  in  question  the  reasons  of  the  senate  for 
rejecting  nominations — while  the  chief  part  of  it  is  made 
up  of  suggestions  of  reasons  which  may  have  influenced 
the  senate,  and  of  arguments  upon  those  suggested  rea- 
sons as  though  they  were  established  facts.  Such  is  our 
reading  of  this  paper. 

The  report,  or  reply,  of  the  committee  of  finance, 
written  in  a  dignified  mildness  of  language,  is  exceed- 
ingly severe  in  its  remarks  on  the  suggestions  or  "pre- 
sumptions" of  the  president,  and  in  its  refusal  to  make 
up  an  argument  with  him. 

It  will  be  observed,  that,  having  suggested  certain  rea- 
sons which  may  have  influenced  the  senate  in  rejecting 
the  nominations,  and  presuming  upon  them,  the  presi- 
dent plainly  intimates  that  he  will  not  nominate  any 
other  directors.  The  senate  absolutely  refused,  as  they 
ought,  to  plead  to  the  suggested  reasons,  and  the  "Globe" 
of  Saturday  last  says — • 

"The  report  of  the  committee  of  the  senate  does  not  place 
the  rejection  on  the  conduct  of  the  directors  in  making  their 
communications  to  the  president;  on  the  contrary,  it  leaves  it 
to  be  inferred  that  they  may  have  been  rejected  on  oilier 
grounds;  and  under  such  circumstances,  we  presume  other  di- 
rectors u-itt  be  nominated,  as  soon  as  a  proper  selection  can  be 
made.  It  is  much  to  be  feared,  however,  that  there  will  be 
difficulty  in  obtaining  the  services  of  any  citizen,  while  it  is  left 
in  doubt  whether  the  senate  will  not  reject  them,  if  they  imi- 
tate the  conduct  of  the  late  directors,  in  reporting,  from  time  to 
time,  such  abuses  as  niay  come  to  their  knowledge." 

[The  preceding  is  a  very  ingenious  paragraph!] 

The  subject,  in  general,  invites  many  remarks — but 
we  shall  not  make  them .  The  president  has  no  more  to 
do  with  the  reasons  of  the  senate  for  rejecting  nomina- 
tions, than  the  senate  has  to  do  with  the  reasons  of  the 
president  for  making  them;  either  party  is  altogether  in- 
dependent of  the  other,  in  this  respeet — and,  we  hope, 
•will  always  remain  so.* 


*The  following  rather  queer  remarks  on  this  subject,  appear 
jn  the  "Richmond  Enquirer"  of  the  6th  inst.  We  have  italicis- 
ed certain  of  its  parts— which  "looks  rebellion." 

We  give  up  a  large  portion  of  our  paper  to  the  message  of  (he 
president,  and  the  report  of  the  committee  upon  the  renoiniiia- 
tion  of  the  public  directors,  to  the  senate  of  the  U.  S.  The 
first  bears  date  on  the  llth  March — and  the  second  is  made  on- 
ly on  the  2d  May.  It  is  strange  that  the  senate  should  have  let 
this  matter  sleep  nearly  two  months. 

We  hold  the  perfect  right  of  the  senate  to  reject,  at  their 
pleasure,  any  nomination  which  may  he  made  hy  the  president, 
without  airignine  reasons  for  their  conduct.  We  also  admit  the 
right  of  the  president  to  renominate  the  same  individuals,  upon 
assigning  new  reasons;  but  u-ifhout  criticising  th»  roune  of  the 
senate.  In  this  respect,  Me  senate  owet  no  retfonnbtlity  to  any 
juarfer,  but  to  their  own  consciences  and  to  their  constituents'. 
VOL.  XLVI— SIB.  12 


In  a  subsequent  page  there  is  a  brief  sketch  of  a  debate 
in  the  French  chamber  of  deputies,  on  the  appropriation 
to  carry  into  effect  the  treaty  ol  indemnification  with  the 
United  States,  -which  has  been  refuted  by  a  ma j only  of 
eight.  This  is  bad  news. 

Our  means  are  so  small  compared  with  the  requisitions 
made  upon  them,  that  we  hardly  know  what  to  promise, 
or  hold  out  the  expectation  of  performing — as  to  the  in- 
sertion of  articles:  but  there  are  several  speeches  on  t|ie 
late  protest  of  the  president  against  the  proceedings  of 
the  senate,  however,  that  we  have  a  strong  desire  to  mnko 
room  for — pro  and  con. 

We  publish,  in  a  subsequent  page,  a  recent  and  compa- 
rative statement  of  the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
States.  The  solvency  of  this  institution  was  "question- 
ed" not  long  ago,  by  profligate  or  ignorant  persons! 
Look  at  the  mighty  means  of  the  bank!  The  coin  which 
it  holds,  and  the  debts  that  are  due  to  it  by  the  state  banks 
and  in  Europe,  are  about  the  same  in  amount  as  its  whole 
circulation;  and  if  all  the  state  banks,  (the  deposite  banks 
not  exeepted),  are  not  at  the  mercy  of  the  U.  S.  bank,  it 
has  power  to  forbid  the  making  of  new  discounts  by  them 
— for,  if  the  directors  pleased,  they  might,  by  liberal  is- 
sues of  their  own  notes,  at  any  point  desired,  (if  not  al- 
ready possessed  of  ample  meims],  gather-in  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  the  notes  of  the  state  banks  to  cast  them  down, 
as  rows  of  bricks  are  prostrated  by  idle  boys  in  play — 
each  thumping  against  its  "next  door  neighbor"  until  the 
whole  tier  is  laid  flat! 

A  part  of  the  increased  specie  lias  been  drawn  from 
abroad — but  another  considerable  part  has  been  derived 
from  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  the  solvency  of  this- 
bank,  and  the  intelligence  with  which  its  concerns  are 
managed.  The  labor  of  its  tellers  is  greatly  increased 
by  receipts  of  specie  in  exchange  for  its  notes,  or  in  ac- 
commodating individuals  with  such  notes  in  exchange  for 
those  of  local  banks.  We  know  of  several  cases  in  which 
agents  and  factors  are  particularly  instructed  to  bring 
liome  or  transmit  the  proceeds  of  articles  committed  to 
their  charge,  either  in  specie  or  bills  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States;  and  a  worthy  and  well  informed  gentle- 
man has  just  observed,  that,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Ma- 
ryland, for  an  example,  the  proportion  of  U.  S.  bills  in 
circulation  seems  ten  times  larger  than  ever  it  was  here- 
:ofore.  Such  proceedings  are  exceedingly  detrimental 
to  the  state  banks,  for  they  severely  embarrass  and  re- 
strict the  ordinary  operations  of  some  of  the  sound- 
est and  best  managed  of  them — but  the  bank  of  the  U.  S. 
ias  no  other  instrumentality  in  bringing  them  about  than 
naturally  flows  from  an  undoubted  confidence  in  its  abi- 
lity to  meet  its  engagements,  in  any  emergency — though 
:he  hostility  of  "the  government"  be  superadded  to  the 
"pressure"  of  the  times! 

At  the  beginning  of  the  war  "at  the  knife's  point  and 
:he  knife  to  the  hilt"  (as  a  certain  distinguished  legisla- 
tor has  beautifully  described  the  manner  in  which  he 


The  senate  may  hnve  erred,  and  it  is  highly  probable  that  they 
i.ive  erred,  in  the  motives  which  have  actuated  them  to  reject 


oy  tne  laws  ol  the  land,  we  are  pieaseu  10  learn  rrom  the 
Globe,  that  the  president  is  about  to  nominate  other  directors  to 
the  senate.  The  president  puts  it  upon  the  ground,  that  the  se- 
late  have  not  avowed  their  rejection  of  the  former  directors, 

- 


late  have  not  avowe    ter  reecton  o    te    ormer      rectors, 
tecau-ic  they  had  communicated  the  transactions  ef  the  bank  tr> 
dm  —  therefore,  a*  tkey  have  not  maintained  this  principle,  he, 
inate  otheri.    We  have  not  had  time  to  look  at  the  pro- 


170 


NtLES'   REGISTER— MAT    10,   188 4—  MISCELLANEOUS. 


would  fight),  thfe  bank  was  spoken  of  as  a  "reptile  to  be 
crushed  at  will,  under  the  feet  of  the  secretary  <>f  the  trea- 
sury,"— and  so  fools  believed,  and  silly  ones  rejoiced  at 
it,  tor  they  knew  no  better,  being  entirely  ignorant  of 
the  real  state  of  the  bank,  as  well  as  of  the  nature  of  cur- 
rency— and  inflated,  also,  like  frogs  croaking  on  the  bor- 
ders of  a  muddy  pool,  with  delicious  ideas  of  their  own 
importance,  and  the  power  of  their  own  "sweet  voices" 
to  perform  a  requiem  over  the  bank.  But  their  croak- 
ings  only  made  common-sense  people  laugh — if  not  com- 
pelled to  grieve  at  the  evils  which  ignorance  and  vanity 
had  inQicted — for  the  "reptile"  •would'' nt  be  crushed! 
What  was  next  to  be  done?  The  whole  flock  then 
"jumped  over  the  fence,"  and,  instead  of  "glory  ing"  over 
the  weakness  of  the  bank,  they  abused  it  for  its  strength, 
and  simultaneously  shouted  "monster,"  "monster," 
"monster!"  And  they  had  the  effrontery-— though  they 
said,  years  before,  that  the  bank  ought  to  commence  a  re- 
tirement of  its  business — to  criminate  the  institution  for 
withholding  new  discounts!  Precious  consistency — 
"glorious"  demonstration  of  the  love  of  truth  !  But  that 
ttory,  as  we  said  not  long  ago,  was  soon  kicked  out  of 
every  decent  company,  by  the  simple  shewing  of  the 
bank  that  it  had  not  reduced  the  line  ot  its  discounts  to 
the  extent  to  which  the  line  of  its  deposites  had  been 
reduced — though,  if  the  bank  must  die  at  the  expiration 
of  its  charter,  impudence  itself  should  not  have  blamed 
it  for  restraining  its  discounts.  It  is  a  common  saying, 
and  too  often  seem*  a  true  one,  that  "corporations  have 
no  souU;"  but,  in  this  instance,  Ihe  bank  of  the  United 
States  has  shewn  us  that  it  has  one,  or  that  a  sense  of  its 
own  interest,  to  prevent  a  general  bankruptcy  of  dealing 
men,  has  acted  in  the  place  of  a  "soul;"  and  it  is  well, 
indeed,  that  the  bank  is  not  "THE  MOSSTEH"  which  it 
has  been  so  loudly  and  angrily  proclaimed:  that  certain 
considerations  which  enter  not  into  the  mindg  of  its  ene- 
mies, which  have  no  home  in  their  bosoms,  induce  it  to 
restrain  its  power  to  do  that  harm  to  others  which 
others  designed  to  render  against  itself,  mid  would  still 
exert,  if  they  could!  We  do  not  envy  these  men  the  se- 
cret thoughts  of  their  own  hearts — the  compunctious  vi- 
sitations of  their  own  consciences! — for  we  presume  that 

even ,  must  "know  himself"  sufficiently  well  to  feel 

that  he  is  a  contemptible  night-produced  "toad  stool," 
and  a  miserable  and  filthy  and  pestiferous  thing. 

In  the  present   state   of  affairs,  we  could  not   advise 


The  patriotic  idea  of  breaking  or  "crushing"  the  bank 
of  the  United  States,  has  been  abandoned!  It  may  die  a 
natural  death,  but  all  the  power  of  "the  government" 
cannot  kill  it  before  its  time!  And,  though  the  bank 
cannot  be  killed,  it  may-prostrate  its  tens  of  thousands  of 
the  people,  and  must,  in  self  defence,  unless  the  hostile 
proceedings  Hgainsl  it  are  suspended,  if  not  retraced' — • 
whether  the  charter  shall  be  renewed  in  a  modified  form, 
or  the  idea  of  continuing  a  national  bank  be  altogether 
thrown  aside. 

In  the  present  state  of  the  business  and  currency  of  the 
United  States,  the  notion  of  a  sudden  reversion  to  a  me- 
tallic medium,  is  worthy  only  the  mind  of  a  straight- 
waistcoated  maniac.  It  is  impossible,  unless  in  the  al- 
most universal  ruin  of  all  who  do  not  hold  public  offices, 
and  feed  at  the  public  crib.  These  might  fatten  on  the 
agonies  of  honest  men,  if  paid  in  coin,  or  its  equivalent, 
as  they  are  now.  It  is  the  part  of  every  honest  man  to 
wish  the  preservation  of  a  sound  currency;  and  we  fear- 
lessly assert  that  we  have  the  best  currency  in  the  world, 
in  the  bills  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  being  unde- 
niably better  than  hard  dollars,  because  of  the  reduced 
risk  in  keeping,  or  cost  of  transporting  moneys  from 
place  to  place.* 

The  bank  has  a  mighty  power.  It  has  the  strength  of 
a  giant — but  does  not  exert  it.  The  state  banks  stand  in 
the  relation  of  rivals  to  it,  being  engaged  in  the  same  bu- 
siness; hut  where  is  the  slate  bank  that  asks  the  abolition 
of  a  bank  of  the  United  Stales?  What  possible  better 
evidence  of  the  good  conduct  of  the  bank  can  be  offered, 
than  in  the  imposing  fact  suggested — the  almost  universal 
testimony  of  intelligent  men,  who  know  and  feel  that  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  instead  of  being  a  "monster," 
with  the  will  to  cripple  and  destroy  the  state  institutions, 
is  always  ready,  and  never  has  refused,  to  sustain  such  of 
them  as  had  just  claims  to  a  liberal  support.  If  it  be  said 
that  such  is  the  interest  of  the  bank,  (as  we  believe  that 
it  is),  so  much  the  better!  The  strongest  guard  against 
the  doing  of  wrong,  is  to  make  it  a  person's  interest  to 
do  right. 

The  power  of  the  bank  has  been  as  well  derived  from 
the  intelligent  and  prudential  administration  of  its  con- 
cerns, as  from  the  ignorance  and  vanity  of  those  who 
would  have  "crushed"  it.  It  was  as  though  a  parcel  of 
children,  putting  to  sea  on  a  float  of  loose  boards,  and  arm- 
ed with  elder-bush  pop-guns,  charged  with  cherwed paper, 


the  directors  of  the  bank  (if  our  humble  opinion  were    had  made  an  attack  upon,  and  demanded  the  surrender 

asked),  to  extend  their  circulation  —  yet  we  regret  to  ob- 

serve that  it  is  rapidly  diminishing.    Every  hundred  dol- 

lars of  its  notes  withdrawn,  probably  contracts  the  gene- 

ral circulation  at  least  400  dollars  (for  its  notes  are  better 

than  specie),  and   the  value  of  money  is  too  rapidly  ap- 

preciated, and  so  it  must  go  on.     But  what  can  the  bank 

do?     Can  it  be  asked,  at  this  season  of  peril,  to  extend 

its  business?     Certainly  not.     It  stands,  and  must  stand, 

"like  a  strong  man  armed,"  between  a  sound  currency 

and  a  circulation  of  rag-mouey  —  and  if  the  latter  pre- 

vails, as  many  well-judging  persons  fear  that  it  must,  the 

interests  of  the  bank  itself  will   be  exceedingly  injured. 

Here  are  the  horns  of  the  dilemma!  —  If  the  bank  in- 

creases its  circulation,  it  endangers  itself,  and  will  be 

also  grossly  abused  for  doing  so,  because  of  the  near  ap- 

proach of  the  expiration  of  its  charter  —  if  it  retires  its 

circulation,  (which  the   people  prefer  to  coin),  it  drains 

the  coin  out  of  the  state  banks,  and,  to  four  times  the 

amount  of  such  drains,  reduces  their  discounts  or  accom- 

modations to  the  public!     Hence  the  paralysis  in  busi- 

ness of  all  sorts,  which,  in  our  opinion,  has  only  just 

commenced.     There  are  peculiar  circumstances  which 

must  urge  it  onward.     A  part  of  the  public  debt,  (of  in- 

significant amount,  in  past  times,  but-  now  a  weighty  con- 

cern), is  to  be  paid  —  and  certain  arrangements  ciitt-ri-d 

into  at  New  Xork,  and,  perhaps,  other  places,  to  relieve 

the  pressure  on  business-men,  h«ve  passed  the  period  for 

which  they  were  entered  into.     We  hope  that  they  may 

be  renewed.     The  necessity  of  relief  is  every  day  more 

and  more  apparent.     Distress  gathers  force  as   it  pro- 

ceeds.    And  the  deposits  banks  cannot  long  rentier  the 


ng  re 

relief  that  was  expected  of  them,  through  the  use  of  the 
public  deporitet  —  for,  if  the  orditmry  amount  of  moneys 
be  appropriated,  "the  government"  will  not  have  &  "sur- 
plui,"  at  the  end  of  a  few  months. 


of,  the  CONSTITUTION  frigate — when  commanded  by  a 
Hull,  Jlainbridge  or  Stewart,  and  manned  by  500  Ame- 
ricans whose  "home  is  on  the  deep!"  And  then,  though 
the  precaution  of  even  closing  the  ports  of  the  frigate 
should  not  he  made — though  not  a  single  swivel,  charged 
with  grains  of  sand  only,  should  be  fired  by  her — who 
would  not  laugh  when  they  heard  her  called  a  "monster," 
for  the  simple  reason  that  she  would  not  haul  down  the 
stripes  and  stars  at  the  bidding  of  such  an  enemy?  But 
this  is  not  all — the  ripples  of  the  water  against  her  "iron 
sides"  shakes  into  pieces  the  floats  of  boards,  and  her 
boats  are  hoisted  out  to  save  the  young  ones  who  would 
have  sunk  her — if  they  could  !f 

In  the  preceding  part  of  this  article,  it  is  mentioned 
that  large  amounts  of  specie  were  deposited  in  the  bank 
of  the  United  States,  to  obtain  its  notes.  We  learn,  how- 
ever, that,  in  many  cases,  such  exchange  is  refused  by  the 
bank — and  for  these  reasons,  that  the  bank  generally  pre- 
fers its  own  notes  to  specie — having  an  ample  sufficiency 
of  the  latter,  and  not  knowing  to  what  foul  purposes  the 

*We  have  ?ome  truly  laughable  accounts  of  the  cozening*  of 
some  ot'the  "peti.-h  credit"  members  of  congress,  to  nlilain  bills 
of  the  bank  ot  the  United  States  in  exchange  for  those  which 
are  paid  lliem  in  Washington.  Jlre  there  men  honrstl  How 
modest  is  it  in  them,  to  recommend  to  others  thai  which  they 
will  iioi  take  themselves!  They  talk  about  a  "metallic  curren- 
cy," and  yet  beg  for  accommodation*  from  the  office  of  the  bank 
of  the  United  Slate*.  Let  them  send  or  carry  home,  the  bill* 
of  the  bank  of  the  Metropolis! 

fThe  bank  has  comparatively  increased  the  amount  of  its  ac- 
COiomodalioDI — and,  with  all  the  disposition  that  prevails  to 
misrepresent  and  diitort  the  proceeding*  ni  Its  director*,  ha«  a 
single  instance  of  oppression  been  preferred  and  sustained 
ngaiiiiil  tin-in?  The  demands  on  other  banks  have  been  mode- 
rately urged,  and  in  many  ln«luric<-«  postponed;  and  in  case*  of 
emergency  the  coin  mid  credit  of  ihii  bank  hnvo  been  freely 
tendered  to  oUile  tank*. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   10,  1831— MISCELLANEOUS. 


171 


former  may  be  appropriated  by  malignant  persons;  and 
it  often  happens  that  from  one  to  two  per  cent,  in  coin, 
is  offered  as  a  premium  for  notes  of  this  bank,  and  re- 
fused. This  is  the  natural  result  of  the  war  that  prevails 
against  the  institution — a  war  of  "the  government"  against 
seven  millions  of  the  people's  own  money  vested  in  the 
capital  of  the  bank !  And  besides,  it  is  rather  the  interest 
of  the  bank  to  import  specie  at  the  present  rates  of  ex- 
change, than  to  gather  it  from  the  vaults  of  the  local  banks, 
unless  in  necessary  settlement  of  balances  due. 

The  imbecility  of  those  who  made  war  upon  the  banli 
had  two  leading  causes — first,  the  veto  of  the  president 
on  the  bill  for  recviartering  the  bank,  was  a  war  against 
both  houses  of  congress — and  the  removal  of  the  deposites 
HS  well  a  war  against  the  common  sense  of  mankind,  as 
against  the  house  of  representatives,  \vhich  had,  at  the  last 
session,  by  a  vote  of  109  to  46,  declared  the  public-  mo- 
ney safe  in  this  institution;  and  now,  perhaps,  there  is 
hardly  one  man  in  a  hundred  who  can  "read,  rite  and 
sipher  to  the  rule  of  three,''  being  engaged  in  any  sort 
of  business,  that,  in  the  secret  of  his  own  heart,  regards 
the  removal  of  the  deposites  as  a  wise  or  proper  proceed- 
ing on  the  part  of  the  president.  It  is  almost  universally 
reprobated  by  the  thinking  men,  though  party  will  not 
permit  some  to  confess  it,  openly.  The  people  then,  who 
had  power  over  this  subject,  were  not  on  the  side  of  "the 
government,"  and  the  imbecility  of  the  latter  is  shewn  in 
the  manner  stated  above.  The  moral  force  of  the  coun- 
try is  in  opposition  to  the  will  of  the  president,  to  say  no- 
thing of  the  sacrifices  of  property  and  of  comfort  which 
his  measures  have  already  caused. 

We  shall  make  another  remark,  and  conclude,  intend- 
ing to  refer  to  the  fact  more  fully  at  a  future  day.  The 
batik  is  eomplairied  of  as  a  "monopoly,"  Sec.  But  what 
was  the  origin  of  this  bank?  Was  it  the  contrivance  of 
capitalists,  or  a  project  of  the  government,  to  redeem  the 
republic  of  a  disordered  currency  and  re-establish  public 
and  private  credit?  It  10 as  the  latter!  And  if  the  pre- 
sent bank  shall  be  destroyed,  the  same  causes  will  pro- 
duce the  same  effects,  and  we  shall  have  another  bank! 
But  why  not  profit  by  past  experience?  Must  we  be  re- 
peatedly "brayed  in  a  mortar"  to  maintain  vivid  recol- 
lections of  pains  endured? 

The  reports  that  difficulties  have  occurred  between  the 
committee  of  the  house  of  representatives,  (sent  to  Phi- 
ladelphia, to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States),  and  the  president  and  directors  of  that 
institution,  have  been  continued — and,  indeed,  the  return 
of  the  committee  seems  to  have  been  daily  expected;  but 
things  have  not  yet  proceeded  to  that  extremity. 

We  gather  from  these  reports,  [how  far  they  are  true 
we  pretend  not  to  form  an  opinion],  that  the  committee 
had  claimed  not  only  the  private  possession  of  the  books 
of  the  bank,  as  stated  in  our  last,  but  copies  of  all  letters 
"on  any  subject  in  any  way  connected  with  the  bank,  or 
the  public  d«posites,  or  private  affairs,  which  the  officers 
of  the  bank  may  have  received  from  members  of  con- 
gress, within  the  last  two  years" — of  course,  this  demand 
was  refused:  for,  as  the  "National  Intelligencer"  well 
observes,  "So  jealous  were  the  people  of  this  country,  in 
reference  to  this  matter,  that  a  provision  was  introduced 
into  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  expressly  se- 
curing the  right  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in  their  pa- 
pers, effects,  &c.  'against  unreasonable  searches  and  sei- 
zures.' What  can  be  more  unreasonable  than  the  gener- 
al seizure  of  the  correspondence  of  the  members  of  con- 
gress, -without  warrant,  by  the  assumed  authority  of 
committee  of  congress?"  And  besides,  the  whole  powi 
of  congress  is  contained  in  the  following  clause  of  the 
charter  of  the  hank — "That  it  shall,  at  all  times,  be  law- 
ful for  a  committee  of  either  house  of  congress,  appoint- 
ed for  that  purpose,  to  inspect  the  books,  and  to  examine 
into  the  proceedings  of  the  corporation  hereby  created 
and  to  report  whether  the  provisions  of  this  charter  hav< 
been,  by  the  same,  violated  or  not."  This  is  the  ivholi 
poioer. 

There  is  no  possible  right  in  the  committee  to  mak< 
either  of  the  demands  stated,  and  there  would  be  a  gros 
impropriety  in  listening  to  either  of  them.  They  nre 
claims  that  could  not  be  made  on  the  part  of  a  portion 
ev^n  of  the  directors  of  any  bank,  unless  tinder  a  speda 
order  of  the  board,  in  eoms  particular  emergency.  We 


roust  needs  think  that  the  committee  well  knew  that  such, 
laims  would  not,  and  could  not,  be  honored — and  that 
he  effect  of  a"  refusal  of  them  was  calculated.  We  un- 
erstand  that  a  long  correspondence  has  taken  place  on 
hese  subjects.  There  is  a  plain  and  acknowledged  and 
fffal  remedy  in  "the  government,"  provided  by  the 
barter,  to  ascertain  whether  the  charter  has  been  vio- 
ated  or  not — by  a  writ  of  scire  J'acias.  This  is  indeed 
he  only  remedy  provided' — if  resorted  to,  the  bank  wiil 
romptly  plead  to.it;  but  dares  not  wncourage  suetrwi 
ispornage  as  is  now  for  the  first  time  attempted  in  the 
Juited  States. 

We  have  yet  another  "explosion" — ps  follows: 

M Alt V LAND  SAV13GS    1N8T1TUTIOIT, 

May  6:h,  1834. 

OQhThe  board  of  directors  deem  it  advisable,  under 
existing  circumstances,  to  suspend  the  operations  of  thii 
nstitution,  as  relates  to  the  rsceipt  aiid  payment  of  de- 
osites  for  the  present— and  until  furiher  notice. 

The  stockholders  are  invited  to  attend  a  meeting  at 
Scotti's  long  room,  in  South  street,  on  Thursday  next,  at 
bur  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to  consider  and  decide  on 
lie  course  to  be  pursued  in  settling  the  affairs  of  the  in- 
stitution.* The  holders  of  certificates  of  special  depo- 
sites are  informed,  that  they  will  be  received  in  payment 
of  debts  due  the  institution — and  all  moneys  deposited  or 
eft  in  charge  of  the  institution  t/tis  (lay,  will  he  returned 
:o  those  entitled.  All  notes  deposited  for  collection,  by 
>ersons  not  indebted  to  the  institution,  will  be  delivered 
;o  the  depositors.  , 

It  is  believed  by  the  board  of  directors,  that  in  decid- 
ng  on  the  present  suspension,  they  have  adopted  a  mea- 
sure which  will  tend  to  secure  full  payment  of  all  the  de- 
posites in  the  institution.  By  order  of  the  board, 

J.'  HUTCHINS,  treasurer. 

This  institution  was  a  large  depository  of  the  moneys,  or 
savings,  of  the  productive  classes,  and  its  operations  were 
extensive.  If  we  except  the  bank  of  Maryland,  (which 
failed  sometime  ago),  there  neither  was,  nor  is,  in  this  city, 
any  corporate  body  which  could  have  [directly]  borne  so 
:ieavily  on  the  industrious  and  hard-working  and  econo- 
mical citizens  of  Baltimore.  A  doubt  has,  for  several 
weeks,  existed  us  to  its  ability  to  meet  its  engagements; 
and  a  great  sum  has  been  drawn  from  it,  in  consequence 
of  that  doubt:  but  a  greater  sum  remains  that  could  not 
be  promptly  drawn,  notice  of  the  intention  to  withdraw 
being  required,  and  we  see  the  result  as  above  stated. 
It  is  believed  that  the  institution  may  pay  all  its  debts 
in  a  reasonable  time,  if  able  to  make  reasonable  collec- 
tions of  those  which  are  due  to  it,  and  leave  something 
for  the  stockholders;  for, 'at  the  last  settlement  of  its  st- 
airs, there  was  a  large  apparent  sum  in  surplus  profits. 
We  have  not,  however,  any  particular  knowledge  of  the 
condition  of  this  establishment. 

A  great  crowd  collected  about  the  building  on  Wed- 
nesday morning,  and  a  deep  feeling  of  distress  was  ma- 
nifested, especially  on  the  part  of  several  females;  but  the 
people  conducted  themselves  in  an  orderly  manner,  and 
if  any  had  a  disposition  to  create  a  riot,  it  was  restrained 
for  the  want  of  co-operating  spirits. 

In  a  community  so  pressed  down  as  that  of  this  city, 
every  event  of  this  sort  adds  a  ten-fold  pressure  to  the 
real  amount  of  the  difficulty  itself  by  diminishing  public 
confidence — for  thousands  of  false  reports  are  put  afloat, 
though  there  are  enough  of  bad  ones  in  circulation  that  are 
true — and  the  end  of  these  things  is  not  near  at  hand! 
No  man  can  calculate  the  ending  of  them.  There  is  not  a 
single  ray  of  light  to  guide  us  through  the  gloom  that  en- 
compasses us.  We  have  only  to  fear  the  tshatnt'Xt? 

Several  gentlemen  have  requested  us  to  publish  and  pre- 
serve lists  of  the  presidents  and  directors  of  the  several 
corporations  that  have  failed  in  this  city,  that  they  may  be 
easily  referred  to;  and  also  suggested,  that  certain  dos* 

*The  meeting  WHS  held,  nml  a  general  statement  of  the  affair* 
of  the  in.-titution  has  been  pulilit-heil.  In  the  use  iH'sross  Minis, 
it  chews  a  balanced  account — the  responsibilities  am!  apparent 
mrnns  being  each  $896,082  80— but  nothing  is  stated  by  \vhicb 
the  validity  of  the  means  may  be  tested,  nor  is  nny  opinion  ex- 
pressed of  the  solvency  of  the  establishment.  The  subject  bus 
fiprn  referred  to  an  excellent  committee  of  five  pprjmn?,  who 
aie  «xrteet?d  to  make  a  report  on  or  before  the  19th  inst. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  10,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


investigations  should  be  commenced  by  us,  as  in  times 
past,  when  at  war  with  the  "rag-barons, "&c.  The  ob- 
ject of  the  former  as  we  understand  it,  is  in  the  way  of 
reproof,  that  some  worthy  men  should  have  permitted  the 
use  of  their  names  to  sanction  proceedings  that  have 
turned  out  so  calamitous.  It  is  a  great  misfortune,  that 
such  persons  have  so  acted — for  so  it  is,  in  many  cases, 
that  they  were  as  ignorant  of  the  real  state  of  the  institu- 
tions to  which  they  were  attached,  as  oi  tilings  happen- 
ing in  Kamscliatska — seldom  meeting,  and  then  as  if  only 
to  make  up  a  board !  .But  they  ought  to  be  lield  responsi- 
ble to  the  public,  in  one  -way  or  another. 

The  general  subject,  however,  is  one  that,  on  account 
of  its  locality,  we  are  indisposed  to  meddle  with — for  our 
local  circulation  is  very  limited;  and,  as  we  never  have, 
•we  do  not  choose  now,  to  lumber  our  pages  with  local 
affairs.*  And  withall,  injustice  might  be  rendered  to 
come  individuals:  for  monetary  negotiations  which  appear- 
ed highly  prudent  and  proper  before  "the  fell  experi- 
ment" began,  and  when  cash  com  ted  credit — would  now 
seem  to  have  been  the  result  of  insane  calculations  of 
means.  The  people  are  not  always  willing  to  make  right- 
ful allowances  for  altered  circumstances — and  yet  it  is 
these  which  determine  some  of  the  most  important  events 
of  our  lives.  Principles  do  not  change;  but  the  practice 
on  principles  is  at  all  times  subject  to  various  muta- 
tions. Who  that  made  an  engagement  in  September  last 
to  pay  money  in  May,  present,  and  thought  himself  act- 
ing wisely— does  not  regret  the  proceeding,  if  of  a  nature 
that  it  might  have  been  avoided  at  the  time!  One  thou- 
sand dollars  in'  ready  money  now,  seems  worth  more  than 
1,500  dollars  were  worth  then — and  is  certainly  harder  to 
get  the  possession  of.  Slill  we  believe  that  there  has  been 
much  excessively  imprudent  conduct,  (if  not  fraudulent 
intention),  in  some  of  the  persons  connected  with  these 
bankrupted  institutions. 

The  glory  of  "the  experiment"  is  more  and  more  ma- 
nifest every  day.  In  our  last  paper  we  published  an  ac- 
count of  the  cotton  spindles  which  had  heen  stopped  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Providence,  R.  I.  being  70,400 — we 
have  now  to  add  the  following,  from  the  "Providence 
Journal. " 

Albion,  (more  than  stated), 2,100 

Edward  Walcott, 3,500 

George  Wilkinson, 2,000 

J.  F.  Waleou, 2,000 

J.  Burbank, 1,700 

John  Gardener, 2,500 

John  Slater,  (Jewitt  city), 1,500 


Number  before  stated, 70,400 

Additional, 15,300 


15.300 


Total,  at  this  time 


85,700 


One  of  the  letter  writers  from  Washington  states  a 
curious  circumstance  which  happened  in  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives on  the  2d  inst.  as  follows:  Mr.  Chilton — 
having  the  floor  on  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Jarvis  for  in- 
quiring into  to  the  condition  of  the  District  banks— made 
good  his  statement,  that  he  had  an  important  fact  to  com- 
municate respecting  the /><?*  there,  the  bank  of  the  Metro- 
polis, and  said  that  the  bank  had  violated  its  charter,  by 
the  issue  of  one  dollar  bills,  "with  the  connivance  and 
sanction  of  the  government." 

"This  is  no  statement,  (says  the  account),  unsustaincd  by 
proof,  for  Mr.  C.  exhibited  the  proof,  read  the  note  in  his  place 
in  the  house,  and  on  its  face  it  purported  to  have  the  n-ual 
vignette— bank  of  the  Metropolis,  selected  depository  of  the 
government — and  was  endorsed  Washington,  6th  November, 
1833,  pay  one  dollar  to  S.  Potter,  agent  of  the  treasury  depart- 
ment, and  afterwards  payable  to  F.  P.^BIair,  editor  of  the  Globe, 
the  official  paprr;  through  whose  hands  it  came  with  other*, 
and  was  so  endorsed,  Ste.  Stc.!!!  Mr.  C.  then  placed  in  juxla 
position,  the  clause  by  which  the  charter  of  the  bank  was  de- 
clared to  be  violated,  if  it  should  issue  any  nste  or  bill  of  a 
less  denomination  than  Jive  dollars.  The  bane  and  antidote 
were  both  before  them." 


•This  work  owes  but  little  to  Baltimore  fo?  Its  support.  For 
one  dollar  received  of  its  citizens,  the  editor  has  brought  from 
distant  places  thirty  or  forty  dollars  to  be  expended  among 
them.  It  ii  therefore  manifest  that  he  cannot  go  into  n  sprrml 
examination  of  things  that  are  local  in  their  nature,  and  would 
involve,  perhaps,  nn  occupancy  of  the  chief  part  of  his  paces, 
which  more  belong  to  the  people  of  KBVI  ral  of  the  states,  than 
to  thoae  of  Maryland,  including  the  city  of  Baltimore. 


There  are  several  other  matters  preferred  against  thi 
bank — and  it  seems  probable  that  the  fact  shewn  by  Mr 
Chilton  will  lead  to  an  investigation  of  its  affairs,  which 
it  seemed  resolved  should  not  be  made:  it  being   de- 
nied in  the  house  that  congress  had  power  to  examine 
even  into  the  solvency  of  the  bank  of  the  Metropolis, 
though  a  place  of  deposite  of  the  public  money ! 

The  following  from  a  late  London  paper,  will  not  fail 
to  claim  the  serious  attention  of  thinking  persons.  It  is 
true  to  the  letter,  except  that  the  party  which  has  power 
to  relieve  the  misery  of  the  people,  is  engaged  in  an 
"experiment,"  and  -will  not. 

Tlie  unparalleled  embarrassments  amongst  the  commercial 
classes  of  the  United  Stales,  have  produced  a  great  fclugnaliOQ 
in  the  trade  between  this  country  and  that  recently  flourishing 
republic.  Tiif  numerous  failures  which  have  occurred  in  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and  the  other  cities  of  the 
union,  have  been  fell  both  directly  and  indirectly  in  England. 
Directly  in  their  effect  on  individual  firms,  and  indirectly  in 
their  effect  on  the  general  elate  of  credit.  There  is,  of  course, 
a  great  indisposition  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  to  risk  goods, 
or  to  enter  into  commeicial  transactions  at  present,  in  a  coun- 
try in  which  undoubted  solvency  nnd  unblemished  integrity  are 
no  securities  against  embarrass nieiit  and  ruin,  and  the  commer- 
cial classes  on  the  other  side  tind  too  much  difficulty  in  meet- 
ing their  engagements  in  the  present  disordered  slate  of  tiade 
and  suspension  of  credit.,  to  have  either  disposition  or  ability  to 
extrnd  their  concerns. 

Thus  the  prospects  of  a  vast  nnd  profitable  trade  with  the 
United  States,  which  only  a  few  months  since  teemed  so  bright, 
have  been  clouded,  and  it  is  impossible  to  tell  when  the  cloud 
shall  pass  away.  A  rancorous  spirit  of  party  seems  to  have 
destroyed  every  thing  like  reasonableness  in  the  government. 
Under  these  circustances,  the  close  and  intimate  connection 
between  the  American  republic  and  the  British  empire,  com- 
pels us  to  endure  a  considerable  share  of  the  inconvenience 
resulting  from  the  embarrassments  of  our  trans -atlantic  friends 
and  customers.  The  exports  of  iron,  woogen  goods,  cutlery, 
hosiery,  and  we  have  no  doubt  of  all  other  articles,  have  re- 
ceived a  severe  check,  from  which  they  will  not  recover  until 
the  Americans  and  their  government  recover  their  senses. 
When  that  will  be  it  is  impossible  to  pilous,  for  up  to  the  latest 
accounts,  tlie  exasperation  of  all  parlies  seem  only  to  be  in- 
creased by  the  increasing  misery  of  every  class  of  the  people. 
Each  party  lays  the  blame  on  the  other,  and  none  does  any 
thing  to  restore  public  or  private  confidence. 

Mr.  Schott,  president  of  the  Girard  bank,  at  Philadel- 
phia, has  officially  notified  the  stockholders  that  the  con- 
tract with  the  United  States,  for  the  receipt  of  the  public 
deposites,  will  "cease  and  determine"  on  the  1st  July 


It  is  mentioned  that  Mr.  Rush  has  resigned  his  clerk- 
ship to  the  committee  examining  the  affairs  of  the  bank, 
with  a  view  to  his  nomination  as  a  "government  direc- 
tor" of  that  institution. 

Two  manufacturers  of  buttons,  in  Easthampton,  Mass, 
have  recently  discharged  more  than^/?een  hundred  work- 
ing people — because  of  the  want  of  demand  for  their  pro- 
ducts, in  the  want  of  money  or  credit  to  purchase  them. 
The  discharged  are  chiefly  females. 

United  States  bank  stock  at  New  York,  May  3 — 107}. 

The  packet  ship  Ontario  has  arrived  at  New  York  from 
London,  with  350,000  dollars  in  specie. 

The  business  at  the  gold  mines  of  Georgia  is  said  to 
be  very  profitable  just  now,  and  that  it  will  yield  an  in- 
terest of  15  or  20  per  cent,  profit  on  the  labor  and  capital 
employed  la,st  year.  An  Irishman  named  Thomas  C. 
Bowen  had  withheld  a  deposite  of  14,955  ilwts.  of  gold 
for  the  bnnk  of  Darien,  and  eloped  with  the  property. 
A  teller  in  the  Mechanics  and  Traders'  bank  of  New 
Orleans,  has  also  removed  several  thousand  dollars  of  the 
deposites,  without  assigning  any  "reasons"  for  so  doing. 

The  Jackson  party  has  succeeded  in  the  election  of  con- 
stables in  the  district  of  South-mark,  (Philadelphia),  by  a 
larger  majority  than  usual;  and  also  in  the  election  of 
mayor,  &c.  in  the  new  city  of  Brooklyn,  (opposite  New 
York),  by  a  smaller  majority  than  usual;  hut  has  been 
defeated  in  every  ward  of  the  city  of  ^Ibantt,  and  bv  an 
ag-p-egnte  majority  of  475  votes.  So  also  at  Catskill, 
which,  in  1831,  gave  a  large  Jackson  majority. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   in,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS. 


178 


The  borougli  of  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  hitherto  on 
of  the  strongest  holds  of  the  administration,  hag  electei 
anti-Jackson  officers.  Such  a  result  does  not  appear  ti 
have  been  expected  by  one  party,  and  was  unhoped  fo 
by  the  other. 

The  committee  of  the  five  first  wards  of  the  city  o 

Baltimore,  charged  with  a  certain   "instruction"  to  Mr 

JlfcKtm,  have  made  a  very  able  and  elaborate  report  on 

the  subject — which  shall  be  noticed  when  like  return 

•  from  Anne  Aruudel  county  are  received. 

A  large  "Jackson  Republican"  meeting  was  held  in 
Monument  Square,  Baltimore,  on  Wednesday  evening 
last.  As  we  have  published  the  resolutions  passed  at  the 
other  meeting,  we  shall  give  those  passed  at  this. 

A  memorial  was  lately  offered  in  the  senate,  by  Mr. 
JMcKean,  from  certain  '•'•democratic-republican- Jackson- 
Wolf-citisen*"  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  "New  York  Courier"  says  that  of  85  persons  ap- 
pointed to  make  arrangements  for  the  reception  of  the 
newly  elected  mayor,  more  than  forty  are  office-holders, 

A  lively  report  has  prevailed  that  gov.  Tazeviell,  of 
Virginia,  will  speedily  convene  the  new  legislature, 
because  of  the  present  state  of  public  affairs.  Such  a 
proceeding  might  have  a  powerful  effect  in  these  peril- 
ous times;  but  the  season  is  exceedingly  inconvenient  to 
the  members,  and  the  expense  not  to  be  disregarded,  un- 
less the  necessity  shall  become  manifest. 

There  is  a  majority  in  every  county  of  Mr.  Stevenson's 
district,  in  Virginia,  against  his  political  course,  and  the 
entire  vote  not  less  than  two  to  one  against  the  adminis- 
tration. Mr.  Loyall's  district  shews  more  than  two  to 
one  against  his  votes  in  the  house  of  representatives  of 
the  United  States. 

We  may  insert  some  amusing  paragraphs,  in  the  way 
of  prophecies  concerning  the  late  elections  in  Virginia, 
or  as  attempts  to  soften  down  the  result — which,  it  is  dis- 
tinctly stated,  shews  a  majority  of  at  least  twenty-five 
against  the  administration.  It  is  supposed  that  this  num- 
ber will  be  much  increased,  when  the  legislature  meets, 
in  consequence  of  the  "protest." 

Several  of  the  newspapers  are  wickedly  republish- 
ing  Mr.  Benton's  famous  speech  of  May  4,  1826,  on 
executive  powers,  patronage,  privilege*,  &c.  It  is  really 
an  amusing  article— an  "entire"  reform  one;  and  we  in- 
vite our  numerous  friends  who  preserve  files  of  the  RE- 
GISTER, to  refer  to  vol.  36  page  292,  that  they  may  have 
a  hearty  and  long  laugh;  and,  in  times  like  these,  every 
man  who  causes  a  laugh  should  be  regarded  a  "public 
benefactor!" 

The  New  York  Standard  thinks  it  a  small  matter  that 
114,918  names  are  signed  to  petitions  praying  for  a  re- 
storation of  the  deposites,  and  only  8,751  against  the  re- 
storation. What  is  115,000  to  the  13,000,000  inhabitants 
of  the  United  States?  But  are  not  these  thirteen  millions 
subject  to  some  small  considerations?  In  the  first  place, 
about  three  millions  on  account  of  persons  of  color — then 
xfe-w  millions  for  women  and  children — then  other  mil- 
lions for  persons  who  have  had  no  opportunity  to  sign  a 
memorial,  and  then  a  large  number  for  aliens  and  pau- 
pers, and  others,  who  have  no  right  to  sign. 

The  publication  of  the  JVtnv  York  Stan dar d  has  ceas- 
ed. It  was  one  of  the  most  earnest  supporters  of  the  ad- 
ministration in  the  United  States.  The  "New  York 
Evening  Post"  now  stands  alone  in  that  city,  and  is  much 
disposed  to  run  down  Mr.  Swartwout,  the  collector  of 
the  port,  and  certain  others  of  the  custom  house-officers 
— saying  that  there  are  offences  of  a  ''political  nature 
that  should  have  been  enquired  into." 

Mr.  Foot  has  left  his  seat  in  congress  to  enter  upon 
the  duties  of  governor  of  Connecticut,  and  so  also  has 
Mr,  Lawrence  to  take  his  place  as  mayor  of  New  York. 


Col.  Crockett  is  yet  on  his  "tower"  to  the  north,  and 
has  much  amused  the  people  by  his  originalities,  and  the 
broad  good  humor  that  plays  on  his  "honest  face." 

The  cholera  is  bad  among  the  boats  on  the  western 
waters — several  of  them,  (ascending),  have  lost  from  5 
to  20  passengers — one  lost  8  cabin  passengers.  Several 
U.  S.  soldiers  had  died  on  board  the  steamboat  Phila- 
delphia. 

The  governor  of  Rhode  Island  has  issued  a  warrant 
convening  the  old  house  of  representatives,  stating  that 
doubts  are  entertained  whether  a  quorum  of  senators  has 
been  chosen  by  the  people,  and  that  it  will  be  necessary 
for  the  house  to  take  steps  suited  to  the  emergency. 

The  condition  of  things  in  this  state  seems  awkward 
enough.  In  1832,  says  a  Providence  paper,  the  Jackson 
legislature  passed  a  law  providing  for  the  continuance  of 
the  governor  and  senate  in  office  in  case  of  a  non-election 
by  the  people.  They  endeavored  to  set  aside  the  elec- 
tion of  Mr.  Robbins,  as  United  States  senator,  and  to  sub- 
stitute Elisha  R.  Potter  for  a  vacancy  which  had  not  hap- 
pened. Mr.  Potter  having  been  rejected,  they  repealed 
this  same  law,  and  now  on  the  very  last  day  of  their  po- 
litical existence,  this  DID  house  of  representatives  has 
been  summoned  to  re-enact  this  same  law,  without  which 
the  state  would  be  without  any  government  at  all." 

In  the  first  week  of  the  late  opening  of  the  Xew  York 
canals,  the  gross  receipts  on  the  whole  of  them,  amount- 
ed to  the  large  sum  of  $44,642  42. 

The  Pennsylvania  canals  have  been  doing^  a  good  busi- 
ness for  some  time.  Their  opening  considerably  pre- 
ceded that  of  the  New  York  canals,  and  a  spirited  com- 
petition prevails  to  obtain  the  trade  of  the  "great  west." 

Belgium  does  not  appear  to  have  gained  much  by  the 
revolution  and  separation  from  Holland.  Nearly  all  the 

merchants  have  departed  for  and  located  themselves  in 

he  latter — and  from  the  following  it  appears  that  the 
manufacturers  are  also  moving  away — 

A  letter  from  Antwerp,  in  a  Ghent  journal  says — "The 

louse  of  William  Wood,  Leaven  &  Son,  of  this  city  has 
sold  to  the  clergy  the  extensive  buildings  in  which  they 
carry  on  their  manufactures  of  muslin.  It  is  intended  to 
convert  this  building  into  a  convent  for  nuns.  Before  the 
revolution,  Mr.  Wood  gave  employment  to  about  1,500 

)ersons  in  Antwerp,  and  5,000  in  the  whole  kingdom. 

ie  is  now  going  to  settle  at  Amsterdam,  where  he  al- 
ready has  a  house  under  his  own  name.  Blessed  effects 
of  our  revolution ! " 

There  is  yet  a  great  deal  of  uneasiness  in  South  Caro- 
ina  on  account  of  the  test  oath  required  of  militia  offi- 
cers. Under  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case  we  must 
hink — if  even  believing  that  a  right  exists  to  impose  such 
an  obligation,  it  is  expedient,  at  least,  to  defer  an  exertion 
f  it. 


MISCELLANEOUS   ITEMI. 

In  the  night  of  the  29th  ult.  the  range  of  houses,  called  the 
lenix  building?,  at  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Water  streets,  N. 
fork,  were,  with  the  chief  part  of  their  contents,  cont-umed  by 
ire.  It  broke  out  in  the  fifth  story.  There  were  many  tenant* 
n  these  buildings.  The  printing  establishment  of  tbe  Mercan- 
ile  Advertiser  and  New  York  Advocate  was  in  the  4th  story, 
nd  all  the  presses,  types,  &c.  were  lost— but  happily  insured, 
."'he  publication  of  this  valuable  paper  was  resumed  on  the  5th 
nst.  and  its  appearance  is  much  improved.  The  total  loss  of 
iroperty  by  this  fire  is  not  stated,  but  it  must  have  been  a  large 
n«.  The  loftiness  of  the  building  rendered  it  imposrible  to 
heck  the  progress  of  the  flames  until  they  had  acquired  a  pow- 
r  that  wns  irresistible  unless  after  the  mass  cf  combustible 
latter  was  nearly  exhausted. 

The  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser  gays— "We  are  hap- 
y  to  learn  that  the  money  amounting  to  three  thousand  dol- 
a"r*,  belonpin"  to  the  Morris  and  Delaware  cnnal  company, 
vhich  was  lost  a  few  days  ago,  tins,  every  dollar  of  it,  been  re- 
tored.  The  recovery,  we  understand,  was  effected  at  the  con- 
»s«ional— and  ii  deserves  to  he  known  that  unweaiied  and 
lost  laudnhle  pains  have  heen  taken  by  the  very  reverend  Dr. 
'ower.  and  the  other  Catholic  clergymen  in  our  cily,  for  some 
ime  past,  to  accomplish  'he  restoration.  The  company  it  in- 
ebted  for  U  to  the  immediate  instrumentality  of  tbe  former 
entlernan. 


174 


NILES1  UEG1STEK— MAY    10,   1834— CONGRESS. 


Ther«  is  a  new  mwn  called  "Giand  Gulf"  on  the  Missicsip- 
pi,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Black  rivet,  about  50  milfcs  above 
Natchez.  It  has  only  four  year*' growth,  but  contains  600  or 
"00  inhabitants,  and  many  good  house?  and  extensive  n.^rcan- 
tile  establishments.  Upward.--  of  33.000  bale*  of  cotton  were 
chipped  from  it  last  year.  Tlie  Big  iiiuck  river  extends  be- 
tween 3  and  400  milts  into  the  interior,  and  for  a  long  distance 
is  navigable  by  steamboats. 

The  cholera  made  its  appearance  at  the  plantation  of  Mr.  B. 
Smith,  one  mile  from  Port  Gibson,  Mississippi,  about  the  1st  of 
April,  and,  up  to  the  10th,  there  had  been  forty-two  cases  and 
six  deaths.  The  paper  of  the  llth  states  thai  no  additional 
case  had  occurred.  There  had  been  one  or  two  cases  in  the 
town,  but  no  deaths. 

A  stout,  athletic  man  by  the  name  of  Samuel  Book,  ofLaw- 
renceburg,  Indiana,  died  at  Natchez,  two  or  three  weeks  since, 
of  cholera.  He  was  on  his  way  home  from  New  Orleans.  The 
Natchez  Standard  says,  "His  case  was  purely  one  of  accident, 
and  now-a-days  quite  common  to  persons  under  particular  cir- 
cumstances— exposure  to  the  weather,  and  carelessness  in  the 
choice  of  food  and  general  mode  of  living." 

The  d'-ht  due  by  the  city  of  Boston,  on  the  1st  of  the  present 
month,  was  $1,078,088  23.  The  nmourit  of  bonds  and  notes 
held  by  the  city  was  §157,125  94— leaving  a  nett  balance 
against  it  of  $920,962  34.  This  city  owns  much  valuable  pro- 
perty. 

The  steamboat  United  States,  cant.  Van  de  Water,  touched 
at  Hi*,  mouth  of  the  Genesee  river,  Lake  Ontario,  a  few  days 
ago,  wiili  1,000  passengers! 

The  steamboat  St.  Louis  exploded  on  the  19th  ult.  on  the 
Upper  Mississippi,  and  12  or  14  persona  were  killed  or  serious- 
ly wounded.  She  was  bound  for  Galena. 

The  ship  Tuscany  which  made  so  successful  a  trip  to  Cal- 
cutta, with  a  cargo  of  ice,  is  again  fitting  out  for  the  same 
voyage,  from  Boston,  with  a  cargo  of  the  like  description. 
Another  vessel  will  be  despatched  for  Bombay,  and  the  day 
is  not  far  renioved  when  we  may  behold  ice  us  one  of  the  staple 
exportations  of  the  north. 

At  a  public  sale  of  the  balance  of  the  property  of  Mr.  Boulig- 
ny,  in  New  Orleans,  on  the  llth  ultimo,  we  observe  it  stated 
that  48  slaves  were  sold  for  the  sum  of  forty  two  tkoutand  four 
hundred  and  ten  dollars. 

The  Maryland  state  colonization  society  have  succeeded  in 
purchasing  and  commencing  the  settlement  of  a  tract  of  lane 
at  cape  Palmas,  in  Africa,  lo  which  they  have  given  the  name 
of  Maryland.  It  contains  about  400  square  miles.  The  lain 
it  said  to  be  of  excellent  quality  and  well  timbered,  and 
in  point  of  salubrity,  one  of  the  mo.-t  desirable  spots  on  tin 
western  coa.i  of  Africa.  The  country  around  is  not  infestec 
with  swamp*  and  mangroves  as  elsewhere.  The  harbor  of  the 
territory  i>  represented  as  decidedly  the  best  from  Sierra  Leon 
to  Fernando  Po,  affording  a  perfectly  safe  anchorage  for  th 
largest  vessels,  within  pistol  shot  of  the  shore. 

To  the  credit  of  the  society,  ami  their  agent  in  the  purchase 
James  Hall,  esq.it  should  he  remarked  that  the  bargain  will 
the  natives  was  concluded  upon  the  most  reasonable  terms 
and  in  a  «txjrter  time,  probably,  than  any  treaty  of  the  kind  wa 
ever  before  effected,  without  the  intervention  of  spirituous  li 
quors.  [Gazette. 

The  Arkansas  Gazette  say*— '-'About  540  emigrating  Chero 
Jcees,  from  the  old  nation,  east  of  the  Mississippi,  passed  up  th 
Arkansas  a  few  days  ago,  in  charge  of  lieut.  Harris,  U.S.A.,  on 
board  the   steamboat  Thomas  Yeatmau,  on  their  way  to  join 
their  brethren  west  of  this  territory." 

Two  gentlemen  joint  keeprrs  of  a  "coffee  house,"  wer 
looed  yesterday.  The  senior  partner  to  the  amount  of  $2,000 
and  costs,  and  the  junior,  $800  and  coetn—  for  permitting  gain 
hling  to  be  carried  on  in  their  premises.  They  were  too  polite  t 
contend  with  his  honor  the  commonwealth.  [Boston  Post. 

Tha  New  Orleans  Advertiser  of  the  27th  March,  paid — 
"There  are  now  loading  at  tlic  sugar  refinery  of  Messrs.  Fore 
•tall  fc  Co.  four  vessels  for  the  Mediterranean.  The  refinery  i 
fituated  about  two  miles  below  the  city.  One  hundred  an 
thirty  men  are  employed  in  it,  and  th«  quantity  of  sugar  refine 
amounts  annually  to  about  12.000,000  of  pounds.  The  whol 
process  it  done  by  strain,  and  it  is  Knid  to  be  without  exception 
the  mnA  extensive  and  complete  establishment  of  the  kind  i 
the  whole  world." 

.In  answer  to  nn  inquiry  by  Mr.  William*,  of  N.  C.  in  th 
house  ol  representative!',  Mr.  Polk  stated  that  there  were  30,00 
applications  for  petitions  now  before  the  pension  office,  and  no 
yet  decided  upon. 

The  budget  of  expenditure  of  the  Dutch  government  forth 
present  (1834)  !•  53,892 ,828  florins,  which  answers  to  j£4.491,0t; 
merlinr,  and  the  population  of  Holland  being  3,500,000,  tb 
triv<'»  X  1  16».  a-liead  for  the  taxation  in  money;  and  the  price  c 
wheat  being  30s  M.  ihi  quarter,  this  gives  9.39  bushel*  a-hea 
for  the  taxation  in  wheat. 

,.T,^.£»pulationof  Grent  Britain,  in   1833,  wan  estimated  a 
,ie,35-,398,  viz:     Agriculiural  occupiers,  1,500,000;   laborer 


800,000;  mining  600,000;  manufacturer*  2,400,000;  proprietors 
d  annuiter*  1,116,398;   seamen  and  soldiers  831,000;  *hop- 
eepers  2,100,000;  all  other  classes  3,190,000. 

The  mail  boat,  Star  of  the  West,  plying  between  Mobile  and 
ew  Orleans,  exploded  on  the  18th  ult.  by  which  two  persons 
ere  killed  and  several  wounded. 

Several  blacks  have  been  sent  to  the  penitentiary  fora  violent 
ttempt  to  rescue  a  slave,  at  Philadelphia. 

The  British  frigate  President  [formerly  U.  S.  frigatej  has  been 
rdcred  from  England  to  the  West  Indies,  to  bear  the  flag  of  ad- 
lirul  Cockburn. 

The  cholera  has  caused  many  deaths  not  far  from  Columbus, 
it- o.  but  was  subsiding. 

One  of  the  Boston  papers  publishes  a  regular  bill  against  Ihe 
avy  department,  approved  by  capt.  Elliott,  and  paid  by  the  na- 
y  agent,  for  the  sum  of  $210  96  "for  refreshments  provided 
uriny  the  docking  of  the  constitution,  June  24,  1833." 

Capt.  New,  of  the  brig  Julia,  at  New  York  from  Africa,  states 
iiat  II.  B.  M.  ship  Etna  boarded  the  American  ship  Rosannah, 
ml  forcibly  took  from  her  two  seamen,  in  February  last,  while 
ying  at  St.  Jago. 

FOREIGN  NEWS. 

rrom  Liverpool  papers  to  the  8/A,  and  London  to  the  1th  April, 

inclusive. 

GREAT   BRITAIN   AND   IRELAND. 

The  rumors  of  an  interference  in  favor  of  Donna  Maria  by 
he  troops  of  Spain,  hud  produced  a  decided  improvement  in 
avor  of  Portuguese  securities. 

A  very  serious  riot  took  place  the  beginning  of  April,  at  Por- 
adown,  Ireland,  in  which  there  were  much  destruction  of  pro- 
>erly  and  breaking  of  hends. 

There  has  been  some  improvement  in  the  British  revenues. 

JRANCE. 

The  chief  subject  of  interest  is  the  reorganization  of  the  mi- 
nistry, which,  at  this  moment,  is  of  deep  concern  to  our  couu- 
ry,  as  the  resignation  of  the  duke  de  Brnglie  and  general  Se- 
ia«tiani  was  occasioned  by  the  refusal  of  the  chambers  to 
make  the  necessary  appropriation,  to  carry  the  treaty  with  this 
country  into  effect.  We,  therefore,  give  the  following  abstract, 
iiil/li.-hrd,  in  the  Monileur,  which  also  promulgates  royal  or- 
donnances,  by  which  M.  Persil,  deputy  procureur  general  of 
the  royal  court,  is  appointed  keeper  of  the  seuls  and  minister  of 
justice  and  of  worship,  in  the  room  ofM.  Barthe,  who  is  creat- 
ed a  peer  of  France,  and  made  first  president  of  the  court  of  ac- 
counts, in  the  room  of  M.  Barbe  Marbois,  who  resigns,  but  who 
is  invested  with  the  dignity  of  honorary  first  president  of  the 
court  of  accounts. 

M.  Thiers,  deputy,  minister  of  commerce  and  public  work*, 
is  appointed  minister  of  the  interior,  in  the  room  of  count  d'Ar- 
gont,  who  is  made  governor  of  the  bank  of  France,  in  the  place 
of  the  duke  de  Gaela. 

M.  Duchatel,  deputy,  is  nominated  minister  of  commerce  in 
the  room  of  M.  Thiere. 

The  separation  of  the  attributions  of  the  minister  of  the  inte- 
rior and  of  commerce,  will  he  hereafter  determined  by  a  special 
ordinance. 

Vice  admiral  count  de  Rigny,  deputy  and  minister  of  the  ma- 
rine and  colonies,  is  appointed  minister  of  foreign  affairs  in  the 
room  of  the  duke  de  Broglie. 

Vice  admiral  baron  Roussin,  ambassador  at  Constantinople, 
is  named  minister  of  the  marine  in  the  room  of  admiral  de  Kig- 
ny.  who,  however,  will  continue  to  exercise  the  functions  of 
his  late  office  till  the  arrival  of  admiral  Roussin. 

M.  Martin  du  Nord, deputy  and  advocate  general  of  the  court 
of  Cassation,  is  appointed  procureur  general  of  the  royal  court 
in  the  room  of  M.  Persil. 

It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that  the  ministers  who  retain  their 
previous  offices  are  Marshal  Soult,  president  of  the  council  and 
minister  of  war,  M.  Humanti,  minister  of  finance;  and  M.  Gui- 
zot,  minister  of  public  instruction. 

BPAIN  AND  PORTUGAL. 

The  government  hnd  derided  lo  interfere  in  the  affairs  of  Por- 
tugal. Ten  thousand  Spanish  troops  were  >o  enter  that  coun- 
try, on  the  1st  of  April,  in  two  divisions,  under  the  command  of 
generals  Moiillo  and  Rodil.  They  are  to  proceed  to  Santarem 
and  join  the  army  of  Don  Pedro.  Genera]  Rodil  will  be  com- 
mander in  chief  of  the  combined  armies. 

Admiral  Napier  took  Camina,  by  surprise,  nn  tha24th  March; 
he  landed  with  500  troops  which  lie  brought  from  Lisbon. 

RUSSIA    AND   TURKKY. 

Tli<  ii-  were  rumors  that  the  Turkish  army  wa*  recruiting 
with  extraordinary  activity  in  Moldavia  and  Wallachia;  that 
Nicholas  had  «cnt  to  Aclunet  Pacha  1,000,000  ducat?,  proceed- 
ing from  the  debt  of  Turkey  to  Russia,  that  he  had  granted  the 
sultan  eight  years  to  pny  off  his  debt;  that  n  serious  revolt  hnd 
broken  out  in  Bagdad  and  Kurdist.-tii;  that  Constantinople  wa* 
in  a  most  deplorable  condition,  and  nothing  but  a  miracle  could 
save  the  Ottoman  empire. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS-FIRST  SESSION. 

••MAT* 

Jtfaj/2.  Mr.  Clay,  from  the  committed  of  public  lands,  to 
which  had  been  referred  the  bill  appropriating,  for  a  limited 


KEGISTEK— 31  AY    10,   i«34  -CONGRESS. 


175 


lime,  the  proceeds  of  Uiu  sales  "t'lln;  public  land*,  reported  tin: 
tiume  with  amendment*.     He  also  made  a  detailed  report,  pur 


time  of  continuance  of  t!i«>r  Hppojntiiii-nl,  mid  the  amount  <>( 


porting  to  be  an  answer  to  the  veto  messagft  of  the  president  of 
the  United  States,  on  returning  the  land  bill  of  the  last  session 
of  congress,  with  Ins  objections. 

Mr.  Clay  moved  Hint  5,000  additional  copies  of  the  report  be 
printed,  and  that  it  be  made  the  order  of  the  day  fur  next  Mon- 
day week. 

Mr.  Forsytk  wished  to  hear  the  report  read.  He  could  not 
consent  to  the  printing  so  large  an  edition  of  u  document,  with 
the  contents  of  which  he  was  unacquainted. 

The  report  was  then  read  in  part,  and  its  further  reading  dis- 
pensed with. 

Mr.  Moore  moved  to  lay  it  on  the  table,  and  Ibis  motion  being 
lost,  the  question  recurred  on  the  printing  of  the  report. 

A  debate  then  ensued,  in  which  Messrs.  Forsyth,  Clay,  Moore, 
Poindexter,  Black,  King  and  Shepley,  look  part,  afire  which  the 
question  on  printing  was  taken,  and  decided  in  the  affirmative, 
as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bell,  Black,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay, Clay- 
ton, Ewing,  Freliiighuysen,  Hendrick*,  Kent,  Knight,  Leigh, 
Linn,  McKean,  Mangmn,  Moore,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Porter, 
Premiss,  Preston,  Robbins,  Shepley,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard, 
Sprague,  Tipton,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Webster — 32. 
NAYS— Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsylh,Gtundy,  Hill,  King, 
of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  White,  Wright— 9. 

Mr.  Southard  submitted  the  following  resolutions,  which  lie 
one  day  on  the  table: 

Retolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to 
communicate  to  the  senate  the  weekly  and  monthly  reports  and 
statements  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  also  those  of 
the  banks  which  have  been  selected  as  places  of  deposits  for 
the  public  moneys  which  have  been  received  at  the  treasury 
department  since  the  first  day  of  February  last;  and  that  he  be 
further  directed  to  communicate  to  the  senate  such  reports  and 
statements  of  said  banks  which  he  *hall  hereafter  receive,  as 
soon  as  conveniently  may  be,  after  the  same  shall  have  been 
received. 

Resolved,  Tiiatthe  committee  of  finance  be  directed  to  inquire 
whether  any,  and  which,  of  the  banks  selected  by  the  secretary 
of  the  treasury,  for  the  deposite  of  the  public  moneys,  have 
slopped  payment;  the  amount  of  public  money  deposited  in 
them  at  the  time  of  their  suspension,  if  any — that  they  inquire, 
also,  into  the  circumstances  attending  their  selection,  and  the 
security  taken  by  the  secretary;  and  whether  the  public  moneys 
are  safe  in  the  places  wlxg-e  they  are  now  deposited;  and  thai 
they  have  leave  lo  send  for  persons  and  papers. 

Mr.  Webster  presented  the  memorial  of  a  large  number  of  re- 
Bpectable  merchants  praying  that  the  legal  value  of  gold  may  be 
made  to  correspond  with  its  real  value,  and  that  the  coins  of 
other  countries,  at  proper  rates,  may  be  made  a  legal  tender. 

Mr.  Eivin%  presented  a  memorial  signed  by  1,750  inhabitants 
of  Ross  county,  Ohio,  praying  the  restoration  of  the  deposites 
and  the  recharter  of  the  bank,  which  was  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Tipton  reported  the  bill  to  authorise  the  people  of  the 
territories  of  Michigan  and  Arkansas,  to  form  constitutions  and 
state  governments,  with  amendments;  which  were  read. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  senate  then  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  executive  business,  and  after  remaining  some 
time  in  secret  session,  the  doors  were  opened,  when  the  senate 
adjourned. 

.May  3.  Mr.  Silibee  presented  a  memorial  from  the  district  of 
New  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  comprising  the  town  of  NT«w  Bed- 
ford and  other  places,  signed  by  upwards  of  1,900  persons.  This 
memorial  expresses,  in  strong  terms,  the  disapprobation  of  the 
signers  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  ascribes  their  pre- 
sent suffering  condition  to  that  act. 

Mr.  Forsyth  made  a  comparison  of  the  price  of  oil  and  some 
other  articles,  and  said  the  cry  of  distress,  which  had  reached 
congress,  had  been  gotten  up  for  mere  party  purposes. 

Mr.  Webster  replied  at  length  to  Mr.  Fonyth,  nnd  an  animat- 
ed debate  ensued,  in  which  Messrs.  Chamber?,  Knight,  Porter, 
SiUbee,  Sprague,  Ewing  and  Poindexter  participated;  and  the 
memorial  was  finally  rend,  referred,  &.c. 

Mr.  Poindexter  moved  to  postpone  the  spacial  order  until 
Monday,  which  was  agreed  lo. 

Mr.  Hendrickt  moved  a  resolution,  which  was  agreed  to,  in- 
quiring into  the  expediency  of  making  an  appropriation  to  pay 
for  blankets  furnished  the  militia  of  Michigan  in  the  late  war 
against  Black  Hawk. 

Mr.  Sprague  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  lie*  one 
day  on  the  table: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to 
communicate  to  the  senate,  a  statement  of  the  amount  of  fees 
accruing  in  each  collection  district  in  the  United  States,  in  each 
year,  since  January  1, 1829,  the  amount  of  fees  paid  at  the  trea- 
sury in  each  year,  by  those  collectors  whose  fees  have  amount- 
ed to  more  than  the  maximum  allowed  them  by  law — the  names 
and  number  of  clerks  and  deputies  employed  by  each  collector, 
Who  has  received  such  excess  of  fees — the  time  when  they  were 
employed  and  the  amount  paid  each  in  each  year.  Also,  a 
statement  of  the  contingent  expenses  of  each  office  where  such 
excess  of  fees  has  been  received;  whether  any  allowances  have 
been  made  to  officers  of  the  customs  for  travelling  expenses, 
and,  if  no,  the  names  of  such  officers  and  the  times  when  such 
expenses  were  incurred.  And,  also,  a  stattmiont  of  the  names 


pay  which  they  have  received  from  each  office  which  they  har« 
so  held,  during  the  period  aforesaid. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Forsyth,  the  senate  then  adjourned. 

May  5.  A  message  was  received  from  the  president  of  the  U. 
States,  answering  tic:  cnll  for  information  relative  to  the  talcs 
of  public  lands;  anil 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clay  it  was  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  chair  announced  a  communication  from  the  war  depart- 
ment, showing  the  expenditures  of  that  department,  together 
with  the  unxepended  balances  of  appropriations. 

The  resolutions  moved  by  Mr.  Southard,  on  Friday,  relative  to 
the  deposite  banks,  were  taken  up,  amended,  and  agreed  to. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  re- 
solutions of  Mr.  Poindexter,  on  tlte  president's  protest  as  mo- 
dified by  Mr.  Clay. 

The  question  being  on  Mr.  Bibb's  amendment — 

Mr.  Wright  addressed  the  senate  in  defence  of  the  protect, 
and  in  opposition  to  the  amendment,  until  near  3  o'clock,  when 

Mr.  Calhoun  rose  and  moved  that  the  senate  adjourn — but 
gave  way  to  allow  Mr.  Clay  lo  make  a  few  remarks  in  reply  to 
Mr.  Wright. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Poindexter  Ihe  senate  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  executive  business,  and  after  being  a  short 
time  engaged  therein  adjourned; 

May  6.  Several  resolutions  relative  to  private  claims  being 
successively  submitled,  and  petitions  presented  and  disposed 


of, 

The  senate  on  motion  of  Mr.  Paindexter,  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  the  special  order,  being  the  resolutions  on  thu 
subject  of  the  president's  prolest,  as  modified  by  .Mr.  Clay. 


The  question  being  on  the  amendment  offered  by  Mr. 
Mr.  Calhoun  rosft,  and  addressed   the  senate   for  about   an 
hour,  in  opposition  lo  the  power  assumed  by  the  president;  and 
to  the  amendment. 

Mr.  Bill)  then  withdrew  his  amendment;  nnd 
Mr.  Forsyth  then  moved  to  amend  the  resolutions,  by  striking 
nut  all  after  the  word  "resolved,"  in  the  first  resolution,  and 
inserting: 

"That  the  message  of  the  president,  protesting  against  the 
resolution  of  the  senate  of  the  sioth  of  March,  be  entered  on  the 
journal,  according  to  his  request. 

"Resolved,  That,  leaving  lo  the  states  to  whom  the  senate  is 
alone  responsible,  to  judge  whether  the  resolution  -complained 
of  is,  or  is  not,  within  the  constitutional  competency  of  this  bo- 
dy, nnd  called  for  by  the  present  condition  of  public  affairs,  an 
authenticated  copy  of  the  original  resolution,  with  a  list  of  the 
yeas  and  nays,  of  the  presidents  message,  and  of  these  resolu- 
tions, be  prepared  by  the  secretary,  and  Iran  emitted  by  the  vice 
president  to  the  governor  of  each  slate  of  the  union,  to  be  by 
him  lairl  before  tiie  legislature  at  their  next  session,  as  the  only 
authority  authorized  to  judge  upon  llie  opinions  and  conduct  of 
the  senators  respectively." 

Mr.  Poindexter  called"  for  the  yeas  and  nays  and  they  were 
ordered. 

Mr.  Calhoun  then  moved  to  amend  the  original  resolutions  by 
adding  the  two  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  president  of  the  United  States  has  DO 
right  lo  send  a  protest  lo  the  senate  against  any  of  its  proceed- 
ings. 

Resolved,  That  the  senate  do  not  receive  the  protest  of  the 
president. 

Mr.  Forsyth  finally  withdrew  his  amendment  for  the  present, 
to  sllow  the  question  to  he  taken  on  Mr.  Calhoun's  resolutions. 
The  yeas  and  nays  were  then  ordered,  when  — 
Mr.  Forsyth  addressed  the  senate  in  opposition  thereto,  in  de- 
fence of  the  president  and  in  reply  to  Mr.  Cnlhotin.     He  was 
followed  by  Messrs.  Poindexter,  Preston  and  Webster. 

Mr.  Webster  requested  a  division  of  the  two  resolutions,  and 
the  question  being  taken  on  the  first  resolution,  was  decided  as 
follows: 

YEAS—  Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton, 
Ewing,  Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  Kniehf,  Leigh,  Naudain,  Poindex- 
ter, Porter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Robhios,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Sprague, 
Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Webster  —  25. 

NAYS—  Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsylh,  Oriimly,  Hen- 
dricks,  Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Linn, 
McKean,  Shepley  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright 

Mr.  Clayton  having  requested  it,  Mr.  Calhoun  consented  to 
withdraw  his  second  resolution;  but  the  thuir  decided,  an  the 
yeas  and  nays  had  been  ordered,  it  could  not  be  withdrawn, 
without  tho  unanimous  consent  of  the  senate,  anil  Mr.  Forrytk 
objected. 

Mr.  Clay  then  moved  to  lay  it  on  the  table,  which  motion  the 
chair  also  'decided  to  be  out  of  order,  when  upon  an  appeal  was 
had  from  the  decision  of  the  chair  and  the  senate  sustained  ths 
decision. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  Mr.  Calhoun's  second  reso- 
lution and  decided  in  the  negative  as  follow*; 

YEAS—  Messrs.  Calhnun,  Clayton,  E\\ing,  Leigh  ,  Naildain, 
Poindexler.  Robbins—  7. 

NAYS—  Messrs.  Bell,  Bimton,  Black,  Brown,  Clay.  For- 
gvth,  Freliruriiuysen,  Hendricks,  Hill,  Kane,  Kent,  King,  of 
Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Linn,  Moore,  Porter,  Premiss, 
Preston,  Shepley,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Swift,  Sprague,  Talltimdge, 


of  persons  who  hold,  or  have  held,  several  offices  in  lh«  ctis-    Tipton,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  \V«bster,  Whitt: 
Wins  at  the  same  time,  since  January  1, 1839.  with  the  date  and    — 34. 


Wilkins,  Wright 


NILES'  REGISTER- MAY    10,   iS3i  —  CONGRESS. 


After  some  conversation  between  Messrs.  I'orsytlt,  Calhotin 
and  PoinJexlfr, 

.VT: .  f-'ors'yt/i  moved  hi*  amendment,  a*  a  substitute  for  \\if.  n- 
riginal  resolutions,  and  the  question  being  taken  thereon,  ap- 
peared as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsylh,Grundy,  Hendrieks, 
Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Geoigia,  Linn,  MeKean,  Shepley,  Tall- 
inadgp,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wrighi— 16. 

NAYS— M«;?*r«.  Hell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton, 
Ewing,  Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  Knight,  Leigh,  Moore,  Naudain. 
Porter.  Premiss,  Preston,  Robhins,  Si|sbee,  Smith,  Sprague, 
Swill,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Webster— 24. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wtbttcr,  the  senate  then  adjourned. 
May  7.     The  chair  annoiirici.il  a  communication   from  the 
treasury  department,  in  relation  to  the  fees  and  emoluments  of 
officers  of  the  customs. 

Mr.  Clay  submitted  the  following  resolution,  which  was  con- 
sidered and  adopted: 

Resolved.  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to  re- 
port, as  soon  as  practicable,  to  the  senate,  the  amount  of  duties 
received  anil  accrued  on  foreign  import*  during  the  first  quarter 
of  the  year  1834,  with  a  table  showing  tin-  comparative  amount 
of  the  year  1833,  and  distinguishing  between  the  amounts  ac- 
crued or  received  at  each  port. 

Resolved,  That  he  communicate  to  the  senate,  whether  any 
thing  lias  happened  since  his  annual  n-port  w.n  made,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  present  session  of  congress,  to  vary,  in 
his  opinion,  the  estimate  contained  in  the  said  report,  "I  the 
proceeds  of  the  duties  on  foreign  imports,  for  the  year  1834. 

The  bill  making  an  appropriation  for  the  completion  of  the 
road  from  the  point  opposite  to  Memphis  to  Little  Rock,  in  the 
territory  of  Arkansas,  was  read  the  Ihird  time  and  passed. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Frelin°huvscn,  Ihe  senate  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  Ihe  resolutions  of  Mr.  Paindexter,  as  modified 
by  Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  Calhoun;  wlien 

Mr.  Webster  addressed  the  senate  for  about  two  hours  and 
Uiree  quarter*. 

Mr.  Benton  spoke  in  reply  to  the  arguments  which  had  been 
brought  forward  against  the  protest. 

Mr.  Polndeztcr  said  he  had  wished  to  deliver  his  sentiment!"; 
hot  that  his  desire  to  proceed  to  the  legislative  business  was 
such  tliat  he  would  forbear.  He  was  willing  to  rest  hi*  vote  on 
the  arguments  which  had  already  been  offered,  and  in  none  with 
more  confidence  than  in  the  arzuments  the  senate  had  to-day 
heard  from  the  gentleman  from  Massachusetts,  for  which  lie  ac- 
corded to  that  genlltiinan  his  sincere  thanks. 

The  yeas  and  nays  were  Ihen  ordered  on  the  resolutions. 

Mr.  Forsyth  asked  Tor  a  division  of  the  question,  and  express- 
ed a  desire  to  make  some  remarks. 

Mr.  Krou~n  moved  that  the  sunate  adjourn. 

Mr.  Clrty  asked  for  the  yeas  and  nays,  which  were  ordered. 

The  motion  to  adjourn  was  negatived,  yeas  12  nays  27. 

Mr.  Forsyth  then  spoke  at  length  in  reply  to  Mr.  Webster. 

Mr.  Webster  briefly  rejoined. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  the  resolutions  separately, 
when  they  were  decided  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows,  the  vote 
being  the  same  on  each  of  the  four  resolutions: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton, 
Ewine,  Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  Knight,  Leigh,  Moore,  Naudain, 
Poindeztcr,  Porter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Robbins,  Silsbee,  Smith, 
Southard,  Sprayue,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman, 
Webster— 27. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Ben'on,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy,  Hen- 
dricks, HiJI,  King,  of  Ala.  King,  of  Georgia,  Linn,  McKean, 
Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright— 16* 

So  the  resolutions  were  agreed  to,  in  the  following  form: 

Resolved,  That  the  protest  communicated  to  the  senate  on 
the  17th  instant,  by  the  president  of  the  United  States,  asserts 
powers  as  belonging  to  the  president,  which  are  inconsistent 
with  the  just  authority  of  the  two  house*  of  congress,  and  in- 
consistent with  the  constitution  of  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  while  the  senate  is,  and  ever  will  be,  ready  to 
receive  from  the  president  all  such  messages  and  communica- 
tions as  the  constitution  and  laws  and  the  usual  course  ofbusi- 
ness  authorise  him  to  transmit  to  it,  yet  it  cannot  recognise  any 
right  in  him  to  make  a  formal  protest  against  votes  and  proceed- 
ings of  the  senate  declaring  such  votes  and  proceedings  to  be 
illegal  and  unconstitutional,  and  requesting  the  senate  to  enter 
such  protest  on  its  journals. 

Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  protest  is  a  breach  of  the  privi- 
lege* of  the  senate,  and  that  it  he  not  entered  on  the  journal. 

Retailed,  That  the  president  of  the  U.  Slates  has  no  right  to 
rend  a  protest  to  the  senate  against  any  of  its  proceedings. 

Mr.  Poindex/er  gave  notice  that  he  should  on  Friday  call  up 
thfi  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Rhode  Island  election. 

The  senate  then  adjourned. 

May  8.  Mr.  Kane  said  he  was  unexpectedly  absent  when 
the  vote  was  taken  yesterday  on  the  resolution*  on  lh«  subject 
of  the  president's  protest;  and  asked  permission  to  record  his 
vote  on  these  resolutions. 

Me**rs.  Clayton  anil  Moore  objected  to  the  indulgence  on  the 
ground  that  it  would  be  violative  of  a  rule  of  the  house,  and  re- 
minded the  gentleman,  that  during  the  last  session,  gentlemen 
who  wera  absent  on  the  passage  ol  the  force  bill,  were  denied 
tht  privilege  of  recording  their  votes. 


•Absent  on  these  votes— Messrs.  Chambers,  of  Md.  Mangum, 
of  N.  C.  Morris,  of  O.  and  Robinson  and  Kane,  of  Illinois. 


The  motion  was  rejected  without  a  division 


tiuiuH,  ji  uiiiiiusuii,  vvtusier — 21. 

Nays — Messrs.  Black,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Hill,  King,  of  Ala, 
King,  of  Georgia,  Leigh,  Moore,  Naudain,  Preston,  Sbepley, 
Tyler,  White— 13. 

The  senate  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  executive  busi- 
ness, and  after  being  some  time  engaged  therein,  Ihe  doors  were 
opentil,  and  then  the  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Thursday,  May  1.  While  Mr.  f'oot't  motion  was  pending  in 
committte  of  the  whole,  to  reduce  Ihe  item  of  the  general  ap- 
propriation bill  which  makes  an  appropriation  of  $36,000  for 
the  salaries  of  ministers  to  Great  Britain,  France,  Spain  and 
Russia  to  $18,000  vvilh  a  view  to  exclude  the  appropriations  for 
Great  Britain  and  Russia. 

Mr.  Jldamt,  of  Mass,  replied  at  large  to  the  remark*  of 
Messrs.  Wayne  and  Polk,  and  insisted  on  the  necessity  of  some 
pledge  that  the  nominations  for  the  two  courts  referred  to  last, 
would  be  made  during  the  session. 

Mr.  Jlrcher  gave  the  reply  of  the  secretary  of  stale  to  an  in- 
quiry on  that  subject;  on  which  Mr.  Jldams  commented  witli 
much  humor  and  severity. 

Mr.  Coulter  was  willing  to  vote  for  the  appropriation  of  a 
mission  to  Russia,  hut  was  opposed  to  the  item  for  England, 
because  a  similar  appropriation  had  twice  been  made  already, 
and  the  executive  had  not  responded  to  the  overture  of  the  le- 
gislature. 

Mr.  II.  Eserelt  put  a  qusstion  to  Mr.  Archer,  the  object  of 
which  was  to  elicit  a  disclaimer  on  the  part  of  the  executive,  of 
any  purpose  of  appointing  a  minister  to  England  after  congress 
should  have  adjourned. 

Mr.  Jlrcher  disavowed  any  power  to  answer  on  the  part  of 
the  president,  but  presumed  no  such  appointment  would  be 
made,  as  he  should  not  deem  it  constitutional. 

Mr.  Binney  considered  the  response  from  the  department  of 
state  as  tantamount  to  a  declaration  that  no  nomination  would 
be  made  to  the  senate;  and  he  waf,  therefore,  for  striking  out 
the  item. 

Mr.  Seardsley,  of  New  York,  insisted  that  the  president  had 
the  whole  appointing  power;  though  under  certain  circumstan- 
ces he  must  have  the  advice  of  the  senate.  An  appointment 
made  in  recess  was  as  valid  as  during  Ihe  session;  and  a  per- 
son so  appointed  would  hold  his  office  to  the  close  of  the  suc- 
ceeding session  though  the  senate  ehould  reject  him.  lie  op- 
posed the  amendment. 

Mr.  Reed,  of  Mass,  replied  with  severity  on  the  pretension! 
set  up  by  Mr.  Beardsley,  for  the  president. 

The  motion  to  strike  out  Great  Britain  was  rejected  as  stated 
in  the  last  Register,  page  152. 

The  reading  of  the  bill  then  proceeded  until  that  clause  was 
reached  which  provides  for  charge  des  affaires  to  Portugal, 
Denmark,  Sweden,  Holland,  Turkey,  Belgium,  Brazil,  Buenos 
Ayres,  Chili,  Peru,  Mexico,  Central  America  and  New  Grana- 
da, $58,000. 

Mr.  Mams  inquired  of  Mr.  Archer,  as  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  foreign  affairs,  why  these  items  had  been  inserted  for 
Belgium  and  Buenos  Ayres,  and  the  other  South  American 
states.  He  wanted  information  on  the  state  of  our  relations 
with  those  countries. 

Mr.  Wilde  adverted  to  Ihe  lateness  of  the  hour,  and  moved 
that  the  house  now  adjourn,  and  the  house  accordingly  ad- 
journed. 

Friday,  Jfcri/3.  After  several  bills  of  a  private  or  local  charac- 
ter had  been  disposed  of, 

The  house  again  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  gener- 
al appropriation  bill,  as  in  committee  of  the  whole;  when 

Mr.  Jldamt  went  into  a  full  explanation  of  the  grounds  on 
which  he  had  requested  from  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
foreign  relations,  an  exposition  of  the  reasons  why  appropria- 
tions were  asked  for  keeping  up  diplomatic  relations  with  Bel- 
gium, Buenos  Ayres  and  the  South  American  states. 

Mr.  Jlrcher,  in  reply,  went  into  a  very  full  and  satisfactory 
expose  of  the  state  of  our  relation*  with  the  state*  to  which 
Mr.  Jldam'i  inquiry  had  reference. 

The  bill  having  been  gone  through  with  and  amended,  and  no 
further  amendments  being  offered,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Polk,  the 
house  adjourned  till  Monday  next. 

Monday,  May  5.  Mr.  Ottood,  of  Mass,  called  up  the  resolu- 
tions and  letter  of  instructions  from  his  district,  signed  by  4,600 
persons,  instruct  ing  him  to  vote  for  the  restoration  of  the  depo- 
cites.  Mr.  O.  entered  into  an  explanation  of  his  reason*  for 
declining  to  comply  with  the  instructions  of  his  constituent*. 

Memorials,  resolutions,  &c.  favorable  to  the  restoration  of 
the  depofites  were  presented,  at  follow*:  by  Mr.  JWams,  of 
Mass,  from  sundry  merchants,  mechanics  and  others  of  De- 
troit, Michigan;  by  Mr.  Burgts,  from  artisan*  and  Mechanic* 
residing  in  nearly  all  the  town*  of  Rhode  Island,  also  resolu- 
tions adopted  in  a  convention  of  mechanic*  and  artisan*  astern- 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY   10,  1833— GREAT  AERONAUTIC  EXPEDITION.     177 


bled  from  various  towns  in  the  same  state;  by  Mr.  Huntington, 
from  sundry  inhabitants  of  Newlown,  Connecticut;  by  Mr. 
Hall,  from  1,723  freemen  of  the  county  of  Windham,  Vermont; 
liy  Mr.  Blade,  from  sundry  citizens  of  the  3d  congressional  dis- 
trict of  the  state  of  Vermont;  by  Mr.  HemanJIllen,  from  the 
young  men  of  the  city  of  Burlington,  Vermont;  by  Mr.  Dickson, 
from  inhabitants  of  Ontario  county,  New  York;  by  Mr.  Fuller, 
from  1,8UO  inhabitants  of  Livineston  county,  New  York;  by  Mr. 
SeMen,  of  New  York,  from  6,000  inhabitants  of  Oneida  county, 
in  that  state;  all  which  memorials,  &c.  (wilh  the  exception  of 
the  one  presented  by  Mr.  Dickson,  of  New  York),  were  read, 
referred,  &c. 

Memorials,  resolutions,  &c.  favorable  to  the  removal  of  the 
depositcs,  were  presented  by  Mr.  Osgood,  of  Mass,  from  3,072 
citizens  of  Boston;  by  Mr.  Pearce,  (three  memorials)  from  sun- 
dry places  in  Rhode  Island;  by  Mr.  Clarke,  from  sundry  citizens 
of  the  state  of  New  York;  by  Mr.  Lawrence,  from  working  men, 
mechanics,  and  others,  in  the  city  of  New  York;  and  by  Mr. 
Webster,  from  inhabitants  of  Onondago,  county,  New  York; 
which  were  severally  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Gorkam,  of  Mass,  presented  a  memorial  from  sundry 
merchants  in  Boston,  praying  that  foreign  coins  may  be  made  a 
lepal  tender;  which  was  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Selden,  of  New  York,  moved  that  a  committee,  consist- 
ing of  one  member  from  each  state,  be  appointed  to  consider 
and  report,  in  form  of  a  bill,  a  plan  for  a  safe  and  uniform  cur- 
rency, under  authority  of  the  United  States. 

The  speaker  said,  that  could  only  be  done  by  permission  of 
the  house. 

Mr.  Selden  asked  permission  of  the  house;  but  objections  be- 
ing made,  he  moved  a  suspension  of  the  rules — there  being  no 
quoium,  however,  the  motion  of  Mr.  S.  stands  over  till  Monday 
next — and  the  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  May  6.  Mr.  Stewart  reported  a  bill  to  extend  the 
improvement  o'f  steamboat  navigation. 

Mr.  Garland,  of  Lou.  moved  three  resolutions,  the  first  in- 
quiring into  the  propriety  of  appointing  a  judge  of  the  district 
court  of  the  United  States  for  the  western  district  of  the  state 
of  Louisiana;  the  second  for  making  an  appropriation  in  lands 
or  money  for  constructing  levees  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississip- 
pi and  Red  rivers;  and  the  third  for  appropriating  money  or  land 
to  remove  the  raft  in  the  river  Atchatalaya;  which  resolutions 
were  severally  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Seaborn  Jones  obtained  leave  and  made  a  report  in  the 
case  of  the  contested  election  between  Mr.  Letcher  and  Mr. 
Moore,  of  Kentucky,  which  he  moved  to  have  read,  laid  on  the 
table  and  printed,  with  the  accompanying  documents. 

The  report  is  of  a  voluminous  character,  detailing  at  length 
«h.6  proceedings  taken  by  the  committee  to  investigate  the  votes 
received,  and  concludes  by  stating,  that  it  appeared  to  them, 
that  the  number  of  legal  votes  stood — 

For  Mr.  Moore  3,099 

For  Mr.  Letcher  3,055 

Leaving  a  majority  for  Mr.  Moore  of          44 

Whereupon,  they  report  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  P.  Moore  be  declared  entitled  to  his 
tent  as  representative  for  the  5th  congressional  district  of  Ken- 
tucky. 

Resolved,  That  R.  P.  Letcher,  in  consideration  of  the  expen- 
ses to  which  he  has  been  subjected,  is  entitled  to  receive  remu- 
neration, at  the  rate  of  eight  dollars  per  diem,  and  a  similar 
sum,  as  viaticum,  for  every  twenty  miles. 

Mr.  Jones  moved  that  the  consideration  of  the  report  be  made 
the  special  order  of  the  day  for  Tuesday  next. 

Mr.  Banks  moved  that  the  evidence  taken  before  the  com- 
mittee be  printed. 

Mr.  Jones,  of  Geo.  declined  accepting  the  motion  as  a  modi- 
fication, ami  objected  to  the  priming  of  the  evidence,  on  the 
grounds  of  delay  and  expense.  What  use,  he  asked,  were  the 
labors  of  the  committee,  if  the  votes  were  to  be  again  canvass- 
ed by  the  house. 

Mr.  Hardin,  of  Kentucky,  thought  the  evidence  should  be 
printed;  that  the  papers  were  extremely  illegibly  written.  It 
was  necessary  that  the  house  should  examine  this  testimony 
for  itself,  and  asked,  how  it  was  possible  to  do  so  in  manuscript 
taken  down  in  such  illegible  characters?  The  necessity  of  such 
printing  and  examination  would  be  manifest  to  the  house,  when 
it  was  known  that  many  of  the  voles  had  been  excluded,  not 
on  questions  of  law,  hut  on  contested  statements  as  to  facts. 

Mr.  Hardin  then  proceeded  to  make  gome  rsmarks  on  the 
construction  of  the  committee.  He  did  not  impute  improper  de- 
nisns  in  such  construction,  but  thought  it  an  unfortunate  one; 
and,  on  that  account,  appealed  to  the  magnanimity  of  the 
house. 

Mr.  Wilde  said  lie  hud  the  duty  of  a  judge  to  perform,  and  ho 
would  not  consent  to  undertake  it,  if  the  evidence  on  which 
his  judement  was  to  be  formed  wns  withheld  from  his  inspec- 
tion. The  house  had  ordered  the  committee  to  report  the  evi- 
dence to  the  house,  and  they  had  not  done  so;  nor  did  they  offer 
any  excuse  for  not  doing  it. 

Mr.  Jones  replied  with  warmth  to  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Hardin, 
and  a  Ions  and  angry  debate  ensued,  abounding  in  personalities 
<>( «  painful  nature  between  them.  Messrs.  Wilde  and  Vandcr- 
pael  also  participated  in  the  debate,  which  occupied  the  house 
till  near  5  o'clock,  ft  was  finally  decided,  that  the.  report,  all 
tlir  testimony,  tosrlhr.r  wilh  lists  of  the  names  of  tlm  disputed 
v*i«/s,  &c.  FJiould  Jjf  printed.  The  house  ttien  adjourned. 


Wednesday,  May  7.  Mr.  Gamble  submitted  the  following  re- 
solution which  was  laid  on  the  table  for  one  day,  as  required 
by  the  rules: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  war  be  directed  to  communi- 
cate to  this  house  the  whole  number  of  cadets  that  have  been 
admitted  to  the  military  academy  at  West  Point  since  its  first 
organization  to  the  present  time;  how  many  are  there  at  pre- 
sent; (he  number  that  have  graduated;  how  many  have  been 
commissioned,  and  are  now  in  commission,  in  the  army,  and 
the  number  that  is  necessary  to  be  kept  there  to  supply  the  va- 
cancies that  ordinarily  occur  in  the  army;  also,  the  number  of 
supernumerary  cadets  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant,  who  are  in 
the  pay  of  the  government,  and  not  in  command. 

The  engrossed  bill,  to  extend  the  time  for  carrying  into  effect 
the  convention  with  France,  being  on  its  final  passage, 

Mr.  McKay  wished  to  have  some  information  on  the  subject 
from  the  chairman  of  the  committee  for  foreign  affairs. 

Mr.  Jlrcher  replied,  and  called  for  the  reading  of  the  report 
from  the  secretary  of  the  commission,  and  contended  for  the 
necessity  of  continuing  the  commission  in  order  that  they  might 
prepare  and  adjudicate  correct  statements  of  the  claims. 

Mr.  McKay  considered  the  refusal  of  the  chamber  of  deputies 
to  make  an  appropriation  to  carry  into  effect  the  treaty,  to  be 
equivalent  to  a  declaration  that  they  would  not  execute  any 
part  of  the  treaty,  and  therefore  thought  a  postponement  of  the 
bill  necessary,  that  time  might  be  allowed  to  ascertain  to  what 
this  refusal  might  lead;  for  if  it  turned  out  that  there  would  not 
be  any  prospect  of  the  ireaty  being  fulfilled  by  the  government 
of  France,  there  could  not  be  any  propriety  at  all  in  continuing 
the  commission  beyond  its  present  legal  term. 

Mr.  Surges  considered  an  extension  of  the  time  necessary, 
the  rejection  by  the  chambers  of  the  appropriation  was  on  the 
ground  that  it  was  too  large.  The  commissioners,  he  had  no 
doubt,  would  ascertain  the  amount  of  claims  to  be  more  than 
four  times  the  stipulated  amount. 

Messrs.  Barringer,  Wilde,  Reed,  Williams  and  Wayne  ex- 
pressed their  views. 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Jldams  did  not  consider  the  act  of  the  French 
chamber  as  a  refusal  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  incum- 
bent upon  their  nation,  by  a  treaty  solemnly  ratified.  It  was 
only  a  refusal  for  a  time,  to  make  the  appropriation.  He  coin- 
cided in  the  opinion,  that,  instead  of  suspending  on  our  part, 
we  were  the  more  bound  to  go  on  with  the  commission,  and 
ascertain  the  amount  of  claims  which  our  citizens  had  to  pre- 
fer. 

The  bill  was  then  passed  and  sent  to  the  senate  for  concur- 
rence. 

The  general  appropriation  bill  was  then  taken  up,  and  nearly 
the  whole  of  the  thirty-five  amendments  reported  from  the 
committee  of  the  whole  were  concurred  in  without  debate. 
The  proviso  allowing  to  the  commercial  agent  at  Algiers  the 
same  salary  as  is  now  paid  to  the  consuls  on  the  Barbary  coast, 
was  resisted  and  finally  rejected. 

The  amendments  reported  by  the  committee  having  been 
gone  through  with, 

Mr.  Vance  again  moved  the  list  of  items  for  the  retrenchment 
of  salaries  and  pay  of  members  of  congress;  but  before  any  pro- 
gress was  made  therein,  the  house  adjourned. 

Thursday,  May  S.    After  the  usual  morning  business, 
On  motion  of  Mr.  Polk,  the  house  proceeded  to  the  consider- 
ation of  the  general  appropriation  bill. 

The  question  being  on  the  retrenchment  amendment  moved 
by  Mr.  Vance — 

Mr.  Vance  supported  his  amendment  in  a  speech  of  consider- 
able length. 

He  was  followed  by  Messrs.  Wardwell,  of  N.  York,  Leai-Ut, 
of  Ohio,  Miller,  of  Pa.  and  Bynum,  of  North  Carolina,  who  op- 
posed his  amendment,  and  defended  the  course  of  the  adminis- 
tration. 

The  latter  gentleman  warmly  eulogised  the  president  as  hav- 
*  fulfilled  his  pledges  to  the  south  in  putting  down  internal 
iinpi-ove.ine.nl.t--,  the  tariff,  and  the  bank  of  the  United  Sates. 

Mr.  Chilton  replied  to  Mr.  Bynum,  and  referred  to  pledges 
given  in  the  west  by  the  president,  in  favor  of  internal  improve- 
ments and  the  tariff. 

The  debate  was  further  continued  by  Messrs.  Vance,  Bates, 
Evving  and  Lincoln,  and  without  coming  to  a  decision  upon 
Mr.  Vance's  amendment,  after  three  times  refusing  to  sustain 
calls  for  the  previous  question!  the  house  adjourned. 

GREAT  AERONAUTIC  EXPEDITION. 

The  circumstances  attending  the  second  splendid  balloon  as- 
cension of  Mr.  Mills,  on  Thursday  afternoon,  (May  1),  render 
it  one  of  the  most  lengthened  and  interesting  aironaulic  expe- 
ditions ever  made.  We  mentioned  in  yesterday's  paper  the 
particulars  of  his  departure  from  Fairmount,  and  the  apparent 
course  he  had  taken;  and  are  now  enabled  to  supply  some  very 
interesting  delails  of  his  long  and  rapid  flight  through  the  upper 
regions.  His  first  course,  after  ascending,  was  about  south 
ea*t  but  in  a  short  time  a  counter  current  of  air  wafted  him  in 
nn  opposite  or  westerly  direction,  immediately  over  the  city. 
His  flight  westward  was  only  as  far  as  a  point  above  the  long 
bridse.'over  the  Patapsco,  when  he  encountered  an  adverse 
•urrenl  which  carried  him  back  again  in  an  easterly  course. 

During  all  this  time  Mr.  Mills  continued  to  rise,  by  occasion- 
allv  throwing  out  ballast.  His  compass  now  proved  of  no  ser- 

ice  to  him,  from  the  constant  rotary  motion  which  the  balloon 


178     NILES'  REGISTER— MAY    10,   1334— COMPLIMENT  TO  JUDGE  PORTER. 


assumed,  first  swinging  round  in  one  direction,  and  then  re- 
volving in  a  contrary  one.  The  course  of  the  balloon  was 
eactwardly.  At  forty  minutes  after  five,  Mr.  M.  encountered  a 
violent  snow  storm,  with  the  therinomcler  down  to  M.  lie- 
sides  being  obliged  to  endure  its  pelting.--,  he  was  subjected  to  a 
thorough  drenching  from  Hie  melted  snow,  which  thawed  a^  it 
fell  on  the  balloon,  and  ran  down  from  its  neck  into  the  car  im- 
mediately under  it.  At  the  same  time,  also,  a  body  of  clouds 
passed  beneath  him,  and  he  Ioi»l  sight  of  the  eartb  altogether. 
The  storm,  however,  soon  passed  off,  and  except  the  drench- 
ing, left  him  unharmed. 

At  six  o'clock  he  had  attained  his  greatest  elevation,  which, 
according  to  hit;  estimate;  and  the  indications  of  the  barometer, 
was  upwards  of  two  miles!  The  thermometer  .vas  now  down 
to  33  de°.  or  only  one  decree  above  freezing  point.  Mr.  M.  all 
the  while  was  goiii!-  eastwardly,  passing  over  the  light  houses 
at  North  Point,  and  across  the  expanse  of  the  Chesapeake  bay 
towards  Kent  county,  on  the  Eastern  Shore.  He  had  now  had 
recourse  to  his  valves,  and  was  gradually  descending.  After 
having  passed  into  Ki"ii  county  about  half  a  mile,  he  made  pre- 
parations to  land, and  had  descended  within  about  five  hundred 
feet  of  the  earth,  when  the  balloon  was  taken  by  a  sudden  and 
violent  gust  or  current  of  wind  from  the  east.  This  was  at  35 
minutes  after  six.  In  an  instant  after  the  wind  struck  the  bal- 
loon, it  was  driven  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  and  in  the 
Khort  space  of  seventeen  minutes,  he  was  carried  back  to  North 
Point,  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles  across  the  Chesapeake  bay! 
Now,  as  heretofore,  Mr.  M.  preserved  an  undaunted  coolness 
nnd  self  possession,  and  as  he  was  careering  across  the  waters 
with  the  hVetness  of  the  wind  itself,  he  discharged  gas  enous:h 
to  bring  him  within  two  hundred  feet  of  tin:  surface.  As  the 
authors  struck  the  water  they  rebounded  with  a  force  that  gave 
him  a  pretty  distinct  notion  of  the  rate  at  which  he  was  travel 
ling.  As  soon  as  he  came  over  the  land  at  North  Point,  the 
wind  greatly  abated,  and  at  ten  minutes  before  seven  he  effect- 
ed a  safe  landing  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Lyde  Goodwin,  from  whom 
and  his  family  he  received  every  assistance  in  securing  his  bal- 
loon and  apparatus  in  perfect,  order. 

Thus  terminated  this  most  extraordinary  serial  voyage,  pro- 
secuted for  three  hours,  to  the  distance  of  about  fifty  miles,  anc 
for  the  greater  part  at  an  elevation  of  one  to  two  and  a  quarter 
miles.  After  this  feat,  Mr.  Mills,  who,  it  should  be  borne  in 
mind,  is  a  young  mechanic  of  Baltimore,  self  taiiuht,  and  de 
pendent  alone  on  his  own  unaided  efforts,  may  fairly  take  rank 
with  the  most  successful  aeronauts  of  the  age. 

The  following  table  shows  the  observations  made  by  Mr 
Mills  on  the  barometer  and  thermometer,  at  various  periods 
during  his  voyage.  He  left  Fairmouul  at  ten  minutes  before 
four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

TABLE   OF   OBSEttVATlONS. 

Time.  Barometer.  Thermometer. 

h.  m.  in.  \0th.                degrees. 

3  57  29  6                        63 
'     4  15  25  8                        59 

4  25  24  2  54 
4  40                  24  1                        51 

4  55  23  9  43 

5  10  23  4  41 
5  25  23  0  36 
5  40  229  34 

5  55  22  8  34 

6  22  7  33 
6  15  23  0  36 
6  20  23  4  41 
6  25  24  2  54 
6  35  27  0  58 

[Baltimore  American 

COMPLIMENT  TO  JUDGE  PORTER. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  friends  and  countrymen  of  the  lion.  Alex 
ander  Porter,  of  the  United  States  senate,  held  on  the  25th  ins 
pursuant  to  public  notice,  at  the  Indian  Queen  hotel,  Sout 
Fourth  street,  Jamps  Gowen.  esq.  was  called  to  the  chair,  an 
Dr.  McHenry  appointed  secretary.  The  report  of  the  coinmi 
tee  which  had  addressed  to  Mr.  Porter  an  invitation  to  a  pub 
lie  dinner,  was  then  received,  and  the  following  resolution 
were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  reply  of  the  lion.  Alexander  Porter  to  tl 
committee,  has  the  entire  approbation  of  this  meeting,  and  tlia 
together  with  the  letter  of  invitation,  it  he  published  in  such 
our  daily  papers  as  are  friendly  to  the  sentiments  it  contain-'. 

Retolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  wait  on  the  lion 
Alexander  Porter,  for  the  purpose  of  expressing  to  him  our  n 
gret  that  the  state  of  his  health  should  be  such  as  to  oblige  hi 
to  decline  the  invitation,  and  also  to  convey  to  him  our  sincoj 
wish  for  its  speedy  restoration,  and  our  hope,  thnt  when  tl 
adjournment  of  congress  shall  release  him   from  his  public  di 
tie*,  he  will  revisit  our  city,  and  afford  us  another  opportuni 
of  manifesting  to  him  those  feelings  of  regard,  which  shall  he  a 
•biding  as  the  recollection  of  the  virtues  of  his  patriotic  fathe 
or  the  appreciation  of  his  own  merits. 

Whereupon   the  following  gentlemen   were  appointed   th 
committee,  viz: 

James  Gowen,  James  McHenry, 

William  Ferris,  Samuel  Black. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned. 

JAMES  GOWEN,  chairman. 

JAMES  McIIeNRY,  serretary. 


The  lollowing  is  the  letter  of  invitation: 

PkUaJtlfU*,  Jpril  23,  1834. 
.in.  Alexander  Porter: 

DEAR  SIR:  We,  the  undersigned,  residents  of  Philadelphia, 
iur  countrymen  by  birlh,  and  your  I'.-limv  citizens  by  adoption, 
ipcllcd  by  a  variety  of  motives,  all  tending  to  impress  upon 
i  the  highest  regard  for  your  character,  seize  on  the  occasion 
'your  sojourn  amongst  us,  to  make  some  manifestation  of  our 
clings  towards  you.  Among  these  motives  we  would  parti- 
ilarly  advert  to  one,  peculiarly  impressive,  namely,  the  deep 
eneration  we  entertain  Iur  the  memory  of  >our  illustrious  fa- 
ler,  who  so  zealously  and  fearlessly,  in  times  of  unexampled 
ial  and  peri),  devoted  his  splendid  talents  and  unwearied  en 
/•lies  to  the  cause  of  our  beloved  country — the  cause  of  civil 
nl  religious  liberty;  to  which  having  fallen  a  willing  martyr, 
K  now  occupies,  and  shall  forever  occupy,  a  place  in  the  affec- 
ons  of  his  countrymen,  with  the  imperishable  names  of  Orr, 
'one  and  Fitzgerald,  and  the  ever  to  be  lamented  Robeil  Em- 
let. 

In  addition  to  the  feelings  inspired  by  these  peculiar  and  af- 

,'cting  circumstances,  we  are  led  by  a  just  sense  ol  those  mer- 

s  which  induced  the  patriotic  .-tate  of  Louisiana  to  place  you 

s  a  member  in  the  noblest  institution  ever  established  by  free- 

ien  for  the  protection  r>f  law  and  liberty — the  senate  of  the  U. 

Mates — and  of  the  ability  and  propriety  of  your  course  in  that 

ody.  to  invite  you  to  partake  of  a  public  dinner  to  be  given  on 

hatever  day  may  best  suit  your  convenience,  and  which  it 

my  please  you  to  designate. 

We  are,  respectfully,  your  friendi  and  countrymen, 

JAMES  GOWEN,  JOHN  MAITLAND, 

ALEXANDER  COOK,  CHARLES  JOHNSOX, 

WILLIAM  FERRIS,  JAMES  MCHENRY. 

JOHN  WATERS, 

THE  REPLY. 

Philadelphia,  .tfprtf  24,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  letter  of 
yesterday,  inviting  me  to  a  public  dinner,  to  be  given  in  tins 
city  at  such  time  as  may  best  suit  my  convenience. 

I  receive,  gentlemen,  with  deep  sensibility,  this  mark  of  your 

gard,  enhanced  as  it  is  by  the  terms  in  which  you  have  thought 
iroper  to  convey  it.  It  is  dear  to  me  a>  coming  from  men  who, 
ike  myself,  claim  Ireland  as  their  birth  place,  and  doubly  dear 
to  me  because  it  shows  that  neither  time  or  change  of  country 
can  erase  from  their  warm  and  affectionate  hearts  the  remem- 
brance of  those  who  perished  in  an  ineffectual,  but  noble  firiig- 
;le,  to  obtain  for  them,  in  the  land  of  their  birlli,  that  freedom 
which  the  generous  institutions  of  this  country  have  bestowed 
on  them  here.  The  tonching  allusion  you  have  made  to  my 
Father,  fills  me  with  emotions  which  you  can  easily  understand, 
jut  which  I  should  in  vain  attempt  to  pourtray.  The  best  re- 
turn I  can  make  you,  for  the  tribute  you  pay  to  his  memory,  is 
to  assure  you,  that  as  in  all  past  times  his  example  has  iiuiiii.it- 
ed  me,  so  I  shall  to  the  end,  I  trust,  keep  the  recollection  ol  his 
virtues  steadily  in  view,  and  endeavor  to  emulate  them. 

But  I  am  still  prouder,  fellow  citizens,  of  your  approbation, 
when  I  see,  that  while  true  to  the  ties  which  bind  virtuous  men 
to  the  land  of  their  birth,  you  are  alive  to  the  paramount  duties 
you  owe  to  the  country  which  has  adopted  you.  You  have 
thought  proper  to  allude  in  terms  of  approbation  to  the  course 
I  have  pursued  in  that  august  body  in  which  the  confiding  kind- 
ness of  the  patriotic  people  of  Louisiana  has  placed  me.  I 
claim,  however,  no  other  merit  than  to  have  faithfully  pursued 
there  the  course  of  conduct  which  my  judgment  dictated  in  the 
present  alarming  and  unprecedented  posture  of  our  public  af- 
fairs. Embarked,  as  I  heliove  the  seriate  of  the  United  States 
now  is,  in  n  severe,  but  as  I  trust  in  God  the  event  will  prove, 
not  an  unsuccessful  contest  against  the  encroachments  ofexe- 
cutive  power,  I  should  he  false  to  every  principle  which  has 
hitherto  guided  me  in  life,  if  I  were  not  found  in  this  brittle 
ranged  on  the  side  of  the  constitution  and  the  law.  And  your 
approbation,  fellow  citizens,  though  it  gratifies,  does  nut  sur- 
prise me.  In  every  period  of  American  history,  Irishmen  have 
been  (mind  the  strenuous  supporters  of  liberal  principles;  and 
though  in  the  eagerness  with  which,  impelled  by  an  ardent  tem- 
perament, they  have  pursued  their  object,  they  may  have  some- 
times mistaken  the  best  means  to  attain  it,  and  have  given  to 
the  heart,  what  the  head  could  not  always  approve,  no  such 
imputation  can  rest  on  them  now,  when  they  are  seen  ready  to 
sacrifice  their  former  attachments,  to  the  call  which  the  beat  iu- 
turests  of  their  country  makes  on  their  patriotism. 

It  would  indeed,  fellow  citizens,  have  been  a  source  of  much 
more  satisfaction  to  me  to  have  been  enabled  to  approve  the 
measures  of  the  present  administration  of  the  general  Rovern- 
ment,  than  to  find  myself  compelled  to  oppose  them.  The  va- 
rionj  matters,  however,  on  which  my  judgment  has  concluded 
its  course  to  be  erroneous,  dwindle  into  comparative  insignifi- 
cance, to  the  objections  I  entertained  to  the  powers  claimed  by 
the  president,  for  the  executive  department  of  the  government, 
in  a  late  paper  bearing  his  signature,  and  called  by  him  a  protest. 
By  that  document  we  learn,  thnt  the  president  of  the  United 
States  claims  the  right  to  hold  under  his  control  the  public  mo 
n«y,  contrary  to  the  will  of  a  majority  of  the  American  people, 
or  of  their  representatives  in  the  two  houses  of  congress.  It  is 
true  this  power  is  not  asserted  by  him  in  these  word*,  but  what 
he  does  assert  is  identical  with  this  proposition,  and  cannot  be 
separated  from  it.  For  having  now  obtained  the  public  mo- 
n«y»,  by  removing  the  depo.itcs  from  the  United  States  bank, 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   10,   1S34- FRENCH  TREATY. 


179 


he  nays  they  can  only  he  taken  from  him  by  a  new  law,  which 
•hall  regulate  their  disposition  for  the  future.  To  the  rnact- 
meut  o(  such  a  law  his  own  sanction  is  necessary,  if  it  lie  pass- 
ed hy  a  majority,  ami  not  by  txvo-ihirds  of  the  senate  and  of  the 
house  of  representatives.  And  if  he  is  dissatisfied  with  its  pro 
visions,  or  unwilling  to  relax  his  grasp,  he  can  and  will  veto  it. 
So  it  is  plain  that  he  dues  virtually  maintain  tln>  existence  of  a 
right  in  himself  to  hold  the  purse  of  the  republic,  contrary  to 
the  will  of  a  majority  of  both  houses  of  congress. 

This  cannot  1m  in  my  judgment  the  true  meaning  of  the  con- 
ititution  of  the  United  Slates.  The  illustrious  men  who  framed 
that  instrument,  knew  too  well  by  the  experience  of  the  past, 
that  the  future  would  be  most  wretchedly  provided  for,  if  fuel) 
a  power  was  vested  in  any  one  man.  The  (Vital  error  into  which 
the  president  has  been  led,  is  to  consider  himself  the  depository 
nnd  guardian  of  the  public  money,  until  a  law  be  passed  to  de- 
prive him  of  it;  while  it  is  clear  on  the  contrary,  that  until  a  law 
M  enacted  givtn%  Aim  such  power,  he  cannot  constitutionally  ex- 
ercise any  control  over  the  people's  money.  I  regard,  therefore, 
the  doctrine  lately  put  forward  hy  him,  as  unsound  in  principle, 
and  leading  to  consequences  which  no  patriot  can  contemplate 
without  dismay.  Ill  conjunction  with  the  enlightened  states- 
men now  in  the  senate  of  the  United  Slates,  I  shall,  you  may  be 
assured,  fellow  citizens,  be  found  firmly  resisting  hy  all  consti- 
tutional means  such  an  extraordinary  assumption  of  authority. 
The  necessity  for  a  vigomus  resistance  to  it,  is  not  diminished  hy 
conceding,  that  the  chief  magistrate  has  not  the  evil  intention 
of  destroying  llie  liberties  of  his  country.  On  the  contrary,  the 
more  virtuous  the  man  who,  through  the  influence  of  false  coun- 
cils and  violent  passions,  suts  a  bad  example,  the  more  danger- 
ous the  precedent  becomes  for  posterity. 

The  state  of  my  health,  which  is  the  cause  of  my  present  visit 
to  your  city,  forbids  me  to  accept  the  invitation  you  have  been 
so  kind  as  to  convey  to  me.  I  pray  you  to  express  to  those 
whom  you  represent,  the  regret  I  feel  at  my  inability  to  meet 
them;  and  accept  my  thanks  for  the  obliging  manner  in  which 
you  have  conveyed  their  wishes. 

I  remain  with  great  respect,  your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

ALEX.  PORTER. 
To  Messrs.  James  Gowen,  John  MaitlanA,  Jllfx.  Cook,  Charles 

Johnson,  Wm.  Ferris,  James  McHenry,  John  Waters,  4'c. 

ELECTIONEERING 

OR   THINGS   TO    BE   LAUGHED   AT. 

The  following!;  with  all  its  italics,  CAPITALS  and 
notes  of  admiration!  !!  is  copied  from  a  late  number  of 
that  solemn,  "Minerva-bird"-like  paper,  the  "Rich- 
mond Enquirer." 

"Glorious!  Glorious!!  Thrice  Glorious!!.'  GREAT  WA- 
TERLOO VICTORY  IN  HALIFAX.  I  told  you  so.  And  I 
am  certain  that  I  shall  never  die  contented,  unless  I  commu- 
nicate to  you  what  a  victory  the  Jackson  and  anti-bank  de- 
mocracy have  achieved  for  their  country.  Sneed  and  Carring- 
ton  are  elected  hy  a  large  majority  over  Bruce  and  Sims,  the 
coalition  candidates."  "Such  a  victory  is  worth  talking  of:  it 
should  be  published  in  all  the  journals  of  Washington,  that 
Halifax,  the  largest  county  in  the  state,  in  population,  and,  in 
extent  of  territory,  equal  to  senator  Tyler's  whole  empire  —  that 
Halifax  noted  for  the  quantity  and  the  quality  of  her  tobacco  — 
that  Halifax  which  is  proverbial  from  Baffin's  bay  to  Cape  Horn, 
and  all  along  the  coast  of  Massachusetts,  has  come  out  trium- 
phant for  the  good  cause." 

Now  this  awful  county,  at  the  last  census,  contained 
28,034  inhabitants,  of  whom  14,307  were  persons  of  co- 
lor—nearly 14,000  being  slaves.  Deduct  these,  and  the 
people  of  this  vast  county,  (13,727),  do  not  equal  those  of 
some  of  the  wards  of  our  cities! 


Vicenza  (Caulaincourt,)  minuter  of  foreign  affairs  in  1814,  ju»t 
before  the  fall  of  Napoleon.  The  report  deserves  notice  as  con- 
taining very  nearly  the  admifpions  which  were  made  the  basis  of 
the  late  arrangement.  The  claim  to  indemnity  for  seizures  made 
under  the  Berlin  and  Milan  decrees  waa  rejected,  and  the  claims 
of  the  sufferers  limited  to  seizures  made  after  the  revocation  of 
those  decrees  in  1810;  seizures  made  when  the  vessels  captured 
had  no  knowledge  of  the  decree's,  of  vessels  destroyed  at  *ea  by 
stale  vessels;  and  the  seizures  made  at  St,  Sebastians.  The 
amount  of  indemnifications  wax  put  at  18,000,000  of  francs. 

Mr.  Barlow's  first  note  in  1812,  exhibited  the  amount  at  70,- 
000,000  of  francs.  The  president's  message  in  thai  year,  gave 
a  li.-t  of  558,  captured  vessels;  and  Mr.  Rives,  in  1831,  submit- 
ted a  list  of  485,  which  he  stated  to  be  incomplete,  the  value  or 
which  he  estimated  at  $14,000,000  about  the  same  amount  as 
that  claimed  by  Mr.  Barlow  in  1812. 

The  favorable  reception  of  the  American  claims  by  Napoleon 
is  explained  by  the  report,  by  his  desire  to  do  an  act  of  justice, 
and  at  the  same  time  "encourage  them  in  their  efforts"  in  the 
war  against  Great  Britain. 

The  fall  ol  Napoleon  and  the  establishment  of  the  government 
of  the  Bourbons,  changed  the  face  of  affairs.  Louis  and  Charles 
set  up  counter  pretensions,  which  showed  their  determination 
to  avoid  the  payment  of  any  portion  of  the  claim?,  if  possible. 
Their  first  claim  was  one  of  indemnification  for  a  breach  of  trea- 
ty of  1803 — by  which  French  vessels  were  to  be  admitted  into 
the  ports  of  Louisiana,  on  the  same  footing  with  Die  most  favor- 
ed nation;  but  by  the  treaty  of  Ghent  the  English  had  received 
greater  favors.  The  second  was  Ihe  peremptory  plea,  that  the 
royal  government  was  not  responsible  for  the  acts  of  the  go- 
vernment of  Napoleon.  It  would  comply  with  contracts  and 
pay  debts,  but  did  not  consider  itself  bound  to  make  reparation 
for  ads  of  spoliation. 

The  negotiation  nevertheless  continued  until  the  revolution 
of  July,  and  the  fall  of  Charles  X.  After  that  occurrence,  the 
report  proceeds  to  say,  the  government  thought  it  -'prudent  and 
proper,"  seriously  to  resume  its  negotiations  with  the  Uiiiird 
Stales,  "which  had  been  raised  by  a  long  period  of  prosperity  to 
an  eminent  rank  among  foreign  powers,  and  were  in  a  situation 
to  make  their  flag  respected."  Hence  the  commission  to  setlle 
the  convention,  and  final  settlement  in  1831.  The  principle  of 
non-responsibility  for  the  acts  of  the  imperial  government  was 
immediately  laid  aside,  the  juslice  of  the  general  claims  to  in- 
demnity, as  asserted  by  the  American  government,  subject  to 
discussion  and  exceptions  of  some  classes,  was  admitted  at  once, 
and  the  amount  and  details  of  indemnification  were  speedily 
settled.  The  exclusion  of  llie  Dutch  cases,  and  other  classes  of 
prizes  reduced  the  sum  claimed  by  Mr.  Barlow,  and  after  reci- 
procal offers  and  discussions,  25,000,000  francs  were  agreed 
upon. 

The  rest  of  the  report  is  occupied  with  an  examination  of  the 
different  classes  of  prizes  and  their  amounts,  in  order  to  show 
that  the  sum  of  25.000,000  francs  is  not  more  than  ought  to  have 
been  granted.  The  report  concludes  with  a  bill  appropriating 


the  necessary  sum. 


[Baltimore  American. 


FRENCH   CLAIMS. 

The  report  made  to  the  French  chamber  of  deputies  in  March 
last,  by  the  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  convention  of 
July,  1831,  between  the  two  nations,  has  been  translated  by  or- 
der of  the  state  department,  and  is  published  in  the  Washington 
Globe.  The  report  concludes  with  a  bill  for  carrying  the  con- 
vention into  effect. 

The  French  report  gives  a  long  historical  account  of  the  ori- 
gin ofthese  claims,  and  the  various  conflicting  decrees  and  orders 
in  council,  —  British  and  French,  —  by  which  the  neutral  rights 
of  the  United  States  were  invaded  by  both  belligerents,  and 
under  color  of  which  so  vast  an  amount  of  American  property 
was  seized  and  confiscated.  These  incidents  are  successively 
sketched  from  the  convention  of  1800,  through  the  treaty  of 
Louisiana  in  1803;  the  British  orders  in  council  of  1804-5-6;  the 
Berlin,  Milan  and  RambouillPt  Decrees  of  Napoleon;  the  embar- 
go and  non-intercourse  acts  of  America,  to  the  revocation  of 
the  French  decrees  in  1811,  and  the  war  of  1812.  In  all  these 
harsh  and  retaliatory  measures,  the  abstract  injustice  of  the 
system  of  commercial  warfare  is  frankly  admitted,  and  quoting 


the  language  of  Napoleon,  it  is  classed  with 
the  early  ages.' 


'the  barbarism  of 


To  this  follows  a  history  of  the  negotiations  between  the  two 
nations  for  adjuMin;*  the  controversy,  beginning  .with  that  con- 
ducted by  Joel  Barlow  in  1812,  down  to  the  final  convention  of 
1831,  concluded  by  Mr.  Rives. 

The  first  official  French  document  recognizing  the  right  of 
the  Americans  to  indemnification,  is  the  report  of  the  duke  of 


TREATY  BETWEEN  THE  U.  STATES  AND  FRANCE. 

Chamber  of  deputies,  28th  March. 

The  chamber  took  into  consideration  the  project  of  law  re- 
lative to  the  treaty  between  France  and  the  United  State*  of 
America. 

M.  Boissy  d'Anglas  spoke  against  the  project.  Gentlemen, 
he  said,  if  the  treaty,  the  ratification  of  which  you  are  called 
upon  to  sanction  by  a  vote  of  25,000,000  francs,  were  useful  to 
France — if  it  were  based  upon  a  principle  of  reciprocity,  I 
should  not  hesitate  to  express  my  approbation  of  it;  but,  as  far 
as  I  can  see  at  present,  the  necessity  of  such  a  measure  has 
not  been  demonstrated.  The  United  States  have  confiscated 
our  vessels,  and  have  done  the  greatest  injury  to  our  commerce 
— circumstances  which  are  not,  in  my  opinion,  sufficient  to  in- 
duce us  to  grant  that  government  an  indemnity. 

General  Horace  Sebasliani  read  a  discourse  in  favor  of  the 
project.  He  said  that  it  was  he  who,  when  the  minister  of  fo- 
reign affairs,  signed  the  treaty,  the  money  clauses  of  which  are 
now  submitted  to  the  examination  of  the  chamber.  He  re- 
minded the  chamber  that  even  the  imperial  government  had 
acknowledged  the  justice  of  these  claims — at  least  a  very  large 
portion  of  them.  M.  De  Caulaincourt,  when  minister,  valued 
them  at  15  to  20  millions.  But  at  that  time  the  emperor  wa« 
approaching  to  his  downfall,  and  he  has  left  this  obligation  to 
the  country  to  fulfil.  At  the  restoralion,  when  all  the  other 
powers  were  wresting  from  us,  the  United  States  alone  refused 
the  intervention  of  the  conquerors,  nnd  did  not  put  forward 
those  claims  until  the  year  1816.  The  then  ministers  declined 
to  enter  into  any  arrangement,  on  the  ground  of  the  exhausted 
state  of  the  national  finances,  and  advised  an  adjournment  of 
the  demand  to  a  future  period.  Such  was  the  state  of  the  ques- 
tion when  the  revolution  of  July  bioke  out.  This  great  event 
cemented  slill  more  the  good  understanding  between  the  two 
countries.  The  United  States  again,  biought  forward  their 
claims.  The  debt  involved  great  political  and  commercial  in- 
terests, arid  the  king's  ministers,  under  the  influence  of  such 
considerations,  did  not  hesitate  to  conclude  the  treaty  now  be- 


M.  Bignon  said  that,  in  his  opinion,  the  French  government 
had  not,  in  this  transaction,  profited  as  much  as  it  mipht  have 
done  of  the  favorable  position  in  which  it  found  itself.  The 


180      NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   10,  1834— PUBLIC  DIRECTORS  U.  S.  BANK. 


honorable  deputy  added,  that  he  did  not  mean  to  say  that  a 
indemnity  should  not  be  given,  but  one  much  less  onerous  tha 
that  now  proposed  might  have  been  agreed  upon.  The  hon 
deputy  concluded  by  proposing  to  reduce  the  indemnity  t 
12,000,000. 

The  minister  of  foreign  affairs  said,  that  the  governmen 
could  not  be  justly  blamed  for  any  delay  in  bringing  forwar 
this  project,  which  had  been  already  presented  in  the  two  pre 
ceding  sessions,  and  its  not  having  been  .discussed  and  vote 
was  owing  to  the  pressure  of  other  business  before  the  chain 
her. 

M.  Gay  entered  into  a  refutation  of  the  objections  made  b 
M.  Bignon. 

M.  Anguis  voted  against  the  project,  and  said,  if  this  indem 
nity  to  the  American  government  was  granted,  there  would  b 
no  reason  to  refuse  others  of  a  similar  kind,  which  would,  11 
doubt,  be  brought  forward  by  other  countries. 

On  the  1st  April  the  discussion  was  resumed.  The  followin 
are  extracts  from  some  of  the  speeches — 

M.  A.  Delamartine,  after  some  general  reflections  upon  th 
imperial  diplomacy,  which,  he  said,  in  default  of  reasons  mad 
use  of  gend'armes,  and  tore  the  pope  from  the  altar  of  St 
Peter's,  and  the  Spanish  monarchs  from  their  royal  residence 
at  Madrid,  entered  upon  the  question  before  the  chamber,  an 
said  the  only  question  to  be  decided  was,  if  we  were,  or  not 
debtors  of  the  United  States.  In  his  opinion,  the  debt  wa 
established;  for  during  17  years  it  has  been  under  examination 
and  discussion,  and  the  only  man  whom  France  and  the  Unite< 
States  could  choose  as  arbiter,  general  Lafayette,  has  declared 
that  he  most  conscientiously  believes  that  thirty  millions  o 
francs  at  least  are  due  to  the  Americans.  (Exclamations  o 
various  kinds.)  The  honorable  deputy  concluded  by  saying 
that  the  rejection  of  the  project  might  produce  a  hostile  disposi 
tion  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  and  lead  to  the  most  disas- 
trous results  for  our  commerce. 

M.  Dupont  made  some  observations  with  regard  to  the  ques- 
tions of  public  right  involved  in  the  project  of  law,  which  he 
voted  against. 

M.  Duchatel  expressed  an  opinion  similar  to  that  already  pu 
forward  by  some  of  the  preceding  speakers — that  the  advan 
tages  reaped  by  the  Americans  by  the  carrying  trade  during  the 
war  between  England  and  France  could,  under  no  point  o 
view,  be  considered  as  compensation  for  the  injury  done  to 
others  by  the  decrees  of  Milan  and  Berlin.  The  debt,  he  added, 
was  the  result  of  injustice — an  injustice  not  attempted  to  be 
denied— an  injustice  which  was  not  the  effect  of  war,  but  which 
was  committed  in  time  of  peace,  for  there  was  no  war  between 
France  and  the  United  States.  On  the  other  hand,  the  ad- 
vantages said  to  be  gained  by  the  Americans  were  not  of  our 
creating,  but  were  the  results  of  the  good  fortune  or  favorable 
chance  which  crowned  enterprises  where  they  risked  all  to 
gain  something.  With  regard  to  the  importance  of  the  cession 
of  Louisiana,  the  honorable  deputy  observed  that  our  rights  to 
that  territory  was  contested,  and  might  not  have  been  eventu- 
ally recognized.  It  was  therefore  not  any  thing  in  possession 
that  we  gave  up;  we  only  abandoned  a  doubtful  law  suit;  and 
what  did  we  obtain  in  exchange? — a  real  and  solid  advantage, 
in  a  considerable  diminution  of  duties  upon  our  wines,  which 
has  lead  to  an  immense  extension  of  our  commerce.  These 
diminutions  have  been,  according  to  the  various  qualities  of  the 
wines  from  42f.  to  30f.  from  21f.  to  14f.  and  from  14f.  to  8f.  and 
these  lessened  duties  were  to  have  been  still  further  diminished 
one-half  at  the  end  of  March,  1834. 

[M.  Duchatel  proceeded  further  to  shew  the  advantages 
which  France  derived  from  her  trade  with  the  United  States.] 
M.  Salverte  contended  that  the  arguments  drawn  from  the 
injury  that  might  ensue  to  our  commerce  from  the  rejection  of 
the  protest,  appeared  to  him  of  no  weight.  He  had,  he  said,  a 
better  opinion  of  the  wisdom  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States  than  to  suppose  it  would  act  lightly  in  so  grave  a  matter, 
and  in  a  fit  of  puerile  anger,  lay  on  additional  duties  on  the  pro- 
ductions of  France — a  proceeding  which  must  speedily  re-act 
upon  the  prosperity  of  America  herself.  Besides  added  the  hon. 
deputy,  the  time  is  passed  for  waging  war  by  means  of  custom 
hoiigK  officers;  duties  are  no  longer  imposed  out  of  hatred  or  an- 
*er  to  foreign  countries,  but  only  with  a  view  of  encouraging 
the  productions  of  our  own.  But  continued  the  hnn.  deputy, 
what  it  to  hinder  the  Americans,  after  being  paid  our  25.000,000 
from  excluding,  by  increased  duties,  our  wines  nnd  silks,  if  they 
should  find  it  their  interest  to  do  so?  I  do  not  say  that  this  will 
be  the  case,  but  I  merely  mention  the  possibility  of  such  an  e- 
vent.  to  show  you  that  it  is  interest  that  will  always  regulate 
<tre  conduct  of  a  people  eo  essentially  calculating  as  the  Ameri- 
cans. The  hon.  deputy,  after  having  reproached  the  minister 
for  foreign  affairs  with  having  designated  those  who  should  vote 
against  the  project  as  the  cause  of  any  future  decline  of  our 
manufactures,  and  any  public  disorders  resulting  therefrom, 
concluded  by  voting  against  the  project.  [Cries  of  ^question, 
question."] 

M.  Berryer  requested  to  be  allowed  to  put  a  question  to  the 
minister  of  foreign  affairs,  relative  to  28  American  ships  which 
had  been  seized  in  some  of  the  Spanish  ports  nnd  confiscated. 
The  value  of  these  vessels  and  their  cargoes  added  the  hon.  de- 
puty, was,  according  to  the  minister's  statement,  8,000,000 
franc*,  from  which  sum  it  figures  in  the  25,000,000  francs  of  in- 
demnity; so  that  we  thus  give  to  America  8,000,000  francs,  to  in- 
demnify her  for  the  loss  sustained  by  the  confiscation  of  her 
•hip*  by  Spain.  The  hon.  deputy  proceeded  to  state  that  in  the 


treaty  of  1819,  between  the  United  States  and  Spain,  all  claims 
relative  to  these  vessels  were  definitely  and  positively  declared 
to  be  given  up  by  America,  and  Spain  for  ever  discharged  from 
every  demand  relative  to  them. 

By  this  arrangement  (added  the  hon.  deputy),  America  trans- 
ferred the  claims  she  might  have  had  on  France,  for  these  prizes, 
to  Spain,  and  by  this  treaty  definitively  arranged  them.  It  there- 
fore appears  that  these  8,000,000f.,  which  are  included  in  the 
present  indemnity,  are,  according  to  this  arrangement,  to  be  paid 
twice  over. 

The  minister  of  foreign  affairs  said — The  answer  to  M.  Berry- 
er's  question  is  very  simple.  The  treaty  of  which  he  speaks  has 
nothing  to  do  with  the  question  relative  to  the  ships  seized  in 
the  Spanish  ports  of  St.  Sebastian,  Bilboa,  and  Passage.  The 
history  of  these  seizures  is  as  follows:— On  the  10th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1810,  an  order  came  to  bring  these  ships  to  Bayonne  from 
the  Spanish  ports,  where  they  had  been  seized,  and  into  which 
they  had  been  inveigled  at  the  suggestion  of  the  French  general 
then  commanding  in  that  part  of  Spain.  These  vessels  and  their 
cargoes  were  sold  at  Bayonne,  and  the  produce  of  the  sale  paid 
into  the  public  treasury.  The  object  of  the  treaty  of  1819  was 
to  liquidate  the  debts  due  by  Spain  to  the  United  States,  and  not 
those  due  by  France  to  America,  arising  out  of  facts  that  hap- 
pened in  Spain,  which  was  then  occupied  by  the  French  armies. 

Mr  Berryer  again  insisted  upon  his  view  of  the  subject. 

The  minister  of  foreign  affairs  replied — Not  one  of  the  ship* 
for  which  an  indemnity  has  been  given  in  the  treaty  of  1831, 
now  before  the  chamber,  is  alluded  to  by  the  treaty  of  1810,  be- 
tween Spain  and  the  United  States.  That  treaty,  therefore,  has 
nothing  whatsoever  to  do  with  the  present  question. 

M.  Mauguin  began  by  expressing  a  similar  opinion  to  that  of 
M.  Berryer,  with  regard  to  the  vessels  seized  in  Spanish  ports, 
and  the  treaty  of  1819.  The  hon.  deputy,  in  alluding  to  what  had 
Men  asserted  in  a  previous  part  of  the  debate,  by  the  minister  of 
foreign  affairs,  that  the  government  of  the  restoration  was  on  the 
:>oint  of  granting  an  indemnity  to  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  said  he  would  repeat  an  expression  which,  in  his  opi- 
nion,did  honor  to  a  man  now  in  misfortune.  The  hon.  deputy  sta- 
ted that  being  one  of  the  commission  charged  with  interrogating 
>rince  Polignac,  when  confined  in  the  castle  of  Vincennes,  he 
lad  heard  him  in  the  intervals  of  examination,  when  the  mem- 
>ers  of  the  commission  and  the  fallen  minister  were  engaged  in 
speaking  on  miscellaneous  subjects,  say  on  the  American  claims 
icing  mentioned,  "Take  care,  I  have  studied  that  question,  and 
we  owe  nothing  to  the  United  States."  I  repeat,  he  uttered  this 
"anguage  with  so  profound  a  feeling  of  nationality,  that  I  felt  it 
mpossible  to  resist  its  impression.  I  shall  add,' said  the  hon. 
leputy,  that  in  the  correspondence  relative  to  the  affairs  of  the 
as!,  which  I  have  seen,  the  sentiments  recorded  there  by  prince 
'olignac,  were  frank,  noble,  and  altogether  worthy  of  a  French- 
man. (Exclamations  from  the  centre.) 

The  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  said  that  he  must  regret  that 
he  name  of  prince  Polignac  was  introduced  into  the  discui-sion. 
minister  added,  that  prince  Polignaa  had  positively  admit- 
ed  the  right  of  America  to  an  indemnity,  and  that  what  he 
aid  to  M.  Mauguin  must  have  been  in  a  general  and  vague 
runner,  or  otherwise  would  be  contradiction  with  himself. 
After  a  few  observations  from  M.  Isambert,  which  were  lost 
midst  cries  of  "question,"  the  chamber  proceeded  to  ballot  on 
rt.  1,  relative  to  the  indemnity  of  25,000,000f.  The  result  wag 
s  follows: 

Number  of  votes,  344.  For  the  article, 168;  against  it,  176—8 
ajority  against  the  article.  (Prolonged  sensation  in  the  chani- 
er.)  At  6  o'clock  the  chamber  rose. 

-In  consequence  of  this  result  two  of  the  ministers,  the 
uc  de  Broglie,  and  gen.  Sebnstiani  resigned  their  places.  They 
ad  much  exerted  themselves  to  obtain  a  different  vote.  A  ca- 
inet  council  was  held  at  the  Tuileries  the  same  evening,  and 
le  ministers  all  present  except  the  two  who  had  sent  in  their 
•situations,  which,  it  is  said,  an  effort  would  be  made  to  in- 
ure them  to  recall;  but  at  tU<-  latest  moment  of  the  account* 
om  Paris,  it  had  not  been  effectual. 

It  appears  that  the  amount  of  the  claims  caused  the  rejection 
f  the  bill — many  members  having  made  up  their  minds  that 
welve  millions  of  francs  was  an  ample  compensation  for  the 
al  amount  of  losses  sustained. 

PUBLIC  DIRECTORS—  BANK  UNITED  STATES. 

THE   MESSAGE. 

Washington,  llth  March,  1834. 
'o  Me  sennte: 

I  renominate  Henry  D.  Gilpin,  Peter  Wnsjer  nnd  John  T. 
illivan,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Hugh  McEld'-rry,  of  Baltimore, 

be  directors  in  the  batik  of  the  United  States,  for  tho  year 
834. 

I  disclaim  all  pretension,  of  right,  on  the  psrt  of  the  prpsi- 
•nt,  officially  to  inquire  into,  or  call  in  question,  the  reasons 
'the  senate  for  rejecting  nny  nomination  whatsoever.  As  the 
esjdent  is  not  responsible  to  them  for  the  reasons  which  in- 
jce  him  to  make  a  nomination,  eo  tlmy  are  not  responsible  to 
m  for  the  reasons  which  induce  theni  to  reject  it.  In  these 
specif,  each  is  independent  of  the  oilier,  nnd  doth  responsible 

their  recpectivn  constituents.  Nevertheless,  thr.  attitude  in 
hich  certain  vital  interests  of  the  country  are  placed  by  the 
jection  of  the  gentlemen  now  renominaled,  require  of  me 
rankly  to  communicate  my  views  of  the  consequences  which 
ust  necessarily  follow  this  act  of  the  senate,  if  it  be  not  r«- 
nsidered. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   10,  1834— PUBLIC  DIRECTORS  U.  S.  BAJN7K.      181 


The  characters  and  standing  of  these  gentlemen  are  well 
known  to  the  community,  and  eminently  qualify  them  for  the 
offices  to  which  I  propose  to  appoint  them.  Their  confirmation 
by  the  senate,  at  its  last  session,  to  the  same  offices,  is  proof 
that  such  was  the  opinion  of  them  entertained  by  the  senate  at 
that  time;  and  unless  something  has  occured  since  to  change  it, 
this  act  may  now  be  referred  to  as  evidence  that  their  talents 
arid  pursuits  justify  their  selection. 

The  refusal,  however,  to  confirm  their  nominations  to  the 
same  offices  shows  that  there  is  something  in  the  conduct  of 
these  gentlemen,  during  the  last  year,  which,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  senate,  disqualifies  them,  and  as  no  charge  has  been  marie 
against  them  as  men  or  citizens,  nothing  which  impeaches  the 
fair  private  character  they  possessed  when  the  senate  gave 
them  their  sanction  at  its  last  session;  and  as  it  moreover  ap- 
pears from  the  journal  of  the  senate,  recently  transmitted  for  my 
inspection,  that  it  was  deemed  unnecessary  to  inquire  into 
their  qualifications  or  character;  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  the 
change  in  tin;  opinion  of  the  senate  has  arisen  from  the  official 
conduct  of  these  gentlemen.  The  only  circumstances  in  their 
official  conduct,  which  have  been  deemed  of  sufficient  import- 
ance to  attract  public  attention,  are  tin;  two  reports  made  by 
them  to  the  executive  department  of  the  government;  the  one 
•bearing  date  the  22d  day  of  April,  and  the  other  the  19th  day  of 
August  last;  both  of  which  reports  were  communicated  to  the 
senate  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  with  his  reasons  for  re- 
moving the  deposites. 

The  truth  of  the  facts  stated  in  these  reports  is  not,  I  pre- 
sume, questioned  by  any  one.  The  high  character  and  stand- 
ing of  the  citizens  by  whom  they  were  made  prevent  any  doubt 
upon  the  subject.  Indeed,  the  statements  have  not  been  de- 
nied by  the  president  of  the  bank,  and  the  other  directors.  On 
the  contrary,  they  have  insisted  that  they  were  authorised  to 
use  the  money  of  the  bank  in  the  manner  stated  in  the  two  re- 
ports, and  have  not  denied  that  the  charges  there  made  against 
the  corporation  are  substantially  true.  It  must  be  taken,  there- 
fore, as  admitted,  that  the  statements  of  the  public  directors,  in 
the  reports  above  mentioned,  are  correct:  and  they  disclose  the 
most  alarming  abuses,  on  the  part  of  the  corporation,  and  the 
most  strenuous  exertions,  on  their  part,  to  put  an  end  to  them. 
They  prove  that  enormous  sums  were  secretly  lavished,  in  a 
manner,  and  for  purposes,  that  cannot  be  justified,  and  that  the 
whole  of  the  immense  capital  of  the  bank  has  been  virtually 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  a  single  individual,  to  be  used,  if  he 
thinks  proper,  to  corrupt  the  press,  and  to  control  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  government,  by  exercising  an  undue  influence 
over  elections. 

The  reports  were  made  in  obedience  to  my  official  direction!!; 
and  I  herewith  transmit  copies  of  my  letters  calling  for  infor- 
mation of  the  proceedings  of  the  bank.  Were  they  bound  to 
disregard  the  call?  Was  it  their  duty  to  remain  silent,  while 
abuses  of  the  most  injurious  and  dangerous  character  were 
daily  practised?  Were  they  bound  to  conceal  from  the  con- 
stituted authorities  a  course  of  measures  destructive  to  the  best 
interests  of  the  country,  and  intended  gradually  and  secretly  to 
subvert  the  foundations  of  our  government,  and  to  transfer  its 
powers  from  the  hands  of  the  people  to  a  great  moneyed  cor- 
poration.' Was  it  their  duly  to  sit  in  silence  at  the  board,  and 
witness  all  these  abuses,  without  an  attempt  to  correct  them; 
or,  in  case  of  failure  there,  not  to  appeal  to  higher  authority? 
The  eighth  fundamental  rule  authorises  any  one  of  the  direc- 
tors, whether  elected  or  appointed,  who  may  have  been  absent 
when  an  access  of  debt  was  created,  or  who  may  have  dissent- 
ed from  the  act,  to  exonerate  himself  from  personal  responsibi- 
lity by  giving  notice  of  the  fact  to  the  president  of  the  United 
States;  thus  recognizing  the  propriety  of  communicating  to  that 
officer  the  proceedings  of  the  board  in  such  cases.  But,  inde- 
pendently of  any  argument  to  be  derived  from  the  principle  re- 
cognized in  the  rule  referred  to,  I  cannot  doubt  for  a  moment 
that  it  is  the  right  and  the  duty  of  every  director  at  the  board  to 
attempt  to  correct  all  illegal  proceedings,  and,  in  ciise  of  failure, 
to  disclose  them;  and  that  every  one  of  them,  whether  elected 
by  the  stockholders  or  appointed  by  the  government,  who  had 
knowledge  of  the  facts  and  concealed  them,  would  be  justly 
amenable  to  the  severest  censure. 

But  in  the  case  of  the  public  directors  it  was  their  peculiar 
and  official  duty  to  make  the  disclosures:  and  the  call  upon 
them  for  information  could  not  have  been  disregarded  without 
a  flagrant  breach  of  their  trust.  The  directors  appointed  by 
the  United  States  cannot  be  regarded  in  the  light  of  the  ordi- 
nary directors  of  a  bank  appointed  by  the  stockholders,  and 
charged  with  tho  care  of  their  pecuniary  interests  in  the  corpo- 
ration. They  have  higher  and  more  important  duties.  They 
are  public  officers.  They  are  placed  at  the  board  not  merely  to 
represent  the  stock  held  by  the  United  States,  but  to  observe 
the  conduct  of  the  corporation,  and  to  watch  over  the  public  in- 
terests. It  was  foreseen  that  this  great  moneyed  monopoly 
might  be  so  managed  as  to  endanger  the  interests  of  the  coun- 
try: and  it  was  therefore  deemed  necessary,  as  a  measure  of 
precaution,  to  place  at  the  board  watchful  sentinels,  who  should 
observe  its  conduct,  and  stand  ready  to  report  to  the  proper  offi- 
cers of  the  government  every  act  of  the  board  which  might  af- 
fect injuriously  the  interests  of  the  people. 

The  whole  frame  of  the  charter,  as  well  as  the  manner  of 
their  appointment,  proves  this  to  be  their  true  character.  The 
United  States  are  not  represented  at  the  board  by  these  directors 
merely  on  account  of  the  stouk  held  by  the  government.  The 


right  of  the  United  States  to  appoint  directors,  and  the  number 
appointed,  do  not  depend  upon  the  amount  of  the  stock;  for  if 
every  share  should  be  sold,  and  the  United  States  cease  to  be  a 
stockholder  altogether,  yet,  under  the  charter,  the  right  to  ap- 
point five  directors  would  still  remain.  Jn  such  a  case,  what 
would  be  the  character  of  the  directors?  They  would  represent 
no  stock  arid  be  chosen  by  no  stockholder.  Yet  they  would 
have  a  right  to  sit  at  the  board;  to  vote  on  all  questions  submit- 
ted to  it;  and  to  be  made  acquainted  with  all  the  proceedings- 
of  the  corporation.  They  would  not,  in  such  a  case,  be  ordinary 
directors  chosen  by  the  stockholders  in  proportion  to  their 
stock.  But  they  would  be  public  officers  appointed  to  guard 
the  public  interests;  and  their  duties  must  conform  to  their 
office.  They  are  not  the  duties  of  an  ordinary  director  chosen 
by  a  stockholder;  but  they  are  the  peculiar  duties  of  a  public 
officer,  who  is  bound  on  all  occasions  to  protect,  to  the  utmost 
of  his  lawful  means,  the  public  interests;  and  where  his  own 
authority  is  not  sufficient  to  prevent  the  injury,  to  inform  those 
to  whom  the  laws  has  confided  the  necessary  power.  Such, 
then,  is  the  character,  and  such  are  the  duties,  of  the  directors 
appointed  by  the  United  States,  whether  the  public  be  Hock- 
holders  or  not.  They  are  officers  of  the  United  States,  and  not 
the  mere  representatives  of  a  stockholder. 

The  mode  of  their  appointment,  and  their  tenure  to  office, 
confirm  this  position.  They  are  appointed,  like  other  officers 
of  the  government,  and  by  the  same  authority.  They  do  not 
hold  their  offices  irrevocably  a  year  alter  their  appointment;  on 
the  contrary, by  the  express  terms  of  the  law,  they  are  liable  to 
be  removed  from  office  at  any  time  by  the  president,  when  in  his 
judgment  the  public  interest  shall  require  it.  In  every  respect, 
therefore,  in  which  the  subject  can  be  considered,  it  is  evident 
that  the  five  directors,  appointed  by  the  United  States  are  to  be 
regarded  as  public  officers;  who  are  placed  there  in  order  to  ob- 
serve the  conduct  of  the  corporation,  and  to  prevent  abuses 
which  might  otherwise  he  committed. 

Such  being  the  character  of  the  directors  appointed  on  behalf 
of  the  United  States,  it  is  obviously  their  duty  to  resist,  and  in 
case  of  failure  to  report  to  the  president,  or  (o  the  secretary  of 
the  treasury,  any  proceedings  of  the  board  by  which  the  publio 
interest  muy  be  injuriously  affected.  The  president  may  order 
a  scire  facias  against  the  bank,  for  a  violation  of  its  charter}  and 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  is  empowered  to  direct  the  money 
of  the  United  States  to  be  deposited  elsewhere,  when,  in  his 
judgment,  the  public  interest  require  it  to  be  done.  The  direc- 
tors of  this  bank,  like  all  others,  are  accustomed  to  sit  with 
closed  doors,  and  do  not  report  their  proceedings  to  any  depart- 
ment of  the  government.  The  monthly  return,  which  the  char- 
ter requires  to  be  made  to  the  treasury  department,  gives  no- 
thing more  than  a  general  statement  of  its  pecuniary  condition; 
and  of  that  but  an  imperfect  one.  For,  although  it  shows  the 
amount  loaned  at  the  bank  and  its  different  branches,  it  does> 
not  show  the  condition  of  its  debtors,  nor  the  circumstances 
under  which  the  loans  were  made.  It  does  not  show  whether 
they  are  in  truth  accommodations  granted  in  the  regular  and 
ordinary  course  of  business,  upon  fair  banking  principles,  or 
from  other  motives.  Under  the  name  of  loans,  advances  may 
be  made  to  persons  notoriously  insolvent,  for  the  most  cot" 
rupt  and  improper  purposes;  and  a  course  of  proceeding  may 
be  adopted,  in  violation  of  its  charter,  while  upon  the  face  of  its 
monthly  statement,  every  thing  would  appear  to  be  fair  and 
correct. 

How,  then,  is  the  executive  branch  of  the  government  to  be- 
come acquainted  with  the  official  conduct  of  the  public  direc- 
tors, or  the  abuses  practised  by  the  corporation  for  its  private- 
ends,  and  in  violation  of  its  duty  to  the  public?  The  power  of 
displacing  the  public  directors,  and  that  of  issuing  a  scire  facias, 
and  of  removing  the  deposites,  were  not  intended  to  be  idle  and 
nugatory  provisions,  without  the  means  of  enforcement.  Yet 
they  must  be  wholly  inoperative  and  useless,  unless  there  be 
some  means  by  which  the  official  conduct  of  the  public  direc- 
tors, and  the  abuses  of  power  on  the  part  of  the  corporation, 
may  be  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  executive  department 
of  the  government. 

Will  it  b»  said,  that  the  power  is  given  to  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  to  examine,  himself,  or  by  his  authorised  agent,  into 
the  conduct  and  condition  of  the  bank?  The  answer  is  obvious. 
It  could  not  have  been  expected  or  intended  that  he  would 
make  an  examination,  unless  information  was  first  given  to 
him  which  excited  his  suspicions;  and  if  he  did  make  such  a 
general  examination,  without  previous  information  of  miscon- 
duct, it  is  most  probable,  that  in  the  complex  concerns  and  ac- 
counts of  a  bank,  it  would  result  in  nothing,  whatever  abuses 
might  have  been  practised. 

It  is,  indeed,  the  duty  of  every  director  to  give  information  of 
such  misconduct  on  the  part  of  the  board.  But  the  power  to  is- 
sue a  scire  facias,  and  to  remove  the  deposites,  presupposes 
that  the  directors  elected  by  the  stockholders  might  abuse  their 
power;  and  it  cannot  be  presumed  that  congress  intended  to 
rely  on  these  same  directors  to  give  information  of  their  own 
misconduct.  The  government  is  not  accustomed  to  rely  on  the 
offending  party  to  disclose  his  olTence.  It  was  intended  that 
the  power  to  issue  a  scire  facias,  and  remove  the  deposites, 
should  be  real  and  effective.  The  necessary  means  of  informa- 
tion were  therefore  provided  in  the  charter;  and  five  officers  of 
the  government  appointed,  in  th6  usual  manner,  responsible  to 
the  public  and  not  to  the  stockholders,  were  placed  as  sentinels 
at  the  board,  and  are  bound,  by  the  nature  and  character  «f 
their  office,  to  retwt,  and,  if  unsuccessful,  to  report  to  the  pro- 


IS*     NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   10,  1834— PUBLIC  DIRECTORS  U.  S.  BANK- 


per  authority  every  infraction  of  the  charter,  and  every  abuse  of 
power,  in  order  that  due  measures  should  be  taken  to  punish  or 
correct  it;  and,  in  like  manner,  it  is  their  duly  to  give,  when 
called  upon,  any  explanation  ol their  own  official  conduct  touch 
ing  the  management  of  the  institution. 

It  was,  perhaps,  scarcely  necessary  to  present  to  the  senate 
these  views  of  the  power  of  the  executive,  and  of  the  duties  of 
the  five  directors  appointed  by  the  United  Slates.  But  the  bank 
is  believed  to  lie  now  striving  to  obtain  for  itself  the  government 
of  the  country;  and  is  seeking,  by  new  and  strained  construc- 
tions, to  wrest  from  the  hands  of  Ihe  constituted  authorities  the 
salutary  control  reserved  by  the  charter.  And,  as  misrepresen- 
tation is  one  of  its  most  usual  weapons  of  attack,  I  have  deem- 
ed it  my  duty  to  put  before  the  senate,  in  a  manner  not  to  be 
misunderstood,  Ihe  principles  on  which  I  have  acted. 

Entertaining, as  I  do,  a  solemn  conviction  of  the  truth  of  these 
principle*,  1  must  adhere  to  them,  and  act  upon  them  with  con- 
stancy and  firmness. 

Aware,  as  1  now  am,  of  the  dangerous  machinations  of  the 
bank,  it  is  more  than  ever  rny  duty  to  be  vigilant  in  guarding  the 
rights  of  the  people  from  the  impending  danger.  And  I  should 
feel  that  I  ought  to  forfeit  the  confidence  with  which  my  coun- 
trymen have  honored  me,  if  I  did  not  require  regular  and  full 
report*  of  every  thing  in  Ihe  proceedings  of  Ihe  bank,  calculat- 
ed lo  affect  injuriously  the  public  interests,  from  the  public  di- 
rectors. And,  if  the  directors  should  fail  to  give  the  informa- 
tion called  for,  it  would  be  my  imperious  duty  to  exercise  the 
power  conferred  on  me  by  the  law,  of  removing  them  from  of- 
fice, and  of  appointing  others  who  would  discharge  their  duties 
with  more  fidelity  lo  the  public.  I  can  never  sutler  any  one  to 
hold  office  under  me  who  would  connive  at  corruption,  or  who 
should  fail  to  give  thf  alarm,  when  he  saw  the  enemies  of  liber- 
ty endeavoring  to  sap  the  foundations  of  our  free  institutions, 
and  to  subject  the  free  people  of  Ihe  United  States  to  the  do 
minion  of  a  great  moneyed  corporation. 

Any  directors  of  the  bank,  therefore,  who  might  be  appointed 
by  the  government,  would  be  required  to  report  to  the  execu- 
tive as  fully  as  the  late  directors  have  done,  and  more  frequent 
ly,  because  the  danger  is  more  imminent:  and  it  would  be  my 
duty  to  require  of  them  a  full  detail  of  every  part  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  corporation,  or  any  of  its  officers,  in  order  that 
1  might  he  enabled  to  decide  whether  I  should  exercise  in 
power  ol  ordering  a  scire  facias,  which  is  reserved  to  the  presi- 
dent by  the  charter, or  adopt  such  other  lawful  measures  as  tin: 
interests  of  the  country  might  require.  It  is  too  obvious  to  be 
doubted  that  the  misconduct  of  th«  corporation  would  never  have 
been  brought  to  light  by  the  aid  of  a  public  proceeding  at  the 
board  of  directors.  The  board,  when  called  on  by  the  govern- 
ment directors,  refused  to  institute  an  inquiry,  or  require  an  ac- 
count; and  the  mode  adopted  by  the  latter  was  the  only  one  1>\ 
which  the  object  could  be  attained.  It  would  be  absurd  to  ad 
mil  the  right  of  the  government  directors  to  give  information 
and,  at  the  same  lime,  deny  the  means  of  obtaining  it.  It  woult 
be  but  another  mode  of  enabling  the  bank  to  conceal  its  pro 
ceedings,  and  practice,  with  impunity,  its  corruptions.  In  the 
mode  of  obtaining  the  information,  therefore,  and  in  their  ef- 
forts to  put  an  end  to  the  abuses  disclosed,  as  well  as  in  report 
ing  them,  the  conduct  of  the  late  directors  was  judicious  am 
praiseworthy;  and  the  honesty,  firmness  and  intelligence  whirl 
they  have  displayed,  entitle  ilium,  in  my  opinion,  to  the  grati 
tude  of  the  country. 

But,  if  I  do  not  mistake  the  principles  on  which  the  senate 
have  recently  rejected  them,  the  conduct  which  I  deem  worthy 
of  praise,  they  treat  as  a  breach  of  duty;  and,  in  their  judgment 
the  measures  which  they  look  to  obtain  the  information,  am 
their  efforts  to  put  an  end  to  the  practices  disclosed,  and  the  re 
ports  they  have  made  to  Ihe  executive,  although  true  in  all  thei 
parts,  are  regarded  as  an  offence,  and  supposed  to  require  some 
decisive  mark  of  strong  disapprobation. 

If  the  views  of  the  senate  be  suvh  as  I  have  supposed,  ilia  dif 
fieulty  of  sending  lo  the  senate  any  other  names  than  those  o 
the  late  directors,  will  be  at  once  apparent.  I  cannot  con«en 
to  place  before  the  senate  the  name  of  any  one  who  is  not  pra 
pared,  with  firmness  and  honesty,  to  discharge  Ihe  duties  of 
public  director,  in  the  manner  they  were  fulfilled  by  those  whoi 
the  senate  have  refused  to  confirm.  If,  for  performing  n  dm 
lawfully  required  of  them  by  the  executive,  they  are  to  h 
punished  by  the  subsequent  rejection  of  the  senate,  it  woul 
not  only  be  useless,  but  cruel,  to  place  men  of  character  an 
honor  in  that  situation,  if  even  such  men  could  he  found  to  ac- 
cept il.  If  they  failed  to  give  the  required  informsiion,  or  I 
take  proper  measuies  to  obtain  it,  they  would  be  removed  l> 
the  executive.  If  ihey  gave  Ihe  information,  tuirl  look  propi 
measures  lo  obtain  it.  they  would,  upon  I!H-  next  nomination 
be  rejected  by  the  senate.  It  would  he  unju-l,  in  me,  to  plac 
any  other  citizens  in  the  predicament  in  which  this  unlookr 
for  deci.«ion  of  the  senate  h:vs  plac-eil  il;e  estimable  and  honoia 
ble  men  who  were  directors  during  the  last  year. 

If  I  am  not  in  error  in  relation  lo  the  principles  upon  whic 
lhe«.e  gentlemen  have  been  rejcriml,  the  necessary  cnn.-pqni:nc 
will  be  that  tin;  hank  will  hereafter  he  without  government  d 
rectors,  and  Ihe  people  of  the  United  States  iiin-l  !>«-.  deprived  o 
their  chief  means  of  protection  ajainst  it*  abuses:  for  whate.ve 
conflicting  opinions  may  exist  a?  to  the  right  of  Ihe  directors 
appointed  hi  January,  1833,  to  hold  over  until  new  appoin 
ments  shall  be  made,  it  i-  very  obvious  th.it,  whilst  their  rejec 
tlnn  by  the  spmtte  remains  in  force,  they  earinot,  with  proprie 
ty,  attempt  lo  exercise  mcb  a  power.  In  the  presenl  stnte  o 


hings,  therefore,  the  corporation  will  be  enabled  effectually  to 
ccomplish  the  object  it  has  been  so  long  endeavoring  to  obtain. 
is  exchange  committees,  and  its  delegated  powers  lo  ils  presi- 
ent,  may  hereafter  be  dispensed  with,  without  incurring  Ihe 
anger  of  exposing  its  proceedings  to  the  public  view.  The 
entn.ds  which  the  law  had  placed  at  its  board  can  no  longer  ap- 
ear  there. 

Justice  to  myself  and  to  the  faithful  officers  by  whom  the  pub- 
ic has  been  so  well  and  so  honorably  served,  without  compen- 
ulion  or  reward,  during  the  last  year,  has  required  of  me  this  full 
nd  frank  exposition  of  my  motives  for  nominating  them  again, 
fter  their  rejection  by  the  senate.  I  repeat,  that  I  do  not  quea- 
ion  the  right  of  the  senale  lo  confirm  or  reject  at  their  pleasure: 
nd  if  there  had  been  any  reason  lo  suppose  that  the  rejection 
n  this  case  had  nol  been  produced  by  the  causes  to  which  I 
lave  attributed  it,  or  if  my  views  of  their  duties,  and  the  pre- 
ent  importance  of  their  rigid  performance,  were  other  than  they 
le,  I  should  have  cheerfully  acquiesced,  and  attempted  lo  find 
thers  who  would  accept  the  unenviable  trust.  But  I  cannot 
onsent  to  appoint  directors  of  the  bank  to  be  the  subservient 
instruments,  or  silent  spectators,  of  its  abuses  and  corruptions; 
lor  can  I  ask  honorable  men  to  undertake  the  thankless  duty, 
vith  the  certain  prospect  of  being  rebuked  by  the  senate  for  its 
ailhi'ul  performance  in  pursuance  of  the  lawful  directions  of 
he  executive. 

I  repeat  that  I  do  not  claim  a  right  to  inquire  into,  or  official- 
y  to  censure,  the  acts  of  the  senate.  l>ut  the  situation  in 
vhich  the  important  interests  of  Ihe  American  people,  vesled 
n  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  affected  by  its  arrange- 
nents,  must  necessarily  be  left  by  Ihe  rejection  of  the  gentle- 
en  now  renominated,  has  made  it  my  duty  to  give  this  expla- 
nation to  fn'  senale,  and  submit  the  matter  to  their  reconsider- 
ation. If  it  shall  be  determined  by  the  senale  that  all  channels 
of  information,  in  relation  to  the  corrupt  proceedings  of  this 
'angerous  corporation,  shall  be  cut  off,  and  the  government 
ind  country  left  exposed  to  its  unrestrained  machinations 
against  the  purity  of  the  press,  and  public  libeity,  I  shall,  after 
laving  made  this  effort  to  avert  so  great  an  evil,  rest,  for  the 
ustification  of  my  official  course,  with  respectful  confidence, 
>n  the  judgment  of  the  American  people. 

In  conclusion,  it.  is  proper  I  should  inform  the  senate  that 
there  is  now  no  government  director  appointed  for  the  present 
year:  Mr.  Bayard,  who  was  nominated  and  confirmed  by  the 
senate,  having  refused  to  accept  that  appointment. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

REPORT  OF  THE    COMStlTTEE   OF  FINANCE    ON  THE  MESSAGE: 

In  senate,  May  1,  1834. 

Mr.  Tyler,  from  the  commiltee  on  finance,  to  which  was  re- 
ferred the  message  of  the  president  of  the  llth  of  March,  re- 
nominating  Henry  D.  Gilpin,  Peler  Wager,  John  T.  Sullivan 
and  Hugh  McElderry,  as  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  submitted  the  following  report: 

The  committee  have  bestowed  upon  the  subject  the  reflec- 
tion which  respect  for  Ihe  chief  magistrate  would  at  all  time* 
command.  The  president,  at  an  early  day  of  the  session,  sub- 
mitted the  nomination  to  the  senate,  of  five  persons,  as  direc- 
tors of  the  bank  of  the  U.  Slates.  To  one  of  these  nomination* 
the  senate  assented;  and  the  person  nominated  was  appointed. 
In  regard  to  the  lour  others,  being  the  same  persons  now  re- 
nominated  to  the  senate,  no  definitive  decision  was  made  until 
the  97th  day  of  February,  when  they  were  eauh  separately  re- 
jected by  ayes  and  noes.  The  subjects,  in  the  mean  time,  with 
which  these  nominations  were  in  some  degree  connected, 
had  undergone  a  full  and  elaborate  discussion  in  the  senate. 
The  decision,  therefore,  was  well  calculated  to  satisfy  the  pre- 
sident that  the  senale  enterlained  decisive  objections  to  the 
confirmation  of  these  four  persons;  and  the  journals  of  whrch 
the  president  usually  sees  a  copy,  could  not  fail  to  show  that 
each  and  every  one  of  them  was  rejected  by  a  clear  majority 
of  the  whole  senale.  The  precise  characler  of  Ihe  objection* 
laken  by  each  and  every  member  of  Ihe  majority,  or  even  the 
general  character  of  such  objections,  it  would  be  presumptuous 
in  the  committee  to  attempt  to  ascertain.  They  cannot  be  ex- 
pected logo  into  private  conference  with  members,  and  to  inter- 
rogate either  those  of  the  majority  or  minority,  upon  this  or  any 
other  question,  as  lo  Ihe  reasons  of  their  votes.  It  must  be  ob- 
vious that  from  the  constitution  of  the  senate;  from  the  manner 
of  its  proceedings;  from  the  absolute  right  of  every  member  to 
vote  for  or  against  particular  nomination*  for  rea-ons  of  his 
own,  whether  others  concur  with  him  in  those  reasons  or  not, 
Ihe  grounds  of  the  votes  of  individual  members  ran  never  be 
set  forth,  nor  authentically  known.  The  committee  cannot 
undertake  any  inquiry  into  such  grounds  of  individual  opinion; 
nor  do  they  know  any  form  in  which  the  senate  itself,  if  it  were 
fo  inclined;  could  compel  individuals  lo  state  the  reason*  of 
iheir  votes.  The  committee,  therefore,  do  not  i-uppose  it  pro- 
per for  the  senate  by  nny  proceeding  to  be  adopted  nn  in  part, 
to  undertake  lo  art  forth  the  ren-ons  of  members  for  rejecting 
thes".  persons.  It  i*  enough  that  IhK  srnain  in  the  «xer<  i»e  of 
an  unquestionable  constitutional  n'shr  has  refuted  its  advicn 
nnd  consent  lo  llip  nnininnlions.  This  has  btrn  officially  cer- 
tified to  tho  president,  and  the  committee  think  tht.re  is  no 
ground  for  further  inquiry. 

The  president  disclaim*,  indeed,  in  tf.rms,  all  ritfht  to  inquire 
into  the  reasons  of  the  eemit*  for  n-jectini!  any  nomination;  and 
y«l  lh«  m«s?ngp  immediately  undertakes  tn  infer, from  foots  and 
circumstance?,  what  those  reasons,  which  influenced  the  re- 


NILES'   REGISTER— MAY    10,  1834— PUBLIC  DIRECTORS  U.  S.  BANK.     183 


nate  in  this  case,  must  have  been,  and  goes  on  to  argue,  much 
at  large,  against  the  validity  of  such  supposed  realms.  The 
committee  arc  of  opinion,  tlmt  if,  us  the  president  admits,  he 
cannot  inquire  into  the  reasons  of  the  senatu  for  refiiMiig  its 
assent  to  nominations,  it  is  still  more  clear  that  those  reasons 
cannot,  with  propriety,  be  assumed,  and  made  subjects  ot  com- 
ment. 

Incase*  in  which  nominations  are  rejected,  for  reasons  af- 
fecting the  character  of  the  persons  nominated,  the  committee 
think  that  no  inference  is  to  be  drawn,  except  what  the  vote 
i-hows;  that  is  to  say,  that  the  senate  withholds  its  advice  and 
consent  from  the  nominations.  And  the  senate,  not  being 
bound  to  give  reasons  for  its  votes,  in  theee  cases,  it  is  not 
bound,  nor  would  it  be  proper  for  it,  as  the  committee  think,  to 
give  any  answer  to  remarks  founded  on  the  preMimpllon  of  what 
such  reasons  must  have  been,  in  the  present  ease.  They  feel 
themselves,  therefore,  compelled,  to  foreign  any  response  what- 
ever to  the  message  of  the  president,  in  this  particular,  as  well 
by  the  reasons  before  assigned,  as  out  of  respect  to  that  high 
officer.  The  president  acts  upon  his  own  views  of  public  policy, 
in  making  nominations  to  the  senate;  and  the  senate  does  no 
more  when  it  confirms  or  rejects  such  nominations.  For  either 
of  these  co-ordinate  departments  to  filter  into  the  con-idura- 
tion  of  the  motives  of  Hie  other  would  not,  and  could  not 
fail,  in  the  end,  to  break  all  harmonious  intercourse  between 
them.  This,  your  committee  would  deplore  as  highly  inju- 
rious to  the  best  interests  of  the  country.  The  president, 
doubtless,  asks  himself,  in  the  case  of  every  nomination  for 
office,  whether  the  person  be  fit  for  the  office;  whether  he 
be  actuated  by  correct  views  and  motives;  and  whether  he  be 
likely  to  be  influenced  by  those  considerations  which  should 
alone  govern  him  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties;  is  he  honest, 
capable  and  faithful?  Being  satisfied  in  these  particulars,  the 
president  submits  his  name  to  the  senate,  where  the  same  in- 
quiries arise,  and  its  decision  should  be  presumed  to  be  dictated 
by  the  same  high  considerations  as  those  which  govern  the  pre- 
sident, in  originating  the  nomination.  For  these  reasons,  the 
committee  have  altogether  refrained  from  entering  into  any 
discussion  of  the  legal  duties  and  obligations  of  directors  of  tin; 
bank  appointed  by  the  president  and  senate,  which  form  the 
main  topic  of  the  message. 

The  committee  would  not  feel  that  it  had  fully  acquitted  itself 
of  its  obligations,  if  it  did  not  avail  itself  of  this  occasion  to  call 
the  attention  of  the  senate  to  thu  general  subject  of  renomina- 
tion. 

The  committee  do  not  deny  that  a  right  of  renomination  ex- 
ists; but  they  are  of  opinion,  that  in  very  clear  and  strong  cases 
only,  should  the  senate  reverse  decisions  which  it  has  delibe- 
rately formed  and  officially  communicated  to  the  president.  In 
military  and  naval  appointments  it  is  possible  that  questions 
not  of  personal  fitness  for  office,  hut  of  the  right  of  individual: 
to  rank  and  grade,  may  arise  between  the  president  and  senate; 
and  that  nominations  may  be  rejected,  pending  such  questions 
which  might  properly  be  renewed  under  other  laws,  or  a  new 
state  of  circumstances.  And  in  regard,  too,  to  diplomatic  ap- 
pointments, the  question  may,  perhaps,  sometime*  turn,  not  on 
the  fitness  of  the  person  nominated,  but  on  the  propriety  of  any 
appointment,  or  of  any  such  mission  as  is  proposed.  If  new  in- 
formation should  be  given,  shedding  new  light  satisfactory  to 
the  senate,  in  such  case  it  may  be  a  proper  teason  for  agreeing 
to  nominations  once  rejected;  nor  will  the  committee  say  that 
there  may  not  be  other  cases  in  which  a  person  once  rejected 
may  be  properly  again  presented  to  the  senate.  But  the  com- 
mittee think  that  in  a  case  in  which  the  decision  of  the  senate 
has  been  deliberately  made  upon  the  sole  question  of  the  fitness 
of  the  persons  for  the  offices  to  which  they  are  nominated,  and 
its  assent  has  been  withheld,  it  ought  not,  without  very  strong 
and  clear  reasons,  to  change  that  decision  upon  a  renomina- 
tion. The  committee  has  caused  the  journals  of  the  senate  to 
be  examined  in  reference  to  the  practice  of  renominaticn,and 
they  find  that,  during  the  presidential  terms  of  general  Wash- 
ington, Mr.  John  Adams  and  Mr.  Jefferson,  no  instance  of 
renomination  to  office  once  occurred;  and  yet  there  are  not 
wanting  instances  of  the  rejection  of  nominations  made  by 
those  illustrious  citizens,  the  motives  for  which  it  would  be 
difficult  now  to  ascertain.  To  illustrate  this,  it  is  only  neces- 
sary to  select  the  case  of  colonel  Fishtiurn,  a  gallant  soldier  of 
the  revolution,  who  was  nominated  by  general  Washington  as 
the  collector  of  Savannah,  and  were  rejected  by  the  senate. 
And,  although  the  president  was  obviously  mortified  by  the 
decision,  the  nomination  having  been  made  in  a  great  measure 
upon  his  personal  knowledge  of  the  individual,  he  contented 
himself,  after  the  rejection,  with  addressing  a  letter  to  the  se- 
nate, containing  his  reasons  for  the  nomination  of  colonel  Fi*h- 
hurn,  and  accompanied  that  message  with  the  name  of  another 
individual. 

During  the  administration  of  Mr.  Madison  two  instances  oc 
cur  of  renominatious  of  the  same  persons  to  the1  same  offices  to 
which  they  had  originally  been  nominated.  Abraham  Quack- 
enhuah  was  nominated  as  an  ensign  and  rejected — renominnted 
and  confirmed.  And  George  Brown  was  nominated  a  collector 
for  the  first  collection  district  of  Maryland;  and  after  a  rejection 
was  renominatcd  and  confirmed.  What  reasons  influenced 
the  president  to  pursue  this  course  in  the  two  instances  refer- 
red to,  or  the  seriate  to  concur  in  it,  the  commi'.tee.  have  now 
no  means  of  ascertaining.  During  the  administration  of  Mr. 
Monroe,  the  instances  of  rmiorninuiioii  became  more  frequent; 
but  several  of  them  were  nominations  to  military  appointments 


and,  in  «  majority  of  th«  cases,  no  direct  tote  rejecting  the  no- 
ninaiions  had  passed  the  senate.  The  cases  ol  renomination 
ly  Mr.  Monroe,  after  a  rejection,  were  James  Gadsden,  as  ad- 
iitant  general,  and  Nathan  Towson,  as  colonel;  Charles  Van- 
le.venter,  as  navy  agent,  and  Duff  Grten,  an  receiver;  all  of 
which  were  rejected  on  their  n-iioininalion.  Th*  two  first  no- 
minations were  purely  military;  and  involved  an  inte.rc«ling  and 
difficult  question  of  grade,  and  in  the  opinion  of  the  president, 
called  for  the  most  minute  and  elaborate  investigation.  What 
motives  impelled  to  the  renomination  of  the  two  last,  the  com- 
mittee cannot  undertake  lo  say.  During  the  four  years  of  Mr. 
J.  U-  Adams's  administration,  no  instance  of  renoininatiun  ap- 
pears to  have  occurred;  unless  the  nomination  of  Amos  Biimey, 
whose  nomination  previously  made  by  Mr.  Monroe,  had  been 
postponed,  and  that  of  Peter  Sa:lly,  whose  nomination  by  Mr. 
Monroe,  had  buen  laid  upon  the  table  at  the  la.-t  day  of  Che  ses- 
sion, arid  who,  at  the  commencement  of  the  succeeding  execu- 
tive session,  was  again  presented  lo  the  senate,  are  to  be  con-. 
snlered  as  renonnnations.  Since  the  3d  of  March,  1?<-J9,  four 
instances  of  rcnoininalions,  alter  rejection  by  the  senate,  have 
occurred.  In  two  ol  these  instances,  the  per.-ons  renoimnated 
were  again  rejected;  in  the  third  the  nominalion  was  agreed  to; 
and  the  fourth  is  the  case  HOW  before  us. 

The  committee  perceive,  with  regret,  an  intimation  in  the 
message  that  the  president  may  not  see  fit  to  send  to  the  senate 
the  names  of  any  other  persons  to  be  directors  of  the  bank  ex- 
cept those  whose  nominations  have  been  already  rejected. 
While  the  senate  will  exercise  its  own  rights,  according  to  it* 
views  of  its  duty,  it  will  leave  to  other  officers  of  the  govern- 
ment to  decide  for  themselves  on  the  manner  they  will  perform, 
their  duties.  The  committee  know  no  reason  why  these  office* 
should  not  be  filled,  or  why,  in  this  case,  no  further  nomina- 
tion should  he  made,  after  the  senate  has  exercised  its  unques- 
tionable right  of  rejecting  particular  persons  who  have  been  no- 
minated, any  more  than  In  other  cases.  The  senate  will  be 
ready,  at  all  limes,  to  receive  and  consider  any  such  nomina- 
tions as  the  president  may  present  to  it.  It  claims  no  authority/ 
to  control  him  in  his  nominations,  but  it  cannot  surrender  th» 
exercise  of  its  own  right  of  deciding  for  itself  on  the  propriety 
of  advising  and  consenting  to  appointments  to  office.  It  cannot 
deprive  itself  of  its  own  powers;  it  cannot  surrender  its  own 
constitutional  character;  it  cannot,  through  apprehension  of  any 
consequences  whatever,  forbear  from  exercising  its  high  duty 
of  giving  or  of  refusing  its  advice  or  consent  to  nominations  of 
the  president,  in  all  cases,  according  to  its  conscientious  sense 
of  its  own  obligations  to  the  constitution  and  to  the  country. 
If  these  offices  of  bank  directors  remain  unfilled,  the  fault  will 
not  be  the  fault  of  the  senate.  The  case  is  like  other  cases  of 
rejection.  In  other  cases,  other  persons  have  been  nominated 
in  plan.1  of  those  rejected  by  the  senate,  and  confirmed;  and,  if 
a  different  course  shall  be  adopted  on  this  occasion,  it  is  a 
course  for  which  the  senate  cannot  be  responsible. 

Their  power  of  withholding  their  assent  from  the  president's 
nominations  is  not  altogether  vain  and  nugatory;  it'was  given 
them  by  the  constitution  to  be  exercised  in  proper  cases,  and  in 
their  own  discretion.  When  exercised  by  them,  the  rights  of  no 
other  branch  of  the  government  are  infringed  or  impaired;  the 
senate  has  only  done  its  own  duty,  and,  having  done  this  ho- 
nestly and  conscientiously,  it  cannot  fear  any  consequences. 

The  committee  recommend  that  the  senate  do  not  advise  and 
consent  to  the  appointment  of  the  persons  thus  renominated. 

The  "National  Intelligencer,"  of  the  5th  instant,  contains 
nearly  two  columns  of  extracts  from  the  executive  proceedings 
of  the  senate  on  the  nomination  and  renomination  of  the  direc- 
tors of  the  bank — of  which,  perhaps  the  following  notices  may 
be  sufficient: 

On  the  17lh  December,  1833,  the  president  nominated  James 
A.  Bayard,  of  Delaware,  a  director  in  the  place  of  Saul  Alley, 
and  nominated  Peter  Wager,  Henry  D.  Gilpin  and  John  T. 
Sullivan,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Hugh  McEldeiry,  of  Baltimore, 
for  reappointment. 

On  the  19th  January,  1834,  the  committee  of  finance  made  a 
report  on  the  subject,  and  on  the  21st  the  senate  advisrd  and 
consented  to  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Bayard.  [The  yens  and 
nays  are  not  given — but  we  understand  that  Mr.  B.  was  very 
generally  approved.] 

On  the22d  January,  there  was  a  debate  concerning  the  other 
persons  nominated. 
Asain  on  the  10th  ofFtbrnary  whsn — 
Mr.  Kane  submitted  the  following  motion: 
Resolved,  That  the  nominations  of  H.  D.  Gilpin,  John  T.  Sul- 
livan, Peter  Wager  and  Hugh  McElderry,    be  recommitted  to 
the  committee  on  finance,  with  instructions  to   inquire   into 
their  several  qualifications  and  fitness  for  the  stations  to  which 
they  have  been  nominated;  also  into  the  truth   of  all  chargei 
preferred   by  them  against  the  board  of  directors  of  tin-  bank 
of  the  United  States,  and  into  the  conduct  of  each  of  the  said 
nominees  during  the  time  he  may  have  acted  as  director  of  the 
said  bank;  and  that  the  said  nominees  have  notice  of  the  times 
and  places  of  meetings  of  said  committee,  and  have  leave  to 
attend  the  same. 

On  the  question  to  agrpe  thereto, 
It  was  determined  in  the  ncsative— yeas  20,  nays  28. 
On  motion  of  Mr.  Forsyth. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  desired  by  one- fifth  of  the  senator* 
present. 

Those  who  voted  in  Ihi  affirmative,  are, 


134 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   10,  1834— BANK  UNITED  STATES. 


Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy,  Hendricks,  Hill 
Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  Linn,  McKean,  Moore,  Morris,  Rives 
Robinson,  Shepley,  Tallmadge, Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright 
Those  who  voted  in  the  negative,  are, 

Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Callioun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clay 
ton,  Ewing,  Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  King,  of  Geo.  Knight,  Man 
Bum,  Naudain,  Poindexler,  Porter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Robbins 
Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler 
Waggaman,  Webster. 
So  the  resolution  was  disagreed  to. 

On  the  24th  February,  the  nominations  were  further  consi 
dered. 

On  the  27th— Mr.  Morris  submitted  the  following  resolution: 
Resolved,  That  the  nominations  ofH.  D.  Giipin,  Peter  Wagerj 
John  T.  Sullivan  and  Hugh  McElderry,  be  again  referred  to  the 
committee  on  finance,  with  instructions  to  inquire  whether  any 
objections   whatever  exist,  either  against  their  characters  o 
qualifications  to  act  as  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  U.  Stales. 
On  the  question  to  agree  thereto, 
It  was  determined  in  the  negative— yeas  18,  nays  27. 
The  yeas  and  nays  being  desired  by  one- fifth  of  the  senators 
present, 

Those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative,  are, 
Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy,  Hill,  Kane,  King 
of  Alab.  Linn,  McKean,  Moore,  Morris,  Robinson,  Sliepley 
Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright. 
Those  who  voted  in  the  negative,  are, 

Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Chamber?,  Clay,  Clay- 
ton, Ewing,  Frelinghuysen,  Hendricks,  Kent,  Knight,  Mangum, 
Naudain,  Poindexler,  Porter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Robbins,  Sils- 
bee, Smith,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman, 
Webster. 

So  the  resolution  was  rejected. 
On  the  question,  "will  the  senate  advise  and  consent  to  the 
appointment  of  Peter  Wager?" 

It  was  determined  in  the  negative — yeas  20,  nays  25. 
The  yeas  and  nays  being  desired  by  one-fifth  of  the  senators 
presenl, 

Those  who  voled  in  Ihe  affirmalive,  are, 
Messrs.  Benlon,  Black,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy,  Hendricks, 
Bill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alab.  Linn,  McKean,  Moore,  Morris,  Ro- 
binson, Shipley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright. 
Those  who  voted  in  the  negative,  are, 

Messrs.  Bell,  Bilih,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ew- 
ing, Frelingliuysen,  Kent,  Kni«ht,  Mansuni,  Naudain.  Poindex- 
ter,  Porter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Robbins,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Sprague, 
Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Wai'gaman,  Webster. 

[The  same  questions  bein»  [impounded  as  to  the  other  gen- 
tlemen, Mr.  Gilpin  was  disapproved  of  24  to  20;  Mr.  Sullivan 
27  to  18,  and  Mr.  McElderry  25  to  20.] 

On  the  lllh  of  March  Ihe  preceding  message  renominating 
the  rejected  gentlemen,  was  received  and  read.  Il  was  fur- 
ther considered  on  the  22d,  and  referred  to  the  committee  on 
finance. 

May  1,  the  committee  on  finance  made  the  report  inserted 
above.  After  which — 

The  senate  proceeded  to  consider  the  message  renominating 
Henry  D.  Gilpin,  and  others,  as  bank  directors. 

On  the  question,  "will  the  senate  advise  and  consent  to  the 
appointment  of  Henry  D.  Gilpin,  Peter  Wager,  John  T.  Sulli- 
van and  Hugh  McElderry?" 

It  was  determined  in  the  negative,  yeas  11,  nays  30. 
The  yeas  and  nays  being  desired  by  one-fifth,  of  the  senators 
present, 

Those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative,  are, 
Messrs.  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy,  Hendricke,  Hill,  King,  of 
Alab.  Linn,  Robinson,  Shepley,  White,  Wright. 
Those  who  voted  in  the  negative,  are, 

Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clay- 
ton, Ewing,  Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  King,  of  Geo.  Leigh,  Man- 
gum,  Moore,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Porter,  Premiss,  Preston, 
Robbins,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tipton, 
Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Webster.* 
So  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  senate  do  not  advise  and  consent  to  the 
appointment  of  Henry  D.  Gilpin,  Peter  Wager,  John  T.  Sulli- 
van, of  Philadelphia,  and  Hugh  McElderry,  of  Baltimore,  as  di- 
rectors of  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Forsyth  submitted  the  following  resolution: 
F  Reialved,  That  the  injunction  of  secrecy  be  removed  from  all 
the  proceedings  of  the  senate  in  relation  to  the  nomination  and 
renomination  of  the  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 
On  motion,  by  Mr.  Wright,  to  amend  the  same,  by  inserting 
after  the  word  "senate,"  the  words  and  the  debates — 
It  was  determined  in  the  negative— yeas  8,  nays  31. 
On  motion  by  Mr.  Wright, 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  desired  by  one-fifth  of  the  senators 
present, 

Those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative,  are, 
Messrs.  Brown,  Forsyth,  Hill,  Linn,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Tip- 
ton,  Wright. 


ivHinn,  air.  morru,  or  unio;  ftir.  Jiane,  or  Illinois;  flir. 
.Benlon,  of  Missouri.  The  lait  six  are  friends  of  the  administra- 
tion. No  reason  is  assigned  why  they  did  not  vote  on  this  oc- 
oation. 


Those  who  voted  in  the  negative,  are, 

Messrs.  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ew- 
ing, Frelinghuyeen,  Grundy,  Hendricks,  Kent,  King,  of  Alab. 
Leigh,  Mangum,  Moore,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Porter,  Preston, 
Bobbins,  Sil  =  l>ee,  Sinilh,  Southard,  Spraeue,  Swift,  Tomlinson, 
Tyler,  Waggaman,  Webster,  White,  Wilkins. 

So  the  motion  to  amend  was  rejected. 

The  resolution  was  then  agreed  to. 

May  2,  1834.     On  motion  by  Mr.  Webster. 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  senate  b«  authorised  to 
give  extracts  from  the  executive  journal  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  senate  in  relation  to  the  nomination  and  renoniiimtion  of 
the  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  for  the  year  1834. 

On  motion  by  Mr.  Preston, 

Resolved,  That  two  thousand  copies  of  the  president's  mes- 
sage of  March  11, 1834,  nominating  certain  bank  directors,  and 
the  report  of  the  committee  thereon,  together  with  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  senate  on  the  first  and  second  nomination  of 
said  directors,  be  printed. 


BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

We  have  obtained  the  following  authentic  memorandnm,  ex- 
hibiting the  progress  of  the  bank,  since  the  removal  of  the  de- 
posiles.  At  the  present  moment,  it  possesses  peculiar  interest. 

[Nat.  Gax 
Public  deposites.     ~ 
9,868,435  58 
8,232,311  18 
5,162,260  63 
4,230,509  63 
3,066,561  72 
2,604,233  62 
2.932,866  74 
3,251,345  64 

Specie. 

10,663,441  51 

10,342.160  46 
9,818,529  25 

10,031,237  72 

10,523,385  69 

10,385,439  15 

10,180,008  76 

11,183,774  54 

The  following  is  a  general  view  of  the  resources  and  respon- 
sibilities of  the  bank  on  the  1st  of  May,  1834: — 
Circulation  16,604,147 

Deposites  10,274,165 

Unclaimed  dividends  80,254 


Loans. 

Oct.  1,  60,094,202  93 
Nov.  1,  57,210,604  38 
Dec.  1,  54,453,104  67 
Jan.  1,  54,911,461  70 
Feb.  1,  54,842,973  64 
March  1,56,167,829  86 
April  1,  54,806,817  62 
May  1,  53,756,485  18 

Circulation. 

Oct.  1,  19,128,189  57 

Nov.  1,  18,518,000  57 

Dec.  I,  18,650,912  90 

Jan.  1,  19,208,379  90 

Feb.  1,  19.260,472  90 
March  1,18;523, 189  00 

April  1,  17.521,264  39 

May  1,  16,604,147  90 


Private  dejioiites. 

8,008,862  78 

7,285,041  88 

6,827,173  19 

6,734,666  06 

6,715,312  60 

7,343,129  92 

7,166,028  21 

7,022,829  10 

Debts  and  notes  of 

state  bankt. 

4,719,972 

4,489,217 

4,083,258 

3.519,385 

3^1 1,385 

2,035,985 

2',  195,489 

3,094,787 


To  meet  which  there  is — 
Specie  $11,183,774 

Notes  of  state  banks  1,706,104 

Balances       do.  1,388,683 


26,958,566 


Funds  in  Europe 

Real  estate 

Loans  $35,212,231 

Domestic  bills  18,544,253 

Mortgages,  8tc.  87,141 

Doe  by  the  United  States 


Stockholders 


3,094.787 
1,650,530 
2,909,076 


53,843,625 
164,110 


72,845,8» 

45,887,326 
35,000,000 


Surplus  $10,887,326 

The  results  to  be  deduced  from  this  statement  are  equally 
curious  and  important: 

1st.  The  total  amount  of  the  reduction  of  the  loans 
since  the  1st  of  October,  the  time  of  the  removal 
of  the  deposites,  is  6,337,717  75 

While  the  total  reduction  of  the  deposites  is 

of  public  deposites  6,617,089  94 

of  private  deposites  986,04268 

Making  an  aggregate  of  7,603,132  62 

2d.  The  total  reduction  of  the  notes  in  circulation 

is  2,524,041  67 

3d.  The  increase  of  the  specie  is  520,333  03 

4th.  The  specie  of  the  bank  is  now  $11,183,774  54 
The  notes  and  debts  of  other  bunks  3,094,787  00 

14,278.561  54 

While  the  notes  in  circulation  amount  to  16,604,147  90 

There  are  other  and  more  important  considerations  presented 
jy  this  statement — 

1st.  The  bank  of  the  United  States  has  now  out- 
standing debts  from  individuals,  amounting 
to  $53,756,485  18 

And  from  banks,  amounting  to  3,094,787  00 

Making  a  total  of  $56,851,27218 

The  charter  has  yet  twenty-two  months  to  run— so  that  in 

order  to  close  its  concerns,  at  the  end  of  that  term,  the  reduc- 

ion  must  be  at  the  rate  of  two  millions  and  a  half  every  month. 
3d.  Nothing  shows  more  clearly  the  strength  of  the  bank  than 

la  present  condition. 


JVILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOUHTH  SERIES.  No.  12— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  MAY  17,  1834.      [VOL.  XLV1.  WHOLE  No.  1,182, 


THE  PAST THE  PRESENT — FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    BY    H.   NILES,  AT   $5    PER    ANNUM,    PAYABLE    IN    ADVANCE. 


It  will  be  seen  by  our  journal  that  the  general  apprc 
priation  bill  has  passed  the  house  of  representatives  an 
been  read,  &c.  in  the  senate.     The  proceedings  on  son 
of.its  items  are  very  animated  and  highly  interesting. 
received  its  third  reading  in  the  house  at  about  1  o'cloc 
on  Friday   night,   or  rather  Saturday  morning,  after 
very  arduous  session.     The  fate  of  this  bill  in  the  sena' 
is  very  uncertain,  but  it  is  believed  that  many  amenc 
ments,  which  failed   in  the  other  house,   will  be  mad 
to  it. 

It  will  be  seen  that  a  resolution  offered  by  Mr.  Selclen 
of  New  York,  to  appoint  a  grand  committee  to. take  hit 
consideration  the  state  of  the  currency,  failed  only  b 
the  casting  vote  of  the  speaker.  It  is  reported  that  anothe 
serious  attempt  will  be  made  to  restore  confidence  and  re 
lieve  the  pressure  on  the  public — which,  if  it  fails,  wil 
be  followed  by  a  general  disposition  on  the  part  of  tli 
opposition  to  adjourn,  forthwith;  that  the  members  maj 
see  and  commune  with  the  people,  and  meet  again  ii 
November  next,  better  prepared  to  act  on  the  subject. 

In  the  wreck  of  public  confidehce,  it  is  impossible  tha 
the  body  of  the  people  should  be  able  to  make  just  dis 
criminations — and  one  evil  is  the  beginning  of  manv 
The  late  failure  of  the  "Maryland  Savings  Institution,"' 
caused  a  severe  run  upon  the  Savings  bank  of  Baltimore 
an  old  and  old  fashioned  establishment,  really  doing  bu- 
siness for  the  benefit  of  the  industrious  and  economical 
poor,  without  pecuniary  profit  or  the  hope  of  reward  to 
the  managers  thereof;  and  which,  from  the  nature  of  its 
operations,  it  is  hardly  possible  should  fail  to  meet  all 
its  engagements — never  having  yet  lost  one  dollar  out  of 
the  many  millions  of  savings  -which  have  passed  through 
it.  A  sudden  demand,  however,  might  emharrass  even 
the  bankers  JiothscMld.  But  the  available  credits  or 
funds,  of  this  bank  were  abundantly  equal  to  the  emer- 
gency, and  any  amount  of  assistance  might  have  been  had 
from  another  institution  that  was  as  able  us  willing  to 
afford  it,  to  this  well  managed  and  truly  meritorious 
charity,  if  so  it  may  be  called,  for  the  benefit  which  it 
confers  on  the  working  people.  We  are  informed,  that 
many  who  withdrew  their  deposites  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, restored  them  before  the  closing  of  the  bank;  and  it 
is  probable  that  on  Monday  (the  only  day  that  this  bank 
is  open)  the  greater  part  of  the  sum  drawn  out  will  be 
replaced,  where  we  think  that  it  is  quite  as  safe  as  in  any 
man's  double-locked  iron  chest,  to  say  nothing  of  the  rish 
and  TEMPTATION  that  attends  persons  not  used  to  the 
possession  of  considerable  sums  of  money  in  their  pock- 
ets; and  we  hope  that  all  those  who  have  provided  some- 
thing for  "a  rainy  day"  will  save  it,  in  the  Savings  bank. 
When  that  goes — all's  gone — and  credit  will  have  "pe- 
rished," indeed! 

We  publish  the  able  speech  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  (who  has 
changed  places  with  Mr.  Davis,  as  governor  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  representative  in  congress,  at  the  call  of  the 
people,  in  both  cases)  on  the  concerns  of  the  general 
post  office.  It  will  be  read  with  much  interest.  It  was, 
until  recently,  the  greatest  evil  which  beset  the  Ameri- 
can public,  that  the  postmaster  general  was  made  a  mem- 
ber of  "the  cabinet,"  and  that  party  political  preferences 
•were  introduced  into  the  concerns  of  this  department  of 
the  government.  It  ought  to  have  remained  as  free  from 
them  as  the  judicial  establishment!  It  is  to  the  lasting 
credit  of  Mr.  ^McLean,  the  predecessor  of  Mr.  Barry, 
that  he  decidedly  rejected  them. 

The  whole  business  of  this  department  "cries  aloud" 
for  "reform" — real  reform.  The  mere  money  that  is 
apparently  wasted,  is  nothing:  but  the  organization  of  its 
officers,  into  political  agents  in  numerous  instances,  can- 
not be  too  severely  reprehended,  or  carefully  guarded 
against.  We  have  suffered  much  by  the  sheer  ineompe- 
tency  or  rank  dishonesty  of  some  of  the  deputy  nost- 
VOL.  XLVI— Sic.  13. 


masters.  We  care  not  who  is  in  or  who  is  out;  but  de- 
sire that  capable  and  worthy  men  may  be  continued  or 
appointed,  without  regard  to  any  thing  beyond  a  faithful 
performance  of  their  several  duties! 

We  meet  with  the  following  extract  from  judge  Sto- 
ry's "commentaries,"  and  cannot  refrain  from  giving  it 
a  place — it  was  not  written  with  a  view  to  any  exist- 
ing state  of  things,  though  many  may  think  that  it  WHS, 
from  the  closeness  of  its  application  to  circumstances  as 
they  are: 

"The  great  anomaly  in  Hie  system  is  the  enormous  patronaj-e 
of  the  postmaster  general,  who  is  invested  with  the  sole  mid 
exclusive  authority  lo  appoint  and  remove  all  dt  puty  po*tmas- 
ters:  and  whose  power  and  influence  have  thus,  by  slow  degree?, 
accumulated,  until  it  is,  perhaps,  not  too  much  loaay,that  it  ri- 
vals, if  it  docs  not  exceed,  in  value  and  extent,  that  of  the  presi- 
dent himself.  How  long  a  power  so  vast,  and  so  accumulating, 
shall  remain  without  any  check  on  the  part  of  any  other  branch 
of  the  government,  is  a  question  for  statesmen  and  not  for  ju- 
rists. But  it  cannot  be  disguised  that  it  will  be  idle  to  impose 
constitutional  restraints  upon  high  executive  appointments,  if 
this  power,  which  pervades  every  village  of  the  republic,  and  exerts 
an  irresistible,  though  silent, influence  in  the  direct  shape  of  office, 
or  in  the  no  less  invitinsform  of  lucrative  contracts,  is  suffered  tv 
remain  without  scrutiny  or  rebuke,  it  furnishes  no  argument 
against  the  interposition  of  a  check,  which  shall  require  the  ad- 
vice and  consent  of  the  senate  to  appointments,  that  the  power 
ias  not  hitherto  been  abused.  In  its  own  nature,  the  post  office 
isiablishment  is  susceptible  of  abuse  to  such  an  alarming  de- 
gree; the  whole  correspondence  of  the  country  is  so  completely 
admitted  lo  the  fidelity  and  integrity  of  the  agents  who  con- 
luct  it;  and  the  means  of  making  it  subservient  to  mere  state 
lolicy  are  so  abundant,  that  the  only  surprise  is  that  it  has  not 
ilready  awakened  the  public  jealousy,  nnd  been  placed  under 
more  effectual  control.  It  may  be  said,  without  the  slightest 
isparagement  of  any  officer  who  has  presided  over  it,  THAT  IF 

EVER  THE  PEOPLE  ARE  TO  BE  CORRUPTED,  OR  THEIR  I.IBEK- 
•IES  ARE  TO  BE  PROSTRATED,  THIS  ESTABLISHMENT  WILL 
URNISH  THE  MOST  f  AGILE  MEANS.  AND  BE  THE  EARLIEST 
MPLOYED  TO  ACCOMPLISH  SUCH  A  PURPOSE." 

The  following  also  presents  itself  to  us  in  one  of  the 
ewspapers — it  offers  a  picture  that  is  too  true: 

The  post  office  department  of  Great  Britain,  during  the  last 
en  years,  has  not  sustained  any  loss  by  the  defalcation  of  posl- 
insters.  What  a  reflection  on  our  department,  where  these 
lings  have  now  become  of  almost  daily  occurrence,  owing  to 
IB  selection  of  persons  for  their  devotion  to  "the  party,"  wilh- 
ut  consulting  character  and  honor. 

Party  has  been  oftentimes  called  "the  madness  of  the 
iany  for  the  benefit  of  the  few" — and  so,  indeed,  it  fre- 
uently  is,  even  when  rallied  on  a  real  or  honestly  be- 
eved  in  attachment  to  acknowledged  principle*,  ores- 
iblished  rules  of  action:  but  when  built  upon  persona? 
references  or  personal  dislikes,  "madness"  stands  con- 
•ssed,  and  reason  appeals  to  the  understanding  in  vain, 
very  thing  is  carried  by  discordant  and  senseless  noises; 
id  thousands,  after  having  exhausted  the  strength  of 
leir  lungs  and  limbs,  find  themselves  in  the  condition  of 
oor  Cufiee,  when  informed  that  it  was  not  the  rev.  Mr. 
Vhitfield  who  was  preaching  to  the  multitude  of  -which 
e  was  a  member;  and  they  know  and  feel  that  they  have 
ommitted  very  foolish,  if  not  mischievous  or  wicked  ex- 
avagancies,  in  the  "madness"  which  had  held  dominion 
cer  their  passions,  and  captivated  their  judgment.* 


*Such  immense  crowds  of  persons  attended  to  hear  the 
eaching.*  of  Mr.  VVhitlield,  that  thousands,  on  some  occa- 
•ins,  could  riot  either  hear  nor  see  him;  but  they  waited  with 
e  hope  of  catching  some  of  the  words  that  fell  from  his  richly 
fled  lips.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  on  the  outer  edce  of  the 
nllitude,  a  black  man  was  observed  to  be  vociferating  loudly 
nd  rolling  himself  on  the  ground,  in  a  high  excitement,  when 
ic  of  his  acquaintances  demanded  "what  was  all  that  for?" 
be  other  spoke  ofit  as  the  effect  of  the  preaching  of  Mr.  W. 
Why  you  fool,"  said  the  first,  "it  is  not  Mr.  Whitfield  at  all; 

a  couldn't  come,  and  Mr.  is  preaching  in  his  place." 

What,"  exclaimed  Cuffee,  brushing  his  clothes,  "all  this  for 
othen!"  or  words  to  this  effect,  as  the  story  goes. 
Look  at  a  political  gathering,  and  you  will  see  very  many 
!rsoni=  precisely  in  the  f  tale  of  this  negio.    They  applaud  or 
ject  persons  addressing  them,  without  hearing  or  understand- 


13G 


WILES'  REGISTER— MAT    17,   1834—  MISCELLANEOUS. 


We  pretend  not  to  a  total  exemption  from  (lie  state 
that  we  have  briefly  described — but,  in  the  habit  of  read- 
ing, and  of  endeavoring  to  look  at  both  sides  of  a  ques- 
tion, and  of  regarding  men  as  subordinate  to  measures, 
whether  approved  or  rejected,  we  have  been  enabled, 
sometimes,  at  least,  to  separate  persons  from  things,  and 
place  the  merit  or  demerit  of  individual  action  on  the 
character  of  the  mailer  suggested  or  performed;  and 
though  an  act  may  be  condemned  by  our  judgment,  it  is 
still  possible,  very  possible,  that  the  motive  which  led  to  it 
may  relieve  the  actor  from  personal  blame:  and  this  hap- 
pens the  more  easily  from  a  serious  conviction  that,  not 
having  had  "a  view  of  the  whole  ground,"  or  incapable, 
perhaps,  of  viewing  it  as  we  ought — after-evenis  have  de- 
monstrated not  only  that  tne  motive  was  lumest,  but  that 
the  tiling  itself  was  "necessary  and  proper"  to  be  done, 
though  it  had  not  bten  to  regarded  by  us. 

With  all  the  checks  which  such  habits  of  thinking  are 
calculated  to  furnish,  and  a  certain  degree  of  experience, 
we  shall  not  deny  that  circumstances,  (unapparent  to 
others,  in  certain  cases),  have  led,  ar.d  may  lead  us,  into 
indiscretions,  even  when  writing  about  things — always  le- 
gitimate subjects  of  discussion;  but  unless  on  the  defen- 
sive, we  still  wish  to  respect  persons,  except  notoriously 
base  or  desperately  wicked — or  stupidly  ignorant  of  things 
over  which  they  have,  and  exert,  an  unhappy  and  banetul 
influence.  And  even  then,  violence  is  not  the  indispens- 
able precursor  of  victory ! 

We  trust  too,  that  we  can  make  reasonable  allowances 
even  for  the  dominion  of  party — for,  in  early  life,  we  ho- 
nestly believed  that  gun-boats  were  the  "sovereignest 
things  in  all  this  world"  to  batter  ships-of-th«-line  into 
atoms!  This  was  the  "madness"  of  party  in  the  many; 
but  the  now  almost  universally  regarded  Eutopean  object 
of  the  influence  that  led  us  into  that  "madness,"  was  a 
long  time  hidden  from  the  view  of  those  over  whom 
it  had  nearly  an  absolute  control;  and  so  it  may  be  with 
some,  in  the  present  state  of  affairs,  on  another  and  much 
more  important  subject.  We  have  long  since  thought 
that  those  who  started  the  gun-boat  system  had  not  much 
faith  in  the  ability  of  such  boats  to  resist  ships-of-the- 
line — and  now  believe  that  those  who  organized  the  pre- 
sent opposition  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  never 
entertained  an  idea  that  a  sound  and  convenient  and 
wholesome  currency  would  be  sustained  without  the  aid 
of  a  bank  of  the  linked  States.  Indeed,  the  president 
stxid  that  he  would  himself  have  furnished  a  plan  for  one, 
had  he  been  callsd  on  for  it — though  now  utterly  oppos- 
ed to  any  one,  and  demanding  the  establishment  of  a  spe- 
eie  currency,  only.  The  personal  popularity  of  presi- 
dent Jefferson  built  up  a  fleet  of  "whiggle-whaggle"  gun- 
boats— but  that  "experiment"  cost  us  only  a  trifle,  aw" 
became  a  subject  for  merriment  long  before  the  boat; 
themselves  were  rotten:  the  personal  popularity  of  pre- 
sident Jack-son  has  so  far  supported  his  "i-xperiment"  on 
the  currency  and  business  of  the  country — but  this  lias 
already  cost  the  nation  hundred*  of  millions  on  accoun 
of  labor  unemployed  and  property  wasted — and  plunge* 
the  whole  people,  as  it  were,  from  a  state  of  unrivallec 
prosperity  into  one  of  unprecedented  adversity — a  con- 
dition far  more  oppressive  than  the  season  of  war  through 
which  we  recently  passed — unless,  indeed,  this  oppres- 
sion may  be  compared  with  that  which  ensued  aftrr  the 
war,  for  the  want  of  titch  a  national  currency  as  the  pre- 
sident seems  resolved  to  destroy!*  The  dominion  of  UK 
"rag  barons"  at  the  the  time  we  are  just  speaking  of 
was  not  a  party  question — nor  shtfuld  the  present  opera- 


ing  a  single  word  that  is  said  —  performing  either  operation  by  tu 
direction  of  some  who  act  as  fuglemen  on  such  occasions 
This  ia  a  great  misfortune,  and  Hie  fulness  of  party  spirit.  I 
agrees,  as  it  were,  that  come  cannot  do  any  thing  right — th.i 
Others  cannot  do  any  thing  that  is  wrong. 

•We  beseech  those  who  passed  through  the  period  alludec 
to,  to  look  back,  and  call  to  recollection  the  wide  ruin  Hint  pre 
vailed,  the  cruel  changes  of  property  that  took  place,  the  desll 
tution  of  the  laboring  poor,  and  the  "aggrandizement  of  i  IK-  rich 
who  had  money,  and  prudently  speculated  In  real  estate,  o 
stocks  of  the  United  State's,  &c.  The  principle  of  all  such  op 
previous  is  to  make  the  rich  richer  anil  Hie  poor  pomrr. 

After  a  great  effort,  we  cast  down  the  -'rag  barons,"  nn. 
placed  the  bank  of  the  United  States  and  the  utatc  banks,  te 
nerally,  on  a  wholesome  establishment;  but  ire  veil  remnnb, 
the  nit  of  II,  and  heartily  pray  that  it  may  not  be  encounter.! 
•jam. 


ions  against  the  currency  be  io  considered.  They  come 
oo  near  the  '-hearts  and  homes"  of  the  people  to  per- 
nit  thrir  continuance,  as  party  measures,  flow  many 
nxious  days  and  sleepless  nights  have  they  already  cans- 
(1 — how  have  they  baffled  the  calculations  of  the  old, 
nd  frozen  the  hopes  of  the  young?  What  business  man 
loes  not  look  hack  with  mourning,  and  forward  with 
ear?  The  past  seems  to  have  "done  its  worst,"  but  the 
uture  is  enveloped  in  the  blackness  of  despair.  Verily, 
•eriiy,  these  p.re  not  rightful  party  or  political  matters! 
iut  such  is  the  force  of  party  preferences  and  party  pride, 
uch  the  organization  of  the  public  press,  supported  by 
m  army  of  office  holders,  drilled  like  the  S-u-iss  rtgi- 
nents  formerly  in  the  pay  of  this  Bourbon  princes,  that 
cores  of  thousands  yet  earnestly  sustain  the  individual, 
while  deeply  lamenting  and  secretly  reprobating  his  acts, 
vilhoul  having  the  pretence  of  necessity  to  support  them, 
ind  altogether  inexpedient  and  unwise";  considering  also 
he  idea  of  a  metallic  currency  to  be  as  impracticable 
as  a  present  enjoyment  of  that  peace  which  the  inilleiiium 
>romises,  without  a  total  revolution  in  the  pursuits  ar.d 
property,  and  the  advancement  or  hopes,  of  every  man 
and  every  woman  in  the  United  States.  These  are  nut 
political  questio7is!  They  force  upon  us,  (conditioned 
is  we  are),  the  serious  consideration,  whether  there  shall 
>e  a  return  to  that  prosperity  which  so  lately  blessed  the 
land,  and  diffused  a  super-abundance  of  good  things 
amongst  us — or  a  retirement  into  a  state  of  society  close- 
ly allied  to  that  in  which  men  were  "clothed  in  skins, 
and  resided  in  dens  and  caverns." 

It  is  not  pretended  that  a  refusal  to  charter  the  bank 
of  the  United  States  can  produce  these  effects.  We  have 
reference  to  a  carrying-oiit  of  the  president's  projects 
concerning  the  circulation — for  the  habits  of  the  people 
must  be  changed  in  every  respect,  before  they  can  btar 
the  establishment  of  a  metallic  currency  and  live,  after 
having  so  long  bad  another,  evtn  from  the  early  planting 
of  these  once  feeble  colonies  which  now  compose  the 
great  American  republic. 

The  expediency  of  the  removal  of  the  public  depo- 
sites,  and  the  manner  in  which  that  operation  was  per- 
formed, is  rejected  by  thousands  who  stand  opposed  to 
the  bank  even  on  constitutional  principles.  Witness  the 
result  of  the  late  elections  in  f'irrinia,  in  which  state 
every  possible  effort,  (honest  or  dishonest),  was  made  to 
impress  the  people  with  a  belief  that  the  real  question  to 
be  decided  at  the  polts,  was  "bank  or  no  bank" — aye, 
and  the  same  persons,  who,  while  acknowledging  the'm- 
selves  defeated,  take  back  all  that  they  lately  shouted, 
and  congratulate  themselves  that  a  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  legislature  elected  is  opposed' to  a  bank.  It 
may  be  so — but  before  and  after  an  election  are  very 
different  periods  of  time! 

Perhaps  there  is  hardly  one  man  in  business  in  a  thou- 
sand, not  having  some  'private  interest  or  secret  motive 
to  influence  his  judgment,  who  truly  believes  that  the 
removal  of  the  deposites  was  an  intelligent  and  correct 
proceeding — so  much  for  the  measure;  but  as  they  are 
removed,  many  would  not  have  them  restored,  that  the. 
president's  infallibility  may  stand  unimpeached,  though 
suffering  much  damage  themselves  by  that  rude  net. 
These  are  personal,  and  not  par fy  considerations,  in  the 
lawful  meaning  of  the  latter  term;  and  hence  the  revolu- 
tion in  public  opinion  that  is  going  on.* 


*As  politicians,  if  resolved,  at  any  expense,  to  cause  a  retire- 
ment of  president  Jackson,  at  the  end  of  his 'term,  in  disgrace. 
and  prevent  Mr.  Van  Bur  en  from  filling  the  place  that  he  holds 
-\ve  should  urcv  on  the  present  pursuits  of  what  is  slavishly 
ratted  "the  government;"  but  we  aim  at  much  higher  and  more 
precious  objects!  We  Ariiow  that  we  have  personally  suffered 
heavy  losse.-  in  consequence  of  those  pursuits,  and  fearfully  ex- 
pert to  be  reduced  from  a  state  of  independence,  (though  not  of 
wealth),  to  one  of  embarrassment,  (though  not  of  poverty.  «•<• 
li<>ne),ift!ieRp  pursuits  are  prosecuted  to  llieiracfomplishriieat. 
It  i<  well  that  we  do  not  owe  much— for  Ihc  much  Ihiilis  owing 
to  us,  and  other  means  that  were  available  a  few  months  ago, 
and  afforded  a  plentiful  supply  lo  make  all  things  work  smooth- 
ly, have  lost  their  former  full  power,  and  afford  only  a  limited 
support,  and  tho-u  means  are  almost  every  day  reduced  by  the 
bankruptcy  of  persons  indebted  to  us,  &c.  for  the  ability  to 
earn  and  luck  of  getting  money,  are  unquestionably  necessary 
to  the  payment  of  mom  y! 

We  think  Hint  it  every  tmn,  in  business,  especially  as  n  me- 
chanic or  mmiiifnrtiirer',  will  look  over  hi*  affair*,  It  will  he 
agreed  that,  on  the  average,  those  have  at  least  lost  one  years' 


NILES'  REGISTER- MAY    17,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


187 


Tin',  personal  support  of  the  president  is  not  excusable 
on  account  of  a  personal  opposition.  He  has  been  twice 
elected  to  what  «e  regard  as  the  most  dignified  office  in 
the  world — and  the  gratitude  of  the  country  has,  without 
stint,  flowed  upon  him.  He  is  not  a  candidate  for  a  se- 
cond re-election.  The  measure  of  the  good  will  of  the 
people  for  him  is  filled — and  why  then  the  necessity  of 
forcing  personal  feelings  into  the  adjustment  of  the  most 
interesting  public,  concerns?  Is  it  indispensable,  that, 
in  a  due  respect  for  president  Jackson,  all  which  is  done 
by  him,  or  in  his  name,  must  needs  be  approved? — all  his 
vetoes  of  the  people's  will  be  submitted  to  as  oracles  not 
to  be  doubted—- in  which  he  has  exercised  a  power  which 
no  king,  in  a  constitutional  government,  could  exert, 
and  yet  hope  to  maintain  his  seat  on  the  throne?  Admit 
that  his  motives  are  good — all  his  purposes  honest, 
is  the  judgment  of  ihe  representatives  of  the  people  and 
of  the  states  to  be  coldly  set  aside  by  the  veto  of  an  indivi- 
dual? Thousands  are  asking  themselves  this  question, 
and  thousands  have  already  decided  it  in  the  negative, 
and  party  lines  tire  becoming  extinct,  in  the  distress  and 
bankruptcy  and  ruin  which  besets  the  people — and  the 
poverty  which  threatens  all  classes  of  persons,  except 
those  who  derive  their  subsistence  from  fixed  salaries, 
or  other  permanent  incomes.  Labor  is  without  demand 
unless  at  greatly  reduced  wages — real  property  is  almost 
"without  price"  in  the  market — money  is  wretchedly 
scarce,  and  getting  scarcer  every  day,  and  specie  is  rush- 
ing into  the  vaults  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  as  if 
they  were  the  only  places  of  safety;  while  the  holders  of 
stocks  and  bank  notes,  in  general,  are  in  instant  apprehen- 
sion of  some  new  calamity  falling  upon  them.  Never  be- 
fore was  there  such  a  state  of  excitement.  Every  intel- 
ligent man  feels  that  he  is  injured,  and  is  beginning  to 
ask,  why? — and  to  compare  the  speculative  evils  which 
he  hears  of  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  with  the 
real  ones  suffered  by  himself,  and  his  neighbors.* 

The  veto  of  the  bank  bill,  by  the  president,  speakin 
of  foreign  capital,  says — 

' '  The  interest  on  it  carried  to  Europe  is  a  burthen  upon 
the  industry,  and  a  drain  of  the  currency,  ivhich  no  coun- 
try can  bear  without  occasional  distress. " 

Such  teas  the  doctrine  of  the  party  a  short  time  ag< 
for  whatever  is  uttered  in  "high  places"  is  received  with 
that  same  sort  of  reverence  which  the  prescriptions  ol 
the  ancient  oracle  at  Delphos  obtained. t 

And  what  is  the  doctrine  now? — what  the  practice  ol 
"democratic"  Pennsylvania  for  years  past — with  the 
"right  honorable"  lords  and  ladies  that  glitter  on  the 
lists  of  her  creditors?  And  every  one  thought  that  Penn- 
sylvania acted  wisely  in  introducing  foreign  capital — no 


labor,  or  profit  that  ought  to  have  been  made  on  capital,  alrea- 
dy, by  the  president's  "experiment."  What  will  he  the.  loss  in 
a  winding  up  of  their  affairs?  The  innn  who  thought  linn 
clearly  worth  10,000  dollars  in  September  last,  will  led  happy 
in  a  belief  that  he  is  worth  $7,500  in  September  next,  if  so  he 
shall  dare  to  believr,  and  in  this  proportion — -unless  the  "expe 
riment"  is  ended  before  that  time.  We  are  ton  far  advancer 
in  life,  and  have  too  many  children,  to  be  politicians  at  this  ru 
inous  rate  of  loss — and  especially  when  our  best  judsment  is 
satisfied  that  no  possible  public  good  is  to  be  derived  from  it 
except  in  the  awful  instruction  which  it  may  afford  to  those 
who  may  hereafter  desire  to  meddle  with  the  currency. 

*Is  this  view  too  highly  charged?  We  think  not — anil  oft> 
one  simple  matter  in  proof.  There  is  no  deposite  bank  in  South 
Carolina — the  state  banks  would  not  receive  the  public  mone) 
from  the  office  of  the  bank  of  the  U.  S.  or  the  president  wouk 
not  trust  them,  we  know  not  which — and,  though  the  price  o 
cotton  has  declined  in  the  general  stagnation  of  business,  then 
is  no  other  difficulty  about  money  in  that  state,  and  all  the 
hanks  possess  the  old  confidence  that  was  reposed  in  them  b> 
the  people. 

fTo  resist  any  opinion  advanced  by  the  president,  in  the  esti 

mntion  of  some,  is  to  be condemned.     If  the  idea  of  tin 

followins.  extracted  from  a  late  number  of  the  "Globe,"  (as  we 
find  it  quoted  in  the  "'IVlesraph")  be  not  blasphemous,  it  i 
disgraceful  to  the  character  of  any  being  "created  in  God's  own 
im;ige."  The  secretary  denied  his  MASTER— betrayed  his  MAS 
TER! 

From  the  Globe.  "He  (Dnane)  may  he  very  honest  and  ve 
racious,  hut  we  think  he  was  wanting, on  one  occasion,  in  cou 
rape,  to  defend  these  very  respectable  virtues.  We  cannot  ex 
pert  tli«  ex-secretary  to  be  any  better  than  the  npostlc;  wh 
'denied'  his  master,  and  if  he  be  not  content  with  bt'ing  classe 
with  him,  why  we  will  class  him  with  that  other  apostle  wh 
'betrayed' his  master." 


ne  any  more  supposed  the  interest  to  be  a  "burthen" 
lian  was  a  payment  for  any  sort  of  foreign  goods  which 
t  was  not  convenient  to  manufacture  »t  home! — for  nio- 
ey,  like  every  thing  else,  is  merchandise,  and,  like  cod- 
sii  or  tobacco,  seeks  Us  best  market.  And  up  to  the 
ime  of  this  veto,  it  seemed  a  settled  principle  in  the  f,o- 
itical  economics  of  this  country,  that  we  ought  to  import 
oreign  money,  as  a  raio  material,  to  furnish  employment, 
nd  make  profits  on  labor,  in  the  use  of  it. 

And  how  stands  the  case  now?  Is  it  not  recommend- 
d  that  JVew  York  and  Pennsylvania  shall  borrow  foreign 
apital  to  sustain  their  money  corporations,  or  carry  on 
heir  public  works?  The  shout  is  for  a  specie  currency, 
nd  the  way  of  bringing  that  about  seems  most  direct 
n  borrowing  money,  (though  all  who  depend  on  borrow  - 
•d  capital  "ought  to  break!")  to  sustain  a  paper  circula- 
ion!  Isn't  this  beautiful?  Jliyum  lencatis? 

New  York  is  at  the  head  of  the  states — the  "empire 
tate" — and  exerts  a  mighty  power  in  mpport  of  the  veto 
irinciples,  anti-credit  proclamations  and  hard-money  re- 
ommendalions  of  president  Jacksim.  Let  us  see  how 
he  practice  of  her  politicians  corresponds  with  their 
treadling. 

The  following  is  from  the  "New  York  Evening  Post" 

of  May  7 — and  the  reader  will  please  to  recollect,  that 

his  is  now  the  only  "by  authority"  paper  in  that  great 

ity— the  "Standard"  having  died  a  lev.  days  ago  for  the 

want  of  subsistence:* 

Both  houses  of  ihe  legislature  adjourned  yeptrrday  sine  die. 
>Ve  shall  publish  to-morrow  the  titles  of  the  act*  pnssrd,  which 
ire  294  in  number.  Among  these  acts  are  TEN  INCORPORATES 
"JEW  BANKS,  one  increasing  the  capital  of  an  existing  lir.nk; 
hirty  four  incorporating  joint  stock  companies;  ten  renewing  or 
extending  th  e  privileges  oj  eiistinsi  joint,  stock  companies,  such  89 
manufacturing,  rail  road,  bridge  and  turnpike  companies,  Jtc. 
^nd  itpit-ards  of  thirty  acts  creating  corporation*  of  other  kinds). 
Exclusive  privileges!  Exclusive  privileges!  We  are  a  barik- 
;overned  people,  and  every  year  the  number  and  weight  of  our 
manacles  are  increased.  These  exclusively  privileged  assoeia- 
ions — these  chartered  rights—  these  corporations,  if  the  people 
do  not  awake  to  the  subject,  and  "by  oppo.-ing  end  them,"  wilf, 
ere  long,  change  the  whole  nature  of  government,  as  they  have 
already  materially  corrupted  the  morals  of  society. 

And  in  a  subsequent  number  of  the  same  paper,  it  is 
said  — 

The  Albany  Argus  speaks  of  the  proceedings  of  the.  legisla- 
ture in  its  session  just  concluded  as  'proceedings  which  show  a 
levotion  to  public  interests,  not  surpassed  by  any  preceding  le- 
jislature.'  Will  the  Argus  please  to  put  its  finger  on  the  evi- 
ilence  of  this  patriotism.  We  cannot  find  it.  There  has  been 
as  much  selfishness  and  as  little  true  public  spirit  in  the  last  le- 
gislature as  in  any  previous  one  for  years.  The  Areus,  in  the 
same  paragraph  with  the  compliment  we  have  quoted,  mentions 
that  among  the  acts  passed  by  the  legislature,  'are  the  charters 
for  eight  new  banks,' and  one  increase,  with  an  ajgrenate  in- 
creased capital  of  $3.800,000.  Perhnps  the  Argus  thinks  this  a 
proof  of  devotion  to  the  public  interests.  We  consider  it  quite 
the  contrary;  and  all  must  consider  it  «o,  who  know  how  bank 
charters,  and  rail  road  company  charters,  and  insurance  coin- 
pany  charters,  and  all  other  charters  granting  exclusive  privi- 
leges, are  obtained,  and  how  they  operate  on  the  interests  of  the 
community.  The  Argus  has  opposed  earnestly  and  ably  the 
United  Stales'  hank.  Why  not  extend  its  opposition  to  our 
whole  rotten  and  oppressive  hanking  system?" 

Remarks  are  useless:  but  the  multiplication  of  money- 
corporations,  as  they  are  railed,  is  among  the  strongest 
reasons  that  can  be  offered  in  favor  of  a  recharter  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States — to  regulate  and  balance,  and 
restrain  their  operations,  by  compelling  them  to  keep  up 
a  sound  currency,  or  shut  up  their  shopr..  Without 
some  such  regulation,  those  corporations  wlil  run  wild 
in  issues  of  paper,  and  ihe  whole  country  be  filled  with 
rags,  rags,  rags— which,  even  now,  by  the  policvof  "the 
government,"  have  much  uncertainty  of  value  at  the  very 
places  of  their  issue,  and  depreciate  as  much  «s  from  12 
to  15  per  cent,  as  they  are  carried  distances  from  home, 
compared  with  the  uniform  value  of  the  bills  of  the  bank 
of  the  United  States. 

The  committee  of  the  house  of  rrpresentntives,  ap- 
pointed to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States,  have  returned  to  Washington.  The  facts 
heretofore  suggested,  as  to  their  requisitions  appear  to 
be  true.  As  we  may  soon  expect  reports  of  the  pro- 
ceedings had,  it  does  not  seem  required,  at  present  to 

*3ince  this  was  written,  si  new  pnper  has  taken  the  place  of 
the  dead  one. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY   17,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


do  more  than  insert  the  following  paragraphs  from  Phi- 
ladelphia papers. 

The  "United  States  Gazette"  says — The  following 
resolution  of  the  investigating  eommittee,  will  show  to 
what  lengths  and  depths  it  was  their  wish  to  make  in- 
quisition: 

"Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be 
requested  to  furnish  the  committee  with  copies  of  all  corres- 
pondence between  the  president  of  the  bank  or  any  of  its  of- 
ficers, with  members  of  congress;  or  of  unanswered  letters  re- 
ceived from  one  of  them,  since  the  1st  day  of  July,  1832,  touch- 
ing the  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  bank,  the  removal  or  re- 
•torntion  of  the  public  deposited,  or  touching  the  business  trans- 
actions of  such  members  with  the  bank." 

And  the  "National  Gazette"  informs  us  that — 

On  Friday  last,  (lOih  insl.)  the  marshal  of  the  district  served 
upon  the  president  and  directors  of  the  United  Slates  bank,  a 
subpoena,  duces  tecum,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  house  of 
representatives  of  the  United  Slates,  wlu-reto  was  appended  a 
teal.  At  noon  on  Saturday,  the  directors  attended  at  Mrs. 
Tone's,  the  North  American  hotel,  and  their  counsel,  J.  R. 
Ingersoll,  e.'q,  presented  to  the  investigating  committee,  a  pro 
test  agiiinst  the  procedure.  We  nnderstand  that  the  committee 
then  adjourned,  to  meet  in  Washington  city  on  Thursday  next. 

The  writ  which  the  marshal  served  upon  the  bank  directors, 
was  printed  at  Washington,  and  contained  an  order  to  examine 
into  the  affairs  of  the  bank;  but  in  the  blank  left  for  the  place 
at  which  the  committee  was  to  meet,  was  added  in  writing, 
•n  order  for  the  directors  to  produce  the  credit  bookt  of  the  bank, 
ikoirintfthe  indebtedness  of  individual!. 

The  books  of  the  hank,  it  appears,  were  to  be  de- 
posited in  an  hotel,  out  of  the  keeping  or  guardian- 
ship of  the  bank !  We  suppose  that  such  a  thing  was 
never  heard  of,  or  thought  of,  before.  But  the  demand 
for  private  letters  of  members  of  congress  goes  far  be- 
yond that.  Both  demands  were,  of  course,  resisted.  It 
was  impossible  that  they  could  be  complied  with;  and 
we  cannot  believe  that  either  of  the  committee  expect- 
ed that  they  would  be.  It  may  be,  that  the  bank  has 
no  such  letters  from  members  of  congress — but  if  even 
BO,  no  honorable  man,  we  think,  would  have  plead  the 
fact,  against  such  a  demand. 

The  following  gentlemen,  it  is  stated  in  the  National 
Intelligencer,  are  said  to  have  been  nominated,  by  the 
president  ot  the  United  States,  to  the  senate,  to  be  gov- 
ernment directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  for  the 
current  year,  viz:  Henry  Horn,  Roberts  Vaitx;  Charles 
McAllister,  of  Philadelphia;  Joseph  White,  of  Baltimore; 
and  Saul  Alley,  of  New  York. 

A  new  bank  has  been  authorised  at  Buffalo,  New  York, 
under  the  charge  of  seven  commissioners,  who,  accord- 
ing to  the  "Journal,"  are  all  office-holders — viz:  two 
postmasters,  one  Indian  agent,  one  collector  of  customs, 
one  surrogate  and  two  judges  of  county  courts.  The 
four  first,  we  suppose,  belong  to  the  United  States  "army 
of  FEDS.  "*  The  profits  of  the  place  of  commissionrr  to 
make  a  bank,  is  estimated  in  the  New  York  papers,  at 
from  500  to  1,000  dollars!  We  know  not  how  they  are 
realized. 

The  "New  York  American  "states  certain  things  in  re- 
lation to  the  legislative  operations  concerning  banks  at  the 
last  session,  which  are  well  calculated  to  surprise  us — yet 
being  local  in  their  character  we  shall  not  particularly 
notice  them.  But  the  facts  stated  in  the  preceding  para- 
graph are  matters  of  general  interest,  as  shewing  the  ar- 


'Those  ar«  the  days  of  political  names!  The  "Jacksonmen," 
anil  "Xalinnal  republicans,"  are  now  called  by  the  former  party 
"democrat*"  and  "federalist*."  and  by  the  latter  paity  "lories" 
and  "whi^."  Bill  Ihe  HanMurgh  Intelligencer  has  raised  up 
a  third  party,  calling  it  the  "FEoa°' — and  an  excellent  name  we 
think  thai  il  in.  On  Ihis  subji  cl  the  "Intelligencer"  says— 
"There  is  a  party  in  the  United  States,  that  may  with  greal 
propriety  be  called  "Fedt;"  not  federalist!,  for  federalists  arc 
much  les*  interested  men.  There  are  about  forty  or  fifty  thou- 
sand "FEUS"  in  the  United  States.  We  had  "  JWt"  in  the 
lime  of  the  revolution— they  were  sent  heie  by  the  nriti*h  king 
"to  harrass  our  people  nnd  eat  out  their  substance;"  find  they 
were,  right  or  wrong,  supported  by  the  lories.  A  "Fed"  it  a 
man  who  if  fed  by  the  government,  and  some  of  the  "Feds"  of 
the  prenent  day,  are  well  fed;  nil  of  whom,  as  in  the  time  of  the 
revolution,  are  supported,  right  or  wrong,  by  the  advocates  of 
power." 

The  remarks,  however,  are  too  general.  There  are  many  ex 
ceptions  to  the  rule  laid  down  by  the  "Intelligencer"— a  good 
mnny  public  officers,  who.  content  with  honestly  performing 
their  public  duiien,  have  little  time  to  spare,  or  wish  to  indulge 
in  the  busintfit  of  elections. 


rangementof  public  officers,  as  a  privileged  class,  separat- 
ed  from  the  people,  and  entitled  to  the  "spoils." 

We  mentioned  in  the  last  REGISTER  that  bills  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States  had  been  refused  at  some  of  the 
offices  in  exchange  for  specie.  On  this  subject  the 
"Richmond  Whig"  of  the  9th  inst  making  some  remarks 
on  a  wholesale  article  from  the  Washington  "Globe" 
says—- 
It is  a  fact  well  known  in  this  city,  and  we  appeal  to  the 
merchants  of  il,  and  even  to  the  directors  of  the  slate  banks 
here,  for  the  truth  of  our  assertion!',  that  the  United  States  bank 
has  Ibiborne  to  draw  on  the  state  banks  for  balances  to  an  ex- 
lent  which  would  astonish  any  one  not  conversant  of  the  fact, 
that  it  i*  the  direct  interest  of  the  United  States  bank,  to  sus- 
tain the  state  institutions,  by  all  the  meant  in  its  power.  We 
know  the  fact  to  be  *o  in  this  city,  and  we  have,  in  the  absence 
of  all  other  testimony,  a  sufficient  guarantee  in  the  interest  of 
the  bank,  that  such  is  the  fact  elsewhere.  It  will  be  recollect- 
ed, that  a  statement  made  by  the  Enquirer,  some  month  or 
more  ago,  certainly  not  for  the  purpose  of  benefiting  the  U. 
Slates  bank,  that  the  branch  in  Ibis  city  had  refused  to  give  it* 
own  notes  for  specie.  This  we  know  to  be  true,  and  we  fur- 
ther know  that  the  officers  of  the  bank  have  uniformly  acted  in 
this  manner  and  the  reason  is  plain,  because  il  is  well  known 
such  is  the  demand  for  the  United  Stales  bank  notes,  (now  at 
a  premium  of  \{  to  2  per  cent.)  that  our  state  hanks  would 
quickly  be  drained  of  their  specie  if  the  United  Stales  bank 
would  receive  il  on  deposite.  The  United  States  bank  avows 
this  motive,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  public  notoriety.  In  connec- 
tion with  this  subject  we  have  been  politely  furnished  with 
the  following: 
Extract  from  a  letter  to  a  mercantile  house  in  this  city,  from 

their  correspondent  in  Charleston,  daled  1st  May. 
"I  was  rather  surprised  to-day,  by  the  receipt  of  a  communi- 
cation from  Mr.  Bacot,  cashier  of  Hie  branch  bank  at  this  place, 
slating  that  no  more  bills  on  Virginia  could  be  negotiated  through 
that  office  for  the  present,  in  consequence  of  orders  fiom  the 
mother  bank  to  thai  eflTscl.  On  asking  him  the  reason,  be  told 
me  that  funds  could  not  be  remitted  from  Norfolk  and  Rich- 
mond to  the  north,  without  hearing  hard  on  the  elate  banks, 
with  which  the  bunk  of  the  United  Stales  did  not  wish  to  come 
in  contact." 

The  facts  here  stated  are  in  exact  accordance  with  our 
remarks.  The  bank  of  the  United  States,  as  we  said, 
"stands,  and  must  stand,  like  a  strong  man  armed,  between 
a  sound  currency  and  a  circulation  of  rag  money" — and, 
to  carry  out  its  own  purposes  and  preserve  its  own  inter- 
ests, sustains,  and  will  sustain,  all  the  local  banks  who 
have  "just  claims  to  a  liberal  support."  Specie,  per- 
haps, is  more  abundant  in  the  U.  States  at  present  than 
at  any  former  period,  but  more  of  it  is  needed  because  of 
the  diminished  confidence  of  the  people  in  paper  money 
— and,  as  a  general  confidence  declines,  the  U.  States 
bank  gathers  an  individual  strength.  Hundreds,  perhaps, 
we  might  say  thousands  of  new  accounts  have  been  open- 
ed in  this  bank  and  its  branches,  within  a  short  time  past 
— from  the  utter  inability  of  the  local  banks  to  afford  for- 
mer facilities  to  their  customers;  for  the  reason,  perhaps, 
that  lar^e  sums  are  "locked  up"  in  large  loans,  or  ac- 
commodations, made  some  time,  and  prudently  then,  but 
which  are  not,  and  cannot  be,  retired,  or  made  available, 
in  the  present  general  derangement  of  monetary  matters. 

Mr.  Rush  wrote  a  long  letter  to  the  committee  of  the 
house  of  representatives  (appointed  to  examine  into  the 
affairs  of  the  bank),  on  the  acceptance  of  his  resignation 
of  the  clerkship  to  which  they  had  appointed  him!  It  is 
published  in  the  "Pennsylvanian"  of  the  10th  instant. 

A  report  prevails  that  the  committee  have  censured 
Mr.  Rush,  by  a  resolution,  for  the  publication  of  his  let- 
ter. We  think  that  he  well  deserved  it. 

It  appears  that  the  legislature  of  Rhode  Island  hns  sub- 
stantially repassed  the  "perpetuation  act,"  as  it  is  called, 
which  was  repealed  to  make  Mr.  Potter  A  member  of  the 
U.  S.  senate,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Robhins!  Mr.  P.  -is  a 
member  of  the  present  legislature  of  Rhode  Island.  We 
live  in  strange  times. 

A  "victory"  seems  to  have  been  claimed  in  this  state 
which  was  not  won.  Mr.  Francis,  the  anti-masonic  go- 
vernor, was  elected  by  a  majority  of  150  votes,  being 
also  supported  by  the  Jackson  party.  For  Mr.  F.  3,676 
— Mr.  Knight  3,520 — and  it  was  said  that  the  "opposi- 
tion" had  been  deft-ated  both  in  the  election  of  the  senate 
and  house  of  representatives.  Rut  the  new  legislature 
w:is  convened  the  day  after  the  old  one  had  passed  the 
"pcrpeiuation  net,"  as  above  stated,  and  passed  a  sat  of 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY    17,  1834—  MISCELLANEOUS. 


189 


resolutions  against  tli«  removal  of  the  deposites  and  : 
favor  of  a  bank,  &c.  as  inserted  in  a  subsequent  page — 
the  resolution  concerning  the  latter  being  passed  by 
majority  of  46 — a  great  one,  indeed,  if  the  legislatui 
consists  .of  only  72  members  as  we  see  it  stated  in  th 
papers,  for  the  vote  must  have  been  59  to  13.  Were  a 
these  "bought  up  by  the  bank?"' — and  the  governor  also 
who  is  said  to  hold  the  opinions  expressed  in  the  resolu 
tions! 

[It  appears  by  a  subsequent  statement,  that  the  resolu 
tions  above  alluded  to  only  passed  the  house  of  represen 
tatives,  and  that  the  senate  refused  to  concur,  notwith 
standing  gov.  Francis  used  all  the  influence  that  he  pos 
sessed  to  bring  about  a  concurrence.  Shall  we  call  THI 
senate  "factious,"  and  say  "down  with  it?"  No— but  i 
it  not  as  "factious"  as  the  senate  at  Washington,  am 
placed  in  precisely  the  same  relation,  though  on  opposing 
points?] 

The  grand  lodge  of  Rhode  Island  has  surrendered  it 
charter,  and  so  have  been  the  charters  of  many  subordi 
nate  lodges.  The  same  things  have  happened  in  othe. 
states.  In  this  season  of  peril,  we  have  other  things  to 
think  of  than  speculative  masonry,  or  political  anti-ma- 
sonry. If  either  offend,  or  stand  in  the  way  of  the  pub- 
lic prosperity  and  public  peace,  let  either,  or  both,  be 
buried,  with  the  chariot  wheels  of  Pharoah,  in  the  Rec 
Sea!  To  effect  this,  however,  moderation  and  liberality 
with  justice,  must  be  exerted  by  both  partie.".  Reason 
will  accomplish  what  force  may  attempt  in  vain. 

There  has  been  much  excitement  in  Boston  for  some 
months  past,  on  account  of  a  report  that  a  "figure  head' 
of  president  Jackson  was  to  be  placed  on  the  bows  of  the 
Constitution  frigate.  It  was,  at  length,  ascertained  that 
such  a  head  had  been  prepared  by  com.  Elliott — but  it 
thereafter  appeared  that  the  design  of  setting  it  up  was 
abandoned,  when  many  publications  en  the  subject  had 
been  made.  The  fact,  however,  is,  that  such  a  figure- 
head was  placed  on  the  bows  of  the  Constitution,  about 
two  or  three  weeks  ago. 

This  proceeding  has  elicited  much  feeling — and,  in- 
dependent of  political  sentiments  involved,  the  propriety 
of  placing  on  the  bows  of  a  national  ship  the  head  of 
any  living  person,  is  earnestly  questioned.  We  always 
thought  it  wrong  that  one  of  said  ships  was  named  after 
a  then  president  of  the  United  States — the  "John 
Adams" — for  we  would  not  build  up  such  monuments  to 
the  living;  and  we  think  that  there  are  also  other  reasons 
why  sucli  things  should  not  be  allowed,  and  especially  in 
this — that  no  public  man  escapes  the  prejudice  or  cen- 
sure of  some  portion  of  the  people,  while  on  this  theatre 
of  action;  and  it  has  been  the  happy  lot  of  few,  indeed,  to 
pass  into  history  with  names  so  pure  as  those  of  WASH- 
INGTON and  FRANKLIN,  after  whom  two  ships  of  the  line 
are  worthily  called.  And  besides,  to  prevent  the  perpe- 
tuation of  unworthy  names — (for  some  who  have  stood 
highest  in  the  public  favor  have  been  handed  over  to  the 
public  execration,  and  others  will  be),  a  rule  was  estab- 
lished as  to  the  naming  of  our  vessels  of  war,  ships  of 
the  line  to  be  called  after  the  states,  frigates  after  rivers, 
and  sloops  after  cities  or  towns.  This  was  a  wholesome 
provision,  and,  if  carried  out  in  its  whole  extent  and  spi- 
rit, may  forbid  unpleasant  occurrences,  in  future  times — 
for  it  would  be  a  very  awkward  thing  to  make  a  formal 
change  of  the  name  of  a  public  ship,  or  to  direct  that  she 
should  be  divested  of  some  particular  ornament. 

These  remarks  have  only  a  general  application,  and 
we  think  that  every  reflecting  person  must  see  the  pro- 
priety of  them.  But  with  respect  to  the  CONSTITUTION 
frigate,  she  ought  to  remain,  and  be  preserved,  as  a  na- 
tional concern,  forages,  if  possible,  and  just  as  she  was 
when  she  met  and  humbled  the  British  Warrior,  [Gner- 
riere],  in  perpetual  remembrance  of  that  and  oilier  "tri- 
umphs on  the  ocean." 

Another  earnest  attempt  is  making  at  Boston  to  com- 
plete the  Bunker  Hill  Monument — the  progress  of  which 
was  sometime  ago  arrested  by  the  withering  blast  of  des- 
picable party  politics. 

At  the  late  election  in  Connectiinit  no  choice  of  gover- 
nor  was  made,  three  candidates  being  supported  by  three 


different  parties;  but  the  legislature  having  convened, 
Mr.  Foot,  who  had  much  the  highest  vote  of  the  people, 
was  elected — for  Mr.  Foot,  the  "whig"  candidate  154, 
Mr.  Edwards  (Jackson)  70,  scattering  3.  Anti-Jackson 
majority  81,  And  then  a  salute  of  100  guns  was  fired  at 
New  Haven. 

A  business-member  of  the  house  of  representatives  is 
thus  lost  to  the  people  of  the  U.  S.  and  we  have  few  of 
them  to  spare.  But  we  fear  the  loss  of  another  such  from 
the  same  state,  who  will  probably  be  appointed  its  chief 
justice. 

In  Connecticut,  it  WHS  some  time  since  said,  that  a 
"healthy  majority,"  through  the  "aid  of  the  general  go- 
vernment" might  be  expected;  and,  as  leading  to  it,  there 
was  nearly  a  complete  "reform"  of  the  officers  of  the  U. 
States  located  within  it. 

The  city  of  New  York  is  exceedingly  unfortunate  by 
Bros.  Since  the  destruction  of  the  Phenix  Building!  on 
:he  29th  ult.  other  extensive  ranges  of  stores  and  houses 
lave  beer,  destroyed.  A  full  supply  of  water  ought  to  be 
obtained — if  possible. 

The  New  York  American  of  the  JSth  inst.  says — 
We  have  it  from  undoubted  authority,  that  after  12 
o'clock  this  day,  when  two  new  ship*  are  to  be  launch- 
ed, there  will  not  be  on  the  stocks  in  any  ship  yard  in 

Vew  York,  a  single  vessel  of  any  sort  building.  This 
we  take  to  be  an  indication  more  decisive  than  any  other 
single  one,  of  the  baleful  effects  of  that  "experiment" 
which  has  caused,  is  causing,  and  will  until  it  is  arrest- 
ed, continue  to  cause,  commerce  and  credit  to  perish. 
At  no  period,  we  presume,  since  the  embargo  of  1807, 

las  such  a  state  of  things,  in  regard  to  ship  building,  e.v- 

sted  in  this  city. 

A  new  daily  paper  called  '•'•The  Times'"  has  appeared 
n  New  York,  and  taken  the  place  of  the  "Standard" 
ately  deceased. 

The  "Times"  of  Monday  last  has  a  lofty  account  of 
lie  reception  of  Mr.  Lawrence,  the  new  mayor,  the  prt- 
xcling  Saturday,  and  details  the  various  honors  and  com- 
liments  paid  10  him,  and  especially  describes  the  orna- 
lented  steamboat  Independence,  in  which  he  was  con- 
eyed  from  Soulh  Amboy  to  New  York,  which  among 
ther  things  displayed  a  broad  white  flag  bearing  the 
lotto — 

"THE    CONSTITUTION    IB    SAFE    • 

FOR  JACKSON  is  THE  PILOT;" 

;id   gives  a  relation  of  the  ceremonu  a,  the  cheerings  of 
ie  people,  and  the  salutes  of  cannon  tired  on  the  occa- 
on— the  procession  to  the  Park,  and  reception  in  the 
overnor's  room  in  the  City  Hall,  &c.    The  "opposition" 
apers  speak  of  this  matter  as  a  complete  failure,  in  all 
s  parts — they  say  that  the  procession  contained  only  590 
ersons,  "duly  counted,"  who  dwindled  down  to  300  be- 
ore  they  reached  the  Park — that  the  houses  on   Broad- 
ay  were  closed,  the  ladies  refusing  to  appear  at  the 
indows,  &c.     And  the  "American"  says— 
"One  more  incident  connected  with  this  celebration!   we 
ust  add — ilie  rather,  us  we  witnessed  it  ourselves. 
"On  the  return  to  South  Amboy  of  the  Independence  to  TB- 
•ive  the  passengers  from  Philadelphia  by  the  10  o'llock  line — 
ho  were  already  on  the  wharf,  and  waiting  with  some  impa 
snce  for  the  boat— a  white  flag,  with  the  legend,  "The  consti 
tion  is  safe,  for  Jackson  is  the  pilot,"  was  descried.    Aery 
'"Down  with  that  flag!"  instantly  arose,  which,  as  the  boat 
•»me  to  the  wharf,  become  more  earliest.    The  captain  said  it 
lonld  (>e  hauled  down  as  soon  as  possible.     In  attempting  it, 
owever,  the  violence  of  the  wind    having   twisted  the  flag 
ound  the  staff,  the  halyards  broke.   Meantime  all  the  pa.ssen- 
TS,  to  the  number  probably  of  a  hundred,  remained  drawn  up 
i  the  wharf,  declaring  that  they  would  not  st'l  a  fool  on  buatd 
e  boni  till  the  offensive  emblem  was  removed.     A  voice  then 
ied  out  "all  that  nre  in  favor  of  that  flag  being  pull,  d  down 
y  aye."   A  shout  ensued  which  did  indeed  make  "the  hills  of 
rsey"  ring.    The  contrary— no— and  not  a  solitary  voiee  was 
ised!    Immediately  one  of  the  hands  of  the  bo.it  climbed  the 
ag  staff,  while  others  took  boat  hooks,  ami  in  (alters  the  ban- 
er  was  soon  torn  down.     Three  hearty  cheers  greeted  its  de- 
ent,  and  then  all  wen-  soon  under  way  in  the  Imle/iendence, 
ith  the  broad  flap  of  the  union  only  flying  above  them,  and  no 
an's  private  signal  to  mark  them  as  slaves. 
"We  add,  lest  it  might  he  conjectured  that  personally  we  had 
me  agency  in  bringing  it  about  .that  we  were  during  the  whole 
it  a  silent  and  passive,  though  not  ungratifivd,  spectator,'' 


190 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY    17,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


evening  nexl, 
bian  Garden 


r  \Vre  have  obliterated  two  hard  words,  and  also  struck 
out  a  brief  pftragmpl)  not  necessary,  in  our  opinion,  to 
a  correct  judgment,  ot  the  character  of  the  incident  stated.] 

The  new  city  councils  were  organised   ou  Tuesday. 
Jnmes  J\fvnroe  \vas  chosen  president  of  the   hoard  of  al-    sal  suffrage. 
(Hermen,  10  to  5;  and  George  IV.  Jinten  president  of  the 
board   of  assistant  aldermen,  8  to  6.     They  are  both  ol 
the  party  called  "whigs." 

The  Albany  election  for  supervisors,  kc.  resulted  as 
follows: 
Wards.  Jackson.  +%nti-Juckson. 

1st 404 C09 

2d 377 460 

3d 117 202 

4th 419 479 

5th 256 2<J8 

The  latter  party  having  a  majority  in  every  ward. 

There  is  to  be  a  public  festival  at  Albany  to  celebrate 
this  "glorious  victory"  of  the  "whigs,"  as  the  anti-Jack- 
son party  call  themselves,  and  no  doubt  there  will  be 
grand  salutes  of  artillery.  The  election  in  the  city  of 
New  York  has  caused  no  small  consumption  of  gunpow- 
.der,  at  various  places! 

The  anti-Jacksonituis  of  New  York  are  also  loudly  ex- 
ulting at  their  victories  won  at  Syracuse,  Auburn,  &c. 
and  we  notice  that  a  meeting  is  called  at  Ithaca,  by  the 
•signatures  of  fifteen  hundred  persons.  It  is  apparent  that 
a  great  change  lias  been  effected  in  the  political  opinions 
of  the  people  of  this  state,  or  else  that  there  is  a  new  zeal 
to  give  them  effect.  A  convention  has  been  called  with 
»  view  to  unite  all  the  elements  of  the  "opposition." 
The  "Jackson  and  Van  Buren'  party  is  also  rallying  its 
strength — and,  through  its  organization  and  numbers,  is 
very  powerful. 

The  charter  election  of  the  city  of  Troy  was  held  on 
Tuesday  last,  and,  according  to  the  private  advices  of 
Ahe  N.  Y.  Commercial,  resulted  in  giving  to  the  anti- 
Jackson  parly  a  majority  of  635,  being  an  increase  of  550 
since  the  election  of  1832. 

The  charter  election  of  the  city  of  JVew  Rmng-iaick, 
Ncto  Jersey,  took  place  on  Monday  last,  and  the  whole 
swUi-Jackson  ticket  for  common  council  and  town  clerk, 
was  carried  by  a  small  majority. 

Jt  is  calculated  that  the  anti-Jackson  majority  in  the 
legislature  of  Virginia  is  from  25  to  30.  Preparations 
are  making  for  a  general  jubilee  throughout  the  state. 

Tt  is  said  that  the  largest  meeting  ever  held  in  western 
Pennsylvania  was  convened  at  Pittsburgh  on  the  6th  inst. 
"to  celebrate  the  victory  of  the  whigs  at  New  York.' 
Gen.  Jlfarks  presided  over  the  ceremonies  and  over  the 
feast,  supported  by  many  vice  presidents,  &c.  There 
was  a  good  deal  of  speaking,  and  much  eating,  and  drink- 
ing of  toasts;  and,  on  motion  of  Benjamin  JBakewetl,  the 
meeting  then  adopted  their  congressional  and  legislative 
ticket,  Mr.  Denny  being  nominated  for  re-election  to 
congress.  They  also  appointed  delegates  to  a  conven- 
tion that  is  to  be  held  at  liarrisburgh  on  the  27th  inst. 

The  first  resolution  may  show  the  character  of  this 
meeting — as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  do  reaffirm  the  solemn  judgment 
of  the  American  somite,  "that  the  president  of  the  U.  States,  in 
the  lale  executive  proceedings  in  relation  to  the  public  revenue, 
has  assumed  upon  himself  authority  and  power  not  conferred 
by  tin1  constitution  and  laws,  hul  in  derogation  of  both." 

The  number  present  were  computed  at  from  six  to 
.eight  .thousand.  Several  salutes  of  cannon  were  fired 
•during  the  day.  A  salute  of  100  guns  was  fired  at  Cin- 
cinnati on  the  same  occasion.  Another  account  suys  that 
one  hundred  and  fifty  guns  were  fired  in  consequence  of 
AH  attempt  to  prevent  the  firing  of  100,  by  removing  the 
deposite  of  powder,  and  spiking  the  cannon  that  were  set 
aside  for  ihe  salute.  A  great  meeting  of  the  people  was 
also  held  in  this  city  to  celebrate  the  "victory"  at  New 
•York. 

The  "Rail! more  Republican"  of  Saturday  last  has  the 
/bllnwing: 

Q&'.lttention!!.'  Those  young  men  of  Baltimore,  who  arc 
grilling  lo  pledge  life,  fortune  and  sacred  honor,  in  the  support 


of  their  patriotic  chief  magistrate,  against  the  lawless  course  of  a 
FACTIOCS  SENATE,    are   requested   to   assemble   on    Thursday 


the   15th  insl.  at 
Tin;  object  ol'tht; 


past  7  o'clock,  nt  the  Colum- 
meeting will  lie  explained,  ill 


KII  address  from  a  friend  to  the  cause  of  equal  rights  and  univer- 


A  Boston  paper  of  April  29,  says — • 

Tin;  Northampton  broadcloths,  to  be  sold  at  Qnincy  Hall,  to- 
morrow, were  opened  for  exhibition  to-day,  and  may  be  exam- 
ined until  the  commencement  of  the  sale.  We  never  witnessed 
a  more  gnilifuiii;  exhibition,  nor  one  that  made  us  feel  prouder 
of  New  Kngland.  There  are  six  hundred  pieces  of  broadcloths, 
handsomely  displayed  on  tables  in  the  centre  of  the  hall,  giving 
every  opportunity  tor  minute  examination.  The  firH  thins  that 
strikes  ihe  eye  is  the  richness  and  diversity  of  colors — corres- 
ponding to  Ihe  fineness  of  fabric,  softness,  iirmness,  and  finish, 
of  Ihe  cloths. 

The  cloths  were  sold  the  next  day — and  it  is  said 
"The  prices  obtained  were  at  least  equal  to  what  might 
have  been  anticipated,  from  the  recent  stagnation  in  bu- 
siness of  all  kinds." 

There  has  been  considerable  agitatiotxat  New  York,  in 
consequence  of  some  apparently   violent  proceedings  of 
the  anti-slavery  society  to  bring  into  disrepute  the  Colo- 
nization societv.    Multitudes  have  assembled  to  hear  cer- 
tain examinations  and  discussions.  The  abolitionists  seem 
to  be  in  a  very  small  minority,   but  are   resolute  and 
thorough-going.     Mr.  Noah  congratulates  the  people  of 
he  south,  that  all  the  fighting  about  the  emancipation  of 
heir  slaves  is  to  be  done  north  of  Mason  and  Dickson'b 
inc! 

Large  additions  have  been  made  at  Saratoga,  for  the 
accommodation  of  visiters  in  the  ensuing  season.   It  needs 
ot  the  gift  of  prophecy  to  say,  that  the  removal  of  the 
lublic  deposites  will    much  diminish  the  deposites  of 
rangers  at  Saratoga. 

Some  generous  individuals  at  Philadelphia  are  making 
considerable  exertions  to  obtain  contributions  for  the  pre- 
sent relief  of  the  Polish  exiles  arrived  at  N.  York.  They 
have  been  sent  to  us  at  an  unhappy  season.  Few  that  are 
both  able  and  willing  to  assist  the  distressed,  have  not  a 
sufficiency  of  calls  or  demands  upon  both;  but  a  trifle  from 
many  to  these  few  strangers  would  render  good  service 
to  them,  and  evince  a  national  feeling  that  we  might  have 
a  just  pride  in. 

At  a  meeting,  on  Monday,  the  5th  inst.  of  the  board  of 
directors,  James  Howard,  esq.  was  unanimously  elected 
president  of  the  Franklin  bank  of  Baltimore,  in  the  place 
of  Philip  Moore,  deceased. 

There  are  again  strong  reports  that  Mr.  McLane  is 
about  to  resign  the  place  of  secretary  of  state,  and  credit 
seems  given  to  them.  Such  reports  ought  not  to  be  start- 
ed on  slight  grounds;  but  in  times  of  excitement,  the  peo- 
ple are  always  rife  for  them. 

The  "Telegraph"  says  that  the  "Globe"  calls  Mr. 
Duane  an  "upstart" — but  the  former  adds  "Mr.  D.  has 
the  advantage  of  education  and  we  kuow  who  his  father 
is." 

Away  at  St.  Lcujs,  the  following  were  the  rates  of  ex- 
change of  the  bank  notes  named  for  those  of  the  bank  of 
the  United  States,  a  few  days  »go: 


Louisville  Union  batik 
Virginia  bank  notes 
Ohio  banks 
New  York  safety  fund  notes 


5  per  cent  discount. 

10         ••  " 

Pa  10       " 

10        '<  " 


The  business  of  robbing  houses  and  stores  and  of  pick- 
ing pockets,  and  in  general  of  removing  private  depnsitrs, 
without  assigning  any  reasons  for  so  doing,  is  M-rv  liveh  ! 
The  chief  operators  are  foreigners,  recently  arrived  in 
this  "land  of  liberty;"  bnt'some  of  them  are  cruelly  used  ! 
Instead  of  being  permitted  to  run  at  large,  and  explore 
the  country  which  they  have  adopted,  many  of  them  are 
seized  and  shut  up  in  the  penitentiaries,  and  there  com- 
pelled to  labor.  We  do  not  know  why  it  is — but,  cer- 
tainly, depredations  on  property  have  rapidly  increased, 
within  a  short  time  past — Ihe  principal  actors  being  asso- 
ciated villalos  from  the  British  islands.  We  are  glad, 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   17,  1831— MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS. 


191 


however,  to  observe  that  tour  murderers,  who  had  actu- 
ally embarked  for  the  United  States,  were  arrested  at 
Liverpool,  mid  carried  bi<nk  to  Dublin,  a  short  time  ago. 

Canada  is  much  agitated.  Politics  run  high.  The  na- 
tive'population,  [French]  against  those  of  the  British 
islands,  the  United  States,  &c.  Social  communications 
between  persons  of  the  adverse  parties  seem  to  be  nearly 
at  an  end.  In  Lower  Canada  a  very  large  majority  of  the 
people  are  Canadians  proper — that  is,  descendants  of  tin- 
original  French  settlers. 

Mr.  Macadam,  the  celebrated 'road  maker,  has  been 
knighted  by  the  king  of  England.  He  would  not  find 
much  favor  at  Washington,  on  a  windy  day!  The 
Pennsylvania  avenue  is  among  the  most  beautiful  roads 
that  have  ever  been  made,  in  wet  weather — but  "awful" 
in  dry  and  Mowing  weather;  almost  impassable,  at  times, 
from  the  clouds  of  sharp  stones,  which  now  supply  the 
place  of  its  former  more  honest  dust — which,  indeed,  was 
often  abundant! 

The  Madrid  Revista  Espngnola,  of  the  25th  ultimo, 
states,  that  in  consequence  of  an  attempt  to  assassinate 
the  commandant  general  of  Murcia,  that  officer  issued 
the  following  extraordinary  proclamation,  dated  March 
19: 

•'The  criminal  nttrmpt  to  assassinate  me  in  my  own  house 
on  the  evening  of  the  17th,  although  not  effected,  calls  for  pre- 
cautionary measures,  consequently,  if  a  similar  attempt  be 
made  on  any  of  the  authorities  appointed  by  the  queen,  or  even 
against  any  person  attached  to  her  cause,  [  will  immediately 
imprison  30  persons,  taken  from  those  most  known  for  their 
enmity  to  the  government  of  her  majesty,  and,  after  summary 
trial,  I  will  cause  four  of  them  to  he  shot,  and  the  rest  trans- 
ported to  the  colonies,  whatever  their  station  in  society  may 
be.  (Signed)  PEDRO  RAMIES." 

THE  CURRENCY  AND  THE  TIMES,  &c.  The  following  were 
the  rates  at  New  York  on  the  10th  instant,  of  the  notes  of  banks 
regarded  so/rent. 

United  States  bank  and  all  its  branches,  par.  All  of  Maine, 
New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut 
and  Vermont,  witli  two  or  three  exceptions  only  £  pur  cent, 
dis.  New  York  city  bank?,  par,  with  many  of  those  in  the  in- 
terior— some  at  i  per  cent.  dis.  but  the  safety  fund  banks  gene- 
rally at  1  discount,  two  or  three  at  1J.  New  Jersey,  some  at 
par  others  generally  from  1  to  1£  dis.  Pennsylvania— Philadel- 
phia i — country  banks  from  1  to  2,  a  few  at  5  dis.  Delaware  2. 
Maryland — Baltimore  1 — country  notes  2  to  4  dis.  Virginia  from 
3  to  5.  District  of  Columbia  2i.  Ohio,  generally,  5.  North 
Carolina,  .South  Carolina  and  Georgia  ft.  Tennessee,  Loui- 
siana, Alabama  and  Mississippi  10  dis.  Michigan  2i.  Canada 
3i  to  6. 

The  uniformly  good  credit  of  the  numerous  hanks  in  New 
England,  is  not  a  little  remarkable,  in  this  season  of  pressure. 
The  credit  of  the  "safety  fund"  banks  has  also  rallied. 

MISCEI.LA.NF.OUS   ITEMS. 

On  tlit;  Btli  inst.  a  great  crowd  was  collected  in  the  new  Ro- 
man Catholic,  church  at  New  Haven,  (Jon.  to  witness  the  cere- 
mony of  its  consecration  by  the  bishop,  when  the  gallary  across 
the  front  end  of  the  house  gave  way,  breaking  in  the  middle, 
nnd  precipitating  many  persons.  Only  one  was  killed  on  the 
spot,  but  two  or  three  others  died  soon  after,  and  several  others 
were  fearfully  mangled. 

The  ship  Cerea  sailed  from  Wilmington,  Delaware,  last  week, 
on  a  three  years'  whaling  voyage  to  ihe  Pacific.  She  has  been 
purchased  and  completely  fitted  for  this  service  by  the  whaling 
company  recently  formed  in  that  town. 

It  is  said  that  tbe  late  severe  frosts  have  been  very  injurious 
to  the  growing  cotton  crops  of  Tennessee. 

The  gross  amount  of  tolls  collected  on*  ihe  Erie  canal  in  the 
last  month  was  §91,930  compared  with  §88,606  collected  in  the 
same  month  last  year.  The  reduction  of  the  tolls  is  said  to  be  a 
a  fair  offset  for  the  5  days  gained  to  the  navigation  this  year, 
by  the  opening  of  the  canal. 

A  straw  factory  near  Boston  yet  employs  between  150  and 
200  persons,  chiefly  females  in  weaving  straw,  by  hand  looms, 
Jtc.  after  the  manner  of  what  is  called  the  Tutcnny,ns  imported 
from  the  Mediterranean.  We  hope  that  a  knowledge  of  the 
fact  that  the  chief  part  of  the  Tuscany  bonnets  used  in  the  Unit- 
ed States  are  made  in  New  Encland,  will  not  render  them  less 
fashionable  limn  they  have  been;  hut  the  much  reduced  price 
has  already  caused  UIH  beautiful  manufacture  to  be  rejected  by 
»ome,  who  will  not  wear  any  thing  that  is  common. 

The  hon.  Mr.  Grennell,  of  Massachusetts,  in  crossing  the 
bride*.*  over  the  basin,  near  the  Centre  market  house,  on  Sun- 
day the  4th  instant,  learned  from  some  boys  that  a  negro  lad  had 


>lari,  who  wa«  arrested  at  N.York,  for  stealing  the  jewel'  of 
princess  of  Orange,  and  carried  to  Holland,  was. executed 

IP    H:i (Tin.  mi    till'  OH    A  uri  I    In wl 


fallen  into  tin;  bavin,  ami  sunk,  some  minutest  before.  Fuming 
any  other  means  of  re.covi  ring  the  body  hopeless,  lie  threw  off 
his  coat,  and  plunged  into  the  water,  (about  eight  feel  deep), 
and,  alter  going  down  once  or  twice  ineffectually,  at  last  found 
the  body,  and  conveyed  it  to  ihe  wharf,  to  all  appcar.mce  dead. 
After  a  short  time,  however,  h.:  had  the  happiness  to  perceive 
that  his  efforts,  and  the  lisk  hu  incurred,  hud  not  been  in  -.am. 
The  lad  gradually  recovered.  [Nut.  Int, 

The  fisheries  on  the  Potomac  )iave  been  unusually  successful 
the  present  season.  The  Alexandria  Gazette  gays  "somewhere 
about  the  middle  of  this  month,  at  a  ti-hery  i-1  miles  below 
Green  way,  at  one  haul,  a  million  and  a  half  of  herring,  and  be- 
tween eleven  and  twelve  hundred  shad,  were  taken!  On  the2Sih 
April,  in  like  manner,  sveie  caught  eleven  thousand  shad  at  tliu 
same  landing! 

The  scarlet  fever  is  making  dreadful  ravages  in  some  parts  of 
South  Carolina. 

Polo 

at  the  Hague  on  the  2d  April  last. 

Several  negro  t/aders  have  been  recently  put  to  death  by  the 
commodities  in  which  they  dealt. 

The  Salem  Gazette  says — We  were  struck  a  few  dayn  seo, 
with  the  enormous  size  of  some  Indies'  combs  standing  in  our 
neighbor  Lakeman's  window.  On  inquiry,  we  found  they  were 
destined  for  the  South  American  market,  where  they  are  ac- 
tually worn  by  the  ladies,  although  the  rim  is  from  two  to  two 
and  a  half  feet  in  breadth,  and  six  or  eight  inches  high.  They 
are  made  of  horn,  in  Newburyport,  elegantly  finished,  and  very 
handsome,  notwithstanding  the  vulgar  material  of  which  they 
were  composed. 

The  U.  S.  schooner  Grampus  arrived  at  St.  Thomas  on  tho 
22(1  ult.  having,  in  a  gale  thrown  over  eight  guns,  and  lost  her 
boats. 

In  Paris,  with  a  population  of  935.000  there  are  925  phy-<- 
cians;  in  Berlin,  with  a  population  of  249,000.  there  are  174;  in 
London,  with  a  population  of  1,500,000,  only  203;  in  Boston, 
with  a  population  of  71,000,  there  are  75;  in  New  York,  which 
ia  estimated  at  250,000  we  have  530. 

The  following  account  of  a  ''rail  road  accident,"  is  copied 
from  a  Philadelphia  paper  of  May  7 — 

"An  accident  occurred  on  the  Camdeii  and  Amboy  rail  road 
yesterday,  which  detained  the  cars  for  about  forty  five  minutes; 
but  we  rejoice  to  learn  that  no  person  was  injured.  It  appear? 
that  as  the  engine  from  Amboy  was  proceeding  along  the  road 
at  the  rate  of  about  fifteen  miles  an  hour,  it  came  suddenly  in 
contact  with  another  onaine  from  tlin  end  of  the  roud,  which 
was  also  proceeding  at  a  very  rapid  rnte.  The  concussion  took 
place  just  at  a  turn  of  the  road,  and  thus  prevented  Uie  engi- 
neers of  the  different  engines  from  seeing  e;ich  other  until  HIP. 
engines  were  within  a  lew  yards  of  mcctim;.  The  concussion 
wns  very  grtat,  and  bnth  engines  were  materially  injured. 
That  from  the  Camden  end  of  the  road  was  iiimueiided  by  n 
train  of  cars.  The  passengers  in  the  cars  attached  to  the  other 
were  for  a  few  minute*  eiin.-iilerahly  alarmed.  It  was  certain- 
ly imprudent  on  the  prirt  of  those  in  charge  of  ihe  engine  from 
this  end  of  the  line,  to  proceed  on  the  road,  and  at  a  rapid  rale, 
when  the  cars  from  tlie  other  end  were  c.\peete,|." 

Should  this  hi;  called  by  the  soft  mime  of  an  "accident:'' 
Had  a  person  been  killed,  what  jury  would  not  have  found  the 
conductor  of  the  locomotive  (without  the  train)  anilty  of  mur- 
der, or.  a:  least,  of  manslaughter?  There  ».v  no  excuse  for  an 
act  like  this,  and  such  ads  must  be  punished. 

The  Norfolk  Herald  says — a  female  mule  heloneinc  to  x  jcn- 
tleman  in  Siitl'nlk.  lately  brought  forth  a  colt!  This  is  the  tirst 
case  of  the  kind  we  ever  heard  of,  and  the  general  hi-lief  has 
been  that  thi*  mixed  seneration  of  animals  was  incapable  of  re- 
production. 

Cargoes  of  ice,  from  tho  North  s«*a  for  London,  nre  expected 
to  prove  profitable  investments.  One  already  had  been  entered 
at  the  custom  house  at  the  vMue  o'f  £80. 

There  are  15  large  gleam  packets  on  lake  Ontario,  and  there 
are  30  on  lake  Erie,  besides  150  schooners. 

Several  persons  convicted  of  arson  in  the  agricultural  di* 
tricts  of  England,  have  been  left  for  execution,  according  to 
sentence. 

Out  of  twenty  persons  composing  the  select  vestry  of  Mor- 
pelh,  (En;;.)  one  is  a  brewer,  four  are  publicans,  two  nre  lieer 
shop  keepers,  two  are  brewers'  clerks,  and  one  a  porter-sell. -r, 
and  the  mother  of  one,  the  wife  of  another,  and  the  uncles, 
aunts  and  cousins  of  another,  are  parish  paupers. 

In  a  work  lately  published  by  a  Spaniard,  there  is  a  compari- 
son between  the  produce  of  the  gold  and  silver  mines  in  Ame 
rica  and  the  coal  mines  in  England,  from  which  it  appears  that 
,l,e  <rro*s  value  of  the  annual  produce  of  the  coal  mines,  which 
is  18,000,000  tons,  amounts  to  450,000,000  francs,  including  the 
wages  and  other  charges;  whilst  the  produce  of  the  gold  nnd 
silver  mines,  including  the  same  charges,  is  only  920,500.031) 
francs;  showing  a  balance  in  favor  of  the  coal  mines  rvf  Bag 
land,  over  the  gold  and  silver  mines  of  the  new  world,  of  no 
less  n  sum  limn  -327.500,000  franca. 


192 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY    17,   1 834—  CONGRESS. 


The  Baltimore  Gnselte  of  May  9  gays — Yesterday  some  fish- 
ermen at  Carpenler's  I'nint,  took  at  a  single  haul,  upwards  of 
eizlit  hundred  HOCK  FISH,  of  the  largest  size  we  ever  saw.  Pome 
of  lliem  weighed  upwards  of  100  pounds,  and  the  most  of  them 
averaged  between  50  and  100  Ins.  They  were  selling  this  morn- 
jug  in  market,  at  from  50  cents  to  one  dollar  for  the  largest,  say 
one  cent  a  pound  for  such  lish  as  liii.-I 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

May  9.  Mr.  KnigU  presumed  a  memorial  signed  by  2,338 
.mechanics  of  the  flute  of  I!  node  Island,  praying  the  restoration 
ol  the  de.pusites,  which  was  read,  referred,  &c. 

T-he  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  suppoit  of  the  armyfor 
1834,  was  read  the  third  time,  on  million  of  Mr.  Webster,  amend- 
ed and  passed. 

The  bill  for  the  continuation  of  the  repairs  of  the  Cumberland 
road  was  read  the  third  time  and  passed. 

A  communication  was  received  front  the  department  of  state, 
elating  that  the  publication  of  the  diplomatic  correspondence  ol 
the  United  States,  from  1783  to  17)59,  haxl  been  completed  and 
published. 

Mr.  Clayton  reported  the  bill  to  revive  and  amend  the  act  for 
the  relief  of  certain  insolvent  debtors,  with  amendments; 

Also  the  bill  -in  addition  to  an  act  to  provide  for  the  punish- 
ment of  certain  crimes  against  the  United  Slates;  which  latter 
bill  was  twice  read  and  ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

Theiiill  authorising  the  admission  of  the  Icriilorics  of  Michi 
gan  and  Arkansas  into  the  union  ;is  stales,  was  taken  up;  and 
after  a  speech  from  Mr.  Tipton  in  favor  of  the  bill, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clayton,  the  bill  was  laid  cm  the  table. 
The  bill  making  a  donation  of  land  to  the  Polish  exiles  was 
taken  up,  amended  so  as  lo  give  to  each  settler  live  hundred 
instead  of  three  hundred  acres,  passed,  aud  ordered  to  be  en- 
grossed for  a  third  leading. 

The  bills  to  extend  the  commissions  under  the  treaty  with 
Frauce  and  with  Naples,  and  the  hill  lo  equalise  the  represen- 
tation in  the  legislative  council  of  Florida,  were  severally  read 
the  first  aa(i  second  time  and  referred  to  appropriate  commit 
.tees.  The  senate  adjourned. 

May  12.  Memorials  were  presented  in  favor  of  the  restora- 
tion of  the  deposites,  &c.  by  Mr.  Webster,  from  Rochester,  sign- 
ed by  1,371  persons;  by  the  same  from  citizens  of  MitHin  coun- 
ty, Pa.  by  the  same  from  nearly  400  citizens  of  Detroit.  Mr. 
McKean  presented  memorials  on  the  subject  of  public  distress, 
the  removal  of  the  public  moneys  from  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  finances  of  the  country  generally,  from  Chester, 
Cumberland  and  Luzerne  counties,  Pa.  all  which  were  read, 
referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Wright  presented  memorials  from  Warren  and  Schenec- 
•tady,  N.  Y.  approving  the  conduct  of  the  president  of  the  Unit- 
,ed  Stales,  in  relation  to  the  public  finances — read,  referred,  &c. 
Mr.  Clay  was  elected  a  member  of  the  committee  of  foieij<n 
•relations  to  supply  Hie  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation 
of  Mr.  Rives. 

The  general  appropriation  bill  from  the  other  house,  was 
twice  read  and  referred. 

The  bill  in  addition  to  the  act  for  the  punishment  of  certain 
crimes  committed  against  the  United  States,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses; and 

The  bill  granting  a  donation  of  land  to  the  Polish  exiles,  were 
respectively  read  a  third  time  and  passed. 

Mr.  Wag°aman  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays  on  the  question, 
and  they  having  been  oidered,  the  bill  was  passed  by  the  fol- 
jovvirm  vote: 

YEAS — Messrs.  Bunion,  Calhoun,  Clay.  Clayton,  Ewing, 
FreliMghuysen,  Kent,  King,  of  Georgia,  Knight,  McKean,  Moore, 
Morris,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Porter,  Prentiss,  Preston.  Rob- 
ins, Silsbee,  Smith,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  Tonilinson,  Webster, 
Wilkins— 25. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Black,  Brown,  Grnndy,  Hendricks,  Hill, 
Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Swift,  Tvler, 
Waggaman,  White,  Wright— 14. 

So  the  biil  was  passed,  aud  sent  to  the  house  of  representa- 
tives for  concurrence. 

The  report  on  the  Rhode  Island  election  of  senator,  was  taken 
tip  and  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Monday  next. 

The  senate  proceeded  to  consider  the  report  of  the  judiciary 
committee,  on  the  subject  of  the  pension  agency,  when 

Mr.  Clayton,  after  some  remarks,  moved  to  anwml  the  reso- 
lution of  the  committee,  by  adding  the  following  words:  "except 
when  specially  authorised  to  do  so  hy  act  of  congress." 
So  that  the  resolution  may  read — 
"Resolved,  That  thr  department  of  war  is  not  warranted  in 
appointing  pension  agents  in  any  Mate  or  territory  where  the 
bank  of  the  United  States  or  one  of  its  branches  has  been  es- 
tablished, except  when  specially  authorised  to  do  so  by  act  of 
congress." 

The  amendment  having  been  agreed  to — 
On  motion  ol  Mr.  Wright,  its  further  consideration  was  post- 
poned until  to  morrow. 

The  resolution  authorising  the  purchase  of  thirteen  copies  of 
American  state  papers,  now  in  progress  of  publication  by  <;,-ile:. 
ft  Seaton,  WHS  taken  up,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for  a  thiid 
reading  by  a  vote  of  20  to  13. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Poindsxtcr,  the  senate  then  proceeded  to 
(U«  consideration  of  executive  business,  and  after  being  engag- 


therein some  lime,  the  doors  were  opened,  when  the  senate 
adjourned. 

May  13.  Memorials,  &c.  favorable  to  the  restoration  of  the 
dcpnsiles,  were  presenled  by  Mr.  McKean  from  a  numerous 
meeting  of  citizens  of  Adams  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Freling/iuyten 
from  300  citizens  of  Morris  counly,  from  241  citizens  of  Eliza- 
bethtowii,  from  201  citizens  of  Livington,  and  from  lOOcilizens 
ofUnion  township,  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey;  by  Mr.  McKean 
from  850  citizens  of  Adams  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Tyler  from  425 
citizens  of  Norfolk  county,  Va.;  by  Mr.  Eiving  from  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  citizens  of  Licking  county,  Ohio;  hy  Mr.  Sitsbee  from 
4,600  citizens  of  the  third  consressional  districl  of  Massachu- 
selts;  all  which  were  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Frclinghuysen  presented  a  memorial  from  1.445  citizens 
of  Middlesex  county,  and  the  cily  of  New  Brunswick,  in  New 
Jersey,  opposed  to  the  recharler  of  the  United  States  bank, 
which  was  read,  referred,  &c. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  report 
of  the  committee  on  the  judiciary  concerning  the  pension  book* 
in  the  United  States  bank. 

Mr.  Wright  addressed  the  senate  in  opposition  to  the  resolu- 
tion reported  by  the  eomniiltee;  when  he  had  concluded, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clayton,  its  further  consideralion  was  post- 
poned until  to-morrow. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Benton  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  consi- 
derniion  of  executive  business,  and  after  the  doors  were  open- 
ed, the  senate  adjourned. 

May  14.  A  message  was  received  from  the  president  of  ihe 
United  .States,  communicating  copies  of  a  treaty  with  France, 
and  of  a  convention  with  the  iwo  Sicilies;  which  on  motion  of 
>]r.  Wilkiiis  were  respectively  referred  to  the  committee  on  fo- 

ieu  relations. 

The  c/inir  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  democratic  meeting 
of  New  C.-istle  counly,  Delaware,  approving  Ihe  removal  of  the 
deposites — read,  refencd,  &c. 

Mr.  Bibb  presented  a  memorial  from  upwards  of  500  citizens 
of  Nelfon  county,  Kentucky,  condemning  the  conduct  o(  the 
executive  in  Ihe  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  praying  congress 
not  to  adjourn  until  some  remedy  has  been  provided  for  the  ex- 
isting evil— read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Morris,  of  Ohio,  presenled  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting 
of  Seneca  county,  Ohio,  sustaining  the  course  of  the  executive; 
wliieh  was  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Morris  also  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  in 
Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  similar  in  its  tendency.  lie  stated 
that  one  of  the  resolutions  was  objectionable,  as  using  the  term 
"vindictive"  in  reference  to  the  resolutions  introduced  by  Mr. 
Clay;  but  he  did  not  consider  ilium  as  disrespectful  to  the  se- 
nate. 

Mr.  Poindexter  said  as  the  gentleman  from  Ohio  had  describ- 
ed onu  of  the  resolutions  as  objectionable,  with  a  view  to  put  a 
stop  to  this  practice  of  passing  and  sending  here  improper  and 
indecorous  resolutions,  he  objected  to  the  reception  of  the  pa- 
per. 

Mr.  Ewing,  of  Ohio,  said  he  hoped  the  memorial  would  be 
read;  and  the  more  violent  and  denunciatory  it  might  be,  the 
better.  The  people  of  the  stale  of  Ohio,  he  said,  were  a  sober, 
calm  and  reasoning  people;  and  if  this  paper  contain  violent 
abuse  or  denunciation,  it  will  be  conclusive  evidence  to  my 
mind  that  a  small  portion  of  the  people  of  any  county  in  that 
stale  have  joined  in  it. 

The  memorial  having  been  read — 

Mr.  Ewing  said:  The  thing,  Mr.  President,  is  not  so  bad.  I 
hope  my  colleague  will  give  us  the  rest  which  he  has  by  him, 
and  which,  it  seems,  lie  is  ashamed  of. 

The  memorial  having  been  read,  and  the  resolution,  alluded 
to  above,  containing  indecorous  and  improper  reflections  upon 
the  other  senator  from  Ohio, 

Mr.  Frelinghwjsen  moved  to  lay  the  whole  subject  on  the  ta- 
ble, which  motion  prevailed  by  the  following  vote: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bi'll,  Bibb,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clay- 
ton, Frelinghuysen,  Hendricks,  Knicht,  Mangum,  Moore,  Nau- 
dain, Poindexter,  Porter,  Premiss,  Robbins,  Silsbee,  Sprague, 
Swift,  Smith,  Tonilinson— 21. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Benlon,  Black,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy, 
Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  Linn,  McKean,  Morris,  Preston, 
Robinson,  Shepley,  Tipton,  Waggaman,  White,  Wilkins, 
Wright— 19. 

Mr.  Ewing  then  asked  and  obtained  leave,  and  presented  a 
memorial  which  he  thought  would  wipe  off  the  blot,  if  any  were 
cast  upon  his  state  by  the  memorial  just  offered  by  his  col- 
league, and  which  the  senate  had  refused  lo  print.  This  me- 
morial is  signed  hy  1,029  voters  of  Athens  county,  Ohio.  Ano- 
ther copy  which  he  had  received,  but  which  was  not  on  his  table, 
contains  the  signatures  of  72  citizens  of  the  same  county,  and 
three  lownships  are  yet  to  be  heard  from.  At  the  last  presiden- 
tial election,  that  county  gave  1,344  vote?,  of  which,  627  were 
for  the  present  chief  magistrate,  and  717  against  him. 

This  memorial  was  of  a  contiary  character,  and  after  some 
conversation  between  Messrs.  Ewing  and  Morris,  the  memori- 
al was  read,  referred,  &.c. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  consider  the  report  and  resolu- 
tion of  Ihe  judiciary  committee  on  the  pension  books,  &c.  in 
possession  of  the  United  Stales  bank. 

Mr.  Clayton  addressed  Ihe  senate  in  reply  to  Mr.  WritM; 
but  before 'he  had  concluded  gave  way  to  a  motion  to  adjourn; 
and,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Eu.ing,  the  senate  adjourned. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY   17,  1834— CONGRESS. 


195 


May  16.  A  communication  was  received  front  the  president 
Willie  UrnUed  States,  transmitting  atopy  of  tlie  treaty  recently 
made  with  the  republic  of  Chili. 

Mr.  Afaudain  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  public  meeting 
recently  ««H<1  at  Wilmington,  in  the  stale  of  Delaware,  express 
ing  their  disapprobation  of  the  protest  sent  to  the  senate  by  the 
{(resident,  which  were  read. 

Mr.  Kuudain  then  moved  that  these  proceedings  be  printed 
for  Hie  use  of  the  senate. 

Mr.  Forsytli  opposed  the  motion  to  print. 

Mr.  Katie  moved  t<»  amend  the  inoUon  to  print  by  including 
Hie  jir-HUing  of  the  protest. 

This  motion  was  opposed  by  Messrs.  C/ay,  Clayton,  Forsyth, 
Preston  and  Poindexter. 

It  was  stated  in  the  course  of  debate  that  the  protest  had  al- 
ready h<  en  printed  and  published  by  the  executive,  and  that 
•40,000  copies  had  been  issued  from  the  Globe  office. 

The  amendment  was  almost  unanimously  rejected,  and  the 
motion  to  print  agreed  to  without  a  division. 

Mr.  Clayton  then  resumed  and  concluded  his  remarks;  in  the 
course  of  which,  lie  moved  to  amend  the  resolutions  reported 
by  Uie  committee,  by  substituting  for  them  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  tie  act  of  congress  for  the  relief  of  certain  of- 
ficers and  soldiers  of  the  revolution,  passed  on  the  15th  of  May, 
1838,  and  the  act  suppleoieutnry  to  Uiat  act  passed  on  th«  7th 
«f  June,  1832,  are  jiro,perly  acts  providing  for  the  payment  of 
military  pensions. 

Jtesolved,  That  no  power  is  conferred  by  any  law  upon  the 
department,  or  secretary  of  war,  to  remove  the  agency  for  the 
payment  of  pensioners  under  the  said  act  of  the  7th  June,  1832, 
and  (he  funds,  books  and  papers  connected  with  that  agency, 
from  the  bank  of  Hie  United  States,  and  to  appoint  other  agents 
lo  supercede  that  bank  in  the  payment  of  such  pensioners. 

Mr.  Kane  then  addressed  the  senate  in  reply  to  Mr.  Clayton, 
and  in  vindication  of  the  opinion  of  the  attorney  general,  and 
oonlinued  for  some  time,  when  lie  yielded  the  floor  without 
having  come  to  a  conclusion;  and  the  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  May  9.  Mr.  Jlllen,  of  Va.  reported  a  bill  further  to 
amend  the  act  incorporating  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal 
<company;  and 

Mr.  Pinion  a  bill  to  provide  for  erecting  a  fire  proof  building 
for  a  patent  office,  and  for  other  purposes;  which  bills  were 
twice  read  and  committed. 

On  motion  ol  Mr.  C.  P.  White,  a  resolution  was  adopted  au- 
thorizing the  prin  ting  of  a  thousand  copies  of  the  amended  rules 
and  regulations  for  the  navy. 

Mr.  Bai.ks,  on  the  part  of  the  minority,  from  the  committee 
of  elections,  presented  a  counter  report,  lo  that  presented  by 
tlie  majority,  in  ihe  case  of  the  contested  election  of  Mr.  Moore 
atid  Mr.  Letcher,  which  he  moved  to  have  printed,  and  its  fur- 
Iher  consideration  postponed  until  Tuesday  next. 

The  house  then  look  up  the  general  appropriation  bill, 

The  question  pending  from  yesterday,  being  on  the  original 
amendment  submitted  by  Mr.  Vance,  which  liad  been  so  modi 
Jied  as  to  read  as  follows: 

"In  no  case,  shall  the  compensation,  by  salary,  fees, or  other- 
wise, be  permitted  to  exceed;  of  a  collector,  three  thousand 
dollars  per  annum;  of  surveyors  and  naval  officers,  two  thou- 
sand live  hundred  dollars  per  annum;  and  of  weighers,  gangers, 
markers,  appraisers,  and  all  others  connected  with  the  collec- 
tion of  the  customs,  two  thousand  dollars  per  annum." 

Mr.  Vance  said,  that  as  the  question  had  been  amply  discuss- 
ed, he  would  now  ask  that  it  be  decided  by  yeas  and  nays;  and 
the  yeas  and  nays  being  ordered,  appeared  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  H.  Allen,  J.  J.  Allen.  C.  Allan,  VVm.  Allen, 
Banks,  Baninger,  Bealy,  Beaumont,  Uinney,  Bull,  Bunch,  Burd, 
Durges,  Casey,  Chambers,  Chilton,  Win.  Clark,  Clay  ton,  Clow- 
iiey,  Connor,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Crane,  Warren  R.  Davis,  De- 
berry,  Deming,  Denny,  Dickson,  D.  VV.  Dickinson,  Duncan, 
J-'.v aii's,  Horace  Everett,  Ewing,  Fillmore,  Forrester,  Foster, 
Fulton,  Gamble,  Gholson,  Grennell,  Griffin,  H.  Hall,  Hauler, 
.'laid,  James  Harper,  Hanison,  Hazcltine,  Hiester,  Jabez  VV. 
Hununglon,  Jackson,  Jarvis,  Seaborn  Jones,  King,  Kinnard, 
Lane,  Laporte,  Lincoln,  Love,  Lucae,  Mardis,  McComas, 
McKennan,  Mtiore,  Peirson,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Rencher, 


way,  Hawkins,  Howell,  Hubbard,  Abel  Huntingtoti,  Noadiah 
Johnson,  Cave  Johnson,  Kavanngh,  Lansing,  Luke  Lea,  Tho- 
mas Lee,  Leavitt,  Loyall,  Joel  1C.  Mann,  Martindale,  Moses 
Mason,  McKay,  McKiin,  McLene,  McVeaii,  Miller,  Robert 
Mitchell,  Murphy,  Osgood,  Page,  Parker,  Patterson,  Polk, 
Schley,  Selden,  Sliinn,  StamlilVr,  Sutherland,  P.  Thomas, 
Thomson,  Turrill,  Vanderuoel,  Van  Houten,  Ward,  Wardwcll, 
Wayne,  C.  P.  White,  Wise— 72. 

Mr.  Vance,  thereupon,  as  h«  had  previously  intimated,  with. 
Arc*-  all  the  othei  clauses  in  the  amendment  proposed  by  him 


(the  clause  thereof  preceding  the  above  having  been  disagreed 
lo  yesterday.) 

Mr.  White,  of  Florida,  moved  an  amendment  increasing  re- 
trospectively, the  salary  of  the  U.  S.  judges  in  Florida,  winch 
was  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Sutherland  moved  an  amendment  authorising  the  secre- 
tary of  Ifae  Ireasury  to  pay  to  the  collectors,  naval  oih'cers,  sur- 
veyors, clerks,  gaugurs,  weighers,  provere,  markers  and  mea- 
surers of  the  several  ports  of  the  United  Slates,  respectively, 
the  same  compensation  for  the  year  1833,  as  if  the  act  of  July. 
1832,  had  not  gone  into  effect. 

Mr.  Clayton  opposed  the  amendment,  and  went  into  a  state- 
ment to  shew  the  vast  increase  in  the  number  of  custom  house 
officers  in  New  York  since  1838 — 66  clerks,  instead  of  35;  7  ap- 
praisers, instead  or  •>,  16  clerks  in  an  office  that  had  but  1;  120 
inspectors,  instead  of  63,  &c.  &c.  That  the  annual  expense 
had  increased  from  $150,000  to  $300,000.  And  then  argued  to 
prove  that  this  increase  wasfai  beyond  the  proportional  increase 
of  the  business  of  that  custom  house. 

Mr.  Huntin^ton  was  opposed  lo  the  amendment,  the  true  ef- 
fects of  which  lie  stated  in  be,  to  give  men  salaries  for  duties 
they  had  no  longer  lo  perform. 

Mr.  SutJicrUnid  modified  his  amendment,  so  as  lo  confine  it 
to  collectors,  naval  officers  and  surveyors. 

Mr.  Harper,  of  Pa.  slated  some  tacts,  showing  abuses  which 
existed  in  the  custom  house  at  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Vance  now  offered  an  amendment  to  the  amendment  be- 
fore the  house,  directing  the  collector  in  New  York  to  dismiss 
a  long  list  of  officers  in  the  custom  house  there,  including  1  de- 
puty collector,  1  assistant  cashier, 20  clerks,  4  assistant  apprais- 
ers, 31  night-watchers,  &c.  amounting  in  all  to  101.  He  brief- 
ly advocated  this  amendment. 

Mr.  Camlirelcng  warmly  resisted  the  amendment  moved  by 
Mr.  Vance. 

Mr.  Pearce,  of  R.  I.  and  Mr.  Brown,  of  N.  Y.  advocated  with 
great  earnestness  Mr.  Sutherland's  amendment. 

Mr.  lluntin°ton  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays  on  Mr.  Suther- 
land's amendment,  and  ihey  being  ordered,  appeared  as  followir 
yeas  74,  nays  117. 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Adorns  now  renewed  the  motion  which  had  been 
made  in  committee  by  Mr.  fool,  to  strike oul  ihe  words  "Great 
Britain"  and  "Russia,"  from  the  appreciation  for  salaries  of  fo- 
reign ministers;  and  accompanied  his  motion  by  a  succinct 
enumeration  of  the  grounds  on  which  he  opposed  it. 

Which  motion  after  debute  was  negatived,  yeas  68,  nays  122. 

Mr.  Jarvis  moved  to  reconsider  the  vote  in  favor  of  a  part  of 
Mr.  Vance's  amendment,  on  Ihe  subject  of  the  salaries  of  the 
custom  house  officers;  and  the  question  of  reconsideration  being 
taken  by  yeas  and  nays,  appeared  as  follows:  yeas  87,  nays  94. 
So  the  house  refused  to  reconsider. 

Mr.  Davis,  of  S.  C.  now  moved  the  following  amendment. 

"Provided  that  so  much  of  the  sums  herein  appropriated  for 
the  payment  of  the  salaries  of  the  ministers  to  Great  Britain 
and  Russia,  shall  not  be  expended,  unless  ihe  appointment  of 
said  ministers  shall  have  been  made  with  the  consent  and  ad- 
vice of  Ihe  senate;  nor  shall  any  part  of  the  sum  herein  appro 
piiated  for  the  contingent  expenses  of  all  the  missions  abroad, 
or  for  the  contingent  expenses  of  foreign  intercourse,  be  expend- 
ed in  the  salary  or  outfit  of  such  minister  or  ministers,  unless 
such  appointment  shall  be  made  during  this  session  of  congress, 
by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate." 

Mr.  Davis  supported  this  amendment  by  an  eloquent  speech,, 
in  which  he  urged  the  house  to  make  one  united  effort  to  effect 
a  resurrection  of  the  constitution.  Alarming  as  were  the  usur- 
pations on  the  part  of  the  executive,  those  by  ihe  house  were 
ten  times  more  so. 

Mr.  Bynum,  of  N.  C.  replied  in  an  exceedingly  earnest  speech, 
in  which  he  repelled  the  charge  of  usurpation  on  the  part  or 
the  executive,  and  alluded  to  the  attack  upon  the  bank,  as  af- 
fording only  a  second  part  of  the  victory  of  New  Orleans. 

Mr.  //.  Everett  remarked  with  alarm  on  the  position  taken  in 
Mr.  Bijnum's  speech,  that  the  president  was  responsible  alone 
to  the  people,  which  he  conceived  to  be  setting  aside  the  con- 
stitution entirely,  in  its  provisions  relating  to  the  legislative 
powers,  and  lending  to  annihilate  the  structure  of  our  govern- 
ment. Mr.  E.  was  led  by  the  course  of  things,  in  and  out  of 
the  house,  to  doubt  whether  the  executive  did  not  purpose  to 
appoint  ministers  without  the  concurrence  of  ihe  senate;  and 
he  called  upon  his  friends,  if  they  had  authority  to  do  so,  to  dis- 
avow, on  the  part  of  the  president,  all  claim  to  the  right  of  do- 
ing so. 

Mr.  Eieing  spoke  with  much  earnestness  in  reply  to  Mr.  By- 
num, reprobating  the  practice,  now  becoming,  he  said,  so  com- 
mon in  the  house,  to  answer  all  arguments  by  a  reference  to  the 
battle  of  New  Orleans.  There  had  been  no  remonstrances  be- 
fore congress  against  that  battle.  Mr.  E.  venerated  general 
Jackson;  hut  against  the  acts  of  president  Jackson  he  must  pro- 
test, on  behalf  of  his  constituents. 

Mr.  Wise  moved  to  amend  Mr.  Doris's  amendment  by  adding 
the  words  "unless  a  vacancy  shall  happen  during  the  recess  of 
congress." 

Mr.  Davis  accepted  this  as  a  modification. 

Mr.  Boon  moved  the  previous  question;  but  the  house  refused 
to  second  the  motion — ayes  77,  noes  82. 

After  a  long  and  animated  debate,  Mr.  Davis's  amendment 
was  loi-t,  ayes  45,  noes  122. 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Jldams  moved  to  amend  the  bill,  (as  he  had  previ- 
ously proposed  iu  committee  of  ibe  whole)  by  striking  out  the 


194 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY    17,.  1834- CONGRESS. 


outfit  and  salary  of  a  charge  des  affairs  to  Buenos  Ayres;  which 
motion  was  negatived,  ayes  53,  noes  101. 

Mr.  Lincoln  movr.d  to  strike  out  tlie  Hem  of  '->j3l,000  for  extra 
clerk  hire,  in  UK:  post  office  department.'-1. 

Mr.  L.  briefly  supported  his  motion.  HR  slated  the  debts  of 
the  department  to  be  .51,083,000,  and  snid  the  poslma>ter  gene- 
ral had  admitted  that  he  could  not  gel  along  without  aid  from 
congress;  to  the  amount  ol  $450,000. 

Mr.  Connor  replied  to  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  stated  the  depart- 
meul  was  not  in  debt  more  than  $300,000  beyond  its  available 
funds. 

Mr.  Pcarce  was  anlhoii  •'(!  to  gay  that  $400,000  would  pay  all 
claims  against  the  department. 

Messrs.  Wilde,  Butts,  Whitllesey  and  Reed,  severally  address- 
ed the  house  in  favor  of  Hie  amendment,  and  were  replied  to 
by  Mr.  Maires. 

Mr.  McKay  moved  an  amendment  prohibiting  the  postmaster 
general  in  future  from  employing  extra  clerks. 

Mr.  Cave  Johnson  moved  the  previous  question;  but  afterwards 
withdrew  it. 

Mr.  Lincoln  opposed  the  proviso  moved  by  Mr.  McKay,  and 
the  latter  gentleman  withdrew  it. 

The  question  was  now  taken  on  Mr.  Lincoln's  motion  to 
strike  out  the  item  lor  extra  clerk  hire,  and  it  was  decided  as 
follows,  yeas  56,  nays  96.  So  the  motion  was  rejected. 

Mr.  Wilde  now  moved  to  strike  out  the  clause  ''for  an  agent 
at  Havana,  $4,500." 

Mr.  Polk  insisted  that  the  appointment  was  useful  and  im- 
portant. 

Messrs.  Wilde  and  Me  Kay  admitted  its  usefulness  but  resist 
ed  the  principle  of  creating,  by  an  appropriation,  an  otiicer  un- 
known to  the  law. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  ordered,  the  motion  to  strike  out 
failed  by  a  vote  of  69  to  91. 

The  bill  was  now  ordered  to  be  engrossed  and  read  a  third 
time  on  Monday  next. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  WarAwell,  after  a  session  of  fourteen  hours, 
the  house  adjourned  at  one  o'clock,  in  the  morning,  to  meet  on 
Monday  next. 

Monday,  May  12.  The  general  appropriation  bill  was  taken 
up,  read  the  third  time  and  passed. 

The  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  army,  returned  from 
the  senate  with  amendments,  was  taken  up  in  committee  of  the 
whole,  the  amendments  reported  to  the  house  and  agreed  to, 
and  the  bill  fin.  lly  passed  by  the  house. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Stewart,  the  bill  from  the  senate  for  the  re 
pair  and  extensou  of  the  Cumberland  road,  was  taken  up,  twice 
read  and  referred. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Selden,  the  house  then  again  took  up  the 
consideration  of  the  memorial  from  the  county  of  Oneida,  which 
was  presented  on  Monday  last,  by  him,  accompanied  by  a  mo- 
tion that  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  member  from  each,  state 
be  appointed  to  consider,  and  report,  inform  of  a  bill,  a  plan  for 
a  tafe  and  uniform  currency,  under  authority  of  the  U.  States, 
and  that  the  memorial  of  the  citizens  of  Oneida  county  be  refer 
red  to  lh..d  committee. 

Mr.  Selden  delivered  his  views  at  large  in  support  of  the  ob 

ject  of  the  memorial;  and  particularly  iu  reply  to  the  previous 

remarks  of  Mr.  Beardsley. 

Mr.  Heardstey  replied. 

Mr.  Plummer,  of  Mississippi,  now  obtained  leave  of  the  house 

to  explain  in  reference  to  the  report  in  the  National  Intelligen 

cer  of  the  reply  of  his  colleague  Mr.  Ca*e,  and  read  certain  pa 

ragraptu  which  he  said  had  not  been  delivered  in  the  house 

and  that  he  should  hold  the  editors  of  the  Intelligencer  respdn 

Bible  for  the  personalties  therein  contained. 

The  ch<tir  interposed,  and  arrested  tiis  remarks  as  transcend 
ing  the  leave  of  the  house. 

Mr.  Cage  obtained  leave  to  reply,  and  went  into  an  explana 

tion,  in  which  he  exonerated  the  editors  of  the  Intelligencer 

and  assumed  the  responsibility  of  the  speech  published,  hut  de 

dined  a  personal  discussion  with  his  colleague  on  the  floor. 

Mr.  Piummer  rejoined. 

After  a  few  words  of  rejoinder  by  Mr.  Cage, 
Mr.  Brown,  of  New  York,  moved  to  lay  the  memorial  from 
Oneida  county  and  the  resolution  on  the  table. 

Mr.  SelJen  remonstrated, and  wished  only  for  a  vote,  wltho 
debate. 

Mr.  Bro'i-n  refusing  to  withdraw  his  motion, 
Mr.  Williams  demanded  the  yeas  and  nays. 
Mr.  Clay  moved  a  call  of  the  house;  but  it  was  negatived. 
The  yeas  and  nays  were  then  taken,  and  had  been  proclaim 
ed  by  the  chair  to  lie  yeas  89,  nays  89;  and  that  the  chair  vote 
in  the  affirmative — 

Mr.  Garland,  who  had  voted  in  the  neeattve,  but  whose  nnm 
had,  by  mistake,  been  recorded  as  in  the  affirmative,  had  Hi 
record  corrected. 

Whereupon,  Mr.  I/uiee»  changed  his  vote  from  the  negativ 
to  the  affirmative. 

This  left  the  state  of  the  vote  as  before,  as  follows: 
YEAS— Messrs.  Win.  Allen,  Beale,  Bean,  Beardsley.Reau 
mont,  Bockee,  Bodle,  Boon,  Bouldin,  Brown,  Bunch,  Burns 
Ryniiin,  Cambreleng,  Chancy,  Chiun,  S.  Clark,  Clay,  (Tiyl.'i 
Cramer,  Day,  P.  D'ckrrson,  Diinlap,  Felder,  Forrester,  Fnste 
Fowler,  Win.  K.  Fuller,  G.ilbraith,  Gamble,  Gholson,  Cilh: 
Oilmer,  Gordon,  Joseph  Hall, Thomas  II.  Hall,  H.ilsi-y.  Hume 
Harrison,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  Hawes,  Unwell,  Abel  Hunting 
ton,  JarviK,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Noadiah  Jolui'on,  Seabor 


ones.  Benjamin  Jones,  Kavaiiagh,  Kirinrml.  Lane,  Lansing, 
like  Lea,  Tiios.  Lee,  Loyall,  J.  K.  Mann.  Mantis.  M«-'-s 
la»on,  Mclntire,  McKay,  McKira,  McKiiiley,M<-Vcnn,  Miller, 
/Ijert  Mitchell,  I'iias;,  Parks,  Parker,  P.itton,  i'atierMui,  Pey- 
n,  F.  Pierce.  Pinckney,  Plummer.  Polk,  Sehenck,  Schley, 
hinii,  Standifer,  Sutherland,  Win.  Taylor,  Win.  P.  Taylor, 
ihn  Thomson,  Ttirril,  Van  Hoiitcn,  Wagener,  Wardwell, 
'.  •  !i-ier,  Whalon,  C.  P.  White— 89. 

NAYS— Messrs.  J.  Q.  Adams,  Ileman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen, 
hilton  Allan,  Anthony,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  1'arnilz,  liar- 
ngton,  Bales,  Baylies,  Beatty,  Binney,  Brigns,  Hull,  Buriies, 
age,  Campbell,  Chambers,  Chilton,  Win.  Clark,  Clowney, 
""oimor,  Corwiri,  Coulter,  Crane,  Darlington,  Davenport,  De- 
erry,  Deming,  Denny,  Diokton,  Duncan,  Horace  Everett,  Fill- 
lore,  Philo  C.  Fuller,  Fulton,  Garland,  Gorhum,  Graham, 
Tiffin,  Hilaud  Hall,  Hard,  Ilardin,  James  Harper,  Haz;  Itine, 
[enderson,  Ilcister,  Jabez  W.  Hutitinston,  William  C.  Johnson, 
\ins,  Laportc,  Lewis,  Lincoln, Love,  Lucas,  Lynn,  Martindale, 
larshall,  McCarty,  McKcnnan,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Moore,  Mur- 
hy,  Osgood,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Roneher,  Selden,  Win.  B. 
hepiird .  W.  Slade,  C.  Slade,  Sloane,  Spangler.  Stewart.  Phile- 
1011  Thomas,  Turner,  Tweedy.  Vance,  Vinton,  Ward,  Wat- 
lonu'h,  Klisha  Whiulesey,  Wiide,  Williams,  Wilson,  Wise, 
Young— 89. 

The  speaker  voting  in  the  affirmative,  the  memorial  from 
)neida  county,  with  Mr.  Sclden's  resolution,  thereupon  was 
aid  upon  the  table. 

Memorials,  resolutions,  &c.  favorable  to  thfi  restoration  oflne 
eposites,  &c.  were  presented,  by  .Mr.  P.  C.  Fuller,  from  358 
lectors  of  tUe  town  of  Wheatland,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y.;  by 
Mr.  Dickerson.  from  inhabitants  of  Elizahelhtown,  N.  J.;  by  Mr. 
Barker,  the  proceedings  of  a  state  convention  held  at  Trenton; 
y  Mr.  Chambers,  of  Penn.  from  citizens  of  his  district;  by  Mr. 
•'oicler,  from  a  meetiiiH  in  Warren  county,  N.  J.;  by  Mr.  Bar- 
ritz,  from  two  public  meetings  in  York  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr. 
3anks,  from  680  citizens  of  Mifflin  county,  Pa.;  all  which  were 
ead,  referred,  &.C. 

Memorials,  resolutions,  &c.  approving  the  removal  ofthe  de- 
>osites,  &c.  were  presented,  by  Mr.  Whalon,  from  700  inhabi- 
ants  of  Warren  counlv,N.  Y.;  by  the  same  from  a  public  meet- 
n^  of  Essex  county,  N.  Y.;  by  Mr.  Parker,  from  a  meeting  of 
litizens  of  Middlesex  county,  N.  J.:  by  the  same  from  1.443  ci- 
izens  of  the  same  county;  by  Mr.  Hesitlcrson,  from  a  meeting 
of  citizens  of  Huntingdon,  Pa.;  by  the  same  fiom  citizens  of 
Hifrlin  county,  ['a.;  all  which  were  read,  referred,  Sic. 
The  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  May  13.  The  further  consideration  of  the  reports 
on  the  contested  election  between  Messrs.  Letchcr  and  Moore, 
,vas  postponed  until  Tuesday  next. 

Mr.  Wise  presented  a  memorial  from  Yorktown  and  the  ad- 
aceiit  counties  of  Virginia,  relative  lo  the  erection  of  a  marble 
column  at  Yorktown  commemorative  ofthe  surrender  of  Corn- 
wallis,  &.C. 

Mr.  Wise  also  presented  a  memorial  from  the  county  of 
Gloucester,  Va.  protesting  a«,iin>t  the  removal  of  the  deposited 
of  the  public  money  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
praying  the  restoration  thereof,  which  memorial  was  read; 
when 

Mr.  Wise  moved  that  the  said  memorial  be  referred  to  a  se- 
lect committee  of  seven  members,  to  be  chosen  by  ballot,  with 
instructions  to  report-the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  cu-tody  and  control  ofthe  moneys  of  ihc 
United  States,  not  appropriated  by  law,  and  not  disbursed  1111 
der  appropriations  by  law.  are,  by  the  constitution,  placnl  under 
the  order  and  direction  of  the  congress  of  the  United  State--, 
which  order  ami  direction  must  be  made  by  law  in  the  form  of 
bills  or  joint  orders,  votes  or  resolutions,  upon  whieh  the  pre- 
sident ofthe  United  States  has  simply  the  power  of  a  negative, 
subject  to-a  vote,  of  two-thirds  of  each  hon-e  ofeoii'M 

Resolved,  That  no  change  of  the.  constitution  of  Hie  Unitrd 
States  is  necessary  to  authorise  the  connre?s  of  (he  I'liiic"! 
States  to  entrust  the  custody  ofthe  public  money,  not  appro  • 
priated  by  law,  and  not  disbursed  under  appropriations  by  l.nv, 
whenever  or  howsoever  obtained,  lo  other  agency  than  that  of 
the  executive  ili'p'iitmcnt,  and  tlinl  the  custody  of  Hie  public 
money  must  not  tie  necessarily,  under  the  constitution.  Intrust- 
ed to  the  executive  department. 

Revolved,  That  congress  can  take  out  ofthe  hands  of  the  ex- 
ecutive department  the  custody  of  the  public  properly  or  mo- 
ney, without  an  assumption  of  executive  power,  or  a  subver- 
sion of  the  first  principles  of  the  constitution. 

And  that  said  committee  be  further  instructed  to  report  such 
mrasiirrs  as  it  may  ili-eui  necessary  and  proper  to  provide  for 
the  future  safe-keeping,  control  aiul  disposition  of  die  public, 
properly  and  moneys,  and  to  assert,  maintain  and  protect  the 
constitutional  powers  of  congress  over  die  public  properly  and 
public  purse. 

Mr.  lioon  asked  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  house  to  take 
tip  the  joint  resolution  heretofore  submitted  bv  him,  fixing  a 
day  (lh«  31st  inst.)  for  the  adjournment  of  congress. 

Objection!  being  made,  Mr.  Boon  asked  ami  obtained  leave 
ofthe  house  to  suspend  the  nils,  by  a  vole  of  15-2  lo  19. 

After  some  explanations,  Mr.  Boon  moved  hi*  resolution  in  a 
modified  form,  to  read  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  president  of  the  senate,  and  die  «poakcr 
of  the  house  of  representatives,  close  the  present  MT-IOM  of 
<*nn!!res«  by  nn  adjournment  of  their  respective  honors  on  Al^u- 
rlay  die  10th  day  of  June  next. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY    17,  1834— BHODE  ISLAND. 


195 


Alter  various  amendments  being  suggested  and  considerable 
debate  had,  thr  further  consideration  of  Hie  subject  vviis  airest- 
ed  by  tile  orders  ol  the  day. 

Tiiu  speaker  laid  bulure  ilie  Iiou.-c  tbe  following  communica- 
tion: 

"New  Haven,  9th  May,  1834. 

"Sm:  I  have  this  day  resigned  rny  se.it  as  a  member  of  the 
23d  congress.  Yours,  very  respectfully, 

'•SAMUEL  A.  FOOT. 
"The  hon.  the  speaker  of  the  H.  R." 

The  house  took  up  the  commutation  pension  bill,  and  after  a 
warm  debate,  in  which  several  took  part,  it  was  finally  recom- 
mitted to  a  committee  of  the  whole  house;  and  then  the  house 
adjourned. 

Wednesday,  May  14.  After  disposing  of  a  large  number  of 
private  claims, 

The  house  look  up  the  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  In- 
dian derailment  for  1834. 

Various  amendment.-:  being  offered,  discussed  and  withdrawn, 
Mr.  Leu  is,  of  Ala.  moved  pro  forma,  an  item  of  $500,000  to 
enable  the  government  to  extinguish  Indian  claims  to  lands  in 
the  state  of  Alabama — negatived. 

After  some  further  progress  being  made  in  the  bill,  it  was  laid 
aside  to  be  reported,  and  the  committee  took  up  the  Indian 
annuity  bill,  and  after  undergoing  various  amendments,  was, 
together  with  the  other  bill  reported  to  the  house;  and  then  the 
bouse  adjourned. 

Thursday,  May  15.  After  some  minor  business  had  been  dis 
posed  of, 

Mr.  Boon,  asked  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  house  trt  take 
up  the  resolution  heretofore  submitted  by  him  proposing  an 
adjournment  of  congress  on  the  16lh  June,  proximo. 

Objection  being  made,  the  house  by  a  vote  of  136  to  23  agreed 
to  suspend  the  rule,  and  the  resolution  was  taken  up,  when 
Mr.  Hardin  moved  to  strike  out  "the  16th  June"  and  insert 
"the  2d  July."  Mr.  H.  supported  his  amendment,  in  aspeech  of 
considerable  length,  on  the  ground  that  the  public  and  private 
business  could  not  be  advantageously  disposed  of  belore  the  lime 
coiilemplaled  by  his  amendment. 

Mr.  Cambreleng  thought  it  was  evident,  under  the  present 
stale  of  the  business  before  the  house,  that  they  were  not  pre- 
pared to  fix  a  day  forthe  adjournment  ol  congress,  and  he  there- 
lore  moved  to  postpone  the  further  consideration  of  the  resolu- 
tion until  Thursday  the  29th  instant,  which  motion,  after  a  long 
and  animated  debate,  prevailed  by  a  vote  of  116  to  95. 

The  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  Indian  department  for 
1834,  was  taken  up,  amended  and  ordered  to  its  third  reading 
The  house  in  committee  of  the  whole,  took  up  the  Cumber- 
land road  bill  from  the  senate,  and  no  amendment  being  pro- 
posed, it  was  reported  to  the  house. 

The  harbor  bill  was  taken  up,  amended,  and  laid  aside  for 
the  present;  and  then  the  house  adjourned. 

-~.nttQ  4K  QHv 

DEBATE  ON  THE  AMERICAN  TREATY. 
From  the  National  Gazette.     (Translated  from  a  Paris  news 

paper.) 

Mr.  George  Lafayette  rose  to  speak  on  a  personal  subject 
(Attention).  I  have  been,  said  the  honorable  member,  so  clear 
ly  designated  by  the  member  who  spoke  last,  that  I  think  my 
self  entitled  to  request  of  ihe  chamber  a  moment's  attention. 
do  not  rise  to  defend  the  commission,  of  which  I  had  the  hono 
to  be  a  member,  from  the  charge  of  being  under  any  influenci 
whatever,  while  deliberating  on  the  important  subject  commit 
ted  to  it;  but  I  wish  to  state  u  mailer  of  fact,  on  which  1  fin 
there  is  some  misapprehension.  My  father  was  not  a  membf 
of  that  commission;  I,  alone,  was  one  of  the  commissioners 
Surely,  I  did  not  pretend  to  exercise  tliere  any  personal  influ 
ence;  but  the  strength  of  my  conviction  was  not  sufficient  t 
induce  the  majority  to  agree  in  opinion  with  me,  and  1  renminei 
in  the  minority,  though  strongly  convinced  that  there  was  mor 
due  to  the  U.  States,  than  the  majority  were  willing  to  grant. 

Mr.  Jay,  reporter  of  the  committee,  then  rose,  and  in  suppor 
of  the  bili  of  appropriation,  be  read  a  letter,  addressed  to  hii 
by  general  Lafayette,  (detained  at  home  by  sickness),  in  orde 
to  prove  the  good  faith  of  the  United  States.  The  letter  is  i 
these  words: 

"While  I  regret  that  I  cannot  take  part  in  the  debate  respec 
ing  the  American  treaty,  the  almost  unanimous  report  of  tl! 
committee,  and  the  more  profound  knowledge  acquired  durin 
this  year  respecting  this  great  interest,  in  which  justice,  policy 
commerce,  and  the  freedom  of  the  seas  are  involved,  render 
useless  for  me  to  repeat  the  observations  which  I  made  at  tl 
last  session,  but  there  are  facts,  which  I  might  have  attested  a 
a  witness,  and  which  I  now  submit  lo  rny  honorable  colleagu 
the  reporter  of  the  committee. 

"1.  I  know  that  the  dale  of  the  repeal  of  the  Berlin  and  M 
Ian  decrees,  is  anterior  to  the  seizures  and  destruction!:  fi 
which  an  indemnity  is  claimed.  I  was  myself  the  bearer  of 
message  on  the  subject. 

"2.  Although  the  United  States  are  the  only  power  that  re 
inained  unconnected  with  the  coalitions  ngainst  France,  an  •: 
frr  was  made  to  them  by  the  allies,  then  all  powerful,  to  Jo 
their  claims  lo  lltose  which  they  preferred,  and  the  payment 
which  they  obtained.  That  offer  was  worthily  declined  by  I\l 
Crawford,  the  American  minister  at  Paris.  lie  declared  th 
the  United  States,  far  from  making  common  cati^e  with  ll 
enemies  of  France,  would  wait  until  their  accounts  could  1 
settled  ai  between  fiiendt. 


"3.  I  saw  Mr.  ISarlow  set  off  for  Wilna  jn  the  full  conviction, 
run  the  correspondence  of  the  nri[.Mial  cabinet,  »hat  tb,e  Ame- 
can  claims  should  obtain  it  favorable  dcciMon;  and  at  the  mo- 
ent  ol  Our  revolution  of  July,  Mr.  Ilives  thought  himself  «ure 

lerminaiing  his  negotiation,  even  with  the  ininuiry  of  the 
sloration;  which,  nevertheless,  felt  no  obligation  10  the  <~nii- 
d  States,  for  having  remained  the  friends  of  France,  white 
ranee  was  in  friendship  with  her  enemies. 

4.  Among  the  classes  of  claims  admitted  in  the  report,  I  dd 
ot  perceive  the  Jlntu-erp  seizures,  although  my  memory  was 
erfeclly  clear  on  the  subject.  I  had  recourse  to  the  recollec- 
ons  of  the  duke  of  liassano,  whose  contemporaneous  auti.">ii- 
',  in  his  situalion  at  thai  lime,  is  superior  to  any  distant  and 
isthnmous  assertion.  I  am  llien  able  to  say,  Unit  no  coiirU- 
alion  was  decreed,  and  that  ihe  sale  of  the  property  had  no 
ther  object  than  to  prevent  its  deterioration;  that  there  was  a 

position  lo  admit  the  justice  of  a  claim,  supported  by  the  act 
f  the  government  itself,  which,  in  short,  considered  the  iner- 
ianili.-e  deposited  in  the  caisfe  d'amortusement,  as  American 
roperty,  which  makes  an  additional  sum  of  more  than  two 

illjons,  wilhout  reckoning  ihe  Maria  and  her  cargo,  involved 

the  same  measure. 

"It  is  fr«m  these  positive  data,  and  others  of  the  game  kind, 
Minded  on  the  fact  of  moneys,  which,  in  my  opinion,  unjustly, 
ut,  nevertheless,  have  entered  into  the  public  treasury,  that 
ven  after  allowing  fur  Ihe  French  claims,  [  had  in  my  con- 
cience,as  an  honest  arbitrator,  estimated  the  American  claims 
t  Ihe  sum  of  thirty  millions,  and  this  amount  is  not  so  unju>ti- 
ahli!  us  some  have  thought  proper  to  say,  while  1  yield  all  the 
onor  due  to  ihe  administration  which  has  reduced  the  treaty 
o  narrower  limits." 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  general  Lafayette  to  his  correjpon- 
enl  in  Philadelphia,  dated  2d  April,  1834. 

"It  is  with  the  deepest  affliction  and  with  the  liveliest  dis- 
leasure  that  i  write  to  you,  Hud  to  you  alone,  on  the  subject 
f  what  happened  yesterday;  the  American  treaty  was  rejected 
y  a  majority  of  a  few  votes.  M.  de  Broglie  very  honorably 
cut  in  his  resignation  this  morning;  general  Sebastiam,  ihe 
ut  hor  of  the  treaty,  has  done  the  same.  You  will  be,  as  I  have 
ieen,  surprised  to  see  that  several  members  of  the  cote  gauche 
lave  sided  against  the  treaty.  I  am  stili  sick,  hut  with  a  fair 

ope  of  recovery,  provided  1  do  not  commit  any  imprudence; 
hat  danger,  however,  would  not  have  prevented  me,  as  jou 

lay  well  suppose,  from  appearing  in  the  house;  but  my  friends 
used  so  many  arguments  to  dissuade  me  from  going,  that  I,  at 
ast,  was  obliged  lo  yield.  It  is  besl,  perhaps,  that  I  should  re- 
>ress  the  expression  of  my  feelings  upon  this  subject;  I  shall 
herefore  speak  of  my  sentiments  for  you,"  &.C. 

RHODE  ISLAND. 

A  special  session  of  the  Rhode  Island  legislature,  just  elected, 
laving  been  convened  by  gov.  Francis,  in  order  lo  supply  the 
state  senators  who  failed  of  their  election,  the  following  joint 
evolutions  have  passed  thai  body: 

STATE   OF   RHODE   ISLAND,    &C. 

Jn  general  assembly,  May  session,  Jl.  D.  1634. 
Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  general  a.ssembly,  the 
removal  of  the  public  money  from  ihe  bank  of  ihe  United 
States,  in  which  by  law  and  contract  it  was  required  .to  be  de- 
josited,  was  a  measure  unwarranted,  ill  advised  and  injurious 
:o  the  public  interest. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  general  assembly,  the 
public  interest  requires,  "that  the  dcposilesof  ihe  money  of  the 
United  Slates  shall  in  future  be  made  in  the  bank  ofthe  United 
States  and  its  branches,"  and  thai  the  said  bank  be  allowed  lo 
perform  ils  dulies  lo  Ihe  United  States  enjoined  by  it?  charier, 
viz:  "To  give  the  necessary  facilities  for  transferring  the  pub- 
lic funds  from  place  to  place,  within  the  United  States  or  the 
tenitories  ihereof,  and  to  d^tribule  the  same  in  paymenl  of  ihe 
public  creditors,  without  charging  commissions,  or  claiming  al- 
lowance on  account  of  difference  of  exchange,  and  to  do  and 
perform  Ihe  several  and  respective  duties  of  commissioners  of 
loans  for  the  several  slates." 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  general  assembly,  a  na- 
tional hank  is  necessary  to  the  exigencies  of  the  government; 
necessary  to  the  maintenance  of  a  sound,  uniform  and  perma- 
nent national  currency;  to  the  maintenance  ofthe  general  cre- 
dit and  confidence;  and  lo  the  accommodation  of  the  internal 
and  foreign  trade  and  business  of  the  country. 

Resolved,  That  to  guard  against  fluctuations  in  the  national 
currency,  lo  prevent  the  embarrassments  and  derangements  in 
business,  which  must  always  be  experienced  and  practised  be- 
tween the  closing  of  the  concerns  of  one  great  national  bank 
and  opening  of  itnothter;  and  to  avoid  the  speculations  always 
practised  upon  such  occasions,  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  general 
assembly,  thai  Ihe  greatest  possible  stability  ought  to  be  given 
to  a  batik,  established  as  a  national  institution,  for  national 
uses  and  purposes. 

Resolved,  That  his  excellency,  the  governor,  be  requested  to 
forward  copies  of  these  resolutions  to  each  of  our  senators  and 
representatives  in  conrre-<. 

On  motion,  the  question  on  the  resolutions  was  taken  by 
sections,  and  passed  by  IhR  following  votes:  1st  resolution,  IS 
majority;  2d  do.  18  maj.;  3d  do.  45  mnj.;  4th  do.  28  muj.;  and 
the  5th  resolution,  unanimously — and  sent  to  the  senate  for 
concurrence.  The  house  then  adjourned. 


196 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   17,  1884— THE  POLISH  EXILES. 


BALTIMORE  JACKSON  MEETING. 
Pursuant  to  a  call  from  the  Jackson  republican  convention  o 
the  city  of  Baltimore,  a  meeting  of  the  friends  of  the  naliona 
administration  assembled  iti  Monument  Square,  on  the  evening 
of  Wednesday,  the  7lh  instant.  On  motion  of  col.  U.  S.  Heath 
Ihe  meeting  was  organized,  and  William  Prick,  esq.  was  calle( 
to  the  chair,  and  Messrs.  Henry  R.  Laiulernian,  Walter  Price 
Nicholas  Myers,  John  E.  tiian.-.bury,  Joshua  Turner,  Michae 
Klmefelier,  Abraham  Sliver,  Johti  McAIIUter,  Edward  Priestly 
Jonathan  Filch,  Joel  Vickerg,  Tlioma.  Parkin  Scott,  James 
Webb,  William  J.  Wight,  George  Gardiner,  Jesse  P.  Wight 
James  George,  John  C.  Ran,  Jacob  Zimmerman,  Stephen  Wa 
ters,  John  Buddy,  William  Bull,  sen.  Charles  Peregoy,  were 
chosen  vice  presidents;  and,  Charles  Howard,  Richard  Lilly 
Alexander  Waters,  Joshua  Vansant,  Samuel  Lucas,  William 
Lineberger,  were  appointed  secretaries. 

The  president  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting,  when  the  fol- 
lowing preamble  and  resolutions  were  offered  by  col.  B.  C 
Howard,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Samuel  Brady — viz: 

Whereas,  measures  have  been  recently  adopted  by  the  op 
ponenls  of  the  national  administration,  in  this  city,  eminently 
calculated  to  agitate  the  public  mind,  and  to  call  for  a  reiterat- 
ed expression  of  the  firmness  of  its  friends— therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  Jackson  republicans,  of  Baltimore,  retain 
Ihe  warmest  feelings  of  gratitude,  affection,  and  respect  to- 
wards the  venerable  president  of  these  United  Slates,  and  re- 
pose entire  confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  purity  of  his  admi- 
nistration; and  that  they  regard  with  disapprobation,  exceeded 
only  by  their  regret,  the  violence  which  characterises  the  ge- 
neral course  of  the  opposition. 

Resolved,  That  they  decidedly  condemn  and  earnestly  deplore 
the  appeal  to  force  from  the  decision  of  the  ballot  box,  which  has 
so  repeatedly  been  ureed  by  leading  members  of  the  opposition 
in  congress,  and  their  partisans  of  the  press,  and  among  the 
people— because,  whilst  so  rash  and  mistaken  a  course  would 
fail  to  change  the  measures  of  the  administration,  or  shake  the 
resolution  of  its  friends,  it  would  in  lawless  disregard  of  the 
injunctions  of  the  constitution,  introduce  confusion  into  a  now 
peaceful  community,  and  bring  lasting  discredit  upon  our  re- 
publican institutions. 

Resolved,  That  it  ia  the  essential  principle  of  our  govern- 
ment, that  the  popular  will  should  be  deliberately  consulted 
and  truly  expressed  upon  all  questions  of  national  policy;  that 
the  president  has,  throughout  his  administration,  faithfully  con- 
formed to  the  wishes  of  the  people,  clearly  manifested,  and  that 
in  the  "late  executive  proceedings  in  relation  to  the  public  re- 
venue," he  has  "not  assumed  to  himself  authority  and  power, 
not  conferred  by  the  constitution  and  laws,"  or  "in  derogation 
of  either. 

Resolved,  That  the  Jackson  republicans  of  Baltimore  disap- 
prove and  deeply  regret  the  conduct  of  a  majority  of  the  senate 
of  these  United  States,  in  assuming  in  its  capacity  as  a  legisla- 
tive body,  judicial  authority;  and  in  recording,  in  violation  of  de- 
corum, justice  and  of  the  spirit  of  the  constitution  and  in  con- 
temptuous disregard  of  the  known  will  of  the  constituents  of  se- 
veral who  concurred  in  the  act,  a  sentence  of  condemnation 
against  the  president  for  measures,  which,  had  they  been  of  the 
character  imputed,  would  justly  have  subjected  him  to  an  im- 
peachment, for  the  unprejudiced  trial  of  which  the  senate,  under 
the  constitution,  is  the  designated  tribunal. 

Resolved,  That  in  this  perversion  of  the  high  functions  of  Ihe 
senate,  is  displayed  the  consummation  of  a  system  of  persecu- 
tion which  has  been  continued  against  Andrew  Jackson  from 
the  close  of  the  late  war,  when  Jie  was  found  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  vast  and  well  earned  popularity,  when  it  was  foreseen 
what  an  obstacle  he  would  prove  to  the  career  of  ambitious 
rivals.  Hence,  that  unsuccessful  struggle  to  tear  from  his  brow 
the  laurels  of  the  Seminole  campaign.  Hence  the  hardy  at- 
tempt to  cross  the  popalar  design  to  raise  him  to  the  presidency. 
Hence  the  declaration  of  uncompromising  opposition  when  the 
president  had  scarcely  taken  the  oath  of  office  and  the  course  of 
bis  administration  was  yet  unknown.  Hence  the  unprecedent- 
ed spectacle  which  so  long  offended  the  delicacy  of  the  American 
people,  of  an  individual  notoriously  a  candidate  for  the  highest 
office  in  their  gift,  traversing  the  country  to  utter  inflammatory 
harrangues  and  fill  the  public  ear  with  abuse  of  his  rival. 

Retolved,  That  the  unjust  course  pursued  by  the  senate  is  the 
more  reprehensible,  as  having  been  effected  under  cover  of  eva- 
sive generalities,  by  an  unnatural  coalition  of  nullifiers  and  de- 
termined opponents  of  slate  rislits,  for  the  purpose  of  embar- 
rassing the  administration  of  Andre ,v  Jackson,  whose  modera- 
tion and  firmness,  in  carrying  into  effect  the  popular  will,  have 
controlled  the  errors  of  both. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting  the  present 
crisis  is  pregnant  with  the  fate  of  our  national  institutions. 
That  a  contest  is  raging  between  the  popular  mid  the  aristocra- 
tic principle,  upon  the  issue  of  which  it  will  depend  whether 
the  American  people  shall  continue  free. 

Resolved,  That  under  the  auspices  of  a  political  party,  mar- 
shalled by  leaders  of  distinguished  abilities,  a  moneyed  corpo- 
ration created  for  national  purposes  by  the  national  UfMalara, 
but  which  has  proved  superior  to  and  regardless  of  legislative 
restraint;  a  corporation  which  avowedly  controls  the  whole  in 
dii-iry  of  the  country,  which  by  its  insidious  and  oppressive  pn- 
licy  liis  carried  tlistresi  and  ruin  into  the  dwelling*  of  thou- 
sandi,  now  collects  its  energies  for  the  vital  struggle  which 
•hall  decide  tho  question  of  supremacy  between  itself  and  the 
people.  Ambitious  aspirants  for  political  station,  mid  many 


well  meaning  but  mistaken  citizens  have  enlisted  in  its  cause- 
Private  patronage  is  lavished  or  withdrawn  to  seduce  or  inti- 
midate opposition,  and  nn  unlimited  control  over  the  treasury 
of  the  bank  (including  what  belongs  to  the  nation)  is  placxd  at 
the  disposal  of  a  single  officer,  to  be  applied  as  he  sees  fit  for 
the  promotion  of  its  designs.  Against  this  vast  array  of  influ- 
ence and  power,  hut  confident  in  the  virtue  and  patriotism  of 
his  countrymen,  Andrew  Jackson  stands  the  undismayed  cham- 
pion of  the  people.  On  their  intelligence  he  relies  to  sustain 
their  dearest  rights.  To  their  justice  he  appeals  for  the  vindi- 
cation of  his  private  honor,  and  on  either  usue  they  will  firmly 
sustain  him. 

The  meeting  was  addressed  in  support  of  the  resolutions  by 
col.  B.  C.  Howard,  Mr.  Samuel  Brady,  Mr.  Win.  Geo.  Read, 
Mr.  John  Neilson  and  col.  U.  S.  Heath,  and  the  question  being 
put,  they  were  adopted  unanimously. 

WILLIAM  FRICK,  chairman. 

Henry  R.  Lauderman,  Walter  Price,  Nicholas  Myers,  Jno. 
E.  Stanshury,  Joshua  Turner,  Michael  Klinefelter,  Abraham 
Sliver,  John  McAllister,  Edward  Priestley,  Jonathan  Filch, 
Joel  Vickers,  Thos.  Parkin  Scott,  James  Webb,  William  J. 
Wight,  George  Gardiner,  Jesse  P.  Wight,  James  George,  John 
C.  Rau,  Jacob  Zimmerman,  Stephen  Waters,  John  Buddy, 
William  Ball,sen'r.  Charles  Peregoy — vice  presidents. 

Charles  Howard,  Richard  Lilly,  Alexander  Water*,  Joshua 
Vansant,  Samuel  Lucas.  William  Lineberger— secretaries 

THE  POLISH  EXILES. 

IN    SENATE — TUESDAY,   APRIL  29,    1834. 

Mr*.  Poindexter  made  the  following  report,  (accompanied  by  a 
bill  to  carry  into  effect  the  object  recommended.) 
The  committee  on  public  lands,  to  which  was  referred  the  peti- 
tion of  Lewis  Banczakiewicz  and  others,  acting  as  a  commit- 
tee for  and  in  behalf  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  Pole*, 
transported  to  the  United  States  by  the  orders  of  the  emperor 
of  Austria,  have  had  the  said  petition  under  consideration,  and 
submit  the  following  report: 

The  committee  do  not  admit  the  justice  or  policy  of  granting 
any  portion  of  the  public  domain  to  emigrants  from  foreign 
countries  who  voluntarily  seek  an  asylum  on  our  shores  from 
arbitrary  governments  of  Europe. 

Neither  the  usages  of  civilized  nations,  or  the  principles  of 
our  free  institutions  require  of  this  government  more  than  is 
due  to  the  rites  of  hospitality  and  the  protection  of  the  laws,  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  old  world  who  come  among  us  to  enjoy 
th<-  blessings  of  liberty,  and  partake  of  the  general  prosperity 
and  happiness  of  this  highly  favored  country.  These  have  been 
uniformly  extended,  and  in  no  instance  denied,  to  foreigners  of 
every  nation,  besides  the  privilege  of  becoming  naturalized  citi- 
zens according  to  the  liberal  system  established  by  law  for  that 
purpose. 

To  justify  a  departure  from  this  general  rule,  in  any  particu- 
lar case,  facts  and  circumstances,  appealing  forcibly  to  the  be- 
nevolence of  the  nation,  ought  to  be  clearly  demonstrated  as  the 
basis  on  which  the  exception  is  founded.  The  committee  have 
attentively  considered  the  peculiar  condition  of  these  unfortu- 
nate exiles  from  their  native  land,  in  connection  with  the  strong 
claims  which  they  seem  to  present  for  relief,  and  have  unani- 
mously agreed  to  recommend  their  case  to  the  favor  of  the  se- 
nate. The  hi-tory  of  the  recent  revolution  in  Poland  is  so  well 
known  and  understood,  that'  any  attempt  to  recapitulate  Ibe 
events  of  that  glorious  and  arduous  struggle  in  the  great  cause  of 
miiiuu  liberty  may  be  deemed  superfluous  and  unnecessary. 
These  petitioners  constitute  a  small  remnant  ol  that  gallant  ar- 
my who  engaged  in  the  desperate  and  unequal  conflict  with  the 
overwhelming  power  of  the  Russian  empire,  and  who  firmly  re- 
solved that  Poland  should  be  free  or  be  blotled  forever  from  the 
map  of  nations.  They  bravely  fought  for  the  independence  of 
heir  country,  to  which  they  were  bound  by  every  feeling  of  pa- 
triotism and  affection;  they  won  many  dailies  by  prodigies  of  va- 
or  never  surpassed  in  any  age  or  country;  they  stood  undismay- 
ed by  the  powerful  enemy  aeainst  whom  they  had  to  contend, 
ind  confidently  appealed  to  the  sympathies  of  the  civilized  na- 
ions  of  Europe  to  sustain  them  in  a  cause  so  just;  but  their  ap- 
>eals  were  made  in  vain,  and  their  hopes  were  destined  to  end 
i  cme!  disappointment. 

This  short  and  bloody  war  terminated  in  the  overthrow  of  a 
persecuted,  brave,  and  generous  people,  contending  for  their 
ong  lost  liberty,  and  the  restoration  of  their  ancient  rights,  as 
one  of  the  great  family  of  independent  nations.  Overpowered 
ly  numbers,  and  driven  by  repealed  defeats  to  the  verge  of  des- 
lair,  the  noble  chivalry  of  Poland  retired  from  the  contest,  and 
tade  farewell  to  freedom,  country,  and  every  thins  dear  to  the 
leart  of  civilized  mnn.  These  petitioners,  it  appear*,  sought  re- 
uge  and  protection  in  the  provinces  of  Austria  and  Prussia,  ask- 
ni  only  a  passage  into  France,  which,  they  allege,  was  promis- 
d  them  by  the  Austrian  government.  They  ns.-cinhlcd  al  the  ci- 
y  of  I'rnnn.  in  Moravia,  to  receive  their  passport"  according  to 
)revious  assurances  given  them,  when  tliey  were  suddenly  ar- 
ested,  thrown  into  close  confinement,  and,  after  nn  imprison- 
ment of  three  months,  the  alternative  wn-"  presented  to  them  of 
etiirning  to  Russia,  or  of  embarking  on  hoard  nn  An-trian  vcs- 
el  for  transportation  to  the  United  Stales  of  America.  They  ac- 
epted  the  latter  proposal,  and  were  lemnved  to  Trieste;  again 
inpri-onrd  three  months,  and  finally  embarked  on  board  two 
\uslrian  frigate*  prepared  for  the  purpose;  and.  at  llie  expiration 
t'n  vovaze  of  four  months  and  ten  days,  were  Intuled  in  the  ei- 
y  of  New  York,  at  which  place  their  petition  is  dated.  These 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY  17,  1834— GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


197 


tacts  are  Bet  forth  by  the  petitioners,  and  the  committee  hav 
no  reason  to  doubt  their  accuracy.  The  question  llicn  arise 
whether  this  government  ought  to  extend  its  beneficence  I 
these  petitioners,  and  grant  to  each  of  them  a  few  acres  of  lam 
for  actual  cultivation,  on  which  they  may  find  a  new  home 
where,  by  honest  industry,  they  may  earn  a  comfortable  subsist 
ence  for  themselves  and  their  families,  free  from  the  persecu 
lions  of  their  inexhorable  oppressors? 

The  committee  believe  that  both  principle  and  preceden 
combine  to  recommend  the  adoption  of  such  a  measure,  unde 
suitable  modifications  and  restrictions.  The  emigrants  from 
France,  in  the  year  1317,  who  were  expelled  from  their  countr 
soon  after  the  downfall  of  the  emperor  Napoleon,  received  i 
grant  of  four  contiguous  townships  of  land  in  Alabama  on  the 
most  favorable  term*,  amounting  nearly  to  a  donation.  Many 
similar  grants  are  to  be  found  on  our  statute  book,  made  to  ind 
viduals  and  associations  for  useful  or  benevolent  purposes 
Again,  in  the  year  1812,  congress  actuated  by  like  feelings  am 
considerations,  appropriated  the  sum  of  $50,000  to  the  suffer- 
ers by  an  earthquake  at  Venezuela.  But,  without  regard  to  these 
casey,  in  which  the  general  principles  of  legislation  were  de 
parted  from,  the  committee  perceive  in  the  circumstances,  un- 
der which  these  emigrants  ask  of  congress  a  grant  of  land 
enough  to  warrant  the  conclusion  at  which  they  have  arrived  in 
favor  of  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners.  Poland,  so  often  the  thea- 
tre of  sanguinary  wars,  originating  in  violations  of  solemn  com 
pacts  on  the  part  of  those  powers  by  whose  combined  arms  that 
ill-fated  country  was  conquered  and  partitioned,  made  a  lasi 
desperate  and  expiring  effort  to  regain  her  freedom  and  indepen- 
dence. The  surrounding  nations  looked  with  cold  indifference 
on  the  struggle,  evidently  prepared,  if  necessary,  to  render  their 
aid  to  the  emperor  of  Russia  in  the  subjugation  of  the  Polish  ar- 
my. The  result,  though  for  some  time  suspended  hy  the  valor 
of  that  small  and  inadequate  force,  was  at  no  period  of  the  con- 
flict doubtful.  The  army  was  dispersed,  the  country  desolated, 
the  fugitives  who  escaped  the  general  slaughter  were  denied  the 
hospitality  of  neutral  states,  and  could  find  no  resting  place  on 
the  territories  of  the  crowned  heads,  whose  despotic  rule  they 
lind  resisted  in  asserting  the  natural  and  inherent  right,  as  free- 
men, to  govern  themselves.  Expelled  from  their  own  country, 
imprisoned  in  Austria  and  Prussia,  refused  permission  to  enter 
France,  they  were  left  to  choose  between  despotism, and  per- 
haps the  gibbet,  by  returning  to  Russia,  and  involuntary  trans- 
portation to  these  slates,  where  they  now  enjoy,  for  the  first 
time,  the  protection  of  the  laws,  and  the  rights  and  immunities 
which  belong  to  the  human  race,  wheresoever  they  may  be  cast 
by  the  dispensations  of  Divine  Providence. 

Humbled  by  misfortunes;  deprived  of  a  country  and  a  borne; 
destitute  of  the  ordinary  means  of  subsistence;  in  a  strange  land, 
whose  language  they  do  not  speak  or  understand,  and  with 
whose  customs  they  are  wholly  unacquainted;  these  petitioners 
throw  themselves  on  the  liberality  and  clemency  of  a  manmini- 
mous  people,  and  a  free  government,  for  a  habitation  where 
they  may  repose  in  peace  and  safety,  and  where,  by  the  labor  of 
their  own  hands,  they  may  he  enabled  to  rescue  themselves 
from  their  present  wretched  condition  of  want  and  dependence. 
The  committee  think  that,  in  granting  the  prayer  of  the  peti- 
tioners, this  government  will  manifest  a  proper  regard  for  the 
sufferings  of  the  unfortunate  of  all  countries  who  may  be  cast 
on  our  shores;  a  comity  due  from  one  portion  of  the  human 
family  (o  another,  which  ought  to  he  acknowledged  and  felt  hy 
all;  and  thereby  exhibit  to  the  civilized  world  a  glowing  con 
trast  between  the  arbitrary  rulers  who  oppress  and  persecute 
these  exiled  patriots  and  fallen  defenders  of  liberty,  and  the 
Chivalry  of  a  free  people  who  receive  them  with  a  friendly  wel- 
come and  provide  for  their  immediate  necessities.  The  noble 
example  may  not  he  lost  in  its  effects  on  the  great  cause  of  free 
principles.  The  history  of  our  own  glorious  struggle  for  liberty 
and  independence,  and  of  the  distinguished  foreigners  who  min- 
gled in  the  conflict,  is  well  calculated  to  urge  the  claim  of  the 
petitioners  to  the  relief  which  they  ask  at  our  hands.  Shall  the 
countrymen  of  Pulaski,  of  De  Kalb,  and  of  Kosciusko,  suppli- 
cate in  vain  the  descendants  of  the  patriots  of  the  revolution  for 
succor  and  support,  when  the  tyrants  of  Europe  refuse  them  a 
resting  place,  because  they  are  the  soldiers  of  liberty?  The  com- 
mittee think  not,  and,  in  this  opinion,  they  confidently  rely  on 
the  cordial  co-operation  of  the  senate,  and  of  the  great  body  of 
the  American  people.  The  committee,  therefore,  without  "en- 
tering into  the  question  of  pecuniary  assistance  which  they  re- 
spectfully leave  to  the  sound  discretion  of  the  senale,  unanimous- 
ly concur  in  recommending  that  a  donation  of  one  entire  town- 
ship of  land,  to  be  located  under  the  direction  of  the  president 
of  the  United  States,  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  or  territory  of  Michi- 
gan, be  granted  to  the  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  Pole?,  and  di- 
vided among  them  ir»  equal  proportions,  for  actual  habitation 
and  cultivation;  for  which  purpose  they  report  a  bill. 

GENERAL  POST  OFFfCE. 

SPEECH    Or    MR.    LINCOLN,    OP   MASSACHUSETTS, 

In  the  house  of  representatives,  Jlpril  25. 
In  committee  of  the  whole,  in  support  of  his  motion  lo  strike 

from  the  appropriation  bill  the  provision  for  extra  clerk  hire 

in  the  post  office  department. 

Mr.  Chairman — Fully  aware,  as  t  am,  of  the  impatience,  of 
irenllemen  to  get  this  bill  through  the  committee,  it  is  with  un- 
affected embarrassment  and  distrust  that  I  oppose  any  obstacle 
to  their  progress  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  object.  T  pray 
the  committee  to  believe  that  a  sense  of  public  duty,  more  im- 


perative than  any  regard  to  personal  considerations,  constrains 
me  to  the  humble  part  which  I  may  take  in  this  discussion.  I 
shall  make  no  protestations  of  a  disinclination  to  embarrass  the 
debate,  or  create  unnecessary  delay  in  its  issue;  nor  will  I 
stop  to  disclaim  intentions  to  impede  the  operations  of  (he  go- 
vernment, or  vex  its  administration.  Such  purposes  would  be 
unworthy  the  position  of  a  representative  on  this  floor,  and  no 
one  can  have  a  right  to  impute  them.  Neither  will  I  enter  into 
any  stipulations  for  brevity  in  my  remarks,  or  repeal  promisee, 
too  often  made,  to  save  time,  and  too  little  regarded  in  the  very 
apologies  for  its  consumption.  For  whatever  attention  I  may 
receive,  I  shall  be  grateful,  and  shall  best  requite  it  by  avoiding 
an  unreasonable  claim  to  indulgence. 

Certain  extraneous  circumstances  have  been  forced  into  the 
debate  upon  this  bill,  to  which  it  is  proper  I  should  give  a  puss- 
ing  notice.  When  I  had  last  the  honor  of  addressing  the  com- 
mittee, upon  a  preceding  clause  in  the  bill,  it  waa  my  misfor- 
tune, surely  not  an  intentional  fault,  to  have  excited  a  tone  of 
reply  equally  unexpected  and  unmerited.  Sir,  I  was  greatly 
misapprehended;  and,  so  far  as  the  animadversions  of  gentle- 
men may  reach,  I  shall  be  somewhat  injuriously  misrepresent- 
ed. It  may,  therefore,  be  pardoned  to  me,  if  I  first  attempt  lo 
place  these  matters  in  a  proper  point  of  light.  I  would  fain 
stand  well  abroad,  but  I  would,  at  present,  more  earnestly 
desire  not  to  be  misunderstood  in  this  house.  An  honorable 
gentleman,  on  that  occasion,  whose  attention  I  bad  neither 
provoked  nor  coveted,  did  me  the  injustice  to  charge  upon  me 
two  or  three  panic  speeches,  as  he  was  pleased  to  term  them,  on 
the  subject  of  the  bank  and  the  deposites.  The  charge  was  alike 
uncalled  for  and  unfounded.  It  did  not  occur  to  me  as  worth 
while,  at  that  time,  to  repel  the  offensive  insinuation  which 
was  conveyed  in  the  remark;  but  now,  in  my  place,  I  take 
leave  to  say,  that,  in  a  period  of  eight  weeks  in  which  I  have 
had  the  honor  of  a  seat  here,  I  have  presented  but  a  single  me- 
morial, and  that  from  my  immediate  constituents,  accompanied 
with  such  explanations  as,  within  the  rule,  were  permitted 
without  interruption  by  the  honorable  speaker.  I  have,  in  a 
single  instance  only,  addressed  myself  to  the  attention  of  the 
committee,  occupying  by  their  indulgence,  some  fifteen  or 
twenty  minutes  of  the  time  of  ihe  house,  and  once  I  have  risen 
in  my  place  loask  ihe  indulgence  of  the  house  in  permitting  me 
to  offer  a  resolution  for  information  from  one  of  the  depart- 
ments, which  indulgence  I  was  not  so  happy  as  lo  obtain.  Will 
the  gentleman  now  say  that  this  was  obtrusive?  Sir,  my  of- 
fending hath  this  extent — no  more. 

Another  honorable  gentleman,  on  the  same  occasion,  saw  fit 
to  rebuke  what  he  was  pleased  to  regard  as  an  attack  on  the 
personal  character  of  the  postmaster  general.  This  intention, 
jn  my  part,  was  promptly  disclaimed.  With  the  personal 
character  of  that  high  officer,  I  neither,  at  that  time,  nor  shall 
[  now,  intermeddle;  but  as  I  may  have  occasion  now  as  then, 
to  advert  lo  the  department  over  which  he  presides,  and  shall 
doubtless  again  speak  with  some  degree  of  freedom  of  its  ma- 
nagement and  condition,  I  should  hope  not  again  to  be  misunder- 
tood.  Whatever,  therefore,  of  reference  shall  be  made  to  him , 
will  have  respect  to  his  official  conduct.  It  is  no  part  of  my 
lesign  to  render  the  postmaster  general  personally  obnoxious  lo 
his  house,  or  lo  this  nation.  In  Ihe  unpropilious  circumstances 
of  the  times,  I  see  nothing  of  encoutagemenl  to  such  an  effort, 
hould  it  even  be  successful.  I  have  no  hope  of  improvement 
rorn  any  change  which  is  likely  to  be  made.  In  the  character 
r  qualifications  of  those  most  frequently  named  as  competiiors 
or  the  office,  there  is  to  my  mind,  little  of  preference  over  ihe 
iresenl  incumbent.  On  this  subject  I  lake  counsel  from  Ihe 
omely  adage,  that  "in  looking  further  we  may  fare  worse." 

Another  honorable  gentleman  thought  it  becoming  the  op- 
)ortunity,  to  object  to  my  sentiments,  that  they  were  in  ac- 
ordance  with  that  course  of  opposition  to  measures  of  sup- 
ily,  which,  in  a  former  period  of  the  history  of  the  country, 
haracterized  my  predecessors  on  Ibis  floor,  and  my  consiitu- 
nts  at  home;  and  to  indulge  in  taunts  and  sarcasms  on  the 
abits  and  manners  of  the  people  of  the  state.  I  did  nol  reply 
o  these  remarks  then,  nor  shall  I  now,  further  than  to  say, 
hat  neither  my  predecessors  nor  my  constituents  would  feel 
bliged  to  me,  by  any  admission  ofan  occasion  for  their  defence 
gainst  an  attack  so  unmanly  and  illiberal.  But  in  reference  to 
he  allusion  made  by  the  honorable  gentleman,  to  one  of  the 
ources  of  employment  and  subsistence  of  the  people  of  Mas- 
achusetts,  I  beg  leave  to  say,  that  it  will  be  received  by  them 
as  cause,  least  of  all,  of  offence.  Let  me  assure  that  honorable 
;entleman,  thai  if  he  shall  ever  do  ihe  "ancient  bay  state"  the 
lonor  of  a  visit,  Ihe  proudest  of  her  sons  will  rejoice  in  the 
>pportunity  lo  take  him  by  ihe  hand,  and,  conducting  him  to 
he  hall  of  her  house  of  representatives,  exhibit  to  him  there, 
onspieuouslv  displayed,  even  over  the  chair  of  the  speaker, 
he  emblem  of  the  industry,  and  frugality,  and  enterprise  of  her 
itizens,  in  the  the  ill  selected  object  of  his  wil — the  image  of 

fish.  Mr.  Chairman,  the  people  of  Massachusetts  are  not 
shamed  of  their  occupations,  or  their  manner  of  living.  They 
re  as  adventurous,  at  least,  as  they  are  economical.  Their 
sheries  are  no  less  a  source  of  national  wealth,  than  of  indi- 
idual  benefit.  Does  the  honorable  gentleman  needs  be  told, 
hat  her  hardy  sons  have  vexed  ert-ry  sea  by  their  daring  en- 
erprise,  pursuing  linn  and  lanrc  the  tenants  of  ihe  deep,  from 
tie  Atlantic  shores  to  Ihe  Arc-tic  regions.  Does  he  not  know 
liat  the  fisheries  nf  Massachusetts  were  the  early  nurseries  of 
iiir  seamen,  those  gallarit  men  who  have  carried  your  flag  in 
riumph  among  the  nations,  and  made  the  very  name  of  America 


193 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY   17,  1834— GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


glorious?  Let  the  gentleman,  in  future  then,  spare  himself 
such  gratuitous  allusions.  Reflections  upon  -.notional  occupa- 
tions are  always  in  hail  lasli ;  and,  if  for  no  other  teason.  h.id 
belter  never  be  indulged. 

Tin*  much  I  have  thought  required  of  me,  on  this  first  op 
portnuiiy  of  obtaining  the  floor  .-nice  I  was  so  severely  attack- 
ed, in  reply  to  the  pwrsonul  remarks,  which,  in  no  gating  mea- 
sure, were  directed  towards  me. 

J  now  move,  .-it ,  to  amend  the  hill  under  consideration,  hy 
sinking  out  tlie  clause  which  was  la>l  read. 

That  clause  relates  to  me  post  office  department,  and  is  in 
the  following  words: 

'Tor  additional  clerk  hire  for  the  year  one  thousand  eight 
liundred  and  thirty-three,  thirty-one  thousand  seven  hundied 
and  thirty  one  dollars  and  forty-four  cents." 

Tiie  honorable  chairman  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means 
lias  >aid,  that  those  who  are  opposed  to  the  grant  of  an  appro- 
priation  have  the  tinideii  of    proof  upon   themselves.     Surely, 
the  condition  of  the  minority  of  this  house  is  sufficiently  oner 
oils,    without   this   extraordinary  imposition.      Toe    burden    of 
proof  upon  me  objectors!   It  would  seem  a  little  more  reasonable 
that  those  who  ask  for,  and  those  who  would  vole  the  supplies, 
should  show  their  ocea-ion.     But,  if  this  be  not  so;   if,  indeed, 
it  were  otherwise,  it  might  surely  he  expected  that  time  and  op- 
portunity should  he  allowed  lo  maintain  the  isMie,  on  the  part 
of  those  upon  whom  Hie  onus  is  so  -in.'nlaily  and  unexpectedly 
cast.     Vet,  what  do  we  witness?     Fiom  the   very  moment  that 
ttie  bill  was  introduced  into  this  committee  of  the  whole,  a  ma- 
nifestation of  impatiunce,  on  the  part  of  the  majority,  to  get  it 
through   without  debate.     And   how   are  tin;  mummy  treated? 
Hardly,  sir;  1  will  not  say  oppressively  and  unjustly;  but  hardly, 
indeed.     Kve.ry  motion  to  amend  has  been  considered  as  cap- 
tious.    Delay  is  deprecated.     The   word   is,  onward.     Upon  a 
motion  to  ri*e,  an  ominous  voice  comes  up  from  the  very  depths 
of  this  hall,  audible  throughout  the  committee,  crying,  •'!   hope 
not.  sir;"  and  an  almost   magical  response  is  given  to  the  aspi- 
ration, in  the  accord. nit  vote  of  the   majority.     An   obstinate 
and   unyielding  determination   is   manifested  to   force  the  bill 
into  the  house.     1  ask,  Mr.  Chairman,  for  what  purpose  does 
the  house  resolve  itself  into  a  committee  of  the   whole?     Is  it 
not,  that  there  may  be  the  most  free  and   full  discus-ion  of  the 
merits  of  every  provision  in  the  bill;  that  here,  and  without  re- 
straint by  the  more  formal  and  rigid  course  of  procedure  applica- 
ble to  the  house,  we  may  prepare  and  mature,  and,  as  far  as  may 
be,  perlectthis  measure  ol  legislation  for  the  subsequent  sanction 
of  the  house.     And  how  has  this  been  proposed  to  be  done?     1 1 
was  the  astounding  declaration  of  the  chairman  of  the  com 
mittee  of  ways  and  means,  but  yesterday,  that,  when  he  came 
into  the  house  thu  preceding  day,  it  was  his  fixed  determination 
not  to  leave  Ike  hall  until  he  had  curried  lite  hill  through,  (taking 
it  up  almost  from  its  very  beginning),  and  h^d  it  reported  to  the 
home.     And  the  subsequent  experience  which  we  suffered,  in 
tin  uninterrupted  session  of  nine  hours,  was,  doubtless,  in  exe- 
cution of  this  hijh-handcd  predetermination.     Sir,  it  should  be 
known   to  the  country,  and,  as  far  as  my  voice  can  reach,  it 
shall  be  made  Known,  that  on  a  measure  of  the  first  and  highest 
importance  to  the  interests  of  this  nation,  the  passage  of  an  ap- 
propriation bill,  authorising  the  disbursement  of  millions  of  the 
public  money,  ami  embracing  provisions  which   involve  princi- 
ples of  high  constitutional   moment,   as  well   as  of  expediency 
mid  the  soundest  discretion,  it  was  contemplated  to  preclude 
di«cu>s>i<>ii.  by  a  direct  process  of  coercion   over  the   physical 
powers  of  me.    minority.     There  are,  indeed,  as  xvu  have   seen, 
more  modes  than  one  of  applying  violence  in   the  hu-itie.-s  of 
legislation:  the    previous   question— laying   on    the    table — and 
exhaustion  by  fatigue.     Abstinence,  al-o,  from  food   ami  --Icrp, 
if  long  enough  continued,  will  silt-nee  speech.    Sir,  £  admonish 
the  chairman  of  the  committee   of  ways  and   m>  ans  not  to  re- 


would  enter  into  recognizance  for  the  good  behavior  'of  his 
fiicnds  on  tile  coining  day.  It  was  a  proposition  only,  not  a 
"iar«<rin."  It  would  have  been  the  latter,  if  my  colleague  had 
assented  to  it.  He  answered,  however,  that  he  was  not  the 
keeper  of  his  friends.  Neither  was  I  authorised  to  give  pledges 
for  others.  There  is  lillle  occasion  for  concert  and  combina- 
tion between  those  who  have  but  a  single  object  in  the  execu- 
tion of  n  public  trust.  Theirs  is  a  direct  and  obvious  path,  in 
which  intelligence  and  integrity  impel  their  efforts  to  produce 
the  same  result,  in  the  promotion  of  the  public  interests,  and 
the  protection  of  the  people's  rights. 

The  appropiiation  proposed  in  the  clause  of  the  bill  which  I 
ask  lo  have  stricken  out,  is  objectionable  on  two  grounds.  1st. 
I'.ec-invt,  the  expense  it  is  intended  to  reimburse  to  the  post 
office  department,  in  the  employment  of  extra  clerks,  the  last 
year,  was  unauthorised  by  law;  and  3d.  Because,  it  was  w.iolly, 
or  in  a  great  proportion,  unnecessary. 

The  appropriation  bill  of  the  year  1833  made  provision  for  the 
pay  of  all  clerks,  whose  employment  had  been  previously  au- 
thoi  iseil  by  congress.  Upon- recurrence  to  that  bill,  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  sum  of  .$41,100  was  appropriated  for  the  payment  of  cleric 
hire  in  the  post  office  department.  A  further  recurrence  lo  the 
trea-ury  estimate  of  that  year,  will  also  show  that  the  compen- 
sation to  all  the  officers  in  the  department  was  proposed  in 
strict  conformity  to  the  existing  prov  i.-ions  of  law  in  reference, 
to  the  creation  of  their  respective  offices.  The  aggregate  of  the 
estimate,  was  §5-2,100.  Deduct  from  this  amount  the  salary  of 
.$•5.000  for  the  postmaster  general,  and  ,$3.000  for  two  assistant 
po>tmastcrs  general,  and  the  remainder  is  the  exact  sum  of  the 
appropriation  for  clerks  hy  the  billof  1833,  viz:  .«4I,100.  It  in 
to  be  remarked  also,  that  the  estimate  makes  direct  reference 
to  the  acts  of  congress  under  which,  at  different  periods,  and 
from  time  lo  time,  as  the  increase  of  business  in  the  depart- 
ment required,  the  number  of  clerks  were  authorised.  Thus, 
"cl-rks  per  act  of  20th  April,  1818;  clerks  per  act  of  26lh  May, 
1*24;  clerks  per  act  2d  March,  1827;  clerks  per  act  of  24lh 
May,  1H-28."  Both  the  estimate  and  the  appropriation  were 
thus  restrained  by  relation  to  the  several  acts  which  authoris- 
ed and  limited  tin;  number  of  clerks  in  the  department.  By 
what  authority,  then,  does  the  postmaster  general  increase 
this  number  two  fold,  and  augment  the  expense  of  clerk  hire, 
(by  an  extra  charge  of  more  than  $31,000,  now  sought  to  be 
provirled  for  by  a  clause  in  the  present  bill),  from  ,$41,100  lo 
§73.831  44?  Will  congress  permit,  in  this  indirect  manner, 
Hie  creation  of  new  offices  upon  the  sole  responsibility,  and  in 
the  pleasure  alone,  of  the  chiefof  a  department?  By  the  mere 
will  of  the  postmaster  general,  more  clerkships  have  been  con- 
stituted in  a  single  year,  than  by  all  preceding  acts  of  legislation 
on  the  subject. 

Heielofore,  whenever  it  had  been  found  necessary  in  the  bu- 
siness of  the  department  to  increase  the  number  of  clerks,  con- 
gress wa?  called  upon  lo  pass  a  law  for  the  purpose.  So  it 
was  in  1818,  lt-24.  1827  and  1828.  But  not  so  is  it  in  this  era  of 
reform,  and  strict  construction  of  delegated  powers.  The  post- 
master general  may,  at  one  sweep,  displace  old,  and  faithful, 
and  efficient  officers,  to  mn^e.  room  for  inexperienced,  unpro- 
fitable and  subservient  dependent*;  and  thus  create  an  occasion 
for  twice- told  the  legalized  number.  He  obtains  fiom  congress 
an  appropriation  according  to  the  provisions  of  law,  and,  increas- 
ing the  expense  two  fold,  without  consulting  congress,  <  Viims  to 
be  indemnified  hy  a  grant  lo  make  up  the  deficiency.  Of  what 
avail  is  legUlation  upon  the  subject,  under  the  practice  which 
is  now  sought  to  be  sanctioned  by  this  committee?  Is  it  not, 
in  truth,  a  mocUrry,  that  laws  should  be  referred  to,  when  the 
restrictions  ihey  impose  are  utterly  disregarded?  The  very 
claim  of  the  department  is  in  derision  of  the  authority  of  con- 
gress. We  arc  gravely  pointed  to  the  law  of  1818,  and  to  sub- 
sequent statutes,  as  the  foundation  for  the  estimate  of  appro- 


peal  this  "experiment."     If  the  minority   must  submit  to  it,  1  priations  for  clerical  expenses  in  the  office  of  the  postmaster 


their  constituents  may  not.  Such  a  course  of  procedure,  in  a 
matter  of  personal  concern,  by  one  having  the  power  to  en- 
force it,  would  render  void  a  civil  contract.  It  is  nothing  short 
of  dure.-s  and  of  iinpri-onm: nt.  The  bill  may  not  be  dispose,)  ,.i 
this  day,  perhaps  not  even  this  week,  with  the  utmost  f.iith 
fulness  and  diligence.  There  are  grave  questions  growing  out 
of  its  proposed  appropriations,  which  are  yet  to  be  deliberately 
con-idcred.  The  clause  now  before  the  com'iiitlee;  the  ap- 
propriation for  ministers  to  foreign  comts,  to  which,  if  no  one 
else  shall  offer  an  amendment,  I  shall  feel  it  a  duly,  (deferring, 
however,  to  any  gentlem  in  who  will  move  it),  to  propo-c  a 
limitation  of  the  application  of  the  ni'iney  to  the  payment  of  the 
salaries  to  such  ministers  only  as  have  been,  or  may  be,  ap 
pointed  pursuant  to  the  consliiuiioii,  by  the  no.-iunaiion  of  the 
president,  irith  the  confirmation  of  the  senate  of  the  United 
Stales,  except  in  case  of  a  vacancy  winch  may  happen  during 
the  rece>s  of  that  body.  I  in  iv  also  find  it  neci'xary,  a-  I  have 
on  another  occasion  intimated,  to  nif-r  in  the  proper  time  and 
place,  an  amendment,  to  secure  the  d-positcs  of  the  public  mo 
ney,  for  the  payment  of  lh"-e  appropriations,  in  the  bank  of 
the  United  Stales.  Let  us  proceed,  then,  calmly  and  dispas 
Fionately  in  the  discharge  of  out  duties.  On  all  these  subjects 
there  may  be,  it  is  manifest  there  m'l-t  he,  discussion,  more  or 
less  extended.  Docs  the  honorable  chairman  o|'  !hc  co-.nmiltre 
of  ways  and  means  again  demand  of  me  whether  I  speak  for 

my  friend*,  a*  well  as  fir  mvell?     F  reply  in  il iaiin  -r  of  my 

respected  colleague,  (Mr  sl,ltimt),\n  whom  the  chairman  marie 
the  singular  proposition,  the  oilier  evening,  of  consenting  that 
the  committee  should  rise,  upon  condition  that  my  colleague 


general;  while  nearly  one- half  the  aggregate  of  those  expenses 
rests  upon  no  estimate,  is  incurred  without  law,  and  comes 
only  lo  the  knowledge  of  congress  in  the  shape  of  a  demand  for 
its  reimbursement. 

If  additional  clerks  were  wanted  in  the  department,  why  wa« 
not  the  occasion-communicated  lo  congress?  Was  it  less  ne- 
cessary in  1833  to  seek  authority  for  the  appointment  of  some 
tirenty  or  thirty  clerks,  than  it  was  in  the  year  1828,  for  in- 
stance, to  obtain  lhat  authority  for  the  appointment  of  fuel 
The  case  presents  this  extraordinary  aspect;  the  law  limits  the 
number  of  clerks;  111-  postmaster  general,  the  officer  of  law, 
makes  the  number  illimitable.  Congress  appropriates  a  sum 
certain  for  the  payment  of  clerk  hire;  the  postmaster  general, 
without  regard  to  the  appropriation,  makes  the  expense  uncer- 
tain, by  an  indefinite  nmoiint  of  extra  services.  The  incident 
becomes  greater  than  the  principal  matter.  In  other  tunes, 
and  under  the,  administration  of  the  same  department,  hy  dif- 
ft-rent  men,  it  required  the  warrant  of  law  to  create  a  single 
clerkship;  now.  the  discretion  or  the  pleasure  of  the  postmaster 
general  may  constitute  them  hy  fifties.  Formerly,  an  appro- 
priation was  necesnary  to  justify  an  expenditure;  hut  now, 
charges  are  first  incurred,  and  appropriations  are  sure  to  follow. 
We  are  now,  even  here,  engaged  in  playing  the  merest  farce. 
Why  debate  an  appropriation  bill?  Why  not  the.  whole  num- 
ber of  clerks  whom  the  postmaster  general  shall  see  fit  lo  ap- 
point, be  us  well  provided  for  without  n  specific  grant?  If 
he  may  incur  an  expense  exceeding  31,000  dollars,  without  the 
previous  authority  of  congress,  why  may  he  not  the  whole 
sum  of  the  charges  of  his  department'  It  seems  worse  than  idle 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   17,  1833— GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


specially  to  appropriate  41,100  dollars,  and  leave  him  at  liberty 
lo  swell  the  lax  upon  the  ireasury  lo  nearly  double  that  amount. 
Is  il  Ihe  intention  ot  gentlemen  in  this  house— of  the:  e-oininittce 
ol  witj.-iind  means  more;  especially — lo  sanction  this  t:\iraor 
dinary  and  irrespe>nsible  exercise  ol  patronage  and  power?  II 
so,  Id  ihem  come  forward  anil  boldly  avow  il,  and  il  will  then 
no  longer  be  mailer  le>r  argument. 

But  ihe  present  bill  makes  ne>  prospective  provision  for  com 
pensatiem  for  clerk  hire:  in  Ihe  de-pan  men!,  the  current  je-ar,  In: 
yemd  llie  nneeiunt  appropiiated  llie  In.-t  je-ar.  Y>-l  we-  an:  told 
that  the  deficiency  lor  that  year  was  more  than  {$31,000.  Will 
less  clerical  service  be  re:quired,  or  fewer  clerks  employed  here- 
after, than  heretofore?  It  otherwise,  wherelore  comes  it,  that, 
with  the  experience  ol  the  past,  an  adequate  sum  i.s  not  propos- 
ed tor  the  future?  Why  make  an  appropriation  of  but  $41,100, 
when  il  has  been  made  apparenl  lh.it  $72,831  44  is  again  lei  In: 
expended:  Is  il  to  ceinceal  from  this  house  anil  the  people  llie 
eiiormeMis  and  unmitigated  expenses  eif  a  prenligal  elt  parlineni? 
Whatever  is  to  be  Ihe  cost,  lei  il  be  fairly  ennli  rslooel,  neit  cei- 
ve:rlly  and  disingeniously  encourage!  a  drlu.-ive  e-xpcctaliem,  that 
a  given  sum  will  suffice,  which  experience  has  already  .-how  n 
is,  by  almost  double  llie  amount,  to  be  exceeded.  As  a  striking 
illustration  of  the  unwarrantable  excess  of  expenditure,  and  the 
ultcr  disregard  of  llie  authority  of  law,  I  have  emly  te>  refer  tei 
that  authentic  record  of  departmental  abominations,  "Ihe  Blue 
Book,"  so  called.  It  there  distinctly  appears,  thai  llie-re  an: 
five  assistants  to  the  messengers,  when,  by  law,  and  the  very 
last  appropriation  bill,  provision  is  maile:  lint  lor  two;  and  in  the 
same  unauthorised  manner,  though  in  sennewhat  a  less  preipeir- 
tion,  have  the  number  of  clerk*  been  increased. 

1  proceed  now  lo  show,  ihal  the  expense  for  extra  clerk  hire 
sought  to  be  reimbursed  le>  the  depaitment  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  this  bill,  was  altogether,  or  in  a  great  degree,  un- 
necessary, and  uncalled  for,  by  any  conespnnding  increase  o" 
business.     I  say  rctmtWserf,  because  it  is  not  to  be  pretendee 
that  the  clerks  are,  to  this  mome  nl,  without  compensation  fo 
their  services  in  Ihe  year  1833.    The:y  have  doubtless  long  since 
received  their  stipulated  wages.     The  postmaster  general,  froir 
those  ample  resources  of  a  revenue  of  two  and  a  half  milliem 
of  dollars  annually,  or  from  the  loans  he  has  negotiated  wilt 
the  banks,  his  over-draughts,  or  anticipations  of  the  revenue  o 
the  present  year,  has  salisfie-d   the  claims  of  these  pensioner 
upon  his  official   libeiality.     The  object,  I  repeat  it,  of  the  pre 
sent  approprialion  is  to  reimburse  ihe  department  the  money 
which  has  thus  been  advanced.    Let  no  one  supposu  it  is  to  pa 
llie  faithful,  hard-laboring  clerk.     The  advancement  has  been 
made,  and  when  the  postmaster  general  shall  show  a  justifica 
tion  for  the  expenditure,  either   by  law,  or  in   the  exigencies  o 
liis  office,  I  will  be  the  last  lo  oppose  its  being  refunded.     Mr 
Chairman,  it  is  le>  be  regietled   Ihal,  in  relation  lo  this  depart 
nient,  the  minority  of  this  house,  upon  whom  the  chairman  i 
the  committee  of  ways  and  means  would  cast  the  onus  -probandi 
are  left  lo  grope  in  Ihe  dark.     Whatever  may  be  the  knowledg 
of  others,  all  information  is  denied  to  us.     A  reseuution,  whic 
I  felt  it  my  duty  to  offer  a  few  days  since,  asking  only  for 
communication  of  facts  in  relation  to  the  number  of  clerks  i 
the  department,  their  assigned  arid  appreipriate  dnlii's  and  em- 
ployments, and   Ihe   fund   from  which  they  had  received  their 
pay,  has  mcl  with  no  favor  in  this  house.     I  say,  sir,  that  this 
most  important  information,  essential  to  an  intelligent  discus- 
sion of  llie  subject  before;  the  committee,  and  interesting  to  the 
whole  people,  is  withheld,  unreasonably  withheld,  as  I  must 
think,  from  us. 

In  the  absence  of  the  best  evidence,  therefore,  we  are  com 
pellet!  to  resort  to  secondary  proof.  I  rely,  ihen,  in  support  of 
the  position  that  the  number  of  clerks  in  Ihe  post  office  depart- 
ment, in  the  year  1833,  was  unnecessary,  upon  the  fact,  that  no 
authority  was  asked  by  the  department,  or  given  by  congress, 
for  their  employment.  Upon  reference  to  ihe  approprialion  bill 
for  that  year,  it  will  be  perceived  that  there  was  a  provision  for 
the  payment  of  extra  clerk  hire  in  the  preceding  years  1831  and 
1832.  But  neither  the  Ire.isnry  estimate,  nor  the  appropriation 
bill  for  1833,  furnish  Ihe  slightest  suggestion  that  any  such  cause 
of  expense  was  to  continue.  The  estimate  forch:rk  hire  in  the 
department  in  the  latter  year  was  but  41.100  dollars,  and  this 
film  was  all  that  was  appropriated.  Let  the  honorable  chair- 
man of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  in  his  ingenuity,  and 
devoted  fidelity  to  the  administration,  assign  a  reason  for  such 
an  estimate  and  appropriation,  if  it  had  been  anticipated  that 
the  proposed  sum  was  to  be,  nearly  to  an  equal  amount,  ex- 
ceeded. And  wherefore  is  it,  if  so  great  a  number  of  clerks  had 
become  necessary,  congress  was  not  called  upon,  either  by  a 
committee  of  this  house,  or  by  the  departmenl  itself,  as  had  al- 
ways before  been'the  case,  whenever  occasion  rendered  it  pro- 
per to  pass  a  law  authorising  an  additional  number. 

Mr.  Chairman,  it  is  qniie  time  that  the  concerns  of  this  de- 
partme-nt  were  more  strictly  inquired  into,  and  its  management, 
severely  scrutinized.  It  is  the  foulest  spot,  as  I  verily  believe, 
in  an  unfaithful, corrupt  and  corrupting  administration  of  the 
government".  It  is  the;  Angolan  stable  which,  with  Herculean 
labor,  must  be  cleansed  and  purified.  If  gentlemen,  to  whom 
is  assigned  the  unenviable  task  of  defending  the  department, 
will  not  afford  the  information  which,  doubtless,  themselves 
possess,  in  relation  to  its  affairs,  they  must  not  complain,  even 
should  there  be  some  misapprehension  in  respect  to  the  manner 
of  its  conduct.  Tho-e  who  are  less  fortunate  in  the  mean* 
intelligence,  must  proceed  with  uucli  lights  as  are  allowed 
them. 


*•> 


It  appears,  then,  from  the  "Blue  Book,"  that  no  lens  than 
inety  tu-o   prisons,  including  the  postmaster  general,  two  as- 
i.-lanls,  a  treasurer  anel    a   »•  ne-ral   agent,  are  employed   in  llie 
cpartme-nl,  at  an  animal  charge:  of  $88,540.    Of  lliese,  sevcnty- 
ve  are  cle-rks,  six  me:sse-nge-rs,  two  wali-lnnen  and  four  ageuu. 
}y  the  Itegi.-tcr  of  officers,  leir  the  jcai  1^7,  il  will  be  seen  that 
here:  were,  at  Hut  tune,  Inn  thirty-nine  persons  in  all  attached 
o  the  department,  at  an  niinual   charge  of  $47,200.     Of  these, 
liirly  tlnee  vveie:  e-lcrks,  one-  messenger  and  Iwo  as-i<t;mi-.    In 
lie  year  1828,  congress  authori.-ed  the  addition  of  five  more 
leik.-;  and  these,  with  the  thirty-nine'  persons  he-Ion-  mention-    t 
d,  are  Ihe  whole  number,  il  is   believed,  out  of  tin-  ninety-two  I 
low  i-mploye-el.  which  an-  warranted  by  law,  the  residue  having    ' 
ieen   appointed    upon   the   sole.,  uncontrolled,  and,  its    il  now 
iBcms  le>  be  held  by  Mime  ge-ntlemen  em  tlii-  floor,  iire-spoiiMble 
and  iinlimiieil  discretiem  and   pleasure  of  the   head  of   llie  de- 
lai ime-iit.     It  might  not  lie:  impertinent  le>  inquire,  before  pas*- 
iijf  ihe  appropriation,  how  Ihis  iribe  of  subordinates  an:  i  m- 
iloyed.     In  the  days  ol  the:  predecessor  of  Ihe  present  poMmas- 
:er  gene'ral,  and  while:  the-  hu.-iness  ol  the  office  wa-  undergoing 
a  coeirse:  e»l  systematic  arrangement,  and  Ihe   facilities  to  com        *P 
nnnication  were:   developing   and   he-ing  greatly  extend' d,  that      % 
li.-lingui.-lii  d  eilliee -r.  to  whom  the  countiy  is  under  lasting  nhlj-       L 
Cations   lot   the   efficiency,  punctuality  and   rrrlainly.  given  to 
nail  transportation,  was  conlenl  with  the  number  of  clerks  as-      i  " 
signe-el  to  his  department  by  law.     This  number,  as  appear*  by     f 
Lhp   register,  never  exceeded   thirty  eight.     Theie;  might   have 
he-en  some  excess  of  expense  for  extra  service,  but,  if  M>,  il  was 
casual  and   inconsiderable.     Whence  comes  it,  that  more  than     ~^- 
Iwiee  llie  number  of  officers  are  now  found  necessary?     It  may 
well  be  admitted  thai  Ihe  operations  of  the  de-pailiiicnl  are  very 
greatly  exlended,  bill,  wilh  the  preservation  of  method  and  or- 
derly arrangement,  this  need  not  occasion  a  corresponding  in-     ••* 
create  of  clerks-hips.     II  ihe  same  system  of  regeilatiem  and  ac-  * 
coiintability  is  continue-d,  the  additional  labor  would,  in  a  great 
degree,  cemsist  in  causing  a  few  more  entries  in  the  same  selof  W 
books,  filling  a  few  more  blank  forms  of  preipeisals  and  contract?,  9 
and  following  out  more  extensively  a  like  ceiurse  of  duties  con- 
forming to  the:  enlarged   scope  of  similar  operations.     It  cannot 
seriously  be  pretended  that,  for  an  increase  to  double  the  extent 
of  former   post  routes,  and  number  of  post  officers,  an  addition 
of  one  fourth  the  number  of  clerks  could  have  been  required. 
Does  the  merchant,  who  adds  to  his  capital  in  trade,  find  il  ne- 
cessary lo  multiply,  in  the  same  proportion,  the  clerks  in  his 
counting  house-?    A  given  number  are  necessary  to  bis  well  re- 
gulated order  of  business.     Each   has  his  assigned  department 
of  service,  and,  although  the  capilal  may  be  incre-ased  an  hun- 
dred per  cent,  there  may  be  but  little  additional  labor  in  its  ma- 
nagement.    Re-lore  Hie:  eoinmilte-e  shall  naree  to  an  appropria- 
of  more  than  70,000  dollars  fetr  clerk  hire  only,  for  a  single  year,       f 
in  this  depnrliucnt,  let  them   be  advised  of  llie  new  occasion,     •  .^ 
since  1828,  which  has  given  rise  to  one  hall  this  expense.    How  f  f 
were  all  these  officers  employed.'    The  chairman  of  the  com-  V 
mittee  of  ways  and  means  may  be  presumed  to  have  knowledge 
on  this  subject,  or  Ihe  resolution,  prope>sing  to  ask  for  informa- 
tion from  Ihe  postmaster  general,  xvould  not  have  been  refused.  _ 
I  respectfully  put  it,  then,  lo  ihe  chairman  to  instruct  this  house,    ^* 
what  are;  the  assigned,  distinct  and  appropriate  duties  of  the  ge-  ,     • 
neral  agent,  the:  examiner,  ami  clerks  of  the  examiner's  office, 
solicitor  and  clerks  of  the  solicitor's  office,  and  clerks  of  ap- V..  * 
pointments.    These  are  designations  of  officers  unknown  to  the* 
law.     On  such  inquiry  as  (  have  been  able  to  make  of  houorar 
hie  gentlemen  about  me,  I  find  much  diversity  of  impression  on 
this  subject.  j^ 

The.  respective  offices  of  the?e  clerks,  of  various  character,  - 
eem  to  be  lillle  understood,  and  are  often  confounded.  There 
are  five  solicitors  and  six  clerks  of  appointment.  What  are 
their  approptiate  duties?  Pince  the  policy  of  Ihe  government 
has  proffered  so  liberally  the  spoils  of  office  as  the  reward  of 
victory,  it  may  be  that  one  set  of  these  characteristic  denomi- 
nations find  sufficienl  employment  in  canvas-sing  the  prete'iisions 
of  candidates  for  preferment,  while  Ihe  eithe-r  are  equally  well 
occupied  in  following  out  the  consequences  of  unsuitable  ap- 
pointments. I  mean  no  reproach,  in  this,  to  the  ch>rks  them-' 
selves.  I  am  quite  ready  to  do  justice  to  ihe  intelligence,  capa- 
city and  fidelity  of  many  of  them.  Doubtless  there:  are  those 
who  assiduously  and  meritoriously  devote  themselves  lo  the 
public  service.  But  I  maintain,  that  so  great  a  number  are  on- 


- 
" 
% 
^ 
* 
4 


••3 


rfin) 


The  honorable  member  from  Kentucky  (Mr.  Har- 
eild  us  yesterday,  that  one  of  these  public  servants,  nt 


1,600  dollars  per  annum,  was  a  practitioner  at  law,  attending 
the  courts  in  his  own  state-;  and  that  another,  at  1,000  dollars 
per  annum,  might  be  seen  daily  in  this  house  in  the  character 
of  a  reporter  feir  the  GOVERNMENT  OFFICIAL.  How  many  more 
have  similar  indulaencies  cnnnol  be  known,  until  the  house 
shall  please  to  re-quire  more  accurate  information  of  their  duties 
and  employments.  A  clerkship  is  a  most  convenient  place  in 
which  to  retain  the  services  of  political  partisans;  anil  the-  po- 
sition of  a  post  office  establisl  .....  -nt,  in  the  command  of  the 
gr^al  channels  of  communication,  the  best  suite'd  to  give"  eiirec- 
tif.ii  and  effect  to  the  machinery  of  party  organization  and  ar- 
ranzcment. 

Tbe>  financial  condition  of  the  department  should  furnish  an 
additional  ami  insuperable  objection  to  the  passage  of  this  ap- 
propriation. Il  should  be  brought,  at  once,  to  the  necessity  of 
a  full  find  explicit  disclosure  of  its  situation  to  the  representa- 
tives of  the  people.  There  is  ground  to  believe  that  its  pecu- 
niary affairs  are  in  a  deranged  and  embarrassed  state,  beyond  a 


300 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   17,  1834— GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


reasonable  hope  that  they  can  ever  be  retrieved  by  the  skill  or 
good  fortune  of  those  to  whose  management  they  are,  at  pre- 
sent, committed.  There  mast  be,  sooner  or  later,  a  deep  and 
searching  operation,  an  overhauling  and  overturning  of  the  do- 
ings of  the  depattment.  It  needs  to  he  probed  to  the  bottom. 
It  was  once  a  prosperous  and  creditable  concern  to  the  nation; 
•conducted  with  order  and  method;  affording  all  desirable  faci- 
lities to  communication;  abstaining  from  associations  and  ar- 
rangements foreign  to  the  object  of  its  institution;  giving  uni- 
versal satisfactioii,  and  enjoying  unbounded  confidence. 

Under  the  ableand  successful  administration  of  the  predeces- 
sor of  the  present  postmaster  general,  it  had  become  a  source 
of  certain  and  rapidly  increasing  revenue  to  the  state.  The 
last  annual  report  of  judge  McLean,  in  1828,  transmitted  by  the 
president  to  congress,  with  the  documents  accompanying  his 

» -message,  states  the  amount  of  accumulated  surplus  to  the  cre- 
dit of  the  post  office  department,  to  be  $332,105  10.  In  the  re- 
port of  the  present  postmaster  general,  the  following  year, 
•(1829),  after  giving  a  precise  and  critical  review  of  the  financial 
•operations  of  the  department,  and  particularly  adverting  to  the 
balance  of  credit  stated  by  his  predecessor,  he  reduces  the 
amount,  by  subtractions  for  various  causes,  and  places  the  true 
and  actual  balance  on  the  1st  of  July,  1829,  at  §230,849  07. 
Here,  then,  is  a  distinct  admission  that  the  nett  available  funds, 
after  he  came  into  office,  exceeded  the  sum  of  §230,000.  Nor  is 
this  all.  He  somewhat  boastingly  adds,  in  the  same  report,  that 
<(lhe  new  contracts  have  been  made,  including  all  the  improve- 
ments, for  §19,195  37  less  than  the  sums  paid  under  the  expir- 
ing contracts  for  the  transportation  of  the  mail,"  in  a  section  of 
country  to  which  he  refers,  and  that  "the  advantageous  terms 
of  these  contracts  will  effect  a  saving  to  the  department,  of 


about  25  per  cent,  in  proportion  to  the  services  to  be  perform 
ed."  He  also  admits  that  "the  department  has  always  been 
sustained  by  its  own  resources,  and  that  no  money,  at  any  time, 
has  been  drawn  from  the  treasury  for  the  transportation  of  the 
mail,  but  that  it  has  contributed  to  the  revenue  of  the  govern- 
ment." 

These  references  are  intended  to  prove  to  this  committee, 
beyond  all  controversy,  the  prosperous  state  of  the  department, 
when  the  present  officer  entered  upon  its  administration.  Sub- 
sequently, and  as  late  as  November,  1832,  its  condition  was 
made  a  subject  of  congratulation  by  the  president,  in  his  annual 
message  to  congress.  "From  the  accompanying  report  (says 
the  message),  of  the  postmaster  general,  you  will  perceive  that 
that  department  continues  to  extend  its  usefulness,  without  im- 
pairing its  resources,  or  lessening  the  accommodation  which  it 
affords  in  the  secure  and  rapid  transportation  of  the  mail." 

The  report  referred  to,  fully  sustains  the  message,  and  con- 
tains the  express  assurance  that,  "with  all  the  increase  of  mail 
facilities  during  the  year,  ending  the  30th  of  June,  1832,  the  re- 
venues of  the  department  have,  within  an  inconsiderable  sum, 
equalled  its  expenses."  The  surplus  available  fund,  although 
somewhat  reduced,  is  stated  at  §202,811  44.  There  is  also  to 
be  found,  in  that  report,  another  assurance  eminently  worthy 
of  being  remembered  at  this  occasion,  that  "if  the  ratio  of  in- 
crease in  the  nett  proceeds  of  postages,  for  the  year  which  will 
end  on  the  30th  of  June.  1833,  shall  equal  that  of  1832,  it  will 
amount  to  the  sum  of  §196,8-23  06  above  that  of  the  last  year, 
which  will  exceed  the  additional  amount  required  for  transpor- 
tation, by  more  than  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  provided  no 
•  further  improvements  shall  be  made,  without  estimating  any 
thin?  for  postages  wtrieh  may  arise  on  new  routes."  Follow- 
ing up  this  anticipation  of  the  postmaster  general,  it  will  be  seen 
by  his  report  for  1833,  that  the  increase  of  the  nett  proceeds  of 
the  postages  of  that  year  over  the  year  1832,  instead  of  being 
only  §196,823,  did,  in  fact,  amount  to  §247,156  16.  This  sum, 
added  to  the  former  balance  of  §202,811  40  of  available  funds 
in  his  hands,  according  to  his  preceding  report,  put  at  his  dis- 
posal, in  the  year  ending  on  the  30th  June,  1833,  §449,967  56 
more  money,  than  the  greatest  amount  of  the  expenditures  of 
the  department  in  any  preceding  year.  The  gross  amount  of 
the  postages  of  that  year  is  given  in  the  report  at  §2,616,538  27. 
Yet  how  stands  the  account  at  the  end  of  the  year?  In  the  very 
'  words  of  the  report,  "THE  DEPARTMENT  WAS  INDEBTED,  ON 

THE    1ST   OF  JCLY,   1833,    BEYOND   THE    AMODNT    OF   AVAILABLE 
FUNDS    DUE   TO    IT,  IX   THE    SUM   OF   §195,208    10!" 

The  manner  in  which  the  postmaster  general  endeavors  to 
gel  rid  of  the  former  balance  of  202,811  dollars  to  the.  credit  of 
Hie  last  year,  by  the  discovery  that  it  had  been  absorbed  in  the 
expenses  of  the  department  previous  to  that  time,  speaks  little 
in  favor  of  that  system  of  strict  accountability  which,  he  an 
nounced  in  his  first  report,  he  had  introduced  into  the  depart- 
ment for  tha  correction  of  the  "looseness  and  irresponsibility" 
which  had  before  been  permitted  to  exist.  It  might  he  suffici- 
ent to  answer,  that  so  gross  an  error  in  the  statement  of  an  ac- 
count, with  no  other  explanation  than  that  "it  is  now  ascertain- 
ed, that  the  expenses  incurred  for  transportation  which  had  ac- 
tually been  performed,  prior  to  the  1st  of  July,  1832,  beyond 
the  amount  staled  in  that  report,  were  $305,656  97,"  without 
showing  how  those  expenses  had  been  incurred,  or  even  sug- 
gesting the  manner  in  which  the  error  was  committed,  evinces 
great  ignorance  of  the  real  condition  of  the  department,  Or  want 
of  fidelity  in  the  management  of  its  affairs. 

Fir  the  purpose  of  the  present  argument,  however,  it  is  en- 
tirely immaterial  whether  the  balance  was  exhausted  in  1833  or 
in  the  preceding  yearp.  Confessedly  it  existed  when  the  de- 
partment o.imc  into  hit  hands.  Admitting,  then,  the  correction 
claimed  by  him  in  bis  last  report,  it  only  follows,  that,  between 


the  30th  of  June,  1829,  and  the  30th  of  June,  1832,  he  had  expend- 
ed the  whole  of  the  surplus  balance  which  he  received  from  his 
predecessor,  besides  the  vast  accruing  annual  revenues  of  the 
department,  and  had  created  a  debt,  on  the  last  mentioned  day, 
according  to  the  last  account,  of  §2,844  67,  which,  with  a  still 
increasing  revenue,  he  had  augmented,  on  the  30th  June,  1833, 
to  §195,208  10  over  and  above  all  the  available  funds  of  the  de- 
partment. It  is,  moreover,  to  be  observed,  that,  in  his  report 
of  the  preceding  year,  he  had  given  a  pledge,  that,  if  the  ratio 
of  increase  in  the  nett  proceeds  of  the  postages  should  continue 
as  great  as  the  previous  year,  it  would  exceed  the  additional 
amount  required  for  transportation  by  more  than  §IOO,OOU,  and 
that,  in  point  of  fact,  this  ratio  of  in'crease  was  §50.000  more 
than  that  of  the  former  year.  Yet  what  was  the  result?  the  ex- 
penditures of  the  year  exceeded  the  receipts  by  about  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  Regarding  the  date  to  which  the  ac- 
counts are  made  up,  (the  SOili  of  June),  it  must  he  obvious  (hat 
the  amount  could  not  have  been  greatly  affected  by  the  estab- 
lishment of  new  mail  routes  at  the  intervening  session  of  con- 
gress. But  even  this  is  not  the  worst  of  the  condition  of  the 
department. 

Mr.  Chairman,  I  have  no  faith  in  the  accuracy  of  the  accounts 
as  they  are  last  stated,  I  have  no  belief  that  the  department  itself 
knows  the  extent  of  its  own  indebtedness,  or,  knowing,  dare  en- 
counter the  scrutiny  which  a  disclosure  of  the  truth  would  ine- 
vitably produce.  Sir,  my  word  for  it,  the  deficit  is  not  merely  two 
hundred  thousand  dollars — it  is  now  HUNDREDS  of  THOUSANDS 
MORE.  I  may  not  be  able  to  show  precisely  how  much,  for  we 
are  here  without  the  means  of  proof.  But  let  this  house  adopt  the 
resolution  which  seeks  from  the  department  information  on  tire 
subject;  grant  but  the  subpoena ;  and  there  will  be  full  and  ample 
testimony  to  the  truth.  In  the  want  of  that  evidence,  which  I 
repeat  is  withheld,  I  am  warranted  by  representations  qnite  sa- 
tisfactory to  my  own  mind,  to  assume,  that  THE  BIPARTMENT 
is  DEEPLY  INSOLVENT,  that  itowes,  at  this  moment,  from  EIGHT 
HONORED  THOUSAND  to  a  MILLION  of  dollars.  That  it  is  in  debt 
to  hanks  for  moneys  borrowed,  at  least,  three  hundred  and 
twenty  five  thousand  dollars — and  for  over  drafts  upon  credits  for 
deposites  exceeding  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dottars — that 
it  has  already,  to  some  extent,  anticipated  the  revenue  from  post 
offices,  the  current  quarter;  and  is  largely  in  arrearages  to  mail 
contractors,  upon  contracts  executed,  or  continuing,  where,  by 
the  terms  of  the  contracts,  the  money  has  become  payable,  to 
its  own  great  discredit,  and  the  diohfmor  of  the  nation. 

Sir,  the  honest  creditor  of  thegovernment  is  denied  or  delay- 
ed his  dues.  If  he  asks  for  payment,  he  is  shown  a  list  of  for- 
feitures, and,  by  insisting  upon  his  money,  he  comes  to  tmd'er- 
stand  that  he  may  provoke  a  set-off  in  fines,  or  hazard  the  re- 
scinding of  his  contract  for  the  non-fulfilment  of  its  severe  and 
inexhorable  exactions.  There  is  derangement,  disappointment, 
and  vexation  through  all  the  operations  of  the  department.  It 
has  been  made  the  instrument  of  political  advancement,  and  its 
legitimate  purposes  are  held  in  subserviency  to  this  unwarranta- 
ble end.  Complaints  have  been  heard,  loud  and  long,  from  eve- 
ry quarter  of  the  land,  of  its  irregularity  and  mismanagement. 
It  has  been  devoted  to  personal  ae  well  as  party  objects.  Post 
offices,  in  to  many  instances,  have  been  unnecessarily  establish- 
ed, and  even  the  course  of  the  mail  made  devious  and  sinuous 
in  reference  to  post  office  appointnrents.  Faithful  and  accepta- 
ble post  masters  have  been  removed  from  office  for  opinions' 
sake,  and  executive  sycophants  and  dcmagogueins  partisans  re- 
warded with  their  places. 

I  say  these  things  in  no  willingness  to  find  fault.  I  would  d>> 
no  injustice  to  the  postmaster  general.  He  may,  to  a  great  de- 
gree, have  been  influenced  by  misrepresentations,  and  suffer 
wrong  from  the  abused  confidence  which,  weakly  or  inconsi- 
derately, he  has  reposed  in  others.  Yet  he  is  the  responsible 
head  of  this  highly  important  department  of  the  government,. 
and  for  much,  very  much,  of  the  present  embarrassment,  he  i» 
most  justly  to  be  held  accountable  to  congress  and  before  tlte 
people. 

Mr.  Chairman,  in  rising  to  address  the  committee,  ft  was  nflt 
my  purpose  to  become  the  accuser  of  the  postmaster  genera*. 
This,  to  me,  would  be  an  unaccustomed  a-rwl  a  thankless  office. 
Nor  was  it  with  a  vain  ambition  to-  be  heard  on  this  floor.  In 
competition  with  the  many  experienced  and  gifted  men  of  this 
house,  I  can  have  nothing  to  hope  for  distinction  here,  and  else- 
where my  public  course  has  been  accomplished.  This  biH  seen»- 
ed  to  me  to  present  important  topics  for  discussion.  The  *p- 
propriations  it  proposes,  involve  the  applications  of  some  of  lite 
most  essential  principles  of  republican  government.  To  these, 
rather  than  to  sums  of  money,  it  will,  at  nfl  times,  behoove  the 
faithful  representative  to  give  his  earnest  attention.  Seeing  those 
with  whom  I  accord  in  sentiment,  on  thegc  most  interesting  sub- 
jects, wearied  with  unceasing  efforts,  pressed  by  the  votes  of  iwi 
unyielding  majority,  and  almost  disheartened  by  the  conviction 
that  further  resistance  or  remonstrance  would  be  alike  unavail- 
ing, I  felt  impelled  to  proffer  my  humble  aid  to  their  relief,  ft 
was  no  less  an  obligation  imposed  upon  me  by  the  position, 
which,  on  a  former  occasion,  I  had  assumed.  I  have  moved 
the  amendment  to  the  bill  in  sincerity,  and  from  a  deep  convic- 
tion, under  the  circumstances  to  which  I  have  adverted,  of  the 
impropriety  of  making  the  appropriation  which  it  propn»i-». 
However  the  question  shall  now  be  disposed  of,  there  will  r< 
main  to  me  th«  consciousness,  that,  in  whatever  I  have  said.  I 
have  intended  nothing  more  than  to  discharge  my  duly,  as  I 
humbly  trust  I  ever  shall  do,  herennd  elsewhere,  faithfully  aod 
fearlessly. 


FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  13«rVoL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  MAY  24,  1834.      [Vot.  XLVI.  WHOM  No.  1,183. 


THE  PAST—THE  PRESENT — FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITEH,    PRINTED   AND    PUBLISHED    BY    H.   NILES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PAYABLE   IN   ADVANCE. 


In  our  last,  we  published  Mr.  Lincoln's  speech  on  the 
affairs  of  the  general  post  office,  and  now  give  that  of 
Mr.  Connor,  in  reply.  The  present  sheet  contains  Mr. 
Calhouri's  speech  on  the  president's  protest,  and  Mr. 
Forsyth's  reply  is  laid  oft'  for  our  next  paper.  We  de- 
sire to  publish  Mr.  Clay^s  speech  on  the  same  subject, 
with  Mr.  Wright's  reply,  and  shall  soon  give  them  a 
place,  unless  prevented  by  a  rush  of  documentary  mat- 
ter,, a  large  quantity  of  which  may  be  soon  expected  in 
relation  to  the  bank  from  the  committee  of  the  house, 
recently  returned  from  Philadelphia. 

Our  good  friend  and  representative  in  congress,  Mr. 
Heath,  who  promptly  forwards  to  us  all  the  public  do- 
cuments, has  sent  on  the  reports  and  papers  concerning 
the  contested  election  between  Messrs.  Letcher  and 
JMoore,  of  Kentucky.  They  make  an  octavo  volume  of 
seven  hundred  and  twenty-seven  pages  of  close  print. 

\\e  publish  a  decision  concerning  "bills  of  credit," 
which  will  recommend  itself  to  the  careful  consideration 
of  those  who  shall  read  it.  In  our  opinion,  the  question 
as  to  the  power  of  congress  to  establish  a  national  bank, 
is  less  doubtful  than  that  of  the  states  to  incorporate 
local  banks — if  bank  notes  are  "bills  of  credit, "as  we 
inust  needs  think  that  they  are,  in  certain  cases — the  issue 
of  such  bills  bviiig  expressly  forbidden  to  the  states:  but, 
as  every  state  is  a  party  in  such  violation  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States,  (if  this  is  one),  no  other  prac- 
tical good  can  proceed  from  such  investigations  of  the 
subject,  as  we  believe,  than  to  soften  the  opposition  to  a 
power  which  is  incidentally  granted,  in  the  common  ex- 


ercise of  a  power  which  is  decidedly  prohibited,  but  too 
deep-rooted  to  be  laid  aside,  and  so  reconciling  persons 
to  the  restraint  or  correction  of  one  uncontrollable  wrong, 
by  another  over  which  a  sound  discretion  may  be  exer- 
cised, and  a  wholesome  and  uniform  currency  be  thus 
established  and  maintained — a  national  bank,  regulated  by 
congress,  having  the  power,  duty  and  interest,  of  so  re- 
gulating the  local  banks  of  the  twenty-four  states,  that 
their  issues  shall  be  kept  wilhin  the  range  of  their  means, 
and  a  rag-currency  be  thus  avoided. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  house  of  representatives  is  pre- 
paring for  a  summer  session,  having  adjourned  from 
Thursday  to  Monday,  that  the  carpels  of  the  hall  may 
be  removed,  and  their  place  supplied  willi  matting,  &c. 

Tlie  idea  is  becoming  general,  though  it  does  not  appear 
to  have  any  //articular  foundation,  that  congress  will  not 
adjourn  without  doing  something  of  a  decisive  character 
with  relation  to  the  state  of  the  currency,  and  the  pecu- 
niary distresses  under  which  the  people  are  laboring. 
By  the  immense  curtailments  of  expenses  that  have  been 
made  and  are  making — 1))'  (he  discharges  of  working 
people  in  all  practicable  cases,  and  restrained  operations 
in  every  department  of  business,  a  small  comparative- 
amount  of  money  is  required  for  new  purposes,  but  old 
engagements,  and  to  a  much  larger  amount  than  usual, 
remain  unsatisfied,  and  man}'  have  been  fiosl/ionetl  in  the 
hope  of  belter  times.  Hence  the  present  month  was  a 
severe  one,  bul  the  ensuing  one  is  expected  to  be  much 
more  so,  and  especially  if  the  appropriation  bills  shall  be 
passed.  The  passage  of  these  bills  will  relieve  many  in- 
dividuals, but  add  much  to  the  existing  embarrassments 
of  the  banks,  and  the  public. 

The  bank  committee  reported  to  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives on  Thursday  last,  the  minority  also  presenting 
:i  report.  Copies  of  bolh  may  be  expected  in  the  next 
REGISTER. 

The  "National  Intelligencer"  of  Thursday  says — Wo 
learn  that  .Indreto  Stevenson,  (now  speaker  of  thu  house 
VOL.  XLVI— Sio.  14. 


of  representatives),  was  yesterday  nominated  to  the  se- 
nate, by  the  president,  to  be  envoy  extraordinary  and  mi- 
nister plenipotentiary  to  Great  Britain;  and  Mahlon 
Dickerson,  of  New  Jersey,  to  be  envoy  extraordinary 
and  minister  plenipotentiary  to  Russia. 

We  are  informed,  from  another  source,  that  MCSM  s. 
Polk  and  Bell,  of  Tennessee,  Wayne,  of  Georgia,  and 
Sutherland,  of  Pennsylvania,  are  each  spoken  of  as  the 
successor  of  Mr.  Stevenson,  in  the  chair,  if  his  nomina- 
tion should  be  confirmed  by  the  senate;  and  it  is  said  that, 
at  any  rate,  he  will  resign,  in  consequence  of  the  decided 
vote  in  his  district. 

Rumors  are  "as  plenty  as  blackberries" — and  "of  nil 
sorts  and  sizes,  "and  some  of  them  are — "very  important, 
if  true!"  They  would  shew  a  strange  state  of  things  at 
Washington,  and  elsewhere. 

The  New  York  Evening  Star  informs  that — "Almost 
the  whole  regency  have  taken  their  departure  for  Wash- 
ington. Judge  Vanderpoel,  Mr.  Senator  Edmonds,  Mr. 
Senator  Sudam,  attorney  general  Bronson,  Mr.  J.  B. 
Murray,  Mr.  State  Printer  Croswell  and  Mr.  John  Van 
Buren;  Mr.  Senator  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Senator  Van 
Schaick  are  to  follow.  Mr.  Tibbits  is  already  on  the 
spot." 

Several  of  these,  and,  perhaps,  all  of  them,  are  at 
Washington — for  what  purpose  it  is  not  easy  to  conjec- 
ture, tho'  the  movement  cannot  be  regarded  as  an  ordi- 
nary occurrence.  But,  as  in  the  oracles  of  the  day,  it  is 
said  that  all  persons  who  borrow  money  of  banks  are 
the  tools  or  slaves  of  llie  banks,  the  "democracy"  should 
keep  a  sharp  look-out — for  it  is  said  that  the  "regency" 
have  been  fed  at  Air.  Webster's  table !  However,  as  nego- 
tiations about  money  may  sometimes  be  "fair  business 
transactions,"  there  is  reason  to  hope  that  the  reported 
dining  of  the  "regency"  with  Mr.  Webster,  may  have 
been  only  such  an  act  of  courtesy  as  one  gentleman  owes, 
or  may  rightfully  extend,  to  others! 

We  have  taken  some  pains  to  condense  an  account  of 
certain  late  revolutionary  movements  in  France — which 
will  be  found  interesting.  The  power  of  the  government, 
which  is  supported  by  the  mass  of  the  people,  however, 
restored  the  public  peace- — but  not  until  many  lives  had 
been  lost. 

There  is  reason  to  apprehend  that  many  more  persons 
wen-  killed  in  these  affrays  than  are  reported.  Several 
persons  of  distinction  being  shot  from  the  houses,  the 
military,  in  some  cases,  put  to  deatli  all  that  they  found 
in  them. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  vote  in  the  French  chamber  of  de- 
puties, on  the  indemnity  treaty  with  the  United  States, 
is  not  final;  and  expected  that  the  amount  agreed  to  be 
paid  will  be  adjusted  in  a  satisfactory  manner,  at  another 
session.  It  is  the  opinion  of  many  well-judging  men, 
that,  it  there  had  not  bei-n  such  a  display,  or  what  some 
call  "glory,"  concerning  the  negotiation  of  this  treaty, 
i  lie  present  difficulty  about  it  would  not  have  happened. 
Paris  of  the  correspondence  published  should  have  been, 
at  least,  retained. 

On  this  subject  ihe  Nalional  Gazette  observes-— 
"Among  them  [Hit!  letters  of  Mr.  Rives]  was  a  letter  in  which 
he  stales  that  he  had  cajoled  the  French  and  obtained  more 
lhan  twice  what  was  due  (a  fact  which  turns  out  unfortunately 
not  to  he  true):  and  that  the  commercial  advantages  given  in 
lieu  ol those  stipulated  lor  by  the. Louisiana  treaty,  were  really 
of  no  importance,  as  they  would  have  been  introduced  into  the 
tanu"  by  congress  uitlioul  the  offer  of  any  equivalent.  The 
printed  document  must  have  made  its  way  to  Paris,  and  could 
not  have  been  without  influence  on  the  vote  of  (he  chambers." 
A  proceeding  like  this  was  sufficient  to  have  influenced 
several  votes — and  ought  not  to  have  been  given  to"  the 
public,  whether  true  or  not.  People  do  not  like  to  be 
lold  that  they  were  cheated. 


202 


NILES'  REGISTER— iMAY   24,  id34— MISCELLANEOUS. 


The  "Richmond  Enquirer"  of  the  20th,  published  a 
copy  of  a  paper  found  among  those  left  by  Mr.  Jefferson, 
which  is  called  a  "protest,"  prepared  by  him  w  hen  se- 
cretary of  state,  in  the  administration  of  WASHINGTON, 
[Jan.  1792]  against  a  powtr  asserted  in  the  senate  to  de- 
terminethe  £T<w/e  of  foreign  ministers,  that  power  being 
believed  to  rest  entirely  with  the  executive.  We  shall 
preserve  this  article,  as  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Jefferson, 
though  the  weight  of  it  is  much  lessened  from  the  fact, 
that  it  -axis  not  sent  to  the  senate:  hut  whether  retired 
from  by  Mr.  J.  decided  against  by  WASHINGTON,  or  re- 
tained because  the  senate  changed  its  course,  is  not  stated. 

A  report  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  in  answer  to 
a  resolution  of  the  senate,  states — 1.  that  there  were  two 
deposites  of  public  money  in  the  hank  of  Alexandria  at 
the  time  of  its  failure — one  for  $27,528  84 — the  other 
for  $2,819  34 — that  such  deposites  had  been  made  in  the 
bank  for  many  years  past,  and  says,  there  is  no  ground  for 
apprehending  that  the  money  will  be  lost:  2.  that  there 
were  $60,000  in  the  Farmers  and  Mechanics'  bank  of 
Georgelow  n,  but  as  the  bank  had  advanced  the  same  sum 
to  the  paymaster  at  Harper's  Ferry,  that  account  stands 
balanced:  3.  that  there  was  no  public  money  in  other 
banks  of  the  District  which  recently  stopped:  4.  that 
14,000  dollars  of  the  navy  pension  fund  were  invested  in 
the  stock  of  the  bank  of  Washington,  in  the  years  1811 
and  1817,  and  so  remains. 

Pursuant  to  the  appointment  of  the  Baltimore  bar,  our 
much  esteemed  fellow  citizen,  John  P.  Kennedy,  esq. 
on  Tuesday  evening  last,  pronounced  a  highly  polished 
and  truly  eloquent  oration  on  the  death  and  character  of 
the  late  WILLIAM  WIRT.  It  was  delivered  in  the  First 
Presbyterian  church,  to  a  very  numerous  and  delighted 
audience,  and  will  be  published. 

We  learn  that  the  venerable  MADISOX  is  very  ill;  that 
Dr.  Dunglisijn,  of  Baltimore,  has  visited  him,  and  re- 
ports that  he  is  in  a  rapid  stale  of  recovery. 

The  following  letter  from  Mr.  Lane,  one  of  the 
presentatives  in  congress  from  Indiana,  copied  from  the 
"Indiana  American,"  is  a  curious  paper.  It  takes  in 
many  important  points,  but  does  not  seem  to  require 
much  comment.  The  leading  principle,  that  we  must 
have  a  bank — is  admitted;  and  it  appears,  so  great  is  the 
necessity,  that  a  temporary  extension  of  the  charter  ol 
the  present  institution  will  be  submitted  to,  in  conside- 
ration of  the  wauls  of  the  people,  notwithstanding  the 
amount  of  the  "sins"  of  the  hank. 

Mr.  L.  desires  to  have  a  new  bank  that  shall  be  the 
"servant  of  the  government" — not  its  "master,"  and  so 
would  we;  but,  perhaps,  we   might  differ  as  to  what  is 
meant  by  "the  government."  If  the  gentleman  means  the 
house  of  representatives  and  senate — the  first  being  th 
constitutional  tax-collecting  and  purse-holding  power  o 
the  nation,  and  both  having  an  equal  and  concurrent  vot 
over  all  the  disbursements,  (for   not  one  dollar  can  bt 
legally  drawn  out  of  the  treasury  unless  specially  autho 
rised   by  both),  we  heartily  agree  with  him;  but  if  bj 
"the  government"  he  means  the  president,  alone,  as  he  i 
oftentimes   slavishly    called,   we    must   altogether   difl'e 
from  him;  for  we  deprecate  an  union   of  the  purse  will 
th*  record,  as  much  as  we  should  one  between  the  SWOB 
and  the  MITBE,  as  fatal  to  the  present  and  future  happi 
ness  of  the  people.     The  government,  proper — that  i 
the  congress,  the  immediate  representatives  of  the  peo- 
ple and  of  the  states,  after  a  long  and  arduous  investiga 
tion,  and  against  the  well  known  wishes  of  the  president, 
approved  the  bunk  as  a  faithful  "servant"  at  the  last  ses 
sion,  in  the  senate  28  to  20,  and  in  the  house  107  to  85 — 
being  very  respectable  majorities  for  continuing  the  chai 
ter;   but  in  this  case  the  president,  by  an  exercise  of  th 
veto  power,  became  "t/ie  government,"  and   has.  in  at 
vance,   prepared  himself,  also,  to  remain    "the  goven 
ment,"  by  removing  the  deposites  just  before  the  mee' 
ing  of  the  new  congress,  lest  a  majority  in  the  present,  a 
in  the  last  congress,  might  consider  the  hank  of  the  Uni 
ed  States  as  best  fitted  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the  publ 
money — to  which  judgment  he  would  again  oppose  h 


government"  on  the  present  occasion — whether  it  abides 
in  the  will  of  one  man,  or  in  the  decisions  of  the  senate 
and  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  States,  in  con- 
gress assembled. 

An  organization  to  force  the  previous  question  is  plain- 
ly stated   by  Mr.  Lane — and  it  was  effectual. 

The  allusion  to  the  "PUBLIC" necessity  is  very  signifi- 
cant. We  thought  and  said  seven  or  eight  months  ago, 
•'iat  the  public  necessities  would  be  urgent  before  the  end 
"  llie  year  1834,  unless  the  appropriations  were  severely 
istricted,  or  some  unexpected  run  of  good  hick  happen- 
d;  and,  while  many  seemed  distressed  at  the  idea  of  vast 
jms  of  money  lying  idle  in  the  treasury,  we  believed  i't 
otild  do  well  if  able  to  meet  all  the  requisitions  that 
lould  be  made  upon  it,  in  the  course  of  the  year — and 
ow  it  is  rendered  nearly  certain  that  our  opinion  was  a 
ound  one.  It  ts  possible  that  there  will  be  no  available, 
unds  in  the  treasury  on  the  31st  December  next,  and  ti.at 
ic  bank  of  the  United  States,  if  not  called  upon  by  the 
nblic  to  fumish  supplies  of  money,  will  have,  at  lea'st,  to 
ep  forward  and  generally  defend  the  stale  banks — pt-r- 
aps  even  those  which  have  been  selected  as  more  safe 
eposilories  of  the  people's  money  than  itself!  It  is  this 
auk,  only,  that  is  able  to  do  either — and  yet  addled  brains 
ave  conceived  the  notion  of  a  "better  currency"  than  it 
urnishes.  Whatever  may  be  its  "sins,"  all  the  force  of 
ic  best  disciplined  parly  which  ever  exisled,  cannot  slu-.ke 
lat  confidence  which  all  men  have  in  it — for  even  those 
ho  once  "questioned"  its  solvency,  or  now  call  it  a 
'monster"  prefer  its  bills  to  specie,  as  being  equally 
ood  and  more  convenient,  than  coin.  It  makes  one 
augh  to  hear  persons  crying  out  "monster — monster — • 
nonster, "  while  clutching  and  hugging  the  issues  of  this 
;monster"  to  their  hearts. 

Washington,  March  29th,  1834. 

Dear  sir — In  the  senate,  the  vote  was  taken  yesterday,  on 
Ir.  Clay's  resolutions,  as  you  will  see  in  this  morning's  Globe. 
In  our  house  we  shall  attempt  to  force  the  previous  question, 
pon  the  same  subject,  on  next  Thursday  week — and  1  have  uo 
oubt,  it  will  be  adverse  to  the  vote  of  the  senate. 
Mr.  Webster's  favorite  view  to  extend  the  charter  of  the  pre- 
ent   bank,  for  six  years,  was  opposed  by  Clay  and  Calhoun. 
On  his  own  motion  it  had  been  laid  on  the  table;  and  I  have 
ust  been  informed,  he  had  obtained  leave  of  absence,  and  will 
isit  Boston. 

gome  definite  proposition  for  chartering  a  new  bank,  will  be 
rought  forward;  properly  guarded  and  restricted,  so  as  to  ren- 
der it  the  servant  of,  and' not  the  muster  power  in  the  govern- 
nent.  An  institution,  in  slticl  obedience  In,  and  not  above  Ilia 
constitution  and  laws — an  institution  that  shall  furnish  a  sound 
currency,  and  relieve  the  country  from  its  present  suffering;  an 
nstitution  that  shall  collect,  keep  and  disburse  the  revenue  of 
lie  nation,  with  ease  and  safely;  an  institution  for  the  benefit  of 
.he  people,  for  all,  and  not  for  the/etc. 

For  such  an  institution  my  exertions  and  vote  shall  be  given. 
That  the  sins  of  the  present  bank  are  of  such  a  character  as 
to  forbid  the  continuance  of  its  existence  for  an  hour,  1  have  no 
doubt.  1'ublic  and  individual  necessity  may,  however,  cull  for 
the  temporary  exlf.n.-ion  of  its  charter,  and  a  new  and  safe  one 
ran  be  brought  into  action  and  useful  operation. 

These  are  my  own  views;  and  I  entertain  but  little  doubt, 
that  a  large  majority  of  the  house,  will  adopt  the  same,  or  simi- 
lar opinions.  As  it  regards  my  own  opinions,  they  have  under- 
gone no  change  since  June  and  July  last,  when  they  were  so 
fully  and  repeatedly  given  to  my  fellow  citizens,  whose  interest 
and  prosperity,  shall  ever  be  paramount  in  my  political  course, 
to  every  other  consideration,  and  to  which  all  party,  or  parly 
di.-eiplinr  shall  yield.  I  love  and  admire  my  party  and  iu  pa- 
triotic chief— but  1  love  my  constituents,  my  friends  and  my 


own  individual  veto.     It  will  then  appear  absolutely  ne 
cessary  that  we  should  understand  what  is  meant  bv  "tl 


country  more. 


A.  LANE. 


The  fruits  of  "the  experiment"  are  shewing  them- 
lelves.  The  New  York  American  states,  that  the  re- 
ceipts from  the  customs,  in  the  1  st  quarter  of  the  year 


1833,  were 
Same  in  1834 


$6,966,437 
4,366,737 


2,599,700 

And  that  the  whole  revenue,  in  this  quarter,  was  short 
in  the  sum  of  1,895,009  dollars,  though  the  receipts  from 
the  public  lands  were  greater  in  700,961  dollars,  in  1834, 
than  in  1833. 

It  is  reduced  coti sumption,  rather  than  reduced  duties, 
which  has  caused  this  great  falling  oft*  in  the  revenue. 
Most  persons  wear  their  old  coats  longer  than  they  were 
wont.  The  order  of  a  new  suit  of  clothes  is  a  matter  of 
much  consideration  with  many,  who,  heretofore,  never 
had  a  second  thought  about  such  a  matter,  except  to 


e  please  their  fancy 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  24,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


203 


Though  very  little  money  is  needed  for  new  enter- 
prizes,  for  all  persons  who  have  it  in  their  power  lire  re- 
ducing their  husiness  and  responsibilities — the  pressure 
on  the  money  market  is  more  and  more  severe,  every 
day,  for  the  settlement  of  old  engagements;  and,  if  the 
necessity  proceeds  much  further,  no  calculation  can  he 
made  as  to  the  point  at  which  it  will  stop,  unless  in  a  ge- 
neral and  complete  paralysis  of  business,  and  general  dis- 
charge of  laboring  persons. 

Messrs.  Roberts  Vaitx,  John  JUc^Kster,  Henry  Horn, 
of  Philadelphia;  Saul  Alley,  of  New  York,  and  Joseph 
Jl'hile,  of  Baltimore,  were  presented  to  the  senate  as 
hank  directors,  on  the  ISlIt  5 list. 

[Is  it  necessary  or  proper,  (and  we  ask  for  informa- 
tion), that  the  "government"  directors  should  till  be  the 
opponents,  or  rather  enemies  of  the  bank,  in  which  the 
people  have  seven  millions  of  their  money  invested? 
Are  none  honest  and  capable  and  faithful,  unless  well 
known  for  zealous  efforts  to  break  down  an  institution, 
the  business  of  which  is  intended  to  be  partially  commit- 
ted to  their  charge?  It  does  appear  very  singular  that 
such  persons  should  be  selected — persons  with  whom  it 
is  impossible  tint  the  directors,  on  the  part  of  the  stock- 
holders, can  freely  associate' — 'and  whose  apparent  duty 
it  is  rather  to  seek  out  matter  of  accusation  against  the 
bank,  than  promote  its  interests  or  defend  the  character 
of  its  proceedings,  even  if  approved.  Men  so  circum- 
stanced cannot  be  received  and  treated  as  friends,  nor  be 
permitted  to  influence  the  action  of  the  board.  And 
will  honorable  men  sit  there  as  spies? 

A  severe  altercation  between  Messrs.  Plummer  and 
Cage,  (the  representatives  in  congress  from  the  state  of 
Mississippi),  took  place  in  the  house  a  few  days  ago. 
The  latter  seems  to  have  thought  it  was  settler]  "then 
and  there;"  but  Mr.  Plummer's  speech  being  published 
in  the  "Globe,"  Mr.  Cage  demanded  whether  this  pro- 
ceeding had  happened  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  P. 
The  latter  said  that  it  had,  and  this  led  to  a  direct  chal- 
lenge from  Mr.  C.  Mr.  Plummer  accepted  the  chal- 
lenge, and  said  that,  as  soon  after  the  adjournment  of  con- 
gress as  possible,  and  his  return  to  Mississippi,  he  would 
fix  the  time  and  place,  etc.  and  notify  Mr.  Cage  thereof 
• — but  Mr.  Cage,  through  Mr.  Bynum,  considered  this 
as  an  "evasion  of  the  call,"  and  so  this  affair  reached  a 
bloodless  termination.  The  correspondence  is  publish- 
ed in  the  Washington  papers. 

A  newspaper  called  the  '•'•Ohio  Patriot,"  published  at 
New  Lisbon,  speaking  of  the  talents  of  the  Virginia  se- 
nator, Benjamin  H'atkins  Leiffh,  says: 

"It  is  to  be  hoped  he  will  be  seated  along  side  of  Tom  Emng 
of  Ohio,  as  Mr.  Leigh's  talents  arc  so  f<ir  superior  to  those  o 
the  OHIO  OSTLER,  thai  he  may  be  of  great  service  to  him." 

And  a  paper  published  in  Cincinnati,  called  the  "/?e- 
publican,"  has  the  following: 

"Taken  from  an  obscure  station,  and  suddenly  elevated  to  one 
of  the  highest  offices  in  the  nation,  his  prosperity  seems  to  have 
turned  his  brain,  air  I  were  it  not  that  the  honor  of  the  state  is 
concerned,  we  should  feel  disposed  to  smile  at  his  folly,  and  be 
amused  with  his  self  importance." 

"We  have  fallen  on  evil  times."  Mr.  Eviing  has  no 
more  than  one,  if  one,  superior,  in  point  of  talents,  in  th< 
"democratic"  part}',  in  the  senate,  and  no  superior,  ii 
either  party,  as  a  correct  and  worthy  gentleman.  If  hi 
•was  an  "os//e>'"*  it  is  to  his  credit  that  he  is  a  SENATOR 
What  -was  the  president  of  the  United  States?  Wha 
Greene,  the  right  arm  of  WASHINGTON,  what  Franklin 
what  Sherman — what  Clay,  what  11'chster,  with  tbou 
sands  of  others,  the  ornaments  of  the  past  age,  and  mar 
kers  of  the  present? 

We  notice  these  mi serable  tilings  only  to  hand  (low 
to  posterity  a  type  of  the  ORGANIZED  TRESS  of  the  pre 
sent,  day — a  prsss  that  is  regulated  by  the  enjoyment  o 
reward  or  fear  of  punishment — and  which,  within  th 
last  five  years,  has  furnished  more  public  officers  tha 


*lt  is  said  that  this  appellation  is  <;iv»'n  to  Mr.  E.  IHV.-MI,. 
that,  while  a  youth,  he  occasionally  attended  to  the  horses  o 
travellers  who  slopped  at  his  father's  inn — and  so  it  seems  tha 
lie  had  a  father,  a  matter  of  some  importance  in  these  days  o 
rfi»nt(y.'  But  we  have  always  understood  that  Mr.  E.  hewed  hi 
way  to  the  eminence  which  he  has  reached;  and,  by  the  use  o 
his  axe,  provided  the  means  for  cultivating  his  mind. 


'as  supplied  by  the  whole  press  of  the  United  States, 
•oin  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  up  to  that  time. 
Vnd  it  should  be  carefully  noted,  that  these,  and  such  as 
lese,  are  the  exclusive  "JHCMOCHATS"  of  the  day!  Tlti» 
ress,  loo,  is  much  under  the  control  of  paper-blacker*, 
ho 

"Left  their  country  for  their  country's  good," 
oreigu  patriots,  of  the  school  of  T/iistlcwooti  or  C'tbbett. 
iut  we  ought,  perhaps,  to  be  very-  delicate  on  this  par- 
'cular  subject,  seeing  the  "Globe"  has  ascertained  that 
e  ourselve's  were  recently  imported  fVorn  Europe!  — 
tough  our  fathers  were  among  those  wlio  first  settled 
le  woodlands  of 


A  public  dinner  was  given  by  the  young  men  of  Phi- 
adelphia  to  Mr.  Southard,  one  of  the  senators  from 
w  Jersey,  on  the  20th  inst.  The  party  exceeded  300, 
nd  there  were  many  invited  guests,  among  them  the 
layer  of  the  city,  with  .Mr.  John  Sergeant,  and  others. 
Vhen  Mr.  Southard  was  complimented,  he  addressed 
lie  party  at  considerable  length,  of  which  the  United 

states  Gazette  says  — 
"The  close  of  the  speech  was  a  splendid  effort  of  eloquence 

—  worthy  the  occasion  —  and  worthy  the  high  fame  of  lire  speah- 
r.  It  had  a  thrilling  and  electric  influence  on  the  audience, 

who  started  :it  the  close  as  if  a  liumpcl  had  sounded  a  charge. 
'lie  deafening  applause,  and  the  general  cheerings,  showed 
liut  Mr.  Southard  had  reached  the  hearts  of  din  auditors;  they 
ell  the  influence  of  u  master  hand,  and  they  responded  like 
neii  and  patriots." 

Great  meetings  of  tbe  people  are  yet  held  at  many 
ilaces  to  memorialize  congress  for  relief.  We  notice 
wo  especially  —  one  at  Frederick,  Maryland,  the  other 
it  Lexington,  Kentucky.  The  present  stale  of  things 
dlows  time  enough  to  attend  to  such  meetings,  and  to 
n-ood  over  lost  prosperity. 

We  flattered  ourselves  that  Mr.  £arry  would  obtain 
he  -  mission  to  Russia,  but  have  been  disappointed^ 

We  yesterday  received  two  notices  of  discontinuance 
rom  two  old  and  fast  friends,  one  in  Kentucky,  the  other 
n  Pennsylvania,  because  of  the  great  irregularity  and 
wretched  uncertainty,  that  attends  the  transmission  of 

the  HKOISTEH.  We  are  without  remedy,  and  must  en- 
lure  the  work  of  "reform,"  as  it  operates  in  several  dis- 
ricts  of  the  United  States.  Of  oilier  places,  where  a 
faithful  discharge  of  public  duty  Has  been  chiefly  regard- 

ed, we  have  HO  right  to  complWin. 

A  committee  of  citizens  of  New  York  have  made  a 
itatement  of  facts  as  to  the  "seizure  of  the  arsenal"  in 
Lhis  city,  on  the  3d  day  of  the  late  election  —  but  not  hav- 
ing published  the  highly  colored  and  strange  statement 
of  the  commissary-general,  or  the  proceedings  had  there- 
on in  the  legislature  of  the  slate,  we  shall  not  copy  it. 
It  may  be  observed,  however,  that  the  narrative  of  the 
proceedings  of  an  evidently  disciplined  band  of  rioters, 
prepared  with  supplies  of  sticks  and  stones  for  violent 
purposes,  presents  us  with  a  view  of  scenes  well  calcu- 
lated to  have  caused  an  appeal  to  the  use,  of  arms,  in  sup- 
port of  the  city-police,  several  times  defeated  by  orga- 
nized hordes  of  unknown  and  irresponsible  persons,  un- 
less arrested  on  the  spot  —  the  greater  part  probably  be- 
ing non-residents;  and  these  also  manifestly  commenced 
the  attack  on  every  occasion,  when  a  battle  ensued.  On 
the  arrival  of  the  mayor  at  the  arsenal,  his  request  that 
the  arms  might  be  restored,  &-e.  was  instantly  complied 
with.  Thfe  committee  do  not  hesitate  plainly  to  say  that 
many  of  the  statements  made  by  the  commissary-general 
are  "false"'  —  that  they  are  ridiculous,  he  himself  has  re- 
corded —  in  his  report  of  the  proceedings. 

Having  inserted  in  our  last  the  call  of  a  meeting  at  the 
Columbian  Gardens  in  this  city,  of  young  men  willing  to 
pledge  "LIFE,  YOUTrxE  and  SACRED  HOSOR"  in  supportr 
ing  the  president  "against  the  lawless  course  of  a  FAC- 
TIOUS SENATE"  —  which  many  seem  to  have  thought  was 
a  prelude  to  thunder  and  to  blood,  we  think  it  proper  to 
say,  that  the  affair  resulted  in  the  passage  of  a  few  ste- 
reotype-like resolutions.  The  meeting  is  said  to  have 
been  "numerous"  —  but  the  only  persons  whose  names 
appear  in  the  proceedings  are  Jonathan  Fitch,  president, 
John  Belcher,  and  John  JVysham,  vice  presidents,  Joseph 


204 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  24,  1884— MISCELLANEOUS. 


JJreck,  secretary, and  7'homas  L.  Murphy,  Samuel  Har- 
ker  and  Joseph  Breck,  orators. 

The  New  Hampshire  Patriot,  in  speaking  of  Mr.  Ta- 
ney,  says:  "He  is  constitutionally  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury, until  the  close  of  the  present  session — and  should 
the" opposition  senators  again  abuse  their  trust  by  reject- 
ing his  nomination,  the  president  can  put  hi  IB  in  office 
to  the  end  of  anullier  session,  and  -we  liope  he  -will  do  it." 

From  the  "Richmond  Whig"  of  May  \Q— "Without 
this  bank  question,  they  (the  ivhigsj  -would  have  succeed- 
ed. Without  it,  ive  should  have  been  in  a  minority  in  the 
house  before  now."  [Sichmrmd  Enquirer. 

On  winch  the  "Whig"  says — The  above  is  n  most  precious 
confession  ol'a  Washington  correspondent  of  the  Enquirer,  and 
It  is  still  more  surprising  that  the  writer  should  have  received 
the  approbation  of  the  editor  of  the  Enquirer  in  givine  it  publi- 
city. He  certainly  must  have  nii.-l.iid  his  spectacles  at  the 
time.  It  gives  a  clue  to  all  the  labored  efforu  of  that  gentle- 
man to  keep  up  the  cry  of  "hank,  bank,"  with  which  his  rend 
ers  have  been  deafened.  It  is  an  admission  too  plain  to  he 
misunderstood,  that  what  we.  have  uniformly  alleged,  is  indu- 
bitably true,  that  the  pretended  claims  about  a  violated  consti- 
tution, "the  mon:-ter,"  &c.  were  merely  used  as  a  Mnlking 
horse,  to  withdraw  attention  from  the  true  questions  which  this 
veteran  politician  was  nwaic  were  wholly  indefensible.  A 
minority  has  always  been  vitwed  by  the  school  to  which  our 
totemporary  belongs,  with  a  holy  horror.  It  has  hitherto  been 
in  his  eyes,  the  unpardonable,  sin.  He  has,  however,  at  last, 
been  caught  in  one,  and  we  ;  hall  see  with  what  dexterity  he 
will  slip  out  of  it.  But  we  forbear. 

The  following,  in  the  present  condition  of  things  and 
state  of  public  feeling,  may  be  considered  important — 
for  a  belief  lias  become  almost  universal  that  something 
•will,  (because  that  it  seemingly  must),  be  done  to  relieve 
the  pecuniary  pressure  on  the  people,  which  threatens 
the  general  ruin  of  men  in  business,  unless  prevented  by 
a  general  stoppage  of  payments!  We  have  never  seen 
or  felt  any  thing  like  the  present  presstirc,and  it  is  be- 
coming every  day  worse  and  worse — and  hence  the  opi- 
nions of  such  a  man  as  Mr.  Webster,  one  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished in  the  nation,  and  at  the  head  of  the  financial 
committee  of  the  senate,  cannot  fail  of  being  received 
•with  deep  interest  by  the  public. 

From  the  Ntitionnl  Intelligencer  of  Wednesday  /as/. 

In  the  senate,  yesterday,  Mr.  Webster,  in  presenting  a  paper 
from  the  whig.s  of  Lancaster,  (Pa.)  on  the  subject  of  the  clTect 
of  the  illegal  and  unconstitutional  removal  of  the  public  depos- 
ites,  expressed  pretty  much  at  large  his  views  of  the  present  as- 
pect of  public  affairs,  as  well  as  of  the  prospect  for  the  future. 
In  doing  so,  he  recurred  to  the  views  which  he  had  expressed 
early  in  this  session,  of  the  probable  consequences  of  the  con- 
trol assumed  by  the  executive  over  the,  currency  of  the  country, 
and  to  the  remedy  which  he  had  fell  it  to  be  his  duly  to  propose 
in  the  shape  of  a  bill  for  renewing  for  a  limited  time  the  charter 
of  the  bank  of  (he  United  Stales.  The  last  notice  he  had  given 
in  regard  to  this  bill,  he  said,  had  been  that  he  would  call  it  up 
on  the  21sl  of  April.  But,  before  the  21st  of  April  arrived,  the 
other  branch  of  the  legislature  had,  by  a  decisive,  vote,  destroyed 
the  existing  probability  of  such  a  measure  receiving  the  sanction 
of  that  body.  The  executive  branch  being  also  known  to  be 
opposed  to  any  action  of  the  government  in  that  direction,  he 
hail  thought  it,  and  he  now  thought  it,  unnecessary  to  press  that 
hill  upon  the  attention  of  the  senate.  When,  therefore,  if  ever, 
lie  should  move  the  senate  to  take  it  up  for  consideration,  was 
at  present  wholly  uncertain. 

Mr.  W.  went  on  to  present  some  views,  in  his  usual  forcible 
and  impressive  manner,  of  the  General  subject  of  the  condition 
and  prospects  of  the  country.  He  stated  his  belief  that  the  con- 
viction was  becoming  universal,  even  among  those  who  serious- 
ly wished  to  believe  otherwise,  that  the  "experiment,"  as  it  is 
authoritatively  as  well  as  familiarly  termed,  hn*  failed,  signally 
failed.  Whatever  casual  or  transitory  relief  circumstances 
might  produce  to  certain  |>,trt<  of  the  country  or  portions  of  the 
people,  yet,  If  no  remedy  be.  interposed,  Mr.  W.  expressed  the 
opinion  that  such  a  summer  and  autumn  are  to  be  passed 
through  as  the  whole  country  has  never  seen. 

He  demanded,  whether  the  friends  of  the  administration  in 
congress  were  ready  to  break  up  and  go  home  without  atempt- 
ing  any  thing,  cither  in  present  action,  or  in  prospect,  to  relieve 
the  country  from  its  suffering  condition.  He  believed,  for  his 
part,  that  they  were  bound,  by  every  consideration  of  con- 
science and  of  duty,  to  carry  ihroiinh  congress  sonic  measure  of 
effectual  relief.  The  evil  under  which  the  people  suffer,  springs 
from  no  external  misfortune:  it  is  from  within;  it  is  the  conse 
queneo  either  of  bad  law  or  bad  administration  of  the  law.  It  is. 
Mr.  W.  argued,  a  political  evil— a  political  infliction,  one  which 
the  three  branche--  of  the  government  could,  were  they  so  dis- 
posed, cure  in  a  week.  This,  he  said,  wa*  a  case  pressing  heavi- 
ly  upon  the  consciences  of  those  who  produced  the  change  in  the 
condition  of  the  country.  We  (said  he)  have  not  removed  the 


deposites;  we  have  not  violated  the  law,  nor  broken  the  consti- 
tution. We,  on  the  contrary,  have  foretold  and  deprecated  the 
existing  consequences  of  that  measure;  yes,  foretold  them,  so 
long  ago  as  when  we  were  smiled  at  as  prophets  evil  or  prophets 
false,  and  the  mention  of  distress  was  the  provocative  to  sneers 
and  sarcasms  from  gentlemen  on  the  opposite  side.  As  to  any 
law  of  congress  to  confirm  the  present  state  of  things,  it  would 
only  be  to  make  the  distress  perpetual;  it  would  only  be  to  give 
legal  countenance  to  that  which  is  already  an  extreme  evil. 
Mr.  W.  went  on  to  say,  that  no  man  in  either  house  could  be 
more  desirous  than  himself  fur  an  early  adjournment  of  con- 
gress; but  he  was  not  willing,  anxious  as  he  was  to  adjourn, 
until  those  who  hold  the  power  in  the  government  should  say 
that  they  have  nothing  to  propose  to  relieve  the  people.  Jn  a 
word,  upon  those  who  hold  the  power,  he  meant  to  leave  the 
responsibility  for  the  present  state  of  thing?. 

This  was  the  general  scope  of  Mr.  W ebster's  speech,  of  which 

we  take  this  brief  notice  in  anticipation,  because,  as  the  author 

of  the  project  for  extending  the  bank  charter,  and  as  chairman 

ol  the  financial  committee  of  the  body  to  which  he  belongs,  the 

'.  views  \\hich  Mr.  W.  takes  of  things,  as  they  stand  at  the  pass- 

|  ing  moment,  will  be  ol  deep  interest  to  all  our  readers. 

From  the  National  Intelligencer  of  May  22. 

Mr.  ('.'.._-,•  took  occasion,  yesterday,  in  presenting  to  the  senate 
some  memorials,  and  especially  one  from  Do)  Icstown,  in  Bucks 
county,  Pa.  to  animadvert  seriously  for  the  most  part,  but  in 
part  playfully,  to  the  present  state  of  the  country.  Among  tire 
opinions  cxpiessed  by  the  memorialists  is  one  which  Mr.  Cray 
said  he  most  decidedly  entertained  in  common  with  them,  that, 
alter  the  vote  by  one  branch  of  congress  that  the  removal  of  Ihe 
deposiles  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  was  unjustifiable  aiwl 
unconstitutional,  it  was  the  duly  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasu- 
ry instantly  to  have  restored  the  deposites  to  th«  place  from 
which  they  had  been  illegally  taken:  and  such,  he  said,  woufd 
have  been  the  course  of  any  secretary  of  the  treasury  who  en- 
tertained a  proper  sense  of  the  fallibility  of  his  own  judgment, 
and  of  the  respect  which  was  due  to  the  deliberate  opinion  ol 
the  se.nate,  or  of  the  house  of  representatives,  on  such  a  ques- 
tion as  this,  when  it  came  in  conflict  with  his  own.  Mr.  Clay 
added,  that  if  there  was,  in  either  house  of  congress,  a  single 
individual  whose  private  judgment  approved  of  the  removal  of 
the  deposites  as  an  original  act,  independently  of  party  conside- 
rations or  posterior  circumstances,  he  had  yet  to  meet  with  that 
man. 

As  to  the  question  yesterday  addressed  by  the  senator  from 
Massachusetts  to  those  who  hold  the  power,  whether  they 
meant  to  adjourn  without  taking  any  measure  to  relieve  the 
country  from  its  present  suffering,  Mr.  C.  .said,  he  verily  believ- 
ed that  they  do  not  know  what  to  do:  they  are  afraid  to  stay, 
and  afraid  to  return:  they  are  between  two  fires — afraid  of  Jack- 
son if  they  remain,  ami  of  their  constituents  if  they  go  home. 
If,  however,  they  mean  to  do  nothing  to  recover  possession  of 
the  public  treasure;  if  they  mean  to  do  nothing  to  relieve  the 
distress  which  pe.rvades  the  country,  Mr.  C.  said  he  was  himself 
ready  to  concur  witli  them  in  fixing  the  earliest  practicable  day 
for  adjournment,  after  passing  the  bills  necessary  to  carry  on 
the  government. 

What  would  be  the  consequence  of  such  contempt,  by  those 
in  power,  of  the  successive  evidences  of  public  opinion,  pre- 
sented from  day  to  day,  and  from  week  to  week,  it  was  easy  to 
foresee.  Already,  he  said,  the  whole  "party"  was  crumbling 
away;  sinking,  like  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  undermined  by 
the  torrent,  whole  acres  at  a  time.  Why,  (said  Mr.  C.)  I  am 
told  that  the  whole  regency  of  New  York,  taking  the  alarm,  has 
fled  from  Albany,  and  taken  refuge  in  this  city.  Whether  they 
would  or  would  not  be  redemanded  by  gov.  Marcy,  under  the 
laws  in  such  cases  made  and  provided,  he  could  not  say:  but  if 
they  remained,  he  hoped  they  would  be  allowed  the  benefit  of 
all  the  rights  of  hospitality  due  to  such  distinguished  strangers. 
For  himself,  he  condoled  with  the  gentlemen,  in  this  the  trying 
time  of  their  misfortunes,  and  trusted  that  they  would  be  able 
to  bear  them  with  manly  fortitude  and  Christian  resignation. 

If  any  one  who  heard  Ihi?  part  of  Mr.  C's  speech  was  able  to 
look  grave  upon  it,  thank  heaven,  it  was  not  we. 

In  the  course  of  Wednesday's  debate,  Mr.  Clay  having  de- 
nounced, as  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  constitution,  the  omis- 
sion of  the  president  of  the  United  States  to  nominate  to  the  se- 
nate, for  confirmation  or  rejection,  the  present  secretary  of  the 
treasury  and  other  officers,  though  the  senate  has  been  now 
nearly  six  months  in  session;  Mr.  Webster  rose,  for  the  purpose 
of  showing  the  views  of  this  subject  entertained  by  the  great 
first  president  of  the  United  States,  and  practised  upon  by  every 
administration  in  this  government,  up  to  the  beginning  of  the 
present.  For  this  purpose,  Mr.  W.  quoted  from  the  record  the 
following: 

Message  from  the  president  of  the  United  States  to  the  senate  of 
the    United   States. 

United  States,  February  9,  1790. 
Gentlemen  of  the  senate: 

Among  the  persons  appointed,  during  the  last  session,  to  offices 
under  the  national  government,  there  were  some  who  declined 
servins.  Their  names  and  offices  are  specified  in  the  first  co- 
lumn of  the  forcgoim:  li<t.  I  supplied  these  vacancies,  agreeably 
to  the  constitution,  by  temporary  appointment*,  which  you  will 
find  mentioned  in  the  second  column  of  the  list.  These  appoint- 
ments will  expire  with  your  present  session,  and  indeed  OUGHT 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  44,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


205 


NOT  TO  ENDURE  LONGER  THAN   UNTIL  OTHERS  CAN  BE  REGULAR 

LV  MADE.  For  tliat  purpose,  1  now  nominate  to  you  the  person* 
named  in  the  third  column  of  the  list,  ;i.<  being,  in  my  opinioi 
qualified  to  till  the  offices  opposite  to  their  names  in  the  first. 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

Mr.  Wise,  Mr.  John  Quincy  Jldums,  Mr.  Thomas,  o\ 
Louisiana,  Mr.  Pinckney  and  Mr.  JMurphey,  have  been 
appointed  a  select  committee  in  the  house  of  representa. 
tives,  to  take  into  consideration  the  expediency  of  carry- 
ing into  operation  the  resolution  of  the  revolutionary 
congress,  concerning  the  erection  of  a  monument  at 
Yorktown. 

Mr.  Foot,  on  being  installed  governor  of  Connecticut, 
sent  a  valuable  message  to  the  legislature,  from  which  we 
intend  to  make  liberal  extracts. 

The  "Arkansas  Gazette"  of  April  29  informs  us  that 
the  cholera  still  prevailed  among  the  Cherokee  emi- 
grants— and  that  60,  out  of  a  party  of  550,  had  died  of  it. 
Eight  deaths  had  happened  and  40  new  cases  occurred,  in 
a  party  of  140  recruits  for  the  7th  infantry,  just  arrived. 
Ten  or  twelve  persons  had  died  on  board  of  one  steam- 
boat from  New  Orleans,  and  the  decease  of  several  of  the 
citizens  of  the  territory  is  mentioned;  but  no  case  of 
cholera  had  yet  appeared  at  Little  Rock. 

A  letter  from  Manchester,  Miss,  dated  April  20,  states 
that  116  cases  of  cholera  had  occurred  during  one  week  on 
the  plantation  of  Mr.  Roache,  six  miles  from  that  place. 

The  following  account  of  an  unusual  incident  is  ex- 
tracted from  a  letter  to  the  editor  of  the  United  States 
Gazette,  from  his  correspondent  in  Washington,  dated 
May  12th: 

"We  had  a  curious  occurrence  to-day,  in  the  senate  cham- 
ber. A  person  in  one  of  the  galleries,  having  the  appearance  of 
a  preacher,  suddenly  shouted  out  from  the  front  of  the  gallery, 
just  as  Mr.  Webster  was  engaged  in  the  presentation  of  a  me- 
morial—'My  friends,  the  country  is  on  the  brink  of  destruction. 
Be  sure  that  you  act  on  correct  principles.  I  warn  you  lo  act 
as  your  consciences  may  approve.  God  is  looking  down  upon 
you,  and  if  you  act  on  correct  principles  you  will  gd  safely 
through!'  As  soon  as  he  made  an  end  of  this  brief  oration,  he 
very  leisurely  stepped  back,  and  made  his  way  out  of  the  galle- 
ry, before  the  officers  of  the  house  had  time  lo  reach  him.  Tin; 
president  and  senate  were  all  taken  unawares — and  it  was  some 
time  before  the  usual  tranquillity  of  the  body  and  spectators 
was  restored." 

A  true  bill.  Mr.  Welsler  was  on  his  feet  at  tlie  time,  making 
some  remarks  on  presenting  a  memorial.  He  was  as  muchsur-' 
prised,  of  course,  as  any  body,  at  this  extraordinary  interrup- 
tion. When  the  shrill  voice  of  the  enthusiast  ceaxeil,  Mr.  W. 
coolly  resumed  the  thread  of  his  remarks,  saying,  "As  the  gen- 
tleman in  the  gallery  had  concluded,  he  would  proceed."' 

[Nat.  Int. 

The  "Globe"  speaking  of  the  probability  of  a  charter 
for  a  new  bank  passing  congress,  says — 

"We  believe  that  none  could  now  pass  either  house  of  con- 
gress. We  know  it  could  not  unite  two-thirds  of  both  houses". 
If  it  could  pass  the  two  houses,  a  hand  (a  Spartan  band,  if  it 
must  In;  so),  would  rally  around  the  hero  of  ffeio  Orleans,  and 
defend  this  liattleincnt  of  the  constitution  to  the  last  extremity." 

A  "Spartan  hand."    We  have  had  enough  of  them! 

In  another  number  of  the  "Globe"  it  is  said— • 
"The  bank  has  been  conquered  by  the  removal  of  the  depo- 
siles,  as  all  candid  men  will  soon  acknowledge.  Having  ac- 
complished his  great  object,  the  president  will  calmly  await  the 
day  when  the  mists  raised  by  deluded  and  bad  men  shall 
vanish,  and  his  conduct  appear  to  all  hi*  countrymen  as  not 
only  constitutional  and  lawful,  but  wise  and  expedient." 

The  Alexandria  Gazette  says — 

"The  Richmond  Enquirer  still  DARES  to  hope  (we  use  its  own 
expression)  that  general  Jackson  will  veto  the  Cumberland 
road  bill,  if  it  passes  the  house  of  representatives.  How  bold 
the  Enquirer  is!  It  dares  ta  hope!!" 

The  treaty  with  Cliili  as  approved  by  the  senate,  was 
proclaimed  by  the  president  on  the  29th  ult.  The  fol- 
lowing abstract  of  its  provisions,  for  which  we  are  in- 
debted to  the  Baltimore  "American,"  may  serve  all  or- 
dinary purposes: 

The  new  convention  with  Chili,  recently  ratified  by  the 
United  States  senate,  has  been  officially  promulgated.  It  con- 
sists of  thirty-one  original,  and  four  explanatory  articles. 

The  commerce,  and  navigation  of  the  two  countries  with 
each  other,  are  put  on  the  footing  of  those  of  the  most  favored 


nations,  and  every  subsequent  grant,  by  cither,  to  other  na- 
tions, is  to  become  common  to  the  oilier,  us  though  specially 
granted— freely,  if  given  freely,  or  on  lh,;  same  lenns  if  com- 
pensation is  required.  The  republic  of  Chili  reserves  out  of 
this  stipulation  its  existing  treaties  with  oilier  South  American 
governments  and  with  Mexico,  and  both  partie*  except  their 
own  coasting  trade. 

The  5th,  6th,  7lh  and  8th  articles  provide  for  the  ceeurity  of 
the  property  of  the  citizens  of  either  country  in  the  other, 
against  embargoes,  or  impressment  for  military  purposes,  with- 
out indemnification,  for  protection  and  aid  in  their  harbor* 
against  pirates  or  oilier  enemies,  or  in  distress,  for  the  rettora- 
tion  of  property  carried  by  pirates  into  the  ports  of  either,  and 
for  exempting  the  cargoes  of  wrecked  and  damaged  vessels  of 
either  party,  not  intended  for  consumption  in  the  country,  from 
all  duties  and  imposts. 

The  right  of  disposing  of  personal  estate  is  secured  to  the  ci- 
tizens of  either  party  in  the  territory  of  the  other,  according  to 
the  laws  which  regulate  the  properly  of  its  own  citizens;  and 
successions,  by  testament  or  from  intestates,  follow  the  same 
rules.  In  the  case  of  real  estate,  thiee  years  is  given  to  alien 
heirs  to  dispose  of  it,  and  withdraw  the  proceeds.  Security  of 
property,  free  access  to  the  courts,  and  liberty  of  religious  wor- 
ship are  mutually  guarantied  to  the  resident  citizens  of  either. 
From  article  12  lo  24  inclusive,  relate  to  the  questions  of  neu- 
tral commerce,  contraband  and  blockade. 

They  establish  succinctly  that  free  ships  make  free  goods; 
that  commerce  in  time  of  war  shall  be  free  to  neutrals,  direct 
to  the  ports  of  the  enemies  of  either,  and  from  port  to  port;  and 
that  on  board  of  the  ships  of  neutrals,  every  thing  is  free,  (con- 
traband cxcepled);  although  the  whole  or  part  of  the  lading  be- 
long to  belligerents.  The  same  principle  of  protection  extends 
to  persons,  except  officers  or  soldiers  in  actual  service;  it  fur- 
ther limits  the  benefit  of  this  protection  lo  the  property  and  per- 
sons of  belligerents,  who  acknowledge  the  same  principles. 

An  alternative  stipulalion  is  made,  that  when  the  neutral  flag 
protects  the  property  of  the  belligerent,  the  flag  of  the  bellige- 
rent shall  not  protect  neutral  property,  and  e  converse — where 
the  neutral  flag  does  riot,  the  enemy's  llu|<  shall. 

Article  14  defines  what  shall  be  contraband.  Contraband 
does  not  subject  the  vessel  or  cargo  to  confiscation,  except  of 
he  contraband  articles,  nor  to  detention,  if  those  articles  are 
jiven  up  on  demand.  Sufficient  notice  of  blockades  is  to  be 
n'ven,  and  vessels  entering  or  departing  are  lo  be  warned,  and 
iable  to  confiscation  only  on  persisting  in  spite  of  warning  and 
lotice. 

Captains  of  armed  vessels  are  made  personally  liable  for  all 
extortion  or  ill  treatment  in  searching  for  contraband,  and  no 
commander  of  a  merchant  vessel  is  to  be  summoned  on  board 
of  an  armed  vessel.  When  vessels  are  under  convoy,  the  word 
)f  honor  of  the  commander  of  the  convoy  is  to  be  taken  as  final 
evidence  of  the  character  and  cargoes  of  the  merchant  vessels 
inder  his  charge.  Mutual  slipulaiions  are  made  for  the  regula- 
tion of  prize  eases,  that  the  reasons  for  condemnalion  in  each 
case  may  be  fully  stated,  and  authentic  evidence  furnished  to 
the  party. 

In  case  of  war  between  the  United  States  and  Chili,  a  speci- 
fic time  is  to  be  allowed  to  resident  merchants  to  wind  up  their 
affairs,  and  safe  conduct  given  them.  Pernons  of  other  occu- 
pations may  remain,  under  the  protection  of  the  laws,  respon- 
sible for  their  personal  conduct  towards  the  state.  No  debts  or 
property  to  be  consecrated  or  sequestrated. 

A  series  of  articles  provides  for  the  reception  and  treatment 
of  ministers,  and  their  powers,  and  those  of  consuls. 

Deserters  from  public  and  private  vessels  are  to  be  given  up 
to  ihe  consuls.  An  explanatory  article  except  slaves  as  such, 
serving  in  any  capacity  in  our  vessels. 

The  other  explanatory  articles  are  not  important,  only  mak- 

ine  more  explicit  some  of  the  provisions  of  the  oiiginal  articles. 

The,  treaty  is  to  continue  for  twelve  years,  and  to  be  tennina 

hie  then  and  thereafter  only  on  a  previous  notice  of  twelve 

months. 

The  present  licentiousness  of  the  French  drama  is 
thus  summarily  described  in  the  London  Quarterly  Re- 
view: 

"We  have  specially  noticed  ten  plays.  In  them,  we  find, 
that,  of  the  female  characters,  ei»/i<  are  adultresses.fire  are  pros- 
titutes of  various  rank.*,  and  six  are  victims  of  seduction,  of 
whom  two  are  brought  lo  bed  almost  on  the  staije.  Four  mo- 
thers are  in  love  with  their  sons,  or  sons-in-law,  and  in  three 
instances  the  crime  is  complete.  Eleven  persons  are  murdered 
directly  or  indirectly,  by  their  paramours;  and  in  FIX  of  these 
pieces,  the  prominent  male  characters  are  bastards  and  fpund- 
ling.i;  and  all  tnis  accumulation  of  hoirors  is  congregated  in  len 
plays  of  two  authors,  produced  within  the  last  three  yrars  in 
thc'cily  of  Paris. 

The  British  drama  is  not  much  better,  as  we  learn  by 
the  following  extract  from  the  same  work — 

"We  fear  that  in  London  the  minor  thealres,  which  are  not 
subjected  lo  the  license,  have  already  shown  an  alarming  disre- 
gard of  delicacy;  and  even  in  the  larger  theatrrs,  tlie  licenser  is, 
we  believe,  very  reluctant  to  use  a  power,  the  exercise  of  which 
siipjects  him  to  personal  odium  and  public  complaint.  The 
matter  is  of  more  extent  and  importance  than  we  can  here  de- 
velope;  but  we  trust  we  have  said  enough  to  call  public  atten- 
tion to  what  may  become  wilii  ourselves  a  very  important  con- 


2-06 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY   24,   1834— CONGRESS. 


sidernlion,  and  which  assuredly  is  already  a  subject  of  intense 
anxiety  to  every  one  who  wishes  for  the  estahlisliinentand  con- 
tinuance of  a  moral  anil  orderly  government  in  that  great  coun- 
try, which,  from  its  position  and  its  power,  must  exereif-«  so 
preat  and  so  exemplary  an  influence,  eilher  for  good  or  for  evil, 
over  lh«  rest  of  the  European  world." 

At  these  minor  theatres  we  have  often  heard  disgust- 
ing accounts  of  the  display  of  beautiful  women,  nearly 
naked,  and  in  positions  and  circumstances  that  tempt 
persons  to  all  the  crimes  stated  against  the  French  dra- 
matical pieces. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

May  16.  The  bill  supplementary  to  the  act,  entitled  "an  act 
to  alter  and  amend  the  several  acts  imposing  duties  on  imports, 
approved  July  14,  1832,"  was  read  the  second  time,  consider- 
ed and  passed  to  a  third  reading. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Chambers,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  bill  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  a  lateral  rai 
road  between  Baltimore  and  Washington,  and 

Mr.  Chambers  moved  as  an  amendment  of  the  bill  to  inser 
a  proviso,  giving  to  tin:  postmaster  general  the  power  of  termi- 
nating the  contract  with  the  rail  road  company  for  transporting 
the  United  States  mail,  and  to  transport  the  mail  in  some  otlic. 
mode. 

Mr.  Hendricks  moved  to  amend  the  hill  by  inserting  a  proviso 
prohibiting  the  company  from  charging  the  post  oltice  depart 
ment,  or  its  mail  contractor,  tolls  tor  the  passant:  on  the  road  o 
*ny  cars  or  other  vehicles  in  which  they  may  transport  th 
mail. 

Mr.  Chambers  opposed  this  on  the  ground  of  its  injustice.  ,im 
impracticability;  and,  alter  some  remarks  in  reply  by  Mr.  Hen 
jtiicks,  the  latter  gentleman  withdrew  his  amendment  until  th 
fate  of  that  moved  by  Mr.  Chambers  should  be  determined;  an 
then  the  senate  adjourned  until  Monday  next. 

May  19.  The  chair  communicated  three  reports  from  the  se 
cretary  of  the  treasury;  the  first  shewing  the  amount  of  publi 
money  remaining  in  the  bank  of  Alexandria  at  the  time  of  it 
failure;  the  second  shewing  the  numb-T  and  amount  of  transit 
<li£uglits  that  have  been  drawn  on  the  hank  of  the  United  Slates 
and  the  purposes  for  which  they  have  been  applied;  and  th 
third  the  weekly  and  monthly  reports  of  the  bank  of  the  Unite 
States,  and  of  the  deposite  banks,  since  the  1st  of  February  las 
which 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  they  were  referred  and  ordered  to  b 
printed. 

A  memorial  remonstrating  against  the  removal  of  the  depo 
sites  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  was  presented  by  M 
En-ing,  from  the  citizens  of  Bdmonl  county,  Ohio— read,  refe 
red,  &.c. 

The  chair  presented  a  memorial  from  citizens  of  Bergnn  con 
ty,  New  Jersey,  approving  of  the  course  of  the  executive  ii:  r 
lation  to  the  removal  of  the  public  depositor;  which,  on  motion 
of  Mr.  Fretinghuysen,  was  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  WMins  reported  a  bill  remitting  the  duties  on  five  hells 
.imported  for  the  Roman  Catholic  church  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri; 
•twice  read  and  ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

On  motioH  of  Mr.  Bibb  a  resolution  was  agreed  to  in^tructii-.s 
the  committee  on  military  affairs  to  inquire  into  the  expediency 
of  giving  suitable  testimonial*  lo  major  George  Croghan  and  the 
officers  and  soldiers  under  his  command,  for  their  gallant  de- 
fence of  Fort  Sandusky,  during  the  last  war. 

Mr.  Bibb  also  submitted  a  resolution*  Which  was  agreed  to, 
inquiring  into  the  expediency  of  providing  for  the  recording  of 
the  opinions  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  before  they  are 
delivered  to  the  reporter. 

Mr.  Spraguc  submitted  a  retolution  calling  for  certain  infor- 
mation as  to  the  amount  of  claims  under  the  late  treaty  with 
France,  &c. 

The  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Indian 
department  for  the  year  1834,  was  twice  read  and  referred. 

The  joint  resolution  providing  for  the  purchase  of  13  copies  of 
American  state  papers,  published  by  Gales  &.  Seaton,  was  read 
the  third  time  and  passed. 

The  report  on  the  contested  election  of  a  senator  for  Rhode 
Ulanri,  was  made  the  order  of  the  rlny  for  this  day  week. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clayton  the  bill  for  the  relief  of  certain  in- 
solvent dtditnra,  was  taken  up  and  considered  as  in  committee 
of  the  whole,  and  ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  special 
order,  being  the  bill  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  the  Baltimore 
and  Washington  mil  road.  An  amendment  offered  by  Mr. 
Chambers  was  pending,  which  after  a  few  words  from  Mr. 
Grttndy  was  withdrawn. 

Mr.  Chambers  then  moved  to  amend  the  hill  by  striking  out 
the  clause  providing  that  the  rail  road  should  carry  the  mail  for 
a  compensation  not  exceeding  3,000  dollars  a  ycnr,  and  insert- 
ring  a  provision  that  it  shall  be  carried  free  of  charge  for  twen- 
ty years;  which  amendment  was  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Hendricks  then  moved  to  strike  out  the  words  limiting 
the  period  to  20  year*,  and  to  insert  words  extending  it  to  the 
full  term  of  the  continuance  thereof. 

Mr.  Clayton  moved  tn  modify  Air.  Hendrirks  amendment  so  as 
•to  extund  the  time  tn  30  years;  which  modification  was  ucga- 
itived  without  division. 


Mr.  Chambers  asked  the  yeas  arid  nays  on  the  amendment 
oved  by  Mr.  Hemlricks,  which  were  ordered. 
The  question  wiis  then  taken  on  the  amendment,  and  decid- 
d  in  lilt1  affirmative,  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs,  Bell,  Bcnton,  Bibb,  Black,  lirown.  Calhoun, 
wing,  For-yth,  Frelinghuysen.Grundy,  llendrick?,  Hi II,  Kane, 
Cing,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Knight,  Linn,  Mangum, 
lorris,  N;iml;im,  Porter,  Prentiss,  Preston,  Bobbins,  Robinson, 
hepley,  Silsbee,,  Smith,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tallrnadge,  Tomlin- 
on,  Tyler,  Wiiggarnan,  Webster,  White,  Wilkins — 37. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Kent,  McKean, 
'ipton— 6. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  the  passage  of  the  bill  by 
fas  and  nays,  and  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bell,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewinjr,  Frc- 
inghuysen,  Hundrieks,  Kent,  Knight,  McKean,  Naudain.  Por- 
er,  Premiss, Rnlihins, Robinson,  Silshee,  Smith,  Sprague,  Swift, 
!*omlinson,  Waggaman,  Webster,  Wilkins — 23. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Benton,  Bibb,  Black,  Brown,  Calhoun,  For- 
yth,  Grundy,  Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia, 
..inn,  Mangum,  Morris,  Preston,  Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton, 
Tyler,  White— 20. 

The  bill  was  then  passed;  and  the  senate  adjourned. 
May  20.  Memorials,  proceedings  of  meetings,  fee.  disapprov- 
ng  of  the  removal  of  the  deposits,  were  presented,  by  Mr.  Wil- 
tins,  from  certain  anti-masonic  cilizeiis  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  by 
Vlr.  Webster,  from  citizens  of  Columbia,  in  the  crmnly  of  Lan- 
caster. Pa.  [this  memorial  also  condemns  the  late  executive 
irotest];  by  Mr.  Jlfctngum,  from  citizens  of  Raleigh,  N.C.;  which 
were  severally  read,  referred,  ffcc. 

Mr.  Brown  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  the  citi- 
zens of county,  North  Carolina,  expressing  approbation  of 

thr-  measures  of  the  administration  generally,  and  particularly 
of  the  removal  of  the  deposites — which  was  read,  referred,  &c. 
Mr.  Clayton  presented  a  memorial  from  the  principal  chiefs 
and  delegates  of  the  Cherokee  nation,  and  moved  that  it  be  re- 
ferred to  the  committee  on  Indian  affairs,  and  printed  for  the 
USP  of  the  senate. 

Mr.  forsyth  opposed  the  reference;  when  a  debate  ensued, 
in  which  Messrs.  Forsyth,  Clayton  and  Clay,  took  part. 

Mr.  Forsyth  then  moved  that  the  paper  be  not  received,  and 
asked  for  the  yeas  and  nays,  which  were  ordered. 

Alter  some  further  remarks  from  Messrs.  Sprague,  Freling- 
huysen  and  Clayton,  the  question  on  receiving  the  paper  was  ta- 
ken, and  decided  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows: 


Linn,  McKean,  Mangum,  Naudain,  Premiss,  Preston,  Bobbins 
Robinson,  Shepley,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tiptou 
Tomlinion,  Tyler,  Webster— 30. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Benton,  Forsyth,  White— 3. 

The  memorial  was  then  referred  to  the  committee  on  Indian 
affairs,  and  ordered  io  be  printed. 

Mr.  Ewinv  submitted  a  resolution  inquiring  into  the  expedi- 
ency of  placing  the  postage  on  periodical  pamphlets  and  new- 
papers  on  the  same  footing. 

The  senate  then  adjourned. 

May  21.  Memorials,  proceedings  of  meetings,  &c.  disapprov- 
ing of  the  removal  of  the  deposjtes,  and  praying  relief  from  the 
present  embarrassed  state,  of  the  currency,  were  presented — by 
Mr.  Webster,  three  memorials,  the  first  from  Otsego  county, 
Now  York,  the  second  from  Brockport,  Monroe  county,  New- 
York,  and  the  third  from  Piltsford,  New  York,  [fn  presenting 
tli<  M!  memorials.  Mr.  Webster  observed,  that  they  represented 
that  the  memorialists  were  nearly  without  a  market  for  the 
fruits  and  products  of  their  industry  and  skill,  in  consequence 
of  confidence  being  destroyed;  that  the  merchant  could  not  col 
lect  his  debts,  the  mechanic  could  find  no  market  for  the  pro- 
duct of  his  labor;  the  farmer  could  no  longer  obtain  a  reasona- 
ble price  for  his  agricultural  products;  that  ths  manufacturer 
is  obliged  to  curtail  his  business  or  relinquish  it  altogf  ther,  by 
reason  whereof  many  laboring  men  were  thrown  out  of  employ- 
ment. That  the  value  of  real  estate  had  declined;  loans  were 
not  now  to  be  obtained  on  mortgages;  ruinous  discounts  were 
charged  on  mercantile  paper  varying  from  20  to  40  per  oent.  and 
that  the  hank  was  unable  to  afford  the  necessary  discount] — by 
Mr.  Eiring,  two  papers  containing  additional  names  to  the  me- 
morial heretofore  presented  from  Athens  comity,  Ohio;  by  the 
same,  two  memorials,  one  from  Huron  and  the  other  from 


from  sundry  citizeHs  of  Seneca  Fall?,  New  York. 

Mr.  Clay  accompanied  the  presentation  of  these  memorials 
with  some  appropriate  remnrks,  and  was  followed  in  debate  by 
Messrs.  Forsyth,  Webster,  Tyler,  Benton  and  LeijjA,  after  which, 
the  memorials  were  referred,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  senate  then  adjourned. 

May  2-3.  Memorials,  &c.  complaining  of  the.  pecuniary  dis- 
tractei,  ascribing  them  to  the  removal  of  the  depoaiten  and  pray- 
ine  for  llieir  restoration,  were  presented,  by  Mr.  McKean,  from 
662  citizensof  Cumberland  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Clay,  from  1,500 
or  1,600  citizens  of  Montgomery  county,  Pa.;  [a  fifth  of  whom 


NILES'  KEGISTEK—  MAY  »4,   1 834 -CONGRESS. 


207 


\VI-M;,  until   recently,  friendly   to   llie   .•idministrati'inj;  which 
wcrt'  read,  referred,  &c. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  White,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  con- 
sideration of  executive  business  nt  20  minutes  past  12;  and  when 
the  doors  were  opened,  it  was  agreed,  when  the  senate  adjourn, 
it  adjourn  to  meet  on  Monday  next. 

The  report  and  resolution  on  the  pension  agency,  Stc.  was 
postponed  till  Monday  next. 

The  following  lull.-  were  read  a  third  time  and  passed: 
An  act  to  revive  and  amend  an  act,  entitled  "an  act  for  the 
relief  of  certain  insolvent  debtors  of  the  United  Siates." 

A  bill  supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled  "an  act  to  alter  and 
amend  the  several  acts  imposing  duties  on  imports,  approved 
July  14,1832." 

An  net  for  the  relief  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  in  St. 
Louis,  Missouri. 

Mr.  Spr«»uc  then  moved  the  consideration  of  the  resolution 
offered  hy  him  on  a  previous  day,  and  having  modified  it  so  as 
to  read  as  follows,  it  was  adopted: 

That  the  commissioners  under  the  late  treaty  with  France  he 
requested  to  communicate  to  the  senate  a  list  of  all  llie  claims 
which  have  been  presented  to  them,  together  with  the  amount 
of  principal  and  interest  claimed  by  the  memorialists  in  each 
case,  and  the  aggregate,  arranging  into  classes  those  which  have 
been  recognized  as  falling  within  the  treaty;  those  which  have 
been  suspended,  and  those  which  have  been  rejected. 

The  bill  to  remove  the  office  of  surveyor  general  of  the  pub- 
lic lands  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  the  Michigan  territory,  and  thir- 
teen others  of  a  private  or  local  character,  were  severally 
acted  on  in  committee,  and  ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

The  hill  for  the  repair  of  the  Mars'  Hill  military  road,  in  the 
state  of  Maine,  was  taken  up,  amended,  and,  afler  considerable 
discussion,  without  any  final  action  on  it,  the  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  May  16.  After  suspending  ihe  rules  to  enable  Mr. 
Stewart  to  make  a  motion  to  lay  Mr.  Mardis'  resolution  on  the 
table,  and  a  discussion  being  had  on  the  several  questions  o 
order  which  incidentally  occurred, 

Mr.  Mardis  withdrew  his  resolution,  and  Mr.  Corn-in  the 
amendment  which  he  had  made  thereto.' 

The  house  then  took  up  the  Indian  appropriation  bill  and  or- 
dered it  to  be  engrossed  for  a  third  reading. 

The  harbor  appropriation  hill  was  then  taken  up  in  committee 
of  the.  whole,  and  after  considerable  progress  being  made  there- 
in, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gamble,  of  Georgia,  the  committee  rose 
and  reported  the  bill  to  the  house. 

Mr.  Thompson,  of  Ohio,  moved  a  reconsideration  of  the  vote 
postponing  the  further  consideration  of  the  question  of  adjourn- 
ment; but  before  any  action  was  had  upon  his  motion,  the 
iiouse  adjourned. 

Saturday,  May  17 


Mr.  R.  M.  Johnson  made  a  report  favora- 
ble to  the  continuance  of  the  West  Point  academy  on  its  pre- 
sent footing. 

Mr.  Pinckney  reported  a  bill  in  addition  to  an  act  passed  on 
the  13th  July,  183-2,  entitled  an  act  concerning  tonnage  duty  in 
Spanish  vessels — twice  read  and  committed. 

Mr.  Thompson'*  motion  to  reconsider  the  vote  postponing  the 
question  of  adjournment,  being  announced,  as  the  unfinished 
business,  was  taken  up,  and,  after  a  desultory  discussion  there- 
on, was  withdrawn  by  the  mover. 

Mr.  McComas,  of  Va.  asked  leave  to  offer  a  resolution,  au- 
thorising an  appropriation  to  he  made  for  a  subscription  of  stock 
to  aid  in  the  construction  of  the  James  river  canal. 


specially  as  agitated  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  A.  had  enencive 
notuii,  and  said  that  hi«  purpose  was  to  touch  on  a  few  points 
only,  and  thru  to  move  that  hi*  speech  be  printed,  together  witli 
the  memorial.  He  concluded  by  moving  that  the  memorial  be 
printed  and  laid  on  the  tablo. 

Mr.  Wiie,  of  Va.  now  moved  that  the  memorial  presented  by 
him,  on  the  last  petition  day,  from  his  own  district,  adverse  to 
the  removal  of  the  deposites,  together  with  the  resolutions  which 
he  had  offered,  disapproving  the  reasons  of  the  secretary,  Sic. 
be  postponed  to  this  day  week;  which  was  agreed  to. 

Memorials.  &c.  favorable  to  the  restoration  of  the  deposited, 
&c.  were  presented  by  Mr.  Beaumont,  from  citizens  of  Luzerne 
county,  Pa.;  hy  Mr.  Galhraith,  from  a  public  meeting  in  Erie 
county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Laporte,ftnm  citizens  of  Susquehannah 
county,  Pa.;  by  the  same,  two  memorials,  the  one  signed  by 
1,049  persons  and  the  other  hy  about  400,  all  citizens  of  Brad- 
ford county,  Pa.;  hy  Mr.  Binney,  from  citizens  of  Lycouiing 
county, Pa.;  by  Mr.  Mr.ixfer,  from  a  whig  meeting  in  the  borough 
of  Columbia,  Lancaster  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Ramsay,  from  citi- 
zens of  Bucks  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Denny,  from  a  meeting  of 
anti-mascyis  at  Pittsburgh;  by  Mr.  Barnitz,  from  citizens  of  VTork 
county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Milligan,  (supplementary  signatures  to  a 
memorial  he  had  formerly  presented  from  citizensof  Delaware); 
by  Mr.  McKim,  (instructions  from  240  citizens  of  the  first  five 
wards  of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  instructing  him  to  vote  for  a  re- 
charter  of  the  bank);  by  Mr.  Lucas,  of  Va.  from  citizens  of  hia 
district:  by  Mr.  ioj/aK,  from  400  citizens  of  Norfolk  county,  Vs.; 
by  Mr.  Speight,  two  memorials,  the  one  from  the  northern  coun- 
ties of  N.  Carolina  and  the  other  from  citizens  of  Wake  county, 
in  the  same  stale;  hy  Mr.  HariHn,  of  Ky.  from  600  citizens  of 
his  district;  by  Mr.  Love,  from  citizens  of  Madison  county,  Ky.; 
by  Mr.  Jlllan,  from  citizens  of  Clark  county,  Ky.;  by  Mr.  Vance, 
from  860  voters  of  Green  county.  Ohio;  also  twenty-one  peti 
lions  signed  by  900  voters  of  Clark  county,  in  the  same  state; 
[these,  Mr.  V.  stated,  had  been  four  weeks  in  his  hands,  and 
were  now  presented  at  the  first  moment  an  opportunity  offer- 
ed]; by  Mr.  Patterson,  from  Richland  county,  Ohio;  by  Mr. 
ffhitllesev,  from  citizens  of  his  district;  by  Mr.  F'infon,  two  me- 
morials from  citizens  of  his  district  in  Ohio;  hy  Mr.  Bell,  from 
1,300  voters  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio;  by  Mr.  Duncan,  proceed- 
n»s  of  a  meeting  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  and  three  memo- 
rials signed  by  1,300  citizens  of  the  same  county— all  which 
were  read,  referred,  &c. 

Memorials,  proceedings,  Stc.  opposed  to  the  restoration  of  the 
depositss,  &c.  were  presented,  by  Mr.  Beaumont,  from  a  meet- 
"ng  in  Luzerne  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Galbraith,  from  a  public 
neetins  in  Erie  county,  Pa.;  by  Mr.  Laporte,  the  proceedings 
of  seven  public  meetings  held  in  the  17th  congressional  district 
of  Pa.;  hy  Mr.  Burd,  from  Columbia  county.  Pa.;  by  the  same 
'rom  Cambria  county,  Pa.;  hy  Mr.  Stewart,  from  Fayette  coun 
ly,  Pa.;  hy  Mr.  Miller,  from  310  citizens  of  Adams  county,  Pa.; 
by  the  speaker,  resolutions  of  a  meeting  held  in  New  Castle, 
Delaware;  hy  Mr.  Sloane,  of  Ohio,  from  his  district;  by  Mr. 
Patterson,  from  a  meeting'  in  Huron  county,  Ohio — also  by  the 
same  from  100  voters  of  Seneca  county,  in  the  same  state;  hy 
Mr.  Conrin  from  a  meeting  in  Warren  county,  Ohio;  by  Mr. 
Mitchell,  from  Znnesville,  Ohio;  by  Mr.  Dt<ncun,from  a  meeting 
in  Morgan  county,  Illinois;  by  Mr.  Plummer,  from  two  meetings 
n  Fife  and  Do«ne  counties,  Mississippi — read,  referred,  &c. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Garland,  an  inquiry  was  instituted  as  to 
the  expediency  of  making  an  appropriation  for  the  purpose  of 
removing  a  raft  in  the  bayou  Pigeon,  one  of  the  outlets  of  the 
Mississippi.  The  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  May  20.     Mr.  Polk  reported  a  bill  for  th«  reappro- 


Objections  being  made,  Mr.  McComas  moved  a  suspension  of 
the  rule;  which  motion  was  negatived. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Mercer,  the  house  adopted  a  resolution 
granting  a  right  of  way  through  lands  belonging  to  the  United 
States,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  to  the  Winchester  and  Potomac  rail 
road  company. 

The  harbor  appropriation  bill  was  again  taken  up  in  commit- 
tee of  the  whole,  amended  and  reported  to  ihe  house. 

The  fortification  bill  was  taken  up  in  committee,  when  a  dis- 
cussion ensued  on  a  motion  to  strike  out  "an  appropriation  for 
a  fort  on  Throgs  Neck,  East  river,  New  York,  of  $100,000;"  and 
also  "for  a  fort  at  Grand  Terre,  Louisiana,  $50,000;"  before  a 
decision  was  had,  the  committee  rose. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Mercer  it  was  resolved  that  the  house  ad- 
journ on  Thursday  next  over  to  the  following  Monday,  in  order 
that  the  hall  might  he  cleansed,  the  carpet  taken  up,  and  a  cover- 
ing of  matting  substituted  in  its  place. 
The  house  then  adjourned. 

Monday,  May  19.  The  memorial  from  inhabitants  of  Savan 
nah,  Georgia,  approving  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  coming 
up  as  the  unfinished  business — 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wayne,  it  was  ordered  to  be  printed  and 
laid  on  the  table. 

The  memorial  of  the  inhabitants  of  Ontario  county,  N.  York, 
with  the  resolutions  adopted  by  them  remonstrating  against  the 
removal  of  the  deposites,  coming  up — 

Mr.  Dic'xton  addressed  the  house  at  large  on  the  general  bank 
subject:  after  which,  on  his  motion,  the  memorial  and  resolu- 
tions were  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Anthony,  who,  on  the  last  petition  day,  had  presented  n 
memorial  from  Lycoming  county,  in  favor  of  a  recharter  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  Slates,  addressed  the  house,  and  discussec 
varioui  topics  relating  to  the  general  politics  of  the  country 


priation  of  an  unexpended  balance  of  a  former  appropriation  for 
the  payment  of  the  Georgia  militia  claims  for  ihe  years  1792, 
;93  and  '94,  and 

Mr.  Pierce  reported  a  bill  making  appropriations  for  marine 
hospitals  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  and  other  places:  which  bill* 
were  twice  read  and  committed. 

Mr.  Horace  Everett,  made  a  detailed  and  able  report,  accom- 
p.inied  by  the  three  following  bills,  viz: 

1.  To  provide  for  the  organization  of  the  department  ol  Indian 
affairs. 

2.  To  regulate  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes, 
and  to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontiers. 

3.  To  provide  for  the.  establishment  of  the  western  territory, 
and  for  the  security  and  protection  of  the  emigrant  and  other 
Indian  tribes  therein. 

Which  bills  were  severally  mad  the  flrst  and  second  lime, 
and  committed  to  the  committee  of  the  whole  house,  and  ten 
thousand  copies  of  the  report  ordered  to  be  printed  by  unani- 
mous consent. 

Mr.  Jones  moved  the  following  resolution,  which  was  unani- 
mously agreed  to: 

Resoli-ed,  That  Rolert  P.  Letchrr  and  Thomas  P.  Moore,  esqs. 
have  leave  to  be  heard  al  the  bar  of  this  house,  in  defence  of 
their  respective  claims  to  a  seat  in  this  house. 

Mr.  Jones  then  called  for  the  reading  of  the  report  of  the  ma 
jority  of  ihe  committee  on  elections. 

Objections  having  been  made,  the  house  decided  that  the  re- 
port should  be  read  69  to  57.  It  was  then  read  through,  and 

Mr.  Banks,  moved  that  the  reports  and  resolutions  of  ihe  ma- 
jority and  minority  be  referred  lo  a  committee  of  the  whole — 
negalived,  yeas  84,  nays  106. 

The  question  then  being  on  the  firct  resolution  with  which 
the  majority's  report  concludes,  declaring  Thomas  P.  Moore 
duly  elected. 


203 


NILES1  REGISTER— MAY   24,   1834— FOREIGN  NLWS. 


Mr.  Banks  moved  llie  following  amendment  (hereto:  Strike 
out  all  after  the  word  "resolved,"  and  insert— "That  all  the 
legal  votes  which  were  received  in  Lancaster,  (Garrard  county), 
whilst  Morrix  Grant,  esq.  acted  as  one  of  the  judges,  on  the  first 
morning  of  the  election  in  August  last,  and  those  of  a  like 
character  given  on  the  second  day  of  the  ilcclion,  in  the  casual 
absence  of  the  sheriff,  ought  to  b«:  estimated  in  ascertaining  the 
result  of  the  election." 

Mr.  firings  called  for  the  reading  of  the  minorit}  's  report,  the 
other  having  been  read. 

Mr.  Fillmore  thought  the  reading  was  called  for  as  a  matter 
of  strict  justice,  the  other  having  been  twice  read. 

The  reading  of  the  report  was  finally  agreed  to;  and,  after 
having  been  partly  pone  through  with,  the  further  reading  was 
dispensed  with;  after  which, 

Mr.  Bank*  addressed  the  house  at  large  in  support  of  Mr. 
Iietcher's  claim. 

Mr.  Jones  replied  to  him;  and  was  followed  by 

Mr.  Marshall,  who,  after  speaking  for  sometime,  gave  way 
for  a  motion  to  that  effect,  and  the  house  adjourned. 

Wednesday,  May  21.  The  house,  in  committee  of  the  whole, 
proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  rt-pmu  on  the  contested 
Kentacky  election;  when 

Mr.  Marshall  resumed  his  remarks  in  reply  to  Hie  arguments 
flf  Mr.  Jones,  and  in  support  oftlie  rlaim  of  Mr.  Letchcr. 

Mr.  Clayton  and  Mr.  Hardin  having  followed,  at  length,  on 
the  same  side, 

Mr.  Gilmer  called  for  a  division  oftlie  question  on  the  amend- 
ment, so  as  to  have  it  taken  on  tho  first  paragraph,  viz: 

"Retolved,  That  all  the  legal  votes  which  were  received  in 
Lancaster,  (Garrard  county),  whilst  Morris  Grant,  esq.  acted  as 
one  of  the  judges,  on  the  first  morning  oftlie  election  in  August 
last,  should  be  taken  into  the  estimate  in  ascertaining  the  result 
of  the  election. 

Mr.  Boon  asked  th.it  the  question  should  betaken  on  that  pan 
of  the  amendment  which  proposes  "to  strike  out." 

Mr.  Hubbard,  the  speaker  pro  tcm.  said  this  was  not  in  order. 

Mr.  Griffin  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays  on  thu  question,  which 
being  ordered, 

Mr.  Jones  rose  in  reply,  and  in  support  of  Mr.  Moore's  claim 
to  the  seat;  when  he  had  concluded, 

Mr.  Homer  obtained  the  floor,  and  moved  an  adjournment; 
whereupon  the  house  adjourned. 

T&urtday,  May  22.  Mr.  Stoddert  reported,  without  amend- 
ment, tlie  bill  from  the  senate,  entitled  "an  act  to  provide  for 
the  construction  and  use  of  a  lateral  branch  of  the  Ohio  rail 
road,  within  the  District  of  Columbia,"  which  bill  was  twice 
read  and  committed. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  president  of  the  United 
States  covering  the  convention  between  this  country  and  Spain. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McComas,  it  was  resolved  to  instruct  the 
committee  on  roads  and  canals  to  inquire  into  the  expediency 
of  subscribing  for  stock  to  the  James  river  and  Kanawha  com- 
pany, in  the  state  of  Virginia. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  oftlie  reports 
<m  the  contested  Kentucky  election;  when 

Mr.  Hamer  replied  to  the  arguments  of  Messrs.  Marshall  and 
llardin,  and  in  support  of  the  claim  of  Mr.  Moore. 

The  majority  and  minority  of  the  committee  appointed  to  in- 
vestigate the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  respec- 
tively presented  reports,  which,  after  some  discussion  as  to  fix- 
ing upon  the  time,  were  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Tuesday 
week,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Vanderpoel  moved  for  the  printing  of  an  extra  number  of 
10,000  of  each  report;  objections  being  made, 

Mr.  Clayton  moved  an  adjournment,  which  was  negatived; 
when  the  motion  for  printing  an  extra  number  was  renewed, 
and  objections  being  again  made, 

Mr.  Miller  moved  to  lay  the  whole  subject  on  the  table;  but 
afterwards  withdrew  it— when,  after  some  discussion,  the  house 
adjourned. 

FOREIGN  NEWS. 
From  Parti  pajiers  to  the  15tk  Jlpril. 

FRANCE. 

That  revolutionary  spirit  which  has  so  often  manifested  itself 
fur  the  last  three  years  in  France,  displayed  itself  with  more 
than  ordinary  violence  on  the  oth  of  April,  at  Lyons.  It  con- 
tains about  120,000  inhabitants,  and  is  principally  a  manufac- 
turing town.  The  insurrectionary  movement  commenced  with 
the  operative  mechanics  and  manufacturers,  and  the  leading, 
or  immediate  cause,  was  the  arrest  of  six  individuals  belonging 
tn  an  association  called  Mutuellittei,  charged  with  an  assault 
upon  the  procureur  du  roi.  For  several  days  the  authorities 
of  Lyons  had  been  warned  of  a  movement  being  contemplated, 
and  had,  therefore,  prepared  themselves  for  successful  resist- 
ance, hy  a  concentration  of  all  their  disposable  forces.  The 
Mittuellistes  were  but  little  disposed  to  join  in  the  plot,  and 
only  such  workmen  as  belonged  to  political  societies  joined  the 
anarchists.  It  appears  thai  the  workmen  made  their  first  ad- 
vances in  column*,  and  in  good  order  toward  the  P<r/<m  A<-  Jus- 
tice, announcing  their  resolution  to  protect  their  brethren  then 
before  the  court,  as  the  judges  were  defended  by  the  troops; 
numbers  of  them  being  armed. 

After  ineflrectii.il  injunctions  by  the  authorities  to  them  to  r«- 
tue,  hostilities  commenced,  and  in  the  very  onset  about  twen- 


ty-five soldiers  were  put  kors  du  combat.  Tha  troops  are  said) 
to  have  observed  the  greatest  forbearance,  and  to  have  acted 
lor  a  considerable  time  on  the  defensive.  This  loss,  however, 
caused  them  to  retort  with  great  vigor;  and  the  workmen  on 
their  side,  defended  themselves  with  the  inmost  intrepidity. 
Their  movements  were  directed  with  sreal  regularity,  and  the 
orders  given  were  followed  with  precision.  Barricades  and 
other  defences  were  thrown  up  by  them  simultaneously  in  all 
parts  of  the  town,  as  if  by  magic,  and  when  driven  by  the  ar- 
tillery from  these,  they  sought  shelter  in  narrow  streets,  or  oc- 
cupied hotels  and  churches  and  other  houses,  whence  they 
fired  upon  the  soldiers.  Three  of  the  houses  occupied  by  them 
were  fired  upon  by  the  troops  with  grape-shot,  and  in  one  of 
them  150  prisoners  were  taken,  many  of  them  wounded.  The 
fighting  continued  with  but  little  cessation  from  the  5th  to  the 
night  ofthe  12th  of  April,  the  latter  day  was  bloody  and  deci- 
sive. The  rebels,  driven  from  their  other  positions,  took  refuse 
in  three  or  four  churches,  and  among  others  in  the  Cathedral, 
(and  from  their  towers  sounded  the  awful  tocsin  of  alarm), 
which  latter  it  was  found  necessary  to  besiege.  All  who  were 
shut  up  in  it,  about  200  in  number,  are  said  to  have  perished. 
Two  of  the  houses  occupied  by  the  rebels  took  fire,  from  the 
shells  discharged  against  them. 

The  whole  force  of  the  insurgents  was  slated  to  be  about 
seven  or  eight  thousand;  that  of  the  government,  at  the  com- 
mencement, was  8,000,  bul  was  subsequently  augmented  to 
15,UOO. 

The  loss  of  tho  insurgents  in  killed  and  wounded  is  stated  to 
be  600;  that  of  the  government  troops  200.  During  the  fighting 
of  the  12th,  the  Hotel  rie  Ville  was  taken  and  retaken  three 
times,  with  great  slaughter.  The  advantages  were  so  decisive, 
however,  on  that  day,  as  to  lead  to  the  restoration  of  compara- 
tive order  and  tranquillity. 

The  object  of  the  insurgents,  it  is  said,  was  to  proclaim  a  re- 
public. Encouraged  by  the  movements  at  Lyons,  the  republi- 
cans of  Chatons-sur  Saone  attempted  a  similar  movement 
there.  On  the  morning  of  the  13th  April  several  individuals 
seized  and  threw  down  several  coaches  in  the  middle  of  the 
bridge,  and  endeavored  to  form  a  barricade.  On  the  summons 
oftlie.  officers  of  the  troops,  stationed  on  the  bridge,  they  soon 
dispersed,  and  the  coaches  were  thrown  into  the  Saone  by  the 
soldiers. 

In  Paris,  also,  insurrectionary  movements  had  taken  place. 
On  the  night  of  the  12th  of  April,  strong  pickets  paraded  the 
streets,  yet  no  serious  difficulty  occurred,  but  towards  the 
evening  of  the  following  day,  a  degree  of  agitation  was  mani- 
fested in  the  quarter  of  St.  Martin.  Barricades  were  raised  by 
seizing  coaches  and  other  vehicles,  to  impede  the  action  of  the 
forces,  by  which  the  insurgents  might  be  attacked.  Several  of 
the  narrow  streets  were  blocked  up,  and  some  youths  made 
their  appearance  armed  with  muskets,  and  with  red  cockades 
in  their  hats.  As  soon  as  these  symptoms  were  known,  the 
national  guards  repaired  to  the  scene  of  disturbance,  and,  by 
six  in  the  evening,  Paris  was  traversed  in  every  direction  by 
troops.  The  greater  part  of  the  barricades  were  taken,  though 
not  without  some  loss.  As  the  dukes  of  Orleans  and  Nemours 
were  proceeding  to  join  in  the  attack  upon  the  insurgents, 
several  shots  were  fired  at  them  from  the  third  story  of  a  house 
in  the  Rue  St  Martin;  a  ball  of  one  of  which  passed  between 
the  duke  of  Orleans  and  one  of  his  aids  de-camp,  and  through 
the  cap  of  a  soldier  at  his  side.  A  paving  stone  was  also 
thrown  at  the  prince  from  the  same  house.  Enraged  by  these 
incidents,  the  infantry,  who  accompanied  the  princes,  rushed 
into  the  house,  and  killed  every  person  whom  they  found  with 
arms  in  his  hands.  Generals  Rumigny,  Bugeaud,  Lascours  and 
Tourton,  inarched  upon  the  centre  of  the  insurrection,  carrying 
every  barricade  which  opposed  their  progress,  and  completely 
sweeping  several  streets. 

The  insurgents  intrenched  themselves  in  houses  with  two 
entrances,  and  fired  upon  the  troops  from  behind  the  window 
shutters.  The  animosity  of  the  troops  and  of  the  national 
guard,  who  saw  their  companions  thus  falling  under  the  shots 
of  invisible  enemies,  now  became  at  its  height;  they  caused  the 
pioneers  to  break  open  the  doors,  when  they  rushed  in  and  did 
not  suffer  one  of  them  to  escape  alive.  In  a  few  hours  the  in- 
surrection was  put  down,  and  at  11  o'clock,  on  the  morning  or 
the  13th,  the  king  reviewed  his  troops  an  usual.  After  the  re- 
view, his  majesty  received  in  the  hall  of  the  marshals,  all  the 
officers  of  the  regiments  that  had  been  reviewed,  and  in  the  pre- 
sence of  the  queen,  madame  Adelaide,  the  young  princes 
and  princesses,  addressed  them  with  great  emotion,  calling 
them  his  "dear  comrades,"  and  returning  them  his  warmest 
thanks. 

The  chambers  of  peers  and  deputies  had  waited  upon  the 
king  in  person,  to  tender  him  their  congratulations  upon  the 
prompt  suppression  of  the  insurrectionary  movements,  and  to 
renew  their  assurances  of  devoiedness.  He  received  them 
with  distinguished  marks  of  gratitude,  and  made  pertinent  re- 
plies to  their  respective  addresses. 

A  passenger  in  the  packet  states  that  general  Lafayette's 
health  is  so  much  impaired,  as  to  cause  fears  to  be  entertained 
of  his  lift;. 

Our  minister,  Mr.  Livingston,  was  received  by  the  king  on 
the  3d  of  April.  The  day  before,  he  dined  at  the  diplomatic 
dinner  given  by  count  Borgo. 

The  government  brig  La  Curaissier,  with  despatches,  had 
left  Brest  for  this  country,  and  they  are  announced  in  the  Paris 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  24,  1834— THE  NIGER  EXPEDITION. 


209 


Journal  of  the  12lh,  as  of  snch  importance,  that  the  brig  sailed 
in  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after  their  receipt. 

The  Tribune,  and  Bureaux,  two  of  the  Paris  journals,  had 
been  suppressed,  the  one  was  seized  on  the  12lh  April,  and  the 
other  on  the  succeeding  day.  The  seals  had  not  only  been 
placed  on  the  latter,  but  OH  the  presses  of  M.  Mie,  the  printer 
of  that  paper.  M.  Mie,  and  M.  Surrul,  one  of  the  editors,  had 
iilso  been  arrested.  The  warrants  for  these  proceedings  were 
signed  by  M.  Tliiers,  minister  of  the  interior,  and  they  are 
founded  on  the  law  of  1814,  which  authorises  the  withdrawal 
of  the  patent  of  printer  from  any  person  who  has  been  convict- 
ed nf  contravening  the  laws  and  regulations  relative  to  the 
press. 

BELGIUM. 

A  serious  riot  took  place  at  Brussels  on  the  5ih  April.  The 
dwellings  of  the  duke  d'Ursel,  of  the  prince  de  Ligne,  and  of 
M.  de  Frazegnier  were  severally  attacked  by  a  large  mob,  the 
windows  broken  and  furniture  destroyed.  No  lives  lost.  These 
individuals  were  friendly  to  the  house  of  Orange,  and  were  as- 
certained to  have  contributed  towards  a  newspaper  of  that  par- 
ty, which  had  been  suppressed. 

Tranquillity  had  been  restored  on  the  12th,  but  the  existence 
of  such  disgraceful  scenes  under  the  surveillance  of  the  king, 
had  awakened  a  genural  feeling  of  indignation  in  England. 

LATER   NEWS. 

From  London  papers  to  the  15th  and  Liverpool  to  the  16th  Jlpril, 
inclusive. 

GREAT   BRITAIN    AND    IRELAND. 

Parliament  had  again  assembled,  and  petitions  were  pouring 
in  complaining  of  agricultural  distress,  and  praying  for  the  repeal 
of  the  disabilities  of  dissenters — for  the  abolition  of  tithes,  and 
for  the  better  observance  of  the  sabbath. 

Mr.  O'Connelt  had  addressed  another  letter  to  the  people  of 
Ireland,  in  which  he  reproves  thesupineness  that  had  been  ma- 
nifested in  procuring  signatures  for  a  repeal  of  the  union.  His 
requisition  was  for  half  a  million  of  names,  and  less  than  80,000 
had  been  obtained.  He  attributes  the  deficiency  chiefly  to  the 
prevalence  of  the  cholera  during  the  last  winter. 

A  man  named  Corbett  was  recently  shot  by  a  policeman  in 
the  county  of  Tipperary,  Ireland,  which  had  so  aroused  the 
feelings  of  the  people,  that  his  funeral  was  attended  by  200,000 
persons  the  next  day;  and  in  retaliation,  three  policemen  who 
were  escorting  a  prisoner  to  a  neighboring  station,  were  met  by 
7  or  8  young  men,  returning  from  the  burying,  and  murdered  at 
4  o'clock  in  the  day,  in  the  public  road.  Several  persons  had 
been  taken  up  on  suspicion. 

PORTUGAL. 

Lisbon  and  Oporto  had  been  declared  free  ports. 

A  party  of  the  queen's  troops  had  obtained  a  considerable 
victory  over  the  forces  of  Don  Miguel  before  Oporto,  and  com- 
pelled them  to  retreat.  The  queen's  troops  then  proceeded  to 
lirnga  and  took  possession  of  it — while  admiral  Napier  conquer- 
ed Viana  and  Caminha,  thus  placing  the  whole  province  of 
F.ritre  Doiiroe  Minho  under  the  command  of  the  Pedroites. 
VHIa  Flor  was  to  attack  Coimbra,  which  if  taken,  would  place 
nearly  the  entire  cost  of  Portugal  in  possession  of  the  queen. 

IJaron  Soure,  a  lieutenant  general  in  Don  Miguel's  army,  had 
Joined  the  queen's  army.  The  affairs  of  the  queen  were  every 
way  encouraging  and  those  of  Don  Miguel  gloomy  in  the  ex- 
treme. Don  Miguel's  troops  had  been  defeated  in  a  fight  be- 
fore Santarem,  and  he  escaped  by  swimming. 

IMPORTANT  SPANISH  DECREES. 

It  win  be  seen  from  the  following  that  the  queen's  govern- 
ment has  determined  to  put  down  political  priests,  by  touching 
them  in  very  tender  places — their  temporalities. 

The  decrees  lately  published  in  the  Madrid  Gazette  have  al- 
ready been  described  in  the  letters  of  our  correspondent,  but  the 
great  importance  of  the  two  which  relate  to  the  property  of  re- 
bellious ecclesiastics  induces  us  to  insert  complete  translations 
of  them.  [London  Times. 

"ROYAL  DECREES. 

"The  criminal  obstinacy  with  which  some  individuals  belong- 
ing to  the  secular  clergy  have  disregarded  the  reiterated  admo- 
nitions j>f  my  government,  and,  neglecting  the  exemplary  sanc- 
tity and  the  meekness  essential  to  their  order,  have  converted 
themselves  into  partisans  and  accomplices  of  the  faction  which 
disturbs  and  afflicts  the  country,  calls  for  the  adoption  of  severe 
measures  to  maintain  the  lustre  and  dignity  of  the  clerical  body 
itself,  and  to  provide  for  the  safety  of  the  state.  For  the  purpose 
of  accomplishing  these  important  objects,  I  have  resolved  on 
the  following  decree: — 

"  'Art.  1.  Possession  shall  be  taien  of  the  temporalities  of  all 
secular  ecclesiastics,  of  whatever  class  or  hierarchy,  who  join- 
ing the  ranks,  or  the  revolutionary  juntas  of  the  rebels,  or  emi- 
grating from  these  kingdoms  without  the  competent  license, 
may  have  abandoned,  or  shall  in  future  abandon  their  churches. 

"  'Art.  2.  As  the  criminal  acts  to  which  the  preceding  article 
refers  are  such  as  are  done  openly,  and  may  easily  be  known  by 
notoriety,  the  confiscation  of  the  temporalities;  shall  take  effect 
Immediately  on  the  flight  of  the  ecclesiastic  becoming  knou;i  by 


"  'Art  4.  Moreover,  the  temporalities  of  the  ecclesiastics  who 
shall  receive  or  conceal  the  rebels,  or  shall  induce  any  persona 
to  join  them,  or  shall  excite  movements  and  seditions  among 
the  people,  in  order  to  withdraw  them  from  the  obedience  due 
to  the  government,  shall  be  confiscated. 

"  'Art.  5.  In  order  that  the  confiscation  of  the  temporalities 
may  lake  effect  in  the  cases  provided  by  the  foregoing  articles, 
it  shall  be  only  preceded  by  a  short  and  summary  inquisition, 
and  no  further  mca.-nres  shall  be  requisite. 

"  'Art.  6.  The  procurador  eindico  of  the  place  where  the  ec- 
clesiastic whose  temporalities  may  be  confiscated  resides,  thall, 
in  virtue  of  his  office,  take  eare  that  they  are  transferred  to  the 
sub-delegate  of  provincial  rents,  information  thereof  being  trans- 
mitted to  me  through  your  department. 

"  'Art.  7.  If  the  ecclesiastic  possess  a  benefice  with  the  cure 
of  souls,  such  an  amount  Miall  be  deducted  from  the  seized  tem- 
poralities as,  according  to  the  decision  of  the  synod  of  the  re- 
spective bishops,  shall  be  a  sufficient  income  to  the  individual 
appointed  to  fulfil  tbat  charge. 

"  'Art.  8.  The  fund  of  temporalities  which  may  result  from 
the  application  of  this  decree,  will  be  destined  to  the  payment  of 
the  assignments  which  I  may  be  pleased  to  grant  for  the  drying 
up  of  the  tears,  and  the  consoling  of  the  parents,  children,  and 
widows  of  the  loyal  who  may  be  killed,  or  may  die  in  defence 
of  the  safety  of  the  country,  and  of  the  legitimate  rights  of  my 
exalted  daughter;  and  the  remainder,  if  there  should  be  any, 
will  be  applied  to  the  extinction  of  the  public  debt. 

"  'Art.  9.  The  enforcement  of  the  penalties  prescribed  by  this 
decree  shall  in  nowise  prejudice  any  judicial  proceedings  un- 
dertaken according  to  due  course  of  law. 

"  'Take  notice  hereof,  and  do  what  is  needful  for  the  fulfil- 
ment of  the  same. 

'In  rubric,  by  the  royal  sign   manue),  at  Aranjuez,  26th 


March,  1834. 


D.  NICOLAS  MARIA  GARELLY.' 


"The  asylums  which  religion  has  consecrated  to  retirement 
and  virtue  cannot  be  converted  into  centres  of  rebellion,  with- 
out prejudice  and  injury  to  institutions  which  are  the  objects  of 
the  veneration  of  a  Catholic  country.  But  as,  unfortunately, 
experience  has  shown  that  some  monasteries  and  convents  have 
been,  and  are  still,  profaned  by  subversive  plans  and  deeds,  de- 
siring equally  to  consult  the  safety  of  the  state  and  the  honor 
and  sanctity  of  the  cloisters,  I  have  resolved  on  decreeing  aa 
follows: — 

"  'Art.  1.  Any  monastery  or  convent,  whatever  its  insitulion 
may  be,  from  which  any  individual  belonging  to  the  communi- 
ty shall  fly  in  order  to  pass  over  to  the  rebels,  shall  be  immedi- 
ately suppressed,  if  within  the  space  of  24  hours  aflei  wards  the 
prelate  does  not  give  information  thereof  to  the  nearest  authori- 
ty, and  certify  that  he  has  commenced  the  necessary  proceed- 
ings against  the  fugitive. 

"'Art.  2.  Any  monastery  or  convent  from  which  the  sixth 
part  of  the  community  shall  fly  to  pass  over  to  the  rebels  shall 
also  be  suppressed. 

"  'Art.  3.  In  like  manner,  any  monastery  or  convent  info 
which  warlike  stores,  clothing,  arms,  or  ammunition  shall  be 
received,  with  the  connivance  of  the  superior,  shall  be  sup- 
pressed. 

"  'Art.  4.  Moreover,  any  monastery  or  convent  in  which  it 
may  be  proved  that  clandestine  juntas  have  met  with  the  per- 
mission or  knowledge  of  the  superior,  to  subvert  order  and  con- 
spire against  the  state,  shall  be  suppressed. 

"  'Art.  5.  The  objects  consecrated  to  worship  belonging  to  the 
monasteries  or  convents  which  may  be  suppressed  by  virtue  of 
the  present  decrees  shall  be  distributed  by  the  respective  dioces- 
ans among  the  most  necessitous  parishes,  information  of  the  ex- 
ecutive thereof  being  transmitted  to  me. 

"  'Art.  6.  The  moveable  and  immoveable  property  belonging 
to  the  monasteries  or  convents  so  suppressed  shall  be  immedi- 
ately sold  by  public  auction,  according  to  due  course  of  law. 

"  'Art.  7.  The  fund  of  temporalities  which  may  result  from 
the  provisions  of  this  my  royal  decree  will  be  applied  to  the  pay- 
ment of  the  pensions,  which  I  shall  assign  to  the  parents,  wi- 
dows, and  orphans  of  the  loyal  Spaniards  who  may  die  in  de- 
fence of  the  throne  and  the  country;  and  the  remainder,  if  any 
theie  should  be,  will  be  destined  to  the  extinction  of  the  public 
debt. 

"  'Art.  8.  The  application  of  the  foregoing  provisions  is  to  be 
understood  as  in  nowise  prejudicing  the  institution  of  any  pro- 
ceedings against  those  who  may  be  guilty  of  conspiracy  against 
the  slate. 

"  'Take  notice  hereof,  and  do  what  is  needful  for  its  fulfil- 
ment. 

"  'In  rubric,  by  the  royal  siirn  manurl,  at  Aranjurz,  March, 
26.  D.  NICOLAS  MARIA  GARELLY.'  '» 

— -»a  ©  »44i.. 

THE  NIGER  EXPEDITION. 
From  the  London  Literary  Gazette. 

Accounts  of  this  expedition,  up  to  the  5th  of  January,  have 
been  received.  At  that  date,  Lander  was  on  board  the  Curlew 
ship  of- war,  on  his  way  to  Cape  ("oast  Castle,  for  the  purpose 
rif  procuring  a  particular  species  of  goods  for  the  markets  in  the 
interior,  of  which  he  had  not  previously  taken  a  sufficient  sup- 


public  report,  ply.     If  successful  in  this  objeet,  it  was  his  intention  to  return 

" 'A't.  3.  In  like  manner  the  temporalities  of  the  ecclesiaMi'1.-  to  the  mouth  of  the  Nun;  thence  to  reasceml  the  Niger  for  the 
who  shrill  assist  the  factious  by  providing  them  with  arms,  an;  i  third  time,  and  endeavor  to  penetrate  as  far  up  the  river  as 
munition  or  jpioney,  tu  forward,  tlieir .iniquitous  plans,  shall  be  ,' Unussa  Previous  to  his  last  return  to  the  coast,  Lander  and 
eotiJi.-tatcd.  I  lieutenant  Allen  had  fortunately  reached  Kabbah,  or  Rabba  (*» 


210 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY   24,   1834— "BILLS  OF  CREDIT." 


large  Falatah  town),  in  the  iron  eteatnbo.it;  and,  for  the  space 
of  thirteen  or  fourteen  days,  had  maintained  a  friendly  inter- 
course, and  carried  on  an  advantageous  trade,  with  its  inhabi- 
tants. The  depth  of  the  water  at  that  place  \v,is  between  two 
ai-.d  three  fathoms,  and,  as  far  as  could  be  seen  beyond  it,  Ihe 
Niger  was  free  from  rocks  and  other  obstructions,  and  u.-.-umt-d 
a  majestic  and  very  encouraging  appearance.  This  important 
town  is  inhabited  by  Falalahs  and  negroes,  and  realizes  the  ex- 
pectations th.it  had  been  formed  of  it.  a*  regards  its  extent,  its 
wealth  and  its  population.  A  few  Tuaricks,  from  the  borders 
of  the  desert,  and  other  Arabs,  were  observed  by  our  country- 
men in  the  streets  of  Kabbah. 

Another  important  feature  is,  our  travellers  ascended  the 
river  Tshadda,  as  high  as  150  miles  from  its  junction  with  tlie 
Niger.  At  that  point,  and  at  some  distance  below  and  above 
it,  the  river  was  found  to  be  intersected  with  islands,  and  com- 
paratively shallow,  alternately  becoming  broad  and  narrow,  in 
proportion  as  its  channel  was  free  from,  or  obstructed  by  these 
islands.  No  traces  of  inhabitants  appeared  on  the  banks  of  this 
river;  and  Lander,  and  his  valuable  coadjutor  was  compelled 
to  return  to  the  Niger  for  want  of  provisions.  All  the  natives 
in  this  part  of  the  country  agree  in  the  assertion  that  the  Tshad- 
da communicates  with  Lake  Tshad,  the  inland  sea  of  Africa. 
They  do  not  hazard  this  as  a  mere  conjecture,  but  state  it  with 
confidence  as  a  well  known  and  undisputed  fact.  On  a  small 
island  near  Atta,  Lander  lias  erected  a  kind  of  mud  fort,  which 
will  also  answer  the  purpose  of  a  depot  for  British  goods.  This 
place  has  been  named  English  Island,  and  it  possesses  peculiar 
facilities  for  trading  purposes  in  that  part  of  the  country.  The 
king  of  Atta,  who  seems  to  have  formed  an  attachment  to  Lan- 
der, had  presented  him  with  four  small,  but  very  beautiful  hor- 
ses, which  he  succeeded  in  conveying  to  Fernando  Po.  Poor 
old  Pasko,  the  black  who  buried  Belzoni,  is  dead.  He  had  join- 
ed the  present  expedition  at  Cape  Coast  Castle,  and  expired  up 
the  Niger,  after  a  short  illness.  Lieutenant  Allen  lias  rendered 
an  important  service  to  the  cause  of  science  by  the  observations 
be  made  while  on  the  Niger  and  Tshadda.  He  is  expected  to 
arrive  shortly  from  the  coast  of  Africa.  Lander  has  lost  every 
symptom  of  his  late  severe  indisposition,  and  looks  as  hardy  as 
an  Arab.  He  wears  a  luxuriant  beard,  which  extends,  to  his 
waist. 

Another  account  says — 

Mr.  Lander  relates  that  they  found  a  city  called  Nunda,  on 
the  Tshadda,  whirli  contain*  60  or  70,OOU  inhabitants.  The 
walls  are  20  feet  high.  The  king  is  u  brutal  savage.  He  has  in 
his  seraglio  1,500  women.  He  detained  the  English  and  would 
not  let  them  return,  pretending  to  be  influenced  by  the  gods. 
He  said  the  gods  had  been  frequently  consulted,  but  they  would 
not  give  a  favorable  answer.  Laird  took  advantage  of  the  king's 
superstition;  told  him  he  would  send  a  messenger  to  the  gods, 
and  if  it  burned  blue,  it  would  be  an  indication  of  a  favorable 
reply.  Laird  sent  up  a  blue  light,  which  madesuch  an  impres- 
sion on  the  kin;:  that  he  releasad  the  party.  The  slave  trade  is 
carried  on  up  and  down  the  Niger.  While  Mr.  Laird  was  up 
<he  river,  about  1,000  of  the  people  of  Nunda  made  an  incursion 
along  the  bank  of  the  Niger,  and  sacked  the  country  far  and 
ivide.  Their  object  was  slaves  and  booty.  They  make  pipes 
BO  long  that  they  can  smoke  when  riding,  with  the  bowl  of  the 
pipe  resting  on  the  foot.  They  are  ignorant  of  distilling,  and 
Jiave  not  yet  acquired  a  taste  of  rum.  At  one  place  on  the  Ni- 
ger, the  priests  sacrificed  a  human  victim,  and  threw  the  body 
in  pieces  into  the  river  to  prevent  the  English  going  up;  the  ig- 
norant natives  thought  this  would  put  a  stop  to  their  progress, 
and  were  much  disappointed  when  they  found  the  incantations 
jof  the  priests  of  no  avail. 


ZP;;!  in  conducting  our  elections  is  commendable,  it  i*  desirable 
that  it  be  so  attempted  as  not  to  inflame  Hie  citizens  or  inter- 
rupt the  free  exercise  of  their  civic  rights.  And  on  the  occur- 
rence of  scenes  like  those  brought  to  the  cognizance  of  thi.i 
jury,  it  is  all  important  they  should  bo  cheeked  in  their  inci- 
piency. 

In  reference  to  this,  and  in  review  of  the  whole  subject,  they 
are  fully  of  opinion  that  the  plan  now  in  agitation,  of  resist*  r- 
ing  the  names  of  voters  prior  to  every  election,  is  best  calculated 
to  avert  the  recurrence  of  so  lamentable  an  evil  as  that  alluded 
to — to  prevent  the  frequency  of  perjury,  so  demoralizing  in  its 
tendency,  and  to  accomplish  that  provision  of  our  constitution 
which  declares  that  "laws  should  be  made  for  ascertaining  by 
proper  proofs,  the  citizens  who  shall  be  entitled  to  the  right  of 
snlt'rage." 

In  conclusion,  this  grand  jury  express  their  belief  that  this 
subject  cannot  he  too  seriously  weighed  or  too  seriously  noted 
upon  by  their  fellow  citizens. 

JAS.  K.  HAMILTON,/oreman. 

Tfew   York,  May  17,  1834. 

register  of  the  voters  is  the  only  mode  of  safety.  We 
are  friends  of  free  suffrages — of  universal  suffrage,  if  the  term 
pleases  anyone  better — but  think  it  ought  to  be  made  a  high 
penitentiary  offence  for  any  one  to  rob  us  of  a  just  exercise  of 


that  right,  by  voting  unlawfully. 


ED.  REO. 


BANK  OF  GEORGIA. 

Abstract  of  the  general  statement  of  the  bank  of  Georgia  and 
its  branches  on  the  7th  April,  1834. 

Notes  discounted $1.561 ,101  35 

Rills  of  exchange  discounted 579,619  75 

Notes  and  bills  of  exchange  in  suit 223,39063 

Heal  estate '. 50,187  04 

Banking  houses  ;ind  lots 60,500  00 

State  bank  stock 25,693  0(> 

Profit  and  loss 14,047  21 

Steamboat  and  Savannah  corporation  stock..      26,200  00 

Salaries 15,365  57 

Incidental  expenses 5,220  73 

Bridge  at  Augusta 55,000  0 

Assignment  of  judgments 5,600  00 

Protest  account 406  75 

Due  from  local  banks 67,653  45 

Due  from  state  banks 184,078  74 

Bills 198,035  00 

Hills  Pr.  bank  Savannah  on  hand 238.894  00 

Bills  of  branches  on  hand 1.005,916  00 

Specie  on  hand 310.769  00 

Capital 1 .500,000  00 

Bills  signed  for  Pr.  bank  Savannah 368,005  00 

Bills  signed  for  branches 1,S31.P96  00 

Dividends  unpaid 3,479  f 

Discount  account 114.34286 

Surplus  fund 28,883  14 

Due  to  other  banks 328,339  01 

Due  to  state  hanks  and  branches 204,235  01 

Undivided  dcposites 286,418  23 

"BILLS  OF  CREDIT." 

AN   IMPORTANT   LAW    CASE. 

From  the  Lexington,  (Ky.)  Intelligencer,  of  May  6. 

ME.RCER   ClKCOtT   CODRT — MARCH   TERM,  1834. 

Judge  Bridges,  presiding. 
The  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the} 


In  ilel.t. 


NEW  YORK  ELECTION  RIOTS. 

Presentment  of  rioters 
By  ttie  grand  jury  to  the  court  of  sessions  on  Saturday  last.— 
The  grand  jury  for  the  May  term  of  the  court  of  sesnons  for 
the  city  and  county  of  New  York,  being  about  to  close  their 
duties  and  having  in  the  prosecution  of  them  been  called  to  the 
investigation  of  the  unfortunate  riots  that  occurred  during  the 
late  election  in  April,  deem  it  to  be  their  duty  to  make  a  pre- 
sentment in  relation  to  this  unprecedented  occurrence,  to  the 
court,  and  their  fellow  citizens  at  large. 

In  canvassing  the  mass  of  testimony  that  has  been  adduced 
in  reference  to  this  matter,  it  has  been  the  constant  desire  of  the 
jury  so  to  discharge  their  duties,  that  while  the  guilty  should  he 
brought  to  punishment,  the  recurrence  of  scenes  so  disreputa- 
ble and  dangerous  to  the  peace  of  the  city,  might  hereafter  be 
(prevented. 

The  result  of  tin--  investigation  has  been  the  finding  true  hills 
against  a  number  of  individuals,  and  in  one  case  where  human 
life  was  brought  to  Its  very  verge  by  the  violence  exercised. 
While  these  instances  have  been  comparatively  few,  owinu'  to 
the  impossibility  of  identifying  the  aggressors,  it  is  evident  that 
personal  safety,  human  life,  and  the  good  order  of  this  commu- 
nity have  been  endangered  beyond  precedent. 

The  grand  jury  therefore  tarn  to  the  people,  from  whom  the 
law  principally  emanata?,  for  relief;  and  would  earnestly  recom- 
mend to  our  legislators  their  most  serious  consideration  of  this 
subject,  &*  involving  riot  only  their  lives  and  property,  but  as 
vital  to  the  preservation  of  our  republican  institutions.  All  mii-t 
be  deeply  sensible  of  the  many  and  nppaling  evils  consequent 
on  a  resort  to  physical  force  at  any  period — and  more  particular- 
ly during  the  exercise  of  the  elective  franchise.  While  a  proper 


Commonwealth  of  Kentucky. 

against 

Nelson  Mayesi,  3 

This  is  an  action  of  debt  by  petition  and  summons,  brought 
upon  a  note  executed  by  the  defendant,  &c.  to  the  plainliftV, 
for  the  payment  of  a  sum  of  money  therein  specified.  The  de- 
fendant filed  a  demurrer  t«  the  petition,  and  two  special  pleas 
in  bar  of  the  action.  The  plaintiffs  joined  the  demurrer  and  de- 
murred to  each  plea,  which  was  joined  bv  the  defendant.  The 
pleas  allege  in  substance,  that  the  note  sued  on  was  given  in 
renewal  of  another  note,  and  that  of  a  preceding  one;  and  that 
the  only  consideration  given  for  the  original  note,  was  notes 
issued  by  llir  plaintiffs,  nnd  by  them  loaned  to  the  principal  obli 
gorin  the  original  note;  and  that  the  notes,  so  loaned,  were 
bills  of  credit,  issued  by  thr  slnte  of  Kentucky,  through,  and  by 
means  of  the  commonwealth  of  Kentucky,  contrary  to  the  con 
stitution  of  the  United  States. 

In  the  consideration  of  this  case  the  following  questions  are 
presented. 

1st.  Is  the  act  of  assembly  establishing  the  bank  of  the  Com 
monwcalth,  a  valid  act,  or  is  it  repugnant  to  the  prohibition  in 
the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  declares  that  "no 
state  skall  emit  bills  of  credit?"  2d.  If  the  notes  of  said  bank 
are  hills  of  credit  within  the  meaning  of  the  constitution  of 
the  United  States,  can  the  defendant  successfully  plead  their 
illegality  in  bar  of  this  action? 

Influenced,  ns  well  by  the  importance,  delicacy  and  difficulty 
of  the  questions  involved  in  this  cnsr,  and  the  responsibility  in- 
sepprablc  from  a  decision  of  tUein,  the  court  felt  a  s troriq  \\  jsli 
that  the  cause  should  stand  over  until  n  similar  ca.«i-,  now  prnrt- 
ing  before  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States  should  bfi 
decided;  but  the  counsel  for  the  parties  bring  opposed  to  such 
postponement,  nnd  urging  a  decision  at  the  present  term,  the 
court  is  constrained  to  submit  In  wish  to  their  will. 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  24,  1834— ''BILLS  OF  CREDIT." 


ill 


Preliminary  to  a  decision  of  these  questions,  it  in  deemed  pro- 
per to  give  a  brief  analysis  of  the  act  ol'ilic  legislature  establish 
ing  the  bank,  and  llle  subsequent  acts  connected  with  it. 

Tin:  preamble  to  the  act,  recites  that  it  was  deemed  expedienl 
to  establish  a  bank  on  the  funds  of  the  state,  for  the  purpose  ..I 
making  loans  for  longer  periods  th;\n  customary,  and  for  the 
relief  of  the  distresses  of  the  community.  The  bank  is  estab- 
lished in  the  name  and  cm  behalf  of  the  commonwealth  of  Ken- 
tucky, with  a  capital  stock  of  two  millions  of  dollars,  to  be  ex- 
clusively the  property  of  the  slate,  and  no  individual  permitted 
to  own  stock:  it  is  placed  under  the  direction  of  a  president  and 
twelve  directors,  elected  annually  by  u  joint  ballot  of  both 
houses  ot  tin:  general  assembly;  they  are  made  a  corporation 
and  body  politic,  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  president  and 
directors  of  the  bank  of  the  Commonwealh  of  Kentucky,  they 
an-  authorised  to  appoint  a  cashier,  clerks,  &c.  the  president 
and  cashier  have  a  fixed  annual  salary,  paid  by  the  state:  the 
cashiers  are  required  to  give  bond  anil  security  to  the  common- 
wealth for  their  fidelity,  &c.  the  corporation  is  permitted  to  is- 
sue notes  to  the  amount  of  three  millions  of  dollars,  and  of  any 
denomination  under  one  hundred  dollars:  they  are  authorised 
to  loan  their  notes  and  funds  at  an  interest  not  exceeding  the 
rate  of  six  per  centum  per  annum;  arid  to  apportion  the  loans  to 
each  county  in  proportion  to  its  taxable  propetty  for  the  year 
1820.  Loans  were  directed  to  be  made  to  such  individuals 
only,  during  the  VFHT  1820,  as  might  need  them  for  the  pur- 
pose or  paying  his,  her  or  their  just  debts,  or  for  Hie  purpose 
of  purchasing  the  live  stock  or  produce  of  the  country  for  ex- 
portation: they  are  required  to  report  annually  to  the  legisla 
lature,  and  to  keep  a  minute  of  their  proceeding-4,  to  be  at  all 
times  subject  to  the  demand  and  inspection  of  the  legislature, 
or  a  committee  thereof.  Twelve  branches  are  established  and 


located  at  different  points  in  the  state,  the  capital  stock  to  be 
raised  and  paid  in   the  following  manner,  to  wit:  All  moneys 
thereafter  paid  into  the  treasury  for  the  purchase  of  the  vacant 
lands  of  the  commonwealth;  all  moneys  thereafter  paid  into  the 
treasury  for  the  purchase  of  land  warrants:  all  moneys  which 
might  thereafter  be  received  for  the  sale  of  the  vacant  lands  west 
of  the  Tennessee  river;  and  so  much  of  the  capital  stock  owned 
by  the  state  in  the  bank  of  Kentucky,  as  might  belong  to  the  state 
after  the  affairs  of  said  bank  should  he  settled  up,  with  the 
profits  thereof  not  heretofore  pledged  or  appropriated  bylaw, 
and  the  revenue  of  the  state  unappropriated  at  the  end  of  each 
session  of  the  legislature.    The  interest  arising  from  the  loans 
and  discounts  of  the  bank,  after  defraying  its  expenses,  to  con- 
stitute a  part  of  the  annual  revenue  of  the  slate,  and  lo  be  sub- 
ject to  the  disposition  of  the  legislature.    The  bills  or  notes  of 
the  bank  to  be  receivable  at  the  treasury  of  the  state,  and  by  all 
tax  gatherers  and  other  public  officers,  in  all  payments  for  all 
taxes  or  other  moneys  then  due  or  to  become  due  to  the  state, 
and  by  all  collectors  of  the  county  levy,  arid  in  payment  of  all 
officers'  fees  and  salaries,  &c.     A  sum  not  exceeding  §7.000  is 
appropriated  out  of  the  treasury  of  the  state,  for  the  purchase 
of  plates  and  other  necessaries  to  carry  the  bank  into  complete 
operation.    By  another  act,  passed  at  the  same  session,  it  was 
among  other  tilings  provided,  that  if  the  plaintiff  in  any  execu- 
tion, should  endorse  thereon  "that  either  notes  on  the  bank  of 
Kentucky  or  its  branches,  or  notes  of  the  bank  of  the  Common- 
wealth or  Us  branches  might  be  received  by  the  officer  in  dis- 
charge of  the  execution,  the  defendant  in  the  execution,  should 
be  entitled  to  a  replevin  for  3  months  only;  if  the  plaintiff  failed 
to  make  the  endorsement  the  defendant  should  be  entitled  to  a 
replevin  for  two  years."    By  the  15th  section  of  another  act, 
passed  the  26th  of  December,  18-20,  entitled  an  act  "lo  amend 
and  extend  the  charter  of  the  bank  of  Kentucky,"  it  is  in  sub- 
stance made  the  duty  of  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank 
of  Kentucky,  to  pay  over  to  the  cashier  of  the  bank  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, the  amount  of  the  stock  of  the  state  in  that  instilu- 
tion,and  to  make  such  payment  in  specie  or  in  notes  of  the 
bank  ofthe  Commonwealth  of  Kentucky  or  its  branches,  in  three 
annual  instalmenls,  commencing  on  the  1st  day  of  Dec.  1824. 
That  it  is  the  right  and  duty  ofthe  judiciary  to  declare  an  act 
of  Ihe  legislature  void  and  inoperative,  and  refuse  to  execute 
it,  if  it  be  repugnant  to  the  constitution,  is  so  clearly  deduciblo 
from  principle,  and  so  well  sealed  by  repeated  adjudications, 
that  no  doubt  on  that  subject  can  be  entertained.    Bui  it  is 
contended  by  the  counsel  for  the  plaintiffs,  that  the  questions 
now  present  for  the,  decision  of  this  court,  have  been  setlled 
liy  the  adjudications'  of  ihe  appellate  courls,  in   the  cases  of 
Lampion   vs.   ihe  Hank,  and   Briscoe,  &,c.  againsl  the  same. 
TJpon  an  examinalion  of  ihe  mandate  and  opinion  in  the  latter 
case,  it  will  he  found  that  ihe  courl  of  appeals  has  based  ils  de- 
cision nponlheauthorityof  Ihe  case  of  Lampion  againsllhe 
bank — the  printed  report  of  that  case  does  not  show  upon  what 
ground  the  judgment  of  the  circuit  courl  was  affirmed.     Il  may 
or  may  not.  have  been  upon  the  constitutionality  of  the  brink 
charter.    From  aught  thai  appears  from  the  report  of  that  case, 
it  may  have  eone  off  from  the  failure  ofthe  party  to  file  a  trans- 
cript ofthe  record  within  the  time  prescribed  by  law,  or  the  inar- 
tificial manner  in  which  the  plea  was  drawn,  presenting  the 
con*titulional  question  for  decision. 

A  party  who  relies  upon  the  decision  of  a  court  settling  prin- 
ciples intended  to  rule  the  decisions  of  ihe  subordinate,  should 
show  the  grounds  on  which  thn  case  was  decided.  The  mere 
reversal  or  affirmance  of  a  judgment  unaccompanied  by  any 
reasons  why  or  wherefore  it  was  so  adjudged,  does  not  settle 
any  principle  which  should  be  obligatory  on  the  subordinate 
courts. 


Thi  •  court  is  not  apprised  of  any  constitutional  provision,  or 
stannary  regulation,  making  the  decisions  of  the  appellate  court 
authoritatively  and  peremptorily  binding  on  the  subordinate 
,-<.urts.  But  this  court  disclaims  all  disposition  to  disturb  tliat 
which  lias  been  settled.  It  is  important  in  society,  that  the  ad- 
ministration ofthe  laws  should  be  steady  and  uniform,  and  that 
Ihe  decisions  of  the  subordinate  should  conform  lo  those  of  the 
appellate  court,  sealing  principles.  And  no  court  would  do  tn 
more  readily  than  in  eases  where  the  appellate  court  possessed 
the  ultimate  supervising  power.  But  il  should  be  recollected 
that  this  case  belongs  to  that  class  of  cases  over  which  the  su- 
pi'iin:  court  of  the  United  States  has  the  ultimate  supervising 
power  under  the  2.">th  section  of  the  judiciary  act  of  1789.  JH 
all  such  cases  the  decisions  of  the  appellate  courl  of  the  slate 
should  not  have  an  authoritative  effect  on  the  subordinate  court. 
Their  decisions  and  opinions  in  all  such  cases,  should  be  re- 
garded as  persuasive  evidence  of  the  law,  and  entitled  to  high 
regard  and  respect,  on  account  ofthe  acknowledged  talents  and 
acquirements  of  the  judges;  but  they  should  not  bind  as  autho- 
rity. The  appellate  court  of  this  state  have  upon  many  occa- 
sions acknowledged  its  subordination  to  the  supreme  court  of 
the  United  Stales  in  cases  where  that  court  had  the  ultimate 
revising  power,  and  have  been  constrained  to  surrender  their 
declared  opinions  and  conform  to  those  of  the  supreme  court. 
(See  Marshall's  reports,  page  75  commonwealth  t>».  Morrison. 
3d  Monroe's  reports,  page  270,  Ferry  against  Blight.  5th  Mon- 
roe's reports,  page  285,  Bubonic*  vs.  Poston,  &c.  3d  Marshall's 
reports,  page  422,  bank  ofthe  Uniled  Stales  vs.  Norton,  fcc.) 

The  court  will  therefore  proceed,  reluctantly,  to  decide  the 
questions  presented. 

1st.  Is  the  act  of  the  legislature  establishing  the  bank  of  the 
Commonwealth  constitutional   or  not?    Are  the  notes  of  this 


bank,  bills  of  crtdit  within  the  meaning  of  the  constitution? 
The  clause  in  the  constitution  which  this  act  is  supposed  to 
violate,  is  in  these  words:  "No  state  shall  emit  bills  of  credit." 
What  is  a  bill  of  credil?  Whal  did  the  constitulion  mean  to 
forbid?  The  terms,  bills  of  credit,  are  in  themselves  vague  and 
indefinite,  and  like  many  other  terms  and  expressions,  are  only 
lo  be  ascertained  by  reference  lo  ihe  legislalive  acts  and  history 
of  ihe  times  in  which  they  originated,  and  as  they  were  used 
and  understood  by  those  who  lived  [and]  acted  at  the  time  of 
the  adoption  of  ihe  constitution.  To  emit  bills  of  credit  con- 
veys to  the  mind  the  idea  of  issuing  paper  intended  to  circulate 
through  the  community  for  its  ordinary  purposes  as  money.  It 
is  believed  that  this  is  the  sense  in  which  the  terms  of  the  con- 
stitution have  been  generally  undeistood.  The  phrase,  il  is  be- 
lieved, was  well  known,  and  generally  used  lo  indicale  Ihe  pa- 
per currency  issued  by  Ihe  states  during  their  colonial  depend- 
ance.  During  the  war  of  the  revolution  ihe  paper  currency  is- 
sued by  congress  was  constantly  denominated  in  the  acts  of  that 
body  bills  of  credit;  and  the  like  appellation  was  applied  to 
similar  currency  issued  by  the  slates.  At  the  time  ofthe  adop- 
tion of  the  constitution,  bills  of  credit  were  universally  under- 
stood to  signify  a  paper  medium,  intended  to  circulate  among 
individuals,  and  between  government  and  individuals  for  Ihe 
ordinary  purposes  of  society.  (See  Craig  vs.  the  state  of  Mis- 
souri, 4th  Peters'  reports,  pages  from  410  to  432.  Story's  com- 
mentary on  the  constitution,  vol.  3,  pages  227,228.  For  a  de- 
scriplion  ofthe  paper  system  and  its  pernicious  effects  upon  the 
community,  see  the  Federalist,  page.  242.  Belknap's  history  of 
New  Hampshire,  vol.  2,  pane  425;  William-on's  history  of  N. 
Carolina,  2d  vol.  pages  38.  39,  81,  114,  115;  Jefferson's  writings, 
vol.  1st.  pages  401,  411,  412.) 

What  did  the  constitution  mean  to  prohibit  by  the  clause. 
"No  state  shall  emil  bills  of  credit?"  Il  should  be  recollecled 
that  the  framers  of  the  constitution  were  wise  and  patrioiic 
men  —  Ihey  had  lived  and  acted  during  the  most  eventful  period 
of  our  history  —  they  had  seen,  and  no  doubt  regretted  the  many 
evils  which  resulted  from  the  paper  system  —  they  were  no  doubt 
well  apprised  that  Ihe  terms  bills  of  credit  and  paper  money 
were  synonymous,  whether  issued  by  the  state,  governor,  com- 
missioners, committee  or  other  agents  ofthe  state.  It  was  well 
known  that  the  value  of  this  paper  medium  was  continually 
changing,  and  these  changes,  often  great  and  sudden,  exposed 
individuals  to  immense  losses,  and  were  calculated  to  deslroy 
that  confidence  which  should  ever  exist  between  man  and  man. 
In  no  country  more  than  our  own  have  these  truths  been  felt  in 
all  their  force;  in  none  has  more  intense  suffering,  or  more  wide- 
spread ruin  accompanied  the  syslem. 

They  saw  Ihe  necessity  of  one  uniform  standard  of  value 
throughout  the  United  Stales,  and  iherefore  made  the  follow- 
ing grant  of  power  to  the  general  government,  "to  coin  money, 
regulale  ihe  value  thereof,  and  of  foreign  coin,  and  fix  the  stand- 
ard of  weights  and  measures."  It  was  therefore  the  object  of 
the  prohibition  to  cut  up  the  whole  mischief  by  the  roots,  be- 
cause it  had  been  deeply  felt  throughout  all  the  United  States, 
and  had  deeply  affected  the  prosperity  of  all.  The  object  ofthe 
prohibition  was  not  to  prevent  the  thins  when  it  bore  a  particu- 
lar name,  but  to  prohibit  the  thing  whatever  name  or  form  it 
might  assume.  If  the  words  are  not  mere  empty  sounds,  the 
prohibition  must  comprehend  the  emission  of  any  paper  me- 
dium by  a  stale  for  Ihe  purpose  of  common  circulation. 

It  would  be  preposterous  to  suppose  that  the  constitution 
meant  lo  prohibit  an  emission  under  one  denomination,  leaving 
the  power  complete  lo  issue  the  iame  thing  under  another.  It 
can  never  be  seriously  contended  thai  ihe  constitution  meant 
to  prohibit  names  and  not  things—  to  deal  with  shadow*  and 


212 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY  24,  1834— GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


leave  substances.    What  would  be  the  consequence  of  such  a 
construction?    That  a  very  important  act,  liig  with  great  and 
ruinous  mischief,  and  on   that  account  forbidden  by  words  the 
most  appropriate  for  its  description,  might  yet  be  performed  by 
the  substitution  of  a  new  name — that  tin;  constitution,  even  in 
one  of  its  vital  provisions  might  be  openly  evaded  by  giving  a 
new  name  to  an  old  thing.     Call  the  thing  a  bill  of  credit  and  it 
is  prohitiiled;  call  the  same  thing  a  certificate,  paper  bill,  ban 
note  or  any  other  name,  and  it  is  constitutional.     (See  story 
commentary  on  the  constitution,  volume  3d,  pages  328,  22! 
Craig  against  the  state  of  Missouri,  4th  Peters,  page  432. 

But  the  validity  of  the  act  is  attempted  to  be  maintained  o 
the  ground,  that  the  emission  of  the  notes  now  in  question,  wa 
made  by  a  corporation,  and  not  by  the  state.  The  old  and  sei 
sible  maxim,  ille  quifacit  peralium,facitper  se,  has  been  incor 
porated  into  our  system,  and  recognized  and  acted  upon  by  ou 
courts;  but  if  the  questions  involved  in  this  case  shall  be  ulli 
•nale/j/  decided  in  favor  of  the  plaintiffs,  this  maxim  will  be  re 
versed,  and  the  principle  established  that  a  state  may  do  lha 
by  a  corporation  which  it  cannot  do  by  itself.  Can  a  state  de 
legate  powers  to  others  to  do  an  unlawful  and  forbidden  ac 
ft  is  believed  not.  Can  the  mere  name  "bank,"  the  presiden 
and  directors  of  which  are  appointed  by  the  slate,  sanctify  th 
act  which  under  another  name  would  be  unconstitutional  an 
void?  If  so,  the  state  may,  by  interposing  a  bank,  avoid  th 
prohibition,  and  introduce  into  the  community,  that  ruinou 
paper  system,  the  effects  of  which  were  so  severely  felt  be.for 
the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  and  which  the  prohibition  in 
tended  to  interdict.  And  they  might  by  a  like  subterfuge  ren 
dcr  inoperative  many  of  the  tnost  important  grants  of  powe 
and  prohibitions  contained  in  the  constitution,  the  effect  o 
which  would  be  to  undermine  the  constitution,  reject  its  sub 
stances,  and  be  cheated  by  its  shadows. 

Out  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  maintain  the  legality  of  th 
emissions  of  this  bank  on  the  ground  that  the  legislature  hai 
set  apart  funds  and  made  ample  provisions  for  the  redemption 
of  the  notes.  Conceding  this  to  be  the  fact,  it  does  not  neces 
sarily  follow  that  the  emission  in  question  was  lawful.  I 
should  be  recollected  that  the  prohibition  is  unconditional  am 
peremptory,  "no  state  shall  emit  bills  of  credit."  It  therefon 
seems  to  this  court  that  no  state  can  constitutionally  emit  bill; 
of  credit,  or  any  other  paper  intended  to  circulate  in  the  com 
tnunity  as  money,  whether  such  emission  be  based  upon  a  me 
tallic  capital,  or  upon  the  faith  and  credit  of  the  state. 

"The  right  and  power  of  the  state  to  incorporate  private  com 
panies  for  banking  purposes,  and  the  emission  of  notes  base( 
upon  metallic  capital  is  conceded  by  this  court.  It  is  also  con 
ceded,  that  in  such  banking  establishments  the  state  may  also 
be  a  stockholder,  but  in  becoming  so,  it  so  far  as  that  matter  is 
concerned,  divests  itself  of  its  sovereign  character,  and  sinks 
to  the  level  of  its  associate?.  But  the  right  of  a  state  to  estab 
lish  a  bank,  and  be  thereof  the  sole  and  exclusive  stockholder 
and  to  emit  paper  money,  intended  to  circulate  as  such,  basei 
upon  its  own  funds,  cannot,  in  the  opinion  of  this  court,  be 
maintained  upon  constitutional  principles. 

But  did  the  state  provide  a  fund  for  the  redemption  of  the 
notes,  authorised  to  be  issued  by  this  bank? 

It  may  be  safely  contended  that  it  did  not,  nor  did  it  provide 
any  fund  whatever.  It  i«  a  fact,  shown  by  the  judicial  pro- 
ceedings of  our  courts,  that  the  notes  of  this  bank  were,  from 
their  first  emission,  greatly  below  par;  and  in  less  than  one 
year  after  the  first  emission,  they  were  at  fifty  per  cent,  dis- 
count. 

It  should  be  recollected  that  by  the  act  incorporating  this 
bank,  ':the  revenue  of  the  state  remaining  unappropriated  in 
the  treasury  at  the  end  of  each  session  of  the  legislature,  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  vacant  land  of  the  state,  the  pur- 
chase of  land  warrants,  the  sale  of  the  land  west  of  the  Tennes- 
see river,  and  so  much  of  the  capital  stock  owned  by  the  state 
in  the  bank  of  Kentucky  as  might  belong  to  the  state  after  the 
affairs  of  said  bank  should  be  settled  up,  with  the  profits  there- 
of not  theretofore  pledged  or  appropriated  by  law,  constituted 
its  capital  stock,  ft  should  also  be  recollected  that  all  the 
sums  arising  from  those  sources  were  made  payable  in  specie, 
or  in  the  notes  or  bills  of  (he  bank  of  the  Commonwealth,  upon 
the  supposition  that  the  funds  arising  from  those  various  sour- 
ces, were  realised  and  actually  paid  into  the  bank.  Of  what 
did  its  capital  stock  consist?  Most  obviously  of  its  own  depre- 
ciated notes.  For,  although  the  debtors  had  the  election  to 
pay  in  specie  or  notes  upon  the-  hank  of  the  Commonwealth, 
the  presumption  is  irresistible  that  the  payments  were,  made  in 
paper  of  the  bank,  as  it  was  greatly  below  par.  It  therefore 
seems  to  this  court,  that  the  bank  has  been  established  by  the 
state  with  no  real  or  substantial  capital  whatever,  (t.s  notes 
have  been  put  into  circulation  simply  upon  tin;  credit  of  the 
state.  What  are  its  issues  but  bills  of  credit  is.»ned  by  the  slate? 
Did  the  legislature,  by  establishing  this  bank  intend  its  notes  or 
paper  to  circulate  through  the  community  as  money?  That 
such  was  the  object  and  design  of  the  legislature  cannot  be 
doubted.  The  preamble  to  the  acts,  the  enormous  issue  of 
notes,  the  locations  of  various  branches  in  different  sections  of 
the  si:tti;  with  their  directort  and  officers,  the  apportionment  of 
the  loans  to  the  different  counties,  the  limitations  upon  loans, 
the  restrictions  upon  loans  in  the  year  18:21,  thi;  permission  to 
jjpue  notes  of  any  denomination  under  one  hundred  dollars;  and 
the  fact  that  they  were  issued  fur  ns  small  sums  a«  twelve  anil 
a  hull' cents,  and  when  so  issued,  were  made  receivable  at  the 
treasury  of  the  state,  and  in  payment  of  all  moneys  then  dun 


the  state  for  the  purchase  of  land  warrants,  and  for  the  sale  of 
the  vacant  lands  west  of  the  Tennessee  river,  and  for  all  taxes 
then  due  or  to  become  due  to  this  state,  they  were  made  a  legal 
tender  in  payment  of  all  salaries  and  officers  fees,  were  forced 
upon  creditors,  or  their  refusal  to  take  waa  punished  by  the  pe- 
nally of  two  years  delay  in  the  collection  of  their  just  debts, 
furnish  conclusive  evidence  to  the  mind  of  this  court,  that  such 
was  the  design  and  intent  of  the  legislature.  This  bank  is 
owned  and  governed  by  the  state,  it  is  established  in  the  name 
and  on  behalf  of  the  state,  the  state  pays  and  defrays  its  entire 
expenses,  all  individuals  are  indicted  from  participating  in  it, 
its  paper  is  circulated  as  money,  it  is  receivable  and  redeemable 
by  the  state,  and  derives  its  circulation  and  negotiability  from 
the  credit  of  the  state.  If  its  notes  are  not  bills  of  credit  within 
the  meaning  of  the  constitution,  it  will  be  difficult  to  character- 
ize a  BILL  OF  CREDIT. 

The  court  has  attentively  examined  the  case  of  Craig,  &c. 
against  the  state  of  Missouri,  arid  is  of  opinion  that  the  adjudi- 
cation of  the  supreme  court  in  that  case,  is  decisive  of  the  im- 
portant questions  raised  in  this  case,  and  must  rule  the  decision 
of  this  court  on  the  first  question  in  favor  of  the  defendant. 
(See  4th  Peters's  Rep.  page  411.) 

2d.  Can  the  defendants  successfully  plead  the  illegality  of 
the  consideration  given,  for  the  note  sued  on,  in  bar  of  this  ac- 
tion? 

The  court  is  of  opinion  that  he  can.  It  lias  never  been 
doubted  that  a  note  given  on  a  consideration  which  is  prohibit- 
ed by  law  is  void.  The  adjudications  on  this  point  are  numer- 
ous. (See  4th  Peters's  Rep.  page  411;  14th  Mass.  Rep.  p.  322; 
5th  Johnson's  Rep.  p.  327;  3d  Wheaton's  Rep.  p.  204;  3d  Bibb, 
p.  257;  3d  J.  J.  Marshall's  Rep.  p.  478;  3d  Bibb,  p.  500.) 

The  court  is  therefore  constrained,  by  a  sense  of  duty,  to 
overrule  the  demurrers  filed  by  the  plaintiffs  to  the  pleas  of  the 
defendants.  The  demurrer,  filed  by  the  defendants  to  the  peti- 
tion, is  also  overruled. 

GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 
Remarks  of  Mr.  Connor,  of  N.  Carolina,  in  reply  to  the  speech 
of  Mr.  Lincoln,  on  the  appropriation  for  clerk  hire  for  the  ge- 
neral post  office. 
Mr.  Connor  said,  he  hoped  the  house  would  pardon  him  for 


reel  many  misapprehensions  that  gentlemen  had  fallen  into. 
He  was  disposed,  at  all  times,  to  economize  and  retrench,  in 
this  or  any  other  department  of  the  government;  and,  if  gentle- 
men would  show  that  it  was  necessary  and  proper  to  reduce 
his  item  in  the  bill,  he  would  go  with  them  most  cheerfully; 
:>ut,  from  his  knowledge  of  the  affairs  of  the  post  office  depart- 
ment, having  been  for  the  last  six  or  seven  years  of  the  commit- 
.ee  on  the  post  office  and  post  roads,  and  such  had  necessarily 
jeen  his  intercourse,  as  to  have  made  him  familiar  with  its  bu- 
siness and  labors;  and  he  unhesitatingly  said,  that  he  believed 
the  number  employed  has  been  absolutely  necessary  to  the  pro- 
jer  performance  of  the  duties  of  the  office,  and  that  the  post- 
naster  general,  in  employing  extra  clerks,  lias  done  so  with  a 
•trict  eye  to  economy.  It  may  not  be,  and  perhaps  is  not, 
inown  to  gentlemen,  that  many  of  those  clerks  receive  only 
•$400,  and  several  as  low  as  $200.  The  gentleman  from  Massa- 
chusetts (Mr.  Lincoln)  says,  the  postmaster  general  is  not  au- 
horised  by  law  to  employ  extra  clerk  hire.  He  is  correct. 
There  is  no  such  law,  but  to  do  so  has  grown  into  law  by  usage; 
rom  necessity  it  must  be  so,  and  cannot  be  otherwise.  Such 
las  been  the  practice  for  fifteen  years,  and  has  at  all  times  been 
auctioned  by  congress,  and  must  so  continue,  until  the  deparl- 
ncnt  has  reached  its  greatest  height.  The  exact  force  neces- 
ary  cannot  be  ascertained  by  any  one.  Any  number  of  clerks 
which  are  sufficient  at  this  time,  will  not  be  able,  to  perform  the 
abor  six  months  hence.  Judge  McLean  expresses  that  opinion 
n  a  letter  to  Mr.  Barry,  and  which  he  had  read  when  up  before, 
'he  gentleman  (Mr.  Lincoln)  speaks  of  disposing  of  one-half  of 
his  tribe.  He  knew  not  what  the  gentleman  meant,  when  he 
peaks  of  the  clerks  as  a  tribe— whether  intended  as  an  expres- 
ion  of  reproach  or  otherwise — but  lie  begged  to  say  to  him,  his 
cn.iinintance  with  those  clerks  justified  him  in  saying  they 
vere  honorable  and  meritorious,  who  are  always  to  be  found  at 
deir  posts,  and  laboring  early  and  late  as  their  business  may 
equire.;  and,  if  the  gentleman  will  co  to  the  department,  and 
o  through  it,  and  examine  for  himself,  he  must  become  catisfi- 
d  that  his  opinion  of  the  requisite  labor  is  erroneous.  Sir,  the 
uties  of  solicitor,  examiner  and  officer  of  appointment*— the 
entlcman  inquires  what  they  are,  ax  if  to  afford  himsrlf  an  op- 
orlunily  of  answering  his  own  questions,  and  does  answer 
lem  in  his  own  way. 

Mr.  C.  said,  if  he  would  allow  him,  he  would  give  to  him  cor- 
>ctly,  what  are  the  duties  of  those  bureaux,  If  permitted  FO  to 
ill  them?  "The  duty  of  the  solicitor  is  to  attend  to  the  final 
•UltMiient,  or  closing  of  nil  account*;  the  collection  of  all  ba- 
nres;  the  commencement  of  suits;  and  the  correspondence 
lib  United  States'  district  attorneys,  and  others,  in  relation 
lureto;  also  the  correspondence  concerning  the  post  accounts 
'postmasters."  "The  examiner's  offire  N  ih.it  which  is  cliaf»- 
with  the  rrcditiiij;  and  examiniii!!  of  all  postmasters'  ac- 
ttints,  the  correspondence  connected  therewith,  n-i-eivine  atirl 
poMiini;  in  hank  such  remittances  as  are  specially  authorised; 
turning  what  is  not  receivable,  and  with  nolifyins  mid  report- 
;  delinquent*."  '-The  duties  of  the  office  of  appointment*. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY  24,  1834— DEBATE  ON  THE  PROTEST.         213 


consists  in  the  examination  and  endorsements  of  memorials 
letters  and  reports:  obtaining  and  noting  information  from  tin 
book-keepers  and  the  office  of  mail  contracts;  riling  papers  ir 
appropriate  parcels  and  cases;  notifying  charges  against  post 
masters  and  assistants,  and  complaints  of  the  location  of  offices 
writing  references  of  cases,  &c.  They  also  prepare  abstracts 
of  cases;  register  and  attest  commissions,  and  enter  the  charges 
discontinuances  and  appointments,  in  the  bond  book,  with  tin 
penalties  of  the  bonds;  inspect  all  bonds  after  execution,  anc 
return  them  for  correction  when  required." 

He  might  go  through  the  whole  organization  of  the  depart- 
ment, and  shew  Us  propriety.  It  is  substantially  the  same  that 
lias  always  existed;  and,  without  some  such  assignment  of  du- 
ties, no  department  or  other  extensive  establishment  could  ge 
on.  The  gentleman  (Mr.  Lincoln)  speaks  of  routes  abused,  am 
contracts  by  men  not  worthy  of  confidence.  Does  the  gentle- 
man not  know  that  the  postmaster  general  has  nothing  to  do 
with  the  establishment  of  routes,  that  they  are  established  by 
congress,  and  that  his  duty  is  afterwards  to  put  a  mail  on  those 
routes?  Can  the  gentleman  put  Ins  finger  on  any  such  unworthy 
contractor,  in  his  district  or  section  of  country?  He  cannot.  1 
suppose  the  gentleman  alludes  to  the  extra  allowances  tha 
have  been  made,  the  extras  and  stars  in  the  Blue  Book,  tha 
has  made  so  much  noise  in  the  other  end  of  the  capitol,chargec 
by  many  as  being  improper,  and  no  one  will  venture  to  ask  to 
have  them  discontinued.  As  to  his  own  section  ol  country,  as 
well  as  others  of  the  older  states,  they  obtained  in  their  origina 
contracts  their  full  share,  and  all  that  was  desired.  Jf  there  be 
any  such  unworthy  contractors  as  the  gentleman  seems  to  sup- 
pose, he  knew  them  not.  There  may  be  routes  that  should  be 
discontinued;  and,  whenever  a  bill  has  been  presented  for  the 
establishment  of  new  routes,  there  has  been  also  a  number  with 
it  reported  for  discontinuance  by  the  postmaster  general;  but  il 
lias  been  rare,  that  the  members  have  permitted  those  or  any  01 
them  to  be  discontinued. 

The  gentleman  says  the  department  is  plunged  irrecoverably 
in  debt,  and  is  insolvent  from  $800,000  to  one  million  of  dollars. 
And  his  colleague  over  the  way,  (Mr.  Reed),  says  the  depart- 
ment is  unable  to  pay — which  means  it  is  insolvent,  as  I  under- 
stood him.  He  would  answer  both  those  gentlemen  at  the  same 
time,  by  saying  to  them,  they  are  mistaken.  Such  is  not  the 
fact.  Mr.  C.  said  lie  would  take  the  responsibility  of  here  say- 
ing, that  the  amount  du«  by  the  post  office  department  does  not 
exceed  $300,000  beyond  their  available  means,  and  that,  during 
the  next  year,  they  would  be  free  from  debt;  and  very  shortly 
thereafter,  will  be  prepared  to  grant  facilities,  in  the  shape  of 
extras,  if  it  be  necessary,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  people. 
As  to  the  department's  being  insolvent,  a  moment's  reflection 
must  satisfy  any  and  every  gentleman  how  perfectly  idle  it  is  to 
suppose  such  a  state  of  things.  Congress  establishes  the  post 
roads — the  postmaster  general  is  required  to  put  a  mail  on  them. 
The  power  and  manner  of  transporting  that  mail,  either  by  horse 
or  coach,  weekly,  twice  or  thrice  weekly,  or  daily,  is  vested 
solely  in  him,  and  he  could,  if  necessary  and  proper,  discon- 
tinue every  coach  in  the  United  States  from  its  service,  and 
liave  the  mails  transported  the  cheaper  way  on  horseback. 
The  gentleman  has  said  something  about  contractors  applying 
for  their  pay,  and  its  being  refused,  and  they  threatened  by  the 
department,  that  they  would  be  paid  in  forfeitures.  The  gen- 
tleman has  been  incorrectly  informed.  It  is  not  so.  No  such 
case  has  ever  occurred.  If  the  pay  of  a  contractor  has  been 
withheld,  there  is  some  cause  for  it;  some  difficulty,  in  relation 
to  the  performance  of  their  duties;  and  he  called  on  the  gentle- 
man to  name  any  one  of  those,  if  he  could. 

Here  Mr.  C.  said  he  would  reply  after  the  manner  of  a  Yan- 
kee, by  asking  another  question:  had  not  contractors  often  been 
at  the  department,  and  been  refused  their  pay — and  were  told 
they  were  defaulters?  Mr.  C.  said  no  contractor  had  applied  at 
the  department  for  his  pay,  that  did  not  receive  what  was  due 
to  him.  He  had  but  a  moment  before  expressed  the  belief,  that 
there  must  be  some  cause  for  a  refusal,  if  any  such  there  was. 
He  had  touched  the  right  chord;  the  gentleman's  inquiry  ex- 
plains it — he  has  heard  of  some  one,  who  was  a  defaulter,  com- 
plaining—and that  is  all.  Forfeitures  can  only  be  charged 
against  a  contractor  after  they  occur,  and  are  reported  to  the 
department.  He  begged  now  to  say  a  word  or  two  to  the  gen- 
tleman from  Maine,  (Mr.  Evans),  who  complains,  that  contrac- 
tors, in  his  state,  have  been  paid  with  post  notes,  and  have  lost 
four  or  live  per  cent,  in  the  sale  or  exchange  of  them?  Mr.  C. 
said,  those  post  notes  were  on  specie  paying  banks,  and  what 
better  could  the  gentleman  expect?  When  his  constituents  en- 
ter into  a  contract  with  the  postmaster  general,  no  particular 
kind  of  money  is  required  or  specified.  The  contractor  expects 
good  money,  and  the  department  expects  to  give  good  money, 
and  docs  give  him  such.  As  far  as  the  amount  collected,  in 
each  state,  in  the  shape  of  postage,  goes,  it  is  paid  to  the  con- 
tractors. When  that  falls  short,  the  department  pays  indraughts 
or  post  notes  of  banks  where  they  may  have  deposites;  those 
being  always  specie  paying  banks.  And  such,  I  presume,  is 
the  fact,  with  Maine,  as  with  many  other  states;  the  receipts  of 
the  whole  state  is  not  equal  to  the  expenditures  by  twenty  or 
twenty-five  per  cent,  made  in  those  states:  and  this  may  ac- 
count for  the  fact  of  the  gentleman's  constituents  being  paid  oft" 
in  post  notes.  Sir,  said  Mr.  C.  the  post  office  in  the  city  of  Now 
York  alone,  yielded,  the  year  ending  in  1833,  $179,000;  in  Phi- 
ladelphia, JJ112,000,  &c.  thus,  in  a  single  post  office,  the  amount 
received  is  greater  than  that  yielded  in  three  or  four  states  to- 
gether. The  department  must,  from  necessity,  transfer  the 


money  from  those  state*,  where  there  is  a  surplus,  to  those 
where  there  is  a  deficiency  and  want.  As  to  the  inquiry  why 
the  committee  on  the  post  office  and  post  roads  have  not  exa- 
mined and  reported  in  relation  to  this  department,  he  could 
only  say,  the  facts  had  been  reported  to  the  house  by  the  post- 
master general  in  his  annual  report;  that  no  call  has  been  made 
on  this  committee,  that  has  not  been  promptly  answered;  and 
they  have  been  ready,  promptly,  to  answer  any  that  wight  b* 
made  on  them  by  an  order  of  this  house. 


DEBATE  ON  THE  PRESIDENT'S  PROTEST'/ 

SPEECH    OF   MR.    CALHOUN, 

In  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  May  6(A,  1834. 
Mr.  Calhoun  rose  and  said:  In  order  to  have  a  clear  concept 
tion  of  the  nature  of  the  controversy,  in  which  the  senate  finds 
itself  involved  with  the  president,  it  will  be  necessary  to  jws* 
in  review  the  events  of  the  last  few  months,  which  have  led  to 
it,  however  familiar  they  may  be  to  the  members  of  this  body. 
-  Their  history  may  be  very  briefly  given.  It  is  well  known  to* 
all,  that  the  act  incorporating  the  bank  of  the  United  States' 
made  that  institution  the  fiscal  agent  of  the  government;  and 
that,  among  other  provisions,  it  directed  that  the  public  money 
should  be  deposited  in  ita  vaults.  The  same  act  vested  the  se- 
cretary of  the  treasury  with  the  power  of  withholding  the  depo- 
sites, and,  in  the  event  of  withholding  them,  required  him  to 
report  his  reasons  to  congress.  The  late  secretary,  on  the  in- 
terference of  the  president,  refused  to  withhold  the  deposites, 
on  the  ground,  that  satisfactory  reasons  could  not  be  assigned 
for  the  act;  for  which  the  president  removed  him,  and  appoint- 
ed the  present  incumbent  in  his  place,  expressly  with  a  view 
that  he  should  perform  the  act  his  predecessor  had  refused  to 
do.  He  accordingly  removed  the  deposites,  and  reported  his 
reasons  to  congress,  and  the  whole  transaction  was  thus 
brought  up  for  our  approval  or  disapproval,  entirely  by  the  act 
of  the  executive,  without  participation  or  agency  on  our  part; 
and  we  were  thus  placed  in  a  situation  in  which  we  were  com- 
pelled to  express  our  approbation  or  disapprobation  of  the 
transaction,  or  to  shrink  from  the  performance  of  an  important 
duty.  We  could  not  hesitate.  The  subject  was  accordingly 
taken  up,  and  after  months  of  deliberation,  in  which  the  whole 
transaction  was  fully  investigated  and  considered,  and  after  tire 
opinions  of  all  sides,  the  friends,  as  well  as  the  opponents  of  the 
administration,  were  fully  expressed,  the  senate  passed  a  reso- 
lution disapproving  the  reasons  of  the  secretary.  But  they 
were  compelled  to  go  farther.  That  resolution  covered  only  a 
part  of  the  transaction,  and  that  not  the  most  important.  The 
secretary  was  but  the  agent  of  the  president  in  the  transactionv 
He  had  been  placed  in  the  situation  he  occupied,  expressly 
with  a  view  of  executing  the  order  of  the  president,  woo  had 
openly  declared  that  he  assumed  the  responsibility;  and  his  de- 
claration was  reiterated  here,  in  the  debate,  by  those  who  arc 
known  to  speak  his  sentiments.  To  omit,  under  these  circum- 
stances, an  expression  of  the  opinion  of  the  senate,  in  relation 
to  this  transaction,  viewed  as  the  act  of  the  president,  would 
have  been,  on  the  part  of  the  senate,  a  manifest  dereliction  of 
duly. 

With  this  impression,  the  second  resolution  was  adopted.  It 
was  drawn  up  in  the  most  general  terms,  and  with  great  fare, 
with  the  view  to  avoid  an  expression  of  opinion  as  to  the  mo- 
tive of  the  executive,  and  to  limit  the  expression  simply  to  the 
fact,  that,  in  the  part  he  had  taken  in  the  transaction,  he  had 
assumed  powers  neither  conferred  by  the  constitution  or  the 
laws,  but  in  derogation  of  both.  It  is  this  resolution,  thus 
forced  upon  us,  and  thus  cautiously  expressed,  which  has  «> 
deeply  offended  the  president;  which  has  called  f;:."!.1!  his  pro- 
test; in  which  he  has  undertaken  to  judge  of  the  powers  of  the 
senate;  to  assign  limits  in  their  exercise  to  which  they  may, and 
kejEOdd  which  they  shall  not  go;  to  deny  their  right  to  pass  the 
resolution,  to  charge  them  with  usurpation,  and  the  violation  of 
aw  and  of  the  constitution  in  adopting  it;  and  finally  to  inter- 
jose  between  the  senate  and  their  constituents,  and  virtually  ta 
jronounce  upon  the  validity  of  the  votes  of  some  of  its  mrm- 
jers,  on  the  ground  that  they  do  not  conform  with  the  will  of 
their  constituents. 

This  is  a  brief  statement  of  the  controversy,  which  presents 
"or  inquiry  the  question,  what  is  the  real  nature  of  the  issue  be- 
tween the  parties? — a  question  of  the  utmost  magnitude,  and  on 
the  just  and  full  comprehension  of  which,  the  wisdom  and  pro- 
priety of  our  course  must  mainly  depend. 

It  would  be  a  great  mistake  to  suppose  that  the  issue  involves1 
he  question,  whether  the  senate  had  a  right  to  pass  that  reso- 
ution  or  not?  or  what  is  the  nature  and  character  of  the  rtsolu- 
ion?  or  whether  it  be  correct  in  point  of  fact  or  principle?  or 
whether  it  was  expedient  to  adopt  it?  All  these  are  important 
questions,  but  they  were  fully  and  deliberately  considered,  and 
were  finally  decided  by  the  seriate  in  the  adoption  of  the  reso- 
ution— finally  and  irrevocably  decided— so  that  they  cannot  be 
>pened  for  reconsideration  and  decision  by  the  will  of  the  body 
tsslf,  according  to  the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  much  less  on 
.he  demand  of  the  president.  No;  the  question  is  not,  whether 
ve  had  a  right  to  pass  the  resolution?  it  is  one  of  a  very  differ- 
ent character,  and  of  much  greater  magnitude.  It  is.  whether 
he  president  has  a  right  to  question  our  decision!  This  is  the 
eal  question  at  issue — a  question  which  goes  in  its  consequen- 
ts to  all  the  powers  of  the  srnale,  and  which  involves  in  its 
recent  decision  the  fact,  whether  it  is  a  separate  and  indepen- 
lent  branch  of  the  government,  or  a  mere  appendix  of  the  exe- 
cutive department.  If  the  president  has  indeed  the  right  to 


214        NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  24,  1 884— DEBATE  ON  THE  PROTEST. 


guestion  our  opinion — if  we  are  in  fact  accountable  to  him — then 
all  he  has  done  has  been  rightfully  done;  then  he  would  have 
the  right  to  send  us  his  protest;  then  he  would  have  the  right  to 
judge  of  our  powers,  and  to  assign  limits  beyond  which  we 
should  not  pass;  then  he  would  have  the  right  to  deny  our  au- 
thority to  pass  the  resolution,  and  to  accuse  U3  of  usurpation 
and  the  violation  of  law  and  of  the  constitution  in  its  adoption. 
But  if  he  has  not  the  right — if  we  are  not  accountable  to  him — 
then  all  that  he  has  done  has  been  wrongfully  done,  and  his 
whole  course,  from  beginning  to  end,  in  relation -to  this  matter, 
would  be  an  open  and  palpable  violation  of  the  constitutional 
right  and  privileges  of  the  senate. 

Fortunately,  this  very  important  question,  which  has  so  di- 
rect a  bearing  on  the  very  existence  of  the  senate  as  a  delibera- 
tive body,  is  susceptible  of  the  most  certain  and  unquestionable 
solution.  Under  our  system,  all  who  exercise  power  are  hound 
to  show,  when  questioned,  by  what  authority  it  is  exercised. 
I  deny  the  right  of  the  president  to  question  the  proceedings  of 
the  senate — utterly  deny  it;  and  1  call  upon  his  advocates  and 
supporters  on  this  floor  to  exhibit  his  authority;  to  point  out  the 
article,  the  section,  and  the  clause  of  the  constitution  which 
contains  it;  to  show,  in  a  word,  the  express  grant  of  the  power. 
None  other  can  fulfil  the  requirements  of  the  constitution.  I 
proclaim  it  as  a  truth,  as  an  unquestionable  truth,  of  the  highest 
import,  and  heretofore  not  sufficiently  understood,  that  the  pre- 
sident has  no  right  to  exercise  any  implied  or  constructive 
power.  I  speak  upon  the  authority  of  the  constitution  itself, 
•which,  by  an  express  grant,  has  vested  all  the  implied  and  con- 
structive powers  in  congress,  and  in  congress  alone.  He;xr 
what  the  constitution  says:  Congress  shall  have  power  "to 
make  all  laws  which  shall  be  necessary  and  proper  for  carrying 
into  execution  the  foregoing  powers,  [those  granted  to  con- 
gress], and  all  other  powers  vested  by  this  constitution  in  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  department  or  offi- 
cer thereof." 

Comment  is  unnecessary — the  result  is  inevitable.  The  exe- 
cutive, and  I  may  add  no  department,  can  exercise  any  power 
without  express  grant  by  the  constitution  or  by  authority  of  lav — 
a  most  noble  and  wise  provision,  full  of  the  most  important 
consequences.  By  it,  ours  is  made,  emphatically,  a  constitu- 
tional and  legal  government,  instead  of  a  government  control- 
led by  the  discretion  or  caprice  of  those  who  are  appointed  to 
administer  and  execute  its  powers.  By  it,  our  government,  in- 
stead of 'consisting  of  three  independent,  separate,  conflicting 
and  hostile  departments,  has  all  its  powers  blended  harmoni- 
ously into  one,  without  the  danger  of  conflict,  and  without  de- 
stroying the  separate  and  independent  existence  of  the  parts. 
Let  us  pause  for  a  moment  to  contemplate  this  admirable  pro 
vision,  and  the  simple  but  efficient  contrivance  by  which  these 
happy  results  are  secured. 

It  has  been  often  said  that  this  provision  of  the  constitution 
was  unnecessary;  that  it  grew  out  of  abundant  caution  to  re- 
move the  possibility  of  a  doubt  as  to  the  existence  of  implied 
or  constructive  powers;  and  that  they  would  have  existed  with 
out  it,  and  u>  the  full  extent  that  they  now  do.  They  who  con- 
sider this  provision  in  this  light,  as  mere  surplusage,  do  great 
injustice  to  the  wisdom  of  those  who  formed  the  constitution. 
1  shall  not  deny  that  implied  or  constructive  powers  would 
have  existed,  and  to  the  full  extent  that  they  now  do,  without 
this  provision;  hut  had  it  been  omitted,  a  most  important  ques- 
tion would  have  been  left  open  to  controversy.  Where  would 
they  reside?  In  each  department?  Would  each  have  had  the 
right  to  interpret  its  own  power,  and  to  assume,  on  its  own  will 
and  responsibility,  all  the  powers  necessary  to  carry  into  effect 
those  granted  to  it  by  the  constitution.'  What  would  have  been 
the  consequence?  Who  can  doubt  that  a  state  of  perpetual  and 
dangerous  conflict  between  the  departments  would  be  the  ne- 
cessary, the  inevitable  result,  and  that  the  strongest  would  ul- 
timately absorb  all  the  powers  of  the  other  departments?  Need 
1  designate  which  is  that  strongi'M?  Need  1  prove  that  tin;  exe- 
cutive, as  the  armed  interpreter,  ;u  1  said  on  another  occasion, 
vested  with  the  patronage  of  the;  government,  would  ultimately 
become  the  sole  expounder  of  UK:  constitution?  It  was  to  avoid 
this  dangerous  conflict  between  the  departments,  and  to  pro- 
vide most  effectually  against  the  abuses  of  ili-i-reiion.iry  or  iui 
plied  powers,  that  this  provision  has  vested  ull  the  implied 
powers  in  congress. 

But,  it  may  lie  asked,  are  they  not  liable  to  abuse  in  the  hands 
of  congress?  Will  not  the  same  principle  of  our  nature,  which 
impels  one  department  to  encroach  upon  the.  other,  equally  im- 
pel congress  to  encroach  upon  the  executive  department? 

Those  who  fra d  the  constitution  clearly  foresaw  this  danger, 

and  have  taken  measures  effectually  to  guard  against  it.  With 
this  view,  the  constitution  has  raised  the  pre..i,lent,  from  being 
a  mere  executive  officer,  to  a  participation  in  the  leni-l  alive 
functions  of  the  government;  and  has,  amoim  oilier  legislative 
power*,  clolheil  him  with  th:it  of  Hie  velo,  mainly  with  a  view 
to  protect  his  rights  :iu:nn-t  the  encroachment  of  eotiiiie-s.  In 
virtue  of  this)  important  power,  no  bill  r,ui  become  ;i  l.iw  till 
submitted  for  bis  consider. itioii.  ||  be  approve,  it  become*  a 
law;  but  if  In:  disapprove,  it  is  returned  to  the  bouse  in  which 
it  originated,  and  cannot  heroine  ,i  Inw  unless  pa-si-cl  liv  two- 
thirds  of  both  houses;  anil,  in  order  to  uuard  hi.-  powers  ngaiiist 
the  encroachment  of  cnngrcs.-,  Ihioujli  all  ihe  avi  nues  by  which 
it  can  pn>~i!,lv  l>c  approached,  the  cnn-tilution  expiesslv  pro- 
vides, "that  every  ord.tr.  resolution  or  vote,  to  which  the  con 
ii  nee  ni'ihe  >i  nate  and  house  of  representatives  may  be  ne- 


halls],  "except  on  a  question  of  adjournment,  shall  be  present- 
ed to  the  president  of  the  United  ritates.  and,  before  the  same 
shall  take  effect,  shall  be  approved  by  him;  or,  being  disapprov- 
ed by  him,  shall  be  repassed  by  two  thirds  of  the  senate  and 
the  house  of  representatives,  according  to  the  rules  and  limita- 
tions prescribed  in  the  case  of  a  bill."  These  provisions,  witli 
the  patronage  of  the  executive,  give  ample  protection  to  the 
powers  of  the  president,  against  the  encroachment  of  congress, 
as  experience  has  abundantly  shown. 

But  here  n  very  important  question  presents  itself,  which, 
when  properly  consideied,  throws  a  flood  of  light  on  the  ques- 
tion under  consideration.  Why  has  the  constitution  limited 
the  veto  power  to  bills,  and  to  the  orders,  votes  and  resolutions, 
requiring  the  concurrence  of  both  houses?  Why  not  also  ex- 
tend it  to  their  separate  votes,  orders  or  resolution*?  But  one 
answer  can  lie  given.  The  object  is  10  protecl  the  independence 
of  the  two  houses — to  prevent  the  executive  from  interfering 
with  their  proceedings,  or  to  have  any  control  over  them,  as  is1 
attempted  in  this  protest;  on  the  great  principle  which  lies  at 
the  foundation  of  liberty,  and  without  which  it  cannot  be  pre- 
served, that  deliberative  bodies  should  be  left  without  extrane- 
ous control  or  influence,  free  to  exprc**  their  opinions  and  to 
conduct  their  proceedings  according  to  Iheir  own  sense  of  pro- 
priely.  And  we  find,  accordingly,  that  the  constitution  has  not 
only  limited  the  velo  to  the  cases  requiring  the  concurring  votes 
of  the  two  houses,  but  has  expressly  vested  each  house  with 
the  power  of  establishing  its  own  rules  of  proceeding,  according 
to  its  will  and  pleasure,  without  limitation  or  check.  Within 
these  walls,  then,  the  senate  is  the  sole  and  absolute  judge  of 
its  own  powers;  and,  in  the  mode  of  conducting  our  business, 
and  in  determining  how,  and  when,  our  opinions  ought  to  be 
expressed,  there  is  no  other  standard  of  right  or  wrong, U>  which 
an  appeal  can  be  made,  but  the  constitution,  and  the  rules  of 


proceedings  established  under  the  authority  of  the  senate  itself. 
And  so  solicitous  is  the  constitution  to  secure  to  each  house  a 
full  control  over  its  own  proceeding ;,  and  the  freest  mid  fullest 
expression  of  opinion,  on  all  subjects,  that  even  the  majesty  of 
the  laws  are  relaxed  to  ensure  a  perfect  freedom  of  debate.  It 
is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  (Mrovision  of  the  constitution, 
which  I  have  cited,  in  vesting  in  congress  the  implied  or  con- 
structive powers,  is  so  worded  as  not  to  comprehend  the  dis- 
cretionary powers  of  the  two  houses,  in  determining  the  rules 
of  their  proceedings,  which,  of  course,  places  them  beyond  tlie 
interference  of  congress  itself. 

Let  us  now  cast  our  eyes  back,  in  order  that  we  may  com- 
prehend, at  a  single  glance,  the  admirable  arrangements  by 
which  the  harmony  of  the  government  is  secured,  without  im- 
pairing tlie  separate  existence  and  independence  of  the  parts. 
In  order  to  prevent  the  conflicts  which  would  have  resulted, 
necessarily,  if  each  department  had  been  left  to  construe  its 
own  powers,  all  the  implied  or  constructive  powers  are  vested 
in  congress;  that  congress  should  not,  through  its  implied  pow- 
ers, encroach  upon  the  executive  department,  (I  omit  the  judi- 
ciary as  not  belonging  to  the  question),  the  president  is  clothed 
with  the  veto  power;  and  that  his  velo  should  not  interfere  with 
the  rights  of  the  two  houses,  to  control  their  respective  pro- 
ceedings, it  is  limited  to  bills  or  votes  that  require  (he  concur- 
rence of  the  two  houses.  It  is  thus  that  our  walls  are  interpos- 
ed to  protect  the  rights  which  belong  to  us,  as  a  separate  con- 
stituent member  of  the  government,  from  the  encroachments  of 
the  executive  power;  and  it  is  thus  that  the  power  which  is 
placed  in  his  hands,  as  a  shield  to  protect  him  against  the  im- 
plied or  constructive  powers  of  congress,  i*  prevented  from 
being  converted  into  a  sword  to  attack  the  rights  which  are  ex- 
clusively vested1  in  the  two  houses. 

Having  now  established,  beyond  controversy,  that  the  presi- 
dent has  no  implied  or  constructive  power — that  he  has  no  au- 
thority lo  exercise  any  right,  not  expressly  granted  to  him  by 
the  constitution,  or  vested  in  him  by  law;  and  thai  the  constt- 
tution  liaii  secured  to  the  senate  the  sole  right  of  regulating  ih» 
own  proceedings,  free  from  all  interference;  the  fabric  reared 
by  this  paper,  and  which  rests  upon  the  opposite  basis,  pn:- sup- 
posing the  riniit  to  Ihe  fullest  and  boldest  assumption  of  discre- 
tionary powers,  on  the  part  of  the  president,  falls  prostrate  in 
the  dust. 

With  these  views  it  will  not  be  expected  that  I  ?!>ould  waste 
the  time  of  the  senate  in  examining  its  contents;  but  if  addi- 
tional proof  were  necessary  to  confirm  the  truth  of  my  remark*, 
Mini  lo  show  how  strong  would  have  been  the  tendency  to  con- 
tlicl,  and  how  dangerous  ii  would  have  been  to  have  It  ft  th« 
several  department"  in  possession  of  the  right  to  exercise  im 
plied  powers  at  their  pleasure,  this  paper  would  afford  the. 
strongest.  In  illustration  of  the  correctness  of  this  assertion.  I 
svill  select  two  or  three,  of  its  leadinu  positions,  which  will  show 
what  feeble  harriers  reason  or  regard  to  consistency  would  be 
to  prevent  conflict  between  ihe  departments,  or  to  protect  the 
legislative  from  iliu  executive  branch  of  the  government,  and 
how  rr»;irdles.<  the  president  is  ol  con>i>teiiry  wr  reason,  where 
the  object  is  Ihe  advancement  of  III''  powers  of  his  deportment 
In  order  to  prove  that  ihe  -enate  bad  no  rijlil  to  pass  the  re- 
soluiioii  in  question,  the  prr-ident  enters  into  a  Inns  di-f|iii--i 
tion  on  die  nature  and  character  of  our  government.  He  tells 
us,  Ih, n  ii  ron.-ists  of  Ihree  separate  ami  independent  depart- 
ments— the  leizi-lalive,  executive  rind  the  judicial.  That  the 
fir»l  is  vested  in  congress,  the  second  in  the  president,  and  th« 
last  in  t|n>  courts,  with  a  few  exceptions,  which  he  enumerates. 
He  also  informs  us,  that  these  departments  are  coequal,  and 


m  tuny  uc  [ie  aiso  iniorins  ns,  mat   inese  nepartmenis:  are  coequal,  anu 

•,"  [none  other  can  pass  the  limits  of  Ihdr  respective  I  that  neither  has  the  ri«ht  to  coerce  or  control  the  other;  and 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  24,  1834— DEBATE  ON  THE  PROTEST.         «i5 


MICH  concludes,  that  the  senate  bad  no  right  to  pass  the  resolu- 
'ioii  in  question. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  inquire,  whether  the  view  of  the  go- 
vernment, which  the  president  lias  presented,  be  of  be  not  cor- 
rect; but,  it'  it  were,  it  would  not  be  difficult  to  fliow,  that  his 
conception,  that  they  are  coequal,  and  that  neither  has  a  right 
to  coerce  or  control  the  other,  taken  in  the  ordinary  accepta- 
tion of  these  terms,  would  depiivt:  the  senate  of  nil  its  judicial 
powers,  and  ninth  of  its  legislative.  I  will  assume  that  his 
views  are  correct;  and  that,  as  coequal  departments,  neither 
has  the  right  to  interfere  with  the  other;  and  what  follows?  If 
we  have  no  right  to  disapprove  of  his  conduct,  he  surely  has 
none,  on  his  own  principle,  to  disapprove  of  ours.  It  would 
seem  impossilile,  that  so  obvious  and  necessary  a  consequence 
could  be  overlooked;  yet  so  blind  is  ambition  in  pursuit  of  pow- 
er— so  regardless  of  reason  or  consistency — that  the  president, 
while  he  denies  to  us  the  right  to  inteifere  with  him,  or  to  ques- 
tion his  acts,  does  not  hesitate  to  charge  the  senate,  directly 
and  repeatedly,  with  usurpation,  and  a  violation  of  the  laws 
and  of  the  constitution. 

The  advocates  of  the  president,  could  not  but  feel  Ihe  glaring 
inconsistency  and  absurdity  of  his  course;  and,  in  order  to  re- 
concile his  conduct  with  the  principles  that  he  laid  down,  as- 
serted, in  the  discussion,  that  he  sent  his  protest,  not  as  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  but  in  his  individual  character,  as 
Andrew  Jackson.  We  may  assert  any  thing— that  black  is 
white,  or  that  white  is  black.  Every  page,  every  line  of  this 
paper,  contradicts  the  assertion.  He,  throughout,  speaks  in  his 
official  character,  as  president  of  the  United  States,  and  regards 
the  supposed  injury  that  lias  been  done  him,  as  an  injury  to 
iiim,  not  in  his  private,  but  in  his  official  character.  Mm  the 
explanation  only  removes  the  difficulty  one  step  further  back. 
I  would  ask,  what  right  has  the  president  of  the  United  States 
to  divest  himself  of  his  official  character,  in  a  question  between 
him  and  this  body,  touching  his  official  conduct?  Where  is 
iiis  authority  to  descend  from  his  high  station,  in  order  to  de- 
fend himself,  as  a  mere  private  individual,  in  what  relates  to 
him  iu  his  public  character? 

But,  the  part  of  this  paper  which  is  the  most  characteristic — 
that  which  lets  us  into  the  real  nature  and  character  of  this 
movement — is  the  source  from  which  the  president  derives  the 
right  to  interfere  with  our  proceedings.  He  tioes  not  even  pre- 
tend to  derive  it  from  any  power  vested  in  him  by  the  constitu- 
tion, express  or  implied.  He  knew  that  such  an  attempt  would 
be  utterly  hopeless;  and  accordingly,  instead  of  a  question  ol 
right,  he  makes  it  a  question  of  duly;  and  thus  inverts  the  order 
of  things;  referring  his  rights  to  his  duties,  instead  of  his  duties  to 
his  rights,  and  forgetting  that  rights  always  precede  duties,  and 
are  in  fact  but  the  obligations  which  they  impose,  and  of  course 
that  they  do  not  confer  power,  but  impose  obedience — obe- 
dience, in  his  case,  to  the  constitution  and  the  laws,  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  official  duties.  The  opposite  view — that  on  whicl 
lie  acts,  and  which  would  give  to  the  president  a  right  to  as 
bume  whatever  duty  he  might  choose,  and  to  convert  such  du- 
ties into  powers — would,  if  admitted,  render  him  as  absolute  as 
the  autocrat  of  all  the  Ilussias.  Taking  this  erroneous  view  o 
hi*  powers,  he  could  be  at  little  loss  to  justify  his  conduct.  To 
justify,  did  I  say?  he  takes  higher,  far  higher  ground;  he  makes 
his  interference  a  matter  of  obligation;  of  solemn  obligation 
imperious  necessity — the  tyrant's  plea.  He  tells  us  that  it  wa» 
due  to  his  station,  to  public  opinion,  to  proper  self-respect,  to 
flie  obligation  imposed  by  his  constitutional  oath,  his  duty  to 
see  the  laws  faithfully  executed,  his  responsibility  as  the  heat 
of  the  executive  department,  and  to  his  obligation  to  the  Ame 
rican  people,  as  their  immediate  representative,  to  interpose  hi 
authority  against  the  usurpations  of  the  senate.  Infatuated  man 
blinded  by  ambition — intoxicated  by  flattery  and  vanity!  Who 
that  is  least  acquainted  with  the  human  heart — who,  that  i 
conversant  with  the  page  of  history,  does  not  see,  under  all  this 
the  workings  of  a  dark,  lawless  nud  insatiable  ambition;  which 
if  not  arrested,  will  finally  impel  him  to  his  own,  or  his  coun 
try's  ruin? 

It  would  be  a  great  mistake  to  suppose  that  this  protest  is  th 
termination  of  his  hostility  against  the  senate.  It  is  but  th 
commencement — it  is  the  proclamation  in  which  he  make 
known  his  will  to  the  senate,  claims  their  obedience,  and  ad 
inonishes  them  of  their  danger,  should  they  refuse  to  repea 
their  ordinance — no,  not  ordinance — their  resolution.  I  am  liui 
ried  away  by  the  recollection  of  the  events  of  the  last  sessioi 
The  hostilities  then  and  now  waged  are  the  same  in  their  nr 
ture,  character  and  principle;  differing  only  in  their  objects  an 
the  parties.  Then  it  was  directed  against  a  sovereign  mctnbe 
of  this  confederacy — now  against  the  senate.  Then  the  senal 


was  associated  with  the  executive,  as  its  ally — now  it  is  the  ob 


a  virtual  repeal;  a  surrrender  of  our  rights,  and  an  acknowlei 
ment  of  his  superiority;  and  in  that  liL'bl  it  would  be  considi. 
ed  by  the  country  and  the  world;  by  the  present  and  future  g 
Derations. 

Should  we  repeal  our  resolutions  by  receiving  and  enterii 
the  protest  on  the  journal,  we  no  doubt  will  be  taken  into  f 
vor,  and  our  past  offences  be  forgiven;  but  if  not  we  may  e 
pect  that  the  war  message,  (unless  indeed  the  public  indign 
tion  should  arrest  it),  will  follow  in  due  lime,  of  which  the  pr 
test  contains  many  indications,  not  to  be  misunderstood. 


It  is  impossible  for  the  most  careless  observer  to  read  thii 
ap«r  without  being  struck  with  the  extreme  nolicitude  which 
e  president  evinces  to  place  himself  in  a  position  between 
e  senate  and  the  people.  He  tells  us  again  and  again,  with 
e  greatest  emphasis,  that  he  is  the  immediate  representative 
'  the  American  people.  He  the  immediate  representative  of 
ie  American  people!  I  thought  the  president  professed  to  be 
state  rights'  man,  placed  at  the  head  of  the  stale  right*'  parly; 
at  he  believed  that  the  people  of  these  status  were  united  in  a 
institutional  compact,  as  forming  distinct  and  sovereign  corn- 
unities;  and  that  no  such  community  or  people,  as  the  Ame- 
can  people,  taken  in  the  aggregate  existed.  I  bad  supposed 
.it  he  was  the  president  of  the  United  Slates,  the  only  title  by 
Inch  he  is  legally  and  constitutionally  known;  and  the  Ameri- 
an  people  are  not  represented  in  a  tingle  department  of  the 
jverninent;  no,  not  even  in  the  other  house,  which  represents 
ie  people  of  the  several  states,  as  distincl  from  the  people  in 
ie  aggregate,  as  was  solemnly  determined  at  the  very  com- 
lencement  of  the  government,  under  the  immediate  authority 
f  Washington  himself.  Such,  1  had  supposed,  was  the  estab- 
shed  political  creed  of  the  party  at  the  head  of  which  he  profea- 
ed  to  be,  and  yet  he  claims  to  be  not  only  the  representative, 
ut  the  immediate  representative  of  the  American  people. — 
Vhat  effrontery!  What  boldness  of  assertion!  The  immediate 
upresentative!  Why,  he  never  received  a  vote  from  the  Ame- 
can  people.  He  was  elected  by  electors,  elected  either  by  the 
eople  of  the  states  or  by  iheir  legislatures;  and  of  course  is 
I  least  as  far  removed  from  the  people  as  the  members  of  thin 
ody,  who  are  elected  by  legislatures  chosen  by  the  people;  and 
vlio,  if  the  truth  must  be  told,  more  fully  and  perfectly  repre- 
ent  the  people  of  these  states  than  the  electoral  colleges;  since 
lie  introduction  of  national  conventions,  composed  of  office 
olders  .and  aspirants,  under  whose  auspices  the  presidential 
andidate  of  the  dominant  party  is  selected,  and  who,  instead 
f  Ihe  real  voice  of  the  people,  utter  that  of  a  mercenary  corps, 
vilh  interests  directly  hostile  to  theirs. 

But  why  all  this  solicitude  on  the  part  of  the  president  to 
lace  himself  near  to  the  people,  and  to  push  us  off  to  the  greatest 
islance?  Why  this  solicitude  to  make  himself  their  sole  repre- 
enlalive,  their  only  guardian  and  protector,  their  only  friend 
nd  supporter?  The  object  cannot  be  mistaken.  Il  is  prepara- 
ory  lo  farther  hostilities — to  an  appeal  to  the  people;  and  is  in- 
ended  to  prepare  the  way  in  order  to  transmit  to  them  his  de- 
laralion  of  war  against  the  senate,  with  a  view  lo  enlist  them  a* 
is  allies  in  the  war,  which  he  contemplates  waging  against 
his  branch  of  the  government.  If  any  one  doubts  his  inten- 
ion,  let  him  cast  his  eyes  over  the  contents  of  this  paper,  and 
mark  with  what  anxiety  he  seeks  to  place  himself  in  an  attitude 
"  ostile  to  the  senate;  how  he  has  converted  a  simple  expression 
f  opinion  into  an  accusation — a  charge  of  guilt — a  denuncia- 
ion  of  his  conduct — an  impeachment,  in  which  he  represents 
limself  as  having  been  tried  and  condemned  without  hearins  or 
iivestigaiioii.  The  president  is  an  old  tactician,  and  under- 
tands  well  the  advantage  of  carrying  on  a  defensive  war  with 
ift'ettsive  operations,  in  which  the  assailed  assaults  the  assail- 
int;  and  his  object  is  to  gain  a  position  so  commanding,  in  the 
prosecution  of  hostilities  which  he  meditates. 

Having  secured  this  important  position,  as  he  supposed,  he 
next  endeavors  to  excite  the  sympathy  of  the  people,  whom 
ie  seeks  to  make  his  allies  in  the  contest.  He  tells  them  of  his 
wounds — wounds  received  in  the  war  of  the  revolution — of  bis 
latrioiism;  of  his  disinterestedness;  of  his  freedom  from  avarice 
>r  ambition;  of  his  advanced  age,  and  finally,  of  his  religion;  of 
lis  indifference  to  the  affairs  of  this  life,  and  of  his  solicitude 
ibout  that  which  is  lo  come.  Can  we  mistake  the  object?  Who 
does  not  see  what  is  intended?  Let  Us  bring  under  a  single 
glance  the  facts  of  the  case.  He  first  seized  upon  the  public 
money,  took  it  from  the  custody  of  the  law,  and  placed  it  in  his 
own  possession,  as  much  so  as  if  placed  in  his  own  pocket. 
The  seriate  disapproves  of  the  act,  and  opposes  the  only  obstacle, 
that  prevents  him  from  becoming  completely  master  of  the  pub- 
lic treasury.  To  crush  the  resistance  which  they  interpose  lo 
his  will,  he  seeks  a  quarrel  with  them;  and,  with  thai  view, 
seizes  on  the  resolution  in  question  as  the  prelexl.  He  sends 
us  a  protesl  against  it,  in  which  he  resorts  to  every  art  to  enlist 
Ihe  feelings  of  the  people  on  his  side,  preparatory  to  a  direct  ap- 
peal to  them,  with  a  view  to  engage  them  as  allies  in  the  war, 
which  he  intends  to  carry  on  against  the  senate,  till  they  submit 
to  his  authority.  He  has  proclaimed  in  advance,  that  the  right 
to  interfere,  involves  the  right  to  make  that  interference  effec- 
tual. To  make  it  so,  force  only  is  wanting.  Give  him  an 'ade- 
quate force,  and  a  speedy  termination  would  be  put  to  the  con- 
troversy. 

Since,  then,  hostilities  are  intended,  it  is  time  that  we  should 
deliberate  how  we  ought  lo  act;  how  the  assaults  upon  our  coi.- 
stitulional  rights  and  privileges  ought  to  be  met.  If  we  consult, 
what  is  due  to  the  wisdom  and  dignity  of  the  senate,  there  is 
but  one  mode:  meet  il  at  the  threshold.  Encroachments  are 
most  easily  resisted  al  the  commencement.  It  is  at  the  extreme 
point— on  the  frontier— that,  in  a  contest  of  this  description, 
the  assailant  is  the  weakest,  and  the  assailed  the  strongest.  It 
is  tliere  that  the  purpose  of  the  usurper  is  the  most  feeble,  and 
tliR  indignation  of  those  whose  rights  are  encroached  upon,  the 
strongest.  Permit  the  frontier  of  our  rights  to  be  passed,  and 
let  the  question  he,  not  resistance  to  usurpation,  but  at  what 
point  we  shall  resist,  and  the  conquest  will  be  more  than  half 
achieved.  I.  nt  least,  snid  Mr.  Calhonn,  will  act  on  these 
principles.  I  shall  take  my  stand  at  the  door  of  the  senate, 


*t6        KiLES'  REGISTER— MAY   24,  1834— DEBATE  ON  THE  PROTEST. 


if  I  should  stand  there  alone.  I  deny  the  right  of  the  pre- 
sident to  send  us  his  protest.  I  deny  Ins  right  to  question, 
•within  this  chamber,  our  opinions,  in  any  case,  or  in  reference 
to  any  subject  whatever.  He  has  no  right  to  enter  here  in 
hostile  array.  These  walls  eeperate  us.  Beyond  this,  he  has 
his  veto  to  protect  bis  rights  against  aggressions  from  us;  but 
within,  our  authority  is  above  his  interference  or  control. 

Entertaining  these  views,  I,  for  one,  cannot  agree  to  receive 
the  protest.  But  it  is  said,  that  the  senate  never  has  yet  refus- 
ed to  receive  a  message  from  the  president.  In  reply,  1  answer, 
that  it  has  never  yet  agreed  to  receive  a  protest  from  him;  and 
I,  at  least,  shall  not  contribute  by  my  vote  to  establish  the  first 
precedent  of  the  kind.  With  these  impressions,  although  I 
agree  to  the  resolutions  offered  by  the  senator  from  Mississippi 
(Mr.  Poindexter)  as  modified,  a  sense  of  duty  will  compel  me 
to  go  farther,  and  to  add,  at  the  proper  time,  two  additional  re- 
solutions; one  affirming  that  the  president  has  no  right  to  pro- 
test against  our  proceedings,  and  the  other  refusing  to  receive 
this,  his  protest. 

I  have  now  said  all  that  I  intend  in  reference  to  the  question 
at  issue  between  the  senate  and  the  president;  and  will  con- 
clude by  a  few  remarks  addressed  more  directly  to  the  senate 
itself. 

Of  all  the  surprising  events,  said  Mr.  C.  in  these  surprising 
itimes,  none  has  astonished  me  more,  than  that  there  should  be 
any  division  of  opinion,  even  the  slightest,  as  to  the  right  of  the 
senate  to  pass  the  resolution  which  has  been  seized  on  as  the 
pretext  to  send  us  this  protest.  Before  the  commencement  of 
the  discussion,'!  would  not  have  believed,  that  there  was  a  sin- 
gle individual,  in  our  country,  the  least  conversant  with  parlia- 
mentary proceedings,  who  entertained  any  doubt  of  the  right  of 
any  free  and  deliberative  body,  fully  and  freely  to  discuss  and 
express  their  opinion  on  all  subjects  relating  to  the  public  in- 
terests, whether  in  reference  to  men  or  measures;  or  whether 
in  approbation  or  disapprobation.  I  venture  the  assertion,  that 
sucli  a  right  has  never  been  questioned  before  in  this  country; 
either  here  or  in  the  state  legislatures,  or  in  Great  Britain,  for 
the  last  century,  by  any  party,  whig  or  tory.  Nor  is  my  asto- 
nishment diminished  by  the  distinction,  which  has  been  attempt- 
ed to  be  taken,  between  the  expression  of  an  opinion  in  refer- 
ence to  the  conduct  of  public  officers,  intended  to  terminate  in 
gome  legislative  act,  and  those  not  so  intended — a  distinction 
without  example  or  precedent,  and  without  principle  and  reason. 
Nor  am  I  less  surprised,  that  it  should  be  gravely  asserted,  as  it 
lias  been  in  debate,  that  the  resolution  in  question  was  not  in- 
tended to  terminate  in  some  ulterior  legislative  measure.  How 
this  impression  was  made,  or  could  be  ventured  to  be  expressed, 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive,  as  it  was  openly  avowed,  and  fully  un- 
derstood, that  we  only  waited  for  the  proper  moment  to  carry  the 
resolution  into  effect,  by  giving  it  the  form  of  a  joint  act  of  both 
bouses.  Nor  is  the  attempt  to  limit  our  legislative  functions  by 
our  judicial,  in  reference  to  the  resolutions,  less  extraordinary. 
I  had  supposed,  that  our  judicial  were  in  addition  to  our  legis- 
lative functions,  and  not  in  diminution;  and  that  we  possess  to 
the  full  extent,  without  limitation  or  subtraction,  all  the  legisla- 
tive powers  possessed  by  the  house  of  representatives,  with  a 
single  exception,  as  provided  in  the  constitution.  Were  it  pos- 
sible to  raise  a  rational  doubt  on  the  subject,  the  example  of  the 
English  parliament  would  clearly  prove,  that  our  judicial  func- 
tions impose  no  restrictions  on  our  legislative.  It  is  well  known 
that  the  house  of  lords,  like  the  senate,  possess  the  power  of 
trying  Impeachment!,  and  I  venture  to  assert,  that,  in  the  long 
coarse  of  time  in  which  it  has  exercised  this  power,  not  a  sin- 
gle case  can  be  pointed  out,  in  which  it  was  supposed  that  its 
judicial  functions  were  diminished  in  any  degree  by  its  legisla- 
tive; and  when  we  reflect,  that  this  portion  of  our  constitution 
is  borrowed  from  the  British,  their  example  must  be  considered 
??  uSC-iaJVS,  a;  tO  the  point  under  consideration. 

Uutlet  us  reflect  a  moment  to  wiiat  extent  we  must  necessa- 
rily be  carried,  if  we  once  admit  the  principle.  If  the  senate 
has  HO  right,  in  consequence  of  their  judicial  functions,  to  ex- 
press an  opinion  by  vote  or  resolution,  in  reference  to  the  lega- 
lity or  illegality  of  the  acts  of  public  functionaries,  they  have 
no  right  to  express  such  opinion  individually  in  debate;  as  the 
objection,  if  it  exists  at  all,  goes  to  the  expression  of  an  opinion 
liy  individuals  as  well  as  by  the  body.  He  who  has  made  up 
.in  opinion  and  avowed  it  in  debate,  would  be  as  much  disqua- 
lified to  perform  his  judicial  functions,  as  a  judge  on  a  trial  of 
impeachment,  as  if  he  had  expressed  it  by  a  vote;  and  of  course, 
whatever  restrictions  the  judicial  functions  of  the  senate  may 
be  supposed  to  impose,  would  be  restrictions  on  the  liberty  of 
discussion,  as  well  as  that  of  voting;;  and  consequently  destroy 
the  freedom  of  debate  secured  to  us  by  the  constitution. 

I  am,  indeed,  (said  Air.  Calkoun)  amazed,  that  BO  great  a 
misconception  of  the  essential  powers  of  a  deliberative  body 
should  be  formed,  as  to  deny  to  a  legislative  assembly  the  right 
to  express  its  opinions  on  all  subjects  of  a  public  nature,  in  Hv. 
fully,  and  without  restriction  or  limitation.  It  inherently  be- 
longs to  the  law-making  power — the  power  to  make,  repeal  and 
to  modify  the  laws;  to  deliberate  on  the  state  of  the  union;  to 
ascertain  its  actual  condition—the  causes  of  existing  disorders; 
to  determine  whether  they  originated  in  the  laws,  or  in  their  ex- 
ecution, and  to  devise  the  proper  remedy.  What  sort  of  a  le- 
gislative body  would  it  be,  that  had  no  right  to  pronounce  nn 
opinion,  whether  a  law  was  or  was  not  in  conformity  to  the 
conMitiiiion:  iind  whether  it  had  or  had  not  been  vielated  by 
those  appointed  to  administer  the  laws?  What  could  be  ima- 
gined more  absurd?  and  yet,  if  the  principle  contended  for  be 


correct,  such  would  be  the  character  of  the  senate.  We  would 
have  no  right  to  pronounce  a  law  Unconstitutional,  or  to  assert 
that  it  had  been  violated,  lest  it  should  disqualify  us  from  per- 
forming our  judicial  functions. 

There  seems  to  be  (said  Mr.  C.)  a  great  misconception  in  re- 
ference to  the  real  motive  and  character  of  the  legislative  and 
executive  functions.  The  former  is  in  its  nature  deliberative, 
and  involves,  necessarily,  free  discussion,  and  a  full  expression 
of  opinion  on  all  subjects  of  public  interest.  The  latter  is  essen- 
tially the  power  of  executing,  and  has  no  power  of  deliberation 
beyond  ascertaining  the  meaning  of  the  law,  and  carrying  its 
enactments  into  execution;  and  even  within  this  limited  sphere 
its  constructions  of  its  powers  are  formed  under  responsibility, 
not  only  to  public  opinion,  but  also  to  the  legislative  department 
of  the  government. 

But  wherever  the  executive  is  vested  with  any  portion  of  le- 
gislative functions,  so  essentially  do  those  functions  involve  the 
right  of  deliberation,  and  a  full  and  free  expression  of  opinion, 
that  they  transfer  with  them,  to  the  executive,  the  right  of  free- 
ly expressing  his  opinions  on  all  subjects  connected  with  such 
functions.  Thus  the  president  of  the  United  States,  who  is 
vested  by  the  constitution  with  the  right  of  communicating  to 
congress  information  on  the  state  of  the  union;  of  recommend- 
ing to  its  consideration  such  measures  as,  in  his  opinion,  the 
public  interest  may  require;  to  approve  of  its  acts;-  and  to  ratify 
treaties,  which  have  received  the  consent  of  the  senate;  has,  in 
the  performance  of  all  these  high  legislative  functions,  a  right  to 
express  his  opinion  as  to  the  nature  and  character  and  constitu- 
tionality of  all  the  measures,  in  the  consideration  of  which  may 
be  involved  the  performance  of  these  duties — a  right  which  the 
present  chief  magistrate  has,  on  all  occasions,  freely  exercised, 
as  we  have  witnessed  this  session,  both  in  his  annual  message, 
and  the  one  announcing  his  veto  on  the  land  bill.  In  the  former, 
he  pronounced  the  United  States  bank  to  be  unconstitutional, 
and  has,  of  course,  according  to  his  own  principle,  impeached 
the  conduct  of  Washington  and  Madison,  (the  former  of  whom 
signed  the  charter  of  the  first  ban  k,  and  the  latter  of  the  present) 
and  all  of  the  members  of  both  houses  of  congress  who  voted  for 
the  acts  incorporating  them. 

I  am  mortified  (said  Mr.  Calhoun)  th.at  in  this  country,  boast- 
ing of  its  Anglo-Saxon  descent,  that  any  one  of  respectable 
standing,  much  less  the  president  of  the  United  States,  should 
be  found  to  entertain  principles  leading  to  such  monstrous  re- 
sults; and  I  can  scarcely  believe  myself  to  he  breathing  the  air 
of  our  country,  and  to  be  within  the  walls  of  the  senate  cbann- 
ber,  when  I  hear  such  doctrines  vindicated.  It  is  proof  of  the  • 
wonderful  degeneracy  of  the  times — of  a  total  loss  of  the  true 
conceptions  of  constitutional  liberty.  But,  in  the  midst  of  this 
degeneracy,  f  perceive  the  symptoms  of  regeneration.  It  is  not 
my  wish  to  touch  on  the  party  designations  that  have  recently 
obtained,  and  which  have  been  introduced  in  the  debate  on  this 
occasion.  I,  however,  cannot  but  remark,  that  the  revival  of 
the  party  names  of  the  revolution,  after  they  had  so  long  slum- 
bered, is  not  without  a  meaning — not  without  an  indication  of  a 
return  to  those  principles  which  lie  at  the  foundation  of  otrr  li- 
berty. 

Gentlemen  ought  to  reflect  that  the  extensive  and  sudden  re- 
vival of  these  names  could  not  be  without  some  adequate  cause. 
Names  are  not  to  be  taken  or  given  at  pleasure;  there  must  be 
something  to  cause  their  application  to  adhere.    If  I  remember 
rightly,  it  was  Augustus,  in  all  the  plenitude  of  his  power,  who' 
said  that  he  found  it  impossible  to  introduce  a  new  word 
What,  then,  is  that  something?    What  is  there  in  the  meaning 
of  whig  and  tory,  and  what  in  the  character  of  the  limes,  which 
has  caused  their  sudden  revival,  as  party  designations,  at  this 
lime?    I  take  it,  that  the  very  essence  of  toryism — that  which 
constitutes  a  tory,  is  to  sustain  prerogative  against  privilege— to 
support  the  executive  against  the  legislative  department  of  Hie 
government,  and  to  lean  to  the  side  of  power,  against  the  side  of 
liberty;  while  the  whig  is,  in  all  these  particulars,  of  the  very 
opposite  principles.    These  are  the  leading  characteristics  of 
the  respective  parties,  whig  and  tory,  and  run  through  their  ap- 
plication  in  all  the  variety  of  circumstances  in  which  they  have 
been  applied,  either  in  this  country  or  Great  Britain.  Their  sud- 
den revival  and  application  at  this  time  ought  to  admonish  my 
old  friends,  who  are  now  on  the  side  of  the  administration,  that 
there   is  something  in   the  times — something  in  the  existing 
struggle  between  the  parties,  and  in  the  principles  and  doctrines 
advocated  by  those  in  power — which  has  caused  so  smitten  a 
revival,  and  such  extensive  application  nf  the  terms.     I  hare 
not  contributed  to  their  introduction,  nor  am  I  desirous  of  seeing 
them  applied;  but  I  must  say  to  those  who  arc  interested,  that 
they  should  not  be;  that  nothing  but  their  reversing  their  course 
can  possibly  prevent  their  application.    They  owe  it  to  them- 
selves— they  owe  it  to  the  chief  ningistrnte,  whom  they  sttpport 
(who,  at  least  is  venerable  for  his  years),  as  the  head  «f  the 
party— that  they  should  halt  in  their  support  of  the  despotic  anil 
slavish  doctrines  which  we  hear  daily  advanced,  before  a  return 
of  the  reviving  spirit  of  liberty  shall  overwhelm  them,  and  those 
who  arc  leading  them  to  their  ruin. 

I  can  speak  (said  Mr,  Calhoun)  with  impartiality.  As  far  nf  I 
am  concerned,  I  wish  no  change  of  party  designations.  F  am 
content  with  that  which  designates  those  with  whom  I  art.  It 
is,  I  admit,  not  very  popular,  but  is  at  lenst  nn  honest  and  a  pa- 
triotic name.  It  is  synonymous  to  resistance  to  usurpation — 
usurpation,  come  from  what  quarter,  mid  under  what  phape  it 
may;  whether  it  be  that  from  this  government  on  the  rights  of 
the  states,  or  the  executive  on  tbe  legislative  department. 


JVILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SKHIES.  No.  14— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  MAY  31,  1834.      [Vox,.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,184. 


THE  PAST THK  PRESENT— FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    1ST    H.  NILF.S,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PATAHLE    IN   ADVANCE. 


The  30th  June  has  been  fixed  on,  in  the  house  of  re 
presentatives,  as  the  day  of  closing  the  present  session  o 
congress.     It  is  not  easy  to  believe  that  the  business  t 
be  disposed  of  will  permit  so  early  an  adjournment.    S 
the  journal  of  proceedings. 

With  considerable  labor,  we  had  prepared  many  edi 
torial  articles,  and  condensed  views  of  several  things,  fo 
this  number,  which  must  be  postponed,  if  not  altogethe 
thrown  aside — (such  is  one  of  the  "miseries"  of  editors 
on  account  of  the  great  length  of  the  reports  of  the  com 
mittee  concerning  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  W 
shall  add  all  the  documents,  and  so  present  them,  by  th 
aid  of  a  supplement,  that  our  friends  may  have  the  whol> 
together  for  convenient  use,  while  thus  also  obtaining  « 
little  more  space  for  current  matters. 

Because  of  this  pressure  for  room,  we  cannot  offer  anj 
comments  on  these  reports,  however  much  they  inviti 
them;  but  they  surely  deserve,  and  will  receive,  a  care 
ful  perusal.  There  are  some  facts  connected  with  the 
publication  of  the  report  of  the  majority  of  the  commit 
tee,  that,  in  common  times,  would  have  seemed  very  ex 
traordinary;  the  editor  of  the  "Globe"  being  furnishet 
with  a  copy  of  it  nearly  two  days  before  the  printers  t< 
the  house  of  representatives  were  supplied  with  one 
though  the  house  had  ordered  that  it  should  be  printed 
and  thus  that  report,  being  published  on  a  Saturday 
had  two  days  start  of  that  of  the  minority,  presented  on 
the  same  day  and  immediately  afterwards — the  effect  o 
which  seems  to  have  been  calculated.  The  circumstan- 
ces belonging  to  this  proceeding  must  be  recorded,  01 
they  will  be  flatly  denied,  a  few  years  hence,  as  having 
possibly  happened. 

The  vote  of  the  senate  concerning  the  pension  money  is 
very  decisive — 26  to  17,  does  not  look  as  if  such  a  majority 
should  be  called  "factious."  Had  the  senate  bet-n  full, 
the  vote  would,  probably,  have  stood  31  to  17.  The  new 
attorney-general  has  been  unlucky  in  his  first  essay. 

Roberts  Vaux  was,  on  Monday  last,  approved  by  the 
senate  as  a  director  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  nomination  of  Henry  Horn,  for  the  same  office,  re- 
jected. So  the  senate  has  confirmed  four  out  of  the  five 
nominations  of  the  president. 

The  nomination  of  Mahlon  Dickerson,  as  minister  to 
Russia,  has  been  approved,  as  every  body  expected  that 
it  would  be,  if  thought  necessary  to  send  one  to  St.  Pe- 
tersburg!) :  but  that  of  Andrew  Stevenson,  present  speak- 
er of  the  house  of  representatives,  H  is  believed  will  not 
be  confirmed. 

The  senate  has  rejected  the  nomination  of  Martin 
Gordon,  as  collector  at  New  Orleans. 

It  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Robbins,  of  Rhode  Island,  has 
been  confirmed  in  his  seat  in  the  senate  by  a  large  ma- 
jority— though  yet  less  than  we  had  expected,  consider- 
ing the  real  merits  of  the  case  and  the  late  sanction  of 
the  law  of  the  state  under  the  affected  unconstitutionality 
of  which  his  election  was  questioned. 

Mr.  Forsytes  speech,  in  reply  to  Mr.  Calhoun,  in- 
tended for  this  number,  though  nearly  all  in  type,  is,  of 
necessity,  postponed.  We  have  to  do  with  the  speeches 
"as  well  as  we  can" — some  we  make  abstracts  of,  and 
others,  that  should  be  inserted  entire,  are  indefinitely 
"laid  on  the  table;"  and  thus  many  good  things  are  lost, 
«o  far  as  it  regards  our  publication  and  preservation  of 
them. 

There  was  an  animated  debate  on  the  proposition  to 

print  a  large  number  of  copies  of  the  reports  from  the 

committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the  bank 

of  the  United  States — for  some  wished  that  the  report  of 

VOL.  XLVI— Sio.  15. 


the  majority  should  be  printed,  without  that  of  the  mi- 
nority being  attached,  &c.  But  they  were  shamed  out  of 
this — and  the  two  reports,  with  their  respective  docu- 
ments, are  to  be  published  together.  The  number  or- 
dered is  30,000. 

The  quantity  of  specie  entered  at  the  custom  house  in  New 
York  from  foreign  places,  between  the  28th  of  March  and  )5th 
of  May,  a  period  of  seven  weeks,  was,  of  gold,  $83,238;  silver. 
$2,864,339— total,  $2,947,677.  The  period  commences  after 
some  of  the  large  importations  were  made,  and  there  hare  been 
constantly  large  receipts  from  New  Orleans?.  Jt  is  supposed 
that  the  amount  of  specie  received  at  thnt  port  since  the  1st  of 
January,  could  not  be  less  than  $6.000,000. 

We  give  the  preceding  as  we  meet  with  it  in  the  news- 
papers. Admit  its  truth — even  make  it  appear  that  one- 
fourth  more  had  been  added  to  the  specie  capital  of  the 
United  States,  in  the  last  five  months — and  what  is  the 
effect  of  it?  Instead  of  an  increased  circulation  of  va- 
lues, as  such  an  importation  would  have  produced  in  or- 
dinary times,  the  circulation  has  been  daily  more  and 
more  contracted — and  facilities  to  make  payments  are 
daily  diminished!  There  is  a  lesson  in  this  that  dab- 
blers in  the  currency  of  a  country  ought  to  consider — and 
fools  may  learn  from  it  the  easiness  of  a  transition  to  a 
metallic  currency!!!  Mexico,  with  a  reported  capital 
of  480  millions  in  bullion  and  coin,*  and  with  less  than 
two-thirds  of  our  population,  is  miserably  poor — the  best 
evidences  of  her  public  debt  being  40  or  50  per  cent. 
under  par;  but  we,  witli  about  25  millions  in  specie,  had 
a  plentiful  supply  of  "money,"  and  such  evidences  of 
our  debt  were  from  15  to  20  per  cent,  above  par,  if  sold 
for  gold  or  silver!  There  is  much  matter  for  reflection 
in  these  things,  and  their  operation  will  become  manifest 
to  every  one  that  is  capable  and  ivilliiig  to  form  an  opi- 
nion for  himself,  on  the  present  state  of  affairs  in  the 
United  States,  as  affected  by  the  war  against  the  bank. 
And  all  the  specie  spoken  of,  the  bank  has,  or  might  have, 
gathered  into  its  vaults,  as  it  came  in!  It  is  clear  that 
public  relief 'has  not  been  afforded  by  the  importations  of 
specie,  if  in  the  whole  ten  millions,  in  the  five  last 
nonths — 'nor  would  a  supply  of  an  hundred  millions, 
had  we  the  means  to  purchase  it)  stand  against  the  loss 
of  confidence  that  we  have  sustained,  and  the  loss  of  em- 
ployment and  of  production  suffered,  in  this  unnecessary 
war  of  the  president  against  the  currency  and  credit  of 
he  country,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  people. 

The  "New  York  Courier  &  Enqirer"has  a  letter  from 
Washington  dated  May  11,  which,  after  speaking  of  the 
oud  cry  that  had  been  made  against  the  bank,  because  of 
he  worthlessness  of  its  western  debts,  says — • 

"To  guard  against  the  cry  in  future,  the  bank  has  been  in- 
ustrinusly,  but  quietly,  engaged  in  transferring  its  western 
cbts  to  theses-board,  and  the  consequence  in,  that  while  there 
re  very  few  draughts  falling  due  at  the  western  branches  during 
ie  present  spring  and  summer — upwards  of  eleven  millions  of 
ollars  of  their  western  debt  has  benn  accepted  by  the  eastern 
nerchants  and  fall  due  in  the  cities  of  Baltimore,  Philadelphia, 
Vew  York  and  Boston,  within  the  next  sixty  days.  Of  this 
um,  upwards  of  five  million?  fall  due  and  are  payable  at  the 
ranch  in  the  city  of  New  York.  Of  course  these  draughts 

list  be  paid  at  maturity,  and,  as  it  is  not  the  intention  of  the 
ank  to  extend  its  discounts,  it  follows  that  tUU  amount  of 
apital  must  be  withdrawn  from  circulation.  Up  lo  this  period 
i«  hank  has  curtailed  hut  a  very  trifling  amount,  and1  the  stocfc- 
obbirij;  cabal  in  this  city,  foreseeing  the  effects  upon  the  money 
larkft  of  the  payment  of  these  western  draught,  are  preparing 
o  nrid  to  your  difficulties  by  preying  upon  the  very  wants  and 
(stresses  of  the  community  which  they  themselves  have  pro- 
uced. 

The  eleven  millions  spoken  of  cannot  be  .paid  in  the 
nsulng  sixty  days,  unless  through  the  liberal  aid  of  the 
nnk.  There  is  "no  mistake"  about  that.  But  if  paid, 

We  do  not  believe  this— though  it  is  so  stated,  in  the  news- 
apers,  as  a  matter  of  "fact!"  The  amount,  however,  must  be 
large  one,  and  several  times  greater  than  that  of  the  coin  in 
he  United  Statei. 


218 


NILEb'  REGISTER— MAY 


18S4— CONGRESS. 


v  ill  drain  the  local  bauks  of  every  surplus  dollar,  and 
niay  forbid  payments  even  in  pursuance  of  appropriations 
made  by  congress! — for  the  eleven  millions  must  be  paid 
in  specie,  or  its  ecmivalent.  There  is  no  other  way  by 
which  this  heavy  demand  can  he  satisfied.  We  hope, 
however,  1'iat  the  amount  is  not  correctly  stated.  It  is 
well  known  that  the  bank  has  been  gathering  its  mean* — 
but  we  cannot  believe  that  so  rapid  au  accumulation  of 
them  is  designed,  or  is  in  correspondence  with  the  in- 
terests of  the  bank. 

John  B.  Morris  and  II.  W.  Gill,  esquires,  trustees  for 
the  benefit  of  the  creditors  of  the  hank  of  Maryland, 
have  made  a  report  concerning  the  affairs  of  that  institu- 
tion, which  Thomas  Ellicott,  esq.  the  other  trustee,  de- 
clined to  unite  in.  We  cannot  insert  this  report  in  the 
present  sheet,  but  it  shall  be  preserved,  as  well  for  in- 
struction, as  on  account  of  the  exiriwrdinaries  which  it 
exhibits.  The  result  seems  to  be  this — that  the  supposed 
available  means  of  the  bank  are  $1,001,661 — with  doubt- 
ful (we  think  this  word  should  have  been  desperate),  and 
disputed  claims  in  its  favor  amounting  to  $683,569  more; 
whereas  the  circulation,  certificates  and  other  claims 
against  the  bank,  amount  to  $1,683,21 8 — and  of  which  we 
do  not  believe  that  50  cents  in  the  dollar  can  be  paid. 
But  we  shall  insert  the  report  at  length — that  every  one 
may  judge  for  himself. 

The  London  Mercantile  Journal  states  that  money  has  be- 
come so  abundant,  tli.il  discounts  in  some  cases  have  been  ob- 
tained at  the  extremely  low  rale  of  one  nnd  a  half  per  cent,  per 
annum.  The  current  rale,  however,  is  two  and  two  and  a  hall 
per  cent,  and  considerable  sensation  has  been  excited  by  an 
offer  of  the  bank  of  England,  to  lend  money  for  a  month  at  Hit 
rate  of  three  per  cent.  The  editor  of  the  Journal  remarks  that 
'•it  is  surprising  that  in  such  a  money  market  there  should  not 
be  sagacity  enough  to  huy  up  American  Stocks,  which  are  as 
secure  as  any  in  the  world,  and  yield  an  interest  of  rive  and  six 
per  cent,  and  upwards.  [What!  corrupt  our  people,  by  loaning 
them  money?  "PerisA  credit!} 

Mr.  Ritchie  is  "sorry,"  very  sorry,  indeed,  tha 
Messrs.  Grundy  and  lien'lon^  of  the  senate,  voted  for  the 
large  appropriation  for  the  Cumberland  road — and  ha 
bespoke  a  veto  against  the  final  passage  of  the  bill.  We 
regard  this  as  the  very  essence  of  "democracy" — tha 
the  will  of  the  representatives  of  the  people  and  of  th< 

states,  is "just  nothing  at  all,"  if  opposed  to  that  o 

the  president  and  Mr.  Ritchie.  But  it  is  possible  tha 
this  bill  may  not  pass  the  house,  unless  Mr.  Claims  lam 
bill  shall  pass  it.  Some  think  that  they  link  togethei 

Many  cases  of  cholera  are  occurring  in  the  west  an 
south-west,  and  especially  in  the  steamboats  on  the  ri 
vers.  Cases  have  happened  on  board  of  the  passenge 
vessels  arrived  at  Quebec. 

We  regret  to  see 
from  Europe — 886  n.«i»,i 

•week.     We  are  already  much  over-stocked  with  labor 
ers,  and  these  must  interfere  with  those  that  we  ha 
seeking  employment.     Large  numbers  are  also  pouri 
into  Canada. 

The  U.  S.  frigate  Potomac,  eapt.  Downcs,  arrived  a 
Boston  on  the  23d  inst.  The  Mercantile  Journal  says — 

The  officer!  and  crew,  generally  speaking,  are  in  good  In-all 
more  eepecially  so,  when  it  is  considered  that  the  i-hip  has  ju 
completed  a  voyage,  longer  and  more  arduous  than  had  prev 
ously  been  performed  by  any  frigate  in  our  navy. 

The  Potomac  having  circumnavigated  the  globe,  and  crosse 
and  recrossed  the  equator  six  times,  she  has  encountered  dan 
gen  of  navigation  unknown  in  ordinary  voyages.    The  me 
have  been  exposed  to  disease  and  pestilence  in  the  most  in* 
lubrious  regions  of  the  earth;  and  chared,  besides  the  risks 
war,  in  the  assault  and  capture  of  the  Malay  forts.    Yet  th 
ship  has  been  safely  navigated  throughout,  no  casualty  of  ai 
moment  having  occurred  during  the  cruise;  and  the  denn-i- 
mortality  has  been  even  less  than  usual  on  board  vessels 
war,  only  twenty-seven  having  died,  (including  those  killed 
battle  at  Quallah  Balloo),  out  of  about  500  souls  on  board. 

The  U.  S.  sloop  Peacock,  arrived  at  New  York  on  th 
25th  inst.  after  a  long  cruise — last  from  Rio  Janeiro — 
capt.  Geiainger  and  his  officers  and  crew,  "all  well." 

The  result  of  the  late  elections  in  Virginia,  is  be 
shewn  in  th«  follow  ing — • 


!  that  many  emigrants  are  arrivin 
reached  New  York  in  one  day,  la: 
eady  much  over-stocked  with  labor 


"The  Richmond  Compiler  makes  out  a  tabular  statement  of 


ems.  it  would  seem  that  the  M-n.ue  will  have  to  consider 
sell  instructed  to  vote  :i»,iiust  scin  ral  Jackson.  The  Compi- 
r  say?:  \Vo  have  endeavored  to  make  out  an  accurate  slate- 
cut,  and  the  result  to  which  we  have  come  is,  that  if  the  se- 
ttoi-  r.-present,  as  they  are  bound  to  do,  the  w'iehe*  of  their 
Histitiieitts,  we  shall  have  a  majority  of  three-fourths  against 
c  administration! — Hint  is  21  whig  votes  and  8  Jackson." 
The  political  excitement  iu  western  Virginia  is  said 
i  be  without  precedent. 

The  general  slate  of  things  in  Mexico  and  South  Ame- 
ca  is  very  uncomfortable.  Revolution  is  still  the 
order  of  the  day,"  and  nothing  seems  settled. 


TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

Nay  25.    The  chair  communicated  a  report  from  the  depart- 
ent  of  state  on  the  subject  of  the  patent  office. 
Mr.  Clay  presented  a  memorial  from  Huntingdon  county,  Pa. 
emonstrating  against  the  removal  of  the  deposites — read,  &c.: 
Tier  gome  strong  and  appropriale  remarks  by  Mr.  C. 
Mr.  Hendrickx  presented  five  memorials  from  Indiana,  all  re- 
lonstraling  agairisi  the  measures  of  the  executive  in  regard  to 
ic  bank  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  [I.  said  that  these  memorials  were  numerously  signed  by 
II  political  parties,  and  by  men  of  every  pursuit  and  occupa- 
lon  in  life.  Thai  Ihey  came  from  parts  of  the  state  where  ihe 
lends  of  ihe  present  chief  magistrate  were  numerous  and  the 
arty  slronc;  but  that  in  these  instanced  all  other  considerations 
ad  been  burie.d  in  oblivion,  and  this  subject  taken  up  because 
he  people  fell  what  they  said;  that  these  memorials,  were  not 
o  be  viewed  as  parly  productions,  but  as  the  expressions  of  the 
ipmions  of  an  honest,  intelligent  people,  truly  representing  the 
ondition  of  their  country,  the  causes  which  had  produced  it, 
nd  the  remedy,  in  their  opinion,  proper  to  lie,  adopted. 
The  population  inhabiting  the  counties  from  which  these  me- 
norials  came  was  a  mixed  one,  grouped  together  from  almost 
very  quarter  of  the  world,  chiefly,  however,  from  Kentucky, 
Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  Nttw  England,  and  from  the 
wiss  cantons  in  Europe.  Their  pursuits  were  mainly  agricul- 
ural;  that  they  were  the  exporters  a?  well  as  the  growers  of 
heir  produce:  their  market  was  New  Orleans;  they  had  as  little 
lirect  interest  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States  as  any  people 
n  the  union;  but  in  the  prosperity  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  they  had  a  deep  interest — tor  having  no  slate  banks  as 
vet  in  operation,  the  paper  of  that  bank  had  largely  entered  into 
he  circulating  medium  of  thai  seclion  of  the  country. 

The  people  think  that  pasl  experience  demonstrates  the  con- 
venience and  necessity  of  a  paper  circulating  medium,  conver- 
ihle  inlo  specie,  to  supply  the  want  of  sufficient  metnllic  cur- 
rency. They  berieve  that  a  sufficient  quantity  of  gold  and  sil- 
er  does  not  exist  to  form  a  circulating  medium,  and  that  a  sud- 
den change,  or  attempt  at  change,  could  not  fail  to  prostrate  ihe 
ae»t  interests  of  the  country.  They  believe  that  the  country 
cannot  get  along  withont  a  national  bank;  that,  without  sucli 
an  institution.  Hie  currency  cannot  have  either  soundness  or 
stability,  nor  ran  the  exchanses  of  the  country  be  equalized  or 
regulated.  And  in  these  opinions  Mr.  H.  entirely  concurred. 

Mr.  H.  was  no  advocate  for  the  present  Imnk;  would  prefer  a 
new  hank  located  in  Washington.  This  location  he  concrived 
would  remove  the  constitutional  objection;  and  he  would  be 
for  a  bank  of  less  capital. 

Mr.  H.  said  no  one  regretted  the  removal  of  the  deposites 
nore  than  himself.  It  was  an  unfortunate  measure  for  the 
country.  He  did  not  doubt  the  power  or  motive  of  removal; 
lint  he  regretted  the  measure  as  deleterious  and  injudicious. 
He  had  said  by  his  vote,  that  ihe  reasons  of  the  secretary  were 
unsatisfactory  and  insufficient. 

Mr.  teuton  said  he  had  no  doubt  but  the  memorialists  fully 
believed  in  all  the  distresses  which  they  mentioned;  but  their 
petitions  only  recited  what  had  been  alleged  on  this  floor  for 
the  last  four  or  five  month.-;  and  the  reason  why  petitions  were 
so  late  in  coming  from  that  distance,  must  be  because  the  pe- 
titioners were  so  far  off  from  the  source  of  alarm. 

Mr.  Hendricks  repelled  the  idea,  that  the  memorial-"  which  he 
hail  just  presented  10  the  sp.nate,  had  been  produced  in  any  de- 
gree by  tha  panic  which  pervades  the  country,  or  that  they  had 
been  gotten  up  for  political  effect.  The  memorialists  were  nei- 
ther panic  makers,  nor  more  liable  to  alarm  from  a  distance  than 
the  people  from  any  oilier  portions  of  the  union. 

The  senate  then,  in  succession,  took  up  thirteen  bills  for  the 
relief  of  private  individuals,  which  were  severally  read  the  third 
time  and  passed. 

Ths  special  order  of  the  day  was  resumed,  being  the  report  of 
the  committee  on  the  judiciary  on  the  pension  books;  and  Mr. 
Kane  concluded  his  remarks,  and  was  followed  by  Mr.  Bibb, 
Mr.  Wright  and  Mr.  Clayton. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  agreeing  to  the  following  re- 
solution, (moved  by  way  of  amendment  to  the  original  report), 
as  follows: 

lietolwd,  That  the  department  of  war  Is  not  warranted  in  ap- 
pointing petition  agents  in  any  state  or  territory,  where  the  bank 


NiLES'  REGISTER— MAY   31,   1834— CONGRESS. 


of  the  United  Stales,  or  one  of  its  branches,  lias  been  eslablibh- 
ed;  except  when  specially  authorised  by  act  of  congress. 
And  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Hell,  Uibb,  Black.  Calhnnn,  Chambers,  Clay, 
dtayton,  Ewing,  Forsylh,  Frelinghuysen.  Kent,  King,  oi  (ico. 
Lrigh,  M.uijinm,  Naudain.  Poiudexler,  I'orlrr,  I'n-.-ion,  Rob- 
bins,  Shepley,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swill,  Tom- 
Jiiison,  U'ai^aman,  YVeb.-ti-r— 28. 

NAYS— Messrs.  I'.enton,  Brown,  Grundy,  Hill,  Kane,  King, 
of  Alabama,  Linn,  McKean,  Morris,  Robinson,  Tallmadge,  Tip- 
ton,  \Vlnie,  VVillvins,  Wright— 15. 
So  this  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

The  question  was  ihen  taken  upon  agreeing  to  the  following 
resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  act  of  congress  "for  the  relief  of  certain 
officers  nml  soldiers  of  the  revolution,"  passed  on  the  15th  of 
May,  1828,  ami  Hie  act  supplementary  (o  thai  act.  pa-sed  on  the 
7th  June,  183:2,  are  properly  acts  providing  lor  the  payment  of 
military  pensions. 

And  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calboun,  Chambers,  Clay. 
Clayton,  i'.u  ini»,  Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  King,  of  Georgia,  Leigh, 
Mangiini,  Nandain,  I'oindexler,  Porter,  Preston.  Robbins,  Sils- 
bee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Waggaman, 
Webster— 26. 

NAYS— Messrs.    Benton,    Brown,   Forsylh,  Grundy,    Hill, 
Kane,  Kiu:;,  of  Alabama,  Liun,  McKean,  Morris,  Robinson, 
Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tip  ion,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright— 17.* 
So  Hie  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

The  question  was  tlien  taken  on  agreeing  to  the  following  re 
solution: 

Resolved,  That  no  power  is  conferred  by  any  law  upon  the 
department  or  secretary  of  war,  to  remove  the  agency  for  the 
payment  of  pensioners  under  the  said  act  of- the  7lh  June,  1832, 
and  the  funds,  books  and  papers,  connected  with  lliat  agency, 
from  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates,  and  to  appoint  other  agents 
to  supersede  that  bank  in  the  payment  of  such  pen.-'ioners. 

And  decided  in  the  affirmative  without  a  division.  After 
which  the  senate  adjourned. 


May  27.  Mr.  Eiring  presented  the  memorial  of  1,063  voters 
of  \V  a?liiugl(iii  county,  Ohio,  opposed  to  the  removal  of  the  de- 
posites. &c.  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Webster  presented  the  memorial  of  sundry  inhabitants  of 
Ihe  city  of  Boston,  praying  congress  lo  take  into  consideration 
the  propriety  of  aiding,  by  duties  received  from  commerce, 
common  schools  in  the  maritime  cities,  for  the  instruction  of 
mariners  in  common  knowledge. 

Mr.  Webster  prefaced  the  introduction  of  this  memorial  with 
some  very  pertinent  remarks,  showing  the  necessity  of  extend- 
ing the  means  of  instruction  to  this  meritorious  and  gallant  por- 
tion of  the  nation's  strength. 

Mr.  Preston  submitted  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  war  report  lo  the  senate  a 
statement  shewing  the  names  of  the  several  pensioners  who  are 
now,  or  may  have  been  heretofore,  placed  on  the  pension  tolls, 
designating  their  rank,  annual  allowance,  the  sums  which  they 
have  severally  received,  the  laws  under  which  their  pensions 
have  been  granted,  the  date  when  placed  upon  the  roll,  their 
ages,  and  the  states  and  counties  in  which  they  severally  resi- 
ded; also  the  names  of  the  pension  agents  who  have  received 
compensation  as  such,  and  Ihe  amount  of  sucti  compensation, 
and  the  act  under  which  it  was  allowed,  the  names  of  the 
•clerks  who  are  and  who  have  been  employed  in  the  pension 
office,  and  the  sums  paid  Ihem  as  compensation,  wilh  an  ag- 


Mr.  Wright  aslied  for  the  yeag  and  riays,  and  they  were  or- 
dered. 

The  question  being  then  taken  by  yeas  and  nays  was  decided 
a  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Hell,  Bibb,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clay- 
ton, Ewinz,  Frelinghuysen,  Hcndricks,  Kent,  Knight,  Leigh, 
McKean,  Mangiim,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Porter,  Preston,  KiU- 
bee,  Smilh,  Soulhard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tiplon,Tomliri8on,  Wag- 
gaman, Webster — 27. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Jienton,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy,  Hill, 
Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Linn,  Morris,  Eo- 
binson,  Shepley,  Tallmadge,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright — 16. 

The  senate  then  proceeded  lo  the  next  special  order,  being  the 
resolutions  offered  by  Mr.  BiAft,  amendatory  of  ihe  constitution, 
on  the  subject  of  the  election  of  president  and  vice  president. 

Mr.  Uibb  rose,  and  was  about  to  address  the  senale  in  sup- 
port of  his  resolutions,  but  gave  way  to  allow  a  motion  for 
adjouinmenl  lo  be  made;  when,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Mangum,  the 
senale  adjourned. 

May  28.  Mr.  Chambers  presented  a  memorial  from  a  number 
of  the  citizens  and  voters  of  the  second  election  district  of  Fre- 
derick county,  Maryland,  remonstrating  against  the  removal  of 
the  deposites.,  &c.  accompanying  the  same  \vrth  appropriate  re- 
marks: read  and  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Webster,  from  the  committee  on  finance,  reported  a  bill 
to  repeal  certain  provisions  of  "an  uct  to  alter  and  amend  the 
several  acts  imposing  duties  ou  imports,  approved  the  14th 
July,  1832. 

[This  bill  restores  the  provisos  in  the  lOih  and  12ih  articles 
of  the  2d  section  of  the  act  of  14lh  July,  1832,  as  rt  lales  to  hard- 
ware, and  manufactures  of  copper  and  brass,*  which  were,  by  a 
subsequent  act,  i.  e.  of  2d  March,  1833,  suspended  until  the  1st 
of  June,  1834.] 

Mr.  Clay  rose  and  said,  that,  as  the  morning  business  seemed! 
to  have  been  gone  through,  he  should  movt;1he  senate  for  Ivave 
to  introduce  two  joint  resolutions.  Fie  had  given  nolice  of  one 
resolution,  but,  on  reflection,  he  had  thought  it  best  to  prepare 
separate  resolutions,  vvhich,  as  they  were  short,  he  would  read 
in  his  place: 

Resolved,  by  the  senate  and  the  house  of  representatives  of  the 
Jnited  States  of  Jlmerica,  in  congress  assembled,  that  the  rea- 
ons,  communicated  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  in  his  re- 
:>rt  to  congress  of  the  4th  of  December,  1833,  for  the  removal 
f  ihe  deposites  Of  the  money  of  the  United  Slales,  from  the 
ank  of  the  United  States,  and  its  branches,  are  insufficient 
nd  unsatisfactory: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  all  deposites  of  the  money  of  tha 
Jniled  States  which  may  accrue  or  be  received  on  and  after 
he  1st  day  of  July,  1834,  shall  be  made  wilh  the  bank  of  the 
U.  Stales  and  its  branches,  in  conformity  with  Ihe  provisions 
f  the  act,  entitled  "an  act  to  incorporate  the  subscribers  to 
he  bank  of  the  United  States,"  approved  the  10th  April,  1816. 
Mr.  Clay  said  the  first  resolution  merely  reaffirmed  the  one 
vhich  ihe  senate  had  already  passed.  That  resolution  was  s 
eparate  one,  and  was  not  intended  for  ihe  action  of  the  other 
louse;  but  only  to  constitute  ihe  basis  of  further  legislation, 
ihould  any  be  found  necessary  lo  produce  the  effect  which,  in 
lis  humble  opinion,  it  ought  long  since  to  have  produced,  the 
estoratiou  of  the  public  deposites  to  the  vaults  of  the  bank  of 
he  United  States.  The  present  was  a  joint  resolution.  To  the 
ormer  it  had  been  objected  on  this  floor,  and  also  in  the  coun- 
,ry,  and  as  he  believed  by  the  president  of  the  United  Stales 
n  his  protest,  that  it  was  rt  mere  abstract  proposition  which 


gregate  statement  of  the  whole  sums  disbursed  on  account  of 
pensions. 

Mr.  Tomlinson  reported  a  bill  to  amend  the  act  entitled  "an 
act  supplementary  lo  the  acl  for  Ihe  lelief  of  certain  surviving 
officers  and  soldiers  of  the  revolution;  which  was  twice  read 
and  ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

Mr.  Poindexter  moved  a  resolution  calling  for  certain  reports 
made  by  agents  appointed  to  examine  into  the  condition  of  the 
land  oflices,  &c.  which  lies  one  day. 

Mr.  Clay  gave  notice  that  he  should,  on  to-morrow,  ask  leave 
to  introduce  a  joint  resolution,  the  object  of  which  would  be  t 
reassert  what  had  been  already  declared  by  resolutions  of  the 
senate,  that  the  reasons  as.signed  by  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury to  congress  for  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites,  are  in- 
sufficient and  unsatisfactory;  and  to  provide  that,  from  and  af 
ter  the  1st  day  of  July  next,  all  deposites  which  may  accrue 
from  the  public  revenue  subsequent  to  that  period,  shall  b( 
placed  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States  and  its  branches,  pur 
Fiiant  to  the  16th  section  of  the  act  to  incorporate  the  subscri 
bers  to  the  United  Slates  bank. 

The  senale  ihen  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  repor 
of  the  select  committee  in  the  case  of  the  contested  election  o 
a  senator  from  Rhode  Island. 
The  reports  of  the  majority  and  minority  having  been  read- 
Mr.  Poindexter  expressed  a  hope  that  the  question  would  b( 
immediately  taken,  and  without  debate,  on  the  following  reso 
solution  submitted  by  the  majority  of  the  commitlee,  to  wit: 

"That  Jli>h,er  Robtdns  is  duly  and  constilutionally  elected 
senator  of  the  United  States,  to  represent  the  state  of  Rhode  Is 
land,  for  six  years  from  the  4th  of  Match  last." 


*[Absent  on  the  votes  on  the  above  resolutions.  Messr? 
Knight,  of  Rhode  Island,  Prentiss,  of  Vermont,  Tyler,  of  Virg 
nia,  Heudricks,  of  Indiana,  Moore,  of  Alabama  ] 


would  not  necessarily  lead  lo  any  parlicular  Jegislalion. 
thought  there  was  nolhing  at  all  in  that  objection,  but  to  pre- 
vent any  person  from  being  misled,  he  had  submitted  the  first 
of  these  resolutions. 

The  second  resolution  contemplates  the  deposite  of  all  the 
public  money  accruing  alter  the  1st  July  in  the  bank  of  the  U. 
tales. 

Whalever  might  be  the  fate  of  these  resolutions  at  the  other 
end  of  the  capitol,  or  in  another  building,  that  consideration 
should  have  no  influence  on  this  body.  The  senate  owed  it  to 
its  own  character,  and  to  the  country,  to  proceed  in  the  dis- 
charge of  its  duties,  leaving  it  to  others  to  perform  their  own 
obligations  to  the  country,  according  lo  their  own  convictions 
of  duty  and  responsibility. 

He  hoped  the  resolutions  would  be  acted  on  and  suffered  to 
receive  the  decision  of  the  senate  without  unnecessary  or  pro- 
tracted debate. 

Mr.  Benton  opposed  the  motion  of  leave  lo  introduce  these 
resolutions,  and  moved  that  the  question  be  postponed  until 
this  day  week. 

Mr.  Clay  opposed  the  postponement. 

Mr.  Benton  called  for  ihe  yeas  and  nays,  which  were  ordered, 
and  the  queslion  being  taken,  was  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Benton,  Black,  Brown,  Forsylh,  Grundy, 
Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Linn,  McKean, 
Morris,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright 
—18. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clay- 
ton, Ewing,  Hendrick.*,  Kent,  Leigh,  Mangum,  Moore,  Nau- 
dain, Poiudexter,  Porter,  Preston,  Robbins,  Silsbee,  Smith, 
Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Waggaman,  Webster 

—as. 

The  resolutions  were  ihen  read  and  ordered  to  a  second  read- 
ing. 


320 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAY  Si,  1834— CONGRESS. 


On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  senate  then  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  executive  business.  After  remaining  for  some 
lime  with  closed  dours,  the  senate  adjourned. 

May  29.  The  senate  was  occupied  this  day  in  discussing 
a  resolution  ottered  by  Mr.  Preston  concerning  revolutionary 
pensioners — the  number  of  which  at  a  period  so  distant,  has  ex- 
cited much  attention,  lor  some  time  past.  The  resolution,  at 
half  past  three  o'clock,  was  laid  on  the  table  that  the  senate 
might  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  executive  business,  aud 
after  being  some  time  engaged  therein,  the  senate  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OP   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Monday,  May  26.  The  consideration  of  tin;  memorial  present 
ed  by  Mr.  Wise,  on  the  13th  instant,  with  the  resolutions,  &c. 
moved  by  him,  which  were  the  special  order  of  the  day,  was, 
owing  to  his  absence,  postponed  till  Monday  next. 

The  memorial  from  the  inhabitants  of  York  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, for  the  restoration  of  the  public  money  to  the  brink  of 
the  United  State*,  and  for  the  recharter  of  the  bank  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  coming  up  as  the  unfinished  business — 

Mr.  Barnitz  moved  that  the  said  memori;  I  be  referred  to  the 
committee  of  ways  and  means  with  instructions  to  report. 

"That  the  removal  of  the  deposits  of  the  moneys  of  the  Unit- 
ed State*,  made  prior  to  the  1st  of  October  last,"  was  not  au- 
thorised by  law. 

"That  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
for  removing  and  withholding  (he  deposites  from  the  United 
States  bank  are  insufficient.  T4tat  a  hill  be  reported  to  recharter 
the  United  States  bank,  with  such  limitations  iind  modifications 
regarding  the  capital  stock  and  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  di- 
rectors as  the  committee  deem  expedient." 

In  support  of  the  resolution,  Mr.  B.  entered  into  an  argument 
embracing  views  of  the  policy  of  the  government  in  relation  to 
the  custody  and  legal  disposition  of  the  revenue,  the  powers  of 
congress,  and  the  right*,  duties,  and  obligations  of  the  bank;  and 
Dot  having  concluded  his  remarks,  the  further  consideration 
was  postponed  until  Monday  next — ayes  79,  noes  42. 

The  petition  and  resolutions  from  the  inhabitants  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  praying  the  restoration  of  the  public  deposites  to  the 
bank  of  the  United  Stales,  and  instructing  the  representative 
from  that  district  to  give  his  aid  therein,  coining  up, 

Mr.  Laya.ll,  after  stating  that  he  yielded  full  assent  to  the 
doctrine  that  every  representative  was  hound  to  conform  to  the 
wishes  of  his  constituents,  gave  his  reasons  why  he  should  re- 
fuse assent  to  the  request  contained  in  these  resolutions.  After 
which,  on  his  motion,  the  petition  was  ordered  to  be  primed 
and  laid  on  the  table. 

The  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  Washington  and  Athens 
county,  Ohio,  heretofore  presented,  being  next  in  order — 

Mr.  Vinton,  of  Ohio,  in  order  to  enable  him  to  give  his  views 
on  the  distressed  slate  to  which  the  country  of  the  memorialists 
were  reduced,  in  consequence  of  the  measures  of  the  executive, 
moved  a  resolution  referring  the  memorial  to  the  committee  of 
the  whole,  to  which  had  been  referred  the  bill  regulating  tile 
deposites  of  the  public  money  in  the  state  hanks,  with  instruc- 
tions to  strike  all  of  the  said  bill  out  from  the  enacting  clause, 
and  insert  in  lieu  thereof,  a  bill  directing  the  deposites  to  be 
hereafter  made  in  the  United  States  bank  and  for  the  renewal 
of  the  charter  of  said  bank,  &c. 

Mr.  V.  having  addressed  the  house  at  length,  withdrew  his 
resolution,  whereupon  the  memorial  was  referred.  &c. 

Memorials,  proceedings  of  meetings,  &c.  unfavorable  to  the  re- 
moval of  the  deposites  were  presented,  by  Mr.  Bell,  from  1,500 
inhabitants  of  Belmonl  county,  Ohio;  by  Mr.  Evans,  from  a 
meeting  of  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Hall'owell,  Maine;  by  Mr. 
Grennell,  from  1,200  citizens  of  Franklin  county,  Massachu- 
setts; by  Mr.  fount;,  two  memorials  from  Windham  county, 
Connecticut;  by  Mr.  Watmough,  from  Montgomery  county, 
Pennsylvania;  which  were  severally  read,  referred,  Stc. 

The  memorial  of  Jones  county,  Mississippi,  sustaining  the 
course  of  the  administration  in  its  recent  measure  against  the 
bank,  coming  up — 

Mr.  Plummer  addressed  the  house  in  vindication  of  thn  pre 
sidcnt — and  concluded  by  moving  that  the  memorial  be  read, 
referred,  fcc. 

Mr.  Miller  moved  that  30,000  extra  copies  of  the  report*  of 
the  bank  committee  be  printed;  Mr.  Heist  er  proposed  15,000; 
Mr.  King  10,000;  and  Mr.  Gillett  25,000. 

Mr.  Brit'*  moved  to  amend  the  motion  so  a«  to  require  the 
two  reports  to  be  attached  to  each  other.  Mr.  Miller  having  no 
objection, 

The  motion  was,  after  some  conversation,  laid  on  the  table 
till  to-morrow. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Burd,  an  inquiry  was  instituted  as  to  the 
expediency  of  causing  a  survey  and  examination  of  the  route 
between  Cumberland,  Maryland,  and  Nevvry  or  Halliday<>hurgh, 
Pennsylvania,  with  a  view  to  connect  the  Chesapeake  and 
Ohio  canal  and  the  Pennsylvania  canal,  by  a  turnpike  or  rail 
road.  The  house  then  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  May  37.  Several  bills  and  reports  of  a  private  or 
local  character  were  reported  and  disposed  of. 

Mr.  Bell  reported  the  agreement  of  the  judiciary  committee  to 
tbe  amendment  of  the  senate  to  the  hiH  entitled  "an  act  to  re- 
vive and  amend  an  act  for  the  relief  of  certain  insolvent  debtor* 
of  the  United  States,"  passed  on  the  2d  March,  1831,  and  "an 
•el  in  addition  thereto,"  passed  on  the  14th  day  of  July,  1832; 
which  amendment  was  read,  and  concurred  in  by  the  house. 


Mr.  Bell  also  reported,  without  amendment,  the  bill  from 
the  senate  entitled  "an  act  in  addition  to  the  act  more  effectuaJ- 
ly  to  provide  for  the  punishment  of  certain  crimes  against  tl>« 
United  States;"  the  further  consideration  of  which  waa  post' 
poned  until  to  morrow. 

After  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  call  up  (he  btll  increasing 
the  pay  in  the  naval  service — 

Mr.  Miller  asked  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  house  to 
take  up  the  motion  submitted  by  him  yesterday,  for  the  printing 
of  30,000  extra  copies  of  the  bank  committee's  reports;  and  ob- 
jections being  made,  the  house  suspended  the  rule,  and  finally 
30,000  extra  copies  were  ordered  to  be  printed,  attached  to  each 
oilier. 

Mr.  Wise  reported  a  bill  to  erect  a  marble  column  at  York- 
town,  Va. 

The  house  then  took  up  the  coin  bill,  fixing  tbe  value  cf  cer- 
tain coins. 

Mr.  Gorkam  moved  to  recommit  the  bill,  with  instructions, 
making  the  dollars  of  South  America,  a  lawful  tender  by  tale, 
under  certain  conditions. 

After  a  desultory  debate — 

Mr.  Boon  moved  the  previous  question,  which  the  bouse  re- 
fused to  second — ayes  73,  noes  80. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Jones,  the  house  went  into  committee  of 
the  whole  on  said  bill,  and  it  being  amended  therein,  the  com- 
mittee rose,  and  reported  the  bill  to  the  house,  when  the  bill 
was  road  the  third  time  and  passed,  and  then  the'  house  ad- 
journed. 

Wednesday,  May  28.  Several  bills  and  reports  on  privat* 
claims  being  reported  and  disposed  of, 

Mr.  Mams  moved,  and  obtained  leave,  for  a  meeting  in  be<- 
half  of  the  Polish  exiles,  to  be  held  in  the  hall  to-morrow  even- 
ing. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  report* 
in  the  ease  of  the  Kentucky  contested  election. 

Mr.  I'anderpoel  addressed  the  house  in  reply  to  Mr.  Binney, 
and  in  support  of  Mr.  Moore's  claim. 

Mr.  Pope,  of  Ky.  followed  on  the  same  side  of  tbe  question. 

He  was  followed  by  Mr.  Doris,  of  Ky.  whose  argumwntative 
and  yet  humorous  speech  drew  around  him  almost  all  the  mem- 
bers present. 

Mr  Jonen,  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  elections,  moved 
an  amendment  to  the  resolution  as  originally  reported  by  him, 
so  as  to  test  the  question  whether  certain  votes  received  in 
Garrard  county,  dining  the  absence  of  the  sheriff,  should  be 
counted. 

Mr.  Jones  then  replied  to  Mr.  Davis,  and,  when  he  concluded 
his  remarks,  the  house  adjourned. 

Thursday,  May  29.  Mr.  J.  Q.  Adams  obtained  the  unani- 
mous consent  of  the  house  to  submit  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  select  committee  of  this  house,  appointed 
on  the  4th  of  April  last,  to  investigate  the  proceedings  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  be  discharged  from  the  further  con- 
sideration of  the  subject  referred  to  therein: 

Resoh-ed,  That  in  the  transactions  of  the  snid  committee  with 
the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  as 
set  forth  in  the  reports  of  the  committee,  and  in  the  correspond- 
ence annexed  to  the  same,  no  contempt  of  the  lawful  authority 
of  this  house  has  been  offered  by  the  said  president  and  direc- 
tors of  the  bank,  or  by  any  one  of  them. 

Rejoiced,  That  any  order  of  this  house  to  the  serjeant-at-arms 
to  arrest  and  bring  to  the  bar  of  the  house  the  president  and  di- 
rectors of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  or  any  one  of  them,  to 
answer  for  an  alleged  contempt  of  the  authority  of  the  house, 
as  proposed  by  the  concluding  resolution  offered  by  the  report 
of  the  majority  of  the  said  select  committee,  would  be  an  un- 
constitutional, arbitrary,  and  oppressive  abuse  of  power. 

Mr.  A.  said  it  was  hi*  intention  to  propose  these  resolutions 
ns  a  substitute  for  those  reported  by  the  majority  of  the  com- 
mittee npppointed  to  inveslieate  the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  Stales,  when  the  reports  should  come  up  for  considera- 
tion. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  A.  the  resolutions  were  ordered  to  be  print- 
ed. 

The  house  then  took  up  the  joint  resolution  submitted  by  Mr. 
Boon,  fixing  the  16lh  June  for  the  adjournment  of  congress. 

This  produced  a  wide  and  desultory  debate  that  occupied  the 
whole  day.  Messrs.  Polk,  Ellsworth,  Dcnrdslry,  Chambers, 
and  many  others  took  part  in  it.  Tbe  16th,  23.1  and  30th  of 
June  were  proposed,  and  after  many  calls  of  the  yeas  and  nays, 
and  for  the  previous  question,  be. 

The  question  was  put  on  fixing  the  30th  of  June  as  the  day 
of  adjournment,  and  carried  by  yeas  and  nays,  as  follows — 
yeas  128,  nays  83. 

The  remarks  of  several  of  the  speakers  were  hizhly  interest- 
ing— but  :ve  cannot  make  room  for  them:  the  following,  how- 
ever, may  give  some  idea  of  the  manner  and  matter  of  the  de- 
bate: 

Mr.  Wilde  wished,  before  he  gave  his  vote,  to  learn  from  the 
gentlemen  who  composed  the  hank  committee,  how  long  a  time 
they  calculated  it  would  require  to  discuss  and  net  upon  the  re- 
port they  had  made  to  the  house.  He  desired  (he  earliest  day 
of  adjournment  that  would  not  interfere  with  that  object. 

Mr.  Thomas,  (chairtnan  of  the  bank  committee),  after  a  mo- 
dest disclaimer  of  any  right  to  direct  the  movement*  of  others, 
expressed  it  as  his  opinion  that  it  would  he  farcical  to  think  of 
taking  up  the  bank  committee's  report  and  acting  upon  that, 


NILES1  REGISTER— MAY  Si,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK.    221 


and  the  other  important  business  of  the  bouse,  and  ndjournir 
on  the  1'iili  of  June.  .So  entirely  was  he  fixed  in  this  opiniui 
thai  he  should  consider  a  vote  fixing  on  that  day  as  equivalei 
lo  a  decision  thai  the  report  of  the  bank  committee  was  not  t 
be  taken  up  this  session.  Should  the  filth  resolution  reporte 
by  the  committee  be  acted  on,  the  arrest  of  the  officers  of  th 
bank  would  consume  nearly  a  week;  and  certainly  riot  les 
than  a  week  or  ten  days  would  afterwards  be  consumed  in  de 
bate.  Indeed,  if  ihe  motion  fixing  the  16th  should  prevail,  h 
(should  feel  it  his  duty  lo  mov«  that  the  report  of  the  bank  com 
mittee  be  laid  upon  the  table. 

Then  a  motion  to  lay  the  resolution  on  the  table  was  reject 
ed,  &c.  Mr.  Wilde  having  again  inquired  ol  the  bank  commit 
tee  if  they  thought  the  '23d  would  afford  time  enough  to  discus 
their  report.  Mr.  Crockett  said,  he  was  very  anxious  that  th 
16th  should  be  fixed  upon.  The  proposal  for  that  day,  had  com 
from  a  very  good  quarter — a  quarter  where  there  was  responsi 
liilny.  He  had  never  believed  the  gentlemen  were  in  earnes 
about  this  bank  report:  and  now  they  discovered  it.  They  wen 
manifestly  anxious  to  get  away,  that  they  might  leave  the  coun 
try  excited  against  the  bank,  as  a  monster  that  had  done  some 
thing  very  mischievous.  As  the  quarter  from  wiiich  this  pro 
posal  had  first  proceeded  was  able  to  bear  the  responsibility,  he 
was  of  the  mind  that  they  should  have  it;  and  he  therefore  de- 
manded the  yeas  and  nays. 

Mr.  Clayton  having  heard  the  gentleman  from  Maryland  (Mr 
Thomas)  bay,  that  he  should  consider  a  vole  for  early  adjourn- 
ment as  a  resolution  not  to  take  up  the  bank  report,  lie  liar 
changed  his  mind;  and  now  moved  to  reconsider  the  vote  by 
which  the  30th  of  June  had  been  rejected  for  the  day  of  adjourn 
inent. 

Mr.  Lytle  said  he  was  in  favor  of  the  most  distant  day  propo- 
sed. The  honorable  gentlemen  from  Rhode  Island  (Mr.  Sur- 
ges) had  expressed  the  opinion  that  not  more  than  three  mem- 
bers would  be  found  to  stand  by  the  resolutions  reported  by  the 
bank  committee,  lie  declared  his  resolution  to  be  one  of  them. 
He  had  no  disposition  to  blench.  The  opposition  presses  had 
long  been  teeming  with  injunctions  on  congress  not  to  adjourn; 
and  similar  language  had  been  re-echoed  in  the  other  end  of 
the  capilol;  but  no  sooner  did  the  committee  return,  and  declare 
that  they  had  been  treated  by  the  bank  with  contumely  and 
scorn,  than  gentleman  were  anxious  at  once  to  skulk.  He,  for 
one,  was  ready  to  keep  his  ground. 

The  motion  to  reconsider,  as  made  by  Mr.  Clayton,  prevail- 
ing— and  the  question  being  upon  fixing  on  the  30th  of  June  as 
the  day  of  adjournment, 

Mr.  Mams  took  the  floor,  and,  in  a  speech  of  gteat  anima- 
tion, assigned  his  reasons  why  he  had  changed  his  determina- 
tion from  voting  for  the  earliest  day,  as  he  had  uniformly  done 
hitherto,  to  voting  for  the  day  now  proposed.  In  the  course  of 
his  remarks,  he  adverted  to  the  subject  of  the  bank  report  and 
resolutions. 

This  brought  up  Mr.  Thomas  in  reply,  who  spoke  with  equal 
earnestness  in  vindication  of  the  measure  of  arrest,  as  support- 
ed by  precedent  in  Houston's  case. 


U1VITED  STATES  BANK. 

Report  of  tht  majority  of  the  committee  of  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives, appointed  to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the 

United  States. 

[Presented  May  -22,  1834.] 

The  committee  appointed  in  pursuance  of  a  resolution  of  the 
house  of  representatives,  passed  on  the  4th  day  of  April,  by 
which  it  was 

Resolved,  That  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining,  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable, the  cause  of  the  commercial  embarrassment  and  dis- 
tress complained  of  by  numerous  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
in  sundry  memorials,  which  have  been  presented  to  congress  at 
the  present  session,  and  of  inquiring  whether  the  charter  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States  has  been  violated,  and  also  what  cor- 
ruptions ami  abuses  have  existed  in  its  management;  whether 
it  has  used  its  corporate  power,  or  money,  to  control  the  press, 
to  interfere  in  politics,  or  influence  elections;  and  whether  it 
has  had  any  agency,  through  its  management  or  money,  in  pro- 
ducing the  oxisling  pressure,  a  select  committee  be  appointed 
to  inspect  the  books,  and  examine  into  the  proceedings  of  the 
said  bank,  who  shall  report  whether  the  provisions  of  the  char- 
ter have  tiem  violated  or  not;  nnd,  also,  what  abuses,  corrup 
tions  or  mill-practices,  have  existed  in  the  manaaeme.nt  of  said 
bank;  and  that  the  said  committee  be  authorised  to  send  for  per- 
sons and  papers,  and  to  summon  and  examine  witnesses  on 
oath,  nnd  to  examine  into  the  affairs  of  the  said  bank  and 
branches.  And  they  are  further  authorised  to  visit  the  prin- 
cipal hank,  or  any  of  its  branches,  for  the  purpose  of  inspect- 
in?  the  books,  correspondence,  accounts  and  other  papers  con- 
nected with  its  management  or  business;  and  that  the  said  com- 
mittee lie  required  to  report  the  result  of  such  investigation, 
tope i her  with  the  evidence  they  may  take,  at  as  early  a  day  as 
practicable — 

Respectfully  submit  the  following  report,  in  part  of  their  pro- 
ceedings, so  far  as  they  have  found  it  practicable  to  discharge 
the  duties  devolved  on  them. 

Charger!,  particularly,  to  examine  into  the  conduct  nnd  con- 
dition of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  they  have  endeavored 
most  anxiously  to  ascertain  correctly  the  true  character  of  that 
highly  responsible  and  delicate  trust. 

To  judge  rightly  of  the  proceedings  of  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives, and  of  its  committee  towards  the  bank,  it  must  br  borne 


constantly  in  mind,  that  that  corporation  differ*  essentially  from 
an  ordinary  banking  company,  incorporated  for  private  benefit. 
The  bank  of  the  United  Stales  was  chartered  lor  great  public 
purposes,  as  an  agent,  deemed  necessary  to  the  federal  govern- 
ment, in  the  efficient  exercise  of  its  high  prerogative,  to  fix  the 
value  of  money,  and  thereby  secure  the  benefit*  of  a  sound  cir- 
culating medium  to  the  confederacy. 

It  was  designed  to  aid  the  treasury  department  to  collect  con- 
veniently and  disburse  the  national  revenue — of  its  stock  the 
United  States  hold  seven  millions  of  dollars.  And  its  notes  are 
by  law  made  receivable,  at  par  value,  in  payment  of  all  dues  to 
the  government.  Concede,  as  we  must,  that  the  bank  was  es- 
lablished  for  great  public  ends,  and  that  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives is  the  grand  inquest  of  the  union,  and  as  such  has  power 
to  visit  and  inspect  all  departments  of  the  federal  government, 
to  correct  their  abuses,  reform  their  errors,  and  confine  the  ex- 
ercises of  their  powers  within  the  limits  prescribed  by  law  to 
each,  and  it  follows  that  the  house  has  power  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee to  make  a  minute  and  full  inquiry  into  all  the  multiform 
operations  of  this  powerful  corporation. 

But  that  there  might  be  no  doubt  of  the  existence  of  the  power 
here  contended  for,  it  has  been  expressly  reserved  in  the  23d 
section  of  the  charier  of  the  bank,  which  provides,  "That  it 
shall  be  at  all  times,  lawful  for  a  committee  of  either  house  of 
congress  appointed  for  that  purpose,  to  inspect  the  books  and 
examine  into  the  proceedings  of  the  corporation  hereby  created, 
and  to  report  whether  the  provisions  of  its  charter  have  been 
violated  or  not." 

The  language  in  which  this  authority  of  the  house  is  describ- 
ed, is  so  plain  and  so  full,  that  an  attempt  to  illustrate  it  appear! 
o  be  supererogatory.  The  committee  to  be  appointed  are  to"m- 
«pect  the  books  and  examine  into  the  proceedings  of  the  corpo- 
ation"  without  exception.  The  section  contains  no  reserved 
power  to  the  bank  to  designate  the  place  where,  or  the  persona 
n  whose  presence  ihe  examination  shall  be  made.  These  modes 
f  exercising  the  main  power  arc  necessarily,  as  its  incident*, 
lependent  on  the  discretion  of  the  sovereign  with  whom  it  is 
origed.  A  contrary  construction  would  make  either  or  both 
louses  of  congress  dependent  on  the  agent,  whose  conduct  is  to 
16  the  subject  of  inspection. 

If  the  bank  can  attach  any  conditions  to  its  exercise,  not 
[)und  in  the  charter,  then  it  could  render  nugatory  the  power, 
'}'  which  it  was  intended  it  should  be  checked  and  controlled, 
'hat  the  great  conservative  purposes  for  which  such  commit- 
ees  of  investigation  were  to  be  appointed  might  not  be  thug 
defeated,  the  extent  and  character  of  their  inquiries  are  rightly 
lade  to  depend  on  the  wisdom,  patriotism  and  justice,  of  either 
ouse  of  congress. 

The  only  restriction  to  be  found  in  that  clause  of  the  bank 
barter  which  we  are  considering,  is  that  which  relates  to  the 
ommittee,  and  not  to  the  house;  and  has  reference,  not  to  the 
xient  of  the  examination,  but  to  the  character  of  the  report 
o  be  made.  The  committee  is  directed  to  report  amongst 
ther  things,  "whether  the  provisions  of  the  charter  have  been 
iolated  or  not."  The  object  of  this  specific  requirement  is  to 
e  found  in  another  clause  of  the  same  section  of  the  charier, 
vhich  provides,  "whenever  any  committee  as  aforesaid,  shall 
nd  and  report,  or  the  president  of  the  United  States  shall  have 
eason  to  believe,  that  the  charier  has  been  violated,  it  may  be 
awful  for  congress  to  direct,  or  the  president  lo  order  a  scire 
acias  to  be  sued  out  of  the  circuit  court  of  the  district  of  Penn- 
ylvania,  in  the  name  of  the  United  Slates,  calling  on  Ihe  said 
orporation  to  show  cause  wherefore  the  charier  hereby  grant- 

d,  shall  not  be  declared  forfeited." 

But  if  there  ever  had  been  a  well-founded  doubt  as  to  the  true 
nd  fair  construction  of  this  reserved  power  of  the  house,  the 
ommittee  did  suppose  it  had  been  long  since  yielded. 
In  1818,  Mr.  Spencer,  of  New  York,  offered  to  the  house  of 
presenlatives  a  resolution  providing  for  the  appointment  of  a 
ommittee  to  inspect  the  bonks,  and  examine  into  the  proceed- 
igs  of  the  bank.     In  the  debale  lo  which  thai  resolution  gave 
se,  tho  opinions  now  entertained  by  your  commitlee,  were 
ell  expressed  by  many  distinguished  gentlemen.    For  present- 
g  short  extracts  from  one  of  the  speeches  then  made,  no  apolo- 
_>,  it  is  supposed,  will  be  needed.     Mr.   Lowndes  said,  he 
ad  no  "apprehension  of  defect  of  power  in  the  house  to  pro- 
cute  the  inquiry  in  the  terms  proposed.     He  had  no  doubt  of 
e  power  ot  the  house,  if  the  public  interest  required  it,  to  di- 
pct  the  committee  to  make  such  a  report.    The  nation,  snid 

e,  has  a  deep  interest  in  the  conduct  and  management  of  the 
ank;  our  duty  to  the  people  whom  we  represent,  the  nation's 
iterest,  as  owners  of  a  large  portion  of  the  stork,  its  interests 

the  revenues  being  wholly  payable  in  the  notes  of  the  bank, 
ill  justify  a  constant  and  vigilant  attention  to  its  proceedings. 
'  there  had  been  a  doubt  whether  the  conduct  of  the  bank  had 
een  PROPER  OR  NOT,  the  house  was  fully  justified  in  inrettigat- 
ij  into  the  facts,  and  inquiring  u-hether  ABUSES  had  been  com- 
itted  or  not.  He  would  vote  for  an  inquiry  in  its  broadest 
lape." 

The  resolution  of  Mr.  Spencer  was  adopted,  and  a  committee 

>pointed,  who  visited  the  principal  bank  at  Philadelphia  and 

ome  of  its  branches.    They  had  free  unrestrained  access  to  the 

noks  and  papers  of  the  bank.     They  were  furnished  by  the  of- 

ers  with  such  extracts  and  copies  from  the  hooks  and  paper* 

they  called  for.    They  summoned  before  them  the  directors 

nd  officers  of  the  hank,  and  examined  them  on  oath  touching 

heir  conduct  and  proceedings.    And  the  committee  made  to 


NILES*  REGISTER— MAY  31,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK. 


the  house,  on  lha  16th  January,  1819,  an  elaborate  report,  from 
which  we  learn  thai  their  Inquiries  hud  been  chiefly  directed  "to 
<&c -GENERAL  management  of  the  lmnk  anil  the  conduct  of  iff  of- 
ficers." The  transaction!)  of  private  citizens  with  the  L.ink 
were  then  freely  and  fully  examined.  Individual  transactions 
of  the  president  and  directors  ol  tho  bank,  in  the  pun-base  of 
its  stock,  were  fully  investigated,  and  those  ollicers  sworn  and 
required  to  teslify  before  the  commillee.  Though  deeply  affect- 
ed, personally  and  officially,  by  these  developments,  they  never 
hesitated  or  objected  to  obey  the  process  or  to  give  Iheir  tesli 
niony. 

The  names  of  the  borrowers  from  the  bank  were  published 
without  scruple,  with  the  amount  of  money  due  from  each, 
whenever  and  not  otherwise,  such  a  publication  was  deemed 
necessary  to  illustrate  Ihe  improper  conducl  or  mal-administra- 
tion  of  its  officers. 

This  precedent,  to  which  the  committee  of  1832  stricily  con- 
formed, ii  entitled  lo  high  respect  from  Ihe  eminent  characler 
of  those  by  whom  it  was  established,  and  who  have  justly  en- 
joyed high  reputations  for  purity  of  purpose  and  distinguished 
attainments. 

If  any  additional  reason  for  deference  to  this  contempora- 
neous construction  of  ihe  23d  section  of  the  charier  be  neces- 
sary, it  may  be  found  in  Ihe  facl  that  the  directors  of  the  bank 
in  1819  themselves  assented  lo  it.  They  conceded  to  ihe  com- 
millee of  Ihe  house  Ihe  rislil  lo  inspect  all  Iheir  books  and 
papers  in  such  manner  as  dial  committee  lliouglil  j:isl  and  pro- 
per. Besides,  those  who  now  have  ihe  management  of  Ihe 
hank,  in  1832,  without  question  of  right,  without  hesitation, 
without  protest,  produced  for  ihe  inspection  of  the  commitlee 
of  .the  house,  all  Iheir  books,  papers,  correspondence  and  ac- 
counts, and  appeared  when  summoned,  and  testified  on  oath 
touching  the  transactions  of  the  institution  under  their  control. 
Wilh  these  preliminary  observations  for  which  il  i.-i  believed 
ample  apology,  if  any  be  required,  will  be  found  in  the  subse- 
quent portion  of  this  report,  the  committee  will  proceed  with 
A  brief  analysis  of  their  proceedings  in  the  execution  of  the 
duties  devolved  on  them,  showing  Ihe  unexpected  obstacles 
interposed  by  the  managers  of  Hie  bank,  lo  the  progress  of  l!ie 
examination,  and  their  repeated  refusal,  in  violation  of  their 
charier,  and  in  conlempl  of  ihe  autliorily  of  the  laws  and  of  the 
house  of  representaiives,  lo  permit  their  books  and  papers  to  be 
inspected  or  their  proceedings  to  be  examined. 

The  purposes  for  which  your  commillee  were  appointed,  are 
slated  so  distinctly  in  the  resolution  of  the  house,  thai  ihey 
have  experienced  no  embarrassment  in  deciding  on  the  charac- 
ter of  ihe  duties  imposed.  They  are  required  1st,  to  ascertain, 
if  practicable,  the  cause  of  the  commercial  embarrassments  and 
distress  complained  of  by  numerous  citizens  of  the  United 
Slates,  in  sundry  memorials  which  have  been  presented  to  con- 
gress at  the  pif.sent  session,  and  whether  the  bank  has  had  any 
agency  through  its  management  or  money,  in  producing  ihe  ex- 
isling  pressure. 

2d.  To  inquire  whether  the  charier  of  the  bank  of  the  Uniled 
Slales  has  been  violated, and  what,  corruptions  and  abuses  have 
exisled  in  its  management. 

3d.  To  examine  whether  the  bank  has  used  its  corporate 
power  or  money  to  control  the  press — lo  interfere  in  politics,  or 


Up  to  this  period,  nothing  had  occurred  to  justify  the  belie 
that  a  disposition  was  fell,  on  the  part  of  the  managers  of  the 
bank,  lo  embarrass  llie  proceedings  of  the  committee,  or  have 
them  conducled  differently  from  those  of  the  two  pic.  -oding  com- 
mittees of  investigation.  On  assembling,  however,  the  next 
morning,  at  Ihe  hank,  they  found  tin;  room  winch  had  been  of- 
fered for  Ibeir  accoinmodalion,  preoccupied  by  the  committee 
of  Ihe  board,  with  Ihe  president  of  ihe  hank,  as  an  ex  officio 
member,  claiming  the  ri'jht  to  lie  present  at  the  investigations 
ami  examinations  of  this  committee.  This  proceeding  the  com- 
millee were  not  prepared  to  expect.  When  the  appointment  of 
the  committee  of  seven  was  first  made,  it  was  supposed  thai 
that  measure,  however  designed,  wus  not  well  calculated  to 
facilitate  the  examination. 

The  officers  of  the  bank  were  believed  to  be  the  most  appro- 
priate agents  oflhe  board  of  directors  to  exhibit  their  books  arid 
papers.  By  them  the  entries:  in  the  books  are  made,  and  by 
them  such  entries  are  most  readily  explained.  It  is  their  duly 
loo,  to  be  daily  at  ihe  banking  house,  and  on  that  account  they 
could  assist  in  the  examination  more  readily  than  the  committee 
of  directors. 

These  objections  to  the  special  agents  of  the  board,  wore  felt 
and  expressed,  but  they  were  waived,  and  no  disposition  had 
been  manifested  or  felt  by  your  commitlee,  lo  conduct  the  ex- 
amination in  any  manner  not  entirely  acceptable  to  the  board. 
Trmler  these  circumstances,  your  committee  did  think  that  a 
decent  respect  for  their  rights  and  privileges,  and  much  more 
for  Ibe  dignity  of  that  body  from  which  all  their  powers  were 
derived,  might  have  induced  the  committee  of  directors  to  for- 
lo  make  them  feel  an  entire  want  of  control  over  their  own 
•oom.  With  a  previous  determination  lo  be  present  when  their 
books  were  lo  be  inspecled,  they  could  have  waited  to  avow  it 
until  these  books  were  called  for,  and  the  attempt  made  to  in- 
spect them  in  their  absence.  These  circumstances  are  now  re- 
viewed, because  Ihey  then  excited  an  apprehension,  which  the 
sequel  formed  into  conviction,  thai  Ibis  committee  of  directors 
had  been  appointed  to  supervise  the  acts  and  doings  of  your 
commitlee,  and  lo  limil  and  restrain  their  proceedings,  not  ac- 
cording to  the  directions  contained  in  the.  resolution  of  the 
house,  but  the  will  and  judgment  of  the  hoard  of  directors. 
Your  commillee  have  chosen  to  ascribe  this  claim  of  ihe  com- 
millee of  directors,  lo  sil  conjointly  will)  them,  to  the  desire  to 
prevent  them  from  making  use  of  the  books  and  papers,  for  some 
of  tlie  purposes  pointed  out  by  the  resolution  of  the  house. 
They  are  sensible  that  this  claim  to  be  present  al  all  examina- 
tions, avowed  prematurely,  and  subsequently  persisted  in  with 
peculiar  pertinacity,  could  be  attributed  to  very  different  mo- 
tives; but  respect  for  themselves,  and  respect  for  the  gentlemen 
who  compose  the  committee  of  directors,  utterly  forbids  the 
ascription  to  them  of  a  feeling  which  would  merit  compassion 
and  contempl  much  more  lhan  resentment. 

This  novel  position,  voluntarily  and  deliberately  taken  by  the 
committee  of  the  directors,  predicated  on  an  idea  of  equality  of 
risihts  with  your  commitlee,  under  yoar  resolution,  rendered  it 
probable,  and  in  some  measure  necessary,  that  your  committee 
should  express  its  opinions  oflhe  relative  rights  of  the  corpora- 


influence  elections. 

The  powers  designed  to  be  conferred  on  the  comrn'ttee, 


they  could  have  been  exercised  are  adequate  to  the  performance 
of  the  duties  enjoined;  they  were  authorised  to  send  for  persons 
and  papers;  to  summon  and  examine  witnesses  on  oath  —  lo  visit 
if  necessary  the  principal  bank  and  it*  branches—  arid  to  inspect 
the  books,  correspondence,  accounts,  and  other  papers  connect- 
ed with  its  management.  Such  are  the  duties  and  the  powers 
of  your  committee,  conferred  on  them  by  the  house  with  ex- 
traordinary unanimity,  and  which  your  commillee  felt  bound  to 
regard,  as  consistent  With  tlie  chartered  rights  of  the  corporators 
and  their  debtors. 

Under  a  deep  sense  of  respectful  obedience  to  the  decision  of 
the  house  of  representatives  thus  solemnly  expressed,  and  feel- 
ing that  they  had  no  right  lo  question  its  justice  or  propriety,  your 
commitlCK  proceeded  to  Philadelphia  on  the  22d  April,  to  com- 
mence the  performance  of  iheir  duties. 

On  the  23d  of  April,  .their  chairman  addressed  tolhR  president 
of  the  bank,  a  communication,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  resolu- 
tion of  ihu  house  of  representatives,  and  notifying  liii.i  of  tin- 
readiness  of  the  committee  to  visit  the  bank  on  the  eijsuin;;  d:iy, 
at  any  hour  agreeable  to  him.  In  reply,  the  president  informed 
the  committee  that  the  papers  thus  received  should  he  submitted 
lo  the  board  of  directors,  at  a  special  meeting  to  be  called  for 
that  purpose.  It  appears,  in  the  journal  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  committee,  herewith  presented  to  ihe  house,  thai  lliis  was 
done,  and  that  the  directors  appointed  a  commillee  of  seven  of 
their  board,  to  receive  ihe  committee  of  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives, and  to  offer  for  their  inspection  such  hooks  ami  papers 
of  the  bank,  as  may  be  necessary  to  exhibit  Ihe  proceedings  of 
the  corporation,  according  lothe  requirement  of  the  charier.  In 
the  letter  of  John  Sergeant,  esq.  as  chairman  of  the  committee  of 
directors,  communicating  the  proceedings  of  ihe  board,  he  says 
thai  he  was  directed  to  inform  the  chairman  of  this  committee. 
that  the  committee  of  the  directors  "will  immediately  direct  iho 
necessary  arrangement*  to  be  made  for  the  accommodation  of 
ihe  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives,"  and  would  at- 
tend at  the  bank  to  receive  them  the  next  day,  at  1  1  o'clock. 
your  commillee  attended,  and  were  received  by  the  committee 
Of  directors. 


tion  and  the  house  of  representatives.  To  avoid  all  misunder- 
standing and  future  misrepresentations,  il  was  desirable  that 
each  question  should  be  decided  separately.  Contemplating  an 
extended  investigation,  but  unwilling  that  an  apprehension 
should  exist  of  improper  disclosures  being  made  of  the  transac- 
tions of  the  bank  and  its  customers,  your  committee,  following 
the  example  of  the  committee  of  183-2,  adopted  a  resolution  de- 
claring that  their  proceedings  should  he  confidential,  until  other- 
wise ordered  by  the  commillee,  and  also  a  resolution  that  the 
committee  would  conduct  its  investigations"  without  the  pre- 
sence of  any  person  not  required  or  invited  lo  attend."  A  copy 
of  Ihese  resolutions  was  furnished  to  ihe  committee  of  direc- 
tors, in  the  hope  lhal  lh«  exclusive  control  of  a  room  at  the 
bank,  during  its  hours  of  business,  would  thereafter  be  conceded 
to  your  committee,  while  the  claim  of  the  committee  of  direc- 
tors to  be  present  when  the  hooks  were  submitted  for  inspec- 
tion, should  he  postponed  for  decision,  when  the  books  were 
called  for  and  produced  by  them. 

On  the  28th  nit.  this  committee  assembled  at  the  banking 
house,  and  again  found  the  room  they  expected  to  find  set  apart 
for  their  use,  preoccupied  by  the  committee  of  directors,  and 
others,  officers  of  the  hank.  And  instead  of  such  assurances  as 
lliey  had  a  ricbl  to  expect,  they  received  copies  of  two  resolu- 
tions adopted  by  the  board  of  directors,  in  which  they  were 
L'iven  to  understand  that  (heir  continued  occupation  of  the  room 
must  be  considered  a  favor,  and  not  a  matter  of  right;  and  in 
which  the  board  indulge  in  unjust  commentaries  on  the  reso- 
lution of  the  house  of  representatives;  and  intimate  an  appre- 
hcn-inn  that  your  committee  design  to  make  tlieir  examinations 
secret,  partial,  unjust,  oppressive  and  contrary  to  common  riuht. 

When  this  Communication  had  been  read,  vour  commitlee 
adjourned  to  meet  at  their  own  clininher,  at  the  North  American 
holel.  Notwithstanding  all  that  had  occurred,  the  correspon- 
dence with  the  committee  of  ilireciors  was  continued.  If  in 
<!oiiiL'  so  an  error  was  eommitled.  let  it  be  imputed  lo  tho  belief 
Ib. il  »reat  lorhearar.ee  well  became  the  commillee  of  Ihe  imme- 

diaie  representatives  of  the  people. 

U'hili  it  was  thus  doubtful  whether  a  room  could  he  obtained 
in  Ibe  banking  house,  without  conditions  being  attached  dero- 
gatory to  the  rights  and  dignity  of  tho  house,  and  a  concession 
in  advance  of  a  claim  set  up  by  the  bank,  which  might  seriously 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  31,   1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK.     223 


incommode  your  committee  in  their  business,  they  determined 
to  execute  your  resolution,  if  practicable,  without  intruding  on 
the  directors  of  the  bank;  they  therefore,  required  of  the  presi- 
dent and  directors,  in  writing,  to  submit  for  the  inspection  of 
the  committee,  at  their  committee  room,  on  the  M  day  of  May, 
certain  books  and  papers  of  the  bank,  which  might  have  been 
thus  produced  without  interruption  to  the  ordinary  business  of 
the  bank.  The  requisition,  in  terms  implied  the  presence  of 
the  directors  or  their  committee. 

On  the  day-named,  the  board  addressed  a  written  communi- 
cation to  the  committee,  declaring,  "that  they  cannot  comply 
with  that  part  of  the  resolution  of  the  committee  of  investiga- 
tion which  requires  that  certain  books  of  the  bank  be  sent  to 
the  North  American  hotel,  this  day,  at  11  o'clock." 

Your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  this  refusal  of  the  board 
of  directors  to  submit  the  books  of  the  bank  to  the  inspection  of 
your  committee,  is  a  violation  of  the  bank  charter,  and  a  con- 
tempt of  the  laws  and  authority  of  the  house  of  representatives. 
The  reasons  for  this  opinion  need  not  be  here  repeated  or  en- 
larged. 

It  has  been  maintained,  and  is  insisted,  that  the  right  to  in- 
spect the  books  of  the  bank,  carries  with  it  the  power  to  per- 
form that  office  out  of  the  banking  house,  if  it  cannot  be  done 
conveniently  and  effectually  therein,  and  your  committee  can- 
not perceive  that  just  ground  of  complaint  exists  against  a  claim 
of  power,  in  a  committee  of  either  house  of  congress,  which,  by 
the  laws,  and  with  a  wise  regard  to  the  public  interest,  is  con- 
ceded to  the  judicial  tribunals  of  both  the  federal  and  state  go- 
vernments. 

The  facts  already  elated,  demonstrate  that  a  room  could  not 
be  procured  in  the  bank  for  the  use  of  the  committee,  with- 
out a  concession  not  to  be  recalled,  which  would  have  made 
your  committee  dependent  on  the  courtesy  of  the  directors  of  the 
bank  at  every  step  of  the  inquiry,  and  the  various  communica- 
tions received  from  the  directors  mid  their  committee,  annexed 
to  this  report,  will  fully  corroborate  this  statement. 

Having  failed  to  accomplish  the  object  of  procuring  the  books 
of  the  bank  for  inspection,  at  their  committee  room,  your  com 
mittee  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  to  demand  their  submission  for 
that  purpose,  at  the  bank,  of  the  president  and  cashier  of  the 
bank,  the  usual  and  general  agents  of  the  corporation.  For 
that  purpose,  on  the  5th  day  of  May,  having  apprised  the  com- 
mittee of  directors  of  their  intention,  atone  o'clock,  they  repair- 
ed to  the  bank  and  then  required  the  president  and  cashier, 
each  of  them  respectively,  to  produce  certain  of  the  books  of 
the  bank,  for  inspection  of  the  committee.  This  was  refused 
by  each  of  those  officers,  for  reasons  stated  in  writing,  and  to  be 
found  in  the  appendix  to  this  report. 

In  this  refusal,  your  committee  believe  there  was  a  snbstan 
tial  violation  of  the  bank  charter,  and  a  contempt  against  the 
authority  ol  the  house  committed. 

They  are  of  opinion,  that  your  committee  were  under  no  ob- 
ligation of  right  to  recognise  any  agent  of  the  bank  other  than 
ihose  generally  known  as  such,  and  make  their  duly  and  tight 
to  inspect  the  books  depend  on  the  convenience  or  caprice  n  " 
Bitch  deputation. 

If  such  be  the  fact,  then  the  examinations  of  the  bank  will,  in 
all  cases,  depend  on  the  disposition  of  the  directors  lo  have  their 
proceedings  examined. 

Having  been  thus  denied,  by  the  officers  of  the  bank,  and  hav 
ing  been  informed  by  the  directors,  that  they  were  not  aware  o 
iiaving  declined  to  furnish  a  room  for  the  exclusive  use  of  the 
committee,  your  committee,  sincerely  desirous  to  meet  tin 
wishes  and  directions  of  the  house,  believed  it  to  be  their  dui\ 
to  seek  another  interview  with  the  committee  of  director?,  ant 
by  arrangement,  met  the  committee  of  the  hoard,  at  the  bank 
on  the  7th  day  of  May,  at  an  hour  fixed  by  themselves. 

Your  committee  then  and  there,  in  writing,  required  of  the 
committee  of  the  board,  to,  produce  to  your  committee,  for  in 
spection,  certain  books  and  papers  of  the  bank,  to  enable  you 
committee  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  representations  made  bj 
the  government  directors  to  the  president  of  the  United  States 
and  lo  congress;  and  lo  ascertain  whether  the  board  of  direc 
tors  had  violated  the  charier  of  the  bank,  by  authorising  the  ex 
eicise  of  illegal  powers  by  their  committees  or  officers,  am 
whether  the  bank  had  any  agency,  through  its  management  o 
money,  in  producing  the  present  pressure,  or  has  used  its  cor 
porate  power  or  money  to  control  the  press,  lo  interfere  in  po 
lilies,  or  influence  eleclions. 

Without  giving  a  specific  answer  to  these  calls  for  books  an 
papers,  the  committee  of  directors  presented  a  written  comniu 
nicatioii,  which  was  said  lo  be  "indicalive  of  Ihe  mode  of  pro 
ceeding  deemed  right  by  the  bank." 

The  committee  of  the  bonrd  in  that  communication,  expres 
the  opinion,  thai  Ihe  inquiry  can  only  he  rightfully  extended  t 
alleged  violations  of  the  charter,  and  deny  virtually  the  right  o 
the  house  of  representatives  to  authorise  the  inquiries  require 
in  the  resolution. 

They  also  required  of  the  committee  of  investigation,  "whe 
they  asked  for  books  and  papers,  to  siale  specifically  in  wrilini. 
the  purposes  for  which  th«y  are  proposed  lo  be  inspected;  an 
if  il  be  lo  establish  a  violation  of  the  charter,  then  to  state  s»pe 
cifically  in  writing,  what  are  the  alleged  or  supposed  violalioi: 
of  charter,  lo  which  Ihe  evidence  is  alleged  to  be  applicable." 
To  thia  extraordinary  requirement,  made  on  the  supposilio 
that  your  committee  were  charged  with  the  duty  of  crimination 
or  prosecution  for  criminal  offence,  and  implying  a  right  on  tl 
part  of  the  directors  lo  determine  fur  what  purposes  the  inspei 


on  should  be  made,  and  what  books  or  papers  should  be  »uh- 
itted  to  inspection,  your  committee  replied,  that  they  wer« 
ot  charged  with  tin;  duty  of  criminating  the  bank,  its  director*, 
r  others;  but  simply  to  inquire,  among*!  other  thing!),  whether 
ny  prosecution  in  legal  form  should  b<:  in.-tituted.  mid  from  the 
atureof  their  duties, and  the  tnc*iiclion*of  the  h'utis*;  of  repre- 
:ntatives,  they  were  not  bound  to  state  specifically  in  writing 
ny  charges  against  the  hank,  or  any  special  purpose  for  which 
ley  required  the  production  of  the  books  and  papers  for  inspec- 
on. 

A  specific  answer  was  requested  to  the  calls  which  had  been 
aile. 

The  committee  of  the  board,  after  deliberation,  made  a  com- 
lUnication  to  your  committee,  in  writing,  in  which  they  an- 
ounced  their  purpose  to  adhere  to  their  resolution,  and  refused 
>  submit  the  books  and  papers  of  the  bank,  required  by  your 
omniittee  to  be  producod  lor  their  inspection. 
These  calls  were  made  in  the  bank,  and  in  the  presence  of 
le  committee  of  the  board,  and  then  and  there  a  compliance 
ith  them  was  refused.  Not  feeling  authorised  to  regard  this 
nexpected  and  unequivocal  refusal  as  the  act  of  the  board  of 
irectors,  your  committee  submitted  the  proceedings  of  their 
ommittee  to  the  board,  and  they  were  by  the  board  "fully  ap- 
roved  and  sanctioned." 

In  this  act  of  refusal,  whicb  nothing  that  had  occurred  had 
repared  them  to  anticipate,  your  committee  are  of  opinion, 
lat  the  charter  of  the  bank  was  violated,  and  a  contempt  of 
IB  authority  of  the  house  of  representatives  committed. 
Your  committee,  acting  under  the  instructions  of  the  bouse 
f  representatives,  without  power  to  modify  or  enlarge  them, 
Inn-lied  to  inquire,  and  not  authorised  to  accuse  or  to  arraign, 
xcept  in  their  report  to  the  house  itself;  armed  with  but  the 
united  authority  of  a  committee,  unauthorsied  to  punish,  were 
ecessarily  compelled  to  the  conclusion,  that,  in  the  face  of  the 
bstruetions  already  detailed,  they  could  not  efficiently  prose- 
ule  the  inquiries  with  which  they  were  charged,  without  the 
id  of  the  power  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

Anxious,  however,  to  perform  their  duty  without  complaint 
o  the  house,  and  in  conformity  with  the  proceedings  of  the 
ommillee  of  investigation  of  1819  and  183-2,  your  committee 
ailed  on  the  bank,  in  a  series  of  resolutions,  to  furnish  stale- 
in  ni.-,  HI  cl  certain  extracts  and  copies  from  their  books  and 
tapers,  which,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  were  all  inti- 
nately  connected  wi.th  their  duties,  and  many  of  them  indis- 
>ensable  to  afford  to  the  house  of  representatives  the  informa- 
ion  which  they  hud  directed  your  committee  to  obtain, 

The  first  of  these  was  responded  to  by  the  committee  of  di- 
eclors,  and  the  information  I'm ni.-h<  .1.  Though  useful,  it  was 
lompariUively  unimportant. 

The  board  of  directors,  after  deliberation,  refused  to  comply 
with  the  other  calls,  for  reasons  which  will  be  found  in  their 
'esolution  in  the  appendix,  mid  which  reasons  deserve  exami- 
uition,  as  manifesting  the  deliberate  purpose  of  the  directors  to 
e.-ist  all  attempts  to  examine  into  the  proceedings  of  the  corr 
>oration  in  the  latitude  required  by  your  resolution. 

They  say,  that  the  board  of  directors  do  not  feel  themselves 
at  liberty  to  comply  with  the  requirement  of  the  committee  of 
nvestigation,  because  "part"  of  the  copies  called  for  "relate  to 
natters  over  which  the  board  have  no  control." 

This  reason,  it  is  plain,  cannot  have  had  much  weight  In  pro- 
ducing the  decision  of  the  board.  If  only  a  part  of  the  informa- 
iir.n  desired  was  beyond  the  control  of  the  board,  that  fact  could 
liave  been  stated,  and  this  committee  would  have  cheerfully  re- 
ceived the  residue. 

2d.  The  board  say,  they  cannot  comply,  because  it  would  be 
.nipoesible  for  them  to  do  so  "within  any  reasonable  time, 
having  ascertnined,  by  a  careful  examination,  that  the  copies 
and  statements  called  for  by  the  resolutions  of  the  29th  ultimo 
alone,  would  require  the  uninterrupted  labor  of  two  clerks  for 
at  least  ten  months." 

This  reason,  it  is  also  fair  to  presume,  could  not  have  materi- 
ally influenced  the  decision  of  the  board.  If,  in  truth,  an  entire 
compliance  with  all  the  resolutions  would  require  great  labor, 
still  that  did  not  justify  the  refusal  to  comply  with  any  one  of 
them.  Besides,  the  whole  objection  could  have  been  obviated 
by  the  employment  of  more  clerks  than  two,  the  compensation 
to  whom,  if  paid  either  by  the  bank  or  this  committee,  would 
have  been  well  expended  in  gratifying  the  requirement  of  the 
house  of  representatives. 

3d.  The  board  say  they  cannot  "comply,  inasmuch  as  in  re- 
spect to  a  par:  of  the  papers  called  for,  the  effect  would  be  the 
same  as  the  surrender  of  their  books  and  papers  to  a  secret  and 
ex  •parts  examination." 

Who  can  read  this  last  reason  for  refusing,  given  by  the  di- 
rectors, and  fail  to  perceive  that  this  committee  is  justified  in 
declaring,  that  without  the  aid  of  compulsory  process,  thry  can- 
not obey  the  directions  of  the  house.  If  extracts  from  their  own 
books  made  by  their  own  clerks,  will  not  be  furnished,  because 
they  mi°ht  he  used  to  conduct  an  ex  parte  examination,  what 
benefit  could  this  committee  expect  to  derive  by  access  to  the 
books  themselves? 

Permission  to  take  extracts  for  themselves  could,  and  proba- 
bly would,  be  denied  for  the  same  reasons;  and  a  committee  of 
the  house,  without  power  to  compel  obedience  to  its  denmmU, 
would  have  power  to  make  no  use  of  the  books,  which  was  not 
approved  by  the  director!  themselves  And  the  house  will  be  at 
no  loss  to  determine  what  latitude  they  would  be  willing  to  give 
their  inquities.  And  without  authentic  extracts,  such  as  wer« 


224     NILES'  KEGISTER— MAY   31,   18S4— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  fcTATES  BANK 


unhesitatingly  furnished  lij'  tlie  bank  to  both  the  former  com- 
mittees of  investigation,  your  committee  could  very  imperfect- 
ly convey  to  the  liouse  the  grounds  of  their  conclusions,  or  the 
result  ol  their  inspection  and  examination. 

In  what  condition,  then,  is  your  committee  placed?  The 
house  have  commanded  them  to  inquire  "w  hat  corruptions  and 
abuses  have  existed  in  the  management  of  (In;  hank,"  whether 
it  has  used  "its  corporate  power,  or  money,  to  interfere  in  po- 
litics, or  influence  elections." 

To  do  this,  they  have  attempted  to  use  the  only  means  that 
can,  by  possibility,  enable  Ihem  to  fulfil  this  duty;  and  they  are 
refused  by  the  directors  access  to  those  means  which  are  in 
their  custody,  and  which,  by  their  charter,  they  are  bound  to 
furnish;  because,  say  they,  the  inquiry  this  committee  has  been 
charged  to  make,  "can  only  be  rightfully  extended  to  alleged 
violations  of  the  charter."  And  even  these  violations  of  char- 
ter are  not  to  be  inquired  of  until  the  board  is  furnished  with  "a 
specification  of  all  the  charges  intended  to  be  inquired  into." 
bhould  supposed  violations  of  charter  be  specifically  charged, 
then  the  directors  are  to  decide  whether  the  facts,  if  true  as  stat- 
ed, would  amount  to  technical  violations  of  charter,  and  then, 
and  not  till  then,  will  your  committee  he  penniiled  to  "proceed 
with  them  in  order  as  slated."  It  must  t>c-  fai.-l,  that  these  pre- 
tences, by  which  the  bank  would  justify  its  bold  disregard  of  the 
provisions  of  its  charter,  are.  in  themselves,  derogatory  to  It 
dignity,  and  contemptuous  to  tlic  authority,  of  the  bouse,  to 
which  it  in  part  owes  its  being. 

The  committee  believe,  that  these  proceedings  of  the  bank 
•directors,  denying  vital  and  essential  powers  to  the  two  houses 
of  congress,  and  asserting,  in  effect,  a  paramount  and  control- 
ling authority  over  both  in  executing  a  power,  devised  as  a 
check  upon  the  bank  itself,  would  justify  n  more  extended 
oouMBPUt.  But  confiding  in  the  disposition  of  the  house  to 
tnaintam  its  own  rights  and  dignity,  and  to  sustain  your  com- 
mittee in  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duty,  they  present  as  a 
part  of  this  report  the  various  "resolutions  adopted  by  your  com- 
tnittce,  wiLli  those  received  from  the  agents  of  the  bank,  as  an 
appendix,  declaratory  of  the  powers  believed  to  be  possessed, 
and  the  purposes  of  your  committee. 

They  believe  that  these  resolutions  will,  of  themselves,  vin- 
dicate their  conduct  and  proceedings  from  all  those  imputations 
which  are  to  be  found  in  the  various  communications  of  the  di 
rectors,  and  their  committee,  and  will  serve  to  show  that  they 
liave  afforded  no  justification  whatever  for  the  extraordinary 
position  ultimately  taken  by  the  committee  of  directors  and  the 
Jboard.  But  that  their  determination  not  to  permit  any  conduct 
of  theirs  not  involving  breach  of  chatter,  to  be  investigated, 
must  have  been  entertained  long  before  it  was  made  known  to 
your  committee — and  that  it  was  not  communicated  until  every 
other  means  of  preventing  the  examination  had  proved  unavail- 
ing. But  for  this  conduct,  which  your  committee  cannot  re- 
gard as  distinguished  by  frankness  and  candor,  the  absence  of 
your  committee,  from  their  duties  iu  the  house,  would  have 
been  of  much  shorter  continuance. 

UeLieviMg  they  had  now  exhausted,  in  their  efforts  to  execute 
the  duty  devolved  upon  them,  all  reasonable  means  depending 
soU-ly  upon  the  provisions  of  tin:  bank  charter,  to  obtain  the  in- 
spection of  the  books  of  this  corporation,  your  committee  were 
at  last  reluctantly  compelled  to  resort  to  the  subpoenas  which 
tiad  been  furnished  to  them  under  the  seal  of  this  house,  and 
Attested  by  its  clerk.  They,  thereby, on  the  9th  inst.  directed 
the  marshal  of  the  eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania  to  summon 
Nicholas  Biddje,  president,  and  thirteen  other  persons,  directors 
of  the  bank,  to  attend  at  theircommitteeroom,on  the  next  day. 
nt  12  o'clock,  at  noon,  to  testify  concerning  the  matters  of  which 
jour  committee  were  authorised  to  inquire,  and  to  bring  with 
them  certain  books  therein  named  for  inspection.  The  marshal 
served  ttie  summons  iji  due  form  of  law,  and  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed, the  persons  therein  named  appeared  before  the  com- 
mittee and  presented  a  written  communication  signed  by  each 
of  them,  as  the  answer  of  each  to  the  requirements  of  the  sub- 
jicena,  (which  is  in  the  appendix  to  Ibis  report).  In  this  paper 
they  declare  "that  they  do  not  produce  the  books  required,  he 
4*ause  they  are  not  in  the  custody  of  either  of  us,  but  as  has 
been  heretofore  stated,  of  the  board,"  and  add,  "considering 
that  as  corporators  and  directors,  we  are  paities  to  the  proceed- 
ing— we  do  not  consider  ourselves  bound  to  testify,  and  there- 
fore respectfully  decline  to  do  so." 

Your  committee  will  not  dwell  long  to  answer  these  techni- 
cal excuses  for  this  contempt  of  the  lawful  mandate  of  the 
liouse.  They  are  to  he  found  at  largo  in  the  written  document 
nbove  referred  to.  Mo*l  of  them,  iUi  believed,  have  been  al- 
leady  satisfactorily  answered.  The  two  novel  excuses  herein 
set  forth,  can  ant  but  tie  condemned  ns  insufficient.  The  first 
is  founded  on  a  very  refined  distinction  between  the  power  of 
the  directors  as  person*  and  as  corporators.  The  same  persons 
liave  and  have  not  power  to  submit  the  books.  As  corporators, 
the  custody  of  the  books  is  in  them;  but  as  individuals,  although 
collectively  anecmbled,  Die  same  hooks  are  not  under  their  con- 
trol. Thus,  by  an  attenuated  technicality,  the  lawful  authority 
of  the  house  JH  to  be  defied.  If,  in  one  room  of  the  bunk  they 
must  be  esteemed  as  "individual  citizens,"  who  may  lawfully 
.disregard  a  subpoena  duces  tecum,  because  thry  have  not  (he 
book  demanded — if,  in  another  room  of  the  game  house,  by  R 
transmigration  not  known  to  heathen  philosophy,  their  identity 
ii  gone;  they  have  become  mere  Ideal  creatures,  on  which  not 
•yea  the  subpoena  ad  testificandum  can  be  served.  To  make  this 


excuse  still  more  extraordjnary  let  it  be  remembered  that  seven 
of  the  gentlemen  by  whom  it  is  offered  had  been  appointed  by 
the  board  of  directors  to  exhibit  the  books  of  the  bank  lor  in- 
spection, and  ol  course  must  have  had  the  right  to  that  exclu- 
sive possession  for  that  purpose. 

The  reason  assigned  for  the  refusal  to  be  sworn  is  parallel  with 
that  which  has  just  been  considered.  They  claim,  that,  as  cor- 
porators and  duectors,  they  are  parties  to  the  proceedings  of  the 
liouse,  and  therefore  not  bound  to  give  testimony.  It  is  a  humane 
i  ule  to  be  found  in  the  criminal  law,  which  declares  that  no  man 
shall  be  compelled  to  criminate  himself,  and  one  which  this 
committee  would  be  unwilling,  under  any  circumstances,  to 
deny,  but  your  committee  are  not  aware  of  any  principle  of  evi- 
dence which  will  excuse  a  person  for  refusing  to  give  testimony, 
simply  because  it  may  subject  him  to  a  civil  action. 

There  are  provisions  in  the  bank  charter,  making  the  direc- 
tors liable  to  a  civil  suit  if  proved  to  have  participated  in  certain 
transactions  therein  mentioned.  But  it  ought  not  to  be  suppos- 
ed that  any  thing  can  be  found  on  the  hooks  of  the  bank  that 
would  subject  the  directors  to  a  criminal  prosecution.  Even  if 
the  latter  supposition  be  not  entiiely  without  foundation,  still  it 
is  insisted  that  a  witness  called  on  to  testify,  must  do  so,  unless 
the  court  or  other  tribunal  before  which  he  appears,  shall  ad- 
judge that  he  is  interested.  That  question  the  witness  cannot 
be  permitted  to  decide  for  himself,  otherwise  evidence  might  be 
withheld  without  good  cause.  As  to  the  supposition  that  the 
directors,  or  the  corporation  under  their  control,  are  to  be  con- 
sidered parties  to  the  inquest  this  committee  was  directed  to 
institute,  it  has  already  been  answered  in  this  report,  and  needs 
no  further  reply.  If  the  inquest  had  been  prosecuted,  and  had 
satisfied  congress  or  the  president  thatascire  facias  ought  to 
issue,  then,  and  not  till  then,  could  the  bank  directors  become 
parties  to  the  proceedings,  and,  under  that  principle,  attempt  to 
conceal  transactions  known  only  to  themselves;  and  even  then 
theit  books  might  lie  used  as  evidence  against  them.  Justice 
lequires  us  to  add,  that  the  directors,  while  they  protested 
against  our  right  to  examine  them,  declared  they  had  no  know- 
ledge, which,  if  a  necessary  regard  to  their  duties  and  the  rights 
of  others  permitted,  they  would  not  willingly  expose  without 
reserve. 

Under  such  circumstances,  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  they  have 
not  imitated  the  course  of  the  directors  of  1819  and  1832,  by 
waiving  their  supposed  technical  rights,  and  inviting  an  unre- 
strained examination  of  their  proceedings.  Such  conduct  could 
not  but  Imve  gained  public  approbation;  and  it  is  humbly  con- 
ceived, could  not  have  been  reasonably  objected  to  by  any  per- 
sons having  business  with  the  institution.  If  such  had  been  the 
course  of  the  directors,  the  committee  hope  to  be  pardoned  for 
saying  it  was  their  purpose  to  have  endeavored  to  have  per- 
formed the  duties  which  had  been  enjoined,  thoroughly,  impar- 
tially, and  with  a  rigid  adherence  to  the  immutable  principles 
of  truth  and  justice. 

Thus,  your  committee  conclude,  the  just  power  and  authority 
of  the  house  of  representatives  have  been  set  at  naught,  defied 
and  contemned. 

Thus,  the  charier  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  has  been 
deliberately  violated,  by  repeated  refusals  of  the  directors  of 
that  corporation  to  submit  tlieir  books  and  papers  to  the  inspec- 
tion of  this  committee. 

Thus  have  the  just  expectations  ofthe  house  and  of  their  con- 
stituents been  disappointed,  and  all  means  of  obtaining  the  beet 
and  most  accurate  information  concerning  the  operations  of  a 
controlling  moneyed  institution,  been  cut  off  and  denied. 

It  remains  for  the  house  and  the  country  to  decide  how  far 
this  conduct  of  that  directory  has  been  dictated  by  their  solemn 
duty,  as  declared,  to  protect  the  interests  of  others  committed 
specially  to  their  protection.  How  far  it  conforms  to  those 
principles  of  action  which  arc  based  on  conscious  integrity  and 
uprightness  of  purpose,  which  defies  scrutiny,  and  invites  in- 
vestigation; and  how  far  it  shall  be  received  as  a  plea  of  guilty 
to  the  high  misdemeanors  which  they  insist  have  been  charged 
against  tin;  corporation  of  which  they  have  the  management  and 
control. 

There  grave  questions,  with  others  growing  out  of  the  trans- 
actions and  proceedings,  are  left  to  be  decided  by  the  house  of 
representatives. 

To  elicit  those  opinion?,  the  following  resolutions  are  most 
respectfully  submitted: 

1.  Resolved,  That  by  the  charter  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
Stales,  the  right  was  expressly  reserved  to  either  house  of  con- 
press,  liy  the  appointment  of  a  committee,  to  inspect  the  books, 
and  to  examine  into  the  proceedings  of  the  said  bank,  as  well 
as  to  ascertain  if  at  any  time  it  has  violated  its  charter. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  resolution  of  the  house  of  representa- 
tives, passed  on  the  4th  of  April,  1834,  for  the  appointment  of  a 
committee,  with  full  powers  to  make  the  investigations  embrac- 
ed in  said  resolution,  was  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
the  charter  of  said  bank  and  the  power  of  this  house. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  president  and  board  of  directors  of  the 
bank  ofthe  United  States,  by  refusing  to  submit  for  inspection, 
the  books  and  papers  of  the  hank,  as  called  for  by  the  commit- 
tee ofthe  house  of  representatives,  have  contemned  the  legiti- 
mate authority  of  the  house,  assertina  for  themselves  powers 
and  privileges  not  contemplated  by  the  framers  of  their  charter, 
nor  in  fairness  deducible  from  any  of  the  terms  or  provisions  of 
that  instrument. 

4.  Rejo/rerf,  That  cither  house  of  congress  1ms  the  right  to 
compel  Hie  production  of  any  such  books  or  papers  as  have  been 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  Si,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK.     S25 


called  for  by  their  commitlee,  and  also  lo  compel  said  presiden 
and  directors  to  testify  to  such  interrogatories  as  were  necessa 
ry  to  a  full  and  perfect  understanding  ol  the  proceedings  of  lh 
bank  at  any  period  within  the  term  of  its  exisience. 

5.  Resolved,  Thai  the  speaker  ol  this  house  do  Usiie  his  war 
rant  to  the  sergeant  al-arma,  lo  arrest  Nicholas  Biddle,  presi 
dent,  Manuel  Eyre,  Lawrence  Lewis,  Ambrose  White,  Danie 
W.  Cox,  John  Holmes,  Charles  Chaiuicty,  John  Goddard,  Joh 
It.  Neff,  William  Plan,  Matthew  Newkirk,  James  C.  Fisher 
John  S.  Henry  and  John  Sergeant,  directors  of  the  bank  of  th 
Uniled  Stales,  ana'  bring  them  lo  the  bar  of  lliis  house,  to  an 
swer  for  their  contempt  of  its  lawful  authority. 

REPORT  OF    THE  MINORITY    OF  THE   COMMITTEE 
Mr.  Everett,  from  the  minority  of  Ihe  committee,  appointed  l< 
investigate  the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates,  sub 
milled  tlie  following  reporl: 

The  undersigned,  members  of  llie  committee  for  tnvestigatin 
the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales,  having  differed  Iron 
their  colleagues  as  to  the  extent  of  the  powers  of  the  committee 
and  the  mode  of  pursuing  the  investigation,  beg  leave  to  submi 
the  grounds  of  this  difference,  and  their  reasons  for  not  concur 
ring  in  the  report  of  the  majority  of  the  committee. 

The  twenty-third  section  of  the  law,  approved  on  the  10th  o 
April,  1616,  (commonly  called  the  bank  charter),  makes  the  fol 
lowing  provision:  "It  shall  at  all  times  be  lawful  for  a  commit 
tee  of  either  house  of  congress,  appointed  for  that  purpose,  to 
inspect  the  books,  and  to  examine  into  the  proceedings  of  tin 
corporation  hereby  created,  and  lo  report  whether  the  provi 
sions  of  this  charter  have  been,  by  the  same,  violated  or  not.' 
This  provision  is,  in  terms,  an  express  grant  of  power  to  eithei 
house  of  congress;  and,  consequently,  but  for  Ihis  grant,  neithe 
Iiouse  would  have  possessed  the  power.  To  suppose  thateiihei 
house  of  congress  would  have  possessed  the  power,  although 
the  charter  had  been  silent  on  the  subject,  is  to  suppose  tha 
so  much  of  Ihe  twenty-third  section  of  the  charter  as  gives  the 
|iower,  is  mere  surplusage — an  unauthorised  and  inadmissible 
supposition. 

If  the  power  reserved  in  the  twenty  third  section  had  been 
already  possessed  by  either  house  of  congress,  it  must  have 
tieen  in  virtue  of  its  general  authority  to  institute  inquiries,  am 
to  send  for  persons  ami  papers.  But  had  the  congress  who 
granted  the  charier  understood  that  ihis  authority  to  send  for 
persons  and  papers  extended  to  the  inspection  of  the  books  of 
the  bank,  they  could  not  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  provide 
that  it  should  be  lawful,  at  any  time,  for  either  house  of  con- 
gress to  appoint  a  committee  for  such  inspection. 

The  resolution  passed  on  the  4th  of  April  last,  under  which 
the  committee  of  investigation  was  appointed,  is  expressed  in 
the  following  terms: 

[The  resolution  will  be  found  at  the  commencement  of  the 
preceding  report.] 

The  committee,  thus  appointed,  is  clothed  with  the  power 
granted  to  eilber  Iiouse  of  congress,  by  llie  Iwenty-third  section 
of  the  charier,  ihe  same  being  given  to  it  by  the  express  words 
of  the  resolution,  which  authorises  it  to  "inspect  the  books,  and 
examine  into  the  proceedings  of  the  said  bank,"  and  "report 
whether  the  provisions  of  the  charter  have  been  violated  or  not. 

Had  llie  resolution  slopped  here,  its  interpretation  would  have 
been  easy.  It  would  have  been  (and  would  so  have  necessari- 
ly been  understood)  a  resolution  creating  a  committee  under 
the  power  granted  by  the  twenty-third  section  of  the  charter, 
and  for  the  precise  objects,  and  no  other,  therein  provided  for. 
But  Ihe  resolution  of  the  Iiouse  goes  much  farther.  It  purports 
to  authorise  the  committee  to  engage  in  a  much  wider  range  of 
inquiry  than  Ihe  violation  of  the  chaiter.  It  declares  the  objects 
of  investigation  to  be  three-fold,  viz:  1st,  the  causes  of  the 
commercial  embarrassment  and  dislress  alleged  to  exist;  2d, 
violations  of  the  charter;  3d,  corruptions  and  abuses  in  the  ma- 
nagement of  the  brink,  of  which  several  are  alluded  to  in  very 
general  and  comprehensive  terms,  as  will  be  perceived  by  re- 
currence to  the  resolution  just  quoted.  Of  these  three  objects, 
the  second  only  is  the  one  on  which  a  committee,  raised  in  pur- 
nuance  of  the  twenty-third  section  of  the  charter,  is  authorised 
to  reporl. 

As  the  resolution  of  the  house  enumerates  objects  of  inquiry 
not  named  in  the  charter,  so  it  specifies  means  of  attainittg  in- 
formation, not  provided  for  in  that  law.  It  authorises  the  com- 
mittee "to  send  for  persons  and  papers,  arid  to  summon  ami  ex- 
amine, witnesses  on  oath,  and  to  examine  into  the  affairs  of  the 
said  bank  and  branches." 

The  point  of  chief  question  in  this  matter  has  been,  what  ex- 
tension of  the  powers  possessed  by  the  committee,  in  virtue  of 
the  twenty-third  sestion  of  the  law,  is  effected  by  this  addition 
nl  detail  of  the  objects  to  be  investigated,  and  of  the  means  for 
attaining  knowledge  concerning  them. 

The  subscribers  understand  their  colleagues,  the  majority  of 
the  committee,  to  claim,  under  the  terms  of  the  resolution,  an 
unlimited  power  of  inquiry  after  all  the  conceivable  corruption? 
and  malpractices  of  the  bank,  and  of  sending  for  the  p-'rsuns  of 
it?  officers  and  directors,  and  for  any  ami  all  of  its  honks  and 
papers,  in  order  to  ascertain  whether  any  such  corruptions  and 
malpractices  exist.  The  subscribers  believe  that  no  sued  pow- 
er of  genera!  search  is  given  to  the  committee  by  the.  resolution: 
and  that  it  was  not  competent  for  either  house  of  congress  to 
pive  it.  In  their  ilitlVrrnee  of  opinion  from  ;heir  brethren  of  the 
majority  on  this  head,  will  be  found  the  chief  source  of  their 


dissent  from  moat  of  the  important  measures  proposed  by  the 
committee. 

Before  explaining  their  views  more  distinctly,  they  would  ob- 
serve, to  avoid  all  misconception,  thai  it  is  nu  pan  of  their  pur- 
pose to  maintain  thai  Ihe  power  o!  the  committee  is  confined  to 
an  inquiry,  whether  the  chatter  of  the  bank  has  been  viol.ued. 
The  undersigned  believe  it  is  competent  for  the  iiou.-e  to  inquire 
into  any  alleged  abuse  or  corruption  whatsoever,  to  the  iiiuio.it 
latitude  required  by  the  public  good,  and  authorised  by  the  prin- 
ciples of  justice  and  law.  They  believe  that  the  committee,  of 
which  they  are  members,  was  authorised  lo  make  such  inqui- 
ries. They  believed,  however,  that  these  inquiries  were  lo  be 
conducted  accoiding  to  the  charier;  that  is,  according  to  law; 
and  according  to  those  general  piineiples  of  equity  and  consti- 
tutional right  which  cannot  be  transcended,  in  virtue  ol  any  re- 
solution of  either  house  of  congress;  and  which  the  undersigned 
are  unwilling  to  believe  that  either  house  of  congress  could  at- 
tempt or  wish  to  transcend. 

The  undersigned  have  already,  as  they  think,  shown,  that  the 
provision  in  the  charter  is  a  grant  of  power,  which  would  not 
otherwise  have  been  possessed  by  either  house.  So  far,  there- 
fore, is  the  general  power  of  sending  for  persons  and  paper?  from 
enlarging  the  charter  power,  that  this  latter  is  an  addition  to  the 
power  of  sending  for  persons  and  papers.  The  power,  there- 
fore, possessed  by  the  committee  under  the  charter,  and  recited 
in  the  resolution,  is  not,  and  cannot  be,  extended  or  enlarged 
by  any  thing  else  in  that  resolution.  No  limitation  imposed  by 
the  charter  upon  the  inquiry  which  the  committee  is  thereby 
authorised  to  make,  or  the  mode  of  making  it,  can  be  removed 
by  the  general  parliamentary  power  of  the  kouse  to  institute  in- 
vestigations, and  send  for  persons  and  papers.  It  would  be  an 
absurdity  to  make  a  charter  provision  for  extending  the  general 
powers  of  the  house,  and  then  to  seek  to  enlarge  the  powers 
conveyed  in  that  provision,  by  the  addition  of  something  else, 
supposed  lo  belong  to  the  general  authorily  of  ihe  house. 

In  addition  to  this,  it  must  be  recollected  thai  the  charter  is  a 
contract  proposed  by  the  government  to  the  slockholders,  and 
voluntarily  entered  into  by  them.   This  power  of  visitation,  and 
of  subjecting  the  books  to  inspection,  is  one  of  the  conditions  of 
the  contract,  onerous  to  the  stockholders.     To  attempt  to  en- 
large it  by  construction,  is  to  attempt,  contrary  to  the  faith  of 
the  country,  to  interpolate  new  and  oppressive  conditions  into 
the  contract.    The  undersigned,  therefore,  maintain  that  a  re- 
solution of  one  house  of  congress,  passed  in  virtue  of  its  general 
power  of  inquisition,  cannot  enlarge  the  specific  provisions  of 
a  law.     But  they  do  not  therefore  hold  that  this  committee 
could  not,  under  the  authorily  of  ihe  resolution  of  the  house, 
inquire  into  any  other  mailers  than  breaches  of  the  charier. 
They  mai'niain  only  that  this  is  a  power  to  be  exercised  agreea- 
bly to  law  and  justice;  that  it  i«  not  an  absolute  inquisitorial 
power;  thai  it  does  not  authorise  a  committee  of  either  house 
Lo  prosecute  a  secret  inquiry  of  indefinite  character,  after  any 
and  every  abuse,  probable  or  possible.     It  does  not  extend  the 
right  of  inspecting  the  books,  granted  for  one  purpose  alone,  eo 
as  to  authorise  their  inspection  for  purposes  lotally  d  trie  rent. 
[I  does  not  put  it  in  the  power  of  a  committee  to  issue  warrants 
of  general  search,  and  compel  the  appearance  of  citizens,  and 
the  production  of  papers,  not  in  proof  or  disproof  of  charges 
against  third  persons,  by  evidence  of  which  they  are  the  legal 
depositories,  but  in  order  to  enable  such  a  committee  to  find 
out  by  these  papers,  whether  those  who  bring  them  are  not 
themselves  guilty  of  misdemeanors.     Such  a  power  as  this,  the 
undersigned  wholly  reject  as  abhorrent  to  reason  and  justice; 
unknown  lo  ihe  constitution  of  this  country;  at  war  with  its 
spirit  and  with  its  letter;  and  ullerly  repugnant  to  the  public 
sentiment  of  th«  people.     To  claim  such  a  power,  is  to  claim 
or  eilher  house  of  congress  the  right,  in  virtue  of  a  resolution, 
of  sending  to  the  remotest  corners  of  the  union  for  any  number 
of  persons,  compelling  lliem  to  attend  a  committee,  with  all 
heir  papers,  to  submit  to  be  examined  on  oath;  to  exhibit  those 
lapers  for  inspection;  and  thus  to  enable  such  committee  to 
ind  matter  of  fixing  on  sueh  individuals  the  charge  of  gross,  but 
reviously  unspecified,  misdemeanors  and  corruptions. 
It  is  not  necessary  for  the  undersigned  to  endeavor  to  define 
what  are  the  limits  of  the  powers  of  inquiry  possessed  by  the 
louses  of  congress.     It  is  sufficient  for  their  present  purposes 
o  have  shown,  (and  the  proposition  is  proved  in  its  enuncia- 
ion),  what  they  are  not  and  cannot  be.     It  cannot  be  within 
he  competence  of  a  committee  of  the  house  to  institute  a  gene- 
al  search,  and  coinp-'l   Ihe  citizens  on  oath   to  purge  Ihem- 
dves  if  innocent,  and  criminate  themselves  if  guilty;  and  bring 
vith  them  their  papers  to  be  ransacked  in  a  roving  hunt  for  un- 
pecified  crimes.     The  constitution  reserve*  to  the  people  the 
ight,  (a  right  inviolable  without  the  reservation)  "to  be  secure 
n  their  persons,  houses,  papers  and  (fleets,  against  unreasona- 
le  searches  and  seizures^"     Of  all  unreasonable  searches  that 
nn   tin  imrnagined,  none  is   more  signally  so  than  a  general 
earcl)  into  the  papers   possessed   by   a  person,  whether  indivi- 
ual  or  corporate,  with  a  view  lo  find,  (if  it  should  happen  to 
xi^t).  matter  of  elimination  against  thai  person.     A   general 
earcli  for  atii/  purpose  is  unreasonable;   for  the  ohjecl  of  crimi- 
•ating  the  individual  searched,  it  would  be  at  wiir  with  the  first 
rinciples  of  justice,  ;inil,  as  exercised   by  n  committee  ot' the 
mice  of  representatives,  one  branch  of  a  legislature  of  limited 
oiiMituiional  jurisdiction,  nn  enormous  assumption  of  power, 
t  would   he  unreasonable,  because  as  no  man   is  beyond  the 
lossibility  ofdoine  wrong,  the  right  to  institute  a  general  search, 
fit  exUied,  would  be  aright  of  inquisition  into  the  affairs  of 


228    N1LE6*  REGISTER— MAY  Si,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK. 


every  individual  in  tho  community)  a  right  too  extravagant  to 
be  claimed  by  any  government  pretending  to  be  limited  l>y  law, 
and  never  exercised  by  any  but  those  odious  find  arbitrary  tii- 
bunals  which  are  handed  down  to  the  undying  execration  of 
mankind.  It  would  ho  at  war  with  tin:  first  principles  of  jus- 
tice, Which,  as  a  general  rule,  compel  no  man  to  criminate  him- 
self, directly  or  indirectly,  nor  to  tiirni.-h  the  means  of  his  own 
crimination.  It  would  be  an  enormous  assumption  of  power 
on  the  part  of  either  house  of  congress;  a  body  whose,  jurisdic- 
tion does  not  extend  10  any  considerable  portion  of  the  conceiv- 
able crimes  and  misriumeaiiois  which  such  a  search  mijlit,  it 
they  had  been  committed,  biing  out;  and  who  can  surely  lay 
Claim  to  no  power  oi'.-eareliing  out  matters,  xvhich,  if  the  search 
be  successful,  are  without  its  province,  both  of  legislation  and 
punishment. 

It  may  be  observed  that,  if  the  right  of  making  such  a  search 
of  the  bank  of  the  U.  States  be  claimed  in  virtue  of  the  general 
powers  of  inquiry  possessed   by  the  house,  it  extends  to  every 
Elate  bank  in  tUe  union,  as  fully  as  to  the  bank  of  the  Unitec 
States.    The  charter  gives  a  power  of  visiting  the  corporation 
thereby  created,  and  of  course  confined  exclusively  to  the  bank 
of  the"  United  Stales.    That  power,  as  has  been  urged,  can  be 
applied  only  lo  the  objects  for  which  it  is  given,  viz:  to  enable  a 
committee  to   report  "whether  the  provisions  of  the  charter 
have  been  violated  or  not."     But  if  we  go  further  and  claim  a 
right,  tinder  the  general  power  of  inquisition  possessed  by  the 
house,  to  search   the   bank  for  objects  not  made  subjects  o 
Rearch  by  the.  charier,  then  it  is  obvious  that  the  corporator 
and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  are   no  more 
amenable  to  such  a  search  in  their  persons,  books  and  papers 
than  the  corporators  or  directors  of  any  other  bank,  of  any  in 
surance  office,  trust  company,  turnpike,  canal,  or  rail   roa< 
company,  or  any  other  private  citizens.     The  right,  therefore 
claimed   by  the  majority  of  the  committee,  if  it  transcend  to 
the  slightest  degree  the  limitations  of  the  charter,  must  flow 
from   a  claim  of  power,  which  would  bring  within  its  grasp 
every  corporation,  every  citizen,  and  every  book  and  piper  in 
the  United  States,  and  subject  them,  al  any  time,  lo  a  general 
search  of  a  committee  of  either  house  of  congress. 

Should  it  be  contended  that,  as  a  great  stockholder,  the  go- 
vernment has  a  right  to  institute  this  search,  the  answer  is  ob- 
vious. The  house  of  representatives  is  not  the  government;  and 
the  government,  as  a  stockholder,  has  no  rights  not  possessed 
by  the  other  stockholders,  or  to  be  exercised  in  any  other  way. 
I  n  the  contract  between  the  government  and  the  stockholders,  by 
which  the  bank  was  crealed  a  corporation  of  a  character  partly 
private  and  partly  public,  the  government  reserved  lo  itself  all 
the  powers  which  it  thought  were  required  to'protect  its  inter- 
est 88  a  stockholder,  or  which  were  needed  in  reference  to 
any  other  relations  of  the  bank  to  the  country.  To  these  re- 
servations, the  stockholders,  by  accepting  the  charter,  assented. 
They  cannot  now  be  extended  to  the  prejudice  of  the  bank,  with 
out  a  violation  of  law  and  a  breach  of  faith. 

The  undersigned  are  far  from   intending  to  charge  their  re- 


Fpeclcd  colleagues^from  whom  they  differed  with  pain,  with 
th"  design  consciously  to  iustilute  a  search  of  this  character 
into  the  affair*  of  the  bank,  but  they  felt  obliged  to  di-seui 
from  a  considerable  portion  of  their  measures,  deeming  them, 
in  effect,  (though  certainly  not  go  intended),  to  have  all  the  es- 
sential characters  of  such  a  general  and  unlawful  search.  The 
justice  of  this  remark  will,  as  the  undersigned  think,  abundantly 
appear,  from  a  review  of  the  principal  measures  adopted  by 
the  committee,  which  will  now,  for  this  reason,  be  briefly  ex- 
amined. 

J.  The  fir*t  step  taken  was  a  call  by  the  committee  of  inves- 
tigation on  the  committee  of  directors,  for  "a  list  of  the  books 
of  the  bank,  with  an  explanation  of  the  purposes  for  which  each 
is  designed,  and  the  name  of  the  clerks  to  whose  care  and  cus- 
tody, they  are  respectively  committed."  This  was  a  step  pre- 
liminary to  the  process  by  which  the  committee  of  invrstii'a- 
tion,  in  the  judgment  of  the  majority,  could  call  for,  and  take 
Into  their  possession,  by  a  precept  addressed  lo  tin:  clerks  in 
the  bank, any  oral!  of  the  books  of  the  institution,  in  which  the 
business  transactions  of  the  bank  are  entered  by  the  said  clerks. 
This  list  was  furnished  by  Ihe  committee  of  the  directors,  with 
the  statement,  however,  that  the  books  were  not  in  the  custody 
of  the  clerks,  hut  in  the  general  custody  of  the  board.  In  con- 
sequence of  this  statement,  no  attempt  was  made  to  obtain 
possession  of  the  hooks  by  a  demand  of  the  clerks. 

2.  Of  a  similar  character,  but  more  objectionable,  because 
fending  more  directly  to  the  institution  of  a  general  search,  and 
fiitiniML'  an  immediate  preparation  for  it,  was  the  right,  insisted 
on  by  the  committee,  of  an  exclusive  occupation  of  the  room 
In  the  banking  house,  offered  by  the  directors  for  their  accom- 
modation during  the  iii-pei  linn  of  the  books.  Tin1  undpisieneil 
refer  to  the  correspondence  betwren  the  committee  of  investi- 
gation and  the  committee  of  the  bank  on  this  subject.  They 
would  only  briefly  observe,  that  a  commi'ltee  of  seven  had  been 
appointed  by  the  board  of  directors,  to  rrcrivo  the  committee  of 
investigation,  and  submit  for  their  in<peeiion  such  books  and 
papers  of  the  hank  as  mi'.'ht  lie  necessary  lo  exhibit  its  pro- 
ceedings according  to  the  requirement  of  the  charter.  A  room 
in  the  banking  house  was,  by  this  committee,  offered  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representa- 
tives. It  appeared  at  a  very  early  stage  of  the  proceedings,  in 
a  conference  between  the  two  committees,  that  the  committee 
of  the  directors  proposed  to  exhibit  their  books  in  person  to  the 


expectation  and  readiness  to  "withdraw  from  the  room  when- 
ever the  committee  of  the  house  should  see  lit, !;  ill  order  to 
furnish  the  committee  of  the  house  the  opportunity  to  delibe- 
rate, without  the  presence  of  any  one,  not  required  or  invited 
jy  themselves  to  attend.  This  proposed  manner  of  conducting 
the  examination  was  regarded  by  the  majority  of  the  committee 
of  the  house  of  representatives  as  inadmissible,  and  formed  the 
subject  of  a  correspondence  between  lliem  and  the  committee 
of  the  directors.  The  committee  of  the  house  adopted  two  re- 
solutions, by  one  of  which  they  agreed  that  their  proceedings 
should  be  confidential,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  the  com- 
mittee; and  by  the  oilier,  that  no  person  should  be  present  at 
the  inspection  of  the  books  and  examination  of  the  proceediniM 
of  the  bank,  except  those  whose  attendance  might  be  required 
or  permitted  by  the  committee  of  investigation. 

The  first  resolution  was  regarded  merely  as  an  understanding, 
on  the  part  of  the  committee  of  investigation,  that  no  publicity 
would   be  given  by  them,  unlil  otherwise  ordered,  to  the  mai- 
lers that  might  appear  in  the  course  of  Die  examination.     The 
undersigned  assented  to  this  resolution,  with  the  understanding 
of  the  parliamentary  law,  thai  the  sittings  of  even   committee 
are  open,  unless  ordered  to  be  secret  by  the  house;  and  that  it 
was  not  in  the  power  of  the  present  committee,  by  a  vole  of 
their  own,  either  to  shut  their  doors,  or  impose  secrecy   on 
any  persons  who  might  attend.     But  they  assented  to  the  in- 
junction of  confidence,  in  conformity  with  a  usage  which  has 
prevailed  in  other  committees  of  inquiry  of  the  house,  for  their 
own  convenience,  as  a  rule  binding  on  themselves,  and  with 
the  express   reservation  that  the  adoption  of  this  resolution 
should,  in  no  degrepe,  involve  an  assent  to  the   principle  as- 
serted  in  the  second.     To  that  principle,  viz:  that  no  person 
should   he   permitted  to  attend  during  the  inspection   of  the 
books   of  the   bank,  and  the  examination   of  its  proceedings, 
whose  presence  was  not  required  nor  assented  to  by  the  board, 
the  undersigned  were  strenuously  opposed.     It  was  asserted  as 
a  right  on  the  part  of  the  committee,  and,  (as  the  undersigned 
supposed,  and  the  committee  of  the  directors  of  the  b.ink  ap- 
peared also  to   understand  it),  with   an  intention  to   enforce 
the  riuht.     In   pursuance  of  this   intention,  (as  the   undersign- 
ed  supposed),   the  committee  of  investigation  ceased  to  hold 
their  meetings  in  the  rooms  set  apart  for  them  in  the  banking 
house,  as  soon  as  they  understood  the.  committee  of  the  direc- 
tors of  the  bank  to  claim  Ihe  right  of  being  there  present  with 
their  books,  during  the  inspection  of  the  samp.     It  is  true  that, 
by  a  Fubsequent  resolution,  the  committee  of  Ihe  house  of  re- 
presentatives  disclaimed  having  decided  that  they   should,  in 
point  of  fact,  exclude  the  directors  from   UIP  room,  during  the 
inspection  of  the  books;  but  they  persevered  in  Ihe  aserlion  of 
the  right  to  do  so,  as  appears  from  the  documents  appended  to 
this  report. 

This  claim  was  regarded  by  the  undersigned,  ns  bring  with- 
out foundation  and  objectionable.  In  the  first  place,  as  has 
been  observed,  they  believed  it  to  be  contrary  to  the  lex  jiarlia- 
menfaria  for  a  committee  of  inquiry,  on  its  own  authority,  to 


claim  the  right  of  holding  its  sittings,  except  when  deliberating 
and  voting,  in  secret.  It  can  only  be  constituted  a  secret  com- 
mittee by  express  order  of  the  house.  Secondly,  this  principle 
involved  the  right  of  withdrawing  the  books  of  the  hank  from 
the  custody  of  the  directors,  and  taking  thr-m  into  ths  posses- 
sion of  Ihe  committee  of  investigation.  This  is  a  power  not 
given  by  the  charter,  which,  as  far  as  the  books  are  concerned, 
authorises  a  committee  only  "to  inspect  the  books."  A*  the 
right  thus  reserved  by  the  charter  to  congress  it  is  not  only  one  of 
the  conditions  of  an  agreement,  but  is  in  derogation  of  the  rights 
and  liberties  of  the  citizen,  and  could  not  be  claimed  at  com- 
mon law,  and  its  exercise  at  best,  and  under  any  circumstance?, 
must  be  hiahly  incommodious,  and  create  a  serious  interruption 
of  the  business  of  the  bank,  it  should  be  construed  rather  strict- 
ly than  liberally,  and  not  draw  with  it,  by  implication,  any 
thing  not  necessary  for  its  exercise.  The  entire  confidence, 
which  the  undersigned  feel,  in  the  liberality  and  magnanimity 
of  their  colleagues,  so  to  conduct  the  inspection,  as  to  cause 
the  least  possible  inconvenience  to  the  officers  of  the  hank, 
could  not  authorise  an  acquiescence  in  a  claim  of  right  wholly 
to  obstruct  and  bring  to  a  stop  the  ordinary  proceedings  of  the 
bank;  in  fact,  to  suspend  the  chatter. 

It  was  a  claim  to  take  the  books  out  of  the  possession  of  tho 
directors  into  t),e  possession  of  (lie  committee,  to  detain  them 
as  long  as  they  pleased,  to  carry  them  whither.-oever  they 
pleased,  (a  ris-ht  afterward*  more  distinctly  asserted  and  at- 
tempted to  be  enforced),  and  to  put  them  to  whatever  n-e  the 
committee,  in  their  uncontrolled  discretion,  might  think  'proper. 
The  undersigned  a-rain  repeat,  that  it  derogates  in  no  degree 
from  the  objectionable  character  of  this  claim,  to  ur^e,  that  the 
books  ofthe  bank,  thus  taken  from  the  possession  of  the  direc- 
tors, could  have  been  put  to  no  unworthy  use  by  the  committee 
of  inve.tiiMtion.  Such  an  idea  could  only  susiest  itself  to  be 
repudiated.  It  is  tufficipnt  objection  that  they  would  have 
been  put  out  ofthe  custody  of  those  respon>ilile  to  the  stock- 
holders for  their  safe  keeping.  The  most  improper  n>e  to 
which  the  books,  or  any  other  property  of  an  individual  or  a 
corporation,  can  be  put,  is,  to  take  them  away  from  their  richt- 
ftil  owner  and  lawful  guardian.  I  may  think  I  can  take  better 
care  of  rny  neighbor's  property  than  he  does  himself,  but  I  may 
not  therefore  take  it  from  him,  and  administer  it,  even  for  hi* 
own  good;  far  less  may  I  lake  it,  without  warrant  of  law.  in 
order  to  extract  from  its  unlawful  use,  matter  to  lie  used,  dirert- 


,  ,  - 

commiuee  of  investigation,  expressing,  at  the  same  time,  their  I  ly  or  by  consequence,  for  his  crimination.    The  books  belong 


NILES'  REGISTER—  MAY  31,  1834—  REPORTS  ON  TUB  U.  STATES  BANK. 


to  the  stockholders  of  the  hank,  mirl  are,  by  them,  entrusted  to  i  can  bntel,  a  public  house  of  prcat  runort  hi  Philadelphia.     Th« 
tile  directors.     They  do  not  belong  ID  Ilie  IKMISI;  of  represunta-     undersigned  opposed  this  requisition,  Ironi  the  belief  that  it  was 


lives,  nor  lu  any  committee  ol'lhal  house;  and  ii  ri^hl  to  inspect 
llieiu  no  more  involves  a  n^lit  to  take  posscsfion  ol'tliem,  Ihan 
a  right  to  count  tin:  money  in  (In:  vault.-  involves  a  righl  to  take 
possession  ot'il.  It  i.s  a  CUM:  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  stale 
hanks,  that  committees  are  .sent  to  visit  them,  and,  among  other 
things,  lo  count  the  specie  in  their  vaults.  Should  such  a  coin 
mittee  claim  the  rijht  of  going  into  the  vaults  alone,  and  count 
ing  tin;  money,  without  the  presence  ol  the  directors  of  the 
bank,  or  their  authorised  agents,  it  would  on  thoughl  a  very 
unwarrantahle  claim;  and  no  personal  confidence,  reposed  in 
the  honor  and  probity  of  the  committee,  would  render  such  a 
claim  at  all  Hie  less  unwarrantahle. 

But  Hie  attempt  to  fortify  the  right  of  taking  possession  of  the 
hooks,  hy  urging  that,  in  Us  exercise,  it  would  not  have  hecn 
abused,  wholly  fails,  In  the  apprehension  of  the  undersigned, 
because  they  deem  that  the  use  which  was  avowedly  to  be 
made  of  Ihein,  was  the  greatest  possible  abuse.  It  was  intend- 
ed to  employ  them  for  the  purpose  of  a  general  search,  not  only 
to  ascertain,  in  the  most  general  lorm,  whether  the  charter  of 
the  bank  bad  been  violated,  but  also  what  corruptions,  abuses 
and  malpractices  had  taken  place  in  its  management;  and  this, 
hy  way  of  inquiry,  among  other  things,  whether  a  criniinaj  pro 
secution,  in  legal  form,  shoirid  be  instituted,  (see  resolution  of 
committee  of  investigation  of  7th  of  May),  in  which  prosecu- 
tion the  directors,  called  lo  submit  the  books,  would  have  been  spectfully  declining 
the  party  implicated.  tempt  of  the  house. 

The  iindemgned  believe,  that,  in  a  land  of  constitutional 
liberty  and  law.  it  can  need  but  little  argument  to  show  that  a 
claim,  on  the  part  of  a  committee  of  either  house  of  congress, 
acting  in  virtue  of  the  general  parliamentary  power  of  inquiry, 
to  demand,  as  a  matter  of  right,  the  production,  and  to  take 
possession  of,  the  books  and  papers  belonging  loan  individual 
or  a  corporation,  in  order  to  search  therein  for  matter  on  which 
to  found  a  criminal  procedure  against  said  individual  or  corpo- 
ration, is  a  claim  at  once  of  the  most  unfounded  and  pernicious 
character.  They  Confidently  believe  that  no  court  of  justice  in 
the  United  States,  or  any  other  free  country,  has  ever  claimed 
such  a  power  as  a  right,  or  attempted,  in  point  of  fact  to  exe- 
cute it.  They  have  never  heard  of  any  statute  which  gives  this 
power  to  any  court  or  other  tribunal.  And  they  would  deem 
the  assumption  of  such  a  power,  by  eithtr  house  Ckf  congress,  as 
an  incident  of  the  general  powers  of  the  house,  and,  resting  OH 
the  lex  parliamentaria,  as  unwarrantable,  and  in  the  highest 
degree  dangerous. 

3.  The  committee  having  withdrawn  from  the  occupation  of 
the  room  in  the  banking  house,  for  the  reason  stated,  adopted  a 
resolution  requiring  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  to 
submit  certain  of  the  books  of  the  bank  to  the  inspection  of  the 
committee,  at  their  room  in  the  North  American  hotel.     (See 
doc.  No.  25).    With  this  requisition  the  committee  of  the  direc- 
tors declined  complying,  for  reasons  which  appear  in  their  re- 
solutions adopted  May  the  3d.     (Document  No.  30).     The  un- 
dersigned regarded  this  resolution  of  the  committee  as  open  to 
the  objections  already  urged  against  an  ex  parte  inspection  of 
the  books,  and  to  others  peculiar  to  itself.     By  its  terms,  the 
president  and  directors  are  required  to  submit  certain  of  their 
books  to  the  inspection  of  the  committee  at  the  North  American 
hotel.     If,  by  the  term  required,  nothing  is  to  be  understood  but 
n.  request,  with  which  the  directors  of  the  bank  were  at  liberty 
to  decline  a  compliance,  they  were  of  course  free  so  to  decline, 
and  their  doing  so,  argues  no  contempt  of  the  house.     But  the 
majority  of  the  committee  evidently  regarded,  as  in  some  way 
obligatory,  the  demand  for  the  production,  at  their  hotel,  of  cer- 
tain of  the  books  of  the  bank.     Such  a  demand  the  subscribers 
deemed  to  be  unauthorised.     If  valid,  in  reference  lo  the  books 
named  in  the  requisition,  it  wan  of  course  valid  as  to  all   the 
books  of  the  bank  and  all  its  branches;  which,  by  parity  of  right, 
the  commiltee  might  have  required  to  be  brought  to  their  lodg- 
ings, and  there  detained  and  used  at  their  pleasure.     The  ques- 
tion whether  (supposing  them  brought  to  the  commitlee's  room 
at  the  North  American  hotel)  they  should  there  be  submitted  in 
person  by  the  directors,  or  inspected  ex  juirte  by  the  committee 
of  investigation,  was  not  distinctly  raised.     But  considering 
that  the  committee  ceased  to  hold  their  meetings  at  the  banking 
house,  precisely  because  the  directors  insisted  on  their  submit- 
ting the  books  for  inspection  in  person,  it  appeared  to  the  un- 
dersigned  that,  whether  exercised  or  not,  the  right  of  an  ex 
parte  inspection  was  designed  to  be  reserved,  and  that  the  in 
sprction  was  required  to  he  bad  at  the  private  room  of  the  com- 
mittee, to  enable  the  committee,  if  they  deemed  it  expedient 
to  act  on  that  reservation.     All  the  objections,  therefore,  whicl 
lie  to  an  ex  parte  inspection   in  the  hanking  house,  hold  will 
equal  force  to  an  ex  pnrtc  inspection  out  of  it. 

In  addition  to  this,  the  requisition  of  the  books,  to  be  carrioi 
away  from  the  banking  house,  appeared  to  the  undersigned,  fo 
other  reasons,  of  an  inadmissible  character.  It  was  to  tak 
them  away  from  the  place  where  the  important  interests  of  th 
bank  require  them  to  be,  and  to  he  used.  It  was  to  expos 
them  to  the  risks  of  transportation  through  the.  streets,  and  d<; 
tention  in  piivate  rooms,  not  constructed  for  the  safe  preserva 
lion  of  valuable  papers.  While  it  is  the  constant  practice  < 
individuals  to  deposite  for  safe  keeping  valuable  books  and  pa 
pers  in  the  vaults  of  the  bank,  the  bank  was  requited  to  remov 
its  own  books  and  papers,  containing  the  evidence  of  pecuniar 
transactions  to  the  amount  of  several  hundreds  of  millions  o 
dollars  annually,  to  the  committee's  room  in  the  North  Amer 


totally  beyond  the  authority  of  the  hou-e;  and  they  should  hav 


deeply  regretted  a  compliance  with  it  by  the  bankj  which  would 
have  devolved  on  the  committee  the  care  and  responsibility  of 
a  di.posite  so  delicate  and  valuable. 

By  the  2:id  section  of  the  charier,  whenever  a  tcire  facial 
against  the  bank  is  sued  out  of  the  circuit  court  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, it  shall  be  '-lawful  for  the  court,  in  examining  into  the 
truth  of  the  alleged  violation  of  the  charter,  to  require  the  pro- 
duction of  such  of  the  books  of  the  bank  as  it  may  deem  neces- 
sary to  the  ascertainment  of  the  controverted  facts."  Thig  is 
the  only  ease  in  winch  the  contract  between  the  government 
and  the  stockholders  authorises  a  requisition  of  the  books;  and 
this  cautious  authority,  granted  by  law  to  one  of  the  high  judi- 
cial tribunals  of  the  country,  on  an  examination  into  an  alleged 
violation  of  the  charter,  to  require  the  production  of  the  books 
which  it  may  deem  necessary  to  the  ascertainment  of  contro- 
verted facts,  sufficiently  disproves  by  exclusion,  the  grant  of 
any  similar  or  additional  power,  of  the  same  kind,  to  any  other 
tribunal.  That  the  house  of  representatives,  independent  of 
the  charter  has  a  right,  by  one  of  its  committees,  to  require  the 
production  of  any  or  all  of  the  books  of  the  bank  at  the  lodg- 
ing- of  the  said  committee,  or  any  where  else,  the  undersigned 
cannot  hiing  themselves  to  admit.  At  all  events,  as  no  autho- 
ritative form  was  given  to  the  requisition,  the  directors,  in  re- 
spectfully declining  lo  comply,  are  of  course  guilty  of  no  con- 
mpt  of  the  house. 

4.  After  the  directors  of  the  bank  had  declined  a  compliance 
with  the  requisition  of  their  books  to  be  produced  at  the  North 
American  hotel,  the  committee  of  investigation,  on  the  5th  of 
May,  adopted  a  resolution   (see  document  No.  32)  that  they 
would  repair  to  the  banking  house,  at  one  o'clock  of  that  day, 
to  inspect  the  books  specified  in  the  resolution  of  the  28th,  and 
such  others  as  they  might  require  to  be  produced.     A  copy  of 
this  resolution  was  senl  to  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of 
the  directors,  hut  reached  him  at  his  dwelling  house,  at  a  time 
when  the  committee  of  the  directors  was  not  in  session,  and  a 
short  time  before  the  hour  named  in  the  resolution  of  the  com- 
mittee of  investigation.     He  immediately  informed  the  chair- 
man of  the  committee  of  the  house  by  letter,  that  it  would  bn 
impracticable  to  reassemble  the  commillee  of  ihe  directors  in 
season  lo  submit  the  books  for  inspection  that  day,  but  that 
they  would  be  reassembled  without  unnecessary  jlelay.     The 
committee,  however,  deemed  it  expedient,  for  the   purpose  of 
making  up  an  issue,  to  repair  to  the  banking  house  at  the  hour 
named,  and  then  and  there  to  call  on  the  president  and  cashier 
of  the  bank  to  submit  certain  of  their  books  to  the  committee. 
This  accordingly  took  place,  first  in  the  large  hall  of  the  bank- 
ing house,  and  lhen,by  repetition,  in  the  president's  room.    The 
president  and  cashier  declined  a  compliance  with  this  request, 
n  the  ground  that  they  had,  neither  of  them,  the  custody  of 
or  control  over  the  books  and  papers;  the  general  cusiody  of 
le  same  being  with  the  board  of  directors,  who  had  already 
pprised  the  committee  of  the  house,  that  they  had  placed  them 
nder  the  direction  of  a  committee,  to  be  by  that  committee 
ubmitted  for  inspection,  and  that  they  (ihe  president  and  ca- 
hier)  were  therefore  unable  to  comply  with  the  demand  of  the 
ommittee  of  investigation.    This  demand,  and  the  answer  to 
t,  were  then  reduced  to  writing,  and  will  be  found  among  the 
>apcrs  (Nos.  35,  36)  appended  to  this  report. 

This  proceeding  was  but  a  repetition,  in  a  form  a  little  va- 
ied.  of  the  attempts  before  made  to  acquire  the  means  of  con- 
lurting  Ihe  inspection  of  the  books,  apait  from  those  to  whom 
he  directors  had  confided  the  duty  of  submitling  them  to  the 
commillee  of  the  house  of  representatives.  It  was  avowedly 
ntended  only  to  make  up,  in  another  form,  the  issue  which  it 
was  supposed  would  he  created  between  the  bank  and  the  com- 
nillee  of  invesligalion,  by  ihe  failure  of  the  committee  to  ob- 
tain the  books  thus  required  of  the  president  and  cashier.  It 
was  known  to  the  committee  of  the  house  that  the  directors, 
iy  an  authentic  act,  of  which  a  copy  had  been  communicated, 
lad  placed  the  books  at  the  disposal  of  the  committee  of  the 
joard,  to  be  by  them  submitted  in  person  for  inspection.  The 
said  commitlee  of  ihe  directors  had  twice  positively  made 
known  their  inability  to  depart  from  the  instiuclions  of  the 
board  in  this  respect.  The  committee  of  the  house.were  ap- 
prised that  the  books  asked  for  were  not,  tinder  the  instructions 
of  the  board,  at  the  voluntary  disposal  of  the  president  and  ca- 
shier, and  the  demand  made  of  these  officers  by  the  committee 
in  person,  at  the  bank,  was  not  of  the  nature  of  a  legal  process 
to  compel  their  production,  supposing  them  to  have  been  rfe 
fitcto  in  the  keeping  of  the  said  officers.  For  these  considera- 
tions, the  undersigned  opposed  Ihe  personal  demand  for  the 
production  of  the  books  now  under  consideration,  as  a  measure 
which  must,  for  the  reason  staled,  prove  ineffectual,  unneces- 
sary for  the  making  up  of  the  desired  issue,  and  open  lo  the  ob- 
jection of  wearing  a  vexatious  appearance.  To  make  a  third 
application  for  a  voluntary  submission  of  the  books  in  a  man- 
ner which  it  was  Known  was  deemed  inadmissible,  at  the  same 
time  that  no  recourse  was  had  to  compulsory  process,  could 
not  but  have  the  effect,  though  certainly  not  so  intended,  of 
gratuitously  throwing  upon  the  directors  the  odium  of  repeated 
refusals  of  the  request*  of  the  committee  of  the  house.  How- 
ever this  may  be,  as  the  fact  is  undoubted  that  the  directors  had 
placed  the  books  under  the  control  of  the  committee  of  the 
board;  as  their  right  to  do  ,«o  is  unquestionable;  as  the  chairman 
of  the  committee  of  the  directors  bad  apprised  the  chairman  of 


NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  31,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK. 


the  committee  of  investigation  that  the  former  could  not  be  re- 
assembled at  the  very  short  notice  given,  but  should  be  so, 
without  unnecessary  delay,  to  submit  the  hooks  for  inspection; 
as  the  books  were  not,  in  point  of  fact,  in  possession  of  the  offi- 
cers called  on;  tUe  undersigned  feel  confident  that,  in  respect- 
fully declining  to  produce  them,  those  officers  were  guilty  of  no 
contempt  of  the  authority  of  the  house. 

5.  But  whatever  difference  oi  opinion  might  at  the  first  have 
existed  between  th«  committee  of  the  house  and  the  committee 
of  the  directors  as  to  the  propriety  of  permitting  the  latter  to  re- 
tain the  custody  of  the  books,  and  submit  them  in  person  to  the 
committee  of  the  house,  further  consideration  appears  to  have 
led  the  committee  ot  the  house  to  admit  the  reasonableness 
this  mode  of  conducting  the  investigation,  so  far  at  least  as 
acquiesce  in  it — a  consideration  which  exonerates  the  directo 
from  any  charge  of  contempt  in  the  course  hitherto  pursued  I 
them.    Accordingly,  without  waiving  their  right  to  require  tl 
production  ot  the  books  at  their  lodgings,  they  repaired  again 
the  banking  house,  to  the  room  set  apart  for  their  accomm 
dation,  and  required  the  production  of  certain  of  the  books 
the  bank. 

It  will  be  observed  that,  up  to  this  time,  nothing  had  been  a 
ranged  as  to  lire  mode  of  conducting  the  inspection  beyond  tl 
single  point,  settled  by  the  acquiescence  of  the  committee  of  tl 
house  of  representatives,  that  the  books  should  be  submitted  i 
person  by  the  committee  of  the  directors.  No  objects  of  ii 
quiry  had  been  announced  by  the  committee  of  investigntioi 
further  than  they  appear  in  the  resolution  of  the  house  und 
which  the  committee  was  raised,  anil  in  the  calls  made  for  ii 
formation,  as  to  a  great  amount  and  variety  of  matters,  as  a| 
pears  from  the  resolutions  in  the  appendix.  The  correspont 
ence  which  had  taken  place  between  the  committees  had  bee 
•confined  almost  exclusively  to  the  single  ground  of  the  cours 
deemed  proper  to  be  pursued  by  the  committee,  to  obtain  pos 
cession  ot  the  books  of  the  bank. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  committee  at  the  hanking  house  on  th 
7th  of  May,  a  call  was  made  on  the  committee  of  the  board,  i 
pursuance  of  the  -following  resolution: 

May  7,  1834. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  will  proceed  to  examine  int 
the  truth  of  the  statement  made  by  the  government  directors  t 
the  president  of  the  United  States  and  to  congress,  and  for  tha 
purpose  will  this  day  call  for  the  production,  for  inspection,  o 
the  minute  books  containing  the  proceedings  of  the  directors  o 
the  bank,  and  the  expense  books  and  vouchers  for  expenses  in 
eurred. 

As  preliminary  to  a  reply  to  this  demand,  the  following  pape 
was  read  by  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the  board: 

May  7,  1834. 

Whereas  it  appears,  from  the  resolution  of  the  house  of  re 
•presentatives  of  the  United  States,  appointing  the  committee  o 
investigation,  that  two  distinct  inquiries  were  contemplated 
one  of  them  directed  to  ascertain  whether  the  charter  had  been 
violated,  and  limited  to  the  nets  of  the  corporation;  and  the 
other  so  very  general  and  indefinite,  as  to  make  it  difficult,  if  no 
impossible,  to  say  whether  it  has  any  limits  at  all,  either  as  to 
the  matters  to  be  inquired  into,  or  the  mode  of  pursuing  the  in 
quiry;  and  whereas  it  appears,  from  calls  made  by  the  commit 
tee  of  investigation,  that  they  have  proposed  a  very  wide  range, 
embracing,  among  other  things,  an  extensive  examination  o 
the  acts,  transactions,  accounts  and  letters  of  individuals,  and 
thus  instituting  a  kind  of  general  search,  which  is  the  more  ob- 
jectionable, because,  if  it  have  any  purpose  at  all,  it  must  be  to 
criminate  those  individuals  as  well  as  the  bank,  and  if  it  have 
not  this  purpose,  it  is  without  any  assignable  object,  and  would 
be  a«  injurious  invasion  of  private  interests;  and  whereas,  un- 
der these  circumstances,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  committee,  by  all 
lawful  means,  to  protect  the  rights  and  sacred  confidence  en- 
trusted to  their  keeping,  and  to  yield  nothing  by  consent  which 
cannot  be  legally  demanded  from  them;  and  whereas,  after  care- 
ful and  anxious  consideration,  they  are  of  opinion  that  the  in- 
quiry can  only  be  rightfully  extended  to  alleged  violations  of 
the  charter,  and  this  inquiry  ought  to  be  conducted  according  to 
some  certain  principles  and  rules:  therefore, 

Retolcei,  That  the  committee  of  investigation  he  respectfully 
required,  when  they  ask  for  books  and  papers,  to  state  speeifi- 
<aMy,in  writing,  the  purposes  for  which  they  are  proposed  to  he 
inspected,  and,  if  it  be  to  establish  a  viol.tiion  of  the  char- 
ter, then  to  state  specifically,  in  writing,  what  are  the  alleged 
or  supposed  violations  of  charter  to  which  the  evidence  is  al- 
legrd,  or  supposed  to  be  applicable. 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  committee,  it  would 
very  much  conduce  to  the  purposes  of  justice,  ns  well  as  to  the 
convenience  of  all  concerned,  if  the  committee  of  investigation 
would  furnish  a  specification  nf  all  the  charges  intended  to  be 
inquired  into;  and  proceed  with  them  in  oriler  ni  statril. 

The  undersigned  opposed  the  call  above  recited,  made  on  the 
7th  May,  for  the  production  of  hooks.  They  feel  themselves, 
therefore,  called  upon  to  explain  briefly  the  considerations 
which  influenced  them.  The  undersigned  IMVP  already  Mated 
that  they  conceived  the  committee,  of  which  they  have  the 
hoRor  to  be  members,  to  be  clothed  with  a  twofold  power,  and 
to  be  competent,  or  rather  required,  by  the  order  of  the  house, 
to  act  in  a  twofold  capacity.  They  were  a  committee  of  visita- 
tion, appointed  under  the  S.Td  section  of  the  charier.  A.i  such, 
they  were  authorised  to  visit  the  bank,  to  inspect  the  books, 
and  to  examine  into  the  proceedings  of  the  bank,  and  report 
whether  the  charter  had  been  violated.  They  were,  also,  a 


committee  of  inquiry  into  the  causes  of  the  present  commercial 
embarrassrnentaHd  pecuniary  distress,  and  into  the  corruptions, 
abuses  and  malpractices  of  the  bank.  In  the  former  capacity, 
they  had  a  right  to  inspect  the  books  of  the  bank.  They  had 
this  right  by  the  charter,  and  would  not  have  had  it  \\  ithout 
the  charter.  In  the  latter  capacity,  they  had  ne  right  to  inspect 
the  books,  unless  voluntarily  submitted  by  the  bank,  because 
the  charter  does  not  give  them  that  right  for  such  purposes. 
The  bank  is  obliged,  by  the  charter,  to  submit  its  books  to  the 
inspection  of  a  committee  of  visitation,  authorised  to  report  if 
the  charter  has  been  violated;  and  it  is  not  bound  to  submit 
them  to  a  committee  of  general  inquest  authorised  to  report  on 
malpractices  and  corruptions.  The  right  of  inspection  possess- 
ed by  the  committee,  as  a  committee  of  visitation,  cannot  be 
used  by  it  in  its  other  capacity  of  a  committee  of  general  inquest 
and  accusation,  as  an  instrument  of  search  alter  crimes  and 
misdemeanor!)  in  general. 

But  the  directors  of  the  bank  had  been  apprised,  at  the  out- 
set, by  the  resolution  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  4th 
of  April,  that  the  committee  was  of  a  twofold  character,  as 
stated.  That  resolution  distinctly  enumerates,  as  objects  of  in- 
quiry, not  only  violations  of  the  charter,  for  which  the  books 
might  be  inspected,  but  various  acts  of  mismanagement  and 
corruption,  for  which  they  might  not  be  inspected,  unless  volun- 
tarily offered  for  that  purpose.  The  committee  of  investigation 
had  addressed  various  calls,  by  way  of  resolution,  to  the  com- 
mittee of  the  directors,  touching  matters  concerning  which  the 
charter  does  not  require  the  bank  to  submit  its  books  for  inspec- 
tion. The  call  of  the  7th  of  May,  on  the  last  visit  to  the  bank- 
ing house,  is  for  certain  of  the  books  of  the  bank,  to  enable  the 
committee  "to  examine  into  the  truth  of  the  statement  made  by 
the  government  directors  to  the  president  of  the  United  States 
and  to  congress."  That  statement  embraces  matters  which 
neither  are,  nor  are  alleged  to  be,  violations  of  the  charter;  and, 
consequently,  in  reference  to  which  the  directors  are  not  re- 
quired to  submit  their  books  for  inspection. 

Had  it  pleased  the  house  of  representatives  to  create  two  com- 
mittees, one  of  visitation,  under  the  twenty-third  section  of  the 
charter,  and  one  of  general  inquiry,  under  the  power  of  the 
house  to  send  for  persons  and  papers,  these  two  committees 
would  not  have  been  authorised  to  amalgamate  nor  interchange 
each  other's  functions.  The  committee  of  charter  visitation 
would  not  have  been  authorised  to  engage  in  a  general  inquisi- 
tion, nor  would  the  committee  of  inquiry  have  been  authorised 
to  demand  the  books  for  inspection. 

But  to  what  avail  I  vis  the  charter  limited  the  objects  for  which 
lh«  books  may  be  inspected,  and  protected  the  corporation,  and 
those  who  transact  business  with  it,  from  the  annoyance  and 
mischiefs  of  a  general  search,  if  a  committee  of  visitation  may 
be  clothed  with  the  functions  of  a  committee  of  general  inqui- 
ry; and,  having  got  the  books  into  their  hands  for  one  purpose 
authorised  by  the  law,  may  use  them  for  another  purpose  not 
authorised  by  law?    It  is  plain  that  if  this  could  be  done,  the 
imitation  of  the  right  of  inspection  would  he  illusory  and  worth- 
ess.     In  order  to  render  the  limitation  efficient,  the  committee 
of  the  directors  required  of  the  committee  of  investigation  to  spe- 
cify the  objects  for  which  they  demanded  the  books.    For  some 
objects  the  demand  of  the  books  was  according  to  law;  for 
Hher  objects,  not  being  hound  by  law  to  yield  them,  the  direc- 
ors  were  at  liberty  to  withhold  them,  or  to  submit  them,  ac- 
:ording  to  their  discretion.     They,  therefore,  needed  a  specifi- 
ation,  to  enable  them  to  discharge  their  duty  under  the  char- 
er,  as  well  as  to  protect  them  in  their  rights;  to  enable  them  to 
istinguish,  in  the  requisitions  of  the  committee  of  investiga- 
ion,  how  much  was  authoritative,  under  the  statute  command- 
ng  obedience;  and  how  much,  not  being  authoritative,  they 
were  at  liberty  to  concede  or  to  withhold. 
There  was  the  more  reason  in  insisting  on  this  right  to  make 
:ie  limitation  on  the  inspection  of  their  hooks  available,  he- 
ause,  as  has  heretofore  been  observed,  the  inspection  itself  is 
n  derogation  of  the  natural  rights  of  the  citizen,  who  ought  not, 
mler  any  circumstances,  to  be  obliged  to  criminate  himself.    It 
leased  the  legislature,  regarding  the  corporation  as  their  own 
?gal  creation,  to  require  them,  when  accused  of  violating  the 
indamental  laws  of  their  existence — the  provisions  of  the  char- 
er— to  submit  their  books  to  a  committee  authorised  to  report 
n  that  fact  alone.     Hut  to  transfer  this  limited  right  ofinspec- 
on  to  other  committees  for  general  powers  of  inquisition,  and 
ir  a  general  purpose  of  enforcing  self-crimination,  is  illegal  and 
nequitahle.     To  do  this  by  indirection:  to  clothe  a  committee 
f  inquiry  with   the  powers  of  a  committee  of  visitation,  and 
ins  in  ai-qnire  a  right  to  open  the  hooks  for  one  object,  and 
if  n  to  inspect  them  for  another,  would  be  to  attempt  loaoeom- 
'ish  an  end  in  itself  unauthorised,  by  mean.-'  peculiarly  unwar- 
intahle. 

For  these  considerations  the  undersigned  regarded  the  direc- 
irs  a>>  justified  in  requiring  of  the  committee  of  the  house  a 
teciflcation  of  the  object*  of  their  inquiry.  The  ground  tnkrn 
v  the  eoniTiiittce  of  the  hoard  is,  as  ihc  house  n'-rreives,  a 
round  of  legal  right,  assumed  by  the  directors,  under  Ihe  rir- 
iniManees  of  the.  rase.  This  is'  the  third  occasion  on  whirh 
IB  bank  has  been  visited  by  committees  of  the  house.  In  the 
•or  1818,  a  eommitiec  was  appointed  to  examine  the  a  (Fairs  of 
e  hank,  then  in  disorder.  Tin;  committee  thus  appointed 
ns,  by  the  terms  of  the  resolution,  directed  to  report  whether 
e  charter  had  been  violated,  and  Ihe  resolution  consisted 
ainly  of  a  specification  of  alleged  violations.  In  executing 
eir  trust,  however,  the  committee  extended  their  inquiries  to 


NILES*  REGISTER— MAY  81,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK.     529 


the  general  management  of  the  bank,  and  examined  its  presi- 
dent, otber  officers,  and  directors,  on  oath.  To  this  course  ol 
inquiry,  the  bank  deemed  it  for  its  interest  to  submit.  The  un- 
dersigned ar«  not  aware  that  any  resistance  was  made  to  the 
demands  of  the  committee.  On  the  contrary,  their  report  closes 
with  the  observation,  that  "it  is  due  to  the  officers  of  the  bank 
at  Philadelphia  to  state  that  every  facility  in  their  power  was 
rendered  in  explaining  the  books  and  assisting  the  researches  ol 
the  committee."  In  one  instance,  in  which  an  individual,  a 
director  of  one  of  the  offices,  charged  with  malpractices,  refuses 
to  testify,  the  committee  observe,  that  they  did  not  insist  on  his 
answeiing,  and  tlmt  they  examined  linn  chiefly  to  enable  him, 
if  he  pleased,  to  exculpate  himself.  This  committee  did  not 
confine  their  examinations  to  the  officers  of  the  bank.  They  ex- 
amined the  teller  of  the  bank  of  North  America,  and  perhaps 
other  persons.  This  circumstance,  and  the  others  mentioned, 
sufficiently  show  that  no  question  as  to  the  extent  of  th«*  powers 
of  the  committee  was  raised  during  the  visitation;  that  the  wit 
nesses  appeared  voluntarily;  that  the  bank  deemed  it  for  its  in- 
terest to  submit  to  the  examination  of  the  committee,  in  any 
form  in  which  the  committee  thought  proper  to  conduct  it;  and 
that  consequently  the  whole  investigation  assumed  the  form  of 
a  parliamentary  inquiry,  conducted  by  the  assent  of  the  parties, 
and  without  any  appeal  to  their  rights. 

The  examination  of  1832  assumed  substantially  the  same 
character.  The  resolution,  under  which  the  committee  was 
raised,  consisted,  as  originally  moved,  of  a  large  detail  of  al- 
leged abuses,  several  of  which  imported  no  violation  of  the 
charter.  The  house  adopted  an  amendment  proposed  to  this 
resolution  by  a  member  from  Massachusetts,  (Mr.  Jldams),  in 
the  following  terms:  "Resolved,  That  a  select  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  inspect  the  books  and  examine  into  the  proceedings 
of  the  bank,  and  report  thereon,  and  to  report  whether  the  pro- 
visions of  the  charter  have  been  violated  or  not."  This  phrase- 
ology appears  to  have  been  derived  from  the  commencing  words 
of  the  report  of  the  committee  of  1818,  which  is  in  the  same 
terms,  and  not  from  the  resolution  by  which  that  committee  was 
created,  and  which  provides  that  a  select  committee  be  appoint- 
ed, "to  inspect  the  books  and  examine  into  the  proceedings  of 
the  bank,  and  report  whether  the  provisions  of  its  charter  have 
been  violated  or  not,  and  particularly  to  report"  as  to  several 
maUlers,  all,  or  nearly  all,  of  which  were  alleged  violations  of 
the  charter.  The  amendment  offered  by  the  member  from  Mas- 
sachuseds,  (Mr.  Mams),  and  adopted  by  the  house,  was  offered 
on  the  ground  that  "the  original  resolution  presented  objects  of 
inquiry  not  authorised  by  the  charter  of  the  bank,  nor  within 
the  legitimate  power  of  the  house."  Butas  it  directed  the  com- 
mittee to  report  generally  on  the  proceedings  of  the  bank,  as 
well  as  on  violations  of  the  charter,  it  was  considered  by  its 
mover,  and  by  many  of  those  who  supported  the  amendment,  as 
authorising  an  inquiry  extending  beyond  violations  of  the  char- 
ter. The  right  to  constitute  an  inquiry  of  this  kind  was  pi!1 


cause  the  directors  of  the  bank  the  greatest  possible  inconrenl- 
ence  and  anxiety.  They  were  regarded  as  men  guilty  of  the 
most  criminal  malpractices,  and  justly  obnoxious  to  the  severest 
treatment  which  it  was  in  the  power  of  the  executive  to  inflict. 
To  all  that  was  officially  done,  was  auperadded  an  unbroken 
strain  of  denunciation  from  the  government  press,  and  threats 
of  a  purpose  to  break  those  branches  of  the  bank  which  were 
SII|I|IIPM-(|  to  In-  feeble.  At  length,  without  previous  autheNtic 
notice,  the  deposites  were  removed,  a  Khort  time  before  the  as- 
sembling of  coiinress.  A  majority  of  members  had  been  elected 
to  the  house  of  representatives,  in  part  previous  to  the  adoption 
of  this  measure,  who  appeared  disposed  to  sustain  the  president 
in  the  policy  he  had  adopted.  By  this  majority,  resolutions  were 
passed  expressive  of  their  opinion  that  the  bank  ought  not  to  be 
rechartered,  and  that  the  deposiies  ought  not  to  be  restored. 
These  resolutions  were  adopted  after  a  protracted  debate  on  the 
general  merits  of  the  controversy,  in  which,  on  the  part  of  those 
who  sustained  the  president,  the  most  unwarrantable  designs 
and  the  most  corrupt  practices  were  freely  ascribed  to  those  en- 
trusted with  the  direction  of  the  bank. 

li  was  under  these  circumstances  that  the  commission  of  in- 
quiry into  the  affairs  of  the  bank  was  instituted.  As  far  as  that 
inquiry  was  of  a  character  in  which  the  bank  was,  by  the  char- 
ter, bound  to  co-operate,  by  submitting  its  books  for  inspection, 
the  directors  have  fully  recognised  their  obligation  to  do  so;  but 
the  undersigned  confess  they  perceive  nothing  in  the  circum- 
stances that  preceded  the  inquiry  which  could  furnish  an  in- 
ducement to  the  bank  to  go  further  than  the  law  requires  of 
them.  By  the  executive  government,  and  the  majority  of  the 
house  of  congress,  their  case  had  been  adjudged.  The  laws 
which  the  wisdom  of  two  former  congresses  enacted  for  erect- 
ing United  States'  banks,  and  of  which  every  department  of  the 
government,  under  every  administration  but  the  present,  has  re- 
cognised the  validity,  have  been  declared  unconstitutional. 
The  present  inquiry  was  not  needed  to  ascertain  if  the  deposites 
should  be  removed;  they  were  removed  many  months  before. 
It  was  not  needed  to  ascertain  whether  they  could  safely  be  re- 
stored; the  house  that  institutes  it  has  resolved  that  they  ought 
not  to  b«  restored.  The  secretary  of  the  treasury  is  left,  without 
the  instructions  of  the  house,  to  deposite  the  public  funds  in  any 
other  bank  he  may  please  to  select,  but  the  house  of  representa- 
tives has  resolved  that  they  ought  not  to  be  deposited  in  the 
bank  of  the  United  States.  Although  the  last  congress,  by  ma- 
jorities of  both  houses,  decided  that  the  bank  ought  to  be  re- 
chartered,  and  the  next  congress  may  be  of  the  same  opinion, 
the  present  house  of  representatives  has  resolved  to  the  contra- 
ry, and,  therefore,  the  inquiry  was  not  needed  to  guide  its  judg- 
ment in  the  recharter  of  the  bank.  Various  misdemeanors  are 
imputed  to  those  who  direct  the  bank;  but  supposing  their  de- 
tection the  object  of  the  investigation,  every  principle  of  justice 
forbids  a  mode  of  inquiry,  beginning  and  proceeding  in  sett- 
crimination.  The  only  other  legitimate  object  which  the  under- 


upon  (he  ground  that  the  bank  was  applying  for  a  recharter,  and  j  signed  can  think  of,  is  that  of  collecting  information  to  guide  th« 
could  not  reasonably  decline  it.  At  that  time,  as  in  1818,  neither  ' 
house  of  congress  had  assumed  a  hostile  position  to  the  bank. 
Its  directors,  as  the  event  proved,  felt  that  they  could  rely  upon 
the  national  legislature  to  do  them  justice  against  any  efforts 
which  might  be  mads  to  impeach  their  character  or  arraign  their 
conduct.  Applicants  for  a  recharter,  they  felt  that  they  could 
not  with  propriety  object  to  any  latitude  of  inquiry  which  might 
be  demanded  by  a  house  of  congress  willing  to  grant  a  rechar- 
ter, provided  the  result  of  the  examination  should  be  satisfacto- 
ry. Accordingly,  the  resolution,  as  amended,  was  understood 
to  extend,  not  merely  to  alleged  violations  of  the  charter,  but  to 
all  alleged  cases  of  official  misconduct;  and,  on  the  arrival  of  the 
committee  in  Philadelphia,  the  directors  of  the  bank,  instead  of 
placing  themselves  upon  their  rights,  ordered  the  president  of 
the  institution  to  submit  all  its  books  and  papers  to  the  uncon- 
ditional inspection  of  the  committee,  and  to  yield  himself  to  an 
unreserved  examination.  The  inquiry  was  pushed  into  every 
matter  of  alleged  abuse,  where  it  was  supposed  the  bank  was 
most  vulnerable.  Nothing  was  spared;  nothing  was  held  back. 
Books  and  papers  were  submitted,  and  personal  examinations 
on  oath  endured,  although  avowedly  for  the  purpose  of  finding 
out,  if  it  existed,  matter  of  inculpation  against  the  directors. 
The  materials  thus  collected  were  spread  before  congress  and 
the  people,  and  a  majority  of  both  houses  of  congress  united  in 
the  passage  of  a  bill  for  rechartering  the  bank. 


The  president  declined  giving  effect  to  the  will  of  congress, 
and  the  bill  failed  to  become  a  law.  The  whole  influence  of  the 
executive  was  exerted  to  the  prejudice  of  the  institution,  and 
the  voice  of  the  administration  press  raised  against  it,  with  a 
concert  and  vehemence  rarely  equalled. 

Doubts  of  the  safety  of  the  public  depositoa  worn  now  suggest- 
ed, and  these  doubts  received  some  sanction  from  the  message 
of  the  president  at  the  opening  of  the  second  session  of  the  last 
congress.  An  executive  agent  was  appointed  to  investigate 
that  subject,  and  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  of  which  a 
majority  was  composed  of  members  friendly  to  the  administra- 
tion, engaged  in  the  same  inquiry.  The  agent  and  the  commit- 
tee reported  in  favor  of  the  solvency  of  the  bank,  and  the  house 
of  representatives,  by  a  majority  unexampled  on  such  a  ques- 
tion, resolved  that  the  public  deposites  could  be  safely  continu- 
ed in  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 

Notwithstanding  this  vote,  the  president  took  immediate 
measures  to  transfer  the  deposites  fo  the  state  hanks.  The  cha- 
racter of  these  measures  is  known  to  the  house.  The  under- 
signed think  themselves  safe  in  saying  that  it  was  Euch  as  to 


juu'grnent  of  the  house  in  the  question  of  a  new  bank,  to  Ire  e 
labiishbd  on  !-he  ruins  of  the  present  institution.    The  dfreelo 
of  the  bank,  in  the  opinion  of  the  subscribers,  may  be  safely  ex- 
pected, on  all  occasions,  td  do  the  duty  of  public  spirited  men  to* 
their  country:  but  no  principle  of  public  duty  fairly  eatte  upon 
them  to  go  further  than  the  law  requires  them,  in  making  therrv- 
selves  the  subjects  of  a  criminatory  inquisition,  with  a  view  to 
build  up  an  institution  to  discharge  that  public  trust  to  which 
they  have  been  declared  unfaithful,  by  those  instituting  the.  in- 
quiry. 

It  is  also  to  be  recollected  that  two  years  had  scarcely  elapsed 
since  the  former  inquiry,  on  which  the  directors  of  the  bank 
had  not  attempted  to  impose  any  limitations;  and  that  in- 
quiry had  resulted  so  entirely  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  two 
houses,  that  they  passed  a  bill  for  renewing  the  charter  of  the 
bank.  It  requires  no  words  to  show  that  such  an  examination 
must  be  highly  inconvenient  to  the  officers  of  the  bank,  and  in- 
commode them  in  the  orderly  discharge  of  their  duties.  Still 
graver  inconvenience  may  be  expected  to  result  from  the  effect 
on  the  public'  mind,  in  reference  to  the  bank,  which  may  be 
produced  by  the  recurrence  of  such  visitations.  In  the  pro- 
gress of  the  controversy  waged  with  the  bank,  a  few  new  mat- 
ters of  detail  may  perhaps  have  been  alleged  against  it  since  the 
report  of  the  former  committee,  but,  many  of  the  matters  of  ge- 
neral inculpation  now  brought  forward  are  those  sifted  to  the 
bottom  by  that  committee,  and  none  of  them  possess  a  novelty 
and  importance,  furnishing,  in  the  judgment  of  the  undersigned, 
an  equitable  ground  for  a  new  investigation.  Is  there  to  be  no 
end  to  visitations?  The  house  has  the  undoubted  right  to  insti- 
tute them  as  often  as  it  pleases — every  year,  and  every  month; 
but  if  they  are  multiplied  unreasonably,  the  directors  of  the 
bank,  as  it  seems  to  the  undersigned,  are  not  to  be  blamed  if  at 
length  they  put  themselves  upon  their  rights,  decline  to  become 
voluntary  parties  to  these  investigations,  and  submit  to  them 
only  as  far  as  the  charter  requires. 

These  considerations  led  the  undersigned  to  the  opinion  that 
the  committee  of  the  directors  of  the  bank  were  justified  in  the 
course  adopted  by  them  on  this  occasion.  If,  on  a  question  of 
law  so  grave  and  delicate,  the  committee  of  the  directors  should 
have  come  to  an  erroneous  conclusion,  (which  the  undersigned, 
however,  do  not  admit  to  be  the  case),  it  would  seem  an  undue 
severity  to  consider  and  to  treat  such  error  in  judgment  as  a 
contempt  of  the  authority  of  the  house. 

6.  This  reflection  leads  the  undersigned  to  a  few  observations 
on  the  various  calls  for  copies  or  portions  of  the  books,  state- 


3*0     NILES'  REGISTER— MAY  31,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK. 


ments,  documents,  abstracts  and  other  papers,  which,  at  differ- 
ent times,  were  made  on  the  bank  by  resolutions  of  tlie  com- 
mittee. These  resolutions  were  numerous,  and  covered  a  wide 
range  of  inquiry  of  the  most  miscellaneous  character.  A  por- 
tion of  them  are  believed  lo  call  I'nr  documents,  i"  whole  or  in 
part,  already  communicated  to  congress,  and  published;  ano- 
ther portion  relating  lo  mailers  which  could  not  be  stand  with- 
out great  labor  of  compilation,  and  a  resort  to  sources  of  know- 
ledge not  necessaiily  nor  officially  in  the  possession  of  the  b  ink. 
Some  of  the  calls  referred  lo  matters  with  resyccl  to  which  no 
desire  of  concealment  could,' on  any  hypothesis,  be  imputed  to 
the  bank;  others  related  to  concerns  (as  the  undersigned  will 
presently  show)  involving  the  highest  confidence  or  individual', 
and  not  to  be  divulged,  except  under  legal  compulsion,  without 
the  grossest  breach  of  faith. 

The  answer  of  the  committee  of  the  directors  to  these  requi- 
sitions was  in  the  following  terms: 

Resolved,  That  the  board  do  not  feel  themselves  at  liberty  to 
comply  with  the  requirement  ol  the  resolutions  of  the  commit- 
Ue  of  investigation  of  the -29th  Hit.  and  1st  instant,  and  do  not 
think  they  are  bound  to  do  so,  inasmuch  as,  in  respect  to  a  part 
of  the  papers  called  for,  the  effect  would  be  the  same  as  the 
surrender  of  their  books  and  papers  to  a  secret  and  ex  parte  ex- 
amination, which  they  have  already  refused  to  consent  to;  and 
as  to  the  other  part,  they  relate  to  matters  over  which  the  board 
have  no  control;  and  if  they  could  overcome  these  objections, 
and  had  the  power  over  all  the  papers,  still  it  would  be  impos- 
sible for  them  to  comply  within  any  reasonable  time,  h.ivini 
ascertained,  by  a  careful  examination,  that  the  copies  and  state- 
ments called  for  by 'the  resolutions  of  the  29lh  ultimo,  alone 
would  require  the  uninterrupted  labor  of  two  clerks  for  at  leas 
ten  month.*,  to  make  them  out,  and  that  the  remaining  rcsolu 
lions,  so  far  as  they  concern  matters  not  beyond  the  reach  o 
the  board,  would  require  great  additional  time,  which  they  are 
not  able  exactly  to  compute,  without  causing,  what  they  fea 
would  be  an  inconvenient  delay  to  the  committee  of  investiga 
tion;  and  they  take  it  for  granted  that  it  would  no  more  com 
port  with  the  views  of  the  committee  of  investigation  to  wai 
till  so  distant  a  period,  than  it  would  with  the  rights  of  the  bank 
to  have  such  a  burden  imposed  upon  it. 

If  the  application  of  the  committee  of  the  house  be  regarded 
according  to  its  terms,  as  a  mere  request,  it  was  of  course  com 
petent  to  the  directors  respectfully  to  decline  a  compliance  wit 
it.    It  can  be  no  contempt  of  the  house,  nor  even  matter  of  com 
plaint  or  ground  of  prejudice,  that  any  request,  which  is  mere! 
i<ucli,  is  respectfully  declined  by  the  party  to  which  it  is  at 
dressed.     But  the  committee  of  the  directors  appear  to  have  re 
garded   it  as  a  matter  of  duty,  not  to  return  a  naked  refusal  t 
the  requisition  of  the  committee  of  investigation.    The  reason 
of  ibis  refusal  are  stated,  and  they  appear  to  the  undersigned  t 
be  valid.     Reference  to  the  resolutions  in  the  appendix  will  er 
able  the  house  to  judge  of  this  matter.    The  reasons,  as  ha 
been  seen,  are,  that  to  comply  with  a  part  of  these  resolutions  i 
would  be,  in  effect,  to  cnpy  or  abstract  an  essential  part  of  some 
of  the  books  of  the  hank,  in  order  to  their  being  made  the  sub- 
jects of  a  private  and  ex  parle  examination;  a  measure  so  much 
the  more  objectionable,  as  it  would  add  the  inconvenience  of 
preparing  the  copy  to  all  the  oilier  evils  incident  to  such  inspec- 
tion.    Another  portion  of  the  calls  related  to  matters  of  fact,  in 
no  way  appearing  on  the  books  of  the  bank,  and  not  to  he  as- 
certained but  from  sources  of  information  no  more  accessible 
to  the  directors  than  to  any  other  individual.     Those  objections 
were,  of  themselves,  particularly  the  first,  decisive.     In  addi- 
tion to  this,  it  appeared,  from  a  careful  examination,  instituted 
for  that  purpose,  that  the  answers  to  the  first  series  of  calls 
could  not  he  prepared  wihoiit  the  uninterrupted  labor  of  two 
clerks  for  at  least  ten  months. 
The  iiiidersiened  are  unwilling  to  tnke  up  the  time  of  the 


uch  persons,  whose  notes  have  been  renewed  after  the  same 
ad  become  due  and  not  protested  or  renewed,  with  the  name* 
('individuals,  parties  to  said  renewals,  whose  notes  were  undt  I 
rotest  at  the  lime  such  renewals  were  made;  and,  also,  wlie- 
ier  such  loans  in  each  case  were  made  by  the  directors  or 
llierwise,  and  by  what  authority." 

The  undersigned  suppose  it  impossible  to  mistake  the  general 
urport  of  calls  like  these.     From  their  minuteness  »f  spccifica- 
lon,  they  may  be  supposed  to  aim  at  particular  individuals.    Of 
ny  such"  reference  the  undersigned  art-  without  accurate  know- 
i-iige;  and  nothing  is  further  irom  Iheir  design  Ihan  to  impute 
o  their  respected  colleagues  the  pursuit  of  any  iinparliamrnl.t- 
y  or  improper  object.     They  cheerfully  concede  lo  them  what 
hey  claim  for  themselves,  to  have  acted  with  a  single  eye  to 
iiiblic  duty,  in  their  apprehension  of  it.     But  the  undersigned 
,re  free  to" confess,  thai  they  regard  the  undeniable  purpbitof 
esoliitions  like  those  repeated,  as  highly  objectionable.     They 
eem   to  them  to  convey  a  general  insinuation  out  of  place, 
,bove  the  region  of  the  partisan  press.    The  charge  suggested 
_s  that  of  bribery  and  corruption,  so  common  as  to  authorise  a 
general  search.    This  is  a  crime,  unquestionably,  which  may, 
('sufficient  grounds  exist,  be  rightfully  charged  on  any  director 
of  the  bank  ."or  member  of  congress;  but  which  the  undersigned 
regard  as  far  too  serious  to  be  thus  charged  without  such  strong 
grounds  of  presumption.     It  is  true  that  it  might  seem  gratui- 
tous, in  the  undersigned,  to  be  over  forward  in  repelling  such  a 
charge.    In  the  existing  division  of  parties,  they  and  their  politi- 
cal friends  are  not  found  on  that  side  of  the  house,  which  il  was 
necessary  for  the  bank  to  buy  or  bribe.     The  honorable  and 
high- minded    men  who  compose   the  majority  in   the  house, 
politically  attached  to  the  administration,  and  opposed  lo  the 
bank,  do  not  need  the  aid  of  the  undesigned  lo  show  Iht-  in- 
justice of  a  general   imputation  upon  their  characters.      But 
something  unquestionably  is  due  to  the  general  reputation  of 
the  two  houses  of  congress.    If  individuals  are, on  clear  grounds, 
suspected  of  being  thus  corrupted;  if  the  b, ink,  on  reasonable 
grounds,  is  suspected  of  this  highest  breach  of  privilege,  let  the 
individuals  criminated  be  named;  the  charge  be  slaurt  in  form; 
the  culprit  brought  to  the  bar  of  the  house;  and  the  guilty  pun- 
ished.    But  let  not  the  whole  body  of  both  houses  be  involved 
in  one  indiscriminate  and  odious,  because  vague  and  anony- 
mous delation. 

As  for  the  call  for  the  correspondence  of  all  members  of  con- 
gress with  the  bank  for  the  last  two  years,  and  particularly  for 
copies  of  all  unanswered  letters,  the  undersigned  could  not  but 
regard  it  with  painful  feelings.  Public  life,  already  sufficiently 
discredited  by  the  fierceness  of  parly  warfare,  will  cease  to  be 
a  pursuit  for  those  who  have  not  lost  all  taste  for  the  social 
charities,  if  the  sanctuary  of  private  intercourse  and  private  cor- 
respondence is  to  be  invaded  at  pleasure,  and  every  letter,  an- 
swered or  unanswered,  which  may  have  been  written  by  an  in- 
dividual who  has  the  misfortune  to  be  a  member  of  congress, 
(for  a  great  misfortune  under  such  circumstances  it  would  be), 
s  subject  to  be  brought  up  by  the  drag-net  of  a  general  search. 
It  was  declared  by  Mr.  Dunning,  in  the  famous  case  of  Money 
and  others  agaiiiil  1, each,  that  "to  ransack  private  studies,  in 
order  to  search  for  evidence,  and  even  without  a  previous  charge, 
on  oath,  is  contrary  to  natural  justice,  as  well  as  to  the  liberty 
of  the  subject.  To  search  a  man's  private  papers,  ad  libitum, 
and  even  without  accusation,  is  an  infringement  of  the  natural 
rights  of  mankind."  (3  Bur.  1762).  It  was  not  the  least  detes- 
table of  the  cruel  violations  of  justice  and  law  which  brought 
Sidney  to  the  block,  that  he  perished  in  consequence  of  the  dis- 
covery of  a  manuscript  political  treatise,  brought  lo  light  by  a 
general  search  among  the  papers  in  his  cabinet. 

The  undersigned  perceive  no  more,  right  in  a  committee  of 
this  house  to  call  for  the  Idlers  which  may  have  been  written 
by  a  member  of  congress  to  an  officer  of  the  hank,  on  the  sub- 


house  by  a  particular  examination  of  each  of  the  resolutions, 
but  they  feel  themselves  required  to  express  their  opinion  of  a 
portion  of  them.  They  will  refer  first  to  those  which  call  for 
information  touching  the  transactions  of  members  of  congress 
with  Hie.  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  the  correspondence  of 
members  of  congress  with  officers  of  the  bank. 

One  of  the  resolutions  alluded  to  is  in  the  following  term-: 
"Retained,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be 
requested  to  furnish  the  committee  with  copies  of  nil  corres- 
pondence between  the  president  of  the  hank  or  any  of  iis  offi- 
cers and  members  of  congress,  or  of  unanvrercil  li-ttm  rer-eivi  d 
from  any  one  of  them  since  the  lir-t  day  of  July,  lrst->,  touching; 
the  renewal  of  the  charter  of  Ihe  bank,  the  removal  or  restora- 
tion of  the  public  dpposites,  or  touching  the  business  transac- 
tions of  such  ineinhcrs  with  said  bank.7' 

Another  of  the  resolutions  alluded  lo  is  in  the  following  terms: 
"Resolved,  Thai  the  president  and  director*  of  tiie  bank  be 
requested  to  furnish  this  committee  with  a  detailed  statement 
of  all  loans  made  since  the  1st  of  January,  1^-0,  to  individuals, 
who  then  were,  who  have  been  since,  and  w'n>  now  arc,  mem- 
bers of  congress,  statin-;  the  amount  of  each  loan,  when  the 
same  was  made,  for  what  term  the  security  was  given,  and  the 
time  when  such  security  was  received:  and  al.«o  the  security 
which  the  bank  now  holds',  and  HIP  amount  now  owing  by  am 
and  each  of  such  borrowers,  or  other  person  for  the  benefit  o 
such  borrowers,  at  the  bank,  or  either  of  ttie  branche-:  am 
stating,  also,  the  particulars  of  any  such  loans,  which  have  been 
protested,  or  which  arc  now  under  prote-t.  and  lh»  names  o 
the  parties  to  any  such  debts;  also  the  nauies;  i(  any,  of  any 


ject  of  a  renewal  of  the  charter,  than  to  call  for  his  letters  to 
any  other  person  on  any  other  subject.  Undoubtedly  it  is  con- 
ceivable that  such  a  letter  might  become  legal"  evidence,  in  a 
process  of  attachment,  for  breach  of  privilege,  and  in  that  case 
might  be  called  for  and  used.  So  might  any  letter  in  any  cri- 
minal cause.  It  is  conceivable  that  a  man's  letter  to  his  wife 
or  child  might  become  legal  evidence  in  a  capital  trial;  and  ii> 
that  case,  if  it  were  in  (he  possession  of  a  third  person,  the 
court  would  compel  its  production.  But  the  undersigned  aic 
of  opinion  that  a  general  warrant  to  compel  the  production  of 
all  the  letters  which  may  have  been  written  by  a  class  of  indi- 
viduals for  two  years,  in  order  to  a  search  of  the  same,  with  ;i 
view  to  the  institution  of  a  criminal  prosecution  against  tho 
writers,  or  receivers,  is  now  for  the  first  time  attempted  to  be 
made,  in  virtue  of  (he  authority  of  a  parliamentary  body. 

It  is  one  of  the  infirmities  of  our  nature,  that,  in  the  ardent 
pursuit  of  ends,  w'hich,  as  individuals  or  members  of  a  party, 
we  think  justifiable,  we  sometimes  go  far  beyond  the  line  of 
justice,  as  we  should  understand  it  in  our  own  case.  To  (hose 
who,  in  the  ardor  of  a  protracted  controversy,  have  become 
wrought  up  to  the  belief  that  the  bank  ami  all  its  offices  are  one 
L'rc'il  engine  of  corruption,  and  iho-e  who  have  defended  its 
chartered  rights  and  maintained  irs  usefulness,  in  nnd  out  of 
congress)  a  band  of  mercenary  stipendiaries,  if  mav  >eem  ;i 
very  just  and  proper  demand  that  the  confidence  of  their  pri- 
vate intercourse  -hoiild  be  violated,  their  hu.-iiu •.-.<  transactions; 
stigmatized  with  corruption  lie-fore  Ihe  world,  and  their  prrvnle 
correspondence  spread  on  the  journals  of  a  committee  of  the 
house,  and,  at  their  discretion,  sent  to  the  newspapers.  But  if, 
pausing  a  moment  in  the  career  of  party,  they  will  make  the 


N1LES'  REGISTER— MAT  81,  1884— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK.     231 


case  their  own;  suppose  themselves  at  the  mercy  of  those  now 
in  the  minority,  wielding  against  them  the  entire  authority  of 
(he  house,  sending  its  committees  to  unlock  their  closeU,  and 
requiring  the  production  of  every  Idler  they  may  have  written 
on  pulilic  affairs  Cor  years,  lliey  will  probably  form  a  new  con- 
ception of  the  light  in  which  the  calls  now  under  consideration 
are  regarded  by  those  against  whom  they  were  aimed,  if  any 
such  there  be. 

The  undersigned  would  make  a  reflection  somewhat  similar, 
in  reference  to  the  call  for  the  amount  of  fees  paid  to  counsel 
for  U:«al  advice  given  to  the  bank,  and  the  accommodations  re- 
ceived at  the  hank  by  editors  and  publishers  of  newspapers  and 
periodical  works.  It  will  not  hi:  drnicd  that  there  is  an  impu- 
tation of  corruption  in  calls  like  these;  for  it  cannot  be  pretend- 
ed that,  merely  as  a  part  of  the  business  transactions  of  the 
hank,  the  sums  which  would  fall  under  these  heads,  in  any  es- 
timate, however  extravagant,  of  their  amount,  could  be  of  any 
interest  to  congress.  Why,  then,  are  they  singled  out?  There 
is,  of  course,  in  collecting  the  vast  amount  of  debt  constantly 
fulling  due  to  the  bank,  and  in  carrying  on  its  large  concerns, 
continual  need  ol  legal  advice  and  professional  service.  Is  it 
disreputable  to  seek  this  advice  and  service,  and,  having  re- 
ceived them,  to  pay  for  them?  Is  the  profession  of  the  law 
fairly  obnoxious  to  the  stigma,  which  the  resolution  implies,  on 
those  of  its  members  who  transact  the  business  of  the  bank? 
Arc  mere  partisan  insinuations,  fabricated  wild  all  the  levity 
and  cruelty  of  an  unscrupulous  press,  sufficient  ground  for  the 
virtual  denunciation  and  proscription  of  a  whole  profession? 
The  undersigned  forbear  to  insist  on  the  protection  which  the 
law  gives  to  the  intercourse  of  lawyer  and  client,  and  which, 
they  believe,  would  protect  the  hank  from  this  search  into  the 
relations  which  exist  between  it  and  counsel  employed  in 
transacting  its  business. 

Nor  do  the  undersigned  think  the  profession  of  editors  and 
publishers,  of  right,  more  obnoxious  to  the  imputation  of  cor- 
ruption, on  the  ground  of  business  transactions  with  the  bank. 
The  nature  of  their  business  requires  bank  accommodation  as 
much  as  any  other.  The  undersigned  do  not  perceive  that  they 
are  more  likely  than  any  other  class  of  citizens  to  be  corruptly 
influenced  by  the  accommodations  they  receive.  If  they  were, 
it  is  doubtful,  as  matter  of  fact,  whether,  with  an  exclusive  eye 
to  the  accommodations  afforded  by  all  the  banks  in  the  coun- 
try, and  to  the  influences  under  which  they  are  dispensed,  it 
would  be  a  better  calculation  at  the  present  day,  to  defend  or 
to  attack  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  One  thing  is  certain, 
that  the  editor  who  defends  the  bank  of  the  United  States  may 
be  considered  free  from  the  suspicion  of  having  an  eye  to  politi- 
cal patronage,  a  source  of  corruption,  when  abused,  as  power- 
ful, to  say  the  least,  as  the  favor  of  a  mere  moneyed  institution. 
7.  Hut  the  undersigned  hasten  to  express  their  views  on  the 
last  step  which  was  taken  by  the  committee  towards  the  dis- 
charge of  their  duty;  in  many  respects,  the  most  important  of 
all.  On  the  9th  day  of  May,  a  copy  of  a  process,  somewhat  of 
the  character  of  a  subpcena  duces  tecum,  and  which  may  be  seen 
in  the  appendix,  No.  47,  addressed  to  11.  S.  Bonsall,  marshal  of 
the  eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania,  was  served  upon  Nicholas 
Biddle,  president,  Btnanuel  [Manuel]  Eyre,  Matthew  Nevvkirk, 
John  Sergeant,  Charles  Chauncey,  John  S.  Henry,  John  R. 
Neff,  Ambrose  White,  Daniel  W.  Coxe,  John  Goddard,  James 
C.  Fisher,  Lawrence  Lewis,  John  Holmes  and  William  Platt, 
directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  commanding  the 
Eaid  Bonsall  to  summon  them  to  be  and  appear  before  the  com- 
mittee of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  States,  ap- 
p'oinled  on  the  4th  day  of  April,  1834,  in  their  chamber  in  the 
North  American  hotel,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  to  bring 
with  them  the  credit  books  of  said  bank,  on  the  10th  day  o 
May  instant,  at  the  hour  of  12  M.  then  and  there  to  testify 
touching  the  matters  enumerated  in  the  said  resolution,  and  to 
submit  said  books  to  said  committee  for  inspection. 

The  undersigned  entertained, and  still  entertain,  great  doubts 
of  the  legality  of  this  process.  The  inquiry  alluded  to  in  the 
process  is,  among  other  things,  into  "the  abuses,  corruptions 
and  malpractices  of  the  bank,"  that  is,  the  crimes  and  misde- 
meanors of  its  officers  and  directors;  and  the  process  just  recit- 
ed is  intended  to  be  a  summons  to  a  majority  of  the  directors 
and  the  chief  officer  of  the  hank  to  appear  and  testify,  as  indi 
viduals,  to  the  matters  of  that  inquiry;  that  is,  to  their  owi 
crimes  and  misdemeanors,  with  a  view,  as  the  resolution  of  the 
committee  expressed  it,  of  inquiring  "whether  such  proseen 
tion  (viz:  a  criminal  prosecution)  should  be  instituted."  Tin 
undersigned  have  already  argued  at  length,  and  attempted  ti 
•how,  that  the  power  reserved  in  the  charter,  of  sending  a  com 
mittee  to  inspect  the  books  and  examine  the  proceedings  of  tin 
bank,  and  report  whether  its  charter  had  been  violated,  confer 
red  no  right  of  compelling  the  production  of  the  books  outof  the 
bank,  and  the  appearance  of  the  directors,  to  submit  to  an  exa 
initiation  on  oath  as  to  their  innocence  or  guilt,  of  the  unsprci 
fied  crimes  and  misdemeanors  laid  to  their  charge.  In  like 
manner  the  undersigned  have  expressed  their  decided  convic 
tion  that  the  general  power  of  inquiry  possessed  by  the  houst 
can  have  no  rightful  extension  to  a  case  like  this.  It  follow 
by  necessary  consequence,  that  no  process,  having  for  its  ob 
ject  to  compel  the  directors  to  appear  before  the  committee,  an 
bring  with  them  the  books  of  the  bank  to  be  inspected,  and  t 
testify  touching  the  matters  of  such  an  inquiry,  could  be  legal 
The  object  of  the  process  was  unauthorised  by  law. 

Incident  to  this  fatal  objection  to  the  process,  'is  another  no 
less  so.    A  subpitiia  duces  tecum  is  a  process,  not  issuing  to  tli 


arty  criminated  or  Implicated  in  the  trial,  or  interested  in  th» 
lit,  but  to  a  third  person  to  appear  and  bring  with  him  any  ris- 
er in  his  possession,  which  may  be  lawfully  used  as  evidenc* 
i  the  trial  or  suit,  without  prejudice  to  the  person  summoned, 
r  his  title.  The  process  of  the  committee  was  intended  to  be 
ddressed  to  those  whose  abuses,  corruptions  and  malpractice* 
^ere  the  subjects  of  inquiry;  and  the  book*  they  were  ordered 
.  bring  with  them,  were  to  be  used  in  thtir  own  elimination. 
The  form  of  the  process,  and  its  mode  of  service,  aie  believed 
y  the  undersigned  to  be  not  Itss  objectionable  than  its  object, 
nd  equally  fatal  to  its  legal  character;  but  on  this  topic  they 
mil  to  dwell. 

Notwithstanding  the  strong  objections  to  its  legality,  the  per- 
ons  to  whom  it  was  addressed,  individuals  unsurpassed  for 
robity,  intelligence  and  weight  of  character  in  the  community, 
resting  it  with  the  respect  due  to  the  house  of  representatives, 
beyed  its  call,  and  appeared  before  the  committee,  at  their 
number  in  the  North  America!  hotel.  Their  answer  to  the 
miniums  was  communicated  in  writing,  and  appears  among 
le  documents  as  paper  No.  48.  They  slate  therein,  that  they 
o  not  produce  the  books  of  the  bank,  because  they  are  not  in 
he  custody  of  either  of  them,  but  in  that  of  the  board  of  direc- 
ors.  By  the  board,  it  will  be  recollected,  the  books  had  been 
on  tided  to  a  committee  of  their  number,  to  be  by  them  sulnnil- 
ed  to  the  committee  of  investigation.  If  it  were  the  purpose 
f  the  committee  of  the  house  to  address  their  process  to  the 
iarty  having  the  actual  possession  of  the  books,  it  would  seem 
hat  the  committee  of  the  directors  was  that  parly  delegated  by 
he  board,  and  recognized  throughout  the  transaction  as  their 
igenl,  by  the  committee  of  the  house.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  it 
ivere  intended  to  address  it  to  the  party  to  whom  the  books  ul- 
imalely  belonged,  it  would  seem  that  it  should  have  gone  to 
he  corporation. 

The  written  answer  of  the  directors  (after  staling  their  igno- 
ance,  whether  they  should  be  called  on  to  tr.siify),  expressed  a 
purpose  not  to  testify  to  the  matters  of  the  inquiry,  in  conside- 
alion  of  Ihe  character  of  the  inquiry,  and  their  own  relation  to 
t,  as  corporators  and  directors.  But  as  none  of  the  persons 
summoned  were  required  by  the  committee  to  testify,  no  actu- 
al refusal  to  testify  took  place,  and  consequently  no  contempt 
supposing  an  actual  refusal  would  have  been  such  contempt, 
.vliich  the  undersigned  do  not  admit)  was  committed  by  the  di- 
ectors  against  the  authority  of  the  house. 

The  undersigned  are  aware  thai,  supposing  the  process  valid 
11  its  object,  substance,  form  and  service,  it  was  matter  of  in- 
difference, as  far  as  the  question  of  right  is  concerned,  what 
look  or  books  the  directors  were  required  by  it  to  produce.  But 
hey  cannot  but  express  the  opinion,  that  a  demand  for  the  cre- 
dit books  of  the  bank,  showing  the  accounts  of  every  individual 
with  the  institution,  was  the  last  which,  in  a  tender  regard  to 
he  rights  and  feelings  of  third  persons,  it  would  have  been  ex- 
jedienl  to  make. 

So  sacred  is  the  confidence  of  individuals  dealing  with  the 
>ank,  that  the  charter  exempts  the  state  of  their  accounts  from 
the  weekly  inspection  which  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  is 
authorised  lo  make;  and  the  by-laws,  which  have  been  in 
"orce  from  the  foundation  of  the  institution,  forbid  a  director, 
without  special  authority,  to  inspect  the  caMi  account  of  in- 
dividuals. To  require  the  directors  to  take  fiom  the  banking 
louse,  convey  through  the  public  streets,  and  open  for  inspec- 
tion in  the  chamber  of  a  hotel,  the  book  containing  the  account 
of  every  individual  with  the  bank,  would  sci-m  to  indicate  the 
purpose  of  putting  to  the  severest  test  the  power  of  the  house, 
the  obedience  of  the  hank,  and  the  patience  of  innocent  third 
parties,  whose  vital  interests  might  be  jeoparded  in  this  proce- 
dure. 

The  previous  demands  of  the  committee,  having  assumed  the 
form  of  requests,  could  only  be  objected  to  in  their  spirit  and 
tendency.  There  is  nothing  which  a  committee  authorised  to 
inquire,  may  not  request,  because  there  is  no  request,  which, 
as  such,  may  not  be  refused.  The  law  knows  nothing  of  re- 
quests; their  refusal  puts  no  one  in  contempt.  But  the  process 
now  under  consideration  assumes  the  form  of  a  legal  and  com- 
pulsory instrument,  authenticated  by  the  seal  of  the  house,  and 
the  signature  of  the  clerk.  Obedience  to  such  an  instrument, 
(if  it  is  lawfully  issued),  can  be  compelled  against  all  obstacles 
and  opponents,  and  those  who  maintain  its  legality,  must  main- 
tain the  power  of  enforcing  it.  How  shall  it  be  enforced,  in 
case  it  be  disobeyed  and  resisted?  Shall  the  sergeant- at- nrms 
be  sent  to  attach  the  directors?  Shall  they  be  brought  prisoners 
to  the  seat  of  government,  and  the  bar  of  the  house,  attached 
for  refusing  to  produce  and  bring  their  books  to.  the  North) 
American  hotel,  and  for  avowing  a  purpose,  (which  was  not 
put  to  the  test),  not  to  submit  lo  an  examination  on  oath, 
touching  their  own  crimes  and  misdemeanors?  A  satisfactory 
answer? consonant  to  reason  and  justice,  and  grounded  on  tho 
constitution  rmd  laws  of  the  United  States,  must  be  found  to 
this  question,  by  all  persons  who  maintain  the  validity  of  the 
process  issued  by  the  committee.  That  such  a  process  is  no 
sutipana  duc.cs  tecum,  is  obvious,  from  the  fact  that  it  is  address- 
ed to  the  parties  implicated.  It  is  no  proi-css  in  chancery,  re- 
quiring a  patly  to  produce  his  hooks  and  papers,  for  its  avowed 
object  is  to  inquire  whether  "a  criminal  prosecution  shall  be 
instituted;"  an  object  for  which  the  chancellor  will  require  no 
man  to  produce  his  papers.  Unlike  any  of  the  processes  known 
to  the  humane  jurisdiction  of  the  present  day,  it  is,  in  their 

most  odious  features,  identical  with  the  general  warrants  of  the 
dark  ages  of  English  liberty,  and  the  writs  of  assistance  which 


532     NiLES'   REGISTER— MAY  81,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK. 


first  kindled  the  spirit  of  resistance  in  the  American  colonies 
It  is  a  compulsory  process,  to  compel  the  good  people  of  the 
United  Stales  to  produce  their  books  and  papers,  and  submit 
them  to  general  search  in  proof  of  crimes,  not  charged,  but  sus- 
pected; to  be  enforced  by  attachment,  imprisonment  and  in- 
finite distress;— a  search  of  books,  a  search  of  papers,  a  search 
•of  accounts,  a  search  of  letters,  and  an  examination  on  oath  ol 
the  persons  implicated,  touching  tlir  matters  whereof  they  are 
suspected.  IH  what  does  such  a  xvarrant  differ  from  iliose  which 
were  issued  under  the  first  Charles  and  the  second  James,  lor 
which,  among  other  things,  Scroggs  was  impeached;  and  which 
the  house  of  commons,  in  1763,  after  full  argument,  solemnly 
resolved  to  be  illegal?  Illegal  for  a  court  of  king's  bench  in  1684, 
illegal  in  the  house  of  commons  in  1763,  the  undersigned  are 
Blow  to  believe  that  an  American  house  of  representatives,  in 
1834,  will  be  found  to  assert,  or  an  American  citizen  lo  admit, 
their  legality. 

In  conclusion,  the  undersigned  would  observe,  that  neither 
of  them  gave  his  voice  for  the  resolution  creating  the  com- 
mittee, nor  deemed  the  inquiry,  in  many  of  its  objects,  neces- 
sary or  proper.  They  hope  it  is  not  improper  to  add  the  expres- 
sion of  the  opinion,  that,  had  the  attention  of  the  house  been 
particularly  drawn  in  debate  to  the  terms  of  the  resolution,  it 
would  have  received  some  modification;  and  that  it  is  owing  to 
its  passage  under  the  operation  of  the  previous  question,  and 
without  any  examination  of  its  details,  that  it  received,  in  its 
present  form,  the  sanction  of  the  house.  Being,  however,  plac- 
ed on  the  committee,  the  undersigned  were  desirous  of  dis- 
charging their  duty  as  members  of  it,  under  the  order  of  the 
house,  to  the,  best  of  their  ability,  and  according  to  their  un- 
derstanding of  the  rights  of  the  corporation  visited — the  powers 
of- the  house,  and  the  principles  of  justice.  They  were  de- 
sirous of  taking  up  the  various  matters  of  inquiry  enumerated  in 
the  resolution,  viz:  the  causes  of  the  distress,  the  alleged  viola- 
tions of  the  charter,  and  the  imputed  corruptions  of  the  bank, 
one  by  one;  of  considering  them  in  the  order  in  which  they  are 
arranged  by  the  house;  of  investigating  each  according  to  its 
nature;  of  inspecting  the  books  and  examining  the  proceedings 
of  the  bank  according  to  the  charter,  that  is,  in  reference  to  all 
objects  which,  by  the  chatter,  are  properly  subjects  of  such  in- 
spection and  examination;  or  in  regard  to  which  the  directors 
might  voluntarily  submit  them  for  inspection;  and  of  inquiring 
into  the  other  matters  referred  to  them,  as  far  as,  on  considera- 
tion, they  should  deem  the  committee  competent  to  do  so. 

Of  all  these  objects,  the  undersigned  confess  that  they  re 
garded  that  which  stands  foremost  in  the  resolution  as  vast!; 
the  most  important;  an  inquiry  into  the  causes  of  the  presen 
distress.  It  was  their  firm  persuasion  that  the  country  demand- 
ed  this  inquiry  of  congress.  A  number  of  memorials  and  o 
subscribers  to  them,  greater  by  far  than  have  at  any  forme 
period  come  before  congress,  invoked  the  aid  of  the  naliona 
legislature  to  relieve  them  from  a  state  of  unexampled  dis 
tress.  An  embarrassment  unusually  extensive  and  severe,  and 
not  yet  essentially  alleviated,  demanded  an  inquiry  into  its 
causes.  U  was  alleged,  on  the  one  hand,  to  be  wantonly  pro- 
duced by  the  bank;  and,  on  the  other,  to  he  the  unavoidable 
consequence  of  the  financial  policy  pursued  by  the  executive 
Tlie  undersigned  wished  to  make  this  first,  as  it  was  infinitely 
the  most  important  object  of  their  investigations;  to  receive  the 
testimony  of  enlightened  merchants  and  men  of  business,  in  the 
intelligent  community  to  which  they  were  sent,  (who  might  be 
willing  to  appear  before  them),  as  to  the  extent  and  causes  of 
the  distress;  to  receive  from  the  bank  these  statements  af  its  af- 
fairs, which  they  are  well  persuaded  it  would  most  cheerfully 
have  afforded,  and  which  would  have  illustrated  itswhole  course 
in  the  difficult  and  trying  position  into  which  it  has  been  thrown; 
and  from  all  other  persons,  on  whom  the  committee  would 
have  had  a  right  to  call,  their  testimony  as  to  the  manner  in 
which  this  measure  of  the  executive  has  been  taken  up  and 
carried  on.  Such  an  examination,  the  undersigned  believe, 
would  have  been  useful  to  congress,  satisfactory  to  the  people, 
and  powerfully  efficient  in  leading  to  the  removal  of  the  heavy 
burdens  now  lying  on  them.  This  object  first  accomplished,  as  it 


was  the  first  in  the  precept  of  the  house,  the  undersigned  would 
have  proceeded  to  consider  the  violations  of  the  charier;  and  as 
the  resolution  of  the  house  does  not  confine  the  inquiry  to  those 
violations  with  which  the  bank  has  been  charged,  they  would 
have  deemed  themselves  authorised  lo  extend  their  researches 
to  those  of  which  the  bank  complains,  particularly  to  the  removal 
of  the  deposit.es  for  reasons  nol  deemed  satisfactory  by  congress, 
as  now  appears  of  record  on  the  journal  of  one  of  the  homes 
of  congress.  If,  after  these  inquiries  had  been  gone  through, 
it  had  still  appeared,  on  considering  the  other  matters  cftnipre- 
hended  in  the  resolution,  that  they  required  or  admitted  further 
investigation,  the  undersigned  would  cheerfully  have  cooperat- 
ed in  the  work,  resorting  to  every  source  of  information,  legally 
available,  a*  far  as  the  same  could,  by  the  charter,  be  required 
from  the  bank,  or  legally  received  or  compelled  from  any  other 
quarter.  If,  in  the  progress  of  such  an  investigation,  so  con- 
ducted, disclosures  had  been  made  of  matter  requiring  or  au- 
thorising any  further  procedure  on  the  part  of  the  house,  the 
undersigned  would  not  have  been  behind  the  mosl  zealous  of 
their  associate:',  in  denouncing  it  to  the  house  and  the  country. 
A  different  view  of  their  duty  was,  however,  taken  by  their 
colleagues,  resulting  iu  a  series  of  measures,  from  which  the 
undersigned  unfortunately  found  themselves  obliged  to  dissent. 
But  while,  there  wn«  a  form,  in  which  the  undersigned  were 
prepared  to  meet  ever  part  of  the  resolution  under  which  the 


committee  was  raised — the  form  most  consonant  to  the  wants 
and  wishes  of  the  country,  (to  which  all  other  matters  of  party 
crimination  are  insignificant  compared  with  the  great  question 
of  the  causes,  the  just  responsibility,  and  the  remedies  of  the 
present  sore  distress)— the  form  unquestionably  in  which  the 
resolution  was  viewed  by  one  considerable  class  of  those  who 
voted  for  it  in  the  house — the  undersigned  freely  admit,  that,  in 
the  range  and  character  proposed  to  be  given  to  the  inquiry  by 
their  colleagues,  the  majority  of  the  committee,  the  purpose,  of 
the  majority  of  the  house  was  not  mistaken.  They  think  that 
no  candid  person,  contemplating  all  the  circumstances  of  the 
case,  from  the  first  demonstrations  of  a  policy  on  the  part  of 
the  executive  hostile  to  the  bank,  down  to  the  recent  measures, 
in  support  of  that  policy  in  the  house  of  representatives,  will 
deny  that  its  object  was  trie  overthrow  of  the  institution,  and 
the  impeachmeutof  its  directors  before  the  bar  of  public  opinion, 
if  not  before  that  of  the  judicial  tribunals  of  the  land,  of  gross 
malpractices,  corruptions  and  frauds;  and  that  the  inquiry  lo  be 
conducted  by  the  committee,  of  which  the  undersigned  com- 
posed the  minority,  was  proposed  to  be  one  of  the  measures  to 
promote  that  end.  So  far  from  this  being  denied,  the  under- 
signed understand  it  to  be  not  only  admitted,  but  claimed  as  a. 
merit,  on  the  part  of  the  friends  of  the  present  administration 
of  the  national  government. 

How  was  it  natural  that  such  an  inquiry  should  he  met  by  the 
bank,  or  rather  by  those  who  have  been  intrusted  by  the  stock- 
holders with  its  direction?  .The  bank  is  a  legal  abstraction. 
To  charge   the  bank  with  bribery  and  corruption,  is  to  use 
words  which  have  no  accurate  meaning,  true  or  false.    The 
party  implicated  is  the  directory  and  officers;  men  of  character; 
men  known  to  the  community  as  some  of  its  mosl  useful  mem- 
bers and  brightest  ornaments;  men  of  probity,  unimpeached  iu 
private  life.     Some  of  them  are  merchants,  whose  word,  in  the 
most  important  transactions,  would  be  deemed  as  good  as  their 
bond;  and  others  are  professional  characters,  who  adorn  the 
highest  tribunals  of  the  counlry.    These  are  ihe  party  implicat- 
ed— charged  will)  a  most  cruel  and  perfidious  design  to  bring 
jniversal  distress  upon  the  countiy,  for  Ihe  sake  of  pukry  sel- 
fish ends;  and,  to  promote  these  ends,  further  charged  with  cor- 
rupting the  conduclors  of  Ihe  press,  corrupting  the  people  in 
the  exercise  of  their  elective  franchise,  and  corrupting  the 
members  of  congress.    Are  honest  and  honorable  men,  charg- 
ed with  Ihese  odious  misdemeanors,  to  submit  to  the  charge 
without  a  murmur;  to  acknowledge  the  reasonableness  of  mak- 
ing it;  the  expediency  of  investigating  it,  all  vague  and  unspeci- 
fied as  it  is;  the  reality  of  a  prima  facia,  case  against  them? 
Does  conscious  innocence  require  them  to  admit  that  there  is 
ground  of  suspicion?    Does  ihe  strong  and  indignant  feeling 
thai  Iheir  characters  are  outraged,  while  their  rights  are  invad- 
ed, call  upon  them  voluntarily  to  take  the  culprit's  place,  and 
endure  the  ignominy  of  what  they  deem  an  uncalled  for  and  a 
vexalious  inquisition?    Or  is  it  not  rather  the  natural  dictate  of 
proud  and  conscious  innocence  to  place  themselves  upon  their 
rights,  beneath  the  ffigis  of  the  law?    If  I  go  to  my  neighbor,  as 
honest  a  man  as  myself,  and  say,  "you  are  a  swindler  and  a 
knave,"  shall  he  meekly  ask  me  to  enter  his  house,  lay  open 
his  ledger  and  his  letter  book,  and  invite  me  to  collect  the  ma- 
terials out  of  which   I  may  prejudice  the  public  against  him? 
The  directors,  of  the  bank  are  citizens,  as  honest  and  a«  virtu- 
ous as  any  of  those,  in  office  or  out  of  it.  high  or  low,  who 
charge  them  with  corruption,    A  good  name  is  as  dear  lo  them 
as  to  their  accusers.     Their  stake  in  the  welfare  of  the  country 
is  as  great.     The  success  with  which  they  have  conducted  af- 
fairs of  the  great  institulion  intrusted  to  their  eare,  is  not  mas- 
ter of  opinion;  it  is  notorious  to  all  the  world.     At  this  moment, 
notwithstanding  ihe  fearful  warfare  waged  against  them  by  «l- 
most  every  branch  of  the  government  of  their  own  counlry, 
their  credit  is  as  good  at  London  and  Paris,  as  that  of  the  bank- 
of  England  or  France.    At  this  moment,  in  the  remotest  east, 
in  the  markets  of  China,  where  the  silver  coin  of  the  country, 
from  the  public  mint,  is  undervalued,  the  pnper  of  the  bank  of 
Ihe  United  States  is  an  acceptable  currency.     In  the  midst  of 
its  career  of  usefulness,  it  has  been,  unfortunately  for  the  coun- 
try, drawn  into  the  field  of  political  controversy;  its  directors 


nud  officers  vilified  by  name,  their  most  laudable  measures  mis- 
represented, their  most  innocent  acts  calumniated,  and  their 
slightest  errors  of  judgment  tortured  into  corruptions  and 
crimes;  above  all,  the  severe  distress,  with  which  the  country 
lias  liven  visited,  for  the  sake  of  carrying  on  this  warfare,  has 
been  cruelly  imputed  to  the  wanton  action  of  the  bank,  though 
struggling  for  its  own  existence  against  the  most  formidable 

fforts  lo  crush  it.  The  calm  and  dignified  tone  which  charac- 
terises the  communications  of  the  committee  of  directors,  under 
circumstances  like  these,  is,  to  the  undersigned,  a  satislaotory 
ndication  of  their  integrity  and  conscious  purily.  They  have 
ilaced  themselves  where,  as  American  citizens,  conscious  of 

heir  rights,  of  iheir  injuries,  nnd  of  their  innocence,  they  had  a- 
right  to  place  themselves,  under  the  proteclion  of  the  law. 

Firmly  believing  that  ihey  are  innocent  of  the  crimes  and  cor- 
ruptions with  which  they  have  been  charged,  and  that,  if  guilty, 
hey  ought  not  to  be  compelled  lo  criminate  themselves,  the 
IBmraigned  are  clearly  of  opinion  that  the  directors  of  the  banh 
lave  been  guilty  of  no  contempt  of  the  authority  of  this  house, 
n  having  respectfully  declined  to  submit  their  books  fur  in.«pec- 
ion,  except  as  required  by  the  charter.  All  which  is  regpecl- 
ully  submitted  by  EDWARD  EVERETT, 

WILLIAM  \V.  ELLSWORTH. 

House  of  reprtse*totivei,  22d  May,  1834. 


NILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  15— VOL.  X.]      BALTIMORE,  JUNE  7,  1834.     [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,185- 


THE   PAST THE   PRESENT FOB.  TUB   FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    II Y    H.   NILKS,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PAYABLE   IN   ADTANCE. 


(JCP-We  have  the  pleasure  to  present  our  readers  with 
a  supplement  to  the  present  number,  by  means  of  which 
we  are  enabled  not  only  to  insert  all  the  documents  at- 
tached to  the  reports  of"  the  committee  for  investigating 
the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  but  a  large 
quantity  of  other  matter — some  of  which  had  accumu- 
lated in  type,  having  been  several  times  set  aside  to 
make  room  for  things  that  could  not  be  deferred.  The 
miscellaneous  articles,  (that  the  papers  concerning  the 
bank  may  have  regular  succession  when  the  volume  is 
bound)  commence  in  page  241. 


APPENDIX 

TO  THE  REPORT  OF  THE  MINORITY  OF  THE  BANK  COMMITTEE. 
NO.  1. 

Philadelphia,  North  American  hotel,  Jlpril  23, 1834. 
SIR:  I  have  been  directed  by  the  committee  appointed  to  in- 
vestigate the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  to  enclose 
to  you  the  accompanying  copy  of  a  resolution  of  the  house  of 
representatives  of  the  United  States,  and  to  inform  you  that 
the  committee  will  be  prepared  to  visit  the  bank  of  the  United 
States  to  morrow,  at  any  hour  that  will  be  agreeable  to  you  to 
receive  them,  to  commence  the  discharge  of  tlie  duties  assign- 
ed them.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obe- 
dient servant,  FRANCIS  THOMAS, 

chairman  committee  of  investigation. 
N.  Diddle,  esq.  president  bank  of  the  U.  States. 
Resolved,  That  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining,  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable, the  cause  of  the  commercial  embarrassment  and  dis 
tress  complained  of  by  numerous  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
in  sundry  memorials,  which  have  been  presented  to  congress  at 
the  present  session,  and  of  inquiring  whether  the  charter  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States  has  been  violated,  and  also  what  cor- 
ruptions and  abuses  have  existed  in  its  management;  whether 
it  has  used  its  corporate  power,  or  money,  to  control  tin:  press, 
tc  interfere  in  politics,  or  influence  elections;  and  whether  it 
has  had  any  agency,  through  its  management  or  money,  in  pro 
ducing  the  existing  pressure,  a  select  committee  be  appointed 
to  inspect  the  books,  and  examine  into  the  proceedings  of  the 
said  bank,  who  shall  report  whether  the  provisions  of  the  char- 
ter have  been  violated  or  not;  and,  also,  what  abuses,  corrup 
lions  or  mal-practices,  have  existed  in  the  management  of  said 
bank;  and  that  the  said  committee  be  authorised  to  send  for  per- 
sons and  papers,  and  to  summon  and  examine  witnesses  or 
oath,  and  to  examine  into  the  affairs  of  tho  said  bank  am 
branches.  And  they  are  further  authorised  to  visit  the  prin- 
cipal bank,  or  any  of  its  branches,  for  the  purpose  of  inspect 
ing  the  books,  correspondence,  accounts  and  other  papers  con- 
nected with  its  management  or  business;  and  that  the  said  com- 
mittee be  required  to  report  the  result  of  such  investigation 
together  with  the  evidence  they  may  take,  at  as  early  a  day  as 
practicable. 

Bank  of  the  United  Stales,  JlprilVZ,  18^ 
SIR:  I  have  had  the  honor  of  recei  ving  your  letter  of  this  day's 
date  with  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  the  house  of  representa 
lives  of  the  United  States,  passed  on  the  4th  instant. 

I  shall  forthwith  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  board  of  diroc 
tors  of  the  bank  at  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  when  these 
papers  shall  be  submitted  to  them,  after  which  a  communica 
lion  on  Ihe  subject  shall  be  made  to  you. 

In  the  mean  time,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  re-speclfnlly 
youra,  N.  RIDDLE,  president. 

Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  committee  of  investigation. 

No.  2. 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  Jlpril24,  1834. 
SIR:  I  am  directed  by  a  committee  of  the  directors  of  tin:  ban 
of  the  United  States,  lo  send  you  ihe  enclosed  copy  of  a  resolii 
lion  adopted  this  morning  by  the  hoard,  at  a  special  meeting 
convened  in  consequence  of  your  communication  of  yeslp. 
to  the  president,  and  to  inform  yon  that  the  committee  will  im 
mediately  direct  the  necessary  arrangements  to  be  made  for  th 
accommodation  of  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representa 
lives  of  the  United  States,  and  will  attend  at  the  bank  to  receiv 
Ihem  al  11  o'clock  lo-morrnw  morning. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  vour  mopi  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 

Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  committee  of  fnvestigattoi 
Resolved,  That  a  commitlee  of  seven  members  of  the  hoar 
be  appointed  to  receive  the  committee  of  the  house  of  represen 
tatives  of  the  Uniled  States  and  to  offer  for  itieir  inspeclio 
such  books  and  papers  of  the  bank  a?  may  bo  necessary  to  ex 
hibitthe  proceedings  of  the  corporation  according  to  the  require 
mem  of  Ihe  charter. 

The  following  directors  were  then  appointed  to  compose  th 
said  committee! 

VOL.  XLVI— SIG.  16. 


Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Eyre,  Mr.  Lewis,  Mr.  Neff,  Mr.  Chauucey, 
r.  Coxe,  Mr.  Henry. 

No.  3. 

Friday,  Jlpril  25,  18.'<4. 

Mr.  Sergeant  offered  to  the  commitlee  of  the  house  of  repre- 
inlatives  the  assistance  of  the  committee  of  the  bank,  in  giv- 
g  every  facility  to  the  prosecution  of  their  inquiry.  .Mr.  Tlio- 
as  then  presented  lo  the  committee  of  Ihe  bank  the  fallowing!: 
Ordered,  That  the  president  of  the  bank  of  the  United  St.ui:* 
".  requested  to  furnish  the  committee  with  a  list  of  the  books 
I" the  bank,  with  an  explanation  of  the  purposes  for  which  each 
designed,  anil  the  names  of  the  clerks  to  whose  care  and  cus- 
ody  they  are  respectively  committed;  and,  also,  a  copy  of  ihe 
y-laws  now  in  force  in  the  bank,  and  of  the  by-laws  in  lore* 
rior  to  the  nist  Monday  of  December,  lt>29. 

No.  4. 

Bank  of  the  United  Stales,  Jlpril  25,  1834. 
SIR:  I  have  had  the  honor  to  send  you,  agreeably  to  your  re- 
nest,  "a  list  of  the  books  of  the  bank,  with  an  explanation  of 
ie  purposes  for  which  each  is  designed." 
lu  regard  to  the  remaining  part  of  the  inquiry,  "the  names  of 
ie  clerks  to  whose  care  and  custody  they  are  respectively  com- 
nilted,"  I  am  instructed  by  the  committee  of  the  board  to  say 
iiat  these  books  are  not  understood  to  be  in  Ihe  care  and  custo- 
y  of  Ihe  clerks,  but  in  the  general  custody  of  the  board.  The 
ames  of  the  clerks  who  make  entries  in  them,  and  for  that 
urpose  have  possession  of  them  during  the  hours  of  business, 
re  added  to  the  list  of  the  books. 

I  also  enclose  "a  copy  of  the  by-laws  now  in  force  in  the 
iank,  and  of  Hie  by-laws  in  force  prior  to  the  first  Monday  of 
December,  1829." 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  ser- 
vant; JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  of  commit  tee  of  investigation. 

No.  5. 

Hank  of  the  United  States,  Jlpril  26,  1834. 
SIR:  In  compliance  with  the  direction  of  the  committee  of 
voii^Ttion,  1  have  the  honor  to  inclose  to  you  the  accompa- 
nying resolutions.     I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  ser- 
•ant,  FRANCIS  THOMAS,  chairman. 

To  John  Sergeant,  esg.  chairman 

of  the  committee  of  directors  of  the  bank  U.  States. 

No.  6. 

[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings,  investigations,  and  examina- 
ions  of  the  committee  of  the  books,  papers,  and  affairs  of  the 
bank,  shall  be  confidential,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  the 
committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  investigation  of  this  committee  into  the 
affairs,  management  and  concerns  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
Stales,  shall  be  conducted  without  the  presence  of  any  person 
who  is  not  required,  or  invited  to  attend  the  examination  of  this 
committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  communicate  a  copy  of  the  fore- 
going resolutions  to  the  commitlee  appointed  by  the  directors  of 
the  bank  of  the  United  Slates  to  receive  the  committee  of  the 
tiouse  of  representatives. 
A  true  copy:  RICHARD  RUSH, 

secretary  to  the  committee. 
No.  7. 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  Jlpril  26,  1834. 
SIR:  I  have  received,  and  have  laid  before  the  commiltee  of 
the  directors  of  ihe  bank  of  the  United  States,  your  note  of  thii 
date,  and  ihe  enclosed  copy  of  the  resolulions  of  Die  comroillce 
of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  Stales.  I  am  di- 
rected l>y  the  committee  to  inform  you  that  your  communica- 
tion will  be  laid  before  the  board  al  a  special  meeling  convened 
for  ihe  purpose,  and  lhal  we  will  be  prepared  to  make  known 
to  you  the  decision  of  the  beard  al  your  next  meeting,  on  Mon- 
day, at  11  o'clock. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
To  the  hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman 

of  the  committee  of  investigation  of  the  house  of  reps. 

No'.  8. 

Bank  of  the   United  States,  Jl-pril  28,  1834. 
SIR:  In  conformity  to  my  communication  of  the  96th  instant , 
your  note  of  that  date,  and  the  resolutions  enclosed  in  it,  have 
been  laid  before  the  board  of  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
Stales  at  a  special  meeting  convened  for  the  purpose.     I  have 
now  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  of  the 
board,  and  to   be,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient  ser- 
vant, JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
To  the  hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman 

of  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives   U.  Stales. 
1.  Resolved,  That  the  board  recognise  the  right  of  the  com- 
mittee of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  States  to 
inspect  the  books  and  to  examine  Into  the  proceedings  of  the 


234     WILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK. 


bank  of  the  United  States,  according  to  the  provisions  o 
the  charter;  and,  to  enable  the  committee  to  exercise  t'.ii 
right,  according  to  the  order  of  the  house  of  representatives 
the  board  have  endeavored  to  do  all  that  could  manifest  ihei 
respect  for  the  committee,  or  contribute  to  the  convenic.it 
performance  of  in  duty,  by  offering  a  room  in  the  bnnkin 
house  for  its  acrommod  ition,  ami  appointing  a  committee  o 
directors  to  exhibit  tin:  books  anil  papers  acL-onling  lo  the  re 
qnirement  of  the  charter:  but  the  hoard  cannot,  coii«i-teml 
with  their  sense  of  dot)  to  the  bank,  ami  of  the  obligations  o 
the  trust  conimiiled  to  them,  consent  to  give  up  the  custod) 
and  possession  of  the  book.''  and  papers  of  the  bank,  nor  per 
niil  them  to  he  examined  but  in  the  presence  of  the  committee 
apiioint'-il  by  the  board. 

2.  Resolved,  That  considering  the  nature  of  the  proceeding 
Which   resulted   in    the   resolution   for  the   appointment  of  ill 
committee  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  Stale* 
to  examine  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  und  considering  Hi 
very  grave  and  accusatory  nature  of  the  inquiries  directed  ti 
be  made  by  that  resolution,  as  well   in  their  bearing   upon  the 
bank,  as  upon  the  individual  citizens  entrusted  with  its  admi- 
nistration, the  board  cannot  but  deem  it  due  to  the  demands  o 
common  justice  that  the  institution,  and  the  individuals,  shoult 
have  the  opportunity  to  be  present,  by  their  representatives  ap- 
pointed for  that  purpose,  at  all  examination*  to  be  made  by  the 
committee  touching  their  character  and  conduct,  whether  the 
same  be  of  books  and  papers,  or  of  witnesses.     It  is  most  ma- 
nifest to  the  board  that,  for  the  purpose  of  arriving  at  the  truth 
examination  in  the  presence  of  the  parties  would  be  the  natnra 
and  effectual  mode  of  proceeding;  and  thw  board,  being  confi- 
dent that  examinations  so  conducted  would  result  in  a  manner 
creditable  lo  the  bank,  have  promptly  and  cheerfully  acceded  to 
the  amplest  investigation:  but,  if  they  are  to  understand  the  re- 
solutions of  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives  o 
the  United  Slates,  of  thw  26th  instant,  as  announcing  an  inten 
lion   to   pursue   a  different  course,  they   do   solemnly   protest 
•gainst  the  same,  being  fully  satisfied  that  secret  and  partial 
examinations  are  unjust  and  oppressive,  and  contrary  to  com- 
mon right,  and  never  lo  be  resorted  to  but  in  casea  of  necessity, 
of  which  the  present  cannot,  in  the  opinion  of  the  board,  be 
said  to  be  one. 

3.  Resolved,  That  tlie  committee,  appointed  on  the  24th  in- 
stant, be  instructed  lo  furnish  a  certified  copy  of  the  foregoing 
resolutions  to  the  commute e  of  the  house  of  representatives  01 
the  United  Slates. 

No.  9. 

Bank  of  the  United  Slates,  rfprilSS,  1834. 
SIR:  I  have  been  directed  by  the  committee  of  investigation 
to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  28th  instant, 
and  to  inform  you  that  f  shall  be  authorised  to  reply  to  it  by  to- 
morrow at  9  o'clock  A.  M. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

FRANCIS  THOMAS. 
JoAn  Sergeant,  esq.  chairman 

of  the  committee  of  director!  of  tke  U.  S.  bank. 
No.  10. 

Committee  room,  dpril  29,  1834. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  the  accompanying 
copies  of  resolutions  which  have  been  adopted  to-day  by  the 
committee  of  investigation,  la  reply  to  your  communication  of 
28th  instant. 
With  great  respect,  I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

FRANCIS  THOMAS. 
7T»  Jo  An  Sergeant,  esq.  chairman 

of  the  committee  of  directors  of  tht  U.  S.  bank. 

No.  11. 
[Enclosed  in   the   foregoing.] 

Committee  room,  -Ipril  99,  1831. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  investigation  of  the  house 
of  representatives,  on  motion, 

1.  Retolved,  That  this  committee  duly  appreciate  Ihe  dispo 
eition  manifested  by  the  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  in  offering  accommodations  in  their  banking  house  for 
its  use,  as  contained  in  the  communication  of  the  committee  of 
the  board  of  directors  of  the  2-Hh  instant,  that  thra  committee 
accepted  that  offer  under  the  belief  that  it  would  promote  as 
well  its  convenience  as  that  of  the  officers  of  the  bank,  and 
that  the  room  thus  offered  would  be  exclusively  for  ils  occupa- 
tion, and  that  of  those  who«e  attendance  might  be,  by  the  com- 
mittee, required  or  assented  to,  during  the  business  hours  of 
the  bank,  and  that  the  committee  is  willing  still  to  to  consider 
it. 

3.  Resolved,  That  thi-i  committee,  charged  with  important 
duties,  and  acling  under  its  responsibility  to  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives, and  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  claims  the 
righl,  to  be  exercised  at  its  discretion,  to  compel  the  production 
of  the  books  and  papers  of  the  bank  for  inspection,  and  to  in- 
spect the  came  in  such  mode  as  to  the  committee  may  seem 
best  calculated  to  promote  the  objects  of  its  inquiry.  But  tin* 
committee  has  not  determined  that  it  will  become  necessary  to 
perform  that  duty,  oul  of  Ihe  presence  of  those  charged  by  the 
directors  to  submit  the  same  to  the  inspection  of  the  committee. 
3.  Retolved,  That  this  committee  cannot  recognize  the  nahl 
of  the  board  of  directors  to  regard  the  resolution  of  the  house 
of  represenialives  as  accusatory  in  its  character,  or  this  com- 
mittee as  charged  with  the  duty  of  criminating  Ihe  bank  or  ils 
officers.  Thai,  in  Ihe  resolution  of  the  2fllh  instant,  the  com- 
mittee intended  to  assert  lu  rights  to  control  its  own  proceed- 


ings, and  not  to  indicate  a  purpose  of  making  a  secret  and  par- 
tial examination,  or  of  practising  injustice  or  oppression.  That 
the  committee  cannot  but  regard  the  expression  of  such  an  ap- 
prehension by  the  board  of  directors  as  unjust  to  ils  members, 
and  unauthorised  by  the  resolution. 

4.  Resolved,  That  this   committee,   actuated   by  a   sense   of 
justice,  will  unhesitatingly  afford  to  every  person,  whose  cha- 
racter or   conduct  may  seem  to   be  affected  in   the  progress  of 
their  investigations,  a  full   opportunity  of  explanation  and   de- 
fence, but  claim  the  right  of  determining  the  lime  and  mode  of 
giving  such  privilege;  and,  therefore,  cannot  recognizi;  the  right 
of  the  directors  to   prescribe  Ihe  course  to   be  pursued   by  this 
committee  in  making  its  examinations. 

5.  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolntions  be.  com- 
municated by  the  chairman  to  the  committee  of  the  directors  of 
Hie  bank. 

No.  12. 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  Jlpril  29,  1834. 
SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  note  of  this  date, 
and  the  copy,  enclosed  in  it,  of  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the 
committee  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  States. 
They  have  been  laid  before  the  committee  of  the  board  of  di- 
rectors, and  I  am  directed  by  them  to  make  the  following  reply: 
The  committee  would,  in  the  first  place,  respectfully  state 
that  it  was  not  ther  intention,  nor  the  intention  of  the  board,  to 
allege  that  the  committee  of  investigation  was  charged  with  the 
duly  of  criminating  the  bank  or  officers.  They  meant  only  to 
say,  us  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  resolution,  thai  Ihe  in- 
quiries directed  to  be  made  were  in  their  nalure  accusatory: 
and  so  ihe  committee  of  the  board  are  still  obliged  to  consider 
them. 

The  committee  would  further  respectfully  stale  that  it  was 
not  the  intention  of  the  board  to  impute  to  the  committee  of 
investigation  a  purpose  of  making  a  secret  and  partial  exami- 
nation, or  of  practising  injustice  or  oppression.  _They  simply 
intended  lo  asserl  what  they  believe  to  be  beyond  all  dispute  or 
doubt,  that  secret  and  pailial  examinations  into  matters  which 
have  a  bearing  upon  the  character  and  conduct  of  individuals 
are  unavoidably  unjust  and  oppressive. 

And,  finally,  the  committee  would  most  respectfully  disclaim 
all  intention  to  control  in  any  manner  the  proceedings  of  the 
committee  of  investigation,  or  lo  prescribe  loitany  course  what- 
ever. The  board  are  very  sensible  they  have  neiiher  ihe  power 
nor  the  right  to  do  so.  The  only  purpose  of  Ihe  board  was  lo 
exhibit  respectfully  to  the  committee  of  investigation  their 
views  of  their  own  rights  upon  the  Iwo  points  presented  by  the 
resolutions  of  the  committee  of  investigation  of  the  26 ill  inst. 
from  which  views  they  have  seen  no  reason  to  depart. 

The  committee  are  very  happy  to  peiceive  that,  as  yet,  Ihere 
is  no  praclical  difference  between  the  views  of  ihe  board  ami 
Ihose  entertained  by  the  committee  of  investigation,  as  to  the 
mode  of  proceeding  to  be  adopted,  inasmuch  as  the  resolutions 
,'on  have  done  me  the  honor  to  send  me,  inform  us  that  the 
committee  of  investigation  have  not  come  to  any  decision,  and 
we,  therefore,  may  indulge  a  hope  that,  seeing  the  reasonable- 
ness and  justice  of  the  views  respectfully  suggested  by  ihe 
loard,  the  committee  of  investigation,  when  they  come  to  de- 
cide, will  not  differ  from  ihe  board  in  opinion. 

I  am  direcled,  in  conclusion,  respectfully  to  request,  when 
he  committee  of  investigation  shall  have  decided  upon  the 
node  of  proceeding  they  will  adopt,  they  will  be  good  enough 
o  communicate  their  decision,  that  the  hoard  may  be  able  to 
ake  such  measures  as  it  may  seem  lo  require.  In  Ihe  mean 
ime,  I  beg  you  lo  be  assured  of  ihe  continued  disposition  of 
hf,  board  and  the  committee  to  contribute  all  thai  may  be  in 
heir  power  to  promote  the  accommodation  and  convenience  of 
he  committee  of  investigation,  as  well  as  of  the  great  respect 
of  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
To  tke  Aon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman 

of  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives,  U.  S. 
No.  13. 

Committee  room,  JlprUiK),  1834. 

SIR:  Incompliance  with  the  directions  of  the  committee  of 
nvestigation,  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  the  accompa- 
ying  resolutions. 
With  high  respect,  I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

FBANCIS  THOMAS,  chairman. 
To  John  Sergeant,  esq.  chairman 
of  the  committee  of  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  U.  S. 

14. 

[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

Resolved,  That  the  president,  directors  and  company  of  the 
ank  of  the  United  Stales  be  requested  to  furnish  the  committee 
vith  a  statement  of  the  oulstnnding  eerlificales  of  the  public 
ebt,  for  which  Ihe  bank  holds  Ihe  money  in  depo.ite  to  re- 
eem,  under  the  designation  of  "redemption  of  public  debt," 
howing  the  names  and  residence  of  the  holders  of  such  out- 
landing  certificates;  the  amount  of  each,  mid  the  aggregate  of 
le  whole;  the  class  of  loans  to  which  they  belong  respectively, 
nd  whether  the  bank  has  paid  interest  to  any  of  the  holders  of 
le  same,  since  they  fell  due  ami  payable. 
A  true  copy:  RICHARD  RUSH,  secretary. 

No.  15. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  directors  and  company  of  the 
ank  of  the  United  Stairs,  be  requested  to  furnish  tin-  comrnit- 
e.e  with  the  entire  correspondence  between  s«id  bank,  or  any 
f  Its  agents,  and  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  and  Baring, 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK.     255 


Brothers  and  company,  and  Hottinguer  and  company,  touching 
the  bill  of  exchange  drawn  by  the  treasury  department  on  the 
French  government,  on  the  7th  of  February,  1833;  also  copies 
of  all  accounts  and  accounts  current  with  said  bank,  from 
either  Baring,  Brothers  and  company,  or  Hottincuer  and  com- 
pany, between  the  first  of  Jannnrv  and  July,  1833. 

A  true  copy:  Hl'CHAKD  RUSH,  secretary. 

No.  16. 

Resolved,  That  the  president,  directors  and  company  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  Stutcs,  he  requested  to  furnish  the  commit- 
tee with  a  list  of  the  names  ;inil  residences  of  all  the  persons 
who  surrendered  their  certificates  of  three  per  cent,  stock,  and 
received  a  credii  on  the  bonks  of  (he  bank  therefor;  the  time 
when,  and  amount  placed  at  the  credit  of  each;  the  aggregate 
amount  thus  surrendered,  and  the  dates  at  which  the  game  were 
paid  by  the  bank  to  the  proprietors;  the  names  of  the  agents 
employed  by  the  bank  in  any  negotiations  or  arrangement*  to 
postpo'ne  the  payment  of  said  slocks;  the  compensation  ullowed 
to  each  agent;  and  the  amount  of  expenses  allowed  to  each  in 


addition  to  compensation. 
A  true  copy: 


RICHARD  RUSH,  secretary. 
No.  17. 


Resolved,  That  the  president,  directors  and  company  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States  be  requested  to  furnish  the  commit- 
tee with  a  statement,  showing  the  names  of  all  special  agents 
employed  by  the  hank  since  its  establishment,  the  objects  of 
such  agencies,  the  compensation  allowed  to  each,  the  services 
rendered  by  each,  the  duration  of  such  agencies,  the  expenses 
allowed  to  each  in  addition  to  compensation,  and  whether 
either  of  such  agents  was  either  a  member  of  congress,  stale 
legislature,  or  officer  of  the  general  government,  at  the  time  of 
employment. 

A  true  copy:  RICHARD  RUSH,  secretary. 

No.  18. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  be  requested  to  furnish  this  committee  with  the 
following  statements.- 

1st.  A  statement  showing  the  amount  of  public  money  on 
deposite  in  the  bank  and  its  branches  respectively,  to  the  credit 
of  the  treasurer,  and  other  officers  of  the  United  States,  in  each 
month,  from  April,  1832,  to  April,  1834,  inclusive. 


lateral  security,  the  kind  and  description  of  stock*  thus  pledg- 
ed, the  date  and  terms  of  each  loan,  (ho  names  of  the  borrow- 
ers, with  the  amount  loaned  to  each,  and  thu  amount  now  doe 
by  sue.li  borrowers  respectively. 

11  th.  A  statement  showing  the  names  of  the  stockholders  of 
the  bank,  with  the  number  of  shares  held  by  each,  the  residence 
ofeac-h,  their  official  stations,  if  in  office;  and  showing  also  the 
aggregate  number  and  value  of  the  shares  held  by  foreigners  and 
citizens  of  the  United  states  respectivsry. 
A  true  copy:  RICHARD  RUSH. 

No.  19. 

Committee  room,  (North  Jlmerican  hotel) ,  dpril  30, 1834. 
SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  ol  your  let- 
ter of  the  29lh  in*tarit,  and,  having  submitted  il  to  the  consi- 
deration of  the  committee  of  investigation,  have  been  autliorisui) 
to  present  to  you  the  following  reply: 

The  committee  regret  to  find  that  the  character  of  th<?  resolu- 
tions heretofore  adopted  by  them,  and  of  which  copies  have 
been  forwarded  to  yon,  is  much  misunderstood.  In  your  letter 
of  the  29th,  il  is  said  "that  the  committee  of  investigation  have 
not  come  to  any  decision"  as  to  the  mode  of  proceeding  to  be 
adopted.  The  propriety  or  justice  of  such  an  allegation  is  not 
perceived.  The  committee  have  decided,  and  made  known  Iff 
you  that  decision,  that  they  have  the  power  to  compel  Ihe  |rro- 
duction  of  the  books  and  piipers  of  the  bank  for  inspection;  that 
they  have  the  power  to  make  such  inspection  in  the  presence 
of  those  only  who  may  be  by  the  committee  required  or  invited 
to  attend;  and  to  exclude  from  their  room  all  persons  whatever, 
who,  by  their  presence,  may  in  any  degree  tend  to  impede  the 
progress  of  the  inspection  of  the  books  and  papers,  or  incom- 
mode the  members  of  the  committee  in  the  discharge  of  ths 
high  duties  devolved  on  them  by  the  house  of  representatives. 
The  committee  reserve  the  right  to  exercise  that  power  when 
it  shall  become  necessary,  and  in  the  manner  which  their  sense 
of  propriety,  and  desire  to  do  justice  to  the  bank  and  IO  \hv 
country,  may  dictate.  They  hope  that  nothing  will  occur,  in 
the  course  of  this  scrutiny,  which  may  render  it  proper  for  them 
to  decide  upon  arid  exercise  the  full  extent  of  tire  powers  con- 
ferred upon  them  by  the  house;  and  are  happy  to  learn  that 
"there  is  no  practical  difference  between  the  views  of  the  board 
and  those  entertained  by  the  committee."  They  will  be  glad 


2d.  A  statement  showing  the  Dumber  of  votes  given  at  each    tf)  Rnow  wnether  lhey  are  aut|10rised  toconclude  that  the  room 


election  for  directors  of  the  parent  bank  since  December,  1832 
showing,  also,  what  number  of  votes  were  given  in  person  by 
the  stockholders,  and  what  number  by  proxy,  and  by  whom 
such  proxies  were  held,  and  a  list  of  the  directors  elected  at 
each  election. 

3d.  A  statement  showing  the  amount  of  gold  or  silver  coin 
which  has  been  purchased  or  sold  by  the  hank,  the  names  of 
the  persons  to  whom  such  sales  and  from  whom  sijch  purchase; 
have  been  made,  and  the  gross  amount  of  profit  derived  by  the 
bank  therefrom;  and  also  showing  the  most  usual  and  highest 
prices  received  for  each  of  the  following  descriptions  of  coin, 
and  whether  the  same  have  been  sold  in  the  United  States,  or 
in  foreign  countries 

1.  Gold  eagles,  halves  and   quarters  of  the  United  States 
coinage. 

2.  Silver  dollars,  halves  and  quarters  of  the  same  coinage. 

3.  Spanish  doubloons  and  their  parts. 

4.  Patriot        do.  do. 

5.  Spanish  milled,  Mexican,  Peruvian  and  Chilian  dollars. 

6.  English  guineas  and  sovereigns. 

7.  Louisd'ors  of  France  and  five-frank  pieces. 

8.  Half  joes  of  Portugal  or  Brazil, 

4th.  A  statement  showing  the  amount  of  gold  or  silver  coin 
which  has  been  drawn,  by  order  of  the  parent  bank,  from  each 
of  its  western,  southwestern  and  southern  offices;  and  also  the 
amount  of  specie  which  has  been  sent  thereto  by  the  same  au- 
thority. 

5th.  A  statement  showing  the  names  of  all  persons,  alpha- 
betically arranged,  who  were  indebted  to  the  parent  bank  on 
the  first  Monday  of  December,  1829;  showing,  also,  whether  by 
authority  from  the  board  of  Directors,  the  exchange  committee, 
the  president,  or  other  officer  of  the  bank,  each  loan  thus  marie, 
the  residence  of  each  borrower  or  debtor,  the  terms  on  which 
each  loan  was  made,  and  whether  each  debtor  was  liable  us 
endorser  or  drawer,  principal  or  security. 

6th.  Statement,  similar  to  the  foregoing,  of  the  debts  due  to 
the  parent  bank  on  the  1st  day  of  June,  1832,  and  on  the  28th 
day  of  April.  1834. 

7th.  A  statement  showing  the  amount  of  foreign  or  domestic 
gold  or  silver  coin,  or  bullion,  which  has  been  exported  by  the 
hank,  for  each  and  every  month,  since  the  1st  of  March,  1832, 
and  the  profits  derived  l>y  the  bank  from  such  exportation;  and 
also  the  amount  of  specie  imported  by  the  bank  within  the 
same  period. 

8th.  A  statement  showing  the  capital  of  eacli  ofthe  offices  or 
branches  ofthe  bank,  with  a  tabular  statement  showing  the  lia- 
bilities and  resources  of  each  branch  or  office,  on  the  1st  of  each 
and  every  month,  from  March,  1832,  to  April,  1834,  inclusive. 

9th.  A  statement  showing  the  amount  of  domestic  bills  pog- 
fessed  by  each  of  the  branches  and  officers  of  the  bank  on  the 
first  day  of  each  month,  from  March,  1832,  to  April,  1834,  inclu- 
sive, showing  also  the  places  at  which  the  game  were  purchas- 
ed, and  the  time  when  and  places  where  the  same  were  or  will 
be  payable. 


which  has  been  ottered  for  their  accommodation  at  the  banking 
house,  can  be  conveniently  set  apart  for  their  exclusive  use  and 
occupation,  from  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.  until  three,  P.  M.  during 
their  continuance  in  Philadelphia.  The  committee  assure  the 
committee  of  directors,  that  it  is  their  desire  to  conduct  the  m- 
vestigation  at  the  place  mutually  convenient  to  them  and  the 
officers  of  the  bank,  and  in  a  manner  calculated  to  work  no 
"injustice  or  oppression." 

An  answer,  consistent  with  your  earliest  convenience,  to  so 
much  of  this  communication  as  relates  to  the  occupation  of  the 
room  in  the  banking  house,  is  respectfully  requested. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  ser- 


vant, 


FRANCIS  THOMAS. 


To  John  Sergeant,  esq.  chairman 
of  Ike  com.  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  bank  ofthe  U.  S. 

No.  20. 

Bank  ofthe  United  States,  May  lit,  1834. 
SIR:  I  have  the  honor,  to  acknowledge  your  letter  ofthe  30th 
of  April.    It  has  been  laid  before  the  committee  of  the  board, 
and,  by  their  direction,  I  make  the  following  reply: 

In  saying  that,  according  to  Ihe  tenor  of  the  resolutions  of 
the  committee  of  investigation  of  the  29th  ult.  there  was  "at 
yet  no  practical  difference"  between  the  committee  and  the 
board,  the  committee  of  the  board  still  think  the  language  they 
used  was  correct  and  appropriate.  It  is  true  that  in  these  reso- 
lutions the  committee  of  investigation  had  asserted  a  power 
which  might,  perhaps,  have  been  controverted.  But  it  was  not 
the  intention  ofthe  committee  of  the  board  to  discuss  or  ques- 
tion the  powers  of  the  committee  of  investigation  in  the  ab- 
stract, or  as  matter  of  opinion,  but  simply  to  set  forth  their  own 
views  of  what  they  believe  to  be  the  rights  of  the  bank,  and  of 
the  individual  citizens  intrusted  with  its  administration. 

The  "practical  difference, "according  to  the  view  of  the  com- 
mittee ofthe  board,  would  only  occur  when  there  should  be  an 
actual,  as  distinguished  from  a  theoretical  collision;  that  is  to 
say,  when  an  exertion  of  power,  attempted  by  the  committee 
of  investigation,  should  be  met  by  an  assertion  of  right  on  the 
part  of  the  board,  incompatible  with  its  prosecution.  Such  a 
itate  of  things  would  be  extremely  to  be  regretted.  It  must, 
nevertheless,  be  conceded  thnt  a  case  might  be  presented  in 
which  the  committee  of  the  board  would  be  compelled,  by  a 
deep  sense  of  duty,  to  consider  their  rights,  and  to  act  upon 
their  own  views  of  them. 

Among  the  risks  incident  to  an  error  of  judgment  in  (Tecid- 
ng,  they  would  esteem  it  one  ofthe  greatest  that  their  conduct 
night,  by  possibility,  be  imputed,  however  unjustly,  to  a  want 
>f  due  respect  for  the  committee  of  investigation,  or  for  the  high 
source  from  which  their  authority  is  derived. 

Under  the  influence  of  these  feelings,  and  with  a  strong  de- 
iire  that  the  investigation  might  be  conducted  in  a  manner  sa- 
isfactory  to  both  the  parties,  the  committee  ofthe  board  gladly 
embraced  the  belief— it  may  be  that  their  strong  inclination  led 
hem  too  hastily  to  believe— that  there  was,  "as  yet,  no  practi- 


10th.  A  statement  showing  the  amount  of  money  which  has  !  cal  difference."     If  in  this  they  misunderstood  the  terms  of  th» 
been  at  any  time  loaned  by  the  bank  on  pledges  of  stock  as  rol-  I  resolutions  ofthe  committee  of  investigation,  they  will  be  rea- 


236     NILES*  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  bTATES  BANK. 


dy  to  receive  explanation,  of  the  committee,  in  this  or  any 
other  matter,  to  correct  the  misunderstanding. 

They  deem  it  due,  however,  to  the  committee  of  investiga- 
tion, as  well  as  to  themselves,  to  say  further,  that  in  the  letter 
of  the  committee  of  investigation  of  the  30th  ult.  there  appears 
to  be  a  misapprehension  of  the  meaning  of  the  committee  of  the 


board  in  their  letter  of  the  29ih  nit. 
The  committee  of  the  board  did  not  say 


'that  the  committee 


of  investigation  had  not  some  to  any  decision  as  to  the  mode  of 
proceeding  to  be  adopted."  They  do  not  know,  nor  can  they, 
without  failing  in  the  respect  due  to  themselves,  pietend  to 
know,  what  may  have  been,  or  what  may  be,  the  decisions  ol 
the  cemmittee  of  investigation,  except  so  far  as  the  committee 
may  think  fit  to  communicate  them.  Accordingly,  their  letter 
of  the  —  ult.  was  founded  entirely  on  the  resolutions  of  the  — 
utt.  copies  of  which  were  transmitted  to  them  by  the  commit- 
tee of  investigation;  and  the  passage  above  quoted  with  Us  con- 
text, referred  especially  to  the  following  sentence,  in  the  secom 
of  those  resolutions,  to  wit:  "But  this  committee  has  not  deter 
mined  that  it  will  become  necessary  to  perform  that  duty  nut  o 
the  presence  of  those  charged  by  the  directors  to  submit  tlie 
came  to  the  inspection  of  the  committee."  Comparing  tins 
with  the  resolutions  of  the  board  of  directors,  heretofore 'hand- 
ed to  the  committee  of  investigation,  it  did  appear  to  the  com- 
mittee of  the  board  that  there  was  no  decision  upon  this  mate- 


rial point,  and,  therefore,  that  there  was 
difference.'" 


'as  yet  no  practical 


Acting  upon  the  same  principle  that  has  hitherto  governed 
the  committee  of  the  board,  it  is  not  their  intention  to  question 
the  statement  of  the  committee  of  investigation,  "that  they 
have  the  power  to  compel  the  production  of  the  books  and  pa- 
pers of  the  bank."  &c.  That  such  is  the  opinion  of  the  com- 
mittee of  investigation  they  have  no  noubt;  and,  as  their 
opinion,  the  committee  of  the  board  freely  admit  its  claim  to 
high  respect.  It  is  only  when  ceasing  to  be  opinion  merely,  it 
shall  come  in  conflict  with  the  rights  of  the  hank,  or  of  those 
intrusted  with  its  administration,  (if  ever  that  should  happen), 
that  the  committee  of  the  hoard  will  find  themselves  bound, 
however  reluctantly,  to  examine  its  application. 

In  reply  to  that  part  of  your  letter  in  which  you  inquire  whe- 


were  taken,  designating   the  branches  at  which  such   snares 
were  taken  or  sold. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  a  statement  of  their  ex- 
pense account  since  the  1st  of  January,  1829,  up  to  the  date  of 
this  resolution  being  complied  with,  showing  the  items  and 
total  for  each  half  year,  corresponding  with  the  entries  in  their 
expense  book,  and  showing  the  names  and  residence  of  all  per- 
sons to  whom  any  payments  have  been  made,  the  amount  to 
each,  and  the  time  and  consideration  of  such  payments,  with 
copies  of  all  vouchers  taken  for  such  payments. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  a  statement  in  detail  of 
all  over  drafts  which  have  been  made  on  said  bank  or  branches 
since  1829,  liy  members  of  congress,  or  state  legislatures;  the 
time  such  over  drafts  were  made;  and  also  by  printers,  editors, 
itnil  publishers  of  newspapers  or  periodicals,  stating  the  time 
and  amount  of  each  over  draft,  by  whom  made,  the  period  such 
over  (Iralts  remained  unpaid,  and  the  time  and  manner  in  which 
such  drafts  have  been  paid  or  secured. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  the  particular  items  and 
the  aggregate  ofall  fees  or  compensations  paid  during  each  year 
to  attorneys,  counsellors,  or  lawyers,  since  the  establishment  of 
the  hank;  stating  the  amount  paid  to  each  person  employed,  to- 
gether with  their  names  and  residence,  the  times  when  the 
payments  were  made,  and  the  particular  services  rendered  for 
each  charge  paid;  also  whether  the  same  has  been  paid  at  the 
parent  bank  or  branches,  and  at  which,  designating  them;  al»o> 
ofall  sums  paid  as  a  general  or  annual  fee  or  salary  to  counsel- 
lor* for  the  hank,  specifying  the  name  of  each  person,  the 
amounts,  and  times,  and  places  of  payments;  and  also  whether 
such  sums  were  paid  by  the  order  in  each  case  of  the  board  of 
directors,  or  how  otherwise  paid,  designating  such  sums  as 
have  been  paid  in  cash,  and  such  as  may  have  been  passed  to 
the  credit  of  such  persons  or  others  in  payment  of  any  debt  or 
debts  due  to  said  bank. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  the  entire  conespond- 
ence  between  the  bank  and  the  New  York  branch  siace  the  1st 


ther  the  committee  of  investigation  "are  authorised  to  conclude 
that  Ihe  room  which  has  been  offered  for  their  accommodation 
at  the  banking  house  can  be  conveniently  set  apart  for  their  ex- 
clusive use  and  occupation,  from  10  o'clock  A.  M.  until  3 
o'clock  P.  M.  during  their  continuance  in  Philadelphia,"  I  am 
directed  by  the  committee  to  say  that  they  still  have,  as  they 
always  have  had,  every  disposition  to  accommodate  the  com- 
mittee of  investigation,  and  such  they  are  persuaded  is  the  dis- 
position also  of  the  board.  The  committee  find  their  authority 
in  this  respect  set  forth  in  the  resolutions  of  the  board  of  the 
28th  of  April,  communicated  to  the  committee  of  investigation 
on  the  same  day,  by  which  it  appears  that  the  board  directed 
them  to  offer  to  the  committee  of  investigation  "a  room  in 
the  banking  house  for  its  accommodation,  and  appointed 
them  a  committee  of  directors  to  exhibit  the  books  and  papers 
according  to  the  requirement  of  the  charter."  But  the  board 
at  the  same  time  declared  that  they  could  not,  "consist- 
ently with  their  sense  of  duty  to  the  bank,  and  of  the  oblis.i- 
tions  of  the  trust  committed  to  them,  consent  to  give  up  the 
custody  and  possession  of  the  books  and  papers  of  the  bank, 
nor  to  permit  them  to  be  examined  but  in  the  presence  of  the 
committee  appointed  by  the  board.  The  committee  of  the 
board  have  great  pleasure  in  renewing  to  the  committee  of  in- 
vestigation the  offer  of  the  room,  in  the  manner  pointed  out  by 
thi*  resolution,  and  in  tendering  any  further  service  in  their 
power  that  can  promote  the  convenience  of  the  committee  of 
investigation. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  yonr  obedient  ser- 
vant, JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
Hon.  Francit  Thomas,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  invest. 

No.  21. 
North  American  hotel,  committee  room,  May  1,  1834. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  the  accompanying 
copies  of  resolutions  which  have  been  adopted  by  the  commit- 
tee of  investigation.      Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
'  FRANCIS  THOMAS,  chairman. 

John  Sergeant,  Esq.  chairman 

of  committee  of  director*  of  the  bank  U.  States. 
[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  hank  be 
requested  to  furnish  the  committee  with  copies  of  all  corres- 
pondence between  the  president  of  the  bank  or  any  of  its  offi- 
cer* with  members  of  congress,  or  of  unanswered  letters  received 
from  any  one  of  them  since  the  first  day  of  July,  1832,  touching 
the  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  bank,  the  removal  or  restora- 
tion of  the  public  deposites,  or  touching  the  business  transac- 
tions of  inch  members  with  said  bank. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  the  committee  with  a  statement  showing  the 
whole  number  of  shares  which  it  has  taken  since  its  irslahli-h- 
inent,  by  purchase  or  in  payment  of  debts,  the  time  when  and 
from  whom  each  was  taken,  the  amount  they  were  taken  to  pay 
or  secure;  and  whether  such  debts  were  under  protest  when  suoji 
shares  were  taken,  the  names  of  all  parties  obligated  upon  each 
debt,  and  whether  such  shares  have  been  sold  by  the  bank:  and, 
ifsn,  the  amount  obtained  for  each,  the  deficiency  or  excess  in 


of  January,  1833. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  a  statement  of  all  the 
accounts  and  copies  of  the  entire  correspondence  between  the 


bank  or  any  of  its  officers  and 


;  also  the  correspondence 


of  the  bank,  or  that  of  any  of  its  officers  with  the  officers  of  the 
branch  at  Washington,  touching  the  debt  owing,  or  which  has. 
heretofore  been  owing  by  them  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States 
or  any  of  its  branches,  or  touching  any  negotiations  for  the  loan 
or  payment  of  money  since  the  1st  of  January,  1829. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  a  statement  showing  the 
amount  of  debt  directly  or  indirectly  due  or  owing  to  said  bank 


by. 


•  and 


,  or  either  or  both,  jointly  or  severally,  or 


by  any  other  person  for  their  benefit,  or  the  benefit  of  either  of 
them;  showing  also  the  amount  of  debt  thus  due  at  any  time 
heretofore,  with  a  statement  of  all  payments  on  their  account, 
with  the  dates  thereof  since  the  1st  of  April,  1832,  with  copies 
of  any  deed  or  deeds  of  trust,  arrangement,  contract,  or  agree- 
ment, or  assignment,  entered  into  between  said  bank  and  them, 
or  either  of  them,  or  others  for  the  benefit  of  said  bank,  or  in 
which  it  may  have  a  beneficial  interest;  also  copies  of  the  en- 
tire correspondence  between  said  bank,  or  any  officer  thereof, 

and  the  said and ,or  either  of  them;  also  a  copy  of 

any  consent  which  the  bank  may  have  given,  so  far  as  con- 


to  establish  and  publish  a  newspaper 
•,  notwithstanding  his  contract  with 


cerned  permitting 

in  the  city  of 

to  the  contrary. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  a  statement  of  the 
amount  of  debt  directly  or  indirectly  due  or  owing  to  the  said 

bank,  or  any  of  its  branches,  from ,  editor  of  the , 

or  any  other  person  for  his  account  and  benefit;  stating  ttie 
maximum  of  his  loans  or  debt  at  any  time  since  he  became  in- 
debted, ilitt  limes  and  places  when  and  where  contracted,  and 
the  time  and  manner  in  which  the  same  has  been  paid,  re- 
duced, or  secured,  and  with  copies  of  its  entire  correspondence 
with  the  said . 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  director*  of  the  bank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  a  statement,  showing 
the  details  of  the  debt,  which  has,  at  any  time,  bren  owing  by 


-,  publisher  of  the  • 


,  since  March,  1832, 


and  showing  how  the  same  has  been  settled,  secured,  or  ar- 
ranged; also  copies  of  all  proceedings  of  the  board  of  directors, 
or  any  committee  or  officer  of  said  bank,  in  relation  to  said 
debt,  since  that  period;  showing  also  the  amount  of  loss,  If  any, 
it  has,  or  may  probably,  sustain  by  him. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  hank  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  committee  with  copies  of  all  legal  opi- 
nions which  it  may  have  obtained  fiom  counsel,  touching  the 
right  of  the  bank  to  hold  the  public  moneys,  contrary  to  the 
powers  or  orders  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  remove  the 
same;  also  copies  of  all  the  opinions  olitained  fiom  counsel,  in 
relation  to  delivering  over,  as  directed  by  the  proper  officer,  the 
funds,  hooks,  and  papers,  provided  for  payins  revolutionary  pen- 
Muners.  or  annuities,  under  the  act  of  7th  June,  1832. 

Rnolretl.  That   the   president  nnd  directors  of  the   bank   be 


each  case  of  sale  in  resptct  to  the  debt  on  which  such  shares  I  reijiicstcd  to  furnish  this  committee  with  a  detailed  siatcmen 


NiLES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK.    987 


of  all  loans  made  since  the  1st  of  January,  1829,  to  individuals, 
who  then  were,  who  have  been  since,  or  who  now  are,  mem- 
bers of  congress,  mating  the  amount  of  each  loan,  when  the 
same  was  made,  for  what  term  the  security  was  given,  and  the 
time  when  such  security  was  received:  and  also  the  security 
which  the  brink  now  holds,  and  the  amount  now  owing  by  any 
and  each  of  such  borrowers,  or  other  person  for  the  benefit  of 
such  borrowers,  at  the  bank,  or  either  of  the  branches:  and 
stating,  also,  the  particulars  of  any  such  loans,  which  have  been 
protested,  or  which  are  now  under  protest,  and  the  names  of 
the  parties  to  any  such  debts;  also  the  names,  if  any,  of  any 
such  persons,  whose  notes  have  been  renewed  after  the  same 
had  become  due  and  not  protested  or  renewed,  with  the  names 
of  individuals,  parties  to  said  renewals,  whose  notes  were  under 
protest  at  the  times  such  renewals  were  made;  and,  also,  whe- 
ther such  loans  in  each  case  were  made  by  the  directors  or 
otherwise,  and  by  what  authority. 
No.  22. 

Bank  of  the  United  Slates,  May  1,  1834. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  committee  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  to  acknowledge  your  letter  of 
the  29th  of  April,  and  the  copies  enclosed  with  it  of  various  re- 
solutions of  the  committee  ot  the  house  of  representatives  of  the 
United  States. 

The  committee  deem  it  proper  to  lay  your  communication  be- 
fore the  board,  and  would,  for  that  purpose,  have  convened  a 
special  meeting  before  this  time,  but  that  it  seemed  to  them  ne- 
cessary, first,  to  collect  certain  materials  of  information  for  the 
board.  This  work  they  caused  to  be  begun  as  soon  as  they 
could;  it  will  be  completed  at  the  earliest  moment  possible,  so 
as  to  l>f  laid  before  the  board  to  morrow,  after  which  no  time 
will  be  lost  in  communicating  to  you  their  decision. 

With  great  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  he,  your  most  obedi- 
ent servant,  JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  invest. 

No.  23. 

Sank  of  the  United  States,  Nay  2,  1834. 
SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  communication 
of  the  1st  instant,  together  with  sundry  copies  of  resolutions 
which  accompanied  it.    They  have  been  laid  before  the  com- 
mittee and  before  the  board. 

The  committee  this  morning  also  laid  before  the  board  your 
communication  of  the  29th  ult.  and  the  copies  of  resolutions  ac- 
companying it;  and  they  have  directed  me  to  inform  you,  lhat 
as  the  resolutions  of  the  1st  instant  will  involve  the  necessity  of 
a  similar  inquiry  as  those  of  the  29th  ult.  the  board  do  not  deem 
it  expedient  to  decide  upon  the  one  until  they  are  prepared  to 
decide  upon  the  other.  As  soon  as  this  decision  is  made,  it 
will  be  communicated  to  you.  Wilh  great  respect, &c. 

JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  invest. 

No.  24. 

North  American  hotel,  committee  room,  May  2,  1834. 
SIR:  In  compliance  with  the  directions  of  the  committee  of 
investigation,  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  the  accompa- 
nying copies  of  resolutions;  and   remain,  with  great   resptct, 
your  obedient  servant,          FRANCIS  THOMAS,  chairman. 
To  John  Sergeant,  esq.  chairman 

of  committee  of  directors  of  bank  of  the  U.  Slatet. 

No.  25. 

[Enclosed  in  foregoing.] 

Committee  room,  (North  American  hotel),  May  2,  1834. 
Resolved,  That  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States  be  required  to  submit  for  the  inspection  of  this 
committee,  at  their  committee  room  at  the  North  American 
hotel,  on  Saturday,  the  3d  day  of  May  instant,  at  11  o'clock,  A. 
M.  the  hook  or  books  which  contain  the  minutes  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  board  of  directors,  at  their  several  sittings  on  the  1st 
and  8ih  days  of  October  in  the  year  1833,  and  from  the  21st  day 
of  April,  1834,  to  this  day. 

Also,  the  report  of  a  committee  of  the  board,  rejecting  a  pro- 
position to  transmit  a  copy  of  certain  resolutions  adopted  on 
the  1st  day  of  October,  1833,  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  of 
the  United  States;  also,  the  expense  book  of  the  bank,  and  the 
vouchers  for  expenses  paid  or  incurred  by  said  bank,  since  the 
1st  of  January,  1832. 

A  true  copy:  RICHARD  HUSH. 

No.  26. 

Committee  room,  (North  Jlmcricnn  hotel),  May  2,  1834. 
Whereas  this  committee,  sincerely  desirous  to  conduct  the 
inquiries,  examinations,  and  investigations  which  they  have 
been  required  by  the  house  of  representatives  to  niiike,  with 
fairriess,  impartiality,  order,  and  despatch,  have  learned  with 
regret  lhat  the  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  have 
declined  accommodating  this  committee  with  a  room  in  their 
banking  house,  for  the  exclusive  use  and  occupation  of  this 
committee:  Therefore, 

Raolvcd,  That  the  sittings  of  this  committee  shall  be  held  in 
their  room  at  the  North  American  hotel,  in  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia, until  otherwise  ordered. 

A  true  copy:  RICHARD  RUSH. 

No.  27. 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  May  3,  1834. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  committee  of  the  hoard  to  acknow- 
ledge the  honor  of  your  letter  of  the  1st  instant,  covering  sundry 
resolution?  of  the  committee  of  investigation;  and  in  reply  to 
that  letter,  as  well  as  in  further  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  29tli 
ult.  to  enclose  to  you  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  the  board  of 


directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  at  a  special  meeting 
convened  this  morning  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  several  communications  of  the  committee  of  investiga- 
tion, not  heretofore  answered.  With  great  respect,  your  obe- 
dient >.rvant,  JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
Hon.  francit  Thomas,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  iniett. 

No.  28. 

[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

Resolved,  That  the  board  do  not  feel  themselves  at  liberty  to 
comply  with  the  requirement  of  the  resolutions  of  the  commit- 
tee of  investigation  of  the  29th  ult.  and  1st  instant,  and  do  not 
think  they  are.  hound  to  do  so,  inasmuch  as,  in  respect  to  a  part 
of  the  papers  called  for,  the  effect  would  be  the  same  as  the 
surrender  of  their  books  and  papers  to  a  secret  and  ex  parte  ex- 
amination, wliic'h  they  have  already  refused  to  consent  to;  arifl 
as  to  the  other  part,  they  relate  to  matters  over  which  the  board 
have  no  control;  and  if  they  could  overcome  these  objections, 
arid  had  the  power  over  all  the  papers,  (.-till  it  would  be  im pos- 
sible for  them  to  comply  within  any  reasonable  time,  having 
ascertained,  by  a  careful  examination,  that  the  copies  and  state- 
ments called  for  by  the  resolutions  of  the  29th  ultimo,  alone, 
would  require  the  uninterrupted  labor  of  two  clerks  for  at  least 
ten  months,  to  make  them  out,  and  that  the  remaining  resolu- 
tions, so  far  as  they  concern  matters  not  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  board,  would  require  great  additional  time,  which  they  are 
not  able  exactly  to  compute,  without  causing,  what  they  fear 
would  be  an  inconvenient  delay  to  the  committee  of  investiga- 
tion; and  they  take  it  for  granted  that  it  would  no  more  com- 
fiort  with  the  views  of  the  committee  of  investigation  to  wait 
till  so  distant  a  period,  than  it  would  with  the  rights  of  the  bank, 
tq  have  such  a  burden  imposed  upon  it. 

No.  29. 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  May  3.  1834. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  committee  of  the  hoard  to  acknow- 
ledge the  honor  of  your  letter  of  the  3d  instant,  covering  copies 
of  two  resolutions  of  the  committee  oP  investigation,  and  to  in- 
form you  that  a  special  meeting  of  the  board  was  called  at  the 
earliest  practicable  hour  this  morning,  that  there  might  be  no 
disappointment  or  delay  to  the  committee  of  investigation.  The 
answer  will  be  found  in  the  copies  of  resolutions,  herewith 
transmitted  by  order  of  the  committee. 

With  great  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  he,  your  obedient 
servant,  JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 

Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  invest, 

No.  30. 

[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

Resolved,  That  the  board  are  not  aware  ol  having  declined  to 
accommodate  the  committee  of  investigation  with  the  exclusive 
use  and  possession  of  a  room  in  the  banking  house,  unless  the 
committee  of  investigation  so  construe  the  early  and  ready  offer 
of  the  room  liy  the  hoard  with  the  assertion  of  the  right  of  the 
committee  of  the  hoard  lobe  present  at  the  examination  and 
investigation  of  the  books  and  papers  of  the  bank,  and  to  have 
the  care  and  custody  of  the  same;  and  if  such  he  the  meaning 
of  the  committee  of  investigation,  then  the  board  are  constiain- 
ed  to  adhere  to  the  ground,  as  they  think  of  manifest  right,  tak- 
en in  their  resolution  of  the  28th  ultimo,  namely,  that  "the 
hoard  cannot,  consistently  with  their  sense  of  duty  to  the  bank, 
and  of  the  obligations  of  the  trust  committed  to  them,  consent 
to  give  up  the  custody  and  possession  of  the  books  and  papers 
of  the  bank,  nor  to  permit  them  to  be  examined  but  in  the  pre- 
sence of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  board. 

Resolved,  That,  with  every  disposition  on  the  part  of  the 
board  to  conform  to  the  wishes  of  the  committee  of  investiga- 
tion, so  far  as  it  may  be  done  without  a  violation  of  the  Irtut 
reposed  in  them,  the  board  cannot,  nevertheless,  consent  to  let 
the  books  and  papers  of  the  bank  go  out  of  their  care  and  cus- 
tody, nor  out  of  the  banking  house,  which  is  their  proper  place 
of  deposite;  and,  therefore,  they  cannot  comply  with  that  part 
of  the  resolution  of  the  committee  of  investigation  of  the  2d  in- 
stant, which  requires  that  certain  of  the  books  and  papers  of  the 
bank  be  sent  to  the  North  American  hotel  this  day  at  eleven 
o'clock,  believing  lhat  this  would  be  contrary  to  their  duty  to 
the  stockholders,  and  would  transcend  their  lawful  power,  as 
well  as  be  liable  lo  be  deemed  an  abandonment  of  the  right  to 
be  present  by  themselves,  or  their  committee  or  agents,  at  the 
examination  and  investigation;  inferring,  in  all  these  respects,  a 
very  grave  responsibility,  which  the  board,  in  their  limited  au- 
thority, do  not  think  they  can  be  reasonably  required  to  assume. 
No.  31. 

Committee  room,  May  5,  1834. 

ST.U:  By  authority  from  the  committee  of  investigation,  I  have 
the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  the  accompanying  resolution;  and 
to  be,  with  high  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

FRANCIS  THOMAS. 
To  John  Sergeant,  esq.  chairman 

of  the  committee  of  directors  of  the  U.  States  bank. 

NNo.  32. 

[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

Whereas  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  have  refused  to  submit  certain  of  their  book?  and  pro- 
ceedings lo  Ihe  inspection  of  this  committee,  at  the  committee 
room  at  the  North  American  hotel,  as  required  in  the  commit- 
tee's resolution  of  the  2d  instant,  but  have  declared  lhat  they 
are  not  aware  that  they  have  declined  to  furnish  this  committee 
a  room  in  their  banking  house,  for  its  exclusive  use  and  occu- 
pation, as  expressed  in  the  second  resolution  of  the  3d  instant, 
and  this  committee  is  earnestly  desirous  fully  to  execute  the  re- 


233     NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK. 


solution  of  the  house  of  representatives,  and  does  not  waive  it* 
•right  to  inspect  the  hooks  of  the  bank  as  required;  therefore, 

Resolved,  Tliat  this  committee  will  repair  to  the  banking 
house  thin  Jay  at  one  o'clock,  to  inspect  such  of  Ihe  books  called 
for  in  the  resolution  of  the  28ih  of  April,  1634,  nnd  such  other 
books  as  they  may  require  to  he  produced;  and  that  the  chair- 
Biau  inform  the  committee  of  directors  of  the  hank  thereof. 
A  true  copy:  RICHARD  RUSH. 

No.  33. 
South.  Fourth  street,  Aro.  89,  May  5,  1834,  11^  Jl,  M. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  letter  ol  this  date, 
just  now  received. 

It  appears  tome  impracticable  to  bring  together  the  committee, 
and  to  make  the  needful  arrangements  for  their  receiving  yon, 
and  attending  the  investigation  and  examination  of  the  books 
and  papers  of  the  bank,  in  conjunction  with  the  committee  of 
investigation,  by  the  time  you  mention.  They  will  be  reassem- 
bled, however,  without  unnecessary  delay,  and,  I  do  not  doubt, 
WJI4  notify  to  you  the  time  when  they  will  he  prepared  to  meet 
the  committee  of  investigation,  nnd  act  with  them  in  the  inves- 
tigation and  examination — probably  not  later  than  some  hour 
to-morrow.  With  great  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  your 
obedient  servant,  J.  SERGEANT,  chairman. 

Hon.  .Franais  Thomas,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  invest. 

No.  34. 
North.  American  hotel,  May  5,  1834. 

SIR:  Your  Unofficial  communication  lias  just  been  delivered 
to  me.  The  members  of  the  committee  of  investigation  sepa- 
rated this  morning,  after  adopting  the  resolution  which  I  have 
had  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you,  to  reassemble  again  at  one 
o'clock,  to  enter  on  the  performance  of  their  duty,  at  the  bank. 
I  have  no  authority  to  signify  that  this  purpose  will  be  changed 
by  your  letter. 

I  take  pleasure  in  adding,  that  I  have  no  doubt  the  committee 
•wiH  be  pleased  to  see  any  member  of  the  committee  of  direc- 
tors, at  the  hour  appointed,  at  the  bank.  And  am,  with  great 
respect,  your  obedient  servant,  FRANCIS  THOMAS. 

To  John  Sergeant,  eiq.  chairman,  &c. 

No.  35. 

Ordered,  That  the  cashier  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales 
be,  and  he  is  hereby  requested  and  required,  to  submit  for  the 
inspection  of  the  committee,  the  minute  books  containing  the 
proceeding*  of  the  board  of  directors  since  the  first  day  of  Janu- 
ary. 1839. 

No.  36. 
Bank  of  the  United  States,  May  5,  1834. 

SIB:  I  have  had  the  honor  of  receiving  from  yon,  personally, 
in  my  interview  with  the  committee  of  investigation,  a  resolu- 
tion of  the  said  committee,  in  the  following  words: 

"Ordered,  That  the  president  of  the  bank  of  the  United  State? 
be  requected  and  required  to  submit  to  the  committee  of  inves- 
tigation the  minute  book  containing  the  proceedings  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States;  the  expense  ac- 
count anil  vouchers  for  expenditure,  under  a  resolution  of  the 
board,  of  the  30th  of  November,  1830." 

In  answer  to  the  requisition,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  I 
have  not  the  custody  of,  nor  control  over,  the  books  and  papers 
mentioned  in  the  resolution.  The  general  custody  of  the  same 
in  in  the  board  of  directors  of  the  bank,  who,  by  resolutions  of 
the  24th  and  2Sih  ultimo,  already  communicated  to  the  commit- 
tee of  investigation,  appointed  a  committee  of  directors,  for  the 
purpose  of  exhibiting  these  books  and  papers  to  the  committee 
of  investigation,  anil  declared  that  they  could  not  permit  them 
to  be  examined,  except  in  the  presence  of  the  said  com  mi  I  tee  of 
directors.  I  am,  therefore,  unable  to  comply  with  the  requisi- 
tion contained  in  the  resolution.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very 
respectfully,  yours,  N.  P,I DOLE,  president. 

Hon.  Francis  Thomai,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  invest. 

N.  B.  A  reply,  similar  to  the  above,  was  addressed  by  the 
cashier  to  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of  investigation. 

No.  37. 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  May  6,  1834. 

SIR:  In  the  absence  of  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the 
board,  owing  to  a  cause  explained  to  you  yesterday,  I  have  the 
honor  to  send  you  herewith  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  the  com- 
mittee have  adopted  at  a  meeting  this  morning. 
With  great  respect,  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
B.  JAUDON,  cashier. 
;Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman 

of  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

No.  38. 

[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

At  n  meeting  of  directors  held  at  tin;  brink  on  th«  6th  day  of 
May,  1834,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  the  hoard  will  be  prepared 
to  receive  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives,  nl  the 
banking  house  of  the  hank  of  the  United  Stales,  to-morrow 
morninc,  the  7th  instant,  nt  eleven  o'clock,  then  nud  there  to 
proceed  in  the  execution  of  their  duty,  according  10  the  require- 
ment of  the  charter,  and  in  conformity  with  the  instructions  of 
the  board,  as  contained  in  the  several  resolutions,  copies  of 
which  have  heretofore  been  communicated  to  the  committee  of 
the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  States,  nx  the  same 
have  been  explained  to  be  understood  by  this  committee;  to 
.which  unrteigtand  ing  they  continue  to  adhere. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolution  be  trans- 
•mittsd  by  the  cashier  to  the  fa  on.  .France  Thotnai,  chairman  of 


the  committee  of  investigation,  in  reply  to  his  communication 
of  yesterday  to  the  chairman  of  this  committee. 
No.  39. 

May  7,  1834. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  will  proceed  to  examine  into 
the  truth  of  the  statement  made  by  the  government  directors  to 
the  president  of  the  United  Stales  and  to  congress,  and  for  that 
purpose  will  this  day  call  for  the  production,  lor  inspection,  of 
the  minute  hooks  containing  the  proceedings  of  the  directors  of 
the  bank,  and  the  e.\pefi=e  books  and  vouchers  lor  expenses  in- 
True  copy:  EDWARD  D.  INGRAHAM, 
secretary  of  committee  of  investigation. 
No.  40. 

May  7,  1834. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the  board  read  to  the  com- 
mittee of  investigation  the  following  preamble  and  resolution: 

Whereas  it  appears,  from  the  resolution  of  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives of  the  United  States,  appointing  the  committee  of 
investigation,  that  two  distinct  inquiries  were  contemplated, 
one  of  them  directed  to  ascertain  whether  the  charter  had  been 
violated,  and  limited  to  the  acts  of  the  corporation;  and  the 
other  so  very  general  and  indefinite,  as  to  make  it  difficult,  if  not 
impossible,  to  say  whether  it  has  any  limits  at  all,  either  as  to 
the  matters  to  be  inquired  into,  or  the  mode  of  pursuing  the  in- 
quiry; and  whereas  it  appears,  from  calls  made  by  the  commit- 
tee of  investigation,  thai  they  have  proposed  a  very  wide  range, 
embracing,  among  other  things,  an  extensive  examination  of 
the  acts,  transactions,  accounts  and  letters  of  individuals,  and 
thus  instituting  a  kind  of  general  search,  which  is  the  more  ob- 
jeclionable,  because,  if  il  have  any  purpose  at  all,  it  must  be  to 
criminate  those  individuals  as  well  as  the  bank,  and  if  it  have 
not  this  purpose,  it  is  without  any  assignable  object,  and  would 
be  an  injurious  invasion  of  private  interests;  and  whereas,  un- 
der these  circumstances,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  committee,  by  all 
lawful  means,  to  protect  the  rights  and  sacred  confidence  en- 
trusted to  their  keeping,  and  to  yield  nothing  by  consent  which 
cannot  be  legally  demanded  from  them:  and  whereas,  after  care- 
ful and  anxious  consideration,  they  are  of  opinion  that  Ihe  in- 
quiry can  only  be  rightfully  extended  to  alleged  violations  of 
the  charter,  and  this  inquiry  ought  to  be  conducted  according  to 
some  certain  principles  and  rules:  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  investigation  be  respectfully 
required,  when  they  ask  for  books  and  papers,  to  stale  specifi- 
cally, in  writing,  the  purposes  for  which  they  are  proposed  to  be 
inspected,  and,  if  il  be  to  establish  a  violation  of  the  char- 
ter, then  to  state  specifically,  in  writing,  what  are  the  alleged 
or  supposed  violations  of  charter  to  which  the  evidence  is  al- 
legrd,  or  supposed  to  be  applicable. 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  committee,  it  would 
very  much  conduce  to  the  purposes  of  justice,  as  well  as  to  the 
convenience  of  all  concerned,  if  Ihe  commillee  of  investigation 
would  furnish  a  specification  of  all  the  charges  intended  lo  be 
inquired  into;  and  proceed  with  them  in  order  as  stated. 
No.  41. 

Whereas  this  committee  have,  by  resolutions  severally  com- 
municated to  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  Stales,  declared  that,  in  discharging  the  duties  confided 
to  them  by  the  bouse  of  representatives,  they  claimed,  on  their 
responsibility  lo  lhal  house  and  lo  Iheir  constituents,  to  regu- 
late their  proceedings,  to  judge  of  the  extent  of  their  powers 
and  duties  for  themselves;  that  they  are  not  charged  with  the 
duty  of  criminating  the  bank,  ils  directors,  or  others,  but  simply 
to  inquire,  amongst  other  things,  whether  such  prosecution,  in 
legal  form,  shall  lie  instituted;  and  thai,  in  go  doing,  they  would 
afford  to  every  person,  who  might  appear  to  be  implicated  by 
their  examinations,  full  and  fair  opportunity  of  explanation  and 
defence: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That,  in  performing  the  duty  of  "inspect- 
ing the  books  and  examining  into  the  proceedings  of  Ihe  bank," 
the  committee  cannot  rightfully  be  "required,"  and,  from  the 
nature  of  their  duties  cannot  comply  with  a  request,  lo  state 
specially,  in  writing,  the  purposes  for  which  they  are  proposed 
to  be  inspected. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  cannot  comply  with  a  request 
or  requisition  to  specify  what  are  the  supposed  violations  of 
charter,  because  they  are  not  conducting  a  prosecution,  but 
simply  inquiring  whether  one  shall  he  instituted. 

True  copy:  EDW.  D.  INGRAHAM, 

May  7,  1834.  tec.  com.  of  investigation. 

1.  Mr.  Mason  called  for  the  production  of  the  minute  books 
containing  the  proceedings   of  the  board  of  directors  from  Ihe 
1st  Seplember,  1832,  lo  Ihe  present  date. 

2.  The  chairman  requires  that  the  expense  book  of  the  bank, 
with  the  vouchers,  showing  the  expenses  of  the.  bank  incurred 
under  resolution  of  the  30th  November,  1830,  be  submitted  to 
the  inspection  of  the  commillee  of  investigation. 

3.  Mr.  Muhlenlier"  dc<ired  that  the  hooks  showing  the  ac- 
count of with  Ihe  bank  of  the  United  States,  with  th« 

notes  and  paper*  explanatory  of  such  account,  from  Ihe  1st  day 
of  January,  1832,  may  be  submitted  to  the  inspection  of  the 
committee. 

True  copy:  EDW.  D.  INCUAHAM, 

May  7,  1834.  sec.  com.  of  investigation. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  directors  be,  and  they  are 
hereby,  requested  and  required  to  submit,  for  the  inspection  of 
thin  committee,  the  credit  books  and  pay  lists  of  the  bank,  to 
enable  tUia  committee  to  ascertain  "whether  it  hai  used  it» 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK.     239 

Which  being  considered,  was  replied  to  by  this  committee, 
as  follows: 

"Whereas  this  committee  have,  by  resolutions,  severally 
communicated  to  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the 
I/'nit«'cI  .States,  declared  that,  in  discharging  the  duties  confided 
to  them  by  the  house  of  representatives,  they  claimed,  on  their 
responsibility  to  that  house  and  their  constituents,  to  regulate 
their  proceeding*,  to  judge  of  the  extent  of  their  powers  and 
duties  for  themselves;  that  they  are  not  charged  with  the  duty 
of  criminating  the  bank,  its  directors  or  other*;  but  simply  to 
inquire,  amongst  other  things,  whether  such  prosecution,  in  le- 
gal form,  shall  be  instituted;  and  that,  in  so  doing,  they  would 
afford  to  every  person  who  might  appear  to  be  implicated  bjr 
their  examinations  full  and  fair  opportunity  of  explanation  and 
defence. 

Resolved,  therefore,  Thnt  in  performing  the  duty  of  "inspect- 
ing the  books,  and  examining  into  the  proceedings  of  the  bank," 
the  committee  cannot  rightfully  be  "required,"  and,  from  the 
nature  of  their  duties,  cannot  comply  with  a  request,  to  state 
specifically,  in  writing,  the  purposes  for  which  they  are  propos- 
ed to  be  inspected. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  cannot  comply  with  a  request, 
or  requisition,  to  specify  what  are  the  supposed  violations  of 
charter,  becau.se  they  are  not  conducting  a  prosecution,  but 
simply  inquiring  whether  one  shall  be  instituted. 
And  a  specific  answer  requested. 

That,  in  answer  to  these  several  calls,  the  committee  has  re- 
ceived the  following: 

Bank  United  Slates,  Hay  8,  1834. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  a  copy  of  a  resolu- 
tion of  the  committee  of  the  board,  and  to  be,  with  great  re- 
spect, your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 

To  the  lion.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  of  the  com.  ofinvstt. 
Resolved,  That,  after  full  deliberation,  and  with  every  feeling 
of  respect  for  the  house  of  representatives,  and  for  the  commit- 
tee appointed  by  them,  and  with  a  firm  conviction  that  they 
have  nothing  to  fear  from  scrutiny  of  the  affairs  of  the  bank, 
however  severe,  the  committee  of  the  board  are  constrained  to 
adhere  to  the  resolution  yesterday  handed  to  the  committee  of 
investigation,  nnd  to  decline  complying  with  the  calls  hereto- 
fore made  upon  them,  in  any  other  manner  than  is  therein  laid 
down,  believing  this  to  be  their  duly,  from  which  they  are  not 
at  liberty  to  depart. 

And  whereas,  this  committee  does  not  feel  authorised  to  con- 
sider the  act  of  the  committee  of  the  board  of  directors,  in  thus 
refusing  to  submit  the  books  and  papers  called  for,  to  the  in- 
spection of  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives,  as 
within  the  authority  conferred  on  their  committee  by  the  board 
of  director?,  and  thus  the  act  of  the  corporation:  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  be  requested  to  communicate 
this  resolution  to  the  president  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 
and  to  ask  that  it  may  be  submitted  to  the  board  of  directors, 
and  this  committee  informed  by  the  said  board  whether  the  re- 
usal  of  the  committee  aforesaid  is  to  be  regarded  as  the  act  of 
the  board,  or  done  by  its  authority. 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  be  directed  to  transmit  this  reso- 
ution  to  the  president  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 

North  American  hotel,  May  8,  1834. 

SIR:  1  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  two  resolutions  which 
lave  been  adopted  by  the  committee  of  investigation,  and  to 
ask  the  favor  of  you  to  submit  them  to  the  consideration  of  the 
loard  of  directors  at  an  early  hour.  I  have  the  honor  to  b«, 
very  respectfully,  vour  obedient  servant, 

FRANCIS  THOMAS, 
chairman  of  the  committee  of  investigation. 
Nicholat  Biddle,  esq.  president  of  the  United  States  bank. 

No.  45. 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  May  9,  1834. 

SIR:  I  had  last  evening  the  honor  of  receiving  your  letter 
ated  "North  American  hotel,  May  8,  1834,"  accompanying  a 
opy  oftwo  resolutions  ofthe  committee  of  investigation. 
These  papers  were  submitted  to  the  board  of  directors  nt  their 
neeting  this  morning,  and  I  am  instructed  to  transmit  to  you  a 
opy  of  their  proceedings  thereon.  This  I  accordingly  do,  with, 
he  assurance  ofthe  respect  of  yours, 

N.  BIDDLE, president. 
Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  of  com.  of  invest.  Phila. 

No.  46. 
[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

Bank  ofthe  United  States,  May  9,  1834. 

At  a  meeting  ofthe  board  of  directors,  held  this  d'ay,  the  fol- 
owing  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted: 
Resolved,  That  the  board,  having  heard  the  report  ofthe  com- 
littee  appointed  on  the  24th  ultimo,  upon  the  matters  referred 
i  them  this  morning,  do  fully  approve  and  sanction  the  reso- 
itions  adopted  by  (he  committee  on  the  7th  and  8th  instant, 
nd  presented  by  them  to  the  committee  of  investigation,  which 
.•solutions  are  as  follows: 

[Here  follows  the  resolutions  of  the  7th  and  8th  May,  nura- 
ered  in  the  documents  40  and  44.] 
No.  47. 

By  authority  ofthe  house  of  representatives  ofthe  U.  Stain, 
'o  Benjamin's.  Bonsall,  marshal  ofthe  eastern  district  of  Pa. 
You  are  hereby  commanded  to  summon  Nicholas  Biddle,  pre 
dent,  Ematuiel'Eyre,  Matthew  Newkirk,  John  Sergeant,  Chas. 
hauncey,  Jno.  S.  Henry,  Jno.  R.  Neff,  Ambrose  White,  Daniel 
V.  Coxe,  John  Goddard,  James  C.  Fisher,  Lawrence  Lewis, 


corporate  powers  or  money  to  control  the  press,  to  interfere  i 
politics,  or  influence  elections." 

True  copy:  EDW.  D.  INGRAHAM, 

May  7,  1834.  sec.  com.  of  investigation 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  directors  be  requeste 
and  requirsd  to  submit,  for  the  inspection  of  this  committee 
the  minute  books  of  the  bank,  together  with  the  correspond 
ence,  journals,  and  other  memorandums  of  the  proceedings  < 
the  committees  of  exchange,  on  the  stale  of  the  bank,  and  o 
the  offices,  that  this  committee  may  be  enabled  to  ascertai: 
whelher  the  bank  has  had  any  agency,  through  its  inaiiageiueii 
or  money,  in  producing  Ihe  presenl  pressure. 

True  copy:  EDW.  D.  INGRAHAM, 

May  7,  1834.  tec.  com.  of  investigation 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  directors  be,  and  they  ar 
heri-by,  requested  and  required  to  submit,  for  the  inspection  o 
this  committee,  the  minute  books  containing  the  proceedings  o 
the  board  of  directors,  together  wilh  Ihe  correspondence,  jour 
nals  ofthe  president  of  the  bank,  the  exchange  committee,  th 
committee  on  the  stale  of  the  bank,  and  the  committee  on  th 
officers,  that  this  committee  may  be  enabled  to  judge  whethe 
the  board  of  directors  have  violated  the  charter  ofthe  bank,  bj 
authorising,  permitting,  or  sanctioning  the  exercise  ofimprope 
and  illegal  powers  by  those  committees  or  by  the  president  o 
the  bank. 

True  copy.  EDW.  D.  INGRAHAM, 

May  7,  1834.  tec.  com.  of  investigation. 

No.  42. 

Bank  ofthe  United  States,  May  8, 1834. 
SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  a  copy  of  a  resolu 
tion  of  the  committee  of  the  board,  and  to  be,  with  great  re 
spect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  SERGEANT,  chairman. 
The  hon.  Francis  Thomas,  chairman  com.  of  investigation. 

No.  43. 

[Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.] 

Resolved,  That,  after  full  deliberation,  and  with  every  feeling 
of  respect  lor  the  house  of  representatives,  and  for  the  commit- 
tee appointed  by  them,  and  with  a  firm  conviction  that  they 
have  nothing  to  fear  from  scrutiny  of  the  affairs  of  the  bank 
however  severe,  the  committee  of  the  board  are  constrained  tc 
adhere  to  the  resolutions  yesterday  handed  to  the  commiitee  o 
investigation,  and  to  decline  complying  with  the  calls  hereto- 
fore made  upon  them,  in  any  other  manner  than  is  therein  !ak 
down;  believing  this  to  be  their  duty,  from  which  they  are  not 
at  liberty  to  depart. 

No.  44. 

Whereas  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  held  al  the  bank  on  the  24lh  of  April, 
in  this  present  year,  a  resolution  was  adopted  and  communi- 
cated to  the  committee  ofthe  house  of  representalives,  by  which 
a  "committee  of  seven  members  was  appointed"  to  receive  the 
committee  ofthe  house  of  representalives  of  Ihe  United  States, 
and  to  offer  for  their  inspection  such  books  and  papers  of  the 
bank  as  may  be  necessaiy  to  exhibit  the  proceedings  ofthe  cor- 
poration, according  to  Ihe  requirements  of  Ihe  charter." 

And  whereas,  at  a  room  ifi  the  banking  house,  on  the  7lh  day 
of  May  instant,  Ihe  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives, 
required  ofthe  committee  ofthe  board  of  directors  the  produc- 
tion of  certain  books  and  papers  of  the  bank  of  the  U.  States 
by  the  commiitee  ofthe  house  of  representalives  to  be  then  and 
there  inspected,  as  set  forth  in  the  following  resolutions: 

"Ordered,  That  the  minute  book,  containing  the  proceedings 
ofthe  board  of  directors  from  the  30th  September,  1830,  to"  this 
date,  May  7,  1834,  be  produced  for  inspection." 

"Ordered,  That  the  books  showing  the  accounts  of •    -  , 

of ,  with  the  bank  ofthe  United  States,  with  the  notes  and 

papers  explanatory  of  such  account,  from  the  1st  day  of  Janua- 
ry, 1832,  to  this  day,  be  submitted  to  Ihe  inspection  ofthe  com- 
mittee." 

"Ordered,  That  the  expense  book  of  the  bank,  with  the  vouch- 
ers showing  the  expenses  of  the  bank  incurred  tinder  a  resolu- 
tion ofthe  30th  of  November,  1830,  be  submitted  to  the  inspec- 
tion ofthe  committee  of  investigation." 

"Ordered,  That  the  committee  of  directors  bo  requested  and 
required  to  submit,  for  the  inspection  of  this  commiuee,  the 
minute  books  of  the  bank,  together  wilh  the  correspondence, 
journals  and  other  memorandums  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
committee  of  exchange  on  the  stale  of  the  bank,  and  on  the 
offices,  that  this  committee  may  be  enabled  to  ascertain  whe- 
lher the  bank  has  had  any  agency,  through  its  management  or 
money,  in  producing  the  present  pressure." 

"Ordered,  That  the  commitlee  of  directors  be,  and  they  are 
hereby,  requested  and  required  lo  submit,  for  Ihe  inspeciion  of 
this  commiitee,  the  minute  books  containing  the  proceedings  of 
the  board  of  directors,  together  with  the  correspondence,  jour- 
nals ofthe  president  ofthe  bank,  the  exchange  committee,  the 
commitlee  on  the  state  of  the  bank,  and  the  commitlee  on  the 
offices,  that  this  committee  may  be  enabled  to  judge  whether 
the  board  of  directors  have  violated  the  charter  of  the  bank,  by 
authorising,  permitting  or  sanctioning  the  exercise  of  improper 
and  illegal  powers  by  those  committees,  or  by  the  president  of 
the  bank." 

And  as  preliminary  to  a  reply,  received  from  the  commiuee 
ofthe  board  of  directors,  a  preamble  and  resolutions  as  follows: 
[Here  follows  the  resolutions  of  the  7th  May,  numbered  40, 
in  the  documents.] 


240     NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— REPORTS  ON  THE  U.  STATES  BANK. 


John  Holmes  and  William  Platt,  directors  of  the  bank  of  tin: 
United  States,  to  )>e  and  appear  before  Ihe  committee  of  the 
lioii.se  of  representative*  of  the-  United  States,  appointed  on  the 
4th  day  of  April,  18:)-4,  "for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining,  as  far 
as  practicable,  the  cause  of  the  commercial  embarrassment  and 
distress  complained  of  by  numerous  citizens  of  tin:  U.  State?, 
in  sundry  muiin.iri.il8  which  have  been  presented  to  congress  ul 
me  pi".-.!  nt  session,  and  of  inquiring  whether  the  charter  of  the 
nank  of  the  United  States  has  been  violated,  and  also  what  cor- 
iiiplions  and  abuses  have,  existed  in  its  management;  whether 
it  has  n.-ed  its  corporate  power,  or  money,  to  control  the  press, 
to  interfere  in  polities,  or  influence  elections;  and  whether  it 
tins  had  any  agency,  through  its  maiiazemenl  or  money,  in  pro- 
ducing Hie  existing  pressure;  also,  to  inspect  the  books  and  ex- 
amine into  tin;  proceedings  of  the  said  bank,  and  whether  the 
provisions  of  the  chatter  have  been  violated  or  not;  and  what 
iibusr;s,  corruptions  or  malpractices  have  existed  in  the  manage- 
•ment  of  said  bank;  and  also  to  examine  into  the  affairs  of  the 
said  bank  and  branches;  and  further,  to  yi-itlhe  principal  bank, 
•or  any  of  its  brauches,  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  the  books,  enclosed.  I  I 
correspondence,  accounts',  and  other  papers  connected  with  its  dii.nt  servant, 
management  or  business,"  in  their  chamber  in  the  North  Ame- 
rican hotel,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  bring  with  them 
the  credit  books  of  said  bank,  flawing  tin:  indi  hlcdness  of  in- 
dividuals to  said  bank  on  the  tenth  day  of  May  instant,  nt  tin 
tinur  of  twelve  o'clock.  M.  then  and  there  to  testily  loiichina 
the  matters  of  said  inquiry,  and  to  submit  said  books  to  ?aid 
committee  for  inspection. 

Herein  fail  not,  and  make  return  of  this  summons. 

Witness  the  seal  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  U. 

States,  and  the  signature  of  the  lion.  Francis  Tho- 

.,  ,      mas,  chairman  of  the  said  committee,  at  the  city 

of  Philadelphia,  this  ninth  day  of  May.  in  the  year 

one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty  four. 

FRANCIS  THOMAS. 
Attest:     W.  S.  FR.ANXUN,  clerk  house  of  representatives  U.  S. 

Marshal's  office,  PhilaJflpOia,  May  i()lh,  1834. 
Served  the  within,  on  the  individuals  within  named,  to  wit: 
Nicholas  Diddle,  Emaniiel  Eyre,  Lawrence  Lewis,  Ambrose 
White,  Daniel  W.  Cox,  John  Holmes,  Charles  Channory,  John 
Ooddard,  John  R.  Nefl',  William  Platl  and  Matthew  Newkirlc, 
by  handing  a  copy  thereof  to  each  of  them,  on  Friday,  the  Oth 
instant;  and  on  James  C.  Fisher,  John  S.  Henry  and  John  Ser- 
geant, hy  handing  a  copy  thereof  to  eactvof  them  on  the  10th 
day  of  May  instant,  between  the  hours  of  S  and  9,  A.  M.  So 
answers,  BENJAMIN  S.  BONSALL, 

marshal  eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania. 

No.  48. 

The  undersigned  having  been  individually  served  by  B.  S. 
rionsall,  esq.  marshal  of  the  eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania, 
with  a  copy  of  a  process  dated  the  9th  instant,  by  which  he  was 
commanded  to  summon  them,  by  the  following  names  and  de- 
scriptions, to  wit:  Nicholas  Biddle,  president,  Emaniiel  Eyre, 
Matthew  Newkirk,  John  Sergeant,  Charles  Cliauncey,  John  S. 
Henry,  John  R.  NelT,  Ambrose  White,  Daniel  W.  Coxe,John 
•Goddard,  James  C.  Fisher,  Lawrence  Lewis,  John  Holmes  and 
William  1'lait,  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  to  be 
:and  appear  before  the  committee  of  the  house  of  representatives 
of  the  United  States,  appointed  on  the  4th  day  of  April,  1834,  in 
their  chamber  in  the  North  American  hotel,  in  the  city  of  I'hila- 
<lclphift,  and  to  hjin«  with  them  the  credit  hooks  of  said  bank, 
otrthe  10th  day  of  May  instant,  nt  the  hour  of  twelve  o'clock, 
M.  then  and  tlfere  to  testify  touching  the  matters  of  said  inqui- 
ry, and  to  submit  said  books  to  paid  committee  for  inspection, 
liave  consulted  together,  that  they  might  be  assisted  hy  the 
judgment  of  each  other  as  to  the  course  they  were  individually 
1o  pursue,  and  have  concurred,  each  for  himself,  in  the  conclu- 
sion for  the  government  of  his  individual  conduct,  which  will 
now  be  stated;  and,  to  avoid  misapprehension  or  controversy, 
liave  reduced  their  answers  to  writing, signed  with  their  names, 
nnrt  heruwitli  respectfully  presented,  each  for  himself,  as  fol- 
lows: 

1.  Without  waiving  any  objection  there  may  be  to  the  legality 
of  the  said  process, or  the  service,  (which  is  expressly  reserved), 
\ve  deem  it  most  consistent  with  the  respect  we  wish  upon  all 
occasions  to  acknowledge  to  be  due  to  the  committee  of  the 
house  of  representatives  of  the  United  Stales,  to  attend  upon 
them  in  person,  and  accordingly  do  so  attend,  to  manifest  our 
respect,  but  not  to  admit  any  obligation. 

2.  We  do  not  produce  the  hooks  specified  in  the  paper  before 
mentioned,  that  is  to  say,  "the  credit  books  of  said  bank,  show- 
ing the  indebtedness  of  individuals  to  paid  bank,"  because  they 
nre  not  in  the  custody  of  either  of  us,  but,  as  has  heretofore 
hern  elated,  of  the  board,  whose  views  upon  this  subject,  we 
would  take  occasion  to  say,  have  already  been  respectfully 
communicated  to  the  committee  of  invesligalion. 

3.  We  do  not  know  whether  it  was  the  intention  of  the  com- 
mittee of  investigation  to  call  upon  cither  of  us  to  testify,  or 
whether  the  object  of  the  paper  was  not  simply  to  require  us  to 
•produce  "the  credit,  books  of  said  bank,  showing  the  indebted 
IIPSS  of  individuals  to  said  bank."     But,  to  avoid  unnecessary 
trouble  to  the  committee,  and  in  the  spirit,  of  frankness  requir- 
ed by  the  respect  that  is  due  to  them,  we  have  denned  it  pro- 
per to  consider  the  alternative  first  mentioned,  and  each  of  us 
now  says,  for  himself,  that,  considering  the  nature  of  the  pro- 
ceeding, and  the  character  of  the  inquiry,  even  as  explained  in 
the  resolution  of  the  committee  of  investigation  of  the  7th  in- 
rtant,  and  considering  that,  a*  corporators  and  directors,  we  are 


parlies  to  the  proceeding,  we  do  not  consider  ourselves  bound 
Lo  testify,  and  therefore  respectfully  decline  to  do  so.  \Veare 
sure  that  the  committee  will  duly  estimate  the  sacrifice  we 
make  of  personal  feeling  in  thus  deciding,  conscious  as  we  are 
that  we  have  no  knowledge,  which,  if  a  necessary  regard  to  our 
duties  and  Ihe  rights  of  others  permitted,  we  would  not  willing- 
ly expose  without  restive. 

N.  BIDDLE,  A.  WHITE, 

M.  EYKE,  D.  W.  COXE, 

JM.  NEWKIRK,  JOHN  GODDARD, 

JOHN  SERGEANT,  JAMES  C.   FISHER, 

CHARLES  CIIAUNCEY,     LAWRENCE  LEWIS, 
JOHN  S.  HENRY,  JOHN  HOLMES, 

JOHN  R.  INiEFF,  WILLIAM  PLATT. 

Philadelphia. 

No.  49. 

North.  American  hotel,  May  10,  1834. 

SIK:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you,  by  direction  of  the 
committee  of  investigation,  two  resolutions,  which  you  will  find 
enclosed.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  obe- 

FRANCIS  THOMAS,  chairman. 
To  Jo/i?i  Sergeant,  csq.  chairman 

of  the  committee  oj  the  board  of  directors. 

Whereas,  resolutions  have  been  adopted  by  this  committee 
into  which  the  names  of  private  individuals  were  necessarily 
introduced,  that  the  committee  of  directors  might  more  readily 
know  where  the  accounts  or  papers,  which  were  called  for  to 
be  examined  confidentially,  were  to  be  found:  and  whereas  it 
lias  never  been  the  intention  of  this  committee  to  publish  such 
resolutions,  unless,  after  such  confidential  examination,  it 
should  appear  that  the  duty  of  the  committee,  under  its  resolu- 
tion of  inquiry,  required  it:  and  whereas  the  directors  of  the 
bank  have  declined  to  produce  the  accounts  thus  called  for,  and 
this  committee  is  unwilling  to  excite  suspicions  against  any  one 
which  they  have  not  the  means  either  to  justify  or  remove,  and 
there  is  no  longer  necessity  for  such  injunction  of  confidence: 
therefore, 

Hetolved,  Tlml  the  members  of  this  committee  be,  and  they 
are,  released  from  the  injunction  which  has  been  imposed,  to 
consider  confidential  their  journal  and  proceedings,  except  such 
parts  thereof  where  the  names  of  private  individuals  appear. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  fori-going  preamble  and  resolu- 
tion he  forwarded  to  the  committee  of  directors. 
True  copy:  EDWD.  D.  1NGRAHAM, 

secretary  to  the  committee  of  investigation. 
10th  May.  1834. 

Committee  room,  North  American  hotel,  Wth  May,  1834. 
Resolved,  That  when  this  committee  adjourn  to-day,  they  ad- 
journ to  meet  in  the  city  of  Washington,  on  Thursday,  the  15th 
of  May,  1834,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 
True  copy:  EDWD.  D.  INGRAHAM, 

secretary  to  the  committee  of  investigation. 
ends  the  documents  attached  to  the  report  of  the 
minority.  It  will  naturally  present  itself  to  the  mind  of  the 
careful 'reader,  that  those  attached  to  that  of  the  majority  should 
have  been  preferred — and  so  they  would,  had  they  not  been 
kept  back,  or  somehow  delayed,  in  a  very  singular  manner,  and 
with  an  apparent  view  of  embarrassing  the  minority  in  the  pub- 
lication of  their  report — that  of  the  majority  having  been  given 
to  the  editor  of  the  "Globe"  before  it  was  in  possession  of  the 
printers  to  the  house  of  reprerenlativeR,  charged  with  its  publi- 
cation. A  brief  history  of  these  proceedings  must  be  recorded, 
else,  as  before  observed,  it  will  not  be  believed  that  such  things 
could  have,  happened.  The  committee  Mood  five,  against  two, 
and  1t  has  rarely  occurred  that  so  grral  a  majority  on  such  a 
committee  was  ever  before  arranged;— but  do  not  the  proceed- 
ing alluded  to  shew  that  the  fine  feared  the  twol 

The  date  of  the  writ,  May  i),  served  on  the  10th,  early  in  the 
morning,  with  the  signature  of  Ihe  clerk  of  the  house  attached, 
would  seem  to  make  it  probable  that  it  had  been  prepared  in 
blank!    What  authority  had  the  clerk  to  sign  such  a  paper, 


without  the  action  of  the  house? 


ED.  REO. 


From  the  National  Intelligencer,  of  May  30. 

We  have  examined  the  appendix  to  the  report  of  the 
majority  of  the  hank  committee,  with  a  view  to  ascertain 
whether  it  contained  any  matter  not  comprised  in  the 
appendix  to  the  report  of  the  minority  of  the  committee. 
The  following  extracts  from  the  journal  of  the  commit- 
tee, are  not  comprised  in  the  latter  appendix: 

North  American  hotel,  April  23,  1834. 

The  committee  met.     Present  all  the  members.    On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  address  a  loiter,  in  behalf  of  the 
committee,  lo  Ihe  president  of  the  bank,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the 
resolution  of  the  house  of  representatives  under  which  th« 
committee  nre  appointed,  informing  him  lhal  they  are  now  or- 
ganized, and  ready  to  proceed  to  business  nt  such  time  to-mor- 
row as  will  be  convenient  to  him. 

Commit! re  room,  (North  American  hotel),  May  5,  1834. 

"Ordered,  That,  on  nrrivina  at  the  bank,  the  chairman  he 
authorised  to  require  of  Ihe  president,  or  other  officers,  the  pro- 
duction of  the  books  of  the  bank,  for  inspection  of  this  com- 
mittee" 

Thereupon  the  committee  proceeded  to  the  banking  house. 
The  chairman  inquired  for  Mr.  Sergeant,  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee of  directors,  and  was  told  "he  \va«  not  at  Ihe  bank." 
He  then  inquired  for  the  president,  and  first  cashier  of  the  bank; 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— EDITORIAL  AND  MISCELLANEOUS.     241 


and,  on  their  appearing,  requested  each  of  them  respectively  to 
produce  to  the  committee,  for  inspection,  the  minute  books 
containing  the  proceedings  of  the  board  of  directors,  and  re- 
quested the  president  to  submit  for  inspection  also  the  expense 
book,  and  vouchers,  showing  the  expenditures  made  under  the 
resolution  of  the  hoard,  passed  November  30,  1830.  The  presi 
ili-iit  and  cashier  declined  complying  with  the  request,  alleging 
(lint  they  had  no  power  to  do  so,  the  hooks  being  in  the  custody 
of  the  board  of  directors. 

The  president  then  invited  the  committee  to  his  room,  where 
the  same  conversation  was  repealed  by  the  chairman  of  the 
committee,  and  the  president  of  the  bank.  It  was  there  pro- 
posed by  Mr.  Ellsworth,  that  the  demand  of  the  committee 
should  be  reduced  to  writing,  which  was  done  by  the  adoption 
of  the  following  order." 


Ordered,  That  the  president  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales 
be  requested  and  required  to  submit  to  the  committee  of  in- 
vestigation Ihe  minute  book  containing  the  proceedings  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates;  the  expense 
account  and  vouchers  for  expenditure,  under  a  resolution  of  the 
board  of  the  30ih  ol  November,  1830,"  and  llth  March,  1831. 
North.  American  hotel,  May  7,  1834. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  will  proceed  to  examine  into 
the  statement  made  by  the  government  directors  to  the  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  and  to  congress;  and  for  that  pur- 
pose will  this  day  call  for  the  production,  for  inspection,  of  the 
minute  books,  containing  the  proceedings  of  the  directors  of  the 
bank,  and  the  expense  books,  and  vouchers  for  expenses  in- 
curred. 

After  having  adopted  this  resolution,  the  committee  proceed- 
ed to  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates  and  occupied  the  room  as- 
signed for  their  use;  immediately  thereafter  they  were  attended 
by  the  committee  of  directors,  when 

Mr.  Mason,  as  one  of  the  committee,  desired  the  production 
of  the  minute  book  containing  the  proceedings  of  the  boaid  of 
directors  from  the  30th  September,  1832,  to  this  date,  (7th  May, 
1834). 

The  committee  of  directors  thereupon  retired  to  deliberate  on 
the  propriety  of  granting  this  request,  and  soon  after  returned, 
when  their  chairman  presented  the  following  paper  to  wit: 

The  committee  of  the  board  request  to  be  furnished  with  a 
copy  ot  the  resolution  of  the  committee  of  investigation  read  to 
the  committee  of  the  board  this  morning. 

The  following  resolution  was  then  passed  by  the  committee 
of  investigation: 

"JlesoteecZ,  That  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  this  committee 
read  by  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of  investigation  in  the 
presence  of  the  committee  of  directors  this  day,  and  requested 
by  said  committee,  be  lurnished  agreeably  to  their  request,  as 
tiiatter  of  favor  and  not  of  right." 

Mr.  Muhlenberg  desired  that  the  books  showing  the  accounts 


Charles  Chauncey,  John  S.  Henry,  John  K.  Neff,  Ambrose 
White,  Daniel  \V.  Coxe,  John  Goddard,  Janus  C.  Fisher, Law- 
rence Lewis,  John  Holmes  and  Willinm  Hall,  directors  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  to  be  and  appear  before  this  com- 
mittee, at  their  committee  room  in  lh«  North  American  holt:!, 

in  the  city  ot  Philadelphia,  at  12  o'clock  at  IK ,i,n  Saiuniay, 

the  10th  nii-tant.  and  to  bring  with  them  the  credit  hooks  of 
said  bank,  showing  the  indebtedness  of  individuals  to  taid  bunk; 
at  the  present  time. 

Committee  room,  May  10,  1834, 10  o'c/ocfc,  A.  II. 
The  following  n  solution  was,  on  motion,  adopted: 
Resolved,  That  this  committee  will  proceed   to  examine  N. 
Biddle,  esq.  president  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales,  loach- 
ing  his  having  acled  under  Ihe  resolution*  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  30th  November,  1830,  and  Ihe  1 1th  March,  1831-r  and 
as  to  what  amount  of  money  he  has  expended  under  those  re- 
solutions since  the  30lh  day  of  November,  1833,  lo  ibis  day. 

At  12  o'clock  at  noon,  Nicholas  Biddle,  esq.  and  Messrs.  Ma- 
nuel  Eyre,  Matthew  Newkirk,  John  Sergeant,  Chas.  Chauncey, 
John  S.  Henry,  John  R.  Neff,  Ambrose  White,  Daniel  VV.  f  oxer 
John  Goddard,  Jas.  C.  Fisher,  Lawrence  Lewis,  John  Bolmeg 
and  William  1'latt,  presented  tltemselves  at  the  committee 
room,  and  Mr.  Sergeant  staled  "that  they  came  in  pursuance 
of  the  precept  served  on  them  individually  by  the  marshal,  and 
that  he  would  read  their  individual  answer  to  it." 


of  Messrs. 


,  wilh  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates,  and  pa- 


jiers explanatory  of  such  account,  from  the  1st  day  of  January, 
1832,io  this  day,  may  be  submitted  to  the  inspection  of  the 
committee. 

The  chairman  requires  that  ihe  expense  book  of  the  bank, 
with  the  vouchers,  showing  the  expenses  of  the  bank,  incurred 
by  a  resolution  of  the  30th  November,  1830,  and  the  llth  March, 
1831,  be  submitted  to  the  inspection  of  the  committee  of  inves- 
tigation. 

The  question  being  taken  upon  thorn,  was  carried  in  the  af- 
firmative, without  a  division  being  called  for. 

Notice  being  given  to  the  coinmitlee  of  Ihe  board  of  directors 
that  the  committee  of  investigation  were  ready  lo  receive  them, 
they  attended,  and  the  chairman  staled  to  Mr.  Sergeant,  chair- 
man of  the  committee  of  the  board,  "that  the  committee  had 
directed  a  copy  of  Ihe  resolution  requesled  by  Idem,  lo  be  fur- 
Kishecl;"  which  was  thereupon  furnished  to  Mr.  Sergeant  by 
the  secretary. 

The  chairman  iiNo  stated  to  Mr.  Sergeant,  that  other  books 
and  papers  were  specifically  required  by  members  of  the  com- 
mittee, specifying  lo  him  those  required  by  Mr.  Mnhlenberg, 
Mr.  Mason  and  himself.  The  committee  of  the  board  then  re- 
tired, and  in  a  few  minutes  returned;  arid  Mr.  Sergeant  stated 
that  he  was  authorised  by  the  committee  of  the  boaid  to  offer 
certain  resolutions,  which  he  read. 

The  resolutions  here  referred  to  are  in  both  appendi- 
«es,  beginning  thus:  "Whereas  it  appears  from  the  re- 
solution of  the  house  of  representatives, "8w; 

The  following  also  appear  in  the  majority  appendix, 
and  not  in  the  other: 

Bank  of  the  United  Stales,  May  9,  1831. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  direclors,  held  this  day,  Ihe  fol 
lowing  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopled: 

Resolved,  Thai  the  board,  having  heard  ihe  report  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  on  the  -24th  ultimo,  upon  the  matters  referred 
to  them  this  morning,  do  fully  approve  ami  sanction  the  resolu- 
tions adopled  hy  ihe  committee  on  the  7th  and  8th  instant,  and 
presented  by  them  to  the  committee  of  investigation. 
The  following  resolution  was  adopted  hy  ihe  committee  of 


EDITORIAL  AND  MISCELLANEOUS. 

Notwithstanding  the  room  obtained  by  the  supplement 
to  the  present  sheet,  we  do  not  seem  to  have  diminished 
the  stock  of  articles  that  have  been  laid  on  the  table  for 
insertion— among  which  are  sundry  things  of  our  own 
make, 

The  other  day,  when  wondering  what  had  become  of 
Mr.  CVny'rf  report  on  the  public  lands,  with  reference  to 
the  bill  which  had  passed  both  houses,  and  was  returned 
to  the  senate,  hy  the  president  of  the  United  States^we 
met  with  it  in  our  old  friend  Wilson's  paper,  the  "Steu- 
benville  Gazette!"  The  subject  is  one  of  great  import- 
ance, and  for  several  reasons,  and  ought  to  be  widely 
spread  before  the  people.  Of  course  it  shall  have  a  spee- 
dy place  in  the  REGISTER. 

The  majorities  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  in 
deciding  the  great  questions  presented  to  that  body,  were 
not,  a  short  time  ago,  expected  either  by  the  friends  or 
opponents  of  the  administration:  and  the  preference  given 
to  Mr.  Hell,  over  Mr.  Polk,  as  speaker  of  the  house  of 
representatives,  is  thought  by  some  a  strong  indication 
of  an  altered  feeling  in  that  body;  which,  if  to  be  elected 
now,  would  surely  have  a  very  different  political  cha- 


investigation: 


Committee  room,  May  9,  183-4. 


Resolved,  That  the  chairman  of  this  cornmiiltee,  in  pursuance 
of  the  authority  of  the  house  ot"  representatives  of  the  United 
S  tales,  and  its  terms  and  rules  regulatinz  its  proceedins?,  do 
is  MIR  a  subpoena  duees  tecum.to  be  directed  to  Nicholas  Biddle, 
{>  /esideut,  Manuel  Eyre,  Matthew  Newkirk,  John  Sergeant, 


We  have  made  a  tabular  statement  of  the  ballots  taken 
in  the  house  of  representatives  for  speaker,  in  the  place 
of  Mr.  Stevenson,  who  resigned  both  his  office  and  mem- 
bership in  the  house,  on  Monday  last.  On  the  10th  bal- 
lot, Mr.  Hell,  of  Tennessee,  a  worthy  gentleman;  and 
who  will  make  an  able  speaker,  we  think,  was  chosen  by 
a  handsome  majority  over  Mr.  Polk,  who  was  the  "ad- 
ministration" candidate  proper:  but  when  the  prevailing 
party  was  compact,  Mr.  Stevenson  obtained  a  majority 
of  66 — or  142  to  76;  now  Mr.  Hell  had  a  majority  of  36 
over  Mr.  Polk,  or  114  to  78,  some  scattering  votes  beino- 
given.  It  was  said  that  Mr.  Sntfierland  made  a  cal- 
culation on  the  chair,  when  he  consented  to  be  a  candi- 
date and  to  resign  his  judgeship  in  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
appointment  of  Mr.  StevMison,  as  minister  to  England, 
being  then  also  calculated — but  he  made  a  poor  poll. 

It  is  remarked,  that  the  house  did  not  pass  any  compli- 
mentary  vote  to  Mr.  Stevenson,  and  that  Mr.  Hell,  on 
taking  the  chair,  made  no  reference  to  him,  in  his  brief 
remarks  on  that  occasion.  These  are  singular  omissions. 

It  is  stau-d  that  Mr.  Titfipan,  nominated  as  judge  of 
the  district  court  of  Ohio,  has  been  rejected  by  the  se- 
nate; and  s:iid  that  afttr  Mr.  Gordon's  reject  ion  by  the 
senate,  as  collector  at  New  Orleans,  ihe  president  named 
his  son,  :i  young  man,  for  that  important  place,  li  does 
not  appear  that  the  senate  has  yet  acted  on  the  nomination 
of  young  Gordon.  We  believe  this  proceeding  has  no 
precedent.  The  son,  it  seems,  is  the  present  deputy  of  the 
father,  and  the  father,  in  case  he  [the  son]  should  be  ap- 
pointed, would  probably  become  the  deputy  of  the  son — 
"all  in  the  family."  Had  such  a  thing  happened  seven 


242 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


This  district  is  composed  of  Dorchester,  Somerset  anc 
Worcester  counties,  and,  at  the  election  oi'  1833,  gavt 
Mr.  Dennis  a  majority  of  only  210  votes. 

183.3.  1834. 

Steele.   Stewart. 


years  ago,  what  would  have  been  said  of  it?     The  sena 
will  not  appoint  the  son,  having  rejected  the  father. 

We  have  now  been  twice  disappointed  in  obtainin 
room  for  a  brief  speech  of  Mr.  Naudain,  of  TX-lawar 
in  the  senate  of  the  United  Slates,  when  he  had  occasio 
to  refer  to  certain  proceedings  of  the  "democrats"  ( 
New  Castle  county — to  which  is  appended  some  plai 
remarks  of  our  own  on  the  same  subject,  and  in  relatio 
to  persons  and  things  long  past.  The  articles  alluded  t 
•will  probably  have  a  place  in  the  next  number. 

Speaking  of  Delaware,  we  may  notice  that  a  meetin 
of  400  of  the  young  men  of  New  Castle  county  was  he] 
at  the  "Red  Lion  inn,"  the  old  "democratic"  place  to 
holding  county  meetings,  on  Saturday  last.  We  hav 
the  pleasure  of  knowing  several  of  them,  and  knew  th 
fathers  of  many  others,  whose  names  are  given.  Th" 
meeting  and  the  proceedings  had  at  it,  composed  as 
was,  will  speak  to  the  "democracy"  of  the  county,  at  th 
polls  in  October  next,  a  language  that  cannot  be  mistake) 
A  letter  was  received  and  read  at  this  meeting  fron 
Richard  H.  JBayard,  esq.  son  of  the  late  James  A.  Bay 
ard,  assigning  his  reasons  for  withdrawing  his  suppor 
from  gen.  Jackson's  administration,  and  'uniting  himseli 
with  the  whig  party  in  sustaining  the  constitution  an 
laws.''  The  following  letter  from  Mr.  Bayard  has  als 
been  published: 

Wilmington,  June  Zd,  1834. 

SIR:  In  the  fall  of  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty  tw 
I  was  elected  a  member  or  the  senate  of  the  state  of  Delaware 
for  the  term  of  four  years. 

My  name  was  presented  at  that  time  to  the  people  of  Ne 
Castle  county,  by  the  Jackson  party  as  one  of  their  candidate 
for  that  office,  and  iny  election  was  of  course  owing  to  thei 
strength  in  the  county. 

The  recent  measures  of  the  party  as  well  as  some  of  the  doc 
trines  of  president  Jackson,  as  their  chief,  in  relation  to  the  na 
lure  and  extent  of  the  powers  of  the  executive  department  o 
the  federal  government,  being,  in  my  humble  opinion,  repug 
nant  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  having  a  ten 
dency  to  change  the  nature  of  our  institutions,  prevent  my  con 
tinuing  to  be  any  longer  one  of  its  members. 

Under  these  circumstances  I  cannot  reconcile  with  my  own 
sense  of  propriety  the  further  occupation  of  an  office  which  \va 
obtained  through  their  means,  and  which  they  may  supposi 
would  be  still  within  their  control,  if  it  were  an  open  question 
I  therefore,  sir,  hereby  resign  my  seat  in  the  senate  of  the  state 
of  Delaware.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  repectfnlly,  your 
ob't  servant,  R.  H.  BAYARD. 

Joshua  Burton,  esq.  speaker 
of  the  senate  of  the  *tj.te  of  Delaware. 

The  result  of  various  late  elections,  and  the  excitec 
feeling  that  prevails  among  the  people,  shews,  as  we  have 
always  contended  would  be  the  case,  that  PARTT  POLITICS 
are  being,  or  about  to  be,  discarded,  in  considerations  thai 
reach  the  heart  and  home  of  every  man,  unless  a  petted 
office-holder,  or  others  living  upon  fixed  incomes.  The 
great  question  is  not  now  "Jackson"  or  "anti-Jackson,' 
though  these  words  are  still  used  to  express  ideas — it  is 
whether  our  late  public  safety  and  private  prosperity, 
under  just  interpretations  of  the  constitution  and  a  whole- 
some administration  of  the  laws,  shall  he  restored — or, 
the  present  confused  and  alarming  state  of  the  public 
mind  and  increase  of  private  suffering,  caused  by  a  per- 
severance in  the  rash  and  ill-advised  acts  of  one  man,  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  permitted  to  con- 
tinue and  extend  the  general  excitement  and  general  dis- 
tress— and  so  the  people,  the  sovereign  people,  will  soon 
decide  upon  it,  the  blind  leadings  and  abject  followings 
of  mere  party  men  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  See, 
for  an  example,  the  state  of  things  at  Utica,  New  York, 
as  made  known  in  consequence  of  Mr.  Seardstey's  pro- 
ceedings concerning  a  certain  memorial  from  Oucida 
county.  See  the  unity  of  all  classes  of  persons,  except  at- 
torneys, on  these  matters.  It  is  so,  or  will  be  so,  every 
where,  among  business  men  of  all  descriptions — and  of 
persons  who  have  a  settled  stake  in  the  societies  in  which 
they  live. 

An  election  was  held  on  the  29th  ult.  to  fill  the  seat  in 
congress  vacated  by  the  decease  of  Mr.  Dennis,  a  repre- 
sentative from  Maryland,  and  resulted  in  the  choice  of 
Mr.  John  JV".  Steele,  (anti-Jackson)  by  an  unprecedented 
majority. 


Dorchester 

Somerset         432        — 

Worcester       116 


1 833. 
Dennis.  Stewart. 

106  maj.  491 


306       — 
311       — 


maj. 


432 
222 


222    Steele'smaj.  1,168 


Dennis's  maj.  210 

We  do  not  think  we  venture  much  in  saying,  that  if 
all  the  members  of  congress  from  Maryland  were  now 
to  be  elected,  the  whole  except  one  (if  one  should  re- 
main), would  be  chosen  by  large  majorities  against  the 
measures  of  the  administration. 

William  A.  Bradley,  esq.  has  been  elected  mayor  of 
Washington — for  Mr.  B.  546;  for  Mr.  Peter  Force  442. 
There  was  no  "administration"  candidate. 

We  can  only  notice  the  June  report  of  the  affairs  of 
bank  of  the  United  States,  to  say,  that  it  is  still  rapid- 
ly gaining  strength,  and  has  increased  its  specie  more 
than  1,100,000  since  1st  of  May — the  amount  now  being 
12,298,333  dollars.  How  much  is  it  to  be  regretted  that 
the  mighty  means  of  this  institution  to  relieve  the  public, 
dare  not  be  used  because  of  the  war  waged  against  it. 

The  "Albany  Argus"  copies  a  part  of  an  article  from 
the  REGISTER  of  October  10,  1818,  in  which  we  called 
for  the  names  of  the  stockholders  of  the  bank  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  with  the  amount  of  tlie  shares  held  by  each, 
:hat  the  people  might  know  them,  and  see  the  influences 
under  which,  individually,  whether  in  or  out  of  congress, 
they  acted;  and  from  this  article  would  make  an  argument 
that  the  committee,  recently  at  Philadelphia,  was  right  in 
demanding  a  possession  of  the  books  of  the  bank,  and 

opies  of  the  private  correspondence  of  members  of  con- 
gress, on  all  subjects  relating  to  the  business  or  affairs  of 
he  bank!     This  reminds  us  of  a  quaint  saying  which  we 
.hink  runs  thus — "If  his  name  is  JOIIJT,  call  him  PKTEH." 
The  article  alluded  to  had  exclusive  reference  to  the 
stockholders,  some  of  whom  were  believed  to  have  obtain- 
ed,   (as    was   really   the    case),    enormous   discounts  or 
accommodations  on  hypothecations  of  the  stock  of  the 

nnk — whereby  much  public  embarrassment  was  caused 
or  their  particular  benefit.  We  called  for  those  names— 
"or  we  desired  that  all  men  should  see  the  "length  and 

readth"of  the  proceedings  alluded  to;  and  still  insist  on 
t,  that  such  monopolizations  of  the  stock  were  PUBLIC 
natters — and  so  they  have  since  been  considered,  for  lists 
f  the  stockholders  have  been  freely  published;  and  the 
:all  that  we  made,  though  not  satisfied  at  the  time,  has 
icen  complied  with  by  the  reformed  administration  of 
he  bank,  without  scruple. 

Now  as  this  was  the  whole  scope  of  the  article  of 
X^tober,  1818 — having  reference  only  to  the  stockholders, 
onsidering  them  responsible  "at  the  bar  of  the  public  rea- 
on,"  what  is  the  nature  of  an  argument  that  would  ap- 
ily  the  remarks  made  by  us  concerning  them  as  public 
ersons,  to  the  private  affairs  of  the  bank,  or  the  private 
orrespondence  of  individuals  with  it? 

It  is  not  worth  the  while  to  speak  further  on  this  sub- 
ect,  unless  to  say,  if  a  change  of  opinion  had  taken  place, 
ic  editor  of  the  "Argus"  might  have  found  an  excuse 
or  it  in  his  own  changed  opinions  of  the  "republicanism" 
f  "Jllister  Jackson,"  in  1824,  and  his  daily  proclamn- 
ons  of  the  republicanism  of  president  Jackson  in  1834, 
CO. 

We  observe  that  the  "Feds,"  or  officers'  paper  at  Phi- 
delphia,  has  also  published  the  article  from  the  "Re- 
ster."  It  says  that  it  "gives  the  •whole'"  of  it.  This  is 

ot  even  half-true.     It  is  broken  off  at  a  very  convenient 
ace — for  the  next  paragraph  after  the  quotation  given, 

sks — "Jlnd  -why  should  not  such  lists  of  the  stockholders 

f  all  the  banks  be  published  annually,"  &c. 
We  shall  only  arid — that,  though  in  th«  excitement  of 
a  discussions  in   which  we  were  engaged   some  12  or 
.  years  ago,  we  said  many  things  with  a  severity  of 
anner  which,  in  altered  circumstances,  the  judgment 


WILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


243 


does  not  now  altogether  approve,  and  on  account  of  som 
mistakes  honestly  committed — there  is  not  a  single  prin 
ciple  laid  down  by  us,  in  those  discussions,  that  we  d 
not  yet  entirely  approve,  except  those  whicli  rested  01 
our  then  entertained  belief  that  the  bank  was  unconstitu 
tional;  and  those  who  quote  what  we  said  of  the  bank 
as  it  toas,  are  as  unjust,  (as  has  before  been  observed) 
if  the  comparison  may  be  allowed,  as  it  would  be,  u 
speak  of  the  apostle  Peter,  as  a  base  liar  and  arran 
coward  and  knave,  because  of  certain  parts  of  his  conduc 
— from  which  all  the  Christian  world  believes  he  was  re 
lieved  by  a  subsequent  adherence  to  truth,  and  by  the  con 
stancy  and  valor  witli  which  he  proclaimed  it  even  to  hi 
own  martyrdom. 

[The  preceding  article  has  been  deferred  two  weeks — 
once  accidentally,  and  once  of  necessity.] 

The  Albany  Daily  Advertiser  says  that  an  anti-bank 
memorial  to  congress,  from  Watervliet,  signed  by  187 
persons,  had  on  it  the  names  (which  are  given),  of  19 
public  officers,  17  enlisted  soldiers  of  the  army  of  the 
United  States  at  the  arsenal,  and  of  two  persons  [who 
signed  it  twice. 

The  "Globe"  of  May  24,  says— 

"A  blasting  mildew  is  suddenly  brought  upon  the  business 
concerns  of  the  country,  and  a  prostration  of  trade  and  credit, 
to  an  extent  supposed  to  have  been-  hitherto  unknown,  is  by 
some  means  effected." 

The  veteran  printer  and  editor,  col.  William  Dnane, 
has  issued  proposals  for  "reviving  and  publishing  the 
Aurora,"  at  eight  dollars  by  the  year,  payable  half  year 

The  proposed  editor  wishes  it  understood  that  this 
paper  will  be  conducted  on  the  old  principles  of  the 
"Aurora,"  of  1798;  and  he  says,  that — 

"No  compromise  will  h«  made  of  principles  for  subscriptions 
or  advertising,  nor  any  private  or  public  interference  submitted 
to,  incompatible  with  the  social  interests  and  the  freedom  of  the 
press. 

<;lf  the  Aurora  be  revived,  it  must  be  by  the  people  at  large, 
not  by  any  combinations  with  partial  views;  when  there  are  no 
other  funds  or  facilities,  the  resources  can  only  be  found  in  the 
support  of  the  great  body  of  the  people— in  the  public  fidelity  to 
itself." 

We  heartily  wish  that  our  old  friend  may  receive  the 
fulness  of  public  support;  and,  to  assist  in  rendering  it, 
we  are  ready  to  receive  and  forward,  free  of  expense, 
subscriptions  for  the  revived  "Aurora, "though  not  spe- 
cially authorised  so  to  do,  nor  particularly  acquainted 
with  the  intentions  of  col.  D.  unless  as  stated  in  his  pub- 
lic prospectus. 

The  French  brig  of  war  Cuirassier,  has  arrived  at  New 
York,  with  despatches  for  the  government  of  the  Unit- 
ed States. 

Edward  Lloyd,  esq.  formerly  governor  of  Maryland, 
senator  in  congress,  &e.  &c.  died  at  Annapolis  on  Mon- 
day last,  in  the  55th  year  of  his  age. 

Meetings  of  the  people,  and  conventions  of  delegates 
appointed  by  them,  are  yet  the  "order  of  the  day."  An 
unusual  degree  of  excitement  prevails,  and  will  gather 
strength  as  the  autumn  elections  aro,,  approached.  In 
Maine,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Georgia, 
Ohio,  Indiana,  and  perhaps  New  Hampshire,  Alabama, 
Illinois  and  Mississippi,  some  of  the  severest  political 
battles  ever  fought  will  probably  take  place— the  rest  of 
the  states  may  be  considered  at  present  decided,  one  way 
or  another;  but  still  much. will  depend  upon  the  ground 
taken  by  different  parties,  and  the  persons  offered  for 
the  suffrages  of  the  people.  The  preparations  making 
remind  us  of  the  contests  of  1797-1800,  when  seemingly 
every  man  was  acting  as  one  of  a  "committee  of  vigi- 
lance." 

Several  great  "whig"  meetings  have  been  held  in  New 
York — 'tli:it  at  Ithaca  was  very  largo;  and  this  party  also 
claims  some  new  "victories"  in  that  state.  A  very  nu- 
merously attended  "Jackson"  convention  has  been  held 
at  Trenton,  New  Jersey;  at  which  were  passed  many 
earnest  resolutions  in  support  of  the  present  administra- 
tion of  the  general  government.  And  on  the  27th  ult.  a 
conventi  on  of  delegates  from  every  county  in  the  state  of 


Pennsylvania,  four  excepted,  was  held  at  Harrisburgh, 
of  which  gen.  Henry  Fnck  was  appointed  chairman  for 
the  organization  of  the  body,  when  Joseph  Lawrence,  of 
Washington  county,  (formeily  a  distinguished  member 
of  congress),  WHS  elected  president,  and  JVer  Middle- 
stoarth,  Henry  Ftick,  and  several  others  appointed  vice 
presidents,  with  six  secretaries,  many  of  whom  had  re- 
cently been  among  the  warmest  supporters  of  the  present 
administration.  The  business  of  the  convention  was 
opened  by  John  Sergeant,  of  Philadelphia,  and  judge 
Heed,  of  Cumberland,  &c.  The  members  in  attendance 
were  more  than  200. 

Committees  were  appointed  to  draft  resolutions — to 
prepare  an  address  to  the  people  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
memorial  to  congress,  and  one  also  to  bear  it  to  Wash- 
ington. The  resolutions,  address  and  memorial  are 
strong  papers — but  cannot  be  made  room  for.  The 
character  of  the  whole  may  be  gathered  from  the  third 
resolution,  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  in  the  next  elections  for  congress  and  the  le- 
gislature, it  be  deemed  an  indispensable  qualification  of  candi- 
dates, that  they  are  heartily  opposed  to  executive  usurpation, 
truly  uttnched  to  the  representative  system  as  established  by 
the  constitution,  and  ready  to  support  the  rightful  authority  of 
both  houses  of  congress,  against  the  encroachments,  menace* 
and  assaults  of  the  executive. 

The  committee  of  thirty,  to  bear  the  memorial  to 
Washington,  met  in  that  city  on  Monday  morning  last. 
ft  is  composed  of  persons  whose  names  are  familiar  in 
Pennsylvania.  John  Sergeant  is  chairman.  It  will  be 
seen  by  the  proceedings  of  congress  that  the  memorial 
was  presented  and  referred,  &c.  in  the  senate,  on  Tues- 
jay  last. 

It  is  stated  that  between  70  and  80  members  of  thit 
sonvention  were,  until  recently,  leading  and  decided 
rriends  of  the  administration.  No  nomination  for  go- 
fernor,  &c.  was  made,  so  far  in  advance,  but  arrange- 
ments were  entered  into  for  that  purpose  at  a  future 
meeting,  and  a  spirit  manifested  that  such  nominations 
will  obtain  the  support  of  all  parties  now  in  opposition 
o  the  present  administration. 

There  has  also  been  a  great  "whig  festival"  at  Cincin- 
nati, in  honor  of  the  "victories"  in  New  York  and  Vir- 
ginia— at  which  from  3,000  to  4,000  persons  are  said  to 
lave  been  present.  Judge  Burnett,  late  of  the  senate  of 
he  U.  S.  presided  over  the  feast,  and  there  was  music, 
and  discharges  of  100  guns,  and  toasts  in  high  style,  with 
peeches,  &c.  to  the  full. 

Mr.  Joseph  WJdte,  of  Baltimore,  has  declined  the 
ilace  of  bank  director,  to  which  he  had  been  appointed 
>y  the  president  and  senate,  and  it  was  reported  in  Phil- 
adelphia that  Mr.  Roberts  Vaux  would  not  serve.  Mr. 
Uley,  of  New  York,  has  accepted,  and  E.  D.  Ingraham, 
lerk  to  the  investigating  committee  of  the  house  of  re- 
iresentatives,  after  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Hush,  has 
>een  named  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Horn,  rejected — but  not 
et  approved  by  the  senate. 

Mr.  Saul  Jllley,  of  New  York,  having  consented  to 
erve  as  a  director,  a  few  days  ago  presented  himself  at 
^te  office  of  the  bank  in  N.  York,  in  the  board  of  which 
16  claimed  a  seat.  He  was  informed  that  no  notice  had 
een  received  of  his  appointment — on  which  he  produc- 
d  a  commission;  it  was  then  said,  that  the  powers  con- 
erred  or  duties  enjoined  by  that  commission  were  only 
o  be  exerted  at  the  bank  in  Philadelphia — that  no  mem- 
er  of  the  parent  board  had  ever  attended  a  board  of  one 
f  the  offices  as  a  matter  of  right,  unless  specially  ap- 
ointed  for  that  purpose,  nor  voted  on  any  occasion,  &c. 
ifter  a  minute  had  been  made  on  the  proceedings,  de- 
y  ing  a  right  in  Mr.  Jllley  to  a  seat  at  the  board,  he  with- 
rew. 

Much  is  said  in  the  New  York  papers  concerning  this 
.latter.  The  issue  of  a  commission  is  said  to  be  a  new 
ling,  and  that  the  rule  heretofore  was  to  notify  the  pre- 
ident  of  the  bank  at  Philadelphia  of  the  appointment  of 
irectors  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  who  thereup- 
n  notified  the  offices,  with  a  request  that,  (as  with  re- 
pect  to  all  the  directors  of  the  general  board),  they  [the 
ffices]  would  invite  them  to  a  seat  at  the  board,  but 
without  the  right  of  voting  on  any  question  that  might 
ome  up  before  it.  It  is  supposed  that  "the  govern- 
ment" has  refused  to  communicate  with  the  bank,  on 
lis  occasion. 


244 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


On  the  presentation  of  a  memorial  against  the  removal 
of  the  ileposites,  &c.  from  the  rich  and  populous,  and, 
hitherto,  exceedingly  prosperous  county  of  Oneida,  N.  Y. 
Mr.  Heardsley,  who  -was  elected  by  a  small  majority, 
and  now  misrepresents  it,  addressing  the  speaker  of  the 
house,  said — 

"Sir,  let  us  note  the  language  of  this  letter — [one  ad- 
dressed to  Mr.  Selden],  it  states  that  the  memorial  has 
been  approved  and  adopted  by  the  business  men  of 
Utica.  As  I  reside  in  Utica,  I  ought  to  know  some- 
thing of  its  business  population.  1  have  looked  at  the 
signatures  to  the  memorial,  and  I  aver  that  a  very  large 
number  and  proportion  of  the  active  business  population 
of  that  place,  have  not  signed  the  memorial." 

Some  of  the  citizens  of  Utica,  the  names  of  several  of 
whom  are  familiar  to  us  from  "times  lang  syne,"  have 
taken  up  this  subject,  and  addressed  another  letter  to  Mr. 
Selden,  (too  long  for  insertion),  the  substance  of  which 
is,  that  they  have  ascertained,  (and  in  a  wav  that  appears 
to  admit  of  no  matter  for  controversy,  as  stated  by  them), 
that  the  whole  number  of  business-men  in  Utica — that 
is,  of  persons  -uilio  have  "shops  or  knovm  places  of  busi- 
ness" in  that  city,  is  432;  and  that  of  these  358  signed  the 
memorial  discredited  by  Mr.  Beardsley.  The  various 
trades  and  professions  are  put  down,  thus — 

Whole  No.       Signers. 

Blacksmiths, 17 15 

Bakers, 8 7 

Butchers, 12 12 

Carpenter  and  joiners, 25 25 

Dry  good  merchants, 41 40 

Hardware         do 9 9 

Forwarding  merchants, 9 9 

Grocers, 23 17 

Stage  proprietors 6 .6 

Physicians, 14 10 

Lawyers, 41 27 

Masons  and  stone  cutters, 14 13 

And  so  on  through  a  long  list. 

We  refer  to  this  matter  chiefly  to  shew  what  are  the 
•opinions  of  BUSINESS  MEN,  as  to  the  measures  of  the  go- 
vernment— for  thus  it  is  every  where.  In  Baltimore,  as 
stated  in  page  81,  of  the  present  vol.  for  another  instance, 
the  memorial  against  the  removal  of  the  depositcs  was 
signed  by  183  business-firms,  whereas  that  on  the  other 
side,  was'  signed  by  only  six  business-firms — and  of  the 
former  we  knew,  or  could  easily  locate,  176— of  the  latter 
only  one;  and  of  the  first  and  last  100  names  on  the  first 
list  we  could  identify  135  persons,  on  the  same  of  the 
second  list  only  29!*  Mr.  Beardsley  has  received  an 
"instruction"  on  this  subject  that  will  not  be  easily  pass- 
ed over.  Of  the  432  business  persons  at  Utica,  35*8  were 
signers,  leaving  only  74  for  those  who  refused,  or  were 
absent  from  home,  or  had  not,  for  any  reason,  a  disposi- 
tion or  an  ability  to  sign. 

We  may  mention  two  other  cases.  A  gentleman  of 
Ohio  recently  called  at  the  office  of  the  REBISTEB,  say- 
ing that  he  had  been  a  warm  friend  of  the  administra- 
tion, but  though  he  was  then  about  two  weeks  in  Balti- 
more doing  business,  he  had  not  found  one  "Jackson 
man."  He  was  informed  that  such  were  scarce  among 
business  men,  whether  dealers,  mechanics  or  manufac- 
tures. And  recently,  in  70  cabin  passengers  in  the  steam- 
boat Ellen  Douglas,  as  we  learn  by  a  Louisville  paper, 
it  was  ascertained  that  every  man  was  opposed  to  the 
measures  of  the  administration,  though  several  of  them 
had  been  among  its  supporters  up  to  the  time  of  the  as- 
sault on  the  bank,  Sec. 

The  average  "Jackson"  majority  in  the  state  of  New 
York,  out  of  323,393  votes,  in  1832,  was  12,040,  of 
which  latter  the  city  of  New  York  furnished  5,514.  It 
is  shewn  that  the  late  elections  in  the  cities  of  New 
York,  Albany  and  Troy,  only,  have  comparatively  re- 
duced the  whole  majority  of  12,040  to  5,888 — anil,  with- 


Ml  appears,  however,  ihat  a  greater  proportion  tlian  we  had 
expected  of  the  signers  of  this  memorial  are  the  names  of  real 
persons!  The  weekly  applications  lo  the  commisfinners  for 
the  benefit  of  the  insolvent  laws  of  Maryland,  are  from  12  to 
16— and  on  almost  every  weekly  lint  we  find  the  name*  of  from  3 
to  5  o»  the  §igners  of  that  memorial;  who  thus  admit  that  there 
u  a  priuure,  and  to  relieve  Ihemielru  of  it. 


out  reference  to  such  reduction,  it  is  said  that  the  change 
of  eight  votes  in  every  township  or  ward  in  the  state, 
will  make  an  entire  change  in  the  political  character  of 
the  state,  at  the  November  elections — for  which  the  ad- 
verse parties  are  making  great  preparations. 

A  pair  of  horses,  attached  to  a  light  wagon,  were 
trotted  100  miles,  in  10  successive  hours,  round  the 
trotting  course,  near  New  York,  and  had  2  m.  25  sec.  to 
spare.  Heavy  bets  were  depending  on  the  issue  of  this 
performance  The  horses,  in  the  last  twenty  miles  suf- 
fered dreadfully,  and  are  said  to  have  been  very  severely 
used. 

It  has  been  for  some  years  believed  that  a  vast  conti- 
nent existed  in  the  south — land  having  been  discovered 
in  different  places,  and  we  all  know  that  the  invincible 
enterprise  and  courage  of  our  "Yankee"  brothers  long 
and  secretly  can-led  on  the  fur-seal  fisheries  in  the  south, 
realising  large  profits  from  their  discoveries.  It  now 
appears  that  a  vessel  called  the  Tula,  which  had  visited 
Hobart  Town,  the  capital  of  Van  I)ieman's  Land,  and 
was  thought  to  be  a  pirate  from  the  mystery  which  at- 
tended the  proceedings  of  her  officers  and  crew,  has  fre- 
quently visited  far-southern  lands,  from  the  longitude  of 
Madagascar  to  that  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope;  and  this 
new  continent  is  supposed  to  extend  from  Ion.  47  east  to 
69  west — and  that,  on  the  2lst  Feb.  1832,  capt.  Briscoe, 
of  the  Tula,  landed  on  an  island  which  he  called  Ade- 
laide, in  honor  of  the  British  queen,  and  then  on  the  con- 
tinent, which  he  took  possession  of  in  the  name  of  his 
king.  The  appearance,  however,  was  one  of  utter  deso- 
lation, there  being  no  vestige  either  of  vegetable  or  ani- 
mal life.  Vast  mountains,  covered  with  snow,  were 
seen  in  all  southern  directions.  Particulars  of  these  dis- 
coveries may  be  expected. 

We  have  sometimes  spoken  of  foreign  paupers  and  fo- 
reign rogues  discharged  upon  our  shores,  in  terms  that 
individuals  have  thought  too  severe — but  such  do  not 
justly  appreciate  the  extent  of  the  evils  which  we  suffer 
from  them.  We  offer  two  examples. 

On  the  1st  May,  inst.  there  were  in  the  New  York 
alms  house  1,693  persons — of  these  460  were  Irish,  140 
English,  47  German,  35  Scotch,  11  French  and  23  others 
— together  669,  and  there  were  36  whose  country  was 
unknown — leaving  988,  in  which  is  included  the  misera- 
ble free  blacks  that  abound  in  that  city. 

The  Pennsylvania!]  publishes  the  following  as  extract- 
ed from  a  private  letter  to  a  gentleman  in  Philadelphia, 
dated,  London,  1st  May,  1834. 

'  "Tell  your  police  officers  to  be  on 
the  look  out — for  there  are  half  a  score  of  suspicious  fel- 
lows on  board  the which  sails  for  New  York  to- 
morrow." 

This  is  too  bad.  We  learn  from  an  intelligent  English 
gentleman,  that  from  the  information  he  had  received  of 
a  Bond  street  officer  in  London,  the  day  before  his  em- 
barkation for  this  country;  it  was  his  firm  conviction  that 
gangs  of  pickpockets  in" London,  despatched  an  agent  to 
this  port  frequently,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the 
"state  of  business"  here.  No  wonder  that  col.  Hamil- 
ton is  of  the  opinion  there  are  more  pickpockets  in  New 
York  than  London,  when  his  own  country  supplies  them. 

[M  Y.  Sun. 

And  we  lately  noticed  a  frustration  of  the  design  of  a 
gang  of  murderers  that  were  about  to  honor  us  with  a 
visit. 

The  state  of  things  in  Canada  begins  to  excite  much 
attention  in  the  British  parliament,  and  some  of  the 
members  freely  express  an  apprehension  that  the  peo- 
ple of  that  important  colony  may  cast  oft'  their  allegiance, 
and  seek  admission  into  the  American  union.  No  other 
possession  of  the  crown  is  more  important  to  the  navi- 
gating interests  of  Great  Britain  than  the  Canadas.  The 
present  season  has,  however,  been  unfortunate  in  this 
respect — a  short  time  since,  and  apparently  in  one  or 
two  days,  the  loss  of  thirteen  vessels,  with  about  six  hun- 
dred  passengers,  chiefly  from  Ireland,  bound  for  Quebec, 
was  heard  of  at  that  port;  and  the  sufferings  of  some 
others  who  escaped  with  their  lives,  were  dreadful.  A 


NLLES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— CONGRESS. 


948 


rush  of  emigrants  seems  to  have  been  made  at  too  early  < 
n  period  in  the  season.  The  navigation  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence is  exceedingly  dangerous  and  difficult  and  severe,  at 
the  breaking  up  ot  a  Canadian  winter.  Many  of  those  lost 
•were  persons  of  property— having  from  2  to  JE3,000  in 
gold,  which  was  lost  with  them.  We  have  not  room  for 
the  details.  The  cholera,  also,  had  carried  off  some  of 
the  passengers. 

It  is  believed,  however,  that  more  than  8,000  emi- 
grants had  arrived  at  Quebec  in  the  present  season,  up  to 
the  27th  May!  Up  to  the  same  day  last  year,  the  num- 
ber was  only  1,109. 

BANKS  AND  BANKING,  MONEY,  &C. 

We  publish  the  statement  of  the  affairs  of  thu  bank  of  Mary- 
land, as  presented  to  the  creditors  by  two  of  the  trustees.  There 
are  several  of  the  items  that  invite  the  severest  comments — but 
we  shall  not  offer  them  now,  for  general  reasons  assigned  a  few 
weeks  since.  The  present  selling  price  of  the  notes  of  this 
bank,  and  its  certificates  of  deposites,  13  about,  or  less  than  40 
cents  in  the  dollar,  at  which  rate  the  debtors  of  the  bank  have 
satisfied  heavy  claims  against  them. 

The  affairs  of  Ihe  United  States  Insurance  company,  of  Balti- 
more, which  failed  soon  after  the  bank  of  Maryland,  have  been 
brought  before  the  county  court  by  an  injunction  on  behalf  o 
tne  creditors — and,  after  certain  strange  developcments,and  the 
argument  of  counsel,  three  gentlemen  were  appointed  receivers 
for  the  benefit  of  the  creditors.  It  is  presumed  that  they  wil 
also  publish  a  statement. 

The  concerns  of  the  Maryland  Savings  Institution  do  not  ap 
pear  quite  as  bad  as  they  did,  and  depositors  arc  expected  t 
receive  a  larger  dividend  than  was  at  first  hoped  for.  It  seems 
however,  agreed,  that  the  stock  of  the  institution  is  worthless 
The  present  price  of  certificates  of  deposite,  are  from  65  to  ~ 
cents  in  the  dollar. 

The  failure  of  the  bank  of  Salisbury,  on  the  Eastern  Shore  o 
Maryland,  has  been  followed  by  that  of  the  bank  of  Millington.* 
The  branch  of  the  old  Farmers  bank,  at  Easton,  remains  firm, 
and  bears  its  usual  good  credit,  except  that  the  people  of  the 
Eastern  Shore,  in  many  instances,  reject  all  bank  paper,  except 
that  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 

The  Washington  Globe  states  that  the  whole  revenue  of  the 
present  year  will  probably  exceed  the  estimates  full  6,000,000 
dollars,  and  that  the  revenue  from  imposts  alone  will  probably 
show  an  excess  over  the  estimates  of  more  than  $2,000,000. 

[There  has  been  a  considerable  increase  from  the  sales  of  the 
public  lands,  but  if  the  customs  shall  give  only  two  millions  on 
the  estimate,  we  are  much  at  a  loss  to  conjecture  the  sources 
from  whence  the  four  other  millions  are  to  be  derived.  We  ra- 
ther suppose  there  is  some  mistake  in  this  matter,  and  that  an 
excess  over  the  estimate  for  the  first  quarter  of  the  present  year, 
will  not  carry  its  proportion  through  the  other  quarters  of  the 
year,  on  account  of  the  reduced  amount  of  engagements  made 
in  consequence  of  the  contraction  and  derangement  of  the  cur- 
rency ".Afotts  tierrons.'"] 

There  have  been  some  very  extensive  forgeries  at  New  Or- 
leans, and  a  large  deficit  has  been  discovered  in  the  "Conso- 
lidated Association  bank" — the  cashier  and  two  clerks  of  which 
had  been  arrested  and  held  to  25,000  dollars  bail,  each — but  have 
eince  disappeared. 

The  Mechanics  bank  at  Paterson,  New  Jersey,  has  stopped 
payment. 

Though  money  is  so  plentiful  in  England  as  to  be  loaned  at2J 
and  3  per  cent,  per  annum,  the  "New  York  Journal  of  Com- 
merce" informs  thz.t  large  quantities  of  American  stocks  are 
coming  from  abroad  for  sale  here!  This  is  an  important  fruit  o' 
the  baneful  "experiment"  that  is  going  on,  and  has  succeeded  in 
crushing  "credit"  in  a  wonderful  manner.  If  it  is  much  longer 
persisted  in,  there  will  be  a  much  lessened  complaint  abou 
foreign  holders  of  our  stocks — provided  always,  they  can  fine 
American  purchasers  of  them;  and  millions  of  capital  that  we 
have  used  with  incalculable  advantage,  will  be  retired  from  us 
To  prevent  such  results  has  been  the  steady  policy  of  all  the 
statesmen  who  preceded  the  present  party  in  power,  and  wil' 
he  the  policy  of  those  who  succeed  them:  for  the  United  States 
if  prosperous,  will  long  need  foreign  capital  to  aid  in  the  clear 
ing  and  settling  of  our  wild  lands,  the  establishment  of  main) 
factories,  and  the  making  of  roads  and  canals,  and  all  those  new 
things  which  a  growing  and  expanding  population  requires. 


TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

May  30.    The  bill  to  regulate  ihe  value  of  certain  gold  an 
silver  coin?,  was  considered,  twice  read  and  referred. 


*It  is  since  stated  that  this  bank  only  suspended  payment  fo 
a  few  days,  in  consequence  of  the  election  of  anew  board  of  d 
rectors — some  of  whom  were  objectionable  to  many  of  the  stock 
holders;  but  that  as  these  had  resigned,  and,  the  old  onee  bein 
restored,  the  bank  would  speedily  resume  its  usual  business. 


The  bill  for  the  better  organization  o.  ihe  marine  corps  was 
onsidered,  amended  so  as  to  abolish  the  n»ht  in  future  to  bre- 
et  rank,  not  only  jn  the  marine  corps  but  in  the  army  gene- 
ally,  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for  a  third  reading. 

Mr.  Clay  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  take  op  his  reso- 
utions  on  the  subject  of  the  public  depogites;  hot  the  chair  de- 
iding  his  motion  out  of  order,  he  gave  notice  that  he  would 
all  them  up  again  on  Monday  next. 

The  bill  making  a  grant  of  lands  to  establish  an  institution 
"ur  leaching  the  deaf  and  dumb,  was  read  the  second  time  and 
aid  on  the  table.    The  senate  then  adjourned. 
Mini  31.     On  motion  of  Mr.£u-ing,  the  bill  to  seni<:  the  nortli- 
rn  boundary  line  of  the  state  of  Ohio  was  made  the  order  of 
the  day  for  Wednesday  next. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Chambers  the  bill  providing  indemnity  for 
French  spoliations  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  next 
Monday  week. 

After  considering  and  disposing  of  several  bills  of  a  private  or 
local  character,  the  senate  adjourned. 

June  2.  Memorials,  Jtc.  remonstrating  against  the  removal 
of  the  deposites  were  presented  by  Mr.  McKean,  of  Pa.  from 
the  democratic  free  association  of  the  Northern  Liberties  of 
Philadelphia;  by  Mr.  Sprague,  from  450  citizens  of  Augusta, 
Maine;  by  Mr.  Clay,  from  5  or  600  citizens  of  Bourbon  county, 
Kentucky;  by  Mr.  Southard,  from  Gloucester,  N.  J.;  which 
were  severally  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Southard  presented  two  memorials  and  proceedings  from 
the  county  of  Hunterdon,  and  from  the  state  convention  re- 
cently held  in  Trenton,  N.  J.  approving  the  measures  of  the 
executive,  condemning,  in  strong  terms,  the  course  of  the  two 
senators  from  that  state,  and  particularly  condemning  the  reso- 
lutions of  the  senate  in  relation  to  the  re'moval  of  the  deposites. 
A  debate  ensued,  in  which  the  printing  and  reference  of  these 
resolutions  was  opposed  by  Messre .  Clayton,  Ewing  and  Poin- 
dexter,  and  supported  by  Messrs.  Fonyth  and  Chamber*. 

Mr.  Clayton  moved  to  lay  the  9th  resolution  of  the  Hunterdon 
proceedings  on  the  table  as  being  exceptionable  and  indecorous. 
Mr.  Frelinghuysen  moved  to  add  the  llth  resolution  as  equally 
indecorous  and  insulting. 

Mr.  Cluy  moved  to  lay  the  whole  subject  on  the  table,  which 
otion  was  decided  in  the  affirmative,  yeas  21,  nays  18. 
Mr.  Grmirfy  reported  a  bill  placing  periodical  pamphlets  on 
le  same   rate  of  postage  as  newspapers,   and  extending  the 
•anking  privilege  to  the  chief  engineer  of  the  war  department. 
On  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  the  senate  then  by  a  vote  of  24  to  16, 
ook  up  the  joint  resolutions  moved  by  him  on  the  subject  of 
lie  public  deposites;  when 

Mr.  Clay  expressed  his  wish  that  no  unnecessary  time  would 
(•  taken  up  in  their  discussion;  but  that  they  might  be  passed 
upon  this  day.     He  did  not  intend  to  say  a  word  unless  the 
ourse  taken  by  gentlemen  on  the  other  side  should  render  it 
necessary  for  him  to  do  so. 

Mr.  Benton  addressed  the  senate  at  length,  and  moved  inde- 
finitely to  postpone  the  resolutions,  proposing,  if  that  motion 
hould  prevail,  to  submit,  as  a  substitute,  an  amendment  sub- 
lamially  the  same  as  the  bill  reported  by  Mr.  Polk  in  the  other 
iou»e,  providing  for  the  future  disposition  of  the  public  revenue 
n  the  state  banks. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  the  question  of  indefinite  postpone- 
ment was  then  put,  and  decided  in  the  negative  as  follows,  yeas 

13,  nays  29. 

Mr.  Benton  then  moved  to  amend  the  resolutions  by  striking 
out  all  after  the  word  "Resolved"  and  inserting  the  whole  of  the 
gill  reported  by  Mr.  Polk  in  the  house  of  representatives. 

A  discussion  ensued  in  which  Messrs.  Clayton,  Wright,  Clay, 
Shepley  and  Benton  participated;  and  the  question  being  taken 
by  yeas  and  nays,  Mr.  Benton's  amendment  was  rejected,  yea* 

14,  nays  31. 

Mr.  Benton  moved  to  commit  the  resolutions  to  the  commit- 
tee of  finance  with  instructions  to  report  an  amendment,  regu- 
lating the  deposites  of  public  money  in  the  slate  banks. 

On  this  amendment  he  asked  the  yeas  and  nays,  which  were 
ordered. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  the  motion  to  amend,  and 
decided  in  the  negative,  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Grundy,  Hill, 
Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  Linn,  Morris,  Shepley,  While,  Wil- 
kins,  Wright— 13. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Chambers, 
Clay, Clayton,  Ewing,  Frelinghuysen,  Hendricks,  Kent,  Knight, 
Leigh,  McKean,  Mangum,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Porter,  Pren- 
tiss,  Preston,  Robbins,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague, 
Swift,  Tipton,Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Webster— 32. 

Mr.  Forsyth  asked  for  a  division  of  the  resolutions',  and  rend 
a  resolution  which  he  would  offer  as  a  substitute  if  the  gentle- 
man on  the  other  side  would  give  him  their  support.  The  re- 
solution authorised  the  issuing  of  a  scire  facias  to  try  the  bank 
on  certain  counts  that  were  specified. 

Mr.  Clay  could  not  take  the  resolution  as  a  substitute  for  his; 
but  would  give  the  gentleman  his  entire  support,  if  he  would 
bring  forward  a  distinct  proposition  for  issuing  a  scire  faoias  to 
try  whether  the  bank  has  or  Ims  not  violated  its  charter.  For 
such  a  proposition  he  would  give  the  gentleman  a  carte  blanche 
to  fill  up  as  he  pleased. 

Mr.  Webster  sisnifiVd  his  assent  to  this  statement,  and  Mr. 
Clayton  was  also  willing  to  give  his  vote  to  any  distinct  propo- 
sition for  a  scire  facias,  founded  on  a  report  of  the  committee 
of  the  house. 


246 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— CONGRESS, 


Mr.  Forsyte  said  he  had  not  intended  to  press  for  a  scire  facias 
he  would  not  move  it  distinctly,  but  was  willing  to  make  it  as 
substitute,  it  would  occasion  much  distress,  and  he  was  willin 
to  share  tin:  responsibility  with  the  gentlemen  on  llie  oilier  side 
Mr.  Clayton  said  llie.re  was  a  report  of  a  committee  nn  whic" 
a  scire  facial  might  issue;  or  the  president  could,  of  hiuisel 
issue  one. 

Mr.  Forsyth  admitted  the  course  indicated  by  the  genllema 
from  Delaware  was  the  coirect  one;  but  he  could  uot  advis 
tbe  president;  he  hail  no  connexion  witii  him. 

Alter  a  few  mure  rem.irks  by  Mr.  Clayton,  and  a  short  repl 
by  Mr.  Forsyth,  the  rc.-oluiions  were  ordered  to  be  eugrossei 
fora  third  leading;  and  thru  the  senate  niljourned. 

June  3.  Mr.  McKean  said,  a  committee  of  thirty  citizens  o 
the  first  respectability,  from  various  sections  of  Pennsylvania 
all  of  whom,  he  believed,  were  now  in  the  lobby  of  the  senate 
bad  honored  him  by  putting  into  his  charge  a  memorial  to  b 
presented  to  the  senate,  signed  by  more  than  200  delegates  fioi 
the  different  counties  of  that  state,  who  assembled  at  Harris- 
burgh,  the  seat  of  government,  on  the  27th  Hit.,  to  consult  as  to 
the  causes  of  public  distress  and  mode  of  relief.  And  though 
he  said,  a  difference  of  political  opinion,  as  well  as  on  ques 
lions  of  abstract  expediency,  existed  between  a  portion  of  the 
memorialists  and  himself,  it  was  nevertheless  his  desire  to  re- 
present them  fairly,  and  it  was  no  less  his  pride  than  his  dim 
to  say,  that  this  convention  comprised  as  much  of  respectabili- 
ty, talent,  and  weight  of  public  and  private  character,  as  any 
convention  of  men  that  had  assembled  any  where  within  his 
knowledge,  and  whose  experience  entitled  their  opinions  to 
the  most  respectful  consideration. 

He  had  been  furnished  with  a  statement  shewing  the  general, 
us  well  as  political  complexion  of  the  convention,  and  he  took 
occasion  to  say,  that  the  latter  was  corroborated  by  his  own 
knowledge  of  the  facts  as  stated.  The  whole  number  of  dele- 
gates present  was  209;  of  this  number,  75  were  original  Jackson 
men,  about  30  of  whom  supported  general  Jackson  in  1832. 
Delegates  were  appointed  from  48  counties,  and  delegates  were 
in  actual  attendance  from  44  counties,  including  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  accidents  having  prevented  the  attendance  from 
the  other  4.  He  had  been  particularly  instructed  to  say,  that 
the  entire  proceedings  had  been  distinguished  for  harmony, 
unanimity  and  zeal,  and  that  the  whole  character  of  the  con- 
vention furnished  the  strongest  evidence  of  a  great  political 
change  in  Pennsylvania,  and  a  growing  opposition  to  the  recent 
measures  of  the  present  administraiion  of  the  general  govern- 
ment. The  memorial  was  written  with  great  force  and  ability, 
and  condemns,  in  tolo.  the  conduct  of  the  executive  branch  of 


the  government  in  reference  to  the  hank;  to  which  cause  they 
ascribe  all  the  present  distresses  of  the  country,  and  ask  con- 
gress for  relief. 

Mr.  McKean  then  presented  the  memorial,  and  moved  that  it 
be  read,  referred  to  the  committee  of  finance  and  printed  with 
the  names. 

The  memorial  having  been  read,  a  debate  ensued,  in  whic 
Messrs.  Webster,  Forsyth  and  Clay  took  part,  and  which  conti 
nued  until  after  3  o'clock,  when  the  memorial  was  referred,  &c 
The  resolution  from  the  other  house  on  the  subject  of  fixin 
the  30th  June  as  the  day  for  the  adjournment  of  congress  hein 
taken  up,  was,  after  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  lay  it  on  tin 
table  for  a  week  or  two,  postponed  until  Monday  next  by  a  vote 
of  ayes  23,  nays  22. 

The  joint  resolutions  offered  by  Mr.  Clay  on  the  subject  o 
the  public  deposites,  were  then  considered,  and  the  questior 
being  on  the  first  one,  declaring  the  reasons  of  the  secretary  o 
the  treasury  for  the  removal  of  the  deposites  to  be  unsatisfacto 
ry  and  insufficient,  the  yeas  and  nays  were  ordered,  and  the 
question  decided  in  the  affirmative,  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay 
Clayton,  Swing,  Frelinghuysen,  Hendricks,  Kent,  King,  o 
Geo.,  Knight,  Leieh,  M.ingum,  Naudain.  Poindexter,  Porter\ 
Premiss,  Preston,  Robbing,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague, 
Swift,  Tomlinsou,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Webster — 29. 

NAYS— Messrs.    Benton,   Brown,   Forsyth,    Grimily,    Hill, 
Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  Linn,  McKenn,  Morris,  Robinson, 
Shepley,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright— 16. 
So  the  fir.-t  resolution  was  parsed. 

The  second  resolution,  directing  the  restoration  of  trip  depo- 
lites  to  the  United  Slates  bank  after  the  first  day  of  July  next, 
was,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Forsyth,  with  the  assent  of  Mr.  Clay, 
postponed  until  to  morrow. 

After  passing  several  hills  ofa  private  or  local  character, 
The  hill  m.ikinz  appropriations  for  the  Indian  department  for 
the  year  1834;  and 

The  hill  for  the  better  organization  of  the  marine  corps,  were 
severally  considered,  read  the  third  time  and  passed;  and  then 
the  senate  adjourned. 

June  4.  Mr.  McKean  presented  a  memorial  from  Norlhamp 
ton  county,  Pennsylvania,  complaining  of  the  pecuniary  em 
bnrrassments  produced  by  Hie  removal  of  the  deposites,  and 
praying  congrcsp  to  grant  relief— referred,  &.C. 

Mr.  Wright  offered  a  ra-olniion  inquiring  into  the  propriety 
of  allowing  to  Mr.  Eliika  R.  Potter  pay  and  mileage  from  the 
commencement  of-the  session  up  tn  the  time  of  ihe  decision  of 
in*  contest  for  a  scat  between  him  and  Mr.  Rolibins. 

The  first  of  the  joint  resolution?  submitted  by  Mr.  Clay,  ron- 
dfinninz  the  removal  of  the  public  moneys  from  the  bank  of  the 
United  States,  having  passed  yemerday, 


The  second  resolution  requiring  the  deposites  of  the  public 
money  to  be  made  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States  after  the  1st 
day  of  July  next,  was  then  considered,  and,  after  some  remarks 
from  Messrs.  Jftng,  of  Georgia,  Preston,  Forsyth  and  Benton, 

Mr.  McKean  said  he  would  say  a  word  before  the  vote  was 
taken.  After  all  that  had  been  said  both  in  and  out  of  congress 
about  distress  for  six  months,  this  was  tin:  first  and  only  oppor- 
tunity afforded  to  any  senator  to  vote  fora  proposition  savoring 
of  relief;  and  without  having  changed  his  opinions  in  the  least, 
in  reference  to  the  whole  subject,  he  intended  to  vote  for  this 
resolution,  not  because  he  believed  it  would  produce  essential 
relief,  but  because  a  vast  majority  of  his  constituents  who  had 
spoken  on  the  subject  had  complained  of  deep  distress,  and  ex- 
pressed a  confident  belief  that  a  restoration  of  the  deposites  will 
grant  relief.  This  had  not  been  confined  alone  to  the  oppo- 
nents of  the  administration.  He  considered  it  a  question  of 
sheer  expediency,  and  one  which  he  presumed  many  of  his 
constituents  could  judge  of  more  correctly  than  himself,  and 
he  did  not  feel  himself  at  liberty  to  oppose  their  will. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  the  passage  of  the  resolu- 
tion, and  decided  as  follows:* 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bell,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Clay.  Clayton, 
Ewing,  Frelinghuysen,  Kent,  Knight,  Leigh,  McKean,  Man- 
gum,  Naudain,  Poindexier,  Porter,  Prentiss,  Preston.  Robbing, 
Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler, 
Wasgainan,  Webster — 28. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsyth,  Gnindy,  Hill, 
Kane,  King,  of  Alabama.  King,  of  Georgia',  Linn,  Morris,  Ro- 
binson, Shepley,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins",  Wright— 16. 

So  the  resolutions  were  both  passed,  and  sent  to  the  house  of 
representatives  for  concurrence. 

After  attending  to  some  other  business,  the  senate  adjourned. 
June  5.     Mr.  Clay  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  large  and 
espectable  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Scott  county,  Ky.  de- 
nouncing the  claims  to  power  recently  asserted  by  the  president 
— read,  referred,  &.c.    At  the  conclusion  ofa  few  rem.irks  made 
<y  Mr.  Clay,  he  took  an  opportunity  acain  to  say.  that  it  is  now 
nore  than  twelve  months  since  we  had  a  secretary  of  the  trea- 
ury  appointed  in  the  constitutional  form,  by  the  president  and 
enate,  &c. 

Mr.  Poindexter,  by  leave,  introduced  a  bill  providing  for  an  ex- 
ra  [early]  session  of  congress — read  a  first  and  second  time,  and 
made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Monday  next. 

The  resolution  relative  to  inquiring  into  the  propriety  of  al- 
owing  Elisha  R.  Potter  pay  and  mileage,  was  agreed  to. 
The  bill  granting  to  the  state  of  Ohio  a  quantity  of  land  to  es- 
ablish  schools  in  the  Western  Reserve,  was  read  the  second 
me  and  ordered  to  a  third  readin«. 

The  resolution  submitted  by  Mr.  Preston,  some  days  since, 
Native  to  the  pension  system,  was  considered  and  agreed  to. 
The  bill  to  establish  the  northern  boundary  line  of  the  slate  of 
hio  was  read  a  second  time  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for  a 
third  reading. 

Mr.  Bibb,  from  the  select  committee,  to  whom  was  referred 
the  joint  resolutions  for  amending  the  constitution  of  th«  United 
States,  made  a  report,  which  was  ordered  to  he  printed. 

The  bill  to  revive  and  continue  in  force  the  act  granting  pen- 
sions to  certain  widows  and  orphans  of  persons  killed  in  battle 
in  the  private  armed  vessels  of  the  United  State?:  and 

The  bill  supplementary  to  the  act  for  opening  a  canal  between 
the  Appalachicola  river  and  the  St.  Andrew's  bay,  were  seve- 
rally read  n  second  lime  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for  a  third 
reading.  The  senate  then  adjourned. 

HOUSE   Or   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  May  30.  After  the  reading  of  the  journal — 
Mr.  Speaker  Stevenson  rose  and  informed  the  house  that  he 
had  taken  the  chair  this  morning,  though  still  laboring  under 
severe  and  continued  indisposition,  for  the  purpose  of  opening 
the  house,  and  preventing  any  delay  in  its  business;  and  like- 
wise for  the  purpose  of  announcing  his  determination  of  re- 
signing the  speaker's  chair  and  his  seat  in  congress.  This,  he 
proposed  doing  on  Monday  next  at  11  o'clock.  He  had  formed 
this  resolution  under  a  deep  sense  of  duty,  and  because  his  slate 
of  health  rendered  it  impossible  for  him,  (as  must  lift  apparent  to 
the  house),  to  discharge  in  person  the  laborious  duties  of  the 
chair;  and  he  had  therefore  deemed  it  respectful  and  proper  to 
give  this  early  notice  of  his  intention  to  retire. 

Mr.  Heath,  by  leave,  reported  a  joint  resolution  authorising  a 
lubscription  for  one  hundred  copies  of  W.  B.  Barney's  chart  of 
breign  coins. 

Mr.  CHinn  reported  a  bill  authorising  »  subscription  of  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars  to  the  stock  of  the  Alexandria  canal. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  reports 
n  the  case  of  the  Kentucky  election,  whereupon, 

Mr.  Hubhard,  (the  speaker  pro  tern.)  stated  the  question  ne- 
'ore  the  house  to  he  the  amendment  offered  by  Mr.  Jones  to 
hnt  of  Mr.  Batikt,  to  wit,  to  count  the  votes  given  in  Garrard 
county  during  the  absence  of  the  sheriff. 

Mr.  Banks  accepted  Mr.   Jones'  amendment,  and  moved  a 
modification  of  his  resolution,  specifying  the  votes  thus  taken, 
nd  for  whom  given. 

Mr.  Letcfier  thereupon  rose,  nnd  addressed  Ihe  house  in  in 
nimated  appeal  to  their  justice,  invoked  them  lo  com*  to  the 
ecision  uninfluenced  by  parly,  met  the  arguments  of  the  ma- 


[•Jbient.     Mr.  Tallmnrlg*,  of  New  York,  Mr.  Chamber*,  of 
Id.,  Mr.  Hendriek*,  of  Indiana,  and  Mr.  Moore,  of  Alabama.  } 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— CONGRESS. 


«47 


jority  of  the  committee,  and  examined  the  evidence  in  the  eas 
with  much  power.  Alter  thanking  the  committee  for  the 
good  feeling  towards  him  which  had  dictated  the  insertion  of 
resolution  recommending  ;i  pecuniary  allowance  of  pay  an 
mileage,  ho  declared  hi*  unalterable  determination  not  to  ai 
cept  any  thing,  unless  the  sum  in  the  house,  claimed  by  bill 
should  be  awarded  to  him. 

Mr.  Letcher  having  spoken  until  past  3  o'clock, 
Mr.  Hitmer,  in  order  to  allow  Mr.  Moore  time  to  reply  to  M 
Letcher,  moved   that  the -house   now  adjourn,  and   the   hou; 
thereupon  adjourned. 

Saturday,  May  31.    Mr.  Mercer-  reported  a  liill  authorising  ex 
animations,  surveys  anil  estimates  lor  [lie  construction  of  roa 
and  the  improvement  of  cerium  rivers  and  harbors — twice  reu 
and  committed. 

Mr.  Mercer  presented  a  resolution  which  was  read  and  agree 
to,  calling  for  information  respecting  the  cost  of  construe 
ing  the  contemplated  embankment  across  the  swamps  an 
water  courses  between  a  point  on  the  Mississippi  opposite  th 
town  of  Memphis,  in  Tennessee,  and  the  high  ground  west  o 
St.  Francis  river,  and  also  whether  the  road  from  Memph' 
to  Little  Rock  requires  a  further  sum  for  its  completion. 

The  bill  giving  the  consent  of  congress  to  an  agreement  en 
tered  into  between  the  states  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  re 
specting  the  territorial  limits  and  jurisdiction  of  said  states 
was  postponed  until  Wednesday  next. 

After  attending  to  various  matters  of  a  private  or  local  charac 
tor — the  house  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  reports  i 
the  case  of  the  Kentucky  election;  when 

Mr.  Moore  addressed  the  house  at  length  in  support  of  the  re 
port  of  the  committee,  and  in  vindication  of  his  right  to  a  sea 
in  this  house;  and  having  concluded, 

Mr.  Leavitt  moved  for  the  previous  question,  but  the  hous 
refused  to  second  the  call — ayes  88,  HOBS  102. 

Mr.  Hardin  rose  and  addressed  the  house,  at  cnnsiderahl 
length,  in  support  of  Mr.  Letcher's  claim  to  the  seat. 

Mr.  McfCinley  replied,  and  argued  the  case  as  a  naked  ques 
lion  of  law,  and  in  favor  of  Mr.  Moore. 

Mr.  CkillonJlUcm  followed  in  support  of  Mr.  Letcher's  claim 
and  before  he  concluded,  moved  a  call  of  the  house,  which  wa 
ordered,  and  the  absentees  sent  for. 

Mr.   Williams  suggested  that  (he  absentees  had  not  all  ap 
peared,  and  moved  that  their  names  be  again  called. 
The  chair  decided  it  to  be  out  of  order. 
The  question  was  then  put  on  Mr.  Hanks'  first  amendment 
Mr.  Marshall  moved  a  verbal  amendment  which  was  agreet 
to. 

Mr.  Beardsley,  of  New  York,  then  rose  and  said  that  con- 
ceiving the  votes  on  the  several  amendments  proposed  wouk' 
have  no  effect  on  the  final  result,  because  they  would  no 
change  the  opinion  of  those  who  dissented  from  them,  movei 
the  previous  question:  but  the  house  refused  to  second  the  call — 
ayes  89,  noes  108. 

Mr.  Moore,  of  Va.  suggested  a  modification  of  Mr.  Banks 
amendment,  which  the  latter  accepted,  viz:  to  move  it  as  an 
addition  to  the  first  resolution  reported  by  the  committee  on 
elections,  and  leave  the  name  of  Mr.  Moore  to  be  stricken  out, 
or  retained  upon  the  final  vote. 

After  some  conversation  as  to  the  best  form  of  putting  the 
question,  the  chair  stated  it  to  he  as  follows: 

The  first  resolution  reported  by  the  committee  on  elections  is 
in  the  words  following: 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  P.  Moore  be  declared  entitled  to  his 
seat  as  representative  for  the  5th  congressional  district  of  Ken- 
tucky. 

The  amendment  moved  by  Mr.  Hanks  was  to  the  following 
effect: 

That  all  the  qualified  votes  received  in  Lancaster,  Garrard 
county,  while  Moses  Grant  acted  as  one  of  the  judges,  on  the 
first  morning  of  the  election  be  counted. 

That  the  votes  of  a  like  character  given  on  the  second  day 
during  the  absence  of  the  sheriff,  should  also  be  counted. 

That  nine  votes,  named,  given  in  Mercer  county  for  Mr. 
Letcher,  and  one  for  Mr.  Moore  should  also  be  counted. 

That  six  votes  named,  who  voted  for  Mr.  Letcher  and  who 
were  added  to  the  votes  of  .Mr.  Moore  in  Mercer  county,  he 
taken  from  the  number  of  votes  allowed  by  the  majority  of  the 
committee  to  Mr.  Moore,  and  added  to  those  counted  for  Mr. 
Letcher. 

That  two  votes,  named,  in  Anderson  county,  and  eleven  in 
Jessamine  county,  be  counted  for  Mr.  Letcher. 

The  question  upon  this  amendment,  at  the  request  of  Mr. 
Jones,  having  been  divided — 

The  question  was  put  on  agreeing  to  the  first  clause  of  this 
amendment,  and  decided  by  yeas  and  nays  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  J.  Q.  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen, 
Chilton  Allan,  Anthony,  Archer,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  Bar- 
nitz,  Barringer,  Baylies,  Beatty,  James  M.  Bell,  Briggs,  Bull, 
Burd,  Burgos,  Case,  Campbell,  Carmichael,  Casey,  Chambers, 
Chilton,  Choate,  William  Clark,  Clayton,  Clowney,  Corwin, 
Coulter,  Crane,  Crockett,  Darlington,  W.  R.  Davis,  A.  Davis, 
Davenport,  Deherry,  Deming,  Denny,  Dk-kson,  Duncan,  Ells- 
worth, Evans,  Edward  Everett.  Horace  Everett, Ewing,  Felder, 
Foster,  Philo  C.  Fuller,  Gamble,  Garland,  Gholson,  Gilmer, 
Gordon,  Graham,  Grayson,  Grenuell,  Griffin,  Hiland  Hall,  Hard, 
Hardin,  James  Harper,  Hazeltine,  Heath,  Henderson,  Heister, 
Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Jackson,  William  Cost  Johnson,  King, 
Kinnard,  Laporte,  Lay,  Lewis,  Lincoln,  Love,  Martindale, 


Marshall,  McComas,  McKay,  McKennan,  McKinley,  Mercer, 
Miller,  Moore,  Patton,  Pinckney,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Rencher,  Sel- 
den.  Wm.  B.  Shepard,  Augustus  H.  Shepperd,  Wm.  Slade, 
Sloane,  Spangler,  Stewart,  Suiddert,  Wm.  P.  Taylor,  Philemon 
Thomas,  Tompkins,  Turner,  Tweedy,  Vance,  Vinton,  Wat- 
mough,  Wayne,  E.  D.  White,  Elisha  Whiulesey,  Wilde,  Wil- 
liams, Wilson— 112. 

NAYS— Messrs.  John  Adams,  Wni.  Allen.  Beau,  Beard-ley, 
Beaumont,  John  Bell,  Blair,  Bockee,  Bodfe,  Boon,  Bouldin, 
Blown,  Bunch,  Burns,  Bynum,  Cambrelenu,  Carr,  Chancy, 
S.  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee,  Connor,  Cramer,  Day,  D'i  kerson,  Dick- 
inson, Dunlap,  F'orrester,  Fowler,  Wm.  K.  Fuller,  G.tlliraith, 
Gillet,  Joseph  Hall,Halsey,  Hamer,  llannegan,  Ji»cph  M.  Har- 
per, Harrison,  Hathaway,  Howell,  Hnbbard,  Abel  Hnnlingion, 
Jarvis,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Noadiah  Johnson,  Cave  Johnson, 
Seaborn  Jonea.  Benjamin  Jones,  Kavanagh,  Lane,  Lansing, 
Luke  Lea,  Thou.  Lee,  Leavilt,  Loyall,  Lucas,  Lyon,  Lylle, 
Abijah  Mann,  Joel  K.  Mann,  Mardis,  Moses  Mason,  Mclnlire, 
McKim,  McLene,  McVean,  Robert  Mitchell, Mnhlenberg,  Mur- 
phy, Osgood,  Page,  Parks,  Parker,  Patterson,  Dutee  J.  Pearce, 
Peyton,  F.  Pierce.  Piersron,  Plummer,  Polk,  Pope,  Schenck, 
Schley,  Shinn,  C.  Slade,  Smith,  Speight,  Standifer,  Sutherland, 
Wrn.  Taylor,  Francis  Thomas,  Thomson,  Turril,  Vanderpoel, 
Van  Houlen,  Wagener,  Ward,  Watdwell,  Webster,  Whalon, 
C.  P.  White,  Wise— 102. 

So  the  first  clause  of  the  amendment  was  agreed  to. 
The  question  was  then  put  on  the  second  member  of  said 
amendment  and  decided  in  the  affirmative — yeas  131,  nays  84. 
So  the  second  clause  of  the  amendment  was  agreed  to. 
The  question  was  then  stated  that  the  house  do  agree  to  the 
third  member  of  the  said  amendment;  and  a  further  division  of 
the  question  on  this  member  was  called  for,  so  as  to  accept  the 
names  of  two  of  the  persons  designated  in   Mercer  county  as 
among  those  that  ought  to  be  counted  for  Mr.  Letcher;  and  the 
question  being  put  that  the  house  do  agree  to  the  same  .vith  the 
•x cept  ion  of  the  two  names  mentioned,  was  decided  as  follows: 
yeas  119,  nays  96. 

So  as  accepted  the  third  clause  was  agreed  to. 
The  question  on  the  remainder  of  the  third  clause  was  than 
taken  and  decided  as  follows,  yeas  112,  nays  103. 

So  the  accepted  part  of  the  third  clause  was  also  agreed  to. 
The  question  then  recurred  on  the  fourth  member  of  the  said 
imendment  when  Mr.  Banks  moved  a  modification  striking  out 
ihe  name  of  one  of  the  persons  who  had  voted  for  Mr.  Letcher, 
but  whose  names  had  been  transferred  to  Mr.  Moore  in  Mercer 
county,  after  being  erased  from  the  list  of  Mr.  Letcher,  so  as  to 
add  five  instead  of  <>ix  votes  to  Mr.  Letcher  as  above. 

And  the  question  being  taken,  that  the  house  do  agree  to  the 
aid  fourth  member,  as  modified,  was  decided  as  follows,  yeas 
19,  nays  95. 

So  the  fourth  clause  as  amended  was  agreed  to. 
The  question  then  recurred  on  the  5th  and   last  member  of 
he  amendment  proposed  by  Mr.  Banks  as  above  stated. 

When  a  discussion  ensued,  in  which  Messrs.  Gholson,  Chil- 
on  Allan,  Ellsworth,  Pope,  Hardin  and  Banks  took  part,  and 
lefore  any  decision  was  had  thereon, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Muhlenbcrg,  the  house,  at  half  past  8  o'clock 
adjourned. 

Monday,  June  2.    As  soon   as   the  journal   was  rend,  the 
Beaker  rose  and  addressed  the  house,  in  substance  as  follows — 
astracted  from  the  full  report  in  the  National  Intelligencer:] 
Having  communicated  to  the  executive  of  Virginia  his  re.«ig- 
ation  as  one  of  the  representatives  from  that  state  in  the  pre- 
«nt  congress,  he  had  come  to  the  house  this  day  for  the  purpose 
f  announcing  in  person  his  resignation  of  the  office  of  speaker 
)f  the  house.     The  dissolution,  perhaps,  forever,  of  those  inti 
late  associations  which  had  existed  between  them  was  calcu- 
ated  to  excite  painful  sensations.     In  taking  his  leave,  he  of- 
ired  the  house  his  best  and  most  cordial  wishes  for  their  indi 
Jdnal  prosperity  arid  happiness  and  took  pleasure  in  express- 
ng  thus  publicly  his  grateful  acknowledgments  for  the  kind- 
ess  and  confidence  by  which  he  had  been  so  long  distinguished 
nd  honored;  the  recollection  of  which  he  could  cherish  with 
varin  and  devoted  gratitude.     His  obligations  were  deep  to  the 
ouse,  and  go  where  he  might,  or  in  whatever  situation  in 
vhich  he  might  be  placed,  he  would  continue  to  the  last  hour  of 
is  life  to  preserve  those  sentiments  of  profound  respect  and  af- 
;ctionate  gratitude  which  the  long  continued  kindness  of  the 
ouse  had  so  deeply  impressed  upon  his  heart. 
The  duty  of  the  presiding  officer  of  a  great  deliberative  as*pm- 
y  like  this,  was  no  easy  t^sk.    His  admini.nrntion  of  its  duties 
r  seven  years  had  taught  him  to  know  and  feel  how  difficult, 
iy  impossible  it  is  for  any  man  to  free  himself  from  error  or 
•nsure  in  this  chair,  or  give  unqualified  satisfantion!     The  po- 
od of  his  service  had  been  distinguished  by  events  especially 
alculated  to  render  this  station  one  of  more  than  ordinary  deli- 
cy  and  embarrass nient,  as  well  as  of  increased  responsibility 
id  labor.     He  had  devoted  his  time  and  talents,  and  even  his 
eallh,  to  this  house.     He  had  struggled  to  discharge  the  duties 
f  the  chair  in  a  manner  worthy  of  it,  and  of  himself,  how  well 
K  had  succeeded,  it  was  for  others  to  decide;  hut  this  he  might 
'.  pardoned  for  saying,  in  justice  and  fairness  to  himself  and 
ider  a  deep  conviction  of  its  truth,  that  he  had  endeavored 
discharge  his  duty  with  temper,  justice  and  moderation,  and 
ith  a  just  regard   for  the  individual  rights  and  feelings,  the 
laracter  and  dignity  of  this  house  and  his  own  honor. 
His  conduct  might  sometimes  be  thought  too  harsh  and  rigor- 
is,  and  he  may  have  often  unintentionally,  have  wounded  tha 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— A  SQUAD  OF  "FEDS." 


feelingsof  individual  members  upon  this  floor,  and  incurred 
tbeir  censure  and  displeasure.  If,  then,  under  the  influence  of 
momentary  excitement  and  passion;  if  in  the  eagerness  of  con- 
troversy or  the  commotion  of  debate,  any  tiling  unkind  or  harsh 
should  have  been  said  or  done,  let  us  forgive,  and  forget  it,  and 
let  us  separate  in  the  spirit  of  peace  and  good  will. 

Although  tlie  country  was  duuply  and  painfully  excited,  and 
its  councils  too  greatly  divided,  it  was  to  be  hoped  that  it  was 
subsiding.  •  At  such  a  time  it  was  the  duty  of  the  liberal  and  the 
wise  and  the  good,  in  public  and  private  life,  without  distinction 
of  parly,  to  unite  for  the  purpose  of  healing  these  divisions  and 
giving  peace  and  repose  to  the  public  mind.  It  was  especially 
the  duty  of  those  who  wield  the  public  councils  to  pour  oil 
upon  this  stormy  sea,  and  still  its  troubled  waters. 

This  was  the  last  time  he  should  ever  address  the  house  from 
this  chair,  he  would  separate  this  day  from  many  to  meet  no 
more;  and  he  prayed  God  to  protect  and  bless  them  and  his 
country:  and  he  tendered  to  them  this  his  last  and  affectionate 
farewell. 

After  Mr.  Stevenson  had  concluded,  and  retired  from  the 
chuir, 

Mr.  Mercer  rose,  and  moved  that  tbe  house  do  now  proceed 
to  the  election  of  a  speaker. 

The  motion  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Williams,  and  the  question 
being  put  by  the  clerk  of  the  house,  the  motion  was  agreed  to. 

Thereupon  W.  S.  Franklin,  clerk  of  the  house,  nominated 
Mr.  McKinley,  Mr.  Forester,  Mr.  E.  Whittlesey,  Mr.  Schley, 
Mr.  Muklenlierg,  and  Mr.  Bynum,  to  act  as  tellers. 

The  balloting  having  proceeded,  and  the  ballots  having  been 
counted,  the  result  of  the  balloting  was  reported  as  follows: 


"E 

~c* 

— 

c 

01 

_c 

53 
n 

c 
-= 

.= 

C 

•» 

.= 
O 

c 
— 

.= 

c 
•c 

.= 
i" 

c 

•c 

oc 

D 

•w 

.= 

o 

0 

•o 

.£ 
0 

R.  H.  Wilde,  Georgia,.. 
James  K.  Polk,  Tenti... 
Joel  B.  Sutherland,  Pa.. 
John  Bell,  Tennessee,.. 
Jesse  Speight,  N.  C  
J.  M.  Wayne,  Georgia,. 

64 
4-2 
34 
30 
Ib 
15 
4 

64 
53 
30 
39 
16 
13 

59 
57 
•M 
47 
8 
15 

49 
59 
•25 
49 
4 
25 

37 
67 
16 
57 
3 
3U 

24 

67 
16 
65 
1 
3C 

16 
73 
10 
76 
3 
26 

11 

78 
9 
97 
3 
13 

11 

76 
4 

104 
2 

8 

11 

78 

& 

1 
6 

Edward  Everett,  
Thomas  Chilton,.  .. 

3 
o 

1 

Henry  Hubbard,  

i 

1 

1 

IJ 

1 

Roger  L.  Gamble,  
G.  R.  Gilmer,  

] 
1 

1 
1 

William  S.  Archer,  

1 
1 

Benjamin  Hardin,  

1 
1 

Thomas  A.  Marshall,... 

1 

o 

Richard  Coulter,  
Horace  Binney  ,  

1 

1 

1 
10 

] 

r 

6 

>2->u 

»; 

•Jit 

•X 

•2i'j 

•20 

•Jld 

219 

•>-21 

218 

Whereupon,  on  the  tenth  ballot,  the  honoiable  John  Bell,  ol 
Tennessee,  having  received  the  votes  of  a  majority  of  the  house, 
was  declared  duly  elected  speaker,  and  Messrs.  J.  <  i.  Adams 
and  R.  M.  Johnson,  conducted  the  speaker  elect  to  the  chair, 
when  he  delivered  a  short  but  appropriate  address.  Mr.  Wil- 
liams, of  North  Carolina,  the  senior  member  of  the  house,  ad- 
ministered to  him  the  oath  of  office,  and  then  the  house  ad- 
journed. 

Tuesday,  June  3.  After  various  bills  of  a  private  or  local  cha- 
racter had  been  reported  and  attended  to — 

Mr.  Stoddert  reported  a  bill  prohibiting  the  banks  in  the  Dis 
trict  of  Columbia,  after  the  year  1839,  from  issuing  any  notes  o 
a  less  denomination  than  ten  dollars — twice  read  and  commit 
led. 

Mr.  John  Q.  Mams  made  a  motion  that  this  day  be  assignee 
for  the  reception  of  memorials,  as  the  previous  day  which  was 
specially  assigned  to  such  business  had  been  occupied  witb  the 
election  of  a  speaker. 

Mr.  Williams  objecting,  Mr.  Denny  moved  a  suspension  o 
the  rule,  which  the  house  refused  to  do. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  reports 
on  the  contested  Kentucky  election. 

The  question  being  the  amendment  proposed  by  Mr.  Bank 
that  certain  vtnes  in  Anderson  and  Jessamine  counties,  be 
counted  for  Robert  P.  Letcher. 

Mr.  Banks  modified  it  by  striking  out  three  of  the  names  in 
the  latter  county,  and  advocated  his  amendment  at  length. 

Mr.  Jones  supported  the  views  of  the  majority  of  the  com 
mittee,  in  rejecting  all  these  votes. 

The  debate  was  continued  by  Messrs.  Marshall,  Hardin 
Clayton,  Chilton  Allan,  Chilton,  Burges,  Adams,  Beaty,  Wil 
lianis,  Bripgs  and  Wayne,  on  the  side  of  Mr.  Letcher'g  claim 
tintf  by  Messrs.  Pope,  Ilannegan,  Vanderpoel,  Hatner,  Peyton 
A. 'Mann  and  Htilibard,  on  that  of  Mr.  Moore. 

Mr.  Lane  moved  an  adjournment,  which  prevailing,  th 
house  adjourned. 

Wednesday,  June  4.  Mr.  IT/iittlesry  having  made  several  re 
ports  on  private  claims, 


Mr.  E.  Everett  submitted  joint  resolutions,  distributing  the 
opies  of  the  diplomatic  correspondence  from  1783  to  1789, 
irhich,  after  debate,  were  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for  a  third 
eading,  yeas  110,  nays  57. 

The  house  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  reports  on 
if  Kentucky  contested  election. 

Mr.  Lane,  who  had  the  floor,  waived  his  right  to  speak,  so  as 
o  allow  a  vote  to  be  taken  on  the  main  question. 

[As  we  cannot,  without  the  occupancy  of  more  room  than 
an  be  spared  tor  it,  make  an  intelligible  statement  of  Hie  points 
iscussed — we  shall  simply  say,  that  the  remainder  of  the  day 
^as  occupied  with  this  subject,  and  that  tUe  house  adjourned 
without  disposing  of  the  case.J 

Thursday,  June  5.  The  resolution  relative  to  the  distribution 
f  the  diplomatic  correspondence  of  the  LI.  Stales,  was  passed 
nd  sent  to  the  senate  for  concurrence. 

The  resolution  giving  the  right  of  way  through  the  U.  States^ 
roperty  at  Harpers'  Ferry  to  the  Winchester  rail  road  was 
greed  to. 

The  bills  in  relation  to  the  governments  of  the  territories  of 
iliehigan,  Florida  and  Arkansas,  were  severally  taken  up  in 
ommittee  of  the  whole,  and  after  some  progress  being  made 
herein,  severally  laid  aside. 

The  bill  to  create  two  additional  land  districts  in  the  territo- 
y  of  Arkansas; 

The  bill  to  authorise  the  president  to  open  certain  roads  m 
Arkansas; 

The  bill  authorising  the  president  to  cut  a  road  from  the 
lOrlhern  boundary  of  Florida  to  the  town  of  Appalachicola; 
nd 

The  bin  making  an  appropriation  to  construct  a  road  from 
Columbia  to  Little  Rock,  in  the  territory  of  Arkansas,  were  seve- 
aity  considered  in  committee,  and  reported  to  the  house;  when 
lie  house  adjourned. 

A  SQUAD  OF  "FEDS.*" 

Treasury  department  Jlpril  2,  1834. 

SIR — I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  you  herewith,  in  complc- 
ince  with  the  request  made  in  your  letter  of  the  24th  ultimo,  a 
tatement  furnished  by  the  register  of  the  treasury,  exhibiting 
he  amount  of  revenue  collected  in  the  district  of  Genesee,  to- 
gether with  a  list  of  the  persons  employe*  in  tile  collection  of 
he  same,  and  the  amount  paid  to-  each- during  the  years  1831. 
832  and  1833.  R.  B.  TAlfEY, 

secretary  of  the  treasury. 

Ffon.  Fred'k  Whittlesey,  house  of  rep.  Washington. 
Statement,  exhibiting  the  gross  amount  of  revenue  received  at 
the  port  of  Genet.ee,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  and  the  ex- 
penses of  collection  of  the  same,  during  the  years  1831,  '32 
and  '33. 

1831.  1832.  1833. 

Gross  amount  of  revenue    $1,69022          75595  84848 

Expenses  of  collection         .3,77530       4,26364       4,19864 
Statement  of  the  persons  employed  hi  the  collection  of  the 
revenue  in  the  district  of  Genesee,  and  the  amount  paid  to  eacn 
"n-  the  years  ending  on  the  31st  day  of  December,  1831,  '32  and 

1831.  T832.  1833. 

1,01400          1,16064          1,16064 
1,092  00          1,098  00          1,095  00 

730  00  732  W  730  00 

106  29  5862  00" 

788  00 

105  01 
20  00 


Names.        office. 
Jacob  Gould,  collector, 
G.  H.  Holden,  inspector, 
Byram  Green,        do. 
Ben.  E.  Lathrop,  do. 
George  Gould,        do. 
Jasp.  Drake,  jr.     do. 
D.  S.  Holden,        do. 
Henry  O'Reiley,    do. 


246  00 
45  00 
720  00 


240  00 
148  00 
825  00 


$3,775  30          4,263  63         4,198  64 
Treasury  department,  register's  office,  April  26,  1834'. 

J.  L,  SMITH,  register. 

OQr-Only  848  dollars  48  centa  revenue,  against  4,198  dollars 
and  64  cents,  paid  to  this  little  squad  of  officers,  in  1833 — or  fire 
dollars  paid  out  for  one  dollar  paid  in!  Verily,  Messrs.  Gould 
&  Co.  have  a  snug  birth  of  it,  and  a  "glorious"  division  of 
''spoils." 

The  Rochester  "Democrat"  from  which  the  preceding  state- 
ment is  copied,  fearlessly  insists  that  the  true  amount  of  these 
operations  is  yet  concealed— that  the  "veil  of  secreey"  has 
been  drawn  over  them;  and  says  that  the  whole  duties  required 
might  be  performed  by  a  single  man — this  looks  reasonable,  as 
the  whole  revenue  is  less  than  S50  dollars. 

The  "Albany  Argus"  says  that  this  enormous  expenditure  of 
public  money  at  the  port  of  Genesee,  arises  from  the  "nece$iity 
of  keeping  up  a  vigilant  and  efficient  corpi  of  revenue  officers  in 
the  frontier  districts. 

But  the  Albany  Evening  Journal  says  that  George  Gould, 
brother  of  the  collector,  was  every  day  seen  attending  to  a  shoe  - 
shop;  and  of  Henry  O'Reily,  it  asserts  that,  in  one  of  the  years 
for  which  he  received  such  liberal  compensation,  be  was,  for  the 
most  part,  living  with  his  father-in-law  fifty  miles  from  the  port 
of  Genesee,  and  during  the  other  year  editing  a  paper  at  Ro- 
chester— and  that  he  was  not  known  to  the  public  M  connected 
with  the  collectorship  until  the  publication  of  this  report  of  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury! 

'Feeders  on  the  people. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,   1834— DEBATE  ON  THE  PROTEST.         S49 


DEBATE  ON  THE  PRESIDENT'S  PROTEST. 

SPEECH    OF    Mil.    rort.lYTH. 

In  the  senate  of  the  United  Stales  May  6th,  1834. 
Mr.  Fonyth  said  lie  concurred  wuli  the  senator  from  Soul! 
Carolina,  (.Mr.  Calhoun),  that  lilt:  paper  was  an  official  mess, in 
from  tin-  president  of  the  United  Si.uc-.- — in  .-nun:  sort  pcr.-on.il 
too,  as  every  paper  must  be  that  was  presented  by  un  ollicer,  t 
defend  hitn.-rli'  on  a  charge  of  disregarding  his  duly,  Ins  per 
Koiial  character  being  in  such  charge  necessarily  involved 
Considered  as  un  otlicial  communication  from  u  co-ordinate  lie 
|>.u  Inn-ill  of  the  government ,  it  was  with  unfeigned  surprise  t!ia 
Mr.  F.  saw  the  perlniiieiiy  of  members  in  thus  gravely  discus 
King  the  question,  whclher  the  ines.-age  nr  protest  should  he  ru 
ceived  or  not.  .Senators  treat  it  a»  an  ordinary  petition  or  me 
inonal.  Now  a  petition  was  never  in  the  hands  of  (In:  M'mitt: 
until  it  was  formally  received.  A  member  under  the  rule  pie 
henls  a  memoiial  in  his  place,  stales  its  contents,  and,  if  no  oh 
jection  is  made,  it  is  received.  If  objection  is  made,  tin:  sensi 
of  the  senate  is  taken — the  memorial  remaining,  until  the  senate 
agrees  lo  receive  it,  in  the  hands  of  the  senator  who  offered  it 
How  is  it  with  an  official  message  from  the  president  to  eithei 
house  of  congress,  or  from  one  branch  of  tlitt  legislature  to  the 
other?  The  secretary  of  (be  executive  or  of  the  house  presents 
himself  at  our  bar.  "I  am  directed  to  lay  belore  the  senate; 
message-  111  writing,"  &c.  It  is  laid  on  our  table — it  is  beyonc 
ttie  control  of  Ihe  executive  or  of  the  house — without  our  per- 
mission it  cannot  be  withdrawn— it  lies  on  the  table  of  the  se 
nate,  in  our  possession  before  and  after  il  is  read.  VVhatevei 
mav  be  its  contents,  we  cannot  refuse  to  receive  it,  without 
acting  absurdly.  Admit  our  right  to  examine  the  paper,  am 
decide  upon  its  character  before  it  is  received,  and  then,  when 
p.is.-nm,  or  reason,  or  prejudice,  prevails,  to  refuse  to  receive  a 
message  disagiceable  to  us,  what  becomes,  of  the  rights  of  the 
president  and  the  two  houses;  in  their  intercourse  with  the  ex- 
ecutive and  with  each  other?  A  bill  is  sent  lo  the  president.  He 
returns  it  with  his  veto — examining  fieely  the  powers  of  con- 
gress, and  placing  his  refusal  to  pass  Ihe  bill  on  the  ground  o 
want  ol  'constitutional  power  in  the  federal  government  to  le- 
gishue  on  the  subject  of  it — speaks  freely  or  harshly  of  usurpa- 
tions of  power — and  can  we  or  the  house  of  representatives  re- 
fuse lo  receive  it?  What  becomes  of  the  bill?  It  is  a  law,  if 
not  returned  to  the  house  where  it  orginates,  in  ten  days.  The 
message  arid  returned  bill  are  not  on  file  or  on  the  journals  ol 
either  house;  no  record  ol  the  veto,  where  alone  it  can  or  ought 
to  he  looked  for,  is  on  the  journals  of  llie  house  where  the  bill 
originated. 

What  can  the  president  appeal  to?  In  the  dispute,  which 
will  inevitably  arise,  who  is  to  decide,  and  how?  In  the  in- 
tercourse between  us  and  the  president,  the  right  of  the  execu- 
tive is  our  right.  If  we  could  refuse  lo  receive  his  messages, 
he  could  refuse  to  receive  ours.  A  bill  is  sent  to  him,  he 
will  not  receive  it.  When  does  it  become  a  law?  He  is  al- 
lowed ten  days  to  decide  upon  giving  or  withholding  his  sanc- 
tion. He  denies  having  had  the  consideration  of  the  bill — 
he  has  not  received  it.  What  is  to  become  of  the  govern- 
ment, if  such  questions  are  permitted  to  be  raised?  In  the  in- 
tercourse between  the  two  houses  of  congress,  confusion  and 
controversy  would  every  day  arise;  in  that  between  the  two  or 
either  branch  of  congress  and  the  executive,  disastrous  hos- 
tility, followed  by  violent  convulsions,  would  be  the  unavoida- 
ble result.  It  was  too  late,  oat  of  time,  to  talk  of  receiving  the 
message.  It  was  there.  As  far  as  the  official  character  of  the 
president,  or  his  personal  honor,  was  concerned,  it  was  indif- 
ferent whether  the  senate  refused  to  receive  the  message,  or 
what  treatment  it  met.  Mr.  F.  thought  it  had  been  addressed 
by  the  proper  channel  lo  the  people.  As  as  an  act  of  jusiiee  to 
the  body,  it  was  sent  through  the  senate.  It  was  before  the 
people,  and  they  would  form  and  act  upon  a  fair  judgment  of  it. 
Mr.  F.  was  anxious  that  a  proper  disposition  should  be  made  of 
it,  from  regard  lo  tin.  character  of  the  senate.  The  more  disre- 
spectfully it  was  trealed,  llie  worse  forlhe  senate,  the  better  for 
the  executive.  In  this  question,  winch  had  been  most  unne- 
cessarily raised  between  them,  Mr.  F.  believed  the  senate  were 
in  the  wrong,  and  feared  that  the  true  character  and  just  in- 
fluence ol  the  body  would  be  most  dangerously  impaired,  if  the 
message  of  the  chief  magistrate,  chosen  by  the  people,  and  vest- 
ed with  their  executive  powers,  was  not  treated  with  due  de- 
corum and  respect.  Recent  events  have  fixed  public  attention, 
with  intense  anxiety,  upon  the  senate.  Its  character  was  scru- 
tinized, and  on  their  future  conduct  depended  its  late.  Hono- 
rable senators  tell  us  that  we;  possess  the  public  confidence, 
and  that  the  hopes  of  the  nation  are  resting  upon  our  firmness 
and  integrity.  That  remains  to  be  seen.  In  his  opinion,  if 
greater  caution,  moderation  and  wisdom  did  not  govern  the 
senate,  it  will  come  to  he  considered  a  blot  upon  our  system. 
will  lose  its  title  to  public  confidence  and  regard  whenever  the 
shield,  put  under  its  care  to  interpose  between  other  depart- 
ments and  the  people,  is  thrown  away,  to  assume  the  sword  to 
assault  co-ordinate  branches  of  the  government. 

The  senator  from  S.  C.  (Mr.  Calhoun),  tells  us  that  the  presi- 
dent has  assaulted  the  senate — that  this  protest  is  a  declaration 
of  war  by  the  chio.f  magistrate  against  the  senate.  War  on  the 
senate!!!  What  was  the  resolution  of  the  senate?  Was  it  not 
a  declaration  of  war  against  the  president?  An  appeal  to  the 
people  to  condemn  and  punish  him?  But  the  president's  in- 
tegiily  is  not  pnt  in  issue  by  the  resolution.  Ah!  What,  then, 
is  put  in  issue?  His  understanding,  if  not  his  integrity.  Can 
a  man  be  accused  of  usurpation,  of  tyranny,  in  office?  Can  an  ' 
VOL.  XLVI— SIG.  17. 


appeal  be  made  to  the  people  to  rush  to  the  rescue  of  their 
deareal  n»ht»  by  one  who  Ims  seized  llie  purse  and  the  sword, 
pithout  calling  in  question  the  integrity  of  the  accu- 
alter  angry  debutes  and  unmeasured  denunciation*  by  his  poli- 
tical opponents,  and  they  have  embodied  their  censure  in  one 
resolution,  worded  cautiously,  to  convey  tvefy  thing  against 
him  and  commit  themselves  as  little  as  possible,  his  temperate 
and  respectful  answer  is,  making  war  upon  the  senate— i*  ap- 
pealing to  the  people  against  the  judgment  of  the  representa- 
tives of  the  states!  He  has  made  no  war— he  has  made  no  ap- 
peal—he has  answered  a  deliberate  accusation— lie  has  met  the 
appeal  of  the  senate  to  the  people.  Did  honorable  member* 
suppose  the  picsidi-nl  would  .-Mink  from  the  tribunal  lo  which 
the  senate  called  him,  and  refuse  to  plead?  They  could  not 
know  the  president  and  have  indulged  such  a  thought.  Could 
any  president,  however  iimid  and  irresolute,  fail  lo  defend 
himself  when  thus  assailed?  That  the  chief  magi.-tiale  had 
tin:  liyht  to  answer  his  aeeiisi-rs,  will  not  be  denied.  How  it 
should  be  done  is  more  questionable.  A  scrutiny  might  be  de- 
manded of  the  house  of  representatives,  and  in  ordinary  cases 
this  in lyhl  be  the  proper  course.  What  would  have  been  said 
if,  going  to  the  house,  the  president  had  demanded  an  inquiry 
into  his  conduct,  thus  assailed  as  he  was  by  the  senate  unjust- 
ly, and  in  disregard  of  the  provisions  of  the  constitution?  We 
should  have  been  told  that  a  conspiracy  was  on  loot  to  destroy 
the  senate  by  an  union  of  the  executive  and  of  the  house  of 
representatives— lhat  the  president  u-as  perfectly  safe  in  de- 
manding an  inquiry,  because  a  constitutional  majority  of  the 
senate  could  not  be,  as  was  ascertained  by  the  vole  on  the  re- 
solution ol  'censure,  found  lo  pronounce  him  guilty.  The  course 
pursued  of  sending  the  deft-nee  to  thos-e  who  made  the  accusa- 
tion, was  cerlainlyjustand  fair.  There  is  his  defence  made  ne- 
cessary by  the  act  of  the  senate.  Il  is  denounced  as  a  command 
to  stain  our  recoids  by  recording  a  contradiction  of  Ihe  record. 
Does  lie  command?  The  language  is  "I  request."  But  this  re- 
quest is  not  made  says  the  senator  from  Kentucky,  (Mr.  Clay). 
as  a  convicted  criminal,  humbled  by  a  sense  of  guilt  and  pt)- 
nitent  for  his  transgression.  No  indeed,  it  is  not.  It  is  made  in 
the  respectful  and  moderate,  but  firm  tone  of  an  officer  con- 
scious of  innocence,  and  forgetting  the  injury  inflicted  upon 
him  in  his  just  reliance  on  the  justice  of  his  fellow  citizens  and 
of  posterity.  He  requests  only  that  it  may  be  recorded  with 
the  accusation,  that  it  may  be  preserved  for  the  inspection  of 
all  Ihose  who  shall  see  the  charge.  \Vill  the  senate  refuse  fVm 
request!  It  may  be  thrown  in  the  fire— treated  with  any  and 
every  species  of  contumely— the  consequence  of  such  treatment 
will  fall  upon  the  senate. 

True,  or  false,  it  should  be  preserved.  If  false,  those  who 
have  given  occasion  for  it,  ought  to  rejoice.  A  fair  scrutiny 
into  it,  will  be  just  and  appropriate.  Examine  its  facts,  prove 
tin-in  to  be  assumed,  doubtful,  or  false.  Sift  its  arguments, 
.-how  them  lo  be  loose,  illogical,  or  illusory.  Weigh  its  con- 
clusions, demonstrate  them  to  be  unsound.  The  senate  owes 
to  itself,  and  to  the  president,  and  to  the  people  of  the  stales, 
lo  place  Ihe  subjecl  in  all  ils  tine  lights,  before  the  world.  The 
senator  from  South  Carolina  (Mr.  Calhoun)  asks  for  the  consti- 
tutional authority  of  the  president  to  send  such  a  message. 
Mr.  F.  would  answer  this  question  distinctly.  The  authority 
is  given  in  the  concluding  paragraph  of  that  part  of  the  consti- 
tution which  authorised  the  senate  to  pass  the  resolution. 
Where  is  that  to  be  found?  No  where.  The  right  of  the  senate 
rests  upon  implication — requires  demonstration.  Demonstrate 
llie  theorem  by  what  process  ye  may,  the  president's  right  to 
reply  and  protest  is  the  corollary.  The  same  honorable  sena- 
tor, however,  says,  llie  executive  can  take  no  power  bv  impli- 
cation or  construction;  there  are  constructive  powers,  but  they 
ire  all  legislative.  The  senator  had,  in  a  former  discussion, 
.eknowledged  distinctly  the  power  of  removal  in  the  president 
r>f  the  United  States.  Where  was  the  express  grant  for  that? 
[I  was  strictly  a  constructive  power — a  power  implied.  Ad- 
mitting, for  argument's  sake,  llie  accuracy  of  ihis  distinction, 
where  does  the  senator  find  the  power  of  the  senate  by  con- 
struction? The  whole  legislature,  il  is  asserted,  has  construc- 
tive power;  but  each  bianch  must  have  it  separately.  Where 
s  the  consiruclive  power  of  either?  Such  is  the  argument. 
The  argument  is-,  all  have  it;  therefore  each  has  it.  How  very 
msatisfaclory,  Mr.  F.  said,  it  was  scarcely  necessary,  after 
•latiiig  it,  to  assert.  Admitting,  however,  this  ingenious  falla- 
cy to  be  sound  reasoning,  how  does  the  senator  exclude  the 
resident  from  the  benefit  of  il?  The  president  is  an  important 
lortion  of  the  legislative  authority.  How  can  it  be  denied,  that 
he  implied  constructive  power  belonging  to  the  whole  lefiisla- 
ure,  if  divisible,  and  to  be  severally  assumed  by  two  branches 
f  the  three,  among  whom  it  is  parcelled  out,  is  not  possessed 
n  any  degree  by  the  third? 

The  power  of  passing  censorial  resolutions,  by  either  house 
f  congress,  was  not  to  be  found  in  the  constitution.  The 
miners  of  the  constitution  probably  supposed  such  never  could 
tie  necessary,  the  powers  expressly  granted  to  both,  united  or 
eparately,  being  sufficient  to  prevent  or  to  punish  irregularity 
Dr  criminality  in  the  other  departments  of  government.  JVor 
v;is-  it  to  be  denied  that  the  powers  granted  are  amply  surn- 
ient,  except  in  cases  of  most  extraordinary  character,  hone  of 
vhich  h  id,  and,  Mr.  F.  trusted,  never  could  occur.  Either  can 
jrevent  improvident  legislation  at  its  own  will;  the  two  houses 
an  correct  misconstruction  of  laws,  by  repealing  or  amending 
tatutes— abuse  of  power  by  enacting  new  limitations  on  its 
xercise;  while  the  great  remedy  of  impeachment  is  at  baud  to 


550       NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1334— LETTER  FROM  MR.  McDUFFIE. 


prevent  flagrant  violations  of  executive  duty.  The  inquiry 
olone  into  the  conduct  of  the  executive,  in  any  of  its  branches, 
with  a  view  to  impeachment  by  the  house  of  representatives, 
was  a  more  powerful  corrective  than  any  separate  resolution 
of  disapprobation  either  house  could  pass.-  While,  however, 
it  may  be  admitted  that  either  could,  in  its  own  defence,  or  in 
cases  of  pressing  danger,  resort  lo  this  constructive  authority 
to  act  by  separate  resolution,  it  cannot  be,  never  lias  been  be- 
fore, denied  that  the  party  censured,  upbraided  with  usurping 
power,  or  violating  the  obligation  of  duty,  had  a  right  to  be 
heard  in  any  form  he  chose  to  present  himself,  justice  and  de- 
corum to  others  being  duly  regarded. 

From  the  senator  from  South  Carolina  (Mr.  CnZAoun)  one 
singular  idea  fell.  He  had  said,  that,  as  joint  resolutions  were 
constitutionally  subjected  to  the  president's  veto,  like  acts  of 
congress,  it  followed  that  the  framers  of  the  constitution  intend- 
ed that  separate  resolutions  should  he  beyond  executive  inter- 
ference. The  argument  would  be  good,  if  the  constitution  said 
any  thing  about  separate  resolutions.  As  it  did  not,  the  fairer 
inference  was  that  separate  resolutions  were  not  thought  of  by 
the  framers  or  authors  of  the  government.  The  authority  of 
each  house  to  regulate  its  own  proceedings,  referred  to,  could 
not  apply,  as  the  object  of  thest  censorial  resolutions  was  to 
regulate  the  course,  or,  more  properly,  to  influence  the  proceed- 
ings of  others. 

The  president  can,  of  course,  have  no  business  with  what  is 
done  in  the  regulation  of  the  proceedings  of  either  house;  but 
when  the  resolutions  are  exclusively  external  in  their  opera- 
tion, and  operate  directly  on  his  official  and  personal  conduct 
and  character,  his  right  to  interfere  is  much  more  clear  than 
the  right  of  either  house  thus  to  operate  upon  him.  It  is,  in 
fact,  but  the  mere  right  of  self  defence,  not  denied  to  any  indi- 
vidual or  body  corporate,  however  humble,  or  however  exalted. 
The  president  had,  as  was  said  by  the  same  senator,  the  auda- 
city lo  enter  the  senate  hall,  and  interfere  between  members 
and  their  constituents.  Was  that  a  fair  statement?  The  pre- 
sident had  not  only  not  interfered,  but  expressly  disclaimed  all 
right  or  intention  to  interfere  between  senators  and  their  con- 
stituents and  their  consciences.  He  stated,  in  his  own  de- 
fence, naked  facts,  according  to  evidence  recorded  in  the  ar- 
chives of  the  senate.  He  has  had  the  audacity  to  use  simple 
facts,  without  drawing  even  an  inference,  in  his  defence.  Arid 
why  not  use  these  facts,  as  well  as  any  other  facts,  for  that 
purpose.'  The  senate  is  not  very  scrupulous  in  its  treatment  of 
the  president;  and  the  senators  who  are  so  sensitive  at  this  as- 
serted, but  denied,  interference  between  them  and  their  consti- 
tuents, interfere  br-twuen  the  president  and  his  constituents, 
without  hesitation  or  delicacy. 

Are  we  to  use  the  rod  without  mercy,  and  treat  the  executive 
as  a  whipped  school-boy;  charge  him  with  audacity  if  he  does 
not  kiss  the  rod  which  has  been  applied  lo  his  shoulders  mere- 
ly for  his  own  good?  If  the  president  had  appealed  to  the  states, 
bad  sent  his  address  to  the  state  legislatures,  he  would  have 
been  justified  by  the  example  set  him  here.  He  has  not.  He 
has  left  the  senators  lo  their  constituents,  and  no  doubt  the 
parlies  would,  in  due  season,  come  lo  a  righl  understanding. 

The  senator  from  South  Carolina  has  called  the  attention  of 
his  adversaries  to  the  late  general  application  of  the  lerm  whig 
lo  the  discordant  fragments  of  all  parties  opposed  to  Die  admi- 
nistration. Pie  seemed  (o  imagine  it  arose  from  the  peculiar 
applicability  of  the  term.  The  general  application  of  the  imme 
did  nol  prove  any  fitness  to  the  thing  to  which  it  was  applied. 
It  proceeded  not  from  Ihe  harmony  between  the  name  and  the 
thing,  but  from  concert  belween  ihose  who  were  desirous  of 
giving  a  new  and  popular  name  lo  old  and  unpopular  things. 
There  was  an  organized  and  associated  press,  direcled,  if  not 
by  one  impulse  here,  at  least  direcled  lo  one  end  by  different 
impulses.  The  press,  through  all  its  ramifications,  taking  np 
the  watch-word  "Whig"  from  its  pure  source  in  New  York, 
sounded  it  through  the  country,  and  the  secretary  of  the  Harl- 
ford  convention,  and  the  Osgoods  and  Parishes  of  the  pulpits  of 
the  east,  and  all  like  spirits  of  tin;  west,  and  south,  and  middle 
•tales,  joined  in  the  concerled  cry.  Mr.  F.  did  not  believe  in 
the  possibility  of  deluding  the  people  to  embrace  condemned 
doctrines  and  politicians,  by  the  simultaneous  application  to 
them  of  a  respectable  and  venerated  name.  He  was  sorry  to 
•ee  the  attempt,  because  the  effect  would  be  to  degrade  a  name 
associated  with  our  glorious  recollections  of  exalted  patriotism 
and  disinterested  suffering,  of  great  public  services,  and  holy 
devotion  to  freedom. 

Mr.  F.  asked  if  the  name  of  whig  would  not  be  degraded  if 
applied  indiscriminately  to  persons  who  had  disregarded,  in  the 
dayi  of  the  country's  peril,  the  obligations  of  duly  and  patriot- 
Urn.  Ask  the  northern  section  of  the  opposition  if  the  nullifies 
are  wliigs — twelve  months  since  they  were  rebels.  Ask  the 
southern  section  if  the  Hartford  convenlionists  are  whin* — a 
few  years  since  they  were  a  disgrace  to  the  counlry;  were  "then 
the  open  enemies  of  the  constitution.  Ask  the  nationals  and 
the  consolidationisis— Ihe  high  tariff  and  internal  improvement 
men— the  states'  righl  men,  par  excellence,  if  they  are  each  and 
atl  whigs  iu  the  English  or  American  acceptation  of  the  word  — 
and  the  answer  may  be:  Oh,  yet',  now,  bul  not  a  short  lime 
tince,  and  they  will  not  be  some  short  time  hence,  if  things  go 
as  the  hope  it  that  things  will  go.  Mr.  F.  felt  how  difficult  It 
was  to  find  an  appropriate  name  for  the  union  of  such  discord- 
ant materials;  but  he  thought  he  could  furnish  one  sufficiently 
descriptive!  Unlike  the  party  lo  which  he  would  apply  it,  li 
was  ih«  name  ef  a  eompound,  good  in  itself,  and  made  of  mate- 


rials nil  of  which  were  good  in  their  way.  Suppose  we  call  It 
the  punch  paily.  Punch  is  the  union  of  insipid  water — the  de- 
ludr.d  men  who  are  the  chief  material  of  the  parly,  acid,  from 
the  lime  or  the  southern  growih,  it  is  produced  in  the  open  air 
in  Mi>H-M|>i>i — sweetness,  the  lariti'simar  from  Louisiana — Ihe 
spirit  rum  of  New  England — home  made  arrack  from  South  Ca- 
rolina— whiskey  from  the  west,  Monon^aheln  or  t  U.  »  here — a 
dash  of  poteen  from  Ihe  shop  of  Dr.  McXeven  to  catch  the 
Irish — an  Irishman  loves  the  smell  of  turf  smoke — Hit;  sin. irk 
of  unlawful  distillation.  Castins!  an  eye  lo  futurity,  and  sup- 
posing that  unlike  prophetic  forebodings  of  war,  pestilence  and 
famine,  and  of  the  coffin  hand  bill* — the  prophecy  "of  a  day  or 
Iwo  since,  Hint  the  lasl  nail  was  driven  into  the  coffin  of  Jack- 
sonisni,  was  realized — what  a  rousing  wake  we  j-hnnlil  have, 
punch  being  the  order  of  the  night,  when  the  veteran  was  care- 
fully rolled  in  his  shell  lo  be  restored  lo  the  great  mother  ol  us 
all.  The  genius  of  discord  might  interrupt  tin:  harmony  of  the 
scene.  If  a  question  should  arise  about  Ihe  division  of  the 
"spoils  of  victory."  A  glorious  scratch  would  follow  to  deter- 
mine who  should  be  administrator  "rfe  fconis  ?ion"  of  Uncle  Sam. 
The  insipid  would  stand  no  chance.  Whoever  heard  of  a  good 
cold  water  administration.  The  acid  is  quite  the  thing  to  give 
a  flavor  to  the  compound,  but  by  itself  it  serves  only  to  set  the 
leelh  of  edge.  The  sugar  must  be  satisfied  with  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  Qi  cents  per  Ib.  duty.  The  struggle  must  rest  among 
the  spirits  of  arrack,  there  is  not  enough  fora  broad-boitoined 
administration.  The  poteen  is  of  foreign  binh.and  therefore 
excluded  by  the  constitulion.  Nothing,  then,  is  left,  but  the 
New  England  rum  and  western  whiskey.  How  stands  the  ac- 
count between  them?  Rum  is  made  of  domestic  materials  in 
New  England — the  region  of  Fnnueil  Hall — the  cradle  of  Ame- 
rican liberty.  Yes,  says  whiskey — but  it  is  nol  always  made  of 
southern  molasses — and  then  there  is  the  Hartford  convention — 
and  the  cradle  would  have  been  the  grave  of  liberty,  had  not  the 
child  grown  too  great  to  he  smothered  in  the  shell  in  which  its 
infant  limbs  were  rocked.  Whi-key  is  made  of  home  materials 
always — it  is  exclusively  agricultural  in  its  or/sin,  but  nol  in  ils 
tendency,  says  rum — anil  then  recollect  Ihe  whiskey  insurrec- 
tion, when  this  rebellious  liquid  hnd  almost  stopped  "the  wheels 
of  the  government."  The  balance  of  merit,  especially  as  it  re- 
garded the  American  System,  being  nearly  even,  Ihe  fale  of 
empire  would  have  to  be  decided  by  wager  of  bailie,  or  Ihe 
neighing  of  a  horse. 

LETTER  FROM  MR.  McDUFFIE. 

This  gentleman  being  al  the  Fauquier  White  Snlphnr 
Springs,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Warrenton,  Va.  was  invited  by 
a  committee  of  Hie  citizens  of  the  latter  to  partake  of  a  public 
dinner,  which  he  declined  in  Ihe  following  letter: 

May  14,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  received,  with  the  sensibility  which  such 
a  manifestation  of  kindness  could  not  fail  to  excite,  the  flatter- 
ing testimonial  of  approbation  which  "many  of  the  win-;  citi- 


zens of  Warrenton  and  its  vicinity"  have  been  pleased,  through 
you  as  their  organs,  to  bestow  upon  my  public  course,  "and  es- 
pecially my  exertions  to  arrest  the  career  of  executive  usurpa- 
tion and  abuse  of  power,  and  to  rescue  the  public  purse  from 
the  hands  of  the  executive,  which  have  grasped  il  in  violation, 
alike,  of  the  national  faith,  the  letter  of  Ihe  law  and  Ihe  spirit 
of  Ihe  constitution." 

While  we  cannot  bul  deplore  the  great  national  calamity, 
which  the  recklessness  of  vindictive  and  infatuated  power  has 
produced,  by  the  acts  of  usurpation  to  which  you  refer,  we  can- 
not but  derive  a  patriotic  consolation  from  reflecting,  that  these 
acts  of  misgovernment  and  tyranny  have  disenchanted  the  peo- 
ple of  the  United  States,  and  broken  the  fatal  spell  of  delusion 
and  false  security,  under  which  they  were  rapidly  sinking  into 
a  death  like  slumber,  from  which  no  shock  less  potent,  than 
thai  produced  by  Ihe  rude  blowsof  despotism, could  haveeffec- 
lually  roused  Ihem.  Bul,  lhanks  lo  that  overruling  power, 
whose  Providence  habitually  educes  good  out  of  evil,  Ihe  iron 
sceplre  of  usurping  tyranny  has  been  almost  miraculously  con- 
verted, even  in  the  hands  of  Hie  usurper,  inlo  a  magical  wand; 
which,  like  Ihe  rod  of  Moses,  has  caused  the  living  waters  of 
liberty  lo  flow  from  the  barren  rock  of  the  wilderness,  and  the 
vernal  flowers  of  hope  and  promise  to  diffuse  their  cheering 
and  "lavish  fragrance"  over  the  desolate  heath,  where  but  yes- 
terday the  wintry  influence  of  despotic  power  exercised  an  ex- 
clusive dominion.  Gentlemen,  I  sincerely  congratulate  you  on 
the  glorious  auspices  which  cheer  and  animate  the  friends  of 
liberty,  from  every  quarter  of  the  heavens.  The  contest  is  de- 
cided. The  battle  has  been  fought  and  won.  We  have  had  a 
desperate  struggle  with  executive  despotism,  but  the  battle  has 
been  fought  and  won.  The  overwhelming  tide  of  popular  in- 
dignation which  is  sweeping  away  lyrnnny  and  ils  minions  in 
one  common  ruin,  cannot  be  arresied.  Every  desperate  expe- 
dient by  which  this  may  be  attempted — like  the  recunt  proiest — 
will  but  serve  lo  increase  the  disaster  and  complete  the  over- 
throw. 

It  if  a  source  of  sincere  regret  to  me,  gentlemen,  that  my  ex- 
treme ill  health,  by  which  I  have  been  reluctantly  constrained 
to  abandon  my  seat  in  congress  for  the  present,  renders  it  im- 
possible for  me  to  accept  the  kind  invitation  of  the  citizens  of 
Wnrrenton  and  its  vichiily,  to  meet  them  at  the  festive  board; 
where,  under  other  circumstances,  it  would  afford  me  very 
great  pleasure  to  partake  of  Ihe  characteristic  hospitality  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  to  indulge  in  a  free  interchange  of  sentiment  with 
those  whose  principles  are  congenial  with  my  own. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834—  MR.  CLAYTON,  OF  GEORGIA.         251 


- 


1  beg  you,  gentlemen,  to  makw  known  to  those  whom  you  re- 
jire.ient,  my  grateful  M:IIM:  of  their  partial  kindness,  and  to  ac- 
cept lor  yourselves,  personally,  my  thanks  for  I'riundly  feelings 
and  good  wishes.  1  am,  with  great  respect  and  esteem,  your 
obedient  servant,  GEO.  McDUFFlE. 

Wm.  F.  Phitlips,  Edward  E.  Cooke  and  C.  Robt.  Scott,  jr. 
esquires,  commiUee. 

MR.  STEVENSON'S  LETTER. 
To  the  editors  of  Ike  Richmond  Enquirer. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  iccent  indications  m  lllis congressional  dis- 
trict, of  most  decided  disapprobation  of  the  measures  of  the  ad- 
ministration in  regard  to  the  public  deposites,  induced  me  to 
address  a  letter  to  Mr.  Stevenson,  apprising  him  of  the  gri'.at 
excitement  which  prevailed  here,  and  desiring  to  be  iiiibrm- 
ed  what  course  he  intended  to  pursue  as  our  representative. 
Though  authorised  to  use  his  reply  as  I  might  think  proper,  I 
deemed  it  unnecessary  to  do  more  than  shew  it,  without  re- 
serve, to  those  who  I  knew  would  feel  an  interest  in  its  con- 
tents. But,  believing  that  the  views  and  intentions  of  Mr. 
Stevenson  may  have  been  misunderstood  by  many,  and  that 
the  subject  has  excited  much  interest  throughout  the  district, 
I  have  yielded  to  the  advice  of  friends,  to  allow  his  letter  to 
lie  published  at  this  time,  and  accordingly  enclose  it  to  you 
for  that  purpose,  it  is  proper  to  add  that  his  communication  is 
now  sent  to  the  press  without  consultation  with  him.  Your 
prompt  attention  to  its  publication  will  oblige.  Yours  very 
respectfully,  JOHN  RUTHEBFOORD. 

Richmond,  22d  May,  1834. 

Washington,  May  9th,  1834. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  I  received  your  kind  letter  two  days  ago.  and 
avail  myself  of  the  first  moment  I  have  had,  to  answer  it.  1 
feel,  very  sensibly,  this  continued  proof  of  your  friendship,  anc 
considerate  regard  for  me,  and  thank  you  for  the  frankness  ant 
candor  witli  which  you  have  addressed  me.  1  shall  answer 
you  in  the  same  spirit,  and  express,  freely,  my  opinions  anc 
determination  upon  the  delicate  and  important  subjects  suggest 
cd  for  my  consideration.  In  this  matter  I  can  have  no  motive 
to  disguise  my  sentiment:*,  and  do  not  mean  to  suffer  myself  to 
be  misunderstood.  I  may  claim,  I  hope,  at  least,  the  virtue  o 
never  attempting  to  conceal  my  opinions  and  views  upon  politi- 
cal subjects.  I  have  been  in  the  hubit,  through  my  whole  lite 
of  speaking  plainly,  and  openly,  and  undisguisedly,  and  meet- 
ing every  question  with  boldness  and  decision.  I  shall  continue 
to  do  so  us  long  as  1  am  in  public  life;  and  can  assure  you.  ilia 
there  has  never  been  an  occasion  or  moment,  that  I  seize  with 
more  pleasure  to  state  freely  what  I  feel  on  this  subject,  nnc 
what  1  intend  doing.  I  have  not  been  unapprised  of  the  slat 
of  feeling  and  excitement  in  my  district;  nor  of  the  attempts  or 
the  part  of  some  of  my  political  foes  to  wound  me  at  home 
whilst  I  was  doing  my  duly  here.  To  say  that  I  have  not  beet 
surprised  and  mortified,  at  the  acrimony  and  bitterness  wit! 
which  I  have  been  assailed,  and  at  the  unwarrantable  attempt 
that  have  been  made  to  misrepresent  and  injure  me,  would  b 
uncandid;  and  especially,  too,  coming  from  those  from  whom 
should  least  have  expected  it.  I  confess  that  I  have  felt  an 
deplored  deeply  this  state  of  things;  and  the  more  so,  because 
liave  a  proud  consciousness  that  I  have  not  deserved  it.  I  al 
lude,  of  course,  to  the  conduct  of  individuals  and  not  to  In 
press.  The  abuse  and  denunciations  of  the  latter,  have  no  tor 
rors  for  me;  not  because,  I  pretend  to  greater  indifference  o 
this  point  than  other  public  men,  but  because  we  all  know  iha 
no  purity  of  motive  or  conduct,  can  in  high  party  times,  shelte 
any  man,  be  he  who  he  may,  from  the  violent,  (and,  might 
not  say,  indiscriminate),  abuse  of  partisan  presses.  I  have, 
own,  great  confidence  in  tin:  justice  and  intelligence  of  th 
people,  and  the  liberal  and  generous  portion  of  my  politics 
opponents,  and  I  do  not  permit  myself  for  one  moment  t 
doubt,  but  that,  as  EOOH  as  the  phrensied  and  turbulent  spirit  o 
the  times  shall  cease  to  exert  its  baleful  influence  over  ou 
distracted  country,  justice  will  be  done  to  my  motives  an 
conduct.  Of  this  I  have  not  a  doubt. 

You  desire  to  know,  and  so  do  many  of  my  friends  wha 
course  I  mean  to  pursue  in  the  present  state  of  things  in  in 
district;  and  you  tell  me,  that  you  are  daily  interrogated  upo 
the  subject  by  friends  and  opponents.  You  express  at  the  san 
tune,  entire  confidence  in  the  principles  which  you  think  wi 
guide  me  in  the  course  I  shall  pursue.  In  this  you  do  me  n 
more  than  justice,  and  I  beg  you  to  believe  that  I  will  notdi 
appoint  you.  I  mean  to  pursue  steadily  and  fearlessly,  the  pat 
of  duty,  and  carry  out  those  principles  which  have*  governe 
me  through  a  long  course  of  public  service.  Of  this,  you  an 
my  friends  may  rest  satisfied.  That  a  decided  majority  of  in 
district  differ  with  me  upon  the  subject  of  the  removal  and  re 
toration  of  the  public  deposites,  it  would  be  folly  in  me  now 
doubt,  if  what  1  learn  be  true,  and  the  local  elections  are 
be  regarded  as  any  test.  Under  such  circumstances,  I  shou 
not  feel  justified  as  the  representative  of  the  district,  in  refusii 
to  obey  their  wishes,  and  instructions,  though  not  formally  e 
pressed.  My  opinions  as  to  the  right  and  consequences  of  i 
structinn  on  the  part  of  the  constituent,  have  long  been  know 
It  has  ever  been  with  me  a  favorite  doctrine,  and  ought  to  I 
justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  corner-stones  of  all  representati 
governments.  Our  constitutions  are  wisely  founded  upon  t 
representative  system;  and  the  very  moaning  of  that  term,  di 
plays  the  nature  and  benefit  of  thu  system.  A  representative 
a  public  agent,  who  represents  the  wishes,  interests  and  sgn 


ents  of  the  people;  and,  though  they  may  not  choose  to  re- 
late his  course  by  special  instructions,  in  consequence  of  a 
tsumption  that  he  may  often  enjoy  information  that  they  do 
it  possess,  the  real  nature  of  their  relation  is  not  materially 
anged.  "The  virtue,  spirit  and  essence  of  a  house  of  repre- 
ntaiives  is  their  being  the  express  image  of  the  feelings  of 
e  nation."  This  is  one  of  the  great  and  distinguishing  priu- 
ples  of  our  own  free  institutions,  and  I  have  always  stood 
edged  in  the  most  unqualified  manner  to  uphold  and  maintain 

In  vain,  my  dear  sir,  might  a  country  like  ours  lavish  iu 
ood  and  treasure  in  defence  of  its  liberty,  and  erect  barriers 
gainst  ambition  and  power,  if  public  agents  should  be  permit- 
d  to  deny  the  right  of  the  people  to  instruct,  and  the  duty  of 
,e  representative  to  obey,  or  surrender  up  the  trust.  A  repre- 
•ntative  government,  without  this  right,  would  be  little  else 
an  the  essence  of  mockery.  Nothing  then  can  shake  the 
•ep  rooted  opinions  which  1  have  so  long  fostered  and  acted 
i,  and  which  in  my  Representative  character  1  could  never 
onsent  in  any  manner  to  impair,  without  an  entire  abandon* 
icnt  of  private  honor  and  public  duty.  1  shall,  therefore,  not 
esitate  to  acknowledge  this  right,  and  obey  the  wishes  and  iii- 
tructions  of  a  majority  of  my  constituents,  upon  questions  of 
xpediency  and  practical  policy,  involving  no  violation  of  thu 
ath  I  have  taken  to  support  the  constitution  of  my  country,  or 
fleet  my  conscience  or  honor. 

I  beg  you  to  communicate  these,  my  opinions,  in  such  man- 
er  as  you  may  choose,  to  those  who  are  really  desirous  of 
nowing  what  they  are,  or  feel  an  interest  in  the  matter.  This 
«  all  that  I  deem  it  needful  or  proper  for  me  to  say,  and  you 
vill  use  it  as  you  please.  It  is,  however,  possible  that  even 
iiis  may  not  be  satisfactory  to  some  portion  of  my  constituents. 
in!  an  effort  may  be  made  to  force  me  to  retire.  Be  it  so.  1 
m  ready  to  lay  down  the  trust,  whenever  it  may  be  required  in 
manner  that  I  ought  to  listen  to  and  respect.  1  have  said  so 
o  many  of  my  other  friends.  Under  such  circumstances,  I 
ould  have  no  motive  to  continue.  Verily,  my  friend,  as  you 
eil  know,  I  have  paid  dearly  for  all  my  public  honors.  Tln-y 
ave  brought  on  me  heavy  pecuniary  losses,  and  been  produc- 
ive  of  any  thing  but  peace  and  tranquillily.  I  gave  up  a  lucra- 
ive  profession,  with  tlie  prospect  of  increased  wealth,  to  de- 
mote myself  to  the  public  service,  and  now  I  am  to  be  repaid 
with  denunciation  and  abuse!  All  that  I  ever  expected  or  wish- 
d  was,  to  serve,  and  merit  the  approbation  of,  my  country; 
ind  especially  those,  whom,  tor  so  long  a  time,  it  had  been  my 
iride  and  pleasure  to  tepresctil;  and  I  declare  to  God,  that 
hrough  the  whole  course  of  my  public  life,  I  had  looked  to  this, 
is  the  highest  reward  for  all  my  public  labors.  No  man  would 
anient  more  deeply  or  sincerely  than  1  should  do,  the  IOSE  of 
his  confidence:  but  if  it  must  be  BO,  and  my  services  are  no 
miger  desired,  I  shall  most  willingly  retire.  It  remains  for  me 
only  to  add,  that  until  I  do,  1  shall  continue  to  discharge  my 
luties  in  the  nr.-nner  I  thir.k  right  and  best  calculated  to  ad- 
vance the  peculiar  interests  and  prosperity  of  my  immediate 
district,  and  the  welfare  and  Uonor  of  our  common  country. 

With  cordial  and  sincere  regard,  1  am,  dear  sir,  your  friend 
and  servant,  A.  STEVENSON. 

Col.  John  Rutherfoord,  Richmond,  Va. 

— —*»6  ®  e»««" 
MR.  CLAYTON,  OF  GEORGIA. 

Nothing  gives  more  satisfaction  to  a  candid  and  ingenuous 
mind,  than  to  make  acknowledgment  of  wrong,  when  wrong 
ias  been  committed;  and  ceitainly  nothing  is  more  honorable. 
Mr.  Clayton,  of  Georgia,  in  a  recent  speech  in  the  house  ol  re- 
presentatives, thus  concluded  his  remarks.  [Jllex.  Gaz. 

Mr.  Speaker,  this  is  the  first  fair  opportunity  that  has  present- 
ed itself  to  make  satisfaction  for  trrotiga  which  I  believe  1  my- 
self have  committed,  not  from  malice,  for  I  entertain  that  pas- 
sion against  no  human  being,  hut  from  an  over- wrought  and  in- 
cautious zeal.  In  my  opposition  to  the  bank,  on  a  former  oc- 
casion, I  have  carefully  reviewed  my  remarks,  and  find  reflec- 
tions which  are  unworthy  of  me  and  the  cause  they  were  de- 
signed to  support.  They  were  calculated  to  wound  the  feel- 
ings of  many  high  and  honorable  men  in  and  out  of  the  bank; 
and,  if  such  has  been  the  effect,  I  can  otter  no  higher  reparation 
than  the  public  expression  of  my  regret.  I  retract  evur>  thing 
personal,  either  in  fact  or  tendency,  and  icjoice  that  when  I 
have  done  a  wrong,  my  sense  of  justice  inclines  me  to  redress 
it;  neither  a  dictate  of  false  pride,  nor  a  dread  of  even  deserved 
reproach,  shall  ever  interpose  between  the  injury  of  which  I 
have  been  the  unguarded  cause,  and  the  duo  retribution  ne- 
cessary to  its  full  attainment.  I  do  tiot  pretend  that  this  is  a 
sentiment  peculiar  to  myself;  it  exists  in  every  mind  to  some 
extent,  and,  sooner  or  later,  is  apt  to  exert  its  just  control.  Sir, 
the  day  may  yet  come  when  the  present  chief  magistrate  shall 
feel  and  own  its  sway.  When  he  shall  have  reached  the  repose 
of  private  life,  removed  from  the  tempests  of  political  strife — 
when  he  shall  have  ceased  to  be  useful  to  flatterers  and  syco- 
phants, and  standing  upon  that  critical  confine  where  the  tim« 
past  of  a  long  life  is  to  be  reviewed  in  the  short  span  of  that 
which  is  soon  to  end— if  no  other  wrong  of  which  he  has  been 
the  author  shall  extort  his  merited  confession,  that  at  least  to  tlie 
injured  Duane  will  wring  a  repentant  sigh.  His  imneination 
must  wander  into  the  innocent  family  of  this  abused  individual, 
from  whose  quiet  bosom  he  was  reluctantly  withdrawn,  and, 
after  surveying  the  peace  which  he  has  disturbed,  the  feelings 
he  has  tortured,  the  friendship  with  which  he  has  sported,  tlie 
integrity  he  has  distrusted,  the  independence  he  has  despLxrd, 
and,  abov«  al),  that  spotless  reputation  his  minions  have  at- 


252  NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1334— LAW  AOA1NST  GAMING. 


tempted  to  defame  —  If  Ills  heart  shall  riot  obey  tilt!  dictates  of 
tlie  generous  sentiment  I  have  described,  it  "'ill  he  wauling, 
greatly  wanting,  in  a  principle  \villi  which  even  his  fame  ol 
battle  cannot  compare,  and  will  justly  reduce  the  glurj  ol  his 
military  fortunes  to  an  empty  pageant. 

COL.  CROCKETT. 

The  following  is  a  sketch  of  the  icmark.--  of  col.  Crockett,  a 
member  of  the  house  ot  representatives  of  the  United  States 
from  Tennessee,  delivered  from  the  lower  balcony  ol  the  City 
Hall,  .Boston,  about  two  weeks  ago.  The  colonel  leturnud  ami 
look  Ws  seat  last  week. 

He  commenced  by  saying  that  he  came  here  without  the  least 
expectation  of  making  a  speech;  he  came  noi  as  a  politician, 
Inu  lit  the  suggestion  of  one  of  his  most  intelligent  political 
friends,  gen.  Thomas,  of  Louisiana,  to  learn  fiom  personal  oh 
serration,  what  could  not  be  correctly  known  otherwise.  lie 
had  no  expectation  of  attracting  any  attention  other  than  any 
private  -citizen,  hut  for  the  kind  civilities  he  hail  received  he 
considered  it  his  duty  to  lender  his  most  grateful  thanks. 

He  then  alluded  to  his  political  course.  He  said  that  wlien 
he  first  wenl  to  congress  he  was  opposed  to  the  protective  sys- 
tem; he  thought  it  his  duly  to  oppose  it;  but  since  he  had  visit- 
ed New  England,  he  had  changed  his  views  on  that  subject;  he 
only  wished  that  some  ol  the  leading  politic  i,u,s  ol  the  soul  lie  rn 
Plates,  would  visit  the  New  England  manufactories,  and  said 
that  a  single  visit  would  do  more  to  bring  about  peace,  harmony 
and  unioii  between  the  different  sections  of  the  country  than  all 
the  legislation  in  the  world. 

He  said  he  had  been  one  of  the  earliest  friends  ami  supporters 
of  gen.  Jackson;  he  had  kuown  him  from  his  youth  tip;  he  had 
fought  with  him,  and  was  one  of  the  first  who  fired  a  gun  in  the 
battles  in  which  gen.  Jackson  gained  so  much  renown.  He  hail 
supported  him  for  the  presidency  because  ho  believed  him  an 
honest  man.  He  did  not  suppose,  what  he  has  since  found  to 
be  the  case,  that  he  would  consider  that  the  greatest  offence  a 
man  could  commit,  would  be  to  vote  aaainst  Andrew  Jackson. 
He  would  refer  back  to  the  condition  of  the  country  only 
seven  months  ago.  Then  we  had  the  best  currency  in  i  he  wmlii. 
f\fr  commerce  and  manufactures  were  in  the  highest  state  of 
.prosperity;  now  we  gee  ruin  and  distress  pervading  all  classes  of 
the  community.  And  for  what  purpose  has  all  this  misery  been 
brought  about?  Merely  to  gratify  the  prejudices  and  will  of  a 
Riipeianuated  old  man.  He  said  we  had  arrived  at  a  crisis  such 
as  we  had  never  heforn  known. 

lie  had  never  apprehended  any  serious  consequences  from 
the  troubles  in  South  Carolina;  he  did  not  think  the  sinL'le  .-tale 
of  Suiith  Carolina  could  dissolve  the  union,  lint  now  thing* 
worn  an  alarming  aspect,  when  we  see  neighborhood  against 
neighborhood,  city  againstcity,and  state  agaiuststate;  when  the 
chief  magistrate  of  the  union  seizes  the  sword  of  the  nation 
With  one  hand,  and  the  purse  with  the  other,  and  bills  defiance 
io  congress  and  to  the  whole  country,  we  may  with  good  reason 
tremble  for  the  result.  Look  at  the  president's  course.  He  first 
atlackcd  the  hu.nk,aiid  demolished  that,  and  then  levelled  his 
gun  and  fired  at  the  sejiate.  ISut  he  was  glad  to  say  that  the 
senate  was  firm,  thai  ii  was  able  to  r«si.-.t  his  assaults;  thnt  il 
could  and  it  would  save  the  country;  and  when  general  Jackson 
dischargpd  his  gun  at  the  senate,  he  fired  into  the  icrons.  flock. 

He  said  he  was  no  man's  follower;  lie  belonged  to  no  pi.rty;  he 
had  no  interest  hut  the  good  of  the  country  at  heart;  he  would 
not  stoop  to  fawn  or  flatter  to  gain  the  favor  of  any  of  the  |io- 
litical  demagogues  of  the  present  time.  Gen.  Jackson's  political 
conduct  had  disappointed  him,  nnd  he  turned  the  hack  of  his 
hand  towards  him;  and  when  he  was  reproached  for  deserting 
the  party,  "I  told  them  I  had  rather  he  a  nigger's  man  or  n  rac- 
koon  dog  than  belong  to  such  a  party." 

He  said  he  did  not  travel  lo  make  polilical  speeches,  he  wished 
to  travel  as  a  privalecilizen.  He  trnsled  they  would  excuse  his 
defects,  for  he  was  but  a  plain,  unlearned  man,  as  he  had  never 
had  but  six  months  schooling  in  his  life,  and  it  could  hardly  he 
expected  thai  he  was  filled  to  address  Hie  people  of  Boslon,  Ihe 
rnoit  enlightened  and  accomplished  city  in  Ihe  world.  Fie  con- 
cluded by  tendering  his  most  heart-felt  llninks  for  the  very  kind 
altenlion*  he  had  received  in  Boston,  and  indeed  wherever  he 
had  been  throughout  New  England, 


.UNITED  STATES  CIRCUIT  COURT. 

JCDGF.  THOMPSON,  PRESIDING. 

.John  F.  Srtrrhct  a°ninit  Samuel  Swartirout,  collector. 
[Reported  fur  the  Journal  of  Commerce.] 

Thi*  wan  nn  action  to  recover  >"24  24  cents,  beinfc  Ihe  amount 
of  duty  charged  by  defendant  on  certain  articles  imporled  by 
plaintiff  under  Ihe  denomination  of  anchor  iron  and  links.  The 
article*  consisted  ol  detached  links  partly  manufactured,  some 
of  them  turned  nnd  others  straight,  fil  for  making  chain  cables 
or  chains  for  other  purposes;  the  shank,  arm  and  palm  of  an 
anchor  in  separate  parts,  ready  to  be  welded  together:  cast  iron 
ball*,  with  a  hole  through  them,  for  putting  on  the  ends  of  an- 
chor*, and  stay*  or  stiiilds. 

it  \v&«  contended  on  the  part  of  the  plaintiff  thai  if  Ihnse 
article*  were  subject  to  any  duty  it  was  al  most  only  25  per 
cant,  ad  valorem,  whereas  the  plnintil)  has  been  charged  2  cents 
pnrlb.  for  the  detached  pieces  of  the  anchor,  and  3  cents  per  Ih. 
lor  the  rahle  or  chain  links. 

The  plaintiff's  couneM  rondo  the  following  points: 

J.  That  hy  Ihn  act*  of  congress  previous  to  1832  the  links  and 
anchor  iron,  though  well  known  articles  of  commerce  were  not 


enumerated  by  those  distinctive  appellations,  but  were  non  en- 
umerated articles  paying  a  duty,  under  the  act  of  1816,  of  15  per 
per  cent,  ad  valorem;  that  they  were  not  manufactures  ol  iron. 

II.  That  thus  under  the  old  laws  payinj-  a  duty  ol  15  per  cent. 
ad  valorem,  unie.-s  ennineialed  in  the  law  ol  1832,  or  embraced 
by  some  general  clause,  they  were  free.     The  law  of  1830,  sec. 
,'i,  says — -'All  articles  mil  enumerated  in  this  act,  nor   the  ex- 
isting laws,  and  which  are   now  liable  to  an  ad   volorem  duty 
of  !•">  per  centum,  shall  lie  exempted  Irom  duty." 

III.  That  they  were  not  enumerated  in  the  law  of  1832. 

IV.  Thin  the  links  were   not  iron   cables,  or  chains,  or  parts 
thereof,  manufactured  in  whole  or  in  parl,  under seciion  1,  arti- 
cle 9,  which   says— "Iron  cables,  or  chains,  or  pails  thereof, 
manufactured  in  whole  or  in  parl,  three  cenls  per  pound." 

V.  Thai  Ihe  links  were  mrt  a  manufacture  of  iron,  but  links, 
so  known  by  name  in  commerce,  partly  manufactured. 

VI.  That  a  link  partly  manufactured'  was  not  a  manufacture 
of  iron  paitly  finished,  under  seciion  I,  article  12,  which  says — 
"All  manufactures  of  iron,  partly  finished,  shall  pay  ihe  same 
rate  of  duly  as  if  entirely  finished." 

VII.  That  links  wholly  finished  would  not  be  a  manufacture 
of  iron,  for  they  were  not  an  article  fit  for  any  usclul  purpose, 
under  Ihe  decision  in  5  Cranch,  Uniled  States  report*,  28. 

VIII.  At  any  rate,  links,  if  finished,  could  be  a  mannfaclure 
of  iron,  paying  a  duly  ol  25  percent,  under  section  1,  article  12, 
which  says — "All  manufactures  ol  iron  not  enumerated  to  pay 
a  duty  n'.-2-i  per  cent,  ad  valorem,"  as  no  one  could  say  to  what 
purpose  these  links  would  he  applied;  whether  to  making  boh 
slays,  topsail  sheets,  crane  chains? rail  road   chains,  &c.  &c. 
and  "all  chains  but  cables  pay  Iwenly-five  per  cent,  ad   valo- 
rem." 

Thai  Ihe  anchor  iron  in  Ihe  same  way  was  free.  That  a  manu- 
facture of  iron,  was  an  article  having  that  labor  bestowed  upon 
it  necessary  to  fit  it  for  some  useful  purpose,  for  its  intended 
use.  That  a  manufacture  fiui.-hed  in  parl,  was  the  whole  ar- 
ticle, a  parl  of  which  was  finished,  as  a  shovel,  pan.  &c.  That 
,i  chain  was  a  series  of  connected  links— a  part  of  a  chain  cable 
was  the  section  between  Ihe  shackles— a  piece,  of  a  chain  or  a 
pan,  if  synonomous,  was  n  series  of  links  connected,  equally 
finished,  as  Ihe  whole,  less  only  the  extent. 

The  court  charged  the  jury  in  favor  of  the  defendant  except 
as  regarded  the  balls  which  it  saw  could  not  be  considered  more 
than  castings.  As  lo  the  stays  or  slndds,  if  ihe  jury  considered 
that  they  were  exclusively  used  for  making  chain  cables,  then 
they  were  lo  consider  them  parl  of  a  chain  cable;  relative  to 
them  and  the  links,  Ihe  conn  however  think  it  doubtful  as  to 
whether  they  were  liable  to  the  duty  charged. 

The  district  attorney  gave  up  the  case  as  regarded  Ihe  balls 
and  links,  and  the  jury  returned  a  verdit  for  the  defendant  on 
the  other  articles. 

SAME  AGAINST  SAME. 

This  was  an  action  to  recover  $400,  being  the  amount  of  duty 
charged  on  80  tons  of  coal  dust,  which  Ihe  plaintiff  had  importd 
from  England,  and  in  which  the  defendant  irfade  him  pay  a  duty 
of  (j  cents  per  bushel  heaped. 

!•  'rom  the  evidence  adduced  on  Ihe  part  of  the  plaintiff  it  ap- 
peared thai  Ihe  article  in  question  is  composed  of  coal  dusl  and 
clay,  and  called  coal  screenings  at  Newcastle,  from  whence 
plaintiff  imported  ii;  thai  it  costs  nothing  at  the  mines  except 
Ihe  expense  of  removal,  and  that  it  was  invoiced  to  plaintiff  at 
6  (.hillings  per  chaldron.  It  also  paid  an  export  duty  in  Eng- 
land, of  :l  shillings  per  chaldron. 

Other  evidence  was  adduced  to  show  that  the  article  is  much 
used  by  blacksmiths  in  the  country,  and  thai  it  pays  Die  full  coal 
duty. 

The  court  charged  the  jury  thai  if  the  article  was  coal,  though 
of  a  very  inferior  quality,  still  it  came  under  the  denomination 
of  coal  and  was  subject  to  coal  duty,  but  if  the  article  was 
known  to  the  mercantile  community  only  under  the  name  of 
screenings,  and  nol  that  of  coal,  il  did  not  come  under  Ihe  tariff, 
[f,  however,  dealers  in  the  article  understood  il  lo  be  coal  fit  for 
blacksmiths,  though  nol  fil  for  burning  in  fire  grales,  il  came 
wilhin  the  provisions  oflhe  tariff.  Verdict  for  defendant. 

Counsel  for  plaintiff,  Messrs.  Charles  Walker  and  J.  P.  Hall. 
For  defendant,  Mr.  Price. 

LAW  AGAINST  GAMING. 

Commonwealth  of  Jl/<m</r//i/v<i7.?. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  in  ge- 
neral court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  up- 
on complaint  on  oalh  hy  any  person  before  any  justice  of  the 
peace,  or  any  police  court,  that  he  suspects,  or  hath  cause  to 
suspect,  that  any  house  or  other  building,  is  used  as,  and  fur  a 
common  gaming  house,  for  the  purpose  of  »aming  for  money, 
or  oilier  properly,  and  thai  the  same  is  unlawfully  used  lor  that 
purpose,  and  that  any  idle  and  dissolute  person  or  persons  re 
sort  to  the  same,  with  that  design,  whether  Ihe  names  of  mich 
person  or  persons  are  known  to  such  complainant  or  nol,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  such  justice  of  the  peace  or  police  court,  to 
is-uc  ,i  warrant  in  due  form  of  law,  commandin-!  the  sheriff,  or 
his  deputy,  or  the  constables  of  the  city  of  Moslon,  or  of  any 
town  wilhin  this  commonwealth,  to  enter  into  such  building, 
and  them  to  arrest  all  and  every  person  who  thall  be  there 
found  playing  for  money  or  otherwise,  nnd  the  keeper  or  keep 
ers  of  the  same,  nnd  also  to  take  inlo  Iheir  custody  all  ihe  ma- 
terials and  instruments  for  naming  as  aforesaid;  nnd  Ihe  person 
or  persons  so  arrested,  oral!  the  materials  or  instruments  afore 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— CANADIAN  STATISTICS. 


253 


said,  to  keep,  so  that  the  same  mny  be  forthcoming  before  sucl 
jiMlice  of  Ilie  peace  or  police  court,  to  be  dealt  with  and  dis 
pused  of  according  to  law. 
Approved  by  Hie  governor,  March  31,  1834. 


THE  COIN   BILL. 

HOUSE   OF    REPRESENTATIVES — MAY   27. 

The  following  engrossed  bill  was  this  day  taken  up  for  consi 
derauoii,  viz: 

A  bill  regulating  the  value  of  certain  foreign  silver  coins  withii 
the  United  Stales. 

Be  it  enacted,  4'c.  That,  Ironi  and  alter  the  passage  of  this  at- 
and  for  three  years  thereafter,  and  no  longer,  Hit:  lollovv 'ing  sil 
ver  coins  sli.tll  pass  current  as  money  within  the  United  Slates 
and  be  a  legal  tender,  l>y  weight,  lor  Hie  payment  of  all  debts 
and  demands,  at  the  ralrs  loliowiim,  tliat  is  lo  say:  the  dollars 
of  Mexico,  I'eru,  Chiii  and  Central  America,  and  those  re 
stamped  in  lirazil,  of  the  value  of  nine  hundred  aud  sixty  leas 
when  ol  not  less  fineness  than  ten  ounces,  fifteen  penny  weiuhts 
and  twelve  grains  of  pure  silver  in  the  troy  pound  of  twelve 
ounces  of  standard  silver,  at  one  hundred  and  sixteen  cenU 
and  one-tenth  of  a  cent  per  ounce:  and  the  live  frank  pieces  o 
France,  vvlitn  of  not  less  fineness  than  ten  ounces  and  sixteen 
etiuyweights  in  twelve  ounces  troy  of  standard  silver,  at  one 


penny  w ci^iiis  111  twelve  uuiitrca  iruy  in  sianuam  silver,  at  one 
hundred  and  sixteen  cents  and  four  tenths  of  a  cent  per  ounce: 
Provided,  and  it  is  hereby  declared,  that  such  tender  by  weight 
shall  not  extend  to  the  payment  of  any  debt  or  demand  fora 
less  sum  than  one  hundred  dollars. 

Sec.  2.  -And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  ol 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  lo  cause  assays  of  the  aforesaid 
silver  coins,  made  current  by  this  act,  to  be  had  at  the  mint  ol 
the  United  Stales  at  least  once  in  every  year,  and  to  make  re- 
port of  the  result  thereof  to  congress. 

Mr.  Gorham  moved  to  recommit  the  bill  to  a  committee  ol 
the  whole,  with  instructions  to  strike  out  the  first  section,  and 
in  lieu  thereof  insert  the  following: 

Be  it  enacted.  Ji-c.  That  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  art 
the  following  silver  coins  shall  be  of  the  legal  value,  and  shall 
pass  current  as  money  within  the  United  States,  by  tale,  for  the 
payment  of  all  debts  and  demands  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred 
cents  the  dollar;  that  is  lo  say,  the  dollars  of  Mexico,  Pern,  Chili 
and  Central  America,  of  not  less  weight  than  as  now  coined,  and 


•IKQIWV    wuiivca    u"j     vvG 

ninety-three  cents  each. 

After  debate,  the  motion  was  agreed  to,  by  86  votes  to  82:  and 
the  amendment  having  been  made  as  proposed  by  Mr.  Gorham, 
the  bill,  thus  amended,  was  read  a  third  lime,  passed,  and  sent 
to  the  senate  for  concurrence. 

THE  NOMINATION  OF  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  editors  of  the  Intelligencer. 

GENTLEMEN— The  honor  of  the  nomination  of  general  Wash- 
ington ascommander-in-chief  of  the  armies  of  the  U.  States  in 
the  congress  of  1775,  has  heretofore  been  awarded  to  Mr.  John 
Adams,  of  Massachusetts,  and  a  statement  to  that  effect,  taken 
the  rounds  in  the  newspapers,  including  the  Intelligencer,  (no 
doubt  extracted  from  some  other  print),  at  different  periods. 
The  fact  of  the  nomination  having  been  made  by  Thomas  John- 
son, of  Maryland,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  John  Adams,  I  long 
since  learned  from  Mr.  Johnson  himself,  and  with  a  view  of 
correcting  the  error,  and  doing  justice  to  the  memory  of  the  de- 
ceased, you  will  oblige  me  by  publishing  my  letter  to  judge 
Craned,  and  his  reply,  which  is  a  further  corroboration  of  the 
fact  stated.  Respectfully  yours,  Sic.  GEORGE  JOHNSON. 

Messrs.  Gales  4'  Section. 

Note— General  Washington,  when  elected  chief  magistrate  of 
the  United  States,  amongst  the  first  appointments  made  by  him, 
was  that  of  Thomas  Johnson  to  the  office  of  secretary  of  stale, 
(having  seen  the  letter  of  appointment  in  general  Washington's 
hand  writing),  which  proffer  was  declined  by  Mr.  Johnson,  in 
consequence,  at  the  time,  of  the  death  of  his  wife,  who  left  him 
with  a  family  of  young  children.  G.  J. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  George  Johnson  to  the  hon.jud°e  Cranch, 
dated  Uth  March,  1833. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  seen  it  published  in  the  newspapers,  at 
different  times,  that,  in  the  year  1775,  Mr.  John  Adams,  of  Mas- 
sachuscts,  nominated  to  the  then  congress  gen.  Washington,  of 
Virginia,  as  commander- in-cbief  of  the  American  forces. 

The  fact  is,  the  nomination  was  made  by  Thomas  Johnson,  of 
Maryland,  seconded  by  Mr.  Adams,  which  was  carried  as  I 
have  learned  from  Mr.  Johnson  himself. 

With  a  view  of  establishing  the  fact,  and  correcting  the  error, 
I  referred  to  the  old  journals  of  congress  in  the  state  depart- 
ment, but  they  being  imperfectly  kept,  not  stating  Hie  name  or 
mover  of  a  resolution,  &.C.  no  satisfaction  could  be  obtained 
therefrom. 

I  since  have  learned  that  you  delivered  an  oration  in  the  ca- 
pitol,  on  the  death  of  ex-president  John  Adams;  and  in  reference 
to  ilia  events  of  time  past,  you  did  justice,  in  this  particular,  to 
Mr.  Johnson.  Will  you  do  me  the  favor  by  informing  me  as  to 
the  source  from  whence  you  derived  your  information,  as  to  the 
fact  then  stated  by  you. 


Wathington,  August  6,  1833. 
To  Mr.  George  Johnson: 

DEAR  SIR:  1  received  your  letter  of  March  last  while  the 
conn  was  sitting;  and  in  consequence  of  my  absence  from  home 
since  the  adjournment  of  the  court,  I  have  not  until  now,  had 
lime  to  look  over  my  notes  of  the  memoir  of  the  life  of  Mr. 
Adams,  to  liinl  my  authority  for  the  statement  thai  the  nomina- 
tion of  general  Washington  as  commander-m  chief  of  the  ar- 
mies oi  UK!  United  Colonies,  in  177.),  was  made  by  the  late  gov. 
Thomas  Johnson,  of  Maryland.  I  have  looked  over  in;  note.-, 
but  find  no  reference  to  any  authority  for  the  facl.  1  believe, 
however,  that  I  took  it  from  some  publication  made  by  authority 
of  Mr.  Adams  himself,  in  a  pamphlet  or  newspaper  piloted  in 
lio.-ton.  I  was  well  satisfied  oflhe  truth  of  the  statement  when 
I  made  it.  With  great  respect,  I  am,  dear  sir,  your  obedient 
servant,  WILLIAM  CRANCH. 

PRODUCE  OF  ENGLAND. 
The   following  table  is  tak«n   from   Pebrer's  and   Moreau's 

Tables,  and  all  compiled  from  parliamentary  documents. 

Annual  produce  of  agriculture  in  all  its  branches    £246,600,000 

of  mines  and  minerals 21,400,000 

of  fisheries 3,400,000 

of  manufactures 148,000,000 

Total  annual  produce  of  producers £419,400,000 

Annual  profits  of  inland  trade 48,425,000 

of  coasting  trade 3,550,000 

of  shipping  and  foreign  commerce..  34,398.000 

of  bankers 4,500,000 

offoreign  income 4,500,000 

Total  annual  produce  of  consumers £95,373,000 


PRODUCERS. 
Number  of  agricultural  persons,  and  their  families'..  ..6.300,000 

Miners 600,000 

Manufacturers 2.400,000 

Artificers,  builders,  &c '650,000 

9,950,000 

CONSUMERS. 

Shopkeepers 2,100,000 

Tailors,  shoemakers 1,080,000 

Soldiers  and  Sailors 830,000 

Clergy,  doctors,  &c 450.000 

Paupers 1,110,000 

Annuitants 1,116,000 

5,686,000 


Dec.  11,1833. 
emigrants,  at 
the  exchange 


CANADIAN  STATISTICS. 
Collected  from  the  Montreal   Weekly  Abstract  of 
Comparative  statement  of  arrivals,  tonnage  and 
the  port  of  Quebec,  since  1818;  taken   from 
books: 

Vessels. 
631 


Years. 
1819 
18-20 
18-21 
1822 
1823 
1824 
1836 
1826 
1607 
1828 
1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 
1833 


576 
418 
586 
542 
603 
762 
694 
600 
701 
861 
855 

1,009 
961 

1,007 


Tonnase. 
155,518 
148,195 
100.646 
146,188 
131 ,862 
148,581 
191,614 
178,792 
152,764 
183,055 
234,301 
225,138 
259,878 
248,038 
271,147 


Emigrants. 
12^.907 
11.239 

8,050 
10,468 
10,258 

6.515 

9,097 
111.731 
16.862 
11.697 
18,357 
24,391 
49,250 
51,422 
22,062 


Some  of  the  chief  exports  from  Canada,  by  sea,  to  the  closo  of 
he  navigation. 

1832.  1833. 

Staves no 4,393,000  4,585,000 

Wheat bush 479,000  659,000 

Flour bbls 44,886  92,393 

Beef "    5,157  5.007 

Pork "    8,040  12,382 

Montreal  ashes  store  statement,  1st  December. 


Inspected  1831 
1839 

1833 


Pots. 
29,379 
27,260 
22,594 


Pearls. 
19,934 

H.f.06 
10,o74 


Total. 
49,303 
41.866 
35,168 


Inland  imports  to  Montreal. 

ork From  Upper  Canada 4,437 

"      Lower  province 2,808 

"      United   Slates 13,059 


Total  harrels 90,304 


1,475 

2,034 

25,609 

29,118 


354 


N1LES'  KEGISTEK— JUNE  7,  1834—  BANK  OF  MARYLAND. 


Flour From  Upper  Canada 57,260 

"      Lower  province 26 

"      United  Slates 25,930 


95,193  I  Napoleon  been  alive  at  this  day,  lie  would  have  concurred  with 
4    us — lie  would    have  recognised  the  sovereignly  of  the  French 


44,701 


Total  barrels 83,216 


Wheat From  Upper  Canada 256,092 

"      Luwtr  province 800 

"      United  Slates 2,428 


139,b98 

302,918 

3«,143 

6,800 


Total  bushels 259,320 


337,861 


Tobacco,  hnds.  Upper  Canada  .................  209 

"       United  States  .................  55 

Total  ....................  .....  264 

"        kegs  Upper  Canada  .................  240 

"     United  Slates  ................  1,704 

1,944 


1,181 


THE  BONAPARTE  FAMILY  AND  FRANCE. 


Joseph  Napoleon  Bonaparte  lias  published  the  following  let- 
ter to  the  subscribers  of  the  petitions  addressed  to  the  chamber 
of  deputies  calling  lor  the  repeal  of  the  law  of  banishment  en- 
acted in  1815  against  the  family  of  Napoleon: 

''Gentlemen — Your  voice  has  been  raised  in  favor  of  the  fa- 
mily of  Napoleon.  We  love  to  believe  that  it  has  expressed 
a  popular  wish.  Still  it  has  not  been  favorably  received  by  the 
majoiiiy  of  the  chamber  in  the  silling  of  the  22d  February. 
Notwithstanding,  we  are  not  less  bound  to  offer  you  the  tribute 
of  our  hearty  gratitude,  as  well  as  to  the  members  of  the  mi- 
nority, the  real  organs  of  the  national  sympathies. 

"On  that  occasion  the  president  of  the  ministerial  council, 
the  duke  of  Daluiatia,  marshal  Soult,  major  gem-rat  of  Hie  em- 
peror at  Waleiloo,  and  my  old  chief  of  the  stall'  in  Andalusia, 
&c.  stood  forth  as  our  accuser,  and,  not  satisfied  with  pro- 
scribing us,  is  daring  enough  to  assert  thai  the  brothers  of  Na- 
poleon -'had  not  refrained  in  foreign  countries  from  the  in- 
trigues of  factions."  I  alone,  of  all  the  brothers  of  Napoleon, 
resided  in  a  free  country  at  the  period  of  the  revolution  of  1830. 
1  was  alone  in  a  condition  to  recall  lo  France  Ihe  son  of  Napo- 
leon, with  whose  sentiments,  altogether  French,  I  was  ac- 
quainted. I  wrote  to  the  chamber  of  deputies  on  the  8th  of 
September,  1830,  from  New  York. 

'•The  new  king  was  proclaimed  when  my  letter  reached 
Paris;  it  was  now  read  in  the  chamber.  I  arrived  in  England  after 
the  relbrm  bill,  and  on  the  same  day  saw  in  the  public  journals 
the  unnounceini-nt  of  Ihe  premature  death  of  my  brother's  or- 
phan. At  the  same  lime  1  learned  that  France  was  still  closed  to 
us.  I  remained  therein  under  the  social  securing?,  (which  in 
this  place  are  not  deceitful  allusion),  in  expectation  of  the  mo- 
ment when  the  voice  of  the  French  people,  reslored  to  itself, 
would  destroy  that  monument  of  national  bondage  demanded 
by  strangers,  through  a  hatred  of  the  French  revolution,  and  of 
that  which  had  been  the  iiin.-t  representative  ofth.it  revolution. 
"The  France  of  July  has  erected  his  statue;  his  family  are 
still  proscribed,  their  only  crime  being  the  name  which  Napo- 
leon h.is  bequeathed  to  them.  I  cannot  help  indulging  a  hope 
that  this  unjust  law  will  be  repealed.  With  my  best  wishes 
have  1  pressed  it,  not  so  much  on  account  of  my  own  private 
interests,  but  rather  in  behalf  of  fifty  members  of  our  family, 
and  still  more  than  all,  for  the  sacred  interest  of  the  outraged 
national  dignity. 

"Such  are  Ihe  intrigues  of  which  I  take  a  pleasure  in  ren- 
dering a  full  account  lo  my  fellow  citizens.  I  appeal  to  the  im- 
partiality of  their  judgmenl,  and  they  will  persevere  in  mani- 
festing it  in  a  legal  manner,  by  availing  themselves  of  the  sa- 
cred and  inalienable  right  of  petition.  If  the  Paris  police  can 
discover  any  other  intrigues,  1  urge  them  to  disclose  them  to 
the  president  of  the  council — I  defy  him  to  produce  a  single 
proof  in  support  of  the  calumnious  assertions.  I  do  not  wish 
to  discriminate  further. 

"With  respecl  to  the  proposition  for  giving  us  permission  to 
reside  in  France,  according  to  the  good  pleasure  of  the  minis- 
ters, we  trust  that  no  one  will  believe  that  a  single  member  of 
our  family  would  ever  wish  lo  return  to  it  stripped  of  the  uni- 
versal law.  It  would  be  a  strange  spectacle,  truly,  were  the 
family  of  Napoleon  to  constitute  amon^si  the  great  people,  a 
class  of  ministerial  hostages.  Il  could  not  have  been  certainly, 
to  degrade  us,  thai  you  demanded  our  return;  and  the  member 
of  the  chamber  of  deputies  who  repudiates  the  law  that  deprives 
us  of  our  right  as  citizens  have  been  the  interpreters  of  our 
sentiments  and  of  yours.  Ilis  Ihe  country  with  all  thr  rights 
and  responsibilities  of  a  citizen  that  we  seek  for,  which  you 
seek  for  us,  and  we  hope  to  obtain  from  the  nation's  will. 

"In  order  lo  decry  us  before  the  eyes  of  the  new  generation, 
and  to  justify  both  the  banishment  and  confiscations  with  which 
we  have  been  visited,  they  have  made  us  pretenders.  We  be- 
long to  the  age  in  which  we  live — we  are  the  creatures  of 
France,  in  1804 — Frenchmen,  subordinate  to  the  will  of  France, 
in  1834 — we  are  aware  Dial  the  general  ion  of  to-day  is  not  bound 
by  the  will  of  its  ancestors,  that  nations  may  perpetuate,  alter, 
modify,  restore,  and  destroy  whatever  has  been  established  in 
former  times,  and  under  different  state  of  circumstances — we 
havH  ever  known  that  families,  as  well  as  individuals,  were 
bound  to  free  nations  by  obligations  and  not  by  rights.  Hud 


anty 

people,  who  alone  have  the  right  to  give  that  government  which 
seems  mo«t  to  their  interest,  or  according  lo  their  pleasure, 
nay.  even  according  lo  ils  caprice.  The  dictatorship,  loo  long 
maintained  by  Napoleon,  has  made  him  an  object  of  contempt 
with  some  persons.  This  dictatorship  was  prolonged  by  the 
perverseness  of  the  foes  of  the  revolution,  who  afieclt  ct  lo  ob- 
literate in  his  person  the  principle  of  national  sovereignty,  of 
which  he  was  but  the  emanation. 

Bui  al  the  general  peace,  universal  suffrage,  the  liberty  of  the 
press,  and  all  guarantees  of  enduring  pro.-pt-rity  of  a  great  nation, 
which  he  contemplated,  must  have  wholly  unveiled  trim  ic 
France,  and  must  have,  enabled  all  his  cotemporaries  to  form 
the  Fame  judgment  of  him  as  posterity  will  entertain.  His 
whole  ihonghls  were  known  lo  me.  and  my  duly  is  lo  proclaim 
them  loudly.  He  sacrificed  himself  on  two  occasions  to  avoid 
a  civil  war  in  France.  Those  who  inherit  his  name  would  re- 
nounce foiever  the  felicity  of  breathing  the  air  of  that  country, 
could  they  believe  that  their  presence  would  be  a  source  of  the 
slightest  disturbance  to  her  peace.  Never  will  they  relinquish 
their  appeal  lo  Ihe  nalion. 

"Such  are  the  principles,  the  opinions,  and  feelings  of  the 
whole  of  the  members  of  the  family  of  Napoleon,  of  whom  I 
am  the  organ — all  for  the  people,  and  by  the  people. 

"Wilh  such  sentiments,  gentlemen  and  fellow  citizens  shall 
we  vindicate,  I  trust,  the  patriotic  anxiety  which  you  have 
testified  towards  us. 

"JOSEPH  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE." 

BANK  OF  MARYLAND. 

Addressed  to  the  creditors. 

In  making  this  report  to  the  creditors  of  the  bank  of  Mary- 
land, Ihe  undersigned  Iruslees  beg  leave  lo  stale,  thai  although 
Ihe  bank  failed  upon  the  2-llh  Maich,  ihey  did  not  enter  upon 
their  duties  until  the  5th  April.  In  this  interval  thcte  were 
very  large  payments  lo  the  bank. 

The  trustees  found  in  the  outset  many  questions  requiring  ex- 
tensive investigation,  and  immediate  decision;  many  of  these 
could  only  be  adjusted  by  correspondence  with  person*  al  a 
dislance.  The  daily,  pressing  demands  upon  Ihe  lime  and  al- 
lenlion  of  the  truslees  from  debtors  and  creditors,  postponed 
any  immediate  general  investigation  of  the  trn.-t  affairs. 

The  arrangement  of  the  proper  accounts  of  Hie  irusl,  was  a 
matter  the  trustees  could  not  postpone;  to  delay  thai,  was  cer- 
tain to  create  confusion.  Their  liabilities  to  creditors,  and  Ihe 
possibility  of  being  called  into  the  courls,  made  their  own  ac- 
counls  a  mailer  of  the  firsl  inleresl  to  them.  Before  lime  indis- 
pensable for  these  various  arrangements  had  elapsed,  Mr.  Evan 
Poultney's  health  prevented  any  communication  wilh  him; 
since  his  recovery  we  have  as  before  been  constantly  PHI  ploy- 
ed, and  we  are  now  enabled  lo  exhibit  only  a  parlial  view  of 


I'm:  mailers  under  our  care. 

The  various  amounts  reported  in  the  statemenl  as  due  to,  and 
from  the  hank,  are  ascertained  by  Ihe  cashier  and  clerks,  in 
whom  we  have  enlire  confidence;  we  feel  quite  sure  from  all 
we  have  seen,  that  their  accuracy  may  be  relitd  on,  and  believe 
lhat  the  extent  of  the  bank's  debt  is  fully  staled. 

The  opinions  formed  by  the  trustees  of  the  goodness  of  the 
debts  due  the  bank,  must  be  understood  as  havin«  reference  to 
the  original  resolutions  of  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
bank,  and  the  legal  opinion  of  the  advisers  of  the  trust: — that 
the  trustees  are  bound  to  receive  notes  of  and  deposites  in  the  bank 
in  payment  of  debti  due.  Without  this  right  many  dehls  musl 
have  been  lost;  wilh  ibis  right,  which  is  important  in  keeping 
up  the  value  of  Ihe  bank  noles  and  certificates,  many  debts 
will,  we  think,  still  be  paid. 

We  have  not  yet  received  from  Mr.  Ponllney,  any  Mattmrnt 
of  his  own  affairs.,  in  answer  to  our  application  for  inlbimutiun 
from  him. 

JOHN  B.  MORRIS, 
R.  VV.  GILL, 

28CA  May,  1834. 

Thomas  Ellicott,  esq.  for  reasons  assigned  on  his  part,  declin- 
ed uniting  in  this  report. 
X.iu2>i/i'ics  of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  ascertained  to  the  19/A  May* 

11*34. 
Bank  and  post  notes  in  circulation  upon 

Hie  24th  March,  after  Ihe  exchanges  of 

that  day  $574,780  75 

Received  in  payment  and  upon  deposite 

since  24th  March,  259,460  00 

Certificates  of  special  deposites  out,  upon 

the  24th  March  851 ,760  73 

Cerlificaies  of  deposite  received  upon 
deposile  and  in  payment  by  the  irus 


>  trustee*. 


-£315,320  75 


344,927  47 


508,833  2fi 


Balances  due  individuals  on  open  account 070,506  72 

Balances  due  banks  in  the  city 181,751  11 

Balances  due  banks  out  of  Baltimore 331.202  37 

Due  for  dividends 2,604  00 

Due  Union  bank, Tenne.sce,  for  balance  of  bond*  not 
endued  their  current  account 75,000  00 

$1,683,218  21 


NILES'   REGISTER—JUNE  7,  1834—  MISCELLANEOUS  ITEiMS. 


151 


Estimat*  of  the  resources  of  the  bank  of  Maryland  to  pay  debts, 
made  to  the  I9tk  May  1834,  inciimue. 

Balances  due  upon  open  accounts  as  reported  by  the 
book  k<:«pers ($130,949  91 

Estimated  good $64,431  33 

Disputed 36,750  88 

Doubtful 29,767  70 


$130,949  91 

Balances  reported  due  from  distant  banks 6,562  50 

Good 849  67 

Doubtful  1,44724 

Attached 1,982  93 

Partially  involved  in  unsettled  coun- 
ter claims 2,282  66 

$6,562  50 

Balance  from  Mechanics'  bank  of  Alexandria,  (in- 
solvent) 14,787  95 
Balances  due  from  agents  whose  accounts  have  not 

been  assigned,  (good)  106,518  45 

Promissory  notes  due  and  unpaid 156,581  74 

Good $64,576  62 

Disputed 4,000  00 

Doubtful 88,005  12 

$156,581  74 

Promissory  notes  not  yet  due 412,533  46 

Good 340,3(10  06 

Doubtful ; 72,263  40 


6,319  80 
7,705  83 


$412,563  46 

Funds  in  the  hands  of  the  trustees,  deposited  under 

the  resolution  of  the  creditors  at  5  per  cent.  $46,089  97 

Deposited  in  Commercial  and  Farmers'  bank,  Farmers  and 

Merchants'  bank,  Franklin  bank,  Union  bank  of  Maryland  and 

Marine  bank. 

Bills  drawn  for  other  balances  believed  to  be  due, 
and  transmitted  by  us  for  collection,  (good) 

Bills  discounted  by  the  bank  of  Maryland,  and  trans- 
mitted by  the  bank  for  collection,  (good) 

Property  represented  as  pledged. 

Bank  stocks  of  various  kinds 118.997  50 

Promissory  notes.  &c 142,901  11 

261,898  61 

This  property  is  claimed  as  collateral  security  for  discount: 
upon  hills  and  notes,  &.C.  and  balance  upon  open  accoun 
$250,000  00. 

These  items  are  considered  available  so  far  as  to  reduce  the 
liability  of  the  bank  of  Maryland. 

Unpledged  stocks. 

1,061  shares  general  insurance  slock,  va- 
lue unknown,  estimated  at  par         50,050  00 
993  shares  Cumberland  road  stock  4,000  00 

185    do.     Boonsboro'  road      do.  1,100  00 

4  do.     Baltimore  and  Frederick  turn- 

pike stock  20  00 

11    do.  Phoenix  Shot  Tower  comp'y  do.  80000 

5  do.  Steam  Towing                        do.  0  00 
15    do.  Maryland  Savings  Institution  do-.  000 


36    do.  Farmers  &  Merchants  bank  do.  1,800  00 


57,770 


Reversionary  interest  depending  upon  the  life  of  a 
Mr.  Yates  in  France,  assigned  to  the  bank  many 
years  since,  6,313  0 

Time  of  payment  uncertain,  (well  secured,  and  now  wort 
$8,333$). 
Banking  house  and  lot  upon  South  street,  (good)      $10,000  0 

Evan  Poultney's  notes 400,000  0 

Suspended  items,  consisting  of  checks  and  bank 

notes 18,528  3( 

Good $11,112  53 

Doubtful 7.,415  83 

$18,528  36 

Land  in  Washington  county,  300  acres,  (good)  2,700  C 

Bank  notes  on  hand  4,941  0 

Good $    810  00 

Insolvent 4,131  00 


$4,941  00 

A  disputed  claim 25,000  ( 

A  claim  for  interest  on  money  loaned,  (good) 10,000  0 


$1,685,230  5 

RECAPITULATION. 

Good $689,407  29 

Cash  deposited 46,089  97 

Attached 4,265  59 

Contingent 261,89861 

01  nfil  fifil  4fi  I  Available  in  discharge 
$1,001,661  46  ^     deblg  due  by  thc  banl 

Doubtful 617,81824 

Disputed 65,750  88 

$1,685,230  58 


The  bank  of  Maryland  is  also  the  owner  of  4,000  ahares 
nion  bank  of  Maryland  stock,  standing  in  the  name  of  the 
nirm  bank  in  trust,  to  secure  the  payment  of  $3(10,000  dla- 
lunted  in  October  last,  and  paid  to  the  bank  of  Maryland  id 
e  course  ol  dealings  between  ihosp  institution*. 
The  bank  ol  Mai >  land  is  also  holder  of  800  share*  of  her  own 
ock,  as  collateral  for  Mr.  Poiilim-y's  debt,  tin-  value  of  this 
ock  will  depend  upon  the  amount  of  her  ultimate  liability-  to 
reditors, — the  purchasers  of  it  will  of  course  have  the  control 
"the  charier  of  the  bank. 

Mr.  Poultney's  private  estate  is  first  pledged  for  the  payment 
'  $30,000,  due  to  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland  which  will  to 
ar  reduce  the  aggregate  debt  of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  that  sum 
eing  included  in  the  amount  of  certificates  and  balances  due 
OMI  this  hank.  It  is  next  pledged,  to  be  divided  equally  he- 
ween  his  creditors  among  whom  this  bank  is  represented  to  he 
inch  the  largest,  and  lastly  to  secure  any  debt  of  the  bank  ol 
Inryland,  originating  prior  to  the  23d  March,  1834. 
There  are  other  claims  which  the  trustees  suppose  to  exist — 
lese  are  in  a  course  of  investigation,  but  the  trustees  cannot 
ow  form  any  opinion  of  their  extent  and  value. 
The  amount  of  bills  and  notes  belonging  to  the  bank  collect- 
d  by  the  trustees  in  bank  of  Maryland  funds,  to  the  19th  May 
iclusive  is  $669,300  43,  and  the  amount  since  ,§72,780  92. 

— ••»e  ©  a«""  » 

MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS. 

A  plan  is  projecting  at  New  York  to  make  the  country  notes 
f  the  banks  of  the  state,  at  par  in  that  city.  It  cannot  be  ef- 
2cted,  we  think,  without  much  reducing  the  circulation  of  the 
anks  in  the  interior,  but  a  great  public  benefit  would  be  derived 
rom  its  accomplishment,  unless  the  appreciation  of  the  value 
f  the  currency,  that  must  follow  it,  should  over-balance  the 
ood  that  is  promised. 

Dr.  Molt,  of  New  York,  has  succeeded  in  extracting  a  stone 
hat  weighed  17  oz.  3  dwts.  avoirdupois,  from  the  bladder  of  a 

man  aged  26.  It  was  taken  out  entire,  all  attempts  to  break  it 
ir  drill  it  into  pieces  having  failed.  This  is  called  a  "wonder- 
ul  operation,"  sir  Ashley  Cooper  having  given  an  opinion  that 

•i  stone  of  8  or  9  ounces  is  the  largest  that  could  pass  through 
he  bony  stricture  in  the  gripe  of  the  forceps.  The  patient  was 
loing  well. 

It  is  said  that  these  poor  fanatics,  the  Mormonitcs,  have  arm- 
ed thernsi'lvBs  to  reconquer  their  "Holy  Land,"  in  Missouri. 
They  count  500  men,  and  seem  mad  enough  for  the  "trial  of 
>attle." 

A  beautiful  ship  for  the  India  trade,  has  recently  been  launch- 
ed in  London.  She  belongs  to  Baring  St  Brothers,  and  is  to  go 
o  sea  with  no  spirituous  or  intoxicating  liquors  on  board.  The 
Condon  papers  call  that  "the.  American  System." 

As  the  mail  stage  was  proceeding  south,  it  was  robbed  near 
Vorwalk,  Con.  of  the  bug  from  Boston  for  New  York.  It  con- 
tained large  remittances,  but  "as  they  are  almost  exclusively  in 
checks  and  hills  of  exchange,  it  is  thought  that  the  robbers  hard- 
y  obtained  100  dollars  in  passable  money.  They  left  thc  checks 
and  bills  on  the  spot  where  they  had  opened  the  portmanteau. 

There  are  nine  steamboats  now  plying  on  the  Red  River,  Ar- 
kansas. One  of  them  lately  passed  up  laden  with  Cherokee 
emigrants,  many  of  whom  were  sick  with  the  measles,  and 
about  30  had  died  of  the  cholera.  Some  cases  of  this  fearful 
disease  had  happened  at  Little  Rock. 

Several  of  the  lines  of  the  canals  in  Pennsylvania  being  com- 
pleted, are  in  very  active  employment.  The  intercourse  be- 
tween the  ertst  and  the  west,  great  as  it  is,  must  every  year  be 
increased,  and  especially  as  facilities  to  carry  it  on  are  multi- 
plied. The  "hard  times"  will  rather  add  to,  than  diminish, 
searches  for  markets. 

At  the  late  term  of  Mncon  superior  court  (N.  C.),  an  Indian 
of  the  Cherokee  tribe,  living  within  the  chartered  limits  of  the 
state,  was  brought  before  judge  Strange  for  trial,  on  the  charge 
of  horse  stealing,  under  the  supposition  that  the  act  of  the  last 
general  assembly  extended  the  jurisdiction  of  the  courts  over  the 
Indian  territory;  but  the  court  was  of  opinion  that  the  intention 
of  that  act  was  only  to  authorise  process  to  be  served  in  that 
country  on  such  as  were,  before  its  passage,  amenable  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  our  courts,  and  who  might  be  within  these  limits. 
The  prisoner  was  discharged. 

The  Connecticut  school  fund  amounts  to  $1,929,738  60 — 
chiefly  in  bonds,  mortgages,  bank  stocks  and  lands. 

The  Alabama  river  lately  rose  the  unprecedented  height  of 
25  feet  at  Lempolis,  and  had  caused  great  damage  to  the  crops, 
be. 

The  late  severe  frosts  have  done  much  injury  to  the  farmers 
and  planters  of  the  west  and  north  west.  In  some  parti,  even 
forest  trees  have  been  killed.  "Winter  lingered  in  the  lap  of 
May." 

The  locust  is  just  now  very  plentiful.    They  are  harmless. 

A  person  nt  Albany,  on  his  way  from  Buffalo  to  New  York, 
was  lately  robbed  of  n  trunk  containing  100,000  dollnrs  in  bank 
notes— bin  the  whole  was  recovered  and  tlie  supposed  culprit 
committed. 


256 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  7,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS. 


The  Charleston  rail  road  is  doing  a  large  and  profitable  busi 
ness. 

The  village  of  Millersburg,  O.  containing  about  30  houses 
has  suffered  the  loss  nl'  18  dwellings,  with  the  jail  and  olhe 
public  edifices,  by  fire. 

It  is  in  contemplation  to  construct  an  iron  rail  road  fron 
Rome  to  Naples. 

On  the  27tli  March,  Rome  was  so  full  of  foreigners,  that  not  a 
lodging  could  be  procured. 

According  to  a  document  drawn  up  with  immense  labor,  by 
the  French  government,  it  appears,  lli.it  in  Russia,  one  child  i; 
educated  out  of  every  367  inhabitant!)— in  Portugal.  1  in  88— ir 
Poland  1  in  78— in  France,  1  in  20— in  Austria,  1  in  13— in  Eug 
-  land,  1  in  11— in  Bavaria,  1  in  10— in  Prussia.  1  in  6— and  in  tilt 
United  Slates,  1  in  4. 

There  is  at  present  in  Mexico,  an  Indian  represented  to  bt 
eight  feet  three  inches  in  height,  but  only  18  years  of  age,  ant 
of  most  hideous  appearance. 

The  following  is  said  to  be  the  force  of  the  French  navy. 
Ships  of  the  line,  33;  frigates  37;  sloops  17;  ditto  for  carrying  des- 
patches; 8;  brigs  for  despatches,  &c.  18;  bomb  vessels  8;  brigs 
filled  as  gun  hoals  6;  galleons,  cutlers  and  luggers,  17;  hahinens 
de  flotilla,  36—214.  Store  ships  20;  garharos  28.— total  260. 

It  is  said  that  Mr.  John  Quincy  Adams  is  engaged  in  writing 
"Memoirs  of  his  own  times."  and  the  "Life  of  John  Adams," 
his  father.  They  cannot  fail  to  be  works  of  high  interest. 

The  eccentric  lady  Hester  Stanhope,  so  long  a  resident  in  the 
east,  on  being  visited  by  a  recant  traveller,  and  advised  to  re- 
turn to  her  native  country,  having  In.-t  much  of  her  influence 
over  the  Turkish  pachas  of  Syiia,  from  the  diminution  of  her 
means  to  bribe  them,  thus  expressed  her  determination,  and 
described  her  dangers:  "As  to  leaving  this  couulry  your  advice 
is  in  vain:  I  never  will  return  to  England.  I  am  eticompasaed 
by  peril-;  1  am  no  .-(ranger  to  them;  I  have  suffered  shipwreck 
off  the  coast  of  Cyprus;  have  had  the  plague  here;  I  have  fallen 
from  my  horse,  near  Acre,  and  been  trampled  on  by  him;  I  have 
encountered  the  robbers  of  the  desert,  and,  when  my  servant-! 
quaked,  I  have  galloped  in  amongst  them,  and  forced  them  to 
be  courteous;  and  when  a  horde  of  plunderers  were  breaking  in 
at  my  gate,  I  sallied  out  amongst  them,  sword  in  hand,  and 
after  convincing  them  that,  had  they  been  inclined,  they  could 
not  hurt  me,  I  fed  them  at  my  gate,  and  they  behaved  like 
thankful  beggars.  Here  am  I  destined  to  remain;  that  which 
is  written  in  the  great  book  of  life  who  may  alter?  It  is  true,  I 
am  surrounded  by  perils;  it  is  true,  I  am  at  war  with  the  prince 
of  the  mountains  and  the  pacha  of  Acre;  it  is  very  true  my  em; 
mies  are  capable  of  assassination;  but  if  I  do  perish,  my  fall 
shall  be  a  bloody  one.  I  have  plenty  of  arms — good  Damascus 
blades,  I  use  no  guns;  and  while  I  have  an  arm  to  wield  a  han 
jar,  these  barren  rocks  shall  have  a  banquet  of  slaughter,  before 
my  face  looks  black  in  the  presence  of  my  enemies." 

There  are  now  living  in  the  town  of  Belfast,  (Me.)  nine  wi- 
dows named  Patterson.  The  united  ages  of  the  five  oldest, 
amount  to  417  years — the  oldest  of  these  nine  is  85,  and  the 
youngest  46. 

A  copper  mine,  the  ore  of  which  yields  from  60  to  70  per  ct. 
has  been  opened  near  Flemington,  N-  J.  In  addition  to  the  mine, 
which  is  said  to  he  inexhaustible,  a  vein  of  four  or  five  feet  in 
thickness,  and  as  many  in  breadth,  has  been  discovered  in  its 
immediate  vicinity, 

Certain  rail  roads  are  projected  by  which  the  journey  from 
New  York  to  New  Orleans  may  be  made  in  less  time  than  the 
period  of  six  dnyi!  What  a  -'world"  shall  we  have  in  these 
United  States,  'if  they  remain  united  and  prosperous— as  they 
were  some  months  ago! 

The  Journal  of  Commerce  says — The  man  is  still  alive  and  in 
vigorous  health,  who  commanded  a  schooner  of  one  hundred 
anil  twenty  tons  in  the  trade  between  New  York  and  Liver- 
pool, when  that  schooner  was  the  only  American  vessel  in  that 
trade.  In  tlie  year  1819,  the  ship  Blephania  was  built  for  the 
trade  to  Havre,  measuring  three  hundred  and  fifteen  tons.  Tliis 
was  thonuht  to  bi>  an  extraordinary  size,  but  now  we  see  the 


housekeepers,  in  aiding  them  to  form  an  estimate  of  the  com- 
parative value  of  the  different  kinds  of  fire  wood. 

The  table  at  large  shows  the  weight  of  a  cord  of  different 
woods,  seasoned;  the  quantity  of  charcoal  each  will  make,  and 
other  valuable  information,  founded  on  experiments.  It  as- 
suincs  as  a  standard  the  shellhark  hickory,  of  which  none  is 
offered  in  our  market.  The  most  valuable  which  is  common  ill 
tliis  region  is  the  white  oak,  and  assuming  this  to  be  worth  six 
dollars  per  cord,  we  find  the  price  affixed  to  the  table  to  be  the 
value  of  each. 

Lfis.  in  a  cord.  Comp.   J'alue. 

1  Shellbark  hickory,  4,469        100      $7  40 

2  I'ianut  hickory,  or  common  walnut,  4,241          95        763 

3  White  oak,  3,821          81        6  00 

4  White  ash,  3,450  77         5  70 

5  Swamp  whortleberry,  3,361          73        5  40 

6  Scrub  oak,  3,339          73        5  40 

7  Appletree,  3,115          70        5  18 

8  l.'edoak,  3,254          69        5  11 

9  Black  oak,  3,236          66        4  89 

10  White  beech,  3,102          65        4  81 

11  Black  birch,  3,115          63        4  67 
1:2  Yellow  oak,  2.919          60        4  44 

13  While  elm,  2:592          58        4  29 

14  Maple,  2,668          54        4  00 

15  13utlonwood,  2,391          52        3  85 
It)  Spani-h  oak,                                           2,419          52        3  85 

17  White  birch,  2.309          48        3  56 

18  Pitch  pine,  1,994          43        3  18 

19  White  pine,  1,868          42        3  11 

20  Lombardy  poplar,  1,774          40        2  96 


launched  for  the  Havre  trade  aie  seven  hundred  tons. 

It  is  stated  in  the  Lynchhurg  Virginian,  that  one  of  the  Che- 

rokee  delegation  of  Indians,  on  his  way  to  Wa«hinL'tnn  on  a 
mission  from  the  tribe,  was  airf sled  in  Crawford  countv,  Ar- 
kansas territory,  for  debt,  and  required  to  give  bail.  He  wa< 
discharged  by  two  justices  of  the  peace,  upon  the  ground,  that 
as  the  ambassador  of  a  foreign  power,  he  could  not  be  held  to 
bail.  This  is  a  new  variety  of  the  Indian  question,  and  a  curi- 
ous one. 

Tobacco  hold*  a  good  price — for  the  last  crop,  especially  of 
Maryland,  was  short,  and  the  stock  on  bind,  in  Europe,  small: 
25,000  hlids.  of  this  tobacco  are  generally  worth  more  money 
than  30,000. 

The  British  are  about  to  make  a  regular  establishment  on  the 
Falkland  Islands,  and  lieut.  Smith,  of  the  navy,  is  appointed 
governor. 

The  following  extract  from  n  table  in  Brown's  Pylva  Ameri- 
cana, (sayi  a  Nuw  England  paper),  will  be  found  valuable  to 


So  much  for  the  purchaser — and  now  a  word  to  the  seller. 
It  is  estimated  that  a  cord  of  wood  contains  when  green  1,549 
His.  of  water;  so  that  a  farmer  who  brings  into  niaiket  a  cord  of 
green  wood,  has  no  less  load  for  his  team,  thin  another  who 
should  put  on  the  top  of  his  cord  of  dry  white  oak,  three  qiiar- 
ers  of  n  cord  of  seasoned  pine,  or  one  hog>hcad  and  two  barrels 
of  water;  either  of  which  would  seem  like  overburdening  his 
mnr  beasts. 

A  strong  disposition  is  manifested  by  the  English  people,  and 
we  hope  that  they  will  carry  it  out,  lo  drive  the  bishops  from 
he  house  of  lords,  and  divest  them  of  all  secular  power.  It  is 
liuh  lime  that  such  a  correction  between  the  slate  and  "the 
church"  was  rent  in  twain. 

A  New  York  paper  says — Bishop  Dubois  yesterday  paid  over 
o  the  Polish  committee  nine  hundred  dollars  raised  for  the  be- 
ietii  of  the  Polish  exiles  in  the  different  Catholic  churches  in 
his  city— a  praiseworthy  example  of  liberality.  Three  hiin- 
Ired  dollars  have  been  collected  ami  paid  over  for  the  same 
urpose  in  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  when'  a  plan  has  been  set  on 
oot  of  soliciting  contributions  in  the  several  wards. 

There  are,  according  to  the  Ilarrisburgh  papers,  more  tharj 
ive  hundred  canal  boats  registered  mid  in  constant  use  upon 
he  Pennsylvania  canals.  Fifteen  locomotive  engines  have  been 
ngagcd  for  the  Pennsylvania  rail  road,  and  five  for  the  Portage 
ail  road,  the  'greater  portion  of  which  will  be  in  operation  in 
lie  course  of  the  season.  These  are  encouraging  tokens  of  the 
ucreasing  value  of  these  improvements. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Boston  Centinel  states  that  the  su- 
preme court,  at  its  last  session  in  that  city ,  decided  that  a  grand- 
child born  eight  months  and  a  half  after  his  grandfather's  death, 
is  included  in  a  bequest  to  grand  cluldern  ••living  at  his  de- 
cease." 

It  is  said  that  the  elder  Baring  has  retired  from  business  with 
savings  to  the  amount  of  §40,000,000.  A  snug  sum! 

From  the  1st  of  September  to  the  8th  November,  1833,  there 
died  in  the  city  of  Seville,  Spain,  6,615,  or  for  the  69  days,  an 
average  of  about  93!  viz:  67  ecclesiastics,  24  nuns,  157  military, 
2,612  males  and  3,755  females.  Of  these,  compared  with  the 
average,  by  other  diseases,  in  the  three  preceding  years — 6,262 
died  of  the  cholera.  The  population  of  this  city  was  about 
90,000. 

There  were  heavy  falls  of  snow  on  tho  15th  and  16th  May, 
at  many  places  in  New  York.  It  was  from  6  to  10  inches  deep, 
anil  sleighs  were  in  requisition. 

Com.  Doivnes  and  lady  lately  gave  a  ball  to  a  large  and  splrn- 
ditl  party,  on  board  of  the  frigate  Potomac,  at  Boston.  Every 
thing  was  gotten  up,  and  passed  off,  in  the  happiest  manner. 

At  the  Tremont  theatre  in  Boston  on  the  evening  of  the  96lh 
ult.  a  parly  of  sailors  from  the  frigate  Potomac  amused  theni- 
<elves  by  drawing  into  the  second  tier  of  boxes  a  part  of  their 
companions  who  had  taken  their  scats  in  the  pit.  This  was 
by  means  of  handkerchiefs  lied  together.  One  of  the  tars 
thus  promoted,  weighed  near  200  pounds. 

It  is  mentioned  in  the  Paris  Journal  des  Drhats,  of  the  22d 
March,  that  n  Frenchman  named  Fiancois  Claude  Bonnet,  a 
native  ol'lhc  Dordogne.  became  kin;.'  of  Madag.isenr,  and  dird  a 
few  years  ano,  in  that  island,  worth  seventy  fire  millions  of 
fnmct.  His  heirs  at  law  have  preferred  llieir  claims,  and  8re 
kcly  to  obtain  this  immense  fortune.  Tln-v  are  in  decent 
:ircunistanccs,  in  Prrigtienx.  The  Journal  dp  Perigiicux  claims 
Stephen  CJirard  as  of  that  city,  and  considers  as  extraordinary 


the  coincidence  of  the  cases  of  opulence  acquired  abroad. 


Gaz. 


JVIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  16— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  JUNE  14,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,186. 


THE  PAST THE  PRESENT FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    BT    H.  NILES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PAYABLE   IN   ADVANCE. 


rush  of  matter,  which  must  be  published  and 
registered,  not  only  continues,  but  daily  acquires  fresh 
strength,  and  will  gather  yet  more,  until  after  the  rising 
of  congress — when  we  shall  work  hard  to  bring  up  the 
lee-way  that  we  have  made,  and  so  relieve  the  constant 
embarrassment  in  which  we  are  placed  in  the  prepara- 
tion or  selection  of  articles.  The  post  office  reports  are 
as  formidable  to  us,  on  account  of  their  length,  as  they 
•will  be  appalling  to  the  public  because  of  the  facts  dis- 
closed or  admitted  in  them.  , 

The  senate  having  acceded  to  the  proposition  of  the 


bills  yet  pending  must  be  disji 
large  amount  ot  business  laid  over — or  evaded,  as  it  is 
possible  that  certain  exciting  things  will (  be.  A  direct 
vote  might  be  unpleasant  to  some— in  the  present  state  of 
public  feeling,  and  excuses,  for  want  of  time,  are  parti- 
cularly "convenient." 

After  a  most  tedious,  harrassing  and  expensive  inves- 
tigation, the  house  of  representatives  has  shewed  itself 
unable,  or  unwilling,  to  decide  whether  Mr.  Letcher  or 
Mr.  JWoore  was  entitled  to  the  vacant  seat  in  the  delega- 
tion from  Kentucky!  On  one  occasion,  Mr.  Letcher 
came  within  three  votes  of  oblaining  the  seat,  and  would 
have  obtained  it,  but  that  the  illness  of  several  gentlemen 
forbade  their  attendance;  for  the  house  had,  by  the  vari- 
ous votes  taken,  really  admitted  that  Mr.  L.  had  a  ma- 
jority of  the  legal  voters  of  the  district.  The  election  is 
thrown  hack  to  the  people.  The  labored  report  of  the 
committee  is  thus  discredited,  as  to  its  facts  and  opinions. 

Laws  must  be  provided  to  punish  such  offences  as  have 
caused  Kentucky,  at  this  session  of  congress,  to  be  de- 
prived of  her  rightful  power  over  the  legislation  of  the 
country.  We  allude  to  the  act  of  the  sheriff  who  felo- 
niously withheld  the  returns  of  his  county,  and  those  who 
aided  and  abetted  him  in  so  doing. 

The  governor  of  Virginia  has  issued  his  wril  for  an 
election  to  supply  the  place  of  Mr.  Stevenson  in  the 
house  of  representatives  of  the  United  Slates — to  be  hel(' 
next  month. 

The  result  of  the  nomination  of  Mr.  S.  as  minister  to 
England,  in  the  senate — is  very  doubtful.  This  we  re- 
gard as  certain — •that  the  senate  will  not,  because  the) 
ought  not,  act  upon  his  nomination  until  the  presiden 
also  places  before  that  body  the  names  of  persons  to  fil 
the  offices  of  secretary  of  state,  secretary  of  the  treasury 
and  attorney  general — neither  of  the  incumbents  o 
•which,  as  the  majority  believes,  is  rightfully  holding 
office.  And  some  think  it  also  necessary  to  ascertaii 
how  many  more  members  of  congress  are  to  be  nominat 
ed  at  the  present  session,  before  they  take  up  the  case  o 
Mr.  Stevenson — two  or  three  being  generally  expected 
and  as  many  more  tnlkc-d  of. 

We  are  sorry  to  add,  that  Mr.  Stevenson  is  sick — in 
deed,  some  fear  is  ascertained  that  he  will  never  proceei 
on  his  mission  if  even  sanctioned  by  the  senate. 

We  present  Mr.  Clay's  report  on  the  land  bill,  pass 
ed  at  the  last  session,  and  retained  by  the  president, 

The  reports  made  to  the  senate  on  Monday  last,  shcv 
that  the  affairs  of  the  general  post  office  are  in  an  "aw 
fill"  state.  The  department  is  completely  banki  upt,  an 
if  "those  who  deal  on  borrowed  capital  ought  to  break, 
this  great  establishment  must  cease  its  operations! 

We  have  given  some  of  the  leading  points  in  the  re 
port  and  counter  report,  from  the  "National  Intelligen 
cer"  and  the  "Globe,"  but  have  not  time  nor  room, 
we  would  do  more  at  present.     Nor  is  it  necessary — fo 
VOL.  XLVI— SIG.  18. 


the  next  REGISTER,  an  effort  will  be  made  to  present 
oth  reports,  in  full — that  all  the  facts  elicited  may  be 
irly  before  our  readers. 

One  simple  remark,  however,  ought  to  be  made.  The 
rnbarrassment  of  this  department  was  known  long  be- 
n-e  the  rising  of  the  last  congress — and  yet  the  fact  nas 
ot  communicated;  indeed,  its  affairs  were  rather  repre- 
ented  as  being  in  a  wholesome  state!  Now  a  large  sum 
f  money  is  asked  for,  that  the  mails  may  not  be  stopped! 
Vnd  this  great  difficulty  presents  itself — if  the  money  is 
oted,  the  principle  is  admitted  that  the  postmaster  gene- 
al,  and  all  other  heads  of  departments,  may  borrow  mo-> 
ey  at  their  own  discretion,  and  to  any  amount.'.' — if  re- 
ised,  it  is  possible  that  the  whole  concern  may  be  de- 
anged!!!  To  steer  between  the  Scylla  and  Charybdis 
ffered  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left,  is  the  difficulty. 
Facilis  descensiis  Averni:  sed  revocare  gradum,  &c. — • 
'foe  opus  hie  labor  est:  which  translated  means,  "the  de* 
cent  to  hell  is  easy,  but  to  recall  your  steps,  and  reascend 
o  the  upper  skies,  forms  the  difficulty  and  labor."*  We 
o  not  see  the  in  media  tnstissimns  ibis — the  "middle  path" 
etween  a  principle  that  CAXNOT  be  admitted,  and  the 
ossibility  of  an  occurrence  that  will -unhinge  all  the  re- 
ations  of  social  life  and  of  business,  if  brought  about  by 

continued  bankruptcy  of  the  post  office  department. 

Mr.  Webster'*  great  speech  on  the  president's  protest 
as  published  in  the  "National  Intelligencer"  of  Satur- 
day last,  and  has  since  appeared  in  pamphlet  form,  and 
makes  31  octavo  pages.  We  cannot  insert  this  speech 
intil  sometime  after  the  rising  of  congress,  but  it  will  be 
aid  aside  among  the  stock  articles  for  use  in  the  recess, 
vhich  will  lose  nothing  of  their  value  by  the  delay,  whe- 
her  for  reading  or  reference. 

The  arrival  of  a  small  British  cutter-built  schooner,  at 
"few  York,  from  England,  called  the  Post-Boy,  in  bal- 
ast,  and  bearing  only  one  letter  to  a  mercantile  house, 

excited  a  great  deal  of  curiosity  in  that  city  last  week. 

Some  said  she  was  ballasted  with  dollars,  to  take  the 
'mortgage"  on  the  state  of  New  York,  &c.  but  the  pub- 
ic are  yet  as  much  in  the  dark  as  ever,  except  that  the 

vessel  belongs  to  Rothschild,  and  had  only  21,000  dol- 
ars  on  board.  Some  speculation  is  on  toot — and  it  is 
nown  that  she  left  Europe  in  a  mysterious  manner. 

WTe  have,  in  the  "National  Gazette"  of  the  5th  inst.  a 
statement  of  the  affairs  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States 
on  the  1st  June.  As  in  the  REGISTER  of  the  10th  ult.  page 
184,  we  published  a  similar  statement  up  to  the  1st  May, 
it  does  not  appear  necessary  to  give  that  for  the  1st  inst. 
at  full  length.  We  shall,  however,  insert  the  compara- 
tive figures,  that  the  progress  of  its  business  may  be  un- 
derstood. 

Liana.  Pnb.  depo.  Private  defjo. 

May  1,  1834       53,756,485  3,251,345  7,022,820 

June  1,     "         52,201,912  2,731,988  6,867,892 

Debts  and 
Circulation.  Specie.  notes  of 

state  banks. 

May  1,1834  16,604,147  11,183,774  3,094,787 
June  1,  "  16,612,527  12,298,333  3,329,362 


'improve  his  bid,'  and  pay  him,  willingly,  an  'extra  , 
ance'  of  five  hundred  dollars  for  every  chastisement  be 
inflict  on  such  a  libeller.  That,  sir,  would  be  on«  of  my 
dies;  of  its  efficiency,  the  member  may  judge." 


-jighl 

of  my  r«me 


253 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


There  is  a  diminution  of  (in  round  numbers)  1,550,000 
in  the  loans — of  520,000  in  the  public  deposites,  and  c 
245,000  in  the  private  deposites;  and  an  increase  of  th 
circulation  of  8,000 — of  specie  1,100,000— and  of  debt 
and  notes  of  state  banks  of  235,000. 

Since  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  Oct.  1,  183.3 — 
The  reduction  of  loans  has  been  7,892,290  0 

While  the  reduction  of  deposites  has  been   8,277,417  7 


Being  more  than  the  reduction  of  loans  by  385,127  6 
The  reduction  of  the  notes  in  circulation  is  2,515,662  5 
The  increase  of  the  specie  1,634,891  6' 

The  specie  is  now  12,298,333  20 

The  notes  and  debts  of 

other  banks  3,329,362  00 

1 15,627,695  2< 

While  the  notes  in  circulation  amount  to     16,612,527  01 

With  such  means  and  such  proceedings,  the  huri-ah  tha 
the  bank  was  at  the  feet  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
"to  be  crushed  at  will,"  was  not  more  ridiculous  or  stu 
pid,  than  is  the  charge  that  the  bank  has  caused  "thi 
pressure"  ignorant  or  unjust.  The  line  of  its  discount 
being  comparatively  greater  than  the  line  of  itsdeposiies 
on  the  1st  Oct.  1833  and  1st  June,  1834. 

Since  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  the  bank  has  reduc- 
ed its  liabilities  near  eleven  millions  of  dollars,  and  in 
creased  its  means,  in  specie,  and  dues  from  state  banks 
te  pay  its  yet  remaining  liabilities,  in  the  sum  of  244,000 
dollars. 

With  its  means,  it  might  safely  increase  its  discounts 
ten  millions,  but  it  is  commanded  to  wind  up  its  affairs 
and  dares  not  extend  its  accommodations. 

The  giant  strength  of  the  bank  is  not  more  remarkable 
than  the  moderation  witli  which  it  has  yet  been  exert- 
ed. Such  is  the  interest  of  the  bank;  and  at  once,  the 
guaranty  of  its  own  safety  and  that  of  the  public,  so  far 
as  "THE  government"  -will permit  the  latter. 

Since  the  preceding  was  written—- 
It is  said  that  the  directors  of  the  bank  of  the   United 
States  have  ordered  a  reduction  of  loans  at  the  rate  oi 
a  million  a   month,  and  that  all  accounts  with   the  local 
banks  shall  be  exactly  closed  every  week. 

The  present  aspect  of  things  at  Washington  forbids  any 
hope  that  measures  will  be  taken,  at  the  present  session, 
to  quiet  the  war  against  the  bank,  or  to  relieve  the  public 
distress;  the  bank,  then,  must  defend  itself  and  gather-up 
its  means  to  preserve  a  sound  currency,  in  which  to  re- 
ceive the  large  amount  of  debts  payable  to  it.  The  al- 
most total  cessation  of  new  enterprizes,  requiring  fresh 
pecuniary  accommodations,  will  permit  a  great  contrac- 
tion of  the  circulating  medium— but  so  it  is,  that  if  the 
hank  of  the  United  States  draws  in  a  million  a  month, 
the  state  banks  must  (for  a  time)  reduce  their  loans  at  the 
rate  of  four  or  five  millions,  because  of  the  accumulation 
of  specie  in  the  vaults  of  the  United  States  bank.  The 
local  banks  have  no  sort  of  claim  to  continue  indebted  to 
the  U.  States  bank — they  should  pay  their  own  debts  as 
they  expect  or  require  that  others  should  pay  those  that 
line  due  them;  but  still — we  think  that,  badly  as  the  bank 
has  been  used  by  the  politicians,  it  owes  a  spirit  of  ac- 
commodation to  business-men,  and  that  these  require- 
ments might  be  considerably  reduced  with  safety  to  the 
bank,  and  relief  to  the  people.  And,  perhaps,  its  real 
operations  may  not  justify  the  appearances  of  things;  for 
we  see  it  stated  that,  at  New  York,  to  relieve  the  money 
market,  the  bank  had  made  large  purchases  of  bills  on 
Europe.  But  we  have  not  time  to  say  more  on  this 
subject  at  present. 

The  following,  we  believe,  is  taken  from  the  "New 
York  Journal  of  Commerce." 

A  fact  of  some  interest  just  at  this  moment,  has  been  pointed 
nut  to  us  by  a  Spanish  gentleman,  in  the  Mexican  Calendar  Cor 
1833,  viz:  that  the  currency  of  Mexico,  inclnditii;  r<>lil  kin-. 
(reckoned  (t  $1,000  each),  is  not  less  than  four  hundred  unit  eigh- 
ty million  dollar*,  nil  in  specie. 

"We  made  a  brief  reference  to  this  "fact"  in  a  Inte  Rr.- 
OISTER — »nd  stated  our  disbelief  of  it.  The  whole  po- 
pulation of  Mexico  does  not  exceed  seven  millions,  if  it 

*Tlii«  reduction  of  loans  id  probably  on  account  of  llie  wes- 
tern bills  arriving  at  maturity  in  the  Attantic  cities. 


amounts  to  so  much,  after  the  long  and  desolating  civil 
wars  through  which  the  country  has  passed.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  one-fifth  of  a  people  are  capable  of  bearing 
arms — that  is,  there  is  such  a  proportion  of  persons  be- 
tween 16  and  60  years  old  who  are  able  to  defend  their 
country;  and  the  proportion  of  adult  persons  capable  of 
holding  properly  in  their  own  right  can  hardly  exceed  that 
rate — the  youths  in  the  former  proportion  being  equal  to 
the  females  and  aged  males  in  the  latter.  We  then  may 
have  about  1,400,000  property  holders  in  Mexico,  of  all 
descriptions,  and  it  is  pretended  that  these  possess  480 
millions  of  dollars,  in  gold  and  silver  only,  or  an  average 
of  343  dollars,  in  bullion  or  coin!  How  can  any  one  be- 
lieve this!  At  the  same  rate,  the  United  States  would 
need  about  eight  hundred  millions  of  dollars! 

It  should  further  be  recollected,  that  about  two-fifths 
of  the  people  of  Mexico  are  Indians,  and  the  chief  part 
of  the  remaining  population  is  made  up  of  all  sorts  of 
mixtures  of  whites,  Indians  and  negroes— which  mix- 
tures Humboldt  estimated  at  2,400,000  persons.  Some 
of  the  Indians  are  rich  in  landed  property,  and  a  few 
have  a  good  deal  of  money — but,  in  general,  they  are 
wretchedly  ignorant  and  improvident  and  miserably  poor, 
with  hardly  a  week's  supply  of  provisions  a-head.  Many 
of  the  mixed  bloods  are  wealthy,  as  must  be  the  case 
seeing  that  they  constitute  the  power  of  the  country,  the 
pure  whites  being  very  few— -but  a  very  large  majority 
of  these  are  thoughtless  and  improvident,  without  edu- 
cation, and  poor. 

But  if  Mexico  possessed  480  millions  in  bullion  and 
coin,  how  is  it  that  such  comparatively  small  sums  of 
money  have  been  burro-wed  in  Europe?  And  vhere  was 
such  a  vast  amount  deposited,  that  it  has  escaped  the 
graspings  of  the  military  chieftains,  whose  seizure  of 
property,  or  waste  of  life,  has  been  bounded  only  by 
their  own  arbitrary  wills,  or  means  of  rapine? 

No  doubt,  as  gold  and  silver  are  chief  staple  produc- 
tions of  Mexico,  there  must  always  be  a  large  amount  of 
them  in  that  country  to  carry  on  the  foreign  and  interior 
trade,  and  all  (he  exchanges  between  individuals.  But 
such  is  the  superiority  of  a  well  regulated  paper  curren- 
cy, that  the  bank  of  the  United  States  has  exchanged  250 
millions  of  dollars  a  year  between  distant  places,  many 
of  them  1,000  miles  apart,  with  less  trouble  and  expense, 
perhaps,  and  certainly  with  less  parade,  than  5  millions 
are  conveyed  from  the  city  of  Alexico  to  Vera  Cruz— • 
ind,  as  before  observed,  with  about  25,000,000  dollars  in 
specie,  our  best  public  stocks,  were  at  20  per  cent,  ad- 
vance— while  such  stocks  of  Mexico  were  40  or  50  per 
cent,  under  pur,  in  exchange  for  gold  or  silver;  and  so  it 
s,  that  "credit, "against  which  war  has  been  declared  by 
"the  government,"  is  better  than  specie,  when  rightfully 
•egulated  and  prudently  used. 

In  page  203  we  recorded  an  evidence  of  the  democra- 
cy of  the  present  day,  in  the  scurvy  attacks  of  the  "or- 
ganized" press  on  Mr.  Eioing  of  the  senate  of  the  Unit- 
:d  States,  charging  him  with  the  crime  of  having  risen 
rom  a  very  humble  rank  in  society  to  the  honorable 
)lace  that  fie  fills  with  so  much  talent  and  respecta- 
bility. We  made  this  record,  as  we  have  made  many 
others,  that  it  may  be  seen,  in  future  times,  what  are  the 
fleets  that  flow  from  a  rewarded  as  well  as  an  "organiz- 
d"  press,  in  the  appointment  of  more  than  one  hundred 
oersons  connected  with  it  to  public  places  of  profit,  in  a 
hort  period  of  years;  and  hence  it  seems  that  individuals 
eek  preferences  in  proportion  to  the  fillhiness  of  their 
ssaults  on  the  private  character  of  richly-gifted  and  ho- 
icst  men,  if  happening  not  to  agree  in  political  opinion 
with  a  set  of  the  foulest  tyfie-blackers  that  ever  cursed  a 
oiintry — a  number  of  whom  ;>  re  foreign  ad  venturers — late 
he  subjects  of  a  king,  and,  of  course,  qualified  to  teach 
'democracy"  to  native  Americans,  even  in  gross  denun- 
iations  of  such  men  as  Mr.  Hieing,  (who,  by  the  glori- 
us  operation  of  ti-ue  democratic  principles,  has  raised 
limseli  up  to  one  of  the  most  lofty  stations  which  a  man 
an  possess  in  the  republic),  because  that  they  came  from 
poorer  class  of  the  people.  The  inconsistency  of  this  is 
ist  si^lit  of  in  the  xeal  to  do  the  dirty  work  assigned, 
nd  without  reflecting' that  ninny  of  their  own  gods  are 
i  the  same  condition — and  some  without  known  fathers. 
\\'e  recur  to  this  subject  to  notice  one  of  the  arts  of 
le  "able"  editor  of  the  "Albany  Argus." 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE   14,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


The  "Evening  Journal"  of  that  city,  speaking  of  the 
"democratic"  attack  on  All1.  Jawing;  askcifl— 

'•'Was  not  Mr.  Wright  a  bar  keeper  nnd  ostlei  both,  at  an  ob- 
scure tavern  in  St.  Lawrence  county.'" 

.Mr.  I  fright,  one  of  the  senators  from  New  York,  is 
the  gentleman  referred  to  —  and  the  "Argus"  well  ob- 
serves, in  reply  — 

"It  is  of  littlt;  importance  wheihur  the  interrogatory  be  or  be 

•- 


not  founded  in  initli.     II  tine, 


designed  as  a  n  •pmac-l 


.  , 

by  111.:  upstarts,  ol'  aristocratic*  arrogance  and  assumption,  i 
would  only  imply  i!n:  greater  merit  that  "a  bar-  keeper  am 
ostler  at  an  obscure  tavern,"  has  riseu,  by  a  rapid  and  honora 
hie  succesMon,  and  by  his  own  unaided  efforts,  to  a  seat  in  lln 
lii:!lii!!-t  lei;i-l.iiive  body  in  tin:  union;  and  that  lie  stands  in  tha 
hiiiiy,  amidst  tin:  prninloi  and  ablest  of  his  countrymen,  unsur- 
passed in  taliinl  and  peisonal  influence,  and  far  transcending 
many  of  his  compeers,  in  Ihat  gentlemanly  courtesy  and  un- 
ullccled  dignity  of  manner,  which  is  an  attribute  of  worth,  and 
which  adonis  but  cannot  be  conferred  by  rank  or  station.  If 
untrue  (as  it  is),  it  is  of  no  moment,  except  to  show  how  easy 
is  the  transition  Irom  nn  affectation  of  superior  gentility  and  a 
horror  of  meanness  of  occupation,  to  positive  meanness  of  con 
duct." 

And  the  reason  of  the  "Argus"  for  repeating  the  in- 
terrogatory is  — 

"That  the  people  may  appreciate  the  manner  and  the  spirit 
with  which  the  pretenders  to  all  the  respectability  pursue  their 
hostility  to  the  sons  of  the  democracy  whom  the  people  have 
honored  with  their  confidence." 

This  is  all  right  —  so  far  as  it  goes.  But  the  fact,  that 
the  interrogatory  of  the  "Evening  Journal"  was  intended 
only  to  s/iew  the  gross/less  of  the  assault  on  „!//•.  Eioing, 
is  altogether  concealed!—  and  the  people  of  New  York  are 
to  be  made  believe  that  the  interrogatory  concerning  Mr. 
Wright  was  an  original  outrage  on  him,  when,  in  sober 
truth,  it  was  made  for  the  simple  purpose  of  shewing  tin' 
democracy  of  that  made  upon  Mr.  K~vhig,  a  gentleman, 
every  way,  his  equal  in  talent  and  character. 

The  worst  of  all  -  ,  are  those  which  are  told  in  the 
words  of  truth. 

[Since  the  preceding  was  in  type  (for  it  is  a  deferred 
article)  the  "Albany  Evening  Journal,"  lias  noticed  the 
case]. 

The  "New  York  Times"  (the  successor  of  the  "Stand- 
ard") says  — 

We  are  informed  that  there  has  been  more  cotton  exported 
from  this  country  in  the  last  six  months  to_Europ<;,  than  in  the 
entire  year  previous.  Will  those  who  are  informed  upon  the 
subject,  correct  us  if  we  are  in  error.  We  presume  that  this 
must  be  attributed  among  the  many  other  evidences  of  the  pros- 
perous state  of  the  country,  to  "the  disastrous  removal  of  the 
deposites." 

If  not  in  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  a  good  reason 
might  be  found  in  the  stoppage  of  American  cotton  spin- 
dles, for  the  excessive  export  of  cotton  —  if  such  there  has 
been,  without  also  an  excessive  production. 

The  common  council  of  New  York,  though  they  have 
not  "swept  the  board,"  have  "reformed"  a  large  number 
of  the  corporation  officers  —  that  is,  turned  them  out,  and 
supplied  their  places  with  other  men.  It  appears  by  the 
rotes  that  the  "wliigs"  have  a  decided  majority  of  at  least 
four  in  the  council.  lu  some  cases  the  majority  was 
greater,  in  others  less.  - 

We  are  altogether  opposed  to  the  principle  of  such 
"reforms"  —  yet  it  is  sometimes  absolutely  necessary  to 
reduce  them  to  practice,  for  the  correction  of  error  and 
condemnation  ol  prevailing  abuses.  This  necessity  ex- 
ists when  a  party  has  filled  all  places  of  profit  and  influ- 
ence with  devoted  and  active  friends,  using  their  office 
for  political  purposes,  that  the  "spoils"  may  remain  with 
them.  We  do  not  think  that  a  public  officer  should  be  de- 
nied a  liberal  exertion  of  the  right  of  opinion'  —  'but  regard 
it  as  disgraceful  and  Swiss-like,  when  seeing  them  act 
the  part  of  bullies  at  public  meetings,  or  at  the  polls,  and 
otherwise  using  the  power  that  they  happen  to  possess, 
to  force  the  opinions,  or,  at  least,  direct  the  votes  of  other 
men.  We  s.vw  some  disgusting  cases  of  this  kind  as  far 
back  as  1798  —  but  they  did  not  often  occur,  within  the 
scope  of  our  own  observation,  until  the  election  of  presi- 
dent  Jackson  —  and  then  against  fug  serious  denunciation 
of  such  abominations!  But  now  it  is  so,  that  most  per- 
sons who  hold  office  under  him  are  leaders,  or  drillers, 


•"Aristocratic"  as  applicable  to  Mr.  Wright! 


of  the  party  in  their  several  neighborhoods — the  drum- 
mers-up  of  meetings,  and  the  finger-posts  of  the  proceed-* 
ings  of  tiYem,jightmgforpay,  A  great  hotror  has  been 
expressed  because  Messrs.  Webster  and  liinney  briefly 
addressed  a  multitude  in  Baltimore,  on  a  Sunday  after- 
noon, on  compulsion,  as  it  were — but  we  have  seen  and, 
some vi  here,  have  the  list,  (taken  on  the  spot),  of  more 
than  thirty  persons  in  the  direct  /lire  of  the  United  Stales 
engaged  in  the  business  of  electioneering,  on  a  Sunday 
afternoon,  in  the  White  Hall  gardens,  Baltimore.  The 
list  was  mislaid,  or  it  should  have  been  published. 

In  New  York,  however,  on  a  broad  scale,  and  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and,  perhaps,  some  other  slates,  a  disciplined 
electioneering  body  a(  iiffice-holders  has  long  and  steadily 
existed — and  hence  the  vacilaling  policy,  or  polities,  of 
these  states,  in  the  quarrels  between  the  ins  and  the  outs, 
in  which  the  people  have  no  interest,  though  too  often 
made  tools  of  the  possessors  of  the  feedings  at  the  pub- 
lic crib,  where  there  is  plenty  of  "fodder,"  as  Crockett 
calls  it.  And  in  those  stales,  and  with  respect  also  to  the 
officers  of  the  United  States,  a  great  reform  will  be  made 
on  every  change  of  political  power  until  better  feelings 
prevail,  and  office-holders  are  taught  that  interferences 
with  elections,  as  at  present  practised,  and  as  reproved 
by  president  Jackson,  if  "rewarded"  on  the  one  hand, 
will  be  "punished"  on  the  other — "for  few  of  these  die 
and  none  resign,"  as  president  Jefferson  said,  when  he 
"corrected  the  procedure,"  by  reducing  things  to  some 
degree  of  equality,  in  this  respect. 

\Ve  are  glad  that,  in  New  York,  a  good  many  faithful 
public  servants  have  been  "let-alone,"  as  well  as  that  tha 
organized  corps  has  been  disturbed.  The  lesson,  either 
way,  will  be  useful. 

On  this  subject  we  have  much  feeling,  both  on  account 
of  principle  and  interest — for  we  have  solemnly  to  ex- 
press an  opinion  that  the  "reforms"  of  the  general  post 
office  are  costing  us  at  the  rate  of  one  thousand  dollars  a 
year,  and  are  ready  to  say — cursed  be  the  man  who  re- 
duced that  establishment  into  the  discipline  of  political 
party,  and  designed  that,  so  to  have  tt  under  charge,  the 
postmaster  general  should  be  introduced  into  the  "cabi- 
net:" The  bringing  into  it  of  the  chief  justice  of  the  U. 
States  would  only  be  its  major  oftenee  against  the  general 
welfare. 

Mr.  Clay,  in  a  late  speech,  said — "For  one,  I  can  as- 
sure the  senator  from  Tennessee,  that  I  am  no  candidate, 
that  I  do  not  desire  to  be  a  candidate,  and  that,  if  it  de- 
pend upon  me  alone,  I  never  shall  be  a  candidate  for  any 
office  whatever." 

The  supreme  court  of  South  Carolina,  (judges  O'Neil, 
Johnston  and  Harper  being  present,  and  the  latter  dis- 
lenting  on  some  of  the  points  made),  that  the  test  oath, 
established  by  the  late  convention  held  in  that  state,  is 
unconstitutional.  We  have  an  abstract  of  the  opinions  of 
the  judges,  &c.  and  it  is  laid  off"  for  a  speedy  insertion. 
The  decision  has  excited  a  great  deal  of  feeling — of  joy 
on  the  one  side,  and  of  anger  on  the  other. 

A  writer  in  the  "Richmond  Enquirer"  of  the  10th  inst. 
commences  a  strange  article  as  follows: 

We  may  talk  of  this  great  man  and  that  great  man — we  may 
admire  the  fascinating  eloquence  of  Clay,  the  profound  logic  of 
Webster,  the  brilliant  imagination  and  metaphysical  graces  of 
Calhoun;  and,  if  you  please,  the  fiery  invectives  and  violent 
denunciations  of  Leigh;  but,  in  my  view,  for  clear  comprehen- 
sion, efficient  and  triumphant  .reasoning,  on  the  all-engrossing 
and  deeply-exciting  bank  question,  we  have  only  to  turn  our 
eyes  to  the  luminous  speeches  of  Thomas  H.  Benton  of  Mis- 
souri, to  perceive  that  he  stands  unrivalled,  and  has  gallantly 
borne  away  the  palms  of  victory  from  the  allied  champions  of 
the  opposition. 

Which  irresistibly  brings  to  recollection  a  certain  ce- 
lebrated letter  about  the  "East  Room,"  first  published 
in  that  paper  some  year  ago,  and  to  be  found  in  vol. 
37,  page  116  of  the  REGISTER. 

The  Lonisvitte  Advertiser  of  the  26th  ult.  says: — 
"Senators  are  but  public  servants,  and  if  they  have  ne- 
o-lected  their  duties,  defied  the  voice  of  their  constituents, 
and  arrogated  to  themselves  powers  and  privileges  un- 
known to  our  form  of  government,  and  unsanctioned  bj 
its  fundamental  law,  they  will  receive  from  the  voice  of 


960 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— FOREIGN  NEWS. 


an  indignant  nation  that  deep  and  damning  condemnation 
due  to  such  flagitious  acts." 

The  Pennsylvanian  says,  now  is  the  time  to  "get  rid 
of  it,  [the  senate],  at  once  and  forever." 

In  a  late  number  of  the  "Globe,"  it  was  said — • 
We  venture  the  prediction  that  no  majority  will  be  found  in 
the  next  Virginia  legislature  to  vote  the  return  of  Mr.  Leigh  to 
Washington— the  restoration  of  the  deposites  to  Mr.  Biddle— a 
renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  bank— or  approval  of  the  senate's 
impeachment  of  the  president,  and  vote  whatever  else  it  may, 
\ve  believe  that  the  great  cause  for  which  the  president  con- 
tends, will  be  supported  by  a  large  majority  in  that  body— the 
final  extinction  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 

As  William  Cobbett,  a  member  of  the  British  parlia- 
ment, and  celebrated  in  "two  worlds"  for  his  ruffian  like 
writings  and  destitution  of  moral  principle,  has  lately  be- 
came a  great  favorite  with  certain  persons  in  the  United 
States,  we  make  room  for  the  following  from  his  Regis- 
ter of  the  19th.  April  last,  as  presenting  a  beautiful  speci- 
mens of  the  head  and  heart  of  this  biped: 

Citizen  king— In  less  than  six  days  after  this  fellow  was  plac- 
ed upon  the  throne  of  France  by  the  intrigues  of  Lafiite,  Lafay- 
ette, and  a  set  of  others  who  ought  to  have  been  bansed  up  by 
dozens,  I  said  that  he  had  been  placed  there  to  keep  the  "nest 
warm"  for  the  old  stinking  Bourbons,  and  to  uphold  the  infa- 
mous funding  system  of  France.  And  I  told  the  French  people 
then  that  the  Bourse  was  a  thousand  times  more  tyrannical  than 
the  Bourbons,  and  that  if  they  continued  to  pay  the  interest  of 
their  debt  in  full,  they  would  be.  and  they  deserve  to  be,  slaves 
more  degraded  than  their  forefathers  ever  had  been. 

We  immediately  saw,  at  the  head  of  the  national  guard,  the 
scoundrel  bankers  and  money  dealers;  two  or  three  of  Roths- 
child's clerks  were  captains  or  lieutenants  of  the  national 
guard;  Perier,  the  banker,  was  a  colonel;  and  that  wretched 
old  hypocrite,  Lafayette,  who  has  sold  his  American  lands,  and 
turned  them  into  what  the  villains  call  "stock;"  this  supreme 
hypocrite,  who  has  since  savetl  the  lives  of  the  traitors  Polignac 
and  Peyronnet;  this  prime  old  hypocrite,  being  appointed  com- 
mander of  the  national  guard,  chose  a  stock  broker  for  his  adju- 
tant general.  In  short,  from  the  commencement  of  this  last  revo- 
lution to  the  present  time,  the  grand  object  of  that  stock  jobbing 
government  has  been  to  arm  those  who  live  upon  the  taxes,  for 
the  purpose  of  compelling  the  woiking  people  to  live  upon  po- 
tatoes or  garbage,  worse  than  the  food  of  dogs.  This  has  been 
the  ruling  principle  of  this  inferna!  government.  To  hire  end- 
less battalions  of  fat  soldiers,  riding  upon  fat  horses,  to  kill  th 
people  who  work  and  produce  every  thing,  unless  they  will 
work  sixteen  hours  a  day,  and  live  upon  diet  worse  than  that  of 
dogs  or  ferrets. 

The  French  area  people  easily  deceived.  But  who  would 
not  have  been  deceived  by  old  Lafayette,  who  was  one  of  the 
deep  contrivers  of  this  present  system  of  government.  Far  bet- 
ter for  Lyons  to  perish,  and  all  the  people  in  it,  than  that  all 
those  who  do  the  work  should  be  fed  like  dogs.  With  regard 
to  the  murdering  myrmidons  called  "the  army,"  no  matter  when 
or  how  or  where,  so  that  they  be  killed.  In  a  case  like  that  of 
Lyons,  every  thing  used  against  them  is  laudable.  They  arc 
there  for  the  purpose  of  killing  the  working  people  or  imposing 
starvation  upon  them. 

Many  eases  of  cholera  are  still  happening  in  the  south 
and  west,  and  it  is  reported  to  be  bad  at  Mobile.  It  is  so 
among  the  passengers  ascending  the  rivers  of  the  west. 

Many  houses  have  been  thrown  down,  and  much  other 
damage  committed,  by  unusually  severe  tornadoes,  with 
which  some  parts  of  eastern  Virginia  have  been  recently 
visited.  These  were  particularly  destructive  in  Chester- 
field, Nottaway  and  Dinwiddie.  On  some  of  the  farms 
all  the  buildings  were  blown  down  or  damaged,  and 
several  persons  were  killed  and  many  injured.  Like 
storms  have  been  felt  in  South  Carolina,  Alabama,  8cc. 

Miss  Funny  Kemble  was  married  in  Christ  church, 
Philadelphia,  by  the  venerable  bishop  White,  on  Satur- 
day last,  to  Mr.  Pierce  Butler.  There  is  a  great  deal  of 
fustian,  or  other  soft  stuff,  about  it  in  the  papers.  The 
world  will  not  come  to  an  end  because  Miss  K.  has  be- 
come Mrs.  B.— nor  will  the  stock  of  beauty  or  of  talent 
be  exhausted  by  her  retirement  into  married  life,  and 
from  the  stage;  but  we  wish  her  not  the  less  "joy"  on 
either  account. 

The  "New  York  Annual  Register,"  published  by  Mr. 
E.  WilUamn,  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  carefully 
edited  works  of  its  kind  in  the  world,  and,  to  the  suite, 
i»  more  than  Mr.  Force's  "National  Calendar"  is  to  the 
United  States.  The  statistics  of  the  great  slate  of  New 


York  are  industriously  collected,  and  admirably  prepar- 
ed for  common  use,  by  the  industrious  and  worthy  editor 
just  named.  We  are  anxious  to  present  our  readers 
with  many  curious  and  interesting  extracts  from  it. 

We  have  the  usual  annual  report  concerning  the  Ches- 
apeake and  Delaware  canal.  The  gross  receipts  for  the 
year  ending  1st  June  were  $54,091  66 — nearly  $7,000 
less  than  last  year,  in  part  caused  by  an  interruption  of 
the  navigation  of  the  canal,  which  has  been  much  da- 
maged. The  affairs  of  the  company  are  embarrassed, 
and  the  damages  awarded  in  favor  of  Mr.  Randall, 
(226,385  dollars)  also  hang  over  them.  It  is  thought  that 
the  business  of  tbe  canal  will  be  increased  in  conse- 
quence of  the  opening  of  the  Delaware  and  Raritan 
canal — there  now  being  an  interior  navigation  from  New 
York  to  Norfolk,  direct. 

We  regret  to  learn  that  Mr.  Ritclue,  editor  of  the 
Richmond  Enquirer  was  thrown  from  his  horse  on  the 
29th  ult.  and  very  much  injured,  but  without  breaking 
or  dislocating  a  limb;  yet  it  was  hoped  that,  in  a  few 
day-,  he  would  be  able  to  resume  his  editorial  labors. 

Richard  J.  JWanning  [the  union  candidate]  has  been 
elected,  by  a  majority  of  more  than  600  votes,  over  Mr. 
Elmnre,  his  opponent,  to  fill  the  vacancy  in  the  represen- 
tation in  congress,  from  South  Carolina,  occasioned  by 
the  decf  ase  of  gen.  Blair. 

The  Pittsburgh  papers  have  a  long  statement  of  Dr. 
Wm.  Mitcheltree,  shewing  that  he  had  been  denied  the 
"rights  and  privileges  of  the  church,"  as  he  calls  them, 
because  that  he  would  not  "quit  the  liquor  business." 

The  following  resolution,  extracted  "from  the  minutes 
of  the  session  of  the  first  Presbyterian  church  of  Pitts- 
burgh," is  published  as  a  part  of  this  statement— 

"Resolved,  That  in  consequence  of  the  unchristian  deport- 
ment of  Dr.  Mitcheltree.  as  exhibited  by  him  on  the  present  oc- 
casion, as  well  as  of  his  determination  to  persist  in  the  manu- 
facture and  sale  of  spirituous  liquors,  he  be  suspended  from  the 
communion  of  the  church  until  a  more  Christian  disposition  be 
manifested." 

Dr.  M.  in  consequence,  advertised  his  pew  for  sale, 
and  here  the  matter,  we  suppose,  ended. 

There  is  a  powerful  emigration  to  America  in  the  pre- 
sent season.  Up  to  the  5th  inst.  there  arrived  at  New 
York  15,946  persons,  and  to  same  date  last  year  only 
9,066 — increase  7,880.  So  at  Quebec — to  the  28th  ult. 
8,040;  to  same  time  in  1833,  only  1,363.  On  which  it  is 
remarked— 

"In  regard  to  New  York  the  comparison  is  a  fair  one,  and  in- 
dicates a  great  increase  of  passengers  this  year  over  1833.  But 
at  Quebec,  so  much  depends  upon  the  date  when  navigation 
opens,  that  very  little  reliance  can  be  placed  upon  the  compari- 
son: though  the  presumption  certainly  is,  that  a  large  increase 
has  taken  place  there  also  On  the  19th  June  last  year,  there 
had  been  395  arrivals  at  Quebec,  and  9,010  emigrants.  The 
whole  number  of  emigrants  at  Quebec  in  1833  was  22,062;  at 
New  York,  41,752.  At  Quebec  in  1832.  51,422;  at  New  York, 
48,589." 

It  is  ascertained  that  740  persons  and  18  vessels,  were 
recently  lost  on  their  way  to  Quebec. 


FOREIGN  NEWS. 
From  Liverpool  papers  to  the  10th  Jl/a;/  and  London  to  the  11/A. 

GREAT  BRITAIN    AND    IRELAND. 

The  government  of  England  has  granted  a  pension  of  £70 
per  annum  to  the  widow,  nnd  of  £50  per  annum  to  the  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Richard  Lander,  the  African  traveller. 

The  Trades'  Unions  are  said  to  be  falling  into  disrepute,  and 
many  who  had  enrolled  themselves  under  them  are  returning 
to  their  ordinary  labor. 

It  had  been  at  length  publicly  announced  that  the  financial 
operation  of  reducing  the  4  per  cents,  would  be  carried  into 
effect,  and  it  i.«  expected  that  it  will  he  followed  up  by  corres- 
pondent reductions  of  other  stocks. 

The  Irish  tithes  bill  had  passed  to  a  second  reading  by  a  ma- 
jority of  196. 

The  correspondent  of  the  London  True  Sun,  under  date  of 
Pari«,  May  7th,  say* — "A  disastrous  catastrophe  lias  occurred 
at  Toulon.  On  firing  her  salve  d'arlillrrie  with  the  French 
ships,  in  honor  of  Louis  Philip's  fete,  the  Constellation,  Ameri- 
can Innate,  fired  with  ball  into  the  French  frigate  Le  Suffren, 
by  which  unpardonable  neglect  one  man  belonging  to  the  lat- 
ter vessel  was  cut  in  twain,  two  mortally,  and  four  grievously 
wounded.  This  unfortunate.  inUhap  had  cioitcd  great  irrita- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  French  sailors  agaiunt  lh«  American*." 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1 834—  CONGRESS. 


261 


PRUSSIA. 

"The  court  of  Prussia  has  declined  to  receive  general  Goblet 
«8  ambassador  from  Uclgiinu,  regarding  him  as  u  deserter  from 
the  service  of  Hie  king  of  Holland. 

DENMARK. 

The  Hamburg  correspondent  of  Hie  London  Gazette,  in  a  let- 
ter from  Copenhagen  ol  the  26th  April,  announces  that  the  king 
of  Denmark  had  issued  an  ordinance  declaring  that  there  shall 
be  the  most  perfect  equality  between  all  the  free  subjects  in  the 
Danish  colonies,  so  that  all  the  distinctions  between  the  whites 
arid  the  men  of  color,  are  forever  abolished.  By  the  same  or- 
dinance, all  the  men  of  color  are  henceforth  to  become  free  on 
producing  proof  that  they  have  maintained  an  irreproachable 
conduct  iin  three  successive  years,  and  are  to  enjoy  the  same 
civil  and  political  righu  as  the  while  population. 
FRANCE. 

The  manufacturers  of  France  have  suffered  severely  by  the 
insurrections  at  Lyons.  At  Calais  and  Boulogne  the  net  ma- 
nufactories have  suffered.  The  goods  sent  to  Lyons  remained 
unsold,  and  the  bills  drawn  in  consequence  have  not  been  ac- 
cepted. The  manufacturers,  overloaded  with  goods,  have  ceas- 
ed to  employ  ilieir  men,  excepting  only  one  for  each  machine, 
as  necessary  for  keeping  it  in  order.  The  national  guards  of 
Lyons  have  been  dissolved.  Incarceration  was  the  order  of  the 
day  there,  upwards  of  700  persons  having  been  imprisoned. 
The  slaughter  at  Lyons  during  the  riots  is  said  to  have  been 
exaggerated.  The  actual  loss  is  thus  stated:  on  the  part  of  the 
government  troops  killed  55,  wounded  258,  (of  these  last  only 
56  survived),  on  the  part  of  the  workingmen  killed  and  wound- 
ed, from  500  to  600.  It  is  agreed  that  the  number  of  inoffensive 
persons  killed  and  wounded  exceed  that  of  the  combatants. 

Two  large  camps  are  to  be  formed  in  the  environs  of  Lyons 
and  Paris  and  St.  Outer,  one  of  80,000  men. 
PORTUGAL. 

The  Pedroites,  it  is  stated,  have  taken  Figuera,  and  Coimbra 
has  declared  for  Ddhna  Maria — that  the  whole  of  the  road  from 
Oporto  to  Lisbon  was  open  to  the  Pedroites,  and  that  Don  Pe- 
dro and  Miguel  had  formed  an  armistice.  It  is  further  said, 
that  lion  Pedro  has  informed  the  pope,  that  unless  he  withdraws 
the  excommunications  against  himself,  the  queen,  the  ministers 
and  certain  adherents,  that  he  will  stop  the  annuity  of  £40,000 
annually  paid  to  the  papal  see  by  Portugal. 

SPAIN. 

It  is  affirmed  that  a  telegraphic  despatch  had  been  received  at 
Paris,  stating  that  Don  Carlos  had  been  captured,  and,  by  per- 
mission, had  embarked  for  England.  The  government  troops 
and  Carlisls  had  an  encounter  on  the  3d  May,  on  the  road  be- 
tween Tolosa  and  Pampeluna.  A  dreadful  conflict  is  said  to 
have  occurred  on  the  occasion.  The  insurgents  were  complete- 
ly defeated  and  routed. 

SWITZERLAND. 

The  Swiss  diet  were  to  be  convoked  to  receive  the  ultimatum 
of  the  Austrian  governmont  relative  to  political  refugees,  whom 
it  is  thought  have  been  ordered  out  of  Switzerland. 

TURKEY. 

Mehemet  All  had  recalled  the  exiled  Candiots  and  restored  to 
them  their  sequestrated  property.  A  conspiracy  had  been  dis- 
covered at  Aleppo,  and  twenty  persons  implicated  in  it  execut- 
ed. The  island  of  Samos  was  to  be  strictly  blockaded. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

June  6.  The  following  bills  were  severally  read  the  third 
time  and  passed: 

The  hill  to  grant  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  certain  lands  for  the 
support  of  schools  in  the  Western  Reserve,  and 

The  bill  to  establish  the  northern  boundary  line  of  the  state 
of  Ohio. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  was  occupied  in  the  consideration 
of  bills  of  a  private  nature.  Adjourned. 

June  7.  The  chair  communicated  a  report  from  the  commis 
sioners  under  the  act  to  carry  into  effect  the  late  treaty  with 
France,  which  makes  the  following  exhibit  of  the  claims  admit 
ted,  rejected  and  suspended  in  the  aggregate,  with  the  interest 
claimed  on  each,  viz:  admitted,  principal  17,065,917  36,  interest 
24,574,920  99— total  $41,640,838  35— rejected,  principal  618,258 
72,  interest  1,001,579  12— total  $1,619,837  84— suspended,  prin- 
cipal 3,272,325  94,  interest  5,301,108  02— total  $8,573.493  96— 
grand  lotaramount  of  claims  presented,  principal  and  interest 
$51,834,170  15. 
The  report  having  been  read, 

Mr.  Sprang  rose  and  addressed  the  senate,  going  to  show  the 
improper  and  erroneous  statements  contained  in  a  loiter  fron: 
Mr.  Rives,  as  communicated  with  the  treaty,  to  which  in  a  grea: 
measure,  he  ascribes  the  non-fulfilment  of  the  stipulations  of  the 
treaty  by  the  French  chamber  of  deputies. 

Mr.  Sj>raguc  having  concluded,  the  report  was  otdered  to  be 
printed. 

The  bill  to  increase  and  regulate  the  pay  of  surgeons  and  as 
•istant  surueons  of  the  army,  was  read  a  third  time  and  passed 
Several  hills  of  a  private  or  local  character  being  considere 
and  acted  on, 

The  senate  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  bill  to  pro 
vide  for  the  settlement  of  the  claims  of  states  for  interest  on 
their  advances  to  the  United  States,  during  the  late  war,  an 
after  debate  ordered  it  to  a  third  reading  by  the  following  vote 
YEAS— Me.ssrs.  Bell,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewing,  Fra 
Iiugliuysen,  Heiidricks,  Kent,  Knight, Leigh,  McKean,Naudain 


orter,  Premiss,  Robbing,  Shepley,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard 
prague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Webster,  Wilkins— 24. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Benton,  Bibb,  Black, Calhoun,Orundy,  Hill, 
:ing,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Mantum,  Moore,  Morru. 
Jreston,  Robinson,  Tallmadge,  Tiplon,  White,  Wright— 17. 

The  senate  then  adjourned. 

June  9.  Mr.  Robttnx  presented  Ihe  resolutions  from  the  go- 
era}  assembly  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island,  remoristHting  against 
ie  measures  of  the  executive  in  relation  to  the  bank  of  the  U. 
tales  and  the  finances,  and  praying  for  a  restoration  of  the  de- 
osiles;  which  were  laid  on  the  table  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Memorials,  &c.  of  a  similar  tendency  were  presented  by  Mr. 
McKean,  from  126  citizens  of  Cambria  county,  Pennsylvania; 
nd  by  Mr.  Hibb,  from  a  number  of  citizens  of  Warren  county, 
Centucky — read,  &c. 

A  memorial,  sustaining  the  course  of  the  administration  with 

gard  to  the  bank,  was  presented  by  Mr.  Wri°ht,  from  sundry 
itizens  of  Ontario  county,  New  York,  and  by  Mr.  Shepley,  from 
eth.  Pitts,  of  Maine,  stating  that  he  had  inadvertently  signed  a 
lemorial  in  favor  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  praying 
is  name  may  be  erased  therefrom — the  first  memorial  wa«  read, 
eferred,  &c.  and  the  prayer  of  the  latter  granted. 

Mr.  Eu-ing,  from  Ihe  committee  on  the  post  office  and  post 
oads,  who  had  been  charged,  by  resolution  of  Match  last,  with 
ie  task  of  investigating  the  condition  and  tiansactions  of  the 
epartment,  with  power  to  send  for  peisons  and  papers,  made 

report,  which  was  read  by  Mr.  Ewing,  occupying  an  hour  and 
fly-five  minutes. 

The  report  concludes  with  the  following  resolutions: 

1.  Resolved,  That  it  is  proved  and  admitted  that  large  sums 
f  money  have  been  borrowed  at  different  banks,  by  the  post- 

nasler  general,  in  order  to  make  up  the  deficiency  in  the  meana 
f  carrying  on  the  business  of  the  post  office  department,  with- 
ut  authority  given  by  any  law  of  congress;  and  that,  as  con- 
ress  alone  possesses  the  power  to  borrow  money  on  tl»e  credit 
f  Ihe  Uniled  Slates,  all  such  contracts  for  loans  by  Uie  post- 
laster  general  are  illegal  and  void. 

2.  Resolved,  That  several  reports  of  the  postmaster  general 
ontain  statements  which,  in  subsequent  papers,  he  admits  to 
e  erroneous;  that  others,  especially  those  of  the  18th  of  April, 
832,  and  the  3d  of  March,  1834,  are  inconsistent  with  each 
ther;  and  that,  therefore,  reliance  cannot  tie  placed  on  the 
ruth  and  accuracy  of  the  communications  made  by  the  dupart- 
nent. 

3.  Resolved,  That  it  is  fully  proved,  that  a  practice  prevails  in 
he  post  office  department  of  granting  contracts  on  bids  which 
?ary  from  the  advertisements,  and  of  changing  and  altering  con- 
racts  in  material  respects  after  they  have  been  accepted,  and 
liat  this  practice  prevents  all  fair  competition  among  persons 
wishing  to  make  contracts,  is  calculated  to  give  undue  advan- 
age  to  favorites,  and  is  in  violation  of  law. 

4.  Resolved,  That  it  appears,  that  an  individual  who  made  a 
contract  for  the  transportation  of  the  mail,  was  required  to  give 
t  up  for  no  other  reason  than  that  it  might  be  given  to  another, 
lesirous  of  having  it,  and  that  the  act  of  the  department,  in  re- 
iniring  such  surrender  and  in  effecting  the  transfer,  was  illegal 

and  unjust. 

5.  Resolved,  That  it  appears  that  the  proposals  for  carrying 
he  mail  on  the  route  from  Chicago  to  Green  Bay,  was  withheld 
roin  advertisement;    that  the  contract  therefor  was  given  in 

another  name,  but  really  and  truly  to  one  of  the  clerks  in  the 
department;  that  the  compensation  proposed  in  the  bid  was 
raised  without  any  increase  of  service;  and  that  the  transaction 
s  a  direct  breach  of  law. 

6.  Resolved,  That  extra  allowances  have  been  granted  to  con- 
tractors without  any  increase  of  duty  or  service  on  their  part, 
and  that  in  othercases  extra  allowances  have  been  mads  which 
are  unreasonable,  extravagant,  and  out  of  all  proportion  with 
the  increase  of  service. 

7.  Resolved,  That  the  postmaster  general  has  established 
steamboat  lines,  for  the  transportation  of  the  mail,  by  private 
contract,  at  an  enormous  expense,  and  without  authority  of  law. 

8.  Resolved,  That  the  public  credit  has  been  pledged  for  the 
benefit  of  individual  contractors,  and  that  con  tractors  have  been 
solicited  and  induced  to  aid,  with  their  personal  credit,  the  bu- 
siness of  the  department;  and  that  all  such  transactions  are  un- 
justifiable and  improper. 

9.  Resolved,  Thai  it  does  appear  that  mail  line.s  have  been 
established  to  run  more  frequently  than  once  a  day,  at  a  very 
heavy  expense,  where  no  adequate  public  object  required  such 
provision. 

10.  Resolved,  That  pecuniary  transactions  of  a  very  irregular 
nature  are  proved  to  have  taken  place  between  the  contractors 
and  some  of  the  chief  officers  Of  the  post  office  department. 

11.  Resolved,  That  the  post  office  department  is  now  deeply 
in  debt;  its  affairs  in  disorder;  its  accounts  and  reports  irregular 
and  unsatisfactory;  that  it  is  justly  the  subject  of  public  com- 
plaint, and  demands  a  radical  reform. 

12.  Resolved,  That  the  incidental  expenses  and  secret  service 
money  of  the  department  has  increased,  is  increasing,  and  ought 
to  be  diminished. 

13.  Resolved,  That  it  does  appear  that  an  agreement  was  en- 
tered into  between  two  companies  of  mail  contractor*,  the  ex- 
press object  of  which  was  to  put  down  competition  in  the  trans- 
portation of  passengers  in  their  respective  mail  routes;  that  said 
agreement  was  drawn  by  an  officer  of  the  department,  and  en- 
tered into  at  hi«  pressing  instance,  and  that  it  was  sanctioned 
by  the  postmaster  general;  and  that  such  agreement,  so  sane- 


262 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— CONGRESS. 


tinned,  lean  Interference  with  the  honest  pursuits  of  the  free 
citizens  of  these  United  Stalin;  lliat  it  tends  to  establish  an 
odious  and  oppressive  monopoly,  und  is  an  unjust  invasion  of 
private  rights. 

14.  Resolved,  Thai  it  docs  appear  that  until  contractors  have 
received  large  extra  allowances,  rind  have,  about  the  lime  i-f 
receiving  such  allowances,  become  the  proprietors  or  contract- 
ors of  newspaper  presses,  ol  a  partisan  character.  It  also  ap- 
pears, that  a  newspaper  editor,  in  the  Male  of  New  Hampshire, 
is  a  contractor  for  carrying  the  mail  on  numerous  routes,  ••  it-ilk 
paper  privilege,"  and  that  every  such  act  or  artifice,  tending  to 
untie  the  press  with  the  post  ollice  department,  is  a  dangerous 
abuse  and  ought  to  he  corrected. 

The  report  having  been  read, 

Mr.  Grundy  said  he  held  in  his  hands  a  paper  containing  the 
views  of  the  minority  of  the  committee,  consisting  of  himself 
and  the  senator  from  Illinois,  which  he  asked  might  be  received 
and  read  to  the  senate.  The  paper,  he  said,  though  treating  on 
precisely  the  same  subjects  as  those  in  the  report  just  read,  yet 
differed  from  it  in  some  very  material  respects;  and  lie  believed 
that  every  senator  would  be  better  able  to  understand  tin;  whole 
subject  by  reading  both  documents  together,  than  either  of  them 
separately. 

The  report  of  the  minority  being  received  and  read,  after  some 
remarks  from  Messrs.  Etring,  Grundy,  Forsyth  and  Porter,  the 
reports  were  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Southard  said  that  those  icports  represented  matter  of 
unusual  interest  to  the  public.  They  exhibited,  perhaps,  more 
misconduct  arid  maladministration  than  was  ever  known  to  ex- 
ist in  any  department  of  any  government.  They  shewed  the 
insolvency  of  the  departmeni  ol  the  post  office,  to  the  amount  of 
more  lhan  $800,000,  which  was,  of  iiself,  enough  to  show  the 
necessity  of  circulating  them  as  widely  as  possible.  He  was 
perfectly  aware  thai  the  minority  committee  did  not  go  to  Dial 
extent;  bul  it  struck  him  as  a  singular  circumstance,  that  that 
minority  should  have  discovered  an  insolvency  to  the  amount 
of  something  less  than  $300,000,  when  the  head  of  that  depart- 
ment should  have  asked  for  the  sum  of  $450,000,  saying  that  he 
could  not  get  along  without  it.  But  thai  fact  alone,  with  others 
which  were  exhibited,  were  of  such  a  character,  that  he  felt 
desirous  there  should  be  a  large  number  of  exlracopies  printed. 
He  would  therefore  move  that  15,000  extra  copies  of  the  reports 
and  documents  should  be  printed. 

Mr.  Forsylh  objected  on  the  ground  of  the  expense. 

Mr.  Man^um  moved  the  priming  of  30,000  copies. 

Mr.  Southard  accepted  the  modification. 

After  some  conversation  between  Messrs.  Forsyth,  Wriglit, 
Chambers.  Swift,  Grundy  and  Eicing — 

On  mot'in  of  Mr.  Sirift,  th-;  further  consideration  of  the  sub 
ject  was  postponed  until  to  morrow. 

The  resolution  from  the  other  house  fixing  on  the  30lh  of 
June,  inst.  for  the  adjournmenl  of  congress,  was  then  concur- 
red in- 

Mr.  Clay  alluded  to  the  order,  adopted  some  time  since,  for 
the  making  out  the  number  of  the  signatures  to  the  memorials 
On  the  subject  of  the  public  distress,  and  moved  the  adoption  of 
nil  order  continuing  the  list  to  the  present  time,  which  was 
adopted. 

After  some  reports  on  memorials  of  a  private  character, 

The  chair  then  called  the  nfixt  special  order  relating  to  the 
French  claims,  when,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Chambers,  the  senate 
adjourned. 

June  10.  Memorials,  proceedings  of  meetings,  &.c.  remon- 
strating against  the  removal  of  the  depnskes,  and  praying  llieir 
restoration  to  the  bank  of  the  United  .Stales,  were  presented  by 
Mr.  Southard,  from  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey;  by  Mr. 
Webtter,  from  citizens  of  the  borough  of  Mercer,  Pa.;  which 
w«re  read,  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Silsbee  reported  a  bill  to  cnlnrgo  the  port  of  entry  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, which  was  read  and  oidered  to  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Tijiton  asked  and  obtained  leave  fur  the  committee  on 
military  affairs  to  be  discharged  from  the  further  consideration 
of  the  memorials  of  the  oliiceis.  of  the  late  war,  praying  dona- 
tions of  lands. 

Mr.  Webster  asked  and  obtained  leave  for  the  committee  on 
finance  to  he  discharged  from  the  I'm  (her  consideration  of  the 
resolution  inquirine  into  the  propriety  of  allowing  per  diem  and 
mileage  to  E.  R.  Potter,  while  conlesling  the  seat  of  senator 
from  Rhode  Island;  whereupon, 

Mr.  Wright  submitted  a  resolution  authorising  the  allowance 
in  question,  as  to  the  time  which  Air.  Potter  expended  in  at- 
tendance, &c. 

Mr.  Chambers  reported  a  bill  appropriating  $1.">,000,  annually, 
to  the  corporations  of  the  District,  to  enable  Ilicm  lo  extinguish 
so  much  of  die  interest  annually  accruing  on  their  existing  debt 
— read,  8tc. 

Mr.  Rabbins  reported  a  joint  resolution  to  provide  for  tin-  pro- 
curing an  equestrian  bronze  statue  ol  \Va.-hingtou,  lo  be  placed 
at  the  eastern  front  of  the  capitol. 

The  proposition  lo  print  30,000  extra  copies  of  the  post  office 
reports,  was  taken  up  and  debated;  but  before  any  vole  was 
takrn,  on  motion  of  \\r.  Preston,  tin:  senate'  adjourned. 

June  11.  Mr.  Mclfenn  presented  the  proceedings  of  an  nn- 
usually  large  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Crawford  county,  Pa. 
condemnine  the  action  of  tin:  executive  against  the  bank,  re 
probating  the  protest,  tbc  rcnominations  of  tin*  government  di 
rertnrs,  the  withholding  nominations,  and  the  refusal,  by  Ilie 
fXPCUtivr.  to  receive  eon;  in  it  lee-,  of  Hirelings  of  Hie  people;  and 


Mr.  Preston  presented  proceedings  of  a  similar  character  from 
a  meeting  of  citizens  of  Chester  district,  South  Carolina;  which 
proceedings  wen:  respectively  read,  &.c. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Bilb,  the  senate  took  up  the  joint  resolu- 
tions reported  by  the  select  committee,  on  the  subject  of  amend- 
ing the  constitution  in  reference  to  the  election  of  presidenl  and 
vice  president. 

Mr.  Leigh  moved  lo  lay  the  resolutions  on  the  table,  which 
motion,  alter  remarks  by  Messrs.  Leigh,  Henlon,  Jiibb  and  Tyler, 
prevailed. 

The  senale  again  proceeded  lo  consider  the  proposition  to 
print  30,000  copies  of  the  reports  on  the  post  office,  which,  after 
debate,  was  decided  in  the  affirmative,  yeas  26,  nays  14.  The 
senate  then  adjourned. 

June  12.  Memorials,  proceedings,  &c.  remonstrating  against 
the  removal  of  the  deposites,  Ztc.  were  presented,  by  Mr.  Tom- 
limon,  from  the  town  of  Lyme,  Connecticut;  by  Mr.  Webster, 
from  937  citizens  and  electors  of  Tompkins  counly,  New  York; 
which  were  read,  referred,  &.c. 

Mr.  Southard  reported  a  bill  to  regulate  steamboats  navigat- 
ing our  waters;  which  was  read  and  ordered  lo  a  second  read- 
ing. 

Mr.  Webster  reported  Ihe  general  appropriation  bill  from  the 
other  house,  with  amendments  and  accompanying  documents, 
which  were  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Chambers  reported  a  bill  granting  $70,000  annually,  for 
three  years,  lo  be  expended  under  Ihe  direction  of  the  corpora- 
tion of  the  city  of  Washington,  towards  the  extinguishment  of 
the  interest  on  iu  public  debt;  which  was  read  and  ordered  lo  a 
second  reading. 

Mr.  H'ilkins  introduced  a  joint  resolution  providing  for  Ihe 
purchase  of  a  cerlain  number  of  copies  of  Elliott's  Diplomatic 
Code — read  and  ordered  to  a  second  reading. 

Mr.  Clay  submitted  a  resolution  calling  for  information  as  to 
the  total  quantity  of  certificates  of  scrip  issued  to  certain  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  of  the  revolution,  &.C. 

The  resolution  providing  for  the.  meeting  of  the  senate  at  11 
o'clock,  A.  M.  was  considered  and  agreed  to. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wilkins  the  senate  then  went  into  execu- 
tive business,  nnd  alter  remaining  for  some  hours  with  closed 
doors,  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  June  6.  Mr.  Polk  reported  the  bill,  from  the  senate, 
with  an  amendment,  supplementary  loan  act  to  alter  and  amend 
the  several  acts  imposing  duties  on  imports — also  the  bill  mak- 
ing addilional  appropriations  for  the  armory  al  Harper's  Ferry, 
for  Ihe  year  1834 — which  bills  were  read  and  commuted. 

The  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  constrnclion  of  certain 
roads  in  Michigan,  was  taken  up,  and  debated  until  the  house 
passed  to  the  orders  of  the  day,  being  the  bills  relating  to  the 
Distriel  of  Columbia,  in  Ihe  consideration  of  which  Ihe  remain- 
der of  Ihe  day  was  consumed.  The  house  adjourned. 

Saturday,  June  7.  Mr.  J.  Q.  Jldams  remarked  that  he  be- 
lieved the  time  had  come,  for  which  he  had  been  wailing  near- 
ly-two  months,  when  the  resolution,  formerly  submitted  by 
him,  calling  for  information  as  to  the  state  banks,  was  the  next 
in  order  to  he  considered. 

The  speaker  having  ascertained  that  it  was  so; 

Mr.  Mams  said  he  would  modify  the  resolulion  to  read  as 
follows: 

Resolred,  That  Ihe  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  lo 
lay  before  this  house  Ihe  names  of  the  presidents,  cashiers,  di- 
rectors, stockholders,  lawyers  and  solicitors  of  all  the  banks 
selected  by  him  as  depositories  of  the  public  moneys  in  the 
place  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates  and  its  branches;  toge- 
ther with  the  amount  of  stock  in  said  banks  hrld  by  each  -tock- 
liolder,  and  the  amount  of  debt  due  by  each  president,  cashier 
and  director,  of  each  of  the  banks  to  the  said  bank,  at  UN  time 
w lien  it  was  selected  as  a  depository,  arid  at  this  lime. 

The  question  bring  on  the  adoption  of  the  resolution; 

Mr.  I'nmhrelcns  said  that  as  he  did  not  consider  information 
as  to  (he  private  debts  of  the  individuals  named  in  the  resolu- 
tion lo  be  at  all  necessary  for  the  house  to  have,  he  would  sug- 
gest to  the  honorable  ecnllcman  from  Massachuselts,  to  further 
modify  his  resolution,  so  as  to  require  only  tho  a£«rczate 
amount  of  debt  due  hy  the  presidents,  directors,  &c.  of  ihesn 
institutions.  He  was  certain  the  gentleman's  motive  in  calling 
for  the  information  was  of  a  public  nature. 

Mr.  J.  Q.  .tidams  said  the  information  which  the  gcnllcmnn 
from  New  York  had  suted,  was  nol  whal  he.  Mr.  A.  wanted: 
the-  aggregate  amounts  would  not  furnish  tin-  information  which 
In'  had  called  liir.  His  object  in  asking  it  was  of  a  public  na- 
ture, and  was  not  for  the  gratification  of  any  personal  feeling. 
He  required  it  because  he  believed  it  would  hi:  vitally  inti  rest- 
ing to  Ihe  public  lo  know  the  amount  of  d<;hl,  the  proportion  of 
stock  that  had  been,  as  well  as  the  amount  which  was  al  pre- 
sent, held  hy  the  president  and  direclors  of  Ihe  deposits,  hunks. 
He  would  further  add.  that  the  information  as  proposed  by  bis 
resolution  was  essential  lo  ascertain  the  safety  of  those  sintc 
b.inks  for  the  obj'-ct  for  which  they  were  recently  selected.  It 
was  essential  lo  ascertain  their  character  and  credit.  Tliis  was 
the  more  necessary  as  ii  was  known  ibat  stale  banks  u 
verned  by  individuals  having  apparently  large  interest*  in 
them,  who  had  in  fact  lit'lo  or  no  interest  nt  all  in  them.  Their 
interest  cvjstinjr  only  in  »rorA-  notes  on  which  not  n  dollar  in  rc- 
nlitv  had  been  paid. 

Mr.  Strimit  moved  lo  =trikc  out  "lawyers  nnd  solicitors.'' 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— CONGRESS. 


203 


Mr.  Polk  moved  the  following  as  an  amendment: 
"The  secretary  also  coninninirate  to  this  house  the  annum 
of  debts  due  by  the  president,  cashier  anil  dirrctors  of  llie  bank 
of  the  United  States  to  said  bunk  at  Ibis  time,  or  at  any  time 
within  one  year  last  past,  and  also  the  names  of  the  lawyers 
and  solicitors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Slates  and  branches 
and  the  amount  of  debt  due  by  ench,  to  said  bank,  at  this  time 
or  at  any  time  wiihin  one  year  last  past." 

Mr.  Pottr  doubled  the  power  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
to  procure  the  information  from  the  suite  banks.  It  had  been 
said  there  were  no  legal  means  by  which  he  could  compel  them 
to  give  it;  it  could  not  be  obtained  unless  voluntarilygiven. 

Mr.  Stewart  inquired  il  it  was  possible  for  the  secretary  ofthe 
treasury  to  communicate  the  information  called  for. 

Mr.  Coulter  advocated  Mr.  Mams'  resolution  at  length.  He 
had  no  doubt  that  the  honorable  member  from  Massachusetts 
was  actuated  solely  by  objects  of  public  consideration  worthy 
of  himself,  of  the  house,  and  of  the  nation.  He  would  not  in- 
quire whether  the  secretary  of  llie  treasury  had  the  power  to 
cause  the  information  to  be  given;  for  if  he  had  it  not,  he  ought 
to  have  had  it.  as  it  was  by  his  own  act  the  public  treasure  had 
been  placed  in  these  institutions,  and  congress  should  hold  him 
accountable  for  llie  funds  so  put  by  him  into  these  state  banks. 
The  question  having  been  put  on  the  amendment  moved  by 
Mr.  Stewart  to  strike  out  the  words  "lawyers  and  solicitors," 
it  was  negatived.  Thereupon,  Mr.  Polk  submitted  his  amend- 
ment calling  for  information  from  the  bank  ofthe  U.  States. 

Mr.  John  Q.  Mams  would  be  willing  to  receive  the  amend- 
ment ofthe  gentleman  from  Tennessee,  if  he  would  modify  it 
so  as  to  make  it  only  coextensive  with  the  call  for  information 
for  inquiry  into  the  state  banks.  He  not  only  proposed  to  ex- 
tend it  to  the  lawyers  and  solicitors,  but  he  desired  also  to 
know  the  proportion  of  private  debts  due  by  them  respectively. 
This  was  more  than  he  contemplated;  it  was  entering  upon 
grounds  of  a  questionable  nature  as  to  the  right  of  the  house  to 
make  tlie  call. 

Mr.  Beaty  proposed,  if  in  order,  to  amend  the  amendment  of 
the  hon.  member  from  Tennessee,  by  inserting  the  following 
words: 

Be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  also 
inform  the  house  of  representatives,  whether  the  president  of 
the  United  States,  heads  of  departments  and  treasurer,  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  keeping  their  private  accounts  in  the  branch 
bank  of  the  United  States,  in  the  city  of  Washington,  and  at 
what  time  did  they,  or  either  of  them,  cease  to  keep  their  ac- 
counts in  said  branch  bank." 

Mr.  Selden  suggested  some  verbal  amendments  to  Mr. 
Jldams'  resolution,  which  were  accepted  by  the  latter. 

The  debate  was  continued  by  Mr.  Polk  until  arrested  by  the 
orders  of  the  day,  being  the  bills  in  relation  to  the  District  of 
Columbia;  and 

The  house,  in  committee  ofthe  whole,  severally  took  up  the 
following  bills: 

The  bill  for  the  benefit  of  llie  city  of  Washington. 
The  bill  for  the  benefit  of  the  cily  of  Alexandria. 
The  bill  to  prohibit  the  District  banks  from  issuing  notes  of  a 
less  denomination  than  ten  dollars. 

The  supplement  to  the  act  incorporating  the  Chesapeake  and 
Ohio  canal  company. 

The  bill  relative  to  a  lateral  rail  road  to  Baltimore;  which 
bills,  after  being  gone  through  with,  were  severally  reported  to 
the  bouse. 

The  bill  for  constructing  a  bridge  across  the  Potomac,  and 
The  bill  making  appropriations  for  the  public  buildings,  were 
severally  taken  up,  and  after  being  considered  and  amended, 
were  reported  to  the  house;  and  then  the  house  adjourned. 

Monday,  June  9.  The  hon.  Mr.  Steele,  representative  elect 
from  Maryland,  in  place  of  the  hon.  Mr.  Dennis,  deceased,  ap- 
peared, was  qualified,  and  took  his  seat. 

Mr.  Miller,  of  Pa.  asked  the  unanimous  consent  ofthe  house 
to  take  up  and  dispose  ofthe  resolution  of  Mr.  J.  Q.  Mams, re- 
quiring information  with  respect  to  the  state  deposite  banks — 
Objections  being  made, 

The  house  took  up  the  memorial  from  the  inhabitants  of 
York  county,  Pa.  denouncing  the  recent  executive  measures 
against  the  bank  ofthe  United  States,  Stc.  and 

Mr.  Barnil2  resumed  and  concluded  his  remarks  in  support 
ofthe  views  ofthe  memorialists. 
The  memorial  was  ordered  to  be  laid  on  the  table. 
Mr.  Polk  moved  that  the  house  now  take  up  the  appropria- 
tion bills,  and  asked  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  house  to  do 

CO. 

Objections  being  made,  Mr,  Polk  moved  a  suspension  of  the 
rule. 

Mr.  Wise  reminded  the  gentleman  from  Tennessee  that  the 
memorial  from  Gloucester  county,  which  he  had  presented,  and 
upon  which  he  had  moved  certain  resolutions,  had  been  lying 
over  some  weeks,  he,  therefore,  hoped  Mr.  P.  would  withdraw 
his  motion  to  suspend. 

Mr.  Polk  declined,  and  left  it  to  tho  house  to  decide  whether 
they  preferred  to  have  an  exploded  subject  revived. 

After  further  remarks  by  Messrs.  Wise,  Polk,  Purges,  Ward- 
well  and  Beardsley,  the  question  was  taken  on  the  motion  to 
suspend  the  rule,  and  decided  in  the  negative,  yeas  112,  nays 
65,  there  not  being  two- thirds  in  its  favor. 

Mr.  Miller  then  renewed  his  motion  to  take  up  Mr.  Mams' 
resolution,  and  objection  being  made,  he  moved  a  suspension  of 
the  rule;  which  motion 


The  speaker  declared  to  be  out  of  order;  and 
Thereupon,  the  house  proceeded  10  ihe  consideration  of  the 
memorial  from  the  inhabitants  of  Gloucester  county,  Va.  toge- 
ther with  the  resolutions  moved  by  Mr.  Wise  name  weeks  since. 
Mr.  Wite  entered  at  length  into  an  argumentative  speech  in 
support  of  the  resolutions. 

Mr.  Peyton  replied,  and  concluded  by  moving  the  resolutions 
he  had  Offered  when  Mr.  Wise's  resolutions  were  first  present- 
ed, as  a  substitute  therefor. 

Mr.  Miller  moved  to  lay  the  memorial  and  both  sris  of  reso- 
lutions on  the  table;  and  the  resolutions  and  amendment  wer« 
then  read  at  the  clerk's  table;  when 

Mr.  Fillmore  inquired  whether  the  question  was  divisible? 
The  chair  decided  that  it  was  not. 

The  yeas  and  nays  were  then  called  and  stood  as  follows: 
YEAS— Messrs.  John  Adams,  Wm.  Allen.  Anthony,  Beale, 
Bean,  Beardsley,  Beaumont,  Blair,  Bockee,  Bodle,  Bouldin, 
Brown,  Bunch,  Burns,  Bynum,  Cambreleng,  Carr;  Casey,  Cha- 
ney,  Chinn,  S.  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee,  Cramer,  Day,  Dickeu-oii, 
Djckinson,  Dunlap,  Forrester,  Wm.  K.  Fuller,  Fulton.  GA|- 
braith,  Gillet,  Gilmer,  Joseph  Hall,  Halscy,  Hairier,  llannegan, 
Joseph  M.  Harper,  Harrison,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  Henderson, 
Howell,  Hubbard,  Abel  Huntington,  Inge,  Jarvis,  Cave  John- 
son, Benjamin  Jones,  Kavanagh,  Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing,  La- 
porte,  Luke  Lea,  Thos.  Lee,  Leavitt,  Loyal),  Lyon,  Lytle,  Abi- 
jah  Mann,  Joel  K.  Mann,  Mardis,  John  Y.  Mason,  Moses  Ma- 
son, Mclmire,  McKay,  McKim,  McKinley,  McLene,  McVean, 
Miller,  Henry  Mitchell,  Robert  Mitchell,  Muhlenberg,  Murphy, 
Osgood,  Page,  Parks,  Parker,  Patterson,  Dutee  J.  Pearce,  F. 
Pierce.  Pierson,  Polk,  Pope,  Schley,Smilh,  Speight,  Standifer, 
Stodde'rt,  Sutherland,  Win.  Taylor,  Francis  Thomas,  Thomson, 
Turril,  Vanderpoel,  Van  Houten,  Wagener,  Ward,  Wardwell, 
Webster,  Whalon,  C.  P.  White— 105. 

NAYS— Messrs.  J.  a.  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen, 
Archer,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  Barnilz,  Barringer,  Baylies, 
Beaty,  James  M.  Bell,  Binney,  Briggs,  Bull,  Burges,  Cage, 
Chambers,  Chilton,  Choate,  William  Clark,  Clayton,  Ctowwtf, 
Corwin,  Coulter,  Darlington,  W.  R.  Davis,  Davenport,  Deberry, 
Doming,  Denny,  Dickson,  Duncan,  Evans,  Edward  Everett, 
Horace  Everett,  Ewing,  Felder,  Fillmore,  Foster,  Philo  C.  Fill- 
er, Gamble,  Garland,  Gholson,  Grayson,  Grennell,  Griffin,  Hi- 
and  Hall,  Hard,  Hardin,  James  Harper,  Hazeltine,  Heister, 
Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Jackson,  William  Cost  Johnson,  King, 
Lay,  Lewis,  Lincoln,  Martindale,  Marshall,  McCarty,  McCo- 
nas,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Moore,  Peyton,  Pinckney, 
Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed.Rencher,  Selden,  Augustus  H.  Shepperd, 
Wm.  Slade,  Sloane,  Spangler,  Sleele,  Wm.  P.  Taylor,  Phile- 
non  Thomas,  Tompkins,  Turner,  Tweedy,  Vance,  Vinton, 
Watmough,  E.  D.  White,  F.  Wliitllesey.  Elisha  Whiulesey, 
Wilde,  Williams,  Wilson,  Wise,  Young— 97. 
On  motion  of  Mr.  C.  P.  While,  the  house  then  adjourned. 
Tuesday,  June  10.  After  various  reports,  &c.  on  private 
claims,  Mr.  C.  P.  White  reported,  without  amendment,  the  hill 
from  the  senate  for  the  better  organization  of  the  U.  S.  marine 
corps — committed. 

Mr.  C.  P.  While  also  reported  a  bill  authorising  the  construc- 
tion of  three  steam  batteries, 

Mr.  Parker  reported  a  bill  to  provide  rations  for  the  navy-^ 
which  bills  were  twice  read  and  committed. 

Mr.  Polk  made  an  unfavorable  report  upon  the  bill,  from  the 
senate,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  of  St. 
Louis. 

Mr.  Mercer  submitted  a  resolution  providing  lor  the  arrea 
of  debate. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  R.  M.  Johnson,  the  bill  further  to  extend 
the  time  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  revolutionary  soldiers  to 
locate  military  land  warrants,  was  taken  up,  amended  and  or- 
dered to  a  third  reading. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  Kenti 
ky  contested  election.    A  large  portion  of  tlie  remainder  of  th 
day  was  taken  up  in  motions  relative  to  the  admission  or  rejec- 
tion of  individual  votes,  and  these  chiefly  with  respect  to  Mr. 
Lelchcr's  poll. 

In  the  debates  which  followed  these  several  motions,  many 
gentlemen  warmly  participated. 

Finally,  Mr.  Lytle,  of  Ohio,  (having  previously  made  the  same 
motion  without  its  being  seconded  by  a  majority),  again  moved 
the  previous  question;  which  was  eeconded  by  the  following 
vote:  ayes  105,  noes  90. 

Mr.  Marshall  moved  a  call  of  the  house,  and  asked  the  yeas 
and  nays  upon  that  motion.  They  were  taken  and  stood  as  fol 
lows:  yeas  119,  nays  85. 

The  house  being  called,  216  members  answered  to  their 
names;  when  on  motion  of  Mr.  Mann,  of  N.  Y.  the  call  wa. 

then  stated,  viz:  .h.ll  the  main 


Mr    Mam*  was  repeatedly  called  to  order;  but,  having  ob- 
tained the  reply  ofthe  speaker,  eaid  he  was  now  satisfi«d. 


264         NILEb'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— REMARKS  OF  MR.  CLAYTON. 


The  previous  question 


was  Ihen  put,  anil  decided  as  follows,    short  time,  to  supply  the  want  of  experience;  anil  to  justify,  in 

some  degree,  Hie  confidence  indicated   by   the  house.     1  bat 


,                .          .  cls.  exasperae    an       m,                                           , 

the  seizure  and  sale  of  properly  brought  into  the  UnitRi        ales  exlraortijliary  dc«ree;  all  present  themselves  to  increase  the  diffi- 

in  violation  of  the  revenue  laws—  twice  read  and  committed.  culljtg  and  cali  fortn  ,ne  exertions  of  a  new  and  unpractised 

The  joint  resolution  providing  for  the  distribution  ol  the  tilth  incumbellt  of  llle  cliair;  aild  i  ree))  gentlemen,  that  whatever 

census  was  read  a  third  time  and  passed.  exertions  may  he  made  on  my  part,  must  be  vain  without  your 

Mr.  Ha.megcm  «ubiniued  a  resolution  inquiring  into  the  pro  f()rbearaiM,e  .'         ,nat  lbey  Iliust  fai|  altogether,  without  your 

priety  of  granting  certain  sections  of  land  lo  the  stale  oi  Indi-  cotdial  gupporl  and  co  nperalion.     When   I  reflect  how  great 

ma,  to  aid  that  slate  in  the  construclion  ol  a  rail  road.  ,     mg£»v  connected  'with  this  house;  its  character  and 

The  resolution  calling  for  information  relative  lo  lie  long'.  aclion_illl(,regls   nol  ,„•  a  rtay  or  of  a  parly,  but  of  all  lime;  of 

tude  and  latitude  ot  several  places  in  the  vicinity  ol  the  north-  rjl      aml  (,'f  all  llie  p:mi(>!S  wllU.,,  are,  or  ever  will  be,  ar- 

ern  boundary  of  lhe  states  ol  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  was  i     ^    '^j  eac)l  oll)er.  aiul  wlltn  ,  rurlbt.r  reflect  how  much 

iken  up  and  agreed  to.  ,     cllari,ctcr  an,i  aclion  of  Ihis  house  depends  upon  a  skilful, 

The  house  Ihen  again  proceeded  to  the  enumeration  of  the  ^^  ^  (        nj;i,  adlllinis(rali(m  of  the  duties  of  the  chair,  I 

Kentucky  contested  election.  I  confegs  i  fee|  the  deepest  solieiiude. 

Mr.  McKay  moved  a  resolution  to  commit  the  report  of  11  u  ^  u(U  <o     enera^  understood,  I  regret  to  believe,  as  it 

ahou|(J  b      .p  ^  greiU'a  degree,  lhe  measures  of  a  legislative 


committee  of  elections  loa  committee  of  Hie  whole,  with  in 


functions  to  bring  in  a  reporl  declaring  lhe  election  void,  ami    a.,sp|lll)|y  are  modjfjKd  and  influenced  by  the  manner  of  its  de- 
referring  it  back  to  lhe  people  of  the  district.  liberation.     All  will  concede  that,  if  it  shall  ever  happen  thai 


"Which  moiion,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  chair,  was  modified    Mg  ^        ^^  (M  into^isr 
so  us  commit  the  whole  subje--' 


,  an,i  f;lj|  t(,  comiuand  Hie  re- 


Thursday,  June  12.    Various  reports,  &c.  on  private  cases,        While,  then,  I  intreatthe  indulgence  of  the  house  to  my  own 


being  attended  to,  I  defects,  I  earnestly  invoke  lhe  assistance  of  every  member  of 

The  house,  in  committee  of  the  whole,  took  up  the  case  of    jt  jn  endeavoring  to  maintain  and  preserve,  so  far  as  depends 
the  Kentucky  conlerled  eleclion. 

Mr.  McKay  Uien  moved  the  following  resolution?: 

Resolved,  That  neither  Thomas  P.  Moore  or  Robert  P.  Letch 

er  be  permitled  10  take  a  seat  in  this  house  as  the  reprcsenia-       ^ 

tive  for  lhe  oih  congressional  district  of  the  state  of  Kentucky,  I  i/noVa  heart  l:cre,  nor  an  American  "heart  any  where,  that  does 
and  that  said  seat  is  now  vacant.  I  not  bealhigh 

Resoh-ed,  That  the  speaker  of  this  house  do  notify  the  gover- 
iior  of  Kentucky  that  said  seat  is  vacant. 
Mr.  Wilde  objected  to  the  phraseology  of  this  resolution 


H,  in  endeavoring  10  mniuumi  unu    JFICOCI*^,  °**   «u          u^i**,.. 

I  upon  the  proceedings  of  this  body,  those  treat  and  primary  in- 

|  lerusts  nf  constitutional  government  and  fieedoin,  in  support  of 

which,  I  am  sure,  whatever  difference  of  opinion  there  may  be 

upon  pninls  ofconstruclion,  of  policy  or  administration,  there 


Mr.  McKay  maintained  that  it.was  substantially  in  conformity 
to  the  instructions  of  the  house. 

Ik 

h 


REMARKS  OF  MR.  CLAYTON,  OP  DELAWARE, 

On  presenting  the  Cherokee  memorial  to  llie  senate. 
Mr.  Clayton  presented  a  memorial  of  Ihe  Ohtiokee  nation, 


signed  by  their  principal  chief  and  other  delegates,  complaining 


Mr.  MM*  objected  to  it  altogether.  i  lhem  ,  d  be(;onie  tbe  headg  of  famiiies,  wilh  fixed  habilalions, 

On  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Wilde,  Mr.  Clayton  eubstituied  the  eac|)  ^  ce|)tre  of  a  dolneslic  circlej  ,ike  lliat  wbicb  forms  lne 

following—  ....  happiness  of  civilized  man.  They  say  lhat  human  knowledge 

Resolved,  That  Robert  P.  Letclieri*  entitled  to  a  seat  in  thu  '  alldp,t.Ucra  had  b(!en  jntro.lucrd  amongst  lhem,  and  lliat  the 

house,  as  a  representalive  from  the  5th  congressional  district  of  highcgl  ofa,,  know|ed!,K  had  come  lo  bless  them,  teaching  them 

Kf"'ucky-  .  „„  ,,  ,,  10  know  and  to  worship  lhe  Christian's  God,  bowing  down  to 

Which,  after  debate,  was  negatived:  yeas  112,  nays  114.  Hj  ,  ,  .  ,  ^irj  ,^  ,h  mi,. 

The  question  then  being  on  concurring  with  the  report  of  f  crealurt;s  who  inbabit  Christendom,  and  with  them 

the  committee  of  the  whole,  whjch  declares  neilher  entitled  lo  e,nl)raci      Ule  bo       aml  promises  of  the  gospel.     But  now  they 

^j^  %£2tt  o^i^-amendment,  as  a  preatn- 


„,  the  origina,  resolution  as  reporled  by  tl.  commit-    *«  Jj^Jj^^Jpl^fc-  -Hg  gjjj 


tee  of  the  whole,  was  then  adopted,  yeas  114,  nays  103. 
Tbe  bouse  adjourned. 


MR.  SPEAKER  BELL'S  ADDRESS, 

On  taking  the  chair  of  the  house. 
Gentlemen  oj  the  house  ofrejtrcsentatives: 

With  lhe  greatest  sincerity  I  declare  to  you,  that,  allhoimli  I 
am  duly  and  gralefully  impressed  by  this  mark  of  llie  partiality 
and  confidence  of  the  house,  and  am  by  no  means  insensible  lo 
the  distinction  intended  to  be  conferred  upon  me,  yet  1  am  not 
without  some  diatrusl  of  lhe  wisdom  of  my  course  in  accepting 
the  station  which  your  choice  has  assigned  me.  Without  the 
ilighvest  experience  in  lhe  chair,  it  may  be  justly  apprehended 
that  your  selection  ofa  presiding  officer  lias  been  Imt  too  much 
influenced  by  personal  kindness  and  friendship;  and  I  shall  be 


sufferings,  would  make  a  history. 

The  memorial  further  complains  that  the  annuities  secured 
by  ireaty  for  lhe  Cherokees,  has  been  virlually  wilhheld,in  con- 
sequence of  lhe  executive  conslruction  of  lhe  laws,  and  it  asks 
of  congress  redress  for  this  grievance,  by  direcling  ibal  those 
annuities  shall  be  paid  according  to  the  provision  of  the  treaty 
and  the  expressed  wishes  of  the  Cherokee  people.  On  this  sub- 
ject, said  Mr.  C.  I  forbear  all  comment  al  iliis  lime.  My  busi- 
ness with  it  now  i?  lo  cause  lhe  proper  disposilion  to  he  made 
of  llie  paper.  It  is  accompanied  by  numerous  document*, 
shewing  the  whole  correspondence  of  these  deli-sate*  of  this 
dependent  people,  now  seeking  our  protection,  with  the  chief 
executive  and  the  department  of  war.  I  move  that  it  be  print- 
ed, and  referred  to  lhe  cnmniiitee  on  Indian  affairs. 

1'he  motion  was  agreed  to. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUN  E  14,  1834— REMARKS  OF  MR.  NAUDA1N.         2«5 


REMARKS  OK  MR.  NAUDA1N 

Upon  the  motion  to  print  andrcfer  the  proceedings  of  the  "Jncfe- 
son  republican  delegates,  of  Jfiew  Castle  county,"  presented  to 
the  senate,  on   Wednesday  last,  try  the  vice  president. 
Mr.  Nauduin  said,  (hut  'the  citizens  of  New  Castle  county, 
sneaking  for  then  selves,  by  their  memorial  aigiu-d  by  a  majority 
of  all  Ui«  le«al  voters  of  that  county,  appealed  a  few  weeki 
since  belorc  the,  senate,  declaring  their  opinion  that  the  distress 
which  pervaded  the  country,  and  which  seemed  to  be  still  in- 
creasing, was  occasioned  by  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites 
from  the  bank  ol  the  United  States;  that,  toeflect  this  removal, 
tlie  president  had  violated  the  laws  and  disregarded  the  consti- 
tution of  tiie  country;  and   praying  congress  to  cause  the  de- 
posites  to  be  restored,  and  (he  bank  to  be  reehaitercd,  as,  in 
their  opinion,  the  only  effectual  means  of  relief. 

Now,  sir,  said  Mr.  N.  we  have  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting 
of  delegates  appointed  by  primary  assemblies  of  the  people,  in 
the  several  hundreds  of  that  county;  presented  to  the  senate 
through  its  presiding  officer;  setting  forth,  as  they  say,  "the 
views  and  opinions  of  the  democracy  of  New  Castle  county," 
and  approving  of  all  the  acts  of  the  executive.  Before  I  pro- 
ceed to  notice  the  resolutions  themselves,  I  will  say  a  word  or 
two  about  the  manner  in  which  this  same  meeting  of  delegates 
was  got  up. 

First,  sir,  a  paper  was  circulated  for  signature,  purporting  to 
be  a  call  for  all  those  approving  the  conduct  of  the  president, 
to  meet  in  general  county  meeting,  and  express  their  views 
and  sentiments.  But  when  this  paper  was  passed  round,  so 
many  of  the  former  supporters  of  the  president  refused  to  sign 
it,  that  it  became  obvious  such  a  meeting  must  be  an  entire 
failure,  and  expose  their  impotent  attempt  to  scorn  and  deri- 
sion. The  plan  of  operations  was  then  changed.  Circulars 
were  sent  round  to  the  faithful,  in  the  respective  hundreds,  to 
call  a  meeting  in  each  hundred,  and  send  five  delegates  from 
each  to  a  county  convention,  to  express  their  opinions  about  the 
present  state  of  the  affairs  of  the  country. 

The  Jackson  party,  sir,  have  hitherto  polled  something  up 
wards  of  1,600  voles  in  that  county.  But  with  all  this  effort 
to  parade  and  organize  their  force,  these  primary  meetings 
were  miserable  failures.  In  the  two  southern  hundreds  of  the 
county,  containing  about  600  voters,  and  where  the  strength 
of  parties  was  nearly  equal,  but  25  persons  attended  these 
calls,  as  I  have  been  informed  by  most  respectable  authority. 
And  even  in  the  city  of  Wilmington,  with  all  the  advantage  o 
a  night  meeting  and  drumming  up  for  their  forces,  they  couli 
bring  but  about  forty  or  fifty  to  rally  round  their  standard.  Anc 
these  delegates,  thus  appointed  by  a  handful  of  the  people 
of  the  county;  nearly,  if  not  quite  one-half  of  them  too,  old 
thorough,  uncompromising,  prosctiptive  federalists,  have  un 
<l(>rtaken  to  express  "the  views  and  opinions  of  the  democracy 
of  New  Castle  county." 

Sir,  if  they  had  professed  to  express,  what  their  proceeding 
do  express,  the  sentiments  of  the  Jacksonism  of  the  county, 
should  not  have  thought  it  ray  duty  to  trespass  upon  the  time 
and  patience  of  the  senate,  in  endeavoring  to  expose  the  pre 
tenets  by  which  they  are  attempting  to  practise  upon  their  fel- 
low citizens. 

Mr.  President,  I  have  been  a  citizen  of  New  Castle  county 
more  than  fifteen  years.  I  was  brought  up  in  the  school  of 
democracy.  I  have  been  honored  with  the  confidence  and  sup- 
port of  that  portion  of  my  fellow  citizens,  in  days  that  are  past, 
when  the  old  par.ly  lines  were  strongly  drawn.  I  was  thrice 
nominated  by  the  democratic  state  convention  for  a  seat  in 
the  other  IIOUSTJ  of  Congress,  and  received  the  support  of  that 
party  in  opposition  to  that  distinguished  federalist,  the  present 
secretary  of  state,  whose  brother  I  see  is  now  among  the  chosen 
organs  of  the  "democracy  of  New  Castle  county." 

Sir, it  is  well  known  that  political  contests  in  the  state,  which 
I  have  the  honor,  in  part,  to  represent  on  this  floor,  were  al- 
ways fought  on  the  old  distinctions  of  democracy  and  federal- 
ism, until  the  year  1827.  Then  the  spirit  of  Jacksonism  swept 
over  our  little  state  and  overturned  our  old  parly  divisions;  and 
our  citizen?,  as  they  have  done  every  where  else,  ranged  them- 
selves under  new  banners.  And  now,  sir,  alter  they  have  pull- 
ed down  the  good  old  democratic  flag,  torn  it  in  pieces,  and 
scattered  its  fragments  to  every  wind — after  associating  them- 
selves with  the  inn~l  uncompromising  federalists  within  the 
slate — with  or.e  half  of  this  -eery  meeting,  made  up  of  the  bit- 
terest of  the  opponents  of  democracy — men  who  had  spent 
their  political  lives  in  reviling  it,  and  the  great  founder  of  the 


[After  gome  other  remarks,  which  do  not  seem  necessary 
mi  present  purposes,  Mr.  Naudain  concluded  as  follows:] 

I  iiiMin  repeat,  sir,  that  if  this  meeting  had  piofosed  merely 
o  represent  the  views  and  opinions  of  the  Jackson  party  of 
Vcir  Castle,  I  should  not  have  trespassed  upon  Die  time  of  the 
senate.  But  when  such  men  have  professed  to  represent  the 
views  and  opinions  of  the  good  old  democracy  of  New  Castle,  I 
elt  that  the  duty  I  owed  to  that  parly  with  whom  it  was  al- 
<  ays  my  pride  and  pleasure  to  act,  compelled  me  to  break 
hat  silence  1  have  hitherto  imposed  upon  myself  tincc  1  uavu 
lad  the  honor  to  be  a  member  of  this  body. 

Remarks  by  the  editor. 

Any  statement  made  by  Mr.  Nuitdain  needs  not  my 
endorsement;  but  as  my  much  valued  friend  alludes  to, 
or  speaks  of,  tilings  with  which  1  a'rn  veil  acquainted, 
an  opportunity  is  presented  to  tuake  a  few  remarks  on 
the  use  of  the  old  terms  "democrats"  and  "federalists" — 
the  former  being  applied  by  the  friends  of  the  adminis- 
tration to  themselves,  and  the  latter  lo  their  political  op- 
ponents. 

In  early  life,  soon  in  1797,  when  I  [the  editor  of  the 
REGISTER]  was  less  than  20  years  old,  to  1805,  when  I  re- 

to  have  had  much 

to  do  in  the  politics  of  Delaware,  and  to  hold  a  personal 
acquaintance  with  nearly  every  prominent  "democrat" 
in  that  state.  The  present  senator  Naudain  was  then 
rather  young  to  enter  the  arena — but  several  of  his  fa- 
mily were  among  the  most  faithful  and  zealous  disciples 
of  what  is  now  called  the  "school  of  98, "whose  foot- 
steps I  know  that  he  followed  from  the  time  when  he 
reached  his  majority  to  the  year  1827,  or  until  new  or- 
ganizations of  parties  took  place  in  Delaware,  and  the 
old  democrats  and  old  federalists — divided  amongst  then.- 


SGISTEU]  was  less  tlutn  20  years  old,  to 
jved  to  Baltimore,  it  was  my  fortune  t 


selves,  were  mixed  together,  -without  reference  to  former 
opinions. 

1  neither  claim  a  particular  merit  for  having  belonged  to 
the  "school"  just  named — nor  will  admit  it  as  a  demerit 
in  others  who  resisted  the  doctrines  taught  in  it — for  expe- 
rience, aided  by  reflection,  has  long  since  convinced  me, 
that  great  mistakes  were  committed  on  both  sides — and 
that  the  principle  which  influenced  the  great  body  of 
either  party  was  patriotic,  and  not  so  discordant  as  the 
leading  men  of  both  induced  their  respective  parties  to 
believe — that  the  people  might  be  kept  separated:  which, 
perhaps,  is  well  in  many  cases,  as  being  auxiliary  to  a 
wise  and  just  administration  of  their  affairs,  "vigilance 
being  the  condition  on  which  liberty  is  granted."  But 
the  old  party  names  were  kept  up  in  Delaware,  and  in 
Maryland,  long  alter  they  had  ceased  to  have  a  distinc- 
tive meaning,  unless  as  to  what  men  HAD  BEEN. 

The  present  use  of  the  old  terms,  by  the  friends  of  the 
present  administration,  however,  is  well  calculated  to 
make  me  smile.  In  the  hats  of  the  present  secretaries 
of  state,  treasury  and  war,*  I  am  nearly  certain  that  I 
have  many  times  seen  the  "black  cockade"  of  old  "fed- 
eralism," though  one  of  them,  at  the  time  of  wearing  it, 
had  hardly  arrived  at  manhood;  and  have  long  since  un- 
derstood that  the  head  of  another  of  the  great  departments, 
at  Washington,  also  wore  the  said  party  emblem.  And, 
to  call  these  distinguished  gentlemen  "democrats,"  and 
such  men  as  Henry  Clay,  Samuel  L.  Southard,  Samuel 
.lie//  and  .-Iniald  J\\iiidtun,  and  other  senators,  "fed- 
eralists," is  the  "cap-sheaf"  of  political  injustice  or  po- 
litical folly.  And  in  Pennsylvania,  that  great  "demo- 
cratic" state,  Mr.  JT'ilkins,  one  of  her  senators,  and  Mr. 
linchanan,  late  minister  to  Russia,  though  decided  and 
leading  federalists,  when  federalism  meant  something, 
are  rewarded  "democrats"' — while  such  staunch  old  de- 
mocrats as  Jonathan  Roberts  and  Jlbner  Lacocfc,  formerly 

party,  Mr.  Jefferson;  with  m(;Ii'mnon«'t'h"eni',Too,"w|1|1o  n'o't'ldn'g    senators  from  that  state,  are  proscribed  "federalists."     I 
since  declared  that  "if  they  thought  they  had  one  drop  of  de-  i  might  easily   run   over,   an   hundred   cases  of  the    same 


bines;  as  a  political  heresy,   most  dangerous  to  the  stability    meeting,  or  "caucus,"  that,  as  I  believe,  was  ever  held 

of  the  government  and   the  liberties  of  the  people.     Some  of  I  iu  Delaware,  with  a  sreneral   view  to  an  organization  of 

these  were  the   black   cockade  men  of  '99,  the  advocates   of 

alien  and  sedition  laws,  and  nil  the  other  abuses  of  power  xvhi^h  • 

thrust  the  old  federal  party  from  office.    These  have  always] 

been  high   prerogative  men;  upholders  of  the  executive  in   all 

assumptions  of  power;  stern  opposers  of  all  reform  <.l  alnise.i  in 

the  government:  and  yet,  sir,  these  men  pretend  to  talk  about 

•^.tlic  vitws  and  opinions  of  democracy!"  dcrublu  tiniu. 


*Mesnrs.  McLane  and  Taney  are  well  known  as  having  been 
respectively,  the  lenders  ol  the  federal  parly,  in  iluir  own 
slates;  and  Mr.  Cass  is  the  son  of  maj.  ('ass,  who  superintended 
the  iccruiting  service  tor  the  "provision  eating  army,"  as  we 
"democrats"  used  to  call  it,  at  Wilmington,  Del.  for  a  const- 


266         NJLES'  REGISTER— JUNE   14,  1834— REMARKS  OF  MR.  NAUDAlN. 


the  party;  and,  until  I  left  the  state,  had  the  honor  of  bein 
assailed  as  one  of  five  persons  whom  the  "feileralisls 
called  the  "CAUCUS  JUNTO" — myself  being,  for  sonu 
years  past,  the  only  survivor.  The  meeting  above  ;<lliul 
ed  to  consisted  of  sixty  or  seventy  persons — and  I  ofte 
laugh  at  a  recollection  of  the  secrecy  with  which  it  wa 
convened,  and  at  the  difficulties  encountered  in  obtainin 
a  chairman  and  secretary,  willing  that  their  names  shoul 
go  before  the  people— for  the  majority  and  the  power  of  tli 
slate  was  against  us,  and  many  were  loath  to  take  a  Iron 
rank  in  the  opposition  proposed,  but  which  was  soon  ren 
dered  successful  in  the  elections  of  col.  Hall,  of  the  re 
volutionary  army,  as  governor  of  the  state,  and  of  Mr 
C.  .#.  Rodney,  as  its  representative  in  congress,  in  th< 
place  of  his  beloved  personal  friend,  that  eminent  man 
the  late  Mr.  Bayard— 'AM\  these  named  have  also  passec 
"to  another  and  a  better  world!"  But,  six  members  o 
that  first  regular  democratic  meeting  yet  live — and  five  o 
these  are  not  of  the  political  friends  of  the  present  ad- 
ministration, and  they  also  opposed  tlie  election  of  gen 
JACKSOX  in  1824,  1828  and  1832.  The  sixth  is  a  worthy 
old  gentleman,  and  I  much  wish  that  he  held  a  better  office 
than  he  has  been  favored  with. 

On  what  principle  is  it  that  these  old  names  are  appli- 
ed to  present  parties?  Is  it  in  the  personal  support  01 
opposition  to  general  Jackson,  as  president  of  the  Unitec 
States?  Certainly  not!  It  ts  believed  that  only  one  ol 
his  present  cabinet  was  of  his  original  supporters,  anc 
that  one  because  he  was  offended  at  what  he  thought  Mr. 
Adams'  abandonment  of  "federalism!"  The  vice  presi- 
dent, and  all  the  gentlemen  called  the  "Albany  regency,' 
opposed  the  election  of  Mr.  Madison,  the  "democratic 
candidate,"  in  1812,  and  that  of  gen.  Jackson  in  1824, 
•with  all  their  power.  In  the  latter  year,  "Mister  Jack- 
son's pretensions"  were  laughed  at  by  the  "republican 
party"  of  New  York,  of  whose  movements  I  had  a  near 
view— being,  by  accident,  present  at  the  extra  session  of 
the  legislature  of  that  state  in  the  year  just  given,  and 
closely  observant  of  all  the  proceedings  and  twistings  had 
in  it,  especially  in  the  senate  of  the  stale,  to  FORCE  Mr. 
Crawford,  (then  regarded  as  Ihe  hitter  enemy  of  general 
Jackson),  into  the  presidential  chair,  through  the  aid  of 
party  discipline.  And  if  we  look  over  the  names  of  the 
congressional  caucus,  held  Feb.  14,  1824,  what  do  we 
discover?  Sixty-six  persons  were  present,  and  two 
proxies  were  admitted — and,  in  this  exclusively  "demo- 
cratic" assembly,  Mr.  Crawford  had  64  votes,  Mr.  Adams 
2,  gen.  Jackson  1,  and  Mr.  Macon  1.  It  is  not  ascertain- 
ed who  threw  away  the  four  votes,  but  undoubted,  I  be- 
lieve, that  the  first  rate  "democrats"  of  the  present  day, 
such  as  Mr.  Van  Jiuren,  secretary  of  state,  minister  and 
vice  president  of  the  United  States — Mr.  Cambrelentr,of 
the  house  of  representatives — Mr.  Chandler,  collector  at 
Portland — Mr.  Dickerson,  late  senator  from  New  Jer- 
sey, and  recently  appointed  minister  to  Russia — Mr. 
Loiorie,  secretary  of  the  senate — Mr.  Smith,  late  senator 
from  Maryland — Mr.  Lloyd,  ditto,  and  late  "Jackson" 
candidate  for  governor  of  the  state* — Mr.  P.  Harbour, 
now  district  judge  in  Virginia — Mr.  Hives,  late  minister 
to  France — Mr.  Stevenson,  late  speaker,  and  recently  no- 
minated minister  to  England — Mr.  Forsyth,  present  se- 
nator— Mr.  Sannders,  commissioner  under  the  treaty 
•with  France — Mr.  Thompson,  Indian  agent,  all  voted 
against  gen.  Jackson,  and  supported  Mr  Crawford  as  the 
"democratic"  candidate. t 


On  the  other  hand,  RICHARD  M.  JOHXSOX,  JoHff  H. 
RATON,  GF.OUGE  KJIKMKH,  SAMUEL  HOUSTON,  Joel  It. 
Poinsett,  I.  C.  Isaacs,  and  others,  on  behalf  of  their 
states,  denounced  the  call  of  the  caucus  as  "inexpedient," 
fccc.  and,  of  the  216  "democratic"  members  then  in  con- 
gress, only  68  appeared  in,  or  supported  its  proceedings 
— as  may  be  found  fully  recorded  in  the  volumes  of  this 
work,  especially  the  25th  and  26th. 

And  how  stood  the  case  in  "democratic"  Virginia,  at 
that  time?  Not  one  member  of  lhe_  "Richmond  junto" 
was  Ihe  friend  of  gen.  Jackson.  Nay,  they  all  abused 
him,  or  treated  his  claims  to  the  presidency  with  utter 
contempt;  and  at  the  election  about  three  times  as  many 
votes  were  given  to  Mr.  Crawford  as  were  given  to 
the  general,  who  received  considerably  less  than  Mr. 
Adams!  And  even  in  1828,  it  is  well  known  that  gene- 
ral Jackson  was  taken  up  with  great  reluctance,  "as  the 
alternative,  not  the  choice  of  Virginia."  Was  it  "feder- 
alism" that  caused  this  reluctance?  But  what  is  the  state 
of  things  now?  If  all  are  "democrats"  who  support,  and 
"iederalists"  who  oppose,  the  present  admmstration, 
surely  Virginia  has  become  a  federal  state — and  so  have 
several  others  that  had  a  high 'rank  in  democracy!  Nay, 
even  a  majority  of  the  representatives  in  congress  from 
democratic"  Pennsylvania,  are  federalists. 
We  refer  to  these  facts  on  account  of  the  abuse  of  the 
political  terms  mentioned.  The  inconsistency  and  folly 
of  them  is  manifest.  Any  party  may  elect  a  name  for 
itself — but,  in  some  cases,  it  may  be  illiberal,  if  not  un- 
just, to  give  a  name  to  its  opponent. 

On  points  of  principle  the  "democratic"  party  does 
not  agree — as  the  following  comparisons  will  shew: 

From  the  Richmond  Whi%. 

With  a  view  of  counteracting  the  effects  of  his  letter  in  1817, 
he  friends  of  general  Jackson  have  hunted  up  a  letter  of  his  in 
1801,  addressed  lo  Dr.  Dickson,  then  a  candidate  for  congress, 
n  the  state  of  Tennessee:  Let  us  place  his  doctrines,  side  by 
side: 

In  1801.  In  1817. 

"Believing,  as  I  do,  that  any  "In  every  selection,  party 
citizen,  who  does  obtain  the  and  jmrty  feelings  should  be 
=ufl'rage  of  the  freemen  of  Ten-  avoided.  Now  is  the  time  to 
nessee,  must  be  a  character,  exterminate  that  monster,  cal- 
he  composition  of  which  is  vir-  led  patty  spirit.  Only  selcet- 
,ic.  talents,  and  the  TRUE  ins  characters  most  conspicu- 
VVHIG  PRINCIPLES  OF  ous  fortheir  probity,  virtue,  ca- 
3EVENTY-SIX:  in  short,  sir,  pacify  and  firmness,  WITH- 
hat  he  must  be  a  republican,  OUT  ANY  REGARD  to  PAR- 
and  in  politics,  like  Caesar's  TY,  &c." 
wife,  not  only  chaste,  but  UN-  [Letter  to  Mr.  Monroe. 

SUSPECTED." 

And  the  Hartford  "Independent  Press"  gives  us  the 
bllowing: 

From  the  Richmond  Enquirer.    From  the  Cincinnati  Advertiser. 
We  contend  that  the  custody        Can  he  believe  that  any  man 
..nd  control  of  the  public  mo-    of  common  senss,  who  has  stu- 
ncy,  not  appropriated  by  law,    died  the  constitution  and   the 
ire  by  the  constitution  placed    duties  of  that  executive  officer 
under  l\\e  order  and  direction  of    created  by  it,  will  contend  that 
ongress;  and  that  they  may  in-    the  custody  of  the  public  pro- 
rust  its  custody  to  other  agen-    perty,  whether  jnMic  money, 
v  than  the  executive  depart-     public-ships,  public  timber.pnb- 
ment;  and  that  they  may  take    lie  iron,  lead  or  any  other  spe- 
nt of  the  hands  of  the  execu-    cies  of  property,  is  not  verted 
ive  the  custody  of  it,  without    in  the  president  of  the  United 
n    assumption    of  executive    Stales,  the  chief  executive  ofn- 
,ower.  cer  created  by  the  constitution 

for  that,  among  other  purposes. 

Like  cases  might  be  multiplied  without  number.  The 
ime  was,  when  it  required  no  spirit  of  prophecy  to  fore- 


*Deceased  since  this  article  was  prepared. 

f  I  shall  add  the  names  of  all  those  who  attended  the  caucus 
of  1824 — several  more  of  whom  may  have  been  "rewarded,"  as 
friends  of  general  Jackson,  than  I  can  call  up  to  recollection.  A 
place  was  given  to  Mr.  Markley,  in  the  custom  IIOIIT  at  Phila- 
delphia, but  it  was  taken  from  him.  A  considerable  nnmlirr 
are  deceased — throe  arc  still  members  of  coneross,  Messrs.  Bar- 
ber, of  Con.  Archer,  of  Va.*nd  William'1,  of  N.  C.  Of  the  pre- 
sent political  feelings  of  others,  I  only  know  that  Messrs. 
Holmes,  of  Me.  J.  Harbour  and  Floyd,  of  Va.  and  Ruggles,  of 
O.  are  opposed  to  the  administration — but  there  may  l>e  others. 

List  of  the  congressional  caucus,  held  in  the  hall  or  the  house 
of  representatives  at  Washington,  February  14,  1824 — in  addi- 
tion to  which  Mr.  Ball  of  Va.  and  Mr.  Tatnall,  of  Georgia,  voted 
by  proxy: 

John  Chandler,  John  Holme?,  of  Maine;  James  Lanman. 
Noyeg  Barber,  Ehcnezer  Stoddard,  of  Conneclicut;  Siimnrl 
Eddy,  of  Rhode  Island;  Martin  Van  Burcn,  C.  C.  Cnmbri'len«, 
Lot  Clark, Elm  Collins,  Rowland  Day,  Justin  Dvvinell,  Lewis 
Eaton,  Charles  A.  Foote,  Joel  Frost,  John  Hurkimer,  James  L. 


Hogeboom,  Lemuel  Jenkins,  Elisha  Litchfield,  John  Richards, 
acob  Tyson,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  of  New  York;  Mahlon  Dicker- 
on,  of  New  Jersey;  Walter  Lowrie,  Walter  Forward,  Philip 
!.  Markley,  of  Pennsylvania;  Samuel  Smith,  Edward  Lloyd, 
Villiam  Hayward,  jun.  of  Maryland;  James  Harbour,  Murk 
lexander,  William  S.  Archer,  Philip  P.  Harbour,  liimvell  lias- 
t,  John  Floyd,  Jabez  Leftwich,  William  C.  Rives,  William 
ilcCoy,  Arthur  Smith,  William  Smith,  Alexander  Smyth,  An- 
rew  Stevenson.  George  Tucker,  of  Virginia;  Jnred  Williams, 
I.  G.  Burton,  W.  N.  Edwards,  Alfred  M.  Gatlin,  Thomas  II. 
[all,  Charles  Hooks.  Jotm  Long,  Romiilu?  M.  Saiindors,  Rich- 
rd  D.  Spaight,  Lewis  Williams,  of  N.  Carolina;  Joseph  Gist, 
ohn  Wilson,  of  South  Carolina;  John  Elliott,  Nicholas  Ware, 
oel  Abbott,  George  Cary,  Thomas  W.  Cobb,  Alfred  Cnlhliert, 
ohn  Forsyth,  Wiley  Thompson,  ol  Grorgia;  Benjamin  Hugi-les, 
('Ohio;  Jus.  NoMe,  of  Indiana;  Jesse  It.  Thomas,  of  Illinois. 
Mr.  McLane,  of  Delaware,  and  Mr.  Buchanan,  of  Pennsyl- 
aniH.  were  members  of  congress  at  the  time  of  holding  this 
aucus,  but  neither  could  have  entered  it,  rf  so  disposed,  being 
ten  regarded  "federalists.'* 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— THE  GENERAL  POST  OFFICE.         267 


see,  that,  if  members  of  congress  were  appointed  to  office, 
"corruption  would  become  the  order  of  the  day;"  and 
•when  the  interference  of  public  officers  at  elections,  was 
as  (he  "unpardonable  sin"  against  the  people,  kc. 

And,  exactly  "dove-tailing"  with  the  thoughts  of  my 
heart,  when  first  reading  Mr.  JVutuJuin's  remarks,  I 
met  with  the  following,  from  the  "democratic"  pen  of 
Mr.  Ilitcliie,  republish'ed  in  the  "Richmond  Whig"  of 
the  30th  ult. 

REMINISCENCES. 

An  unknown  friend  lias  transmitted  a  whole  column,  cut 
from  the  Enquirer  of  May  18th,  1824,  just  ten  years  ua»,  will) 
an  implied  request  I'or  its  republicaiion.  Having  a  little  extra 
room  from  tin;  failure  of  the  mails,  and  a»  old  newspapers  are 
sometimes  more  amu.-ing  than  new  ones,  we  comply  hy  insert- 
ing the  whole. 

Messrs.  Lomrie  and  Jackson.* 

"If  there  were  a  man  in  this  nation,  who  would  not  'turn  on 
his  heel  (o  save,  his  life,'  we  supposed  gen.  Jackson  was  that 
man.  Fiery,  we  knew  him  to  be — impetuous,  domineering,  un- 
governable, he  has  long  appeared  to  us — but  withal,  bold,  inde- 
pendent, direct  in  all  his  course?;  one  who  'would  not  flatter 
Neptune  for  his  trident.'  What  then  is  our  astonishment,  to 
see  him  resorting  to  the  shifting,  temporising,  quibbling  and 
equivocating  expedients  which  he  has  recently  pursued!  We 
are  deeply  disappointed  in  his  course— and  we  are  deeply  mis- 
taken in  the  man. 

"Had  gen.  Jackson  been  the  man  that  we  supposed,  what 
course  would  lie  have  taken,  when  the  report  about  his  letters 
first  broke  out  in  Pennsylvania?  He  might  have  looked  down 
with  scorn  upon  those  reports.  He  might  have  acted  with  the 
manly  independence  of  William  H.  Crawford,  and  left  his  ene- 
mies to  work  out  their  worst  against  him.  He  might  have  kept 
himself  aloof  from  the  presidential  election:  and  left  it  to  the 
people  to  select  the  man,  whom  they  deemed  best  calculated  to 
fill  their  own  high  office.  Or,  if  lie  chose  to  mingle  in  tin:  strife; 
if  he  thought  it  expedient  to  notice  the  reports  which  were  cir- 
culated about  him,  he  would  have  come  out  with  no  partial 
statements,  but  with  the  whole  truth.  He  would  have  divulg- 
ed every  thing;  faced  every  consequence;  defied  every  enemy. 
Did  he  take  this  course?  He  authorised  an  editor  of  Philadel- 
phia to  deny  that  -his  letter  contained  a  recommendation  to  the 
president  to  bring  into  his  cabinet  two  federals  and  two  repub- 
licans. Why  did  he  not  go  farther?  When  he  knew  the  sub- 
stantial charge  against  him  in  Pennsylvania  was,  that  he  was 
disposed  to  employ  the  federalists,  and  that  he  was  not  that 
sound  "democrat"  which  he  had  been  cried  up  to  be,  why  did 
he  suppress  that  portion  of  his  letter  which,  he  must  have  seen, 
would  have  supported  the  charge?  Why  not  bo^ly  come  out, 
and  announce  to  the  citizens  of  Pennsylvania:  I  did  not  advise 
the  cabinet  to  be  equally  poised.  I  did  not  wish  to  see  two  fe- 
deralists and  two  republicans  in  power — so  far,  Ihe  report  is  not 
strictly  correct:  but  1  did  not  advise  your  president  to  amalga- 
mate the  parties,  and  select  his  officers  'without  regard  to  par- 
ty?' Why  did  he  shrink  from  this  frank  and  manly  mode  of  pro- 
ceeding? 

"When  recently  he  found  that  Mr.  Lowrie  was  tearing  away 
the  veil  which  covered  his  correspondence — that  the  public 
voice  began  loudly  to  call  for  the  original  papers,  why  does  gen. 
Jackson  design  to  quibble  about  it — to  shelter  himself  under 
miserable  forms,  and  overlook  the  very  essence  of  things?  Was 
this  the  course  which  became  gen.  Jackson?  the  man,  whom  a 
grateful  country  had  hailed  as  the  first  of  her  heroes?  Was  this 
consistent  with  the  spirit  of  the  man,  who  boasts  that  he  has 
'no  disposition  either  to  disguise  or  to  suppress  liis  sentiments' — 
that  his  'opinions  and  sentiments,  such  as  they  have  been  spo- 
ken or  written  at  any  time,  each  and  every  one  are  at  all  times 
welcome  to." 

"It  may  he  yet  necessary  for  the  people  to  avail  themselves 
farther  of  his  frankness,  Perhaps  they  may  desire  to  seethe 
presidential  bureau  ransacked  for  farther  dispatcher  from  gen. 
Jackson.  In  this  way  they  may  have  a  better  insight  into  his 
temper — of  his  political  principles  they  cannot  ask  for  more. 
He  has  given  us  his  own  credit:  and  if  the  democrats  of  Penn- 
sylvania like  it,  why  let  them  take  it  with  its  author  into  their 
affections. 

"As  to  Mr.  Lowrie,  he  had  fearful  odds  to  encounter.  His 
veracity  was  attacked— and  he  had  at  once  to  contend  with  the 
declarations  of  the  president,  of  gen.  Jackson,  and  of  his  own 
colleague.  The  facts  have  at  last  come  out;  and  they  mainly 
support  lii?  proposition.  Throughout  the  whole  of  this  myste- 
rious and  complicated  affair,  he  has  conducted  himself  with  a 
discretion  and  a  dignity,  which  command  our  respect." 

But,  after  all,  we  suppose  that  the  terms  objected  to 
•will  still  be  used — ad  ciifitantlntn;  and  that  persons  who 
would  have  felt  themselves  personally  insulted  if  called 
"democrats"  a  few  years  ago,  will  have  no  repugnance 
to  cast  upon  others,  with  scorn,  their  own  late  beloved  ap- 
pellation of  "federalists. "  But,  qiianl.  suf. 


*The  "Lowrie  affair,"  as  it  was  called,  and  the  correspon- 
dence on  the  subject  of  Mr.  Hay,  Mr.  Kremer,  gen.  Jackson. 
&c.  with  the  letter  to  Mr.  Monroe  referred  to,  may  all  be  found 
in  the  26th  volume  of  the  I!KOISTKR.  A  reference  to  it  will 
present  some  curious  facts  to  patent  "democrats.''  En.  REC. 


THE  GENERAL  POST  OFFKT,. 
From  the  National  Intelligencer  of  June  10. 

In  the  senate,  yesterday,  Mr.  Ewmg  (of  Ohio)  from  the  com- 
mittee on  the  post  ofiice,  made  the  long  looked  lor  report  on  the 
affuiis  of  that  establishment.  It  was  read  at  the  secretary's 
table,  and  the  reading  of  it,  which  we  listened  to  with  jreal  at- 
tention, occupied  more  than  two  hours. 

Of  a  document  of  such  great  length,  we  shall  not  venture  to 
give,  from  the  mere  hearing,  any  thing  like  an  analysis.  De- 
feriing  the  full  satisfaction  of  our  readers  in  this  particular,  until 
we  can  publish  the  report  at  large,  (which  shall  be  as  soon  ag 
practicable),  we  must  content  ourselves,  for  to-day,  with  an  at- 
tempt to  sketch  its  general  complexion. 

The  report  sets  out  with  stating,  as  the  result  of  the  investi- 
gations by  the  committee,  that  the  department  is  largely  insol- 
vent. In  addition  to  which,  the  committee  report  that  the  post- 
master general  has,  from  time  to  time,  borrowed  large  sums  of 
money  for  the  use  of  the  po.«t  office,  without  any  authority  of 
law.  Some  of  these  loans,  it  is  stated,  were  made  during  the 
last  session  of  congress,  at  the  commencement  of  which  the 
postmaster  general  had  reported  the  department  to  be  in  pos- 
session of  a  considerable  surplus  of  funds.  The  report  goes  on 
to  state  the  debts  and  credits  of  the  department,  as  nearly  as 
can  be  ascertained,  whereby  it  appears  that  the  general  post 
ofiice  is  insolvent  by  eight  hundred  and  three  throusand  six 
hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars  beyond  all  its  resources. 

Comparing  the  expenses  of  the  post  office  establishment  for 
four  years  preceding  the  commencement  of  the  present  admi- 
nistration, with  the  four  years  following  them,  it  is  stated  by  the 
committee  that  the  expense  of  the  last  four  years  exceeded  that 
of  the  preceding  four  years,  by  three  millions  three  hundred 
and  thirty-eight  thousand  dollars.  Within  the  last  term  of  four 
years,  it  is  true,  some  few  mail  routes  have  been  established; 
but  their  aggregate  expense  bears  but  a  very  small  proportion 
to  the  amount  of  the  excess  thus  ascertained.  This  excess  of 
expenditure,  and  consequent  insolvency  of  the  post  office,  is 
mainly  attributed  to  mill  administration  and  favoritism  in  the 
making  of  contracts  and  extra  allowances,  of  which  the  report 
goes  on  to  spread  out  in  detail  a  number  of  particular  cases,  as 
a  sample  of  the  whole. 

The  report  declares  the  reports,  statements,  and  estimates  of 
the  officers  of  the  post  office  to  be  so  erroneous  nnd  defective 
as  little  to  be  relied  upon:  so  little,  that  unfavorable  as  are  the 
conclusions  which  the  committee  arrives  at,  it  is  more  probable 
that  they  fall  far  short  of,  rather  than  exceed  the  reality.  In 
proof  of  whiclv,  among  other  circumstances,  it  is  stated  that  in 
the  number  of  miles  in  a  year  travelled  by  the  mails,  as  detailed 
in  the  annual  report  of  the  postmaster  general,  there  is,  by  ac- 
curate computation,  error  to  the  amount  of  no  less  than  seven 
millions  two  hundred  thousand  miles.  The  report  points  out 
also  many  discrepancies  between  the  statements  in  the  Blue 
Book  (thus  designating  the  biennial  report  of  official  expenses 
made  to  congress),  and  official  and  other  statements,  as  to  the 
amounts  of  contracts,  extra  allowances  and  contingent  expen- 
ses, showing  great  inaccuracy  and  confusion  in  the  accounts 
and  administration  of  the  department. 

The  report  also  condemns  the  practice,  which  is  proved  to 
have  prevailed,  of  pledging  the  department  for  loans  obtained 
by  contractors,  and  in  turn  making  use  of  the  natncs  of  con- 
tractors to  obtain  money  for  the  use  of  the  department.  In  con- 
nection with  which,  the  committee  allude  to  certain  money 
transactions  between  contractors  and  individuals  in  office  in 
the  department,  which  have  come  out  in  evidence  before  the 
committee,  and  which  they  particularise,  but  submit  without 
comment  to  the  senate. 

The  contingent  expenditures  of  the  department,  the  allow- 
ances of  money  to  travelling  agents,  the  payment  of  money  to 
printers  in  various  shapes,  (he  employment  of  printers  as  con- 
tractors, &c.  and  other  matters  which  "hrinj;  the  patronage  of 
the  government  in  conflict  with  the  freedom  of  election,"  are 
handled  with  great  force  and  somo  severity  by  the  committee: 
and  the  report  ends  with  a  series  of  resolutions  declaratory  of 
errors,  abuses  and  defects,  mostly  imputable  to  the  administra- 
tion of  the  post  office,  hut  in  part  also  inherent  in  the  system 
itself,  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  have  increased, 
are  increasing,  and  ought  to  be  diminished. 

Upon  the  whole,  it  will  be  allowed  on  all  hands,  when  the  re- 
port of  the  committee  comes  to  be  read,  that  it  affords  in  itself 
the  best  explanation  of  the  term,  "a  searching  operation  in  the 
government"  that  has  yet  heen  made. 

We  add,  in  fairness,  from  an  exposition  in  the  "Globe,"  some 
paragraphs  having  a  direct  reference  to  the  facts  stated  in  the 
preceding.  The  parts  which  relate  to  individuals  named,  as 
none  are  so  given  in  the  article  taken  from  the  "National  Intel- 
ligencer" are,  of  course,  omitted. 

This  report  [the  counter  report  of  Messrs.  Grundy  and  RoMn- 
san]  accounts  satisfactorily  for  the  deficit  in  the  finances  of  the 
department.  It  shows  that  the  yearly  income  was  deficient 
before  the  present  incumbent  came  into  office — that  a  diminu- 
tion of  its  funds  had  commenced  more  than  a  year  before — and 
that  they  had  declined,  at  the  time  of  his  taken  possession  of 
the  department,  about  $100.000;  and  that  the  falling  off  continu- 
ed from  its  beginning,  in  18-27,  or  early  in  1828,  to  the  close  of  the 
last  year.  It  shows  that  the  debt  of  the  department  bryond 
its  available  means,  is  about  .*300,000,  which  debt  rests  on  the 
credit  of  the  department,  and  not  of  the  treasury — that  the  post- 


268     NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— REPORT  ON  THE  PUBLIC  LANDS. 


master  general,  by  an  illusory  system  which  had  ever  prevailed 
of  accounting  for  the  expenses  of  the  department,  had  not 
known  its  real  condition  in  time  to  prevent  the  embarrassment; 
but  so  soon  as  the  cause  was  disclosed,  the  corrective  was  ap- 
plied. It  shows  the  improvements  which  the  present  pcist- 
tnaster  general  has  made  in  his  system  of  accountability,  and 
the  security  of  the  funds  of  the  department. 

It  also  recommends  a  more  perfect  organization  of  tha  depart- 
ment, by  sub-officers  holding  the  appointment  from  the  execu- 
tive and  senate,  as  in  other  departments;  and  assigns  as  the  rea- 
son why  this  has  not  buen  done  at  an  earlier  day,  that  the  de- 
partment was  email  in  its  beginning,  and  that  the  rapidity  of 
its  growth  has  gone  before  the  proper  action  of  congress,  but 
that  action  could  be  no  longer  delayed. 

The  counter  report  of  Messrs.  Grundy  and  Robinson  shows 
satisfactorily,  that  when  a  contract  is  made  different  from  what 
baa  been  stated  to  congress,  in  the  annual  report  of  contract, 
il  is  occasioned  by  a  change  made  in  service  required  subse- 
quent to  the  acceptance  of  the  proposal,  and  that  it  is  a  differ- 
ence which  the  ancient  practice  of  the  department  was  always 
liable  to  exhibit  and  which  was  often  actually  exhibited  under 
the  former  administration  of  the  department;  but  that  the  pre* 
sent  postmaster  general  has  recently  corrected  it. 

It  shows  that  under  the  present  administration,  there  is  a  sys- 
tem introduced  into  the  department,  of  keeping  books  in  which 
all  the  mail  routes  are  entered  in  numerical  order,  with  the 
number  of  miles  in  the  length  of  each  route,  the  names  of  the 
several  post  offices  on  it,  the  distance  from  one  to  another,  the 
manner  in  which  the  mail  is  transported  on  each  route,  and  the 
number  of  trips  in  a  day,  a  week  or  a  year.  From  these  books, 
the  exact  length  of  post  roads  is  ascertained  to  have  been,  in 
1832,  104,467  miles— in  1833,  it  is  ascertained  to  have  been 
119,916  miles — showing  that  the  law  of  1832,  establishing  new 
post  routes,  added  15,449  miles  to  the  length  of  post  roads,  more 
than  one-seventh  part  of  ail  the  post  roads  in  the  U.  States,  prior 
to  that  time.  From  these  books  it  is  also  ascertained,  that  the 
annual  transportation  of  the  mail  in  1832,  was  24,633,330.  This 
is  a  little  more  than  what  the  postmaster  general  reported  at 
that  time;  and  the  incorrectness,  of  the  statement  of  the  ma- 
jority, is  clearly  demonstrated. 

(The  other  parts  of  the  exposition  in  the  "Globe"  relate  to 
the  cases  of  the  rev.  Mr.  Brown,  a  clerk  in  the  department,  to 
Mr.  Recside,  a  contractor,  and  to  certain  matters  stated  as  to 
the  expenses  for  printing.] 


REPORT  ON  THE  PUBLIC  LANDS. 

[PRESENTED  BY  MR.  CLAY.] 

In  the  senate  of  the  United  States— May  2,  1834. 
The  committee  on  the  public  lands,  to  which  was  referred  the 
message  of  the  president  of  the  4lh  December,  1833,  returning 
with  his  objections,  the  bill  which  had  originated  in  the  se- 
nate, and  had  passed  both  houses  of  congress  at  the  preceding 
session,  entitled  "an  act  to  appropriate,  for  a  limited  time,  the 
proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public  lands  of  the  U.  Slates,  and 
for  granting  land  to  certain  states;"  and  to  which  has  also  been 
referred  a  new  bill,  with  the  same  title,  introduced  into  the 
senate  at  the  present  session  of  congress,  has,  according  to 
order,  had  under  consideration  both  the  subjects  thus  refer 
red  to  it,  and  beg  leave  now  to 

REPORT: 

That  the  committee  has  examined  and  considered  the  message 
of  the  president  with  all  the  respect  and  attention  due  to  a  co-or- 
dinate branch  of  the  government,  and  being,  after  mature  and 
deliberate  consideration,  unable  to  coincide  with  the  president 
in  all  his  reasoning  and  conclusions,  the  committee  requests  the 
indulgence  of  the  senate  in  submitting  the  views  and  opinions 
which  it  entertains  on  the  several  matters  presented  or  discuss- 
ed by  the  president. 

The  committee,  in  the  first  place,  must  express  its  regret 
that  a  bill  which  had"  passed  by  the  last  congress  should  have 
been  retained  by  the  president  until  the  commencement  of  the 
present.  By  the  constitution,  the  president  is  invested  witli 
power  to  negative  any  bill  which  shall  have  passed  both  houses 
of  congress;  but  this  power,  which  was  conferred  not  so  mucl 
for  legislative  purposes  as  to  enable  the  executive  branch  o 
government  to  protect  itself  against  encroachments  which  mighi 
possibly  be  attempted  upon  its  lawful  authority,  is  limited  am 
qualified  by  the  express  provisions  of  the  constitution.  Ac- 
cording to  these,  when  the  president  does  negative  a  bill,  he 
is  required  to  return  it,  and,  if  it  again  pass  each  house  by  a 
majority  of  two-thirds,  it  becomes  a  law,  notwithstanding  the 
president's  negative.  By  retaining  this  bill,  and  not  return- 
ing it  to  the  congress  which  passed  it,  the  qualified  veto  of  the 
president,  was  converted,  in  effect,  into  an  absolute  veto.  Con 
gress  has  lost  all  power  uver  the  bill;  Hi"  last  congress  bavins, 
ceased  to  exist  cannot  act  upon  it;  and  the  present  congresi 
cannot  act  upon  it,  because  it  did  not  p'tss  it.  I'y  thus  retaining 
a  bill,  its  passage  into  a  law  may  be  defeated  by  the  pre.-idrm 
although  if  he:  were  to  return  it  to  the  congress  which  passed  it 
with  his  objections,  it  might  be  again  parsed  by  a  constitution:! 
majority  of  two-thirds;  and  such  the  committee  believes  u-ouli 
have  been  the  case  if  the  bill  in  question  had  been  returned  by 
the  prefidcnl  to  tin-  last  con:.'! ess. 

The  framers  of  the  constitution,  anticipating  the  possihl  •  at 
tempts  of  a  chief  magistrate  to  defeat  the  passage  of  bills  whirl 
l»ad  passed  both  houses  of  congress,  by  retainim!  them  an  hide 
Anile  lens-ill  of  time,  prescribed  a  perigd  within  which  they 
•fcuuld  be  returned  by  him,  or  become  laws  without  his  approba 


ion.  "If  any  bill, "(says  the  constitution)  "shall  not  be  returned 
iy  the  president  within  ten  days,  (Sundays  excepted),  after  it 
ball  have  been  presented  to  him,  the  same  shall  be  a  law  in  like 
manner  as  if  hu  had  signed  it,  unless  the  congress,  by  their  ad- 
ournment,  prevent  its  return,  in  which  case  it  shall  not  be  a 
aw."  I  (it  should  be  argued  that  the  bill  in  question,  having  been 
irtsented  to  the  president  on  the2d  of  March,  1833,  and  the  sess- 
ion closing  on  the  3d,  congress  had,  by  its  adjournment  pre- 
vented its  return  within  the  period  limited  by  the  constitution, 
wo  answers  present  themselves:  1st.  It  was  not  an  adjourn- 
nent  but  a  dissolution  of  congress.  The  termination  of  the 
alternate,  or,  as  it  is  usually  called,  the  short  session  of  con- 
ress,  is  fixed  in  the  constitution.  It  is  the  end  of  the  congress; 
t  is  on  that  d.iy  dissolved.  The  day  never  comes  by  surprise 
or  unexpectedly,  but  is  known  at  the  commencement  of  the 
ession,  arid  through  the  whole  progress  of  it.  It  cannot,  there- 
"bre,  be  said,  in  the  language  of  the  constitution,  that  congress, 
iy  their  adjournment,  prevented  the  return  of  this  bill.  That 
>rovision  of  the  constitution  must  be  understood  to  refer  to 
:ases  of  adjournment  depending  upon  the  will  of  congress,  and 
o  have  been  designed  to  guard  the  president  against  the  effects 
if  a  sudden  and  unforeseen  adjournment  ordered  by  congress 
tself.  A  consideration  giving  additional  strength  to  this  ground 
s  derived  from  the  fact  of  a  change  of  the  presidential  incuin- 
ient.  This  bill  was  presented  to  the  president  the  day  before 
he  expiration  of  his  official  term;  and,  constitutionally,  he  had 
10  right  to  communicate  this  message  to  the  senate.  Suppose  he 
tad  been  succeeded  by  another,  who  would  have  had  the  right 
o  the  possession  of  the  bill?  Not  the  old  president,  because  he 
was  out  of  office;  not  the  new,  because  he  was  not  in  office 
when  the  bill  passed;  and  neither  of  them,  therefore,  could 
lave  returned  it  to  the  senate,  with  or  without  an  accotnpany- 
ng  message.  On  the  3d  of  March,  1817,  the  day  of  Mr.  Madi- 
son's final  retirement  from  the  office  of  president,  the  bill  set- 
ting apart  the  bonus  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  for  in- 
.ernal  improvements  was  presented  to  him.  Although  it  was  a 
lighly  important  bill,  involving  a  grave  and  much  controverted 
constitutional  question,  short  as  the  time  was  for  a  due  consi- 
deration of  it,  he  examined  and  returned  it  with  his  objections, 
jrobably,  among  other  masons,  because  he  knew  thai  his  suc- 
cessor could  not  act  upon  it. 

2.  This  bill  had  passed  at  a  previous  session  of  the  senate, 
(1832-3)  in  the  shape  in  which,  with  one  modification,  it  was 
presented  to  the  president.  Copies  of  the  bill  prior  to  its  pas- 
sage, at  both  sessions,  had  been  laid  before  tin-  president.  He 
Had  treated  the  subject  and  demonstrated  his  possession  of  a 
knowledge  of  the  bill  in  his  message  at  the  opening  of  the  ses- 
sion in  December,  1832.  When,  therefore,  the  bill  was  present- 
ed to  him  for  his  approbation  on  the  second  of  March,  1833,  he 
must  have  been  familiar  with  it. 

The  commiKee,  therefore,  thinks  that,  under  all  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case,  the  bill  ought  to  have  been  returned  to  the 
last  congress.  By  withholding  it,  the  president  deprived  that 
congress  of  its  constitutional  right,  to  reconsider  the  bill,  and 
determine  whether  it  ought  not  to  pass,  after  giving  due  weight 
to  his  objections. 

Parsing  from  this  view  of  the  subject,  which  the  committee 
thought  it  proper  to  present  in  respect  to  the  constitutional 
rights  of  the  legislative  and  executive  branches  of  the  govern- 
ment, il  will  now  proceed  to  consider  more  particularly  the  spe- 
cific objections  to  the  bill  contained  in  the  president's  message. 
-  The  president  "is  fully  sensible  of  the  importance,  as  it  re- 
spects both  the  harmony  and  union  of  the  states,  of  making  as 
soon  as  circumstances  wiil  allow  of  it,  a  proper  and  final  dis- 
position of  the  whole  subject  of  the  public  lands."  This  bill, 
however,  he  thinks  docs  not  effect  that  object;  il  contemplates 
an  arrangement  which  is  not  permanent  but  limited  to  five 
years  only;  allows  of  alterations  within  that  lime  by  congress; 
and  furnishes  no  adequate  security  against  the  continual  agita- 
tion of  the  subject. 

It  is  difficult  to  conceive  of  any  plan,  other  than  that  of  a 
total  abandonment  and  surrender  of  the  whole  public  domain, 
which  would  preclude  occasional  legislation  by  congress  in  re- 
spect to  it.  Such  a  relinqiiishment  thr  president  indeed  tinti- 
mately  proposes;  but  the  committee  believes  that  neither  the 
interests  of  the  union  would  be  promoted  by,  nor  are  the  opi- 
nions of  the  people  prepared  for,  a  surrender,  immediate  or  re- 
mote, of  the  vast  public  domain  of  the  United  Suites,  because 
of  any  inconvenience,  real  or  imacinary,  resulting  from  the  oc- 
casional legislation  of  congress.  The  president  objects  to  the 
temporary  character  of  the  act;  and,  yet  towards  the  clo=e  of  his 
message,  when  he  appeals  to  the  people  of  the  new  states,  and 
holds  out  the  prospect  of  a  reduction  of  the  price,  he  says:  "It 
is  true  the  bill  reserves  to  congress  tho  power  to  reduce  the 
prices,  but  the  effect  of  its  details,  as  now  arranged,  would  pro- 
bably be/or  erer  to  prevent  its  exeroif-e."  The  committee  is  at 
a  loss  to  comprehend  how  congress  should  be  for  ercr  re«train- 
eil  from  reducing  the  price  of  the  public  lands  by  a  temporary 
bill,  the  too  brief  period  of  whose  existence,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  president,  constitute!!  a  serious  objection  to  its  passage. 
K»pecially  since,  within  the  short  period  of  five  years  to  which 
it  is  limited,  there  is  an  express  reservation  of  the  right  of  con- 
gress at  any  time  to  reduce  the  price. 

The  bill  proposes,  upon  just  and  equitable  principles,  to  di- 
vide among  the  several  states  the  proceed*  of  a  property  com- 
mon to  them  all,  for  a  period  of  5  years.  If  its  practical  opera- 
tion shall  be  fun  ml  to  renli/.e  the  expectations  which  it  hold* 
out,  il  will  be  competent  to  congress  to  continue  it,  from  time  to 


ILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— REPORT  ON  THE  PUBLIC  LANDS.    269 


time,  with  or  without  the  modifications.  And  it  is  only  upon  the 
presumption  of  its  reconciling  itself,  by  experience,  to  the  pub- 
lic sense  of  justice  and  expediency,  that  the  president,  in  the 
quotation  made  from  his  message  as  to  one  of  its  features,  can 
anticipate  its  permanent  operation. 

The  president  next  proceeds  to  trace  historically  the  right  of 
the  United  Slates  to  the  public  domain.  This  had  been  several 
times  previously  done  by  committees  of  the  senate,  and  particu- 
larly by  a  committee  which  reported  the  bill  on  the  16th  day  of 
April,  1832,  that  first  passed  the  senate  for  dividing  among  the 
several  states  the  proceeds  of  the  public  lands.  That  report  of 
the  committee  comprised  a  full  exposition  of  the  right  of  the 
United  States  to  the  public  domain  whether  situated  within  the 
limits  of  the  original  thirteen  states,  or  acquired  by  the  treaties 
of  Louisiana  and  Florida;  and  also  of  the  principles  on  which 
it  was  proposed  to  divide  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public 
lands  among  the  stales.  And  as  your  commillee  concurs  in  the 
leading  facts  and  principles  in  that  report,  it  begs  leave  to  refer 
to  it,  to  annex,  and  lo  make  it  a  part  of  ihis  report,  to  be  pub 
li-'hcd  with  it. 

The  senate  will  bear  in  mind  that  much  the  most  extensive 
portion  of  the  public  domain  was  acquired  by  treaty.  Over  the 
disposition  of  the  right  of  soil  thus  obtained,  there  is  no  contro 
or  limitation  upon  the  powers  of  congress  contained  in  the  trea- 
ties themselves;  and  congress  is  entirely  untrammelled  by  them  as 
to  any  disposition  of  it  winch  may  be  deemed  expedient.  But  the 
argument  contained  in  the  message  almost  wholly  excludes  thn 
larger  parl  of  the  public  domain,  and  is  restricted  to  the  consi 
deration  of  the  powers  of  congress  in  respect  to  that  portion  of 
it  which  is  contained  within  the  ancient  limits  of  the  United 
States. 

After  having  deduced  the  title  of  the  United  States  to  that 
part  of  the  public  lands  which  seems  principally  to  have  engaged 
the  president's  attention,  from  the  deeds  of  cession  and  other 
public  acts  and  documents,  the  message  comes  to  three  con- 
clusions: 

"1.  That  one  of  the  fundamental  principles  on  which  the 
confederation  of  the  United  States  was  originally  based,  was, 
that  the  waste  land  of  the  west  within  their  limits  should  be 
the  common  property  of  the  United  States. 

"9.  That  those  lands  were  ceded  lo  the  United  States  by  the 
states  which  claimed  them,  and  the  cessions  were  accepted,  on 
the  express  condition  that  they  should  be  disposed  of  for  the 
common  benefit  of  the  states,  according  to  their  respective  pro- 
portions in  the  general  charge  and  expenditure,  and  for  no  other 
purpose  whatsoever. 

"3.  That,  in  execution  of  these  solemn  compacts,  the  con- 
gress of  the  United  States  did,  under  the  confederation,  proceed 
to  sell  these  lands,  and  put  the  avails  into  the  common  treasu- 
ry; and,  under  the  new  constitution,  did  repeatedly  pledge  them 
for  the  payment  of  the  public  debt  of  the  United  States,  by  which 


by  treaties  with  foreign  powers,  the  authority  of  congress  to  dis- 
loso  of  them  is  unaffected  by  the  articles  of  confederation,  nr 
.he  deeds  of  cession,  and  depends  upon  the  third  section  of  the 
fourth  article  of  the  constitution.  And  an  to  the  residue,  the 
states  that  executed  the  deeds  of  cession  being  also  parties  to 
the  constitution,  and  having  adopted  it  as  separate  and  distinct 
communities,  were  competent  to  extend  the  powers  of  congress, 
the  common  trustee  for  all  the  slates,  over  the  trust  property 
which  had  been  previously  conveyed,  if  they  thought  proper. 

By  the  articles  of  confederation,  contributions  were  made 
by  the  several  states  of  specific  gums,  apportioned  among  them 
to  the  purposes  of  the  general  government.  And  the  clause,  in 
several  of  the  deeds  of  cession,  which  provides  that  the  ceded 
lands  shall  be  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  states  composing 
the  union,  according  to  their  usual  respective  proportions  in  tke 
general  charge  and  expenditure,  clearly  refers  to  those  contribu- 
tions which  lurnished  a  distinct  and  intelligible  rule  by  which 
tin1  proportion  of  each  state  in  the  general  charge  and  expendi- 
ture could  be  ascertained.  By  the  new  government,  contribu- 
tions were  no  longer  to  be  made  by  the  states;  but  the  treasury 
was  to  be  supplied  by  taxes,  direct  and  indirect,  levied  upon 
.the  nmss  of  the  community.  The  taxes  which  have  been  ac- 
cordingly levied,  have  been  chiefly  upon  consumption;  so  that 
it  is  impracticable  lo  ascerlain  what  amount  is  now  in  fact  con- 
tributed by  ihe  people  of  each  stale  towards  the  expenditure  of 
the  general  government.  And  as  the  amount  of  contributions 
cannot  be  ascertained,  it  is  impossible  to  say  whether  each  of 
the  states  composing  the  union  does  derive  benefit  from  the 
public  lands  in  proportion  to  its  charge  in  the  general  expendi- 
ture. And  it  is  far  from  being  certain  that,  in  the  actual  appro- 
priation which  has  been  made  of  the  proceeds  of  the  public 
lands,  there  has  not  been  a  constant  departure  from  the  rule 
prescribed  in  the  deeds  of  cession. 

There  may  be  ground  for  difference  of  opinion  whether  the 
change  of  government  in  the  particularwhich  has  been  noticed, 
induced  the  Cramers  of  ihe  constitution  to  enlarge  the  power  of 
congress,  and  whether  they  have,  in  fact,  enlarged  it  over  the 
public  lands  which  had  been  previously  ceded  by  some  of  the 
states.  But,  as  to  all  other  territory  and  properly  of  the  United 
States,  congress  possesses  ample,  power  to  regulate  and  dispose 
of  it.  It  is  expressly  provided  by  article  IV.  section  3d:  "The 
congress  shall  have  power  to  dispose  of,  and  make  all  needful 
rules  and  regulations  respecting  the  territory  and  other  properly 
of  the  United  Stales,  and  nothing  in  this  constitution  shall  be 
so  construed  as  to  prejudice  any  claims  of  the  United  Stales  or 
any  parlicular  slate." 

This  power  to  dispose  of  all  the  public  domain,  except  that 
ceded  by  the  states  is  full  and  complete,  and  depends  upon  the 
sound  discrelion  of  congress.  The  practice  of  the  government 
demonstrates,  indeed,  Ihe  common  belief,  lhat  the  power  of 


pledge  each  slate  was  expected  to  profit  in  proportion  to  the 
general  charge  to  be  made  upon  it  for  that  object. 

"These  are  the  first  principles  of  this  whole  subject,  which, 
I  think,  cannot  be  contested  by  any  one  who  examines  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  revolutionary  congress,  the  cessions  of  ihe  se- 
veral slates,  and  the  acts  of  congress  under  the  new  constitu- 
tion. Keeping  them  deeply  impressed  upon  the  mind,  let  us 
proceed  to  examine  how  far  the  objects  of  the  cessions  have 
lieen  completed,  and  see  whether  those  compacts  are  not  still 
obligatory  upon  the  United  States. 

"The  debt  for  which  these  lands  were  pledged  by  congress 
may  be  considered  as  paid,  and  they  are  consequently  released 
from  that  lien." 

It  is  perfectly  true  that  the  waste  land  of  the  west  was  an  ob- 
ject of  great  interest  and  solicitude  with  several  of  the  states, 
and  especially  Ihe  state  of  Maryland,  during  the  revolutionary 
struggle;  that  they  rontended  that  what  might  be  won  by  com- 
mon sufferings,  sacrifices  and  exertions,  ought  to  be  common 
property,  and  thai  ihe  slates  within  whose  limits  those  lands 
were  situated,  yielding  to  the  voice  of  reason  and  justice,  and 
actuated  by  a  noble  spirit  of  union  and  harmony,  finally  made 
the  various  cessions  which  have  been  referred  to  by  Ihe  message. 
These  cessions  constituted  the  United  States  a  trustee  for  the 
whole  of  them  in  llie  management  and  disposal  of  the  common 
property.  It  otmht  to  be  regarded  as  a  sacred  and  inviolable 
trust;  and  all  ihe  consideraiions  growing  out  of  these  lands, 
which  threatened  to  distract  the  councils,  and  to  paralyze  the 
efforts  of  the  original  slates,  even  in  the  midst  of  lire  war  of  in- 
dependence, ought  still  lo  be  allowed  lo  have  Iheir  full  force  in 
dissuading  congress  from  making  any  alienation  of  lliis  common 
property  which  will  not  do  justice  to  every  member  of  the  union. 
The  committee,  therefore,  concurs  entirely  with  the  message 
in  the  position  that,  these  lands  were  ceded,  and  that  the  ces- 
sions were  accepted,  on  the  condition  that  they  should  be  dis- 
posed of  for  the  common  benefit  of  Ihe  slates,  according  to  their 
respective  proportions  in  the  general  charge  and  expenditure, 
and  for  no  other  purpose  whatever.  It  also  agrees  wilh  lire 
message  lhat,  both  under  the  articles  of  the  confederation,  and 
under  the  present  constitution,  the  avails  of  the  proceeds  of  the 
pales  of  the  public  lands  have  generally  gone  into  the  pulilic 
treasury;  thai  Ihey  have  been  pledged  lo  ihe  payment  of  the 
public  debt;  and  that  the  public  debt  may  be  considered  as  now 
paid,  and  the  lands  consequently  liberated  from  the  lien. 

But  the  committee  cannot  agree  wilh  the  message  that  the 
power  of  congress  over  all  the  public  lands  remains  under  the 
present  constitution  exactly  the  same  as  it  was  under  the  arti- 
eles  of  confederation.  As  to  those  which  liave  been  acquired 


uciiiuiiauaicD,   muccuj    IMC    VUUJIMUM    urnri,  iiiai    nit;    jiourr    vi 

congress  to  dispose  of  all  the  public  land,  whether  ceded  by 
states  or  acquired  from  foreign  nations,  is  unrestricted.  Grants 
have  been  accordingly  made  of  portions  of  it  for  almost  every 
conceivable  purpose.  More  than  tight  millions  and  a  JiMf  of 
acres  have  been  granled  for  education;  upwards  of  iwo  millions 
for  internal  improvements  in  parlicular  stales;  several  for  mili- 
tary bounties;  and  large  quantities  hare  been  bestowed,  in 
gratuity,  for  seats  of  government,  on  private  charities  in  parti- 
cular slates,  and  on  private  individuals.  The  right  of  pre-emp- 
tion has  been  also  conferred  and  continued  to  large  classes  of 
individuals. 

The  president  himself  was  supposed  lo  entertain  the  opinion 
that  there  was  no  restriction  on  the  power  of  congress  over  any 
part  of  the  public  domain.  In  his  message  of  December  4, 1833, 
at  the  opening  of  the  session  of  congress,  speaking  of  the  pulilic 
land,  he  says:  "It  is  in  the  discretion  of  congress  to  dispose  of 
them  in  such  way  as  best  to  conduce  to  Ihe  quiet,  harmony  and 
general  interest  of  the  American  people." 

After  this  clear  admission  of  the  unqualified  power  of  con- 
gress over  the  subject,  the  committee  has  seen  with  surprise 
the  assertion  in  the  message  that  the  bill  begins  with  an  entire 
subversion  of  every  one  of  the  compacts  by  which  the  United 
States  became  possessed  of  their  western  domain.  The  first 


section  of  the  bill  allows  to  the  seven  new  states 


per  cent. 


out  of  the  net  amount  of  the  sales  of  the  public  lands  made 
within  their  respective  limits  prior  to  any  distribution  among 
the  twenty-four  states.  The  message  treats  this  allowance  to 
the  new  states  as  a  deduction  of  one-eighth  from  the  whole 
amount  of  the  proceeds  of  the  public  lands  in  all  parts  of  ihe 
United  States;  but  the  allowance  is  expressly  confined  to  sales 
within  the  new  states,  to  the  exclusion  of  sales  made  in  the  se- 
veral territories,  that  is,  Ohio,  arid  each  of  the  oilier  seven 
states,  is  by  the  provision  of  the  first  section  to  receive  twelve 
and  a  half  per  cent,  upon  the  net  amount  arising  from  sales 
within  their  respective  limits. 

This  extra  allowance  is  deemed  by  the  president  to  be  eon, 
trary  to  the  terms  of  Ihe  deeds  of  cession.  In  what  respect  he 
does  not  aHlege,  but  it  is  presumed  that  he  refers  lo  ihe  Mipula- 
lion  contained  in  those  deeds  for  a  perfect  equality  among  the 
several  states.  As  each  state  was  to  he  entilled  to  equal  bene- 
fit in  the  lands  ceded,  subject  only  to  the  condition  that  it  should 
be  according  to  its  usual  proportion  in  the  general  charge  and 
expenditure,  the  messaee  considers  thai  rule  to  be  violaied  by 
assiL'iiing  to  the  new  states  twelve  and  a  half  per  cent,  prior  to 
the  general  distribution.  The  president  is  supposed  to  insist 
upon  absolute  equality  among  the  old  and  the  new  states:  and 
that  no  one  of  them  should  obtain  more  than  a  fair  and  just  pro- 
portion of  a  common  property. 


270     NiLES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— REPORT  ON  THE  PUBLIC  LANDS. 


But  how  are  ihese  principles  to-  be  reconciled  with  the  plan 
btought  forward  by  the  president  in  his  message  of  the  4th  of 
December,  1832,  and  again  presented  in  his  message  under  con- 
sideration.' According  to  that  plan,  he  recommends  that  the 
public  Kinds  be  no  longer  regarded  as  u  source  of  revenue;  that 
thfc  price  be  reduced  so  low  as  merely  to  reimburse  the  expense 
of  the  survey  and  the  Bale  of  them;  and  that,  at  no  very  distant 
day,  the  whole  of  the  unsold  lands  should  l>e  relinquished  to  the 
new  slates,  and  all  the  machinery  and  control  of  the  general 
government  forever  withdrawn  from  the  new  slates. 

If  congress  may  1:1:1111   the  whole  of  the  public  lands  to  the 
new  states,  it  may  certainly  grant  one  eighth   part  of  them,  o 
one-eighth  part  of  their  proceeds,  unless  the  logical  rule  be  fals 
that  the  major  includes  the  minor.     If  it  be  consistent  with  th 
term*  of  the  deeds  of  cession,  so  emphatically  dwell  on  by  th 
president,   to  surrender  forever  the  public  lands  to  the  new 
stales,  within  which  they  are  respectively  situated,  it  can  ban 
ly  be  deemed   repugnant  to  the   same   deeds   to  assign  to  then 
for  a  short   period,  one-eighth   part  of  the   net  proceeds  of  th 
lands  situated  within  their  limits. 

The  message  seems  to  consider  the  extra  allowance  to  th 
new  states  as  involving  a  new  principle  unsanctioned  by  th 
practice  of  the  government,  and  as  a  jiiatuity  which  cannot  b 
granted  without  manliest  departure  from  the  principles  of  e<]iiit 
which  should  regulate  the  disposal  of  the  public  lands  or  thei 
proceeds  among  all  the  states.  But  with  great  deference  th 
committee  is  unuble  to  agree  with  the  message  in  either  re.-pecl 

1.  As  to  the  practice  of  the  government.     It  has  been  alread 
stated  that  congress  has  granted  to  the  new  slates,  for  purpose 
of  education,  upwards  of  eight  millions  of  acres  of  the  publ 
lands;  being  a  quantity  which  exceeds  by  more  than  a  fourth 
nil  the  pulilic  lands  ever  sold  by  the  federal  government.   It  ha 
also  granted  to  several  states  lands  for  seals  of  government;  an 
toVome  of  the  new  states  upwards  of  two  millions  and  a  quarte 
of  aoies  for  internal  improvement.-!.     And  by  the  compact  will 
each  of  the  new  states,  live  per  cent,  of  the  net  proceeds  of  th 
sales  of  the  public  lands,  within  their  several  limits,  is  rese.ive 
to  every  one  of  them  for  purposes  of  internal  improvement.     I 
these  various  grants,  displaying  both  the  liberality  and  the  jus 
lice  of  congress  towards   the  young  members  of  the   naliona 
family  who  have  established  themselves  in  the  wilderness,  di 
not  violate  the  deeds  of  cesssion,  or  transcend  the  duties  of  con 
Kress,  how  can  it  be  justly  contended  that  the  extra  allowance 
in  question  is  forbidden? 

2.  But  this  extra  allowance  is  not  a  gratuity.    The  apportion 
menl  of  the  proceeds  among  the  several  states  is  on  the  basis  o 
the  stale  of  the  population  as  asceitainerf  by  the  census  of  Jt^iO 
and  the  bill  proposes  to  observe  that  rule  in  the  distribution  dining 
the  whole  period  of  five  years  to  which  its  operation  is  limited 
But  as  the  increase  of  population  in  the  new  slates  is  in  a  ratio 
much  greater  than   in   ihe  old,  it  is  evident  that  a  strict  com 
pliauce  with  that  rule  would  operate  unjustly  upon    the   new 
states,  especially  in  the  latter  years  of  the  term.     The  increase 
of  population  in   Illinois,  for  example,  is  at  the  rate  of  eighteen 
and  a  half  per  cent,  per  annum.     Near  five  years  having  elaps- 
ed since  the  census   was  taken,  the  population   of  that  slate  is 
now  about  9-.3J   per  cent,  that  is,  almost  double  what  it   ihen 
was.   The  population  of  ihe  slale  of  Delaware,  on  the  contrary, 
has  increased  only  about  three  per  cent,  during  the  same  five 
years;  the  ratio   of  its  increase  from  1820  to  1830  having  been, 
for  the  whole  ten  years,  only  six  per  cent.  The  slate  of  I  Ilinois, 
theiefore,  would  receive  only  about  one-half  of  what  it  is  justly 
entitled  to  if  it  were  restricted  to  the  slate  of  its  population  in 
1829. 

Again;  the  extra  allowance  to  the  new  slates  is  lo  be  expend- 
ed on  educalion  and  internal  improvements.  The  United  6? tales 
being  a  great  land  proprietor  in  each  of  the  new  stales,  is  bound, 
upon  principles  of  equity  and  fairness,  to  contribute  towards 
the  improvement  of  the  moral  and  physical  condition  of  the 
now  states,  which  will  necessarily  tend  to  enhance  the  value  of 
the  property  of  the  United  States.  And,  in  making  the  extra 
allowance,  the  bill  proceeds  in  perfect  conformity  with  the  prin- 
ciples by  which  the  general  government  has  hitherto  invariably 
acted  in  granting  to  each  of  tlic-  new  stales  lands  for  schools, 
and  five  per  cent,  of  Ihe  nf  I  proceeds  of  sales  within  their  re- 
spective limits  for  objects  of  internal  improvement. 

The  committee  therefore  .must  confidently,  but  respectfully, 
dissent  from  the  assertion  in  the  message  that,  in  making  this 
extra  allowance,  the  bill  begins  with  an  entire  subversion  of 
every  one  of  the  compacts  by  which  ihe  United  Stales  became 
possessed  of  llieir  western  domain. 

The  bill  is  charged  by  tin;  message  with  a  violation  of  the 
deed*  of  cession,  in  adopting,  as  the  rule  of  distribution,  Hit- 
federal  representative  population,  instead  of  the  respective  and 
usual  proportions  (.I'lhe  several  states  in  the  general  charge  and 
expenditure.  The  rule  which  the  bill  adopts  is  plain,  pr.-tciica 
cable,  and  intrlligihle.  It  admits  of  ea-y  ascertainment  and 
easv  application.  Taxation  and  representation  go  h.ind  irr  hand; 
and,  in  assuming  a  rule  deduced  from  representation,  there  is 
no  reason  lo  believe  that  it  will  operate  unequally  in  re-peel 
I"  Ihe  taxation  to  which  the  people  of  the  United  Stales  are 
liable. 

A  division  among  the  states  according  to  their  respective  and 
Usii.il  proportions  in  the  general  charge  ami  expenditure  is  wholly 
impracticable,  because  il  is  noi  possible  to  ascertain  under  the 
present  constitution,  and  under  the  established  modes  of  collect- 
ing a  public  revenue,  what  amount  of  the  general  charge  and  ex 


of  cession,  as  before  remarked,  was  inserted  in  reference  to  tbe 
articles  of  confederation,  by  which  ihe  contribution  of  each  stale 
was  fixed  and  known.  Revenue  is  now  collected,  not  from  states 
in  their  sovereign  character,  but  from  the  mass  of  the  commu- 
nity, according  to  their  consumption.  Consequently,  it  is  al- 
together impracticable  to  ascertain  how  much  of  that  revenue, 
is  paid  by  the  citizens  ot  any  one  state.  It  may  be  argued  that 
since  it  is  impracticable,  il  is  most  proper  lhat  the  proceeds  of 
the  public  lands  should  go  into  the  common  treasury,  and  be 
thence  disbursed  in  the  common  expenditure.  Uut  it  is  far 
from  beingcertain  that  the  principle  of  equality  stipulated  in  Ihe 
cessions,  is  not  violated  to  a  greater  extent  by  such  an  appro- 
priation than  it  possibly  can  be  by  a  division  according  lo  re- 
presenlalive  population.  How  is  it  known  that  each  state  when 
the  proceeds  of  the  lands  pass  into  ihe  general  treasury,  is,  in 
their  subsequent  disbursements,  benefited  according  to  the  ex- 
acl  measure  of  its  due  proportion  in  the  general  charge  and  ex- 
penditure? 

In  considering  Ihe  power  of  congress  over  the  public  lands 
acquired  by  deeds  ol  cession  from  several  of  the  states,  the 
committee  thinks  it  useful  to  examine,  first,  the  terms  of  the 
dei  ds  themselves;  and,  secondly,  the  provision  in  the  constitu- 
tion. 

1.  Aa  the  cession  from  Virginia  was  by  far  the  most  imort- 
anl,  and  as  the  leims  of  the  deed  made  by  thai  slale  lo  the  U. 
Slates  do  not  materially  vary  Iroin  those  contained  in  ihe  deeds 
of  other  slates,  the  committee  will  inquire  whether  there  is  any 
thing  in  those  terms  which  can  be  fairly  interpreted  to  prohibit 
tin-  passage  of  ihe  bill.  The  only  clause  deemed  essential  in  the 
inquiry  is  the  following  condition  contained  in  the  deed,  to  wit: 
"That  all  the  land-  within  the  territory  so  ceded  to  the  U.  States, 
and  not  reserved  for,  or  appropriated  to,  any  of  the  before  men- 
tioned purposes,  or  disposed  of  in  bounties  to  the  officers  and 
soldiers  ol  the  American  army, shall  be  considered  as  a  common 
fund  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  such  of  the  U.  States  as  have  be- 
come, or  shall  become,  members  of  the  confederation,  or  fede- 
ral alliance  of  the  said  states,  Virginia  inclusive,  according  to 
their  usual  respective  proportions  in  the  general  charge  and  ex- 
pendilure,  and  shall  be  faithfully  and  bona  fide  disposed  of  for 
lhat  purpose,  and  for  no  other  use  or  purpose  whatsoever." 

This  deed  created  a  trust  in  ihe  U.  Stales  which  they  are  not 
at  liberty  to  violate.  l!ut  the  deed  does  not  require  thai  Ihe  fund 
should  be  disbursed  in  Ihe  payment  of  the  expanses  of  the  ge- 
neral government.  It  makes  no  such  provision  in  express  terms, 
nor  is  such  a  duty  on  the  part  of  the  irustee  fairly  dcducible 
from  Ihe  language  of  the  deed.  On  the  contrary,  the  language 
>f  the  deed  seems  to  contemplate  a  separate  use  and  enjoy- 
ment of  the  fund  by  the  states  individually,  rather  than  a  pre- 
servation of  il  tor  common  expenditure.  The  fund  itself  is  to  be 
a  common  fund  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  such  of  the  U.  States 
as  have  become,  or  shall  become  members  of  the  confederation 
or  federal  alliance,  Virginia  inclusive.  The  grant  is  not  for  the 
benefit  of  the  confederation,  but  for  lhat  of  the  several  states 
which  compose  the  confederation.  The  fund  is  to  be  under 
the  management  of  Ihe  confederation  collectively,  and  is  so  far 
a  common  fund;  but  it  is  to  be  managed  for  the  use  and  benefit 
of  the  states  individually,  and  is  so  tar  a  separate  fund  under  a 
oirit  management.  Whilst  there  was  a  debt  existing,  created 
jy  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  by  a  subsequent  war,  there 
was  a  fitness  in  applying  the  proceeds  of  a  common  fund  to  the 
discharge  of  a  common  debt,  which  reconciled  all;  but  that 
debt  being  now  discharged,  and  the  general  government  no 
"onger  standing  in  need  of  the  fund,  there  is  evident  propriety 
in  a  division  of  it  among  those  for  whose  use  and  benefit  it  was 
originally  designed,  and  whose  wants  require  it.  And  the  com- 
nillee  cannot  conceive  how  this  appropriation  of  it,  upon  prin- 
•iples  of  equality  and  justice  among  the  several  states,  can  be 
regarded  as  contrary  to  either  the  letter  or  spirit  of  the  deed. 

A  fund  may  be  common  to  various  copartners  in  the  collec- 
tion, control  and  government  of  it,  and  yet  the  use  and  actual 
enjoyment  may  be  separate  and  individual.     Entertaining  this 
iew,  the  committee  thinks  it  would  be  a  departure  from  the 
bligations  of  the  trust  to  ceds,  as  the  message  proposes,  the 
vhole  trii.it-property  to  particular  slates,  to  the  exclusion  of 
ithers.     The  committee,  on  the  contrary,  thinks  it  the  duty  of 
onpress  to  retain  the  control  of  the  fund,  and  to  administer  it 
or  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  several  slates  composing  tbe 
nion. 

2.  But  if  any  doubt  existed  as  to  the  right  of  congress,  under 
be  deeds  of  cession,  to  divide  the  proceeds  of  the  common 
roperly  among  Ihe  several  slates,  it  must  vanish  when  we  con- 
ider  the  provisions  of  the  constitution.  The  parties  to  the  con- 
titution  were  the  same  as  the  parlies  lo  ihe  deeds.  And  tn« 
doption  of  Ihe  constitution  was  as  much  the  separate  act  of 
.veil  state  as  was  the  execution  of  the  several  deeds  of  cession. 
'he  constitution,  too,  followed  the  execution  of  the  deed  by 
'irginia,  mid  that  of  every  other  state  bnt  one;  and  if  there  be 
ny  incompatibility  between  them.  Ihe  constitution,  being  in 
ointof  time  the  last  act,  must  control  the  operation  of  the 
revious  deeds. 

The  Unguage  of  Ihe  constitution  rs  explicit:  "The  congress 
hall  have  power  to  dispose  of,  and  makf  nil  needful  rules  and 
filiations  respecting  the  territory  or  oihtr  property  belonging 
>  the  United  Stales;  and  nothing  in  this  corr-titution  shall  be 
con-irned  ,-is  to  prejudice  any  claim  of  lire  Uniled  States;  or 
I  any  paiiicitlar  stall-."  The  power  to  dispose  of  the  territory 
nd  other  property  of  the  United  States  is  confided  to  Ihe  sound 


penditure  is  contributed  by  any  elate.    Thai  clause  in  the  deeds  '  discretion  of  congress  without  restriction.    To  guard  against 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— REPORT  ON  THE  PUBLIC  LANDS.     871 


the  effect  of  the  change  of  government  from  a  loose  confcderac 
to  ;ni  intimate  union,  it  is  declared  in  the  latter  part  of  the  cite 
clause,  that  nothing  ill  the  constitution  .shall  lie  so  construed  a 
to  prejudice  any  claims  of  the  United  Stairs.  And,  as  the  >lut< 
which  cedi.-d  the  western  lands,  had  ceded  them  with  ccrtai 
reservations,  and  they  or  other  states  might  have  claims  of 
territorial,  jurisdiclioiial  or  pecuniary  nanne,  under  the  conf 
deracy,  winch  it  was  apprehended,  without  an  express  reserva 
lion,  might  be  affected  by  the  change  of  government,  it  wa 
further  declared  that  nothing  in  the  constitution  should  be 
construed  us  to  prejudice  any  claims  of  any  parln.'nlar  state. 

Whether,  therefore,  the  aullioiity  of  congress  is  traced  to  th 
deeds  of  cession  or  to  the  constitution,  the  committee  deems 
fully  competent  to  the  passaue  of  the  hill. 

The  bill  is  equally  unfortunate  in  being  obnoxious  to  the  ob 
jections  of  the  message  whether  it  omits  or  imposes  any  r< 
striclions  upon  the  poivers  of  the  state  legislatures  as  to  th 
subsequent  appropriation  of  the  fund  which  it  proposes  to  ilis 
tribute.  The  extra  allowance  to  the  new  states  is  required  to  b 
expended  on  objects  of  education  and  internal  improvement 
As  has  been  already  shown,  this  restriction  is  in  eonforinit 
with  a  principle  coeval  with  the  land  system,  and  which  ha 
been  steadily  adhered  to  throughout  the  whole  period  of  its  ex 
istence,  by  which  the  sixteenth  section  of  every  township  i 
expressly  set  apart  for  education;  and  in  conformity  with  ever 
compact  entered  into  between  the  United  States  and  each  o 
the  new  states,  by  which  five  per  cent,  upon  the  net  proceed 
of  the  lands  in  the  several  new  states  is  assigned  for  purposes  o 
internal  improvement.  The  committee  thinks  that  it  may  safelj 
rest  the  defence  of  the  specification  of  the  objects  to  which  the 
extra  allowance  is  to  be  applied  upon  the  invariable  practice  o 
the  government. 

But  if  the  part  of  the  bill  which  limits  the  legislatures  of  th 
new  states  in  the  appropriation  of  the  extra  allowance  to  th 
laudable  purposes  of  education  and  internal  improvement,  couli 
not  conciliate  the  approbation  of  the  president,  it  might  have 
been  reasonably  hoped  that  the  other  part  of  it,  containing  no 
restriction  whatever  upon  the  local  legislation,  would  have  a 
least  commanded  his  assent  But  he  objects  to  the  restrictive 
clauses  because  they  are  restriciive,  and  to  the  unrestrictec 
clauses  because  they  are  unrestricted.  The  president  appre- 
hends that  the  Maysville  and  Lexington  turnpike  road  compa- 
ny, the  appropriation  to  which  several  years  ago  did  not  inee 
his  concurrence,  might  possibly  derive  some  aid  from  the  lane 
fund,  if  the  legislature  of  Die  state  in  which  that  road  is  situat- 
ed were  left  unrestrained  in  the  application  of  its  proportion  o 
that  fund.  There  are  some  who  would  feel  that  if  any  part  ol 
the  fund  were  directed  to  such  a  destination  il  would  only  be 
to  repair  a  wrong  unintenlionally  committed  by  the  presidena. 
But  the  appropriation  to  that  object  to  which  the  president  ap- 
plied the  veto,  rested  upon  grounds  totally  distinct  from  the  prin- 
ciple of  the  present  bill.  That  appropriation  was  made  upon 
the  principle  that  congress  had  the  power  to  apply  any  money 
in  the  public  treasury  to  internal  improvements.  This  bill  is 
based  on  the  ground  that  congress  has  broader  power  over  the 
the  land  fund,  either  under  the  deeds  of  cession,  or  under  the 
constitution,  than  it  possesses  over  public  revenue  collected  by 
general  taxation. 

The  objection  to  the  distribution  among  the  states,  upon  prin- 
ciples of  equality,  of  the  proceeds  of  the  public  lands,  was  hai  il- 
ly to  be  anticipated  from  a  chief  magistrate  who  had  recom- 
mended such  a  distribution  of  the  surplus  revenues  of  the  gene- 
ral government,  without  regard  to  the  source  of  their  origin. 
The  committee  is  not  prepared  to  ascent  to  such  a  distribution, 
the  constitutionality  of  which,  to  say  the  least,  is  questiona- 
ble. But  a  division  of  the  land  turid,  if  not  enjoined  by  the 
spirit  of  the  various  deeds  of  cession,  stands  upon  peculiar 
ground,  totally  distinct  from  that  on  which  a  division  of  a  sur- 
plus of  revenue,  arising  from  ordinary  sources  of  taxation,  can 
he  placed. 

The  message  imputes  to  the  bill  the  object  of  creating  a  sur- 
plus for  the  purpose  of  distribution.  But  is  that  an  accurate  re- 
presentation of  the  case?  The  bill  finds  in  full  operation  a  laud 
system,  approved  by  long  experience,  which  nets  to  the  govern- 
ment an  annual  sum  of  more  than  three  millions  of  dollars. 
This  sum  may  be  expected  constantly  to  augment.  The  gene- 
ral government,  just  liberated  from  national  debt,  no  longer 
stands  in  need  of  this  sum,  unless  it  should  become  necessary 
by  wasteful  and  extravagant  expenditure.  The  general  govern- 
ment is  in  possession  of  ample  resources  of  revenue,  and  in 
the  exclusive  possession  of  that,  the  most  ample  of  all,  arising 
from  foreign  imports.  The  slates  want  the  land  fund,  and  it  is 
proposed  to  divide  it  among  them  according  to  the  just  and 
equitable  rule  of  federal  representative  population.  The  bill 
imposes  no  new  tax,  creates  no  new  revenue,  opens  no  new 
channel.  It  proceeds  upon  an  existin<;  slate  of  things,  which  il 
does  not  disturb,  otherwise  than  by  dividing  among  the  states 
equitably,  in  their  individual  character,  what  is  not  wanted  in 
their  annregate  condition. 

But  the  message  objects  that  the  general  government  would 
remain  subject  to  the  incidental  expenses  ol  the  machinery  of 
the  land  system.  The  bill,  however,  only  proposes  to  divide 
the  net  produce  of  the  public  lands  which  come  into  the  trea- 
sury, subject,  uf  course,  to  a  deduction  for  some  charges.  It 
tin;  general  government  should  continue  to  pay  out  of  the  com- 
mon treasury  a  portion  of  those  charges,  such  as  the  salaries  of 
the  commissioner  of  the  land  office,  8tc.  it  would  be  no  more 
than  what  is  done  in  analogous  cases.  The  salaries  of  com- 


missioners appointed  under  treaties  with  foreign  powers  to  dis- 
tribuie .slims  stipulated  to  be  paid  by  them  to  individual  claim- 
ants lor  wrongs  committed  upon  the  high  geas  or  elsewhere,  are 
always  paid  out  of  the  public  treasury.  And,  besides,  tin.  -mall 
amount  which  tin.'  general  government  would  continue  to  pay 
(hiring  the  period  to  which  the  countenance  of  the  act  is  limit- 
ed, for  Ihe.  benefit  of  the  people  of  the  several  states,  would 
come  out  of  a  common  treasury  supplied  by  the  same  people  in 
their  collective  character. 

Tin;  commillee  perceives,  with  unaffected  surprise,  the  im- 
pntnlion  contained  in  the.  message,  of  a  tendency  in  the  bill  un- 
der consideration  towards  consolidation.  Congress  being  the 
common  truslee  for  all  ihe  states  of  a  fund  created  for  their  be- 
neiit,  and  for  no  other  purpose,  the  hill  presents  an  equitable 
scheme  for  the  division  of  tiiat  fund  among  the  declared  objects 
of  ihe  trust.  If  thai  scheme  had  been  assailed  upon  the  ground 
ol  Us  fostering  a  spirit  of  separation  and  disunion,  there  would 
have  been  at  least  more  plausibility  in  the  charge.  The  mes- 
sage supposes  that  the  stales,  by  receiving  their  several  annual 
dividends,  will  be  templed  into  profuse  expenditure,  will  rely 
for  their  pecuniary  resources  upon  the  general  goverment,  anil 
will  ultimately  lose  their  distinct  local  characters.  But  it  is  to 
be  observed  that  in  the  distribution  itself,  ihe  slates,  as  euch, 
in  their  separate  and  sovereign  characters,  are  expressly  recog- 
nized; ami  that  the  sum,  although  considerable  if  expended  on 
suitable  and  proper  objects,  is  not  likely  to  dispense  with  the 
necessity  of  each  state  carefully  cultivating  ordinary  sources  of 
revenue.  It  may  be  safely  affirmed  there  is  much  greater  dan- 
ger of  a  wasteful  expenditure  of  the  fund  if  retained  in  the  hands 
of  the  genera)  government,  which  does  not  want  it.  than  if  it  be 
transferred  to  the  hands  of  Ihe  several  state  governments,  which 
do  need  it,  and  whose  habitual  economy  is  commended  in  the 
message.  It  was  never  deemed  by  anyone  that  the  annual 
supply  of  anus  made  by  the  general  government  to  the  several 
stales  tended  to  lessen  their  power,  or  to  augment  that  of  the 
federal  government. 

The  committee  believes  that  a  mutual  dependence  of  the  two 
systems  of  government  upon  each  other  has  the  happy  effect  of 
strengthening  the  bond  of  common  union.  And,  among  the 
many  considerations  in  favor  of  the  bill,  it  is  perhaps  the  most 
important,  thai  its  direct/and  inevitable  influence  will  be  to  im- 
part additional  strength  to  the  union.  The  public  lands  will 
then  form  an  adamantine  chain  connecting  the  stales  together, 
and  each  will  be  powerfully  interested  in  the  preservation  of 
that  union  which,  for  hundreds  of  years  to  come,  may  annually 
distribuie  among  all  its  sovereign  members  a  vast  fund,  which, 
if  Ihe  union  were  dissolved,  would  be  for  ever  lost  in  the  com- 
moiions  and  convulsions  that  would  certainly  ensue. 

The  message  implies  an  unmerited  distrust  in  the  capacity  and 
integrity  of  the  state  governments,  and  assumes  for  the  federal 
authority  a  superiority  of  discretion,  which  the  committee 
thinks,  without  meaning  any  thing  derogatory,  it  has  not  al- 
ways displayed  in  the  economical  disbursement  of  public  reve- 
nue. The  bill  is,  besides,  limited  to  a  short  time;  and  if  it 
mould  be  found  to  realise  any  of  the  apprehended  mischiefs,  it 
nay  be  suffered  to  expire  altogelher,  or  be  subjected  to  such 
notifications  as  experience  shall  indicate  to  be  expedient.  To 
;uard  against  the  possibility  of  a  misapplication  of  the  distribu- 
ive  share  of  any  slate  to  objects  of  a  minor  or  trivial  nature,  the 
bill  contains  a  clause  which  was  led  out  of  that  passed  at  the 
ast  session,  by  which  a  specification  is  made  of  the  purposes 
o  which  the  fund  shall  be  appropriated.  No  state  will  venture 
o  violate  this  restriction,  because  it  will  apprehend  that  con- 
gress may  refuse  to  continue  to  allot  its  dividend  in  conse- 
[uence  of  such  violation. 

Almost  the  entire  argument  of  the  message  against  the  bill  is 
applied  to  thai  porlion  of  the  public  lands  ceded  by  the  several 
tales  to  the  United  Stales,  and  situated  within  their  original 
imits,and  is  founded  upon  the  supposed  repngnance  of  the  pro- 
isions  of  the  bill  to  the  conditions  contained  in  the  deeds  of 
:ession.  The  committee  cannot  agree  that  any  such  repug- 
lance  in  fact  exists.  On  the  contrary,  it  conceives  that  the 
ontemplaled  distribution  is  conformable  both  to  the  spirit  and 
etler  of  Ihose  conditions.  But  there  i>  no  pretence  for  alleging 
any  want  of  power  in  congress  to  distribuie  the  proceeds  of  that 
ortion  of  the  public  lands  which  have  been  acquired  by  trea- 
ies  with  foreign  powers.  The  treaties  themselves  impose  no 
imitation  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  soil  itself,  or  the  proceeds 
if  the  sale  of  it.  And  the  constitutional  provision  which  has 
een  adverted  to  comes  and  covers  these  lands,  and  invests  in 
ongress  an  unrestrained  power  of  disposition,  according  to  its 
ound  discretion. 

The  message  states  that  the  total  expenditure,  incident  to  the 
uhlic  domain,  has  been  $49,701,280;  and  the  total  receipt  up 
o  the  30th  September.  ifeSf,  bad  been  only  £38.386,624,  from 
vhich  Ihe  irifcrencu  is  drawn  lhat  the  amount  taken  out  of  the 
reasury  has  not  been  replaced. — Why  the  30<A  September, 
83-2,  was  selected  by  the  message,  the  committee  cannot  con- 
eive,  unless  it  was  for  the  purpose  of  recommending  the  relin- 
uishment  of  the  whole  public  domain  as  a  useless  and  unpro- 
table  burden,  or  for  the  purpose  of  holding  on  to  it  as  a  source 
('revenue  until  the  treasury  was  reimbursed  the  sum  which  it 
ad  cost.  If  the  president  had  called  upon  the  commissioners 
f  the  land  office  for  the  returns  of  the  proceeds  of  the  public 
amis  up  to  the  30th  September,  1833,  he  would  have  discover- 
d  that  their  amount  was  $-18.398,571  34,  according  to  a  report 
f  that  officer  laid  before  the  senate — more  than  ten  millions  ex- 
ccding  the  amount  stated  in  Hie  message.  This  U  independent 


27 3     N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— REPORT  ON  THE  PUBLIC  LANDS. 


of  4,452,760  acres  of  land  actually  patented  for  services  during  j 
the  late  war;  of  2,290,937  acres  granted  for  roads  and  canals  in 
several  states;  of  upwards  of  nine  millions  granted  and  set 
apart  for  schools,  academies  and  universities,  and  of  numerous 
other  grants  for  various  purposes.  For  the  greater  part,  if  not 
all  of  these  appropriations  of  the  public  lands,  they  ought  to  be 
fairly  credited. 

The  public  domain,  then,  has  more  than  redeemed  the  cost  of 
its  acquisition  and  management.  But  there  is  still  another 
view  of  this  subject  that  ought  to  be  presented.  The  argument 
in  the  message  as  almost  exclusively  directed  to  that  portion  of 
it  which  is  situated  within  the  ancient  limits  of  the  United 
States;  and  it  is  from  the  terms  of  the  deeds  of  cession  that  the 
message  attempts  to  deduce  a  restriction  upon  the  power  of  con- 
gress. There  is  no  color  for  that  restriction  as  it  respects  the 
territory  acquired  under  the  treaties  of  Louisiana  and  Florida. 
In  regard  to  that,  as  already  remarked,  the  power  of  congress  to 
dispose  of  it,  unrestrained  by  the  treaties  themselves,  results 
entirely  from  the  clause  in  the  constitution  which  has  been 
herein  before  referred  to.  As  to  the  public  lands  within  the 
ancient  limits  of  the  United  Stales,  if  there  be  deducted  from 
the  $49,701,080,  the  twenty  millions  which  Louisiana  anil 
Florida  cost,  it  will  leave  only  $29,701,280  chargeable  to  those 
lands — less  indeed  than  that  sum,  lor  a  portion  of  that  expendi- 
ture of  $29,701,280  was  on  account  of  the  public  lands  in  Flori- 
da and  Louisiana.  The  total  amount  which  has  been  receiv- 
ed, in  money,  from  the  lands  comprehended  within  the  original 
boundaries  of  the  United  States,  according  to  the  before  men- 
tioned report  of  the  commissioner,  is  $43,729,718  12,  leaving 
those  lands  creditor  by  the  sum  of  $14,0-28,428  12,  without  in- 
cluding in  the  account  any  grants  of  land  for  objects  just  allud- 
ed to. 

The  message  argues  that  the  distribution  proposed  by  the  bill 
is  unjust  towards  the  old  states,  since  it  first  sets  apart  one- 
eighth  for  the  new  slates,  and  then  divides  seven-eighths  only 
among  all  the  states.  Each  of  the  old  states  therefore,  the  mes- 
sage contends,  will  receive  its  proportion  of  but  seven-eighths 
instead  of  the  amount  of  the  whole  proceeds.  The  committee 
believes  that  it  has  stated  sufficient  grounds  of  justification 
upon  which  that  previous  allowance  to  the  new  states  is  to  be 
defended,  lint  it  was  not  prepared  to  find  the  same  message 
dissuading  the  old  states  from  agreeing  j.o  the  distribution  pro- 
posed on  the  allegation  of  partiality  to  the  new  states,  and  urg- 
ing the  new  slates  to  dissent  from  it  also,  because  it  was  tin 
just  towards  them.  If  the  bill  gives  the  new  stales  more  than 
a  fair  proportion  of  a  common  fund,  without  sufficient  consi- 
derations, that  cannot  be  an  objection  both  with  the  old  and 
the  new  states.  But  whilst  the  message  labors  to  prove  that 
one  class  of  states  will  receive  loo  much,  and  another  too  little, 
instead  of  correcting  the  alleged  injustice  by  proposing  some 
equal  division,  it  recommends  that  the  class  which  it  deems 
too  partially  favored  shall  eventually  receive,  and  the  injured 
class,  shall  finally  renounce  for  ever,  the  whole  interest  in  the 
common  property. 

The  message  supposes  that  it  could  not  have  been  contem- 
plated by  the  deeds  of  cession,  that  the  United  States  should 
continue,  during  a  long  period  of  time,  to  retain  the  right  of  soil 
to  large  tracts,  of  land  wi;hin  the  limits  of  new  states.  But  the 
deeds  do  expressly  provide  that  these  lands  shall  be  held  for  the 
common  benefit  of  all  the  state.;,  and  for  no  other  purpn-r;  ami 
they  must  continue  so  to  be  held,  whether  the  time  is  long  or 
short,  unless  congress  is  prepared  openly  to  violate  express  con- 
ditions of  the  cessions.  And  why  should  they  not  lie  so  In  hi? 
What  injury  is  done  to  the  new  states  by  the  common  govern- 
ment holding  lands  for  the  benefit  of  all  within  the  limits  ol 
some? — Past  experience  has  demonstrated  none.  If  these  lands 
were  held  up  at  exorbitant  prices,  and  the  settlement  of  the 
new  states  were  retarded  improperly,  the  case  would  be  altered. 
But  the  price  is  extremely  moderate,  within  the  reach  of  every 
ordinarily  provident  person,  and  the  new  slates  are  populating 
with  unexampled  rapidity,  us  is  demonstrated  in  the  report  ol 
the  commitlee  of  manufactures,  and  the  table  accompanying  it, 
herein  before  referred  to.  If  it  were  true  thai  the  minimum 
price  of  the  public  lands  is  loo  high  for  one  porlion  of  them,  il 
is  equally  true  thai  il  is  below  the  value  of  another  portion  o 
them.  And  it  would  be  wrong  to  reduce  the  price  of  those 
which  are  already  low  enough,  for  the  sake  of  those  of  inferior 
quality,  which,  perhaps,  would  not  sell  at  any  price.  It  might 
be  expedient  to  discriminate,  if  it  were  practicable,  as  to  the 
price  of  lands  in  different  states.  There  are  large  bodies  o 
poor  pine  sandy  lands  in  the  south  western  states,  of  wind 
there  is  none  in  the  north  western  states,  that  probably  never 
will  sell  at  the  minimum  price,  if  at  any  price.  Hut  a  discrimi- 
nation between  the  different  states  would  lie  invidious,  mid  is 
impracticable.  And  after  all,  no  great  mischief  is  done  by  no 
offering,  at  reduced  prices,  worthless  lands,  which  nobody 
would  be  much  disposed  to  buy  at  any  price.  In  the  slate  o 
Ohio,  all  the  public  lands  have  been  sold  but  about  fire  millions 
of  acres,  In  the  state  of  Illinois,  more  than  nineteen-twen 
tietlis  of  the  whole  territory  are  believed  to  be  arable  land;  am 
it  will  undoubtedly  sell,  without  any  reduction  of  price,  in  rea- 
sonable lime,  according  to  the  demands  of  a  growing  popula 
tion.  Would  it  be  right  to  reduce  the  price  of  this  jrond  farm 
ins  land,  because  there  happens  to  be  in  Alabama  or  .Mi^sissip 
in  large  tracts  of  pine  barren  which  will  possibly  never  sell  a 
any  price? 

Nor  does  the  facl  of  there  being  a  large  quantity  of  land  re 
in  the  market,  surveyed  and  unsold  for  a  long  time,  au 


thorise  the  inference  that  it  is  unsold  because  the  price  is  too 
ligh.  It  has  not  been  sold  because  the  government,  by  con- 
lanlly  bringing  more  and  more  land  inlo  ihe  market,  exposes 
an  aggregate  supply  far  exceeding  the  wants  of  the  population, 
apid  as  has  been  its  increase  in  the  new  states.  This  will  be 
manifest  from  one  or  two  facts.  The  total  amount  of  all  the  pub- 
ic lands  which  had  been  sold  up  to  the  30th  of  September  last, 
hat  is  to  say,  during  a  period  of  about  forty  five  years,  tincu 
he  commencement  of  the  present  constitution,  was  only 
11,028,436  acres  and  87-100  of  an  acre.  This,  on  an  average 
during  ihe  entire  term,  is  about  700,000  acres  annually.  The 
otal  quantity  surveyed  and  unsold,  according  to  the  report  of 
lie  commissioner,  is  104,206,822  acres  and  46-100  of  an  acre, 
['o  this  there  will  be  additions  constantly  made,  as  the  Indian 
.ille  shall  be  extinguished.  If  the  progress  of  future  sales  were 
.o  be  no  greater  than  that  of  the  past,  it  would  require  a  period 
of  more  than  135  years  to  sell  what  is  now  actually  in  market, 
without  including  new  districls  lliat  may  be  exposed.  But  as 
these  sales  depend  upon  the  wanls  of  the  population,  and  as 
hese  are  regulated  by  ihe  increase  of  it,  the  probability  is,  that 
he  quantity  annually  sold,  in  future,  will  be  much  greater  than 
he  annual  average  of  that  which  was  sold  during  the  term 
above  mentioned. — But  making  liberal  allowances  in  this  res- 
ject,  many  years  must  elapse  before  the  quantity  now  actually 
n  market  is  disposed  of.  The  true  policy  of  the  government,  in 
regulating  the  price  of  the  public  lands,  seems  lo  be  so  to  fix  it 
as,  whilst  ihe  industrious  poor  may  easily  acquire  a  home,  a 
spiril  of  inordinate  speculation  may  be  repressed.  Both  these 
objects  are  believed  to  be  attained  by  the  reasonable  and  mo- 
derate rate  at  which  the  government  now  offers  the  public  do- 
main. 

Entertaining  the  views  and  opinions  which  have  been  herein 
inhibited,  the  committee  finds  itself  unable  to  concur  in  the 
plan  of  disposing  of  the  public  lands,  which  the  president  pro- 
poses: and  it  agrees  in  the  general  principles  of  the  bill  which 
lias  been  referred  to  it.  A  brief  contrast  between  the  two 
schemes  will  enable  the  senate  better  to  judge  of  their  respec- 
tive merits. 

The  president  conceives  that  the  cessions  of  the  public  lands 
to  the  United  States  were  upon  lite  express  conditions  that  they 
should  be  considered  by  the  United  States  as  a  common  fund 
for  the  use  and  benefit  of  all  the  sovereign  mcMibers  of  the 
union.  He  objects  therefore  to  the  grant  to  the  new  states  of 
one-eighth  of  the  proceeds  within  their  several  limits,  prior  to 
a  general  distribution  of  the  whole  fund*  Nevertheless,  he  pro- 
po.-cs  himself  an  immediate  reduction  of  the  price  of  the  public 
lands;  that  they  shall  cease  to  be  regarded  as  a  source  o*  reve- 
nue for  the  use  and  benefit  of  Ihe  United  Slates,  or  any  of  trie 
individual  slates;  and,  finally,  that,  after  a  few  years  this  vast 
common  property  shall  be  wholly  surrendered  to  those  new 
states  to  which  congress  cannot,  in  his  opinion,  consistently 
with  the  terms  of  the  deeds  of  cession,  grant  one-eigthth  part 
of  ihe  net  proceeds. 

The  bill  assume?,  as  a  basis,  that  all  the  public  lands  not  in- 
cluded within  the  acquisitions  of  Louisiana  and  Florida  were 
obtained  upon  the  conditions  specified  in  Ihe  deeds  of  cession- 
It  supposes  that  whether  the  proceeds  of  the  lands  are  brought 
into  the  common  treasury,  or  distributed,  upon  terms  of  just 
equality  among  the  several  states,  the  spiril  and  object  of  the 
deeds  of  cession  are  fully  answered.  The  bill  proceeds  upon 
(he  principle  that  the  United  States  cannot  abandon  the  trust 
which  the  deeds  created,  and  which  they  deliberately  accepted, 
without  a  manifest  violation  of  duly,  and  without  absolute  in- 
justice to  Ihe  old  states.  It  does  not  propose,  therefore,  a  sur- 
render of  the  trust  property  to  ihe  new  states,  but  contemplates 
the  general  government  continuing  to  perform  all  the  dftlu-s  in- 
cident to  the  trust,  anil  retaining  the  control  over  the  properly 
for  Ihe  benefit  of  the  several  states,  when  the  proceeds  of  sales 
of  it  are  wanted  by  them,  and  not  by  the  general  government, 
and  for  ihe  benefit  of  ihe  general  government  in  the  event  of 
war.  And  this  mutual  use  of  the  fund  is  limited  to  a  short 
period,  to  lest,  by  experience,  its  expediency. — The  bill  assigns 
to  the  new  states,  prior  to  the  general  division  of  the  fund; 
which  it  authorises,  one-eighth  part  of  the  proceeds  arising 
within  their  respective  limits,  upon  considerations  which  the 
committee  deems  satisfactory,  and  according  lo  established  pre- 
cedents. And,  finally,  whatever  diversity  of  opinion  may  ex- 
ist as  to  (he  powers  and  duties  of  congress  growing  ont  of  the 
language  of  the  deeds  of  cession,  no  objection  can  be  raised 
from  that  source  as  to  nriy  disposition,  under  the  terms  of  the 
constitution,  which  congress  may  think  proper  to  make  of  the 
proceeds  of  thai  largest  portion  of  the  public  lands  acquired  un- 
der the  treaties  of  Louisiana  and  Florida. 

The  bill  provides  for  a  distribution  of  the  fund  arising  from 
the  sales  of  the  public  lands  during  the  lasl  year.  Such  would 
have  been  ils  operation  if  the  president  had  approved  it;  or 
if,  returning  it  lo  ihe  last  congress  with  his  objections,  il  had 
been  passed  notwithstanding  those  objections.  As  congress 
was  deptived  of  an  opportunity  of  passing  upon  the  bill  after  it 
hail  hem  submitted  to  the  president,  by  his  withholding  it,  the 
committee  thinks  it  jusllo  give  it  the  effect  which  it  would  have 
had  if  passed  at  the  last  session.  The  gross  proceeds  of  the  public 
lands  during  the  last  year  are  understood  to  hi-  upwards  of  fotir 
and  a  half  millions  of  dollars;  but  the  precise  amount  will  lie  as- 
certained when  a  call  which  has  been  made  for  it  shall  be  an- 
swered. The  committee  therefore  reports  the  bill,  distributing 
that  sum  after  proper  deductions  shall  be  made  exhibiting  the 
net  amount. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT.         973 


QCj-The  absolute  necessity  of  inserting  the  long  reports 
concerning  the  general  post  office,  has  led  us  to  incur  the 
expense  of  an  extra  half-sheet,  that  they  may  be  speedi- 
ly laid  before  our  readers;  and,  as  they  will  have  both 
reports  entire,  at  once,  they  will  form  a  better  judgment 
on  the  important  facts  presented  or  considered  by  the 
committee  to  whom  the  subject  had  been  referred. 

This  extra  half-sheet,  for  more  convenient  mechanical 
arrangement,  is  given  as  supplementary  to  the  last  RE- 
GISTEK,  and  the  mailer  "runs  on"  in  the  proper  number 
for  the  week,  without  a  "break." 

The  debates  in  die  senate,  which  have  sprung  up  in 
consequence  of  these  reports,  are  exceedingly  animated 
and  unusually  interesting — and,  before  they  are  closed, 
•will  probably  call  forth  all  the  talent  of  that  body — and 
especially  when  the  question  is  before  it  as  to  making 
an  appropriation  to  relieve  the  department  from  its  bank- 
ruptcy. 


I 


POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 

REPORT   OF   THE    MAJORITY. 

Mr.  Eu.-ing  from  the  committee  of  the   post  offices  and   post 

roads,  made  the  following  report. 
The  committee  on  the  post  office  and  post  roads,  in  obedience 
to  the;  resolution  of  the  seriate  of  Hit;  29th  March,  A.  I).  1834, 
proceeded  to  inquire  into  the  condition  of  the  post  office  de 
partmiiiit,  anil,  having  made  progress  in  their  investigation, 
now  report — 

That  your  committee,  at  an  early  day  after  they  were  invest- 
ed with  authority  so  to  do,  called  for  a  statement  of  the  avail- 
able claims  due  from  post  masters  and  others  to  the  depart- 
ment, and  of  the  funds  on  hand,  and  also  the  amount  of  its 
delils.  In  answer  to  this  inquiry,  they  were  informed  that  it 
would  be  the  work  of  several  months,  with  all  the  disposable 
force  of  the  department,  to  prepare  the  statement;  the  shorte 
time  named  as  possible,  extending  much  beyond  the  probable 
adjournment  of  congress.  Statements,  therefore,  said  to  be 
accurate,  were  obtained  wherever  it  was  practicable;  and,  when 
such  were  not  to  be  had,  your  committee  received  coiijectura 
estimates,  sworn  to  by  the  heads  of  the  appropriate  bureaux. 

By  these,  it  appears  that  the  department  is  largely  insolvent 
and  that  since  some  time  in  the  year  1832  the  postmaster  ge- 
neral has,  without  warrant  of  law,  borrowed  from  the  banks 
large  sums  of  money  on  interest  for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  it 
The  interest  account,  exhibited  herewith,  shows  that  some  o 
those  loans  were  made  during  the  hist  session  of  congress 
and  within  a  short  time  alter  the  date  of  the  annual  report  o 
the  postmaster  general,  which  states  that  there  is  an  available 
surplus  fund  on  hand  of  $202,811  40,  and  which  contains  n 
intimation  of  any  probable  deficit,  present  or  future.  It  is  alsc 
worthy  of  remark,  that  his  last  annual  report  is  wholly  silent  o 
the  subject  of  these  loans.  But  the  postmaster  general  has 
since  the  commencement  of  this  investigation,  represented  t 
your  committee  that  aid  from  the  treasury  is  necessary  to  enabl 
him  to  carry  on  the  operations  of  the  department,  and  he  ha 
stated  that  450,000  dollars  is  the  smallest  sum  that  will  serv 
that  purpose. 

The  sums  borrowed   and  overdrawn  on  banks  to  the  111 

April,  1834,  and  then  existing  as  a  debt  against  the  departmen 

are  stated  by  the  officers  to  be  $488,60( 

And  they  state  the  amount  due  to  contractors  on 

the  1st  of  April,  1834,  at  635,00 

Making  the  aggregate  of  its  debts  $1,123,60 

They  also  state  that  there  was  on  the  llth  of  April,  1834, 

balance   of  deposiles  in  banks  in  favor  of  the  department  • 

$37,000  95 

Of  which  there  was  deposited  in  banks  which  have 

failed  5,455  07 

Leaving  to  the  credit  account, funds  in  bank,  April 

llth, '1834,  available,  $31,54588 

They  also   reported  as  a  conjectural  estimate,  that  there  wa 

due  from   postmasters  for  postages,  accruing  prior  to  Januar 

1st,  1834,  $300,000. 

The  books  from  which  this  estimate  was  drawn  have  bee 
examined  by  the  committee,  and  the  result  of  that  examinatio 
leaves  no  doubt  that  the  amount  of  this  credit  is  greatly  exa 
gerated. 

It  appears  that  the  receipts  of  the  department  for  the  la 
quarter  of  the  year  1833,  according  to  the  best  estimate  that  ca 
be  formed,  (the  books  and  accounts  not  having  been  made  u 
as  they  should  have  been),  amounted  to  $467,4- 

That  there  was  deposited  by  several  postmasters  in 
banks,  during  said  quarter,  for  the  use  of  the  de- 
partment 332,9( 

Leaving  an  apparent  balance  outstanding  in  the 
hands  of  postmasters,  of  $134,5 

But  it  is  understood  that  considerable  sums  were  receiv 
from  postmasters,  exclusive  of  the  deposites  in  banks,  whi 
are  estimated  to  reduce  the  amount  in  their  hnnds  for  receip 
duiin?  the  last  quarter  of  1633,  to  $33,725;  which  sum,  resulting 
from  the  several  data  to  which  we  have  access,  U  fixed  upon 
VOL.  XLVl    Sio.  19. 


the  nearest  approximation  to  the  trull),  attainable  within  the 
lited  lime,  which  it  was  in  our  power  to  devote  to  this  part 
the  investigation.  We  believe,  however,  that  any  prison 
quainled  with  the  books,  and  the  course  of  business  of  the  de- 
rtment,  and  whose  attention  should  be  exclusively  devoted  to 
e  subject,  could,  in  a  little  time,  estimate  the  amount  of  debts 
IB  to  the  department,  with  a  very  near  approach  to  accuracy; 
id  that  the  officers  of  the  dcpailment  can,  at  any  time  within 
few  days,  make  an  abstract  statement  of  its  fiscal  concerns 
the  termination  of  any  quarter,  snfficiently  accurate  for  the 
dinary  purposes  of  general  information  or  legislation. 
'I  he  officers  of  the  department,  also,  estimated  the  amount 
IB  from  postmasters  for  pottages,  acciuing  within  the  1st 
larter  of  the  year  1834,  at  $500,000 

Your  committee  examined  as  far  as  practicable,  the  data  upon 
hich  this  estimate  was  made,  and  tlic-y  have  reason  to  believe 
at  this  Mim  is  also  much  above  the  true  amonnt. 
is  estimated  by  the  chief  clerk  of  the  department,  that  the  net 
receipts  for  postages  in  the  first  quarter  of  1833  will  amount 


our  committee  have  ascertained  thai  there  was  de- 
posited in  banks  for  the  use  of  the  department  with- 
in that  quarter,  and  prior  to  the  1st  day  of  April,  $314,704 

Vhich  will  leave,  of  the  receipts  of  tliat  quarter,  in 
the  hands  of  postmasters,  on  that  day,  $205,704 

A  considerable  portion  of  this  sum,  probably,  was  received 
y  the  department  in  draughts  on  postmasters,  but  to  what 
mount  your  committee  have  no  means  of  ascertaining.  They, 
lerefore,  take  the  above  sum  as  the  amount  due  for  lhal  quar- 
er  on  Ihe  1st  of  April,  1834. 

This  estimate  of  the  sums  due  and  outstanding,  will  still  ap- 
ear  large,  if  we  compare  it  with  the  amount  of  similar  claims 
ndrr  a  former  andministration;  at  a  lime,  too,  when  the  de-' 
artment.  was  not  involved  in  debt,  and  had  no  particular  rea- 
ons  to  press  its  collections  with  peculiar  urgency.  It  appears 
y  the  first  report  of  the  present  postmaster  general,  made  on 
lie  24th  of  November,  1829,  that  on  the  Isl  day  of  July  of  that' 
ear,  the  whole  amount  due  and  outstanding,  in  the  hands  of 
)ostmasters  and  others,  was  $94,400  21;  and  we  can  see  no 
ood  reason  why  the  amount  of  balances  should  have  been  suf- 
ered  to  rise  to  $289,429,  much  less  to  Ihe  enormous  sum  of 
(800,000,  as  is  estimated  by  the  chief  clerk,  especially  at  a; 
ime  when  the  department  is  insolvent,  and  borrowing  from- 
>anks,  and  overdrawing  its  deposites  daily,  and  even  descend- 
ng  to  ask  the  crtdit  of  Individuals  to  sustain  it  i»  its  most  ne- 
cessary functions. 

But,  admitting  the  snrn  eslimaled  by  your  committee  to  be 
lue  from  postmasters,  the  credits  of  the  department,  will  stand; 
hus: 

Amount  of  available  debts  for  postages  accruing  within   the 
quarter  ending  the  1st  day  of  January,  1834,  $83,725 

Do.  do.        for  postages  accruing  in  the  quarter 

ending  the  1st  day  of  April,  1834,  205,704 

Funds  deposited  in  solvent  banks  31,546 

Making  the  aggregale  of  credits  considered  available,    $320,975 
The  amount  of  debts  due  on  that  day,  as  slated  by  the  officers 
of  Ihe  department,  was  $T,  123,600- 

Balance  against  the  department  on  final  settlement  ol  all  its 
accounts,  would  be,  except  old  balances  prior  to  Ihe  1st  of  Oc- 
tober, 1833,  $803.623 
The  above  estimate  of  the  sums  due  from  the  department,  is 
taken  entirely  upon  Hie  credil  of  the  officers  of  Ihe  bureaux  to 
which  the  superintendence  of  those  accounts  property  belong. 
They  profess  to  have  given  them  with  all  practicable  accuracy, 
and  your  committee,  having  no  particular  reason  lo  doubt  Iheir 
correcmess,  have  not  gout  into  an  investigation  to  test  them. 
With  respect  lo  Ihe  credil  and  outstanding  claims  of  the  de- 
partment, your  committee  could  not  place  the  same  reliance  oii 
the  general  estimate  presented  to  them.  The  amount  was  much 
larger  than  they  had  reason  to  suppose  was  correct  from  their 
knowledge  of  the  general  course  ot  business  in  the  department;, 
and  their  investigation  has  satisfied  them  that  the  error  was 
even  larger  than  they  at  (trst  anticipated,  amounting,  as  has 
been  already  shown,  lo  upwards  of  $500,000. 

Your  eommilt.ee  have  also  made,  and  here  present,  an  esti- 
mate of  the  revenue  and  expenditures  of  the  departmeni  for  ihe 
last,  quarter  of  the  year  1833,  by  which  it  will  be  seen  that, 
without  some  real  and  substantial  reform  in  the  management  of 
its  concerns,  there  is  little  prospect  that  it  will  extricate  itself 
from  the  present  embarrassments. 
It  appears,  as  stated  above,  thai  ihe  receipts  for  post- 
ages in  that  quarter  amounted  to  $467,449 
The   transportalion   for  Ihe  same    quarter 

amounted  to  $522,714 

Add  incidental  expenses  to  27,935 


Total  expenditure, 

Excess  of  expenditure  over  the  revenue 


$550,109 
$82,660 


Which  continuing  in  the  same;  ratio  throughout  the 
year,  would  bear  an  annual  deficit  of  $34ff,6°4'0 

An  opinion  was  expressed  by  ihe  immediate  predecessor  of 
Ihe  present  postmaster  general,  in  his  report  of  November  13, 
1827,  that  the  department,  by  a  vigilant  administration  of  its  af- 
fairs, would  be  able  to  supply  all  the  want*  of  the  comrn,t)nuv, 


274         WILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1 834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


and  in  a  few  years  to  pay  into  the  treasury  an  annual  sum  o 
§500,000.  This  estimate  seems  to  have  been  grounded  upon 
the  rapid  increase  of  the  receipts  for  postages,  the  improvement 
of  roads  and  means  of  conveyance,  and  the  great  and  increas- 
ing number  of  passengers  in  the  stages,  which  add  to  the  profits 
of  the  contractor,  and  thereby  lessen  the  cost  of  transportatior 
of  the  mail.  And  your  committee  entertain  no  doubt  that,  hat 
its  affairs  been  conducted  prudently,  with  a  view  to  the  public 
interest,  the  anticipation  would  at  this  time  have  been  realized 
unless,  indeed,  it  should  have  been  thought  expedient  to  reduce 
the  postages,  and  thus  relieve  the  community  from  a  part  u 
its  present  burden  in  the  transaction  of  business,  and  the  gene 
ral  diffusion  of  knowledge. 

In  order  to  present  this  subject  more  distinctly  to  the  f=enate: 
your  committee  have  taken,  and  here  present,  a  comparative 
view  of  the  revenue  and  expenditures  ol  the  department  for  the 
four  fir>t  years  preceding,  and  the  four  years  next  following,  the 
time  at  which  it  wns  placed  under  the  superintendence  of  the 
present  postmaster  general. 

They  find  that,  on  the  first  July,  1825,  there  was  a  surplus 
fund  of  $233,089  00 

That  on  the  1st  July,  1829,  the  surplus  fund  was, 
according  to  the  statement  of  the  former  post- 
master general,  289,140  17 
But  according  to  ihe  statement  of  the  present  post- 
master general,  it  was  reduced  to  230,489  00 

Whic-h,  for  the  purpose  of  the  present  estimate 
niPrely,  your  committee  assume  to  be  correct. 
And  on  this  supposition,  the  available  funds  of 


the  department  were  diminished  in  four  years, 
The  receipts  for  postages  during  that  four  years, 
wrre 


52,600  00 
6,167  519  00 


And  ihe  expenditures,  for  the  four  years  £6,220,119  00 

The  amount  of  funds  sunk  by  tlie  department  s'inae  it  came 

under  the  superintendence  of  the  present  postmaster  general, 

beyond  the  amount  of  its  receipts,  is 

l.-l.  The  siiiii  on  hand,  according  to  his  statement  on  the  1st  of 
July,  1829,  $-230,489 

Amount  of  debts  on  the  1st  of  April,  1834,  over  and 
above  its  available  funds,  803,625 


Aggregate, 


§•1,034,114 


Four-fifths  of  that  sum  supposed  to  have  been  ex- 
pended in  the  four  first  years  of  the  present  post- 
master general  $827,271 

And  the  aggregate  revenues  of  the  department  for 
those  four  years,  was  $8,731,032 


Making  the  aggregate  expenditures  for  the  last  nam- 
ed four  >ears  $9,558,303 


Excess  of  expenditures  over  the  preceding  four 
years,  $3,338,184 

Within  that  time,  some  new  mail  routes  were  established, 
and  some  improvements  were  made  in  previously  existing 
routes,  but  all  these  bear  a  very  small  proportion  to  the  in- 
crease of  expenditures.  Possessing,  therefore,  as  this  depart- 
ment has  done,  those  increased  elements  of  prosperity  and 
means  of  usefulness,  it  appeared  obvious  to  your  committee 
that  there  must  have  been  mismanagement  of  its  affairs,  and 
a  lavish  expenditure  of  its  funds,  to  reduce  it  in  so  short  a  time 
to  its  present  insolvent  condition,  and  to  render  necessary  the 
appropriation  of  so  large  a  sum  as  four  hundred  and  fiAy  thou- 
pand  dollars  from  the  treasury  to  enable  the  postmaster  general 
to  redeem  its  credit,  and  carry  on  its  essential  operations. 

And  before  determining  whether  they  should  recommend 
*uch  appropriation,  your  committee  thought  it  their  duty  to 
ascertain,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  accuracy  of  the  several  of- 
ficial statements  which  were  made  to  them, as  well  as  those 
which  have  from  tinif;  to  time  been  transmitted  to  congress 
toin-hing  the  condition  of  the  depaitmenl;  also,  that  they  should 
investigate  the  cause  of  the  sudden  insolvency  of  this  import- 
ant department  of  the  government,  which  has  heretofore  sus- 
tained itself  from  its  own  resources,  which,  in  former  years. 
actually  contributed  1,103,063  dollars  to  the  general  revenues  of 
the  country,  and  which  was,  but  a  few  yeurs  since,  in  a  moat 
flourishing  anil  prosperous  condition. 

The  prosecution  of  that  inquiry  was  attended  with  much  dif- 
ficulty and  embarrassment. 

The  annual  reports  of  all  contract))  entered  into  by  the  de- 
partment within  the  preceding  year,*  have  in  two  instances, 
been  wholly  omitted  by  the  postmaster  general,  and,  in  a  third, 
the  report  came  in  too  late  to  be  referred  to  by  your  committee, 
and  to  aid  them  in  thtir  investigation.  No  answer  has  yet  been 
given  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  a  resolution  oi  the  M- 
nate  adopted  on  the  II  th  day  of  March  last,  on  motion  of  one  of 
your  committee,  which  calrs  for  copies  of  the  duplicates  of  con- 
tracts, bidsand  extra  allowances  which  the  law  requires!  should 
be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  comptroller  of  the  treasury.  Tin: 
duplicates  of  contracts  and  bidj  are  said  to  have  been  COIIMIIII 
ed  in  the  treasury  building;  and  it  was  also  communicated  t,,  ;is 
by  the  officer  employed  to  answer  the  call,  that  no  statement  of 

M,aw  of  1808,  v.  2,  p.  1,093. 
fl835,  vol.3,  p.  1,083,  s.  10. 


extra  allowances  had  been  filed  there  by  the  present  postmaster 
general.  And  the  report  of  the  postmaster  general,  which  ac- 
companied the  president's  message  at  the  opening  of  the  pre- 
sent congress  apprizes  us  that  his  prior  reports,  as  to  the  liabi- 
lities and  resources  of  the  department,  are  erroneous.  Thus 
the  checks,  few  and  ineffectual  as  they  are,  which  the  law  im- 
poses upon  the  transactions  of  the  department,  having  been  in 
a  great  measure  disregarded,  or  rendered  abortive,  and  no  cer- 
tain means  being  left  us  to  determine  the  accuracy  of  the  state- 
ments and  reports  issuing  from  it,  except  by  causing  calcula- 
tions to  be  made  in  all  cases  where  there  were  data  to  lound 
them,  and  by  comparing  these  repoits  with  themselves,  and 
with  each  other,  your  committee  adopted  this  course  and  thus 
they  believe  have  been  able  to  arrive  at  a  conclusion  very  near- 
ly correct,  as  to  the  general  value  of  those  reports  and  state- 
ments. 

In  order  to  account  for  the  increase  of  expense  in  the  trans- 
portation of  the  mail,  the  postmaster  general  has,  in  his  several 
annual  reports,  presented  us  an  enormous  increase  also  of  mail 
transportation.  In  his  report  accompanying  the  presidents 's  mes- 
sage of  December,  1832,  he  states  that  the  annual  transporta- 
tion of  the  mail  on  the  1st  of  July,  1829,  was  13,700,000  miles; 
and  in  that  accompanying  the  president's  message,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  session  of  congress,  he  states  that  on 
the  1st  day  of  July,  1833,  it  was  26,854,485  miles,  making  an  in- 
crease of  transportation  from  the  1st  July,  1829,  to  the  1st  July, 
1833,  of  13,154,485  miles. 

From  the  knowledge  which  your  committee  possessed  of  the 
general  situation  and  business  of  the  department  at  those  pe- 
riods, it  appeared  to  them  that  the  statement  carried  the  stamp 
of  improbability  upon  its  very  face.  They,  therefore,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  as  nearly  as  possible  the  state  of  the 
matter,  called  on  the  officers  of  the  department  for  the  particu- 
lar data  on  which  they  had  founded  their  estimates,  and  asked 
also  for  the  original  paper  showing  the  calculations;  but  they 
were  told  that  those  papers  were  all  destroyed.  Your  com- 
mittee having  subpoenaed  doctor  Phineas  Bradley  to  attend  be- 
fore them,  and  give  evidence,  placed  in  his  hands  the  advertise- 
ments for  mail  contracts,  and  the  book  containing  the  state- 
ment of  extra  allowances,  and  gave  direction*  that  he  should 
be  furnished  with  all  such  information  from  the  department  as 
would  enable  him  to  make  a  full  and  fair  estimate;  and  tliey 
instructed  him  to  make  out  and  report  to  them,  under  oath,  a 
true  statement  of  the  amount  of  transportation,  in  miles,  at  ihe 
periods  above  mentioned.  Alter  he  had  proceeded  very  far 
with  his  estimates,  and  was  nearly  ready  to  make  his  report, 
your  committee  was  informed,  through  their  chairman,  that  toe 
•calculations  from  which  the  report  of  transportation  for  1832, 
was  made  out,  had  been  found,  and  that  a  copy  could  be  furnish- 
ed. It  was  accordingly  furnished,  but  came  too  late  for  your 
committee  to  compare  it  with  the  actual  routes  and  with  the 
advertisements  and  books  of  the  department.  And  it  contains 
nothing  of  itself  to  enable  us  to  determine  on  its  correctness.  It 
stand-,  therefore,  on  precisely  the  same  ground  with  that  of  the 
annual  reports  above  mentioned,  and  lequires  the  same  evi- 
dence to  sustain  it. 

The  report  of  doctor  Bradley,  in  whose  diligence,  inlegrity 
and  knowledge  of  the  subject,  we  have  the  fullest  reliance,  ia 
hereto  attached,  verified  by  his  oath.  It  shows  that  the  trans- 
portations of  the  mail,  on  the  lst;of  July,  1829,  just  alter  the 
department  came  under  the  superintendence  of  the  present 
postmaster  general,  was  15,209,039  miles,  being  1,509,039  miles 
more  than  it  is  stated  in  the  annual  report  above  referred  to, and 
that  the  transportation  on  the  1st  of  July,  1833,  wns  21,156,844, 
instead  of  26,854,485,  being  5,697,651  miles  less  than  the  post- 
master general  has  reported  it. 

4j.Thus,  by  underrating  the  amount  of  transportation  at  the  time 
be  came  into  office,  and  exaggerating  it  since  that  time,  the 
postmaster  general  has  fallen  into  an  error,  as  to  the  amount 
which  he  has  increased  the  transportation  of  the  mail,  of  no  less 
than  7,206,690  miles. 

Your  committee,  not  having  performed  personally  the  labor 
of  this  part  of  the  examination,  cannot  vouch  for  the  accuracy 
of  the  above  estimates,  but  they  believe  them  to  be  nearly  cor- 
rect; and,  if  they  err,  that  the  error  will  be  found  to  be  approach- 
ing too  near,  rather  than  in  departing  too  widely,  from  the  state- 
ments in  the  official  reports  of  the  department. 

The  annual  expenses  of  transporting  the  mail,  under  existing 
contracts,  with  all  improvements,  was,  by  tiie  report  of  the  post- 
master general  of  the  30th  Nov.  1833,  set  down  at    2,033,2e9  -10 
The  Blue  Book  of  Sept.  1832,  gives  the  aggregate  of 
all  mail  contracts  and  extra  allowance  at  1,990,990  14 

Making  a  difference  of  expenditure  not  accounted 
lor,  of  S-10.390  28 

This  difference  is  wholly  unexplained.    No  answer  tins  yet 


Liiiivi cuv;c    IB  wuuiiy    uiifjipiuineu.     inu  niii*'™'  ' 
>ren  given  to  a  call  made  by  the  srnatr,  on  the   II ill  day  of 
March  hist,  on  a  resolution  offered   by  one  of  your  committee, 
or  a  statement  of  the  sums  paid  for  "transportation  and  exlra 


llowances,if  any,  omitted  in  Hie  nine  Honk. 


;r  us  umciai  ailltiurity. 

Your  comiiiiure  has  also  caused  to  he  selected  from  the  rn- 
lort  (of  extra  allowances)  made  by  the  pn--imaMer  zcpej-al  lo 
he  senate  on  the  5th  day  of  March  la:- 1,  all  that  have  been  there 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUflE   14,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT.         275 


set  down  <is  subsisting  allowances  since  the  29th  day  of  Jun 

1833,  which  ought  to  include  all  that  are  embraced  in  the  lili 

Book. 

Their  aggregate,  by  that  report,  amounts  to  $351,573  I 

Their  aggregate,  by  the  Blue  Book,  id  377,947  6 


Making  a  difference  of  26,374  3 

Thus  the  Blue  Book  gives  un  aggregate  less  than  the  mum; 
report,  of  40,369  02 

And  tin:  report  of  March  3, 1834,  Ic.-s  than  the  Blue 

Jiook  23,374  30 


Error  between  Hie  annual  report  and  Ihe  report  of 
March  3d,  1834  §66,74366. 

The  postmaster  general,  in  hi**  annual,  report  accompanyin 
the  president's  message  of  Dec.  1st,  1832,  slates  a  surplus  u 
available  funds,  afier  defraying  all  the  expenses  of  the  depart 
inenl  down  to  the  1st  of  July,  1832,  at  $302,811  40 

In  his  report,  of  Nov.  30,  1833,  ho  says,  that,  in- 
stead of  having  hud  on  hand  that  amount  of  avail- 
able funds,  the  department  was  at  that  time  real- 
ly indebted  beyond  the  whole  amount  of  it*  re- 
sources, including  its  credits  2,844  40 


Showing  an  admitted  error  in  that  report,  of  $205,655  8( 

In  descending  to  the  items,  and  comparing  one  by  one.  the 
contracts,  as  set  forth  and  certified  in  one  report  of  the  postmas 
ter  general,  with  the  same  contracts  as  set  forth  in  another  of 
his  reports,  are  discrepancies  still  more  remarkable.  Your 
committee  have  set  lorth  a  few  of  these  instances  by  way  of  ex- 
ample. 

The  postmaster  general,  in  liis  report  of  the  18th  of  April, 
1832,  (Doc.  212,  p.  12),  states  that  Stockton  and  Neill  had  con- 
tracted to  carry  the  mail  on  routes  Nos.  1,201,  1,202,  1,309  and 
1,400;  that  is  to  say,  Irom  Cumberland  to  Wheeling,  Washing- 
ton to  Frederick  and  from  Frederick  to  Winchester,  at  $7,000 
per  annum. 

By  the  advertisements,  these  routes  were  to  go  into  operation 
on  the  1st  of  January,  1832. 

In  his  report  to  the  senate,  of  the  3d  of  March,  1834,  (Doc 
138,  p.  204),  he  states  the  same  contract  at  15,950  dollars  per  an- 
num, exclusive  of  enormous  extra  allowances,  which,  as  they 
do  not  relate  to  the  branch  of  the  subject  now  under  considera- 
tion, we  pass  by  for  the  present.  The  difference  between  the 
report  of  this  contract  in  April,  1832,  and  March,  1834,  is  8,950 
dollars  per  annum,  amounting,  in  the  four  years,  the  duration 
of  the  contract,  to  35,000  dollars. 

In  his  report  of  April  18,  1832,  (Doc.  212,  p.  17).  he  states 
that  It.  C.  Stockton  and  William  Neill  are  contractors  to  carry 
the   mail   on  route  No.   1.501,  and   others,  including  a   large 
number  of  routes,  principally  in  Ohio,  at  an  annual  compensa- 
tion of  $30,000 
In  his  report  of  March  3,  1834,  (Doc.  138,  p.  210),  he 
states  that  Win.  Neill  &  Co.  are  contractors  on  the 
same  routes,  at  an  annual  compensation  of  50,410 

Making  a  difference  in  favor  of  the  contractor,  per  an- 
numfof  20,410 


During  the  contract,  of  81,641 

In  his  report  of  April  18,  1832,  (Doc.  212,  p.  4),  he  slates  that 
Reeside  &  Slaymaker  are  contractors  for  carrying  the 'mail  from 
Philadelphia  to  Pittsburgh,  at  an  annual  compensation  of  7,000 
From  Pittsburgh  to  Washington  1,-250 


Making,  in  the  aggregate  8,250 

In  his  report  of  March  3,  1834,  (Doc.  138,  p.  199),  he  slates 
the  contract  as  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburgh,  from  Pittsburgh 
to  Washington,  and  from  Washington  to  Wheeling,  at  an  annu- 
al compensation  of  27,070 


Making  a  difference,  per  annum,  of 


19,750 


And  in  four  years,  of  79,000 

The  line  from  Washington  to  Wheeling  is  included  in  the 
contract  of  Stockton  and  Neill,  in  the  report  of  April,  1832. 
(Doc.  138,  p.  204.)  It  is  not  mentioned  as  a  part  of  the  contract 
of  Reeside  and  Slaymaker. 

In  his  report  (Doc.  212,  p.  2),  of  the  18th  of  April,  1832,  the 
postmaster  general  states  that  James  Reeside  is  the  contractor 
for  carrying  the  mail  from  Philadelphia  to  New  York  daily,  at 
an  annual  compensation  of  $0,000 

In  his  report  (Doc.  138,  p.  186)  of  March  3, 1834,  he 

states  the  same  contract  as  twice  a  day,  and  the 

compensation  per  annum  at 

Making  a  difference,  per  annum,  of 


14,500 


And  in  four  years,  of  $58,000 

These  are  but  a  few  out  of  a  numerous  class  of  cases,  many 
of  which  will  be  set  out  at  large  in  a  subsequent  part  of  this  re- 
port. From  them  your  committee  has  been  constrained  to  draw 
conclusions  most  unfavorable  to  the  general  accuracy  of  the  de- 
partment and  though  all,  or  nearly  all,  of  the  cases  which  fol- 
low have  been  differently  represented  in  different  reports  of  the 
department,  they  urn  mil  selected  with  a  special  view  to  that 
cireninMance.  We  detail  thrm  hci-au-c  they  form  parts  of 
transactions  with  individuals,  some,  it  is  true,  of  small  import 


ance,  and  others  of  great  magnitude,  but  altogether  involving 
almost  every  conceivable  variety  of  abu»e;  tome  of  them  in 
diruci  violation  of  law,  and  some  subversive  of  (lie  common 
principles  ol  justice  and  lair  dealing  between  man  and  man. 

The  first  case  examined  by  your  committee  was  a  contract 
with  General  George  Mouse,  ofOaUipolii,  in  the  .State  ol  Ohio, 
am!  me  following  is  the  transaction,  somewhat  in  detail,  as  it 
appeared  in  evidence. 


uiuiiiy,  jooi,  niiu  culling  me  OIBI  i^ecemucr,  jc^i. 
On  the  files  of  the  department,  is  a  letter  from  House  In  tli(: 
postmaster  general,  dated  at  Washington,  Januai y  2bth,  IKJI, 
in  which  he  proposes  to  carry  the  mail  three  lime.-  a  week  in  a 
steamboat  from  Charleston,  Kenhawa,  to  Gallipohs,  nt  >30  per 
mile,  per  annum,  lo  commence  as  soon  as  his  boat  .-hunhl  lie 
ready  in  the  spiing;  and  he  adds,  that  Ins  proposition  is  made  in 
pursuance  of  a  request  or  directions  of  Ihe  department  made  to 
judge  Hayward  in  December  (then)  last.  The  estimated  dis- 
lawce  eixly-four  miles,  equal  to  $1.920  a  yea  i. 

In  a  communication  from  O.  B.  Blown  to  Ihe  poslmasler  ge- 
neral, daled  Ihe  lllh  of  February,  1831,  he  Plates  the  offer  of 
George  House  at  $1,000  for  carrying  Ihe  mail  twice  a  week  in  a 
steamboat  on  the  same  route,  and  thai  the  steamboat  will  be 
ready  "say  the  first  of  April;"  he  suggests  thai  the  conlract  uitft 
Black  may  be  suspended,  and  asks  "shall  it  be  done?"  The  post- 
master general  endorses  on  the  paper  "lei  it  be  done;"  and 
hereupon  Black  leceived  orders  to  discontinue  bis  route  from 
he  1st  of  April,  1831.  No  contract  appears  to  have  been  exe- 
cuted by  House,  and  Black  continued  to  carry  Hie  mail  on  horse- 
jack  as  his  sub  contractor.  The  effect  of  the  whole  transaction 
vas  to  shift  the  contract  out  of  the  hands  of  Black,  and  place  it 
n  the  hands  of  House,  who  is  well  kmm  n  as  an  active  and  influ- 
ential political  partisan.  A  letler  wiillen  by  House  to  the  post- 
master general  on  the  2d  of  August,  1831,  slates  that  he  bad  not 
ret  got  his  steamboat  prepared,  and  does  not  know  when  he 
hall;  and  it  seems  that  he  never  did,  for  the  mail  is  still  carried 
>n  horseback  on  that  route. 

At  Ihe  letting  of  contracts  in  Oclober,  1831,  route  No.  1.588, 
rom  Chillicothe  lo  Gallipolis,  was  bid  off  by  A.  L.  Ross,  at 
'1,100  per  annum,  Ihe  mail  lo  be  carried  three  limes  a  week  in 
jur-horse  post  coaches.  His  bid  was  accepted,  and,  in  the  re- 
>orl  (Doc.  212,  p.  20),  of  Ihe  18ih  of  April,  1832,  he  appears  as 
lie  coniracior. 

On  Ihe  7lh  day  of  Oclober,  1831,  a  letler  was  wrillen  by  O. 
3.  Brown  to  Ross,  informing  him  thai  Ihe  acceptance  of  his  bid 
vas  suspended,  and  that  the  department  wished  him  to  give  it 
p,  n.s  it  was  iinportanl  lhal  Ihe  singe  line  from  Chillicothe  to 
iallipolis,  should  he  connected  with  the  steamboat  line  from 
lallipolis  to  Charleston:  Ross  reluctanlly  yielded  lo  the  requi- 
ition,  and  Ihe  mail  upon  that  route  was  carried  by  House,  for 
ome  lime,  but  without  any  contract  and  without  any  written 
nd  accepted  offer.  There  was  exhibited  to  your  commillee  a 
,'tter  from  House  to  O.  B.  Brown,  wilhoul  dale  or  posl  mark, 
i  which  he  snys  be  has  carried  Ihe  mail  from  Chillicothe  to 
jallipolis,  and  from  Gallipolis  to  Colesmoulh,  since  r/tc  1st  of 
anuary,  1832,  without  any  contract.;  and  in  Ibis  letter  was  en- 
eloped  and  filed,  a  paper,  also  without  dale,  containing  a  pro- 
osilion  by  general  House  lo  carry  the  mail  three  times  a  week 
n  four-horse  post  coaches  from  Chillicolhe  to  Gallipolis,  and 
iree  times  a  week  from  Gallipolis  to  Colesmoulh,  on  horse- 
ack,  for  the  yearly  compensation  of  $2,600.  On  Ihe  back  of 
lis  paper  is  endorsed,  in  the  handwriting  of  the  postmaster  ge- 
^ral  "allowed  to  take  place  from  Ihe  1st  of  January,  1832."  All 
lese  papers,  and  the  filing  and  enlries  upon  Ihem,  are  wilhout 
•Ue.  and  Ihe  officers  of  Ihe  deparlment  can  give  no  account  of 
IB  time  o(  Iheir  execution.  Some  accidental  writing  in  pencil 
:i  one  of  Ihe  papers  does,  however,  lead  to  Ihe  conclusion  lhat 
icy  are  all  of  very  recent  origin,  and  Ihe  conlract  which  was  at 
st  executed,  pursuant  to  this  proposition,  appears  by  the  jurat 
i  have  been  executed  on  the  27th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1833. 
Thus  were  there  two  contracts  transferred  from  their  legal 
wners,  against  whom  there  was  no  complaint,  to  gen.  George 
ouse,at  a  clear  loss  to  Ihe  department  of  $1,206  a  year,  amount- 
in  the  four  years  to  $4,824,  which  sum  is,  in  effect,  a  gift  to 
...t  individual,  made  in  violation  of  law,  and  under  a  succes- 
on  of  pretences,  which  had  no  foundation  in  fact. 
By  Ihe  act  of  Ihe  15th  day  of  June,  1832,  a  mail  route  was  es- 
blished  from  Chicago  lo  Green  Bay,  in  the  terrilory  of  Michi- 
an;  but  in  Ihe  proposals  published  by  Ihe  deparlmenl  on  the 
4th  of  July  following,  this  route  is  not  included,  and  no  notice 
hatever  was  published  by  order  of  Ihe  department  for  propo- 
ils  on  thai  route.  O.  B.  Brown,  an  officer  in  Ihe  deparlment, 
ho  made  onl  the  list  of  proposals,  being  sworn,  staled  il  as  his 
•lief,  that  the  omission  happened  in  consequence  of  Ihe  law 
lablishing  Ihe  post  roules  not  having  been  published  al  the 
trie  he  made  out  the  advertisement,  and  that  he  took  it  from  a 
my  of  the  bill  which  afterwards  underwent  alteration.  It  np- 
•ars  that  Ihe  law  was  approved  on  Ihe  15th  day  "I  June,  1832; 
e  advertisement  was  signed  by  the  postmaster  general  on  the 
rh  of  Tuly  following;  and  it  further  appears,  that  this  route 
as  060 n  the  bill  a?  it  was  first  Introduced  into  the  bouse,  and 
.is  never  struck  out,  or  underwent  the  slightest  alteration, 
iring  its  progress. 

John  T.  Temple,  then  a  clerk  in  the  department,  made  onl  a 
d  in  Ihe  name  of  Asahel  Savory,  f»f  Michigan,  by  which  be  of. 

ed  to  transport  Ihe  mail  on  horseback  on  that  route  once  ia 


376         NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1884— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


two  weeks,  for  3,000  dollars,  or  once  a  week  for  3,500  dollars  a 
year,  which  was  accepted.  There  was  afterwards  a  represen- 
tation made  by  Asahel  Savery,  in  Hit;  handwriting  of  John  T. 
Temple,  staling  that  the  bid  was  too  low,  and  that  he  would 
buffer  very  heavy  loss  by  the  contract.  The  distance  is  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles.  The  lair  value  of  the  service  does  not 
exceed  1,200  or  1,500  dollars. 

The  postmaster  general,  upon  this  representation,  made  an 
additional  allowance  of  1,OOJ  dollars  a  year,  and  the  contract 
was  accordingly  executed  by  Savery,  and  assigned  to  Temple. 

in  this  manner  Dr.  Temple,  by  means  of  his  .situation  in  the 
department,  obtained  a  contract  giving  him  4,500  dollars,  for 
carrying  the  mail  250  miles  on  horseback  weekly,  for  which 
service  it  is  believed  1,500  dollars  would  be  a  very  large  com- 

fensation:  much  more  indeed  than  the  state  of  things  would 
'  ' 


justify.    The  route  is  an  unimportant  one,  the  net  amount  of    H    Wa3    ,,nwed  (p.  187)   for  exlra  services,  a  yearly 
postage  received  upon  it,  after  leaving  Chicago  to  its  lermina-        colnpensalioll  $ 
lion  at  Green  Bay  inclusive,  (alls  short  of  the  one- tenth  part  of 


lars  yearly,  instead  of  1.900  dollars;  to  which  sum,  and  no 
more,  he  was  e milled  by  fair  and  legal  contract. 

The  increased  expedition  was  of  importance  to  the  contractor, 
to  enable  him  to  compete  with  other  rapid  lines  in  the  transpor- 
tation oi'pn'sscnaers,  but  it  does  not  appear  to  have  been  of  any 
considerable  value  to  the  public,  and  had  it  been  of  importance, 
the  increased  compensation  is  much  loo  gical  for  the  additional 
service  rendered. 

It  is  staled  in  the  report  of  the  18th  of  April,  1832,  (Doc.  212, 
p.  2),  thai  James  Ueeside  is  the  contractor  for  the  transportation 
of  the  mail  on  ihri  route  from  Philadelphia  to  N.  York,  in  four- 
horse  post  coaches,  daily,  at  an  annual  compensation  of  6,000 
dollars,  lor  four  years  from  the.  1st  day  of  January,  1832. 

By  the  report  of  the  3d  of  March,  1834,  the  contract  is  stated 
at  twice  a  day,  and  the  annual  compensation  (Doc.  138,  p.  186), 

§20,500 

5,125 


the  sum  given  to  Temple  on  this  contract,  which  aggregale  sum 
equals,  it  is  believed,  tun  net  proceeds  of  postages  received  in 
the  whole  territory  of  Michigan. 

Prior  to  the  letlings  in  October,  1331,  Lindsay  and  Sharffun 
were  contractors  lor  carrying  Hie  mail  from  Hagerstown  to 
Mc'Jonnullsburgh,  and  at  t'hose  lellings  they  again  bid  to  carry 
the  mail  three  limes  a  week,  in  four-horse  post  coaches,  al  300 
dollars,  or  daily  al  600  dollars  a  year.  James  Reeside  bid  for 
the  same  al  40  to  99  dollars  improved.  The  bid  of  Reeside  was 
accepted,  and  he  is  set  down,  in  the  report  of  llie  posunasler 
general  of  the  18th  of  April,  1832,  as  the  contractor,  at  40  dol- 
lars a  year.  In  the  report  of  exlra  allowances  ol  Ihe  3d  of 
March,  1834,  no  exlra  allowance  on  ihis  coniract  is  noted,  but 
in  thai  pan  of  the  same  reporl  which  gives  a  slalemenl  of  the 
retrenchments  ordered,  this  route  is  noted  thus  (in  page  253) 
"1,231,  Hagerslown  lo  McConnellsburgh,  James  Heesicle  four 
weekly  irips,  reduced  700  dollars.  Nol  underslanding  precisely 
how  700  dollars  could  be  deducted  from  40  dollars,  without  first 
adding  something  to  the  lesser  sum,  a  member  of  your  commit- 
tee, who  happened  lo  discover  llie  discrepancy,  gave  to  Iheir 
cterk  a  written  paper,  staling  the  difficulty  and  requesting  an 
explanation,  and  asking  also  for  a  copy  of  some  papers,  which 
it  was  supposed  would  show  llie  Irue  nature  of  this  and  one 
other  transaction.  There  was  much  delay  and  prevarication 
before  any  distinct,  answer  was  given  to  the  inquiry,  and  then 
the  postmaster  general  declined  answering  il,  because  it  was 
nol  signed  by  the  chairman  of  the  commillee.  This  difficulty 
was  removed.  The  chairman  signed  llie  paper,  and  some  lew 
days  alter,  and  after  the  arrival  of  James  Reeside,  the  contrac- 
tor, in  the  city,  the  postmaster  general  sent  in  his  answer  on  llie 
15th  day  of  May,  1834,  which  accompanies  this  reporl. 

1;;  Ihis,  he  says,  llial  aller  the  contract  was  adjudged  to  Ree- 
side on  bis  bid  of  40  dollars  or  99  dollars  improved,  he  was  or- 
dered to  run  daily,  instead  of  Iri-weckly,  and  the  amount  of 
jcompcnsation  for  increased  service  was  left  unsettled.  Tiie  re- 
port goes  on  to  stale  lhat  Reeside  represented  to  the  postmaster 
general  thai  lliere  had  been  uvo  mistakes  in  his  bid;  ibal  he  had 
made  il  oul  in  pencil  marks,  and  his  clerk  had  blundered  in  co- 
pying it.  That  the  40  dollars  was  intended  for  1,400.  and  the 
99  dollars,  which  occurred  iwice,  was  intended  for  1,999,  and 
the  postmaster  general  adds  that  O.  B.  Drown  reporled  lo  him 
at  another  lime  these  sayings  of  Reeside,  and  staled  th-it  there 
was  no  other  bid  on  this  route.  Mr.  Reeside  was  therefore  al- 
lowed lo  correcl  his  bid,  making  it  1,400  and  1,900,  insiead  of 
'40  and  99.  The  reporl  proceeds  lo  say  that  Mr.  Brown  also  was 
mistaken;  that  there  were  in  fact  several  other  lids,  and  lhat,  as 
BOOII  as  this  was  made  known  lo  the  postmaster  general,  he 
promptly  informed  the  coniraclor  thai  his  contract  should  be 
reduced  to  llie  amount  al  which  il  would.  have  been  fixed  had 
he  known  Ihe  other  bids  al  the  time  it  was  arranged.  The  time 
at  which  this  discovery  was  made,  and  the  nolice  given  nol  be- 
ing named  in  llie  reporl  of  the  postmaster  general,  your  .commit- 
tee inquired  of  hint  on  that  subject,  and  he  staled  lhal  il  look 
place  after  he  received  tbe  before  mentioned  informal  inquiry 
from  a  member  of  the  committee. 

Il  is  proper  to  add  lhat  other  inquiries,  informal  as  that  when 
first  presented  had  been  thereloibre  amended  without  objec- 
tion; and  your  committee  cannol  resist  the  conclusion  that  the 
limitation  at  first  manifested,  and  the  refusal  at  last  lo  ans-wcr, 
was  merely  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  time,  and  waiting  the  ar- 
rival of  the  coniraclor  (who  had  been  subpoenaed  by  your  com- 
millee) ihnl  a  better  countenance  might  be  put  upon  it  than  ils 
naked  features  exhibited. 

iaines  Reeside  is  also  contractor  for  carrying  Ihe  mail  from 
Baltimore  to  Chambersburfh,  77  miles,  daily,  four  horse  posi 
coaches,  al  1,900  dollars  a  year,  from  Ihe  1st  of  January,  1832. 
The  schedule  was  so  changed  on  the  29lh  December,  1833,  as 
to  lesson  the  time,  and  consequently,  to  increase  the  speed,  but 
the  difference  was  so  light  as  to  be  wholly  unnoticed  by  a  sub- 
conlraclor  on  a  part  of  the  route,  who  wa«  examined  by  your 
.committee;  and  on  llie  18tb  of  April,  1832,  long  after  the  • 
of  the  schedule,  the  contracl  is  reported  '»  coni/re-.-!  (Doe.  212, 
.  15),  a*  subsisting  at  1,900  dollars.  In  ll:e  report  of  the  3d  of 
arch,  i834,  which  professes  to  give  nil  Ihe  extra  allowances. 


Increasing  the  compensation  on  this  roule  from  6,009 

dollars,  Ihe  legal  conlracl,  to  25,625 

A"d  an  express  mail  was  ordered  to  be  run  on  the 
same  route,  at  a  yearly  compensation  of  3,150 

Making  the  grand  total,  yearly  28,775 

In  his  report  of  the  18th  of  April,  1832,  (Doc.  212,  p.  131),  the 
postmaster  general  slates  that  James  Clark  is  the  contractor  for 
carrying  the  mail  from  Bedlord  to  Blair's  Gap,  and  from  Blair's 
Gap  to  Cumberland,  once  a  week,  on  horseback,  from  llie  1st 
Jan.  1632,  to  the  31st  Dec.  1835,  al  a  yearly  compensation  of 
$275.  In  Ihe  reporl  of  3d  March,  1834,  (Doc.  138,  p.  198),  James 
Reeside  is  reporled  to  be  Ihe  contractor  for  carrying  Ihe  mail  on 
these  routes,  (Nos.  1,215  and  1,230),  from  Cumberland  to  Blair's 
Gap,  three  limes  a  week,  in  four  horse  posl  coaches,  at  an  an- 


nual compensation  of 


4,500  00 


And  on  Ihe  25th  of  February,  1833,  he  was  directed  to 
run  daily  belween  Bedford  and  Blair's  Gap,  at  an  ad- 
ditional compensation  of  2,911  78 

Thus  the  legal  contracl  of  275  dollars  has  arisen  to         7,411  78 
James  Reeside  and  S.  R.  Slaymaker  were  contractors  for  car- 
rying the  mail  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburgh,  for  a  yearly  com- 


p. 

.there  is  nope  stated  on  Ihis  route,  lint  in  that  part  ofthat  report 
which  gives  -thn  curtailment  of  mail  fariliiirs,  (Doc.  138,  p.  253), 
the  "increased  expedition"  i«  reduced  to  1,505  dollars  yearly; 
and,  on  examination  of  the  books  of  the  department,  it  appears 
timt  ih«  contractor  did  in  fact  receive  on  th.it  route  3,49.r>  dol- 


pensation  of  7,000 

From  Pittsburgh  to  Washington,  Pennsylvania  1,250 

Aggregate  8,250 

As  by  the  report  of  the  18th  of  April,  1832,  (Doc.  212,  p.  4  and 

In  the  report  of  the  3d  of  March,  1834.  (Doc.  138,  p.  199),  they 
are  elated  to  he  contraclors  for  carrying  the  mail  on  the  same 
routes,  and,  in  addition  therelo,  from  Washington  to  Wheeling, 
in  Virginia,  (which  is  also  covered  by  the  contract  of  Slockton 
and  Neill),  al  an  annual  compensation  ol  27,000 

On  Ihe  5lh  of  May,  1833,  lliere  was  made  on  this  route 

a  yearly  exlra  allowance  from  April  1,  1832,  of  10,000 

And  there  was  ordered  an  express  mail  on  the  snme 

route,  to  be  run  by  James  Reeside,  from  Philadelphia 

to  Pitlsburgh,  al  a  yearly  allowance  of  3,150 

Increasing  the  compensation  on  this  route  from  §8,250, 
yearly,  to  $40,150 

The  above  are  but  a  few  out  of  the  many  contracts  held  by 
James  Reeside  and  others  his  partners.  The  allowances  in  llie 
above  cases,  beyond  the  amount  of  their  open  bids  and  fair  and 
legal  contracts,  in  $62,316  78  a  year;  amounting,  during  the 
continuance  of  Iheir  contracts,  to  the  enormous  sum  of  $249,267 
12,  given  to  these  conlraclors  by  the  department,  without  ad- 
vertising and  without  competition. 

The  amount  of  these  allowances  were  somewhat  reduced  on 
the  1st  of  December  last,  in  consequence  of  Ihe  insolvency  of 
tlie  department. 

It  will  be  noticed  in  Ihese  and  many  similar  cases  of  favored 
conlraclors,  lhal,  where  they  are  concerned,  competition  is  ab- 
solutely put  down,  and  the  notice  published  pursuant  to  law, 
inviting  competition  and  the  public  biddings,  are  but  meie  masks 
to  cover  llieir  secret  transactions.  The  route  is  not  advcrliM-d 
as  it  is  to  be  run;  and  before  it  is  put  into  operation,  some  im- 
provement, generally  comporting  with  an  alternative  proposi- 
tion in  the  bid,  is  ordered,  and  the  original  contract  is  iiiergrd 
and  lost  in  lite  improvement.  The  compensation  agreed  toby 
the  legal  contract  is,  in  some  instances,  so  insignificant,  lhal  it 
is  hardly  worlh  adding  in  as  an  item  in  the  airurcgate  allowance. 
But  it  hat  not  been  ihought  necessary,  in  all  cases,  to  pre- 
serve even  the  cover  of  increased  services,  as  an  pxru-«  for 
these  extra  allowances.  The  10,000  dollars  yearly  allowed  to 
Reeside  8t  Slaymaker,  on  the  route  from  Philadelphia  to  Pitts- 
burgh, is  wholly  without  this  apology.  The  allowance  was  for 
hai'l>hips  incurred  in  the  performance  of  a  stipulated  service, 
not  for  any  thing  done  whicb  their  contract  did  not  require  uf 
Idem.  The  whole  hardship,  too,  a»  proved  by  the  trslimony  of 
Ki  e-i'le,  was  this:  The  mull  was  so  heavy  for  three  of  their  trips 
weekly,  as  to  prevent  their  taking  in  a  full  load  of  jrassenzcri 
on  those  trips;  by  which  il  would  sei  in  that  the  department, 
after  paying  for  the  transportation  of  It"1  mail  "n  this  route, 
somelhil!!!  more  than  30,000  dollars,  was  also  held  bound  lo  pay 
til''  c-ontiartor  extra  for  whatever  expense  anil  inoonvi  nience 
the  transportation  of  the  mail  might  occasion  him.  Or  rathrr, 
to  give  the  transaction  its  true  character,  this  ten  thousand  dol- 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT.         277 


lars  a  year  was  a  gift,  out  of  the  funds  of  the  department,  to 
these  contractors:  and  there  are  some,  further  circumstances  at- 
tending it,  which,  on  the  most  careful  inquiry  by  your  commit- 
tee, are  not  satisfactorily  explained. 

The  evidence  ihew» -that  Ileeside  &  Slav-maker,  represent 
two  companies  which  sliare  equally  in  the  profit  and  loss  on 
this  line.  The  money  acttruing  lor  transportation  is  received 
by  Reeside  &  Slayniakcr,  a  moiety  by  each,  and  di.-lriwuied  by 
them  to  their  respective  companies.  This  extra  alli>\vani'«  ol 
leu  thousand  dollars  was  received  by  them  on  the  ylh  of  May, 
1833,  and  no  part  of  it  has  yet  been  paid  over  by  sillier  of  them 
to  their  partners,  or  entered  upon  any  account  book  of  the  com- 
panies. Reeside,  on  his  examination, stated  that  they  had  kept 
this  back  to  pay  some  old  debts  of  the  companies,  which  they 
supposed  had  been  provided  for,  but  which  were,  unexpectedly 
found  to  exceed  the  sum  appropriated  for  their  payment.  Hut 
being  specially  interrogated,  he  stated  that  this  unexpected  de- 
ficit did  not  exceed  five  thousand  dollars  in  the  whole,  and  that 
it  was  not  discovered  to  exist  until  about  three  months  after 
the  first  ten  thousand  dollars  of  this  extra  allowance  was  re- 
ceived by  him  and  Slaymaker.  The  whole  amount  so  receiv- 
ed, and  so  retained  by  them  on  this  account,  appears  to  have 
been  sixteen  thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty-six  dollars,  sixty- 
six  and  two- thirds  cents.  The  allowance  of  this  money  and  its 
application  are  alike  remarkble. 

There  were  also  certain  pecuniary  transactions  of  a  private 
nature,  between  these  contractors  and  some  of  the  officers  of 
the  department,  which  came  under  the  notice  of  your  commit- 
tee, which,  in  their  opinion,  merit  consideration. 

Some  time  in  the  year  1832,  O.  B.  Brown  applied  to  Slayma- 
ker for  a  small  loan  of  money,  (300  dollars),  which  Slaymaker 
accordingly  lent  him,  but  took  no  note,  and  made  no  memoran- 
dum of  the  transaction,  which  took  place  in  the  presence  of  no 
one  but  themselves.  At  another  time,  Mr.  Brown  asked  Slay- 
maker  if  he  could  lend  him  three  thousand  dollars  at  the  usual 
rate  of  interest.  This  also  was  promised:  and  some  time  after, 
about  the  first  of  January,  1833,  Mr.  Brown  renewed  his  request, 
and  said  he  had  made  a  purchase  of  the  property  of  Dr.  Temple, 
on  the  faith  of  the  promised  loan.  The  witness  stated  before  the 
committee,  that,  at  that  lime,  he  had  not  the  required  sum  of  mo- 
ney at  command,  but  undertook  to  raise  it,  and  accordingly  die 
raise  it,  by  means  of  draughts.  These  draughts  were  two  in  num- 
ber, for  fifteen  hundred  dollars  each,  drawn  by  Sam'l  R.  Slayma- 
ker on  O.  B.  Brown,  and  endorsed  by  James  Reeside,  and  pay- 
able at  ninety  days  date.  They  were  negotiated  at  the  West- 
ern bank,  in  Philadelphia,  and  sent  to  the  Patriotic  bank,  in 
W^ashington  city,  for  collection.  They  were  paid  at  maturity 
by  the  proceeds  of  a  draught  drawn  by  James  Reeside  on  O.  B 
Brown,  for  three  thousand  dollars,  at  ninety  days.  This 
draught  was  suffered  to  pass  a  day  or  two  beyond  its  maturity 
without  payment;  but  on  the  18th  of  July  it  was  paid  out  of  tht 
proceeds  of  a  draught  drawn  by  Samuel  R.  Slaymaker  on  James 
Reeside,  for  two  thousand  dollars,  and  one  thousand  dollars  in 
cash  paid  by  Slaymaker;  and  O.  B.  Brown,  at  the  same  time 
drew  on  Reeside  for  two  thousand  dollars,  Which  draughts 
were  sent  to  the  bank  of  Maryland  for  collection.  It  appears 
that  neither  Reeside  nor  Slaymaker  made  any  charge,  or  kep 
any  memoranda  of  these  transactions;  that  they  have  no  noti 
or  acknowledgment  of  Brown,  showing  his  liability  to  them 
unless  it  be  the  draughts  which  were  taken  up,  which  Slayma 
her  says  he  thinks  he  preserved,  but  of  which  he  does  not  pro 
fess  to  be  certain.  He,  nevertheless,  denies  absolutely  that  i 
was  intended  as  a  doceur  or  gratuity  to  Brown.  Reeside  states 
that  Brown  paid  him  one  thousand  dollars  in  part  of  this  loan 
But  this  transaction  is  the  more  remarkable  when  taken  in  con 
nection  with  another,  testified  to  by  Edwin  Porter,  which  wil 
be  found  in  another  part  of  this  report.  In  that  case,  Brown 
was,  shortly  before  and  shortly  after  this  transaction,  the  lend 
er  of  very  large  sums  of  money  to  Porter,  on  interest. 

It  also  appears  that,  in  the  spring  or  summer  of  183L  Mr 
Barry  applied  to  Reeside,  in  Philadelphia,  to  assist  him  in  ne 
potiating  an  acceptance  for  1,000  dollars,  to  raise  some  rnone 
fur  his  (Mr.  Barry's)  individual  use.  Instead  of  doing  this 
Reeside  advanced  him  the  1,000  dollars;  and  he  stated  befor 
the  committee  that  Mr.  Barry  paid  it  by  his  acceptance  at 
short  date,  which  he  (Reeside)  negotiated  in  the  Schuylki 
hank.  On  inquiry  of  the  cashier  of  the  Sehuylkiil  bank,  w 
were  informed  that  no  such  acceptance  was  negotiated  there 
Your  committee,  having  collated  the  evidence  touching  thes 
transactions,  leave  them  without  comment. 

In  some  of  the  contracts  above  examined,  and  many  other 
lhat  passed  under  the  notice  of  your  committee,  very  larg 
sums  of  money  have  been  paid  by  the  department,  for  the  es 
tiiblishme.nt  of  a  second,  and  sometimes  a  third,  daily  line  on  th 
same  route. 

When  the  contracts  for  a  regular  daily  mail  have  been  adver 
liscd  and  let  out  pursuant  to  law,  your  committee  can  look  upo 
these  expenditures  in  no  other  light  than  that  of  an  enormou 
waste  of  the  public  funds.  Take,  for  example,  the  ease  of  th 
contract  from  Philadelphia  to  Piltshurcli,  and  from  Pittsburg 
to  Washington,  hrnusht  up,  as  we  h-wo  already  shown,  frot 
8.250  dollars  to  40,1.50  dollars — while  a  single  mail,  in  each  wii 
daily,  on  that  line,  is  all  the  public  service,  or  the  business 
Ihe  country  does  require,  or  ever  has  required.  Addition; 
lines  of  stages  there  are  convenient  only  for  the  tran-poriatio 
of  passengers,  and.  whenever  the  hiiMiii'ss  of  the  country  rt 
quires  them,  they  RpritiL'  up  of  themselves  without  the  aid 
government.  And  those  opposition  lines,  which  are  got  up  b 


dividual  enterprise,  nerve  the  interest  of  the  travelling  public 


The  monopoly  Bet  up  by  the  establishment  of  these  additional 
aily  mails,  and  express  mails,  is  of  tin;  nin-t  pernicious 
indency.  They  enable  the  large  mail  contractor*  to  put  down 
nd  ruin  any  man  who  shall  attempt  to  cnmpelc  witli  tin  in  in 
i«  transportation  of  passengers;  and  thus,  lor  want  of  that 
liolesoiiie  rompetitiii.n  which  the  natural  course  of  tilings 
.ould  otherwise  create,  are  travellers  delivered  over  to  the 
tail  contractors  and  their  servants  as  a  kind  of  property,  to  be 
ealt  with,  and  disposed  of,  for  the  lime  being,  according  to 
n-ir  good  pleasure. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  of  your  committee,  by  these  remarks,  to 
rraign  the  conduct  of  any  class  of  individuals.  The.-e  men, 
ike  all  others,  pursue  their  own  individual  interest,  and  many 
f  them  labor  assiduously  for  the  comfort  and  accommodation 
f  the  public.  It  is  our  purpose  to  mark  the  general  tendency  of 
l)ings,and  few  travellers  can  have  failed  to  observe  that  the  com- 
ort  and  convenience  of  the  passenger  in  the  tuail  stage  is  promot- 
d  by  the  existence  of  an  efficient  opposition  on  the  same  route. 
But  besides  the  general  effect  of  these  second  and  third  daily 
mails  to  put  down  opposition  lines,  an  agreement,  of  which  ihat 
s  one  of  the  avowed  objects,  entered  into  between  two  large 
companies  of  contractors,  each  running  those  additional  lines, 
•\nd  each  in  the  receipt  of  very  large  extra  allowances,  appears 
o  have  been  made  with  the  approbation  of  the  department,  and 
tied  among  its  archives  to  be  safely  keptand  officially  enforced, 
n  one  clause  it  binds  the  contracting  parlies,  under  a  penalty, 
o  transport  no  passengers  for  less  than  a  stipulated  price.  It 
also  binds  them  to  use  their  efforts  lo  put  down  an  opposition 
ine  which  appears  lo  be  established  on  one  of  their  routes,  and 
70t  to,  receive  any  passengers  who  shall  have  been  carried  on  any 
mrt  of  the  route  in  an  opposition  coach. 

Your  committee  have  caused  a  copy  of  this  agreement  to  be 
appended  lo  this  report,  and  they  are  of  opinion  ihat,  as  an  act 
countenanced,  encouraged,  or  sanctioned  by  the  department, 
or  any  of  its  officers,  it  is,  in  the  above  mentioned  particulars, 
an  unjust  invasion  of  private  rights. 

The  express  mails  which  have  been  above  noticed  by  your 
committee,  are,  as  far  as  they  can  ascertain,  nothing  more  nor 
ess"  than  another  line  of  mail  coaches,  sent  for  no  special  pur- 
pose, or  on  any  special  emergency;  probably  applied  for  because 
t  was  found  profitable  to  run  a  third  line  of  coaches  for  the 
transportation  of  passengers,  and  granted  because  they  were 
applied  for.  Your  committee  look  upon  the  expenditure  of 
money  to  establish  these  second  and  third  daily  lines  in  no 
other  light  than  lhat  of  a  premium  paid  by  the  department  to 
one  line  of  passenger  coaches,  tending  to  give  it  the  ascendan- 
cy over  every  other  line.  A  striking  case,  in  illustration  of  this 
view,  occurs  in  Ihe  agreement  above  referred  lo.  Stockton 
and  Neill  are  the  contractors  on  the  line  from  Washinglon, 
Pennsylvania,  lo  Wheeling — Reeside  and  olhers  are  contrac- 
tors on  the  route  from  Philadelphia,  by  Pittsburgh  and  Wash- 
ington, to  Wheeling;  thus  running  two  mail  lines  from  Wash- 
ington to  Wheeling  upon  the  same  road.  By  the  agreement  re- 
ferred to,  Reeside  stipulated  to  run  that  route  no  oftener  than 
each  alternate  day;  in  consideration  of  which,  Stockton  arid 
Neill  agree  to  carry  Reeside's  mail  on  each  of  tiie  other  alter- 
nate days,  without  compensation,  except  at  the  option  of  Ree- 
side. The  transportation  of  the  mail  is  treated  as  a  mere  inci- 
dental business,  not  worth  serious  notice  in  a  contract  about 
passengers  am1  opposition  lines. 

R.  C.  Stockton  and  Win.  Neill  contracted  to  carry  the  mail 
from  Cumberland  to  Wheeling;  from  Washington,  Pennsylva- 
nia, to  Steubenville;  from  Baltimore  to  Cumberland;  from 
Washington  city  to  Frederick,  and  from  Frederick  to  Winches- 
ter, from  the  1st  day  of  January,  1832,  for  four  years,  (see  re- 
porl  of  April  18, 1832,  doc.  212,  p.  12),  at  the  annual  compensa- 
tion of  §7,000. 

But  the  contract  was  in  fact  executed,  giving  them  a  yearly 
compensation  for  the  same  line,  with  some  variations,  at  $15,500 
And  for  increased  expedition,  and  increased  number  of 
trips,  making  two  lines  of  stases  daily;  which  was,  as 
is  believed,  wholly  unnecessary  for  the  public  ser- 
vice—they were  allowed  extra  the  yearly  sum  of  22,962 

Thus,  upon  a  contract  for  7,000  dollars,  made  pursuant 
to  law,  the  department  has,  by  means  of  hypothetical 
bids  and  extra  allowances,  transferred  to  the  hands 
of  these  invividuals  the  yearly  sum  of  $33,462 

R.  C.  Stockton  and  Wm.  Neill  were  also  contractors  for  car- 
rying the  mail  on  seventeen  mail  routes,  stated  in  the  report  of 
April  18,  1832,  (Doc.  212,  p.  17),  at  the  annual  compensation  of 

$30,000 

*The  contracts,  however,  appear  to  have  been  so  modified 
and  adjusted,  after  the  acceptance  of  Ihe  bids,  as  lo  give  ihem 
on  the  same  routes  the  annii.il  compensation  of  $50.410 

And  they  were  allowed  for  extras,  including  an  allow- 
ance for  tolls  and  ferriages,  yearly  18,596 


Making  an  aggregate  of 


$69,006 


Being  an  advance  upon  their  regular  legal  contracts  of  $39,506 
~*rTp.  of  March  3.  1834,  doc.  138,  p.  210,  211. 


278         NILES'  REG1STEK— JUNE   14,  i«34— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


31,46 


The  advance  upon  the  other  contracts  abov«  referred 
to  is 

Making  the  yeaily  advance  allowed  oil  the  two  con- 
tracts of  $70,96 

Which,  during  the  four  years  of  their  continuance, 


amount  in  the  aggregate  to 


#983,87: 


And  this  given  without  advertising  «nd  without  competition 
*R.  C.  Stockton  is  contractor  lor  carrying  the  mail  on  lontes 
Nos.  1,105,  1,111,  1,219,  1,371,  1.372,  1,387,   1,391,  1,395,1,396 
1,397,  1,398—24  miles  daily,  61   miles  tlirice  a  week,  98  miles 
daily,  38  miles  daily,  70  miles  daily,  54  twice,  58  miles  daily,  2' 


miles  once,  15  miles  once,  30  miles  once,  at 


$14,950 


This  contract  IMS  no  schedule  attached  to  it,  and  on  its  mar- 
gin it  has  this  memorandum:  "All  the  improvements  in  this 
contract  were  ordered  by  the  postmaster  general  from  the  be- 
ginning; he  is  therefore  entitled  to  the  stipulated  sum  of  $20,150 
per  annum  additional." 

It  is  also  noted  on  the  contract,  and  stated  in  the  report  ol 
March  3.  1834, f  that  the  express  mail  from  Baltimore  to  Lan- 
caster is  discontinued,  but  no  mention  is  made  in  that  report  or 
elsewhere,  a*  your  committee  can  discover,  that  such  express 
mail  was  ever  established.  The  improvements  for  which  this 
enormous  sum  of  $21,150  was  allowed,  are  not  indicated  in  any 
report  made  to  congress.  In  the  report  of  the  18th  April,  1832, 
th(i  contract  is  set  down  at  $14,950,  and  nothing  is  any  where 
said  to  the  public  of  increased  service  or  increased  compensa- 
tion. The  extra  amount  thus  paid  on  this  contract,  without 
legal  warrant  or  adequate  consideration,  during  its  continuance 
four  year?,  is  $80,660,  besides  the  $3,150  a  year  paid  for  the  ex- 
press mail  on  the  same  line. 

In  the  above  case,  it  will  be  perceived  that  the  contract  is, 
in  the  aggregate,  for  eleven  mail  routes;  so  interweaving  and 
complicating  the  transaction  as  to  render  it  exceedingly  difficult 
to  unravel  it,  and  to  find  whether  the  bids  at  which  the  routes 
were  struck  off,  are  the  most  favorable  for  the  department,  and 
still  more  difficult  is  it  to  ascertain  the  reality  of  any  alleged 
improvements,  and  their  actual  value  if  they  exist.  The  same 
objection  occurs  in  numerous  cases.  Improvements  are  said 
to  be  made  by  expediting  on  one  route,  changing  the  schedule 
on  another,  and  ordering  additional  trips  on  a  third;  so  that  a 
single  contract  is,  in  this  manner,  rendered  so  complex  as  to 
require  the  labor  of  several  days  to  reduce  it  to  its  elements, 
and  ascertain  its  true  condition. 

E.  Porter  &  Co.  are  contractors  for  carrying  the  mail  from 
Staunton,in  Virginia, to  Catlettsburgh,  Kentucky,  three  times  a 
week,  in  four-horse  post  coaches,  from  the  1st  of  January,  1831, 
to  the  31st  of  December,  1834,  at  an  annual  compensation  of 
$7,566. 

On  this  contract,  legal  and  regular  in  its  inception,  are  en- 
grafted extra  allowance  compensation  for  extension  and  private 
contracts  to  the  enormous  yearly  sum  of  $18,156. 

The  two  largest  of  the  items  which  compose  this  extra  sum, 
namely,  $2,000  for  extending  a  steamboat  mail,  between  Guy- 
andotle,  Virginia,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  and  $11,000  a  year  for 
extending  the  steamboat  mail  to  Louisville,  is,  in  the  opinion 
of  your  committee,  not  only  an  unnecessary  and  extravagant 
expenditure  of  the  public  funds,  but  is  an  act  wholly  unautho- 
rised by  law. 

Every  one  acquainted  with  the  situation  of  the  country,  and 
the  course  of  business  between  those  points,  will  be  at  once 
satisfied  that  it  is  unnecessary.  It  is  wholly  immaterial  whe- 
ther the  mail  be  carried  between  those  points  in  a  two-horse 
coach  or  in  a  steamboat,  provided  it  be  carried  safely;  and  the 
lines  on  which  it  was  carried  before  the  establishment  of  this 
route  were  ample  for  that  purpose.  No  one  travels  in  stages 
from  Guyandotte  to  Cincinnati,  or  from  Cincinnati  to  Louis- 
ville; and  the  aid  of  the  department  is  not  necessary  to  keep  up 
a  constant  and  regular  communication  by  steamboats  between 
them.  The  establishment  of  this  line  was  therefore  unneces- 
sary, either  for  the  transportation  of  the  mail  or  the  accommo- 
dation of  passengers. 

It  was  also  against  law.  The  general  act  of  the  3d  day  of 
March,  1825,  reducing  into  one  the  several  acts  regulating  the 
post  office  department,  in  its  1st  section,  enacts,  that  the  post- 
master general  "shall  provide  for  the  carriage  of  the  mail  on  all 
post  routes  that  are  or  may  be  established  by  law."  This 
clause  contains  his  whole  general  authority  for  contracting  for 
the  transportation  of  the  mail,  and  this  does  not  authorise  the 
setting  up  of  this  line  of  steamboats,  inasmuch  as  the  Ohio 
river  between  these  points  is  not  a  legal  mail  route,  lint  the 
authority  here  exercised  may  be  supposed  to  be  conferred  by 
the  5lh  section  of  the  act  which  provides  "that  the  postmaster 
general  be  authorised  to  have  the  mail  carried  in  any  steam- 
boat, or  other  vessel  which  shall  be  u«ed  as  a  packet  in  any  of 
the  waters  of  the  United  States,  on  such  terms  and  conditions 
as  shall  be  considered  expedient:  provided,  that  he  does  not 
pay  more  than  three  cents  for  each  letter,  and  not  more  than 
one  half  cent,  for  each  newspaper  conveyed  in  such  mail." 
But  it  iii  perfectly  clear  to  your  committee  that  this  provision  of 
law  was  never  intended  to  authorise,  and  doer  not  authorise, 
the  establishment  of  a  steamboat  line  by  contract  for  the  purpose 
of  carrying  the  mail;  the  whole  frame  and  language  of  the  sec- 
tion forbids  it.  "The  postmaster  general  is  authorised  to  have 


"April  18.  18>7.  doc.  212,  p.  8. 
JDoc.  138,  p.  ir.l. 


the  mail  carried  in  any  steamboat  which  shall  be  used  as  a 
packet."  lie  may  arail  hiniMilf  of  such  means  of  transporta- 
tion when  In;  finds  it  already  eAii-liiig,  Out  he  is  not  authorised 
to  incur  the  expense  of  providing  it.  The  law  also  provides 
that  he  shall  not  pay  more  than  three  cents  lor  each  letter,  nor 
more  than  half  a  cent  for  each  newspaper  so  carried:  a  restric- 
tion wholly  inconsistent  with  the  supposition  that  he  had  pow- 
er to  get  up  steamboat  lines  by  contract  for  the  transportation 
of  the  mail.  And  the  reason  that  this  is  not  permitted  is  obvi- 
ous; the  expense  of  getting  up  a  steamboat  line,  by  contract, 
for  the  transportation  of  the  mail,  is  enormously  disproportion- 
ed  to  the  object;  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  department  may 
avail  itself  most  advantageously  of  an  existing  line  of  packets 
for  the  cheap  and  expeditious  transportation  of  the  mail.  The 
5th  section  of  the  act,  above  referred  to,  is  a  transcript  of  the 
3d  section  of  the  act  of  the  27th  of  February,  1815.  And  white 
the  last  named  act  was  in  force,  it  was  thought  expedient  by 
the  department  to  contract  for  carrying  the  mail  from  New  Or- 
leans to  Louisville  by  steamboats.  But,  as  the  power  was  not 
supposed  to  be  conferred  by  that  law,  a  special  act  was  passed 
on  the  2d  March,  1819,  authorising  such  contract,  with  the  ex- 
press proviso  that  the  whole  expense  of  sending  the  mail  in 
iteamboats  should  not  exceed  that  of  transporting  the  same  by 
and.  In  the  steamboat  contracts  made  by  the  present  post- 
naster  general,  not  the  slightest  attention  is  paid  to  the  restric- 
ions  in  either  of  the  atove  named  statutes,  and  the  sum  paid 
or  the  transportation  of  the  mail  from  Cincinnati  to  Louisville 
consumes  greatly  more  than  half  the  net  revenue  received  by 
he  department  in  both  those  cities. 

There  is  another  transaction  with  the  same  individual,  which 
s  liable  to  the  same  and  still  stronger  objections. 
It  seems  that  a  person  by  the  name  of  Rhodes  undertook  to 
arry  the  mail  from  New  Orleans  to  Mobile,  but  failed  and 
ave  up  the  contract.  Afterwards  Messrs.  Stockton  and  Stokes, 
ames  Reeside,  and  Avery  and  Porter,  undertook  to  carry  the 
nail  on  the  same  route,  three  times  a  week  in  steamboats,  for 
wenty-five  thousand  dollars  a  year.    They  also  failed  to  com- 
ily.  and  their  contract  was  also  given  up.     Edwin  Porter  then 
undertook,  by  private  agreement  with  the  department,  to  carry 
the  mail  daily  on  that  route  in  steamboats  lor  four  years,  at 
forty  thousand  dollars  a  year,  which  agreement  is  still  subsist- 
ing.    Within  the  last  year  there  were  one  hundred  and  fifty 
failures  on  this  improved  line,  for  which  the  contractor  says  he 
is  fined  on  the  books  of  the  department  six  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred dollars,  yet  no  part  of  this  sum  appears  to  have  been   re- 
tained out  of  his  pay.     On  the  contrary  he  was  permitted  to 
overdraw  very  largely,  and  his  drali  for  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars, accepted  by  thft  postmaster  general,  and  not  yet  paid,  was 
discounted  some  time  since  at  New  Of  leans,  to  enaMe  him  to 
raise  money  to  go  on  with  the  contract,  which  was  likely  to  fail 
by  the  unskilfulness  and  inefficiency  of  his  agent.     This  con- 
tractor, Edwin  Porter,  is  also  the  borrower  of  large  sums  of  mo- 
ney of  Obadiah  B.  Brown — three  thousand  five  hundred  dol- 
lars early  in  the  year  1832,  and  lour  thousand  five  hundred  dol- 
lars in  November  1833,  making  an  aggregate  loan  of  eight  thou- 
sand dollars. 

The  waste  of  money  on  this  contract  is  enormous.    The  net 
proceeds  of  all  the  postages  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  and  the 
town  of  Mobile,  are  hardly  sufficient  to  sustain  it.    The  law 
has  been  violated  by  entering  into  a  contract  to  get  up  a  steam- 
boat line  for  the  transportation  of  the  mail  without  any  resard 
to  legal  restrictions.     It  was  violated  by  the  department  when 
it  entered  into  a  contract  for  the  transportation  of  the  mail 
withont  an  advertisement  inviting  public  competition.     And 
there  is  another  feature  in  this  and  some  other  cases  which 
your  committee  have  examined,  which,  in  their  opinion,  is  de- 
serving of  the  most  decisive  condemnation.     It  is  the  blending 
and  connecting  the  fiscal  affairs  of  the  department  with  those 
of  individual   contractors.    Thus,  while  advancing  its  funds, 
and  lending  its  credit  to  this  individual  to  enable  him  to  repair 
his  errors  and  carry  on  his  contract,  the  department  itself  did, 
in  several  cases,  call  in  the  aid  of  other  contractors  to  assist  it 
in  raising  money  to  pay  its  ordinary   and  current  expenses. 
Two  instances  of  this  kind  are  stated  in  the  testimony  of  James 
Reeside.     About  two  years  ago,  he  drew  a  draft  of  six  thousand 
dollars  at  the  request  of  the  department,  and  for  its  use,  and  got 
it  negotiated  at  the  Western  bank  of  Philadelphia;  and  some 
time  last  winter  he  "arranged"  ten  thousand  dollars  through 
the  assistant  postmaster  at  New  York,  for  the   use  of  the  de- 
partment.   No  other  cases  of  the  like  kind  are  distinctly  in  evi- 
dence   before   the  committee,  but,  from   general   information, 
they  believe  the  practice  to  have  prevailed  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent.   Your  committee  condemn  this  practice  most  decisively. 
In  their  opinion,  it  is  placing  the  department  in  an  improper 
and   injurious  connection   with  individuals.     As  a   matter  of 
mere  prudence,   independently  of  the  qneMion   of  power,   it 
should  neither  venture  its  own  money  or  plieht  its  credit,  to 
sustain  any  individual,  much  less  should  it  ask  pecuniary  a?- 
•istaoee  of  its   contractors  to  enable  it  to  keep  np  its  credit. 
Those  contractors  should  be  required  to  do  their  duty,  and  they 
should  be  nsked  for  nothing  more.     Favors  are  expected  to  lie 
reciprocal,  and  if  the  department  ask  and  receive  them,  it  can- 
not deny  when  something  is  asked  in  return.     But  the  depart- 
ment has  placed  itself  in  this  undignified  relnlion  with  its  eon- 
tractors.     It  ha*  become  the  acceptor  for  one  to  enable  him  to 
sustain  his  credit  nnd  rarry  on  his  contract;  and  it  hn«  heroine 
the  debtor  to  another  for  his  narrn-  to  enable  it  to  raise  money 
to  answer  its  own  pressing  necessities.    The  relations  in  which 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


279 


it  is  thus  involved  are  partly  the  cause  and  partly  the  conse 
quence  of  its  present  insolvent  condition.  The  individual 
who,  variously  connected  iinil  combined,  hold  extravagant  pri 
vate  contrai  (s,  and  who  receive  extra  allowances,  which  ex 
hatist  the  revenues  of  whole  states,  are  the  same  who  lend  thei 
credit  to  keep  up  the  credit  of  the  department — w'ho  furnisl 
funds  ti>  pay  olf  the  debts  and  relieve  the  embarrassments  of  it* 
chief  officer — who  advance  large  sums  of  money  to  rnahlt 
another  of  its  officers  to  purchase  rual  estate  "at  a  reduce* 
price," — and  who  send  presents  of  choice  wines  to  furnish  th 
tables,  of  both. 

William  Smith  is  the  contractor  for  carrying  the  mail  frorr 
Washington  cily  to  Lynchb'irg,*  two  hundred  miles,  three 
times  a  week,  in  four  horse  post  coaches,  at  the  yearly  com 
pensation  of  '  $6,000 

He  was  allowed  for  two  changes  of  schedule,  the  proprie- 
ty and  utility  of  which  is  not  shown,  800  dollars  and 
300  dollars,  1,100 

For  a  daily  mail  from  Washington  to  Warrenton,  fifty- 
two  miles,  1 
A  daily  mail  from  Warrenton  to  Orange  court  house,  for- 
ty four  miles,  1,601 
And  a  daily  mail  from  Orange  court  house  to  Lynchburg, 
one  hundred  and  six  miles,                                                   4,000 


Making  an  extra  allowance  yearly  of  $7,90C 

The  four  additional  trips  per  week  were  relinquished  on 
the  1st  December,  1833,  in  consequence  of  the  insol- 
vency of  the  department,  and  there  was  deducted  from 
the  extra  allowance  4,900 


1,900 


Leaving  for  no  known  increase  of  service  the  yearly  al- 
lowance of  3,000 
If  we  admit  the  change  of  schedule  to  be  a  meritorious 

cause  for  the  allowance  of  1,100 

The  contractor  is,  in  that  case,  released  from  all  his  addi- 
tional trips,  for  which  he  was  allowed  6,800  dollars, 
and  his  compensation  is  reduced  in  consequence  of  it 
but  4,900,  leaving  him  an  additional  yearly  allowance 
of 
For  which  no  service  whatever  is  rendered. 

There  is  also  an  extra  allowance  of  nine  hundred  and  seven- 
ty-five dollars  made  to  William  Smithf  for  an  extension  of  his 
line  from  Dobsori'sX  roads  to  Lexington,  North  Carolina.  Prior 
to  this  arrangement,  this  mail  went  on  the  route  from  Dobson's 
X  roads  to  Salem,  and  from  Salem  to  Lexington,  which  increas- 
ed his  distance  only  seven  miles,  passing  through  a  very  flou- 
rishing town.  This  extension,  as  it  is  called,  was  therefore 
wholly  useless,  except  so  far  as  itserved  the  convenience  of  the 
contractor,  and  enabled  him  to  draw  oft"  upon  his  newly  adjust- 
ed line  the  passengers  which  had  theretofore  gone  upon  the  old 
line  of  Peck  and  Welford.  It  does  not  touch  a  single  post  of- 
fice in  the  twenty-five  miles  which  is  not  also  passed  on  the 
regular  mail  route  established  by  law. 

The  extra  allowances  made  on  this  route  of  William  Smith, { 
from  Washington  until  it  unites  with  the  route  of  Peck  and 
Welford,  at  Lexington,  N.  C.  was  8,875  dollars,  as  stated  in 
the  report  of  the  3d  of  March,  1834.  The  true  sum  is  believed  to 
be  larger,  but  taking  that  to  be  the  actual  amount,  the  extra  al- 
lowances exceed  the  whole  net  proceeds  of  postages  on  that  line 
from  Alexandria,  where  it  first  diverges  from  the  line  of  Stock- 
ton &  Co.  to  Lexington,  where  it  unites  with  the  line  of  Peck 
and  Welford,  by  mors  than  2,000  dollars,  including  all  the  pos- 
tages of  the  large  towns  of  Warren,  Charlottesville  aud  Lynch- 
burg. 

E.  P.  Johnson  is  the  contractor  for  carrying  the  mail  on  se- 
veral routes  in  Indiana,  numbered  11,  17,  19,  23,  24,  25,  27  and 
41,  from  the  1st  of  January,  1830,  to  the  31st  of  December,  1833, 
at  a  yearly  compensation  of  3,300  dollars.  There  are  no  less 
than  eighteen  different  modifications  and  additions  to  this  single 
contract,  for  which  he  receives  in  the  aggregate  yearly  14.502 
dollars  18  cents,  in  audition  to  what  he  receives  by  contract — 
amounting  in  the  four  years  to  58,008  dollars  72  cents;  and  all 
this  by  private  arrangement,  without  advertisement  or  competi- 
tion. 

The  net  amount  of  postages  recsivrd  in  the  the  state  of  Indi- 
ana, according  to  the  rnport  of  the  postmaster  general,  on  the 
28th  of  February,  1831,  was  9,609  dollars  67  cents,  falling  short 
hy  4,892  dollars  51  cents  of  paying  the  yearly  extra  allowance 
on  this  single  contract.  The  increase  of  the  postages  during  the 
continuance  of  the  contract  will  not,  in  all  probability,  bring  up 
the;  receipts  to  a  sum  sufficient  to  discharge  these  extra  allowan- 
ces in  the  four  years  by  the  net  proceeds  of  postages  for  the 
same  four  years  in  the  whole  state. 

§E.  P.  Johnson,  John  Hfitchins,  Joseph  II.  Hough,  William 
TIenny,  and  J.  G.  Chiles,  are  staled  in  the  report  of  the  postmas- 
ter general  of  the  18th  of  April,  183-2,  (Doc.  212,  p.  22),  as  con- 
tractors for  carrying  the  mail  from  Maysville  to  Louisville 
daily;  from  Frankfort  to  Nashville  three  times  a  week;  from 
Louisville  to  Nashville  six  times  a  wer.k;  and  from  Lexington  to 
Bean's  Station  six  times  a  week,  in  four-horse  post  coaches,  at 
the  annual  compensation  of  37.760  dollars. 


*Doc.  138,  p.  157. 

fDoc.  138.  p.  166. 

{Doc.  119  of  1830  and  1831. 

§Nos.  1,731,  1,740,  1,741,  1,742  and  1,746. 


Your  committee  called  for  the  bids  pursuant  to  which  this 
contract  was  made,  and  they  find  tho^e  that  are  marked  accept- 
ed as  follows: 

1,731.  From  Maysville  to  Louisville  daily,  in  four- 
horse  post  coaches,  om>  hundred  and  forty 
miles;  also,  from  Lexington  to  Frankfort, 
thirty  miles — E.  P.  Johnson  'a  bid — ("accepted 
and  executed,")  $4,50000 

1,740.  From  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  to  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  three  limes  a  week  in  four-horse 
post  coaches,  two  hundred  and  six  miles, 
Hough  and  Chiles,  l,740and  1,741  improved — 
("accepted  and  executed,"',  7,080  00 

1,746.  From  Lexington  to  Mean's  Station,  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy  one  miles,  twice  a  week,  in 
four- horse  post  coaches,  J.  G.  Chiles,  ("ac- 
cepted and  executed,")  6,500  00 

1.742.  From  Louisville  to  Nashville,  one  hundred 
and   severity- four   miles,   in    foiir-Jiorse   post 
coaches,  six  times  a  week,  to  Howling  Green, 
and  the  remainder  three  times  a  week,  E.   P. 
Johnson  &  Co.— ("accepted  and  executed,'?)       4,500  00 

Amounting  in  the  whole  to  $22,580  00 

Being  less  than  the  sum  reported  by  the  postmaster  general 
in  his  report  of  April  18,  1832,  by  $15,180. 

Opposite  the  accepted  bid  on  route  1,742,  from  Louisville  to 
Nashville,  is  noted  in  red  ink,  "to  run  alternate  between 
Franklin  and  Russellville  at  pro  rata  allowance,"  showing  that 
one  of  the  routes  which  he  run  from  Bon-ling  Green  to  A'usA- 
ville  under  this  contract,  passed  through  RiisseUville. 

1.743.  And  in  doc.  212,  p.  23,  of  April   18th,  1832, 
we  find  that  John  Gray  receives  on  the  route 

from  Bowling  Green  to  Nashville,  2,980  00 

And  by  the  report  of  the  3d  of  March,  1834,  (Doc. 
138,  p.  218),  he  appears  to  be  allowed  for  running 
three  additional  trips  from  Bowling  Green  to  Rus- 
selville  on  the  same  route,  1,019  55 


Amounting  to  $3,999  55 

So  it  appears  that  John  Gray  is  paid  three  thousand  nine  hun- 
dred and  ninety  nine  dollars  and  fifty-five  cents  for  carrying  the 
nail  from  Bowling  Green  to  Nashville,  on  the  same  route  on 
which  it  is  carried  hy  E.  P.  Johnson  &  Co.  as  above. 

James  F.  Robinson  contracted  to  carry  the  mail  daily,  in  four- 
lorse  post  coaches,  from  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to  Georgetown, 
Kentucky,  72  miles,  in  14  hours,  at  a  yearly  compensation  of 
1,000  dollars.  His  schedule  was  so  changed  that  he  was  re- 
quired to  run  through  in  12  hours,  instead  of  14,  making  part  of 
he  trip  in  the  night;  for  which  he  was  allowed  the  additional 
yearly  compensation  of  3,000  dollars.  It  is  not  perceived  by 
'our  committee  that  the  change  of  a  schedule  was  at  all  essen- 
ial  to  the  public  interest. 

One  among  the  many  contracts  of  Avery,  Tomkins  &  Co. 
and  others  who  are  connected  with  them,  and  whose  contracts 

re  interlaced  with  theirs,  is  taken  as  a  specimen  of  another 

ery  large  class  of  cases — a  leading  feature  of  which  is  compli- 
cation and  confusion. 

The  annual  report  of  the  postmaster  general  of  the  25th  of 
?,ebruary,  1833,  states  that  E.  Porter,  James  Reeside,  John  FI. 
Avery,  Isaac  Tompkins,  D.  A.  Saltmarsh,  Charles  P.  Mallett, 
"ohn  McLean,  and  Sidney  Porter,  are  contractors  on  routes 
.901,  1,902,  1,903,2,047,  2,101,2,102,2,104,2,105,2,954,2,255, 
2,352,  2,353,  in  stages  and  steamboats,  at  67,950  dollars  yearly. 

The  postmaster  general  in  his  report  of  the  3d  March,  1834,* 
fates  that  Avery,  Tompkins  &  Co.  are  contractors  on  routes 
Vos.  1,903  and  2, 101,  at  a  compensation  of  24,000  dollar?:  and 
hey  received,  for  divers  improvements  on  routes  Nos.  1,903, 
',101  and  2,103,  which  are  all  included  in  the  grand  aggregate 
f  contracts  above  named,  and  also  for  improvements  on  2,107, 
vhich  is  not  included  in  it,  an  extra  allowance  yearly  of  13,500 
lollars.  Thus  first  grouping,  and  then  dividing  into  smaller 
roups,  and  confounding  one  group  of  contracts  with  another, 
intil  it  becomes  impracticable  to  trace  and  reduce  to  their  ele- 
nents  their  multiform  transactions. 

After  several  other  extras  for  improvements  which  result  in 
aily  mails,  with  increased  expedition  on  these  routes,  and  an 
ncreas°d  allowance  of  11,000  dollars  a  year,  there  occurs  this 
xtraordinary  allowance: 

"For  running,  besides  a  tri  weekly  line  in  a  four  horse  wagon, 
o  as  to  exclude  passengers,  and  insure  the  regular  arrival  of  the 
Tail  during  the  winter  season,  they  were  allowed, from  Decem- 
er  1,1832,  an  additonal  compensation,  at  the  annual  rate  of 
wo  thousand  five  hundred  dollars."  Thus,  after  paying  these 
ndividuals  a  large  compensation  by  contracts  for  carrying  the 
nail,  and  giving  them  further  large  extra  allowance*  for  carry- 
ng  it,  they  are  paid  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  a  year 

rther  extra  for  cnrryin»  it  in  a  wagon. 

In  examining  the  proportions  which  the  money  paid  for  the 
ransportatioii  of  the  mail  bears  to  the  receipts  for  postages  in 
(articular  districts  of  country,  and  even  in  whole  states,  the 
isproporlion  is  in  some  case*  remarkable. 

The  extra  allowances  of  E.  P.  Johnson,  on  one  single  con- 
ract,  as  has  been  shown,  consume  the  whole  revenue  of  In- 
iana. 


»Ooc.  133,  p.  144. 


280         NILES'  PxEGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


The  exlrn  allowances  of  contractors  in  Virginia  fall  short,  in 
but  three  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars,  of  swallowing  up  the 
whole  revenue  received  by  the  department  in  that  state. 

In  North  Carolina,  the  extra  allowances  fall  short  of  the  net 
receipts  for  po.-lages  six  hundred  dollars. 

In  Alabama,  Hit1  extra  allowances  are  to  the  net  proceeds  for 
postages  as  two  to  oue. 

The  whole  net  proceeds  of  postages  in  Virginia,  as  appear?  liy 
the  postmaster  general's  report  of  th«  28th  of  February,  1831, 
was  seventy  nine  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty-two  dollars 
ninety-one  cents.  The  whole  cost  for  transportation  in  that 
state  by  the  contracts  of  October,  1831,  and  allowances  and  rx- 
tra  allowances  made  to  contractors,  is  $-733,959 

Falling  short  but  $3,829  of  three  to  one. 

The  whole  net  receipts  in  Alabama  were  22,678 

The  cost  of  transportation  within  it  is  reported  at  157,566 

Being  something  more  than  five  to  one. 

These  estimates  are  subject  to  variation  equal  to  the  increase 
of  postages  in  those  slates  from  January,  1830,  until  the  con- 
tracts look  effect,  and  the  extra  allowances  were  made.  When 
those  corrections  are  made,  the  disproportion  between  the  net 
receipts  for  postages,  and  the  expenditures  in  those  slates, 
though  lessened,  will  still  be  enormous. 

The  law  contemplates  that  on  new  routes,  and  consequently 
in  new  stales,  a  considerable  expenditure  should  be  allowed 
over  and  above  the  amount  of  receipts;  but  even  where  the 
money  is  fairly  and  judiciously  applied  for  the  benefit  of  the 
public,  there  is  a  limit  beyond  which  such  expenditure  is  not 
permitted  to  pass  without  the  consent  of  congress.  By  the  39lh 
section  of  the  act  of  1825,  reducing  into  one  the  acts  regulating 
the  post  office  department,  it  is  provided  "that  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  postmaster  general  to  report  annually,  to  congress 
every  post  route  which  shall  not,  after  the  second  year  from  its 
establishment,  have  produced  one-third  of  the  expenses  of  car- 
rying the  mail  on  the  same." 

If  this  provision  of  law  had  been  attended  to, the  aggregate  ol 
the  routes  in  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Alabama,  ought  to  liave  been 
reported  as  unproductive  routes;  and  Kentucky,  Tennessee 
North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  would  but  just  have  escaped  its 
provisions;  the  expenditure  in  each  of  these  last  named  states 
being  more  than  double  the  amount  of  receipls. 

There  are  two  stales  which  lie,  side  by  side,  nearly  equal  ii 
population,  extent  of  territory,  and  in  the  revenue  which  they 
yield  to  the  department,  which  show  a  remarkable  difference  in 
the  gums  paid  in  each  for  the  transportation  of  the  mail. 

In  Vermont  thera  was  received  for  postages,  as  appears  h 
the  report  of  February  28,  1831,  net  $17,663  72 

In  New  Hampshire,  16,338  82 

Difference  in  favor  of  Vermont  1,324  9( 

There  is  paid  for  transportation  in  New  Hampshire      38.818  96 
In  Vermont  23,208  66 

Difference  on  the  other  side  15,610  30 


Your  committee  find  no  good  reason  for  this  disproportion  of 
expenditure  in  these  two  states. 

Mr.  Jefferson,  in  his  leller  lo  Nalhaniel  Macon,  of  May  14th, 
1801,  says  that  "a  very  early  recommendation  had  been  given 
to  the  postmaster  general  to  employ  no  printer,  foreigner,  or  re- 
volutionary lory,  in  any  of  his  offices."  His  reason  for  the  ex- 
clusion of  the  PRINTER  from  any  connection  with  the  post  office 
department  is  obvious;  and  if  we  would  preserve  the  press  from 
corruption,  and  prevent  it  from  exerting  a  corrupting  influence 
over  the  community,  that  recommendation  ought  to  be  esteem- 
ed as  a  precept,  and  religiously  observed  in  the  present  and  iu 
all  future  times.  But  this  admonition  has  passed  unnoticed,  or 
is  disregarded,  by  those  who  now  conduct  ihe  affairs  of  this  de- 
partment. Large  sums  of  money  appear  to  have  been  expend- 
ed in  such  A  manner,  that  the  obvious  tendency  of  the  expendi- 
ture, is  to  extend  the  influence  of  ihe  department  over  the  pub- 
lic press,  and  through  that  press  over  ihe  people. 

WlUian)  Smith,  whose  extra  allowance,  as  slated  in  the  Blue 
Book,  (p.  256  and  258),  amount  to  $11,129  a  year,  is  the  propri- 
etor ofan  efficient  party  press  in  Culpeper  county,  Virginia. 

Horatio  Hill,  said  to  be  the  conductor  of  a  violt  nt  party  press 
in  the.  state  of  New  Hampshire,  is  a  contractor  lo  carry  the  mail 
on  no  less  than  fifteen  mail  routes;  and  instead  of  extra  allow- 
ances, bis  contracts  are  noted  in  the  margin  "WITH  NEWSPAPER 
PRIVILEGE. "which  we  understand  to  mean  the  privilege  of  cur- 
rying and  distributing  newspiprrs  at  pleasure  on  his  mail  routes. 
Hay  and  Bennett  were  contractors  for  carrying  ihe  mail  from 
Bellefonte  to  Meadville,  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  from  the 
M  of  January.  1828,  lo  the.llsiof  December,  1831.  On  the  5ih 
of  January,  1830,  they  obtained  an  extra  allowance  of  $500  a 
year  for  increased  expedition,  and  il  is  said  that  Bennett  there- 
upon purchased  an  opposition  press  in  Meadville,  and  arrayed 
it  at  once  on  the  side  of  the  administration. 

At  tlie  letting^  in  October,  1P30,  this  route  was  advertised  to 
run  through  in  two  days  and  seven  hours.  E.  Platt  &  Co.  bid 
for  it  at  $l,9.-'0;  Moore.  l,ilm  St.  Co.  at  .*2,450,  and  Benjamin 
Bennett  at  ".$350,  pt.  595  $700"  in  broken  bills,  equal,  it  is  be- 
lieved, to  .§1.575  for  the  whole  route.  The  hid  of  Benjamin 
Bennett  is  marked  accepted,  and  the  acceptance  erased,  and 
that  of  J.  B.  Bennett  (the  owner  of  the  press)  in  accepted  nt 


if  bridges,  and  other  material  changes  in  the  road  since  the 
5th  of  October,  1831,  it  is  agreed  lo  run  the  mail  through  in 
wo  days  and  a  half  each  way,  making  five  hours  longer  time 
ban  it  was  fixed  at  by  tlie  advertisement,  and  proposed  for  the 
other  bidders.  Supposing  the  bid  of  Benjamin  llcuncu  lo  be 
iclitious,  or  made  by  airangeineiit,  merely  lo  enable  the  de- 
>anmenl  the  belter  to  transfer  the  contract  to  J.  B.  Bennett, 
here  is  still  a  difference  between  the  next  lower  and  valid  bid, 
and  that  at  which  it  was  struck  off.  of  $'1,520  a  year,  equal  in 
'our  years  to  $6,081),  which  appears  to  be  the  extra  expense,  in- 
curred by  the  department  to  place  this  contract  in  the  bunds  of 
new.-papt  r  editor. 

The  "incidental  expenses,"  comprehending  Ihe  secret  service 
fund  of  Ihe  depailmcnl,  present  an  interesting  subject  for  con- 
sideration. No  law  appropriates  money  for  those  expenses. 
Congress  exercises  no  control  over  them.  The  postmaster 
general,  at  his  mere  discretion,  selects  the  objects  of  his  pa- 
tronage, which  he  dispenses  from  the  revenue  derived  from 
es,  and  is  guided  by  that  discretion  alone  in  fixing  the 
amount  of  that  patronage.  He  may  employ  one  printer  and  one 
ravelling  agrni,  or  one  hundred  of  each  at  his  pleasure;  and 
he  may  pay  each  of  them  as  much  as  he  pleases.  If,  by  the 
mproper  exercise  of  this  and  his  other  unrestrained  powers, 
the  department  becomes  bankrupt,  then,  tiy  the  construction 
which  he  bestows  on  the  constitution,  he  (not  congress  alone) 
may  borrow  any  amount  of  money,  on  the  credit  of  the  nation, 
to  supply  the  deficiency.  Subjoined  is  a  statement  of  these  in- 
cidental expenses  from  the  year  1790,  prepared  hy  a  clerk,  at 
tlie  request  of  the  committee,  accompanied  by  a  view  of  ibe 
'•contingent  expenses,"  and  of  the  sums  appropriated  hy  law  for 
the  salaries  of  the  officers  of  the  department,  which  must  not 
be  confounded  wild  the  "incidental  expenses."  By  this  the  se- 
nate will  perceive  that,  from  a  sum  less  than  two  thousand  dol- 
lars, these,  expenses^  under  former  administrations,  gradually 
increased  for  many  years,  there  being  an  average  annual  addi- 
tion of  alioul  one  thousand  dollars.  In  18-29.  they  had  swelled 
lo  the  sum  of  $56,471,  exceeding  the  sum  expended  in  any  for- 
mer year;  and  in  the  year  commencing  July  1,  1832,  embracing 
the  period  of  the  la»t  presidential  election,  they  amounted  to 
about  $88,000,  being  a  sudden  increase  of  near  20,000  dollars 
over  the  corresponding  expenditures  of  any  former  year. 

Of  these  expenses,  no  detailed  account  is  required  to  be  ren- 
dered to  congress — no  report  of  the  various  items  which  form 
their  aggregate  amount  is  published.  The  money  to  defray 
them  constitute  what  may  be  emphatically  called  the  secret  ser- 
vice funtl.  The  fund  commonly  so  called,  which  is  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  president  to  defray  the  contingent  expenses  of 
foreign  intercourse,  is  not  so  properly  entitled  to  the  appella- 
tion. That  fund  is  limited  iti  its  amount  by  the  will  of  con- 
gress, whose  approbation  is  requisite  to  its  existence.  This 
fund  is  unlimited  by  aught  but  the  will  of  him  who  uses  it,  and 
is  as  free  from  the  control  of  law  as  if  it  were  the  treasure  of 
an  independent  government.  That  fund  is  also  limited  by  the 
acts  of  appropriation  to  a  certain  object.  This  has  just  so  many 
objects  as  ihe  postmaster  general  may  select.  Whatever  ex- 
penses he  chooses  to  consider  as  "tncMentaJ"  to  his  depart- 
ment, he  pays;  and  the  only  account  which  he  renders  for  it  is 
confined  to  a  line  in  his  annual  report,  thus:  "The  incidental 
expenses  for  last  year  were  87.701  dollars."  The  consequence 
of  this  state  of  things  is,  that,  while  the  secret  service  fund  in 
the  hands  of  the  president  is  30,000  dollars,  the  fund  expended 
during  the  current  year  by  the  postmaster  general  for  the  "in- 
cidental expenses'' of  his  department  hns  now  increased,  as 
appears  by  the  estimate  in  bis  last  annual  report,  to  thrice  ihxt 
sum. 

At  an  early  day  of  the  present  session,  ono  of  your  commit- 
tee drew  the  attention  of  the  senate  to  this  subject,  hy  a  reso- 
lution calling  for  an  account  of  these  expenses  for  ihe  period 
inlervcning  between  the  30th  of  September,  1831 ,  and  the  30th 
September,  1833.  Months  elapsed  before  any  answer  was  given 
to  the  resolution,  although,  as  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  the 
length  of  Ihe.  report  of  ihe  postmaster  general  on  this  subject, 
hereto  annexed,  the  whole  of  it  might  have  been  transcribed  from 
the  post  office  books,  hy  a  tolerable  clerk,  in  one  day.  When, 
after  repeated  inquiries  for  this  paper,  it  was  at  length,  for  the 
first  time,  communicated  to  the  senate,  il  appeared  in  secret 
session,  in  company  with  another  paper  giving  an  account 
marked  "confidential."  On  the  last  paper,  over  which  the  veil 
of  secrecy  still  hangs,  your  committee  make  no  comment;  but 
to  the  paper,  on  which  ihe  injunclion  of  secrecy  does  not  rest, 
they  invite,  the  atlention  of  the  senate. 

While  examining  this  document  with  a  view  lo  the  correc- 
tion of  Ihe  abuses  which  it  disclosed,  the  attention  of  yourcom- 
millee  was  arrested  by  (he  extent  of  official  patronage  to  prin- 
ters which  it  developes,  and  ihe  amount  of  ihat  patronage  is 
exhibited  in  the  "Blue  Book."  The  resolution  of  congress,  of 
the  14lh  of  July,  1832,  directed  that  there  should  be  included 
in  ihe  next  (present)  edition  of  this  book  a  correct  list  of  all 
printers  in  any  way  employed  by  any  department  or  officer  of 
the  government,  within  the  period  between  the  30th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1831,  and  the  30th  of  September,  1833,  with  the  compensa- 
tion allowed  to  each.  The  resolution  of  congress,  to  enable 


:!..  "pOO,  through  in  two  rjru-s.  lint 
to  have  hern  made  out  at  Ihe  lime, 
states  that,  on  account  of  the  unusual  t'rc-shcU  and  destruction 


.  he.dule    which  appears 
of  executing  Ihe  contracts 

' 


the  secretary  of  state  to  comply  wiih  it,  enjoins  it  upon 
"several  heads  of  departments  directing  or  incurring  the  ex- 
pense, ,  10  cause  the  list,  and  the  matter  thereby  required  to  be 
added,  to  bo  lodged  in  the  department  of  state."  The  document 
in  the  Blue  Bonk,  (pages  182,  3,  4),  entitled,  "list  of  all  printer* 
employed  by  tlie  post  office  department  between  the  30th  or 


FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  17— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  JUNE  21,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVL  WHOLE  No.  1,187. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT FOB  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    BY    H.   N1LF.S,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUN,    PAYABLE    IS   ADYANCE. 


editcfrial  and  miscellaneous  see  page  291. 


September,  1831,  and  the  30th  of  September,  1833,  with  the 
compensation  of  each,"  is  the  official  paper  furnished  in  obe- 
dience to  this  resolution,  and  is  the  first  publication  of  any  por- 
tion of  the  incidental  .expenses  that  has  ever  been  made  in  obe- 
dience to  the  requisitions  of  law. 

The  object  of  the  resolution  was  to  interpose  the  check  of 
public  opinion  to  arrest  the  abuse  of  official  patronage  to  prin- 
ters, no  other  check  having  been  provided.  To  the  end,  also, 
that  this  patronage  might  not  be  abused,  without  detection,  by 
employing  the  owners  of  the  press,  in  any  other  way  than  in 
printing,  it  provided  that  the  list  to  be  furnished  should  em- 
brace all  printers  in  any  ivay  employed,  with  the  compensation 
to  each,  no  matter  for  what  allowed.  If  a  printer  be  a  mail 
contractor,  it  was  intended  by  the  resolution  that  the  fact 
should  appear.  If  any  one  of  those  who  control  the  public 
press  enjoys  for  years  a  monopoly  in  supplying  the  department 
with  articles  to  the  great  profit  of  the  contractor,  the  fact  was 
designed  to  be  shown,  in  order  that  the  public  might  judge  of 
the  extent  and  influence  of  the  executive  patronage  over  the 
press  so  controlled.  But,  so  far  from  accomplishing  this,  or  any 
other  proper  object  of  this  part  of  the  resolution,  it  has  been 
the  means  of  eliciting  a  report  from  the  post  office  department 
precisely  adapted  to  mislead  the  public  in  reference  to  the 
whole  subject. 

On  the  list  of  printers  in  the  Blue  Book.  True  and  Greene, 
proprietors  and  printers  of  the  Boston  Statesmen,  are  thus 
stated  to  be  employed: 

True  &  Greene,  for  printing  blanks,  $6.692  75 

For  advertising  proposals,  '206  50 

Total  compensation  reported  in  the  Blue  Book,  6,899  25 

But  the  exhibit  now  made  by  the  account  of  the  department, 
hereto  appended,  shows  that  they  have  been  employed  during 
the  whole  time,  (as  the  present  postmaster  general  had  in  fact 
for  years  before  employed  them),  in  furnishing  paper,  printed 
blanks  and  twine,  to  the  amount  of  $29,907  75. 
See  the  account  for  the  following  items: 

1832.  January  25.    True  &  Greene's  compensation  for  fur- 
nishing blanks,  paper  and  twine,  to  various  post  offices  in  New 
York  and  elsewhere,  from  1st  October  to  3lst  December,  1831, 
inclusive,  3,944  10 

May  9.  True  &  Greene's  compensation  for  fur- 
nishing paper  and  twine,  &c.  from  the  1st  of  January 
to  the  31st  of  March,  1832.  inclusive,  2,144  35 

Aug.  27.  True  &  Greene,  do.  for  blanks,  paper  and 
twine,  from  30th  June,  1832,  2,824  10 

Dec.  15.  True  &  Greene,  do.  for  blanks,  paper  and 
twine,  from  1st  July  to  the  30th  September,  1832,  2,455  05 

1833.  March  23.    True  &  Greene,  do.  for  blanks, 
paper,  and  twine,  from  1st  October,  1S32.  to  31st  De- 
cember, 1832, 


April  23.    True  &  Greene,  do.  for  blanks,  paper  and 
twine,  from  1st  October,  1832,  to  15th  April,  1833, 
July  24.     True  &  Greene,  for   paper,  blanks   and 


2,164  85 
3,727  23 

twine',  from  1st  October,  1833,  to  30lh  Sept.  1833,  3,022  12 

Oct.  16.    True  &  Greene,  for  blanks,  paper,  and 
twine,  from  1st  April  to  1st  Oct.  1833,  9,625  95 

Real  compensation,  $29,907  75 

So  that  the  printers  of  "the  Boston  Statesman,"  thus  em- 
ployed by  the  department,  received  compensation  for  the  arti- 
cles which  they  were  employed  to  furnish,  within  the  period 
named  in  the  resolution,  exceeding,  by  $23,008  50,  the  sums 
published  by  the  department  in  the  Blue  Book. 

And  from  an  accurate  examination  of  the  original  vouchers 
for  these  payments  to  them,  the  following  facts  appear: 

First,  that  the  real  sum  paid  for  "the  printed  blank?,"  in- 
cluding the  press  work,  type  setting,  and  the  paper  on  which 
the  blanks  were  actually  printed,  was  $16,453  25 

And  that  the  real  sum  paid  for  wrapping  paper 
and  twine,  was  13,44450 

29,907  75 

So  that  the  sum  paid  for  the  printed  blanks  atone 
exceeds  the  sums  published  in  the  Dine  Book,- by  $-9,564  00 
Secondly.  It  appears  that  the  only  evidence  upon  which 
these  large  sums  were  paid,  is  the  certificate  of  Nathaniel 
Greene,  the  postmaster  at  Boston.  He  is  the  brother  of  Charles 
G.  Greene,  of  the  firm  of  True  &,  Greene.  lie  undertakes  to 
certify,  in  all  cases,  that  blanks,  paper  and  twine,  were  fur 
Dished  to  the  various  postmasters  "in  New  i'ork  mid  else- 
where," of  the  quality  stated  in  these  vouchers.  He  is  the 
same  person  who  edited  "the  Boston  Statesman,"  before  that 
press  was  transferred  to  its  present  proprietors,  and,  from  the 
information  we  have,  it  appears  to  us  that  the  postmaster  him- 
self was  interested  in  it  at  the  time  of  granting  his  certificates. 
VOL.  XLV1  SIG.  20. 


This  is  but  one  of  R  class  of  cases  presented  by  "the  inciden- 
tal expenses,"  and  we  think  it  proper  to  remark,  that,  profita- 
ble as  such  contracts  are,  there  is  no  competition  admitted  lor 
Ilium;  no  advertisement,  or  other  notice,  invites  other  person* 
to  enter  the  lists  in  rivalry  with  the  favored  n«wspaper  editor 
upon  whom  such  compensation  is  to  be  bestowed.  Establish- 
ed in  a  city  wheie  its  patronage  from  other  sources  than  execu- 
tive favor  was  probably  not  very  great,  the  press  of  "the  Boa- 
ton  Statesman"  appears  by  the  vouchers  and  receipts,  to  have 
been  sustained  in  the  year  1832,  when  the  last  presidential  elec- 
tion occurred,  by  the  employment  of  its  proprietors  in  render- 
ing services  to  the  amount  of  neatly  sixteen  thousand  dollars 
which  were  paid  out  of  the  revenues  of  this  department. 

And  now  it  also  appeais  that  Hill  and  Barton,  (printers  of  the 
New  Hampshire  Patriot),  were  allowed,  during  the  same  pp- 
riod  when  True  and  Greene  were  employed,  $7,543  26  "for 
blanks,  paper  and  twine,"  of  whiah  $4,238  83  was  for  printing 
blanks,  though  the  stuns  appearing  in  the  Blue  Book,  as  paid  to 
them,  amount  only  to $1,494  36. 

Horatio  Hill  also  had  mail  contracts  for  which  he  received 
3,272  dollars,  with  "newspaper  privilege,"  as  we  have  seen, 
though  the  15lue  Book  does  not  notice  the  fact  in  the  list  of 
printers;  and  Hill  and  Abbot  appear  also  on  the  list  of  mail  con- 
tractors, both  for  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  with  Hill  and 
Morse,  T.  S.  Abbot  and  Co.  Hill  and  Crane,  and  Babbit  and 
Hill. 

During  the  same  period,  Shadrach  Penn,  who  is  the  printer 
and  proprietor  of  the  Louisville  Public  Advertiser,  was  em- 
ployed to  furnish  blanks,  paper  and  twine,  to  the  amount  of 
$9,566  36,  although  in  the  Blue  Book  his  name  appears  on  the 
list  of  printers,  as  in  any  way  employed  by  the  department, 
only  for  the  sum  of  $2,297  91.  Other  sums  were  paid  within 
the  same  period  to  other  persons,  for  "paper  and  twine," 
amounting  to  $24,562  61.  The  sums  allowed  during  these  two 
years,  as  appears  by  the  vouchers  and  accounts  for  printed 
blanks,  paper  and  twine,  (not  including  the  large  sums  paid  to 
other  editors  for  printing  "mail  proposals,")  amount  to  more 
than  seventy  thousand  dollars. 

The  account  now  exhibited  by  the  department  shows  that 
Francis  P.  Blair,  editor  of  the  Globe,  received,  from  the  30th 
of  December,  1831,  to  the  26th  of  October,  1833,  inclusive,  the 
sum  of  $-21,634  90.  He  appears  in  the  Blue  Book  for  only 
$14,371  57.  But  as  the  department,  on  the  application  of  the 
committee,  sent  us  only  a  part  of  the  vouchers  for  this  account, 
and  deferred  sending  the  rest  until  it  is  now  too  late  to  ex- 
amine them  in  time  for  this  report,  we  cannot  say  how  far  the 
official  statement  in  the  register  is  correct  or  incorrect.  The 
rates  at  which  this  printer  is  employed  are  enormous,  and,  in 
our  opinion,  are  not  to  be  justified  by  reference  to  any  thing 
which  has  occured  in  the  past  history  of  this  department.  We 
herewith  submit  a  specimen  of  the  sums  paid  him  for  advertis- 
ing; and  accompanying  the  same  is  a  statement  of  the  rates  and 
sums  allowed  for  printing  advertisements  in  July,  1830.  The 
sum  allowed  for  printing  these  advertisements  is,  it  will  be  seen, 
about  four  times  the  amount  then  paid  for  tin  in.  See  the  state- 
ments marked  X. 

Durins  the  interesting  period  between  the  1st  of  July  and  the 
30th  of  Doc.  1832.  the  "incidental  expenses"  were  $22,958  07. 
Within  that  time  $13,673  31  was  paid  for  printing  to  the  editors 
and  printers  of  newspapers,  besides  $5,166  15  for  other  articles 
by  them  supplied.  Of  the  sum  so  paid  to  printers,  Francis  P. 
Blair  received  $8,386  50  "for  printing  proposals  for  carrying  the 
mail  from  the  20th  of  July,  1832,  to  the  llth  October,  1832,"  a 
period  of  two  months  and  twenty-two  days.  The  period  im- 
mediately preceding  the  presidential  election  was  the  time  se- 
lected for  paying  from  this  department  to  this  single  editor 
about  one  hundred  and  sixteen  dollars  tor  every  day  his  paper 
issued  from  the  press.  At  Jhe.same  time  "the  mail  proposals" 
appeared  not  only  in  the  city  prints,  and  others  having  exten- 
sive circulation  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  but  in  the 
most  obscure  country  papers,  some  of  which,  having  consum- 
ed the  aliment  they  fed  on,  have  since  perished  for  the  want  of 
it.  We  present  a  few  examples,  and  inquire  for  what  possible 
purpose,  except  that  of  supporting  a  party  press,  while  an  ex- 
cited political  canvass  was  proceeding  in  the  state  of  New 
York,  were  the  following  expenditures  made? 
1832.  Mack  and  Andrews,  for  publishing  proposals 
for  carrying  the  TTnitcri  States  mail  in  New  York, 
31st  October,  1832  $365  35 

Bryan  &  I,cs,ph  &  Co.  for  ditto  in  New  York,  10th 

September,  1832,  441  90 

James  Stryker,  for  ditto,  in  N.  York,29th  Novem- 
ber, 1832,  416  10 
James  Wright,  for  publishing  in  "Sandy  Hill  He- 
rald," New  York,  proposals  for  carrying  the  mail 
in  New  York,  12th  July,  till  September,  183-J.  413  10 


282         STILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


It  will  be  seen,  by  reference  to  the  account  now  furnished  by 
thK  department,  that  while  the  Globe  weekly,  semi-weekly  anil 
daily  was  publishing  these  very  "mail  proposals"  for  tin-  whole 
union;  and  while  the  Albany  Argus  and  the  Courier  &  Enquirer 
were  publishing  the  same  for  the  state  of  New  York,  and  trans- 
mitting them  to  every  part  of  the  stale  from  which  a  bill  could 
be  expected,  these  four  papers,  some  of  them  scarcely  circulat 
ing  through  a  single  county  in  the  interior,  and  published  two 
or  three  times  a  week,  were  kept  up  at  an  expense  of  $1,636  35 
for  two  months'  printing  of  the  mail  proposals  for  the  whole 
state.  For  these  and  other  similar  expenditures,  now  brought 
to  light  by  the  document  annexed,  we  can  peiceive  no  prece- 
dents in  the  former  history  of  the  department. 

The  vear  1832  was  also  distinguished  by  the  amount  of  ex- 
penses'incurred  for  the  services  of  sundry  agents  and  secret 
emissaries  who  were  put  in  motion  at  an  expense  of  nearly  trn 
thousand  dollars  for  that  year.  These  trips  of  investigation  do 
not  nil  appear  on  the  face  of  th«  account.  The  sum  of  6,005 
is  credited  for  sums  paid  to  S.  Gouverneur,  the  postmaster  at 
New  York.  From  an  endorsement  on  one  of  the  vouchers  to 
support  this  charge,  it  appears  that  he  has  received  credit  on 
the  books  of  the  department  for  that  amount,  by  him  paid,  for 
the  incidental  expenses  of  his  office,  from  which  we  infer  that, 
by  the  direction  of  the  department,  he  made  these  payments, 
and  was  allowed  them  on  settlement  for  postages.  Mr.  Gou- 
verneur is  not  responsible  for  these  payments  ordered  by  the 
department.  Among  the  receipts  is  one  of  P.  S.  Loughborouah, 
travelling  agent,  for  one  hundred  dollars  paid  him  on  the  4tli 
day  of  June,  1832;  and  seven  of  Barnabas  Bates,  another  tra- 
veller, for  $1,253  cash,  paid  him  as  "special  agent,"  between 
the  1st  of  August  and  the  12th  el  December,  1832,  inclusive. 

Mr.  Barnabas  Bates,  in  October,  1833,  presented  an  account, 
of  which  the  following  is  a  literal  copy. 

"General  post  office, 

"To  B.  Bated,  special  agent  Dr. 

"1833.     April  30. 
To  services  from  July  1,  1832,  to  date,  304  days,  at 

$3  per  diem,  $919  00 

Do.  do.  expenses  during  the  same,  $2  50  760  00 

Do.  do.  steamboat  and  stage  fare,       do.  184  00 

$1,856  00 

So  that  Mr.  Barnabas  Bates  set  a  good  price  on  his  travels, 
and  although,  by  an  endorsement,  it  appears  that  Mr.  C.  K. 
Gardner,  thu  first  assistant  postmaster  general,  doubted  about  the 
allowance  of  50  cents  of  the  $2  50  per  diem  for  "expenses," 
in  addition  to  the  "per  diem  for  services, "and  the  "steamboat 
and  stage  fare;"  yet,  on  putting  the  question  endorsed  on  the 
voucher — "shall  thu  additional  fifty  cents  be  allowed  under  the 
circumstances?"  the  postmaster  general  underwrites — "allow- 
ed;" and  on  the  15th  of  October,  1833,  Mr.  Baies  gives  a  receipt 
fora  credit  allowed  him  on  account  for  the  whole  amount  of 
1,856  dollars.  The  most  curious  part  of  this  matter,  however, 
is,  that  the  department  has  directed  Mr.  Gouverneur  to  pay 
these  agents  for  travelling,  as  it  appears  they  did,  as  "special 
agents',"  in  New  York  and  New  England,  ami  then  covered 
and  concealed  the  charges  under  the  name  of1 'incidental  ex- 
penses of  the  post  office  at  the  city  of  New  York."  By  the  re- 
turns for  the  first  quarter  of  1833,  it  also  appears  that  P.  S. 
Loughborough,  who  receives  an  annual  salary  from  the  treasury 
of  the  United  States  of  sixteen  hundred  dollars  as  "general 
agent"  of  the  post  office  department,  was  paid  in  addition 
thereto  the  sum  of  $2,467  66  as  "special  agent."  for  expenses 
in  travelling  in  Virginia,  New  York  and  the  western  states,  per 
order  of  the  postmaster  general,  from  the  1st  November,  1831, 
to  31st  December,  1832,  making  the  whole  sum  paid  that  officer 
during  that  period  $4,067  66.  During  the  same  period,  it  will 
be  seen  from  the  account  that  other  agents  received  $4,099  40, 
which,  with  the  payment  to  Bates,  made  by  Gouverneur,  make 
$9,510  66  for  travelling  agents  in  about  one  yi-ar.  ft  is  in  evi- 
dence before  the  committee  by  O.  B.  Brown,  that  Mr.  Lough- 
borough  started  on  another  trip  of  investigation  about  four 
weeks  ago. 

Finally,  the  incidental  expenses  from  the  1st  of  July,  1829,  to 
the  1st  of  July,  1834,  by  the  returns  made  for  the  four  first 
years,  and  the  postmaster  general's  estimates  for  the  last, 
amounts  to  the  sum  of  $357,579  04;  thus  exceeding  the  inci- 
dental expenses  of  the  five  years  previous  to  the  1st  of  January, 
1839,  by  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  five  hun- 
dred and  forty-one  dollars.  The  necessity  for  legal  restraint  in 
this  matter,  we  think  too  apparent  to  require  further  comment; 
and  we  now  dismiss  this  part  of  the  subject. 

On  the  whole,  your  committee  have  found  the  affairs  of  the 
department  in  a  state  of  utter  derangement,  resulting,  as  it  is 
believed,  from  the  uncontrolled  discretion  exercised  by  its  of- 
ficers over  iU  contracts  and  its  fund:.;  and  their  habitual  eva- 
sion, and  in  gome  instances  their  total  disregard  of  the  laws 
which  have  been  provided  for  their  restraint.  And  your  com- 
mittee see  no  means  within  the  power  of  congress  of  cxtricat 
ing  it  from  its  present  condition,  and  restoring  it  to  healthy  and 
efficient  action,  without  providing  by  law  a  more  strict  system 
for  its  government;  prescribing  to  its  officers  more  (>pecial  rule's 
for  the  performance  of  their  several  dutioe;  taking  from  them,  as 
far  as  possible,  all  discretion,  where  the  acceptance  of  a  con- 
tract, or  the  disbursement  of  money  is  concerned;  establishing  a 
more  strict  system  of  accountability,  and  enforcing  an  observ- 
ance of  Hie  laws  by  penal  enactment. 


Should  congress  advance  out  of  the  treasury  for  the  support 
of  the  department,  the  sum  of  money  asked  for  by  the  post~ 
master  general,  or  even  the  whole  amount  of  Us  debts,  it  is  not 
probable,  while  under  the  management  of  its  present  officers, 
with  no  other  means  than  now  exist  to  control  and  restrain 
them,  that  its  debts  would  be  liquidated,  or  its  efficiency  re- 
stored. Under  this  impression  and  brlisf,  your  committee  can- 
not recommend  the  appropriation  of  any  money  to  relieve  the 
wants  of  the  department  until  there  be  some  further  guarantee 
for  its  proper  and  judicious  application. 

Your  committee,  reserving  the  right  to  make  a  fuither  report 
on  these  subjects  hereafter,  respectfully  recommend  the  adop- 
tion of  the  following  resolutions. 

[The  resolution  were  published  in  the  last  REGISTER,  page 
261.] 

VIEWS  OF  THE  MINORITY 

Of  the  committee  on  the  pout  office  and  post  roads. 
[Mr.  Griindy  presented  the  following  paper  as  containing  the 
views  of  the  minority  of  the  committee,  which  was  ordered 
to  he  appended  to,  and  printed  with  the  report  of  the  majori- 

ty-J 

The  undersigned,  two  of  the  five  members  composing  the 
committee  on  the  post  office  and  post  roads,  to  which  was  re- 
ferred the  resolution  of  the  senate  of  the  29th  March  last,  di- 
recting an  examination  to  be  mnde  into  the  present  condition 
of  the  post  office  depart  ment,  differing  essentially  in  their  views, 
from  the  majority  of  the  committee,  consider  it  their  duly  to 
present  a  statement  of  the  result  of  their  inquiries,  which  it  is 
believed  is  fully  sustained  by  the  testimony  taken,  and  by  the 
books  and  documents  of  the  department. 

The  committee  were  agreed  in  the  opinion,  that  it  was  a  duty 
which  they  owed,  no  less  to  the  postmaster  general  himself, 
than  to  the  public,  to  give  all  the  branches  of  that  department 
as  thorough  an  examination  as  practicable. 

The  first  and  leading  point  which  attracted  attention,  was  its 
financial  condition.  The  report  of  the  postmaster  general,  of 
November  30th,  1832,  showed  an  expenditure,  for  the  year  end- 
ing 30th  June,  of  that  year,  exceeding  the  amount  of  revenue 
for  the  same  period,  by  $7,530  18.  It  also  showed  an  increase, 
in  the  amount  of  mail  transportation,  within  the  same  period,  at 
the  rate  of  8,156,392  miles,  equal  to  upwards  of  a  million  of 
miles  more  than  half  of  the  whole  annual  transportation  of  the 
mail  in  1829.  It  also  showed  a  surplus  of  available  funds  at  the 
disposal  of  the  department,  to  the  amount  of  $202,811  40.  The 
report  of  the  postmaster  general  of  November  30th,  1833,  show- 
ed that  the  expenses  for  transportation  of  the  mail,  prior  to  the 
1st  July,  1829,  had  been  $64,248  76  more  than  had  been  report- 
ed; and,  that  the  expenses  for  the  same  object  from  the  first  of 
July,  1829,  to  the  first  of  July,  1832,  had  been  $141,407  31,  mak- 
ing together  an  exptnse  of  $'205,656  07  beyond  Ihu  amount 
which  had  been  reported  to  the  latter  peiiod.  This  exceeded 
the  sum  reported  as  a  surplus  on  that  day,  and  left  an  actual 
deficit,  on  the  1st  of  July,  1832,  of  $2,844  67  beyond  the  whole 
amount  of  available  funds,  including  all  postages  vvhk-h  had  ac- 
crued prior  to  that  day.  The  same  report  showed  an  increase 
in  the  transportation  of  the  mail,  within  the  year  ending  the  30th 
June,  1833,  at  the  annual  rate  of  3,229,464  miles;  and  an  excess 
of  exportation  beyond  the  revenue  of  the  department,  to  the 
amount  of  $195,208  40.  The  report  also  exhibited  the  annual 
expense  of  transportation  to  be,  at  the  time  of  making  the  re- 
port, $2,033,289  42,  and  the  incidental  expenses  of  the  depart- 
ment, about  $90,000,  making  together  the  aggregate  expense, 
for  the  year  which  will  end  the  30lh  June,  1834,  $2,123,289  42, 
while  the  net  proceeds  of  postages,  for  the  year  ending  the  30th 
June,  1833,  was  but  $1,790,254  65.  This  excess  of  expense 
must  necessarily  have  continued  tn  the  close  of  the  year  1833, 
from  which  period  the  retrenchments  were  to  commence;  which 
the  postmaster  general  stated  in  his  report  to  have  been  direct- 
ed. Taking  the  report  for  a  basis  on  which  to  raise  the  calcu- 
lation, and  the  expenses  of  the  department  will  have  been,  from 
July  1,  1833,  to  December  31, 1833  $1,061,644  71 

The  net  proceeds  of  postages  for  the  same  period, 

as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained  941,368  61 

Leaving  a  deficit  for  the  half  year,  ending  31st 

December,  1833,  of  120,276  10 

Add  to  this  the  deficit  existing  July  1,  1833  195,208  40 

And  the  total  deficit  on  the  1st  January,  1834, 
would  be  316,454  50 

The  retrenchments  which  were  to  take  effect  from  the  1st  of 

January,  of  the  current  year,  ought  to  have  reduced  this  deficit 

below  the  sum  of  $300,000  by  the  1st  of  April.     The  condition 

of  the  department  appears  to  have  been  at  that  time,  a*  nearly 

as  we  can  ascertain,  as  follows: 

Due  to  contractors',  as  per  document  No.  2,  for  services  prior 
to  January  1st,  1834  $190,000  00 

Ditto,  from  January  1st  to  April  1st,  1834  445,000  00 


Total  to  April  1st,  1831 

Due  to  hanks  foi  loans  and  overdraughts,  Ilih 
April,  1834 

Total  amount  due 


635,000  00 
451,599  48 

$1,086,599  48 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT.        883 


Amount  brought  forward,  $1,086,539  48 

Due  to  the  department,  on  1st  April,  from  post- 

masters  and  available, 

To  January  1st,  1^34  $300,000  ) 

From  January  1st  to  April  1st,  1834       500,000  ' 


1834,      286,599  48 

li:  to 


5,510  00 


And  the  whole  deficit  is  $292,109  48 

In  the  above  estimate  of  $300,000.  due  to  the  department  on 
the  1st  of  April  last,  of  postages  which  accrued  prior  to  the  1st 
of  January,  there  is  no  possibility  of  testing  its  accuracy  by  any 
other  estimate,  because  it  is  not  an  estimate  of  the  postages  that 
accrued  from  the  1st  of  October,  to  the  31st  of  December,  1833, 
the  greater  portion  of  which  had  been  collected  before  the  1st 
of  April,  but  it  embraces  all  the  remaining  balances  due  to  the 
department  on  the  1st  of  April,  of  all  the  postages  which  had 
accrued  from  the  beginning  of  the  government,  so  far  as  they 
are  believed  to  be  available.  It  must  be  obvious,  therefore,  that 
no  correct  estimate  can  be  made  of  their  amount,  without  going 
over  every  account,  many  thousands  in  number,  striking  the 
balance  of  each,  and  adding  these  balances  together.  This  we 
iiave  not  done,  and  the  labor  which  it  would  require  is  so  great 
as  to  render  it  impracticable  at  this  time. 

It  is  also  proper  to  observe,  that  of  the  $500,000,  estimated  as 
the  proceeds  of  the  quarter  ending  on  the  31st  of  March,  1834, 
a  part  had  been  paid  over  by  deposites  to  the  credit  of  the  de- 
partment, before  the  termination  of  that  quarter;  but  so  far  as 
they  hud  been  thus  paid  over,  they  had  been  applied  to  the  pay- 
ment of  claims  against  the  department;  so  that  if  their  payment 
in  part  lessened  the  amount  due  to  the  department,  their  appli- 
cation lessened  in  the  same  degree  the  amount  due  from  the  de- 
partment. 

It  should  here  be  noticed,  that  many  of  the  postmasters,  in 
the  most  productive  post  offices,  are  required,  by  the  regulations 
of  the  department,  to  deposite  to  its  credit  in  bank,  a  portion  of 
the  proceeds  of  their  offices  before  the  close  of  the  quarter. 
iSoine  of  these  make  their  deposite  weekly,  some  monthly,  and 
some  not  till  after  the  end  of  the  quarter.  Of  the  postage  col- 
lected at  the  several  post  offices,  it  is  estimated  that  about  one- 
half,  or  a  little  more  than  one-half,  is  deposited  in  banks,  and 
the  remainder  is  drawn  by  draughts  on  postmasters  in  favor  of 
contractors.  Of  the  amount  deposited  in  banks,  it  is  estimated 
that  about  one-half  is  deposited  before  the  close  of  the  quarter; 
so  that  the  amount  thus  deposited  of  the  current  proceeds,  be- 
fore the  close  of  the  quarter,  is  estimated  at  about  one-fourth  of 
the  whole  proceeds  of  the  quarter,  and  is  available  by  the  de- 
partment to  the  payment  of  transportation,  for  services  render- 
ed during  the  preceding  quarter.  The  compensation  for  servi- 
ces rendered  for  transportation  in  one  quarter  being  payable  in 
the  next.  This,  however,  does  not  affect  the  means  of  the  de- 
partment for  meeting  its  engagements,  because  the  same  means 
recur  by  the  current  deposites,  to  an  amount,  at  least  equal,  in 
every  successive  quarter.  It  would  only  produce  this  result: 
^that  if  the  department  were  to  close  its  operations,  and  wind  up 
Its  business,  at  the  termination  of  any  quarter,  it  would  be  found 
about  one  month  behind  hand  in  its  resources,  beyond  what  it 
would  be  if  its  operations  continued.  These  current  payments 
have  always  been  relied  upon  by  the  department,  and  while  it 
continues  its  operations,  they  can  never  fail.  They  do  not, 
therefore,  sensibly  affect  the  statement  of  the  present  condition 
of  the  department. 

By  the  last  report  of  the  late  postmaster  general,  17th  Novem- 
ber, 1828,  the  annual  transportation  of  the  mail,  at  that  time, 
was  13,610,039  miles.  From  the  reports  of  the  present  post- 
master general,  which  report  is  corroborated  by  a  statement  of 
all  the  mail  routes,  with  their  distances,  and  the  frequency  of 
transportation  on  each,  it  appears  that  the  annual  amount  of 
transportation  of  the  mail,  on  the  1st  July,  1832,  was  23,625,021 
miles;  and  on  the  1st  July,  1833,  it  appears  to  have  been  further 
increased  to  26,854,485  miles,  nearly  double  the  amount  of  what 
it  was  when  the  present  incumbent  took  charge  of  the  depart- 
ment. It  also  appears,  from  the  reports  of  the  postmaster  ge- 
neral to  the  senate,  of  the  3d  of  March  last,  that  the  whole 
amount  of  allowances  to  contractors  for  extra  services,  by  which 
this  great  increase  of  transportation  was  mainly  effected,  was 
$485,662  41  per  annum.  To  this  sum  should  be  added  the  ex- 
pense of  carrying  into  effect  the  law  of  the  loth  of  June,  1832, 
establishing  additional  post  routes,  which  is  estimated  in  the 
report  of  3d  of  March,  (last  page),  at  $125,341  88.  On  these 
new  routes,  no  revenue  of  any  considerable  amount  could  be 
expected  for  some  time,  especially  for  the  first  one  or  two  years. 

The  allowances  for  these  extra  services  (all  taken  together), 
appear  to  be  quite  within  the  bounds  of  moderation,  when  com- 
pared with  the  amount  of  additional  services  rendered;  and 
taken  in  connexion  with  the  expense  of  establishing  the  new 
mail  routes,  required  by  the  law  of  1832,  and  the  loss  of  reve- 
nue occasioned  by  the  extension  of  the  franking  privilege  to 
members  of  congress,  throughout  the  year,  and  the  circumstance 
of  the  expenses  in  1829  being  much  greater  than  the  revenues 
of  the  department,  the  present  deficit  is  fully  accounted  for. 
These  extra  services  were  designed  for  no  other  end  than  the 
benefit  of  the  community.  At  the  earnest  solicftalien  of  many 
citizens,  urged  in  most  cases  by  members  of  congress,  and  others 
high  in  public  confidence,  the  facilities  were  granted  by  the 


posse,  e  as  gone  too  ar,  ecause  he  hug  exceeded  the  mo- 
neyed means  of  his  department.  But  he  appears,  for  the  rea- 
sons ns.-igned  in  his  report,  which  has  been  communicated  to 


sute     n     scosng  te  cause,  an     applied  the  correctiv 
as  much  promptness  as  the  public  interest  would  admit. 

The  wunt  of  a  more  perfect  organization  of  the  post  office  de- 
partment by  law,  is  calculated  to  produce  embarrassment,  and 
often  to  subject  its  head  to  unmerited  animadversion.  Th 


has  grown  rapidly  into  its  present  magnitude  and  importance. 
To  this  circumstance  it  is  probably  owing  that  it  has  hitherto 
been  left  without  proper  organization.  The  individual  who 
may  happen  to  be  at  its  head,  is  held  responsible  for  every  thing; 
though  its  business  is  so  multifarious  and  extended  that  no  in- 
dividual can  possibly  superintend  all  its  branches.  It  was  for- 
merly the  case,  that  all  its  funds  were  at  the  disposal  of  a  single 
person,  without  any  check  whatever  upon  him,  or  even  the 
means  of  knowing  whether  the  surplus  funds  were  in  deposite, 
or  diverted  from  their  legitimate  object.  The  present  incum- 
bent tins  established  a  rule  which  is  calculated  to  prevent  abuse. 
No  moneys  can  now  pass  into  the  hands  of  an  individual,  with- 
out the  concurrence  of  at  least  two  officers  of  the  department. 
If  it  be  a  payment  for  transportation,  it  requires  the  requisition 
of  the  principal  pay-clerk,  and  a  check  signed  by  the  treasurer 
and  by  an  assistant  postmaster  general,  before  the  money  can 
be  drawn.  If  for  any  other  purpose,  it  requires  the  requisition 
of  the  postmaster  general  himself,  or  an  account  audited  by  one 
officer,  and  approved  by  another,  and  a  check  in  either  case  to 
he  signed  by  both  these  officers,  before  the  money  can  be  drawn. 
This  we  conceive  to  be  a  very  salutary  improvement  in  the 
financial  operations  of  the  department,  and  well  calculated  to 
prevent  abuses;  but  as  it  is  only  a  regulation  of  the  postmaster 
general,  it  is  subject  to  change  at  his  pleasure.  He  has  indeed 
given  to  the  system  all  the  effect  which  he  has  the  power  of 
doing:  but  to  give  it  permanency,  so  as  to  constitute  a  perpetual 


not  at  the  pleasure  of  the  person  who  may    ll  the  place 
head  of  the  department,  but  of  the  president  and  senate. 

The  last  report  of  the  late  postmaster  general  showed  that  the 
expenditures  for  the  year  ending  the  1st  of  July,  1828,  exceeded 
the  revenues  of  the  department  upwards  of  $25,000.  Between 
that  time  and  the  following  March,  when  he  left  the  department, 
the  contracts  had  been  made  for  the  new  routes,  established  by 
the  law  of  1828,  involving  a  very  considerable  increase  of  ex- 
pense. The  present  postmaster  general  took  charge  of  the  de- 
partment in  April,  1829,  and  his  first  report  showed  that  the  ex- 
penses of  the  department  for  the  year  ending  July  1st  1829,  were 
nearly  $75,000  more  than  all  its  revenues  for  the  same  period. 
Thus  it  appears  that  th«  course  of  administering  the  department 
which  produced  the  deficit  in  its  means,  began  as  early  as  1827, 
or  the  commencement  of  1828,  and  has  continued  from  that  pe- 
riod to  the  close  of  the  last  year.  To  meet  the  exigencies  of  the 


an  e  urer  amoun  wc  accrue  o  e  s  y,  wa 
$5,510,  making  together  the  sum  of  $20,080  42  interest  to  th 
1st  of  May,  1834,  as  per  document  No.  4.  These  loans  were 
made  on  the  faith  and  credit  of  the  post  office  department,  and 
not  of  the  treasury;  yet,  while  the  moneys  of  the  treasury  are 
abundant,  it  does  not  seem  to  comport  with  good  economy  for 
one  department  of  the  government  to  be  paying  interest  to  the 
banks  for  the  use  of  money,  which  money  is  deposited  in  banks 
by  another  department  of  the  govern  mt-nt  without  interest.  The 
committee  therefore  applied  by  letter  to  the  postmaster  general 
for  a  statement  of  his  opinion  of  the  amount  which  would  re- 
lieve his  department  from  pecuniary  embarrassment.  In  an- 
swer to  this  inquiry,  he  stated  that  if,  of  the  moneys  formerly 
paid  by  that  department  into  the  treasury,  the  sum  of  $450,000 
could  now  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  his  department,  it  would 
effect  the  desired  relief,  and  that  he  should  be  able  to  restore  it 
to  the  treasury  in  the  following  instalment?,  without  injury  to 
the  successful  administration  of  the  department: 
On  the  1st  of  July,  1835  $150,000 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1836  150.000 

On  the  1st  of  March,  1837 

$450,000 

We  therefore  recommend  the  passage  ofn  raw  authorising  the 
measure,  to  the  amount  and  on  the  conditions  thus  stated  by 
the  postmaster  general. 

The  postmaster  general  hns  been  in  the  habit  of  reporting  an- 
nually to  congress  the  contracts  made  for  transporting  the  mail, 
with  the  name  of  each  contractor,  and  the  annual  amount  of 
r.ompfiisation  stipulated  in  tin-  contract.  In  comparing  the 
contracts  mad.:  in  ihe  fall  of  1631  with  the  report  of  thfi  post- 
master  general  made  to  congress  in  the  beginning  of  1832,  it 
was  found  that  in  some  cases  the  comracis,  as  they  are  in  ac- 


284         NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  31,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


tual  operation,  do  not  agree  with  that  report.     An  inquiry  was 
instituted  into  the  cause  of  this  disagreement;  and  we  are  in- 
formed that  when  proposals  are  received  for  the  adverlised  con- 
tracls,  they  are  registered  in  a  book  called  the  "Proposal  Book;" 
that  when  these  bids  are  decided  by  the  postmaster  general,  the 
word  "accepted"  is  written  against  the  name  of  the  person  to 
whom  a  route  is  assigned;  that  this  is  regarded  virtually  as  the 
contract,  though  sometimes  the  written  instrument  is  not  exe- 
cuted for  months  after;  that  from  the  proposal  book  the  report 
for  congress  is  made  out,  the  name  of  the  person  copied,  and 
the  sum  at  which  the  proposal  was  accepled;  lhat  sometimes 
modifications  are  subsequently  made  in  the  contracts,  even  be- 
fore the  services  under  them  commence;  and  that  in  such  cases 
there  will  appear  a  disagreement,  as  above  stated.     Upon  fur- 
ther examination,  we  found  that  such  had  been  the  practice  ol 
the  department  under  former  administrations;  and  as  a  proof  ol 
it,  we  state  a  few  similar  cases  which  we  have  noted  from  a 
comparison  made  Ly  ourselves,  of  the  contracts  made  by  the 
postmasler  general  in  Ihe  fall  of  1828,  with  his  report  lo  con- 
gress, in  Ihe  beginning  of  1829.    They  are  as  follows: 

Eli  Ensign  is  reported  as  having  contracted  to  transport  the 
mail  between  Hudson  and  Pittsfield  for  $700  a  year;  but  hi» 
contract  made  in  1828  is  for  $1,000  a  year.  Thomas  J.  Magec 
is  reported  as  having  contracted  lo  carry  the  mail  on  several 
routes  for  $10,225  a  year;  but  his  contract  made  in  1828  is  for 
$11,843  a  year.  Russell  Case  is  reported  as  having  contracted 
to  carry  the  mail  between  Utica  and  Illiaca  for  $9oO  a  year;  but 
the  contract  was  made  with  1'arker  &.  Cq.  in  1828  for  ,§1,425  a 
year.  Eli  Ensign  is  reported  as  having  contracted  to  carry  the 
mail  between  Bridgeport  and  Benninglon  for  $1,100  a  year;  but 
bis  contract  made  in  1828  is  for  $1,250  a  year.  Ho  is  also  re- 
ported as  having  contracted  lo  carry  the  mail  between  Hartford 
and  Albany  for  $1,000  a  year;  but  iiis  contract  made  in  1828  is 
for  $1,500  a  year.  Pettis,  IJay  &  Co.  are  reported  as  having 
contracted  to  carry  the  mail  between  Boston  and  Windsor,  and 
between  Windsor  and  Burlington,  for  $3,000  a  year;  but  their 
contract  made  in  1828  is  for  $4,400  a  year.  Hiram  Plummer  is 
reported  as  having  contracted  to  carry  the  mail  between  Boston 
and  Dover  for  $800  a  year;  but  his  contract  made  in  1828  is  for 
$1,250  a  year.  In  all  these  cases, the  report  to  congress  is  made 
to  agree  with  the  proposal  book,  though  Ihe  conlracls  were  dif- 
ferently executed.  The  fact  is  therefore  established,  that  the 
report  of  1832  was  made  in  conformity  with  the  ancient  usage 


rals,  who  called  to  his  assistance  bis  brother,  Abraham  Brad- 


ey,  the  other  late  assistant  postmaster  general,  to  aid  them  in 
their  investigations.  It  was  supposed,  that  the  long  experience 
of  these  gentlemen  in  the  department,  would  enable  them  to 


epo 

of  the  department;  and  under  this  mode  of  reporting,  a  disa- 
greement will  exist  whenever  a  modification  of  the  contract 
•hall  be  made  subsequent  to  the  acceptance  ot  the  proposal. 

This  practice,  however,  we  consider  erroneous,  and  are  pleas 
ed  to  see  that  it  is  changed  in  the  report  of  contracts  made  lo 
the  present  session  of  congress,  in  which,  not  the  proposals  ac- 
cepted, but  the  contracts  according  lo  the  changes  and  rnoilili 
cations  afterwards  made  are  reported;  this  is  proper  and  neces 
sary  to  enable  congress  to  have  a  full  and  correct  view  of  ilit, 
conlracls  and  engagements  made  by  the  department. 

The  postmaster  general,  in  his  report  of  November  30th 
1832,  stated  the  annual  transportation  of  the  mail  to  be 
23,625,021  miles,  making  nn  increase  from  1829  of  9,925,02 
miles.  A  suspicion  had  been  intimated  of  the  correctness  o 
this  statement;  and  on  an  investigation  of  the  subject,  the  fol 
lowing  appeared  to  be  the  facts: 

The  late  postmaster  general,  in  his  last  report,  November, 
1828,  elated,  that  on  the  1st  July,  1823,  the  annual  transporta- 
tion of  the  mail  was, 

In  stages,  4,489,744  miles. 

On  horseback,  5,511,496      " 

That  there  had  been  added,  from  that 

time  to  July  1,  1828,  in  stages,  1,949,849      " 

On  horseback,  1,658,95'J      " 

This  made  the  annual  transportation  of 

the  mail  on  1st  July,  1828,  13,610,039  mile*. 

The  committee  procured  a  list  of  all  the  post  routes  as  they 
were  in  operation  on  the  1st  of  July,  1832,  with  the  length  of 
each,  the  manner  of  performance,  and  the  frequency  with 
which  the  mails  were  then  transported,  [document  No.  5],  from 
which  it  appears  that  the  annual  transportation  of  the  mail  on 
the  1st  of  July,  1832,  was  23,632,330  miles;  and  that  the  increase 
to  that  period  from  the  1st  of  July  1828,  was  10,0*22,291  miles. 
exclusive  of  the  additional  extent  occasioned  by  tlie  under  es- 
timate hereafter  pointed  out.  The  report  of  1832,  ninde  the 
whole  amount  of  the  annual  transportation  to  lie  - 


prosecute  some  branches  of  the  inquiry  with  more  facility  and 
success  than  could  otherwise  be  done.  The  report  of  the  re- 
sult of  their  inquiries  has  been  furnished  the  committee,  and  in 
comparing  it  with  the  reports  of  the  department,  we  discover  a 
considerable  discrepancy,  for  which  we  can  readily  account. 

The  Messrs.  Bradleys  observed  in  their  report  that  the  post- 
master general  reported,  in  November,  1829,  that  the  whole 
length  of  post  roads  was  115,000  miles;  in  1830,  he  reponed 
them  to  be  115,176  miles;  in  1832,  he  reported  them  to  be  only 
104,467  miles;  and  in  1833,  he  reported  them  to  be  119,916 
miles. 

The  facts  appear  to  be  as  follows:  the  late  postmaster  gene- 
ral, in  his  last  report,  November,  1828,  reponed  the  length  of 
posl  roads  lo  be  114,536  miles.  This  musl  have  embraced  Ihe 
new  routes  which  had  been  established  by  the  IHW  of  the  pre- 
ceding congress,  as  it  exhibited  an  increase  ul  9.200  miles  grea- 
ter than  the  statistical  accounl  of  the  depailment  showed  for 
the  prcct-ding  year. 

The  present  postmaster  general,  in  his  first  report  of  Novem- 
ber, 1829,  assumed  Ihe  lasi  re.porl  of  his  predecessor  as  Ihe  basis 
of  his  .- Mieiiii  nt.  He  did  not  question  iis  correctness.  He  had 
estimated  an  atidiliun  of  between  four  and  five  hundred  miles 
i  putting  into  operation  a  few  additional  routes  within  the 
'ear;  making  the  total  amount  115,000  miles.  In  1830,  he  pre- 
dicated his  report  on  tin:  same  presumption,  thai  the  last  re- 
>ort  ol  the  late  postmaster  general  was  correct,  and  reported 
an  increase  of  176  miles,  which  had  been  added  by  the  eslab- 
i-limeni  of  a  lew  routes,  to  furnish  the  seats  of  justice  to 
some  new  counties,  which  had  been  established  in  some  of  the 
states  within  that  period;  and  by  varying  some  of  the  old 
routes,  so  as  to  increase  their  distance,  for  the  purpose  of  giv- 
ing a  mail  lo  new  settlements,  or  growing  neighborhoods.  This 
»ave  Ihe  number  of  115,176  miles  in  1830.  In  the  mean  time, 
he  had  caused  route  books  to  be  made,  in  which  the  names  of 
the  several  offices  on  each  route  are  given,  the  distance  one 
from  another,  and  the  total  length  of  each  route;  the  length 
having  been  ascertained  from  the  postmasters  on  each  route,  in 
consequsnce  of  circulars  addressed  to  them  by  the  postmaster 
general.  In  1832,  he  took  the  sum  total  of  all  these  routes  from 


,. 

miles,  which  is  7.:«J9  miles  less  than  the  result  of  the  cnlctila 
lion  now  made.  This  mode  of  asoe.rtainiiiL'  the  amount  of  Hie 
annual  transportation  was  deemed  less  liable  to  error,  Ih.m  any 
that  could  be  resorted  to.  Besides,  a  further  security  lor  it's 
correctness  is  furnished  by  the  fact,  that  the  length  of  each 
route  is  given,  and  the  number  of  times  Hie  mail  is  transported 
thereon;  so  that  any  error  contained  in  it,  may  be  easily  detect- 
ed. The  fact  of  a  discrepany  between  the  report  of  'l*:t2  ami 
the  calculation  now  made,  to  the  small  amount  of  7,309  miles 
in  BO  many  millions,  affords  strong  evidence  of  its  general  ac- 
curacy, and  especially  when  it  is  considered,  that  the  calcula- 
tion now  made  and  exhibited  exceeds  the  amount  then  report- 
ed. The  idea  that  the  report  of  1832,  from  any  motive,  phi.  r,i 
the  annual  transportation  of  tho  mail  beyond  the  true  amount, 
is  disproved  by  the  fact,  that  it  falls  short  of  it  by  a  calculation 
now  made,  from  the  most  unerrin«  data  that  can  be  obtained. 
In  Una  place  we  would  state,  that  the  committee  emplnyeri 
Dr.  Fhineai  Bradley,  one  of  the  late  assistant  postmaster  -c'nc- 


the  route  books,  showing  the  whole  length  of  all  the  post  roads 
to  be  only  104,467  miles.  The  discrepancies  which  they  (the 
Messrs.  Bradleys),  speak  of,  appear  to  have  been  occasioned  by 
the,  estimate  which  had  been  made  in  the  report  of  the  late 
postmaster  general;  and  the  diminution  from  1 15,176  lo  104,467, 
is  produced  by  the  present  postmaste.r  general's  correction,  in 
giving  the  true  amount  of  mail  tnmspnilalion,  ascertained  in 
the  manner  heretofore  stated.  The  route  books  are  in  Ihe  de- 
partment open  to  inspection,  and  if  any  errors  exist  in  them, 
they  are  subject  to  correction.  Between  the  report  of  1832  and 
that  of  1833,  the  new  routes  established  by  the  law  of  1832 
were  brought  into  operation,  which  added  more  than  15,000 
miles  to  the  length  of  post  roads,  and  increased  the  total 
amount  to  119,916  miles.  The  Messrs.  Bradleys  state  they 
have  endeavored  to  ascertain  the  length  of  post  roads  in  seven 
states  and  one  territory,  by  examining  the  advertisements  for 
proposals,  and  when  the  distances  are  not  advertised,  by  mea- 
suring tbo  distances  on  the  map;  and  in  the  result  they  have 
f'lund  a  difference,  or  what  they  assert  to  be  an  error, of  4,195 
miles.  This  is  what  might  have  been  expected,  when  compar- 
ing their  imperfect  and  uncertain  method  of  calculating,  with 
the  correct  method  ot  the  department.  They  do  not  inform  us 
what  states  and  territory  they  took,  nor  whether  they  included 
Ihe  new  routes  which  went  into  operation  in  1833;  nor  do  they 
furnish  us  with  any  detail  of  the  routes,  with  the  length  of  each 
as  the  department  has  done.  We  have  been  furnished  by  the 
department  with  a  detail  of  all  the  routes,  and  the  length  of 
each,  which  certainly  is  the  most  satisfactory  statement  that 
can  be  given;  but  the  Messrs.  Bradleys  state,  that  in  seven 
states  and  one  territory,  they  have  found  an  error,  without  pre- 
tending to  have  examined  the  whole  of  the  several  routes  in 
detail  as  stated  on  the  route-books,  and  without  pointing  out 
where  the  error  lies.  Every  route  in  those  states,  and  that  ter- 
ritory, which  may  have  been  subsequently  cstnt.lished,  or 
which  i*  not  included  in  the  advertisement  which  they  examin- 
ed, must  have  been  excluded  from  their  calculation;  and  their 
admeasurement  on  the  map,  must  nave  been  exceedingly  im- 
perfect, while  the  data  on  which  the  report  of  the  postmaster 
general  is  founded,  is  clear  and  unexceptionable. 

They  next  proceed  to  show  thai  Ihe  increase  in  HIP  transpor- 
tation of  the  mail  has  nol  been  so  preal  as  reported  by  Ihe  post- 
ma.-trr  general.  They  stale  thai,  by  the.  last  report  of  the  late 
postmaster  general,  the  annual  transportation  of  the  mail  \ras 
shown  to  be.  13,709,039  miles.  On  reference  to  that  report  of 
17th  November.  1828,  we  find  him  to  say,  that  on  the  first  of 
July,  1823,  the  transportation  of  the  mail  was, 

In  stages,  .         4,489,744  mile*. 

On  horseback,  5,511,496     " 

Since  that  lime,  there  has  been  added, 

In  Mages,  1.9-19,850      " 

On  horseback,  1,658,910      " 

We  find,  by  the  addition  of  tbeso  Mims 

thai  the  mail  trans-ported  ill  Ici-JS,  1.1,610.039  milci. 

I  and  not,  as  they  slain,  13,709,039  mile*. 


NILES'  REGISTEK— JUNE  21,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT.         285 


This  was  taken  by  the  postmaster  general  as  the  basis  on 
which  he  calculated  the  increase  of  1829,  '30  and  '31.  The 
document  before  referred  to,  (marked  5),  gives  a  statement  of 
the  length  of  each  route,  with  the  manner  and  frequency  of 
transportation,  showing  the  annual  amount  of  transportation 
on  each  route.  The  sum  total  of  these  different  routes,  as  they 
stood  on  the  1st  of  July,  1832,  U  23,632,330  miles,  the  annual 
amount  of  the  transportation  of  the  mail  ut  that  time.  The  in 
crease  between  that  lime  and  the  1st  of  July,  1833,  occasioned 
by  putting  the  new  routes  into  operation,  and  by  many  improve- 
ments on  the  old  routes,  is  slated  to  have  amounted  to  upwards 
of  three  millions;  making:  the  total  annual  amount  of  transpor- 
tation on  the  1st  of  July,  1833,  equal  to  26,854,485  miles.  To  dis- 
prove the  correctness  of  this  statement,  the  Messrs.  Bradleys 
report  that  they  have  examined  the  advertisements,  and  calcu- 
lated from  them  the  annual  amount  of  transportation,  and  to 
this  added  the  amount  stated  in  the  report  of  the  extra  allow- 
ances, made  to  the  senate  on  the  3d  of  March  last,  which  they 
assume  to  be  the  total  amount  of  annual  transportation.  The 
incorrectness  of  their  method  must  be  obvious  to  every  person 
who  will  make  but  a  slight  examination  of  the  subject.  Be- 
sides the  inaccuracy  of  their  distances,  especially  such  as  they 
ascertain  by  measuring  the  map,  there  are,  and  always  have 
been,  mail  routes  in  operation,  which  are  not  in  the  advertise- 
ments. Some  will  be  omitted  in  the  advertisements  by  acci- 
dent. Some  additional  routes  will  every  year  be  required  to 
supply  new  county  seats  of  justice.  But  what  will  make  a 
much  greater  difference  is,  that  the  advertisements  invite  pro- 
posals for  improvements,  such  as  running  more  frequently,  ex- 
tending routes  to  greater  lengths,  and  other  services  to  increase 
the  transportation  of  the  mail;  also,  the  greater  portion  of 
steamboat  routes  are  not  advertised.  The  improved  bids  are 
frequently  accepted,  by  means  of  which  great  alterations  are 
made  between  the  advertisements  and  the  contracts,  which  will 
not  be  brought  into  view,  either  by  examining  the  advertise- 
ment, or  the  report  ol'exlra  allowances;  because  they  are  not 
contained  either  in  the  one  or  the  other.  Routes  are  sometimes 
advertised  to  run  but  once  a  week,  and  are  contracted  for  to 
run  three  times  a  week.  They  are  sometimes  advertised  to  run 
three  times  a  week,  and  are  contracted  for  to  run  daily.  They 
•  are  sometimes  advertised  to  run  daily,  and  are  contracted  for 
to  run  twice  a  day.  So,  we  find  the  route  from  New  York  to 
Philadelphia  was  advertised  to  run  once  a  day;  but  the  contract 
was  made  for  it  to  run  twice  a  day.  The  route  from  Philadel- 
phia to  Pittsburgh  was  advertised  to  run  once  a  day;  but  the 
contract  was  made  for  it  to  run  twice  a  day.  The  route  from 
Philadelphia  to  Pottsville  was  advertised  to  run  once  a  day; 
but  the  contract  was  made  for  it  to  run  twice  a  day.  The  route 
from  Heading  to  Harrislmrgh  was  adverlised  to  run  once  a  day; 
but  the  contract  was  made  to  run  twice  a  day.  The  contracts 
for  these  four  routes  alone  provide  for  the  annual  transporta- 
tion of  the  mail  338,360  miles  more  than  what  could  be  embrac- 
ed in  the  estimate  of  the  Messrs.  Bradleys.  They  are  Hot  in 
the  advertisement,  for  they  are  covered  by  improved  bids;  and 
they  are  not  contained  in  the  report  of  extra  allowances,  be 
cause  they  are  piovided  for  in  the  original  contract.  Thus  it 
appears,  that  the  report  of  the  Messrs.  Bradleys  must  be  very 
erroneous;  but  the  document  furnished  by  the  department, 
showing  the  whole  in  detail,  is  so  perfectly  clear,  that  it  pre- 
sents no  difficulty;  and  if  there  exists  in  the  calculation  a  sin- 
gle error,  it  furnishes  the  data  by  which  it  may  lie  detected. 

In  tlieir  report,  the  Messrs.  Bradleys  complain  that  they  had 
not  access  to  the  archives  of  the  department.  On  this  point 
we  are  not  aware  of  any  j<ist  cause  for  complaint.  The  post 
master  general  did  refuse  to  sutler  the  books  and  documents  ol 
his  department  to  go  out  of  the  hands  of  those  by  whom  they 
are  ordinarily  kept,  except  they  were  in  charge  of  the  commit- 
tee, or  some  member  of  it;  but  he  always  showed  the  greatest 
readiness  to  provide  the  committee,  or  any  one  of  its  members, 
so  far  as  our  knowledge  extends,  with  any  and  every  part  of  the 
archives  of  his  office,  whenever  called  for.  He  offered  them  a 
room  in  his  office,  which  the  committee  accepted;  and  when- 
ever any  member  of  the  committee  was  present,  he  always  per- 
mitted the  hooks  and  documents  to  be  taken  into  that  room, 
and  there  examined  at  pleasure,  with  or  without  the  presence 
of  any  of  the  officers  of  the  department,  by  the  Messrs.  Brad- 
leys,  or  by  any  other  person  whom  the  committee  thought  pro- 
per to  employ. 

In  the  whole  course  of  the  investigation,  tho  inquiry  whether 
any  gift,  or  gratuity,  or  favor,  had  been  received  by  any  officer 
of  "the  department,  from  any  contractor,  (whirl)  might  warrant 
the  conclusion,  that  it  might  have  had  any  etlVct  upon  tho  pub- 
lic conduct  of  the  officer),  was  never  lost'siaht  of;  and  the  te- 
sull  in  our  minds  was,  that  nothing  appeared  which  would  jus- 
tify a  suspicion  unfavorable  to  the  department  or  any  of  its  of 
ficers. 

It  was  in  (Retted  to  the  committee,  that  the  postmaster  gene 
ral  had  been  furnished  with  money  by  contractors  to  whom  ex- 
tra allowances  had  been  made.  The.  committee  subpoenaed  am 
brought  before  them  all  the  contractors  who  were  supposed  to 
have  any  knowledge  of  the  transaction  referred  to:  and  frou 
all  the  testimony  it  appeared,  that  col.  R.  M.  Johnson  had  been 
bound  as  surety  or  endorser  for  maj.  Barry — that  when  pay 
ment  was  demanded,  it  was  not  convenient  for  either  of  then 
to  raise  the  money — that  col.  Johnson,  without  the  agency  o 
knowledge  of  maj.  Barry,  procured  the  sum  of  fifteen  hundrec 
dollars  on  a  temporary  loan  from  a  friend  o!"  his,  who  was  : 
«  ontract'Mr— that  this  friend,  in  making  up  the  sum  required 


was  aided,  to  the  amount  of  500  dollar*,  by  another  contrae- 
or — that  maj.  Barry,  some  time  afterward*,  paid  the  money  to 
?ol.  Johnson,  who  repaid  it  to  the  person  from  whom  be  had 
received  it.  The  contractor  swears  that  it  was  never  a  subject 
of  conversation  between  him  and  the  postmaster  general;  nor 
did  he,  in  consideration  ol  it,  ever  receive  any  favor  or  indul- 
;ence  whatever.  As  the  whole  of  this  transaction  appears  to 
>ave  been  without  the  agency  or  knowledge  of  the  postmaster 
general,  it  cannot  furnish  ground  for  suspicion  of  any  thine 
wrong  on  his  part. 

The  committee  deemed  it  their  duty  to  investigate  every  case, 
vhen  it  was  known  that  a  member  of  the  department  had  had 
•iny  dealings  with  a  contractor,  especially  it  the  lea.<t  intimation 
vas  given  of  a  suspicion  of  any  thing  improper.  A  letter  wa« 
eceived  by  the  committee  from  a  citizen  of  Pennsylvania, 
:harging  upon  hearsay  evidence,  that  of  an  extra  allowance  of 
0,000  dollars  on  the  contract  of  Rceside  &  Slaymaker,  in 
which  Mr.  TomliiiBon  was  also  interested;  Messrs.  Reeside, 
Slaymaker  and  Tomlinson,  received  each  3,000  dollars,  and  that 
he  other  1,000  had  been  retained  by  Mr.  Brown,  the  chiefclerk 
of  the  department.  We,  therefore,  took  testimony  of  all  the 
witnesses  to  whom  we  had  been  referred  in  said  letter;  and  the 
Charge  wa*  not  sustained  by  evidence,  but  was  lully  disproved. 
A  loan  of  money  was  made  by  Messrs.  Slaymaker  and  Reeside 
o  Mr.  Brown,  which  had  been  in  part  repaid,  and  part  remain* 
till  unpaid;  but  it  appears,  on  the  clearest  testimony,  to  be  a 
oan  of  money  on  interest,  and  does  not  furnish  ground  for  sus- 
jicion  of  any  thing  improper.  It  also  appeared  that  Mr.  Brown 
>ad,  sometime  before  this  loan,  made  a  loan  on  interest  to  Mr. 
Jorter,  a  contractor,  of  several  thousand  dollars;  and  afterward* 
made  an  additional  loan  to  Mr.  Porter.  If  it  should  seem  ex- 
.raordinary,  that  he  should  borrow  money  on  interest,  while  he 
)ad  money  loaned  out  at  interest,  the  explanation  is  found  in 
the  circumstance,  that  he  acted  as  the  agent  of  the  late  doctor 
Fackson,  and  had  received  his  money  to  the  amount  of  several 
thousand  dollars  before  his  death;  that  he  has  continued  to  act 
is  the  agent  for  his  widow  and  his  orphan  children,  and  has 
)een  in  the  habit  of  receiving  their  money  to  the  present  time, 
which  he  keeps  at  interest,  as  a  distinct  fund  for  their  benefit; 
and  that  it  was  of  this  fund  that  he  made  the  loan  to  Mr.  Por- 
ter; but  that  the  money  which  he  borrowed,  was  to  pur- 
chase property  for  his  own  individual  benefit.  These  are  all 
transactions  of  a  private  character,  having  no  relation  to  offi- 
cial conduct;  but,  as  they  were  brought  to  view  in  the  course  of 
the  examination  of  witnesses,  we  have  thought  it  proper  to 
state  them,  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that  every  thing  which 
might,  by  possibility,  have  a  connexion  with  official  relations, 
lias  been  carefully  scrutinized.  There  is  nothing  substantiated 
in  the  transaction  in  relation  to  Mr.  Brown,  which  can  justify 
a  suspicion  of  impropriety. 

James  Reeside,  is  a  contractor  for  carrying  the  mail  on  many 
ditferent  routes,  and  to  a  very  great  extent.  In  most  of  the 
contract?  which  bear  his  name,  he  is  associated  with  others  who 
are  very  largely  interested  with  him.  The  committee  have  in- 
quired into  all  his  existing  contracts.  On  all  the  routes  in 
which  he  is  interested,  the  mail  is  carried  in  stages  or  in  steam- 
boats; and  their  extent  is  1,932  miles  in  length,  which  is  more 
than  all  the  post  roads  in  the  United  States  amounted  to  in 
1791.  On  these  routes  the  mail  is  transported  annually, 
1,743.910  miles.  For  this  service,  the  present  compensation  is 
$119,810  per  year,  equal  to  six  cents  and  eight-tenths  of  a  cent 
per  mile.  On  90  miles  of  these  roads,  the  mail  is  transported 
three  times  a  day;  on  526  miles  twice  a  day;  on  881  miles  daily; 
and  on  435  miles,  three  times  a  week.  If,  where  it  is  transport- 
ed more  than  once  a  day,  he  should  be  allowed  no  compensa- 
tion for  the  service,  beyond  once  a  day,  the  compensation 
would  amount  to  nine  cents  and  seven-tenths  of  a  cent  per 
mile.  We  have  also  compared  the  compensation  which  Mr. 
Reeside  now  receives,  with  what  he  received  under  his  con- 
tracts made  in  1827,  under  the  late  postmaster  general.  It  ap- 
pears that  he  then  transported  the  mail  392,194  miles  per  an- 
num, at  an  annual  compensation  of  $43,732  68,  equal  to  eleven 
cents  and  two-tenths  of  a  cent  per  mile.  Under  those  con- 
tracts the  mail  was  transported  over  573  miles  of  post  road,  on 
90  miles  of  which  it  was  carried  twice  a  day  for  six  days  in 
each  week.  If  in  that  case  there  had  been  no  compensation 
allowed  for  the  service  beyond  once  a  day,  the  compensation 
would  amount  to  thirteen  cents  per  mile.  We  pursued  these 
investigations  to  ascertain  whether  there  is  any  ground  for  sus- 
picion, that  special  favors  have  been  extended  to  Mr.  Reeside 
under  the  present  administration  of  that  department;  and  it 
does  not  appear  that  the  slighest  ground  for  such  suspicion  ex- 
ists. He  performs  the  service  at  a  much  lower  rate  than  under 
the  former  administration,  and  it  does  not  appear  that  he  has 
ever  received  compensation,  but  for  services  rendered  fully 
equivalent  to  the  same. 

An  investigation  was  instituted  before  the  committee,  to  as- 
certain whether  he,  Mr.  Reeside,  had  not  afforded  to  the  post- 
master general  such  pecuniary  aid,  from  which  an  inference 
might  be  drawn,  that  he  might  thereby  become  the  object  of 
special  favor  with  the  department.  Upon  an  examination  into 
this  subject,  it  appeared  that  the  family  of  the  postmaster  gene- 
ral was  in  Philadelphia,  and  had  been  there  for  some  limp,  at- 
tending to  his  sick  son,  who  was  under  the  care  of  a  physician 
of  thru  place.  That  the  postmaster  general,  when  on  n  vj.it  to 
his  family  in  Philadelphia,  concluded  to  remove  his  family,  in- 
cluding his  son,  from  that  place,  at  an  eailier  period  than  hnd 
been  intended,  and  to  enable  hint  to  discharge  the  demand* 


286        NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


against  him,  obtained  from  Mr.  Reeside  1,000  dollars,  upon  an 
acceptance  of  short  date,  which  was  paid  when  it  fell  due. 
From  this  transaction,  we  are  wholly  unwilling  to  draw  any 
unfavorable  inference.  In  it  we  can  discern  nothing  but  the 
performance  of  a  kind  office,  for  which  praise,  rather  than  cen- 
sure is  due. 

The  committee  examined  carefully  into  all  cases  where  com- 
plaints were  mudc,  or  where  any  suspicion  was  intimated  of  fa- 
voritism having  been  extended  by  the  department  to  any  con- 
tractor, or  of  any  improper  exercise  of  the  discretion  of  the 
postmaster  general  in  granting  allowances.  Every  such  case 
became  the  subject  of  rigid  scrutiny;  and  not  a  single  instance 
of  alleged  abase  has  been  omitted  by  the  committee. 

The  route  between  Baltimore,  Md.  and  Chambersburgh,  Pa 
77  miles,  on  which  Jas.  Reeside  is  contractor,  was  among  those 
which  were  examined  by  the  committee.  It  appeared  that  the 
proposal  of  James  Reeside  to  transport  the  mail  on  this  route, 
was  accepted  at  1,900  dollars  a  year;  and  that  under  his  con- 
tract he  received  at  the  rate  of  3,495  dollars  a  year  from  the 
commencement  of  the  service  under  his  contract,  January  1, 
1832,  till  the  31st  December,  1833,  when  it  was  reduced  to  1,900 
dollars.  On  investigation,  it  was  found  that  his  proposal  con- 
tained two  propositions,  the  first  to  carry  the  mail  daily,  in 
four-horse  post  coaches,  as  advertised,  which  was  to  leave  Bal- 
timore daily,  at  4  A.  M.  and  arrive  at  Chainbe rsburgh  the  same 
•day  at  9  P.  M.  17  hours:  leave  Cliambersbureh  every  day  at  2 
A.  M.  and  arrive  at  Baltimore  the  same  day  by  8  P.  M.  18 
•hours;  and  te  perform  the  service  for  1,900  dollars  per  annum. 
The  other  proposition  was,  to  leave  Baltimore  daily,  after  the 
arrival  of  the  steamboat  from  Philadelphia,  and  arrive  at  Cham- 
bersburgh  same  day,  in  time  to  connect  with  the  mails  from 
Philadelphia  to  Pittsburgh,  for  the  annual  compensation  of  3,495 
dollars.  The  steamboat  at  that  time  left  Philadelphia  in  the 
afternoon,  and  arrived  at  Baltimore  at  an  early  hour  the  next 
morning;  and  the  mail  from  Philadelphia  for  Pittsburgh,  passed 
through  Chambersburgh  about  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
The  last  proposition  required  a  very  considerable  increase  of 
expedition,  and  would  pain  an  entire  day  between  Baltimore 
and  Pittsburgh,  of  which  this  route  is  a  part.  The  proposal  of 
James  Reeside  was  the  only  one  offered  for  the  route,  and  was 
accepted  on  the  first  proposition  at  1,900  dollars.  The  accept- 
ance was  made  in  October,  1831,  the  contract  to  take  effect 
from  the  1st  day  of  January  following.  On  the  29th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1831,  the  postmaster  general  appears  to  have  directed  him 
to  perform  the  service  stipulated  in  his  proposition  for  3,495 
dollars;  and  there  is  endorsed  on  the  contract  in  the  hand  writ- 
Ing  of  Thomas  B.  Addison,  the  clerk  employed  in  preparing 
and  filing  contracts,  "alteration  made  this  29th  December, 
1331."  Some  of  the  members  of  the  committee  were  induced 
to  suspect  that  this  endorsement  had  been  made  at  a  recent 
date;  but  on  the  examination  on  oath  of  three  clerks,  Mr.  Addi- 
son, by  whom  the  endorsement  was  made;  Mr.  Dundas,  who 
was  then  the  corresponding  clerk  for  this  division;  and  Mr. 
Childs  who  is  the  present  corresponding  clerk  of  this  division; 
the  fact  was  clearly  established,  that  the  endorsement  is  not  of 
recent  date,  but  was  made  at  the  time  of  the  date  which  it 
bear*. 

The  route  from  Hagerstown,  Md.  to  McConncllsburgh,  Pa.  on 
which  Mr.  Reeside  is  contractor,  was  also  a  subject  of  exami- 
nation. The  distance  is  stated  to  be  26  miles,  and  it  was  ad 
vertised  to  run  three  limes  a  week  in  four-horse  post  coaches. 
For  this  route  there  was  several  proposals,  the  lowest  of  which 
was  250  dollars,  (a  sum  wholly  inadequate  to  the  service) 
except  that  of  Mr.  Reeside,  which  was  as  follows:  "We  do 
agree  to  carry  the  mail  on  route  No.  1,231,  from  Hagcrstowri 
to  McConnellsburgh,  via  Welch  Run  and  Mercersburgh,  as 
advertised,  for  the  yearly  compensation  of  40  dollars,  or  we 
will  carry  the  same  so  as  to  connect  the  mail  at  each  place, 
with  the  great  eastern  and  western  mails,  daily,  in  four-horse 
post  coaches,  for  the  yearly  compensation  of  ninety-nine  dol- 
lars, ninety-nine  dollars."  This  hid  was  accepted,  and  the 
contract  appears  to  have  been  immediately  filled  at  40  dol- 
lars, and  put  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Reeside  to  be  executed.  It 
is  alleged  both  by  Mr.  Reeside  and  the  postmaster  general,  that 
Mr.  Reeside  stated  verbally  to  the  postmaster  general,  after  the 
route  had  been  assigned  to  him,  and  before  the  commencement 
of  the  service,  that  there  was  a  mistake  in  his  proposal;  that 
the  person  who  wrote  out  his  proposal  for  him,  must  have  mis- 
taken liis  figures,  and  filled  tt  with  sums  for  which  he  never  in- 
tended to  perform  the  service.  He  allcgdd  that  the  words 
"daily  in  four-horse  post  coaches,"  as  used  in  his  bid,  were  in- 
tended by  him  to  apply  equally  to  both  propositions,  that  he  in- 
tended to  propose  nothing  lees  than  a  daily  mail;  but  to  perform 
Ihe  serwice  agreeably  to  the  schedule  advertised,  for  fourteen 
hundred  dollars;  or  to  give  such  increased  expedition  as  would 
perfect  the  connexions,  for  nineteen  hundred  and  ninety-nine 
dollars.  That  the  inconsiderable  sums  named  would  show  that 
there  must  have  bc.cn  a  mistake,  and  that  the  writing  of  tbe 
words  "nineiy-niii'!  dollars,  ninety-nine  dollars,"  with  this  re- 
petition, made  it  obvious  that  there  must  have  been  an  error. 
The  postmaster  c''neral  informed  him  in  answer  to  this  state- 
ment, that  as  the  route  was  intended  to  connect  two  daily  routes, 
it  would  he  necessary  for  him  to  run  it  daily;  and  that  the  ques- 
tion for  correcting  the  alleged  error  in  writing  the  proposal, 
should  be  a  subject  for  future  consideration.  There  is  on  tha 
files  of  the  department,  n  paper  which  appear?  to  have  been 
written  after  the  sei  vice  commenced,  of  which  the  following  is 
a  copy: 


"Mr.  Reeside  says  that  the  bid  was  put  in  by  mistake,  as  will 
appear  from  the  small  sum.  He  intended  to  have  made  it 
§1,400,  and  to  run  daily,  and  so  marked  with  his  pencil;  but  the 
clerk  who  copied  it  for  him,  mistook  his  pencil  inark,  suppos- 
ing the  1  was  belonging  to  his  dollar  sign,  and  the  0  at  the  right 
hand  he  overlooked,  or  considered  it  merely  a  point.  The 
postmaster  general  gave  him  a  verbal  order  to  run  daily,  and 
reserved  for  consideration  the  correction  of  the  error,  lie  has 
run,  from  the  beginning  of  the  year,  daily.  Shall  he  be  allow- 
ed to  correct  the  error,  and  receive  $1,400?  His  distance  is  in- 
creased 10  miles.  No  other  bid." 

On  this  statement  is  written,  in  the  hand-writing  of  the  post- 
master general,  "granted."  Such  are  the  facts  in  this  case. 
It  is  stated  by  the  postmaster  general,  that  the  increase  of  dis- 
tance was  occasioned  by  his  going  by  way  of  Greencastle,  five 
miles  each  way,  which  increased  his  daily  travel  ten  miles. 
That  the  words  "no  other  bid,"  are  erroneous;  and  that  the 
error  must  have  arisen  from  the  circumstance,  that  three  other 
proposals  of  Mr.  Reeside  were  written  on  the  same  paper  with 
this,  to  neither  of  which  was  there  any  other  bid  than  his;  and 
that  it  must  have  been  under  the  impression  that  this  was  one 
of  them,  that  this  part  of  the  note  was  made.  The  allowance 
of  $1,400  was  made  him  for  running  it  daily,  with  the  increased 
distance  of  five  miles  each  way,  till  the  close  of  the  last  year, 
when  it  was  reduced  to  a  tri-weekly  mail,  and  the  compensa- 
tion reduced  to  $700.  This  is  ,*-150  a  year  more  than  the  low- 
est bid,  but  with  an  increase  of  five  miles  distance  each  way, 
and  to  be  performed  in  the  snme  time  that  would  have  been  al- 
lowed with  the  increased  distance.  The  postmaster  general 
further  states,  that  as  soon  as  he  discovered  the  fact  (which 
wns  not  until  this  investigation  commenced)  that  there  were 
other  bids  on  the  route,  he  informed  the  contractor  that  the 
amount  of  the  allowance  would  hi;  a  subject  of  reconsideration; 
and  that  it  would  be  regulated  according  to  the  other  proposals, 
and  to  take  effect  from  the  beginning  of  the  contract. 

The  full  amount  of  allowance  is  far  from  what  appears  extra- 
vagant when  compared  with  what  is  paid  for  equal  services  on 
other  routes;  and  if,  when  compared  with  the  proposal*  of  other 
responsible  bidders  on  the  same  route,  the  allowance  shall  ap- 
pear to  be  greater  than  what  the  contractor  is  fairly  entitled  to, 
tin;  postmaster  general  has  the  power,  as  he  has  declared  bis 
intention,  to  reduce  it  to  tbe  proper  amount. 

The  contract  made  by  the  department  with  Dr.  John  T.  Tem- 
ple, for  transporting  the  mail  between  Chicago,  Illinois  and 
Green  Bay,  in  the  territory  of  Michigan,  has  also  been  a  subject 
of  investigation.  It  appears  that  Doctor  Temple  was  formerly 
a  clerk  in  the  general  post  office,  and  that  he  resigned  bis  situ- 
ation as  such  about  the  first  of  March,  1833,  to  take  effect  from 
the  close  of  that  month.  The  route  from  Chicago  to  Green 
Bay  was  established  by  the  law  of  1832;  but  in  advertising  the 
routes  established  by  that  law,  this  route  wns  omitted,  and  one 
which  had  not  been  provided  by  law,  from  Detroit,  by  Macki- 
nac,to  Green  Bay,  was  advertised.  This  error  appears  to  have 
arisen  from  the  circumstance  that  the  person  who  prepared  the 
advertisement  had  not  the  means  of  referring  to  the  law  as  it 
finally  passed,  it  having  been  necessary  to  prepare  the  adver- 
tisements before  the  law  was  published. 

The  proposals,  however,  were  received  by  the  department 
for  transporting  the  mail  on  the  route  from  Chicago  to  Green 
Bay.  One  by  Alexander  Irwin  and  John  P.  Arndt,  to  carry  the 
mail  once  in  two  weeks  for  $3,000  a  year,  from  the  1st  Janua- 
ry, 1833,  for  the  period  of  three  years.  Their  proposal  is  dated 
"Green  Bay,  September  5,  1832."  The  other  was  by  Asahcl 
Savery,  of  While  Pigeon,  who  was  then  present  at  the  depart- 
ment, dated  10th  November,  1832,  proposing  to  carry  the  mail 
once  in  two  weeks  for  3,000  dollars  a  year,  from  the  1st  April, 
1833,  to  the  31st  December,' 1835;  or,  if  the  postmaster  general 
should  require  it  to  be  carried  once  a  week,  he  proposed  to  per- 
form the  service  for  the  additional  sum  of  500  dollars  a  year. 
Col.  Savery  was  already  the  contractor  for  carrying  the  mail 
from  Detroit  to  Chicago,  and  his  proposal  was  accepted  to 
transport  the  mail  between  Chicago  and  GreeH  Bay,  once  a 
week,  from  the  1st  April,  1833,  for  the  yearly  compensation  of 
3,500  dollars.  On  the  19th  of  January,  1833,  col.  Savery  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  the  postmaster  general,  stating,  that  as  the 
route  had  not  been  advertised,  he  had  not  travelled  over  it  pre- 
paratory to  making  his  bid,  but  had  supposed  the  distance  to  be 
but  two  hundred  miles,  over  a  prairie  country,  unobstructed  by 
difficult  streams  of  water;  but  he  had  since  learned  that  the 
distance  was  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  principally  through 
uninhabited  woodlands,  interrupted  by  several  water  courses, 
which  would  require  him  to  keep  boats  to  enable  him  to  per- 
form the  service.  He,  therefore,  earnestly  requested  the  post- 
master general  to  add  a  thousand  or  fifteen  hundred  dollars  to 
his  annual  allowance,  as  a  matter  of  equity.  He  proposed  to 
submit  the  subject  to  governor  Cass,  who,  he  supposed,  had 
travelled  over  the  route.  The  matter  was  accordingly  referred 
to  governor  Cass;  hut  he  returned  it  to  the  department  without 
giving  nn  opinion,  having  never  travelled  over  the  route.  The 
contract  was  made  on  the  22d  of  February  with  col.  Savory  for 
4,500  dollars  a  yrar,  to  commence  the  first  of  April  following. 
On  the  28th  of  February,  one  week  after  the  contract  was 
made,  it  was  assigned  by  Savery  to  John  T.  Temple,  and  the 
assignment  approved  by  the  postmaster  general. 

The  other  proposal  was  for  3,000  dollars,  once  in  two  weeks, 
flad  it  been  accepted,  the  postmaster  general  could  not  have 
required  them  to  have  increased  to  once  a  week  for  less  than 
6,000  dollars.  The  contract  was  made  with  Savery,  once  a 


NILES'    REGISTER— JUNE  21,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT.        287 


week,  for  4,500  dollars.  Dr.  Temple  had  determined  to  resign 
Ins  situation  as  a  clerk  in  Hie  general  post  office,  and  to  remove 
to  Chicago,  and  did  actually  resign  and  leave  Hie  department 
for  Chicago,  before  the  contract  commenced.  It  appears  that 
he  had  desired  to  obtain  this  contract  before  he  left  the  depart 
incut,  and  had  received  a  promise  of  Savery  to  transfer  it  to 
him  in  case  he  should  obtain  it;  but  it  dors  not  appear  that  this 
was  known  to  the  postmaster  general,  or  to  any  person  in  the 
department  having  any  agency  in  making  the  contract  with  Sa- 
very; nor  does  it  appear  that  the  hope  or  expectation  of  Doctor 
Temple  to  obtain  this  contract,  had  any  influence  whatever  in 
the  giving  it  to  col.  Savery,  or  in  regulating  the  compensatio 
to  he  allowed  for  the  service.  Notwithstanding  this,  it  would 
be  highly  proper  that  there  should  be  »  legal  prohibition  against 
any  person  engaged  in  the  department  becoming  interested  in 
mail  contracts,  or  acting  as  agenu  for  contractors  in  any  man- 
ner whatever. 

The  contract  for  transporting  the  mail  on  the  route  between 
Bellefonte  and  Meadville,  in  Pennsylvania,  has  also  been  ex- 
amined. This  was  formerly  a  two-horse  stage  line,  under  con- 
tract to  Hays  and  Bennett,  to  be  performed  three  times  a  week, 
through  in  two  and  a  half  days,  at  2,700  dollars  a  year.  Their 
contract  expired  on  the  3ist  December,  1881.  In  June,  1831, 
the  route  was  advertised  for  proposals  to  renew  it  in  the  same 
way;  that  is,  in  two-horse  stages,  three  times  a  week;  the  trip 
to  be  perfnrmcd  each  way  in  two  days  and  a  half.  John  and 
Benjamin  Bennett  proposed  to  perform  the  service  through  in 
two  days,  in  four-horse  post  coaches,  for  3,500  dollars  a  year. 
There  were  two  other  proposals  received  for  this,  both  to  run 
as  advertised,  viz:  E.  Plait  &  Co.  for  1,980  dollars  a  year,  and 
Moore,  Lebs  &  Co.  for  2,450  dollars  a  year.  The  bid  of  Platl 
&.  Co.  was  accepted.  This  route  constitutes  a  part  of  the  most 
direct  line  from  Philadelphia  and  Ilarrisburgh  to  Erie,  the 
northern  part  of  Ohio  and  Michigan.  The  lines  with  which  it 
connects  al  both  ends,  are  four-horse  coach  lines.  There  were 
many  applications  to  the  postmaster  general  from  persons  of  the 
highest  intelligence  and  respectability,  calling  for  the  improve- 
ment of  this  into  a  four-horse  post  coach  line.  The  postmaster 
general  at  length  determined  so  to  improve  it.  Fifty  per  cent, 
on  a  two-horse  stage  line,  is  estimated  by  the  department  as 
the  pro  rota  increase  for  improvement  to  a  four-horse  coach 
line.  The  proposal,  therefore  of  Mr.  Bennett,  was  lower  than 
any  other,  except  that  of  Platt  &  Co.  But  Platt  &.  Co.  volun- 
tarily withdrew  their  proposal,  as  appears  from  documents  on 
file  in  the  general  post  office;  and  there  appears  to  have  been 
good  reason  why  the  postmaster  general  should  have  permitted 
them  to  do  so.  The  proposal  of  Mr.  Bennett  was  then  accept- 
ed, and  a  contract  made  with  them  to  perform  the  service  three 
times  a  week  in  four  horse  post  coaches.  They  also  stipulated 
to  run  through  each  way  in  two  days,  instead  of  two  days  and 
a  half.  Their  contract  is  dated  October  15th,  1831,  but  it  does 
not  appear  to  have  been  signed  by  them  till  the  29th  March, 
1832.  On  the  contracts,  the  following  note  appears:  "On  ac- 
count of  unusual  freshets  and  destruction  of  bridges,- that  is, 
Sugar  creek  bridge,  Franklin  biidge,  with  material  other  chang- 
es on  the  road  since  the  15th  October,  1831,  to  the  -29th  March, 
1832,  we  agree  to  run  the  mail  in  two  days  and  a  half  each  way 
from  Bellefonte  to  Meadville,  and  back;  and  it  is  understood 
that  as  soon  as  the  bridges  are  rebuilt,  we  shall  adopt  the  fore- 
going schedule  mentioned  on  the  within  contract.  No  delay 
will  be  occasioned  at  Meadville,  in  consequence  ol  the  last 
mentioned  schedule." 
"The  above  statement  is  just  and  true." 

"DANIEL  ANDREWS,  P.  M." 

In  consequence  of  this  statement,  certified  by  the  postmaster 
at  Meadville,  they  were  permitted  to  take  the  additional  time, 
two  and  a  half  instead  of  two  days,  while  the  bridges  were 
gone,  and  the  roads  out  of  repair.  It  is  stated  al  the  depart- 
ment, that  the  contractors  claimed  additional  compensation,  in 
consequence  of  the  increased  distance  and  expense  to  which 
they  were  subjected  by  the  loss  of  the  bridges  and  injury  of  the 
roads;  but  this  was  denied  them.  The  additional  time,  how- 
ever, seems  to  have  been  very  properly  allowed.  John  Ben- 
nett has  since  deceased,  and  Benjamin  Bennett  is  fulfilling  the 
contract. 

Avery,  Tompkins  and  Saltmarsh,  are  contractors  for  trans- 
porting the  mail  on  several  routes;  among  which  are  the  routes 
from  Petersburg!),  Va.  by  Warrenton,  N.  C.  and  Raleigh,  to 
Fayetteville,203  miles,  constituting  a  part  of  the  main  daily  line 
between  the  northern  and  southern  states,  to  New  Orleans. 
These  routes  are  involved  in  their  contract  with  other  routes, 
which  do  not  belong  to  the  main  southern  mail  line,  at  a  round 
sum  for  the  whole,  without  defining  the  proposition  which  be- 
longs to  each  route. 

One  of  their  contracts  is  for  running  four  times  a  week,  in 
four-horse  post  coaches,  between  Petersburg!)  and  Warrenton, 
85  miles;  for  running  four  times  a  week  between  Warrenton 
and  Raleigh,  57  miles,  in  four-horse  post  coaches;  for  running 
daily  between  Raleigh  and  Fayetteville,  61  miles,  in  four-horse 
post  coaches;  for  running  three  times  a  week  between  Halifax 
and  Raleieh,  80  miles,  in  four- horse  post  coaches;  and  for  the 
whole  of  there  five  routes,  they  were  to  receive  24,000  dollars  a 
year.  Another  is  for  running  three  timrs  a  week  between 
Nashville  and  Tnrhorongh,  N.  C.  28  miles,  in  two  horse  stages, 
at  450  dollars  n  year;  and  for  running  once  a  week  on  horse- 
back, between  Enfii-ld  and  Tarboroiigh,24  mile?,  at  70  dollars  a 
year.  The.se  contracts  nil  hear  date  October  20, 1830;  to  com- 
mence January  1,  1831,  and  to  continue  four  years. 


From  the  first  of  tlf;  ahove  routes  they  were  required  to  run 
a  cross  mail,  diverging  from  the  main  route  at  Diamond  Grove, 
nine  miles,  to  Gholsonville,  for  which  an  additional  allowance 
was  made  of  150  dollars  a  year. 

The  routes  from  Petersburg!!  to  Warrenton,  and  from  War- 
renton to  Raleigh,  142  miles,  were  afterwards  directed  to  be  run 
daily,  instead  (it  lour  times  a  week,  and  to  be  go  expedited  as  to 
gain  a  half  of  an  hour  each  way.  The  route  from  Nashville  to 
Tarborough,  28  miles,  was  directed  to  be  run  in  fonr-horse  poet 
coaches,  instead  of  two  horse  stages.  The  route  from  Entield 
to  Tarborough,  94  miles,  was  directed  to  he  performed  three 
times  a  week  in  four  horse  post  coaches,  instead  of  once  a 
week  on  horseback.  For  these  several  improvements,  the  con- 
tractors were  allowed  an  additional  compensation  at  the  rate 
of  9,000  dollars  a  year.  Whether  this  allowance  was  gieater 
than  what  law  and  equity  would  warrant,  is  a  proper  subject  of 
inquiry;  a  pro  rata  allowance  for  three  additional  trips  per 
week  between  Petersburg!!  and  Raleigh,  vja  Warrenton,  pro- 
vided no  more  is  allowed  for  carrying  the  great  mail  on  the 
main  line  than  for  collateral  mail  lines,  would  amount  to  about 
7,000  dollars — without  increase  of  expedition.  This  would 
leave  2,000  dollars  applicable  to  the  improvement  of  the  route 
from  Nashville  to  Tarborough,  28  miles,  from  a  two-horse 
stage,  to  a  four-horse  post  coach  line,  and  for  the  establishment 
of  a  four-horse  post  coach  line  three  times  a  week  from  Kn  field 
to  Tarborough,  24  miles,  instead  of  a  horse  mail  once  a  week, 
and  for  the  increase  of  expedition.  There  is  no  rule  by  which 
a  pro  rata  can  be  established  between  a  horse  route  ami  a 
coach  route,  nor  for  an  increase  of  expedition.  The  contrac- 
tors furnished  satisfactory  evidence  to  the  department  that  the 
improvement  increased  their  expense  equal  to  the  allowance 
which  was  made,  and  there  is  no  cause  to  doubt  it. 

From  the  1st  of  April,  1832,  it  was  deemed  advisable  by  the 
postmaster  general  to  give  such  further  expedition  to  the  great 
southern  mail  as  to  bring  it  in  to  Washington  al  nine  o'clock  at 
night,  itir-tead  of  five  the  next  morning,  so  as  to  connect  it  with 
the  morning,  instead  of  the  afternoon  steamboat  at  Baltimore 
for  Philadelphia;  in  doing  this,  the  contractors  were  required  so 
to  expedite  as  to  gain  one  hour  between  Fayetteville  and 
Petersburg!].  In  the  second  section  of  their  contract  it  was 
stipulated,  that  the  postmaster  general  may  alter  the  times  of 
arrival  and  departure  fixed  by  said  schedule,  and  alter  the 
route;  he  making  an  adequate  compensation  for  any  extra  ex- 
jense  which  may  be  occasioned  thereby.  In  conformity  with 
his  stipulation,  the  increased  expedition  was  ordeied.  The 
contractors  furnished  evidence  to  show  that  it  required  two  ad- 
ditional tennis,  or  eight  horses  and  two  drivers,  and  that  the 
expense  amounted  to  2,000  dollars.  This  sum  was  therefore 
allowed  them  by  the  postmaster  general,  and  it  appears  to  have 
been  no  more  than  justice  and  the  terms  of  their  contract  re- 
quired. 

The  road  between  Petersburg!!  and  Raleigh,  142  mile?,  is 
stated  to  he  unusually  bad  during  the  winter  season;  and  the 
great  weight  to  which  the  mails  have  grown,  rendered  it  im- 
practicable for  it  to  be  carried  through  in  proper  time  in  coaches. 
To  secure  its  regular  and  rapid  transportation,  the  contractors, 
from  December,  1832,  established  a  line  of  covered  wagons,  in 
in  which  the  great  mail  was  carried,  to  run  daily  during  the 
winter,  so  as  entirely  to  exclude  passengers;  and  in  addition  to 
this,  they  ran  a  line  of  coaches  three  times  a  week  by  which 
the  intermediate  and  smaller  offices  might  be  supplied  with  the 
mail.  This  was  running  ten  times  instead  of  seven  times  a 
week.  For  this  service  the  postmaster  general  allowed  them 
2,500  dollars.  The  service  appears  to  have  been  important  to 
keep  up  without  interruption  the  regular  communication  be- 
tween the  north  and  the  soutli  during  the  winter  when  the»o 
roads  are  said  to  be  extremely  difficult  to  pass.  Evidence  satis- 
factory to  the  postmaster  general  is  filed  in  the  department  to 
show  that  the  allowance  made  was  but  a  reasonable  equivalent 
for  the  expense  to  which  the  service  subjected  the  contractors. 
A  contract  was  made  with  Jas.  F.  Robinson,  dated  15th  Oc- 
tober, 1831,  to  transport  the  mail  January,  1, 1832,  to  December 
31, 1835,  between  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  Georgetown,  Kentucky, 
72  miles  daily,  in  four-horse  post  coaches,  for  1,000  dollars  a 
year.  After  this  contract  was  made,  and  before  the  service 
under  it  commenced,  such  increased  expedition  was  given  to 
the  western  mail  as  to  carry  it  from  Washington  city,  and  from 
Baltimore  to  Cincinnati,  in  two  days  less  than  under  the  former 
contracts,  and  so  arrive  at  Cincinnati  at  6  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing. To  give  to  Kentucky  the  full  benefit  of  this  expedition,  it 
was  deemed  necessary  to  direct  the  contractor  on  this  route, 
to  leave  Cincinnati  every  night  after  the  arrival  and  distribu- 
tion of  the  mail  from  the  east,  at  7  o'clock,  and  arrive  at 
Georgetown  the  next  morning  by  7  o'clock  so  as  to  connect 
with  the  mail  to  Louisville.  He  was  therefore  directed,  on 
the  29th  December,  1831,  to  run  through  in  12  hours,  instead  of 
14  hours,  his  contract  time.  The  schedule  in  the  original  con- 
tract was  to  leave  Cincinnati  al  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
arrive  at  Georgetown  by  6  o'clock  in  the  evening;  leave  George- 
town at  6  in  the  morning,  and  arrive  at  Cincinnati  by  7  in  the 
eveninsr,  giving  14  hours  each  way,  and  the  day  time  for  run- 
nins.  The  alteration  cave  but  12  hours  each  way,  and  the  night 
instead  of  the  day  for  running.  The  contractor  alleged  that 
this  increased  expedition  added  to  the  difficulty  nf  running  in 
the  night  instead  of  the  day,  subjected  him  to  an  ndditifni.il  ex- 
ponFe"of  $4,800  a  year,  and  claimed  that  sum  as  an  extra  com- 
pensation for  the  service.  The  second  article  of  the  contract  sti- 
pulates, that  the  postmastergeneral  may  alter  the  times  of  arrival 


288         NILES'  REGISTER- JUNE  21,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


and  departure,  and  alter  the  contract,  he  receiving  an  adequate 
compensation  for  any  extra  expense  tlial  may  be  occasioned 
thereby,  lie  did  not  reject  the  claim,  tint  relumed  to  make  any 
allowance  until  salUfaclory  evidence  should  he  produced  of  the 


Stockton  was  already  Ihe  contractor  on  the.  route  and  his  hid  at 
§4,000  for  the  two  iinucs,  with  the  improvement.-*,  was  accept- 
ed. The  difference  waj  §8-25  a  year;  and  for  that  sum  the  de- 
partment received,  by  this  acceptance,  the  additional  service  of 


amount  of  such  exlra  expense.     He  therefore  named   two  ex-  I  three  mails  a  week,  in  four-horse  post  coaches,  between  Wash- 
perieneed  stage  propiiciors  in  thai  stale,  John    Hutchins  and      ngton  and  Leesburgh,  and  six  afternoon  mails  a  week  between 


J.  G.  Chiles,  and  proposed  to  refer  to  them  Ihe  decision  of  what 
was  Ihe  exlra  expense,  the  poslm:i.-lcr  ucne.ral  still  reserving  to 
himself  Ihe  rigbl  of  determining  what  was  equitable,  alter   re- 
ceiving iheir  cerlificale.     These  gentlemen  certified  that  the  in- 
creased expedition  required  four  additional  learns  of  four  horses 
each,  and  iwo  coaches — that  the  annual  expense  of  the  four 
teams  was  fairly  estimated   at  -«SOO  each,  making  ,<$3,200;  and 
Ihe  iwo  additional  coaches  at  .•*UOO,  making   an   additional  ex 
pense  of  §3,500  per  annum.     The  poslma.-ler  general   was  still 
unwilling  lo  allow   so  large  a  sum;  but  three  oilier  citizens, 
Miles   VV.  Dickey,  Robert  W.  Kwing  and  John  Dudly,  certified 
that  .§4,000  a  year  woulJ  be  bill  a   moderale  and    reasonable 
compensation   for  the  service.     The  postmaster  general,  upon 
these  testimonials,  made  him  an  additional  allowance  of  >-:i,OOJ 
a  year.     When  ll  is  considered,  that  in  a  contract  like  this,  the 
contractor  depends   mainly  upon   Ins  p.i-senucrs  to  defray  the 
expense  of  his  performance,  especially  mien  ihe  times  of  run 
ning  are  such  us  will  be  most  accommodatm-:  to  passengers,  a 
was  Ihe  case  originally  in   this  cmurat  t,  and   when  the    posi 
master   general  .shall  afterwards   yive.  an   order,  llie  fulfilment 
of  which  shall  greatly  increase  the  expense,  without  any  ii 
crease  of  profit  from   the  pa-senders,  hut  rather  lending  tod 
mulish  their  number,  it  seems  reasonable  that  such  n»-ie;i-ei 
expense  should   be  home  by  the  department.     This  principl 
also  recognized  in  the  contract  which   provides  that  the  po.-t- 
master  general  shall  make  an  adequate  compensation  for  sucl 
extra  expense.     The  allowance  tin  it   is   hut  the  htltilniejil  of  ; 
stipulation  in  the  original  contract;  and  in  tins  case,  il  appears 
lo  be  just  and  equitable. 

Josiah  Horton  swears,  llial  in  1832,  he,  will)  Wm.  Lewis  and 
Thomas  Lindsay,  run  a  line  of  stages  on  the  road  from  Frede- 
rick to  Hagerstown,  in  Maryland,  at  the  time  when  the  articles 
of  agreement  referred  to  in  .Mr.  lirown's  statement,  were  en 
tered  into  between  the  Pennsylvania  and  national  road  corn 
jianies — that  that  agreement  contained  an  article  tending  lo  in- 
jure him  by  driving  him  off  Ihe  road;  and  that  he  learned  from 
Mr.  Carter  and  Mr.  Tomlinson,  thai  Mr.  Brown  received  fifty 
dollars  of  Mr.  Carler  for  the  part  he  had  taken  in  brim-ing  about 
that  agreement.  For  the  pail  which  Mr.  Brown  look,  we  re- 
fer to  his  statement  on  oath,  by  which  it  appears  that  he  was 
not  the  author  of  the  articles  of  agreement,  nor  were  they  dic- 
tated by  him— that  he  was  only  thr.  means  of  bringing  the 
parties  together,  and  urging  the  necessity  of  an  adjustment  of 
their  differences,  and  that  he  wrote  articles  for  them  after  the 
patties  had  agreed  upon  the  terms;  and  that  what  he  received 
from  one  of  the  companies  was  on  account  of  the  expense 
which  he  had  incurred  in  performins  a  journey  to  Pitlsburgh 
and  Wheeling,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  an  agreement  be- 
tween his  friends.  Mr.  Horton  was  not  a  mail  contractor,  nor 
did  he  carry  a  mail  in  the  stages  which  he  was  running.  It  wn 


Washington  and  Baltimore,  by  which  ihe  mails  from  Winches- 
ter and  Leesburgh,  and  other  places  in  the  northern  part  of  Vir- 
ginia, were  delivered  in  Baltimore  the  evening  of  their  arrival 
in  Washington,  instead  of  being  detained  till  the  next  day,  and 
facilities  ol  an  afternoon  mail  to  Baltimore  given  lo  the  citizens 
it  Washington,  Georgetown  and  Alexandria.     The  postmaster 
general  considered  this  the  best  bid,  and  therefore  accepted  it. 
The  other  case  which  he  instances  is  that  of  the  route  be- 
tween Washington  city  and  Lynchburgh,  Virginia,  200  miles. 
He,  alleges  that  his  bid   was  lower  than  that  of  Mr.  Smith  by 
§1,500,  as  he  believes;  yet  Mr.  Smith  obtained  the  contract. 
The  facts  appear  to  be  as  follows:  William  Smith,  of  Virginia, 
bad,  about  a  year  before  the  advertising  of  this  route,  in  J830, 
the  period  lo  which  Hoi  ton's  affidavit  refers,  established  a  line 
of  fniii-horse  post  coaches,  to  run  three   times  a  week  on  the 
whole  route  between  Washington  and  Lynchburgh.     When,  in 
18i>0,  the  advertisement  was  issued  for  proposals  lor  the  whole 
of  the  southern  section,  Mr.  Smith  proposed  to  renew  his  con- 
tract on  this  loute  at  s>ti,00i)  a  year,  for  lour  years,  fro'm  thu  1st 
of  January,  1831.     Mr.  Morion  proposed  to  laku  the  contract  at 
-:.',, -i.Mi  a  >ear,  as  appears  by  the  proposal  books,  making  a  dif- 
ference of  5oO  dollars   a   year,  and   not   1.500,  as   Mr.   Horton 
supposed.     Mr.  Smith  also  proposed,  without  any  further  com- 
pensation, to  furnish   ihe  mail  with  guards,  if,  at  any  lime  it 
should  become  necessary  mi   this   route,  ns  it  had  on  several 
oilier  routes.     lie  also  bound  himself  to   make  such  provision 
for  passengers  on  the  route  fiom  Winchester,  connecting  with 
Ibis  at  Fairfax  Court  House,  ;is  would  supercede  the  necessity 
of  extending  that  route  from  Fairfax  Court  House  lo  Alexan- 
dria, 11  miles.     The:  postmaster  general  considered  Mr.  Smith'* 
bid  tin>  most  eligible   ol  the  two,  if  he  had  only  regarded  Ihe 
improvements.  But  there  were  other  considerations  before  him. 
ll  is   usual   to  give  a  preference  lo  old  contractors,  when  Ihey 
are  known  to  be  faithful.     Mr.  Smith  was  the  former  contrac- 
tor on  this   route,  and,  as  such,  was  very  favorably   known  to 
the  il<'|iaitment.     Mr.  Horton  does  not  appear  to  have  been  fa- 
voiably  known   to   the  department.     The   present  postmaster 
general  had  been  but  a  little  more  than  a  year  in  office,  and  for 
a  knowledge  of  the  character  of  contractor?,  he,  of  course,  re- 
ferred lo  the  testimonials   lilt  in  the  department  by  his  prede- 
cessor.    From    them  he  does  not  appear  to  have  found   any 
thing  favorable  respecting  Mr.  Horton.     ll  appears  that  in  the 
fall  of  1828,  when  the  last  lettings  were   made  under  Mr.  Mc- 
Lean, Josiah  Horton  &  Co.'  proposed  to  carry  the  mail  daily,  in 
stages  bBtween  Boston  and  Providence,  42  miles,  for  G90  dollars 
a  year.     Under  the  record  of  this  proposal  is  written,  in  the 
hand  writing  of  Ihe  late  postmaster  general,  the  following  note: 
"The  persons  associated  with  Mr.   Horton   not  being  made 
known  to  the  department,  and  as  there  is  a  considerable  amount 


rather  an  opposition  line  to  Mr.  Stockton,  the  contractor.  If 
an  agreement  between  the  companies,  who  were  contractors, 
operated  lo  the  detriment  of  an  opposition  line  upon  either  of 
their  roads,  we  do  not  conceive  it  to  be  a  proper  subject  of  in- 
terference, either  by  the  department  or  any  other  brand)  of  the 
government.  Every  citizen  has  a  lawful  right  to  run  a  line  of 
stages  upon  any  highway,  at  his  pleasure;  and  the  proprietors 
of  other  lines,  in  making  their  arrangements  for  passenger?,  are 
under  no  obligation  in  law  to  guard  his  interest.  But  as  this  is 
a  mailer  which  has  no  reference  to  the  transportation  of  the 
mail,  but  passengers  only,  and  thai  in  stages  which  do  not  carry 
the  mail,  nor  bear  any  relation  to  the  department,  it  is  not  a 
proper  subject  of  inquiry  or  interference  on  our  part.  There 
was  nothing  official  in  the  transaction,  nor  any  thing  over  which 
cither  the  department  or  congress  could  exercise  any  control. 

Mr.  Horton  also  swears  thai  he  has  been  endeavoring  for 
four  years  pasl  to  gel  contracts  from  the  department,  but  he  has 
not  been  able  to  succevd;  that  he  has  been  the  lowest  bidder,  he 
believes,  a  dozen  times,  yet  the  contracts  are  always  eiven  to 
others.  He  instances  two  cases— One  is,  that  he  proposed  to 
carry  the  mail  between  \Vufajngtofl  and  Winchester,  via,  Lees- 
tourgh,  for  .$1,300,  bul  Ihe  contracl  was  given  to  Mr.  Stockton  at 
$2,300. 

We  have  examined  IliU  ease,  and  find  the  facts  to  be  as  fol- 
lows: The.  route  from  Washington  city,  by  Leesburgh,  lo  Win- 
chester, 70  miles,  and  from  Fairlield  Court  House,  to  Winches- 
ter, 56  miles,  both  three  times  a  week,  in  four-horse  post 
coaches,  were  proposed  to  be  taken  by  Messrs.  Stockton  8t 
Stokes,  in  1830,  at  $4,000  for  the  two  routes,  with  the  improve- 
ment on  the  former  to  run  six  time!)  a  week,  for  half  of  each 
year,  between  Washington  and  Leeshurgh,  and  to  run  three 
limes  a  week  between  Alexandria  and  Leeshurgh  and  to  extend 
an  afternoon  instil  six  limes  a  week  from  Wa-diinstoii  to  Balti- 
more, so  as  to  deliver  the  Leeshurgh  mail  in  Baltimore  the  same 
day  it  leaves  Leeshurgh,  instead  of  suffering  it  to  be  detained  in 
WMbiMton  until  the  next  day. 

Mr  Horton's  bid  on  the  route  from  Washington  liv  Lee? 
ijtiruli  to  Winchester,  was  for  ,§1,370  a  year,  and  the  lowest  bid 
<>n  the  route  from  Fairfax  Court  House,  to  Winchester  was 
$1,800.  If  Mr.  Horton's  bid  had  been  accepted  on  the  one 
.route,  and  Ihe  lowest  bid  on  the  other  route,  then  ihe  two 


of  properly  on  this  route,  which,  by  the  rules  of  this  depart- 
ment, must  be  purchased  by  the  under  bidder,  it  is  believed  that 
he  does  not  possess  the  means  to  purchase  the  same.  The  bid 
of  the  contractors  is,  therefore,  accepted  ns  above."  Against 
the  names  of  Gay  &  Homer,  above,  is  also  written,  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Mr.  McLean,  "accepted  at  2.000."  Thus,  ii  appears, 
he  was  not  accredited  by  the  late  postmaster  for  a  daily  mail, 
42  miles,  hut  another  proposal  was  accepted  at  nearly  three 
limes  Ihe  amount  of  Mr.  Horlon's.  We  should,  under  all  these 
circumstances,  conclude  that  the  acceptance  of  Mr.  Smith's 
proposal,  in  preference  to  that  of  Mr.  Morton,  for  a  route  of  200 
miles  in  length,  was  judicious  and  proper. 

The  contracts  with  gen.  George  House,  of  Ohio,  have  also 
been  the  subjects  of  investigation.  He  was  under  contract  with 
ihe  late  postmaster  general,  for  transporting  the  mail,  once  a 
week,  between  Gallipolis,  Ohio,  and  Chillicolhe.  62  miles,  ill 
two-horse  stages,  from  January  1,  1828,  to  December  31,  1831, 
at  $000  a  year".  From  the  1st  November,  1829,  he  was  allowed, 
by  the  present  postmaster  general,  an  additional  sum  of  $600  a 
year,  for  running  twice  a  week  in  four  horse  post  coaches. 
John  Black  was  contractor  for  carrying  ihe  mail  between  Galli- 
polis and  Coalsmoutli,  Va.  twice  a  week,  on  horseback,  from 
January  1,  1831, 'for  $394  a  year.  In  the  spring  of  1831,  George 
House  appears  to  have  contemplated  the  establishment  of  a 
steamboat  line  from  Gallipolis  across  the  Ohio  river,  and  up  the 
Kanhawa  to  Conlsrnouth,  Va.  50  miles,  where  it  would  connect 
will)  the  stage  route  from  Fredericksburgh,  by  Charlotiesville, 
Staunton  and  Guyandotte,  to  Catletlsburgh,  in  Kentucky;  and 
for  the  purpose  of  having  the  mail  carried  by  steamboats,  House 
was  directed  to  extend  his  mail  route  from  Gallipolis,  from 
April,  1831,  which  superseded  the  contract  of  Black.  He  did 
not  succeed  with  his  steamboat,  but  carried  the  mail  on  horse- 
back, for  which  he  received  no  more  compensation  than  Black 
was  entitled  to  under  his  contract.  The  contract  of  House  ei- 
pired  on  the  31st  ofDecptnber,  1831,  and  in  the  summer  of  1831, 
when  the  route?  in  that  quarter  were  advertised  lo  run  three 
times  a  week,  in  four  horse  post  coaches.  The  proposal  often. 
House  was,  to  extend  to  Kanawha  Court  House, 62  miles,  which 
would  double  the  distance,  and  to  cnrry  Ihe  mail  in  steamboats, 
between  Gnllipolis  and  Kanawha  Court  House,  (or  ,$3,600  a 
year.  His  proposal  was  rejected,  and  that  of  A.  L.  Ross  &  Co. 
accepted,  at  $1,100  a  year,  to  run  from  Chillicolhe  toUallipoljs, 


routes  would  have  cost  the  department  $3,175  a  y«.ar.    Mr.  I  60  miles',  and  to  run  through  in  30  hours.    Though  sen.  Housa 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,  1834— POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT*         289 


has  not  succeeded  with  his  steamboat,  he  appears  to  have  had 
•  one  in  a  stale  of  foi  wardness,  preparing  lor  the  loutu  up  Iliu 
Kanawha;  and  the  department  appears  to  have  been  anxious  to 
have  the  steamboat  lint:  established,  as  a  connecting  link  be- 
tween UK?  Giiyandottc  stage,  route  in  Virginia,  anil  the  stage 
lines  from  Uallipolis,  by  Chillicollie,  to  Columbus,  and  to  Cin- 
cinnati, in  Ohio.  In  conformity  with  the  wishes  of  the  tli  pail 
iiienl,  A.  L.  Uoss,  therefore,  voluntarily  relinquished  the  route 
lirtweeu  Gallipohs  and  Chillieoihe,  that  it  might  be  aiven  to 
House,  and  extended,  by  steamboat,  to  Coalsmouth  or  Kanawha 
Court  House. 

A  contract  was  then  made  with  George  House,  to  onrry  the 
mail  three  times  a  week,  in  four  hoise  post  coaches,  62  miles, 
through  in  one  day;  also,  to  extend,  three  times  a  week,  on 
horseback,  from  Gallipolis  to  <  'oal.-mouih,  50  miles;  and  if  it 
should  be  found  practicable  to  run  steamboats,  then  to  extend 
to  Kanawha  Court  House,  62  miles,  and  lo  carry  the  mail  in 
steamboats  between  Gallipolis  and  Kanawha  Court  House,  and 
to  perform  the  whole  service  for  $2,600  a  year.  It  appears  from 
the  reports  from  postmasters,  that  gen.  House  has  olten  failed 
to  deliver  the  mail,  on  his  route,  according  to  the  directions  of 
the  department,  and  the  penalties  have  not  been  generally  en- 
forced. These  failuies  were  frequently  occasioned  by  the  high 
ami  impassable  stale  of  the  waters  on  this  route,  and  in  some 
instances,  the  penalties  have  been  imposed;  still  we  cannot 
think,  from  the  evidence  now  in  the  possession  of  the  depart- 
ment, that  sufficient  rigor  has  been  exercised. 

William  Smith  is  contractor  for  carrying  the  mail  in  coaches 
on  many  routes,  among  which  are  the  most  of  lho.se  constitut- 
ing the  line  from  Washington  city — by  Fairfax  Court  House. 
Warrenton,  Va.  Culpeper  Couit  House,  Orange  Court  House, 
Cliarlottesville,  Lyncliburgh,  Danville,  Salem,  N.  C.  Yorkville, 
S.  C'.  and  Washington,  Ga.  to  Milledgeville.  The  route  from 
Washington  to  Lynchburgh,  200  miles,  he  contracted  to  run 
three  times  a  week,  in  (our  horse  post  coaches,  from  January 
I,  1 831,  to  December  31,  1834,  at  §6,000  per  annum.  In  April, 

1831,  .*uch  .'literati an  was  made  in  limes  of  arrival  and  depar- 
ture on  this  route,  and  on  the  route  between  Lynchburgh  and 
Danville,  and  such  increased  expedition  given,  as  to  require 
considerable  additional  expense.   The  object  was  to  perfect  the 
connexion  south  of  Danville,  with  the  route  from  Salem,  N.  C. 
to  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  so  as  lo  save  Iwo  days  of  lime, 
which  would  olherwise  he  lost;  and  it  is  staled  that  it  would 
require  two  additional  teams  of  horses.     For  this  alteration,  he 
was  allowed  800  dollars  a  year  extra  pay.     In  the  August  fol- 
lowing, he  was  directed  to  make  such  further  alteration,  on  that 
part  of  the  route  between  Warrenton  and  Washington  city,  as 
would  bring  the  mail,  once  in  each  week,  into  the  latler  place, 
one  (lay  earlier  than  it  would  otherwise  do.    This  alteration 
evidently  subjected  him  to  increased  expense,  and  il  is  stated 
that  il  required  an  additional  team;  and  he  was  allowed  for  it 
300  dollars  a  year  extra  compensation.     He  was  afterwards  al- 
lowed $1,200  lor  improving  it  from  a  tri- weekly  to  a  daily  route 
between  Washinglon  cily  and  Warrenton,  50  miles.    In  April, 

1832.  he  was  allowed  the  further  sum  of  1,600  dollars  per  arm  urn, 
for  extending  the  daily  route  to  Orange  Court  House,  and  from 
the  1st  of  May,  1832, 'he  was  allowed  the  further  sum  of  3,000 
dollars  a  year,  for  extending  the  daily  line  of  coaches  the  whole 
distance  from  Washington  city  to  Lynchburgh. 

The  extension  of  the  line  daily,  from  Washington  to  Lynch- 
burgh, appears  to  have  been  made  in  conformity  with  the  gene- 
ral and  earnest  calls  of  the  citizens  of  the  section  of  the  coun- 
try through  which  this  mail  runs.  Letters  and  petitions  were 
presented  with  more  than  one  thousand  signatures,  calling  for 
the  improvement,  and  sustained  by  the  members  of  congress 
representing  the  country  through  which  it  passes.  This  makes, 
together  with  the  former  allowances,  6,900  dollars  a  year,  extra 
allowance  for  improving  the  route  from  three  times  to  seven 
times  a  week.  His  original  contracl  was  6,000  dollars  a  year 
for  three  weekly  trips,  or  2,000  dollars  a  year  for  each  weekly 
trip,  four  additional  weekly  trips  were  added,  which,  at  the 
same  rate,  would  amount  to  8,000  dollars  a  year.  The  allow- 
ance was  less  than  that  sum.  It  was  therefore  within  the  limi- 
tation fixed  by  law.  Its  expediency  is  the  only  point  on  which 
it  c,(iestion  can  he  raised.  It  has  been  suggested  that  its  proxi- 
mity to  another  route,  that  from  Frederieksburgh,  Virginia,  tn 
JMiltnn,  North  Carolina,  is  such  as  to  render  it  inexpedient  o 
improper  to  incur  the  expense  of  a  daily  coach  mail  on  thi 
route.  On  llns  point,  we  are  of  opinion,  that  the  postmasle 
general,  and  that  the  citizens  interested,  including  their  repre 
ncnlalives  in  congress,  are  the  most  competent  judges.  It  run 
through  an  important  section  of  the  country,  connecting  ill 
seats  of  justice  of  not  less  than  seven  counties,  including  tin 
towns  of  Charlotlesville  and  Lynchburgh,  with  each  other,  am 
with  the  seat  of  the  general  government.  There  is  atiothe 
stage  route  running  between  this  and  the  principal  mail  rout 
to  the  southern  cities.  But  il  has  no  connexion  wilh  this  route 
that  commencing  at  Fredericksburgh,  and  terminal  itiL1  at  Mil 
ton,  North  Carolina,  and  this  commencing  at  Washington,  and 
terminating  at  Lynchburgh.  There  are  other  routes  extending 
from  the  southern  termination  of  these,  which  continue  till  they 
terminate  in  one  point  at  Salem,  North  Carolina,  and  the  prin- 
cipal mail  route  between  Washington  and  Fredericksburi:li 
connects  these  northern  points;  but  they  commence  fifty-sevei 
miles  distant  from  each  other,  and  their  terminating  points 
Milton  and  Lvnchhiirgh,  are  still  more  distant.  We  are  o 
/>j>inion,  therefore,  that  them  is  nothing  obviously  inexpedien 
iu  tin-  improvements  which  have  been  made  in  thu  rout--;  am 


'roni  Ihe  uncommon  solicitude  of  the  citizens  and  their  repre- 
entatives,  upon  ihe  subject,  it  would  .-ceiii  that  they  were  ail 
>bject  of  more  than  ordinary  desire.  The  po*tma*ier  genera), 
yho  had  the  best  means  ot'deterinining  the  question,  decided  in 
'avor  of  its  expediency;  and  we  find  no  evidence  which  would 
ustil'y  us  in  Uiking  exception  lo  In.-;  (lection.  Then:  has  been 
a  reduction  made  in  the  line,  from  Washinglon  to  Lynchburgh; 
he  mail  is  now  only  Iran.- potted  six  times  a  week  "to  Warreu- 
on,  and  three  times  a  week  to  Lynchburgh;  und  a  corres-pond- 
ng  reduction  of  compensation  has  aUo  uei -n  made:  this  dimi- 
nution of  service  and  compensation,  has  been  produced  by  the 
want  of  means  in  the  department,  and  we  are  now  prepared  to 
ay,  that  the  former  service  and  compensation  should  be  re- 
stored, whenever  the  finances  of  the  department  will  Warrant 
t.  It  should  be  remarked  in  this  case,  that  no  imputation  of 
jartiulily  towards  the  contractors  should  be  indulged  in,  be- 
,-ause,  tlie  compensation  of  the  extra  services  falls  short  of  the 
eual  standard,  or  what  might  have  been  allowed  by  law,  and 
the  reduction  of  service,  to  so  great  an  amount  was  made  at 
such  a  season  of  the  year  as  greatly  to  sacrifice  the  value  of 
much  of  ihe  stock  thrown  out  of  employment  by  the  reduction. 

The  mail  routes  between  Staunton,  Virginia,  and  Callctts- 
burgh,  Kentucky,  252  miles,  were  advertised  to  run  three  times 
a  week  in  four  horse  post  coaches.  Porter,  Belden,  &.  Co.  pro- 
posed to  perform  that  service  from  January  1st,  1831,  to  Dec. 
31st,  1834,  three  limes  a  week  for  7,566  dollars  a  year,  or  six 
limes  a  week  for  15,120  dollars  a  year,  or  daily  for  15,500  dol- 
lars a  year.  The  contract  was  made  for  three  limes  a  week,  at 
7,566  dollars  a  year,  and  signed  by  Edwin  Purler,  &  Co.  and 
Jourdon  Woolfolk,  dated  October  20,  1830,  to  commence  Janu- 
ary 1,  1831,  and  lo  continue  four  years.  About  a  year  after  this 
contracl  commenced  they  were  allowed  the  additional  Mini  of 
156  dollars  a  year  for  sending  a  mail  on  horseback  three  times 
a  week  to  the  post  office  at  Tease's  valley.  From  1st  April, 
1831,  three  months  after  this  contract  commenced,  it  was  im- 
proved to  six  times  a  week.  Their  proposals  would  have  en- 
titled them  to  15,120  dollars  for  the  whole  service  six  times  a 
week,  which  would  have  been  an  additional  allowance  lo  ihe 
original  conlracl  of  7,554  dollars  a  year;  but  the  postmaster  ge- 
neral refused  limn  this  amount,  and  allowed  them  only  5,000 
dollars  a  year,  which  was  2,554  dollars  less  than  their  proposal. 
In  August,  1832,  thai  pan  of  this  route  which  lies  between 
Guyandoile  and  Cailettsburgh,  12  miles,  was  disconlinued,  and 
a  reduction  of  346  dollars  a  year  made  from  their  contract. 
From  the  1st  November  last,  the  whole  line  was  reduced  to  a 
tri- weekly  route,  and  the  allowance  of  5,000  dollars  a  year 
withdrawn  which  had  been  made  for  its  improvement;  also  the 
allowance  of  156  dollars  a  year  for  sending  a  mail  to  Tease's 
valley,  was  at  the  same  time  withdiawn,  which  reduced  the 
annual  compensation  for  the  slage  line  to  7,220  dollars  a  year, 
being  346  dollais  less  than  the  original  contract.  In  Ihis,  we 
discover  noihing  incompalible  wilh  law  and  equily. 

The  law  of  March  2d,  1823,  (sec.  3),  which  establishes  as  post 
roads  all  waters  on  which  steamboats  regularly  pass,  from  port 
to  port,  makes  the  Ohio  river  a  post  road;  and  the  4th  and  5lh 
sections  of  the  law,  of  March  3, 1825,  has  been  construed  by  the 
postmaster  general,  as  authorising  him  to  make  conlracts  for 
the  conveyance  of  mails  on  extended  routes,  and  on  steamboat 
routes,  without  advertising,  as  is  required  in  ordinary  cases. 
Instead  of  being  governed  by  advertisement,  as  in  cases  where 
there  is  no  other  restriction,  he  is  restricted  in  contracts,  under 
the  4th  section  by  proceeds  of  the  post  office,  on  the  extended 
part  of  the  route — and  in  contracts  under  Ihe  5th  section,  he  ia 
restricted  by  the  number  of  letters  and  papers  conveyed.  Un- 
der the  section  which  authorises  him  to  make  contracts  for 
carrying  ihe  mail  by  sleamboals,  it  is  ihe  praclice,  when  the 
number  of  letters  and  papers  conveyed  by  such  steamboat  will 
not  probably  be  so  gieat  as  lo  amount  lo  a  very  considerable 
sum,  lo  require  them  to  be  counted  at  the  post  office,  when 
they  are  delivered,  and  payment  made  by  the  postmasler,  ac- 
cording to  law;  but  in  cases  where  the  mail  is  large,  and  will 
probably  amount  to  more  by  counting,  than  a  fair  contract 
price;  and  especially  when  it  contains  numerous  packets  mail- 
ed for  other  offices,  than  those  to  which  they  are  delivered  by 
Ihe  steamboat,  the  counting  of  them  would  be  impracticable; 
and  it  is  the  practice  of  the  postmaster  general  to  enter  into 
contract  upon  such  terms  as  in  his  judgment  are  most  eligible 
for  its,  transportation  in  steamboats.  In  pursuance  of  this  prac- 
lice, the  postmaster  general  extended  the  original  route  which 
was  then  in  operation  fmm  Staunton  to  Guyandotte,  so  as  to 
run  by  steamboats  from  Guyandotte,  Virginia,  down  the  Ohio 
river,  by  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  to  run  six 
times  a  week  each  way,  for  which  he  allowed  Ihe  conlractor 
$13,000  a  year.  It  it  stated  by  the  postmaster  general,  that  on 
experiment  it  was  found  thai  the  part  of  the  route  between 
Cincinnati  and  Louisville  was  much  more  important  than  the 
part  between  Guyandoile  and  Cincinnati;  and  as  the  great 
northern  ami  eastern  mail,  which  arrived  at  Cincinnati  for  Lou- 
isville, and  all  places  south  and  west  of  that  place,  was  daily 
instead  of  six  times  a  week,  it  was  desirable  to  have  that  part 
of  the  steanibo.it  route  daily  instead  of  six  times  a  week;  but 
the  contractor  alleged,  that  a  daily  mail  would  require  an  addi- 
tional steamboat,  which  would  greatly  increase  the  expense.  It 
was  therefore  stipulated,  thai  he  should  run  hut  four  trips  a 
week  each  way,  between  Guyandoile  and  Cincinnati,  and 
seven  trips  a  week  each  way,  between  Cincinnati  and  Louis- 
ville, without  any  change  in  his  compensation.  From  tin:  Ut 
November  last,  the  pail  of  the  route  between  Guyandotte  and 


290         NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,   1834—  POST  OFFICE  DEPARTMENT. 


Cincinnati  wns  reduced  to  two  trips  each  way,  a  week,  and 
deduction  made  from  his  compensation  of  5,000  dollars  per  ai 
num.  The  present  steamboat  contract,  therefore,  i.s  to  ru 
twice  a  week  each  way,  between  Guyaudntte  and  Cinciiiiiat 
and  daily  between  Cincinnati  and  Louisville,  and  the  annu; 
compensation  is  8,000  dollars. 

The  mail  route  between  Mobile,  Alabama,  and  New  Orlean 
Louisiana,  has  been  a  subject  of  investigation.  It  appears  tha 
the  contract  for  this  route  had  been  annulled  on  account  of  th 
failure  of  the  contractors;  and  the  postmaster  general  advertise 
it  on  the  15th  of  April,  18-<>9,  for  proposals  to  be  received  till  th 
12th  July,  1829,  to  run  three  times  a  week  from  Mobile,  vi 
Pascagoula,  in  stages  and  steamboats,  the  terms  indefinite.  . 
was  accepted  to  James  Reeside  &  Co.  at  25,000  dollars  a  yea 
and  the  contract  made  with  them,  at  that  rate,  to  transport  th 
mail  in  stages  and  steamboats,  or  in  steamboats,  as  might  b 
found  most  eligible,  for  four  years,  from  the  16th  of  Novembe 
1829.  The  contract  is  dated  July  24,  1829,  signed  by  Jatne 
Reeside,  Richard  C.  Stockton,  William  B.  Stokes,  John  II 
Avery,  Edwin  Porter,  and  the  Potomac  steamboat  company  b 
Frederick  May. 

The  postmaster  general  determined,  in  the  fall  of  1831,  to  im 
prove  the  mail  route  between  the  Atlantic  cities  and  New  Or 
leans,  to  a  daily  line;  but  as  the  enterprise  of  this  company  ha 
in  many  respects  proved  disastrous,  he  determined  to  confin 
the  contract  on  the  route  for  this  part  of  the  line  to  the  respon 
sibility  of  an  individual  who  might  select  hi?  associates,  bi 
stand  personally  pledged  for  the  performance  of  the  service 
He  therefore,  superseded  this  contract  by  a  new  one,  with  Ed 
win  Porter,  to  run  daily,  instead  of  three  times  a  week,  and  l 
receive  for  his  annual  compensation  40,000  dollars.  This  con 
tract  bears  date  October  15,  1831,  to  commence  on  the  1st  o 
January  1832,  and  to  continue  four  years.  It  is  signed  by  Ed 
win  Porter,  as  principal,  and  by  Sidney  Porter  and  Wilson  AI 
len,  as  sureties.  Under  this  contract  the  mail  appears  to  be 
carried  at  this  time. 

It  has  been  suggested,  that  this  contract  was  liable  to  excep 
tion.  It  should  be  remembered  that  the  postmaster  general  i 
expressly  authorized,  by  the  act  of  1825,  to  cause  the  mail  to  bi 
transported  by  water,  from  the  city  of  Mobile  to  the  city  o 
New  Orleans.  It  was  put  into  operation  before  the  presen 
postmaster  general  came  into  office — was  advertised,  and  regu 
larly  let  to  contract,  in  July,  1829 — the  transportation  between 
the  above  named  places  to  be  tri-weekly  at  the  price  of  25,000 
dollars  per  annum.  The  additional  15,000  dollars  for  the  addi 
tional  four  trips  a  week,  so  as  to  make  the  service  daily,  a 
40,000  dollars  per  annum,  wa*  clearly  less  than  the  pro  rata  al- 
lowance which  the  postmaster  general  is  authorised  by  law  to 
grant. 

It  is  alleged,  however,  that  this  route  costs  the  large  sum  o 
40,000  dollars,  while  the  net  amount  received  for  postage  in  the 
year  ending  on  the  31st  March  1833,  in  the  whole  state  of  Lou- 
isiana, was  only  $46,718  43,  and  at  this  time  cannot  greatly 
exceed  that  sum— and  in  the  state  of  Alabama,  the  net.  amount 
of  postages  in  the  same  period  was  only  $37,682  58.  Were 
these  two  states  alone  interested  in  this  route,  it  wontd  be  rea- 
dily admitted  that  the  expense  produced  by  it  would  be  unrea- 
sonable, but  when  it  is  recollected  that  New  Orleans  is  the  point 
to  which  the  whole  surplus  agricultural  products  of  the  nine 
western  states,  and  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia are  transported  to  market,  and  the  purchasers  in  a  great 
measure  are  the  merchants  and  traders  of  the  eastern  cities,  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  whole  western  states,  and  a  great  portion 
of  the  eastern  trading  community,  have  an  interest  in  securing 
a  certain,  frequent  and  speedy  transmission  of  intelligence  by 
this  route.  A  principal  object  of  expedition  in  mail  transporta- 
tion, is  that  intelligence  through  that  channel  may  become  ge- 
neral among  those  who  have  articles  to  sell,  before  purchasers, 
or  their  agents,  acting  by  means  of  private  information,  pro- 
cured through  expresses,  and  otherwise,  can  obtain  that  advan- 
tage which  those  acting  with  a  knowledge  of  the  stock  of  the 
market  in  other  parts  of  the  world  always  have  over  those  who 
do  not  possess  similar  information.  In  this  view  of  the  subject, 
the  whole  western  country  is  deeply  interested  in  keeping  up  this 
route,  cost  what  it  may— without  it  they  might  be  exposed  to 
the  danger  of  sacrificing  the  products  of  their  labor  without  ob- 
taining a  fair  equivalent,  and  citizens  of  the  eastern  portion  of 
the  United  States  are  interested  in  procuring  certain  and  early 
intelligence  of  the  kind  and  quantity  of  western  productions 
that  are  or  probably  may  be  in  market  at  New  Orleans.  It  is 
true  that  numerous  failures  have  occurred  on  this  route,  owing 
chiefly  to  the  incapacity  of  Mr.  Porter's  agent,  for  which  fines 
to  the  amount  of  about  6,000  dollars  have  been  imposed;  but 
since  the  contractor  has  fixed  his  residence  at  Mobile  and  New 
Orleans  alternately,  and  given  to  the  route  his  immediate  per- 
sonal attention,  the  transportation  of  the  mail  has  become  regu- 
lar, and  well  connected  with  the  great  mail  line  from  Mobile  to 
the  Atlantic  cities.  By  this  arrangement  the  time  of  transport- 
ing the  mails  from  New  Orleans  to  Washington,  and  the  cities 
east  of  it,  is  several  days  less  than  it  was  previous  to  its  adop- 
tion. 

At  first  view  it  may  teem  exceptionable  that  the  postmaster 
general  has  granted  such  important  mail  facilities  in  the  S.MIIN 
ern  and  western  slates,  and  has  not  to  a  greater  extent  discon- 
tinued unproductive  routes  in  those  sections,  inasmuch  as  the 
postages  received  in  those  states  in  no  instance  equals  the  ex- 
pense of  the  transportation  through  them.  It  is  true,  that  by 
tn«  act  of  1825,  he  is  directed  that  whenever,  within  the  term  of 


three  successive  years,  a  route  shall  fail  to  yield  one-fourth  of 
the  expense  incident  to  its  establishment,  to  discontinue  the 
same,  unless  in  cases  where  it  may  be  necessary  as  a  connex- 
ion or  continuance  of  a  route  or  routes,  anil  provided  he  shall 
not  deprive  a  seat  of  justice  in  any  county  of  one  mail  going  10 
and  from  it.  We  art;  not  aware  that  this  injunction  of  the  law 
has  been  disregarded,  rror  have  we  had  tune  minutely  to  in- 
vestigate this  subject,  our  attention  having  been  directed  to  ob- 
jects deemed  more  important.  One  general  fact,  however,  is 
apparent:  hut  the  southern  and  western  states  do  not,  through 
the  offices  in  them,  contribute  to  the  department  an  amount 
equal  to  the  expense  of  transportation.  This  arises  from  seve- 
ral causes.  A  commercial  and  manufacturing  community  have 
more  correspondence,  and  of  course  contribute  a  greater  pro- 
portion of  the  revenues  of  the  department  than  an  agricultural 
people.  A  dense  will  contribute  more  than  a  sparse  popula- 
tion. Besides,  the  expense  of  transportation  through  an  old  and 
thickly  settled  country,  where  the  roads  are  well  improved, and 
where  many  passengers  travel  in  mail  stages,  will  be  much 
cheaper  than  in  a  quarter  of  the  country  thinly  inhabited,  and 
where  the  roads  are  not  in  so  high  a  state  of  improvement.  But 
it  should  be  observed,  that  the  postages  returned  to  the  general 
post  office  from  the  offices  in  the  southern  and  western  states, 
do  not  contribute  the  whole  amount  that  mail  facilities  in  those 
sections  contribute  to  its  revenue.  Much  of  the  postages  re- 
ceived in  the  large  eastern  cities  arise  from  correspondence  re- 
ceived from  the  citizens  of  the  southern  and  western  states. 
But  suppose  the  fact  in  this  particular  to  be  that  the  southern 
and  western  states  have  some  advantage,  it  may  be  safely  af- 
firmed ttrat  this  is  the  only  department  of  the  government  in 
which  they  are  on  a  footing  of  equality  with  other  sections  of 
the  United  States,  in  the  benefits  accruing  from  the  disburse- 
ment of  the  public  moneys.  To  say  nothing  of  the  unequal 
operations  of  the  revenue  laws  upon  the  different  parts  of  the 
country,  it  is  apparent  that  the  public  moneys  are  principally 
expended  on  the  eastern  seaboard;  as  instances,  light  houses, 
breakwaters,  harbors,  fortifications,  and  many  other  objects  of 
expenditures  that  might  be  named,  having  no  corresponding 
disbursements  in  the  western  states.  We  therefore  think  that 
the  circumstance  of  less  money  being  collected  by  the  depart- 
ment in  the  southern  and  western  states,  than  the  cost  of  trans- 
portation of  the  mails  therein,  constitutes  no  solid  objection 
either  to  the  legislation  of  congress  on  this  subject  (for  the  ob- 
jection would  equally  apply  to  it)  or  the  administration  of  the 
department. 

Our  attention  has  been  particularly  drawn  to  some  of  the  in- 
cidental accounts  of  the  department.  Among  others,  the  ac- 
count of  moneys  paid  for  the  department  by  Mr.  Gouverneur, 
postmaster  at  New  York,  seemed  to  require  special  attention. 
Upon  a  full  investigation  of  this  account,  every  item  constitnt- 
ng  it  was  found  to  be  accompanied  by  its  appropriate  voucher, 
ind  the  items  themselves  appeared  chiefly  to  he  such  as  had 
jeen  ordinarily,  under  former  administrations,  paid  for  by  the 
aostmaster  at  New  York,  and  accredited  to  him  at  the  depart- 
ment, as  in  this  instance. 

The  accounts  for  printirrg  executed  for  the  department  by 
Francis  P.  Blair,  editor  of  the  Globe;  by  Mr.  Penn,  of  Louis- 
ville, Ky.;  by  Messrs.  Hill  &  Barton,  of  Concord,  N.  H.;  and 
jy  Messrs.  True  &  Greene,  of  Boston,  Mass,  from  the  1st  of 
October,  1831,  to  the  1st  of  January,  1834,  were  supposed  to  re- 
quire minute  examination.  We  compared  the  accounts  \vitli 
he  vouchers  which  accompanied  them,  and  wen;  satisfied  that 
all  the  items  in  the  respective  accounts  were  correct,  and  that 
he  articles  and  work  charged  were  furnished  and  executed  ac- 
cording to  the  accounts.  The  only  point  of  difficulty  with  ns 
was,  the  price  of  printing,  of  which  we  were  not  judges,  hut 
rom  all  the  information  we  were  able  to  collect,  we  believe  the 
n'iees  which  have  been  paid  are  reasonable.  But  to  prevent 
y  misapprehension  on  this  subject,  and  that  others  may  have 
he  same  opportunity  of  judging,  we  present  the  following  state- 
ment of  the  prices  paid  by  the  department,  viz: 
To  S.  PENN,  jr.  Louisville,  Ky. 

'or  printing  post  bills,  per  ream,  $1  50 

"          accounts  of  mails  received  and  sent  400 

"          newspaper  returns  4  00 

"         accounts  current  2  50 

"         accounts  current  for  distributing  offices  3  00 

'or  faint  ruling  2  00 

To  TRUE  &  GREENE,  Boston,  Mass. 
Same  prices  as  above. 

To  HILL  &.  BARTON,  Concord,  New  Hampshire, 
ame  prices  as  above. 

The  same  prices  have  been  allowed  to  F.  P.  Blair,  and  to 
Villiam  A.  Davis,  Washington  city,  for  printing;  but  they  exe- 
uted  the  ruling  for  $1  50  per  team. 

The  abote  items,  together  with  the  advertisements  for  pro- 
osals,  which  the  law  requires  shall  be  published  twelve  weeks 
n  succession,  constitute  the  principal  part  of  the  printing  done 
ir  the  department.  The  advertising,  so  far  as  we  can  learn, 
as  been  done  at  the  usual  rates. 

The  undersigned,  without  any  reference  to  the  manner  in 
llied  the  post  office  department  has  been  administered  in  for- 
ner  years, or  at  the  present  time, or  to  the  individuals  who  may 
ave  had,  or  now  have,  the  management  of  it,  are  of  opinion 
ml  the  legislation  of  congress  would  be  proper  to  the  following 
feel: 

I.  That  the  department  be  reorganized  in  such  way  as  to  SR- 
ure  a  proper  degree  of  responsibility,  not  only  in  the  head,  but 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,  1834— EDITORIAL  AND  MISCELLANEOUS.    291 


in  the  subordinate  brunches  of  the  department;  and  for  tha 
purpose  thu  auditing  of  the  accounts,  and  the  final  adjudication 
of  them,  and  the  disbursements  of  its  moneys,  should  be  confid- 
ed ID  officers  appointed  by  the  president  and  senate. 

2.  That  repiirts  lie  made  to  coiiurcKS  annually,  of  all  the  ex 
penditures  of  the  department,  slated  in  detail,  including  inci- 
dental expenses;  also,  of  all  new  contracts,  and  modification:. 
of  contracts,  and  their  respective  prices;  also,  a  statement  o 
the  amount  paid  for  the  transportation  of  the  mail  on  each  route 
in  the  several  states  and  territories,  as  near  as  may  be. 

3.  That  any  person  employed  in  the  general  post  office,  shal 
be  prohibited  from  becoming  a  mail  contractor,  or  interested  in 
a  mail  contract,  or  an  agent,  with  or  without  compensation,  for 
a  mail  contractor. 

4.  That  advertisements  for  proposals  to  carry  the  mail,  is- 
sued previous  to  the  periodical  timings,  be  made,  as  near  as 
may  be,  according  to  the  manner  in  which,  in  the  judgment  ol 
the  postmaster  general,  the  mail  should  be  transported  during 
the  period  of  the  contract. 

5.  That  the  sealed  proposals  received  from  bidders  for  mail 
contracts,  shall  not  be  opened  until  after  the  time  for  receiving 
bids  shall  have  oxpired. 

6.  That  reports  be  made  to  congress,  annually,  of  all  failures 
by  contractors  to  deliver  mails,  and  the  action  of  the  postmas- 
ter general  in  regard  thereto,  in  each  case. 

FELIX  GRUNDY, 
JOHN  M.  ROBINSON. 


EDITORIAL  AND  MISCELLANEOUS. 

Q^j"  With  the  extra  means  used,  we  have  not  made 
much  impression  on  the  mass  of  current  matter  before 
us,  nor  can  room  be  obtained  for  several  articles  which 
have  been  prepared  for  this  number.  Until  after  the 
rising  of  congress,  we  cannot  hold  much  discretion  over 
the  contents  of  our  pages — they  must  be  given  up  to  a  re- 
cord of  the  public  documents  and  proceedings:  but  re- 
lieved of  these,  there  are  several  important  subjects  that 
•we  intend  to  discuss,  editorially, — and,  with  the  large 
supply  that  we  have  of  valuable  stock-copy,  it  is  hoped 
that  the  REGISTER  will  be  made  more  generally  interest- 
ing than  it  now  is,  or  any  other  -weekly  record  can  be,  for 
the  chief  contents  of  such  periodicals  are  anticipated  by 
the  daily  press,  and  elbow-room  cannot  be  obtained  for 
miscellaneous  matter,  or  desultory  reading. 

We  had  prepared  a  neat  abstract  of  the  most  recent  fo- 
reign intelligence — but  our  labor  is  lost,  for  we  cannot 
"get  it  in."  No  important  event,  however,  has  happen- 
ed. The  affairs  of  Spain  and  Portugal,  &c.  remain  nearly 
as  they  were  at  our  last  advices. 

OCf=-P.  S.  The  mail  of  last  evening  brought  us  the  N. 
York  papers  in  mourning.  By  a  late  arrival,  we  learn 
that  the  good  LAFAYETTE  died  on  the  20th  May,  in 
the  77th  year  "of  his  age.  The  papers  are  filled  with 
tributes  of  respect  to  his  memory.  He  was  the  illustrious 
link  between  the  past  age  and  the  present — the  man  of 
two  worlds. 

We  know  that  not  much  faith  is  due  to  the  it  is  saids 
from  Washington — and  so  do  not  often  notice  them;  but 
it  is  rumored  that  Mr.  Taney  may  be  named  for  secre- 
tary of  state,  or  that  Mr.  Forsyth  will  be — Mr.  Polk,  of 
the  house  of  representatives,  secretary  of  the  treasury — • 
Mr.  Wilkins,  senator  of  the  U.  S.  postmaster  general — 
and  Mr.  Moore,  who  contested  the  right  to  a  seat  in  the 
house  with  Mr.  Letcher,  be  placed  at  the  head  of  a  bu- 
reau. There  has  been,  also,  an  "it  is  said,"  that  Mr. 
Cass  would  resign  the  secretaryship  of  the  war  depart- 
ment. 

It  will  be  seen  in  the  journal  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, that  Mr.  McKim  proposes  to  issue  fifteen 
millions  in  treasury  notes,  which  are  to  be  LOANED  to  in- 
dividuals on  good  security,  &c.  The  project  did  not 
meet  with  a  favorable  reception,  nor  do  we  suppose  that 
such  a  one  ever  will,  under  circumstances  like  the  pre- 
sent. Though  Mr.  McKim  has  long  entertained  this 
project,  it  rests  upon  the  principle  of  certain  proceed- 
ings lately  had  in  N.  York,  and  its  operation  would  be  to 
gather  power,  after  the  manner  of  the  safety  fund  sys- 
tem, for  political  purposes.  And,  without  a  reference 
to  this  case,  it  may  be  observed — that  some  of  the 
"perish  credit"  folks,  and  loudest  (alkers  and  brawlers 
for  a  gold  currency,  have  no  sort  of  objection  to  the  es- 
tablishment of  new  manufactories  of  paper  money,  if 


subjected  to  the  managements  of  their  party  —  witness 
the  establishment  of  many  new  state  banks,  and  the 
grand  schemes  thrown  out  for  building  up  others,  on 
paper,  paper,  paper. 

With  regard  to  this  proposition,  the  United  States 
Gazette  well  observes  —  • 

"If  there  is  710  distress,  why  should  the  government  lend  fif- 
teen millions  to  individuals?  And,  if  there  is  distress,  why  not 
remove  the  cause,  to  which  all  classes  of  citizens  who  com- 
plain, concurrently  point?" 

Things  will  remain  as  they  are,  so  far  as  they  depend 
on  the  government,  at  least  until  the  next  meeting  of 
congress;  when,  perhaps,  instructions  may  be  given  that 
will  be  obeyed,  after  the  manner  suggested  in  the  senti- 
ment offered  by  judge  Carr,  when  gov.  Floyd  was  pub- 
licly dined  at  Richmond,  as  follows  — 

"The  people—  would  they  be  obeyed,  let  them  discard  the 
soft,  suing  language  of  memorials,  and  each  district  speak  to  its 
own  representative  in  the  voice  of  a  master." 

Thus  the  people  of  Virginia  have  spoken  to  Mr. 
Hives,  and  so  did  his  district  speak  to  Mr.  Stevenson. 

As  was  anticipated,  the  senate,  having  rejected  the  no- 
mination of  Martin  Gordon,  as  collector  at  New  Orleans, 
also  rejected  the  nomination  of  his  son,  presented  by 
the  president,  for  the  same  office,  lotthout  a  division, 
"Not,  probably,  (as  the  National  Intelligencer  observes), 
on  the  grounds  on  which  his  father's  nomination  was  re- 
jected, but  because  of  his  youth  and  consequent  presum- 
ed want  of  character  and  experience  sufficiently  mature 
for  so  important  and  responsible  a  station." 

We  have  no  recollection  of  a  precedent  for  such  a  no- 
mination, under  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  as  that  of 
young  Gordon.  The  senate,  however,  promptly  con- 
firmed the  nomination  of  James  W.  Jireedlovc,  as  collec- 
tor at  New  Orleans. 

About  two  weeks  since,  the  Irish  laborers  on  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,  near  the  Point  of  Rocks, 
had  a  series  of  battles  among  themselves,  in  which  three 
persons  were  murdered,  and  many  others  injured.  And 
during  the  whole  of  the  present  week,  two  or  three  com- 
panies of  the  Baltimore  volunteers  have  been  engaged  in 
a  harrassing  and  unpleasant  duty,  to  reduce  and  keep  in 
order  large  bodies  of  Irishmen,  employed  on  the  Balti- 
more and  Washington  rail  road,  about  18  miles  hence, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Patuxent  —  who,  divided  and 
marshalled  into  two  furious  parties,  the  Fardoivns  or 
Longfords  and  the  Corkomans,  commenced  general  hos- 
tilities on  Sunday  last,  which  have  been  partially  conti- 
nued, notwithstanding  the  presence  of  the  troops,  up  to 
this  time,  though  some  sixty  or  seventy  of  the  apparent 
leaders  had  been  arrested  and  sent  to  prison.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  four  or  five  persons  have  been  murdered  in 
:hese  affrays,  and  broken  heads,  black  eyes  and  bloody 
noses  are  "without  count"  —  several  being  also  seriously 
njured  in  some  of  their  limbs.  It  is  said  that  they  had 
collected  about  forty  muskets,  and  appeared  resolved  to 
use  them  against  the  troops  —  but  they  gave  way  when- 
ever an  advance  was  made  upon  them,  and  scattered  in 
:he  woods,  through  which  they  were  hotly  pursued. 
Several  of  the  shantees,  or  huts,  had  been  fired  by  them 
ind  consumed,  and  much  distress  prevails,  among  the  wo- 
men and  children.  The  whole  affray  was  among  them- 
selves, except  that  they  essayed  an  attack  upon  a  body 
of  German  laborers,  who  resisted  and  beat  them  back, 
>eing  well  disciplined  and  steady,  and  partially  armed 
"or  defence.  A  good  many  of  the  Irish  were  supplied 
with  short  pikes.  The  number  of  rioters  is  thought  to 
lave  been  four  or  five  hundred,  on  each  side;  and  neither 
wrty  seems  yet  disposed  to  end  the  quarrel.  From  100 
o  150  of  the  troops  remain  in  the  neighborhood.  Such 
irutal  and  wicked  proceedings  must  be  stopped  —  but  the 
requent  occurrence  of  them  renders  many  indifferent  of 
any  result,  provided  only  these  foreign  factions  do  not 
meddle  with  the  persons  and  property  of  peaceable  peo- 


It  makes  us  quite  melancholy  to  see  that  the  democratic 
'Albany  Argus"  is  manufacturing  the  celebrated  general 
Hoot  into  a  thorough-going  "federalist"  —  an  alien  to  the 
'republican  party".  —  though  president  and  chief  of  the 


292 


NILES'  REGISTEK— JUNE  21,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


"Spartan  band"  of  17,  in  the  senate  of  New  York,  in 
1824,  and  proceeding  the  -whole  length,  and  a  little  more, 
to  "preserve  the  republican  party,"  by  denying  the  right 
of  suffrage  to  the  people  of  that  state,  at  the  presidential 
election — and  though  that  denial,  by  depriving  Mr../M«Hi* 
of  the  highest  vote  for  president,  probably  was  the  leading 
cause  oi  the  success  of  general  Jackson  in  1828!  It  ap- 
peai  s  that  the  sin  of  gen.  Root  is  in  believing  that  the 
"mortgage"  law  is  "inexpedient." 

There  was  a  "Spartan  band"  in  the  senate  of  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1798,  which  nearly  defeated  the  election  of  Mr. 
Jefferson,  while  a  large  majority  of  the  people  were  in 
favor  of  him,  as  was  the  majority  in  New  York  in  favor 
of  Mr.  Adams  in  1828;  and  we  hear  of  another  that  may 
hereafter  appear — The  official  "Globe"  says — 

"A  new  hank  of  the  United  States,  with  either  a  limited  or 
perpetual  charter,  will  not  be  easily  established.  We  believe 
that  none  could  now  pass  either  house  of  congress.  We  know 
it  could  not  unite  two-thirds  of  both  houses.  If  it  could  pass 
the  two  houses,  a  band,  (a  Spartan  band,  if  it  must  be  so), 
would  rally  around  the  hero  of  New  Orleans,  and  defend  thi.- 
battlementof  the  constitution  to  the  last  extremity." 

What! — AOA1KST  TWO-THIRDS   OF   BOTH   U.OUSES? 

We  mentioned  sometime  ago  that  col.  William  Duane 
had  issued  proposals  for  the  revival  of  the  "Aurora." 
He  has  just  now  explained  his  intentions  fully — he  en- 
tirely approves  and  will  support  "the  policy  of  general 
Jackson."  He  is  decidedly  opposed  to  the  bank,  or  a 
bank — thinks  that  the  power  of  the  president  "to  remove 
his  secretaries,"  is  unquestionable.  He  rather  doubts 
the  ll prudential  policy"  (and  that  only),  of  the  removal 
of  the  deposites,  but  heartily  concurs  in  the  doctrines  of 
the  protest,  and  in  "the  letter  and  spirit  of  the  two  un- 
answered and  unanswerable  speeches  of  col.  Benton  on 
the  bank  question." 

We  shall  insert  the  prospectus  and  exposition  at  length, 
when  less  pressed  for  room  than  at  present. 

We  felt  assured  from  a  late  view  of  things  at  Washing- 
ton, that  a  direct  vote  on  the  resolutions  from  the  senate, 
the  one  declaring  the  reasons  of  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury for  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the 
bank  of  the  United  States  to  be  unsatisfactory  and  insuf- 
ficient, and  the  other  requiring  the  deposites  of  the  public 
money  to  be  hereafter  made  in  the  bank  of  the  United 
States,  would  be  avoided  in  the  house  of  representatives,, 
as  hinted  at  in  our  last  number;  and  on  the  13th  instant, 
they  were  both  laid  on  the  table.  It  is  thus  settled,  we 
think,  that  things  will  remain  just  as  they  are,  with  re- 
lation to  the  bank  of  the  U.  States,  the  local  banks,  and 
the  keeping  and  distribution  of  the  public  money— and 
that  all  persons  should  govern  themselves  accordingly. 
We  must  bear  and  forbear,  and  help  one  another  as  much 
as  we  can,  during  the  always-oppressive  summer  months 
on  men  who  have  much  money  to  pay — for  the  usual  diffi- 
culties.will  be  much  increased  with  these.  They  may 
hope  for  a  partial  relief  in  the  paralysis  that  has  been 

fiven  to  enterprise — but  this  paralysis  will  bear  on  the  la- 
oring  poor,  deprived  of  employment.  And  with  such  a 
summer  as  is  before  us — what  must  be  expected  in  the 
winter  season,  "which  we  know  must  come?"  In  the 
last  winter,  for  an  example,  there  were  perhaps  two  hun- 
dred houses  in  Baltimore  being  finished  by  our  carpen- 
ters; from  present  appearances,  there  will  scarcely  be 
twenty  to  be  so  finished  in  the  next,  and  very  few  of  these 
are  extensive  buildings. 

The  health  of  Mr.  McDiiffie  has  considerably  im- 
proved since  he  retired,  for  the  present,  from  his  seat  in 
the  house  of  representatives,  and  it  is  hoped  that  a  visil 
he  is  about  making  to  the  White  Sulphur  springs,  in 
Virginia,  will  restore  him. 

Gov.  Hayne  has  declined  to  call  an  extra  meeting  of 
the  legislature  of  South  Carolina,  in  consequence  of  the 
late  decision  of  the  judges  against  the  test  oath,  as  had 
been  earnestly  requested  of  him.  We  »liall  record  the 
papers  belonging  to  these  matters. 

Mr.  Duane,  being  recently  at  Providence,  U.  I.  partook 
of  a  public  dinner  in  tliat  city,  at  which  some  incidents 
occurred  that  vhould,  and  will  be,  preserved. 


Mr.  Cooper,  the  novelist,  has  entered  the  political 
arena,  and  made  a  book  about  the  events  of  the  times. 
Many  will  regret  this  proceeding  on  the  part  of  Mr.  C. 

The  Synagogue  belonging  to  the  congregation  of  She- 
rath-Israel,  just  finished  in  Crosby  street,  New  York,  was 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  12th  inst.  consecrated  with  the 
most  imposing  and  interesting  ceremonies,  which  were 
closed  by  an  oration  by  M.  M.  Noah,  esq.  The  build- 
ing is  a  very  costly  and  beautiful  one,  fifty-six  feet  in 
front  by  seventy-five  in  depth.  It  was  on  this  occasion 
filled  in  every  part,  and  most  of  the  clergy  and  magis- 
trates were  present. 

The  National  Intelligencer  of  the  16th  inst.  says,— 
It  is  a  circumstance  to  which  it  may  he  worth  while  to  call 
the  attention  of  the  reader,  that,  taking  the  two  houses  of  con- 
gress together,  a  majority  of  congress  has  pointedly  condemn- 
ed and  rebuked  the  removal  of  the  public  money  from  deposite 
in  the  hank  of  the  United  Slates.  Thus:  in  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, the  vote  on  laying  the  resolution  of  that  import  upon 
the  table  (a  test  vote)  was  114  to  102.  In  the  senate,  the  ma- 
jority upon  Mr.  Clay's  resolution,  condemning  the  removal  of 
the  deposites,  was  so  decisive,  that  the  yeas  and  nays  were  not 
asked  for  by  the  minority;  but,  the  whole  senate  being  present, 
the  majority  in  in  favor  may  be  set  down  at  15  or  20.  [On  Mr. 
Benton's  motion  to  commit  the  resolution,  with  instructions, 
&c.  on  which  the  yeas  and  nays  were  taken,  the  actual  major- 
ity against  the  commitment,  and  in  favor  of  the  resolution,  was 
nineteen].  In  joint  meeting  of  the  two  houses,  therefore,  there 
are  a  sure  and  Arm  majority  who  ate  of  the  opinion  that  the  rea- 
sons which  have  been  assigned  by  the  executive  for  the  remov- 
al of  the  public  deposites  are  unsatisfactory  and  insufficient. 

The  Globe  of  Thursday,  the  19th  says— 
"We  understand  that  Mr.  McLane  has  resigned  his  office  of 
secretary  of  state,  the  resignation  to  take  effect  as  soon  during 
the  present  session  of  congress  as  it  may  be  convenient  for  the 
president  to  appoint  a  successor. 

"It  is  well  understood  that,  in  regard  to  some  prominent  mea- 
sures which  occupy  much  of  the  public  attention,  Mr.  McLane 
has  entertained  different  views  from  the  president.  But  the 
president,  who  has  through  life  exercised  his  own  independence 
of  judgment,  is  loo  generous,  and  too  just,  to  give  up  one,  es- 
teemed by  him  as  a  friend,  an  honest  patriot,  and  faithful  public  I 
officer,  for  a  mere  difference  of  opinion:  and  as  no  action  by  the  V$ 
department  of  state  was  requisite  in  carrying  into  effect  the 
measures  in  question,  he  saw  no  public  necessity  for  a  separa- 
tion. Between  two  men  of  elevated  sentiments,  there  was  no- 
thing in  such  a  state  of  things  to  interrupt  tlie  harmony  of  either 
their  official  or  private  relations,  and  their  mutual  confidence 
and  esteem  have  therefore  continued  unimpaired.  We  know 
that  the  president  has  yielded  to  Mr.  McLane's  wish  to  retira 
from  his  administration  with  regret,  nnd  that  he  has  freely  ex- 
pressed, not  only  his  high  sense  of  Mr.  McLane's  patriotism, 
talents,  and  eminent  services,  but  his  sincere  friendship — a  sen- 
timent which  is  fully  reciprocated  by  Mr.  McLane." 

Several  cases  of  cholera  had  appeared  on  board  of 
some  of  the  passenger  vessels  lately  arrived  at  Quebec — 
and  this  awful  disease  yet  continues,  but  rather  in  solita- 
ry cases,  in  parts  of  Louisiana,  Alabama,  &c.  and  on  the 
western  waters. 

An  attempt  was  made,  on  Monday  last,  by  Mr.  Wood- 
all,  to  ascend  in  a  balloon  from  Fair  Mount,  accompa- 
nied by  a  young  lady — the  last,  as  a  novelty,  perhaps, 
was  necessary  to  collect  a  company;  but  it  so  happened, 
that,  when  the  balloon  had  been  inflated,  and  the  car  was 
about  to  be  attached,  a  rent  was  made  in  it  near  the  top, 
and  the  gas  escaped  in  a  minute,  and  so  the  exhibition 
ended.  The  damage  is  said  to  have  been  caused  by  the 
tightening  of  the  cords  designed  to  sustain  the  car. 

This  is  the  third  failure,  in  succession,  and  we  hope 
it  may  lead  to  an  abandonment  of  such  exhibitions,  in 
Baltimore.  We  have  had  quite  enough  of  them;  and  of 
other  sorts  of  balloonings  and  explosions,  for  a  good 
while  to  come. 

W«  understand  tlir.t  many  of  those  who  had  not  con- 
tributed  a  cent  to  encourage  "this  attempt  of  Mr.  Wood- 
a!l,  were  very  much  disposed  to  make  a  riot  because 
that  he  could. not  ascend!  If,  in  idleness,  they  had  gone 
out  to  see  something  which  would  have  cost  them  no- 
thing, they  ought  rather  to  sympathise  with  the  pecunia- 
ry loss  sustained  in  the  failure  of  those  who  woulil  have 
gratified  them,  had  it  been  practicable  to  do  so.  The 
respectable  audience,  within  the  enclosure,  showed  the 
greatest  forbearance,  and  even  good  humor,  though  dig- 
appointed — as  \ve  nre  informed. 


N 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,  1834— TREASURY  REPORT. 


293 


We  are  much  pleased  to  hear  that  Messrs.  Key  &  Bid- 
die,  of  Philadelphia,  are  about  to  publish  an  edition  of 
the  famous  "BLUE  BOOK."  Hitherto  only  a  small  num- 
ber of  this  work  has  been  printed,  but  this  will  place  the 
army  of  officers,  with  their  pay  and  emoluments  and  al- 
lowances, immediately  before  the  people,  and  they  can 
see  the  number  and  the  cost  of  them. 

THE  AFFAIR  AT  TooLON.  It  does  not  certainly  appear  how 
many  shotted  guns  were  fired  on  board  the  frigate  United  States, 
when  saluting  on  the  king's  birth  day — but  two  men  were  hilled 
and  four  wounded  on  board  the  French  ship  Suffrein.  Captain 
Ballard  was  at  Marseilles  when  the  accident  happened — but  re- 
turning just  afterwards,  he  addressed  two  letters  to  the  prefect 
of  marine,  expressing  his  deep  regret  on  account  of  it,  8tc.  The 
following  papers  contain  all  that  it  is  necessary  to  notice  at  pre- 
sent: 

In  the  French  chamber  of  deputies,  on  the  7th  May,  M.  de 
Rigney,  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  in  reply  to  a  call  for  informa- 
tion on  the, subject,  said — It  is  too  true  that  an  unfortunate 
event,  I  will  even  say,  an  awkward  accident,  has  happened  in 
the  port  of  Toulon,  for  it  is  impossible  to  suppose  that  a  foreign 
vessel,  celebrating  in  a  French  port,  the  king's  fete,  intention- 
ally fired  with  ball  at  one  of  our  vessels,  and  if  proof  in  this  re- 
spect were  wanting,  I  could  read  to  the  chamber  a  letter  writ- 
ten by  the  commander  of  the  frigate  to  the  maritime  prefect. 
(Read!  Read!)  The  letter  is  in  the  following  terms.  It  is  in 
English.  1  translate. 

Sir:  It  is  with  the  deepest  sorrow  I  learned  on  my  arrival 
from  Marseilles  (for  gentlemen,  you  must  know  the  captain  of 
the  American  frigate  was  at  the  moment  at  Marseilles)  the  sad 
accident  which  occurred  in  firing  a  salute  in  honor  of  the  day 
from  the  frigate  United  States.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  ex- 
press what  I  feel  on  this  occasion.  To  fully  comprehend  it  I 
pray  you,  sir,  to  place  yourself  for  a  moment  in  my  situation, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  receive  the  assurance,  which  I  give 
with  the  most  perfect  confidence  that  it  is  sincere,  of  the  pro- 
found regret  which  fills  the  breast  of  every  officer  and  sailor  ol 
the  two  American  vessels  at  present  at  Toulon. 

The  master  gunner,  who  has  been  the  cause  of  this  unfortu- 
nate disaster,  had  the  reputation  of  a  brave  and  good  officer,  but 
he  had  been  but  a  short  time  on  board  the  ship.  I  have  placed 
linn  under  arrest,  and  my  intention  is  to  bring  him  before  a 
court  martial  as  soon  as  I  join  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
American  force.  As  a  proof  of  the  tiue  sentiments  and  deep 
sympathy  which  is  felt  by  us  on  this  occasion,  I  beg  you,  sir,  to 
allow  that  a  collection  of  5,000  francs,  which  has  been  made 
from  the  crew  of  the  ships,  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the 
victims  of  this  unfortunate  accident.  (From  all  parts — very 
well!  very  well!)  Signed  HENRY  E.  BALLARD, 

captain  U.  S,  navy,  commanding  the  frigate  U.  S. 

A  letter  from  Toulon,  dated  May  6,  received  at  New  York 
says — that  the  reply  of  the  admiral  to  captain  Ballard  was  high 
ly  satisfactory  in  every  respect,  except  in  reference  to  the  sub- 
scription for  the  families  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  made  on 
board  the  Constellation  and  United  States.  The  object  of  this 
seemed  to  be  misunderstood — and,  though  pronounced  "noble 
and  generous,"  the  acceptance  of  it  was  declined. 

The  circumstance  led  to  a  second  letter  from  our  command- 
er, of  which  also,  as  you  have  the  beginning  of  the  correspon 
deuce,  I  will  furnish  you  a  copy. 

17.  S.  Frigate,  United  States,  Roads  of  Toulon,  May  2,  1834 
Sir, — I  am  this  moment  in  possession  of  your  letter  of  the 
morning. 

It  has  made  me  most  happy  by  the  strong  assurance  it  con 
tains,  that  "the  whole  body  of  the  navy  at  Toulon"  are  convinc- 
ed of  the  sorrow  that  fills  our  hearts,  at  the  deplorable  acciden 
of  yesterday,  as  well  as  by  the  generous  admission,  that  the 
event  we  mourn  "is  the  effect  of  one  of  those  fatal  circum- 
stances which  are  independent  of  any  will." 

I  beg  leave,  again  to  offer  the  assurance,  that  the  gunner 
through  whose  negligence  the  said  accident  occurred  (and  who 
being  a  warrant  officer  can  only  be  punished  by  the  sentence  o 
a  court-martial)  is  now  under  arrest;  and  shall  be  brought  to 
trial,  as  soon  as  it  is  my  good  fortune  to  fall  in  with  the  com 
manderin  chief  of  our  squadron  in  the  Mediterranean. 

On  the  subject  of  the  five  thousand  francs  intended  to  be 
placed  in  your  hands  for  distribution,  by  the  generous  sons  o 
the  ocean  under  my  command,  I  beg  to  assure  you  sir,  that  i 
has  nothing  to  do  with  indemnification;  it  is  the  voluntary  out 
pouring  of  generous  spirits,  sorrowing  for  the  consequences  o 
an  accident  over  which  they  had  no  control,  and  which  the 
would  have  laid  down  their  lives  to  have  prevented. 

It  is  not  to  indemnify,  and  has  no  reference  to  compensation 
but  it  is  to  alleviate,  if  possible,  for  a  time  at  least,  the  sorrow 
of  a  widowed  heart;  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  orphan,  and  I 
soften  the  pillow  of  the  aged  and  dependant,  who  may  mour 
a  loss  we  cannot  replace. 

In  requesting  you,  sir,  to  be  the  channel  of  this  distribution 
their  only  desire  is  to  afford  him  who  has  won  the  applause  o 
the  brave,  an  opportunity  of  enjoying  another  gratification  i 
blessing  the  afflicted.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  perfect  re 
spect,  your  obedient  servant,  HENRY  E.  BALLARD. 

captain  in  U.  S.  mtvy,  commanding,  U.  S.fri«nte  U.  S. 
T»  adm.  the  baron  Frycinct',  prefect  of  marine,  at  Toulon,  $c. 


Since  the  receipt  of  this  communication,  indeed  immediate- 
•  afterwards,  the  prefect,  attended  by  full  staff,  has  paid  a 
iendly  visit,  and  partaken  of  a  dejeuner  a  la  fourchette  with 
apt.  Ballard;  and  every  thing  is  restored  to  an  amicable  and 
ind  footing.  The  contribution,  however,  baa  not  been  ac- 
epted  for  the  families  of  the  sufferers. 

On  Thursday  last  the  following  proper  and  prompt  message 
'a§  received  from  the  president  of  the  United  States— 
'o  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  States: 

I  transmit  to  congress  an  extract  of  a  despatch  from  Mr.  L  j- 
ingston,  the  minister  of  the  United  States  at  Paris,  dated  the 
th  ult. ,  and  the  copy  of  a  communication  made  to  him  by  cap- 
ain  Ballard,  commander  of  the  frigate  United  States,  by  which 
t  appears  that  in  firing  a  national  salute  from  that  ship  at  Tou- 
iii,  in  honor  of  the  birth-day  of  the  king  of  the  French,  two 
ii'ii  were  killed,  and  four  others  wounded,  on  board  the 
Drench  ship  of  war  Suffrein.  Suitable  explanations  were  im- 
lediately  made  to  the  French  admiral;  and  the  officers  and 
rew  of  the  American  frigate,  with  that  generosity  which  dis- 
inguishes  their  profession,  promptly  contributed,  by  a  liberal 
ubscription,  towards  providing  for  the  families  of  the  nnfortu- 
ate  sufferers.  lam  sure,  however,  that  I  should  not  do  jus- 
ice  to  the  feelings  of  the  American  people,  on  this  occasion,  if 

did  not  invite  congress  to  assume,  on  their  part,  this  inelan- 
holy  duty.  I  propose,  therefore,  that  the  same  provision  be 
made  by  law  for  these  French  seamen,  and  their  families,  as 
ivould  be  made  for  American  seamen  killed  or  wounded  in  bat- 
le. 

This  proceeding  will  shew  the  deep  sensibility  with  which 

he  disastrous  accident  is  viewed  by  the   United  States,  and 

heir  readiness  to  alleviate  those  consequences  which  cannot 

remedied.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Washington  l&th  June,  1834. 

It  is  difficult  to  excuse  the  person  or  persons  whose  neglect 
caused  this  misfortune — but  it  is  not  the  first  case  of  the  kind 
that  has  happened. 


TREASURY  REPORT. 

Treasury  department,  June  16M,  1834. 

SIR:  In  compliance  with  the  resolution  of  the  senate,  of  the 
7th  of  May  last,  directing  the  secretary  of  th«  treasury  "to  re- 
jort  as  soon  as  practicable,  to  the  senate,  the  amount  of  duties 
•eceived  and  accrued  on  former  imports,  during  the  first  quar- 
ter of  the  year  1834,  with  a  table  showing  the  comparative 
amount  of  that  quarter,  and  the  corresponding  quarter  of  the 
i'ear  1833,  and  distinguishing  between  the  amounts  accrued  or 
received  at  each  port."  Also,  "whether  any  thing  has  happen- 
ed since  his  annual  report  was  made  at  the  commencement  of 
the  present  session  of  congress,  to  vary,  in  his  opinion,  the  es- 
timate contained  in  the  said  report  of  the  proceeds  of  the  duties 
on  foreign  imports  for  the  year  1834:"  I  herewith  transmit  the 
statement  required  by  the  first  resolution  above  mentioned,  by 
which  it  appears  that  the  duties  which  accrued  from  customs 
in  the  first  quarter  of  1833,  amounted  to  the  sum  of  $5,798,114 
87,  and  in  the  corresponding  quarter  of  1834,  to  the  sum  of 
$5,344,540  40,  and  that  the  actual  receipts  into  the  treasury  from 
the  same  source  in  the  former  quarter,  amounted  to  §6,966,437 
39,  and  in  the  latter  to  $4,435,386  13.  A  few  of  the  minor  port* 
have  not  been  heard  from;  but  they  cannot  materially  vary  the 
result. 

In  answer  to  the  second  resolution,  I  have  the  honor  to  state, 
that  estimating  the  duties  on  foreign  imports  in  the  annual  re- 
port made  at  the  commencement  of  the  present  session,  it  was 
assumed  as  the  basis  of  the  estimate,  that  the  imports  of  the 
present  year  would  be  nearly  equal  to  those  of  1832.  This  esti- 
mate was  higher  than  the  average  imports  of  the  five  or  six  pre- 
ceding years;  but,  as  stated  in  that  report,  it  was  considered  as 
a  safe  one;  because,  although  the  imports  of  1831  and  1832  had 
been  unusually  large,  those  of  1833  had  gone  still  higher,  and  the 
general  state  of  commerce  and  the  situation  of  the  country  jus- 
tified the  belief  that  there  would  be  no  serious  diminution  in  the 
present  year. 

From  the  comparative  statement  of  the  amount  of  duties 
which  accrued  in  the  first  quarter  of  the  present  year,  and  the 
corresponding  quarter  of  1833,  it  appears  that  the  amount  of  fo- 
reign imports  in  the  first  quarter  of  1834,  must  have  exceeded 
that  of  the  corresponding  quarter  in  the  preceding  year.  Seve- 
ral articles  which  form  important  items  in  our  ordinary  imports, 
and  paid  duty  in  the  first  quarter  of  1833,  were  free  from  duty 
in  the  first  quarter  of  1834,  and  the  rate  of  duty  was  reduced  on 
others;  and  the  difference  between  the  amount  of  duty  which 
accrued  in  these  two  quarters,  would  have  been  greater  if  the 
importations  in  the  latter  had  not  exceeded  those  of  the  former. 
In  some  instances,  without  doubt,  importations,  which  in  the 
ordinary  course  of  our  foreign  trade  would  have  been  made  in 
the  last  quarter  of  1833,  were  delayed  until  the  first  quarter  of 
the  present  year,  in  order  to  obtain  the  benefit  of  the  reduced 
tariff  which  took  effect  on  the  first  of  January  last— and  this  cir- 
cumstance has  enlarged,  in  some  degree,  the  imports  of  the  first 
quarter  of  1834.  But  after  ni^kins  a  due  allowance  for  the  in- 
crease which  may  have  arisen  from  this  cause,  and  which  would 
be  peculiar  to  the  first  quarter  of  the  year,  the  amount  of  dutie* 
which  accrued  in  the.  quarter,  are  sufficient  to  show  that  the 
imports  of  the  present  year  will  most  probably  exceed  the 
amount  at  which  they  were  estimated  in  the  annual  report,  and 


294 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  14,  1834— CONGRESS. 


be  fully  equal  to  those  of  1833,  which  were  unusually  large.  I 
this  expectation  should  he  realized,  the  proceeds  of  the  customs 
will  exceed  the  amount  at  which  they  were  estimated  by  more 
than  1,000,000  dollars.  The  difference  in  the  comparative  re 
ceipts  of  the  two  first  quarters  as  shown  by  the  statement  here 
with  transmitted,  does  not  arise  from  any  fluctuation  in  com 
merce  or  diminished  importations,  hut  is  ehielly  occasioned  bj 
the  alterations  in  the  times  of  payment  introduced  by  the  act  o 
14th  July,  1832. 

The  receipts  of  ihe  first  quarter,  and  the  bonds  already  taken 
confirm  the  opinion  that  the  income  from  customs  will  be  great 
erlhan  the  estimate  presented  at thecommencementof  the  ses 
sion.  The  actual  receipts  into  the  treasury  from  customs  for 
the  first  quarter  of  the  present  year,  amounted  lo  the  sumo 
§4,435,336  13;  and  the  duties  secured  by  bonds  payable  in  the 
second  quarter,  amount  to  the  sum  of  §4,003,368  77.  After 
making  a  fair  deduction  from  these  amounts  for  return  duties, 
which  may  yet  be  called  for,  and  for  debentures  and  expenses 
of  collection,  the  net  income  of  these  two  quarters  may  be  safe- 
ly estimated  at  §7,500,000.  And  if  the  third  and  fourth  quarters 
should  be  only  equally  productive  with  the  two  first,  the  re- 
ceipts will  equal  the  amount  at  which  they  were  estimated  in 
the  annual  report.  But  under  our  present  system  of  duties,  tin 
receipts  from  customs  in  the  ordinary  course  of  commerce  wil 
always  be  greater  in  the  two  lastquailersof  the  year  than  in  the 
first.  The  woollen  goods  which  form  so  large  a  portion  of  our 
imports,  are  for  the  most  part  brought  into  the  eonntry  in  the 
third  and  fourth  quarters  of  the  year.  The  high  duties  with 
which  they  are  charged,  render  them  a  very  productive  source 
of  revenue;  and  being  now  payable  in  cash,  they  enter  into  the 
receipts  of  the  third  arid  fourth  quarters  in  which  the  goods  are 
imported.  The  receipts  of  these  two  quarters  of  the  year  will, 
therefore,  generally  exceed  those  of  the  two  preceding  ones  by 
at  least  one  million  of  dollars. 

Although  not  embraced  in  the  resolution,  it  will  no  doubt  be 
gratifying  to  the  senate  to  learn  that  the  receipts  from  lands  are 
equally  encouraging,  and  will  more  than  equal  the  amount  at 
which  they  were  estimated.  The  receipts  into  the  treasury, 
from  this  source,  during  the  first  quarter  of  the  present  year, 
amount  lo  the  sum  of  $-1,398,206  18,  while  in  the  correspond- 
ing quarter  of  1833,  they  amounted  only  to  $658,526  66,  and 
from  the  returns  already  received  for  the  present  quarter,  the 
receipts  of  the  two  first  quarters  of  this  year,  from  lands,  may 
be  safely  estimated  at  more  than  $-7,000,000.  In  the  annual 
report,  the  receipts  for  the  whole  year  were  estimated  at 
$3,000,000.  The  information  above  stated,  shows  that  the  an- 
ticipated income  from  this  source,  as  well  as  from  the  customs, 
will  be  more  than  realized. 

Upon  the  whole,  the  information  received  since  the  annual 
report  on  the  finances  was  made  to  congress,  affords  satisfac- 
tory evidence  that  the  extent  of  our  foreign  commerce  has  been 
fully  sustained,  and  gives  strong  reasons  for  believina  that  the 
receipts  into  the  treasury  during  the  present  year  will  be  great- 
er than  the  amount  at  which  they  were  estimated  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  session. 

But  I  beg  leave  to  repeat  what  I  have  already  said,  in  the  an- 
nual report  from  this  department,  that  as  the  receipts  of  each 
year,  under  the  present  system  of  short  credits  and  cash  duties, 
must  mainly  depend  on  its  own  importations,  as  the  estimates 
for  the  year  can  never  be  made  with  as  much  certainty  as  un- 
der the  former  system,  when  the  receipts  chiefly  depended  on 
the  duties  which  had  accrued  in  preceding  years,  and  which 
were  ascertained  and  secured  by  bonds  before  the  time  the  es- 
timates were  presented. 

And  as  all  calculations  on  the  amount  of  revenue  hereafter  to 
accrue,  must  he  more  or  less  uncertain,  and  are  liable  to  be  af- 
fected, by  unforeseen  contingencies,  it  would  hardly  be  proper 
to  appropriate  on  a  scale  of  expenditure  fully  equal  to  the  ex- 
pected income.  There  is,  however,  no  reason  for  apprehend- 
ing that  the  resources  of  the  present  year  can  fall  short  of  the 
estimate  contained  in  the  annual  report.  And  it  is  believed 
that  appropriations  may  be  made  with  entire  safety  according 
to  that  estimate.  I  have  the  honor  to  he,  sir,  very  respectfully, 
your  obedient  servant,  R.  B.  TANEY,  tecretary 

of  the  treasury. 
Hon.  Martin  Van  Buren,  rice  president  U.  S. 

and  president  of  the  senate. 


TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

June  12.  The  senate  procaeded  to  the  unfinished  business, 
being  the  motion  to  print  30.000  copies  of  the  reports  on  the 
post  office  department,  which  motion  was,  after  a  protracted 
debate,  agreed  to  by  the  following  votr: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bell,  Itibb,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clayton, 
Kwinz,  Frplinsjhuysen,  Grnndy,  Kent,  Knitht,  Leich,  Linn, 
Mangum,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Pre.'ton,  Robbing,  Rnbinnon, 
Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler, 
Webster,— 9«. 

NAYS— Messrs,  ftcnton.  Black,  Brown,  Fnroytli,  Hendricks, 
Hill,  King,  of  Alabama,  Kine,  of  Georgia,  Morris,  Shepley, 
Tallmadge,  WliiN>,  Wilkins,  Wright— 14. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clayton,  the  printinc  of  Ihe  documents  was 
ordered  to  be  done  under  the  direction  of  the  committee. 

The  senate  then  ndjonrr.ed. 

June  13.  Various  proceedings  \vcre  lincl  which  will  suffi- 
ciently appear  in  future  notices  of  them — [and  like  omissions  of 
ihe  progress  of  miscellaneous  business,  will  hereafter  be  made]. 


The  chair  announced  as  the  special  order  of  the  day,  the  bill 
to  provide  for  the  satisfaction  of  claims  due  to  certain  citizens 
for  spoliations  committed  on  their  commerce  by  the  French, 
prior  to  the  30th  September,  1830;  when 

Mr.  Forsyth  moved  to  postpone  the  bill  until  the  1st  Monday 
in  December  next. 

Messrs.  Chambers,  Poindexter  and  Webster  opposed  the  post- 
ponement, and  the  motion  was  lost  by  the  following  vote: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Benton,  Bibb,  Black,  Brown,  Calhoun,  For- 
syth, Giumly,  Hendricks,  Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King, 
of  Geo.,  Tallmadge,  Tyler,  White,  Wright— 16. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Bell,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Frelinghuy- 
sen,  Kent,  Knight,  Leigh,  Linn,  McKean,  Moore,  Naudain, 
Poindexter,  Prentiss,  Preston,  Robbins,  Robinson,  Shepley, 
Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift, Tomlinsou,  Webster, 
Wilkins— 26. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Poindexter,  the  bill  was  then  postponed  to, 
and  made  the  order  of  the  day  for,  Tuesday  next. 

The  senate  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  executive  busi- 
ness, and,  when  the  doors  were  opened,  adjourned. 

June  14.  Mr.  Webster  reported  the  bill  from  the  house,  to  re- 
gulate the  value  of  certain  silver  coins,  with  amendments,  and 
gave  notice  tiiathe  should  call  it  up  early  next  week. 

The  following  bills  were  severally  read  the  third  time  and 
passed. 

The  bill  creating  two  additional  land  districts,  the  one  in  the 
state  of  Illinois,  and  the  other  in  the  territory  of  Michigan. 

The  bill  for  the  repair  of  Mar's  Hill  military  road  in  the  state 
of  Maine;  and 

The  bill  confirming  certain  land  claims  in  the  state  of  Alaba- 
ma. 

The  bill  providing  for  the  final  settlement  of  the  claims  of 
states  for  interest  on  advances  lo  the  United  Stales  during  Ihe 
last  war,  was  taken  up,  debated  by  Messrs.  Hill,  Chambers, 
Preston  and  Bibb;  and 

On  molion  of  Mr.  Preston,  recommitted  to  the  committee 
which  reported  it,  with  instructions  so  to  amend  it,  as  to  estab- 
lUh  the  rate  of  interest  at  5  per  cent,  per  annum,  by  yeas  and 
nays,  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Benton,  Bibb,  Black,  Brown,  Calhoun,  For- 
syth, Grimily,  Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia, 
Leigh,  Linn,  Manumit,  M-iore,  Morris,  Preston,  Robinson, 
Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  White, 
Wright— 25. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewine,  Freling- 
liiiy-en,  Hendricks,  Kent,  Knight,  McKean,  Naudain,  Poin- 
dexter, Porter,  Prentiss,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tom- 
linson, Webster— 19. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Poindexter,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  executive  business,  and,  when  the  doors  were 
opened,  adjourned. 

June  16.  The  chair  communicated  from  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  in  reply  to  a  call  made  on  the  llth  March  last,  a  state- 
ment relating  to  additional  compensation  allowed  to  mail  con- 
tractors since  the  30th  Sept.  1825;  which  was  referred  and  or- 
dered to  be  printed. 

The  chair  also  presented,  from  the  treasury  department,  a 
statement  showing  the  amount  of  duties  received  nn  foreign 
imports  during  the  first  quarter  of  the  year  1834,  together  with 
estimates  of  the  probable  receipts  for  the  next  three  quarters; 
which,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  was  laid  on  the  table  and  or- 
dered to  be  printed. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  senate  took  tip  the  bill  from 
the  house  to  regulate  silver  coins,  when  the  amendments  re- 
ported by  the  committee  on  finance  were  considered  and 
agreed  to. 

The  first  amendment  fixes  the  weight  of  a  dollar  at  415  grains; 
the  next  fixes  the  weight  of  five  franc  pieces,  at  384  grains;  and 
the  third  strikes  out  12  grains  from  the  fineness  of  the  South 
American  dollar,  which  leaves  its  fineness  as  follows:  ten 
ounces,  fifteen  pennyweights  in  the  Troy  pound  of  12  ounces  of 
standard  silver,  at  116  1-10  cents  per  ounce,  which  will  leave 
it  of  the  value  of  100  cents. 

The  bill  was  then  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for  a  third  reading. 

[Read  the  third  time  the  next  day  and  passed]. 
The  resolution  allowing  to  E.  R.  Potter  pay  and  mileage, 
while  contesting  the  seat  of  Mr.  Robbins  a.s  senator  from  Rhode 
Island,  was  considered,  and  after  debate,  on  motion  of  Mr. 
Clay,  referred  to  the  committee  on  the  judiciary. 

The  bill  ^appropriating  the  unexpended  balances  of  the 
Georgia  militia  claims;  nnd 

The  bill  making  additional  appropriations  for  the  armory  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  were  severally  twice  read  and  referred. 

[Both  of  the  preceding  hills  were  reported  the  next  day,  con- 
sidered in  committee,  and  severally  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for 
a  third  reading,  and  subsequently  read  a  third  time  and  passed.} 
The  following  hills  were  read  the  third  time  and  passed: 
The  bill  extending  the  time  of  the  commission  under  the 
French  treaty; 

The  hill  supplementary  to  the  net  to  carry  into  effect  the 
reaty  between  the  United  States  nnd  the  king  of  the  Two  Si- 
cilies; and 

The  bill  granting  pensions  to  certain  persons  therein  named. 
The  resolution  providing  for  the  distribution  of  the  diploma- 
c  correspondence  was  read  the  third  lime  and  agreed  to. 
Mr.  Webster  moved  to  take  up  the  hill  making  appropriation* 
'or  the  support  of  government  for  the  year  1834. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,   1834— CONGRESS. 


295 


Mr.  Poindeiter  uiovuil  its  poslponemenl  until  to-morrow. 

Mr.  Preston  would  prefer  the  bill  to  lay  on  the  table  till  other 
mallets  of  an  important  nature  were  disposed  of.  Where,  lie 
would  ask,  was  the  treasury  of  the  United  Stales?  What  con- 
trol had  congress  over  il?  He  would  surest  tolionorable  sena- 
tors the  propriety  of  considering,  before  they  passed  any  appro- 
j)riations,  whether  something  ought  not  to  be  done  in  regard  to 
securing  the  treasury  of  the  country.  lie  was  indisposed  to  go 
into  the  consideration  of 'the  appropriation  hill  until  the  tn-a.-u 
ry  was  taken  from  irresponsible  hands,  and  put  into  those 
which  were  responsible. 

After  some  further  remarks  from  Messrs.  Webster,  Preston 
and  Forsytk,  the  bill  was  postponed  until  lo-morrow. 

The  resolution  submitted  by  Mr.  Clay  calling  upon  the  trea- 
sury department  for  the  amount  of  scrip  issued  to  satisfy  Virgi- 
nia land  warrants,  &c.  was  agreed  to. 

The  senate  then  adjourned. 

June  17.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Frelin»huysen,  the  bill  concerning 
duties  on  lead  was  taken  up. 

Mr.  Freiingfiuysen  briefly  explained  the  character  of  the  bill. 
It  has  been  rendered  necessary  by  the  attempts  made  to  evade 
the  duties  imposed  by  the  tariff  of  1833,  by  the  introduction  of 
lead  in  busts  and  other  forms,  so  that  instead  of  paying  the  pro- 
per duty  of  three  cents  per  pound,  imposed  by  the  act,  they  iiad 
only  paid  a  duty  of  fifteen  per  centum,  ad  valorem,  thus  pro- 
ducing great  injury  to  the  public  revenue. 

He  moved  to  amend  the  bill  by  introducing  a  proviso,  that  this 
bill  should  not  extend  to,  or  affect  the  existing  duties  on  red  and 
white  lead,  shot  and  litharge. 

Mr.  Cal/ioun  was  willing  to  agree  to  any  measure  to  prevent 
fraud;  but  would  not  sanction  any  proposition  to  extend  the 
protective  duties,  lie  therefore  moved  to  lay  it  on  the  table; 
but  afterwards  withdrew  his  motion. 

Mr.  Frelingkuysen  said  all  the  provisions  of  the  bill  looked 
exclusively  to  the  prevention  of  fraud  except  one  which  im- 
poses a  duty  of  two  cents  on  lead  ore,  and  that  was  suggested 
by  one  of  the  gentleman  from  Missouri.  But  if  any  objection 
was  made  to  this  clause  he  would  withdraw  it. 

Mr.  Callwun  renewed  his  motion  to  lay  the  bill  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Clay,  (the  motion  being  again  withdrawn),  said  there 
were  two  objects  contemplated  by  the  bill:  one  the  prevention 
of  fraud;  the  other  an  increase  of  the  duty  on  lead  ore.  To  the 
extent  of  the  prevention  of  fraud  the  bill  was  certainly  proper 
and  ought  to  pass;  but  however  proper  the  additional  duty  may 
be,  he  hoped  the  clause  would  not  now  he  pressed. 

Mr.  Preston  hoped  ihe  effect  of  his  colleague's  motion  would 
not  defeat  the  bill.  He  had  doubts  as  to  the  propriety  of  striking 
out  the  clause  in  question.  If  the  bill  was  laid  on  the  table,  he 
hoped  it  would  be  taken  up  at  an  early  day. 

After  a  few  additional  remarks  from  Mr.  Calhoun,  the  bill 
was  laid  on  the  table,  but  subsequently  taken  up  on  his  motion, 
when  the  proviso,  as  moved  by  Mr.  Frelin«huysen,  was  adopted, 
the  clause  imposing  an  additional  duty  of  two  cents  on  lead 
imported  in  pigs  and  bars  stricken  out,  and  the  bill  ordered  to  a 
third  reading. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Tyler,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  conside- 
ration of  executive  business,  and  after  remaining  sometime  en 
gaged  therein,  the  doors  were  opened,  when 

The  senate  took  up  the  bill  to  provide  for  the  satisfaction  of 
the  French  claims,  &c. 

Messrs.  Chambers  and  Webster  addressed  the  senate  in  sup- 
port of  the  bill,  and  Mr.  Forsyth'm  opposition  to  it.  When  Mr. 
Forsyth  had  concluded,  the  bill  was,  on  his  motion,  postponed 
until  Thursday  next. 

The  resolution  providing  for  the  distribution  of  the  returns  of 
the  last  census  was  taken  up  and  agreed  to;  and  then  the  se- 
nate adjourned. 

June  18.  The  chair  communicated  from  the  treasury  de- 
partment the  monthly  accounts  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 
and  of  the  state  banks  where  the  public  moneys  are  deposited. 

Mr.  Smith  presented  the  petition  of  736  electors  of  Tolland 
county,  Connecticut,  complaining  of  the  effect  of  the  executive 
measures  against  the  United  States  bank,  and  praying  the  res- 
toration of  the  deposites,  &c. 

The  petition  having  been  read,  &c. 

Mr.  McKetm  rose  and  said  it  had  been  stated  in  the  public 
prints,  that  he  had  said,  in  his  place,  as  a  senator,  that  a  majo- 
rity of  the  citizens  of  Pennsylvania  were  opposed  to  the  removal 
of  the  deposites.  He' averred  that  he  had  never  publicly  or 
privately  said  any  such  thing,  nor  should  he  now  presume  to 
give  an  opinion  one  way  or  the  other.  What  he  had  said  on  a 
former  occasion,  was — that  he  would  vote  to  restore  the  de- 
posites, not  because  his  own  mind  had  changed,  nor  because 
he  believed  the  restoration  would  afford  relief,  but  because  a 
very  large  majority  of  his  constituents,  who  had  expressed  an 
opinion  on  the  subject,  had  asked  for  the  restoration  as  a  mea- 
sure of  relief;  and  for  so  doing  he  had  been  denounced  as  a 
traitor.  Hut  how  stands  the  case?  A  statement  made  by  one 
of  the  under  secretaries,  from  the  senate  files,  showing  the  num- 
ber of  individuals  from  Pennsylvania  who  had  petitioned  that 
body  to  restore  the  deposites,  and  those  who  had  remonstratrd 
against  the  restoration, gave  this  result— 40  different  memorials, 
signed  by  38,700  freemen  of  Pennsylvania,  complained  of  dis- 
tress and  prayed  for  the  restoration,  while  there  were  but  six 
memorials  signed  by  only  571  individuals,  who  remonstrated 
against  the  restoration,  exhibiting  a  majority  of  38,123  in  favor 
of  restoring  il:«  dcponites. 


In  giving  his  vote  for  the  restoration  of  the  depogites,  he  had 
not  consulted  the  mere  will  of  the  executive.  He  was,  what  he 
professed  to  be,  the  sincere  friend  of  Andrew  Jackson,  though 
he  detested  many  of  the  reptiles  that  were  basking  in  the  beams 
of  his  effulgence,  and,  without  authority  presuming  to  act  and 
speak  in  his  name.  He  was  there  as  the  representative,  in 
part,  of  the  people  of  Pennsylvania,  and,  if  lit  understood  their 
interest  and  knew  their  will,  he  would  advocate  the  one  and 
obey  the  oilier,  please  or  displease  whom  it  might. 

.Let  the  question  be  tested  exclusively  on  party  ground,  and 
let  the  friends  of  general  Jackson  only  be  heard,  and  he  was 
certainly  within  bounds  when  he  said,  that  of  the  38,700  peti- 
tioners: at  least  8,000  of  them  were  general  Jackson's  sincere 
Iriends,  and  very  many  of  them  his  most  active  supporters, 
several  of  them  as  well  as  himself,  members  of  the  electoral 
college  in  1832,  and  gave  him  their  votes.  Then  we  have  8,000 
against  071,  fourteen  Jackson  men  in  favor,  to  one  Jackson  man 
opposed  to  the  restoration.  Let  the  question  be  considered  as 
you  please,  either  as  a  matter  of  expediency,  or  as  purely  a 
party  question,  his  vote  was  riglit. 

Mr.  Clay  followed  in  some  strong  remarks,  and  concluded  by 
presenting  two  memorials  from  Pennsylvania,  and  proceedings 
adopted  at  two  meetings  in  Kentucky. 

Mr.  Knight  presented  a  similar  memorial  from  400  inhabi- 
tants ol  Kent  county,  R.  Island.  The  above  memorials  were 
read,  &c. 

Mr.  Brown  presented  a  memorial  from  a  large  meeting  of  the 
citizens  of  North  Carolina  sustaining  the  executive  in  its  mea- 
sures against  the  bank,  which  was  referred,  &c. 

Mr.  Preston  reported  a  resolution  authorising  a  gold  medal  to 
be  struck,  with  suitable  emblems  and  devices,  and  presented  to 
col.  CrngUaii,  and  swords  to  each  of  the  following  officers, 
capt.  James  Hunter,  lieutenants  Benjamin  Johnson,  Cyrus  A. 
Burglt:r  and  John  Mceks,  and  ensigns  Edmund  Ross  and  Joseph 
Duncan,  in  testimony  of  the  high  sense  entertained  by  congress 
of  their  gallantry  and  good  conduct  in  defence  of  Fort  Stephen- 
ton,  [or  Fort  Sandusky.] 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  bill  making  appropriations  for 
the  support  of  the  government  for  the  year  1834,  was  taken  up. 

A  long  discussion  ensued  on  a  motion  by  Mr.  Preston  to  post- 
pone the  bill  until  Tuesday  .next,  in  which  Messrs.  Preston, 
Webster,  Forsyth.  Clay  and  Grundy  participated. 

Mr.  Preston  finally  withdrew  his  motion,  and  the  senate  pro- 
ceeded to  consider  the  amendments  reported  by  the  committee 
on  finance,  several  intervening  ones  being  agreed  to,  the  last 
amendment  was  arrived  at,  which  proposes  to  strike  out  the 
second  section,  including  Mr.  Fance's  limitation  with  respect 
to  custom  house  officers'  compensation,  and  substitute  a 
clause,  proposing  to  pay  to  the  collectors,  naval  officers,  sur- 
veyors, clerks,  weighers  and  markers  in  the  several  custom 
houses,  the  same  compensation  as  they  would  have  been  enti 
tied  to  if  the  act  of  1832  had  not  passed,  for  the  year  1833-4; 
provided  that  in  no  case  the  compensation  of  weighers,  gua- 
gers,  markers  or  appraisers,  by  salaries  or  fees,  shall  exceed 
^2,000  per  annum,  and  that  where  two  offices  combine  in  one 
person,  he  shall  not  receive  more  than  2,500  dollars. 

[The  amendment  of  which  this  is  an  abstract,  was  agreed  to 
next  day]. 

The  senate  adjourned. 

June  19.  After  the  reception  of  petitions,  the  senate  took  up 
the  bill  to  provide  for  the  indemnification  of  American  citizens 
for  French  spoliations,  which,  after  a  short  debate,  was  postpon- 
ed until  the  next  session  of  congress. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  was  occupied  in  the  details  of  the 
general  appropriation  bill  without  finally  acting  upon  it,  having 
however  adopted  all  the  amendments  reported  by  the  commit- 
tee on  finance,  and  some  others  moved  in  senate. 

The  senate  then  adjourned. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  June  13.  The  resolution  submitted  by  Mr.  J.  Q. 
Jldams,  making  certain  inquiries  concerning  the  state  depo- 
site  banks,  together  with  the  amendments  moved  thereto  by 
Messrs.  Polk  and  Beaty,  coming  up, 

Mr.  Beaty  withdrew  his  amendment.    After  which 

The  resolution  was  debated  by  Messrs.  Mums.  Polk  and 
Wayne,  until  the  expiration  of  the  morning  hour;  when 

The  bill  to  fix  the  northern  boundary  line  of  the  state  of  Ohio, 
was  taken  up,  the  question  being  on  Mr.  Vance's  motion  to  re- 
fer the  bill  to  a  select  committee  of  seven  members,  which  was 
agreed  to. 

The  joint  resolutions  from  the  senate  moved  in  that  body  by 
Mr.  Clay,  on  the  subject  of  the  removal  and  future  deposite  of 
the  public  moneys  coining  up  in  order. 

Mr.  Polk  moved  to  lay  the  first  resolution,  declarina  the  se- 
cretary of  the  treasury's  reasons  for  the  removal  "insufficient 
and  unsatisfactory"  on  the  table. 

Mr.  W/iittlesey,  under  the  impression  that  the  object  of  Mr. 
P.  was  to  proceed  with  the  appropriation  bills,  suggested  its 
being  simply  laid  aside  and  taken  up  in  turn. 

Mr.  Polk  persisted  in  his  motion. 

Mr.  Crockett  rose  and  asked  a  call  of  the  house.  He  proceed- 
ed to  say  that  his  colleauue  (Mr.  Polk)  had  been  dodging  round 
this  question  all  the  session,  and  now  he  asked  that  it  be  laid 
on  the  table.  I  had  a  hopo,  said  Mr.  C.  lhat  we  had  a  chance 
to  meet  the  question  fairly,  and  let  members  stand  up  to  the 
rack  and  say  to  their  constituents,  that  we  have  supported  the 
laws  and  constitution.  This  qu<!sti"Ti  is  to  test  that  fact,  and  I 


296 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  21,  1834— CONGRESS. 


hope  lo  meet  it  upon  its  merits,  and  say  to  the  country,  by  our 
votes,  whether  we  have  a  government  or  not.  Mr.  U.  was  call- 
ed to  order  so  repeatedly,  that  we  could  not  hear  distinctly 
what  he  said,  as  it  was  not  a  debateable  case.  Mr.  C.  conclud- 
ed by  asking  for  the  yeas  and  nays  on  the  call,  which  were  or- 
dered; and  the  roll  having  been  gone  through,  211  members  an- 
swered to  their  names,  and  excuses  having  been  made  forsome 
of  the  absent  members — 

Mr.  Crockett  moved  that  the  sergeant  at-arms  should  be  dis- 
patched to  bring  up  those  members,  for  whom  excuses  had  not 
been  made. 

Mr.  JInlhony,  however,  opposed  this  motion,  and  having 
moved  a  suspension  of  further  proceedings  on  the  call. 

Mr.  Heister  called  (or  the  yeas  and  nays,  which  having  been 
ordered, 

Mr.  Crockett  suggested  the  propriety  of  sending  messengers 
to  the  absentees,  whilst  the  yeas  and  nays  on  this  latter  motion 
were  being  taken. 

The  house  finally  suspended  further  proceedings  on  the  call: 
yeas  107,  nays  76. 

The  question  being  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Polk. 
Mr.  W.  R.  Davis  asked  whether  Mr.  P's  object  was  to  dis- 
pose of  the  subject  finally,  or  merely  lo  have  it  laid  on  the  table 
for  the  present? 

Mr.   Polk  declined  answering.    The  question  was  not  de- 
bateable; and  it  was  for  the  house  to  say  what  the  final. dispo- 
sition of  the  resolution  should  be. 
Mr.  Chilton  rose  to  propound  an  inquiry  to  Mr.  P. 
Mr.  Polk  objected,  and  rose  to  a  question  of  order,  whether 
it  was  in  order  to  propound  inquiries  on  a  question  not  debate- 
able? 

The  Speaker  decided  that  although  the  question  was  not  de- 
bateable, the  honorable  member  had  a  right  to  propound  an  in- 
quiry simply. 

Mr.  Chilton  having  made  a  few  remarks, — 
Mr.  Polk  rose  in  objection  and  made  a  point  of  order  thereon. 
Mr.  Denny  rose  not  to  propound  a  question  to  Mr.  P.  who  ap- 
peared so  sensitive,  but  to  ask  the  speaker  whether,  if  a  ma- 
jority should  now  decide  to  lay  the  subject  on  the  table,  it  was 
competent,  during  the  rest  of  the  session,  for  a  majority  to  take 
it  up  again? 

The  speaker  replied  in  the  affirmative — when 
The  question  on  laying  the  firs!  resolution  on  the  table  was 
taken  and  decided  in  the  affirmative:  yeas  114,  nays  101. 
So  the  said  resolution  was  laid  on  the  table. 
The  second  resolution,  providing  for  the  deposites  of  the  pub- 
lic moneys  to  be  made  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States  and  its 
branches,  after  the  first  day  of  July  next,  being  then  read, 
Mr.  Polk  moved  to  lay  it  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Chilton  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays,  which  were  ordered. 
The  question  to  lay  it  on  the  table  was  then  put  and  decided 
as  follows:  yeas  118,  nays  98. 

So  the  second  resolution  was  also  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 
The  bill  to  revive  the  act  granting  pre-emption  rights  to  set- 
tlers on  the  public  lands,  approved  May  30,  1S3D,  was  taken  up, 
and  after  considerable  debate,  passed,  yeas  124,  nays  53. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Polk  the  house  took  up  the  bill  making  ap- 
propriations for  the  payment  of  Indian  annuities,  and  other 
similar  objects. 

A  very  free  discussion  upon  the  merits  of  the  bill  ensued,  and 
after  adopting  sundry  other  amendments,  and  one  moved  by 
Mr.  Binney,  to  prevent  the  right  of  the  Senecas  to  a  certain 
sum  therein  named,  from  being  prejudiced,  the  bill  was  ordered 
to  be  engrossed  for  a  third  reading,  and  then  the  house  adjourned. 
Saturday,  June  14.  Mr.  Archer,  from  the  committe  on  foreign 
affairs,  reported  a  bill  to  carry  into  effect  the  convention  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  Spain;  which  bill  was  twice  read 
and  committed. 

The  bill  making  appropriations  for  Indian  annuities  was  read 
the  third  time,  passed  and  sent  to  the  senate. 

Mr.  McKim  asked  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  house  to 
submit  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  a  select  committee  be  appointed  to  inquire 
into  the  expediency  of  reporting  a  bill,  to  authorise  the  issuing 
of  fifteen  millions  of  dollars  in  treasury  notes,  bearing  an  inter- 
est of  five  per  cent,  per  year,  under  the  direction  of  a  board  of 
commissioners,  to  be  appointed  by  law  for  that  purpose,  to  be 
loaned  out  by  said  commissioners  to  such  individuals  of  the  se- 
veral states,  who  may  apply  for  a  loan,  as  can  give  full  and  sa- 
tisfactory security  for  the  reimbursement  of  the  same,  on  the 
let  day  of  July,  1836. 
Mr.  Williams  objecting, 

Mr.  McKim  moved  a  suspension  of  the  rule;  whereupon 
Mr.  William  withdrew  his  objection,  in  order  that  this  "ex- 
periment" might  have  a  trial  before  the  house. 

The  objections  were,  however,  renewed,  and  the  house  final- 
ly negatived  the  motion  10  suspend  the  rule,  so  as  to  allow  the 
resolution  ID  be  offered.  The  house  was  thin  and  about  equal- 
ly divided  upon  the  question. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Po/fc,the  house,  in  committee  of  the  whole, 
took  up  the  bill  making  appropriations  for  certain  fortifications 
for  1831;  which  with  several  other  appropriation  lulls,  were 
considered,  and  then  Inid  aside  for  the  present. 

The  house  in  committee  of  the  whole,  proceeded  to  the  con 
sideraiion  of  the  lull  making  appropriations  for  the  West  Point 
military  academy;  vvliicli  bill,  after  several  propositions  being 
made  and  rejected,  going  to  abolish  the  school  at  present,  or 
protectively,  arid  an  animated  debate,  was  laid  aside. 


The  bill  regulating  the  value  of  certain  foreign  gold  coins  with- 
in the  U.  States  was  then  taken  up  in  committee  of  the  whole, 
read  by  sections,  and  after  debate  laid  aside:  when 
The  above  mentioned  and  other  bills  were  reported  to  the 
ouse. 

The  bill  to  reappropriate  an  unexpended  balance  of  the  former 
appropriation  for  the  payment  of  the  Georgia  militia  claims  for 
the  year  1793,  1793  and  1794,  was  read  a  third  time  and  passed. 
The  house  adjourned. 

Monday,  June  16.  The  house  proceeded  to  the  consideration 
of  the  memorial  of  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  praying  for  the  res- 
toration of  the  deposites  and  the  recharter  of  the  United  States 
bank;  when 

Mr.  McCarty  addressed  the  house  at  length  thereon,  avowing 
:hat  although  he  had  been  hitherto  opposed  to  the  bank  of  the 
United  Slates  as  at  present  chartered,  yet  considering  this  me- 
morial as  an  expression  of  opinion  on  the  part  of  his  constituents 
as  to  the  necessity  of  such  an  institution,  which  he  was  bound 
to  receive  as  instructions  from  them,  he  would  supporl  a  propo- 
sition for  Ihe  chartering  of  a  national  bank,  with  proper  restric- 
tions, &c. 

A  warm  and  somewhat  personal  debate  ensued  between 
Messrs.  Wardwell  and  Selden,  of  New  York,  the  former  having 
seized  this  occasion  to  prefer  charges  against  the  latter  of  im- 
properly using  the  franking  privilege  in  his  district,  which 
charge  was  indignantly  repelled  by  Mr.  Selden  as  untrue  through- 
out. The  debate  was  finally  arrested  by  Mr.  CrenncM,on  whose 
motion  the  memorial  was  laid  011  the  table  and  ordered  to  b* 
irin  ted. 

The  memorial  from  Ihe  inhabitants  of  Franklin  county,  Mass, 
of  a  similar  character,  was  then  taken  up,  read,  referred,  fcc. 

The  resolutions  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  Rhode  1s- 
and  presented  on  a  former  occasion,  remonstrating  against  the 
removal  of  the  deposites,  &c.  was  taken  up,  when 

Mr.  Surges  addressed  the  house  in  their  favor,  and  in  con- 
demnation of  the  various  course  of  the  administration. 

Mr.  Pearce  obtained  the  floor,  in  reply;  but  the  hour  having 
ixpired,  gave  way. 

The  house  then  too  up  the  Cumberland  road  bill. 
Mr.  Polk  moved  to  reduce  the  appropriation  from  652,120  dol- 
ars  to  300,000  dollars. 

Messrs.  Stewart  and  McKennan  opposed  the  reduction.  Se- 
veral other  gentlemen  engaged  in  the  debate,  which  conlinued 
until  a  late  hour,  when  Mr.  Folk's  motion  was  rejected. 

[On  the  next  day  Mr.  Folk's  motion  was  reconsidered  and 
agreed  to.  Several  other  amendments  were  proposed,  and  de- 
bated, the  whole  of  which  were  cut  off  by 

Mr.  McKim,  who  moved  the  previous  question,  which  was 
seconded,  ayes  102 — 

The  previous  question  having  been  accordingly  put  and  car- 
ried— The  main  question,  which  was  on  ordering  the  bitt,  as 
amended,  to  its  third  reading,  was  decided,  by  yeas  and  nays, 
as  follows:  yeas  127,  nays  72,  and  the  bill  was  then  read  a  third 
time,  passed  and  sent  to  the  senate,  &c.J 
The  house  adjourned. 

Tuesday,  June  17.  Mr.  Ellsivorth  reported  a  bill  authorising 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  grant  a  certain  right  of  way  in 
the  city  of  New  York — twice  read  and  ordered  to  a  third  read- 
ing. 

After  unsuccessful  attempts  to  make  the  bill  graduating  lite 
price  of  public  lands;  and  the  bill  relating  to  the  trade  with  the 
West  Indies,  the  special  orders  for  certain  days, 

Mr.  Jones,  of  Geo.  asked  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  house 
to  offer  a  resolution  regulating  and  restricting  contracts  for  car- 
rying the  mail,  and  abolishing  extra  allowances  for  any  such 
service. 

Mr.  Conner  inlimated  that  there  was  a  bill  covering  tike  whole 
ground  reported  in  the  senate,  when  the  bouse  refused  to  consi- 
der the  resolution. 

Mr.  H'atmoush,  made  an  ineffectual  attempt  to  introduce  a 
resolution  inquiring  into  the  late  unfortunate  affair  at  Toulon, 
with  a  view  of  making  provision  for  the  families  of  those  who 
were  killed  on  board  the  French  ship  of  war,  by  the  shot  firt«l 
from  the  frigate  United  States. 
The  house  adjourned. 

Wednesday,  June  18.  Mr.  Whittletey  reported  a  bill  amrnda- 
tory  of  the  act  for  the  relief  of  the  owners  of  vessels  sunk  for  the 
defence  of  Baltimore — twice  read  and  postponed  till  Friday 

The  amendments  of  the  senate  to  the  bill  regulating  the  va- 
lue of  foreign  silver  coin  were  read  and  concurred  in. 

The  bill  authorising  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to«rnnt  a 
certain  right  of  way  in  the  city  of  New  York,  was  read  a  third 
time  and  passed. 

The  residue  of  the  day  was  occupied  in  the  discussion  of  the 
details  of  the  bill  making  appropriations  for  harbors,  removin» 
obstructions  from  rivers,  &c. 

The  house,  at  7  o'clock,  adjourned. 

Thursday,  June  19.  The  bills  reported  by  the  committee  on 
Indian  affairs  are  to  be  considered  on  Wednesday  next. 

Mr.  Polk  gave  notice  that  he  should  move  to-morrow  to  take 
up  the  bill  regulating  the  dcposite  of  the  public  money  in  the 
local  banks. 

A  message  on  the  subject  of  the  occurrence  at  Toulon  was 
received  from  the  president— see  page  293. 

The  harbor  bill,  after  n  protracted  discussion,  vc&s  finally  dis- 
posed of  by  being  laid  on  the  table:  and  then  the  house  adjourned. 


NIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SKBIBS.  No.  18— Vol.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  JUNE  28,  1834.    [Vot.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,188. 


THE  PAST— -^THE  PRESENT FOB  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,  PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  H.  NILES,  AT  $5  PER  ANNUM,  PAYABLE  IN  ADVANCE. 


We  have  collected  and  collated  a  variety  of  articles  in  ' 
relation  to  the  decease  of  LAFAYETTE,  and  the  honors  con- 
ferred on,  or  about  to  be  paid  to,  his  memory,  at  many 
places  in  the  United  States — but  have  thought  it  best  to 
•withhold  them,  at  present,  and  until  we  have  further  ad- 
vices from  France,  except  the  proceedings  had  in  con- 
gress, which  will  be  found  in  their  proper  places.  The 
president  has  issued  his  orders  to  the  army  and  navy  to 
honor  the  memory  of  the  last  of  the  generals  of  the  re- 
volution— which  we  thought  was  in  type  until  just  about 
to  prepare  this  sheet  for  the  press,  and  so  it  must  be 
postponed. 

The  hall  of  representatives  and  the  senate  chamber  are 
both  clothed  in  mourning,  in  conformity  with  the  resolu- 
tions unanimously  adopted  by  congress  in  consequence  of 
the  death  of  general  LAFAYETTE. 

We  think  it  is  very  appropriate,  that  the  senate  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  thirteen,  and  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives a  committee  of  twenty-four,  to  consider  and 
report  what  token  of  affection  ought  to  be  paid  to  the 
memory  of  LAFAYETTE.  The  first  has  reference  to  the 
old  thirteen  states,  the  second  to  the  present  twenty-four, 
and  so  links  two  period  of  time  together.  See  the  pro- 
ceeding of  congress. 

On  Monday  last,  the  president  sent  to  the  senate  the 
nominations  of  Roger  B.  Taney,  as  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  and  of  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  as  attorney  gene- 
ral. The  first  was  rejected — 28  to  18,  and  the  latter  con- 
firmed, on  the  following  day.  These  results,  we  believe, 
were  universally  expected.  The  senate  had  already  pro- 
nounced its  judgment  on  Mr.  Taney,  in  declaring  that 
his  reasons  assigned  for  the  removal  of  the  deposites  were 
insufficient,  &c. 

On  the  same  day,  the  nomination  ot  Andrew  Steven- 
son, as  minister  to  England,  was  rt.jected,  23  to  22. 

The  injunction  of  secrecy  on  these  proceedings  having 
been  removed,  an  account  of  them  will  be  found  in  a  sub- 
sequent page. 

It  is  rumored  that  Mr.  Forsyth  is  to  be  secretary  of 
state,  Mr.  Polk  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  Mr.  Ben- 
ton  secretary  of  war. 

Among  the  interesting  articles  contained  in  the  present 
sheet,  is  an  extract  from  the  executive  proceedings  of  the 
senate  on  the  nomination  of  Mr.  Stevenson. 

We  think  that  this  case,  "take  it  all  in  all,"  involves 
the  consideration  of  important  principles — and  there- 
fore have  added  a  review  of  it  from  the  "National  Intel- 
ligencer," with  an  intention  also  to  insert  an  argumsni 
on  the  other  side,  should  one  be  presented — as  no  doubt 
it  soon  will  be  in  the  "Richmond  Enquirer,"  if  the  senior 
editor  of  that  paper  has  gained  sufficient  strength  to  pre- 
pare it. 

We  do  not  believe  that  "corruption  must  [necessa 
rily]  become  the  order  of  the  day,"  if  members  of  con 
gress  are  appointed  to  office — nor  think  it  right  that  the 
acceptance  of  a  place  in  the  national  legislature  shoul 
either  disqualify  a  person  from  an  appointment,  or  pre 
vent  the  president  and  senate  from  the  selection  and  con 
firmation  of  individuals  supposed  well  fitted  for  othe 
public  employments;  but,  as  with  Mr.  Ritchie,  and  othe 
of  the  old  republican  editors,  we  found  fault  with  th 
too  numerous  selections  made  by  president  Monroe,  w 
must  stand  opposed  to  the  much  more  numerous  no 
minations  of  president  Jackson — the  latter  having  pre 
ferred  more  (or  about  as  many)  of  these,  in  less  than  fi\ 
years  and  a  half,  than  all  his  predecessors  had  done  5 

forty  years. 

And  besides,  Mr.  Stevenson's  case  is  a  peculiar  one 

With  Mr.  Livingston's  letter  of  the  15th  March,  183,' 

in  his  pocket,  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  a  a  r 
VOL.  XLVI    Sic.  21. 


•esentative  of  the  people,  in  Jlpril,  1833.*  Does  any 
ne  believe  that  the  voters  of  his  district  would  have 

ected  him,  had  this  fact  been  made  known  to  them? 

ut  the  closeness  with  which  the  secret  was  kept,  does 
ot  affect  the  principle  on  which  they  would  have  rc-ject- 
d  him.  It  was  a  carrying  out  of  this  principle  that 
aused  his  rejection  by  the  senate— for  the  vole  on  his 
omination  shews  that  it  was  not  a  party  one.  Had  it 
een  so,  the  majority  against  him  would  have  been  nine, 
istead  of  one  only.  And  we  have  good  reasons  to  he- 
eve,  but  for  that  letter  his  nomination  would  have  been 
onfirmed,  perhaps,  by  a  handsome  majority — though 
everal  things  had  happened  to  render  Mr.  S.  unpopular 

ith  the  senate,  whose  right  to  reject  is  just  the  same  as 
lat  of  the  president  to  nominate,  and  equally  rests  upon 
le  constitution.  The  good  opinion  of  the  president 

hich  induces  him  to  nominate,  not  being  entertained 
y  the  senate,  may  as  well  induce  them  to  reject.  The 

lie  of  action  in  both  cases  is  the  same. 

The  Globe  says — "Mr.  Taney,  whose  nomination  was 
•jected  on  Tuesday  by  the  senate,  but  whose  commission 
xtended,  notwithstanding,  to  the  end  of  the  session,  re- 
gned  his  office  on  \Vednesday.  Mr.  McClintock 
roung,  the  chief  clerk  in  the  department,  has  been  ap- 
ointed  acting  secretary  ad  interim. 

The  house  of  representatives  has  passed  a  hill  regulat- 
g  deposites  of  public  money  in  local  banks.  Of  this 
ill  the  official  "Globe"  delicately  says — "Its  fate  in  the 
enate  may  be  argued  from  the  circumstance  that  a  ma- 
ority  in  that  body  are  the  SUBJECTS  of  the  bank  of  the 
Jnited  States. "  The  house  of  representatives  has  hard- 
y  escaped  a  like  condemnation,  and,  perhaps,  at  die  next 
ession,  will  receive  it. 

The  chairman  of  the  senate's  committee  on  the  public 
tilth  will  continue  his  investigations  of  the  subject  dur- 
ng  the  recess  of  congress.  The  deposition  of  Edmund 
to  we  has  been  published,  and  shall  be  copied  by  us, 
with  such  other  parts  of  the  report  already  made  as  may 
ppear  necessary. 

The  senate  has  directed  that  their  committee  on  the 
tost  office  shall  continue  the  investigation  of  the  concerns 
»f  that  department  during  the  recess.  The  house  di- 
rected the  appointment  of  a  committee  for  that  pur- 
iose,  on  Thursday  last,  on  which  the  "National  Intelli- 
gencer" says— 

As  no  debate  preceded  or  nccompanied  this  motion,  we  are 
somewhat  at  a  loss  how  to  take  it.  If  this  committee  be  in- 
ended  to  follow  up  the  good  work  in  which  the  senate  has 
>een  the  pioneer,  it  will  be  well.  If  the  committee  is  intended 
for  any  oilier  purpose,  it  is  very  certain  that  it  will  not  answer 
that  purpose.  Nothing  but  full  inquiry  and  development  of  the 
abuses,  now  admitted  to  exist,  can  satisfy  the  country. 

Mr.  McDuJfic,  who  went  home  on  account  of  ill 
health,  has  returned,  and  is  again  attending  the  house  of 
which  he  is  a  member;  and  two  or  three  other  gentle- 
men who  were  sick,  have  recovered,  or  are  convalescent. 

In  the  evening  session  of  the  house  of  representatives, 
on  Thursday,  all  the  amendments  to  the  general  appro- 
priation bill,  which  has  been  so  long  depending,  were 
disposed  of  satisfactorily  to  the  two  houses;  and  that  bill 
now  wants  only  the  signature  of  the  president  to  become 
a  law. 

In  a  subsequent  page  we  insert  the  yeas  and  nays  on 
the  Kentucky  contested  election,  and  on  the  resolution 


*  If  we  are  not  much  mistaken,  it  was  charged  against  Mr. 
Stevenson  that  he  had  a  promise  of  this  appointment,  in  April, 
^834— but  stoutly  denied  on  the  part  of  his  friends.  If  so— we 
shall  soon  have  the  facts. 


293 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


from  (he  senate  declaring  the  reasons  of  ihe  secretary 
the  treasury,  for  the  removal  of  the  deposites,  unsat 
factory  and  insufficient.     For  laying  the  latter  on  the  t; 
ble  there  were  114  yeas,  101  nays-— deficient  26  votes,  : 
which  are  included   the  speaker,  and   five  vacancies.     < 
the  20  actually  deficient  votes,  seven  were  from  Virgin! 
three  from  Pennsylvania,  &e.     See  page  307. 


(ipslnre,   in  the   \ 

Hell,  whose  period  of  service  will  expire  on  the  3d  o 
March  next.  The  votes  were,  for  Mr.  Hubbard  127 
Icabod  BartlettSO,  Jonathan  Harvey  and  scattering  27— 
and  17  members  were  absent  or. did  not  vote. 

The  nomination  of  Thomas  Flood,  to  be  re-appointe 
register  of  the  land  office  at  Zanesville,  in  Ohio,  (whic 
office  he  had  held  for  a  term  ending  in  March  last),  ha 
been  rejected. 

A  correspondent  of  the  New  York  American,  ande 
date  Washington,  July  16,  said— 

In  the  course  of  the  past  week,  Mr.  Polk  astonished  til 
house,  by  reporting  that  the  committee  of  ways  anil  means,  ( 
which  lie  anil  Mr.  Cambreleng  have,  it  is  well  known,  cnmplet 
control,  recommended  the  rejection  of  a  bill  passed  by  the  se 
nate,  for  the  relief  of  the  Koman  Catholic  church  in  St.  Louis 
The  circiimsrance  has  created  much  sensation  here.  The  in 
habitants  of  that  city,  it  would  appear,  have  received  a  pro 
sent  of  a  set  of  bells,  from  France,  of  the  estimated  value  o 
six  or  seven  thousand  francs,  [say  $1,500]  the  duty  on  whic' 
was  claimed,  and  a  sum  of  $6J8  deposited  at  New  Orleans  will 
the  collector,  to  wait  the  result  of  an  application  to  congres 
to  permit  this  importation  free,  which,  under  such  circum 
stances,  was  usual.  Mr.  Verplanck  always  acted  on  the  principl 
that  all  ornamental  or  useful  articles  of  any  kind,  designed  fo 
PUBLIC  EDIFICES  of  any  kind,  presented  to  them,  as  free  gifts 
were,  for  so  much,  a  public  benefit,  and  as  such,  ought  to  be 
admitted  free  of  the  duty  on  importation. 

We  always  thought  such  things  were.admitted  free  o 
duty,  as  a  matter  of  course,  by  congress,  like  eases  hav- 
ing frequently  occurred . 

We  are  often  amused  at  some  of  the  "hits"  made  in 
congress.  The  two  following  are  of  recent  occurrence — 
In  the  house  of  representatives,  when  considering  an 
appropriation  bill- 
Mr.  Schley,  of  Georgia,  moved  to  strike  from  the  bill  making 
appropriations  for  public  buildings,  a  clause  appropriating 
$6,000  for  additional  furniture  for  the  East  Room  (unfortunate 
apartment)!  ol  the  president's  house — but  as  he  ascertained  thai 
the  articlet  had  been  furnithed,  he  withdrew  the  motion.  Mr. 
JEurin:,  of  Indiana,  expressed  some  surprise  that  no  application 
had  been  made  for  new  furniture  for  the  Kitchen.  He  thoughl 
it  needed  it,  arid  would  be  willing  to  make  au  appropriation  for 
that  purpose. 

In  the  senate,  when  discussing  an  item  concerning  a 
documentary  history  of  the  United  States,  to  be  publish- 
ed by  Peter  Force  and  M.  St.  Clair  Clarke,  Mr.  Cham- 
bers— 

In  reference  to  something  which  had  fallen  from  Mr.  Hill, 
on  the  subject  of  rewarding  printers,  &c.  said  he  would  tell 
a  story.  He  was  once  travelling  over  the  Allegbany  moun- 
tains, when  he  stopped  at  a  hut,  kept  by  a  respectable  old  gen- 
tleman who  entertained  men  and  horses.  Conversing  with  the 
old  gentleman  on  the  subject  of  rattlesnakes  which  abounded 
there,  he  (Mr.  C.)  made  some  inquiries,  and  gained  some  infor- 
mation as  to  their  natural  history.  "I  don't  know  how  they 
live,"  said  the  old  man,  "but  I  know  how  they  die.  There  is 
an  old  stump  a  little  from  the  hut,  where  an  old  rattlesnake 
lived  for  a  great  many  years,  and  died  at  last  from  the  poison 
of  his  own  venom." 
In  reply  to  which — 

Mr.  Hill  said,  that  the  senator  from  Maryland  had  told  a 
•  lory  about  a  rattlesnake,  but  he  had  not  told  the  whole.  The 
attention  of  the  old  man  was  called  to  the  slump  by  the  cack- 
ling of  an  old  goose.  He  had  not  before  understood  the  value 
of  a  cackling  goose. 

Mr.  Chamber!.  I  am  likely  to  understand  its  value.,  a;  I  have 
just  heard  it. 

In  one  of  the  transient  debates  in  the  senate  concerning 
the  affairs  of  the  post  office—- 
Mr. Qrtmdy  asserted  his  opinion  that  the  president  \v.-\--  not 
cognizant  originally,  but  he  pledged  hiniselfilmt  he  would  take 
measures  to  satisfy  himself  fully  on  that  tread, 'and  the  •mate 

too,  In  the  course  of  the  next  week!     Mr.  Clay  said  lie  u Id 

have  been  much  better  pleased  if  the  hon.  senator  [Mr.  CViim/i/] 
had,  Instead  of  giving  his  opinion  on  this  subject,  come  for- 
ward ui  he  might  have  done  if  it  wa«  the  fact— and  been  au- 


thorised— and  contradicted  the  statement  that  he  had  known  of 
all  this  illegal  conduct.  Mr.  Grumly  took  occasion  to  say,  that 
liis  opinion  was  not  formed  upon  any  conversation  with  the 
president,  but  was  entirely  from  a  different  .-ource.  "From 
which  ol  the  cabinets,  may  I  ask,"  said  Mr.  Clay.  The  sena- 
tor from  Tennessee,  with  that  tact  for  which  he  is  distinguish- 
ed, parried  olf  this  interrogatory  with  tlie  jocular  retort,  "once 
for  all  I  tell  you,  I  know  nothing  of  the  persons  composing  tlie 
one  tin;  s<  naior  alludes  to,  and  1  had  it  not  from  tlie  other;  and 
1  do  not  desire  it  either;  but  from  (lie  frequent  allusion  ol  the 
seiiittoi  from  Kentucky  himself  to  it,  1  suppose  he  must  be  fa- 
miliar with  them. 

[We  have  heard  it  broadly  stated  that  the  president 
was  not  "cognizant"  of  the  report  made  to  tlie  senate 
concerning  the  post  office,  until  the  present  week.] 

A  Washington  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Evening 
Post,  tlms  writes  of  a  speech  of  Mr.  Sutherland: 

"Mr.  Binney  quailed  under  this  reply,  and  remained  in  his 
seat,  unable  to  answer." 

The  preceding  is  recorded  as  one  of  the  curiosities  of 
the  times. 

The  rapid  oblivion  into  which  the  "politics  of  the 
day"  generally  pass,  unless  registered  in  some  work  of 
easy  reference,  is  shown  from  the  occurrence  of  an  inci- 
dent that  we  are  about  to  state.  A  few  da\  s  ago,  a  much 
valued  friend  in  congress,  applied  to  us  for  a  copv  of  the 
mfamous  "East  Room  letter,"  •which  originally  appear- 
ed in  the  "Richmond  Enquirer,"  dated  at  Washington, 
Jan.  1,  1827,  and  addressed  to  the  editors  of  that  paper — 
which  they  said,  (on  the  27th  April),  was  sent  to  them 
by  "one  of  the  most  intelligent  and  distinguished  mem- 
bers of  congress!"  Always  wishing  to  answer  such  re- 
quests, we  referred  to  our  own  work,  and  soon  found,  in 
the  37th  vol.  page  116,  an  extract  from  that  letter,  and 
which,  perhaps,  contains  all  that  was  said  about  the 
"East  Room" — but,  desirous  of  sending  the  letter  entire, 
we  caused  a  search  to  be  made  for  it,  and  some  hours 
were  expended  in  vain;  and,  though  we  have  since  over- 
tmilcd  a  full  bushel  of  cuttings  from  newspapers,  to  as- 
sort them  and  reduce  them  into  classes,  we  have  not 
"ound  it. 

In  noting  this  incident,  we  have  been  led  to  suggest, 
that  some  one  should  publish  an  entire  copy  of  that  let- 
ter, and  add  thereto,  from  the  official  statements,  the 
rue  amount  of  moneys  expended  on  or  in  or  about  the 
^resident's  house,  in  the  four  years  of  the  )ast  adminis- 
ration,  and  since,  giving  all  the  particulars — for  the  use 
of  some  of  the  "retrenchment"  members  of  congress,  at 
he  next  session,  and  especially  the  "distinguished" 
.vriter  of  the  letter. 

"The  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  Mercury  completed  its 
eventy-sixth  year  on  Saturday,  the  14th."  It  was  origi- 
lally  started  on  June  12,  1758,  by  James,  the  elder  bro- 
her  of  Dr.  Franklin.  The  latter  was  a  constant  contri- 
utorto  its  columns." 

This  must  be  among  the  oldest,  probably  tJie  oldest 
till  existing  newspaper  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  Tlit- 
hie,  of  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  is,  perhaps,  the  oldest 
ditor  (though  not  the  oldest  man),  who  is  now  in  the 
>erformance  of  a  continued  line  of  editorial  duty.  Messrs. 
Hales  &  Seaton,  of  the  "National  Intelligencer,"  are 
Iso  old  editors  of  the  same  class,  and  much  our  seniors. 
Ve  have  nearly  reached  the  end  of  the  23d  year  of  the 
iiiblication  of  the  Register,  commenced  by  us  in  1811, 
nd  have  some  desire,  if  such  he  the  will  of  Providence, 
nat  "we  may  conclude,  as  its  editor,  the  25th  year,  or  50th 
olume  of  this  work. 

Speaking  of  editors  and  papers,  we  are  reminded  of  a 
isit  that  we  lately  paid  to  the  printing  establishment  of 
Icssrs.  dales  &  Seaton.  After  the  capitol  and  presi- 
eut's  house,  it  is  the  most  interesting  object  in  Wash- 
igton.  There  is  nothing  to  compare  with  it  in  Ameri- 
i — and  few  more,  extensive  and  efficient  in  Europe.  The 
hole  number  of  persons  employed  in  this  establishment 
as  165 — including  the  bindery  and  folding  departments, 
f  whom  about  35  are  females,  who  are  found  very  ex- 
ert and  faithful  in  handling  the  paper  for  the  power- 
resses,  of  which  we  think  (here  are  eight — viz:  four 
cum  presses,  with  a  perpendicular  pressure,  which  per- 
orm  beautiful  work,  at  the  rate  of  about  50<>  sheets  each, 
er  hour;  three  cylinder  presses,  whose  operations  are 
ucli  more  rapid,  driven  also  by  the  staitn  engine,  and 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834—  MISCELLANEOUS. 


209 


one  cylinder  press  worked  \>y  man-power,  in  the  turning 
a  large  wheel.  The  latter  is  used  for  the  "National  In- 
telligencer." There  are  besides  a  large  number  of  the 
usual  hand-presses,  a  few  of  which  are  employed  on 
small  jobs,  or,  when  there  is  more  work  than  the  powc-r- 
presses,  running  even  clay  and  night,  can  perform,  in  any 
desired  space  of  lime;  and  the  cylinder  presses,  too,  it 
may  be  observed,  proceeding  at  the  rate  of  about  2,000 
sheets  an  hour,  instead  of  printing  8  octavo  pages  at 
once,  print  10 — the  paper  used  being  made,  and  the  types 
prepared,  for  that  purpose.  But  we  are  not  sufficiently 
acquainted  with  the  statistics  of  this  splendid  and  well 
managed  establishment  to  go  into  details — all  the  opera- 
tions in  which  are  performed  with  a  clock-work-like  re- 
gularity, and  without  bustle  or  the  appearance  of  hurry; 
and  there  was  a  cheerfulness  and  attention  and  tidiness, 
too,  in  the  whole,  which  delighted  us.  But  we  hope 
that,  soon  after  the  rising  of  congress,  our  friends  may 
be  induced  to  give  a  particular  account  of  the  capacity 
and  doings  of  their  printing  house,  to  gratify  a  laudable 
public  curiosity,  ami  add  an  interesting  item  to  the  state 
of  the  press  in  our  country. 

It  is  not,  certainly,  either  proper  or  convenient,  at  all 
times,  to  pass  visiters  through  this  great  establishment—- 
which, if  ordinary  means  were  used,  performs  the  labor 
of,  perhaps,  three  hundred  persons — and,  besides,  the 
old  laws  of  the  "chapel,"  as  printing  offices  were  called, 
are  against  such  proceedings!— but  we  believe  that 
Messrs.  Gales  &  Seaton,  when  at  leisure  to  wait  upon 
visiters,  generally  feel  much  pleasure  in  receiving  their 
friends  and  acquaintances,  and  in  explaining  to  them  the 
mysteries  of  "the  art  preservative  of  all  arts,"  if  mindful 
of  FltANKLlJi's  warning — 

"All  you  who  come  this  curious  art  to  sec, 

"To  handle  any  thing  must  cautious  be; 

"Lo,  this  advice  we  give  to  every  stranger — 

"Look  on  uith  welcome— but  to  touch  there''!  danger." 

Some  excitement  has  been  caused  in  New  York,  by 
certain  projects  entertained  in  the  city  concerning  the 
notes  of  the  banks  in  the  interior,  that  they  might  be  re- 
ceived and  deposited  at  their  par  value;  or,  in  oilier 
words,  be  changed  from  merchandise  into  money,  with- 
out the  intervention  of  brokers.  These  projects  are  op- 
posed by  many,  if  not  most,  of  the  interior  banks,  on  the 
ground  that  they  would  reduce  the  circulation  of  their 
notes,  on  which  a  considerable  part  of  their  profits  is 
earned. 

What  may  be  expedient  at  the  present  moment,  and 
under  existing  circumstances,  it  is  difficult  to  determine; 
but  we  have  no  hesitation  in  believing  that  the  stand  taken 
on  the  part  of  the  interior  state  banks,  is  not  tenable  on 
general  principles — for  the  notes  of  like  state  banks,  with 
solitary  exceptions,  until  very  recently,  were  money  in  Bos- 
ton, Baltimore,  Richmond  and  Charleston,  respectively 
—and  partially  so  at  New  York  and  Philadelphia;  and  it 
lias  never  appeared  to  us  that  those  state  banks  which 
kept  up  the  par  value  of  their  notes  at  the  chief  seats  of 
the  commerce  of  their  neighborhoods,  were  less  profita- 
ble lo  their  stockholders  than  others;  and,  as  those  who 
pursued  that  policy  less  frequently  failed  or  became  em- 
barrassed than  others,  the  fniblic  confidence  gained  ope- 
rated powerfully  in  their  favor. 

We  shall  offer  two  examples — <md  many  more  almost 
equally  striking  might  be  adduced,  but  these  will  be  suf- 
ficient for  demonstrating  the  true  principles  of  a  paper 
currency.  The  old  bank  of  Delaware,  at  Wilmington, 
and  the  bank  of  Chester  county,  at  West  Chester,  Pa. 
are,  probably,  the  richest  and  strongest  banks  in  the  U. 
States,  regard  being  had  to  their  capitals,  and  their  an- 
nual dividends  and  surplus  .profit*,  have  seldom,  if  ever, 
been  rivalled— never  excelled,  for  a  period  of  years. 
Philadelphia  is  the  centre  of  the  commerce  of  Delaware 
and  of  Chester  county,  and  the  banks  named  (except  dur- 
ing the  suspension  of  specie  payments  during  the  war), 
ha  veal  ways  kept  their  notes  at  par  in  Philadelphia,  where 
they  are  received  with  the  same  freedom,  in  all  matters 
of  business,  as  the  issues  of  the  banks  of  that  city.  The 
consequence  is,  that  all  persons,  and  in  all  places,  who 
have  dealings  in  Philadelphia,  as  confidently  receive  and 
hold  the  notes  of  these  banks  as  those  of  the  bank  of 
North  America,  or  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 
either  of  which  latter  may  be  easily  obtained  for  the  for- 


mer, if  desired  for  other  or  more  distant  operations. 
Hence  the  opinion  entertained,  and  acted  on,  seems  well 
founded — that  keeping  the  notes  of  these  banks  at  par  in 
Philadelphia  increases  the  circulation  of  them. 

Boston  may  be  regarded  as  the  centre  of  the  commerce 
of  New  England,  though  Connecticut,  Rhode  Island  and 
Vermont  have  large  and  intimate  connections  with  New 
York.  But  at  Boston  the  notes  of  all  the  banks  of  New 
England,  solitary  cases  excopled,  are  at  par,  and  so  have 
been  for  several  years;  and  we  have  never  heard  that  the 
country  banks,  as  they  are  generally  called,  suffered  on 
account  of  it. 

The  New  York  "Journal  of  Commerce"  has  an  essay 
on  this  subject,  with  an  extract  from  which  we  shall  con- 
clude this  article: 

''The  proposed  arrangement  ought  not  to  he  considered  »«  a 
demand  upon  the  country  hanks.  The  system  as  it  operates  in  ^ 
Boston  is  mutual,  perfectly  so.  The  country  and  city  bunks 
are  all  participants  in  it  upon  the  same  principles  exactly. 
There  is  no  danger  that  lliu  circulation  of  the  country  banks 
"ill  in  the  aggregate  he  greatly  diminished.  Those  which  con- 
centrate in  Boston,  have  quite  as  much  circulation  as  is  heal- 
thy. Their  condition  by  the  last  returns  respectively  was  aa 
follows^ 
Hanks. 
In  Maine 


Capital.          Loans.          Specie.    Circulation. 
8,727,000    $4,157,576    $108,403    §1,303,671 


In  N.  Hampshire    2,271,308     "3,390,826 

In  Boston  16,401,250)  i 

In  Mass,  out  of     , ,  „„-  nnn  \  45,261,003  - 

Boston  11,835,000.$  ( 

In  R.  Island  7,438,848 

In  Connecticut       5,708,015 


1 ,238,643 


c/fTClQ 

647,618 
274,601 

403,696 


5,005,493 

1,264,394 
2,557,227 


9,191,846 

7,480,275 

By  this  statement  it  appears,  that  the  banks  in  Maine,  New 
Hampshire,  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  out  of  Boston,  have 
a  circulation  of  about  half  the  amount  of  their  capitals  respec- 
tively, while  the  circulation  of  the  Boston  hanks  is  only  equal 
to  one-sixth  of  their  capital.  The  proportion  of  circulation  lo 
specie,  is  in  Maine  as  12  to  1,  and  in  Massachusetts,  out  of  Bos- 
ton, as  18  to  1,  while  in  Boston  it  is  but  as  4  to  1.  The  propor- 
tions in  Rhode  Island  do  not  appear  to  correspond  with  those 
any  where  else." 


Banks. 
Phffinix  bank 
Lafayette  do. 
Commercial  do. 
Albany  city  do. 
Orleans  Co.  do. 


Where. 

New  York 

do. 

do. 

Albany 
Albion 


Slock  offered.  dm'tofbids. 

$1.000.000  $3,146,925 

'500;000  1,849,000 

500,000  1,296,150 

500,000  1,1-12,900 

200,000  680,200 


Total  $2,700,000  $8,115,175 

Or  in  other  words,  taking  the  five  banks  in  the  acsregate,  three 
limes  the  amount  of  stock  was  bid  for,  which  there  was  to  be 
sold.  Phoenix  bank  stock,  for  which  $106  per  cent,  was  paid, 
is  now  selling  at  $111.  Commercial  bank,  $103  for  $100  paid. 
Stocks  of  the  other  banks  have  not  yet  been  in  the  market. 

These  great  subscriptions  would  shew  a  superabun- 
dance of  money — but  the  amount  taken  by  individuals, 
on  which  an  instalment  only  is  paid,  is  larger  than  they 
expected  to  have  assigned  them,  and  variously  increased 
that,  in  the  division  of  the  stock,  they  might  obtain  some 
certain  desired  number  of  shares. 

The  U.  S.  Telegraph  of  the  20th  instant,  says — 

The  secretary  of  tiie  senate,  in  compliance  with  a  resolution 
of  the  9th  instant,  present  statements  made  up  to  the  18th  inst. 
showing  the.  aggregate  numbers  of  all  who  have  presented  pe- 
titions, memorials,  &c.  for  or  against  the  executive  measure  of 
removing  the  public  deposiles.  We  give  the  result  of  inqury:— 
For  resioration  of  the  deposites  to  the  bank  of  the  United 

States  48,020 

For  restoration  of  the  depositesand  recharter  of  the  bank  63,103 
For  the  recharter  of  the  bank 

For  adopting  such  measures  as  will  give  relief  2J,~4° 

Aaaist    restoring  the   deposites  and  against  recliartcring 

the  bank  17'°"-7 

The  "London  Times"  of  the  8th  May  sars — 
"Since  the  fate  of  this  establishment  [the  bank  of  the  Umte< 
Slates]  is  sealed  by  the  sole  fiat  of  the   president,  it  lias   been 
thought  necessary"  in  some  of  the  states  lo  come  to  the  assist- 
ance of  public  eredit  by  authorising  slate  loans." 

That  is,  in  the  economics  of  the  day — that  money  is  to 
be  borrowed  on  paper,   and   to  be  loaned  on  paper — 
though  all  who  do  business  on  borrowed  capitals  "ought 
to  break,"  and  a  specie  currency   is  the  only  one  that 
••hi  to  be  tolerated ! 


300 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


The  "Globe"  of  Tuesday  last,  speaking  of  the  "gold  i  however,  when  the  importance  of  such  protection  will 
bills"  says —  again  manifest  itself — and  lead  us,  at  least,  into  a  due 

The  important  bills,  one  to  raise  the  value  of  domestic  gold,  I  regard  for  reciprocity  in  our  dealings  with  other  nations, 
and  the  other  to  raise  the  value  of  foreign  gold,  were  received  j,,  t|)e  raean  time,  however,  it  is  our  duty  to  insist  that 
in  the  senate  yesterday,  read  twice  by  unanimous  consent,  and  (he  ,erms  of  the  "compromise,"  as  it  has  been  called, 
"&" :t^cJ"of  T"eUbnU  w^ll'e'to  raise  go.d  6}  per  cent,  on  shall  be  duly  observed-and  that  .the  amount  of  protec- 
its  legal  value;  but  not  that  much  on  its  market  value,  which  is  lion  intended  to  be  given,  or  retained,  shall  be  afiorded. 
now  iwo  or  three  per  cent,  above  Hie  legal  value.  The  foreign  |  From  various  circumstances,  it  could  hardly  have  been 


legal  lenders  at  the  advanced  rates.    This  date  was  fixed  to    next  meeting  of  congress,  and  are  confident  that  a  large 
give  the  community  time  to  prepare   for  the  change;  but,  in  |  niajority  in  both  houses   will   agree  to  the  passage  of  an 


_ _ „  ._  ..  portion  of  this  community. 

Dold,  as  compared  with  that  of  silver,  so  that  the  currency,  action  to  re-cover  the  amount  of  a  bond  passed  by  the  deftnd- 
as  measuretlby  either,  might  be  placed  upon  a  more  ge-  ant  to  the  collector  for  750  dollars,  being  the  duty  claimed  at 
nerally  acknowledged  standard  of  equalized  value— as  three  cents  p.  r  Ib.  on  iron  stays  or  studs,  and  links,  imported 
well  as  that  we  were  in  favor  of  giving  to  the  pound  sler-  J'j^  l',lj  hlu'cTciM^bn't'one  cl'i't  icr  u?"o'n"i'li'e'st"v  •  as  ca'stin""^ 
ling,  as  measured  by  gold,  its  actual  value  when  n.eas.ir-  *ron  n«  oilmrwUc  specified'  and  that  the  links'  should  have 
ed  by  silver.  The  latter  was  accomplished  with  sum-  been  admitted  duty  free  as  a  non  enumerated  article,  or  at 
cient  nearness  in  the  tariff  bill  of  1 832 — and  it  is  rested  I  rnosl  that  they  were  only  subject  to  a  duly  of  25  per  cent,  nd 
upon  the  fjrincifile  now  contended  for,  but  without  any  valorem  as  a  manufaeiure  of  iron.  The  collector  claimed  duty 
hurrah  being  made  about  it.  We  wished  to  get  rid  of  °"  l»><»  articles  as  pans  of  iron  chains,  partly  manufactured, 

«c£i  •_       i  r  K      i     and  as  such  subject  to  three  cents  per  Ib. 

the  "filthy  dowlass"   used  in  the  manulacture  ot  bank        Vcr,Hct.    Tll.;t  llle  ,jnks  were  'sul)ject  only  to  a  duty  of  .35 

notes  of  a  less  denomination  than  five  dollars — to  do  pcr  C(.nt  .1(1  valorem  as  a  manufactiire  of  iron,  and 1  the  studs  to 
which  a  gold  currency  is  most  convenient  and  easy;  lone  cent,  per  ib.  as  castings  of  iron  not  otherwise  specified, 
but  we  doubt  whether  the  proposed  advance  on  the  legal  This  verdict  reduces  the  amount  of  duty  claimed  by  the  collee- 


•what  we  consider  prudent,  on  the  present  occasion.     It 

is  enough  to  keep  our  gold  at  home,  for  common  use,  I      The  Fartlotvns  and  Corkonians  have  entered  into 

when  exchanges  are  at  fair  rates;  and  further  than  this,    treaty  of  peace  to  respect  the  laws  of  the  United  States! 

all  regulations  of  the  value  of  metals  are  mischievous,  I  after  further  harrassings  of  our  people,  and  additional 

and  will  recoil  on  the  heads  of  the  makers  of  them — else    outrages  upon  one  another.*     It  is  stated   that  another 

"history  is  not  philosophy  teaching  by  example."  man  was  murdered  on  Tuesday,  and  several   shantees 

The  legal  value  of  coins  should  not  be  changed  with-  I  fired — the  women  and  children  dispersed,  and  the  beds, 

out  much  close  observation  and  serious  investigation;  and    &c.  destroyed.     Such  people  must  be  clearly  convinced 

the  senate,  we  hope,  will  rather  refuse  to  pass  the  bill    that  proceedings  like  these  will  not  be  permitted — in 

than  risk  the  necessity  of  other  changes  of  such  value  of   this  "land  of  liberty."     A  mistaken  humanity  has  caus- 

them,  much  as  we  desire  the  circulation  of  American    ed  the  death  of  several  persons. 

gold  coins — the  material  for  which  appears  quite  abun-        The  Irish  employed  on  the  Chenango  canal,  New  York, 

dant  in  the  United  States,  under  wholesome  regulations,    were  also,  recently,  in  a  state  of  riot — assaulting  indivi- 

The  N.  Y.  Journal  of  Commerce,   speaking  of  the    duals  and  destroying  dwellings;  and  were  put  down  by 

"coin  bills"  says —  |  the  presence  of  a  military  force. 

The  first  which  has  passed  both  houses,  makes  the  dollars  of 
Spain,  Mexico  and  the  South  American  stales  legal,  at  the 
game  value  with  oui  own  dollars.  An  editor  in  Kentucky  requests  the  president  to  issue 

.   They  are,  in  fact,  a  little  more  valuable,  as  they  contain  a  lit-    a   writ  of  fieri  facias   against   the   bank  of   the    United 

tie  more  silver.     It  also  makes  the  five  franc  pieces  of  France,    States!     This  is  "going  the  whole" in  stupiditv. 

legal  at  93  cents  each.  This  law  is  to  remain  in  force  for  two  [ 
years,  and  is  little  else  than  the  resuscitation  of  a  former  law  j 
which  had  expired.  An  appalling  catastrophe  has  happened  at  Louisville, 

The  second  bill  relates  to  the  gold  coins  of  the  United  States,  Ky.  as  related  in  the  following  letter: 
and  changes  their  weight  as  compared  with  silver  from  fifteen  Louisville,  June  12(/».  A  shocking  occurrence  took  place 
to  one,  the  present  standard,  to  sixteen  to  one;  in  other  words,  here  last  week.  A  Mr.  C.  married  Miss  Cuckner  last  week,  a 
raising  the  comparative  value  of  gold  about  six  and  a  half  per  beautiful  and  interesting  woman,  of  one  of  our  most  respectable 
cent.  An  eagle  will  upon  the  basis  of  the  bill  contain  no  more  families.  On  that  evening  Mrs.  Buekner  (the  mother  of  the 
gold  than  has  been  valued  at  $9  35.  In  other  words,  65  cents  bride)  had  a  large  quantity  of  custard  made  and  sent  to  the 
worth  of  gold  will  be  deducted  from  its  weight  and  value,  and  houses  of  her  married  children.  On  Sunday  Mrs.  Foster  (her 
it  will  yet  be  legal,  at  ten  dollars. 


The  third  bill  relates  to  foreign  gold  coins,  and  makes  them 
legal,  according  to  their  real  value,  by  the  same,  standard  with 
our  own. 

DOLLARS.  By  an  ansny  made  at  the  mint  in  England,  it  np- 
pcarathat  the  Patriot  dollars,  as  they  are  sometimes  culled,  are 
"in  every  respect  as  valuable,  or  milter  hctter  in  weight  and 
fineness,  than  tho  dollars  coined  in  Mexico  before  the  separa- 
tion of  that  country  from  Spain,  and  commonly  known  under 
the  "pillared  dollars,"  and  the  government  had  directed  Hint  in 
future  these  coins  shall  be  received  "in  the  negotiation  of  hills 
and  otherwise  in  the  commissariat  department,  and  in  all  pay 
menu  to  the  army  and  navy,"  the  same  as  other  foreign  coins, 
and  at  the  same  value  as  the  old  Spanish  pillared  dollars. 

There  is  a  homely,  but  very  expressive,  saying — "It  is 
not  worth  •while  to  cry  over  spilt  mrlk.  '•  And,  acting  on 
this  maxim,  we  have  not  latterly  said  much  about  the  t-x- 
liecliency  of  additional  protection  to  the  national  industry; 
and  besides,  in  the  present  arrest  of  enterprize  and  wreck 
of  business,  the  people  seem  to  have  enough  to  do  Si.  an 
inttant  preservation  of  themselves.  The  time  may  come, 


daughter)  was  taken  ill,  and  died  in  a  few  hours.  While  the, 
company  was  assembling  for  her  funeral,  a  daughter  of  her's 
became  suddenly  ill,  and  the  funeral  was  postponed,  that  both 
might  be  buried  together.  Before  this  took  p!ace,  Mrs.  Bnck- 
ner  died;  and,  one  after  the  other,  eight  have  died,  and  nil*; 
more  are  dangerously  ill. 

1'oison  having  been  suspected,  the  servants  are  all  in  prison, 
but  there  is  no  evidence,  external  or  internal,  to  prove  the 
clKUL'c.  The  contents  of  the  stomach  show  no  appearance  of 
poison.  The  symptoms  in  all  resemble  those  of  Asiatic  cholera 
— yet  no  one  else  in  town  has  been  attacked,  and  not  one  of 
that  devoted  family  who  avoided  the  custard.  All  who  ate  of 
it  have  died  or  are  ill.  The.  physicians  and  magistrates  nre  all 
in  alarm  and  bustle,  and  no  two  people  seem  to  agree  in  opi- 
nion us  to  the  true  cause  of  this  melancholy  visitation. 

We  have  no  speculations  to  otter  on  the  awful  facts 
presented.  We  have  no  information  that  the  cholera 
prevails  in  Louisville — and  believe  lliat  it  docs  not;  but 
some  venture  an  opinion  that  a  predisposition  to  tlie  dis- 
ease existed,  which  some  peculiar  property  in  the  cus- 


*They  also  attacked  an  American  laborer  mid  left  him  fordead 
—they  may  have  mistaken  him  for  one  of  their  own  dear  coun- 
trymen. 


NILES'  IlEGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


SOI 


lard  gave  immediate  action.  If  there  was  no  poison  in 
it — such  seems  a  reasonable  solution  of  this  mysterious 
visitation. 

There  does  appear  to  be  an  over-ruling  PIIOVIDF.TTCE, 
which  rewards  or  punishes  persons  even  in  this  world. 
Some  years  ago,  several  citizens  of  Baltimore  were  sus- 

«cttd  of  being  engaged  in  the  African  slave  trade, 
hat  became  of  them,  and  where  are  they?  Every  one 
that  we  heard  named  as  concerned  in  that  trade,  became 
a  bankrupt — an  utter  bankrupt,  as  well  in  reputation  as 
in  money  matters,  and  those  who  yet  live  have  not  re- 
gained an  atom  of  character  since,  nor  returned  into  that 
class  of  society  to  which  they  once  belonged. 

Thus  it  has  been  with  great  dealers  and  jobbers  in  false 
stocks— the  herd  of  gambling  speculators,  every  where, 
though  not  with  such  a  general  overthrow.  Many  of 
them  are  beggars,  though  they  once  roda  in  their  own 
coaches — and  others,  who  counted  by  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands of  dollars,  may  need  25  cents  to  purchase  bread. 
One  of  this  herd,  JWalapar,  of  New  York  "Marble 
bank"  memory,  in  extreme  distress,  lately  applied  at 
the  police  office  in  that  city,  and  was  admitted  to  an  asy- 
lum in  the  poor  house! 

A  number  of  persons  have  been  arrested  in  Maine,  as 
being  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  counterfeit  half  dol- 
lars, on  a  large  scale.  One  of  these  is  a  postmaster,  and 
another  a  deputy  sheriff'!  The  dies  and  apparatus  of 
the  rogues  were  also  seized. 

There  has  been  a  great  deal  of  forgery  and  robbing  of 
banks  at  New  Orleans — and  in  exceedingly  large  amounts. 
One  person  concerned  has  killed  himself — to  avoid  the 
visitations  of  conscience.  But  just  after  that  event  was 
known — 

'"Jacques  Gandouin,  (says  the  New  Orleans  Courier  of  the 
6th  instant),  the  porter  of  the  Canal  and  Banking  company 
robbed  the  bank  yesterday  afternoon  of  about  $41,000.  tt  i; 
supposed  that  he  took  passage  in  the  schooner  Creole  for  Tam- 
pico.  Fiv"e  thousand  dollars  have  been  offered  for  his  appre 
liension." 

This  person  has  been  caught  and  nearly  all  the  money 
recovered. 

The  Danville  and  Pottsville  rail  road  company,  not 
being  able  to  dispose  of  their  loan,  (guarantied  by  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania),  have  obtained  a  temporary  reliel 
of  50,000  dollars  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States. 

The  following  notices  a  very  important  improvemcn 
in  the  navigation  of  canals.  AVe  have  long  thought  tha 
steam  power  would  supercede  that  of  horses: 

The  western  division  of  the  Pennsylvania  canal  has  been  na 
vigated  by  steam!  Last  week  a  steam  canal  boat  (Adeline 
came  up  from  Pittsburgh,  and  went  on  to  Johnstown.  She  re 
turned  on  Sunday  morning  with  a  load  of  40,0110  Ibs.  of  blooms 
passing  this  place  very  handsomely  at  the  rate  of  rather  rnon 
than  three  miles  an  hour,  and  making  less  wave  in  the  wale 
than  a  boat  drawn  by  horses.  She  is  propelled  by  means  of  a 
fixture  of  peculiar  construction,  which  works  in  a  recess  ofthi 
stern  entirely  under  water.  The  enterprise  of  the  proprietors  i 
worthy  of  commendation,  as  well  as  the  hope  that  it  may  prov 
profitable  to  them.  [Beaver  Jlrgus. 

The  "Journal  of  Commerce"  says — 

"The  Silas  Richards,  it  will  he  seen,  brings  very  few  goods 
All  the  ships  are  returning  nearly  empty.  If  they  continue  I 
do  so,  the  quantity  of  goods  on  sale  this  fall  will  be  very  smal 
indeed,  for  we  do  not  learn  that  the  stock?  held  over,  are  in  ge. 
neral  very  tarae;  though  in  some  articles  at  least,  considerabl 
larger  than  usual." 

James  Duulop,  esq.  of  Chambersburgh,  Pa.  has  writ 
ten  a  letter  to  the  editor  of  the  "National  Gazette,"  i 
which  he  expresses  a  decided  opinion  that  Mr.  John  Me 
Clintie,  of  that  place,  has  invented  a  mode  of  prevent! 
the  explosion  of  steam  boilers,  not  only  in  preventin 
"the  excessive  generation  of  steam,  arising  from  defi 
ciency  of  water  and  over  heated  boilers,  but  at  the  sam 
time  provide  the  means  of  obviating  the  disastrous  efTec 
of  elastic  fluids  when  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  pro 
duced. " 

The  machinery  is  said  to  he  simple,  and  will  soon  b 
submitted  to  the  scrutiny  of  scientific  men. 


From  our  personal  knowledge  of  Mr.  Dunlop,  w« 
we  reason  to  hope  that  an  important  discovery  has  been 
iade,  which  will,  in  due  time,  be  proclaimed. 

A  few  persons  in  the  north  are  seeking  distinction  by 
;rtain  indiscreet  proceedings,  to  say  the  least  of  them, 
oncerning  the  abolition  of  slavery — and  they  obtain  it, 

the  frequent  and  uncalled  for  notices  which  are  taken 

those  proceedings.     "Let  them  alone!" 

A  certain  rev.  Samuel  H.  CVr,  lately  preached  an 
lolilion  sermon  in  New  York,  in  which  he  said  that 
Jesus  Christ  was  a  colored  man."  This  produced  a 
ood  deal  of  feeling,  and  Mr.  Cox  comes  out  to  vindicate 
imself.  He  speaks  of  "our  overweaning  prejudice  in 
avor  of  the  European  complexion,  and  against  all 
Jiers,"  and  reasserts,  that  the  Saviour  was,  "in  the  or- 
inary  acceptation  of  the  term,  a  colored  man,"  having 
een  an  Asiatic;  and  adds  the  following  note  in  support 
f  his  position: 

Dt.  Good  follows  many  other  great  writers  in  the  quintuple 
vision  and  classification  of  the  human  species;  as  follows, 
le  race 

EUROPEAN  OR  CACCASSIAH, 
ASIATIC  OR  MONGOLIAN, 
AMERICAN  ABORIGINAL, 
AFRICAN  OR  ETHIOPIAN, 
AUSTRALIAN  OR  MALAY. 

Gmclin  has  pursued  the  same  general  divisions,  but  hat 
neiely  distinguished  the  respective  races;  and  accordingly  his 
ve  classifications  are  the.  white,  brown,  copper  colored  or  red, 
lack,  and  tawny  man.  The  Asiatics,  according  to  Ginelin,  are 
brown." 

Of  this,  as  the  second  variety,  says  Dr.  Good: 

The  color  of  the  ASIATIC  or  MONGOLIAN,  the  BROWN  MA*,  of 
Jmelin,  is  yellowish  brown  or  olive,  with  scarcely  ever  an  ap- 
earance  of  red  in  ttre  cheeks,  which  seems  to  be  confined  to 
lie  European  variety." 

The  people  of  every  color  (and  it  is  well  that  it  is  so), 
re  prejudiced  in  favor  of  their  own.  We  paint  "Auld 
Jloutie"  black — the  Ethiopian  says  that  he  is  irhite. 
vVe  call  our  Indians  "copper  skins,"  and  they  speak  of 
as,  with  contempt,  as  "pale  faces"— and  so  on.  All  are 
irejudiced.  The  most  thorough-going  abolitionist  will 
lot  agree  to  marry  his  son  or  his  daughter  to  a  negro — 
or,  if  even  himself  so  full  of  zeal  as  to  entertain  no  per- 
ional  objection  to  such  a  connexion,  he  has  too  much  re- 
:pect  for  the  prejudices  of  the  people,  at  large,  to  permit 
t;  and  we  think  that  Mr.  Cox  ought  to  have  acted  on 
his  principle,  even  if  capable  of  proving  that  "Jesus 
3hrist  was  a  colored  man"— recollecting  also,  that  "the 
ordinary  acceptation  of  the  term,  a  colored  man,"  in  the 
[Inked  States,  at  least,  has  reference  to  those  of  the  At- 

ican  race,  and  not  to  the  Asiatic  or  American. 

A  great  fire  lately  happened  in  Geritiantown,  Penn. 
[n  one  hour  and  fifteen  minutes,  after  it  was  discovered 
in  Philadelphia,  distant  six  miles,  5  engine  companies, 
and  8  hose  companies,  with  their  apparatus,  were  on  the 
spot,  ready  for  action.  The  Philadelphia  firemen  pre- 
sent on  this  occasion,  were  between  four  and  five  hundred. 
It  was  in  the  dead  hour  of  the  night,  and  they  dragged 
their  own  engines  and  hoses.  This  wonderful  per- 
formance well  deserves  a  record,  that  it  may  be  imitat- 
ed. The  disinterested  service,  enterprise  and  persever- 
ance of  this  useful  class  in  our  chief  cities  and  towns,  has 
never  been  properly  appreciated.  Their  zeal,  it  is  true, 
sometimes  leads  them  into  extravagancies.  We  recol- 
lect an  instance,  in  Baltimore,  when  a  party  of  firemen, 
with  their  apparatus,  proceeded  four  or  five  miles  into  the 
country,  to  put  out  the  most  beautiful  and  brilliant  .4w- 
rora  Borealis  that  we  ever  saw,  supposing  the  light  to 
have  been  caused,  by  the  burning  of  one  of  the  large  fac- 
tories located  north  of  us!  But  such  things  are  easily 
excused  in  the  motive  that  prompts  them. 

The  following  notices  of  an  accident  that  hnppcned  on 
the  rail  road  near  Philadelphia  are  chiefly  inserted,  that 
the  facts  stated  may  be  the  more  extensively  made  known, 
and  guarded  against,  in  future—- 
The "United  'Stntps  Gazette"  says— Two  of  the  Union  rail 
road  cars,  of  the  Union  line  company,  were,  on  Friday  morning, 
(13th  inst.).  attached  to  a  train  of  burthen  cars,  to  ascend  the 
inclined  plane,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Schuylkill  bridge.  When 
they  had  nearly  arrived  at  the  summit,  the  coupling  of  the  bur- 
then cars  gave  way,  by  which  accident  one  of  the  laden  cant, 
with  the  two  containing  passengers,  were  forced  down  th« 
plane,  with  an  impetus  that  is  beyond  description.  When  with 


302 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


in  a  fe\»  rods  of  the  tirldge,  tho  train  cnnie  In  contact  wltli  ft 
burthen  car  loaded  with  s;iml;  tlie  shock  was  tremendous;  the 
pleasure  cars  rose  in  the  air,  and  cnnie  down  in  atoms;  the  pas- 
sengers were  (brown  in  different  directions;  and,  what  is  IIIM.~I 
remarkable,  nil  escaped  wills  llicir  lives,  and  none  dangerously 
jnjurtd,  though  several  were  hriiis-rd,  anil  one  gentleman  had 
liis  arm  fractured.  The  four  individuals  who  were  injured,  are 
at  tlie  Pennsylvania  hospital,  and  are  doing  well. 

Another  paper  says — We  have  been  requested  by  one  of  the 
engineers  on  the  Philadelphia  and  Columbia  rail  road,  to  copy 
the  foljowing  paragraph  relative  to  ihe  melancholy  accident  that 
occurred  on  the  inclined  plane  a  few  days  ago: 

In  reference  to  the  lamentable  accident  which  happened  on 
Fliday,  on  the  inclined  plane  of  the  Columbia  rail  road,  it  is 
proper  to  mention  that  the  rapid  descent  of  the  ears  was  not  oc- 
casioned by  the  breaking  of  the  rope,  but  by  the  givinj.'  way  of 
the  connecting  iron  between  two  of  the  cars.  The  cars,  it 
seems,  were  not  attached  in  tin;  manner  that  they  should  have 
been,  by  being  fastened  to  tlie  rope,  which,  we  are  told,  is  Milii- 
cienlly  strong  to  carry  up  almost  any  weight.  As  soon  as  the 
Accident  happened  the  persona  in  attendance,  no  doubt  much 
.terrified  by  the  threatening  danger,  jumped  off  the  cars,  in.sti.-ad 
.of  applying  the  break,  which  would  have  arrested  their  progress, 
.and  prevented  any  serious  consequences. 

The  "Baltimore  Gazette,"  with  reference  to  the  preceding, 
observes — It  appears  by  an  article  which  we  insert  to-day,  from 
,the  Philadelphia  United  States  Gazette,  that  a  very  serious  ac- 
cident has  occurred  on  the  Columbia  rail  road,  by  which  the 
lives  of  a  number  of  passengers  have  been  put  in  very  great 
peril. 

It  would  seem  that  this  affair  is  the  effect  of  a  most  culpable 
negligence  on  the  part  of  the  conductors  of  the  business  on  that 
road.  We  are  led  to  this  conclusion  from  the  account,  as  we 
find  it  slated,  of  the  circumstances,  and  are  confirmed  in  the 
opinion  from  the  fact,  that  although  the  planes  on  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  rail  road,  at  Parr  ridge,  are  regularly  passed  four  times 
within  every  24  hours  by  trains  of  passenger  cars,  two  of  which 
passages  are  performed  in  the  night,  and  although  these  plant's 
extend  over  a  distance  of  four  miles,  and  are  elevated  about  400 
feet  high,  yet,  so  far,  not  one  accident  has  occurred  to  any  pas- 
senger or  passenger  car  while  crossing  them. 

It  may  be  further  remarked,  that  notwithstanding  more  than 
eighty  thousand  passengers  annually  travel  this  rail-way,  no  se- 
rious injury  has  been  sustained  by  a  single  individual  of  them 
from  any  accident  on  the  road. 

We  are  happy  to  add  that  no  loss  of  life  has  followed 
this  accident — nor  has  any  permanent  injury  been  inflict- 
ed. Had  those  who  Ind  charge  of  the  cars  performed 
their  duty,  we  think  that  the  defect  of  the  fastenings 
might  have  been  corrected  by  the  "breaks."  The  writer 
of  this  was  once  descending  the  inclined  plane,  No.  3,  on 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail  road,  in  a  very  heavily  load- 
,ed  car,  at  the  rate  of  not  less  than  10,  and,  perhaps,  fully 
12  miles  an  hour,  (being  nearly  at  the  foot  of  it),  when 
the  horse  fell — and,  though  the  hind  feet  of  the  horse 
were  yet  lying  on  one  of  the  rails,  when  lie  and  others 
got  out  of  the  [stopped]  car  to  assist  in  putting  things  to 
rights — such  had  been  the  resolution  and  promptitude  of 
jthe  driver  and  his  assistant,  and  ilie  power  of  the"breaks" 
used  by  them,  that  the  horse,  though  exceedingly  frigh- 
tened, had  not  received  the  least  discoverable  injury,  and 
proceeded  to  his  resting  place  as  though  nothing  had 
happened. 

Since  the  preceding  was  prepared,  we  notice  the  fol- 
lowing from  the  Evensbury  (Penn.)  Spy — • 

It  becomes  our  melancholy  duty  to  record  three  disastrous 
deaths  which  have  occurred  on  the  Portage  rail  road.  On  Sa- 
turday last  a  car  broke  loose  at  the  head  of  plane  No.  l,and  de- 
scending with  inconceivable  velocity,  struck  against  and  broke 
one  of  the  posts  of  the  shed  at  the  foot  of  the  plane.  A  respec- 
table stranger,  the  only  person  in  the  car,  was  thrown,  by  the 
violence  of  the  concussion,  a  distance  of  sixty  feel,  upon  a  slope 
wall,  from  which  he  rolled  into  the  Concmaugh.  He  was  im- 
mediately taken  out.  Life  was  not  extinct,  but  his  skull  was 
fractured  and  his  body  much  bruised.  Medical  aid  was  procur- 
ed as  soon  as  practicable,  and  every  attention  given  to  relieve 
his  suffering,  but  in  vain.  He  languished  in  a  state  of  stupor 
until  Sunday  evening,  when  his  life  ceased. 

On  Monday  last,  Mrt  Michael  Gallan  of  Summerhill  township 
in  this  county,  was  silting  on  the  front  parl  of  a  train  of  cars, 
in  company  with  Messrs.  John  Hammond,  Thomas  Pipes  and 

Lay  ton,  the  captain  of  the  cars.     In  the  attempt  to  gain 

the  centre  post  between  the  turn  outs  near  plane  No.  3,  the 
train  came  in  violent  contact  with  another  approaching  from 
Ihe  opposite  direction.  As  soon  as  ihe  danger  was  perceived, 
all,  except  Mr.  Gillan,  leaped  from  the  car.  He,  not  pOMMl 
ing  equal  presence  of  mind,  continued  in  his  seat.  When  the 
cars  met  he  was  eru<lnid  between  ihem  and  instantly  killed. 
Mr.  Gillan  has  left  four  small  children  to  mourn  the  unfortunate 
death  of  the  last  of  their  parents,  their  mother  having  died  only 
a  few  weeks  since. 


On  the  same  day,  a  woman  said  in  be  of  the  name  of  Montr- 
han,  was  killed  by  a  car  passing  over  her  at  plane  No.  10. 

All  these  things  are  the  result  of  criminal  careless- 
ness, and  ought  to  be  punished,  or  are  the  effect  of  fool- 
hardiness,  which  sometimes  meets  with  its  own  reward. 

When  a  fatal  accident,  however,  happens  on  board  a 
steamboat  or  on  a  rail  road,  every  body  hears  of  it,  and 
it  is  repeated  over  and  over  again — but  if  persons  are 
killed  in  any  of  the  old  fashioned  conveyances,  the  fact  is 
mentioned,  and  soon  forgotten  as  a  thing  lhat  must  be 
expected  to  happen — now  and  then.  Millions  of  persons 
have  travelled  in  steamboats  on  the  waters  of  the  Chesa- 
peake, but  we  believe  that  not  more  than  four  passengers 
have  lost  their  lives  by  accidents  to  them.  And  we  see 
it  stated  in  an  English  paper,  that  out  of  1,369,000  per- 
sons who  have  travelled  by  the  Liverpool  and  Manches- 
ter rail  road,  one  passenger  only  has  been  hurt! 

Died  on  the  23d  ult.  in  Davidson  county,  (Tenn.)  at 
his  residence  in  Jones'  Bend,  Mr.  Jllexander  Doiielsoii, 
sen.  aged  8S  years.  The  deceased  was  the  eldest  brother 
of  the  late  Mrs.  Jackson,  wife  of  general  Jackson,  and 
the  last  but  one  of  the  numerous  family  of  children  of 
col.  John  Doiii-lson,  sen.  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  west, 
who  emigrated  to  Tennessee  as  early  as  tlie  year  1780. 
The  deceased  was  an  honest  man  and  yirtuous  citizen. 
He  was  esteemed  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

[  Banner. 

The  following  awful  account  of  what  recently  happen- 
ed at  Lyons  deserves  record,  and  may  serve  as  a  caution, 
to  ail  who  are  unwilling  or  unable  to  "look  on  blood 
and  carnage  with  composure."  It  is  from  the  Journal 
des  Debats. 

Lyons,  Jl-pril  13,  1  o'clock,  P.  M.  This  is  the  fifth  day  of  onr 
sorrows.  Since  Wednesday  the  noise  of  the  cannon  and  tlte 
musquetry  has  never  ceased.  The  Croix  Ronsse  was  reduced 
on  Thursday,  the  Guillotiere  on  Friday,  and  yesterday  the 
quarter  of  the  Cordeliers,  the  head  quarters  of  the  insurrection, 
was  taken  by  assault,  but  the  quarters  of  the  Grand  Cote  and 
of  St.  Just  still  hold  out. 

I  visited  the  interior  of  the  town  this  morning.  What  a 
frightful  spectacle!  I  have  seen  houses  burnt,  others  leveled 
by  cannon  balls.  Upon  the  place  St.  Come  all  the  shutters  and 
doors  of  the  magazine  are  broken  to  pieces.  The  alley  of 
Arque  is  sacked.  The  houses  from  which  the  soldiers  were 
fired  upon  have  suffered  greatly,  and  thuir  inhabitants  have 
been  put  to  the  sword!  I  have  neither  strength  nor  time  tn 
enter  into  details,  which  you  will  learn  too  soon.  Never  did 
foreign  invasion,  never  did  a  seige  itself,  produce  so  many  hor- 
rors of  any  kind. 

We  hope  that  we  touch  the  end  of  this  frightful  drama.  God 
grant  that  we  may  not  deceive  ourselves. 

No  republican  of  any  note  has  appeared  at  the  head  of  the 
insurgent::.  The  only  thins  certain  is  the  damage  whirli 
probably  amounts  to  50,000,000  francs  in  property  of  every  kind. 

The  London  Court  Journal,  of  the  5th  ult.  contains  an 
article  entitled — Memoranda  anil  recollections  re/titire  to 
America.  Its  spirit  and  tenor  may  be  judged  of  by  the 
following  complimentary  introduction! 

"The  temper  and  manner  of  the  Americans  are  not  suited  to 
those  of  our  countrymen;  they  are  narrow  minded  and  low 
bred;  they  show  no  generosity,  nor  boldness  of  mind,  nor  that 
patriotic  spirit  of  love  10  the  country  which  is  natural  to  us, 
who  are  indigenous  to  a  soil,  and  descended  from  long  lines  of 
ancestors,  from  which  we  have  inherited  national  attachment 
and  family  pride.  They  trace  no  such  ancestry.  Every  man 
is  for  himself.  They  are  colonists.  All  emigrated  from  this 
country;  some  even  as  convicts;  adventurers — all  unconnected 
with  each  other.  Few,  if  any,  are  in  the  rank  of  gentlemen,  or 
have  had  a  liberal  or  classical  education.  All  religions  are  to- 
lerated among  them,  from  which  a  liberal  turn  of  mind  mi^/it 
be  expected;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  pedantic  and  caus- 
tic. Most  of  them  are  Presbyterians  or  Quakers — sly,  severe 
and  enthusiastic,  yet  mostly  self- interested.  They  have  a  ge- 
neral apprehension  that  they  are  despised  by  this  country,  and 
they  are  sensible  of  having  been  oppressed  and  insulted;  for 
which  they  retain  an  implacable  resentment." 

The  project  of  opening  a  regular  intercourse,  by 
steam,  between  England  and  India,  by  way  of  the  .Medi- 
terranean to  a  point  on  the  Nile,  thence  by  land  to  Suez, 
and  down  the  Red  Sea,  &c.  to  Bombay,  is  again  much 
spoken  of.  The  journey  might  be  made  in  a  little  over 
forty  day*,  including  all  necessary  stoppages. 

Different  islands  in  the  British  West  Indies  appear  to 
be  very  differently  situated,  as  to  the  emancipation  of  tlie 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— CONGRESS. 


803 


slaves,  which  is  about  to  be  commenced  under  the  laws 
lately  passed.  In  some  the  whites  seem  indifferent,  in 
others  they  are  "setting  their  affairs  in  order," for  re- 
moval, and  in  some  much  fear  exists  for  their  personal 
safety. 

LIST  or  BRITISH  PREMIERS.  The  following  list  of  the  dif- 
ferent British  prune  ministers  during  the  reigns  of  George  third, 
George  fourth,  and  William  fourth,  are  interesting,  as  showing 
the  compnrative  duration  of  the  various  administrations: — 

Duke  of  Newcastle 6th  April  1754 

Eiirlof  Bute 29th  May  1762 

George  Grenville  (father  of  the  present  lord)....  16th  April  1763 

Marquis  of  Kockingliain 12th  July  I76o 

Duke  of  Graftal i 2d  August  1766 

Litrd  North  (afterwards  earl  of  Guilford) 28lh  Jan.  1770 

Marquis  of  Rockingliain 30lh  March  1782 

Earl  of  Shelburne •. .  .30th  July  1782 

Duke  of  Portland 5ih  April  1783 

William  Pitt 27th  Dec.  1783 

Henry  Addington  (now  viscount  Sidmouth).  ..17th  March  1801 

William  Pitt  reappointed 12th  May  1804 

Lord  Grenville 8th  Jan.  1806 

Duke  of  Portland 30th  March  1807 

Spencer  Perceval 23d  June  1810 

Earl  of  Liverpool ,.8lh  June  1812 

George  Canning 1 1th  April  1827 

Viscount  Goderich 10th  Aug.  1827 

Duke  of  Wellington 1 1  th  Jan.  1828 

Earl  Grey 22d  Nov.  1830 

Calculating  from  this  list,  it  would  appear  that  the  average 
duration  of  a  ministry  is  about  eight  years. 

LAURKXS  STREET,  NEW  YORK.  In  the  board  of  assistant  al- 
dermen, Mr.  TeLllmadi>t!,  president  pro  tern,  offered  a  resolution 
in  relation  to  this  noted  street,  prefaced  with  explanatory  re- 
marks, which  we  take  from  the  Gazette. 

It  was  well  known,  said  Mr.  T.  that  the  corporation  have  no 
control  over  that  part  of  Laurens  street,  between  Canal  and 
Spring  st.  which  is  private  properly,  and  consequently  it  has  be- 
come a  great  nuisance.  The  street  is  very  much  broken  up,  and 
abounds  with  filthy  pools  of  stagnant  water,  and  heaps  of  gar- 
bage and  offals,  constantly  undergoing  fermentation.  It  was 
also  tenanted  in  a  manner  very  prejudicial  to  the  health  of  the 
neighborhood.  He  had  been  called  to  that  quarter  in  his  offi- 
cial capacity  to  quell  a  riot,  and  also  as  a  health  warden,  and 
had  been  at  the  pains  to  investigate  the  condition  of  the  inhabit 
ants.  House  No.  33,  he  had  found  inhabited  by  twenty  one 
whites,  and  ninety-six  blacks,  and  in  a  small  building  in  the 
rear  by  10  blacks — the  next  house  contained  30  whiles  and  six- 
teen blacks,  the  rear  15  blacks— the  next  in  order  was  inhabited 
by  45  whites  and  42  blacks,  and  the  ten  houses  adjoining  each 
other,  commencing  with  No.  33,  he  had  found  to  be.  inhabited 
by  no  less  than  280  whites  and  173  blacks,  being  in  all  453.  and 
an  average  of  45  persons  in  each  house.  He  thought  the  street 
should  either  be  ceded  to  the  corporation  or  closed.  Mr.  Tall 
inadge  then  offered  a  resolution,  that  the  subject  be  referred  to 
a  law  committee,  to  report  on  the  power  of  the  corporation 
and  the  proper  course  to  pursue,  which  was  adopted. 

NEW  ECHOTA,  Ga.,  March  23,  1834.  Gentlemen:  We  have 
the  misfortune  to  inform  you  of  the  loss  of  a  very  valuable 
citizen,  to  this  part  of  the  country,  particularly  at  this  time.  Mr. 
Eli  Hicks,  son  of  William  Hicks,  formerly  one  of  the  Cherokee 
chiefs,  was  shot  by  some  out-lying  savages,  on  Tuesday  evening, 
the  11  til  of  this  instant.  There  arc  a  considerable  number  of  In- 
dians that  live  by  theft  altogether,  and  remain  camped  out  all 
the  time,  in  unfrequented  swamps  and  mountains,  with  their  ill- 
gotten  pioperty.  Mr.  Hicks  has  been  a  vigilant  hand  to  ferret 
out  these  violators  of  the  laws,  and  bring  them  to  justice,  and 
has  stood  as  a  shield  and  protector  to  the  white  population  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  ever  ready  in  lending  them  his  assist- 
ance  in  recovering  their  stolen  property.  Mr.  Hicks  was  an  ad- 
vocate for  the  removal  of  the  Cherokees  west  of  the  Mississip- 
pi—he advocated  and  aided  the  policy  of  Georgia,  In  fact,  he 
was  an  intelligent  white  man  in  principle  and  policy,  and  this 
brought  him  into  disrepute  with  these  outlaws.  About  the  10th 
of  this  month,  a  smoke-house,  the  property  of  a  white  man  was 
broken  open  and  robbed;  Mr.  Hicks,  as  was  usual  on  such  occa- 
sions was  called  on  to  apprehend  the  robbers;  he  ascertained 
that  they  were  camped  in  a  swamp  in  the  bend  of  the  Oosta- 
naullee  river,  about  twelve  miles  below  this  place.  In  compa- 
ny with  two  other  men  without  arms,  (as  was  u?ual  for  him,) 
he  went  upon  them;  when  within  a  short  distance,  they  fired 
upon  him  and  sho!  him  through  the  abdomen.  He  lived  two 
days  and  expired.  We  have  since  learned,  that  about  six  of 
these  outlaws  have  got  together,  blacked  themselves,  and  threa- 
ten to  kill  several  others,  myself  among  them.  I  would  add, 
that  these  were  the  same  Indian*  who  broke  my  store  on  the  3d 
of  November  last,  and  were  released  by  the  inferior  court  of 
DeKalb  county,  without  assigning  a  reason. 

Very  respectfully,  yours,  &c.       WILLIAM  J.  TARVIN. 

Messrs.  Grieve  4'  Orme. 

IMPRISONMENT  TOR  DEBT.  An  act  abolishing  imprisonment 
for  debt  has  passed  the  legislature  of  Mostaclwsettt  by  large  ma- 


jorities in  both  branches.  It  consists  of  but  two  lections,  and 
is  to  take  effect  on  the  4th  of  July  next. 

The  first  section  enacts,  that  no  person  shall  be  arrested,  held 
to  bail,  or  imprisoned  on  inesnc  process,  for  any  debts  contract- 
ed after  the  4th  July,  without  oath  by  the  plaintiff  that  the  debt 
is  justly  due,  exceeds  ten  dollars,  and  he  believes  the  debtor  if 
about  to  leave  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court  for  the  purpoie  of 
avoiding  payment. 

The  second  section  provides  for  the  speedy  release  of  debtors, 
by  the  poor  man's  oath  before  the  return  day  of  the  writ,  in 
open  court  on  trial, or  by  the  judge  or  justice,  after  judgment;  so 
that  the  person  may  be  exempt  from  execution.  The  plaintiff 
has  the  privilege  of  one  continuance  to  prove  that  the  debtor 
has  property  which  is  not  exempted  by  law,  in  which  case  the 
person  and  property  are  both  subject  to  process  of  execution,  as 
before  the  passage  of  the  new  law. 

THE  EARTHQUAKE  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  One  of  the  papers 
contains  some  further  particulars  of  this  terrible  calamity.  We 
make  the  following  extract: 

fasto,  22d  Feb.  1834.  I  have  to  inform  you  that  the  town  of 
Santiago,  adjoining  the  parish  of  Sibundoi,  situated  to  the  east, 
and  at  the  distance  of  12  or  14  leagues,  was  built  over  a  hidden 
volcano,  which  burst  on  the  20th  ult.  at  7  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing. The  earth  shook  so  violently,  that  that  alone  ruined  the 
ancient  Rio  Bamba,  which  may  afford  you  some  means  of 
drawing  a  comparison.  A  run  of  land  about  3  leagues  long  and 
two  broad,  sunk  with  the  forest  which  covered  it;  and  its  super- 
ficies presents  now  the  aspect  of  a  savannah,  covered  with  stones 
and"  sand.  Although  the  trees  which  covered  the  spot  were  ug 
old  as  the  world,  there  has  not  a  root  of  them  remained,  nor 
even  a  leaf  to  indicate  the  place  where  they  stood. 

During  24  hours  that  the  earth  shook  without  ceasing  for  one 
nstant,  the  town  and  environs  were  rendered  a  heap  of  ruins; 
the  cottages  of  the  peasants  were  swallowed  up  by  the  earth 
which  yawned  at  every  point,  and  the  churches  of  Santiago  and 
Sibundoi  were  ruined,  and  also  my  house,  under  the  ruins  of 
which  I  was  buried.  But  as  if  by  a  miracle  I  escaped  from  my 
sepulchre, — for  the  same  convulsion  which  swallowed  up  my 
muse,  threw  it  up  afterwards  upon  the  superficies  of  the  earth, 
mil  I  then  managed  to  get  out,  although  I  was  dreadfully  crip- 
iled.  The  waves  which  the  earth  formed,  rolled  in  eveijr 
sense  of  the  word,  similar  to  those  of  the  sea,  and  to  as  a  great 
i  height  as  happens  when  the  ocean  is  enraged  by  a  tempest. 
Eighty  persons  were  swallowed  up  by  them,  with  all  their  live- 
stock; and  the  only  ones  that  could  escape  were  those  of  in 
who  were  able  to  run  up  a  hill,  which  although  it  shook  as  well 
as  the  rest  did  not  sink,  neither  did  the  waving  of  the  earth  af- 
fect it.  PEDRO  LEON  Y  LOPEZ. 

Santa  Martha  had  also  been  visited  by  a  severe  earthquake, 
or  series  of  earthquakes,  on  the  22d,  23d,  24th,  and  25th  Feb. 
which  destroyed  the  principal  edifices,  and  materially  injured 
the  whole  city. 

The  first  and  most  severe  shock  lasted  about  45  seconds,  and 
was  followed  in  about  5  minutes  by  another  of  nearly  equal  se- 
verity and  duration.  In  the  course  of  that  and  the  next  4  days, 
no  less  than  SIXTY  shocks  were  experienced;  and  at  the  last  ac- 
counts they  had  not  ceased. 

The  earth  opened  in  many  places  to  the  width  of  6  Inches; 
and  warm  sulphureous  water  was  thrown  forth. 

No  lives  were  lost, — which  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  fact  that 
the  lirst  and  most  severe  shock  took  place  while  the  inhabitants 
were  in  their  houses;  as  the  falling  of  the  tile:,  &c.  would  most 
probably  have  caused  the  death  of  great  numbers,  had  they  been 
in  the  street  at  the  time.  Several  persons,  however,  were  se- 
verely injured. 

The  city  was  completely  deserted  at  the  latest  accounts,  the 
citizens  having  removed  into  the  country,  with  the  exception  of 
a  few  persons  who  were  living  in  tents  on  the  beach. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

June  20.  Mr.  Southard  reported  the  following  bills,  which 
were  severally  read  and  ordered  to  a  second  reading: 

A  bill  to  authorise  the  transfer  of  appropriations  made  for  the 
naval  service  of  the  United  States,  from  one  object  to  another; 

A  bill  making  certain  changes  in  the  titles  of  the  officer*  of 
the  navy; 

A  bill  to  establish  a  naval  academy; 

A  bill  to  establish  and  regulate  the  navy  ration;  and 

A  bill  for  the  enlistment  of  boys  for  the  navy. 

Mr.  Southard  also  reported,  a  bill  granting  pensions  to  the 
wounded  French  seamen,  and  to  the  families  of  those  who  wcra 
killed  on  board  the  French  ship  Suffrien,  by  the  United  State* 
frigate  United  States,  in  the  harbor  of  Toulon;  which  bill  was 
soon  taken  up,  amended  and  passed. 

The  chair  presented  a  report  from  the  secretary  of  the  treasu- 
ry, giving  certain  information  called  for  relative  to  the  officers 
of  the  customs. 

Mr.  Poindextcr  made  a  report,  In  part,  on  the  subject  of  cer- 
tain frauds  committed  in  the  sale  of  public  lands,  accompanied 
by  sundry  documents. 

Mr.  Poindea-ter  said  he  now  laid  before  the  senate  all  th«  evi- 
dence the  committee  had  been  able  «o  collect  during  the  present 
session.  Immediately  on  the  senate's  inttitutiiig  the  Inquiry, 
the  committee  had  caused  commissions  to  issue  for  the  purpose 
of  collecting  testimony,  directed  to  persons  in  Mlsslsstpjn, 


804 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— CONGRESS. 


which  did  not  reach  them  until  two  months  after  they  were  sent  | 
from  here,  although  they  should  have  done  so  in  twelve  days. 
The  clerk  of  tlie  committee  was  willing  to  make  affidavit  that 
he,  on  the  1st  of  April  last,  directed  and  put  into  the  post  office 
here,  five  letters,  to  individuals  in  Mississippi,  and  hern  Wiis  an 
answer  to  one  of  them  dated  Clinton,  June  1st,  which  the  gen- 
tleman had  only  received  the  day  before. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Puindexter.  the  deposition  of  Mr.  Edmund 
Rowe,  detailing  certain  fraudulent  proceedings,  was  read. 

Mr.  Puiniiexter  said  that  Mr.  Rowe  was  a  gentleman  of  re- 
spectability and  integrity,  and  that  his  character  was  vouched 
for  liy  the  lion.  Jamrs  Harbour,  and  his  brother,  the  hon.  Philip 
P.  Bariiimr,  ofViiginia. 

Mr.  Forsyth  said  the  deposition  exhibited  some  extraordinary 
facts;  he  had  no  objection  to  the  printing  of  the  affidavit,  and 
In  its  being  placed  in  possession  of  the  treasury  department. 
He  however,  subsequently,  said  he  had  some  doubts  as  to  the 
propriety  of  printing  the  documents,  inasmuch  as  they  were  of 
Hn  txyartc  character;  and  should  not,  therefore,  be  puhlisheil 
without  first  giving  the  persons  charged  an  opportunity  of  being 
heard. 

After  a  desultory  debate,  the  repor!  and  documents  were  or- 
dered to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Poindexter  then  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
lies  on  the  table  until  tomorrow: 

Resolved,  That  ihe  chairman  of  the  committee  on  public  land 
be  authorised,  during  the  recess  of  congress,  to  proceed  in  the 
Investigation  of  the  alleged  frauds  in  the  sales  of  the  public 
lands,  commenced  during  the  present  session,  by  issuing  com- 
missions, to  take  depositions  in  relation  to  such  fiauds,  and  the 
conduct  of  the  officers  appointed  to  superintend  said  sales  by 
law,  directed  to  such  persons  in  the  several  land  districts  as  he 
may  select  for  the  purpose.  And,  also,  that  he  be  authorised 
to  extend  said  investigation  into  the  conduct  of  the  commis- 
eioners  or  agents  appointed  by  the  pre>ident  10  locate  the  Indiar 
reservations  under  the  treaties  with  the  Creeks,  Choctaws  ant 
Chickasaws,  and  the  frauds,  if  any,  which  may  have  been  com- 
mitted in  the  purchase  or  sale  of  said  reservations,  and  the  tes- 
timony so  taken  shall  be  reported  to  the  next  session  of  con- 
gress. 

Mr.  White  made  an  unfavorable  report  on  the  petition  o 
John  Ross  and  others,  on  behalf  of  the  Cherokee  tribe  of  Indi 
ans;  which  was  laid  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Waggaman  submitted  a  resolution  inquiring  into  the  ex 
pediency  of  making  an  appropriation  to  complete  the  ereclioi 
of  towers,  barracks  and  store  houses  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
Orleans,  which  was  agreed  to. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wilkins  the  senate  went  into  executivi 
business,  and  when  the  doors  were  opened  the  senate  ad 
journed. 

June  21.  On  motion  of  Mr.  White  the  general  appropriation 
bill  was  taken  up,  in  committee  of  the  whole,  and,  after  severa 
other  amendments  being  proposed — 

Mr.  Forsijtli  moved  to  amend  the  bill  by  striking  out  the  ap 
propriation  for  the  documentary  history  of  the  United  States,  ti 
be  published  by  Peter  Force  and  Matthew  St.  Clair  Clarke,  un 
der  a  contract  with  the  department  of  state,  made  in  pursuance 
of  the  act  of  congress  of  March,  1833,  and  to  insert  in  lieu  there 
of  an  appropriation  of  $15,000,  to  remunerate  Messrs.  Force  am 
Clarke  for  all  expenses  hitherto  incurred  by  them  under  sa  * 
contract. 

This  amendment  was  proposed  on  the  ground  that  the  law 
under  which  the  contract  was  made  was  loosely  framed;  tha 
the  secretary  of  state,  Mr.  Livingston,  had  transcended  tli 
powers  intended  to  be  conferred  on  him;  that  the  expens 
would  amount  to  an  enormous  sum,  say  $400,000,  and  that  con 
gress,  in  passing  the  law,  had  exceeded  its  powers,  and  conse 
quently  tlie  contract  formed  under  the  law  was  void  ab  initio. 
The  amount  of  the  appropriation  was  subsequently  increase 
to  $20.000,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Mangum,  and  after  a  very  animal 
ed  debate,  the  amendment  was  agreed  to,  by  the  following  vote 
YEAS— Messrs.  Bibb,  Black,  Brown,  Calhoun,  Forsyth 
Grundy,  Hendricks,  Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  o 
Georgia,  Linn,  McKean,  Muniuin,  Morris,  Preston,  Robinson 
Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins,  Wright— 23. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Hell,  lien  ton.  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ew 
ing,  Frelinghuyaen,  Kent,  Leigh,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Porter 
Prentiss,  Robbins,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Tomlin 
•on,  Tyler,  Wnggaman,  Webster — 22. 

The  further  consideration  of  the  bill  was  then  suspended  b 
general  consent;  when — 

A  menage  was  received  from  the  house  of  representative 
stating  that  the  bouMhad  passed  a  joint  resolution  providin 
for  a  joint  committee  to  consider  and  report  by  what  token  t 
reaped  and  affection  it  was  proper  for  congress  to  manifest  th 
deep  sensibility  of  tlie  nation  in  the  event  of  the  death  of  gene 
ral  Lafayette. 

Mr.  W elater  said,  that  lie  had  prepared  a  resolution,  whlcl 
A3  it  happened,  was  almost  in  precisely  the  same  words  as  tha 
received  from  the  house,  and  then  moved  that  the  senate  con 
cur  in  the  resolution  just  received,  and  appoint  a  committee  o 
its  part. 

The  senate  then  agreed  to  appoint  a  committee  of  thirteen 
which  committee,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Chambers,  was  appointe 


of  Ala.  Chamber*,  Brown,  Shepley. 


A  message  was  received  from  the  president  of  the  Unit* 
tales  communicating  the  intelligence  of  the  death  of  genera 
,afayette,  and  stating  that  he  had  issued  orders  to  the  army  and 
avy  to  have  the  appropriate  honors  paid  to  the  memory  of  the 
;ceased;  which  was  referred. 

The  senate  again  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  general 
ppropriation  bill,  when, 

Mr.  Poindexter  submitted  an  amendment,  providing  that  no 
uoney,  to  be  paid  out  under  this  act,  or  any  other  act  passed  at 
he  present  session  of  congress,  shall  be  paid  in  any  bank  note 
•-  notes  not  of  par  value  at  the  place  where  they  shall  be  paid. 
This  amendment,  (alter  a  motion  by  Mr.  Benton  to  amend  it 
f  striking  out  all  after  the  word  "congress"  and  inserting  the 
vonls  "miles  in  specie,  if  so  required  by  the  holder  of  the  war- 
ant  or  the  payee,"  which  was  lost),  was  negatived,  ayes  17, 
lays  25. 

The  bill  was  then  reported  to  the  senate,  and  the  several 
•Amendments  adopted  in  committee  of  the  whole  were  concur- 
red in,  with  the  exception  of  the  amendment  relative  to  the  ap- 
iropriation  for  the  publication  of  the  documentary  history  of  the 
•evolution,  by  Clarke  and  Force:  and, 

OP.  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  hill  was  postponed  to,  and 
made  the  order  of  the  day  for,  Monday  next. 

The  bill  to  establish  a  port  of  entry  at  Natchez,  Mississippi, 
ivas  ordered  to  a  third  reading,  and  then  the  senate  adjourned. 
June  23.     Mr.  Hill  presented  certain  resolutions  of  the  legis- 
ature  of  New  Hampshire,  sustaining  the  course  of  the  exccu- 
live  in  his  measures  against  the  bank,  &c. 
After  a  speech  from  Mr.  Hill,  and  a  reply  by  Mr.  Bell, 
Mr.  Webster  said  the  paper  could  not  properly  be  received. 
It  was  not  a  memorial;  contained  within  it  no  request  to  be  laid 
before  congress,  and  that  its  presentation  was  wholly  unauthor- 
ised. 

Mr.  Benton  contended  that  it  should  be  received,  inasmuch 
as  it  contained  instructions  to  their  representatives. 

Mr.  Webster  said  he  was  willing  to  let  them  remain  on  the 
table  for  a  day,  to  enable  the  gentleman  from  Missouri  time  to 
find  a  precedent. 

The  resolutions  were  then  laid  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Eving  presented  a  memorial  from  Portage  county,  Ohio, 
•cmonstraling  against  the  measures  of  the  executive. 

Mr.  S-prague  submitted  the.  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  postmaster  general  be  directed  to  commn- 
nicale  to  the  senate  all  the  papers  in  his  department  relative  to 
the  investigation  of  the  conduct  of  James  Curtis.s,  late  postmas- 
ter at  Eastport,  Maine. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  members  be  appointed  to 
examine  the  condition  and  proceedings  of  the  post  office  de- 
partment, with  power  to  send  for  persons  and  papers,  and  to 
take  the  depositions  of  witnesses,  either  by  personal  examina- 
tion, or  on  commission,  with  permission  to  sit  in  the  recess  of 
congress,  and  to  report  at  the  next  session. 

The  following  bills  were  read  twice  and  committed: 

The  hill  to  regulate  the  value  of  certain  gold  coins; 

The  bill  concerning  the  gold  coins  of  the  United  States,  and 
for  other  purposes; 

The  bill  authorising  the  selection  of  certain  Wabash  and  Erie 
canal  lands  in  the  state  of  Ohio;  as  also 

The  resolution  Giving  the  right  of  way  through  the  United 
States  property  at  Harper's  Ferry,  to  the  Winchester  and  Poto- 
mac rail  road  company. 

At  one  o'clock  the  senate  proceeded  to  consider  the  general 
appropriation  bill.  The  question  being  on  concurring  in  the 
amendment  of  the  committee  of  the  whole  concerning  the  do- 
cumentary history  of  the  revolution — 

Mr.  Southard  moved  to  strike  out  the  amendment,  and  to  sub- 
stitute one  making  an  appropriation,  without  interfering  with 
the  contract,  and  instructing  the  secretary  of  state  to  institute 
an  inquiry  into  the  character  of  the  contract,  &c.  during  the  re- 
cess. 

Mr.  Southard's  amendment  was  adopted,  ayes  25,  noes  20. 

Among  other  amendments  one  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  20 
to  19,  providing  for  the  pay  and  mileage  of  E.  R.  Potter,  while 
contesting  the  seat  of  United  States  senator  from  Rhode  Island; 
after  which, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  bill  was  postponed  until  to- 
morrow. 

The  senate  then  went  into  executive  business,  and  after  being 
engaged  therein  some  time,  the  doors  were  opened,  and  then 
the  senate  adjourned. 

June  24.  Mr.  Morrit  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  conven- 
tion of  delegates  from  six  counties  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  sustain- 
ing the  course  of  the  executive  in  relation  to  the  bank  of  the 
United  States;  which  was  read,  &c. 

Mr.  Tomlinson  presented  the  memorials  of  about  1,600  citi- 
zens of  Windham  county,  Connecticut,  complaining  of  the  pe- 
cuniary embarrassments  occasioned  by  the  removal  of  the  pub- 
lip  funds  from  the  custody  of  ihe  hank  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  unwise  and  disastrous  interference  of  the  executive  with 
the  currency  and  labor  of  the  country;  which  was  read,  refer- 
red, Sic. 

Mr.  Hill  moved  that  the  senate  take  up  the  resolutions  of  the 
New  Hampshire  legislature,  presented  by  him  yesterday. 

A  debate  ensued,  in  which  Messrs.  Clay,  Hill,  PoinJrxter, 
Kiring  and  Itenton  participated;  and  the  senate  finally  refused 
to  tnke  up  the  resolutions  by  the  following  vote: 

YEAS — Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsyth, Grundy,Hendrick», 
Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Leigh,  Linn, 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  48,  1834— CONGRESS. 


305 


Morris,  Robbins,  Shepl<!y,  Tallmadge,  While,  Wilkins,  Wright 
— 18.  Shcpley,  Spragui 

NAYS— Messrs.  Bibb,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,    ster,  White— 33. 
EwiiiK,  Freliiighuysen,  Kent,  Knijrlit.  Mangum,  Moore,  Nau- 
dain.  I'oindexler,  Premiss,  Porter,  Preston,  Bobinnon,  SiUbee, 
Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Toinlinson,  'J'yler,  Wagga- 
inan,  Webster — 26. 

The  resolutions  submitted  by  Mr.  Poindexter  for  continuing 
the  tavoMifMiont  "f  "'<•  conunitie.e  of  public  lands  during  the 
recess  of  congress,  relative  to  the  frauds  alleged  to  have  been 
committed  in  land  sales,  was  considered  and  adopted. 

Mr.  Robbins  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  the  ci- 
tizens of  Kent  county,  Rhodt*  Island, disappioving  the  measures 
of  the  executive  relative  to  the  finances  and  the  bank  of  the 
United  States;  which  were  read,  &c. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Southard,  it  was  ordered  that  the  senate  in 
future  meet  at  10  o'clock  for  Ihe  residue  of  the  session. 

Alter  Ihe  first  and  second  readings  and  reference  of  a  number 
of  bills  from  the  house  of  representatives,  the  senate  proceeded 
to  the  consideration  of  executive  business,  and  after  spending 
some  time  therein,  adjourned. 

June  25.  The  chair  communicated  the  report  of  Ihe  opera- 
tions of  thi!  limit  for  the  last  year. 

After  several  reports  had  been  made  and  disposed  of  on  pri- 
vate claims, 

Mr.  Naudain  reported,  without  amendment,  the  bill  amenda- 
tory of  the  act  for  the  relief  of  sundry  owners  of  vessels  sunk 
for  the  defence  of  Baltimore  during  the  last  war;  which  was 
read  a  third  lime  arid  passed. 

The  bill  lo  establish  aildition.il  land  districts  in  the  territory 
of  Arkansas;  was  read  a  third  time  and  passed. 

The  bill  to  amend  the  act,  entitled  "an  act  for  the  better  or- 
ganization of  the  courts  of  the  United  States  in  the  state  ol 
Alabama,"  was  ordered  lo  a  third  reading. 

The  bill  providing  for  the  payment  of  property  lost,  captured 
or  destroyed  dining  the  late  War,  was  laid  on  Ihe  table. 

Mr.  Webster  made  a  report  on  the  tokens  of  respect  to  be  ob- 
served on  the  occasion  of  gen.  Lafayette's  death,  which,  as  the 
M  mile,  would  probably  adopt  the  resolutions  from  the  house,  he 
would  not  ask  for  the  reading  of. 

The  bill  making  appropriations  for  Indian  annuities  and  for 
other  purposes  for  the  year  1834,  was  taken  up,  amended  and 
passed. 

The  joint  resolutions  from  the  house  of  representatives,  ma- 
nifesting the  deep  sensibility  of  congress  on  the  occasion  of  the 
decease  of  the  late  general  Lafayette,  was  passed  through  the 
different  stages  by  unanimous  consent  and  adopted. 

[The  following  were  Mr.  Webster's  brief  but  fitting  remarks 
on  this  occasion — 

"I  shall  noi  presume,  Mr.  President,  to  utter  one  word  of  en- 
comium on  the  extraordinary  personage  of  whom  these  resolu- 
tions spe.ik.  The  proceeding  in  which  we  are  engaged  is  in- 
tended to  manifest  the  sense  of  congress  and  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States.  It  is  a  proceeding  in  which  none  are  lo 
lead,  and  none  to  follow;  but  in  which  all  are  to  be  equally  ac- 
tive, and  equally  prominent,  as  all  are  equally  sincere  and 
equally  ardent,  in  expressing  a  nation's  gratitude  to  a  nation's 
benefactor. 

On  an  occasion  so  solemn,  so  affecting,  I  content  myself  with 
simply  moving  that  the  resolutions  be  put  to  vote;  and  I  do  this 
with  entire  confidence  that  they  will  be  passed,  not  only  with- 
out hesitation  or  dissent,  but  with  earnest,  emphatic — I  may 
say,  even,  with  enthusiastic  unanimity."] 

Mr.  Preston  submitted  a  joint  resolution  rescinding  the  reso- 
lution of  the  two  houses  fixing  on  the  30ih  day  of  June  as  Ihe 
day  of  adjournment,  and  authorising  the  adjournment  to  be 
made  on  ihe  day  of  July;  which  was  read  and  ordered  to  a 
second  reading. 

The  amendments  of  the  house  to  the  Toulon  pension  bill  were 
considered  and  agreed  to. 

The  resolution  submitted  by  Mr.  Sprague,  providing  for  the 
Appointment  of  a  committee  to  continue  the  investigations  into 
Ihe,  affairs  of  the  post  office  department  during  Ihe  recess,  was 
taken  uu  for  consideration,  and  having  been  modified  by  Mr. 
Spraaue,  so  as  to  refer  the  investigation  to  the  standing  com- 
mittee on  the  post  roads,  instead  of  to  a  select  committee — 

Mr.  Forsylk  suggested  that  it  would  be  the  betler  course  to 
refer  the  subject,  by  a  special  resolution,  to  the  president  of 
the.  United  States,  and  to  throw  on  him  the  responsibility  of 
making  the  examination.  He  supposed  the  object  was  not  to 
establish  criminality. 

Mr.  Sprngnc  said  his  object  was  to  have  a  full  examination, 
and  as  ihe  next  session  of  congress  was  a  short  one,  previotii 
investigation  was  necessary.  It  was  not  his  object  to  establish 
criminality,  but  that  iniaht  be  one  of  the  results.  He  had  no 
desire  to  put  responsibility  on  the.  president,  as  he  was  suffi- 
ciently disposed  to  assume  it.  The  business  had  been  already 
in  his  hands,  and  if  he  was  disposed  to  do  his  duty,  no  act  o 
the  senate,  in  authorising  an  investigation,  could  prevent  him 
Mr.  f'orsyth  denied  that  the  information  collected  by  the  com- 
mittee, and  at  present  only  known  to  them,  was  yet  before  the 
president.  He  moved  to  postpone  the  consideration  of  the  re- 
solution till  Saturday. 

The  motion  to  postpone  was  negatived,  and  the  question  01 
the  resolution  was  then  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Beritnn,  Bibb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Chomhorp 
Clay,  rinyt"n,  Kwing,  Frelinghuysen.  Grundy,  Hcndrick? 
Kane,  Kent,  Knight,  Linn,  Manguin,  Moore,  Naudain,  Poin 


dexter,  Porter,  Premiss,  Robbins,  Silebee,  Smith,  Southard, 
Shcpley,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tyler,  Tomlinaon,  Waggaman,  Web- 
er, White— 33. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Brown,  Forsylh,  Hill,  King,  of  Alabama, 
King,  of  Geo.  Morris,  Robinson,  Tallmadge,  Tiplon,  Wright 
—10. 

So  the  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

At  Ihe  request  of  Mr.  Clayton,  he  was  excused  from  serving 
on  the  committee. 

The  following  resolution,  submitted  yesterday  by  Mr.  Siltbee, 
was  considered  and  agreed  to: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to 
report  to  the  senate,  at  the  commencement  of  the  next  session 
of  congress,  the  amount  of  revenue  collected,  and  the  amount 
of  tonnage  entered  at  each  of  the  custom  houses  of  the  United 
States,  the  amount  and  rate  of  commissions  charged  by  each  of 
the  collectors  on  the  revenue  collected  by  him,  and  the  amount 
of  fees  received  at  each  of  the  custom  houses  for  each  of  the 
two  last  years.  Also  the  number  of  officers,  of  every  descrip- 
tion, employed  at  each  of  the  custom  houses,  the  amount  of 
emoluments,  of  every  kind,  received  by  each  of  those  officers, 
and  the  expenses  incident  to  their  respective  offices,  for  each 
of  the  two  last  years,  stating  whether  such  emoluments  arise 
from  commissions,  salaries  or  fees,  and  how  much  from  each 
of  those  sources,  and  stating  al*o  whether  any.  and  if  any, such 
of  these  offices  or  officers  as  may  be  dispensed  with,  without 
injury  to  the  public  service. 

The  bill  amendatory  of  the  tariff  act  of  July  1832,  was  read  a 
third  time  and  passed. 
At  2  o'clock  the  senate  took  a  recess  of  two  hours. 

Evening  session. 

The  resolution  reported  by  the  committee  on  Indian  affairs 
on  the  petition  of  John  Ross  and  others,  requesting  the  presi- 
dent to  ascertain  and  inform  the  senate  at  the  next  session  of 
congress,  on  what  terms  the  claims  of  the  state  of  Georgia  and 
of~her  citizens  can  be  extinguished  lo  the  Cherokee  lands  with- 
in her  limits,  was  taken  up — 

After  some  remarks  from  Mr.  Forsyth  in  opposition,  and  of 
Messrs.  White  and  Frelin^huysen  in  its  support,  the  resolution 
was  finally  laid  on  the  table  by  a  vote  of  22  to  17. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Ewing,  the  post  office  report  was  laid  on 
he  table  for  the  present. 

The  general  appropriation  bill  was  considered,  amended  and 
>assed,  and  sent  back  to  the  other  house  for  concurrence  in  the 
amendments. 

June  26.  The  resolution  presented  yesterday  by  Mr.  Preston, 
concerning  the  adjournment  of  congress,  was  taken  up,  and 
after  the  blank  being  filled  with  the  7th  day  of  July,  was,  on 
notion  of  Mr.  Clay,  laid  on  the  table  by  a  vote  of  yeas  25,  noes 
not  counted. 

Mr.  Southard  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  post  office  com- 
millee  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Clayton  excused  from  serving. 

The  bill  concerning  navy  pensions  was  read  a  third  lime  and 
passed. 

Mr.  Silibee  submitted  a  resolution  requiring  a  statement  to  be 
made  at  the  next  session,  of  the  amount  of  hospital  money  re- 
ceived since  1798,  which  was  read  and  adopted. 

A  large  number  of  public  and  private  bills  were  passed — but 
as  none  of  them  are  of  much  general  importance,  a  notice  of 
them  in  the  list  of  acts,  which  may  be  expected  in  our  next, 
will  be  sufficient. 

The  bill  authorising  the  relinquishnient  of  the  16th  section  of 
the  public  lands,  granted  for  the  use  of  schools,  and  the  location 
of  other  lands  in  lieu  thereof,  was  taken  up  and  rejected,  ayes 
18,  nays  19. 
The  senale  llien  took  a  recess  until  4  o'clock. 

HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

Friday,  June  20.  The  house,  after  considerable  discussion, 
agreed  to  reconsider  the  harbor  bill,  as  also  the  vole  on  an 
amendment  moved  by  Mr.  Mercer,  authorising  an  appropria- 
tion of  $29,000  for  certain  surveys,  &c. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  take  up  the  bill  regulating  the 
deposites  of  the  money  of  the  United  Slates  in  certain  local 
banks. 

Mr.  Polk,  who  had  reported  the  bill,  addressed  the  house  in 
its  favor  for  more  than  an  hour. 

Mr.  Foster,  of  Genruia,  followed  in  reply  and  contended  that 
the  bank  charter,  however  unconstitutional,  was  a  valid  con- 
tract, binding  the  government  of  the  United  States,  and  on  thil 
ground  as  well  as  to  Ihe  details  of  Mr.  Polk's  bill,  he  opposed 
iis  passage. 

Messrs.  If'ilde  and  Gordon  followed  in  opposition  to  Ihe  bill. 
The  latter  intimated  an  intenlion  lo  offer  a  substitute,  provid- 
ing, in  substance,  that  the  collectors  of  the  revenue  shall  be  tbo 
agents  of  the  treasury,  and  the  keepers  of  the  public  revenue, 
which  shall  be  paid  in  tin;  current  coin  of  the  union. 

The  bill  for  the  relief  of  certain  spies  employed  on  the  fron- 
tier of  Arkansas,  in  1830;  and 

The  bill  creating  additional  land  district*  in  the  state  of  Illi- 
nois and  territory  nf  Michigan,  were  severally  read  the  third 
time  and  passed. 

Mr.  ~lrchcr  reported  a  joint  resolution  making  provision  for 
tin!  families  of  those  killed,  and  for  those  wounded  on  the  occa- 
sion or"  firing  the  salute  at  Toulon;  which 

On  motion  of  Mr.  J.  Q.  -9d«ms,  was  recommitted  lo  the'com- 
mittre  on  foreign  affairs,  with  instructions  to  report  a  bill. 

The  house  adjourned. 


$06 


NILES1  KEGJSTEK— JUJNE  28,  1 834 -CONGRESS. 


Saturday,  June  21.     After  the  reading  of  the  journal 
Mr.  J.  4-  "'Mams  rose  to  state  that,  on  coming  to  the  house 
he  had  been  informed   that  siuce  the  last  adjournment  ol'  tli 
bouse,  intelligence  had  been  received  of  Hie  occurrence  of 
cal  unity  which  had  befallen  the  whole  race  uf  civilized  mini 
He  had  not  limu  to  prepare  a  resolution  titling  such  an  occasion 
but  he  presumed  it  would  be  obvious  to  every  person  that  i 
was  an  occurrence  peculiarly  becoming  the  congress  of  the 
United  States  to  adopt  some  suitable  measure  to  express  in 
deep  sense  they  entertained  of  the  misfortune  involvcil  in  tli 
decease  of  one  of  the  most  eminent  benelactors  of  the  age  am 
of  mankind.     It  occurred  to  him  that  such  a  duty  should  be  ills 
charged  in  a  manner  suitable  at  onc«  to  the  dignity  of  the  repre 
sentatives  of  the  people  and  stales  of  this  union,  and  to  (he  me 
rits  of  him  to  whose  memory  this  tribute  should  be  paid.     Tfiii 
be  supposed  would  be,  in  the  form  of  a  joint  resolution  of  the 
two  houses  of  congress.     He  would  now.  therefore,  submit  a 
motion  that  a  committee   should   be  appointed  to  consider  ii 
\vhatmaniieratribute  of  affection   and  respect  may  be  shewn 
by  the  congress  of  the  United  States  expressive  of  the  sensi 
bility  of  the  nation,  on  the  event  of  the  decease,  and  of  their 
veneration  for  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  general  Lafayette, 
Mr.  ^iilains  then  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of be  appointed  on  the  part 

of  Ibis  house  to  join  such  committee  as  may  be  appointed  by 
the  senate,  to  consider  and  report  by  what  token  of  respect  anc 
affection  it  may  be  proper  for  the  congress  of  the  United  Slates 
to  express  the  deep  sensibility  of  the  nation  on  the  event  of  the 
decease  of  general  Lafayette. 

After  various  suggestions,  the  committee  was  ordered  to  con- 
sist of  twenty-four,  and  the  following  gentlemen  to  compose  the 
said  committee: 

From  Massachusetts, JOHN  QCINCY  ADAMS,  chairman, 

From  Maine, liufus  Mclntire. 

From  IVew  Hampshire, Henry  Hubl>ard. 

From  Rhode  Island, Tristram  Bur  get. 

From  Connecticut, Noyes  Barber. 

From  Vermont, , Ileman  Mien. 

From  New  York, C.  C.  Cambreleng. 

From  New  Jersey, James  Parker. 

From  Pennsylvania, Henry  Ji.  Muhlenberg. 

From  Delaware, John  J.  Milligan. 

From  Maryland, Isaac  McKim. 

From  Virginia, William  S.  Jlrcher, 

From  North  Carolina, Leais  Williams. 

From  South  Carolina, Henry  L.  Pinckney. 

From  Georgia, James  M.  Wayne. 

From  Kentucky, Richard  M.  Johnson. 

From  Tennessee, John  Blair. 

From  Ohio, Etisha  Whittlesey. 

From  Louisiana, Philemon  Thomas. 

From  Indiana, John  Carr. 

From  Mississippi, Harry  Cage. 

From  Illinois, Joseph  Duncan. 

From  Alabama, John  Murphey. 

From  Missouri, William  H.  Jlshley. 

Mr.  Jlrcher  reported  a  bill  making  provision  for  the  families 
of  those  killed,  and  for  the  wounded  survivors  on  the  occasion 
of  firing  the  salute  at  Toulon. 

Mr.  Polk  reported  a  bill  providing  appropriations  for  carrying 
into  effect  certain  Indian  treaties — twice  read  and  committed. 
Mr.  E.  Everett  submitted  n  resolution   which   was  agreed  to, 
distributing  the  copies  of  the  System  of  Penal  Law  for  the 
United  States,  by  Edward  Livingston. 

Mr.  Mercer  submitted  a  resolution  calling  upon  the  secretary 
of  war  for  estimates  of  the  cost  of  works  of  internal  improve- 
ment for  which  surveys  have  been  made,  &c. 

The  bill  concerning  the  gold  coins  of  the  United  States  was 
taken  up,  read  the  third  time,  amended  and  passed,  ayes  145, 
uays  36. 

The  bill  regulating  the  value  of  certain  foreign  gold  coins  was 
read  the  third  lime,  amended  and  passed. 
The  house  adjourned. 

Monday,  June  23.  Mr.  Polk  moved  that  the  rule  by  which 
this  day  was  set  apart  for  the  reception  of  petitions,  &.c.  should 
be  suspended,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  up  the  bill  regulating 
deposited  in  state  banks. 

Tins  motion  led  to  a  desultory  and  lengthened  discussion  as 
to  the  business  which  was  entitled  to  precedence;  it  being 
finally  nfgatived,  the  house  proceeded  to  the  orders  of  the  day, 
being  the  presentation  of  memorials,  &c. 

The  resolutions  from  the  legislature  of  Rhode  Island  present- 
ed by  Mr.  Kurgcs,  for  the  restoration  of  the  deposites  and  re- 
charter  of  the  imrik,  coming  up  as  the.  unfinished  business — 

Mr.  Pearce  replied  to  .Mr.  It.  at  considerable  length,  contend- 
ing that  the  resolutions  presented  by  Mr.  Surges  did  not  truly 
express  the  voice  of  the  people  of  the  slate,  &c. 

Mr.  Burgei  rejoined  with  great  severity  to  the  remarks  of  his 
colleague. 

The  controversy  was  «t  length  ended  by  a  motion  to  lay  the 
resolutions  on  the  table,  which  motion  prevailed. 
The  hoiisp  then  took  up  the  harbor  bill. 

The  question  being  on  the  amendment  moved  by  Mr.  Mercer, 
appropriating  .$ 29,000  for  surveys,  including  $7,000  for  arrears. 
TuetJay,  Jit»ic24.  The  speaker  laid  before  the  house  a  letter 
from  the  clerk  stating  that  he  had  performed  the  required  ser- 
vice of  arranging  and  making  a  digest  of  the  returns  of  state 
banks,  and  that  the  statement  was  now  ready  for  the  press. 


After  several  reports  upon  private  claims  had  been  made  and 
disposed  of, 

Mr.  G-rayson  reported  a  bill  to  provide  for  the  establishment 
of  a  navy  vard  in  the  city  af  CbattevUo;  which  was  twice  read 
and  committed. 

Mr.  Poll;  reported  the  bill  from  the  senate  concerning  the  du- 
ties on  lead,  which  bill  was  committed. 

Engrossed  bills  of  the  following  title,  were  severally  read  a 
third  time,  passed  and  sent  to  the  senate  for  concurrence. 

A  bill  to  construct  a  road  from  the  northern  boundary  of  the 
territory  of  Florida,  to  the  town  of  Appalacliicolu  in  baid  terri- 
tory. 

A  bill  to  mark  and  open  a  road  from  Columbia  to  Little 
Rock,  in  the  territory  of  Arkansas. 

A  bill  for  the  survey  of  certain  rivers  and  roads,  and  for  the 
improvement  of  a  harbor  in  the  territory  of  Michigan. 

A  bill  amendatory  of  an  act  for  the  relief  of  sundry  owners  of 
vessels  sunk  for  the  defence  of  Baltimore. 

A  bill  to  attach  the  territory  of  the  United  States  west  of  the 
Mi.-sis.-i|>|ii  river  and  nori.li  uf  the  state  of  Missouri,  to  the  ter- 
ritory of  Michigan. 

The  bill  from  the  senate  granting  pensions  to  certain  French 
seamen  who  were  wounded,  and  to  the  families  of  those  who 
were  killed  in  the  salute  at  Toulon,  was  taken  up,  amended 
and  finally  passed. 

The  bill  regulating  the  deposites  of  the  public  moneys  in  the 
state  banks,  was  taken  up,  read  a  third  time,  passed  and  sent  to 
the  senate  for  concurrence — yeas  112,  nays  90. 

Mr.  dtlams  obtained  leave  to  make  a  report  from  the  select 
joint  committee,  on  the  subject  of  the  death  of  LAFAVETTK, 
and  reported  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  Sfc.  That  the  two  houses  have  received  with  the 
profoiindesl  sensibility,  intelligence  of  the  death  of  general  La- 
fayette, the  fiiend  of  the  United  States,  the  friend  of  Washing- 
ton, and  the  friend  of  liberty. 

Sec.  2  Jind  be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  sacrifices  and 
efforts  of  this  illustrious  person,  in  the  cause  of  our  country, 
during  her  struggle  for  independence,  and  the  affectionate  in- 
terest which  he  has  at  all  times  manifested  for  the  success  of 
her  political  institutions,  claim  from  the  government  and  peo- 
ple of  the  United  States,  an  expression  of  condolence  for  hi* 
loss,  veneration  for  his  virtues, and  gratitude  for  his  services. 

Sec.  3.  Jlnd  be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  president  of  the 
United  States  be  requested  to  address,  together  with  a  copy  of 
the  above  resolutions,  a  letter  to  George  Washington  Lafayette, 
and  the  other  members  of  his  family,  assurine  them  of  the  con- 
dolence of  this  whole  nation  in  their  irreparable  bereavement. 

Sec.  4.  Jlnd  be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  members  of  the 
two  houses  of  congress  will  wear  a  badge  of  mourning  for  thir- 
ty days,  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  people  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  to  wear  a  similar  badge  for  the  same  period. 

Sec.  5.  Jlnd  be  it  further resolved,  That  the  halls  of  both  houses 
be  dressed  in  mourn  inn  for  the  residue  of  the  session. 

Sec.  6.  Jlnd  he  it  further  resolved,  That  JOHN  QUI.SCY  ADAMS 
ie  requested  to  deliver  an  oration  on  the  life  and  character  of 
general  Lafayette,  before  the  two  houses  of  congress,  at  the 
next  session. 

The  resolutions  were  read  twice  and  ordered  to  be  engrossed 
"or  a  third  reading,  by  an  unanimous  vole. 
The  house  then  adjourned. 

Wednesday,  June  25.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Whittlcsry,  it  waa 
resolved,  that  during  the  remainder  of  the  session,  niter  to-day, 
he  house  should  assemble  for  the  despatch  of  business,  at  10, 
A.  M.  and  lake  a  recess  from  2  till  4  o'clock. 

The  speaker  laid  before  the  house  the  annual  report  of  the 
mint.     He  also  laid  before  the  house  a  statement  ;hmvin<!  the 
iroceeds  arising  from  the  sale  of  lands  embraced  in  the  I.onisi- 
na  purchase,  and  the  expenditure  for  roads,  Indian  title,  get- 
lement  of  claims,  &c.  within  the  said  purchase. 
Mr.  Mercer  made  a  report  on  the  expediency  of  aiding  tho 
late  of  Illinois  in  the  construction  of  a  steamboat  canal  from 
Vlichigan  to  the  Illinois  river;  which  report  was  ordered  to  lie 
n  the  table. 

Mr.  Clayton  made  a  report,  in  part,  on  the  subject  of  the  sa- 
aries  of  public  officers,  and  the  pay  and  mileage  of  members  of 
onszress — read  and  laid  on  the  table. 

He  also  made  a  report  recommending  the  appointment  of  a 
ommiltre  to  sit  during  the  recess,  to  consider  what  retrench- 
ment could  be  made  in  the  several  departments  of  the  govern- 
ment— read  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Thomas,  of  Maryland,  reported  the  following  resolution: 
Resolved,  That  Friday  next,  be,  and  it  is  hereby  set  apart  for 
he  consideration  of  the  reporl  of  ihe  committee  appointed  to 
"xamine  into  the  proceedings  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 
ind  that  this  house  will  continue  its  consideration  for  each  suc- 
eeding  day  thereafter,  until  finally  disposed  of. 
Mr.  Thomas  said  he  was  fully  sensible  it  is  now  too  late  to 
id  on  ihe  fifth  resolution  accompanying  the  majority  report; 
or  thai  reason,  it  was  his  purpose  to  submit,  in  lieu  of  that  re- 
olution,  one,  by  which  the  sergeant  at  arms  should  be  requir- 
d  to  notify  ihe  persons  who  have  defied  the  authority  of  thi* 
louse,  to  appear  at  its  bur  on  a  day  to  be  named,  early  in  the 
jext  session,  to  await  its  further  order. 

After  a  desultory  debate,  the  house  agreed  to  consider  the  re- 
olntion.  by  a  vote  of  yeas  95,  nays  f>."i:  whereupon 
Mr.  Ifilde  moved  an  amendment  that  the  resolutions  reported 
y  the  bank  committee  should  be  taken  up  in  committee  of  the 


NILES*  KEG ISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— YEAS  AND  NAYS. 


307 


whole,  on  Friday,  and  continued  from  day  to  day  until  disposed 
of. 
ffo  decision  was  had  upon  tin:  resolution  or  amendment  op 

to  the  hour  of  proceeding  to   the  orders  of  the  day,  and  the 
house  accordingly  took  tin  in  up. 

The  house,  in  committee  of  the  whole,  then  proceeded  to 
consider  the  Indian  hills,  and  severally  took  up  the  bill  to  pro- 
vide for  the  ornaiii/alion  of  tin;  dep:n  Imcnl  of  Indian  all'air.-; 
and  Hie  bill  to  regulate  trade  and  intercourse  vvilh  the  Indian 
tribes,  and  to  preserve  peace  on  tile  frontier.",  and  after  being 
amended  were  laid  aMilc. 

The  house  then  proceeded  to  consider  the  bill  providing  for 
the  e*tabli>liiiierit  of  llie  we.-lein  territory,  and  fur  the  security 
and  protection  of  cmii.'rant  and  oilier  tribes  therein. 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Mams  doubted  the  constitutional  powers  of  con- 
gress in  the  premises. 

Mr.  H.  Everett  affirmed  their  existence. 

The  committee  then  rose  and  reported  the  bills  and  amend- 
ments to  the  house;  when  the  amendment,  to  the  bill  organizing 
a  department  of  Indian  affairs,  was  concurred  in,  and  the  bill 
ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

The  bill  to  regulate  tiade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian 
tribes,  and  to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontieis,  was  taken  up, 
amended  and  ordered  to  a  third  reading. 
The  hill  to  establish  a  western  territory  being  taken  up, 
Mr.  I'inton  expressed  a  wish  to  postpone  it  until  next  ses- 
sion, it  being  an  important  bill,  highly  objectionable  in  its  de- 
tails, and  there  not  bcin»  time  to  consider  it  properly. 

Mr.  H.  Everett  replied  to  him.     He  said  the  provisions  of  the 
bill  had  been  submitted  to  the  Indians  themselves,  who  were 
anxious  for  its  passage. 
The  house  then  took  a  recess  until  half  past  4  o'clock. 

Keening  session. 

The  house  again  took  up  the  bill  to  establish  the  Western 
(Indian)  territory;  when 

Mr.  H.  Everett,  the  chairman  of  the  committee,  who  had  re- 
ported the  bill,  went  into  a  full  exposition  of  it,  explaining  each 
section,  seriatim. 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Mums  explained  at  large  his  objections  to  the  bill, 
following  Mr.  Everett  in  his  anahsis. 

An  animated  debate  ensued,  in  which  Messers.  Gilmer  and 
Wayne  supported  the  bill,  and  Messrs.  Jlrcher  and  Fillmore  op- 
posed it.  The  debate  was  finally  arrested  by  a  motion  of  Mr. 
Williams  lo  lay  the  bill  on  the  table,  which  prevailed. 

The  bill  to  carry  into  full  effect  the  fourth  article  of  the  trea- 
ty of  the  eighth  of  January,  1821,  vvitli  the  Creek  nation  of  In- 
dians, so  far  as  relates  to  the  claims  of  Georgia  prior  to  1802, 
was  considered  and  ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

The  amendment  of  the  senate  to  the  Indian  annuities  bill 
was  concurred  in,  and  then  the  house  adjourned. 

Jlturtday,  June  26.  After  various  unsuccessful  attempts  to 
suspend  tlie  rules  to  take  up  particular  bills — 

The  house,  in  committee  of  the  whole,  took  up  the  bill  to 
carry  into  effect  certain  Indian  treaties,  which  being  debated, 
was  laid  aside. 

The  general  appropriation  bill  with  the  amendments  of  the 
senate,  was  then  taken  up,  and  all  the  amendments  agreed  to, 
except  one,  relative  to  the  compensation  of  Florida  judges, 
which  was  disagreed  to. 

Mr.  Polk  moved  an  amendment  to  an  amendment  of  llie  se- 
nate, the  object  of  which  was  to  appropriate  ,*t.'!5, 000  in  addition 
to  former  appropriation  bills,  for  the  contingent  fund  of  the 
house  of  representatives;  which  was  agreed  to. 

The  committee  then  rose  and  reported  the  bills  to  the  house; 
when  the  amendments  lo  the  bill  to  carry  into  effect  certain  In- 
dian treaties,  were  concurred  in,  the  bill  engrossed,  read  a  third 
time,  passed  and  sent  lo  the  senate  for  concurrence. 

The  amendments  agreed  to  in  committee  on  the  general  ap- 
propriation bill,  as  also  the  disagreement  to  the  senate's  amend- 
ment, for  the  pay  of  the  Florida  judges,  were  concurred  in  by 
the  house. 

Mr.  Whittlesey  moved  that  the  bill  be  postponed  until  to- 
morrow. 

Mr.  Polk  declined,  and  a  debate  ensued,  and  before  any  final 
action  was  taken  on  the  motion,  the  house  took  a  recess  until 
half  past  4  o'clock. 

THE  JAMESTOWN  JUBILEE. 

Norfolk,  25/.A  May. 

Agreeably  to  previous  announcement,  the  celebration  of  the 
27th  anniversary  of  the  landing  of  the  gallant  captain  Smith, 
with  the  first  colonists  of  Virginia,  at  Jamestown,  took  place 
on  the  spot  consecrated  by  that  event,  yesterday  the  2-lth  inst. 
under  the  direction  of  the  following  gentlemen  of  Williams- 
burgh:  lion.  liurwell  Bassett,  lion.  Richard  Coke,  Boot.  A.  D. 
Gait,  Dr.  T.  G.  Peachy,  professor  T.  R.  Dew,  and  col.  Robert 
McCandlish.  There  were,  it  is  estimated,  between  1,500  and 
2,000  persons  present,  (and  among  them  a  goodly  proportion  of 
the  fair  daughters  of  Virginia),  congregated  from  distant  parts 
of  the  state,  as  well  as  from  the  contiguous  counties,  to  enjoy 
the  scene  with  all  its  interesting  associations,  and  to  contem- 
plate with  pious  delight,  the  birth  place  of  llieir  venerated  and 
beloved  commonwealth.  Our  ancient  borough  contributed  a 
respectable  quota  of  visitors,  besides  its  handsome  new  rifle 
company,  to  do  honor  to  the  occasion:  about  100  it  is  believed, 
went  up  in  the  new  steamboat  Old  Dominion,  and  20  or  30  in 
the  Patrick  Henry.  Among  the  distinguished  visitors  who  at- 
tended at  the  special  invitation  of  the  committee, were  the  hoii. 


John  Tyler,  lion.  Geo.  Poindexler,  Iron.  John  Tipton,  of  the  U. 
S.  senare,  and  gen.  7'./i//c.r,  of  Kentucky.  The  proceedings  of 
the  day  were  rhasli-nci!  by  rhe  appropriate  solemnity  ofprayer, 
by  llie  rev.  S.  A".  l\'olh,:l;,  pastor  ol  iln:  Presbyterian  church,  at 
Norfolk,  and  enlivenc  d  by  the  thrilling  touches  of  impassioned 
eloquence  in  an  oration  by  Mr.  Moieuu  lion-ers,  of  Willmms- 
burg,  a  graduate,  of  William  and  Mary  college.  The  heart 
oveillou'ing  vviih  tin-  virtuous  and  patriotic  »\  mpiilliie*  in-pir- 
ed  by  the  occasion,  fait  no  regret  at  the  absence  of  all  display  of 
pomp  and  pageantry.  The  scene  wan  one  altogether  for  the 
eoniemplaiion  of  the  philosophic  mind. 

In  tin  evening  the  committee  eseoited  their  invited  guests  to 
WillianiBburg,  when;  they  terminated  the  festivities  of  the  day 
vvilh  a  splendid  supper. 
[  Williamsburg  is  about  seven  miles  distant  from  Jamestown.] 

— .»»«.©»<.-— 
YEAS  AND  NAYS 

In  the  house  of  representatives,  on  the  12th  June,  on  the  question 
upon  llie  motion  that  R.  P.  Letchcr  is  entitled  to  a  seat  in  thut 
house  as  a  representative  from  Kentucky. 

YEAS — Messrs.  J.  C|.  Ailains,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen, 
Cbilton  Allan,  Archer,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  Barnitz,  Bar- 
ringer,  Baylies,  Beaty,  James  M.  Bell,  Binney,  Briggs,  Bull, 
Burd,  Burges,  Cage,  Campbell,  Chambers,  Chillon,  Choate, 
William  Clark,  Clayton,  Clowney,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Crane, 
Crockett,  Darlington,  W.  U.  Davis,  Davenport,  Deberry,  De- 
ming,  Denny,  Dick;on,  Duncan,  Evans,  Edward  Everett,  H. 
Everett,  Swing,  Felder.  Fillmorp,  Foster,  Philo  C.  Fuller,  Ful- 
ton, Gamble,  Garland,  Gholson,  Gilmer,  Gordon,  Gorham,  Gra- 
ham, Graysoir,  Grennell,  Griffin,  Hilanti  Hall,  Hard,  llardin, 
James  Harper,  Ilazcltine,  Heath,  lleister,  Jabez  W.  Hunting- 
ton,  Jackson,  William  Cost  Johnson,  King,  Kinnard,  Laponc, 
Lay,  Lewis,  Lincoln,  Love,  Martindale,  Marshall,  McCarty, 
McComas,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Millignn,  Moore,  Patton,  Pinck- 
ney,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Heed,  Kencher,  Selden,  Win.  B.  Shepard, 
Augustus  II.  Shepperd,Wm.  Slade,  Sloane,  Spangler,  Steele, 
Stewart,  Win.  P.  Taylor,  Philemon  Thomas,  Tornpkins,  Tur- 
ner, Tweedy,  Vance,  Virrton,  VVatmoiigh,  Wayne,  E.  D.  White, 
Elisha  Whittlesey,  F.  Whiltlesey,  Wilde,  William*,  Wilson, 
Young— 112. 

NAYS — Messrs.  John  Adams,  VVrn.  Allen,  Anthony,  Beale, 
[Sean,  Beardsley,  Beaumont,  Blair,  Bockee,  Bodle,  Boon,  Bonl- 
din,  Brown,  Bunch,  Burns,  Bynnin,  Cambreleng,  Carmichael, 
^arr;  Casey,  Chaney,  Chinn,  S.  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee,  Connor, 
Jrainer,  Day,  Dickerson,  Dickinson,  Dunlap,  Forrester,  Fow- 
ler, Wm.  K.  Fuller,  Galbraith,  Gillet,  Joseph  Hall,  Halsey, 
Hamer,  Hannegan,  Joseph  M.  Harper,  Harrison,  Hathaway, 
Hawkins,  Hawes,  Henderson,  Howell,  Hubbard,  Abel  Hunting- 
ton,  Inge,  Jarvis,  R.  M.  Johnson,  N.  Johnson,  Cave  Johnson, 
Seaborn  Jones,  Benjamin  Jones,  Kavanagh,  Lane,  Lansing, 
Luke  Lea,  Tiros.  Lee,  Leavitt,  Loyal),  Lyon,  Lytle,  Abijah 
Mann,  Joel  K.  Mann,  Mardis,  Moses  Mason,  Melnlire,  McKay, 
McKirn,  McKinley,  McLerre,  McVean,  Miller,  Henry  .Mitchell, 
Robert  Mitchell,  Muhlenberg,  Murphy,  Osgood,  Page,  Parks, 
Parker,  Patterson,  Dutee  J.  Pearce,  Peyton,  F.  Pierce.  Pierson, 
Plummer,  Polk,  Pope,  Schenck,  Schley,  Shinn,  Charles  Slade, 
Smith,  Speight,  Standifer,  Stoddert,  Sutherland,  Win.  Taylor, 
Francis  Thomas,  Thomson,  Turril,  Varrderpoel,  Van  Houten, 
Wagener,  Ward,  Ward  well,  Webster,  Wualoii,  C.  P.  White, 
Wise— 114. 

YEAS  AND  NAYS 

On  the  motion  to  lay  on  the  table  on  Friday  the  }3lh  inst.  the  re- 
solution from  the  senate  declaring  the  reasons  of  the  secretary 
of  the  treasury,  in  removing  the  depositcs,  unsatisfactory  and 
insufficient. 

YEAS— Messrs.  John  Adams,  Wm.  Allen,  Anthony,  Bean, 
Beardsley,  Beaumont,  Blair,  Bockee,  Bodle,  Uoon,  Bouldin, 
Brown,  Bunch,  Burns,  Bynum,  Cambreleng,  Carmichael,  Carr, 
Casey,  Chaney,  Chinn,  S.  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee,  Connor,  Cramer, 
Day,  Dickerson,  Dickinson,  Dunlap,  Forrester,  Fowler,  W.  K. 
Fuller,  Gillet,  Gilnrer,  Jos.  Hall,  llalsey,  Darner,  Jos.  M.  Har- 
per, Harrison,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  Ilavvrs,  Henderson,  How- 
ell,  Hubbard,  Abel  Hnntinglon,  Inge,  Jarvis,  Richard  M.  John- 
son, N.  Johnson,  C.  Johnson,  S.  Jones,  B.  Jorres,  Kavanagh, 
Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing,  Laporte,  Luke  Lea,  Thomas  Lee, 
Leavitt,  Loyall,  Lyon,  Lytle,  Abijah  Mann,  Joel  K.  Mann, 
Mardis,  Moses  Mason, ,  Mclntire,  McKay,  McKirrr,  MeKinley, 
McLene,  McVean,  Miller,  Henry  Mitchell,  Robert  Mitchell, 
Muhlenberg,  Murphy,  Osgood,  Page,  Parks,  Parker,  Patton, 
Patterson,  D.  J.  Pearce,  F.  Pierce,  Peirson,  Plnmmer,  Polk, 
Pope,  Schenck,  Schley,  Shinn,  Charles  Slade,  Smith,  Speight, 
Standifer,  Stoddert,  Sutherland,  William  Taylor,  F.  Thomas, 

Tl rson,  Turrill,  Vanderpoel,  Van   Houlen,  Wngener,  Ward. 

Wardwell,  Wayne,  Webster,  Whalon,  C.  P.  White— 114. 

NAYS— Messrs.  John  Quincy  Adams,  Ilernarr  Allen,  John  J. 
Allen,  C.  Allan,  Archer,  Ashley,  Banks,  Barber,  Barnilz,  Bar- 
ringer,  Baylies,  Bealy,  James  M.  Bell,  Binney,  Briggs,  Bull, 
Burd,  Burges,  Cage,  Campbell,  Chambers,  Chilton,  Choate, 
William  Clark,  Clayton,  Clowney,  Corwin,  C.mlrer.  Crockett, 
Darlington,  Warren  R.  Davis,  Deberry,  Doming,  Denny,  Hick- 
son,  Duncan,  Evans,  Edward  Everett,  Horace  Everett,  Ewing, 
Felder,  Fillmore,  Foster,  P.  C.  Fuller,  Fulton,  Gamble,  Gailand, 
Gliolscm,  Gordon.  Gorlmrn,  Graham, Gravson.  Grennell, Griffin, 
II.  Hall,  Hard,  llardin,  James  Harper,  Hazeltine,  Heath,  [Hes- 
ter, Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Jackson,  W.  C.  Johnson,  Lay.  Lsiv- 
js,  Lincoln,  Love,  Martindale,  Marshall,  MeCarty,  McComas, 


803  NILES*  REGISTER— JUNE  $8,  1834— CLAIMS  AGAINST  FRANCE. 


McKennan,  Mercer,  Millegan,  Moore,  Pinckney,  Potts,  Ram- 
say, Reed,  Rencher,  Seldtn,  Aug.  H.  Shepperd,  Win.  Slade, 
Sloane,  Spangler,  Steele,  Stewart,  P.  Thomas,  Tompkins,  Tnr- 
ner,Tweedy,  Vance,  Vinton,  E.  D.  White,  F.  Whitllesey,  E. 
Whittlesey,  Williams,  Wilson,  Wise,  Young—  101. 

Absent  on  taking  the  question  on  the  motion  to  lay  the  re- 
solution on  the  table  —  Messrs.  Bates,  or  Mass.;  Foot  and  Ells- 
worth, of  Conn.;  Lawrence,  of  New  York;  Watinoiigh,  King 
and  Galbraith,  of  Pa.;  Mason,  Claiborne,  Lucas,  Stevenson, 
Davenport,  Beal  and  Taylor,  of  Va.:  Hall  and  W.  B.  Shepherd, 
of  N.  Carolina;  Wilde  and  Sehley,  of  Georgia;  Manning,*  (nice 
Blair,  deceased)  and  McDuffie,of  South  Carolina;  Amos  Davis, 
ofKy.;  Peyton,  of  Tenn.;  Crane,  of  Ohio;  Hannegan,  of  India- 
na, 24,  Mr.  Bell,  of  Tenn.  the  speaker,  who  did  not  vote,  1  —  25 
—  making  with  those  who  voted,  240,  the  whole  number,  one 
seal  not  having  been  filled  in  the  Kentucky  delegation. 

Messrs.  Foot,  of  Connecticut,  Lawrence,  of  New  York,  and 
Stevenson,  of  Virginia,  had  resigned  their  seats,  the  first  elected 
governor  of  his  state,  the  second  mayor  of  New  York.  Messrs. 
Bates,  Davis,  of  Ky.  Watmough,  Claiborne,  and,  perhaps,  others 
were  confined  to  their  rooms  from  indisposition. 

The  vote  on  the  second  resolution,  directing  a  restoration  of 
the  deposites  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  was  also  laid  on 
the  table  —  ayes  118,  noes  98. 

Messrs.  Coulter,  of  Pa.  Felder,  of  S.  C.  and  Gholson,  of  Va. 
who  voted  in  the  negative  on  the  1st  resolution  now  voted  in 
the  affirmative  —  Mr.  King,  of  Pa.  and  Mr.  Crane,  of  Ohio,  who 
did  not  vote  on  the  1st  resolution,  voted  in  the  negative  on  the 
2d.  Messrs.  Deming,  of  Vt.  and  Wilson,  of  Va.  who  voted  on 
the  1st  resolution  were  absent  on  the  second;  and  Mr.  Peyton, 
of  Tenn.  who  was  absent  on  the  first  vote,  voted  in  the  atlinna 
live  on  the  second. 


CLAIMS  AGAINST  FRANCE. 

IN  THE    SENATE,  JUNE   7. 

The  chair  communicated  a  report  from  the  commissioners 
under  the  act  to  carry  into  effect  the  late  treaty  with  France, 
made  in  compliance  with  the  resolution  of  the  22d  ult.  showing 
a  list  of  all  the  claims  which  have  been  presented  to  them,  to 
geiher  with  the  amount  of  principal  and  interest  claimed  by  the 
memorialists  in  each  case,  and  the  aggregate  amount,  arranged 
into  classes  those  which  have  been  recognised  as  falling  within 
the  treaty,  those  which  have  been  suspended,  and  those  wliich 
have  been  rejected. 

GENERAL   RECAPITULATION. 

Amount  oflisl  marked  A,  comprehending  "claims  recognisec 
ai  within  the  treaty"  — 

Principal,  17,065,917  36 

Interest,  24,574,920  99 

--  41,640,838  35 
Amount  of  list  marked  B,  compre- 
hending "claims  rejected"  by  the 
board  — 

Principal,  618,258  73 

Interest,  1.001,579  12 

—  -  1,619,837  84 
Amount  of  list  marked  C,  compre- 
hending "claims"  suspended  — 

Principal,  3.272,325  94 

Interest,  5,301,168  02 

--  8,573,493  96 


Total  amount  of  claims  presented, 
principal  and  interest,  $51,834,179  15 

The  report  having  been  read — 

Mr.  Sprague  said  this  was  a  document  of  much  importance 
at  the  present  time,  especially  in  connection  with  the  recen 
refusal  of  the  French  chamber  of  deputing  to  make  the  ap 
propriation  for  carrying  into  effect  the  late  treaty.  That  re 
fusal,  »s  he  verily  believed,  had  been  occasioned  by  the  publica 
tion  of  the  correspondence  of  our  late  minister  to  France,  Mr 
Rives,  with  our  secretary  of  state.  Read  his  letter  of  July  8 
1831,  transmitted  with  the  treaty.  You  will  find  there  very 
stroii<;  representations  of  great  advantages  attained  by  that  tren 
ty.  I  should  not  be  disposed  to  censure  a  minister  for  present 
ing  the  offspring  of  his  labor  in  the  best  garb.  But  here  is  an 
exaggeration  which  transcends  all  tioiuids.  He  boasts  that  h 
had  obtained  from  France  a  sum  of  money  "amply  sufficient  t 
satisfy  all  the  just  claims  of  our  citizens  of  every  descripliot 
comprehended  within  thr  scope  ofthe  negotiation.'1  fie  specific 
and  depreciates  particular  clauses,  by  saying  that  Mr.  Cull  Hi 
had  expressed  an  opinion  that  there  could  be  no  cxpcetatioi 
that  indemnity  will  ever  be  obtained.  He  proceeds  to  under 
value  all  these  claims,  declaring  that  Crawford,  and  Gallatin 
nnd  Brown,  his  predecessors,  in  letters  never  published,  hu 
entrusted  to  him,  had  in  farmer  years  "reirnrrferf  this  whole  sub 
ject  at  almost  entirely  hopeless;"  that  the  difficulties  had  sine 
increased;  that  they  had  been  "prosecuted  in  vnin  for  the  las 
twenty  yeare,  and  a  large  portion  if  not  the  whole,  of  whieh  ha 
been  considered  as  desperate."  And  then  repeats  that  he  ha 
obtained  "a  sum  sufficient,  in  all  probability,  to  pay  r.rrrii  rcn 
justly  duo,  and  nearly  treble  the  amount  pronounced  to  he  du 
by  the  commission  charged  with  their  examination  here."  I 
the  amount  justly  due  U  included  principal  nnd  interest.  Tin 
\9  Apparent,  nnd  will  be.  redered  still  more  clear  by  referring  t 
bin  letter  of  29th  of  June,  1831.  Having  thus  obtained  from  th 


•Who  has  not  yet  taken  his  seal. 


rench  a  snm  sufficient  to  pay  every  cent  justly  due,  principal 
id  interest,  of  every  description  of  claim,  he  proceeds  to  boast 
iat  he  induced  the  French  government  to  release  claims  against 
;,  by  our  paying  about  thirty  per  cent,  only— less  than  one- 
lird  of  the  amount.  He  says  that  the  treaty  "extinguished 
laiins  of  French  subjects  against  the  United  States,  to  the 
•nount  of  nearJU'C  million  of  francs,  by  a  stipulation  to  pay  a 
illion  and  a  half." 

I  will  show  the  senate  directly  that  the  sentiments  made  in 
is  letter  are  grossly  erroneous;  that  it  ought  never  to  have 
•en  written,  but,  if  written,  most  assuredly  it  should  have  re- 
ained  in  the  secret  recesses  of  the  state  department.  What 
fK  we  to  think  of  an  administration  which  unnecessarily  gives 
ublicity  to  such  a  communication;  which,  for  no  end  or  object 
f  public  interest,  but  only  for  self-glorification,  publishes  it  to 
tie  world,  makes  it  known  to  the  French  minister  here,  and  to 
is  government  at  home?  Can  it  be  doubted  that  that  publica- 
ion  caused  the  refusal  of  the  French  chamber  to  make  the  ap- 
iropriation?  Their  debates  show  that  it  was  known  to  the 
nembers.  It  was  objected,  that  we  had  obtained  loo  much: 
bat  one-half  of  the  amount  stipulated  would  fully  indemnify 
>ur  citizens;  that  the  treaty  ought  not  to  be  carried  into  effect, 
jecause  it  was  unequal,  and  we  had  obtained  undue  advan- 
ages.  Has  not  the  difficulty  which  has  occurred  been  occa- 
ioned  by  the  wanton  and  unfounded  boasting  of  our  own  exe- 
cutive? I  say  unfounded;  and  the  document  just  read  abun- 
lantly  proves  it.  What  is  the  sum  stipulated  by  the  treaty, 
^ive  millions.  What  is  the  amount  of  the  claims  which  have 
•-een  presented  to  the  board  of  commissioners  appointed  to  ad- 
udicate  upon  them  under  the  treaty?  Fifty-one  millions  eight 
tundred  and  thirty-four  thousand  dollars.  Of  this  sum,  the 
hoard,  pursuant  to  rules  established  and  promulgated  before 
my  difficulty  was  anticipated,  have  actually  admitted  murno- 
ials  as  prima  facia  good,  to  the  amount  of  forty-one  millions 
=ix  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars;  of  wliich,  seventeen 
millions  and  sixty  five  thousand  dollars  is  principal,  and  twenty- 
bur  millions  five  hundred  and  seventy-four  thousand  dollars, 
merest.  And  the  board  have  rejected  memorials  to  the  amount 
of  one  million  six  hundred  and  nineteen  thousand  dollars;  of 
which,  six  hundred  and  eighteen  thousand  dollars  is  principal, 
-»nd  one  million  and  one  thousand  dollars  interest.  And  there 
lave  been  suspended,  for  future  consideration,  and  future  ad- 
judication, memorials  to  the  amount  of  eight  millions  five 
Hundred  and  seventy-three  thousand  dollars,  of  which,  three 
millions  two  hundred  and  seventy  two  thousand  dollars  is  prin- 
cipal, and  five  millions  three  hundred  and  one  thousand  dollar* 
is  interest. 

If  these  suspended  cases  shall  be  allowed,  it  will  make  the 
amount  claimed  by  memorials,  admitted  and  accepted,  to  ex- 
ceed fifty  millions;  that  is,  ten  times  the  amount  of  live  in- 
demnity. If  we  make  the  most  liberal  deductions,  and  cut 
down  the  amount  one-half,  still  it  will  be  five  times  the  amount 
provided  by  the  treaty,  and  our  merchants  will  receive  but 
twenty  percent. — one  fifth  part  of  their  just  due.  So  much 
for  our  own  claims.  And  now,  sir,  as  to  those  of  the  French. 

Mr.  Rives,  by  the  publication  of  his  letters  to  the  administra- 
tion, makes  it  matter  of  boast,  that  we  are  released  from  claims 
nominally  amounting  to  near  five  millions  of  francs,  by  the  pay- 
ment of  one  million  and  a  half.  But  Mr.  Rives  himself  admit* 
that  he  has  no  knowledge  whatever  of  any  of  the  claims,  except 
that  of  the  heirs  of  the  baron  Beaumarchais.  He  has  no  other 
than  the  mere  statement  ofthe  French  minister  to  him.  Would 
any  public  minister  pay  a  single  dollar  upon  claims  of  which  he 
knew  nothing,  upon  which  he  had  no  instructions  or  informa- 
tion whatever?  Then  as  to  the  Bcaumarchais  claim,  it  is  an 
old  acquaintance  in  the  halls  of  congress,  and  has  there  been 
repeatedly  decided,  after  investigation,  to  be  utterly  unfounded! 
It  arose  from  a  transaction  during  our  revolution;  and  Mr.  Rives, 
in  stating  its  amount,  calculates  interest  from  that  time.  He 
stales  the  claim  to  he  more  than  three  millions  and  a  half  of 
francs,  of  which  one  million  only  is  principal,  and  more  than 
two  and  a  half  millions  are  interest.  The  sum  which  he  stipu- 
lated to  pay  was  a  million  and  a  half  of  francs,  equal  to  the 
whole  principal,  nnd  fifty  per  cent,  more,  ofthis  antiquated,  nnd 
often  rejected,  Beaumarchnis  claim,  while  our  own  merchants 
will  not  receive  one  half,  if  they  do  one-third,  or  one-fourth,  of 
the  principal  of  their  iusl  claims,  without  interest.  Sir,  let  the 
administration  cease  to  boast  of  this  trumpeted  diplomatic 
achievement.  Let  them  acknowledge  the  plain  truth,  that,  for 
the  sake  of  a  final  adjustment,  they  have  sacrificed  the  just  nnd 
risliteons  claims  of  our  merchants  to  an  immense  amount,  to  at 
least  tens  of  millions,  while  they  have  paid  France,  liberally  for 
doubtful  pretensions.  Let  them  state  the  truth— that  the  treaty 
is  far  more  advantageous  to  France  than  to  the  United  States- - 
ami  there  will  be  nn  difficulty  in  their  carrying'  it  into  immediate 
effect.  They  will  then  be  ii.n»cion«  of  the  treaty,  nnd  the  re- 
lief it  affords  them  from  our  strong  nnd  irresistible  claims.  If 
this  treaty  is  HOI  executed,  our  merchants  will  he  remitted  to 
their  oii::iiial  rights,  and,  I  trust,  will  not,  unless  upon  some 
conjuncture  of  circumstances,  more  extraordinary  thnn  has  yet 
arisen,  ever  anain  be  so  sacrificed,  anil  cut  flown  to  HO  sinail  a 
fraction  of  their  honest,  well-founded  claims. 

This  treaty  does  not  do  justice  to  the  United  States  nnd  its 
citizen*.  The  obtaining  it  is  no  matter  of  congratulation  or 
«evlf.sati«faction.  Fl  mny  be  besl  to  accept  and  nrquirfre  in  it, 
as  n  matter  of  expediency,  rather  than  attempt  to  coerce  justice 
by  a  resort  to  a  war  of  commeroinl  regulations,  or,  whnt  is  worse, 
a  war  of  arms.  But  it  should  be  known  and  understood  that  it 


NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— MESSRS.  POLK,  ADAMS  AND  LYTLE.     309 


Is  only  upon  this  ground  of  expediency,  to  prevent  hostility,  to 
preserve  amicable  and  friendly  relations,  that  we  could  acqui- 
esce in  sucli  enormous  pecuniary  sacrifices  of  our  just  and  irre- 
sistible claims.  The  French  government  should  be  disabused 
of  the  error  into  which  they  have  been  led;  they  should  be  given 
to  understand,  that,  instead  of  our  having  made  a  hard  and  over- 
reaching bargain,  we  have  made  even  extravagant  concessions, 
and  accepted  of  less  than  one-fourth  part  of  our  well  founded, 
clear  and  indisputable  demands,  instead  of  reproaching  us  for 
our  supposed  unfairness,  she  should  be  enabled  to  appreciate 
our  extraordinary  concessions  and  sacrifices. 
The  report  was  oidered  to  be  printed. 

MESSRS.   POLK  AND  ADAMS  AND  LYTLE. 
Extract  from  the  debate  in  the  house  of  representatives,  on  Mr. 
•Adams'  motion  calling  for  information  concerning  the  deposits 
banks. 

Mr.  Polk  said  he  had  stated,  that  though  the  bank,  through  its 
organs  and  advocates,  at  the  early  periods  of  the  present  session 
of  congress,  when  we  were  appealed  to,  to  join  in  damning  and 
putting  down  the  chief  executive  magistrate,  had  lavished  un- 
measured praises  upon  us,  had  conceded  to  us  the  power  which 
this  house  afterwards  exercised,  and  had  professed  a  willing- 
ness to  yield  obedience  to  our  decision  upon  the  great  question 
which  has  occupied  so  much  of  bur  time,  that  yet  when  this 
house  had  condemned  the  bank,  and  sustained  the  president, 
we  had  shared  in  its  denunciation.  This  ho  happened  to  have 
it  in  his  po.ver  very  briefly  to  shew.  A  paper  had  this  moment 
been  handed  to  him,  by  a  gentleman  near  him,  which  he  had 
read  some  days  ago.  That  paper,  (the  National  Gazette),  con- 
tained an  article  purporting  to  be  editorial,  but  which  bore  on 
its  face  evidence  that  it  was  the  semi-official,  indeed  it  might 
be  regarded  as  the  official,  expose,  issuing  from  the  bank  itself — 
because  it  contained  an  extract  of  what  purported  to  be  a  pri- 
vate letter,  addressed  by  a  private  citizen,  to  the  bank,  and 
which  could  have  been  procured  from  no  other  source  hut  the 
bank  itself.  From  that  expose  he  begged  to  read  a  paragraph 
or  two,  to  show  ils  general  tone,  and  particularly  what  was 
said  of  this  house.  He  would  only  further  state,  that  it  appears 
in  the  paper  of  the  3d  of  June,  and  after  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee of  investigation  was  made  to  this  house.  Mr.  P.  here 
read  from  this  expose  as  follows,  viz: 

"The  house,  it  cannot  be  dissembled,  has  lost  much  of  the 
confidence  of  the  country,  and  has  lost  it  by  inattention  to  its 
own  character.  They  have  been  much  too  servile — have  permittee 
themselves  to  be  the  dupes  of  political  jugglers.  It  is  a  fact,  per 
fectly  notorious,  that  a  very  large  portion  of  the  house,  outside 
of  the  bar,  acknowledged  the  improper  conduct  of  the  exe- 
cutive—yet  step  forward  a  few  feet,  and  vote  to  support  the 
very  measures  they  disapprove.  The  house  ought  to  be  ashamed 
of  such  conduct;  there  are  really  many  honest  and  well  meaning 
men  in  that  body,  and  they  ought  to  revolt  at  the  humiliation  to 
which  the  kitchen  cabinet  subjects  them.  The  present  feeling 
of  the  country  toward  the  house  is  one  of  surprise  and  pity 
Surprise  that  a  popular  body  should  seem  so  indifferent  to  po 
pular  rights;  and  pity  that  it  should  suffer  the  control  of  these 
political  jug;lers.  If  hereafter,  that  body  should  be  despised, i 
will  only  be  because  it  hath  made  itself  despicable.  If  it  be  treated 
with  contempt,  it  will  be  because  it  is  contemptible." 

Again  he  said,  this  bank  expose,  (for  he  held  himself  justified 
in  supposing  that  it  had  the  sanction  of  the  bank,  for  garblet 
extracts  of  the  private  correspondence  of  the  hank,  formed  a 
part  of  it),  held  the  following  language,  which  he  read,  viz: 

"The  great  contest  now  waging  in  this  country  is  between  it 
free  institutions  and  the  violence  of  a  vulgar  despotism.  The 
government  is  turned  intn  a  baneful  faction,  and  the  spirit  o 
liberty  contends  against  it  throughout  the  country.  On  the  on 
hand,  is  this  miserable  cabal,  with  all  the  patronage  of  the  exe 
cutive;  on  the  other,  the  yet  unbroken  mind  and  heart  of  th 
country,  with  the  senate  and  the  bank;  the  house  of  representa 
lives,  hitherto  the  instinctive  champion  of  freedom,  shaken  h 
the  intrigues  of  the  kitchen,  hesitates  for  a  time,  but  cannot  fai 
before  long,  to  break  its  own  fetters  first,  and  then  those  of  th 
country.  In  that  quarrel,  we  predict,  they  who  administer  th 
bank  will  shrink  from  no  proper  share  which  the  country  ma, 
assign  to  them;  personally  they  must  be  as  indifferent  as  any  o 
their  fellow  citizens  to  the  recharter  of  the  bank.  But  theytui 
not  suffer  themselves,  nor  the  institution  intrusted  to  them,  to  b 
the  instrument  of  private  wrong  and  public  outrage — nor  will  the 
omit  any  effort  to  rescue  the  institutions  of  the  country  from  bein 
trodden  underfoot  by  a  faction  of  interlopers." 

In  the  same  paper,  the  inquiries  made  by  the  committee  o 
investigation  are  denounced  as  a  "mass  of  arrogance,"  because 
they  had  called  for  certain  correspondence  with  the  bank,  which 
the  bank  refused  to  furnish.  The  bank,  he  said,  in  this  paper, 
which  was  evidently  prepared  under  its  own  direction,  defied 
and  insulted  the  house  of  representatives.  After  setting  itself 
up  in  opposition  to  the  government,  assuming  to  construe  the 
powers  of  the  executive,  and  to  dispute  what  authority  he  should 
and  should  not  exercise,  it  now  abuses  and  denounces  this 
house. 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Mams  here  interrupted  Mr.  Polk,  and  called  on  the 
member  from  Tennessee  to  state  the  evidence  upon  which  he 
made  these  charges. 

Mr.  Polk  held  it  in  his  hand.  It  is,  f\s  he  had  alrrady  stated, 
what  purports  to  be  editorial,  but  comes  so  the  public  under  the 
sanction  of  the  bank;  if  it  was  not  vviilten,  as  he  believed  it 
was,  by  the  direction  of  the  bank  iteelf.  The  paper  furnishes 


ntrinsic  evidence  of  its  authorship,  for  it  contains  a  letter  whie 
ould  not  have  been  procured  but  from  the  bank.     Ye«,  sir,  tbe 
auk,  which  was  so  scrupulous  in  regard  to  private  correspon' 
ence,  has  not  hesitated  to  avail  itself  of  a  private  letter,  with 
view  to  assail  members  ol  this  house. 

Mr.  ddami  begged  to  know  what  proofhe  had  of  this? 

Mr.  Polk.  The  proof  U  on  the  lace  of  it;  it  bears  internal 
vidence  that  it  must  have  come  from  the  bank.  He  found  in 
I,  as  he  had  already  slated,  an  extract  of  a  letter  addressed  to 
he  bank  by  a  private  citizen,  and  which  could  not  find  its  way 
nto  this,  the  bank's  known  organ  in  Philadelphia,  (the  Nalion- 
I  Gazette),  without  the  knowledge  or  connivance  ol  the  bank, 
<t,  indeed,  without  having  been  lurnished  by  the  bank.  Tin* 
s  a  private  letter  addressed  to  the  bank  by  a  private  individual 
n  his  private  affairs,  and  we  thus,  notwithstanding  the  bank's 
bjection  to  disclose  to  a  committee  of  the  house,  when  called 
upon  for  that  purpose,  the  correspondence  called  for  touching 
is  "fair  business  transactions,"  nevertheless  does  not  hesitate 
o  blazon  forth,  under  such  circumstances,  a  garbled  extract,  of 
vhat  should,  by  its  professions,  be  held  sacred,  for  the  base 
)urpose,  he  must  conclude,  of  blasting  the  character,  or  aflect- 
ng  the  reputation  of  a  member  of  the  committee.  He  would 
now  read  on,  to  show  the  character  of  this  immaculate  inctilo- 
011. 

[Mr.  P.  here  read  some  other  extracts.] 

After  he  concluded — 

Mr.  J.  Q.  ~idams  rose  to  remark,  that,  as  the  member  from 
Tennessee  had  spoken  of  a  letter  to  the  bank  in  the  article,  ho 
ivould  therefore  be  so  good  as  to  read  it. 

Mr.  Polk  declined,  saying,  "the  gentleman  can  hare  it,  and 
read  it  for  himself,  if  he  desires  to  do  so." 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Mams,  The  honorable  member  stated  that  his  au- 
thority for  making  this  charge  was  proved  by  a  fact  in  the  paper 
he  read.  This  fact  was  in  a  letter  to  the  bank.  I  ask  him  to 
read  its  contents. 

Mr.  Polk  could  not  feel  that  he  was  called  upon  by  any  rule 
of  courtesy  or  propriety  to  read,  for  the  amusement  or  edifica- 
tion of  the  gentleman,  any  thing  which  did  not  pertain  to  his 
argument.  The  gentleman  can  read  the  letter  himself,  if  he 
pleases.  I  choose  to  proceed  with  my  remarks,  in  proper  tem- 
per, I  hope,  having  read  enough  of  this  bank  bulletin.  Right  or 
wrong,  sir,  continued  Mr.  Polk,  whatever  the  bank  does,  the 
board  of  directors  assert  the  legal  right  to  do  what  has  been 
done.  As  an  answer  to  my  objection  to  the  course  of  the  bank, 
it  is  said  that  the  board  of  directors  approve  it. 

Mr.  J.  Q.  Jidanu.    Oh!  pray  read  on. 

Mr.  PoJfcsaid,  he  would  proceed  with  his  remarks.  He  had 
read  thus  much  to  shew  the  arrogance  of  its  tone,  and  that  al) 
who  did  not  fall  down  and  worship  this  aristocracy  of  money, 
fell  under  its  anathemas  and  denunciations. 

The  following  are  the  paragraphs  from  the  article  referred  to 
by  Mr.  Polk,  which  Mr.  Mams  was  so  desirous  that  he  should 
read — well  knowing  that,  if  read,  they  would  place  Mr.  Lytle  in 
a  rather  uncomfortable  condition,  as  Mr.  Polk  also  well  knew: 
for  as  Mr.  L.  could  not  deny  the  verity  of  the  extract  from  his 
brother's  letter,  he  would  be  placed  in  the  painful  condition  of 
having  it  believed  that"oit/t/e,"os  a  memler  of  congress,  would 
avenge  the  injuries  supposed  to  have  been  inflicted  on  another 
"Lytle,"  as  a  private  man. 

From  the  National  Gazette. 

Speaking  of  the  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  affairs 
of  the  bans,  the  Gazette  of  June  3,  says — 

"This  Mr.  Lytle,  besides,  has  at  this  moment  a  claim  for  a 
larse  sum  of  money  now  before  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
bank.  The  claim  has  been  twice  rejected.  It  was  lately  brought 
for  the  third  time — accompanied  by  a  persuasive  threat  that  if 
it  were  not  granted,  the  bank  should  be  afflicted  with  the  ven- 
geance of  the  applicant. 

In  his  letter  to  the  hank  renewing  the  claim,  the  brother  of 
and  joint  claimant  with  this  Mr.  Lytle  foreshadows  the  wrath 
of  this  committee  in  the  following  remarkably  insinuating  man- 
ner: 

'You  will  find  that  a  Lytle,  and  the  son  too,  of  the  man  who 
has  been  so  cruelly  treated,  will  represent  this  district  in  the  next 
congress,  and  that  an  influence  in  this  city  can  be  successfully 
exerted,  not  only  in  this  state  but  also  in  Indiana,  at  the  next 
election.  You  will  find  that  a  promise  made  to  you  in  1823  will 
be  religiously  and  pertinaciously  adhered  to,  so  long  as  a  father'* 
injuries  are  unredressed.  I  do  not  say  this  as  a  threat.  I  mere- 
ly renew  a  promise,  unless  justice  is  done,  and  all  we  ask  is 
justice. 

'I  am  well  satisfied  that  it  will  contribute  to  our  interest  to 
have,  the  bank  rechartered  with  suitable  modifications.  But  if 
justice  is  not  meted  out  to  us,  I  pledge  my  word  as  a  citizen,  and 
my  honor  as  a  man,  that  those  ii-ho  hare  the  management  of  the 
bank  trill  regret  it,  and  should  we  meet  again  in  after  years,  you 
will  admit  that  my  word  has  been  redeemed.'" 
On  which  the  "Globe"  said — 

"The  peculiar  wrath  of  the  bank  president  is  made  to  full  on 
the  eloquent  and  talented  Mr.  Lytle.  In  reference  to  this  gen- 
tleman, the  sacredness  of  jrrirate  correspondence  is  utterly  for- 
gotten, and  the  very  men  who  refused  to  exhibit  their  corres- 
pondence confidentially  to  a  committee  of  the  house,  for  the 
purpose  of  protecting  ihe  Aonor  of  that  house,  do  not  hesitate 
to  publish  in  the  newspapers  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Lytle's  brother,  as  a  means  of  assailing  the  honor  of  one  of  its 
members:!" 


310       NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— MR.  STEVENSON'S  REJECTION 


And  llie  "Gazette"  rejoins— 

"The  Globe  denounces  it  as  insufferable  inconsistency  an 
audacity  in  the  hank  to  allow  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  M 
Lytle.'s "brother  to  he  published  after  it  had  refused  to  exhih 
all  its  correspondence  to  the  committee.  To  this  we  may  n 
ply  that  the  hank  refused  what  the  committee  had  no  right  t 
ask,  and  what  wa^  meant  to  he  mischie.vuu.-ly  used,  and  «rant 
ed  to  us  what  it  had  a  right  to  grant,  a  paper,  not  contidenti- 
nor  even  private,  written  by  a  claimant,  and  placed  cm  tl 
common  tilts  of  the  institution,  and  yielded  us  fora  purpo: 
jusi  anil  salutary.  .Mr.  Lytle  provoked  and  warranted  Hie  pui 
lication  of  the  extract  by  the  part  which  he  took  in  the  erran 
of  the  committee,  and  both  his  previous  and  subsequent  decli 
inalions  in  the  house  and  elsewhere." 


REJECTION  OF  MR.  STEVENSON  AS  MINISTER  TO 

GREAT  BRITAIN. 

From  the  National  Intelligencer  of  June  26. 
During  the  present  arduous  session  of  congress,  the  senat 
lias  had  many  highly  responsible  duties  to  perform.  It  has  stout 
alone,  the  sole  barrier  to  the  alarming  progress  and  pretension 
of  executive  power.  If  it  has  drawn  down  upon  itself  execu 
live  vengeance,  it  has  ample  consolation  in  the  confidence  am 
affections  of  the  people,  which  its  faithful  and  feail.-s  ili- 
charge  of  its  important  duties  has  conciliated.  No  part  of  those 
duties  is  probably  more  offensive  to  the  executive,  ti"r  mon 
painful  to  the  senate,  than  that  in  which  it  occasionally  finds  n 
self  obliged  to  withhold  its  advice  and  consent  to  nomination; 
made  by  the  president.  The  intent  and  design  of  the  ennslilutfpl 
clearly  were,  whilst  it  left  him  free  to  exercise  hi;  uncontrolled 
judgment  in  official  nominations,  to  leave  the  senate  equally 
tree  and  independent  in  deciding  whether  its  advice  and  con- 
sent, in  any  particular  ease,  ouzht  to  be  given  or  withheld 
The  present  chief  magistrate  has  thought  proper  to  proscribe  al 
that  large  and  respectable  portion  of  his  fellow  citizens  win 
believed  it  their  duty  not  to  concur  in  his  elevation,  and  to  con 
fine  his  appointments  to  the  circle  of  his  supporters.  Tire  se- 
nate might  have  refused  to  lend  itself  to  the  enforcement  o 
Mich  an  intolerant  and  exclusive  rule;  but  it  lias  not.  It  has 
never  rejected  any  nomination  upon  the  mere  ground  of  part) 
predeliclion.  It  has  only  expected  that,  in  seleciing,  individual.-, 
for  public  trust  and  employment,  from  among  his  own  sup- 
porters, the  president  would  present  to  its  consideration  sucl 
names  as  it  conld  conscientiously  approve. 

Public  speculation  has  been  active  in  respect  to  the  nomina- 
tion of  the  late  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives;  and  liis 
rejection,  which  has  taken  place,  was  not  ifirexpefttfif.  Tin- 
injunction  of  secrecy  i.j  now  removed,  to  a  certain  extent;  ami 
enough  is  disclosed  to  convince  the  public  that,  if  there  had 
been  a  contrary  decision,  just  ground  of  complaint  and  surprise 
would  have  existed.  The  senate  felt  a  reluctance  to  refuse  its 
concurrence  to  the  nomination  for  the  British  mission,  which 
lias  been  so  long  vacant.  Of  all  foreign  powers,  then-  is  not 
one  with  which  our  relations  of  commerce,  of  navigation,  anil 
of  territory,  are  so  intimate  a<  Great  Britain:  Such  is  tlieir  va- 
riety, extent  and  importance,  that  there  is  not  a  year,  nor  a 
day  of  any  year,  when  there  is  not  pending  at  the  comt  of  Si. 
James  sonic"  transaction  demanding  the  presence  of  a  minister 
of  the  first  grade.  It  is  more  than  two  years  since  the  interests 
of  the  United  .Stales  WITH  represented  in  England  by  such  a 
minister.  U'hy  this  delay?  If,  as  tin-  president  lias  asserted, 
negotiations  were  broken  off  in  consequence  of  the  return  ol 
Mr.  Van  Ruren,  sent  nut  without  the  previous  consent  and 
advice  of  the  senate,  why  have  they  been  allowed  so  lonu  to 
slumber?  Why  have  the  affairs  of  the  United  .States,  for  more 
than  two  years"  past,  been  confided  to  the  inexperienced  hands 
of  a  young  man  who,  a  short  time  ago,  was.  (no  disparagement 
to  his  personal  merit),  a  subordinate  clerk  in  the  department  of 
state?  It  is  scarcely  credible  that  «  vow  of  eemlini!  no  snr-ee- 
sor  to  Mr.  Van  liurcn,  imputed  to  the  president  at  the  period  ot 
his  rejection,  has  been  observed  by  him  until  he  has  been  com- 
pelled to  break  it  by  Great  Britain  insi-ting  that  the  two  coun 
tries  should  he  reciprocally  represented  by  diplomatic  agents  of 
equal  grade.  It  will  be  seen,  in  the  sequel,  that  the  mysterious 
veil  is  partially  removed  by  the  disclosure  that,  for  upwards  of 
fifteen  months  past,  the  mission  to  England  has  been  kept  in 
abeyance,  for  the  benefit  of  Mr.  Speaker  Stevenson. 

It  is  well  known  that  some  sen  itors,  who  compose  the  ma- 
jority of  the  senate,  without  layini!  down  any  inflexible  rule  of 
exclusion,  as  to  the  appointment  of  member*  of  congress  to  dis 
tinzuished  stations,  in  ordinary  times,  believe  llr.il  tin-  pre-cni 
chief  magistrate,  has  pushed  his  patronage  to  nn  extreme-  limit 
in  the  halls  of  congress.  In  the  short  space  of  about  live  years. 
ofli'-es  have  h'-cn  be-towed  upon  tho-e  who  were  members  of 
ronzrc.-s  at  the  respective  periods  of  their  nppoinlm>-nt.  or 
within  one  year  p'eecdiiiz,  to  the  extraordinary  number  of  thir- 
teen senators,  and  twentv-tive  members  of  the  hou^c  of  re- 
presentatives.* This  number  ev ds  that  which  wa<  ever  np 


SENATORS -William  Tni'llav.  Martin  Van  linren.  John  II. 
Eaton,  John  Branch.  John  Md'her-on  Rcrrien.  l.oui-  M'-Lanr, 
John  Chandler,  Thomas  II.  William-.  David  .1.  IJakci,  I'.d  \vard 
Livingston,  Levi  Woodhury.  Mahlon  Diekerson.  I'owhalan  F.l 
lis— 13. 

RKPRP.KKNTATIVKS—  John  W.  C.impb.  II,  France  Havlirs,  Ro- 
bert S.  »;  .in.  it,  George  W.  Crump,  E.  F.  Tatinall,  John  Find- 


pointed  under  any  prior  administration  of  eight  years.  Nay, 
more;  it  is  believed  to  be  about  equal  to  the  number  ever  ap- 
pointed by  all  the  presidents  together  who  preceded  general 
JACKSON.  The  offices  which  he  has  thus  conferred  on  mem- 
bers of  eonzress  embrace  every  description  of  trust  from  a  se- 
cretary of  state  down  to  a  collector  of  the  costoms,  a  deputy 
po-hiMster,  and  a  tlerk  at  Washington.  And  this  profuse  exer 
cise  of  his  patronage  has  been,  after  a  deliberate  condemnation 
of  the  practice  made  by  him  when  out  of  power,  to  ilio  \,  zi.-la- 
ture  of  his  own  state,  on  the  7lh  of  Octohe  r,  1?35,  on  the  innno- 
lable  occasion  of  resigning  his  seat  as  a  senator  of  llie  U.  States, 
when  he  explicitly  declared  that,  if  "important  appointments 
continue  to  devolve  on  the  representatives  in  congress,  it  re- 
quires no  depth  of  thought  to  be  convinced  that  corruption  will 
become  Ike  order  of  the  day;  and  that,  under  tin  garb  of  con- 
scientious sacrifices  to  establish  precedents  for  the  public  good, 
evils  of  serious  importance  to  the  freedom  and  prosperity  of  the 
republic  may  arise.  It  is  through  this  channel  that  the  people 
mail  expect  to  be  attacked  in  their  constitutional  sovereignty, 
ami  where  tranny  may  he  apprehended  to  spring  up  in  some 
favorable  emergency."  Without  meaning  to  impute  to  the  pre- 
sident any  settled  design  to  overthrow  or  jeopard  the  liberties 
ol  Ins  country,  it  must  be  admitted  that  those  predictions  are  of 
easiest  fnllilinent  which  are  made  by  persons  possessing  means 
to  accomplish  them.  It  is  true  that  the  observations  of  general 
Jackson,  just  quoted,  were  made  to  enforce  the  necessity  of  a 
prohibitory  amendment  of  the  constitution.  Hut.  if  the  prac- 
tice ol  appointing  members  of  coiiL'iess  were  fraught  with  such 
danger,  in  his  judgment,  as  to  require  a  solemn  interdiction  to 
lie  rnzraticd  on  the  constitution,  surely  he  could,  in  the  admi- 
nistration of  the  duties  of  president,  conform  to  a  rule  co  essen- 
tial to  the  preservation  of  the  purity  of  our  institutions,  without 
iv ailing  for  the  tardy  and  uncertain  process  of  amendment. 
Wa-'liinzton  entertained  the  belief  that  no  man  ought  to  serve 
in  the  office  of  president  beyond  two  terms;  and.  by  voluntarily 
conforming  to  that  rule,  he  has  practically  remedied  a  defect  in 
the  constitution,  and  given  an  illustrious  example  ol  moderation 
and  forbearance,  from  which  no  one  of  his  successors  has  hither- 
to ventured  to  depart. 

But  without  availing  itself  of  these  sencral  considerations,  the 
senate  found,  in  the  particular  circumstances  of  the  case  of  the 
ex-speaker  irresistible  reasons  for  the  rejection  of  his  nomina- 
tion. It  was  confidently  believed,  in  the  circles  here  and  elso- 
where,  for  more  than  twelvemonths  past,  that  he  was  desig- 
nated for  the  British  mission.  No  one  doubted  it.  It  is  even 
known  that  his  reliance  upon  obtaining  llie  appointment  was 
so  very  strong,  thnl  he  staled,  during  the  last  session  of  con- 
gress, that  he  would  never  again  be  a  candidate  for  the  speaker's 
chair.  What  must  the  astonishment  of  the  public  be  when  it 
earns  that  Mr.  Stevenson,  since  March,  1833,  has  had  in  his 
possession  an  official  assurance  from  the  secretary  of  state, 
written  conMcnlinUy,  on  the  15lh  of  that  month,  with  the  ex- 
press authority  of  the  president,  that  he  was  to  be  appointed  to 
:he  lirilish  mission,  and  requesting  him  to  hold  himself  in  reR- 
riiness  to  proceed  on  it,  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  summer! 
I'lii:  delay  in  filling  the  mission  now  stands  in  part  explained1. 
Whether  he  had  any  previous  verbal  assurances  is  not  known. 
This  official  assurance  he  held,  when,  in  April  1833,  lie  was  a 
andidate  to  represent  in  the  hous>e  of  representatives  the  dis- 
rict  embracing  the  metropolis  of  Virginia;  when,  in  December 
if  last  year,  he  was  a  candidate,  contrary  to  his  pri  >r  declara- 
ion,  for  the  speaker's  chair;  and,  when  the  bill  passed  the 
loHse  of  representative.?  making  an  appropriation  (whilst  he 
vas  in  the  chair)  of  an  outfit  for  himself  of  §9,000,  with  an  an- 
nial  salary  of  >!>.()(>  '  more.  If  the  fact  of  his  holding  such  a 
document  had  not  been  suppressed,  would  the  people  of  his 
district  have  elected  him  to  represent  them?  If  it  had  been 
known  to  the  house  that  he  possessed  a  tille  to  the  British  mis- 
ion,  equivalent  to  a  commission,  would  he  have  been  efeeted 
pcakcr?  The  fact  was  confidentially  concealed  from  all  hut 
he  president  of  the  United  States,  the  late  speaker  himself,  the 
epartment  of  state,  and  such  as  received  the  secret  from 
hem. 

To  explain  this  suspicious  transaction,  the  message  of  the 
resilient,  accompanying  Mr.  Livingston's  letter,  stales  that  the 
ontingency  of  Great  Britain  consenting  to  open  a  negotiation 
n  London,  which  was  expected,  diil  not  arise,  but  that  it  was, 
>n  tin1,  contrary,  commenced  at  Washington.  No  such  contin- 
ency  is  contained  in  Mr.  Livingston's  official  letter.  The  ap- 
lointmciit  is  offered  unconditionally,  and,  as  in  such  cases  is 
iistomary,  Mr.  Stevenson  is  notified  when  he  is  expected  tode- 
inrt:  that  is.  a<  soon  as  advice's  shall  he  received  fiorn  England, 
ml  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  summer.  But  what  were  the 
cgotiation??  Were  they  those  broken  off  by  Mr.  Van  Daren'* 
ctiirn?  Are  they  now  expected  to  be  open  in  London?  la 
here  any  motive,  now  existing,  for  sending  a  minister  to  Eng- 
ind,  which  did  not  exist  during  the  last  summer?  To  do  away 
c  cllect  of  the  letter  of  Mr  Living-ton,  a  letter  from  Mr.  Rit- 
hic,  editor  ol  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  and  a  letter  from  Mr. 
V.  B.  Lewis,  auditor.  Sec.  containing  extracts  from  two  letters 
o  him,  addressed  by  Mr.  Ritchie,  were,  at  the  instance  of  Mr. 


iv,  SdmiH  I  I),  liisham,  Grorci-  W.  '  twen.  Thomas  I'.  Moor.-, 
Villi.im  I'.  Riv.  K,  Sflah  U  llobhie.  Jcromiis  Johnson.  John  G. 
lower.  John  Randolph,  Philip  P.  Baibour,  James  W.  Kiplcy, 
ohn  liuldle,  Thomas  Irwin.  Junes  Hm -Italian.  Charles  G.  lift 
Viti.  Hector  ('MIL-,  \icliolas  I).  Coleman,  Joseph  Hammoni, 
Viley  Thompson,  Andrew  Stevenson,  John  Anderson— 20. 


NiLES'  REGISTER—JUNE  28,  1834— EXECUTIVE  PROCEEDINGS.          311 


Stevenson,  presented  to  the  senate.  It  is  a  mattsr  of  regre 
that  the  whole  of  Mr.  Kilchie's  two  letters,  instead  ol  extracts 
were  not  produced,  and  that  the  letter  from  Mr.  Lewis  to  Mr 
Ritchie,  was  also  withheld.  The  production  ol  the  entire  cor 
respondcnce  would  further  elucidate  this  mysterious  aliair;  a 
it  is  to  be  hoped  thut  the  parlies  will  yet  exhibit  it  to  the  public 
Mr.  Stevenson  does  not  appear  to  have  returned  any  answer  l 
Mr.  Livingston's  communication.  In  lieu  of  such  un  answer 
with  his  approbation,  Mr.  Ritchie  addressed  a  letter  to  Mr 
Lewis,  to  he  laid  before  the  president,  in  which,  alter  lauding  th 
president  \t>  the  skies,  ho  suggests  the  constitutional  scruple 
which  prevail  in  Virginia,  with  respect  to  semling  mmistei 
abroad,  without  the  previous  concurrence  ot  the  senate;  an 
expresses  a  wish  thai  it  may  not  lie  done.  What  special  consi 
derations  were  urged  by  Mr.  Kitchie,  lor  the  postponement  < 
Mr.  Stevenson's  case,  at  all  events,  until  the  assembling  of  III 
senate,  do  not  appear,  and  will  not  appear,  without  the  exhibi 
tion  of  the  whole  of  his  letter.  Mr.  Ritchie's  interference  to  ar 
rest  an  unconstitutional  practice  of  the  president,  was  not  en 
tirely  successful.  Mr.  Livingston  was  sent  to  France,  in  spit 
of  it,  in  the  recess  of  the  senate.  But,  then,  the  main  part  o 
Mr.  Ritchie's  negotiation,  the  postponement  of  Mr.  Stevenson' 
appointment,  did  succeed. — Whatever  was  the  degree  of  urgen 
cy  lor  the  departure  of  an  American  minister  to  the  Englisl 
court,  it  was  made  to  yield  to  the  piivate  wishes  of  Mr.  Steven 
son,  conveyed  through  the  imposing  organ  of  an  editor  of  a 
leading  newspaper. 

There  is  no  color  for  the  pretence  that  the  promise,  commu 
nicated  by  Mr.  Livingston,  was  not,  at  the  commencement  o 
the  present  session  of  congress,  a  subsisting  and  binding  en 
gagement.  It  was  kept  alive  and  continued  through  the  agenc; 
of  Mr.  Thomas  Ritchie  and  Mr.  W.  B.  Lewis.  The  presiden 
could  have  nominated  no  other  gentleman  than  Mr.  Stevenson 
after  the  letter  of  Mr.  Livingston,  without  violating  his  own  as 
surance.  And  the  fact  of  his  nominating  Mr.  Stevenson  is  con 
elusive  proof  of  the  sense  which  he  himself  entertained  ol  his 
obligation.  If  Mr.  SlevensoH  really  wished  to  recall  the  presi 
dent  to  a  constitutional  practicu,  in  conformity  with  the  doc- 
trines of  Virginia,  why  did  he  not  promptly  decline  the  proffer- 
ed appointment  upon  that  ground.3  If  he  did  not  desire  the  ap 
poiHiment  to  be  kept  back  for  his  subsequent  acceptance,  why 
did  he  employ  the  influential  agency  of  Mr.  Thomas  Ritchie? 
We  know  that  the  president  did  not  share  his  constitutional 
scruples;  why,  therefore,  did  he  desire  the  unexampled  delay, 
in  sending  a  minister  to  England,  to  he  further  prolonged? 

And  what  were  the  motives  which  induced  the  president  not 
only  to  postpone  the  nomination  until  the  commencement  o 
congress,  but  until  after  nearly  six  months  had  passed  away  of, 
perhaps,  the  most  eventful  session  which  has  ever  been  held 
under  the  present  constitution?  Until  all  the  committees  were 
appointed  who  were  charged  with  an  investigation  of  the  mea 
sures  of  the  executive,  and  a  majority  was  actually  secured,  in 
the  house,  to  approve  that  particular  measure  which  presents 
the  alternative  of  a  subversion  of  the  constitution,  or  a  subver- 
sion of  the  Jackson  party?  It  is  difficult  to  search  into  the  mo- 
tives of  men.  But  there  is  no  hazard  in  asserting  that  the  pre- 
sident was  not  indifferent  to  the  success  of  that  leading  mea- 
sure of  the  removal  of  the  public  deposites.  the  responsibility  of 
which  he  himself  assumed,  as  he  has  proclaimed  to  the  nation. 
Nor  that  Mr.  Speaker  Stevenson,  whilst  administering  the  du- 
ties of  the  chair,  could  not  he  unmindful  of  the  very  great  obli- 
gation under  which  the  president  had  placed  him. 

Whether  the  speaker  yielded  to  the  influence  of  the  tempta- 
tion, and  fulfilled  expectations  which  were  probably  entertain- 
ed by  the  president,  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to  inquire.  The 
acquisition  of  a  splendid  mission  was  within  his  grasp,  in  the 
contingency  of  his  promoting  the  president's  views,  as  the  cer- 
tain loss  of  it  was  the  inevitable  consequence  of  his  placing 
himself  in  an  attitude  of  opposing  them.  It  is  perfectly  notori- 
ous that,  by  his  adherence  to  particular  executive  measures,  he 
has  separated  himself  from  the  people  of  his  district,  and  the 
legislature  of  his  state.  It  is  also  well  known  that,  in  the  cast 
of  certain  important  committees,  and  in  the  discharge  of  the  or- 
dinary duties  of  presid'ng  officer  of  the  house,  he  has  excited 
much  dissatisfaction;  so  much,  that,  although  it  is  upwards  of 
three  weeks  since  he  resigned  the  chair,  the  house  has  not 
adopted  the  customary  vote  of  thanks. 

An  example  of  a  more  direct,  daring,  and  dangerous  influence 
brought  to  hear,  in  a  critical  period,  by  the  president,  upon  the 
presiding  officer  of  the  house  of  representatives,  cannot  well  be 
imagined.  And  if  thr*  senate  had  confirmed  the  appointment 
of  Mr.  Stevenson,  all  farther  resistance  to  the  appointment  of 
members  of  congress,  under  any  circumstances,  would  be  vain 
and  useless. 

The  whole  proceedings  of  the  senate,  so  far  as  the  injunction 
of  secrecy  has  been  removed,  are  now  submitted  to  the  public, 
which  will  draw  its  own  conclusions. 


EXECUTIVE  PROCEEDINGS  IN  SENATE. 
Journal  of  executive  proceedings  of  the  senntc  on  Ike  nomination 

of  Jlndrew  Stevenson  as  minister  to  Great  Urituin. 
Thursday,  May  22,  1834.     The   following   message   was   re- 
ceived from  the  president  of  the  United  Stales,  by  Mr.  Donel- 
son,  his  secretary: 

Washington,  May  20,  1834. 

I  nominate  to  the  senate  Andrew  Stevenson,  of  Virginia,  to 
he  envoy  extraordinary  and  minister  plenipotentiary  to  Great 
Britain.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 


The  message  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  committee  on  foreign  re- 
lations. 

Thursday,  June  12,1834.  Mr.  Wilkini,  from  the  committee 
on  foreign  relations,  to  whom  was  referred  the  nomination  of 
Andrew  Stevenson  contained  in  the  message  of  the  :JJ<1  May, 
reported. 

Mr.  Clay  submitted  the  following  motion,  which  was  con- 
sidered by  unanimous  consent,  and  agreed  to: 

Resolved,  Tli.it  the  president  be  requested  to  communicate  to 
the  senate  a  copy  ot  the  first  official  communication  which  was 
made  to  Andrew  Stevenson,  ol  Ihe  intention  of  the  president  to 
nominate  him  as  mmi-ier  plenipotentiary  and  envoy  extraordi- 
nary to  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and 
his  answer  thereto: 

Fiiilay.  June  13,  1834.  The  following  message  was  received 
from  the  president  of  the  United  Slates,  by  Mr.  Dondson,  his 
secretary: 

Washington,  June  13,  1834. 
To  the  senate: 

I  have  this  day  received  a  resolution  of  the  senate  of  the  12th 
instant,  requesting  me  to  communicate  to  the  senate  a  copy  of 
the  first  official  communication  which  was  made  to  Andrew 
Stevenson,  of  Ihe  intention  of  the  president  to  nominate  him 
as  a  minister  plenipotentiary  and  envoy  extraordinary  to  the 
United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  his  answer 
thereto. 

As  a  compliance  with  this  resolution  might  be  deemed  an  ad- 
mission of  the  right  of  the  senate  to  call  upon  the  president  lor 
confidential  correspondence  of  tins  description,  1  consider  it 
proper  on  this  occasion  to  remark,  that  I  do  not  acknowledge 
such  a  right.  But,  to  avoid  misrepresentation,  I  herewith  trans- 
mit a  copy  of  the  paper  in  question,  which  was  the  only  com- 
munication made  to  Mr.  Stevenson  on  the  subject. 

This  communication  merely  intimated  Ihe  intention  of  the 
president,  in  a  particularconlingency,  to  offer  to  Mr.  Stevenson 
the  place  ol  minister  to  the  court  of  St.  James;  and  as  the  nego- 
tiations to  which  it  refers  were  commenced  early  in  April,  1833, 
in  this  city,  instead  of  London,  and  have  been  since  conducted 
here,  no  further  communication  was  made  to  him.  I  have  no 
knowledge  that  an  answer  was  received  from  Mr.  Stevenson — 
none  is  to  be  found  in  the  department  of  slate,  and  none  has 
been  received  by  me.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

The  message  was  read. 

The  senale  proceeded  to  consider  the  nomination  of  Andrew 
Stevenson,  contained  in  the  message  of  the  22d  May;  and 
After  debate,  on  motion  by  Mr.  Forsyth, 
The  senate  adjourned. 

[On  the  14th,  20th  and  23d  of  June  the  senate  resumed  Ihe 
consideration  of  the  nomination  of  Mr.  Stevenson,  and  laid  it 
on  tin:  table.] 

Tuesday,  June  24,  1834.  The  senate  resumed  the  considera- 
tion of  the  nomination  of  Andrew  Stevenson;  and 

On  the  question  "will  the  senate  advise  and  consent  to  the 
appointment  of  Andrew  Stevenson?" 

It  was  determined  in  the  negative— yeas  22,  nays  23. 
On  motion  by  Mr.  Mangum — 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  desired  by  one  fifth  of  the  senators 
present: 

Those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative,  are — 
Messrs.    Benton,   Black,    Brown,    Forsyth,    Frelinphnysen, 
rundy,  Hendricks,  Hill,   Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  Kinjt,  of 
eorgia,  Linn,  Morris,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton, 
Tyler,  Waggaman,  While,  Wilkins,  Wright. 
Those  who  voted  in  the  negative,  are — 
Messrss  Bibb,  Calhonn,   Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewint», 
Cent,  Kni»ht,  Leigh,  Mangum,  Naudain,  1'oindexter,  I'orter, 
'remiss,  Preston,  Robhins,  Silsbec,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague, 
Swift,  Tomlinson,  Webster.* 
So  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  senate  do  not  advise  nnrl  consent  to  the 
ppointment  of  Andrew  Stnvcnson,  as  envoy  extraordinary  and 
linistrr  plenipotentiary  to  Groat  Britain. 

Mr.  Clay  submitted  a  motion  to  remove  the  injunction  of  se- 
'recy  from  the  proceedings  of  the  senate,  on  the  nomination  of 
Andrew  Stevenson;  and  to  authorise  copies  to  be  made  of  the 
amfi,  and  of  certain  papers  communicated  to  the  senale. 
The  senale  proceeded  to  consider  the  motion. 
On  molion,  by  Mr.  Forsyth,  to  amend  Ihe  same,  by  striking 
)iit  Ihe  words  "Ihe  letter  of  Thomas  Ritchie  lo  Andew  Steven- 
on,  the  letter  of  Wm.  B.  Lewis,  with  the  extracts  from  Tho- 
nas  Ritchie's  letters  therein  inclosed." 
It  was  determined  in  the  negative — yeas  16,  nays  23. 
On  motion  by  Mr.  Forsyth — 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  desired  hy  one-fifth  of  the  senators 
resent: 

Those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative,  are- 
Messrs.   Brown,  Forsyth,  Grnndy,    Hendrirk?,  Hill,   Kane, 
<ing,  of  Alabama,  Kins,  of  Georgia,  Linn,  Morris,  Robinson, 
ahepley,  Tallmadge,  Webster,  White,  AVri»ht. 
Those  who  voted  in  the  negative,  are — 


••The  reader  will  perceive  that  there  were,  on  the  vote  in  the 
ijiiatc  on  Mr.  Slci-cason's  nomination,  hut  three  absentees,  viz: 
rtr.  Moore,  of  Alabama,  Mr.  ficll,  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Mr. 
McKean,  of  Pennsylvania.  The  two  latter  had  left  the  city  for 
onie,  having,  as  the  phrase  is, paired  off.  [Nut.  Int. 


Sl»          NILES'  REGISTER— JUNE  28,  1834— EXECUTIVE  PROCEEDINGS. 


Messrs.  Bibb,  Calboun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Evving, 
Frelinghuyseii,  Kent,  Knigbt,  Leigh,  Mangum,  Naudain,  Poin- 
dexler,  Porler,  Premiss,  Ilobbins,  Silsbee,  smith,  Southard, 
Sprague,  Svvilt,  Tomlm.un,  Waggaman. 

So  Uie  amendment  was  not  agreed  to. 

On  motion,  by  Mr.  /-'orsi/tA,  to  amend  the  motion,  by  insert- 
ing alter  the  woid  "Stevenson,"  llie  words  "and  the  debates." 

it  was  determined  in  the  negative — yeas  10,  nays  29.  . 

On  motion,  by  Mr.  t'or^ylh — 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  desired  by  one- fifth  of  the  senators 
present; 

Those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative,  are — 

Messrs.  Brown,  Forsyth,  Hill,  Kane,  Linn,  Morris,  Robinson, 
Shepley,  Talluiadge,  Wright. 

Those  who  voied  in  the  negative,  are — 

Messrs.  Bibb,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewing, 
Frelinghuysen,  Grundy,  Hendncks,  Kent,  King,  of  Alabama, 
King,  of  Georgia,  Knight,  Leigh,  Mangum,  Naudain,  Poindex- 
ter,  Porter,  Premiss,  Robbing,  Silsbee,  Sniilh,  Southard, 
Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Waggaman,  Webster,  White. 

A  further  amendment  having  been  proposed  and  adopted,  the 
motion  was  agreed  to  as  follows: 

Ordered,  That  the  injunction  of  secrecy  be  removed  from  the 
message  of  the  president  ol  the  13lh  ol  June,  instant;  the  letter 
ot'Mr.  Livingston,  thereby  communicated,  the  letter  of  Thomas 
Ritchie  to  Andrew  Stevenson,  and  the  letter  of  William  B. 
Lewis,  with  the  extracts  of  Thomas  Ritchie's  letters  therein  in- 
closed; which  several  papers  were  introduced  by  one  of  the  se- 
nators tiom  Virginia,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Stevenson;  and  from 
the  proceedings  of  the  senate  in  relation  to  the  nomination  of 
Andrew  Stevenson;  and  that  the  secretary  be  authorised  to 
give  copies  of  the  same  and  extracts  from  the  journal. 

Mr.  Livingston  to  Mr.   Stevenson. 
[Communicated  to  the  senate  in  the  president's  message  of 

13lh  June,  1834.] 

Department  of  state,  Wos/iington,  15th.  March,  1833. 
ANDREW  STEVENSON,  esq. 

SIR:  1  am  directed  by  the  president  to  inform  you,  confiden- 
tially, that  as  soon  as  advices  shall  be  received  that  the  British 
government  consent  to  open  negotiations  with  this,  which  are 
daily  expected,  it  is  his  intention  to  offer  you  the  place  of  mi- 
iiister  plenipotentiary  to  the  court  of  St.  James;  and  he  requests 
that,  should  this  appointment  be  agreeable  to  you,  you  would 
hold  yourself  in  readiness  to  embark  in  the  course  of  the  sum- 
mer. 

I  congratulate  you,  sir,  on  this  mark  of  the  president's  confi- 
dence, and  am.  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant. 
EDW.  LIVINGSTON. 

*  Sunday. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  I  have  just  received  yours,  and  am  sorry  to 
have  it  confirmed  that  you  have  been  so  sick;  but  I  trust  that 
your  relief  from  the  labors  of  the  chair,  more  tranquillity,  and 
the  nursing  of  your  excellent  wife  will  soon  restore  you.  As 
for  myself,~my  accident  has  been  more  serious  than  my  friends 
at  a  di.-tance  have  expected.  It  was  but  three  or  four  days 
since  I  could  turn  myself  on  my  bed,  or  sit  up;  and  now  I  am 
lolling  in  an  easy  chair,  with  sore  limbs  and  a  weak  head,  and 
I  am  utterly  unable  to  attend  to  any  business.  I  have  not  writ- 
ten a  line  lor  a  newspaper,  except  my  hasty  card,  nor  a  letter 
to  a  friend,  save  a  line  to  Harrison,  to  assure  my  daughter  o" 
my  convalescence.  You  must,  therefore,  excuse  me  lor  writ 
ing  you  at  this  time  so  brief,  and,  1  fear,  so  illegible  a  scrawl 
I  well  recollect  the  circumstances  to  which  you  refer.  When 
you  showed  me  the  note  of  Mr.  Livingston  we  had  a  great  dea 
of  conversation  upon  the  subject.  Neither  of  us  regarded  the 
notice  in  the  light  of  an  appointment.  In  fact,  it  presented  it 
self  as  a  mere  contingency,  and  we  considered  it  as  extreme!} 
doubtful  whether  or  when  you  would  be  appointed,  or,  if  at  all 
for  if  the  British  declined  a  negotiation,  it  seemed  to  be  the  pre 
Hident's  intention  to  make  no  nomination  at  all,  not  even  dur 
ing  the  ensuing  session  of  congress.  But  this  idea  struck  me 
that  he  mtg/it  appoint  you,  in  case  the  contingency  happenei 
during  the  recess,  and  not  send  you,  but  Mr.  Livingston  I 
France.  1  suggested  that  these  appointments  ought  not,  an 
could  not  be  made  according  to  the  spirit  of  the  constitution 
during  the  recess  of  the  senate.  You  promptly  and  cordial). 
concurred  in  this  view  of  the  subject,  and  I  then  determined  t 
write  to  a  friend  in  Washington,  for  the  purpose  of  laying  Ihi 
view  before  the  president  himself.  You  approved  of  my  doin 
BO;  and,  in  fact,  we  agreed  perfectly  in  the  course  that  ought  t 
be  taken.  W«  determined  to  lake  no  notice  of  Mr.  L's  letter 
to  act  yourself  as  if  no  such  letter  had  been  written;  that  i 
•would  be  best  not  to  offer  to  accept  the  appointment  if  made  i 
the  summer,  and  to  wait  the  action  of  the  senate,  4tc.  &c. 

The  answer  1  received  from  Washington  quieted  rny  fears  al 
most  entirely. 

I  certainly  did  think  that  the  senate  ought  to  have  been  con 
suited,  both  about  the  mission  to  London  and  Paris,  miles 
some  of  those  very  extraordinary  emergencies  might  occu 
which  baffled  all  calculation,  and  could  not  have  been  fori 
•een  during  the  prior  session  of  congress. 

I  trust,  my  dear  sir,  that  the  anxieties  of  your  friends  in  Vi 
ginia  will  be  removed  in  a  few  days  by  your  confirmation.  Ii 
deed,  1  can  scarce  permit  myself  to  entertain  a  doubt  about  in 
result. 


Toetmatktd  June  15,  (1834.)—  Editors  Xat.  Int. 


Let  me  press  upon  you.  in  the  meantime,  what  my  friendu 
•escribe  to  myself,  to  keep  quiet,  avoid  all  excitement,  and 
ke  care  of  yourself.  I  will  write  soon.  Yours,  sincerely, 

T.  RITCHIE. 
Andrew  Stevenson,  esq.  late  speaker  of  the  H.  of  R, 

Wm.  B.  Lewis  to  Andrew  Stevenson. 

Washington,  June  21,  1834. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  of  yesterday  has  been  received,  and  I 
ill  answer  it  wilh  pleasure. 

In  March,  1833, 1  received  from  Mr.  Ritchie  iwo  letters,  in 
Inch,  among  other  subjects,  he  expressed  his  views  on  Ihe 
ueslion  of  appointing  foreign  ministers  during  the  recess  of  ihe 
mate.  They  were  written,  as  it  appears,  with  your  know- 
edge,  and  in  consequence,  no  doubt,  of  the  teller  of  Mr.  Living- 
Ion,  lo  you,  communicating  Ihe  fad  that,  upon  the  happening 
fa  cerlain  contingency,  il  was  Ihe  intention  of  Ihe  president 
o  offer  you  an  appointment  abroad.  Of  this  teller  (Mr.  Living- 
.011 's)  I  was  informed,  but  never  saw  il.  As  the  tellers  of  Mr. 
itchie  embrace  olher  subjecls,  1  do  not  feel  authorised  lo  fnr- 
ish  the  originals,  but  I  cheerfully  send  the  enclosed  extracts 
finch  relate  lo  ihe  mission  to  England.  You  are  at  liberty  to 
se  these  extracts  in  any  manner  you  may  deem  proper.  In 
ij-  reply  to  those  letters  in  the  spring  of  1833,  (having  preserv- 
d  no  copy),  I  have  a  distinct  recollection  that  I  assured  Mr. 
ilchie  thai  I  had  no  doubt  all  idea  of  making  the  appointment, 
s  intimated  in  Mr.  Livingston's  letter,  had  been  abandoned,  in 
onsequence  of  the  arrival  of  the  British  minister,  and  the  pro- 
ability  of  the  negotiation  spoken  of  by  Mr.  Livingston  in  his 
etter  to  you,  being  opened  and  carried  on  in  Washington.  I 
ave  no  doubt  it  is  my  teller  alone  to  which  Mr.  Ritchie  alludes, 
s  quieting  his  fears,  in  his  recent  letter  to  you,  which,  by  your 
ermission,  I  saw  and  read.  1  am,  dear  sir,  truly  yours, 

W.  B.  LEWIS. 
To  A.  Stevenson,  esq. 

xtractsfrom  Mr.  Ritchie's  letters,  accompanying  W.  B.  L'I  lei' 

ter  to  Mr.  Stevenson. 

I  am  about  to  address  you  on  a  subject  which  has  caused 

iiieh  speculation  among  our  friends,  and  great  uneasiness  in 

my  own  bosom.     I  speak  lo  you  as  a  friend,  and  withoul  the 

lighlesl  reserve.    The  papers  have  recenily  spoken  of  a  batch 

t'  nppoiniinenls,  which  ihe  president  is  about  to  make,  embrac- 

ng  the  two  highest  missions  to  European  courts,  and  the  two 

ugliest  seats  in  hi.-  cabinet.     I  have  conversed  freely  wilh  our 

riend  Stevenson  upon  them,  and  1  have  this  day  communicat- 

sd  lo  him  my  intention  to  wrile  lo  you,  and  lo  lay  before  yon 

my  own  views  of  the  matter. 

We  have  ihe  utmosi  confidence  in  the  virlue  of  general  Jack- 
ton.  We  have  no  idea  that  he  would  arrogate  to  himself  new 
lowers,  at  the  expense  of  the  other  departments  of  the  govern- 
nent.  His  generous  ambition  has  been  fully  satisfied!  He  has 
nothing  more  to  ask  of  his  country  than  her  verdict  of  approba- 
ion  when  he  lays  down  the  high  and  difficult  office  with  which 
le  is  intrusted!  We  all  know  it,  and  every  candid  individual 
admits  il!  We  believe  thai  Ihe  course  be  may  pursue  will  he 
with  a  e ingle  eye  to  the  public  interests.  Bui  while  we  dismiss 
all  apprehensions  thai  he  will  designedly  abuse  his  authority, 
we  wish,  at  the  same  lime,  that  he  should  do  no  act  which  may 
be  plead,  hereafter,  by  an  unworthy  successor,  in  justification 
of  his  acts!  In  this  lasl  term  of  his  administration,  we  wish  to 
see  no  precedent  set,  which  may  be  perverted  in  future  limes: 
we  de-  ire  it  on  our  own  account,  as  well  as  thai  of  our  coun- 
try! We  wish  to  see  his  administration  set  in  glory;  and  we 
wish  to  see  our  country  benefited,  in  all  time  to  come,  by  his 
pure  example!  But  this  cannot  be,  if  any  error  should  be  com- 
mitted against  principle,  even  frooi  the  best  of  motives;  if  any 
authority  should  be  assumed  which  does  not  fairly  belong  to 
him,  or  even  if  any  doubtful  power  should  be  exercised  upon 
any  delicate  branch  of  the  constitution.  His  high  popularity 
would  only  make  it  more  current. 

One  of  the  highesi  powers  which  attaches  to  the  executive, 
is  thai  of  appointment;  over  its  exercise  is  accordingly  thrown, 
and  wisely  thrown,  the  check  of  concurrence  by  the  senate. 

Now ,'sir,  doubts  do  exist  whether  the  vacancy  in  the  mis- 
sions to  London  and  Paris  did  not  originally  occur  during  the 
recess  of  ihe  senaie.  Secondly,  whether  ihe  vacancy  does  not 
still  exist;  and  thirdly,  whether  it  ought  now  lo  be  filled  with- 
out a  consultation  wilh  Ihe  senate. 

It  is,  then,  respectfully  asked  whether  it  would  not  be  best 
to  call  the  senate  together  and  lay  the  nominations  before  them? 
Where  is  the  objection?  1st.  The  expense  of  $50,000?  Who 
cares  for  thai  sum  compared  wilh  the  preservation  of  a  great 
constitulional  principle?  The  inconvenience  to  ike  members? 
They  ought  lo  be  Ihe  last  to  complain,  when  the  desire  is  to 
preserve  their  rights  beyond  the  reach  of  suspicion.  3d.  The 
senate  is  not  full;  a  member  is  wanting  in  Pennsylvania,  one  in 
Tennessee,  and,  [  believe.,  a  third  in  Mississippi.  But  cannot 
the  executive  of  lliose  stales  make  a  temporary  appointment? 

I  understand,  from  unquestionable  authority,  lhal  — —  has 
said  a  majority  of  the  senaie  were  prepared  lo  negative  any 
noinin.iiion  which  was  nol  made  in  the  strictest  regard  lo  ihe 
senate's  righls. 

To  one  who  has  thought  so  much  on  this  subjecl  as  you  have 
done,  il  is  unnecessary  for  ma  to  develop  all  the  details  of  my 
opinions.  Do  inform  me  of  as  much  as  you  may  be  al  liberty 
to  communicate,  and  put  my  mind  at  ease  about  it,  fcc. 


JVIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  19— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  JULY  5,  1834.    [Vot.  XLVI.  WHOLB  No.  1,189. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT— FOIl  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED    BT    H.   JULES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PAYABLE    IN    ADYAICCE. 


intervention  of  the  great  national  holiday,  has 
somewhat  affected  the  contents  of  the  present  number- 
but  it  will  be  found  well  filled  with  reading  matter,  and 
articles  for  reference. 

The  address  of  the  postmaster  general  is  laid  off  for 
our  next — and  it  is  probable  that  its  insertion  will  com- 
mand a  place  for  other  things  in  reply;  for  both  sides 
must  be  fairly  presented. 

The  adjournment  of  congress  took  place  on  Monday, 
as  agreed  upon.  We  have  carried  out  the  journal  of 
proceedings  at  considerable  length,  and  added  a  list  of 
the  acts  passed;  and  shall  go  on  to  bring  up  the  arrear- 
ages in  documents,  speeches,  &c.  as  rapidly  as  we  can, 
while  yielding  some  room  to  other  matters  of  interest, 
which  have  latterly  been  much  neglected. 

Among  the  latest  proceedings  of  the  senate,  was  the 
confirmation  of  the  following  nominations: 

Of  John  Forsyth,  a  senator  in  congress,  as  secretary  of 
state,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  JWcLane,  resigned. 

Of  William  Wilkins,  a  senator  in  congress,  as  minister 
to  Russia,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Dickerson,  who  held  that 
appointment,  but  had  not  yet  proceeded  on  his  mission. 

Of  Humphrey  H.  Leavitt,  a  representative  in  congress 
from  Ohio,  to  be  district  judge  of  the  U.  S.  in  that  state, 
in  the  place  of  Tappun  rejected,  who  had  temporarily 
held  the  offict,  vacated  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Campbell. 

Of  Levi  Woodbury,  as  secretary  of  the  treasury,  vice 
Taney,  rejected. 

Of  Mahlon  Dickerson,  to  be  secretary  of  the  navy, 
vice  Woodbury,  transferred  to  the  treasury  department. 

Of  Richard  Pollard,  of  Virginia,  to  be  charge  des 
affaires  of  the  United  States  to 

Of  William  Hunter,  of  .Rhode  Island,  to  be  charge  des 
affaires  at  Rio  Janeiro. 

All  these  high  appointments,  as  well  as  many  others, 


appear  to  have  been  made  by  the  senate  with  much  una- 
nimity— though  the  nomination  of  Messrs.  Taney  and 
Stevenson  had  been  rejected  for  reasons  which,  to  the 
majority,  seemed  sufficient. 

No  other  nomination  was  made  of  a  minister  to  Eng- 
land— and  we  suppose  that  that  place  must  necessarily 
remain  vacant — as  the  vacancy  did  not  happen  in  the 
recess  of  congress. 

The  appointment  of  Mr.  Dickerson,  to  be  secretary  of 
the  navy,  though  altogether  unexpected,  will,  no  doubt, 
be  very  acceptable  to  the  public.  It  is  said  that  he  was 
named  to  set  aside  two  who  claimed  it — to  wit,  Mr.  Wil- 
kins, of  the  senate,  and  Mr.  Sutherland,  of  the  house. 

An  idle  report,  to  subserve  some  particular  purposes, 
has  been  sent  out,  that  Mr.  McLane  resigned  the  place, 
of  secretary  of  state,  under  a  supposition  that  his  nomi- 
nation would  not  be  confirmed.  Such  a  notion  had  no 
influence  over  his  resignation,  and,  had  his  nomination 
been  sent  up,  it  would  have  been  confirmed  without  a  di- 
vision. 

Within  the  period  of  a  year  or  thereabouts,  we  have 
had— 

Three  secretaries  of  state — Messrs.  Livingston,  Me 
Lane  and  Forsyth. 

Four  secretaries  of  the  treasury — Messrs  McLane, 
Duane,  Taney  and  Woodbury. 

One  secretary  of  war — Mr.  Cass. 

Two  secretaries  of  the  navy — Messrs.  Woodbury  and 
Dickerson. 

Two  attorney  generals — Messrs.  Taney  and  Butler. 

Some  fifteen  years  ago,  when  complaining  to  an  old 
friend  and  member  of  congress  of  the  long  sessions  of 
that  body,  held  at  so  large  an  expense — he  retorted  pret- 
ty sharply,  and  reproved  us  for  a  want  of  reflection  on 
that  subject.  He  said  that  no  money  drawn  from  the 
treasury  was  so  profitably  expended  for  the  public  good 
Vol.  XLVI  SIG.  22. 


as  that  appropriated  for  the  legislative  department. 
While  we  are  in  session,  said  he,  all  persons  are  careful 
in  their  handlings  of  the  people's  money,  and  cautious  in 
other  proceedings  of  high  importance,  using  the  power 
confided  under  an  apprehension,  that  they  may  be  sud- 
denly "brought  up;"  and  he  went  on  to  state  certain  cases 
to  illustrate  his  opinions,  that  made  us  almost  readv  to 
suppose  that  the  people's  interest  would  be  best  subserv- 
ed if  the  sessions  of  congress  were  perpetual,  with  brief 
recesses  now  and  then  to  afford  the  members  an  opportu- 
nity of  mixing  with  their  constituents,  to  acquire  a  more 
sure  knowledge  of  their  wishes  and  wants! 

On  the  principles  above  stated,  and  to  carry  out  the 
idea  of  the  gentleman  just  alluded  to,  the  appointment 
of  committees  to  act  in  the  recess,  may  be  highly  useful, 
and  truly  economical.  At  any  rate,  the  experiment  is 
about  to  be  tried — 

The  post  office  committee  of  the  senate  (Mr.  Southard 
being  put  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Clayton],  will  sit  in  the  re- 
cess, as  well  as  a  committee  of  the  house  of  representa- 
tives on  the  same  subject;  but  each  committee  will  act 
for  its  own  body,  only,  in  this  case — 

The  committee  of  finance  of  the  senate  is  charged  with 
a  looking  to  the  care  of  the  public  money,  in  the  recess — • 

And  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the  senate  on 
[)ublie  lands,  will  continue  his  investigations  of  the  affairs 
of  the  land  office. 

The  vote  in  the  senate,  on  the  borrowings  of  the  post* 

last^r  general,  is  one  of  the  most  decisive  and  remarka- 
)le  things  on  the  journal  of  that  body.  All  present— 41 
members,  recorded  their  names  in  reprobation  of  his 
acts — and,  had  the  senate  been  full,  the  vote  would  hate 
had  the  same  unanimity;  for  it  is  impossible  that  such  a 
proceeding,  by  the  head  of  any  department,  can  be  allow- 
ed. The  whole  amount  of  Mr.  Barry's  borrowed  money 
is  some  500  or  600  thousand  dollars.*  This  large  sum 
bears  an  interest,  while  the  public  money,  deposited  in 
the  banks,  yields  none.  When  will  these'debts  be  paid? 
But  ought  not  congress  to  have  forbidden  the  payment  of 
them,  in  a  due  regard  to  the  public  service,  unless  out  of 
surplus  moneys  earned  in  the  department?  But  that 
might,  in  some  degree,  have  sanctioned  those  borrow- 
ings! What  is  to  be  the  result?  We  think  we  have 
seen  it  stated  that  a  certain  contractor  had  flatly  refused 
to  carry  the  mail  any  longer,  unless  paid  according  to 
his  contract — and  we  learn  that  deferred  claims  have 
sickened  the  hearts  of  many !  And  in  the  senate,  on  the 
llth  ult.  the  following  proceedings  were  had— 

Mr.  Etving  said,  he  had  received  a  petition  which  he 
hesitated  to  present,  in  consequence  of  its  wanting  the 
signature  of  the  petitioner.  It  was  inclosed  in  a  letter 
signed  by  him;  and,  if  it  were  in  order,  he  would  present 
't;  if  not,  he  would  not  press  its  presentation. 

The  president.  If  it  be  referred  to  in  the  letter  it  is 
n  order. 

Mr.  Etving.  It  is  so  referred  to.  The  petitioner,  — — 
Van  Home,  is  a  citizen  of  Indiana,  but  as  his  petition  re- 
lates to  the  business  of  the  post  office,  I  presume  he  has 
sent  it  to  me  as  a  member  of  that  committee.  The  pe- 
titioner states  that  he  is  a  contractor  to  carry  the  mail 
from  the  1st  of  January,  1832,  at  $1T5  a  year;  that  he 
lias  faithfully  performed  the  service  since  that  time;  that 
lie  is  a  poor  man,  with  a  large  family  to  maintain;  that 
:ie  was  in  debt  at  the  time  he  commenced  his  contract, 
ind  much  more  deeply  now;  that  he  has  devoted  his  time 
to  the  performance  of  his  duty;  and  that  he  has  never 
received  one  dollar  of  his  compensation.  He  states  that 
ie  has  applied,  in  every  way  known  to  him,  for  his  quar- 


"We  sec  the  following  annum  is  given— 
Borrowed, 
Over-drawn, 


451,000 
190,000 

641.000 


314 


WILES'  REGJSTEU— JULY   5,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


terly  payments,  and  especially  through  tlie  member  of  con- 
gress from  the  district;  that  on  the  2M\  of  April,  he  re- 
ceived from  the  department  two  draughts,  for  ten  dollars 
each,  on  two  postmasters,  one  residing  .35  and  the  other 
60  miles  from  his  place  of  residence,  and  that  their  collec- 
tion will  cost  full  one-third  of  their  amount;  and  he  saj  s 
he  considers  his  case  the  harder,  as  he  has  always  been  a 
strong  supporter  of  gen.  Jackson,  who  undertook,  when 
he  came  into  office,  to  reform  all  abuses.  I  move,  Mr. 
President,  that  the  petition  be  read,  and  referred  to  the 
committee  on  the  post  office  and  post  roads. 
The  petition  was  referred. 

The  debates  in  the  senate,  on  the  business  and  con- 
cerns of  the  general  post  office,  have  been  of  lofty  and 
thrilling  interest — whether  i:i  the  attack  or  defence. 
But  the  former,  by  .Messrs.  Clayton,  Jibing,  Southard, 
and  others,  has  seldom,  if  ever  been  excelled  for  (be  en- 
ergy and  power  with  which  it  was  made;  while  the  lat- 
ter, by  Messrs.  Grimily,  Fortyth,  and  others,  displayed 
much  ingenuity  and  tact,  in  parrying  the  blows  of  the 
adverse  partv.  We  must  give  some  of  these  speeches, 
on  both  sides. 

We  are  placed  in  "a  straight  betwixt  two"  inconse- 
quence of  the  publications  of  several  persons,  disavow- 
ing the  justice  of  certain  charges  preferred  against  them, 
in  the  report  proper  of  the  post  office  committee  of  the 
senate.  Now,  as  w-e  published  also  the  report  of  the 
minority  of  that  committee,  vindicating  or  excusing  the 
proceedings  of  the  department — and  as  the  majority  of 
the  committee  cannot  have  a  present  opportunity  of  mak- 
ing a  reply  to  the  publications  alluded  to,  if  it  is  right 
that  they  should,  we  are  placed  in  this  "straight  betwixt 
two,"  and  at  some  loss  to  decide  on  the  equitable  course 
that  ought  to  be  pursued — for  in  all  matters  of  this  kind 
we  desire  to  present  both  sides  fairly. 

Since  the  preceding  was  written,  we  see  it  mentioned 
that  the  postmaster  general  has  addressed  himself  to  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  in  vindication  of  his  conduct. 
IVtat  must,  of  course,  have  a  place.*  But  it  will  be  seen 
in  the  proceedings  of  the  senate,  that  every  member  re- 
corded his  name  in  rejection  of  an  important  part  of  Mr. 
Barry''*  management — the  borrowing  of  money,  "on  his 
own  responsibility,"  which,  indeed,  cannot  be  excused 
all  the  circumstances  of  the  case  being  considered. 

The  injunction  of  secrecy  being  removed,  we  lean 
that  the  following  were  the  yeas  and  nays  on  the  nomi- 
nation of  Mr.  Taney,  as  secretary  of  the  treasury: 

For  confirming — Messrs.  Benlon,  Brown,  Forsytli,  Grundy 
Hendricks,  Hill,  Kane,  KiiiL',  of  Alabama,  Kinu,  <>''  Georgia 
Linn,  Morris,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Tallinadge,  Tiplon,  White 
Wilkins,  Wright. 

Against  confirming— Messrs.  Bibb,  Black,  Callioim,  Cham 
ber»,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewing,  Frelirlgtiuysen,  Ki:nt,  Kninlit 
Leigh,  Mangum,  Moore,  Naudain,  Puindrxtcr,  Porter,  Pren 
lias,  Preston,  Robbins,  Silsbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague 
Swift,  Toinlineon,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Webster. 

So  it  waa 

Resolved,  That  the  senate  do  not  advise  and  consent  to  Hit 
appointment  of  Roger  B.  Taney,  at)  secretary  of  the  treasury. 

The  National  Intelligencer  of  Tuesday  says — 
The  president  approved,  we  believe,  all  the  bills  passed  b. 
the  two  houses  at  the  recent  session  of  congress,  with  the  ex 
ccptionof  the  bill  making  an  appropriation  of  ,$30,000  to  remov 
certain   obstructions   from   the  channel  of  the  river  WfiLask 
Thi»  bill  the  pre*UetU  holds  under  advisement,  stalini;  in 
message  to  the  house,  thru  he  has  strong  doubts  whether  he  ca 
approve  the  bill  consistently  with  his  opinions  of  the  powers  o 
the  government. 

If  we  had  not  lost  the  faculty  of  being  surprised  at  any  execu 
live  notion,  we  confess  that  we  ibould  feel  not  a  little  at  th 
scruples  expressed  in  rt-pard  to  this  hill;  for  the  president  ha 
not  only  signed  bills  appropriating  money  for  the  imprnvemeii 
of  the  Hudson  river,  and  the  Cumberland  liver,  in  Tenne>sc  . 
but  the  United  States  have  heretofore  appropriated  700,0<X 
acres  of  public  lands,  worth  perhaps  two  millions  of  dollars,  t 
connect  the  navigation  of  this  very  \Vaha.-h  river  with  the  Lak 
Michigan,  which  appropriation  will  be  rendered  in  a  great  mea 
gure  useless  for  the  want  of  the  small  sum  of  $'20,000  necessai 
to  remove  an  obstruction  from  the  channel  of  the  river.  B< 
sides,  the  Wabsuh  was  ma<le  a  national  highway  by  the  act  o 


•Having  looked  over  this  address  we.  feel  relieved  of  ih 
teeming  difficulty  in  which  wu  were  placed— for  Mr.  liari 
himself  freely  uses  the  facts  as  stated  In  the  publications  allud 
ed  to. 


ession  from  Virginia,  and  when  the  canal  connecting  It  with 
le  lake  shall  lie  completed,  a  vast  coinnirrct1  will  be  carried 
n  not  only  by  Indiana  nnd  Illinois,  but  by  remoter  part.*  of  the 
imtry;  indeed  already  if  the  river  navigable  500  miles  by 
teamboats. 

From  the  same  of  Wednesday — 

We  have  already  had  occasion  to  remark  that,  at  the  session 
f  congress  which  has  ju>t  closed,  tin:  house  of  representatives 
asst'd,  favorably  or  unfavorably,  upon  evriy  bill  whirh  had 
assed  the  senate.  We  are  now  enabled  to  say,  that  tin-  sen- 
te  also,  before  its  adjournment,  pa.-M-d  upon  every  lull  sent  to 
t  by  the  house  of  representatives.  Tim  fact  is  evidence  of 
real  excition  at  the  close  of  a  session,  the  greater  part  of 

Inch  was  not  distincnis-licd  by  particular  imlii.-uy  <ir  asMiluiiy. 
•Vom  this  last  remark,  of  course,  inn*t  lie  excepled  tbose  hull- 

luals  in  each  house  whose  devotion  to  public  business  was 
jborious  and  unceasing.  \Ve  could  particularize,  if  to  do  so 

ould  not  justly  be  dcuncd  invidious. 

Mr.  McT>ane,  it  is  understood,  will  return  to  \Vil- 
nington,  with  his  family,  and  Mr.  Taney  to  Baltimore. 

A  New  York  paper  saj  s — that  Mr.  Jti-ytuit,  one  of 
he  editors  of  the  New  York  Kvening  Post,  has  been  ap- 
lointed  to  bear  despatches  to  France.  The  editor  of  the 
iVorcester  Republican  has  been  appointed  post  master  of 
hat  pleasant  town,  and  one  of  the  establish),  rs  of  the  Re- 
uiblican  has  received  an  appointment  at  the  Boston  cus- 
om  house,  worth  $3,7UO  per  annum! 

The  Augusta  Chronicle  publishes  a  reply  from  Mr. 
}V.  J.  Ditane,  to  a  letter  which  he  had  recently  received 
Vom  Augusta,  and  addressed  by  the  gentlemen,  "whose 
iiiggestion  induced  the  editor  of  the  Chronicle  to  nomi- 
late  Mr.  T).  for  the  presidency."  Mr.  Ditane  says  in 
•elation  to  it: 

I  am  tlie  son  of  an  American,  but  I  am  not  myself'a  natural 
iorn  citizen,  or  a  citizen  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the 
:onstitution.'  My  father  was  taken  by  bis  surviving  parent, 
Vom  America  to  Ireland,  prior  to  the  revolution;  he  did  not  re- 
turn until  after  the  adoption  of  the;  constitution:  in  the  interval 
[  was  born,  and  spent  a  few  of  my  early  years  in  Ireland,  con- 
sequently, if  I  had  tlie  presumption  to  think  of  enterinj!  tin: 
door  to  which  you  point,  I  should  find  it -constitutionally  shut 

;ainst  me." 

Cubbett,  who  is  a  great  pet  and  favorite  -with  some  of 
the  new-made  "democrats,"  recently  s-aid — 

I  am  of  opinion  thnt  the  printing  nnd  publishing  of  the  Bible, 
has  done  a  great  deal  of  mischief  in  the  world." 

Among  the  deaths  at  Charleston,  we  notice  that  of  the 
venerable  Solomon  Legare,  one  of  the  bravest  soldiers 
and  hardest  fighters  in  the  army  of  the  revolution,  at  the 
age  of  eighty  years. 

The  Cumberland  road  bill  has  been  approved  by  the 
president,  and  became  a  law.  It  appropriates  $900,000 
for  continuing  tlie  road  in  Ohio,  $150,000  for  Indiana, 
and  $100,000  for  Illinois— $450,000  in  all. 

The  further  sum  of  $300,000  is  appropriated  for  re- 
pairs of  the  road  on  this  side  of  the  Ohio,  and  to  carry 
into  effect  the  laws  of  Maryland,  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia. When  that  amount  is  exhausted,  the  act  directs 
the  road  to  be  surrendered  to  the  states  within  which  it 
lies — the  United  States  to  be  discharged  from  all  further 
liabilities  for  repairs. 

A  large  number  of  steamboats  are  now  plying  on  lake 
Erie,  and  many  new  ones  will  soon  be  afloat,  some  of 
which  are  of  a  very  large  size.  The  greater  part  of  the 
shores  of  this  lake  was  inhabited  by  Indians  previous  to 
the  war  of  1812. 

The  spirit  of  improvement  is  handsomely  at  work  in 
F/V^m/a— and  very  liberal  subscriptions  have  been  made 
by  the  city  of  Richmond,  and  the  bank  of  Virginia,  to 
carry  on  the  James  river  and  Kanawha  improvement. 
The  first  took  4,000  and  the  last  5,000  shares  of  the 
stock. 

In  a  late  debate  in  the  British  house  of  Common.*, 
much,  and  well  deserved, credit  is  given  to  Mr.  Gumey, 
for  his  success  in  efteeting  locomotion  by  steam,  on  com- 
mon roads — for  which,  indeed,  the  world  is  greatly  his 
debtor;  but  we  wish  to  remind  our  readers  that  our  own 
countryman,  Oliver  Evans,  was  the  first  man  who  sug- 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— B11SCELLANEOUS. 


815 


gested  llie  use  of  steam  power  for  causing  locomotion  on 
common  roads,  and  the  first  also  who  actually  used  it  to 
give  Jocomotion  to  heavy  bodies  on  land.  Hud  Mr. 
JZ-vuiLS  not  been  rendered  almost  misanthropic  hy  what 
he,  (as,  we  thought,  erroneously),  believed  was  (he  injus- 
tice and  ingratitude  of  the  public,  we  are  of  opinion  that 
a  discovery,  made  by  him,  as  to  the  application  of  steam 
power,  would  have  been  proclaimed,  which,  even  at  this 
day,  would  be  regarded  wonderful;  but  he  frequently 
told  the  writer  of  this  paragraph  that  it  should  be  carried 
with  himself  to  the  grave,  and  so  we  suppose  that  it  was — 
notwithstanding  tlie  repeated  remonstrances  of  those  of 
his  friends  who  had  full  faith  in  his  assertions,  with  re- 
gard to  this  matter. 

Vast  quantities  of  coal,  the  produce  of  the  mines  of 
Pennsylvania,  are  descending  to  Philadelphia  and  New 
York,  by  the  canals  and  rail  roads.  The  price  is  very 
low,  and  now  is  the  time  to  lay  in  supplies  of  this  fuel; 
but  the  scarcity  of  money  prevents  it,  and  the  mines  do 
not  employ  near  so  many  workmen  as  they  might,  at 
this  season  of  the  year.  The  same  remarks  may  be  ap- 
plied to  the  bituminous  coal  mines  of  Virginia,  in  which 
(state  many  new  deposites  of  coal  have  been  recently  dis- 
covered, in  Goochland,  Powhatan,  8tc. 

A  rail  road  is  now  making  from  London  to  Bir- 
mingham, a  distance  of  109  miles.  Robert  Stephen- 
son  is  appointed  chief  engineer.  The  cost  is  estimated 
at  .£3,000,000. 

The  following  statement  of  the  condition  of  the  iron 
manufacture  in  western  Pennsylvania,  is  made  in  a  pri- 
vate letter  to  the  editor  of  the  "National  Intelligencer," 
dated  Union  Town,  May  29—- 

About  eight  moulds  ago  we  put  in  operation  our  steam  forge 
and  furnace,  &c.  at  no  small  expense.  We  did  not  hesitate  to 
give  notice  to  hands  that  they  would  find  employment  aud 
liberal  wages.  In  a  short  time  our  stock  increased,  business 
went  on  smoothly,  and  we  were  giving  employment  to  about 
1UII  hands,  and  thought  nothing  of  shipping  100  tons  of  bloom 
iron  to  market  at  once,  grain:;  our  money  in  return  at  a  fair 
price,  say  $77  50  to  $80.  We  made  contracts  for  ore  and  coal 
to  a  considerable  amount,  not  anticipating  so  sudden  a  change; 
but,  to  our  great  surprise,  in  offering  our  spring  lot,  no  more  than 
$65  could  be  had,  and,  unfortunately  for  us,  some  depreciated 
paper.  We  have  ordered  our  men  to  return  their  tools — we  can 
no  longer  employ  them;  hundreds  of  applications  have  since 
been  made,  willing  to  be  employed  for  any  tiling.  We  are  now 
blowing  up  our  slock,  what  to  do  with  it  we  know  not.  The 
last  lot  sent  to  Pittsburgh  would  not  sell  at  any  price.  Unless 
some  change  speedily  takes  place,  the  puffing  of  the  steam,  the 
sound  of  the  hammers,  and  the  hum  of  business,  will  be  hush- 
ed in  silence,  and  my  old  hands,  that  have  grown  up  with  me 
at  the  business,  scattered  I  know  not  where.  This  experiment 
lias  not  cost  me  less  than  six  to  eight  thousand  dollars  already, 
and  perhaps  another  year's  loss  of  business. 


on  the  minds  of  thosu  who  fix  limits  to  th«  progress  of 
scientific  power— 

liaising  and  removing  brick  houses,  is  a  business  very 
successfully  carried  on  in  this  city,  and  is  a  great  cariosi- 
ty in  a  scientific  point  of  view.  Carrying  back  a  large 
five  story  fire  proof  store  ten  feet,  or  making  a  brick 
house  face  another  street,  would  at  one  time  have  been 
considered  an  extraordinary  undertaking.  \Ve  were  ad- 
miring the  ease  and  security  with  which  the  handsome 
two  story  brick  house,  210  Bowery,  was  raised  by  screws 
and  blocks  to  a  height  so  as  to  enable  the  owner  to  build 
another  story  under  it,  and  when  completed  it  will  be  » 
substantial  three  story  house.  The  raising  of  this  brick 
house  was  done  by  Geo.  i'ltkewell,  177  Elizabeth  street, 
and  not  a  wall  was  cracked  or  a  timber  out  of  place. 

The  present  crops  of  wheat  and  rye  are  good.  The 
deficiency  of  the  last  was  considerable.  At  Kai.awha 
Salines,  in  the  west,  flour  was  recently  sold  for  $6  50 
the  barrel;  and  corn,  in  Georgia,  at  125  cents  per  bushel. 

The  last  year's  crop  of  grain  was  rather  short,  and, 
with  the  embarrassed  state  of  trade  at  New  Orleans,  has 
caused  an  arrival  at  Wheeling,  as  noticed  below,  which 
is  called  '•'•something  new:'" 

Wheeling,  June  21.  A  steambrvnt  arrived  here  a  few  day* 
ago  from  Cincinnati,  loaded  with  flour,  bacon  and  whiskey.  A 
large  quantity  of  oats  has  likewise  been  brought  here  from  the 
same  place.  It  is  believed  that  there  is  much  more  wheat  and 
Hour  in  this  neighborhood  than  will  be  requited  for  home  con- 
sumption, but  is  principally  in  the  hands  of  those  who  are  hold- 
ing it  back  witli  the  expectation  ofieceiving  higher  prices. 

The  Washington  (Pa.)  Reporter  of  the  24lh  ult.  says: 
"The  operations  in  the  wool  business  have  been  quite 
brisk  for  the  last  two  or  three  days—  large  purchases 
have  been  made  at  a  considerable  advance  upon  former 
prices.  The  clip  of  our  best  flocks  is  selling  at  fifty-five 
cents,  and  the  next  quality,  at  fifty  cents." 

And  on  this  subject  the"  Northampton  (Mass.)  Courier 
says:  "If  our  wool-growing  friends  have  a  fair  price  of- 
fered for  the  new  clip,  instead  of  unwisely  holding  on 
expecting  better  ones,  we  should  say  by  all  means,  sell 
it.  A  letter  from  an  experienced  wool  grower,  in  Berk- 
shire, says  that  large  quantities  of  foreign  wool  are  in  the 
market,  a  great  amount  of  the  domestic  article  has  been 
forced  off  by  men  who  wanted  the  avails,  that  many  ma- 
nufactories have  stopped,  and  others  have  curtailed  busi- 
ness, and  that  no  good  reasons  now  exist  for  believing 
that  wool  v.ill  rise  in  value  rather  than  diminish  this 
fall.  The  dissolution  of  congress  without  doing  any 
thi 
co 


A  large  four  story  store  and  ware-house,  No.  271 
Pearl  street,  New  York,  with  a  chief  part  of  its  valuable 
contents,  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  Tuesday  morning  last. 
When  the  tire  was  nearly  over,  and  all  that  remained  to 
be  done  was  to  prevent  a  fresh  breaking  out  of  the  flames, 
the  walls  fell,  and  nearly  buried  six  of  the  firemen.  Two 
•were  killed,  but  the  other  four,  though  much  injured, 
•wonderfully  escaped  with  life.  It  is  alleged  that  if  the 
•walls  of  this  house  had  been  honestly  built,  this  calamity 
would  not  have  happened.  Indeed,  some  of  the  modern- 
built  houses  may  \tell  be  called  traps  to  kill  firemen.  It 
is,  however,  the  duty  of  the  officers  of  the  fire  compa- 
nies, to  prevent,  if  they  can,  (as  we  ourselves  have  done 
more  than  once),  their  fellow  members  from  at  all  en- 
tering job-built  houses,  if  on  fire — for  the  preservation  of 
property  only.  Let  the  property  go. 

The  boiler  of  one  of  the  locomotives  on  the  Harlxm 
rail  road  (New  York),  exploded  on  the  29th  ult.  and  kill- 
ed a  passenger.  The  engineer,  we  had  like  to  have  said, 
unhappily  escaped  with  life,  but  was  considerably  injur- 
ed. 

A  roan  would  have  been  thought  insane,  a  few  years 
ago,  if  suggesting  the  fact  stated  below,  from  the  New 
York  Evening  Star.  But  we  have  seen  enough  in  the 
last  40  years  to  make  us  almost  ready  to  charge  insanity 


. 

hing  to  settle  the  currency  or  the  political  affairs  of  the 
ountry,  is  almost  indubitable  evidence  of  all  this." 

The  Lancaster,  (Pa.)  Journal  says  that  veins  of  gold, 
having  large  deposites,  have  been  found  in  Lancaster 
county,  which  are  thought  to  be  as  rich  as  any  in  the 
south. 

A  New  York  paper  says  —  It  is  ascertained  that  the  dis-« 
count  paid  by  the  New  York  merchants,  on  western  bills, 
is  over  $500,000  per  annum. 

A  late  French  paper  has  the  following  notices  of  the 
specie  currency  of  France: 

From  March  28,  1803,  to  January  1,  1834,  the  coinage  tfftct- 
at  the  Fiench  mints,  was  as  follows: 


Gold  coins,  value 
Silver  coins, 


1,039,131,660  francs  or 

2,605,009,482      " 


$-195,837,166 
499,801,777 


3,704,741,142  francs  $094,638,963 

The  coins  in  circulation  in  France  at  the  present  nine,  of  the 
coinage  ttl'c.cted  since  1803,  are  estimated  at  2.000,dOO,OOOf.  or 
$375,000,000,  besides  the  sum  of  811,000,0001'.  or  $152,06-2,500,  iu 
old  coins;  making  the  total  amount  of  the  specie  currency  of 
France  $527,062,500.  13ut  it  appears  that  out  of  $094,638,963. 
the  value  of  the  coinauc  HTia-ttd  since  1603,  coins  tu  the  amount 
of  1,704,741,1421'.  or '$319.638,693,  have  been  exported  Iiom 
France,  besides  old  coins,  to  the  amount  of  600,000,000f.  or 
$112,500,000;  making  the  total  amount  of  French  coins  t.i- 
ported,  ami  estimated  to  be  in  circulation  in  foreign  countries, 
0,304,741,1421'.  or  $432,438,693.  [A'oiie  melted  t/y?.'J 

The  steamboat  Independence,  capt.  Pearce,  has  been 
sent  round  to  the  Delaware,  by  the  directors  of  the  Balti- 
more and  Philadelphia  rail  road  line,  to  ply  between  the 
last  named  city  and  Cape  May,  during  tlie  bathing  sea- 


S16 


WILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


son.  The  Independence  made  the  voyage  from  Hampton 
Roads  to  the  Delaware  breakwater  in  14  hours. 

It  is  probable  that  the  use  of  locomotives*  will  become 
common  on  ordinary  turnpike  or  other  hard  roads,  wit! 
moderate  ascents  or  descents.  The  following  is  from 
the  Birmingham,  (Eng.)  Gazette: 

Dr.  Church's  steam  carriage  was  started  for  the  first  time  on 
Friday  evening,  passing  from  the  manufactory  along  the  Green 
lanes,  and  turning  in  fine  style  through  the  Small  heath  gate 
from  whence  it  passed  along  the  Coventry-road.  It  proceeded 
at  a  very  rapid  rate  (say  from  fifteen  to  twenty  miles  per  hour 
wilh  a  greal  number  of  persons,  (upwards  of  forly)  upon  it  fo 
a  considerable  distance;  when,  in  turning  short  upon  the  road 
the  bind  part  struck  the  foot  path,  and  broke  a  small  append 
age  to  one  of  the  valves.  It  was  then  deemed  advisable  m>t  tr 
work  the  machinery  further  for  fear  of  accident,  but  to  ailacl 
the  ropes  and  to  haul  it  back  by  the  workmen.  The  machine 
ry,  boilers  and  frame  work  have  since  been  examined,  am 
every  part,  excepting  as  above  and  a  connecting  lube  lo  the  wa 
ter  tank,  was  found  quite  sound  and  uninjured.  The  carriaae 
will  be  put  into  complete  order  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  am 
will  shortly  be  run  upon  the  turnpike  road,  to  enable  the  eon 
ductors  to  acquire  the  necessary  experience.  The  trial  is  high 
]y  satisfactory  as  to  the  power  of  Hie  engine. 

A  slearn  carriage  is  building  at  Paris  to  travel  on  the  com 
mon  French  roads,  lo  convey  30  passengers. 

The  damages  sustained  in  the  city  of  New  York  b\ 
the  firing  of  Chinese  crackers,  by  children,  is  estimatei 
at  50,000  dollars  a  year! — and  many  persons  are  injured 
by  the  running  away  of  horses,  &c.  There  ought  to  be 
power,  and  it  should  be  exerted,  to  relieve  the  people  ol 
this  pest.  The  little  urchins  are  hard  to  manage — but 
those  who  supply  them  with  the  means  of  annoyance  ma} 
be  reached.  The  evil  has  been  cured  in  Boston. 

A  dreadful  tornado  passed  over  Williamsburgh,  Va. 
and  the  parts  adjacent,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  21st  ult. 
From  50  to  70  chimneys  were  blown  down  in  the  ol(! 
city  of  Williamsburgh,  but  no  lives  lost — and  many 
bouses  much  injured  or  utterly  demolished  in  the  coun- 
try. Several  negroes  and  horses  were  killed,  and  many 
badly  wounded.  We  tliink  that  we  never  before  heard 
of  such  a  succession  of  tornadoes  as  have  lately  visited 
the  south. 

There  was  a  late  trotting  match,  under  the  saddle,  fot 
a  bet  of  $200,  between  three  horses,  over  the  Harlsem 
Park  course,  New  York.  Three  heals  of  three  miles 
each,  (less  44  yards  in  the  mile)  were  performed  at  the 
average  rate  of  rather  less  than  2  m.  40  sec.  to  the  mile. 
Which  time  (says  the  N.  Y.  Courier)  has  never  been 
made  before  in  a  trotting  match  in  any  part  of  the  world. 
The  course,  it  is  well  known,  is  a  heavy  one,  has  a  bad 
bill  and  a  short  turn. 

There  has  been  some  difficulty  between  the  master 
bakers  and  journeymen,  at  New  York,  and  the  latter 
"turned  out."  Among  other  resolutions  passed  by  the 
latter,  we  notice  the  following: 

That  we  consider  it  as  conducive  to  the  welfare  of  the  trade, 
thai  no  employer  retain  more  than  one  apprentice  at  a  lime,  and 
him  under  indenture  for  no  less  than  five  years;  and  said  ap 
prentice  employed  to  be  paid  as  be  progresses. 

This  is  going  much  too  far.  If  the  rule  is  a  good  one, 
it  applies  to  every  mechanical  or  manufacturing  depart- 
ment— and  if  employers  may  take  only  one  apprentice 
each,  in  five  years,  we  should  soon  be  in  a  "pretty  condi- 
tion," indeed!  What  would  become  of  the  youths?  The 
proposition  is  absurd.  It  is  in  utter  repugnance  to  the 
public  welfare. 

A  person  was  instantly  killed  at  the  raising;  of  a  hickory 
pole,  near  Reading,  Perm,  on  the  13th  ult.  in  conse- 
quence of  the  apparatus  for  hoisting  it  not  being  suf- 
ficiently secured.  The  pole  was  150  feet  in  length. 

A  good  many  years  have  passed  since  we  suggested 
•uch  circumnavigation,  as  is  stated  in  the  following  pa- 
ragraph, copied  from  the  "Buffalo  Journal." 


*We  have  had  an  objection  lo  the  use  oflhis  word,  (or  it  ap- 
plies as  well  to  a  boat  us  to  a  u>a«on,  &c.  but  as  by  general  con- 
keiit  it  seems  about  to  be  applied  only  to  the  latter,  and  as  we 
need  tome  word  lo  express  the  idea  briefly,  perhaps  it  will  do 
iuwell  many  other. 


A  little  steamboat  called  the  Caroline,  came  into  harbor  a 
few  days  since,  which  was  built  ir.  South  Carolina,  haa  made 
her  way  through  Quebec,  &c.  here,  and  is  bound,  we  under- 
stand, for  the  Mississippi,  through  the  lakes. 

We  learn  from  the  Cincinnati  Intelligencer  that  fatal 
cases  of  cholera  have  happened  in  that  city;  and  that 
"many  complain  of  the  premonitory  symptoms."  We 
pray  that  this  pestilence  may  not  be  added  to  the  general 
distress  that  prevails  from  other  causes! 

After  naming  several  persons  who  have  recently  died 
of  the  cholera,  at  Louisville — the  account  proceeds  to 
say — "It  lias  been  made  certain,  that  those  persons  who 
were  supposed  to  have  been  poisoned  by  partaking  of 
food  prepared  for  a  wedding  party,  were  cases  of  cho- 
lera. 

It  seems  that  there  is  about  to  be  another  revolution  in 
J\lexii'o!— which  may  end  in  the  establishment  of  a  king- 
lv  power,  and  its  natural  ally,  a  state  religion.  We  have 
some  particulars,  but  do  not  feel  much  interest  in  the 
intrigues  and  quarrels  of  military  chieftains.  The  peo- 
ple must  be  taits'h'.  to  know  that  "glory"  in  the  field,  ha* 
no  relation  to  wisdom  or  virtue  in  the  cabinet. 

Late  accounts  from  India  (says  the  Baltimore  Ameri- 
can), speak  of  preparations  for  working  the  coal  mines 
that  exist  in  the  interior.  The  district  of  Cntch  has 
been  discovered  to  he  full  of  coal  seams.  The  speci- 
mens are  all  anthracite.  The  late  French  traveller, 
Jacquemont,  found  anthracite  coal  in  anolher  district, 
and  it  seems  to  be  very  widely  diffused  throughout  the 
peninsula. 

In  one  of  Jacquemont's  letters  from  Indh»,  occurs  a 
phrase  of  compliment  to  the  British  governor  general 
lord  William  Bentinck,  which  is  worth  quoting.  It  con- 
tains a  two-fold  eulogy.  He  says  "the  man  who  does 
much  honor  to  Europe  in  Asia,  is  he  who  governs  it. 
Lord  Bentinck,  on  the  throne  of  the  great  Mogul,  thinks 
and  acts  like  a  quaker  of  Pennsylvania."  We  commenil 
tliis  to  our  Pennsylvania  brethern,  as  a  curious  but  flat- 
tering homage  to  the  spirit  of  their  institutions. 

It  has  been  decreed  that  "the  liberty  of  public  wor- 
ship is  not  prohibited  in  the  republic  of  Venezuela,"  and 
the  Protestant  bishop  of  Barbadoes  has  "consecrated"  a 
burial  ground  in  Caraceas.  This  is  the  first  instance  of 
a  Protestant  bishop's  treading  the  soil  of  Venezuela  in 
his  ecclesiastical  capacity. 

The  London  Weekly  Dispatch,  in  declining  to  publish 
a  "subaltern's  eulogy  on  a  great  captain,"  takes  occasion 
to  remark  that  they  have  but  little  respect  for  heroes,  in 
the  common  acceptation  of  the  term,  but  there  have  been 
great  leaders,  whose  memory  will  be  ever  dear  to  free- 
men— such  were 

"LEONIDAS  and  WASHINGTON, 
Whose  every  battle-field  is  holy  ground, 

Which  breathes  of  nations  saved — not  worlds  undone. 
How  sweetly  on  the  ear  stich  echoes  sound! 

While  the  mere  viclors  may  appal,  or  stun 
The  servile  or  Ihe  vain:  such  names  will  be 

»4  watchword,  till  the  future  shall  befree!" 

The  following  prices  will  show  the  difference  between 
the  value  of  wheat  in  London  and  cities  on  the  continent. 
The  prices  affixed  are  for  eight  bushels  of  wheat,  impe- 
rial measurement. 

1 . OIK!. m  red  wheat  5-2s.          white  do.  58*. 

Hamburg          do.    27s.  Id.        do.    do.  29s.  Sd. 

Amsterdam     do.  do.   do.  30i.  8d. 

Antwerp  do.    33s.  Sd. 

Stettin  do.    23».  IOJ. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  late  treaty  of  pence  hr- 

:ween  the  Fardowns  and  Corkonians,  laboring  on   the 

Baltimore  and   Washington'  rail  road.      The  reverend 

eutli-inan  spoken  of  is  a  priest  of  the   Roman  Catholic 

baron,  and  has  been  successful  on  several  like  occasions, 

on  which,  while  rendering  due  and  well  merited  praise 

o  him,  we  must  be  permitted  to  say  that  the  necessity  of 

us  interference  reflects  no  pnii.se  on  his  countrymen,  for 

he  civil  powcr'should  always  be  sufficient  to  support  tha 

ivil  law  among  them. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— CONGRESS. 


S17 


On  the  24th  June,  1834,  the  subscribers,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  the  rev.  John  McElroy,  have  respectively  and 
mutually  agreed  to  bury  forever,  on  their  own  part,  and 
on  behalf  of  their  respective  sections  of  country,  all  re- 
membrance of  feuds  and  animosities,  as  well  as  injuries 
sustained.  They  also  promise  to  each  other,  and  make 
a  sincere  tender  of  their  intention,  to  preserve  peace, 
harmony  and  good  feeling  between  persons  of  every  part 
of  their  native  country  without  distinction. 

They  further  mutually  agree  to  exclude  from  their 
houses  and  premises,  all  disorderly  persons  of  every  kind, 
and  particularly  habitual  drunkards:  They  also  resolv- 
ed, and  do  intend  to  apply  in  all  cases,  where  it  is  neces- 
sary, to  the  civil  authorities,  or  to  the  laws  of  the  coun- 
try for  redress — and  finally,  they  are  determined  to  use 
their  utmost  endeavors  to  enforce,  by  word  and  example, 
these  their  joint  and  unanimous  resolutions. 
Signed  by  fourteen  of  the  men  employed") 

on  the  4th,  5th  and  Slh  sections  of  the  t  on   behalf   of 
2d  division  Baltimore  and  Washington  '  all  employed. 


rail  road. 


J 


And  also  by  thirteen  on  the  8th  section  }'on   behalf   of 


of  the  1st  division. 


all  employed. 


There  has  been  a  great  deal  said  in  the  Baltimore 
newspapers  concerning  certain  "Tennessee  bonds"  to 
the  amount  of  500,000  dollars — The  following  relates  to 
some  other  negotiations  or  dealings  of  the  bank  of  Ma- 
ryland and  the  Union  bank  of  Tennessee: 

"Notice.  All  persons  are  hereby  forwameil  against  purchas- 
ing, trading  for,  or  receiving  six  hundred  and  nine  chares  of 
the  capital  stock  in  the  Union  bank  of  the  state  of  Tennessee — 
now  on  the  books  of  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland.  Said  bank 
having  no  authority  to  transfer  the  same,  or  issue  certificates 
thereon — and  said  stock  being  in  the  name  of  the  Union  bank 
of  Maryland  without  authorised  transfer. 

A.  VANWVCK,  cashier  of  the  Unionbank. 

Union  bank,  Nashville,  June  14,  1834. 

While  on  this  subject  we  may  notice  two  decisions  of 
the  high  court  of  appeals,  in  Maryland,  with  relation  to 
bank  matters: 

June  term,  1834—  Saturday,  June  28.  Chief  justice 
Buchanan  announced  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  judg- 
es, refusing  an  injunction  upon  the  application  of  the 
Union  hank  of  the  state  of  Tennessee  vs.  Ellicott,  Mor- 
ris and  Gill,  trustees  of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  and  sanc- 
tioning the  opinion  given  the  trustees  by  their  advisers. 
The  debtors  of  the  bank  of  Maryland  have  consequently 
the  right  to  pay  their  debts  in  the  notes,  certificates  of 
deposite  and  open  accounts  due  by  that  bank. 

It  is  understood  that  the  judges  thought  that  this  right 
was  secured  the  debtors,  both  by  the  deeds  creating  the 
trust,  and  the  circumstances  accompanying  their  execu- 
tion, as  also  by  the  acts  of  assembly  of  1818  and  1824. 

Chief  justice  Jiuchanan,  on  a  bill  filed  by  several 
stockholders  of  the  Union  bank  of  Maryland  against 
Poultney,  Kllicott  &  Co.  of  Baltimore,  awarded  to-day 
an  injunction  to  prevent  the  defendants  from  voting  at 
the  next  election  of  directors  of  the  Union  bank,  two 
thousand  shares  of  the  stock  of  the  bank,  alleged  by  the 
complainants  to  have  been  transferred  to  a  number  of 
persons  unknown,  by  the  defendants  in  February  and 
March  last,  in  intentional  invasion  of  the  provision  of  the 
charter,  limiting  the  number  of  votes  to  be  given  at  any 
such  election  by  any  one  stockholder  to  sixty. 

The  defendants  are  to  have  the  privilege  of  filing  their 
answer,  and  of  moving  to  dissolve  the  injunction  at  an 
early  day  preceding  the  election. 

The  following  proceedings  were  had  in  Baltimore 
county  court,  on  the  1st  instant: 

Gordon  and  others,  vs.  Poultney,  Ellicotf  and  others.  Injunc- 
tion to  restrain  the  defendants  from  voting  divided  stock  in  the 
Union  hank  of  Maryland.  The  chief  justice,  who  awarded 
the  injunction  in  this  cause,  ordered  thai  the  defendants  might 
answer  the  hill,  and  move  for  a  dissolution  of  the  injunction 
liefore  the  fourth  of  July.  The  defendants  moved  for  a  disso- 
lution to  day,  but  without  filing  an  answer  (which  must  lie  on 
oath)  and  put  in  a  demurrer  and  answer  not  denying  the  facts, 
hut  generally  denying  all  fraudulent  intent.  This  was  resisted 
hy  the  complainants,  and  the  right  to  discharge  the  injunction 
denied,  unless  the  defendants  denied  the  facts  alleged  n«airiPt 
their  result;  and  so  the  court  (judges  MaRruder  nnd  Purviance) 
decided.  The  defendants  then  prayed  leave  to  withdraw  the 
prior  pleadings,  which  was  granted;  and  they  put  in  a  general 
demurrer  which  the  court  refused  to  receive  with  reference  to 


this  motion,  and  then  the  defendants  removed  the  cause  to  the 
court  of  chancery  upon  affidavit  and  suggestion,  that  it  was  nol 
intended  for  delay.  The  complainant*  moved  that  the  transfer 
books  and  powers  of  attorney  in  the  bank  might  be  brought  in 
for  inspection,  but  the  court  took  no  order  upon  that  motion. 
The  injunction  in  this  case  applies  to  2,000  shares  Union  bank 
of  Maryland  stock,  alleged  to  be  hypothecated  to  the  Union 
bank  by  Poultney,  Ellicotl  &  Co.  and  then  transferred  to  vari- 
ous persons  to  increase  the  number  of  votes,  which  the  charter 
confines  to  sixty  voters  in  favor  of  each  etockholder. 

Gordon,  Gill,  Frick  and  McMahon,  counsel  for  complainant!. 
O.  Scott,  Constable  and  Williams,  counsel  for  defendants. 

The  African  slave  trade  is  very  extensively  carried  on 
from  Cuba.  The  convention  and  laws  for  its  suppres- 
sion, seem  to  be  almost  dead  letters.  Twenty-four  slave 
vessels  were  recently  lying  at  Havana,  at  one  time. 
Some  of  them  bring  500  victims — "packed  like  pickled 
herring,"  and  the  market  for  them  is  "brisk." 

INDIAN  AFFAIRS.  Allusions  have  been  made  by  the  Wash- 
ington correspondents  of  the  eastern  paper.",  to  the  abuses  in 
the  Indian  department,  and  frequent  calls  have  been  marie  for 
the  report  of  the  committee  on  Indian  affairs  of  the  house  of 
representatives,  under  the  supposition  that  it  contained  a  full 
development  of tho«e  abuses.  From  an  examination  of  the  re- 
port, however,  it  appears,  that  the  principal  object  of  the  com- 
mittee in  making  it,  was  to  prevent  abuses  in  future.  The  re- 
port seems,  with  a  view  to  secure  a  real  reform,  to  have  avoid- 
ed all  topics  of  a  culpatory  character,  or  that  could  he  used  to 
excite  parly  considerations.  The  two  bills  which  have  passed 
the  house  of  representatives,  and  will,  we  have  no  doubt,  pa«a 
the  senate,  will  go  far  to  securfi  the  object  of  the  committee. 
The  first  bill  reduces  the  expenditure  of  the  Indian  department 
more  than  one  half.  From  a  table  annexed  to  the  report,  it  ap- 
pears that  the  average  annual  expenditures  of  the  last  five  years, 
was  $148,274.  By  this  bill,  it  will  be  reduced  to  $6~!  .650. 
This  most  important  bill  (to  organize  an  Indian  territory)  was, 
for  want  of  time,  postponed  to  the  next  ses.'ion  of  cotiaress; 
when  it  will  probably  receive  the  early  consideration  of  con- 


gress. 


[Nat.  Int.  June  28, 


DR.  ZOLLICKOFFER'S  "PATENT  CARRIAGE  WHEEI,  GUARD." 
Our  enterprizing  fellow  citizens  Messrs.  Stockton  $•  Stokes,  says 
the  Baltimore  Patriot,  are  continually  on  the  ytti  vice  for  new 
improvements  that  may  promote  the  ease,  comfort  and  security 
of  travellers.  We  have  noticed  some  of  these  heretofore;  and 
on  Wednesday  evening  we  examined  one  of  their  coaches  con- 
structed upon  an  entirely  new  principle,  by  which  the  safely  of 
passengers  is  rendered  much  more  secure  than  formerly,  as  no 
accident  can  separate  the  wheel  from  the  carriage.  We  are 
furnished  with  thu  following  technical  description  of  this  inven- 
tion. 

This  apparatus  consists  of  a  cylindrical  flanged  rim  of  iron: 
guards:  a  circular  collar:  and  a  semicircular  cap. 

The  axle  tree  and  wheels  are  made  in  the  usual  manner. 
The  cylindrical  flanged  rim  of  iron,  is  either  cast  whole  with 
the  hub,  or  in  sections,  and  screwed  to  its  periphery,  in  a  groove 
having  two  flanges,  one  on  each  side,  raised  sufficiently  high  to 
form  a  groove  to  receive  the  collar. 

The  guards  are  made  of  iron,  nearly  in  the  form  of  the  letter 
Z  and  screwed  to  the  axle  tree  by  a  joint  and  screw  bolt. — To 
earh  axle  tree  there  are  four  guards,  two  on  each  side. 

The  circular  collar,  made  of  iron  is  secured  to  the  ends  of  the 
guards,  and  is  put  around  the  cylindrical  rim  in  the  groove 
formed  by  the  flanges. 

A  semi-circular  cap  secured  to  the  guards  by  hooks  and  sta- 
ples, is  put  over  the  hub  to  prevent  dirt  falling  in  the  groove 
around  the  rim. 

Let  the  linch  pin  come  out,  the  nut  become  disengaged,  the 
spindle  break  within  the  hub,  or  at  the  shoulder  of  the  axle  tree 
or  the  axle  tree  break  at  any  point,  the  wheels  nevertheless 
continue  to  revolve,  without  any  displacement  whatever,  and 
the  body  suspended  on  the  axle  remains  in  its  position,  as 
though  no  accident  had  happened. 

TWENTY-THIRD  CONGRESS— FIRST  SESSION. 

SENATE. 

June  26.  In  the  evening  session  many  bills  which  had  been 
matured,  were  passed.  [{fcr'In  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  it 
is  not  worth  the  room  to  enumerate  them,  unless  on  account  of 
some  peculiarity  attending  their  passage,  for  the  reason  that  a  lint 
of  all  the  acts  passed  at  the  session  is  published.  ] 

June  27.  The  chair  communicated  a  report  from  the  depart- 
ment of  state,  in  obedience  to  a  call  from  the  senate,  in  refer- 
ence to  the  classification  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States, 
showing  the  proportion  of  whites  to  blacks;  also  a  similar  re- 
port on  another  call.  Ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Webster  made  a  report  from  the  committee  on  finance- 
see  page 

Memorials,  proceedings  of  meeting,  &c.  opposed  to  the  action 
of  the  executive  against  the  U.  States  bank,  and  the  removal 
of  the  deposites,  &c.  were  presented,  by  Mr.  £ut'nir,  from  103 
citizens  of  (Harrison  and  Piqua  counties,  Ohio;  by  Mr.  Tomlin- 
son,  from  250  citizens  of  Newton,  Conn.;  by  Mr.  Clay  from 
1,700  inhabitants  of  York  county,  Pennsylvania;  by  the  same 


818 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— CONGRESS. 


from  700  inhabitant?  of  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  and  by  the 
FH me,  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  in  Butler  county,  Pa.;  \\likli 
were  severally  rend,  fcc. 

Mr.  Worri*  presented  tha  memorial  of  1,655  inhabitants  of 
Portage  county,  Ohio,  sustaining  the  course  of  the  executive 
again>t  Ilie  United  States  bank,  &.C.;  which  wa«  referred,  See. 

Memorials,  &c.  on  the  subject  of  tlie  removal  of  the.  public 
•moneys  Irom  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales  and  the  public 
finances  wen;  presented  by  Mr  Hendricks,  (two  memorials) 
from  sundry  citizens  of  Indiana;  and  by  Mr.  If'ilkins,  from  siin- 
diy  citizens  of  York  county,  Pa.;  also  from  Roxborough,  West 
Chester  and  Washington;  which  were  severally  read,  referred, 

&.C. 


On  motion  of  Mr.  En-ing,  the  £f  nate  proceeded  to  con? irler 
the  resolutions  reported  by  the  majority  of  the  committee  on 
the  post  ofiiee. 

Mr.  Forsyte  suggested  that  it  would  save  time  to  take  up  the 
till  instead  of  the  resolutions. 

Mr.  Grundy  said  the.  bill  was  the  deductions  of  one  mind 
.only,  and  as  the  committee  were  to  fit  during  the  recess,  a  bet- 
iter  bill  could  be  prepared  by  the  next  session. 

Mr.  Emns,  then  addressed  the  senate  in  explanation  of  the 
several  resolutions  and  in  their  support.  lie  continued  until  he 
.was  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  the  hour  for  the  recess. 

Evening  session.     Mr.  Etring  resumed  his  remarks,  in  illustra 
tion  of  the  resolution!!  on  the  post  office  and  continued  for  half 
an  hour. 

Mr.  Grundy  replied  to  Mr.  E.  and  occupied  the  senate  until 
.near  6  o'clock. 

Mr.  Wright  then  made  some  observations  on  the  state  of  the 
business  before  the  senate,  and  moved  to  lay  the  subject  on  the 
table,  and  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays  oil  that  motion,  wliich 
were  ordered. 

Messrs.  Clay  and  Clayton  requested  the  withdrawal  of  the 
motion,  but  Mr.  Wright  declined;  and  the  question  was  taken, 
and  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  Benlon,  Brown, Forsyth,Grunrly,  Hendrirks, 
Hill,  Kane,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  of  Georgia,  Morris,  Kobin- 
con,  Shepley,  Swift,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White,  Wilkins, 
Wright— 18. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Bibb,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewing,  Fre- 
linghuysen,  Kent,  Knight,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Porter,  Pren- 
tiss, Preston,  Robbins,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Tomlinson, 
Tyler,  Waggaman — 20. 

So  the  motion  was  negatived. 

Mr.  Clayton  addressed  the  senate  for  nearly  an  hour.   He  was 

followed  by  Messrs.  Clay,  Grundy,  Robinson  and  Ening;  when 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Ewing,  the  last  resolution  as  reported  by 

the  nnjoiity  of  the  committee  was  stricken  out  and  substituted 

by  one  directing  the  committee  to  inquire  in  the  recess,  ami  re- 


consideration of  nil  other  subjects  not  aeted  on,  tlmn  the  reso- 
lutions of  the  post  office  committee  laiil  on  the  table. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wehiter,  the  joint  resolution  from  the 
house  suspending  the  rule  which  prevents  the  transmission  of 
bills  from  one  house  to  the  other  during  the  last  three  days  of 
tin-  session,  was  taken  up,  amended  and  agreed  to. 
Mr.  Southrtrd  submitted  the  following  resolution: 
Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  finance  have  leave  to  sit 
in  the  reeess  on  the  subjects  with  which  they  were  charged  by 
the  resolutions  of  February  4,  and  May  5;  and  that  said  com- 
mittee be  further  instructrd  to  inquire  whether  the  hank  of  the 
United  States  has  violated  its  charter;  whether  any  moneys  of 
the  United  State*  remaining  in  said  bank  are  safe;  what  has 
been  the  conduct  of  the  hank  since  1832  in  regard  to  the  ex- 
tension and  curtailment  of  its  loans  and  discounts,  and  to  its 
dealings  in  internal  exchange;  and  what  has  been  its  general 
eotidiict  and  management  since  that  period. 

Mr.  Preston  submitted  a  resolution  providing  for  the  report 
called  for  by  his  resolution  of  the  5th  instant  relative  to  United 
Plates'  pensioners,  being  made  to  the  secretary  of  the  senate 
during  its  recess;  for  its  being  printed  and  distributed. 

Many  bills  were  severally  read  the  third  time  and  passed. 
On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster  (lie  senate  proceeded   te  consider 
the  bill  to  regulate  the  gold  coins  of  the  United  States,  and  on 
his  motion  the  senate  struck  out  from  the  bill  the  lines  making 
provision  for  the  gold  dollar — 

A  debate  ensued  on  the  bill,  in  which  Messrs.  Webster,  Ew- 
ing, Calhoun,  Sprague,  Benton,  Porter,  King,  of  Geo.  Sprague 
and  Chambers  participated. 

The  question  being  taken  on  the  engrossment  of  the  bill  for 
a  third  reading,  was  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  Benton,  Bibb,  Black,  Brown,  Calhoun,  Ew- 
ing, Frelinghuysen,  Grundy,  Hendricks,  Hill,  Kane,  Kent,  King, 
of  Alab.  King,  ol  Geo.  Leigh,  Linn,  Manguni,  Morris,  Poindex- 
ter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Robbins,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Smith,  Swift, 
Tallmadge,  Tipton,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Webster, 
White,  Wilkins.  Wright— 35. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Chamber?,  Clay,  Knight,  Porter,  Silsbee,  Sou- 
thard, Spragui: — 7. 
The  bill  was  (hen  passed. 

The  bill  to  regulate  the  circulation  of  foreign  gold  coins  in 
the  United  States  was  taken  up.  amended  and  passed. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Mangum,  the  senate  took  a  recess  (at  ± 
past  2),  for  one  hour. 

Keening  session.  The  vice  president  did  not  take  the  chair 
at  the  opening  of  the  evening  session. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the  elec- 
tion of  a  president  pro  tern. 
The  balloting  having  proceeded,  on  counting  the  same,  the 


port  the  number  of  editors  of  newspapers,  who  have  mail  con- 
tracts, the  amount  of  extra  allowance  paid  them:  the  number 
who  have  mail  routes  with  newspaper  privilege;  and  the  names 
nnd  number  of  travelling  agents,  and  the  sums  paid  them. 

Mr.  Ewing  then  asked  for  a  division  of  the  question  upon  the 
resolutions;  which  was  agreed  to. 

After  some  remarks  from  Messrs.  Grundy,  Clayton,  Ewing, 
Webster,  Clay,  Robinson  and  Benlon, 

Mr.  Webster  said  he  would  propose  to  take  the  question  on 
the  first  resolution,  which  related  to  the  borrowing  of  money 
by  tha  department,  and,  after  that,  as  the  minds  of  all  the  gen- 
tlemen were  riot  made  up  upon  questions  embraced  in  the 
other  resolutions,  he  would  move  to  lay  the  remainder  of  the 
resolutions  on  the  table. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  agreeing  to  the  first  resolu- 
tion reported  by  the  committee  in  the  words  following: 

"Re*oh-ed,  That  it  is  proved  and  admitted  that  large  sums  of 
money  have  been  borrowed  at  different  hanks,  by  the  postmas- 
ter general,  in  order  to  make  up  the  deficiency  in  the  means  of 
carrying  on  the  business  of  the  post  office  department,  without 
authority  given  by  any  law  of  congress;  and  that,  as  congress 
alone  possesses  the  power  to  borrow  money  on  the  credit  of 
the  United  States,  all  such  contracts  for  loans  by  the  postmas- 
ter general  are  illegal  and  void." 
And  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Ben  ton,  Bibb,  Black,  Brown,  Calhoun, Cham- 
IIBM,  Clay,  Clayton,  Ewing,  Forsyth,  Frelinghuysen,  Grundy, 
Hendricks,  Hill.  Kane,  Kent,  King,  of  Alabama,  King,  ot'Geo. 
Knight,  Linn,  Mangum,  Moore,  Naudain.  Poindexter,  Porter, 
Premiss,  Preston,  Rohbins,  Robinson,  Khepley,  Silsbee,  Smith, 
Fouthnrd,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Web- 
fter.  White,  Wright — 41. 
NAYS-None. 

So  the  resolution  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 
Mr.  Webster  congratulated  the  senate  on  the  unanimity  with 
wliich  the  vote  had  been  given  upon  Ibis  proposition.     He  now, 
according  to  notice,  moved  to  lay  the.  remaining  resolutions  on 
the  table;  which  motion  was  agreed  to. 

A  message  was  received  from  the  house  of  representatives, 
stating  that  the  house  had  passed  a  joint  resolution,  suspending 
the  rule  which  prohibits  either  house  from  fending  bills  to  the 
other  within  the  three  last  days  of  the  session.  It  was  laid  on 
the  table. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Poindexlrr,  the  senate  proceeded  to  tin 
consideration  of  executive  business;  after  being  engaged  therein 
until  hrtlf  past  10  o'clock,  the  senate  adjourned. 

June  -J8.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Grimily  the  commitfc  on  the 
jiost  office  nnd  pout  roads  were  discharged  from  the  further 


following  are  the  several  results: 

1st  ballot.  3d  ballot.  3d  ballot. 

Mr.  Poindexter, 21  20  22 

Mr.  Kins,  of  Alab 14  13  10 

Mr.  Bibb, 1  1  1 

Mr.  Clay, 1  1 

Mr.  Frelinghtiysen, 1 

Mr.  Waggaman, I  3 

Mr.  Ty ler, 1  T 

P.lanks 2 

Mr.  Calhoun, 1 

42  40  42 

Mr.  Poindexler  having  received  a  majority  of  the  whole  num- 
ber of  votes  on  the  third  ballot,  was  declared  duly  elected  pre- 
sident pro  tern,  and  was  conducted  to  the  chair  by  Mr.  Cham- 
bers. From  his  seat  in  the  chnir  Mr.  P.  then  rose  and  addressed 
the  senate  to  the  following  effect: 

Senators:  Penetrated  with  the  most  profound  sense  of  grati- 
tude for  the  kind  manifestation  of  your  confidence  in  calling  me 
to  preside  over  the  deliberations  of  this  honorable  body,  I  rise  to 
express  to  you  my  (banks,  nnd  the  unfeigned  diffidence  with 
which  I  enter  upon  the  discharge  of  the  arduous  and  delicate. 


(hilt 


assigned  to   me.     Unskilled  in  the   technical    rules   of 


parliamentary  proceedings,  1  feel  sensible  of  my  own  defects, 
arid  that  on  all  occasions  of  doubt  and  difficulty,  I  must  rely  on 
the  indulgence  of  the  senate,  and  the  friendly  aid  of  those  se- 
nators who  have  more  experience  in  such  matters  than  myself. 
Permit  in',  gentlemen  to  assure  you,  that  for  the  few  more  re- 
maining hours  of  the  present  session,  nnd  so  long  as  I  may  oc- 
cupy the  chair,  it  shall  be  my  constant  endeavors  to  meet  your 
just  expectations,  nnd  to  preserve  the  order  and  decorum  of  de- 
bate, so  necessary  to  the  harmony  and  dignity  of  every  delibe- 
rative assembly,  and  to  the  despatch  of  the  important  business 
which  may  be  brought  to  the  consideration  of  the  senate. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Chambers,  a  committee  was  ordered  to  be 
appointed  to  wait  on  the  president  of  the  United  States,  and 
inform  him  that  the  senate  have  elected  the  hon.  George  Poin- 
dexter to  be  their  president  jrro  tern.;  and  that  the  seeretaiy  do 
Communicate  the  same  to  the  hou«e  of  representatives. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Silsbee,  tin-  bill  making  appropriations  for 
building  light  houses,  placing  light  vessels,  fee.  was  taken  up, 
and  after  being  discussed  and  various  amendments  adopted,  was 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  laid  on  the  table  by  the  following 
vote. 

YEAS  Messrs.  Benton,  Bibb,  Blnek,  Pnlhonn,  Clay,  Ewing, 
Grundy.  Hill.  Kane,  King,  of  Georgia.  Leigh,  Linn,  Mangum, 
Moore.  Poindexter,  Premiss,  Preston,  Robinson.  Smith,  Swift, 
Tyler,  White— SB. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— CONGRESS. 


919 


NAYS— Messrs.  Chambers.  (Clayton,  Hcnrtricks,  Kent,  King, 
of  Alabama,  Knight,  Nandain,  I'ortur,  liubbins,  Silsbee,  Sou- 
thard, Sprazue,  Tnllmadgc,  Tipton,  Tomlindon,  Wagyaman. 
Webster,  Wri-ilit— 18. 

Ho  llic  liill  was  laid  on  HIB  table. 

Tliis  motion,  for  reasons  assigned,  was,  afterwards,  on  the 
motion  of  Mr.  Clay,  reconsidered — 17  to  !:">. 

Tim  senate  concurred  in  the  amendments  of  the  house  to  the 
bill  conccrnim;  duties  on  hardware. 

Tin;  amendment  of  the  house  to  the  liill  for  the  henefit  of  the 
Polish  exiles;  which  amendment  subjects  the  Poles  to  the  mi- 
nimum price  on  the  lands  selected,  (1  25  per  acre),  was  on  mo- 
tion of  Mr.  Clay  disagreed  to. 

The  liill  making  appropriation  for  the  Potomnc  liriilae.  was 
considered,  the  whole  hill  stricken  out  after  the  lirsl  section, 
the  liill  amended  on  morion  of  Mr.  Wright,  modified  by  Mr. 
Hilil>,  and  the  amendment  ordered  to  he  engrossed  for  a  third 
reading. 

Alter  passing  various  hills  which  will  be  hereafter  noticed  in 
the  tilles, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  senate  at  11  o'clock  went  into 
executive  business,  mid  alter  some  time  spent  therein,  adjourn- 
ed. 

June  30.  Mr.  Welster  presented  certain  resolutions  from 
Springfield,  Mass,  agaiust  the  removal  of  the  deposites;  refer- 
red, &c. 

Also  a  memorial  from  citizens  of  Roston,  correcting  errors  in 
the  signatures  of  the  anti  hank  memorial  of  that  city,  by  which 
the  3,0'iO  names  of  alleged  I'ostonians  are  reduced  to  1,130,  and 
plating  that  the  living  and  the  dead,  the  citizens  of  all  towns, 
and  several  states,  are  contained  in  that  memorial.  The  me- 
morial was  referred  atid  ordered  to  be  printed. 

On  motion  of  their  respective  chairmen,  the  several  com- 
mittees were  discharged  from  the  consideration  of  subjects  un- 
acted upon. 

The  hill  to  remit  the  duties  on  locomotive  engines  was  laid  on 
the  table. 

The  bill  from  the  house  to  regulate  intercourse  with  the  In- 
dians, was  read,  amended  and  passed. 

The  senate  proceeded  to  consider  the  resolution  offered  by 
Mr.  Southard,  instructing  the  committee  on  finance  to  sit  du- 
ring the  recess,  in  order  to  investigate  the  condition  of  the 
banks  in  which  the  public  deposites  are  made. 

Mr.  King  opposed  the  resolution,  and  was  replied  to  by  Mr. 
Southard.  The  yeas  and  nays  being  called  for  by  Mr.  Hill,  the 
resolution  passed  by  the  following  vote: 

YEAS — Messrs.  Bibb,  Chambers,  Clay.  Ewirig,  Frelingbuy- 
sen,  Knight,  Leish.  Mangum,  Moore,  Nauduin,  Poindexter, 
Porler,  Robbins,  Silsbce.  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Tomlinson, 
WagBaman.  Webster— 20. 

NAYS  —  Messrs.  Grundy.  Hendricks.  Hill,  Kane,  King,  of 
Alab.  Kin«,  of  Georgia,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton, 
White,  Wright— 12. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wright,  the  senate  proceeded  to  consider 
the  bill,  from  the  house  of  representatives,  appropriating  $70, 000 
for  the  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Hudson  river. 

Mr.  Calhoun  was  opposed  to  making  an  appropriation  so 
wide  in  its  latitude. 

Mr.  Clay  had  desizned  to  make  an  amendment  to  embrace 
the  obstructions  in  the  river  between  Albany  and  Troy;  hut  if 
the  senators  from  New  York  would  give  a  pledge  that  the  mo- 
ney should  be  equally  expended  above  and  below  Albany,  lie 
would  not  press  his  amendment. 

Messrs.  Wright  and  Tallmmlge  stated  their  readiness  to  have 
the  money  equally  expended. 

Mr.  Smith  moved  an  amendment,  including  an  appropriation 
for  the  improvement  of  the  Connecticut  river. 

Mr.  Tomlinson  advocated  the  iimendment;  and  said  it  was 
important  and  had  heretofore  been  included  in  a  bill  vetoed  by 
the  president. 

Mr.  Welster  was  in  favor  of  the  object,  hut  was  opposed  to 
pressin"  the  amendment  now,  as  it  might  hazard  the  present  hill. 
Mr.  Calhoun  was  opposed  to  so  hasty  a  passage  of  such  a  bill, 
and  moved  to  lay  it  on  the  table. 

The  yeas  and  nays  were  ordered  on  this  question,  which  was 
decided  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  Benton,  Ribh,  RUck,  Calhonn,'Gmndy,  Hill, 
King,  of  Geo.  Leigh,  Linn,  Mangum,  Moore,  Preston,  Shepley, 
Tyler.  White— 15. 

'NAYS— Messrs.  Clay,  F-wina,  Frelinchuysen,  Hendriekf, 
Kane,  Knight,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Robbins,  Kobinson,  Sils- 
l»ee,  Smith,  Southsrd,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  Tomlinson,  Wagaa 
man,  Webster,  Wriaht— 19. 

So  the  motion  to  lay  the  hill  upon  the  table  was  negatived. 
The  question  was  then  taken  on  the  amendment  moved  by 
Mr.  Smith,  and  the  amendment  was  negatived. 

Mr.  Tomlinson  moved  to  amend  the  hill,  by  introducing  an 
npproprialion  of  25,000  dollars  for  the  improvement  of  the  river 
Thames;  which  was  negatived. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  the  engrossment  of  the  bill, 
and  decided  as  follows: 
YEAS — Messrs.  Clay,  Ewing,  Frelinghuyscn,  Grundy,  Hond 

ricks,  Kane,  Knight,  Naudain,  Poindexter,  Robbins,  Robinson 

Pilsbee,  Smith,  Southard,   Spracue,  Tallmadge.  Tipton,  Tom- 
linson, Wa«2aman,  Webster,  Wilkins,  Wriiihl— 22. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Ribb,  Black,  Calhoun,  Hill,  King,  of  Alab 

King,  of  Oeo.  Leigh,  Linn,  Mangum,  Moore,  Preston,  Shepley 

Tyler,  White— 14. 


1  he  bill  was  then  read  a  third  time  nnd  pawed. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Tyler,  the  senate  took  up  the  bill  appro- 
inatms  50U.OOO  acres  of  land  for  the  saliafaelion  of  land  war- 
•ants  ot  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Virginia  continental 
ine. 

After  some  discussion  the  bill  was  laid  on  the  tablet  yeai 
ii),  nays  15. 

The-  senate  agreed  to  the  amendment  of  the  houe  to  the  bill 
gaming  a  township  of  land  to  the  exiled  Poles. 

The  senate  asked  a  conference  with  the  other  house  on  the 
limgreeing  vote  on  the  Potomac  bridge  bill,  and  appointed 
Messrs.  Chamber*,  Tomlinson  and  King,  of  Georgia,  the  com- 
mittee on  the  part  of  the  senate. 

The  amendment  of  the  senate  to  the  bill  to  regulate  Indian 
ntereonrse,  which  provides  that  the  provisions  of  the  inler- 
•ourse  bill  of  1802  shall  not  be  interfered  with  as  regards  the 
ndians  east  of  the  Mississippi,  having  been  non  concurred  in 
>y  the  house, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen ,  the  senate  agreed  to  insist 
in  the  amendment. 

The  chnir  having  called  up  the  bill  to  regulate  the  public  de- 
losites  in  the  state  banks, 

Mr.  Webster  snid  he  was  ready  to  meet  discussion  on  the 
(ill,  or  to  assent  to  laying  it  on  the  table.  He  was  instruct- 
ed to  move  an  amendment,  which  WBE  printed  with  the  re- 
port of  the  committee,  if  the  bill  should  betaken  tip  forcon- 
ijderation. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Black  the  bill  was  then  laid  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Chambers  from  the  committee  of  conference  on  the  Pe- 
omac  bridge  bill  made  a  report. 

The  resolution  moved  a  few  days  since  relative  to  printing 
he  pension  information,  called  for  by  Mr.  Preslon't  previous 
•esolntion  was  adopted. 

The  resolution  giving  the  committee  on  public  lands  authority 
o  issue  commissions  take  to  testimony  during  the  recess  wag 
igreed  to. 

Mr.  Benton  presented  some  papers  from  the  treasury  depart- 
ment, showing  the  exportation*;  of  specie  during  the  last  two 
weeks;  which  were  ordered  to  bo  printed. 

Mr.  Hendricks  presented  a  memorial  froai  Indiana  against  th« 
•emoval  of  the  deposites— referred. 

The  resolution  oflferred  by  Mr.  Wilkins,  for  a  subscription  to 
Elliott's  diplomatic  code,  as  amended,  was  adopted. 

The  resolution  reported  by  the  committee  on  the  judiciary, 
directing  the  printing  of  the  old  journals,  was  taken  up  and  laid 
on  the  table. 

Mr.  Bibli  submitted  a  resolution  which  was  adopted,  allowing 
;o  the  department  of  state,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the 
statist icnl  report  by  slates  and  terrilories,  the  list,  of  a  repoit 
formerly  made  fiom  that  department  to  the  senate. 

Mr.  Henton  laid  on  the  table  the  following  resolution: 

Resoli'dl,  That  the  resolution  of  the  senate,  adopted  on  Fri- 
day, the  28th  day  of  March  last,  deelarin«  "2'Aat  the  j>reaident, 
in  the  Idle  executive  proceedings,  in  relation  to  the  pulilic  revenue, 
has  assumed  upon  himself  authority  and  power  not  conferred  by 
the  constitution  and  lavs,  lud  in  derogation  of  both,"  is  a  resolu- 
tion imputinc  impeachable  matter  to  Hie  president,  and  ought 
not  to  have  been  passed  upon  by  the  senate,  except  in  the  re 
gular  limns  of  a  constitutional  impeachment,  and  that  the  said 
resolution  ought  to  be  expunged  from  the  journal  of  the  senate, 
and  is  hereby  directed  to  be  expunged  Iherefrom  accordingly. 

Mr.  Mangum  moved  the  consideration  of  the  resolution  now. 
Mr.  Tallmadge  objected. 

Mr.  Clmj  remarked  that  a  third  of  the  senate  had  left  the  city, 
and  he  hoped  it  would  be  observed  at  what  time  the  resolution 
was  offered. 

Mr.  Benton  said  he  did  not  ask  a  decision  now,  lint  merely 
offered  it  as  a  notice  of  his  purpose  at  the  next  session. 
The  resolution  was  laid  on  the  table. 

At  a  quarter  before  4  o'clock,  the  senate  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  executive  business,  and  remained  therein  until 
hnll  past  6  o'clock,  when  the  doors  were  reopened. 

Mr.  Benton  then  movud  for  leave  to  withdraw  the  hill  to  gra- 
duate the  price  of  the  public  lands,  and  also  the  bill  to  grant 
townships  of  land  to  Louisiana,  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Missouri. 
Mr.  Clay  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays,  which  being  ordered, 
the  question  was  taken  and  decided  as  follows: 

YEAS — Messrs.  Rcnton,  Hendricks,  Hill,  Kane,  Linn,  Ro- 
binson, Shepley,  Tallmadge,  Tipton,  White,  Wright — 11. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Ribh,  Hlack,  Calhoun,  Chambers,  Clay,  Fre- 
linghuysen,  Kent,  Kniehl,  Leigh,  Mangum,  Poindexter,  Porler, 
Preston,  Robbins,  SiUbee,  Smith,  Southard,  Sprague,  Tomlin- 
son. Webster— 20. 

So  the  motion  was  negatived. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives announcing  that  they  had  appointed,  on  their  part,  a 
committee  to  wait  on  the  president,  to  know  if  he  had  any  fur- 
ther communication  to  make. 

A  committee  was  immediately  appointed  by  tho  senate,  on 
their  parl. 

Mr.  Grundy  reported  from  the  committee,  that  they  had  wait- 
ed on  the  president  of  the  United  States,  and  that  he  had  in- 
formed them  lhat  he  had  no  other  business  to  communicate; 
that  he  had  signed  all  the  bill*  passed  by  Ihe  iwo  houses,  except 
the  one  concerning  Ihe  Wabash  navigation,  in  regard  to  which 

the  president  hud  said— "The  bill  entitled 'an  act  to  improve 


820 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY   5,   1 834— CONGRESS. 


Itie  navigation  of  the  Wabash  river,'  has  been  presented  to  mp 
nt  so  late  a  period  of  the  session,  with  in  many  other*  that  call 
for  immediate  action,  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  give  it  the  full 
consideration  which  its  importance  merits.  I  have  strong 
doubts  whether  I  can  approve  this  bill,  consistently  with  the 
opinions  I  entertain  as  to  the  powers  of  this  government  on 
subjects  of  this  description.  15ut  my  respect  for  the  decision  of 
llie  two  houses  of  congress,  and  for  the  large  body  of  my  fellow 
citizens  who  are  interested  in  this  improvement,  induces  me 
to  hold  the  bill  for  the  present,  that  I  may,  during  the  period  al- 
lowed to  me  by  the  constitution  for  that  purpose,  give  to  it  It) 
most  careful  and  deliberate  consideration." 

Mr.  Clay  remarked  that  the  bill  for  the  navigation  of  th 
Hudson  river  bad  been  presented  to  day,  and  that  had  bee 
signed,  while  the  bill  concerning  the  Wabash  was  previous! 
presented,  and  that  was  not  signed.  It  would  not  be  a  const 
lulioual  act,  he  added,  if  it  were  signed  after  to-day. 

Mr.  Webster  concurred  in  this  opinion. 

Mr.  Grundy  differed. 

After  a  few  words  from  Mr.  TaUmad^c,  it  was 

Ordered,  That  a  message  be  sent  to  the  house  of  rcpresenta 
lives  to  inform  the  house  that  the  senate  were  now  ready  t 
.adjourn. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  ff'cbster,  the  senate  thru  ailjournrd  sine  die 

HOUSE   OF   REPRF.SF.MTATIVl:S. 

Thursday  evening,  June  26.  Afler  other  business,  the  lions 
tn  committee  of  the  whole,  proceeded  to  the  bill  to  enable  il 
secretary  of  slate  to  purchase  the  books  and  p.ipers  of  genera 
WASHINGTON. 

Mr.  Pier-son,  of  New  York,  moved  to  amend  the  bill,  b 
strikine  out  ,*2o,000,  and  inserting  .C-35,000. 

Mr.  Wilde  described  the  papers  to  be  purchased,  (which  consis 
of  upwards  of  two  hundred  manuscript  volumes,  in  folio,  chro 
nologicalJy  arranged,  and  strongly  hound).  Among  oilier  in 
teresting  papers,  these  volumes  contained  duplicate  lists  of  ;il 
the  officers  of  the  army  who  held  their  commissions  at  the  linr 
the  army  was  disbanded.  As  llie  only  other  copy  of  these  list 
had  been  consumed  in  the  destruction  of  the  war  office,  they 
now  furnished  the  only  means  of  checkit)2  f:tl<r  claims  to  pen 
inons,  several  of  which,  to  a  large  amount,  had  already  ben 
detected,  by  a  resort  to  these  papers,  when  no  other  means  o 
resisting  them  was  extant.  The  government  had  already  savec 
to  itself  a  large  portion  of  the  money  asked  for  these  manu 
scripts;  they  were  therefore  invaluable  lo  the  counlry. 

Mr.  Jarvis  resisted  the  amendment  with  warmth.  In  hi. 
part  of  the  counlry,  a  bargain  was  a  bargain.  The  owner  o 
these  pape»  had  agreed  to  take  .*25,000,  and  now,  because  they 
were  found  valuable  to  the  country,  il  was  attempted  to  e.\ac 
.$10,000  more. 

Mr.  Wayne  vindicated  the  owner  of  these  papers  from  tin 
imputation  of  extortion  thrown  out  by  Mr.  Jarvis.  The  amend 
men!  was  the  spontaneous  act  of  the  committee  themselves 
and  had  been  moved  without  his  privity  or  consent. 

Mr.  Hawkins,  of  N.  Carolina,  moved  to  reduce  the  amount  to 
$15,000,  but  his  motion  not  being  in  order, 

The  question  was  then  put  on  the  amendment  proposed  by 
Mr.  Pierson,  and  negatived — ayes  51,  noes  89. 
The  bill  was  then  laid  aside. 
The  bill  to  purchase  live  oak  frames  for  the  frigate  Paul  Jones 
and  the  sloop  of  war  Levant;  was.  after  some  discussion,  post- 
poned. 

The  bill  to  rebuild  the  frigate  Congress,  the  bill  to  provide  for 
constructing  three  steam  batteries,  and  the  bill  to  regulate  tin 
pay  of  the  navy,  were  severally  considered  and  laid  aside. 

The  committee  then  proceeded  to  the  bill  establishing  ration 
for  the  navy. 

Mr.  Watmougli  moved  that  it  be  postponed. 
Mr.  Parker  hoped  not.  He  called  for  the  reading  of  the  bill. 
It  was  read,  and  its  culinary  details  about  pickles,  cranberries, 
rice  and  cheese,  occasioned  much  laughter  in  the  house,  (inso- 
much that  the  clerk  himself  caught  the  infection,  and  was  with 
difficulty  able  to  proceed). 

Mr.  Parker  wax  glad  to  see  the  house  in  so  good  n  humor, 
and  hoped  they  would  continue  so  until  they  had  passed  the 
bill.  He  explained  why  thia  particular  frature  of  the  general 
system  of  improvement  had  been  selected  and  placed  in  a  dis- 
tinct bill.  It  was  mainly  to  second  the  laudable  efforts  of  the 
secretary  of  the  navy,  in  discouraging  the  use  of  ardent  spirits 
among  our  sailors,  by  allowing  substitutes  more  conducive  to 
their  health,  comforl  and  morals. 

Mr.  Burge$  admitted  the  great  importance  of  the  subject,  re- 
gretted that  it  should  have  been  put  off  till  within  a  few  hours 
of  the  close  of  the  session.  He  was  opposed  to  any  thing  like 
precipitation,  in  attempting  so  great  a  change  in  the  habits  of 
our  tars.  He  dreaded  any  measure  in  the  form  of  positive  pro- 
hibition, lest  it  should  produce  reaction,  and  only  confirm  the 
evil  which  il  sought  to  remove. 

Mr.  Watmough  objected  to  the  consideration  of  the  bill.  He 
said  the  gentleman  from  New  Jersey  had  picked  out  this  parti- 
cular item  concerning  rations  from  the  general  system  of  revis- 
i  d  laws  for  the  navy,  which  the  naval  committee  had  determin- 
ed not  lo  loncti.  He  did  not  consider  it  at  any  time  expedient 
forcibly  to  deprive  nur  Jncks  of  their  grog.  The  hill  hud  been 
brought  forward  in  direct  opposition  to  the  opinions  of  the  com 

•KM*. 

Mr.  Parker  said  he  should  admit  this  to  be  true,  if  hr  did  not 
personally  know  the  contrary  to  be  the  fact.  This  very  bill  had 


been  brought  before  the  committee.  It  was  a  part  of  the  very 
code,  llie  origination  of  which  the  gentleman  had  claimed,  and 
which,  if  it  were  so,  reflected  great  creiiit  upon  him.  Would 
he  object  to  this  bill  because  it  carried  into  effect  a  part  of  lii-; 
own  plan.  Mr.  P.  repeated  that  the  bill  had  been  approved  by 
the  committee;  and  he  would  go  further  and  state  thai  it  was 
approved  by  the  secretary  of  the  navy. 

Mr.  Watmough  said  it  was  with  difficulty  that  he  brought 
himself  to  entertain  any  discussion  of  this  matter.  The  gentle- 
man from  New  Jersey  had  a  warrant  in  his  gray  hairs  for  mak- 
ins  assertions  which  had  a  bearing  on  the  veracity  of  other 
gentlemen,  and  was  perfectly  safe  in  whatever  he  chose  to 
say.  Air.  W.  was  not  aware  of  any  assent  of  the  committee  to 
bringing  the  bill  forward.  He  would  not  appeal  to  the  commit- 
tee, but  stated  it  as  a  tact  that  the  commitlee  had  expressly  re- 
solved not  to  bring  the  subject  forward,  and  press  it  al  this 
lime. 

Mr.  Patton  here  inlerposed,  and  said  further  explanations  be- 
tween the  gentlemen  were  needless,  and  tended  only  lo  pro- 
duce a  greater  aggravation  of  feeling.  They  were  in  fact  both 
ri°ht  and  both  K-ron».  The  gentleman  from  Pennsylvania  was 
perfectly  right  in  saying  ihal  ihe  committee  had  resolved  not  to 
take  up  the  general  subject,  and  the  gentleman  from  New  Jer- 
sey was  equally  right  in  stating  that  he  had  brought  foi  ward  the 
present  bill  in  committee,  that  it  had  been  discussed  and  deltr- 
mined  that  he  might  bring  forward  the  bill,  but  that  the  mem- 
bers of  Ihe  commitlee  would  nol  hold  Ihemselves  pledged  to 
support  it.  He  was  decidedly  opposed  to  the  bill.  He  was  not 
disposed  to  empower  the  commanders  of  our  public  vessels  to 
compel  Jack  to  part  with  his  grog  and  eat  double  rations  of 
pickles  or  cheese.  He  moved  that  the  bill  be  postponed,  and 
the  bill  was  accordingly  postponed. 

The  committee  took  up  the  hill  to  improve  the  navigation  of 
the  Hudson  liver;  which,  after  discussion  and  amendment,  was 
laid  aside. 

The  hill  granting  additional  lands  for  the  satisfaction  of  revo- 
lutionary land  warrants,  was  then  taken  op,  and  after  being 
none  through  with  and  amended,  was  laid  a«ide,  and  then  the 
committee  rose  and  the  several  bills  were  reported  to  Ihe  house. 
The  house  took  Kp  the  fortification  bill,  and  Ihe  question  be- 
ing on  a  moiion  lo  strike  out  the  enacting  clause,  il  was  nega- 
lived. 

Mr.  Polk  moved  to  strike  out  the  appropriation  of  $100,000 
for  a  fort  upon  George's  island — ayes  64.  nays  55. 
The  chair  declared  that  no  quorum  had  voted. 
Mr.  Polk  insisted  that  it  was  a  quorum,  because  vacant  seats 
were  not  to  be  counted. 

The  chair  inlerpreted  the  rule  otherwise,  and  decided  thnt  a 
quorum  must  consist  of  one  half  the  entire  number  of  the 
house,  without  regarding  vacancies  that  had  occurred. 

A  debate  ensued,  and  the  molion  was  finally  rejected,  yeas 
73,  nays  80. 

Mr.'Polk  then  moved  to  strike  out  the  item  of  $100,000  for 
the  forl  on  Throg's  Neck — which  was  negalived  65  lo  8u. 

Mr.  Polk  then  moved  to  strike  out  the  item  for  a  forl  al  Grand 
Terre,  Louisiana — rpjecled  without  a  count. 

Mr.  McKim  moved  an  omend.-nent,  appropriating  §25,000  to 
commmence  forts  of  the  first  and  second  class  at  Baltimore. 
Mr.  Polk  opposed  Ihe  amendment  and  it  was  rejected. 
Mr.  Polk  moved  lo  lay  ihe  bill  on  the  lable,  which  was  re- 
jected,  nyes  40,  nays  95. 

The  bill  was  then  ordered  to  its  third  reading. 
The  Wcsl  Point  academy  bill  was  taken  up,"and  after  debate 
ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

After  disposing  of  various  other  bills,  the  house,  al  10  o'clock, 
adjourned. 

Friday,  June  27.  Memorial?,  proceedings,  &c.  opposed  lo 
Ihe  proceedings  of  the  executive  in  the  removal  of  the  depo- 
sites,  &c.  were  presented  by  Mr.  Denny,  the  proceedings  of  a 
meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Mercer  county.  Pa.;  by  the  name, 
"rom  the  citizens  of  Crawford  county,  (disapproving  also  of 
:hc  doctrines  of  the  protest),  nnd  other  measures  of  the  PXRCU- 
ive;  by  the  same,  from  four  wards  of  Pittsburgh  and  fifteen 
ownships  of  Alleglmny  county;  by  the.  same,  the  proceedings 
of  Ihe  state  convention  convened  at  Harrisburgh  on  the  27th 
May  last;  all  which  proceedings,  &c.  were  several'y  read,  re- 
"erred,  &C. 

Mr.  Denny  also  presented  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  of  citi- 
zens of  Mercer  county,  Pa.  favorable  to  the  measures  of  the 
executive  againsl  Ihe  hank,  which  was  read,  &c. 
Various  bills  from  ihe  senate  were  reported  from  the  several 
ornmittees,  committed,  laid  on  the  table  or  passed. 
Mr.  K.  Everett  n  ported  a  resolution  directing  that  the  statue 
f  Mr.  Jefferson,  presented  to  congress  by  lieut.  Levy,  of  ihe 
avy,  be  placed  in  the  square  at  ihe  easlern  front  of  the  capitol; 
which  resolution  was  read  and  assented  to. 
Mr.  Jarvit  submitted  n  resolution  which  was  unanimously 
dopterl,  directing  the  clerk  of  this  house  to  pay  to  John  Van- 
erlyn,  out  of  the  contingent  fund,  $1,500  as  additional  com- 
ensation  for  Ihe  full  lenglh  portrait  of  Washington,  executed 
y  him,  to  be  placed  in  the  hall  of  representalives. 
Mr.  Polk  introduced  by  consent,  a  joint  resolution,  suspend- 
ng  the  rule  which   forbids  the  sending  of  new  bills  from  one 
OUSP  to  the  other  on  Ihe  three  last  days  of  the  session,  until  10 
'clock  this  cveninj;  which  resolution  was  agreed  lo. 
The  house  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  ihe  Georgia 
aims'  bill;  and 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— LIST  OF  ACTS. 


321 


Mr.  JUami  rose  in  opposition,  and  spoke  until  the  hour  of  2 
o'clock,  when  the  house  took  a  recess  until  4  o'clock. 

Evening  session.  The  Georgia  claims'  bill  was  again  taker 
up,  and  Mr.  Mams  concluded  liis  remarks.  He  was  followec 
by  Messrs.  Cambreleng,  Hurst.es  and  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Barber  moved  the  previous  question,  which  being  sustain- 
ed, the  hill  passed,  yeas  99,  nays  60. 

The  light  house  bill,  after  being  opposed  by  Mr.  Polk,  passed, 
yeas  119,  nays  55. 

Several  bills,  both  of  a  public  and  private  nature  being  dis- 
posed of, 

The  bill  repealing  certain  provisions  of  the  tariff  law  was  laid 
upon  the  table. 

The  hill  for  the  final  adjustment  of  land  claims  in  Florida  and 
Arkansas,  having  been  read, 

Mr.  Cave  Johnson  moved  an  r.mendment  allowing  certain 
claimants  to  produce  the  testimony  in  favor  of  their  claims  be- 
fore the  registers  and  receivers  of  the  land  offices,  in  their  dis- 
tricts, to  be  by  them  reported  to  congress. 

Messrs.  Ellsworth  and  Vinlon  made  inquiries  respecting  the 
lands  and  claimants,  on  whom  the  amendment  was  to  operate, 
and  it  appearing  that  the  lands  were  those  which  had  been  the 
subject  of  alleged  notorious  frauds,  Mr.  Vinton  opposed  the  bill 
and  moved  to  lay  it  on  the  table. 

Messrs.  Cave  Johnson  arid  Sevier  acknowledged  the  frauds  ol 
the  individuals  named,  but  alleged  the  present  holders  had  pur- 
chased the  lands  innocently.  The  amendment  of  Mr.  Johnson 
was  subsequently  withdrawn,  and  the  bill  ordered  to  a  third 
reading. 

The  bill  authorising  the  construction  of  rail  roads  and  canals 
through  lands  belonging  to  the  United  States,  was  taken  up, 
and  after  a  warm  debate,  laid  on  the  table,  as  being  too  loosely 
drawn. 

The  bill  prohibiting  the  corporations  of  Washington,  George- 
town and  Alexandria  from  issuing  bank  bills  of  a  less  denomi- 
untion  than  10  dollars,  was  taken  up  and  ordered  to  a  third 
reading. 

The  bill  appropriating  $100,000  for  the  Alexandria  canal  was 
ordered  to  a  third  reading. 

Several  other  bills  connected  with  the  local  affairs  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  and  its  internal  improvements; 

The  bill  to  carry  into  effect  the  convention  between  the  U. 
States  and  Spain; 

The  hill  relative  to  the  Washington  papers; 
The  bill  to  purchase  frames  for  a  frigate  and  schooner; 
The  bill  authorising  transfers  of  naval  appropriations;  and 
The  bill  for  rebuilding  the  frigate  Congress;  and 
The  bill  for  the  improvement  of  the  Hudson  river,  were  se- 
verally ordered  to  a  third  reading. 
At  half  past  10  o'clock,  the  house  adjourned. 
Saturday,  June  28.     Mr.  It.  M.  Johnson  asked  the  consent  of 
the  house  to  permit  him  to  offer  a  resolution  embracing  a  vote 
of  thanks,  for  his  services,  to  the  late  speaker  of  the  house  of 
representatives. 
Several  members  objected. 

Mr.  Crockett  said:  I  go  against  the  resolution  altogether,  and 
I  am  ready  to  state  why  I  do  so.  I  am  not  inclined  to  adopt 
a  vote  ot  thanks  to  any  man,  without  knowing  what  for,  or  be- 
ing satisfied  they  are  deserved. 

Mr.  R.  M.  Johnson  moved  that  the  house  suspend  the  rule 
to  enable  him  to  present  the  resolution. 

Mr.  Surges  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays,  which  were  ordered 
and  appeared  as  follows:  yeas  87,  nays  51.  There  not  being 
two  thirds  the  rule  was  not  suspended. 

Several  bills  were  n  ad  a  third  time,  passed  and  sent  to  the 
senate  (or  concurrence. 

The  bill  granting  70,000  for  Ihn  improvement  of  the  Hudson 
river  was  passed.,  yeas  95,  nays  62,  and  sent  to  the  senate  for 
concurrence. 

The  amendments  of  the  senate  to  the  harbor  bill  were  taken 
up. 

Mr.  Polk  moved  that  the  house  do  non-concur  in  the  amend- 
ment inrrfasiii"  tin-  appropriation  for  the  removal  of  the  "raft 
or  obstructions  in  the  Red  river,  from  30,000  to  50,000  dollars; 
which  motion  was  ne»nMved. 

The  amendments  were  all  agreed  to  and  reported  to  the 
house. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Heath,  the  house  suspended  the  rule  mid 
took  up  the  bill  innkins  appropriations  for  the  erection  of  a 
marine  hospital  at  Baltimore,  which  was  amended  and  passed 
to  a  third  readine. 

Th<>  bill  extemtina  the  time,  of  issuing  military  land  warrants 
was  read  and  ordered  lo  a  third  reading. 

The  house  extended  the  time  of  sending  new  bills  from  one 
house  to  another  so  as  to  include  several  bills  which  had  just 
been  passed;  and  then  the  house  took  a  recess  till  4  o'clock. 

Evening  session.  The  Baltimore  rail  road  bill  w*s  laid  on  the 
table  by  a  vote  of  107  to  50. 

The  senate,  after  having  indpfinitely  'postponed  the  light 
house  bill,  sent  for  it  back  to  receive  the  further  action  of  that 

The  amendments  from  the  senate  to  the  fortification  bill  were 
concurred  in. 

Tn«  rest  of  the  sitting  was  chiefly  occupied  with  private  bills 
from  the  seriate. 

In  the  course  of  the  niaht,  Mr.  Speight  moved  a  resolution 
presenting  thp  thanks  of  thn  hmise  to  Andrew  Stevenson,  late 
epeuker,  which  was  adopted,  97  to  49. 


The  house  then  adjourned  to  meet  at  9  o'clock  on  Monday 
morning,  having  been  in  session  until  nearly  2  o'clock  on  Hun- 
day  morning,  notwithstanding  the  objections  of  Mr.  John  Q. 
Jldams  and  others. 

Monday,  June  30.  The  bill  from  the  senate  granting  a  town- 
ship of  land  to  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  emigrant  Poles, 
having  been  amended  by  the  house,  was  returned  by  the  senate 
with  their  non-concurrence  in  the  amendment,  and  coming  up  lor 
consideration,  after  a  warm  debate,  the  house  iiui.-trd  upon  ju 
amendment  (requiring  the  minimum  price  tor  Hie  land)  to  Ibe 
bill— yeas  82,  nays  68. 

The  bill  making  an  appropriation  for  the  construction  of  the 
Potomac  bridge,  &c.  having  been  returned  from  the  senate,  with 
some  amendments, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Jferccr,  the  house  disagreed  to  a  part  of  the 
senate's  amendment,  and  further  amended  (lit  bill.  [A  confer- 
ence and  compromise  afterward?  took  place.] 

The  following  gentlemen  were  announced  to  compose  the 
committee  lo  sit  in  the  recess  to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the 
post  office:  Messrs.  'Connor,  Polk,  frhittlescy,  Horace  Everett, 
Beardsley,  IVatmough  and  Unices. 

Mr.  Polk  was  excused,  at  his  request,  and  Mr.  Stoddert  ap- 
pointed in  his  place. 

The  bill  remitting  the  duties  on  bells  presented  lo  the  Roman 
Catholic  church  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  was  passed  66  to  58. 

The  house  receded  from  its  disagreement  to  the  senate's 
amendment  to  the  bill  lo  regulale  intercourse  with  the  Indians. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sutherland,  the  house  concurred  in  the  se- 
nate's amendment  to  the  light  house  bill. 

The  resolution  making  an  additional  allowance  of  $100  to  the 
chaplain  was  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Heister  moved  a  resolnlion  requiring  the  clerk  of  ihe 
house  to  compile  and  report  tabular  statements  in  detail  on  the 
subject  of  canals  and  rail  roads;  which  was  rejected. 

The  house  being  without  a  quorum,  a  call  was  ordered,  and 
after  88  members  had  answered,  and  others  appearing,  the  call 
was  suspended. 

The  senate's  amendment  to  the  bill  to  pay  for  property  lost 
arid  destroyed  in  the  late  war  on  the  frontiers,  was  agreed  to. 

The  house  disagreed  to  the  senate's  amendments  to  the  bill 
to  complete  the  repairs  of  Pennsylvania  avenue. 

After  transacting  some  minor  bUMness,  the  usual  message 
was  M'nt  to  the  seriate  and  president,  informing  them  that  the 
house  was  ready  to  adjourn,  &c.  and  the  house  adjourned  until 
the  regular  time  of  meeting  in  December  next. 

SILVER  COIN  LAW. 

An  act  regulating  the  value  of  certain  foreign  silver  coins  with- 
in the  United  States. 

Be  it  enacted  t>y  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America  in  congress  assembled,  That  from  and 
after  the  passage  of  this  acl,  ihe  following  silver  coins  shall  be 
of  Ihe  legal  value,  and  shall  pass  current  as  money,  within  tbe 
United  Stales,  by  tale,  for  ihe  payment  of  all  debts  and  de- 
mands, at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  cents  the  dollar,  thai  is  lo 
say,  Ihe  dollars  of  Mexico,  Peru,  Chili  and  Central  America,  of 
not  less  weight  than  four  hundred  and  fifteen  grains  each,  and 
those  restamped  in  Brazil  of  the  like  weight,  of  not  less  fine- 
ness than  ten  ounces  fifteen  pennyweighls  of  pure  silver,  in  ihe 
troy  pound  of  twelve  ounces  of  standard  silver;  and  the  five 
franc  pieces  of  France,  when  of  not  less  fineness  than  ten 
ounces  and  sixteen  pennyweights  in  twelve  ounces  troy  weight 
of  standard  silver,  and  weighing  not  less  than  three  hundred 
and  eighty-four  grains  each,  at  the  rate  of  ninety-three  cents 
each. 

Sec.  2.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  cause  assays  of  the  aforesaid 
silver  coins,  marie  current  by  this  act,  to  he  had  at  ihe  mint  of 
the  United  States  at  least  once  in  every  year  and  to  make  re- 
port of  the  result  thereof  lo  congress. 

Approved,  Jane  25th,  1834. 

LIST  OF  ACTS 

PASSED    AT   THE    FIRST    SESSION   OF   THE     TWENTY-THIRD   CON- 
GRF.SS,    ENDING  JUNE  30,   1834. 

From  the  National  Intelligencer  of  July  1. 

An  act  granting  pensions  lo  cerlain  persons  iherein  named. 

Further  lo  extend  the  term  of  certain  pensions  chargeable  on 
the  privateer  pension  fund. 

Supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled  "an  act  for  the  relief  of 
Garrigues  Flaujac,  of  Louisiana," 

Making  appropriations,  in  part,  for  the  support  of  government 
for  the  year  1834. 

Granting  pensions  to  certain  persons  therein  named. 

Making  certain  allowances,  and  granting  certain  arrearages 
to  the  captains  and  subalterns  of  the  U.  S.  corps  of  marines. 

To  grant  to  the  stale  of  Ohio  certain  lands  for  the  support  of 
chools,  in  the  Connecticut  Western  Reserve. 

Making  appropriations  for  Ihe  Indian  department  for  the  year 
one  thousand  risht  hundred  and  thirty-four. 

Making  appropriations  for  ihe  naval  service,  for  the  year  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty  four. 

Granting  pensions  lo  cerlain  persons  Iherein  named. 

Authorising  the  secretary  of  war  to  establish  a  pension  agen- 
y  in  the  town  of  Decatur,  in  the  state  of  Alabama,  and  to  pro- 
vide for  paying  certain  pensions  in  said  town  of  Decalur. 


322 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— LIST  OF  ACTS. 


In  reference  to  pre-emption  rights  in  the  south-eastern  di:-tiici 
of  Louisiana. 

Granting  the.  right  of  pre-emption  to  John  Y:»ntes. 

Making  appropriation!  for  Indian  annuities,  anil  oilier  similar 
objecu,  lor  the  year  1834. 

Making  appropriations  for  the  revolutionary  pensioners  of  the 
the  United  States,  for  the  year  1834. 

Concerning  tin;  gold  coins  of  the  United  Slates,  and  for  other 
purposes. 

Confirming' the  title  of  Samuel  Vail  in  a  certain  tract  of  land, 
in  the  parish  ol  East  U.iton  Rouge,  Louisiana. 

Making  appropriation?  for  the  military  academy  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  for  the  year  1834. 

Making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  army,  for  the 
year  1834. 

Regulating  the  value  of  certain  silver  coins  within  the  United 
States. 

Making  additional  appropriations  for  certain  harbors,  and  re- 
moving obstructions  in  the  mouths  of  certain  rivers,  for  the  year 
1834. 

Making  appropriations  for  the  civil  and  diplomatic  expenses 
of  government,  for  the  year  1*31. 

To  establish  an  additional  land  office  in  Arkansas. 

UcguUting  the  value  of  certain  foreign  gold  coins  within  the 
United  States. 

To  authorise  the  issuing  a  register  to  the  brig  American,  of 
Savannah. 

To  extend  the  time  allowed  for  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of 
tlie  commission,  lor  carrying  into  effect  the  convention  with 
France. 

To  change  the  boundary  between  the  south-eastern  and  west- 
ern land  districts  in  the  territory  of  Michigan,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses. 

To  revive  and  amend  "an  act  for  the  relief  of  certain  insol- 
vent debtors  of  the  United  States,"  passed  on  the  second  day  of 
March,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-one,  and  an  act,  in  addition 
thereto,  passed  on  the  fourteenth  of  July,  1833. 

Supplementary  to  the  act  entitled  "an  act  to  carry  into  effect 
the  convention  between  the  United  Stales  and  his  majesty  the 
king  of  the  Two  Sicilies,  concluded  at  Naples  on  the  fourteenth 
day  of  October,  1832. 

To  enable  the  secretary  of  state  to  purchase  the  papers  and 
books  of  general  Washington. 

To  authorise  the  removal  of  the  custom  house  from  Magnolia 
to  St.  Marks,  in  Florida. 

To  equalise  representation  in  the  territory  of  Florida,  and  for 
other  purposes. 

For  the  reappropriation  of  an  unexpended  balance  of  a  for- 


Fand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-four. 

Giving  the  consent  of  congress  loan  agreement  or  compacl 
entered  into  between  the  state  of  New  York  and  the  state  ol 
New  Jersey,  respecting  the  territorial  limits  and  jurisdiction  of 
said  states. 

Making  additional  appropriations  for  the  armory  at  Harpe 
Feny,  for  the  year  1834. 

To  amend  an  act  passed  on  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  May, 
1830,  entitled  "an  act  for  the  relief  of  the  owners  of  sundry  ves- 
sels sunk  for  the  delence  of  Baltimore." 

Milking  appropriations  to  carry  into  effect  certain  Indian 
treaties  and  for  other  purposes. 

To  attach  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  west  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi river  and  north  of  the  state  of  Missouri,  to  the  territory 
of  Michigan. 

To  provide  for  the  organization  of  the  department  of  India 
affairs. 

Making  appropriations  for  certain  fortifications  of  the  Unilei 
States  for  the  year  1834. 

Making  appropriations  for  the  public  buildings  and  ground: 
and  for  othtr  purposes. 

For  the  better  organization  of  the  United  Slates  marine 
corps. 

To  increase  and  regulate  the  pay  of  the  surgeons  and  assist 
ant  surgeons  of  the  army. 

To  procure  a  bust  in  marble,  of  the  late  chief  justice  Ells 
worth. 

For  the  completion  of  the  road  from  a  point  opposite  to  Mem 
phis,  in  the  male  of  Tennessee,  to  Little  Rock,  in  the  territor; 
of  Arkansas. 

Concerning  the  duties  on  lead. 

Aulhori*ing  the  »el«<nit f  certain  Wabash  and  Erie  cans 

lands  in  the  »tate  of  Ohio. 

For  the  repairs  of  Mar's  Hill  military  road,  in  the  state  o 
Maine. 

To  establish  a  port  of  entry  at  Natchez,  in  Mississippi,  an( 
creating  certain  ports  of  delivery,  and  for  other  purposes. 

Concerning  naval  pensions  and  the  navy  pension  fund. 

Authorizing  the  president  of  the  United  Slates  to  cause  cer 
tain  roads  to  be  opened  in  Arkansas. 

Confirming  to  Gilberl  Hodges,  his  heirs,  or  legal  rcpresenta 
lives,  cerlain  lands  in  Ihe  slate  ofMissouri. 

To  amend  an  act  entitled  "an  act  for  the  relief  of  Williai 
Kurris,  of  Mi«sissippi,"  approved  February  19,  1831. 

To  suspend  the  operation  of  certain  provisos  of  an  "art  I 
alter  and  amend  the  several  acts  imposing  duties  on  imports, 
approved  14th  July,  1832. 


T-o  nid  in  the  construeiion  of  certain  road*  in  the  territory  of 
lichignn. 

'J'o  enable  the  president  to  make  ;ui  arrangement  with  the 
overnnieiil  of  Fiance,  in  relation  to  i-erl.iin  French  seamen 
ill;  <I  or  wounded  at  Toulon,  and  Ihejr  Utilities. 
To  authorise  the  correction  ol  'erroneous  -elections  of  land 
riinlcil  to  the  stale  of  Indiana,  for  the  purpose  of  constructing 
lie  Michigan  road. 

Limiting  the  time  ofadvertising  the  sales  ofthe  public  land.*. 
To  create  two  additional  land  distiicts  in  the  state  of  Illinois, 
nd  two  new  land  districts  north  of  said  state,  in  the  territory 
ow  attached  10  Michigan,  which  lies  between  Lake  Michigan 
i"1  Ihe  Mississippi  river. 

Continuing  certain  land  claims  in  thedistrictof  St. Stephen's, 
n  Alabama. 

For  Ihe  conlintiation  and  repair  of  the  Cumberland  road. 
To  revive  the  act  entitled  "an  act  to  grant  pre-emption  rights 
o  settlers  on  the  public  lands,"  approved  May  29,  1830. 
To  authorise  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  compromise  the 
laim.--  of  the  United  States  against  the  late  firm  of  Minturn  & 
yhamplain  and  their  securities. 

To  continue  further  in  force  "an  act  to  authorise  the  exten- 
sion, construction  and  use  of  a  lateral  branch  of  the  Baltimore 
unl  Ohio  rail  road  into  and  within  th(;  District  of  Columbia." 

To  authorise  Gazaway  B.  Larmar  to  import  an  iron  steam- 
boat, in  detached  parts,  with  the  necessary  machinery,  tools 
and  working  utensils  therefor,  into  the  United  States,  free  from 
luty,  and  to  provide  for  the  remission  ofthe  same. 
To  change  Ihe  times  for  commencing   the  sessions  of  the 
onrts  ofthe  United  States  in  Ihe  district  of  Delaware. 
Granting  to  general  Philemon  Thomas,  of  Louisiana,  a  tract 
of  land  in   consideration  of  the   military  services  rendered  by 
nni  in  taking  possession  of  that  portion  of  West  Florida  includ"- 
ed  in  the  district  of  Baton  Rouge. 

An  act  in  addition  to  the  "act  more  effectually  to  provide  for 
Ihe  punishment  of  cerlain  crimf-s  again.tthe  United  Stales  and 
for  other  purposes,"  approved  March  3d,  y*25. 

To  remunerate  Stephen  C.  Phillips  for  the  suf.porl  and  trans- 
[>orlation  of  shipwrecked  American  seamen. 

For  changing  the  term  of  the  district  courl  for  the  western 
district  of  Louisiana. 

'J'o  amend  an  act  entitled  <:nn  act  to  annex  a  part  ofthe  stale 
of  New  Jersey  to  Ihe  collection  district  of  New  York;  to  re- 
move the  office  of  collector  of  Niagara  to  Lewistown;  to  make 
Cape  St.  Vincent,  in  Ihe  dislricl  of  Sackeil's  Harbor,  a  port  of 
delivery;  and  out  of  the  districts  of  Miami  and  Mis.-issippi,  to 
make  two  new  district-",  to  be  called  Uie  districts  of  Samiusky 
and  Teche,  and  for  other  purposes." 

Authorising  the  governors  of  the  several  slates  lo  transmit  by 
mail  certain  books  and  documents. 

To  confirm  the  selection  and  survey  of  two  sections  of  land 
to  Francis  Lafontaine  &  Son,  and  their  assignees. 

Authorising  a  .-HID  of  money  to  be  distributed  among  the  offi- 
cers and  crew  of  Ihe  late  private  armed  brig  General  Armstrong. 
Granting  a  township  of  laud  to  certain  exiled  Poles  from  Po- 
land. 

Authorising  the  payment  of  bounty  on  certain  fishing  vessels 
lost  at  sea. 

To  regulate  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes,  and 
to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontiers. 

Making  appropiiations  for  building  lisht  houses,  light  boals, 
beacons  and  monuments,  for  Hie  year  1?34. 

Milking  appropriation  for  the  improvement  of  the  navigation 
ofthe  Hudson  river,  in  the  slate  of  New  York. 

Granting  pensions  to  several  persons  therein  named. 
To  refund  the  extra  tonnage  duty  on  brig  Liberator. 
To  refund  to  cerlain  owners  ofthe  schooner  Joseph  and  Mary 
the  sum  paid  into  the  Ireasury  by  reason  of  Ihe  condemnation 
of  said  vessel. 

To  auihorise  Ihe  sale  of  lols  in  Ihe  town  of  Sainl  Marks,  in 
Florida. 

To  carry  into  effect  the  14th  article  of  the  treaty  ofthe  8th  of 
January,  IF21,  with  the  Creek  nation  of  Indians,  PO  far  as  re- 
lates to  the  claims  of  the  citizens  of  Georgia  against  said  In- 
dian", prior  to  1822. 

To  renew  the  patent  of  Thomas  Blanchard. 
Authorising  Edmund  Brooke  to  remove  to  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia two  slaves  owned  by  him  prior  lo  his  removal  from  Vir- 
ginia. 

Repealing  certain  acts  of  ihc  legislative  council  ofthe  territo- 
ry of  Florida. 

Authorising  n  road  to  be  cut  out  from  Ihe  northern  boundary 
ofthe  lerrilory  of  Florida,  by  Marianna,  to  the  town  of  ApaU- 
chicola,  within  the  said  territory. 

To  mark  and  open  a  road  from  Columbia  to  Little  Rock,  in 
the  territory  of  Arkansas. 

To  provide  for  rebuilding  the  frigate  Concress. 
Authorising  the  secretary  of  the  navy  lo  make  experiments 
for  t  lie  safety  ofthe  steam  engine. 

Authorising  the  purchase  of  live  oak  frames  for  a  frigate  and 
sloop  of  war,  and  for  other  purposes. 

To  authorise  the  president  of  the  United  Plates  to  direct 
transfers  of  appropriations  in  the  naval  service,  under  certain 
circumstances. 

Authorising  the  construction  of  n  brideo  across  Ihe  Potomac, 
nml  repealinc  all  acts  already  passed  in  relation  thereto. 

Increasing  the  salaries  of  the  judges  of  the  United  Slates  for 
the  territories  of  Michigan,  Arkansas  and  Florida. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— YEAS  AND  NAYS. 


823 


To  authorise  nn  extra  session  of  the  legislative  council  of  the 
territory  of  Michigan. 

To  prohibit  the  corporations  of  Washington,  Georgetown  and 
Alexandria,  in  I'M-  l>;  u  in  ol  Columbia,  from  issuing  promisso- 
' 


ry  null's  or  bills  ol'any  (Iriioniiiiaiio 
the  period  therein  mentioned,  ami   lo 


tlian  icn  dollars,  alier 
the  gradual  withdrawal 


from  circulation  of  all  Mieh  notes  ami  hills. 

,*Mip|ileim  ntary  to  the  act  to  amend  the  several  acts  rcrpect 
ing  copy-rights. 

For  establishing  the  northern  boundary  line  of  the  country 
purchased  of  the  Chickasaws  by  the  treaty  of  1822. 

Making  compensation  for  certain  diplomatic  services,  and  for 
other  purposes. 

To  relinquish  the  reversionary  interest  of  the  United  States 
in  a  certain  Indian  reservation  lying  between  the  rivers  Missis- 
sippi and  Desmoines. 

To  authorise  the  heirs  and  legal  representatives  of  James  La- 
tham, deceased,  to  withdraw  and  relocate  a  land  warrant. 

To  provide  for  the  payment  of  claims  for  property  destroyed 
by  the  enemy  while  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States 
during  the  late  war  with  the  Indians  on  the  frontiers  of  Illinois 
and  Michigan  terriloiy. 

To  complete  the  improvements  of  Pennsylvania  avenue. 

Concerning  tonnage  duty  on  Spanish  vessels. 

RELIEF   ACTS. 

For  the  relief  of  Samuel  Thompson;  of  George  Chinn;  ofBen- 
jnmin  Sherfy;  of  the  heirs  of  widow  Robert  Avast;  of  Thomas 
Richardson;  of  William  S.  Anderson;  of  George  H.  Jennings; 
of  James  H.  Brewer;  of  John  Webber;  of  the  legal  representa- 
tives of  James  Morrison,  deceased;  of  John  Thompson;  of  Rich - 
nrd  Hagnall,  executor  of  James  B.  Vaughan;  of  Whilford  Gill; 
of  Peregrine  Gardner;  of  Edward  Willet;  of  Jotham  Lincoln, 
administrator  of  Samuel  Burr  Lincoln,  deceased;  of  John  H. 
JVlaguire;   of  Russell  Hunt,  David  Hunt  and  Amos  Hunt;  of 
Philip  Hickey;  of  John  Bills;  of  Daniel  Hazleton  and  William 
Palmer;  of  Francis  Barnes;  of  Joseph  M.  Harper;  of  Martha 
Itailey  and  others;  of  the  heirs  of  Alexander  Boyd,  deceased; 
of  the  owners  of  the  schooner  Three  Sisters,  of  Saybrook;  of 
Philip  Bessom;  of  the  widow  and  children  of  George  Ludlum, 
deceased;  of  Colrman  Fisher;  of  Lucy  Loomis;  of  the  heirs  of 
Arnold  Henry  Dohrman;  of  Elijah  Lincoln;  of  the  legal  repre- 
sentatives of  Walter  Livingston,  deceased;  of  Joel  Byington; 
<if  the  heirs  at  law  of  Richard  Livingston,  a  Canadian  refugee, 
deceased;  of  Joel  Wilkinson;  of  the  legal  representatives  of  Jo- 
seph Rowe,  deceased;  of  Horatio  N.  Crabb;  of  John  G.  Rey- 
nolds; of  John  Percival,  master  commandant  in  the  U.  States 
navy;  of  John  L.  Lobdell;  of  Thomas  Ap.  C.  Jones;  of  the  heirs 
and  legal  representatives  of  Frances  IJarham,  deceased,  and 
lier  husband,  Fielding  Barham;  of  Aaron  Bellamy;  of  Luther 
Li.  Smith;  of  Pearson   Freeman;  of  Joseph  Guedry  and  others; 
of  Asher  Morgan  and  others;  of  Richard  Nance;  of  Baptiste 
Jeansonne  and  Joseph  Pierre  Pclre;  of  George  Elliott;  of  John 
Winslett;  of  John  S.  Flemming,  administrator  de  bonis  non  of 
John  Synie,  deceased;  of  the  legal  represeHtatives  of  Christian 
Ish,  deceased;  of  Robert  Reynolds;  of  the  heirs  or  legal  repre- 
sentatives of  doctor  John  Perrien,  deceased;  of  sundry  citizens 
of  the  United  States  who  have  lost  property  by  the  depredations 
ofcertain  Indian  tribes;  of  Frederick  Raymer;  of  Antoine  Crn- 
rat;  of  Terence  Le  Blanc;  of  William  Weedon;  of  Jeremiah 
Worsham;  of  Joseph  Clift;  of  the  legal  representatives  ot  John 
Thompson,  jr.  late  of  Louisiana;  of  Marguerite  Baron,  widow 
of  Jean  Pierre  Ledoux;  of  George  K.  Jackson;  of  Henry  Oakes; 
of  Francais  Suzonr:  of  Henry  Sewall  and  Robert  Sewall;  of 
John  C.  Naylor;  of  Benjamin  Jacobs,  of  Samuel  Bayard,  sur- 
viving executor  of  John  Bayard,  deceased,  and  of  the  executors 
of  Joseph  Falconer,  deceased;  of  William  Enos,  of  Arkansas; 
of  Judith  Thomas  and  Daniel  Palmer;  of  George  Bovven;  of 
William  K.  Paulding;  of  William  Haslett;  of  Samuel  D.  Wal- 
ker; of  Alexander  J.  Robinson;  of  the  heirs  at  law  of  the  re- 
presentatives of  William  G.  Christopher,  deceased;  of  William 
B.  Doliber  and   others,  owner  and   heirs  of  the  crow  of  the 
schooner  Mary  and    Hannah:  of  the   legal   representatives  of 
James  Brown;   of  Henry  Whitney;  of  Jonathan  Walton  and 
John  J.  De  Graff;  of  Stephen  Kingston;  ot'Asha  Harlfield,  hi* 
assignee,  or  legal  representative;  of  John  Allen;  of  certain  in- 
habitants of  East  Florida;  of  Thomas  Minor;  ofMarparet  Riker; 
of  Wolcott  Chauncey;  of  the  legal  representatives  of  James  P. 
Hainesworth,  deceased;  of  Hannah  Stone;  of  John  Elie  Tholo- 
zan  and  WTilliam  Russell;   of  the  city  of  Washington;  of  the 
town  of  Fayelleville,  in  the  territory  of  Arkansas;  of  Charles 
Burkham  and  others,  employed  as  spies,  on  the  frontier  of  Ar- 
kansas, in   1830;   of  Noah  Staler;    of  George  Slaley;  of  John 
Kimherlin;  of  Haggnrty  and  David  Austin,  of  New  York;   of 
John  Hone  &  Sons,  of  New  York;  of  Pelrg  Spencer;  of  John 
Hurtell;  of  the  widow  and  heirs  of  Felix  St.  Vraine;  of  James 
Ord:  of  James  Fife,  a  Creek  Indian;   of  John   Chandler  and 
William  Johnson;  of  the  representatives  of  Hugh  MeGennis 
deceased;  of  John  Peck;  of  the  widow  and  heirs  of  capt.  Wm. 
Royal),  deceased;  of  James  Noble;  of  the  legal  representatives 
of  Phi  lip  Moore,  deceased;  of  the  leaal  representatives  of  Tho- 
mas Nash;  of  col.  A.  R.  Woolley;  of  Moses  Archer;  of  Jona- 
than M.  Blaisdcll;  of  William  D.  Acken;  of  Hishe  Homa, other- 
wise called  capt.  Red  Pepper,  an  Indian  of  the  Choctaw  tribe 
of  William  A.  Duer;  of  John  Duer  and  Beverly  Robinson,  trus 
lees  of  the  estate  of  Sarah  Alexander,  deceased;  of  Aaron  Fitz 
gerald;   of  the  administrators  of  Bolitha  Laws,  deceased;    o 
C  harles  J.  Hand;  of  the  heirs  and  lecal  representatives  of  Join 
R  ose,  sen.  deceased;  of  John  Kirkpatrick;  of  the  legal  repre 


pentativcs  of  Lawrence  Millignn,  deceased;  of  the  sureties  of 
John  H.  Morion;  of  tin-  irgal  representative*  of  TttflimM  H.  l!o- 
gles,  deceased;  of  Peter  Mills;  of  Andrew  Armstrong;  ofWm. 
Mann;  of  MM  A.  Webster,  and  lor  the  irgal  ie|, regulative*  of 
John  Coleman;  oflhe  widow  ol  Clement  B.  Prnrose  and  Win 
C.  Waddi  II;  of  John  Shaekfoid;  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church 
at  St.  Louis,  Missomi;  ol  James  Bell,  deceased;  of  a  part  of  the 
crew  of  the  brig  Sarah  George;  of  Ephraim  Whitaker;  ol  lient. 
Robert  VVilmotl;  of  Ann  Mortimer  Barron;  of  the  li-gal  repre- 
sentatives of  Bullrr  Claiborne,  deceased;  of  the  legal  represen- 
tative* of  Evenird  Meade,  deceased;  ot  Hie  legal  representa- 
tives of  captain  James  Crain;  of  John  Emerson;  of  the  heirs  of 
Thomas  Wallace,  deceased;  of  the  legal  representatives  of  Enos 
Grannis,  deceased;  of  the  heirs  and  legal  representatives  of 
William  Teas,  deceased;  of  the  Irgal  representatives  of  John 
Taylor,  deceased;  of  John  Bruce;  ol  the  legal  representatives  of 
John  M.  Gregory;  of  the  owners  of  the  schooner  Admiral;  of 
John  Wilson;  of  Ezekiel  Foster  and  company,  of  Eastport, 
state  of  Maine;  of  Benedict  Alford  and  Roburt  Brush;  of  At- 
water  and  Dagget.  and  others,  owners  of  the  brig  Hannah;  of 
Francis  and  Judith  Taylor;  of  George  Gordon,  asi-ignee  and  re- 
presentative of  (he  heirs  of  Matthew  Ramey,  deceased;  of  Amos 
W.  Brown;  of  Samuel  A.  Edmondson;  of  the  legal  representa- 
tives of  Leonard  Holly,  deceased;  of  James  Marsh;  of  Samuel 
Armstrong  Bailey;  of  George  Reed. 

•RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolution  directing  certain  books  to  be  procured  and  furnish- 
ed^ members  of  the  23d  congress. 

Giving  the  right  of  way  through  the  property  of  the  United 
States  at  Harper's  Ferry,  to  the  Winchester  and  Polouiac  rail 
road  company. 

For  distributing  returns  of  the  last  census. 
Fixing  a  day  for  the  adjournment  of  congress. 
Joint  resolution  manifesting  the  sensibility  of  the  two  houses 
of  congress  and  ofihe  nation,  on  the  occasion  oflhe  decease  of 
general  Lafayette. 

f  The  above  list  is  supposed  to  be  COMPLETE,  with  the  exception 
of  a  very  few  private  acts.  Every  public  act  is  believed  to  be  enu- 


YEA3  AND  NAYS 

IN   THE    HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

On  the  Aeposite  bill. 

The  following  were  the  yeas  and  nays  in  »he  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, on  the  24lh  June,  on  the  passage  of  the  bill  for  regu- 
lating deposites  of  the  public  money  in  the  local  banks: 

YEAS — Messrs.  John  Adams,  Win.  Allen.  Anthony,  Beale, 
Bean,  Beardsley,  Beaumont,  Blair,  Bockee,  Bodle,  Boon,  Boul- 
din,  Brown,  Bunch,  Burns,  Bynnm,  Cambreleng,  Carmichael, 
Carr;  Casey,  Chaney,  Chinn,  S.  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee,  Connor, 
Cramer,  Day,  Deming,  Dickerson,  Dickinson,  Dnnlap,  Forres- 
ter, Fowler,  Wm.  K.  Fuller,  Galbraith,  Gholson,  Gilmer,  Joseph 
Hall,  Halsey.  Hannegan,  Joseph  M.  Harper,  Harrison,  Hatha- 
way, Hawkins,  Hawes,  Howell,  Hubbard,  Abel  Huntington, 
Inne,  Jarvis,  R.  M.  Johnson,  N.  Johnson,  Cave  Johnson,  Sea- 
born Jones,  Benj.  Jones,  Kavanagh,  Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing, 
Laporte,  Luke  Lea,  Leavitt,  Thos.  Lee,  Lyon,  Lytle,  A.  Mann, 
Joel  K.  Mann,  J.  Y.  Mason,  Moses  Mason,  Mclnlire,  McKay, 
McKim,  McKinJfy,  McLene,  McVean,  Miller,  Robert  Mitchell, 
Muhlenherg,  Murphy,  Osgood,  Page,  Parks,  Parker,  Patton, 
Patterson,  Dutee  J.  Pearce,  F.  Pierce,  Pivrson,  Plummer,  Polk, 
Pope,  Schenek,  Schley,  Augustus  H.  Sheppcrd,  Shinn,  Smith, 
Speight,  Standifer.  Stoddert,  Sutherland,  Wm.  Taylor,  Francis 
Thomas,  Thomson,  Turril,  Tweedy,  Vanderpoel,  Van  Houten, 
Waaener,  Ward,  Wardwell,  Webster,  Whalon.  C.  P.  White 
—113. 

NAYS— Messrs.  J.  Q.  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  John  J.  Allen, 
Archer,  Ashley,  Barber,  Barnifz,  Barringer,  Baylies,  Beaty, 
Binney,  Bull,  Burd,  Cage.  Campbell,  Chambers,  Chilian,  Wm. 
Clark,  Clayton,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Darlington,  Davenport,  De- 
berry,  Denny,  Dickron,  Duncan,  Ellsworth,  Evans,  Edward 
Everett,  H.  Everett,  Ewing,  Felder,  Fillmore,  Foster,  Philo  C. 
duller,  Fulton,  Gamble,  Garland,  Gorham,  Graham,  Grennell, 
Griffin,  Hiland  Hall,  Hamer,  Hardin,  James  Harper,  Hazeltine, 
rlualh,  Heister.  Jabez  VV.  Huntington,  Jarvis,  Jackson,  Wm. 
Cost  Johnson,  Lay.  Lewis,  Lincoln,  Love,  Martindale,  Mar- 
shall, MoComas,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Moore,  Pinck- 
ney.  Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Rencher,  Selden,  Wm.  B.  Shopard, 
Wm.  Sladc,  Charles  Slade,  Sloane.  Spansler,  Steele,  Stewart, 
Philemon  Thomas,  Tompkins,  Turner,  Vinton,  Watmough,  E. 
D.  White,  F.  Whiltlesey,  Elisha  Whiltlesey,  Wilde,  Williams, 
Wilson,  Wise,  Young— 90. 

On  Ike  West  Point  appropriation  bill. 

YEAS — Messrs.  John  Q.  Adams,  John  Adams,  Heman  Allen, 
William  Allen,  Anthony,  Archer,  Ashley,  Barber,  Barnilz,  Bay- 
lies, Bean,  Beardsley,  Binney,  Bockee,  Bodle,  Brown,  Bull, 
Burd,  Bnrges,  Case,  Cambreleng,  Chambers,  Chinn,  S.  Clark, 
William  Clark,  Cramer,  Darlington,  Day,  Deberry,  Denny, 
Dickerson,  Evans,  Edward  Everett,  Horace  Everett.  Ewing, 
Fillmore,  Philo  C.  Fuller,  William  K.  Fuller,  Galbraith,  Gar- 
land. Gillet.  Grennell.  Hiland  Hall,  Halsey,  Hannegan,  Hardin, 
Joseph  M.  Harper,  Hathaway,  Hazeltine,"  Henderson,  Heister, 
Howell,  .Tahez  W.  Huntingron,  Abel  Huntington,  Jackson,  Jar- 
vis,  W.  C.  Johnson.  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Noadiah  Johnson, 
Kins,  Kinnard.  Lansine,  Laporte,  Lav,  Leavitt,  Lincoln.  Lytlr, 
Abijah  Mann,  Martindnle,  McCarty,  Mclnlire,  McKay,  McKcn- 
nan,  McKim,  McKinlcy,  McVean,  Mercer,  Miller,  Milligan, 


324     WILES'  REGISTER— JULY  fl,  1884— LEGISLATURE  OF  CONNECTICUT. 


Moore,  Muhlenberg,  Osgood,  Page,  Parker,  Patton,  Pearce, 
Pierson,  Potts,  Ramsay,  Reed,  Selden,  Shepard,  Shinn,  Sloane, 
Steele,  Stewart,  Stoddert,  Sutherland,  William  Taylor,  Francis 
Thomas,  Philemon  Thomas,  Thomson,  Tompkins,  Turrill, 
Tweedy,  Vanderpoel,  Van  Houten,  Viriton,  Wagener,  Ward, 
Wardwell,  Watmough,  Campbell  P.  White,  Edward  D.  White, 
Elisha  Whitllese.y,  Wilde,  Wise,  Young— 117. 

NAYS— Messrs.  John  J.  Allen,  Barringer,  Beale,  Beaumont, 
Blair,  Boon,  Bouldin,  Bunch,  Bynuin,  Carr,  Casey,  Chaney, 
Clay,  Clowuey,  Connor,  Crockett,  Dickinson,  Duncan,  Dun- 
lap,  Felder,  Forrester,  Foster,  Fowler,  Fulton,  Gholson,  Gil- 
mer,  Gordon,  Grayson,  Griffin,  Joseph  Hall,  Hawkins,  Hawes, 
Cave  Jolinsou,  Seaborn  Jnncs,  Benjamin  Jones,  Kavanagh, 
Lea,  Lewis,  Joel  K.  Mann,  John  Y.  Mason,  Moses  Mason, 
McLene,  Robert  Mitchell,  Pinckney,  Plummr.r,  Polk,  Rencher, 
Schley,  Charles  Slade,  Smith,  Standifer,  William  P.  Taylor, 
Webster,  Frederick  Wljitllesey,  Williams— 55. 

On  the  passage  of  the  bill  for  additional  light  houses,  4'C. 
YEAS — Messrs.  John  Quincy  Adams,  John  Adams,  Heman 
Allen,  William  Allen,  Archer,  Ashley,  liarber,  Baylies,  Beards- 
ley,  Binney,  Bodle,  Boon,  Brown,  Bull,  Cage,  Cainbrelena,  Ca- 
sey, Chambers,  Chaney,  Chinn,  Samuel  Clark,  Cramer,  Crock- 
ett, Darlington,  Denny,  Duncan,  Dunlap,  Ellsworth,  Evany,  E. 
Everett,  Horace  Everett,  Ewing,  Fillmore,  W.. K.  Fuller,  Gal- 
braith,  Garland,  Gillet,  Grennell,  Jos.  Hall,  Hiland  Hall,  Hal 
sey,  Hannegao,  Jos.  M.  Harper,  James  Harper,  Hazeltine, 
Heath,  Henderson,  Howell,  Jahez  W.  Huntington,  Abel  llunt- 
ington,  Jackson,  Kavanagh,  Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing,  Lay, 
Thomas  Lee,  Lincoln,  Lytle,  Marlindale,  Moses  Mason,  Mc- 
Keniian,  McKim,  McVean,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Robert  Mitchell, 
Moore,  Muhleiiberg,  Osgood,  Parks,  Parker,  Patton,  Dutee  J. 
Pearce,  Pierson,  Plunimer,  Potts,  Reed,  Selden,  Win.  B.  Shep- 
u'rd,  Shinn,  Sloane,  Smith,  Steele,  Stewart,  Stoddert,  Suther- 
land, William  Taylor,  Francis  Thomas,  Philemon  Thomas, 
Thomson,  Tweedy,  Vanderpoel,  Van  Houten,  Vinton,  Ward, 
Wardwell,  Watmough,  Webster,  Campbell  P.  White,  Ed.  D. 
White,  Frederick  Whiltlesey,  Elisha  Whittlesey,  Wilde,  Wise, 
Young— 106. 

NAYS— Messrs.  John  J.  Allen,  Beale,  Bean,  Blair,  Bockee, 
J.  W.  Bouldin,  Bunch,  Byniim,  Clay,  Coffee,  Connor,  Day, 
Deberry,  P.  Dickerson,  D.  W.  Dickinson,  Pbilo  C.  Fullerj  Ful- 
ton, Gholson,  Gilmer,  Gordon,  Graham,  Grayson,  Griffin,  Har- 
din,  Hathaway,  Hawkins,  Hawes,.Inge,  Jarvis,  N.  Johnson,  C. 
Johnson,  Seaborn  Jones,  King,  Laporte,  Luke  Lea,  Abijah 
Mann,  J.  K.  Mann,  John  Y.  Mason,  McCarty.  McComas,  Mc- 
Duffie,  Mclntire,  McKay,  McKinley,  McLene,  Miller,  Mur- 
phey,  Page,  Pierce,  Pinckney,  Polk,  Ramsay,  Schley,  Aug.  H. 
Shepperd,  Charles  Slade,  Win.  P.  Taylor,  Wageuer,  Williams, 
Wilson— 59. 

On  the  passage  of  the  bill  for  the  relief  of  the  city  of  Washington. 


object,  is  doubted  by  some,  notwithstanding  judicial  decisions, 
and  long  acquiescence  in  its  exercise.  Whether  the  provisions 
of  the  constitution,  which  gives  to  congress  the  power  "to 
make  all  laws  necessary  and  proper  for  carrying  into  effect  the 
powers  specially  delegated"  authorises  the  incorporation  of  a 
bank,  as  "necessary  and  proper,"  to  regulate  the  currency,  is 
not  for  us  to  decide;  its  present  deranged  condition  will  proba- 
bly hasten  a  decision  ot  this  question  by  the  competent  autho- 
rity. 


YEAS— Messrs.  John  Q.  Adam 


eliefof 
s./ohn 


Adams,  Hcman  Allen, 


Anthony,  Ashley,  Barber,  Baroitz,  Barringer,  Baylies,  Beaty, 
Binney,  Bouldin,  Burd,  Burns,  Cage,  Chambers,  Chinn,  Win. 
Clark,  Corwin,  Coulter,  Cramer,  Crockett,  Darlington,  Day, 
Denny,  Dickerson,  Duncan,  Dunlap,  Evans,  Edward  Everett, 
Horace  Everett,  Ewing,  Fillmore,  Gholson,  Gorham,  Grennell, 
Hiland  Hall,  Hannegan,  J.  M.  Harper,  Harmon,  Hathaway, 
Hazletine,  Henderson,  Hiester,  Howell,  Abel  Huntington,  Jack- 
son. W.  C.  Johnson,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Kavanagh,  King, 
Kinnard,  Lane,  Lansing,  Laporte,  T.  Lee,  Lincoln,  Love,  Ly- 
tle, Martindale,  McCany,  McKennan,  McKim,  McVean,  Mer- 
cer, Miller,  Milligan,  Muhlenberg,  Osgood,  Patterson,  Dutee  J. 
Pearce,  Potts,  Reed,  Schenck,  Selden,  W.  B.  Shepnrd,  Shinn, 
Sloane,  Steele,  Stewart,  Stoddert,  Sutherland,  VVtn.  Taylor, 
Francis  Thomas,  P.  Thomas,  Turrill,  Tweedy,  Vanderpoel, 
Ward,  Wardwell,  Watmouah,  Webster,  Frederick  Whittlesey, 
Elisha  Whiltlesey,  Wilde,  Wilson,  Young— 97. 

NAYS— Messrs.  Wm.  Allen,  Archer,  Beale,  Bean,  Beards- 
ley,  Beaumont,  Blair,  Bockee,  Brown,  Bunch,  Hvniini,  Cam- 
breleng,  Caruiichael,  Carr,  Casey,  Chancy,  8.  Clark,  Clay, 
Clayton,  Clowney,  Coffee,  Connor.  Dickinson,  Ellsworth,  Fel- 
der,  Forrester,  Foster,  Fowler,  P.  C.  Fuller,  W.  K.  Fuller,  Gil- 
let,  Gilmer,  Gordon,  Graham,  Grayson,  Joseph  Hall,  Halsey, 
Hamer,  Hardin,  James  Harper,  Hawkins,  Hawe*,  Jabez  W. 
Huntington,  luce,  Jarvl*,  N.  Johnson,  Cave  Jnhnxnn,  S.  Jones, 
L/iike  Lea,  Leavitt,  Abijah  Mann,  J.  K.  Mann,  Moses  Mason, 
John  Y.  Mason,  McComas,  McDuffie,  Mcfntire,  McKay,  MP- 
Kinley,  McLene,  Robert  Mitchell,  Moorr,  Page,  Parks.  Parker, 
Palton,  Pierson,  Pinckney,  Plummet,  Polk,  Rntnsny,  Rencher, 
Schley,  Smith,  Standifer,  Wm.  P.  Taylor,  Thompson,  Vinton, 
Wagener,  C.  P.  White,  Williams,  Wi-r:_78. 


LEGISLATURE  OF  CONNECTICUT. 
Extract  from  gov.  Foot's  message  of  May  9,  1834. 

In  a  time  of  unexampled  prosperity,  when  labor  of  every 
kind  received  a  liberal  and  just  reward;  when  active  industry 
and  enterprise,  which  constitute  the  wealth  of  every  nation, 
promised  a  rich  harvest  to  individuals  and  to  the  country;  n 
Hidden  and  unexpected  blow  has  been  given  to  our  proeperity, 
which  has  paralized  every  exertion,  and  produced  universal 
and  deep  distress  and  alarm! 

A  deranged  currency  deranges  every  institution  in  the  coun- 
try, connected  with  property  and  productive  labor.  Thn  pow- 
er nnd  duly  ofcongress,  to  regulate  the  currency  of  the  country, 
under  the  provisions  of  the  constitution,  has  never  been  quea- 
lioned:  and  yet  the  power  to  incorporate  a  bank  to  effect  this 


If  this  power  is  not  in  congress,  where  is  it?  The  constitu- 
tion expiessly  forbids  the  states  to  "coin  money,"  or  "emit 
bills  of  credit."  And  notwithstanding  this  prohibition,  the 
states  have  incorporated  banks,  to  an  alarming  extent:  and  the 
good  sense  of  the  people  must  decide  whether  a  U.  S.  bank  is 
not  indispensable  as  a  fiscal  agent  for  the  government,  as  well 
as  for  their  own  interests,  to  guard  against  the  evils  of  an  un- 
sound paper  currency. 

The  incorporation  of  the  present  bank,  under  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  country  at  that  period;  sanctioned  and  ap- 
proved by  those  who  had  before  doubted  its  constitutionality; 
was  believed  to  have  settled  the  question  of  constitutional 
power,  and  established  the  permanent  policy  of  the  system  by 
common  consent.  The  commerce  and  manufactures  of  the 
country,  have  been  regulated,  and  accommodated  to  it.  The 
deep  and  general  distress  and  destruction  of  confidence,  is  the 
natural  and  necessary  result  of  the  reckless  attempt  of  this  po- 
licy; and  by  the  "removal  of  the  public  deposits,"  to  shake 
public  confidence  in  its  utility  and  solvency,  at  an  incalculable 
loss  to  the  country. 

The  assumption  of  power  in  this  act  of  the  executive,  with- 
out the  consent  or  action  of  congress,  presents  a  grave  question 
for  the  decision  of  the  people,  by  the  faithful  exercise  of  the 
right  of  suffrage.' 

The  idea,  that  a  commercial  country  of  such  vast  extent,  and 
great  resources  as  our  own,  should  ever  return  to  a  metallic 
medium,  after  the  long  and  extensive  use  of  a  paper  currency, 
is  too  absurd  and  preposterous  to  require  refutation.  The  ne- 
cessity of  transmitting  the  vast  sums  of  money  required  in  our 
ordinary  commercial  transactions,  through  this  extensive  and 
flourishing  country;  and  the  collection  and  disbursement  of  the 
revenue  in  the  whole  extent  of  the  union,  must  shew  the  im- 
practicability of  such  a  visionary  project. 

A  sound  paper  currency,  founded  on  the  precious  metals  as  a 
basis,  and  always  redeemable  in  specie  on  demand;  limited  in 
its  circulation  to  the  wants  of  the  community,  will  be  found 
most  convenient  and  will  regulate  itself. 

The  great  error,  and  danger,  in  our  banking  system,  has 
arisen  from  the  issue  of  small  notes.  If  the  banks  in  the  seve- 
ral stiitcs  had  been  restricted  to  the  issue  of  notes  of  a  denomi- 
nation above  ten  or  even  five  dollars,  the  banking  system 
would  have  been  confined  almost  exclusively  to  its  legitimate 
and  proper  object,  the  commercial  and  financial  interests  of  the 
country — the  precious  metals  would  have  formed  the  general 
currency  of  the  country,  in  the  ordinary  pursuits  of  life;  and 
secured  the  paper  currency  from  the  sudden  fluctuations  which 
have  been  too  often  experienced. 

One  of  the  greatest  evils  arising  from  this  attack  upon  the 
bank,  and  the  entire  system,  will  probably  be,  the  incorporation 
of  numerous  state  banks,  will)  large  nominal  capitals,  ostensi- 
bly to  supply  the  amount  to  be  withdrawn  by  the  United  States 
bank,  and  to  take  the  place  of  the  notes  of  the  present  bank, 
without  any  increase  of  specie  for  their  redemption:  the  num- 
ber already  incorporated  since  the  removal  of  the  deposites, 
and  the  openly  avowed  hostility  to  the  bank,  are  truly  alarm- 
ing. A  sound  and  uniform  currency  is  not  to  be  established  by 
increasing. the  number,  or  capitals  of  state  banks. 

I  have  considered  it  my  duty  togive  to  our  constituents  these 
general  views  of  the  condition  of  our  country,  on  resigning  the 
important  and  highly  responsible  trust  and  station,  from  which 
the  late  election  has  called  me  to  the  chief  magistracy  of  my 
native  state. 

On  the  29th  n!t.  the  report  of  the  committee  of  the  house  of 
representatives,  (to  whom  this  part  of  the  message  had  been 
referred),  was  taken,  and  the  following  resolutions  passed,  after 
debate — 

Beit  resolved  liy  the  senate  and  Aoti«e  of  representatives  of  the 
ttate  of  Connecticut  in  etneral  assembly  ronrcnetl,  That  the  pre- 
sident of  the  United  Stales,  in  removing  the  public  deposites, 
ha*  endeavored  to  prevent  the  congress  of  th«  United  Slates 
from  discharging  its  appropriate  functions  in  relation  to  the 
custody  and  disposition  of  the  moneys  of  the  nation, — has  ex- 
ercised a  power  not  conferred  upon  him  by  law — nnd  has  vio- 
lated the  chartered  rights  of  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales— to 
the  subversion  of  the  national  faith,  and  in  derogation  of  the 
constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  the  senate,  of  the  United  States,  in  disapprov- 
ing by  its  resolutions  of  the  removal  of  the  depo-Mte*.  has  eiven 
additional  evidence  of  heine  worthy  of  its  exalted  eharaete.r  as 
the  faithful  representative  of  the  states,  and  the  watchful  guar- 
dinn  of  the  riehts  and  liberties  of  the  people. 

Resolved,  That  ihU  assembly  entirely  disapprove*  of  the  de- 
sign and  attempt  of  the  president  ol  the  United  States,  a«  evinc- 
ed by  the  transmission  find  content*  of  his  proii-«i,  to  superin- 
tend nnd  direet  the  senate  of  the  United  StatPK — a  co-ordinate 
department,  and  which,  in  an  especial  manner,  represents  the 
internets  of  the  several  states — and  to  control  and  restrain  its 
constitutional  action — and  this  assembly  entirely  approves  of 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— IN  MEMORY  OF  LAFAYETTE. 


J25 


the  proceedings  of  the  senate  in  relation  to  the  protest  of  the 

president. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  of  the  United  States,  by  his  un 
precedenled  exercise  of  the  power  of  the  veto;  by  Ihe  coniro 
he  has  assumed  and  exerted  over  the  subordinate  officers  of  tin 
United  States;  by  his  mode  of  dispensing  the  patronage  of  tin 
government;  by  his  repeatedly  frustrating,  under  various  pre 
tence.s  the  exercise  by  the  senate  of  the  United  Stales,  of  itt 
consliiulional  power  of  advice  and  consent  in  appointments  t< 
office,  and  by  his  claim  of  the  right  to  control  and  remove  tin 
public  property  und  treasure  at  his  discretion,  und  lo  constrin 
the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States,  according  to  hi; 
own  opinion,  without  regard  to  that  of  congress,  the  judiciary 
or  the  nation — has  infringed  the  fundamental  principles  of  0111 
government,  and  furnished  irresistible  proof  that  our  free  insti 
unions  are  in  peril. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  assembly  be  presented  to 
the  senators  and  representatives  from  Ihis  slale,  in  the  con- 
gress of  the  United  Slates  for  their  firm  and  independent  course 
at  the  present  alarming  crisis;  and  that  they  be  requested  to 
continue  to  use  their  utmost  endeavors  to  restore  the  public  de- 
posite*  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States, and  to  maintain  the  su- 
premacy of  the  constitution  and  laws  oV  the  United  Stales. 

Jlnd  whereas,  the  banks  of  Ihe  United  Slates,  heretofore  incor- 
porated, have  been  found  extensively  advantageous  for  the  cus- 
tody and  disposition  of  the  public  moneys,  and  have  exerted  an 
influence  upon  the  currency  of  the  country,  highly  salutary,  in 
prevention  of  evils  otherwise  unavoidable:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  for  the  preservation  of  a  sound  currency;  for 
the  safe  custody,  expeditious  transmission,  and  cheap  disburse- 
ment of  its  moneys,  thenalion  requires  a  national  bank;  and  Ihe 
queslion  of  the  recharter  of  the  present  bank  of  the  United 
States  with  suitable  modifications,  this  assembly  refers  to  the 
wisdom  of  congress. 

On  the  preamble  and  first  resolution,  yeas  148,  nays  45— maj. 
103. 

On  the  second  resolution,  yeas  148,  nays  47 — maj.   101. 

On  the  third  resolution,  yeas  149,  nays  44— maj.   104. 

On  the  fourth  resolution,  yeas  144,  nays  48 — maj.     96. 

On  the  fifth  resolution,  yeas  135,  nays  48 — maj.     87. 

On  the  sixth  resolution,  yeas  147,  nays  37— maj.  110. 

On  the  seventh  resolution,  yeas  137,  nays  35 — maj.  102. 


SOUTH  CAROLINA. 
Executive  department — Charleston  \Wi  June  1834. 

The  appeal  court  having  decided  that  the  10th  section  of  the 
act,  passed  at  the  last  session  of  the  legislature,  "for  military 
organization  of  Ihe  state,"  which  provides,  that  all  militia  offi- 
cers shall,  within  Ihirty  days  afler  their  election,  take  an  oath 
"that  they  will  be  faithful  and  true  allegiance  hear  to  the  state 
of  South  Carolina,"  is  unconstitutional,  null  and  void,  it  be- 
comes the  duty  of  all  officers  entrusted  with  the  execution  of 
the  law,  to  conform  to  that  decision,  until  the  constitution  shall 
be  amended,  or  the  decision  reversed.  Under  our  system  of 
government  it  is  the  province  of  the  judiciary  to  expound  the 
laws,  and  obedience  to  the  constituted  authorities  has  always 
been  a  distinguished  trait  in  the  character  of  the  people  of 
South  Carolina.  All  officers  of  ihe  militia,  iherefore,  whose 
commissions  may  have  been  withheld  in  consequence  of  their 
neglect  or  refusal  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  prescribed  by 
the  above  act,  will,  on  application  to  the  proper  officers,  be  en- 
titled to  receive  theii  commissions.  The  court  has  also  decided 
that  the  oath  prescribed  by  the  act  of  the  19th  December,  1794, 
(the  only  oath  heretofore-nken  by  militia  officers  in  this  state), 
is  likewise  unconstitutional,  and  that  the  only  oath  which  said 
officers  can  be  lawfully  required  to  take,  is  that  to  be  found  in 
the  4th  art.  of  the  constitution,  in  the  following  words,  viz: — "1 
do  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  am  duly  qualified,  according  to  ihe 
constitution  of  this  state,  to  exercise  the  office  in  which  I  have 
been  appointed,  and  will,  to  the  best  of  my  abilities,  discharge 
the  duties  thereof,  and  preserve,  protect  and  defend  the  consti- 
tution of  this  slate,  and  of  the  United  States." 

All  officers  who  have  not  heretofore  taken  this  oath,  whether 
they  have  received  their  commissions  or  not,  will  accordingly, 
take  the  said  oath  before  some  juslice  of  the  peace,  or  other  of- 
ficer authorised  to  administer  oaths,  and  cause  the  same  to  be 
duly  certified  and  endorsed  on  their  commissions.  Where  va- 
cancies exist,  prompt  measures  will  be  taken  by  the  proper  offi- 
cers, to  cause  the  same  to  be  filled  up;  and,  as  soon  as  the  or- 
ganization of  the  militia  shall  be  completed  under  the  late  act, 
reports  ihereof  will  be  made  to  the  proper  officers,  and  through 
them  to  Ihe  commander  in-chief. 

The  governor  is  well  aware  that  he  might  have  transferred  to 
others,  the  responsibility  of  deciding  on  the  course  proper  to  he 
pursued  on  this  occasion.  Under  the  power  conferred  by  the 
constitution  upon  the  executive,  the  legislature  might  have 
been  immediately  convened,  and  the  whole  question  submitted 
to  their  wisdom.  This  course  he  would  have  felt  himself  bound 
to  pursue,  if  the  decision  of  the  judges  had  been  regarded  by 
him  as  leaving  the  state  without  officers,  and  without  any  mili- 
tary organization,  exposed  to  all  the  dangers  incident  to  our  pe- 
culiar situation.  But  putting  a  different  construction  upon  the 
decision,  and  believing  that  its  only  effect  will  be  to  prevent  the 
enforcement  of  an  oath  of  fidelity  and  allegiance  to  the  state 
until  such  time  as  the  same  shall  become  part  of  the  constitu 
lion  by  the  final  adoption  of  the  amendment  already  agreed  lo 
by  two-thirds  of  both  branches  of  the  legislature  at  their  last 
session,  and  now  awaiting  the  ratification  of  the  ensuing  legis 


lature  to  be  chosen  by  the  people  in  October  next,  the  governoi 
tins  deemed  it  more  advisable  to  refer  the  great  questions  aris- 
ing out  of  the  decision  of  the  appeal  court  to  the  next  legisla- 
ture, coining,  as  ihey  will,  fresh  from  the  people,  than  lo  im- 
pose upon  those  whose  office  is  about  to  expire  the  duty  of  re- 
vising their  own  acts,  and  deciding  an  existing  controversy  be- 
tween the  legislative  and  judicial  departments  of  the  govern- 
ment. It  is  deemed  a  decisive  argument  in  favor  of  this  course, 
that  in  submitting  those  important  questions — involving,  as 
they  are  supposed  to  do,  the  rights  and  duties  of  the  citizen,  the 
sovereignty  of  the  state,  and  the  relative  powers  of  the  legi.-lu- 
ture  arid  judiciary) — to  THE  PEOPLE,  an  appeal  is  made  to  the 
highest  tribunal  known  to  our  system,  the  source  of  all  power, 
whose  decision  (no  longer  delayed  than  may  perhaps  be  neces- 
sary to  secure  an  enlightened  judgmeril,  free  from  all  undue  in- 
citement) will  come  will)  an  IRRESISTIBLE  WEIGHT  AND  AU- 
THORITY. Nor  is  it  believed,  that  the  example  of  moderation 
and  respect  for  the  laws  and  constituted  anthorities  of  the  coun- 
try thus  afforded  ala  period  of  much  excitement,  and  under  cir- 
cumstances of  peculiar  trial  and  difficulty,  can  be  without  a  sa- 
lutary influence  on  public  opinion,  both  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  governor  and  commander-in  chief,  in  presenting  these 
views  to  his  fellow  citizens,  confidently  relics  on  their  cor- 
dial co-operation  in  giving  effect  to  the  laws,  and  preserving 
the  peace  and  good  order  of  society. 

ROBERT  Y.  HAYNE. 
— — >»«  ©  »<««•- 
IN  MEMORV  OF  LAFAYETTE. 

ORDER,    NO  46. 

Head  quarters  of  the  army. 

Mjutant  general's  office,  Washington  June  'Hist,  1834. 
The  maj.  general  commanding  ihe  army,  has  received  through 
the  war  department,  the  following  "general  orders"  from  the 
president  of  the  United  States: 

GENERAL   ORDERS. 

Washington,  June  21,  1834. 

Information  having  been  received  of  the  death  of  general 
Lafayette,  the  president  considers  it  due  to  his  own  feelings,  as 
well  as  to  the  character  and  services  of  that  lamented  man,  to 
announce  the  event  to  the  army  and  navy. 

Lafayette  was  a  citizen  of  France,  but  he  was  the  distinguish- 
ed friend  of  ihe  United  States.  In  early  life  he  embarked  in 
that  contest  which  secured  freedom  and  independence  to  our 
country.  His  services  and  sacrifices  constituted  a  part  of  our  re- 
volutionary history,  and  his  memory  will  he  second  only  to  that 
of  Washington  in  the  hearts  of  the  American  people.  In  his 
own  country,  and  in  ours,  he  was  the  zealous  and  uniform 
"riend  and  advocate  of  rational  liberty.  Consistent  in  his  prin- 
;iples  and  conduct,  he  never,  during  a  long  life,  commilled  an 
ict,  which  exposed  him  to  just  accusation,  or  which  will  ex- 
)ose  his  memory  to  reproach.  Living  at  a  period  of  great  ex- 
•itement  and  of  moral  and  political  revolutions,  engaged  in 
nany  of  the  important  events  which  fixed  the  attention  of  the 
world,  and  invited  to  guide  the  destinies  of  France  at  two  of  the 
nost  momentous  eras  of  her  history,  his  political  integrity  and 
>ersonal  disinterestedness  have  not  been  called  in  question, 
iappy  in  such  a  life,  he  has  been  happy  in  his  death.  He  haa 
ieen  taken  from  the  theatre  of  action,  with  faculties  unimpair- 
d,  with  a  reputation  unquestioned,  and  an  object  of  veneration 
wherever  civilization  and  the  rights  of  man  have  extended;  and 
nourning  as  we  may  and  must  his  departure,  let  ut)  rejoice  that 
his  associate  of  Washington  has  gone,  as  we  humbly  hope,  to 
ejoin  his  illustrious  commander,  in  the  fullness  of  days  and  of 
lonor.  He  came  in  his  youth  lo  defend  our  counlry.  He  came 
n  the  maturity  of  his  age  to  witness  her  growth  in  all  the  ele- 
nenls  of  prosperily.  And  while  wilnessing  these,  he  received 
hose  testimonal  s  of  national  gratitude,  which  proved  how  strong 
(vas  his  hold  upon  the  affections  of  Ihe  American  people. 

One  melancholy  duty  remains  to  be  performed.  The  last 
najor  general  of  the  revolutionary  army  has  died.  Himself  a 
foung  and  humble  participalor  in  the  struggles  of  that  period, 
he  president  feels  called  on  as  well  by  personal  as  public  con- 
iderations,  to  direct  that  appropiiate  honors  be  paid  lo  ihe 
nemory  of  this  distinguished  patriot  und  soldier.  He  therefore 
rders  that  the  same  honors  be  rendered  on  this  occasion  at  the 
ifferent  military  and  naval  stations  as  were  observed  upon  the 
ecease  of  Washington,  the  falher  of  his  country,  and  his  co- 
emporary  in  arms. 

In  ordering' this  homage  to  be  paid  to  the  memory  of  one  so 
ininenl  in  the  field,  so  wise  in  council,  so  endeared  in  private 
ife,  and  so  well  and  favorably  known  to  both  hemispheres,  the 
resident  feels  assured,  that  he  is  anticipating  the  sentiment.*, 
olofthe  army  and  navy  only,  but  of  the  whole  American  pea- 
,le.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

In  obedience  to  the  commands  of  the  president,  the  following 
uneral  honors  will  be  paid  at  the  several  stations  of  the  army. 

At  day-break,  twenty-four  guns  will  be  fired  in  quick  suc- 
ession,  and  one  gun  at  the  interval  of  every  half  hour  Ihere- 
fter  till  sunset. 

The  flags  of  the  several  stations  will,  during  the  day,  he  at 
lalf.  mast.  The  officers  of  the  army  will  wear  crape  on  their 
eft  arm  for  the  period  of  six  months. 

This  order  will  be  carried  into  effect  under  the  direction  of 
he  commanding  officer  of  each  post  and  station,  the  day  after 
ts  reception. 

By  command  of  maj.  general  Maoomb,  commanding  in  chieft 
R.  JONES,  adjutant  general 


326        NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  3,  1834— FRAUD  IN  THE  LAND  OFFICE. 


CIRCULAR. 

To  the  commander  of  each  naval  station. 

Navy  department,  June  21st,  1834. 

In  confbrmity  with  the  accompanying  general  ordtr  from  tin; 
president  of  the  United  Slates,  in  honor  to  the  memory  of  gen. 
LAFAYETTE,  you  will,  on  the  day  following  the  receipt  of  this, 
cause  iwenly-lbur  nun.-  to  be  tired  in  quick  succession,  at  day- 
break, and  one  gnu  every  half  hour  thereafter,  till  sunset;  the 
flags  of  the  several  stations  will  be,  during  the  day,  at  half  must 
high. 

All  officer*  of  Ihe  navy  and  marine  corps  will  wear  crape  on 
the  left  arm  for  six  months.  LEV!  WOODBURY. 

(Here  follows  the  (-mural  order  of  the  president  given  above.) 


IK;  victims  in  the  great  struggle  to  redeem  our  republic  from 
he  corrupting  domination  of  a  great  moneyed  power,  will  be 
emembered  and  honored,  in  proportion  to  their  services  arid 
their  sacrifices.  I  am,  very  respeclfully  anil  sincerely,  your 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 


CHESAPEAKE  AND  OHIO  CANAL  COMPANY. 

The  stockholders  of  Ihe  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal  company, 
in  general  meeting,  on  Friday  last  week,  unanimously  elected 
George  C.  Washington,  eeq.  of  .Maryland,  lo  be  president  ol  the 
company,  and  Richard  H.  Henderson,  fhineas  Janneti,  Walter 
Smith,  John  1.  Jibert,  William  Gunl^n  and  George  Lender,  to 
be  directors. 

Previous  to  the  election,  the  hon.  Andrew  Stewart,  of  Penn 
eylvania,  was  nominated  for  the  office  of  president.      vVhere'.ip 
on,  the  chairman  presented  lo  Ihe  niceling  Ihe  following  teller: 
House  of  representatives,  June  '21,  1834. 

SIR:  III  my  nolc  of  the  IGlli  instant,  1  staled  thai  Ihe  only 
consideration  th.ii  could  induce  lue  to  accept  llie  presidency  of 
the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal  company,  would  be  Ihe  passage 
of  the  bill,  pending  in  congress,  granting  further  aid  lo  thai  work 
As  this  seems  now  to  be  out  of  the.  question,  1  respectfully  with- 
draw my  name  limn  the  consideration  of  Ihe  stockholders  as  a 
candidate  for  thai  situation.  U'uli  great  respect,  your  obedicn 
servant,  A.  STEWART. 

Wm.  Ji.  Bradley,  esq.  ch'man  of  the  meeting  of  stockholders.  4'c 

MR.  TANEY  AND  THE  PRESIDENT. 
Correspondence  between  the  irresident  of  the   United  States  and 

the  hon.  H..  B.  Taney,  upon  the  suhject  of  the  resignation  of 

his  oriice  as  secretary  of  the  treasury. 

Washington,  June  25, 1834. 

SIR:  The  senate  having  yesterday  refused  lo  confirm  my  no- 
mination, as  secretary  of  llie  ircasury,  1  beg  leav.  lo  resign  Ihe 
commission  with  winch  you  honored  me,  during  tlie  last  recess. 
It  would  expire,  by  its  own  limitation,  al  Ihe  end  of  the  present 
(session  of  congress,  which  is  now  at  hand.  But  alter  llie  ap- 
pointment has  been  submitted  to  the  senate,  and  acted  on  by 
them,  il  is  due  lo  you  and  to  myself,  thai  1  should  conform  lo 
their  decision,  and  retire  al  once  from  tin:  office. 

I  cannot,  however,  lake  my  final  leave  ol  the  official  rela- 
tions which  have  connected  me  with  your  administration, 
without  returning  my  cordial  thanks  for  the  many  and  conti- 
nued proofs  of  kindness  and  confidence,  which  I  have  received 
at  your  hands.  1  snail  always  bear  them  in  grateful  recollec- 
tion, and  am  sir,  with  the  highest  respect,  your  obedient  serv't. 

U.  B.  TANEY. 
The  president  of  the  United  Slates. 

Washington,  June  25,  1834. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  resignation  of  ihe  appointment  of  secretary 
of  the  treasury,  conferred  upon  you  in  the  recess  of  the  senate 


mend,  your  obedient  servant, 
Hon.  Ji.  Ji.  Taney. 


FRAUD  IN  THE  LAND  OFFICE. 

THE    DEPOSITION    OK    EDMU.Nl)    ROW, 

Before  the  committee  on  the  public  lands,  of  tht  senate  of  the  U. 
o'tutes,  under  a  resolution  of  the  senate  retalice  lo  the  public 
lamb: 

Question — Where  do  you  reside,  arid  what  is  your  occupation? 
slnsw-er — 1  reside  in  Orange  county,  Virginia,  and  am  by  oc- 
cupation, a  farmer. 

Question — Have  you  ever  attended  any  sale  of  Ihe  public 
lands;  il  so,  blate  at  what  place,  in  what. -tale,  and  at  what  lime? 
Answer—  in  1833,  from  Ihe  £)d  lo  ihe  :29lh  of  October,  1  at- 
tended al  ChocLliuinu  land  office,  in  the  state  of  Mississippi, 
the  sale  of  the  public  lands  winch  had  been  ceded  by  Ihe  Choc- 
law  Irilie  ol  Imlians  lo  the  United  Stales. 

Question — Were  Ihe  surveys  of  tin;  land.;  ccdt.d  by  the  Choc- 
law  Indians  completed  by  Ihe  survejoisof  llie  United  States, 
and  leturns  made  lo  the  proper  offices,  prior  lo  the  dale  ol  llie 
proclamation  lor  the  sale  ol  these  lands? 

vlmtrer — As  to  the  surveys  being  completed  and  relurns  made, 
I  know  nol.  I  saw  one  or  two  companies  going  oul  lo  survey 
Ihe  unsuivcyed  ceded  lands,  I  also  heard  many  of  the  citizens 
ol  the  stale,  some  ot  tin m  actual  settler.-,  complaining  that  the 
lands  wt-rc  put  inlo  market  before  more  than  half  of  them  were 
surveyed. 

Question — Had  the  people  of  that  district  sufficient  informa- 
tion, prior  to  me  d.iy  appomled  in  the  proclamation  for  the  com- 
mencement of  the  sales,  lo  enable  the  actual  selllcrs  lo  make 
Iheir  arrangements  for  attending  and  purchasing? 

slnsii-tr — 1  heaid  muny  men  complain  that  Uiey  had  nol  had 
sufficient  time  from  the  lirsl  nonce  they  had  ol  llie  proclamation 
till  the  day  of  sale,  lo  make  their  arrangements  lor  unending 
and  purchasing;  the  lirsl  information  loo,  obtained  by  some, 
iVas  received  irom  persons  riding  Ibrough  the  country  lo  exa- 
mine the  lands  within  a  very  short  time  before  the  sale. 

Question — Wc.ie  not  the  sales  attended  by  speculators  from 
different  parts  of  the  country,  so  far  as  you  know  and  believe? 
r — 1  believe  Ihey  were;  there  appeared  to  be  specula- 
tors from  Tennessee,  Alabama  and  Louisiana,  beside  those,  who 
resided  in  the  slate  of  Mississippi. 

Questioii — Did  the  speculators  you  mention,  from  the  states  of 
Tennessee,  Alabama,  Louisiana  anil  Mississippi,  bid  against 
each  other,  or  did  Ihey  combine  for  the  purpose  of  deterring 
poor  men.  or  men  who  only  wished  to  purchase  small  tracls  of 
land,  from  bidding  for  llie  lands  on  winch  Ihey  resided,  or  oilier 
lands  which  Ihey  inighl  desue  to  purchase  for  actual  settlement 
and  cultivation,  thereby  laking  into  their  own  hands  the  control 
of  Ihe  sales  for  Iheir  own  benefil? 

.fli.su.-er— 1  arrived  al  Chocchuma,  on  the  23d  of  October,  two- 
days  alter  the  coinmei. cement  of  the  sales,  and  on  that  day, 
there  was  a  public  address  made  to  the  people,  by  a  gentleman 
who  said  thai  Ihey,  the  companies  of  speculators,  had  united  lo 
hield  the  actual  settlers  from  being  imposed  upon  by  individual 


and  now  relinquished  in  consequence  of  the  refusal  ol  that  bo- 
dy to  confirm  }our  nomination,  has  been  received. 

I  cannol  refrain  irom  expressing  on  this  occasion,  my  pro- 
found regret  al  Ihe  necessity  of  your  retirement  from  that  im- 
portant office,  nor  can  1  sutler  the  opportunity  lo  pass,  without 
paying  a  just  iribuie  to  the  patriotism,  firmness  and  ability 
which  you  have  uniformly  exhibited  »ince  your  introductioi 
inlo  my  cabinet.  Knowing  thai  such  a  station  was  not  desirec 


speculators,  and  that  his  company  was  willing  that  any  actual 
settler  should  buy  one  quarter  section  of  land  wherever  he  pleas- 
ed, and  as  low  as  he  could  gel  it,  if  il  were  al  Ihe  government 
price,  or  that  hit:  company  would  purchase  it  for  him  as  low  as 
they  could  gel  il,  and  lei  him  have  il  fur  what  they  gave,  provid- 
ed, however,  thai  said  settler  would  sign  a  paper,  oldmin^  him- 
self, nol  lo  bid  for  any  other  lands  thu.-  oflered  at  thai  sale,  of 
Ihe  public  lands  of  the  U.  Stales.  He  suggested,  however,  thai 
his  company  would,  immediately  after  ihe  sales  of  the  U.  States 


by  you,  and  was  in  oppo.-it.ion  to  your  course  of  life,  I  could  I  lands  were  closed,  sell  at  public  sale,  any  lands  they  might  pur 


not  but  feel  grateful  lo  you,  when,  in  compliance  wah  my  in- 
vitation, you  exchanged  the  independence  of  your  professional 
pursuits,  for  the  labors  and  responsibilities  ol  the  office  of  attor- 
ney general  of  tlie  United  Slates.  This  sentiment  was  greatly 
and  deservedly  increased,  during  the  la.-t  year,  when  becoming 
acquainted  with  the  difficulties  which  surrounded  me,  and  with 
my  earnest  desire  to  avail  myself  of  your  services  in  the  treasu- 
ry department,  yon  generously  abandoned  Ihe  studies  and  avo 
cations  lo  which  your  hie  had  been  devoted,  and  encountered 
the  responsibility  of  cat rying  into  execution  those  great  IIUM- 
nurt-s  which  the  public  interest  and  the  will  of  the  people  alike 
demanded  at  our  hands.  For  the  prompt  and  disinterested  aid, 
thus  alloided  me  al  the  risk  of  personal  sacrifices,  which  wen- 
then  probable,  and  which  have  now  been  realised,  I  feel  that  I 
owe  you  a  debl  of  gratitude  and  regard,  which  I  have  nol  Ihe 
power  to  discharge.  But,  my  dear  sir,  you  have  all  along  found 
support  in  a  consciousness  of  righl;  and  yon  already  have  a 
sure  promise  of  reward  in  Ihe  approbation  and  appl.in.-e.  uhieh 
an  intelligent  and  honest  people  always  render  lo  diMingni.-iu-d 
turrit. 

The  plan  ofiinarifi.il  policy  which  you  have  initiated  by  your 
acts,  and  developed  in  your  official  reports,  and  which  has  thus 
far  received  the  full  approbalion  of  the  representatives  of  the 
people,  will,  ultimately,  I  irnsl,  ho.  carried  into  complete  ope 
ration;  and  its  beneficial  edicts  on  lint  currency  of  the  country. 
and  the  br.«t  interests  of  society,  will  lie,  in  all  future  lime, 
more  than  an  adequate,  compensation  for  the  momentary  injus 
lice  to  which  you  have  now  In  i  n  subjected.  And  as  il  is  the 
martyrs  in  any  cause,  whosu  memory  is  held  most  suercd;  eo 


chase,  to  the  highest  bidder,  ill  which  sale  the  seith  rs  would 
have  an  opportunity  of  purchasing  as  much  more  land  as  they 
might  want. 

Question — Did  these  companies  of  speculators,  purchase  large 
quantities  of  the  public  lands?  If  so,  at  what  price? 

Jlnsvcer — I  believe,  according  to  the  best  estimation  I  could 
make,  they  purchased  three  fourths  ol  what  was  sold,  and  most 
generally  at  government  prices. 

Question — Did  these  speculators,  after  Ihe  public  sales  were 
closed,  offer  the  lands',  so  purchased  by  them  at  augmented 
prices,  and  did  they  nuke  any  sales  to  persons  attending  the 
government  sales,  at  the  pi  ices  put  on  them?  If  so,  what  price 
per  acre  did  they  receive? 

Answer — I  can  make  no  answer  lo  there  inquiries,  as  I  lull 
the  place  before  Ihe  government  salts  were  closed. 

Question — Did  you  attend  the  sale  for  Ihe  purpose  of  purchas- 
ing land  with  a  view  to  actual  settlement  anil  cultivation?  and 
if  so,  did  you  purchase  al  the  public  sale  of  the  government,  or 
did  you  purchase  from  the  company  of  speculators? 

Answer — I  did  attend  the  sale  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
for  aclual  settlement  and  cultivation,  and  purchased  from,  Of 
rather  through  the  agents  or  bidders  of  a  company  of  specu- 
lators. 

Question — Had  you  selected  for  purchase  any  particular  Iract 
of  land? 

•intirer— I  had. 

Qne-ti:jn—  Why  diil  yon  prefer  pure-basing  from  or  through 
one  of  the  :n!"nts  of  the  rnmpanv  of  speculators,  lo  bidding  for 
il  yourself,  at  public  sale? 


N1LES'  REGISTER- JULY  5,  ia34— REPORT  ON  FINANCE. 


327 


Jtimrer — I  was  a  stranger  in  the  country,  and  this  being  the 
first  sale  1  had  ever  attended  there,  was  entirely  ignorant  of  the 
customs  and  proceedings  at  the  sales  of  the  public  land.-'. 

Question — What  were  the  circumstances  which  induced  you 
to  purchase,  through  the  agent  ol  the  company? 

•dusi/'cr—  In  bidding  for  the  land  which  I  hail  selected,  before 
the  sale,  I  iiiiiinl  it  run  on  me,  and  knocked  olf  to  myself  ami 
son,  at  between  four  and  five  dollars  per  acre;  whereas,  I  ob- 
served that  the  company  generally  obtained  their  lands  at  $1  25 
per  acre,  and  with  but  very  few  exceptions,  no  person  bid 
against  them,  I  was  therefore  induced  to  forfeit  the  land  thus 
charged  to  mysell  and  son,  lo  be  resold.  It  was  then  purchased 
by  Ihe  agent  of  the  company  of  speculators,  at  a  price  nut  ex- 
ceeding jjjtl  27,  who  immediately  sold  it  to  me  at  one  dollar  ad- 
vance per  acre,  which  he  had  previously  agreed  to  do.  I  look  of 
course  the  receivers  receipt  to  said  agent,  with  the  register'? 
receipt  upon  the  back  of  it,  for  the  transfer  of  the  same  to  me. 
Question — Who  weie  the  bidders  or  agents  of  the  company 
for  purchasing  at  the  public  sales,  how  many  of  them  were 
there,  and  where  did  they  residi  i 

Answer — 1  think  there  were  five,  if  not  six  persons,  who  were 
considered  by  the  people  at  large  as  bidder*  or  agents  for  the 
companies  ol  speculators.  1  cannot  now  remember  thft  names 
or  residence  of  more  than  four  of  '.liem;  there  were  Robert  J. 
Walker,  of  Natchez,  Miss. Ellis,  of  Louisiana,  and  Mal- 
colm Gilchrist,  of  Alabama,  and  McLamoie,  of  Tennessee. 

Question — Who  was  the  person,  whom  you  say  addressed  the 
meeting  and  told  them  of  the  combination  of  the  speculators, 
and  what  was,  the  name  of  the  agent  from  whom  you  purchas- 
ed your  land? 

Jlnswer — The  man  who  addressed  the  people  was  Robert  J. 
Walker,  the  same  from  whom  I  purchased  the  land. 

Question — Who  were  register  and  receiver  at  Chocchtima 
land  office;  were  they  present  at  Ihe  sale,  and  informed  or  had 
knowledge  of  the  existence  of  such  combinations  of  speculators 
and  their  object,  and  did  they  interpose  in  their  official  charac- 
ter, or  otherwise  to  prevent  the  accomplishment  of  the  pur- 
chases for  which  they  had  contracted? 

Jlnswer — Samuel  Gwin,  who  was  register,  and  Richard  II. 
Sterling,  who  was  receiver  (as  will  appear  from  the  receipt; 
for  the  land  which  I  purchased)  were  both  present  when  Robert 
J.  Walker  addressed  the  people  on  the  subject  of  the  combina- 
tion and  their  intention,  and  I  neither  saw  nor  heard  of  any  in- 
terference on  their  part  either  by  word  or  deed. 

Question — Did  you  see  or  know  of  any  conduct  on  the  part  ol 
either  the  register  or  receiver,  which  would  justify  you  in  the 
belief  that  they  were  concerned  in  the  said  speculations? 

Jlnswer — I  heaid  the  register,  Samuel  Gwin  say  exulttngly, 
and  with  a  snap  of  his  finger,  to  some  persons  wjio  were  near 
him,  when  a  certain  portion  of  the  public  lands  were  bought  by 
one  of  the  agents  of  the  company,  "that  land  will  bring  va  ten 
dollars  per  acre." 

Question — Do  you  know  if  the  register  or  receiver  of  the  of- 
fice, has  ever  demanded  of  the  purchaser,  fees  or  compensa- 
tion, for  the  performance  of  their  official  duties,  not  authorised 
by  law? 

Jlnswer — I  paid  the  register  one  dollar  for  every  separate 
transfer  of  eighty  acres  from  the  said  Robert  J.  Walker  to  my- 
self. I  am  ignorant  if  he  were  justifiable  or  not  in  taking  that  fee. 
Question — Who  acted  as  auctioneer,  and  was  he  considered 
as  one  of  the  company  of  the  speculators,  or  was  he  in  any 
manner  connected  with  them? 

Jinswer — Col.  Rather,  of  Alabama,  generally  acted  as  crier. 
He  himself  told  me,  that  he  had-constantly  been  in  the  woods, 
for  the  last  six  weeks,  examining  the  lands,  and  taking  num- 
bers, I  understood  him  to  say  he  was  one  of  the  company  of 
speculators. 

Question — Did  Ihe  actual  settlers  who  attended  the  sales,  and 
bid  for  the  tracts  of  land  on  which  they  were  settled,  independ- 
ent of  Ihe  company  in  a  single  instance,  obtain  their  lands  at 
government,  price,  and  were  not  most  of  those  settlers  driven  to 
the  necessity  of  purchasing  by  permission  of  Ihe  companies  of 
speculators,  and  each  limited  to  one  quarter  section  before 
such  permission  was  granted? 

Jlnswer — I  know  of  no  instance  of  a  person  purchasing,  inde- 
pendant  of  Ihe  companies  who  obtained  the  land  purchased  al 
one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre.  I  do  know  several 
instances  where  the  purchaser  was  hid  up  to  six  dollars  per 
acre.  Most  of  the  actual  settlers  obtained  their  lands  through 
the  companies,  or  by  iheir  permission,  and  consented  to  limit 
their  purchases  to  one  quarter  section,  each  as  a  condition  on 
which  ihe  permission  lo  purchase  al  government  price  was 
grained  by  the  company  of  speculators. 

QuestioTi — Were  there  any  lands  sold  at  a  higher  price  than 
one  dollar  and  twenty  five  cents  per  acre,  and  again  offered  at 
public  sale  on  the  same  day  by  the  officers  superintending  the 
sales,  and  bought  in  by  the  company  of  speculators  at  govern- 
ment prices:  and  :f  so,  state  at  what  price  the  land  was  first 
sold,  and  the  cause  assigned  by  Ihe  officers  for  setting  aside 
the  original  purchases  as  aforesaid  and  again  offering  the  land 
for  sale? 

Jlnswer — There  was  a  tract  of  land,  the  quantity  I  do  not 
precisely  know,  bid  off  for  Mr.  Wilkinson  at  Iwenty-two  dol- 
lars per  acre,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection.  Immediately  af- 
ter the  sale,  and  before  any  other  land  was  offered,  one  of  the 
officers,  I  do  not  know  whether  'the  register  or  receiver,  de- 
manded a  deposite  of  the  money  for  the  land,  of  Ihe  purchaser. 
Mr.  Wilkinson  replied  he  had  the  money;  and  exhibited  the 


noney  in  his  hand,  hut  staled  that,  a-  the  regulation  of  (lie 
sales  allowed  him  until  next  day  at  10  o'clock  to  make  pay- 
ment, he  would  not  be  driven  to  deposile  ul  that  moment.  To 
which  the  officer  replied,  that  if  the  money  u .»»  not  deposited 
ii  live  minutes  the  land  would  be  considered  ats  forfeited,  and 
esohl.  The  deposile  was  nol  made  and  the  land  wan  sold  in 
live  minutes  afterwards  lo  one  of  the  bidders  for  the  company 
ol  speculators-  al  one  dollar  and  twenty  five  cents  per  acre. 

Question— From  the  conduct  ol  ihe  officers  throughout  the 
sales,  and  every  thing  which  you  observed  during  your  attend 
ance  at.  these  sales,  are  you,  or  are  you  not,  firmly  impier-sud 
with  the  belief  thai  ihese  officers  were  combined  wilh  the  spe- 
culators, and  mien  .-ted  in  iheir  purchases? 

Jinower — I  ceitamly  was  -o  impressed  with  the  belief  al  tb.it 
time,  and  still  believe  to;  they  were  combined  and  inlcresled  in 
the  purchases  miide  by  Ihe  speculators. 

Question — Did  il  nol  appear  to  you  lo  be  Ihe  general  imprrs- 
sioij  of  those  who  attended  the  .-ale-  to  purchase  lands,  that 


the  officers  were  concerned  with  the 

Answer  —  Such  appeared  to  be  tne  general  impression  of  the 
settlers  who  ::.;•  :;;;.  il  the  sales. 

Question  —  Did  the  register,  Samuel  Gwin,  demand  of  vach 
person  who  received  the  trans-trip  from  the  speculators,  one 
dollar  for  such  transfer? 

Jinsa'cr  —  I  saw  several  persons  pay  one  dollar  for  such  trans- 
fer, and  believe  it  was  a  general  practice  and  hcaiil  several 
persons  complain  ol  the  charge. 

Question  —  Did  the  speculators  .require  the  actual  settlers  In 
sign  a  paper,  pledging  themselves  not  to  purchase  more  than 
one  quarter  section  before  they  granted  permission  to  them  to 
purchase  at  the  government  price? 

Answer  —  1  believe  they  did,  for  such  was  the  observations  of 


Robert  J.  Walker,  in  his  public  address  to  the  peopl 


Washington  city,  Jlpril  19,  1834. 


EDM.  ROW. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  FINANCE. 

IN   THE   SENATE — FRIDAY,  JUNE  27. 

Mr.  Webster,  from  the  committee  on  finance,  made  the  fol- 
lowing report: 

The  committee  on  finance,  lo  whom  wan  referred,  on  the  23d 
instant,  the  bill  from  tin;  house  of  representatives,  entitled  "a 
bill  regulating  the  deposite  of  the  money  of  the  United  States  in 
certain  local  banks,"  have  had  the  same  under  consideration, 
and  are  of  opinion,  that,  in  its  present  form,  the  bill  ought  not 
lo  pass. 

Its  leading  provisions  are,  that  the  secretary  of  the  ireasury 
hall  employ  state  banks,  as  depositories  of  tlie  money  of  the 
.-'nitcd  Stales;  and  thai  Ihe  banks,  al  present  employed,  shall 
Continue  lo  be  deposilories  of  the  public  money,  until  new  se- 
eclions  shall  be  made  under  the  provisions  of  this  bill.  It  is 
imposed  Ihal  the  bill,  should  it  become  a  law,  shall  go  into 
mmediatc  operation,  nor  is  tin.  re  any  limit  to  its  duration. 

Il  cannot  fail  to  be  seen,  thai  ihe  passage  of  this  bill,  if  not 
a  legislative  adoption  of  the  act  of  removing  the  public  moneys 
from  the  bank  of  the  United  States  by  Ihe  executive,  and  the 
disposition  made  of  them  by  him,  in  stale  banks,  would  be,  at 
east,  an  acquiescence  in  that  state  of  things,  which  those  pro- 
ceedings of  ihe  executive  have  produced. 

The  committee  are  not  prepared  lo  recommend  the  adoption 
of  any  such  measure  to  the  senate. 

By  the  16th  section  of  ihe  "act  to  incorporate  the  subscriber 
to  ihe  bank  of  Ihe  United  Slales,"  it  is  solemnly  enacted  and 
leclared,  in  express  terms,  "that  the  deposites  of  the  money  of 
the  U.  Stales,  in  places  in  which  the  said  bank  and  branches 
thereof  may  be  established,  shall  be  made  in  said  bank  or 
branches  thereof,  unless  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  shall  at 
any  time  otherwise  order  and  direct:  in  which  case  the  secre- 
tary of  the  Ueasury  shall  iininedialely  lay  before  congress,  if  in 
session,  and,  if  not,  immediatety  after  ihe  commencement  of 
the  next  session,  the  reason  of  such  order  or  direction." 

By  the  20th  section  of  the  same  act,  it  is  provided  thai,  in 
consideration  of  tin;  exclusive  privileges  and  hcnefils  conferred 
by  Ihe  act,  the  bank  should  pay  to  the  United  Slales  one  mil- 
lion five  hundred  thousand  dollars.  This  sum  has  been  paid, 
in  the  instalments  required,  and  the  government  of  the  United 
States  has  received  and  enjoyed  all  its  full  benefit. 

The  committee  have  expressed  the  opinion  on  a  former  oc 
casion,  that  the  custody  or  keeping  of  the  public  moneys  was 
one  of  the  benefits,  in  consideration  of  which  the  bank  paid  the 
million  and  a  half  of  dollars,  and  also  undertook  to  render  fa- 
cilities of  exchange  to  the  treasury.  The  correctness  of  thij 
opinion,  they  suppose,  cannot  be  reasonably  doubted. 

On  the  first  of  October  last,  the  deposited  of  the  public  mo- 
neys were  removed  from  the  bank  of  ihe  United  Stales;  and 
Ihe  reasons  for  Ihis  removal  were  repoiled  to  congress,  by  Ihe 
secreiary  of  ihe  treasury,  at  the  commencement  of  the  present 
session.  Those  reasons  have  been  considered  by  the  senate, 
and,  after  a  discussion  of  almost  unprecedented  length,  the  se- 
nate has  decided,  by  a  clear  and  unequivocal  majority,  that 
they  are  unsatisfactory  and  insufficient.  It  has  reaffirmed  this 
opinion,  on  a  second  occasion,  by  a  majority  of  twenty  nine 
voles  lo  sixteen;  and  it  has  passed  a  Joint  resolution  directing 
the  deposites  to  be  made  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States  and 
its  branches,  as  heretofore,  by  a  majority  of  twenty  eight  voles 
lo  sixteen. 

If  il  be  true  that  the  deposites  have  been  removed  without 
sufficient  reason,  it  certainly  is  Uue  that  injustice  has  been 


388 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  5,  1834— REPORT  ON  FINANCE. 


done  to  the  bank,  in  a  matter  of"  private  right,  and  private  pr 
perty:  and  a  bill,  like  the  present,  disregarding  the  charter? 
rights  of  the  bank,  proposing  a  new  costody  for  the  public  trea 
sures,  appears  to  the  committee  in  the  light  of  a  sanction  to  in 
justice  and  illegality.  The  bank  purchased  the  privilege  of  tl 
public  deposites,  for  the  whole  term  of  its  charter,  and  paid  fc 
the  privilege  a  valuable  consideration,  both  in  money  and  stipu 
lation  for  services.  This  right  has  not  been  surrendered;  it  h; 
not  been  declared  forfeited;  and  the  charter  of  the  bank  has  n 
yet  expired.  Until  the  charter  shall  expire,  or  until  the  rigl 
be  surrendered  or  forfeited,  the  bank,  in  the  opinion  of  Hi 
committee,  is  entitled  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  benefit  secure 
to  it  by  plain  and  solemn  provisions  in  the  law  which  gave 
existence.  The  removal  of  the  deposites  therefore,  was  a  wron 
done  to  the  bank;  the  withholding  them  is  a  continuance  of  UK 
wrong;  and  any  confirmation,  either  of  the  removal  or  the  fur 
ther  withholding,  is,  as  it  seems  to  the  committee,  a  sanction  o 
that  wrong.  This  objection  to  the  proposed  bill  appears  to  tli 
committee  to  be  insurmountable. 

But  there  is  another  consideration  of  still  higher  importanc 
to  th«  country,  if  any  thing  can  be  of  higher  importance  tha 
the  preservation  of  the  plighted  faith  of  the  nation.  In  the  judg 
ment  of  the  senate,  dangerous  liberties  have  been  taken  wit 
the  constitution  and  the  laws.  On  the  28th  day  of  March,  the 
senate  formally  and  solemnly  resolved,  that  "in  the  late  exe 
culive  proceedings  in  relation  to  the  public  revenue,  the  presi 
dent  had  assumed  a  power  riot  conferred  by  the  conslitutioi 
and  laws,  but  in  derogation  of  both."  These  proceedings  wen 
the  removal  of  the  deposites,  and  the  placing  of  the  public  mo 
neys  in  those  state  banks,  where  they  now  are,  and  where  tin 
bill  proposes  to  continue  and  legalize  their  custody. 

It  is  not  to  be  concealed  that  a  great  question  of  constitu 
tional  power  has  aiisen  between  the  president  and  the  senate 
That  question  has  deeply  agitated,  and  continues  deeply  to 
agitate,  the  whole  country.  In  justification  of  his  own  con 
duct,  and  in  opposition  to  the  resolution  of  the  senate  of  the  28tl 
of  March,  the  president,  on  the  17th  of  April,  transmitted  a 
protest  to  the  senate.  The  senate,  after  a  full  and  free  dis- 
cussion of  the  doctrines  of  that  paper,  have  resolved,  by  a  ma- 
jority of  twenty  seven  votes  against  sixteen,  that  it  "asserts 
powers  as  belonging  to  the  president,  which  are  inconsistcn 
with  the  just  authority  of  the  two  houses  of  congress,  and  in- 
consistent with  the  constitution  of  the  United  States."  Driven 
by  its  sense  of  duty,  to  the  expression  of  these  opinions,  am 
ignorant  neither  of  their  high  importance,  nor  the  responsi- 
bility which  belongs  to  their  avowal  and  their  support,  the  se- 
nate has  referred  itself,  and  must  refer  itself,  for  their  correct- 
ness to  the  judgment  of  the  country.  It  appears  to  the  com 
inittee,  that  before  any  measure  is  adopted  for  the  permanent 
custody  hereafter,  of  the  public  treasures,  the  questions  which 
their  removal  has  created  must  be  decided  by  the  general  judg- 
ment of  the  country;  and  that  decision,  so  far  as  the  senate  is 
concerned,  it  will,  of  course,  cheerfully  abide. 

Has  the  public  treasure  been  wrongfully  withdrawn  from  the 
bank  of  the  United  States?  Does  the  legal  right  of  the  bank  to 
the  custody  of  that  treasure  still  remain?  Has  the  conduct  of 
the  executive,  in  the  removal,  and  in  the  proceedings  connect- 
ed with  it,  been  in  derogation  of  the  constitution  and  l.uvn.; 
Has  a  violation  both  of  the  constitution  and  the  laws  take 
place,  which  calls  for  correction  and  remedy?  On  all  these 
questions,  in  the  most  solemn  and  deliberate  manner,  the  se- 
nate has  pronounced  its  solemn  judgment  in  the  affirmative; 
and  it  appears  to  the  committee  that,  until  the  opinion  of  the 
country  shall  be  ascertained,  it  cannot  be  expected  of  the  se- 
nate to  agree  to  any  measure  which  may  legalize  the  present 
Elate  of  things,  and  appear  to  sanction  past  transactions. 

The  bill  does  not  suggest  any  middle  or  third  course.  It  pro- 
poses no  custody  for  the  public  treasure,  except  precisely  that 
which  the  executive,  after  removing  them  from  the  bank  of 
the  United  Stales,  has  himself  selected.  The  provisions  are, 
that  congress  shall  take  upon  itself  the  duty  and  the  responsibi- 
lity of  giving  legal  character  to  the  selected  depositories,  pre- 
scribing only  certain  regulations  lor  the  future. 

The  time  must  come  indeed,  whether  the  deposites  be  return- 
ed to  the  bank  of  the  Uniled  States  or  not,  when  legislative 
provision  on  the  subject  will  become  necessary,  since  the  char- 
ter of  the  bank  will  expire  in  1836.  But  the  committee  think 
it  too  early  now  lo  provide  for  ihe  keeping  of  the  public  mo- 
neys alter  that  time — at  present,  that  keeping  lawfully  belongs 
to  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales;  arid  will  lawfully  belong  to 
it,  unless  it  surrender  or  forfeit  the  right,  until  the  expiration  of 
its  charter;  and  there  is  ample  time  before  that  expiration  for 
making  such  provisions  as  may  be  deemed  necessary  for  the 
period  which  shall  ensue. 

The  committee  do  not  at  all  connect  the  present  question 
with  that  of  the  renewal  of  the  charier  of  the  bank.  As  a 
question  of  constitutional  right  and  legal  power,  it  has  nothing 
to  do  with  the  renewal  of  the  charter.  If  we  Hike  it  for  granted 
that  the  bank  is  not  to  be  continued  beyond  its  present  term, 
still  it  does  exist  till  18.'!6— it  docs  till  that  time  hold  its  rights; 
and  the  constitutionality  of  the  proceedings  of  the  president 
cannot  be  affected,  in  the  slightest  degree,  by  the  renewal  or 
IKHI  renewal  of  its  charter.  The  ground  taken  by  the  senate, 
therefore,  on  these  great  and  all  important  questions,  stands 
(n  :•  mid  clear  from  all  questions  about  the  renewal  of  the  bank. 
The  questions  which  it  has  so  anxiously  considered,  so  freely 
diseu*»p<l,  and  M>  solemnly  decided,  are  constitutional  ques- 
tions, political  questions;  questions  relating  to  the  powers  of 


the  respective  branches  of  government,  and  nearly  affecting  the 
integrity  and  preservation  of  the  constitution  itself. 

The  senate  has  the  gratifying  consolation  of  being  conscious 
that  it  has  in  no  way  contiibuted  to  the  present  distressing  and 
alarming  state  of  things.  The  senate  has  not  sought  to  break 
in  upon  the  authority  of  law.  It  has  not  interfered  with  the  ex- 
pressed will  of  the  legislature.  On  the  contrary,  its  whole  ef- 
fort has  been  to  maintain  and  to  restore  the  law,  and  to  conti- 
nue the  custody  of  the  public  money  iti  the  hands  designated  by 
the  statute  of  congress.  The  senate  has  not  removed  the  de- 
posites; the  senate  has  not  selected  state  banks;  the  senate  has 
done  nothing  to  produce  any  change  in  that  prosperous  slate  of 
public  affairs,  which  existed  on  the  first  day  of  October.  On 
the  contrary,  it  has  resisted  change;  it  has  proclaimed  its  judg- 
ment against  rash  experiments;  and  it  has  borne  its  solemn  and 
conscientious  testimony  againsl  violations  of  constitution  and 
law. 

As  to  the  particular  provisions  of  this  bill,  supposing  that  this 
were  the  time  for  enacting  a  law  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the 
public  money,  after  the  bank  of  the  United  States  shall  expire, 
the  committee  think  them  very  deficient  and  wholly  unsatis- 
factory. 

In  the  first  place,  the  committee  think,  that  the  public  money 
ought  not  lo  be  kept  in  any  bank,  which  is  not  made,  by  some 
formal  and  legal  proceeding,  always  open  to  the  examination  of 
a  committee  of  either  house  of  congress. 

2.  Tin:  deposite  banks  should  pay  an  annual  interest  for  the 
use  of  the  deposites,  since  they  pay  no  bonus  or  outright  sum, 
nor  render  other  adequate  compensation  for  such  use. 

3.  Provisions  are  necessary  for  regulating  the  distribntion  of 
deposites,  and  limiting  the  use  of  transfer  checks.    This  is  ab- 
solutely necessary;  if  it  be  intended  that  different  parts  of  Ihe 
country  shall  be  placed  on  grounds  of  equality. 

4.  Express  enactment  should  be  inserted  against  any  pay- 
ment, in  any  form,  by  the  deposile  banks  to  persons  employed, 
or  designated  by  the  executive  to  examine  their  condition,  su- 
lerintend  their  proceedings,  or  render  any  other  service  to  Ihe 

xecutive  government  nol  authorised  by  law. 

5.  The  security  to  be  given  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the  money 
should  be  carefully  provided   for,  since  many  of  the  banks  are 

iconsiderable  in  responsibility,  and  might  nevertheless  have, 
as  the  bank  of  the  Metropolis  now  has,  an  amount  of  public 
money  in  its  custody  three  limes  as  large  as  its  whole  capital. 

These  are  heads  of  objection  which  have  presented  them- 
selves to  the  committee,  in  the  few  hours  during  which  the 
measure  has  been  under  their  considt ration.  They  think  the 
'till  deficient  in  guards  and  securities,  deficient  in  provisions  for 
he  fair  rights  and  advantages  of  the  government;  deficient  in 
•revisions  for*  maintaining  the  just  claims  of  diffident  portions 
if  the  country;  and  deficient  in  all  those  checks  and  modes  of 
ontrol,  which  are  essentially  necessary  to  remove  the  public 
Tioneys  beyond  executive  will,  and  place  them  substantially 
rid  truly  in  a  legislative  custody.  This  part  of  the  subject, 
owever,  the  committee  do  not  dwell  upon,  since,  for  reasons 
Iready  stated,  they  do  not  recommend  the  adoption  of  any  mea- 
ure  at  present  to  meet  the  exigency  which  will  arrive,  when 
he  charter  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  shall  expire.  The 
ommittee  are  Ihe  less  inclined  to  any  such  provision  al  pre- 
ent,  from  the  failure  of  the  existing  arrangement  hitherto  to 
nswer  the  purposes  proposed  by  it.  After  a  trial  of  eighl 
ion  ths,  the  system  of  employ  ing  slate  banks  has  not  been  found 
apable,  at  least  in  its  present  manner  of  operation,  of  satisfy- 
ig  the  necessities  of  commerce,  sustaining  credit,  and  giving 

•nal  facilities  to  exchange. 

Thus  far  it  has  not  been  found  practicable  to  maintain  a  wide 
nd  extensive  circulation  of  the  bills  of  local  banks.  In  looking 
t  the  late  returns  of  the  bank  of  the  Metropolis,  a  signal  evi- 
ence  of  this  facl  is  seen.  With  deposites  of  government  nio- 
ey  in  its  possession  to  an  amount  exceeding  nine  hundred 
ion<and  dollars,  it  does  not  sustain  a  circulation  of  one  litiu- 
red  thousand  dollars,  and  its  notes  are  known  to  he  sold  at  a 
iscount,  even  at  a  short  distance  from  the  capital!  The  public 
a\  incuts  through  the  bank,  thus  situated  at  the  seat  of  govern- 
lent,  are  necessarily  very  large,  and  they  are  of  course  often 
lade  to  persons  who  wish  to  take  or  transmit  the  money  to 
istant  parts  of  the  country.  But  this  cannot  be  done  without 
oss.  Hitherto,  persons  receiving  sums  of  money  of  govern- 
icnt  at  the  seat  of  government,  have  been  able  to  receive 
hecks  and  draughts  available  without  loss,  in  any  other  place 
n  the  counlry.  The  difficulty  of  buying  or  selling  bills  on  di«- 
nt  places,  which  now  exists  here,  or  of  transmitting  funds 
ithoul  heavy  loss,  is  abundant  proof  that  ihe  exchanges  of  the 
'nun \-  are  not  sustained,  with  ordinary  convenience,  by  the 
resent  mode  of  employing  slate  banks.  For  this  reason, there- 
jre,  as  well  as  others  already  stated,  the  committee  are  not 
repared  to  recommend  the  passage  of  the  present  bill,  even 
lough  it  should  be  limited  to  come  into  operation  only  after 
larch,  1836. 

The  committee  recommend  that  the  bill  be  amended  by  strik- 
g  out  all  after  the  enacting  clause,  and  inserting  the  following 
ords,  viz: 

"That  all  deposites  of  the  money  of  the  United  States  which 
ay  accrue,  or  be  received  on  and  after  the  1st  day  of  August, 
.  D.  1834,  shall  he  made  with  the  bank  of  the  United  Stains 
nd  its  branches,  in  conformity  with  the  provi*ions  of  the  act 
ititled  'an  act  to  incorporate  tlie  subscribers  to  the  bank  of  the 
nited  States,'  approved  10th  April,  1816." 


NIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SBBIES.  No.  20— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  JULY  12,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,190, 


THE  PAST THE  PRESENT—FOR  THE  FUTUBB. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND    PUIILISHED    BY    H.  WILES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PATABI.E   IN   ADVANCE. 


The  president  of  the  United  States  left  Washington,  a 
few  days  ago,  on  a  visit  to  Tennessee.  It  is  said  that  he 
•will  not  return  until  October. 

The  stage  in  which  Mr.  Clay  was  proceeding  from 
Charlestown  towards  Winchester,  was  overturned,  when 
descending  a  hill,  and  a  worthy  youngj  gentleman,  Mr. 
Humriekhouse,  son  of  the  contractor,  instantly  killed, 
being  crushed  by  the  stage.  He  was  seated  by  the  side 
of  the  driver.  Mr.  C.  was  slightly  injured.  The  ac- 
cident happened  in  consequence  of  a  defect  in  the  breast 
chain,  which  gave  way. 

On  his  arrival  at  Winchester,  Mr.  Clay  was  invited  to 
a  public  dinner,  which  he  declined,  as  well  on  account 
of  his  desire  to  reach  home,  as  because  of  the  accident 
above  stated,  which  disqualified  him  for  immediate  en- 
joyment at  the  festive  board. 

It  is  stated  that  the  senate,  at  its  last  session,  confirmed 
four  hundred  and  forty-nine  nominations  of  the  pre- 
sident, and  rejected  only  seventeen.  This  does  not  shew 
a  "factious"  spirit  in  the  senate. 

The  meetings  and  proceedings  of  the  people,  in  many 
parts  of  the  U.  S.  were  more  than  usually  large  and  ani- 
mated on  the  late  national  anniversary.  We  shall  make 
a  brief  record  of  some  of  the  doings  on  this  occasion,  to 
shew  the  spirit  of  the  times. 

Thursday  last  was  set  apart  to  be  observed,  at  Balti- 
more in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  services  of  the 
good  and  great  LAFAITETTE.  The  people,  generally, 
ceased  their  usual  avocations,  and  most  of  the  stores  on 
the  principal  streets  were  closed;  minute  guns  were  fired 
at  intervals,  and  the  bells  of  all  the  churches  tolled. 
The  apprehension  of  an  exceedingly  hot  day,  prevented 
many  from  joining  the  procession— which,  however,  was 
very  numerous  and  imposing,  and  apparently  well  manag- 
ed in  its  various  parts.  A  funeral  oration  was  pronounc- 
ed, with  an  appropriate  introduction  and  ceremonies;  and 
the  soberness  of  the  occasion  was  maintained  through- 
out. 

We  cannot  go  into  particulars.  We  shall,  as  hereto- 
fore stated,  notice  some  of  the  tributes  of  respect  paid  to 
the  memory  of  the  last  general  of  the  revolutionary  army; 
but  it  is  impracticable  to  give  the  details,  so  numerous  are 
such  tributes.  An  account  of  his  illness,  death  and  fu- 
neral, will  be  found  in  subsequent  pages. 


Individuals,  in  public  employment,  have  no  right  to 
force  their  private  preferences  on  the  people's  attention. 
A  great  excitement  had  been  caused  by  placing  a  wooden 
effigy  of  president  Jackson  on  the  bows  of  the  frigate 
CONSTITUTION.  To  say  the  least  of  that  proceeding,  it 
•was  ill-advised  and  in  bad  taste.*  On  the  bows  of  that 
ship,  the  head  of  no  living  man  should  be  placed;  or  il 
so,  the  place  belongs  to  that  of  the  "father  of  the  consti- 
tution," the  illustrious  MADISON.  We  recollect  that, 
some  time  ago,  when  a  steamboat,  which  had  been  em- 
ployed to  convey  Mr.  Lawrence  to  New  York  to  take 
bis  seat  as  mayor  of  that  city,  returned  with  her  gaudy 
dressings  to  Ainboy,  to  perform  her  usual  duties  in  a 
public  line  for  the  conveyance  of  passengers,  these,  by 
common  consent,  refused  to  enter  on  board  of  her  unless 
her  trappings  were  removed — and  so  great  was  their  in- 
dignation and  the  instant  fear  of  her  commander,  tha 
these  were  literally  torn  down  by  his  order,  lest  the  pub 
lie  should  "correct  the  procedure"  for  themselves,  anc 
carry  out  the  feelings  which  they  expressed.  And  w< 
see  it  mentioned  that,  at  a  certain  place  in  Ohio,  a  stag< 


*Sinc»  the  preceding  article  was  written,  as  will  be  seen  l>; 
the  article  thst  follows,  llie  head  of  the  effigy  has  been  myste 
riously  removed. 

VOL.  XLVI— Sic.  23. 


was  suffered  to  pass  on  empty,  though  passengers  enough 
were  actually  in  waiting  to  fill  it,  (and  who  lost  the  day 
ather  than  enter  it),  because  its  punnels  were  embelllsh- 
d  with  portraits  of  a  person  not  esteemed  by  them, 
'hese  remarks  are  of  a  general  character,  and  we  think 
t  would  be  well  if  proprietors  of  steamboats  and  stages 
nd  other  public  conveyances,  and  other  persons  in  pub- 
ic employments,  would  reflect  a  little  upon  them.  There 
hould  not  be  party  politics  in  such  things, 

The  papers  are  filled  with  articles  relating  to  the  fact 
tated  below — which  has  been  at  once  the  cause  of  much 
vit  and  laughter,  on  the  one  part,  and  of  as  much  wrath 
nd  indignation,  on  the  other.  How  this  affair  was  ac- 
omplished,  though  the  night  was  very  inclement,  is  not 
iven  conjectured.  The  actors  must  have  exerted  great 
ngenuity  and  address  to  perform  their  various  opera- 
ions,  without  alarming  the  sentinels  on  duty  in  the  yard. 
From  the  Jloston  Courier  of  July  4.  There  was  con- 
iderable  excitement  in  the  city  yesterday,  in  conse- 
[uence  of  the  decapitation  of  the  figure  of  general  Jack- 
son, recently  placed  as  a  figure-head  on  the  frigate  Con- 
stitution. It  appears  that  during  the  night  of  Wednes- 
day, the  head  of  this  wooden  image  was  sawed  off,  by 
some  person  or  persons  unknown.  It  is  rather  a  myste- 
ious affair.  The  Constitution  lies  at  the  navy  yard,  be- 
ween  two  seventy-fours,  and  it  is  understood  that  a 
juard,  or  watch,  is  continually  kept  on  board.  It  seems 
mpossible  that  the  deed  could  have  been  executed  with- 
out discovery,  notwithstanding  that  the  night  was  dark 
and  rainy.  The  head,  which  has  thus  been  severed  from 
"ts  trunk,  it  is  said,  was  at  least  twenty-five  feet  above  the 
itirface  of  the  water.  It  is  the  opinion  of  several  intelli- 
gent men  who  examined  the  premises  yesterday,  that  the 
>erpetrators  must  have  gone  to  their  work  through  the 
navy  j'ard. 

Ocf=It  was  reported  last  evening  that  commodore  Elliot 
,ad  offered  one  thousand  dollars  for  the  discovery  of  the 
person  or  persons  who  committed  the  deed. 

We  insert  the  address  of  the  postmaster  general  to  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  under  a  fear  that  it  will  lead 
us  into  a  greater  mass  of  controversial  matter  than  we 
can  easily  dispose  of — and  besides,  there  are  many  other 
things  to  which  we  desire  to  pay  some  attention;  but  we 
must  "submit  to  fate. "  Our  editorial  life  is  chiefly  one 
of  self-denial — over  which  we  have  but  little  control,  in 
times  like  the  present. 

A  report  is  afloat  that  gen.  Jackson  will  soon  resign 
the  presidency,  and  another  that  he  will  run  for  a  third 
term.  There  is  not,  probably,  a  shadow  of  truth  for 
either. 

During  the  present  week  we  made  a  brief  excursion  td 
Frederick  and  proceeded  to  Harper's  Ferry.  We  never 
before  saw  such  crops  of  wheat,  or  more  flattering;  pros- 
pects for  those  of  corn.  Several  intelligent  gentlemen 
expressed  an  opinion  that  the  a-veroge  of  the  wheat  crop 
of  all  Frederick  county  would  be  more  than  twenty 
bushels,  say  twenty-two  bushels,  to  the  acre,  and  of  the 
best  quality.  And  many  of  the  fields  of  growing  corn 
had  an  average  standing  height,  we  think,  of  more  than 
four  feet. 

The  crops  of  wheat  are  also  heavy  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  west,  and  the  corn  looks  well;  so  that  we  have 
everv  reason  to  believe  that  if  the  "experiment"  has  ren- 
tlere'd  it  difficult  for  the  laboring  poor  to  earn  much  mo- 
ney to  purchase  bread,  that  bread  will  be  plenty,  and  that 
a  little  money  will  go  far  in  obtaining  it.  The  last  crop 
was  short,  and  is  very  nearly  exhausted — but  there  is  no 
present  expectation  of  a  lively  foreign  demand,  and  a 
well  entertained  fear  that  the  great  market  which  the 
grain  growers  have  had  in  the  eastern  states  may  be  much 


$30 


NILES'  R ECS ISTEK— JULY    12,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


diminished  by  the  deranged  state  of  the  manufacturin 
establishments  therein,  and  consequent  want  of  means  t 
pay  for  southern  bread-stuffs;  for  the  eastern  people  hav 
a  wonderful  facility  in  regulating  their  expenditures  ac 
cording  to  their  incomes — of  saving  money,  when  mak 
ing  lessened  earnings  of  it. 

The  eastern  market,  ever  since  the  establishment  o 
manufactures  in  New  England,  has  been  far  more  im 
portant  to  the  grain  growers  of  the  United  Slates  tha 
the  foreign  one. 

The  Patriotic  bank,  at  Washington,  will  resume  speci 
payments  forthwith. 

One  of  the  leading  "humbugs"  of  the  day  is  what  i 
called  the  "gold  bill,"  concerning  wbich  the  oflicii 
"Globe" — the  "organ"  of  "the  powers  that  be,"  ha 
many  silly,  or  worse  than  silly,  paragraphs.  The  tw 
following,  as  italicised  and  CAPITALISED  in  that  pa 
per,  may  serve  as  specimens: 

From  the  Washington  Globe. 
"To  those  who  talk  of  a  NATIONAL  CURRENCY,  \\ 
point  ihem  to  the  GOLD  REGION  in  Virginia,  the  Carolina 
Georgia  and  the  contiguous  portions  of  east  Tennessee  an 
Alabama.  There  is  a  NATIONAL  TREASURE!  There  i 
material  for  a  NATIONAL  CURRENCY!" 

"Contrary  lo  their  will,  the  bank  party,  even  in  the  senate 
have  been  obliged  to  vote  for  the  measures  of  the  administration 
deemed  essential  to  carry  out  its  policy.  By  public  opinion  the 
have  been  forced  to  vote  for  the  GOLD  BILL,  which  is  a  mea 
•ure  of  ili-adly  hostility  to  the  interests  of  the  bank,  will  super 
•ede  its  notes,  and  is  the  harbinger  of  a  real  SOUND  CURREN 
CY.  The  people  are  now  enabled  to  understand  the  policy  o 
the  administration,  and  to  see  tha:  it  would  give  them  GOLD 
instead  of  PAPER.  The  great  bank  attorney,  Mr.  Clay,  wa 
bold  enough  to  vole  against  Uiis  bill;  but  he  could  carry  onl; 
six  of  the  bank  senators  with  him.  The  mass  of  them,  allhougl 
they  voted  for  the  bill  with  the  utmost  reluctance,  dared  not  i< 
tell  the  people  "we  will  deny  you  gold,  and  force  you  to  depeni 
for  a  general  currency  onthe  notes  of  the  mamtnotti  bank.'  Thus 
were  they  forced  to  minister  to  the  ttiumph  of  the  admini:ira 
lion." 

The  stuff  about  the  majority  of  the  senate  doing  a 
thing  "contrary  to  their  will,"  &c.  is  hardly  worth  a  re- 
mark. The  '•'•bank  party,"  "interests  of  the  bank,'' 
"bank  attorney,"  "bank  senators,"  limammoth  bank' 
and  "THIUMI-U  OF  THE  ADMINISTRATION,"  are  mere  set- 
ting poles  to  make  a  HURRAH.  The  stockholders  of 
the  bank  have  a  present  deeper  interest  than  any  othei 
class  of  persons  in  the  United  States,  in  the  preservation 
of  a  "SOUND  CURRENCY,"  in  which  the  debts  due 
to  them  may  be  paid,  and  their  capital  refunded — if  the 
"glury"  of  the  "Globe"  is  consummated  in  the  prostra- 
tion of  that  establishment 

Let  u»  see  how  the  account  stood  on  the  1st  June—- 
The capital  of  the  bank $35,000,000 

The  loans  and  debts 52,201,912 

Due  from  state  banks 3,329,362 

Real  estate,  &c 3,000,000 

$93,531,274 

Deduct— specie  on  hand  ("tound  currency"} 

12,298,333 

Notes  in  circulation —  (dilto!}  16,612,577 
Funds  in  Europe,  about  (ditto. ')  1,500,000 
Private  deposiles  (ditto!)  6,867,892 

37,278,802 

$56,252,472 
Less — 

U.  S.  part  of  the   capital— l-5th —  7,000,000 
••  of  debts  due,  8cc.  do.       11,706,255 

18,706,255 


$37,546,217 

Now  if  the  whole  interest  which  "t/te  government" 
has  in  the  bank  is  paid  off  in  "glory,"  and  the  "hurrah 
boys,"  (as  Mr.  Van  Buren  calls  them),  are  content  w  ith 
that,  the  private  stockholders  of  the  bank  of  the  United 
States  will  require  a  "sound  currency"  in  the  large  sum 
of  37,546,217  dollars  to  refund  their  capital  and  satisfy 
the  surplus  profits  earned!  And,  as  it  is  determined 
that  the  bank  shall  be  closed,  all  this  money  will  In- 
Deeded  by  them  in  the  space  of  three  years  from  the  3d 
March  next,  being  the  utmost  limit  to  which  the  power 
of  die  bank  will  extend,  even  in  the  settlement  of  its  old 


concerns!  Where  is  such  a  glorious  glory  of  gold  to 
come  from?  The  "gold  region  of  Yirgii.ia,"  and  other 
states?  Bah  !  It  will  require  a  JMidas,  with  an  ass's  ears, 
to  make  a  long  bray  about  this!  Every  one  does  not 
see  his  way  clear  to  pay  oft'  honest  debts  to  the  bank  at  the 
rate  of  three  or  four  cents  in  ihe  dollar,  though  having 
many  illustrious  examples  of  such  operations  before 
him — and  every  body  does  not  furnish  "twine,  blanks 
and  paper"  to  the  post  office,  or  receive  8,386  dollars  for 
publishing  a  single  advertisement  for  less  than  three 
months,  or  at  the  rate  of  more  than  100  dollars  a  day! 
The  diggers  get  gold  by  the  sweat  of  their  brows,  and 
other  men  have  lo  give  them  the  quid  pro  quo;  but  these 
chief  bawlers  about  gold  obtain  it  by  genuflections  and 
crau  lings,  having  v.  ell-oiled  knee  joints  and  brazen 
faces.  Con  over  the  names  of  these  men — and  call  to 
mind  their  former  proceedings  as  to  money  matters, 
and  we  may  well  smile  at  some  of  their  shoutings  about 
a  "sound  currency!"  But  they  are  now  thrifty  through 
fawning,  and  have  "waxed  fat"  on  the  "spoils  of  victo- 
ry." They  must,  however,  sometimes  think— and  if  so, 
must  know  the  folly  of  this  "humbug"  Hut  custom  has 
almost  made  it  natural  for  them  to  mislead  the  people; 
and,  as  the  Esquimaux,  from  habit,  would  prefer  a  piece 
of  whale's  blubber,  though  half  putrid,  to  a  fresh-killed 
canvass- back  duck,  so  these,  from  habit,  prefer  high 
pressure  statements,  or  arrant  falsehoods,  to  the  sober- 
ness of  reason  and  plainness  of  truth. 

If  this  be  not  so — why  such  hurrnhings  about  the  pas- 
sage of  the  "gold  bill?"  Has  one  of  Mr.  Rilchte't 
"mare's  nests"  been  discovered?  Was  it  only  just  now 
thought  of  to  advance  the  legal  value  of  our  gold?  Did 
any  one  oppose  ihe  principle  of  the  bill?  We  have  not 
heard  of  one.  But,  while  all  agreed  that  the  legal  value 
of  gold  ought  to  be  raised,  as  measured  by  silver,  some 
opposed  the  bill  as  it  passed  under  an  apprehension  that 
the  rate  of  gold  was  placed  too  high;  and  we  shall  be  much 
pleased  to  find,  a  short  time  hence,  that  they  and  our- 
selves were  mistaken.  We  think  it  possible  that,  within 
the  space  even  of  three  years,  a  bill  of  the  bank  of  the 
United  States,  if  to  be  paid  in  dollars,  may  be  more  va- 
luable than  a  new-made  eagle.  We  would  have  avoided 
the  danger  of  Ihis  by  more  closely  regulating  the  com- 
parative value  of  the  metals  which  compose  our  coins — 
[hat  is  all  that  should  have  been  done,  and  so  much  ought 
to  have  been  done  long  ago. 

The  bank  has  a  very  small,  if  any,  interest  in  this  mat- 
ter, whether  its  charter  shall  be  renewed  or  not.*  Its 
notes  are  better  than  the  new  gold  coins  will  be.,  and  so 
will  remain  as  long  as  they  are  permitted  to  circulate 
imong  the  people,  because  of  the  greater  cheapness  and 
safety  of  their  transportations:  but  if  the  gold  bill  has 
my  sensible  effect  on  the  currency  at  an  early  day,  it  ig 
the  state  banks  that  will  fet-1  it,  in  reduced  circulations, 
and  the  hurrah  -a.-ill  be  on  the  other  side.'  If  a  man  has 
en  1,000  dollar  notes  of  the  bank  of  the  U.  S.  and  goes 
nto  the  office  at  New  Orleans,  he  may  get  a  draught  on 
Portland,  if  he  pleases,  for  ^  or  ^  per  cent,  if  not  at 
— and  the  further  cost  of  the  remittance  will  be  25 
tents  for  postage:  but  if  he  has  $10,000  in  gold  at  New 
Orleans,  it  will  cost  him  at  least  2  per  cent,  to  pay  a  debt 
with  it  at  Portland.  And  besides,  in  the  first  mode  of  re- 
mittance there  is  no  risk — but  the  second  is  attended  with 
much  hazard  and  delay.  In  an  interruption  of  exchanges, 
he  office  at  New  Orleans  cannot  give  a  draught  on  Port- 
and,  though  gold  be  laid  on  the  counter  for  it,  unless  at 
rate  of  premium  that  will  pay  for  the  cost  and  insur- 
,nce  of  the  transportation  of  the  gold  to  satisfy  the  debt 
nadu  at  Portland,  with  interest,  on  account  of  a  less 
apid  remittance  lhan  the  mail  is  expected  to  furnish, 
ivery  business  man  understands  this,  and  it  is  not  worth 
ihile  to  say  more  about  it.  Persons  will  no  more  deal 
n  gold  than  in  paper,  without  a  view  to  profit.  If  ex- 
hangcs  are  to  be  made  in  gold,  the  costs  of  transpor- 
alion  and  insurance  must  be  added  to  the  premium  or 
nlerest  that  shall  be  charged. 

The  reference  made  to  the  "gold  region"  as  a  "na- 
nnal  treasure"  is  stupidly  ridiculous.  The  countries 
mt  produce  most  goM  are  among  the  poorest  in  the 
rorld.  Jifnorance  and  pui'frti/  and  mixtry  abide  in 
•em,  and  the  laborers  are  di-griidi-d  wtii-kiiisf  machines. 

•Except  as  above  stated. 


NiLES'  REGISTER— JULY   li,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


831 


THEKB  IS  HO  EXCEPTION  TO  TI1K  HULK.       As    a    branch  O 

the  national  industry,  ami  in  places  where  there  is  a  .-in- 
plus  of  labor,  the  digging  for  gold  may  be  well  enough — 
but  it  is  seldom  more  profitable  that)  digging  for  potatoes 
A  quantity  of  potatoes  worth  $100,  is  just  as  valuable  as 
100  dollars  in  gold,  with  this  difference,  that  it  is  the 
owner  of  the  potatoes,  and  not  of  the  gold,  who  com- 
mands the  market — for  persons  do  not  eat  gold.  Ant 
•what  is  ihis  "flourish  of  trumpets"  about  the  "gold  re- 
gion"— this  "national  treasure?"  Why  the  makers  ol 
buttons,  hum  combs  and  -wooden  clocks,  in  Connecticut, 
might  gather  to  themselves  as  much  gold  annually  as  is 
produced  in  all  our  mines  and  washings;  for  their  wares 
are  worth  more  money  in  the  market.  England  produc- 
es neither  gold  or  silver — and  yet  lent  money  to  ^Mexi 
Pern,  Jiruzil,  fccc.  Holland  had  no  mines,  but  was  the 
banker  of  nations!  It  is  a  i'lionucxiVE  INDUSTRY  that 
gathers  and  retains  gold  or  silver.  Without  that,  no 
matter  what  may  be  the  legal  enactments  about  gold,  the 
metal  cannot  be  retained  amongst  us.  It  will  seek  those 
countries  wherein  labor  is  best  rewarded.  The  "national 
treasure"  is  in  the  successful  industry  of  the  people — the 
wheat  grower,  cotton  planter  and  cod-fisher.  Strike  out 
e'ven  (bej/uhermeil  from  the  productive  classes,  and  all  the 
gold  that  we  obtain  from  our  mines  will  not  remunerate 
the  value  lost — though  the  gold  were  found  in  a  heap  and 
ready  coined  for  use. 

So  much  for  the  hurrah!  We  have  long  desired  a 
new  regulation  of  the  legal  comparative  value  of  gold, 
but  think  that  the  rate  established  is  about  two  per  cent, 
too  high.  If  such  is  not  the  case,  we  shall  be  as  well 
satisfied  with  the  passage  of  the  gold  bill  as  col.  lienton 
Or  Mr.  lilair  can  be — but  without  making  any  noise 
about  it. 

It  may  be  well  to  add,  by  way  of  information,  the  fol- 
lowing paragraph  from  another  number  of  the  "Globe," 
prefacing  it  with  the  light  matter  preceding,  that  persons 
may  hereafter  see  the  manner  in  which  the  wildness  of 
political  party  speaks  on  this  subject. 

"The  great  bills  have  passed.  The  triumphant  measure  is 
adopted.  Gold— the  cherished  currency  of  all  nations— a  cur- 
rency banished  from  the  United  States  for  a  whole  generation 
by  the  power  of  bank  legislation — this  prscious  currency  once 
more  appears  in  our  land,  and,  in  defiance  of  bank  power,  will 
diffuse  and  spread  itself  throughout  the  country,  and  become 
the  lamiliar  inmate  of  every  industrious  man's  pocket.  Such 
is  one  of  the  first  fruits  of  the  great  measure  of  removing  the 
deposites,  arid  rousing  a  continent  to  its  energies  against  the 
oppressions  of  a  lawless  and  gigantic  moneyed  power.  What 
now  has  become  of  all  those  predictions  that  the  currency  would 
be  ruined — that  there  would  be  nothing  but  broken  bank  notes 
to  be  seen  in  the  land!  The  new  law  is  to  take  effect  on  the 
31st  inst.  but  already  gold  is  in  circulation!  already  the  rare  and 
precious  metal  is  jingling  in  the  pockets,  arid  glittering  in  the 
hands  of  the  people.  Already  many  travellers  have  supplied 
themselves  with  it,  and  will  be  able  to  traverse  the  country 
without  the  danger  of  receiving,  or  the  humiliation  of  offering 
to  pass,  the  counterfeit  imitations  of  a  wretched  paper  curren- 
cy. Strangers  as  our  whole  population  are  to  the  sight  of  gold, 
it  may  be  necessary  to  give  them  some  information  upon  the 
value  of  the  coins  which  will  come  chiefly  into  circulation, 
Our  old  coinage,  now  in  existence,  will  pass  thus:  the  eagle 
$10  6Gf;  half  eagle  $5  33};  the  quarter  eagle  $2  68f;  this 
being  the  true  value  of  the  pure  gold  now  in  those  coins;  the 
new  coinage  will  contain  as  much  less  pure  gold  as  will  make 
the  eagle  and  its  parts  pass  at  $10,  $5  and  $2  50.  British  gold, 
of  which  a  great  deal  will  come  in  along  the  whole  line  of  the 
northern  frontier,  from  Passamaquoddy  Bay,  to  Lake  Superior, 
as  w«ll  as  on  the  sea  coast  of  the  Atlantic,  will  pass  thus:  the 
guinea  $5};  the  sovereign  $4  84;  the  Louis  d'or  of  France, 
about  $3  75;  the  doubloons,  Spanish  and  Patriot,  $15  60.  Note. 
All  these  rallies  suppose  full  weight,  as  the  value  is  always  to 
be  corrected  by  weight.  The  doubloons,  both  Spanish  and  Pa- 
triot, are  by  law  the  same  value,  for  they  are  of  the  same  weight 
and  fineness,  but  the  Spanish  doubloon  will  generally  be  above 
the  legal  rate  in  market  for  exporlation  to  Cuba,  whcra  that 
species  of  doubloons  passes  for  $17." 

The  readers  of  the  RERISTHH  will  well  remember,  that, 
years  ago,  we  pressed  upon  congress  the  importance  of 
raising  our  legal  value  of  the  pound  sterling,  and  gave 
many  examples  of  the  unfair  operations  of  its  value,  as 
established  by  us,  on  the  dutias  payable  at  our  custom 
houses  on  foreign  goods  imported:  and  so  it  was,  that, 
because  of  the  differences  of  exchange,  our  own  manu- 
facturers not  only  lost  a  considerable  part  of  the  amount 
of  the  protection  which  the  law  nominally  gave  them, 
but  that,  if  1,000  dollars,  in  specie,  were  sent,  by  the 
same  person,  to  England  and  to  France,  and  laid  out,  in 
each,  in  the  purchase  of  goods  subject  to  a  40  per  cent. 


duty  adval.  the  duly  on  the  English  goods  would  be  less 
in  the  sum  of  28  dollars  and  6  cents,  than  the  duty  on  the 
French  goods,  really  costing  the  same  sum  and  no  more — 
or  almost  three  per  cent.  So  it  was  because  England 
measured  value  by  gold,  and  France  and  the  U.  Stales 
by  silver,  as  has  been  often  and  fully  explained  by  us. 

Now,  according  to  the  "Globe,"  as  above  quoted,  the 
value  of  the  sovereign,  or  pound  sterling,  is  484  cents; 
but  its  value  was  established  by  the  tariff  of  1832  at  480 
cents.  The  average  rale  of  the  exchanges  might  liar* 
justified  a  fixing  of  it  at  488  cents — but  the  convenience 
of  regarding  the  English  penny  as  equal  k>  2  cents,  ex- 
actly, h  d  to  the  adoption  of  the  lesser  amount,  or  480 
cents.  And  so  it  is  that  the  principle  which  we  "tariff- 
iu-s"  long  contended  for,  has  been  adopted — in  "glory."' 
The  just  preceding  remarks  apply  to  exthangct — that 
is,  the  use  of  paper,  or  "credit,"  in  bills  and  draughts,  by 
which  the  mass  of  commercial  business  is  always  trans- 
acted, and  always  will  be.  But  the  effect  of  the  "gold 
bill,"  is  to  make  gold,  as  measured  by  silver,  more  vain- 
able  in  the  United  States,  according  to  that  measure, 
than  in  England  or  France;  and  if  gold,  at  the  legal  rates 
now  established,  is  to  be  our  standard  of  value,  rnay  not 
embarrassments  ensue  with  respect  to  our  silver  curren- 
cy, and  the  various  exchanges  that  grow  out  of  or  are 
measured  by  it.'  There  is  no  sort  ol  objection  with  us, 
js  to  the  bill,  unless,  as  above  stated,  that  the  legal  va- 
lue of  gold  is  rated  too  high. 

(O'NVe  have  since  noticed  a  little  table,  in  the  Xew 
York  Mercantile  Advertiser  and  Advocate,  shewing  the 
market  value  of  eagles  and  Spanish  doubloons,  at  14  dil- 
'erent  periods  of  time  between  January  i,  1828,  and  May 
7,  1834.  Up  to  January,  1832,  the  average  value  of  the 
eagle  was  $10  60— but  in  May  last  only  $10  30.  The 
;alue  of  the  doubloon  has  been  subject  to  greater  varia- 
ions,  being  regulated  by  the  demand  in  Cuba,  &c. — for 
nstance,  in  May,  1833,  it  was  worth  $17  42 — but  in  last 
May  only  $16  25. 

Another  New  York  paper,  after  saying  that  the  rate  of 
xchange  on  England  is  S$@S$,  observes — nothing  but 
he  scarcity  of  money  prevents  the  rate  from  going  high- 
er. "The  purchases  of  bills  are  many  of  them  for  the 
urpose  of  importing  gold,  which  will  pay  at  the  present 
•ate. " 

Gold,  like  every  thing  else,  is  only  an  article  of  mer- 
handise,  and  it  seems  that  there  is  to  be  an  increased 
rade  in  it  on  account  of  the  advanced  legal  value  that  we 
lave  given  to  that  metal;  and  the  principle  which  now 
nduces  the  importation  of  gold  will  lead  to  the  exporta- 
ion  of  silver,  as  soon  as  the  stock  of  gold  is  considerably 
ncreased.  It  is  the  market  value  of  gold  or  silver,  not 
he  legal  value  of  any  certain  number  of  pennyweights, 
hat  fixes  the  true  value;  and  the  supply  of  gold  or  silver 
lepends  on  the  demand  for  them,  or  either  of  them.  For 
n  example,  if  $5  75  cents  in  silver  were  demanded  for 

barrel  of  flour  which  might  be  had  for  half  an  eagle — 
he  latter  would  have  been  plenty  among  our  farmers. 

The  importation  and,  exportation  of  specie  or  bullion 
re  governed  by  the  same  laws  which  regulate  the  import 
ir  export  of  silks  and  teas,  tobacco  and  pine  boards. 

It  is  stated  that  "dry  gootls  to  a  large  amount  are  re- 
hipping  [at  New  York]  to  England  for  the  benefit  of 
Irawback.  Some  of  the  shrewd  men  in  Wall  street  cal- 
;ulnte  that  at  least  fifty  millions  of  capital  and  currency 
lave  been  withdrawn  from  business  operations  since  last 
October." 

A  Pottsville  paper  says  that  there  are  600  unfinished 
louses  in  Philadelphia — built  last  year,  and  remaining 
s  they  were. 

It  is  said  that  150  workmen  are  about  to  be  discharged 
•y  one  of  the  glass  manufacturing  companies  near  Bos- 
on. 

We  meet  with  many  like  items  in  the  newspapers. 

The  sheriff  of  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  has 
tdvertised  for  sale,  thirty-six  farms  and  lots,  which  are 
o  be  sold  during  the  present  month  to  pay  the  debts  of 
he  present  owners. 

The  ship  America  sailed  on  Tuesday  for  Liverpool 
with  one  hundred  and  fflii-sn'en  steerage  passenffers. 
STow  let  it  be  answered  whether  these  people  were 
>ribed  by  the  bank  to  go  home,  or  whether  business 


55* 


NflLES'  REGISTER— JULY  15,  1834— LAFAYETTE— THE  GOOD. 


and  industry  over  the  whole  face  of  our  country  are  so  ]     Pacific  —  Frigate  —  Brandywine.  Sloops—  Fairfield  and 
completely  paralyzed  by  the  fatal  experiment,  as  to  leave    Vincennes.     Schooner  —  Dolphin. 
them  no  other  alternative.  [  Cour.  &  Enq. 

And  yet  emigrants  are  arriving  in  great  numbers  in        The  steam  carriage  of  col.  Macerone,  to  run  on  the 
Canada,  and  in  the  United  States  —  especially  from  Ger-    common  roads  in  England,  has  been  successfully  tried 

any,  in  the  latter.     The  prospect  of  employment  is  a    in  the  vicinity  of  London.     It  travels  five  miles  in  18 


dull  one,  unless  in  the  operations  of  mere  animal  labo 
and  even  that  is  becoming  difficult  to  obtain. 


minutes,  surmounting,  with  ease,  considerable  acclivities, 
and  leaving  in  the  distance  all  vehicles  on  the  road.     It 

—  can  be  immediately  stopped  and  turned  to  a  hair's  breadth. 

We  have  lately  had   some   interesting  items  of  news  — 

from  Liberia.     The  colony  seems  to  be  doing  well,  and        Joseph,  Lucien,  and  Jerome  Bonaparte,  are  now  in 
a  location  for  the   Maryland  colony  has  been  obtained    London. 
at  Cape  Palmas.     The  climate,  however,   has  proved 

very  fatal  to  the  white  missionaries  and  agents,  and  the  It  is  reported  that  general  Santa  Anna  had  deserted  the 
roost  of  them  have  died.  We  shall  prepare  a  summary  popular  cause  in  Mexico,  sided  with  the  army  and  clergy, 
of  particulars  for  our  next  paper.  aiid  dissolved  the  national  congress,  who  had,  in  turn,  out- 

It  may  be  here  mentioned,  that  the   small  party  of   lawed  him.     No  one  of  the  new  governments  has  settled 
"abolitionists"  at  New  York,  ike.  are  endeavoring  to  car-    down  into  a  state  of  peace  and  security. 
ry  out  their  wild  notions  with  a  high  hand  —  that  several 

"rows"  have  taken  place,  in  the  city  just  named,  and  es-  The  queen  of  England,  when  lately  attending  St.  Paul's 
pecially  at  the  Chatham  chapel  on  the  evening  of  the  7th  cathedral  (on  going  and  returning),  was  greeted  with 
July,  in  consequence  of  its  occupancy  by  a  large  meet-  hisses  and  groans  by  the  mob;  who,  the  papers  say,  were 
ing  of  the  abolitionists  and  people  of  color,  contrary  to  exasperated  by  the  queen's  having  herself  surrounded  by 
the  wishes  of  those  in  whose  possession  the  chapel  right-  j  a  troop  of  life  guards.  » 
fully  was.  There  was  much  fighting,  and  some  persons 

considerably  hurt,  but  none  dangerously.  Order  was  re-  Just  as  this  sheet  was  going  to  press  we  received  New 
stored  by  the  police.  York  papers  containing  news  from  London  to  the  31st 

P.  S.  There  was  a  succession  of  riots  in  New  York  in  May,  inclusive.  A  partial  change  in  the  British  minis- 
the  evening  and  night  of  the  9th  inst.  —  first  at  the  Chat-  try  had  taken  place,  in  consequence  of  some  disagree- 
ham  chapel,  growing  out  of  the  "abolition"  question,  ment  about  the  revenue  of  the  Irish  church.  It  seems 
which  was  quieted.  The  mob  then  proceeded  to  the  I  most  likely  that  lords  Grey  and  Brougham  would  retain 
Bowery  theatre,  to  punish  the  manager,  Mr.  Farren,  for  their  places;  but  Mr.  Stanley,  Sir  James  Graham,  the 
certain  words  that  he  was  said  to  have  uttered  disre-  duke  of  Richmond  and  earl  of  Ripon  had  resigned.  The 
spectful  to  the  American  character,  himself  being  an  earl  of  Carlisle  was  to  be  lord  privy  seal,  Mr.  Ellice  se- 
Englishman.  They  forced  an  entrance,  and  stopped  the  cretary  of  war,  Mr.  Spring  Rice  colonial  secretary,  lord 
play  —  but  were  finally  persuaded  or  compelled  to  retire,  Auckland  first  lord  of  the  admiralty,  Francis  Baring 
by  the  police.  Next  they  marched  to  the  house  of  L.  j  (son  of  sir  Thomas)  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  Mr. 
Tappan,  an  "abolitionist,"  which  they  attacked  and  en-  Moore  O'Farrall,  (an  Irish  Catholic),  junior  lord  of  the 
tered  and  threw  the  furniture  into  the  street,  &c.  and  treasury. 

seemed  resolved  to  set  it  on  fire;  which  caused  a  gather-  The  king  had  expressed  himself  favorable  to  tolera- 
ing  of  the  firemen,  who  assisted  in  restoring  order,  at  2  tion,  but  utterly  opposed  to  licentiousness,  and  said  that 
o'clock  in  the  morning!  he  would  maintain  "the  church." 

The  accounts  are  rather  confused  —  and  we  have  not  _.»«©»«.  — 

time  to  pick  out  the  particular  facts  stated.     The  mob  ITEMS. 

•was  several  thousand  strong,  and  very  furious.  A  few  The  U.  S.  bank  has  declared  its  half  yearly  dividend  of  three 
fanatics  have  raised  aflame  which  they  will  not  find  it  and  a  llalf  Per  cent> 

easy  to  subdue,  and  have  seriously  injured  those  whom  A  steam  frigate  at  Toulon,  160  horse  power,  built  by  the 
they  expressed  a  great  desire  to  benefit.  French  government,  bears  the  honored  name  of  our  fellow  citi- 

_  I  zen,  Fulton. 

Cases  of  cholera  occasionally  appear  in  some  of  the!     The  British  frigate  President,  from  England,  having  on  board 

" 


taken  a  reasonable  care  of  themselves. 

The  following  is  well  called  a  "splendid  acquisition:" 

The  Charleston  Library  Society  have  purchased  of  Henry 
Middleton,  esq.  ($500)  the  magnificent  work  on  Egypt,  prepar- 
ed under  the  auspices  of  Napoleon.  It  is  comprised  in  eleven 
volumes  of  engravings,  imperial  size— of  which  five  are  devot- 
ed to  the  antiquities  of  this  primaeval  nation — three  to  its  natu- 
ral history— two  to  its  modern  condition— and  one  volume  is  an 
atlas  ancient  and  modern. 

The  eleven  volumes  contain  eight  hundred  and  sixty-eight 
plates,  and  are  accompanied  with  twenty-six  volumes,  octavo, 
explanatory  of  their  subjects,  and  or  the  history,  antiquities  and 
curiosities  of  the  empire  of  Sesostris  and  the  Ptolemies. 

It  will  also  be  recollected  that  this  institution  enriched  its 
collection  in  natural  history  and  the  fine  arts  not  long  since 
with  Audibon's  Ornithology— the  price  of  which  is  eight  hun- 
dred dollars. 

The  journey  from  Charleston,  S.  C.  to  Boston,  by 
steamboats,  via  New  York,  and  thence  to  Providence, 
&c.  was  lately  made  in  less  than  four  days. 

The  following  are  the  vessels  of  the  U.  States,  now  on 
foreign  stations: 

Mediterranean — Ship  of  the  line— Delaware.  Frigates 
United  States  and  Constellation.  Sloop — John  Adams. 
Schooner — Shark. 

West  Indies — Sloops— Vandal  ia,  St.  Louis  and  Fal- 
mouth.  Schooners — Grampus  and  Experiment. 

Coatt  of  Brazil— -Sloops — Natchez,  Ontario  and  Erie. 
Schooners— Enterprizt  and  Boxer. 


lar  system  of  government,  have  taken  the  execution  of  justice 
into  their  own  hands.  We  understand  that  a  man  by  the  name 
of  O'DONNEL,  who  had  committed  two  murders  in  one  week — 
the  last  of  them  his  partner  in  business — was  to  be  hung  during 
the  past  week,  that  being,  in  the  opinion  of  the  inhabitants,  the 
only  atonement  which  could  be  made  for  his  crimes. 

The  number  of  persons  arrived  at  Baltimore  from  foreign 
ports,  during  the  month  of  June,  was  1,753,  of  whom  135  are 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  the  principal  part  of  the  re- 
mainder were  Germans. 

The  St.  Louis  (Missouri)  Times  states  that  vessels  of  400  to 
500  tons  burthen  now  trade  to  that  place,  and  the  editor  looks 
forward  to  the  day  when  merchant  ships  will  be  built  at  that 
place. 

Such  is  the  competition  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  thnt  emicrnnls 
are  carried  in  the  steamboats  from  Quebec  to  Montreal  (ISO 
miles)  for  25  cents! 

There  have  been  great  disturbances  between  the  faculty  of 
Harvard  college  and  the  students,  in  consequence  of  which 
many  of  the  latter  have  been  dismissed. 

Charles  Howard,  Elislia  Tibbitts  and  Levi  Elmaker,  have 
been  appointed  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  in 
the  place  of  Joseph  White,  Saul  Alley,  and  Roberts  Vaux,  who 
declined  the  appointment. 

LAFAYETTE— THE  GOOD. 

from  I  he  correspondent  of  the  N.  J".  Journal  of  Commerce. 

Lafayette  it  no  more! — The  brave,  the  noble,  the  eenerous, 
the  patriotic  hero — died  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  [May]  at  a 
quarter  before  five  o'clock.  His  illness  was  at  first  exceeding- 
ly Might,  and  no  one  calculated  upon  the  lamentable  result. 
He  followed  the  remains  of  Dulong  to  the  grave,  and  if  is  be- 
lieved that  he  then  caught  a  cold,  which  fixing  upon  bis  lung*. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   12,  1834—  LAFAYETTE— THE  GOOD. 


333 


has  caused  liij  dissolution,  Like  Canning,  who  snlfc-red  in  the 
same  way,  after  attending  tliu  funeral  of  the  Duke  of  York,  La- 
fayette owes  his  death  to  an  attendance  at  the  tomb.  He  was 
in  his  seventy-seventh  year,  having  been  born  on  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember, 1767.  He  was  attended  by  Urs.  Andral,  Murjohn,  CIo- 
<jut;t,  and  several  other  eminent  medical  characters,  who  up  to 
the  IMh  gave  it  as  their  O|iinion,  thai  ihuir  illustrious  patient 
would  recover.  On  the  19lh  live  of  them  issued  a  bulletin  de- 
scriptive of  his  stale,  and  anticipating  his  recovery.  But  in  the 
night  a  most  material  change  took  place,  hi*  breathing  became 
very  difficult,  and  when  an  effort  was  making  to  apply  a  blister 
to  his  client,  he  mildly  observed  that  it  would  be  ol  no  avail, 
and  soon  afterwards  expired  in  the  arms  of  Geo.  W.  Lafayette. 
On  the  J9th  considerable  sensation  was  experienced  in  the 
chamber  of  deputies,  at  the  prospect  of  the  dissolution  of  their 
venerable  colleague,  and  M.  Dupin  in  the  course  of  the  morn- 
ing thus  addressed  the  chamber: — "According  to  a  wish  ex- 
pressed by  several  deputies,  I  feel  no  doubt  but  that  the  cham- 
ber will  authorise  me  to  send,  in  its  name,  to  make  enquiries 
relative  to  the  health  of  our  illustrious  colleague — general  La- 
fayette. (Numerous  cries  of  "yes,  yes").  "I  have  already," 
eaid  the  president,  "sent  in  my  own  name." 

This  distinguished  compliment  is  generally  reserved  for  mem- 
bers of  the  royal  family,  and  therefore  can  be  the  more  appre- 
ciated when  applied  to  the  departed.  The  following  was  the 
reply  to  the  message  of  the  chamber: — 

"Mr.  President— All  my  family  feel  grateful  for  the  interest 
the  chamber  has  so  kindly  taken  in  my  father's  heallh.  I  have 
the  satisfaction  to  inform  you  that  there  is  a  slight  improvement 
in  his  situation.  Have  the  kindness,  Mr.  President,  to  present 
the  homage  of  our  respectful  gratitude  to  the  chamber,  and  ac- 
cept for  yourself  the  assurance  of  my  very  high  consideration. 
(Signed)  GEORGE  VV.  LAFAYETTE. 

This  note  was  loudly  cheered  by  nearly  every  member  in  the 
chamber,  but,  unhappily,  this  joy  was  but  of  short  duration,  for 
on  the  next  day  the  president  thus  announced  the  death  of  their 
colleague: — "1  have  the  affliction  of  announcing  to  the  chain 
ber,  the  decease  of  the  honorable  general  Lafayette.  He  died 
this  morning  at  five  o'clock.  I  shall  now  proceed  to  draw  the 
names  of  the  members  who  shall  attend  his  funeral,  but  I  have 
no  doubt  but  a  great  number  of  his  colleagues  will  consider  it  a 
duty  to  accompany  his  remains."  M.  Dupin  was  very  much 
affected  while  addressing  the  chamber,  and  so  also  were  seve- 
,  ral  of  its  members.  His  intimate  friend,  M.  Francis  Delessert, 
moved  that  the  president  should  be  instructed  to  write  a  letter 
to  the  general's  family  expressive  of  th«  profound  grief  felt  by 
the  chamber  for  the  great  loss  his  colleagues  and  the  entire  of 
France  had  experienced. 

This  was  instantly  acceded  to,  and  the  chamber  suspended 
its  proceedings  for  an  hour,  so  that  the  letter  of  condolence 
should  be  immediately  written.  A  council  was  held  at  the 
Tuilleries  soon  after  his  demise,  for  the  purpose  of  agreeing  as 
to  the  necessity  of  calling  out  the  nationa-I  guard,  and  permitting 
them  to  attend  the  funeral  of  their  devoted  chieftain.  It  is  not 
yet  known  what  the  intentions  of  the  government  are,  but  it  is 
believed  that  they  will  not  in  any  way  interfere.  One  account 
that  I  have  seen,  states  that  he  will  have  a  public  funeral,  and 
that  the  two  sons  of  Loois  Phillippe  will  be  ordered  to  attend  as 
chief  mourners.  If  so,  what  a  mockery  will  this  be!  That 
monarch  who  could  insult,  and  attempt  to  disgrace  Lafayette 
during  his  lifetime,  is  now  amongst  the  most  afflicted  at  his 
death,  aiid  would  have  us  believe  that  his  tears  are  proofs  of  his 
sincerity.  I  am  not  so  credulous,  lor  I  firmly  conceive  those 
tears — io  be  tears  of  joy.  Louis  Phillippe  always  dreaded  La- 
fayette, and  was  afraid  of  the  immense  power  which  the  vete- 
ran had  always  at  command.  He  is  rejoiced  as  much  if  not 
more  so,  than  he  was  when  he  heard  of  the  demise  of  young 
Napoleon.  He  now  imagines  that  two  powerful  factions  will 
be  annihilated— that  of  the  empire,  in  the  death  of  the  duke  of 
Reichstadi,  that  of  the  republican,  in  the  decease  of  Lafayette. 


le  ''Union  of  Nations;"  a  banquet  from  which,  of  coune,  po- 

tical  discussion  is  excluded. 

Previous  to  the  splendid  repast,  I  had  the  honor  of  ihakinr 
"dl?"":>.;'m    "'. '""""'8  V''.°*  conversion  on  lite! 


sir  Sidney  Smith,  Messrs.  Macgregor,  Ditchfield,  G.  G  Ben 
«,  J.  VV.  Lake,  Gore,  &c.  &c.  who  all  felt  the  painful  fore- 
dings  I  experienced.  After  dinner,  the  general  rose,  and  at- 


rnptcd  to  return  thanks  for  the  enthusiastic  manner  in  which 

e  company  had  drank  his  heallh;  but  he  was  unable  to  BO 
—his  heart  was  too  full— it  was  already  broken. 
A  few  days  ere  his   death,  a  British  gentleman  of  my  ae- 
aintance  visited  him  in  his  sick  room.    They  spoke  of  Jlme- 

ca,  and  the  veteran's  eyes  sparkled  wilh  their  wonted  fire; 

ey  alluded  to  France,  and  he  mournfully  shook  his  head. 
Jeloved,  but  betrayed  country,"  exclaimed  he,  "I  fear  thou 
st  yet  many  terrible  struggles  to  undergo,  ere  thy  goal  of 

jerty  is   attained."    These  words  you   may  rely   upon  as  a 

ct.    According  to  the  desire  of  the  deceased,  he  is  to  be  in- 

rred  at  the  private  or  privileged  cemetery  of  Piepas,  by  the 

mb  of  Madame  Lafayette. 

During  the  last  illness  of  the  fated  father  of  the  new  dy- 

sty,  not  a   single  message  was  sent   from   the   court  to  in- 

uire  after  the  illustrious  sufferer.  But  now,  alas!  the  chateau 
like  a  house  of  mourning,  and  the  ministerial  papers  are  re- 

>lent  of  grief,  for  the  loss  of— king  Leopold's  son. 

FCNERAL    OF   LAFAYETTE. 

From  an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  May,  the 
je  d'AHjou  St.  Honore,  in  which  the  hotel  of  the  late  lament- 
i  Lafayette  is  situated,  and  every  street  and  passage  in  its  vi- 
nity,  was  crowded  with  citizens  of  Paris,  hastening  to  pay 
eir  last  tribute  of  respect  and  attachment  to  the  illustrious  de- 
eased. 

The  faneral  ceremony,  says  Galignani's  Messenger,  from  the 
ublic  character  of  the  deceased,  both  as  a  member  of  the  cham- 
er  of  deputies  and  a  general,  was  invested  by  the  government 
ith  all  the  imposing  pomp  which  the  attendance  of  numerous 
idies  of  military  never  fails  to  give  to  processions  of  this  de- 
ription;  while  the  attendance  of  the  national  guards,  who 
ame  forward  in  immense  numbers,  to  join  in  giving  effect  to 
is  parting  act  of  homage  to  their  venerable  colleague,  and  the 
rovvded  state  of  the  streets  leading  to  the  church  of  the  As- 
imption,  where  the  funeral  ceremony  was  to  be  performed, 
id  from  thence  along  the  Rue  de  la  Paix,  the  entire  length  of 
le  Boulevards,  and  every  spot  near  which  the  procession  wa« 
)  pass,  showed  the  extent  of  the  popularity,  and  the  affection- 
,e  esteem  with  which  the  deceased  was  regarded  by  every 
ass. 

About  half  past  seven  the  members  of  the  various  deputation! 
ipointed  to  take  part  in  the  procession  began  to  arrive  at  the 
otel,  which  was  handsomely  hung  with  black.  Among  these 
ere  numbers  of  staff  officers,  of  the  troops,  and  the  national 
lards.  Detachments  of  infantry  were  placed  as  guards  of  ho. 
or  in  the  commencement  of  the  Rue  du  Faubourg  St.  Honore 
IB  Rue  Royale,  the  Rue  St.  Florentin,  and  other  points  by 
•hich  the  procession  was  to  pass. 

At  a  few  minutes  after  nine  the  body  was  brought  down  and 
eposited  in  the  hearse,  which  was  decorated  with  twelve  tri- 
olored  flags,  three  at  each  corner;  it  was  surmounted  by 
lumes,  and  had  the  letter  L  on  various  parts  of  the  drapery, 
nd  was  drawn  by  four  black  horses.  The  cordons  of  the  hearsa 
were  held  by  four  persons  of  distinction,  friends  of  the  deceased. 
\fter  a  few  minutes  spent  in  preliminary  arrangements,  the 
uneral  inarch  struck  up,  and  the  cortege  began  to  move.  Tha 
earse  was  preceded  by  muffled  drums,  deputations  from  vari- 
us  legions  of  the  national  guards  of  Paris,  and  the  Banlieue 
he  61st  regiment  of  the  line,  and  a  regiment  of  red  lancers. 
nhe  hearse  followed,  which  was  immediately  succeeded  by  the 
leputations  of  the  chambers  of  peers  and  deputies;  other  depu- 
alions  followed  from  various  public  bodies,  among  whom  we 
>erceived  numbers  of  foreigners,  particularly  Americans  and 
Poles.  These  were  succeeded  by  chefs  de  bataillon  of  the  na- 
ional  guards  and  the  line,  and  these  again  followed  by  other 
detachments  of  national  guards  and  troops  of  the  line,  headed 
>y  muffled  drums  and  full  military  bands,  two  pieces  of  cannon 
and  a  detachment  of  the  1st  regiment  of  artillery,  with  a  nu- 
merous body  of  cavalry  of  the  national  guards.  Four  of  the 
royal  carriages,  three  private  ones  of  the  general,  followed  by 
another  rrgiment  of  lancers,  seven  private  carriage?,  and  a  body 
of  municipal  guards,  wound  up  the  procession. 

The  immense  crowds,  and  the  small  space  left  for  the  milita- 
ry, occasioned  considerable  confusion  previous  to  arriving  at 
the  church,  for  want  of  room  the  hearse  being  stopped  on  one 
occasion  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  The  coffin  was  then 
taken  into  the  church,  and  the  funeral  ceremony  being  perform- 
ed, the  procession  again  proceeded;  and,  notwithstanding  th« 
incalculable  crowds  assembled,  has  passed  the  Rue  de  la  Paix 
and  is  now  (as  we  are  coinc  to  pros?)  far  advanced  on  the 
Boulevard,  with  the  most  perfect  order  and  regularity. 

All  the  ministers,  says  the  same  Gazette,  on  leavinu  the  coun- 
cil held  by  the  king  on  the  preceding  day  at  the  Tuilleries,  went 
in  a  body  to  make  a  visit  of  condelence  to  the  family  of  general 


334 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY    12,   1834— ANCIENT  OPINIONS. 


Lafayette.  They  were  received  by  M.  George  W.  Lafayette, 
and  conducted  by  him  to  view  the  body.  An  immense  number 
of  persons  of  all  classes  called  in  the  course  of  the  d:iy  and  in 
*cribed  their  names  as  participators  in  the  general  giief. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  Slates  of  America 
in  Paris,  held  on  the  21st  at  the  hotel  of  the  American  legation, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  ino^t  appropriate  manner  of  ex- 
pressing their  sorrow  for  the  loss  they  and  their  country  have 
sustained  by  !lie  death  of  the  great  and  good  Lafayette — Tho- 
mas P.  Barton,  esq.  charge  d'affaires  of  the  United  Stairs,  was 
called  to  the  chair,  and  Dun»comb  Bradford,  esq.  Aineiiean 
consul,  was  appointed  secretary.  Tlie  following  resolution! 
were  oflered  and  unanimously  adopted: 

Resolced,  That  we  have  heard  of  the  death  of  our  illustrious 
fellow  citizen,  the  virtuous  Lafayette,  with  feelings  of  the  deep- 
est sorrow  and  regret — 

Resolved,  That  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  now  in  Paris, 
will  attend  in  a  body  the  funeral  of  Lafayette,  in  testimony  ol 
the  high  respect  they  entertain  for  his  exalted  character,  as  the 
nndeviating  friend  and  defender  of  the  liberties  of  their  country, 
and  of  those  of  the  human  race. 

Resolced,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  addre«s  a  letter 
of  condolence  to  the  family  of  gen.  Lafayette,  expressive  of 
their  deep  sympathy  in  the  afflicting  dispensation  with  which  it 
has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  visit  them. 

Retained,  That  as  a  farther  testimony  of  their  high  admiration 
for  the  virtues  and  perfect  consistency  of  character  of  Lafayette, 
through  a  long  lite,  and  under  the  most  arduous  circumstances, 
they  will  wear  crape  upon  the  left  arm  for  three  months. 

On  the  motion  of  Mr.  Brooks,  seconded  by  Mr.  Adams,  it  was 
then 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  Ihe  foregoing  resolutions  be  commu- 
nicated by  the  secretary  of  this  meeting  to  the  family  of  the 
illustrious  deceased,  and  that  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting  be 
published. 

On  the  motion  of  Mr.  French,  seconded  by  Mr.  Blow,  it  was 
Retoh-ed,  That  the  United  Stales,  a*  far  as  they  are  represent- 
ed at  this  meeting,  each  furnish  a  member  to  constitute  the 
committee  to  address  the  letter  of  condolence  to  the  family  of 
general  Lafayette:  whereupon  the  following  gentlemen,  repre- 
senting seventeen  states  of  the  union,  were,  on  the  motion  of 
Mr.  Ilayne,  seconded  by  Alex,  daxton,  esq.  U.  S.  N.  named 
that  committee: 

Dr.  Wood,  of  Matne;  N.  Niles,  esq.  of  Vermont;  Charles 
Brook?,  e.«q.  of  Massachusetts;  J.  Dennison,  esq.  of  Connecti- 
cut; Mr.  Burns  and  Mr.  Brevoort,  of  New  York;  Philip  Kear- 
ney, esq.  of  New  Jersey;  Dr.  A.  B.  Tucker,  of  Pennsylvania; 
Alexander  Claxlon,  esq.  U.  S.  N.  of  Maryland;  rev.  F.  S.  Mines, 
of  Virginia;  Arthur  P.  Ilayne,  esq.  of  South  Carolina;  Dr.  L.  A. 
Dugas,  of  Georgia;  W.  P.  D'Arusmont,  esq.  of  Indiana;  Dr.  A. 
P.  Elsion,  of  Kentucky;  J.  S.  Pomer,  esq.  of  Mississippi,  and 
D.  Urquhart,  esq.  of  Louisiana. 

On  the  motion  of  Mr.  Townsend,  Mr.  Barton  and  Mr.  Brad- 
ford were  ex-officio  placed  on  the  committee.  After  a  short  ad- 


journment, the  chairman,  in  the  name  of  the  committee,  re- 


been  made,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  new  and  more  inter- 
esting developments  will  be  made  when  the  land  is  worked  for 
gold. 

A  great  number  of  curious  specimens  of  workmanship  have 
been  found  in  situations  which  preclude  the  possibility  of  their 
having  lieen  moved  tor  more  than  a  thousand  years.  During 
my  mining  operations  lust  year,  I  found,  at  one  lime,  about  one 
half  of  a  crucible  of  Ihe,  capacity  ofnear  a  gallon.  Il  was  ten 
feet  below  ihe  surface,  and  immediately  beneath  a  large  oak 
tree  which  measured  five  fti*t  in  diameter,  and  must  have  heen 
four  or  five  hundred  years  old.  The  deposite  was  diluvial,  or 
what  may  he  termed  table  land.  The  stratum  of  quartz  gravel, 
in  which  the  vessel  was  imbedded,  is  about  two  feel  in  thick- 
ness, resting  upon  decomposed  chlorite  slate. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  account  for  the  deposite  of  those  substan- 
ces in  alluvial  soil,  for  the  hills  are  generally  very  high  and  pre- 
cipitous, and  from  the  immense  quantity  of  rain  which  falls, 
the  streams  are  swollen  to  great  height,  sweeping  every  thing 
with  them,  and  frequently  forming  a  deposile  of  several  feet  in 
thickness  in  a  stason;  but  some  of  the  diluvial  land  is  from  ten  to 
fifty  feet  above  the  present  level  of  the  streams.  These  depo- 
siles  exhibit  appearances  of  as  great  attrition  as  those  recently 
formed. 

There  was  a  vessel,  or  rather  a  double  mortar,  fonnd  in 
Duke's  creek,  about  five  inches  in  diameter,  and  the  excava- 
tion on  each  side  was  nearly  an  inch  in  depth,  basin  like,  and 
perfectly  polished.  It  was  made  of  quartz,  which  had  betn 
once  transparent,  but  bad  become  stained  with  the  iron  which 
abounds  in  quantity  in  all  this  country.  In  the'  bottom  of  this 
basin  was  a  small  depression  half  an  inch  in  depth  and  about 
the  same  diameter.  What  its  use  could  have  been,  is  difficult 
to  conjecture,  Some  suppose  it  was  used  for  grinding  paint, 
&c.  or  in  some  of  their  plays  or  games.  The  high  finish,  and 
its  exact  dimensions,  induce  me  to  believe  it  the  prodnction  of 
a  more  civilized  people  than  the  present  race  of  Indians.  Re- 
spectfully yours,  M.  g. 

ANCIENT  OPINIONS. 

The  Delaware  "Stale  Journal"  of  the  13th  June,  1834,  says 

"A  friend  has  favored  us  with  a  number  of  ihe  first  news- 
paper that  was  published  in  Philadelphia— namely,  The  Ameri- 
can Weekly  Mercury,  of  July  22, 1742,  printed  by  Andrew  Bra.t- 
ford,  at  the  sign  of  the  Bible,  in  Front  street.  It  is  a  venerable 
memorial  of  the  primitive  days  of  the  city  of  brotherly  love — a 
sheet  of  about  nine  by  six.  each  page  divided  into  columns. 
This  was  the  weekly  oracle  of  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  and 
of  the  country  round,  including  Wilmington,  New  Castle,  Ches- 
ter, &.c.  We  extract  an  article  from  this  paper  which  has  some 
application  to  our  own  times,  and  to  all  times." 

And  then  presents  us  with  the  following  curious  article — 
From  the   Weekly  Mercury  of  1742. 

Melhinks  I  could  wish  that  some  Author  bad  given  us  a 
History  of  Preferments  and  Disgraces  at  a  certain  Time  when 


one   man  lorded  it  over  his  Country,  should    be  glad  to  read 


the  Birth,  Parentage  and  Education  of  all  his  Tools,  with  an 


ported  a  letter  of  condolence  to  the  family  of  general  Lafayetl 


Brewster,  seconded  by  Mr.  Niles,  it  was  resolved,  that  fiv 
gentlemen  be  named  by  the  chair,  to  constitute  a  committee  < 
arrangements,  to  provide  for  the  execution  of  the  preceding  re 
solution:  whereupon,  Mr.  Brewster,  Mr.  Niles,  Mr.  Atherton 
Mr.  Brevoort  and  .Mr.  Brooks,  were  named  that  committee.  1 
was  then  resolved,  that  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  he  com 
municated  by  its  secretary  to  the  legation  of  the.  United  State 
at  Paris,  with  the  request  that  they  may  be  recorded  on  th 
books  thereof— and  the  meeting  adjourned. 

We  understand  th.it  M.  Lafitte  entertained  the  projector  pro 
posing  to  ihe  chamber  of  deputies  thM  the  body  of  general  La 
fayetle  should  be  deposited  in  the  pantheon,  but  renounced  i 
on  learninj  thai  il  was  the  decided  wish  of  the  family  that  tin 
directions  of  the  deceased,  as  to  his  interment,  should  be  scru 
pulously  followed. 

All  the  ministerial  papers  contain  eulogies  on  this  consisten 
and  persevering  friend  of  human  liberty.  The  military  honor: 
paid  him  were  those  which  belong,  to  a  general  in-chief. 


INDIAN  ANTIQUITIES. 
A  subterranean  Indian  village  has  been  discovered  in  Nacoo- 
chee  ratify,  in  Georgia,  by  pold  miners,  in  excavating  a  canai 
for  the  purpose  of  washing  gold.  Tim  depth  to  which  it  is  co- 
vered varies  from  seven  to  nine  feel;  some  of  the  houses  are 
imbedded  in  a  stratum  of  rich  auriferous  gravel.  They  are  34 
in  number,  built  of  logs  from  six  to  ten  inches  in  diameter,  and 
from  ten  to  twelve  feet  in  length.  The  walls  are  from  three  to 
six  feet  in  height,  forming  a  continuous  line  or  street  of  300 
feet.  The  logs  nre  hewed  and  notched,  as  al  the  present  day. 
The  land  beneath  which  they  were  found,  was  covered,  at  its 
first  tettlement  by  the  whites,  with  a  heavy  growth  of  limber, 
denoting  a  great  antiquity  to  those  buildings,  and  a  powerful 
cause  which  submerged  them.  Cane  baskets  and  fragment*  of 
earthenware  were  found  in  the  rooms.  The  account  is  con- 
tained in  ft  letter  to  the  editor  of  the  Southern  Banner,  frani 
which  the  following  further  particulars  are  extracted: 

The  house*  are  situated  from  50  to  100  yards  from  the  princi 
•pal  channel  of  the  creek;  and  a--  no  further  excavations  have 


Coitions  Reader. 

.1 


Cardinal  de  Rentz  tells  us  that  there  is  a  Time  when  to  be 
disgrac'd  at  Court  lessens  a  Man's  Merit  in  the  Opinion  of  the 
World;  but  (says  he)  there  is  also  a  time  when  to  be  di«-rac'd 
at  Court,  raises  a  Alan's  Character,  casts  a  Lustre  over  all  his 
good  Qualities,  and  obtains  Quarter  with  the  World  for  all  hia 

Wlie-i  Government  is  executed  with  a  just  Regard  to  the 
Rights  of  the  Subjects  at  homo,  and  Ihe  Glory  and  Interest  of 
the  Nation  arc  rnaintaiu'd  abroad,  it  is  no  Shame  for  a  Man 
to  wish  to  be  in  Favour  at  Court. 

When  the  natural  Friends  and  Allies  of  a  Country  are  pro- 
tected and  defended,  and  its  Enemies  humbled,  a  Man  might 
reasonably  wish  to  be  in  Favour  at  Court. 

When  Men  are  prefer'd  merely  for  their  Abilities,  and  laid 
aside  where  a  Want  of  Abilities  is  discover'd,  a  Man  would 
certainly  think  it  an  honor  to  be  in  Favour  at  Court. 

When  there  is  a  Courl  composed  of  Ministers  and  Coun- 
cilors chosen  out  for  their  Wisdom  and  Abilities  in  the  busi- 
ness of  ihe  State,  of  Divines  rais'd  for  their  Learnin»  and 
Christian  Piety,  and  of  Soldiers  preferi'd  for  their  Valour  and 

in  Fa'vournarllroY'''ir<!  W''°  WOU'd  "Ot  thi"k  ''  *"  H°"°r  '"  be 

On  the  other  side.     When  the  Subjects  are  Oppressed  with 

Taxes  for  maintaining  the  Minions  of  an  overgrown  Minister 

lUrac'Jra't  Co*  t""e  f°r  a  1VIa"  l°  thi"k  "  ""   Honour  lo  ba 
When  the  Protection  of  Trade  is  neglected,  when  Art*,  Sci- 
nces,  and  Manufacture,  are  sUrv'd,  and    all   Kinds  of  Vice 
s  encouraged,  a  Man  would    wish  to  be  disgraced  at    Court. 
When  a  Nairn,,   ,s  insulted  l,v  a  weak  and  defence,™*  Ene- 
iiy,  ami  having  more  than  sufficient  Strength  to  do  itself  Jus- 
ice,  yet  by  lie  Incapacity  of  those  at  the  Helm,  knows  not 

r.'grac'd'Tt  Cour        "g"''  °  Ma"  nCed  ""'  b°  ashain"'  to  be 

When  the  sole  executive  Part  of  the  Government  is  nsurp'd 

ne  one  bold  overhearing  Man,  with  scarce  Abilities  for 

lowest,  (i   Maq  wuuld   certainly  wish    to  be   discrac'd  at 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   12,  1834— BUNKER  HILL  MONUMENT.  886 


When  a  servile  Prostitution  to  the  arbitrary  Will  of  this  on 
ftlan  is  the  Tenour  by  which  every  Mnn  holds  his  Employ 
mem,  what  Man  of  Spirit  can  serve,  and  who  that  hath  th 
least  Feeling  for  the  Wrongs  of  his  Country,  or  Regard  lo  hi 
own  Reputation,  but  would  think  it  an  Honour  to  be  disgrac 
at  Court? 

MR.  WISE,  OF  VIRGINIA. 
The  following  are  the  concluding  paragraphs  of  a  speech  0 

Mr.  Wise,  in  the  house  of  representatives,  on  Monday,  !)ili  o 
June,  on  his  motion  concerning  a  restoration  of  the  dcpositcs  l< 
tile  bank  of  the  United  States: 

Sit,  I  respectfully  ask  gentlemen  who  support  the  adminis- 
tration in  all  these  measures,  if  it  can  possibly  be  their  delihe 
rate  policy  to  adjourn  without  doing  something  for  relief— no 
pecuniary  relief,  that  is  now  but  as  the  dust  in  the  balance— I 
mean  relief  of  the  laws  and  constitution?  I  respectfully  in- 
quire of  the  honorable  chairman  of  the  committee  of  ways  ami 
means,  if  any  other  can  be  his  design  or  the  design  of  the  party 
with  whom  he  acts,  by  the  proposition  of  the  measure  he  has 
reported?  Can  he  or  any  man  expect  us  to  adnplthat  measure, 
when  it  would  but  confirm  the  present  state  of  things,  bui 
employ  the  worst  of  means  to  effect  the  very  evils  com- 
plained of,  but  add  the  sanction  of  law  to  the  very  violations  ol 
law;  and  servilely  grant,  yield,  and  consent  to  the  usurpations 
of  power  which  we  are  so  loudly  called  on  sternly  to  deny,  re- 
fuse, resist  and  denounce?  Does  he  not,  did  he  not  foreknow, 
that  congress  will  reject  this  proposition  to  strip  it  of  all  its 
powers,  and  transfer  them  to  the  executive?  And  if  congress 
does  reject  it,  as  it  is  bound  by  law  and  duty  to  do,  do  gentle- 
men flatter  themselves  that  they  can  return  to  their  constitu- 
ents with  the  insulting  excuse  that  the  administration  has  done 
its  part  for  the  people?  I  imploringly  ask  gentlemen,  if  this  is 
to  be  their  "ultimatum'?"  If  so,  I  venture  to  predict  that  it  will 
be  the  "ultimatum" — of  their  fate!  Sir,  this  may  be  the  croak- 
ing of  prophecy,  and  they  may  feel  secure  as  a  tower  of  slreiigth 
in  their  present  possession  of  power.  But,  if  they  continue  to 
mock  the  complaints  of  the  people;  if  they  continue  in  that  des- 
perate course  which  blindly  plunges  from  bad  to  worse;  if  they 
do  not  quickly  retrace  their  steps  of  folly,  repent  of  past  errors 
(which  they  may  now  do  without  making  confession);  if  they 
persist  in  this  sacriligious  policy  which  pollutes  the  sacred  ves"- 
«els  of  the  sanctuary;  they  will  yet  have  to  tremble,  like  Bel- 
•hazzar,  at  the  hand  writing  on  the  wall! 

Sir,  in  the  language  of  Fisher  Ames,  "if  my  powers  were 
commensurate  with  my  zeal,  I  would  raise  iny  voice  to  such  a 
pitch  of  remonstrance"  against  this  cruel  injustice  to  a  gener- 
ous people,  this  mischievous  policy  of  those  in  whom  that  peo- 
ple have  confided,  this  flagrant  outrage  upon  the  laws  and  con- 
stitution, "that  it  should  reach  every  log  house  beyond  the 
mountains."  I  would  say  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  land,  to  its 
utmost  borders,  rise!  in  your  majesty  and  sovereignty,  and  Ir.irl 
from  his  place  of  power  every  public  man  within  the  reach  of  a 
ballot  box  who  has  sought  to  perpetrate  thesi;  atrocious  evils 
upon  the  body  polilic,  or  who  has  been  supine  and  inactive, 
whilst  others  have  been  guilty  of  their  perpetration?  But,  sir, 
as  I  cannot  be  heeded  by  the  nation,  beyond  the  district  of  rny 
own  constituents,  I  would  speak  with  a  "still  small  voice"  to 
those  who  are  near  me.  In  my  present  relation  to  the  presi- 
dent I  cannot  condescend,  as  an  independent  representative  of 
a  people  yet  free,  to  offer  an  apology  lor  the  course  I  have  been 
driven  to  pursue  by  the  late  measures  of  the  executive.  I 
claim  rather  an  atonement  from  the  man  whom  I  supported  for 
the  presidency,  for  such  acts  of  misrule.  But  if  I  was  permit- 
ted to  expostulate  with  him,  as  still  a  sincere  personal  friend,  I 
would  warn  him  to  "shake  off  the  serpent  from  his  hand,  ere 
poison  and  death  ensue  from  the  bite  of  the  reptile!" 

I  will  say  to  my  personal  friends  in  the  administration  ranks: 
"I  am  no  deserter,  and  have  a  right  to  speak  to  a  brother  sol- 
dier. It  is  true  I  have  left  your  camp,  not  because  I  disliked 
the  corps  to  which  I  belonged,  but  because  there  were  vermin 
there;  and  I  enlisted  under  the  banners  of  the  'Old  Chief  lo 
fight  for  my  country,  and  not  against  her  most  sacred  institu- 
tions and  dearest  rights.  I  call  upon  you  who  are  faithful  to 
liim  to  save  the  time-honored  warrior  from  the  'deep  damna- 
tion' of  the  bitter  curses  of  an  injured  and  insulted  people, 
groaning  under  the  pillaging  policy  of  'orderly  sergeants,'  reck- 
less alike  of  the  country's  welfare  and  of  the  president's  popu- 
larity, enriched  with  the  'spoils  of  victory,'  and  flushed  to  mad- 
ness with  the  intoxication  of  repeated  triumphs!" 

Sir,  I  will  say  to  members  of  whatever  party:  "Show  to  the 
world  that  if  there  are  too  many  who  love  to  be  templed  to  for- 
get their  trusts,  by  a  well  managed  venality,  there  are  a  few 
who  find  a  greater  satisfaction  in  being  thought  beyond  its  in- 
fluence." 

I  will  say  to  the  people:  "Ho!  every  patriot  to  the  rescue!" 
And  "if  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst."  I  would  put  up  to  the 
God  of  nations  the  prayer  of  Warsaw's  last  champion — 
"Oh  heaven!  my  bleeding  country  save!" 

—-»>«©»*«"— 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE  RESOLUTIONS. 

The  following  are  the  resolutions  referred  to  in  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  senate  of  Monday  last.  They  passed  the  house  of 
representatives  of  New  Hampshire  163  to  62,  and  the  senate, 
yeas  IS,  nays  none. 

Resolved  by  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  in  general 
court  convened,  That  we  approve  of  the  course  of  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  general  government,  and  that  the  president  of  the 


U.  States,  by  Itis  ardent  endeavors  to  restore  the  constitution  to 
its  original  purity,  by  his  stern  integrity  and  unbending  firmnen 
in  resisting  the  approach  of  corruption  in  every  protean  shape,  in 
staying  the  lavish  expenditure  of  the  public  money  in  an  un- 
constitutional system  of  internal  improvements  by  the  national 
government,  in  settling  the  tariff  on  a  more  equitable  basis,  in 
his  prompt  resistance  to  all  measures  tending  to  the  dissolution 
of  our  union,  in  his  veto  on  the  recharter  of  that  dangerous  in- 
stitution, the  United  States  bank,  and  in  the  unyielding  stand 
which  he  has  taken  against  the  recent  alarmirng  proceedings  of 
that  institution,  has  proved  himself  to  be  a  true  disciple  of  Tho*. 
Jefferson  the  father  of  American  democracy,  and  has  greatly 
increased  the  debt  of  gratitude  due  to  him  from  the  American 
people. 

rfnd  be  it  further  resolved,  That  in  the  removal  of  the  latw 
secretary  of  the  treasury  the  president  exercised  a  power  con- 
ferred upon  him  by  the  constitution,  and  which  has  been  re- 
cognized by  all  his  predecessors  in  office;  and  which  it  was  hi* 
duty  to  exercise  if  he  believed  that  officer  to  be  unworthy  or  iii- 
eapabfe,or  that  he  was  pursuing  measures  detrimental  lo  the 
interests  of  the  public. 

Jind  be  it  further  resolved,  That  in  removing  the  depositci  of 
public  money  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  the  preaent 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  has  violated  neither  the  letter  nor 
the  spirit  of  the  charter  of  the  bank,  and  has  pursued  a  course, 
the  expediency  of  which  was  clearly  indicated  by  the  decision 
of  the  people  in  the  last  presidential  election,  against  the  re- 
charter  of  the  bank,  and  which  was  imperiously  demanded  by 
the  profligate  conduct  of  the  officers  of  that  institution. 

Jlml  be  U  further  resolved,  That  the  bank  of  the  United  States 
ought  not  to  be  rechartered — that,  unconstitutional  in  its  crem- 
lion — it  has  proved  itself  to  be  an  institution  of  the  most  deadly 
liostility  to  the  principles  of  republicanism,  that  we  view  with 
indignation  its  desperate  struggles  to  obtain  political  power  by 
a  shameless  and  barefaced  course  of  bribery  and  corruption, 
and  that  we  witness  with  alarm  the  attempts  made  by  it«  advo- 
cates to  set  at  defiance  the  representatives  of -the  people,  to  veil 
is  transactions  in  secrecy  and  darkness,  and  to  justify  procecd- 
ngs  which,  should  they  be  upheld,  must  end  in  subjecting  In* 
leople  of  the  United  States  to  the  dominion  of  a  gigantic  ino- 
leyed  monopoly. 

Jlnd  be  it  farther  resolved,  That  the  late  protest  of  the  preil- 
lent  of  the  United  States  against  the  extraordinary  and  unpre- 
cedented resolution  of  the  senate,  pronouncing  him  guilty  of  a 
nost  flagrant  nffence  without  either  hearing  or  trial,  was  a  mea- 
sure justified  by  his  personal  right  to  vindicate  his  own  charnc- 
er  from  unmerited  reproach,  and  by  his  imperative  official  du- 
y  to  defend  the  executive  branch  of  the  government  while  in 
lis  charge,  from  all  intemperate  assaults  or  unconstitutional  en- 
croachments, and  that  the  senate,  in  passing  such  a  resolution, 
violated  the  first  principles  of  ordinary  justice,  and  deliberately 
infilled  themselves  for  the  proper  discharge  of  those  judicial 
luties,  which,  by  the  constitution,  (if  the  charges  in  their  reso- 
ution  were  true),  they  were  bound  (o  believe  the  house  of  re- 
resentalives  would  soon  invoke  them  to  perform. 
Jlnd  bcit  further  resolved,  That  our  senators  in  congress  be, 
and  they  hereby  are  instructed  to  vote  that  the  resolution,  pac»- 
ed  by  the  senate  on  the  28th  day  of  March  last,  "that  the  presi- 
lent,  in  the  late  executive  proceeding  in  relation  to  the  publia 
avenue,  lius  assumed  upon  himself  authority  and  power  not 
onfcrred  by  the  constitution  and  laws,  but  in  derogation  of 
>oth,"  be  expunged  from  the  journal  of  the  senate. 

Jlnd  be  it  further  resolced,  That  we  approve  of  the  course  of 

lie  delegation  from  this  state  in  the  congress  of  the  United 

States,  with  the  exception  of  that  of  the  lion.  Samuel  Bell. 

Jlnd  be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  hon.  Samuel  Bell,  since 

is  re-election  to  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  has  pursued 

i  course  in  defiance  of  the  wishes  of  the  people  of  New  Harnp- 

hire,  that  he  has  long  misrepresented  and  now  misrepresent* 

he  opinions  of  a  majority  of  his  constituents,  and  that  he  be, 

nd  hereby  is  requested  to  resign  his  seat  agreeably  to  the  so- 

emn  pledge  heretofore  made  by  him. 

Jlnd  be  U  further  resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  slate  be  and 
e  hereby  is  directed  to  furnish  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  to 
lie  president  and  vice  president  of  the  United  States,  and  to 
ach  of  the  heads  of  departments,  to  the  speaker  of  the  house 
f  representatives,  and  to  each  of  our  senators  and  representa- 
:ves  in  the  congress  of  the  United  Slates. 


BUNKER  HILL  MONUMENT  ASSOCIATION. 
At  the  annual   meeting  the  Bunker  Hill  Monument  associa- 
on,   held  on   the  17th  June,  at   Faneuil  Hall,   the  following 
eport,  having  been  read  and  accepted,  was  ordered  to  be  pub- 
shed. 

ANNUAL   REPORT 

"'o  the  members  of  the   Hunker  Hill  Monument  association,  at 

their  meeting,  on  the  anniversary  of  June  17,  1834. 
Since  the  last  anniversary,  the  board  of  directors  have  made 
very  exertion  in  their  power  to  advance  the  purposes  of  the 
ssociation.  The  general  depression,  arising  from  the  state  of 
le  country,  has  buen  unfavorable  in  these  exertions— there  is 
.ttlc  reason  to  doubt,  that  in  the  ordinary  state  of  prosperity, 
le  full  amount  of  the  subscriptions  desired,  would  have  been 
htnined.  Public  occurrences  have,  however,  had  this  beneft- 
ial  effect— they  have  turned  the  attention  of  the  whole  people 
o  the  principles  of  the  American  revolution;  and  in  this  view, 
innker  Hill  Monument  holds  a  higher  rank,  in  the  publfe 
stcem,  than  ever. 


NILES'  REGISTER-JULY   12,  1834— MORMONS  IN  MISSOURI. 


The  Massachusetts  Charitable  Mechanic  association   have  I  To  the  honorable  general  assembly  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island 
peTJevered  in  thefr  labors,  and  expect  to  raise  a  sufficient  sum        nnUole  Mde^M^NeVpn^wliUa  and  for  sa.d  stale,  on 


=t  srasss 

ground,  in  the  hope,    charter  of  incorporation 


'r 

m.d  U  th^lm,  -uoundhe  square  and  the  127,000  feet  not 
Snlhe  -n  mre  ,  w  d,'i  °"t"  *  harc-'of  n»e  hundred  dollars,  would 
Sell  for  ihe  sum  of  twenty  live  thousand  dollars.  Such  sale 

o   w   he"    •  -ffLto  I   but  it  is  hoped  it  will  be. 

The   .ndiTs   npo'edt.  be  worth  the  money  for  which  it  is 

offtred-aBd  the  merest  upon  that  money,  if  the  power  to  re- 

deem  shou  d  a  ,J'-and  if  no  redemption  should  occur,  that  the 

urcha'erswo   Id  he   1.1  y  repaid  in  the  land  itself.     There  is 

another  r«  •  Jurclt-if  the  monument  be  completed,  tho  annual 


have,  from  lhal  lime  lo  ihe  present,  continued  and  acted  under 
Ihe  authority  granted  them  as  a  body  corporate  and  politic,  and 
in  all  things  have  conformed  and  been  obedient  lo  the  laws  of 
the  state,  that  they  now  relinquish  into  the  hands  of  this  gene- 
ral assembly,  Ihe  aforesaid  charter  of  incorporation,  granted  to 
them  as  aforesaid,  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  franchis- 
es thereunto  belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining,  reserving 
to,  and  claiming  for  themselves  as  individuals,  all  those  rights 
and  privileges  which  belong  in  common  to  every  citizen  in  this 

caused  their  corporate  seal  to  be  affixed,  this  30th  day  of  April, 

By  order  and  in  behalf  of  the.  grand  lodge. 
JOSEPH  S.  OOOKE,  sranrf  master. 
SYLVESTER  KNIGHT,  D.  grand  master. 
BARZILLAI  CRANSTON,  L.  s.  C.  S.  warden. 
CYRUS  PISHKK,  G.  J.  warden. 
PARDON  CLARKE,  grand  treasurer. 
SAMUEL  W.  WHEELER,  grand  secretary. 

THE  MORMONS  IN  MISSOURI. 

Current  information  from  Missouri  confirms  the  apprehen- 
sions entertained  of  the  breaking  out  of  a  furious  civil  war 
between  the  Mormons  and  the  residents  of  Jackson  county, 
in  the  state  of  Missouri.  The  Fayetle  Monitor,  of  the  21st, 
says-'-By  our  next  number  we  anticipate  something,  (on  Ihe 
Mormon  controversy),  in  an  authentic  form.  The  people  may 
look  for  the  worst." 

The  Missouri  Enquirer,  (printed  at  Liberty),  of  the  18th  June, 
says,  that,  on  the  Monday  preceding,  a  committee  on  ihe  part 
of  the  cilizens  of  Jackson  comity,  and  one  in  behalf  of  the 
Mormon  people,  met  at  Liberty,  to  take  into  consideration  the 


uu  the  whole,  the  association  and  the  public  may  be  encotirag-     A.  D.  183-1. 
ed  thai  Ihe  monument  will  be  completed,  that  when  completed,    feigned, 
it  will  be  an  object  of  such  proud  exultation  to  this  age,  and  to 
the  whole  country,  that  all  who  have  aided  to  raise  it  will  derive 
ihe  highest  gratification  in  the  reflection  that  the  work  is  done. 
It  may  hereafter  be  said  of  this  monument,  with  moie  propriety 
and  more  feeling  than  the  Greeks  were  accustomed  to  .«peak  of 
their  statue  of  Olympian   Jupiter,   that  '-to  have  lined,  and  to 
have  died,  without  having  seen  U,  was  to  have  lived  in  vain." 

JOSEPH  T.  BUCKINGHAM, 

WILLIAM  SULLIVAN, 

JOHN  SKINNER, 

EBENEZER  BREED, 

GEORGE  DARRACOTT, 

NATHANIEL  HAMMOND, 

WILLIAM   W.  STONE, 

JOSEPH  JENKINS, 

JOHN  P.  THORNDIKE, 
Executive  committee  of  the  Bunker  Hill  monument. 

On  motion     it  Was  I  i^U'llllun    yt;o|iic,  mt'i   ui   umeiij,  n/  ni\>    mi**  \..>i»ciii\.n»*m..i.  *..~ 

Voted  That  the  president  of  this  association,  in  the  name  i  subjecl  of  compromising  Ihe  difficulties  which  occurred  in  Jack- 
and  behalf  Ihereof,  be  and  he  is  hereby  authorised  and  em-  son  county  last  autumn.  No  compromise  was  effected,  how- 
powered  to  convey  in  fee  simple  so  much  of  the  land  under  and  ever,  notwithstanding  the  exertions  of  the  people  of  Clay  coun- 
near  the  monument,  on  Bunker  Hill,  in  Charlestown,  as  the  ly,  (in  which  Liberty  is  situated),  a  committee  of  whom  were 
said  president  and  directors,  or  a  majority  of  them,  shall  deem  appointed  to  act  as  mediators.  On  the  contrary,  the  exeite- 
c'xpedient — also,  Ihe  said  monument,  lo  Ihe  commonwealth  of  1'inenl  among  Ihe  people  was  such,  lhal  ihe  conference  was,  in 
Massacusetts,  or  to  such  corporation,  person  or  persons,  at  I  consequence  of  it,  obliged  to  be  adjourned.  The  proposition 
•UCh  lime,  and" on  such  terms  and  conditions  as  a  majority  of  I  made  by  the  people  of  Jackson  county  lo  ihe  Mormons,  who 
-• '  ^resident  and  directors  shall,  in  writing,  approve.  I  were  driven  out  of  the  county  last  autumn,  and  are  about  to 

re-enter  il  with  additional  numbers,  in  arms,  is,  to  buy  all  the 
lands  and  improvement-  of  the  Mormons,  at  a  valuation  by  dis- 


From  the  Boston  Courier  of  June  18. 


no  work  in  the  world  can  be  considered  superior  to  this  inonu-    misc.  is  not  agreed  to  before  Saturday  next),  tell  how   long  it 
ment,  so  far  a*  it  has  gone  on;  and  that  the  work  has  been  done    will  be  before  we  shall  have  the   painful  task  of  recording  the 


awful  realities  of  an  exterminating  war."  The  citizens  of  Jack- 


, 
for  less  money,  than  it  could  again  be  done  lor,  and  that  no 


FREEMASON3  IN  RHODE  ISLAND. 
From  the  Providence  Journal. 

CHARTER   OF     THE    GRAND    LODGE   OF     RHODE   ISLAND     SURRF.N- 
DEKEP. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  grand  lodge  of  tho  most  ancient  and  hon- 
orable society  of  free  and  accepted  masons  for  the  siale  of 
Rhode  Island,  &c.  holden  at  Mason's  Hall,  Providence,  March 
17th,  1834,  the  following  resolutions  and  memorial,  were  adopt- 
ed. 

Resolved,  That  this  grand  lodge  surrender  to  the  general  as- 


•embly  of  this  state,  at  their  next  May  session,  to  be  holden  at 


grand  ina«tnr,  deputy  Rrand  master,  grand  wardens,  grand  trea- 


grnnu  iii-i-u  i  ,  «i'.|M^»j    gi  anil  iiianiv:!  ,  £i  uuu    v»ni  limn,  giuilll    trca- 

nurer,  nnd  grand  secretary  of  the  same,  and  that  the  corporate 
seal  of  ibis  grand  lodge,  be  affixed  thereto,  in  testimony  of  the 
B«si:nt  of  this  corporation  to  the  aforesaid  surrender. 

SAMUEL  W.  WHEELER,  grand  sec'ry. 


Attett, 


. 

The  following  account  of  a  fatal  accident,  which  occurred  on 
the  evening  after  this  conference,  evidently  refers  the  disaster 
to  the  enmity  existing  between  these  exasperated  parties: 
From  the  Missouri  Enquirer  of  June  18. 

Independence,  Mo.  June  \7th,  1834. 

Messrs.  Kelly  $/•  Davis:  Having  understood  that  you  have  re- 
ceived intelligence  of  the  sinking  of  the  ferry  boat  at  Everett'i 
ferry,  on  the  Missouri,  last  evening,  together  with  a  statement 
of  the  sufferings  of  those  who  happened  to  be  on  board,  we,  a 
part  of  those  who  escaped,  have  thought  proper,  for  the  correct 
information  of  yourselves  and  others,  to  give  a  statement  of  the 
facts  as  they  actually  occurred. 

Eight  of  the  citizens  of  this  county,  a  majority  of  whom  was 
a  part  of  the  committee  that  wailed  on  the  Mormons,  in  your 
town,  on  yesterday,  embarked  on  board  of  the  boat  at  about 
nine  o'clock,  it  being  perfectly  clear,  an'd  the  moon  shining  as 
bright  as  we  ever  saw  it.  Upon  our  embnrking,  the  boat  ap- 
peared lo  bo  in  as  good  order  as  we  ever  saw  it — the  false  floor 
was  tijilil  and  good.  Alter  our  having  left  the  shore  some  two 
hundred  yards,  in  an  instant,  as  it  were,  the  boat  wag  filled 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   12,  1834— LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.       857 


with  water.  We  are  confident  the  boat  struck  nothing.  Our 
impressions  at  that  time  were,  and  still  are,  that  something  had 
been  done  to  the  boat  to  sink  her,  as  it  was  known  that  the 
committee  from  this  county  would  cross  at  that  point  last 
Bight. 

The  names  of  the  persons  lost  are — James  Campbell,  Wil- 
liam Everett,  David  Linch,  Jefferson  Cary,  and  a  Mr.  Bradbu- 
ry—the two  List  \vrre  Hit:  ferrymen. 

Those  escaping— Small  wood  Noland,  Richard  Fristoe,"Small- 
wood  V.  Noland,  Samuel  C.  Owens,  Thomas  Harrington,  and 
a  Mr.  Frost — the  last  being  the  third  ferryman.  Those  who  es- 
caped, we  assure  you,  suffered  much.  Respectfully,  your  ebe- 
dieni  servants,  '  SAMUEL  C.  OWENS, 

S.  V.  NOLAND, 
THOMAS  HARRINGTON. 

YEAS  AND  NAYS 
On  the  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Stevenson. 
Mr.  Speight  submitted  the  following  resolution: 
Ilesolced,  Thai  the  thanks  of  this  house  be  presented  to  the 
honorable  jlndrcw  Stevenson, \&lu  speaker,  for  the  firmness,  dig- 
nity, skill  and  impartiality  with  which  he  tilled  the  office  of 
speaker,  during  the  present  session. 

Mr.  Reed  desired  the  yeas  and  nays:  which  were  ordered. 
Tin?  question  being  taken,  the  resolution  was  agreed  to. 
YEAS— Messrs.  John  Adams,  John  J.  Allen,  Win.  Allen, 
Bean,  Beardsley,  Beaumont,  Blair,  Bockee,  Bodle,  Boon,  Boul- 
din,  Bunch,  Cage,  Cambreleng,  Carmichael,  Carr,  Casey,  Cha- 
ney,  Chirm,  S.  Clark,  Clay,  Coffee,  Connor,  Cramer,  Daven- 
port, Day,  Dickerson,  Dickinson,  Dunlap,  Felder,  Forrester, 
Fowler,  Win.  K.  Fuller,  Gholson,  Gillel.  Gilmer,  Joseph  Hall, 
Halsey,  Hauler,  Hannegan,  Joseph  M.  Harper,  Harrison,  Hath- 
away, Hawkins,  Huwes,  Heath,  Henderson, .Abel  Hunlington, 
Inge,N.  Johnson,  Kavanagh,  Kinnard,  Lansing,  Laporte,  Luke 
Lea,  Thos.  Lee,  Leavitt,  Lyon,  Lytle,  A.  Mann,  J.  Y.  Mason, 
Moses  Mason,  McDuffie,  Mclntire,  McKay,  McKim,  McKinley, 
McVean,  Miller,  Mulilenberg,  Murphy,  Osgood,  Page,  Parker, 
Paiton,  Patterson,  Dutee  J.  Pearce,  F.  Pierce,  Polk,  Sctienck, 
Schley,  Shinn,  Charles  Slade,  Smith,  Speight/Stoddert,  Suther- 
land, William  Taylor,  Francis  Thomas,  Thomson,  Vanderpoel, 
Wagener,  Ward,  Wardwell,  C.  P.  White— 97. 

NAYS— Messrs.  J.  Q..  Adams,  Heman  Allen,  Archer,  Ear- 
lier, liinney,  Burges,  Campbell,  Chambers,  Denny,  Duncan, 
Evan.--,  E.  Everett,  II.  Everett,  Ewiug,  Fillmore,  Garland, 
Crayson,  Griffin,  Hiland  Hall,  Hardin,  Jas.  Harper,  Hazeltine, 
Heister,  Jackson,  Jarvis,  Win.  Cost  Johnson,  King,  Lewis,  Lin- 
coln, Martindale,  McKennan,  Mercer,  Milligan,  Pinckney, 
Potts,  Reed,  Kencher,  Seldeu,  William  B.  Shepard,  Spangler, 
Sieeln,  Twenty,  Vinton,  Watmough,  E.  D.  White,  F.  Whittle- 
Bey,  Elislia  Wliittlcscy,  Wilde,  Williams— 49. 

— »»e  ©  ««*- — 

LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
An  act  to  revive  and  amend  "an  act  for  the  relief  of  certain  in- 
solvent debtors  of  the  United  States,"  passed  on  the  second 
day  of  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-one,  and  an  act  in 
addition  thereto,  passed  on  the  fourteenth  of  July,  eighteen 
hundred  and  thirty-two. 
licit  enacted,  $c.  That  an  act  entitled  "an  act  for  the  relief 
of  certain  insolvent  debtors  of  the   United  States,"  passed  on 
the  second  day  of  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-one,  and 
JIH  act  in  addition  thereto,  passed  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  Ju- 
ly, eighteen  hundred  and  thirty  two,  which  said  acts  expired 
on  the  second  day  of  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-four, 
be,  and  the  same  are  hereby  revived,  and  shall  continue  in 
force  for  three  years  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  act. 

Sec.  2.  Jlnd  he  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  surety,  or  co- 
surety, of  any  debtor  who  is,  or  shall  become,  an  applicant  for 
relief  under  the  provisions  of  the  acts  recited  in  the  preceding 
section  of  this  act,  shall  be  dead,  the  consent  of  the  legal  repre- 
sentative or  representative*  of  Midi  deceased  surety  or  co-siire- 
IV,  shall  be  received,  and  entitle  the  applicant  to  relief,  in  like 
riifliini-r  as  the  consent  of  a  living  surety,  or  co-surety,  wouli 
<lo  by  the  provisions  of  the  third  section  of  the  act  of  the  four- 
teenth of  July,  eighteen  hundred  anil  thirty-two;  and  if  flu 
surety  or  co-surety  of  any  such  debtor  shall  be  absent  in  part 
(inkmnvn,  or  il  the  consent  of  the  legal  representative  or  repre- 
sentaiives  of  any  deceased  surety,  or  co-surety,  cannot  be  ob- 
tained and  tin-  pni|ierty  or  estate  of  any  such  deceased  or  ab- 
sent surely  or  co-surety,  shall  not  bfi  sufficient  to  pay  the  deb 
due  to  the  United  Stales,  and  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  shal 
lie  satisfied  In  proof  of  these  facts,  he  shall  be  authorised  in  al 
inch  cases,  to  !>ir\nt  sneh  relief  or  discharge  as  the  debtor  ap 
plying  fur  the  saniR  mnv  be  entitled  to,  according  to  the  provi 
sions  of  the  acts  whiHi  this  act  is  intended  to  revive  am 
amend,  upon  the  condition  that  such  debtor  shall  not  be  dis 
charged  thereby  from  his  or  her  legal  liability  to  such  ahson 
surety  or  co-surety,  or  to  the  estate  of  such  deceased  debtor 
for  any  part  of  the  debt  due  to  the  United  States  which  may 
thereafter  be  paid  by  or  out  of  the  estate  of  any  such  absent  or 
deceased  surety  or  co-surety. 

Sec.  3.  ~1nd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  discharges  which 
have  heretofore  been  granted  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
to  any  principal  debtor,  with  the  consent  of  the  legal  rcpr<"--rn- 
talive  or  representatives  oi  any  deceased  surety  or  co-surety, 
shall  be  as  valid  a*  though  such  surety  or  co  surety,  had  been 
alive,  and  his  or  her  consent  obtained,  according  to  the  letter 
of  the  thinl  section  of  the  act  of  the  fourteenth  of  July,  eighteen 
hundred  and  thirty-two. 


Sec.  4.  Ani,  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  secretary  of  the 
reasury  shall  be  authorised  to  cause  satisfaction  to  be  entered 

pon  all  judgments  against  such  insolvents  as  have  heretofore 

ieen,  or  may  hereafter  be,  relieved  under  the  provisions  of  the 
acts  which  this  act  is  intended  to  revive  and  amend;  or  under 
any  other  and  former  act  of  congress  for  the  relief  of  persons 
mprisoned  for  debts  due  to  the  United  States:  Provided,  the 
district  judge  of  the  district  in  which  such  judgment*  are  on 

he  record,  shall  certify  that  he  is  satisfied  that  the  debtor  U 
>ossessed  or  entitled  to  no  property  liable  to  be  niiplied  to  sa- 
tisfaction of  said  judgments,  and  that  the  interest  of  the  go- 
vernment docs  not  require  that  such  judgments  should  r>  main 
unsatisfied.  In  every  case  of  application  for  such  certificate  to 
a  judge  at  his  chambers,  ten  days  notice  shall  be  given  to  the 
district  attorney  for  the  district  where  the  application  U  made. 
Approved  June  7, 1634. 

An  act  lo  enable  the  president  to  make  an  arrangement  with 
the  government  of  France  in  relation  to  certain  French  sea- 
men killed  or  wounded  at  Toulon,  and  their  families. 
Whereas  certain  French  seamen  were  unfortunately  killad 
and  others  wounded,  by  firing  a  salute  from  the  American  fri- 
•ate  United  Slates,  in  the  harbor  of  Toulon,  on  the  first  day  of 
May  last,  and  whereas  it  is  proper  to  inanil'ert  the  sensibility 
with  which  the  disastrous  accident  is  viewed  by  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  Stales,  therefore 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  .America  in  congress  assembled,  That  the  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  be  and  he  hereby  is  authorised  and 
empowered  to  enter  into  an  arrangement  with  the  government 
of  France  for  the  payment  of  an  annual  sum  of  twice  the  amount 
receivable  by  the  navy  pensioners  of  the  same  or  a  similar  class 
of  the  wounded  who  survive,  and  to  such  relatives  of  those 
who  were  unhappily  killed  as  aforesaid,  as  the  president  may 
deem  it  expedient  to  include  in  this  provision,  which  said  sum 
shall  be  paid  on  the  earliest  day  practicable  alter  the  proposed 
arrangement  shall  be  concluded,  and  on  the  same  day  in  each 
year  thereafter  during  the  respective  lives  of  the  persons  to 
whom  granted. 

Sec.  2.  Jlnd  be  U  further  enacted,  That  a  sum  of  money  suf- 
ficient to  enable  the  president  to  carry  the  aforesaid  arrange- 
ment into  effect  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  appropriated,  to  be 
paid  out  of  any  money  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise  appropri- 
ated. 
Approved,  June  28tu,  1834. 

GOLD    COIN   LAWS. 

An  act  concerning  the  gold  coins  of  the  United  States,  and  for 
other  purposes. 


coins  of  the  United  States  shall  contain  the  following  quantities 
of  metal,  that  is  to  say:  each  eagle  shall  contain  two  hundred 
and  thirty-two  grains  of  pure  gold,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight  grains  of  standard  gold;  each  half  eagle,  one  hundred  and 
sixteen  grains  of  pure  gold,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  nine 
grains  of  standard  gold;  each  quarter  eagle  shall  contain  fifty- 
eight  grains  of  pure  gold,  and  sixty-four  and  a  half  grains  of 
standard  iiold:  every  such  ensile  shall  be  of  the  value  nf  ton  H^I 


lars  and  ntty  cents.  And  the  said  gold  coins  shall  he  received 
in  all  payments  when  of  full  weight,  according  to  their  said  re- 
spective values;  and  when  of  loss  than  full  weight,  at  less  va- 
lues, proportioned  to  their  respective  actual  u  eights. 

Sec.  2.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  standard  gold  or 
silver  deposited  for  coinage  alter  the  thirty  first  day  of  July 
next,  shall  be  paid  for  in  coin,  under  the  direction  of  the  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury,  within  five  days  from  the  making  of  such 
depo?ite,  deducting  from  the  amount  of  said  deposite  of  gold 
and  silver  one-half  of  one  per  centum:  Provided,  Thai  no  de- 
duction shall  be  made  unless  said  advance  be  required  by  such 
depositor  within  forty  days. 

Sec.  3.  Jlnd  be  it.  further  enacted,  That  all  gold  coins  of  the 
United  States,  minted  anterior  to  the  thirty-first  day  of  July 
next,  shall  be  receivable  in  all  payments  at  the  rate  of  ninety- 
four  and  eight- tenths  of  a  cent  per  pennyweight. 

Sec.  4.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  better  to  secure  a 
conformity  of  the  said  gold  coins  lo  their  respective  standards 
as  aforesaid,  from  every  separate  mass  of  standard  gold  which 
shall  lie  made  into  coins  at  the  said  mint,  there  shall  be  taken 

«f>t  :in:irt  hv  Ihp  treasurer  nm!  reserved  in  hiw  nuct^/l*.    .. 


declared,  more  than  one  part  in  three     undred  ami  eighty-four 
in  fineness,  and  one  part  in  five  hundred  in  weight,  the  officer 


of  the  said  mint  whom  it  may  concern  shall  he  held 


399 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY    12,  1 934— MR.  BARRY'S  ADDRESS. 


Sec.  5.  ~indbe  it  further  enacted,  That  this  act  shall  be  in 
force  from  and  after  the  thirty  first  day  of  July,  in  the  year  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  anil  thirty-four. 

Passed  the  house  of  representatives,  Junp  21,  '1834. 
Attest:  U'.  S.  FKAXKMN,  clerk  house  rep. 


An  act  regulating  the  value  of  certain  foreign  gold  coins  within 
the  United  Stales. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  of  the 
United  Slates  of  -imerica,  in  congress  assembled,  That  from  and 
after  the  thirty-first  day  of  July  next,  the  following  gold  coins 
Khali  pass  current  as  money  within  the  United  States,  and  be 
receivable  in  all  payments,  by  weight,  for  the  payment  of  all 
debts  and  demand.-,  ;it  the  rales  farrowing,  that  i.s  to  >ay:  tl.e 
gold  coins  of  Great  Britain,  Portugal  and  Brazil,  of  not  less 
than  tw«nty-lwo  carats  fine,  at  the  rate  of  ninety-  four  cents  and 
eight-tenths  of  a  cent  per  pennyweight;  the  gold  coins  ol 
France,  nine  tenths  fine,  at  the  late  of  ninety-three  cents  and 
one-tenth  of  a  cent  per  pennyweight;  and  the  gold  coins  of 
Spain,  Mexico  and  Colombia,  of  the  fineness  of  twenty  carats 
three  grain*  and  seven-sixteenths  of  a  grain,  at  the  rate  of  eigh- 
ty-nine cents  and  nine-  tenths  of  a  cent  per  pennyweight. 

Sec.  2.  rfnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  cause  assays  of  the  aforesaid 
gold  coins,  made  current  by  this  act,  to  be  had  at  the  mint  of 
the  United  States  at  least  once  in  every  year  and  to  make  re- 
port of  the  result  thereof  to  congress. 

Passed  the  house  of  representatives.  June  21.  1834. 
(Signed)  W.  S.  FRANKLIN,  clerk. 

THE   EXISTING    LAW. 

An  act  regulating  foreign  coins,  and  for  other  purposes. 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  congress  assembled,  That  from  and 
after  the  1st  day  of  July  next,  foreign  gold  and  silver  coins  shall 
pass  current,  as  money,  within  the  United  Slates,  and  be  a  le- 
gal tender,  for  the  payment  of  all  debts  and  demands,  at  the  se- 
veral and  respective  rates  following,  and  not  otherwise,  viz: 
The  gold  coins  of  Great  Britain  and  Portugal,  of  their  present 
standard,  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  cents  for  every  twenty- 
seven  grains  of  the  actual  weight  thereof;  the  gold  coins  of 
France,  Spain  and  the  dominions  of  Spain,  of  their  present 
standard,  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  cents  for  every  twenty- 
seven  grains  and  two-fifths  of  a  grain,  of  the  actual  weight 
thereof.  Spanish  millrd  dollars,  at  the  rale  of  one  hundred 
cents  for  each  dollar,  the  actual  weight  whereof  shall  not  be  less 
than  seventeen  pennyweights  and  seven  grains;  and  in  propor- 
tion for  the  parts  of  a  dollar.  Crowns  of  France,  at  the  Kite  of 
one  hundred  and  ten  cents  for  each  crown,  the  actual  weight 
whereof  shall  not  be  less  than  eighteen  pennyweights  and  se- 
venteen grains,  and  in  proportion  for  the  parts  of  a  crown.  But 
no  foreign  coin  that  may  have  been,  or  shall  be,  issued  subse- 
quent to  the  1st  day  of  January,  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  ninety  two,  shall  be  a  tender,  as  aforesaid,  until  samples 
thereof  shall  have  been  found,  by  assay  at  the  mint  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  to  be  conformable  to  the  respective  standards  requir- 
ed, and  proclamation  thereof  shall  have  been  made  by  the  pre- 
sident ol  the  United  States. 

Sec.  2.  Prodded  always,  and  be  it  further  enacted,  That  at  the 
expiration  of  three  year.*  next  ensuing  the  time  when  the  coin- 
age of  gold  and  silver,  agreeably  to  the  act,  entitled  "an  ai  t 
establishing  a  mint,  and  regulating  the  coins  of  the  United 
Stales,"  shall  commence  at  the  mint  of  the  U.  States,  (which 
time  shall  be  announced  by  the  proclamation  of  the  president 
of  the  United  States),  all  foreign  gold  coins,  and  all  foreigh  sil- 
ver coins,  (except  Spanish  milled  dollars  and  parts  of  such  dol- 
lars) shall  cease  to  be  a  legal  tender  as  aforesaid. 

Sec.  3.  Jlni.  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  foreign  gold  and 
silver  coins,  (except  Spanish  milled  dollars,  and  parts  of  such 
dollars)  which  shall  be  received  in  payment  for  moneys  due  to 
the  United  States,  after  the  said  time  when  the  coining  of  cold 
and  silver  coins  shall  begin  at  the  mint  of  the  United  States, 
•hall,  previously  to  their  being  issued  in  circulation,  be  coined 
anew,  in  conformity  to  the  act,  entitled  "an  act  establishing  a 
mint  and  regulating  the  coins  of  the  United  States." 

Sec.  4.  Jind  he  it  further  enacted,  That  from  and  after  the  1st 
day  of  July  next,  the  fifty  fifth  section  of  the  act,  entitled  "an 
act  to  provide  more  effectually  for  the  collection  of  the  duties 
imposed  by  law  on  coods,  wares  and  merchandise,  imported 
into  the  I'nited  States,  "  which  ascertains  tin?  rates  at  which 
foreign  gold  and  silver  coins  shall  be  received  for  the  duties  and 
fees  to  be  collected  in  virtue  of  the  said  act,  be,  and  the  same 
la  hereby  repeal*  d. 

Sec.  5.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the.  assay,  provided 
to  lie  made  by  Hie  act,  entitled  "An  art  r.«tabli  -lung  a  mint,  and 
regulating  the  coins  of  the  United  Slates.''  -hall  commence,  in 
the  manner  as  by  the  said  ael  is  prescribed,  on  the  second  Mon- 
day of  February,  annually,  any  thing  in  Hie  said  act  to  the  con- 
trary notwithstanding.  '  Approved,  February  9,  1793. 


MR.  BARRY'S    ADIHJKSS. 
Jlddrtsiof  FFiKium  T.  Barry,  postmritler  general,  to  the  people 

of  the  'L'nited  States. 

Allhough  the  opponents  of  the  administration  have  made  me 
the  object  of  unexampled  persecution  since  I  came  into  office, 
I  have  hitherto  remained  silent,  willing  to  submit  to  the  se- 
verest scrutiny  of  my  public  conduct,  confiding  in  the  justice 
and  intelligence  of  the  American  people.  That  confidence  is 


undiminished.  But  the  extraordinary  conduct  of  the  majority 
of  the  committee  of  the  senate  on  post  offices  and  pod  roads  in 
conducting  their  recent  examinations;  the  personality,  misre- 
presentation and  falsehood,  which  characterize  their  report, 
make  it  my  duty  to  notice  it  in  an  especial  manner;  to  expos* 
its  errors — refute  its  falsehoods — anil  repel  with  indignation  Us 
base  personal  allusions  and  imputations.  1'reparatoiy  to  thi«, 
it  will  be  necessary,  for  a  proper  understanding  of  the  subject, 
to  notice  so  much  of  the  post  office  law  as  confers  power  on  the 
postmaster  general  and  defines  his  duties. 

The  first  section  of  the  act  of  March  3,  1825,  "to  reduce  into 
one  the  several  acts  establishing  and  regulating  the  post  oflic-e 
department,"  ordains  that  "the  postmaster  general  shall  estab- 
lish post  offices  tind  appoint  postmasters  at  all  such  places  as 
f-hull  appear  to  him  expedient,  on  the  post  roads  that  are  or 
maybe  es.tiibli.-hed  by  law."  "He  shall  provide  for  the  car- 
riage of  the  mail  on  all  post  roads  that  are  or  may  be  established 
by  law,  and  as  often  as  he,  having  regard  to  the  productivcncs* 
thereof,  and  other  circumstances,  shall  think  proper."  "He 
may  direct  the  route  or  road,  where  there  are  more  than  one, 
between  places  designated  by  law  fora  post  road,  which  route 
shall  be  considered  the  post  road."  "He  shall  pay  all  expenses 
which  may  arise  in  conducting  the  post  office  and  in  the  con- 
veyance of  the  mail,  and  all  other  necessary  expenses  arising 
on  the  collection  ofthe  revenue  and  management  of  the  general 
post  office."  The  fourth  section  ofthe  sunie  law  requires  "that 
the  postmaster  general  shall  cause  a  mail  to  be  carried  from  the 
nearest  post  office  on  any  established  post  road,  to  the  court 
house  of  any  county  which  is  now  or  hereafter  may  be  estab- 
lished in  any  of  the  states  or  territories  of  the  United  Stale*, 
and  which  is  without  a  mail." 

In  regard  to  the  powers  conferred,  and  the  duties  imposed 
upon  the  postmaster  general  it  will  be  seen  that  this  department 
is  anomalous  from  all  others  in  the  government.  In  every  other 
department,  not  only  the  object  but  the  maximum  of  every 
expenditure  is  defined  by  law,  and  subject  to  an  annual  ap- 
propriation from  the  treasury.  In  this  department,  no  appro- 
priation from  the  treasury  is  made  for  its  general  objects.  It 
rests  upon  its  own  resources  alone.  No  limitation  in  this  re- 
spect is  prescribed  by  law;  but  all  is  left  to  the  discretion  of  the 
postmaster  general.  He  M  bound  to  provide  for  the  conveyance 
of  the  mail,  and  to  pay  the  expense;  but  the  manner  and  the 
frequency  of  conveying  it,  consequently  the  amount  of  expense 
which  it  may  incur,  are  subject  to  his  discretion  alone.  He  ran- 
not  draw  money  from  the  treasury  without  appropralion  by 
law,  nor  involve  the  responsibility  oi"  the  treasury  lor  any  of  his 
engagements;  but  so  far  as  the  responsibility  of  his  own  de- 
partment will  sustain  him,  he  does  not  transcend  the  power 
vested  in  him  by  law.  If  the  expenses  of  his  department  shall 
any  time  exceed  its  revenues,  and  if  he  shall  anticipate  so  much 
of  its  revenues  as  to  meet  that  excess,  so  tongas  he  does  not  in- 
volve any  responsibility  beyond  that  of  his  own  department, 
he  does  not  violate  the  law.  And  the  power  which  he  exercises 
is,  by  law,  invested  immediately  jn  him.  He  is,  likr  nil  other 
executive  officers,  amenable  to  I  he  president  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge ofthe  duties  of  his  office;  but  the  law  confers  directly  on 
him,  an  independence  of  power  which  is  not  so  fully  recognized 
in  any  other  department  ofthe  government.  The  law,  in  these 
respects,  is  similar  to  what  it  was  from  the  unsmiling  ofthe  pre- 
sent government.  All  the  authority  of  the  law  is  vested  in  tho 
postma>ii-r  general  alone,  and  he  alone  is  held  responsible  for 
all  the  transactions  of  the  department.  Every  other  depart- 
ment of  the  government  is  organized  with  its'  proper  snb-of- 
tierrs,  appointed  by  the  president  and  senate,  \vlio  superintend 
contracts,  or  engagements  which  involve  liabilities,  and  the  ad- 
justment of  accounts  before  their  payment,  and  whose  act* 
have  the  sanction  of  law.  This  department  was  small  in  it* 
beginning*,  which  rendered  such  organization  of  little  import- 
ance; hut  its  growth,  especially  within  the  last  few  years,  hn* 
been  beyond  all  anticipation.  The  rapid  improvements  of  our 
country,  the  spreading  of  its  population  orer  its  widely  extend- 
ed domain,  and  the  increasing  fondness  for  intelligence,  e*Vfl 
among  the  most  distant  frontier  settlements,  have  called  for  a 
progressive  increase  of  mail  facilities  beyond  all  former  ex- 
ample; and  the  responsibility  of  granting  or  denying  Ihrm — is 
in  the  postmaster  general  alone.  To  refuse  them,  would  ha 
withholding  from  the  people  a  benefit  which  they  conceive  it 
their  right  to  claim,  under  a  republic  where  security  depends  on 
popular  intelligence;  to  grant  them,  would  confer  on  the  people 
a  benefit  of  incalculable  value,  though  it  might  subject  the 
postmaster  general  to  animadversions  from  those  who  did  not 
themselves  need  them,  or  whose  party  prejudices  were  para- 
mount to  every  other  consideration. 

The  majority  ofthe  committee  have  stated,  that  the  late  post- 
master  general,  in  his  report  of  November  13,  1807,  expresssd 
an  opinion  that  the  department,  by  a  vigilant  administration  of 
its  affairs,  would  ho  able  to  supply  all  the  wants  of  the  com- 
munity, and  in  a  few  years  to  pay  'into  the  treasury  an  annual 
sum  nf  .~.">00,000;  and  they  add,  "your  committee  entertain  'no 
doubt,  that  had  its  affairs  been  conducted  prudently,  with  a 
view  to  the  public  interest,  the  anticipation  would  n't  this  time 
have  been  realized."  Here,  their  object  evidently  is.  to  charge 
upon  the  mismanagement  ofthe  department,  icAi/e  tinder  my  ad- 
ministration,  the  difference  between  the  present  condition  of  its 
finances  and  an  ability  to  pay  gfiOO.OOO  annually,  into  the  trea- 
sury. This  charge,  the  committee  knew  nt  the  time  of  making 
it,  if  It  contained  a  shadow  of  irnth  or  justice,  re=trd  n<;aimi 
my  predecessor  in  office,  and  not  against  me.  They  had  the  fact* 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   12,  1834— MR.  BARRY'S  ADDRESS,  339 


in  evidence  before  ihwin,  thai  the  late  postmaster  general  in  his 
next  report,  dated  November  17,1828,  showed,  that  instead  of 
gaviiiK  for  the  treasury  .'ij'.OlJO, 000  the  expenses  of  his  department, 
from  the  1st  July,  1827,  to  tho  1st  July,  1828,  were  upwards  of 
($25,000,  more  than  all  its  revenues  for  the  same  period;  and  that 
lie  had  entered  into  contracts  to  take  effect  from  the  Jst  of 
January,  1829,  wliieli  involved  the  department  in  an  expense, 
for  the  period  of  only  six  months  from  Uie  1st  of  January  to  the 
1st  July,  18J9,  of  $49,778  55  more  than  all  its  revenues  for  the 
same  time;  that  the  expi  uses  of  the  department  for  the  year 
commencing  the  1st  of  July,  1828,  were  $74,714  15  more  than 
its  revenues;  and  that  this  excess  of  expenditure,  together  with 
tire  losses  -sustained,  had  diminished  ihe  finances  of  the  depart- 
ment within  o:re  year,  to  the  amount  of  $10 1,250  03.  In  this 
state  of  things,  1  had  no  agency.  It  was  produced  hefore  I 
came  into  otiiee.  The  late  postmaster  geneial,  in  his  report  of 
November,  1828,  gave  this  reason  for  his  change  of  policy:  "As 
congress  at  their  last  session  declined  making  any  appropriation 
of  the  surplus  funds  of  the  department,  with  the  expectation, 
us  was  believed,  that  they  should  be  applied  in  diffusing  facili- 
ties throughout  the  union,  arrd  increasing  them  where  requited 
by  the  public  interest,  an  augmentation  to  the  conveyance  of 
the  mail,  to  five  hundred  and  thirty-seven  thousand  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-four  miles  in  stages,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty- 
one  thousand  severr  hundred  and  four  miles  on  horseback,  mak- 
ing a  total  of  seven  hundred  and  ninety-eight  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  sixty  miles,  has  been  made  the  past  year."  lie 
also  adds:  "  It  is  believed  to  be  good  policy  to  keep  the  funds  of 
the  department  actively  employed,  extending  its  operations 
until  the  reasonable  wants  of  every  community  shall  be  suppli- 
ed." This  policy  whether  good  or  bad,  it  will  be  seen,  was  in- 
troduced by  my  predecessor.  The  incurring  of  responsibilities 
to  a  large  amount  beyond  the  revenues  of  the  department,  ori- 
ginated with  him,  or  if  before  his  day,  it  was  adopted  by  him  iir 
the  latter  part  of  his  administration,  and  the  facts  were  known 
t<t  the  committee  when  the  majority  of  them  reprobated  the 
Treasure,  and  by  exhibiting  the  subject  in  a  deceptive  light,  en- 
deavored to  cast  the  imputed  odiunr  on  me. 

In  this  condition  I  found  the  department.  Its  responsibilities 
were  involved  for  years  in  prospect,  to  an  amount  of  nearly  a 
hundred  thousand  dollars  a  year  beyond  its  reveaues.  The 
late  postmaster  general  expressed  to  me,  in  a  letter,  his  views 
of  the  proper  and  successful  mode  of  administering  the  depart 
nietit.  The  following  is  an  extract  of  his  letter  to  me,  of  tire 
31st' of  March,  1829: 

"The  expenditures  of  the  department  this  year  will  exceed 
the  receipts,  as  was  the  case  last  year:  but  the  increase  of  re- 
ceipts will  show  the  rapid  advancement  of  the  department.  It 
was  deemed  good  policy  to  permit  the  expense  to  go  beyond  the 
receipts,  in  order  that  a  part  of  the  surplus  of  former  years 
might  be  absorbed.  It  is  the  true  policy,  to  keep  the  funds 
active,  and  never  suffer  a  large  surplus  to  accumulate.  The 
above  remarks  are  made,  because  somo  persons  are  ignorant 
enough  to  suppose  that  the  department  is  sinking,  provided  its 
receipts  do  not  in  the  current  year,  equal  or  exceed  the  expen- 
diture." 

Acting  on  this  view,  I  proceeded.  Relying  upon  the  correct- 
ness of  the  statements  which  the  books  exhibited,  .my  annual 
reports  to  the  president  were  based  upon  them.  The  revenues 
increased  bttyond  all  former  example,  and  in  a  progressive  ratio 
till  within  the  last  year.  My  estimate  for  the  itrcrease,  from  the 
1st  July,  1833,  was  founded  upon  the  increase  of  the  preceding 
year;  but  it  will  fall  short  of  tlrat  estimate  about  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  This  may  be,  in  some  degree,  owing  to  other 
causes;  but  it  is  prrncipally  owing  to  the  extension  of  the  frank- 
ing privilege  to  members  of  congress,  during  the  whole  year; 
which  privilege  was  obtained  by  a  clause  introduced  by  way  of 
amendment  to  the  general  appropriation  law,  passed  on  the  eve 
of  the  last  session  of  congress,  and  which  secures  the  privilege 
not  only  to  members  elect,  but  also  to  those  whose  terms  have 
expired,  for  months  after  they  have  gone  out  of  office.  The 
great  abuse  of  the  franking  privilege,  among  members  of  con- 
gress, while  in  session,  is  undeniable,  and  from  the  enormous 
amount  of  expenses  for  the  delivery  of  free  letters,  it  is  highly 
probable  that  the  abuse  is  continued  during  the  recess.  The 
exercise  of  this  privilege,  not  only  deprives  the  department  of 
the  postage  on  letters  thus  sent,  but  it  costs  the  department 
two  cents,  allowed  by  law  to  postmasters,  for  the  delivery  of 
each  free  letter.  It  has  happened  that  a  pon  office,  which  be- 
fore yielded  a  revenue  to  the  department,  of  fifty  or  sixty  do! 
lars  a  year,  has,  since  the  extension  of  this  privilege,  cost  the 
department  upwards  of  a  hundred  dollars  for  the  delivery  of 
free  letters  within  one  quarter;  and  it  would  be  but  a  moderate 
calculation  to  estimate  the  loss  to  the  department,  by  its  ex- 
tension, at  $100,000  a  year. 

In  receiving  proposals  for  transporting  the  mail,  it  appears 
always  to  have  been  the  custom  of  the  former  postmasier  ge- 
nerals, to  consider  all  propositions  for  improvements  beyond 
what  have  been  called  for  in  the  advertisement-;,  and  if  deemed 
more  eligible,  to  accept  them;  or  after  accepting  the  bids,  for 
performing  according  to  advertisement,  to  adopt  the  improved 
bids.  The  benefits  resulting  from  the  custom,  are  ofterr  too 
great  to  bo  refused. 

Contracts  are  ordinarily  made  fora  term  of  four  years.  During 
their  pendency,  such  changes  take  place  in  the  country,  espe 
cially  in  the  new  states,  as  to  render  extensive  alterations  atrd 
improvements  absolutely  necessary.     Places  unknown  in   the 
beginning,  within  half  that  period  spring  np  into  importance. 


Other  places,  requiring  but  light  weekly  mails  in  the  beginning, 
become  so  improved  rrr  point  of  trade  and  population,  as  to  re- 
quire frequent  and  heavy  mails.  In  Much  cased,  the  original 
contracts  are  marie  the  basis  of  allowance  for  the  additional 
service,  and  the  improvements  are  made  in  conformity  with  the 
earne.it  u-islus  of  the  people,  expressed  by  their  petitions,  and 
by  the  pressing  importunities  of  members  of  congrees.  The  con- 
nexion of  mails  in  their  multitude  of  branches,  w  u  matter  ofgrcat 
importance  to  their  harmony;  and  it  frequently  happens,  that  an 
increased  expedition,  or  a  change  in  the  limes  ot  the  arrival  and 
departure  of  one  mail,  requires  a  change  of  schedule  in  twenty 
others;  and  it  will  sumetimci  happen  that  some  one  among  the 
number,  in  order  to  keep  a  proper  connexion  between  very  im- 
portant mail  routes,  will  be  required  to  run  with  such  increas- 
ed expedition,  and  at  such  times,  as  will  subject  the  contractor 
to  a  meat  additional  expense.  The  law  gives  to  the  po.itma-ter 
general  full  power  to  provide  for  such  rases;  and  it  is  a  condi- 
tion stipulated  in  all  contracts,  as  well  those  made  by  former 
postmaster  generals,  as  those  of  modern  date,  that  the  expense* 
incurred  by  such  changes,  shall  be  defrayed  by  IheMepaitrnent. 

The  correctness  of  the  method  of  keeping  the  accounts, 
which  exhibited  the  annual  expense  of  transportation,  I  had 
never  suspected.  It  was  natural  to  take  it  for  granted  that  a 
system  which  had  been  adopted  from  the  earliest  existence  of 
the  department,  and  had  continued  unchanged  to  the  present 
time,  was  correct.  Had  it  not  proved  defective  the  expenses  of 
the  department  would  not  have  been  permitted  to  absorb  all  its 
revenues.  Tire  derangement  was  superinduced  by  this  erro- 
neous system,  and  the  consequent  embarrassment  created  the 
necessity  of  resorting  to  temporary  loans.  The  first  loan  was 
obtained  in  anticipation  of  the  revenues  to  be  collected,  before 
a  suspicion  existed  of  the  imperfection  of  the  system. 

The  subsequent  loans  were  essential  to  keep  the  mail  in  ope- 
ration. These  loans  were  effected  upon  my  own  application, 
on  the  credit  and  responsibility  of  the  department.  The  au- 
thority vested  in  me  by  the  post  office  law  tinder  which  I  acted, 
was  deemed  sufficient  to  justify  the  course  in  a  legal  point  of 
view;  and  the  exigences  of  the  case  rendered  it  necessary.  The 
legal  right  of  the  postmaster  general  to  incur  debt  upon  the 
credit  of  the  department,  has  been  denied  by  the  majority  of  Ihe 
committee.  They  state,  that  "the  postmaster  general  has,  with- 
out warrant  of  law,  borrowed  from  banks  large  sums  of  money, 
on  interest,  for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  it,"  (the  department.) 
The  post  oftice  department  is  required  to  act  upon  its  own  re- 
sources; and  these  resources  are,  by  law,  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  the,  postmaster  general,  independent  of  any  other  department 
of  the  government.  He  is  required,  OH  these  resources,  to  pro- 
vide for  the  carriage  of  the  mail  on  all  post  roads  that  are  or 
may  be  established  by  law.  He  is  required,  from  these  re- 
sources, to  pay  all  expenses  which  may  arise  in  conducting  thn 
post  office  and  in  conveying  the  mail,  and  all  other  necessary 
expenses  arising  in  the  collection  of  the  revenue,  and  manage- 
ment of  the  general  post  office.  A  law  is  passed  by  congress, 
creating  more  than  15,000  miles  of  new  post  roads.  The  law 
requires  the  postmaster  general  to  ^provide  for  the  conveyance 
of  the  mail  upon  these  roads,  and  pay  its  expenses.  He  has 
not  the  money  on  hand  for  doing  it.  The  resources  of  his  de- 
partment are  all  the  means  afforded  him,  and  these  are  at  hia 
entire  disposal.  He  obeys  the  law,  by  anticipating  these  means, 
lie  obtains  the  money  by  a  loan  upon  the  credit  of  Iri.s  depart- 
ment alone.  He  does  not  compromit  the  treasury.  He  pledges 
nothing  but  what  the  law  has  placed  at  his  own  disposal;  and 
he  does  this  to  fulfil  the  law.  In  this  case,  what  law  is  violat- 
ed? If  this  were  like  other  departments,  dependent  on  the 
treasury,  drawing  its  funds  from  that  source  in  virtue  of  annual 
appropriations  by  law,  it  would  present  a  different  aspect.  But 
its  means  and  its  wants  are  within  itself.  It  developes  and  ab- 
sorbs its  own  resources.  It  can  touch  nothing  but  what  it 
creates;  and  it  is  independent  in  the  application  of  what  it 
creates,  except  the  restrictions  imposed  by  law.  If  a  body  cor- 
porate, a  turnpike  or  canal  company,  obtains  a  loan  upon  its 
own  credit,  stipulating  nothing  but  its  tolls  for  the  redemption, 
no  law  is  violated,  and  no  exception  is  takeir  to  the  legality  of  the 
loan.  So,  if  a  loan  is  obtained  by  the  postmaster  general,  on 
the  credit  of  the  revenues  of  the  department,  for  the  fulfilment 
of  the  law,  he  is  performing  a  duty  which  the  law  imposes  upon 
him.  Such  was  the  case  in  obtaining  these  loans.  As  soon  as 
the  discovery  was  made,  that  the  expenses  were  greater  than 
what  the  accounts  had  exhibited,  I  retrenched  the  expenses  by 
curtailing  the  mail  facilities  which  I  had  extended  as  far  as  lire 
public  convenience  would  admit,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars  of  the  loan  have  been  paid.  The  law 
under  which  I  acted,  did  not  authorise  me  to  look  to  congress-, 
nor  to  the  treasury  for  relief;  but  to  depend  upon  the  resources 
of  the  department  alone.  There  was,  therefore,  no  other  re- 
course hut  that  of  retrenchment.  The  facts  are  within  Iho 
knowledge  of  congress;  and  if  they  should  prefer  a  continuance 
of  all  the,  mail  facilities  now  enjoyed  by  a  tempory  restoration 
to  tire  department  of  a  part  of  the  moneys  which  the  de- 
partment has  paid  into  the  treasury,  they  have  the  power  to 
make  tin;  provision;  but  lire  department  is  not  warranted  in 
asking  or  relying  upon  such  relief,  its  own  resources  are  its 
sole  dependence.  Such  further  retrenchment  arc  within  the 
power  of  the  postmaster  general  as  will  place  tire  finances  in  a 
stale  of  perfect  quietude,  and  it  will  he  his  duty  to  make  tho 
application. 

The  character  of  the  times  is  understood.  The  bitterness  o' 
party  animosity— the  rancor  of  unrelenting  persecution,  are  a1 


540 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY   12,  1834— MR.  BARRY'S  ADDRESS. 


war  with  the  liberal  spirit  of  the  age  in  which  we  live.  All  this, 
I  have  felt  and  borne  without  a  murmur.  In  ihe  extension  of 
the  mail  facilities,  I  have  known  no  person  or  parly — I  have 
had  no  sectional  prejudices  to  gratify — no  selfish  interest  to  con- 
sult. My  sole  object  has  been,  the  accommodation  of  the  pub- 
lic in  accelerating  the  mail,  extending  the  means  of  intelligence, 
and  the  frequency  of  correspondence,  and  facilitating  the  tra- 
veller in  his  transitions.  But  the  political  spirit  of  the  times, 
is  without  a  parallel  in  our  history.  My  attachment  to  the 
illustrious  patriot  and  hero,  who  presides  over  our  public  coun- 
cils, is  known.  I  have  adhered  to  him  in  all  his  measures;  and 
I  am  proud  in  the  belief,  that  the  bitterness  against  me  arises 
in  no  small  degree  from  my  devolion  to  him  and  the  principles 
of  his  administration.  The  confidence  which  he  has  ever  re- 
posed in  me,  the  kindness  which  I  have  uniformly  experienced 
from  him,  under  all  thu  changes  which  have  taken  place  during 
his  eveiittul  administration;  our  coincidence  of  sentiment  on  all 
the  leading  principles  of  national  policy,  have  continued  to 
strengthen  that  devotion;  and  while  he  is  made  the  object  of 
the  most  bilter  opprobrium,  I  have  no  reason  to  look  for  kind- 
ness or  candor,  from  his  enemies.  But  the  dignified  character 
of  the  senate,  organized  by  the  federal  constitution  to  represent 
the  sovereignty  of  the  states,  might  be  regarded  as  a  pledge  for 
the  magnanimity  of  the  committee  emanating  from  that  body. 
The  hope,  however,  which  might  have  been  indulged  from  this 
consideration,  was  but  the  illusion  of  a  moment.  The  majority 
of  the  members  of  that  committee,  were  of  a  character  that  for- 
bade all  expectation  of  candor.  Two  of  them  were  known,  not 
only  as  among  the  violent  opponents  of  the  administration,  but 
especially  as  the  bitter  enemies  of  the  department;  and  the 
other  was  distinguished  for  his  party  rancor.  One  of  their  first 
actions  was  indicative  of  the  course  which  they  intended  to 
pursue;  it  was  to  call  to  their  aid  Abraham  Bradley  and  doctor 
I'hineKs  Bradley,  who  were  formerly  the  assistant  postmasler 
generals;  but  who  had  been  dismissed  from  office  by  me,  the 
first  of  whom  had  for  the  last  four  or  five  years  been  in  active 
hostility  to  the  department.  These  men,  ejected  from  the  de- 
partment, and  under  all  the  impassioned  feelings  of  disappoint- 
ment and  revenge,  were  employed  by  the  majority  of  the  com- 
mittee to  examine  the  books  and  documents  of  the  department, 
and  to  search  out  cause  for  complaint.  Their  long  experience 
in  the  department,  would  enable  them  to  discover  the  smallest 
shadow  of  pretext  for  complaint  if  it  existed;  and  their  hostility 
would  incline  them  to  give  to  it  the  deepest  coloring.  From 
this  step,  it  was  evident,  that  the  object  of  the  majority  was, 
not  a  fair  investigation,  but  to  seek  for  a  pretext  for  accusation; 
to  obtain  scraps  ol 'information,  which  they  might  magnify,  and 
distort,  and  bring  forth  an  accusatory  reporl;  not  for  the  pur- 
pose of  fair  legislation,  but  for  mere  political  party  effect.  Such 
a  selection  might  justly  have  been  regarded  as  an  insult  offered 
to  the  head  of  the  department;  and  the  privilege  of  their  intro- 
duction into  the  department,  might  properly  have  been  denied. 
The  people  had  given  them  no  authority  to  act;  nor  were  they 
in  any  way  responsible  for  their  conduct.  But  willing  to  open 
the  door  to  the  fullest  investigation,  having  no  disguise,  no  dis- 
position for  concealment,  I  furnished  the  committee  with  a 
room  in  my  office,  and  permitted  these  men  to  enter  and  exa- 
mine, in  presence  of  any  member  of  the  committee,  every  book 
or  document  which  they  called  for.  The  majority  of  the  com- 
mittee assumed  for  these  men  still  higher  ground:  they  made 
the  aliempl  to  invest  them  with  authority,  by  placing  in  their 
hands,  in  the  absence  of  every  member  of  the  committee,  the 
archives  of  the  department;  thus  constituting  these  Bradleys  an 
inquest  upon  its  proceeding*,  to  exercise,  in  fact,  all  the  pow.- 
ers  of  the  committee.  The  committee  called  before  them  sub- 
ordinate  clerks,  from  whom  full  information  could  not  be  ex- 
pected, at  the  same  time  excluding  officers  of  the  department. 
Their  examinations  were  carried  on  in  secret,  and  their  con- 
clusions drawn  from  ex  pnrte  evidence,  without  being  hinted  to 
those  whose  characters  were  to  be  affected  by  them.  They  ac- 
cused by  implication,  and  endeavored  to  blast  the  reputation  of 
honorable  men,  without  permitting  the  accused  to  face  their 
accusers  or  the  witnesses,  without  giving  them  an  opportunity 
for  defence,  nor  even  informing  them  of  a  charge  or  suspicion 
against  them.  They  carried  their  inquiries  into  the  private 
transactions  of  life,  and  into  mailers  altogether  unofficial,  af- 
fecting individual  interest  alone.  Upon  rumor  and  hearsay, 
they  summoned  witnesses,  examined  and  cross  examined  them, 
prying  into  privale  ciicunistances,  in  a  manner  that  outrages  all 
propriety,  and  puts  honor  to  the  blush;  concealing  their  inqui- 
ries from  their  intended  victim,  lest  all  should  be  satisfactorily 
explained,  thev  distorted  plain  unvarnished  transactions,  with 
the  view  of  casting  a  shade'  upon  private  character.  They  en- 
deavored falsely  to  impeach  the  veracity  of  the  bonks  and  re- 
cords of  '.he  department,  by  imputation*  of  interlineations, 
figures,  and  marks.  Each  individual  of  them  called  for  docu- 
ments, statements,  and  transcripts,  at  his  pleasure,  sometimes 
through  the  person  whom  they  employed  as  their  clerk,  and 
sometime*  upon  a  subordinate  clerk  of  the  department.  To  nil 
their  inquiries  I  gave  the  fullest  latitude,  till  I  doubted  the  pro- 
priety Of  trusting  U»e  archives  of  the  department  with  the  Hrad 
leys,  who  were  undisguised  in  their  hostility,  and  irresponsible 
either  to  tin:  senate  or' to  tin;  department.  1  therefore  ihr.-eted 
that  the  books  should  never  be  out  of  the  custody  of  a  member 
of  the  committee,  or  of  the  department.  I  also  gave  direction 
that  all  orders  from  the  committee,  before  they  could  be  recog- 
nized as  such,  should  come  through  tlift  proper  channel  to  the 
head  of  the  department.  No  oilier  restriction  was  laid;  and 


these  directions  were  only  in  reference  to  the  proper  order  to  b« 
observed,  and  could  not,  in  any  degree,  limit  the  means,  or  in- 
terrupt the  progress  of  their  inquiries.  When  apprized  of  the 
instruments  which  they  employed,  and  the  course  which  they 
pursued,  I  had  not  reason  to  look  lor  candor,  honor,  or  veraci- 
ty, in  their  report.  The  minority  were  disposed  to  act  correct- 
ly, but  they  were  overruled  by  the  majority. 

I  shall  now  proceed  to  take  some  notice  of  the  errors  in  their 
report. 

They  state  that  the  chief  clerk  of  the  department  tins  estima- 
ted that  the  net  proceeds  of  postage  for  the  quarter  ending  31st 
March,  1833,  [1834],  will  amount  to  $520,000.  The  estimate 
of  the  chief  clerk  was  before  them,  and  states  the  same  to  be 
$500,000.  This  error  which  they  make  of  $20,000,  appears  to 
be  designed  to  magnify  the  amount  of  the  error  which  they  af- 
fect to  have  discovered  in  the  estimate:  as  they  state  that  from 
their  estimate  it  will  not  amount  to  so  much  as  $500,000,  by  a 
considerable  sum.  They  also  state;  "Your  committee  have 
ascertained  that  there  was  deposited  in  banks,  for  the  use  of 
the  department,  within  that  quarter,  and  prior  to  the  first  day 
of  April,  $314,704,  which  will  leave  in  the  hands  of  postmas- 
ters, on  that  day,  $205,704,"  and  they  take  the  sum,  viz. 
205,704,  as  the  amount  due  on  the  1st  April,  1834.  The  com- 
mittee therefore  have  taken  it  for  granted,  that  all  the  collec- 
tions made  of  postmasters  between  the  1st  or  January,  and  the 
1st  of  April,  1834,  were  for  the  postages  received  within  Ihe 
same  period;  than  which  nothing  can  be  more  remote  from 
truth.  It  is  like  a  merchant,  who  makes  his  collections  of  his 
customers  once  in  three  months.  On  the  1st  day  of  January 
he  finds  due  from  them,  on  accounts  prior  to  that  day,  $800,000. 
He  calls  on  them  for  payments;  and  by  the  first  of  April,  he  has 
collected  400,000  dollars.  In  the  mean  time  he  has  sold  goods 
to  the  amount  of  500,000  more.  Then,  according  to  the  calcu- 
lation of  the  majority  of  the  commiltee,  there  will  be  due  to 
him,  for  the  goods  sold  between  the  1st  of  January  and  the  1st 
April,  but  $100,000,  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  amount  of 
600,000  due  to  him  on  the  1st  of  January,  will  have  been  reduc- 
ed to  400,000  dollars,  leaving  the  whole  amount  of  balances 
due  to  him  but  500,000  dollars,  instead  of  900,000.  On  this 
principle,  it  will  be  easy  to  demonstrate  the  insolvency  of  any 
merchant,  or  of  any  depaitment.  They  have  fallen  into  the 
same  error  in  estimating  the  amount  of  balances  due  to  the  de- 
partment for  postages  accruing  prior  to  the  1st  of  January,  1834. 

An  estimate  was  made  by  the  treasurer  and  principle  pay 
clerk,  on  the  llth  of  April,  of  the  amount  of  balances  due  on 
that  day,  for  postages  which  had  accrued  in  all  former  time,  up 
to  the  31st  day  of  December  last,  which  might  be  calculated  on 
as  available.  The  data  from  which  they  made  the  estimate, 
are  these:  they  took  up  six  of  the  ledgers  in  which  postmasters 
accounts  are  kept,  all  for  so  many  different  sections  of  the 
country.  They  opened  each  of  these  books  at  random,  and 
from  the  place  at  which  each  happened  to  open,  they  took  thir- 
ty post  offices,  in  succession,  and  noted  the  balance  of  each  ac- 
count; these  sums  they  added  together,  which  gave  the  amount 
of  balances  due  from  one  hundred  and  eighty  postmasters. 
This  sum  they  divided  by  ISO,  the  number  of  postmasters,  and 
the  quotient  was  about  twenty-six  dollars,  which  was  the  aver- 
age due  from  each  postmaster.  To  avoid  too  high  an  estimate, 
they  took  twenty-five  dollars  as  the  average  balance  due  from 
each  postmaster;  and  '.hat  sum  multiplied  by  10,400,  which  is  a 
little  less  than  the  whole  number  of  post  offices  in  the  U.  Stales, 
and  the  product  was  260,000  dollars,  the  amount  of  balances 
due  from  postmasters,  then  in  office.  From  postmasters  who 
had  uoiie  out  of  office,  it  was  estimated  that  50,000  dollars  were 
due;  but  to  keep  within  the  bounds  of  safety,  the  whole  esti- 
mate was  fixed  at  300,000  dollars,  as  Ihe  amount  due  on  the 
llth  of  April,  for  postages  which  had  accrued  in  all  former 
time,  up  to  the  31st  of  December.  But  what  is  the  course  pur- 
sued by  the  majority  or  the  committee  in  estimating  the  same? 
In  the  first  place,  they  leave  oul,  or  Ihrow  away,  on  the  Isl  of 
October,  every  cent  that  was  due  to  the  department  on  that 
day,  though  a  quarter  had  just  ended,  and  most  of  its  proceeds, 
as  well  as  former  balances,  were  due.  They  then  estimate  the 
net  amount  of  postages  accruing  from  the  1st  of  October  to  the 
31st  December,  to  be  467,449  dollars,  and  from  this  sum  they 
deduct  Hie  amount  of  colleclions  marie  by  the  department  with- 
in the  same  period,  332,904  dollar*,  and  save  the  remainder  as 
the  whole  amount  due,  for  postages,  which  had  in  all  former 
time,  up  to  the  31st  of  December,  1833,  134,545  dollars.  Surely 
a  school-boy,  acquainted  with  the  first  rudiments  of  arithmetic, 
would  blush  to  furnish  a  calculation  so  ridiculou>ly  absurd. 
The  fuel  is,  Ihal  postmasters'  accounts  are  rendered  quarterly, 
according  to  the  calendar  year,  and  most  of  them,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  a  quarter  owe  the  department  the  whole  of  the 
proceeds  of  their  offices  for  the  preceeding  quarter.  If  any  of 
the  payments  made  within  the  quarter  are  applicable  to  the 
postages  accruing  within  the  same  quarter,  they  only  leave  so 
much  of  the  balances  due  at  the  commencement  of  that  quar- 
ter unliquidated.  The  result,  in  iho  neeregate,  is  the  same, 
whether  they  are  applicable  to  the  current  revenue  or  the  for- 
mer balances. 

The  foregoing  i«  but  a  fair  specimen  of  their  incorrectness  in 
their  whole  report.  They  speak  frequently  of  Ihe  insolvency  of 
the  department.  With  a«  much  propriety  might  they,  two  years 
since,  have  pronounced  the  nation  insolvent,  because  its  debt 
was  more  than  the  surplus  monev  in  the  treasury.  The  re- 
sources of  the  nation  have  redeemed  the  national  debt,  and 
the  resources  of  this  department  will  relive  it  from  all  erubar- 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  12,  1834— MR.  BARRY'S  ADDRESS. 


341 


rassment.  They  also  state,  thai  "Ihe  postmaster  general  has, 
since  the  commencement  of  this  investigation,  represented  to 
your  committee,  lhal  aid  from  Ihe  ireasury  is  necessary  lo  en- 
able him  lo  carry  on  Ihe  operations  of  the  departmenl,  and  he 
has  staled  thai  $450,000  is  Ihe  smallest  sum  that  will  serve  for 
that  purpose."  This  allegation  is  ullerly  deslitute  of  truth. 
The  coinmillee  applied  lome  lo  know  whal  sum  would  effectu- 
ally relieve  the  departmenl  from  pecuniary  embarrassment;  and 
in  answer  to  thai  inquiry  I  stated,  that  if,  of  the  moneys  former- 
ly paid  by  Ihis  departmenl  inlo  Ihe  Ireasury,  Hie  sum  of  $450,000 
could  be  placed  al  Ihe  disposal  of  Ihe  department,  it  would  ef- 
fect Ihe  desired  relief;  and  thai  without  injury  to  the  success- 
ful operalions  of  Ihe  department,  itcould  be  restored  to  Hie  Irea- 
sury, one-third  in  one  year,  one-third  in  two  years,  and  the  re- 
mainder by  the  first  of  March,  1837.  This  statement  was  no 
proposition  of  mine.  It  was  in  answer  to  an  inquiry  which 
emanated  from  the  committee.  I  never  stated  that  aid  from 
the  treasury  was  necessary  to  enable  me  to  carry  on  the  opera- 
tions of  the 'department.  I  n«ver  obtained  a  loan  upon  the  cre- 
dit of  the  treasury,  nor  asked  relief  from  thai  source.  The  ope- 
rations of  the  department  can  be  carried  on  without  aid  from 
the  treasury.  The  means  are  within  the  conlrol  of  Ihe  posl- 
masler  general.  The  relrenchments  made  in  December  last, 
are  not  greatly  felt  by  the  community,  and  from  the  beginning 
of  the  currenl  year  Ihe  expenses  of  the  departmenl  are  less  ihan 
ils  revenues.  Anolher  retrenchment  to  the  same  amount,  will 
still  leave  much  more  extensive  mail  facilities  to  the  country, 
than  it  enjoyed  when  I  came  into  the  departmenl,  and  in  a  very 
little  time  relieve  it  from  debt,  and  place  a  surplus  in  the  hands 
of  the  department. 

The  majority  of  the  committee  further  stale,  lhal  "il  appears 
from  Ihe  first  report  of  the  present  postmaster  general,  made  on 
the  24lh  November,  1829,  thai  on  the  1st  day  of  July  of  that 
year,  the  whole  amount  due  and  outstanding  in  the  hands  o 
postmaslers  and  others,  was  $94,400  21."  Such  is  not  the  facl 
The  reporldoes  nol  state  il  to  have  been  the  fact.  There  never 
was  a  time  since  Ihe  department  was  but  one-fourth  part  as 
extensive  as  il  is  at  present,  that  on  the  first  day  of  any  quarter 
the  whole  amount  of  outstanding  debts  was  less  than  double 
that  amount.  My  first  report  stated  thai,  after  deducling  from 
the  amount  due  from  postmasters  and  others,  on  the  first  o 
July,  1829,  the  expenses  for  transporting  the  mail,  and  Ihe  inci 
dental  expenses  of  the  department  for  that  quarter  ending  ilia 
day,  (which  amounted  to  upwards  of  300,000  dollars),  there  re 
mained  a  balance  due  from  them  of  $94,400  21.  The  aclua' 
amount  of  balances  due  from  postmasters  on  the  1st  July,  1829 
was  not  less  Ihan  $400,000;  and  Ihe  amount  due  lo  conlraclor: 
and  others,  for  the  services  of  the  quarter  ending  that  day,  wa« 
upwards  of  $300,000— and  my  statement  showed  the  balance 
which  remained,  after  deducting  the  one  from  the  other.  The 
law  prohibits  the  payment  of  contraclors  till  their  services  are 
performed.  On  Ihe  first  day  of  July,  1829,  the  whole  amoun 
for  transportation  from  April  1,  to  thai  day,  was  due,  amounlin 
to  more  than  $300,000,  besides  former  balances  and  other  ex 
penses.  If  "the  whole  amount  due  and  oulstanding  in  tin 
hands  of  poslmaslers  and  olhers  on  that  dny,  was  but  $94,40 
21,"  as  the  majorily  allege,  the  department  must  have  been  i, 
a  much  worse  condition  when  I  came  into  it  than  I  ever  pre 
tended,  or  than  what  ihey,  in  another  part  of  their  report,  aver 
But  their  object  here  is,  to  show  Ihe  practicability  of  collectin 
at  a  given  day,  the  outstanding  balances,  in  order  to  discredi 
my  statements,  and  not  to  show  Ihe  low  condition  in  which  m 
predecessor  left  the  department.  Bui  Ihis  is  in  characler  wil 
their  other  allegations. 

They  next  altempt,  upon  the  investigation  and  report  of  th 
Bradleys,  to  prove  errors  in  my  statemenl  of  Ihe  amount  of  an 
nual  transportation.  They  state  that  they  cannot  vouch  for  th 
accuracy  of  the  report  of  the  Bradleys,  bin  Ihey  seem  to  pre 
sumeon  its  correclness,  and  bear  testimony,  upon  its  authority 
against  the  stalements  which  I  have  furnished,  lliough  accom 
panied  wilh  such  data  as  will  enable  any  person  to  delect  a 
error,  if  an  error  in  them  exists.  A  part  of  the  statement  of  th 
Bradleys,  purporling  lo  have  discovered  errors  in  Ihe  length  o 
the  mail  roads,  was  too  glaringly  inconsistent  for  even  the  ma 
jority  of  the  committee  to  introdnce  in  Iheir  repori;  and  the 
have  omitied  it,  though  confirmed,  as  ihey  say,  by  ihe  oath  o 
Dr.  Bradley. 

The  lale  poslmaster  general  stated  in  his  last  report,  Novel 
her,  1828,  Ihat  the  annual  transportation  of  the  mail  was, 

In  stages, 6,439,594  miles. 

On  horseback, 7,170,445  miles. 

Making  the  total  amount  to  be 13.610,039 

I  had  taken  this  as  a  basis  on  which  to  determine  the  amoun 
of  increase  which  I  had  given  to  it.  I  have  never  examined  h 
calculations,  but  presume  they  are  correct.  F  had  caused  route 
books  to  he  made,  containing  the  names  of  the  several  po 
offices  on  each  route,  and  their  distances  from  each  other,  shew 
ing  the  length,  and  the  frequency  of  the  Iransporlalion  of  ih 
mail  on  each  route.  Where  the  roads  had  nol  been  surveye 
the  distances  were  taken  from  the  statements  of  postmasters  o 
each  route.  From  these  books,  a  statement  was  made  of  tl 
length  of  each  route,  the  frequency  of  the  transportation  of  tl 
mail  upon  it,  and  the  number  of  miles  it  was  transported  in 
year.  The  sum  of  these  shewed  the  whole  annual  transport 
tion  of  the  mail,  which  was, 

In  1832, 23,632,330  mile 

And  in  1833, 26,854,485  mile 


In  1828,  it  was,  by  the  late  poslmaster  gene- 
ral's report,  but 13,610,039  mi  lei, 

Making  an  increase  from  1828,  lo  1833,  of...  13,244,446  mile*. 
The  majority  of  the  committee  stale  that  they  had  not  time 
>  examine  this  document,  though  they  appear  not  to  have 
anted  time  to  examine  the  statement  of  the  Bradleys,  and  the 
inority  found  time  to  examine  Ihis. 

To  discredit  this  stalemenl,  the  Bradleys  took  the  advertise- 
lents  for  proposals  to  carry  the  mail,  the  distances  there  stat- 
d,  and  measured  the  distances  on  the  map  when  not  noted  in 
e  advertisement,  look  Ihe  frequency  ol  trips  called  for  by  the 
dvertisemenls,  and  so  calculated  the  amount  of  annual  trans- 
orlalion.  The  Bradleys  knew,  when  making  this  statement, 
lough  certified  by  oath,  that  contracts  were  often  made  for 
arrying  the  mail  more  frequently  on  a  route  than  called  for  by 
dvertisemerit,  and  often  for  extending  them  a  greater  distance. 
'lie  committee  also  had  evidence  of  tin-  same  facts,  and  that  it 
as  done  in  a  great  many  instances  by  existing  contracts;  yet 
my  affect  to  give  full  credit  lo  Ihe  calculalions  of  the  Bradleys, 
pon  these  false  data. 

The  majority  of  the  committee  animadvert  upon  the  contracts 
f  Messrs.  Stockton  &  Neil,  observing  lhat  in  the  report  of  the 
ostmaaler  general,  furnished  to  congress  during  the  session  of 
831-'2,  he  quoted  these  conlracls  al  a  low  rate;  but  that  in  his 
eport  of  3d  March,  1834,  he  stated  them  lo  be  al  a  much  higher 
ate.  The  facts  before  Ihe  committee,  furnished  by  the  records 
f  Ihe  deparlmenl,  were,  ihal  Ihe  proposals  of  Messrs.  Slockton 
t  Neil  contained  two  propositions  distinct  from  each  other:  one 
vas,  to  perform  a  certain  amount  of  service  for  a  cerlain  sum. 
olher  was,  to  perform  a  much  larger  amount  of  service  for 
a  much  greater  sum.  The  proposal  was  accepted  for  the  smal- 
er  sum,  but  with  an  express  condition,  that  if  the  postmaster 
general  should,  at  any  time,  require  of  them  the  service  propos- 
ed in  Iheir  second  proposition,  they  should  perform  it  for  the 
•inn  slipulaled  in  their  proposals.  The  first  report  of  this  con- 
ract,  with  others,  was  made  from  the  book  of  recorded  propo- 
sals, and  contained  the  sum  accepted.  This  was  in  conformity 
with  the  custom  which  had  prevailed  with  my  predecessor. 
After  the  acceptance,  and  after  substituting  the  greater  amount 
of  service,  there  was  a  very  pressing  application  made  to  me, 
signed  by  Mr.  Thomas  Ewins,  senator  from  Ohio,  and  many 
others,  members  of  congress,  still  to  increase  the  service  to  that 
xtent  which  required  the  greatest  amount  of  additional  com- 
lensalion.  Agreeably  to  the  eainest  recommendation  of  Mr. 
Swing  and  others,  it  was  done.  And  now  the  complying  with 
what  Mr.  Ewing  then  so  earnestly  pressed  as  proper  and  right, 
le  reprobates  as  improper  and  wrong.  Whether  he  was  sin- 
cere in  his  advocating  it,  or  in  condemning  it,  1  know  not;  or 
whether  the  relalion  in  which  he  now  stands  to  the  state  of 
Ohio — which  state  was  deeply  interested  in  the  improvement, 
lias  so  changed  as  to  have  changed  his  opinion  on  the  subject  of 
the  mail  accommodations  to  which  she  is  entitled,  I  leave  for 
the  public  and  for  his  constituents  to  decide. 

The  same  remarks  are  made  in  relation  to  the  contracts  of 
James  Reeside,  and  of  Messrs.  Reeside  &  Slaymaker.  The 
same  facts  are  also  applicable  to  them.  They  made  in  each 
case  two  propositions:  the  smaller  was  first  accepted;  after- 
wards, for  the  better  accommodation  of  the  public,  the  greater 
service  was  required,  and  of  course  the  higher  compensation 
given.  These,  and  other  cases  which  they  state  to  he  similar, 
though  they  have  not  specified  them,  they  reprobate  as  "involv- 
ing almost  every  conceivable  variety  of  abuse."  On  all  these 
routes,  there  is  now  a  greater  amount  of  service  performed  in 
proportion  to  the  compensation  allowed,  than  under  any  for- 
mer contracts;  and  this  the  committee  knew,  or  had  the  means 
of  knowing;  and  as  Mr.  Ewing  himself  earnestly  recommended 
the  most  expensive  of  these  improvements,  Ihe  public  will  judge 
what  credit  is  due  to  his  decision. 

Their  next  subject  of  animadversion,  is  thai  of  a  contract 
with  gen.  George  House,  of  Ohio.  Gen.  House  was  a  contrac- 
tor for  carrying  the  mail  in  stages  between  Chillicothe  and  Gal- 
lipolis,  on  the  north  west  side  of  the  Ohio  river,  opposite  the 
moulh  of  Ihe  Kanhawa.  There  was  a  stage  route  running  from 
Washington  city,  and  from  Richmond,  Va.  by  Staunton,  along 
by  the  Kanhawa  to  Catlettsburgh  in  Kentucky,  on  the  Ohio 
river.  Highly  respectable  citizens  of  Ohio  desired  thai  Ihe  state 
of  Ohio  should  participate  in  the  advantages  of  this  route,  which 
it  was  represented  could  be  done  by  extending  gen.  House's 
route  from  Gallipolis  by  steamboal  up  the  Kanhawa  lo  Coals- 
mouth,  about  fifty  miles.  This  would  perfect  the  most  direct 
line  from  Richmond,  Charlotlesville.  Staunton,  Lewisburgh, 
and  other  important  places  in  Virginia,  to  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment in  Ohio.  It  was  also  represented  that  gen.  House  was 
preparing  a  steamboal  for  thai  purpose,  and  would  probably 
have  il  in  readiness  to  commence  the  operation  by  the  1st  of 
April,  1831.  He  proposed  to  perform  tb«  service  lor  $30  a  mile. 
This  was  a  moderate  compensation.  The  request  to  give  to 
Ohio  the  benefil  of  the  Virginia  and  Kentucky  stage  line,  seem- 
ed to  be  reasonable.  The  oxpenee  appeared  inconsiderable, 
compared  wilh  the  magnitude  of  the  object.  Gen.  House  was, 
therefore,  directed  to  extend  his  line  toCoalsmouth,  and  to  run 
belween  that  place  and  Gallipolis  in  steamboats.  This  exten- 
sion superseded  a  contract  of  John  Hlack,  to  carry  the  mail  on 
horseback  belween  Gallipolis  and  Coalsmouth,  at  394  dollars  a 
year.  It  was  an  original  stipulation  in  the  contract  with  Mr. 
Black,  that  if  a  stag«  or  steamboat  should  he  established  on  his 
route,  the  postmaster  general  should  have  the  righl  to  annul  hit 


342 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  u,  1834— MR.  BARRY'S  ADDRESS. 


contract.  General  House  did  not,  however,  succeed,  dnrin 
the  continuance  of  that  contract,  (which  ended  with  the  yea 
1831),  in  his  experiment  for  running  steamboats  or.  the  K.tnlia 


wu;  the  mail  was  continued  on  hot 


active  and  influential  political   partisan. "     At  the  renewal 
the  Ohio  contract*,  the  route  from  Chillicollie  to  Gallipolis  u 
accepted  to  A.  L.  Ross,  at  $1,100  a  year.     It  was  thru   repr 
eenled  that  gen.  House  had  a  steamboat  in  a  state  of  forwar 
ness  for  the  Kanhawa,  and  was  determined  to  make  anoth 
experiment  to  unite  these  two  lines,  and  the  citizens  were  de 
•irous  that  it  should  be  done.    Thai  this  object  might  be  accom 
plished,  or  its  practicability  tested,  Mr.  Koss  voluntarily  relin- 
quished the  route  to  gen.  House.     A  contract  was  made  will 


gen.  House  to  carry  the  mail  three  lime*  a 


clear  loss  on  lliese  routes,  by  giving  them  to  gen.  House,  ot 
$1,206  a  year.  Their  statement  carries  the  evidence  of  mi.-re- 
presentation  upon  iis  face.  It  is  tantamount  to  saying,  that 
three  trips  instead  of  two,  and  an  increased  expedition  of  six 
hours  a  trip,  are  worth  ,$100  a  year  less  than  nothing. 
On  a  contract  made  with  col.  Asahel  Savory,  for  ihe  trans- 
rtation  of  the  mail  between  Chicago  and  Green  Bay,  esiinial- 
to  be  250  miles,  they  also  animadvert.  The  law  establish!!)!.' 


Savery,  at  $3,000  a  year,  once  in  two  i 


ry's  proposal  was  accepted  at  .$3,500  a  year.  He  afterv 
Plated  that  from  Information  received  since  he  had  made  his 
proposition,  he  had  learned  thai  Ihe  distance  was  fifty  mifes 
more  than  he  had  anticipated,  having  had  no  advertisement  for 
his  guide  as  in  ordinary  cases;  that  the  waters  on  the  route 
were  such  as  would  require  expensive  preparations  for  passing 
them,  the  country  being  unsettled,  and  for  these  reasons  IIP 
prayed  for  a  reconsideration  of  his  accepted  proposals,  and  lor 
a  further  allowance  of  len  or  fifteen  hundred  dollars.  Th«-re 
seemed  to  be  reason  and  equity  in  his  request,  and  considerin" 


the  rate  of  $6,000  a  year  for  a  weekly  trip,  il  was  deei 
economical  for  the  department  |O  allow  to  col.  .Savery  X-I,:H»I  a 
year  than  lo  permit  him  lo  withdraw;  and  to  subject  the  de- 
partment to  an  annual  expense  of  xl. .".(Ill  more  than  that  sum 
by  accepling  Ihe  proposal  of  Me-srs.  Irwin  and  Amdl.  A  con 
tract  was  accordingly  made  wilh  col.  Savery  at  > •  1.500  a  year. 
The  contract  was  made  on  Hie  -J-M  ol'  lYhni.iry.  1  W.I,  in  com- 
mence on  the  1st  April  of  that  year.  Dr.  John  T.  Temple  wan 
then  a  clerk  in  the  general  post  ofiice.  He  had  determined  to 
resign  his  situation,  and  tn  remove  toChieaeo.  On  the  last  day 
of  February,  col.  Savery  assigned  thi-  contract  to  Dr.  Temple. 
who  resigned  liis  situation  as  clerk  alioul  the  satin:  linn',  f 
knew  of  no  »ood  reason  to  object  to  the  transfer.  Dr.  Temple 
was  a  gentleman  of  highly  respectable  character,  and  entirely 
worthy  of  the  tinst.  lie  bad  determined  to  re>ii.'ii  bis  clcrl;*hip 
in  the  department,  and  did  actually  resign,  and  remove  to  Chi 
caao  before  Ihe  commencement  of  the  contract.  I  should  not 
permit  a  person  while  a  clerk  in  Ihe  department  lo  hold  a  eon 
tract  for  transporting  Ihe  mail,  thouali  Ibe  law  doe*  not  prohibi 


,raci  lor  ir«in>^n  iin^  me  mail,  inougn  nie  law  nora  ooi  pruiiiou 
t,  and  I  am  informed  thai  it  lias  been  done  in  Ion  ier  years,  be- 
fore I  ciime  into  the  department;  but  I  have  discovered  no  rea 
son  why  a  person  should  be  refused  this  right  after  leaving  the 


department,  for  no  other  cause  than  his  having  once  been  em- 
ployed in  it  as  a  clerk.  The  majority  of  the  committee  have  so 
distorted  these  transaction*,  as  to  present  scarcely  a  beam  of 
truth.  They  stale  thai  "John  T.  Temple  made  out  a  bid  in  the 
name  of  A>ahtl  Savery."  The  bid  is  not  m  the  hand  writing 
ol  Dr.  Temple,  nor  does  his  name  appear  in  the  whole  transac- 
tion till  alter  the  contracl  was  made  wilh  col.  Savery.  They 
state  thai  "L)r.  Temple,  by  means  ot  his  situation  in  the  depart- 
ment, obtained  a  contract  giving  him  $4,500  lor  carrying  the 
mail  250  miles  on  horseback  weekly,  for  which  service,  it  is  be- 
lieved, $1,5(10  would  be  a  very  large  compensation."  So  far 
from  the  fact  is  the  insinuation  ol  this  contract  having  been 
given  to  col.  Savery,  for  the  benefit  of  Dr.  Tempie,  that  I  did 
not  know,  nor  even  suspecl,  al  Ihe  lime  of  making  it  with  col. 
Savery,  thai  Dr.  Temple  had  ever  thought  of  it.  It  was  made 
with  col.  Savery  in  the  full  expectation  llrat  he  would  retain  it, 
on  the  sole  principle  that  it  was  the  fowest  offer,  and  under  tho 
circumstances,  the  best  contract  on  the  part  of  Ihe  department 
that  could  then  be  made  for  carrying  the  law  of  congress  into 
effect.  As  to  the  amount  paid,  it  was  lower  than  others  who 
wanted  the  contract,  and  who  were  acquainted  with  the  coun- 
try through  which  it  passed,  would  undertake  the  service  tor; 
and  k  does  not  appear  to  have  been  considered  by  col.  Savery 
.an  ofijecl  of  sufficient  inleresl  for  him  to  retain  it. 

The  majority  of  the  .committee  complain  of  the  correction  of 
an  evident  error  in  a  proposal  of  James  Reeside.  which  was  ac- 
cepted, for  carrying  the  mail  between  Hagerstown  anil  McCmi- 
nellsburgh,  twenty  six  miles.  The  proposal,  as  accepted,  was 
to  run  four-horse  post  coaches  on  that  line,  three  times  a  week 


limes  unit  Mini  xvouiu  nave  i/trr  ii  uvFiioncutvn  i""  i">«    •« 

the  expectation  thai  ihe  service  would  be  well  performed,  un- 
less it  came  from  a  person  most  favorably  known  to  the  depart- 
ment. The  explanation  was  given  by  lum— the  error  coneeted 
—and  while  he  performed  the  service  daily,  wilh  an  increase 
of  distance,  five  miles  each  way,  he  was  allowed  fourteen  hun- 
dred dollars;  and  since  the  service  is  reduced  lo  three  times  ;> 
week,  seven  hundred  dollars  a  year. 


ivould  gain  an  entire  day  between  Baltimore  and  rittsiiurgn, 
for  $3,495  a  year.  The  first  was  accepted;  but  the  expedition 
was  found  to  be  of  such  importance  that  the  second  was  adopt- 
ed. The  majority  of  the  committee  stale  that  "the  expedition 
does  not  appear  to  have  been  of  any  considerable  value  to  the 
public."  Whether  it  is  of  any  considerable  value  to  ihe  public 

0  gain  a  day  in  all  inlercourse  between  Baltimore  and  Pitts- 
uirgh,  and  consequently  all  places  north  west  of  Pittsburgh  andV 

south  of  Baltimore,  the  mercantile  and  trading  part  of  the  com- 
ntiiiity  can  better  judge.  These  remarks,  relative  to  distinct 
impositions  in  the  same  proposal,  and  the  discretion  of  adopt- 
ng  Ihe  one  or  the  other,  as  shall  seem  most  expedient,  are 
•qually  applicable,  as  before  remarked,  lo  the  other  routes  of 
Mr.  Keeside,  and  also  to  those  of  Johnson,  Hiitchins,  Hough, 
Henry  and  Childs,  and,  therefore,  it  is  not  necessary  thnt  I 
should  dwell  longer  upon  them.  Rut  one  other  case  of  Mr. 
'iccside  i.-i  exhibited  by  them  in  so  deceptive  a  In-lit,  and  witlv 
«uch  gross  misstalcmenls,  thai  I  cannot  sutler  it  to  pass  unno- 
iced. 

Messrs.  Eeeside  &  Slaymaker  entered  into  contract  to  trans- 
>ort  the  mail  between  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburgh,  daily,  in 
bur-horse  post  coaches,  to  run  two  lines  a  day;  one  to  go 
lirough  in  a  few  hours  more  than  two  days;  the  other  in  three 
ind  a  half  days.  The  object  of  the  two  lines  was,  that  the 
vcight  of  ihe  whole  mail  being  loo  great  to  admit  of  its  trans- 
lorlalion  with  the  rapidity  required  by  the  shortest  time,  the 
irincipal  letter  mail  for  Lancaster,  Harrisburgh,  Chambers- 
uirgh,  Bedford,  Pittsburgh,  and  all  places  west  of  Pittsburgh, 
ind  the  same  returning,  might  be  cairied  through  wilh  the 
greatest  possible  rapidity,  that  mail  not  being  over  loaded,  nor 
cquired  to  stop  at  till  the  way  offices  to  exchange  mails;  but 
hat  the  more  tardy  line  might  carry  the  heavy  newspaper  mail*, 
ind  the  letlcr  nmils  for  the  intermediate  offices,  commonly  call- 
id  the  way  mail.  In  this  way  they  bewail  their  operation*  on 
he  1st  January,  1830,  the  day  when  their  contract  commenced. 

1  wa*  but  a  short  time  before  heavy  complaints  were  made  by 
•dilors   and    others,  on    account   of  the  delay  of  newspapers. 
Vhen   information  was  received  by  letter,  or  by  newspapers 
nit  up  in  lellers,as  is  customary  with  those  who  have  the  pri- 
vilege of  franking,  earlier  than  by  the  regular  newspaper  mail, 

he  eoiitiaetor*  u,  -re  accused  of  detaining  the  mail  on  the  road, 
mil  Ihe  department  was  censured  for  sintering  them  to  do  so. 
Messrs.  Uecsidc  Si  Slaymaker  were  among  the  best  of  conlrac- 
ors,  and  no  persons  could  be  more  sensitive  than  they,  when 
any  complaints  were  made  tonchiii!.'  their  character  as  mail 
contractors.  To  allay  these  complaints,  they,  agreeably  to  the 
wishes  of  the  depaitmenl,  undertook,  from  Ihe  1st  of  April, 
I?32,  to  carry  all  the.  newspapers  for  Pittsburgh,  and  places  be- 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   12,  1834— MR.  BARRY'S  ADDRESS. 


343 


yond  that  point,  in  their  more  rapid  line.  After  three  month:* 
trial,  ihey  came  to  Washington,  and  alleged  that  the  loss  whiul 
they  hud  sustained  by  carrying  the  great  newspaper  mail,  ii 
their  more  rapid  line,  was  so  great,  that  it  would  prove  ruinou 
to  continue  it,  unless  they  should  receive  something  approxi 
mating  to  a  remuneration  for  the  same.  They  urged  their  righ 
to  relinquish  their  contract,  if  the}'  were  required  to  continue  tin 
service,  as  it  was  involving  too  enormous  an  expense  to  rende 
it  practicable,  and  demanding  of  them  a  service  which  thei 
contract  did  not  contemplate  nor  require.  This  conversation 
was  verbal,  but  I  toltl  them  to  reduce  their  statement  to  writing 
and  I  would  take  it  into  consideration.  Upon  this,  they  pic 
Rented  me  the  following  written  statement: 

"Washington,  July  12,  1832. 

"SIR:  When  we  entered  into  contract  with  you  to  run  two 
daily  mails  between  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburgh,  one  with  un 
•txampled  rapidity,  and  the  other  in  three  and  a  half  (lays,  we 
had  no  idea  whatever  of  carrying  the  newspaper  mail  in  on 
most  rapid  line,  nor  do  we  suppose  it  was  ever  contemplate! 
by  the  department.  It  was  our  intention,  and  we  so  expresse( 
it  in  all  ourconversations  with  you  and  with  the  suueriliiendcn 
of  mail  contracts,  to  carry  the  principal  letter  mail  only  in  the 
most  rapid  line,  not  believing  it  practicable  to  carry  the  heavy 
load  of  newspapers  sent  to  the  west,  with  sufficient  rapidity  to 
reach  Pittsburgh  in  the  shortest  time  specified.  Indeed,  if  we 
could  have  supposed  that  it  would  ever  become  necessary  to 
carry  the  newspapers  with  that  rapidity,  we  should  not  have 
undertaken  it  for  less  than  fifteen  thousand  dollars  a  year  be- 
yond what  we  now  receive.  But  experience  soon  taught  us 
that  great  complaints  were  made  against  Hie  department  anc 
ourselves,  when  the  newspapers  were  not  carried  as  soon  as 
the  letters;  and  that  these  complaints  were  not  confined  to 
Pittsburgh,  but  extended  all  over  the  west.  To  satisfy  the  pub- 
lic and  sustain  the  credit  of  both  the  department,  and  ourselves, 
as  its  servants,  we  made  the  experiment  of  trying  to  carry  the 
newspapers  with  our  most  rapid  line.  We  have  partly  succeed- 
ed; but  with  very  great  loss.  For  three  days  in  the  week,  we 
are  compelled  to  exclude  all  passengers,  to  the  loss  of  not  less 
than  one  hundred  dollars  a  day.  We  are  willing  to  perform  our 
contract  to  the  lull  extent  of  its  meaning;  but  we  must  relin 
quish  carrying  the  newspaper  mails  by  our  most  rapid  line,  un- 
less we  can,  in  part,  be  remunerated  for  it.  If,  however,  the 
postmaster  general  is  willing  to  silence  the  public  clamor,  which 
is  so  great  when  we  carry  them  in  our  slow  line,  we  will  carry 
ail  the  newspaper  mails,  together  with  the  letter  mail,  in  our 
most  rapid  line  to  Pittsburgh  and  Wheeling  in  the  shortest  time 
specified  in  our  contract,  and  so  arrange  the  continuation  of  the 
Baltimore  mail  at  Cbambersbtirgh  with  our  swift  line,  as  to 
carry  the  newspaper  as  well  as  letter  mail,  from  Baltimore  to 
Pittsburgh  in  two  days,  for  the  additional  allowance  often  thou- 
sand dollars  per  year  from  the  first  of  April  last.  The  increased 
expense  to  us  will  not  be  less  than  fifteen  thousand  dollars  a 
year;  and  for  our  own  credit  and  the  credit  of  the  department, 
we  will  make  one-third  of  the  sacrifice  and  perform  the  service 
for  ten  thousand  dollars  a  year.  We  would  gladly  do  it  for  a 
less  sum  if  we  could  afford  it;  but  we  cannot;  and  at  thai  rate 
oar  sacrifice  will  be  as  much  as  we  can  bear.  It  would  be 
much  more  gratifying  to  us,  if  the  public  would  be  satisfied 
without  it;  but  they  will  not:  and  our  own  feelings  will  not  suf- 
fer us  to  perform  a  service  in  which  we  cannot  give  satisfaction 
to  the  public.  Very  respectfully,  &c. 

JAMES  REESIDE. 
SAMUEL  R.  SLAYMAKER." 

On  the  presentation  of  the  above  I  made  the  allowance.  It 
was  for  a  service  which  their  original  contract  did  not  require 
them  to  perform;  and  a  service  for  which  the  public  voice  was 
clamorous.  But  what  is  the  language  of  the  majority  of  the 
committee  in  relation  to  this?  They  say  "but  it  has  not  been 
thought  necessary,  in  all  cases,  to  preserve  even  the  cover  of 
increased  services,  as  an  excuse  for  these  extra  allowances. 
The  ten  thousand  dollars,  yearly  allowed  to  Reeside  and  Slay- 
maker,  on  the  route  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburgh,  is  wholly 
without  this  apolopy"  This  assertion,  with  the  facts  before 
them,  is  what  we  should  not  have  expected  from  a  committee 
of  the  senate  of  the  United  States.  But  they  proceed  farther; 
and  behind  the  shield  of  official  privilege,  by  misrepresentation 
and  detraction,  they  make  a  thrust  at  what  is  of  infinitely  more 
value  than  life  itself,  the  character  of  an  officer  of  the  depart- 
ment and  of  these  two  contractors.  They  state,  "to  give  the 
transaction  its  true  character,  this  ten  thousand  dollars  a  year 
was  a  gift,  out  of  the  funds  of  the  department,  to  these  con- 
tractors; and  there  are  some  further  circumstances  attending  it, 
which,  on  a  most  careful  inquiry  by  your  committee,  are  not 
satisfactorily  explained."  What  do  they  give  as  the  circum- 
stances attending  it?  First,  that  the  contractors  had  not  yet 
divided  the  money  among  the  company  of  stockholders  in  the 
stage  lines  by  which  the  mail  was  transported,  but  held  it  to 
meet  debts  of  the  company  for  which  they  were  liable;  and, 
secondly,  that  Mr.  Brown  had  obtained  a  loan  on  interest,  from 
these  geHllemen,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  property  in  the 
city  of  Washington.  They  acknowledge  that  the  testimony  of 
both  Reeside  and  Slaymaker  proves,  that  the  loan  was  on  in- 
terest, for  the  evidence  of  which  they  had  i\Ir.  Brown's  accept- 
ance— that  he  had  repaid  a  part  of  it  at  the  end  of  one  year, 
and  that  they  held  him  responsible,  and  he  never  disavowed  his 
responsibility  for  the  remainder;  but  to  throw  a  sha.le  upon  the 
transaction,  and  by  inuendo  to  charge  honorable  men  with  per- 
jury, and  Mr.  Brown  with  corruption,  they  say  that  "this  trans- 


action is  the  more  reasonable  when  taken  in  connexion  with 
another,  testified  to  by  Edwin  Porter,  which  will  be  found  in 
another  part  of  this  report.  In  that  case,  Brown  was,  shortly 
before,  and  shortly  after  this  transaction,  the  lender  of  very 
large  sums  of  money  to  Porter  on  interest." 

Win n  this  part  of  the  report  was  penned,  as  it  is  understood, 
by  lOwing,  he  had  the  proof  before  him,  that  Mr.  Brown  never 
loaned  a  cent  of  his  own  money  to  Mr.  Porter — that  Mr.  Brown 
received,  as  agent  from  a  gentleman,  a  sum  of  money  to  place 
in  safe  hands  Hi  interest — that  the  gentleman  shortly  alter  died, 
and  that  Mr.  Brown  is  still  aciing  as  the  agent  lor  In-  widow 
and  orphan  children—  (hat  of  the  money  thus  received,  he  made 
these  loans  to  Mr.  Porter:  but  that  the  money  which  lie  borrow- 
ed was  to  purchase  property  for  his  own  benefit,  and  not  as 
agent  for  another;  and  that  he  borrowed  the  money  for  himself, 
because  he  would  not,  himself,  be.  the  borrower  of  money  put 
into  his  hands  to  loan  out  as  the  agent  for  another.  With  thc*e 
evidences  before  them,  where  does  the  charge  of  iniquity  lie? 
They  nlso  knew  that  the  loan  from  Messrs.  Reside  ami  Slay- 
maker  had  no  connexion  whatever  with  their  extra  allowance, 
nor  with  any  official  transaction.  It  was  not  made  within  half 
a  year  after  the  allowance  was  made  to  them.  The  fact  is,  ilmt 
Mr.  Brown  had  no  more  agency  in  the  allowance  of  the  ten 
thousand  dollar;,  than  Mr.  Ewing  himsc  Ifhad.  Ai--.-.-rs.  Reeside 
and  Slaymaker  came  themselves  to  me,  while  I  was  confined 
to  my  house  by  indisposition,  and  presented  their  case,  and  I 
made  the  allowance  as  a  matter  of  right,  without  consulting 
Mr.  Brown,  or  knowing  his  opinion  upon  the  subject. 

The  injustice  of  their  remarks  on  the  contracts  of  Mr.  Porter, 
is  too  apparent  to  need  much  comment.  There  is  but  one  spe- 
cification contained  in  them,  and  that  is,  that  "the  Ohio  river, 
between  these  points,  (Guyandotte  and  Louisville),  is  not  a 
mail  route  established  by  law;"  they  therefore  condemn  the 
establishment  of  a  steamboat  line  between  them  as  unlawful. 
Whether  they  were  themselves  ignorant  of  the  law  under  which 
they  presume  to  judge  me,  or  whether  they  intend  wilfully  to 
impose  oil  the  credulity  of  others,  I  will  not  say;  but  the  3d 
section  of  the  law  of  March  3d,  1823,  is  in  these  words:  "and 
be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  waters  on  which  steamboats  re- 
gularly pass  from  port  to  port,  shall  be  considered  and  establish- 
ed as  post  roads,  subject  to  the  provisions  contained  in  the  se- 
veral acts  regulating  the  post  office  establishment."  No  person 
who  has  ever  been  on  the  Ohio,  is  so  ignorant  as  not  to  know 
that  the  waters  of  the  Ohio,  especially  between  those  two 
points,  are  regularly  traversed  by  steamboats.  Mr.  Ewing  know  s 
it,  and  acknowledges  it;  yet  lie  denies  that  it  is  a  mail  route  by 
law. 

They  also  state,  that  the  route  between  Mobile  and  New 
Orleans  was  not  advertised,  and  complain  that  the  law  was 
violated  by  making  this  contract  without  advertisement;  and, 
Ihat  the  law  was  violated  by  getting  a  steamboat  line  upon  it. 
Though  the  charge  of  violating  the  law  by  getting  a  steamboat 
line  upon  it  is  against  my  predecessor,  who  first  made  a  con- 
tract for  carrying  the  mail  upon  it  in  steamboats,  it  is  but 
justice  to  him,  for  rue,  on  his  behalf,  to  deny  the  charge.  They 
icru.-r  him  unjustly.  There  is  a  special  law  establishing  this 
route,  and  under  this  law  he  acted  when  lie  made  the  contract 
with  Rhodes,  as  I  also  did  when  I  renewed  the  contract  after 
ils  failure.  As  to  the  other  points,  the  route  was  regularly  ad- 
vertised by  me  preparatory  to  making  the  contract,  and  taken 
at  25,000  dollars  a  year,  for  three  trips  a  week;  and  when  lians- 
ferred  to  Mr.  Porter,  it  was  so  altered  as  to  run  daily  at  40,000 
dollars  a  year — more  than  18,000  a  year  less  than  pro  rata. 
They  complain  of  the  extra  services  performed,  and  of  the 
xtia  allowances  made  to  William  Smith,  of  Virginia.  When 
naking  this  complaint,  they  knew  that  the  extra  services  were 
•ailed  for  by  more  than  a  thousand  petitioners,  sustained  by 
lie  representatives  in  congress  of  the  sections  of  country 
hrough  which  the  line  rims,  and  that  the  extra  pay  is  less  in 
iroportion  to  the  service  than  that  of  the  original  contract. 

James  F.  Robinson  is  the  contractor  for  carrying  the  mail 
laily  in  four  horse  post  coaches  between  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and 
leorgetown,  Kentucky.  This  line  forms  a  pail  of  the  regular 
onnexion  between  the  seats  of  government  in  Ohio,  Kentucky 
,nd  Tennessee.  It  also  connects  the  two  great  mail  lines 
hrough  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  and  is  an  important  part  of  the 
honest  and  most  direct  mail  stage  route  between  Cincinnati 
ml  St.  Louis,  through  Indiana  and  Illinois.  An  increased  ex- 
icdition,  and  running  in  the  night  instead  of  the  day,  would 
(feet  the  gain  of  an  entire  day  in  these  important  connexions. 
Dn  this  account,  he  was  directed  to  make  the  change.  A  stipii- 
ation  in  all  mail  contracts  provides,  that  w  hen  the  postmaster 
eneral  directs  a  change  of  schedule,  or  increase  of  expedition, 
le  shall  defray  the  reasonable  expense  which  such  change  shall 
equire.  Mr.  Robinson  piosentcd  his  claim  for  this  expense, 
nd  it  was  not  admitted.  It  was  then  referred,  by  mutual  con- 
cnt,  to  experienced  and  honorable  men,  both  named  by  me  for 
rbitration.  Their  award  was  allowed.  The  m.ijority  of  the 
ommittee  condemn  the  measure.  An  impartial  public  will  ro- 
'erse  their  decision. 

Messrs.  Avcry,  Tornpkins  ami  Saltmarsh.  nre  the  contractors 
or  carrying  the  mail  on  several  routes,  among  which  are  the 
outcs  constituting  the  main  southern  line,  between  IVters- 
nirgh,  Virginia,  and  Fayetteville,  North  Carolina,  upwards  of 
wo  hundred  miles,  daily,  in  four  horse  post  coaches.  It  is 
1  known  that  stage  proprietors  calculate  upon  passengers 
or  a  considerable  propoiium  of  the  remuneration  for  their  e.x- 
lenses.  About  ninety  miles  of  this  road  are  almost  impassable 


344  NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   12,  1834— MR.  BARRY'S  ADDRESS, 


in  the  winter;  and,  very  frequently  does  it  happen,  that  the 
badness  of  the  road,  and  the  expedition  required,  are  such,  es- 
pecially since  the  mails  are  become  so  heavy,  as  often  to  weigh 
more  than  a  ton,  that  the  best  of  coaches  are  broken,  and  a 
failure  of  the  mail  is  the  consequence.  To  prevent  these  dis- 
asters, they  were  required  carry  the  mail  in  four  horse  wagons, 
so  as  to  exclude  all  passengers,  and  for  the  accommodation  of 
travellers,  to  run  a  tri-weekly  line  of  coaches,  during  three 
months  in  the  year,  for  which  an  additional  allowance  was 
made  of  2,500  dollars.  The  mode  of  conveyance  was  changed 
by  order  of  the  department,  from  what  was  specified  in  their 
contract;  and  the  change  was  such  as  to  require  from  them  the 
full  amount  of  expense  for  horses  and  drivers,  but  to  deprive 
them  of  all  revenue  for  passengers;  or,  if  they  obtained  any 
thing  for  passengers,  it  was  at  the  additional  expense  of  running 
an  extra  line.  Was  it  unreasonable  that  they  should  receive, 
at  least,  a  part  of  the  expense  which  the  change  required?  Yet 
the  majority  of  the  committee  call  it  an  "extraordinary  allow- 
ance," and  condemn  it  as  unwarranted. 

They  condemn  a  lawful  and  reasonable  allowance  to  J.  B. 
Bennett,  because,  they  say,  he  became,  after  obtaining  it,  the 
editor  of  a  newspaper  friendly  to  the  administration.  Their 
statement  is  destitute  of  the  slightest  shadow  of  truth.  Mr.  J. 
B.  Bennett  was  never  known,  either  as  a  politician  or  as  an 
editor.  He  never  owned  a  printing  establishment,  ner  had  any 
concern  in  a  newspaper.  So  far  as  he  or  his  partner  entertain- 
ed political  partialities,  they  were  in  favor  of  the  late  adminis- 
tration, and  opposed  to  the  present.  He  is  now  deceased,  and 
his  brother,  who  was  his  partner,  is  his  successor;  but  what  his 
political  opinions  are  I  never  knew  till  informed  of  them  by  a 
recent  communication.  The  report  of  the  honorable  Messrs. 
Grundy  and  Robinson,  has  taken  a  fair  and  impartial  view  ol 
the  whole  subject  of  the  investigations  of  the  committee;  and 
•when  their  report  shall  be  read,  remarks  from  me  are  scarcely 
necessary. 

The  majority  of  the  committee  make  a  comparison  between 
the  amounts  of  expenditure  for  mail  transportation  in  the  state 
of  New  Hampshire  and  in  the  state  of  Vermont,  as  they  appear 
by  the  official  report  of  February,  1831,  showing  that  there  was 
$15,610  30  more  expended  in  New  Hampshire  than  in  Vermont, 
whilst  there  were  ft  I, 394  more  postage  paid  the  same  year  by 
Vermont  than  by  New  Hampshire.  This  exhibit  is  evidently 
made  with  the  view  of  charging  undue  partialityto  New  Hamp- 
shire over  Vermont,  in  the  mail  arrangement  for  the  two  states 
I  might  dismiss  the  subject  with  the  remark,  that  whether  it  be 
so  or  not,  is  a  matter  that  cannot  affect  me,  officially,  or  other 
wise;  for  the  mail  arrangement  for  those  states,  for  the  yea 
1831,  or  for  any  year  prior  to  the  1st  January,  1833,  was  not  o 
my  devising.  It  was  the  work  of  my  predecessor.  The  con 
tracts  in  the  New  England  states  that  were  in  operation  as  lat€ 
as  the  31st  December,  1833,  were  let  in  the  fall  of  1828,  and  pu 
in  operation  in  January,  1829,  during  the  administration  of  the 
honorable  John  McLean.  I  do  not  believe  that  the  mail  ac 
commodations  to  these  two  stales  were  made  under  the  influ 
ence  of  any  improper  preferences  in  favor  of  New  Hampshire 
It  is  apparent,  that  New  Hampshire,  from  her  position  on  th 
sea-board,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  great  emporium  of  New 
England,  and  of  other  large  commercial  and  manufucturin 
towns,  must  require  more  frequent  interchanges  of  the  ma 
than  Vermont;  whilst  the  latter,  from  her  remoteness  of  sitna 
lion  from  the  main  points  of  correspondence,  must  necessaril 
pay  the  higher  rates  of  postage,  provided  by  law.  But  if  an 
shall  believe  with  the  committee,  that  judge  McLean's  arrange 
ment  was  an  exceptionable  one,  it  may  be  gratifying  to  such  t 
be  informed  that  the  evil  complained  of  has  been,  in  a  grea 
measure,  removed  by  the  arrangements  since  adopted,  undt 
the  present  administration  of  the  department.  The  contrac 
now  in  force  in  those  states  were  let  in  the  fall  of  1832,  an 
put  in  operation  in  January,  1833.  A  careful  examination  ha 
been  made  of  the  amount  of  pay,  and  proportion  of  pay,  for  th 
routes  and  parts  of  routes,  in  each  state  respectively,  and  it 
found  that  there  is  at  this  time  paid  for  mail  transportation, 

In  New  Hampshire, $36,594 

Vermont, 31,991 


Difference, $4,603 


The  majority  of  the  committee  speak  of  what  "the  law  con 
templates^"  and  of  a  "limit  beyond  which  the  expenditure 
not  permitted  to   pass  without  the  consent  of  congress;"  b 
they  do  not  cite,  nor  refer  to  the  law,  because  no  such  la 
exists.    They  accuse  the  postmaster  general  of  not  complyin 
with  the  39th  section  of  the  post  office  law,  though  their  ow 
printed  documents  show  that  it  has  been  literally  complied  wi  t 
every  year  for  the  last  five  years.    They  complain  because  th 
editor  of  a  newspaper,  friendly  to  the  administration,  has  wh 
is  called  the  newspaper  privilege,  meaning  the  privilege  of  ca 
ryine  newspapers  out  of  the  mail,  though  it  is  a  privilege  ex 
pressly  provided  for  by  law,  and  they  knew  that  it  was  als 
enjoyed  nnrt  extensively  practised   by  several  editors  on  the 
own  side  of  the  question.  They  refer  to  a  confidential  report 
the  postmaster  general  to  the  senate,  in  a  manner  calculated 
make  the  impression  that  I  wish  to  conceal  the  nature  of  th 
expenditures,  when  that  report  was  made  confidential  in  ob 
difiice  to  a  resolution  of  the  senate. 

They  notice  a  difference  between  the  sum  of  the  (several  con 
tract*  as  stated  in  the  Blue  Book  and  the  sum  givon  in  my  an 
nual  report  to  the  president,  amounting  to  40,396  dollars  a  yea 


ley  allege,  that  one  statement  gives  the  annual  stipulated 
ices  for  contracts  in  September  1833,  and  that  it  differs  from 
[Other  statement  of  the  annual  stipulated  amount  of  contracts 
November  1833,  to  the  amount  of  40,396  dollars.  This  differ- 
ice  arises  from  the  changes  made  in  contracts  in  the  United 
.ates,  between  September  and  the  30th  November,  1833,  to- 
•ther  with  many  other  alterations  and  allowances  which  had 
•en  made  prior  to  September,  but  which  had  not  been  entered 
i  the  contracts  when  the  statement  was  made  out  for  the 
lue  Book. 

And  the  reason  why  an  "answer  to  the  call  of  the  senate  for 
statement  of  the  sums  paid  for  transportation  and  extra  allow- 
nces  omitted  in  the  Blue  Book"  has  not  been  made,  is,  that 
oon  after  that  resolution  was  passed,  it,  together  with  other 
ills  of  a  similar  character,  was  superseded  by  the  subsequent 
solution  of  the  senate  empowering  the  committee  on  post  of- 
ces  and  post  roads,  to  make  inquiry  and  investigation  them- 
!lves,  with  power  to  send  for  persons  and  papers.  The  com- 
litlee  omitted,  in  their  investigations  at  the  department,  to  call 
le  attention  of  myself  or  any  other  officer  of  the  department, 
j  the  omissions  in  the  Blue  Book, — no  doubt  because  they  had 
ecome  aware,  from  what  they  had  ascertained  themselves, 
lat  the  items  could  be  satisfactorily  given,  and  any  supposed 
screpancy  distinctly  explained. 

They  stated  that  the  expenses  of  travelling  agents  for  the  de- 
utinent,  were  paid  by  the  postmaster  in  New  York,  '-and 
ten  the  charges  covered  and  concealed  under  the  name  of  in- 
dental  expenses  of  the  post  office  at  the  city  of  New  York." 
.'his  allegation  is  entirely  foreign  from  the  truth;  for  there  is 
lot  in  the  department  snch  an  account  as  "the  incidental  ex- 
cuses of  the  post  office  at  the  city  of  New  York,"  nor  of  any 
ither  post  office.  The  account  of  "incidental  expenses"  is  com- 
non  to  the  whole  department,  and  not  proper  to  any  one  post 
office;  and  the  charges  of  which  they  speak  are  all  entered  in 
hat  account,  and  a  copy  of  that  account  reported  to  the  senate, 
eferred  to  the  committee,  and  printed  with  their  report.  They 
lad  the  means  of  comparing  it  with  the  entries  in  the  books, 
and  with  the  original  accounts  and  vouchers.  They  found 
nothing  wrong,  and  therefore  resorted  to  direct  misstatement, 
vithout  even  a  coloring  of  truth  for  its  mantle.  The  same 
hey  have  done  in  their  statement  of  extra  allowances  to  con- 
tractors. In  the  case  of  one  individual,  Mr.  Rceside,  they  have 
stated  his  extra  allowances  to  be  upwards  of  37,000  dollars  a 
year  more  than  what  they  really  are.  This  is  a  fair  specimen  of 
he  credit  due  to  their  allegations,  in  relation  to  allowances  as 
well  as  other  matters.  So  in  their  remarks  upon  the  accounts 
of  Messrs.  True  &  Greene;  they  allege  that  the  statement  in  the 
Blue  Book  is  incorrect;  and  to  sustain  them  in  the  position, 
they  show  that  their  printing  account  amounted  to  precisely 
•vhal  is  stated  in  the  Blue  Book,  but  that  the  paper  also  was 
iiirchased  by  the  department,  and  should  therefore  be  counted 
as  a  part  of  the  expense  of  printing.  It  is  the  uniform  custom 
of  the  department,  to  furnish  paper  for  the  printing  of  the 
blanks,  and  to  allow  the  printers  a  certain  sum  per  ream  for 
printing  them.  This  was  the  case  with  True  &  Greene,  and 
with  others  employed  for  that  purpose.  They  purchased  the 
paper  by  direction  of  the  department,  and  charged  the  depart- 
ment with  it  in  their  account.  The  printing  was  a  distinct 
charge,  and  the  amount  is  noted  in  the  Blue  Book  as  the  sum 
paid  for  printing.  Their  other  remarks  concerning  printing,  are 
quite  as  foreign  from  candor  and  correctness. 

Their  iinermedling  with  private  and  individual  concerns1,  and1 
their  attempts,  by  false  coloring,  insinuations,  and  inuendoe*, 
to  injure  private  character,  are  unworthy  the  respect  which 
their  official  station  is  calculated  to  give  them.  Their  effort  to 
blast  the  reputation  of  Mr.  Reeside,  has  been  successfully  re- 
pelled by  him,  and  made  to  recoil  upon  the  principle  actor  m 
this  disgraceful  attack.  Their  inquisitorial  proceedings  in  re- 
lation to  my  own  private  business — their  personal  insinuations 
— their  attack  upon  my  private  character — are  the  more  proper 
subjects  of  individual  responsibility;  and  I  must  consider  them, 
entirely  beneath  any  official  regard  or  public  refutation. 

My  official  acts  belong  to  my  country;  and  whether  their  ten- 
dency has  been  the  promotion  of  the  public  g»od,  I  cheerfully 
submit  to  the  decision  of  my  fellow-citizens.  I  make  no  pre- 
tension to  infallability,  but  my  errors,  whatever  they  may  have 
been,  have  not  resulted  from  design.  Our  national  domain  is 
extended  from  the  frozen  regions  of  the  nortli  to  the  plains  of 
perpetual  foliage  in  the  south;  from  the  Atlantic  ocean  on  the 
east,  to  the  Rocky  mountain*  on  the  west.  Clashing  interest 
and  sectional  prejudices  can  be  counteracted  only  by  safe  and 
speedy  intercourse.  Every  improvement  which  lends  to  short- 
en the  time  of  espistolary  correspondence,  and  to  expedite  and 
facilitate  the  traveller  in  his  transitions  from  one  part  of  the 
country  to  another,  is  like  bringing  the  distant  parts  nearer  to- 


The  vindictive  course  pursued  by  my  ene- 


.tljil    \\  HIM    lilt;    IHUla     Ml. Ill    lie    IVIIUtVII     UIIU     •uwwtvtwwj   »v   me   u 

burial  of  public  sentiment  I  shall  cheerfully  cubmit. 

W.  T.  BARRY. 


I 


JVIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SEEKS.  No.  2t— VOL.  X.I     BALTIMORE,  JULY  19,  1834.    [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,191. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT— FOB  THE  FUTUBE. 


EDITED,  PBINTED  AWD  PUBLISHED  BY  H.  NILES,  AT  $5  PER  ANNUM,  PAYABLE  IN  ADVANCE. 


The  present  sheet  contains  a  large  assortment  of  vari 
ous  and  interesting  matter.  To  be  sure,  our  first  pur 
pose  is  to  make  a  record  of  public  documents,  and  othe 
important  public  proceedings,  but,  now  and  then,  we  ar 
much  pleased  in  being  able  to  present  a  miscellaneou 
collection  of  articles. 

We  publish  some  more  of  the  laws  passed  at  the  las 
session  of  congress,  and  intend,  as  room  can  be  conve 
niently  obtained,  to  insert  all  the  acts  that  are  general!; 
interesting.  They  will  be  useful  for  common  reference 

The  act  appropriating  $5,000,  to  make  experiments  foi 
the  safety  of  the  steam  engine,  it  is  thought,  may  embar- 
rass some  of  the  strict  construers  of  the  constitution,  for 
its  principle  would  extend  to  an  appropriation  of  fiv 
millions — but  we  think  that  there  is  power  in  the  genera 


of  practical  science,  and  promote  the  public  good 

We  have  received  and  read,  with  much  interest,  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  Indian  affairs,  presented  to 
the  house  of  representatives  by  Mr.  Everett,  of  Vermont 
on  the  20th  May  last — to  which  was  attached  two  im- 
portant bills  that  have  since  become  laws.  The  latter 
are  laid  off  for  our  next  paper,  and  the  report  itself  shall 
be  given  hereafter — for  the  subject  is  one  that  deeply  in- 
terests the  best  feelings  of  the  people  of  the  United  States; 
and  Mr.  Everett  has  handled  it  in  a  masterly  manner, 

We  publish  certain  useful  and  important  tabular  state- 
ments, concerning  the  general  condition  of  the  state 
banks,  compiled  under  the  direction  of  the  clerk  of  the 
house  of  representatives,  from  materials  collected  by  Mr. 
Wilde,  and  published  by  order  of  the  house. 

These  statements  are,  probably,  more  accurate  than  any 
others  that  have  been  yet  laid  before  the  public,  but  still 
are  defective,  as  needs  must  be  expected;  and  present 
only  a  general  view  of  the  real  condition  ef  the  banks  in 
the  several  states;  but  persons  who  desire  to  understand 
the  subject,  must  closely  examine  the  reported  demands 
against  and  resources  of  the  banks,  and  compare  the  two, 
for  themselves. 

The  aggregates  offer  much  matter  for  serious  reflec- 
tion. It  is  shewn,  among  other  things,  that  (including  the 
new  banks,  tho'  not  carried  out)  credits  to  the  amount  of 
more  thanyb?«-  hundred  millions,  were  maintained,  or  sus- 
tained, by  a  specie  capital  of  seventeen  or  eighteen  mil- 
lions. SUCH  is  CREDIT — such  is  the  CURRENCY,  with 
which  unskilful  men  have  violently  interfered  and  de- 
ranged. Public  confidence  had  expanded  less  than  thirty 
millions  in  specie  or  "specie  funds"  including  that  in 
the  bank  of  the  United  States,*  into  nearly  or  about  Jive 
hundred  millions  of  credits,  at  or  inall  the  banks,  which 
large  sum  was  just  as  useful  in  business  operations  as 
though  such  an  amount  of  gold  had  been  deposited  witli 
us — and,  indeed,  more  useful,  because  more  easily  and 
cheaply  transferred  from  one  person  or  place  to  another 
— and  hence  the  mighty  march  of  this  republic  in  popu- 
lation, wealth  and  power,  through  a  SUCCESSFUL  INDUS- 
TRY, aided  by  roads,  canals,  bridges,  steamboats  and  wa- 
gons, and  thousands  of  applications  of  science  to  the 


*Al  the  triennial  meeting  of  the  stockholders  of  tlie  bank  of 
the  United  States  held  1st  September,  1831,  the  responsibi- 
lities of  the  bank  to  the  public,  for  capital,  circulation,  de- 
posites,  dividends  unclaimed,  profits  earned,  &c.  &c.  amount- 
ed to  $82,165,578,  and  the  specie  on  hand  to  §11,545,116.  The 
responsibilities  of  the  bank  have  been  considerably  reduced, 
and  the  specie  on  hand  increased,  since  then,  hut  we  cannot 
just  now  refer  to  a  statement  shewing  the  particulars. 

These  things  are  slated  to  shew,  that,  while  the  local  banks 

had  400  millions  of  responsibilities  based  on  less  than  20  millions 

of  specie,  that  U,  20  to  one — the  rate  of  the  hank  of  the  United 

States  was  only  a  little  over  7  to  one— or  as  82  millions  to  11.;. 

VOL.  XLVI— SIG.  24. 


common  purposes  of  man,  in  agriculture*  and  the  arts, 
and  the  affairs  of  domestic  life.  The  sun  never  shone 
upon  a  country  more  prosperous  than  was  our  own,  a  little 
while  ago.  We  would  rather  have  diminished,  than  have 
increased,  the  capital  and  credits  of  banks;  but  while 
\\\»\.ffreat  balance-wheel,  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 
had  fair  play,  no  general  or  very  serious  injury  was  an* 
ticipated.  If  paper  money  had  a  tendency  I o  raise  the 
price  of  commodities,  it  also  advanced  the  price  of  labor, 
by  bringing  it  into  greater  demand;  and  thus  the  profits 
of  bankers  were  distributed  into  the  families  of  the  la- 
boring poor,  adding  to  their  comfort — the  chief  property 
which  they  had  (in  their  capacity  to  labor),  BEIXU  rno"- 
TECTED;  agriculture,  too,  daily  extended  its  important 
operations,  and  about  ten  thousand  new  houses  were  an- 
nually building  in  our  chief  cities  and  towns,  and  eveiy 
man,  as  it  were,  if  able  and  willing  to  work,  had  em- 
ployment, and  might  eat  the  bread  of  independence.  So 
"things  were."  But  an  "experiment"  is  now  going  on, 
and  its  end  may,  perhaps,  be  partially  calculated  from 
the  fruits  which  it  has  already  produced  in  suddenly  con- 
tracting the  currency,  and  paralizing  the  business  and  re- 
ducing the  profits  of  the  laboring  classes. 

These  are  mere  hints  on  important  things,  as  to  the 
power  and  effect  of  CREDIT  on  the  prosperity  of  a  coun- 
try, and  the  facility  which  it  affords  to  the  CREATION  AND 
CIRCULATION  OF  REAL  VALUES — as  in  the  following,  for  a 


A  much  valued  friend  whose  deliberate  opinions  are  always 
entitled  to  high  respect,  and  who  is  also  well  acquainted  wuli 
the  business  of  agriculture,  as  it  was  and  is,  in  reply  to  a  ques- 
tion proposed  by  us,  said,  that  the  labor  of  cultivation,  as  com- 
pared with  its  products  in  the  United  States,  was  reduced  one 
roitrth  within  30  or  35  years,  by  more  correct  rotations  of  crops, 
lie  use  of  plaster  and  growth  of  clover,  and  the  greatly  improv- 
ed instruments  and  tools  used  by  farmers  to  prepare  their 
jrounds  and  secure  theircrops,  or  in  facilities  afforded  in  sending 
to  market.  Now  this  reduced  labor,  is,  in  one  way  or  another, 
no  matter  how,  a  dear  gain  to  the  annually  productive  wealth 
of  the  county,  aud  is  of  a  mighty  amount.  The  same  results 
will  he  found  in  the  examination  of  almost  any  other  branch  of 
he  national  industry — or  rather,  in  most  branches,  at  a  much 
ligher  rate.  Take  an  example — when  money  was  worth  about 
vvice  as  much  as  it  now  is,  (for  money,  like  every  thing  else,  has 
ts  price),  the  cost  of  transportations  from  the  Atlantic  cities 

0  the  western  waters,  and  even  not  very  long  ago,  was  at  the 
ate  of  5  or  6  cents  per  Ib.    Now  the  cost  is  }  a  ij  cents  per  Ib. 
'lie  difference  is  also  a  clear  gain.    But  this  is  not  all.    The 

ourney  from  Baltimore  to  New  York,  for  another  example,  is 
tften  made  in  less  than  one  day,  or  21  hours,  and  without  fa- 
ieue — it  required  from  3  to  4  days,  with  much  fatigue;  and  th« 
inference  in  the  expenditure  of  time  and  strength  passes  into 
lie  general  profits  that  are  added  to  the  nation's  capital — for 
time  is  money,"  and  the  ability  to  labor,  or  do  business,  is  alto 
money." 

Suppose  another  case.  The  exchanges  of  the  bank  of  the 
raited  States,  and  it?  offices,  with  each  other,  or  other  distant 
;tnks  or  places,  amount,  to  about  250  millions  a  year,  the  ave- 
ige  expense  of  which  is  less  (to  the  public),  than  one-K-ntli  of 

ne  per  cent. but  say  250,000  dollars.    The  average  distance 

f  the  places  at  which  such  exchanaes  are  consummated,  may 
e  some  where  between  300  and  500  miles — say  300.  If  the 
ame  amount  of  business  was  to  be  done  by  specie,  whether 
old  or  silver,  the  cost  and  risk  of  the  transportations  would 
ertainly  exceed  two  per  rent,  and  amount  to  five  millions  of 
altars.  Now,  the  4,750,000  dollars  saved  in  the  mamier  stated, 
nd  in  the  facts  proposed,  is  as  mm-li  added  to  the  public 
r'calth  as  though  so  large  an  amount  in  gold  was  digged  out  of 
le  howels  of  the  earth — for  the  labor  and  time  expended  in 
uch  transportations  are  devoted  to  other  purposes,  and  marie 
reductive,  instead  of  being  only  useful,  as  if  so  expended  such 
ibor  and  time  would  be.  Production,  only,  increases  values, 
hus — if  it  required  a  certain  number  of  men  and  horses  to 
ransport  a  certain  weight  in  silver  a  given  distance  to  pay  a 
ebt,  which  might  just  as  well  be  paid  by  a  draught  costing 
nly  25  cents,  perhaps,  for  postage — and  the  labor  of  such  men 
nd  horses  was  appropriated  to  the  making  of  corn  or  cotton,  an 
icreaspd  value  must  follow  it — but  the  transport  of  the  silver, 

1  this  instance,  added  nothing  to  its  general  value:  yet  if  silver 
ere  a  native  production,  the  transport  may  as  well  enter  into 
s  value  as  the  cost  of  digging  it— for  silver,  just  the  same  as 
our,  must  be  cariicd  to  its  market. 


346 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY    19,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


single  instance  out  of  a  thousand:  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  rail  road  has  reduced  the  cost  of  transporting  a  bar- 
rel of  flour  to  market,  say  50  cents;  here  is  a  substantial 
benefit  cither  to  the  growers  of  wheat  or  consumers  of 
flour,  or  is  divided  between  them — and  the  labor  that 
was  formerly  expended  in  the  transportation  of  this  flour 
si  now  applied  to  making  more  wheat — and  so  there  is  a 
clear  gain:  but  whether  the  rail  road  was  made  by  the 
expenditure  of  gold,  or  use  of  credit,  has  no  sort  of  effect 
on  the  benefits  conferred  by  it.  The  only  tiling  to  be 
considered  is,  whether  the  gold  or  the  credit  was  right- 
fully, and  prudently,  and  honestly  used.  Credit  may  run 
•wild,  and  sometimes  does — and  should  always  be  care- 
fully watched:  but,  being  established,  it  should  be  med- 
dled with  only  after  the  most  deliberate  and  cool  obser- 
vation of  its  actual  condition;  and  sudden  appreciations 
or  depreciations  of  the  value  of  money  should  always  be 
avoided,  if  possible:  Either  may  be  used  to  advance  the 
interests  of  designing  and  dishonest  men — but  the  public 
suffers  by  either,  and  (especially  the  working  people. 

Money,  to  those  who  need  it,  and  have  the  courage 
and  credit  to  borrow  it,  is  becoming  more  plentiful 
than  it  was — and  chiefly  for  the  strong,  but  melancholy, 
reason,  that  most  persons  have  restrained  their  expen- 
ditures, and  that  new  enterprises  are  entered  upon  slowly, 
and  with  the  greatest  caution.  Hence  we  use  the  word 
"courage'' — and  most  persons  now,  before  they  sign  a 
note,  closely  calculate  the  fact  that  it  will  run  to  its  ma- 
turity! On  this  account,  we  understand  that  the  banks 
are  not  much  over-burthened  with  offerings  of  such  paper 
as  they  are  willing  to  accept.  But  money  has  a  sluggish 
circulation,  unless  in  borrowings  to  pay  borrowed  mo- 
ney, or  to  meet  old  and  imperative  engagements,  and  the 
usual  remittances,  or  ordinary  collections,  are  exceed- 
ingly diminished,  as  well  as  the  general  amount  of  sales 
for  cash,  or  on  credit.  An  unpleasant  economy  has  been 
forced  on  the  people — and  the  wages  of  the  laboring 
classes,  if  not  diminished,  are  less  promptly  paid  than 
heretofore,  and  many  are  totally  thrown  out  of  employ- 
ment. All  these  things  have  a  direct  tendency  to  make 
money  plenty  in  the  banks,  though  scarce  with  the  pub- 
lic; and  the  progress  of  improvement  is  retarded,  and 
advances  in  wealth  obstructed,  in  a  very  serious  manner 
— for  it  is  on  an  excited  industry  that  these  depend. 

To  present  one  example  of  what  is  just  suggested,  il 
may  be  safely  said,  we  think,  that  at  least  500,000  dol- 
lars more  were  expended  on  new  buildings,  in  Balti- 
more and  its  vicinity,  last  year,  than  will  be  cxpendei 
in  the  present  year.  This  whole  value  is  not  lost  to  the 
public,  for  some  of  the  working  people  are  engaged  in 
other  pursuits — but  a  large  part  of  the  sum  is  lost,  am 
forever,  for  lost  lime  cannot  be  regained.  And  such  is  the 
general  stagnation  of  business,  that  the  people,  in  general, 
whether  of  the  laboring  or  dealing  classes,  would  be 
quite  content  to  end  the  present  year  in  as  good  circum- 
stances as  they  commenced  it,  suffering  a  loss  of  those 
profits  which  their  industry  ought  to  have  enabled  them 
to  set  aside,  or  use,  for  the  making  of  other  profits  ot 
increased  capitals  employed.  But  it  may  be  said  that  we 
over-built,  last  year — that  did  not  appear  in  the  fact  lha 
every  new  house  was  swiftly  occupied;  but  now  a  gooc 
many  are  empty,  and  persons  are  sec-king  reduced  rents 
at  the  cost  of  some  conveniences  which  they  have  here- 
tofore enjoyed.  All  such  things  lessen  the'demand  for 
money,  at  the  banks — but  render  money  more  scarci 
among  the  productive  people. 

The  Pennsylvania  state  loan  of  1,665,000  dollars,  ha 
been  taken  at  $5  03  premium  on  every  100  dollars.  Tin 
loan  of  last  year  sold  for  13  dollars  premium,  if  we  re 
collect  rightly.  But  the  late  sale  of  the  loan,  even  a 
the  reduced  premium,  shews  that  the  banks  and  money 
ed  individuals  are  again  able  to  lend.  The  bank  of  the 
United  States  too,  (as  will  be  seen  by  an  interesting  cor 
respondence  inserted  in  a  subsequent  page),  having  se 
cured  a  lofty  position,  and  being  able,  seems  also  wil 
ling,  to  use  its  means  for  the  public  relief. 

We  hare  prepared,  and  expect  to  publish  in  our  nox 
paper,  a  condensed  and  comparative  statement  of  th 
•ornrnerc*  and  navigation  of  the  United  States,  for  tb 
y*ar»  ending  *0th  SepttmW,  1881,  1883  and  188*.  I 


ill  be  of  much  present  usefulness,  and  of  unusual  inter- 
st,  when  the  tables  for  1834  shall  be  published. 

For  some  time  past,  New  York  has  been  the  seat  of  a 
w  persons  calling  themselves  "abolitionists,"  who  con- 
end  for  the  immediate  emancipation  of  the  slaves,  and 
fleet  to  desire  an  amalgamation  between  the  whites  and 
lacks,  &c.  They_  are  also  bitterly  opposed  to  the  colo- 
ization  project,  and  have  done  all  that  they  could  to 
ring  it  into  disrepute,  especially  with  those  for  whose 
enefit  it  was  chiefly  designed — the  free  people  of  color. 
And  as,  like  other  enthusiasts,  the  abolitionists  carried 
ivery  tiling  into  extremes,  they  brought  about  several 
_  tat  ions  in  the  city,  and  caused  a  gooil  deal  of  ill-blood 
o  be  engendered — their  zeal  and  temerity  standing  in 
he  place  of  numbers,  and  some  unpleasant  discussions 
ook  place.  It  is  difficult  enough  to  keep  the  ignorant 
and  easily  excited  colored  population  indue  bounds — but 
every  violent  movement  made  in  their  behalf  has  an  in- 
evitable tendency  to  injure  them.  They  are  an  unhappy- 
class  of  men,  and  no  rational  hope  can  be' entertained  that 
heir  condition  may  be  substantially  improved  in  the 
Jnited  States,  on  account  of  the  prejudice  that  prevails 
against  their  color.  They  cannot  throw  oft'  their  caste. 
Why  then  rouse  them  into  discontents!  Why  stand  so 
exceedingly  opposed  to  the  colonization  project,  which 
las  for  its  object  an  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  those 
who  embrace  it — and  affords  opportunities  for  some  to 
obtain  rank  in  society  as  intelligent  freemen,  which  is 
unattainable  with  us?  We  see  no  sort  of  reason  why 
these  proceedings  should  have  been  had  in  New  York, 
which  is  not  a  slave-holding  state — nor  any  possible  good 
to  result  from  the  acts  of  the  abolitionists,  but  much  of 

The  discussion  just  referred  to  prepared  the  way  for 
he  unhappy  and  disgraceful  events  that  happened  last 
week,  a  detailed  account  of  which  will  be  found  record- 
ed in  subsequent  pages.  It  will  be  seen  that  there  was  a 
series  of  wild  riots — that  the  great  city  of  New  York 
was  under  the  dominion  of  a  mob — that  houses  were  at- 
:acked  and  property  destroyed  at  will,  and  that  a  resort 
was  hr.d  to  military  force  to  support  the  law.  The  folly 
of  the  fanatics  affords  no  excuse  for  these  things,  and  the 
attacks  made  on  some  of  the  people  of  color,  and  upon 
their  churches,  were  highly  reprehensible.  Order  has 
been  restored,  however,  and  we  hope  that  the  public 
peace  will  not  be  again  disturbed.  But  those  who  excite 
the  public  feeling,  or  in  any  wise  cause  gatherings  of 
mobs,  ought  to  recollect  that  it  is  much  easier  to  produce 
than  to  guide  or  subdue  the  popular  frenzy,  which  has 
but  little  discretion,*  and  is  influenced  chiefly  by  the 
presence  of  a  power  able  and  willing  to  punish  ofterices 
against  the  law. 

We  meet  with  the  following  in  the  papers,  as  copied 
from  the  Boston  "Liberator,"  a  paper  that  we  do  not 
see.  Il  is  added  that  the  editor  vouches  for  the  character 
of  the  advertiser,  and  certifies  that  he  is  serious  in  his 
proposals,  and  is  actuated  by  disinterested  and  generous 
motives: 

A  friend  of  equal  rights,  is  convinced  that  our  colored  brethren 
and  sisters  are  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  which  are 
claimed  by  the  whites;  that  prejudice  against  color  is  extreme- 
ly absurd;  and  that  as  long  as  ibis  prejudice  exists,  its  victims 
will  feel  the  yoke  of  oppression  crushing  them  to  the  earth.  He 
takes  the  liberty  also  to  stale,  (being  himself  what  is  termed  a 
white  mnn),  should  he  meet  with  a  suitable  opportunity,  lie  is 
convinced,  that  it  would  be  his  duly,  as  it  is  Ins  determination 
to  bear  testimony  against  this  piejiuiicu  by  marrying  a  colored 
woman'.!! 

Information  would  be  thankfully  received  of  any  young,  re- 
spectable and  intelligent  colored  woman,  (entirely  or  chiefly  of 
African  descent),  who  would  be  willing  to  endure  the  insults 
and  reproaches  that  would  be  heaped  upon  her  for  being  the 
partner  of  a  white  man;  and  who  is  either  in  low  circumstances 
or  would  be  willing  to  cede  all  she  has  or  may  have  of  this 

*The  following,  however,  is  an  evidence  of  discretion  that 
we  feel  much  pleasure  in  recording — 

The  mob  that  attacked  the  house  of  Mr.  Lewis  Tapp.in,  on 
Wi-ilne-day  night,  were  for  a  moment  anesied  in  iheir  work  of 
destruction  upon  the  furniture  by  the  discovery,  that  they  were 
about  committing  to  th«  flames  the  "likeness  of  Washington." 
A  general  pry  was  sent  forth — "it  N  Washington — in  the  name 
of  God  don't  burn  Washington."  The  paiiiliiiu  was  thereupon 
borne  off  in  triumph  by  the  populace,  and  salely  deposited  in  a 
neighboring  nous*.  [-V.  1".  Commercial. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1884— MISCELLANEOUS. 


•47 


world's  goods,  to  the  American  Anti-Slavery  society,  that  the; 
mouths  ul'  gain  saye.rs  may  be  .-topped.  Information  sent  tiy 
hitler  (post  paid)  to  E.  K.  VVcsl  Chester,  Penn.  will  meet  w  uii 
due  attention. 

We  wish  that  the  gentleman  may  soon  get  a  wife — in 
all  respects  answering  his  wishes,  and  that  we  may  have 
the  honor  of  announcing  his  marriage.  Persons  so  chi- 
valric  ought  not  to  be  thwarted  in  their  desires! 

On  the  subject  of  colored  persons  we  meet  with  the 
following  paragraph,  from  another  paper — 

Thts  free  colored  emigrants  from  the  United  Slates,  who  have 
established  a  colony  at  Wilberforce,  Upper  Canada,  have  pub- 
lished an  invitation  lor  other  similar  persons  to  join  them. — 
They  represent  that  their  location  is  healthy  and  pleasant;  Dmt 
the  land  is  cheap  and  good;  that  manufactures,  are  advancing; 
and  lh.it  the  means  of  Obtaining  are  great.  They  invite  parents 
to  send  their  children  there  mr  tuition,  suggesting  ihut  board, 
washing,  mending  and  schooling  can  be  had  lor  $1  50  per  week. 

There  is  much  feeling  on  account  of  the  mutilation  of 
the  figure-head  of  the  frigate  Constitution,  and  we  fear 
that  it  may  be  turned  into  an  important  public  concern, 
(though  probably  the  uncotiusellcd  and  unassisted  act  of  a 
solitary  individual,  yet  unknown),  through  the  indiscre- 
tion of  political  parties!!!  One  of  these  laughs  immo- 
derately at  the  proceeding,  and  the  other  is  immoderate- 
ly angry  about  it;  and  some  are  crawling  enough  to  com- 
pare it  with  the  personal  attack  that  was  made  on  the 
president,  by  ex-lieutenant  Randolph,  of  the  nav)-.  If 
these  had  lived  in  the  days  of  Tell,  they  would  have 
found  no  difficulty  in  bowing  to  the  cap  of  Gessler,  in  the 
market  place,  or  in  bumping  their  heads  nine  times  OH 
the  ground,  if  required.  There  is  no  relation  between 
the  two  cases;  and  thousands  who  would  defend  the  per- 
son of  the  president  at  the  risk  of  their  own  lives,  see 
no  great  harm'in  sawing  off  the  head  of  a  wooden  image. 

We  think  that  the  placing  of  the  figure  of  the  president 
on  the  stem  of  the  frigate,  was  decidedly  wrong — for  rea- 
sons heretofore  assigned;  and  we  also  think  that  the  mu- 
tilation of  the  figure  was  wrong,  being  an  offence  against 
law.  But  do  not  suppose  that  the  hitter  hurt  the  presi- 
dent much!  We  have,  ourselves,  in  high  tariff  and  anti- 
tariff  times,  been  several  times  burned — in  effigy;  at  the 
moment  of  doing  which,  most  probably,  we  felt  "as  cold 
as  a  tiicumber"—  and,  certainly,  had  a  hearty  laugh  at 
a  bill  of  expenses  (forwarded  from  .Alabama],  which  we 
were  requested  to  pay  for  the  honor  conferred  in  burning 
our  figure,  clad  in  homespun  clothes! 

No  discovery  has  been  made  of  the  head,  or  of  the  be- 
header— whose  adroitness  and  courage  was  equally  re- 
markable. Rumor,  however,  says  that  it  was  the  act  of  a 
boy,  without  counsel  or  assistant — that  he  was  two  hours 
engaged  in  the  work,  during  all  which  he  heard  the  tread 
of  the  sentinels,  though  it  rained  in  torrents;  and  some 
particulars  are  given,  as  to  his  operations.  How  were 
they  known? 


supply  the  place  of  Mr.  Calhoun,  elected  vica  president 
Be  found  Messrs.  Struthard,  lint  and  Mcl^eun  in  office, 
and  they  reiu:iiiicd — though  the  latter  was  opposed  to  the 
election  of  Mr.  A.  The  postmaster  general,  however, 
was  not  then  a  member  of  llie  cabinet,  and  it  is  a  subject 
of  much  regret  that  that  officer  was  ever  introduced  into 
it. 

The  Philadelphia  "Sentinel"  says — 

"The  editors  of  the  National  Intelligencer  state  that 
JWurtin  Gordon,  jr.  whose  nomination,  as  collector  of  the 
port  of  New  Orleans,  was  rejected  by  the  senate,  will 
not  have  attained  the  »ge  of  majority  until  the  13th  of 
next  month.  They  assert  this  on  the  authority  of  a  copy 
of  the  register  of  his  baptism  in  their  possession.  This, 
ot  course,  affords  a  plausible  ground  of  attack  on  the  pre- 
sident, who  is  represented  as  either  disregarding  pro- 
priety Miid  fitness  in  his  appointments,  or  as  intending  to 
affront  the  senate;  when  the  truth  most  probably  is  that 
the  president  had  no  other  knowledge  of  the  young  man, 
or  his  age,  than  was  derived  from  the  misrepresentations 
of  friends." 

It  is  a  fact,  that  the  junior  Gordon  is  yet  an  "infant" 
in  law — but  who  was  it  that  dared  to  "mi'srepresent"  his 
case  to  the  president,  and  induce  him  to  nominate  a  boy 
for  the  office  of  collector  at  the  important  port  of  Nevr 
Orleans? 

The  "Sentinel,"  in  its  vindication,  has  suggested  th« 
startling  fact,  that  persons  are  thus  permitted  to  misre- 
present things  to  the  president.  The  naming  of  the  son, 
after  the  rejection  of  the  father,  (and  for  the  same  office), 
was  sufficiently  extraordinary,  without  a  concealment  of 
the  fact  that  the  son  was  a  child:  incapable  even  of  a  just 
administration  of  a  "custom  house  oath." 

There  has  been  a  great  excitement  in  Baltimore  with 
respect  to  the  election  of  directors  of  the  Union  bank  of 
Maryland,  and  for  the  support  or  rejection  of  Thomas 
Ellicott,  esq.  as  president  thereof. 

The  election  was  held  on  Monday  last,  and  the  board 
of  directors,  chosen  by  a  large  majority,  with  great  una- 
nimity, on  the  following  day,  elected  Hugh  W.  Evans, 
esq.  president,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Ellicott. 

A  better  or  more  popular  selection,  we  think,  could 
not  have  been  made,  to  supply  the  vacancy  caused. 


The   Union   bank  is  the  deposite  ba 


icy  caused 
nk  in  thi 


s  city. 


Mr.  Ritchie  has  a  good  deal  of  matter  "about  and 
about"  the  rejection  of  Mr.  Stevenson;  but,  so  far  as  our 
knowledge  extends,  has  not  yet  said  one  word  concerning 
certain  extracts  from  some  of  his  own  private  letters, 
which,  in  a  most  extraordinary  manner,  were  laid  before 
the  senate,  and  published!  Many  desire  to  know  why 
such  strange  proceedings  were  resorted  to,  and  have  ex- 
pected to  hear  from  Mr.  Ritchie  on  the  subject.  We 
do  not  see  any  right  or  reason  for  introducing  Mr.  Rit- 
chie's notions  to  the  senate. 

This  matter  is  referred  to,  by  way  of  answer  to  several 
inquiries  made  of  us.  Mr.  Tyler  is  said  to  be  the  mem- 
ber who  laid  the  papers  before  the  senate,  probably  at 
the  request  of  Mr.  Stevenson  himself. 

Since  the  commencement  of  president  Jackson's  ad- 
ministration, he  has  appointed  eighteen  new  members  of 
the  "cabinet" — to  wit,  four  secretaries  of  state,  five  se- 
cretaries of  the  treasury,  two  secretaries  of  war,  three 
secretaries  of  the  navy,  three  attorneys  general,  and  one 
postmaster  general. 

In  president  Jldams'  administration  he  made  only  fuu 
new  appointments  of  members  of  the  "cabinet" — one  se- 
cretary of  state,   in   his  own  place,  one  secretary  of  the 

treasury,  in  place  of  Mr.  Crawford  who  declined  a  con-    ofV^terdny.'b'y'i'ts  claiiiiing' Jbr'tlieVeasurf  The'rig'w  to"pay 
tinuance,  and  two  secretaries  of  war;  one  of  the  latter  to  I  the  officers  of  the  government  in  iuch  money  ai  it  may  hav«  in 


Though  the  question,  as  to  the  directory,  did  not  rest  up- 
on political  considerations — it  was  noted  that  among  the 
most  zealous  of  Mr.  Ellicott's  opponents  were  certain  of 
the  most  prominent  of  the  friends  of  the  administration, 
and  of  the  late  secretary  of  the  treasury. 

We  have  heard  many  reasons  assigned,  or  speculations 
offered,  for  the  excitement  and  proceedings  just  mention- 
ed, but  cannot  meddle  with  them;  though  it  is  probable 
that  some  developments  will  be  made  that  we  shall  feel 
it  a  duty  to  record. 

There  is  much  buzzing  about  the  proceedings  of  the 
grand  jury,  (lately  in  session  some  six  or  eight  weeks), 
which  are  supposed  to  relate  to  the  doings  of  several  in- 
dividuals, as  connected  with  the  business  of  certain  in- 
stitutions that  lately  failed  in  this  city — concerning  some 
of  whom  strange  things  are  reported. 

Concerning  the  experiment  on  the  currency,  the  New 
York  ''Commercial  Advertiser"  said — 

The  administration  presses  continue  to  assert  that  there  is 
no  pressure — that  the  experiment  works  well — and  that  the  pet 
banks  perfoim  all  that  was  required  of  the  United  Stales  bank 
without  loss  or  inconvenience  to  individuals,  and  with  equal 
facility.  Although  they  and  every  body  else  know  belter,  yet 
thin  forms  no  hindrance  to  its  constant  repetition.  Their  hardi- 
hood is  an  overmatch  for  truth.  To  refine  for  the  fortieth  time 
their  gross  misrepresentation?,  we  state  that  we  this  day  saw  a 
bill  drawn  by  a  judge  of  Ihe  Arkansas  territory,  for  part  of  his 
salary,  on  the  irea.-ury  department  at  Washington,  for  $300, 
under  PROTEST'!  The  clerk,  on  refusing  payi.ient,  said  that  he 
was  ready  to  give  a  draft  on  Natchez,  (attended  with  three  per 
cent,  loss  to  the  drawer),  and  this  offer  is  entered  on  the  pro- 
test! 

With  reference  to  the  fact  state-d  in  the  preceding,  and 
to  an  article  on  the   subject  published  in  the  "Globe"— 
the  "National  Intelligencer"  of  Tuesday  lust  observes—- 
The "experiment"  is  in  effect  given  up  in  the  official  paper 


348 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY    19,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


the  pet  banks.  Thus  the  judges  in  Arkansas  are  to  be  paid  in 
drafts  on  the  deposite  bank  at  Natchez,  which  it  will  cost  them 
God  knows  how  much  per  cent,  to  get  cashed,  instead  of  being 
allowed  to  draw  for  their  salaries  as  heretofore,  because  there 
is  an  accumulation  of  the  public  money  at  that  point.  Why 
object  to  paying  them  here,  as  heretofore?  Because  the  slate 
banks,  employed  as  deposite  banks,  cannot  transfer  the  public 
money  free  of  charge  wherever  they  are  wanted;  without  which 
capacity  they  are  utterly  inefficient  as  agents  to  receive  and  dis- 
burse the  revenue.  The  result  of  the  experiment  is  only  less 
vexatious  than  the  inability  to  pay  the  demands  upon  the  trea- 
sury any  where,  or  in  any  manner. 

The  state  banks  cannot  supply  an  "uniform  currency." 
It  is  in  vain  to  attempt  it,  through  them.  There  may  be 
a  "right"  in  the  government  to  pay  its  officers  their  wages 
in  the  currency  of  the  places  at  which  they  are  earned, 
in  the  United  States — if  so  understood  by  the  parties;  but 
we  agree  that  the  claim  of  sucli  a  right  is  an  admission 
that  the  "experiment"  has  failed — and  how  it  happened 
that  any  respectable  man  thought  that  it  would  ever  suc- 
ceed, we  are  certainly  at  a  loss  to  determine. 

The  general  appropriation  bill  contains  a  clause,  forc- 
ed into  it  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Poindexter,  though  op- 
posed by  every  friend  of  the  administration  present,  one 
excepted,  which  declares,  that  no  payments  shall  be  made 
in  bank  notes  that  are  not  at  par  value  at  the  places  where 
payment  is  made.  There  was  a  greater  necessity  for 
this  clause  than  is  generally  supposed,  and  it  will  cor- 
rect some  great  and  growing  abuses.  We  see  it  mention- 
ed in  the  "Providence  Journal, "that  the  crew  of  a  public 
vessel  of  war  were  lately  paid  off  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  in 
bills  of  banks  in  the  extreme  parts  of  N.  York,  and  of  the 
bank  of  Michigan,  which  they  were  compelled  to  make 
sale  of,  at  2  or  3  per  cent.  dis.  before  they  could  buy 
"even  a  glass  of  grog. "  The  same  paper  adds,  that  small 
checks  of  two,  three  and  five  dollars,  drawn  by  public 
officers  on  the  bank  of  the  Metropolis,  at  Washington, 
are  distributed  through  distant  parts  of  the  union,  and 
passed  oft"  in  the  payment  of  demands  against  the  general 
government!  These  are  queer  things — if  the  facts  are 
truly  stated,  and  we  think  that  they  are. 

Silk  has  been  advantageously  cultivated  in  Connecticut 
for  several  years,  and  thecro/j  is  valuable.  There  is  much 
room  to  extend  this  business.  It  is  profitable,  and  ex- 
cellentlr  well  fitted  for  the  employment  of  the  spare 
labor  of  women  and  children,  not  much  interfering;,  or 
for  short  periods  only,  with  their  usual  avocations.  Two 
or  three  millions  of  dollars  might  be  easily,  and  without 
any  seeming  effort,  added  to  the  annual  creation  of  va- 
lues in  the  United  States,  from  this  source — an  amount 
exceeding  the  present  product  of  the  "national  treasure" 
in  the  gold  mines,  and  worth  more  than  all  the  gold  ob- 
tained. 

We  are  glad  to  see  that  the  culture  of  silk  is  extend- 
ing, and  observe  that  it  has  excited  attention  at  Newark, 
N.  J. — a  happy  location  for  the  pursuit  of  this  interest- 
ing branch  of  the  national  industry. 

It  is  not  likely  that  we  shall  soon,  if  ever,  rival  France 
or  Italy,  in  the  production  of  silk  piece  goods.  At  pre- 
sent, perhaps,  it  is  not  desirable,  even  if  we  could  do  it. 
But  in  the  supply  of  sewing  silk,  and  the  less  delicate 
manufactures  of  this  beautiful  material,  we  might  soon 
be  rendered  independent  of  all  the  world.  The  raw  silk, 
as  it  is  called,  makes  the  most  pleasant  articles  of  hosiery 
that  are  in  use,  and  the  cheapest — for  they  are  the  most 
lasting. 

The  Baltimore  "American, "in  a  paragragh  relating  to 
the  subject,  says — 

In  considering  the  present  estimation  of  silk  as  a  common  ar- 
ticle of  clothing  for  all  classes,  h  i.-i  u  contrii.-t  to  recall  the  extra- 
vagant estimates  which  were  placed  upon  it  as  »  costly  luxury 
inthe  early  *taj:e<  ni  tin-  maniniieiure.  Onerannot  tun  smile,  tit 
reading  that  amid  tin:  enormous  luxuries  of  the  emperor  Helio- 
gabalus,  it  is  chanied  a«aiu>l  him  as  a  special  prodigality,  that 
he  wore  a  suit  of  clothe*,  entirely  of  silk,  and  liiat  the  emperor 
Aurelian  refused  the  eiiipres  a  dress  of  Hit;  same  kind,  lieeause 
of  its  immense  cost.  The  Lowell  factory  girl#,  who  "strike" 
for  wages,  now  clothe  themselves  with  a  material  which  was 
loo  costly  forthe  empress  of  the  world! 

There  was  another  great  fire  in  Pearl  street,  >.<  u 
York,  on  the  8th  inst.  The  flames  suddenly  burst  out 
•with  great  fury,  and  two  huge  five  story  stores  were  soon 
a  mass  of  ruins,  the  walls  falling  with  tremendous  crash- 
es— by  one  of  which  a  three  story  house  was  crushed. 


The  total  loss  is  estimated  at  250,000  or  300,000  dollars, 
a  very  small  part  of  the  contents  of  these  stores  being 
saved. 

Thousands  of  acres  of  the  rich  lands  on  the  Seiota 
were  flooded  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  many  cattle,  sheep 
and  hogs,  with  the  crops,  swept  away — and  so  were  many 
bridges.  The  canal  and  its  feeder  were  also  much  in- 
jured. The  damage  is  great. 

A  terrible  tornado  was  felt  in  Luzerne  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  the  2d  inst.  Its  force  is  shewn  from  the 
fact,  that,  out  of  nearly  30  buildings  in  the  village  of 
Centreville,  only  three  or  four  withstood  its  violence. 
Many  persons  were  injured  by  the  falling  timbers,  Sec. 

There  have  been  38  cases  of  small  pox,  and  41  of  va- 
rioloid,  at  Providence,  introduced  by  an  Irish  woman. 
The  small  pox  cases  had  all  been  severe,  and  11  termi- 
nated mortally.  The  varioloid  cases  were  light.  The 
diseases  had  not  yet  disappeared,  but  were  diminishing. 

A  late  New  York  paper  says  that,  at  the  time  of  tlie 
"Morgan  affair"  there  were  six  hundred  regular  masonic 
lodges  in  that  state — but,  at  the  present  time,  only  fifty 
are  in  operation.  And  at  the  late  grand  procession  in 
the  city,  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  LAFAYETTE,  only 
about  100  masons  marched  in  it. 

The  work  near  Newport,  a  fortification  of  the  first 
class  called  "Fort  Adams,"  has  been  resumed,  and  400 
persons  are  employed  on  it. 

The  collector  of  Newport  has  resigned  his  office.  The 
Mercury  says — The  reasons  which  have  induced  him  to 
take  this  step,  we  understand  are,  that,  from  the  recent 
reduction  of  the  duties,  the  emoluments  of  the  office  will 
be  reduced  to  so  small  a  sum  that  it  will  be  inadequate 
to  pay  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  office. 

The  appropriations  at  the  last  session,  on  account  of 
fortifications,  amount  to  870,000  dollars. 

We  have  remarked  that  the  late  national  anniversary 
was  more  generally  observed  than  usual — and,  in  many 
places,  with  unprecedented  splendor  and  effect;  but  we 
are  reminded  that,  at  the  city  of  WASHINGTON,  all  was 
dull  and  dreary,  without  example,  since  the  seat  of  the 
federal  government  was  transferred  to  that  pliice. 

We  think  that  we  have  seen  accounts  of  not  less  than 
twenty  persons  either  killed,  or  wretchedly  maimed, 
(some  losing  both  arms,  and  others  one),  by  the  careless 
or  unskilful  firing  of  cannon  on  the  late  anniversary. 

A  collection  was  taken  up  in  Dr.  Channing's  church, 
in  Boston,  on  Sunday  week,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Poles, 
and  $2,432  collected. 

In  the  contribution  plate  of  Dr.  Channing's,  church,  in 
Boston,  on  Sunday,  was  found  a  bank  check,  in  the  fol- 
lowing words — 

"Pay  to  count  Pulaski,  my  commander  at  tbe  battle  of  Bran- 
dy wine,  his  brethren,  or  bearer,  one  hundred  dollars." 

The  individual  who  gave  the  above  sum  is  col.  Henry 
Purkett,  who  was  a  sergeant  in  Pulaski 's  troop,  and 
shared  the  confidence  of  his  great  commander.  He  is 
now  eighty  years  of  age. 

There  are  now  three  vacancies  in  the  Connecticut  do- 
legation  in  congress — Mr.  Foot,  elected  governor,  Mr. 
mtattngtmif  appointed  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  and 
Mr.  Ellsworth,  who  intends  to  devote  his  time  to  his 
profession.  We  wish  that  the  places  may  be  as  well  fill- 
ed as  they  have  been.  The  gentlemen  named  belonged 
to  the  working  class  of  members — hut  in  the  /titter  selec- 
tions of  committees  had  not  many,  or  full  opportunities, 
to  shew  their  works. 

(Jen.  Vance,  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives 
from  Ohio,  announces  that  he  will  not  be  a  candidate  for 
re-eleetion.  All  who  know  this  gentleman  will  regard 
his  retirement  as  a  public  loss.  He  is  one  of  the  few 
working  members  of  congress,  to  some  20  or  30  of  whom 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


349 


the  people  are  more  indebted  than  the  fifties  of  talkers, 
and  aye-and-no-men. 

The  celebrated  Frederick  Itup[>,  esq.  recently  died  at 


Economy,  Pa.  the  seat  of  the  "Harmonists, "  in  the  60th 
year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  very  strong-minded  and  intel- 
ligent man,  and,  we  believe,  a  most  scrupulously  honest 
one.  He  was  the  chief  actor  or  agent  for  the  Harmo- 
nists, whose  peculiar  habits  have  been  often  described, 
and  to  whom  his  loss  will,  probably,  he  irreparable,  as  a 
society, 

George  B.  Porter,  esq.  governor  of  Michigan,  died  at 
Detroit  on  the  5th  inst.  much  respected  by  the  people 
among  whom  he  lived. 

The  first  four  days  of  last  week  were  extraordinarily 
hot.  A  good  many  persons  were  found  dead  on  the 
roads,  or  in  the  fields — and  others  died  suddenly  in  the 
streets  of  the  cities  from  drinking  cold  water.  The  lat- 
ter was  particularly  fatal  to  newly  arrived  foreigners.  A 
New  York  paper  published  an  account  of  thirty  persons 
and  eight  horses,  who  suddenly  died  in  that  city,  on  the 
9th  inst.  which  was  probably  short  of  the  real  number,  in 
a  considerable  amount.  In  some  places,  the  thermometer 
stood  at  nearly  100  degrees  of  Fahrenheit,  on  the  8th. 
This  was  the  hottest  day  at  Baltimore,  but  the  excessive 
heat  of  these  four  days  was  almost  equally  felt  from  Bos- 
ton to  Richmond. 

Unless  on  account  of  these  sudden  deaths,  the  cities  on 
the  Atlantic  coast  are  usually  healthy. 

Steam  carriages,  for  common  roads,  seem  about  to  be- 
come common,  in  England.  A  rail  road  was  thought 
by  main'  to  be  the  ne  f>lus  ultra  as  to  transportations — 
but  who  shall  place  limits  to  the  progress  of  scientific 
power?  Who,  seizing  what  we  have  seen  in  the  last  40 
or  50  years,  dare  undertake  to  say  that  perfection  has 
been  even  nearl}'  attained? 

The  following  articles  are  from  late  London  papers: 
Steam  carriages.    These  wonderful  machines  are  now  con- 
structed with  sufficient  mechanical  skill,  amount  of  power, 


tory  to  its  being  again  started  to  run  for  liire,  in  conjunction 
with  two  or  three  other  carriages,  between  the  city  and  Pad- 
dingtnn.  Mr.  Squires  lias,  we  are  informed,  sold  out,  and  left 
col.  Macerone  sole  proprietor  of  the  steam  carriage  Prodigy, 
which  did  the  1,700  miles  without  requiring  a  shilling  for  re- 
pairs, &c.  &c.  A  new  steatn  carriage  ha*  just  entered  the  field, 
constructed  by  Mr  Redmund,  who,  some  time  ago,  advertised 
that  he  was  willing  to  lurni.-li  locomotives  to  run  on  common 
roads  at  any  required  speed,  although  he  had  never  tried  the 
experiment. 

The  rait  ways.  A  speed  of  forty  miles  nn  hour  with  a  light 
load,  has  been  obtained  upon  the  Manchester  railway;  and  Mr. 
G.  Stephenson,  the  engineer,  has  stated  his  opinion  that  an  en- 
gine might  be  constructed  to  run  100  miles  within  the  hour,  al- 
though he  acknowledges  that  "at  that  rapidity  of  motion  the  re- 
sistance of  the  atmosphere  would  be  very  considerable."  En- 
gines are  now  made  with  eight  times  the  power  of  the  Rocket, 
yet  with  little  more  weight  resting  on  each  rail,  the  load  being 
equally  divided  upon  six  wheels,  and  the  machinery  placed  in 
a  more  advantageous  situation  than  formerly.  The  tubes  of 

f  brass 


safety  and  general  efficiency,  to  insure  their  successful  employ 
ment  on  any  good  road;  and  it  is  certainly  time  for  our  capital- 
ists to  turn  their  attention  to  them  as  legitimate  objects  of  sup 
port,  and  as  offering  the  means  of  a  profitable  investment. 
From  the  earliest  development  of  the  capabilities  of  steam,  as 
applicable  to  purposes  of  locomotion,  on  properly  constructed 
roads,  we  have  carefully  watched  the  progress  made  by  differ- 
ent inventors,  and  have  on  many  occasions  borne  testimony  to 
the  unceasing  efforts  of  two  of  the  most  persevering  and  deserv- 
ing among  them;  of  two  who  have  from  time  to  time,  promised 
less  and  performed  more  than  any  of  their  cotemporaries—  we 
mean  col.  Macerone  and  Mr.  Hancock. 

On  Saturday  we  had  a  trip  on  the  Edgeware  road,  with  the 
second  coach  constructed  by  the  gallant  colonel.  Starting 
from  the  Paddington  wharf,  No.  19,  we  proceeded  on  the  road 
in  the  most  surprising  style,  the  coach  turned,  checked,  stop- 
ped, or  having  its  speed  increased,  under  the  complete  com- 
mand of  the  conductor.  About  three  miles  out  we  passed  a 
stage  coach  whose  four  horses  were  put  to  their  utmost  speed, 
with  a  comparative  velocity  to  that  with  which  the  stage  coach 
would  have  passed  a  wagon,  our  rate  being  at  that,  time  about 
18  miles  an  hour.  Soon  after  this  we  ascended  Windmill  hill 
with  perfect  ease;  although,  in  consequence  of  the  road  under- 
going repair,  the  part  we  had  to  ascend  was  cut  into  deep  ruts, 
and  covered  with  dry  soil  and  dust  from  three  to  six  inches 
deep;  forming,  perhaps,  the  most  uncertain  and  disadvantage- 
ous fulcrum  on  which  th.e  wheel  of  a  steam  carriage  could 
" 


the  boilei  are  made  smaller  and  more  numerous,  and  01 

instead  of  copper.    The  last  engine  put  on  the  railw^   

23,000  miles  with  the  most  trivial  repairs,  making  every  day 
four  or  five  journeys  of  30  miles  each. 

The  following  is  extracted  from  a  letter  dated  Sunbury,  Penn- 
sylvania, July  8,  and  announces  H  very  important  discovery 
which  may  do  away  the  great  and  fearful  objections  to  the  use 
of  inclined  planes,  on  rail  roads: 

"  £  have  just  seen  and  examined  the  model  of  a  rail  road  car, 
invented  by  Mr.  Jacob  Bright,  of  Sunbury,  which  offers  fair  to 
render  travelling  and  transportation  over  inclined  planes  entire- 
ly free  from  danger.  On  the  inner  side  of  the  wheel  or  flange, 
nicks  or  cogs  are  constructed,  upon  the  principle  of  the  rag 
wheel  of  a  saw  mill.  Iron  clicks  or  "rfo»s"  are  attached  to  the 
body  of  the  car,  which  standing  in  an  inverted  position,  alter- 
nately fall  into  these  nicks  as  the  car  ascends  or  descends  a 
plane,  and  in  case  of  accident,  by  becoming  detached,  lock  the 
wheels,  and  instantly  stop  their  progress.  No  matter  what 
may  be  the  elevation  of  the  plane, or  the  number  of  cars  attach- 
ed, whether  one  or  the  whole  should  break  loose,  they  at  once, 
by  the  operation  of  breaking,  become  locked. 

It  is  generally  believed  by  all  who  have  examined  the  model, 
that  the  discovery  is  a  very  important  one,  and  that  it  will  en- 
tirely remove  the  difficulties  and  danger  of  crossing  very  ele- 
vated planes,  and  which  have  recently  caused  so  much  uneasi- 
ness in  the  public  mind. 

Application,  I  understand,  has  been  made  for  a  patent,  and 
that  measures  will  soon  be  taken  by  Mr.  Bright,  to  introduce 


ever  have  to  act. 
We  arrived  at  the 


Harp  Fun,  which  if  several  perches 


over  the  five  miles  •from  our  starting  place,  and  turned  the 
coach  in  the  direction  of  Paddington,  in  precisely  twenty  mi- 
nutes, having  performed  the  distance,  inclusive  of  stopping  at 
the  turnpike,  and  on  two  other  occasions,  and  despite  the  bad 
condition  of  Windmill  hill,  at  the  extraordinary  average  rate  of 
fifteen  miles  an  hour.  Our  return  occupied  the  same  period  of 
time;  and  after  this  completion  of  the  trip,  we  made  thfi  round 
of  Paddinglon  green,  to  gratify  some  gentlemen  who  had  not 
arrived  in  time  to  witness  the  more  extensive  trial.  Among 
our  fellow  passengers  on  these  occasions,  were  Jerome  Bona- 
parte, ex-king  of  Westphalia,  prince  Jerome,  his  son,  the  duke 
de  Montfort.  the  marquis  Azolino,  M.  Vigne  de  Marveille,  and 
other  distinguished  foreigners. 

Mr.  Hancock's  "Autopsy"  was  seen,  on  Saturday  last,  in 
Cheapside,  wending  its  way  with  the  greatest  adroitness  amidst 
the  multitude  of  carriages  with  which  that  thoroughfare  is 
crowded.  A  stronger  proof  of  its  manageahleness  could  not 
possibly  have  been  afforded.  We  understand  that  it  was  on  its 
way  from  Stratford  to  its  old  quarters  in  the  city  road,  prepara- 


the  cars,  which  I  doubt  not  will  soon  be  found  in  general  use 
upon  the  rail  roads  of  our  country."    Yours,  &c. 

Mr.  George  Stevenson,  civil  engineer,  recently  stated 
to  a  committee  of  the  British  house  of  commons  on  the 
great  western  railway,  that  by  that  rail,  should  it  be 
completed,  10,000  soldiers  might  he  conveyed  from  Lou- 
don  to  Bristol  in  four  hours. 

WOOL.  The  unsettled  and  fluctuating  state  of  the  wool  mar- 
ket, occasions  some  little  solicitude  among  the  growers.  Woo! 
at  present  prices  is  twelve  to  fifteen  per  cent,  less  than  last 
year,  and  the  question  now  is  whether  prices  will  rise  or  fall 
the  ensuing  autumn.  Some  of  the  wool  growers  are  confident 
that  it  will  rise,  and  so  hold  on  upon  their  stock,  while  others, 
less  sanguine,  are  selling  their  fleeces,  unwilling  to  keep  it  on 
hand,  trusting  to  future  exigencies.  The  case  seems  to  be  this. 
The  manufacturers  have  unsold  a  large  amount  of  cloths,  the 
prices  of  which  have  fallen  materially,  and  even  at  a  great  re- 
duction they  are  unable  now  to  sell  them.  They  all  have  re- 
maining considerable  lots  of  wool,  and  are  determined  to  pur- 
chase only  to  supply  urgent  necessities.  They  believe  that  large 
quantities  of  the  new  clip  will  early  be  thrown  into  the  market, 
and  that  the  wants  of  individuals  will  require  it  to  be  sold. 
It  is  conceded  on  all  hands,  that  an  uuii.-iial  amount  of  wool  is 
cut  this  year,  and  that  the  quantity  of  cloth  manufactured  is 
much  less  than  in  ordinary  times.  The  manufacture  will  not 
be  extended  until  the  sale  of  cloth  is  much  increased,  and  con- 
sequently, the  demand  for  wool  will  not  be  greatly  extended  at 
present. 

Manufacturers  inform  us  that  prices  as  they  now  are,  but 
poorly  repay  the  actual  expenses  of  the  fabric,  and  that  wool 
must  fall  before  they  shall  be  disposed  to  extend  iheir  business. 
The  disposition  now  is  to  curtail  it,  as  they  are  working  at  no 
profit.  One  of  these  gentlemen  informed  us  the  othor  day  (hat 
he  was  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia,  expecting  to  purchase  Ohio 
wool  in  that  city  at  much  less  than  the  artiele  can  be  pro- 
cured for  in  this  vicinity.  We  know  it  is  hard  for  the  toil  of 
the  wool  growers  to  he  thus  poorly  rewarded.  Rut  it  comes 
from  the  necessity  of  the  limes,  that  they  must  sutler  as  others 
suffer.  They  are  not  alone  in  a  ruinous  depreciation  of  their 
industry.  Beef  cattle  has  fallen,  grain  has  fallen,  anil  wool  of 
necessity  has  fallen  also.  If  there  was  any  evidence,  either  in 
the  signs  of  the  times  or  the  prices  of  manufactured  articles, 
either  at  home  or  abroad,  that  wool  would  matrriitlly  rise,  we 
should  most  cheerfully  say  so.  But  it  is  not  wise  to  hold  out 
allurements  which  are  both  false  and  deceptive  to  our  pecunia- 


850 


N1LES'  REG1STEK-JULY    19,  1834— FOREIGN  NEWS. 


ry  interests.  We  therefore  would  seasonably  caution  the  wool 
grower  against  a  too  confident  rrli.mcr  upon  the  expectation  ol 
belter  prices,  so  much  so  as  to  allow  favorable  opportunities 
for  the  sale  of  his  commodities  to  pass  unimproved. 

Since  writing  the  above,  a  wool  grower  from  the  hill  towns 
passed  by  with  his  new  clip  for  the  manufacturers  in  Worcester 
county.  He  informed  us  he  was  p.nd  5U  cents,  having  sold  the 
same  last  year  for  70!  His  remark  was,  that  it  was  wise  for 
him  to  sell  while  there  was  a  chance,  before  the  market  was 
glutted  with  Ohio  wool.  He  might  not  have  even  another  such 
opportunity.  [Northampton  (Mass.)  Courier. 

[To  give  advice  unasked,  is,  sometimes,  unpleasant,  though 
it  may  be  a  seeming  duty:  but  without  regard  to  the  location 
of  the  growers  of  wool,  (and  we  say  also  Hie  same  thing  to  tin: 
growers  of  wheat),  we  think  that  their  true  policy  is  to  make 
sales  immediately,  if  reasonably  fair  prices  can  be  obtained. 
We  have  an  equal  regard  for  the  manufacturers  of  wool,  but 
they  have  belter  opportunities  of  calculating  the  markets  thai: 
the  growers,  add  for  determining  the  rtl'ects  of  the  paralysis  on 
business,  in  the  depressed  price  of  cloths,  or  any  advances  that 
may  take  place  in  consequence  of  lessened  importations.  But 
after  all,  whether  in  regard  to  wool  or  woollens,  the  rightful  pro- 
ceedings appear  to  us  extremely  doubtful,  and  it  seems  that  a 
middle  course  is  the  only  safe  one,  for  either  party. 

ED.  REG.] 

BANKS  IN  NEW  HAMPSHIRE.  By  the  report  of  Hie  committee 
on  banks,  which  has  been  printed  by  order  of  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives, we  learn  that  the  aggregate  of 

Real  estate  owned  by  the  banks,  is $82,359  06 

Debts  due  to  them 3,450,8-20  22 

Specie  in  their  vaults,  and  in  Boston  banks 354,390  12 

Bills  of  other  banks 92,623  08 


$3.980,193  48 

The  aggregate  oflhe  capilal  stock  paid  in,  is 2,454,300  80 

Deposiies >....... 314,971  05 

Bills  in  circulation 1,063,145  50 


$3,832,424  55 

Balance  in  favor  of  the  banks ....$147,767  93 

[Exeter  A'eait  Letter. 

LAND  §ALES.  Saturday's  Globe  contains  upwards  of  three 
columns  of  land  office  notices  of  sales  of  public  land,  to  be  held 
as  follows: 

In  Jliiiliaina,  at  Mardisville,  the  scat  of  the  Kind  office  for 
the  Coosa  district,  on  the  first  and  third  Mondays  in  November 
next:  at  Montgomery,  the  seat  of  the  land  office  for  the  Tala- 
poo-a  district,  on  the  first  and  third  Mondays  in  December  next: 
at  St.  Stephens,  on  the  first  Monday  in  December  next:  nt  De- 
xnopolis,on  the  third  Monday  in  December  next:  at  Tnscaloosa, 
on  the  first  Monday  in  December  next:  at  Huntsville,  on  the 
second  Monday  in  December  next:  at  Cahaba,  on  the  first  Mon- 
day in  December  next. 

In  Mississippi,  at  Chocchuma,  the  seat  of  the  land  office  for 
the  northwestern  district,  on  the  first  Monday  in  December 
next:  at  Columbus,  the  seat  of  the  land  office  for  the  north 
eastern  district,  on  the  first  Monday  in  December  next:  ai  the 
same  place,  in  continuation,  on  the  third  Monday  in  December 
next:  at  Augusta,  on  the  first  Monday  in  December  next:  at 
Mount  Salus,  on  the  second  Monday  in  December  next. 

In  Indiana,  at  Crawfordsville,  on  the  second  Monday  in  No- 
vember next. 

In  Illinois,  at  Palestine,  on  the  fourth  Monday  in  November 
next. 

In  .Missouri,  at  Jackson,  on  the  first  Monday  in  December 
next:  at  St.  Louis,  on  the  second  Monday  in  December  next: 
at  Fayetle,  on  the  third  Monday  in  Decembf  r  next. 

In  Michigan,  at  Mineral  Point,  on  the  second  Monday  in  No- 
vember next:  at  Detroit,  on  the  third  Monday  in  October  next: 
at  Bronson,  on  the  third  Monday  in  October  next. 

In  Arkansas,  at  Washington,  on  the  first  Monday  in  Decem- 
ber next:  at  Fayetteville,  on  the  first  Monday  in  December  nexu 
at  Little  Rock,  on  the  third  Monday  in  December  next. 

In  Florida,  at  Tallahasse,  on  the  first  Monday  in  December 
next:  at  the  same  place,  in  continuation,  on  the  third  Monday 
in  December  next:  at  St.  Augustine,  on  the  second  Monday  in 
December  next. 

The  Montreal  Gazette  contains  some  particulars  of 
two  other  losses  at  sea,  not  hitherto  reported.  One,  the 
Proselyte  of  Limerick,  with  223  passengers,  all  of  whom 
have  been  safely  landed  at  Hichibucto,  (Nova  Scotia),  in 
a  lamentable  state  of  misery,  and  the  other  name  un- 
known, and  her  destination  described,  as  being  from  the 
•west  of  England  -with  two  hundred  and  eighty  passen- 


rived  in  port,  and  the  passengers  obtained  water,  they  drank 
with  such  avidity  that  alarm  was  entertained  at  the  conse- 
quences to  l>«  feared  from  their  imprudence.  They  were  sr> 
crowded,  that  none  enjoyed  the  comfort  of  lying  down;  but  all 
were  stowed  in  a  sitting  posture,  the  foremost  men  between  the 
hindmost's  legs. 

Captain  Stewart,  the  wandering  piper,  has  been  in 
this  country  a  little  over  a  year,  and  has  already  contri- 
buted over  $7,000,  in  small  sums,  for  charitable  purposes 
— the  avails  of  his  labors. 

FRANCE.  French  silks  exported  to  England.  It  is  not  so 
slated,  but  we  suppose  that  the  value  in  francs  is  shewn.  For 
ordinary  purposes,  5  franca  may  be  counted  as  equal  to  one 
dollar. 

1818 1,744,105 

1819 2,713,583 

1820 r. .  .2,727,748 

1821 2,815,178 

1822 3,516.328 

1 823 2,901 ,670 

1824 3,856,465 

1825 6.104,103 

1826 ,...7,596,421 

1827 11.460,119 

1828 \7,3\  1,810 

1829 10,483,777 

1830 15,204,388 

HOLLAND.  On  the  1st  of  January  last,  the  Dutch  navy  con- 
sisted of  61  large  ships;  namely — 2  vessels  of  84  guns;  6  of  74, 
(including  three  on  the  stocks);  16  of  44;  7  of  32;  12  of  24;  4  of 
20;  10  of  18;  1  of  12;  1  of  9,  and  2  of  8  guns;  besides  gun  boats, 
a  vessel  used  as  a  naval  school,  2  sleamboats  and  4  transports. 
The  personale  is  composed  of  1  admiral  (prince  Fredric),  4  vice 
admirals,  7  rear  admirals,  26  captains,  32  captain  lieutenants, 
71  first  lieutenants,  171  second  lieutenants,  89  cadets  of  the  first 
class  (amongst  whom  is  prince  William  Fredric  Henry),  4  sur- 
geons-en- chef,  and  50  other  medical  officers. 

Population.  A  return  just  published  states  the  following  to 
have  been  the  population  oflhe  kingdom  of  Holland  on  the  first 
of  January,  1833,  exclusively  of  Limburg  and  Luxemberg: 

North  Brabant 349.700 

Guelderland 315,053 

North  Holland 4 19,4-24 

South  Holland 486,520 

Zeeland  137,314 

Utrecht 1 31,836 

Friesland * . . .  .212,544 

Oberyssel 181,361 

Groningen 162,085 

Dreuthe > 65,397 

2,460,921 

In  1832,  the  number  of  births  was  78,098;  marriages  14,969; 
and  deaths  71,266.  The  increase  of  population,  therefore,  be- 
tween the  1st  of  January,  1832,  and  the  1st  of  January,  1833,  did 
not  exceed  6,832  souls.  It  may  be  added,  as  matter  of  compa- 
rison, under  existing  circumstances,  that  the  population  of  Bel- 
gium amounted,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1832,  to  4.140,121  souls; 
and  that  the  estimate  for  the  expenses  of  the  war  department 
for  the  present  year  is  £1,600,000,  inclusive  of  600,000  for  ex- 
traordinary disbursements. 

HANOVER.  The  total  disbursements  of  this  kingdom  amount 
to  3,390,800  dollars,  or  about  £736,200,  of  which  £353.000  are 
supplied  by  the  royal  treasury,  and  the  remainder  out  of  the 
public  revenues.  Amongst  the  items  of  expenditure  we  observe 
a  sum  of  about  £1,900  for  the  expense  of  the';German  chance- 
ry in  London, "and  of  £227,960  for  that  of  the  "war  depart- 
ment." 

RUSSIA.  The  St.  Petersburg!!  Journal  states,  that  160,105 
children  of  soldiers  and  recruits  were  educated  at  the  expense 
of  the  crown  in  the  year  1832.  During  an  interval  of  eight  years, 
4,342  such  children  were  brought  up  as  clerks  in  office*,' 2,308 
as  assistant  surgeons',  452  as  land  BUiveyi/rs,586  as  shipwrights, 
and  120  as  musicians. 

FOREIGN  NEWS. 
From  London  and  Liverpool  papers  to  May  3lst  inclusive. 

GREAT   BRITAIN    AND   IRELAND. 

The  hill  removing  the  civil  disabilities  of  the  Jews  has  had  a 
second  reading  in  the  house  of  commons,  by  a  decided  majori- 
ty- 

The  Grey  ministry  had  been  partly  broken  tip  in  consequence 
of  a  difference  ofopinion  existing  in  the  cabinet  upon  the  subject 
of  the  appropriation  of  church  property  in  Ireland.  Two  reso- 
lutions had  been  preaentedin  parliarnentof acnunter tendency. 
The  one  declaring  that  the  church  establishment  in  Ireland  ex- 
ceeded the  wants  of  the  Protestant  population,  and  that  the 
temporal  possessions  of  the  church  of  Ireland  ought  to  be  re- 
duced; the  other  affirming  that  the  property  now  possessed  by 
the  church  had  been  set  apart  by  their  ancestor!  for  religions 


gers,  seven  of  -whom  only  are  saved. 

The  following  is  a  more  particular  account  of  one  of 
the  cases  just  above  alluded  to — • 

Richibucto,  May  31.  The  brig  Juno  took  from  a  wreck  at  sea 
233  passengers,  all  of  whom  were  in  a  dreadful  state  of  misery. 
One  female  whose  husband  was  lost,  was  actually  delivered  in 
the  boat,  and  the  infant  was  brought  into  port  in  a  state  of  per-  .._. „ K 

ct  nudity.    Provisions  and  water  so  short  on  board  the  Juno,    and  moral  purposes,  and  ought  to  be  preserved  as  such.  "The 
thai  all  were  put  on  short  allowance,  and  when  the  vessel  ar-  '  Fiipposed  inability  of  minister*  to  sustain  themselves  against 


NILES'  REGISTER—  JULY   10,  1834— FOREIGN  NEWS. 


851 


the  first  resolution,  is  said  to  have  led  to  the  resignations  of  Mr. 
Stanley,  sir  James  Graham,  the  duke  ol  Richmond,  lord  Mel- 
bourne and  earl  Ripou,  which  had  heen  accepted  by  the  king. 
The  following  has  been  announced  a.*  the  new  ministerial  ar- 
rangements: 

The  earl  of  Carlisle  to  be  lord  privy  seal. 
Mr.  Ellice,  secretary  of  war,  to  have  a  seat  in  the  cabinet. 
Mr.  Spring  Kice,  colonial  secretary,  with  a  seat  in  the  cabi- 
net. 

Lord  Auckland,  first  lord  of  the  admiralty,  with  a  seat  in  the 
cabinet. 

Mr.  Francis  Baring,  (son  of  sir  Thomas  Baring)  to  succeed 
Mr.  Spring  Rice,  as  secretary  of  the  treasury. 

Mr.  More  O'Ferrall,  an  Irish  Catholic,  succeeds  Mr.  Baring, 
as  junior  lord  of  the  treasury. 

Earl  Grey  and  lord  Brougham,  it  is  believed  will  retain  (heir 
present  posts.  A  large  number  of  the  most  respectable  mem- 
bers of  the  house  of  commons  had  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
former  requesting  that  he  would  not  resign,  and  expressing  the 
highest  confidence  in  him.  Amongst  the  signers  were  many  of 
tlio'.-e  who  were  opposed  to  his  administration. 

The  following  is  the  substance  of  the  king's  speech,  delivered 
to  the  prelates  of  the  church,  who  on  the  29th  May  waited  upon 
him  with  an  address  in  honor  of  his  birth  day. 

After  a  short  conversation,  in  which  his  m:ije-*ty  said,  amongst 
other  things,  >;I  now  remember  you  have  a  light  to  require  of 
me  to  be  resolute  in  defence  of  the  church,"  the  king  proceed- 
ed:— 

"I  have  been,  by  the  circumstance  of  my  life,  and  by  convic- 
tion, led  to  support  toleration  to  the  utmost  extent  of  which  it  is 
justly  capable;  but  toleration  must  not  he  suffered'  to  go  into  li- 
centiousness; it  has  its  bounds,  which  it  is  my  duty  and  which 
I  am  resolved  to  maintain.  I  nm,  from  the  dwepest  conviction, 
attached  to  the  pure  Protestant  faith  which  this  church,  ol 
which  I  am  the  temporal  head,  is  the  human  means  of  diffusing 
and  preserving  in  this  land. 

"I  cannot  forget  what  was  the  course  of  events  that  placed 
my  family  on  the  throne  which  I  now  fill.  These  events  were 
consummated  in  a  revolution  which  was  rendered  necessary, and 
was  effected,  not,  a?  has  sometimes  been  most  erroneously  sta- 
ted, merely  for  the  sake  of  the  temporal  liberties  of  the  people, 
but  for  the  preservation  of  their  religion.  It  was  for  the  defence 
of  the  religion  of  the  country  that  was  made  the  settlement  ol 
the  crown,  which  has  placed  me  in  the  situation  that  I  now  fill_ 
and  that  religion,  and  the  church  of  England  and  Ireland  [Ire- 
land with  peculiar  emphasis],  the  prelates  of  which  are  now 
before  me,  it  is  my  fixed  purpose,  determination,  and  resolu- 
tion, to  maintain. 

"The  present  bishops,  I  am  quite  satisfied  (and  am  rejoiced  tn 
hear,  from  them  and  from  all,  the  same  of  the  clergy  in  genera 
under  their  governance),  have  never  been  excelled  at  any  pe- 
riod of  the  history  of  our  church  by  any  of  their  predecessors  in 
learning,  pi:>ty  or  zeal,  in  the  discharge  of  their  high  duties.  I 
there  nre  any  of  the  inferior  arrangements  in  the  discipline  o 
the  church,  which,  however,  [  greatly  doubt — [the  expressioi 
of  doubt  was  again  delivered  by  his  majesty  with  sreat  empha- 
sis],— that  require  amendment,  I  have  no  distrust  of  the  readi 
ness  and  ability  of  the  prelates  now  before  me  to  correct  such 
things;  and  to  you,  I  trust,  they  will  be  left  to  correct,  will 
your  authority  unimpaired  and  unshackled. 

"I  trust  it  will  not  be  supposed  that  I  am  speaking  to  you  a 
speech  which  I  have  got  by  heart.  No,  I  am  declaring  to  you 
my  real  and  genuine  sentiments.  I  have  almost  completed  my 
69th  year;  and  though  blessed  by  God  with  a  very  rare  measur 
of  health,  not  having  known  what  sickness  is,  for  some  years 
yet  I  do  not  blind  myself  to  the  plain  and  evident  truth,  that  in 
crease  of  years  must  tell  largely  upon  mo  when  sickness  ghal 
come.  I  cannot,  therefore,  expect  that  I  shall  be  very  long  in 
this  world.  It  is  under  this  impression  that  I  tell  you,  tlia 
while  I  know  that  the  law  of  the  land  considers  it  impossibl 
that  I  should  do  wrong — that  while  I  know  there  is  no  earthl; 
power  which  can  call  me  to  account — this  only  mnkcs  me  rnor 
deeply  sensible  of  the  responsibility  under  which  I  stand  to  tlia 
ALMIGHTY  BEING,  before  whom  we  must  all  one  day  appear 
When  that  day  shall  corne,  you  will  know  whether  I  am  sin 
cere  in  the  declaration  which  I  now  make,  of  firm  attachmen 
to  the  church,  and  resolution  to  maintain  it. 

"I  have  spoken  more  strongly  than  usual,  because  of  unhap 
py  circumstances  that  have  forced  themselves  upon  the  ohser 
vation  of  all.  The  threats  of  those  who  are  enemies  of  th 
church,  make  it  the  more  necessary  for  those  who  feel  the 
duty  to  that  church  to  speak  out. — The  words  which  you  hea 
from  me  are  indeed  spoken  by  my  mouth,  but  they  flow  fron 
my  heart." 

His  majesty  was  affected  to  tears  during  the  delivery  of  th 
declaration,  and  concluded  the  interview  by  inviting  the  pn 
lales  to  partake  of  the  holy  communion  with  him  at  the  Chapi 
Royal,  on  Tuesday,  the  22d  of  June. 

The  ratification  of  the  treaty  between  England,  Franc 
Spain  and  Portugal  had  been  received  in  England. 

There  had  been  a  temporary  scarcity  of  money  in  London. 
Disturbances  prevailed  in  Ireland.    The  people  of  Ensland,  a 
well  as  of  Ireland,  are  resolutely  hent  on  a  separation  of  cliurc 
and  state,  and  of  driving  the  bishops  from  the  bouse  of  lords. 
It  ia  rumored  that  O'Connel  is  about  to  take  office. 

PRANCE. 

The  French  chambers  were  dissolved  on  the  24th  of  Mn 
and  the  paper*  were  occupied  with  the  discussion  of  the  prob 


e  results  of  the  new  elections,  which  were  to  take  place  on 
e  2lst  June.    The  new  chambers  will  meet  in  August. 
M.  Armaud  Carrel,  the  editor  of  the  Nationel,  had  been  eerv- 
witli  a  writ  from  the  court  of  peers,  for  the  inspection  of  hi* 
pers. 
The  prospect?  of  an  abundant  harvest  of  both  vineyards  and 

orn  lands,  were  extremely  favorable. 
The  Freuch  government  has  at  last  given  up  the  original  pa- 

ers  of  the  American  ships  illegally  captured,  and  consented  to 
ve  us  copies  of  the  decisions  by  whTch  the  condemnations  of 
osi:  vrsMjIs  were  made.  Mr.  Sedgwick,  the  bearer  of  de- 
>. itches  from  our  minister,  Mr.  Livingston,  has  arrived  in 
targe  of  these  papers. 

SPAIN. 

The  convent  of  the  Holy  Ghost  was  being  put  in  readiness  for 
e  chamber  of  the  Procuradoret  de  le  Reine  to  set  in.  The 
ueen  regent  had  convoked  the  cortes,  to  assemble  on  the  24ih 
My,  and  the  friends  of  free  principles  anticipate  important  po- 
tical  results. 
The  queen's  troops  had  been  successful  in  all  directions, 

orcing  the  Carlists  to  seek  safety  in  flight. 

HOLLAND   AND   BELGIUM. 

The  affairs  of  these  nations  are  still  unsettled,  and  many  per- 
ons  of  distinction  and  enterprise  were  removing  in  conse- 
uence  of  the  burthensome  taxes,  which  are  rendered  necessa- 
v  to  support  two  kingly  governments  in  a  territory  not  large 
nough  to  sustain  one.  Some  rumors  prevailed  of  an  attempt 
ore-establish  the  Orange  dynasty  in  Belgium,  which  it  is  af- 
rmed  had  gained  nothing  by  the  change  of  masters. 

LATER  NEWS. 

?rom  Cadiz  to  the  2<J  June,  Madrid  the  28M  May,  and  Lisbon  to 
the  27//t  May,  all  inclusive. 

SPAIN   AND   PORTDOAL. 

After  the  evacuation  of  Castel-o-Branco  by  the  troops  of 
ion  Miguel,  on  the  approach  of  the  Spanish  troops  under  gen. 
lodil,  tiie  latter  marched  upon  Seiseira,  where  he  gained  a 
ictory  on  Ihe  16th  May  over  a  body  of  Migueliles.  This  victory 
was  so  decisive  as  to  compel  Don  Miguel  to  abandon  his  posi- 
on  at  Santarem,  and  subsequently  to  stipulate  for  his  retire- 
ient  from  the  Portuguese  territory.  On  the  27th  May  gen. 
amlanha  arrived  at  Lisbon  with  the  interesting  news  of  the  sur- 
ender  of  the  army  of  the  usurper.  This  intelligence  had  occa- 
ioned  universal  joy  at  Lisbon.  Both  Don  Miguel  and  Don  Car- 
o?,  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Spainish  troops  at  Evora, 
aving  been  delivered  up  by  their  own  men.  Four  wagon  loads 
f  silver  had  been  captured.  Don  Miguel  had  been  granted 
ermission  to  embark  at  any  port,  and  in  any  vessel  of  the 
Hied  nations.  He  had  selected  the  port  of  Sines,  or  some  other 
lort  in  Algarves,  and  an  English  vessel.  Don  Carlos,  who 
laimed  the  protection  of  the  secretary  of  the  English  legation, 
lad  proceeded  with  his  family  to  Lisbon,  where  instructions 
lad  already  arrived  from  the  British  government,  applicable  to 
uch  a  conjuncture. 

STILL  LATER. 

•Vom  London  papers  to  the  evening  of  the  5th  June,  inclusive. 

GREAT   BRITAIN    AND   IRELAND. 

The  resolution  submitted  by  Mr.  Ward,  declaring  the  church 
•stahlisliment  in  Ireland  greater  than  demanded  by  the  Protest- 
ant population,  and  that  its  property  should  be  appropriated  to 
itlier  uses,  was  defeated  on  the  resumption  of  the  discussion  of 
he  subject  on  the  2d  June.  Aftur  admitting  the  difficulties 
mder  which  ministers  had  labored  owing  to  divisions  among 
hemselves,  on  the  presentation  of  Mr.  Ward's  resolution,  lord 
\lthrop  communicated  to  the  house  of  commons,  the  informa- 
tion that  ministers  had  issued  a  commission  to  collect  and  re- 
jort  accurate  information  as  to  the  condition  of  the  church  pro- 
)«rty,  and  pledged  ministers  to  a  thorough  reform  of  the  church 
jovernmi-nt  in  Ireland,  when  the  necessary  information  to  justify 
egislation  should  be  collected.  A  debate  of  an  animated  cha- 
racter ensued,  which  was  cut  short  by  a  call  of  the  previous 
question,  and  sustained  by  a  majority  against  Mr.  Ward's  reso- 
lution of  276. 

The  queen  of  England  was  to  visit  Germany  in  the  early  part 
of  July,  instant. 

A  motion  to  institute  an  inquiry  into  the  cause  of  drunken- 
ness was  negatived,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  not  a  subject  of 
legislation. 

The  chancellor  of  the  exchequer  had  expressed  the  willing- 
ness of  government  to  vote  relief  to  the  Polish  exiles. 

An  address  signed  by  230.000  of  the  lay  subjects  of  the  kin? 
had  been  presented  to  his  majesty,  praying  him  to  preserve  the 
national  church  in  the  integrity  of  her  rights  and  privilege*,  and 
:n  her  alliance  with  the  state. 

The  weather  was  unfavorable  and  the  crops  had  been  Inju- 
riously affected. 

PORTUGAL. 

The  following  is  the  official  copy  of  the  amnesty  granted  by 
the  constitutional  government  of  Portugal: 

Desiring  to  give  an  irrefragable  testimony  of  clemency,  and 
of  the  sentiments  of  love  and  indulgence  with  which  mv  heart 
is  constantly  filled  on  behalf  of  the  Portuguese,  who,  deluded 
or  misled  by  error,  by  interested  passions,  or  by  extraordinary 
circumstances,  have  adhered  to  the  usurpation  until  the  mo- 
ment of  its  final  downfall;  and  being  resolved  on  this  great  act 
at  the  very  moment  of  the  most  signal  victories,  impelled  there- 
to solely  by  my  ardent  desire  to  rally  around  the  throne  of  my 
august  daughter  all  minds,  all  wills  and  all  heart*,  with  an  en- 
tire oblivion  of  past  crimes  and  opinions;  and  having  heard  the 


35*         NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— THE  LAW  OF  NATURE,  &c. 


council  of  slate,  I  have  thought  fit,  in  the  name  of  the  same  au- 
gust senhora,  to  declare  as  follows: 

Article  1.  A  general  amnesty  for  all  polilical  offences  com- 
mitted since  Ihe  31st  of  July,  1826,  is  granted  lo  all  persons 
who  may  submit,  or  shall  offer  lo  submit,  to  the  government  of 
her  most  faithful  majesty  within  forty-eight  hours  alter  the  pro 
imitation  of  this  decree  in  the  chief  places  of  the  districts  (Ca- 
becas  de  Concelhos),  by  presenting  themselves  to  ihe  local  au- 
thorities, from  whom  thev  will  receive  safe  conducls,  such  per- 
son* not  having  been  previously  obliged  to  submit  by  force  ol 
arms.  Those  who  do  not  avail  themselves  of  this  amnesty  re- 
main subjecl  to  the  rigor  of  the  laws. 

Sec.  1.  The  execution  of  the  decree  of  the  31st  of  August, 
1833,  is  suspended  with  respect  to  the  persons  comprehended 
in  the  amnesty,  until  the  cortes  shall  deliberate  on  their  case. 

Sec.  2.  They  shall  have  possession  of  their  property,  but  not 
power  to  alienate  the  same  until  the  decision  of  the  cortes. 

Sec.  3.  The  amnesty  does  not  include  restitution  of  ecclesi- 
astical, polilical  and  civil  offices,  nor  of  crown  property,  nor 
of  orders,  commanderies  and  pensions;  neither  does  it  extend 
to  offences  against  individuals,  nor  exempt  from  responsibility 
to  the  prejudice  of  third  parties. 

Art.  II.  The  military  officers  comprehended  in  the  amnesty 
who  shall,  within  Ihe  period  prescribed  in  uiticle  I.  swear  fidel- 
ity to  the  queen's  government,  shall  retain  their  commissions 
legally  conferred,  and  the  government  will  provide  for  their 
subsistence  in  proportion  to  their  rank. 

The  ministers  and  secretaries  of  stale  of  all  the  departments 
are  lo  hold  this  decree  lo  bu  thus  understood,  and  cause  the 
fame  to  be  executed. 

DON  PEDRO,  duke  of  Braganza, 
BENTO  PEREIRA  DO  CAKMO, 
JOSE  DA  SILVA  CARVALHO, 
AGOSTINHO  JOSE  FREIRE, 
JOAQUIM  ANTONIO  D'AGUIAR, 
FRANCISCO  SIMOENS   MARGIOCHI. 

Palace  of  the  necessidades,  May  27,  1834. 

EXPORTS  OF  COTTON. 

The  quantity  of  cotton  exported  in  1833,  was  a  little  larger 
than  in  any  preceding  year,  and  its  value  nearly  a?  great  as  in 
the  speculation-year  of  1825— but  the  quantity  was  very  different. 
In  1825— Sea  Island  Ibs.  9,665,278 

Other  166,784,629 

Ibs.  176,449,90' 

Value— dollars    36,346,649 
1833— Sea  Island  11,142,987 

Other  313,555,617 

Ibs.  324,698,604 

Value— dollars   36,191,105 

Less  in  quantity  148  millions  of  pounds  in  1825! — but  greater 
in  value  155,000  dollars,  a?  compared  with  1833. 

The  following  is  a  schedule  showing  ihe  value  of  the  cotton 
exported  in  each  year,  from  1821  to  1833,  inclusive. 

Sea  Island.  Other.  Value. 

Ibs.  11,344,066  Ibs.  113,549,339  $20,157,484 
133,424,460 
161,586,582 
132,843,941 
166,784,629 
198,562,563 
279,169,317 
199,302,044 
252,003,879 
990,311,937 
268,668,022 
313,471,749 
313,555,017 


1821 
1822 
1823 
1824 
1825 
1896 
1827 
1828 
1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 
1833 


11,250,635 
12,136,688 
9,525,722 
9,665,278 
5,972,852 
15,140,798 
11,288,419 
12,833,307 
8,147,165 
8,311,762 
8,743,373 
11,142,987 

Average  price  of  cotton  1825 
1833 


24,035,058 
20,445,520 
21,947,401 
36,346,649 
25,025,214 
29,359,545 
22,487,229 
26,575,311 
29  674,883 
25,289,492 
31,724,682 
36,191,105 

21  cents. 

11    " 


To  the  editor  of  the  Liverpool  Mercury. 
SIR:  As  it  may  not  be  unamusing  to  your  renders,  I  beg  to 
lay  before  you  and  them  (provided  you  do  me  the  favor  to  in- 
sert it  in  your  valuable  paper)  the  subjoined  statement,  obtain- 
ed from  an  experienced  and  intelligent  merchant,  illustrative  of 
the  rapid  increase  of  the  growth  of  cotton.  One  of  our  brokers, 
of  unquestionable  industry  and  talent,  estimates  the  population 
deriving  employment  from  this  source,  to  be  one  and  a  half 
millions  of  persons  of  both  sexes;  but  I  do  not  hesitate  to  state 
that  at  least  three  millions  derive,  in  one  way  or  other,  a  liveli- 
hood from  its  extensive  introduction  into  this  country.  Arid, 
as  equally  interesting  and  curious,  I  have  to  add  that,  by  treaty, 
this  now  very  important  staple  aiticle  of  commerce  was  stipu- 
lated, in  1794,  not  so  to  be  imported  into  this  country,  as  will 
lie  seen  from  the  following  extract: 

EXTRACT   FROM    TWELFTH   ARTICLE. 

"Provided  always,  that  the  said  American  vessels  do  carry 
and  land  tlieir  cargoes  in  the  United  Stales  only,  it  being  ex- 
pressly agreed  and  declared,  thai,  during  the  continuance  of 
this  article,  the  United  States  will  prohibit  and  restrain  the  car- 
rying of  any  molasses,  sugar,  coffee,  cocoa  or  cotton,  in  Ameri- 
can vessels,  either  from  his  majesty's  islands,  or  from  the  Unit- 
ed States,  to  any  part  of  the  world,  except  the  United  .Stales, 
reasonable  *ea  stores  excepted."  "Daled  al  London.  Novem- 
ber 10,  1794.  JOHN  JAY." 

I  nm,  sir,  yotir  obedient  servant,  X.  Z. 

Rumford  street,  January  16,  1834. 


The  following  is  an  account  of  the  cotton  imported  into  Li- 
verpool from  the  United  States  of  America: 

[In  1785  5  bags  in  3  vessels. 

1786  6  bags  in  2  vessels. 

1787  108  bags  in  6  vessels. 

1788  289  bags  in  3  vessels. 

401  total  in  4  years. 

The  vessels'  names  are  given,  &c,  but  it  does  not  seem  use- 
ful to  repeat  them.] 

In  1823,  292,300  bags  into  Liverpool.  The  growth  of  the 
stales  is  about  550,000  bags,  of  nearly  three  hundred  weight  each, 
which  is  principally  worked  up  in  Great  Britain:  80  to  100,000 
bags  in  the  U.  Stales,  and  about  the  same  quantity  on  the  con- 
tinent of  Europe.  General  Payer,  a  proprietor  ol  an  extensive 
eslale  in  Barbadoes,  took  the  seed  from  thence  to  Georgia,  soon 
after  the  peace  of  the  American  war,  which  was  the  beginning 
of  ihe  growlh  of  cotton  in  the  United  States.  There  is  every 
probability  of  an  increased  growth  'to  meet  ihe  increased  de- 
mand that  there  appears  to  be  for  it;  and  reference  to  the  an- 
nual stalemeni  issued  under  dale  of  Ihe  31sl  December,  1833, 
will  show  that  the  growlh  has  increased  so  rapidly,  and  by  con- 
sequence the  consumption  also,  lhat  Ihe  import  from  the  Unit- 
ed Stales  during  lhai  year  is  620,501  bales. 

THE  LAW  OF  NATURE— OR  SELF  PRESERVATION. 

A  large  number  of  persons,  citizens  of  the  United  Stales,  but 
of  no  particular  state  or  territory,  ami  without  ihe  pale  of  the 
regular  operaiions  of  ihe  law,  a're  collected  al  a  place  called 
Dubuque's  mines,  wesl  of  Ihe  Mississippi,  and  north  of  ihe  slate 
ol  Missouri. 

Iful  ihey  feel  the  necessity  of  law,  and  in  the  matter  slated 
in  the  following  narrative,  gave  effecl  lo  what  they  regarded  as 
the  law,  even  in  its  extreme  operation. 

We  record  it  as  a  curiosity. 

Prom  the  Galenian,  June  23. 

TRIAL  AND  EXECUTION  OF  PATRICK  O'CONNER. 

On  Ihe  25th  ult.  at  about  5  o'clock,  P.  M.  report  was  that 
Patrick  O'Conner  had  killed  George  O'Keefe,  upon  which,  by 
agreement  of  the  citizens,  near  the  tragic  scene,  an  inquest  was 
held  over  the  body  of  the  deceased,  and  the  verdict  tendered  by 
the  jury  was,  that  the  deceased  came  to  his  death  by  being  shot 
by  Patrick  O'Conner. 

O'Conner  was  arrested  by  mutual  consent  of  all  parties,  and, 
on  the  next  day,  was  duly  tried,  by  a  jury  of  twelve  citizens, 
taken  from  the  multitude.  Privilege  \\  as  given  lo  ihe  prisoner 
to  object  to  all  such  as  he  chose  not  to  be  tried  by,  and  he  made 
no  objections  to  the  mode  of  irial.  He  was  allowed  the  privi- 
lege of  choosing  a  friend  to  counsel  with  him,  and  assist  in  con- 
dueling  ih«  trial. 

After  the  jury  were  sworn,  the  witnesses  were  called,  and 
testified  as  follows: 

On  the  29th  of  May,  (a  rainy  day),  George  O'Keefe,  Ihe  part- 
ner in  business,  and  residenl  and  joinl  owner  of  ihe  same  house 
with  O'Conner,  and  iwo  of  ihe  witnesses,  also  residents  of  the 
same  house,  came  home  from  the  village  of  Dubuque,  and  found 
Ihe  door  of  the  house  bolted.  On  asking  O'Conner  to  admit 
them,  he  (O'Conner)  refused  them  admittance.  They  still  so 


fell  dead.  He  only  lived  to  say  "Lord  have  mercy."  A  ball 
or  slug,  from  Ihe  same  fire,  passed  ihrough  the  clothes  of  one  of 
Ihe  witnesses.  The  witnesses  then  gave  the  alarm,  the  neigh- 
bors collecled  and  arrested  the  prisoner. 

The  gun  which  he  fired,  belonged  to  one  of  the  witnesses,  and 
when  they  left  the  house,  aboul  three  hours  previous,  it  was 
not  loaded,  nor  were  there  any  balls  suited  to  the  calibre  of  the 
gun  (musket).  There  were  seven  perforations  through  O'Keefe'g 
body,  supposed  to  be  made  with  slugs  of  lead. 

Il  was  proved  lhat  al  some  lime  prior  to  the  murder,  O'Con- 
ner stated  to  one  of  the  witnesses,  "that  a  certain  piece  of  pa- 
per with  which  he  had  been  piesented  by  O'Keefe,  [believed  to 
have  been  a  writ  of  arbitration  issued  by  the  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  the  lead  mines,  to  settle  a  difference  between  O'Con- 
ner and  O'Keefe,  which  is  the  usual  means  adopied  for  such 
purposes],  would  yel  prove  O'Keefe's  dealh  warrant."  It  was 
also  proved  that  during  all  the  time  of  variance  between  O'Con- 
ner and  the  deceased,  the  conduct  of  O'Conner  towards  O'Keefe 
was  rough,  abusive  and  disorderly,  while  O'Keefe  treated  O'Con- 
ner with  great  forbearance  and  mildness,  but  no  quarrel  had 
taken  place  between  them  on  the  day  of  the  murder.  It  wa« 
also  proved  thai  O'Conner,  on  the  same  evening  of  Ihe  murder, 
said  he  was  glad  he  had  killed  O'Keefe,  and  wished  he  had  kill- 
ed one  or  Iwo  more,  but  after  being  spoken  to  and  reprimanded 
for  such  expressions,  then  expressed  a  regret  thai  the  affair  had 
happened. 

The  jury  then  retired,  and  after  a  session  of  about  two  hours, 
relurned  the  following  verdict. 

We,  the  jury  selected  to  Iry  Palrick  O'Conner,  for  the  mur- 
der nf  Ccorge  O'Keefe,  on  the  29th  insl.  after  examining  ihe 
witnesses  on  oath,  and  altenlively  hearing  and  considering  ihe 
testimony  against  the  prisoner,  do  unanimously  agree  lhat  the 
said  O'Conner  is  guilty  of  murder  in  the  highest  degree,  and 
ire  of  opinion  that  the  said  O'Conner  has  done  an  act  which, 
in  a  land  of  lawn,  would  forfeit  Ills  life.  And  inasmuch  as  the 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.       353 


security  of  the  lives  of  the  good  citizens  of  this  country  require 
that  nn  example  should  be  made,  to  preserve  order  and  lo  con 
vince  evil  disposed  persons  that  this  is  not  a  place  where  Ihi 
lives  of  men  may  be  taken  with  impunity — we  are  of  opinion 
that  tin;  said  (J 'Conner  should  be  carefully  secured  until  the20tl 
day  of  June,  and  that,  al  Ihe  hour  of  12  o'clock,  of  said  day,  UK 
said  I'atrick  O'Conner  be  conducted  to  the  place  of  execution 
and  there  be  hung  by  the  neck  until  he  is  dead. 

WOODBURY  MASSEY, 
M.  L.  ATCHESON, 
JAMES  SMITH, 
JESSE  M.  HARRISON, 
JAMES  McCABE, 
NICHOLAS  CARROLL, 
J.  B.  WEBBER, 
AMBROSE  M.  MEEKER, 
SAMUEL  W.  BAIR1), 
WILLIAM  COLLINS, 
THOMAS  CHILD, 
THOMAS  McCRANY. 
Dalugue,  May  30, 1834. 

The  following  are  Ihe  proceedings  of  a  meeting  held  prior  lo 
the  execulion,  for  adopting  the  necessary  measures,  &c. 

Dubuquc,  June.  17,  1834. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Dubuque's  mines,  held  this 
day,  pursuant  to  a  public  notice,  Milo  H.  Prentice  was  called  to 
the  chair,  and  Wm.  A,  Warren  appointed  secretary. 

The  object  of  the  meeting  having  been  duly  explained  by 
Milo  H.  Prentice,  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously 
udopmd: 

Resolved,  ThatL.  Wheeler  be  requested  to  take  command  01 
a  company  of  volunteers,  to  act  as  guard  at  the  execution  ol 
Patrick  O'Conner,  on  the  20th  inst. 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  appoint  a  committee  of  three 
to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  the  execution  and  bu- 
rial of  said  Patrick  O'Conner. 

Committee— W.  J.  Madden,  Thos.  R.  Brazer  and  James 
Langwoilhy. 

Resolved,  That  Henry  Adams  be  requested  to  act  as  sheriff 
on  the  day  of  execution. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appoinled,  to  collect 
sums  to  defray  the  necessary  expense  lhat  shall  occur  for  the 
keeping,  executing,  burial,  &.c.  of  said  O'Conner. 

Committee — M.  L.  Atcheson,  J.  S.  Larein  and  Wm.  A.  War- 
ren. 

Resolved,  Thai  Ihe  sheriff  be  allowed  Ihe  sum  of  seventy-flve 
dollars  for  the  keeping  and  execution  of  said  O'Conner;  and 
after  all  necessary  expenses  are  paid,  if  there  is  any  thing  over 
or  above  thai  amount,  the  same  to  go  to  the  executioner. 

Resolved,  That  the  meeling  adjourn  sine  die. 

MILO  H.  PRENTICE,  chairman. 

WM.  A.  WARREN,  secretary. 

The  above  is  a  brief  narration  of  all  Ihe  circumslances  relat- 
ing to  the  unfortunate  affair  at  Dubuque,  which  terminated  the 
life  of  O'Conner  on  the  20th  inst. 

Al  12  o'clock,  on  the  day  of  execution,  the  prisoner  was 
taken  from  his  place  of  confinement,  under  a  guard  of  a  com- 
pany of  volunteers,  commanded  by  L.  Wheeler,  to  ihe  place  of 
execulion,  where  had  assembled  aboul  1,500  cilizens.  He  was 
placed  on  a  cart,  Ihe  rope  was  made  fasl  lo  ihe  gallows,  when 
the  carl  was  driven  away,  leaving  Ihe  prisoner  suspended  be- 
tween the  heavens  and  the  earth. 

The  whole  proceedings  were  carried  on  with  the  utmost  re- 
gularity and  good  order.  By  mutual  consent  of  all.  every  coffee 
house  was  kept  closed,  and  not  a  drop  of  spirits  was  sold  unlil 
after  Ihe  execution. 

It  is  well  known  that  several  cases  of  homicide  had  been 
commitU'd  west  of  the  Mississippi,  previous  to  the  above,  and 
no  courts  have  yet  taken  cognizance  of  them.  And  whether 
there  exists  any  legal  jurisdiction  over  that  country  or  not, 
may,  perhaps,  be  made  a  question:  but  if  there  exists  no  means 
of  application  of  the  laws  over  thai  region,  il  Ihen  follows  that 
their  own  safety  and  preservalion  depend  on  regulalions  of 
their  own  adoption.  Circumstances  rendered  it  indispensable 
to  put  a  check  to  the  almost  daily  crimes  which  the  vicious  per 
cons  thoughl  Ihere  was  no  law  to  punish.  And  as  law,  in  every 
country,  emanates  from  the  people,  and  is,  in  fact,  whether 
written  or  not,  nothing  more  nor  less  than  certain  rules  of  ac- 
tion by  which  a  people  .igree  to  be  governed,  the  unanimous 
agreement  among  that  people  lo  pul  a  man  lo  dealh  for  the 
crime  of  murder,  rendered  the  act  legal  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses. 

There  is  bul  one  opinion  on  ihe  subject  here;  and  lhal  is,  thai 
the  people,  on  Ihe  west  side  of  Ihe  river,  in  Ihe  whole  affair, 
have  done  Ihemselves  and  the  country  much  credit,  and  been 
the  means  of  preventing  the  repetition  of  murders.  They  have 
taught  the  world  that  the  people  are  the  basis  of  Ihe  law,  even 
where  no  wrilten  law  can  be  applied. 

The  general  character  of  the  executed  criminal  might  he 
pleaded  in  farther  justification  of  their  proceedings.  His  whole 
character,  since  his  residence  in  this  country,  (about  six  years) 
has  been  marked  with  crimes  and  malcnnduct  of  the  blackest 
line.  Threatening  lives,  assaults  and  batteries,  with  inlenl  lo 
kill,  arson,  al  divers  times  and  place*,  have  been  among  the 
common  acts  of  his  life  for  the  last  six  years. 


LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED   STATES. 

An  act  giving  the  consent  of  congress  to  an  agreement  or  com- 
pact entered  into  between  the  state  of  New  York  and  the 
slate  of  New  Jersey,  respecting  the  territorial  limit-  and  ju- 
risdiction of  said  states. 

Whereas  commissioner  duly  appointed  on  the  part  of  the 
stale  of  New  York,  and  commissioners  duly  appointed  on  the 
part  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  for  the  purpose  of  agreeing 
upon  and  settling  the  jurisdiction  and  territorial  limits' of  the 
two  states,  have  executed  certain  articles,  which  are  contained 
in  the  words  following,  viz: 

Agreement  made  and  entered  into  by  and  between  Benjamin 
F.  Butler,  Peter  Augustus  Jay  and  Henry  Seymour,  commis- 
sioners duly  appointed  on  the  part  and  behalf  of  New  York,  in 
pursuance  of  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  the  said  state,  entitled 
"an  act  concerning  the  territorial  limits  and  jurisdiction  of  the 
state  of  New  York  and  the  state  of  New  Jersey,"  passed  Janu- 
ary 18th,  1833,  of  the  one  part;  and  Theodore  Frelinghuysen, 
and  James  Parker,  and  Lucius  Q.  C.  Elmer,  commissioners, 
duly  appointed  on  the  part  and  behalf  of  the  state  of  New  Jer- 
sey, in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  said  state,  enti- 
tled "an  act  lor  the  settlement  of  the  territorial  limits  and  juris- 
diction between  the  slates  of  New  Jersey  and  New  York," 
passed  February  6th,  1833,  of  the  other  part. 

•Article  first.  The  boundary  line  between  the  two  slates  of 
New  York  and  New  Jersey,  from  a  point  in  the  middle  of  Hud- 
son river,  opposite  the  point  on  the  west  shore  thereof,  in  the 
forty-first  degree  of  north  latitude,  as  heretofore  ascertained 
and  marked,  to  the  main  sea,  shall  be  the  middle  of  the  said 
river,  of  the  bay  of  New  York,  of  the  waters  between  Staten 
Island  and  New  Jersey,  and  of  the  Raritan  Bay,  to  the  main  sea; 
except  as  hereinafter  otherwise  particularly  mentioned. 

Article  second.  The  state  of  New  York  shall  retain  its  pre- 
sent jurisdiction  of  and  over  Bedlow's  and  Ellis' island;  and 
shall  also  retain  exclusive  jurisdiction  of  and  over  the  other 
islands  lying  in  the  waters  above  mentioned,  and  now  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  that  state. 

Article  third.  The  state  of  New  York  shall  have  and  enjoy 
exclusive  jurisdiction  of  and  over  all  the  waters  of  the  bay  of 
New  York;  and  of  and  overall  the  waters  of  Hudson  river  lying 
west  of  Manhattan  Island,  and  to  the  south  of  the  mouth  of 
Spuylenduyvel  creek;  and  of  and  over  the  lands  covered  by  the 
said  waters  to  the  low  water  mark  on  the  westerly  or  New  Jer- 
sey side  thereof;  subject  to  the  following  rights  of  properly  and 
of  jurisdiction  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey;  that  is  to  say: 

1.  The  stale  of  New  Jersey  shall  have  the  exclusive  right  of 
property  in  and  lo  ihe  land  under  waier  lying  west  of  the  mid- 
dle of  the  bay  of  New  York,  and  west  of  the  middle  of  that  part 
of  the  Hudson  river  which  lies  between  Manhattan  Island  and 
New  Jersey. 

2.  The  state  of  New  Jersey  shnll  have  the  exclusive  jurisdic- 
tion of  and  over  the  wharves,  docks  and  improvements,  made 
and  to  be  made  on  the  shore  of  said  stale;  and  of  and  over  all 
vessels  aground  on  said  shore,  or  faslened  lo  any  such  wharf  or 
dock;  except  that  ihe  said  vessels  shall  be  subject  to  the  qua- 
rantine  or  health   laws,  and  laws  in   relation  to  passengers,  of 
the  state  of  New  York,  which  now  exist  or  which  may  hereaf- 
ter be  passed. 

3.  The  state  of  New  Jersey  shall  have  the  exclusive  right  of 
regulating  the  fisheries  on  the  westerly  side  of  the  middle  of  the 

aid  waters;  provided,  that  the  navigation  be  not  obstructed  or 
Hindered. 

Article  fourth.  The  state  of  New  York  shall  have  exclusive 
jurisdiction  of  and  over  ihe  waters  of  ihe  Kill  Van  Kull,  be- 
uveen  Slalen  Island  and  New  Jersey  to  the  weslernmost'end 
of  Shooter's  Island,  in  respecl  lo  such  quaranline  laws  and  laws 
relating  to  passengers,  as  now  exist  or  may  hereafter  be  passed 
under  the  authority  of  thai  state,  and  for  executing  ihe  same; 
and  the  said  slate  shall  also  have  exclusive  jurisdiction,  for  the 
ike  purposes,  of  and  over  the  waters  of  the  sound  from  the 
weslernmost  end  of  Shooter's  Island  to  Woodbridge  creek  as 
to  all  vessels  bound  to  any  port  in  the  said  state  of  New  York. 
Article  fifth.  The  state  of  New  Jersey  shall  have  and  enjoy 

xclusive  jurisdiction  of  and  over  all  the  walers  of  the  sound 
letween  Stnten  Island  and  New  Jersuy,  lying  south  of  Wood- 
jridge  creek,  and  of  and  over  all  the  waters  of  Raritan  bay,  Iy- 
ng  westward  of  a  line  drawn  from  the  light  house  at  Prince's 
>ay  to  the  moulh  of  Mattavan  creek,  subject  to  the  following 
ights  of  properly  and  of  jurisdiction  of  Ihe  state  of  New  York 
hal  is  ti>  say: 

1.  The  stale  of  New  York  shall  have  the  exclusive  right  of 
>roperty  in  and  to  the  land  under  water,  lying  between  the  mid- 
dle of  said  waters  and  Staten  Island. 

2.  The  state  of  New  York  shall  have  the  exclusive  jurisdict- 
ion of  and  over  the  wharves,  docks  and  improvements,  made 
md  to  be  made  on  the  shore  of  Si  a  ten  Island,  and  of  and  over 
ill  vessels  aground  on  said  shore,  or  faslened  to  any  such  wharf 
>r  dock,  except  thai  the  said  vessels  shall  be  subject  to  Ihe  qua- 
antine  or  health  laws,  and  laws  in  relation  to  passengers,  of 
he  slate  of  New  Jersey,  which  now  exist  or  which  may  uere- 
ifter'be  passed. 

3.  The  state  of  New  York  shall  have  the  exclusive  right  of 
egiilating  the  fisheries  between  the  shore  of  Slalen  Island,  and 
lie  middle  of  the  said  waters;  jrrorided,  that  the  navigation  of 
he  said  waters  be  not  obstructed  or  hindered. 

Article  sixth.  Criminal  process,  under  the  authority  of  the 
tale  of  New  Jersey,  against  any  person  accused  of  an  offence 
ommitted  within  Unit  slate,  or  committed  on  board  of  any  ves- 


834 


NILES*  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— THE  PRECIOUS  METALS. 


eel  being  under  the  exclusive  jurisdiction  of  that  state  as  afore- 
said, or  committed  against  the  regulations  made,  or  to  be  made 
by  that  state,  in  relation  to  the  fisheries  mentioned  in  the  third 
article;  and  also  civil  process  issued  under  the  authority  of  the 
slate  ol  New  Jersey  against  any  person  domiciled  in  lint  state, 
or  against  properly  taken  out  of  that  state  to  evade  the  laws 
thereof;  may  he  served  upon  any  of  the  said  waters,  within  the 
exclusive  jurisdiction  of  the  state  of  New  York,  unless  such 
person  or  property  shall  he  on  board  a  vessel  aground  upon,  or 
fastened  to  the  shore  of  the  state  of  New  York,  or  fastened  to  a 
wharf  adjoining  thereto,  or  unless  such  person  shall  be  under 
arrest,  or  such  properly  shall  be  under  seizure,  by  virtue  of  pro- 
cess or  authority  ol  Hie  state  of  New  York. 

Article  seventh.  Criminal  process,  issued  under  the  authori- 
ty of  the  state  of  New  York,  against  any  person  accused  of  an 
offence  commuted  within  that  state,  or  committed  on  board  of 
any  vessel  being  under  the  exclusive  jurisdiction  of  that  state 
as  aforesaid,  or  committed  against  the  regulations  made  or  to 
be  made  by  that  state,  in  relation  to  the  fisheries  mentioned  in 
the  fifth  article;  and  also  civil  process  issued  under  the  autho- 
rity of  the  state  of  New  York  against  any  person  domiciled  in 
that  state,  or  against  property  taken  out  of  that  state,  to  evade 
the  laws  thereof,  may  be  served  upon  any  of  the  said  waters 
within  the  exclusive  jurisdiction  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey, un- 
less  such  person  or  property  shall  be  on  board  a  vessel  aground 
upon  or  fastened  to  the  shore  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  or  fas- 
tened to  a  wharf  adjoining  thereto,  or  unless  such  person  shall 
be  under  arrest,  or  such  property  shall  be  under  seizure,  by  vir- 
tue of  process  or  authority  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey. 

Article  eighth.  This  agreement  shall  become  binding  on  the 
two  slates  when  confirmed  by  the  legislatures  thereof,  respec- 
tively, and  when  approved  by  the  congress  of  the  United  States. 
Done  in  four  parts,  (two  of  which  are  retained  by  the  com- 
missioners of  New  York  to  be  delivered  to  the  governor  of  that 
elate,  and  the  other  two  of  which  are  retained  by  ihe  commis- 
sioners of  New  Jersey,  to  be  delivered  to  the  governor  of  that 
stale),  at  the  city  of  New  York,  this  sixteenth  day  of  Seplem- 
ber,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
thirty-three,  and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  the 
fifty-eighth.  B.  F.  BUTLER, 

PETER  AUGUSTUS  JAY, 
HENRY  SEYMOUR, 
THEO.  FRELINGHUYSEN, 
JAMES  PARKER, 
LUCIUS  a.  C.  ELMER. 

And  whereas  the  said  agreement  has  been  confirmed  by  the 
legislatures  of  the  said  states  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  re- 
spectively, therefore, 

Be  it  enacted,  tyc.  That  the  consent  of  the  congress  of  the  U. 
States  is  hereby  given  to  the  said  agreement,  and  to  each  and 
every  part  and  article  thereof,  proviied,  that  nothing  therein 
contained  shall  be  construed  to  impair  or  in  any  manner  affect, 
any  right  of  jurisdiction  of  the  United  Slates  in  and  over  the 
islands  or  waters  which  form  the  subject  of  the  said  agreement. 
Approved,  28th  June,  1834. 

An  act  concerning  the  duty  on  lead. 

Be  it  enacted,  4'c-  That  the  duty  of  three  cents  a  pound  on 
lead  in  pigs,  liars,  and  sheets.,  shall  be  considered  as  extending 
to  all  articles  manufactured  of  lead,  ihe  value  of  which  does  noi 
exceed  double  that  of  the  raw  material  of  which  it  is  composed, 
excepting  lead  manufactured  into  pipes,  and  old  and  scrap  lead, 
which  shall  pay  the  same  duties  as  heretofore:  Provided,  That 
nothing  in  this  section  shall  extend  to  or  affect  the  present  du- 
ties on  red  and  white  lead,  shot,  sugar  of  lead,  and  litharge. 

Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  provisions  of  the 
aforesaid  section  shall  be  subject  to  the  reductions  in  duties 
provided  for  in  the  act  entitled  "an  act  to  modify  the  act  of  the 
fourteenth  of  July,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty  two, 
and  all  other  acts  imposing  duties  on  imports,"  passed  second 
March,  one  ihousand  eighl  hundred  and  thirty-three.. 

Approved,  30th  June,  1834. 

An  act  to  suspend  the  operations  of  certain  provisoes  of  "an 
act  to  alter  and  amend  the  several  acts  imposing  duties  on 
imports,"  approved  the.  fourteenth  day  of  July,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  thirty-two. 

Beit  enacted,  $c.  That  the  provisoes  of  the  tenth  and  twelfth 
clauses  of  the  second  section  of  the  act  to  alter  and  amend  the 
several  acts  imposing  duties  on  imports,  passed  July  fourteenth, 
eighteen  hundred  and  ihirly-two.  he,  and  the  same  are  hereby, 
suspended  until  the  third  day  of  March  next,  and  in  the  moan 
time,  that  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  be  directed  to  inquire, 
whether  it  he  necessary  to  except  any  manufactured  articles 
from  the  operation  and  effect  of  those  provisoes,  by  reason  of 
the  difficulty  of  ascertaining  the  duties  chargeable  upon  such 
articles,  and  that  he  make  report  to  congress,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  next  session. 
Approved,  Jun«  30th,  1834. 

An  act  supplementary  to  the  act  to  amend  the  several  acts  re- 
specting copy  rights. 

Be  it  enacted  by  Ihe  senate  and  house  of  representatives  of  the 
United  Stales  of  America,  in  congress  assembled,  That  all  deeds 
rfr  instruments  in  writing  for  the  transfer  or  assignment  of  copy- 
VRhtx  being  proved  or  acknowledged  in  Mich  manner  as  deeds 
for  the  conveyance  of  land  are  required  by  law  to  be  proved  or 


acknowledged  in  the  same  state  or  district,  shall  and  may  be 
recorded  in  the  office  where  the  original  copy-right  is  deposited 
and  recorded;  and  every  such  deed  01  irislrumnil  that  fhall  at 
any  time  hereafter,  be  made  and  executed,  and  which  shall  not 
he  proved  or  acknowledged  and  recorded  as  aforesaid,  within 
sixty  days  after  its  execution,  shall  be  judged  fraudulent  and 
void  against  any  subsequent  purchaser  or  mortage  for  valuable 
consideration  without  notice. 

Sec.  2.  And  be  U  further  enacted,  That  the  clerk  of  the  dis- 
trict court  shall  be  entitled  to  such  fees  for  performing  the  ser- 
vices herein  authorised  and  required,  as  he  is  entitled  to  for 
performing  like  services  under  existing  laws  of  the  United 
Slates. 

Approved,  30th  June,  1834. 

An  act  authorising  the  secretary  of  the  navy  to  make  experi- 
ments for  the  safety  of  the  steam  engine. 

Be  it  enacted,  4'c.  That  the  secretary  of  the  navy  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  authorised  and  empowered  to  examine  and  test  the 
steam  engine  devised  by  Benjamin  Phillips,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
to  employ  said  Phillips,  and  such  other  persons  as  he  may  deem, 
proper,  to  make  the  experiment. 

Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  a  discrelionary  pow- 
er be  vested  in  the  secretary  of  the  navy  to  examine  and  test 
such  other  improvements  in  the  same  line,  as  may  hereafter  be 
presented,  and  for  that  purpose  to  employ  such  person  or  per- 
sons as  he  may  deem  proper;  and  that  he  report  to  congress  as 
soon  as  may  be,  the  result  of  any  experiment  made  in  pursu- 
ance of  ihis  act. 

Sec.  3.  And  be  U  further  enacted,  That,  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  this  act  into  execution,  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dol- 
lars, out  of  any  money  in  the  treasury,  not  otherwise  appropri- 
ated, be,  and  U  hereby,  appropriated,  and  placed  at  the  dispo- 
sal of  the  secretary  of  the  navy. 

Approved,  30th  June,  1834. 


GOLD  COINS. 
Prepared  expressly  for  "BickneWs  Reporter." 


NAMES    OF    COIN'S. 


Pfftfnt  an 

Weight.      .         \       ,   after  Ju- 

°        standard.  .•'  ,„.  ,5, 
ly  '31  '34 


United  States.                             i 

10.  gr.      d.  c.  m.    d.  c.  m. 

Eagle,  coined  before  July  31,  1834.... 

11    6      10             10665 

Do.    coined  after  July  31,  1834  

10  18                      10 

Shares  in  proportion. 

FOREIGN   GOLD. 

Brazil. 

18           16             17  00  4 

Dohraon  

34  12      30  66  6    32  70  5 

Dobra  

18    6      16  22  2     17  30  1 

Moidore,  i-  in  proporlion  

6  22        6  14  9      6  55  7 

16±         59  8         63  5 

Columbia. 

17    9      14  56        15  53  5 

England. 

5    8i      4  79  9      5  07  5 

Sovereign,    do  

5    2£      4  57          4  84  6 

1  19        1  60          1  69  8 

France. 

Double  Louis,  coined  before  1786.  .  .  . 

10  11        9  08  7      9  69  7 

Louis,                          do  

5    5^      4  54  1      4  84  6 

Double  Louis,  coined  since  1786.  ... 

9  20        8  59          9  15  3 

Louis                      do.        do  

4  22        4  29  5      4  57  6 

Double  Napoleon,  or  40  fr  

87        7  23  2      7  70  2 

4    3±      36163851 

Same  as  the  new  Louis, 

5             4  36  3      4  65  5 

Mexico. 

Doubloons,  shares  in  proportion  ..... 

.17    9      14  5G        15  53  5 

Portugal. 

34  12      30  66  fi    30  70  6 

Dobra  

.18    6      16  22  2    17  30  1 

Johannes  

18           16              17  06  4 

Moidore,  J  in  proportion  

6  22        6  14  9      6  55  7 

Pieces  of  16  testoons,  or  1,6JO  recs,. 

.26        1  99  2      2  12  1 

Old  crusado  of  400  rees  

15            54  9          58  8 

New     do.          480   do..  

Ifi*         59  8         63  5 

19|          73  2         78 

Spain. 

Quadruple   pistole,  1772,  double  an 

d 

single  and  shares  in  proporlion 

.17    8J    15  03        16  02  8 

Doubloon  ,  

,17    9       11  56        15  53  5 

1'i-loli-  

.  4    PJ      3  64          3  88  4 

1'iirtiill.i,  gold  dollar,  or  vintem,  1801 

.13           92  1          98  3 

THE  PRECIOUS  METALS. 
From  a  late  English  paper. 

An  elaborate  paper  prepared  In  the  foreign  office  has  bron 
laid  before  parliament,  which  decides  the  question  as  to  the 
comparative  productions  of  the  American  gold  and  silver  minea 
during  the  last  IPII  years,  ending  with  1829,  and  Hie  periods  im- 
mediately preceding.  This  return  exhibits  a  material  falling  off; 
and  although  much  of  Ihe  diminution  way,  perhaps,  fairly  be 
attributed  to  the  unsettled  state  of  the  countries  in  which  the 
mines  are  situated,  still  there  is  abundant  reason  for  conclud- 
ing that  tin;  source  itself  is  approaching  lo  exhaustion.  From 
this  curious  document  we  make  the  following  abstract:— From 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.     855 


1790to  1809,  ilie  mines  of  Mexico  yielded  gold  to  the  value 
of  £4,523,378,  silver  £94,429,303,  those  of  Panama,  gold 

£223,516,  silver  ;  Chili,  gold,   £863.974,   silver   £944.736; 

Buenos  Ayies,  gold,  £  1 ,86-2,905,  silver  £19,286,830.  PrtWl  I8l(l 
to  18-21,  Mexico  yielded  gold,  £1  913,075,  silver,  £45.388,729, 
Fiiiiiiniii,  gold,  £23,608,  silver— ;  Chili,  gold,  £1,90 1.514, silver, 
£878,188;  Buenos  Ayres,  (.old,  £2,161,9-10;  silver  £7,5-95,842; 
Hussia,  gold,  £3,703,743,  silver,  £1,502,981.  The  returns  from 


Monte 


^>ld, 
Video 


are  loo  vague  to  lead  to  any  safe  results.    The 


comparative  increase  or  decrease  in  periods  of  ten  years  as  fol- 
lows:—Mexico  from  1790to  1799  and  1800  to  1809,  in  gold  an 
increase  16  l-10Ui,  in  silver  a  decrease  of  2  2-5ths,  on  the 
whole  decrease  of  1  3  5ths,  as  compared  with  the  first  period; 
from  1800  to  9;  in  gold  a  decrease  of  30,  of  silver  a  decrease  of 
forty  eight  three-filths,  on  the  whole  a  decrease  of  forty- seven 
four- fifths  as  compared  with  the  first  period;  from  1820  to  1829 
in  gold  a  decrease  of  78  7-10ths  silver  a  decrease  of  56  2  5ths, 
on  the  whole  a  decrease  of  57  2-5ths,  as  compared  with  the 
firel  period.  Panama  from  1790  to  1799  and  1800  to  1809;  in 
gold  a  decrease  of  117-lUlhs  as  compared  with  the  first  period, 
I'roni  1810  to  1819,  a  decrease  of  93  3  10th;  1820  to  18:29,  a  rie- 
•  crease  of  86  4-5ths.  Chili  from  1790  to  1799  and  1800  to  1809. 
in  gold  an  increase  of  65  4-5ths,  silver  a  decrease  of  31,  on  the 
whole  nn  increase  of  4  3-5ths,  1810  to  1819  in  gold  an  increase 
of  330£,  silver  an  increase  of  30  4  5ths,  on  the  whole  an 
increase  of  148  3  5ths;  1820  to  1829,  in  gold  an  increase  ot 
55  2  5ths,  silver  a  decrease  of  81  3-10ths;  on  the  whole  a  de- 
crease of  31  9-60Uig.  Buenos  Ayres  1790  to  1799  and  1800  to 
1809,  in  gold  an  increase  of  45  4-5ths,  silver  a  decrease  of 


ed,  to  the  extent  of  five  to  ten  millions  of  dollars— at  such 
places,  in  such  amount-,  and  in  such  a  manner  as  may  most 
effectually  restore  the  operations  of  the  bank  to  its  former  be- 
nr  final  influence,  and  iiu-ut  the  object  proposed,  ol  reviving 
public  confidence,  mid  offiviii"  n-li.-l  and  support  to  a  commu- 
nity accustomed  to  n  ly  upon  !>auk  l.u-iliti.:.-,  for  Hie  commence- 
ment and  continuance  of  their  usual  commerce  and  trade. 
These  of  Lite  have  lieen  most  iinlorliinately  inteirupted,  if  not 
paralysed;  and  cannot  be  generally  or  usefully  renewed,  except 
by  the  full  and  free  co  operaiinn  of  the  United  Siatrs  bank  as 
now  indicated,  especially  by  those  who,  although  rich  in  enter- 
prise, skill  and  character,  are  yet  deficient  in  actual  capital— a 
class  which  constitutes  the  hone  and  sinew  of  our  community 
— and  is  destined,  etc  Ion;;,  unless  prevented  hy  a  continuance 
of  untoward  events,  to  furnish  leading  men  in  influence  and 
wealth. 

By  such  a  course,  adopted  by  the  United  States  bank,  public- 
ly proclaimed  and  zealously  persevered  in,  for  twelve  months 
at  least,  (which  will  afford  ample  lime  for  any  measures  of  pre- 
caution on  its  part,  prior  to  1836),  Die  most  beneficial  conse- 
quences would  be  secured — the  almost  extinct  impulse  of  pri- 
vate credit  would  be  revived — many  of  the  great  evils  of  our 
present  condition  would  be  removed— the  usual  facilities  of  bu- 
siness in  all  its  ramifications  would  be  promoted — the  recent 
lesson  ofrafiednf  would  be  a  security  against  overtrading— and 
the  commerce  and  trade  of  the  nation  would,  at  least  measura- 
bly, resume  activity,  vigor  and  prosperity. 

The  intercourse  of  the  bank,  with  its  customers,  would  thus 
be  replaced  upon  its  former  footing  of  mutual  benefit,  and  the 


23  4-5ths,  on  the  whole  a  decrease  of  19  l-5th,  1809  to  1819  in  j  interest  of  both  be  promoted  by  so  natural  and  wise  a  policy; 


gold  an  increase  of  42  3-5ths,  silver  a  decrease  of  51,  on  the 
whole  a  decrease  of  51  1-2;  1820  to  1829,  in  gold  an  increase 
of  42  3-5ths,  silver  a  decrease  of  70,  on  the  whole  a  decrease 
of  62  3-5ths.  From  1820  to  1829  Russia  produced  in  gold 
£3,703,743,  in  silver,  £1,502,981.  On  the  produce  of  the  whole 
of  these  mines,  therefore,  from  1790  to  1799,  and  from  1800  to 
1809,  there  has  been,  as  compared  with  the  first  period,  in  gold 
an  increase  of  26  4-5lhs  silver,  a  decrease  of  6  3  5ths,  on  the 
whole  a  decrease  of  4  4  5ths;  from  1810  to  1819,  in  gold  an  in- 
crease of  20  2-5ths,  silver  a  decrease  of  49  1-2.  on  the  whole 
a  decrease  of  45  4-5ths;  and  from  1820  to  1829,  in  gold  an  in- 
crease of  74  3  5ths,  silver  a  decrease  of  56  3-5ths,  and  on  the 
whole  a  decrease  of  49  7-10ths. 

""»OQ  OKI  i 

BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
From  the  New   York  American,  of  July  14. 
We  lay  before  our  readers,  with  much  satisfaction,  the  an- 
nexed letters,  which  shew  with  what  promptness  the  bank  en- 
deavors to  meet,  so  far  as  it  can  al  ihe  moment,  the  wishes  of 
the  New  York  committee,  in  behalf  of  the  business  community. 
The  declaration  thus  made  by  the.  bank,  that  all  curtailments 
have  ceased,  and  the  implied  pledge  that,  as  occasion  requires, 
a  gradual  and  cautious  enlargement  of  its  loans  shall  be  made, 
constitute  most  important  information  to  the  state  banks  gener 
ally,  and  to  the  great  body  of  merchants  and  traders  in  shaping 
their  future  business: 

New  York,  10th  July,  1834. 

SIR:  At  a  meeting  of  many  merchants,  and  others  interested 
in  commerce,  in  this  city,  the  undersigned  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  express  to  you,  and  10  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  United  States  bank,  over  which  you  preside,  the  following 
views: 

A  large  portion  of  the  difficulties  under  which  the  commer- 
cial community  have  labored  for  some  months  past,  has  arisen 
from  the  restrictions  deemed  necessary  on  the  part  of  the  bank 
of  the  United  States,  in  the  differences  existing  between  the 
executive  of  the  general  government  and  it;  and  so  long  as 
there  seemed  just  ground  for  the  continuance  of  such  restric- 
tions upon  its  issues  and  accommodations  to  the  mercantile 
public;  all  efforts  of  the  New  York  commercial  men  were  con- 
fined, to  endeavor  to  render  them  as  little  burdensome  as  possi- 
ble, nnd  to  endure  them  with  Ihe  firmness  and  by  the  sacrifice, 
called  forlh  by  evils  deemed  inevitable.  All  agree  that  the  pres- 
sure has  been  one  of  the  most  severe,  and  the  most  extensive, 
ever  known  in  our  country;  and  that  it  has  been  sustained  in  a 
manner  to  elevate  the  character,  and  to  make  known  the  re- 
sources, of  our  mercantile  community. 

So  long  as  congress  continued  in  session  it  was  not  deemed 
hopeless  to  look  for  some  decision  upon  the  great  questions  of 
finance,  which  were  agitating  our  country  from  its  centre  to  its 
extremities,  and  that  measures  of  relief  would  naturally  have 
flowed  from  the  definitive  action  of  the  national  legislature;  but 
disappointed  in  this  expectation,  we  are  of  opinion  thai  the 
time  has  now  arrived  wlien  the  United  States  bank,  in  safety 
beyond  all  contingency,  with  resources  abundant,  and  increas- 
ing beyond  all  example,  can,  and  ought,  to  come  forward  to  the 
relief  and  support  of  the  commercial  interests  of  the  country; 
nnd  we  will  not  doubt  its  concurrence  with  us  in  these  views. 
which  so  naturally  result  from  premises,  which  must  be  equally 
apparent  to  it  and  to  us. 

In  the  true  spirit  which  should  ever  characterise  the  inter 
course  between  mercantile  men,  and  the  direction  of  the  great 


organ  of  commerce,  a  national  hank,  (and  in  the  increased  ne 
cessity  for  such  an  institution,  our  latter  experience  confirm 
our  former  opinions)  we  will  frankly  state  our  views  to  he,  that 
the  system  of  restriction  adopted  by  the  hank,  the  last  autumn 
should  now  be  entirely  abandoned,  and  in  its  stead,  that  a  course 
of  free  and  useful  enlargement  of  its  loans  should  be  substiuit 


which  to  be  of  the  greatest  advantage,  should  be  of  the  longest 
possible  duration,  and  be  so  understood  by  all  parties. 

We  have  the  honor  to  remain,  with  the  highest  respect,  sir, 
your  obedient  servants, 

(Signed)  JAMES  BROWN, 

JOHN  HAGGERTY, 
JAMES  G.  KING, 
CHARLES  H.  RUSSELL. 
GEORGE  GRISWOLD, 
THOS.  TILESTON, 
J.  W.  LEAVITT, 
JO.  GOODHUE, 
JOHN  A.  STEPHENS. 
To  N.  Biddle,  esq.  president  of  the  U.  S.  bank,  Philadelphia. 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  July  Uth,  1834. 
GENTLEMEN:  I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of 
the  10th  instant,  which  was  immediately  submitted  to  the  board 
of  directors,  from  whom  it  could  not  fail  to  receive  the  respect- 
ful consideration  due  to  the  signers  of  it. 

The  general  subject  of  which   it  treats  has,  as  you  may  na- 
turally suppose,  engaged  the  early  and  anxious  attention  of  the 
directors.    For  some  months  past,  the  principal  objection  of  the 
measures  has  been  to  provide  for  the  safely,  and  to  maintain 
the  credit  of  the  bank,  al  all  hazards.    The  restrictions  upon 
its  business,  which  they  were  under  the  necessity  of  imposing 
for  this  purpose,  were  as  painful  to  the  board  of  directors  as  to 
the  community;  and  they  confidently  trusted  that  the  national 
legislature,  if  it  sanctioned  the  measures  which  rendered  these 
•estrainls  necessary,  would  have  provided  other  means  of  miti- 
gating their  inevitable  pressure.     But  the  adjournment  of  con- 
.ress  without  adopting  any  measures,  either  of  redress  to  the 
tank,  or  of  relief  to  the  community,  places  both  the  bank  and 
.he  country  in  a  new  relation  to  each  other,  and  imposes  upon 
he  diminished  ability  of  the  bank  an  extraordinary  demand  for 
ts  assistance.    To  thai  claim  the  board  of  directors  cannot  be 
nsensible.    They  (V.el  that  the  prosperity  of  the  bank  is  com- 
pletely identified  with  that  of  the  country;  and  they  deem  it  not 
merely  a  duty  but  a  gratification  to  interpose,  whenever  the 
resources  of  the  bank   can  be  safely   employed  in  the  relief 
and  support  of  the  great  interests  of  the  community.    Accord- 
ingly, on  the  27th   ultimo,  when   it  was   perceived  that  con- 
gress was  about  to  adjourn  without  adopting  any  measures  for 
ihe  relief  of  the  country,  the  board  appointed  a  committee  to 
consider  the  new  duties  which  liiat  event  might  devolve  upon 
Ihe  bank,  and  their  report  was  this  day  adopted.    That  report 
contemplates  two  objects.    The  first  is  to  put  an  immediate 
end  to  all  the  curtailments  of  the  loans  hitherto  directed  —  a 
measure  which   was  forthwith   adopted.    The  second   regards 
the  future  expansion  of  the  loans  of  the  bank  —  a  subject,  as  you 
are  aware,  of  far  greater  difficulty  and  delicacy.    The  long  ex- 
perience and  the  sagacity  in  business  for  which  so  many  of  yon, 
gentlemen,  are  distinguished,  will,  I  think,  readily  suggest  to 
you  that  a  general  public  declaration  of  a  purpose  to  add  to  the 
loans  of  the  bank  a  sum  of  from  five  to  ten  millions  of  dollars, 
might  be  productive  of  great  disadvantage,  as  well  to  the  bank 
as  to  the  public,  and  that  the  more  prudent  course  of  expansion, 
if  any  be  necessary,  would  be  to  increase  the  loans  cautiously 
nt  those  points  which  most  require  relief.     To  such  a  policy  the 
board  are  well  disposed,  and  they  will  proceed  to  the  conside- 
ration of  your  views  with  every  disposition  to  concur  in  them 
so  far  as  the  state  of  the  institution,  and  the  principles  on  which 


they  think  it  prudent  to  conduct  its  affairs,  will  permit.    I  have 
the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  yours, 

N.  BIDDLE,pren<f«i<. 
Messrs.  James  Brotcn,  John  Hagserly,  James  G.  Kinf,  C,  H. 

Russell,   G.  Griiwold,  Thomas  Tilesten,  J.   \V.  LeaviU,  John 

.4.  Stevens,  J.  Goodhue,  New  York. 


556  N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— STATE  OF  THE  BANKS. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— MOBS  IN  NEW  YORK. 


357 


STATEMENT  A.—  General  estimate  of  the  situation  of  the  state  banks  in  the  several  states  and  territories  of  the  union,  from  which  no  returns  have  been  received,  founded  upon  the  situation  of  banisi 
from  which  returns  have  been  received,  and  information  from  other  sources,  as  to  the  probable  capital  and  situation. 

RESOURCES  OF  THE  BANKS. 

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NOTE—  The  names  and    ocation  of  the  banks  in  the  states  of 
Delaware,  Ohio  and  South  Carolina,  and  in  the  territories  of 
Florida  and  Michicaii,  embraced  in  the  foregoing  abstract,  wore 
derived  from  the  February  nuniber  of  "Bicknell's  Counleifeit 
Detector  and  Bank  Note  List,"  published  at  Philadelphia. 

NEW  YORK  MOBS. 

From  the  New  York  Daily  Advertiser,  of  July  8. 

"Last  evening  a  serious  riot  again  occurred  in  the  Chatham 
street  chapel.  From  the  most  authentic  information  we  have 
been  able  to  obtain  from  eye  witnesses,  the  following  constitute 
the  prominent  facts  of  the  case.  The  New  York  Sacred  Music 
society,  of  which  justice  Lowndes  of  the  police  court  is  the  pre- 
sident, and  Dr.  Rockwell,  vice  president,  have  obtained  a  lease 
of  the  chapel  for  $850  a  year,  to  be  used  by  them  every  Mon- 
day and  Thursday  nights,  for  the  purpose  of  practising  and  im- 
proving themselves  in  sacred  harmony.  The  society  were  to 
meet  last  niclit  in  the  chapel,  and  when  they  came,  found  it 
pre-occupied  by  a  large  congregation  of  blacks  of  both  sexes; 
the  use  of  it  having  been  hired  to  them  by  some  person  for  $15, 
who  had  no  authority  to  do  so,  in  order  to  hear  a  sermon  from 
a  colored  man  named  Hughes.  Finding  themselves  excluded 
from  their  own  leased  premises,  by  the  blacks  who  had  as- 
sembled and  filled  the  church,  it  was  deemed  advisable,  to  in- 
form the  blacks  that  they  had  no  right  to  remain. 

For  this  purpose  Dr.  Rockwell  went  among  them,  and  in  the 
mildest  manner,  stated  the  facts  above  enumerated,  but  with- 
out avail,  as  the  blacks  obstinately  refused  to  remove.  Others 
of  the  society  also  made  similar  representations  in  relation  to 
their  rights,  but  the  blacks  still  persisted  in  keeping  possession 
of  the  chapel. 

But  this  was  not  all,  the  anger  of  the  negroes  in  consequence 
of  the  request  to  remove,  was  aroused,  and  they  struck  Dr. 
Rockwell,  Mr.  Clark  and  others,  with  canes  loaded  with  leaden 
bullets  on  the  head,  knocked  some  down  and  injured  others 
severely.  The  alarm  was  raised,  crowds  assembled,  the  watch 
called,  and  entering  the  chapel,  expelled  the  whole  congrega- 
tion of  whites  and  blacks,  and  locked  up  the  church.  Previous 
to  this,  however,  a  regular  fight  took  place  in  the  interior  of 
the  chapel,  the  lamps  were  broken  to  pieces,  many  of  the  chairs 
and  seats  suffered  a  similar  fate,  and  the  house  presented  the 
appearance  of  a  battle  field,  where  hostile  armies  had  been  en- 
gaged. Six  or  eight  of  the  blacks  were  arrested  and  carried  to 
the  watch  house,  and  a  riot  for  a  long  time  reigned  in  the  street. 

As  Mr.  Lewis  Tappan  was  returning  to  his  house,  the  mob 
supposing  him  to  be  in  some  measure  instrumental  in  produc- 
ing the  disorder,  followed  him  with  violent  language,  and  stones 
were  also  hurled  at  his  house.  The  scene  was  one  of  deep  and 
dark  disgrace,  and  many  an  innocent  white  man  suffered  to  ap- 
pease the  negro  wrath. 

from  the  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser  of  July  10. 

It  is  with  pain  that  we  record  the  occurrence  of  three  more 
riots  last  night  in  this  city.  It  was  rumored  yesterday  that 
another  abolition  meeting  was  to  be  held  in  the  evening  at  the 
Chatham  street  chapel,  and  such  had  been  the  excitement  oc- 
casioned by  the  recent  course  of  the  fanatics,  that  serious  ap- 
prehensions were  entertained  lest  personal  violence  'might  en- 
sue. Nor  was  that  apprehension  causeless.  We  have  long 
been  of  the  opinion,  and  frequently  expressed  it,  that  the  abo- 
litionists are  the  worst  enemies  the  blacks  of  this  city  have. 
They  are  holding  out  to  them  the  prospect  of  amalgamation, 
feeding  their  pride  with  impracticable  hopes,  exclaiming  and 
denouncing  the  prejudice  against  color,  leading  them  to  believe 
that  they  are  unjustly  and  cruelly  treated  by  the  whites,  by  the 
denial  of  equal  political  and  SOCIAL  privileges,  fomenting  their 
passions,  denouncing  all  who  will  not  join  them  in  their  absurd 
crusade  as  kidnappers,  villains,  man  stealers,  thieves  and  pi- 
rates, inviting  them  to  sit  with  the  whites  indiscriminately. 

We  all  know,  that,  in  a  large  city  like  this,  there  is  ever  a 
body  of  men  ripe  and  ready  for  scene*  of  liot.  They  neither 
know  nor  care  for  causes  or  consequences.  The  pleasure  of  a 
row  is  all  they  seek.  They  scorn  amalgamation  with  the  blacks, 
and,  therefore,  are  the  more  ready  to  resent  the  offensive  pro- 
posal. It  is  to  this  class  of  men  generally,  so  far  as  we  have 
been  informed,  that  the  riots  of  last  evening,  and  on  the  pre- 
ceding days,  are  mainly  to  be  ascribed.  They  accord  in  senti- 
ment and  feeling,  it  is  true,  with  the  great  mass  of  the  white 
community,  but  the  more  respectable  and  orderly  portion  of 
our  citizens  disclaim,  in  all  sincerity,  recourse  to  violence,  and 
believe  that  these  fanatics  may  and  will  be  put  down  by  the 
operation  of  the  laws,  and  the  overwhelming  power  of  public 
opinion.  We  are  happy  to  learn  that  nothing  in  these  distur- 
bances can  be  ascribed  to  the  colonizationisls.  They  had  no 
part  or  lot  in  the  matter.  It  was  an  affair  not  connected  with 
their  interests  or  objects.  It  grew  out  of  the  absurd  and  out- 
rageous project  of  the  abolitionists  to  force  public  sentiment, 
and  mulatoize  our  posterity. 

The  curtain  of  the  first  scene  was  drawn  at  the  Chatham 
street  chapel.  About  dusk,  the  street  was  thronged  with  peo- 
ple, collected,  some  to  look  on,  and  others  to  participate  in  the 
scenes  that  might  take  place.  But  we  learn  that  an  agent  of 
the  proprietor  of  the  building,  learning  the  uses  that  had  be«-n 
made  of  it  by  Mr.  Green,  the  lessee,  had  endeavored,  in  the 
course  of  the  day,  to  procure  an  injunction  to  prevent  the  de- 
secration. Not  being  able  to  procure  it  in  sufficient  time,  it 
was  deemed  prudent  to  close  the  gates;  and  the  key  was  de- 
posited with  the  mayor. 

About  9  o'clock,  however,  the  crowd  found  means  to  effect 
in  entrance  into  the  chapel.  Mr.  William  V.  Wilder  was  call- 
ed on  to  preside.  He  addressed  the  meeting,  and  gave  a  sketch 
ol' the  miseries  brought  on  the  slaves  of  St.  Domingo — which  he 
liimself  witnessed,  by  the  too  sudden  abolition  of  slavery  in  that 


53-9 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— MOBS  IN  NEW  YORK. 


island.  He  then  moved  a  resolution  to  adjourn  until  the  next 
meeting  ol'llie  anli  shivery  society.  The  resolution  for  adjourn- 
ment was  put,  and  ununimoutly  cairied,  aid  the  meeting  was 
dispersed. 

As  this  had  gone  off  too  quietly  for  Ihe  taste  of  those  who 
were  disposed  lor  a  row,  an  invitation  wa>  loudly  given  to  re 
pair  to  Ihe  Bowery  Ihc.itre.  A  Mr.  Farren,  Hie  rinse,  manager, 
an  Englishman,  and  vvim-e.  hrm  -fit  night  it  was.  hail  been  ac- 
cused ol  using  laiigiiag>Mli.-re.-peclliil  to  ilie  Anieiicans.  Hand- 
bills to  that  <  lied  li.id  iii-eii  |n.-(.  il  up  through  th«-  city  during 
the  day.  An  immense,  ina-s  Mirrnuinl.il  Hie  theatre,  and 


affected  an  eiitiauee.  They  then  took 
hou-e;  and,  notwithstanding  the  apoli 
,Me>srs.  Ilainlilin  and  Forrest,  lln-y  suect 


ilire  possession  of  the 
i-  <  ami  entreaties  of 
•ded  in  pulling  an  end 


to  .Melamora,  wilhout  wailing  the  lra;-ic  conclusion  to  \\  Inch  he 
was-  de-uned  by  the  author.  By  the  interference  ol  the.  munici- 
pal authorities,  the  theatre  was  at  length  cleared,  and  compa- 
rative order  restored. 

Not  as  yet  sated  with  tumult,  a  bell  was  rung,  and  a  cry 
arose  of  "away  to  Arthur  Tappan's." 

An  account  of  the  disgraceful  proceedings  that  followed,  we 
copy  from  a  morning  contemporary.  "A  great  number  then 
proceeded  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Lewis  Tappan,  in  Rose  street. 
broke  open  the  door,  smashed  the  windows,  and  threw  the 
furniture  into  the  street. 

"The  watchmen  now  made  their  appearance  here  also,  chars 
ed  the  crowd,  and  for  a  time  cleared  Ihe  sireet.  The  mob  re 
trraled,  provided  themselves  with  brickbats,  and  discharged  a 
volley  at  the  watchmen,  who  were  thus  driven  from  the  ground. 
The  mob  now  lighted  a  fire,  and  fed  it  with  the  bed  and  bedding 
taken  from  the  house.  At  this  time,  an  alarm  of  fire  was  or 
dered  to  be  sounded,  which  brought  the  engines  to  the  spot,  and 
order  was  finally  restored  at  this  place,  though  not  till  near  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning." 

It  is  perfectly  evident  from  what  has  transpired,  that  our  city 
is  in  a  combustible  .-late.  In  addition  to  the  fuel  applied  by  tin 
abolitionists  to  increase  the  excitement  in  the  ways  before  re 
ferred  to,  a  series  of  articles  have  been  published  in  the  Email 
cipator,  signed  by  E.  Wright,  jr.  in  which  intimations  were 
thrown  out,  covertly  inviting  to  a  forcible  resistance  to  the  lawi 
which  authorise  the  recapture  by  their  masters  of  runaway 
slaves.  Encouraged  probably,  by  these  inflammatory  numbers. 
the  walls  of  our  streets  were  placarded  on  Tuesday  night  will 
infamous  handbills. 

Although  none  disapprove  more  decidedly  than  we  have  done 
the  course  Mr  Tappau,  and  his  professors,  in  relation  to  the 
subject  of  abolition,  yet  we  condemn  most  unqualifiedly  the 
attack  made  last  night  upon  his  premises.  We  profess  to  live 
under  a  government  of  laws,  and  the  sanctity  of  private  habita- 
tion and  repose  are  not  to  be  violated.  We  hope  the  authors 
of  the  injuries  to  his  dwelling  will  be  delected  and  brought  to 
condign  punishment.  No  provocation  can  he  sufficient,  win  r<- 
Ihe  laws  are  peaceably  and  impartially  administered,  to  justify 
a  resort  to  personal  outrage. 

Whispers  are  afloat  thai  further  violence  is  in  contemplation. 
We  earnestly  hope  that  it  is  without  the  shadow  of  foundation. 
Let  every  lover  of  the  city's  peace  put  his  face,  against  every 
movement  calculated  to  dislurb  it.  By  personal  violence,  the 
rights  and  property  of  others,  besides  the  obnoxious  individuals, 
may  be  deslroyed.  Should  there  be  the  least  indication  that 
these  rumors  are  not  the  offspring  of  a  fevered  brain,  we  trust 
the  public  authorises  will  take  the  earliest  and  most  efficient 


measures  to  put  down,  wilb  a  strong  hand,  Ihe  first  buddings  of 
disorder. 

From  the  same  of  July  11. 

The  excitement  nourished  by  the  abolitionists  has  burst  into 
a  flame;  and  they  are  now  in  danger  of  bring  consumed  by 
fires  of  their  own  kindling.  For  their  protection  they  must 
stand  indebted  to  those  they  have  villified,  whose  motives  they 
have  aspersed,  whose  conduct  and  characters  they  have  as- 
sailed by  every  term  of  contumely  and  reproach,  and  whose 
identity,  as  a  nation  of  white  men,  they  have  sought  to  degrade 
by  reducing  to  it  the  condition  of  mongrels.  We  rejoice,  how- 
ever, in  Ihe  belief  that  they  u-ill  be  protected,  and  thai  however 
much  they  may  have  forfeited  any  claim  to  personal  sympathy, 
the  supremacy  of  the  laws  will  be  maintained.  The  rumors  to 
which  we  alluded  yesterday,  and  which  we  then  hoped  were 
unfounded,  gathered  force  as  time  advanced,  and  we  perceived 
with  regret  that  the  whirlwind  which  the  fanatics  had  raised,  it 
would  be  difficult  to  allay.  Fortunately,  however,  although  it 
could  not  In;  wholly  allayed,  its  fury  was  repressed  by  the  in 
Imposition  of  the  civil  and  military  authorities,  and  the  efforts 
of  Ihe  more  peaceable  order  of  our  citizens. 

About  dusk,  as  we  learri,  a  great  assemblage  mnde.  their  ap 
pearance  in  the  vicinity  of  Mr.  Lewis  Tappan's  house,  in  Hose 
street,  evidently  with  no  friendly  design.  Being  ordi  red,  how- 
ever, to  disperse,  they  obeyed  the  command. 

The  next  movement  was  in  the.  direction  of  Dr.  Cox's  church' 
at  the  corner  of  I,aight  and  Varick  streets.  Here  they  as- 
sembled in  great  numbers,  and  began  pelting  the  windows  with 
stones,  with  every  variation  of  voice  and  diversity  of  noise  that 
had  been  heard  from  the  confusion  of  tongues  at  Babel.  The 
mayor,  justice  Lownde-,  the  district  attorney  and  »  posse  of  po- 
lice officers  and  watchmen  arriving,  they  were  prevented  from 
committing  furlher  depredation. 

Dr.  Cox's  house,  No.  3,  Charlton  street,  was  the  next  object 
of  attack,  and  thither  they  repaired  in  squads  from  various 


directions.  The  doctor,  anticipaling  an  altack,  had  sent  a  le»- 
er  in  Ihe  morning  to  the  major,  requesting  the  protection  <rf 
he  civil  authority,  and,  alter  packing  up  and  removing  hid 

'urniture,  had,  with  liis  family,  Irit  Hie  city  in  the  afteri i.  As 

loon  as  Ihe  mob  arrived,  they  commenced  Hie  work  of  desiruc- 
ion,  by  breaking  in  the  iwo  lower  windows,  with  their  blinds, 
and  Hit;  door.  The  tatter  had  been  barricadoed,  and  they  had 
carcely  eflected  an  entrance,  before  Ihe  police  officers  and 
watchmen  aided  by  two  detachments  of  horse  that  were  at 
innd,  di.-lodged  Ihe  rioters.  They  were  thenceforward  kept  at 
bay ;  but  the  street,  as  far  back  to  the  ea>t  as  Thompson  street, 
was  tilled  with  persons  with  paving  stones,  which  they  smote 
together,  saying  in  a  deep  under-lone,  "all  together."  A  fence 
n  tiie  neighborhood  was  torn  down  and  converted  into  clubs, 
and  ranges  of  carts  drawn  together  acio.-s  the  streets,  in  many 
[daces,  to  impede  the  horsemen,  should  the  latter  assail  them. 
Formidable,  however,  as  these  indications  were,  the  altack  on 
Dr.  Cox's  house  was  not  renewed;  but  in  Hie  meantime  a  por- 
tion of  the  rioters  returned  to  the  Laighl  sireet  church,  and  re- 
commenced hostilities.  A  few  more  panes  ol  glass  were  frroken, 
but  no  further  essential  damage  was  done,  although  it  was  not 
in. ill  A  very  late  hour  that  the  tumult  had  entirely  ceased. 

One  o'clock.  We  regret  lo  add  lhat  appearances  indicate  a 
renewal  of  the  disturbances  of  to-night.  A  large  collection 
have  been  assembled  around  Dr.  Cox's  house,  all  Ihe  morn- 
ing, and  have  increased,  it  is  said  lo  the  number  of  300  already; 
mid  the  police  have  jusl  despatched  100  officers  for  Ihe  preser- 
vation of  Ihe  peace.  Again,  we  say,  let  every  lover  of  good 
order  set  his  face  against  these  proceedings.  Especially,  let  no 
one  repair  to  any  scene  of  riot  merely,  us  a  spectator.  If  they 
do  not  choose  lo  assist  in  quelling  it,  they  had  better  remain  at 
home.  Their  presence  only  increases  the  confidence  of  Ihe 
rioters,  and  weakens  the  power  of  the  officers,  al  the  same  lime 
that  they  expose  themselves  to  accidents  personal  and  legal. 

Military  force,  we  presume,  will  be  ag,iin  resorted  to.  Nearly 
all  the  aldermen  and  assistants  were  on  Ihe  spot  during  the 
night.  Some  of  them  have  been  severely  hurl,  and  it  is  loo 
much  to  expect  of  them  lhat  they  will  he  kept  on  fatigue  duty 
of  this  sort,  night  after  night.  Let  the  leaders,  who  have  been 
inslrumenlal  in  producing  the  present  stale  of  things,  give  a 
pledge  to  desist  in  their  mad  career,  and  we  are  satisfied  that 
immediate  security  of  their  persons  and  property  may  be  relied 
on,  and  the  city  restored  to  its  wanled  tranquillity.  Such  a 
pledge  would  be  more  effective  than  a  regiment  of  soldiers. 

From  the  same  of  July  12. 

Although  nothing  can  justify  the  atrocious  course  which  a 
few  misguided  individuals  have  pursued  for  the  last  eighteen 
months,  yet  even  rebuke  should  be  suspended  until  the  present 
mini  tumults  have  fully  subsided.  So  long  as  disapprobation  of 
Iheir  proceedings  was  confined  to  that  sort  of  expression  which 
is  usual  at  theatres  on  the  representation  of  a  bad  play,  we  did 
not  deem  ourselves  called  upon,  as  public  journalists,  to  ani- 
madvert, nor  give  opinion,  one  way  or  Ihe  other,  upon  the  na- 
tural ebullilion  of  feeling  which  was  produced.  But  from  the 
first  moment  that  a  serious  attack  was  mnde,  on  the  night  of 
Wednesday,  upon  the  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Lewis  Tappan, 
we  have  raised  the  voice  of  warning  against  acts  of  violence  a* 
seriously  and  as  constantly  as  we  did  before  against  the  mad 
measures  that  hnve  brought  these  calamities  in  their  train. 
But  it  seems  lhat  the  press  is  of  little  avail  in  stemming  the 


lorrenl  of  popular  fuiy  when  it  is  once  excited.  We  can  now 
appeal  only  to  the  strong  arm  of  the  law:  and  even  that,  unless 
more  vigorously  extended  than  it  has  hitherto  been,  will  prove 
inadequate  to  our  protection.  Day  after  day  we  are  compelled 
to  become  the  chroniclers  of  our  cily's  disgrace,  and  it  is  with 
undissembled  repugnance  that  we  are  constrained  to  give  the 
details  of  the  last  night's  turmoil. 

The  assemblage  around  the  house  of  Dr.  Cor,  to  which  we 
alluded  in  our  P.  S.  at  one  o'clock  yesterday,  was  completely 
dispersed  by  the  officers  sent  by  the  poliee,  and  tranquillity  pre- 
served until  evening.  Dr.  Cox  had  returned  to  his  house  in  the 
morning,  and  we  regret  to  learn  that  on  his  departure  from  it, 
he  was  rudely  followed  hy  a  mob  of  boys,  until  he  found  refuge- 
in  the  house  of  a  parishioner  and  friend. 

In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  the  following  proclamation 
was  issued  by  the  mayor: 

Proclamation  of  Cornelius  W.  Lawrence,  mayor  of  the  eitv  of 
New  Yoik. 

The  mayor  feels  himself  compelled  by  a  sense  of  public  duty, 
to  notice  the  riotous  conduct  of  a  large  number  of  citizens  dur- 
m:  the  nights  of  the  9th  and  10th  inst.  However  repugnant  to 
the  good  sense  of  this  community,  are  Ihe  doctrines  and  mea- 
sures of  a  few  misguided  individuals,  on  the  subject  which  baa 
led  to  the  existing  excitementof  the  public  mind,  their  conduct 
a  (lords  no  justification  for  popular  commotion.  The  laws  are 
sufficient  to  restrain  whatever  is  subversive  of  public  morals, 
and  to  punish  all  violations  of  public  decorum.  On  them  alone 
must  the  citizen  rely,  and  misjudging  and  imprudent  men,  as 
well  as  the  most  temperate  and  discreet,  must  be  protected  in 
Iheir  undoubted  rights  of  person  and  property. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  do  more  than  allude  to  the  interruptions 
of  the  peace  during  Ihe  Iwo  last  nights;  but  there  bring  reason 
to  apprehend  that  further  disorders  are  contemplaled,  the 
mayor,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  magistrates  of  the  city,  is- 
sues this  proclamation,  enjoining  nil  good  citizens  to  refrain 
from  mingling  with  any  erowd  which  may  assemble  in  th« 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,   1834— MOBS  IN  NEW  YORK. 


399 


streets  during  the  evening;  and  to  use  their  influence,  each 
within  his  own  proper  sphere  of  action,  to  prevent  such  con- 
gregations. 

Parents,  guardians  and  employers  are  palled  upon  to  co-ope- 
rate in  tile  purpose  of  this  recommendation,  hy  guarding  with 
unusual  vigilance  those  under  their  control, during  the  continu- 
ance  of  tin:  present  excitement. 

The  watch,  and  all  public  officers,  are  hereby  required  to  be 
active  and  prudent  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties. 

The  mayor  assures  the  community  that  the  magistrates  have, 
adopted  efficient  measures  to  maintain  the  rights  of  the  citi- 
zens, and  to  preserve  the  public  peace;  and  to  this  end,  they 
are  rtsolved  to  exercise  with  energy  tlie  powers  with  which 
they  have  been  intrusted. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  seal  of  the  mayoralty  of  the  city 
of  N,ew  York,  this  eleventh  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-four. 
CORNELIUS  W.  LAWRENCE. 

A  large  body  of  the  military  was  assembled  at  the  Arsenal, 
City  Hall,  the  Bazaar,  and  some  other  places,  at  an  early  hour 
last  evening  in  readiness  to  repair  to  any  point  to  which  they 
might  lie  called  lor  the  suppression  of  any  lawless  outrage. 

About  nine  o'clock,  the  first  overt  acts,  under  the  refuge  of 
darkness,  were  perpetrated  by  an  attack  upon  the  store  of  Mr. 
Arthur  Tappan,  in  Pearl  street.  The  rioters  commenced  by 
throwing  stones  at  the  building,  and  the  watchmen,  to  the  rium 
ber  of  fifteen  or  twenty,  are  said  to  have  been  compelled  to 
leave  the  ground.  A  reinforcement,  however,  under  Mr.  Jus- 
lice  Lowndes,  came  up,  and  had  hardly  made  an  exhibition  of 
their  insignia,  before  the  rioters  retreated.  In  the  intervening 
period,  Alderman  Labagb,  notwithstanding  a  severe  wound  he 
had  received,  manifested  great  courage  and  perseverance  in 
keeping  the  mob  at  bay.  They  dared  not  force  the  doors,  being 
apprised  that  a  body  of  citizens  were  stationed  within  who  were 
well  armed  with  muskets  to  defend  the  premises. 

During  the  evening,  som«  two  or  three  hundred  persons  as- 
sembled near  Dr.  Cox's  church  in  Laight  street,  but  all  was 
comparatively  quiet  until  about  9  o'clock,  when  a  reinforce- 
ment came  down  Varick  street,  armed  with  stones,  which,  on 
arriving  opposite  the  church,  they  discharged  against  the  win- 
dows and  doors,  and  did  more  injury  than  was  done  the  previ 
ous  night.  At  this  moment  but  few  police  officers  and  watch- 
men were  on  the  spot,  and  they  had  to  fly  before  the  immense 
moli.  They  rallied  at  the  corner  of  Beach,  and  a  messenger 
was  immediately  sent  off  for  the  military. 

At  this  moment  shouts  were  heard  in  the  direction  of  Spring 
street,  and  it  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  work  of  destruction 
was  going  on  against  the  church  in  that  street  under  the  pasto- 
ral care  of  the  rev.  Mr.  Ludlow.  The  mob  commenced  by 
pulling  down  the  fence  which  surrounded  the  church,  and  then 
demolished  the  windows,  broke  into  the  house  and  demolished 
the  interior.  The  session  or  conference  room  soon  shared  the 
same  fate.  The  materials  of  the  building  were  brought  into  the 
street,  and  made  into  a  barricade  to  prevent  the  approach  o 
the  horse.  Behind  this,  carts  were  placed  across  the  streets 
chained  together.  About  ten  o'clock  the  mob  began  to  ring  the 
church  bell,  which  was  followed  by  a  few  strokes  from  the 
watcU  house  bell  in  Prince  street.  It  had  not  the  eflect  intend- 
ed, which  was  to  call  out  the  firemen. 

Messengers  had  been  dispatched  to  the  City  Hall,  and  a  few 
minutes  before  eleven  o'clock,  the  27th  regiment  of  Nationa 
Guards,  under  the  command  of  col.  Stevens,  marched  dowi 
Spring  street.  The  detachment  had  been  previously  orderet 
to  Pearl  street  for  the  security  of  Mr.  Tappan's  store,  but  being 
countermanded,  proceeded  to  Spring  street,  as  before  recited 
On  arriving  there,  they  found  the  street  barricaded  on  botl 
sides  of  the  church,  and  so  complete  was  the  barrier,  that  a 
considerable  time  elapsed  before  possession  of  the  church  couU 
be  obtained.  During  this  period  the  bell  was  kept  ringing:  Hit 
rope  was  finally  cut  by  order  of  col.  Stevens.  The  first  barrier 
was  carried  with  little  difficulty  by  the  pioneer  guard  alone 
The  second  was  more  formidable,  forming  a  bastion,  behim 
which  was  assembled  a  large  body  of  the  rioters.  A  proposi 
lion  was  made  to  col.  S.  to  retreat,  which  he  declined,  am 
thereupon  his  detachment  approached  it,  and  soon  carried  that 
also,  by  no  greater  force  than  the  pioneer  guard,  and  a  few  sol 
diers  detached  from  the  column.  They  were  soon  joined  by 
justice  Lowndes,  at  the  head  of  a  band  of  watchmen,  and  thus 
reinforced,  thoroughly  cleared  Spring  street;  nor  is  it  correc 
that  on  any  occasion,  the  military  retreated  before  the  mob 
A  report  has  also  obtained  that  the  military  were  unprovidei 
with  ammunition.  This  also  is  untrue.  They  were  supplie( 
with  six  rounds  per  man  of  ball  cartridge,  which,  had  the  riot 
ers  proceeded  to  further  extremities,  they  would  doubtless  hav< 
ascertained  to  their  cost. 

After  leaving  Spring  street,  they  proceeded  to  the  residenci 
of  the  rev.  Mr.  Ludlow,  in  Thompson  street,  whose  family  lia( 
retired.  Here  they  broke  in  the  windows  and  doors,  and  dii 
all  the  injury  they  thought  proper,  and  left  the  ground. 

The  following  additional  particulars  we  insert  from  the  Dail 
Advertiser  of  this  morning: 

Five  Points.  This  was  a  scene  of  great  riot  and  disturbance 
the  vengeance  of  the  mob  appeared  to  be  directed  entirelj 
against  the  blacks;  whenever  a  colored  person  appeared,  it  wa 
a  signal  of  combat,  fight  and  riot.  Five  houses  of  had  cha 
racter,  were  principally  demolished;  many  broken  heads  wa 
the  result  of  the  affray.  The  authorities,  with  alderman  Ferri 


nd  assistant  alderman  Ballagh  at  their  head,  were  very  active} 
ndeed  the  alderman  and  assistant  conducted  in  Hie  most  ener- 
ctic.  manner,  and  .-ie.iy.ed  several  which  they  put  in  charge  of 
he  watch.  The  mob  made  it  a  rule  that  whenever  a  house 
tvas  not  illuminated  by  candles,  they  would  dash  in  tin;  win- 
lows.  In  this  way,  the  streets  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Five 
soints,  presented  a  brilliant  appearance.  The  whole  neighbor- 
iood  was  in  great  confusion  all  flight. 

J\  church,  and  four  houses  injured.  2  o'clock.  We  have  just 
eturned  from  one  of  the  most  disgraceful  scenes  we  have,  ever 
vitnessed.  In  thirty  years'  acquaintance  witli  the  city  nothing 

•as  ever  happened  to  c pare  with  it.     At  11  o'clock  the  mob 

>  the'  number  of  soui*:  thousands,  romuieneed  their  work  of 
imd  like  destruction,  by  tearing  down  St.  Philip's  Episcopal 
•hurch  in  Centre  street,  and  occupied  tiy  a  colored  congrega- 
ioii  We  stood  hy  for  two  hours  witnessing  these  outrages. 

For  more  than  two  hours  they  hail  entire  possession  of  that 
portion  of  the  city,  without  any  one  to  molest  them.  Hundreds 
)f  citizens  stood  by,  anxious  to  iiitrrfere,  but  the  odds  were  too 
earful.  It  is  next  to  impossible  to  describe  the  scene;  hun- 
Ireds  of  infuriated  devils  were  shouting,  hollowing  and  busily 
employed  in  tearing  out  the  doors  and  windows,  the  interior  of 
he  church,  and  whatever  they  could  lay  their  hands  on,  and 
browing  it  into  the  street.  After  they  had  finished,  they  at- 
acked  one  house  adjoining,  and  three  opposite,  all  occupied 
ty  colored  people,  the  doors  and  windows  of  which  they  de- 
nolished.  Their  rage  appeared  to  be  declared  against  the 
jlacks. 

A  few  minutes  before  one  o'clock,  having  exhausted  their 
strength,  they  cave  three  cheers  and  shouted  away  to  Anthony 
street.  A  large  body  of  watchmen,  with  Hays  at  their  head  , 
entered  the  street  and  dispersed  the  crowd. 

The  military  were  on  duty,  and  the  mayor  was  at  the  hall  all 
night.  It  cannot  be  disguised,  however,  that  the  mob  were 
complete  masters  of  the  city,  and  the  city  government  was 
overawed,  and  for  the  time  at  an  end. 

It  is  impossible  for  any  man  ofcorrect  views  to  look  on  and 
witness  the  fury  of  a  rnob,  and  not  feel  that  it  ig  the  duty  of  all 
to  cling  to  the  support  of  the  laws. 

We  hope  the  riot  and  disgrace  is  at  an  end,  but  we  have  no 
confidence  that  it  is,  or  will  bf,  until  the  military  are  called 
out,  and  every  assemblage  is  dispersed  hy  military  force. 

Three  o'clock.  The  last  accounts  we  have  is,  that  the  mob 
were  on  their  way  to  Spring  street,  but  it  is  not  known  whether 
any  further  violence  was  done.  The  mob  appeared  to  act  with 
great  judgment  and  concert.  We  observed  thai  every  few  mi- 
nutes their  messengers  would  arrive  and  announce  to  them 
whether  the  watch  were  in  force  or  not.  They  appeared  to  be 
in  different  detachments,  and  to  appear  in  different  parts  of  the 
city  at  once. 

These  gross  violations  of  decency  and  order  we  totally  con- 
demn, yet  there  are  two  particular  circumstances  respecting 
them,  which  admit  of  no  excuse  or  palliation,  and  which  we 
especially  deprecate.  The  first  is  the  attack  upon  the  blacks 
and  their  property.  The  other  act  to  which  we  allude  is  the 
sacrilegious  attack  upon  the  churches.  Even  apart  from  any 
considerations  that  they  have  been  consecrated  to  the  service 
of  the  Most  High,  yet  there  is  rank  injustice  in  this  infamous 
proceeding.  Dr.  Cox's  church,  for  instance,  has  been  twice  or 
thrice  assailed — and  yet  it  is  publicly  known  that  nine  out  of 
ten  of  the  trustees  of  that  church  dissent  from  their  pastor  in 
his  opinions  on  the  subject,  which  has  given  so  much  offence. 

Thus  it  is  perceived  that  the  innocent  are  punished  for  the 
sins  of  the  guilty  (if  guilty  they  are).  But  we  are  aware  that  it 
is  almost,  if  not  wholly,  useless,  to  reason  with  a  mob.  The 
strong  arm  of  power,  when  their  passions  or  prejudices  are  ex- 
cited, is  the  only  power  they  can  be  brought  to  respect.  It  is 
high  time  that  that  power  should  be  brought  to  bear  upon  them 
with  more  efficiency  than  it  has  hitherto  done.  The  sacred- 
ness  of  home  must  not  be  violated.  Churches  must  not  be  ran- 
sacked and  demolished.  The  peace  and  repose  of  our  citizens 
must  not  he  disturbed  by  these  marauders.  If  mild  measures 
will  not  reclaim  them,  resort  must  be  had  to  such  :\<n-ill  be  effi- 
cacious. They  are  said  to  spurn  the  watchman's  club,  and  de- 
ride the  mace  of  the  police  officer. 

But  before  any  fatal  instruments  of  destruction  are  applied, 
let  proclamations  from  the  mayor,  by  thousands,  he  prominent- 
ly posted  on  every  corner  and  conspicuous  place  in  the  city, 
warning  all  persons  who  are  unwilling  to  incur  tire  hazards  of 
participating  in  the  mobs,  to  remain  at  home.  Then  the  milita- 
ry will  have  no  fear  of  killing,  maiming  or  wounding  the  inno- 
cent. What  are  the  arrangements  for  the  ensuing  evening  we 
have  not  been  informed;  but  from  the  perils  which  surround  us, 
may  heaven  inspire  wisdom  and  firmness  to  defend  us! 

Half-past  twelve  o'ciocfc  We  have  this  moment  received  the 
second  proclamation  of  the  mayor.  It  will  be  seen  that  nil  the 
military  force  of  the  city  is  called  out — the  mayor,  also,  invites 
the  assistance  of  the  citizens  and  requests  them  to  call  at  his 
office  and  be  clothed  with  special  authority  to  aid  in  suppress- 
ing the  riots. 

PROCLAMATION. 

WHEREAS,  this  city  has  again  been  the  scene  of  riotous  pro- 
ceedings, disgraceful  to  a  community  living  under  a  government 
of  laws;  and  u-hereM  the  rights  of  peaceable  citizens  have  been 
infringed,  and  tlieir  property  destroyed!  now,  therefore, 

I,  Cornelius  W.  Lau-rence,  mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York,  do 
hereby  require  and  command  all  good  citizens  to  unite  in  aid 


360 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY   19,  1834— MOBS  IN  NEW  YORK. 


of  the  civil  authorities,  to  put  an  end  to  these  disreputable  oc- 
currences. 

I  enjoin  and  request  citizens  to  offer  their  services,  and  to 
receive  authority  to  act  as  a  part  of  the  civil  power.  I  call  up- 
on commanding  officers  of  all  organized  military  corps,  to  vo- 
lunteer in  support  of  the  laws.  Commandants  will  select  their 
own  places  of  rendezvous,  and  report  their  numbers  and  posi- 
tion at  the  mayor's  office,  by  or  before  6  o'clock,  P.  M.  this 
day. 

And  further,  I  caution,  in  the  most  friendly  spirit,  all  those 
who,  to  resent  an  offensive  difference  of  opinion,  have  allowed 
themselves  to  usurp  the  authority  of  the  laws,  against  inciting 
or  abetting  further  commotion. — The  laws  must  be  maintained. 
Destruction  of  life  must  inevitably  result  from  a  repetition  of 
similar  acts  of  violence.  The  magistrates  are  governed  solely 
by  a  desire  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  city,  and  to  protect  the 
lives  and  property  of  its  inhabitants;  and  in  their  endeavors  to 
effect  thie  end,  they  will  shrink  from  the  exercise  of  no  power 
placed  within  their  control. 

I  hereby  caution  and  request  all  persons  who  have  not  report 
ed  themselves  to  me,  and  been  authorised  to  act  in  support  of 
the  laws,  to  remain  at  home  during  the  present  excitement. 

CITIZENS    OF   NEW   YORK. 

By  your  respect  for  the  character  of  the  city,  and  the  interest 
you  all  have  in  the  preservation  of  the  laws;  by  your  regard  for 
the  safety  of  your  families,  and  friends,  I  call  upon  you  to  as- 
sist in  keeping  the  peace. 

Given  under  my  hand,  and  the  seal  of  the  mayoralty  of  the  city 
of  New  York,  at  the  City  Hall,  this  twelfth  day  of  July, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  eieht  hundred 
and  thirty-four.  CORNELIUS  W.  LAWRENCE. 

First  division  N.  Y.  state  artillery  July  12,  1834. 

CU»  At  the  request  of  his  honor  the  mayor,  the  division  is  or- 
dered for  duty  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  city.  The  several 
brigades  of  the  division  will  form  on  their  respective  parade 
grounds  this  afternoon  at  4  o'clock,  and  report  to  the  major 
general  at  the  mayor's  office,  City  Hall. 

Notwithstanding  that  the  mayor  and  the  magistrates  have 
used  every  due  diligence  to  put  down  the  spirit  of  misrule  that 
has  been  exhibited  these  few  days  past,  and  their  duties  have 
been  very  arduous,  they  have  found  it  necessary  again  to  ap- 
peal to  the  military,  and  it  is  our  duty  to  aid  them. 

Governed  on  these  occasions,  as  the  military  necessarily 
must  be,  by  the  magistracy,  the  community  will  not  attribute  to 
them  a  want  of  determination  to  pursue  the  most  vigorous 
measures  for  the  suppression  of  all  riotous  proceedings. 

We  therefore  confidently  hope  we  shall  be  sustained  by  our 
fellow-citizens  in  the  performance  of  our  duties,  whatever  they 
may  be. 

The  services  of  the  regiment  under  the  command  of  colonel 
Mumford  are  accepted,  and  he  is  directed  to  report  to  col.  Mor- 
ris, commanding  the  6th  brigade,  by  whom  a  post  will  be  assign- 
ed to  them  in  line.  By  order  of  major  general  MORTON. 

S.  D.  JACKSON,  division  inspector. 

RIOT   AT    NEWARK. 

What  are  we  coming  to?  Where  are  these  mischiefs  to  end? 
We  had  indeed  hoped  that,  grievous  as  they  were,  they  would 
be  confined  to  our  ill-fated  island.  But  we  were  deceived  in 
thai  hope,  and  learn  that  like  results,  springing  from  like 
causes,  occurred  last  evening  at  Newark. 

It  seems  that  the  rev.  Mr.  Weeks,  who  has  been  recently  in- 
occulated  with  the  amalgamation  infection,  introduced  a  colored 
man  into  his  pulpit  last  evening,  against  the  previously  ascer- 
tained will  of  the  people.  When  the  populace  found  this  out, 
they  entered  the  church  in  great  numbers,  took  the  latter  forci- 
bly from  the  pulpit,  conveyed  him  to  the  jail,  threatening  to  tear 
it  down  if  the  jailor  did  not  receive  him — locked  him  up, — and 
then  returned  to  the  church,  broke  the  windows,  tore  down  the 


the  houses  of  A.  Tappan  and  others.  Last  night,  though  all 
sorts  of  bloody  menaces  on  the  part  of  the  mob  against  indi- 
viduals and  churches,  were  circulated,  and  possibly  deemed 
authentic,  the  only  appearance  of  disorder  was  in  Reed  street, 
and  that  was  instantly  put  down.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty 
of  the  rioters,  according  to  the  Daily  Advertiser,  are  in  prison, 
"among  them  many  convicts,  and  characters  of  the  worst  de- 
scription." These  of  course,  would  urge  on  misrule,  as  long  aa 
it  was  safe  and  while  paper  proclamations,  and  friendly  admo- 
nitions, unbacked  by  bayonets  and  bul'ets,  were  the  only  means 
of  resistance:  when  danger  came,  however,  they,  as  is  the  na- 
ture of  villains,  sneak. 

It  may,  we  presume,  be  considered,  that  for  the  present  the 
riotous  spirit  is  allayed,  though  undoubtedly  the  authorities 
will  not  omit  the  proper  precautions  to  crush  at  once  any 
attempts  at  prolonging  the  disgraceful  outrages  of  Friday  and 
Thursday. 

The  rev.  Peter  Williams,  a  colored  man,  who  is  the  rector  of 
St.  Philip's  church,  which  was  assailed  by  the  mob,  on  the  sug- 
gestion of  his  bishop,  Onderdonk,  has  completely  separated  him- 
self from  the  anti-slavery  society,  in  an  excellent  address  to  the 
public,  but  which  is  too  long  for  insertion  by  us,  at  this  time. 
Mr.  Williams  is  spoken  of  as  a  man  of  "exemplary  character 
and  conduct"— and  his  address  does  honor  to  his  bead  and 
heart. 

Another  peace  offering,  in  the  shape  of  a  disclaimer  of  cer- 
tain imputed  opinions,  was  made  public  on  Saturday,  in  hand- 
bills circulated  throughout  the  city,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy: 

AMERICAN  ANTI-SLAVERY  SOCIETY— Disclaimer.— The  un- 
dersigned, in  behalf  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  "Ameri- 
can Anti-Slavery  society,"  and  of  other  leading  friends  of  the 
cause,  now  absent  from  the  city,  beg  the  attention  of  their  fel- 
low-citizens to  the  following  disclaimer: 

1.  We  entirely  disclaim  any  desire  to  promote  or  encourage 
intermarriages  between  while  and  colored  persons. 

2.  We  disclaim,  and  entirely  disapprove,  the  language  of  a 
handbill  recently  circulated  in  this  city,  the  tendency  of  which 
is  thought  to  be  to  excite  resistance  to  the  laws.    Our  principle 
is,  that  even  hard  laws  are  to  be  submitted  to  by  all  men,  until 
they  can  by  peaceable  means  be  altered. 

3.  We  disclaim,  as  we  have  already  done,  any  intention  to 
dissolve  the  union,  or  to  violate  the  constitution  and  laws  of 
the  country;  or  to  ask  of  congress  any  act  transcending  iherr 
constitutional  powers;  which  the  abolition  of  slavery  by  con- 


ARTHUR  TAPPAN. 
JOHN  RANKIN. 


pulpit  and  pews,  and  reduced  the  edifice  to  a  shell. 

From  the  ff.  Y.  American  of  July  14. 

The  peace  of  the  city  was  undisturbed  during  Saturday  and 
Sunday  nights— partly,  possibly,  because  the  spirit  of  misrule 
has  exhausted  itself,  but  mainly  because  of  the  energetic  means 
taken  to  put  it  down,  at  all  hazards. 

After  the  mayor's  pointed  proclamation  of  Saturday,  hun- 
dreds of  citizens  were  qualified  as  special  officers  to  keep  the 
peace;  and  the  military  in  largo  numbers,  horse  and  fool,  were 
ordered  out.  They  answered  the  call  with  alacrity,  and  during 
the  greater  part  of  last  night  and  Saturday  night,  they  were  sta- 
tioned in  different  parts  of  the  city,  keeping  up  their  communi- 
cations with  each  other,  and  with  the  head  quarters  al  the  City 
Hall.  The  mayor,  aldermen,  district  attorney,  police  magis- 
trates, sheriff,  with  the  civil  force,  and  the  watchimm,  were  on 
the  ground,  and,  as  we  understand,  the  firemen,  with  their  ac- 
customed zeal,  turned  out  as  a  body  in  aid  of  the  public  authori- 
ties. 

Tha  result  was,  that  little  or  no  appearance  of  riot  occurred. 
On  Saturday  niuht,  a  considerable  collection  of  people  at  the 
bead  of  Catharine  street  caused  the  watch  some  trouble;  but  af- 
ter a  short  contest,  in  the  course  of  which,  many  of  the  mob 
and  some  of  the  watch  were  knocked  down,  they  were  dis- 
persed. The  objects  of  this  moli  were,  it  is  said,  (but  of  course 
on  such  occasions  there  is  much  idle  rumor  and  exaggeration), 
the  African  churches  and  schools,  some  other  churches,  and 


gress,  in  any  state,  would  plainly  do. 
July,  12, 1834. 

We  have  also  the  following  from  Newark  N.  J. 

On  Saturday  night  there  was  another  disturbance  at  Newark. 
The  mob  attacked  a  barber's  shop  kept  by  a  black  man,  but 
were  dispersed  by  the  timely  arrival  of  the  police.  Mr.  Weeks, 
the  clergyman  whose  church  was  destroyed  on  Friday,  issued 
the  following  note  to  the  people  of  Newark: 

"You  will  do  me  a  favor  if  you  will  please  to  state,  for  the 
information  of  the  public,  thai  1  am  no  advocate  for  the  amal- 
gamation of  colors.  I  believe  thai  God,  in  making  men  of  dif- 
ferent colors,  has  sufficiently  indicated  the  duty  to  us  of  keep- 
ing them  separate,  and  of  allowing  of  no  intermarriages  between 
them.  1  have  not  time  for  further  explanations.  Yours. 

WM.  R.  WEEKS. 

Though  the  quiet  of  the  city  yet  remains  undisturbed,  some 
fears  of  new  troubles  are  entertained,  in  the  continued  impru- 
dences of  certain  of  the  anti-colonizationists,  which  are  se- 
verely reproved  in  most  of  the  newspapers.  The  people  of  co- 
lor are  well  spoken  of  for  the  propriety  of  their  conduct  during 


the  late  agitations  in  New  York— submitting  even  to  the  per- 
sonal and  unprovoked  injuries  inflicted  upon  them,  with  pa- 
tience. 

On  the  14th,  the  mayor  sent  a  message  to  the  common  coun- 
cil congratulating  the  members  on  the  restoration  of  order,  and 
on  the  zealous  support  which  had  been  afforded  to  maintain  the 
sovereignty  of  the  laws.  He  says  that  the  military  on  Saturday 
were  provided  with  ball  cartridges,  and  had  orders  to  use  them, 
if  necessary,  to  prevent  further  commotion — which,  happily, 
was  not  the  case. 

On  the  night  of  the  9th  inst.  an  abolition  riot  took  place  at 
Norwich,  Connecticut.  It  appears  that  some  person  from  Bos- 
ton had,  Ihe  evening  previous,  preached  an  abolition  sermon  in 
the  rev.  Mr.  Dickereon's  first  Presbyterian  church  in  that  city, 
which  passed  offquietly.  The  next  evening  he  made  a  second 
attempt  when  a  mob,  headed  by  a  band,  marched  to  the 
church,  proceeded  up  the  broad  aisle,  look  Ihe  parson  from  the 
pulpil,  and  forced  him  to  march  before  them,  at  the  same  tiim> 
playina  the  rogues'  march,  till  they  actually  drummed  him  nut 
of  the  place,  threatening  if  he  ever  returned  again  to  "give  him 
a  coat  of  tar  and  feathers." 

Among  the  rioters  arrested  at  New  York  have  been  discover- 
ed several  persons  whom  the  police  officers  had  long  been  look- 
ing for  in  vain. 


FILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  BURIES.  No.  22— VOL.  X.]     BALTIMORE,  JULY  26,  1834.    [Vol..  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,192. 


THE  PAST — THE  PRESENT — FOR  THE  FDTUHE. 


EDITED,  PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  H.  MILES,  AT  $5  PER  ANNUM,  PAYABLE  IN  ADVANCE. 


The  laws  passed  at  the  last  session,  with  relation  to  the 
Indians,  inserted  in  this  number,  will  receive  the  atten- 
tion of  those  who  feel  an  interest  in  the  concerns  of  this 
people. 

Monday  last  was  given  up,  at  Philadelphia,  to  honor 
the  memory  of  LAFAYETTE.  It  was  an  occasion  in  which 
all  parties  could  unite  for  a  common  object,  and  the  spec- 
tacle was  one  of  much  interest  and  solemnity,  the  differ- 
ent classes  of  persons  being  numerously  represented  by 
those  present  in  the  procession— which  was  so  long  that 
it  required  about  two  hours  and  an  half  for  it  to  pass. 
It  halted  at  Zion  church,  where  the  civic  part  of  the  pro- 
cession filed  through  the  military,  and  entered — and, 
prayers  being  offered  by  the  truly  revered  and  really  re- 
verend bishop  White,  who  was  chaplain  to  the  revolu- 
tionary congress,  and  a  funeral  eulogy  pronounced  by  the 
venerable  and  learned  Mr.  Du  Ponceau,  who  was  a  per- 
sonal friend,  and  one  of  the  aids  of  Lafayette  in  our  re- 
volution, the  ceremonies  of  the  day  were  closed.  All 
things  seem  to  have  been  done  in  the  happiest  manner. 

At  the  funeral  solemnities  in  honor  of  LAFAYETTE,  at 
Fredericksburgh,  Virginia,  the  chief  mourner  was  Mr. 
J.  JB.  Herard,  an  aged  French  citizen,  who  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  national  convention  of  1792,  of  the  legislative 
assembly  which  succeeded  it,  and  a  colleague  of  Lafayette 
in  the  chamber  of  deputies,  in  1815,  on  the  second  abdi- 
cation of  Napoleon. 

We  present  some  very  interesting  and  comparative 
views  of  the  commerce  and  navigation  of  the  United 
States. 

Our  long  valued  friend  and  kind  neighbor,  William 
Gviynn,  esq.  ceased  to  be  either  the  proprietor  or  editor 
of  the  "Baltimore  Gazette,"  on  Monday  last,  after  having 
issued  that  paper  twenty-one  years  and  six  months.  He 
has  retired  in  a  neat  and  bland  address  to  the  subscrib- 
ers, and  with  an  earnest  recommendation  of  his  succes- 
sor, Mr.  William  Givynn  Jones,  to'  the  support  of  his  old 
friends  and  those  of  the  establishment — and  the  latter 
says  that  "the  Gazette  will  continue  to  maintain  its  cha- 
racter for  neutrality  in  the  political  contests  which  may 
agitate  the  country." 

While  cheerfully  admitting  William  G.  Jones  into  our 
ranks,  and  tendering  him  the  right  hand  of  editorial  fel- 
lowship, we  may  be  permitted  to  say,  on  the  present  oc- 
casion, that  we  exceedingly  regret  the  causes,  be  they  of 
•what  nature  they  may,  that  have  so  far  separated  us  from 
WILLIAM  GWYNN,  with  whom  we  have  had  a  close  ac- 
quaintance for  more  than  thirty  years,  and  always,  and, 
in  every  instance,  found  him  the  same  generous  and  af- 
fectionate friend,  and  worthy  gentleman.  But  as  he  re- 
mains with  us,  and  will  resume  his  profession  of  the 
law,  (or  rather  give  up  all  his  time  to  it),  we  hope  long 
to  enjoy  that  social  intercourse  with  him  which  has  so 
often  afforded  both  pleasure  and  profit. 

A  daily  newspaper  of  a  large  size,  and  called  the  "Ad- 
vertiser," is  now  publishing  in  the  city  (late  village)  ol 
Buffalo,  New  York — a  place  so  remote  and  unimportanl 
previous  to  1812,  as  hardly  to  obtain  a  mark  on  (lie  map, 
except  as  being  located  at  the  eastern  end  of  Lake  Erie. 
This  paper  is  made  up  of  seven  long  columns  in  each 
page,  and  twenty-three  columns  are  filled  with  good- 
looking  and  apparently  -wholesome  advertisements. 

Mr.  Taney,  late  secretary  of  the  treasury,  returned  to 
Baltimore  on  Monday  last,  at  about  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  He 
was  escorted  into  the  city  by  a  cavalcade  of  about  200 — 
and  met  a  large  number  of  his  political  friends  at  th 
Columbian  Garden,  as  previously  arranged,  who  were  ad 
dressed  by  him  and  others.  And,  on  Thursday  last,  hi 
dined  at  the  same  place,  with  a  very  numerous  company 
Vol.  XLVI— SIG.  25. 


The  party  was  addressed  by  Mr.  Taney,  Mr.  Beaton, 
f  the  senate,  and  Mr.  Jlllen,  of  the  house  of  repre- 
iresentatives  from  Ohio.  There  was  a  heavy  storm  of 
wind  and  rain  from  the  north,  which  carried  away  the 
wnings  over  the  tables  and  completely  drenched  the 
ompany,  while  Mr.  Benton  was  speaking. 

Mr.  JMcLane,  late  secretary  of  state,  also  arrived  at 
Baltimore,  with  his  family,  in  the  steamboat  from  Wash- 
ington, on  Tuesday  last,  without  parade  or  excitement, 
lis  arrival  was  expected — but  a  belief  was  entertained 
liat  he  wished  to  return  to  Delaware  with  the  quiet  of  a 
rivate  gentleman;  and,  if  this  opinion  had  not  prevailed, 
ach  of  the  great  political  parties  seemed  doubtful  of  the 
lourse  that  would  be  agreeable  to  him,  or  proper  in  them, 
o  pursue;  and  many  that  would  willingly  have  shewn  a 
ersonal  respect  to  Mr.  McLane,  were,  perhaps,  pre- 
'ented  by  the  considerations  just  stated — the  spirit  of 
which  was  not  unkind  or  discourteous. 

The  "National  Intelligencer"  of  Tuesday  says — 
Mr.  McLane,  the  late  secretary  of  state,  with  his  family,  left 
his  city  yesterday,  at  one  o'clock,  in  the  steamboat  for  Balti- 
nore,  on  his  way  to  his  residence  at  Wilmington,  in  Delaware. 
We  cannot  allow  this  truly  estimable  family  to  leave  us  with- 
out the  expression  of  regret,  which  we  are  sure  is  common  to 
lie  whole  circle  of  their  acquaintances,  that   circumstances 
ihould  have  obliged  them  to  retire  from  the  bosom  of  a  society 
ly  which,  without  reference  to  political  distinctions,  they  were 
espected  and  beloved. 

The  board  of  health  proclaims  several  deaths  from 
Cholera  in  Cincinnati — nine  in  the  preceding  week,  of 
which  six  were  strangers  and  three  residents;  but  they 
lo  not  regard  the  disease  as  a  present  epidemic,  and  ex- 
>ress  a  hope  that  it  will  not  become  one.  The  papers 
lso  contain  the  following  card — 

Epidemic  cholera.  This  disease,  which  razed  with  so  much 
iolence,  up  the  river  last  week  lias  been  rapidly  abating  for 
wo  or  three  days  past. 

The  fears  which  some  persons  entertained,  on  Sunday,  that 
t  was  about  to  become  prevalent  in  Cincinnati,  seems  not  like- 
y  to  be  realized.  Many  reasons  nuulit,  indeed,  be  given  for 
expecting  that  the  country  will  be  much  more  severely  visited 
linn  the  city.  Those  who  are  in  the  city  should  rsmain  at 
ionic.  It  was  a  singular  movement  of  a  number  of  persons  last 
week,  to  fly  to  the  country,  because  they  heard  the  cholera  was 
there. 

Those  who  came  into  the  city  for  security,  certainly  reasoned 
n  the  most  logical  manner. 

It  was  remarked  on  tbe  river,  where  the  cholera  lately  pre- 
vailed, that  it  was  constantly  worse  after  a  thunder  storm. 
Was  not  this  owing  to  the"  great  heat  before  and  the  coolness 
and  dampness  after  that  event?  All  persons,  according  to  this 
view,  should  be  careful  to  guard  against  the  action  of  the  air  on 
the  surface  of  their  bodies,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  night;  chil- 
dren especially  should  be  protected.  DANIEL  DRAKE,  M.  D. 

July  15,  4  P.  M. 

From  one  of  the  ascending  steamboats,  eighteen  per- 

ns  had  been  buried,  on  the  Mississippi — and  nearly  all 
the  boats  appear  to  lose  some  passengers,  most  of  whom 
are  German  emigrants,  badly  provided,  and  exposed  to 
the  mid-day  sun  and  night-air,  on  deck.  We  have  also 
the  following  from  the  Charleston  (S.  C.)  Patriot: 

We  learn  from  Clarendon,  that  an  epidemic  so  like  the  cho- 
lera prevails  there,  that  nt  least  one  physician  believes  it  to  be 
that  disease.  If  it  is,  it  seems  to  be  much  modified,  though  it 
has  been  more  fatal  than  any  ordinary  complaint  of  tbe  sort. 

has  lost  twenty  negroes   by  it.     On  the  other  side  of  the 

river,  (Riehland  district),  and  on  several  plantations,  the  great- 
er part  of  the  negroes  are  down  with  it. 

A  few  deaths  by  cholera  were  happening  at  several 
places  in  the  west.  Individuals  are  carried  off  in  very 
short  periods  of  time — and  men  wonder  that  death  so 
suddenly  follows  apparent  health. 

The  Irish  and  German  emigrants  seem  most  liable  to 
this  disease  of  all  other  persons.  They  are  congregated 
in  masses — badly  supplied  with  wholesome  food,  and 
oftentimes  covered  with  foul  clothing,  as  well  as  much 
exposed  to  the  weather.  Out  of  these  facts,  useful  know- 
ledge may  be  gained. 


862 


WILES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


The  most  careful  and  prudent,  and  best  provided  for 
persons,  sometimes  die  of  the  cholera — but  the  compara- 
tive number  of  these  is  few,  even  when  the  disease  be- 
comes an  epidemic. 

Many  fatal  cases  of  cholera  are  happening  a*  Montre- 
al, La  Chine,  and  other  places  in  Canada.  The  newly 
arrived  emigrants  make  up  the  greater  part  of  the  num- 
ber, and  they  perish  also  from  the  free  use  of  cold  water. 
The  thermometer  had  ranged  between  90  and  98,  in  the 
shade. 

The  bank  of  the  United  States  has  considerably  in- 
creased its  discounts,  and  freely  purchased  exchange  on 
England — neither  of  which  gives  satisfaction  to  its  oppo- 
nents, though  also  lately  dissatisfied  while  the  bank  was 
gathering  up  its  means  to  defend  itself,  and  so  preserve 
a  sound  currency,  in  which,  as  we  have  shewn,  the  stock- 
holders of  that  bank  have  a  due  per  interest  than  any 
other  class  of  persons. 

It  is  said  that  exchange  will  soon  rise  to  the  real  par, 
as  it  must,  if  persons  resume  confidence  in  business,  and 
make  importations  of  goods  as  heretofore;  and  added, 
that  the  bank  will  make  a  large  profit  on  its  draughts  on 
London.  For  this,  also,  the  bank  is  assailed. 

Though  some  relief  has  been  afforded  in  the  money 
market,  the  vet  sluggish  circulation  of  money  renders  it 
"scarce" — for  persons  who  have  it  are  cautious  in  suffer- 
ing it  to  pass  out  of  their  possession;  and  thus  we  sup- 
pose that  it  will  be,  let  the  United  States  bank  do  all  Uiat 
it  possibly  can,  until  the  business  of  the  currency  is  some- 
how arranged,  and  persons  can  ascertain  what  may  be 
reasonably  depended  on. 

As  an  evidence  of  w  hat  is  just  stated,  we  see  it  shewn 
in  the  United  States  Gazette,  that  the  Philadelphia  loan 
of  1833,  for  $100,000,  was  taken  at  a  premium  of  $15,050 
—the  offerings  being  346,500;  but  now  a  loan  for  the  like 
sum,  and  of  the  same,  description,  has  produced  a  pre- 
mium oronly  $6,021 — or  8,928  less  than  in  the  last  year, 
and  the  offerings  amounted  only  to  147,000,  of  which 
30,000  came  from  the  sinking  fund  of  the  city. 

The  excitement  about  banking  matters  continues  in 
Baltimore.  A  publication  issued  by  Mr.  Poultney,  late 
president  of  the  bank  of  Maryland,  implicates  other  per- 
sons, and,  involving  important  transactions,  many  sin- 
gular expositions  are  expected.  There  are  other  pro- 
ceedings concerning  the  "Tennessee  bonds"  of  an  excit- 
ing character. 

These  things  have,  at  present,  too  much  of  a  local 
character  for  our  pages — and  besides,  we  do  not  wish  to 
meddle  with  them  at  all;  hut  may,  and  will,  if  it  shall 
appear  to  us  that  the  public  good  is  concerned  in  refer- 
ences to  them.  Of  this  we  are  sure,  that  the  welfare 
of  the  city  is  not  promoted  by  these  doings. 


The  following  is  a  notice  of  the  third  case  of  the  kind 
that  has  been  recently  published.  The  question  has  of- 
tentimes been  asked,  where  is  the  treasury  of  the  United 
States?  It  IPOS  at  Washington — but  to  some,  even  of  the 
public  officers,  it  is  not  there  at  present. 

The  Philadelphia  Daily  Advertiser  says — 

"Some  time  since,  a  mercantile  house  of  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia received  a  remittance  for  a  house  in  Upper  Missouri,  of  a 
draft  on  R.  B.  Taney,  secretary  of  the  United  Slates  treasury, 
Washington  city,  drawn  by  the  surveyor  of  public  lands  at  Lit- 
tle Rock,  in  Arkansas  territory,  for  375  dollars,  being  one  quar- 
ter's salary,  due  and  payable  on  tliclir.-tut.lHly.  This  draft 
wag  deposited  for  collection,  and,  when  due,  was  protested  for 
non-payment.  The  reason  given  in  the  protest  was,  that,  when 
the  notary  presented  It  at  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  the  trea- 
sury for  payment,  'the  chief  clerk  replied,  it  could  be  paid  by  a 
check  on  Natchez  or  New  Orleans — not  otherwise.'  The  draft 
and  protest  were  therefore  sent  back  to  Philadelphia,  and  the 
mercantile  house,  having  no  authority  to  receive  such  kind  of 
payment,  was  compelled  to  return  it  to  the  house  in  Upper  Mis- 
souri, who  will  have  to  send  down  to  Arkansas  territory  to  get 
authority  to  receive  payment  in  checks  nt  ^  to  3  per  cent,  below 
par,  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  lime,  and  expenses  of  protest  and 
postages." 

To  what  an  extent  the  losses  spoken  of  might  have 
proceeded  no  one  can  v«nture  to  say,  bad  not  the  foHow- 
ing  clause,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Poindextw,  been  in- 
serted, or  forced,  into  the  general  appropriation  bill — 


"Sec.  3.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  no  payment  of  the 
money,  appropriated  by  ihis  aei,  or  any  other  act  paused  at  the 
present  session  ol  congress,  shall  be  made  in  the  note  or  notes 
of  any  bank  which  shall  not  be  at  par  value  at  the  place  where 
SIH-II  payment  may  be  made,  provided  that  nothing  lit-n-in  con- 
tained shall  be  construed  to  make  any  thing  but  gold  and  silver 
a  tender  in  payment  of  any  debt  due  from  the  United  States  to 
individuals." 

But  for  this  clause,  millions  of  "uncurrent  money" 
would  have  been  imposed  on  the  circulation,  as  it  was 
mentioned  in  our  lust  that  ihe  crew  of  a  public  vessel, 
at  Portsmouth,  X.  H.  had  been  paid  oft'  in  bills  of  the 
western  batiks  of  *\"ew  York  or  the  bank  of  Michigan, 
which  "poor, lack"  had  to  sell,  before  he  could  purchase 
"even  a  glass-of  grog. "*  Had  not  such  proceedings  been 
arrested,  an  unparalleled  amount  of  shaving  would  be 
now  transacting  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
thing  so  managed  that,  while  the  deposite  bank  at  Ports- 
mouth, perhaps,  paid  off  the  public  creditors  in  bills  of 
the  bank  of  JJetroit,  the  latter  would  pay  them  in  bills 
of  the  bank  at  Portsmouth,  and,  through  the  aid  of  friend- 
ly, if  not  allied  dealers  in  "money, "  each  bank,  or  its 
agent  or  other  shaver,  would  make  2  or  3  per  cent. — say 
Jive  per  cent,  on  the  double  operation.  This  would  be  a 
"sweating  of  candles,"  and  "sanding  of  sugar,"  with  a 
vengeance!  The  following  was  the  vote  in  the  senate, 
on  this  clause — a  party  one,  with  the  exception  of  Mr. 
King,  of  Geo.  in  the  affirmative,  and  Mr.  Kent,  of  Ma- 
ryland, in  the  negative. 

YEAS— Messrs.  Bibb,  Black,  Chambers,  Clay.  Clayton,  Ew- 
ing,  Frelingliuysrn,  King,  of  Georgia,  Knight,  Mangnm,  Nau- 
dain,  Poiridexter.  Porter.  Premiss,  Bobbin?,  Sil.-bee.  Smith, 
Southard,  Sprague,  Tomlinson,,Wagganiaii,  Webster— 22. 

NAYS — Messrs.  Benton,  Brown,  Forsytli,  Griindy,  Hen- 
drieks,  Hill,  Kane,  Kent.  King,  of  Alabama,  Linn,  Morr'is,  Pres- 
ton, Shepley,  While,  Wilkins,  Wright— 16. 

It  is  impossible,  we  think,  that  a  majority  of  the  gen- 
tlemen in  the  negative  could  have  viewed  this  matter  in 
the  light  in  which  it  now  presents  itself  so  clearly  to  us; 
and  the  senator  from  Pennsylvania  might  have  well  re- 
collected an  occurrence  which  happened  in  his  own  state, 
not  very  long  ago,  which,  whether  truly  proclaimed  or 
not,  was  the  main  cause  of  changing  the  administration 
of  that  commonwealth. 

But  even  with  this  wholesome  clause  inserted  in  the 
bill  [which  happily  applies  to  all  the  appropriation  bills] 
great  inconvenience  will  ensue  if  the  spirit  of  the  pro- 
ceeding stated  as  to  the  surveyor  in  Arkansas,  is  carried 
out  in  extenso—und  injustice  also  be  done,  in  the  new 
conditions  forced  on  persons  claiming  payment  for  pub- 
lic services  rendered.  It  easily  may  be,  and,  in  many 
instances,  no  doubt  was,  a  part  of  the  consideration  of 
contractors  and  others  that  they  were  to  be  paid  in  funds 
that  were  of  equal,  or,  as  nearly  as  possible,  equal  value 
in  the  east  and  the  west,  the  north  and  the  south — for  the 
payment  of  3  per  cent,  on  exchanges  is  the  same  as  a 
loss  of  six  months  use  of  money — which  is  no  small 
affair  in  business  transactions;  and  it  is  well  known  that 
the  public  disbursements  in  the  west  have  entered  exten- 
sively into  the  amount  of  remittances  eastward,  leaving 
the  local  currency,  or  specie  circulation,  to  that  amount, 
"at  home,"  for  common  use.  A  check  on  Nutchez  or 
JVeio  Orleans,  is  just  as  good  to  satisfy  debts  or  make 
purchases  in  either  city,  as  a  check  on  Philadelphia  or 
JVeio  York  is,  to  be  used  in  them;  but  if  the  funds  are 
not  to  be  expended  at  the  place  where  the  check  is 
payable,  the  check  becomes  a  bill  (if  exchange,  or  an  ar- 
ticle of  merchandise,  and  commands  a  premium  or  sub- 
mits to  a  discount,  according  to  the  course  of  trade, 
which  seems  against  the  west  so  far  as  this — that,  al- 
though a  great  deal  of  money  is  carried,  or  transmitted, 


Our  authority  for  this  is  the  "Providence  Journal,"  which 
also  says— 

"It  is  known  thai  almost  every  claim  againsl  ihe  government 
for  services  and  supplies,  is  now  paid  by  checks  on  distant  de- 
posit.- hank*.  Bills  for  $1,$2,  $5,  $10  and  §100,  are  paid  by 
the  treasury  department,  by  remitting  to  the  public  creditor  in 
Maine,  Louisiana,  and  other  remote  parts  . it' t hi-  country,  checks 
on  the  bank  of  the  Metropolis,  at  Washington,  which  are  cold 
by  thus.!  who  receive  them  in  payment  for  honest  claims,  at  10, 
SO  and  50  per  cent,  discount.  We  have  seen  check*  for  $2,  $3 
and  $5,  drawn  by  officers  of  the  different  department.-!  on  thi* 
favorile  p.-t  institution,  >n>i  here  to  pay  lulls  against  the  go- 
vermin-lit,  ol  these  small  iiiiiount.x.  They  were  of  course  scarce- 
ly worth  colli-cling,  and  were  sold  by  the  holders  for  50  and  60 
per  ccul.  discount." 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


863 


from  the  east  to  the  west,  it  generally,  and  soon,  return 
to  the  east,  not  oppressively,  but  as  it  were  naturally — 
and  in  the  same  manner,  and  on  the  same  principle,  tha 
the  United  States,  on  account  of  stocks  or  importations 
or  otherwise,  is  always  behind-hand  with  Great  Britain 
though  bills  on  the  latter  country  may  be  really  uuclei 
the  true  par  in  the  former;  this  case  oftentimes  shewing 
(as  at  present),  only  an  inability,  or  an  indisposition,  to 
purchase  then). 

There  is  a  "right"  in  the  government,  surely,  to  paj 
its  creditors  where  it  pleases,  being  so  understood  in  tin 
contract  or  engagement  made  between  the  parties;  b< 
the  exercise  of  tliaf  right,  without  such  an  •understand- 
ing',  may  be  altogether  unjust,  and  certainly  stands  as  an 
admission  that  the  "experiment"  of  giving  us  a  "-better 
currency'"  than  the  hank  furnished,  has  already  failed. 
The  state  banks,  acting  independently  of  each  other,  ant 
every  one  far  itself,  cannot  carry  on  the  exchanges  which 
the  business  of  tlie  nation  requires,  without  large  pay- 
ments or  losses  on  account  of  premiums  or  discounts,  ot 
cost  of  transportations  of  money;  and  it  should  be  recol- 
lected that  the  average  of  the  240  millions  of  dollars, 
in  distant*  exchanges,  (made  by  the  hank  of  the  U.  S.  in 
1832),  cost  the  public  only  the  eleventh  part  of  one  per 
cent.  What  would  it  have  cost  to  have  made  these  ex- 
changes in  dollars? 

One  oilier  remark.  The  cost  of  exchanges,  or  amount  of 
discounts  paid  on  uncut-rent  bills  or  bank  notes,  ultimate- 
ly, and  oftentimes,  directly,^  falls  chiefly  on  the  working 
or  poorer  classes  of  the  people.  The  public  contractor 
or  private  merchant  may  calculate,  and  should  calculate, 
the  losses  on,  or  reductions  of  profit  to  which  he  is  lia- 
ble, and  add  them,  as  the  importer  adds  the  duty  on  goods 
received  from  foreign  countries,  all  which  must  fall  upon 
consumers.  But  there  is  this  great  difference,  that  du- 
ties, so  far  as  they  have  a  pure  protecting  character,  are 
fully  balanced  in  advanced  wages  paid  for  labor  and  ma- 
terials and  supplies  of  all  sorts;  whereas  the  losses  sus- 
tained on  exchanges  have  no  countervailing  benefit, 
unless  in  the  support  of  the  few  persons  who  deal  in 
money. 

The  "Richmond  Enquirer"  gives  the  following  extract 
from  the  will  of  the  late  Mr.  Randolph,  of  Roanoke, 
dated  January  1st,  1832. 

"I  do  hereby  appoint  my  friend,  William  Leigh,  of  Halifax, 
and  my  brother,  Henry  St.  George  Tucker,  president  of  the 
court  of  appeals,  executors  of  this  my  last  will  and  testament, 
requiring  them  to  sell  all  the  slaves  and  other  personal  or  pe- 
rishable property,  and  vest  the  proceeds  in  bank  stock  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States,  and  in  default  of  there  being  such 
bank,  (which  may  God  grant,  for  the  safety  of  our  liberties),  in 
the  English  3  per  cent,  consols;  and  in  case  of  there  being -no 
such  stocks,  (which  also  may  God  grant,  for  the  salvation  of 
old  England),  then  in  the  United  States  3  per  cent,  stock,  or  in 
defect  of  such  stock  in  mortgages  on  land  in  England." 

There  is,  in  our  apprehension,  no  small  degree  of  in- 
consistency in  the  points  made  in  this  extract.  He,  Mr. 
R.  regarded  the  bank  of  the  United  States  as  the  safest 
possible  place  of  deposite  for  his  money,  and  directed 
that  it  should  be  vested  in  its  stock — and  yet,  for  the  sake 
of  the  "liberties"  of  his  country,  wished  that  there  should 
be  no  such  bank:  but,  for  the  safety  of  this  money,  he 
would  have  made  his  heirs  partners  in  the  concern 
against  liberty.  If  such  a  bank  ought  not  to  be,  why  in- 
terest persons  in  its  continuance,  and  give  it  fresh 
strength  to  do  evil?  Every  man  opposed  to  any  particu- 
lar thing,  should  not  touch  it;  and  one  of  the  weakest,  as 
well  as  most  common  excuses  for  offences,  is — "If  I  won't 
another  will,  and  so  I  may  as  -well  do  it. "  The  testator 
must  have  well  known  that  all  new  demands  for  the  stock 
of  a  bank  strengthens  the  bank,  in  the  increased  public 

•Meaning  those  out  of  the  places  at  the  bank  or  its  several 
offices  are  located,  and  including,  of  course,  all  the  exchanges 
between  the  offices,  &c. 

{Millions  of  "good  money"  have  been  exchanged  with  bro 
kers  for  "country  money"  at  a  discount  on  the  latter,  and  di- 
rectly paid  to  working  people.  We  have  many  times  known  the 
very  bank  notes  that  we  sold  to  brokers,  as  unfitted  to  pay  our 
workmen,  sold  to  other  employers  to  pay  on"  theirs.  We  have 
repeatedly  seen  the  exact  operation  performed;  and  the  money 
thus  obtained  and  paid  out,  very  probably  came  back  to  the 
same  broker,  to  undergo  another  operation,  before  the  work- 
man's wife  entered  the  market  to  purchase  food  for  the  family. 
There  is  less  of  this  going  on  than  theie  used  to  be— but  still 
cases  are  not  wanting. 


confidence,  as  well  as  personal  interest,  that  it  inspires. 
Why  then  become  a  party  in  ihfc  case  stated? 

\\  <•  should  have  thought  that  Mr.  R.  would  have  pre- 
ferred "mortgages  on  hind'"  in  the  "Ancient  Dominion," 
to  all  other  kinds  of  security — hut  in  case  of  default  in 
the  stocks  described,  he  directs  that  the  investment  should 
be  made  on  "mortgages  on  land  in  England" — and  the 
whole  shews,  that  he  had  full  faith  in  the  solvency  of  the 
bank  of  the  United  States — much  faith  in  the  U'ritibh  3 
per  cent,  consols — and  a  saving  faith  in  mortgages  on 
English  land — but  no  faith  in  the  public  stocks  of  his  own 
country  or  state,  or  any  of  the  states,  (except  the  United 
States  3  per  cents.)  or  in  the  state  banks,  nor  on  proper- 
ty in  American  lands,  to  pay  interest  upon  or  repay  the 
capital  invested. 

To  estimate  the  matter  rightfully,  it  should  he  recol- 
lected that  Mr.  R.  was  opposed  to  the  whole  banking 
system,  and  oftentimes  had  expressed  his  regret  tliat  the 
old  days  of  honesty  and  chivalry,  when  debts  were  paid 
in  "TOBACCO,"  had  passed  away,  never  to  return  to — 
Virginia!  He  had  a  better  opinion  of  "pounds  of  tobac- 
co" than  of  pennyweights  of  gold.  lie  seemed  to  consi- 
der tobacco  u-ii  original  principle  of  value! 

The  "Globe"  of  the  21st,  speaking  of  the  late  dividend 
of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  has  the  following  pa- 
ragraphs, which  we  insert  just  as  they  are  printed  in  that 
paper: 

We  have  been  put  in  possession  of  a  fact  which  may  ex- 
plain the  seizure  and  sequestration  of  the  public  dividends  by 
Ihe  bank.  It  will  be  recollected  that  the  dividend  recently  de- 
clared for  the  last  six  months,  was  3-}  per  cent.  Now,  we  are 
informed,  that  to  take  up  this  dividend,  reyuii ed  about  $70,000 
more  than  the  entire  nett  profits  of  the  bank  for  the  last  star 
months!  So  great  have  been  Mr.  Biddle's  printing  and  other 
political  expenses,  and  so  disastrous  his  needless  curtailment* 
upon  the  interests  of  the  bank,  that  he  was  obliged,  in  order  to 
keep  up  the  usual  dividends,  to  make  a  breach  into  his  capital 
or  reserved  funds,  or  plunder  somebody  to  make  up  the  defi- 
ciency. Having  a  majority  of  the  senate  devoted  to  him,  and 
ready  to  defend  all  his  outrages,  he  has  thought  the  best  way 
to  make  it  up  is  to  plunder  the  government!  This  he  has  done, 
jy  seizing  on  the  public  dividends,  to  the  amount  of  $158,000. 
This  makes  up  the  $70,000  deficiency,  and  leaves  $88,000  sur- 
plus, to  be  used  (or  a  like  purpose  in  future. 

Thus  it  is  that  THE  PEOPLE  are  made  to  pay  for  the  cor- 
ruptions of  this  bank.  The  most  brazen-faced  of  the  bank  ad- 
vocates do  not  pretend  that  the  bank  has  really  incurred  a  da- 
mage of  $158,000.  All  they  maintain  is,  that  by  law  they  are 
authorised  to  charge  it.  By  their  own  showing,  it  is  charging 
something  for  nothing!  It  has  no  equity  or  justice  in  it,  ac- 
:ording  to  their  own  statement  of'the  case.  They  take  the  mo- 
ley,  not  because  it  is  right— not  because  they  have  paid,  or 
done,  or  suffered  any  thing  for  it— but  because  they  say  it  is 
awful. 

But  the  truth  is,  there  is  no  law  to  authorise  it.  No  law, 
no  precedent — nothing  can  be  fonnd  to  palliate  the  outrage. 
1'he  bank  seizes  the  money,  because  its  managers  think  they 
can  hold  it  through  the  corruption  of  the  public  authorities!  We 
hall  see. 

We  should  think  that  if  there  was  a  reasonable  dis- 
cretion in  the  editorship  of  the  "Globe,"  the  matter 
ibout  the  bill  that  was  drawn  upon  France  would  never 
>e  stirred,  for  people  are  apt  to  ask — why  was  the  bill 
Irawn  at  all'  but,  if  properly  drawn,  WHY  sold,  instead 
of  being  handed  over  for  collection? — for  it  is  alleged 
hat  its  product,  passed  to  the  credit  of  the  United  States, 
remained  idle  in  the  bank,  and,  therefore,  that  neither  da- 
mages or  interest  ought  to  be  charged.  The  treasury, 
n  this  affair,  performed  a  common  mercantile  opera- 
ion, — but  a  merchant  would  be  thought  insane,  if  of- 
ering  to  excuse  himself  from  the  payment  of  damages 
or  interest  on  such  a  bill,  for  the  reason  that  he  had 
lad  as  large  an  amount  of  money  lying  idle  in  a  bank. 
And  such  merchant  would  also  be  thought  a  "queer  one" 
fool,  perhaps,  for  selling,  or  having  discounted,  any 
iill  due  him,  before  it  \vas  apparent  that  he  should  want 
ts  proceeds.  The  bank  offered  to  collect  the  bill,  and 
hen  the  usual  or  actual  rates  of  exchange  -would  only 
lave  been  required  or  paid;  but  it  was  desired  that  'the 
>ill  should  be  purchased  by  the  bank — and  thus  the  bank 
vas  made  liable  for  the  damages  charged,  and  would  have 
jeen  compelled  to  pay  them  but  for  the  intervention  of 
i  friend  of  that  institution,  who,_/t/r  the  honor  of  the  bank, 
laid  the  amount  of  the  bill — and  ye  t  the  demand  for  da- 
nages  in  this  case,  such  as  no  merchant  or  dealing  man 
would  dare  to  deny  the  exact  justice  of,  is  called  "/>/««- 
'ering,"  "brazen-faced,"  &c.  and  the  reference  made  to 


804 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


the  law,  also  imputes  a  charge  of  "corruption?'  in  the  ju- 
es, by  the  "Globe,"  for  doing 


diciary  of  the  United  State 

•what  the  law  ordains;  for  there  is  plain  law  on  this  sub- 
ject, aye,  and  pecedent  too,  notwithstanding  what  is  so 
recklessly  asserted  on  that  subject. 

Of  other  points  made  it  is  useless  to  speak. 

The  following  paragraphs  concerning  the  gold  bills 
and  gold,  are  registered  for  future  use— 
Extracts  from  the  Globe. 

"Happily  they  have  lull  lew  banks  in  the  west,  and  therefore 
need  gold  10  carry  about  and  to  travel  upon.  Happily  again, 
the  greatest  supply  of  gold  will  go  to  the  west.  The  emigrants 
removing  to  thai  great  region  will  all  carry  gold  in  preference 
to  either  silver  or  paper;  for  it  is  lighter  than  silver,  and  ^ilrr 
than  paper-  The  land  offices  will  become  receptacles  unit  re- 
lervuirs  of  gold;  whence  it  will  be  distributed  to  the  country 
through  the  government  disbursements  through  the  militaiy. 
the  surveying  and  the  Indian  department*;  and  wo  to  the  officer 
who,  having  received  gold  from  the  government,  shall  presume, 
or  dare,  to  offer  paper  to  the  soldiers,  or  citizens.  Then  a  great 
stream  of  gold  will  flow  up  the  Mississippi  from  New  Orleans, 
and  diffuse  itself  all  over  the  great  west.  Nearly  all  the  gold 
coinage  of  the  new  woild  will  come  to  the  United  States;  for 
all  the  coinage  of  the  new  governments  of  Mexico  and  South 
America,  being  the  coinage  of  rebel  provinces,  cannot  go  to  old 
Spain,  or  to  any  of  her  dependencies,  and  therefore  will  come 
to  the  United  Slates  as  its  natural  and  best  market.  This  will 
fill  the  west  with  doubloons  and  half  joes;  and  in  eight  or  nine 
months  from  this  time,  every  substantial  citizen  will  have  a 
long  silken  purse,  of  fine  open  net  work,  through  the  intersti- 
ces of  which  the  yellow  gold  will  shine  and  glitter.  Then  tra- 
vellers will  be  free  from  the  pestilence  of  ragged,  filthy  and 
counterfeit  notes.  Every  substantial  man,  and  every  substan- 
tial man's  wife  and  daughter,  will  travel  upon  gold.  The  sa- 
tellites of  the  bank  alone,  to  show  their  servile  subjection  to 
their  liege  monarch,  will  repine  at  the  loss  of  paper!'' 

So  gold  was  to  be  "as  plenty  as  blackberries;"  but  the 
"Globe"  again  says  — 

"So  inveterate  is  the  bank  opposition  to  this  great  measure, 
that  many  bank  men  actually  refine  to  receive  gold!  although  it 
is  but  a  few  days,  only  until  the  first  day  of  August,  that  it  be- 
comes a  legal  tender,  at  the  advanced  rates.  They  refuse  to 
receive  it  except  at  the  old  rates,  pretending  that  they  prefer 
United  States  bank  notes  to  gold.  The  republicans  on  the 
other  hand,  proudly  receive  gold  at  the  advanced  rates;  anti 
thus  a  new  standard  is  developed  in  the  country  by  which  to 
test  political  parties.  The  bank  party  deride  gold;  the  republi- 
cans extol  it  —  the  bank  party  throw  it  aside,  and  pretend  they 
do  not  want  it;  the  republicans  eagerly  seek  after  it,  and  prefer 
it  to  any  thing  else.  Every  republican  that  can  get  gold,  travels 
upon  it;  every  bank  whig  prefers  the  Bid-well  notes. 
From  the  Pennsylvanian. 

I  understand  ihe  operations  of  this  establishment  [the  mint  o 
the  United  Slates]  are  very  tardy.  It  is  well  known  that  it  ha 
been  for  many  years  used  principally  for  the  convenience  o 
the  U.  S.  bank;  and,  unless  I  am  greatly  misinformed,  that 
•titution  has  acquired,  and  now  exercises,  too  mticii  influenc 
over  the  operations  of  this  establishment. 

It  is  very  certain  that  if  the  U.  S.  bank  can,  by  any  means 
prevent  the  gold  coins  from  getting  into  circulation  until  after 
the  October  elections,  it  will  be  a  great  object  gained,  and  il  i 
necessary  for  the  people  to  exercise  a  most  watchful  supervi 
eion  over  all  the  public  otBcers  who  have  any  thing  to  do  wit 


vered  at  the  mint,  and  no  eagles  be  made  till  the  law  shall  be 
revised  and  amended  at  the  next  session  of  congress. 

We  have  only  to  express  an  opinion  that  gold  will  not 
come  into  common  use  "until after  the  October  elec- 
tions!" The  eagles  and  their  parts,  at  present  coined, 
will  never  enter  into  the  circulation,  with  their  fraction- 
al values  added.  They  are  exceedingly  inconvenient, 
and  the  people  cannot  understand  them.  And  as  to  a 
new  coinHge,  the  preceding  statement  puts  a  "stopper" 
on  that,  if  the  matter  is  rightfully  calculated — but  were 
it  otherwise,  no  one  could  have  expected  a  great  emis- 
sion from  the  mint — "before  the  October  elections!"  It 
will  require  some  time  to  get  gold,  and  prepare  it  for 
coinage.  Before  a  salmon  is  "cooked,"  it  must  be 
caught.  And  what  have  the  elections  to  do  with  this 
thing?  THE  ELECTIONS ! 

ll  would  seem,  however,  from  the  great  noise  that  has 
been  made  about  them,  that  the  gold  bills  are  thought, 
by  some,  to  have  much  to  do  with  the  elections! — though 
not  at  all  opposed  in  congress  on  party  grounds,  nor  other- 
wise objected  to,  except  that,  in  the  opinion  of  several  of 
the  best  informed  members,  the  legal  value  of  gold,  as 
established  in  these  bills,  was  rather  high,  as  measured 
by  the  legal  value  of  silver — which  latter  is  the  basis  of 


the  gold  coins. 


PAUL  PRY. 


We  see  it  stated,  in  some  of  the  papers,  that  the  gol 
tables  published  are  not  correct.  We  have  not  invest! 
gated  the  subject,  and  do  not  affect  to  understand  it.  Th 
following,  has  reference  to  another  subject,  and  is  calle 
by  the  editor  of  the  Boston  Centinel  "inadvertent  legis 
lation." 

A  correspondent,  who  is  an  intelligent  and  accurate  me 
chant,  has  sent  us  the  following  item. 

In  the  new  goU  taw,  the  weight  of  an  eagle  is  required  to  be 


egal  values  with  us,  and  in  many  other  countries.  But 
ic  "Globe,"  and  the  numerous  other  presses  iv/uch  say 
s  it  says,  do  not  understand,  or  suppress  the  fact,  that 
ic  legal  value  attached  to  gold  will  hare  no  sort  of  ef- 
ect  on  its  real  value,  in  the  money  market.  Our  old 
oinage  is  now  only  as  bullion,  and  will  remain  so  till 
xhausted;  and  if  the  legal  value  in  the  new  coinage  be 
oo  high,  that  will  also  become  bullion,  except  in  forced 
ransactions  under  the  laws  These  may  give  a  certain 
egree  of  currency  to  even  an  adulterated  coinage.  The 
continental  bills"  had  such  a  one  in  the  revolution.  But 
f  the  legal  rate  of  silver  renders  ten  dollars  more  -valna- 
)le  than  an  eagle,  the  eagle,  at  10  dollars,  will  not  be- 
come the  measure  of  •values. 

We  as  heartily  desire  a  supply  of  gold  coins,  especially 
of  half  eagles  and  quarters,  as  any  one;  and  only  differ 
with  some  as  to  the  quantity  of  fine  gold  to  be  contained 
n  them.  Frequently,  and  many  years  ago,  we  spoke  of 
he  too  loio  value  that  we  had  placed  on  gold — and  shall 
rejoice  in  seeing  that  the  new  value  has  not  been  placed 
too  higli. 

Mr.  I^etcher  has  published  a  spirited  address  to  the 
people  of  the  5lh  congressional  district  of  Kentucky. 
His  late  opponent,  Mr.  Moore,  it  is  said,  lias  addressed 
a  note  to  Mr.  L.  proposing  that  both  of  them  should 
withdraw  their  claims — a  proposition  which  "will  be  re- 
jected with  scorn,"  says  one  of  the  journals  of  the  dis- 
trict. 

Two  members  of  congress  Mr.  Denting,  of  Vermont, 
and  Mr.  Slade,  of  Illinois,  have  died  since  the  recess  of 
congress. 

Charles  Webster,  esq.  recently  died  at  Saratoga  Springs, 
•n  the  72d  year  of  his  age.  Fifty  years  ago  he  established, 
and  for  forty  years  published,  the  "Albany  Gazette." 
He  was  an  exeellent  man. 

The  New  Orleans  "Argus"  of  the  llth,  though  not 
given  to  huzzaing,  has  an  article  headed  "Huzza!  huzza 
for  White ! !"  and  "Glorious  triumph !"  And  then  pro- 


258  grains  of  standard  gold— the  half  engle  139,  and  the  quarter 
eagle  64}.  The  value  of  standard  gold  is  fixed  at  94  and  8  10  ct. 
per  dwt.  At  this  rate  a  new  eagle  weighing  258  grains,  would 
come  to  $10  19  instead  ol',«10." 

If  these  statements  be  correct,  there  has  been  nn  error  of  le- 
gislation, which  must  have  been  inadvertent,  and  was  probably 
a  clerical  one.  We  find  that  353  grains  standard  gold,  are 
equal  to  $10,  and  consequently,  the  eagle  ought  to  con.-Ut  of 
that  weight,  instead  of  258,  as  provided  by  the  law.  This 
might  have  been  set  down  as  a  typographical  error,  but  that 
half  and  quarter  eagles  are  I'm  d  at  the  half  and  quarter  of  258, 
as  appears  above,  and  moreover,  numerals  in  legislative  acts 
are  written  out.  It  is  not  improbable,  that  in  'the  original 
draught  of  the  act,  a  figure  3  may  have  been  mistaken  for  8, 
and  the  other  calculations  based  upon  the  error  and  written 
out  after  the  erroneous  draught  when  the  law  came  to  be  en- 
grossed. Come  the  mistake  whence  it  may,  should  any  new 
•agles  be  made  conformably  to  it,  they  would  be  worth  more 
than  $10.  But  the  probability  is,  that  the  error  will  b«  diico- 


pro- 

ceeds  to  say  that  in  the  city  the  vote  was,  for  White  (for 
governor)  948;  Dawson  542 — and  adds,  "we  have  carried 
all  our  ticket,  and  Mr.  White  is  now  2,000  ahead,  in  this 
and  the  adjoining  parishes." 

When  the  counting  of  the  votes  in  the  city  was  conclud- 
ed, a  band  in  attendance  struck  up  "See  the  conquering 
hero  comes,"  arid  the  successful  candidates  were  sere- 
naded until  after  midnight.  This  is  the  way  of  doing 
things  in  New  Orleans. 

It  will  be  some  days,  however,  before  we  can  learn  the 
result  of  this  election.  Air.  Daivson  was  expected  to 
have  a  very  strong  vote  in  the  south-eastern  parishes. 

//.  Johnson  (nnli-Jackson)  has  been  elected  to  congress 
in  the  place  of  Mr.  White. 

Mr.  F.-ii-ing,  of  the  senate,  has  accepted  an  invitation 
on  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Kanaw  ha,  Va.  to  partake  of  a 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


865 


public  dinner  with  them.  In  his  letter  of  acceptance,  Mr. 
fc.  says — • 

"The  valley  of  the  Kanawha,  is  to  me,  a  scene  of  early,  and 
cherished  recollections,  and  it  will  afford  me  the  highest  satis- 
faction to  revisit  it,  and  to  take  by  the  hand  my  old  and  es- 
teemed friends,  from  whom,  long  since,  and  under  far  different 
circumstances,  I  received  marks  of  kindness  and  regard,  which 
I  still  delight  to  recur  to  and  will  long  treasure  in  my  memory." 

It  was  in  the  "valley  of  the  Kanawha"  that  Mr.  Ew- 
ing  laid  the  foundation  of  his  present  high  standing  in 
society,  by  literally  lie-toing  his  way  to  obtain  an  educa- 
tion,— which  had  been  denied  to  him  in  early  youth,  by 
the  adversity  of  his  fortunes. 

The  committee,  in  their  letter  of  invitation,  say — 

They  recognise  in  you  not  only  a  native  son  of  our  ancient 
commonwealth,  but  a  cherished  friend  and  former  resident  of 
this  valley.  And  it  is  with  no  ordinary  feelings  of  gratification 
and  pride,  that  they  have  witnessed  your  advancement  to  the 
distinguished  station  now  occupied  by  you,  and  winch  you 
have  filled  with  equal  credit  to  yourself  and  honor  to  our  com- 
mon country. 

The  letter  is  signed  by  A.  Donnally,  Wm.  Whitteker, 
Charles  Brown,  Benj.  H.  Smith,  Spicer  Patrick,  Tho- 
mas Wells,  Andrew  Parks,  L.  Welch,  D.  Ruffner,  Joel 
Shrewsbury  sen.  George  W.  Summers,  John  J.  Cabell, 
J.  C.  McFarland,  Richard  K.  Cralle,  D.  Smith. 

Several  of  the  persons  engaged  in  the  late  riots  in 
New  York  have  been  tried,  and  some  of  them  sent  to  the 
penitentiary,  for  short  periods  of  time. 

In  noticing  the  criminal  trials  at  New  York,  and  in 
other  places,  we  have  been  oftentimes  led  to  believe  that 
our  present  state  prisons  are  not  penitentiaries,  and  that 
this  project  of  "reform"  has  totally  failed.  We  see  that 
some  have  been  confined  three  or  four  times,  and  that 
one  person,  only  30  years  old,  had  spent  17  of  them  in  a 
state  prison,  which  he  has  just  re-entered  for  another 
term.  These  institutions,  in  our  opinion,  are  much  bet- 
ter fitted  to  prevent  offences  than  to  correct  the  habits  of 
offenders — and  hence,  that  petit  crimes  should  be  other- 
wise punished,  and  great  offences,  or  repeated  offences 
by  the  same  person,  have  a  much  lengthened  period  of 
service— and,  as  it  were,  without  the  hope  of  pardon. 

The  report  of  a  battle  with  the  "Mormons,"  in  Jack- 
son county,  Missouri,  was  not  true;  but  these  people,  to 
the  number  of  800  or  1,000,  well  armed,  advanced,  as- 
sured by  their  prophet,  Smith,  that  he  would  raise  all  that 
should  be  killed  in  fighting  the  battles  of  the  Lord! 
The  people  of  Jackson  county  had  also  armed  them- 
selves, and  a  bloody  fight  must  have  ensued,  had  the  par- 
ties come  into  contact.  But  they  had  not,  at  the  latest 
advices,  and  a  hope  is  expressed  that  some  negotiations 
may  be  entered  into,  to  quiet  the  controversy.  The 
marching  of  so  large  a  body  of  armed  men  into  the  state, 
had  caused  much  excitement  among  the  people.  In  ano- 
ther part  of  this  sheet  will  be  found  a  letter  from  gov. 
Dunklin  on  the  subject. 

A  great  steamboat,  on  the  general  plan  of  Mr.  Bur- 
den's, recentl}'  built  at  Troy,  N.  Y.  is  building  at  Pres- 
cott,  in  Canada.  It  is  expected  that  she  will  easily  ascend 
or  descend  the  Long  Sault  Rapids  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 
Fitted  and  loaded,  she  will  not  draw  more  than  24  in- 
ehes.  She  is  to  have  two  engines  of  30  horse  power,  act- 
ing on  one  wheel,  placed  in  her  middle,  or  between  her 
two  hulls,  which  are  cylinders,  strongly  hooped,  177  feet 
long  and  9  in  diameter. 

The  directors  of  the  Union  Gold  Mining  company  have 
declared  a  dividend  equal  to  twelve  per  cent,  per  annum. 
This  company  was  formed  in  July,  1833,  and  consists 
principally  of  citizens  of  Philadelphia.  Under  an  act  of 
incorporation,  granted  by  the  legislature  of  Virginia, 
operations  were  commenced  in  April  last,  in  Fauquier 
county,  about  twenty  miles  from  Fredericksburgh. 

A  very  large  naval  force  is  at  sea,  or  ready  for  action, 
in  the  Mediterranean — say  from  120  to  150  sail,  many  of 
them  heavy  ships,  belonging  to  Turkey,  Egypt,  Great 
Britain,  France,  Russia,  and  the  United  States,  &c. 

We  do  not  see  any  reason  why  the  United  States  should 
keep  up  such  a  heavy  squadron  in  that  sea,  unless  as  a 
school  of  instruction  for  our  officers  and  men — for  we,  at 


least,  will  not  meddle  with  the  contests  for  power  which 
other  governments  may  apprehend  in  that  quarter. 

The  following  letter,  highly  complimentary  to  Messrs. 
Casey  and  Slade,  of  the  house  of  representatives  from 
Illinois,  was  recently  published  in  the  Louisville  Adver- 
tiser: 

Washington  city,  June  30th,  1834. 

Dear  sir:  The  bill  appropriating  twenty  thousand  dollars  for 
the  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Wabafh  river,  lint 
passed  congress.  Messrs.  Casey  and  Slade,  of  Illinois,  w«re 
very  active  and  indefatignble  in  their  exertions  in  favor  of  the 
bill,  and  the  state  from  which  they  come  ought  to  he  proud  of 
them,  not  only  for  their  talents,  but  on  account  of  their  indefa- 
tigable industry  ae  representatives.  Yours,  &c. 

What  is  the  present  state  of  the  compliment  paid 
Messrs.  Casey  and  Slade,  seeing  that  president  Jackson 
has  refused  to  sign  the  bill  so  much  commended,  and 
which,  we  learn,  was  important  to  the  people  of  Illinois 
and  Indiana? 

The  following  are  the  total  valuations  of  the  real  es- 
tate in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  districts  named, 
at  the  last  county  assessment: 

Northern  Liberties $4,01 1 ,570  00 

Southwark 2.349.315  00 

Spring  Garden 3,378^902  00 

Kensington 1,897,726  00 

$11,637,513  00 
City  of  Philadelphia 25,642,968  00 

Total $37,280,481  00 

There  are  several  other  districts  in  what  is  generally 
called  Philadelphia,  and  the  total  valuation  must  have 
considerably  exceeded  40  millions;  but  the  rules  by 
which  such  valuations  are  made,  unless  clearly  stated, 
forbid  a  just  understanding  of  the  real  value  of  the  pro- 
perty assessed. 

A  detailed  account  of  the  poor  rates  and  country  rates 
in  England  and  Wales,  for  the  year  ending  March  25, 
1833,  has  been  printed,  from  which  it  appears  that  the 
whole  amount  levied  was  £8,739,881,  of  which  £6,730.799 
was  expended  for  the  relief  of  the  poor,  £254,412  in  suits 
of  law,  and  £1,094,669  for  other  purposes.  The  dimi- 
nution, as  compared  with  the  year  before,  is,  on  the 
whole,  four  per  cent. 

The  present  prospect  is,  that  a  great  and  wholesome 
"reform"  will  take  place  in  the  Irish  department  of  the 
church  of  England,  and  pretty  speedily — and  if  so,  it 
will  be  followed  by  reforms  at  "home."  We  think  that 
a  spirit  is  up  that  will  separate  the  church  from  the 
state,  the  mitre  from  the  crown,  the  crook  from  the 
sword,  which  now  are  in  unholy  alliance,  in  that  coun- 
try. 

A  letter  from  the  rev.  J.  Perkins,  dated  Constantino- 
ple, April  15,  says — 

*  *  *  There  is  more  hope  too,  of  the  Turks,  in  a  moral 
point  of  view,  than  I  had  anticipated.  They  are  rapidly  running 
into  every  species  of  European  improvement,  among  the  rest, 
Lancastrian  schools.  Several  barracks  of  soldiers,  of  four  or 
five  hundred  each,  are  converted  into  these  schools.  The  sol- 
diers spend  a  part  of  their  time  in  tactics,  and  the  rest  in  the 
common  branches  of  education. 

The  curse  of  general-ism  and  of  priestcraft  still  bears 
heavily  on  Mexico  and  Peru,  and,  indeed,  on  all  the  new 
republics  of  the  south. 

In  the  French  part  of  the  New  Orleans  Bee,  of  the  3d  inst. 
(says  the  "New  York  Mercantile  Advertiser  and  Advocate") 
we  find  the  following  intelligence,  which  we  translate  for  our 
readers: 

"We  hnve  just  received  a  number  of  the  Ataluya  Victoria 
(Tamaulipa?)  of  June  17th.  In  it  is  to  be  found  official  infor- 
mation, which  makes  us  fear,  that  New  Spain  is  now  bring  de- 
solated by  a  civil  war.  The  following  are  extracts:"  To  tht 
supreme  head  of  the  free  state  of  San  Louis  de  Potosi.  Most  ex- 
cellent seigneur— In  the  communication  which  the  general  Don 
Antonio  Lopez  de  Santa  Anna,  sent  on  the  31st  May,  to  the 
chambers  of  the  union,  you  will  see  that  he  has  exceeded  his 
legal  powers,  and  broken  the  federal  charter,  in  construing  it  at 
he  understands  it.  The  congress,  in  consequence  of  this,  and 
before  they  had  any  knowledge  of  the  conduct  of  Santa  Anna 
in  breaking  up  the  national  government,  issued  the  following 
decree,  and  also  the  proclamation  which  has  been  published. 
Never  was  there  an  occasion  when  we  had  more  need  of  union 


S6S 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  20,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


and  energy.  Now  Is  the  time  to  resist  this  tyrant,  who  wishes 
to  constitute  himself  supreme  dict.uor.  Fur  this  reason  we 
wish  you  to  receive  the  enclosed,  and  communicate  it  to  your 
legislature. 

IN  THE   NAME   OF    GOD    AND    LIBERTY. 

San  Louis  de  Potosi,  9lh  June,  1834. 

The  constitutional  congress  of  the  stale,  believing: 

1st.  That  the  president  of  the  republic,  has  not  a  right  to  con- 
strue the  federal  charter  as  he  understands  it. 

2*1.  He  has  in  his  coniBiunicalions  of  31*1  May,  hnd  the  har- 
dihood, wilfully  to  misconstrue  the  authority  of  the  chamber*. 

3d.  By  these  proceedings,  lie  hns  passed  the  limits  of  his  du- 
ties and  infringed  upon  the  federal  constitution.  Therefore  this 
congress  does  decree,  that — 

1st.  The  state  of  San  Louis,  regarding  as  illegil,  all  the  pub- 
lic acts  of  the  president,  inasmuch  as  he  will  not  submit  to  be 
bound  by  the  constitution  and  laws,  which  recognize  in  the 
chambers,  the  right  of  interpreting  the  articles  of  the  constitu- 
tion,and  of  publishing  socli  laws  and  decrees  as  they  may  think 
proper. 

2d.  The  governor  of  this  state,  shall  communicate  this  decree 
to  the  legislatures  of  the  other  states,  praying  their  assistance. 
The  executive  power  of  the  stale  will  publish,  circulate  and 
execute  this  decree. 

(Signed)  VICENTE  EAMERO. 

MIODEL  LAZO,  major. 

San  Louis  de  Potosi,9lh  June,  1834. 

And  the  New  Orleans  Courier  of  the  7lh  July,  has  the 
following  i>aragra|>hs — • 

The  brig  Edwin,  capt.  Chasteau,  arrived  yesterday,  in  7  days 
(from  Vera  Cruz,  with  letters  and  papers  to  the  24th  June. 

There  had  been  some  hard  fighting  in  the  interior,  but  Vera 
:Cruz  remained  tranquil. 

The  motto  of  the  republic  had  been  changed  from  "God  and 
Liberty,"  to  "SANTA  ANNA  AND  RELIGION." 

The  city  of  Mexico  is  said  to  have  declared  for  Santa  Anna. 
The  troops  stationed  at  Campeachy  had  likewise  declared  for 
Santa  Anna;  but  it  was  susposed  that  the  place  would  soon  be 
recaptured,  as  some  government  troops  were  on  their  march  to 
;it,  iunl  two  vessels  of  war  had  been  ordered  there.  The  state 
of  Vera  Cruz  had  also  declared  for  Santa  Anna. 

A  conducta  with  $600,000,  is  said  to  have  been  stopped  by 
the  partisans  of  Santa  Anna. 

A  letter  from  Vera  Cruz,  dated  June  21,  says — 

Business,  both  here  and  in  the  interior,  is  completely  paraly- 
zed on  account  of  the  revolution,  which  promises  to  be  one  of 
the  most  bloody  and  disastrous  that  this  unfortunate  country 
has  ever  yet  witnessed;  nevertheless  neutral  merchants  like 
myself  have  nothing  to  fear,  and  all  private  properly  I  conceive 
to  be  quite  as  safe  as  it  has  ever  been.  If  the  road  between 
here  and  Mexico  becomes  settled,  we  shall  have  immediately  a 
government  or  general  conducla. 

And  another,  from  the  same  place,  dated  on  the  12th, 
published  in  the  N.  Y.  Journal  of  Commerce,  observes — 

"In  my  last  I  told  you  it  was  my  firm  belief  the  country 
would  not  be  long  in  peace,  after  the  law  against  the  clergy.  I 
also  mentioned  to  you  that  the  South  Americans  arc  too  vicious 
and  too  i^norunt  to  live  under  a  republican  form  of  govern- 
ment. Wual  I  said  is  now  accomplishing;  Santa  Anna,  who 
called  himself  a  liberal,  Is  now  at  the  hend  of  the  military,  cler- 
gy, and  aristocracy  of  the  country,  under  the  pompous  appella- 
tion of  jefe  supremo  y  jirotedor  of  the  nation,  and,  no  doubt, 
trill  be  soon  croivned  emperor. 

"If  you  look  over  the  other  sections  of  this  vast  continent, 
you  will  see  that  all  the  chiefs,  who  denominate  themselves 
presidents,  are  more  or  less  despots  than  the  late  Fernando  VII. 
and  they  all  aim  at  a  crown. 

"Business  in  consequence  is  at  a  stand;  civil  war,  anarchy 
and  bloodshed  will  result,  and  desolate  the  whole  republic." 

There  are  various  other  accounts  of  the  progress  of 
the  new  civil  war.  The  appearance  of  things  is  every 
way  unpleasant.  The  generals  and  \\\e  priests,  we  fear, 
are  too  strong  against  the  motto  of  the  people. 

We  have  also  advices  from  Peril,  dated  Lima,  April 
29,  which  thus  shew  the  state  of  this  gejieral-ed  country: 

On  the  26th  we  received  the  important  intelligence  that  the 
officers  in  Hermudez'  camp,  in  Huancuyo,  had  effected  a  revo- 
lution against  him,  and  had  surrendered  all  the  troops,  about 
1,200  men,  to  the  president,  who  had  appointed  general  Lafn- 
«:nle  to  take  charge  of  them.  This  event  may  be  considered  as 
decisive  of  the  fall  of  the  insurgents,  and  we  hope  will  soon  re- 
store u.-i  to  tranquillity.  The  president  intends  marching  im- 
mediately upon  Cuzco.  Durmmlrz  was  at  first  arrested  by  the 
officers  who  effected  the  revolution,  but  was  afterwards' per- 
mitted to  escape  with  only  one  or  two  friends.  He  'n  pursued; 
but,  we  think,  will  escape  to  Cuzc.o. 

Although  this  severe  loss  to  Hermudez  may  be  considered 
decisive  of  his  fate,  it  will  take  some  months  fo'r  the  president 
to  obtain  posses-ion  of  the  southern  provinces,  and  much  long- 
er for  the  storm  of  passions,  which  civil  war  always  creates,  to 
subside. 

There  is  no  just  hope  of  permanent  peace  and  safety, 
in  any  of  these  republics,  until  the  generals  and  priests 
are  rendered  severely  subject  to  the  civil  law. 


The  following  card,  signed  by  thirteen  masters  of 
Brilish  vessels,  was  published  at  Itio  de  Janeiro  on  the  2d 
June: 

To  the  commander  of  the  U.  S.  ship  Natchez.— Sir:  The  un- 
dersigned, masters  of  the  Brilish  merchant  vessels  in  this  port, 
beg  leave  to  tender  their  best  thanks  to  you,  for  the  prompt  as- 
sistance with  which  you  sent  your  boats  on  the  29th  May 'last 
to  the  Brilish  brig  Ranger,  and  at  the  same  time,  are  very  hap- 
py to  avail  themselves  of  this  opportunity  to  expiess  their  grate- 
fiil  thanks  to  the  officers  of  the  American  navy  in  general,  for 
their  promptitude  in  rendering  assistance  to  British  merchant 
vessels. 

Considerable  interest  is  felt  as  to  the  progress  made 
by  France  in  extending  the  benefits  of  civilization  in  M- 
gitrs.  This  progress  has  been  much  more  obstructed 
than  most  persons  supposed  that  it  would  be — for  the 
Jlrabs  are  among  the  last  people,  perhaps,  that  -would 
freely  come  under  the  dominion  of  European  laws;  and 
their  ancient  habits  are  adhered  to  with  extreme  tenacity 
and  resolution.  But  the  superior  intelligence  and  or- 
ganization of  France,  must,  in  time,  build  up  a  great  and 
important  possession  in  Africa,  if  persevered  in. 

The  following  may  serve  to  shew  the  present  state  of 
the  country.  It  appears  that  the  Arabs  are  depredating 
on  one  another — and,  by  dividing  them,  they  may  be 
commanded — aud  converted,  in  part,  from  wanderers 
into  cultivators. 

An  official  report,  dated  Algiers,  May  23d,  addressed  by  gene- 
ral Voirol  to  the  minister  of  war,  announces  that  the  numerous 
depredations  committed  by  the  Hadjoutes  upon  the  lands  and 
fiocks  of  the  Beni  Khalil,  having  exasperated  that  Arab  tribe  in 
a  high  degree,  he  resolved  to  punish  the  ]ladjoutes,and  compel 
them  to  restore  the  cattle  they  had  carried  off.  About  500  men, 
nearly  all  mounted,  together  with  a  considerable  purl  of  the 
Beni  Moussa,  assembled  at  Bonflarich  in  the  night  of  the  17th, 
to  form  a  van  guard.  Gen.  Bro,  with  several  battalions,  100 
horses  and  three  field  pieces,  was  ordered  to  march  upon  Haouck 
Smara.  His  instructions  weie  not  to  attack  the  Hadjoutes,  if 
they  would  restore  the  cattle  they  had  taken.  The  latter  ima- 
gining they  could  escape  with  impunity,  fired  some  shots  upon 
the  van  guard,  which  immediately  fell  upon  them,  and  this  at- 
tack being  supported  by  gen.  Bro,  they  offered  little  resistance. 
They  fled,  leaving  behind  them  400  or  500  head  of  cattle,  which 
were  given  to  the  people  of  the  Beni  Khalil.  The  Hadjoutes 
suffered  some  loss.  The  next  day  the  troops  advanced  with 
the  intention  of  scouring  the  forest.  A  flag  of  truce  was  sent  by 
the  Hadjoutes,  but  the  conditions  of  peace  proposed  not  being 
accepted,  the  forest  was  scoured  by  the  troops,  who  found  im- 
mense flocks,  which  were  bestowed  on  the  Beni  Khalil  and  the 
Beni  Moussa.  Tents,  camels  and  bales  of  wool,  were  also  car- 
ried off.  We  had  three  men  killed,  and  five  or  six  wounded, 
and  the  auxiliary  Arabs  also  suffered  some  loss.  The  troops, 
having  thus  obtained  for  the  Beni  Khalil  more  than  had  been 
taken  from  them,  set  out  on  the  20tli  on  their  return,  and  the 
next  day  arrived  at  Douera. 

The  affairs  of  both  Spain  and  Portugal,  as  to  domes- 
tic contests  for  the  thrones  of  these  kingdoms,  respec- 
tively, seem  settled,  at  last — and  Carlos  and  JMigi/el  have 
left  the  peninsula.  The  latter  has  been  the  most  malig- 
nant and  bloody  ruler  of  modern  times,  and,  as  it  would 
appear,  ought  not  to  have  escaped  with  life.  He  is, 
however,  to  receive  a  pension  of  about  80,000  dollars  a 
year,  and  will  probably  reside  in  England.  He  had  ga- 
thered a  property  worth  about  £300,000  sterling,  at 
Elvas,  which,  however,  was  taken  from  him. 

lint  neither  Spain  nor  Portugal  are  in  a  quiet  state. 
Much  is  yet  to  be  done  to  unite  the  people,  so  long  and 
furiously  divided  into  parties;  and  it  will  be  well  if  the 
intrigues  of  a  wicked  priesthood  do  not  cause  new  shed- 
dings  of  blood,  in  civil  war. 

The  following,  describing  the  present  condition  of 
Ilayti,  (and  we  think  that  it  is  not  much  over-colored), 
is  well  worth  the  consideration  of  those  who  think  that 
an  immediate  abolition  of  slavery,  because,  as  they  say, 
it  is  just  in  the  abstract,  can  be  beneficial  to  the  objects 
of  their  sympathy.  We  once  thought  with  these  men — 
but  a  long  residence  in  a  slave  state,  abounding  also  with 
free  people  of  color,*  soon  made  manifest  to  us  the  error 
into  which  we  had  fallen.  In  making  this  remark,  how- 
ever, we  do  not  -wish  to  be  understood  as  also  having 
changed  our  opinion  of  the  efficiency  of  the  colonization 
society  to  relieve  us  of  the  colored  population — but  we 


•The  free  people  of  color  are,  decidedly,  the  worst  part  of  our 
population.  MI  much  so  that  it  is  hard  to  refrain  from  the  pur- 
chase and  keeping  of  slaves  for  household  ttivants. 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,  1834— FROM  LIBERIA. 


867 


believe  it  is  humanely  designed  as  a  means  of  relief,  and, 
at  any  rate,  will  open  a  way  for  some  to  escape  from  the 
present  degraded  situation  in  which  they  are  placed. 

Extract  ol  a  leller  from  an  officer  on  board  the  United  States 
ship  Kalinoutli,  dated  harbor  of  Ilayli,  June  30:  "There  is  no- 
thing new  in  this  island,  that  we  can  learn.  The  blacks  arc,  or 
appear  to  be,  favorably  disposed  towards  the  people  of  the  Unit- 
ed States.  This  cily,  which  once  contained  60,000  people, 
(during  the  French  dynasty),  is  now  in  a  ruinous  state,  and  can 
with  difficulty  count  5,000,  including  a  portion  of  Boyer's  stand- 
ing army.  At  the  time  of  the  negro  insurrection,  and  previous 
to  the  massacre,  this  large  island  was  a  perfect  garden,  bill  most 
of  the  then  flourishing  coffee  and  sugar  plantations  have  been 
suffered  to  perish,  owing  to  the  indolence  of  the  blacks.  The 
French  formerly  exported  from  this  island  large  quantities  of 
sugar,  hut  now  they  do  not  raise  sufficient  for  home  consump- 
tion. There  are  in  the  city  o'f  Hayti  many  splendid  building*, 
or  remains  of  such,  crumbling  to  pieces  for  the  want  of  a  few 
days'  labor;  not  more  than  one-tenth  part  of  the  buildings  are 
occupied.  The  streets  were  once  beautifully  paved,  and  had 
commodious  side  walks,  but,  like  every  thing  else  here,  they 
are  going  to  ruiti.  Jn  short,  the  inhabitants  are  too  lazy  to  do 
any  thing  but  eat,  drink  and  sleep.  There  are  to  be  found  here 
many  men  of  opulence,  and  some  few  who  have  been  liberally 
educated,  ami  are  truly  very  intelligent,  but  the  large  majority 
are  but  little  better  informed  than  the  same  number  of  monkeys." 

[N.  Y.  paper. 

The  trade  on  the  Rhine  is  said  to  be  very  active — and 
tbat  208  vessels  arrived  at  and  170  departed  from  Co- 
logne, between  the  16th  March  and  15th  April,  last. 

The  "judgment  of  Solomon"  is  often  referred  to  as  a 
•wonderful  display  of  sagacitj',  and  so  it  was — but  it  has 
been  rivalled  on  many  occasions,  as  well  as  in  the  case 
stated  below,  from  the  Journal  fie  Smyrne: 

''During  the  festival  of  the  Bairain  an  inhabitant  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Funduckli  had  dressed  his  child,  about  two  years  old, 
in  a  shawl  and  cap  ornamented  with  pieces  of  gold,  and  intrust- 
ed it  to  a  slave,  who  left  it  for  a  moment  seated  in  the  court  of 
the  house.  On  his  return  the  child  was  gone,  and  every  search 
for  it  proved  fruitless.  The  father  applied  to  the  seraskier,  en- 
treating him  to  inquire  into  the  circumstance*.  This  officer 
reflected  that  the  child  could  not  have  been  carried  far  on  ac- 
count of  his  cries,  and  therefore  must  have  been  taken  by  one 
of  ilia  neighbors.  He  did  not  communicate  this  idea  to  any  one, 
but  directed  one  of  his  messengers  to  go  to  the  village  of  Fun- 
duckli at  the  hour  of  prayer,  to  enter  the  mosque,  and  summon 
the  iman  or  priest  to  come  immediately  to  his  palace.  When 
the  imnn  had  come  into  the  presence  of  the  seraskier  he  re- 
ceived a  positive  injunction  to  come  to  him  again  on  the  mor- 
row, and  give  him  the  name  of  the  person  who  first  came 
to  inquire  of  him  the  cause  of  his  being  sent  for  to  thesr.raskier. 
The  Turks  in  general  pay  little  attention  to  the  affairs  of  others, 
not  even  to  those  of  their  priests,  consequently,  on  returning  to 
the  mosque  one  man  only  came  to  him  to  ask  the  cause  of  so 
eudden  a  summons.  The  iman  replied  that  it  was  only  relating 
to  a  firman  which  he  was  to  have  read,  Hint  which  was  with- 
drawn. However,  on  being  informed  by  the  iman  of  what  had 
passed,  the  seraskier  caused  the  inquisitive  man  to  be  arrested, 
and  discovered  the  borty  of  the  child  concealed  under  the  stair- 
case of  his  house,  and  thus  proved  that  it  was  he  who  had  car- 
ried it  off.  He  was  sentenced  to  be  instantly  drowned." 

MR.  RANDOLPH'S  WILL.  At  the  late  term  of  the  general 
court  of  the  commonwealth  of  Virginia,  held  at  Richmond,  a 
paper  purporting  to  be  the  last  will  of  John  Randolph,  of  Uoan- 
okR,  was  offered  for  probat  on  behalf  of  John  Randolph  Bryan, 
an  infant  and  principal  devisee,  by  his  next  friend  and  grand- 
father, judge  Coalter;  «  motion  was  thereupon  submitted  on 
behalf  of  John,  Juba  and  Essex,  (slaves  of  Mr.  Randolph),  to 
permit  them  for  themselves,  and  the  other  slaves,  to  appear  as 
parties  and  to  oppose  the  probat  of  the  said  paper,  and  at  the 
•ame  lime  to  offer  for  probat  as  the  last  will,  another  paper,  by 
which  they  and  the  other  slaves  were  emancipated.  These 
motions  on  behalf  of  the  slaves  were  overruled  by  the  court  on 
the  ground,  that  while  in  condition  of  slaves  they  could  not  le- 
gally be  admitted  parties  to  any  proceedings,  oilier  than  a  suit 
in  form  apauperis,  or  bill  in  equity,  for  the  recovery  of  their 
freedom.  Upon  this  decision  being  announced,  the  same  mo- 
tions were  submitted  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the  right 
rev.  Mr.  Meade,  one  of  the  trustees  namrd  in  the  last  mention- 
ed paper,  which  were  allowed,  and  he  bpcame  party  on  the  re- 
cord, lor  the  purpose  aforesaid.  The  parties  not  being  prepar- 
ed to  adduce  their  evidence,,  a  subpcena  duccs  tecum  was 
awarded  to  the  clerk  of  Charlotte  county  court,  commanding 
liim  to  bring  up  the  paper  last  offered,  and  commissions  granted 
the  parties  to  take  the  depositions  of  witnesses  residing  in  Lon- 
don and  Philadelphia,  and  the  cause  continued  to  the  next 
term. 

Counsel  for  Bryan— Johnson  and  Stnnard.  Do.  for  the  slaves 
— Robinson,  (attorney  general)  and  Taylor,  with  whom  gen. 
Jones,  of  Washington,  is  associated.  [rflex.  Gazette. 


FROM  LIBERIA. 

Intelligence  lias  been  received  of  the  death  of  the  rev.  S.  O. 
Wright,  Methodist  missionary,  and  Mrs.  Wright,  rev.  Matthew 
Laird  and  wife,  and  John  Cloud,  Presbyterian  missionaries. 
They  had  fallen  victims  to  the  fever  of  the  coavt.  The  rev.  Mr. 
Herxey,  late  vice  agent  of  the  Maryland  Colonization  society, 
and  liie  rev.  J.  Temple,  the  only  survivor  of  the  missionaries, 
have  returned.  The  health  of  the  colonists  was  generally  good. 

There  is  a  great  want  of  economy  and  industry  among  the 
emigrants.  A  colored  man  of  the  name  of  Jones,  who  has  been 
on  a  tour  of  observation,  says  that  he  has  never  seen  a  home, 
except  in  Liberia,  and  that  any  colored  man  who  would  go  there 
with  a  disposition  to  work,  and  live  temperately,  might  have 
health,  comfort  and  freedom,  such  as  is  no  where  to  be  found 
in  this  country. 

It  is  stated  that  the  pride,  extravagance  and  luxury  of  those 
settlers  who  have  been  prosperous  in  trade  there,  are  highly  re- 
prehensible. Almost  every  family  has  a  number  of  natives  em- 
ployed as  menial  servants;  and  even  the  emancipated  slaves 
who  have  been  sent  there,  and  are  entirely  dependent,  are  too 
lazy  to  bring  water,  and  employ  natives  to  do  it  for  them. 

The  "Liberia  Herald"  expresses  great  pleasure  at  the  con- 
templated establishment  of  a  new  colony  by  the  Colonization 
society  of  the  state  of  Maryland,  whose  agent,  Dr.  James  Hall, 
hail  already  purchased  Cape  Palmas,  and  taken  the  primary 
steps  of  settlement.  The  cape  is  represented  as  a  beautiful 
eminence,  which  projects  a  considerable  distance  into  the  sea. 
A  town  has  been  laid  out,  and  native  houses  having  been  pre- 
pared, the  emigrants  were  landed  in  a  day  after  their  arrival. 
Several  individuals  had  cleared  their  lots  and  were  successfully 
growing  vegetables.  Nearly  all  the  emigrants  from  the  United 
States  had  been  attacked  with  the  fever,  but  all  except  one  re- 
covered. A  meeting  house  had  been  erected. 

If  the  emigrants  practice  industry  and  economy  there  is  no 
danger  of  their  success. 

The  New  York  Colonization  society  have  it  in  contempla- 
tion to  purchase  and  make  a  settlement  at  Cape  Mount.  This 
location  the  "Herald"  thinks  very  happily  situated,  and  much 
better  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  internal  and  external  trade 
than  Cape  Messurado. 

The  coffee  tree  is  a  native  of  the  country,  and  grows  spon- 
taneously in  the  woods  in  the  vicinity  of  Monrovia. 

The  spirit  of  improvement  seems  to  be  awakening  amongst 
the  colonists,  and  it  is  pleasant  to  find,  amongst  other  eviden- 
ces of  the  advance  of  the  colony,  proposals  for  building  a  dam 
across  a  stream,  and  a  notice  that  houses  were  building  and 
measures  in  progress  to  erect  a  saw  mill,  a  light  house  and  a 
Baptist  church. 

The  February  number  of  the  Herald  furnishes  a  list  of  31  ar- 
rivals and  departures  during  the  preceding  month,  a  strong 
proof  of  the  wholesome  condition  of  the  commerce  of  the  colo- 
ny. 

Governor  Pinney  had  despatched  two  persons  as  commission- 
ers on  the  part  of  the  American  Colonization  society,  to  nego- 
tiate with  the  kings  and  head  men  for  land  on  the  Junk  river, 
whereon  to  make  a  settlement.  The  country  is  represented  as 
fertile. 

The  settlement  was  becoming  popular  with  the  native  kings. 
Joe  Harris,  king  on  the  Grand  Uassa  side  of  the  St.  John's  river, 
had  become  clamorous  in  his  solicitations  for  the  Americans  to 
come  and  locate  themselves  on  his  side  of  Ihe  river,  promising 
to  give  them  plenty  of  good  land  for  their  town  and  liirms,  and 
to  make  them  as  comfortable  as  possible.  King  Joe,  in  the 
early  period  of  the  settlement  of  the  colony,  had  opposed  it. 

The  agent,  Mr.  Pinney,  speaks  of  a  greatly  increased  atten- 
tion to  agriculture,  and  .--ays  that  at  Caldwell,  double  the  quan- 
tity of  land  had  been  cleared  this  season  as  was  the  last. 

CENSUS  or  LIBERIA  IN  THE  SUMMER  OP  1833.  [From  the  New 
Haven  Journal  of  freedom.] 

Whole  number  of  entrants  srnt  out  from  the  founding  of  the 
colony,  including  the  recaptured  Africans  3,123 

Actual  population  at  the  time  of  the  census  2,818 


Showing  a  total  decrease  of 

Deduct  for  those  temporarily  absent,  say  50 

And  for  those  who  have  returned,  say      35 


307 
85 


The  loss  is  232 

The  loss  of  life  in  the  fourteen  year*  which  liavn  el.tpsed  sir.ee 
the  first  expedition  sailed  from  Nuw  York,  and  made  a  tempo- 
rary lodgement  on  the  island  of  Sherbro,  is  222  out  of  3,123;  that 
is,  the  excess  of  thn  number  of  deaths  over  the  number  of  births 
in  fourteen  years,  has*  been-  222.  To  those  who  believe  that  the 
cmigranls  generally  have  been  the  most  miserable  and  degraded 
of  their  color,  worn  out  slaves,  turned  off  to  die  "like  old  hor- 
ses,"— to  those  who  believe  that  mm  runs  riown  the  streets  of 
Monrovia  at  the  rate  of  more  than  twice  1,400  barrels  per  an- 
num, and  that  the  greatest  immorality  and  licentiousnesn  pre- 
vail among  the  inhabitants— it  would  seem  incredible  that  the 
decrease  has  been  HO  greater.  Such  men  will  probably  discre- 
dit the  statement. 

I'irgi'iia  two  centuries  ago.  The  colonization  of  Virginia  wa« 
commenced  at  Jamestown  in  May,  1607,  by  a  company  of  100 
persons. 

In  four  months  the  100  dwindled  to  50,  and  coon  after  to  38. 

In  lfi()9  the  colony  had  been  increased,  by  successive  rein- 
forcements, to  500  souls. 

Six  months  afterwards  it  had  dwindled  to  60. 


368 


N1LES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,  1834— LAFAYETTE. 


In  1611  the  population  had  increased  to  200. 

In  1623,  when  the  number  of  settlers  had  become  still  greater, 
347  men,  women  and  children  were  destroyed  hy  the  Indians. 

In  1624,  to  use  the  words  of  chief  justice  Marshall,  "about 
£150,000  . sterling  had  been  expended  in  planting  the  colony, 
and  more  than  9,000  persons  had  been  sent  from  Europe  to  peo- 
ple ii;  and  yet  at  Hie  end  of  .seventeen  years,  the  population 
was  i  educed  to  1,600  persons." 


DREADFUL  SUFFERING  OF  EMIGRANTS. 
The  following  letter  is  from  the  master  of  an  English  ship,  at 
quarantine  at  Giosse  Island,  near  Quebec,  diiled  May  27th,  ad- 
dressed to  a  mercantile  house  in  New  York,  and  furnishes  a 
melancholy  detail  of  the  cruel  neglect  and  sufferings  which  the 
wretched  emigrants  are  compelled  to  undergo,  after  reaching  a 
country  where  they  expected  to  find  an  alleviation  instead  of 
an  increase  of  their  woes: 

"1  arrived  here  on  the  18th,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
with  three  hundred  passengers,  forty  of  whom  were  sent  to  the 
hospital  on  the  18lh  and  19th,  more  or  less  affected  with  measles 
and  typhus  ftvcr.  We  lost  seven  on  the  passage,  viz:  one  man 
by  a  fall,  and  six  childien,  from  the  want  of  proper  attention 
being  paid  to  them,  their  parents  being  sea  sick.  1  landed  the 
remainder  of  them  on  the  20lh,  got  the  vessel  cleanrd  and  fu- 
migated on  the  21st,  and  the  passengers  were  sent  on  hoard  on 
the  24th.  These  poor  creatures  have  been  on  board  ever'since, 
with  only  eleven  beds  between  250. 

The  straw  beds  which  they  had  were  thrown  overboard,  and 
they  are  obliged  to  lie  on  the  boards,  without  a  covering,  the 
greater  part  having  nothing  on  the  passage  but  their  wearing 
npparel.  which  they  are  obliged  to  keep~on  to  prevent  the 
boanls  from  cutting  their  hips.  There  are  mothers  and  their 
children  in  this  state.  It  is  inconsistent  with  reason  to  expect 
them  to  remain  healthy  while  they  are  in  this  state.  There  is 
no  constitution  able  to  bear  such  treatment  in  these  piercing 
nights.  There  are  fifty  of  my  passengers  in  hospital  at  present, 
and  the  remainder  must  be  soon  there  if  something  is  not  done 
for  them.  The  people  ought  to  be  kept  on  shore  until  the  ves- 
»el  is  liberated;  for  while  there  is  such  a  number  together,  there 
will  always  be  somebody  complaining.  Dr.  Poole  has  reported 
78  in  hospital.  There  have  been  six  deaths  and  a  few  bad 
cases,  but  the  greater  part  of  them  were  very  slightly  affected; 
in  fact,  there  was  nothing  the  matter  with  some  of  them. 

I  think  it  advisable  to  allow  the  vessel  to  proceed  immedi- 
ately with  the  passengers  she  has  on" board,  as  there  have  beer 
but  two  cases  of  measles,  since  they  have  been  re-embarked — 
or  allowed  to  re-land  them  and  then  proceed,  provided  their 
passages  be  found  them  to  Quebec.  It  is  a  sad  thing  to  detain 
the  vessel  here  such  a  length  of  time.  Dr.  Poole  told  me  he 
expected  I  would  be  allowed  to  proceed  last  Sunday,  but  there 
is  no  likelihood  of  it.  I  stated  our  situation  to  the  comraan 
dant,  who  said  he  could  do  no  more  than  give  me  a  little  straw 
for  them  when  he  gets  it.  I  had  two  letters  for  you,  which 
gave  to  the  commandant  on  Wednesday  to  forward.  He  ha 
also  told  me  that  [  will  have  to  victual  the  passengers,  which  i 
a  great  imposition.  I  remain  your  humble  servant, 

HENRY  DEAVIS, 
Master  of  the  barque  Mary,  of  Cork." 


MORMONS  IN  MISSOURI. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Daniel  Dunklin,  governor  of  the  state  o 

Missouri,  to  col.  J.  Thornton,  dated 

City  of  Jefferson,  June  6,  1834. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  was  pleased  at  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  concur 
red  in  by  Messrs.  Rees,  Atchison  and  Doniphan,  on  the  sub 
ject  of  the  Mormon  difficulties.  I  should  be  gratified  indeed,  i 
the  parties  could  compromise  on  the  terms  you  suggest,  or,  in 
deed,  upon  any  other  terms  satisfactory  to  themselves.  But 
should  travel  out  of  the  line  of  my  strict  duty,  as  chief  execu 
live  officer  of  the  government,  were  I  to  take  upon  myself  th 
task  of  effecting  a  compromise  between  the  patties.  Had  I  no 
supposed  it  possible,  yes,  probable,  that  I  should,  as  executiv 
of  the  state,  have  to  act,  I  should  before  now,  have  interfere 
individually,  in  the  way  you  suggest,  or  in  some  other  way,  i 
order  if  possible,  to  effect  n  compromise.  Uncommitted,  as 
am,  to  either  party,  1  shall  feel  no  embarrassment  in  doin 
my  duty,  though  it  may  be  done  with  the  most  extreme  regret 
My  duty  in  the  relation  in  which  I  now  stand  to  the  parties,  i 
plain  and  slight  forward.  By  an  official  interposition,  I  migh 
embarrass  my  course,  and  urge  a  measure  for  the  purpose  o 
effecting  a  compromise,  and  should  it  fail,  and  in  the  em 
should  I  find  it  my  duty  to  act  contrary  to  the  advice  I  ha 
given,  it  might  be  said,  that  I  either  advised  wrong,  or  acte 
•wrong;  or  that  I  was  partial  to  one  side  or  the  other,  in  givin 
advice  that  I  would  not,  as  an  officer,  follow.  A  more  clea 
nnd  indisputable  right  does  not  exist,  than  that  of  the  Mormo 
people,  who  were  expelled  from  their  homes  in  Jackson  conn 
ty.  to  return  and  live  on  their  lands,  and  if  they  cannot  be  per 
•uaded  as  a  matter  of  policy,  to  give  up  that  right,  or  to  qual 
fy  it,  my  course,  as  the  chief  executive  officer  of  the  state,  is 
plain  one.— The  constitution  of  the  United  States  declare? 
"that  the  citizens  of  each  state  shall  be  entitled  to  all  privilege 
and  immunities  of  citizens  in  the  several  Mates."  Then  w 
cannot  intordirt  any  people  who  have  a  political  franchise  . 
the  United  Statfis  from  emigrating  to  this  state,  nor  from  choos 
ing  what  part  of  the  state  they  will  settle  in,  provided  they  d 
not  trespass  on  the  property  or  rights  of  others.  Our  state  con 
•Utution  dsclaret  that  tlw  people's  "right  to  bear  arms,  in  de 


nee  of  themselves,  and  of  the  state,  cannot  be  questioned." 
hen  it  is  their  constitutional  right  to  arm  themselves.  In- 
;ed,  our  militia  law  makes  it  the  duty  of  every  man,  not  ex- 
npled  by  law,  between  the  ages  of  18  and  45,  to  arm  himself 
ith  a  musket,  rifle,  or  some  firelock,  with  a  certain  quantity 
r  ammunition,  &c.  And  again,  our  constitution  says,  "that 
1  men  have  a  natural  and  indefeasible  right  to  worship  Al- 
ighty  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  conscien- 
;s."  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  the  eccentricity  of  the  reli- 
ous  opinions  and  practices  of  the  Mormons,  is  at  the  bottom 
I' the  outrage  committed  against  them. 

They  have  their  right  constitutionally  guaranteed  to  them, 
nd  it  is  indefeasible,  to  believe  and  worship  Jo  Smith  as  a 
lan,  an  angel,  or  even  as  the  only  true  ar.d  living  God,  and  to 
all  their  habitation  Zion,  the  Holy  Land,  or  even  Heaven  it- 
elf,     indeed,  there  is  nothing  so  absurd  or  ridiculous,  that  they 
ave  not  a  right  to  adopt  as  their  religion,  so  that  in  its  exer- 
ise,  they  do  not  interfere  with  the  rights  of  others. 
It  is  not  long  since  an  impostor  assumed  the  character  of  Je 
us  Christ,  and  attempted  to   minister  as  such;  but  I  never 
eard  of  any  combination  to  deprive  him  of  his  rijjhts. 

I  consider  it  the  duty  of  every  good  citizen  of  Jackson  and 
he  adjoining  counties  to  exert  themselves  to  effect  a  compro- 
lise  of  these  difficulties,  and  were  I  assured  that  I  would  not 
lave  to  act  in  my  official  capacity  in  the  affair,  1  would  visit 
he  parties  in  person  and  exert  myself  to  the  utmost  to  settle  it. 
ly  tir^t  advice  would  be  to  the  Mormons,  to  sell  out  their 
inds  in  Jackson  county,  and  to  settle  somewhere  else,  where 
hey  could  live  in  peace,  if  they  could  get  a  fair  price  for  them, 
and  reasonable  damages  for  injuries  received.  If  this  failed  I 
would  try  the  citizens  and  advise  them  to  meet  and  rescind 
llcgnl  resolves  of  last  summer;  and  agree  to  conform  to  the 
aws  in  every  particular,  in  respect  to  the  Mormons.  If  both 
hese  failed,  I  would  then  advise  the  plan  you  have  suggested, 
or  each  party  to  take  separate  territory  and  confine  their  mem- 
lers  within  their  respective  limits,  with  the  exception  of  the 
mblic  right  of  egress  and  regress  upon  the  highway.  If  all 
hese  failed  then  the  simplu  question  of  legal  right  would  have 
to  settle  it.  It  is  this  last  I  am  afraid  I  shall  have  to  conform 
my  action  to  in  the  end.  And  hence  the  necessity  of  keeping 
lyself,  in  the  best  situation  to  do  my  duty  impartially. 

Rumor  says  that  each  party  are  preparing  themselves  with 
cannon.  That  would  be  illegal.  It  is  not  necessary  to  self-de- 
fence, as  guaranteed  by  the  constitution.  And  as  there  are  no 
artillery  companies  organized  in  this  slate,  nor  field  pieces  pro- 
vided by  the  public,  any  preparations  of  that  kind  will  be  con- 
sidered as  without  right;  and,  in  the  present  state  of  things, 
would  be  understood  to  be  with  a  criminal  intent.  I  am  told 
that  the  people  of  Jackson  county  expect  assistance  from  the 
adjoining  counties,  to  oppose  the  Mormons  in  taking  or  keep- 
ing possession  of  their  lands.  I  should  regret  it  extremely  if  any 
should  be  so  imprudent  as  to  do  so;  it  would  give  a  different  as- 
pect to  the  affair. 

The  citizens  of  Jackson  county  have  a  right  to  arm  them- 
selves and  parade  for  military  duty  in  their  own  county,  inde- 
pendent of  the  commander  in-chief;  but  if  citizens  march  there 
inarms  from  other  counties,  without  order  from  the  comman- 
der-in-chief,  or  some  one  authorised  by  him,  it  would  produce 
a  very  different  stale  of  things.  Indeed,  the  Mormons  have  no 
right  to  march  to  Jackson  county  in  arms,  unless  by  the  order 
or  permission  of  the  commander  in-chief.  Men  must  not  "levy 
war"  in  taking  possession  of  their  rights,  any  more  than  others 
should  in  opposing  them  in  taking  possession. 

As  you  have  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  a  peaceable  com- 
promise of  this  important  affair,  I  presume  you  will  not  he  un- 
willing to  be  placed  ina  situation,  in  which  perhaps,  you  can 
be  more  serviceable  to  these  parties.  I  have  therefore  taken 
the  liberty  of  appointing  you  an  aid  to  the  commander  in-chief, 
arid  hope  it  will  be  agreeable  to  you  to  accept.  In  this  situa- 
tion you  can  give  your  propositions  all  the  influence  they  would 
have,  were  they  to  emanate  from  the  executive,  without  com- 
mitting yourself  or  the  commander-in-chief  in  the  event  of  a 
failure. 

I  should  be  glad  you,  or  some  of  the  gentlemen  who  joined 
you  in  your  communication,  would  keep  a  close  correspondence 
with  these  parties,  and  by  each  mail  write  to  me. 

The  character  of  the  state  has  been  injured  in  consequence  of 
tliisf  unfortunate  affair;  and  I  sincerely  hope  it  may  not  he  dis- 
graced by  it  in  the  end.  With  high  respect,  your  ob't  servant, 

DANIEL  DUNKLIN. 

LAFAYETTE. 

Reply  of  George  W.  Lafayette  to  the  American  committee, 

Paris,  May  23,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  received  with  feelings  of  the  most  re- 
spectful gratitude  the  letter  which  you  did  me  the  honor  to  ad- 
dress to  me  the  moment  after  my  family  and  myself  had  lost  the 
venerable  and  tenderly  loved  parent  whom  hpaven  had  given 
us.  After  having  filled  with  satisfaction  and  with  glory  the  old 
age  of  him  who  had  had  the  happiness  of  consecrating  to  them 
hi«  earliest  years,  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  are  going 
also  to  wepp  with  us  over  his  grave;  and  these  tears  will  be  for 
his  memory  a  precious  reward  for  his  fidelity  to  the  convictions 


which  he  hat  always  followed  who  knew  how  to  merit  them 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,  1834— EXAMINATION  OF  MIDSHIPMEN.      869 


Gentlemen,  your  sympathy  mitigates  our  affliction;  it  sheds  a 
Military  balm  in  our  hearts,  now  broken  with  grief.  Receive 
the  homage  of  our  respectful  gratitude. 

GEORGE  W.  LAFAYETTE. 

Letter  written  by   George  W.  Lafayette  to  Mr.  Barton,  charge 
d'offutrs  of  the  United  States. 

Parts,  May  21,  1834. 

SIR:  He  who  had  obtained  from  Franklin  the  authority  of  first 
drawing  his  sword  in  defence  of  liberty  under  the  American 
standard  in  1776,  the  adopted  son  of  Washington,  the  com- 
mander of  the  American  light  infantry  at  Yorktown;  he,  whom 
in  1824  and  1825  an  entire  nation  honored  with  a  triumph  with- 
out example  in  history,  my  father,  general  Lafayette,  is  no 
more!  To  morrow,  his  son,  his  grandsons,  those  to  whom  al- 
liances, blessed  by  himself,  have  given  the  right  of  being  his 
children,  are  to  conduct  him  to  his  last  abode. 

The  French  people  loved  him,  and  the  funeral  car  which  will 
transport  him  to  the  spot  where  already  reposes  the  partner  of 
his  life,  will  be,  we  confidently  expect,  surrounded  by  a  nume- 
rous crowd  of  good  citizens. 

Permit  me,  sir,  to  ask  of  you,  in  the  name  of  my  family,  of 
you,  the  representative  of  our  second  country,  to  participate  in 
our  griefs,  in  the  name  of  that  country  of  which  we  are  in  a 
manner  children.  One  of  the  corners  of  the  pall  which  will 
cover  my  father  is  destined  for  you,  sir;  and  your  fellow  citizens 
assembled  around  you  will  find,  I  venture  to  hope,  in  the  price 
we  attach  to  their  presence  on  this  mournful  occasion,  the  proof 
of  our  gratitude  for  the  veneration  for  the  memory  of  my  father, 
of  which  this  morning  they  have  been  so  good  as  to  make  me  the 
depository. 

Be  pleased  to  accept,  sir,  the  assurance  of  my  most  distin- 
guished consideration.  GEORGE  W.  LAFAYETTE. 

Reply  of  Mr.  Barton  to   George  W.  Lafayette. 
Legation  of  the   United  States,  Paris,  May  22,  1834. 

SIR:  It  is  with  heartfelt  grief  that  I  have  received  the  news 
of  the  death  of  your  illustrious  father  general  Lafayette.  My 
task  would  be  less  difficult  had  I  merely  to  express  my  own 
feaUngs,  but  other  duties  now  devolve  upon  me,  which  make 
me  sensible  how  incompetent  I  am  to  perform  it.  I  would 
speak  to  you,  sir,  of  the  gratitude  and  veneration  of  a  nation — 
of  the  grief  about  to  overwhelm  a  whole  people,  but  I  can  only 
request  you  to  receive  these  assurances  from  me  until  my  coun- 
try can  renew  them  in  a  more  solemn  manner. 

You  honor  me,  sir,  by  selecting  me,  as  representing  my  coun- 
try, for  one  of  the  pall-bearers.  I  beg  you  to  accept,  with  my 
personal  thanks,  those  which  I  tender  in  its  name. 

I  sincerely  regret  at  this  moment,  the  absence  of  Mr.  Living- 
ston. His  age,  his  character,  his  official  situation  and  above 
all,  the  ties  of  friendship  which  united  him  for  so  many  years  to 
one  whom  we  all  loved,  and  whose  loss  we  all  deplore,  woulc 
have  rendered  him  far  more  worthy  than  myself  of  the  honor 
you  intend  us.  I  shall  fulfil  the  duty  assigned  me,  doubtless 
with  grief,  but  at  the  same  time  with  feelings  of  pride. 

That  my  government  may  be  officially  informed  of  the  honor 
conferred  upon  us,  I  shall  immediately  transmit  to  Washington 
copies  of  your  letter  and  my  answer.  Accept  once  more  sir, 
my  renewed  acknowledgments,  and  be  kind  enough  to  convey 
the  expression  of  my  feelings  to  your  family. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  highest  regard,  your  obe- 
dient humble  servant,  THOMAS  P.  BARTON. 

BISHOP  WHITE. 

The  following  beautiful  and  touching  notice  of  the  patriarch 
•of  the  Episcopal  church  in  this  country,  will  bo  read  will 
pleasure  by  every  one  who  knows  the  venerable  bishop.  It  i: 
part  of  the  address  of  bishop  Onderdonl; — 

'•I  have  gone  through  with  the  several  topics  relating  to  ec- 
clesiastical business  that  have  occurred  to  me.  One  however 
•of  a  different  sort  remains.  It  is  the  continued  health  and  ac- 
tivity uncommon  at  his  age,  of  our  venerable  father  in  God — 
the  centre  of  our  affections,  and  those  of  our  whole  church.  No 
individual  perhaps  on  earth  is  so  personally  connected  with  so 
innny  circumstance*  of  deep  interest.  For  neaily  half  a  centu- 
ry, he  has  hern  the  living  link  between  two  churches,  HIP 
church  of  England  and  the  American  Episcopal  church.  For 
nearly  three  quarters  of  a  century,  he  has  been  the  living  link 
between  the  successive  generations  of  men  in  active  life,  who 
at  the  beginning  of  that  period,  were  prominent  in  the  affairs  o 
our  church,  or  have  since  become  such.  All  our  bishops  but 
one,  since  the  succession  wag  obtained,  and  all  our  presen 
bishops,  received  their  commission  at  his  hands.  He  has  been 
the  senior  bishop  of  our  church  more  than  thirty  eight  years 
and  he  sits  ainony  his  Episcopal  compeers,  as  did  St.  John,  snr 
rounded  by  younger  brethren  only  in  th«  Apostolic  office,  al 
the  other  first  incumbents,  and  many  others  later  in  their  conse- 
cration, having  been  removed  from  their  earthly  labors.  He 
was  the  friend  and  pastor  of  Washington,  and  a  chnplain  t< 
congress  at  an  early  period.  Once,  he  was  the  only  EpUcopa 
clergyman  in  Pennsylvania;  now  about  seventy  nckfcowlrriigi 
him  their  diocesan.  His  personal  character  is  unstained,  hi> 
official  character  admired  and  venerated.  Strangers  ask  to  sec 
him — and  young  children  are  brought  into  his  presence,  that 
they  may  be  able  to  say,  at  future  periods,  that  they  have  been 
taken  by  the  hand  by  bishop  White.  I  am  sure  that  the  heart, 
of  all  ofyou  ray  brethren,  unite  with  mint:  in  the  prayer,  that 


God  will  gtill  'remember  for  good'  his  aged  and  faithfu 
vanl-  [Philadelphia  paper  of  Jun 


»er- 

Philadelphia  paper  of  June  5. 


HOSPITAL  MONEY. 

It  is  well  known  that  every  sailor  in  this  country  employed 
n  the  merchant's  service,  from  the  captain  to  the  cabin  boy,  it 
:ompellrd  by  law  to  pay  twenty  cents  a  month  while  attached 
to  a  vessel,  which  sum  is  to  be  deducted  from  the  wages  due, 
and  paid  over  to  the  collector  of  the  customs  before  such  vessel 
s  allowed  to  enter  in  any  port.  The  sums  thus  received  con- 
stitute what  is  called  "the  marine  hospital  fund,"  and  is  sup- 
posed to  be  appropriated  exclusively  to  furnishing  sailors  with 
a  retreat  when  sick,  and  supplying  them  with  medicines,  me- 
dical advice,  &c. 

The  last  number  of  the  New  York  Sailor 't  Magazine  contains 
a  table,  condensed  from  a  document  transmitted  to  congress  dur- 
ing the  present  [late]  session,  which  shows  the  number  of  sick 
seamen  received  into  tht  different  hospitals  in  the  United  Stales, 
with  the  amount  paid  for  hoard,  nursing,  &c.  and  also  the 
amount  of  hospital  money  collected. 

It  appears  from  this  table  that  the  number  of  men  admitted 
into  the  hospital  in  this  district,  lor  the  year  1832,  the  last  year 
in  which  the  returns  were  made  up,  was  571,  the  total  expen- 
ditures were  $8,517,  and  the  amount  of  hospital  money  receiv- 
ed was  $8,260  44.  In  the  city  of  New  York,  the  number  of 
seamen  admitted  was  950,  total  expenses,  $16,098  41— amount 
of  hospital  money  collected  $14,797  81.  In  Philadelphia,  the 
number  of  seamen  admitted  was  397— total  expenses  ,«r7,554  36 
—of  which  $1,385  87  were  paid  for  clothing!  (The  whole 
amount  charged  in  all  the  other  districts  is  $104  06)!  the  amount 
of  hospital  money  collected  $3,649  87.  In  New  Orleans  the 
number  admitted  is  474,  expenses,  $8,718— and  amount  receiv- 
ed $3,655  52.  The  following  is  the  grand  total  of  expenses, 
seamen  admitted,  and  amount  of  hospital  money— in  the  differ- 
ent ports  of  the  United  States  during  the  year  1832: 
Number  of  men  admitted  to  the  several  hospitals  in  1832  wag 

4,281. 

Amount  paid  for  board  and  nursing .$33,397  57 

Amount  charged  on  contract,  but  no  items  given 3,530  79 

Amount  paid  for  medical  attendance 6,038  23 

Amount  paid  for  medicine 3  757  39 

Amount  paid  for  travelling  expenses '450  08 

Amount  paid  for  clothing i  489  93 

Amount  paid  for  the  funeral  expenses  of  307  men ....     1^1 15  65 
Amount  paid  for  commissions  to  agents  of  one  per  ct.       702  55 

Making  the  total  expenditure  for  the  year  amount  to    70,482  09 
Hospital  money  collected  in  the  same  time 58,942  56 


Leaving  a  balance  for  that  year  in  favor  of  the  go- 
vernment, and  against  the  hospital  lund,  of  ......  $11,539  53 

In  addition  to  the  pittance  thus  wrung  from  the  hard-working 
sailor  by  the  government  of  ihe  United  States,  it  may  be  well 
to  state,  that  the  state  of  New  York  passed  an  act  ten  or  a  dozen 
years  ago,  laying  a  tax  on  sailors,  who  should  enter  that  port 
from  a  foreign  voyage,  of  one  dollar  each  —  and  the  revenue 
which  has  thu*  been  collected  in  a  manner  evidently  unjust  and 
unconstitutional,  has  amounted  to  an  enormous  sum.  It  was 
originally  intended  to  appropriate  the  amount  thus  collected  to 
the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expenses  of  erecting  the  elegant 
marine  hospital  on  Slaten  Island.  It  has  since  been  proposed 
to  apply  it  to  other  purposes.  We  should  be  glad  to  learn  -from 
the  New  York  papers  whether  this  tax  upon  sailors  is  still  con- 
tinued, and  if  it  is,  to  what  purpose  the  money  thus  obtained  is 
applied.  [Ar.  Y.  Mer.  Journal. 

MARINE  CORPS. 

Head  quarters  of  the  marine  corps 
•Adjutant  and  inspector's  office,  Washington,9lhjuly  1634. 

The  following  promotions  have  been  made  in  the  corps'of 
marines  by  the  president  of  the  United  States,  by  and  with  the 
advice  and  consent  of  the  senate: 

Lieut,  col.  commandant  Archibald  Henderson,  colonel  bv 
brevet,  17th  October,  1830. 

Captain  Charles  R.  Broom,  lieut.  col.  by  brevet,  7th  March 
1834. 

1st  lieut.  George  W.  Walker,  captain  by  brevet,  3d  March 
1  831  . 

1st  lieut.  Charles  Grymes,  captain  by  brevet,  20th,  July  1831  . 

1st  lieut.  Ward  Marston,  captain  by  brevet,  30th  October,' 
1831. 

1st  lieut.  Charles  C.  Tupper,  captain  by  brevet,  21st  January 
1832. 

1st  lieut.  Augustus  A.  Nicholson,  captain  by  brevet  27th 
May,  1832. 

1st  lieut.  James  McCawley,  captain  by  brevet,  6th  October 
1832. 

l*t  lieut.  Benjamin  Macomber,  captain  by  brevet,  2d  Anril 
1833. 

1st  lieuf.  Abraham  N.  Brcvoort,  captain  by  brevet,  26lh  Sen 
temher,  1833. 

By  order,  PARKE  G.  HOWLE,  adj.  and  imp. 


EXAMINATION  OF  MIDSHIPMEN. 
The  board  for  the  examination  of  midshipmen,  which  assem- 
bled at  Baltimore  in  May,  adjourned  on  the  12th  June,  having 
examined  all  who  presented  themselves. 


370  NILES'  REGISTER—  JULY  26,  1 834— AFFAIRS  OF  THE  BANK. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  those  found  qualified  for  promotio 
arranged  in  the  order  of  merit,  lo  which  are  added  the  names 
the  states  to  which  they  belong.  Warrants  having  been  gran 
ed,  bearing  the  date  14th  June,  1834. 

[slimy  and  ffavy  Chronicle. 

1826  Chas.  W.  Pickering,  N.  H.  32  Aiiusius  L.  Case,  N.  Y. 

1827  John  de  Camp,  Flo.  33  Roger  Perry,  Md. 

W.  J.  H.  Robertson,  D.  C.  34  Wm.  S.Ringgold,  D.  C. 
1828.  35  John  T.  Williams,  N.  C. 

1  Thornton  A.  Jenkins,  Va.    36  Joseph  W.  Revere,  N.  Y. 

2  Joseph  C.  Walsh,  Pa.  37  Alex'r  M.  Pennock,Tenn. 

3  Charles  H.  Cotton,  Vt.  38  B.  S.  B.  Darlington,  Pa. 

4  Augustine  W.  Provosl,  Pa.    39  George  F.  Eminons,  Vt. 

5  Franklin  Clinton,  N.  Y.         40  Edward  Middleton,  S.  C. 

6  James  K.  Bowie,  Md.  41  Montgomery  Lewis,  Pa. 

7  John  Rodgers,  jr.  D.  C.          42  George  McA.  White,  D.  C. 

8  John  B.  Marchand,  Geo.        43  C.  E.  L.  Griffin,  N.  Y. 

9  Wm.  R.  Taylor,  Mass.  44  William  S.  Swann,  Va. 

10  H.  J.  Harstenc,  S.  C.  45  Thomas  T.  Huter,  Va. 

11  Lloyd  J.  Bryan,  D.  C.  46  Albert  A.  Holcomb,  Ky. 

12  Benjamim  F.  Sands,  Ky.       47  Gustavus  H.  Scotl,  Va. 

13  Henry  French,  Mass.  48  Richard  Forrest,  D.  C. 

14  William  Leigh,  Va.  49  Levin  Handy,  Md. 

15  Samuel  Larkin, jr.  N.  II.       50  David  McDougal,  Ohio, 

16  William  H.  Burges,  Va.         51  Charles  F.  McInlosh,  Va. 

17  Henry  S.  Slellwagon,  Pa.      52  James  W.  Cook,  N.  C. 

18  Jas.  L.  Henderson,  D.  C.       53  C.  F.  M.  Spouswood,  Va. 

19  Daniel  B.  Ridgley,  Ky.          54  Henry  C.  Flagg.S.  C. 

20  John  L.  Ring,  S.  C.  55  Joseph  Moorehead,  Ohio, 

21  Henry  J.  Paul,  N.  C.  56  Daniel  F.  Dulaney,  Va. 

22  Robert  E.  Hooe,  Va.  57  George  L.  Selden,  D.  C. 

23  James  M.  Lockert.Tenn.     58  William  H.  Ball,D.  C. 

24  William  T.  Muse,  N.  C.        59  Elie  W.  Stull,  D.  C. 

25  William  H.  Brown,  Va.        60  John  F.  Mercer, Conn. 

26  Charles  Stedman,  S.  C.         61  Stephen  W.  Wilkinson,Ten 

27  Wm.  L.  Herndon,  Va.  62  James  E.  Brown,  Va. 

28  John  C.  Graham,  D.  C.          63  Hendrick  Norvell,  Ky. 

29  John  P.  Parker,  N.  H.  64  Charles  C.  Barton,  Pa. 

30  John  F.  Borden,  Ohio,  65  J.  J.  B.  Walbach,  N.  H. 

31  James  Alden,  jr.  Me.  66  Joseph  R.  Brown,  Pa. 


MONEY  AND  CURRENCY. 

PROM  THE   NATIONAL   GAZETTE. 

MR.  EDITOR:  I  was  one  of  the  audience  who  attended  the 
lecture  on  political  economy,  delivered  at  the  Franklin  institute 
on  Thurday  evening  last,  by  Mr.  W.  Reid,  and  was  so  mucl 
pleased  with  the  soundness  of  the  doctrines  advanced  in  it,  that 
1  very  much  wish  it  were  published. 

Tbe  subjecl  of  his  lecture  was,  "the  principles  of  money 
and  currency,"  and  as  incidental  to  thai  iuiporlant  branch  of 
political  science,  he  entered  at  large  into  an  examination  of  the 
question,  so  hastily  di.-po.-eil  of  by  congress  on  a  recent  occa- 
sion, of  ihe  relative  value  of  gold  and  silver.  He  shewed,  in 
the  first  place  the  absurdity  of  a  nation  having  two  legal  ten- 
ders; and  in  the  second  place,  proved,  that  the  proportion  adopt- 
ed in  ihe  recenl  act  of  congress,  must  have  Hie  effect,  as  soon 
as  Ihe  exchanges  with  Europe  happen  to  be  above  ihe  real  par 
of  ounce  of  gold  for  ounce  of  gold,  of  driving  all  Ihe  silver  out  of 
the  country.  His  reasoning  was  this — 

By  the  new  bill,  an  eagle  is  to  contain  232  grains  of  pure 
gold,  equal  to  23.2-10  grains  per  dollar. 

A  British  sovereign,  which  is  the  true,  pound  sterling,  con- 
tains 113  grains  and  a  very  small  fraction,  viz.  18-11240  of  a 
grain  of  pure  gold,  which  is  equal  to  the  quantity  of  gold  con- 
tained in  $4  87  and  a  fraction  of  6-100  of  a  cent. 

The  true  par  of  exchange  then  on  England  is  §4  87,  and  the 
small  fraction  above  staled,  and  as  soon  as  exchange  shall  rise 
above  that  par,  the  silver  will  begin  to  be  exported,  and  will 
continue  to  do  so,  so  long  as  dollars  shall  be  worth  in  the  Lon- 
don market  4s.  lOd.  per  ounce,  which  is  equal  to  4s.  2<i.  and 
1-40  of  a  farthing  for  each  dollar. 

For,  estimating  dollars  at  4s.  2/f.  each,  a  debt  of  one  pound 
sterling  can  be  paid  in  England  with  $4  80,  and  as  the  expenses 
of  exporting  dollars  do  not  exceed  one  per  cent,  for  freight  and 
insurance,  and  as  Ihe  dollars  when  they  arrive  in  London  can 
be  converted  into  currency  in  a  moment,  it  will  be  cheaper  to 
export  dollars  than  purchase  a  bill  at  $4  87  per  pound  sterling, 
payable  as  I. ills  usually  run,  at  sixty  days  sight. 

The  difference  between  .$4  80  and  4  87,  is  very  near  1J  per 
cent.  The  interest  on  a  60  day  bill,  with  the  risk  of  solvency, 
is  equal  to  near  1  per  cent.  more.  So  that  as  the  expenses  of 
export  are  only  one  per  cenl.  a  profit  on  the  transaction  would 
be  left  of  near  one  and  a  half  per  cent,  which  is  quite  enough 
to  cause  thai  mode  of  remittance  to  have  a  preference,  until 
Ihe  country  gels  as  thoroughly  drained  of  silver  dollars,  as  il 
has  heretofore  been  of  gold  eagles. 

The  price  of  dollars  in  London  on  Ihe  20th  of  May,  the  latesl 
dale  I  have  seen,  was  4i.  9jrf.  If  it  continues  at  thai  price,  the 
profit  would  be  diminished,  but  even  al  4s.  !».;</.  it  would  be  pro- 
fitable to  export  silver,  inasmuch  as  at  that  price  $4  85  would 
pay  a  debt  in  London  of  one  pound. 

Il  is  known  lo  all  our  merchanls  thai  in  the  ordinary  course 
of  our  trade  with  England,  the  tendency  of  exchange  is  lo  be 
aeai,i-t  us,  and  that  the  great  hulk  of  tin:  silver  we  import  from 
Mexico  and  Soulb  America,  finds  its  way  to  Europe,  which 
wouM  not  bo  llm  case,  unless  it  were  more  profitable  to  send 
silver  than  to  puifhase  bills  of  exchange.  If,  then,  silver  found 
iu  way  out  of  the  country,  when  it  had  no  preference  over  gold, 


how  much  more  certainly  will  it  go  when  il  holds  oul  Ihe  re- 
ward of  a  certain  profit,  which  gold  cannot  yield? 

The  first  effect  of  the  new  gold  hill  will  be  to  stop  the  impor- 
tation of  silver  from  Europe.  If  any  more  of  the  precious  me- 
tals be  imported,  gold  will  have  ihe  preference;  and  for  the 
simple  reason  that  a  Biitish  sovereign,  which  contain*  as  much 
gold  as  will  be  worth  al  our  mini  $4  87,  can  be  purchased  with 
the  same  pound  sterling  that  will  command  only  x4  bO  in  silver 
dollars,  if  the  price  of  silver  be  4s.  lOd.  per  oz.  o*r  $4  85  if  the 
price  be  4s.  9^d.  It  will  require  time,  however,  lo  sel  Ihe  ma- 
chinery in  motion  which  will  be  necessary  to  complete  so  vast 
a  work  as  that  of  substiluting  a  gold  for  a  silver  currency;  but 
that  it  will  take  place,  if  Ihe  relative  proportions  between  gold 
and  silver  that  have  existed  in  Europe  for  the  last  ten  years, 
and  upon  which  alone  the  advocates  of  the  bill  in  question 
founded  their  reasons,  should  continue  lo  be  maintained,  is  just 
as  cerlain  as  that  merchants  will  pursue  their  own  interest. 

In  illustrating  the  fashionable  doctrine  of  having  two  legal 
tenders,  or  what  people  call  measures  of  value,  he  referred  to 
Ihe  case  of  ihe  British  king,  who,  in  fixing  measures  of  length, 
took  the  length  of  his  own  royal  arm  as  lhal  for  Hie  ell.  Now, 
suppose,  said  Ihe  lecturer,  the  king  had  at  Ihe  same  time  declar- 
ed that  the  length  of  the  queen's  arm  should  also  have  been  the 
standard  ell,  any  body  would  at  once  have  seen  the  absurdity 
of  Ihe  proposition.  But,  in  point  of  fact,  the  matter  is  more 
absurd  still  than  Mr.  Reid  made  it.  It  is  just  as  absurd  as  it 
would  be  to  say,  that  because  lead  in  the  market  is  worth  to- 
day ,«3  per  cwt.  and  iron  $3  per  cwt.  one  pound  of  lead  shall 
always  be  the  equivalent  of  one  pound  of  iron. 

A  CITIZEN. 

AFFAIRS  OF  THE  BANK. 
From  the  Richmond  Whig  of  July  4. 

THE   FINANCE   COMMITTEE   OF   THE    SENATE,  AND   THE   BANK  OF 
THE   UNITED    STATES. 

We  have  seen  some  erroneous  statements  as  to  the  lime 
ivhen,  and  the  place  where,  the  finance  committee  of  the  se- 
nate (consisting,  since  Mr.  Wilking'  appointment  to  Russia,  of 
Messrs.  Webster,  Tyler,  Manguni  and  Ewing),  would  corn- 
nence  their  investigations,  as  well  as  many  lalse  inductions 
and  slanderous  insinuations,  as  to  the  intentions  of  the  coin 
nittee.  We  are  enabled  to  speak  with  accuracy  on  these  se- 
veral points. 

The  committee  of  finance  were  charged  with  the  following 
(.•solutions  al  different  periods  of  Ihe  session: 

In  senate  of  the  United  States,  February  4th.  1834. 

Resolved,  Thai  Ihe  committee  on  finance  be  instructed  to  in- 
|tiire  into  the  present  condition  of  the  currency  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  effects  of  the  removal  of  the  deposiles  on  ihe 
ame. 

Insenate  of  the  United  States,  May  5th,  1834. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  finance  be  directed  to  in- 
quire whether  any,  and   which,  of  the  banks  st-lecled   by  the 
resent  secretary  of  the  treasury  for  tbe  deposite  of  ihe  public 
Honeys,  have  stopped  payment — the  amount  of  public  money 
eposited  in  ihem  at  the  time  of  their  suspension,  if  any— that 
hey  inquire  also  into  the  circumstances  attending  their  selec- 
ion,  and  the  security  taken  by  the  secretary,  and  whether  the 
uhlic  moneys  are  safe  in  the  places  where  they  are  now  depo- 
ited — and  lhal  they  have  leave  lo  send  for  persons  and  papers: 
In  senate  of  the  United  States,  June3Qth,  1834. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  finance,  have  leave  lo  sit 
n  the  recess,  on  the  subjects  with  which  they  were  charged  by 
le  resolulions  of  February  4lh,  and  May  5th;  and  Hint  saiil 
ommittee  he  further  instructed  to  inquire  whether  the  bank  of 
ie  Uniied  States  has  violated  its  charier;  whether  any  moneys 
f  the  United  Stales  remaining  in  said  bank  are  safe;  what  hag 
een  the  conduct  of  the  hank  cince  1832,  in  regard  to  the  ex- 
ension  and  curtailment  of  its  loans  and  discount*,  and  to  its 
ralings  in  internal  exchanges;  and  whal  has  been  its  general 
onduct  and  management  since  thai  period. 
The  last  resolution  and  the  one  preceding  it,  are  those  under 
hich  the  committee  of  finance  will  be  engaged  in  the  recess 
f  congress,  and  as  they  comprehend  many  inquiries  of  the 
eepest  public  interest,  the  results  of  its  labors  will  be  expected 
iih  curiosity  and  solicitude. 

In  reference  lo  ihe  investigalion  of  Ihe  bank  of  ihe  Uniled 
lales  under  the  resolution  of  30th  June,  a  preliminary  corres- 
ondence  between  the  committee  and  Mr.  Kiddle  has  been  put 
to  our  hands  for  inspection  by  a  member  of  the  committee, 
naccompanied  by  leave  to  publish  it,  but  also  by  any  prohibi- 
on;  and  as  it  presents  the  line  of  examination  proposed  by 
e  committee,  and  shows  the  spirit  in  which  they  are  resolved 

pursue  it,  as  well  as  that  of  the  directory  in  regard  lo  it,  we 
ive  thought  il  right  from  public  consideration*,  M  well  as  in 
slice  lo  the  parties  to  the  correspondence,  to  lay  it  before  tbe 
ublic. 

LETTER  TO   THE   BANK. 

Philadelphia,  July  ~th,  1834. 

To  the  president  and  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  U.  States. 
GENTLEMEN:  We  enclose  you  a  copy  of  a  resolution  passed 
i  the  senate  of  the  United  Slates,  on  the  30th  June,  by  which, 
>u  will  perceive,  it  is  made  our  duty  lo  execule  certain  inqui- 
es  in  relation  lo  Ihe  bank  of  ihe  Uniied  Slate*.  These  impli- 
es are — 

1.  Whether  Ihe  bank  has  violated  its  charter? 

2.  Whether  ihe  moneys  of  the  Uniied  Stales,  now  remaining 
the  bank,  are  safe? 


NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,  1834— U.  8.  COMMERCE  AND  NAVIGATION-     S?i 


3.  What  has  been  the  conduct  of  the  hank  since  1832,  in  re- 
gard lo  the  successive  extension*;  and  curtailments  of  its  loans 
HIM!  discounts,  iind  its  dealings  in  domestic  or  internal   hills  <>" 
exchange? 

4.  And  what  has  been  its  general  conduct  and  management 
since,  that  period? 

We  shall  enter  upon  these  inquiries  at  some  period  before 
the  next  meeting  of  congress,  and  shall  endeavor  to  olilaiu  the 
most  full  and  ample  information  upon  all  ami  each  of  the  points 
enumerated  in  the  instructions  of  the  senate. 

To  this  end,  it  will  be  necessary  that  the  books  of  the  bank 
shoiili!  be  freely  subject  to  our  inspection;  and  that  we  should 
lie  furnished  with  all  such  accounts,  statements,  abstracts  and 
exhibits,  as  we  may  deem  useful  and  proper.  The  time  o 
commencing  the  examination  will  be  hereafter  communicated 
to  you.  But,  in  order  to  facilitate  our  labor,  and  enable  us  to 
go  through  it  with  more  despatch,  when  we  shall  again  meet 
we  navy  now  to  request  that  the  following  statements  or  tables 
lie  made  out  and  forwarded,  as  soon  us  convenient,  to  the 
chairman  of  the  committee: 

I.  A  quarterly  statement  of  the  affairs  of  the  hank  and  its 
offices  respectively,  for  the  several  quarters  of  the  years  1832 
and  1833,  and  the  three  first  quarters  of  1834.  This  statement 
to  contain — 

1.  Amount  of  notes  discounted.  • 

2.  Domestic  hills  of  exchange  purchased  and  discounted. 

3.  Foreign  hills  of  exchange  purchased  and  discounted. 

4.  Balance  due  from  other  banks,  including  their  notes. 

5.  Balance  due  to  other  banks. 

6.  Amount  of  specie:  specifying  how  much  in  gold  and  how 
much  in  silver:  how  much  coin  and  how  much  bullion. 

7.  Amount  of  public  deposiles. 

8.  Amount  of  private  deposites. 

II.  Statements  of  all  the  dividends  of  the  bank,  with  the 
amount  of  any  existing  surplus  fund  or  contingent  fund. 

III.  Statement  of  the  real  estate  and  banking  houses  held  by 
the  bank,  with  an  estimate  of  their  value. 

IV.  The  debts  due  the   bank,  with  an   estimate,  showing 
what  part  is  regarded  as  bad  or  doubtful,  and  what  funds,  if 
any,  are  relied  on  to  meet  any  deficiency  arising  from  such 
causes. 

V.  Copies  of  all  the  by-laws  and  rules  of  proceeding  adopted 
by  the  directors. 

VI.  Statement  of  the  rales  of  exchange  on  domestic  bills,  for 
the  several  quarters  before  mentioned,  between  the  principal 
cities  in  the  United  States,  and  tables  of  the  rates  of  such  ex- 
changes, yearly,  since  1816.  Signed  by  the  committee. 

THE   REPLY. 

Bank  of  the  United  States ,  July  8, 1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  letter  of 
the  7th  instant,  which  was  this  morning  submitted  lo  the  board 
of  directors. 

They  have  instructed  me  to  inform  you  in  reply,  that  they 
will  very  promptly  and  cheerfully  give  every  facility  within 
their  power  lo  the  investigation  you  propose.  Having  not  the 
least  motive  nor  wish  to  withhold  the  most  complete  information 
of  all  their  proceedings,  but,  on  the  contrary,  being  desirous  of 
giving  to  them  every  publicity  consistent  with  the  rights  and  in- 
terests of  other  parties,  they  will  freely  submit  all  their  books 
to  the  inspection  of  the  committee,  and  furnish  every  assistance 
which  may  be  required.  They  take  the  liberty  of  suggesting, 
that  the  private  accounts  of  individuals  with  this  bank,  as  with 
nil  similar  institutions,  are  regarded  as  confidential,  and  feel 
full  confidence  that  the  committee  will,  in  no  case,  make  pub- 
lic the  state  of  such  accounts,  unless  to  do  so  becomes  neces- 
sary by  reason  of  some  imputed  misconduct  or  infraction  of  the 
charter.  They  further  suggest  that,  if  in  the  progress  of  this 
examination,  the  committee  see  reason  to  suppose  that  any  vio- 
lation of  the  charter  of  the  bank  has  been  committed,  the  com- 
mittee will  deem  it  a  matter  of  001111000  right  and  justice,  that 
the  nature  of  the  alleged  violation  should  be  suggested  to  the 
board  of  directors,  in  order  lhal  they  may  lay  before  the  com- 
mittee all  the  fuels  and  explanations  respecting  such  alleged 
violation. 

The  statements  requested  by  the  committee  will  be  immedi- 
ntely  prepared  and  forwarded  to  the  chairman;  and  whenever  it 
shall  be  the  pleasure  of  ihe  committee  to  proceed,  the  board  of 
directors  will  be  ready  and  willing  to  render  every  aid  in  the 
most  unlimited  investigation  of  the  concerns  of  the  bank.  I 
have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

N.  BIDDLE,  president. 

Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  John  Tyler,  ifc.  committee. 

[The  "Whig"  proceeds  to  say,  lliat  the  inquiry  will  be  re- 
sumed early  in  the  next  month,  and  commenced  at  Boston,  and 
gives  us  to  understand  that  it  will  be  a  thorough  one — and  also 
that  the  state  deposite  banks  will  be  carefully  looked  into.] 

COMMERCE  AND  NAVIGATION  OF  THE  U.  STATES. 
Until  it  may  be  convenient  to  publish  our  general  abstract  of 
the  contents  of  the  document  from  which  the  following  extracts 
are  taken,  the  matter  annexed  will  answer  many  interesting 
purposes  of  reference. 

FROM   THE   TREASURY   REPORT. 

Summon/  statement  of  the  value  of  the  exports  of  the  growth,  pro- 
duce and  manufacture  of  the  United  Slates  during  the  year 
commencing  on  the  \st  day  of  October,  183*3,  and  ending  on  the 
30th  day  of  September,  18331 


THE    SEA. 

Fisheries- 
Dried  or  cod  fisheries 
Pickled  fish  or  river  fisheries,  her- 
ring, shad,  salmon,  mackerel 
Whale  and  other  fish  oil 
Spermaceti  oil 
Whalebone 
Spermaceti  candles 

THE    FOREST. 

Skins  and  furs 

Ginseng 

Product  of  wood — 

Staves  singles,  boards,  hewn  tim- 
ber 

Other  lumber 

Masts  and  spara 

Oak  bark  and  other  die 

All  manufactures  of  wood 

Naval  stores,  tar,  pitch,  rosin  and 
turpentine 

Ashes,  pot  and  pearl 


Dollar*.  Dollar*.  Dollar*. 
712,317 

277,973 

9-24,810 

42,589 

185,329 

259,451 

2,402,469 


841,933 
183,194 


1,969,191 

249,036 

32,625 

93,609 

318,641 

483,712 
814,398 


1.961,212 


4,986,339 


AGRICULTURE. 

Product  of  animals — 

Beef,  tallow,  hides,  horned  cattle        958,076 
Butler  and  cheese  258,452 

Pork,  (pickled)    bacon,  lard,  live 

hogs  2.151,558 

Horses  and  mules  167,330 

Sheep  21,464 

3,556,880 

Vegelable  food — 

Wheat  29,592 

Flour  5,613,010 

Indian  corn  337,505 

Indian  meal  534,309 

Rye  meal  140,017 

Rye,  oats,  and  other  small  grain 

and  pulse  102,568 

Biscuit  or  shipbread  252,555 

Potaloes  52,052 

Apples  33,262 

Rice  2,744,418 

Indigo  180 

9,839,468 

13,396,348 

Tobacco  5,755,968 

Cotton  36,191,105 

All  other  agricultural  products— 
Flaxseed  228,300 

Hops  92,963 

Brown  sugar  7,635 

328,898 


MANUFACTURES. 

Soap  and  tallow  candles 

Leather,  boots  and  shoes 

Household  furniture 

Coaches  and  other  carriages 

Hats 

Saddlery 

Wax 

Spirits  from  grain,  beer,  ale  and  porter 

Snuff  and  tobacco 

Lead 

Linseed  oil  and  spirits  of  turpentine 

Cordage 

Iron,  pig,  bar  and  nails 

castings 

manufactures  of 
Spirits  from  molasses 
Sugar,  refined 
Chocolate 
Gunpowder 
Jopper  and  brass 
Vledicinal  drugs 

Cotton,  piece  goods — 

Printed  or  colored  421,721 

White  1,802,116 

Vankeens  2,054 

Twist,  yarn  and  thread  104,335 

All  other  manufactures  of  202.291 

Flax  and  hemp — 
Cloth  and  thread 
Bags  and  all  manufactures  of 
Wearing  apparel 
/iimbs  and  bullous 
I?  rushes 
Umbrellas  and  parasols 


673,076 
213,510 
200,635 

28,830 
243,271 

33,051 

178,748 

144,069 

288,973 

5,685 

30,293 

23,140 

72,177 

48,009 
113,626 

28,463 

40,327 

2,148 

139,164 

203,880 

126,355 

2,837,430 


-2,532,517 

5,964 
18,985 
43.943 
142,970 
3,157 
21,380 


U  murcilils  rtuu  |fiiiuauia  x.l,oou 

leather  and  morocco  skins  not  sold  per  pound  38,267 

'rinting  presses  and  type  16,599 

fire  engines  and  apparatus  9,791 

Musical  instruments  5,400 

Books  and  maps  46,946 


875     NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  16,  1884— U.  S.  COMMERCE  AND  NAVIGATION. 


Paper  and  other  stationary                                    46,484 
Paints  and  varnish                                                  22,552 
Vinegar                                                                      3,347 
Earthen  and  stone  ware                                        12,159 
Manufactures  of  glass                                         93,494 
tin                                                     2,928 
pewter  and  lead                             2,010 
marble  and  stone                             5,087 
gold  and  silver  and  gold  leaf            381 
Gold  and  silver  coin                                              366,842 
Artificial  flowers  and  jewelry                               10,433 
Molasses                                                                    2,279 
Trunks                                                                           7,608 
Btick  and  lime                                                          3,866 
Domestic  salt                                                          18,211 
.     .  3  485  600 

1819              612,930  44               647,821  17               1,260,751  61 
1820               619,047  53                661,118  66                1,280,166  24 
1821               619,096  40                679,062  30                1,298,958  70 
1822               628,150  41                696,548  71                1,324,699  17 
1823               639,920  76                696.644  87                1,336,565  68 
1824              669,972  60                719,'l90  37                1,389,163  02 
1625              700,78708                722,32369                1,423,11177 
1826               737,978  15                796,212  68                1.534,190  83 
1827              747,170  44               873,437  34                1.690,667  78 
1828              812,619  37                928,772  50                1,741.391  87 
1829              650,142  88               610,654  88                1,260J977  81 
1830              576,475  33               615,301  10                1,191,776  43 
1831              620,451  92               647,394  32               1,267,846  29 
1832              686,969  77                752,460  39                1,439,450  21 
Treasury  department,  register's  office,  17tA  Jan.  1834. 
T.L.  SMITH,  register. 
fjQf-The  apparent  reduction  of  the  amount  of  our  tonnage,  in 
some  of  the  years  given,  is  chiefly  caused  by  corrections  of  the 
returns,  on  account  of  vessels  lost,  decayed  or  sold,  &c.  in  the 
ntervals  between  such  corrections.    As,  for  an  example,  the 
seeming  amount  of  our  tonnage  rose  from  1818,  the  period  of  one 
correction,  to  1828,  when  the  aggregate  was  given  at  1,741,391 
.otis;  but  in  1829,  at  only  1,260.977'tons.    The  difference  had 
>een  ascertained,  in  1829,  as  being  lost,  &c.  in  the  preceding 
eleven  years,  during  which  the  new  vessels  built  had  been  added. 

QUANTITIES   OR    VALUES    OF    CERTAIN   GOODS    IMPORTED. 

1831.               1832.               1833. 
Rags  of  any  kind  of  cloth        $276,617           466,387           411,785 
Furs  of  all  kinds                        417,038           335,577           233,329 
Hides  and  skins  raw             3,057,543       4,680,128        3,588,819 
IMaister  of  Paris                         119,444           104,745           205,698 
Copper  in  pigs  and  bars           530,682           752,937          575,103 
sheathing,  &.C.             560,609          624,340           824.405 
Bullion—  gold                             166,191           102,021             48,267 
silver                           686,283           736,711           297.P40 
Specie—  gold                              765,838          614,665           563,585 
silver                         5,687,633        4,454,107        6,160,676 
Manufacture!  of  wool. 
Not  exceeding  33|  the  sq.  yd.    695,666           503,193           139,829 
Exceeding       50          "    «;   1.317,645           944,6311 
100          "     "   2,405,770       2,262,193  1 
250         "    "  2.303,511        1,804.701  }•     6,128,194 
400         "    "        85,998             78^006  1 
400  and  upwards                           8,518             12,310  J 
Blankets                                  1,180,478          602,796        1,165,260 
Hosiery,  gloves,  fcc.                  325,856           260,563          463,348 
Bombazines                               461,898           327,623 
Worsted  stuff  goods               3,392,037        2,615,124        4,281,309 
Carpets  and  carpeting              421,099          557,775           319,592 
All  other  manufactures            490,651           351,132           510,539 
Cotton,  4'c. 
Printed  or  eolored                 10,046,500        6,355,475        5,181,647 
White                                      4,285,175       21258,672        1,181,512 
Hosiery,  gloves,  &c.                 887.957        1,035,513          623,369 
All  other                                     870,592           749,993          673,921 
Silk  from  India,  all  kinds      1,857,005       2,696,332        1,609,420 
Other  places,  all  kinds           9,047,388       6,398,234        7,564,779 
Lace,  thread,  silk,  &c.           1,374,533           816,413        1,226,059 
Linens,  checks,  &c.               3,790,111        4.073,164        3,132,557 
Ticklenburgs.sheelings,  &c.    988,153           796,461        1,017,031 
Hats,  caps  and  bonneu            326,049           193,591           189,746 
Manufactures  of  iron   not 
specified                               3,735,010        3,894,298        2,831,715 
Glass  not  subject  to  specific 
duties                                      235,909           367,031           333,882 
China  or  porcelain                     108,169           166,478           148,851 
Earthen  and  stone  ware        1,516,435        1,857,542        1,669,336 
Brass  wares                                630,687           789,548           370,764 
Leather,  including  saddles, 
bridles,  &c.                             811,251           649,418          828,297 
Tin,  in  plates                            588,417           525,417             86,855 
Sail  duck                     ig.ydt.  1,674,240        2,703,628        1,267,040 
Cotton  bagging               "          207,906           803,849        1,421,185 
Wines                              gals.  3,680,062        5,845,556        3,971,240 
Foreign  spirits                 "      2,491,523       2,810,140        2,954,288 
Molas'ses                            "    17,085,878      15,860,553      15,693,050 
Beer,  ale  and  porter        "           61,759            71,343            88,244 
Olive  oil  in  casks           "         234,647             91.827           182,737 
Teas                                 Ibi.      5,182.867        9,906i606      14,639,822 
Coffee                               <    81,757,386      91,722,329      99,955,020 
Cocoa                                '      2,839,445        1,622,366        3,289,064 
Sugar,  brown                   '    98,576,928      60,117,717      85,689.044 
white                      '     10,437,726        6,334,571       11.999.0P8 
Indigo                                 '          803,252        1,114,827      '1,140,454 
Cotton                                 '         345,459           442,688           471,748 
Gunpowder                        «           72,239             33,032               9,470 
White  and  red  lead         «         111,178           557,781           6-35,069 
SuL'aroflead                     '          147,223           353,563           123,039 
Lead,  bar,  sheet  &.  pigs    '      2,108,165       5,333,588       2,282,068 
Cordage  and  cables          '         790,232       2,538,430        3,161.247 
Twine,  &.c.                       '         379,716          452,850          655.029 
Muskets  arid  rifles          no.           1,097               4.42-2             11,201 
Iron  and  steel  wire          Ib*.      608,779           662,995           519,575 
Nails  and  spikes               «        890,747          897,167           794,491 

Articles  not  enumerated  — 
Manufactured                                                     600,892 
Other                                                                      332,649 
933  541 

70,317,698 
Treatury  department,  register'*  office,  Feb.  14,  1834. 
T.  L.  SMITH,  register. 
Total  value  of  the  exports  of  the  U.  States  in  1833— 
Domestic  produce        $70,317,698 
Foreign     19,822,735 

$90,140,433 

We  have  collected  the  following  comparative  values  of  arti- 
cles exported  for  the  last  three  years. 
1831.               1832.               1833. 
Of  the  sea                               1,889,472        2,558,538       2,402,469 
—  the  forest                             4,263,477        4,347,794        4,986,339 
—  animals                               2,808,936        3,179,522       3,556,880 
—  vegetable  food                  13,997,472        8,532,494        9,839,468 
—  tobacco                               4,894,388       5,999,769        5,775,968 
—  cotton                               25,289,492      31,724,682      36,191,105 
—  other  agricul.  products         253,145           159,716           328,898 
—  manufactures                     2,969,435       2,730,833       2,837,430 
—  cotton  manufactures         1,126,313        1,229,574       2,532,517 
—  other           "                         595,464          613,149           586,241 
—  gold  and  silver  coin           2,058,474        1,410,941           366,842 
—  all  other  articles                 1,109,992           830,448           933,541 

Total  domestic                     61,277,057      63,137,470      70,317,698 
foreign                         20,033,526      24,039,473      19,882,735 

81,310,583      87,176,943      90,140,433 
Quantities  of  certain  articles. 
1831.               1832.               1833. 
Flour                             bbls.  1,806,529           864,919           955,768 
Cotton,  8.  I.               Ibs.       8,311,762        8,743,373       11,142,987 
other                "     268,668,122    313,471,749     313,555,617 
Tobacco                      hhds.         86,718           106,806             83,153 
Rice                            tierces        116,517           120,327            144,163 

IMPORTATIONS    OP   THE   UNITED    STATES. 

1831.                   1832.                   1833. 
Aggregate  values         103,191,124        101,029,266        108,118,311 
It  will  be  seen  that  the  values  given  to  the  importations  always 
exceed  those  allowed  to  the  exportation*  —  but  the  difference  is 
not,  necessarily,  a  balance  against  the  United  States,  for  it  may, 
or  should,  represent  profits  earned  in  freights,  or  the  otherwise 
increased  money-value  of  our  articles  exported  and  sold  in 
foreign  countries;  and  the  fact  is,  that,  though  the  three  years 
shew  a  seeming  balance  against  us  of  more  than  50  millions 
we  prospered  much  because  of  the  operations  of  the  "AMERI 
CAN  SYSTEM,"  as  applied  to  agriculture,  manufactures  and  com- 
merce, including  navigation.     But,  in  other  circumstances,  such 
balances  may  indicate  that  the  current  of  trade  is  against  us 
These  tables,  though  the  most  useful  of  all  the  public  docu- 
ments that  are  annually  issued,  however,  are  chiefly  valuable 
on  account  of  the  COMPARISONS  that  they  afford.     They  do  not 
for  they  CANNOT,  tetllethe"balance  of  trade"  —  but  shew  the  course 
of  trade. 
Navigation. 
1831.               1832.               1833. 
American  tonnage  entered   9-22,952           9-19,622           1,111,441 
«              "       departed  972,504            974,865            1,142,160 
Foreign  tonnage  entered      281,948           393,038              496,705 
«            "       departed     271,994           387,505              497,039 
American  tonnage. 
1830.                 1831.                 1832. 
Registered                             576,475             620,451             686,989 
Enrolled  and  licensed          615,301             647,394             752,460 

Total                        1,191,776          1,267,846          1,439,450 
Jl  comparative  view  of  the  registered,  enrolled  and  licensed  ton 
nage  of  the  United  Statesfrom  1815  to  1832,  inclusive. 

Year,.    Registered  tonnage.       ^^^L""""'    To{nl  tonna^ 
Tons  and  95ths.    Tons  and  95ths.    Tons  nnd  95ths 
1815              854,294  74               513,833  04               1,368,127  7 
1816              800,759  63               571,458  85               1,372,218  53 
1817              809,724  70               590,186  66               1,399,911  4 
1818            606,088  64              609,095  51              1,225,184  20 

•There  was  in  this  year,  in  addition,  $527,633  worth  of  indigo 
in  amount  imported. 

_ 

Cabl 
Cast 


NILES*  REGISTER—JULY  26,  1834— LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.      873 


Cables  Jt  chains, or  parts  Ibs.  1,004,540  2,454,360 

Castings                            "     1,174,510  2,999,039 

Sheet  and  hoop                "    5,672,779  6,391.578 

Pig  iron                            cwt.      138,967  203,025 

Bar  and  bolt  rolled           "       344,918  427,745 

hammered  Ibs.  52,232,192 

Steel                                cwt.        34,203  54,929 

Hemp                                "          51,909  150,739 

Wool                                 Ibs.    5,622,960  4,042,838 

Salt                                busk.    4,182,340  5,041,326 

Coal                                 "       1,022,245  2,043,389 

Paper  of  all  sorts            Ibs.    1,370,033  805,922 

Glass  ware  not  specified  "         18,344  24,221 
Plain  and  other  glass        " 

Glass  ware— other           "        749,485  1,060,291 
Glass,  phials,  bottles,  de- 
mijohns                     gross      76,452  85.739 
Window  glass       100  sq.  feet       4.605  4,904 
Shoes,  boots,  &c.           pairs      19,091  30,125 


4,216,261 
6,080,186 
7,505;246 
186,601 
560,566 

85,456,164    wt.722,486 
42,629 
94,026 
*95,205 
6,822,672 
2,588,102 
319,104 
52,245 
788,748 
$210,227 

81,977 
8,539 
44,87 


Note—  From  the  4th  of  March,  1833,  the  coffee,  teas  and  cocoa 
imported  were  free  of  duty—  and  the  duty  on  sail  duck  and  in- 
digo, after  the  same  time,  were  chargeable  on  the  value  instead 
of  quantity. 

The  importations  for  the  year,  of  these  articles,  stood  thus: 
Teas  paying  specific  dulv  ................  Ibs.  2,051,182 

free  of  duty  ........  '.  .................    12,588,640 

Total  ............     14,639,822 

Coffee  paying  specific  duty  ................  33,326,120 

free  of  duty  .........................  66,628,900 

Total  ............  Ibs.  99,955,020 

Cocoa  paying  a  specific  duty  ............  955,260 

freeofduty  .......................        2,333,804 

Total  ............  Ibs.  3,289,064 

There  were  1,267,040  sq.  yds.  of  sail  duck  imported  subject  to 
duty  on  the  square  yard,  and  $527,632  in  amount,  chargeable 
with  duty  on  the  value. 

QUANTITIES  OR  VALUES  OF  FOREIGN  GOODS  EXPORTED. 


1831. 

Rags  of  any  kind  of  cloth       $        624 

Furs  of  all  kinds  24,757 

Hides  and  skin?,  raw  20,723 

Plaister  of  Paris  14 

Copper  in  pigs  and  bars  123,745 

sheathing,  &c.  50,990 

Bullion— gold  21.690 

silver  203,572 

Specie— gold  899,365 

silver  5,831,830 

Manufactures  of  wool, 

Not  exceeding  33}  the  sq.  yd.     19,297 

Exceeding       50          "     "        15,461 

100          "     "        32,886 

250          "    "        77,151 

400          "    "        47,767 

400  and  upwards  2,794 

Blankets  28,039 

Hosiery,  gloves,  &c.  371 

Bombazines  4,450 

Worsted  stuff  goods  49,997 

Carpets  and  carpeting  6,519 

All  other  manufactures  12,422 

Cotton,  4'c. 

Printed  or  colored  1,746,442 

White  973,774 

Hosiery,  gloves,  &.C.  57,015 

All  other  451,6-27 

Silk  from  India,  all  kinds  418,689 
Other  places,  all  kinds  622,931 

Lace,  thread,  silk,  &c.  33,766 

Linens,  check,  &c.  898,402 

Ticklenburgs,  sheetings,  &c.  355,892 
Hats,  caps  and  bonnets  9,418 

Manufactures  of  iron  notspe.  157,692 
Glass  not  subj.  to  spe.  duties  27,797 
China  or  porcelain  13,175 

Earthen  and  stone  ware  36,828 

Brass  wares  5,556 

Leather,  including  saddles, 
bridles,  &c. 


1832. 

360 

36,917 

712,306 

117 

15,785 

35,267 

7,615 

255,517 

630,850 

3,351,417 

2991 
22,138  ! 


Ibt.  17,297,837 
"  5,274,579 
"  238,218 


Sugar,  brown 
while 
ndigo 
Motion 

Gunpowder  "         1I,'224 

While  and  red  lead          "        164,638 
Sugar  of  lead  "        (none) 

..ead,  bar,  sheets  it  pigs  "     1,950,066 
"  rdage  and  cables  "     1,062,240 

Twine,  Sic.  "         42,892 

Vluskets  and  rifles  no.        8,734 

iron  and  steel  wire          Ibi.  50 

Vails  and  spikes  "          39,927 

ables  &  chains  or  parts  "          15,739 
Castings  "          20,541 

Sheet  and  hoop  "        161,278 

Pig  iron  cwt.        1,633 

14,854 


Bar  and  bolt,  rolled 


Steel 

Hemp 

Wool 

Salt 

Coal 

Paper  of  all  sorts 

Glass  ware  not  specified 

Other 


hammered  Ibi.    780,440 
cwt.        3,088 
"        (none) 
Ibs.        3,607 
bushels  55,689 
"          4,329 
Ibs    812,808 
"        3,960 
70,367 


Glass,  phials,  bottles,  demi- 

johns gross    18,448 

Window  glass         100  sq.  feet  (none) 
Shoes,  boots,  &c.  pairs          841 


14,230,070 

3,258,875 

303,108 

452,977 

13,675 

72,113 

150 

3,089,720 

1,330,434 

36,782 

4,770 

(none) 

36,918 

(none) 

24,590 

235,477 

4,140 

9.796 

68  J ',804 

2,416 

(none) 

1,2-77,959 

29,350 

(none) 

953,143 

165 

44,037 

19,631 
190 


2,001,424 

4,475,869 

186,736 

438,617 

24,592 

55,555 

2,417 

2,221.000 

2,159,922 

57,967 

9,534 

1,697 

16,949 

(none) 

2,120 

265.085 

740 

14,841 

2,777 

288 

(none) 

44,570 

8,784 

357,946 

(none) 

(none) 

23,142 
64 
5,179 


31,615 


Tin  in  plates 
Sail  duck 

Cotton  bagging 

Wines 

Foreign  spirits 

Molasses 

Beer,  ale  and  porter 

Olive  oil  in  casks 

Teas 

Coffee 

Cocoa 


2,965 
32,814 

sq.yds.  219,616 

9,472 
321,138 
639,300 
17,695 
9,605 
19,215 
526,186 
6,056,629 
1,783,003 


gal. 


Ibs. 


89,501  f 
67,778 

4.998J 
39,763 
454 

5.229 
53,738 

1,310 
49,095 

1,094,412 
782,356 

62,775 
382,544 
649,054 
620,387 

50,505 
633,038 
530,151 

13,129 
115,596 

29,468 
9,515 

55,644 
2,522 

8,009 
14,476 

465,560 

9,92-2 

423,925 

662,377 

29.656 

7,729 

22,836 

1,279,462 

55,251,158 

1,418,352 


By  deducting  the  exports  of  foreign  goods,  for  the  three  suc- 
cessive years,  from  the  amounts  imported,  the  regular,  as  well 
as  the  comparative  consumption,  will  be  ascertained  with  suf- 
ficient accuracy. 

LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

An  act  to  regulate  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes, 
and  to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontiers. 

Be  it  enacted,  &c.  That  all  that  part  of  the  United  States 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  not  within  the  states  of  Missouri 
and  Louisiana,  or  the  territory  of  Arkansas,  and,  also,  that  part 
1833.      of  the  United  States  east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  not  within 
672    any  state  to  which  the  Indian  title  has  not  been  extinguished, 
27,306    for  the  purposes  of  this  act,  be  taken  and  deemed  to  be  the  Iit- 
572,413    dian  country. 

180        Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  no   person  shall   be 
38,699    permitted  to  trade  with  any  of  the  Indians,  (in  the  Indian  coun- 
50,089    try),  without  a  license  therefor  from  a  superintendent  of  In- 
26,773    dian  affairs,  or  Indian  agent,  or  sub  agent,  which  license  shall 
be  issued  for  a  term  not  exceeding  two  years  for  the  tribes  east 
495,890    of  the  Mississippi,  and  not  exceeding  three  years  for  the  tribes 
1,722,19      west  of  that  river.    And  the  person  applying  for  such  license 
shall  give  bond  in  a  penal  sum  not  exceeding  five  thousand 
ollars,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  to  be  approved  by  the  person 
issuing  the  same,  conditioned  that  such  person  will  faithfully 
T"1  666    observe  all  the  laws  and  regulations  made  for  the  government 
'          of  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes,  and  in  no  re- 
spect violate  the  same.    And  the  superintendent  of  the  district 
shall  have  power  to  revoke  and  cancel  the  same,  whenever 
49,723    the  person  licensed,  shall,  in  his  opinion,  have  transgressed  any 
3,070    of  the  laws  or  regulations  provided  for  the  government  of  trade 
(none.)    and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes,  or  that  it  would  be  iin- 
88,463    proper  to  permit  him  to  remain  in  the  Indian  country.    And  no 
1,734    trade  with  the  said   tribes  shall  be  carried  on   without  their 
149,155    boundary,  except  at  certain  suitable  and  convenient  places  to 
be  designated  from  time  to  time  by  the  superintendents,  agents 
1,352,286    and  sub-agents,  and  to  be  inserted  in  the  licence.     And  it  shall 
710,193    he  the  duty  of  the  persons  granting  or  revoking  such  licenses, 
45,937    forthwith  to  report  the   same  to  the  commissioner  of  Indian 
396,102    affairs,  for  his  approval  or  disapproval. 

651,697        Sec.  3.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  any  superintendent, 

609,436    or  agent,  may  refuse  an  application  for  a  license  to  trade,  if  he 

47,506    is  satisfied  that  the  applicant  is  a  person  of  bad  character,  or 

1,196,607    that  it  would  be  improper  to  permit  him  to  reside  in  the  Indian 

467.615    country,  or  if  a  license,  previously  granted  to  such  applicant, 

73,665    has  been  revoked,  or  a  forfeiture  of  his  bond  decreed.     But  an 

125,242    appeal  may  be  had  from  the  agent  or  the  superintendent,  to  the 

27,113    commissioner  of  Indian  affairs;  and  the  president  of  the  United 

6,043    States  shall  be  authorised,  whenever  in  his  opinion  the  public 

62,543    interest  may  require  the  same,  to  prohibit  the  introduction  of 

1,588    goods,  or  of  any  particular  article,  into  the  country  belonging 

to  any  Indian  tribe,  and  to  direct  all  licenses  to  trade  with  such 

5,975    tribe  to  be  revoked,  and  all  applications  therefor  to  be  rejected; 

14,359    and  no  trader  to  any  other  tribe  shall,  so  long  as  such  prohibi- 

(  20-2,329    tion  may  continue,  trade  with  any  Indians  of,  or  for  the  tribe 

\  $59,471    against  which  such   prohibition  is  issued. 

65,833  Sec.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  any  person,  other 
456,248  than  an  Indian,  who  shall  attempt  to  reside  in  the  Indian 
728,606  country  as  a  trader,  or  to  introduce  goods,  or  to  trade  therein 


18,730 
13,676 
6,359 
1.712,779 
24,897,114 
2,970,28 


'Exceeding  8  cents  per  Ib. 


country  as  a  trader,  or  to  introduce  goods,  or  to  trade  therein 
without  such  license,  shall  forfeit  all  merchandise,  offered  for 
sale  to  the  Indians,  or  found  in  his  possession,  and  shall  more- 
over forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars. 

Sec.  5.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  no  license  to  trade 
with  the  Indians  shall  be  granted  to  any  person  except  citizens 
of  the  United  States:  Provided,  That  the  president  shall  be 
authorised  to  allow  the  employment  of  foreign  boatmen  and  in- 
terpreters, under  such  regulations  as  be  may  prescribe. 


374      WILES'  REGISTER— JULY  20,  1834— LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 


Bee.  6.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  a  foreigner  shall 
go  into  the  Indian  country  without  a  passport  from  the  war  de- 
partment, the  superintendent,  agent  or  sub-agent  of  Indian  af- 
fairs, or  from  the  officer  of  the  United  Slates  commanding  the 
nearest  military  post  on  the  frontiers,  or  shall  remain  inten- 
tionally therein  after  the  expiration  of  such  passport,  In:  shall 
forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollar*:  and  such  pas.-' 
port  shall  express  the  object  of  such  person,  the  time  lie  is  ul 
lowed  to  remain,  and  the  route  he  is  to  travrl. 

Sec.  7.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted.,  That  if  any  person  other 
than  an  Indian  shall,  within  the  Indian  country,  purchase  or 
receive  of  any  Indian,  in  the  way  of  barter,  trade  or  pledge,  a 
gun,  trap,  or  "other  article  commonly  used  in  hunting,  any  in- 
strument of  husbandry  or  cooking  utensils  of  the  kind  com- 
monly obtained  by  the  Indians  in  their  intercourse  with  the 
white  people,  or  any  other  article  of  clothing,  except  skins  or 
fur?,  he  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars. 

Sec.  8.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  person,  other 
than  an  Indian,  shall,  within  the  limits  of  any  tilbe  with  whom 
the  United  States  shall  have  existing  treaties,  hunt,  or  trap,  or 
take  and  destroy,  any  peltries  or  game,  except  for  subsistence 
in  the  Indian  country,  such  person  shall  forfeit  the  sum  of  five 
hundred  dollars,  and  forfeit  all  the  traps,  guns  and  ammunition, 
in  his  possession,  used  or  procured  to  be  used  for  that  purpose, 
and  peltries  so  lakrn. 

Sec.  9.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  person  shall 
drive  or  otherwise  convey  any  stock  or  horses,  mules  or  cattle, 
to  range  or  feed  on  any  land  belonging  to  any  Indian  or  Indian 
tribe,  without  the  consent  of  such  tribe,  such  person  shall  for- 
feit the  sum  of  one  dollar  for  each  animal  of  such  stock. 

Sec.  10.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  superintendent 
of  Indian  affairs,  and  Indian  agents  and  sub  -azents,  shall  have 
authority  19  temove  from  the  Indian  country  all  persons  found 
therein  contrary  to  law;  arid  the  president  of  the  United  Slates 
is  authorised  to  direct  the  military  force  to  be  employed  iu  such 
removal. 

Sec.  11.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  person  shall 
make  a  settlement  on  any  lands  belonging,  secured  or  granted 
by  treaty  with  the  United  States  to  any  Indian  tribe,  or  shall 
survey  or  shall  attempt  to  survey  such  lands,  or  designate  any 
of  the  boundaries  by  marking  trees,  or  otherwise,  such  of- 
fender shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars. 
And  it  shall,  moreover,  be  lawful  for  the  president  of  the  United 
States  to  take  such  measures  and  employ  such  military  force, 
as  he  may  judge  necessary  to  remove  from  the  lands  aforesaid 
any  such  person  as  aforesaid. 

Sec.  12.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  no  purchase,  grant, 
lease,  or  other  conveyance  of  lands,  or  of  any  title  or  claim 
thereto,  from  any  Indian  nation  or  tribe  of  Indians,  shall  br  of 
any  validity  in  law  or  equity,  unless  the  same  be  made  by  treaty 
or  convention  entered  into  pursuant  to  the  constituiton.  And 
if  any  person,  not  employed  under  the  authority  of  the  United 
States,  shall  attempt  to  negotiate  such  treaty  or  convention, 
directly  or  indirectly,  to  treat  with  any  such  nation  or  tribe  of 
Indians,  for  the  title  or  purchase  of  any  lands  by  them  held  or 
claimed,  such  person  shall  forfeit  and  pay  one  thousand  dollars: 
Provided,  nevertheless,  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  agents  or 
agents  ol  any  state  who  may  be  present  at  any  treaty  held  with 
Indians  under  the  authority  of  the  U.  States,  in  the  presence, 
and  with  the  approbation  of  the  commissioner  or  commissioners 
of  the  United  Slates  appointed  to  hold  the  same,  to  propose  to, 
and  adjust  with,  the  Indians,  the  compensation  to  be  made  for 
their  claim  to  lands  within  such  state,  which  shall  be  extin- 
guished by  a  treaty. 

Sec.  13.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  citizen  or 
other  person  residing  within  the  United  Slates  or  the  territory 
thereof,  shall  send  any  talk,  speech  or  message,  or  letter  to  any 
Indian  nation,  tribe,  chief  or  individual,  with  an  intent  to  pro- 
duce a  contravention  or  infraction  of  any  treaty  or  other  law  of 
the  United  States,  or  to  disturb  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  the 
United  Slates,  he  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  two  thousand 
dollars. 

Sec.  14.  Jlnd  be  U  further  enacted.  That  if  any  citizen  or 
other  person,  shall  carry  or  deliver  any  such  talk,  message, 
speech  or  letter,  to  or  from  any  Indian  nation,  tribe,  chief  or  in- 
dividual, from  or  to  any  personj  or  person  whatsoever,  residing 
within  the  U-iiiled  Slates,  or  from  or  to  any  subject,  citizen  or 
agent  of  any  foreign  poweror  state,  knowing  the  contents  there- 
of, he  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars. 

Sec.  15.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  cilizrn  or 
other  person,  residing  or  living  among  the  Indians,  or  elsewhere 
within  the  terrjtory  of  the  United  States,  shall  carry  on  a  cur 
respondence,  t>y  letter  or  otherwise,  with  any  foreiun  nation  or 
power,  with  an  intent  to  induce  such  foreign  nation  or  power 
to  excite  any  Indian  nation,  tribe,  chief  or  individual,  to  war 
against  the  United  Status,  or  to  the  violation  of  any  existing 
treaty;  or  in  case  any  citizen  or  other  person  shall  adman-,  or 
attempt  to  alienate,  the  confidence  of  any  Indian  or  Indians 
from  the  government  of  the  United  States,  he  shall  forfeit  the 
sum  of  one  thousand  dollars. 

Sec.  16.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  where,  in  the  com- 
mission, by  a  white  person,  of  any  crime,  offence  or  misde- 
meanor, within  the  Indian  country,  the  property  of  any  friendly 
Indian  is  taken,  injured  or  .h-.-irow  d.  and  a  conviction  is  had 
for  such  crime,  offence  or  misdemeanor,  ihr>  prrson  so  convict- 
ed thai)  be  sentenced  to  pay  to  Mich  friendly  Indian  to  whom 
the  property  may  belong,  or  whose-  person  may  he  injured,  a 
gum  equal  to  twice  the  just  valut  of  thu  properly  so  taken,  in- 


jured or  destroyed.  And  if  such  offender  shall  be  unable  to  pay 
a  sum  at  least  equal  to  the  just  value  or  amount,  whatever 
such  payment  shall  fall  short  of  the  same,  shall  be  paid  out  of  the 
treasury  of  the  United  Stales:  Proviilai,  That  no  such  Indian 
shall  be  entitled  to  any  payment,  out  of  the  treasury  of  the  Unit- 
ed State.?,  for  any  such  property,  if  he,  or  any  of  the  nation  to 
which  he  belongs,  shall  have  sought  private  revenge,  or  attempt- 
ed to  obtain  satisfaction  by  any  force  or  violence:  Jlnd  -provided, 
also,  That  il'siich  offender  cannot  be  apprehended  and  brought 
to  trial,  the  amount  of  such  property  shall  be  paid  out  of  the 
treasurv,  as  aforesaid. 

Sec.  "17.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  if  any  Indian  or  In- 
dians, belonging  to  any  tribe  in  amity  with  the  United  Elates 
shall  within  the  Indian  country,  take  or  destroy  the  property, 
of  any  person  lawfully  within  such  country,  or  shall  pa??  from 
the  Indian  country  into  any  state  or  territory  inhabited  by  citi- 
zens of  the  United  Stales,  and  there  take,  steal  or  destroy,  any 
horse,  horses  or  other  properly,  belonging  to  any  citizen  or  in- 
habitant of  the  United  .States,  sm-h  citizen  or  inhabitant,  his  re- 
presentative, attorney  or  agent,  may  make  application  to  the 
proper  superintendent,  agent  or  .sub  agent,  who,  upon  being 
furnished  with  the  necessary  documents  and  proofs,  shall,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  president,  make  application  to  the  na- 
tion or  tribe  to  which  said  Indian  or  Indians  shall  belong,  for 
satisfaction;  and  if  such  nation  or  tribe  shall  neelert  or  refuse 
to  make  satisfaction,  in  a  reasonable  time,  not  exceeding  twelve 
months,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  such  superintendent,  a^erit  or 
snb  agent,  to  make  return  of  his  doings  to  Hie  commissioner  of 
Indian  affairs,  that  such  further  steps  may  be  taken  as  shall  be 
proper,  in  the  opinion  of  the  president,  to  obtain  satisfaction  for 
the  injury;  and,  in  the  mean  time.  In  respect  to  the,  property  so 
taken,  stolen  or  destroyed,  the  United  States  guaranty  to  the 
party  so  injured,  an  eventual  indemnification:  Provided,  That, 
if  such  injured  party,  his  representative,  attorney  or  agent, 
shall,  in  any  way,  violate  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  act,  by 
seeking  or  attempting  to  obtain  private  .satisfaction  or  revenge, 
he  shall  forfeit  all  claims  npop  the  United  States  for  such  in- 
demnification: Jlnd  provided,  also,  That,  unless  such  claim 
shall  be  presented  within  three  years  after  the  commission  of 
the  injury,  the  same  shall  he  barred.  And  if  the  nation  or  tribe 
to  which  such  Indian  may  belong,  receive  an  annuity  from  the 
United  States,  such  claim  shall,  at  the  next  payment  of  the  an- 
nuity, be  deducted  therefrom,  and  paid  to  the  party  injured; 
and,  if  no  annuity  i*  payable  lo  such  nation  or  tribe,  then  the 
amount  of  the  claim  shall  be  paid  from  the  treasury  of  the  U. 
States:  Provided,  That  nothing  herein  contained  shall  prevent 
the  legal  apprehension  and  punishment  of  any  Indians  having 
so  offended. 

Sec.  18.  Jlnd beit  further  enacted,  That  the  superintendent?, 
agents  and  sub  agents,  within  their  respective  districts,  be  and 
are  hereby  a  minimised  and  empowered  to  take  depositions'  of 
witnesses  touching  any  depredations  within  the  purview  of  the 
two  preceding  sections  of  this  act,  and  to  administer  au  oath  to 
the  deponents. 

Sec.  19.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  the  dyty 
of  the  superintendents,  agents  and  sub  agents,  to  endeavor  to 
procure  the  arrest  and  trial  of  all  Indians  accused  of  commit- 
ng  any  crime,  offence  or  misdemeanor,  and  all  other  persons 
who  may  have  committed  crimes  or  offences  within  any  state 
or  territory,  and  have  fled  into  the  Indian  country,  either  by  de- 
manding the  same  of  the  chiefs  of  the  proper  tribe,  or  by  such 
other  means  as  the  president  may  authorise;  and  the  president 
may  direct  the  military  force  of  the  United  States  to  be  employ- 
ed in  the  apprehension  of  »nch  Indians,  arid  also  in  preventing 
and  terminating  hostilities  between  any  of  the  Indian  tribes. 

Sec.  20.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That,  if  any  person  shad 
ell.  exchange  or  give,  barter  or  dispose  of,  any  spirituous  liquor 
or  wine  to  an  Indian,  (in  the  Indian  country),  such  person  shall 
forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars:  and  if  any  per- 
son shall  introduce,  or  attempt  to  introduce,  any  spirituous  liquor 
or  wine  into  the  Indian  country,  except  such  supplies  as  shall  b* 
necessary  for  the  officers  of  the  United  States  and  troops  ofthe 
service,  under  the  direction  of  the  war  department,  such  per- 
<on  shall  forfeit  and  pay  a  sum  not  exceeding  three  hundred 
dollars;  and  if  any  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  Indian 
igent,  sub-agent  or  commanding  officer  of  a  military  post,  has 
reason  to  suspect,  or  is  informed,  that  any  white  person  or  In- 
dian is  about  to  introduce,  or  has  introduced  any  spirituous  li- 
quor or  wine  into  the  Indian  country,  in  violation  of  the  pro- 
visions of  this  section,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  such  superintend- 
ent, Indian  agent  or  sub-agent,  or  military  officer,  agreeably  to 
-iieh  regulations  as  may  he  established  by  the  president  of  the 
United  States,  to  cause  the  boats,  stores,  packages  and  places 
of  depiisiie  of  such  person  to  be  searched,  and  if  any  such  spi- 
rituous liquor  or  wine  is  found,  the  goods,  boats,  packages  and 
>eliries  ofsuch  persons  shall  be  seized  and  delivered  to  the  pio- 
jer  officer,  and  shall  be  proceeded  against  by  libel  in  the  proper 
court,  and  forfeited,  one-half  lo  the  use  ofthe  informer,  and  the 
ithcr  half  to  the  use  of  the  United  States;  and  if  such  person  i* 
a  trader,  his  license  shall  be  revoked,  and  his  bond  put  in  suit. 
And  it  .-hall  moreover  be  lawful  for  any  person  in  the  service 
it  tin-  United  Slates,  or  for  any  Indian,  to  take  and  destroy  any 
ardent  spirits  or  wine  found  in  the  Indian  country,  except  rnili- 
:ary  »ut'l>lie.«,  as  mentioned  in  this  section. 

Sec.  21.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That,  if  any  person  what- 
ever shall,  within  the  limits  ofthe  Indian  country,  set  up  or 
continue  any  distillery  for  mniinfacinrinK  ardent  spirits,  he  shall 
oritii  and  pay  a  penalty  of  one  thousand  dollars;  and  it  shall  be 


N1LES'  REGISTER-JULY  26,   1834— LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.       375 


the  duty  of  the  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  Indian  agent  o 
nub-agent,  within  Hie  limits  of  whose  agency  the  same  shall  In 
eel  up  or  continued,  forthwith  to  destroy  and  break  up  the  same 
and  it  shall  he  lawful  to  employ  the  military  force  ol  tin:  Unite( 
Stales  in  executing  that  duty. 

Sec.  22.  Jind  6e  it  further  enacted,  That,  in  all  trials  abou 
the  right  of  property  in  which  an  Indian  may  he  a  party  on  one 
side,  and  a  white  person  on  the  other,  the  burden  of  proof  shal' 
rest  upon  the  white  person,  whenever  the  Indian  shall  makt 
out  a  presumption  of  title  in  himself  I'roiu  the  fact  of  previous 
possession  or  ownership. 

Sec.  23.  ./2nd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
the  military  force  of  the  United  States  to  be  employed  in  fuel 
manner  and  under  such  regulations  as  the  president  may  direct 
in  the  apprehension  of  every  person  who  shall  or  may  be  (bum 
in  the  Indian  country,  in  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  o 
this  act,  and  him  immediately  to  convey  Irom  said  Indian  coun- 
try, in  the  nearest  convenient  and  safe  route,  to  the  civil  au- 
thority of  the  territory  or  judicial  district  in  which  said  person 
shall  be  found,  to  be  proceeded  against  MI  due  course  of  law 
and  also,  in  the  examination  and  seizure  of  stores,  packages 
and  boats,  athorised  by  (he  twentieth  section  of  this  act,  and  ii 
preventing  the  introduction  of  persons  and  properly  into  the  In- 
dian country  contrary  to  law;  which  persons  and  property  shal 
be  proceeded  against  according  to  law:  Provided,  That  no  per- 
son apprehended  by  military  force  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  detain- 
ed longer  than  five  days  alter  the  arrest  and  before  removal 
And  all  officers  and  soldiers  who  may  have  any  such  person  01 
persons  in  custody,  shall  treat  them  with  all  the  humanity 
which  the  circumstances  will  possibly  permit;  and  every  officer 
or  soldier  who  shall  be  guilty  of  mal-treating  any  such  perso 
while  in  custody,  shall  suffer  such  punishment  as  a  court  mar- 
tial shall  direct. 

Sec.  24.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That,  for  the  sole  purpose 
of  carrying  this  act  into  effect,  all  that  part  of  the  Indian  coun- 
try west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  that  is  bounded  north  by  the 
north  line  of  lands  assigned  to  the  Osage  tribe  of  Indians,  pro- 
duced east  to  the  state  of  Missouri:  west  by  the  Mexican  pos- 
sessions, south  by  Red  river;  and  east,  by  the  west  line  of  the 
territory  ol  Arkansas,  and  the  state  of  Missouri,  shall  be,  and 
hereby  is,  annexed  to  the  territory  of  Arkansas;  and  that,  for 
the  purpose  aforesaid,  the  residue  of  the  Indian  country  west  ol 
said  Mississippi  river  shall  be,  and  hereby  is,  annexed  to  the 
judicial  district  of  Missouri;  and,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  the 
several  portions  of  Indian  country  east  of  (he  said  Mississippi 
river,  shall  be,  and  are  hereby,  severally  annexed  to  the  territory 
in  which  they  are  situate. 

Sec.  25.  And.  be  it  further  enacted,  That  so  much  of  the  laws 
of  the  United  States  as  provides  for  the  punishment  of  crimes 
committed  within  any  place  within  the  sole  and  exclusive  juris- 
diction of  the  United  States,  shall  be  in  force  in  the  Indian 
country:  Provided,  The  same  shall  not  extend  to  crimes  com- 
mitted by  one  Indian  against  the  person  or  property  of  another 
Indian. 

Sec.  26.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That,  if  any  person  who 
shall  be  charged  with  the  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  or 
regulations  of  this  act,  shall  be  found  within  any  of  the  United 
States,  or  either  of  the  territories,  such  offenders  may  be  there 
apprehended,  and  transported  to  the  territory  or  judicial  district 
having  jurisdiction  of  the  same. 

Sec.  27.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  penalties  which 
shall  accrue  under  this  act,  shall  be  sued  for  and  recovered  in 
an  action  of  debt,  in  the  name  of  the  United  States,  before  any 
court  having  jurisdiction  of  the  same,  (in  any  state  or  territory 
in  which  the  defendant  shall  be  arrested  or  found),  the  one-half 
to  the  use  of  the  informer,  and  the  other  half  to  the  United 
States,  except  when  the  prosecution  shall  be  first  instituted  on 
behalf  of  the  United  States,  in  which  case  the  whole  shall  be 
to  their  use. 

Sec.  28.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  when  goods  or  other 
properly  shall  be  seized  for  any  violation  of  this  act,  it  shall  be 
lawful  for  the  person  prosecuting  on  behalf  of  the  United  States 
to  proceed  against  such  goods  or  other  property,  in  the  manner 
directed  to  he  observed  in  the  case  of  goods,  wares  or  merchan- 
dise, brought  into  the  United  States  in  violation  of  the  revenue 
laws. 

Sec.  29.  JJnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  following  acts 
and  parts  of  acts  shall  be,  and  the  same  are  hereby,  repealed, 
namely:  An  act  to  make  provision  relative  to  rations  for  In- 
dians, and  to  their  visits  to  the  seat  of  government,  approved 
May  thirteen,  eighteen  hundred;  an  act  to  regulate  trade  and 
intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes,  and  to  preserve  peace  on 
the  frontiers,  approved  March  thirty,  eighteen  hundred  and  two; 
an  act  supplementary  to  the  act  passed  thirtieth  March,  eighteen 
hundred  and  two,  to  regulate  trade  and  intercourse  with  the 
Indian  tribes,  and  to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontiers,  approved 
April  twenty-nine,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixluen;  an  act  for  the 
punishment  of  crimes  and  offences  committed  within  Hie  Indian 
boundaries,  approved  March  three,  eighteen  hundred  and  se- 
venteen; the  first  and  second  sections  of  the  act  directing  the 
manner  of  appointing  Indian  agents,  and  continuing  the  act 
establishing  trading  houses  with  tha  Indian  tribes,  approved 
April  sixteen,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighteen;  an  act  fixing  the 
compensation  of  Indian  agents  and  factors,  approved  April 
twenty,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighteen;  an  act  supplementary 
to  the  act  entitled  an  act  to  provide  for  the  prompt  settlement 
of  public  accounts,  approved  February  twenty-four,  eighteen 
hundred  and  nineteen;  the  eighth  section  of  the  act  making  up 


propriations  to  carry  into  effect  treaties  concluded  with  several 
Indian  tribes  therein  mentioned,  approved  March  three,  eighteen 
hundred  and  nineteen;  the  second  section  of  the  act  to  continue 
in  force  for  a  further  time  the  act  entitled  an  act  for  establish- 
ing trading  houses  with  the  Indian  tribes,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses, approved  March  three,  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen; 
an  art  to  amend  an  act  entitled  an  act  to  regulate  trade  and 
intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes,  and  to  preserve  peace  oil  the 
frontiers,  approved  thirtieth  of  March,  eighteen  hundred  and 
two,*  appioved  May  six,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty  two;  an 
act  providing  for  the  appointment  of  an  agent  for  the  O.-age  In- 
dians west  of  the  state  of  Missouri  and  territory  of  Arkansas, 
and  for  oilier  purposes,  approved  May  eighteen,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  twenty  four;  the  third,  fourth  and  filth  sections  of  an 
act  to  enable  ihe  president  to  hold  treaties  with  certain  Indian 
tribes,  and  for  other  purposes,  approved  May  Iwenty-five, 
eighteen  hundred  and  twenty  four;  the  second  section  of  the  act 
to  aid  certain  Indians  of  the  Creek  nation  in  their  removal  to 
the  westof  the  Mississippi, approved  May  twenty, eighteen  hun- 
dred and  twenty  six;  and  an  act  to  authorise  the  appointment 
of  a  sub  agent  10  the  Winiiebago  Indians  on  Kock  river,  ap- 
proved February  twenty  five,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty  one: 
Provided,  however,  That  such  repeal  shall  not  affect  any  rights 
acquired,  or  punishments,  penalties,  or  forfeitures  incurred, 
under  either  of  the  acts  or  parts  of  acts,  nor  impair  or  affect  the 
intercourse  act  of  eighteen  hundred  and  two,  so  far  as  the  same 
relates  to  or  concerns  Indian  tribes  residing  east  of  the  Missis- 
sippi: Jlnd  provided,  also,  That  such  repeal  shall  not  be  constru- 
ed to  revive  any  acts  or  parts  of  acts  repealed  by  either  of  the 
acts  or  sections  herein  described. 

Sec.  30.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  until  a  western  terri- 
tory shall  he  established,  the  two  agents  for  the  western  territo- 
ry, as  provided  in  the  act  for  the  organization  of  the  Indian  de- 
partment, this  day  approved  by  the  president,  shall  execute  the 
duties  of  agents  for  such  tribes  as  may  be  directed  by  the  presi- 
dent of  ihe  United  States.  And  it  shall  be  competent  for  the 
president  to  assign  to  one  of  the  said  agents,  in  addition  to  big 
proper  duties,  the  duties  of  superintendent  for  such  district  of 
country,  or  for  such  tribes,  as  the  president  may  think  fit.  And 
the  powers  of  the  superintendent  at  St.  Louis,  over  such  dis- 
trict or  tribes  as  may  be  assigned  to  such  acting  superintendent 
shall  cease:  Provided,  That  no  additional  compensation  shall  ba 
allowed  for  such  services. 

Approved,  June  30, 1834. 

An  act  to  provide  for  the  organization  of  the  department  of  In- 
dian affairs. 

Be  it  enacted,  &c.  That  the  duties  of  the  governors  of  the  ter- 
ritories of  Florida  and  Arkansas,  as  superinltndfrit.t  of  Indian 
affairs,  shall  hereafter  cease,  and  the  duties  of  the  governor  of 
the  territory  of  Michigan,  as  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs, 
shall  cease  from  and  after  the  establishment  of  a  new  territory, 
embracing  the  country  west  of  Lake  Michigan,  should  such  a 
territory  be  established.  And  while  the  governor  of  the  said 
territory  of  Michigan  continues  to  act  as  superintendent  of  In- 
dian affairs,  he  shall  receive  therefor  the  annual  sum  of  one 
thousand  dollars,  in  full  of  all  allowances,  emoluments  or  com- 
pensation for  services  in  said  capacity. 

Sec.  2.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  there  shall  be  a  super- 
intendency  of  Indian  affairs  for  all  Ihe  Indian  country  not  with- 
in the  hounds  of  any  state  or  territory  west  of  the  Mississippi 
river,  the  superintendent  of  which  shall  reside  at  St.  Louis,  and 
shall  annually  receive  a  salary  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars. 

Sec.  3.  .  /ml  be  it  further  enacted,  That  superintendents  of  In- 
dian affairs  shall,  within  their  several  superintendences,  exer- 
cise a  general  supervision  and  control  over  the  official  conduct 
and  accounts  of  all  officers  and  persons  employed  by  the  go- 
vernment in  the  Indian  department,  under  such  regulations  as 
shall  he  established  by  the  president  of  the  United  Stales;  and 
may  suspend  such  officers  and  persons  from  their  office  or  em- 
ployments, for  reasons  forthwith  to  be  communicated  to  the  se- 
cretary of  war. 

Sec.  4.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  following  Indian 
agents  shall  be  appointed  by  the  president  of  the  United  Stats*, 
ay  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  who  shall 
Kild  their  offices  for  the  term  of  four  yrars,  and  who  shall  give 
aond,  with  two  or  more  securities,  in  the  penal  sum  of  two 
thousand  dollars,  for  the  faithful  execution  of  the  same,  and 
shall  each  receive  the  annual  compensation  of  fifteen  hundred 
.iollars: 

Two  agents  for  the  western  territory. 

An  agent  for  the  Chickasaws. 

An  ngent  for  the  eastern  Cherokees. 

An  agent  for  the  Florida  Indians. 

An  agent  for  the  Indians  in  the  state  of  Indiana. 

An  agent  at  Chicago. 

An  agent  at  Rock  Island. 

An  agent  at  I'rairie  dii  Chien. 

An  agent  for  Michilimnckinac  and  the  Sault  Sainte  Marie. 

An  ngrnt  for  the  Saint  Peter's. 

An  agent  for  the  Upper  Missouri. 

And  the  following  agencies  shall  be  discontinued  at  the  pe- 
iods  herein  mentioned,  that  is  in  say: 

The  Florida  agency,  from  and  after  the  thirty-first  day  of  De- 
ember  next. 


*IIere  appears  to  be  an  omission— but  it  is  according  to  the 
official  copy. 


876      NILES'  REGISTER— JULY  26,  1834— LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


The  Cherokee  agency,  from  and  after  the  thirty-first  day  of 
December  next. 

The  Indiana  agency,  from  and  after  the  thirty-first  day  of  De- 
cember, eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-six. 

The  Chicago  agency,  from  and  after  the  thirty-first  day  of  De- 
cember next. 

The  Rock  [stand  agency,  from  and  after  the  thirty-first  day  of 
December,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-six. 

And  all  other  agencies,  not  provided  for  in  this  act,  from  and 
after  the  passing  thereof:  Provided,  That  the  limitation  of  the 
said  agencies  shall  not  be  construed  to  prevent  the  president  of 
the  United  States  from  discontinuing  the  same  at  an  early  pe- 
riod. And  the  president  shall  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorised, 
whenever  he  may  judge  it  expedient,  to  discontinue  any  Indian 
agency,  or  to  transfer  the  same  from  the  place  or  tribe  designat- 
ed by  law,  to  such  other  place  or  tribe  as  the  public  service 
may  require.  And  every  Indian  agent  shall  reside  and  keep 
his  agency  within  or  near  the  territoiy  of  the  tribe  for  which  he 
may  be  agent,  and  at  such  place  aa  the  president  may  designate, 
%  and  shall  not  depart  from  the  limits  of  his  agency  without  per- 
mission. And  it  shall  be  competent  for  the  president  to  require 
any  military  officer  of  the  United  Stales  to  execute  the  duties 
of  Indian  agent. 

Sec.  5.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  a  competent  number 
of  sub-agents  shall  be  appointed  by  the  president,  with  an  an- 
nual salary  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  each,  to  be  em- 
ployed and  to  reside  wherever  the  president  may  direct,  and 
who  shall  give  bonds,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  in  the  penal 
mm  of  one  thousand  dollars,  for  the  faithful  execution  of  the 
eame.  But  no  sub  agent  shall  be  appointed  who  shall  reside 
•within  Ihe  limits  of  any  agency  where  there  is  an  agent  appoint- 
ed. 

Sec.  6.  And  l>e  it  further  enacted,  That  nothing  herein  con- 
tained, shall  be  construed  to  require  the  reappoiiilmenl  of  per- 
sons now  in  office,  until  the  expiration  of  their  present  term  of 
service;  but  the  commissions  of  all  Indian  agents  and  sub- 
agents,  now  in  office,  shair  expire  on  the  fourth  of  March  next, 
unless  sooner  terminated. 

Sec.  7.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  limits  of  each 
agency  and  sub-agency  shall  be  established  by  the  secretary  ol 
war,  either  by  tribes  or  by  geographical  boundaries.  And  it 
shall  be  the  general  duty  of  Indian  agents  and  sub- agents,  to 
manage  and  superintend  the  intercourse  with  the  Indians  with- 
in their  respective  agencies,  agreeably  to  law;  to  obey  all  legal 
instructions  given  to  them  by  the  secretary  of  war,  the  commis- 
sioner of  Indian  affairs,  or  the  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs; 
and  to  carry  into  effect  such  regulations  as  may  be  prescribed 
by  the  president. 

Sec.  8.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  president  of  the 
United  States  may,  from  time  to  lime,  require  additional  secu- 
rity, and  in  larger  amounts,  from  all  persons  charged  or  trusted, 
under  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  with  the  disbursement  or 
application  of  money,  goods  or  effects  of  any  kind,  on  account 
of  the  Indian  department. 

Sec.  9.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  an  interpreter  shall  be 
allowed  to  each  agency,  who  shall  receive  an  annual  salary  o 
three  hundred  dollars:  Provided,  Thai  where  there  are  differen 
tribes  in  the  same  agency,  speaking  different  languages,  one  in- 
terpreter may  be  allowed,  al  the  discretion  of  the  secretary  o 
war,  for  each  of  Hie  said  tribes.  Interpreters  shall  be  nominal 
ed  by  the  proper  agents,  lo  the  war  department  for  approval 
and  may  be  suspended,  by  the  agent,  from  pay  and  duly,  and 
the  circumstances  reported  to  the  war  department  for  final  ac 
tion;  and  blacksmiths  shall,  in  like  manner,  be  employed  wher 
ever  required  by  treaty  stipulation,  and  such  blacksmith  shal 
receive  an  annual  compensalion  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  dot 
lars;  and,  if  they  furnish  their  shop  and  tools,  an  additiona 
sum' of  one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars;  and  their  assistants 
shall  be  allowed  an  annual  compensation  of  two  hundred  am' 
forty  dollars.  And  wherever  farmers,  mechanics,  or  leachen 
are  required  by  irealy  stipulations  to  be  provided,  they  shall  be 
employed  under  the  direction  of  the  war  department,  and  shal 
receive  an  annual  compensation  of  not  less  than  four  hundrec 
and  eighty  dollars,  nor  more  than  six  hundred  dollars.  And  in 
all  cases  of  the  appointments  of  interpreters  or  olher  person 
employed  for  Ihe  benefil  of  Ihe  Indians,  a  preference  shall  b 
given  lo  persons  of  Indian  descenl,  if  such  can  be  found,  wh 
are  properly  qualified  for  the  execution  of  the  duties.  An 
where  any  of  the  tribes  are,  in  the  opinion  of  the  secretary  o 
war  competenl  lo  direct  the  employment  of  their  blacksmiths 
mechanics,  teachers,  farmers  or  other  persons  engaged  for  them 
the  direclion  of  such  persons  may  be  given  lo  the  proper  autho 
rity  of  Ihe  tribe. 

Sec.  10.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  Thai  Ihe  compensalio 
prescribed  by  Ihis  act  shall  be  in  full  of  all  emoluments  or  a 
lowances  whatsoever:  Provided,  however,  Thai,  where  necesst 
ry  a  reasonable  allowance  or  provision  may  be  made  for  office 
and  office  coniingencies:  And  provided,  ako,  That  where  pe 
sons  are  required,  in  Ihe  performance  of  the  duties  under  Ih 
acl  to  travel  from  one  place  to  another,  their  actual  expenses,  o 
a  reasonable  sum  in  lieu  thereof,  may  be  allowed  them:  An 
provided,  alto,  That  no  allowance  shall  be  made  to  any  perso 
for  travel  or  expenses  in  coming  to  the  seal  of  governmenl  lo  se 
tie  his  accounts,  unless  thereto  required  by  the  secretary  of  wa 
jJnd  provided,  also,  That  no  person  shall  hold  more  Ihan  one  o 
ftce  at  the  same  time  under  this  acl,  nor  shall  any  agent,  sub 
agent,  interpreter,  or  person  employed  under  this  act,  receiv 
hit  salary  while  absent  from  his  agency  or  employment  wilhou 


ave  of  the  superintendent  or  secretary  of  war,  provided  such 
isence  shall  at  no  one  time  exceed  sixty  days. 
Sec.  11.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  payment  of  all 
utilities,  or  other  sums  stipulated  by  treaty  to  be  made  to  any 
idian  tribe,  shall  be  made  lo  the  chiefs  of  such  tribe,  or  to  such 
rson  as  said  tribe  shall  appoint;  or  if  any  tribe  shall  appropri- 
le  Iheir  annuilies  lo  Ihe  purpose  of  education,  or  to  any  other 
lecific  use,  then  to  such  person  or  persons  as  such  tribes  shall 
esignate. 

Sec.  12.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  Thai  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
le  president  of  Ihe  United  States,  at  the  request  of  any  Indian 
ibe  to  which  any  annuity  shall  be  payable  in  money,  to  cause 
m  same  lo  be  paid  in  goods,  purchased  as  provided  in  the  next 
ection  of  this  acl. 

Sec.  13.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  Thai  all  merchandise  re- 
uired  by  an  Indian  treaty  for  the  Indian?,  payable  after  ma- 
ng  of  such  treaty,  shall  be  purchased  under  the  direction  of 
le  secretary  at  war,  upon  proposals  lo  be  received,  to  be 
ased  on  notices  previously  to  be  given;  and  all  merchandise, 
quired  at  the  making  of  any  Indian  treaty,  shall  be  purchased 
nder  the  order  of  the  commissioners,  by  such  persons  as  they 
lull  appoint,  or  by  such  person  as  shall  be  designated  by  the 
resident  for  that  purpose.  And  all  other  purchases  on  ac- 
ount  of  the  Indians,  and  all  payments  to  them  of  money  or 
oods,  shall  be  made  by  such  person  as  the  president  shall  de- 
gnate  for  that  purpose.  And  Ihe  superintendcnl,  agent,  or 
ub  agent,  together  with  such  military  officer  as  the  president 
iay  direct,  shall  be  present,  and  certify  to  the  delivery  of  ali 
nods  and  money  required  to  be  paid  or  delivered  to  the  In- 
ians.  And  the  duties  required  by  any  section  of  ihts  act,  of 
lilitary  officers,  shall  be  performed  without  any  other  compen- 
alion  Ihan  their  actual  travelling  expenses;  and  all  persons 
whatsoever,  charged  or  trusted  with  Ihe  disbursement  or  appli- 
ation  of  money,  goods,  or  effecls  of  any  kind,  for  the  benefit 
•f  the  Indians,  shall  settle  their  accounts,  annually,  at  the  war 
epartment,  on  the  first  day  of  Oclober;  and  copies  of  lha  same 
hall  be  laid,  annually,  before  congress  al  the  commencement 
fine  ensuing  session,  by  the  proper  accounting  officers,  to- 
ether  with  a  lisl  of  Ihe  names  of  all  persons  to  whom  money, 
oods,  or  effects,  had  been  delivered  within  said  year,  for  the 
enefit  of  Ihe  Indians,  specifying  Die  amount  and  objecl  for 
vhich  il  was  intended,  and  showing  who  are  delinquents,  if 
ny,  in  forwarding  Iheir  accounts  according  to  the  provisions 
>f  this  act;  and,  also,  a  list  of  the  names  of  all  persons  appoint- 
ed or  employed  under  this  act,  with  the  dates  of  their  appoint- 
menl  or  employment,  and  the  salary  and  pay  of  each. 

Sec.  14.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  Thai  no  person  employed 
n  Ihe  Indian  department  shall  have  any  interest  or  concern  in 
my  trade  with  the  Indians,  except  for,  and  on  account  of,  ihe 
Jnited  States;  and  any  person  offending  herein,  shall  forfeit  ihe 
sum  of  five  thousand  dollars;  and  upon  satisfactory  information 
of  such  offence  being  laid  before  the  president  of  the  Uniled 
States,  it  shall  become  his  duty  to  remove  such  person  from 
he  office  or  situation  he  may  hold. 

Sec.  15.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  president  shal) 
>e,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorised  to  cause  any  of  the  friendly 
ndians  west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  north  of  the  bounda- 
ry of  the  Western  Territory,  and  the  region  upon  Lake  Supe- 
rior and  the  head  of  the  Mississippi,  to  be  furnished  with  use- 
ul  domestic  animals  and  implements  of  husbandry,  and  with 
goods,  as  he  shall  think  proper:  Provided,  That  the  whole 
amount  of  such  presents  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  five  thou- 
sand dollars. 

Sec.  16.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  president  be, 
uul  he  is  hereby,  authorised  lo  cause  such  raiions  as  he  shnli 
judge  proper,  and  as  can  be  spared  from  ihe  army  provisions, 
without  injury  to  the  service,  lo  be  issued,  under  such  regula- 
tions as  he  shall  think  fit  to  establish,  to  Indians  who  may  visit 
the  military  posts  or  agencies  of  the  United  Stales  on  the  fron- 
tiers, or  in  Iheir  respeclive  nalions,  and  a  special  account  of 
these  issues  shall  be  kept  and  rendered. 

Sec.  17.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  president  of  the 
United  States  shall  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorised  lo  pre- 
scribe such  rules  and  regulations  as  he  may  think  fit,  for  carry- 
ing into  effect  the  various  provisions  of  this  act,  and  of  any 
olher  relating  lo  Indian  affairs,  and  for  Ihe  settlement  of  the  ac- 
counts of  the  Indian  department. 

Sec.  18.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  acts,  or  parts  of 
acts,  contrary  lo  ihe  provisions  of  this  acl,  shall  be,  and  ibe 
same  are  hereby  repealed. 

Approved,  June  30,  1834. 

An  acl  in  addition  to  Ihe  "act  more  effectually  to  provide  for 
the  punishment  of  certain  crimes  ajainst  ihe  United  States, 
and  for  other  purposes,"  approved  March  third,  eighteen 
hundred  and  twenty  five. 

Beit  enacted,  &c.  That  whenever  any  criminal,  convicted  of 
any  offence  ngainst  the  United  Slates,  shall  be  imprisoned  in 
pursuance  of  such  conviclion,  and  of  the  sentence  thereupon, 
in  the  prison  or  the  penitentiary  of  any  state  or  territory,  «m:li 
criminal  shall,  in  all  respects,  be  subject  lo  Ihe  same  discipline 
and  treatment  as  convicts  sentenced  by  the  courts  of  the  slate 
or  lerrilory  in  which  such  prison  or  penilenliary  is  situated; 
and,  while  so  confined  therein,  shall  also  be  exclusively  under 
the  control  of  Ihe  officers  having  charge  of  Ihe  same,  under  tbe 
laws  of  Ihe  said  state  or  territory. 
Approved,  June  30, 1834. 


- 


NINES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  23—  VOL.  X.]      BALTIMORE,  AUG.  2,  1834.     [VOL.  XLVi.  WHOLE  No.  1,193. 


THE  PAST THE  PRESENT — FOB  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED    AND   PUBLISHED    BY    H.  NILES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PAYABLE   IN   ADVAJTCE. 


We  have  waited  for  a  corrected  copy  of  the  late  pro- 
motions and  appointments,  &.c.  in  the  army.  It  has  just 
been  received,  and  shall  he  speedily  inserted. 

When  speaking  of  an  increased  ability  in  the  banks  to 
render  accommodations  to  their  customers,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  greatly  reduced  demand  on  the  banks  for 
pecuniary  facilities,  we  made  a  particular  reference  to 
"restrained  expenditures,"  and  the  greater  caution  with 
•which  honest  and  reflecting  persons  entered  into  "new 
enterprizes" — introducing  one  or  two  practical  exam- 
ples. But  a  few  words  more  on  these  things  may  not 
be  unprofitable — seeing  that  we  cannot  too  closely  inves- 
tigate the  principles  on  which  the  prosperity  or  adversity 
of  a  country  depends,  and  especially  by  means  of  a  libe- 
ral or  stinted,  rapid  or  slow,  circulation  of  values. 

The  considerations  and  facts  that  belong  to  these  sub- 
jects are  so  copious,  and  present  themselves  so  much  in 
masses,  that  it  is  not  easy  to  fix  upon  a  place  for  begin- 
ning, or  of  ending,  one's  observations  upon  them;  and 
political  economics  are  to  be  grappled  only  by  closely  re- 
garding^special  operations,  using  them  as  general  indica- 
tions of  the  power  of  AGGREGATION.  For  though  it 
•would  be  an  almost  endless  work,  if  not  also  a  vain  one, 
even  to  attempt  a  particular  shewing  of  all  the  facts  that 
enter  into  the  masses  alluded  to,  the  amounts  that  might 
be  demonstrated,  if  added  together,  would  startle  the 
minds  of  many,  and  cause  thoughtless  individuals  to  re- 
ject the  whole  as  wild  and  visionary  in  the  extreme. 

If  an  ignorant  person  was  told  that  a  drop  of  vinegar 
contains,  perhaps,  a  thousand  snake-like  animals,  or  that 
millions  of  huge  and  fierce  alligator  or  crab-like  bellige- 
rents "have  a  habitation  and  home"  on  a  few  common 
figs—lie  would  reject  the  information  as  an  insult  offered 
to  his  understanding;  but  science  has  presented  these 
things  so  plainly  to  the  natural  eye,  that  no  respectable 
man,  though  he  himself  may  never  have  seen  a  solar  mi- 
croscope used,  will  venture  to  doubt  the  existence  of  such 
animals,  and  in  the  multitudes  referred  to.  And  even 
the  vast  ocean  is  formed  by  the  aggregation  of  indivisible 
particles  of  matter.  It  is  the  order  which  INFINITE  WIS- 
DOM has  ordained;  and  its  power  and  effect  cannot  be 
mistaken  by  any  intelligent  man  who  will  take  the  trou- 
ble of  thinking  a  little  for  himself. 

We  have  several  times,  and  at  considerable  length, 
spoken  of  creations  of  values  and  circulations  of  values, 
and  shall  now  only  notice  them  with  reference  to  aggre- 
gation. 

I.  In  the  creations  of  values  is  included  all  the  annual 
earnings  or  profits  of  LABOR,  no  matter  how  or  to  whal 
purpose  applied — "vhether  to  build  a  palace,  or  make  a 
goose-yoke — to  fence-in  a  field,  or  drive  the  cows  to  pas- 
ture. The  yearly  earning's  and  profits  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  United  States  (13,000,01)0),  must  considerably  ex- 
ceed the  value  of  fifteen  hundred  mi/lions  of  dollars  a  year, 
as  measured  by  the  present  price  of  money,  or  what  is  so 
called  and  used — for  this  vast  sum  gives  only  an  average 
of  120  dollars  for  each  person,  and  includes  not  only  tilt 
food,  clothing,  shelter  and  earnings,  for  the  comfort  01 
luxury  of  all  classes,  but  takes  in  all  improvements  o 
lands,  or  in  houses,  canals  and  roads — in  short,  everi 
tiling  that  is  produced  either  by  mnnual  labor,  or  the  ap 
plication  of  scientific  power.  How  much  of  these  earn 
ings  passes  into  the  ca/>ital  of  the  country,  to  make  new 
earnings,  we  cannot  venture  to  determine — but  the  amoun 
must  be  large,  seeing  how  great  the  annual  advances  o 
population  and  improvement,  public  and  private,  bar 
been;  and  we  should  not  deem  it  extravagant  to  say  that 
•value  of  more  than  300  millions  of  dollars  has  been  minu 
ally  added  to  the  PRODUCTIVE  CAPITAL  of  the  Unitei 
States,  which  proceeds  to  accumulate  values  in  a  sreome 
trical  ratio.  But,  as  the  population  advances  and  th 
•wild  lands  are  improved,  &e.  &.c.  the  progress  of  capits 
•will  be  comparatively  lessened. 
VOL.  XLVI— Sio.  26. 


2.  The  circulatioji  of  values  is  based  upon  the  creation* 
ast  above  alluded  to.     Its  amount  is  always  incalculably 
real,  and  may  be  said  to  be  without  limit,  if  human 
rings  can  be  so.     On  this  subject  we  beg  leave  to  refer 
ic  reader  to  an  article  published  in  the  first  pages  of  the 
resent  volume  of  the  REGISTER.     It  includes  all  ex~ 
hanges  of  productions,  or  of  values,  of  every  descrin- 
on — and  the  rapidity  or  slowness  of  the  circulation  ren- 
ers  money  "plenty"  or  "scarce,"  as  we  say  that  it  is. 

3.  Aggregation  is  the  result  of  creation  and  of  circu- 
ation,  and  also  refers  to  the  balance  when  the  great  pro- 

t  and  loss  account  is  settled.  There  may  be  creations 
f  values  without  circulations,  and,  consequently,  there 
s  no  aggregation.  We  shall  endeavor  to  make  "this  un- 
derstood by  a  simple  proposition.  If  100  dollars  worth 
f  wheat  be  destroyed  by  fire,  or  otherwise,  before  it 
eaches  the  market — there  cannot  be  any  circulation  or 
Aggregation  of  values  on  account  of  its  production;  but  if 
lie  wheat  reaches  its  market,  whether  in  the  family  of 
lie  grower,  or  a  thousand  miles  oft',  a  circulation  of  va- 
ues  has  been  made,  and  aggregation  goes  on  with  every 
irculation.  The  real  value  of  the  wheat  is  not  at  all 
mpaired  for  the  reason  that  it  is  consumed  by  the  grow- 
er of  it — for,  without  some  such  consumption  even  PO- 
PULATION, the  first  principle  or  origin  of  value,  would 
:ease,  and  labor,  as  well  as  all  the  objects  of  labor,  come 
o  an  end  !  And  on  this  account  it  is  that  articles  of  food, 
or  others  that  are  essentially  necessary  or  immediately 
iseful,  either  to  keep  up  or  increase  population,  or  other- 
vise  furnish  an  ability  to  labor,  have  a  perpetual  circula- 
ion,and  will  have,  until  the  millennium  arrives,  or  some 
ither  great  change  takes  place  in  the  condition  of  the 
vorld — and  man  shall  cease  to  earn  his  bread  by  "the 
sweat  of  his  brow." 

These  remarks,  or  explanations,  seemed  necessary  to 

correct  understanding  of  the  effects  of  "restrained  ex- 
icnditures"  or  "diminished  enlcrprizes" — to  which  we 
shall  now  return. 

We  suppose  that  a  value  equal  to  400  millions  of  dol- 
ars,  annually,  passes  into  the  supply  of  clothing,  house- 
hold furniture ,  and  all  other  matters  of  a  purely  personal 
>r  family  nature — no  reference  being  had  to  articles  of 
"ood,  houses  for  shelter,  &c.  &c.  This  will  appear  rea- 
sonable when  it  is  recollected  that  it  allows  only  about 
30  dollars  a  year  for  each  individual,  or  an  average  of 
150  dollars  for  a  family  of  five  persons,  and  includes 
every  thing,  from  a  broad  cloth  coat  to  a  needle-full  of 

thread — from  a  coach,  to  the  mending  of  a  child's  shoe 

from  the  grand  piano  of  the  parlour,  to  the  meanest  uten- 
sil in  the  hut  of  a  slave — from  the  most  splendid  service 
of  plate,  to  a  baby's  ABC  book,  and  so  on  through  the 
whole  chapter  of  articles  which  necessity  or  conveni- 
ence, comfort  or  luxury,  demands,  including  the  cost  of 
all  journeys  or  excursions  made,  or  of  horses  or  other 
animals  kept  for  pleasure,  or  even  for  going  to  church, 
with  charges  for  building  or  supporting  churches,  and 
all  amounts  expended  on  benevolent  objects,  or  on  ac- 
count of  the  ball  room,  race  ground,  or  theatre,  Sec.  &c. 
When  these  general  notices  are  considered,  it  will  be 
easily  agreed,  we  think,  that  the  supposed  aggregate  is  a 
moderate  one,  being  no  more  than  30  dollars  for  every 
individual.  There  are  millions  who  do  not  expend  or 
exhaust  money  at  such  a  rate,  because  they  cannot — but 
there  are  millions  who  go  far  beyond  it;  and  the  rate  does 
not  much,  if  any,  exceed  that  which  is  held  by  a  discreet 
journeyman  mechanic,  earning  from  7  to  10  dollars  a 
week,  if  his  family  does  not  exceed  three  or  four  persons 
in  all. 

The  articles  named,  or  referred  to,  are  those  ovef 
which  much  discretion  may  be  exerted. — A  man  may 
easily  wear  an  old  coat  a  little  longer,  his  wife  delay  the 
purchase  of  a  new  shawl,  and  her  daughter  that  of  a  piano 
— or  a  pair  of  shoes,  &c.  Well — if  on  account  of  the 
scarcity  of  money,  or  the  want  of  confidence  as  to  future 


378 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


earnings  or  receipts  of  it— persons  arc  induced  to  post- 
pone purchases  of  things  not  indispensable,  or  which  they 
can  do  without  a  little  longer — give  up  a  journey  or  ex- 
cursion for  pleasure,  or  withhold  a  donation,  &c.  so  that 
the  delay,  or  several  delays,  thereby  caused,  may  make  up 
an  average  postponement,  (and  a  postponement  only),  ot 
three  months,  one  hundred  millions  of  dollars  less,  in 
currency  or  credit,  is  wanted,  and  the  ability  of  the  banks, 
and  other  money  lenders,  is  considerably  increased  to  re- 
lieve their  customers,  whether  importing  merchants,  ma- 
nufacturing mechanics,  or  other  dealers. 

From  inquiry,  I  am  satisfied  that  the  sales  of  tailors, 
•hoe-makers,  hatters,  cabinet  makers,  coach-makers,  book 
publishers,  and  all  their  primary  or  dependent  branches, 
have  had  an  average  or  aggregate  delay  of  three  months, 
since  the  derangement  of  the  currency  of  the  country — 
and  this  delay,  or  gaining  'if  lime,  by  consumers,  lias  af- 
fected producers,  or  vendors,  in  the  amount  of  one-fourth 
of  their  natural  business,  as  we  shall  call  it,  or  profits 
earned  in  the  year.  We  are  safe  in  stating  this,  we  be- 
lieve, in  a  well  founded  opinion,  that  almost  every  person, 
in  the  same  regular  business  as  in  the  year  ending  Sep- 
tember 1833,  would  exceedingly  rejoice  in  a  hope  that  the 
end  of  the  year  ending  Sept.  1834,  will  find  him  minus 
in  profits,  only  one-fourth  part  less  than  in  the  former 
period!  There  are  classes  of  persons  who  are  not  at  all 
affected,  however,  unless  advantageously,  by  the  contrac- 
tion of  the  currency,  such  as  office-holders,  and  others 
living  on  fixed  incomes.  It  is  a  "glorious"  thing  for  such 
as  these!  They  have  good  reason  to  congratulate  them- 
selves on  the  snugness  of  their  own  condition.  The 
worthy  and  reflecting  working  man,  though  in  the  re- 
ceipt of  his  former  wages,  and  promptly  paid  them, 
knows  and  feels  and  sympathises  with  his  employer,  and 
relieves  him  as  much  as  possible  by  extra  attention  and 
care;  but  the  office-holder  is  so  far  removed  from  those 
who  pay  him  (the  people),  that  he  may  even  feel  delight 
in  the  waitings  of  the  "public  goose"  that  he  assists  in 
plucking.  "The  government  does  not  complain,"  said 
a  member  of  congress  from  the  city  of  New  York — by 
"the  government"  meaning  those  who  "fodder  at  the 
public  rack,"  as  col.  Crockett  would  say. 

There  are  other  persons  more  or  less  free  from  the 
restrained  expenditures  to  which  we  allude — for,  to  all 
general  rules  there  are  exceptions;  but  these  may  not  ma- 
terially affect  general  results. 

We  think  it  is  shewn  pretty  clearly,  as  being  probable 
that  100  millions  of  dollars  will  be  Lust  to  the  circulation 
of  the  present  year,  as  dependent  on  the  branches  of  bu- 
siness referred  to — which  involves  many  of  the  most  im- 
portant of  our  manufactures, — as  furnishing  the  materials 
from  which  the  articles  particularly  referred  to  are  com- 
posed, the  annually  produced  or  created  value  of  which 
is  wonderfully  large  to  those  who  have  not  looked  into 
the  subject.  The  aggregate,  or  final  result,  of  the  values 
of  leather,  for  an  example,  is  probably  quite  equal  to  that 
of  the  average  of  the  whole  cotton  crop!  Look  at  it — it 
allows  considerably  less  than  3  dollars  a  year  for  each 
person,  per  annum — for  the  supply  of  boots  and  shoes, 
harness  for  horses,  and  the  hundred  other  things  for 
which  leather  is  used.  The  aggregate  value,  of  course, 
includes  that  of  the  labor  of  all  the  persons  working  in 
leather,  and  we  put  down  that  value  at  not  less  than 
35  millions  of  dollars,  and  it  employs  or  subsists  many 
score  of  thousands  of  persons  in  the  United  Statrs. 

But,  though  TOO  millions  are  thus  lost  to  the  circula- 
tion, and  so  renders  money  scarce  with  individuals  and 
easier  to  be  obtained  at  the  banks,  no  actual  loss  of;no- 
ney  to  the  nation  ensues,  the  savings  of  one  party  standing 
against  the  reduced  profits  of  the  oilier:  but  there  is  a  loss 
of  those  comforts  for  which  persons  expend  money,  earn- 
ed by  their  labor. 

What  are  the  legitimate  uses  of  money  or  profits? 
The  comfort  of  those  who  possess  or  'tarn  money.  A 
man  may  be,  perhaps,  as  well  sheltered  by  an  old  coat  ax 
a  new  one — but  he  loves  something  as  valuablu  to  him  as 
the  cost  of  a  new  coat,  else  he  would  not  then  purchase 
one  if  he  could.  This  position  cannot  be  set  aside,  and 
what  we  call  happiness  depends  on  it.  Men  have  lived  in 
dens  and  caverns,  clothed  in  skins.  Diogenes  had  only  a 
tub,  a  sack  and  a  cup,  and  the  last  he  threw  away  on  see- 
ing a  boy  drink  out  of  his  hand.  It  is  related  of  a  famous 
English  miser,  that,  when  another  of  hit  class  called  upon 


him  in  an  evening  to  obtain  a  lesson  in  economy,  (he  for" 
mer  extinguished  his  farthing  candle,  saying  that  they 
could  talk  as  well  in  the  dark  as  in  the  light! — and  the 
writer  of  this  work  knew,  in  early  life,  two  solitary  old 
mcin  who  rivalled  one  another  in  economy!  At  the  end 
of  a  year,  one  of  them,  having  been  told  that  the  other 
had  lived  the  twelve  months  on  the  expenditure  of  some- 
thing less  than  twenty  dollars,  expressed  his  doubt  of 
the  fact, — and  said  that  it  had  cost  him  a  little  over 
twenty-five  dollars,  and  he  (the  latter),  thought  that  he 
had  lived  as  close  as  any  person  ought  to  do!  That  we 
might  live  upon  much  less  than  we  expend,  or  fatten  as 
fast  and  breathe  as  freely  in  a  shantee  b)  the  side  of  a  canal 
or  rail  road  as  in  the  most  convenient  of  our  dwellings, 
there  is  no  doubt — but  life,  on  such  conditions,  and  with- 
out looking  to  a  change  of  them,  is  valueless  to  the  pos- 
sessor. The  "saw  dust  pudding"  of  Franklin,  may  be 
eaten  in  a  spirit  of  independence,  on  particular  occasions; 
but  one  condemned  to  feed  on  "saw  dust  pudding"  only, 
would  not  be  thankful  for  the  gift  of  life.  And  wlmt 
must  become  of  those  who  make  a  living  by  sowing  and 
leaping  wheat,  and  planting  and  gathering  corn,  &c.  it" 
every  body  lived  on  "saw  dust  pudding?" 

Rewarded  labor  is  the  first  great  happiness  of  mankind 
— and  the  second  is  the  appropriation  or  distribution  of 
the  profits  of  labor.  The  bond  of  society  is  the  mutual 
dependence  which  one  man  has  upon  his  fellow,  or  ihe 
mutual  assistance  which  every  good  citizen  renders  to  his 
"neighbor."  Break  down  these  relations,  and  society  is 
resolved  into  its  original  elements,  when  every  man  act- 
ed as  it  "seemed  good  in  his  own  eyes,"  and  there  were 
no  aggregations  of  value  in  property,  or  satety  to  person. 
Labor  is  a  blessing — idleness  the  parent  of  evil;  but  the 
blessing  is  denied,  and  evil  increased,  when  the  will  to 
labor  is  diminished  in  consequence  of  a  necessity  that  for- 
bids an  ENJOYMENT  of  its  profits — though  actual  suffer- 
ing may  not  occur.  Man  should  not  live  merely  to  eat — 
but  to  eat  only  that  he  may  live,  is  a  miserable  state  of 
existence. 

The  diminished  circulation  of  values  that  we  have  en- 
deavored to  shew,  acts  undoubtedly,  and  directly,  against 
"new  enterprizes. "  We  shall  state  a  simple  and  com- 
mon case  by  way  of  example.  A  person  by  his  industry 
and  economy — (we  mean  economy  with  comfort — for  ihe 
first  without  the  last,  unless  with  a  fixed  view  to  the  last, 
cannot  be  approved,  as  it  necessarily  runs  into  mean- 
ness, if  not  into  knavery),  has  earned  and  saved  500  dol- 
lars for  the  purpose  of  building  a  house  and  home  for 
his  family  and  himself.  lie  says,  "such  a  house  as  I  de- 
sire to  build  will  cost  me  one  thousand  dollars,  and,  pay- 
ing 500, 1  can  obtain  a  credit  of  500  on  the  house,  payable 
in  5  years,  100  dollars  a  year,  which,  with  the  interest, 
I  can  pay  out  of  my  annual  profits  or  savings. "  But  if 
the  business  of  that  man  is  interrupted,  and  his  profits 
lessened,  or  rendered  altogether  uncertain,  he  will  post- 
pone his  design  of  building  and  remain  a  tenant,  rather 
than  venture  on  a  proceeding  which  may  endanger  the 
money  that  he  has,  in  a  sacrifice  of  the  property  pledg- 
ed for  the  payment  of  the  additional  sum  that  must  be 
borrowed  to  carry  out  the  project.  This  is  an  act  of  com- 
mon prudence;  and  tens  of  thousands  who  have  not  so  re- 
viewed the  real  state  of  things,  have  been  ruined,  or  rob- 
bed, of  the  savings  that  they  had  made,  by  disturbances 
of  the  currency.  This  case  in  humble  life  equally  ap- 
plies to  the  heaviest  operations;  and  its  principle  does  not 
vary,  whether  the  expected  cost  of  a  thing  be  500  or 
500,000  dollars;  and  such  postponements  act  against  the 
interest  of  other  persons  w  hosu  business  it  is  to  furnish 
materials  or  labor  for  such  undertakings. 

To  some — the  learned  in  political  economics,  or  per- 
sons accustomed  to  reflect  on  the  power  of  aggregation, 
the  preceding  remarks  may  appear  supererogatory — but 
our  wish  is  to  render  these  matters  familiar  to  others,  and 
lead  them  into  considerations  of  the  cause  and  effVct  of 
seemingly  trifling  things,  the  combinations  of  which  they 
have  not  been  accustomed  to  examine — for  herein  is  truth 
— important  truth,  which  every  man,  from  the  richest  to 
the  poorest,  is  interested  in  understanding,  seeing  that 
every  citizen  forms,  or  should  form,  an  integral  part  of 
the  government  of  this  country. 

A  friend  observed  the  other  day,  (hat  our  course,  on 
the  concerns  of  the  POST  OFFICE  had  been  like  the  In- 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


J70 


dian's  tree — "so  straight  that  it  leaned  father  •way;"  i.  e 
against  the  report  of  the  committee  of  the  senate:  to 
we  not  only  published  the  report  of  the  minoiity  bu 
also  Mr.  Barry's  long  vindicatory  address.  The  recor< 
is  in  complete  on  this  subject — but  whether  to  publish  th 
letters  of  Mr.  Bradley,  addressed  to  the  president,  ii 
reply  to  Mr.  Hurry,  or  take  some  of  the  speeches,  01 
both  sides,  in  the  senate,  it  seems  not  easy  to  determine 


The  election  for  a  member  of  congress  in  the  Rich 
mond  district,  Virginia,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Stevenson 
resigned,  has  just  closed,  and  resulted  in  the  election  o 
Mr.  Robertson,  the  whig  candidate.  The  vote  stoo( 
thus:  for  Mr.  Robertson  689,  Mr.  Roane  331;  majority 
for  Mr.  Robertson,  358. 


The  returns  from  Louisiana  have  not  all  yet  been  re 
ceived,  but  sufficient  to  enable  us  to  give  the  result. 
The  N.  O.  Courier,  an  administration  paper  says  —  /'we 
have  further  returns  to-day  of  the  election;  but  they  do 
not  inspire  us  with  hope.  General  Walker,  it  appears, 
is  beuten,  in  the  third  congressional  district,  by  Mr. 
Garland  —  making  our  defeat  total  and  complete."  All 
the  returns  were  received  at  New  Orleans  except  from 
one  parish,  which  it  is  said  will  not  vary  the  result  much. 
The  vote  for  governor  is,  for  White,  whig,  6,089.  Daw- 
son,  Jackson,  4,253,  majority,  as  far  as  heard  from,  for 
White  I,8o6.  A  letter  published  in  the  National  Intel- 
ligencer, dated  New  Orleans,  July  16,  after  stating  that 
Mr.  White  is  elected,  says,  that  "the  whigs  have  elected 
their  entire  delegation  to  congress,  and  from  two-thirds 
to  three-fourths  of  the  state  legislature."  In  this  district, 
there  were  two  whig  candidates,  whose  aggregate  vote 
•was  2,946,  and  the  Jackson  vote  1,384:  Henry  Johnson, 
(whig),  is  elected  by  a  majority  of  516  over  the  aggre- 
gate vote  of  both  his  opponents.  In  the  2d  district  there 
•were  four  candidates:  General  Ripley  is  elected  by  a 
plurality  of  votes,  and  not  a  majority  of  the  whole  num- 
ber —  say  1,167  out  of  about  2,700.  General  Riplt-y  has 
heretofore  been  a  warm  Jackson  man,  but,  recently,  he 
publicly  renounced  Jacksonism,  and  has  been  chosen  by 
a  majority  of  about  200  over  Chinn,  the  regular  whig 
candidate,  who  injured  his  vote  by  advocating  Dawson 
for  governor,  from  personal  feelings.*  In  the  3\1  district, 
Mr.  Garland  is  re-elected  by  a  large  majority  over  gen. 
Walker,  the  most  popular  and  able  Jackson  man  in  the 
state,  and  who  was,  from  those  causes,  selected  last  win- 
ter to  run  against  judge  Porter  for  the  United  States  se- 
nate. 

Though  the  sales  of  wool  are  not  brisk  —  yet  the  pri- 
ces paid  seem  fair,  and  rather  better  than  we  feared. 
Some  of  the  fine  Saxonies  of  Dutchess  count}',  N.  York, 
and  other  places,  had  sold  for  67  cents;  but  the  average 
sales  are  supposed  to  be  from  6  to  10  cents  per  Ib.  less 
than  last  year. 

Very  many  deaths  have  happened  from  drinking  cold 
•water—  but  at  New  York,  one  of  the  sextons,  becoming 
heated  when  digging  a  grave  for  a  person  that  had  so 
died,  drank  plentifully  of  cold  water,  and  so  died  him- 
self. 


The  cholera,  (as  we  learn  from  the  Missouri  Enquirer, 
published  at  Liberty,  in  Clay  county,  Missouri,)  exists 
to  an  alarming  degree  among  the  Mormons  who  recently 
emigrated  to  that  country.  In  three  or  four  days,  eigh- 
teen cases  had  occurred,  thirteen  of  which  had  proved 
fatal.  The  pestilence  had  also  appeared  at  Rushville, 
Pekin  and  Dillon's  settlement,  near  Pekin.  At  Rush- 
ville there  had  been  12  deaths,  at  Pekin  9,  and  at  Dil- 
lon's settlement  8  cases  and  4  deaths. 

In  Kentucky  the  disease  had  made  its  appearance  at 
Mills  Point,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sandy  river,  about  13 
miles  from  Paris,  and  at  Princeton.  At  the  latter  place 
8  or  10  deaths  had  occurred. 

At  Montreal  and  Quebec,  Canada,  much  alarm  and  a 
good  deal  of  sickness  exists,  although,  as  a  correspondent 

[*There  is  a  family  connection  between  tlmsi-  two  gentlemeu, 
and  we  were  advised,  before  hearing  from  the  election,  lhat  Mr. 
Chinn's  supporting  Mr.  Dawson  would  probably  lose  linn  his 
own  election.  [Editors  Nat,  Intel. 


of  the  New  York  Mercantile  says,  the  papers  are  silent 
He  had  been  at  Montreal,  and  should  have  proceeded  to 
Quebec,  but  that  the  cholera  Mas  so  bad  at  the  latter 
place  as  to  put  a  stop  to  business.  During  his  stay  at 
Montreal,  on  the  2.'3d  and  24th  ult.  CO  deaths,  he  says, 
occurred.  The  sanitary  committee  of  Montreal  made 
an  official  publication  on  the  22(1  ult.  in  which  they  slate 
the  total  number  of  patients  received  at  the  cholera  hos- 
pital, from  July  11,  the  first  day  of  its  appearance,  to 
the  22d,  inclusive,  had  been  44,  of  these  28  had  died,  11 
were  convalescent  and  5  remained. 

The  Wheeling  Gazette  of  the  26lh  ult.  says  that  it  is 
doubted  by  many  whether  there  have  been  any  cases  cf 
cholera  among  them,  at  all  events  not  more  than  four  or 
five  cases,  and  none  for  the  two  or  three  preceding  days. 

Two  deaths  by  cholera  have  occurred  at  Madison,  In- 
Jiana;  thirty-five  at  Fulton,  Ohio,  and  twenty-two  at 
Trenton,  Kentucky.  In  the  latter  place,  we  notice  tha 
death  of  Enoch  Prince,  esquire,  a  mem  bet  of  the  state 
senate. 

The  citizens  of  Wilmington,  Delaware,  paid  funeral 
honors  to  general  Lafayette,  on  Monday  last.  The  pro- 
cession was  a  long  one,  and  presented  an  imposing  spec- 
tacle. The  stores  and  other  places  of  business  were 
learly  all  closed,  and  every  one  appeared  to  vie  with  hi» 
leighbor  in  testifying  his  sincere  veneration  for  the  me- 
nory  of  the  illustrious  and  early  benefactor  of  his  coun- 
.ry.  A  large  number  of  person's  from  the  county  attend- 
ed and  joined  in  the  ceremonies  of  the  day.  The  pro- 
;ession  left  the  Town  Hall  at  10  o'clock,  and  after  mov- 
ng  through  the  several  streets  of  the  city',  arrived  at  the 
.'resbyterian  church  at  12  o'clock,  where  the  closing 
scene  of  the  solemnities  of  the  day  was  opened  by  an  ap- 
iropriate  dirge,  which  was  followed  by  an  impressive 
iddress  to  the  throne  of  grace  by  the  rev.  Mr.  Granger. 
The  rev.  /.  Pardee  then  rose  and  delivered  an  oration 
ommemorative  of  the  merits,  virtues  and  sacrifices  of 
Lafayette.  The  oration  occupied  about  an  hour  in  the 
lelivery,  and  was  listened  to  with  the  profoundest  atten- 
ion  by  the  audience.  When  the  orator  sat  down,  a 
)rayer  was  offered  up  by  the  rev.  Mr.  Galey,  after  which, 
he  rev.  Mr.  Wilmer  pronounced  a  benediction;  and  the 
whole  was  concluded  by  a  solemn  dirge  performed  by 
he  choir.  The  day  passed  without  any  occurrence  to 
'isturb  the  proceedings,  or  to  mar  those  feelings  which 
liould  prevail  on  such  an  occasion. 

The  university  of  Virginia  had  about  210  matriculates, 
t  the  last  session,  which  is  by  tar  the  largest  number 
he  has  ever  yet  enrolled.  At  the  recent  examination, 
even  of  the  students  received  the  degree  of  master  of 
rts.  Mr.  W.  C.  Rives  has  been  appointed  by  the  go- 
ernor  of  Virginia,  a  visiter  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Madi- 
on  resigned.  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  esq.  is  appointed  rec- 
or,  which  office  had  been  held  by  Mr.  Madison,  since 
lr.  Jefferson's  death. 

A  public  dinner  was  given  to  colonel  Jllaltheiv  tr- 
uckle, of  the  U.  S.  7th  regiment  of  infantry,  by  the 
fticers  of  his  regiment,  on  the  7th  June,  on  the  occasion 
f  liis  retiring  from  that  post,  which  he  has  commanded 
i-ith  great  credit  to  himself,  and  with  public  approba- 
on,  for  many  years. 

On  the  following  toast  being  given,  viz: 

"Our  guest,  col.  M.  ARBUCKLE — An  officer  distinguished  for 

ug  and  faithful,  as  well  as  important  services,  and  one  closely 
lentined  with  the  history  of  this  section  of  the  country;  our  go- 
eminent  will  not  forget  him." 

Col.  A.  returned  thanks,  and  amongst  other  things, 
emarked:  "As  my  impaired  health  obliges  me  to  seek 
or  its  restoration  in  a  different  climate,  and  as  1  may 
ever  return,  it  is  a  source  of  no  inconsiderable  gratifi- 
ation  to  leave  this  frontier  in  a  state  of  perfect  pease, 

far  as  relates  to  the  Indian  tribes  with  which  the  Unit- 
d  States  have  intercourse,  and  between  them  and  our 

tizens.     The  state  of  affairs,  gentlemen,  was  very  dif- 

renl  on  my  arrival  in  this  country,  twelve  years  since, 
'hen  the  surrounding  tribes  were  engaged  in  continual 
cts  of  hostility  to  each  other,  and  one  of  them  frequent- 
v  murdering  and  plundering  our  citizens." 

Mr.  William  A  Woodall,  ascended  in  a  balloon  on 
Monday  last,  from  the  Observatory  Gardens,  Federal 


880 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  18S4— MISCELLANEOUS. 


Hill  at  half  past  six,  P.  M.  The  balloon  was  construct- 1  wrongs  committed.  But  we  do  not  intend  to  make  an 
ed  by  Mr.  Elliott.  Its  first  course  was  north  west,  and  argument  on  the  subject,  or  reason  on  the  right  ot  cler- 
after  proceeding  in  that  direction  for  about  a  mile,  it  gymen  to  an  exemption  from  the  operation  ot  those  law  s 
took  a  north  east  one  for  about  a  mile,  and  then  proceed-  which  govern  other  men. 


therbv,  about  7  miles  from  town,  near  the   North   Point  obtained  as  ministers  of  Hie  gospel,  and  Unit  communication 

road  'and  adjoining  the  battle  ground.     The  ascent  was  made  by  a  parishioner  to  his  spiritual  guide  are  sacred,  and 

one  of  great   splendor    and  eave  universal  satisfaction,  ought  not  to  be  disclosed.   On  a  report  of  this  refusal,  they  were 

,    '  .     .,  P  .     .  ,  -.  .,  ,.  „  summoned  before  the  municipal  court,  tor  the  opinion  of  the 

Mr.  \\oodall  says  that  he  thinks  he  rose,  while  over  the  .^  jn  l||e  casp     Df  Cha|1I1||lg  wajved  ,lls  obj£clion>  consj. 

city,  to  the  height  of  two  miles.  dering,  upon  further  inflection,  that  what  had  been  told  to  him 

—  was  more  us  a  personal  friend  than  as  a  spiritual  adviser,  and 

The  Philadelphia  "American  Daily  Advertiser"  says  —  that  lie  could  not,  therefore,  as  a  citizen,  withhold  it.   Mr.Gan- 

Christopher  Columbus  died  on  the  20th  May,  1505;  Lafayette  nut  adhered  to  his  view,  but  only  prayed  the  court  to  excuse 

him.  under  the  circumstances,  from  testifying.    The  judge  in- 


20lh  May   1834. 


formed  him  that  the  law  makes  no  distinction  of  persons,  and 

fro»> 


It  appears,  from  the  Jlmerican  Republican,  that  th 
name  of  the  white  man  in  Chester  county,  who  advertis-  I 

ed  a  short  time  ago  for  a  black  wife,  is  Isaac  Sheen,  of  u.  S.  CODKTS  or  LAW.  The  Newhuryport  Herald  says— The 
Uwcland  township.  He  is  an  Englishman  by  birth — a  New  York  Journal  of  Commerce  complains  of  the  monstrous 
stocking  weaver  by  trade;  has  never  been  naturalized,  expenses  attending  suits  al  law  in  the  l.'iutcd  States  courts. 

•  •  •  '  Well  it  may.     We  have  a  short  story  in  point: 

Recently  two  fishing  craft  were  condemned  and  sold  in  this 
distiicl,  but  under  no  peculiar  circumstances  of  expense.    The 
gross  proceeds,  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  vessel,  were  $106; 
the  expenses  attending  the  condemnation  and  sale,  tkree  kuu- 
I  dred  and  thirty 

The  Hagerstown  "Mail"  states  that  bail  stones  of  an  vVe  have  not  the  least  doubt  that  circumstances  such  as  those 
unusually  large  size  fell  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bakers-  I  above  detailed,  are  of  no  uncommon  occurrence,  and  require 
Title,  Washington  county,  Md.  on  the  2lst  ult.  many  of  I  tb«  intervention  of  congress  to  correct  oppressive  exactions 


and  has  been  heard  to  say  he  never  would  be. 

A  public  dinner  was  given  to  col.  David  Crockett,  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  on  his  way  home. 


but  meanly  compensated.     It  is  said,  that  in  some  of  the  drs- 

The  cotton,  corn,  rice  and  cane  crops  in  Georgia  pro-  I  tncls,  the  office  of  United  States  attorney  for  the  district,  brings 
well,  in  twenty  or  twenty-five- thousand  dollars  a  year,  being  four 

limes  the  annual  salary  of  the  chief  justice  of  the  United  States, 

e  r,r  .         i  or  of  either  of  the  heads  of  department.   If  it  be  so,  the  case  in- 

Madame  JJat-tlsmont,  torraerly  Miss  J- ranees  IJ  right,    V(,ives  both  oppression  and  corruption,  and  requires  reforma- 
is  delivering  lectures  on  education  in  London.  non.     Be  it  so  or  not,  the  excessive  costs  of  suits  by  the  United 

—  Stales,  are  among  the  abuses  which  require  invesii;;aiion  at  the 

The   ship  American,  capt.  Matthews,  from  Apalachi-    hands  ot'congress. 

cola   bound  to  New  York,  in  going  over  the  bar  on  the  poR  INTEESAL  IM~VEMESTS.    when  the  appro- 

5lh  July,  with  a  full  cargo  of  cotton,  was  discovered  to  prialion  lor  lllis  ,mrl,0r.e  was  under  discussion  in  the  house  of 
be  on  hre  in  the  hold,  and  was  run  on  shore,  where  she  representatives,  the  following  remarks  wire  made  by  Mr.  J.  Q. 
burnt  to  the  water's  edge.  Nothing  saved  but  the  bag-  Adams: 

gage.  "Congress  has  long  continued   to  make   appropriations  of 

_  large  amounts  of  money   for  works  which  were  proper,  and 

The  legis.atureof  Newfoundland  recently  closed  Uffi^^^^ 

session,  and  owing  to  the  poverty  of  the  treasury,  omitted  uy  fa  becn  examined  with  a  view  to  such  objects.  But  was 
to  pay  the  rent  of  the  bouse  in  which  they  sat.  In  conse-  there  a  single  locality,  ten  miles  square,  in  our  whole  domain, 

nence  of  this  omission,  their  landlady,  a  Mrs.  Mary  which  was  not  susceptible  of  some  improvement?  How  was 
Travers,  has  sued  out  a  distraint  to  satisfy  her  demands.  Illi7i  lo  bt>  k»own  but  from  surveys?  Those  who  considered 
The  following  is  the  advertisement  offering  the  goods  for  ".''*  a!!  ?"  ""1"°?"  appropriation,  ought  to  resist  the  annual 

lull  which  was  introduced  inlo  the  house  for  works  of  internal 


sale: 
Auction— On  Friday  night  at  12  o'clock,  if  not  previously  re- 


improvement;  in  which  works,  he  thanked  God,  that  the  nation 
still  spent  millions  every  year,  in  spile  of  all  theories.     Was  it 


e  egantly  covered  with  blue  morocco,  and   with   brass-1  larKe  tlle  lclldtncy  ofthe  contrary  system?     It  led  us  back  to  the  s; 

chair,  Muffed,   superbly  covered,  and   well   arid  substantially  vape  stale!     u  brought  back  onr  population  to  the  state  of  H 

bui  t,  used  by  the  usher  of  the  black  rod-A  cocked  hat,  of  su-  ,iunler.     He  it  was  that  was  the  greatest  adversary  of  intern 

perior  quality,  but  now  a  little  shabby,  v.-orn  by  the  sergeant  at-  improvements." 
arms — the  reporter's  desk — 2  large  stoves,  with  funnelling  to 


f  the 
al 


suit,  and  six  covered  forms—  with  a  variety  of  other  articles  too 
tedious  to  mention  —  all  very  valuable. 

Terms  made  known  at  the  lime  of  sale. 

MARY  TRAVERS. 

James  Clifl,  auctioneer. 

Mexico  is  more  and  more  disturbed,  and  several  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  are  being  shipped  to  the  United 
States,  for  safety.  Santa  Anna  was  carrying  on  a  civil 
war,  for  the  sake  of  "religion,"  and  the  priests  are  said 
to  supply  him  with  much  money,  hoping  to  repay  them- 
selves anon. 

RULES  OF  EYIDEXCE.  We  meet  with  the  following 
statement  of  a  case  which,  no  matter  what  may  !><•  tin 
rule,  we  think  involves  CHS^S  of  much  delicacy  —  and 

of  the  most  nu- 
fore whom  con- 
fessions, (made  in  a  perfect  assurance  that  the  facts  stated 


especially  with  regard  to  the  clergymen  o 
merous  Christian  sect  in-  the  world,  bef 


MADAWASKA.  From  the  Boston  Courier.  The  people  living 
i  the  disputed  territory,  are,  it  appears  in  rather  a  singular  po- 
sition, belonging  to  no  nation  and  yet  claimed  by  two.  Under 
such  circumstances  they  haii  belter  "take  Ihe  responsibility" 
of  selling  up  for  themselves,  or  remove  themselves  and  iheir 
dcposiles  to  some  other  place.  The  following  is  from  the  Ken- 
nebcc  Journal. 

Madawaska.  We  learn  that  the  inhabitants  of  Madawaska 
have  been  taxed  by  the  British  government,  and  the  lax  has 
been  collected  with  much  rigor,  that  the  British  hold  undisturb- 
ed possession  and  have  built  a  court  house;  that  the  inhabitant!) 
are  suffering  much  from  want,  their  crops  having  been  scanty 
the  last  season.  As  the  town  had  been  incorporated  by  the  legis- 
lature of  Maine,  and  the  inhabitants  assured  of  the  protection  of 
the  United  States,  they  prepared  a  memorial  lo  our  government 
a-kiiia  assistance  and  protection,  which  was  signed  by  a  number, 
but  ,-iib-i  qiiently  seized  and  destroyed  by  the  British  authori- 
ties. They  hnve,  however,  sent  on  a  delegate  to  see  governor 
Diinlap,  and  ask  the  assistance  of  the  state.  This  delegate  we 
Irani  has  been  to  Brunswick,  where  lheteovrrnor  now  is,  and 
obtained  an  order  on  the  treasurer  for  a  small  sum  of  moiiev. 


»   I  .  "L "  ,   AT  ,      tnC        ,    Stateli   T"K  »«"iorily  oftlic  covernor  to  do  ,l,,s  mav  be  questioned   but 

uot  be  revwded),  oftentimes   lead  to  a  redress  of   we  art  not  inclined  to  urge  that  point  in  tins  cut.    W8  have 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


881 


not  seen  the  delegate,  but  gather  the  foregoing  statement  from 
those  who  conversed  with  him.  We  weree  told  many  years 
ago  that  if  gen.  Jackson  could  he  elected  president  we  should 
soon  have  our  territory  secured;  hut  instead  of  this  we  lir»t  lii:d 
him  requesting  the  governor  of  New  Brunswick  to  pardon  and 
release  from  prison,  upon  condition  of  not  repenting  the  ojj'ence 
against  his  British  majesty,  certain  persons  ol  Madawaska  who 
had  heen  guilty  of  the  heinous  ciime  of  proceeding  to  incorpo- 
rate the  town  in  pursuance  ot  a  special  law  of  the  state  of  Maine. 
Next  we  find  him  trying  to  get  the  Dutchman's  award  accepted; 
and  this  being  stopped  by  the  senate,  we  have  another  decree 
requiring  the  legislature  of  Maine  to  bargain  away  the  territory 
for"an  ample  indemnity"  in  land  or  money,  in  secret  session; 
and  now  we  find  the  British  government  taxing  the  inhabitants 
and  using  his  lull  authority  as  overany  part  of  New  Brunswick; 
while  our  government,  stale  and  national,  looks  oil  with  ap- 
parent unconcern. 

BARBARISM.  There  were  confined,  in  a  room  14  by  16  feet 
square,  in  the  jail  in  this  city,  on  one  of  the  hottest  days  of  last 
week,  13  persons  committed  for  the  crime  ol  not  being  able  to 
pay  their  debts.  The  whole  number  confined  in  jail  lor.debl, 
on  Fiiday  last,  was  33.  The  number  imprisoned  for  crime  un- 
der sentence  of  the  law,  or  committed  for  trial  is  28,  all  of 
whom  are  confined  in  eight  small  cells.  The  whole  number 
confined  for  debt  and  crime  is  61,  among  whom  are  four  colored 


persons.    These  facts  need  no  commentary . 

[Providence  Journal. 

AMERICAN  PRESIDENTS.  George  Washington  was  born  22d 
February  1732.  He  lived  at  Mount  Vernon,  Fairfax  county, 
Virginia;  was  elected  president  of  the  United  States  in  1789  at 
the  age  of  57  years,  and  died  December  14th,  1799,  67  years 
of  age. 

John  Adams  was  born  16th  October,  1735.  He  lived  at  Quin- 
cy,  Norfolk  county,  Massachusetts;  was  elected  president  of 
the  United  States  in  1797,  at  the  age  62;  and  died  July  4lh, 
1826,  at  6  o'clock  P.  M.  almost  90  years  of  age. 

Thomas  Jefferson  was  born  in  Chesterfield  county,  2d  April, 
1743.  tie  lived  at  Monlicello,  Albemarle  county,  Virginia,  was 
elected  president  of  the  United  States  in  1801,  at  the  age  of  58 
years,  and  died  on  the  4lh  July,  1826,  at  1  o'clock,  P.M.  He 
was  85  years  of  age. 

James  Madison  was  born  1756.  He  lived  at  Montpelier, 
Orange  county  Virginia,  was  elected  president  of  the  United 
States  in  1809,  at  the  age  of  53  years.  He  still  lives  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  good  health,  at  Montpelier,  in  the  78lh  year  of  his  age. 

James  Monroe  was  born  1758.  He  lived  in  London  county, 
Virginia',  was  elected  president  of  the  United  States  in  1817, 
aged  59.  He  died  in  New  York,  July  4th,  1831,  at  the  age  of  73. 

John  Quincy  Adams  was  born  July  11,  1767.  He  lives  at 
Quincy,  Norfolk  county,  Massachusetts;  was  elected  president 
of  the  United  States,  9th  February,  1825,  by  the  house  of  re- 
presentatives, at  the  age  of  58  years. 

Andrew  Jackson  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  in  1767.  He 
lived  in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  was  elected  president  of  the  U. 
States  in  1828,  at  the  age  of  61  and  re  elected  1832. 

BOSTON,  JUNE  25.  We  believe  there  were  never  so  many  of  our 
national  vessels  at  any  one  navy  yard,  as  there  are  at  the  present 
moment  at  Charlestown.  Here  are  no  less  than  four  74s,  three 
frigates,  and  two  sloops  of  war.  The  Vermont  and  Virginia  74s, 
together  with  the  Cumberland  frigate,  under  cover  on  the  stocks; 
the  Columbus  and  Independence  74s,  together  with  the  Boston 
sloop  of  war,  under  cover  at  the  wharf  or  in  the  stream;  the 
Potomac  frigate,  recently  arrived,  dismantling  and  about  to  be 
taken  into  dock;  Old  Ironsides,  just  out  of  dock,  rebuilt  and  re- 
fitting; and  the  Erie  sloop  of  war,  captain  1'ercival,  preparing 
for  a  cruise,  and  nearly  ready  for  sea,  in  the  stream.  The  three 
vessels  have  been  upon  the  stocks  from  eight  and  ten  to  a 
dozen  years,  one  of  them  perhaps  longer;  are  in  excellent  pre- 
servation, and  might  all,  probably,  in  case  of  nerd,  be  launched 
in  sixty  or  ninety  days.  The  74s  are  pierced  for  102  guns.  The 
Potomac  and  Cumberland  frigates  for 62,  and  Old  Ironsides  for 
54_this  is  the  only  difference  between  them,  arising  from  the 
two  former  having  four  guns  more  on  each  side  in  their  waist; 
neither  of  the  frigates,  however,  in  these  "piping  times  of 
peace,"  carry  more  than  50  guns.  The  Boston  sloop  of  war  is 
of  the  largest  class,  mounting  24  medium  guns.  The  Erie 
mounts  22.  These  nine  vessels  are  pierced  for,  and  capable  o! 
mounting,  upwards  of  600,  guns,  it  being  equal  or  nearly  equal 


Hie  neat  farm  houses— the  fields  ripening  to  the  harvest— the 
towering  lulls  rising  in  the  distance,  and  the  little  village  with 
its  factories  just  at  hand  below— all  comliin*  to  afford  one  of 
tin:  richest  landscapes  ill  our  picturesque  country. 

But  l\m  factories.  Alas!  the  stillness  of  death  reigns  there. 
The  murmuring  of  the  water  as  it  runs  to  waste  over  the  dam, 
is  all  that  remain*  to  grefft  the  ear,  which  was  formerly  almost 
•tunned  by  the  clang  of  the  forge  hammer— the  rattling  of  looms 
—the  whiz  of  ten  thousand  spindles,  and  the  whistle  and  song 
of  the  artisan  as  he  plied  his  daily  task."  The  factories  ate  all 
stopped — the  hands  are  dispersed;  and  have  been  compelled  to 
wander  to  and  fro,  to  find  work,  or  to  beg,  or  steal,  to  support 
existence. 

This  derangement  of  business,  even  if  speedily  resumed,  U 
attended  with  very  serious  lose,  both  to  the  employe!  and  the 
employed— besides  the  gloom  and  anxiety  consequent  upon  the 
breaking  up  and  dispersion  of  large  families  of  poor  operatives. 
Hut  there  is  no  prospect  that  business  will  be  speedily  resumed. 
The  contemplation  of  the  future  is  no  less  gloomy  than  the 
present. 

Such  are  some  of  the  fiuits  of  the  mad  "experiment." 

[Wett  Chester  Whig. 

SOCIAL  INTERCOURSE.  We  should  make  it  a  principle  to  ei- 
tend  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  every  man  who  discharges  faith- 
fully his  duties  and  maintains  good  order— who  manifests  a 
deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  general  society— whose  deport- 
ment is  upright,  and  whose  mind  is  intelligent,  without  stop- 
ping to  ascertain  whether  he  swings  a  hammer  or  draws  a 
thread.  There  in  nothing  so  distant  from  all  natural  rule  and 
natural  claim  as  the  reluctant,  the  backward  sympathy — the 
forced  smile — the  checked  conversation— the  hesitating  com- 
pliance— the  well-off  are  too  apt  to  manifest  to  those  a  little 
down;  with  whom,  in  comparison  of  intellect  and  principles  of 
virtue,  they  frequently  sink  into  insignificance. 

[Daniel  Webster. 

A  BALTIMORE  CLIPPER.    The  most  remarkable  instance  of 

rapid  sailing  recorded,  is  probably  the  case  of  the  brig  John  Gil- 

n,  of  Baltimore,  a  thorough  clipper  of  course,  which  vessel 

ft  Baltimore  about  two  years  since,  and  arrived  in  Batavia 

fter  a  passage  of  82  days — proceeded  from  thence  to  Canton  in 

1   days — from   Canton   to   Manilla   in   5   days— from   Manilla 

irough  the  straits  of  Sunda,  round   south  of  New  Holland,  to 

ilitude  48  or  50  degrees  to  Valparaiso,  in  85  days — and  from 

/alparaiso  to  Lima,  in  6  days  and  17  hours — making  an  aggre- 

ate  distance  of  34,920  miles  in  189  days  17  hours — averaging  a 

rnclion  more  thiin  one  hundred  and  eighty  three  miles  per  day. 

kVe  have  the  above  from  an  authentic  source  and  incredible  aa 

t  may  appear,  it  may  be  relied  on  as  correct.        [Host.  Jour. 

CANADA.    Number  of  emigrants  arrived  since  the  opening  of 
he  navigation  this  year  to  the  llth  July,  at  noon: — 

From  England 4,869 

"     Ireland 15,213 

"     Scotland 1,771 

"    Lower  Ports |214 


to  one  quarter  part  of  our  whole  navy 


[Gazette. 


I 


STATISTICS.  The  army  of  the  United  States,  as  now  consti- 
tuted, consists  of  dragoons  363;  artillery  1,778;  infantry  3,225; 
unattached  soldif.rs  and  re  emits  678— total  6,054. 

Militia,  according  to  late  returns,  i  ,345, 116. 

Navy.  Vessels  in  commission,  1  ship  of  the  line,  3  frigates 
15  sloops  of  war  and  6  schooners.  In  ordinary  6  ship3  of  tin 
line,  6  frigates.  At  the  different  depots,  have  been  deliverer 
frames  oflive  oak  for  four  ships  of  the  line,  7  frigates  and  4 
sloops.  Contracts  have  been  made  for  the  frames  of  1  ship  o 
the  line  and  1  sloop  of  war. 

VALLEY  FOROE.  We  took  a  glance,  a  few  days  since,  a 
Valley  Forge.  It  is  an  interesting  spot.  What  with  there 
inn  ins  of  the  ancient  fortification  on  the  hill  top— the  charmin 
vie  w,  from  that  elevation,  of  the  smooth,  winding  Scliuylkill— 


Total,  22,067 

Number  arrived  to  corresponding  date  last  year 13,594 

Excess,  8,473 

POPULATION  or  GREAT  BRITAIN.  There  has  just  been  print- 
ed in  two  volumes  folio,  an  "Enumeration  Abstract"  of  the  po- 
Milalion  of  Great  Britain  for  1831,  made  from  the  returns  and 
inswers  forwarded  from  each  parish  in  England  and  Scotland, 
pursuant  to  an  act  of  parliament. 

Population  of  England  and  Wales,  from  the  year  1700  to  the 
year  1830,  including  the  army  and  navy,  and  merchant  seamen. 
1700—5,134,516        1750—6,039,648        1800—  9,187,176 
1710—5,066,337        1770—7,227,586        1810— 10,407  JX 
1720—5,345,351        1780—7,814,827        1820—11,957,565 
1730—5,687,993        1790—8,540,738        1830—13,840,851 
1740—5,829,705 

The  population  of  Ireland  amounted  tq  7,767,401. 
The  increase  of  Great  Britain  since  1801,  has  always  been 
about  one  and  a  half  per  cent,  per  annum. 

The  comparative  proportion  of  families  stands  as  follows  in 
centesimal  parts. 


Great  Britain 


Total. 
100 
100 
100 


Thus  trade  and  manufactures  appear  to  have  somewhat  in- 
creased  between  1811  and  1821,  agriculture  to  have  somewhat 
declined;  but  between  1821  and  1831,  the  proportion  of  families 
employed  in  trade  receded  from  46  to  42  per  cent,  and  the  agri- 
cultural population  from  33  to  28  per  cent. 

Summary  of  Great  Britain. 
1801  1811  1821 

8331434      9,551,888      11,261,437 
'-•-'--         611,788 
1,805,588 
640,530 


Encland, 
Wales, 
Scotland, 
Army,  navy, 


541,546 
'  470,598 


717,438 

2,093,45(5 

319,300 


1831 

13,191,005 
<-'06,182 
8,365,114 
277.01T 


10,'.  12,6-lG     12,609,864      14,391,631       16,535,318 


382 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1834— FOREIGN  NEWS. 


NATIONAL  DEBT  or  GREAT  BRITAIN.  Tlie  national  debt  of 
'Greal  Britain  in  March,  1834,  amounted  to  seven  hundred  and 
seventy-nine  millions,  five  hundred  and  sixty-five  thousand, 
seven  hundred  and  eighty-three  pounds  sterling—  which  sum  in 
Spanish  dollars  amounts  to  three  thousand,  lour  hundred  and 
sixty-tour  millions,  seven  hundred  and  thirty-six  thousand, 
seven  hundred  and  two  dollars  and  twenty-two  cents. 

Funded  debt,  ...............................  £751,658,883 

Unfunded  debt,  .............................  ...27,906,900 

£779,565,783 


f  harses  on  funded  debt, 
Charges  on  unfunded  debt, 


£808,127,668 

The  decrease  in  flie  debt  between  the  years  1815  and  1834, 
nniounts  to  sixty-four  million?,  six  hundred  and  fifty-three  thou- 
sand, and  fifty-seven  pounds  sterling. 

The  Baltimore  American  observes  —  The  taxation  of  Great 
'Britain  for  1833,  we  have  not  seen  stated,  hut  for  1832,—  of 
•which  official  accounts  have  been  published,—  it  amounted  to 
£51,504,912  —  about  two  hundred  and  seventeen  millions  of  dol- 

According  to  the  average  prices  of  wheat  and  gold  for  that 
•year,  the  equivalent  for  this  amount  of  taxation,  in  those  me- 
dia, was  13,227,580  ounces  of  gold,  or  17,558,492  quarters  of 
wheat. 

A  comparison  of  these  several  values  with  their  correspond- 
ing items  in  the  years  of  higher  nominal  taxation—  during  the 
wars  with  Napoleon—  will  furnish  some  data  for  interesting 
speculation  to  political  economists  It  will  be  shown  that  when 
the  money  rate  of  taxation  was  at  the  highest,  the  equivalents 
in  gold  and  wheat  did  not  increase  in  proportion,  hut  some- 
times were  actually  less  than  at  the  present  time  of  peace.  —  In 
the  great  war  year  of  1812,  the  annual  taxation  was  nominally 
£71,056,590  —  nearly  a  hundred  millions  of  dollars  more  than 
during  the  year  1832.  The  equivalents  in  gold  were  12,343,941 
ounces,  and  in  quarters  of  wheat  11,585,297,  showing  an  in- 
crease of  only  126,000  ounces  of  gold  for  £20,000,000  sterling, 
and  an  actual  decrease  of  nearly  six  million*  of  quarters  of 
wheat. 

These  items  are  worthy  of  study  as  parts  of  the  history  of 
Hie  all  absorbing  question  of  the  currency. 

SPAIN.  At  Madrid  affairs  were  by  no  means  tranquil.  The 
courts  of  Vienna  and  Berlin  are  indignant  at  the  queen  for  hav- 
ing sent  an  army  into  Portugal.  The  cortes  is  to  assemble  on 
the  24th  of  July.  The  Carlists  continue  engaged  in  hostilities 
to  the  government.  Zumalacaraguy,  their  general,  is  repre- 
sented as  a  man  of  ferocious  temper.  Colonel  O'Donnel,  the 
gon  of  the  count  D'Abisnal,  having  fallen  into  his  hands,  the 
following  is  given  as  the  dialogue  which  occurred  between  him 
and  the  Curlist  general's  aid  de  camp,  before  his  execution: 

"Aid  de  camp:  My  general  desires  me  to  offer  you  not  only 
quarter,  but  a  continuation  of  your  present  rank  with  a  certain 
command,  if  you  will  swear  fidelity  to  the  king,  Don  Carlos  V. 

"O'Uonnel:  I  cannot  be  a  traitor  to  my  honor,  I  have  sworn 
fidelity  to  the  queen,  as  well  as  to  the  nation  represented  by  the 
cortes.  I  have  no  other  sovereign  than  those. 

"Aid  de  camp:  Reflect  well  on  what  you  say,  colonel—  the 
death  of  an  officer  like  yourself  will  be  pitiful. 

"O'Donnel:  To  die  for  my  country,  is  to  die  for  immortality. 

"Aid  de  camp:  And  what  shall  I  say  to  my  general? 

"O'Donnel:  That  I  will  give  a  certain  sum  of  money  for  my 
release,  but  if  that  release  is  to  be  effected  at  the  cost  of  a  per- 
jured oath,  I  would  rather  die  a  thousand  times  than  take  it. 

"In  consequence  of  this  obstinacy,  O'Donnel  was  ordered  to 
be  shot.  He  marched  with  calmness  and  serenity  to  the  ground, 
exhorting  the  soldiers  who  were  to  surfer  death  with  him  to  hear 
their  fate  like  men,  and  exclaimed  at  the  moment  the  word 
•fire'  was  given  —  'We  die  in  defence  of  the  queen  and  the  rights 
of  the  nation.'  " 

POLANB  CNDER  RUSSIA.  The  following  passage  from  a  work 
entitled  "Poland  under  the  dominion  of  Russia,"  written  by  a 
German  in  the  Russo-Polish  service  at  Warsaw,  and  lately  re- 
printed here  with  notes  and  introductory  matter  by  J.  8.  Szy- 
m.inski,  will  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  cruel  tyranny 
against  which  the  Poles  revolted.  It  maybe  added  that  the 
interesting  work  above  mentioned  contains  many  other  scarce- 
ly less  atrocious  examples  of  the  barbarity  of  the  monster,  in 
whose  hands  the  absolute  power  was  left  in  defiance  of  the  moat 
(fill-inn  stipulations  on  the  part  of  the  Russian  government. 

The  officers  as  well  as  sub-officers  of  the  Russian  horse  guards 
are  subjected  to  the  mo*t  rigorous  discipline,  and  arc  requested 
1  1  execute  on  horseback,  all  the  manosuvres  of  a  theatrical 
equestrian. 

One  day  an  officer  of  the  lancer  guard  was  going  through  his 
«xercise  before  the  grand  duke.  He  had  performed  all  the  it»itnl 
evolutions  in  the  most  satisfactory  way,  until  at  full  gallop  he 
was  suddenly  ordered  to  turn  —  his  horse  proved  re»tive  and  re- 
fused to  obey  either  bridle  or  spur. 

Th«  command  was  repented  in  a  thundering  voice,  and  the 
oKcer  renewed  his  efforts  to  make  the  horse  obey  it;  hut  with- 
out pffe.ct.  for  tli«  fiery  animal  continued  to  prance  about  in  de- 
fiance of  liia  rider,  who  was  nevertheless  an  excellent  horse- 
man. 


The  rage  of  the  grand  duke  had  vented  itself  in  furious  impre- 
cations, and  all  present  trembled  for  the  consequence*.  Halt, 
he  exclaimed,  and  ordered  a  pyramid  of  twelve  muskets  with 
fixed  bayonets,  to  he  erected.  The  order  was  instantly  obeyed. 

The  officer,  who  had  by  this  time  subdued  the  rwstiveness  of 
his  hori-e,  was  ordered  to  leap  the  pyramid — and  the  spirited 
horse  bore  his  rider  safely  over  it. 

Without  an  interval  of  delay,  the  officer  was  commanded  to 
repeat  the  fearful  leap,  and  to  the  amazement  of  all  present,  the 
nohle  horse  and  his  brave  rider  stood  in  safety  on  the  other  side 
of  the  pyramid. 

The  grand  duke,  exasperated  at  finding  himself  thus  thwarted 
in  his  barbarous  purpose,  repealed  the  order  for  a  third  time. 
A  general,  who  happened  to  be  present,  now  stepped  forward 
and  interceded  for  the  pardon  of  the  officer:  observing  that  the 
horse  was  exhausted,  and  that  the  enforcement  of  the  order 
would  he  to  doom  both  horse  and  rider  to  a  horrible  death. 

This  humane  remonstrance  was  not  only  disregarded,  but  was 
punished  by  the  immediate  arrest  of  the  general  who  had  thus 
presumed  to  rebel. 

The  word  of  command  was  given,  and  horse  and  rider  for  the 
third  lime  cleared  the  glittering  bayonets. 

Rendered  furious,  by  these  repeated  disappointments,  the 
grand  duke  exclaimed  for  the  fourth  time — "To  the  left  about! 
— forward!"  The  command  was  obeyed,  and  the  fourth  time 
the  horse  leaped  the  pyramid,  and  then  with  his  rider,  dropped 
down  exhausted. 

The  officer  extricated  himself  from  the  saddle,  and  rose  nn- 
hurt,  but  the  horse  had  both  his  fore  legs  broken. 

The  countenance  of  the  officer  was  deadly  pale,  his  eyes 
stared  wildly,  and  his  knees  shook  under  him. 

A  deadly  silence  prevailed  as  he  advanced  to  the  grand  duke; 
and  laying  his  sword  at  his  highness'  feet,  he  thanked  him,  in  a 
faultering  voice,  for  the  honor  he  enjoyed  in  the  emperor's  ser- 
vice. 

"I  take  back  your  sword, "said  the  grand  duke,  "and  nre  yon 
not  aware  of  what  may  be  the  consequence  of  this  undutiful 
conduct  towards  me." 

The  officer  was  sent  to  the  guard  house.  He  subsequently 
disappeared,  and  no  trace  of  him  could  be,  discovered. 

This  scene  took  place  at  St.  Petersburg!!,  and  the  facts  are 
proved  by  the  evidence  of  creditable  eye  witnesses.* 


SHEET  IRON  GIGS.  These  gigs  are  continuing  to  grow  as  ra- 
pidly numerous  as  they  are  increasing  in  public  estimation.  A 
very  beautifully  fitted  up  one  was  this  week  finished  by  Messrs. 
Reid  and  Hanna,  and  Messrs.  Walker,  for  the  Paisley  canal. 
Two  others  are  in  a  slate  of  great  forwardness  for  Dublin;  ami 
several  others,  for  various  canals,  are  also  in  preparation. 
This  business  of  gig  making  has  extended  to  Johnstone,  also, 
where  there  are  six  or  seven  of  them  getting  forward  for  vari- 
ous canals  both  in  Ireland  and  Scotland.  Steam  coaches  will 
find  in  these  gigs  most  powerful  competitors  to  contend  with. 
The  increase  of  trade  on  all  the  canals  on  which  they  have 
been  introduced  is  astonishing.  The  bustle  at  the  basin  here 
and  at  port  Englington  by  the  hourly  departure  is  quite  enliven- 
ing, and  we  understand  the  travelling  by  the  Forth  and  Clyde 
canal  is  increasing  in  a  most  astonishing  degree.  Indeed,  from 
the  speed  they  have  attained,  and  the  low  price  charged  to 
Edinburgh,  Stirling,  Alloa,  &c.  no  other  result  could  be  ex- 
pected. [Paisley  ^dv. 

THE  EARTH.  In  a  recent  and  able  memoir  on  the  thermome- 
trical  state  of  the  globe,  M.  Arago  maintains  these  propositions. 
1st.  The  earth  was  at  one  time  fluid.  2d.  The  cause  of  that 
fluidity  was  fire.  3d.  At  the  origin  of  all  things,  the  earth  was 
probably  incandescent,  and  even  now  contain?  a  large  portion 
of  its  primitive  heat.  4th.  In  two  thousand  years,  the  general 
temperature  of  the  mass  of  the  earth  has  not  cooled  the  tenth 
part  of  a  degree,  and  the  demonstration  of  this  proposition  is 
derived  from  the  orbit  of  the  moon.  Arago  contends  lhat  the 
surface  of  the  globe  has  cooled  down  to  such  an  extent  ;is 
scarcely  to  preserve  a  trace  of  its  primitive  temperature,  though 
it  is  true  that,  at  certain  depths,  the  original  heat  is  still  prodi- 
gious. At  the  surface  all  the  changes  are  reduced  to  almost 
the  one-thirtieth  fart  of  a.  degree.  Nat.  Gaz. 


FOREIGN  NEWS. 

From  London  papers  to  the  23rrf  and  Liverpool  to  the  24/A  June, 
both,  inclusive. 

GREAT   BRITAIN   AND    IRELAND. 

It  is  evident,  as  we  have  stated  before,  llmt  a  deep  determi- 
nation exists  on  the  part  of  n  very  large  and  influential  party  in 
Enuland  to  reduce  the  revenues  of  the  church  of  England,  and 
not  a  few  disposed  to  sever  the  connection  between  church  and 


*An  anecdote,  within  our  knowledge  will  exemplify  this. 
Oonsuntine  one  day  on  parade,  for  some  freak  of  fancy,  order- 
ed a  cavaliy  officer  to  advance  in  full  charge  upon  the  spot 
where  he  himself  was  standing;  the  officer  obeyed,  and  putting 
spurs  to  his  horse,  galloped  full  upon  the  grand  duke,  and  drew 
up  his  horse  only  a  yard  from  his  person;  "Why  do  you  stop 
without  my  orders!"  thundered  out  the  duke;  "[  arrest  you  for 
disobedience;  away  with  him  to  the  guard  IIOIIKP!"  A  week's 
imprisonment  was  the  iiinn's  reward  for  having  restrained  from 
trampling  this  reptile  under  his  horse's  feet. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1834— FOREIGN  NEWS. 


883 


I 
I 


state.  Earl  Grey,  it  is  true,  is  pledged  to  sustain  it,  and  will 
doubtless  do  30  as  long  as  he  can;  but  ever  since  the  repeal  of 
tlie  lest  oath  in  1828,  (he  lories  have  been  growing  weaker, 
whilst  on  the  other  hand  every  succeeding  day  has  added  new 
strength  to  the  liberal  party. 

A  bill  had  passed  parliament  by  a  majority  of  174,  to  autho- 
rise dissenters  to  receive  university  honors. 

Don  Carlos,  his  family  and  suite  who  arrived  on  the  18tb 
June  and  landed  at  Portsmouth  in  a  yacht,  which  had  been  des- 
patched from  his  majesty's  ship  the  Donegal,  to  receive  him. 
And  earl  Grey  had  intimated  the  intention  of  government  to  re- 
ceivr  and  treat  him  while  lie  remained  there  as  a  prince  of  the 
blood  of  Spain. 

A  public  dinner  was  to  have  been  given  to  the  patriot  general 
Mina,  in  London,  on  the  25lh  June,  in  anticipation  of  his  return 
to  Spain,  where  it  is  understood  he  will  occupy  mi  important 
post  under  government.  Joseph  Bonaparte  had  requeued  that 
lii.s  name  might  be  added  to  the  committee  on  the  subject. 

The  John  Bull  severely  censur.es  lord  Palmerslon  lor  recog- 
nising the  American  charge  des  affaires,  in  place  of  a  minister 
plenipotentiary.  It  views  the  reception  of  an  inferior  grade  to 
that  of  their  minister  in  this  country  as  an  indignity,  and  con- 
cludes, it  is  thus  that  the  "empire  is  to  go  to  rack  and  ruin." 

A  tremendous  hail  storm  had  passed  over  Brighton  and  its 
vicinity;  upwards  of  700  panes  of  glass  were  demolished  in  the 
king's  palace  and  500  in  the  stable.-.  The  damage  to  glass  in 
the  dome  alone  was  estimated  at  from  3  to  £4,000. 

Charles  X  it  is  said  has  sent  to  Don  Carlos  a  check  on  a 
London  banker  for  a  million  of  francs,  (£40,000). 

Mr.  Spring  Rice,  the  new  colonial  secretary,  having,  of 
course,  resigned  his  seat  in  parliament  on  coming  into  the  mi- 
nistry, has  been  returned  again  from  Cambridge;  but  hy  a  very 
•mall  majority,  although  every  effort  was  made  by  the  friends 
of  tlie  ministry  and  his  success  was  considered  of  vital  impor- 
tance to  them.  The  present  position  of  ministers  is  consider- 
ed weak,  and  life  tenure  by  which  they  hold  office,  the  unwil- 
lingness of  others  to  take  their  places. 

Considerable  business  had  been  done  in  cloths,  but  at  losing 
prices. 

The  cholera  has  made  its  appearance  in  Dublin  and  it*  vici- 
nity, the  neighborhood  of  Kingston  and  Black  Rock,  Ireland. 

The  total  number  of  persons  who  have  emigrated  from  the 
north  of  Ireland,  at  Londonderry,  this  season,  to  America,  is 
6,054,  and  it  was  supposed  that  a  thousand  more  would  be  ad- 
ded to  that  number  during  the  season. 

A  very  interesting  despatch  had  been  received  from  captain 
Back,  of  the  arctic  land  expedition,  dated  at  Fort  Reliance, 
situated  in  latitude  62  deg.  48  min.  15  sec.  N.  and  longitude  109 
deg.  10  min.  \V.;  the  variation  of  the  needle  being  25  deg.  41 
min.  E.;  at  which  place  he  had  fixed  his  winter  quarters. 

FRANCE. 

The  elections  in  Paris  were  going  on  and  hope?  were  enter- 
tained that  M.  Lafitte,  Salverte,  Chardel,  Barrot  and  other  liber- 
als would  be  returned  to  the  chambers. 

The  Moniteur  contained  a  royal  ordinance,  by  which  30,000 
men  are  called  into  active  service,  as  authorised  by  the  law  of 
May  last. 

M.  St.  JlmanA,  editor  of  the  Pro°ressi/rfe  I'rfubc,  had  been 
condemned  to  three  months  imprisonment  and  a  fine  of  2,000 
francs,  for  an  article  instigating  the  people  to  overthrow  and 
change  the  government. 

SPAIN. 

Considerable  alarm  prevailed  at  Madrid  on  the  lltli  June,  in 
consequence  of  the  supposed  near  approach  of  the  cholera,  and 
the  court  and  the  ministers  were  flocking  in  from  Aianjuey,,  as 
it  is  intended  to  include  that  site  within  the  line  beyond  which 
communication  with  the  capital  is  to  be  suspended. 

A  Mr.  Delaval  has  been  appointed  Spanish  charge  d'affaires 
to  the  emperor  of  Brazil. 

The  Russian  ambassador  was  about  to  quit  Madrid  to  return 
to  his  sovereign;  so  that  after  his  departure  neither  of  the  three 
northern  powers  will  be  represented  at  the  court  of  Madrid. 

Baron  Rothschild  had  advanced  20  millions  of  francs  as  a 
loan  to  the  Spanish  government,  and  he  was  to  be  honored 
with  the  title  of  royal  banker  to  the  queen  of  Spain. 

PORTUGAL. 

The  articles  of  capitulation  between  the  commander?  of  the 
Pedroite  and  Miguel  forces,  requiring  that  Don  Miguel  should 
Bend  to  the  head  quarters  of  Don  Pedro,  a  declaration  that  he 
would  never  interfere  directly  or  indirectly  with  the  public  af- 
fvrs  of  Portugal  and  its  dominions,  and  also  the  name  of  a  per- 
son (or  persons)  charged  to  deliver  up  the  jewels  of  the  crown 
and  valuables  belonging  to  the  public  treasury,  or  of  private 
persons  and  corporations,  which  were  in  the  possession  of  Don 
Miguel,  the  following  notes  were  received  in  reply: 

To  satisfy  the  demands  of  the  above  marshals,  the  duke  of 
Terceira  and  Conde  de  Saldanha,  in  the  name  of  the  govern- 
ment 1  declare  tha.  I  will  never  interfere,  directly  or  indirectly, 
in  the  political  affairs  of  these  kingdoms  and  their  dominions. 

MIGUEL. 

Palace  of  Evora,  May  29. 

Confiding  in  the  zeal,  ability  and  good  services  of  Jo»e  Luiz 
de  Rocha,  I  appoint  him  procurator  of  my  household  and  of  all 
my  personal  property,  giving  him  the  most  ample  powers,  and 
ordering  to  separate  from  the  jewels  belonging  to  it  those  which 
appertain  to  the  crown  of  these  kingdoms,  that  they  may  be  de- 
livered up  as  has  been  determined.  MIGUEL. 
Evora,  May  27. 


died 


The  amnesty  granted  liy  the  government,  which  we  public 

in  psiL'c  .Til,  prniliieerl  a  very  disagreeable  sensation  among 


gem,  ano  me  uucncn  01  Draganzn  nau  gone  in  siaie  10  me  royui 
box,  by  crying  out  "Death  to  Don  Miguel — death  to  the  usurp- 
er!" upon  which  Don  Pedro  got  up  and  addressed  the  audience 
to  tile  following  effect:  "Gentlemen,  it  is  not  right  that  the  qiiiat 
enjoyment  of  this  respectable  assemblage  should  be  disturbed 
by  such  a  rabble,  to  whom  1  say,  respect  the  laws,  or  they  will 
make  you  respect  them;"  at  the  conclusion  of  this  the  whole 
house  eried  out,  amidst  the  wavings  of  handkerchiefs,  "Long 
live  the  emperor,"  "Long  live  the  liberator  of  the  country!" 
The  performance  went  on,  and  the  house  was  perfectly  quiet, 
hut  when  the  royal  family  got  into  their  carriage,  about  24  out 
of  the  32  rioters  cried  out  as  it  passed  along,  "Death  to  Don  Mi- 
guel," "No  amnesty,"  "Down  with  the  ministers!" 

Dining  10  minutes  after  this  time,  M.  Silva  Carvalho,  the  mi- 
nister, kept  walking  up  and  down  the  entrance  hall  of  the  thea- 
tre in  the  midst  of  all  the  people,  and  unattended,  without  any 
one  saying  a  single  thing:  he  then  got  into  his  c  arriage,  and  then 
the  same  number  of  about  23  or  24  went  after  him  crying  "Death 
to  Silva  Carvalho!"  upon  which  he  immediately  ordered  his 
driver  to  stop,  and  addressed  them  thus — "I  am  Jose  da  Pilv  a 
Carvalho,  what  do  you  want  of  me — speak  out!"  but  the  fellows 
were  FO  overawed  by  it,  that  they  all  sneaked  off,  and  he  con- 
tinued to  go  on.  Of  course  nothing  more  has  been  heard  of  thi» 
business,  and  things  continue  as  quiet  as  they  were  heretofore, 
ftom  which  it  is  inferred  that  the  rioters  did  not  find  the  public 
feeling  as  they  expected. 

Don  Miguel  was  to  have  embarked  at  Sines  on  the  1st  June. 
He  was  accompanied  by  48  individuals,  who  are  said,  for  the 
most  part,  to  be  a  set  of  men  whose  acts  of  cruelty  could  not 
escape  the  popular  fury  if  they  were  to  be  met  in  the  streets. 
These  it  is  supposed  will  be  abandoned  by  Don  Miguel  who  will 
keep  the  sum  allowed  him  by  the  government  for  liis  own  use. 

The  following  decree  abolishing  convents,  monasteries,  &c. 
,vas  promulgated  from  the  royal  palace  on  the  28th  May: 

Art.  1.  All  convents,  monasteries,  colleges,  hospices,  estab- 
lishments whatsoever  of  monks  of  the  regular  orders  in  Portu- 
gal, Algarves,  the  adjacent  islands  and  Portuguese  dominions, 
whatever  may  he  their  denominaiion,  institution,  and  rules,  are 
henceforth  extinguished. 

II.  All  the  estates  of  these  convents,  &c.,  are  incorporated 
with  the  national  domain?. 

III.  The  sacred  utensils  and  ornaments  employed  in  the  di- 
vine service  are  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  respective  ordina- 
ries, to  be  distributed,  among  the  churches  of  their  dioccssei 
which  have  most  need  of  them. 

IV.  Each  of  the  monks  of  the  .suppresed  convents,  &c.  shall 
receive  an  annual  pension  for  his  support,  unless  he  receive  an 
equal  or  greater  income  from  a  benefice  or  public  employment. 
The  following  are  excepted: — 

(a)  Those  who  look  up  arms  against  the  legitimate  throne, 
or  against  the  national  liberty. 

(b)  Those  who  abused  their  ministry,  in  the  confessional  or 
the  pulpit,  in  favor  of  the  usurpation. 

(c)  Those  who  accepted  benefices  or  public  employments 
frnm  the  government  of  Hie  usurper. 

(d)  Those  who  denounced  or  directly  persecuted  their  fellow 
citizens  for  their  fidelity  to  the  legitimate  throne  and  the  con- 
stitutional charter. 

(p)  Those  who  accompanied  the  troops  of  the  usurper. 

(f)  Those  who  on  (he  re  establishment  of  the  authority  of 
the  queen,  or  since,  in  the  districts  in  which  they  resided, 
abandoned  their  convents,  monasteries,  &c. 

V.  All  laws  and  ordinances  to  the  conlrary  are  abolished. 
The  minister  of  ecclesiastical  affair*  and  justice  is  charged  with 
the  execution  of  this  decree. 

Don  PEDRO,  Duke  of  Braganza, 
JOAQUIM   ANTONIO   D'AGUIAR. 
Palace  das  Necessidadcs,  May  28. 

BELGIUM. 

Jerome  Bonaparte,  who  has  been  for  some  lime  past  residing 
.it  Brussels,  lias  recently  been  officially  pivi-n  to  understand 
that  his  residence  in  Hint  capital  is  no  longer  expedient. 

NEW  SOUTH  WALES 

Sydney  papers  had  been  received  at  London  to  the  8th  Feb- 
ruary. 8  000  persons  had  arrived  at  the  colony  durins  the  past 
year  o  which  2,500  were  free  emigrants.  Disorder  and  riot 
continued  among  the  convict  population,  17  of  whom  were 
Fnvaitiii"  their  trials  for  murder.  The  population  of  the  colony 
was  91  000,  that  of  Sydney  16,000.  Total  revenue  to  tn«  crown 
lastvear  £164,000. 

STILL  LATER. 

From  ronrfon  paper'  to  the  24rA  June  and  French  paper*  to  tke 
25f7i,  inclusive. 

GREAT   BRITAIN    AND    IRELAND. 

A  crent  meeting  of  the  Protestants*  of  Ireland  wns  to  have 
,een  held  in  Dublin  in  the  first  week  of  July,  for  the  purpose  of 


The  word  "Protestant,"  n*  lined  in  Ireland,  m«ans  only  th« 
members  of  the  church  of  England. 


834 


NILES1  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1SS4- ITEMS. 


taking  the  state  of  the  church  into  consideration.  The  meet- 
ing, says  the  notice  calling  it,  "will  be  attended  with  circum- 
»ui)ces  of  such  a  character  as  must  insure  Hie  attendance  of 
gentlemen  of  the  most  remote  provinces  in  the  kingdom;  thai 
t  uhjects  will  l>«  discus.-ed  and  resolutions  adopted,  irnlinKOU 
iillcied  and  speakers  present  themselves  calculated  to  inspire 
hope,"  &c. 

Disturbances  still  continue  in  Ireland.  At  Clonmel  the  ClOg- 
lieen  carls,  laden  with  flour,  were  ii  second  time  attacked,  and 
leu  sacks  fon-ihly  taken  away,  near  the  turnpike  gale,  in  the 
county  of  Waterl'ord.  The  military  and  police  went  imme- 
diately to  the  scene  of  attack,  and  returned  with  the  gale  keep 
triii  custody,  having  found  a  part  of  Hie  flour  in  the  gate  house 

FRANCE. 

The  elections  had  terminated,  and,  so  far  as  results  are  known, 
highly  favorable  to  the  royal  parly.  Of  330  deputies  elected,  270 
are  in  favor  of  the  reigning  administration. 

The  duchess  of  Herri  has  renounced  tlie  guardianship  of  her 
•children,  on  the  requisition  of  Charles  X. 

Of  the  54.000,000  hectares,  contained  in  the  entire  superfices 
of  France,  '14,500,000  are  sown  with  corn  of  different  kinds 
making,  upon  an  average,  one  acre  lor  rarh  inhabitant.  Thi 
average  produce  of  the  whole  is  167,27  t.OCOhtjcloliiresj  a  fie 
deducting  the  grain  used  for  distilleries,  lor  the  fond  of  do 
mestic  animals,  and  what  is  lost  in  being  conveyed  from  on 
place  to  another,  or  destroyed  by  insects,  fermentation  and  othc 
accidents,  le-2  killograinines  of  alimentary  mailer,  equal  to  on 
pound  of  bread  a  day,  remains  for  each  inliuhilanl.  Hut  as,  ii 
this  calculation,  there  are  only  sixiy-two  killogrammcs  of  wheat 
it  results  that  France  docs  not  grow  a  sufficiency  of  iliis  yrai 
for  all  her  inhabitants,  who  are  consequently  obliged  to  suppl 
the  deficiency  with  other  grain. 

The  court  of  peers,  since  its  creation,  has  issued  upwards  < 
400  warrants  of  arrest.  There  have  been  960  ai  rests  in  Pari 
and  the  Banlieue,  and  between  1,150  and  1,200  in  Lyons,  sine 
the  late  insurrection.  All  tin:  piis-ons  of  the  latter  place  are  ful 
A  Dantzic  timber  merchant  is  150  ne  to  Poland,  to  purehas 
•large  quantities  of  timber.  Orders  have  been  received  for  3.00 
wooden  houses  to  be  taken  to  pieces  and  embarked  at  Uantzi 
for  Toulon,  and  thence  to  Algiers,  to  be  employed  in  building 
new  town  or  suburb.  The  entire  stock  of  zinc  here,  (Berlin 
even  that  which  has  just  arrived,  has  been  bought  up  at  a  Ing. 
price  for  the  Russian  government. 


TWr.  Caldwell,  who  had  undertaken  to  supply  the  city  of  Ne 
Orleans  with  pas,  has  already  laid  upwards  of  two  miles 
pipes.    The  tank  or  gasometer,  now  in  the  course  of  constru 
tion,  is  said  to  he  a  most  extraordinary  work.     It  is  of  cast  iro 
and  measures  5  feet  in  »!iameter.     It  will  contain  147.000  ga 
ions  of  water.     It  is  supposed  that  the  manufacture  of  gas  f 
the  city  of  New  Orleans  alone,  will  consume  annually  300,000 
barrels  of  Pittsburgh  coal. 

The  national  debtof  Great  Britain  amounted,  in  March  of  the 
present  year,  to  £779,565,783—  equal  to  3,404,736,702  dollars. 

An  official  list  of  steamboats  on  the  western  waters,  on  the 
1st  January,  1834,  gives  the  whole  number  al234,  whose  aggre- 
gate amount  of  tonnage  is  equal  to  39,000  ions;  they  have  cost 
three  millions  of  dollars.  The  total  yearly  expense  of  running 


ut  in  very  warm   weather,  the  inability  to  sweat,  compelled 
in  to  resort  to  frequent  effusions  of  cold  water,  in  order  to  get 
I  of  that  heat  which,  in  all  other  men,  is  carried  off  by  perspi- 
ation. 

A  company  (says  the  Baltimore  American)  has  been  organiz- 
d  and  is  actively  engaged  in  making  the.  necessary  prepara- 

n>  10  establish  a  paper  manufactory  in  South  Carolina.  The 
lock  hail  nil  been  sold,  and  an  agent  appointed  to  purchase,  at 
IB  north,  the  necessary  machinery.  The  buildings  were  erecl- 
d  itnmediati  ly,  and  it  is  expected  that  every  thing  will  be  rea- 
y  to  commence  work  in  the  course  of  five  month;. 

The  site  is  about  sixteen  miles  from  Augusta,  in  Edgcfield  dis- 
rict  (S.  C.)  at  a  place  called  Vaucluse,  where  there  is  also  in 
irogress  a  cotton  manufactory  upon  a  large  scale,  which  will 
oon  be  in  operation.  The  Charleston  and  Hamburgh  rail  road 
ias?es  near  the  spot,  and  most  of  the  rail  roads  in  Georgia  and 
^(intli  Carolina, in  progress  or  projected,  point  in  that  diieclien. 
flic  attention  of  the  people  has  recently  been  actively  turned 
•wards  developing  the  resources  of  ihe  country  by  internal  im- 
>rovem<'iits,  and  employing  the  valuable  water  power  which  it 
.•oiitains,  for  niniiiifarturiiij!  purposes.  They  have  shown  it 
ery  laud.ible  spirit  of  enterprise  and  perseverance  that  deserves 
ample  success. 

Some  gentlemen  recently  called  lo  see  Mr.  Pew.  of  Glouces- 
«r,  Mass,  who  will  lie  10-2  years  of  a»e  on  Hie  3d  of  August 
list,  but  were  disappointed,  as  lie  was  engaged  in  hoeing  tome 
distance  from  home: 

On  the  17ih  June,  the  young  men  of  Ipswich.  (Mass.)  gave  a 
collation,  at  Treadwell's  hotel,  to  the  surviving  soldiers  of  the 
revolution,  resident  in  that  town.  The  following  are  the  names 
and  ages  of  lho?p  present,  viz: 

Jahez  Farley  80,  John  How  Bo.irdman,  80,  Abraham  Perkins 
87,  Solomon  Colman  84,  William  Kinsman  SI,  riani'l  Lancaster 
77,  Jeremiah  Koss  79,  Nathaniel  Treadwell  84.  [The  above 
were  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill;  the  follow  ing  in  various  other 
bailies:]  William  Hnlherford  78,  Nathaniel  Heard  70,  Henry 
Russell  76,  Ehenezer  Lord  94,  Benjamin  Glazier  71,  Nathan 
Fellows  !i!,  niiijor  VVoodbury  76,  John  Bnrnham  '9,  William  F. 
Andrews  7-2,  Lemuel  Pearson  71,  Daniel  Smith  79,  Thomas 
Spillr-r78.  Moses  Caldwell  82,  John  O'Brien  88,  Thomas  Kim- 
Imll  7:1,  Nathaniel  Fuller  74.  Nathaniel  Dutch  82,  Daniel  Ros« 
77.  John  Sownrd  93,  Robert  Loid  84,  Aaron  Lord  76. 

There  being  present  3  over  90  years  old,  9  over  80,  and  th« 
youngest  70. 

Besides  the  above,  there  arc  sir  other  revolutionary  veterani 
in  town,  the  oldest  being  92  years  of  age. 

The  dry  rot  appears  to  have  made  great  ravages  in  the  British 
navy— of  18  frigates  built  in  1814,  the  average  duration  was  but 
three  years.  From  1823  to  1833.  £9,000,000  was  expended  in 
repairing  and  building;  and  the  Benbow,  which  cost  £45,000, 
was  broken  up  in  consequence  of  the  dry  rot,  in  five  years  after 
she  was  first  laid  upon  the  slocks.  She  never  went  to  sea. 
The  rot  does  not  appear  to  have  the  same  effect  in  this  country. 
The  Pennsylvania,  the  largest  vessel  in  the  world,  says  the 
Pennsylvania  Inquirer  and  Courier,  has  been  nearly  ready  lo 
launch  at  the  Philadelphia  navy  yard,  for  about  ten  years,  if  we 
remember  right,  and  her  timbers  are  as  sound  at  this  moment, 
as  they  were  at  the  time  they  were  put  together.  Would  it  not 


them  is  /our  millions  and  a  half.  Sixty-six  boats  went  out  of 
service  during  1831,  '32  and  '33— of  these,  15  were  abandoned 
as  unfilifor  service;  7  were  lost  by  ice;  15  were  burnt;  24  snag- 
ged; and  5  destroyed  by  being  struck  by  other  boats:  thus  51 
were  lost  by  accidents.  The  investment  in  these  boats  is  now 
•decidedly  unprofitable;  the  business  is  over- done,  and  though 
of  incalculable  advantage  lo  Ihe  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  they 
are  too  often  the  ruin  of  their  owners.  [Moore's  Price  Current. 

The  Ohio  company  for  importing  cattle,  have  made  some  va- 
luable purchases  in  England,  especially  of  the  Durham  and 
Yorkshire  breeds.  For  one  animal,  150  guineas  was  paid. 

The  Boston  Transcript  says— "We  present  our  readers  with 
an  instructive  (able  of  causes  of  fires  for  the  last  five  3 cars: 
Candles) carelessly  used,  16;  incendiaries,  'SO;  stoves,  funnels 
and  furnaces,  19;  fire  carelessly  left,  16;  unknown,  &c.  115; 
ashes  in  wooden  vessels,  12;  sparks  from  chimneys  on  wooden 
buildings,  43;  defective  chimneys  and  hearths,  33;  boiling  over 
of  oil,  spirits,  tar,  &c.  17;  spontaneous  combustion,  10;  tinder 
box,l;  friction  on  machinery,  I;  hot  blower  put  in  closet.  1 — 
total,  334;  false  alarms,  200.  Whole  number  of  turn  outs  dur- 
ing the  siime  time,  534;  fires  out  of  the  city,  68;  loss  in  the 
city  $417,390,  insured,  $117,588." 

By  an  official  return,  mnile  lo  the  government  of  Sweden, 
by  commissioners  appointed  for  the  purpose,  It  was  found  that 
there  were  170,000  distillers  in  the  kingdom;  that  the  ardent 
spirit  made  by  them, amounted  to 45,000,000of gallons, consum- 
ed by  about  3,000,000  of  people,  equal  to  fifteen  gallons  to  each 
man,  woman  ami  child  in  the  nation.  The  report  states  thai 
unless  immediate  steps  be  taken  to  stay  the  evil,  the  nation 
must  be  destroyed. 

Died,  in  Rowan  county,  N.  C.  Mr.  Henry  Sleightcr,  a  native 
of  Hesse  Cassi-1, .Germany,  83.  There  were  two'striking  pern 
liarilies  about  him.  He  never  had  but  one  tooih,  nnd  had  no 
prrspiialory  organs.  The  first  deficiency  cxempli-d  him  fiom 
(be  tooth  ache,  and  the  latter  from  frequent  catarrhal  affections. 


be  well  for  the  English  government  to  try  a  few  Yankee  frigates. 
We  can  furnish  them  ai  a  moderate  rale, and  no  doubt  the  ship- 
wrights would  be  willing  to  insure  them  for  ten  or  twenty  years, 
or  so. 

A  large  number  of  vessels  continued  lo  be  wrecked,  and  a 
vast  amount  of  property  is  lost  on  the  Florida  reals.  East  Flo- 
rida, might,  perhaps,  be  easily  separated  from  the  main  land,  If 
an  entrance  could  be  made  from  Ihe  gulf  stream  by  a  small 
canal — but  what  would  become  of  it?  Would  it  not  be  dispers- 
ed and  deposited  on  the  Bahama  banks? 

Very  rich  coal  mines  have  been  discovered  in  Greece;  the 
working  of  them  Ims  hern  rominenepd.  Two  of  the  beds  of  Ihe 
conl  are  near  cape  Sunium,  and  thu  oilier  in  the  vicinity  of 

na.-tini. 

The  "Washington  Reporter"  says — A  copper  coin,  (a  cenl), 
was  recently  dug  up  in  a  gaiden  in  this  place  which  bears  a 
curious  relation  to  a  part  of  our  American  history.  It  hat  on 
one  side  a  head  of  George  III.  and  the  words  "Georgius  III. 
Rex"  around  Ihe  edge.  On  the  opposite  side,  are  represented 
the  coats  of  arms  of  England,  Scotland,  Ireland  nnd  Virginia 
quartered,  and  on  the  edge,  are  the  word  and  figures  "Virginia, 
1773." 

The  following  historical  facts  are  here  distinctly  referred  to. 
During  the  usurpation  of  Cromwell,  the  colony  of  Virginia  re- 
fused to  acknowledge  his  authority  and  declared  itself  indepen- 
dent. Shortly  after  finding  that  Cromwell  threatened  lo  send 
:i  fleet  and  army  to  reduce  Virginia  to  subjection,  and  fearing 
tin-  ability  of  this  feeble  state  to  withstand  this  force,  sent  over, 
in  a  small  ship,  a  messenger  to  Charles  II.  then  an  exile  at 
Breda  in  Flanders.  Charles  accepted  Ihe  invitation  lo  come 
over  nnd  he  king  of  Virginia,  nnd  was  on  Ihe  eve  of  embarking 
for  Virginia,  when  he  was  recalled  lo  the  throne  of  England. 
As  soon  ns  he  was  restored  to  Ihfi  crown  of  England,  in  gra- 
litndi-  lurllip  loyalty  of  Virginia,  he  caused  her  coal  of  arm-,  to 
be  quartered  with  those  of  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland,  ni 
an  independent  ni'inbcr  of  (be  empire.  The  above  coin  ii 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1834— NANTUCKET— WHALE  FISHERY. 

and  embellished  willi  8  marble  ionic  columns.    Crossing  this, 


clearly  confirmatory  of  these   facts.     Iltnce  the  origin  of  the 
phrase  "Old  Dominion"  frequently  applied  to  Virginia. 

A.  li. 


MAGNIFICENT  DONATION. 

It  is  remembered,  no  doubt,  by  our  readers,  that  Mr.  Rich, 
formerly  American  consul  at  MaUs-a,  and  now  proprietor  ot  a 
large,  book  establishment  in  London,  was  some  time  since  ap- 
plied to  for  a  list  of  tin;  principal  public  libraries  in  each  stale 
of  the  union.  The  object  was  to  present  to  each,  on  the  parl 
of  the  British  government,  a  splendid  collection  of  volumes 
from  the  record  commission  at  London.  These  works,  valued 
at  £300,  and  all  in  folio  and  bound,  have  arrived.  We  hav« 
been  highly  gralified  with  the  inspcclioii  of  Ihose  received  by 
Ihe  New  Yoik  Society  Library,  where  the  public  may  have  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  this  literary  cuiiosity  on  applying  lo  Mr. 
Forbes,  Ihe  librarian. 

Among  Ihe  works  included  in  Ihis  munificenl  donation,  are 
several  very  ancienl  records  of  such  exlreme  rarily  and  value 
that  they  are  seldom  or  never  met  with  in  circulation.,  though 
their  titles  and  the  general  nature  of  their  contenls  are  tamiliar 
to  most  persons.  Ofthe.se,  the  most  curious,  perhaps,  is 

1.  The  celebrated  Doomsday  Book,  in  4  volumes,  whose  cogno- 
men from  its  singularity  every  person  almost  has  heard  of.     It 
i<  the  greatesl  survey  of  all  the  estates  and  census  of  all  the 
land  holders  of  England  from  feudal  lord  to  collared  vassal,  tm- 
nulelv  particularizing  ihe  names  of  each  and  Ihe  invenlory  of 
Iheir  'properly.     It  was  made  by  order  of  William  the  conquer- 
or soon  after  his  arrival, and  was  intended,  no  doubt,  as  a  clas- 
sification of  his  Saxon  and  Norman  subjects,  or  rather  a  con- 
firmation of  lilies  lo  Ihose  whose  estates  weie  not  confiscated, 
;ind  a  division  among  his  Norman  followers  of  such  spoils  as  he 
had  plundered.     In  this  remarkable  and  antique  book,  the  in- 
habitants of  the  United  States,  as  most  of  us  are  of  English  de- 
scent, may  trace  oul  Ihe  early  glimmerings  of  their  genealogy 
and  family  pedigree— whether  of  Saxon,  Danish  or  Norman  ex- 
traction. 

2.  Rymer's  Fcedera,  6  volumes,  folio;  as  its  name  implies, 
comprises  all  the  diplomacy  and  foreign  relations  of  Great  Bri- 
tain from  the  time  of  the  conquest,  treaties,  bulls,  letlers,  &c. 
Rymer,  Ihe  celebrated  antiquarian,  who  collected  ihese  valua- 
blu  maierials  and  published  them  in  the  beginning  of  the  last 
century,  was  distinguished  among  Ihe  men  of  letters  of  that 
time.     He  was  permitled  by  ihe  Ihen  king  free  access  to  all  the 
public  archives,  &c. 

3.  The  Statutes  of  Great  Britain,  in  9  volumes. 

4.  The  Public  Rolls,  several  volumes. 

5.  The  Acts  of  Parliament  of  Scotland,  in  11  volumes. 


C.  Writs  of  Chancery,  in  5  volumes,  including  the  reign  of 
Elizabeth,  &.C. 

7.  Pailiamentary  Writs. 

8.  A  large  number  of  Church  Rocords. 

9.  Catalogues  in  folio  of  the  Harleian  manuscripts  and  of  the 
Cottonian  and  Lansdoune  collections;  several  volumes. 

Our  space  will  nol  permit  us  to  enlarge  upon  the  liberality  o 
the  motives  which  prompted  to  this  truly  magnificent  acquisi- 
tion. It  reflects  the  highest  honor  on  the  British  government 
The  New  York  Society  Library,  among  its  excellent  and  rare 
works,  amounting  to  22,000  volumes,  possess  in  this  associalior 
the  most  precious  body  of  historical  materials  for  referenee  and 
research  which  can  be  any  where  found  within  the  same  com 
pass.  Though  nol  of  any  apparenl  obvious  utility,  their  valu 
as  legal  and  ecclesiastical  records  and  authentic  historical  dat 
it  is  scarcely  possible  to  estimate.  [#•  Y.  Com.  J1J 


is  a  long  passage  dividing  lengthwise  ihe  whole  exlenl  of  the 
Broadway  building,  and  between  which  passage  and  Ironl,  the 
space  is  cut  up  into  drawing  rooms— ihos>'  on  tin:  iwo  corners 
being  public,  ihe  one  for  ladits  and  Ihe  older  lor  |enUentm. 
Back  of  Ihe  same  pas>age  are.  two  spacious  apartments  of  equal 
size,  one  on  each  side  of  the  entrance  ball — that  on  Ihe  norlh 
being  inlended  for  a  liar  room,  and  Ihe  oilier  for  a  reading-room. 
Ouiside  of,  and  adjacenl  to,  Ihese,  us  well  a.4  lo  the  long  pas- 
sage above  mentioned,  are  Ihe  two  principle  staircases  leading 
to  the  lop  of  the  building.  West  of  ihe  norlh  staircase,  Ihe 
whole  area  of  ihe  parl  fronting  on  Barclay  street  is  designed  for 
a  dining  room,  being  100  feel  long  by  40  broad,  lighted  by  win- 
clows  on  both  sides,  and  calculated  to  dine  300  persona  at  once. 
The  parl  fronting  on  Vesey  street  is  divided  lengthwise  by  a 
passage  leading  from  the  long  passage  through  a  series  of  pri- 
vale  parlors  and  chambers,  to  a  ladies'  dining  room,  46  feet  by 
34,  in  the  south-west  angle  of  the  building. 

The  divisions  of  the  upper  stories  will  correspond  generally 
with  ihose  of  the  second  floor.  The  hotel  will  contain  about 
320  apartments  in  all— of  which  aboul  270  are  designed  for 
lodging  rooms;  and  the  remainder  chiefly  for  pallors.  The  cost 
of  the  whole  will  probably  be  from  two  hundred  and  sixty,  to 
three  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

New  York  Custom  House.  We  perceive  by  the  N.  Y.  Jour- 
nal of  Commerce,  that  preparations  are  being  made  for  Ihe 
erection  of  the  New  York  Custom  House  on  Wall,  Pine  and 
Nassau  streets.  Il  will  be  an  immense  building,  every  way 
worlhy  of  the  first  commercial  city  on  ihese  shores.  The  fol- 
lowing description  of  Ihis  magnificent  edifice,  that  is  to  be,  i* 
from  ihe  Journal  of  Commerce: 

"ll  is  lo  be  177  feel  long,  and  89  feet  wide,  and  the  form  and 
rder  of  the  building  to  be  similar  to  thai  of  the  Parthenon  of 
Athens,  ll  is  lo  sland  on  a  basement  story,  ascended  by  19 
teps  from  Wall  street,  and  six  steps  on  Pine  street.  There 
re  to  be  eighl  Grecian  doric  columns  al  each  from,  and  fifteen 
olumns  and  antffi  on  each  side  attached  to  the  walls.  There 
s  also  to  be  a  second  row  of  six  smaller  columns  back  of  and 
larallel  with  the  main  front,  leaving  a  space  of  ten  feet  be- 
ween  the  two  rows;  and  nine  feet  between  the  inner  row  and 
he  front  wall  of  the  building.  Back  of  Ihe  Iwo  extreme  co- 
urnns  of  ihe  inner  row  there  are  to  be  iwo  UMI.T,  and  six  anise 
attached  to  the  walls  of  the  rear  front,  leaving  a  space  of  eight 
feet  and  a  half  belween  Ihe  columns  and  ihe  ants.  There  will 
Ihus  be  iwenly-four  outside  columns,  five  feel  eighl  inches  di- 
ameler  at  the  bottom,  and  thirly-lvvo  feet  high,  including  Ihe 
capital,  and  eighteen  ants  on  the  two  sides,  of  the  same  height, 
ive  feet  wide,  and  three  feet  nine  inches  projection  from  the 


GREAT   BUILDINGS. 

The  following  is  a  description,  from  the  New  York  Courier 
of  the  Astor  Hotel,  now  erecting  in  Broadway. 

We  embrace  this  as  a  proper  occasion  to  give  some  particu 
4ars  of  the  plan  of  Ihis  immense  edifice.     Its  site  is  on    th 
westerly  side  of  Broadway,  opposite  the  southern  extremity  ( 
tlie  park— on  which  street  its  length  will  be  201  feet  and  1  inch, 
i.  e.  the  whole  extent  between  the  parallel  streets,  Barclay  on 
the  north,  and  Vesey  on  the  south.     In  breadth  it  will  reach 
westward!}'  on   Barclay  street,  146  feel  six   inches-,  and  on  Ye 
sey,  154  feel.     In  Ihe  centre  will  be  a  court  yard  105  feet  long, 
by  76  broad.     It  will  be  six  stories  high,  measuring  77  fee  I  to 
the  top  of  the  cornice.    The  three  fronts  will  be  built  entirely  ol 


blue  Uuincy  granite.  The  lower  story  will  be  12  feet  high  ii. 
the  clear,  and,  excepting  the  large  central  entrance  on  Broad- 
way, and  a  private  entrance  in  each  of  the  other  fronts,  will 
consist  of  stores.  Those  <'ii  Broadway  will  be  45  feet  deep,  ex- 
tending back  lo,  and  receiving  liiiht  in  the  rear  from  the  court- 
yard. Those  on  the  other  streets  will  be  only  28  feet  deep — 
the  space  between  them  and  the  court  yard  being  designed 
for  baths  and  housekeepers'  room*.  Back  of  the  court-yard, 
and  completing  trie  fourth  side  of  the  square,  is  a  space  of  105 
feet  in  length,  by  aboul  21  in  breadth,  ihe  iwo  lower  stories  of 
which  are  lo  he  convened  into  washing  rooms,  kitchens,  &c. 

According  to  the  plan,  the  principal  floor  of  the  hotel  is  over 
Ihe  stores.  The  Broadway  entrance  is  by  a  recess  porch  37 
feet  wide,  Ihe  floor  of  which  is  two  feet  above  the  street— the 
wall  above  being  supported  by  two  dotic  columns  towards  the 
centre,  and  two  antsc  at  the  outside  angles.  From  this  porch  a 
flight  of  steps  of  four  feet,  lead*  to  the  principal  door  opening 
: —  a  vestibule,  from  whU-h  another  flight  of  steps  of  eight  feet 


wal  a.  The  six  inner  columns  of  ihe  main  from  will  be  four 
feel  eight  inches  diameter  at  bottom,  and  the  ants  to  corres- 
pond. The  building  is  to  be  two  stories  high,  except  the  great 
business  hall,  part  of  which  is  to  be  vaulted  as  high  as  the  roof 
will  permit,  and  its  centre  finished  with  a  dome  sixty  Iwo  feet 
in  diameter.  This  hnll  will  occupy  the  centre  of  the  building, 
and  will  be  one  hundred  and  fifteen  feet  long,  leaving  a  small 
vestibule  at  each  end  to  enter  from.  It  is  to  be  seventy-seven 
feel  wide  in  ihe  centre  part,  which  is  a  circle  of  sevenly  feet 
diameler,  with  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  room  extending 
beyond  its  circumference  to  these  dimensions;  and  ihe  four 
parts  so  extended  beyond  the  .circle  are  thirty-three  and  a  half 
feet  wide,  leaving  six  rooms  and  Ihree  circular  stair  cases  in 
the  four  corners,  the  two  largest  rooms  to  be  twenly-four  by 
twenty-one  feet  each,  besides  a  square  staircase  in  the  rear, 
and  three  vaults  for  papers  at  the  two  ends  of  each  vestibule. 
The  same  division  of  the  room  is  made  in  the  second  story. 
Nearly  all  same  number,  shape,  and  sir.es  of  rooms  are  had 
in  the  basement,  .is  above  in  the  other  stories,  leaving  all  the 
area  of  the  same  shape  and  size  as  the  great  hall  immediately 
about  it;  with  the  addition  of  sixteen  fluted  doric  columns  to 
support  the  vaulting  and  ihe  pavement  under  the  dome  of  the 
great  hall. 

NANTUCKET— THE  WHALE  FISHERY. 

Nantucket  is  entitled  to  the  honor  of  being  the  birth  place  and 
cradle  of  the  American  whale  fishery.  Even  before  the  island 
was  colonized  by  the  whiles,  this  fishery  was  carried  on  by  the 
aboriginal  inhabitants.  Whales  in  large  numbers  frequented 
the  shoals  by  which  the  island  is  surrounded,  and  the  natives 
with  their  bark  canoes,  and  bone  harpoons,  pusued  and  took 
them.  The  white  settlers,  imitated  their  example;  and  the 
fishery  was  first  carried  on  by  boats,  and  was  confined  to  the  ad- 
jacenl waters.  The  whales  were  unable  to  withstand  the  arlg 
and  activity  of  their  new  enemies,  and  at  length  deserted  these 
shores.  It  then  became  necessary  to  pursue  them  to  their  new 
retreats.  Already,  before  the  commencement  of  the  revolution 
the  Nantuckcl  whalemen  had  doubled  the  Capes  of  Good  Hops 
and  Horn,  and  their  daring  navigation  and  adventurous  spirit, 
drew  from  Burke  that  famous  eulogium  to  be  found  in  his 
speech  on  conciliation  with  America. 

The  business  was-  almost  ruined  hy  the  war.  Many  of  those 
who  had  been  engaged  in  it,  took  rr.ftige  in  Franse,  where  they 
were  patronised  by  the  government,  and  where  some  of  their 
descendants  may  still  he  found.  After  the  peace,  however,  the 
fishery  revived,  and  was  prosecuted  with  good  success- mi  ft 
new  war  with  Great  Britain,  again  reduced  it  to  the  brink  of 
ruin.  After  the  peace,  however,  it  revived  again;— but  the  bu- 


inh)  a  vestibule,  from  whU-h  another  flight  of  steps  of  oialit  feet     ruin.     After  the  peace,  however,  it  revive     again;— but  the  bu- 
on  rarh  side,  lr-.vi<-  ii>  liie  .nuance  hall,  which  is  41  feel  by  34,  I  sincss  was  now  divided  and  Nantueket  found  a  rival  in   New 


386 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2.  1834— POWER  OF  STEAM. 


Bedford.  Other  towns  have  since  entered  upon  the  fi-hery- 
though  Nantucketwith  all  itsdisadvantagts  is  still  able  to  main 
tain  The  second  rank.  New  Bedford  has  175  whale  ships,  am 
IS'antucket  75.  New  London— where  the  fishery  has  given  , 
new  impulse  to  business  and  industry — has  forty  ships,  Sai 
Harbor,  or  Long  Island,  20  or  30.  Bristol,  in  Rhode  Island,  ha. 
15  whale  ships,  Warren,  about  a  dozen,  and  Newport,  four  o 
five.  Some  vessels  iiave  been  fitted  out,  by  emigrants  from  Nan 
tucket,  at  Hudson  and  Poughkeepsie.— and  the  eastern  towni 
Plymouth,  Gluuccsti  r  and  Newlmryport,  have  lately  enteret 
upon  the  business.  There  are,  in  the  whole,  75,000  tons  o 
American  shipping  engaged  in  this  employment. 

The  whale  fishery  is  divided  into  two  distinct  tranches.  OIK 
net  of  vessels  pursue  Ihe  right  whale.  These  vessels  are  fillet 
out  for  a  cruise  of  nine  months,  or  a  year.  The  right  whale  is 
found  only  upon  soundings.  The  vessels  which  pursue  him 
first  make  for  the  Brazil  hanks— which  resemble  in  some  re- 
spects the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  and  stretch,  for  a  grei.t  i  x 
tent,  off  the  coast  of  Brazil.  Then  the  whalers  stand  away  foi 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  cruise  in  the  Indian  ocean  and 
about  the  island  of  Madagascar.  It  is  the  right  whale  which 
furnishes  the  whalebone.  The  oil  however  is  much  less  valua- 
ble, than  that  of  the  sperm  whale;  it  is  worth  from  six  to  ten 
dollars  a  barrel.  It  is  hardly  fit  to  burn,  but  is  employed  to  oil 
machinery,  &c.  A  large  part  of  it  is  exported. 

The  ships  which  pursue  the  sperm  whale,  are  fitted  out  for  a 
three  years  cruise.  The  whale  they  take,  is  found  only  in  deep 
water.  After  making  the  western  islands,  where  they  frequent- 
ly find  some  game,  they  stretch  away  for  Cape  Horn  and  purse 
their  prey  through  the  Pacific  ocean.  The  oil  of  the  sperm 
whale  contains  the  substance  called  spermaceti— from  which 
the  spermaceti  candles  are  made.  The  head  matter,  is  particu- 
larly rich  in  this  substance.  The  spermaceti  pays  for  the  pro- 
cess of  manufacture,  so  that  the  oil  as  it  comes  from  the  whale 
is  of  about  the  same  value  with  the  same  quantity  of  manufac- 
tured oil.  It  is  worth  from  twenty  to  thirty  dollars  per  barrel. 

The  decks  of  the  whale  ships  are  provided  with  great  iron 
kettles  set  in  brickwork,  and  the  oil  is  separated  from  the  blub- 
ber hy  heal,  the  scraps  from  which  the  oil  has  already  been  tried 
furnishing  an  excellent  fuel. 

For  obvious  reasons  the  crews  receive  no  wages,  but  instead, 
they  have  what  it  called  a  lay — that  is,  a  certain  proportion  of 
the  oil.  Those  who  are  at  the  expense  and  risk  of  fitting  out 
the  vessel  have  of  course  the  larger  portion  of  the  piocemls.  Tin: 
masters,  males  and  boat-sleerers,  have  a  share  adequate  to 
their  skill  and  responsibility,  the  old  whaler  is  paid  for  his  ex- 
perience, while  the  green  hands  draw  a  share  proportionate  to 
their  services.  On  the  whole  a  good  deal  depends  on  chance — 
but  however  profitable  the  whale  fishery  may  be  to  those  who 
furnish  the  capital  and  fit  out  the  vessels,  it  does  not  appear  that 
either  the  officers  or  men,  are  much  better  paid  than  those  en- 
gaged in  the  merchant  service.  [Boston  Jltlas. 


THE   COAL    REGIONS  IN  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  coal  regions  of  our  state  possess  much  interest  in  a  do- 
mestic., a  political,  and  a  scientific  point  of  view,  and  claim  the 
fostering  attention  of  all  who  delight  in  the  development  of  our 
natural  resources  of  wealth,  and  the  prosperity  of  our  enterpris- 
ing ciliz'-iis. 

Pennsylvania  is  rich  in  her  minerals,  which  only  require  sci- 
entific investigation  and  persevering  industry  to  make  them 
available,  and  render  the  now  unconscious  possessor  indepen- 
dent. A  few  years  since  Immense  and  inexhaustible  beds  of 
coal,  which  occupy  thousands  of  square  miles  of  our  territory, 
were  scarcely  known,  and  entirely  useless.  So  low  were  the 
Mauri)  Chunck  mines  estimated  a  few  years  since,  previous  to 
the  improvement  of  the  Lehigh  navigation,  that  those  valuable 
beds,  from  which  123,000  tons  were  sent  to  market  diirinz  the 
year  1833,  amounting,  at  Philadelphia,  to  more  than  $600,000, 
was  leased  to  the  company  for  a  period  of  20  years,  for  the  pay- 
ment of  one  ear  of  Indian  corn  rent,  annually.  The  genius  of 
•cience  exploring  these  waste  regions,  and  directing  the  im- 
provements for  transportation,  has  opened  the  most  valuable 
treasures,  and  peopled  our  dreary  mountains  with  thousands  of 
happy  beings. 

From  the  individual  enterprise  of  a  few  public  spirited  citi- 
r.en- .  the  coal  trade  has  assumed  an  aspect  of  the  greatest  im- 
portance in  regard  to  individual  comfort,  stale  commerce  and 
•tale  economy.  Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  of  some  con- 
sequence that  the  people  should  be  made  acquainted  with  the 
coal  interest,  as  it  is  inlimaiely  connected  with  the  slate:  pros- 
perity. It  has  attracted  the  attention  of  our  legislature.--,  and  at 
the  late  session  a  detailed  report  was  made  by  Mr.  PACKER,  of 
the  senate,  from  which  we  condense  the  following  information, 
running  through  120  pages  of  the  Journal. 

f  Bucks  County  In/e!li°rncer. 

Two  species  of  coal  abound  in  our  state— the  anthracite  and 
bituminoui.  The  anthracite,  so  far  as  actual  <!i.-eoverics  have 
been  made,  appears  to  exist  in  three  distinct  or  separate  beds, 
bearing  to  each  other  a  striking  similitude  in  geographical  posi- 
tion, extent  of  ora,  and  ecological  character.  The  frrtt,  or 
Mauch  Chunck,  Srhuylkill,  and  Lykens  valley  coal  field;  the 
tecond,  or  Beaver  Meadow,  Shamokin  and  Maiionoy  coal  field; 
nnd  the  third,  on  Lackawanna  and  Wjoining  coal  field. — 
These  beds  average  about  f>f>  miles  in  length  and  5  miles  in 
breadth.  Another  bed  is  suspected  to  lie  between  the  second 
and  third,  but  has  not  been  sufficiently  explored;  which  like 
thousands  of  hidden  treasures  of  our  stale  might  reward  the  la- 


bor of  a  full  topographical  and  geological  survey  of  the  state; 
\vlnch  has  been  so  frequently  urged  upon  the  attention  of  our 
Icgi-liilure,  by  individuals  and  scientific:  associations. 

First,  or  Mauch  Chunck,  Schuylkill,  and  Lykcni  Coal  Field, 
commences  near  the  Lehigh,  in  Northampton  county,  and  ex- 
tends through  the  heart  of  Schuvlkill  county  to  Wieiuisco 
creek,  emptying  into  the  Su.-quehannah,  in  Dauphin  county. 
The  red  shale  which  appears  to  form  the  base  of  the  anthracite, 
and  form  a  regular  border  around  these  deposites,  continues  on 
either  side  of  the  Wicinisco  creek,  and  is  crossed  by  the  Sus- 
quchannah  above  Millersburg,  and  also  below  it,  between  the 
Wicinisco  and  Peter's  mountains.  A  vein  of  coal  has  also 
been  discovered  in  the  bed  of  the  river.  These  beds  are  con- 
sidered of  the  same  stratum  and  species,  though  there  is  some 
difference  in  the  appearance  of  their  texture  and  specific  gravi- 
ty— Mauch  Chunck  coal  being  1,494 — the  Schuylkill,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Pottsville,  1,453;  and  the  Pine  Grove,  Wicinisco  and 
Stony  creeks,  about  1,400.  The  latter  is  somewhat  more  in- 
flammable. 

As  early  as  1790,  and  perhaps  before  that  period,  coal  was 
known  to  abound  at  or  near  the  place  now  called  Pottsville, 
and  at  Mauch  Chunck,  but  excited  little  attention,  and  was 
only  used  hy  the  neighboring  blacksmiths,  until  some  enter- 
prising gentlemen  made  various  attempts  to  introduce  it.  for  a 
long  time  without  success.  The  mines  at  Mauch  Chunck 
were  partially  opened  prior  to  the  year  1800,  and  small  quanti- 
ties ofcoal  taken  to  Philadelphia.  A  company  was  organised 
for  the  purpose  of  engaging  in  the  business,  but  were  regarded 
by  the  public  as  visionary  enthusiasts,  and  some  of  them  were 
driven  from  the  stage  of  action;  others  persevered,  succeeded, 
and  yet  live  to  witness  the  complete  triumph  of  their  efforts, 
and  the  consummation  of  their  most  enthusiastic  predictions. 

In  1812.  col.  GEORGE  SHOEMAKER,  of  Poitsville,  loaded  nine 
wagons  with  coal,  at  the  Schuylkill  mines,  and  hauled  it  to 
Philadelphia,  a  distance  of  106  miles,  two  loads  of  which  he 
sold  for  cost  of  transportation,  to  Messrs.  Mellon  Jt  Bishop, 
who  agreed  to  try  it  in  their  rolling  mill,  in  Delaware  county, 
and  the  remaining  seven  wagon  loads  he  gave  away,  and  had 
some  difficulty  in  finding  persons  willing  to  take  it! 

In  the  year  1814,  the  lion.  CHARLES  MINER,  of  Wilkesbarre, 
with  that  public  spirit  and  persevering  energy  which  has 
marked  his  course  through  life,  with  a  few  personal  friends,  en- 
gaged in  this  then  perilous  traffic,  and  succeeded  in  taking  24 
tons  down  the  Lehigh  and  Delaware  in  an  ark,  to  Philadelphia; 
having  first  hauled  it  over  a  rough  road  of  9  miles,  to  the  river; 
which  cost  him  at  the  city  fourteen  dollars  per  tori.  Notwith- 
standing the  great  difficulty  in  navigating  the  Lehigh,  at  that 
day,  and  the  consequent  expense  of  conveying  coal  to  the  city, 
Mr.  Miner  and  his  associates  had  so  far  succeeded  in  1814-15, 
in  introducing  the  article,  as  to  find  a  ready  demand  for  it,  and 
were  about  entering  upon  the  trade  enlensively. — But  peace 
came — our  ports  were  opened  to  foreign  commerce,  and  the 
coasting  trade  resumed — Liverpool  and  Richmond  coal  came 
in  abundantly,  and  the  anthracite  fell  far  below  the  cost  of 
transportation.  From  this  time,  the  coal  trade,  ns  such  was 
abandoned;  and  it  does  not  appear  that  any  considerable  quan- 
tity of  coal  was  taken  to  market,  eiilier  by  the  Lehigh  or 
Schuylkill,  until  1820,  when  the  Lehigh  navigation  was  com- 
pleted by  \\\f.  present  company,  and  365  tons  were  delivered  at 
Philadelphia.  In  1821,  1,073  tons  were  drought  to  market.  In 
1822,  2,440  tons.  Tim  year  1820  may,  therefore,  be  regarded  as 
the  era,  from  which  we  are  to  date  the  anthracite  coal  trade  of 
Pennsylvania — a  trade  which  during  the  pa>t  year,  lias  increas- 
ed to  nearly  600,000  tons,  and  amounts  to  about  three  mi/liont 
of  dollars.  [^3»n.  Daily  Jld. 


POWER  OF  STEAM. 

The  following  singular  coirespondenee  has  been  carried  on 
between  the  natives  of  the  east,  and  the  government  of  India, 
relating  to  the  production  and  power  of  steam.  The  explana- 
tion of  the  principles  of  steam  power  are  remarkably  happy,  and 
ts  character  is  well  described. 

From  the  Asiatic  Journal. 

CORRESPONDENCE   WITH   THE    RAJAH   OP   OWALIOR  RESPECTING 
STEAM    ENGINES. 

The  correspondence  which  has  taken  place  between  the  go- 
vernor general  and  the  court  ofGwalior,  on  the  subject  of  steam 

>ngincs,  is  worthy  of  record.     In  March,  1833,  at  public  dubar, 

ord  William  Benlinck  received  the  following  application  fioni 
Shewbux  Roy,  "goinaslua  of  Luekmeecliund  and  Radhakis- 
sen,"  at  Calcutta. 

"My  lord,  our  Si-th  Lunne  Ram  has  heartl  with  astonishment 

hat  an  iron  boat  has  been  sent  out  from  England,  which  can 
swim  and  is  capable  of  being  navigated  from  Calcutta  to  Be- 
nares in  eight  days  and  against  the  stream.  He  desires  to  know 

low  such  things  can  be;   he  dad  directed  us  to  make  particular 

liquifies  into  siich  an  nnlieard-of  piece  of  mechanism,  and  to 
isccrtain  if  it  be  true  thai  the  English  perform  such  pieces  of 
necromancy  through  Ihe  agency  of  those  jins  or  devils,  who  in 
:he  early  ages  of  the  world,  were  turned  into  smoke  and  put 

nto  pots  by  the  learned  among  mankind,  nnd  taken  out  to  work 
for  their  masters  as  required.  Now  n?  wn  know  the  rrsl  truth 

if  these  matters,  which  those  of  Gwalior  do  not,  we  hope,  es- 
pecially as  it  will  be  pleasing  to  the  Gwalior  government,  tli.it 
a  copy  or  epitome  of  Ihe  iron  steamboat  may  be  given  to  \u, 
Jial  we  may  send  it  to  Gwalior,  with  an  explanation,  showing 

low  such  things  incredible  to  others  can  exist  through  the 
agency  of  the  British  knowledge  and  science." 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1834— "FATHER  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION."     SS7 


This  application  was  answered  by  a  letter  from  Mr.  Secretary 
Macnaghten  of  Selh  Liinne  Rain,  expressed  the  governor  ge- 
nerai's  gratification  at  the  desire  evinced  liy  the  applicant  to 
become  acquainted  with  the  wonders  of  European  science,  and 
promising  (hat  a  model  should  he  sent.  His  lordship  also  wrote 
directly  to  the  maharaja'  Jiinkojce  Kao  .Sindnia,  at  Gwalior,  re- 
ferring to  the  laud.ihle  curiosity  evinced  by  that  prince,  when 
the  governor  general  was  at  Gwalior,  to  make  him«elf  acquaint- 
ed with  European  science,  and  including  a  short  account  of  the 
principle  of  the  steam  engine,  with  some  drawings  of  steam 
carriages;  the  former  which  is  signed  by  Mr.  Macnaghten,  gives 
tn  clear,  at  the  same  lime  so  familiar,  an  explanation  of  the  en- 
gine, that  it  deserves  to  he  considered  as  a  curiosity. 

"His  bigness  wishes  to  know  how  an  inanimate  engine  can 
lie  moved  without  the  application  of  animal  force.  I  will  de- 
scribe; just  as  the  circulation  of  the  blood  and  the  motion  of  the 
limbs  of  an  animal  are  caused  and  carried  on  by  the  pulse  of  the 
of  the  heart,  so  the  motion  of  the  levers  and  revolution  of  the 
wheels  of  the  steam  engine  are  produced  by  the  action  of  a  pis- 
ton in  a  cylinder.  Now  the  pulse  of  an  animal  is  moved  by  the 
invisible  power  of  the  creation;  no  one  can  understand  it;  but 
the  motion  of  the  piston  is  caused  by  human  agency,  springing 
from  God  given  wisdom,  and  is  intelligible  to  every  one. 

"To  comprehend  the  means  by  which  the  piston  moves,  it  is 
only  necessary  to  do  two  things. 

"1st.  Put  a  pot,  half-full  of  water,  on  the  fire:  stop  up  the 
mouth  closely;  place  as  great  a  weight  on  it  as  it  will  bear,  still 
yon  find  thai,  when  the  water  boils,  the  steam  produced  will 
force  off  the  lid  or  hurst  the  vessel;  for,  know  that  one  ruttee 
of  water,  by  the  application  of  fire,  expands  to  1,700  rutlees  of 
Eteam,  and  how  is  this  to  be  contained  in  so  small  a  pot?  From 
this  learn  the  force  of  steam;  for,  as  Sadi  says,  'love  and  musk 
cannot  be  concealed,'  so  it  is  certain,  that  steam  cannot  be  ru- 
e-trained. 

"2d.  Wrap  some  wet  tow  round  the  top  of  a  ramrod,  so  as 
just  to  be  able  to  squeeze  it  into  the  barrel  of  a  gun;  force  it  to 
the  breach,  and  then  plug  up  the  touch  hole.  Well,  afterwards 
jmll  out  the  rod  halfway,  let  it  go  for  a  moment,  and  see  with 
what  force  it  will  jump  back  to  the  breach! — What  is  the  cause 
of  this?  Why  the  air  was  expelled  through  touch  hole,  and  that 
being  plugged  up,  no  fresh  air  is  admitted  as  the  air  tight  rod  is 
drawn  out;  so,  where  the  ramrod  awas,  is  nothing,  not  even  air, 
which  pervades  every  place — a  vacuum  is  caused,  and  as  the  se- 
parated friend  cannot  bear  the  desolation  of  absence,  but  flies 
to  his  beloved  home,  so  the  rod,  unable  to  endure  the  empti- 
ness of  vacuity,  rushes  back  into  its  chamber. 

"These  are  the  two  agents  which  move  the  piston  in  the 
cylinder,  viz:  the  steam  is  the  raiser  and  the  vacuum  the  depres- 
dor,  and,  by  their  opposing  impulse,  motion  is  communicated  to 
all  parts  of  the  machine:  for,  first,  a  fire  of  coals,  (a  stone  which 
is  found  in  the  hill  of  Iturd wan,  and  burns  like  wood),  is  lighted; 
on  this  is  placed  a  cauldron  of  water  to  boil,  and,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  cauldron  a  cylinder,  with  an  iron  rod  fitting  tightly  in  it. 
Thesteam  produced  by  th«  boiling  water  rushes  through  a  little 
valve,  (a  small  door  which  opens  and  shuts),  at  the  bottom  of 
the  cylinder,  and  raises  up  the  piston:  but  then,  as  the  piston 
raises,  the  space  it  leaves  is  filled  with  steam  and  a  vacuum  is 
required.  Now  I  mention  that  a  ruttee  of  water  when  con- 
verted into  steam,  would  fill  the  space  of  1,700  ruttees.  Yes, 
but  is  it  possible  to  reduce  the  steam  again  to  water?  It  if, 
by  applying  cold  water  to  the  outside  of  the  cylinder,  it  im- 
mediately condenses,  and  there  is  consequently  one  ruttee  of 
water  and  1,699  ruttees,  of  empty  space,  that  is,  vacuum.  This 
is  just  what  we  wanted.  The  piston  like  the  rarnrod,  instantly 
plumps  down:  again  the  stream  of  the  steam  forces  upon  the 
little  door  in  the  cylinder,  the  piston  flies  up,  the  steam  is  con- 
densed and  again  it  jumps  down,  and  so  on,  as  long  as  the  fire 
is  kept  up.  Now  the  top  of  the  piston  is  fastened  to  a  moveable 
lever,  (sustained  by  a  pillar),  like  the  beam  of  a  pair  of  scales, 
to  the  other  end  of  which  is  fixed  a  large  wheel,  which,  in  its 
turn,  turns  others,  and  the  whole  apparatus  i>  set  in  motion. 

"There  is  another  kind  of  steam  engine,  in  which  the  piston 
is  impelled  alternately  at  each  end  by  the  steam,  which  is  not 
condensed,  but  allowed  to  escape  into  the  air.  In  this  sort  no 
cold  water  is  required  but  a  greater  decree  of  heat. 

"To  explain  all  the  parts  of  the  machine  would  be  tedious. 
Briefly,  it  is  equally  applicable  to  land  or  water  carriages.  In 
the  picture  now  sent  his  highness  will  see  strings  of  thirty  car- 
riages drawn  along  by  one  engine,  up  hill  and  down  dale,  at 
the  rate  of  30  miles  an  hour.  The  wheels  tun  in  iron  grooves, 
lor  by  this  contrivance  the  same  force  can  draw  twelve  times 
as  much  as  it  could  on  a  good  kunker  road,  [n  this  way, 
hundreds  of  passengers  of  all  kinds,  animals  and  baggage  are 
drawn  along;  one  ensrine  draws  700  inaunds,  and  the  whole  can 
be  stopped  by  a  child!  Every  day  new  improvements  are  mak- 
ing. 

'•What  numberless  benefits  does  it  afford!  Food  and  clothing 
is  greatly  diminished  in  price  by  the  expedition  and  cheapness 
of  the  carriage.  Horses  will  no  longer  be  required!  12,000,000 
horses  are  frd  in  England,  and  each  eats  a«  much  as  eight  men; 
to  the  country  will  sustain  80,000,000  more  men!  But  how 
wonderful  are  its  effects  by  water!  It  laughs  at  the  wind  and 
goes  in  its  teeth  and  turns  whenever  tho  captain  chooses,  by 
the  slightest  touch.  In  short  now  that  king  stea'm  has  asserted 
his  authority,  the  reign  of  the  wind  is  cast  to  the  winds  and 
waves.  Communication,  which  was  formerly  stopped  for  weeks 
together  between  the  countries  of  Europe,  is  now  regularly  car- 
ried on  whatever  may  be  the  state  of  the  weather. 


"It  impels  iron  as  well  as  wooden  boat*:  and  an  iron  boat 
is  even  lighter  than  a  wooden  one  of  the  same  size,  since 
iron,  from  its  strength  and  mallahilily,  may  be  used  in  very 
thin  plates;  and  consequently  requires  a  less  depth  of  water 
to  float  in. 

"What  wonder  if  his  highness  should  set  out  in  his  steam 
carriage  at  day  break,  to  go  to  bathe  at  Agra,  or  pray  at  IJind- 
rahun,  and  be  back  at  Gvviilior  by  noon!  If  an  iron  steamboat 
were  launched  upon  the  (Jhambul,  at  the  proper  season,  it  might 
reach  Calcutta  jn  week!  But  what  end  is  thereto  wonders? 
It  is  said,  'a  wise  man  is  riot  astonished  at  wisdom.'  " 

"THE  FATHER  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION." 

Monlpelier  (Va.)  July  10<A.  1834. 

At  this  moment,  when  a  nation  in  profound  grief  deplores  the 
loss  of  one  whom  they  have  delighted  to  hail  as  the  benefactor 
of  the  republic,  it  is  peculiaily  acceptable  to  me  to  be  able  to 
allay  the  universal  solicitude  about  another  most  illustrious 
patiiot. 

The  venerable  and  venerated  Madison  slowly  recovers  from 
a  painful  and  protracted  indisposition,  and  all  apprehensions  of 
his  immediate  dissolution  are  dissipated.  He  has  sufficiently 
revived  to  afford  me  the  high  gratification  of  several  hours  con- 
versation— occasionally  sitting  up,  but  generally  reclining,  his 
calm  and  philosophic  temperament  enables  him  to  resist  the 
ravages  of  disease;  with  fortitude  and  resignation  he  endures 
the  afflictions  of  an  all  wise  Providence,  and  whenever  his  pure 
and  gentle  spirit  shall  wing  its  flight  to  the  mansions  of  bliss, 
his  example,  in  death  as  through  life,  will  enforce  every  pre- 
cept which  Christianity  teaches— although  the  decay  of  his 
physical  powers  are  but  loo  evident;  the  wreck  ofmind  has  not 
even  commenced — on  every  subject,  he  is  luminous,  instruc- 
tive, argumentative  and  convincing.  It  is  not  lo  be  queslioned, 
lhat  he  highly  approves  of  the  system  matured  by  the  wisdom 
of  the  sages  of  the  last  half  century,  in  regard  to  the  cardinal 
points  of  policy,  now  in  an  evil  hour  sought  to  be  subverted — 
he  condemns  the  experiment  of  tampering  with  the  currency 
of  a  nation  at  a  momenl  of  universal  prosperity,  satisfactorily 
proving  its  efficiency;  and  views  a  national  hank  as  the  balance 
wheel  in  our  fiscal  concerns  and  indispensible  lo  ihe  preserva- 
lion  of  a  sound  and  wholesome  circulaling  medium — without 
which  specie  payment  might  never  have  been  resumed,  and 
which  is  an  important  regulator  in  coercing  ihe  state  banks  to 
continue.  An  enlargement  of  all  bills  to  ten  dollars  he  deems 
amply  sufficient  to  relain  a  sufficiency  of  specie  in  Ihe  country. 

The  introduction  of  steam  boats,  rail  roads  and  canals,  has 
dissipated  many  of  his  early  apprehensions  as  to  ihe  permanen- 
cy of  our  free  and  happy  institutions  under  one  confederate  re- 
public.— Those  facilities  of  intercourse  will  bind  the  remotest 
sections  ol  this  wide  extended  empire  by  kindred  sympathies 
and  identity  of  interest.  Among  his  former  solicitudes  were 
the  means  of  producing  this  imDortant  result,  and  one  of  many 
plans  suggesled  lo  him,  were  a  covered  way  from  Maine  to  Or- 
leans— this  was  ascertained  by  calculalion  lo  be  Ihe  most  eco- 
nomical and  efflcienl  mode  that  could  be  adopted  to  insure  a 
smooth,  secure  and  permanent  road;  not  being  exposed  to 
moisture,  it  would  remain  indestructible;  but  a  little  reflection 
satisfied  him  that  it  would  become  impassable  from  dust,  and 
Ihe  projecl  was  discountenanced  and  abandoned. 

His  convictions  in  regard  to  the  policy  of  sustaining  our 
manufacturing  establishments  :ire  most  conclusive.  I  remark- 
ed to  him  that  a  system  of  free  trade  might  succeed  if  univer- 
sal— prov'ded,  said  he,  that  there  be  universal  and  perpetual 
peace  between  all  the  nations  of  the  globe.  For  example, 
England  consents  that  we  feed  her  and  she  clothes  us — what 
would  he  the  result  to  bolh  in  Ihe  event  of  a  rupture?  One 
would  starve  before  she  could  resume  her  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  the  oth|jr  perish  with  cold  before  garments  could  be  manu- 
factured within  her  own  limits. 

In  lieu,  of  considering  manufactories  as  sores  in  the  body 
politic,  he  avowed  his  conviction  from  clear  statistical  calcula- 
tions that  morality  is  betler  preserved  and  mortality  diminished 
by  the  assemblage  and  employment  of  a  large  number  of  per- 
sons in  a  well  regulated  establishment,  where  they  are  regular- 
ly employed,  promptly  paid,  well  fed,  comfortably  clad,  and  an»~ 
ple  medical  attendance,  administered  them,  than  wiien  scat- 
tered over  a  country  where  subsistence  is  precarious  and  com- 
forts few,  as  in  European  densely  populated  kingdoms;  besides 
said  he,  abstract  the  present  force,  now  consumers  of  our 
agricultural  products,  convert  them  into  tillers  of  the  soil,  and 
we  have  a  surplus  which  we  neither  can  consume  nor  dispose 
of. 

Thus  as  regards  the  currency  of  the  country,  internal  im- 
provements and  domestic  industry— the  experience  and  reflec- 
tion of  this  illustrious  sage  and  whig  of  7G,  sustains  the  policy 
of  the  whigs  of  1834— in  opposition  to  the  misrule  we  now  se- 
verely feel,  and  feelingly  deplore. 

Mr.  Madison  was  particularly  kind  in  his  inquiries  afler  the 
health  and  prosperity  of  our  estimable  citizen,  Mr.  Patterson, 
ami  seemed  gratified  lo  learn  lhat  he  still  pursued  commercial 
enterprises,  with  his  wound  energy  and  success. 

He  highly  applauded  Mr.  Kennedy's  eiilogium  on  Mr.  Wirt— 
lie  considered  it  replete  with  ihe  flowers  of  eloquence,  chaste 
in  composition,  and  most  accurate  in  delineations  of  Mr.  Wirt's 
exalted  character. 

Although  the  lamp  of  life  just  now  seems  to  flicker  feebly, 
yet  the  reviving  freshness  of  his  native  mountains,  hit  calm 


388 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1834— BRITISH  PARLIAMENT. 


endurance  of  suffering,  his  temperate  habits  of  self  denial,  the 
longevity  of  his  ancestry,— and  above  all,  the  unceasing  care 
and  devotion  of  his  exemplary  wife,  (who  watching  over  his 
sick  couch,  is  as  when  gracing  the  drawing  room,  equally  un- 
paralleled) may  yet  I  fondly  hope  prolong  his  invaluable  life, 
and  afford  me  the  high  gratification  of  an  annual  pilgrimage  to 
a  patriarch's  shrine,  where  hospitality,  intelligence,  patriot  win , 
virtue  and  wisdom,  all  combine  to  attract,  instruct  and  delight. 


THE  CHIEF  JUSTICE. 

Well  merited  praise.  In  the  course  of  the  late  argument  in 
the  case  of  the  Union  Bank  vs.  the  trustees  of  the  bank  of  Ma 
ryland,  before  the  court  of  Appeals  of  that  stale,  gen.  Gibbs,  ;> 
lawyer  of  the  slate  of  Tennessee,  who  appeared  for  the  Union 
Bank,  referring  to  the  judiciary  of  our  country  generally,  and 
more  particularly  to  the  decisions  of  chief  justice  MARSHALL, 
paid  a  handsome'  and  well  merited  tribute  to  the'  virtue  of  the 
man  who  so  ably  fills  that  department.  We  give  below  the 
substance  without  pretending  to  give  the  language  used. 

"Our  constitution,  it  appears  to  me,  when  it  is  destroyed,  is 
to  be  destroyed  by  degrees;  by  little  encroachments.  This  is 
the  opinion  also  of  the  authors  of  that  admirable  work,  the 
federalist,  who  have  expressed  the  same  apprehension.  As 
yet,  of  the  independent  course  of  the  judiciary  every  where  in 
our  country,  and  of  their  resistance  to  these  encroachments,  we 
have  just  reason  to  be  proud.  How  gratified  were  we  all  to 
learn  the  late  decision  of  the  court  of  Appeals  in  South  Caroli- 
na? Even  amid  the  ferment  of  party,  and  while  some  of  the 
first  men  of  the  country  have  been  riding  over  the  fundamental 
principles  of  the  constitution,  the  judiciary,  the  very  moment  it 
came  before  them,  in  the  face  of  an  infuriated  majority,  main- 
tained the  integrity  of  the  country.  This  has  been  the  course 
of  the  whole  of  the  judiciary  of  this  country;  and  the  chief  jus- 
tice of  the  supreme  court  does  in  my  opinion  deserve  more  of 
his  country  than  any  one  of  her  sons  since  the  days  of  the 
{evolution. 

Some  have  supposed  that  the  senate  would  be  the  last 
abiding  place  of  the  liberty  of  this  nation;  but,  sir,  I  have  always 
thought  that  the  judiciary  was  the  column  and  the  pillar  which 
would  at  last  sustain  the  country.  I  can  recollect  the  day 
when  I  would  have  marched  like  the  soldiers  marshalled  yes- 
terday in  front  of  this  house,*  against  the  chief  justice  —  when  I 
would  have  been  willing  to  have  seen  him  executed.  I  have 
had  time  and  opportunity  to  ascertain  that  I  knew  not  the  ex- 
alted character  and  worth  of  the  man,  or  the  value  of  his  deci- 
sion; I  allude  to  the  case  of  Burr.  Sir,  he  has  performed  a 
great  service  to  the  country  —  he  has  cut  off  the  whole  system 
of  constructive  treason,  which  had  been,  for  the  last  few  years, 
getting  ground.  And  should  the  occasion  ever  arise,  then  will 
the  decision  of  this  venerable  patriot  be  the  shield  and  the  man- 
tle thrown  around  the  persecuted  —  this  is  the  founder  and  the  es- 
tahlisher  of  this  great  principle  which  has  been  stated  —  this  i 
the  man,  who  in  the  cases  of  Ogden  &.  Saunders;  the  Dart 
mouth  college  and  the  Crown;  Peck,  &c.  and  others,  has  clear- 
ly slated  the  law.  In  these  cases  the  great  principles  of  the 
question  have  been  developed  by  this  master  mind;  and  these 
are  the  principles  which  we  now  seek  to  maintain.  They  are 
not  obligatory  it  is  true  —  the  court  have  a  right  to  reject  them  — 
but  they  are  en  well  sustained  by  the  reasoning  of  the  justice 
that  we  do  not  suppose  they  will  do  so." 


AMERICAN  INGENUITY  AND  THE  TARIFF. 

from  the  Boston  Jit  las. 

We  learn  from  an  article  in  the  last  London  Quarterly  Re 
view—  a  source  from  which  we  should  scarcely  expect  any 
Ihing  complimentary  to  this  country—  that  it  appears  from  tes 
timony  lately  given  before  a  committee  of  the  house  of  com 
iiions,  that  all  the  important  improvements  which  have  lately 
been  made  in  the  cotton  manufacture  are  of  American  inven- 
tion. 

One  topic  of  examination  was  the  danger  of  American  com 
petition.  The  opinion  expressed  on  this  subject  by  Mr.  Joshun 
Hates,  the  junior  partner  in  the  house  of  Baring,  Brothers  &. 
Co.  was  extracted  into  the  Edinburgh  Review,  and  thence  ha 
gone  the  rounds  of  the  newspapers.  Though  himself  a  Yan 
kee,  and  entirely  indebted  to  his  own  shrewdness  for  his  pre 
sent  high  rank  in  the  commercial  world,  this  gentleman  appear 
ed  to  entertiiin  but  a  mean  opininn  of  Yankee  enterprise,  am 
little  (ear  of  Yankee  competition.  By  way  of  set  off  we  wil 
quote  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Finlay,  a  practical  manufacturer,  upoi 
the  same  subject,  and  delivered  before  the  same  committee. 

"There  are,"  he  said,  "so  many  advantages  inherent  in 
America,  if  I  am  rightly  informed  witu  regard  to  the  popula 
lion,  that  nothing  in  the  world  can  prevent  their  establish  in;;  i 
that  country  a  very  formidable  cotton  manufacture.  Tlic 
have  vessels  going  daily  to  all  parts  of  the  world,  especially  l 
all  parts  of  South  America;  and  if  those  vessels  do  not  carr 
something,  of  course,  the  freight  is  lost.  They  are  very  adven 
turous  persons,  enterprising  beyond  any  in  that  species  of  com 
merce,  that  I  know  in  the  world  —  infinitely  beyond  this  country 
Sometimes  they  lose  but  they  are  most  active  and  induxtrioii 
in  sending  their  commodities  to  all  quarters,  and  they  trill  get 
very  considerable  sale.'" 

Notwithstanding  the  little  fear  which  Mr.  Rates  seems  to  en 
toriain  of  American  competition,  in  a  subsequent  part  of  I) 


*  Alluding  to  Urn  MUtCbtlMOt  of  our  citizens,  which   in»rchc 
'.nim  ihu  mil  road  rioters.  [Maryland  Republican. 


lamination  before  the  same  committee,  he  states  some  facts 
vith  regard  to  our  tariff,  which  we  cannot  help  quoting.  They 
re  worthy  of  deep  attention,  and  show  how  necessary  it  is  for 
s  to  be  on  our  guard  against  the  mean,  jealous  and  insatiate 
upidily  of  the  English  manufacturers.  "The  cotton  manufac- 
irers  of  large  capital,"  say*  the  witness,  "do  not  require  the 
rotection  of  the  present  duty  in  America.  They  could  main- 
lin  the  manufacture  of  common  goods  without  it — though 
irheiher  they  might  not  be  overwhelmed  by  the  immense  capi- 
al,  which  is  employed  by  the  manufacturers  here,  is  a  ques- 
on.  The  English  manufacturer  u-ould  send  out  his  goods  and 
ell  them  at  a  loss,  WITH  NO  OTHER  OBJECT  THAN  TO  RCIN  THE 
MERICAN  MANUFACTURER,  with  a  view  of  breaking  up  the  sys- 
m  of  manufacturing  in  America."  He  might  have  added — 
vhen  they  have  once  broken  it  up,  they  will  then  ask  their  own 
rices. 

We  subjoin  a  single  extract  from  the  Review  itself: 

"International  commerce  is  beneficial  when  commodities  are 

nterchanged  to  the  mutual  benefit  of  two  countries,  and  to  the 

romotion  of  industry  IN  BOTH;  it  is  injurious  when  it  renders 

>ne  country  dependent  upon  another  for  the  conveniences  of 

ife — and  in  the  last  degree  ruinous,  if  it  induces  a  dependence 

or  tin;  necessaries.     A  commonwealth  must  be  ill  constituted 

and  insecure,  unless  it  be  self-sufficient  in  all  things  needful  for 

he  subsistence  and  being  of  the  community;  and  this  it  cannot 

>e  unless  it  procures  for  itself  all  such  things  as  value  or  habit 

,ave  rendered  so  far  indispensable,  that  the  use  of  them  cannot 

foregone  without  great  and  general  distress!" 


BRITISH  PARLIAMENT. 
From  the  Ifew    York  American. 

The  house  of  commons  have  entertained  a  bill  for  the  partial 
abolition  of  imprisonment  for  debt. 

Various  efforts  to  pass  bills  for  the  better  observance  of  the 
Sabbath  have  been  defeated  in  the  house.  The  annexed  sketch 
of  the  debate  on  the  bill  removing  Jewish  disabilities,  showa 
low  far  prejudice,  religious  and  national,  (in  the  reference 
made  to  America)  is  sometimes  carried. 

House  of  commons,  May  21 — Jewish  disabilities.     Mr.  Robert 
Irani  moved  the  second  reading  of  the  removal  of  the  Jewish 
disabilities,  on  Wednesday. 

Mr.  Cummins  Bruce  moved  that  it  be  read  a  second  time 
that  day  six  months.  He  said  that  its  tendency  was  to  un- 
christianize  the  legislature,  and  take  away  the  recognition  of 
that  highest  allegiance,  which,  as  a  Christian  people,  we  owed 
to  Almighty  God,  as  the  father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Mr.  Peter  gave  the  bill  his  warmest  support.  Mr.  Poulter 
also  supported  it;  and  referred  to  France,  Holland  and  the  Unit- 
ed States,  as  establishing  the  perfect  competency  of  the  Jews 
to  perform  the  functions  of  civil  and  military  offices. 
Sir  Daniel  Sanrtford  would  oppose  the  measure. 
He  for  one  would  not  go  to  America  for  an  example  in  a  mat- 
ter of  religion — to  that  America  whose  example  had  been  so 
fatal  to  all  kinds  of  religion.  ("Oh, oh!")  He  trusted  that  Ihe 
member  for  Dublin  who  had  just  cheered  in  such  a  peculiar 
way  the  sentiment  he  had  uttered,  would  shortly  bring  forward 
a  motion  respecting  the  union  of  church  and  state,  which  he 
was  so  much  in  the  habit  of  denouncing;  and  then  it  would  be 
seen  whether  he  could  not  bring  history  to  show  how  America 
had  afforded  an  example  fatal  to  all  religion.  He  could  not  re- 
cognise any  thing  like  the  spirit  of  true  toleration  in  this  off- 
spring of  a  false  liberality.  He  opposed  this  measure  on  the 
ground  that  this  was  a  Christian  country;  that  they  had  Chris- 
tian institutions;  that  they  were  a  Christian  legislature,  giving  a 
Christian  sanction  to  the  laws  which  they  passed;  and  that  it 
was  incumbent  on  them  as  a  Christian  people,  not  to  deny  any 
thing  that  might  remove  that  sanction  and  desecrate  those 
laws.  They  had  been  told,  indeed,  that  Christian  charity  call- 
ed on  them  to  pass  such  a  measure:  but  he  could  find  nothing 
in  the  scriptures  to  show  that  Christian  charity  demanded  the 
concession  of  political  privileges.  (Jl  laugh). 

It  had  been  said  that  there  were  infidels  in  that  house,  and 
there  were  no  means  of  excluding  them.  Was  there,  he  would 
ask,  any  avowed  and  open  infidel  there,  ("Oh,  oh!")  Was 
there,  he  would  ask,  any  man  who  would  dare  to  stand  up  in 
that  liousft  and  say  that  he  was  an  infidel?  ("Oh!"  "Question, 
question!")  Let  him  who  would  proclaim  himself  an  infidel 
not  dare  to  do  so  there:  let  him  go  to  the  last  scene  of  unfortu- 
nate and  depraved  humanity — let  him  go  to  the  Old  Bailey — 
(Laughter) — and  there,  amongst  felons  and  the  associates  of 
felons,  let  him  get  up  and  declare  himself  an  open  and  avowed 
infidel;  and  he  would  be  driven  from  the  court  amidst  a  storm 
of  hisses  by  an  indignant  Christian  auditory.  He  did  not  put 
an  imaginary  case — he  did  not  conjure  up  an  imaginary  scene: 
a  man  did  so  avow  himself  at  the  Old  Bailey,  and  \vliaf  WHS  the 
consequence?  He  was  driven  from  the  court,  amidst  croans 
and  hisses.  Such  would  be  the  fate  that  awaited  any  man  who 
should  have  the  brazen  effrontery  in  a  Christian  assembly  to 
stand  up  and  declare  himself  an  infidel. 

Mr.  Buckingham  deprecated  this  allusion.  In  his  judgment, 
there  did  not  exist  the  slightest  analogy  between  such  a  case 
and  that  of  a  professor  of  the  Jewish  faith:  on  the  contrary,  the 
Jew  was  constantly  received  as  a  witness,  in  both  civil  and 
criminal  cases. 

Mr.  Robert  Grant  said,  he  was  not  aware  that  any  thing 
which  had  fallen  from  the  opponents  of  the  hill  requited  an  an- 
swer. The  ImiMp  divided:  nnd  agreed  to  read  the  bill  a  second 
time,  by  a  majority  of  123  to  32. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,  1884— UNITED  STATES  DRAGOONS.         889 


LETTER  FROM  THE  POPE.  I  directed  to  convey  to  his  holiness,  through  the  same  channel, 

We  find  in  the  Journal  des  Debals,  (Paris)  the  following  let-    an  assurance   of  the  satisfaction   which  he  derives  from  this 
ter  from  the  pope  to  president  Boyer:  communication  of  the  frank  and  liberal  opinion,,  entertained  by 

To  our  dear  son,  the  illustrious  and  honorable  Boyer,  president    the  apostolic  see  towards  this  government  and  people,  and  of  the 
of  the  republic  of  Mayti.  I  policy  which  you  likewise  state  his  holiness  has  adopted,  and 

which  is  so  worthy  of  the  head  of  a  great  and  Christian  church, 


rish  and  consolidate  the  Catholic  religion,  which  has  besn  ten-  between  them, 
dered  by  the  constitution  of  Hayti,  the  religion  of  the  state.  yOu  will  accordingly  seek  an  early  opportunity  to  make 
These  sentiments,  worthy  of  a  Christian  and  of  an  enlightened  I  known  to  the  pope  in  terms  and  manner  bust  suited  to  the  oc- 
prince,  have  filled  us  with  the  more  lively  satisfaction,  because  I  casion,  the  light  in  which  the  president  views  the  cornmuniea- 
we  hope  that  they  will  advance  the  glory  of  God  and  the  eter-  tion  referred  to,  and  likewise  you  will  assure  him  that  the  pre- 
nal  salvation  of  man,  that  they  will  constitute  a  title  of  honor  sident  reciprocates  in  their  full  extent  arid  spirit,  the  friendly 
to  yourself  in  life,  and  will  obtain  for  you  a  great  and  glorious  and  liberal  sentiments  entertained  by  hi--  holiness  towards  the 
recompense  hereafter.  government  and  the  people  of  the  U.  States  by  those  which  he 

In  former  years,  the  apostolical  chair  of  Rome  lias  labored,  I  entertains  towards  the  government  of  the  apostolic  see,  and 
by  correspondence  and  by  missions,  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  people  of  the  states  of  the  church;  and  it  is  the  president's 
the  faith  in  the  illustrious  republic  of  Ilayti;  but,  owing  to  the  wish,  that  you  should  upon  the  same  occasion,  offer  his  con- 
distance,  and  various  other  circumstances,  nothing  definitive  gralulations  to  the  holy  father,  upon  his  recent  succession  to 
has  yet  been  done.  We  have  now  determined  to  send  near  the  Tiara,  not  from  any  hereditary  claim  on  his  part,  but  from 
your  excellency  our  legate,  the  venerable  brother  John  Eng-  preponderating  influence  which  a  just  estimation  of  his  talents 
land,  bishop  of  Charleston  in  the  United  States  of  North  Ame-  and  virtues  naturally  had  upon  the  enlightened  councils  by 
rica,  whose  intelligence  and  piety  are  well  known,  that  he  may  which  that  high  distinction  was  conferred;  and  which  afforded 
treat  with  your  excellency  respecting  the  affairs  of  the  Catholic  the  best  pledge  that  his  pontificate  will  be  a  wise  and  beneficent 
religion  throughout  the  republic;  that  he  may  deliberate  with  one. 

you  respecting  the  choice  of  pastors;  that  he  may  form  a  na-  you  will  take  care,  likewise,  to  assure  his  holiness,  in  re- 
tional  clergy,  establish  ecclesiastical  discipline,  and  provide  for  ferenee  to  the  paternal  solicitude  which  he  expresses  in  be- 
the  spiritual  wants  of  the  people.  That,  by  your  excellency's  i,a|f  ,,f  the  Roman  Catholics  oflheU.  States,  thatall  our  citizens, 
aid  and  favor,  our  said  legate  may  execute  his  task  successful-  prore3sing  that  religion,  stand  upon  the  same  elevated  ground 
ly,  he  is  invested  with  the  requisite  authority,  and  we  recom-  wnjch  citizens  of  all  other  religious  denominations  occupy,  in 
mend  him  to  your  protection.  In  the  hope  that  this  will  be  ex-  ^gard  to  the  rights  of  conscience,  that  of  perfect  liberty,  con- 
tended, we  cordially  bestow  on  your  excellency,  and  the  repub-  tradistinguished  from  toleration;  that  they  enjoy  an  entire  ex- 
lic  which  you  govern,  the  apostolical  benediction.  einption  from  coercion  in  every  possible  shape,  upon  the  score 

Given  at  St.  Peter's,  at  Rome,  sealed  with  the  seal  of  the  of  religious  faith,  and  that  they  are  free,  in  common  with  their 
fisherman,  the  20th  of  May  (4,)  A.  D.  1834,  and  of  our  pontifi-  fellow  citizens  of  all  other  sects,  to  adhere  to,  or  adopt  the 
cate  the  third.  CASPAR  GASPARINI.  creeds  and  practice  the  worship  best  adapted  to  their  reason  or 

prejudices;  and  that  there  exists  a  perfect  unity  of  faith  in  the 
United  States  amongst  religionists  of  all  professions,  as  to  the 

CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  ROME.  wisdom  and  policy  of  that  cardinal  feature  of  all  our  constitu- 

The  following  rather  extraordinary  correspondence  has  been    tjons  and  frailll;s  of  government,  both  those  of  the  United  States 
rought  out  by  the  New  York  "Evening  Star,"  and  published    and  lhe  separate  states  of  the  union,  by  which  this  inestimable 


with  comments.    Of  the  latter  we  shall  only  publish  the  an-  ri  ht  js  folna|iy  recognised,  and  the  enjoyment  of  it  inviolably 

nexed  paragraph,  as  explanatoty  of  the  origin  of  this  correspon-  Secured.'~ 

detice— 

"It  seems  that  in  a  dispute  between  two  officiatir?  priests  in  P-TTV  nw  \v  A  c 

Philadelphia,  both  solicited  the  interference  of  the  executive  °o-  \  F  W  ASHINGTON. 

vernment  to  settle  the  difficulty  with  /us  holiness  the  pope.    Now,       ASSESSMENT  VALDATIONJJF  CITY  PROPERTY,  DEC.  31  ,J833, 

instead  of  Mr.  Secretary  Van  Buren  saying  to  these  gentlemen,  W^rds. 

'you  may  receive  your  appointments  from  the  court  of  Rome,  First, 

being  purely  of  a  religious  nature;  but  you  live  under  the  laws  Second, 

of  the  United  States,  and  are  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  Third, 

all  disputes  must  be  adjusted  according  to  the  law  of  the  land:  Fourth, 

the  interference  of  a  foreign  power  in  settling  disputes  between  Filth, 


American  citizens  is  utterly  impossible;'  it  struck  him  instan- 
taneously, as  an  affair  in  which  some  votes  might  be  obtained 
for  the  great 'hereafter.'  So  a  correspondence  was  forthwith 
opened,"  &c. 

Mr-  Cicognani  to  Mr.  Van  Buren. 

Rome,  May  8th,  1830. 

"Yesterday  I  had  a  particular  audience  from  his  holiness,  in 
my  official  capacity  of  consul  of  the  United  States  of  America 
in  Rome.  His  holiness  received  me  in  the  most  benign  mariner, 
and  expressed  the  most  favorable  sentiments  for  the  government 
as  well  as  for  the  nation  of  the  United  States  of  America.  He 
said  that  he  was  favorably  inclined  to  the  United  States  of 
America,  because  the  Catholic  people  enjoy  the  same  protec- 
tion as  the  other  citizens  of  different  creeds,  and  have  no  disa- 
bilities according  to  the  law.  His  holiness  desired  me  particu- 
larly and  repeatedly  to  assure,  in  his  name,  the  government  of 
the  United  States  that  heuitl  never  interfere  in  politics,  and  that 
in  cases  of  any  mis-intelligence  between  governments,  he  will 
do  all  in  his  power  to  lend  them  to  peace;  he  requested  also 
that  I  should  express  his  wish  that  the  citizens  of  the  United 
Slates  of  America  professing  the  Catholic  religion,  may  in  fu- 
ture meet  with  the  same  protection  they  have  found  to  this 
time. 


Lots. 

Buildings. 

Personal. 

Total. 

$760,494 

728,158 

193,310 

1,674,962 

752,538 

891,455 

181.540 

1,825,533 

1,132,336 

1,417,835 

247,830 

2,798,001 

290,603 

256,620 

50,220 

597,443 

334,986 

182,660 

26,925 

544,579 

217,075 

212,960 

40,625 

470,660 

After  the  audience  from  his  holiness,  I  went,  as  is  customary, 
to  pay  my  rcspeats  to  cardinal  Albant,  secretary  of  state,  who 
received  me  very  kindly,  and  expressed  the  most  friendly  sen- 
timents towards  the  citizens  and  the  government  of  the  United 
States  of  America.  The  manner  in  which  I  was  received  by 
his  holiness  and  the  cardinal  secretary  of  state,  and  the  senti- 
ments expressed  by  them  both,  will  afford  great  gratification  to 
the  president  and  to  yourself,  and  I  should  feel  highly  honored, 
if  you  would  make  me  the  interpreter  of  the  sentiments  that 
you  might  think  proper  to  reciprocate  with  those  expressed  b;> 
hU  holiness." 

Mr.  Van  Buren  to  Mr.  Cicognani. 

Washington,  20(A.  July,  1830. 

"Your  letters  of  the  llth  April  and  5th  May,  the  first  antici- 
pating the  favorable  sentiments  of  his  holiness  the  pope,  to- 
wards the  government  and  people  of  the  United  States,  and  lhe 
last  confirming  your  anticipations,  have  been  received  at  this 
department,  and  submitted  to  the  president,  by  whom  I  am 


Sixth, 

3,488,032  3,682,688  740,450  7,911,178 

taxes  levied  on  the  above,  are  at  the  rate  of  $1  10 
per  f  100  valuation. 

UNITED  STATES  DRAGOONS. 
[From  the  Jtrmy  and  Navy  Chronicle] 

The  regiment  of  dragoons  is  now  completed  to  its  establish- 
ment, and  all  the  companies  have  marched  to  Fort  Gibson, 
where  the  head  quarters  have  been  established  duiirig  the  win- 
ter. This  regiment  is  composed  of  ten  companies,  of  about 
seventy  men  each;  each  man  is  armed  with  a  sword,  pistol  and 
carbine.  The  carbine  is  of  a  peculiar  description;  it  is  on  the 
principle  of  Hull's  rifles,  it  loads  in  the  breech,  and  the  part 
containing  the  charge  is  so  constructed  as  to  separate  from  the 
barrel  by  means  of  a  spring.  This  part  may  be  called  the  cham- 
ber; and  is  about  six  inches  long;  when  loaded,  it  is  easily  re- 
turned to  its  position,  and  then,  if  the  percussion  cap  is  put  on 
the  touch-hole,  the  piece  is  ready  for  firing;  it  requires  no  ram- 
lod,  yet  it  is  furnished  with  one,  which  answers  the  purpose  of 
a  wiper, and,  when  drawn  out,  makes  a  bayonet  equal  in  length 
to  the  barrel  of  the  piece,  and  is  a  very  formidable  weapon. 
The  whole  piece  weighs  seven  pounds  and  a  half,  and  carries 
balls  twenty-four  to  the  pound. 

The  dragoons  are  instructed  to  serve  on  horse  or  foot,  as  oc- 
casion may  require.  About  this  time,  it  is  expected  that  they 
are  on  the  expedition  among  the  tribes  of  Indians  inhabiting  the 
country  between  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  Mississippi. 
They  are  to  proceed  across  the  country  to  the  boggy  of  the  Red 
River,  thence  vvestwardly  towards  the  Mexican  frontier,  thence 
northward  as  far  as  it  may  be  prudent  to  go,  allowing  lime  to 
re-turn  before  the  cold  wi-atln-r  srts  in.  On  its  return,  the  re- 
siiiicnt  will  descend  by  the  Missouri  on  either  bank. 

l-'nur  companies  will  winlurat  Fort  Leavenworlh,  viz:  Whar- 
ton's,  Hunter's,  Ford's  and  Duncan's. 

Three  companies.  Simmer's,  Boon's  and  Browne's,  on  the 
ri;;ht  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  within  the  Indian  country,  near 
the  month  of  the  Dec  Moines. 

The  other  three  companies,  Trenor's,  Beau's  and  Perkin's  at 
or  near  Fort  Gibson. 


390 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,   1834— GOLD  COINS. 


The  expedition,  it  is  understood,  will  be  accompanied  by  se 
veral  gentlemen  of  science,  who  go  at  their  own  expense.  Th 
object  of  the  expedition  is  to  give  the  wild  Indians  sonic  idea  i> 
our  power,  and  to  endeavor,  under  such  an  imposing  force,  t< 
enter  into  conference:;  with  them,  to  warn  those  Indians  win 
have  been  in  the  habit  of  nibbing  and  murdering  our  people  win 
trade  among  them,  of  the  dangers  to  which  thry  will  lie  expos 
ed  in  case  they  continue  their  depredation*  and  massacres. 

Several  delegations  of  the  newly  emigrated  Indians,  now  set 
tied  beyond  the  states  and  territories,  to  the  westward  of  the 
Mississippi,  as  well  as  the  Osagcs  and  other  trilics  near  tnein 
will  accompany  the  expedition,  in  the  hope  of  making  treaties 
of  friendship  with  the  wild  tribes,  and  thus  prevent,  for  the 
future,  the  recurrence  of  those  wars  which  are  so  common 
among  the  Indians. 

The  expedition,  it  is  hoped,  will  result  in  much  good:  it  vvil 
afford  protection  to  the  civilized  Indians,  to  our  frontiers,  to 
our  trade  with  the  natives,  and  cover  the  Santa  Fe  caravans 
trading  with  Mexico;  and,  perhaps,  enlighten  the  Indians  gene- 
rally as  to  the  humane  policy  of  the  United  Slates  toward: 
them,  and  also  as  to  their  own  true  interests. 

WEST  POINT  ACADEMY. 

REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  VISITERS  TO  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY 

West  Point,  New  York,  June  17,  1834. 
To  the  secretary  of  war: 

SIR:  In  compliance  with  your  request,  the  undersigned  have 
attended,  as  a  board  of  visilers,  during  the  general  examina- 
tion, at  the  United  States  military  academy,  just  concluded, 
and  have  "directed  their  inquiries  to  a  full  and  free  investiga- 
tion in  regard  to  the  course  of  instruction,  both  military  and 
scientific,  and  to  the  internal  police,  discipline  and  fiscal  con- 
cerns of  the  institution."  That  these  several  objects  of  inqui- 
ry might  be  attended  to  as  thoroughly  and  successfully  as  pos- 
sible, the  board,  at  its  organization,  referred  them  to  separate 
committees,  who  have  presented  full  reports  with  regard  to 
them,  accompanied  by  some  suggestions  lor  the  Improvement 
of  the  institution.  Copies  of  these  reports  are  forwarded  to 
you,  and  the  board  take  the  liberty  of  referring  you  to  them  for 
details,  while  they  confine  their  joint  report  to  a  general  and 
brief  view  of  the  present  condition  of  the  academy. 

The  fidelity  of  the  professors,  and  the  assiduity  and  proficien- 
cy of  their  pupils,  were  tested  by  an  examination,  on  the  seve- 
ral subjects,  extending  over  eleven  days,  and  continued  for  each 
day  eight  hours. 

The  sciences  not  strictly  professional,  included  in  these  ex- 
aminations, were  mathematics,  taught  here  from  the  elements 
of  arithmetic  to  the  profound  theorems  of  the  integral  calculus 
— natural  philosophy,  including  mechanics  and  astronomy — 
chemistry,  in  connexion  with  mineralogy  and  geology — and, 
lastly,  rhetoric  and  moral  and  political  science. 

The  subjects  of  professional  study  are  civil  and  military  engi- 
neering, and  infantry  and  artillery  tactics,  with  the  last  of 
which  are  connected  ballistics  and  pyrolechny. 

A  part  of  the  first  two  years  is  devoted  to  the  study  of  the 
French  language,  with  which  a  competent  acquaintance  is  re- 
quired of  the  cadets. 

lastly,  great  attention  is  very  properly  paid,  in  this  academy, 
to  the  art  of  drawing,  of  which  the  practical  applications  arc  so 
frtqucnt  and  important  in  the  military  profession. 

The  subjects  combined,  certainly  constitute  an  excellent  pre- 
paratory education  for  officers  of  the  army,  and  the  examina 
lions  proved  that  they  were  faithfully  and  skilfully  uniirlit. 
Marked  inequalilies  were  indeed  observed  in  the  proficiency  of 
the  cadets,  and  defects  remain  to  be  corrected  in  the  organiza 
tion  of  some  of  the  departments,  but  still  the  exhibition  was,  on 
the  whole,  highly  satisfactory  and  gratifying. 

Frequent  opportunities  were  presented  to  the  board  of  wit- 
nessing the  practical  skill  of  the  corps  in  infantry  and  artillery 
exercises;  and  their  fine  and  soldier  like  appearance  in  the 
ranks,  and  the  accuracy  with  which  they  executed  their  vari- 
ous evolutions,  proved  that  this  essential  part  of  ihu  du'ies  of  a 
military  academy  was  sedulously  atunded  to  by  both  officers 
and  cadets. 

The  discipline  of  the  institution  was  carefully  examined,  in 
its  various  bearings,  and  the  hoard  have  reason  to  think  that  il 
is  in  an  excellent  state.  The  laws  seem  to  be  executed  with  a 
stern  regard  to  the  good  of  the  service,  yttwilh  kind  and  paler 
nal  feeling*)  "IK!  the  olficers  and  professors  are  believed  to  be 
generally  both  beloved  and  respected. 

The  internal  police  of  the  institution  wan  found  to  be  care- 
fully attended  to.  The  rooms,  in  the  barracks,  ocvnpied  by  the 
cadets,  exhibit  a  gratifying  appearance  of  ncalnos  and  order, 
while,  at  the  same  turn.',  they  give  rise  to  regret,  on  account  of 
the  inadequate  accommodation  which  they  tiller.  The  mess 
table  is  well  supplied  with  plain,  tint  good  anil  wholesome  food. 
In  the  event  of  sickness,  which  the  boaid  are  happy  to  linil  has 
been  lately  of  rare  occurrence,  suitable  and  comfoi  table  accom- 
modations are  provided  at  the  hospital,  with  the  bcsl  medical 
attendance. 

The  board  directed  an  inquiry  to  bp  instituted  with  as1  much 
minuteness  as  circumstances  would  admit,  into  the  fiscal  con- 
cerns of  the  institnt  ion.  The  result,  which  will  he  found  fully 
detailed  in  one  of  the  reports  sent  herewith,  is,  that  the  ac- 
counts are  kept  in  n  correct  and  satisfactory  manner — I  hat  the 
expenditures  are  made  in  accordance  with  the  iippiopiialions — 
and  that  a  proper  attention  is  paid  to  economy  in  tin:  expenses 
of  every  kind.  To  prevent  extravagance  in  the  cadets,  there  is 


a  regulation  which  prohibits  to  them  the  possession  or  dse  of 
money,  or  expenditure  of  it,  except  with  the  consent  of  the  su- 
perintendent, who  stands,  with  regard  to  them,  in   Hie  place  of 
a  parent,  and  who,  it  is  believed,  exercises  his  authority  with 
enlightened  discretion. 

The  whole  investigations  of  the  board,  lead  diem  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  military  academy  is  a  most  valuable  and  essen- 
tial part  of  the  army  establishment  of  the  United  States;  that,  at 
a  cost  so  low  as  not  to  exceed  that  of  a  second  rate  man  of- 
war,  it  prepares,  and  can  spread  over  the  whole  country,  offi- 
cers instructed  and  capable  of  giving  instruction  in  the  military 
art;  and  thus,  without  Ihe  danger  arising  to  liberty  from  large 
standing  armies  in  time  of  peace,  enables  the  government  to 
fulfil  the  duly  which  the  constitution  so  solemnly  enjoins,  of 
"providing  for  the  common  defence,"  and  lastly,  that  if  our 
young  citizens  were  commissioned  in  the  army  as  lieutenants, 
in  the  first  instance,  as  they  must  be  if  this  institution  be  abo- 
lished, they  could  not  obtain,  in  four  years,  even  the  same  mi- 
litary knowledge  as  the  cadets,  while  their  prohalion  and  edu- 
cation would  be  far  more  expensive  to  the  country. 

(Signed)  G.  VAN  SCHOOHOVEN,  president. 

ALVIN  BRONSEN, 

JAMES  HOOKER, 

CUAS.  B.  PENROSE, 

H.  G.  COMINGE, 

J\0.  T.  ANDERSON. 

K.  M.  PATTERSON, 

ACHILLE  MURAT. 

WM.  P.  DUVAL, 

WRIGHT  C.  STANLEY, 

P.  LINDSLEY, 

J.  L.  SMITH,  capt.  corps  of  eng'n. 

JAMES  LAT1MER,  jr. 

T.  B.  DALLAS,  secretary. 

The  undersigned  freely  subscribe  the   within  report,  without 
expressing  nn  opinion  with  regard  to  the  last  paragraph. 
(Signed)  WILLIAM  SMYTH, 

J.  W.  SCOTT. 

GOLD  COINS. 

Considerable  interest  is  now  felt  to  see  again  in  circulation 
some  of  the  gold  coins  which,  as  if  by  m.igic,  have  entirely  dis- 
appeared from  the  pockets  of  the  people,  to  be  an  article  of 
commerce  and  barter  abroad,  and  this  while  our  own  country 
s  producing  such  great  quantities  of  the  precious  metal.  On 
nquiry  at  the  mint,  we  are  pleased  to  learn  that  an  early  day  is 
fixed  for  the  emission,  and  we  mean  thereafter  never  to  be 
without  at  least  one  piece  of  the  metal,  which  by  general  con- 
cnl  and  popular  belief  is  the  sovereign  remedy  for  sore  eyes. 

The  purity  of  gold  is  not  estimated  by  weights  commonly  in 
use,  but  by  an  Abyssinian  weight  called  a  carat.  The  carats 
are  subdivided  into  four  parts  called  grains,  and  these  again 
:nto  quarters;  so  that  a  carat  ^rain,  with  respect  to  the  com- 
mon divisions  of  a  pound  troy,  is  equal  to  i!.}  pennyweights. 
Gold  of  the  highest  degree  of  fineness,  or  pure,  is  said  to  be  24 
carats  fine. 

The  circumstances  of  the  English  gold  coinage  somewhat  re- 
semble our  present  case.  When  gold  coins  were  first  made  at 
the  English  mint,  the  standard  of  the  gold  pul  in  them  was  23 
carats,  oi  grains  fine,  and  |  grain  alloy,  and  so  it  continued  with- 
out any  variation,  to  the  18th.  Henry  8,  who  in  that  year  first 
ntroduced  a  new  standard  of  gold  of  32  carats  fine,  and  -2  carats 
alloy.  The  first  of  these  standards  was  called  the  old,  and  the 
second  Hie  new  standard  or  crown  gold,  because  crowns,  or 
jieces  of  the  value  of  five  shillings  were  fiist  coined  of  this  new 
•-milliard.  Henry  8.  made  his  gold  coins  of  both  these  standards 
iinlcr  different  denominations,  and  this  practice  was  continued] 
>y  his  successors  until  1663.  From  that  period  to  the  present, 
.he  gold  of  which  the  coins  of  Great  Britain  have  been  made 
ms  been  invariably  of  the  new  standard,  or  crown  gold,  though 
«ome  of  the  coins  made  of  the  old  standard  continued  to  circu- 
ale  till  1732  when  they  were  forbidden  to  be  any  longer  cur- 
ent.  The  purity  of  the  present  English  gold  coins  is  therefore 
!  1  parts  fine  gold  and  1  part  alloy.  The  alloy  in  coins  is  reckon- 
ed of  no  value.  It  is  allowed,  in  order  to  save  the  trouble  and 
xpense  that  would  be  incurred  in  refining  the  melals,  so  as  to 
mm;  them  to  the  highest  degree  of  purity;  and  because,  when 
is  quantity  is  .small  it  has  a  tendency  to  render  the  coins  harrt- 
r,  and  less  liable  to  be  worn  or  rubbed.  If  the  quantity  of 
Hoy  were  considerable,  it  would  lessen  the  splendor  of  and 
Inctiiity  of  the  mclul.s,  and  would  add  loo  much  to  the  weight 
of  the  coins. 

Before  the  art  of  metallurgy  was  well  understood,  the  baser 
ncials  were  frequently  used  as  money,  iron  was  the  primitive 
oney  of  the  Lacedemonians,  anil  cupper  of  the  Romans.  Bui 
loth  iron  and  copper  deteriorate  by  bcini;  kept;  and  besides 
his  delect,  the  rapid  improvement  of  the  aits,  by  lowering 
heir  price,  rendered  their  bulk  too  great  in  proportion  to  their 
/alue  to  permit  of  their  continuing  lobe  used  as  money.  Cop- 
ier indeed  is  still  used  nmong  us  for  the  smallest  denomination 
f  circulating  medium.  Inn  it  bears  no  relative  value  with  gold, 
nd  is  a  mere  convenience  in  petly  traffic. 

When  the  precious  metal.-,  first  began  to  be  used  as  money, 
r  as  standards  by  which  to  me.i^urc  the  value  of  different  nr- 
icles,  and  the  equivalents  for  which  they  were  most  generally 
xchangcd,  they  were  in  an  iiiitashioncd  state,  in  bars  or  ingots, 
'he  parties  first  agreed  ua  to  the  quantity  of  a  metal  to  be  given 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  2,   1934— LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.       891 


fur  a  commodity  and  the  quantity  was  then  ascertained  by 
weight.  Hut  it  id  obvious  that  u  praelice  of  this  sort  uiu>t  have 
been  attended  with  a  great  dral  of  trouble  and  inconvenience. 
There  can  however  bv  little  doubt  that  the  great  obstacle  in  tin: 
urn  of  iinfashioned  nii'ials  us  money,  would  be  found  iii  the 
difficulty  of  determining  their  quality,  or  the  degree  of  their  pu- 
rity with  Millie-lent  precision. 

The  operations  01  assaying  is  one  of  great  nicety  and  difficul- 
ty, and  eould  not  be  performed  in  the  early  ages  otherwise  ihnu 
in  a  clumsy,  tedious  and  inaccurate  manner.  It  is  indeed  very 
probable,  that  when  the  precious  metals  were  first  used  as  mo- 
usy, their  quality  would  be  appreciated  only  by  their  weight 
and  color,  A  very  short  experience  would,  however,  be  suffi- 
cient to  show  the  extreme  inexactness  of  conclusions  derived 
from  such  loose  and  unsatisfactory  criteria;  and  the  devising  of 
some  method  by  which  the  fineness  of  the  metal  might  be  easily 
and  correctly  ascertained,  would  very  soon  be  fell  as  indispen- 
sable to  the  general  use  of  gold  and  silver  as  money.  Such  a 
mode  was  not  long  in  presenting  itself,  it  was  early  discovered, 
that  to  ascertain  the  purily  of  the  metal,  and  also  to  avoid  the 
trouble  and  expense  of  weighing  it,  no  more  was  necessary  than 
to.make  each  piece  with  a  stamp  declaring  its  weight  and  line 
ness.  Some  ancient  authors  Mate  the  art  of  coining  was  in- 
vented at  a  period  antecedent  to  authentic  history. 

Originally  the  coins  of  all  countries  seem  to  have  had  the 
game  denomination  as  the  weight  commonly  used  in  them,  anil 
contained  the  exact  quantities  of  the  precious  metals  indicated 
by  their  name.  Thus  the  pound  of  England  contained  exactly 
the  weight  indicated  originally  by  its  name;  the  standard  has 
not,  however,  been  preserved  inviolate,  and  the  pound  sterling 
in  silver  is  less  than  the  third  part  of  a  pound  weight;  in  France, 
Spain  and  other  countries  this  lias  been  carried  still  further. 
[  Philadelphia  Price  Current. 

LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
An  act  authorising  the  payment  of  bounty  on  certaing  fishing 

vessels  lost  at  sea. 

Be  it  enacted,  &c.  That  the  collector  of  the  port  of  Boston  and 
Charlestown  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  authorised  to  pay  to  the  late 
owners  and  crew  of  the  Two  Brothers,  to  be  distributed  ac- 
cording to  law.  the  same  sum  of  money  that  said  vessel  would 
liave  been  enlith-d  to  receive  as  a  bounty  or  drawback,  if  she 
had  in  her  last  voyage,  in  which  she  was  lost,  complied  with 
all  the  requirements  of  law  necessary  to  secure  such  bounty;  the 
said  vessel  being  of  the  burden  of  one  hundred  and  thirteen  and 
twenty-nine  ninety-fifths  tons. 

Sec.  2.  JlnA  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  collector  of  the 
port  of  Frenchman's  bay  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  authorised  to  pay 
to  Daniel  K.iff,  the  late  owner,  and  to  the  crew  of  the  fishing 
boat  Juno,  to  be  distributed  according  to  law,  the  same  sum 
said  vessel  would  have  been  entitled  to,  as  a  bounty  or  draw- 
back, if  she  had  not  perished  by  the  perils  of  the  sea  in  her  last 
voyage,  and  had  arrived  in  port,  having  complied  with  all  the 
requirements  of  law  necessary  to  secure  such  bounty  or  draw- 
back; the  said  hoat  being  of  the  burden  of  fourteen  and  seventy- 
nine  ninety  fifths  tons. 

Sec.  3.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  collector  of  the 
customs  for  the  district  of  Barnslable,  state  of  Massachusetts,  is 
hereby  authorised  to  pay  to  the  heirs  at  law,  of  the  owners  and 
crew  of  the  schooner  Emeline,  which  was  lost  at  sea.  together 
with  the  whole  crew,  before  she  had  accomplished  the  time  re- 
quired by  law  to  entitle  her  to  the  bounty  or  drawback,  [the 
same  sum]  she  would  have  been  entitled  to  have  received,  had 
she  safely  arrived  in  port,  after  having  accomplished  the  full 
term  required  by  law. 
Approved,  30th  June,  1834. 


estimate  the  said  additional  tnmiasn  duty,  and  to  give  directions 
to  the  ollic-er-.  of  the  customs  of  the  United  .Si.iten  for  the  col- 
lections  of  such  duties  so  as  lo  conform  tin-  same  to  miy  varia- 
tion which  may  lake  place  in  the  discriminating  dutir.«  It-vied 
on  the  cargoes  of  American  vessels  in  the  said  port  of  Havana. 

Sec.  5.  wJiirf  lie  it  further  enacted,  That  whenever  the  pre- 
sident of  the  United  Slates  shall  be  satisfied  that  the  di-c-rin.i- 
naling  duties  in  favor  of  Spanish  bottoms,  levied  upon  the  car- 
goes tif  American  vessels  in  the  ports  of  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico, 
have  been  abolished,  or  whenever,  in  his  opinion,  a  natislaclo- 
ry  arrangement  upon  the  subject  of  the  said  duties  shall  have 
been  made  between  the  United  Slates  and  Spain,  the  president 
is  In  re  by  authorised  to  declare  the  same  by  proclamation,  and 
thereupon  this  act  shall  cease  to  have  any  furtiier  force  or  effect. 

Approved,  June  30,  Ib34. 

An  act  making  additional  appropriations  for  certain  harbors,  and 
removing  obstructions  in  the  mouths  of  certain  rivers,  for  the 
year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-lour. 
He  it  enacted,  &c.  That  the  following  sums  be,  and  the  game 
are  hereby,  appropriated,  to  be  paid  out  of  any  unappropriated 
money  in  the  treasury,  for  carrying  on  and  completing  certain 
works  heretofore  commenced,  viz: 

For  piers  at  the  entrance  of  Keiinebiink  river,  ten  thousand 
three  hundred  dollars. 

For  the  breakwater  at  Ihe  mouth  of  Merrimack  river,  three 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty  dollar?. 

For  the  preservation  of  Plymouth  beach,  two  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

For  the  preservation  of  the  beach  at  Provincetown  harbor, 
Massachusetts,  four  thousand  four  hundred  dollars. 

For  the  breakwaier  at  Hyannis  harbor,  Massachusells,  ten 
thousand  dollars. 

For  improving  the  harbors  of  Newcastle,  Marcus  Hook,  Ches- 
ter and  Port  Penn,  in  the  Delaware  river,  six  thousand  one 
hundred  and  thirty-three  dollars. 

For  carrying  on  the  improvement  of  Ocracock  river,  North 
Carolina,  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

For  improving  Cape  Fear  river,  below  Wilmington,  Nortli 
Carolina,  five  thousand  two  hundred  and  thirty  four  dollars. 

For  improving  the  navigation  of  the  Ohio,  Missouri  and  Mis- 
sissippi rivers,  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

For  completing  the  improvement  of  St.  Mark's  river  and  har- 
bor, Florida,  four  thousand  six  hundred  dollars. 

For  improving  the  harbor  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  thirty-two 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  one  dollars. 

For  the  piers  at  La  Plaisuncf  l!ay,  Michigan,  four  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  ninety-five  dollars. 

For  improving  the  navigation  of  Red  river,  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars. 


An  act  concerning  tonnage  duty  on  Spanish  vessels. 

Be  it  enacted,  &c.  That,  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  March 
next,  Spanish  vessels  coining  from  the  inland  of  Cuba,  or  Porto 
Rico,  either  directly  or  after  touching  at  any  port  or  place,  shall 
pay  in  the  ports  of  the  United  Stales  such  further  tonnage  duty, 
in  addition  to  the  tonnage  duly  which  may  be  payable  under 
any  olher  law,  as  shall  he  equivalent  to  the  amount  of  discrimi- 
nating duty  thai  would  have  been  imposed  on  the  cargoes  im- 
ported in  the  said  vessels,  respectively;  if  the  same  had  been 
exported  from  the  port  of  Havana  in  American  bottoms. 

Sect.  2.  Jlnd  be  U  further  enacted,  That  before  any  such  ves- 
sel shall  be  permitted  to  clear  out  or  depart  from  a  port  of  the 
United  Slales  with  a  cargo  which  shall  be  directly  or  indirectly 
destined  to  either  of  the  said  islands,  Ihe  saiil  vessel  shall  pay- 
such  further  tonnage  duty  as  shall  be  equivalent  to  the  amount 
of  discriminating  duty  thai  would  be  payable  for  the  time  being 
upon  the  cargo  if  imported  into  the  port  of  Havana  in  an  Ame- 
rican botlom. 

Sec.  3.  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted,  Thai  no  Spanish  vessel  shall 
be  allowed  lo  clear  otil  or  depart  from  a  port  of  the  U.  States, 
witli  any  goods,  wares  or  merchandises,  except  upon  a  destina- 
tion to  some  porl  or  place  in  the  island  of  Cuba  or  Porlo  Rico, 
without  giving  bond,  with  approved  security,  in  double  the  va- 
lue of  the  vessel  and  cargo,  thai  Ihe  said  cargo,  or  any  parl 
thereof,  shall  nol  be  landed  in  eilher  of  Ihe  said  islands;  which 
bond  shall  be  cancelled  on  producing  of  certificate  from  an 
American  consul,  thai  the  said  cargo  has  been  landed  elsewhere, 
bona  fide,  and  without  intenlion  lo  reship  it  for  a  porl  in  one  of 
the  said  islands. 

Sec.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorised  from  time  to  time  to 


For  carrying  on  the  Delaware  breakwater,  two  hundred  and 
seventy  thousand  dollars. 

For  filling  up  and  securing  a  breach  in  the  south  embankment 
al  Presqu'  Isle,  Pennsylvania,  lliree  thousand  and  forty-five 
dollars. 

For  improvins  the  harbor  of  Mobile,  in  removing  the  bar  at 
the  entrance  of  the  harbor,  called  the  Choctaw  Pass,  ten  thou- 
sand dollars. 

For  improving  the  navigation  of  the  river  Savannah,  in  re- 
moving the  obstructions  in  said  river  from  the  city  of  Savannah 
to  its  mouth,  thirty  thousand  dollars. 

For  continuing  and  securing  the  works  al  Oswego  haibor,  ff. 
Yoik,lhir'y  thousand  dollars. 

For  continuing  the  improvements  at  Big  Sodus  Bay,  N.  York, 
on  the  present  plan,  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

For  completing  the  works  at  Gennessee  river,  New  Yoik,  on 
Ihe  present  plan,  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

For  continuing  the  improvements  of  Black  Rock  harbor,  New 
York,  twelve  thousand  dollars. 

For  completing  the  works  at  Buffalo,  New  York,  twenty 
thousand  dollars. 

For  continuing  Hie  improvements  at  Dunkirk  harbor,  New 
York,  four  thousand  dollars. 

For  seciiriiii!  the  works  at  Presqu'  Isle,  Pennsylvania,  Iwen- 
ty  thousand  dollars. 

For  completing  and  securing  the  works  at  Cleaveland  harbor, 
Ohio,  thirteen  thousand  three  hundred  and  fifteen  dollars. 

For  repairing  and  securing  the  works  at  Grand  river,  Ohio, 
ten  thousand  dollais. 

For  securing  the  works  at  Black  river,  Ohio,  five  thousand 
dollars. 

For  extending  and  securing  the  works  at  Huron  river,  Ohio, 
six  thousand  seven  hundred  dollars. 

For  continuini!  the  improvements  at  Ashlabula  creek,  Ohio, 
five  thousand  dollars. 

For  defrayiiif!  the  expense  of  surveys  pursuant  lo  the  act  of 
Ihe  thirtieth  of  April,  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-four,  includ- 
ing arrearaues  for  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-three,  iwenly- 
niiie  ihou-aml  dollars,  of  which' sum  five  thousand  dollars  shall 
be  approprialed  and  applied  to  geological  and  inineralogical 
surveys  and  researches. 

To  rebuild  the  monument  on  Steel's  ledge,  Penobscot  Bay, 
four  thousand  six  hundred  dollars. 

For  the  continuation  of  the  improvement  of  the  navigation  of 
the  Cumbei land   river  thirty  thousand  dollars,  to  be  expended 
under  the  direction  of  the  war  department. 
Approved,  June  28,  1834. 


392        WILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  fl,  1834— YEAS  AND  NAYS  IN  THE  SENATE. 


YEAS  AND  NAYS  IN  THE  SENATE. 

From  tke  United  States  Gazette. 

A  correspondent  has  furnished  us  with  the  subjoined  tabular  statement  of  the  votes  of  the  United  States  senate,  on  some  of  the 
important  questions  which  cauie  before  that  body,  at  the  late  session. 

1.  llth  Dec.  1833.    Resolution  of  the  senate,  requesting  the  president  of  the  United  States  to  communicate  to  the  senate  "a 
copy  of  the  paper  which  has  been  published,  and  which  purports  to  have  been  read  by  him  to  the  heads  of  the  executive  depart- 
ments, dated  the  18th  day  of  September  last,  relating  to  the  removal  of  the  deposites  of  the  public  money  from  the  bank  of  the  U. 
States  and  its  offices."    Ayes  23.    Nays  17. 

2.  28th  March,  1834.    "Resolved,  That  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  for  the  removal  of  the  money  of 
the  United  States,  deposited  in  the  bank  of  the  United  States  and  its  branches,  communicated  to  congress  on  the  4th  day  of  De- 
cember, 1833,  are  unsatisfactory  and  insufficient."    Ayes  28.    Noes  18. 

3.  28th  March,  1834.    "Resolved,  That  the  president,  in  the  late  executive  proceedings  in  relation  to  the  public  revenue,  has 
assumed  upon  himself  authority  and  power  not  conferred  by  the  constitution  and  laws,  but  in  derogation  of  both."    Ayes  26. 
Nays  20. 

4.  1st  May,  1834.    "Will  the  senate  advise  and  consent  to  the  appointment  of  Peter  Wager,  Henry  D.  Gilpin,  John  T.  Sulli- 
Tan  and  Hugh  EcElderry."    Ayes  11.  .  Nays  30. 

5.  7  tli  May,  1834.    "Resolved,  That  the  protest,  communicated  to  the  senate  on  the  17th  instant,  by  the  president  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  asserts  powers  as  belonging  to  the  president,  which  are  inconsistent  with  the  just  authority  of  the  two  houses  of  con- 
gress, and  inconsistent  with  the  constitution  of  the  United  States. 

"Resolved,  That  while  the  senate  is,  and  ever  will  be,  ready  to  receive  from  the  president  all  such  messages  and  communica- 
tions as  the  constitution  and  laws,  and  the  usual  course  of  business  authorise  him  to  transmit  to  it,  yet  it  cannot  recognise  any 
right  in  him  to  make  a  formal  protest  against  votes  and  proceedings  of  the  senate,  declaring  such  votes  and  proceedings  to  be  ille- 
gal and  unconstitutional,  and  requesting  the  senate  to  enter  «uch  protest  on  its  journals. 

"Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  protest  is  a  breach  of  the  privileges  of  the  senate,  and  that  it  be  not  entered  on  the  journal. 

"Resolved,  That  the  president  of  the  U.  States  has  no  right  to  send  a  protest  to  the  senate,  against  any  of  its  proceedings" 
Ayes  27.    Nays  16. — (The  vote  being  the  same  on  each  of  the  four  resolutions.) 

6.  24th  June,  1834.    "Will  the  senate  advise  and  consent  to  the  appointment  of  Andrew  Stevenson."    Ayes  22.    Nays  23. 

7.  24th  June,  1834.    "Will  the  senate  advise  and  consent  to  the  appointment  of  Roger  B.  Taney."    Ayes  18.    Nays  28. 

8.  27th  June,  1834.    "Resolved,  That  it  is  proved  and  admitted  that  large  sums  of  money  have  been  borrowed,  at  different 
banks,  by  the  postmaster  general,  in  order  to  make  up  the  deficiency  in  the  means  of  carrying  on  the  business  of  the  post  office 
department,  without  authority  given  by  any  law  of  congress;  and  that,  as  congress  alone  possesses  the  power  to  borrow  money 
on  the  credit  of  the  United  States;  all  such  contracts  for  loans  by  the  postmaster  general,  are  illegal  aud  void."    Ayes  41.    Nays 
none. 

TABULAR   STATEMENT. 


States,                      Senators. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

a 
£ 

1 

fe; 

| 

£ 

I 

1 

! 

§ 

£ 

1 

a 
£ 

3, 
1 

1 
fcs 

B> 

£ 

a 
£ 

1 

o 
£ 

3, 
g 

]y(aine          

*Sprague  

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

N 
N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 
N 

N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 
N 
N 
N 

Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
(Re 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 
N 

sign 
N 

N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 

Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

ed.) 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

N 
N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 

N 
N 

N 
N 

N 

N 
N 

N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

N 
N 

N 
N 

N 
N 
N 
N 
N 

N 
N 

N 
N 
N 
N 

N 
N 

N 

N 
N 

N 

N 
N 

N 

N 
N 

N 
N 
N 

N 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

N 

N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 

N 
N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 

N 
N 

Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y' 

Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 

N 

N 
N 
N 
N 

N 

N 
N 
N 

N 
N 

N 
N 

N 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 

N 

N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 
N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 
N 
N 

N 
N 

N 

N 

N 

N 

N 

N 

Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
V 

Y 
Y 

Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 

Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y 

New  Hampshire  

Shepley  
*Bell  

Hill  

Ithnrir  Island               .   \  n^!1!^'1  

'   (  Robbms  
<  Tomlinson  

J  Prentiss  

{  Wright  

Tallmage  

Wilkins  

1  McKean  

Naudain  
Chambers  

Virginia            

j  *Leigh  

North  Carolina  
South  Carolina  

[  Tvler    .. 

Forsyth  

*J.  P.  King  
*Bibb  

Clay  
*  White  •-. 

1  Grundy  
Ewing  

Mnrris  
*  Waggaman  

Porter  

Hi-mlrii'ks  

Tipton  
*Poindexter  

Black  
<  'Robinson  

Illinois  (  Kane  
$  *W.  R.  King  

Aiao.                              (  Moore  

'  '  (  Benton  

23 

17 

28 

18 

26 

20 

11 

30 

27 

15 

22 

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28 

41 

Non 

*Term  of  service  will  expire  on  the  3d  of  March,  1835. 


• 


NILES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 


I 


FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  24— VOL.  X.]      BALTIMORE,  AUG.  9,  1834.      [Voi..  XLVI.  WHOLE  No.  1,194. 


THE  PAST THE  PRESENT FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,  PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  U.  NILES,  AT  $5  PER  ANNUM,  PAYABLE  IN  ADVAHCE. 


We  insert  a  brief  speech  of  Mr.  Webster,  -with  a  few 
words  from  Mr.  Jientoit,  in  conclusion  of  the  lively  and 
powerful  debate  on  the  affairs  of  the  post  office,  which 
took  place  in  the  senate  on  the  evening  of  the  27th  June, 
and  resulted  in  the  unanimous  vote  of  that  body,  declar- 
ing that  all  the  "contracts  for  loans  by  the  postmaster 
general  were  illegal  and  void." 

Many  persons  act  as  if  they  thought  that  the  REGISTER 
contained  every  thing! — though  happening  a  quarter  of  a 
century  before  its  publication  was  begun.  The  REGIS- 
TER does  contain  many  things,  and  thousands  on  thou- 
sands of  questions  are  settled  by  easy  references  to  its 
closely  printed  and  capacious  pages  in  most  parts  of  the 
United  States — but  still,  now  and  then  a  portion  of  the 
public  mind  is  directed  to  some  particular  subject  that 
cannot  be  found  in  this  record — and  hundreds  of  person- 
al applications  are  made  to  us  in  vain. 

Within  the  last  two  or  three  months,  we  have  had  fre- 
quent calls  for  the  proceedings  of  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives of  the  United  States,  on  the  address  to  president 
WASHINGTON,  when  the  latter  had  announced  his  inten- 
tion of  retiring  (a  second  time),  into  private  life.  We 
promised  to  give  these  proceedings  soon  after  the  rising 
of  congress,  and  now  present  them,  at  length. 

In  the  REGISTER  of  the  19th  we  gave  it  as  the  opinion 
of  sound  and  practical  men,  that  the  labor  in  agriculture 
had  been  reduced  one-fourth  in  the  last  30  or  35  years, 
by  the  use  of  improved  implements  and  tools,  facilities 
in  communications,  and  more  correct  rotations  of  crops, 
&c. 

We  notice  a  new  machine  which,  if  what  is  said  of  it 
is  true,  is  an  important  one.  It  is  called  a  hemp-cutter, 
invented  in  East  Tennessee,  by  Dr.  Thomas  A.  Ander- 
son, and  constructed  on  very  simple  principles — and 
which,  by  the  aid  of  two  horses,  will  cut  from  8  to  10 
acres  a  day,  in  the  best  possible  and  most  satisfactory 
manner. 

We  have  published,  we  believe,  all  the  public  acts 
passed  by  the  last  congress,  that,  as  we  think,  are  gene- 
rally useful  to  be  known. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  law  concerning  the  tonnage  duty 
on  Spanish  vessels,  inserted  in  our  last,  that  the  Jtrotect- 
inff  principle  has  been  fully  recognised  as  to  our  navi- 
gation, though  it  is  resisted  as  to  our  manufactures.'  We 
nave  pleasure  in  the  former — but  would  ask,  why  is  re- 
ciprocity claimed  for  and  given  to  ship  builders  and  ship 
owners,and  denied  to  spinners  and  weavers,  iron  makers 
and  workers,  and  many  other  far  more  important  branch- 
es of  the  national  industry?  Is  the  principle  just  in  the 
one  case,  and  unjust  in  others?  Why  does  it  more  con- 
cern an  American  farmer,  that  his  flour  should  be  ex- 
ported to  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico  in  a  Spanish  vessel,  than 
that  he  should  be  compelled  (as  he  may  be)  to  wear  a 
coat  of  English  cloth — while  England  prohibits  the  con- 
sumption of  his  flour  or  grain? 

Some  curious  observations  of  lT~i Ilium  Cobhctl,  in  the 
British  house  of  commons,  on  education,  are  inserted,  to 
•which  we  have  prefixed  one  or  two  remarks.  The  doc- 
trines avowed  by  him  are  strange  "in  these  our  days." 
He  would  keep  society  virtuous,  by  keeping  the  IDMSS  of 
the  population  ignorant !  If  the  demagogue  is  right,  those 
•who  have  been  esteemed  as  the  greatest  benefactors  of 
their  kind,  were  wretched  fools — that's  all. 

The  second  of  a  probable  series*  of  pamphlets,  on  rr.at- 
ters  relating  to  the  bank  of  Maryland  and  other  things 
about  money,  or  paper,  or  credits,  or  managements,  ap- 


*Since  the  preceding  was  in  type,  the  propriety  of  using  the 

word  "series"  has  become  manifest— by  subsequent  operations. 

VOL.  XLVI— S  IG.  27. 


peared  last  Monday,  making  105  octavo  pages.  The  late 
president  of  this  bank,  on  th«  18th  of  last  month,  pub- 
lished a  deposition  implicating  the  character  of  certain 
gentlemen,  as  being,  in  fact,  his  partners  in  the  credits 
and  managements  of  the  bank,  and  the  reply  of  those  im- 
plicated now  appears — pronouncing  the  charges  prefer- 
red not  only  scandalous  and  false,  but  also  implicating 
other  parties  as  concerned  with  the  late  president  of  the 
bank  of  Maryland,  in  the  wild,  if  not  desperately  wick- 
ed, and  enormous  money  operations  of  that  institution; 
and  the  appendix  contains  a  large  body  of  strong  testimo- 
ny in  respect  to  these  affairs.  This  pamphlet  will,  most 
probably,  give  birth  to  a  rejoinder  on  the  part  of  the  Jate 
president  of  the  bank,  and  a  reply  from  the  new  parties 
implicated — which,  being  incidentally  connected  with  yet 
other  parties,  forebodes  a  long  discussion  at  "the  bar  of 
the  public  reason;"  parts  of  which  it  may  become  our 
duty  to  notice,  as  involving  the  proceedings  of  public  men, 
though  hoping  to  be  excused  from  entering  into  the  slough 
of  speculation,  (as  we  must  politely  call  it),  that  has  been, 
or  is  about  to  be,  revealed! 

We  shall  give  no  opinion  on  the  particular  merits  of 
the  matters  presented,  except  to  say — that  we  never  have 
seen  a  development  of  more  rampant  uses  of  credits  than 
has  been  already  made.*  They  are  referred  to  only  to 
inform  our  readers  what  is  going  on. 

The  crimes  against  the  property  of  honest  persons, 
committed  in  or  through  the  bank  of  Maryland,  are  of  a 
larger  amount  than  the  aggregate  of  all  such  crimes  com- 
mitted by  those  who  have  tenanted  the  Maryland  peni- 
tentiary from  its  first  establishment  to  the  present  day  ! 
But  out  of  the  present  disclosures,  and  others  which 
may  be  expected,  a  public  good  will  result.  A  great  pro- 
portion of  the  power  of  this  bank  to  plunder  the  people, 
grew  out  of  the  good  reputation  of  certain  of  the  gentle- 
men who  suffered  themselves  to  b«  appointed,  and  to  have 
their  names  blazoned  forth,  as  directors  of  the  institution. 
Nobody  supposed  that  these  men  would  do  wrong; — or 
suffer  wrong  to  be  done.  But,  according  to  the  present 
appearances  of  things — those  on  whose  honesty  the  pub- 
lic relied,  were  as  ignorant  of  the  true  state  of  the  bank 
as  they  are  of  what  is  just  now  happening  in  the  planet 
Saturn !  And  are  these  not  "sins  of  omission  ?"  Is  a  just 
responsibility  to  the  public  lost  in  an  utter  ignorance 
of  concerns  which  they  ought  to  have  directed?  And 
how  is  it,  that  worthy  men  permit  their  names  to  be  used 
for  certain  purposes  abroad,  when,  in  truth,  they  are  va- 
lued only  because  of  necessary  counting's  oj  noses  at 
home — to  make  up  a  board  !  We  insist  on  it — that  gen- 
tlemen who  lend  their  names  in  such  cases  should  be 
held  responsible  for  the  conduct  of  those  to  whom  it  is 
lent;  and  the  statements  now  before  us,  it  may  be  hoped, 
will  lead  into  a  direct  and  clear  understanding  on  this 
subject,  when  new  banks  are  to  be  chartered — with  pro- 
visions something  after  this  manner:  if  the  capital  of  the 
bank  is  not,  in  good  faith,  paid  in  as  prescribed  in  the 
law — if  its  discounts,  or  accommodations,  by  whatever 


*VVe  had  here  given  a  note,  going  into  some  of  the  particulars 
stated,  as  to  the  outrageous,  if  not  rascally,  uses  of  credits  al- 
luded to — but  the  insertion  of  these  would  have  rendered  it  just 
that  the  other  side  should  be  shewn,  as  facts  shall  he  stated. 
We  wish  to  avoid  the  necessity  of  proceeding  into  details— but 
cannot  refrain  from  offering  a  general  protest  against  the  parties 
—he  they  whom  they  may.  And  it  is  abominable,  that  the  fee 
bin  hunk  of  Maryland,  with  a  capital  not  exceeding  300,000 
dollars,  and  probably  less,  should  have  dealt  in  the  millions  that 
il  evidently  did  do. 

It  is  time,  also,  that  a  full  statement  of  the  affairs  of  the  bank 
should  be  made  by  the  trustees,  with  specifications  of  accom- 
moilnti'jns,  not  within  the  pale  of  ordinary  business  transactions. 

We  have  no  personal  complaints  to  make  against  the  bank 
of  Maryland— for,  long  before  its  explosion,  we  thought  it  a 
bankrupt  concern,  and  acted  accordingly— not  trusting  it  94 
hours  to  the  amount  of  50  dollars— but  there  was  nothing  abso- 
lutely known  that  would  have  justified  us  in  proclaiming  o«r 
opinion  of  it. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


name  they  may  be  called,  shall  exceed  a  certain  number  o 
times  the  amount  of  the  capital  truly  paid  in  and  remain 
j'ry  active  in  ihe  bank — if  the  issues  of  the  bank,  and  otlie 
demands  against  it,  shall  more  than  so  and  so  far  excee 

the  amount  of  its  real  capital every  director  of  th 

bank  shall  be  rendered  personally  responsible  for  all  loss 
es  that  may  accrue  by  the  bank,  whose  charter  shall  als 
be  instantly  forfeited  on  the  establishment  of  mal-conduc 
in  cither  respect.  But  the  most  shrewd  and  induslriou 
directors  may  be  deceived — they  n.ust  depend  on  th 
statements  of  presidents,  cashiers  and  clerks:  very  wel 
— let  such  statements  be  laid  before  the  board  ever 
week,  signed  by  the  proper  officers  or  clerks,  and  th 
directors  be  relieved  of  the  personal  responsibility  jus 
above  spoken  of,  by  proving  the  falsity  of  such  statements 
which  falsehood  shall  be  made  a  felony,  subjecting  ill 
author  of  it  to  hard  labor  in  the  penitentiary  for  a  perioi 
of  not  less  than  21  years.  Mistakes  in  such  cases  can 
not  be  plead,  for  they  cannot  be  made.  But  if  director 
shall  disregard  the  Irue  statements  so  made,  the  felon; 
ought  to  rest  with  them,  and  the  punishment  follow  it. 

It  may  be  said,  that,  under  such  conditions,  boards  o 
directors  could  not  be  obtained.  Perhaps  not  as  nowob 
titined,  or  in  such  numbers:  but  these  things  would  b 
easily  remedied — for  persons  really  interested  in  th 
bank,  would  then  be  those  really  directing  the  affairs  o 
the  bank;  and  names  would  not  be  lent  so  heedlessly  a 
they  are  now,  to  lead  innocent  persons  into  the  snares  o 
credit-mongers. 

It  is  said  that  the  bank  of  the  United  States  will  mak 
$70,OOO  by  the  enhanced  value  of  gold,  in  consequence  o 
the  late  laws — having  a  considerable  quantity  of  coin  am 
bullion  in  its  vaults,  ready  for  the  new  coins  ordered  t< 
be  made,  some  of  which  appear  to  be  already  in  circula 
tion — or  are  rather  given  out  to  shew  as  "pocket"  pieces 
for  political  effect,  and  '•'•before  the  October  elections.' 
So  those  who  accused  the  officers  of  the  mint  with  a  sub 
serviency  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  in  keeping 
back  the  coinage,  must  praise  where  they  blamed !  Tha' 
is  an  easy  operation,  however. 

But  the  idea  of ' forcing  &  gold  circulation,  and  the  pay- 
ment of  large  sums,  in  gold,  in  the  every-day  negotia- 
tions between  man  and  man,  is  ridiculous.  The  solven 
and  well  managed  banks  will  gather  up  the  new  goh 
coins,  when  issued,  and  retain  them,  if  they  please,  01 
give  them  out  in  preference  to  silver  coins,  if  more  is  to 
be  made  by  retiring  their  o-wn  notes  with  them.  If  the 
newly  established  legal  value  of  gold  is  less  than  that  ol 
lilver,  the  former  will  be  imported  and  the  latter  export- 
ed, and  we  shall  have  what  must  be  esteemed  a  depreciat- 
ed currency,  though  a  gold  one!  On  these  subjects  we 
take  leave  to  present  the  following  just  views  of  Mr. 
Sinney,  taken  from  his  speech  in  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives on  the  21st  June  last— - 

"In  bis  judgment,  there  was  nothing  in  any  of  the  suggestions 
lhal  had  been  made,  to  justify  the.  extreme  valuation  noxv  pro- 
posed by  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  coins.  In  regard 
to  this  or  any  other  change  in  the  value,  there  were  two  re- 
marks that  he  would  submit  to  the  house.  In  the  first  place, 
he  did  not  entertain  the  opinion  that  any  change  would  mate- 
rially increase  the  metallic  circulation  of  the  country.  Gold, 
however  estimated,  would  not,  to  any  extent,  take  the  place  ol 
bank  paper,  while  bank  paper  was  permitted  by  law  to  circulate 
as  it  now  did.  A  traveller  might  be  induced  to  take  gold  for  his 
expenses,  if  he  could  not  ohiaii)  paper  that  would  travel  with 
him  without  loss;  and  while  gold  should  be  a  novelty,  a  few 
more  pieces  might  lie  seen  in  the  pockets  of  the  citizens:  but 
the  increase  of  the  mass  in  circulation  from  these  causes  would 
not  be  considerable.  Wherever  gold  should  come,  in  the  pre- 
sent coixliiion  of  our  bank  paper,  it  would  in  general  displace 
silver  without  adding  to  it.  This  was  ihe  first  remark  he  had 
to  submit.  The  oilier  was,  that  no  change  in  valuation  would 
produce  any  considerable  increase  of  specie  in  the  hanks.  Un- 
der the  proposed  change  they  would  have  a  greater  amount  of 
gold,  but  at  the  same  tune  they  would  have  a  less  amount  of 
iilver.  Nothing  would  induce  the  hanks,  nof  could  any  thing 
compel  them  to  keep  more  of  either  metal  on  hand  than  was 
necessary  to  sustain  their  paper  circulation;  and  what  tliey  did 
keep  on  hand,  whether  it  should  be  gold  or  silver,  would  he  nf 
the  same  use  to  them  and  to  the  country.  Little  or  nothing 
was  to  be  gained  by  the  substitution  Of  gold  for  silver.  The 
mass  would  not  be  augmented,  though  its  complexion  might  be 
changed.  It  was,  therefore,  a  delusion  to  suppose,  as  had  been 
proclaimed  in  the  public  papers,  that  this  hill  would  give  a  spe- 
cie currency  to  the  country;  neither  would  it  give  increased 
•lability  to  bank  paper.  The  extent  of  its  effect  would  he,  if 
told  should  b«  nghtlj-  »alu«d,  to  give  th«  country  some  mow 


I 


gold  tlian  it  previously  had,  and  to  about  the  snme  extent  to  di- 
minifh  the  silver;  and  it  would  also  give  to  the  holder  of  gold 
its  real  value  immediately  in  every  transaction,  without  com- 
pelling him  to  seek  it  through  a  transaction  \\iiii  a  broker.  If 
over  valued,  its  (fleet  would  be,  to  enable  a  debtor  to  pay  his 
present  deMs  with  less  than  lie  owed,  and  to  that  extent  coiirc- 
quenlly  to  defraud  his  creditor;  and  it  would,  it  con.-iderable, 
place  silver  exactly  in  the  condition  in  which  gold  now  was, 
and  make  it  an  article  of  trade,  instead  ol  c  imeiiey.  In  ihe  end, 
we  might  have  to  chnnge  the  relative  value  of  the  two  metals 
to  keep  silver  here,  as  we  now  proposed  to  do  to  keep  the  gold. 
It  had  not,  indeed,  occurred  to  him  (hat  it  was  as  important  as 
some  had  thought  to  raise  gold  even  to  what  he  admitted  to  b« 
its  line  proportion. il  value.  The  real  value  had  aluajs  been 
obtained,  and  would  continue  to  be  obtained,  by  the  American 
holder,  in  the  shape  of  a  premium  in  the  market,  and  this  with 
out  any  law  for  the  purpose,  except  the  law  of  commercial  ex- 
changes. Indeed,  it  was  from  this  very  premium  that  its  true 
value,  when  compared  with  silver,  was  obtained.  It  would  fa- 
cilitate ihe  gain  ol  tins  premium  by  the  holder  of  gold,  to  rai.-e 
ilu-  legal  value  of  gold  to  the  same  extent  or  thereabouts,  and 
to  this  extent  he  was  willii.g  to  go,  but  nut  beyond  it." 

The  new  coinage,  however,  was  commenced  on  the  1st 
inst.  as  we  learn  by  the  following  official  statement. 

NEW   COLD   COIN. 

Treasury  department,  August  2rf,  1834. 

The  annexed  letter  will  enable  the  public  readily  to  dislin- 
gui.-h  the  new  from  the  old  coins. 

As  the  date  could  not.  hy  law,  he  altered,  but  the  cap  and 
mono  might  be  legally  omitted,  and  would  serve  plainly  to  dis- 
tinguish the  new  impression,  that  course  has  been  adopted  at 
the  mint  till  the  commencement  of  the  next  year,  when  the 
motto  will  probably  be  restored,  and  the  dale  of  the  new  year, 
instead  of  the  omission  of  the  motto,  will  be  found  sufficient  to 
indicate  the  change  in  the  coin. 

Mint  oflhc  United  State's,  Philadelphia  1st  diif.  1834. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  department,  that  the  coin- 
age of  gold,  according  to  the  new  ratio  of  gold  and  silver,  com- 
menced this  morning,  being  the  earliest  day  permitted  by  the 
provisions  of  the  act. 

In  making  this  communication,  it  may  be  satisfactory  to  re- 
cur to  ihe   peculiarities  by  which  new  gold  coins  are  to  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  former  issues.   They  are  the  following: 
Or.  the  face,  the  new  coins  will  be  readily  distinguished  by  a 
head  of  liberty,  disencumbered  of  a  cap. 

On  Ihe  reverse,  the  surplus  motto  •'£  jiluritnis  nnnin,"  which 
for  many  years  has  occupied  a  portion  of  the  dUk  above  the 
eagle,  is  now  omitted. 

'hese  changes,  independently  of  the  facility  to  be  derived 
.....n  them,  to  distinguish  the  future  from  ihe  past  emission  of 
our  gold  coins,  are  recommended  by  a  nearer  adherence  t  >  the 
provisions  of  the  law,  as  well  as  hy  the  rules  of  taste  and  clas- 
sic auihoiity.  The  views  in  these  respects,  presented  in  my 
communication  of  the  9th  nil.  having  met  your  approbation, 
will,  I  doubt  not,  be  sustained  by  the  judgment  of  the  public. 

In  regard  to  the  omission  of  the  motto  above  referred  to,  the 
same  improvement  w.is  introduced  in  Ihe  (jnarter  clollai  in  1831, 
the  subject  having,  by  communication  of  the  29ih  January  of 
that  year,  been  snbmitted  to  the  president,  through  the  depart- 
ment, and  approved. 

The  eaale  of  the  former  issues  weighs  270  grains,  the  half 
•agles  135  tjrains,  and  the  quarter  67^  grains.  The  eagle  under 
the  present  la  w,  will  weigh  258  grains,  the  half  eagle  129  grain*, 
•Hid  the  quarter  64i  grains.  These  weights  are  recited  because 
desirable  to  be  kept  in  mind,  ralher  than  as  affordina  a  farther 
criterion  of  distinction  between  the  two  classes  of  coins — since 
in  inspection,  much  more  cursory  than  that  of  weighing,  will 
distinguish  them  by  the  preceding  characteristics. 

The  eagle  and  half  eaale  of  the  new  coinage  will  be  less  in 
diameter  than  those  of  the  former  emissions,  and  that  in  a  great- 
er proportion  than  the  diminution  of  weight  would  indicate. 
This  however,  though  n  decided  amendment  of  our  coinage,  ia 
of  less  value  as  a  distinctive  mark,  since  the  comparison  would 
equire  the  presence  of  coin  of  both  classes. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  ser- 
ant,  SAMUEL  MOORE,  director  of  the  mint. 

Hon.  Levi  JVoodbury,  secretary  of  the  treasury. 

We  have  prepared,  and  expect  to  publish  next  week, 
he  aggregate  results,  and  by  states,  of  the  censuses  of 
790,  1800,  1810,  1820  and  1830,  to  shew,  at  once,  the 
ondition,  progress  and  location  of  the  population  of  the 
Jnited  States  and  the  territories,  accompanied  by  cer- 
ain  estimates  and  elucidatory  remarks.  A  good  deal  of 
^bor  has  been  expended  on  the  tables,  and  we  think  that 
ley  will  be  useful,  as  well  as  amusing,  to  many  of  our 
eaders,  if  they  will  take  the  trouble  to  examine  them. 

It  is  seen  with  regret  that  liberty  has  been  deprived  of 
er  cap,  and  that  the  words  "JE  phn-ibtis  itnutn"  are 
milled  on  ihe  new  gold  coins.  There  is  an  apparent 
urry  in  getting  oul  Ihese  coins,  as  there  was  in  the  pas- 
age  of  tn«  bills,  that  seems  rather  to  look  to  party 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


595 


politics  than  to  the  soundness  of  the  currency  of  (he  coun- 
try 5  and  all  sober  men  will  agree  that  nothing  of  this 
sort  should  he  done  "for effect. "  They  are  serious  mat- 
ters, and  ought  to  he  accomplished  with  great  delibera- 
tion. But  the  "misery"  is,  that  almost  every  thing  now 
runs  into  the  "politics  of  the  day."  Even  the  questions 
concerning  the  protection  of  national  industry  and  inter- 
nal improvements,  were  forced  into  personal  parly  mat- 
ters! 

We  believe  in  the  "right  of  instruction" — but  do  not 
believe  that  it  can  be  rightfully  used  on  ordinary  occa- 
sions, or  concerning  questions  that  belong  to  transient 
political  parties,  and  especially  with  respect  to  members 
of  the  senate  of  the  United  States — that  body,  by  its  con- 
struction and  constitution,  being  designed  not  to  resist 
the  public  opinion  clearly  ascertained,  but  to  preserve 
stability  in  the  measures  of  government,  and  balance 
party  ebullitions,  until  time  is  allowed  for  a  careful  con- 
sideration, or  re-consideration,  of  any  measure  or  pro- 
ject that  may  be  suddenly  entertained  by  an  apparent 
majority  of  the  people.  This  subject,  we  think,  is  wor- 
thy of  a  full  examination,  and,  perhaps,  we  shall  attempt 
to  give  it  one. 

Several  of  the  members  of  the  senate  were  elected, 
for  example,  as  decided  friends  of  the  bank  of  the  Unit- 
ed States.  Among  the  most  earnest  of  its  supporters  were 
the  senators  from  Pennsylvania,  unanimously  instructed 
to  stand  by  the  bank!  It  was  nearly  thus  also  with  the 
senators  from  New  Jersey,  and  others.  Is  the  whole 
policy  of  this  government,  on  great  national  questions, 
to  be  changed  as  accidental  changes  take  place  in  the  po- 
litics of  members  of  the  legislatures  of  the  states?  Messrs. 
Sprague,  Frelingliuysen  and  Southard,  for  instances, 
have  been  much  abused  because  not  yielding  obedience 
to  the  instructions  of  the  legislatures  of  Maine  and  New 
Jersey.  They  said  the  people  were  with  them;  and  if  it 
shall  appear  so,  at  the  elections  just  now  about  to  take 
place,  what  defence  will  be  offered  in  favor  of  the  right 
in  the  legislatures  named  to  instruct  these  gentlemen? 
And  we  shall  see  also  what  happens  as  to  senators  from 
other  states,  who  voted  for  or  against  the  bank.  Will 
some  of  the  latter,  elected  as  enemies  of  the  bank,  wheel 
about  on  a  change  of  the  political  character,  (if  it  hap- 
pens), of  their  respective  legislatures? 

But  we  cannot  do  more  at  present  than  suggest  these 
tilings  to  the  public  consideration.  We  have  thrown 
aside  a  large  collection  of  sayings  about  the  senate,  and 
intend  to  review  them.  "We  are  republicans  of  the 
school  of '98" — (in  which  school,  however,  many  errors 
were  committed  that  have  been,  by  republicans,  correct- 
ed)— but  we  are  not  for  tearing  every  thing  into  pieces — 
such  as  relate  to  the  judiciary,  the  tariff,  internal  im- 
provements, or  the  currency,  for  examples,  on  the  whim 
of  tlie  moment.  A  child  may  destroy  in  one  hour,  (by 
fire),  a  property  that  it  will  cost  the  labor  of  100,  or  1,000 
men  a  whole  ytar  to  renew  or  replace. 

The  president  of  the  United  States  made  his  journey 
home,  very  quietly — but  at  Nashville,  preparations  had 
been  made  to  give  him  a  public  reception.  There  are 
several  reports  that  he  is  in  bad  health,  greatly  emaciat- 
ed and  worn  down,  and  it  is  added  that  he  was  compel- 
led to  slop  several  days  on  his  journey. 

Mr.  Clay  has  reached  his  farm,  in  Kentucky,  in  high 
health  and  good  spirits.  It  surely  must  be  pleasant  to 
public  men  to  retire  into  the  sweets  of  private  life  and  of 
home,  and  there  recruit  themselves. 

Mr.  Sprague,  one  of  the  senators  from  Maine,  having 
been  received  on  his  return  home  by  large  bodies  of  his 
fellow  citizens,  and  congratulated  at  several  places,  has 
been  nominated  as  the  "whig"  candidate  for  governor, 
at  the  election  to  be  held  next  month.  The  convention 
by  which  he  was  nominated  is  said  to  have  consisted  of 
between  2,000  and  3,000  persons!  It  was  expected  that 
gen.  King,  who  was  president  of  this  multitude,  would 
have  been  nominated — hut  he  declined,  for  reasons  given 
on  the  occasion.  Gen.  King  has  been  governor  of  Maine 
— and  the  ex-governors Huntnon  and  Smith,  were  also  pre- 
sent at  this  convention.  The  three  had  been  elected  by 
the  "Jackson  party"  in  Maine. 


The  regular  elections  in  Louisiana,  Kentucky,  Missis- 
sippi, Alabama,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Tennessee 
and  N.  Carolina,  have  already,  we  believe,  been  held — 
and  those  of  Khode  Island  will  be  held  in  the  present 
month — but  only  the  result  in  the  first  named  state  is 
known:  those  in  Vermont  and  Maine  will  be  held  i-wrly 
in  September;  those  of  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  ])<-!- 
awiire,  Maryland,  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Ohio, 
in  October:  those  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York  in 
November,  and  those  of  New  Hampshire,  Connecticut 
and  Virginia  are  to  be  held  in  the  spring. 

Some  very  extraordinary  agreements  and  correspon- 
dences have  taken  place  betwe(  n  the  rival  candidates  for 
governor  of  Indiana,  Messrs.  N.  Noble,  and  J.  G.  Read. 
They  entered  into  written  articles  as  to  the  times  and 
counties  that  they  would  visit  for  electioneering  purposes, 
which  the  latter  is  charged  with  having  violated,  ice.  At 
some  places,  the  parties  were  to  address  the  people,  at 
others  they  were  not.  This  shows  a  practice 

"More  honored  in  (lie  breach  than  the  observance;" 
and  gives  important  advantages  to  one  person  who  is  the 
best  talker,  over  another  who  may  be,  by  far,  the  best 
thinker  and  doer.  Young  lawyers,  with  brazen  fronts 
and  loud  voices,  might  thus  put  such  men  as  were  Wash- 
ington and  Franklin  to  shame — before  the  people! 


cal  economy,  &c.  in  the  college  of  William  and  Mary,  at 
Williamsburgh,  Va. 

The  subject  is  ably  handled,  and  abounds  with  refer- 
ences to  facts  and  principles,  of  which  it  may  be  said— 
"Indocti  discant,  et  ament  memitiisse  periti." 

Professor  Dew  takes  a  bold  and  strong  ground  against 
the  usury  laws,  notwithstanding  the  antiquity  and  gene- 
ral adoption  of  them.  He  regards  money  as  merchan- 
dise, which  every  man  has  a  right  to  sell  or  purchase  on 
terms  that  are  agreeable  to  himself,  or  as  shall  appear 
profitable  to  him  in  the  acquisition  of  something  by  the 
use  of  money — or  the  retention  of  some  other  thing, 
which,  for  the  want  of  money,  he  may  be  suddenly  or 
injuriously  deprived  of.  We  think  that  this  is  the  truu 
doctrine  on  the  subject.  "Money,"  whether  in  coin  or 
credit,  has  the  same  natural  relation  as  to  price  as  corn 
or  cotton.  The  new  eagles,  unless  worth  10  dollars  in 
silver,  will  not  be  generally  exchanged  for  ten  silver  dol- 
lars; nor,  in  the  same  case,  will  ten  bushels  of  wheat, 
worth  one  silver  dollar  per  bushel,  be  sold  for  a  gold  ea- 
gle. So  with  credits, and  especially  in  the  shape  of  bank 
notes,  on  which,  with  the  exception  of  those  issued  by 
the  bank  of  the  United  States,  there  is  a  continually  ope- 
rating tariff — and  these,  also,  in  many  places,  on  ac- 
count of  the  greater  security  in  them,  or  much  reduced 
costs  of  transportations,  are  worth  one  or  two  per  cent, 
more  than  the  legal  coins  of  the  country,  being,  like 
coin,  articles  of  merchandise — and  hereirj  the  principle 
of  usury  is  as  clearly  manifested  as  in  charging  7  or  8 
per  cent,  on  loans,  when  the  legal  rate  is  only  6  per  cent. 
But  no  one  will  pay  such  premium  on  bills  of  the  bank 
of  the  U.  S.  unless  believed  profitable;  and  so  the  rate  of 
interest  on  money,  as  Mr.  Dew  contends,  ought  to  be  set- 
tled by  contract,  though,  in  the  absence  of  a  contract,  the 
legal  rate  should  be  utetl  in  adjustments  between  lenders 
and  borrowers  of  money,  the  value,  or  rent,  of  which  as 
much  depends  on  supply  and  demand  as  the  value  of 
cod  fish  or  tobacco;  and  persons  who  think  that  they  can 
make  or  save  20  per  cent,  on  money  borrowed  at  10  per 
cent,  should  not  be  prevented,  anjr  more  than  others 
who,  thinking  that  they  foresee  a  rise  in  the  market, 
should  be  forbidden  to  give  high  prices  for  corn  or  cot- 
ton. 

These  remarks,  however,  will  not  extend  to  that  class 
of  money-lenders  who  are  generally  called  "shavers"— 
and  especially  such  as  use  certain  means,  public  or  pri- 
vate, to  produce  a  scarcity  of  money  that  they  may  prey 
upon  those  who  need  it. 

The  professor  thinks  that  "bank  interest  should  con- 
form to  the  ordinary  market  rate"  of  interest,  and  he 
argues  the  subject  well.  The  market  rate  of  interest, 
we  understand  to  be  that  which  is  established  by  law,  as 
a  general  rule;  but,  as  he  shews,  this  rate  is  12$  per  cent. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


in  Illinois,  10  in  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Indiana  and 
Missouri,  8  in  Alabama,  "  in  New  York,  and  6  in  the 
test  of  the  states — whence  the  right  to  limit  the  bank  of 
the  United  States  to  6  per  cent,  in  all  cases,  or  even  to 


five,  as  suggested  by 


per  cent 
Messrs. 


Calhoun  and  Forsylh,  in 


And  there 
and 


the  senate  ?     Why  should  not  the  local  laws  be  observed 
as  fixing  the  "market  rale"  for  the  bank?     In  some  pla- 
ces, and  at  certain  times,  the  real  market  rate  is  below  the 
legal  rate,  and  high  premiums  having  been  paid  for  five  per 
cent,  stocks  —  at  others,  the  real  market  rate  is  far  above 
the  legal   rate—  as  it  recently  was  in  all  parts  of  the 
union,  until,  by  restrained  expenditures  and  new  enter- 
prises, the  demand   for  money  was  much  and  severely 
lessened,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  persons  are  more 
or  less  embarrassed,  being  deprived  of  their  ordinary 
means.     "Much  might  be  said  on  both  sides."     But,  it 
banks  become  possessed  of  certain  rights  or  privileges 
by  acts  of  incorporation,  the  power  to  grant  them  a  char- 
ter may  be  rightfully  exerted  to  prescribe  its  conditions 
and  the  party  accepting  must  abide  by  them;  and  we 
agree  that  corporations  should  be  restrained.     And  tL~ 
is  also  this  important  result  in  them,  if  honestly 
carefully  managed—  they  do   much   to   fix   the  general 
market  value  of  money,  whether  above  or  below  the  le- 
gal limit  of  interest  that  may  be  demanded,  though  they 
cannot,  at  all  times,  control  "it  —  for  banks,  like  individu- 
als, have  sometimes  a  surplus,  and  at  others  a  deficiency 
of  means. 

The  pamphlet  before  us  contains  24  large  octavo 
pages,  and  is  a  valuable  acquisition  to  those  who  wish  to 
investigate  the  expediency  of  the  laws  against  usury  — 
the  practical,  as  well  as  the  moral  effects  of  which  are 
fully  considered  by  Mr.  Dew. 

Mr.  JF/iiltlesey,  of  Ohio,  who  never  speaks  in  congress 
"until  he  has  something  to  say,"  and  then  always  speaks 
to  the  purpose,  when  the  harbor  bill  was  before  the 
house  of  representatives,  among  other  interesting  mat- 
ters, presented  a  table  shewing  the  commerce  and  navi- 
gation of  the  port  of  Cleaveland,  on  Lake  Erie,  for  9 
vears  —  to  wit:  from  1825  to  1833,  inclusive,  as  follows, 
made  up  from  the  returns  ot  the  collector  of  the  port. 


Number  of  vessels  arrived  with 
cargoes. 


___  _ 
Number  of  vessels  cleared  witk 


S  &  ££  St  0»^Ci9  JO  ID 

Aggregate  tonnage  of  vessels  ar- 
rived tctt/i  cargoes. 

CT'XOTocc-—  —  t*:^s 

O(S«^4CCOO  —  C,'O 

g&^woo^cowic 

Aggregate  tonnage  of  vessels 
cleared  with  cargoes. 

Otw^COOOO&tO 

i£».OO—  ItOCOwTOO 

Value  of  merchandise  exported 
coast  vise. 

IllSllial 

ocw     Value  of  merchandise  imported 

^-iw,  .    •'. 

,  -v-™        coastwise. 


BSf  «p  ie  «<  *C  .fc*-i 


Number  of  vessels  arrived  from 
foreign  ports. 


1  Number  of  vessels  cleared  for  Jo- 
reign  ports. 


_C3J- 

"oilo  co      to  to  1.1  ccfifc 

O  —  -  1  O  ~*  .t.  -»  --»  OS 

O  CO  <O  !C  0  i/Mi  —  =. 

Value  of  foreign  imports. 

JScn^fc.  _>-. 

*O^^l       *•&• 
OO  OB        -I 

5  S  Jk     u< 

Value  of  foreign  exports. 

-IO*.K>    Number  of  steamboat  arrivals. 

O~*O»-    I 

iJKO     Number  of  steamboat  clearances. 

* 


1  —  05  CO  0  -I 


Total  number  of  arrival*,  includ- 
ti»«  steamboats. 


It  is  as  well  the  progress  of  internal  improvement,  a* 
of  population, -which  has  caused  these  wonderful  results 
— and  thus  will  go  on  yet  more  to  astonish  us,  unless 
obstructed  by  some  great  national  calamity. 

Mr.  W.  gave  the  following  as  the  gross  amount  of 
money  that  had  been  expended  in  the  harbors  of  Ohio: 

Cleaveland,  §34,235  56;  Grand  river,  $29,598  29;  Black  river, 
$35,734  77;  Huron  river,  $22,208  71;  Ashlabula,  $35,558  75; 
Conneaut,  §24,810  65;  Cunningham  creek,  $6,956  00.  Aggre- 
gate amount,  $189,10-2  73. 

A  small  sum,  indeed,  for  such  important  purposes. 

Air.  Ihmng,  one  of  the  senators  of  the  United  States 
from  Ohio,  on  his  return  to  Columbus,  partook  of  A  pub- 
lic dinner  given  by  a  large  party  of  his  friends,  at  which 
the  following  regular  toasts  were  drank: 

The  senate  of  tile  United  States — It  "stood  between  the  liv- 
ins  and  the  dend,  and  the  plague  was  stayed." 

The  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  States — A  tittle    - 
reform  would  he  a  great  improvement. 

Our  distinguished  guest,  the  lion.  Thomas  Ewing— The  intel- 
ligent representative  of  the  state  and  of  th«  people  of  Ohio — he 
has  proved  himself  entirely  worthy  of  his  high  trust.  [Called 
for.  and  drank  a  second  time.] 

The  post  office  department — an  Augean  stable,  which  re<- 
quire?,  to  cleanse  it,  the  power  of  a  second  Hercules. 

And  with  reference  to  the  last  toast,  and  in  allusion  to 
the  abuse  that  has  been  heaped  upon  Mr.  Etving,  he- 
cause  that  he  is  a  "self-made  man,"  having  paid  for  bis- 
own  education  by  the  labor  of  his  own  hands,  the  follow- 
ing volunteer  was  given — 

The  Ohio  hostler — He  has  dug  deep  into  the  filth  of  the  w?u- 
gean  stables,  and  curried  well  the  senatorial  stud  of  the  nragi- 
cian— let  him  "j;o  ahead." 
And  also  this — 

By  Jl.  Kelley,  president.  The  people  of  the  state  of  Ohio — 
they  will  correctly  instruct  those  who  incorrectly  instructed 
their  representatives  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States. 

A  public  dinner  was  recently  given  to  Mr.  Tyler,  of  the 
senate,  at  Norfolk.  The  following  are  some  of  the  toasts 
given  on  that  occasion: 

The  senate  of  the  U.  S.— Health,  happiness  and  fame  to  th« 
senators  who  exposed  and  defeated  the  reckless  efforts  of  a 
wilful  executive,  and  of  parasites  and  retainers  to  reduce  it  to 
subserviency. 

President  Jackson's  proclamation  and  protest — Designed  as 
commentaries  on  the  constitution — They  are  at  war  with  'the 
instrument,  and  the  voice  of  a  people  jeatoos  of  their  rights, 
will  pronounce  their  condemnation. 

Martin  Van  Buren — "Uncompromising  hostility  to  his  ad- 
vancement: the  honor  and  interest  of  the  country  demand  it."* 

At  a  late  party  convention  held  at  Haverhill,  out  of 
twelve  delegates  from  Newburyport,  eight  were  custom 
house  officers,  holding  eleven  distinct  offices. 

Mr.  Surges,  of  the  house  of  representatives,  is  spoken 
of  as  the  anti-Jackson  candidate  for  the  senate  of  the  U. 
States,  from  Rhode  Island,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Knight, 
whose  period  of  service  will  expire  on  the  3d  of  March 
next,  who  does  not  wish  a  re-election.  If  it  shall  so 
happen — Mr.  Surges  will  be  much  missed,  by  friend  and 
by  foe,  in  the  house,  as  one  of  the  ablest  debaters  that 
ever  it  contained.  It  is  not  know  n,  however,  that  he  de- 
sires the  exchange  of  seats. 

It  may  he  mentioned  as  a  curious  incident  in  the  con- 
flicts of  party  politics,  that  the  celebrated  gen  Root,  ac- 
cidentally in  the  city  of  New  York,  being  invited,  attend- 
ed a  great  meeting  of  "whig"  young  men,  at  which,  and 
with  great  severity,  he  denounced  the  general  and  state 
administrations.  From  four  to  five  thousand  persons 
were  present  at  the  meeting  alluded  to. 

There  is  a  report  that  Mr.  Barry  is  about  to  resign 
the  place  of  postmaster  general,  and  also  that  col.  K. 
M.  Johnson,  of  Kentucky,  or  col.  Jlbram  Elanding,  of 
South  Carolina,  will  be  his  successor. 

The  Gloucester  (Mass. )  Telegraph,  like  many  other 
newspapers,  has  lately  changed  its  political  flag,  and  says 


Total  amount  of  tonnage  arriv- 
ed, including  steamboats. 


Mr.  Van  Buren  transmitted  the  following  toast  to  a  4th  of  July 
party  at  Frcderioksbiirf;h — 

By  the  hon.  Martin  Van  Buren — Unqualified  and  uncompro- 
mising oppotilion  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States — the  interest 
I  and  honor  of  the  people  demand  it. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


397 


that,  in  consequence,  "the  collector  of  the  customs  for  the 
district  of  Gloucester,  has  not  only  taken  from  us  his  pa- 
tronage, but  has  denied  us  the  privilege  of  copying  from 
his  books,  the  names  of  the  vessels  reported  by  the 
boarding  officer." 

If  the  fact  stated  is  true,  Mr.  Beach,  the  collector, 
has,  indeed,  "gone  the  whole."  Such  a  "punishment" 
was  never  before  thought  of,  and  he  should  get  a  patent 
tor  it,  at  once. 

The  Mississippi  state  convention  has  appointed  25  de- 
legates to  a  convention  to  be  held  in  Baltimore,  in  the 
ensuing  autumn,  to  nominate  (Mr.  Van  Buren,  we  sup- 
pose, )  the  successor  of  president  Jackson.  Of  the  '25, 
there  are  four  generals,  eight  colonels,  three  majors,  six 
esquires,  and  only  one  Mr.  The  number  of  those  who 
hold  offices  of  profit  is  not  stated. 

We  have  published  the  general  report  of  the  visitors 
of  the  military  academy,  at  West  Point.  There  are  se- 
veral papers  appended,  on  particular  subjects,  that  we  do 
not  think  it  necessary  to  insert.  It  may  be  mentioned, 
however,  that  to  most  of  these  is  attached  some  sort  of  a 
"protest"  by  one  or  two  individuals,  who  knew  more 
about  the  rightfulness  of  the  establishment  and  of  the  in- 
terests of  the  academy,  than  all  the  rest  of  the  board ! 

It  is  earnestly  to  be  wished  that  our  merchants,  and 
other  dealers  in  exchange,  would  alter  the  lerms  in 
which  their  sales  or  purchases  are  made.  The  old  false 
par  of  exchange  with  London,  as  established  by  laws  of 
the  United  States,  was  444  cents  the  £  sterling — and  the 
universal  practice  was  to  sell  or  buy  bills  at  sucli  and 
such  an  advance  or  discount  on  this  arbitrary  value — the 
real  average  par  being  8  or  9  per  cent,  fibove  it.  But 
now,  as  our  legal  value  of  the  £  sterling  is  placed  at  480 
cents,  why  not  sell  exchanges  by  so  many  cents  to  the 
pound  sterling?  The  people,  in  their  small  dealings, 
have  4£  pennies,  their  fippenny  bits,  and  six  pences,  &c. 
according  to  the  old  currencies  in  the  several  states,  and 
will  long  have  them;  but  with  the  merchants  the  reform 
proposed  may  be  easily  made,  and  every  body  interested 
understands  it,  or  may  understand  it,  in  10  minutes.  In 
addition  to  there  being  something  national  in  this  mallei-, 
the  calculations  are  much  more  easily  made. 

The  last  year's  export  of  cotton  was  the  heaviest  ever 
made  from  the  United  States,  but  the  current  year, 
(commencing  on  the  1st  October,  1833),  will  probably  be 
much  heavier. 

From  Oct.  1,  1832  to  July  26,  1833,  there  were  ex- 
ported from  Charleston  21,788  bales  sea  island  and 
168,598  upland — 'together  190,386  bales;  but  from  Oct. 
1,  1833,  to  26th  July,  1834,  17,190  bales  sea  island,  and 
222,061  upland — together  239, 851  bales — increase  49,465 
bales.  There  may  be  a  falling  oft" at  other  ports. 

The  Charleston  paper  has  also  another  table  shewing 
that,  in  the  lime  above  given,  in  the  last  year,  276,531 
bales  of  cotton  were  sent  from  the  southern  to  the  north- 
ern ports — but  only  240,621  bales  in  the  current  year, 
same  time — decrease  36,000  bales.  This  decrease,  how- 
ever, may  either  show  an  altered  course  of  trade  or  a  di- 
minished domestic  consumption,  but  is  not  conclusive  as 
to  either — though  a  reduced  consumption  has  probably 
happened,  notwithstanding  the  many  new  and  large  col- 
ton  mills  which  were  prepared  for  operation  in  the  pros- 
perous years  of  1852  and  1833,  and  the  new  demands  of 
a  rapidly  increasing  population. 

From  what  we  see  stated,  our  products  of  cotton  are 
still  rapidly  advancing,  and  may  soon  be  expected  to 
amount  to  1,500,000  bales — and  yet  the  price  is  a  rather 
high  one!  We  were  of  those  who  thought  that  there 
would  soon  be  an  end  to  its  increa&ril  production — plac- 
ing some  limits  to  the  progress  of  scientific  power,  as 
applied  to  its  manufacture.  We  still  think  that  the 
price  must  decline;  but  the  quantity  required  seems  yet 
without  bounds,  the  reduced  and  reducing'  cost  of  cotton 
fabrics  continually  adding  to  the  consumption  of  the 
material.  The  inhabitants  of  the  earth  owe  more  of 
their  comforts  to  a  humble  Yankee  schoolmaster,  Jf'/u't- 
ney,  the  inventor  of  the  cotton  gin,  and  an  English  bar- 
ber, Jlrktvright,  the  inventor  of  the  spinning  jenny,  than 


to  all  the  mere  conquerors  that  the  world  has  seen.  Yet, 
in  the  doctrines  of  Cobttett,  the  first  should  have  remained 
a  ploughman  on  his  father's  farm  and  the  other  been 
content  with  shaving  oft'  men's  beards.  Cobbett  has 
some  disciples  in  the  United  States.  One  of  the  strong, 
est  minded  and  most  useful  members  of  our  senate,  and 
one  of  the  most  unassuming  gentlemen  to  be  met  with, 
is  called  the  " Ohio  hustler, "  by  persons  produced,  per- 
haps, in  the  foulest  sources  of  population,  and  "raised" 
in  so  great  obscurity  that  nobody  knows  more  of  them 
than  their  present  prostitutions,  or  will  remember  them 
after  they  shall  be  "used  up"  in  the  filthy  purposes  to 
which  they  are  assigned.  And  what  may  not  be  said  of 
Mr.  Cobbett  himself,  in  these  respects? 

Oliver  Evans  prophesied  that  the  time  would  come 
when  steam  engines  would  be  used  for  the  common  pur- 
poses of  housewifery,  and  that  there  would  be  one  in 
every  large  establishment,  for  washing  clothes,  scrubbing 
floors,  churning  butter,  and  other  purposes!  And  the 
New  York  Times  says — 

Small  portable  steam  engines,  three  feet  square,  liave  hten 
invented,  which,  at  an  expense  of  a  lender  and  one  hundred 
weight  of  coals  per  day,  lift  two  tons  and  a  half  of  brick  and 
mortar  daily,  to  the  height  of  a  four  story  building.  The  whol* 
apparatus  can  be  carried  on  a  cart. 

A  Poughkeepsie  paper  of  July  30,  says — 
An  eastern  manufacturer  recently  purchased  the  fleeces  of 
the  superfine  flock  of  Saxony  sheep  belonging  to  Henry  Swift, 
esq.  of  our  village,  at,  as  we  understand,  75,  cents,  and  other 
inferior  lots  of  Saxony  have  been  sold  at  55  to  62J  cents.  Me- 
rino and  lower  grades  are  still  neglected.  The  demand  is  steady 
and  to  manufacturers  only.  Large  shipments  ure  now  being 
made  for  the  east. 

A  law  having  heen  passed  in  Tennessee  against  gam- 
bling, making  the  exhibition  of  the  game  of  faro  punisha- 
ble by  fine  and  imprisonment  in  the  penitentiary — it  wag 
attempted  to  avoid  the  law  by  making  some  changes  in  the 
game,  and  calling  it  "forty-eight."  The  courts  have 
ruled  that  it  is  the  same  game,  in  the  meaning  of  the 
statute,  and  sentenced  a  person  accordingly  to  tw  o  years 
confinement. 

About  204,000  tons  of  coal  had  arrived  by  way  of  the 
Schuylkill  and  Delaware,  in  the  present  year,  up  to  the 
1st  August,  or  75,000  tons  less  than  at  the  same  time 
last  year;  and  the  stock  on  hand  at  Philadelphia  is  heavy. 

Balloons  must  soon  lose  all  pretensions  to  novelty  in 
our  cities,  so  numerous  are  candidates  for  fame — in 
rising. 

Mr.  *Ash,  of  Baltimore,  made  a  beautiful  ascension  in 
his  balloon,  from  Analostin  island,  in  the  District  of  Co. 
lumbia,  on  the  30lh  inst.  in  the  presence  of  many  thou- 
sand spectators. 

And  Mr.  Durant  made  one  at  Boston  in  the  evening  of 
ihe  31st  ult.  He  ascended  a  mile  and  a  half,  and  travel- 
led 30  miles,  in  a  direct  line,  in  1A.  10w».  and  fell  into 
the  sea  10  miles  from  Marblehead,  where  he  was  happi- 
ly picked  up  by  a  schooner,  soon  after  his  descent.  It  is 
supposed  that  from  20  to  30,000  persons  were  present  to 
witness  his  ascension. 

Mr.  Parker,  also,  made  a  second  ascent  from  Fair 
Mount,  Baltimore,  on  Wednesday  afternoon,  accompa- 
nied by  a  young  lady.*  He  rose  to  a  great  height  over 
the  city,  and  the  upper  current  of  air  carried  him  south 
some  distance  below  Fort  MeHenry,  when,  having  de- 
scended, he  met  with  another  current  of  air  which  carried 
him  north;  but  the  balloon  having  lost  much  of  its  ascen- 
sive  power,  fell  until  the  car  touched  the  water  of  the  ri- 
ver, in  the  ship  channel,  between  the  fort  and  Fell's  Point. 
Many  boats  were  immediately  at  hand — hut  the  young 
lady  being  taken  from  the  car,  it  was  so  managed,  by 
ropes,  that  the  balloon,  yet  inflated,  with  Mr.  Parker  in 
his  place,  was  towed  over  the  tops  of  the  houses,  to  Fair 
Mount,  from  whence  it  started.  This  balloon,  soon  af- 
ter its  ascent,  took  a  rotary  motion,  am}  continued  it  for 

*The  one  originally  designed  to  ascend,  was  toq  heavy — ilia 
heat  of  the  weather,  or  something  else,  having  prevented  Ihe  ac- 
quisition of  tlie  osci'nsive  power  desired — and  she  reluctantly  re- 
Fi«iH-d  her  place  to  a  young  girl,  who  waved  her  flag  without 
seeming  apprehension  of  the  danger  to  which  she  was  exposed, 


398 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


a  considerable  time.     It  was  a  grand   exhibition — but 
such  things  are  not  new  to  us. 

The  supreme  court  of  errors,  at  Brooklyn,  Connecti- 
cut, has  decided  that  a  certain  law  of  that  state  is  consti- 
tutional, inasmuch  as  blacks  are  not  citizens  within  the 
meaning  of  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
jurv  returned  a  verdict  against  Miss  Crandatl,  on  account 
'of  her  school,  &c.  The  defendant's  counsel,  however, 
filed  a  hill  of  exceptions,  and  the  case  lies  over  for  fur- 
ther argument. 

We  have  more  than  once  mentioned  Mr.  Burden's 
steamboat,  and  regret  to  hear  th:tt,  just  when  the  value  of 
his  invention  was  about  to  he  fairly  tested,  she  has  been 
•wrecked— 

We  are  sorry  to  learn,  pays  the  Albany  Evening  Journal,  that 
the  injury  to  Air.  Hurden's  steamboat  is  more  serious  than  we 
supposed  yesterday.  Both  cylinders  are  entirely  destroyed 
Tlie  loss,  we  understand,  will  not  fall  below  $25,000.  Nor  did 
tbe  accident  occur  as  we  first  heard.  The  channel  was  ob- 
structed by  vessels,  between  one  of  which,  and  (lie  dam.  tin: 
boat  had  to  pa?s.  Finding  the  passage  too  narrow,  the  pilot 
first  rang  his  bell  to  "slop  her,"  and  then  to  "go  back."  The 
last  bell"  the  engineer  mistook  for  one  to  "go  a  head,"  which 
brought  her  up  on  the  darn. 

Mr.  Wilde  in  a  late  speech,  quoting  from  some  friend 
says — "Putting  down  corruption  by  employing  state 
hanks  in  the  place  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  is 
like  promoting  temperance  by  establishing  five  hundred 
grog  shops  in  place  of  one  wholesale  grocery."  [Jlug.  Set. 

Mr.  Tipton,  of  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  has  ad- 
dressed the  people  of  Indiana,  at  considerable  length,  on 
the  state  of  public  affairs,  from  which  the  following  is 
extracted: 

"A  bill  passed  both  houses  of  congress  appropriating  money 
to  improve  the  navigation  of  the  Wabash  river,  lint  to  this  bill, 
go  important  to  Indiana  and  Illinois,  the  president  ol  the  United 
States  has  seen  fit  to  refuse  his  sanction.  This  extraordinary 
procedure  is,  in  my  opinion,  irreconcilcahle  with  his  approval 
of  bills  for  improving  the  navigation  of  the  Cumberland  and  the 
Hudson  rivers,  unless  the  advocates  of  this  policy  seek  to  shel- 
ter themselves  by  claiming  more  for  rivers  watering  the  states 
«f  Tennessee  and  New  York  than  they  are  willing  to  allow  to 
the  rivers  of  Indiana  and  Illinois. 

"This  is  a  subject  that  addresses  itself  to  the  sober  senses  of 
every  man  in  the  community,  who  takes  any  interest  in  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  west.  The  people  of  Indiana 
would  do  well  upon  nil  future  occasions  to  pause  before  they 
lend  a  blind  support  to  men  of  doubtful  politics;  for  if  we  give 
up  internal  improvements, a  pratective  tariff,  and  the  regulation 
of  the  currency,  what  is  left  us  worth  contending  for? 

"Had  the  bill  for  improving  the  Wabash  become  a  law,  we 
could  truly  have  said  that  more  had  been  done  for  Indiana  this 
year,  than  during  any  former  session  of  congress,  excepting, 
perhaps,  that  of  1826-7,  when  the  grant  of  land  was  obtained  for 
our  canal.  Its  failure  is  in  no  wise  attributable  to  inattention 
t>r  want  of  exertion  on  the  part  of  your  delegation,  and  must  be 
deeply  deplored  by  every  friend  of  the  slate. 

"Let  us  not  despair,  however,  of  ultimate  success  in  our 
laudable  undertakings  to  improve  our  country  by  constructing 
canals  and  removing  obstructions  to  the  navigation  of. our  rivers. 
We  have  commenced  and  .have  a  right  to  look  for  aid  from  the 
general  government,  and  the  opposition  of  no  one  individual, 
however  elevated  he  may  be,  can  long  resist  the  will  of  the 
freemen  of  the  west,  when  expressed  through  the  ballot  boxes. 
Tour  most  obedient  servant,  JOHN  TIPTON." 

The  line  between  constitutional  and  unconstitutional 
appropriations  of  money  for  making  public  improve- 
ments, has  been  so  finely  drawn,  in  latter  years,  that  we 
know  not  where  it  lies.  The  Hudson  being  a  tide-water 
stream,  perhaps,  may  not  stand  precisely  in  the  same 
case  as  the  Wabash — but  it  is  difficult  to  say  in  what  re- 
•peet  the  character  of  the  Wabash  differs  from  that  of  the 
Cumberland!  And  if  tide-water  works  such  great  dis- 
tinction, no  claims  for  appropriations  should  he  prefer- 
red on  behalf  of  the  mighty  rivers  of  the  west!  To  them 
the  decree  of  the  council  of  Castile  may  be  applied — "if 
God  had  intended  that  they  should  be  navigated,  he  would 
himself  have  made  them  navigable!" 

The  New  York  Star  announces  the  death  of  judge 
JOHXSO*,  of  South  Carolina,  at  Brooklyn,  on  Monday, 
under  the  following  circumstanced: 

H«  had  arrived  h«>re  some  week.  Han,  for  the  ptirpo«e  of  pla- 
cing hinuelf  under  the  charge  of  an  eminent  medical  practition- 


er of  this  city,  having  for  some  time  suffered  with  an  affection 
of  the  jaw,  to  eradicate  which  it  required  he  should  undergo 
the  most  painful  sHrgical  operation.  Dr.  Mott,  of  this  city, 
w;i.-  M  lected  for  the  purpose,  who  expressed  his  opinion  of  the 
inability  of  UM;  judge  to  survive  the  operation.  With  a  know- 
lege  of  the  expression  of  the  surgeon,  he  still  determined  up- 
on placing  himself  under  his  hands;  and  without,  the  aid  of 
friends,  or  being  bound,  he  submitted,  with  the  utmost  fortitude 
and  calmnrs.s,  to  the  most  excruciating  tortures;  but  in  Iho 
course  of  half  nn  hour  niter  the  completion  of  the  doctor's  la- 
bors, he  died  of  exhaustion,  produced  by  the  sudden  re  action 
of  the  nerves,  which  had  been  excited  to  their  utmost  power  in 
houyiue  up  his  mind  throughout  the  whole  of  the  opeiation. 
The  judge  was  in  his  C4th  year,  and  was  an  associate  justice  of 
the.  supreme  court  of  the  United  States. 

The  remains  of  judge  Johnson  were  interred  with  the 
highest  marks  of  respect. 

Died,  at  his  residence  near  Lawreneebnrgh,  Indiana, 
on  the  2"th  ult.  col.  ZebitJon  Pike,  aged  83  years.  He 
was  a  brave  captain  in  many  of  the  battles  of  the  revolu- 
tion, a  colonel  in  St.  Clair's  expedition  against  the  In- 
dians, and  father  of  gen.  Pike,  killed  at  York,  in  the  last 
war — and  one  of  the  benefactors  of  mankind. 

Several  horrid  accidents  have  lately  happened  by  the 
use  of  the  spirit  gas  lamps.  We  do  not  much  deal  in 
"tales  of  terror" — but  the  following  narrative,  from  the 
"New  York  Courier"  of  Monday  last,  is  inserted  at 
length,  by  way  of  record,  and  as  a  fearful  caution. 

On  Saturday  night,  between  the  hours  of  12  and  1,  Mr.  John 
Signer,  grocer,  of  161  Anthony  street,  having  closed  his  store 
took  a  small  lamp  which  was  burning,  to  replenish  it  with  that 
highly  dangerous  ami  inflammable  liquor  composed  ofalchohol 
and  spirits  of  turpentine.  Having  unscrewed  the  top  of  the 
lamp,  he  laid  the  wick  still  burning  on  the  counter,  and  brought 
the  can  containing  nearly  a  gallon  of  tbe  compound,  from  winch 
he  attempted  to  pour  a  quantity  into  the  lamp. 

In  an  instant  the  flame  from  the  wick  communicated  with 
the  liquor  which  caused  the  can  to  explode,  and  covered  the 
unfortunate  man  with  its  burning  contents.  His  wife  on  hear- 
ing his  cries  hastened  to  his  assistance,  and  in  a  moment  was 
also  wrapt  in  flames  from  head  to  foot.  A  young  woman  living 
with  them,  named  Eliza  Reynoldson,  was  in  the  store  at  the 
moment  of  the  explosion,  and  endeavored  to  extinguish  tbe 
flames,  but  her  own  dress  having  caught  fire,  she  was  FO  badly 
burnt  that  she  will  probably  lose  the  use  ofone  of  her  eyes. 

Except  two  infant  children,  there  were  no  other  persons  in  the 
house,  and  the  whole  family  would  have  been  burnt  to  death 
had  not  a  young  man  named  James,  a  pilot,  who  was  passing 
at  the  time,  and  heard  the  shrieks  of  the  sufferers,  burst  open 
the  door,  and  rushing  in,  smothered  the  blaze  on  the  dress  of 
the  servant  girl. 

Mrs.  Pigner  ran  into  the  street  with  her  clothes  burning,  and 
fell  down  screaming  on  the  side  walk.  One  or  two  persons 
came  to  her  assistance,  and  wrapped  a  blanket  and  other  bed 
coverings  about  her  person,  all  of  which  were  literally  burned 
through  before  the  flames  were  completely  extinguished. 

Mr.  Signer,  maddened  with  agony,  ran  to  a  water  butt  at  the 
back  of  the  yard,  into  which  he  plunged.  During  all  the  time 
he  was  in  flames  he  never  uttered  a  groan,  until  his  clothes 
were  lorn  off  his  body,  and  the  fire  smothered.  He  then  sunk 
down,  exclaiming,  "Oh  God!  I  am  a  done  man."  The  poor 
sufferers  were  taken  and  laid  on  a  bed,  where  they  received 
every  attention  that  medical  skill  could  devise.  They  lingered 
in  the  greatest  possible  agony  for  some  hours,  until  death  put  a 
period  to  their  misery. 

The  injury  they  sustained  wag  almost  too  shocking  for  de- 
scription. Their  hair,  eye  brows  and  lashes,  were  entirely 
ringed  off,  and  the  whole  surface  of  their  body  was  a  complete 
blister.  After  death  decomposition  proceeded  so  rapidly,  that 
it  was  deemed  advisable  to  bury  them  as  soon  as  possible:  and 
by  half  past  eleven  o'clock  they  were  both  laid  in  the  grave. 

During  the  months  of  May,  June  and  July,  4,209  fo- 
reigners, chiefly  Germans,  arrived  at  Baltimore.  Nine- 
teen vessels  lately  arrived  at  Quebec,  in  two  days,  with 
2,194  emigrants,  chiefly  Irish.  Nearly  35,000  have  ar- 
rived at  New  York,  and  many  at  other  places,  in  the  pre- 
sent season-^and  it  seems  reasonable  to  believe  that  the 
United  States  and  Canada  will  have  received  more  than 
100,000  Europeans  before  the  end  of  the  present  year — 
perhaps  a  much  larger  amount,  for  it  is  said  that  60,000 
were  prepared  to  leave  Bremen,  only  !  Many  of  the  latter 
an:  wrll  provided  for — 'though  we  had  several  shipment! 
of  disgusting  paupers  or  beggars  from  Germany,  a  year 
or  two  ago. 

A  large  party  of  emigrants,  among  whom  is  gen.  ff. 
.1.  S.  Dearborn,  late  a  member  of  congress  from  Mas- 
sachusetts, was  about  to  leave  New  England,  and  settle 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,   1834— LOUISIANA  ELECTIONS. 


899 


I 


in  Illinois.  The  "northern  hive"  has  already,  perhaps, 
furnished  about  one-half  the  present  population  of  New 
York,  and  of  the  western  states,  generally. 

A  few  cases  very  closely  resembling  the  "Asiatic  cho- 
lera," if  not  really  that  disease,  have  happened  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  two  or  three  of  which  terminated  fa- 
tally; hut  these  were  sporadic  cases,  and  it  is  hoped  that 
an  epidemic  type  will  not  he  assumed. 

Several  days  have  elapsed,  without  the  appearance  of 
any  new  cases — and,  though  the  last  weekly  bill  of  mor- 
tality shews  the  large  amount  of  248  interments,  none 
•were  caused  by  malignant  or  epidemic  diseases — 132 
•were  under  two  years  old,  39  died  of  consumption,  30  of 
convulsions,  11  drinking  cold  water,  9  apoplexy,  and 
many  others  suddenly.  The  continued  heat  has  been 
very  fatal  to  life. 

The  health  of  Quebec  and  Montreal  is  said  to  be  much 
improved— but  in  the  vast  crowds  of  poor  emigrants,  and 
in  such  hot  weather,  it  cannot  be  expected  that  these 
places  should  be  free  from  a  much  increased  bills  of 
mortality,  and  on  some  days  50  or  60  persons  are  inter- 
red at  Montreal.  The  cholera  has  made  its  appearance 
at  Toronto  (late  York)  Upper  Canada, and  the  court  had 
been  adjourned  and  jury  dismissed,  on  account  of  it. 

Cases  of  cholera  are  mentioned  as  having  happened  at 
Washington,  Pa.  Wellsburgh,  Va.,  at  Rushville  and  Pe- 
kin,  Illinois,  at  Chareton  and  Liberty,  Missouri,  and 
many  other  places  in  the  west.  It  is  reported  that  seve- 
ral of  tli-e  "Mormons''  had  died  of  this  disease.  The 
health  of  Cincinnati  is  not  good,  but  the  prevalent  dis- 
eases are  not  epidemics,  and  the  cholera  cases  were  on 
the  decline.  For  the  week  ending  July  23,  the  deaths 
by  cholera  were  23 — in  the  next  week  there  were  only 
12. 

The  health  of  Baltimore  is  rather  better,  we  think, 
than  it  generally  is.  at  this  season  of  heat,  and  of  cucum- 
bers and  melons  and  fruits. 

It  is  officially  published  that  the  following  banks,  in 
addition  to  those  heretofore  mentioned,  have  been  se- 
lected by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  as  depositories  of 
the  public  money: 

The  Moyamensing  bank,  in  the  county  of  Philadel- 
phia. 

The  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  bank  of  Michigan,  at 
Detroit. 

Spain  is  even  yet  the  "paradise  of  priests."  In  the 
existence  of  such  facts  as  those  stated  below,  can  it  be 
expected  that  the  people  of  that  country  should  be  other- 
wise than  poor  and  miserable,  ignorant  and  debased,  fa- 
natic and  superstitious? 

A  curious  statement  has  been  published  by  one  of  the  papers 
in  Madrid,  respecting  the  number  and  revenues  of  the  Spanish 
clergy.  From  it,  it  appears  that  the  number  of  buildings  ap 
propriated  to  religious  purposes  throughout  Spnin,  is  28.249; 
that  that  of  the  clergy  is  159,322,  and  that  of  the  friars  and  nuns 
96,878.  The  entire  amount  of  the  ecclesiastical  revenues  is 
calculated  to  be  $50,000,000,  and  of  this  sum  the  part  consumed 
by  them  is  shown  to  exceed  the  whole  revenue  of  the  state  by 
some 


The  infamous  general  JWoreno  having  arrived  in  Eng- 
land in  the  train  of  Don  Carlos,  a  call  was  made  in  par- 
liament for  certain  papers  referring  to  the  murder  of  Mr. 
Boyd,  a  British  subject,  who,  with  gen.  Torrijos,  and 
others,  was  inveigle'l  by  Moreno,  and  slaughtered  by 
him  at  Malaga,  in  18.31.  It  was  believed  that  the  law  of 
nations  would  not  roach  this  case,  Torrijos  having  con- 
templated a  revolution  in  Spain — but,  it  being  under- 
stood that  a  personal  action,  on  the  part  of  the  friends  of 
Mr.  Boyd,  would  lie  against  Moreno,  he  speedily  with- 
drew to  the  continent. 

The  following  paragraphs  relating  to  New  Holland, 
are  interesting— they  are  taken  from  late  London  papers: 

The  *hip  Bussorah  Merchant,  has  arrived  at  Hyi.ney,  New 
South  Wales,  with  215  females.  A  resident  of  great  respecta- 
bility says — "you  would  be  astonished  to  see  with  what  avidity 
the  respectable  colonists  sought  the  services  of  these  joung  wo- 
men; in  the  first  three  days  about  180  were  engaged,  and  the 
other*  will,  no  doubt,  go  off  immediately.  The  scene  was  real 


«     t 

•>  // 


ly  most  interesting;  it  was  like  a  country  fair  more  than  any 
thing  else.  Such  an  importation  as  this,  will  be  to  the  moral* 
of  this  country,  as  so  much  purified  gold;  and  who  knows  but 
from  these  free  women  or  their  descendants  we  ghall  have  snme 
D/tlM  future  senator*  of  Australia?  English  country  people  are 
what  we  want,  that  is,  people  to  go  into  the  country  and  labor 
there;  not  people  from  your  town*,  for  they  stay  about  towns, 
and  are  drones  in  the  hive,  and  commonly  worse.  I  coold  set- 
tle 100  small  families  on  different  paru  of  my  estate,  give  them 
land  and  make  them  comfoi table." 

A  letter  from  New  South  Wales  gives  the  following  schedule 
of  the  property  of  Samuel  Terry,  who  was  sent  from  England  a 
crown  prisoner.     Mr.  T.  has  acquired  the  property  since  his  • 
emancipation.     His  several  estates  contain  upwards  of  100,000  1 
acres.     His  property  in  the  town  of  Sydney  brings  him  Jt' 10,000  ' 
per  annum,  and  his.  entire  income  is  estimated  at  six  times  that 
amount;  this  arises  chiefly  from  mortgages  at  12  per  cent.     He 
has  15,000  sheep,  17,600  head  of  homed  cattle,  and  400  brood 

mares. 

i 

The  Australian  of  the  22d  May,  contains  the  following  ac- 
count of  the  present  population  of  New  South  Wales.  Abottf  . 
2,000  are  estimated  to  have  arrived  since  the  returns  were 
taken:  "The  total  number  at  the  taking  of  the  census,  exclu- 
sive of  the  military,  is  55,591.  Of  these  there  are  15,518  free 
male  inhabitants  above  12  years  of  age,  and  5,068  under  that 
age — 19.381  is  the  number  of  male  convicts,  making  the  total 
male  population  of  the  colony  39,970.  Of  females,  the  number 
free  above  12  years  is  8,254,  under  12  is  4,755— female  prisoners 
2.612;  making  in  all  15,621  females  in  the  colony,  and  forming  a 
proportion  of  nearly  2J  males  to  one  female.  Of  different  reli- 
>ious  persuasions  there  are  38,573  Protestants;  15,165  Roman 
Catholics;  307  Jews;  41  Pagans;  and  1,505  uncertain.  The 
number  of  free  Roman  Catholics  is  8,168,  or  about  one  fourth 
of  the  free  population.  The  proportion  of  Protestants  to  Catho- 
lics, not  free,  is  about  three  to  one. 

A  company  of  Quakers  have  purchased  land  at  the  settle- 
ment of  St.  George's  sound,  New  South  Wales,  to  the  amount 
of  £30,000. 

The  British  government  has  resolved  to  form  a  new  Rettls- 
ment  on  the  southern  coast  of  Australia,  near  Spencer'*  gulf, 
which  contains  a  harbor,  named  Port  Lincoln,  of  sufficient  ca- 
pacity to  contain  in  its  three  coves  all  the  navy  of  England. 
Japtain  Stuart,  of  the  39th  regiment,  reports  that  5,000,000 
acres  of  the  richest  land  he  ever  saw  approximates  on  St.  Vin- 
cent's gulf,  and  abuts  on  the  Murray  river,  which  is  navigabla 
"or  large  craft  for  100  miles  in  an  easterly  direction;  Kangaroo 
sland  lies  off  the  entrance  of  these  two  gulfs,  and  abounds  in 
salt,  fish,  seals,  kangaroos,  and  possesses  a  good  soil.  The 
whole  lies  in  latitude  from  34  to  36  S.  and  in  longitude  E.  from 
.36  to  140.  An  interesting  feature  in  the  establishment  is,  that 
all  the  land  is  to  be  sold,  and  the  produce  is  to  be  expended  in 
the  encouragement  of  agricultural  families  to  emigrate.  It  is, 
according  to  the  evidence  of  several  officers  who  have  examin- 
ed it,  a  land  of  corn,  wine  and  oil. 

A  great  empire  is  building  up  in  Australia — and  its 
iommerce  will  soon  have  much  influence  over  the  trade 

and  navigation  of  England;  and  the  people  of  other  na- 
ions  will  feel  it.  The  force  of  the  free  emigration  will 
•ap'ully  increase,  and  gather  strength  as  it  proceeds,  for 
he  cheapness  of  land,  and  the  mildness  and  salubrity  of 
he  climate,  are  strong  temptations  {o  the  laboring  poor. 

Thus  England  may  be  relieved  of  her  surplus  popu'a-     *jf  ~ 
.ion,  and  her  poor  rates  reduced,  while  making  large 

profits  on  the  commerce  with  those  that  were  burthen-    * 

some  to  her.  ,-• 

The  British  cabinet,  as  at  present  composed,  consists  *•*" 
of  the  following  individuals: 

Earl  Grey,  first  lord  of  the  treasury;  lord  Brougham,  lord  j 
chancellor;  marquis  of  Lansdowne,  lord  president;  earl  of  Car-  % 
isle,  lord  privy  seal;  lord  Althorp,  chancellor  of  the  exchequer; 
ord  Holland,  duchy  of  Lancaster;  lord  Palmerston,  foreign  se- 
cretary; lord  Melbourne,  home  secretary;  right  hon.  T.  S.  Rice, 
colonial  secretary;  lord  Auckland,  first  lord  of  the  admiralty; 
ight  hon.  C.  Grant,  president  of  the  board  of  control;  lord  John 
Rufsel,  paymaster  of  the  force?;  right  hon.  E.  Ellice,  secretary 
it  war;  right  hon.  James  Abercromby,  master  of  the  mint. 

The  other  changes  involved  in  the  late  resignations 
and  their  consequences,  are- 
Marquis  of  Conynham,  postmaster  general;  Mr.  Cutlar  Fer- 
eusson,  judge  advocate  general;  Mr.  F.  T.  Baring,  secretary  of 
he  treasury;  capt.  Byngi  one  of  the  lords  of  treasury. 


v 

X 


LOUISIANA  ELECTIONS. 

GOVERNOR. 

WTiitt, 
Plaquemlneg  ........................  17 

St.  Bernard  .........................  163 

Orleans  .............................  9">8 

Jefferson  ............................  1<6 

St.  Charles  ..........................  65 

St.  John  Baptist  .....................  160 


119 
S48 


400  NILES'  REGISTER-AUG.  9,  1834-THE  QUADRUPLE  TREATY. 


St.  James 284 

Ascension 226 

Assumption 495 

Lafourehe 553 

Terrebonne 155 

Jberville 208 

East  Baton  Rouge 186 

West  Baton  Rouge 166 

1'ointe  Coupee 87 

West Feliciana 37 

East  Feliciana 60 

St.  Helena 12 

Ht.  Tammany 32 

Livingston 38 

Si.  Mary 213 

St.  Maniu 350 

Washington 20 

St.  l,andry 388 

Lafayette 233 

Natchiloches  and  Claiborne 278 

Rapides 135 

Catahoula 63 

Avoyelles 20!) 

Concordia 59 

Carroll 22 

Ouacliita 


Total, 


6.018 
4',474 


no 

48 

31 

18 

27 

88 

207 

23 

112 

271 

490 

264 

182 

139 

9-2 

43 

184. 

248 

136 

330 

215 

153 

106 

49 

83 

inry.  31 

4,474 


Majority  for  E.  D.  White 1 .544 

Another  account  says  that  Mr.  White's  actual  majority  i 
J,640. 


Itl  district. 
Plaquemines 
St.  Bernard 
Orleans 
Jefferson 
St.  Charlei 
St.  John  Baptist 
St.  James 
Ascension 
Assumption 
La  (OH  re  he 
Terreboune 


2,417 


Majority  (over  both)  for  Mr.  Johnson,  510. 


1,384 


2d  district. 


Iberville 
Livingston 
West  Baton  Rouge 
Pointe  Coupee 
East  Baton  Rouge 
East  Feliciana 
West  Feliciana 
St.  Helena 
fit.  Tammany 
Washington 


S 

152 
7 

148 
84 

219 

114 
69 
00 
88 
19 


55 

35 

65 
153 

48 
369 
116 

38 
146 


* 

I 
o 
.o 

fe 
7 
66 
00 
49 
13 
18 
00 
00 
79 
26 


00 
49 
00 
00 
3 

124 

111 

135 

7 

5 


900       1,162         258 
Rlpley's  majority  over  Chinn,  262. 

3d  district.  Garland. 

St.  Mary 234 

St.  Martins 350 

Lafayette..., Q34 

St.  Land ry 473 

Nachi todies . . . , 1 

Claiborne ^3<J 

Rapides 119 

Avoydles 193 

Catahoula 66 

Ouachita 

Carroll 28 

Concordia , . , 69 

1,989 
1,378 


Majority  for  Garland, 


611 


The  following  lively  article  from  the  New  Orleans  Courier, 
on  the  result  of  the  Louisiana  elections,  deserves  a  record  as 
well  for  its  good  humor  as  its  wit. 

"Our  opponents  have  beaten  us  most  shamefully;  and,  to 
mortify  us  as  much  as  possible,  they  mustered  a  Kirong  force, 
and  with  music  at  its  head,  paraded  the  streets  until  a  late  hour 
in  the  morning,  disturbing  the  slumbers  of  honest  deinon:ii< 
with  as  unwelcome  sounds  as  ever  fell  upon  their  cars.  We 
had  got  into  our  second  nap.  and  into  a  delightful  dream  about 
onors  that  were  to  faJl  to  our  lot  and  to  tin;  lot  of  our 


riends,  in  a  certain  event,  when  the  dream-destroying  music 
iinpur  our  window.  'Hurrah  for  While'.'  cried  a  fellow 
usl  as  we  popped  our  head  out  of  Ihe  casement.  .'Hurrah  for 
)awson!'  ninitered  we,  popping  our  head  in  again  as  soon  as 
mssible.  What  a  villainous  world  is  this,  thoughl  we,  al  lhat 
noment,  wheie  one  part  ot  the  people  are  so  immoral  and  irre- 
igious,  as  openly  lo  rejoice  al  Ihe  misfortunes  of  another;  and 
we  stilled  the  thing  in  our  own  mind,  before  we  again  went  to 
•deep,  that  if  we  had  been  victorious,  we  would  neither  have 
ciowed  nor  cackled,  bul  would  have  rclired  lo  resl  as  we  did 
under  defeat,  like  peaceful  citizens,  al  an  early  hour.  But 
ihere  is  no  accounting  for  the  conducl  of  some  folks.  We  un- 
dersland  lhat  our  cotemporary  ot  the  Bee  was  particularly  ho- 
nored by  the  serenadcrs,  and  lhat  Ihe  'Dead  March'  (some  say 
Ihe  'Rogue's')  was  slruck  up  before  his  office,  and  played  with 
great  applause.  We  are  no  judge  of  music  ourself,  but  we 
thoughl  the  lune  inflicted  upon  us  was,  'There  is  no  luck  about 
the  house.'  Be  thai  as  il  may,  il  was  a  very  g.,od  lune,  and 
very  well  played — and  we  are  always  thankful  for  small  favors. 
"\Y<i  have  made  diligenl  inquiries,  and  we  cannot  learn  lhat 
there  was  a  single  Dawson  man  concerned  in  Ihe  last  night's 
serenade.  The  Dawson  men  went  to  bed  as  soon  as  the  last 
vote  was  counted — some  of  them  a  little  before;  not  lhat  they 
had  llie  horrors,  as  their  enemies  maliciously  aflinn,  but  lhat 
they  were  indisposed,  under  Ihe  circumstances,  lo  lake  any 
pan  in  Ihe  proceedings  which  had  for  their  object  Ihe  disturb- 
ance of  ihf  ir  fellow-citizens  at  the.  midnight  hour.  It  was  high- 
ly cruditnlile  to  them  not  to  do  so,  and  we  mention  the  fact  as 
an  example  of  their  punctilious  regard  for  the  peace  and  order  of 
the  city. 

"We  could  explain  Ihe  causes  of  our  defeat  in  the  city  elec- 
tion; bul  as  il  would  not  reduce  u  single  vote  of  the  416  majo- 
rity given  to  our  opponents,  it  is  just  as  wrll,  perhaps,  to  say 
n::  on  the  subject.  It  is  true  we  have  been  defeated,  but 
we  have  not  been  conquered.  Our  principles  are  the  same, 
yesterday,  to  day,  and  to  moirow,  and  in  defence  of  them,  we 
"will  die  in  the  last  ditch,  or  suffer  martyrdom  at  the  slake." 

THE  QUADRUPLE  TREATY. 

Paris,  June  19.  We  have  received  from  Madrid  the  follow- 
ing copy  of  the  treaty  between  the  four  powers: 

Her  majesty  Ihe  queen  regent  of  Spain,  during  the  minority 
of  her  daughter,  Isabella  II,  queen  of  Spain,  and  his  imperial 
majesty,  the  duke  of  Braganza,  regent  of  the  kingdom  of  Por- 
tugal and  of  the  Algarves,  in  the  name  of  Donna  Maria  II: 

Perfectly  convinced  lhal  the  interest  and  safety  of  the  two 
crowns  require  the  vigorous  and  immediate  employment  of  re- 
ciprocal efforts  to  put  an  end  to  hostilities,  which  having  been 
al  first  directed  to  ihe  overthrow  of  the  throne  of  her  Portu- 
guese majesty,  now  afford  support  and  protection  to  ihe  dis- 
contented subjects  of  Spain,  their  said  majesties,  desirous  at 
the  same  lime  of  providing  ihe  means  necessary  for  re  estab- 
lishing peace  and  internal  happiness,  and  of  fixing  ihe  future 
£     prospects  of  the  two  countries  upon  a  solid  and  reciprocal  basis, 
^     have  agreed  to  unite  their  forces,  with  a  view  lo  compel  ihe 
S     infanle  Don  Carlos  of  Spain,  and  Ihe  infanle  Don  Miguel  of 
00    Porlugal,  lo  quil  ihe  domains  of  the  latler  kingdom. 
00        In  pursuance  of  these  conventions,  their  majesties,  the  re- 
00    genls,  have  applied  lo  iheir  majesties  the  king  of  the  French 
'0    and  the  king  of  Greal  Britain  and  Ireland.    These  two  last 
0    princes,  considering  the  interest  they  ought  always  to  take  in 
00    the  safety  of  the  Spanish  monarchy,  and 'animated  by  the  most 
00    ardent  desire  lo  contribule  to  the  establishment  of  peace  in  the 
00    peninsula  as  well  as  in  Europe;  and  his  Britannic  majesty,  con- 
00    sidering  besides,  the  special  obligations  which  emanate  from 
00    his  ancient  alliance  with  Porlugal,  have  consented  lo  act  aa 
—  _  parties  lo  the  said  treaiy. 

00'      To  Ihis  effect  iheir  majesties  have  appointed  their  plenipo- 
tentiaries in  the  following  order: 

Walker.        Her  inajesiy  the  queen  regent  of  Spain — Don  Manuel  Pardo 
76  Fernandez  de  Pieedo,  Conde  de  Villa  Paternary  de   Florida 

31  Blanca,  her  minister  plenipotentiary  to  his  Britannic  majesty; 

His  majesty  the  king  of  Ihe  French— prince  Talleyrand,  his 
164  ambassador  at  the  court  of  London; 

gg,  His  majesty  the  king  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland— viscount 

Palmerslon,  his  minister  for  foreign  affairs; 

His  imperial  majesty  Ihe  duke  of  Braganza— Don  Christohal 
Pedro  de  iMorcas  Sarmeiito,  his  envoy  extraordinary  lo  the 
150  court  of  London; 

And  the  plenipotentiaries  have  agreed  upon  the  following  ar- 
ticles- 
Art.  I.  His  imperial  majesty  the  duke  of  Braganza,  In  the 
name  of  queen  Donna  Mnria  II,  engages  to  put  in  action   all 
1,378  the  means  hi  his  power  to  drive  the  infante  Don  Carlos  from 

the  Portuguese  dominions. 

Art.  II.  Her  majesty  the  queen  of  Spain,  on  the  application 
and  request  of  his  imperial  majesty  the  duke  of  Braganza,  hav- 
ing, besides,  very  just  and  very  serious  reproaches  against  the 
infante  Don  Miguel  for  the  support  he  has  afforded  the  infante 
Dun  Carlos  of  Spain,  engages  herself  to  send  upon  the  Porlu- 
suese  territory  a  sufficient  number  of  Spanish  troops  to  co-ope- 
rate with  those  of  his  imperial  majesty  in  compelling  Don  Car- 
los of  Spain  and  Don  Miguel  to  quit  the  Poitiignese  territory;  the 
queen  ol  Spain  cngagm-;  moreover,  to  support,  on  her  own  ao- 


523 


coiiHt,  and  without  any  charge  upon  Portugal,  Ihe  Spanish 
troop*,  which  shall  every  where  he  received  and  treated  in  the 
same  manner  as  Hie  troops  of  hi*  imperial  majesty  the  duke  of 
Rraganaa.  And  her  majesty  engages  to  withdraw  her  troop* 


REGISTER— AUG    9,  1834—  «THE  LANDING  OF  THE  FATHERS."     401 


from  Portugal  immediately  after  the  expulsion  of  the  two  in- 
fante* shall  lir  accomplished,  and  when  the  presence  of  these 
troops  shall  b«  no  longer  required  by  her  most  lailhful  majesty 
of  Portugal. 

Art.  III.  Mis  majesty  the  king  of  Great  Britain  engages  to 
co-operate,  by  em  ploying  a  navai  force  to  second  these  opera- 
lions  and  other  measures  rendered  necessary  liy  this  treaty. 

Art.  IV.  In  case  the  co-operation,  of  France  shall  be  deemed 
necessary  by  the  high  contracting  parties,  his  majesty  the  king 
of  the  French  engages  to  do  all  which  his  august  allies  shall  in 
common  accord  determine  upon. 

Art.  V.  The  high  contracting  powers  have  agreed  that  in  con- 
sequence of  the  terms  of  the  preceding  articles,  a  declaration 
shall  be  immediately  issued,  announcing  to  tiie  Portuguese  na- 
tion the  principles  arid  object*  of  the  piescnt  treaty;  and  his  im- 
perial majesty  the  duke  of  Braganza,  animated  with  a  i-incere 
desire  of  effacing  the  renu'inbrmiee  of  the  past,  and  of  rallying 
around  Uie  throne  of  his  daughter  the  whole  nation,  declares 
his  intention  of  publishing  a  general  and  complete  amnesty  in 
favor  of  all  the  subjects,  of  her  most  faithful  majesty  who  shall 
within  a  time  to  toe  fixed  return  to  their  allegiance.  And  the 
said  regent  also  declares  it  to  be  hi.s  intention  to  insure  to  the 
infante  Don  Miguel,  as  goon  as  he  shall  have  left  the  Portuguese 
and  Spanish  territories,  an  income  suitable  to  his  rank  and 
birth. 

Art.  VI.  Her  majesty  the  queen  of  Spain,  by  this  present  ar- 
ticle, declares  her  intention  to  insure  to  the  infant  Don  Carlos, 
as  soon  as  he  shall  have  left  the  Portuguese  and  Spanish  ter- 
ritories, an  income  suitable  to  his  rank  and  birth. 

Art.  VII.  This  present  treaty  shall  be  ratified  and  ratifications 
exchanged  at  London  in  a  month,  or  sooner  if  possible. 

In  faith  of  which,  the  four  above   named   plenipotentiaries 
have  hereunto  affixed  their  hands  and  seals  at  London,  this  2 
day  of  April,  1834. 

Signed,  MIA  FLORES, 

TALLEYRAND, 
PALMERSTON, 
MORAES  SARMENTO. 

SPANISH  REGULATIONS   OF  TRADE. 
The  following  royal  order  issued  by  the  Spanish  government, 
regulating  the  trade  between  Spain,  and  other  countries,  par- 
ticularly South  America,  has  been  received  by  the  department 
of  slate,  and  translated  for  the  information  of  the  public: 

ROYAL   ORDER. 

Madrid,  May  6th,  1834. 

Her  majesty,  the  queen  governess,  in  consequence  of  the  ob 
servations  made  by  the  intendent  of  Havana,  respecting  the 
royal  order  of  November  25th  1830,  imposing  various  addiliona 
duties  on  colonial  productions  according  to  the  port  from  whicl 
the  vessels  carrying  them  may  sail,  or  to  which  they  may  be 
bound;  and  having  examined  the  proceedings  of  the  general  di- 
rection of  duties,  and  of  the  board  of  tariffs  upon  this  subject 
has  been  pleased  to  ordain  as  follows: 

1.  Tlie  productions  of  the  dissident  provinces,  situated  nortl 
«f  the  equator,  which  come  directly  to  the  ports  of  entry  of  the 
peninsula  in  foreign  vessels,  shall  pay,  over  and  above  the  dutj 
fixed  for  foreign  flags  by  the  tariff  of  February  21st,  1828,  one 
third  more,  as  well  as  the  duty  established  by  the  royal  order  o 
June  7ih  1830. 

2.  The  same  productions  of  the  dissident  provinces  situate< 
south  of  the  equator,  coming  directly  to  the  ports  of  entry  o 
the  peninsula  in  foreign  vessels,  shrill  pay  four-fifths  of  the  duty 
to  which  the  tariff  of  February  21,  1828  subjects  foreign  flags 
as  also  the  duty  imposed  by  ttie  royal  order  of  June  7th,  1830. 

3.  Productions  coming  from  foreign  ports  of  America  and  tin 
West  Indies,  under  a  foreign  flag,  to  the   ports  of  entry  of  tin 
pcninsuJa,  shall  pay  the  duties  prescribed  by  the  tariff  of  im 
ports. 

4.  The  productions  of  the  dissident  provinces,  situated  eithe 
north  or  south  of  tha  equator,  and  those  of  the  colonies  and  fo 
reign  countries,  which  ariive  in  the  ports  of  entry  of  the  penin 
suJa,  coming  <"iom  the  warehouses  of  Havana  or  Porto  Rico 
under  register  from  the  same,  shall  pay.  over  and  above  the  du 
ties  fixed  by  the  tariff  of  February  21,"  1828,  one-fifth  more,  am 
the  additional  duty  ini|>osed  by  the  royal  order  of  June  7th 
1830,  provided  (hey  have  not  touched  at  any  foreign  port  (hunt 
theit  pnssag«.     If  they  shall  have  touched  at  any  foreign   pur 
during  their  passacc,  unless  from  stress  of  weather  or  damage 
tlM^y  shall  pay  the  duties  prescribed  by  the  tariff  of  imports. 

5.  If  the  t-amu  proihu-tions  be  brought  from  the  said   ware 
houses,  under  the  Spanish  Hag,  without  touching  at  any  fo 
reign  port  on  Hie  passage,  they  shall  simply  pay  the  duties  o 
the  tariff  of  Feb.  2lM,  1828,  and  the  additional  duty  imposed  b 
£he  royal  ordvr  of  June  7th,  1830.     Should  they,  however,  hav 
touched  at  any  foreign  port  on  the  passage,  except  from  damn" 
or  stress  of  weather,  they  shall  be  considered  as  comiii"  fro? 
that  port. 

6.  Productions  of  the  dissident  provinces,  colonial  produc 
tions,  and  those  of  foreign  countries,  coming  directly  from  fo 
reign  ports  in  Europe,  either  under  the  Spanish  or  fore-ian  flag 
shall   pay  the  duties  established  by  the  tariffof  imports,  am 
one-third  more,  as  also  the  duty  imposed  by  the  royal  order  o 
June  7th,  1830. 

7.  These  dispositions  shall    take  effect  120  days  after  th 
date  of  this  royal  order,  ns  regards  the  provinces  south  of  th 
equator;  and  f>0  days  after  date  of  the  same,  for  those  lyin 
eo/th  ii/.ihai  luie.     (Signed)  JMAZ. 


COBBETT  ON  EDUCATION. 

We  present  the  remarks  of  the  famous  royalist  or  jacobin, 
William  Cobbett,  on  the  education  of  the  poor,  made  in  the  Bri- 
ish  In. use  of  commons,  on  the  3d  June  lust,  lor  several  reasons 
—but  especially  because,  thai  he  is  now  much  lauded  by  cer- 
ain  persons  in  Hie  Uniled  Stales,  who  have  suddenly  become 
us  friends. 

The  remark  concerning  the  slate  of  crime  in  New  York,  may 
e  true,  as  Mated  by  the  honorable  member— (Ihough  we,  know- 
ng  him  of  old,  want  something  betlerthan  his  word  for  it),  and 
•el  the  inference  which  he  draws  from  it  be  altogether  falte — 
or  there  are  very  few  native  American  citizens  who  have  not 
ieen  educated,  and  hence  the  comparison  does  not  apply. 

House  of  commons,  3d  June. 

Mr.  Roebuck  having  developed  his  proposition  respecting  a 
latioual  syslem  of  education — 

Mr.  Cobbett  expressed  himself  satisfied  lhal  the  scheme  sug- 
gested by  the  honorable  and  learned  member  for  Bath  would 
lot  be  productive  of  any  good,  and  this  he  thought  he  could 
show  the  house.  On  the  subject  of  education  in  this  counlry, 
I  was  not  philosophy  or  reasoning  thai  could  guide,  but  recourse 
ought  rather  to  he  had  to  experience.  Every  body  knew  that 
within  the  last  35  years  Lancastrian  and  other  schools  had 
been  founded,  and  education  had  increased  twenty  fold-  but 
experience  showed  that  Ihe  morals  of  the  people  had  not  mend- 
ed with  the  increase  of  education.  It  had  even  been  admitted 
that  night  that  drunkenness  had  increased  wonderfully  within 
latter  years,  so  that  education  did  not  even  prevent  drunken- 
ness. ("Hear,"  and  a  laugh).  He  repeated  that  all  this  in- 
crease of  education  had  not  been  productive  of  any  good  and 
he  ventured  to  say  that  there  was  not  a  single  country  gentle- 
man who  would  not  say  lhal  Ihe  fathers  of  Hie  lasi  generalion 
made  better  laborers,  beller  servants,  and  better  men  than  their 
sons  of  the  presenl  generation.  This  proved  that  Ihe  laboring 
classes  were  much  beller  without  ihat  intellectual  enjoyment 
which  the  honorable  and  learned  member  for  Bath  was  anxious 
to  increase  to  them,  lhan  Ihey  were  wilh  it.  What  also  was 
the  state  of  crime  iu.  England  and  Wales  now,  as  compared 
with  its  amount  at  the  period  the  education  of  the  lower  orders 
of  the  people  began?  Why,  the  proportion  was  now  at  least 
four  if  not  seven  times  as  great  as  it  was  when  education  com- 
menced. 

[An  honorable  member  intimated  that  Ihe  increase  of  crime 
was  ninefold.] 

Mr.  Cobbett  resumed.  So  much  Ihe  betler  for  his  (Mr.  Cob- 
bell's)  argument.  Within  the  same  period,  too,  the  number  of 
bastards  had  increased  to  a  most  prodigious  extent,  so  that  in 
this  respect  Ihe  morality  of  the  people  could  not  be  said  to  have 
been  advanced  by  education.  The  lion,  and  learned  member 
for  Bath  had  contended  that  the  syslem  of  educaiion  in  this 
counlry  was  wrong  altogether,  and  had  instanced,  as  an  exam- 
ple worthy  of  imiialion,  Ihe  slate  of  things  in  New  York,  in 
America,  where  he  had  said  half  a  million  of  human  bei'n»s 
were  educated,  and  in  the  full  tide  of  enjoyment  of  intellectual 
mailer.  He  would  lell  Ihe  honorable  and  learned  member  the 
slaleof  Ihings  in  the  district  on  the  condition  of  which  he  relied. 
He  (Mr.  Cobbett)  had  writlen  lo  New  York  for  information 
since  Ihe  subject  was  under  consideralion  last  year,  and  he  had 
received  an  account  signed  by  the  recorder  of  New  York,  which 
though  he  had  il  noi  now  with  him,  he  would  produce  lo-mor- 
row  lo  Ihe  honorable  and  learned  gentleman.  This  account 
embraced  a  comparative  statemenl  of  the  number  of  educated 
criminals  and  the  number  of  uneducated  criminals,  and  showed 
a  very  considerable  majority  of  the  former  over  the  latter.  So 
much  for  education  preventing  crime  either  in  America  or  in 
England.  1 1  was  a  good  people,  and  not  a  gabbling  people,  that 
was  wanted  in  this  country,  and  this  smaltering  of  education 
would  only  raise  the  laborers  of  this  country  above  the  situa- 
lions  best  suited  to  their  own  interests  and  those  of  their  fami- 
lies. It  would  put  into  their  heads  thai  Ihey  were  not  born  lo 
labor,  but  lo  gel  their  living  without  it.  ("Hear,"  and  a  laugh) 
By  the  plan  tuuested  by  Ihe  honorable  and  learned  member 
for  Bath,  the  child  of  the  laborer  could  not  complete  his  educa- 
tion until  he  was  at  least  15  or  16  years  of  age;  but  in  the  mean 
lime  he  should  be  glad  to  know  who  was  to  keep  a  great  eatinr 
and  drinking,  and  guzzling  boy  (laughter)— who  was  lo  find  him 
witli  proveuder  nil  that  time?  (Renewed  laughter).  Who  was 
to  satisfy  his  body  while  his  intellects  were  being  filled?  (Loud 
laughter).  The  honorable  and  learned  gfiulemaii  had  said  that 
the  laborer's  boy  was  to  receive  instruction  after  the  day's  labor 
was  over;  but  if  the  honoraMe  and  learned  member  knew  any 
lliing  of  labor,  he  would  rather  prefer  going  to  sleep.  In  short 
if  all  wi'.re  to  be  scholars,  it  would  be  necessary  for  the  whole 
population  to  shut  up  their  mouths  and  determine  to  eat  no 
more.  The  interference  with  labor  would  be  the  very  worst 
course  which  could  be  pursued  by  the  legislature.  By  useful 
employment  the  youth  gained  habits  of  obedience  and  industry 
but  send  him  to  school  to  a  drunken  master,  or  lo  a  sober  con- 
ceited coxcomb  of  a  schoolaiasler,  and  he  would  only  learn  ha- 
bits of  idleness,  nnd  become  loo  great  in  his  own  conceit  to  la- 
bor— sufficient  schools  were  already  established  for  all  useful 
and  beneficial  purposes,  though  he  admitted  that  some  abuses 
prevailed. 

"THE  LANDING  OF  THE  FATHERS." 
The  following  extract  from  Bancroft's  history  of  tbe  United 
on  tales,  is  a  specimen  of  the  work;  and  cannot  fail  to  strengthen 


40i     N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— "THE  LANDING  OF  THE  FATHERS." 


the  inclination  of  our  readers  to  possess  and  peruse  entirely 
that  inierexling  publication. 

The  Pilgrims.  And  now  [1620]  the  English  at  Ley-den,  trust- 
ing in  God  and  in  themselves,  made  ready  for  their  departure. 
The  Speedwell,  a  ship  of  sixty  tons,  was  purchased  in  London; 
the  Mayflower,  a  vessel  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  ton.-,  was 
hired  in  England.  There  could  hold  hut  a  minority  of  the  con- 
gregation; and  Robinson  was  therefore  detained  at  Leyden, 
while  Brewsler,  the  teaching  elder,  conducted  the  emigrants. 
Every  enterprise  of  the  Pilgrims  began  from  God.  A  solemn 
last  was  held.  '-Let  us  seek  of  God,"  said  lhey,"u  right  way  fur 
us,  and  for  our  liille  ones,  and  for  all  our  substance."  Antici 
paling  their  high  d.:»liny  and  the  sublime  doctrines  of  liberty, 
that  would  grow  out  of  the  principles,  on  which  their  religious 
tenets  were  i->tabli<lied,  Robinson  gave  them  a  farewell, 
breathing  a  noble  spirit  of  Christian  liberty,  such  as  was  hardly 
then  known  in  the  world. 

"1  charge  you  before  God,  and  his  blessed  angels,  that  yoi 
follow  me  no  farther,  than  you  have  seen  me  follow  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ:  The  Lord  has  more  truth  yet  to  break  forth  oul 
of  his  holy  word.  I  cannot  sufficiently  bewail  the  condition  of 
the  reformed  churches,  who  are  come  to  a  period  in  religion, 
and  will  go  at  present  no  further  than  the  instruments  of  their 
reformation.  Luther  and  Calvin  were  great  and  shining  lights 
in  their  times,  yet  they  penetrated  not  into  the  whole  council 
of  God.  I  beseech  you,  remember,  'tis  an  article  of  your 
church  covenant,  that  you  be  ready  to  receive  whatever  truth 
shall  be  made  known  to  you  from  the  written  word  of  God.' 

The  pilgrims  were  accompanied  by  most  of  the  brethren  from 
Leyden  to  Delft-Haven,  where  the  night  was  passed  "in  friendly 
and  Christian  converse."  As  the  morning  dawned,  Robinson 
kneeling  in  prayer  by  the  sea  side,  gave  to  their  embarkntion 
the  sanctity  of  a  religious  rite.  A  prosperous  wind  soon  wafts 
the.  vr-.-H  to  Southampton,  and,  in  a  fortnight,  the  Mayflower 
and  the  Speedwell,  freighted  with  the  first  colony  for  New  Eng- 
land, leave  Southampton  for  America.  But  they  had  riot  gone 
far  upon  the  Atlantic,  before  the  smaller  vessel  was  found  to 
need  repairs;  and  thiry  entered  the  port  of  Dartmouth.  After 
the  lapse  of  eight  previous  days,  they  agam  weighed  anchor;  at 
ready  they  are  unfurling  their  sails  on  the  brond  ocean  when 
the  captain  of  the  Speedwell,  with  his  company,  dismayed  at  the 
dangers  of  the  enterprise,  once  more  pretends,  (hat  the  ship  is 
too  weak  for  the  service.  They  put  back  to  Plymouth  to  dis- 
miss their  treacherous  companions,  though  the  loss  of  the  ves- 
sel was  "very  grievous  and  discoursing."  The  timid  and  the 
hesitating  were  all  freely  allowed  to  abandon  the  expedition. 
Having  thus  winnowed  their  numbers  of  the  cowardly  and  dis- 
affected, the  little  band  of  resolute  men,  some  with  their  wives 
and  children,  in  all  but  one  hundred  and  two  souls,  went  on 
board  the  single  ship,  which  was  hired  only  to  convey  them 
across  the  Atlantic;  and  on  the  6ih  day  of  September,  1620, 
thirteen  years  after  the  first  colonization  of  Virginia,  two 
months  before  the  concession  of  the  grand  charter  of  Plymouth, 
without  any  warrant  from  the  sovereign  of  England,  without 
any  useful  charter  from  a  corporate  body,  the  passengers  in  Ihe 
Mayflower,  under  the  guidance  of  a  faithless  captain,  who  had 
received  a  bribe  to  thwart  their  purposes,  set  sail  for  a  new 
world,  where  the  past  could  offer  no  favorable  auguries. 

Had  New  England  been  colonized  immediately  on  the  dis- 
covery of  the  American  continent,  the  old  English  insti'.utions 
would  have  been  planted  under  the  powerful  influence  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  religion;  had  the  settlement  been  made  under 
Elizabeth,  it  would  have  been  before  activity  of  mind  in  reli- 
gion had  conducted  to  a  corresponding  activity  of  mind  in  poli- 
tics.— The  pilgrims  were  Englishmen,  Protestants,  exiles  for 
religion;  men  disciplined  by  misfortune,  cultivated  by  opportu- 
nities of  extensive  observation,  rqual  in  rank  as  in  rights,  and 
bound  by  no  code  but  that  which  was  imposed  by  religion,  or 
might  be  created  by  the  public  will. 

The  eastern  coast  of  the  United  States  abounds  in  beautiful 
and  convenient  harbors,  in  majestic  bays  and  rivers,  the  first 
Virginia  colony,  sailing  along  the  shores  of  North  Carolina, 
was,  by  a  favoring  storm  driven  into  the  magnificent  bay  of  the 
Chesapeake;  the  Pilgrims,  having  selected  as  the  place  for  their 
settlement  the  mouth  of  the  Hudson,  the  best  position  on  the 
whole  coast,  were  by  the  treachery  of  their  captain,  conducted 
to  the  most  barren  and  inhospitable  part  of  Massachusetts.  Af- 
ter a  long  and  boisterous  voyage  of  sixty-three  days,  during 
which  one  person  had  died,  they  espied  land,  and  in  two  days 
more,  were  safely  moored  in  the  harbor  of  Cnpe  Cod.  Dutch 
cupidity  and  English  intolerance  combined  to  effect  the  first 
•etllement  of  New  England, 

Yet  before  they  landed,  the  manner  in  which  their  govern- 
ment should  be  constituted,  was  considered;  and.  as  pome  were 
observed  "not  well  affected  to  unity  and  concord,"  they  form- 
ed themselves  into  a  body  politic  by  a  solemn  voluntary  com- 
pact. 

"fn  the  name  of  God,  nmrn;  we  whoso  names  are  underwrit- 
ten, the  loyal  subjects  of  our  dread  sovereign  king  James,  hav- 
ing undertaken  for  the  "lory  of  God,  and  the  advancement  of 
the  Christian  failh,  and  honor  of  our  king  and  country,  a  voy- 
age to  plant  the  first  colony  in  the  northern  parts  of  Virginia, 
do  by  these  present*,  solemnly  and  mutually,  in  the  presence 
of  God,  and  of  one  another,  covenant  and  combine  ourselves 
together,  into  a  civil  body  politic  for  our  better  ordering  and 
preservation,  and  furtherance  of  the  ends  aforesaid;  and  by  vir- 
tue hereof,  to  enact,  constitute,  and  frame  such  just  and  equal 
laws,  ordinances,  acts,  constitutions,  and  officers,  from  time  to 


time,  as  shall  be  thought  most  convenient  for  the  general  good 
of  the  colony.  Unto  which  we  promise  all  due  submission  and 
obedience:" 

This  instrument  was  signed  by  the  whole  body  of  men,  forty- 
one  in  number,  who,  with  their  families,  constituted  the  one 
hundred  and  one,  the  whole  colony,  "the  proper  democracy," 
that  arrived  in  New  England.  John  Carver  was  immediately 
and  unanimously  chosen  governor  Ibr  the  year. 

Men,  who  emigrate,  even  in  well  inhabited  districts,  pray 
that  their  journey  may  not  be  in  the  winter.  Wasted  by  the 
rough  and  wearisome  voyage,  ill  supplied  with  provisions,  the 
English  fugitives  found  themselves,  at  the  opening  of  winter, 
on  a  barren  and  bleak  coa.-l,  in  a  severe  climate,  with  ihe 
ocean  on  the  one  side  and  the  wilderness  on  the  other.  There 
were  none  to  show  them  kindness  or  bid  them  welcome.  The 
nearest  French  settlement  was  at  1'ort  Royal;  il  was  five  hun- 
dred miles  to  the  English  plantation  at  Virginia.  As  they  at- 
tempted to  disembark,  the  water  was  found  so  shallow,  that 
they  were  forced  to  wade;  and  in  the  freezing  weather,  the 
very  act  of  getting  on  land  sowrd  the  seeds  of  consumption  and 
inflammatory  colds.  The  bitterness  of  mortal  disease  was 
their  welcome  to  the  inhospitable  shore. 

The  season  was  already  fast  bringing  winter,  and  the  spot 
for  the  settlement  remained  to  be  chosen.  The  shallop  was 
unshipped,  and  il  was  a  real  disaster  to  find,  that  it  needed  re- 
pairs. The  carpenter  made  slow  work,  so  that  sixteen  or  se- 
venteen weary  days  elapsed  before  it  was  ready  for  service. 

But  Standish  and  Bradford,  and  others,  impatient  of  the  de- 
lay determined  to  explore  the  country  by  land. — "In  regard  to 
the  danger,"  the  expedition  "was  rather  permitted  than  ap- 
proved." Much  hardship  was  endured;  but  what  discoveries 
could  be  made  in  Truro  and  near  Ihe  banks  of  Paomet  creek? 
The  first  expedition  in  tin:  shallop  was  likewise  unsuccessful; 
"some  of  the  people  that  died  that  winter,  took  the  original  of 
their  death"  in  the  enterprise;  "for  it  snowed  ar.d  did  blow  all 
the  day  and  night,  and  froze  withal."  The  men,  who  were 
set  on  shore,  "were  tired  with  marching  up  and  down  Ihe  steep 
hills  and  deep  vallies,  which  lay  half  a  foot  thick  with  snow." 
A  heap  of  maize  was  discovered;  and  further  search  led  to  a 
burial  place  of  the  Indians;  but  they  found  "no  more  corn,  nor 
any  thing  else  but  graves." 

At  length  the  shallop  was  again  set  out,  with  Carver,  Brad- 
ford, Winslow,  Slandish,and  others,  with  eight  or  ten  seamen. 
The  cold  was  severe;  the  spray  of  the  sea  froze  as  il  fell  upon 
them  and  made  their  clothes:  like  coats  of  iron.  Thai  day  rhey 
reached  Billingsgate  point  at  the  bottom  of  the  bay  of  Cnpe 
Cod,  on  the  weslern  shore  of  Wellfleel  haibor.  The  Hext 
morning  the  company  divided;  those  on  shore  find  a  burial 
place,  graves,  and  four  or  five  deserted  wigwnms;  but  neither 
people,  nor  any  place,  inviting  a  settlement.  Before  night,  the 
whole  party,  met  by  the  sea-side,  and  encamped  on  land  to- 
gether near  Namskeket,  or  Great  Mendow  Crick. 

The  next  clay  they  rose  at  five;  their  morning  prayers  were 
finished;  when,  as  the  day  dawned,  a  war  whoop  and  a  flight 
of  arrows  announced  an  attack  from  Indians.  They  were  of 
the  tribe  of  the  Nausites,  who  knew  the  English  as  kidnappers, 
hut  the  encounter  was  without  further  result.  Again  the  boat's 
crew  give  thanks  to  God,  and  steer'their  bark  along  the  coast, 
for  the  distance  of  fifteen  leagues. — But  no  convenient  harbor 
is  discovered.  The  pilot  ofthe  boat,  who  had  been  in  these  re- 
gions before  gives  assurance  of  a  good  one,  which  might  be 
reached  before  night;  and  they  follow  his  guidance.  After 
some  hours' sailing,  a  storm  of  snow  and  rain  begins;  the  sea 
swells;  the  rudder  breaks;  the  boat  must  now  lie  steered  with 
oars;  the  storm  increases;  night  is  at  hand;  to  reach  the  harbor 
before  dark,  as  much  sail  a:  possible  is  borne;  and  the  mast 
breaks  into  three  pieces;  the  sail  falls  overboard;  but  the  tide 
is  favorable.  The  pilot,  in  dismay,  would  have  run  the  boat 
on  shore  in  a  cove  full  of  breakers;  "about  with  her,"  exclaim- 
ed a  sailor, "or  we  are  cast  away."  They  get  her  about  imme- 
diately, and  passing  over  the  surf,  they  enter  a  fair  sound;  and 
get  under  the  lee  of  a  small  rise  of  land.  It  is  dark;  and  the 
rain  beats  furiously; yet  the  men  arc  so  wet  and  cold  and  weak, 
they  slight  the  danger  to  be  apprehended  from  the  savages,  and, 
after  great  difficulty,  kindle  a  fire  on  shore. 

Morning,  as  it  dawned  showed  the  place  to  be  a  small  island 
within  the  entrance  of  a  harbor.  The  day  was  required  for 
rest  and  preparations.  Time  was  precious;  the  season  advanc- 
ing; their  companions  were  left  in  suspense.  The  next  day 
was  the  "Christian  Sabbath."  Nothing  marks  the  character  of 
the  pilgrims  more  fully,  limn  that  they  kept  it  sacredly,  though 
every  consideration  demanded  haste. 

On  Monday,  the  eleventh  day  of  December,  old  style,  the  ex- 
ploring, forefathers  land  at  Plymouth.  A  gralelnl  posterity  has 
marked  the  roek,  which  first  received  their  footsteps.  The 
consequences  of  that  day  are  constantly  unfoldine  themselves, 

ime  advances,  [t  was  the  origin  of  New  England:  it  was 
[he  planting  of  the  New  England  institutions.  Inquisitive  his- 
torians have  loved  to  mark  every  vestige  of  the  pilgrim?:  ports 
of  the  purest  minds  have  commemorated  their  virtues;  the  no- 
blest ceiling  has  been  called  into  exercise  to  display  their  merits 
worthily,  and  to  trace  the  consequence  of  their  daring  enter- 
prise. 

The  spot  when  examined,  seemed  to  invite  a  settlement,  and 
n  a  few  days,  the  Mayflower  was  safely  moored  in  its  harbor. 
In  memory  of  the  hospitalities,  which  the  company  had  receiv- 
ed at  the  last  English  port,  from  which  they  had  sailed,  this  old- 
est New  England  colony  obtained  the  name  of  Plymouth.  The 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— BRITISH  HOlteE  OF  LORDS.  40$ 


ysiem  of  civil  government  had  been  established  by  common 
greement;  the  character  of  the  church  had   for  many  yt-ars 
been  fixed  by  a  sacred  covenant.     As  ihr  pilgrims  landed,  ihr 
institutions  were  already    perfected.     Democratic   liberty  am 
independent  Cliri.-liun  wor.-hip  at  oncu  existed  in  America. 


DEBATE  ON  THE  POST  OFFICE, 
In  the  senate,  on  the  evening  of  June  27. 
Mr.  Webster  said,  that  he  thought  great  credit  was  due  to  the 
committee  for  tin:  labor,  diligence  and  ability,  which  its  mem- 
bers had  bestowed  on  the  subject  referred  to  them.  They  have 
iw  made  a  report  of  a  very  serious  character,  containing 
Illicit  charge*  of  inal  administration,  and  accompanied  by  tin 
vulenee.  (in  which  those  charges  are  founded.  Two  member: 
of  tiie  committee  have  made  a  report,  or  presented  a  paper,  o 
their  own,  in  which  they  undertake  in  some  instances  to  de- 
fend, and  in  others  to  excuse,  the  conduct  of  the  postmaster 
general,  and  other  persons  employed  in  the  department.  Now, 
sir,  (said  Mr.  W.)  in  an  affair  so  complicated,  where  there  are 
EO  man}'  charges,  and  so  much  evidence,  the  first  question  lo  be 
asked,  is,  are  any  of  these  charges  admitted  to  be  true,  by  the 
friends  of  the  administration,  and,  if  any,  which?  And,  as  to 
the  re>t  of  ihe  charges,  are  they  all  denied  or  contradicted,  or 
are  some  of  them,  and,  if  any,  which,  left  without  denial  or 
contradiction?  The  honorable  chairman  of  the  committee,  (Mr. 
Grundy),  who  does  not  agree  in  tiie  report  of  the  committee, 
but  is  one  of  (he  two  members  who  signed  the  other  paper 
called  the  report  of  the  minority,  has  addressed  the  seriate  re- 
peatedly, on  the  subject  of  these  charges.  Some  of  them  he 
has  objected  to,  others  he  has  not  attempted  lo  rebut,  and  of 
others  he  has  said  nothing.  The  honorable  gentleman  is  friend 
ly  to  the  administration,  and  to  the  head  of  the  post  office  de- 
partment; and,  therefore,  perhaps,  it  was  hardly  to  be  expected 
that  he  should  show  great  zeal  in  the  prosecution  of  ibis  in- 
quiry. Vet  I  think,  sir,  we  had  a  right  to  expect  from  him  not 
only  his  opinion  on  all  the  charges,  but  also  some  degree  ol 
patriotic  indignation,  against  lawless  acts,  whirl)  he  admits  to 
be  lawless.  Take,  for  example,  the  first  resolution  of  the  com- 
mittee, which  declares  that  the  postmaster  general  has  borrow- 
ed money  on  the  credit  of  the  United  States,  without  any  au- 
thority of  law.  The  honorable  chairman  says,  he  admits  the 
truth  of  this  charge.  Admits  it?  But  why  does  he  content 
himself  with  admitting  it?  Does  he  not  regard  it  as  a  gross 
violation  of  duty?  Does  he  not  think  it  an  alarming  thing,  that 
the  postmaster  general  should  borrow  half  a  million  of  dollars, 
in  order  to  cover  up  the  deficiencies  of  the  department,  and 
that  he  should  keep  this  loan  concealed,  for  years,  from  the 
knowledge  of  congress?  As  the  head  of  a  committee  charged 
to  inquire  into  abuses,  and  this  enormous  abuse  bavins  been 
discovered,  can  the  honorable  member  justify  himself  by  simply 
saying  he  adinils  its  existence?  Has  he  no  reproof,  no  word  of 
censure  for  such  a  flagrant  violation  of  law?  Has  he  no  disap- 
probation to  express,  no  complaint  to  enter,  in  such  tones  as 
that  the  administration  shall  hear  them?  No  man  denies  the  fact, 
and  none  undertakes  to  defend  it.  What  then?  Is  the  depart- 
ment still  to  go  on  in  its  career,  and  nothing  lo  be  done,  any 
more  than  if  nothing  had  been  discovered?  If  there  were  noth- 
ing else  in  the  whole  report,  if  that  charge  stood  alone,  I  cannot 
conceive  how  any  man  can  doubt  that  the  department  ought  10 
he  immediately  and  thoroughly  reformed.  The  counlry.  if  I 
mistake  not,  will  call  for  such  reformation.  As  to  upholding 
the  administration  of  the  department,  with  such  charges  against 
it  proved  and  admitted,  it  is  more  even  than  the  spirit  of  party 
devotion  can  accomplish. 

Again,  sir,  the  third  resolution  distinctly  declares  that  a  prac- 
tice prevails,  in  the  post  office,  of  granting  contracts  on  bids 
which  vary  from  the  advertisements,  and  of  altering  contracts, 
after  they  are  made  and  accepted;  a  practice  which  destroys 
all  competition,  and  enables  the  department  to  give  all  contracts 
to  favorites.  Is  this  charge  denied  or  admitted?  I  have  not 
heard  the  honorable  member,  the  chairman,  deny  it.  Does  he 
acknowledge  it  to  be  true?  If  he  does,  why  does  he  not  tell  us, 
in  a  plain  and  direct  manner,  that  this,  too,  is  an  enormous 
abuse,  and  ought  to  be  reformed?  Is  such  a  practice  to  pass 
without  reprehension?  While  its  existence  is  detected,  disco- 
vered and  acknowledged,  is  there  to  be  no  rebuke  of  it? 

There  is  then  the  sixth  resolution,  which  declares,  that  extra 
allowances  have  been  made  to  contractors,  which  arc  unrea- 
sonable and  extra"agant,  and  out  of  all  proportion  with  the  in- 
crease of  service.  Is  this  true? 

The  IHh  resolution  alleges,  in  general  terms,  that  the  depart- 
ment is  deeply  in  debt,  and  its  affairs  in  disorder.  I  have  heard 
no  man  deny  this.  None  ran  deny  it.  The  department  is  deeply 
in  debt;  its  affairs  aru  disordered,  greatly  disordered.  These 
extra  allowances  appear  to  have  lost  their  original  character. 
Instead  of  being  extraordinary,  they  have  become  ordinary. 
Contractors  calculate  upon  them.  The  probability  of  an  extra 
enter  into  their  motives,  when  they  make  bids.  Indeed  it  seems 
of  very  little  importance  what  bids  they  make.  They  are  in 
fact  paid  just  what  sums  the  postmaster  general  sees  fit  to  pay; 
and  they  are  generally  very  well  satisfied.  From  the  frequency 
and  the  amount  of  ihese  extras,  the  constant  changing  of  con- 
tracts, it  is  quite  evident  that  all  fair  competition  among  con- 
tractors is  done  away. 

Mr.  President,  the  country  is  awakened  to  these  abuses  in 
the  post  office,  and  it  will  not  bp,  and  ought  not  to  be,  satisfied 
without  a  thorough  examination,  and  an  honest  and  real  reform. 
I  give  my  hearty  thnnks  to  tho  committee  tor  their  zeal  and  in- 


du«try.  They  have  had  a  laborious  winter,  and  are  likely  to 
have  a  laborious  summer.  Let  them  go  on,  fearlessly,  and  the 
country  will  appreciate  their  service*. 

Let  them  explore  all  the  sources  of  corrupt  palronage,  let 
them  bring  all  abuse*  into  the  broad  light  of  day.  Let  them  in- 
quire into  the  number  of  removals  of  postmasters,  with  the  al- 
leged cause  of  such  removal*.  Let  ihtin  inquire  m  whose  hid- 
ding  honest  and  faithful  men  have  been  removed,  to  make  way 
for  partizans.  Let  them  ascerlain  whether  it  be  true  that  per- 
sons here  may  go  in'.o  the  post  office,  and  require  the  removal 
of  postmasters  by  dozens;  and  whether  the  postmaster  general, 
as  matter  of  course,  complies  with  such  requisitions. 

Mr.  President,  it  is  due  to  the  committee,  it  is  due  lo  the  se- 
nate itself,  it  is  due  to  this  highly  important  subject,  thai  we 
should  express  an  opinion  on  some  of  ihe  leading  re.-oluiiuns 
reported  by  Ihe  committee.  If  some  are  more  doubtful  than 
the  resl,  or  require  further  examination,  let  them  remain  for 
further  consideration.  But  on  the  plain  acknowledged,  noto- 
rious cases,  let  us  come  to  a  vole.  Lei  us  show  the  country 
that  we  are  in  earnest.  Lei  us  begin  with  Ihe  fiisl,  wilh  that 
which  respecls  the  borrowing  of  the  money  from  banks,  witli- 
oui  authority  of  law,  or  even  the  knowledge  of  congress;  and 
lei  us  see  whether  any  one  individual  member  of  Ihe  senale  is 
prepared  lo  withhold  from  that  proceeding  his  vote  of  censure. 

Mr.  Benton  thought  the  senate  ought  to  defer,  for  the  pre- 
sent, taking  a  vote  on  ihe  resolutions.  He  said,  he  had  had  no 
opportunity  of  carefully  examining  Ihe  reports,  and  therefore 
knew  but  little  of  their  contents.  However,  he  must  say,  that 
he  had  found  ihiiigs  in  them  at  which  he  had  fell  much  mortifi- 
ed. 

Mr.  Webster  thought  the  best  course,  which  was  called  for  by 
the  importance  of  the  subject,  and  what  was  due  as  well  to  the 
committee  as  the  senate,  was  this,  lo  take  a  vote  on  the  first 
resolution.  He  would  then  move  to  lay  the  others  upon  the 
table,  until  such  time  as  gentlemen  had  an  opportunity  of  ex- 
amining them,  when  he  would  move  that  they  be  taken  up. 

The  question  was  then  taken  on  agreeing  to  the  first  resolu- 
tion reported  by  the  post  office  committee,  in  the  following 
words: 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  proved  and  admitted  lhal  large  sums  of 
money  have  been  borrowed  at  different  banks  by  Ihe  postmaster 
general,  in  order  to  make  up  the  deficiency  in  lite  means  of 
carrying  on  the  business  of  ihe  post  office  department,  without 
authority  given  by  any  law  of  congress;  and  that,  as  congress 
alone  possesses  ihe  power  to  borrow  money  on  the  credit  of  Ihe 
United  States,  all  such  contracts  for  loans  by  the  postmaster 
general  are  illegal  and  void." 

And  the  question  on  agreeing  to  this  resolution  was  decided 
as  follows: 

YEAS— Messrs.  Benton,  Bibb,  Black,  Brown,  Calhoun,  Cham- 
bers, Clay,  Clayton,  Ewing,  Forsylh,  Frelinghuysen,  Grundy, 
Hendricks,  Hill,  Kane,  Kent,  King,  of  Alabama,~King,  of  Geo. 
Knight,  Lynn,  Mangum,  Moore,  Naudain,  Poindexler,  Porter, 
Prentiss,  Preston,  Robblns,  Robinson,  Shepley,  Silsbee,  Smith, 
Southard,  Sprague,  Swift,  Tomlinson,  Tyler,  Waggaman,  Web- 
ser,  White,  Wright— 41. 

NAYS— None. 

So  the  resolve  was  unanimously  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  who  congratulated  the  senale  on 
the  unanimity  of  this  vote,  the  residue  of  the  resolutions  were 
then  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 


BRITISH  HOUSE  OF  LORDS. 

The  church  establishment. 

"The  earl  of  Eldon,  in  a  very  feeble  voice  said  that  age  and 
nfirmities  prevented  him  from  debating  this  question;  but  he 
would  leave  this  as  a  legacy  to  their  lordships— staking  whate- 
ver he  had  of  professional  reputation  to  its  accuracy — that 
the  state  had  not  the  right  to  appropriate  the  revenues  of  the 
church." 

To  this,  the  present  lord  chancellor  replied— 
"A  noble  and  learned  lord,  on  leaving  the  house  just  now, 
lad  left  with  them  as  a  legacy,  he  said,  his  opinion  that  Ihe 
state  had  no  right  or  power  to  interfere  with  the  property  of  the 
church.  This  was  a  legacy  which  he,  (lord  Brougham),  was 
not  at  all  disposed  to  accept  from  the  noble  and  learned  lord. 
Seriously,  he  was  persuaded  that  on  reflection,  that  learned 
loblcman  would  retract  his  opinion;  for  he  surely  could  not 
>ersit  in  asserting  that  parliament  was  not  as  competent  to 
do  as  it  thought  fit  with  Hie  property  of  the  church,  as  it  was 
competent  to  do  as  it  thought  fit  with  the  property  of  any 
person  present,  [hear,  hear!]  This  power  was  exercised  re- 
ipatedly,  in  the  shape  of  private  bills.  What  would  he  the 
fleet  produced  by  the  admission  of  the  noble  and  learned  lord's 
most  extraordinary  doctrine?  Why,  that  although  by  any  pos- 
sibility it  should  happen  that  the  number  of  Protestants  of  the 
istablished  church  in  Ireland,  should  dwindle  down  from  700,000 
o  70.000,  or  to  7.000,  or  700,  or  even  lo  70,  yet  must  the  present 
amount  of  property  held  by  that  church  be  still  retained  by  the 
:00  or  70  as  a  sacred  right' which  none  had  »  right  to  question, 
hear,  hear.']  Surely  no  one  could  hesitate  at  pronouncing  this 
o  be  a  monstrous  proposition!  A  word  as  to  the  application  of 
he  words  church  property.  Peopla  talked  of  the  church  as  if 
t  were  a  corporation  sole;  whereas,  in  the  eye  of  Ihe  law,  it 
vas  no  such  a  thing.  "The  church"  did  not  mean  a  body  of 
he  clrruy,  but  it  meant  the  body  of  the  faithful,  [hear,  hear!] 
and  when  you  talk  of  church  properly  you  do  not  really  mean 


404 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— POLITICAL  HISTORY. 


to  say  that  the  three  millions  a  yeafj  or  whatever  the  sum  was, 
belonged  to  "the  church''  as  a  body  separate  from  and  indepen 
dent  of  the  stale.  This,  however,  was  the  mistake,  in  com- 
mon parlance;  and  he  knew  of  no  misconception  that  had  led 
to  greater  mischief.  But  if  they  talked  of  the  clergy,  meaning, 
thereby,  various  corporations,  some  siHe  as  bishops  and  parsons, 
others  corporate  as  deans  and  chapters  —  then  be  could  under- 
stand what  was  meant." 


FOREIGN  NEWS. 

From  Liverpool  papers  to  the  \st  July  and  London  to  the  3Qth 

June,  inclusive. 

FRANCE. 

The  elections  had  generally  resulted,  as  we  have  before  stat- 
ed, in  favor  of  the  government.  Nearly  all  the  eminent  opposi- 
tion candidates,  however,  who  had  lost  their  elections  in  those 
places  where  they  were  first  candidates,  had  subsequently  been 
elected  in  others.  M.  Lafitle  had  been  returned  from  three 
places.  Barrot  and  Dupont  d  I'Eure  have  also  secured  seats. 

France  had  concluded  a  treaty  with  the  republic  of  New  Gra- 
nada. 

M  de  Chateaubriand  having  lost  his  election,  has  published 
a  letter  staling  that  had  he  been  elected  he  would  not  have 
taken  his  seat,  as  he  would  not  have  taken  the  oaths. 

The  republicans  as  a  party  are  said  to  be  at  an  end  in  France. 

GREAT   BRITAIN   AND   IRELAND. 

Parliament  will  not  rise  before  the  second  week  in  August. 
The  printer  and  editor  of  the  Morning  Post  had  been  brought 
before  the  house  of  peers  for  a  libel  on  the  lord  chancellor. 
The  former  had  been  discharged  but  the  latter  was  still  under- 
going an  examination. 

The  dean  and  chapter  of  Exeter,  in  now  paving  and  beautify- 
ing their  ancient  cathedral,  found  the  leaden  coffin  of  bishop 
Bitten,  who  died  in  1307.  Near  the  bones  of  the  finger  was  dis- 
covered a  sapphire  ring  set  in  gold,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  en- 
graved a  hand,  with  the  two  fore  fingers  extended  in  the  atti- 
tude of  benediction. 

There  are  at  present  living  in  the  small  village  of  Heighington, 
in  the  county  of  Durham,  Enaland,  in  a  population  of  400  or 
600  souls,  24  individuals  whose  united  ages  amount  to  1,977 
years,  the  oldest  is  90  and  the  youngest  79  years  of  age. 

The  town  of  Leeds,  which  in  1816  was  assessed  to  the  amount 
«f  £90,000,  has  been  by  a  late  assessment  valued  at  £190,000 
The  other  large  towns  have  proportionally  increased. 

During  the  past  year,  the  receipts  of  the  society  for  promoting 
Christian  knowledge  have  been  rather  more  than  £74,000;  the 
expenditure  £  72,000.  The  publications  including,  82,000  bibles, 
amounted  to  2,152,000. 

The  English  Mediterranean  squadron  is  said  to  be  making 
bostile  demonstrations  against  Turkey;  that  Russia  is  at  the 
bottom  of  it,  and  that  a  French  fleet  was  fitting  up  in  haste  to 
co-operate. 

There  had  been  a  destructive  fire  at  Oldham,at  which  15  per- 
sons lost  tlieir  lives  by  the  falling  of  a  wall. 

There  had  been  a  dreadful  affray  at  Kerry,  in  Ireland,  be- 
tween two  clans,  attended  with  great  slaughter.  At  least  1,00( 
men  were  engaged  in  it;  for  in  addition  10  the  resident  parties, 
the  Coleens  and  the  Lawlors,  numbers  came  from  miles  routic 
to  take  part  in  the  conflict  against  men  whom  they  had  never 
seen  before:  all  for  the  pleasure  of  a  fight. 

In  the  house  of  commons,  June  27,  a  call  was  made  for  a  re- 
turn of  the  names  of  the  persons  in  the  suite  of  Don  Carlos 
with  a  view  of  taking  into  custody  gen.  Moreno,  understood  U 
be  one  of  the  suite,  who  had  invited  the  brave  Torrijos,  am 
several  of  his  companions,  to  Malaga,  and  had  there  become 
the  instrument  of  their  destruction.  Among  these  victims  was 
Mr.  Boyd,  an  Englishman. 

Lord  Palmerston  had  no  objection  to  the  production  of  the 
correspondence.  He  stated  that  the  law  officers  of  the  crovv 
had  been  consulted  as  to  the  legality  of  prosecuting  the  Spanisl 
general  Moreno  for  the  murder  of  Mr.  Boyd.  He  had  little 
doubt  as  to  their  opinions;  for  Boyd  was  put  to  death  accordini 
to  the  law  of  Spain,  and  the  law  of  nations;  having  knowing); 
gone  with  the  band  of  Torrijos  to  excite  an  insurrection  on  the 
Spanish  territory. 

It  is  said  that  the  Irish  coercion  bill,  about  to  be  re-enacted 
will  be  divested  of  the  military  tribunal,  and  the  other  peculiar 
ly  obnoxious  clauses. 

Admiral  Napier  lias  arrived  in  England,  in  the  Brnpanza  fri 
gate,  which  he  captured  from  Don  Miguel.  The  admiral  took 
lodgings  at  Portsmouth,  in  a  hotel  directly  opposite  the  resi 
deuce  of  Don  Carlo*. 

SI'AIN. 

There  had  been  several  recent  battles  between  the  Carlis 
forces  under  Zuinalaearreguy  and  those  of  the  queen,  in  whicl 
the  former  had  been  victorious.  In  one  of  these  the  killed  am 
wounded  amounted  to  1,200. 


POLITICAL  HISTORY. 

From  the  Neu-port,  (R.  I.)  Herald,  of  July  31. 
We  copy  the  following  from  the  R.  I.  Republican  of  the  9th 
which  credits  it  lo  "TAe  Washington  North  .American."  As  i 
lias  now  been  published  more  than  three  weeks  without  con 
uadiction,  or  correction  from  D.  J.  Penrce,  we  must  conside 
liim  as  abiding  by  it. 

[From  the  Washington  North  American.] 

THE  HARTFORD  CONVENTION.     In  the  course  of  a  very  spirit 

cd  deliitc,  which  look  place  in  the  house  of  representative  01 


Monday  last,  between  the  two  members  from  Rhode  Island,  on 
a  distress  memorial  from  that  slate,  and  in  which  Mr.  Pearce 
lighly  distinguished  himself,  and  confessedly  and  decidedly  got 
he  better  of  his  formidable  antagonist,  Mr.  Burges  took  the 
pportunily  to  defend  the  Hartford  convention,  and  gave  Mr. 
'earce  occasion  to  stale  some  facts  in  relation  to  that  illus- 
rious  assembly,  not  heretofore  generally  known.  He  said 
'Timothy  Pickering  had  informed  Mr.  Lowell,  of  Massachu- 
etts,  tliat  the  convention  did  not  intend  any  half-way  measures 
— that  it  was  their  determination  not  to  stop  short  of  a  separa- 
ion  of  the  union,"  and  that  the  occurrence  of  peace  and  the 
/ictory  at  New  Orleans,  alone  prevented  their  design  from  be- 
ng  carried  into  execution.  The  messenger  or  ambassador  who 
vas  charged  witli  carrying  the  ultimatum  of  the  convention  to 
Mr.  Madison,  was  stopped  on  his  way  to  Washington,  by  the 
lews  of  those  fortunate  events.  The  ultimatum  of  the  mes- 
senger was  believt d  to  be,  that  Mr.  Madison  should  resign,  and 
hat  an  end,  on  any  terms,  should  be  put  to  the  war.  This  in- 
brmation  from  Mr.  Pickering,  to  Mr.  Lowell,  as  to  the  designs 
of  the  Hartford  convention,  was  given  hy  the  latter  to  Mr.  Pot- 
er,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  communicated  by  him  to  Mr.  Pearce. 
Mr.  Lowell  is  a  distinguished  citizen  of  Massachusetts,  whose 
word  will  not  be  doubted  in  that  state,  or  by  any  one  elsewhere, 
acquainted  wilh  his  character.  Mr.  Potter  is  the  gentleman 
who  was  recently  elected  to  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  by 
he  legislature  of  Rhode  Island,  and  was  refused  Ins  seat  by  the 
senate,  on  the  ground,  that  Mr.  Robbins  was  entitled  to  it  by 
he  election  of  a  previous  legislature.  Mr.  Pearce  also  stated, 
hat  during  the  last  war,  a  patriotic  citizen  of  Newport,  had 
Hied  out  [a  privaleer  to  cruise  against  the  enemy,  and  so  high 
did  the  traitorous  feelings  of  that  period  prevail  among  the  po- 
"ilical  associates  of  his  colleague,  Mr.  Burges,  lhat  the  owners 
liad  to  have  a  guard  always  attached  to  the  vessel,  while  in 
that  port,  to  keep  them  from  destroying  it,  which  they  threaten- 
ed and  were  preparing  to  do.  This  last  blow,  so  vigorously 
driven  home  by  Mr.  Pearce,  into  the  tender  parts  of  his  col- 
eague,  is  the  most  effectual  of  the  many  hard  hits  which  the 
pugnacity  of  the  Thersites  of  the  house  of  representalives,  has 
drawn  upon  himself  Ihis  session.  Pearce  gave  it  to  him  most 
scientifically  between  the  scales,  and  the  giant  and  veleran  gla- 
liator  of  parliamentary  fisticuffing,  wus  completely  shut  up  and 
floored. 

[Then  follows  some  severe  remarks  of  the  editor  which, 
though,  perhaps  well  applied  to  the  present  slate  of  politics  in 
Rhode  Island,  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  record  that  we  desire 
to  make.  [Eo.  REG.] 

[Letter from  the  hon,  Harrison  Gray  Otis,to  Benjamin  Hazard, 
esq.  of  Neu'port.] 

Boston,  July  22,  1834. 

DEAR  SIR:  Many  years  since,  I  wrote  and  published  a  series 
of  letters,  in  a  pamphlet  form,  in  vindication  of  the  views  and 
proceedings  of  the  Hartford  convention.  The  statement  of 
facts  in  those  letters  being  entirely  matter  of  record,  and  the  in- 
ferences from  those  facts  being'plain  and  inevitable,  I  may, 
without  claiming  any  peculiar  merit,  venture  to  assert  that  thia 
vindication  was  liiumphant  and  unanswerable:  and  no  attempt 
to  reply  10  il  has  ever  been  made,  lo  my  knowledge.  It  appears 
also  from  ibis  slalemunt,  that  every  man  in  the  community  has 
the  means  of  knowing  all  that  was  intended  or  done  by  that 
convention,  as  amply  as  the  members  ihemselves.  For  their 
original  appointment  and  authority  were  conferred  by  legisla- 
tive bodies,  with  open  doors;  and  this  authority  like  that  of 
other  committees,  was  limited  to  the  power  of  doing  'nothing 
but  of  mailing  a  report.  Their  report  was  made  and  published 
forlhtnlh — and  soon  afterwards  their  private  journal  was  de- 
posited in  the  archives  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  and  also 
published.  On  the  occasion  of  a  judicial  trial  in  Connecticut, 
Roger  Sherman,  a  member  of  the  convention:  a  gentleman  of 
conspicuous  rectitude  of  character  as  well  as  talent,  was  ex- 
amined on  oath  in  reference  to  those  proceedings,  and  negatived 
conclusively  ihe  current  slanders  of  the  day,  in  reference  to  the 
covert  and  anti-federal  designs  imputed  to  the  convention:  and 
lalely  Mr.  Dwight,  the  secretary  of  that  assembly,  has  published 
an  elaborate  volume,  exhibiting  with  great  industry  and  ability 
the  rise,  progress,  aim  and  end  of  the  convention.  It  was  not 
to  be  expected  Ihal  these  irrefragable  proofs,:nor  that  Moses  anil 
the  prophets,  should  they  rise  from  the  dead,  would  pul  lo 
shame  or  silence  the  great  affiliated  corps  of  calumniators  who 
are  spread  over  Ihe  whole  counlry — and  who  are  very  faithfully 
represented  in  congress.  These  creamier,  like  the  grubworm, 
rise  annually  from  the  earth,  and  when  they  seem  to  disappear 
or  to  be  exterminated  one  year,  the  ncxl  finds  them  "al  ilicir 
dirty  work  again."  Nor  was  il  to  be  expected  that  many  of  the 
aspirants  for  popular  favor  of  the  old  federal  party  even  of  that 
number  who  promoted,  encouraged  nnd  cheered  the  conven- 
tion, but  were  not  among  its  members — should  like  your  Mr. 
Burges,  volunteer  in  defending  the  character  of  the  dead  lion. 
Il  is  an  inconvenient  and  dangerous  sort  of  magnanimity,  and 
not  so  good  a  parl  of  valor  as  "discretion."  However,  having 
done  my  duly,  to  my  entire  satisfaction,  I  have  for  a  long  time 
f>'lt  lhal  it  would  imply  a  want  of  self  respect  in  me,  to  betray 
a  solicitude,  or  write  a  line,  or  say  a  word  in  contradiction  of 
Ihe  inexhaustible  new  versions  of  old  absurdities,  which  are  *o 
often  belched  onl  by  some  of  the  kitchen,  grocshop  nnd  con- 
gress orators.  With  this  impression,  nothing  hut  my  respect 
for  you,  would  have  induced  me  to  notice  the  publication  you 
sent  to  me,  from  the  Washington  North  American,  reprinted  in 


NILES1  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— ANSWER  OF  JOHN  C.  CALHOUN.      405 


I 

fr< 


e  of  the  Rhode  Island  papers.    The  extravagant  folly— in- 
...nsic  falsehood,  and  absurb  anachronisms  which  pervade  this 
essay,  so  far  transcend  all  other  nonsense  of  the  sort,  that  if 
your  Mr.  Pearce  did  say  what  is  imputed  to  him,  he  mnst  in- 
deed, in  the  language  of  his  encomiast,  have   "distinguished 
himself."  I  sent  it  to  Mr.  Lowell,  and  you  have  his  answer.    If 
it  does  not  come  under  the  class  of  poser*,  I  know  nol  what  will, 
unless  it  be  what  here  follows.    Mr.  Pearce  is  made  to  say,  (I 
hope  not  truly),  that  "the  occurrence  of  peace,  and  the  victory 
of  New  Orleans,  alone  prevented  their  design — (to  separate  the 
union),  from  being  carried  into  execution"— Memo:    The  con- 
vention was  dissolved  long  before  the  news  of  peace  was  re- 
ceived in  this  country,  and  before  the  viclory  al  New  Orleans 
had  been  achieved.     Again — "The  messenger  or  ambassador 
who  was  charged  wilh  carrying  the  ultimatum  of  the  convenlion 
o  Mr.  Madison,  was  sloped  on  his  way  to  Washington  by  the 
lews  of  those  forlunale  events" — Memo;  No  communication 
from  the  convention  to  congress  was  ever  made  or  proposed. 
No  messengerof  any  description  was  ever  deputed  by  that  body 
to  Mr.  Madison,  nor  to  congress.     Individuals  were  sent  by  the 
several  state  legislatures  represented  in  convention,  with  the 
printed  report  in  their  hands,  and  with  public  instructions  to 
apply  to  congress  for  permission  lo  defend  the  country  with  their 
own  militia,  at  the  expense  of  Ihe  United  States.     But  their 
commission  was  in  great  part  superseded  by  au  act  of  congress 
then  lately  passed,  providing  the  actual  measure  which  the  con- 
vention recommended;  and  which,  had  it  passed  in  season,  would 
have  taken  away  the  principal  motive  and  object  for  instituting 
the  convention.    In  fact  while  the  convention  were  debating 
and  deciding  upon  the  ways  and  means  of  defending  New  Eng- 
land, which  il  would  be  proper  lo  requesl  congress  to  provide: 
congress  was  debating,  and  finally  decided  to  grant  substantial- 
ly those  very  ways  and  means.     So  lhat  in   truth   there  was 
upon  the  great  object  proposed  by  the  convention,  no  difference 
in  substance  between  that  body  and  congress.     Congress  had  be- 
come satisfied  lhat  the  New  England  states,  in   their  contro- 
versy respecting  the  militia  and  the  system  of  defence  appro- 
priate to  their  eondition,  had  the  right  side  of  the  question, 
and  YIELDED  THE  POINT.     All   this  has  been   often   said,  and 
cannot  be  contradicted.    But  cut  bono!  The  draining  of  a  quag- 
mire does  not  silence  the  frogs,  but  merely  drives  them  to  some 
other  fouler  puddle.    I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  G.  OTIS. 
Hon.  Mr.  Hazard. 


district,  to  a  public  dinner,  to  .be  given  to  John  M.  Patton,  it* 
representative  in  the  congress  of  the  United  States. 

Gratified  as  I  should  be  in  meeting  so  many  of  my  neighbor* 
and  friends,  among  them  the  able  and  highly  respected  repre- 
sentative of  the  district,  the  opportunity  is  rendered  of  no  avail 
to  me  by  a  continuance,  and  of  late  increase  of  the  cause* 
which  have  long  confined  me  to  my  home,  and  at  thia  time, 
confine  me  for  the  most  part  to  a  sick  chamber. 

The  favorable  views  which  my  friends  have  taken  of  my  pub- 
lic and  private  life,  justly  demand  my  grateful  and  affectionate 
acknowledgments.  Such  a  testimony  from  those  whom  I  know 
to  be  sincere,  and  to  whom  I  am  best  known,  is  very  precious 
to  me.  If  it  gives  me  a  credit  far  beyond  my  claims,  which  I 
am  very  conscious  that  it  does,  I  cannot  be  insensible  to  the 
partiality  which  commits  the  error. 

Though  withdrawn  from  the  theatre  of  public  affairs,  and 
from  the  excitements  incident  to  them,  I  may  be  permitted  to 
say  to  my  friends,  that  I  join  them  most  cordially  in  their  devo- 
tion to  the  great  and  fundamental  principles  of  republicanism 
to  which  Virginia  has  been  constant;  and  that  I  am  not  less 
persuaded  than  they  are,  of  the  dependence  of  our  prosperity 
on  those  principles;  and  of  the  intimate  connexion  of  both  with* 
the  preservation  of  the  union  in  its  integrity,  and  of  the  consti- 
tution in  its  purity.  The  value  of  the  union  will  be  most  felt 
by  those  who  look  with  more  forecast  into  the  consequences  of 
disunion.  Nor  will  the  constitution,  with  its  wise  provision  for 
its  own  improvement  under  the  lights  of  experience,  be  under- 
valued by  any  who  compare  the  distracted  and  ominous  condi- 
tion from  which  it  rescued  the  country,  with  the  secnrity  and 
prosperity  so  long  enjoyed  under  it,  and  with  the  bright  pros- 
pects which  it  has  opened  on  the  civilized  world.  It  is  a  proud 
reflection,  proud  for  the  people  of  the  United  States — proud  for 
the  cause  of  liberty— that  history  furnishes  no  example  of  a  go- 
vernment providing  like  blessings,  in  an  equal  degree,  and  for 
the  same  period,  as  the  modification  of  political  power  in  the 
compound  government  of  the  United  Stales,  of  which  the  vital 
principle  pervading  the  whole  and  all  its  parts,  is  the  elective 
and  responsible  principle  of  republicanism.  May  not  then  esto 
perpetua,  express  the  hope  as  well  as  Ihe  prayer  of  every  cilizen 
who  loves  liberly  and  loves  his  courilry. 

I  pray  Ihe  committee,  in  communicating  my  thanks  to  the 
meeting,  for  the  kind  invitation  conveyed  to  me,  to  accept  fe» 
themselves  my  eordial  respects  and  best  wish«s. 

JAMES  MADISON, 


Communication  from  Aon.  John  Lowell,  to  the  editor  of  the  He- 
rald of  the  Times. 

Roxbury,July2l,  1834. 

MR.  EDITOR:  The  Washington  North  Ameiican  gives  au  ex- 
tract from  a  speech  of  the  lion.  Mr.  Pearce,  of  Rhode  Island, 
delivered  in  congress  on  the  presentation  of  some  inrmon.il 
from  Rhode  Island,  in  which  the  lion,  member  is  stated  to  have 
made  (in  reference  to  the  Hartford  convention)  UK;  following 
statement:  "that  Timothy  Pickering  had  informed  Mr.  Lowell, 
of  Massachusetts,  that  the  convention  did  not  intend  half  way 
measures — that  it  was  their  determination  not  to  stop  short  of 
a  separation  of  the  union;  and  that  the  occurrence  of  peace  and 
the  victory  at  New  Orleans,  alone  prevented  their  designs  from 
being  carried  into  execution."  Mr.  Pearce  is  further  reported 
to  have  said — "This  information  from  Mr.  Pickering  to  Mr. 
Lowell,  as  to  the  design  of  the  Hartford  convention,  was  given 
by  the  latter  to  Mr.  Potter,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  communicat- 
ed by  him  to  Mr.  Pearce." 

The  statement  is  almost  loo  absurd  to  require  notice.  That 
col.  Pickering,  then  at  Wasiiington,  wholly  ignorant  of  the  in- 
tention or  doings  of  the  Hartford  convention,  should  write  to 
me,  in  Boston,  intimately  acquainted  with  most  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts members,  to  inform  me  what  their  designs  were,  is 
rather  incredible.  The  FACT  is,  that  no  such  letter  was  ever 
written,  or  information  given  in  any  other  way,  by  col.  Picker- 
ing to  me,  as  to  the  intention  or  designs  of  the  Hartford  conven- 
tion. As  to  my  communicating  to  Mr.  Polter,  what  never  ex- 
isted, I  can  add,  that  I  never  had  the  honor  of  a  personal  ac- 
quaintance with  Mr.  Potter,  nor  was  I  ever  in  his  company  to 
my  knowledge;  nor  did  I  ever  write  to  him  on  any  subject  so 
far  as  I  can  recollect;  and,  as  an  honorable  man,  I  have  no 
doubt  that  Mr.  Polter  will  confirm  this  statement.  Since  I  am 
obliged,  by  a  sense  of  propriety,  to  deny  the  facts  attempted  lo 
be  supporled  by  my  testimony,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  add,  that  I 
was  invited,  and  did  attend  a  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts  de- 
legates to  the  Hartford  convention,  which  took  place  at  col. 
Thorndike's,  the  evening  before  their  departure  for  Hartford. 
The  whole  subject  was  then  and  there  fully  and  confidentially 
discussed,  and  I  can  aver,  that  there  was  a  unanimous  asrec- 
ment  on  the  part  of  those  delegates,  that,  at  the  vnsniii!; "con- 
vention, as  little  should  be  done  as  possible,  anil  no  more  than 
should  be  deemed  absolutely  essential  to  the  allaying  of  the 
public  excitement,  that  neither  forcible  opposition  to  the  exist- 
ing government  of  the  United  States,  nor  a  separation  of  the 
New  England  states,  were  ever  proposed,  or  ever  mentioned. 

JOHN  LOWELL. 

ANSWER  OF  MR.  MADISON 

To  an  invitation  to  attend  a  public  dinner  that  was  given  to 
Mr.  Patlon,  M.  C.  in  Orange  county,  Va. 

Montpelier,  9th  July,  1834. 

I  have  received,  friends  and  fellow  citizens,  your  letter  invit- 
ing me,  in  behalf  of  a  portion  of  the  republican  citizens  of  this 


ANSWER  OF  JOHN  C.  CALHOUN", 
To  an  invitation  to  attend  the  whig  celebration  of  the  4tft 
July,  al  Charlottesville,  Va. 

Washington,  15th  June,  1834, 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  been  honored  by  your  note  of  the  9lh  in- 
stant, inviting  me,  in  the  name  of  a  number  of  the  citizens  of 
Albemarle,  who  are  opposed  to  executive  usurpation  and  mis- 
rule, to  partake  of  a  public  dinner  at  Cliarlottesville,  on  the  ap- 
proaching anniversary  of  independence,  and  I  regret  to  say,  lhat 
my  engagements  will  not  permit  me  to  accept  your  invitation. 
I  cordially  agree  with  you  in  the  opinion  you  have  expressed 
of  the  acls  of  the  federal  executive,  to  which  you  have  referred:, 
and  have,  in  the  discharge  of  my  official  duties,  during  the  ses- 
sion, cheerfully  united  with  all  entertaining  the  same  opinion 
to  resist  those  acts  to  the  best  of  my  abilities,  however  differing 
on  other  subjects.  Had  I  acted  otherwise,  I  would  have  been 
unfaithful  to  my  oath  to  support  the  constitution,  and  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  party  with  which  il  is  my  pride  to  act,  and  whose 
motto  is  opposition  to  usurpation  in  whatever  form  and  from 
whatever  quarter.  So  long  as  the  executive  shall  persist  in  it» 
acts  of  usurpation,  so  long  shall  I  feel  bound  by  the  high  obli- 
gation of  duty,  to  continue  to  pursue  the  same  course,  without 
regarding  the  diversities  of  opinion,  be  they  small  or  great,  be- 
tween myself  and  others,  whom  I  may  find  in  opposition  to  the 
same  acts. 

But  while  I  thus  stand  prepared  lo  resist  the  encroachments 
of  the  executive,  I  must  say  that,  in  my  opinion,  every  scheme 
of  resistance  limited  to  the  acts  of  that  department,  without 
looking  beyond,  must,  in  the  end,  prove  abortive.  Unless  I  am 
greatly  deceived,  the  true  equilibrium  of  our  political  system  i* 
to  be  found  in  the  great  and  primary  division  of  power  between 
the  general  and  slale  governments.  So  long  as  this  fundamen- 
tal distribution  remains  undisturbed,  as  established  by  the  con- 
stitution, there  is,  in  my  opinion,  but  little  danger  of  the  de- 
partments of  the  government  attempting  to  encroach  on  each 
other;  or,  if  either  should  make  the  attempt,  that  it  would  be 
successful;  but  let  this  fundamental  distribution  be  disturbed, 
and  it  will  be  found  to  be  impossible  to  maintain  the  equilibrium 
of  power  between  the  departments.  If  these  views  be  correct, 
usurpation,  under  our  system,  must  commence  by  encroach- 
ments on  the  rights  of  the  states,  and  can  only  take  place  through 
the  agency  of  congress,  which,  by  an  express  provision  of  the 
constitution,  is  vested,  exclusively,  with  all  the  discretionary 
powers  Authorised  under  the  instrument  to  be  exercised  by  this 
government,  or  any  of  its  departments,  and  through  which  pow- 
ers only  is  there  the  least  danger  of  encroachment.  But  while 
usurpation  can  only  originate  in  the  encroachments  of  congress 
on  the  rights  of  Hie  states,  the  necessary  effecl  of  such  encroach- 
ment is  to  increase  the  relative  power  of  the  executive,  and 
thereby  to  lead  the  way  to  eneroachmenl  of  lhat  department  on 
thn  puwcr  of  congress.  I  hold  it,  then,  as  a  fundamental  law 
of  the  system,  that  whatever  power  congress  may  take  from  the 
states  will  enure  not  to  its  advantage,  but  to  that  of  the  execu- 


40«    NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  18S4— FOURTH  CONGRESS— SECOND  SESSION. 


live.  Tlie  reason  is  obvious.  The  patronage,  and,  consequent- 
ly, tlic  influence  of  the  government  are  vested  in  that  depart- 
ment, and  us  Hie  power  and  action  of  this  government  niu-i  in- 
crease just  in  proportion  as  it  absorbs  the  ri«hls  of  the  slates,  in 
the  same  degree  will  the  patronage  and  influence  ol' the  execu 
tive.  It  is  then  that  the  encroachments  ot  congress  on  the  states 
augment  the  influence  and  power  of  the  executive  department, 
anil  prepares  the  way,  in  turn,  for  its  usurpations  on  the  powers 
of  congress,  just  as  we  now  see  it.  What,  1  would  a<k,  has 
prepared  the  way  for  the  usurpations  of  the  present  executive? 
What  has  so  erroneously  increased  its  influence  and  power? 
What  has  created  that  countless  host  of  office  holders  and  office 
expectants,  which  stand  ready  to  sustain  the  executive  in  all  its 
acts,  whether  Ihey  be  right  or  wrong?  For  the  cause  of  all  this, 
we  must  look  to  the  acts  of  congress — to  that  system  of  Icgi.-la- 
timi  that  drew  into  the  vortex  of  this  government  the  control 
over  the  enure  industry  and  wealth  of  the  country — that  poured 
millions  into  its  treasury  beyond  its  legitimate  wants,  to  lie 
wasted  in  the  most  profuse  and  extravagant  manner  on  object* 
not  authorised  by  tile  constitution.  It  is  this  which  has  so  dan- 
gerously increased  the  influence  and  power  of  the  executive- 
winch  has  spread  corruption  and  servility  over  tin-  land — which 
has  divided  iind  distracted  the  country — which  by  creating  an 
immense  surplus  revenue,  beyond  the  most  profuse  expend!- 
ture,  has  tempted  the  executive  to  seize  on  the  public  treasure, 
anil  which  finally  sustains  him  in  the  present  open  and  flagrant 
breach  of  the  laws  and  constitution.  It  is  thus  [hat  the  usurpa- 
tion of  congress  on  the  stales  has  In!  the  way  to  that  of  Hie  exe- 
cutive on  congress;  and  that  not  by  any  accidental  operation, 
but  by  necessary  consequence  through  a  fixed  Inw  of  the  sys- 
tem. We  are  thus  taught  the  important  lesson,  that  the  legis- 
lative department,  in  encroaching  on  the  rights  of  the  states 
must,  in  the  end,  be  absorbed  by  the  executive,  and  that  the 
first  and  indispe nsablr  step  towards  arresting  the  usurpations  of 
thai  department  mi  its  rights,  is  to  abandon  its  usurpations  on 
the  rights  of  the  status — abandon,  in  the  present  instance,  that 
supremacy  which  it  has  assumed  over  the  states,  and  nil  those 
powers,  the  exercise  of  which  has  led  to  the  present  disastrous 
stale  of  things.  Till  this  is  done,  no  effectual  and  permanent 
re.-i-l.inee  can  be  made  to  executive  usurpations.  Should  we 
ever  sneered  in  arresting  the  present  acts  of  usurpation,  and  in 
expelling  from  power  those  who  are  their  authors,  the  victory 
would  be  but  temporary,  unless  the  rights  of  the  states  should 
be  restored. 

We  may  rest  assured  that  it  is  only  on  the  elevation  and  com- 
manding position  ofstate  rishts,  that  the  contest  against  HXCCII 
live  usurpation  can  be  permanently  and  successfully  maintain- 
ed. It  is  the  chosen  spot  on  which  the  patriotic  must  lake  llieir 
stand,  in  defence  of  the  institutions  ami  the.  liberty  of  the  conn 
try.  It  is  the  consecrated  "round,  on  which  your  anrinil  and 
renowned  commonwealth  successfully  contended  against  usur 
piiion  in  the  great  contest  of '98,  and  on  which  she  miist  now 
niMin  coiiieinl  iii  the  same  sacred  cause,  if  she  seeks  to  emulate 
her  former  glory  and  success.  On  any  other,  defeat  and  di-as 
ter  will  l»e  inevitable.  I  take  the  liberty,  in  conclusion,  to  offer 
you  the  following  sentiment: 

"State  rights  and  state  remedies:  the  only  effectual  barrier 
against  usurpation:  let  them  be  prostrnled,  and  in  the  place  of 
an  elective  chief  magistrate,  we  shall  speedily  have  a  military 
despot."  With  great  respect,  I  am,  &c. 

J.  C.  CALI10UN. 

T.  W.  Gilmer,  esq.  and  others,  committee. 

— •"•*«  ®  am 
FOURTH  CONGRESS— SECOND  SESSION. 

IKirsF.   OF   REPRESENTATIVES    DECEMBER    15,    1798. 

The  house,  accordiii"  to  the  order  of  the  day,  again  resolved 
itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole  hon*e  on  the  address  to  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  [GEORGE  WASHINGTON]  in  an- 
swer to  his  speech  to  both  houses  of  congress;  and,  alter  some 
time  spent  therein  Mr.  Speaker  resumed  the  chair,  and  report 
ed  that  the  committee  had,  according  to  order,  again  had  the 
said  address  under  consideration,  and  made  several  amend- 
ments thereto,  which  he  delivered  at  the  clerk's  table,  where 
the  same  were  severally  twice  read  and  agreed  to. 

A  motion  was  then  made  and  seconded,  to  amend  (he  said 
address,  by  striking  out  in  the  last  paragraph  thereof,  the  fol- 
lowing clause,  to  wit: 

"For  our  country's  sake,  for  the  sake  of  republican  liberty,  it 
is  our  earnest  wish  that  your  example  may  be  the  guide  of 
your  successors;  and  thus,  after  being  the  ornament  and  safe- 
guard of  the  present  age,  become  the  patrimony  of  our  descnd- 
ants?" 

And  on  the  question  thereupon,  it  passed  in  the  negative,  yeas 
24,  nays  54. 

The  yeas  and  nay?  bring  demanded  by  one  fifth  of  the  mem 
bers  present,  those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative,  fire, 

Theodorus  Rally,  David  Hard,  Thos.  Blotint.  Gabriel  Chri.-tie, 
Christopher  Greenup,  John  Heath,  James  Holland,  Andiew 
Jack-on,  George  Jackson. Edward  LivinuMon,  Matthew  Locke, 
William  Lyinan,  John  Clnpton,  Isaac  Coles,  Albert  Gallatin, 
William  B.  Giles.  Samuel  Maebiy,  Nathaniel  Macon,  Andrew 
Moore,  Josi.-ih  Parker,  John  Patten, John  Swanwick,  Joseph  B. 
Varnmn  and  Abraham  Venable — 24. 

Those  who  voteil  in  the  negative,  are, 

Fisher  Ames,  Abraham  Baldwin,  Theophilns  lirnilhnry,  Na- 
than Bryan,  Thomas  Clniborne,  Joshua  Coit,  William  Craik, 
Jamea  Davenport,  Henry  Dearborn,  Gnome  Dent,  George  Ege, 
Abiel  Foster,  Dwijjht  Footer,  Jesse  Franklin.  Nathaniel  Fiee- 


man,  junior,  Ezekiel  Gilbert,  James  Gillespie,  Nicholas  Gil- 
man,  Henry  Glen,  Chauncey  Goodrich,  Andrew  Gregg,  Roger 
Giiswold,  William  B.  Grove,  Robert  Goodloe  Harper.  Thomas 
Hartley,  Jonathan  N.  Havens,  Thomas  Henderson,  William 
Hiiidman,  Aaron  Kitchell,  Samuel  Lyuian,  James  Madison, 
Francis  Malbone,  F.  A.  Muhlenberg,  Joim  Nicholas,  John  Page, 
John  Reed,  John  Richards,  Samue.l  Sewall,  John  S.  dberrmrn*, 
Samuel  Sitgreaves,  Nathaniel  Smith,  Israel  Smith,  Isaac  Smith, 
William  Smith,  Richard  Sprieg,  junior,  William  Slruduick, 
Zephaniah  Swift,  Geo.  Thacker,  Richard  Thos.  Mark  Thomp- 
son, John  E.  Van  Allen,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Pelcg  Wads- 
worth  and  John  Williams,  54.* 

And  then  the  main  question  being  taken,  that  the  house  do 
agree  to  the  said  address,  amended  to  read  as  followetli: 

Sir:  The  house  of  representative*  have  attended  to  your  com- 
munication respecting  the  slate  of  our  country,  with  all  the 
sensibility  that  the  contemplation  of  the  subject  and  a  sense  of 
duly  can  inspire. 

We  are  gratified  by  the  information  that  measures  calculated 
to  ensure  a  continuant  e  of  the  friendship  of  the  Indians,  and 
to  maintain  the  tranquillity  of  the  western  frontier  have  been 
adopted;  and  we  indulge  ihe  hope  that  these,  by  impressing  the 
Indian  tribes  with  more  correct  conceptions  of  the  justice  as 
well  as  the  power  of  the  United  Stales,  will  be  attended  willi 
success. 

While  we  notice  with  satisfaction,  the  steps  that  you  have 
taken,  in  pursuance  of  the  late  treaties  with  seveial  foreign  na- 
tions, the  liberation  of  our  citizens  who  were  prisoners  at  Al- 
giers, is  a  subject  of  peculiar  felicitation.  We  shall  cheerfully 
co-operate  in  any  further  measures  that  shall  appear,  on  consi- 
deration, to  be  requisite.' 

We  have  ever  concurred  with  you  in  the  most  sincere  and 
uniform  disposition  to  preserve  our  neutral  relations  inviolate, 
and  it  is,  of  course,  with  anixicly  and  deep  regret  we  hrar  that 
any  interruption  of  our  harmony  with  the  French  republic  has 
oceumd.  For  we  feel  with  you  and  with  our  constituents,  the 
cordial  and  unabated  wish  to  maintain  a  perfectly  friendly  un- 
derstanding with  that  nation.  Your  endeavors  to  fulfil  that 
wish,  and  by  all  honorable  means  to  preserve  peace,  and  to 
restore  that  harmony  and  nffcciion  which  have  heretofore  so 
happily  subsisted  between  the  French  republic  and  the  United 
Slates,  cannot  fail,  therefore,  to  interest  our  attention.  And 
while  we  participate  in  the  full  reliance  you  have  expressed  OB 
the  patriotism,  self  respect,  and  fortitude,  of  our  countrymen, 
we  cherish  the  pleasing  hope  that  a  mutual  spirit  of  ju.-tice  and 
modi-ration  will  ensure  ihe  success  of  your  perseverance. 

The  various  subjects  of  your  communication  will  respectively 
meet  with  ihe  attention  that  is  due  to  their  importance. 

When  we  advert  in  the  internal  situation  ol  the  United  Stales, 
we  deemed  it  equally  natural  and  becoming  to  compare  (he 
present  period  with  th.il  immediately  antecedent  to  the  opera- 
tion of  the  government,  and  to  contrast  it  with  the  calamities 
in  which  the  stale  of  waf  still  involves  several  of  Ihe  European 
nations,  as  ihe  reflections  deduced  from  both  lend  lo  ju-ni'y  ;>.s 
well  as  to  excite  a  warm  admiration  of  our  free  constitution, 
and  to  exalt  our  minds  lo  a  more  fervent  and  grateful  sen-e  of 
piety  towards  Almiahly  God,  for  the  beneficence  of  his  Provi- 
dence by  which  its  administration  has  been  hitherto  so  remark- 
ably distinguished. 

And  while  we  entertain  a  grateful  conviction,  that  your  wise, 
firm  and  patriotic  administration  has  been  signally  condncive 
to  the  success  of  Ihe  present  form  of  government,  we  cannot 
forbear  lo  express  the  deep  sensation  of  regn  i,  <vil1i  which  we 
contemplate  your  intended  retirement  from  office. 

As  no  other  suitable  occasion  may  occur,  we  cannot  puffer 
the  present  lo  pass,  without  atlemptitiL'  to  disclose  some  of  the 
emotions  which  it  cannot  fail  to  awaken. 

The  gratitude  and  admiration  of  your  countrymen  are  still 
drawn  to  the  recollection  of  those  resplendent  virtues  and  talents 
which  were  so  eminently  instrumental  lo  the  achievement  of 
the  revolution,  and  of  which  that  glorious  event  will  ever  b« 
the  memorial.  Your  obedience  lo  ihe  voice  of  duty  and  your 
country,  when  you  quitted,  reluctantly,  a  second  lime,  Ihe  re- 
treat yon  had  chosen,  and  first  accepted  Ihe  presidency,  afforded" 
a  new  proof  of  ihe  devotedness  of  your  zeal  in  its  service,  and1 
nil  earnest  of  Ihe  patriotism  and  success  which  have  charac- 
terised your  administration.  As  the  grateful  confidence  of  the 
citizens  in  the  virtues  of  llieir  chief  maei-trate,  has  essentially 
contributed  to  that  snccess,  we  persuade  ourselves  thai  the 
millions  whom  we  represent,  participate  with  us  in  the  anxious 
solicitude  of  the  present  occasion. 

Yet,  we  cannot  be  unmindful,  that  your  moderation  nnd  mag- 
nanimitv.  twice  displayed,  by  relirins  from  your  exalted  Ma- 
lions,  afford  examples  no  less  rare  and  instructive  to  mankind, 
than  valuable  to  a  republic. 

Allhoii<!h  we  are  sensible  that  this  event,  of  itself,  completes 
Ihe  lustre  of  a  character  already  conspicuously  unrivalled  by 


Of  the  24  yeas  there  are  mill  livinz  Andrew  Jackson,  Edward 
Livingston,  Albert  Gallatin,  Nathaniel  Macon,  and  perhaps,  one 
or  two  others. 

Of  the  54  nays  there  are  still  living  James  Madison,  and,  we 
think,  two  or  three  others,  which  are  not  named  because  the 
fact  is  not  clear  to  us. 

Hut  most  of  tliore  in  'the  negative  lived  lone  enough  to  see 
many  of  those  in  the  affirmative,  point  to  the  administration  of 
WASHINGTON  ns  the  gnlHe  of  Ms  luccestori,  which  they  had 
voted  that  might  not  be. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  fl,  1 334— ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.       407 


the  coincidence  of  virtue,  talents,  success  and  public  estima 
tion;  yet  we  conceive  we  owe  it  to  you,  sir,  and  still  more  em 
phaticall.v  to  ourselves  and  our  nation,  (of  the  language  of  whose 
hearts  we  presume  to  think  ourselves,  at  this  moment  the  faith 
Inl  interpreters),  to  express  the  sentiments  with  which  it  is  con 
templated. 

Tlie  spectacle  Of  a  free  and  enlightened  nation  offering,  by  it 
representatives,  the.  mimic  of  unfeigned  approbation  to  Us  firs 
citizen,  however  novel  and  interesting  it  may  be,  derives  al 
its  lustre,  (a  ln>ire  which  accident  or  enthusiasm  could  n 
bestow,  and  which  adulalion  would  tarni-h),  from  the  trans 
cendant  merit  of  which  it  is  the  voluntary  testimony. 

May  you  long  enjoy  that  liberty  which  is  so  dear  to  you,  am 
which  your  name  will  ever  be  so  dear.  May  your  owr 
virtues  and  a  nation's  prayers  obtain  the  happiest  sunshine  fo 
the  decline  of  your  days,  and  the  choicest  of  future  blessings 
For  our  country's  sake;  for  the  sake  of  republican  liberty,  it  i: 
our  earnest  wish  that  your  example  may  be  the  guide  of  yon 
successors;  and  thus  alter  being  Ihe  ornamenl  and  safeguard  o 
the  present  age,  become  the  patrimony  of  our  descendants. 

It  was  resolved  in  the  affirmative,  yeas  67,  nays  12. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  demaned  by  one  fifth  of  the  mem 
bers  present,  those  who  voted  in  the  affirmative,  an?, 

Fisher  Ames,  Tbeodorus  Bailey,  Abraham  Baldwin,  Davu 
Bard,  Tlieophilus  Bradhury,  Nathan  Bryan,  Gabriel  Christie 
Thomas  Clailiorne,  John  Cloptori,  Joshua  Coit,  Win.  Cooper 
Win.  Craik,  James  Davenport,  Henry  Dearborn,  George  Dent 
George  Ege,  Abiel  Foster,  Dwight  Foster.  Jesse  Franklin,  Na 
lhaniel  Freemen,  jr.  Albert  Gallatin,  Ezekiel  Gilbert,  James 
Gillespie,  Nicholas  Gilrnan,  Henry  Glen,  Chauncey  Goodrich 
Andrew  Gregg,  William  B.  Grove,  Robert  Goodloe  Harper 
Carter  B.  Harrison,  Thomas  Hartley,  Jonathan  N.  Havens,  Join 
Heath,  Thomas  Henderson,  William  Hindman,  George  Jackson 
Aaron  Kilchell,  Samuel  Lyman,  James  Madison,  Fiancis  Mai 
hone,  Andrew  Moore,  Frederick  A.  Muhlenberg,  John  Nicholas 
John  Page,  Josiah  Parker,  John  Patten,  John  Reed,  John  Ki 
chards,  Samuel  Sewall  John  S.  Slierliurne,  Samuel  Sitgreaves 
Nathaniel  Smith,  Isreal  Smith,  Isaac  Smith,  William  Smith, 
Bichard  Sprigg,  jr.  William  Slrudwick,  John  Swanwick,  Zep- 
rmniah  Swill,  George  Thatcher,  Mark  Thompson,  John  G.  Var 
Allen,  Philip  Van  Corllandt,  Joseph  B.  Varnum,  Peleg  Wads 
worth  and  John  Williams — 67. 

Those  who  voted  in  negative  are, 

Thomas  Blount,  Isaac  Coles,  Willinm  B.  Giles,  Christopher 
Greemip,  James  Holland  Andrew  Jackson,  Edward  Livingston 
Matthew  Lo<  ke,  William  Lyman,  Samuel  Maelay,  Nathanie 
Macoa  and  Abraham  Venable — 12.* 

To  shew  the  spirit  of  the  times,  as  manifested  by  a  certain 
party  in  the  United  Stales,  we  add  the  following  extract  from 
the  Philadelphia  '-Jlurora,"  then  the  leading  paper  of  the  party 
alluded  to — 

From  the  Aurora  of  March  4,  1797. 

"Now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peaee,  for  mine  eyes 
have  seen  thy  salvation,"  was  the  pious  ejaculation  of  a  man 
who  beheld  a  flood  of  happiness  rushing  on  mankind.  If  ever 
there  was  a  time  that  would  license  the  reiteration  of  ihe  ex- 
clamation, the  lime  is  now  arrived,  for  ihe.  man,  who  is  Ihe 
source  of  all  the  misfortunes  lo  our  country,  is  this  day  reduced 
to  a  level  with  his  fellow  citizens,  and  is  no  longer  possessed  ol 
power  to  multiply  evils  on  the  United  Stales.  If  there  ever  was 
n  period  for  rejoicing,  this  is  the  moment.  Every  heart,  in  uni- 
son with  the  peace  and  happiness  of  Ihe  people,  ought  lo  beat 
high  with  exultation,  that  the  name  of  Washington  from  this 
day  ceases  to  give  currency  to  political  iniquity,  and  to  legalize 
corruption— a  new  era  that  promises  much  to  the  people;  tor 
public  measures  must  now  stand  on  their  own  merit;  and  ne- 
farious projects  can  no  longer  he  supported  by  a  name.  When 
a  retrospect  is  taken  of  the  Washington  administration  for  eight 
years,  it  is  a  subject  of  the  greatest  astonishment,  that  a  single 
individual  could  have  cankered  the  principles  of  republicanism 
in  an  enlightened  people,  and  should  havecairied  his  designs 
against  public  liberty  so  far,  as  to  put  in  jeopardy  its  very  ex- 
istence. Such,  however,  are  the  facts;  and  with  them  staring 
us  in  the  face,  this  day  ought  lo  be  a  day  of  jubilee  in  the  Unit- 
ed States." 

()(7-The  preceding  is  running  a  round  in  the  newspapers  of  the 
day,  and  its  authorship  charged  on  col.  Wm.  Dunne,  father  of 
the  late  secretary  of  the  treasury,  who  has  revived,  or  is  about 
to  revive  Ihe  "Aurora,"  and  has  come  out  warmly  in  Ihe  sup- 
port of  president  Jackson-  This  must  be  incorrect;  for  Benjamin 
franklin  Bache.  (a  grand  son  of  Dr.  Franklin),  was  then  editor 
and  publisher  of  the  Aurora,  and  remained  so  until  the  autumn 
of  1798,  when  he  died  of  the  yellow  fever — as  is  fresh  in  our 
recollection,  from  particular  circumstances.  Mr.  Bache  was 
an  able  writer,  and  accustomed  to  indulge  himself  in  free  re- 
marks on  the  conduct  and  character  of  WASHINGTON,  chiefly, 
perhaps,  on  account  of  Ihe  neutral  position  that  he  assumed  on 
the  breaking  out  of  the  French  revolution,  and  the  treaty  made 
with  England,  by  Mr.  Jay. 


While  preparing  this  note,  we  have  observed  in  the  "Steu- 
benville  Herald,"  edited  and  published  by  our  old  and  valued 
friend  judge  Wilson,  that  our  recollection*  are  correct.  Mr.  W. 
says,  in  the  "Heiald"  r.f  the  30ih  nil— 

"The  Aurora  was  edited  at  thai  time,  and  until  the  month  of 
September,  1798,  by  Benjamin  Franklin  Bache,  at  which  time 
Mr.  Bache  died  of  the  yellow  fever.  The  publication  of  the 
Aurora  was  then  suspended  for  about  two  month-,  and  re-com- 
menced in  November  under  Ihe  editorial  management  of  col. 
Dirine.  Col.  D.  had  been  employed  in  Ihe  same  olHce  for  some 
months  previous  to  Ihe  decease  of  Mr.  Rache,  a*  a  subeditor, 
&c.  but  not  during  any  part  of  the  year  1796f  nor  we  believe  ;97. 
This  charge  against  col.  Dnane,  is,  therefore,  to  our  certain 
knowledge,  altogether  without  foundation.  We  do  not  recol- 
lect that  the  Aurora  contained,  whilst  under  the  mariau'-mi nt 
of  col.  Duane,  any  injurious  strictures  upon  general  Washing- 
ton or  any  of  the  measures  of  his  administration.  We  think  it 
did  not." 

These  are  things  with  which  Mr.  Wilson  has  a  right  to  be 
fully  acquainted,  having  been  long  employed  in  the  office  of  the 
old  -'Aurora,"  and,  for  a  considerable  time,  ils  editor. 

ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

HEAD  QUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

Adjutant  general's  office,  Washington,  July  9th,  1834. 

ORDER,  NO.  49. 

1.  Promotions  and  appointments  in  the  army,  by  the  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  coir.-ent 
of  the  senate,  since  the  publication  of  the  official  Register  fot 
1834. 

I — PROMOTIONS. 

Regiment  of  dragoons. 

Brevet  2d  lient.  William  Eustis,  to  be  2d  lieut.  I7lh  March, 
1834,  vice  Bradfoid,  deceased,  (brevet  1st  July,  1830). 

Brevet  2d  lieut.  George  W.  McCliire,  to  he  2d  lient.  31st  May, 
1834,  vice  Clyinan.  resigned,  (brevet  1st  July,  1830). 
First  regiment,  of  artillery. 

1st  lieut.  Joshua  Howard,  to  be  captain,  6th  March,  1834,  vice 
Patrick,  deceased. 

2d  lieut.  Ebenezer  S.  Sibley,  to  be  1st  lieut.  6lh  March,  1834, 
vice  Howard,  promoted. 

2d  lieut.  William  Maynadier,  to  be  1st  lieut.  31st  May,  1834, 
vice  Tyler,  resigned. 

Brevet  2d  lieut.  David  B.  Harris,  to  be  2d  lieut.  6lh  March, 
18J4,  vice  Sibley,  promoted,  (brevet  1st  July,  1833). 

Brevel  2d  lieut.  Erasms  A.  Capron,  to  be  2d  lient.  31st  May, 
1834,  vice  Maynadier,  promoted,  (brevet  1st  July,  1833). 
Second  regiment  of  artillery. 

2d  lieut.  John  B.  Grayson,  to  be  1st  lieut.  30th  April,  1834, 
vice  Fowler,  deceased. 

Brevei  -2il  lient.  Ward  B.  Burnett,  to  he  2d  lieut.  1st  April, 
1834,  vice  Corke,  resigned,  (brevei  1st  July,  1832). 

Brevel  2d  lieut.  Tlieophilus  F.  J.  Wilkinson,  to  be  2d  lient. 
30lh  April,  1834,  vice  Grayson  promoted,  (brevet  1st  July,  1832). 
Second  regiment  of  infantry. 

Brevet  2d  lient.  ElbridseG.  Eastman,  to  be  2d  lieut. 4lh  March, 

1833,  vice  Simonton,  appointud  1st  lieut.  of  the  regiment  of  dra  • 
goons,  (brevet  1st  July,  1831). 

Third  regiment  of  infantry. 

2d  li«ut.  Edwin  B.  Babbitt,  to  be  1st  lieut.  31st  March,  1834, 
vice  Archer,  resigned. 

Brevei 2d  lienl.  William  O.  Kello,  to  be  2d  lient.  llth  Janu- 
ary, 1834,  viceCobb,  deceased,  (brevet  1st  July.  183-2). 

Brevet  2d  lieut.  Henry  Swart  wont,  to  be  2d  lient.  31*t  March, 

1834,  vice  Babbitt,  promoted,  (brevet  1st  July,  1832). 

Fourth  regiment  of  infantry. 

Brevet  2d   lieut.  Frederick   Wilkinson,  to  be  2d  lieut.  18th 
February,  1834,  vice  Ritner,  deceased,  (brevet  1st  July,  18*1). 
Brevet  2d  lieut.   William   W.  S.  liliss,  to  he  2d   lient.  31st 
March,  1834,  vice  McKean,  resigned,  (brevet  1st  July,  1833). 

Sixth  regiment  of  infantry. 

Brevet  2d  lieut.  James  S.  Williams,  to  be!  2d  lient.  31st  May, 
1834,  vice  Johnston,  resigned,  (brevet  1st  July,  1831). 

Seventh  regiment  of  infantry. 

1st  lient.  Francis  Lee,  to  be  captain,  31st  May,  1834,  vice 
Sonneville,  dropped. 

2d  lieut.  Gabriel  J.  Rains,  to  be  1st  lieut.  28th  January,  1834, 
•ice  Williams,  appointed  assistant  topographical  engineer. 

2d  lieut.  Stephen  W.  Moore,  to  be  1st  lieut.  31st  May,  1834, 
vice  Lee,  promoted. 

Brevet  2d  lieut.  Roger  S.  Dix.  to  be  2d  lient.  28th  January, 
i834,  vice  Rains,  promoted,  (brevet  1st  July,  1832). 

Brevet  2d  lieut.  Richard  C.  Gallin,  to  be  3d  lieut.  31st  May, 
834,  vice  Moore,  promoted,  (brevet  1st  July,  1832). 
!.  Promotions  by  brevet,  conferred  for  ten  years'  service  in  one 
grade;  or  for  fait  hful  and  meritorious  service. 

Brigadier  generals  by  brevet. 

Col.  Duncan  L.  Clinch,  4th  regiment  of  infantry,  to  take  rank 
he  20th  April,  1829. 

Col.  Matthew  Arbuckle,7th  regiment  of  infantry,  to  lake  rank 
6th  March,  1830. 


*It  will  be  seen  that  Albert  Gallatin  and  others,  who  voted  to 
strike  out  the  clausu  in  the  address  which  is  quoted,  voted  for 
the  address  as  it  passed,  though  containing  that  clause — hut 
that  Messrs.  Jack«on,  Livingston  and  Macon,  and  others,  per- 
severed in  their  opposition. 


fThe  extract,  as  first  published,  was  daled  March  4,  1796 — 
nis  was  a  mistake,  but  hence  Mr.  Wilson's  italics.  It  nppear- 
:d  on  the  day  of  the  inauguration  of  Washington's  successor, 
nd  we  well  remember  Ihe  feeling  that  it  catited  in  Philadel- 
ihia. 


408       NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  9,  1834— ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Col.  James  House,  1st  regimeni  of  artillery,  to  lake  rank  8th 
May,  1832. 

Col.  Roger  Jones,  adj.  gen.  to  take  rank  7th  June,  1832. 

Brevet  col.  Abram.  Eustis,  4lh  regiment  artillery— 30th  June, 
1834. 

Col.  Nathan  Towson,  paymaster  general — 30th  June,  1834. 
Colonels  by  brevet 

Col.  Zach.  Taylor,  1st  regiment  of  infantry,  to  take  rank  20lh 
April,  1829. 

Lieut,  col.  James  B.  Many,  7th  regiment  of  infantry,  to  take 
rank  1st  June,  1831. 

Lieutenant  colonels  by  brevet. 

Maj.  Henry  Stanton,  quarter  master,  to  take  rank  13th  May, 
1830. 

Maj.  R.  E.  DeRussey,  corps  of  engineers,  for  faithful  service, 
and  meritorious  conduct — 30th  June,  1834. 

Brevel  maj.  Henry  Whiting,  1st  regiment  of  artillery,  for  faith- 
ful and  meritorious  service — 30lh  June,  1834. 
Majors  by  brevet.* 

Maj. Trueman  Cross,  O..  AI.  and  capt.  7th  inf>y,  16th  June,  1828. 

Capl.  Thomas  F.  Hunt, 5ih  infantry,  31st  June,  1828. 

Capt.  Waddy  V.  Cobbs,  2d  infantry,  31st  March,  1829. 

Capt.  Gustavus  Loomis,  1st  infantry,  7th  April,  1829. 

Capt.  Henry  Wilson,  4th  infantry,  20th  April,  1829. 

Capl.  Thomas  F.  Smith,  1st  infantry,  25th  April,  1829. 

Capl.  Richard  M.  Sands,  4th  infantry,  30ih  April,  1829. 

Capl.  William  Hoffman,  2d  infanlry',  Isl  May,  1829. 

Maj.  R.  B.  Mason,  regiment  of  dragoons.  31st  July,  1829. 

Capt.  Joseph  S.  Nelson,  3d  infanlry,  13th' Augusl,"l829. 

Capt.  Fabius  Whiting,  1st  artillery,  10th  September,  1829. 

Capt.  Greenleaf  Dearborn,  2d  infantry,  30lh  September,  1829. 

Capt.  Felix  Ansart,  3d  artillery,  28th  November,  1829. 

Capt.  Thomas  Stariiford,  2d  infanlry,  Isl  March,  1830. 

Capl.  Thomas  C.  Legale,  2d  artillery,  13th  May,  1830. 

Capt.  John  L.  Smith,  corps  of  engineers,  29lh  August,  1830. 

Capt.  Joseph  Plymplon,  iith  infantry,  1st  June,  1831. 

Capt.  Wm.  G.  Belknap,  3d  infanlry,  1st  February,  1832. 

Capt.  Delafayette  Wilcox,  5th  infantry,  1st  April  1832. 

Capt.  Levi  Whiting,  4th  artillery,  21st  May,  1832. 

Capt.  Isaac  Clark,  6th  infantry,  27th  August,  1832. 

Capt.  ^Eneas  Mackay,  3d  artillery,  31st  December,  1832. 

Capt.  Benjamin  A.  Boynton,  2d  inlantry,  8th  July,  1833. 

Capt.  Owen  Ransom,  2d  infantry,  25th  January,  1833. 

Brevel  maj.  Wm.  G.  McNeil,  lop.  engineer,  27th  Jan.  1833. 

Capt.  William  L.  McClintnck,3d  artillery,  lllh  August,  1833. 

Capl.  John  L.  Gardner,  4th  artillery,  1st  November,  1833. 

Capt.  Henry  Saunders,  Isl  artillery,  4lh  November,  1833. 

Capt.  N.  Baden,  2d  artillery,  1st  April,  1834. 

Capl.  William  W.  Lear,  4lh  infanlry,  Isl  May,  1834. 

Cap*.  Nathaniel  Clarke,  5th  infanlry,  29th  June,  1834. 

Capl.  George  Blaney,  corps  of  engineers,  30th  June,  1834. 
Captains  by  brevet. 


1st  lieul.  Henry  S.  Mallory,  2<l  artillery,  3lst  May,  1829. 
Capt.  William  M.  Graham,  4lh  infantry,  llth  August,  1829. 
1st  lieut.  William  Wells,  2d  artillery,  28th  August  1829. 
Brevet  capl.  Jas.  D.  Graham,  ass.  top.  engineer,  8lh  Sepl.  1829 
Isl  lieul.  John  R.  Vinion,  3d  artillery,  30th  September,  1829. 
1st  lieut.  Richard  B.  Lee,  3d  artillery,  31st  October,  1829. 
Capt.  John  Clitz,  2d  infantry,  31st  December,  1829. 
Capt.  S.  Shannon,  1st  infantry,  23d  February,  1830. 
Capt.  John  Symington,  of  ordinance,  17th  May,  1830. 
Capt.  J.  M.  Washington,  4th  artillery,  23d  May,  1830. 
Capt.  Andrew  Talcott,  corps  of  engineers,  Isl  Oclober,  1830. 
Capt.  H.  H.  Loring,  3d  infanlry,  17ih  October,  1830. 
Capt.  E.  K.  Barnum,2d  infantry.  31st  December,  1830. 
1st  lieut.  Samuel  Cooper,  4ih  artillery,  6lh  July*  1831. 
Isl  lieul.  Harvey  Brown,  4lh  artillery,  23d  August,  1831. 
1st  lieut.  Samuel  Ringgold,  3d  artillery,  8th  May,  1832. 
1st  lieut.  Charles  Ward,  4th  artillery,  20th  July,  1832. 
1st  lieut.  John  Bradley,  2d  infantry,  2d  October,  1832. 
1st  lieut.  W.  S.  Newton,  3d  artillery,  31sl  December,  1832. 
Isl  lieul.  H.  A.  Thompson,  4th  artillery,  31sl  December,  183S 
Capt.  Giles  Porter,  1st  artillery,  1st  February,  1833. 
1st  lieul.  A.  W.  Thornton,  4lh  infantry,  25lh  April,  1833. 
Capl.  Joshua  Howard,  Isl  artillery,  Isl  November,  1833. 
Isl  lieut.  David  Van  Ness,  1st  artillery,  4th  November,  1833 
Idl  lieut.  Juslin  Dimick,  1st  artillery,  1st  May,  1834. 
Isl  lieut.  C.  A.  Ogd«n,  corps  of  engineers,  30th  June,  1834. 

First  lieutenants  by  brevet. 

1st  lieut.  Wm.  C.  Dellarl,  2d  artillery,  Isl  July,  1830. 
1st  lieut.  James  A.  Chambers,  2d  artillery,  1st  July,  1830. 
1st  lieut.  Julius  A.  deLagnel,  2d  artillery,  1st  July,  1831. 

It — APPOINTMENTS. 

Staff. 

John  S.  Lytle,  Ohio,  to  be  paymaster,  27th  February,  1834. 
Jno.  B.  Wells,  Maryland,  to  be  assistant  surgeon,  1st  Feb.  1834 
Jno.  M.Cuyler, Georgia, to  be,  assistant  surgeon,  1st  April,  183-i 
Madison  Mills,  N. York,  to  be  assistaiitsurgeon,  1st  April,  1834 
Win.  Hammond,  Md.  to  be  assistant  surgeon,  1st  June,  1834 


*To  take  rank  from  the  dates  given.    The  abbreviations  ar 
made  or  words  omitted,  to  save  room— so  with  the  captains,  &c 

ED.  REG. 


Topographical  engineers. 

Brevet  capt.  William  G.  McNeil,  assistant  topographical  engl- 
icer,  to  the.  topographical  engineer,  with  the  brevet  rank  of 
najor,  lo  rank  from  ihe  28lh  January,  1834,  vice  Perraull,  de- 
ist lieut.  William  G.  Williams,  late  of  the  7lh  regiment  of  in- 
anlry,  to  be  assistant  topographical  engineer,  with  the  brevet 
ank  of  captain,  lo  rank  from  the  28th  of  January,  1634,  vice 
VlcNeil,  promoted. 

Military  academy. 

Robert  W.  Weir,  New  York,  lo  be  leacher  of  drawing  at  the 
nilitary  academy,  8ih  May,  1834. 

Regiment  of  dragoons. 
2d  lieut.  Isaac  P.  Simonlon,  of  Ihe  2d  regiment  of  infantry,  to 

0  be  1st  lieul.  of  dragoons,  4th  March,  1833,  vice  Moore,  of  the 
ill  infanlry,  declined. 

ad  lieut.  Albert  M.  Lea,  of  the  7lh  regiment  of  infantry,  to  be 
d  lieut.  of  dragoons,  4lh  March,  1833,  vice  Holmes,  of  Ihe  7lh 
nfanlry,  declined. 

3.  The  following  named  cadets,  constituting  the  1st  class  of 
834,  having  been  adjudged  by  the  academic  staff  at  the  June 
xaminalion,  competent  10  perform  duly  in  ihe  army,  Ihe  presi- 
enlofthe  United  States  has  attached  them  as  supernumerary 
econd  lieutenanls,  by  brevel,  lo  regimenls  and  corps  respee- 
ively,  as  candidales  for  commissions  therein.* 
Corps  of  engineers. 

1  Wm.  Smith,  New  York.         2  John  Sanders,  Florida. 

Regiment  of  dragoons. 
21  Henry  S.  Turner,  Virginia. 

First  regiment  of  artillery. 

4  Thos.  A.  Monis,  Indiana.       9  John  F.  Lee,  Virginia. 

5  Robert  Allen,  Maryland.        12  C.  B.  Chalmers,  Dis.  Col. 

7  Epaphras  Kibby,  Ohio.          16  L.  A.  B.  Walbach,  U.  Statei. 

Second  regiment  of  artillery. 
3  Harrison  Loughborongh,  Ky.  11  Curran  Pope,  Kentucky. 

6  James  Duncan,  N.  York.       13  John  E.  Henderson,  Tenn. 

8  Wm.T.  Stockton,  Pcnn. 

Third  regiment  of  artillery. 
10  Charles  A.  Fuller,  Mass.      14  Morris  S.  Miller,  N.  York. 

Fourth  regiment  of  artillery. 
15  William  G.  Freeman,  Virginia. 

First  regiment  of  infantry. 
35  William  H.  Price,  Pennsylvania. 

Second  regiment  of  infantry. 

30  Richard  S.  Smith,  Pennsylvania. 

Third  regiment  of  infantry. 

17  James  F.  Cooper,  Penn.         23  Thomas  O.  Barnwell,  8.  C. 

19  George  P.  Field,  N.York.     26  Joseph  L.  Coburn,  Vermont. 

20  Cary  H.  Fry,  Kenlucky.        28  Philip  N.  Barbour,  Ky. 

Fourth  regiment  of  infantry. 

31  Eustace  Robinson,  Virginia.  34  John  Graham,  New  York. 

Fifth  regiment  of  infantry. 
25  Goode  Bryan,  Georgia. 

Sixth  regiment  of  infantry. 

32  William  S.  Ketchum,  Uniled  Slates. 

Seventh  regiment  of  infantry. 

18  Gabriel  R.  Paul,  Missouri.    29  Arnold  Harris, New  Yorfc. 
22  Seneca  G.  Simmons,  Vt.       33  Forbes  Britlon,  Virginia. 
24  Henry  McKaveti,  N.Y.         36  Alez.  Montgomery,  Penn. 
27  James  G.  Reed,  Penn. 

in — CASUALTIES. 
Resignations. 

First  lieutenants— Daniel  Tyler,  Isl  artillery,  31st  May,  1834; 
John  Archer,  3d  infantry.  31st  March,  1834. 

Second  lieutenants — James  Clyman,  dragoon,  31st  May,  1834; 
Thomas  J.  McKenn,4th  infanlry.  31sl  March,  1834;  Alberts. 
Johnston,  6th  infantry,  31st  May,  1834;  Henry  Du  Pont,  (brevet) 
4th  artillery,  15th  June,  1834;  Asher  Philips,  17ih  January,  1834 
— paymaster;  Lucius  Abbotl,  31st  March,  1834 — assistant  sur- 
geon; Richard  Wayne,  31sl  January,  1834,  do.  do.;  Charles  W. 
Handy,  31si  May,  1834,  do.  do.:  C.  R.  Leslie,  lolh  April,  1834— 
teacher  of  drawing  military  academy. 

Declined — 1st  lieut.  Stephen  \V.  Moore,  of  the  regiment  of 
dragoons;  2d  lieut.  Thcop.  H.  Holmes,  of  the  regiment  dragoons. 

Deaths — Brevet  maj.  P.  H.  Perraull,  topographical  engineer, 
28ih  January,  1834;  capl.  Matthew  A.  Patrick,  1st  artillery,  6th 
March,  1834;  1st  lieut.  Abram  C.  Fowler, 2d  artillery,  30ih  April, 
1834;  2d  lieut.  William  Bradford,  dragoons,  17th  March,  1834; 
2d  lieut.  Samuel  K.  Cobhs,  3d  infanlry,  lllh  January,  1834;  2d 
lient.  Joseph  Rilner,4lh  infantry,  18ih  February,  1834. 

Dropped— Capl.  B.  L.  B.  Bonneville,  7ih  infantry,  31st  May, 
1834. 

4.  The  officers  promoted  and  appointed,  will  report  according- 
ly, and  join  their  proper  stalions  and  companies  without  delay; 
those  on  delached  service,  or  acting  under  special  orders  and 
instructions,  will  report  by  letlcr  lo  their  respeclive.  colonels. 

5.  The  hrcvel  second  lieutenants  will  join  thtir  respeclive 
regiments,  and  report  in  person  for  duly,  agreeably  lo  regula- 
tions, by  the  15/A  day  of  October;  nnd  immediately,  by  letter,  to 
their  respeclive  colonels,  who  will  assign  them  to  companies. 
By  order  of  ALEXANDER  MACOMB,»JI<I;'.  gen.  commander  in  chief: 

R.  JONES,  arf/.  Kcn. 


*AII  these  being  cadets,  and  appointed  brevet  second  lieuten- 
ants on  the  1st  July,  1834— it  is  not  necessary  to  do  more  than 
give  their  names  and  states — the  figures  prefixed  shewing  the 
rank  of  each  officer.  ED.  RES. 


JVIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOCHTH  SERIES.  No.  25— VOL.  X.]    BALTIMORE,  AUG.  16,  1834.    [VOL.  XLV1.  WHOLE  No.  1,195. 


THE  PAST THE  PRESENT — FOR  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,  PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  H.  NILES,  AT  $5  PER  ANNUM,  PAYABLE  IN  ADVANCE. 


Having  a  little  command  over  the  contents  oJ  ot 
pages,  previous  to  the  commencement  of  certain  Ion 
but  important  articles,  that  must  be  inserted,  we  hav 
partially  cleared  our  tiles,  and  given  to  the  UKGISTE 
more  of  a  miscellaneous  character  than  it  general! 
bears.  The  present  number  is  rich  in  the  expresse 
opinions  of  distinguished  persons,  on  the  present  state  o 
things,  in  their  answers  to  various  invitations  given  t 
them. 

Our  attention  to  the  article  concerning  the  "locusts 
was  invited  by  an  old,  and  much  valued  and  intelligen 
friend — 'for  which  we  take  leave  to  thank  him.  Th 
facts  stated  are  interesting — and,  as  he  stands  anony 
mously  before  the  public,  we  think  it  not  impertinent  t 
say,  that  we  have  entire  iaith  in  the  matters  presentei 
by  him,  concerning  this  singular  insect.  His  name,  i 
given,  would  not  need  our  endorsement,  with  those  wh 
have  the  pleasure  of  knowing  him. 

An  interesting  article  on  the  wool  trade,  from  the 
"Boston  Courier,"  will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  page 
It  is  clearly  shewn  that  the  price  of  this  valuable  staple 
has  much  declined,  since  last  year.     We  expected  an<" 
feared  this  result.     It  is  no  part  of  the  policy  which  10, 
would  have  pursued  that  has  caused  a  diminished  prici 
for  wool — nor  could  it,  until  by  encouraged  production 
the  quantity  pressed  on  the  demand — when  this  eotnino< 
<lity,  like  all  others,  would  be  subjected  to  the  commot 
laws  of  trade. 

We  wish  to  refer  the  article  on  "county  museums 
to  the  serious  attention  of  our  readers,  that  they  may  see 
how  great  an  amount  of  benefits  can  be  obtained  througl 
the  agency  of  very  simple  means — combining  both   plea- 
sure and  profit. 

A.  broad  view  of  the  several  censuses  of  the  United 
States,  by  states,  is  given  in  a  following  page.  The  ag- 
gregates, by  states,  will  be  repeated,  in  a  subsequent 
paper,  to  shew  the  rates  of  increase  per  cent,  in  each 
state — with  the  estimates  that  we  made  in  anticipation  ol 
the  two  last  censuses,  and  an  attempt  to  calculate  the 
population  in  1840,  having  guessed  pretty  well  on  former 
occasions,  as  to  the  grand  totals,  though  sometimes  consi- 
derably wrong  in  the  locations  of  the  people.  In  this 
latter  we  do  not  now  expect  to  be  more  fortunate — for 
the  currents  of  emigration  are  altogether  uncertain,  as 
well  as  the  masses  of  them;  now  there  is  a  brisk  and  then 
a  slackened  movement  from,  or  into,  some  of  the  states 
or  territories,  governed  by  circumstances  that  no  one  can 
foresee.  The  general  ratios  of  increase,  fier  cent,  how- 
ever, will  decline  as  the  gross  number  of  the  population 
advances — thus,  if  a  certain  district  contains  100  persons 
and  receives  another  100  in  any  given  time,  the  increase 
is  100  per  cent,  but  if  the  population  is  200,  and  100  be 
added,  the  increase  is  only  at  the  rate  of  50  per  cent,  and 
this  principle  operates  against  the  power  of  emigration 
from  Europe,  which  is  large,  but  still  a  small  matter 
compared  with  the  natural  increase.  On  these  subjects 
we  propose  to  indulge  ourselves  in  some  speculations, 
built  upon  ascertained  facts,  for  the  amusement  or  in- 
struction of  those  who  are  curious  in  such  things,  with 
references  also  to  the  effects  of  an  increased  population 
on  the  general  business  and  wealth  of  well-governed 
communities. 

Certain  papers  are  copied  from  the  London  Herald 
relative  to  a  recognition  of  the  independence  of  the  new 
American  states,  by  Spain — a  measure  which  the  two 
Jast  and  the  present  presidents  of  the  United  States  have 
all  had  much  at  heart.  We  fear  that  the  people  of  these 
states  are  not  fitted  for  the  enjoyment  of  liberty,  but  their 
happiness  might  be  promoted,  and  Spain  herself  benefit- 
VOL.  XLVl— SIG.  28. 


ted,  we  think,  by  an  acknowledgment  on  the  part  of  (he 
latter  of  a  slate  of  things  that  really  exists,  and  cannot  be 
altered,  by  any  other  act  on  her  behalf. 

Mr.  Chambers  having  been  appointed  chief  justice  of 
the  2d  judicial  district  of  Maryland,  vice  Earle,  resign- 
ed, a  vacancy  is  made  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States 
— from  which  body  we  must  regret  the  departure  of  Mr. 
C.  and  so  will  many,  as  having  l/een  among  the  most  at- 
tentive and  industrious  of  its  members. 

A  public  dinner  was  recently  given  to  Mr.  Bro-uin,  one 
of  the  senators  from  North  Carolina,  in  Crasucll  county. 
Among  others,  the  follow  ing  toasts  were  drank: 

The  president  of  the  United  Slates:  lie  never  shrinks  from 
responsibility,  tvhen  duty  to  his  country  calls  for  action. 

The  United  Slates  hank:  A  violated  conslituliou  proclaims 
its  origin,  a  mercenary  press  and  influenced  senate  proclaim  us 
corruption,  an  indignant  community  decrees  its  downfall. 

Our  distinguished  guest,  Ihe  lion.  D.  Drown,  a  democrat  of 
the  Jefferson  school:  an  honest  and  lifarless  advocate  of  the 
rights  of  the  people:  North  .Carolina  will  appreciate  his  worth, 
and  in  her  giatitude  reward  his  services. 

After  this  toast  was  drank,  Mr.  Brown  rose,  and  delivered  an 
eloquent  and  animated  address  to  the  company,  by  whom  it 
was  received  with  the  most  profound  and  respectful  attention. 
He  concluded  by  offering  the  following  sentiment: 

The  responsibility  of  public  agents  to  their  constituents: 
The  vital  principle  of  republics;  the  surest  means  of  preserving 
our  free  institutions. 

The  lion.  Thomas  H.  Benton,  A  native  of  North  Carolina, 
the  disciple  of  Jefferson,  a  consistent  democrat,  the  linn  of  the 
west:  When  he  raises  his  voice  in  the  seriate,  the  canicular  of 
the  bank  (ear  and  tiemhle;  he  is  emphatically  on  the  high  road 
to  honor  and  promotion. 

Nathaniel  Macon:  The  best  living  model  of  republican  sim- 
plicity and  political  consistency. 

A  great  "whig"  dinner  was  given  to  Messrs.  Silsbes 
and  Webster,  senators  from  Massachusetts,  at  Salem,  in 
hat  state,  last  week — the  company  consisted  of  900  per- 
sons, and  several  other  invited  guests  were  present,  among 
them  gov.  Davis,  lieut.  gov.  Armstrong,  and  Messrs. 
Bates,  Choaie,  Everett,  Lincoln  and  Reed,  members  of 
congress,  with  Mr.  Evans,  of  Maine;  and  from  others  that 
lad  been  invited  excuses  were  offered.  Several  long 
nd  earnest  addresses  were  made — some  of  them  in  great 
lower,  but  we  cannot  make  room  for  them  now.  Among 
"iher  proceedings — 

The  following  letter  fir.m  ex  president  Mams,  wa«  read  hy 
he  chairman  of  the  committee  of  arrangements: 
"•ecerett  Saltonstall,  esq.  Sulem. 

Sir:  I  have  received  your  obliging  invitation  in  behalf  of  the 
vhigs  of  Salem,  of  my  attendance  at  a  dinner  to  be  given  to  the 
enators  of  the  commonwealth,  in  the  congress  of  the  United 
"tales.  Cordially  approving  the  conduct  ot  those  eminent  citi- 
cns,  in  the  station  assigned  to  them  by  the  confidence  of  their 
onstituents,  I  regret  that  my  engagements  will  deprive  me  of 
ift  pleasure  of  joining  with  yon  in  the  festivity  by  which  you 
ropose  to  gjgnalizi:  your  approbation  of  the  firmness  and  ability 
/ill)  which  they  have  discharged  the  trust  committed  to  them. 
)f  the  importance  of  the  services  rendered  by  them  to  our  coni- 
on  country,  in  the  trying  emergencies  which  mark  the  pre- 
•nl  era  of  our  history,  I  entertain  the  liveliest  sense.  It  is  in 
le  senate  of  the  confederated  nation,  and  1  regret  to  he  obliged 
•om  the  deepest  conviction  to  add,  in  t!ie  senate  alone,  that 
le  friends  ot  our  union,  and  of  its  frt-e,  republican  institutions, 
an  find  a  solid  foundation  for  (lie  cheering  Impr  that  they  will 
e  preserved  and  redeemed  from  the  imposture  of  pretended  re- 
irin,  from  Ihe  frenzy  of  senseless  experiments,  and  from  Hie 
ipaeily  of  executive  usurpation. 

Under  this  impression,  {   tender  to  tlrt?  whig*  of  Salem,  with 
y  thnnks  for  their  fiiendly  invitation,  the  following  sentiment: 
"The  constituiional  CHECK  of  the  senate,  fearlessly  and  fuith- 
illy  applied  to  Ihe  executive  SIMPLE  MACHINE." 
And  remain,  very  respectfully,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 

Mr.  Chwchhill,  of  Maine,  who  gave  the  only  vote  from 
at  state  to  general  Jackson  in  1838,  is  now  the  "anti- 
ackson"  candidate  for  congress  against  F.  O.  J.  Smith, 


410 


NiLES1  REGISTER— AUG.  1G,  1SS4— MISCELLANEOUS. 


the  present  member.     Mr.  C's  vote  was  called  "a  star  in 
in  the  east,"  in  1828 

We  did  intend,  as  stated  in  the  "N.  York  Mercantile 
Advertiser  and  Advocate,"  to  have  made  a  full  record  of 
all  the  votes  given  at  the  presidential  election  in  1832, 
and  expended  a  good  deal  of  time  in  the  collection  and 
preparation  of  materials  for  it;  but  from  several  of  the 
states  the  returns  were  not  presented,  or  so  imperfectly 
that  we  could  not  use  them,  and  thus  the  project  was,  of 
necessity,  abandoned.  Such  tables  are  not  mere  matters 
of  political  curiosity — there  is  often  political  utility  in 
them,  and  hence  the  earnestness  with  which  we  have 
sought  the  facts  necessary  to  compile  them. 

It  has  been  more  than  once  mentioned,  that  a  grand 
project  is  entertained  of  opening'  a  sloop  or  steamboat  na- 
vigation from  the  Chesapeake  buy  to  the  lakes,  by  -.cat/  of 
t/ie  Sitsyiielumnah  river,  &c.      A  late  number  of  the 
"Harrisburgh  Intelligencer"  has  a  long  account  of  cer- 
tain proceedings  had   in  relation  to  this  matter,  which  is 
spoken  of  as  an   improvement  that  may  he  certainly  ef- 
fected, and  without  an  extraordinary  effort  or  extrava- 
gant use  of  means — and  if  effected,  what  mighty  results 
must  flow  from  it!    The   navigation  would   pass  through 
the  great  iron  and  coal  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  and  near 
the   beds  of  gypsum,  and   the  dcpotiles  of  salt,  in  New 
York,  8tc.     \ V  e  do  not  remember  the  distance  on  this 
proposed  line,  but  think  that  it  is  much  shorter  and  more 
direct  than   any  other,  between   the   great  waters  of  the 
north   and    west  and   those  of  the  south.     Already,  in- 
deed, are  Huron  and   Michigan   brought  near  to  the  At- 
lantic, distance   being  measured   by  time — but  mightier 
things  arc  yet  to  be  done  than  any  that  are  now  accom- 
plished.    The  march  of  science  and  of  power  has  only 
just  begun — but,  to   proceed  as  it  ought,  must  be  encou- 
raged; and,  with  the  passage  of  Air.  Clay's  land  bill, only, 
incalculable  benefits  would  be  rendered  to  the  people  of 
all  the  states.     This  bill  will  pass — for,  while  its  provi- 
sions would  do  much  in  the  way  of  improvement,  thev 
must  effect  a  yet  more  important  service  in  consolidating, 
not  the  government,  but  the  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
and   make  every  man  feel   more  and  more  that  he  has  a 
country  and  a  home  worth  defending,  with  neigltbors  and 
friends  in  evrry  part  of  this  widely  extended  republic — 
and    besides,  every  public    improvement  softens  down 
those  jealousies,  or  does  away,  more  or  less,  those  par- 
tial attachments  to  localities,  that  have  in  them  the  seeds 
of  controversies  that  may  prove  fatal  to  the  best  hopes  of 
tho  world.     The  facilities  afforded  in  the  transportation 
of  persons  and  commodities,  vast  as  they  now  appear, 
are  mere  types  of  those  which  are  to  come,  for  the  pub- 
lic accommodation  and    profit.     It  is  less  than  20  years 
since  a  subscriber  to  the  REGISTER  informed  us  that  it 
cost  him  twenty  bushels  of  wheat,  and  the  labor  of  a  man 
and  two  horses  nearly  two  days,  to  carry  it  to  the  mar- 
ket, to  pay  us  his  annual  subscription  of  only  five  dollars 
— but  the  state  of  things  is  very  different  with  that  gen- 
tleman now;  and  so   it  is  with  relation  to  other  coarser 
commodities,  earths  or  minerals,  the  products  of  forests 
and  mines,  and  other  precious  deposites  of  nature  for  the 
use  and  benefit  of  mankind.     Let  then  the  good  work  go 
on — and  the  people,  with  one  accord,  place  their  sove- 
reign, veto  against  all   persons  who  attempt  to  forbid  the 
progress  of  IXTEHXAL  JMPUOVEMEXT. 

Dr.  William  Howard,  and  two  assistant  engineers 
have  been  assigned  by  the  war  department  to  make  th< 
examination  or  survey  of  the  proposed  work,  beginning 
at  Columbia,  we  believe,  as  the  Susqtiehannah,  from  it 
mouth  to  that  point,  has  been  already  surveyed.  A  slack 
•water  navigation,  with  locks,  is  cliiefly  contemplated 
Some  short  canals,  however,  will  he  necessary,  to  over 
come  the  more  rapid  falls  of  the  river,  &c.  at  certaii 
places.  Dr.  H.  had  arrived  at  Harrishurgh,  and  wa 
taking  measures  to  commence  operations  immediately 
A  steamboat  is  about  to  ply  between  Hilkesbarre 
Pennsylvania,  and  OSWCFO,  New  York,  as  we  see  it  i 
stated  in  a  Pennsylvania  ^>aper. 

Great  works  have  been  accomplished  in  Canada,  an 
others  are  about  to  be  commenced,  in  the  improvemer 
of  the  navigation  of  the  St.  Jtn-.rrentt.  Tt  is  within  th 


•ange  of  possibilities  that  some  great  city,  to  be  located  on 
Lake  Superior,  may  be  visited  by  vessels  direct  from  ii- 
i-erpool — though  not  of  that  "peculiar  construction"  with 
vhich  Englishmen  expected  to  ascend  the  cataract  of 
^\'iaffara,  at  the  beginning  of  the  late  war!  That  cata- 
•act,  however,  is  no  lor;ger  an  impassable  barrier  between 
he  upper  and  lower  lakes.  A  canal  has  been  made 
•ound  the  falls,  and  the  ascent  or  descent  between  Onta- 
•io  and  Erie  is  easy. 

There  has  been  spme  warm  editorial  work,  in  the  late 
tot  weather,  between  the  "New  York  Journal  of  Com- 
merce" and  the  "Mercantile  Advertiser  and  Advocate," 
and    the    facts   stated    seem   proper    for   record.      The 
"Journal"  published  a  list  of  foreign  arrivals,  at  the  port 
of  New  York,  shewing  that  they  amounted  to  1,122  in 
the  first  7  months  of  1833,  and  to  1,218  in  the  same  time 
of  1834,  and  also  that  1G8  "cargoes"  of  dry  goods  had 
been  received  in  the  first  period,  and  189  cargoes  in  the 
other,  saying,  however,  that  the  increased  c argoes  were 
made  up  of  a  less  amount  of  goods.     On  this,  the  "Ad- 
vertiser" is  furnished  with  a  list  of  ten  first  rate   ships, 
being  of  the  large  and  splendid  packets  that  ply  between 
New  York  and  Liverpool,  or  London  and  Havre,  making 
20  passages  to  Europe  and  buck,  from  the  8th  December, 
1833,  to  2Slh  July,  1834,   giving  all  their  names,   with 
the  exact  amount  of  the  out  and  home  freights  carried 
each  voyage.     The  aggregate  of  the  freights  is  equal  to 
88,076  dollars,  whereas  the  outlay  on  the  voyages,  such 
as  for  wages,  subsistence,  £cc.  is  shewn  to  be  120,000  dol- 
lars, and  the  whole  run  of  the  vessels,  including  interest 
on  the  cost  of  them,  kc.  is  put  down  at  180,000,  in  the 
eight  months  stated — the  cost  of  the  ships  being  rated  at 
500,000  dollars;  and  it  is  broadly  asserted  that  the  freights 
fell  short  of  the  actual  expenses  in  the  sum  of  $91,924. 
It  appears  to  us  that  this  case  is  fully  and  fairly  made 
out;  but  the  transportation  of  passengers  forms  a  consi- 
erable  part  of  the  ordinary  business  of  these  vessels — 
nd  this  source  of  income  seems  on  the  increase,  sow 
OTIKING  BOTH  WATS.     As  for  example,  the  Indepen- 
ence,  a   new  and  most  splendid  ship,  which  sailed  on 
ic  8th  August  for   Liverpool,  had  only  .£256    8s.    Zd. 
eight,  but  was  filled   with  steerage  passengers,  retiirn- 
ur  home,  to  the  utmost  limit  allowed  hy  law,  and  other- 
Ise  would  have  had  at  least  three  hundred,  for  so  many 
pplied  for  berths  in  her. 

The  Advertiser  further  says — The  amount  of  duties  on 
:ie  cargo  of  the  packet  ship  John  Jay,  on  her  last  arrival, 
id  not  exceed  /«»  thousand  dollars.  Some  of  her  for- 
tier  cargoes  have  paid  $150,000  duty. 

These  return  cargoes  of  passengers  nre  becoming  more 
nd  more  common;  but  the  bringing  of  them  appears  also 
in  the  increase — for,  in  the  first  7  months  of  the  present 
•ear,  there  arrived  34,625,  against  23,316,  same  time, 
ast  year.  But  thofc  who  return,  being  generally  of  the 
)etter  class  of  emigrants,  and  having  also  some  money, 
or  the  means  of  making  it,  r.re  such  as  we  are  most  anx- 
ous  should  find  reasons  to  remain  with  us. 

In  speaking  of  the  "right  of  instruction"  in  the  last 
REGISTER,  we  asked — 

"I*  tho  whole  policy  of  tins  government,  of>  great  national 
question?,  to  lie  rhnngpd  as  ACCIDENTAL  changes  take  place  in 
the  politics  of  members  of  the  slate  le»i*latures?" 

This  query  was  put  with  particular  reference  to  the 
state  of  New  Jersey.  Since  then  we  have  picked  up  the 
follow  ing  statement  of  the  results  of  the  elections  in  1832 
•and  1833.  The  first  shewed  the  strength  of  parties,  a 
strong  vote,  on  both  sides,  being  given  at  the  polls;  but 
the  second  shews  only  the  apathy  or  self-confidence  of  one 
of  the  parties,  anil  the  laudable  vigilance  of  the  other; 
fur,  while  one  party  fell  short  more  than  6,000  votes,  the 
other  was  deficient  only  51.  And  had  the  party  which 
had  so  large  a  majority  in  1832  continued  its  vigilance, 
would  not  even  the  political  character  of  the  present 
house  of  representatives  h:m%  been  changed?  If  6  are 
taken  from  one  side  and  added  to  the  other,  we  have  the 
number  12,  on  disputed  questions.*  This  shews,  and  to 
all  parties,  the  importance  of  attending  the  polls.  "'N  i- 
sr'ilance  is  the  condition  on  which  liberty  is  granted." 


•Many  of  the  most  important  fiuc-tioi,i>   tipfore   the   home 
wrrr  ilrtitird  hy  a  less  majority  than  10,  at  the  last  session. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.   16,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


411 


FROM   THE   PRINCETON    WHIG. 

New  Jersey  election  returns  of  1832  and  Ib33,  compared. 

1832.      '  1833. 

Nat.  rep.        Jackson.        Nat,  rep. 


Essex, 

3  622 

2.088 

2,:>oo 

2,102 

Middlesex, 

1,811 

l',706 

1  ,3rt.> 

1  .ViC 

Somerset, 

1  195 

1  -1'H 

890 

1,143 

Hunterdon, 

LS23 

2^276 

1,230 

2,207 

IMonnxmtli, 

2,229 

2,208 

1,313 

2.162 

Burlington, 

2,863 

1.753 

1.570 

1,923 

Gloucester, 

1,563 

1,295 

771 

1,446 

Salem, 

1,147 

929 

941 

1  ,05-i 

Cumberland, 

1,171 

1,078 

509 

966 

17,424 


14,668 


11,205 


the  overwhelming  fact  remains — that,  if  so,  the  private 
stockholders  of  this  Lank  have  a  direct  interest  of  near 
37  millions  of  dollars  in  the  establishment  of  a  sound 
currency,  that  its  capital,  and  profits  earned,  may  be  di- 
\ided  among  (hrm.  The  inconisistency  of  these  men  is 
too  glaring  to  need  further  remark— bnt  inconsistency 
"is  the  order  of  the  day."  How  ninny  years  gold  coin- 
age will  it  take  to  pay  the  tliirty-eight  millions,  unless 
the  too'highly  appreciated  value  of  our  new  gold  coins, 
shall  ctuise  the  people  to  prefer  silver  coins,  and  bring 
about  the  import  of  gold  and  export  of  silver,  to  settle 
"balances  of  trade"  with  particular  places? 

Specimens   of  the  new   coins  are   paraded  as  though 


[By  the  preceding  it  appears  that  the  representations  ,||ere  was  .,  (j;vinity  \n  t|lem,and  especially  to  the  work- 

of  six  counties  out  ot    the  nine,   were    "accidentally"  i]lg  CIHSS<.S.     it  js  a  j,0or   affair.     How  long  will  these 

changed— that  is,  by  the  lukewarmness  of  one  party  and  classes  be  able   to  keep  them,  if  obtained?     They  will 

the  continued  activity  ot  the  other;  lor  the  latter  party  IU)t  pm.c|,a8e  more  in  the  market  house  or  at  the  baker's 

shews  \\ogam  ot   votes,  but  a  general  loss  of  51;  and  in  „,.  g,.Ocer's— than  bills  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 

no  one  of  the  six  cases  would  the  number  given  by  the  or  ol!ier  goofl  |jahks.  bnt  rat|iel.  .)ass  less  freely,   per- 
instructing  party  in  1833  have  secured  the  success  of  its 
candidates  in  the  well  contested  year  1832. 

Mistakes  having_been  made  in  an  article  on  the  gold 
bills,  published  in  the  REGISTER  of  the  12th  ult.  which, 
however,  had  no  effect  on  the  principle  of  the  matter  in- 
tended to  be  shewn — viz:  the  great  interest  of  the  private 
stockholders  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  in  the  pre- 
servation of  a  "sound  currency,"  that  their  several 
amounts  of  stock  held,  and  profits  earned,  may  be  re- 
turned, or  paid,  in  such  currency — we  shall  present  the 
facts  in  a  corrected  form. 

Credits  of  the  bank — 1st  of  June. 


Loans  and  debts 
Due  from  state  banks 
Value  of  real  estate 


Specie 

Funds  in  Europe 


$52,201,912 
3,329,362 
3,000,000 


12,298,333 
1,500,000 


58,531,274 


13,798,333 


Liabilities — 1st  June. 
Circulation  16,612,527 

Public  deposites  2,731,988 

Private         do.  6,867,892 


72,329,607 


26,212,407 


To  be  divided  among  the  stockholders         46,117,200 
Of  which  the  United  States  owns  l-5tli,  or     9,223,450 

And  the  private  stockholders 


*$36,893,650 


$28,000,000  of  which  is  in  the  par  value  of  their  stock 
— the  rest  is  profits,  if  the  debts  due  are  paid  in  a  "sound 
currency."  It  is  probable  that  the  bank  has  also  some 
"surplus  funds. " 

Now,  as  the  charter  of  the  bank  expires  in  March, 
1836,  and  only  two  years  thereafter  are  allowed  for  it  to 
"wind  up"  its  affairs,  what  class  of  persons  are  so  much 
interested  in  the  preservation  of  a  "sound  currency"  as 
the  private  stockholders  of  the  bank,  and  why  should 
they  oppose  a  "travelling  on  gold" — as  the  "Globe" 
says  that  the  people  will  travel? 

We  desire  it  to  be  recollected,  that,  in  times  long 
past,  we  combatted  on  the  side,  if  we  did  not  take  a  lead, 
of  those  who  desired  a  sound  and  equalized  currency — 
and  that,  years  ago,  we  proposed  a  reform  of  our  gold 


haps — for  it  is  said  that  they  are  already  counterfeited. 
But  at  any  rate,  except  as  pocket  pieces  or  brag  money, 
what  will  they  do  towards  the  payment  of  wages  to  per- 
sons that  must  immediately  part  with  them,  to  pass  into 
the  banks,  and  there  be  retained,  if  desired  by  the  banks, 
as  silver  coins  now  are'  And  if  even  five  millions  of 
dollars  in  gold  were  coined  in  a  year,  they  would  not 
pay  the  wages  earned  in  a  single  week  by  those  immedi- 
ately dependent  on  the  labor  of  their  hands  for  daily 
food,  shelter  and  clothing.  Besides  the  idea  of  changing 
the  currency,  "before  the  October  elections,"  for  political 
effect,  shews  a  spirit  of  management  and  deception  that 
cannot  be  too  severely  reproved — it  refers  to  the  people 
as  though  they  were  senseless  blocks  and  stones.  And  is 
it  for  this  that  Liberty  has  been  deprived  of  her  cap  on 
our  coins,  and  the  precious  words  "e  pluribus  HMfM," 
obliterated  from  them! 

One  other  remark.  It  appears  that  in  the  late  pros- 
perous and  busy  years  through  which  we  have  passed, 
from  20  to  25  millions  in  specie  was  all  that  could  be  well 
kept  in  the  United  States  as  the  basis  of  the  currency, 
while  the  bank  circulations  were  equal  to  1*0  or  150 
millions!  Will  the  change  from  silver  to  gold  as  the 
basis,  increase  the  quantity  of  coin,  or  gold,  less  than 
silver,  be  a  matter  oi  merchandise?  Certainly  not — un- 
less the  gold  coins  are  debased;  and  so  kept  at  home, 
like  sour  flour,  or  damaged  tobacco,  and  on  the  same  prin- 
ciple. But  and  if  gold  shall  become  the  common  curren- 
cy (as  we  would  that  it  should  be  at  a  justly  settled  legal 
value)  in  the  common  transactions  between  man  and 
man,  say  not  exceeding  20  dollars — what  will  become  of 
the  hundreds  of  little  local  banks,  and  the  little  notes  is- 
sued by  them?  If  the  whole  affair  be  not  a  "humbug," 
persons  are  glorying  in  a  stick  that  is  to  break  tb°ir  own 
heads;  for  all  these  money-shops  must  be  closed,  or,  at 
least,  lose  the  most  profitable  part  of  their  business.  We 
shall  not  regret  either  result.  But  this  is  the  laughable 
part  of  tha  matter — many  that  are  the  loudest  In  praise 
of  a  gold  currency  are  the  most  zealous  of  all  persons  to 
establish  new  banks,  or  manufactories  of  paper  monev — 
and  so  there  is  a  hurrah  on  both  sides,  one  hurrah  for 
gold,  and,  b\  the  same  breath,  another  hurrah  for  rags! 
But  some •  "understand"  the  whole  matter,  and  so  will 
every  body  else — after  the  election. 

P.  S.  "7'o  this  complexion  tee  must  come  at  last!" 
The  local  banks,  to  maintain  their  own  circulation  of 
what  the  affiliated  presses  call  "rag-money,"  (for  V/'« 


coinage  that  its  standard  might  more  nearly  correspond 
with  the  silver  coinage,  the  latter  being  the  measure  of 
value  in  the  United  States:  but  we  had  no  idea  cither  of 
making  a  debased  or  depreciated  currency,  or  of  subserv- 
ing the  miserable  purposes  of  transient  political  parties. 
Now,  however,  the  gold  bills,  though  not  opposed  as 
party  measures,  are  proclaimed  to  be  such,  and  the  new 
gold  coins,  (called  by  a  party  name,  to  act  on  ignorant 
persons),  are  considered  as. a  "stab  under  the  fifth  rib" 
to  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  -while  it  is  supposed  bu 
the  actors  in  this  case,  that  the  bank  must  and  shall  die  a 
natural  death,  speedily!  It  may  die,  as  supposed;  but 


"This  result  is  nearly  the  same  as  before,  though  brought  out 
by  a  very  different  propus?!     We  wore  mistaken  in  thr.  urnin 
ment  of  the  figures.     It  was  one  of  these  things  that  will  ^OI 
times  happen  one  knows  not  how. 


time  be, 


lie  affi'iati 
•ing),  will 


COMBINE  for  the  preservation  of  their 


profits — the  great  batance-ioheel,  the  bank  of  the  United 
States  being  among  the  things  that  were;  and  the  golden 
humbug  then  appear  in  conspiracies  against  the  private 
rights  of  individuals,  by  p*u*T- money-shops  scattered 
all  over  the  country,  unless  the  depreciated  value  of  the 
eagle,  and  its  plentifulness  in  consequence,  shall  make 
the  banks  glad  to  part  with  a  coin  that  they  are  compelled 
to  receive.  This  may  or  may  not  happen;  but  the  prin- 
ciple of  the  proceedings  of  the  banks  of  Augusta,  in  Geo. 
will  be  generally  followed,  perhaps,  especially  in  those 
states  where  hanks  are  most  numerous,  or  from  which 
the  current  of  trade  renders  specie  a  matter  of  merchan- 
dise, only,  as  it  is  in  Mexico  and  other  places  producing 
the  precious  metals;  and  we  shall  have  little  "monsters'* 
in  abundance,  to  vex  the  people  and  eat  out  their  sob- 
stance;  for  there  is  no  limit  to  the  power  assumed  bv  the 


414 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  18,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS, 


combined  banks  of  Augusta.  The  president  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  it  is  true,  has  assumed  a  sovereign  right,  and 
power,  in  /ilmse/f,  to  regulate  the  currency — but  surely 
it  does  not  belong  to  private  corporations  to  enter  into 
conspiracies  to  do  it,  and  force  a  paper  circulation  in 
the  manner  staled  below.  lVo  one  will  be  fool  enough  to 
send  specie  to  t!ie  north,  when  he  can  save  the  cost  and 
risk  of  transportation  in  tlie  purchase  of  bills;  but  to  say 
that  he  shall  not  send  it,  if  he  pleases,  must  not  be  al- 
lowed. If  there  is  a  right  in  local  banks  to  prescribe  the 
terms,  or  establish  a  money-tariff,  that  shall  be  observed, 
under  the  pains  and  penalties  of  being  "out-lawed" — it 
may  as  well  proceed  to  fifty  per  cent,  as  have  a  limit  at 
a  half  per  cent.  Hut  we  cannot  extend  our  remarks  at 
present.  We  wish  to  see  the  resolutions  in  extenso, 
•which  have  not  yet  reached  us. 

From  Hie  Boston  Patriot.  Resolutions  of  the  following  tenor 
have  been  adopted  by  the  general  committee  of  the  banks  of 
Augusta,  Ga.  That  the  account  of  any  person  or  firm,  dealing 
in  exchange,  who  shall  draw  specie  from  any  one  of  the  bank? 
of  the  ciiy,  when  he  can  procure  funds  on  the  north,  or  on 
Charleston  at  one  half  per  cent,  or  Savannah  at  one  fourth  per 
cent,  shall  he  slopped  at  all  the  city  bank?;  when  thus  stopped, 
notice  of  the  fact  is  to  be  given  to  all  the  hanks  of  the  state;  and  if, 
after  such  notice,  either  of  said  banks  shall  afford  facilities  to 
puch  person  or  firm  for  making  specie  calls  upon  either  of  the 
banks  of  Aiizusln,  the  latter  will  from  that  time  require  specie 
settlements  from  the  banks  affording  such  facilities.  Three 
houses  have  been  already  outlawed,  in  pursuance  of  these  re- 
solutions, by  the  Augusta  banks. 

The  "Globe"  says — 

"On  application  to  the  treasury  department,  we  have  obtained 
the  following: 

Specie  imported  into  and  exported  from  the  United  States,  from 

the  1st  December.  1833,  to  August  12,  1834. 

From  returns  received  to  1834. 

Imported.  Exported. 

June    9,  $8,64-2.339  25  $397,331  85 

June  30,  2,165,700  97  275,519 

July    26,  1,051,802  82  182,010 

Aug.  12,  793,848  78  96,255 


Imported, 
Exported, 


82 
950,815  85 


$950.815  85 


Imported  excess,   $11,702,87597 

This  is  exclusive  of  what  is  imported  or  bronebt  in  by  pas- 
*engers,  &e.  not  entered  on  the  manifests  of  vessels,  and  by 
land  from  Mexico  and  Canada.  TUese  are  supposed  to  exceed 
two  millions  of  dollars." 

If  this  excess  of  importation  is  regarded  as  evidence 
of  national  prosperity,  how  is  it  that  the  national  industry 
stands  even  3~et  paralyzed,  and  that  our  cities  are  filled 
with  persons  seeking  employment,  that  they  may  get 
bread ] 

It  only  shews  that  the  merchants  preferred  specie  to 
other  merchandise — that  being  in  the  greatest  demand, 
else  they  would  not  have  lost  their  freights  on  other  com- 
modities. 


We  regret  to  notice  new  appearances  of  the  cholera  at 
several  places,  in  the  United  States,  but  in  no  one,  we 
believe,  has  it  yet  assumed  the  character  of  an  epidemic. 
The  cases  are  solitary,  and  a  large  majority  of  those  at- 
tacked, are  cured,  if  attended  to  in  time. 

The  awful  season  of  long-continued  heat  that  we  have 
had,  by  which  almost  every  man  feels  himself  more  or 
less  prostrated,  with  the  abundance  of  certain  ripe  and 
unripe  vegetables  which  are  consumed  in  great  quanti- 
ties, will  account  for  an  unusual  number  of  cases  of  the 
old  fashioned  cholera  morbus,  which,  by  some  unknown 
processes,  may  assume  the  appearance  of  that  disease 
•which  is  commonly  known  as  the  "Asiatic  cholera." 

The  New  York  board  of  health  has  made  two  or  three 
reports,  acknowledging  a  few  fatal  cases  in  that  city— but 
denying  the  existence  of  nny  prevailing  epidemic.  On 
the  1 2th — 12  new  cases  and  4  deaths  were  reported  by 
the  physicians  for  the  preceding  24  hours.  The  resident 

Ehysiuian  has  published   some  apparently  excellent  and 
rief  hints  for  the  prevention  or  cure  of  the  disease. 
Sundry  cases  have  happened  at  J)lbany;  and   several 
at  Po'tg/tkee/jsie.     A  letter   from   the  latter  dated    last 
Monday    states,  that  25   cases  and    15    deaths  had  taken 
place  since  Friday.     Ponghkeepsie   is  a  very  beautiful 
village,  happily  located,  and  generally  blessed  with  ex- 
traordinary healthiness. 


The  deaths  at  Cincinnati,  throughout  the  year,  aver- 
age about  20  per  week — but  in  the  cholera  year  of  1833, 
there  were  360  deaths  in  July — in  the  same  month,  this 
jear,  300;  but  no  epidemic  disease  is  thought  to  prevail 
in  that  city. 

A  few  cases  have  appeared  at  Pittsburgh — but  no  con- 
«iderable  degree  of  alarm  existed,  and  the  health  of  the 
city  was  generally  good. 

Deaths  by  cholera  occur  in  many  parts  of  the  vest,  but 
we  do  not  see  it  mentioned  as  extensively  prevailing  any 
where,  at  present. 

At  Montreal  the  deaths  by  cholera  were  on  the  6th  35, 
on  the  7th  40 — greatest  number  in  one  day  49;  and  at 
Quebec  from  20  to  30  a  day — on  one  day  57!  Large 
numbers  of  persons,  chiefly  newly  arrived  emigrants,  die 
on  board  of  the  ascending  steamboats.  Ten  or  twelve 
other  places  in  Canada  are  named  as  presenting  cases  of 
cholera.  At  Montreal  410  deaths  occurred  from  the  12th 
to  the  21st  ult.  This  is  a  very  large  number  for  that 
city,  except  on  account  of  the  emigrants. 

Though  some  of  the  most  prudent  and  highly  respect- 
able persons  have  died  of  cholera  this  season,  and  espe- 
cially at  Montreal,  a  very  large  majority  of  the  cases 
have  happened  in  emigrants,  or  other  persons  careless  of 
health,  or  badly  provided  for,  and  closely  stowed  toge- 
ther in  filthy  and  contracted  places.  In  some  of  these 
the  wonder  is  how  people  live  at  all  in  such  weather  as 
we  have  had  for  several  weeks  past.  The  heat  is  gene- 
ral— and  at  Quebec  as  severe  as  elsewhere. 

A  New  York  paper  of  the  7th  inst.  speaking  of  the  In- 
diana 5  per  cent,  loan  says — 

This  loan  of  five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  for  which  propo- 
sals were  received  at  the  Merchants'  hank  in  this  city  yester- 
day, was  taken  by  Messrs.  Piime,  Ward  &  King  at  one  hun- 
dred and  one  dollars  5  lOOlhs,  for  each  hundred  dollars — prin- 
cipal and  interest  payable  in  New  Yoik.  The  next  highest  offer 
was  a  premium  of  seventy-six  cents  on  each  hundred  dollars. 
We  understand  thai  thft  stock  is  redeemable  in  30  yeats. 

This  loan  would  have  brought  a  premium  of  more 
than  twelve  per  cent,  a  year  ago,  and  the  stock  will  com- 
mand as  large  a  one  a  year  hence — on  a  restoration  of 
peace  to  the  monetary  affairs  of  the  country.  Indiana 
will  be  among  the  most  populous  and  wealthy  of  the 
states — but,  like  all  the  new  ones,  wants  much  capital  for 
new  enterprizes. 

Of  the  salt  manufacture  in  Massachusetts,  the  Sai~n- 
stable  Journal  says — 

At  no  period  since  the  commencement  of  the  salt  manufac- 
ture in  this  county  was  that  interest  more  depressed  than  at  the 
present  time.  Salt  works  are  unsaleahln  at  any  price  much 
above  the  inconsiderable  value  of  the  materials  of  which  they 
are  composed,  for  other  purposes.  Salt  is  very  low.  Sales  have 
been  made  at  31  and  32  cents  per  bushel,  and  there  is  little  pros- 
pect for  an  improvement  at  present. 

The  same  manufacture  in  the  west,  though  not  near  so 
profitable  as  it  was,  still  affords,  we  believe,  a  "living 
business"  to  those  engaged  in  it,  and  especiallv  such  as 
have  adopted  improved  processes  for  making  it.  The 
product  of  the  springs  in  N.  York  are  in  about  their  usual 
demand.  These  springs  are  a  ••monopoly"  of  the  state, 
and  afford  a  considerable  revenue. 

The  general  price  of  salt  is  considerably  affected  by 
the  reduced  cost  of  freights.  Large  quantities  are  now 
brought  into  the  U.  States  in  lieu  of  ballast — for  if,  the 
adranced  price  will  even  pay  for  (he  labor  of  loading  and 
unloading  the  salt,  something  is  saved.  Our  vessels,  to 
or  from  England,  including  the  packet-ships,  seem  glad 
to  get  almost  any  thing  by  way  of  freight,  and  at  almost 
any  price. 

We  have  a  good  many  returns  of  the  late  elections  in 
Kentucky  for  members  of  the  legislature,  except  in  the 
5lh  congressional  district,  made  vacant  by  the.  decision 
of  the  house  of  representatives  in  the  case  of  Messrs. 
Lelclier  and  Moore. 

So  far  as  heard  from,  nnd  enough  seems  to  have  been 
heard  to  settle  the  political  character  of  the  next  legisla- 
ture of  the  state,  it  will  be  composed  of  nn  overwhelming 
iinli-.lackson  majority,  elected  also  by  greatly  increased 
majorities  of  votes.  The  "Observer  and  Reporter, "  in 
the  flush  of  victor}'  says — "that  Jacksonism  is  extinguish- 
ed in  Kentucky — scarce  a  solitary  vestige  is  now  left  of 
that  onct?  powerful  and  desolating  scourge."  But  this  is, 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.   1C,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


413 


perhaps,  saying  too  much.     We   shall  have  the  particu 
lars  for  our  ne.xt  paper. 

The  contest  between  Messrs.  Letcher  and  JWoore  wa 
one  of  the  most  earnest  that  ever  happened,  and  the  pol 
a  very  great  one.  Much  is  said  about  certain  efforts  used 
and  the  show  of  gold  coins  made,  but  we  do  not  ente 
into  details  of  such  things.  The  result,  however,  was 
that  Mr.  belcher  is  elected  by  a  majority  of  258  votes 
and,  if  there  be  not  a  repetition  of  (he  theretofore  uiipre 
cedented  act  of  baseness,  in  withholding  the  returns,  wil 
take  his  seat  in  December  next.  But  we  cannot  suppos 
that  an  affair  of  this  kind  will  bear  a  repetition  !  Th 
history  of  the  former  election,  in  the  proceedings,  mo- 
tives and  results  that  have  happened,  is  without  its  paral 
lei. 

There  are  also  partial  returns  from  Indiana,  of  the 
election  of  governor  and  members  of  the  legislature—- 
those of  congress  do  not  take  place  until  next  year. 

The  following  are  all  the  returns  that  we  have  seen— 
for  governor: 

Nolle  (anti  Jackson),    Reed  (Jackson} 
Madison  county,      1,021  689 

Wayne        do.          2,225  578 

Vevay  township,         414  119 

Edinburg  do.  84  1-2 

Columbus  do.  463  431 

4,207  1 ,829 

We  have  no  means  of  judging  how  far  the  present 
large  majority  for  Mr.  Noble  is  decisive  of  the  res'ultt 

Australia  is  furnishing  England  with  large  supplies  of 
wool,  and  the  capacity  to  increase  the  quantity  seems 
without  limit,  from  the  abundance  of  wild  land  naturally 
fitted  for  the  support  of  sheep.  See  page  423. 

The  great  woollen  factory  at  Salmon  Falls,  N.  H.  was 
entirely  consumed  by  fire  on  the  7th  inst.  Whether  it  ori- 
ginated in  the  picker,  or  from  spontaneous  combustion 
of  oiled  wool,  is  not  known — but  so  rapid  was  its  pro- 
gress, after  its  first  discovery  at  5  o'clock,  P.  M.  that  the 
stair-way  was  insufficient  to  vent  the  affrighted  working 
people,  and  two  girls  were  burnt  to  death,  another  killed 
by  a  fall,  and  several  much  injured  by  jumping  from  the 
fourth  story!  Others  hung  to  the  window  sills  out-side 
of  the  building,  until  relieved  by  ladders!  It  must  have 
been  an  awful  scene,  indeed.  The  loss  is  estimated  at 
180,000  dollars,  a  part  of  which  is  insured.  The  finish- 
ed goods  and  materials  were  chiefly  saved. 

This  establishment  cost  300,000  dollars,  and  was  one 
of  the  very  largest  and  best  managed  in  the  United  States. 
It  had  sixty  broadcloth  looms,  and  manufactured  about 
300  yards  of  cloth  per  day;  giving  employment  to  about 
200  persons,  and  support  to  500  inhabitants. 

Promptitude  is  the  life  of  business,  being  also  the  pa- 
rent of  confidence — and  we  see  that  the  Pittsburgh  Na- 
vigation and  Fire  Insurance  company  are  earning  "gol- 
den opinions"  in  ready  and  cheerful  payments  of  losses 
sustained  by  them.  Instances  are  mentioned  which  shew 
that  this  establishment  is  in  the  hands  of  practical  busi- 
ness men. 

A  repoit  was  promulgated  a  few  days  ago  at  Boston, 
that  a  young  lady,  who  had  joined  a  convent  of  Ursuline 
nuns  at  Charlestown,  and  taken  the  veil — having  repent- 
ed, had  fled  from  the  convent;  but  being  traced,  was  in- 
veigled back  again,  and  had  disappeared. 

Such  a  report  was  not  credible — for  every  body  knows 
that  force  would  not  be  permitted  on  such  an  occasion; 
and  common  sense  teaches  us  (to  say  nothing  of  the  un- 
rightfolness  of  the  proceedings  intimated),  (hat  no  reli- 
gious sect  or  body  would  DAUB,  policy  out  of  the  ques- 
tion, attempt  things  of  this  sort  amongst  us— for  if  the 
law  tidied  to  give  redress,  there  was  reason  to  Apprehend 
that  the  body  of  a  person  so  missing  might  be  sought  for 
even  under  the  foundation  walls  of  her  supposed  prison! 

But  there  seems  not  to  have  been  a  shadow  of  truth 
in  the  story,  except  that  a  nun  left  ihe  establishment  in  a 
state  of  mental  alienation,  and  remained  absent  some 
days — that  she  freely  returned,  in  company  of  her  brother 
and  of  the  bishop,  and  was  left  free  to  leave  the  convent 
vhe  n  she  chose.  But  still  the  report  was  believed,  and 


before  12  o'clock  in  the  night  of  the  Illh  inst.  a  mob  as- 
sembled and  attacked  the  convent  with  stones,  &c.  and 
finally,  gathering  strength  and  boldness,  they  set  fire  to 
the  building,  which  was  wrapped  in  flames,  when  the 
account  came  away.  The  fate  of  the  inmates  is  not  stat- 
ed. 

The  following  letter  from  the  bishop  to  the  father  of 
ihe  young  lady,  who  resides  in  New  York,  will  explain 
this  matter — and  the  New  York  American  sa}  s,  «iih  au- 
thority, that  there  is  no  truth  in  the  report  that  her 
friends  in  Boston  could  not  find  her. 

Boston,  July  31,1834. 

Dear  sir:  Your  son,  Thomas,  will  have  iinitniiliieilly  already 
informed  you  of  rlii:  debilitated  Mate  of  mind  in  which  your 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  lias  been  .-met:  l.t-I  Sunday,  and  ill*  ti.m- 
porary  ileruiigi'iiient  wliich  ensued,  occ.v-ioned,  a*  tin:  physi- 
cian reports,  tiy  a  violent  fit  of  hysterics.  While  this  la-led 
she  led  the  convent  in  her  dress  of  a  reliniuii -,  anil  went  to  a 
neighbor's  house,  from  which  she  was  conveyed,  by  said  in  i«li- 
lior,  lo  ihe  house  of  one  of  the  parents  of  (lie.  children  whom 
she  hail  Connelly  instructed  in  the  convent,  where  die  remain- 
ed until  your  son  and  myscll  went  thither  and  drought  her  back 
to  the  convent  on  Tuesday  evening.  I  need  'not  describe  to 
you  ihe  uneasiness  of  mind  and  dreadCul  nnxiely  under  which 
we  labored  whilst  she  continued  absent  from  the  convent. 
s  you  can  more  easily  conceive  than  I  can  express.  But, 
thank  God!  she  appears  now  quite  composed,  and  in  a  short 
time  will  he  quite  well  again.  I  saw  her  yesterday  after  the 
physician  had  left  her,  and  found  her  again  rational,  and  consi- 
1t  rably  belter  in  health.  She  appear.'  quite  •mazed  at  the  step 
die  had  taken,  and  does  not  know  how  to  account  for  it.  I 
rust  that  in  a  few  days  more  she  will  he  herselfagain,  and  per- 
fectly recovered.  I  remain,  with  respect,  your  ob't  serv't. 
B.  FE.NVVICK,  l>p.  ign. 

The  bishop  was  naturally  alive  to  the  odium  that  would 
low  from  a  supposition  that  the  nun  had  been  secreted, 
and  hence  his  anxiety  on  the  subject.  We  have  often 
leard  Dr.  Ffincick  spoken  of  most  worthily — and  that 
le  would  mis-state  the  facts,  is  an  idea  ihat  cannot  be  en- 
ertained.  We  are  mortified  and  disgusted  at  the  recur- 
•ence  of  such  outrages,  but,  surely,  did  not  expect  any 
hing  of  the  kind  to  happen  at  Charlestown.  It  is  no  ex- 
;use  for  such  proceedings,  but  it  would  seem  that  due 
>ains  were  not  taken  to  arrest  the  progress  of  popular 
eeling,  which,  indeed,  might  have  been  unknown,  or  its 
orce  unappreciated,  by  those  most  interested  in  its  ef- 
"ects. 

P.  S.  After  this  paper  was  "made  up"  for  the  press, 
,'e  received  further  accounts  of  the  abominable  outrage 
bove  mentioned.  We  can  only  say,  that  the  convent 
nd  school-rooms,  a  larpe  and  beautiful  buihlinjr,  was 
onsumed,  including  the  most  of  its  furniture,  with  its 
ut-bnildings  and  the  bishop's  cottage — but  the  persons 
f  the  inmates  were  not  injured;  yet  the  tomb,  at  the 
oot  of  the  garden,  was  violated  !  The  local  police  seems 
o  have  been  stupified  by  the  fury  of  the  mob,  and  offered 
o  effectual  resistance.  It  is  said,  however,  that  one  or 
wo  muskets  were  discharged  from  the  convent,  or  one  of 
ic  adjacent  buildings:  but  the  affair  has  caused  a  great 
xcitement,  and  sober  truth  is  not  yet  fully  stated.  An 
mmense  meeting  of  the  people  of  JSosfon,  however,  wjig 
eld  at  Faneuil  Hall,  (on  the  invitation  of  the  mayor),  at 
/hich  a  most  respectable  committee  was  appointed,  (H. 
~}.  0/is,  as  its  chairman),  to  assist  in  bringing  the  offeni'- 
rs  to  justice,  and  expressing,  in  the  severest  terms,  the 
ublic  indignation  at  the  outrage  committed.  The  whole 
roceeding  is,  on  every  account,  most  decidedly  con- 
emned,  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  the  loss  of  property 
ill  be  fully  indemnified  by  the  always  liberal  citizens 
f  Boston. 

There  was  also  a  great  mob  and  riot  in  the  lower  part 
f  Philadelphia,  in  the  evening  of  Tuesday  last.  For 
ome  cause  not  stated,  a  large  party  of  young  men  met, 
rid  attacked  a  place  where  the  amusement  of  what  is 
ailed  the  "flying  horses"  was  kept,  and  frequented 
hiefly  by  blacks.  These  defeni'ed  themselves,  mid  a 
loody  battle  ensued.  The  mayor  and  his  police  main- 
ained  themselves  manfully,  and,  assisted  by  many  spe- 
ial  constables,  restored  the  public  peace;  luit  the  build- 
ngs  were  demolished  and  much  damage  otherwise  dona' 
— several  hundred  persons  being  etigaged  in  the  affray. 
Many  prisoners  were  taken  and  committed.  A  larg« 
number  of  the  police  were  wounded.  It  wat  a  very 
ierce  and  wicked  affair. 


414 


NiLES'  REGISTER— AUG.   16,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


In  the  last  REGISTER,  page  404,  under  the  head  of 
"Political  History,"  we  inserted  letters  from  Messrs. 
Harrison  Gray  Otis  and  John  Lowell,  having  a  relation 
to  certain  remarks  made  by  Mr.  Pierce,  of  Rhode  Island, 
in  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United  St:iU-s. 

Mr.  Potter  was  referred  to,  by  Mr.  Pierce,  as  the  au- 
thority of  the  latter  for  the  assertions  made  by  him,  as  to 
the  designs  of  the  Hartford  convention — rejected  in  the 
letter  of  Mr.  Lowell;  and,  in  consequence,  Mr.  Puller 
appears  in  the  "Rhode  Island  Republican,"  and,  addres- 
ing  the  editor,  says— 

1  have  seen  a  leittr  in  the  Herald  of  the  Times,  from  PJr. 
Lowell  of  Boston,  denying  his  having  had  any  conversation 
with  me  respecting  the  Hartford  convention.  I  think  it  liue  to 
him  as  well  as  to  myself  to  say  that  I  never  had  any  conversa- 
tion with  him  on  this  or  any  oilier  subject,  nor  ever  told  any 
other  person  that  1  had — that  I  never  saw  him  to  my  knowledge, 
and  have  never  had  any  correspondence  with  him.  Inconse- 
quence of  my  political  opponents  in  this  suite  charging  me  with 
being  in  favor  of  that  convention  hy  way  tof  reproach,  I  have 
elated  to  several  citizens  of  the  slate  a  part  of  a  conversation 
that  I  had  with  col.  Pickering,  when  he  iirst  received  informa- 
tion from  Massachusetts,  (which,  if  I  recollect  well,  was  com 
municated  to  him  in  a  letter  from  Mr.  Lowell),  that  they  had 
Appointed  delegates  to  that  convention,  and  he  said  he  hoped 
Rhode  Island  would  do  the  same.  I  told  him  I  hoped  they 
would  have  more  prudence  than  to  have  any  thing  to  do  will 
it;  that  although  I  had  been  opposed  to  the  administration  am 
many  of  its  leading  measures,  yet  I  was  unwilling  to  do  any 
thing  to  encourage Gieat  Britain  to  continue  the  war  or  to  exac 
harder  terms  in  a  negotiation  for  peace  than  she  otherwise 
would,  and  was  not  willing  to  do  any  thing  (hat  ei!ij>lit  tend  t< 
injure  tlue  country  merely  for  the  purpose  of  prostrating  the  ad 
ministration. 

In  consequence  of  this  conversation  and  iho  very  great  desin 
I  had- that  Rhode  Island  should  have  nothing  to  do  with  tin 
convention,  I  wrote  several  letters  to  my  personal  anil  politica 
friends  at  home,  and  among  others  to  the  lion.  James  Rhodes 
then,  1  believe,  in  the  senate,  and  as  I  had  no  copies  of  them 
applied  to  him  a  few  years  ago  to  ascertain  whether  he  ha 
preserved  any  of  them,  and  I  have  now  in  my  possessioi 
the  original  of  the  letter,  (certified  by  him),  from  which,  as  it  i 
long,  I  will  make  the  following  extracts — 

[Here  Mr.  Potter  introduces  certain  extracts  from 
letter  to  Mr.  Rhodes,  dated  October  23,  1814,  shew-in; 
liis  wish  that  Rhode  Island  should  have  nothing  to  d 
with  that  convention — but  as  this  has  no  concern  with  tli 
mutter  before  us,  the  extract  is  omitted.  Mr.  P.  the 
proceeds,  and  says — ] 

I  am  sorry  to  be  obliged  to  publish  anything  respecting  this  bu 
elness.  When  I  first  obtained  this  letter  it  was  for  the  purpos 
of  publication  but  although  I  had  the  evidence  in  my  posses 
Bion  of  my  having  been  opposed  to  the  convention,  yet  upon  re 
flection  I  concluded  thai  it  would  be  better  to  let  the  subjec 
real,  and  that  I  had  rather  suffer  under  the  odium  of  reproacl 
(if  indeed  it  is  any  reproach))  of  having  been  in  favor  of  i 
than  to  say  or  write  any  thing  that  should  injure  the  feeling 
of  any  one.  From  my  acquaintance  with  many  of  the  member 
of  that  convention  I  should  suppose  ilirm  incapable  of  doit: 
any  thing  to  injure  their  country;  yet  however  pure  their  in< 
lives,  it  had  the  game  influence  with  the  enemy  as  if  it  ha 
been  composed  of  a  very  different  kind  of  men  actuated  b 
bad  motives,  and  meeting  for  the  basest  purposes. 

ELISHA  R.  POTTER. 
Kingston,  August  3d,  1834. 


Parts  of  Ireland  are  said  to  be  in  a  state  of  famin 
and  yet  the  erops  have  been  generally  good.  The  fa 
mine,  we  suppose,  more  belongs  to  the  want  of  money  I 
purchase  food,  than  to  a  deficiency  of  food.  When,  a  fe 
years  ago,  such  large  sums  were  raised  in  England  to  n 
lieve  the  famishing  people  of  Ireland,  a  large  part  of  tl 
money  was  laid  out  at  Liverpool,  in  the  purchase  ot  Irit 
hread-stuffs  and  meats,  just  received  to  satisfy  "balance 
of  trade;"  and  these  wei-£  sent  back,  as  being  cheapi 
than  England,  herself,  could  supply.  It  is  in  the  natut 
.of .the  connexion  between  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  ar 
the  abundance  of  scientific  power  in  the  former  and  \va 
of  it  in  the  latter,  together  with  the  means  thought  111 
cessary  to  keep  Ireland  in  subjection,  that  causes  a  steal 
current  of  the  earnings,  or  proiits,  of  the  labor  of  tl 
Irish  people  into  the  possession  of  their  more  forluna 
neighbors.  There  are  vast  accumulations  of  profits  mac 
every  year  in  Great  Britain,  but,  comparatively  spea' 
,ing,  very  few  in  Ireland,  and  hence  the  lack  of  capital 
the  one,  which  perpetually  adds  to  the  power  of  the  othe 
making  new  profits.  There  is  also  a  redundancy  of  p 
pulatiou  in  Ireland,  which  is  the  more  severely  felt  f 
th«  reasons  just  stated.  Some  relief  is  afforded  by  em 
.gration  to  America,  Australia,  £ce.  but  this  does  not,  b 


y  means,  equal  the  natural  increase,  and  things  get 
orse  and  worse  every  year;  and  it  is  also  rendered 
ore  and  more  difficult  to  obtain  means  sufficient  for  the 
irposes  of  emigration. 

h  may  be  well  to  say  one  word  about  the  accumula- 
ons  alluded  to.  If  a  person,  by  labor,  makes  a  profit  of 
DO  dollars  a  year,  beyond  the  cost  of  his  subsistence, 
ccommodation,  &c.  so  much  is  added  to  the  capital  of 
ie  country;  and,  whether  such  profits  be  prudently  vest- 
:1  in  improved  lands,  new  fences,  or  any  thing  else,  he 
as  50  dollars,  as  the  fair  interest  on  the  profits,  to  add  to 
is  capital  the  succeeding  year,  aiid  so  on  at  a  compound 
atio,  what  may  be  called  interest  is  perpetually  passing 

to  what  is  principal;  and  there  is  also  an  old  saying  ot" 
inch  force  that  "money  begets  money,"  and  so  it  is  ac- 
'iinuluted.  Now.  perhaps,  there  are  no  aggregates  of 
urplns  profits  added  to  the  average  capital  of  Ireland  by 
ie  labor  of  her  people — and  hence  her  misery  increases 
s  population  advances,  and  makes  new  wants. 

THE   TJEPOSITE   BANK  AT   PORTSMOUTH,   N.    H. 

Totally  disregarding  those  decrees  which  the  preceding  and 
resent  "officials"  of  "the  government,"  ordained  for  the  ob- 
ervance  of  the  satellite  and  "reformed"  presses  of  the  United 
Stales,  and  their  "rewarded"  editors — we  aet  upon  our  own 
fuse  of  justice,  and  give  the  following  letter  from  the  president 
('  the  hank  alluded  to  in  exlenso,  except  a  small  part  which 
ias  no  direct,  bearing  on  the  matters  stated,  and  contains  one  or 
wo  words  that  could  not  be  permitted  to  pass  without  certain 
comments  that  we  have  no  desire  to  make  while  the  "dog-star 
ai>e.s"— wishing  much  to  "keep  cool:"  but  why  the  letter  is 
iddrcssed  to  us,  we  cannot  tell.  It  is  true,  that,  on  a  great  oc- 
casion in  the  senate,  Mr.  Webster  selected  Mr.  Hayne  for  sup- 
>orting,  instead  of  Mr.  Benton  for  advancing,  certain  doctrines 
n  that  body,  preferring  the  "endorser" — but  Ihat  was  a  ques- 
ion  about  opinions,  this  relates  to  matter  of  fact,  and  differ* 
also  in  other  material  respects;  and  we  think  that  Mr.  Waldron 
should  have  first  addressed  his  near  neighbor  on  the  subject,  for 
several  reasons — and  especially,  because  the  authority,  or  re- 
xponsihility  of  the  facts  rests  with  him,  and  not  upon  us.  But 
Til  these  considerations  are  waived,  and  we  grant  to  the  bank 
the  benefit  sought  in  the  publication  of  the  letter  of  its  pre- 
sident— only  wishing  that  he  may  mete  to  others  the  measure 
that  has  been  meted  to  him,  on  this  occasion — however  repug- 
nant it  may  be  to  the  governing,  power  in  New  Hampshire,  as 
to  doing  unto  others  as  we  would  that  they  should  do  unto  us. 
Portsmouth,  Aug.  4,  1834. 
HEZEKIAH  NILES,  ESQ. 

SIR:  In  your  Register  of  the  19th  lilt.  I  observe  the  following: 
"We  nee  it  mentioned  hi  the  Providence  Journal  that  the  crew 
of  a  public  vessel  of  war  were  lately  paid  off  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H. 
in  bills  of  banks  in  the  extreme  parts  of  New  York  and  of  the 
bank  of  Michigan,  which  they  were  compelled  to  make  sale  of 
ai  2  or  3  per  cent,  discount  before  they  could  even  buy  a  glass 
of  grog;"  and  again,  in  your  paper  of  the  26lh  ult.  you  allude  to 
the  same  subject;  as  the  statement  has  no  foundation  in  fact,  I 
must  ask  you  to  correct  it  in  your  next  paper.  The  ship  Lex- 
ington having  been  the  only  public  ship  whose  crew  have  been 
paid  off  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  since  the  removal  of  the  public 
deposites,  it  must,  I  presume,  be  in  allusion  10  the  payment  of 
the  crew  of  that  ship  that  the  above  false  and  scandalous  report 
was  fabricated.  The  crew  of  the  Lexington  were  paid  off  here 
in  May  last  by  the  purser,  Mr.  Andrew  J.  Watson,  who  gave  his 
check  to  each  one  of  the  crew  for  the  amount  due,  on  the  Com- 
mercial bank  in  this  town — these  checks  were  presented  at  the 
bank  by  the  persons  to  whom  they  were  made  payable,  and 
they  received  in  payment  the  bills  of  the  Commercial  bank,  or 
specie,  as  best  suited  the  convenience  or  wishes  of  the  persons 
presenting  them,  and  no  payment  to  the  amount  of  a  dollar  was 
made,  or  offered  to  be  made,  in  any  bills  not  equal  to  specie,  or 
payable  at  a  greater  distance  than  Boston,  and  then  only  at  the 
request  of  the  receiver.  And  as  to  Detroit  or  Michigan  bills,  or 
the  bills  of  any  extreme  part  of  New  York,  no  such  bills  were 
ever  offered  to  the  crew  of  a  public  ship  at  Portsmouth,  or  to 
any  other  person  for  them,  nor  did  the  Commercial  bank  own 
or  have  in  possession  any  such  bills  at  the  time  the  crew  of  the 
Lexington  were  paid  off,  or  at  any  other  time,  nor  do  I  believe 
that  tliere  ever  could  have  been  collected  in  Portsmouth,  at  any 
timi',  twenty  dollars  of  such  bills. 

[Here  a  part  of  the  president's  letter  is  omitted,  being  a  mere 
repetition  of  what  is  stated  before,  and  for  the  reason  stated 
above.  Mr.  Waldron  thru  addn:] 

All  the  banks  in  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  six  in  number,  some  of 
which  have  been  in  operation  from  30  to  40  years,  deal  in  no 
other  bills  than  those  which  are  equal  to  specie,  and  have  ne- 
ver suspended  specie  payments  a  single  moment,  durina  thn 
whole  term  of  their  existence,  and  I  trust  they  never  will.  I 
am,  sir,  \vlth  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

ISAAC  WALDRON,  president 

of  the  Commercial  bank. 


*Mr.  W.  should  not  think  it  very  strang«  that  we  supposed 
such  operations  were  possible,  (tout  many  things  that  havt  hap- 
pened. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.   16,  i834— REPLY  OF  MR.  SPEAKER  BKLL.         41S 


FOREIGN  NEWS. 
From  French  papers  to  the  -2d  July  and  London  to  the  4th. 

QKEAT  BRITAIN   AND   IRELAND. 

The  bill  for  the  amendment  o('  the  poor  laws  passed  the 
house  ot'lonls  on  llie  1st  July. 

Earl  Grey  introduced  the  Irish  coercion  bill,  amended  so  as 
to  deprive  it  of  the  military  court  martial,  into  the  house  of 
lords  on  the  1st  July,  on  which  occasion  he  made  a  long  and 
eloquent  speech  in  support  of  the  bill. 

The  imprisonment  fur  debt  bill  had  been  read  a  second  time. 

The  cholera  was  in  Dublin  and  Kingston,  Ireland. 

The  queen  of  England  is  about  to  visit  Germany,  her  native 
country. 

FRANCE. 

A  sister  of  the  queen  of  Spain  and  the  duchess  of  Berri,  a 
Neapolitan  princess,  was  in  Paris,  and  on  the  pretext  of  attend- 
ing the  exhibition  of  the  products  of  French  industry,  which 
had  already  closed.  Her  arrival  had  given  rise  to  various 
speculations,  one  of  which  was  that  she  was  destined  to  marry 
the  prince  royal,  the  duke  of  Orleans. 

The  new  chambers  were  to  meet  on  the  31st  July.  A  large 
fleet  was  at  Toulon  awaiting  orders. 

SFA.IN. 

General  Rodil  was  to  march  with  40jOOO  men  against  the  pro- 
vinces of  Navarre  and  Biscay,  arid  thus  finish  the  spirit  of  re- 
bellion at  a  blow.  The  queen  reviewed  the  troops  on  tho  21sl 
June,  after  which  she  distributed  crosses  and  made  some  pro- 
motions. The  queen  had  made  86  peers,  many  of  whom  are 
liberalisls.  Don  Jose  de  Imaz,  minister  of  finance  had  re-ign- 
ed,  and  his  place  tilled  by  count  Toreno,  whose  appointni"nt 
liad  given  general  satist'ac'ion.  The  queen  had  nominated  the 
dignities  of  the  church  and  others  who  are  to  sit  in  the  upper 
branch  of  the  cortes. 

HOLLAND   AND  BELGIUM. 

The  crops  were  abundant.  King  Leopold  had  granted  a  pre- 
mium of  35,000  franc*  to  a  merchant  who  had  sent  the  first  ves- 
sel of  the  size  of  250  tons,  to  Alexandria  in  Egypt,  loaded  with 
articles  the  production  of  national  industry,  and  another  pre- 
mium of  3,000  francs  to  a  merchant  who  had  sent  a  vessel  simi- 
larly laden  to  Algiers.  1,200  men  of  the  army  were  suffering 
dreadfully  with  the  opthalmia,  and  4,600  more  had  taken  the 
seeds  of  the  disease.  The  government  had  sent  to  various 
parts  of  Europe  for  medical  assistance.  Tiie  Dutch  army  was 
concentrating  oa  the  borders  of  Belgium;  said  to  be  for  exer- 
cise. 

PORTUGAL. 

A  legate  of  the  pope  had  arrived  at  Lisbon,  empowered  u 
yield  all  the  concessions  to  Don  Pedro,  fearful  that  he  migh 
otherwise  throw  off  all  allegiance.  The  decree  for  the  siiMpre.* 
sion  of  convents  and  the  confiscation  of  the  property  of  munk 
was  being  carried  into  effect. 

ANSWER  OF  MR.  POINDEXTER 
To  an  invitation  to  a  public  dinner  at  Louisville,  Kentucky 

Washington  Hall,  (Louisville),  Ju.li/  28,  1834. 
GENTLEMEN:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  liie  receipt  o 
your  communication  of  this  date,  inviting  me,  in   behalf  of  i 
"number  of  the  citizens  of  Louisville,  to  partake  with  them  o 
a  public  dinner,"  at  such  lime  as  may  suit  my  convenience 
The  very  great  anxiety  which  I  fr.el  to  reach  home,  and  iningl 
with  my  constituents,  at  this  interenting  and  important  crisis  ir 
public  affairs,  induced  me  for  a  moment  to  hesitate,  before 
concluded  to  accept  your  polite  invitation;  but  the  delay  of  on 
day  in  the  departure  of  the  steamboat,  which  is  to  convey  in 
to  Natchez,  allows  me  an  opportunity,  which  I  embrace  wit 
pleasure,  to  name  to-morrow  as  the  day  on  which  1  shall  b 
happy  to  meet  my  friends  and  fellow  citizens  of  Louisville,  an 
partake  of  the  hospitality  which  they  have  so  kindly  tenderer 
You  have  been   pleased,  in  terms  highly  fl  tUcriiig  to  my  feel 
ings,  to  ascribe  to  me  a  '-noble  scorn  of  corinption,  and  a  fear 
less,  unshrinking  devotion  to  constitutional  liberty."     How  fa 
my  public  conduct  merits  this  distinguished  notice,  is  a  matte 
concerning  which  candid  men  of  all  parties  must  decide,  on  a 
impartial  review  of  the  evidence  hi  fore  them;  but,  1  may  b 
permitted  to  say,  which  I  do  with  the  utmost  sincerity,  that 
aspire  to  no  fame  more  pure  and  exalted  than  that  which  i 
comprehended  in  the  "scorn  of  corruption,"  and  a  patriotic  rie 
votion  to  "constitutional  liberty."     In  the  great  struggle  whic 
arose  during  the  late  session  of  eongrewr,  and  which  yet  i< 
mains  undecided,  between  "civil  liberty  as  secured  by  positi 
law  and  the  capricious  will  of  a  tyrant,"  I  am  but  too  sensible 
that  your  partiality  has  led  yon  to  place  an  estimate  on  my  ser- 
vices, beyond  their  intrinsic  value.    "To  the  master  spirits" — 
the  eminent  patriots  and  statesmen  of  the  body,  of  which  I  am 
a  member,  and  with  whom  I  was  an  humble  actor,  the  country 
is  most  "indebted  for  whatever  of  freedom  she  still  enjoys;'"' 
but,  among  them,  I  have  no  other  claim  to  the  gratitude  of  my 
countrymen  than  that  which  is  founded  in  honesty  of  purpose, 
and  a  sincere  desire  to  arrest  the  arm  of  usurpation  and  despot- 
ism, and  restore  the  constitution  and  laws  to  their  original  pu- 
rity and  vigor.    The  foul  personal  calumnies,  to  which  I  have 


ecu  subjected,  and  to  which  you  allude,  through  the  organized! 
cri-ioned  presses  of  the  corrupt  and  vicious  admini.-lralion, 

hose  misrule  I  had  contributed  to  detect  and  expose,  have  not 
alien  on  me  alone,  and  are  regarded  with  the  mod  perfeclcon- 
:mpt  and  indifference.  The  cause  of  truth  anil  honor  require* 
o  such  poisoned  weapons;  they  are  taken  up  only  to  defend 
ic  retreats  of  guilt  and  perfidy.  I  concur  with  you,  in  consi- 
ering  it  "a  part  of  the  established  system  l>y  which  lawless 
iowtr  is  vainly  seeking  to  prostrate  every  individual  who  bold- 
y  withstands  its  all  grasping  usurpations."  The  Iroxvns  uf  a 
irluous  and  enlightened  people,  can  .tlone  correct  an  evil  which 
iperates  in  derogation  of  tin;  inestimable  blessings  of  a  freo 
jress,  when  conducted  for  the  attainment  and  diffusion  of  in- 
ormation  connected  with  the  public  good.  I  pray  you,  gentlu- 
uen,  to  accept  for  yourselves,  and  those  you  represent,  the  as- 
urances  of  my  best  wishes  and  friendly  salutations. 

GEO.  POINDEXTER. 

To  Messrs.  W.  W.  Worslty,  Georne  \V.  Chamber*,  Benjamin 
lauthon,  George  Keats,  Joseph  S.  Benham,  E.  T.  Brdiilrrid^e, 
Samuel  Belt,  A.  S.  Thruston,Jl.  Miller,  jr.  M.  R.  Wigginton. 

A  large  party  assembled  on  the  occasion — about  150  of  the 
nost  respectable  citizens  of  Louisville,  and  the  toasts  and  oilier 
proceedings  were  of  an  uncommonly  ardent  character:  but  w« 
hall  insert  an  account  only  of  a  sufficiency  of  them  to  shew  the 
euiper  that  prevailed. 

TOASTS. 

Public  liberty,  violently  assaulted  by  an  executive  cabal. 
'eople  of  the  United  States:  keep  a  vigilant  eye  upon  your  pre- 
ident — Tiberius  had  his  Sejarius,  Jackson  has  his  Van  Buren. 

The  constitution  of  the  United  Slates.  The  wounds  inflicted 
ipou  it  can  only  be  cured  by  the  people  at  the  polls. 

Our  guest,  the  lion.  George  Poindexter.  In  him  we  recognise 
me  of  the  noblest  of  that  Spartan  band  who  have  saved  their 
country.  He  might  have  been  the  most  eheiishcd  idol  of  the 
president,  but  In;  has  won  for  himself  a  far  higher  and  more 
glorious  distinction — the  friend  and  favorite  of  the  people. 

After  the  annunciation  of  the  fourth  toa«t,  (says  the  Louis- 
ville paper),  which  was  received  with  roars  of  acclamation,  Mr. 
Poindexter  rose  and  made  an  Address  of  an  hour  nnd  n  half  to 
the  audience.  It  was  every  way  worthy  of  that  "noblest  title 
of  man,"  an  AMERICAN  SENATOR.  The  speaker's  theme  was 
the  recent  Usurpations  of  the  executive  department  of  the  geua 
ral  government. 

We  shall  not  attempt  to  give  a  sketch  of  the  speech,  for  we 
hope  to  be  able,  ere  long,  to  to  lay  it  entire  before  the  public. 
At  the  close  of  it  Mr.  P.  offered  the  following  sentiment: 

The  approaching,  elections — In  a  contest  between  absolnl* 
power  in  one  man  and  a  government  of  departments,  each  li- 
mited within  its  own  orbit,  can  a  free  people  he-lute  which  to 
choose?  No;  they  will  rise  in  the  majesty  of  their  strength,  and 
rescue  their  liberties  from  the  grasp  of  the  usurper. 

Henry  Clay.  '-The  light  shineth  in  darkness,  but  the  dark- 
ness comprehended  it  not." 

Martin  Vail  Buren.  The  true  nuthor  of  the  remnral  of  the 
dnpo»iies — like  the  veiled  prophet  of  Khorassiri,  he  will  find 
that  his  silver  veil  is  too  flimsy  to  conceal  his  impostures. 

Amos  Kendall  — 

"Oh,  for  a  tongue  to  curse  the  slnve, 
Whose  treason  like  a  deadly  blight, 
Comes  o'er  the  councils  of  the  CRAVE, 
And  blasts  them  in  the  hour  of  night." 

Mr.  Webster,  and  other  distinguished  persons,  were  also  re- 
membered in  the  volunteer  loas-ts.  Enough,  however,  lias  bcr-n 
inserted  to  shew  the  character  of  the  parly,  and  the  temper  of 
its  proceedings,  as  proposed  above. 


REPLY  OF   MR.  SPEAKER  BELL 

To  an  invitation  to  partake  of  a  public  dinner  at  Nashville. 
Nashville,  July  30th,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  note  of  the  28th  instant,  inviting  me  to 
partake  of  a  public  dinner,  nt  such  early  time  as  may  be  conve- 
nient to  mo,  was  received  on  that  day,  but  my  private  engage- 
ments prevented  an  immediate  reply,  nnd  I  must  beg  pardon 
for  the  omission. 

I  receive  with  due  sensibility  this  mark  of  regard  from  th« 
citizens  of  Nashville,  and  the  expression  of  respr-ct  and  confi- 
dence, contained  in  your  note,  affords  me  a  high  and  unaffect- 
ed gratification.  To  accept  this  civility,  however,  would  pro- 
bably, at  this  time,  cause  some  inconvenience  to  those  who 
have  so  kindly  proffered  it,  inasmuch  as  an  entertainment  is  in 
contemplation  for  the  president  of  the  United  States,  whose 
arrival  in  daily  expected.  I  beg  leave,  therefore,  respectfully 
to  decline-  this  invitation;  lint,  as  I  am  not,  I  presume  mistaken 
in  supposing,  that,  beside*  the  compliment  of  a  dinner,  your 
intention  is,  al<-o,  to  afford  me  an  opportunity  of  refuting  the 
misrepresentations,  in  regard  to  my  course  during  the  late  ses- 
sion of  congress,  which  found  their  way  to  the  public  ear  so 
soon  as  the  result  of  the  election  for  speaker  to  the  house  of 
representatives  was  declared,  I  will  remark  that  such  an  op- 
portunity would  be  more  agreeable  to  me  at  a  later  period  of 
the  vacation. 

I  regard  many  of  the  misrepresentations  alluded  to,  a?  the 
natural  and  hut  too  common  r«sort  of  unsuccessful  opposition. 
Feeling  the  fullest  assurance  that,  with  but  few  exception*,  I 
had  the  confidence  of  the  members  of  the  house  of  reprecenu- 
tives,  there  was  no  necessity  that  I  should  notice  •Mtonienu 
derogatory  to  the  honor  and  character  of  their  presiding  officer, 


410 


NILES'   REGISTER— AUG    16,   IS34— ANSWER  OF  MR.  BIBB. 


xvhicli  \vere  not  credited  hy  them.  Among  my  feljow-citizcns 
olt lie  country  generally,  1  have  not  found  any  such  degree  of 
credence  given  to  these  statements  as  cnlled  for  a  public  and 
particular  notice  from  me.  My  indisposition  to  apjiear  before 
the  public,  except  in  the  discharge  of  my  duties  as  a  represen- 
tative in  congress,  mini  n  sntlicient  time  had  elapsed  lor  the 
rt-iurn  of  reason  arid  moderation  among  those  who  were  dis- 
pti-nl  to  finil  fault  xviih  me,  caused  me  lo  decline  attending 
cevcrai  public  dinners  to  which  I  had  been  politely  invited  be- 
fore f  left  Washington.  It  would  be  extremely  unpleasant  to 
me  lo  he  under  the  necessity  of  replying  U>  some  of  the  mis- 
representation?, which  have  been  made  of  my  recent  course  in 
<  nngress,  in  tlie  same  spirit  in  which  they  have  been  propaga- 
ti-ci  iii  some  of  llie  ntiyiilioriuy  districts  of  this  state  and  in  this 
town. 

It  cannot  be  expected  that  I  will  continue  to  act  on  the  de- 
fensive, and  n  content  may  he  provoked,  which  may  turn  out 
nlike  nnpiofiiahly  and  disagreeably  to  all  concerned.  Al- 
though, there.fore,!  am  aware,  that,  when  men  are  actuated  by 
the  pas-ion.--  which  excite  those  who  have  assailed  me,  in  this 
instance,  their  race  is  generally  increased,  and  their  effbrtl  re- 
doubled in  propoition  lo  the  injustice  of  their  proceedings,  and 
the  obstinacy  of  the  people  in  resisting  the  impression,  they  de- 
sire to  make,  yet  I  prefer  a  postponement  ol  any  moie  formal 
nnd  particular  attention  to  this  subject,  on  my  part,  and  hope 
for  a  returning  sense  of  justice  nnd  propriety  on  the  part  of 
others. 

As  no  occasion,  however,  so  fit  and  proper,  may,  at  nny 
time,  present  itself,  [  will  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to 
declare,  in  general  \i  rms,  that  all  the  s!at''inents,  whether  cir- 
culated through  public  or  private  channel*,  prejudicial  lo  my 
lionor,  or  imputing  to  me  any  impropriety  of  conduct  in  rela- 
tion to  the  election  of  speaker,  so  far  as  they  have  reached  my 
fare,  are  destitute  of  the  'lightest  foundation  in  truth,  and  are 
the  sheer  invention  of  embittered  personal  or  political  hostility, 
or  the  misconceptions  of  iho*e  who  have  not  done  me  the  jus 
tice  to  make  the  proper  inquiiy  into  my  comliict.  This,  insinu- 
ation, that  f  descended  to  electioneer  and  give  pledges  lo  either 
pirty  in  the  house;  or,  that  any  terms  whatever  were  made  be- 
tween myself  and  tho-c  who  supported  me  for  the  chair;  or, 
that  I  wavered  in  my  support  of  the  artmini.-traiioii,  is.  I  affirm, 
wholly  untrue,  find  then;  is  not  a  man  of  truth  ami  honor  in  ex- 
istence who  will  slate  the  contrary.  The  journals  of  ihe  house 
of  representatives  will  show  my  support  of  the  administration 
upon  every  question  that  was  acted  upon  during  the  session. 

In  conclusion,  I  will  say  that,  of  all  the  members  of  the  op- 
position, who  may  have  preferred  me  to  any  other  gentleman 
of  my  own  parly,  who  was  run  for  the  chair,  I  do  not  believe 
one  can  he  found  who  expected  me  to  change  or  modify  my 
Fiippnrt  of  general  Jackson,  or  his  administration,  much  less  to 
Join  tin;  opposition.  Them  were  but  few  members  of  the 
house  with  whom  F  had  any  intercourse  upon  the  subject  of 
the  election  of  speaker,  and  (  arn  hound  to  say,  lliat,  to  what- 
ever pnity  they  belonged,  they  treated  me  with  delicacy,  liber- 
ality, and  propiieiy.  I  am,  gentlemen,  with  sincere  regard, 
your  friend  and  fellow  citizen,  JOHN  BELL. 

To  Messrs.  Hogs,  Shelby,  Crockett,  Douglass,  Foster,  Kichol, 
f'auir,  Hill  and  Barrow. 


ANSWER  OF  COL.  JOHNSON 

To  an  Invitation  to  attend  a  celebration  of  the  4th  of  July  at 
Philadelphia. 

-  Great  Crossing,  Kentucky,  23rf  July,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  Since  my  return  home  after  the  4lh,  1  received 
your  invitation  to  participate  with  my  democratic  friends  in  the 
celebration  ofthe  day  of  Independence,  at  the  house  of  Gewrge 
(.'lopp,  Islington  hotel,  in  the  Unincorporated  township,  Phila- 
delphia couniy,  Pa.  for  which  you  will,  even  at  this  late  period, 
receive  my  sincere  tlmnks  and  grateful  acknowledgments.  The 
happiness  and  the  liberty  winch  we  enjoy  under  our  simple 
form  of  goveinmeHl.  have  attracted  the  wonder  of  surrounding 
nations,  and  the  friends  and  enemies  of  freedom  are  equally 
Hiuions  for  Ihfi  issue  of  our  so  far  successful  experiment.  One 
fixes  In"  hopes  upon  the  belief  that  man  is  capable  of  self  go- 
vernment— that  the  world  w«s  not  made  for  Czesar,  hut  for  the 
millions — for  the  people,  that  Ihe  only  legitimate  object  of  go- 
vernment is  die  happiness  of  the  whole  people,  and  the  only 
legitimate  rule  to  effect  it  is  the  principle  of  submitting  to  the 
will  of  the  majority,  fairly  nnd  constitutionally  expressed — the 
other  fixes  hu  hopes  upon  the  incapacity  of  the  people  for  self 
government,  upon  the  divine  right  of  kings,  or  the  rule  of  the 
few  over  the  many.  This  is  a  time  lo  revive  a  recollection  of 
the  eflVcts  of  these  two  antagonist  principles  in  other  countries. 

Our  slrenzlh,  our  resources,  our  happiness  and  our  freedom, 
tnav  well  remind  us  of  the  golden  era  of  Greece,  of  Rome,  nnd 
«if  Ciirthnze,  when  they  were  great,  and  powerful,  nnd  happy — 
lull  let  us  not  forget  those  djssention*,  that  discord  and  column- 
<ion  which  contributed,  in  part  at  least,  to  their  present  condi- 
tion. I  have,  never  permitted  myself  to  doubl  llie  success  of 
our  experiment. 

Allli'MiiMi  the  proper  occasion  hns  passed,  yet  I  could  not  let 
go  the  opportunity  of  giving  you  proof,  that  I  was  not  unmind- 
ful of  Ihe  honor  conferred,  nnd  to  express  my  sincere  friendship 
!»r  each  of  you,  and  my  gratitude  to  all  n«.<oemtr>d  with  you. 
With  sentiments  of  the  kindest  regard,  I  am  most  respectfully, 
your*,  fcc.  R.  M.  JOHNSON. 

Me«*r«.  J.  R.  Hoj*int,  Joitph  Moor*,  Anlkony  Fttton,  Ml- 
cAacJ  fray,  Wlliam  RAemtr,  T.  J.  Bryant. 


ANSWER  OF  MR.  BIBB,  OF  THE  U.  STATES  SENATE. 

To  attend,  on  a  public  occasion,  a  melting  at  Elklon,  Ky. 
Washington,  June  18,1834. 

GENTLF.MEX:  Your  very  kind  invitation  was  received,  and  it 
would  have  met  my  hearty  concurrence  to  have  mingled  with 
my  old  friends  nnd  constituents  at  Elkjon.  But  you  see  by  the 
papers  that  the  congress  will  not  adjourn  in  lime  lo  allow  me 
Ihe  promised  pleasure. 

I  do  earnestly  desire  to  see  my  fellow  citizens  and  constitu- 
ents, and  converse  with  them  face  to  face.  1  believe  that  by  so 
doing  I  could  give  a  more  impressive  statement  of  public  af- 
fairs than  1  could  do  by  writing. 

Our  liberties  are  endangered.  It  is  time  for  every  friend  of 
constitutional  liberty,  and  a  government  of  laws,  to  awake  and 
be  vigilant.  The  liberties  of  a  nation  are  held  at  the  price  of 
eternal  watchfulness.  The  constitution  is  bill  on  paper — men 
must  give  it  motion,  life  and  activity.  If  the  people  are  supine, 
those  in  power  will  mould  the  government  to  their  wishes. 
The  question  will  soon  be  with  rulers  not  what  the  constitution 
is,  what  the  good  of  the  great  body  of  the  people  requires,  but 
how  far  the  people  will  bear.  Every  government  in  its  pro- 
gress had,  and  ever  will  have,  n  tendency  lo  create  an  Interest 
separate  and  distinct  between  the  government  as  one  party,  and 
the  people  as  the  other  party;  between  office  holders  and  pri- 
vate citizens,  between  the  tax  payers  and  tax  receivers.  The 
great  body  who  pay  taxes,  must  watch  and  keep  Ihe  few,  who 
receive  the  taxes  from  the  treasury,  in  salaries,  jobs  and  con- 
tracts from  extravagance,  waste  and  pillage.  Frequent  recur- 
rence to  fundamental  principles  is  essential  to  the  preservation 
of  liberty.  This  maxim  is  engrafted  into  our  bill  of  rights,  and 
is  lo  he  found  also  in  most  ofthe  American  constitutions.  It  is  a 
solemn  truth  impressed  by  history  and  experience. 

A  government  may  be  a  republic  in  form,  but  a  despotism  in 
fact.  Augustus  Cssar  did  not  change  the  forms  of  the  Ro- 
man republic,  but  exercised  a  most  despotic  power  over  the 
laws,  the  libeity  and  the  prosperity  of  citizens.  The  senate  met 
as  usual,  all  the  officers  were  elected  as  formerly,  and  apparent- 
ly performed  their  respective  functions.  But  the  emperor  in 
fad  pointed  out  every  person  to  be  returned  by  the  pretended 
election,  he  made  the  senate  dependent  on  him,  and  every  of- 
ficer moved  and  acted  by  his  will  and  dictation.  It  was  in 
practice  the  government  of  the  will  of  one  man,  and  he  and 
iiis  successor?  exercised  the  most  unlimited  and  arbitrary  tyran- 
ny. The  whole  body  of  the  people  were  at  first  oppressed,  and 
afterwards  corrupted  and  brought  lo  Ihe  most  abject  slavery. 

When  we  look  at  th<:  manifesto  of  Ihe  president  read  to  hU 
cabinet,  Ihe  dismissal  of  the  secretary  of  ihe  treasury  for  re- 
fusing to  obey  the  mandate  of  the  president,  the  appointment 
of  a  successor  to  obey  that  will,  (he  consequent  violation  ofthe 
public  faith,  nnd  the  law;  the  doctrines  of  the  president's  pro- 
test, and  Ihe  principles  avowed  in  the  report  of  Ihe  secrrtary  of 
the  treasury,  the  many  evasions  ofthe  constitutional  checks  of 
the  senate  upon  executive  appointments,  by  appointment  of 
persons,  rejected  by  Ihe  senate,  to  other  responsible  offices,  and 
even  to  the  same  office,  nnd  by  withholding  the  nominations  of 
the  high  and  important  officers  of  departments,  notwithstanding 
the  senate  have  been  in  session  more  than  six  months,  we  have 
good  cause  to  apprehend  that  the  constitutional  government 
adopted  by  the  states,  nnd  the  laws  made  by  the  congress  as  a 
rule  of  conduct  to  tin-  officers  created  by  them,  are  not  duly  re- 
spected. The  doctrines  of  the  protest  make  the  'whole  official 
corps  the  effective  administration  of  the  government  subject  to 
the  control  of  the  president,  not  the  laws,  nnd  subject  to  hi* 
dictation.  Even  the  custody  of  the  public  msney  i*  claimed, 
and  in  fact  and  in  practice  enforced  by  the  president,  as  n  part 
of  his  constitutional  function.  The  power  of  the  executive  i* 
to  engulph  every  power  of  the  government. 

I  declare  in  sincerity,  that  if  the  doctrines  of  the  protest,  and 
the  acts  ofthe  chief  executive  magistrate  intended  to  be  justifi- 
ed by  the  protest,  be  submitted  to  nnd  acquiesced  in,  we  have 
not  ,i  government  of  laws,  hut  a  despotic  monarchy,  the  govern- 
ment of  one  man,  cloaked  under  the  powers  of  a  common- 
wealth. Need  I  remind  you  of  the  manv  instances  in  which 
candidates  for  Ihe  howse  of  representatives  have  been  proclaim- 
ed and  supported  by  all  the  power  and  influence  ofthe  presi- 
dent'* name,  nnd  the  patronage  of  the  administration?  Have 
we  not  seen  the  same  power  and  influence  brought  to  bear  in 
etate  elections,  for  the  purpose  of  so  forming  the  slate  legisla- 
ture* n*  to  support  the  chief  magistrate,  and  elect  senatori 
of  the  United  Slates  to  sustain  his  measures?  Do  we  not  «ee 
the  office  holders  moving  in  phalanx?  Do  we  not  see  conven- 
tions held  by  self  created  representatives,  and  committees  or- 
ganized under  the  control  of  office  holders,  to  manage  a  na- 
tional convention? 

Fellow  citizens,  arise  in  the  majesty  of  your  power;  be  watch- 
ful; your  liberties  are  insidiously  assailed.  The  government 
established  by  our  ancestors  is  about  to  he  converted  into  an 
odious  tyranny.  The  power  nnd  influence  ofthe  government 
i-<  nboiil  to  he  made  greater  than  the  rights  nnd  influence  of  the 
people.  The  passport  to  ofliee  is  Ihe  indiscriminate  support 
of  i-verv  act  of  the  president:  brawling  partisans  are  rewarded 
from  the  public  treasury;  freedom  of  opinion  is  threatened  with 
dismissal  from  office;  and  office  holders,  senalor?  and  represen- 
tative*, nre  taught  to  expect  promotion,  according  lo  their  zea- 
lous support  of  the  most  questionable  or  the  more  odinui  net* 
of  ihe  administration.  The  executive  influence  i-  brought  into 
content  with  the  freedom  of  election*,  mid  with  the  freedom  of 
Inquiry  In  the  nalli  of  congreii.  The  expenditure!  of  the  jo- 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.   16,  18S4— ANSWER  OF  MR.  McLEAN. 


417 


vernment  are  increasing  to  enlarge  Uie  patronage  of  the  go- 
vernment-; and  the  patronage  of  the  government  so  increased  as 
to  be  exerted  to  sustain  Hie  president  ami  the  receivers  of  sa- 
laries, jolis  mid  contracts.  The  people  are  to  he  governed  by 
their  OWH  servants  and  money,  hy  Ira  ml  nml  deceit.  I  see  no 
remedy  lituity  the  people  in  their  primary  assemblies  and  nl  the 
polls.  They  must  cause  their  interests  and  their  sentiments  to 
be  respected;  they  must  make  known  that  the  people  are  to  be 
represented;  that  representatives  are  the  trustees  and  agents  of 
the  people,  and  not  the  servants  of  the  president. 

•I  supported  general  Jackson's  election  from  the  earliest  can- 
vass until  his  tirst  actual  election.  I  supported  him,  supposing 
«nd  believing  him  to  be  the  representative  of  certain  gre:it  prin- 
ciples, which  lie  at  the  foundation  of  civil  liberty.  I  have  been 
deceived.  I  stand  upon  my  principles.  Alas!  men  have  chang- 
ed, but  principles  do  not. 

Believe  me,  that,  had  it  been  practicable,  consistently  with 
my  public  duties  here,  I  should  have  availed  myself  of  the  in- 
vitation so  kindly  and  so  feelingly  addressed  to  me.  Accept  my 
thanks;  and  be  assured  that  my  heart  will  be  with  you  on  the 
great  day  appointed  for  your  deliberations. 

GEORGE  M.  BIBB. 
To  the  committee  of  invitation  to  the  meeting  at  Elkton,  S(c. 

MR.  CLAY'S  ANSWER 

To  an  invitation  to  partake  of  a  public  dinner  at  Lexington. 
Jlshland,  3lst  July,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  received  with  lively  sensibility  your 
note  of  the  30th  inst.  tendering  the  welcome  of  a  number  of  my 
fellow-citizens  of  Lexington,  on  the  occasion  of  my  returning 
among  them,  and  inviting  me  to  a  public  dinner  at  Messrs. 
Brennan  &  I'ostlethwail's  hotel,  on  Saturday  next.  I  request 
the  acceptance  hy  yourselves  and  my  fellow-cili/.ens  of  Lex- 
ington, of  my  profound  acknowledgments'  for  these  manifesta- 
tions of  esteem  and  confidence.  Associated  as  Lexington  is 
with  Hit!  most  pleasing  and  grateful  recollections  in  my  mind, 
its  continued  kindness  and  attachment,  so  often  and  so  long 
displayed,  afford  me  inexpressible  satisfaction.  Under  other 
•circumstances  it  would  be  extremely  gratifying  to  me  to  accept 
•the  compliment  so  obligingly  proposed  of  a  public  dinner;  but  1 
Jiope  the  ill  health  of  a  member  of  my  family,  the  extraordinary 
heat  of  the  season,  and  the  want  of  repose,  which  1  feel  to  be 
so  necessary,  will  be  deemed  by  you  to  furnish  a  sufficient 
•apology  for  declining  it. 

I  am  very  happy,  gentlemen,  to  learn  from  you  that  the 
course  of  the  senate  of  the  United  States  at  its  recent  arduous 
session,  commands  your  approbation.  Nothing  but  an  impera- 
tive sense  of  public  duty  could  have  induced  the  senate  to  as- 
sume an  attitude  of  opposition  to  the  executive,  and  of  difference 
of  opinion  with  the  house  of  representatives,  on  leading  public 
measures.  The  people  are  yet  the  common  umpire  in  cases  of 
disagreement  between  their  functionaries;  and  the  senate 
awaits  thp.ir  decision  with  midoubting  confidence.  For  my- 
self, believing  that  the  measures  adopted,  and  the  principles 
avowed  by  the  executive,  involved  the  safety  and  existence  of 
free  government,  I  should  have  regarded  myself  faithless  to  the 
people.,  and  false  to  the  whole  tenor  of  rny  life,  if  I  had  not 
cheerfully  and  heartily  concurred  with  the  majority  of  the  se- 
nate. I  am  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  friend  and 
neighbor,  H.  CLAY. 

Messrs.  B.  W.  Dudley,  Robert  Frazer,  W.  W.  Whitney, 
Jacob  Jlshton,  M.  C.  Johnson.  Jl.  K.  Woolley,  Leslie  Combs, 
f).  Gratz  and  James  E.  Davis,  &c.  &c. 


ANSWER  OF  MR.  TROUP. 

Macon,  July  29th,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  Accept  my  acknowledgments  for  your  recol- 
lections of  any  services  I  may  have  formerly  rendered  —  they 
nre  not  without  recompense  when  my  fellow  citizens  of  Macon 
so  affectionately  extend  to  me  the  hand  of  friendship;  it  is  all  I 
could  ask  and  all  I  will  receive.  Jt  may  be  my  happiness  to 
mingle  with  them  ngain;  whether  I  door  not  the  state  rights 
jrirly  of  Georgia  have  rny  best  wishes  for  theirsuccess  —  engaged 
on  the  side  of  lilirrty  against  a  vicious  and  corrupt  government. 
they  11111*1  evidently  triumph.  The  enlightened  young  men  of 
the  country,  whatever  may  become  of  the  old  and  imbecile 
will  HVB  to  ac-hieve  and  pnjoy  it. 

Wiih  great  consideration  and  regard  gentlemen,  your  fellow 
oitizen,  G.  M.  TROUP. 

Thomas  R.  Lnmnr,  Ti-erson  H.  Jones,  Charles    Collins  Lemuel 

ffewcomli,  Levi  Echley,  committee. 

ANSWER  OF  MR.   RIVES 

To  a  letter  from  Mr.  Dallas,  communicating  certain  proceed- 
in^  had  at  Philadelphia  —  jusinow,  for  the  first  time,  published. 
Castle  Hill,  Va.  March  20,  1834. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of 
the  10th  March,  communicating  a  resolution  which  was  adopt- 
ed (among  others  expressive  of  their  sentiments  and  opinions), 
hy  my  democratic  fellow  citizens  of  the  city  and  county  of 
Philadelphia,  in  their  late  imposing  meeting  of  the  4th  March, 
and  hy  which  they  are  pleased  to  express,  in  the  most  tlaller- 
jng  and  emphatic  manner,  their  approbation  of  my  conduct  in 
the  recent  resignation  of  my  seat  in  the  senate  of  the  United 
States. 

So  signal  a  compliment,  emanating  from  so  respected  a 
i  outre,  nnd  enhanced  by  the  eloquent  and  fluttering  terms  in 


which  your  kindness  and  partiality  have  seen  fit  to  communi- 
cate it,  has  penetrated  me  with  sentiments  which  I  find  myself 
utterly  at  a  loss  to  convey  by  any  adequate  expression  of  them. 
The  democracy  of  Pennsylvania,  of  which  the  city  and  county 
of  Philadelphia  form  so  prominent  a  part,  (us  ever  been  the 
faithful  interpreter  and  vigilant  guardian  of  the  true  doctrines  of 
republicanism.  In  every  period  ot  our  political  trials,  the  re- 
publican cause  has  found  in  that  democracy  a  generous,  disin- 
terested and  strenuous  support.  It  has  been  the  pride  of  Vir- 
ginia to  have  acted  with  your  true  hearted  and  noble-minded 
commonwealth  in  all  the  great  singles  of  our  pa>t  hiMoiy; 
and  there  is  no  state  with  which  we  can  have  more  motive-  of 
a  just  anxiety  to  cultivate,  in  future,  the  feelings  and  relations 
which  belong  to  kindred  principles  arid  a  high  common  cause. 
A  cordial  republican  concert  between  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia, indeud,  was,  many  years  ago,  pronounced  by  the  great 
founder  of  the  democratic  faith  to  be  one  of  the  most  efficient 
guarantees  for  the  maintenance  of  the  constitution,  and  the 
preservation  of  the  union  itself. 

The  relations  which  connect  the  two  commonwealths  being 
thus  intimate  and  important,  I  have  felt,  with  particular  and 
profound  sensibility,  the  flattering  marks  of  approbation  and  re- 
gard, with  which  my  fellow  citizens  of  Pennsylvania  havt 
been  pleased  to  honor  my  public  course.  The  distinguished 
arid  emphatic  testimony  of  which  you,  my  dear  sir,  have  been 
the  organ,  the  peculiarly  kind  and  generous  terms  in  which 
you  have  seen  fit  to  communicate  it,  have  laid  me  under  obli- 
gations which  I  feel  my  own  incompetency  suitably  to  express, 
and  which  I  must  leave  to  your  just  feelings  to  appreciate,  and 
to  your  felicitous  powers  of  language  to  interpret  for  me  to  my 
democratic  fellow  citizens  of  the  city  and  county  of  Philadel- 
phia. 

I  share  all  their  patriotic  anxiety,  in  regard  to  the  present 
grave  conjuncture  of  our  public  affairs.  I  see  with  you,  my 
dear  sir,  that  the  vital  principles  arid  fundamental  structure  of 
our  republican  government,  are  put  in  peril  by  the  new  theo- 
ries, bold  pretensions,  and  illegitimate  and  eccentric  influen- 
ces, which  have  bten  arrayed  to  thwart  and  derange  its  regu- 
lar action.  The  claim,  now  for  the  first  time  openly  acted 
upon  by  a  party  in  the  public  councils,  of  exemption  from  the 
control  of  the  constituent  power,  after  it  has  been  once  exerted 
in  the  choice  of  its  agents,  confounds  and  invests  all  the  rela- 
tions of  the  representative  system,  transforms  servants  into 
masters,  and  our  free  constitutional  republic  into  a  proud 
usurping  oligarchy. 

The  support  of  a  great  central  moneyed  power  in  the  bosom 
of  our  institutions,  exerting,  in  the  worst  form  of  consolidation, 
a  quasi  governmental  authority,  independent  of  and  irresponsi- 
ble to  the  people,  is  equally  at  war  with  the  fundamental  prin- 
ciples of  the  republican  system.  And  the  modern  heresy  of 
nullification,  (which  you  forcibly  describe  as  mingling  its  fitfu! 
blasts  with  the  steady  current  of  consolidation),  by  arrogating 
to  any  single  malcontent  member  of  the  union  the  absolute  and 
sovereign  right  to  control  and  overrule  the  will  of  all  the  rest  of 
the  states  and  the  people  which  compose  the  republic,  is  but  a 
varied  form  of  that  active  and  diffusive  element  of  aristocracy 
which,  with  more  or  less  of  industry,  is  constantly  at  work  to 
undermine  the  democratic  foundations  of  American  liberty. 

To  preserve  our  institutions  from  these  multiplied  danger?, 
and  the  combination  of  so  many  hostile  principles,  will  require 
all  the  energy,  vigilance  and  firmness  of  the  people.  In  the 
resolution  so  nobly  manifested  by  your  patriotic  common- 
wealth, to  perform  her  part  of  this  sacred  duty,  I  feel  a  tho- 
rough conviction  that  the  people  of  Virginia  will  second  and 
sustain  her;  and  that  under  their  joint  auspices  now,  as  in  past 
critical  periods  of  our  political  history,  the  cause  of  republican- 
ism will  be  again  triumphant. 

Praying  you,  my  dear  sir,  again  to  be  the  interpreter  of  my 
grateful  sentiments  to  my  democratic  fellow-citizens  of  the 
city  and  county  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  distinguished  mark  of 
their  approbation,  which  you  have  had  the  goodness  to  convey  f 
in  terms  so  kind  and  flattering,  I  remain,  with  the  highest  re- 
spect and  consideration,  your  friend,  and  obedient  servant 

W.  C.  RIVES- 
To  the  hon.  G.  M.  Dallas,  &c.  &c. 

ANSWER  OF  MR.  McLEAN 

To  an  invitation  to  dine  at  the  Fountain  Green  botel,  with 
certain  of  the  democratic  citizensof  the  city  and  county  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, on  the  4th  July  last. 

Richland,  -29th  June,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  regret  that  my  absence  in  the  country  delayed 
until  yesterday  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  20th  inst.  invit- 
ing me  to  the  "democratic  festival  to  be  given  at  Fountain 
Green,  on  the  4th  of  July  next."  It  would  afford  me  high  gra- 
tification to  unite  with  my  fellow  citizens  of  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia and  its  vicinity,  in  the  object  of  the  festival,  which  you 
informed  me,  are  "to  bring  together  those  democrats,  who  have 
been  for  some  lime  divided  in  their  choice  of  men,  in  union  and 
harmony,  to  resuscitate  the  doctrines  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  to 
proclaim  an  aversion  to  man-worship,  mid  to  establish  princi- 
ples as  the  only  safe  standard,  &c."  Our  own  reflections  and 
the  examples  of  history  should  convince  us  that  no  free  govern- 
ment can  long  be  sustained,  where  men  are  substituted  for  prin- 
ciples. If  we  are  not  incapable  of  receiving  instruction  from 
example,  we  must  profit  by  the  republics  of  past  ages,  which 
have  been  overthrown  by  an  abandonment  of  principle  and  a 
blind  adherence  to  men.  We  are  all  such  selruh  beingt,  and 


4iS 


REGISTER— AUG.   16,  1844— COUNTY  MUSLUMS. 


either  tiirough  infirmity  or  depravity  are  always  liable  to  err.  j 
A  principle  which  uiiiy  be  denounced  to  day,  may  shortly  be- 
come the  lust  of  political  orthodoxy,  and  llius  all  the  gre.at 
movements  of  the  government  may  depend  upon  the  whim  or 
caprice  of  an  individual,  who  himself  may  be  UK-  miserable  in- 
strument of  political  jugglers.  This  is  the  government  of  an 
absolute  monarchy,  by  whatever  name  it  m.iy  be  called. 

It  is  a  just  and  profound  observation  of  M.u-hiiivel,  "that  the 
real  powers  of  government  are  sometimes  contracted  to  a  nar- 
rower point  in  republics  than  in  monarchies."  He  who  has 
not  seen  this  tendency  in  republican  governments  has  profited 
little  by  the  lights  of  history  or  experience. 

In  the  days  of  Jefferson,  Madison  and  Monroe,  who  ever 
heard  of  Jefferson  men,  Madison  men  or  Monroe  men?  Parties 
were  then  known  by  the  principles  which  they  advocated,  and 
they  formed  the  rule  by  which  men  were  judged.  And  if  we 
wish  to  preserve  our  government,  we  must  get  back  again  to 
the  standard  of  principles  which  were  then  professed  and  main- 
tained. 

Let  a  party  be  organized  with  an  exclusive  reference  to  any- 
individual,  and  let  that  individual  be  placed  at  the  head  of  the 
government,  he  must  of  necessity  be  supported  in  all  his  mea- 
•ures.  If  he  shall  be  supported  by  his  party,  only  when  he  is 
right,  the  party  must  soon  be  broken  in  pieces;  for  his  name  be- 
ing the  only  rallying  point,  whenever  the  party  shall  fail  to  jus- 
tify and  sustain  all  his  acts,  it  loses  its  appropriate  designation 
and  must  dissolve.  It  is  therefore  as  necessary  to  support  the 
chief  of  a  party,  thus  organized,  when  he  is  wrong  as  when  he 
ii  right. 

But  this  is  not  the  case  where  a  party  is  organized  in  refer- 
ence to  principles  which  are  vital  to  a  free  government.  On 
these  the  standard  is  planted,  and  by  these  are  all  the  members 
of  the  party,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  judged.  A  party 
with  such  a  basis,  and  with  intelligence,  virtue  and  patriotism 
to  direct  it,  must  always  be  impregnable.  I  speak  of  no  sec- 
tional party,  but  of  one  devoted  to  the  great  principles  of  repub- 
lican government,  and  which  views  men,  however  exalted  by 
their  talents  and  public  services,  as  agents  to  act  for  the  wel- 
fare of  the  whole  union.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  re 
gpect,  your  ob't  serv't.  JOHN  McLEAN. 

Be  pleased  to  present  to  the  company  the  following  senti 
ment: 

Jl.  McCaraher,  Jhoh  M.  Barclay,  Thomas  J.  Smith,  Win.  F 
Van  jlinrtngo,  John  D.  Goodwin,  Jacob  P'rick  and  W.  H.  Hoods 
etg.  committee. 

The  state  of  Pennsylvania — the  balance  wheel  of  the  union — 
other  states  may  speak  of  having  given  chief  magistrates  to  the 
country,  but  Pennsylvania  may  claim  a  higher  honor  in  th 
great  moral  power  which  she  has  exercised  over  the  coiifede 
racy. 


ed  of  those  who.se  efforts  helped  to  raise  our  present  chief  nia- 
<tr;ite  to  office.  With  such  men  to  aid  in  the  Mipport  of  sncli 
inciples  as  we  contend  for,  we  cannot  fail  to  triumph:  and 
•n  we  do,  let  no  one  set  it  down  as  a  triumph  of  aught  but 
hat  of  all  things  on  earth  aie  mo.-t  dear  to  u»  —  our  constiiu- 
iii  anil  laws.  It  will  be  no  victory  of  men:  bank  men  or  uuti- 
nk  men,  no  battle  gained  by  party  men  known  to  any  one 
rmer  political  designation  in  this  country.  Should  our  cause 
lUinpli  throughout  the  union,  it  will  be  a  victory  of  the  friends 
civil  liberty,  gained  by  the  force  of  reason  and  the  love  of 
iinitry,  formiii!!  a  bright  and  memorable  era  in  all  time  while 
e.  hi.-tory  of  American  freedom  shall  endure  on  earth. 
Let  us  then  go  to  the  great  work  cheerfully.  While  about  it, 
e  shafts  of  calumny  will  fall  lliick  and  fast  around  us,  but  the 
•art  of  a  patriot  will  rise  under  the  blow  which  is  unjustly 
veiled  at  his  reputation,  and  his  succeeding  efforts,  like  the 
eascless  billows  of  the  ocean,  will  pour  upon  those  who  would 
egrade  him,  to  paralyze  his  exertions,  a  tide  of  indignation 
hich  they  can  neither  hope  to  resist  nor  escape  from. 
1  offer  tliis  sentiment  to  the  whigs  of  New  Castle  count}'  — 
Our  native  st  ite  —  the  land  of  the  old  blues  of  the  revolution  — 
[ay  its  eveiy  field  be  desolate  and  its  every  stream  be  red  with 
le  blood  of  its  own  children,  before  they  desert  the  principles 
f  the  revolution,  and  bow  in  slavery  at  the  footstool  of  a  ty- 
ant. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 
JOHN  M.  CLAYTON. 

o  Messrs.  John  Wales.  Jonathan  Bonney,  William  P.  Brobson 
R.  Clement. 


REPLY  OF  MR.  McLANE 

To  an  invitation  to  partake  of  a  public  dinner  given  to  Mr 
Taney,  at  Baltimore. 

Baltimore,  July  23d,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  last  night,  your  note  requesting  ra 
company  at  a  dinner  to  be  given  to  Roger  B.  Taney,  esq.  at  th 
Columbian  Gardens,  on  Thursday  next,  at  4  o'clock,  on  the  oc 
casion  of  his  return  to  this  city. 

I  greatly  appreciate  the  honor  done  me  by  the  committee,  bu 
it  will  be  out  of  my  power,  on  the  present  eccasion,  to  accep 
their  invitation. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  sentiments  of  great  regard,  your  obe 
dient  servant,  LOUIS  McLANE. 

[Mr.  McL.  left  Baltimore  on  the  26lh,  for  Delaware.]  W 
have  heard  the  preceding  called  a  "cold  cut,  before  dinner.'1 

ANSWER  OF  MR.  CLAYTON. 

At  the  great  whig  meeting  on  the  4th  July,  near  Wilmingtoi 
Delaware,  Mr.  John  M.  Clayton,  United  States  senator  froi 
that  state,  was  invited  to  attend — to  which  he  returned  th 
following  answer — 

Dover,  July  3,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  invitation  to  atlend  ihe  whig  celebralio 
of  the  4th  of  July  at  Quincy  wood,  near  Wilmington,  is  tb 
moment  received,  and  would  be  promptly  and  gladly  aeceptet 
but  for  numerous  engagements  pressing  upon  me  after  so  loi 
an  absence.  These  must  plead  my  apology  for  not  complyin 
with  your  request. 

Since  my  departure  from  here  eight  months  ago,  there  ha 
been  in  our  own  stale  and  throughout  the  union  a  new  organ 
zation  of  parties.  By  a  great  and  powerful  body  of  our  conntr 
men,  old  party  distinctions  have  been  buried.    A  new  nam 
glorious  in  all  its  associations,  has  been  revived  and  adopte 
not  only  by  old  political  friends,  but  by  many  others  who  a 
now  equally  ready  to  strike  with  us  for  the  constilution  and  U 
laws.    Among  those  who  have  been  thus  roused  10  action  b 
the  intolerable. usurpations  of  the  executive,  there  are  I  find 
every  county  of  the  stale  men  who  were  formeily  the  pride  a 
Ktay  of  the  parly  opposed  to  us,  but  whose  generous  love 
liberty  and  spirited  resistance  to  the  encroachments  of  powe 
have  induced  them  to  come  lo  ihe  rescue  al  the  moment  of  o 
country's  greatest  peril,  when  our  former  friends  were  fainlii 
under  a  pressure  which,  unaided,  we  were  in  fact  my  Cello 
citizens,  unable  to  sustain.     To  these  men  we  owe  a  dtibt 
rratitude  never  lo  be  forgotten.     Among  them   I  behold  wi 
fadings  of  inexpressible  satisfaction  a  Bayard,  a  Ridgely  and 
Robinson,  besides  many  others  of  the  most  prominent  and  gi; 


COUNTY  MUSEUMS. 

The  treasures  of  wealth  and  of  science  have  alike  been  en- 
iched.  within  a  few  years  past,  by  measures  to  explore  and  un- 
)ld  the  natural  resources  of  our  country.  The  mineral  king- 
om,  especially,  has  been  found  to  contain  vast  riches,  before 
nkriown,  which,  being  developed,  have  been  applied  for  the 
qual  benefit  of  the  farmer,  the  mechanic,  the  manufacturer 
nd  the  lover  of  science. 

A  geological  excursion  of  professor  Sillimnn.  with  several  of 
is  pupils,  a  few  years  since,  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Haven,  led 
o  the  discovery  that  the  common  stone  walls  which  had  been 
landing  a  hundred  and  fifty  years,  as  the  enclosures  of  farms, 
were  principally  composed  of  the  verd  antique  marble,  com- 
nonly  considered  the  most  beautiful  marble  known  upon  our 
[lobe.  At  this  place  commences  a  range  of  this  useful  material 
"or  architecture  and  for  various  woiks  of  ornament  and  taste, 
which  continues  for  many  miles,  and  in  exhaustless  abundance. 

From  Hallowell,  Maine,  granite  of  the  most  valuable  and 
icautiful  kind,  is  carried  to  nearly  all  our  seaports,  from  New 
Orleans  to  East  Port  —  where  it  is  used  in  great  quantities,  for 
he  building  of  houses,  wharves  and  various  other  purposes. 
But  a  few  years  ago,  stone  of  an  inferior  quality  was  brought 
"rom  a  distance  for  buildings  within  a  few  rods  of  these  inex- 
laustible  quarries,  which  now  disperse  their  riches  to  other 
cities  and  other  states. 

Copperas,  which  is  used  in  vast  quantities  in  this  country, 
especially  for  the  purpose  of  dyeing,  was,  until  recently,  pro- 
cured entirely  from  foreign  countries.  The  researches  of  geo- 
logists have  discovered  that  copperas  ore,  the  *u!phuret  of  iron, 
exists  in  many  parts  of  our  country  in  sufficient  quantities  to 
furnish  the  world  with  this  necessary  material  in  the  arts,  at  a 
far  less  price  than  it  is  supplied  from  abroad.  In  Stratford,  Vl. 
copperas  is  made,  in  a  great  measure,  by  a  spontaneous  process, 
from  the  ore  in  that  place,  in  sufficient  quantities  to  supply  all 
demands,  and  at  such  a  price  as  to  put  an  entire  stop  to  impor- 
tations of  that  article. 

Foimerly  chrome  yellow  sold  at  sixteen  dollars  a  pound. 
Thechromate  of  iron,  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  vicinity 
of  Baltimore,  together  with  the  increased  skill  of  changing  it 
into  the  eliminate  of  lead,  or  chrome  yellow,  has  reduced  thi* 
beautiful  and  useful  paint  to  fifty  rents  a  pound.  The  ore  and 
the  skill  of  working  it,  have  been  brought  out,  in  part  at  least, 
by  the  researches  of  mineralogists  and  other  amateurs  of  sci- 
ence. 

F.psom  salts,  but  a  few  years  since,  were  furnished  to  this 
country  entirely  by  impoitalioris  from  abroad.  They  are  now 
made  in  Baltimore,  from  magnesite,  a  mineral  found  in  great 
abundance  in  the  vicinity  of  that  city,  of  a  better  quality  and  at 
a  cheaper  rale,  than  they  were,  or  can  be  from  foreign  coun- 
tries. 

The  mines  of  Mexico  and  South  America,  until  recently,  fur- 
nished our  mint  and  the  arts  with  the  principal  part  of  their 
gold.  The  researches  of  professor  Olmsted,  of  Yale  college, 
formerly  of  Chapel  Hill,  in  North  Carolina,  into  the  mineral 
trea-ures  of  that  state,  and  those  of  other  geologists  in  different 
parts  of  the  ccmntrv,  have  discovered,  that  gold  mines  are  ex- 
tensive and  abundant  in  Georgia,  the  Carolines,  Virginia  and 
some  other  stairs. 

These  examples,  though  few  among  thousands  which  might 
be  adduced,  are  sufficient  to  show  the  intimate  connexion  be- 
tween science  and  art,  and  that  the  one  must  necessarily  he 
the  handmaid  to  the  other;  that  the  treasures  of  knowledge  and 
of  wealth  are  alike  dependent  upon  the  greal  store  hou!«eof  na- 
Inre  for  Iheir  riches  —  and  that  the  prosperity  of  individuals  and 
of  nations  JH  in  proportion  to  the  industry,  the  skill  and  the  ge- 
nt-mi intelligence,  which  is  applied  in  unfolding  and  nppropriat- 
in:  tho-it-  sift*  of  nature  which  a  wise  mid  bountiful  creator  has 
scattered  around  us  in  rich  profusion  and  variety. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  16,  1 834—  SPAIN  AND  SOUTH  AMERICA.        419 


Although  much  has  already  been  done,  much  more  remains 
to  be  done,  towards  bringing  into  full  requisition,  tin:  elements 
of  wealth  and  tin:  material*  anil  tin-  stimulus  of  industry,  exitt- 
ing  in  our  minus  and  our  ('orcsis.  Duois  are  opened  to  them, 
hut  comparatively  few  of  their  apartments  have  yet  been  enter- 
i-d,  much  less  explored.  Though  1  would  not  presume,  even, 
to  give  a  hint  at  the  various  means  anil  modes  of  enriching 
more  largely  the  treasures  of  science  and  of  wealth  from  the 
resources  of  nature,  I  will  beg  leave  to  mention  one  measure, 
by  which  aid  may  be  rendered  to  this  important  object.  This 
measure  is  the  tormina  ,,|  museums,  or  cabinets-  of  nature  and 
of  art,  in  all  the  county  towns  throughout  our  union.  In 
many,  such  collections  are  already  formed.  The  facilities  are 
great  and  the  means  abundant,  for  furnishing  to  each  of  the 
eleven  hundred  counties  in  our  union,  a  place  of  social,  intel- 
lectual and  useful  resort,  for  all  their  citizens  disposed  to  parti- 
cipate in  the  enjoyment. 

To  make  a  BEGINNING  in  an  enterprise,  which  mi»ht  evident- 
ly afford  entertainment,  instruction  and  profit  to  every  citizen 
of  our  republic,  a  proposal  has  been  made  for  simultaneous  ac- 
tion on  tile  subject,  by  means  of  EDUCATION  CONVENTIONS  in 
all  the  counties  in  the  states,  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  Novem- 
ber next.  In  aid  of  the  proposed  slt-p,  many  facilities  can  be 
rendered,  but  one  of  which  I  have  time  to  mention.  This  is 
contained  in  a  resolution  recently  passed  by  the  "BALTIMORE 
UNION  LYCEUM,"  that  they  would  prepare  as  soon  as  practica- 
ble, sets  of  specimens  of  minerals,  plants,  penmanship,  map- 
drawing  and  needlework,  for  the  use  of  any  county  lyceum  in 
the  union  which  might  apply  for  the  same;  and  that  they  invite 
the  school  and  other  juvenile  lyceums  connected  with  the  so- 
ciety, to  render  their  aid  in  accomplishing  the  object  of  the  re- 
uolution.  These  facts  and  hints  are  from  A  FARMER. 


LOCUSTS. 

From  the  Methodist  Protestant. 
MESSRS.  EDITORS — I  have  been  at  some  pains  to  obtain  cor- 
rect information  relative  to  that  description  of  locust  Which  fa- 
vors us  with  a  visit  every  seventeen  years.*  When  the  insect 
made  its  appearance  in  1817,  I  determined  to  gain  some  ac- 
quaintance with  its  habits.  Accordingly  1  commenced  hr  ex- 
amining the  holes  out  of  which  several  had  emerged.  These 
were  at  different  distances,  from  an  inch  to  a  foot  apart,  per 
fectly  round,  and  sufficiently  large  to  receive  the  end  of  the 
small  finger.  They  averaged  in  depth  ten  inches  and  the  bottom 
perfectly  solid.  To  ascertain  certainly  that  the  insect  had  no 
been  deeper  down  in  the  earth,  I  threw  off  the  upper  surface 
until  the  bottoms  of  the  holes  were  completely  exposed,  am 
several  of  them  on  a  level  with  the  new  made  surface;  on  this 
threw  water,  in  order  to  see  if  the  earth  that  formed  the  bottom 
of  the  holes  would  absorb  the  water  more  readily  than  the  ad 
jacent  ground;  but  it  did  not,  which  was  a  conclusive  proof  lha 
the  locust  had  not  been  below  that  point. 

I  next  examined  the  insect  while  disengaging  itself  from  th 
exuvia  or  outer  covering.  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  witnes 
this  operation  in  several  instances.  When  the  locust  had  emerg 
ed  from  the  ground,  and  crept  up  a  few  feet  on  the  body  of 
tree,  a  stump,  or  on  a  fence,  it  would  lay  firm  hold  of  the  roug 
bark,  or  of  the  wood,  with  its  claws,  and  then  make  efforts  t 
disengage  itself  from  the  outer  covering,  which  appeared  to  fi 
it*  body  and  limbs  as  accurately  as  a  person's  skin.  The  firs 
efforts  split  the  covering  on  the  upper  part  of  his  back  an 
shoulders.  The  insect  then  thrust  out  his  head  and  the  uppe 
part  of  his  body,  and  in  a  few  minutes  entirely  extricaled  him 
self,  apparently  much  exhausted  by  his  exerlions.  In  ten  o 
fifteen  minutes, however,  he  appeared  to  be  fully  recruited;  an 
his  wings,  which  at  first  were  folded  close  and  damp,  were  noi 
expanded,  dry,  and  in  trim  for  flying.  Some  few,  howeve 
died  in  their  struggles  to  get  clear  of  their  outer  coat,  and  rt 
mained  half  buried  in  the  cradle  that  had  protected  them  froi 
injury  so  many  years.  When  the  locust  first  bursts  his  env< 
lope  he  is  of  a  light  cream  color,  but  the  air  soon  changes  liii 
to  a  brown. 

The  next  operation  to  which  my  attention  was  directed  w; 
Ihe  manner  of  boring  the  twigs  of  the  irees,  and  the  dispositio 
of  Ihe  ova  or  eggs,  from  which  the  next  generation  of  locust 
were  to  spring.  The  boring  operation  is  performed  by  the  fe 
male,  who  is  provided  with  an  instrument  for  the  purpose  c 
perforating,  in  a  longitudinal  direction,  the  lender  branches  i 
trees;  this  is  firmly  fixed  to  the  thorax  or  lower  part  of  tl 
breast,  and  extending  along  the  abdomen  to  the  extremity  < 
the  body;  it  is  needle  shaped;  and  about  the  size  of  a  fine  darr 
ing  needle.  With  this  the  twig  is  pierced  in  the  direction 
the  grain,  until  the  fibres  of  Ihe  wood  are  shivered  inlo  fil 
threads,  so  as  to  furnish  a  soil  and  secure  place  for  the  ov 
This  accomplished,  the  eggs  are  deposited  side  by  si<le,\vi 
the  utmost  neatness  and  uniformity,  in  two  rows,  or  from  ti 


*"A  respectable  old  gentleman,  who  h.is  seen  and  observe 
the  locust  at  the  different  periods  of  their  appearance,  as  note 
below,  has  favored  the  editor  of  the  Register  with  the  followii 
memoranda. 

THE    LOfUST   APPEARED, 

In  17-19,  in  the  month  of  May.  In  1766,  they  cnme  out  of  tl 
ground  from  the  14th  to  the  17th  of  May.  In  1783,  they  can 
out  from  the  16th  to  the  19th  May.  In  1800,  from  the  19th 
the  26th  of  May.  In  1817,  they  did  not  appear  until  the  begi 
liing  of  June.  It  is  supposed  the  cold  and  wet  weather  retardi 
their  progress."  [JVtics'  Register  for  Juhj,  1817. 


fifteen  in  a  side,  each  rank  separate  from  the  other  by  a  por- 
n  of  wood  fibre.  When  viewed  by  a  microscope  they  have 
very  beautiful  appearance,  resembling  a  row  of  small  silver 
to*,  «O  dUpoted  ;is  to  lay  side  by  side  wilh  all  their  heads 
•iiiling  upwards,  as  if  looking  into  your  face  when  you  look 
wn  upon  them.  They  are  all  milk  white  when  first  depn-it- 
,  about  the  truth  part  ot  an  inch  in  length,  and  of  the  thick- 
jss  of  a  horse  hair.  On  some  twigs  I  have  counted  fifty  nesU, 
lending  along  in  right  lines,  frequently  ten  in  a  line,  all  evi- 
ntly  made  by  the  same  insect.  After  the  work  of  depositing 
e  eggs  is  fully  completed,  the  parent  locust  dies.  I  have  seen 
em  falter  and  fall  in  attempting  to  fly  from  one  tree  to  another, 
id  in  -A  few  minutes  die,  apparently  Irom  exhaustion.  This 
ippens  to  both  male  and  female. 

Alter  all  my  attention  to  this  matter  in  1817,  I  missed  one 
ghly  interesting  part  of  the  subject,  which  was,  the  emerging 
"  the  young  locusts  from  their  place  of  deposit.  This,  how- 
er,  I  have  now  (July,  1834),  most  satisfactorily  witnessed, 
bout  the  middle  of  May,  the  locusts  made  their  appearance, 
id  disappeared  in  the  latter  part  of  June.  On  the  eighteenth 
f  July  1  examined  several  nests  and  found  the  sacks  unbroken 
ut  they  had  changed  from  the.  milky  white  to  a  cream  color, 
nd  the  eyes  were  distinctly  visible.  To- day,  (July  29)  I  examin- 
1  a  twig  taken  from  a  peach  tree,  having  in  it  several  nests. 
'lie  first  nest  I  opened  contained  nothing  except  the  exuvia 
r  outer  skins  of  the  insect  that  had  escaped.  These  had  the 
ppearance  of  very  minute  purses,  split  a  third  part  of  the  way 
own,  were  a  beatiful  white,  and  very  transparent.  The  second 
cst  was  then  placed  under  the  microscope,  and  I  had  the  satis- 
action  to  see  signs  of  life  among  the  inmates.  I  then  shook  them 
ut  on  a  piece  of  white  paper,  and  applied  a  magnifying  glass, 
"hey  were  very  little  larger  than  when  deposited.  The  sack 
n  which  they  were  enveloped  had  undergone  no  apparent 
hange,  and  although  they  had  a  rolling  motion,  there  was  no 
ppearance  of  feet  or  limbs.  I  afterward  found  that  the  anten- 
£e  and  legs,  of  which  they  have  six,  were  laid  close  along  by 
lie  breast  and  abdomen,  within  the  sack.  Upon  keeping  my 
ye  steadily  fixed  on  those  that  moved,  I  observed  one  thrust 
lis  head  and  the  upper  part  of  his  body  through  the  transpa- 
ent  sack  that  covered  him,  and  laying  hold  of  the  paper  with 
lis  fore  claws,  disengaged  himself  at  once  from  the  remains  of 
lis  covering,  and  ran  out  upon  the  paper.  Three  others  in  a 
ew  minutes  performed  the  same  operation,  and  I  had  at  once 
under  my  eye  four  young  locusts.  This  was  very  pleasant. 

I  had  now  an  opportunity  to  examine  at  my  leisure,  their 
7orm,  color  and  actions.  They  are  in  all  respects  a  complete 
niniature  locust,  except  the  wings,  of  which  there  is  no  appear- 
ance; the  body  also  is  much  longer  in  proportion  than  the  full 
rown  locust.  The  two  fore  legs  are  armed  with  double  claws, 
and  appeared  to  possess  great  muscular  power  in  proportion  to 
the  bulk  of  the  insect;  with  these,  they  no  doubt  dig  into  the 
earth,  to  their  resting  places,  and  by  their  help  they  return 
again  at  the  proper  season.  They  are  of  a  light  cream  color, 
except  the  eyes  and  claws  of  the  fore  legs,  which  are  dark. 
Their  movements  are  quick,  nearly  as  rapid  as  those  of  a  small 
ant,  and  they  evidently  appeared  to  be  in  search  of  the  earth; 
for,  to  prevent  them  from  getting  away  from  me,  I  was  obliged 
to  put  them  into  a  small  polished  concave  glass;  and  when  I 
put  them  out  upon  a  saucer  of  earth  they  instantly  dug  into  it 
and  buried  out  of  sight. 

In  order  to  ascertain  their  future  changes,  and  growth,  I  have 
procured  several  twigs  having  nests,  and  laid  them  on  the  sur- 
face of  a  box  filled  wilh  earth,  and  planted  wilh  flowers,  to 
secure  its  being  duly  moistened.  Next  year,  if  I  live,  I  shall 
examine  some  of  the  young  locusts  and  report  to  you  their  ap- 
pearance and  condition.  • 

A  very  large  proportion  of  the  young  locusts  that  penetrate 
the  earth,  never  again  reach  its  surface;  but  are  doubtless  de- 
stroyed by  ants,  and  other  insects  that  have  their  residence 
under  ground.  I  infer  this  from  two  facts.  First,  the  immense 
number  deposited  in  the  twigs  of  a  tree;  and  secondly,  the  small 
number  of  grown  locusts  that  actually  rise  beneath  the  same 
tree  at  the  period  of  return.  I  have  counted  in  a  single  twig 
upwards  of  fifty  nests,  each  containing  more  than  twenty  eggs; 
this  will  give  one  thousand  insects  to  a  single  twig.  We  may 
presume  thai  an  ordinary  sized  tree  contains  at  least  a  hundred 
perforated  twigs,  averaging  fifly  nes'ts  each,  which  would  give 
100,000  insects.  Now  the  number  of  holes  actually  found  under 
a  single  tree,  at  the  period  of  return,  does  not  exceed  a  few 
hundred,  perhaps  never  reaches  a  thousand.  So  thai  multitudes 
of  Hie  young  locusts  must  perish  at  bu  destroyed  by  insects  in 
the  earth.  Yours,  AMICU3. 

Baltimore,  July  29,  1834. 

SPAIN  AND  THE   NEW  AMERICAN   STATES. 

The  London  Morning  Herald  of  July  2,  contains  the  following 
article,  fro:n  its  correspondent  at  Madnd: 

Madrid.,  June  18.  Being  of  opinion  that  the  recognition  of  the 
South  American  states  and  the  amelioration  of  the  Spanish 
commercial  policy  were  questions  o/  paramount  importance, 
and  much  more  valuable  to  Great  Britain  than  thive  other  points 
to  which  our  atlenlion  has  been  so  exclusively  directed,  I  have 
watched  since  I  came  here  the  steps  of  the  present  ministry  on 
the  subject,  and  I  have  now  succeeded  in  obtaining  two  re- 
markable documents,  translations  of  which  I  immediately  sub- 
join, through  the  medium  of  a  useful  agent,  who  occasiwnally 
supplies  me  with  papers  from  the  public  office*.  The  first  is  the 
copy  of  a  note,  addressed  on  tha  12th  February,  1834,  by  the 


420 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.   1C,  1834— COMPARATIVE  HEAT. 


minister  of  the  United  States  lo  the  foreign  office,  and  the  s 
cond  is  the  reply  of  M.  Martinez  de  la  Rosa,  dated  the  13th 


con       s  .  , 

this  month.     From  the  one  you  will  learn  how  wisely  the  A 
rican  government  has   been   pursuing  an  object  so  essential 
its  commerce,  and  liow  favorably  il  must  appear  before  t 
South  American  states,  as  the  power  to  whose  exertions  th 
are  indebted  for  tile  first  symptoms  of  reviving  affection  on  ti 


are   nee 

part  of  the  mother  country;  and  from  the  other  yon  will  infe 
(hat  the  willingness  lo  treat  with  the  South  American  commis 
sioners  is  only  u  prelude  to  the  grand  act  of  a  recognition,  whicl 
must  take  pluee  as  soon  as  the  terms  are  arranged.  The  Ame 
xican  mini.-trr's  note  is  as  follows: 

"Le°ation  of  Ike  U.  S.  of  America,  Madrid.  Feb.  12,  1534. 
"In  pursuance  ol  instructions  from  the  president  of  the  Unit 
ed  States,  I  had  the  honor,  on  the  6lli  of  May,  1831,  to  addres 
a  note  to  his  excellency  Don  Manuel  Gonzales  Salmon,  thei 
his  majesty's  principal  secretary  of  stale,  staling  that  the  anxie 
ly  which  the  government  of  the  United  States  had  long  felt,  am 
\vlucli  theretofore  had  been  fully  made  known  lo  his  majesty' 
government,  that  an  amicable  and  satisfactory  settlement  be 
tween  Spam  and  her  former  colonies,  the  new  American  states 
should  lake  place,  had  arisen  as  well  from  a  regard  lo  the  prin 
ciples  of  humanity  ami  lite  interests  of  the  parlies  concerned 
especially  lhat  of  Spain,  as  from  tjie  expectations  of  benefit  t 
the  United  Stales. 

"I  added  that  the  government  of  the  United  States,  withou 
intending  or  wishing  lo  depart  from  its  settled  policy  of  not  in 
terfering  with  the  affairs  of  other  nations,  except  by  friendly  ad 
vice  in  cases  in  which  it  might  be  thought  suitable,  felt  itsell 
authorised  by  (lie  friendJy  relations  existing  between  the  United 
Stales  and  Spain-,  and  by  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  to  make 
another  appeal  lo  IH'S  majesty  on  a  question  of  so  great  and  so 
general  an  interest,  and  that  in  doing  so  it  indulged  a  strong 
hope  that  his  majesty  would  not  any  longer  refuse  to  open  a  ne- 
gotiation with  the  new  states,  but  that,  on  a  full  and  deliberate 
review  of  the  matter,  he  would  be  convinced  thai,  independently 
of  the  satisfaction  which  such  an  event  would  afford  lo  most  il 
not  to  all  -the  nations  with  which  Spain  had  friendly  intercourse, 
a  recognition  by  his  majesty  of  the  independence  of  those  states, 
upon  just  and  proper  terms,  would  contribute  both  to  the  honor 
and  interest  of  Spain.  And  1  concluded  by  suggesting  some 
consideration  in  relation  to  the  remaining  possessions  of  Spain 
in  America,  which  I  hoped  would  not  have  been  disregarded. 

"To  the  nole  in  question  Mr.  Salmon  favored  me  with  an 
answer,  under  dale  of  the  1  1  Hi  June  of  the  same  year,  by  which 
I  was  informed  that  the  king  received  my  communication  as  a 
jiroof  of  the  strong  interest  felt  by  my  government  in  favor  ol 
his  majesty,  and  thai  as  the  question  was  fully  present  to  his 
royal  mind  he  would  take  it  into  consideralion  when  the  case 
might  be  favorable,  in  such  manner  as  might  be  most  conform- 
able to  the  interest  of  his  crown,  and  that  then  the  Iriendly 
communication  made  by  me  would  not  be  forgotten. 

"The  president  of  the  United  States,  having  deemed  the  ac- 
cession of  Donna  Isabel  the  second  to  the  throne  of  Spain,  un- 
der the  regency  of  her  august  mother,  a  favorable  occasion  for 
the  renewal  of  his  efforts,  has  directed  me  to  lose  no  time  in 
addressing  her  majesty's  government  on  the  subject. 

"Without  entering  anew  upon  the  field  of  argument  which 
presents  itself,  it  is  conceived  by  the  president  thai  all  the  con- 
siderations which  have  heretofore  existed,  and  been  pressed 
upon  the  government  of  Spain,  in  favor  of  a  conclusion  of  this 
matter  upon  the  basis  of  the  recognition  by  Spain  of  the  inde 
penitence  of  the  slates  above  mentioned,  not  only  continue  to 
exist,  but  have  been  greatly  strengthened  by  time  and  circum- 
stance, and  he  cannot  but  persuade  himself  that  the  case  will 
be  received  in  its  true  light  by  the  liberal  and  enlightened  go- 
vernment of  Donna  Isabel  the  second;  and  that  one  of  the  first 
great  acts  from  which  it  may  be  destined  to  derive  lasting  dis- 
tinction and  applause  will  be  a  prompt  and  just  arrangement  of 
the  American  question. 

"It  only  remains  forme  to  add  that  the  government  of  the 
United  States  is  ready  and  desirous,  as  it  has  ever  been,  to  do 
all  in  its  power  for  the  mutual  conciliation  of  the  parties  con- 
cerned, and  to  facilitate  the  final  conclusion  of  their  disputes 
upon  terms  alike  honorable  and  advantageous  to  all  sides.  I 
have  the  honor,  &c.  (Signed)  J.  P.  VAN  NESS." 

The  following  is  the  translation  of  the  reply  of  M.  Martinez 
de  la  Uosa: 

"Jit  the  palace,  June  12. 

"The  multiplicity  of  business  which  the  department  of  state 
has  been  charged  with  since  her  majesty  the  queen  regent  was 
pleased  to  intrust  me  wilh  thai  office,  has  prevented  my  giving 
an  earlier  reply  to  the  several  applications  which  your  excel- 
lency, in  pursuance  of  instruction*  from  your  government,  has 
made  to  me  respecting  the  importance  and  expediency,  to  use 
your  excellency's  own  words,  of  a  prompt  and  just  arrangement 
of  the  American  question. 

"Her  majesty  in  her  wisdom  cannot  but  be  aware  of  the  ad- 
vantages ol  being  relieved  from  an  uncertain  position,  and  of 
adopting  a  drfmilive  decision  in  regard  lo  the  vast  territories 
alluded  lo;  and  for  my  part,  if  my  humble  opinion  be  consider- 
ed ot  any  weight  in  determining  the  measures  of  her  majesty,  I 
can  assure  your  excellency  that  as  soon  as  the  lato  king  Don 
Ferdinand  did  me  the  honor  lo  appoint  me  to  this  department, 
ten  years  ago,  I  called  the  attention  of  the  government  to  this 
interesting  question,  from  the  persuasion  I  was  under  of  the  in- 
jury and  loei  which  would  accrue  from  any  delay  In  the  «ett!e- 


ment  of  it,  and  because  it  appeared  to  me  quite  practicable,  al 
least  such  then  was  my  opinion,  as  it  is  now,  to  consolidate  the 
interests  of  our  brethren  in  South  America  with  the  interests 
of  the  peninsula,  by  the  adoption  of  a  basis  reciprocally  great 
and  advantageous. 

"For  the  accomplishment  of  this  object  his  majesty's  govern- 
ment dispatched,  at  that  period,  several  commissioners,  who 
were  furnished  with  Hie  necessary  instructions, and  were  di- 
rected to  announce  a  cessation  ol  hostilities,  and  to  propose,  as 
a  preliminary  step  towards  the  removal  of  the  political  difficul- 
ties, the  re-estiihli.-hmtnt  of  the  commercial  relations  of  the  two 
countries.  The  great  events  which  soon  alter  occurred,  and 
which  are  too  well  known  lo  require  being  recorded,  prevented 
the  fulfilment  of  the  wi>h,  as  then  entertained  by  the  Spanish 
government,  and  this  grraland  interesting  question  has  remain- 
ed in  a  stale  ol  suspense  from  that  limr  to  the  present. 

"The  decision  of  il.  however,  is  desired  by  the  queen  regent, 
who  in  the  government  of  this  monarchy  is  guided  by  principles 
of  a  liberal  and  enlightened  policy,  and  her  majesty  has  accord- 
ingly authorised  me  to  communicate  to  the  diplomatic  agents  of 
Spam  in  foreign  courts,  especially  those  in  Paris  and  London, 
the  necessary  instructions,  to  the  end  lhat  if  any  commissioners 
present  themselves  with  powers  aud  instructions  of  a  nature  to 
offer  to  Spain  a  just  and  honorable  arrangement,  they  may  af- 
ford such  commissioners  all  4he  facilities  and  guarantees  they 
nay  desire,  wiih  the  assurance  thai  they  will  find  her  majesty 
animated  by  the  most  favorable  dispositions. 

'Her  majesty  has.  at  the  same  lime,  authorised  me  lo  make 
to  your  excellency  this  frank  declaration,  in  order  that  you  may 
communicate  the  same  to  your  government,  in  return  for  the 
wishes  expressed  by  it  of  an  early  conclusion  of  this  interesting 
question;  and,  as  her  majesty  feels  confident,  after  consulting 
her  personal  feelings  without  disregarding  the  suggestions  of  a 
sound  policy,  that  nothing  would  be  more  easy  than  lo  effect  a 
reconciliation  of  parties  who,  in  all  respects,  may  consider 
themselves  as  children  of  the  same  family,  when  once  they 
hall  have  consented  loan  interview.  Her  majesty  entertains 
the  hope  that  as  soon  as  negociations  may  be  entered  upon  in  a 
spirit  of  sincerity  and  good  faith,  the  object  in  question,  which, 
as  is  expressed  wilh  much  precision  in  your  excellency's  note, 
s  'a  mutual  reconciliation  and  final  conclusion  of  the  differ- 
ences of  ihe  parties,  advantageous  and  honorable  to  all,' will  be 
completely  realized.  Renewing  to  your  excellency  the  assur- 
ance, &c.  (Signed)  F.MARTINEZ  DE  LA'ROSA." 

These  notes  must  produce  a  general  satisfaction  among  those 
who  are  interested  in  the  South  American  states;  and  I  am  en- 
:illed  to  assure  them  from  the  verbal  communications  which 
lave  taken  place  in  the  foreign  office,  as  well  as  from  the  writ- 
en  document,  that  no  impediment  now  remains  as  to  the  re- 
cognition; and  the  Spanish  government  is  neither  more  nor  less 
seeking  but  to  make  the  best  bargain  with  her  revolted  children, 
and  get  the  best  price  she  can  for  the  admission  of  their  inde- 
>endence.  The  conditions,  with  regard  to  the  commissioners 
sent  from  South  America,  are  to  be  taken  as  so  many  words 
which  mean  nothing;  and  it  is  intended  that  no  difficullies  shall 
be  put  in  the  way  of  coining  lo  a  proper  understanding. 

LIABILITY  OF  PARTNERS— AND  USURY. 
Before  the  superior  court  of  New  York,  Feb.  13,  1834,  chief 
usticc  Jones,  presiding. 

Bullock  vs.  Manice,  Phelps  4'  Co. 

An  action  was  brought  by  Moulion  Bullock  vs.  D.  F.  Manice, 
?enj.  F.  Phelps  and  E.  D.  Foole,  for  the  recovery  of  a  note  of 
£10,000.  The  defendants  were  a  dry  goods  importing  company 
n  Pearl  street.  The  defence  was  that  Mr.  Phelps,  one  of  the 
artners,  had  borrowed  from  plaintiff  the  sum  mentioned  in  the 
note,  without  the  knowledge  of  his  co-partners,  and  that  it  was 
ipplied  to  the  sole  use  of  himself  and  brothers;  and  secondly, 
hat  plaintiff  had  taken  unlawful  interest,  the  sum  of  between 
wo  and  three  thousand  dollars  of  this  note  being  an  usurious 
harge. 

Mr.  Manice,  the  eldest  partner,  had  been  several  months  in 
Europe,  and  during  his  absence  Mr.  Phelps  had  borrowed  from 
ilaintiff,  at  fourteen  different  periods,  the  sum  of  about  $40,000. 
ie  had  also  borrowed  notes  of  other  merchants  amounting  to 
lear  $20,000.  Only  three  of  the  transactions  appeared  on  the 
looks  of  the  firm. 

The  chief  justice  charged  the  jury  that  the  note  for  $10,000 

made  to  Mr.  Bullock  in  the  name  of  the  firm,  was  good  against 

he  firm,  and  was  recoverable  by  Mr.  Bullock,  unless  the  jury 

were  satisfied  from  the  testimony  that  the  latter,  at  the  time  of 

naking  the  loan,  knew  that  Mr.  Phelps  was  borrowing  Ihe  rno- 

ipy  on  his  own  responsibility,  and  for  purposes  distinct   from 

lie  firm.     As  il  regarded  the  other  count,  on  which  Ihe  defence 

Iso  rested,  viz:  thai  of  usury,  the  conn  was  of  opinion  that  it 

ad  been  sustained  by  the  evidence.     In  this  case  the  law  was 

xplicit,  and  that  the  validity  of  the  transaction  was  destroyed. 

The  jury  were  out  nine  hours,  and  rendered  a  scnlrd  paper, 

which  was  to  have  been  opened  this  morning,  but  we  learn  lhat 

'IP  plaintiff  submitted  to  a  nonsuit. 

Counsel  for  plaintiff,  Staples  and  Gerard;  for  defence,  Griffin 
nl  Ducr. 


COMPARATIVE  HEAT. 
From  Ihe  Philadelphia  Herald. 

From  the  valuable  table  kept  by  Mr.  McAllister,  optician,  we 
ave  ascertained  th*  following  facts  in  relation  to  ilia  heat  in 


; 


WILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  18,  1884— PRESIDENT  AND  VICE  PRESIDENT.    491 


this  city  for  the  last  ten  years,  during  the  months  of  June,  Jul 
and  August.  It  may  hereafter  serve  as  a  good  table  of  refer 
ence. 

The  same  thermometer,  placed  in  the  same  situation,  and  in 
the  shade,  lias  been  used  during  the  whole  period  of  time. 

Tin:  day  selected  in  each  month  tins  linen  that  on  which  111 
thermometer  stood  highest  at  noon,  ut  which  hour  the  recur 
was  made. 

[June  7th 97  I          (June  3d 96± 

1824.  <  J nly  2d 95^  1831.  \  July  23d 96j 


(June  7ll 
1  July  2d. 
(  August 
(June  21st... 
J5.  <  July  22d.... 
(  August  loth. 


1 17th 93i 

June 25  and  26, each. 91 
^ 93 
st  7Ui 93A 

90 


9th 90 

Jjune  21st 100 
July  22d 100 

.94i 

(June  3d 94£ 

1826.  <  July  13th 95i 

(  August  2d 90 

(  June  20th 90 

1827.<  July  3d 9G£ 

(  Aug 

(June  28th 96i 

1828.  }  July  24  and  25,  each.9.5i 

t  August  1st 96 

(  Ju tie  20th 92i 

1829.  <  July  23d 96£ 

(  August  14th 92J 

(June  16th 93 

1830.  <  July  27th 97 

(August  16th 94  , 

:  heat  of  each  month  for  ten  years 


(June  3 
J  July  2; 

(  Angus 

(June  2 
.?July7i 

(  Angus 

(June  15ih 90 

1833.  <  July  22d 94 

(August  15th 89 


1834. 


89 
f  July  7lh 

I  July  10th 96 

|  July  8th 98 

!July9lh 98 
July  16th 98 
July24th 99 
July26lh 97L 
August5th ,...95] 


Fears. 
1824 
1825 
1823 
1827 
1828 
1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 
1833 
1834 


June. 
81.3 
84.6 
82.5 
80.2 
87.0 
80.1 
80.3 
85.6 
80.3 
77.0 
81.4 


July. 
86.2 
88.7 
85.4 
86.3 
87.1 
84.1 
87.9 
86.9 
84.9 
83.7 
89.5 


79.8 
81.7 
82.7 
84.5 
85.8 
83.3 
83.0 
85.4 
82.7 
81.1 


On  Tuesday,  the  8th  of  July,  between  one  and  two  o'clock, 
the  thermometer  rose  to  1001.  On  Tuesday,  August  5,  at  hall 
past  one  o'clock,  it  stood  100J  degrees,  being  the  warmest  day 
this  season. 


ELECTION  OF  PRESIDENT  AND  VICE  PRESIDENT. 
In  the  senate  of  the  United  States  June  11. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Bibb,  the  senate  proceeded  to  consider  the 
joint  resolution  reported  by  the  select  committee,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  an  amendment  of  the  constitution,  in  reference  to  the 
election  of  president  and  vice  president. 

The  resolution  having  been  read  as  follows: 
Resolution  proposing  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  of  the 

United  Stales,  as  it  respects  the  election  of  president  and  vice 
president  of  the  United  Slates. 

ResolceJ,  &c.  That  ihe  following  amendments  to  the  consti- 
tution of  the  United  Stales  be  proposed  to  the  legislatures  of  the 
several  states;  which,  when  ratified  by  Ihe  legislatures  of  three- 
fourths  of  the  slates,  shall  be  valid  to  all  intents  and  purposes 
as  part  of  the  constitution: 

That,  hereafter,  the  president  and  vice  president  of  the  Unit- 
ed Siattss  shall  be  chosen  by  the  people  of  the  respective  states 
in  the  manner  following:  Each  state  shall  be  divided,  by  the  le- 
gislature thereof,  into  districts  equal  in  number  to  the  whole 
number  of  senators  and  representatives  to  which  such  stale 
may  he  entitled  in  the  congress  of  the  United  States;  the:  said 
districts  lo  be  composed  of  contiguous  territory,  and  to  contain, 
as  nearly  as  may  he,  an  equal  number  of  persons  entitled  to  be 
represented  un<ier  the  constitution,  and  to  be  laid  off,  for  the 
first  time,  immediately  alter  the  ratification  of  this  amendment; 
and,  afterwards,  at  the  session  of  the  legislature  next  ensuing 
the  apportionment  of  representatives  by  the  congress  of  the 
United  States.  That,  on  the  first  Thursday,  and  succeeding 
Friday  and  Saturday,  in  the  month  of  August  of  the  year  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty  six,  and  on  UK:  same  days  in 
every  fourth  year  thereafter,  the  citizens  of  each  stale  who  pos- 
sess the  qualifications  requisite  for  electors  of  the  most  numer- 
ous branch  of  the  state  legislature,  shall  meet  within  their  re- 
spective districts,  .mil  vote  for  a  president  and  vice  president  of 
the  United  States;  one  of  whom,  at  least,  shall  riot  be  an  inha- 
bitant of  the  same  state  with  themselves;  and  the  person  re- 
ceiving the  greatest  number  of  votes  for  president,  and  the  one 
receiving  the  greatest  number  of  votes  for  viee  president,  in 
each  district,  shall  be  'loldeu  to  have  received  the  electoral  vo(e 
of  that  district;  which  fact  shall  lie  immediately  certified  to  the 
governor  of  the  state,  to  each  of  ihe  senators  in  congress  from 
such  slate,  and  to  the  president  of  ihe  senate.  Tin;  right  of  fix- 
ing the  places  in  the  districts  at  which  the  elections  shall  be 
held,  the  manner  of  holding  them,  of  canvassing  Ihe  votes,  of 
deciding  in  case  of  equality  of  votes  in  the  district,  and  certify- 
ing the  relurne,  is  reserved  exclusively  to  the  legislatures  of  the 
states.  The  congress  of  HIR  United  States  shall  be  in  session 
on  the  second  Monday  in  October  in  the  year  one  thousand 
night  hundred  and  thirty-six,  and  on  the  same  day  in  every 
fourth  year  thereafter;  and  the  president  of  the  senate,  in  the 


presence  of  the  senate  and  house  of  representative*,  shall',  a» 
noon  as  convenient  and  practicable,  proceed  to  open  all  Ihe  cer- 
tificates and  returns,  arid  the  electoral  votes  of  th«  districts- 
,-lKill  be  thereupon  counted.  The  person  having  Ihe  greatest 
number  of  votes  of  the  electoral  district*,  for  presidenr,  shall  be 
president,  if  such  number  be  a  majority  of  Ihe  whole  number  of 
districts;  but  if  no  person  have  Mich  majority,  then-  arseeiimf 
election  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Thursday  and  succeeding  Fri- 
day and  Satuiday  in  the  month  of  December  then  next  ensuing, 
which  shall  be  confined  to  the  persons  having  received  the  two 
highest  numbers  for  the  office  of  president  at  the  preceding 
trial;  which  second  election  shall  be  conducted,  the  result  cer- 
tified and  the  votes  counted,  in  the  .-aim:  manner  as  in- the  first"; 
and  the  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  voles  for  prr.-r- 
ilent  shall  be  the  prvsident.  But  if  two  or  more  persons  shall 
have  received  the  greatest  and  equal  number  of  votes  at  Ihe  se- 
cond election,  the  house  of  representatives  shall  choose  one  or 
them  for  president,  as  is  now  prescribed  by  the  constitution. 
The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  for  viee  presi- 
dent at  the  fir»t  election,  shall  be  vice  president,  if  such  num- 
ber be  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  votes  given;  and  if  no 
person  have  such  majority,  and  if'a  vice  president  shall  not  have 
been  elected,  then  a  second  election  shall  take  place  between, 
arid  to  be  confined  to,  the  persons  having  the  two  highest  num- 
bers, on  the  same  days  that  the  second  election  is  held  for  the 
president,  and  the  person  having  the  highest  number  of  votei 
for  vice  president  shall  be  the  vice  president;  but  if  two  or  more 
persons  shall  have  received  the  greatest  and  an  equal  number 
of  votes  in  the  second  election,  then  the  senate  shall  choose 
one  of  them  for  vice  president,  as  is  now  provided  in  the  con- 
stitution, lint  when  a  second  election  by  the  people  shall  not 
be  necessary  for  the  office  of  president,  and  a  vice  president 
shall  not  have  been  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  districts,  then 
the  senate  shall  choose  a  vice  president  from  the  parsons  hav- 
ing the  two  highest  numbers  in  the  first  election,  as  is  now  pre- 
scribed in  the  constitution. 

Mr.  Bibb  briefly  stated  the  character  of  the  propositions  con- 
tained in  the  resolutions,  which  provide  for  doing  away  with 
the  machinery  of  electors,  and  with  the  action  of  the  house  of 
represenlaiives. 

Mr.  Benton  made  some  further  explanations. 

Mr.  Lei  «h  adverted  to  the  difficulties  which  existed  In  tfl0 
convention  on  this  subject.  It  was  still  a  most  difficult  ques- 
tion to  be  settled,  and  he  was  desirous  that  it  should  not  no<* 
be  taken  up,  as  it  must  necessarily  involve  much  discussion. 
There  is  not  a  state  which  does  not  think  that  it  has  a  citizen 
fit  to  fill  the  office  of  president;  and  ihe  effect  of  this  amend' 
merit  would  be  to  produce  as  many  candidates  as  slates,  and 
then  the  two  largest  slates  would  give  the  highest  votes,  and 
the  president  must  be  selected  from  them:  He  feared,  also, 
that  these  resolutions  would  take  the  management  of  the  presi- 
dential elections  out  of  ihe  hands  of  ihe  large  politicians,  and 
>nt  ii  into  the  hands  of  small  politicians.  If  there  must  be  ma- 
nagement, he  would  rather  confide  it  to  the  large  politicians 
than  to  the  small  ones,  because  it  would  be  better  for  the  peo- 
ilc.  lie  wished  thai,  on  this  subject,  mind  should  compare 
with  mind,  and  that  time  would  be  allowed  for  ample  arid  deli- 
lerale  examination.  He  would,  therefore,  move  to  lay  the  re- 
solutions on  the  table  for  the  present  session,  in  the  hope  that 
hey  might  be  taken  up  at  a  more  convenient  time  for  conside- 
ration. He  indicated  his  sentiments  to-  be  rather  unfavorable 
o  Ihe  resolutions, as  the  convention  had  instituted  the  electoral 
college  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  too  great  an  accumulation 
of  candidates. 

Mr.  Bibb  said  that  he  would-  not  object  to  lay  the  resolutions 
on  the  table  for  a  few  days.     He  thought  that  public  opinion 
lad  determined  the  machinery  of  electors  to  he  cumbrous  and 
jnnecessary.     With  the  same  general  views  of  the  necessity  of 
>laciug  the  election  of  president  and  vice  president  on  a  more 
ecure  foundation,  the  gentleman  from  Virginia  and  he  had 
come  to  very  different  conclusions.    He  was  of  opinion  that  the 
election   is  at  present  controlled   by  the  petty  meddling  polili- 
ians  of  the  country,  and  it  was  his  object  to  take  it  out  of  such: 
and-.     He  reminded  the  gentleman  that  the  resolutions  pro- 
vided that  each  state  must  present  one  candidate  not  one  of  her 
itizens.     He  had  proposed  these  resolutions  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  session,  and  had  endeavored  to  get  them  brought 
ii  \vaid.     He  was  willing  now  to  leave  them  in  the  hands  of 
he  senate,  having  performed  his  duly. 

Mr.  Benton  said  he  should  not  object  to  let  (he  resolutions 
ie  for  a  few  days;  but  as  the  resolutions  now  proposed  were 
n  amendment  to  the  original  propositions,  some  progress  could 
>e  made  if  the  question  were  now  taken  on  the  amendment 
Ie  suggested  that,  if  the  propositions  were  sent  to  ihe  people, 
ho  gentleman  from  Virginia  would  have  to  vote  upon  them  as 
ne  of  the  people  of  that  state,  and  his  weight  of  opinion  would 
e  felt  in  the  state;  and  he,  therefore,  would  wish  that  the  re- 
olnlions  be  sent  out  to  the  people,  who  are  prepared  to  adopt 
he  amendment.  He  had  found  this  ihe  most  difficult  of  all  the 
neslions  he  bad  lo  meddle  with  since  be  became  a  public  man. 
t  had  been  found  heretofore  impossible  lo  eel  a  vote  upon  it. 
'liese  resolutions  were  No.  1  and  2  on  ihe  docket  of  this  sea- 
ion,  and,  if  not  now  acted  on,  it  would  be  rendered  nugatory, 
jot  only  for  this  session  but  this  cycle  of  presidential  elections. 
He  then  noticed  Ihe  objections  to  the  present  system,  and  ex- 
iressed  his  conviction  that  the  mode  now  suggested  would  do 
.way  with  caucuses  and  conventions,  and  substitute  the  di- 
ect  voice  of  the  people.  The  introduction  of  the  district  sys- 


422 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.   16,  1834— CACHEMIRE  SHAWLS. 


tern  would,  in  his  opinion,  break  the  force  of  the  great  states  in 
the  elections. 

Mr.  Lei°k  withdrew  any  objection,  so  far  as  the  vote  on  the 
amendment  was  concerned.  He  had  not  prepared  himself  to 
discuss  the  subject.  If  the  United  States  were  to  be  divided 
into  districts,  there  would  be  300  nominating  districts,  and  if  30 
or  40  candidate!,  were  presented,  each  could  have  hut  very  few 
votes.  In  discussing  a  subject  to  which  the  mind  of  the  nmvr 
has  accustomed  itself  to  a  particular  view,  it  is  too  apt  to  over- 
look objections;  mid  hence  the  necessity  of  conferring  with 
other  minds. 

Mr.  Tyler  expressed  his  hope  that  the  resolutions  would  be 
now  laid  on  the  table.  He  preferred  the  original  resolution  of 
the  gentleman  from  Kentucky  to  the  amendment  of  the  com- 
mittee. He  did  not  wish  lo  preserve  the  electoral  body;  but  he 
desired  to  preserve  the  federative  principle  in  the  constitution, 
hy  leaving  it  to  the  slates  to  determine  whether  they  would  vote 
by  districts  or  by  a  general  ticket.  These  features  were  pre- 
served by  the  original  amendment  of  the  gentleman  from  Ken- 
tucky; but  the  amendment  obliterated  all  state  boundaries,  arid 
dictated  a  course  of  action  as  if  we  were  a  nation,  arid  not  a 
compact  of  states.  He  therefore  viewed  the  question  as  of  very 
great  importance.  He  asked  why  Georgia.  New  Jersey  and 
other  states,  were  to  be  permitted  to  retain  the  general  ticket 
system  in  their  elections  to  the  national  legislature,  while  thi.i 
system  was  to  be  changed  in  reference  to  the  elections  of  presi- 
dent and  vice  president. 

He  moved  to  lay  the  resolutions  on  the  table,  and  the  motion 
was  agreed  to. 


STEAM  STAGE  COACHES. 

We  learn  from  the  New  York  Mercantile  Advertiser  that  the 
steam  carriage  of  col.  Macerone,  to  run  on  the  common  roads 
in  England,  has  been  successlully  tried  in  the  vicinity  of  Lon- 
don. It  travels  live  miles  in  18  minutes,  surmounting  with 
case  considerable  acclivities,  and  leaving  in  the  distance  all  ve- 
hicles on  the  road.  It  can  be  immediately  stopped  and  turned 
to  a  hair's  breadth.  A  trial  of  another  steam  carriage  for  com- 
mon roads  built  by  Messrs.  Sharp,  Roberts  &  Co.  has  been 
made  at  Manchester.  With  50  passengers  it  travelled  six  miles 
in  20  minutes.  Another  steam  carriage  built  by  Mr.  Russell 
has  commenced  running  between  Glasgow  and  Paisley.  It  dif- 
fers in  its  construction  from  the  above  mentioned,  and  performs 
well. 

In  connexion  with  the  above  facts  we  give  the  following 
sketch  of  some  remarks  made  recently  in  the  British  house  o 
commons: 

Sir  W.  Molesworth  presented  a  petition  for  an  alteration  in 
the  tolls  upon  steam  carriages   plying    upon  common   roads. 
The  honorable  baronet  stated  that  the  petition  was  from  Mr. 
Goldsworthy  Gurney,  a  gentleman  well  known  to  the  scientific 
world,  and  the  first  person  who  succeeded  in  effecting  locomo- 
tion on  common  roads.     With  excessive  patience  and  perse- 
verance he  had  overcome  the  various  mechanical  difficulties 
which  had  been  previously  considered  by  all  scientific  men, 
except   Dr.   Wallaston,   as    absolutely   insurmountable.     This 
gentleman  complained  that  the  legislature  had  thought  fit  to  in- 
sert in  the  various  road  bills,  clauses  laying  lolls  amounting  to 
prohibition  on  steam  carriages;  the  consequence  had  been,  tha 
the  public  had  been  deprived  of  the  best  and  cheapest  means  o 
locomotion,  and  that  the  petitioner  himself  had  sacrificed  his 
time,  profession  and  fortune,  without  obtaining  the  just  rewnrc 
of  Ins  important  discoveries.     The  causes  which  led  to  these 
prohibitory    enactments!  are    these:    The    first    long  journey 
performed    by  Mr.    Gurney's   carriage    was  from   London   to 
B.ith  and  back.     In  1831,  the  carriage  ran  between  Glouceste 
and  Cheltenham  for  four  months,  during  which  period  they  car 
ried  three  thousand  persons,  and  ran   four  thousand  miles;  the 
average  rate  of  speed  was  ten  miles  an  hour:  the  fare — with  a 
profit  to  the  proprietor — was  one  half  the  fare  of  ordinary  stagr 
coaches;  there  occurred  no  accidents  or  delays  from  failure  o 
machinery.    The  agricultural  intere:-t  became  alarmed  at  hi: 
success,  and  reasoned  in  the  following  lucid  manner:  Stean 
carriages,  it  was  said,  would  soon  supersede  carriages  drawi 
by  horses;  horse  labor  would  be  discontinued;  and  consequent 
ly  there  would  ben  proportionate  diminution  in  the  demand  fo 
oats;  fanners   would    be   ruined,   rents  would  fall.     To   aver 
these  anticipated  evils,  Mr.   Gurney's  carriage  was  violent!, 
stopped   hy  the  trustees  of  the  Cheltenham   road,  nnd  a  viv 
number  of  road  hills  were  hurried  through  both  hrmsrs,  impn* 
ing  lolls  upon  steam  cai rinses  ol   frum  i«n    to  twelve  tini'-s  th 
mnoiint  levied   on   four  Imrse  coaches.     Mr.  Gurney  pctitione 
the  commons,  and  a  committee   wm  appointed  to" investiu'Jit 
the.  subject,  who  heard  the  evidence  «iven  on  the  subject  by  th 
first  statistical  and  engineering  authorities.     In  consequence  o 
the  report  of  that  committee,  a  lull  \v:is  brought  in  to  alter  th 
tolls,  which  bill  received  the  sanction  of  the  house  but  was  rr 
jectt:d  by  the  wisdom  of  the  upper  hmisc.     It   had  been  ol>j».'t 
ed  to  steam  carriage  locomotion  on  common  ..roads-,  that  Hi 
weight  of  the  engine  and  manner  in  which  the  wheels  produc 
locomotion  would  destroy  the  roads,  and   that  the'  «mnke  SHI 
noise  of  the  engine  would  be  a  public  nuisance.     An  cxlrnot  h 
would  read  from  the  report  of  the  committee  would  show  thr 
such  a  deseriplion  of  locomotion   was  n»t  only  perfectly  fens 
hie  and  worthy  of  adoption,  hut  ihnt  all  the'objeclioiis  ihf 
nnirfo  were  groundle**.    The  report  SHV.' — 

"Sufficient  evidence  has   been    adduced   to  convince    ym 
committee— 1.  That  carriages  can  be  propelled  by  steam  o 


jmmon  roads  at  an  average  rate  of  ten  miles  an  hour— 2.  That 
t  ihis  rate  they  have  conveyed  upwards  of  fourteen  passengers 
-3.  That  their  weight,  including  engine,  fuel,  water  and  at- 
mdanls  may  be  under  three  tons — 4.  That  Ihey  can  ascend 
nd  descend  hills  of  considerable  inclination  with  facility  and 
ifety — 5.  That  they  are  perfectly  safe  for  passengers — 6.  That 
ley  are  not  (or  need  not  be,  if  properly  constructed)  nuisances 
i  the  public — 7.  That  they  will  become  a  speedier  and  cheaper 
lode  of  conveyance  than  carriages  drawn  by  horses — 8.  That 
?  they  admit  of  a  greater  breadth  of  lire  than  other  carriages, 
ad  as  ihe  roads  are  not  acted  on  so  injuriously  as  by  the  feet 
f  horses  in  common  draught,  such  carriages  will  cause  less 
I'ear  of  roads  than  coaches  drawn  by  horses— 9.  That  rates  of 
nil  have  been  imposed  on  steam  carriages,  which  would  prohi- 
it  their  being  used  on  several  lines  of  road,  were  such  charges 
ermitted  to  remain  unaltered." 

This  summary  would  convince  the  house  of  the  impolicy  of 
ontinuing  the  prohibitory  tolls,  by  means  of  which  the  nation 
would  for  a  lime  he  deprived  of  the  advantages  which  would 
Teeessarily  result  from  employing  inanimate  instead  of  animate 
tower.  It  might  be  confidently  predicted  thai  sleam  carriages 
Timid  roll  upon  all  the.  roads  of  the  kingdom,  when  the 
tames  of  those  whose  ignorance  and  petly  interests  had  in- 
uced  them  to  oppose  this  all  important  invention  would  be 
brgolten.  That  in  a  country  which  owed  ils  superiority  to  the 
necessfnl  application  of  mechanical  skill  and  invention,  whose 
ncxhaiistible  supplies  of  fuel  enabled  its  inhabitants,  by  means 
if  inanimate  power,  to  produce  cheaper  than  any  other  nation 
on  the  earth,  to  whom,  consequently,  the  facilities  of  locomo- 
ion  are  of  the  utmost  importance — that  in  such  a  country  pro- 
libitory  tolls  on  steam  carriages  should  exist,  wasacircum- 
lance  of  which  an  enlightened  legislature  might  well  be 
ashamed. 

CACHEMIRE  SHAWLS. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Paris,  May  15,  to  the  editor  of  the 
Vew  York  Enquirer. 

Let  us  now  cast  a  coup  dce.il  on  a  branch  of  the  exposition  dei 
produits  de  V  Industrie  francaise,  which  may,  probably,  prove 
nlere^-ting  to  your  numerous  readers.  Perchance  I  may  be  for- 
.unate  enough  lo  excite  a  liltle  curiosity  on  the  part  of  the  bet- 
ter half  of  the  crealion,  whilst  I  endeavor  to  give  some  renseig- 
nements  concerning  cachemircs,  both  Oriental  and  Gallic. 

Mr.  Rey,  a  celebrated  manutaclurer  of  cachemire  Francois, 
wrole  a  book  in  Ihe  year  1827,  enlilled  "Histoire  des  Chales;" 
Ihe  object  of  which  was,  no  doubt,  to  further  the  sale  of  his 
)wn  commodities.  Few  persons  read  the  book,  but  greater 
numbers  purchased  Mr.  Rey's  shawls,  which,  however,  were 
not  to  be  compared  with  those  now  exhibited.  However,  a  so- 
litary individual,  who  did  not — or  could  not,  perhaps — buy  a 
shawl,  read  Ike  book;  and  the  following  is  an  anecdote  related 
therein  by  ihe  worthy  manufacturer. 

Addressing  himself  to  the  ladies,  he  says:  Be  it  known  to  yon 
my  fair  countrywomen,  that  every  Indian  shawl  for  which  you 
pay  so  high  a  price,  is  second-hand,  and  that,  too  often,  it  has 
been  worn  by  some  Bayadere,  (Indian  dancing  girl),  and,  per- 
advenlure,  the  said  Bayadere  has  been  affected  with  some  cu- 
taneous disease,  with  the  germs  of  which  the  cachemire  may 
have  become  saturated.  Let  me  inform  you  that  a  celebrated 
actress  died,  not  long  ago,  from  having  wrapped  herself  up  on 
quitting  a  bath,  in  an  Indian  shawl,  which  had  formerly  belong- 
ed lo  a  Bayadere!  Afler  this,  do  as  you  may  Ihink  fit,  as  to 
purchasing  India  shawls,  or  dancing  girls'1  shawls,  for  there  is 
no  difference! 

The  moral  of  this  story  was,  that  a  well  bred  lady  should  not 
buy  any  sha. vis,  excepting  lliose  of  France;  and  above  all  things 
that  she  would  make  her  purchases  of  Mr.  Rey,  on  account  of 
his  pre-eminence  as  a  historian  and  mantifaclurer.  This  gen- 
lleman  is  entitled  to  gratilude  on  acconnl  of  his  pasl  efforts,  al- 
though he  has  thought  proper  of  late  to  allow  himself  to  be  sur- 
passed hy  others;  and  if  we  might  venture  in  our  day,  lo  offer  a 
word  of  advice  to  the  ladies,  we  should  say,  do  not  abstain  from 
becoming  possessed  of  India  shawls,  from  fear  of  evil  conse- 
quences in  point  of  heallh,  but  do  not  consent  to  pay  3,000  franca 
at  Bombay  or  Calcutta,  for  whal  poor  French  girls  will  make 
for  yon,  often  in  a  very  superior  manner,  for  600.  Buy  your 
cachemires  in  France,  in  order  to  give  work  lo  those  pooi  girls, 
who  too  frequently  become  Bayaderes  merely  because  they  can- 
not get  employment:  and  if  such  bt-  the  ease,  il  is  because  you 
send  lo  Asia  for  your  shawls.  I  will  prove  lo  you,  lhat  in  fol- 
lowing  my  advice,  •  on  will  not  only  do  a  good  aclion,  but  lhat 
you  will  be  acling  prudently. 

An  India  shawl  is  a  remarkable  production,  especially  in 
point  of  solidity,  design  and  color.  Its  principal  advantage 
consists  in  the  beauty  of  ils  border,  palms,  &c.  &c.  which  never 
hecomo  uneven,  so  that  il  may  be  snid  lo  last  forevnr,  if  the 
body  or  ground  thereof,  which  is  generally  of  a  liaht  texture,  be 
renewed  at.  long  intervals.  For  a  Ion:;  time  it  was  deemed  im- 
possible to  discover  the  secret  of  the  embroidery;  but  it  wag 
found  out,  many  years  apo,  and  several  ol  the  French  manufac- 
turers, nt  the  head  of  whom  must  be  placed  Messrs.  Girard  8t 
Deneirsusse,  and  perhaps  also  Mr.  Isot,  make  shawls  espon- 
lines,  after  ihe  Indian  fashion,  with  wonderful  success.  The 
rlesijii?;  ;ue  the  same,  for  they  are  copied  from  those  of  India, 
the  tissue  is  similar,  since  the  hair  comes  from  Cachemire;  and 
no  one  cnn  deny  that  the  workmanship  is  perfect.  The  French 
cachemires  ar«  beside*  all  made  in  a  single  piece,  whereas 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  16,  1 834— WOOL  TRADE. 


423 


those  of  India  have  invariably  several  seams— and  yet  the  for- 
mer are  despised!  un  India  shawl  must  lie  had!  an  India  shaul 
and  death!  lor  according  to  Mr.  R*;y,  at  all  events  it  carries 
death  to  the  pocket  of  the  poor  husbands  who  are  au  riiitesjioir, 
or  being  forced  to  pay  3,000  francs,  1  repeat,  for  what  is  ottered 
here  for  600,  or  to  say  the  very  worst  1,200  francs!  O!  woman 
(says  tin:  solitary  individual  who  had  read  .Mr.  Key's  hook), de- 
ceiving and  deceived  creature — thon  intelligent  lint  incompre- 
hensible being!  how  long  wilt  thou  patronise  the  Byaderes 
shawls? 

Now  allow  me  to  relate  another  anecdote,  which  is  not.  how- 
ever, in  Mr.  Key's  hook.  A  few  days  ago  one  of  these  India 
shawls  was  so  perfectly  imitated  that  it  gave  rise  to  .1  singular 
adventure.  The  copy  WHS  placed  in  the  same  shop,  by  the  side, 
of  the  original.  The  price  of  the  real  cachemire  was  3,000 
francs,  that  of  the  other  1,000.  A  fashionable  lady  entered— 
"O!  what  superb  India  shawls,"  said  she,  "I  must  have  this — 
what  is  the  price?"  "A  thousand  franc?  Madame."  "Very 
well,  I'll  take  it  with  me  in  the  carriage."  A  few  d.iys  after- 
wards, having  learnt  that  her  shawl  was  of  French  inaniilac- 
tiire,  and  that  she  had  missed  the  opportunity  of  purchasing  a 
real  cachemire,  (he  lady  went  buck  to  the  shop  in  great  agna- 
tion— was  appeased  upon  finding  that  the  dear  India  shawl  was 
still  unsold — made  the  exchange,  and  was  delighted  to  have  the 
opportunity  of  paying  3,000  francs.  There  are  some  most  beau- 
tiful specimens  of  French  cachemires  at  the  exposition,  and  it 
would  he  difficult  to  decide  as  to  which  manufacturer  has  dis 
played  the  greatest  taste.  Success,  then,  to  French  shawls! 
and,  as  a  present  of  a  cachemire  is  derigeur,  on  matrimonial 
occasions,  we  will  hope  that  the  brilliant  display  at  the  exposi- 
tion may  induce  every  young  lady,  (or  her  mamma),  who  may 
be  upon  the  point  of  entering  upon  the  holy  state  to  stipulate 
that  her  bridal  present  shall  be  a  cachemire  Francaise, 


THE  WOOL  TRADE. 
Boston  is  the  great  wool  mat  kit  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
following  article  (torn  the  "Courier"  of  the  4th  instant,  will  in- 
terest many  of  our  readers: 

The  prices  of  wool  have  recently  been  the  subject  of  many 
paragraphs  in  the  newspapers  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 
That  the  prices  of  this  article  have  been  depressed  considerably 
to  what  they  were  las',  year,  we  think  can  hardly  be  doubled. 
Whether  this  be  owing  to  greater  quantities  in  the  market,  or 
to  the  operations  of  speculators,  we  cannot  say.  It  would  seem 
loan  impartial  and  intelligent  observer,  that  the  sales  of  ma- 
chinery and  the  discontinuance  of  many  large  factories,  afford- 
ed, at  least,  a  pretty  strong  indication  that  the  business  of  ma- 
nufacturing had  not  been  carried  on  with  much  profit.  And 
the  manufacturers  give  up  their  business  and  purchase  no  more 
of  the  raw  material,  a  most  natural  conclusion  would  he  Ilia 
the  prices  of  that  material  would  be  somewhat  lower  that 
when  it  was  in  brisk  demand. 

The  editor  of  this  paper  does  not  profess  to  be  a  merchant  01 
a  manufacturer,  and  claims  no  better  or  more  familiar  acquaint 
ance  with  state  of  the  markets  than  every  man  may  acquire 
who  reads  the  newspapers  and  the  prices-current,  and  hear 
the  remarks  of  men  of  business.  Our  renew  of  the  market  i 
prepared  by  an  intelligent  commission  merchant,  who  enjoy 
the  entire  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  His  name  stand 
at  the  head  of  the  review,  and  he.  and  he  alone,  is  responsibi 
for  its  accuracy— always  saving  and  excepting  typopraphica 
blunders  and  mi'.-takes.  \Ve  know  of  no  inducement  he  can  pos 
fibly  have  to  misrepresent  the  actual  condition  of  the  markel 
in  wool,  or  any  other  article  of  trade.  His  business  is  to  collec 
information,  and  his  intention  i»  to  impart  it  to  the  readers  o 
the  Courier,  without  partiality  to  the  peculiar  business  of  an 
class  of  citizen?,  or  any  desire  to  favor  the  speculations  of  im 
porters,  producers,  venders  or  purchasers,  or  the  interests  o 
any  one  description  of  persons  to  the  injury  of  any  other. 

Our  price  current  is  frequently  quoted  in  the  country  paper? 
and  that  part  of  it  ivhich  relates  to  the  article  of  WOOL  is  ofte 
censured  and  its  accuracy  doubted.  H  is  not  always  treated  i 
the  fairest  or  most  generous  manner— not  unfrequenlly  the  topi 
of  a  petulant  and  sneering  paragraph;  and,  at  last,  has  bee 
charged,  rather  significantly,  with  political  corruption.  W 
have  been  accused  of  misrepresenting  the  state  of  the  wo< 
market,  and  keeping  back  the  actual  prices,  for  political  pu 
poses.  Take,  for  example,  the  following  from  the  A'lsu^l 
Age — a  paper,  whose  political  character  will  he  sufficiently  ma 
nifest  to  the  reader,  without  the  index  of  our  opinion: 

"Price  of  wool.    There  appears  to  he  a  settled  determinatio 
on  the  part  of  those  Boston  papers  upon  which  we  have  bee 
accustomed  to  rely  for  information  as  to  the  wool  market, 
exclude   the   article    from   their   prices   current,   the   Mornin 
Post,  being   the   only  Boston    paper  which    we  have  seen  th 
gives    actual   quotations.      Whether  this  arises  from  the  fa 
thftlthe  manufacturers  and  wool  dealers  have  combined  to  ke 
secret  the  prices,  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving  the  wool-growers 
and  inducing  them  to  part  with  their  wool  at  less  than   its  true 
value,  or  whether  the   Courier,  Advertiser  and   other   Boston 
papers  arc  so  much  under  the  control  of  the  manufacturers  that 
they  dare  not  report  the  actual  stat*  of  the  wool  market,  we 
know  not.     We  are  however  satisfied  that  wool  is  now  and  for 
some  weeks  has  been  selling  to  the  manufacturer   at  a   MUCH 
HIGHER  PRICE  than  our  farmers  are  aware  of— and  we  have  no 
doubt,  through  the  studied  silence  of  the  Boston  papers,  aided 
by  the  delusive  statements  of  the  Portland  Advertiser,  Ken- 


:bec  Journal,  and  other  "panic"  papers,  who  have  evinced 

mil'  h  willingness  to  fleece  the  wool  growers  to  effect  their 
ilitieal  designs,  that  thousands  of  dollars  have  been  drawn  from 
e  farmers  of  Maine,  and  put  into  the  pockets  of  the  wool- 
iveis  ami  niaiinf.ti  turtrs." 

For  whatever  statements  the  farmers  and  wool  grower"  of 
aine  have  received  from  the  journals  of  that  state,  nr  any 
her  place,  we  are  not  accountable.  How  far  the  Ho.-ion  pa- 
ipeis  are  chargeable  with  "delusive  statements,"  we  answer 
r  none  but  our  own;  and  to  all  who  know  the  compiler  of  our 
eview,  his  character  is  a  sufficient  refutation  of  the  mean  and 
iltry  calumny  implied  in  the  quotation  from  the  Age.  In  or- 

r,  however,  to  satisfy  any  honorable  men,  who  maybe  led 
,-  such  vile  political  slang-wanging  to  imagine  that  we  have 
ven  currency  to  "delusive  statements,"  or  that  we  have  sup- 
res-sed  information  in  our  possession,  Mr.  White  has,  at  our 
'quest,  obtained  from  one  of  the  largest  wool  dealing  houses 
i  the  city,  the  following  statement — 

Sates  of  wool,  made  by  a  house  in  this  city,  largely  engaged 
i  the  wool  trade,  since  May  1,  1834,  amounting  to  over  300,000 
nunds. 

3,000  pound's  Saxony  fleeces,  at  70  cents  per  pound;  for  the 
ame  lot  of  wool,  90  cents  was  refused  Ian  autumn. 

44,000  pounds  mixed  Saxony,  571  a  60  cents;  the  same  de- 
iriplion  brought  last  season,  70  a  75  cents  per  pound. 

50,000  pounds  three  quarters  to  full  blood,  51  a  52  cents  per 
ound:  the  same  description  brought  last  season,  62£  a  65  cents. 

70,000  pounds  three  quarters  to  full  blood  49  a  50  cents;  the 
inie  description  brought  last  season,  60  a  62£  cents  per  pound. 

15,000  pounds  three-quarters  to  full  blond,  at  50  cents;  the 
ame  description  brought  last  season,  60  a  62  cents  per  pound. 

30,000  pounds  common  and  low  grade, 35  a  38  cents;  the  same 
lesrription  brought  last  season,  47  a  50  cents. 

28,000  pounds  halfblood,  at  41£  cents— This  identical  lot  cost 
n  this  market  last  fall.  51  cents  per  pound. 

Of  pulled  wools,  26.000  pounds  superfine,  part  southern  wool, 
t  47  a  50  cents;  the  same  description  sold  last  season  at  55  a 
10  cents. 

45,000  pounds  No.  1,  do.  at  40  a  45  cents  per  pound;  the  same 
escription  sold  last  season  at  47  a  52J  cents. 

It  should  he  observed  and  remembered,  that  the  prices  in  this 
tatement  are  the  prices  which  the  wool  dealer  pets  from  the 
nanufacturer.  When  he  adjusts  his  account  with  the  owner 
jf  the  wool,  there  is  a  charge  for  storage,  a  charge  for  guaran- 
ee,  a  commission  and  the  interest  on  a  credit  of  six  or  eight 
months,  which,  altogether,  reduce  the  price,  to  the  owner  of  the 
wool,  at  least  ten  per  cent. 

We  shall  not  take  upon  ourselves  the  responsibility  of  advis- 
ng  the  farmers  and  wool-growers  to  sell  their  stock  or  withhold 
t.  They  will,  if  they  partake  of  the  ordinary  attributes  of  hu- 
man nature,  get  as  much  as  they  can  for  their  wool;  and  the 
nannfiicturer?,  acting  fiorn  similar  motives,  will  purchase  as 
ow  as  they  can.  Our  price  current  is  not  under  the  control  of 
either  party.  If  hoth  can  he  benefited  by  the  facts  it  contains, 
and  the  remarks  of  an  intelligent  merchant,  our  object  will  be 
attained.  If  unprincipled  politicians  or  cross-grained  and  ill- 
natured  editors  choose  to  make  use  of  it  to  create  panics,  to 
excite  distrust,  or  promote  other  purposes  that  cannot  be  ef- 
fected by  fair  and  honorable  trade,  the  consequences  must  rest 
with  them. 

The  United  States  Gazette,  speaking  on  this  subject,  says 

Considerable  interest  has  been  occasioned  by  the  state  of  the 
wool  market  in  this  country;  and  particularly  from  the  fact  that 
agents  have  been  sent  out  from  England  "wool  gathering" 
among  our  farmers.  The  great  reduction  in  the  price  of  this 
article  is  one  of  the  results  of  the  "experiment"  and  the  ad- 
vantages, secured  to  the  foreign,  over  our  own  manufacturers,  is 
another. 

We  recently  informed  our  readers  of  extensive  purchases, 
through  the  slate  of  New  York,  made  by  European  agents  at 
fifty  cents  per  pound,  which  our  own  manufacturers  would, 
under  other  circumstances,  have  been  able  to  purchase  at  a 
considerable  advance.  The  evidence  of  this  is  afforded  in  the 
fact  that  last  year  the  same  quality  of  wool  sold  for  seventy-fire 
cents  per  pound.  Every  where  else  the  demand  for  this  im- 
portant staple,  is  favorable. 

The  following  is  from  Bell's  Weekly  Messenger  of  the  29th 
June. 

"The  sales  of  wools  already  announced  are  very  nearly  6.000 
bales  in  amount.  The  produce  of  choice  flocks  in  Australia  on 
Thursday  realized  fronr  3s.  4<1.  to  3s.  ll^d.  per  Ib.  for  the  finest 
fleeces,  and  from  2s.  10<i.  to  3s.  2<J.  for  the  second  qualities. 
Other  wools  from  the  same  colony  did  not  obtain  such  advanc- 
ed rate.s,  generally  ranging  between  Is.  lOrf.  to  2s.  lid.  per  Ib. 
The  Van  Demon's  Land  wools  sold  en  Thursday  wtre  purchas- 
ed pretty  eagerly  at  prices  from  Is.  lOd.  to  2s.  9<J.  per  Ib.  The 
sale  amounted  to  1,000  hales.  The  first  of  the  present  series  of 
sales  commenced  on  Wednesday,  when  1,042  bales  of  wool 
were  sold,  chiefly  consisting  of  colonial  wools,  and  although 
the  qualities  were  not  generally  good,  the  prices  obtained  were 
higher  than  anticipated,  Australian  fleeces  selling  at  2s.  4d.  to  2s. 
8d.  per  Ib.  for  the  hisher  qualities,  and  others  from  \s.  4d.  to  2s. 
per  Ib.  inferior  Van  Dieman's  Land  wools  oblained(from  Is.  lo2«f. 
per  Ib.  for  the  low,  2s.  to  2s.  3d.  per  Ib.  for  the  finer  sorts.  The 
remainder  of  the  sales  fire  expected  to  gooff  well  there  being  so 
much  demand  for  wools,  the  produce  of  our  colonies,  among 
the  manufacturers.  The  demand  for  it  is  increasing  abroad. 


4J4     WILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  16,  1834— POPULATION  OF  THE  U.  STATES. 


NIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SKBIBS.  No.  26-VoL.  X.]    BALTIMORE,  ATJG.  23,  1834.     [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOM  No.  1,196. 


THE  PAST— -THE  PRESENT— FOB  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,    PRINTED   AND    PUBLISHED    BY    H.   N1LES,  AT   $5    PER   ANNUM,    PAYABLE   IN   ADVANCE. 

POPULATION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES— CONTINUED. 


STATES. 

i 
Estimates1 
mode  in  181& 
for  1820. 

i 

11 

5"^  ts 

v-  u 

«S 

i 
Actual  re- 
sults 1820.  i 

l 

•*r~ 
| 

'W 

•Sb" 

i 

1~"il~O 

IF. 

?£•£ 
"£§ 

3 

111 

""& 
a. 

S.so 

s  z*> 

^•S- 
2  ~ 
s<s, 

I'll 
fc.  u 

^ 

"eg 
•S3 

*« 

gc 

*| 

i, 

i      |-« 

IL 

Maine  . 

297,315 
246.6-29 
51  9,2-14 
84,624 
274,539 
27-2,369 
1,438,573 
287,300 
1,080,1  '21 
81,394 
418,466 
1,120,815 
638,825 
498,140 
329,202 
650,417 
458,021 

90,792 

576,890 
171,640 
73,692 
23,810 
172,251 

104,075 
36,034 

30 
15 
10 
10 
5 
25 
50 
17 
33i 
12 
10 
15 
15 
20 
30 
60 
75 

125 

150 
700 
600 
500 
125 

500 
50 

298,335 
244,161 
523,287 
83,059 
275,248 
235,764 
1,372,812 
277,575 
1,049,398 
72,749 
407,350 
1,065,366 
638,829 
490,309 
340,989 
564,317 
422,813 
75,448 
127,901 
581,434 
147,178 
55,211 
8,896 
153,407 
66,586 
14,273 
33,039 

30i! 
13? 
10} 
7J 
5 
8 
43 
13 
29i 
0  1 
7 

9f 
15 
21 
35 

'38f 
61i 

86J 

151* 
83i 
349  ' 
86} 
103i 

219 
37| 

372,919 
280,785 
575,616 
91,365 
289,048 
271,129 
2,031,762 
319,211 
1,343,229 
78,569 
435,873 
1,161,250 
715,488 
578,151 
426,236 
733,612 
570,798 
105,627 
337,500 
988,437 
331,150 
193,238 
53,376 
199,429 
166,465 
85.638 
42,951 

25 
15 
10 
10 
5 
15 
48 
15 
28 
8 
7 
9 
12 
15 
25 
30 
35 
40 
125 
70 
125 
250 
500 
30 
150 
500 
30 

399,455 
269,328 
610,408 
97,199 
297,625 
280,652 
1,918,608 
320,823 
1,348,233 
76,748 
447,040 
1,2I1.,405 
737,987 
581,185 
516,823 
687,917 
681,905 
136,621 
309,527 
937,903 
343,031 
157,445 
31,639 
215,739 
140,455 
30,388 
39.834 
34',730 

33J 
10 

rq 

17 
8 
18$ 
41 
15ai 
984 
5i 
9i 
13i 
I5i 

ISA 

51i 
9lj 

61i 
44 
106i 
60J 
133i 
183J- 
2:,-,i 
39$ 
109i 
113* 
20i 

519,208 
296,260 
701,969 
111,778 
321,489 
3->2,755 
2,558,144 
368,946 
1,712,255 
80,588 
487,283 
1,356,773 
863,364 
650,927 
723.95-2 
825J500 
988,759 
204,931 
557,148 
1,403,826 
686,062 
393,61-2 
110,736 
280,476 
224,728 
60,776 
45,709 
52,095 

30 
10 
15 
15 
8 
15 
33* 
15 
27 
5 
9 
19 
17 
12 
40 
20 
45 
50 
80 
50 
100 
150 
250 
30 
60 
100 
15 
50 

N.  Hampshire  

Rhodo  Island  

New  York  

Kentucky  

Ohio  

Illinois  

Florida  

9,964,178 

9,660,765 

12,778,812 

12,866,020 

16,899,693 

The  rate  of  increase  from  1790  to  1 800 — was  34J  per  cent 

1800  to  1810  36|         "        

1810  to  1820  33£         "        

1820  to  1830  35i         "        

Estimated  1830  to  1840  31 


Whole  population* 
(1790). . ;  .3,929,326 

.(1800 5,303,666 

.(1810 7,239,903 

.(1820 9,660,765 

.(1830)...!  2,866,020 


"        (supposed  in  1840)... 16,899,693 

Plausible  reasons,  we  think,  may  be  assigned  for  these  differences  in  the  rates  of  increase.  The  period  from  180O 
to  1810  was  one  of  great  commercial  prosperity,  except  in  the  two  last  years;  that  from  1810  to  1820  took  in  the 
•war,  a  season  of  wild  speculation,  the  reign  of  "rag-money,"  great  changes  in  the  value  and  possession  of  proper- 


for  labor,  except  in  the  two  first  years  of  the  ten.  But  we  have  estimated  the  increase  from  1830  to  184O  at  only 
31  £  per  eent.  for  the  reverse  of  those  causes  which  added  so  largely  to  our  population  in  the  two  prosperous  periods 
above  spoken  of.  It  is  hardly  worth  while  to  observe,  that,  as  a  general  rule,  prosperity  advances,  and  adversity 
retards  population — the  first  encouraging  marriages,  by  relieving  persons  of  the  fear  of  having  families  to  support, 
and  the  second  by  discouraging  marriages,  because  of  stinted  means  or  an  apprehended  want  of  steady  and  profit- 
able employment. 

We  have  given  the  estimates  that  we  made  in  1816  for  1820,  and  in  1822  for  1830.  The  first  estimate  differs  from 
the  real  amount  in  being  303,413  more;  but  the  second  estimate  is  less  than  the  real  amount  in  the  sum  of  98,208 
—which  was  a  very  good  guess.  In  the  location  of  people,  some  of  the  estimates  approached  the  real  amounts 
with  singular  nearness — in  others  large  differences  exist;  the  latter  are  generally  in  the  new  states.  Yet  in  these, 
as  in  the  others,  we  have  again  attempted  prospective  estimates  of  their  population,  according  to  present  ap- 
pearances of  tilings.  But  to  those  who  know  the  sudden  and  powerful  changes  that  take  place  in  the  currents  of 
emigration,  it  is  needless  to  remark  that  these  particular  estimates  are  not  to  be  relied  on,  whatever  opinion  may 
be  formed  of  the  aggregate  made  out.  And  events  may  happen  that  will  hereafter  induce  us  to  add  from  500,000 
to  a  million  of  persons  to  this  supposed  aggregate. 

Of  the  supposed  amount  of  the  population  in  1840,  somewhere  about  2,550,000  will  be  slaves — their  number  in 
1830  having  been  2,009,050;  in  1820— t, 531, 436;  1810—1,191,364;  1800—896,849;  1790—697,697.  Our  estimate 
for  1830,  made  in  1822,  was  that  the  slaves  would  have  an  aggregate  of  1,962,000,  or  less  than  the  real  amount 
in  47,000.  The  rules  then  ustd  will  give  nearly  the  number  just  above  suggested — 2,550,000.  If  the  present  de- 
mand and  price  of  cotton,  however,  continues,  the  number  will  rather  be  greater  than  less.  The  laws  for  their 
increase  are  the  same  as  those  for  free  persons. 

It  appears  almost  certain  that  the  population  of  the  United  States  will  be  considerably  more  than  quadrupled  in 
half  a  centurj — from  1790  to  1840. 

We  did  intend  here  to  have  offered  many  facts  and   speculations  on  population — but  they  must  be  deferred;  for 
from  the  long  continued  heat,  or  some  other  cause,  we  are  unfitted  to  work  in  statistics,  though  generally  feeling 
great  pleasure  in  them. 
VOL.  XLVI— Sio.  29. 


420 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,   1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


We  briefly  mentioned  in  our  last,  a  great  outrage  com- 


mitted at  Charlestown.  Massachusetts,  which  ended  in 


the  conflagration  of  llie  Ursuline  convent,  in  that  town — 


and  certain  riots  that  had  happened  in  Philadelphia;  and 


now  present  many  particulars  respecting  the  former  with 


an  account  of  the  proceedings  had  on  the  subject — and 


full  accounts  of  the  second  and  tliird  night's  mobs 


copy  ii 

in  Philadelphia,  being  merely  repetitions  of  the  outrages 

committed  in  the  Jirst. 

Does  it  not  appear  that  the  character  of  our  people 
has  suffered  a  considerable  change  for  the  worse?  If 
so — what  is  the  cause?  We  fear  that  the  moral  sense  of 


right  and  wrong  has  been  rendered  less  sensitive  than  it 
was — that  a  spirit  oi  force,  in  certain  cases,  has  begotten 


it   in  others.     The   saying  of  the  sage,  that  "truth  is  a 


victor  without  violence,"  is  passing   into   disrepute,  and 
sober  and   peaceable  individuals  are  called  upon  to  de- 


fend  their  own  personal  rights,  or  those  of  their  neigh- 
bors, by  the  "ultima  ratio  regiim" — the  last  reason  of 
kings,  or  that  of  force — instead  of  relying  upon  the  whole- 


some and  quiet  operation*  of  the  law  "round  the  standard" 


of  which   every  citizen  ought  to  rail}',  and  all    respect. 
We  bliall   not  "return   railing  for  railing,"  nor  condemn 
a  population  en  masse  for  acts  which  nineteen-twentieths, 
if  not  ninety-nine  huiulredths,  most  sincerely  reprobate — 
as  happened  to  the  population  of  Baltimore,  in  1812,  the 
year    of   the   declaration    of  war   against   England — but 
would  recommend  charity  to  all  classes  of  persons,  wher- 
ever located,  and  that  the  bad  acts  of  a  few  shall  not  be 
plead  against  the  good  conduct  of  the  many.     Nor  is  it 
easy,  in  a  country  like  ours,  to  repel  the  exercise  of  il- 
legal force  by  the  use  of  an  authorised  force — for  public 
opinion  is  against  it;  and  we  have  but  a  small  automaton 
power,  in  hired   soldiers,  to  act  on  sucli  occasions — and 
would  hope  that  we  never  may  have  such  uses  for  them. 
But   many   late  events — such  as  murderous  riots  on  the 
lines  of  our  rail  roads  and  canals  of  foreign  origin,  and 
in   some  of  our  cities  of  domestic  production,  shew  the 
necessity  of  an    organized  military  power   sufficient  to 
overawe,  or  suppress,  acts  like   those  now  recorded,  or 
those  which  happened  in  New  York,  and  at  other  places, 
not  long  ago.      Our  militia  laws,  in   general,  are  grossly 
defective,    if  not  ridiculous  in   their   operation — but  it 
would   seem   that  measures   might    be  adopted  by   which 
volunteer  c<irps  could   be  encouraged  to  keep  themselves 
in  readiness  to  preserve  the  public  peace,  in  maintaining 
the   supremacy  of  the  law,    when  required.     And   this 
seems  manifest,  that  a  certain  degree  of  discipline  is  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  render  a  body  of  men  either  pru- 
dently defensive  or  effectually  offensive,  on  any  occasion. 
Mobs  easily  recognise  leaders,  and  yield  obedience — but 
not  so  with  citizens;  and  it  is  much  easier  to  destroy  thai 
to  save.  And  who  is  safe,  if  such  things  are  permitted  to 
pass  unpunished?  We  hope  for  an  example  in  Massachu- 
setts— we  have  entire  faith  in  the  integrity  of  her  judges 
and  the  firmness  of  her  executive,  that  persons  arrested 
and  found  guilty  of  participating  in  the  late  outrages  at 
Charlestown,  will  suffer  the  severest  penalties  that  belong 
to  the  foul  crime  of  arson — and  are  glad  to  learn  tliat  the 
work  of  finding  out  the  wretches  has  been  commenced 
with  satisfactory  energy  and  zeal.     So  also  at  Philadel- 
phia— but  why   the   mobs  in  this  city,    we  have  yet  to 
learn.     The  blacks  have  suffered  cruelly,  and  submitted 
with  much  patience — but  if  they  had  resisted,  or  should 
retaliate — what  then? 

An  interesting  correspondence  has  taken  place  and  is 
inserted  in  a  subsequent  page,  between  certain  anti-ma- 
sons of  Massachusetts,  and  gov.  Da-vis. 

Under  the  proper  head,  will  be  found  brief  notices  of 
the  late  elections,  so  far  as  accounts  have  reached  us. 

It  will  be  seen  in  our  abstract  of  the  latest  foreign 
news,  that  the  "Grey  ministry"  has  been  dissolved  by  tin- 
resignation  of  lord  Grey,  and  others — the  causes  of  which 
•we  have  also  briefly  stated. 

The  speeches  of  lords  Grey,  Brougham  and  others,  on 
this  occasion,  possess  much  interest  to  those  who  closely 
examinv  the  proceedings  had  in  Great  Britain;  but  we 
cruinot  give  them.  Lord  Grey  in  his  speech  announcing 
his  own  resignation,  stated  that  he  had  completed  his  70th 
T««rln  March  last,  and,  deprived  of  the  assistance  that  ho 


had  had  from  those  who  had  previously  resigned,  that  he 
w;is  not  able  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office — and  he 
spoke  of  the  great  measures  which  had  been  effected  dur- 
ing the  period  of  his  administration;  and  also  stated  that 
himself  and  his  relations  who  had  been  appointed  to  office, 
instead  of  carrying  away  any  of  the  public  money,  would 
leave  the  public  service  poorer  than  they  entered  it. 

The  president  had  a  severe  bilious  attack  on  his  way 
to  Tennessee,  but  the  "Globe"  says  thwt  he  had  entirely 
recovered  from  it.  He  reached  the  Hermitage  on  the 
5th,  and  accepted  an  invitation  to  attend  a  public  festival 
at  Nashville  on  the  13lh  inst.  The  "Globe"  attributes 
the  disease  to  the  stagnant  water  that  has  been  formed  in 
the  ''president's  grounds,"  (which  used  to  be  called  the 
grounds  of  the  president's  house),  by  the  embankment  of 
the  canal.  If  the  waters  have  there  become  stagnant,  the 
nuisance  ought  to  be  immediately  abated. 

The  Frederick  "Examiner"  of  the  13th  August,  inst. 
quoted  the  wagon  price  of  flour,  at  Baltimore,  ou  that 
day,  at  $5  @  5  12J  and  said  that  on  the  corresponding 
day  of  1833,  the  price  at  Baltimore  was  $6 — in  1832, from 
6  25  to  6  37,  per  barrel.  That,  for  the  corresponding 
week,  in  1832,  the  inspection,  at  Baltimore,  was  8,461 
bbls.  and  in  1838,  10,916;  but  in  the  week  of  this  year 
only  6,517.  So  it  appears  that  the  large  supplies  ob- 
tained much  belter  prices  than  the  short  one. 

The  same  paper  of  the  20th  inst.  says,  the  price  of 
flour  at  Baltimore  (the  market),  is  still  $5  12^.  In  the 
corresponding  week  last  year  it  was  $6;  in  1832,  $6^.  A 
generally  reduced  price  of  more  than  one  dollar  per  bar- 
rel is  shewn  against  the  farmers,  in  the  present  year. 

The  war  against  the  manufacturing  industry  and  na- 
vigating interests  of  the  eastern  people,  with  the  de- 
ranged state  of  business  in  consequence  of  the  derange- 
ment of  the  currency,  has  thrown  those  who  were  our  best 
customers  for  flour  more  or  less  upon  their  own  resources, 
and  much  diminished  the  demand  for  southern  bread 
stuffs. 

We  regret  to  learn  that  the  late  flattering  prospects  of 
the  corn  crops  are  no  longer  indulged.  The  long  drought 
and  continued  heat,  have,  as  it  were,  burned  up  vast 
quantities  of  the  growing  grain.  Rain  has  not  fallen  at 
many  places  round  us,  for  4  or  6  weeks. 

One  of  the  new  locomotives  that  has  been  prepared  for 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail  road,  (and  several  are  getting 
ready),  lately  drew  108  tons,  18  c-wt.  exclusive  of  the  en- 
gine and  tender,  around  some  of  the  shortest  curves  of 
the  road,  and  up  acclivities  of  20  feet  in  the  mile,  at  the 
rate  of  12  miles  an  hour.  The  use  of  horses  on  this  road, 
except  at  the  inclined  planes,  will,  probably,  soon  be  dis- 
pensed with.  These  locomotives  are  constructed  by  the 
company,  and  will  all  use  anthracite  coal.  They  are 
highly  spoken  of.  There  have  been  times  when  the  bu- 
siness of  the  road  a  little  exceeded  the  means  of  the  com- 
pany to  give  it  despatch — but  with  6  or  8  engines,  always 
ready  for  operation,  the  utmost  promptitude  may  be  ex- 
pected, both  on  this  road,  and  on  the  road  to  Washing- 
ton, which  latter  is  very  rapidly  making,  and  in  the  best 


We  have  spoken  of  the  reduced  amount  of  labor  ex- 
pended in  performing  the  usual  business  of  agricul- 
ture, in  consequence  of  improved  instruments  and  tools, 
new  roads  and  canals,  and,  generally,  in  the  march  of 
scientific  knowledge  and  power.  But  the  end  is  not  yet 
— nay,  not  the  "beginning  of  the  ending,"  by  any  means! 

The  late  improvements  of  the  steam  engine,  and  others 
that  may  be,  with  a  moral  certainty,  expected,  will  make 
them  more  common  among  our  farmers  than  thrashing 
machines  yet  are  in  any  part  of  the  country  in  which 
they  are  MOW  most  used;  and  we  think  it  not  at  all  extra- 
vagant to  believe,  that  grass  will  be  cut  and  hay  made — 
lands  be  ploughed  and  reaped — grain  be  thrashed  and 
cleaned,  and  then  sent  to  the  mill,  and  the  market,  by 
steam!  For  it  seems  clear  that  almost  any  ordinary 
operation  which  can  be  performed  by  horse-power,  may 
be  accomplished  by  steam  locomotive  power.  And  with 
the  same  engine  which  performs  the  operations  suggest- 
ed, and  others  not  now  dreamt  of,  the  farmer's  wife  will 
lave  her  clothes  washed  while  it  is  grinding  grain  for  fa- 


WILES'  REGISTEK— AUG.  23,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


427 


mily  use,  or  performing  other  common  purposes,  sucl 

as  drawing  out  iron  to  make  plough  shares  or  horse 
shoes! — tor  the" engine,  being  locomotive,  may  be  placec 
in  any  convenient  position,  alter  a  little  preparation  oJ 
the  road  over  which  it  is  to  travel.  We  shall  not  at- 
tempt to  place  limits  to  the  uses  oi  steam — nor  do  we  be- 
lieve that  the  best  engines  have  a  nearness  to  the  perfec- 
tion that  will  be  arrived  at — a  few  years  hence. 

Good  roads  first,  and  then  rail  roads  and  canals,  have 
also  made  a  great  revolution  in  the  business  and  labor  ot 
agriculturists  in  regard  to  the  rearing  and  demand  for 
horses,  and  this  revolution,  too,  is  only  at  its  beginning. 
Let  us  notice  one  case,  by  way  of  illustration.  The 
"Arabian"  locomotive,  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  rail 
road,  is  capable  of  training  cars  loaded  with  more  than 
100  tons,  besides  moving  itself  and  its  tender,  over  the 
most  curved  or  ascending  parts  of  the  road,  (the  inclined 
planes  proper,  excepted),  at  the  rate  of  12  miles  an 
hour.  The  distance  to  Frederick,  by  this  road,  is  60 
miles,  though  by  the  old  turnpike  only  45.  Allowing 
then  an  hour  for  passing  the  inclined  planes  and  for  tak- 
ing in  water  and  fuel,  the  distance  between  Baltimore 
and  Frederick  may  be  performed  four  times  in  24  hours, 
if  so  needed  or  desired,  and,  of  course,  more  than  400 
tons  of  merchandise  be  moved  that  distance  in  the  space 
of  time  just  stated.  Now  it  would  require  133  wagons, 
•with  1  driver  and  5  horses  each,  and  each  carrying  3 
tons,  48  hours  to  move  the  400  tons  from  Baltimore  to 
Frederick  or  vice  versa,  over  the  turnpike  of  45  miles, 
for  the  horses  must  rest  at  night.  This  work,  if  per- 
formed by  two  sets  of  horses,  travelling  night  and  day, 
in  24  hours,  would  require  133  wagons,  266  drivers,  and 
labor  of  1,330  horses;  but  the  engine  and  its  train  will 
require  only  three  or  four  persons  in  all,  unless  at  the 
inclined  planes — which  being  a  peculiar  obstruction  to 
the  free  use  of  the  road,  should  not  enter  into  any  gene- 
ral calculation  on  this  subject.  This  is  the  business  of 
one  day — and  the  loading  of  the  cars  is  much  easier  than 
that  of  common  wagons.  Indeed,  such  are  the  conve- 
niences in  this  respect,  that  \ve  may  every  day  see  the 
bodies  of  wagons  passing  on  rail  road  cars,  with  their 
loading,  as  it  was  packed  at  Baltimore  for  Wheeling,  or 
at  Wheeling  for  Baltimore.  So  much  for  the  saving  of 
horse-power,  and  the  diminished  demand  for  horses,  in 
the  transportation  of  goods. 

Let  us  look  a  little  at  the  transportation  of  persons. 
We  do  not  know  the  number  of  passengers  who  travel 
east  and  west  on  this  rail  road.  Perhaps,  they  are  about 
200  a  day.  If  this  is  more  than  the  real  number,  it 
makes  no  difference — for  the  amount  may  exceed  500  a 
day,  in  a  short  period  of  years,  and  probably  will — the 
road  being  extended  and  linking  itself  with  other  roads, 
&c.  To  convey  the  200  passengers  from  Baltimore  to 
Frederick  [45  miles  by  the  turnpike]  or  vice  versa, 
would  require  22  stages,  each  carrying  9  persons,  22  dri- 
vers and  176  horses,  allowing  each  horse  to  travel  rather 
more  than  22  miles  in  24  hours,  which  is  hard  work  in 
heavy  loaded  stages,  and  the  average  time  of  the  journey 
is  8  hours,  delays  variously  happening  from  heat  and 
cold,  rain  and  snow,  &c.  The  weight  of  200  passengers, 
witli  their  baggage,  may  be  put  down  at  about  17  tons — 
•which  -weight  might  be  added  to  100  tons  trained  by  the 
locomotive  without  at  all  detracting  from  its  speed! — and 
the  aggregate  of  time  saved  by  the  200  travellers,  in  one 
day's  business  (and  "time  is  money")  amounts  to  400 
hours,  equal  to  17  days  of  24  hours. 

To  recapitulate — on  the  brief  distance  of  only  45  miles., 
we  gain  a  power,  in  a  single  steam  engine,  managed  by  3 
men,  equal  to  that  of  more  than  1,500  horses,  requiring 
the  immediate  chargu  or  care  of  at  least  300  men,  be- 
sides the  saving  of  lime — which,  of  itself,  is  more  valua- 
ble than  the  cost  of  management  and  fuel  for  the  engine. 

But  in  all  these  savings  of  horse-power,  whether  in 
the  business  of  agriculture,  or  of  transportation,  there  is 
one  other  great  matter  for  the  consideration  of  producers 
of  grain — the  lessened  demand  for  it.  It  is  computed 
that  what  feeds  one  horse  will  feed  eight  individuals.  So 
the  use  of  steam  power  in  the  estimated  power  of  trans- 
portations over  only  45  miles,  is  equal  to  the  supply  of 
bread  stuffs  for  12,000  persons — to  say  nothhig  of  the 
supply  of  meats,  which  the  grass  and  hay,  consumed  also 
by  the  horses,  might  furnish  in  the  diminished  demand 
for  horse*.  If  our  average  export  of  bread  stuffs  be  equal 


to  1,000,000  bbls.  of  flour,  or  196,000,000  Ibs.  it  will 
feed  537,000  persons  one  year,  allowing  each  1  lt».  per 
day.  It  then  follows,  that  the  use  of  45  [forty-five}  en- 
gines, and  in  the  manner  above  calculated,  may  cause  a 
surplus  of  bread  stuffs,  for  the  use  of  individuals,  equal 
to  the  average  foreign  expoi-t  of  the  U.  States!  There 
are,  then,  very  important  things  involved  in  the  consi- 
derations that  belong  to  rail  roads  and  canals,  and  the 
general  application  of  steam  power.  And  the  selling 
value  of  horses  should  also  be  taken  into  the  account. 

These  are  mere  hints — or  references  to  the  facts  that 
are  before  us.  They  might  be  carried  out  much  further, 
and  especially  in  showing  also  the  extra  means  of  fur- 
nishing supplies  of  meats,  in  the  land  gained  for  the  sup- 
port of  cattle,  by  the  reduced  number  of  horses,  &c.  and 
being  fond  of  such  pursuits,  we  shall,  perhaps  extend 
our  calculations  with  a  view  to  give  some  idea  of  the 
mighty  revolution  that  probably  will  be  brought  about 
by  the  general  and  FAMILIAR  use  of  steam  power — firmly 
believing,  as  we  do,  in  the  prophecy  of  Oliver  Evans, 
that  it  will  be  so  improved,  and  rendered  so  manageable, 
as  to  he  applied  even  to  common  household  purpos- 
es. Its  effects  already  may  well  be  called  prodigious—- 
but are  yet  hardly  begun  to  be  felt! 

It  appears  that  the  new  gold  coins  have  been  really 
counterfeited,  in  the  manufacture  of  25  cent  pieces  into 
half  eagles,  and  10  cent  pieces  into  quarter  eagles,  and 
that  some,  out  of  their  zeal  to  obtain  pocket  pieces,  or 
"brag  money, "as  we  called  it  in  our  last  paper,  have 
paid  the  penalty  of  their  indiscretion.  These  are  not 
quizzes  of  party — but  the  cold  acts  of  scoundrels  who 
ought  to  be  most  severely  punished,  if  detected,  as  we 
hope  that  they  will  be.  But  folly  in  this  case,  as  in  all 
others,  opens  the  way  to  imposition,  and  every  rogue  well 
knows  how  to  take  advantage  of  "hobbies. "  Nothing- 
else,  however,  than  an  utter  ignoranca  of  the  weight  of 
metals,  or  the  blindness  of  party,  could  suffer  such  mise- 
•able  imitations  to  pass  current. 

It  will  be  seen  by  an  article  in  another  part  of  this 
heet,  that  the  mint  is  hard  at  work  in  making  new  gold 
joins.  We  are  told  that  the  bank  of  the  United  States 
will  give  it  a  large  job — in  that  way.  A  few  millions  in 
gal  gold,  which  the  bank  can  very  conveniently  keep, 
will  be  just  the  thing  to  check  malicious  demands  for 
oins. 

The  following  paragraph  is  copied  from  the  great  "of- 
icial" — 

Mr.  Diddle  and  his  partisans  have  constantly  declared  how 
>ainful  it  was  to  (hem  to  distress  the  country,  and  how  glad 
hey  would  be  to  relieve  it,  were  they  not  deprived  of  the  power 
)f  doing  so  hy  the  removal  of  the  deposites.  Thfi  criminal  hy- 
locrisy  of  all  this  cant  is  now  demonstrated  by  tin;  fact  that  lie 
las  been  engaged  for  months  in  sending  funds  to  the  great 
>ankers  in  Europe,  and  now  has  abroad  over  $4,200,000,  which 
might  have  been  retained  at  home,  and  used  for  the  relief  of 
he  American  people!  I*et  those  who  have  been  deceived  by 
he  cant  of  the  bank,  reflect  on  this  fact,  and  judge  ol  Middle's 
sincerity. 

The  "Globe"  having  a  ready  access  to  the  monthly  re- 
urns  of  the  state  of  the  bank,  is  probably  correct  in  its 
statement — that  the  bank  has  $4,200,000  in  Europe.  But 
low  were  these  funds  obtained?  Was  it  not  by  the  pur- 
chase of  bills,  with  its  own  money,  and  did  not  such  pur- 
jhases  "relieve"  the  monetary  wants  of  the  country  in 
he  same  manner  as  if  loans  had  been  made  on  usual 
iixty  or  ninety  days  notes'  We  should  like  to  see  where 
he  difference  is.  The  funds  in  Europe  were  obtained 
>y  the  issue  of  the  notes  or  credits,  or  specie,  of  the 
>ank — at  h'jme. 

It  is  probable  that  the  hank  will  rr.ake  a  large  profit  on 
his  proceeding.  If  trade  revives — it  has  exchange  to 
sell,  and  at  advanced  prices;  if  trade  remains  dull — the 
>ank  mav,  and  most  probably  will,  import  go'd,  and  sell 
or  exchange  that,  at  an  ADVANCED  PRICE,  also,  at  the 
nint  of  the  United  States!  Surely  the  latter  will  not  be 
complained  of  by  the  "Globe" — for,  in  that  learned  pa- 
>er,  it  is  not  thought  that  gold  can  be  purchased  too  dear- 
y,  or  that  the  importation  of  specie  may,  in  some  cases, 
is  certainly  shew  the  adversity,  as  in  others  indicate  the 
jrosperity  of  a  country.  But  such  importation  is  gene- 
•ally,  if  not  always,  adverse  to  the  navigating  interest, 
shewing  the  want  of  freights — on  the  labor  and  capital 


423 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


expended  in  which  a  very  material  part  of  the  value  of  a 
commodity  often  depends.  A  hogshead  of  molasses,  let 
us  suppose,  is  worth  $15  at  New  Orleans,  and  '20  at  Bos- 
ton. Will  the  owner  of  a  Boston  vessel,  at  New  Or- 
leans, bring  home  15  dollars  in  specie,  when  he  can  buy 
a  hogshead  of  molasses  for  that  sum,  and  make  five  dol- 
lars on  its  transportation  to  Boston,  whither  his  vessel  is 
about  returning?  But  if  he  prefers  the  specie,  it  is  evi- 
dence that  he  will  rather  lose  a  freight  than  risk  the 
transportation  and  sale  of  the  molasses  at  Boston;  or  that 
cash  is  more  in  demand  at  Boston  than  molasses.  This 
operation  shews  an  unprofitable  state  of  trade  between 
the  two  ports,  and  to  both  of  them;  and  there  is  no  com- 
pensation for  the  charges  and  tear  and  wear  of  the  vessel. 
The  principles  here  suggested  are  of  universal  applica- 
tion. If  crude  copper  will  advance  half  a  cent  per  Ib. 
on  being  transported  from  Valparaiso  to  Baltimore,  gold, 
received  at  Valparaiso  for  the  outer  cargo,  will  be  ex- 
changed for  copper,  as  the  ship  must  be  ballasted;  and  it 
is  belter  to  take  in  copper  that  will  pay  even  so  small  a 
freight,  than  stones  or  sand  that  pay  nothing. 

The  ancient  and  steady  jealousy  of  the  people  of  our 
parent-country,  the  land  of  "John  Bull,"  over  the  purse- 
strings  and  the  power  of  money,  if  held  by  their  kings,  is 
very  pointedly  shewn  in  the  following  extract  which  we 
happened  to  notice  the  other  day,  (in  a  valuable  New 
York  periodical,  called  the  "Constellation"),  being  a  part 
of  an  essay  concerning  ghosts  and  goblins,  witches  and 
sorcerers,  and  other  extraordinaries,  and  among  them  the 
old  belief  in  the  virtues  of  the  "philosopher's  stone." 

"The  act  of  transmutation  was  so  fully  believed  in  England 
in  the  fourteenth  century  to  have  been  carried  to  perfection, 
that  an  act  was  passed  in  the  fifth  year  of  the  reign  of  Henry 
IV,  by  which  the  manufacture  of  gold  or  silver  from  the  base 
metals  was  made  a  felony!  The  ground  solemnly  alleged  for 
the  enactment  of  this  law,  was  the  apprehension  entertained 
by  the  commoners  of  those  days,  that  if  money  were  obtainable 
in  this  fashion,  the  king  might  supply  himself  with  treasure  arf 
libitum,  WITHOUT  THE  ASSISTANCE  OF  PARLIAMENT,  AND  so 
CONVERT  IT  TO  THE  PDRPOSES  OF  DESPOTISM.  The  prevalence 
of  a  similar  belief  here,  even  late  in  the  fifteenth  century,  is 
proved  by  patent.?  which  were  granted  by  Henry  VI,  with  a 
view  to  encourage  researches  in  pursuit  of  the  philosopher's 
stone." 

We  mentioned,  some  time  ago,  that  Mr.  Cooper,  the 
"novelist,"  had  "made  a  book"  on  politics,  and  ex- 
pressed regret  that  he  had  meddled  in  them.  It  is  said 
that  he  has  been  "rowed  up  salt  river,"  in  a  reply.  We 
have  not  seen  either  publication — hut  from  some'noticef 
of  both,  it  appears  that  Mr.  Cooper  had  taken  the  grounr 
that  more  was  to  be  feared  from  legislative  than  execu- 
tive usurpation!  Neither  history,  nor  common  sense, 
will  bear  him  out  in  this  rank  and  foul  heresy  against  the 
people.  But  it  is  not  worth  while  to  say  more  on  the 
subject.  We  do  not  like  romancing  on  the  first  princi- 
ples of  free  governments. 

The  New  York  Mercantile  Advertiser  and  Adrocati 
has  the  following  just  and  appropriate  remarks— 

The  mechanics  convention  for  the  state  of  New  York  will  b 
held  at  Ulica  on  the  20th  of  the  present  month.  The  object  o 
it  is  to  adopt  such  measures,  as  may  be  found  necessary  to  pro 
tect  their  rights  against  the  injurious  consequences  of  the  slat 
prison  monopoly  and  some  other  laws  of  the  state.  The  im 
pression  is  strong  amongst  this  class  of  our  fellow  citizens,  ilia 
Ihi-ir  interests  have  been  compromised  by  Hie  very  low  price 
at  which  state  prison  goods  have  been  thrown  into  the  in  ark  e 
Jf  they  can  make  this  appear,  their  opposition  to  it  will  I 
heard,  and  their  grievances  will  be  redressed.  The  happines 
and  the  general  wealth  of  a  nation  are  always  in  proportion  t 
the  amount  of  its  productive  labor,  and  is  always  regulated  b 
the  rate  of  wages  of  the  laboring  classes.  The  higher  th 
wage*  are,  the  greater  will  be  the  amount  of  comfort  and  Inxu 
rieg  of  life  enjoyed  by  all  classes.  In  ojppo.sition  to  Uiis  as 
gumption,  it  has  often  been  stated,  that  the  tate  of  wagi  s  i 
a  country  can  make  no  difference  to  the  inhabitants,  becaus 
the  prices  of  all  its  productions  ars  regulated  liy  thrm.  Th 
would  be  true  if  we  imported  nothing  from  foreign  nations.  \V 
•hould  have  to  pay  the  same  prices  for  lea,  coffee,  sugar  and 
thousand  other  articles,  if  wanes  were  down  to  a  shilling  a  da> 
a*  we  do  now.  A  sixpence  mi»ht  set  as  much  bread  and  'meat  i 
four  shillings  do  now,  but  the  remaining  sixpence  would  go  In 
little  way  in  purchasing  the  foreign  article*  Wbteh  tin-  poor.' 
laborer  in  theconntr.v  consumes.  |i  is  lor  these  reasons,  I  hat  w 
at  all  times  stand  ready  to  advocate  any  plan  of  policy  whic 
shall  have  for  its  object  the  mnintuinin«'or  the  raising  ofivaget 

i  u«  ncheit  man  in  the  country  is  equally  benefited  withlh 


poorest,  by  the  protection  of  the  actual  laborer.  It  may  do  very 
well  for  the  office  holders  and  their  pariizang  to  uphold  Ihe  state 
prison  monopoly  upon  their  boasted  principles  of  "free  trade," 
but  we  hold  ourselves  prepared  at  all  times  to  defend  the  in- 
dustry of  the  country  against  all  [unfair]  competition,  foieign  or 
domestic. 

It  is  for  these  principles  that  we  have,  for  about  thirty 
years,  steadily  contended.     We   have   desired  to  build 
up  an    intelligent   and   independent  populace,   and  the 
starting  place  for  that  is  in  obtaining  liberal   profits  on 
labor,  the  only  thing  which  the  many  have  to  sell.     And 
when  labor   is  in  high   demand,  how  beautiful  are  its 
operations  on  society !     It  is  true,  that  now  and  then  we 
hear  of  turn-outs,  &c.  but  these,  like  the  electric  fluid 
discharged  from  the  clouds  which  purify  the  atmosphere, 
chiefly  end  in  a  better  established  equality  between  the 
parties,  and  a  more  just  consideration  of  the  real  state  of 
things  on  both  sides.     On  the  other  hand,  how  pleasant 
is  to  see  the  growing  comforts  of  the  working  people— 
see  the  father,  feeling  the  effects  of  a  want  of  educa- 
on  in  himself,  sending  his  sons  and  daughters  to  school, 
id   to   hear  the   little   gay   and   happy  urchins  reading- 
ooks  and  newspapers,  for  the  information  of  their  parents, 
ut  time   would  fail   to  describe  the  good  effects  of  high 
rices  for  honest  labor,  and  they  injure  no  one,  if  a  due 
eciprocity   in  trade  is  maintained.     There  is  a   sort  of 
atiiral  tariff  that   must   be   observed.     The    well-fed 
American  cannot,   by  manual  labor,  compete  with  the 
,ast  Indian.     The  relation  of  their  wages  is  about  as  10O 
ollars  to  10 — and  so  it  must  be  to  keep  up  existing  rlif- 
erences  in  the  manner  of  living  and  clothing,  and  those 
omforts  which  have  become  necessaries  to  the  American 
eople.* 

It  is  an  old  saying,  "There  is  no  knowing  who's  go- 
ernor  until  after  the  election." 

The  "Indiana  Democrat"  before  the  election  said— 

"Noble's  friends  are  deserting  him  like  leaves  in  wintry  wea- 

lier,  and  rallying  under  the  democratic  republican  standard. 

Miccess  to  our  cause!     The  victory  is  worth  contending  for. 

he  last  hope  of  Clayism  in  our  Mate  is  the  election  of  Noah 

S'oble.     Indiana  will  stand  completely  disenthralled  from  the 

omination  of  Noble  and  his  gang  of  public  detainers,  after  the 

irst  Monday  in  August." 

But  the  same  paper  after  the  election,  says — • 
"The  election  has  terminated  somewlmtf  to  our  disappoint- 
ment.   Noah  Noble  is  doubtless  re-elected  governor, and  David 
rVallace,  lieutenant  governor.    Much  as  we  deprecate  the  is- 
sue, we  must  submit  to  the  fiat  of  the  sovereign  people,  whose 


right  it  is  to  elect  whom  they  please. 


All  that 


we  have  to  say  this  week  is — we  are  beaten  in  the  election  for 
;overnor,  and  we  are  sorry  for  it;  but  can't  help  it." 

The  "Democrat"  is  the  leading  administration  paper 
n  Indiana.  Mr.  Noble's  majority  is  very  heavy.  It  is 
even  suggested  that  it  may  exceed  15,000. 

The  following  are  among  the  resolutions  lately  adopt- 
ed at  a  meeting  of  the  "Democratic  citizens  of  South 
ward, "Philadelphia,  of  which  Geo.  M.  Dallas,  esq.  late 
a  senator  of  the  United  States,  was  chairman: 

And  whereas,  This  aristocratic  combination  of  bankism, 
consolidation,  blue  light  federalism  and  nullification,  under 
false  pretences,  and  the  specious  hut  stolen  name  of  an  English 
monarchical  party  professing  free  principles,  seek  to  cheat  and 
delude  the  friends  of  constitutional  law  and  free  institutions,  in 
order  the  more  effectually  to  subvert  the  liberties  of  the  people, 
destroy  pure  democracy,  and  prostrate  the  country  at  the  foot 
of  their  ambition,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  contest  at  present  waged  l>y  the  bank  of 
the  United  States  and  its  friends,  is  from  first  to  last  a  wnr 
nsainst  the  tights  and  liberties  of  the  people,  wni-rd  to  revive 
the  prostrated  pretensions  of  wealth  and  aristocracy,  to  supre- 
macy in  the  land. 

Resolved,  That  "modern  whiggery  is  modern  trickery,"  und 
as  such  merits  the  scorn  of  all  true  democrats,  \vho  understand 
that  in  a  contest  like  the  present,  all  who  are  not  with  demo- 
cracy, heart  and  hand,  are  against  it  and  its  principles. 

Mr.  Dallas  was,  until  lately,  a  zealous  advocate  of  the 
bank,  and,  under  the  unanimous  instruction,  also,  of  the 


*The  world  are  but  little  acquainted  with  the  deplorable  con- 
dition of  the  poor  English  laborer.  The  hand  loom  weavers, and 
various  classes  of  mechanics  throughout  England,  depend  upon 
n  small  additional  poor  rate  to  their  wages  to  raise  them  above 
the  power  of  machinery  and  actual  starvation.  In  Snll'olk 
county  alone  one-half  the  population  receive  (his  relief.  There 
are  8,000  surplus  laborers  in  Sussex—  there  being  133  men  to  do 
the  woik  of  100. 

t"So»iicirAnt!"  Theie.  is  "somewhat"  of  a  difference  be- 
tween the  "glorious"  victory  proclaimed  in  advance,  aiid  the 
annihilalory  defeat  realized! 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


429 


"democratic"  legislature  of  Pennsylvania.  And  did  he 
not  introduce  the  bill  to  rcchartcr  the  bank,  which  passed 
both  houses, and  was  vetoed  by  the  president? 

It  is  true,  this  instruction  of  Pennsylvania  was  charged 
as  a  rank  corruption  of  the  members  of  the  legislature 
— that  a  system  of  corrupt  "bribery  procured  the  passage 
of  the  resolution  in  favor  of  the  bank,"  &tc.  which  was 
thus  repelled,  at  the  time,  in  the  Philadelphia  papers — 

"The  members  of  the  legislature  that  passed  the  resolution  in 
question,  have  returned  to  their  homes;  and  the  undersigned,  a 
portion  of  those  members,  residing  in  and  near  Philadelphia, 
liaving  an  opportunity  of  conveniently  interchanging  views, 
deem  it  an  acl  of  justice  to  their  constituents,  and  to  the  people 
of  Pennsylvania,  to  pronounce  the  charge — no  matter  by  whom 
made — by  whom  repented — or  by  whom  countenanced — to  be  an 
unfounded  and  atrocious  libel. 

"Samuel  B.  Davis,  Joseph  Taylor,  J.  R.  Burden,  Richard 
Peltz,  James  Goodman,  John  Felton,  Charles  H.  Kerk,  Charles 
Brown,  Henry  Simpson,  William  Wagner,  Thomas  J.  Heston, 
John  Carter." 

Philadelphia,  May  18,  1831. 

Do  any  of  these  gentlemen  now  charge  that  corruption 
on  others,  which  they  so  earnestly  repelled  when  prefer- 
red against  themselves?  Have  they  "kissed  the  black 
stone,"  and  been  not  only  purged  of  sin,  but  rendered 
incapable  of  committing  sin — with  power  to  make  sinful 
all  persons  who  do  not  turn  as  they  have  turned,  and 
twist  as  they  have  twisted ?  We  hope  that,  having  felt  the 
slander  on  themselves,  they  have  some  degree  of  charity 
for  others. 

But  the  politics  and  politicians  of  Pennsylvania — whe- 
ther regarding  the  tariff,  internal  improvements  or  the 
bank,  or  any  other  great  national  question,  have  latterly 
been  just  as  the  wind  bloweth,  and  in  the  keeping  of  cir- 
cumstunces, 

The  Cincinnati  Gazette  says* — • 

Gen.  Cass,  secretary  of  war,  arrived  in  Cincinnati  on  Friday 
week,  and  tarried  until  Monday  morning.  He  was  received 
and  treated  with  marked  respect  and  hospitality,  without  refer- 
ence to  part}1  association.  He  was  on  the  look  out  for  a  place 
of  future  residence,  and  also  upon  a  tour  to  Detroit. 

There  has  been  a  good  deal  of  speculation  among  po- 
liticians as  to  the  condition  and  prospects  of  Mr.  Cass. 
Some  have  said  that  he  could  not  much  longer  hold  a 
seat  in  the  cabinet — and  others  that  he  would  voluntarily 
retire  from  it,  that  he  might  be  better  prepared  as  the 
"alternative"  candidate  for  the  presidency,  in  the  event 
of  certain  things  happening  in  New  York  and  othei 
•tales. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  admiral  sir  Isaac  Coffin,  (ol 
the  British  navy)  a  native  of  Nantucket,  when  on  a  visit 
there,  some  years  ago,  founded,  and  liberally  endowed,  a 
public  school,  called  the  "Coffin  school,"  for  the  parti- 
cular education,  however,  of  all  the  little  Coffins,  pre- 
sent or  to  come.  He  has  lately  permanently  added  £100 
sterling  more  per  annum,  for  the  support  and  extensioi 
of  this  school.  The  stock  to  produce  this  revenue  he 
desires  may  be  vested  in  the  name  of  the  governor  of 
Massachusetts,  or  mayor  of  Boston,  for  the  time  being 
and  its  interest  drawn  for  by  said  governor  or  mayor,  to 
be  applied  as  aforesaid. 

A  New  York  paper  says— The  immigration  into  Ca 
nada  through  Quebec  from  June  1825,  to  August  1834 
amounts,  according  to  a  table  published  in  the  Montrea 
Daily  Advertiser  of  7th  inst.  to  one  million,  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty-three  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  thir 
ty-eight  persons.  The  greatest  number  of  immigrant 
in  any  one  year  was  in  1832,  when  it  amounted  ti 
220,000. 

This  number  far  exceeds  any  thing  tliat  we  had  calcu 
lated.  We  have  thought  that  the  average  whole  numbe 
of  emigrants  from  Europe  to  America,  hardly  exceedei 
100,000  a  year,  all  counted. 

At  the  dinner  of  the  Literary  society  at  T.ondon,  th' 
prince  of  Canino,  (Lucien  Bonaparte),  gave  the  following 
sentiment: 

"To  the  political  principles,  sacred  treasure  of  the  Britis 
constitution;  to  the  inviolability  of  the  private  dwelling,  to  th 
independence  of  the  jury,  to  the  freedom  of  the  press,  and  I 
the  imprescriptible  right  of  association!  May  these  precious  I 
heities,  gentlemen,  continue  to  constitute  your  happiness!  bu 
may  they  also  cease  to  be  foreign  to  France,  who  for  fotty  year 


as  been  fighting  to  obtain  them!  May  the  intellectual  progress 
f  political  reform  which  agitates  Europe  be  directed  every 
•here,  as  it  is  with  you,  by  religious  sentiments,  and  an  invio- 
ible  respect  for  properly,  and  may  all  nations  become  as  free 
s  the  hospitable  people  of  old  England!" 

The  Portuguese  decree,  putting  down  the  friars  and 
lonks,  was  going  into  effect,  but  with  great  libcrali- 
p.  The  orders  were  abolished — but  the  present  mem- 
ers  of  them,  destitute  of  means  of  procuring  a  liveli- 
ood,  are  to  be  assisted  from  the  public  treasury. 

THE   CHOLERA. 

The  following  brief  notices  of  the  progress  of  the  cholera,  at 
arious  places,  may  suffice  all  ordinary  purposes  of  information 
ud  record. 

Daily  reports  are  now  made  to  the  New  York  board  of  health. 
'he  Commercial  Advertiser  says — 

The  first  decided  case  of  cholera,  according  to  the  first  report 
f  the  board  of  health,  made  on  Saturday  the  9th  inst.  which 
erminated  in  death,  was  on  the  33d  of  July.  From  that  period 
o  the  present,  27  days  have  intervened,  and  the  deaths  in  the 
vhole  of  that  time,  including  the  report  of  to-day,  are  120. 
They  stand  thus; 

Cases.  Deaths. 

To  Saturday,  August  9 14 

Sunday,  August  10 3 

Monday,  August  11 5 

Tuesday,  August  12 12 4 

Wednesday,  August  13 13 6 

Thursday,  August  14 24 t 11 

Friday,  August  15 23 9 

Saturday,  August  16 26 '. . . .  16 

Sunday,  August  17 49 18 

Monday,  August  18 33 17 

Tuesday,  August  19 31 17 

*120 

This  presents  an  average  of  a  fraction  more  than  four  deaths 
jer  day  by  this  disease,  whereas  the  27  first  days  of  the  scourge 
u  1832,  exhibited  a  mortality  of  more  than  1,450.  The  climax 
of  the  disease  in  that  year  was  the  21st  or  22d  of  its  avowed 
ixistence — nor  was  the  temperature  during  its  prevalence  in 
hat  season  more  intensely  hot  than  it  has  been  since  it  com- 
menced in  July  of  the  present  year.  On  the  21st  of  July,  1832, 
no  less  than  104  deaths  were  reported— being  only  sixteen  fewer 
than  the  entire  number  that  has  died  of  cholera  in  the  city  the 
whole  of  the  present  summer. 

Among  the  victims  at  New  York  was  judge  Cotcnn.  From 
apparently  the  best  health  he  passed  into  the  valley  of  the  dead, 
in  11  hours;  this  death  1ms  been  attributed  totaling  withered 
and  unripe  potatoes.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  careful  habits, 
bolh  in  eating  and  drinking. 

The  cholera  still  continues  in  the  lower  part  of  Albany.  On 
Sunday  there  were  9  cases  and  3  deaths,  and  on  Monday  14 
cases  and  9  deaths. 

One  fatal  case  has  occurred  at  Rochester,  in  the  person  of  Mr. 
Richard  Van  Klecck,  who  had  just  returned  from  Toionto, 
where  he  is  supposed  to  have  taken  the  disease. 

The  board  of  health  of  Buffalo  liave  issued  a  circular,  in  which 
they  state  thai  the  cholera  has  existed  in  that  city  for  the  last 
20  days,  and  that  37  deaths  have  occurred  by  that  disease. 

An  extra  of  the  Detroit  Free  Press,  dated  llth  August,  states 
that  from  the  1st  to  the  llth,  inclusive,  there  had  beeu  52  death* 
by  cholera,  in  that  city.  Eighteen  of  the  above  were  strangers. 

The  disease  at  Pou°hkcepsie  was  rapidly  abating — and  some 
days  had  elapsed  without  a  sinsle  death  by  cholera, 

Solitary  cases  have  happened  at  Catskitl,  Lockjiort,  Ogdeni- 
bur°h,  N.  Y.  at  Pittsburgh  and  Washington,  Pennsylvania,  Ma- 
dison, Indiana,  and  a  number  of  other  places  in  the  west. 

Three  fatal  cases  of  cholera  were  reported  at  Washington  city 
on  the  15th  inst. — but  none  others  since. 

The  last  weekly  report  from  Cincinnati  shews  only  13  deaths 
by  cholera — in  the  previous  week  29  had  happened  from  that 
disease. 

The  disease  was  declining  at  Montreal,  and,  at  the  latest  dales, 
the  deaths  by  cholera  were  16  or  17  daily.  At  Quebec  the  deaths 
from  that  disease  range  between  20  and  30  a  day.  The  cholera 
was  bad  at  Kingston,  and  cases  wtre  happening  in  many  oilier 
places  in  the  Canadas. 

The  total  number  of  deaths  at  Montreal  for  33  days,  in  the  last 
and  present  months,  was  1,084 — viz:  404  children  and  680  adults, 
of  these  about  850  were  by  cholera.  The  aggregate  of  the  same 
days,  in  the  years  1830,  1831  and  1833  had  an  average  of  only 
191 — 1832  was  the  first  cholera  year. 

The  nrws  from  Madrid  of  the  4th  inst.  is  to  ihe  following  ef- 
fect: "The  cholera  is  almost  exclusively  the  object  of  at  trillion 
here.  This  terrible  malady  which  still  continues  its  ravages  in 
the  south  of  Spain,  has  at  length  made  its  appearance  in  the 
capital,  where,  however,  it  is  ns  yet  confined  to  the  hospitals. 
The  cases  said  to  have  happened  in  privale  are  doubtful.  The 
disease,  holh  at  Madrid  and  at  Kallecrn,  a  village  one  league 
from  the  capital,  when;  the  great  number  of  sick  are,  shows  it- 


*There  were  15  deaths  on  the  30ih,  and  20  on  ihe  21st, 


4&0 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834—  MISCELLANEOUS. 


self  in  a  mild  form;  but  little  reliance  is  placed  upon  tliis  cir- 
cumstance, as  it  also  at  first  appeared  under  a  mild  form  in  the 
towns  in  Andalusia,  where  the  mortality  lias  sinee  been  so  con 
bideruble." 

ELECTIONS. 

We  shall  give  below  some  returns  from  Kentucky,  Indiana, 
j8tc. 

The  parties  are  preparing  for  battle  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  with 
great  zeal.  General  Findlay,  of  Cincinnati,  was  s-ome  time 
since  presented  as  the  opposition  candidate  to  gen.  Lucas,  (who 
received  the  nomination  of  the  "Jackson  republican"  conven- 
tion), and  has  been,  by  common  consent,  adopted  as  the  choice 
of  that  party.  An  attempt  was  made  to  tiring  out  Mr.  Vance, 
.at  present  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  useful  members  of  con- 
gress, and  his  name  as  a  candidate  was  inserted  in  many  pa 
peri  "by request" — but  he  has  publicly  withdrawn  himself,  and 
will  support  gen.  findlay;  so  there  will  be  a  full  trial  of  strength 
Between  tiie  adverse  parties.  The  last  named  gentleman  wn> 
an  "original"  friend  of  general  Jackson,  but  retired  from  the 
support  of  president  Jackson  some  lime  imo. 

There  will  be  a  very  sharp  contest  in  Maine.  The  eloquent 
nenator  from  that  state,  Mr.  Sjirugue,  is  the  opposition  candi- 
date for  governor.  The  election  lor  members  of  congress  also 
.comes  on  early  in  the  next  month;  and  in  several  of  the  district 
will  be  earnestly  disputed. 

Great  political  excitement  prevails  in  ffew  Jersey,  and  the 
whigs  have  held  many  very  numerous  meetings. 

In  Maryland,  unless  in  the  reception  of  Mr.  Taney  at  Balti- 
more and  in  Frederick,  not  much  of  electioneering  business  lias 
jet  been  done,  except  in  the  primary  assemblies  of  the  people: 
Lut  the  campaign  is  about  to  open  with  considerable  zeal. 

In  Pennsylvania  we  have  Hlrong  indications  that  there  will 
be  only  two  divisions  of  the  people  at  the  October  election— for 
or  against  the  administration.  The  anti-masons,  thinking  that 
they  have  accomplished  much,  and  hoping  to  do  more  by  a  con- 
ciliatory spirit,  seem  to  be  generally  returning,  at  least  for  the 
time  being,  to  their  former  political  preferences,  and  will  unite 
themselves,  as  the  case  may  lie,  very  generally,  with  one  or  the 
other  of  the  parties  just  designated.  Large  meetings  have  been 
Jield  in  several  of  the  strongest  ariti  masonic  counties,  at  which 
jresolutions  to  this  effect  have  been  passed.  As  a  body,  the  anti- 
masons  are  also  ami-administration.  The  following  resolution, 
adopted  in  Luzerne  county,  may  serve  as  a  specimen  of  the 
proceedings  alluded  to: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  while  anti-masons  regard  with  jea- 
lousy, distrust  and  apprehension,  the  principles  and  pretensions 
of  freemasonry,  they  are  not  insensible  of  the  existence  of  para- 
mount political  evils — and  while  they  cherish  their  own  distinc- 
tive sentiments  as  necessary  to  the  entire  arid  perfect  political 
regeneration  of  their  country,  and  look  steadily  to  their  ultimate 
Object  and  to  the  distincliveness  of  their  party',  yet,  for  high  ami 
patriotic  motives,  they  deem  it  expedient  to  unite  on  this  occa- 
sion with  all  patriotic  citizens,  who  are  in  love  with  the  consti- 
tution, and  alarmed  at  its  infractions,  to  rescue  it  from  the  mis- 
rule of  those  who  have  despised  its  claims  and  trespassed  upon 
its  sacred  provisions. 

The  election  in  Rhode  Island  will  lake  place  on  the  26th  inst. 
for  members  of  the  legislature.  It  will  lie  warmly  contested, 
because  of  the  election  of  a  senator  of  the  United  States,  Mr. 
Knight's  terni  expiring  on  Ihe  3d  March  next.  The  gentlemen 
i»eld  up  for  this  office  are  Tristam  i'urges  and  Elisha  R.  Potter, 
esquires.  The  result  will  very  much  depend  on  the  course  pur- 
cued  by  the  anti-masons.  Neither  of  the  parties,  we  believe, 
ever  belonged  to  .the  masonic  society. 

From  Indiana,  we  learn,  by  the  Indiana  Journal  of  the  9th 
instant,  that  in  15  counties,  the  aggregate  of  votes  for  governor 
of  the  state,  was  for  Mr.  Noble,  (whig),  12,287;  Mr.  Read,  (Jack- 
Bon),  7,687.  In  1831  the  vote  in  these  counties  was  for  Noble, 
7,532;  Read,  5,092 — apparent  comparative  gain  for  Noble, 2,140. 

No  doubt  seems  to  be  entertained,  adds  the  Journal,  of  the 
election  of  Mr.  Noble  by  a  large  majority.  Nearly  all  of  Mr. 
Kinnard's  congressional  district,  in  which,  previous  to  the  elec- 
tion, the  Jackson  men  claimed  a  majority  of  1,500  votes,  has 
been  heard  from,  and  not  a  courtly  has  given  Mr.  Read  a  majo- 
rity; but  on  the  contrary,  Noble's  majority  exceeds  1,300,  and  it 
will  be  increased  by  the  other  counties. 

[We  hove  further  returns  shewing  23,042  votes  for  Mr.  Noble, 
and  16,972  for  Mr.  Read— together  40,000  votes,  which  seems  a 
heavy  poll,  and  gives  N.  a  majoiity  of  6,070.  An  Indiana  pa- 
per goes  further,  and  counts  up  a  majority  of  8,120 — another  says 
it  will  tie  from  10  to  12,000;  and  the  LoujOTMe  Journal,  on  -Tv 
ing  a  number  of  the  returns,  expresses  an  opinion  that  Mr.  No- 
Mc'u  majority  will  exceed  15,000.  It  is  asserted  that  Mr.  Read 
would  hardly  obtain  a  majority  in  a  single  county  in  the'  stair — 
which  would  seem  possible  'from  the  counties  before  us  for 
which  the  returns  are  given.] 

We  have  some  general  notices  of  Ihe  results  of  the  elections 
in  North,  Carolina,  but  neilher  parly  seems  to  understand  Ihr 
real  state  of  political  feeling  thereby' indicated,  and  it  is  thoimhl 
by  some,  who  are  best  informed  on  the  Mibjecl,  that  the  political 
preferences  of  Ihe  members  elected  will  not  be  accurately  known 
until  aft«r  the  meeting  of  the  legislature.  The  Fayette  Journal 
has  the  returns  from  4  counties,  and  says  that  11  oul  of  the  12 
members  C|IOM:II  are  administration,  1ml  Hie  Ncwbern  Specta- 
tor observes  that  of  25  members  elected  in  that  uad  tbe  neigh- 


boring counties,  19  are  avowed  anti-Jackson   men.     This  Is 
Mr.  Speight's  congiessional  district. 

There  are  some  rumors  of  results  from  Illinois.  They  have 
the  r-ame  general  political  aspect  as  those  from  Indiana — against 
the  administration;  but  nothing  is  positively  stated  on  the  sub- 
ject. 

There  has  been  a  sharp  contest  in  Missouri,  but  the  question 
seems  to  have  an  immediate  relation  to  certain  proposed  altera- 
tions of  Ihe  constitution.  In  St.  Louis  county,  six  opposed  to, 
and  two  in  favor  of  those  amendments,  have  been  chosen  mem- 
bers of  the  legislature.  Mr.  Barton,  formerly  of  the  senate  of 
tin.'  United  States,  is  one  of  the  six. 

Pretty  full  accounts  are  received  from  Kentucky.  Mr.  Letch- 
er's  exacl  majority  over  Mr.  Moore,  is  given  at  258,  in  the  Frank- 
fort '•Commonwealth."  From  the  same  paper  we  also  learn, 
that  the  senate  consists  of  38  members.  Senators  are  elected 
for  four  years — one-fourth  of  whom  go  out  of  office  annually. 
This  year  10  went  out  of  office — 4  of  whom  were  for  Jackson, 
and  6  were  whigs.  There  are  also  three  vacancies,  two  by 
death  and  one  by  resignation — two  of  these  vacancies  were 
whig*,  and  the  other  a  Jacksonian.  The  stale  of  parties  in  the 
senate,  last  year,  was  20  Jacksonian!)  arid  18  whigs.  So  far  as 
heard  from  this  year,  the  whig  party  have  twenty  in  the  senate 
and  the  Jackson  parly  sixteen — and  two  yet  to  he  heard  from. 
The  house  of  representatives  consists  of  100  members:  returns 
of  Hie  election  of  eighty-six  are  received,  and  they  stand  71 
"whig"  and  15  "Jackson."  It  is  freely  said  Ihat  Ihe  latter  par- 
ty will  hardly  exceed  20  in  Ihe  house.  The  names  of  the  elect- 
ed are  given,  and  in  most  cases,  statements  of  the  voles  taken 
are  added.  The  Lexington  Intelligencer  says  that  Washington 
county,  which  gave  to  gen.  Jackson  a  majority  of  1,000  in  1828, 
has  now  elected  anti-Jackson  representatives  by  a  majority  of 
200  votes.  It  is  quaintly  suggested,  that  this  result  was  caused 
by  Ihe  large  number  of  persons  detached  to  vote  for  Mr.  Moore, 
in  Mercer  county!  not  their  own  county,  nor  their  own  con- 
gressional district.  The  vote  in  Mercer  county  was  about  400 
more  than  ever  before  given. 

The  counties,  with  the  city  of  Louisville,  which  compose 
Mr.  Pope's  congressional  district,  are  said  to  shew  an  acgreeat.fi 
majority  of  more  than  2,000  against  him  and  the  administration 
which  he  supports. 

There  are  rumors  of  the  result  of  the  elections  in  eleven  coun- 
ties of  Alabama — ten  of  which  are  said  to  have  gone  against  the 
administration.  We  think  that  (here  is  some  mislake  in  this 
matter,  though  the  opposition  in  that  state  is  said  to  have  re- 
cently acquiied  strength. 

There  are  two  full  tickets  out  in  Georgia  for  congresf — Iheyare 
called  the  "Jackson  Forsyth,"  and  "Tronp  orstate  rights,"  and 
opposed  to  the  administration,  which  Mr.  Troup  has  denounced 
as  "vicious  and  corrupt,"  in  a  reply  to  a  late  invitation  to  a 
public  dinner.  The  contest  will  probably  be  a  severe  and  close 
one. 


ITEMS. 

Edward  Everett,  esq.  of  Massachusetts,  has  resigned  his  seat 
in  congress,  and  Mr.  McDujjie,  in  an  address  to  his  constituents, 
declines  a  re-election,  and  intimates  that  he  will  also  resign, 
unless  '.here  is  a  speedy  improvement  in  the  state  of  his  health. 
These  gentlemen  will  be  much  missed  in  the  house. 

Mr.  Wilkins,  our  new  minister  for  Russia,  left  New  York  on 
Saturday  last  for  Liverpool,  on  his  way  to  the  court  of  the  great 
autocrat  of  the  north. 

Died — at  his  residence,  near  Charlestown,  (Indiana),  on  Sa- 
turday, July  26th,  Jonathan  Jennings,  esq.  the  first  governor  of 
Indiana,  and  for  many  years  a  member  of  congress  from  the 
same  state,  which,  whilst  still  a  territory,  he  for  several  years 
represented  as  a  delegate  to  congress. 

United  Sta-tes  bank  stock  sold  at  New  York,  on  Saturday  last, 
at  110  a  110A. 

[We  never  yet  made  a  money-speculation — or  bought  or  ob- 
tained any  thing  out  of  the  immediate  range  of  our  own  regular 
business,  unless  with  a  view  to  our  own  holding  or  direct  use 
of  it — but  if  we  had  money,  would  like  an  investment  in  the 
slock  of  this  bank,  at  the  advanced  rate  given — whether  it  liven 
or  dies.  If  the  latler,  it  will  "cut  up"  well.  It  is  stronger,  in 
its  own  proper  means,  than  the  bank  of  England.] 

It  is  announced  in  the  "Globe"  that  the"Girard  bank,"  at 
Philadelphia,  has  been  re-appointed  "a  deposite  bank  for  the 
treasury  department." 

Between  the  6th  and  16th  inst.  150  tons  of  produce  were  for- 
warded from  Wheeling  to  Baltimore. 

The  repairs  of  the  Cumberland  road,  under  the  late  act  of  con- 
gress, are  about  to  be  prosecuted  with  energy.  The  contractor*, 
nt  both  ends  of  the  line,  Cumberland  and  Wheeling,  have  com- 
menced operations. 

Mexico  is  reaping  a  harvest  of  "glory"  in  the  contests  of  her 
general*,  and  through  the  intrigues  of  her  priests.  The  people 
ire  killing  one  another  without  much  ceremony.  General  San- 
la  Anna  appears  on  the  highway  to  a  throne.  He  ha«  an  army 

of  officers  fighting  for  spoils. 

We  shall  soon  learn  the  effects  of  the  abolition  laws  ofGreat 
Britain.  There  are  rumors  that  unhappy  evants  were  expected 
--that  the  slaves  had  said  they  would  uot  work,  &c. 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— THE  CHOLERA,  AT  NEW  YORK.     431 


Belzoni  found  in  the  northern  places  of  Egypt,  as  1 1  unit-man 
had  dune  before,  the  tops  of  tin-  mountains  of  the  desert  en 
crusted  with  salt,  and  wells  of  sweet  water  rising  out  of  a  cur 
face  overspread  with  masses  of  it.  Herodotus  relates  the  sail. 
fact,  2,200  years  before. 

A  lump  of  silver  was  obtained  lately  in  the  silver  mines  o 
Konigsburg,  which  is  perhaps  the  largest  ever  seen.  Jt  weigli 
ed  ~i  cwl.  and  is  estimated  at  the  value  of  13,000  dollars  i 
specie. 

Madame  Malibran  has  recently  entered  into  an  engagemen 
with  the  Milan  opera  for  five  year*.  According  i<>  its  tenor 
she  receives  a  house,  a  table  with  six  covers,  an  equipage,  an 
£14,000— say  60,000  dollars. 

FOREIGN  NEWS. 

From  Liverpool  papers  to  the  l~th,  and  London  to  the  Kith  July 
liot/i  inclusive. 

GREAT   BRITAIN    AND    IRELAND. 

Lord  Grey's  administration  had  been  deranged  in  conse 
quence  of  the  resignation  of  lord  Althorp,  which  grew  out  of  a 
communication  made  by  Mr.  Littleton,  the  secretary  for  Ireland 
to  Mr.  O' Council,  of  a  difference  in  the  cabinet  as  to  the  forn 
of  renewing  the  coercion  bill.  It  appears  from  the  debate: 
consequent  on  the  annunciation  of  the  resignation  of  lord  Al 
thorp,  the  chancellor  of  the  exchequer,  and  of  earl  Grey,  tin 
prime  minister,  that,  on  the  subject  of  the  coercion  bill,  a  divi 
sion  had  existed  in  the  cabinet,  earl  Grey  and  a  portion  of  its 
members,  differing  with  lord  Althorp  and  three  others,  as  to  the 
propriety  of  withdrawing  the  clauses  authorising  the  holding  o 
military  courts  martial  from  the  bill,  in  its  renewed  form;  thai 
on  consultation  privately  by  lord  Grey  with  the  lord  licutt  nant. 
the  latter  had  made  a  confidential  communication,  in  which  he 
gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  the  clauses  alluded  to  might,  in  the 
present  circumstances  of  Ireland,  be  omitted.  Upon  the  re- 
ceipt of  this  intelligence,  it  was  agreed  by  ministers  to  renew 
the  bill  in  that  form,  and  it  was  reported  accordingly.  Previ- 
ous to  the  final  action  on  the  bill,  Mr.  Littleton  informed  Mr. 
O'Connell  of  the  character  of  the  difficulties  which  had  existed 
among  ministers,  and  of  the  cause  of  its  adjustment;  whereupon 
Mr.  O'Connell  called  for  the  production  of  the  private  and  con- 
fidential letters  which  had  passed  between  earl  Grey  and  the 
lord  lieutenant.  This  at  once  made  known  to  lord  Althorp  the 
nature  and  extent  of  the  disclosure  which  had  been  made, 
and,  as  it  placed  him  in  the  awkward  position  of  advocating  in 
public,  a  measure  which  in  private  he  had  opposed,  he  signified 
bis  desire  of  resigning,  in  which  he  was  gratified.  This  led  to 
the  resignation  of  earl  Grey,  which  had  been  accepted  by  I  he 
king,  who  then  authorised  lord  Melbourne,  the  home  secretary, 
to  organize  a  new  ministry,  he  himself  to  be  the  premier;  and  it 
is  understood  that  lord  Althnrp  would  take  office  under  him. 
Lord  Brougham  retains  his  post. 

In  the  house  of  commons  on  the  9th  July,  after  lord  Althorp 
had  explained  his  reasons  for  the  step  he  had  taken,  Mr.  Little 
ton,  the  secretary  for  Ireland,  who  had  been  alluded  to  as  the 
person  who  made  the  communication  in  question,  rose,  and 
after  expressing  the  profoundest  sentiments  of  regret  at  having 
been  the  author  of  the  indiscretion,  which  had  led  to  such  unex- 
pected and  disastrous  results,  remarked— "No  individual  in  this 
house  was  ever  placed  in  a  more  painful  situ. Hum  than  I  now 
find  myself  placed  in.  1  have  committed  two  errors.  I  have 
committed,  first,  the  error  of  having  had  a  communication  with 
the  honorable  and  learned  gentleman  opposite  (Mr.  O'Connell) 
without  the  sanction  of  the  head  of  his  majesty's  government, 
and  I  have  committed  the  further  and  greater  error,  m  placing 
confidence  in  one  who  has  proved  himself  so  ill  deserving  of  it," 

Mr.  O'ConneH  said,  "he  would  infinitely  prefer  that  a  double 
share  of  the  blame  should  be  thrown  upon  Aim  than  that  any 
should  be  cast  upon  the  right  honorable  gentleman."  "He  did 
not  rise  to  vindicate  himself,  hut  to  remind  gentlemen  of  the  si- 
tuation in  which  he  was  placed, and  how  much  his  countrymen 
expected  of  him.  It  was  to  preserve  the  country  from  danger 
that  he  had  so  acted.  He  did  not  act  as  a  private  individual. 
When  confidence  was  reposed  in  him  he  felt  that  he  was  hound 
not  to  mention  names;  but  then  the  house  would  recollect  that 
he  was  to  act  with  others,  and  to  get  others  to  act  with  him, 
that  he  had  to  manage  others;  but  he  would  state  that  in  that 
management  he  did  not  utter  a  word  or  give  a  hint  to  any  per- 
son of  the  quarter  from  which  he  had  received  the  intimation 
in  question."  He  concluded  by  complimenting  Mr.  Littleton, 
and  the  principles  of  the  late  members  of  the  ministry,  and 
withdrew  hU  motion  which  had  produced  the  derangement  of 
the  cabinet. 

The  cholera  continued  to  rage  in  Dublin  with  unabated  vio- 
lence, and  indiscriminately  carried  off  the  rich  and  the  poor, 
within  a  few  hours  after  they  were  attacked.  Great  distress 
prevailed  in  Thurles  and  Tipperary,  Ireland.  Out  of  a  popula- 
tion in  the  latter  place,  of  7,0(10,  there  were  no  less  than  2,460 
in  absolute  want  of  nil  the  necessaries  of  life. 

Disturbances,  riots  and  murders  continued,  and  the  excite- 
ment which  led  to  them  was  on  the  increase. 

FRANCE. 

The  elections  have  resulted  thus — there  are  in  favor  of  minis- 
ters 230,  opposition  90,  no  party  men  50,  Carlists  about  12. 
There  had  been  several  destructive  storms  of  hail. 

SPAIN. 

On  the  receipt  nf  the  news  of  the  movement  of  general  Ro- 
dil'b  army,  mentioned  in  our  last,  the  Carlist  junta  of  Navarre, 


had  called  out  a  levy  en  masse;  and  it  is  supposed  that  that 
province  "would  be  the  theatre  of  all  the  horrors  and  cruellies, 
to  which  a  civil  war,  fomented  by  the  fanaticism  anil  <:i!<>li.-m 
of  the  monks,  can  give  rise  to."  It  was  rumored  that  Don  Car- 
los had  escaped  from  England  and  arrived  in  Spam,  ami  that  lie 
had  granted  letters  of  cit-dit  to  the  amount  of  600,000  francs  for 
the  use  of  the  Carlisl  general,  Zumulacarregui,  and  that  he  w;u 
negotiating  a  loan  in  Pans  to  the  amount  of  125  millions  of 
francs.  The  report  of  his  arrival  in  Spain  is  discredited. 
Storms  and  cholera  were  doing  sad  work  in  Spain. 

PORTUGAL. 

Don  Pedro's  health  had  been  bad,  but  was  improving.  The 
meeting  of  the  cortes  was  looked  for  with  anxiety. 

The  disbanded  volunteers  were  quietly  returning  to  their 
homes.  The  sales  of  convents  ami  other  confiscated  property 
of  the  priests,  gave  general  satisfaction.  Don  Pedro  had  ap- 
proved the  quadripartite  treaty.  The  cholera  had  reappeared 
in  Lisbon. 

BELGIUM. 

The  citadel  of  Antwerp  is  to  be  immediately  repaired.  The 
king  and  queen  of  Belgium  had  arrived  in  Paris,  and  left  that 
city  on  the  lllh  July  for  Rouen,  where  they  were  to  be  met  by 
the  royal  family. 

THE  CHOLEKA,  AT  NEW  YORK. 

Board  of  health,  jlugutt  12,  1834. 

The  following  communication  from  the  resident  physician 
was  read  and  directed  to  be  published. 

No.  19.  White  street,  jlugust  10. 
DEAR  SIR:  I  deem  it  within  the  scope  of  my  duty  to  present 

10  you  the  following  communication,  of  cholera  which  have 
been  reported  since  its  appearance  in  this  city. 

I  have  visited,  with  perhaps  three  or  four  exceptions,  every 
:ase  which  has  been  reported,  and  upon  a  diligent  examination 
nto  their  several  histories  for  some  days  previously  to,  and  1111- 
uediately  upon,  the  attack,  I  am  enabled  to  slate,  that  all  but 
>ne  were  justly  chargeable  to  one  or  other ol the  three  following 
•xciting  causes,  viz:  a  culpable  neglect  of  the  means  ordinarily 
jseil  for  the  treatment  of  diarrhoea  in  proper  season — a  disrt:- 
tard  of  the  cautions  on  the  subject  of  food  and  drinks,  hereto- 
bre  inculcated  for  the  prevention  of  the  attack — and  a  reckless 
ndifference  on  the  subject  of  cleanliness  and  ventilation,  and 
he  dangers  arising  from  excess  and  exposure,  which  are  known 
ogive  occasion  to  diseases  of  the  bowels  at  this  season  of  the 
•ear  more  than  at  any  other.  More  than  one  half  of  the  cases 
jiay  he  fairly  set  down  to  the  excessive  indulgence  in  ardent 
pirits:  and  of  the  rest,  a  part  to  the  indiscriminate  use  of  arti- 
les  of  ordinary  food,  which,  however  innocent  at  other  sea- 
ons,  are  known  to  be  deleterious  in  the  excessive  heats  of 
ummer;  and  a  part  to  the  mi-lak.-n  prejudices  of  the  palientJ 
n  the  nature  of  the  disease  of  which  they  were  the  subjects. 
All  the  above  causes  operated  in  a  degree,  but  the  first  was  the 
lost  general,  since  all  the  patients,  excepting  only  two,  with 
*hom  I  conversed,  invariably  admitted  the  existence  of  diar- 
licea  from  two  days  to  one  week's  continuance,  previously  to 
he  development  of  those  symptoms  which  designate  cholera; 
nd  in  those  instances  the  attacks  were  preceded  by  an  nnwar- 
intalile  indulgence  in  unripe  fruits  and  vegetables,  arid  an  in- 
idicious  use  of  the  river  bath,  sufficient  at  any  time  to  produce 
Imlera  morbus. 

The  histories  of  the  above  cases  fully  accord  with  the  expe- 
ence  of  physicians  in  the  summer  of  1832,  and  leave  no  room 
o  doubt  that  the  disease  called  cholera  would  be  divested  of 
lost  of  its  real  danger,  and  proportionately  of  its  terrors,  if  due 
ttention  was  early  directed  to  the  derangement  of  the  stomach 
nd  bowels.  A  large  part  of  the  danger  arises  from  the  insidious 
nanner  ol  the  attack,  which  in  many  cases  passes  for  slight  in- 
isposition,  and  attracts  very  little  attention.  Those  symptoms 
ave  been  usually  termed  premonitory,  but  they  constitute  in 
ruth  the  disease  itself;  and  cholera,  as  generally  understood, 
larked  by  rapid  emaciation,  rice  water  discharges,  cramps, 
old  sweats,  cold  tongue,  cold  and  pulseless  extremities,  corru- 
ited  hands  find  feet,  are  but  the  concomitant  symptoms  of  the 

,-t  stage,  and  point  with  almost  unerring  certainly  to  the  grave. 

I  have  said  that  in  almost  every  instance,  cholera  is  attended 
y  diarrhrea;  of  a  peculiar  character  no  doubt,  because  arising 
om  a  peculiar  cause;  nevertheless  easily  manageable  by  any 
itelligem  physician;  but  there  are  exceptions,  where  no  pre- 
lonilions  are  apparent,  and  in  which  the  most  serious  and 
igerous  symptoms  are  the  first  evidences  of  disease;  these 
i^eplions,  however,  are  explicable  without,  in  the  least  de- 
ree,  detracting  from  the  general  truth:  they  obtain  in  other 
iseases  common  in  this  country — for  exnmple,  scnrlet  fever, 
jeasles  and  intermittent  fever.  The  general  character  of  these 
iseases  is  well  understood,  and  they  are  successfully  treated; 
ut  it  occasionally  happens  that  the  first  evidenci  »  of  disease 
re  of  tl>e  worst  kind,  and  baffle  tlui  united  skill  of  the  most  in- 
Jligent  medical  counsel. 

If  the  facts  above  stated  are  received,  the  deduction*  from 
lem  are  obvious.    Our  first  rare  is  to  raulion  the  public  against 

11  imprudence  in  the  use  of  food  and  drinks.     The  food  ouuht 
o  he  chiefly  animal,  as  not  only  most  nutritious,  but  most  easi- 
y  digested;  all  unripe  fruits  and  vegetable*,  \\lii  ilier  piepared 
y  cooking  or  otherwise,  are  to  be  avoided;  mid  those  which 
re  matured  should  be  taken  in  moderate  quantities,  in  order 
o  escape  one  of  the  most  common  causes  of  indigestion.  Meats 


485     NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1S34-43ANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


should  he  well  prepared  in  the  process  of  cooking,  and  when  c-o 
prepared,  should  never  be  taken  in  large  amount  when  they  be- 
come cold,  as  they  are  known  to  be  mure  difficult  of  digestion 
than  when  warm.  Fish  may  be  indulged  in  moderate  quantity, 
but  never  in  excess.  Stale  li.-h,  which  is  a  very  common  arti- 
cle of  diet  of  the  poor,  and  especially  of  our  colored  population, 
ought  to  be  destroyed  hy  the  clerks  of  the  markets,  that  it  might 
in  no  t-iu-e  lie  exposed  for  sale. 

All  unusual  exertion  which  will  induce  profuse  perspiration, 
ought  to  be  avoided,  by  reason  of  the  difh'culty  of  avoiding  ex- 
posure which  will  check  it.  The  cold  or  river  bath  ought  to  be 
used  with  caution,  and  in  no  case  When  persons  are  unusually 
warm.  Excessive  use  of  ardent  spirits  ought  to  he  guarded 
against  with  scrupulous  anxiety,  since  a  single  dehauch  may 
result  in  an  attack  of  cholera,  and  to  persons  accustomed  to  or 
who  frequently  indulge  in  this  species  of  abuse,  the  attacks 
must  by  necessity  prove  fatal. 

If  notwithstanding  the  observance  of  the  above  cautions, 
diarrhoea  should  occur,  immediate  recourse  must  be  had  to  me- 
dical assistance:  this  last  recommendation  cannot  be  too  se- 
riously impressed  upon  all  classes  of  the  public.  The  cholera, 
as  it  appears  among  us,  is  not  epidemic;  with  few  exceptions  it 
lias  chosen  its  victims  from  atnont:  the.  imprudent,  the  destitute 
and  the  intemperate,  and  we  have  stioni!  "rounds  lo  trust  thai 
it  will  not  become  so;  but  much  depends  upon  the  people  them- 
selves, and  they  should  be  made  to  realize  Hie  solemn  truth 
"that  the  exciting  causes  of  the  disease  are  those  which  to  a 
great  extent  they  may  individually  control."  I  am  yours,  very 
respectfully,  JAMES  R.  MANLEY,  resilient  physician. 

Hon.  Cornelius  W,  Lawrence,  president  of  lite  board  of  health. 

PROGRESS  OF  THE  NEW  GOLD  COINAGE. 

Having  applied  to  the  treasury  department  for  facts  on  this 
head,  we  have  been  favored  with  an  extract  from  a  recent  com- 
munication by  the  director  of  the  mint,  which  will  doubtless  be 
highly  acceptable  to  most  of  our  readers.  [Gloke. 

Mint  of  the  U.  Stales,  Philadelphia,  JJu«.  16,  1834. 

SIR:  I  forward  herewith  my  weekly  return  of  the  Etate  of  my 
account  in  regard  to  the  prompt  payment  of  mint  certificates 
for  deposites  of  gold.  This  procedure  has  been  found  conve- 
nient to  depositors,  as  well  as  advantageous  to  the  United 
Slates.  No  depositor  has  desired  prompt  payment  thus  far 
and  been  disappointed. 

Enclosed  is  also  a  succinct  statement  of  tlie  amount  of  gold 
deposites  for  the  period  commencing  1st  June,  and  ending  the 
9th  inst.  with  the  deliveries  of  gold  coins  to  that  date  from  tin 
1st  August.  The  whole  amount  of  deposites  accumulated  fo 
coinage  under  the  new  ratio,  is  given  in  this  statement. 

The  amount  of  coinage  up  lo  the  6lh,  far  exceeded  the  de 
liveries  of  coins  contained  in  this  statement — a  mass  having  been 
accumulated  on  hand  to  discharge  heavy  deposites  from  New 
York,  to  be  made  in  the  current  week,  as  will  appear  in  th 
next  statement — nrarly  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollar 
in  gold  having  been  forwarded  this  week  to  that  place. 

I  have  only  now  to  add,  that  by  arrangements  involving  n 
disregard  of  the  rights  of  depositors,  all  applicants  for  gold  coin 
to  be  thrown  into  circulation,  have  been  supplied — in  most  in 
stances  at  once,  or  at  farthest  with  very  little  delay.  I  am  ver 
respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  SAM'L  MOORE. 

lion.  Levi  IVoodbury,  secretary  of  the  treasury. 

Statement  of  the  amount  of  gold  subject  to  coinage  under  th 
new  ratio,  deposited  within  the  period  commencing  1st  .linn 
and  ending  1st  August,  1834,  with  the  whole  amount  coine 
to  the  latter  dale  from  August  1st,  and  Ihe  amount  of  coin  d 
livered. 

Gold  bullion  deposited  in  June — coinage  deferred  under  an  an 
ticipation  of  the  action  of  congress  $61,50 

Gold  deposited  in  July,  and  deferred,  viz: 

Uncoined  bullion  133,300 

Coins  of  the  United  States  226,300 

Foreign  coins  47.400 

— 407,00 

Gold  deposited  from  the  1st  to  the  9th  August: 

Uncoined  bullion  25,000 

Coins  o«  the  U.  States  of  former  standard      48,000 
Foreign  coins  3,000 

76,00 


Whole  amount  coined  from  1st  to  9th  August 


544,5( 
310.01 


$234,5C 


Remaining  uncoined  August  9th 

— -oece 

MANUFACTORY  OF  PUBLIC  OPINIONS. 

From  the  Natchez  Courier  and  Journal. 

A  view  of  the  interior  of  a  manufactory  of  "public  opinions, 

under  the  "protection"  of  "the  government." 

CAocAuma,  May  26,  1834. 

SIR:     I  have  taken  the  Hberty  tn  send  you  a  few  copies 
gen.  Jackson's  protest,  which  it  is  hoped  you  will  di?triliute, 
(hat  the  people  as  far  as  n  convenient  will  be  informed  of  i 
contents.    The  friends  of  gen.  Jackson,  throughout  the  M:it 
have  elected  delegates  to  hold  a  slate  convention  at  Jacksoi 
on  the  second  Monday  in  June,  (this  day  three  weeks),    fio 
Runnels  and  aU  our  friends  below,  are  very  anxious  that  del 
tales  from  the  .new  counties  should  also  attend   this  i-nnvci 
lion.    It  in  hoped  you  will  hold  a  meeting  in  your  und  of  11 


'unty,  between  this  time  and  Thursday  week,  and  select  two 
ersons  who  can  go  to  Jackson  as  delegates. 
If  you  will  advise  us  of  the  persons  selected  we  will  hold  a 
Cftiii"  here  and  nominate  them  also.  It  in  also  wished  that 
i-.-e  delegates  (that  is,  as  many  as  are  sent  from  the  new 
•unties)  confer  with  the  governor,  a*  to  the  propriety  of  his 
•dering  an  election  for  members  in  the  next  session  of  the  leg- 
lalure  from  all  the  new  counties.  I  have  no  doubt,  myself, 
lit  he  will  do  it,  if  urged  by  the  people  of  the  new  counties  as 
;  has  always  been  a  friend  to  them.  I  herewith  enclose 
ugh  draughts  of  resolutions  which  have  usually  been  adopted 
the  lower  counties,  save  that  one  in  regard  to  Plnininer:  he 
ad  not  then  made  his  speech  in  support  of  gen.  Jackson. 
1  hope  you  will  write  to  me  by  the  bearer.  Your  friend,  &Ct 

(Signed)  SAMUEL  GWIN. 

To  Wm.  Fanning,  esq. 

JL    COPY   OF    THE    RESOLUTIONS. 

Al  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Talahatcha  county,  at  the 

ouse  of on day  of ,  1834,  who  are  in  fa- 

or  of  president  Jackson,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopt- 
d: 

Resolved,  That  we  entertain  the  highest  veneration  for  the 
haracter  and  services  of  general  Andrew  Jackson,  president  of 
"ie  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  the  recent  vote  of  censure  and  condemna- 
ion,  by  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  of  gen.  Andrew  Jack- 
on,  is  an  act  of  unprecedented  violence,  and  an  insult  to  the 
'  merican  people,  in  Ihe  person  of  their  president. 

Resolved,  That  we  fully  approve  of  the  course  of  president 

ndrew  Jackson,  in  relation  to  the  hank  of  the  United  States, 
ve  are  opposed  lo  the  restoration  of  the  government  deposites 
o  said  hank. 

Resolved,  That  we  approve  of  the  course  of  the  hon.  F.  E. 
Mummer,  he  being  the  only  member  from  the  slate  that  truly 
epresents  the  interests  of  the  people. 

Resolved,  That and ,  be  appointed  dele- 
gates, to  the  Jackson  convention  that  meets  at  Jackson  on  the 
«cond  Monday  in  June,  to  represent  the  county  of  Talahatcha 
n  said  convention. 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  signed  by 
he  president  and  secretary  and  published  in  all  the  papers  of 
his  .-late  friendly  to  the  administration. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  above  appointed  while  at  Jack- 
son  confer  with  such  others,  as  may  be  elected  from  the  new 
counties  and  request  his  excellency,  governor  Runnels  to  order 
an  election,  to  elect  members  to  represent  said  counties,  in 
the  next  legislature.* 

We  are  all  familiar,  adds  the  Courier,  with  the  circumstan 
ces  under  which  col.  Gwin  became  a  citizen  of  this  slate.  \\'e 
have  all  heard  of  his  appointment  to  the  office  ot  register  of 
public  lands,  at  Mount  Salus,  when  a  clerk  in  one  of  the  de- 
partments at  Washington  city;  of  his  rejection  by  the  senate;  of 
his  re-appointment,  during  the  recess  of  congress,  and  of  hi* 
rejection  a  second  time.  We  have  seen  the  perseverance  of 
the  president  to  keep  his  friend  in  office, — of  his  nomination  to 
the  office  at  Chochuma,of  the  same  col.  Gwin.  Having  obtain- 
ed the  privileges  of  citizenship,  the  senate  confirmed  his  ap- 
pointment. 

As  register  of  public  lands,  at  Chochuma,  how  do  we  find 
him  employed?  In  aiding  the  president,  (who  gave  him  his  of- 
fice and  means  of  support),  in  bringing  "the  patronage  of  the 
government  into  conflict  with  the  freedom  of  elections,"  by 
calling  meetings  and  manufacturing  PGBLIC  OPINION,  for  Ihe 
adoption  of  my  brethren  in  office,  "See.  &c. 

(ifJ-There  is  no  doubt  that  this  matter  will  be  enquired  into, 
and  that  the  president,  true  to  his  own  original  principles  of  re- 
form, will  "reform"  col.  Gwin — if  the  preceding  statement  is 
true! 

BANK  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

From  the  Journal  of  Commerce. 

The  following  comparative  statement  from  the  returns.of  the 
Uniled  States  bank  on  the  1st  of  July  and  1st  of  August,  shows 
in  what  way  the  curtailment  occurred  in  July,  and  vindicates 
the  bank  and  the  committee  of  merchants  from  the  unworthy 
imputation  which  the  Globe  and  other  Jackson  papers  have 
sought  to  throw  upon  them. 

The  curtailment  results  from  the  reduction  in  southern  drafts, 
which  have  been  paid  off,  as  is  usual  at  this  season  of  the  year. 
Tim  discount  lines  have  been  extended  in  all  the  piincipal 
cities;  and  the  statement  of  the  money  market  is  abundant  proof 
that  the  wants  of  trade  are  fully  supplied. 

General  statement.  1st  July.  1st  Jlugiut. 

Loans  on  personal  security  29,932,977  22        30,189,503  09 

"        bank  stock  1,031,32553          1,150,47823 

"        other  securities  3,459,618  97         3,411,135  67 


Domestic  bills  of  exchange 


34,423,9-21  72 
16,601,051  00 


3I,0!)I,116  99 
13,932,049  90 


51,024,972  72       48,62f3,166  89 


*As  Ihe  inquiry  will  probably  he  made,  how  these  document! 
came  into  our  possession,  we  will  state  that  a  gentleman  sent 
them  to  us,  with  the  assurance  that  they  were  obtained  in  an 
honorable  manner. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— ANTI-MASONS,  &c. 


433 


Baring,  Brothers  &  Co.  &c.  3,750,242  00 

Specie  12,823,91)7  UH 

Redemption  of  the  public  debt  848,581  26 

Treasurer  of  the  United  Stales  305,230  67 

Public  officers  1  ,.V>1 ,625  68 

Individual  deposiles  6,275.869  70 

Circulation  16,641,997  90 

Due  from  stale  banks,  2,565,5-24  28 

Uueio        do.        do.  2,156,796  94 

Loans  at  Boston. 

Loans  on  personal  security  1,216,796  53 

"        bank  stock  43,528  30 

"        other  securities  34,20000 

Domestic  bills  of  exchange  1,587,621   IS 

Dae  from  other  banks  46,398  41 

Due  to        do.        do.  81,937  27 

Loans  in  New  York. 

Loans  on  personal  security  4,527,193  46 

"        bank  stock  24,100  00 

"        other  securities  157,99802 


Domestic  bills  of  exchange 


4,706,291   48 
902,917  56 


5,609,209  04          5,887,812  69 


4,261,201  04 

13,626,049  63 

728,292  48 

438,650  27 

1,442,314  30 

6,804,633  95 

16,469,342  90 

1,893,752  68 

2,424,724  94 

1,295,035  66 
40,338  30 
25,100  00 
1,826,044  45 
160,506  17 
371,261  75 

4,775,733  71 
31,400  00 
123,433  54 

4,930,567  25 
957,245  44 


Due/rom  stale  banks 
Due  to        do.        do. 


818.731  09 
240,646  29 
Loans  in  Philadelphia. 

Loans  on  personal  security  3,298,822  16 

»        bank  stock  2-28,793  00 

•"        other  securities  2,165,003  40 


261,253  47 
583,054  54 

3,389,014  09 

256,563  00 

2,246,584  39 


•,'i  692  618  56 
Domestic  bills  of  exchange  l',072',040  91 


5,892,161  48 
1,200,111  65 


6,764,619  47  7,092,273  13 

Due  from  state  banks                         722,79971  644,91665 

Due  to        do.        do.                          323,825  94  461,866  01 

.Loans  at  Baltimore. 

Loans  on  personal  security            1,827,527  29  1,798,413  3' 

"        bank  stock                          116,920  00  113,650  OC 

"        other  securities                    50,200  00  50,200  00 

1,994,647  29  1,962.263  37 

184,281  51  237,516  35 


Domestic  bills  of  exchange 


Dtie/rom  state  banks 
Due  to        do.        do. 


2,178,928  80          2,199,779  72 


38.967  59 
39,117  99 


40,119  6 
84,181  19 


In  another  part  of  this  sheet,  we  have  offered  a  few  remark 
on  the  increased  amount  of  the  funds  of  the  bank  in  Europe 
and  the  riglufulness  of  them  is  shewn  in  the  preceding  table 
which  we  did  not  notice  until  after  those  remarks  were  in  type 

The  grand  aggregate  of  the  loans,  for  the  reason  assigned — t 
wit:  the  payment  of  southern  drafts,  (as  is  shewn  in  the  line  o 
domestic  bills),  was  lessened  considerably,  and  yet  it  appear 
that  the  bank  is  indebted  to  the  state  banks  more  than  half  a  mil 
lion,  in  the  aggregate — but  the  bank's  specie  and  specie  fund 
were  largely  increased  during  the  month  of  July.  The  "want 
of  trade"  are  much  restricied,  else  Ihe  funds  in  Europe  woul 
•soon  be  sold,  and  their  proceeds  added  lo  Ihe  funds  at  home 
There  is  a  general  increase  of  "loans  on  personal  security,"  an 
yet  the  circulation  of  the  bank  is  somewhat  diminished.  Th 
•"money  market"  is  very  easy,  that  is,  the  strongest  state  bank 
liave  obtained  confidence  from  the  great  strength  and  libera 
proceedings  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  yet  mone 
was  hardly  ever,  within  our  experience,  so  scarce  as  il  is  no\ 
in  the  ordinary  transaclions  between  man  and  man.  We  knov 
that  many  of  the  most  substantial  of  our  dealers  and  mechanic. 
are  hard  pressed  to  meet  the  demands  upon  them,  though  gen 
rally  doing  a  more  cautious  business  than  heretofore;  but  it 
this  caution  that,  by  reducing  Ihe  circulation  of  money,  makes 
"scarce."  Approved  notes  arc  freely  discounted  by  Ihe  banks — 
but  persons  capable  of  making  such  notes  do  not  make  thei 
freely.  ED.  REG. 

MATHEW  CAREY. 

We  feel  much  pleasure  in  recording  the  following  tribute 
retpect  lo  the  private  virtues  and  public  services  ol  our  loi 
valued  and  venerable  friend. 
A  number  of  citizens  having  subscribed  for  a  service  of  plat 

for  Mr.  M.  CAREY,  il  was  lately  presented  to  him,  accomp 

jiied  by  the  following  letter: 

Philadelphia,  July  4,  1834. 

DEAR  SIR:  On  behalf  of  a  number  of  your  personal  and  si 
cere  friends,  we  have  the  satisfaction  of  presenting  to  you  tl 
accompanying  service  of  plate,  of  which  they  request  your  a 
cepunce,  as  a  testimonial  of  their  respect  for  your  public  co 
duct,  and  their  e?teem  for  your  private  virtues.  They  lia 
long  witnessed  the  unwearied  efforts,  with  which  every  schem 
of  private  benevolent-.-,  and  every  plan  of  public  improvemen 
Jiai'e  ifouuJ  in  YOU  a  zealous  and  disjnteiustcd  advocate;  a 


em  your  whole  career  in  life  an  encouraging  example,  by  the 
lilalion  of  which,  without  the  aid  of  official  Italian  or  political 


I  "» 

'•I 


iter,  every  private  citizen  may  become  a  public  benefactor.     Of 
is  happy  union  of  Ihe  social  qualities  and  Ihe  patriotic  spirit 
a  good  citizen,  they  wish  to  offer  you  tins  permanent  iiieino- 
al,  which  they  pruy  you  to  receive,  wuli  tin  ir  beet  wishes  for 
e  continuance  of  your  health  and  iiM-lulm-". 
JOHN  SAVAGE, 
N.  DIDDLE, 

1'ETKR  S.   I>UI'O1X7CEAU, 
JOSEPH  DUGAN, 
ALEXANDER  HENRY. 
SAMUEL  RICHARDS.         |  3 
JOHN  VAUGHAN, 
JOHN  MEANV,  secretary. 
o  Mathew  Carey,  es<f.  Philadelphia. 

REPLY. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  wanl  words  lo  express  the  deep  sense  I  enter- 
ain  of  the  kind  and  friendly  feeling  to  which  I  am  indebted  for 
IB  veiy  gratilying  mark  of  your  esteem,  which  I  have  had  Ihe 
onor  to  receive  this  day — and,  in  a  most  especial  manner,  for 
le  courteous  and  flattering  terms  of  the  letter  by  which  it  is 
ccompnnitd. 

Such  a  testimonial,  from  any  number  of  my  fellow  citizens, 
owever  remotely  situated,  I  should  highly  and  deservedly 
rize — but  emanating,  as  it  doe*,  almost  altogether  from  citi- 
ens  of  Philadelphia,  a  city  where  I  have  resided  within  a  few 
lonlhs  of  half  a  century,  and  where  1  have  been  on  terms  of 
riendly  intercourse  for  len,  fifteen  or  Iwenly  years,  with  many 
f  Ihe  contributors,  by  most  of  whom  1  must  be  intimately 
nown — it  acquires  a  greatly  enhanced  value;  and  hence  I 
hall  always  regard  the  presentation  as  one  of  the  most  pre- 
ious  incidents  of  my  life.  I  remain  yours,  very  respectfully, 

MATHEW  CAREY. 

Messrs.  John   Savage,  Nicholas  Biddle,  Peter  S.  Duponceau, 
Joseph    Dugan,  .Alexander  Henry,   Samuel  Richards,  John 
Fat/s/ian  and  John  Meany,  esqrs. 
Philadelphia,  July  4, 1834. 

The  following  is  the  inscription — 

MATHEW  CAREY, 

FROM    HIS    SINCERE    FRIENDS, 

AS  A  TESTIMONIAL  OF  THEIR  GRATITUDE 
FOR  HIS  PUBLIC  SERVICES, 

AND    THEIR 

Esteem  for  his  Private  Virtues. 

July  4,  1834. 

The  names  of  the  donors,  thirty-two  in  number,  are  engrav- 
d  on  the  plate,  which  may  be  seen  at  Messrs.  Wilson's,  nortb 
fifth  street. 


ANTI-MASONS,  &c. 
From  the  Worcester  Palladium. 

Worcester,  July  31,  1834. 
To  his  excellency  John  Davis: 

SIR:  You  are  undoubtedly  aware,  that  since  the  organization 
of  the  anti-masonic  party  in  this  commonwealth,  a  committee 
"or  this  county  has  constantly  existed,  with  instructions  to  hold 
such  correspondence,  and  from  time  to  time  to  make  such  com- 
munications to  the  members  of  the  parly  and  to  the  public  as 
n  their  judgment  the  common  good  might  require.  Upon  a 
recenl  and  very  full  consultation  with  the  members  of  the  com- 
mittee, 1  have  been  requested  as  their  organ,  lo  submit  to  you 
in  their  behalf,  the  present  communication. 

We  trust  that  no  apology  is  necessary  for  the  liberty  we  take 
in  addressing  you  upon  a  subject  which  we  deem  to  be  of  the 
highest  importance  lo  the  public  welfare.  The  measures  and 
the  policy  of  the  present  national  administration  have  been, 
and  now  are,  of  such  cjiaiacter  as  lo  awaken  in  every  patriotic 
mind  a  strong  feeling  of  solicitude  for  the  preservation  of  our 
constitution  and  laws,  and  the  perpetuity  of  our  republican  in- 
stitutions. This  feeling  prompts  us  in  this,  as  in  every  other 
political  exigency,  to  look  to  the  ballot  box  as  the  true  correc- 
tive of  whatever  evil  afflicts  Ihe  country,  thioujih  the  influence 
of  impolitic  measures  of  unskilful,  incompetent  or  corrupt  ru- 
lers. 

In  this  commonwealth,  ns  you  perfectly  well  know,  the  op- 
ponents of  the  national  administration  are  divided  among  them- 
selves on  a  subject  which  has  no  direct  reference  to  the  mea- 
sures of  the  government:  but  yet  that  subject  has  become  so 
mingled  with  our  state  politics  ns  materially  to  affect  the  just 
influence  which  the  people  of  Massachusetts  might  otherwise 
have  in  our  national  councils. 

It  is  obvious  to  every  one  that  the  masonic  institution  is  the 
cause  of  this  division.  Must  that  division  necessarily  continue? 
In  the  present  aspect  of  our  affairs  havina  reference  alike  to 
public  opinion,  and  the  existing  laws  of  Ihe  commonwealth 
upon  this  subject,  is  it  not  reasonable  to  anticipate  that  the  sen- 
timents of  the  whig  defenders  of  the  constitution  will  be  found 
lo  be  so  far  in  accordance  with  those  whose  mono  is  "Ihe  su- 
premacy of  the  laws,"  as  10  enable  them,  al  Icasl  on  great  and 
leading  questions  of  policy,  to  act  in  harmonious  union  with 
each  other? 

Knowing  your  attachment  to  the  principles  and  form  of  our 
government  and  the  devotion  you  have  often  manifested  to  the 


434 


NiLES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1 834— PRESIDENT  AND  SENATE. 


rights  and  interests  of  the  people,  may  we  not  hope  thai  you 
will  communicate  to  us,  with  your  usual  frankness,  your  view: 
of  the  duty  of  the  citizens  of  this  common  wealth  at  this  import 
ant  crisis? 

Many,  and  we  have  no  doubt  a  great  majority  of  the  anli-ma- 
lonic  parly,  with  which  We  an:  associated,  and  whose  agents 
within  a  limited  sphere  we  have  been  and  still  are,  will  sacri- 
fice every  thing  but  their  principles  to  bring  back  the  govern- 
ment to  its  original  character,  and  sustain  it  OH  the  I>,IM>  ol  the 
constitution.  Under  the  influence  of  this  patriotic  sentiment 
they  will  duly  recognize  a  similarity  of  opinion  on  the  part  o 
those  from  whom  they  have  heretofore  been  separated  by  ;i 
contrariety  of  opinion 'in  regard  lo  an  institution,  which  thej 
believe  the  public  good  demands  should  no  longer  he  unions;  us 
to  disturb  our  political  harmony.  With  a  firm  conviction  o' 
the  integrity  of  their  motives,  and  the  honesty  of  their  inten 
lions,  we  are  fully  persuaded,  that  no  minor  considerations  will 
prevent  their  acting  on  the  broad  and  common  ground  of  oppo- 
sition to  the  national  administration  wherever  they  c.m  do  so 
without  compromising  the  principles  which  they  believe  to  be 
founded  in  their  common  right  and  duty. 

We  shall  be  gratified  lo  receive  your  reply  to  this  communi- 
cation at  as  early  a  day  as  may  suit  your  convenience;  and 
shall  feel  an  additional  obligation  for  your  permission  lo  give 
publicity  to  your  sentiment*.  I  am.  sir,  vrry  respectfully,  your 
obedient  servant,  PLINY  MEURICK. 

For  and  in  behalf  of  the  anti-masonic  committee  forthe  coun- 
ty of  Worcester. 

Worcester,  Jug.  1,  1834. 

SIR:  Your  favor  addressed  to  me  in  behalf  of  the  anti  maso- 
nic committee  for  the  county  of  Worcester,  was  received  this 
day — as  the  contents  relate  to  the  political  affairs  of  the  coun- 
try, and  as  I  stand  before  the  public  in  the  attitude  of  a  candi- 
date for  the  suffrages  of  the  people,  I  might  excuse  myself  from 
a  compliance  with  your  request.  Perhaps  prudence  would  sug- 
gest this  course,  arid  (  should  unhesitatingly  yield  obedience  to 
that  suggestion,  if  the  communication  came  from  those  who 
have  honored  me  with  their  support.  But  it  originates  from  a 
different  source.  It  is  courteous  in  its  language,  and  appears, 
as  far  as  I  can  judge,  10  emanate,  not  from  a  spiiit  of  political 
intrigue,  but  from  an  honest  desire  to  advance  the  public  good. 
As,  therefore,  those  who  have  addressed  me  have  decided,  for 
themselves,  that  such  a  measure  is  both  proper  and  expedient, 
I  can  perceive  no  violation  of  any  duty,  or  obligation  I  owe  to 
my  fellow  citizens,  in  making  a  brief  reply,  though  I  am  aware 
that  whatever  may  be  said  will  probably  be  perverted  and  mis- 
represented by  those  who  may  think  their  interests  promoted 
by  such  a  course. 

You  dwell  with  much  earnestness  upon  the  crisis  in  our  na- 
tional affairs,  and  surely  it  demands  the  dispassionate  consider- 
ation of  every  patriot.  A  firm  union  and  an  active  co-opera- 
tion of  all  citizens  attached  to  the  constitution,  and  anxious  to 
preserve  the  substance,  as  well  as  the  form*  of  free  govern- 
ment, is  a  duty  which  each  and  every  one  owes  to  our  common 
country. 

Federal  power  must  be  restrained  to  its  constitutional  limits, 
and  those  who  exercise  it  must  be  held  to  strict  accountability; 
an  accountability  which  will  suffer  no  abuse  or  usurpation  of 
power  to  escape  popular  condemnation,  or  the  lust  of  ambition 
will  overshadow  the  land  with  tyranny.  Our  reliance  to  sup- 
press this  kind  of  temerity,  whenever  il  exists,  is  upon  the 
voice  of  the  people,  the  sentence  of  ihe  ballot  box,  and  the 
more  united  the  pi  ople  are,  the  more  efficacious  will  be  that 
sentence. 

I  concur,  therefore,  in  the  opinion  that  this  commonwealth 
will  not  have  its  just  influence  in  the  councils  of  the  United 
States,  unless  those  who  harmonise  in  their  views  of  public  po- 
licy can  act  in  concert. 

No  one  laments  more  than  I  do  the  estrangement  which  we 
Witness.  No  one  has  felt  more  sincerely  desirous  of  restoring 
mutual  confidence;  and  no  one  has  been,  or  is,  more  willing  to 
obey  the  public  will  in  whatever  may  be  necessary  to  accom- 
plish so  desirable  an  end. 

You  observe  that  "it  is  obvious  to  every  one  that  the  maso- 
nic institution  is  the  cause  of  this  division,"  and  you  have  been 
pleased  to  ask  my  "views  of  the  duties  of  the  citizens  of  this 
commonwealth  at  this  important  erNU." 

That  the  public  mind  is  greatly  agitated,  and  that  the  masonic 
institution  is  a  disturbing  cause  admits  of  no  doubt.  It  is 
equally  clear  to  my  own  mind  that  it  i*  a  high  and  imperative 
duly  which  all  good  citi/.ens  owe  to  tbe  stale,  to  endeavor  by 
all  reasonable  means  «nd  sacrifices  to  restore  public  harmony. 
I  fear,  however,  in  making  this  appeal  you  over  estimate  the 
importance  of  my  humble  opinions;  indeed  in  an  excited  state 
Of  sentiment,  one  can  scarcely  maintain  reasonable  opinion* 
without  ha/.arding  reproach  from  the  zealous  and  healed. 

Whether  thifcontroversy  is  to  continue,  and  the  influence  of 
the  siate  to  be  impaired  by  it,  must  depend  on  the  exercise  of 
mutual  forbearance  and  patriotism.  In  parly  conflicts  we  must 
not  lose  sight  o  our  country  and  its  institutions;  hut  must  re- 
member we  have  a  consiituliori,  on  the  preservation  of  which, 
depends  our  political  happiness  and  the  best  hope?  of  mankind. 
Conciliation  did  much  dining  Hie  last  winter  towards  stir- 
monnting  the  barriers  of  separation,  and  I  entertained  hopes 
that  it  had  excited  an  impulse  which  would  have  accomplished 
much  more  before  this  time. 

The  statue  against  oaths  not  authorised  by  law,  was  sustain- 
ed with  a  unanimity  of  sentiment,  and  a  patriotic  zeal  for  the 


public  peace,  which  gave  apparent  promise  of  a  voluntaiy  aban- 
donment of  the  ina.-omc  lodges.  The  bitterness  of  feeling 
which  had  characterised  the  controversy  made  some  assuaging 
measure  necessary  to  heal  dissension,  and  none  seemed  to  me 
so  eitiratiiiiis  as  this  in  restoring  peace  to  the  public  mind,  and 
consequently  harmony  to  our  councils.  It  ought  to  be  done  for 
the  good  of  the  country;  and  1  doubt  not  the  spirit  of  patriotism 
which  has  distinguished  many  of  this  class  of  our  fellow  citi- 
zens, will  outweigh  all  attachment  to  the  institution,  and  lead 
to  a  speedy  relmquishrnent  of  it.  This  step  will  entitle  those 
who  bring  it  about  to  the  gratitude  of  the  public.  It  will  be  hut 
carrying  out  the  manly  feeling  which  sustained  the  law  of  the 
last  session  of  the  legislature,  and  anticipating  immediately  the 
result  to  which  that  law  must  lead. 

In  expressing  these  sentiments,  I  feel  assured  that  I  concur 
in  opinion  with  a  great  majority  of  the  people  of  this  common- 
wealth; and,  1  may  add,  do  but  make  known  in  this  form  opi- 
nions which  I  have  long  freely  avowed.  It  seems  to  me  no 
other  course  could  so  speedily  and  effectually  tranquillize  pub- 
lic sentiment.  If,  however,  discontent  should  remain,  it  will 
be  among  those  only  who  have  concealed  reasons  lor  maintain- 
ing a  controversy,  and  are  opposed  to  reconciliation. 

On  the  whole,  without  entering  more  into  the  subject,  allow 
me  to  observe,  that  much  in  the  spirit  of  peace  has  been  done; 
and  I  douht  not  among  the  calm,  considerate  and  patriotic, 
whose  influences  must  prevail,  there  is  a  disposition  to  do 
more;  and  if  this  temper  is  appreciated,  if  it  shall  meet  with  a 
like  disposition  for  peace,  all  causes  of  discontent  will  soon  dis- 
appear. It  is  however  as  impossible  instantaneously  to  com- 
pose intellectual  strife  as  it  is  to  smooth  the  surface  of  the  agi- 
tated ocean.  But  if  there  is,  as  I  have  no  doubt  there  is,  a  de- 
sire abroad  to  harmonise  rather  than  irritate,  and  if  there  is 
manly  independence  enough  to  follow  what  the  judgment  dic- 
tates to  be  right,  instead  of  serving  reluctantly  in  the  ranks  of 
party  warfare,  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  your  hopes  of  tran- 
quillity will  soon  be  realised. 

I  have  now,  sir,  frankly  communicated  to  you  such  views  as 
seem  to  me  important,  and  will  close  by  observing  that  forbear- 
ance and  mutual  respect  will  not  only  restore  mutual  confi- 
dence, but  will  remove  the  causes  of  controversy.  With  great 
respect,  your  ob't  servant,  J.  DAVIS. 

To  Pliny  Merrick,  esq.  chairman  of  the  anti-masonic  commit- 
tee for  the  county  of  Worcester. 


THE  PRESIDENT  AND  THE  SENATE. 

The  New  York  Courier  &  Enquirer  publishes  an  extract  from 
a  speech  delivered  in  the  senate  of  the  United  Slale.s  by  Mr. 
Van  Buren,  the  present  vice  president  of  the  United  States, 
which  has  a  powerful  hearing  upon  the  hostilities  waged  by  the 
president  of  the  United  States  during  the  laic  session  of  con- 
gress, and  kept  up  since  the  adjournment  with  great  spirit  by 
the  organized  press — on  which  tbe  following  extracts  bear  with 
great  severity. 

We  recommend  them  to  the  consideration  of  the  managers  of 
these  presses,  and  to  all  other  persons  who  are  in  the  habit  of 
speaking  of  the  "corruptions"  of  the  senate,  a  nd  even  of'expregg- 
ing  wishes  for  the  annihilation  of  that  body.  Some  of  these 
may  well  he  startled  at  Mr.  Van  Buren's  use  of  the  words 
"whigs  and  lories." 
Extracts  from  Martin  Van  Bur  en's  speech  in  the  senate  of  the  U. 

States,  on  Mr.  foot's  amendment  to  the  rules  of  the  senate,  hy 

u'hich  it  was  proposed  to  gti-e  the  vice  president  the  right  to 

call  to  order  for  words  spoken  in  debate. 

"Who,  said  he,  can  be  blind  to  the  consequences,  that,  in 
the  political  agitations  of  the  times,  may  he  fairly  apprehended 
from  the  possession  of  this  power  by  the  vice  president?  Who 
cannot  see  what  a  tremendous  ensinn  it  may  become  in  the 
tiands  of  an  ambitious  and  still  aspiring  executive?  That  it  may 
eive  him,  through  the  agency  of  his  political  friend  and  coadju- 
tor in  this  body,  a  complete  and  irresistible  control  over  the  de- 
bates of  its  members,  and  consequently  over  the  extent  and 
character  of  the  information  on  public  affairs  to  be  given  through 
us  to  the  people? 

The  connexion  of  the  executive  with  the  senate  is  much 
closer  than  with  the  house  of  representatives.  Upon  the  suh- 
ect  of  treaties,  appointments  and  the  whole  range  of  executive 
iiisiness,  the  senate  is  almost  the  only  check.  It  is,  therefore, 
of  vital  importance  that  it  should  he  irh»!ly  exempt  from  executive 
control.  This  body  was  looked  upon  by  the  framers  of  the  con- 
lilution,  as  a  sanctuary  for  the  federal  and  equal  rights  of  the 
tales,  and  so  framed  t>»  to  cherish  that  sentiment  on  the  part 
)f  its  members.  It  is  here  alone  thai  the  federal  principle  had 
"leen  preserved:  a  principle  valuable  to  all,  but  particularly  to 
:he  small  stales;  for  it  is  in  this  department  alone  thai  llieir 
nerfect  .quality  is  recognised.  P.nt  where,  sir,  will  be  its  ef- 
iciency,  if  the  doctrine  contended  for  be  established?  When, 
Vreafter,  a  oenator  shall  feel  it  to  be  his  duly  to  attempt  in 
anguage  which  he  may  think  the  occasion  requires,  to  arrest 
'iicronrhmcnt  of  the  executive,  or  to  seek  redress  by  exposing 
ihuses  of  trust  on  its  part,  or  that  of  any  of  its  subordinate!",  lie 
nay  find  his  lips  cloned,  not  indeed,  as  of  old.  by  sag  Inw,  hut 
by  a  power  far  more  effectual.  He  may  perhaps  be  told,  that 
illhoiiL'h  it  is  his  right  to  canvass  freely  the  public  acts  of  the 
ire-nli-nt  and  his  cabinet,  it  must  he  done  in  a  manner  more 
lecorous;  that  their  motives  are  not  to  he  rudely  scanned  and 
discredited;  that  debates  of  that  character,  having  a  tendency 
unjustly  to  alienate  tha  confidence  of  the  people,  are  out  of 


N1LES'  UKGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— PHILADELPHIA  RIOTS. 


4S5 


order;  that  if  he  will  shape  his  periods  according  lo  the  pre 
scribed  form,  and  measure  tlie  extent  and  bitterness  of  his  de 
iiiiiiciaiion  l>y  the  administration  slandatd,  he  may  go  on — bu 
if  not,  he  niiisi  desist.  *  *  *  *  Jn  his  opinion,  UK 
senate  would  hi;  vvantiiiL'  in  what  it  owed  to  il8  constituents 
to  itself,  to  its  true  inten  sts  and  dignity,  if  it  could  for  a  ino 
merit  lend  its  sanction  to  a  principle  so  untenable  and  so  il,-ui 
gerous.  The  senate,  heretofore,  ke  aaid,  had  not  been  inseniibli 
to  what  belonged  lo  Us  rights.  It  was  but  the  session  before  the  last 
that  the  executive,  in  it  communication  to  us,  advanced  a  prcten- 
tion  incompatible  n-itli  the  constitutional  rights  of  the  senate 
Jind  how  was  it  received1!  It  was  not  the  exercise,  but  merely  the 
assertion  of  a  power,  on  his  part — an  assertion,  it  is  true,  wholly 
unsup/iortuble;  ami,  lie  believed  no  one  would  deny,  most  unuisel] 
put  forth.  Jlnd  how,  he  itskcd  again,  had  it  been  treated1!  Re 
solutions  ircrc  introduced  DENOUNCING  THE  UNFOUNDED  ASSCMP 

TION  A3  AN  EXECUTIVE  ENCROACHMENT  THAT  OUGHT  TO  BE  RE- 
SISTED. A  disposition  to  do  so,  and  to  preserve  and  mainlaii 
the  just  rights  of  the  hody,  not  on  our  own  account,  hut  in  be- 
halfof  those  who  sent  us  here,  was  then  manifested,  that  in  hi 
judgment  reflected  tin:  highest  honor  on  the  hody. 

''In  every  point  of  view,  said  Mr.  V.  B.  in  which  this  sub- 
ject had  presented  itself  to  his  mind,  it  had  produced  hut  one 
sentiment,  and  that  was  unqualified  opposition  to  the  preroga- 
tive claimed  by  the  chair.  Although  this  claim  of  power  is  now 
for  the  first  time  made,  the  principle  in  which  it  originates  is  a 
old  as  the  government  itself.  I  look  upon  it,  sir,  as  the  legiti- 
mate offspring  of  a  school  of  politic*,  which  has,  in  times  past, 
agitated  and  greatly  distuibed  this  country — of  a  school,  the 
leading  principle  of  which  may  be  traced  to  that  great  source  of 
the  political  contentions  which  have  pervaded  every  country 
where  the  rights  of  man  were  in  any  degree  respected.  I  al- 
lud«,  sir,  to  that  collision  which  seems  to  be  inseparable  from 
the  nature  of  man,  between  the  rights  of  tbe/ew  and  the  many 
— to  those  never  ceasing  conflicts  between  the  advocates  of  the 
enlargement  and  concentration  of  power,  on  the  one  hand,  and 
its  limitation  and  distribution  on  the  other:  CONFLICTS  WHICH, 
IN  ENOLAND,  CREATED  THE  DISTINCTION  BETWEEN  WHIGS  AND 
TORIES:  the  latter  striving  by  all  the  means  within  their  reach 
to  increase  the  dominion  and  influence  of  the  throne,  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  commons  and  people;  and  the  former  to  counter- 
act the  exertions  of  their  adversaries,  by  abridging  its  dominion 
and  influence,  for  the  advancement  of  the  rights  and  the  con- 
sequent amelioration  of  the  condition  of  the  people." 

PHILADELPHIA  RIOTS— SECOND  NIGHT. 
From  the  Pennsylvanian,  August  15. 

The  riots  recommenced  on  "Wednesday  night  with  redoubled 
activity  and  fury.  In  consequence  of  the  disturbances  of  the 
preceding  evening,  the  city  police,  under  the  mayor,  were 
marched  just  after  dark  to  the  southern  boundaries  of  the  city, 
and  the  police  of  the  districts  were  also  assembled.  The  riot- 
ers, however,  did  not  show  themselves  in  any  force  until  about 
11  o'clock,  when  the  peace  officers,  worn  out  by  the  toils  of  the 
affray  on  Tuesday, and  not  anticipating  a  second  riot,  had  gene- 
rally retired. 

The  onset  was  made  in  Seventh  street  between  Shippen  and 
Fitzwater  streets.  Two  three  ctoried  brick  houses  on  the  west 
side,  occupied  by  blacks,  were  first  assailed.  The  windows 
and  doors  were  dashed  to  pieces,  the  furniture  demolished,  and 
the  inhabitants  dragged  from  their  beds  and  dreadfully  beaten. 
In  the  morning  on«  of  them  was  carried  to  the  hospital.  The 
mob  then  moved  on  to  Baker  street,  where  three  frame  houses 
were  almost  torn  to  pieces,  and  completely  riddled  with  stones. 
The  little  property  of  the  inhabitants,  bedsteads,  bedding,  &.c. 
was  strewed  about  the  streets  in  fragments.  It  is  not  known 
whether  the  occupants  were  much  hurt.  In  Baker  below  Se- 
venth street,  several  frame  buildings  shared  the  same  fate;  and 
in  Seventh  below  Baker  street,  two  other  houses  were  as  much 
injured.  The  First  African  Presbyterian  church  in  Seventh 
street,  exhibits  serious  marks  of  the  fray.  The  doors  are  dent- 
ed and  battered,  and  the  window  sashes  knocked  to  pieces. 
The  rioters  found  it  impossible  to  effect  an  entrance,  or  the  in- 
terior of  the  church  would  have  buen  demolished. 

In  Shippen  street  below  Seventh,  two  large  three- story  brick 
houses  are  reduced  to  mere  wrecks.  The  doors  and  window 
shutters  are  hanging  in  fragments,  and  the  houses  are  thorough- 
ly gutted.  A  frame  house  adjacent  suffered  as  badly.  The  pail- 
ings,  a  small  front  garden,  and  the  fragments  of  the  buildings  at 
this  point  exhibit  melancholy  instances  of  the  fury  of  the  rioters. 
A  small  court  opposite,  occupied  altogether  by  blacks,  appears 
to  have  been  an  especial  object  of  attack.  Upwards  of  six 
houses  were  here  assailed  and  dealt  with  as  violently  as  others. 
In  Small  street,  four  or  five  frame  tenements  suffered  severely. 

The  damage  above  described  was  seen  by  us,  in  a  hasty  walk 
over  the  ground  yesterday;  but  we  are  informed  that  it  is  only 
part  of  the  whole  mischief  perpetrated.  The  scene  was  a  me- 
lancholy example  of  mob  violence.  The  furniture  of  the  houses 
was  broken  into  the  smallest  fragments;  nothing  escaped;  the 
bedding  was  carried  into  the  streets,  ripped  up  with  knives,  and 
the  contents  scattered  far  and  wide.  The  bedsteads,  chairs  and 
table  were  hacked  to  chips.  The  inhabitants  who  were  not 
fortunate  enough  to  fly  at  the  first  approach  of  the  rioters,  were 
treated  with  brutal  cruelty;  and  we  learned  that  an  old  inoffen- 
sive negro  was  lying  dead  from  the  effects  of  the  treatment  he 
received,  in  the  wreak  of  his  house.  Others  who  were  carried 
to  the  hospital,  it  is  said  cannot  survive.  Murder  if  then  to  be 
added  to  the  account  of  the  riots  in  Philadelphia. 


Between  one  and  two  o'clock  the  combined  police  made  an 
effectual  rush  upon  the  mob,  headed,  we  believe,  by  the  mayor 
of  the  city,  arid  quietness  was  restored.  Ten  or  fifteen  prison- 
ers were  made,  who  were  carried  direct  lo  prison. 

The  following  particulars  are  from  the  afternoon  papers  of 
yesterday: 

The  mob  assembled  as  before,  in  the  Honpital  lot.  From 
thence  they  proceeded  in  a  body  lo  the  corner  of  Small  and  Sixth 
Ftrcet.  At  this  time  the  crowd  must  have  consisted  of  nearly 
500  persons,  generally  lads  from  17  to  20  years  old,  with  a  num- 
ber of  men.  They  appeared  to  act  in  accordance  with  a  pre- 
concerted plan  generally  underxiood.  The  white  resident*  in 
the  district  extended  a  light  from  their  windows  and  the  houses 
thus  designated  were  respected. 

Not  a  house,  the  dwelling  of  colored  people,  was  spared.  The 
poor  blacks,  affrighted  at  the  approaching  storm,  had  fled  their 
houses,  and  even  the  city,  and  took  repose  by  thousands  in  the 
fields  and  woods  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city. 

The  mob  entered  one  house  where  a  man,  who  had  not  been 
awakened  by  his  frightened  companions,  was  found  in  his  bed 
asleep.  The  rioters  in  despite  ot  his  piteous  entreaties  for  mer- 
cy, seized  the  poor  fellow  and  hurled  him  out  of  the  window. 

Soon  alter  the  mob  collected  at  the  corner  of  South  and  Se- 
venth streets,  word  was  given  to  march  down  Seventh  street, 
the  police  of  the  city  being  too  strong  to  permit  any  breaches  of 
the  peace  within  their  boundaries. 

On  the  way  down  several  blacks  were  inhumanly  beaten  and 
dreadfully  lacerated.  In  one  house  there  was  a  corpse,  which 
was  thrown  out  of  the  coffin;  and  another,  a  dead  infant,  was 
taken  out  of  the  bed  and  cast  on  the  floor,  the  mother  being  at 
the  same  time  barbarously  treated.  The  signal  words  of  the 
mob  were"Gunnee,"  "Punch"  and  "Big  Gun."  Robber*  were 
busy,  dining  tne  disturbance,  in  pillaging  the  houses  that  were 
attacked. 

The  Philadelphia  Gazette  says: 

"In  the  course  of  an  hour  from  the  commencement  of  the  riot, 
the  police  of  the  city,  headed  by  the  mayor,  and  the  watchmen 
and  constables  of  the  district  of  Moyamensing  and  Southwark, 
assembled  near  the  spot,  and  made  arrangements  for  attacking 
the  mob.  They  formed  in  two  divisions,  one  led  by  the  mayor 
in  person,  and  the  lieutenant  of  the  city  watch,  and  the  other  by 
high  constable  Blaney  and  captain  Bell,  and  advanced  from  se- 
veral points,  so  as  to  surround  the  mob,  which  by  this  time 
numbered  from  one  to  two  hundred  persons.  They  made  a  vi- 
gorous attack  upon  the  rioters,  and  at  once  put  the  whole  body 
to  flight.  About  twenty  persons  were  captured,  and  conveyed 
lo  the  police  office.  Many  of  them,  we  learn,  had  about  them 
articles  of  plunder.  After  an  examination  before  the  mayor, 
they  were  committed  for  further  hearing." 

From  the  Philadelphia  Intelligencer,  Jlug.  15. 

Seventeen  of  the  rioters  have  been  apprehended  and  commit- 
ted. We  never  saw  a  worse  looking  set  of  objects,  they  ap- 
peared to  he  of  the  most  brutish  and  lowest  cast  of  society.  Af- 
ter the  rioters  anested  last  evening  were  commuted  to  prison 
by  the  Mayor,  a  colored  man  named  William  Rohjnson,  took  it 
upon  himself  to  harrangue  a  mob  in  front  of  the  state  house,  on 
last  night's  doings.  He  was  requested  by  the  police  to  desist 
and  go  away,  but  pointedly  refused,  and  was  at  length  taken 
prisoner.  The  mayor  declared,  that  at  this  period  of  excite- 
nent  he  would  suffer  no  mobs  lo  collect,  and  any  one  detected 
in  an  attempt  to  collect  a  crowd,  would  be  vigorously  dealt 
with,  lluliiii.-uii  was  bound  over,  in  the  sum  of  $300,  to  keep 
the  peace,  and  to  stand  committed  unlit  the  bail  was  procured. 
P.  S.  During  the  course  of  last  evening  an  immense  concourse 
of  persons  from  all  parts  of  the  city,  assembled  in  the  neighbor- 
lood  of  the  former  riots — several  companies  of  the  volunteers 
are  under  arms — hut  up  to  the  hour  of  closing  the  paper  we  had 
:ieard  of  no  further  excesses. 

From  the  Philadelphia  Inquirer. 

From  the  same  source  as  well  ;»  through  other  channels,  we 
are  assured  that  notwithstanding  the  fearful  height  which  the 
riot  reached,  and  the  great  destruction  of  property  that  follow- 
;d,  the  whole  affair  mighl  have  been  effectually  suppressed  by 
he  exertions  of  twenty  or  thirly  resolute  and  determined  men. 
This,  however,  was  not  done,  and  the  dwellings  of  unoffending 
ilacks,  against  whom  not  a  shadow  of  offence  was  even  al- 
eged,  were  shamefully  abused,  the  inmates  compelled  to  flee 
or  safety,  and  their  furniture  broken  up  and  scattered  about 
.he  streets.  In  Shippen  street  between  Sixth  and  Seventh 
ilreels,  in  Small  above  Fifth  streel,  and  in  Mary,  Bedford,  Ba- 
ker and  other  minor  streets  in  that  parl  of  Ihe  town,  the  de- 
struction of  properly  exceeds  belief—No  less  than  thirty  seven 
louses,  some  of  them  substantial  brick  tenements,  were  more 
or  less  destroyed,  and  many  of  them  rendered  entirely  uninha- 
lilable.  We  saw  yesterday  morning  the  streets  in  various  di- 
rections covered  with  feathers  torn  from  beds,  mahogany  side- 
mards,  tables,  looking  glasses,  China  ware,  chairs,  and  other 
tousehold  furniture  shattered  to  pieces  and  lying  about  in 
leaps. 

THIRD    NIGHT. 

From  the  Pennsylcanian,  J?u«.  16. 

Extensive  preparations  were  made  on  Thursday  evening  by 
he  sheriff,  the  mayor,  and  the  magistracy  of  the  districts,  to 
;ive  the  brutal  and  cowardly  miscreants  a  warm  reception  if 
hey  dared  to  attempt  a  renewal  of  their  outrages  of  Wednes- 
lay  night  upon  the  defenceless  negroes.  The  sheriff  summon- 
ed the  posse  comitatui,  and  drafted  several  hundred  active 


436 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— CHARLESTOWN  RIOTS. 


young  men  for  the  suppression  of  the  riots.  The  first  troop  of 
cavalry  was  called  out,  and  several  companies  of  volunteer  in- 
fantry, among  which  were  the  Washington  and  Lafayette 
Grays,  provided  with  ball  cartridges.  The  whole  strength  of  the 
city  police  was  mustered,  and  likewise  that  of  the  Southwark 
and  Moyamensing  police.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  evening  the 
various  bodies  assembled;  the  civil  power  of  the  city  making  the 
hospital  lot  the  rendezvous,  and  the  military  remaining  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Hall  of  Independence  ready  to  move  at  the  first 
alarm. 

The  crowd  was  immense  throughout  the  scene  of  the  riots  o 
the  preceding  evening,  but  were  generally  quiet  and  decorous 
in  their  behavior.  A  slight  disturbance  took  place  early  in  the 
evening,  in  front  of  a  three  story  brick  house  called  Benezet 
Hall,  in  Seventh  near  Lombard  street,  in  which  it  was  report- 
ed a  body  of  blacks  were  collected  for  defence.  Whether  that 
was  the  case  or  not  we  cannot  say  from  personal  observation, 
the  house  being  closed  from  cellar  to  garret;  but  we  are  inform- 
ed that  at  one  lime  the  multitude  in  front,  large  as  it  was,  va- 
liantly took  to  their  heels  before  a  rush  made  by  five  or  six 
men  from  an  adjoining  alley.  Smite  qui  peat,  was  the  prevail- 
ing sentiment,  and  it  was  well  acted  on.  This  house  was  the 
object  of  especial  regard  from  the  afternoon  until  after  mid- 
night. A  strong  party  of  police  were  stationed  close  at  hand, 
and  the  people  were  frequently  exhorted  to  retire,  instead  of 
being  compelled  to  do  so. — We  learn  at  the  police  oliice  thai 


The  condition  of  hundreds  of  blacks,  driven  from  their  homes, 
is  exciting  much  attention  in  Philadelphia.  Many  were  with- 
out shelter. 

Peace  seems  restored  to  the  city  and  its  southern  precincts; 
but  a  strong  police  was  yet  kept  up  to  preserve  it. 


premises. 

In  walking  through  the  sacked  district,  large  crowds  were 
observed,  who  were  invariably  quiet  enough;  but  about  ten 
o'clock,  two  mounted  police  officers  came  galloping  up  and  an- 
nounced that  the  riolers  were  busy  in  tearing  down  a  frame 
meeting  house,  below  Ihe  Wharlon  market,  at  least  a  mile 
from  the  devastations  of  Wednesday  night.  The  posse  comita- 
tus,  accompanied  by  a  greal  concourse,  and  headed  by  col.  P. 
A.  Brown,  marched  to  the  spot;  Die  building  lay  level  with  the 
ground;  not  a  slick  was  standing;  but  the  rioters  had  disappear- 
ed sometime  before.  No  one  was  to  be  seen  except  the  neigh- 
bors, who  stated  that  the  destruclion  had  been  effected  with 
much  deliberation  and  that  those  engaged  in  it,  after  effecling 
their  purpose,  walked  cooly  away.  News  was  then  received 
that  two  small  frame  tenements  had  been  lorn  down  in  a  court 
running  from  the  lower  part  of  Vernon  street,  and  the  posse  di- 
rected their  steps  to  the  place,  but  arrived  loo  late. 

On  their  way  down  Second  street,  the  speclaiors  seemed  to 
receive  an  accession  in  the  shape  of  a  number  of  rioters,  who 
hissed,  derided  and  insulted  the  civil  power,  and  refused  to 
obey  the  order  to  disperse.  The  cavalry  were  greeted  in  the 
same  style,  and  a  request  to  disperse  accompanied  by  a  threat 
of  arrest,  had  no  other  effect  than  that  of  producing  a  momen- 
tary silence,  which  was  changed  to  howls  and  scoffs  the  mo- 
ment the  military  moved  onwards.  Violence,  however,  was 
carefully  abstained  from. 

About  midnight  the  populace  had  generally  retired;  the  streets 
were  perfectly  quiet,  and  comparatively  deserted,  except  a  few 
lingerers  about  the  front  of  Benezet  Hall,  in  the  city,  un  attack 
on  which  seemed  to  be  much  desired,  and  would  have  taken 
place,  if  the  rioters,  who  are  as  cowardly  as  they  are  cruel, 
could  have  effected  it  wilhoul  danger. 

The  mayor,  however,  wilh  an  ample  force,  was  rather  near 
the  gentry,  and  they  contenled  themselves  with  threatening 
looks.  The  valor  of  the  ruffians  is  only  equal  to  the  brutal  as- 
saults upon  the  defenceless  and  sleeping,  murdering  and  maim- 
ing the  aged  and  infirm,  and  robbing  the  poor  and  industrious 
negro  of  his  toil- won  earnings.  Before  a  score  or  two  of  re- 
solute men,  they  are  as  submissive  as  a  flock  of  sheep. 

The  night  passed  over  quietly;  the  city  force  remained  until 
near  daylight  at  the  encampment  in  the  hospital  lot;  and  the 
military  and  districl  police  at  their  various  stations,  while  the 
sheriff,  the  mayor  and  other  officers  patrolled  from  place  to 
place.  So  ended  the  ihird  night  of  Philadelphia  riots. 

A  number  of  arrests  were  made,  about  fifteen  being  taken  on 
the  city  side,  and  no  doubt  more  in  the  disiricls. 

The  negroes  of  the  devoted  section  have  nearly  all  abandon- 


URSULINE  CONVENT  AT  CHARLESTOWN,  MASS. 
We  have  thought,  that  for  several  reasons,  a  full  accountof  tire 
horrible  outrages  committed  at  Charlestown,  Mass,  terminating 
I  in  the  destruction  of  the  Ursuline  convent,  al  lliat  place,  by  fire, 
(    ought  to  be  preserved.    It  is  the  first  abomination  of  the  kind, 
we  believe,  that  ever  happened  in  the  United  Slales,  and  it  is 
proper  that  a  record  of  all  the  facts  should  be  made,  that  easy 
reference  may  be  had  to  them  a  little  while  hence  when  the 
particulars  will  cease  to  be  fresh  on  the  recollection. 

On  the  9th  August  the  following  paragraphs  appeared  in  one 
of  the  Boston  papers — 

Mysterious.  We  understand  that  a  great  ^excitement  at  pre- 
sent exists  in  Charlestown,  in  consequence  of  the  mysteiiou» 
disappearance  of  a  young  lady  at  the  nunnery  in  that  place.  The 
circumstances  as  fur  as  we  can  learn  are  as  follows: 

"The  young  lady  was  sent  to  the  place  in  question  to  com- 
plete her  education,  and  became  so  pleased  with  the  place  and 
its  inmates,  that  she  was  induced  to  seclude  herself  from  the 
world  and  take  the  black  veil.  After  some  lime  spent  in  the 
nunnery,  she  become  dissatisfied,  and  made  her  escape  from  the 
institution,  but  was  afterwards  persuaded  to  return,  being  told 
thai  if  she  would  continue  but  three  weeks  longer  she  would  be 
dismissed  with  honor.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  a  few  days 
since,  her  friends  called  for  her,  but  she  was  not  to  be  found, 
and  much  alarm  is  excited  in  consequence." 

This  was  calculated  to  increase  the  excitement  that  had  pre- 
vailed for  several  days  previous.  On  which  the  following  wa» 
sent  to  one  of  the  morning  papers  of  Boston  on  the  llth,  but, 
of  course,  was  not  published  until  the  12th,  when  all  the  mis- 
chief had  been  done: 

MR.  EDITOR:  Some  excilement  having  been  created  in  this 
vicinity  by  misrepresentations  that  have  come  before  the  public 
in  relation  to  the  disappearance  of  a  young  lady  from  the  nun- 
nery in  this  place,  I  deem  it  proper  for  me  to  state  certain  facia 
that  are  in  my  possession  respecting  the  affair. 

On  the  afternoon  of  Monday,  the  29th  ult.  the  lady  in  ques- 
tion came  to  my  house  and  appeared  lo  be  considerably  agitat- 
ed, and  expressed  her  wish  to  be  conveyed  to  the  residence  of 
an  acquaintance  in  West  Cambridge.  1  lent  her  my  assistance, 
and,  on  the  sueceding  day,  I  called  for  the  purpose  of  inquiring 
the  cause  which  induced  her  to  leave  the  institution — 1  was  in- 
formed that  she  had  returned  to  the  nunnery  in  company  with 
the  bishop,  with  a  promise  that  &he  should  be  permitled  to  leave 
it  in  two  or  three  weeks,  if  it  was  her  wish.  Since  that  lime, 
various  rumors  have  been  in  circulalion,calculaled  lo  excite  the 
pulilic  mind,  and  to  such  an  extent  as  induced  me  to  attempt  to 
ascertain  their  foundation;  accordingly  on  Saturday  the  6th  inst. 
I  called  at  the  nunnery  and  requested  of  the  superior,  an  inter- 
view with  the  lady  referred  to.  I  obtained  it,  and  was  inform- 
ed by  her,  that  she  was  at  liberty  to  leave  the  institution  a,t  any 
time  she  choose.  The  same  statement  was  also  made  by  the 
superior,  who  further  remarked  thai  in  Ihe  present  state  of  pub- 
lic feeling  she  should  prefer  lo  have  her  leave. 

As  it  had  been  currently  reported  thai  the  lady  was  not  to  be 
found,  to  allay  the  excitement  in  consequence  of  it,  I  have 
thought  the  above  slalcment  due  to  the  public. 

EDWARD  CUTTER. 
Charlestown,  August  11,  1834. 
But  this  was  published  the  day  preceding  the  riot: 
To  the  public.    Whereas,  erroneous  statements  have  appeared 
in  the  public  papers,  intimating  that  the  liberty  of  a  young  lady 
was  improperly  and  unlawfully  restrained  at  the  convent  in  tins 
town,  and  believing  that  said  publications  were  intended  to  ex- 
cite the  public  mind  against  thai  institution  and  mighl  resull  in 
unpleasant  or  serious  consequences,  the  selectmen  considering 
it  their  duty  to  endeavor  to  allay  any  such  excitemenl,  have  at 


ed  their  dwellings,  nearly  every  alternate  house,  amounting 
perhaps  to  over  a  hundred,  bearing  the  deprecatory  sign  "to 
let."  A  large  body  of  them  crossed  the  Delaware  on  Thursday 
afternoon,  and  formed  a  sort  of  bivouac  in  the  fields.  Others 
have  come  into  the  city,  and  every  kindness  extended  to  them 
by  the  public;  but  hundreds  are  houseless".  The  forlorn  state 
of  these  poor  creatures  is  truly  pitiable.  Their  little  property 
is  totally  lost,  and  many  were  driven  from  tlieir  dwellings,  with 
their  children,  almost  without  a  rag  of  clothing;  their  persons 
lacerated  by  the  violence  of  the  bloodhounds. 
ITEMS. 

The  scene  of  the  chief  part  of  the  preceding  riots  was  out  of 
the  limits  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  but  the  mayor  and  his 
police  often  crossed  the  line,  in  "fresh  pursuit"  of  Ihe  riolers— 
as  the  law  of  nations  allows! 

The  colored  people,  in  many  cases,  appear  lo  have  been 
savagely  treated — both  in  their  persons  and  property,  and  wilh- 
out  respect  to  age,  sex  or  condition. 

The  names  ol  many  of  Ihe  persons  arrested  are  given.  They 
were  generally  bailed  by  bonds  of  1,000  dollars  each  to  appear, 
he. 

About  thirty  houses  were  destroyed,  or  much  damaged,  in 
these  riots— two  of  them  being  churclu-s.  Several  were  pros- 
trated to  the  ground. 


the  request  of  the  government  of  the  institution,  fully  examined 
into  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and  were  conducted  by  the 
lady  in  question  throughout  the  premises,  and  into  every  apart- 
ment of  the  place — the  whole  of  which  is  in  good  order,  and 
nothing  appearing  to  them  to  be  in  the  least  objectionable;  and 
they  have  the  satisfaction  to  assure  the  public,  that  there  exists 
no  cause  ofconiplaint  on  the  part  of  said  female,  as  she  expresses 
herself  to  be  entirely  satisfied  with  her  present  situation,  it  be- 
ing thai  of  her  own  choice,  and  Hint  she  has  no  desire  or  wish 
toallerit.  Tllos.  HOOPER,  ] 

AB 1. 1 A 11  M o\ ROE, 
SAMUEL  POOR,        [>  selectmen. 
STEPHEN  WILEY.  | 
JOHN  UUNEY.          ) 
Charlestown,  *1u°ust  11,  1834. 

From  the  Boston  ])aily  Advertiser  of  «9u°usf  13. 
Disgraceful  outrage.  We  are  called  on  to  record  one  of  Ihe 
most  .•*!•. iinlahiiis  acts  of  popular  violence  which  were  ever  per- 
pelraled  in  lliis  community.  We  announced  in  a  postscri|il  lo 
our  last  paper,  daled  al  a  quarter  past  one  o'clock  yesterday 
mornine,  that  the  Ursuline  convent  at  Charlestown,  was  then 
in  flames,  having  been  set  on  lire  by  a  mob  assembled  for  the 
purpose.  The  convent  is  situated  on  Mount  Benedict,  at  the 
distance  of  about  a  mile  fnun  the  central  portion  of  rharlcs- 
town,  and  two  or. three  miles  from  the  city.  The.  principal 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— CHARLESTOWN  RIOTS. 


437 


building  was  an  edifice  of  brick,  about  eighty  feet  in  length, 
and  four  stories  high.  Among  the  other  buildings  were  a  farm 
bouse  and  cottage.  The  inmates  of  the  convent  were  the  lady 
superior,  five  or  sin  nuns,  three  female  attendants,  and  from  fifty 
to  sixty  children,  placed  there  by  their  friends,  principally  Pro- 
testants, for  the  purpose  of  instruction. 

At  a  little  after  eleven  o'clock  on  Monday  night,  an  alarm  of 
fire  was  given  in  this  city  and  the  neighboring  towns,  produced 
by  the  burning  of  several  tar  barrels  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
convent.  It  appears  that  this  must  have  been  a  preconcerted 
signal  for  assembling,  among  the  mass  of  citizens  who  would  be 
collected,  a  large  number  of  whom  had  entered  into  a  combina- 
tion for  the  destruction  of  the  convent.  A  party  of  fifty  to  a 
hundred  persons,  disguised  by  fantastic  dresses  and  painted  faces, 
assembled  before  the  convent,  and  after  warning  the  inmates, 
who  had  all  retired  to  rest,  by  loud  noises  and  threats  of  vio- 
lence to  make  their  escape,  proceeded  to  make,  an  actual  as- 
sault upon  the  house.  The  ladies  of  the  convent,  alarmed  by 
these  threats  of  violence,  immediately  awoke  the  children  under 
their  charge,  and  with  them  retreated  from  the  rear  of  the  house 
through  llie  garden,  and  made  their  escape  to  some  of  the  neigh- 
boring dwelling!).  The  assailants  pressed  the  evacuation  of  the 
house  with  such  haste,  that  it  is  said  they  laid  violent  hands  on 
the  lady  superior,  to  hasten  her  movements.  The  distress  and 
terror  of  the  scene  were  heightened  by  the  solicitude  of  the  nuns 
for  one  of  their  number,  who  is  confined  to  her  bed  by  a  disease 
from  which  she  is  not  expected  to  recover. 

The  assailants  forced  open  the  doors  and  windows  of  the 
convent,  carried  most  of  the  furniture,  among  which  were  three 
piano  fortes,  a  harp,  and  other  musical  instruments,  into  the 
yard,  and  then  destroyed  it.  At  about  half  past  12  o'clock  they 
set  fire  to  the  building  in  the  second  story,  and  in  a  short  time 
it  was  entirely  destroyed. 

A  great  number  of  persons  were  assembled  at  the. spot,  am 
were  witnesses  of  these  transactions.  We  are  unable  to  ac 
count  for  it,  that  no  measures  were  taken  to  repress  them.  Wi 
do  not  learn  that  any  magistrate  or  police  officer  came  upon  the 
ground.  Several  fire  companies  from  this  city,  from  Charles 
town,  and  from  Cambridge,  repaired  to  the  scene  on  the  firs 
alarm,  and  when  they  ascertained  the  cause  of  the  alarm,  a  par 
of  them  returned  homo.  A  number  of  the  fire  companies  how 
ever  were  present  during  the  conflagration,  and  the  eflectiin 
measures  which  were  taken  to  suppress  it,  appear  to  have  been 
overruled  by  the  great  number  of  persons  assembled,  many  o 
them  evidently  from  a  distance,  for  the  apparent  purpose  of  en 
coura«ing  and  aiding  the  work  of  destruction. 

Besides  the  nunnery  several  other  buildings  belonging  to  th 
establishment  were  also  burnt.  The  fire  was  deliberately  com 
municair.d  to  the  chapel,  to  the  bishop's  lodge,  the  stables,  an 
the  old  nunnery ,  a  large  wooden  building  situated  at  a  shor 
distance  from  the  others.  It  is  asserted  also,  that  the  cemetr 
was  opened,  and  its  contents  taken  out  and  exposed  to  view 
The  work  of  destruction  was  continued  until  day  light  whe 
the  mob  dispersed. 

Having  thus  described  as  accurately  as  we  are  able  this  act 
of  lawless  violence  we  find  it  difficult  to  account  for  the  excite- 
ment which  has  caused  it,  and  still  more  so  to  find  any  facts 
which  can  serve  as  an  apology  for  the  act,  or  any  palliation  of 
its  enormities.  We  will,  however,  relate  the  circumstances 
which  have  led  to  it,  as  far  as  we  are  able  to  ascertain  them. 
In  one  of  the  papers  of  Friday  last,  it  was  stated  that  great 
excitement  prevailed  in  Charlestovvn,  in  consequence  of  the 
mysterious  disappearance  of  a  young  lady  in  the  nunnery:  and 
the  following  was  given  as  an  accurate  account  of  the  circum- 
stances, as  far  as  the  editor  could  ascertain  them.  That  the 
young  lady  had  been  sent  to  the  nunnery  to  complete  her 
education,  had  become  so  pleased  with  the  place  and  its  in- 
mates, as  to  he  induced  to  take  the  black  veil;  that  she  sub- 
sequently became  dissatisfied  and  made  her  escape  from  the 
institution,  but  was  afterwards  persuaded  to  return,  being  told 
that  if  she  would  continue  three  weeks  longer,  she  would  he 
honorably  discharged:  that,  at  the  expiration  of  that  period,  her 
friends  called  for  her,  but  she  could  not  be  found.  This  state- 
ment was  copied  into  another  paper  of  the  following  day,  ac- 
companied with  ,1  declaration,  given  on  the  authority  of  bishop 
Fenwick,  that  it  was  unfounded.  It  was  added  that  the  bishop 
would  probably  lay  before  the  public  the  facts  of  the  case  on 
Monday;  in  the  meantime,  the  editor  stated  that  the  excite- 
ment was  occasioned  by  the  language  of  a  sister  of  the  convent, 
who  was  an  invalid,  and  had  been  for  some  time  deprived  of 
her  reason  by  brain  fever. 

The  same  paper  of  Monday  observed,  that  considerable  ex- 
citement continued  to  exist,  notwithstanding  what  had  been 
stattd  on  the  authority  of  bishop  Fenwick,  on  Saturday;  that 
the  editor  expected  to  have  been  able  to  lay  hrfore  the  public 
the  facts  of  the  case,  on  the  authority  of  the  bishop,  hut  had 
since  learned  that  he,  understanding  that  a  gentleman  of  Charles- 
town  residing  near  the  convent,  and  who  was  not  a  Catholic, 
having  interested  himself  in  the  matter,  and  being  satisfied 
that  none  of  the  rumors  which  occasioned  the  excitement,  were 
true;  proposed  to  make  a  public  statement,  had  preferred  to 
let  the  facts  be  given  to  the  public,  by  one  who  could  not  be 
accused  of  partiality,  and  had  accordingly  waited  for  that  aen- 
tleman's  statement.  Having  heretofore  made  no  ;tlliisioii  t< 
these  rumors,  we  have  thought  it  expedient  to  spite  what  has 
already  been  published  in  regard  to  them.  They  may  have  hat 
some  share  in  producing  the  riot,  but  we  an;  inclined  to  believ< 
that  it  is  principally  to  be  attributed  to  more  remote  causes. 


From  the  Boston  Gazette. 

The  number  of  person*  assembled  as  actors  in  this  scene  of 
.estriiction,  or  spectators,  has  been  computed  at  some  thou- 
ands.  But  no  attempt  was  made  to  restrain  the  mob  in  their 
lets  of  violence.  Not  a  magistrate  nor  police  officer  wad  to  be 
een.  Engines  from  Charleslown,  Boston,  and  we  believe  from 
Cambridge,  were  on  the  spot,  but  no  effort  was  made  by  the 
firemen  to  extinguish  the  fire,  although  col.  Amory  made  seve- 
al  laudable  but  fruitless  attempts  to  bring  up  the  fire  engines, 
arid  stop  the  progress  of  the  flames. 

This  act  of  violence  appears  to  have  been  without  excuse. 
it  is  said  by  bishop  Fenwick,  that  there  was  no  cause  for  the 
xcitemenl  in  Charlestovvn,  which  has  prevailed  for  some  time 
last,  and  which  has  been  increasing,  until  this  shocking  result 
s  produced.  But  even  if  there  was  cause  for  the  excitement, 
t  should  be  recollected  that  we  live  in  a  country  of  laws,  where 
all  classes  of  citizens  may  find  redress  under  oppression.  And 
if  an  act  of  oppression  and  violence  had  been  committed  by  the 
government  ot  the  nunnery,  on  a  young  and  unprotected  female, 
ample  redress  could  have  been  obtained  without  resorting  to  an 
act  of  violence,  which  has  not  been  equalled  in  New  England, 
since  the  establishment  of  the  republic. 

The  nuns,  and  those  of  the  pupils  whose  relatives  do  not  re- 
side in  the  neighborhood,  are  now  quartered  with  the  Sisters  of 
Charity  in  Hamilton  street.  Mr.  Cutter,  we  understand,  gave 
an  asylum  to  a  large  number  of  them  during  the  night.  We  are 
told  this  afternoon  by  one  of  the  pupils,  that  the  only  one  of  their 
number  who  saved  any  clothing,  was  a  little  girl  of  about  12 
years  of  age,  who  had  picked  up  some  dresses  in  a  large  hand- 
kerchief some  time  before  the  alarm  was  given,  supposing  there 
might  be  trouble  sooner  or  later,  and  carried  them  away  in  safe- 
ty. We  cannot  learn,  indeed,  that  any  of  the  children  were 
personally  injured  or  insulted  in  any  manner. 

From  the  Mlas, 

We  understand  that  on  Monday  the  convent  was  opened  to 
visiters,  and  was  thoroughly  examined  from  the  belfry  to  the 
cellar;  that  the  lady  superior  has  always  been  willing  to  make 
every  explanation  to  those  who  came  to  her  in  a  suitable  man- 
ner, and  1 1  eated  her  with  the  civility  due  to  her  sex  and  station. 
From  all  we  can  learn,  the  violence  was  atteily  without  cause. 
The  institution  was  in  its  very  nature  unpopular,  and  a  strong 
feeling  existed  against  if,  but  there  was  nothing  in  the  vague 
rumors  that  have  been  idly  circulating,  to  authorise  or  account 
for  any  the  least  act  of  violence.  We  should  slate,  perhaps,  that 
during  the  violent  scenes  that  were  taking  place  before  the  con- 
vent— while  the  mob  were  breaking  the  windows  and  staving 
in  the  doors  of  the  institution — and  while  the  fire  was  blazing 
upon  the  hill  as  a  signal  to  the  mob — one  or  two  muskets  were 
discharged  from  the  windows  of  the  nunnery,  or  some  of  the 
buildings  in  the  vicinity. 

What  a  scene  must  this  midnight  conflagration  have  exhibit- 
ed— lighting  up  the  inflamed  countenances  of  an  infuriated  mob 
of  demons — attacking  a  convent  of  women,  a  seminary  for  the 
nstruction  of  young  females;  and  turning  them  out  of  their  beds 
lalf  naked  in  the  hurry  of  their  flight,  arid  half  dead  with  confu- 
;ion  and  terror.  And  this  drama,  too,  to  be  enacted  on  the  very 
oil  that  afforded  one  of  the  earliest  places  of  refuge  to  the  pu- 
itans  of  Now  England — themselves  flying  from  religious  perse- 
cution in  the  old  world — that  their  descendants  might  wax 
trung  and  mighty,  and  in  their  turn  be  guilty  of  the  same  per- 
secution in  the  new! 

We  remember  no  parallel  to  this  outrage  in  the  whole  course 
of  history.  Turn  to  the  bloodiest  incidents  of  the  French  revo- 
ution — rsll  up  the  curtain  that  hangs  before  its  most  sanguine 
•cenes — and  point  us  to  its  eqitnl  in  unprovoked  violence,  in 
brutal  outrage,  in  oath  waited  iniquity.  It  is  in  vain  that  we 
search  for  it.  In  times  of  civil  commotion  and  general  excite- 
ment— of  confusion,  and  cruelty,  and  blood — when  the  edifice 
of  civil  society  was  shaken  to  its  base  and  crumbling  into  ruin — 
when  the  foundations  of  the  great  deep  were  broken  up,  and 
apine  and  fire  and  murder  were  sweeping  like  a  torrent  over 
the  land — in  times  like  these  there  was  some  palliation  for  vio- 
lence and  outrage — in  the  tremendously  excited  state  of  the 
public  mind.  But  here  there  was  no  such  palliation.  The 
courts  of  justice  were  open  to  receive  complaints  of  any  impro- 
per confinement,  or  unauthorised  coercion.  The  civil  magis- 
trates were  or  ought  to  he  on  the  alert  to  detect  any  illegal  re 
strain!,  mid  bring  its  authors  to  the  punishment  they  deserve. 
lint  noiliing  of  the  kind  was  detected.  The  whole  matter  was  a 
cool,  deliberate,  systematized  piece  of  brutality— unprovoked — 
under  the  most  provoking  circumstances  totally  unjustifiable — 
and  visiting  the  citizens  of  the  town,  and  most  particularly  its 
magistrates  and  civil  officers,  with  indelible  disgrace. 

From  the  Boston  Morning  Post, 

At  this  moment,  (that  of  the  attack),  the  convent  contained 
twelve  nuns  and  fifty  seven  female  scholars,  some  of  whom 
were  of  a  very  tender  age.  One  of  the  latter  informed  us,  that 
at  the  first  annunciation,  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  nuns  swooned, 
and  were  not  aroused  to  a  sense  of  their  dangerous  situation, 
until  the  heralds  of  destruction  returned  and  reiterated  their 
mission,  with  threats  of  burning  the  nuns  with  the  building. 

The  unfortunate  ladies  then  retired  to  the  garden,  carrying 
with  them  such  articles  of  value  as  were  within  reach.  In  or- 
der to  accelerate  their  flight,  tar  barrels  were  brought  near  to 
the  walls,  and  ignited,  and  as  soon  as  the  building  was  drsrrt- 
ed,  the  assailants  entered  with  flaming  torches,  and  after  flying 
through  the  apartments,  which  were  fitfully  illuminated  by  the 


433 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— CHARLESTOWN  RIOTS. 


transient  but  glaring  blaze  of  the  torches,  they  were  simiiltane 
ou.-iy  applied  at  twenty  distinct  points,  aiming  the  curtains  an 
drapery  of  tlie  rooms,  and  instantly  Hie  interior  ol  the  instuutio 
was  envelii|»:d  in  one  general  conflagration.  '1  lit:  aslounde 
refugees  first  gathered  rounil  Hie  toml),  at  the  liolloin  ol  the  gar 
den,  but  were  .-oon  driven  from  tins  sanctuary  by  the  ruthles 
avengers  ol  un  imaginary  wrong,  and  were  compelled  to  My  t< 
the  ailjiiining  fields  and  neighboring  houses  fur  safety.  A  large 
number  lound  a  retreat  in  me  hou*e  ol  .VI  i.  Joseph  Adams,  a 
Winter  Hill.  The  mob  hni.-t  open  the  tomb  and  ransacked  th 
cottins,  but  retired  without  uttering  any  oilier  outrage  to  Hi 
ashes  ol  the  dead.  The  torches  Were  applied  about  11  o'clock 
and  the  Boston  engines,  responsive  to  the  loceiu  ol'  alarm,  im 
mediately  repaired  to  the  spot,  but  were  pievenled  from  acting 
against  tlie  lire,  by  (he  surrounding  inullitude,  which,  we  are 
informed,  were  not  less  than  Jour  thousand  in  number.  We 
Understand  that  Mr.  Kuney  attempted  to  read  the  not  act,  bu 
without  cited;  and  the  moboerats  did  not  cease  from  their  ex 
eiuons  till  the  main  building,  together  with  the  chapel,  out 
houses,  and  even  the  gardenei  '8  dwelling  were  entirely  destroy- 
ed. The  lew  articles  thai  the  nuns  and  scholars  succeeded  ii 
conveying  to  the  garden,  were  seized  upon  by  the  destroyers 
and  thrown  back  into  the  flames,  and  nothing  was  rescued  froa 
ruin  except  what  was  actually  attached  to  their  persons.  When 
the  nelariou*  undeilaking  was  thoroughly  accomplished,  frag- 
incnts  ol  fire  and  combustibles  were  collected,  and  a  bonfire  I 
up  as  a  signal  of  triumph.  A  majority  of  the  scholars  were  Pro- 
testants, some  of  whom  have  no  relatives  in  this  vicinity,  am 
their  distressing  situation,  bring  stripped  of  every  thing,  is 
describably  lamentable. 

The  theatre  of  the  outrage,  yesterday  morning,  presented  a 
melancholy  scene — parents  anxiously,  but  without  avail,  in- 
quiring lor  their  daughters,  and  brothers  for  their  sisters — w«re 
to  be  met  with  on  every  hand.  Thousands  of  spectators  throng- 
ed the  hill — some  staring,  mote  sorrowing,  and  a  miserable  few 
rejoicing  at  the  evidence  ol  unparalleled  desolation. 

Great  meeting  at  faneuil  Hall. 
As  soon  as  the  transactions  which  we  have  above  described 
were  known  in  the  city,  yesterday  morning  they  produced,  a 
might  have  been  expected,  a  universal  sentiment  of  regret  and 
mortification,  at  the  outrage  thus  committed  at  midnight  upon  a 
family  of  defenceless  females,  and  at  the  indelible  stain  thus  in 
flicled  on  the  character  of  our  community.  The  mayor  prompt 
ly  issued  a  notice,  inviting  the  citizens  to  assemble  at  Faneuil 
Hall,  at  1  o'clock,  to  take  nuch  measures  as  the  occasion  might 
require.  A  very  large  number  of  citizens  assembled  at  the  ap- 
pointed hour,  notwithstanding  the  heat  of  the  weather,  and  the 
measures  recited  in  the  annexed  official  account  were  adopted 
with  great  unanimity,  and  with  ample  denion-tiiUions  of  cordial 
approbation.  The  remark*  of  Mr.  Otis  were  listened  to  with 
great  satisfaction,  and  elicited  the  repealed  plaudits  of  the  as- 
sembly. 

At  an  overwhelming  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Boston,  as- 
sembled at  Fantuil  Hall  jesterday  at  1  o'clock  in  pursuance  ol 
an  invitation  from  the  mayor,  Theodore  Lynian,  jr.  the  mayor 
ol  tlie  t-ity,  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Zebedee  Cook,  jr.  was 
appi. inted  secretary.  Alter  a  pertinent  but  brief  address  by  the 
chairman,  explanatory  of  the  objects  of  the  meeting,  resolutions 
were  presented  by  Josiah  Quincy,  jr.  prefaced  i>y  some  highly 
interesting  and  animated  remarks.  He  was  followed  by  Harri- 
son Gray  Otis,  in  his  usual  felicitous  style,  when  the  resolutions 
were  unanimously  adopted. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  citizens  of  Boston,  the 
late  attack  on  the  Ursuline  convent  in  Charlestnwn,  occupied 
only  by  defenceless  females,  was  a  base  and  cowardly  act,  for 
which,  the  perpetrators  deserve  the  contempt  and  detestation 
of  the  community. 

Resolved,  That  the  destruction  of  property  and  danger  of  life 
caused  thereby,  calls  loudly  on  all  good  citizens  to  express  in- 
dividually and  collectively  the  abhorrence  they  feel  of  Ihis  high 
handed  violation  of  the  laws. 

Resolved,  Thai  we,lhe  Protestant  citizens  of  Boston,  do  pledge 
ourselves  collectively  and  individually,  to  unite  with  our  Ca- 
tholic brethren  in  protecting  their  persons,  their  property,  and 
their  civil  and  religious  nzlits. 

Resolved,  That  the  mayor  and  Aldermen  he  requested  to  take 
nil  measures  consistent  with  law,  to  carry  the  foregoing  resolu- 
tions into  effect,  and  as  citizen*,  we  tender  our  personal  servi- 
ces to  support  the  laws  under  the  direction  of  the  city  authori- 
ties. 

Resolved,  That  the  mayor  be  requested  to  nominate  a  commit- 
tee from  the  citizens  at  large,  to  investigate  the  proceedings  of 
the  last  night,  and  to  adopt  every  suitable  mode  of  bringing  the 
authors  and  abettors  of  this  outrage  to  justice. 
The  following  committee  was  nominated  by  the  mayor: 
H.  G.  Otis,  John  D.  Williams,  James  T.  Austin,  Henry  Lee, 
James  Clark,  Cyrus  Alger,  John  Henry  Oliver,  Mark  Healey, 
Charles  G.  Loring,  C.  G.  Green,  Isaac  Harris, Thomas  Perkins, 
Jno.  Rayner,  Henry  Gassett,  Daniel  I).  Brodheml,  Noah  Brooks, 
H.  F.  Baker,  Z.  Cook,  jr.  Georae  Darracot,  Samuel  Mubbard, 
Henry  Farnam,  Benj.  F.  Hallet,  John  K.  Simpson,  John  Cotton, 
Benj.  Rich,  William  Storgis,  Charles  P.  Curtis. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  George  Bond,  the  committee  of  28  were  re- 
quested to  consider  tin;  expediency  of  providing  funds  to  repair 
the  damage  done  to  the  convent,  &c. 
On  motion  of  John  C.  Park,  csq.  it  was 

Resolved,  Thai  the  mayor  be  authorised  and  requested  to  of- 
fer a  very  liberal  rewind  to  any  individual  who,  in  ease  of  fur- 


ther excesses,  will  arrest  and  bring  to  punishment  a  leader  in 
such  outrages. 

THEODORE  LYMAN,  Jr.  chairman. 

ZebeJee  Cook,  jr.  secretary. 

Great  meeting  at  Charlestou-n. 

We  are  gratified  to  be  able  to  announce,  that  the  authorities 
of  Charlfcslown,  yesterday  morning,  piomptly  issued  a  general 
notification,  calling  a  public  meeting  lor  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing an  expression  of  the  opinions  and  feelings  ot  the  citizens  at 
large,  respecting  the  atrocious  and  unexampled  act  of  violence 
and  arson,  perpetrated  on  the  convent,  on  Monday  night;  in 
pursuance  ol  which  a  very  full  meeting  was  assembled  at  the 
Town  Hall,  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  was  duly 
organized  by  the  appointment  of  Dr.  Thompson  as  moderator, 
and  D.  Dodge,  esq.  town  clerk,  secretary. 

On  motion  of  John  Soley,  esq.  it  was 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  persons  be  appointed  to 
report  such  resolutions  as  it  may  be  expedient  for  the  town  to 
adopt,  and  lo  nominate  a  committee  of  vigilance. 

Whereupon,  the  following  persons  were  appointed  on  the  said 
committee: 

Hon.  E.  Everett,  capt.  Whipple,  John  Soley,  esq.  rev.  Mr. 
Byrne  and  John  Skinner,  esq. 

The  rev.  Mr.  Byrne,  (Catholic  priest),  was  excused  at  his  re- 
quest, and  William  Austin,  esq.  appointed  in  his  place. 

This  committee  retired  from  the  hall,  but  soon  returned,  and 
reported  the  following  preamble  arid  resolutions: 

Whereas,  the  Ursuline  convent,  in  this  town,  was  attacked 
last  night  by  a  riotous  and  lawless  assemblage,  its  peaceful  and 
unoffending  inmates — consisting  exclusively  of  women  and  chil- 
dren— driven  out,  and  the  convent,  after  being  pillaged,  was, 
with  the  adjacent  buildings,  reduced  to  ashes;  therefore, 

1.  Resolved,  unanimously,  by  the  citizens  of  Charlestown,  in 
town  meeting  assembled,  That  we  regard  with  feelings  of  indig- 
nation arid  horror,  the  aforesaid  lawless  acts  of  midnight  vio- 
lence, committed  within  the  limits  of  the  town. 

2.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  citizens  here  assembled 
consider  it  a  duty  to  lhemscives.and  the  town,  to  take  all  pro- 
per measures  to  ascertain  the  authors  and  perpetrators  of  the 
aforesaid  acts  of  violence  and  outrage,  committed  in  a  manner 
unexampled  in  our  country — ii>  defiance  of  the  laws,  and  in 
violation  of  those  feelings  of  honor  and  humanity,  by  which  the 
innocent  and  defenceless  are  placed  under  the  protection  of  all 
good  citizens. 

3.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  incumbent  duty  of  all  good  citizens, 
to  co  operate  with  the  selectmen  and  magistrates  in  detecting 
and   bringing  to  justice  all   persons  concerned  as  perpetrators, 
and  abettors  of  outrages  so  discreditable  to  the  community  in 
which  we  live,  and  to  the  country  at  large. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be  appointed  a  eom- 
mitlee  of  vigilance,  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  in  conjunction  with 
the  selectmen,  to  take  such   measures  as  may  be  necessary  lo 
preserve  the  public  peace,  and  to  detect  the  perpetrators  of  the 
murages  last  night  committed,  viz:  gen.  N.  Austin,  Jos.  Tufts, 
esq.  David  Devans,  esq.  J.  K.  Frothingham,  esq.  capt.  L.  Tur- 

ler,  Dr.  A.  R.  Thompson,  capt.  Jos.  F.  Boyd,  Benjamin  Thomp- 
son, esq.  Dr.  Jos.  Stearns  Hurd  and  William  Sawyer,  esq. 

Resolutions  were  also  passed,  authorising  the  committee  of 
vigilance  to  offer  a  suitable  reward,  not  exceeding  $1,000,  for 
the  detection  of  the  projectors  of  the  conflagration,  to  he  paid 
in  proportion  to  the  degree  of  guilt  proved  against  Ihe  offenders, 
and  requesting  the  governor  of  the  commonwealth  to  offer  a 
suitable  reward  for  a  similar  purpose. 

All  the  votes  and  resolutions  were  passed  with  great  unani- 
mity, and  hearty  expressions  of  approbation,  and  tlie  meeting 
was  addressed  by  a  number  of  the  most  respectable  citizens  of 
the  town,  who  all  manifested  the  liveliest  sensibility  upon  the 
subject,  and  evinced  a  warm  and  sincere  desire  to  see  the  honor 
(f  the  town  vindicated,  by  taking;  the  most  efficient  measures 
.11  bring  the  guilty  lo  justice.  The  rev.  Mr.  Byrne,  Catholic 
niest,  made  some  just  and  pertinent  remarks,  and  assured  the 
Meeting  that  he  had  used,  and  he  hoped  effectually,  the  most 
intiring  exertions  to  prevent  a  reaction  on  the  part  of  the  Ca- 
holics,  and  he  was  listened  lo  with  marked  and  approving  al- 
Kiilion. 

Dr.  Walker  also  spoke  nt  some  length,  and  to  the  purpose, 
expecting  the  necessity  of  penetrating  into  the  secret  conspira- 
cy which  must  have  preceded  the  execution  of  the  diabolical 
ilol;  and  Mr.  Everetl,  after  reading  the  resolutions,  drawn  up 
v  himself,  made  a  few  brief,  but  energetic  remarks,  and  the 
evolutions  were  carried  nem.  con. 

F^rom  the  Boston  Gazette. 

Fears  were  entertained  yesterday  that  there  would  be  fresh 
isturbance*  last  evening.  It  was  reported  that  Ihe  Irish  labor- 
rs  on  Ihe  Worcester,  Lowell,  and  Provjdt-nre  rail  roads  were 
>n  their  way  to  the  city  in  great  numbers,  for  the  purpose  of 
iding  their  Irish  brethren  in  avenging  the  insult  that  was  of- 
ered  to  them  by  the  destruction  of  the  Catholic  seminary  at 
Charlestown.  It  is  true,  we  believe,  that  several  hundred  of 
hese  laborers  arrived  in  the  city  last  evening;  but  we  have 
leard  of  no  acts  of  violence  on  their  part,  or  from  any  other 
•unrter.  The  evening  passed  offquietly,  at  least  so  far  us  the 
rty  is  concerned,  although  the  streets  were  thronged  until  a 
Hi-  hour.  We  have  rarely  seen  so  many  people  abroad  as 
'  ere  were  last  evening. 

Much  credit  is  due  to  bishop  Fenwick,  for  the  exertions  he 
lade  to  dissuade  the  Catholics  from  all  act*  of  retaliatory  vio- 
ence.  He  despatched  five  or  lix  priests  in  different  directions, 


WILES'  REGISTER—  AUG.  23,  1934— CIIARLESTOWN  RIOTS. 


439 


•  •nnrivm    state  til    CAUIIdlieill  llllu  WHICH  our  rm/.t'll-     nave     l»eij 

suddenly  thrown  by  the.  outrageous  conduct  of  a  portion  ol  til 


people  tif  Cambridge,  iind  Charle.-lown. 

We  understand  that  all  the  independent  light  infantry  corn 
panics  were  under  arms  last  night,  prepared  with  hall  eariridg 
e.s  to  act  in  any  emergency  which  inij!lil  require  Ilieir  services 
Hundreds  of  respectable  citizens  were  also  "(in  hand,"  1.1  :iii 
the  civil  authorities.  Most  sincerely  do  we  hope  there  may  b< 
no  occasion  for  them  to  act. 

So  great  was  the  excitement  among  the  catholics  yesterday 
that  bishop  Fen  wick  deemed  it  necessary  to  call  them  logethe 
in  the  afternoon,  at  the  church  in  Franklin  street.  At  I 
o'clock,  several  hundred  were  assembled,  when  the  hish<>| 
came  in  and  addressed  them  for  about  thirty  minutes  in  a  ino> 
eloquent  and  judicious  manner.  He  deserves  the  warrnes 
commendation  from  his  Protestant  fellow  citizens  for  tin-  admi 
rable  style  in  which  he  managed  this  business.  Previous  ic 
speaking,  the  bishop  read  a  part  of  the  5lh  chapter  of  Matthew 
containing  the  following  among  other  verses: 

"Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  an  eye  for  an  eye 
and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth.  But  I  say  to  you,  not  to  resist  evil 
but  if  one  strike  tht-e  on  thy  right  cheek,  turn  to  him  also  the 
other. 


"You  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  thou  shall  love  thy 
neighbor,  and  hate  thy  enemy.  But  I  say  to  you,  love  your 
enemies,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you;  and  pray  for  them  that 
persecute  ana  calumniate  you." 

Bishop  Fenwick  then  proceeded  to  address  his   hearer?,  em 
bracing  several   hundred  of  both   sexes.     He  spoke  of  the  de- 


islands.  Alter  denouncing  the  conduct  of  the  incendiaries  in 
appropriate  terms,  he  asked,  "what  is  to  be  done?  Shall  we 
say  to  our  enemies  you  have  destroyed  our  buildings,  and  we 
will  destroy  yours?  IVo,  my  brethren,  this  is  not  the  religion  of 
Jesus  Christ— this  is  not  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  that 
blessed  religion  we  all  profess.  Turn  not  a  finger  in  your  own 
defence,  and  there  are  those  around  you  who  will  see  that  jus- 
tice is  done  vou." 


inren  me  lact  that  H  was  not  their  duty  to  seek  revenge  lor  this 
vile  act;  and  said  that  that  man  was  an  enemy  to  the  religion 
lie  professed,  and  would  put  the  Catholic  church  in  jeopardy, 
ivrio  should  raise  a  finger  against  their  opponents  at  this 

rim*. 


cept  what  they  had  on  when  they  flew  from   the  incendiaries. 
The  above  facts  were  obtained  from  a  source  that  may  be  re- 


thering  of  five  or  six  hundred  persons  and  in  other  parts  of  the 
city  there  were  large  collections,  lint  no  disposition  to  do  any 
act  of  violence.  We  hope  tin:  MI  :ii>  will  p.ns  off  without  fur- 
ther trouble.  Hundreds  of  respectable  citizens  are  on  the  alert 
to  render  assistance,  if  any  should  be  required.  Every  Do-to- 
man Mushes  for  the  conduct  ol  those  deluded  men  ol  Middle- 
sex county  who  set  fire  to  the  Ursuline  convent. 

MEETING   AT  CAMBRIDGE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  C«mhrirfe«,  holden  at  the  Town 
Hall  in  said  town  on  Wednesday,  the  13th  day  of  August,  A.  D. 
1834,  pursuant  to  a  recommendation  of  the  aelectmen  of  the 
town  to  express  the  opinion  of  the  town  in  relation  to  the  late 
destruction  of  the  Ursnline  convent  at  Charlestown,  William 
J.  Whipple,  esq.  was  called  to  the  chair  and  John  P  Tarhell 
was  appointed  secielary.  The  object  of  the  meeting  having 
been  stated,  the  hon.  judge  Story,  after  remarks  made  by  him 
at  some  length,  of  a  very  solemn  and  impressive  character, 
moved  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  fivp  p  TSOHS  for  the 
purpose  of  preparing  ru-oliitions  expressive  of  ihe  sentiments  of 
the  meeting  upon  the  subject  before  it,  which  mntion  was  adopt- 
ed. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  to  constitute  *aid 
committee,  viz:  hon.  judge  Story,  lion,  judge  Fay,  Ephraim 
Buttrick,  esq.  William  Wells,  esq.  and  Nathaniel  R.  Whitney, 
esq. 

The  committee,  after  retiring,  returned  and  presented  the 
following  resolutions,  which,  after  remarks  from  Simon  Green- 
leaf,  esq.  and  hon.  judge  Fay,  were  adopted,  no  one  dissenting. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  inhabitants  of  Cambridge,  view  with 
abhorrence  the  flagrant  violation  of  private  rights  in  the  desi  ruc- 
tion of  the  Ursuline  convent  of  Monday  last;  and  we  earnestly 
desire  that  the  perpetrators  may  be  discovered  and  brought  to 
justice. 

Resolved,  That  we  deeply  sympathise  with  the  innocent  suf- 
ferers from  this  criminal  and  disgraceful  attack  upon  a  building 
occupied  only  by  defenceless  women  and  children. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  communicate  the 
sentiment  of  this  meeting  to  the  Catholic  bishop  of  the  diocess 
and  to  Ihe  superior  of  the  convent. 

Voted,  That  the  committee  referred  to  in  the  last  resolution, 
consist  of  the  hon.  judge  Story,  hon.  judge  Fay.  Ephraim  But- 
trick,  esq.  William  Wells,  esq.  and  Nathan  B.  Whitney,  esq. 

Voted  and  dissolved  the  meeting. 

WILLIAM  J.  WHIFFLE,  chairman. 

The  following  notice  excited  great  indignation  in  Boston — 

PDBLIC    NOTICE. 

Whereas  great  and  serious  outrage.*  have  been  committed  in 
Charlestown,  and  Ihe  peace  of  Ihe  place  greatly  disturbed  by 
mohs  from  tin;  city  of  Boston  and  other  places  in  the  vicinity; 
Now,  be  it  hen  by  made  knnnn  ih.it  the  civil  authorities  of  the 
town,  aided  by  the  military,  will  prevent  to  the  extent  of  their 
power,  a  repetition  of  these  evils. 

The  selectmen  do  therefore  call  upon  all  good  citizens  to  ren- 
der them  their  aid  and  assistance  in  support  of  the  laws,  and 
rijoin  upon  all  those  who  do  not  volunteer  to  come  under  their 
direction  to  keep  within  their  houses  during  the  ensuing  night. 
All  those  citizens  who  are  disposed   to   volunteer  their  ser- 
vices, are  requested  to  meet  at  the  Town  Hall,  this  afternoon  at 
6  o'clock.  By  order  of  the  selectmen, 

DAVID  DODGE,  town  clerk, 
rfu'ust  13,  1834. 

from  the  Boston  papers  Jluvjtst  14. 

Ft  appears  that  a  mob  of  men  and  boys,  partly  armed  with 
pistols  and  knives,  after  parading  through  the  streets  of  Boston, 
ind  menacing  the  Catholic  church  in  Franklin  street,  marched 
o  the  ruins  of  the  convent  at  Charlestuwn,  about  II  o'clock  on 
Tuesday  night,  where  they  completed  the  destruction  of  th« 
garden,  and  made  a  bonfire  of  the  fences  that  surrounded  the 
grounds.  They  then  made  a  hostile  demonstration  in  front  of 
he  Catholic  church,  but  finding  it  defended  by  the  Charlestons! 
ilialanx.  they  retreated,  without  committing  any  actual  vio- 
ence.  The  authorities  of  Charlestown  are  busily  occupied  in 
collecting  facts  and  taking  depositions,  respecting  the  transac- 
ions  of  Monday  and  Tuesday  night.-. 

The  Boston  Gazette  says:  "At  eight  o'clock, on  Wednesday 
evening,  there  were  eight  hundred  or  a  thousand  persons  as- 
embled  in  and  about  the  city  hall.     It  having  been  supposed 
hall  they  were  drawn  together  by  a  report  in  circulation  that 
he  bishop  had  informed  the  mayor  that  there  were  five  thou- 
and  armed  Irishmen  in  the  city,  over  whom  he  had  no  control, 
and  who  were  determined  to  show  fight — gen.  Lyman  consider- 
ed it  his  duty  to  come  forward  and  address  his  fellow  citizens 
ipon  the  subject.     He  assured  them  that  there  was  no  founda- 
ion  for  the  report,  and  that  there  was  no  reason  to  apprehend 
n  assault  from  the  people  referred  to.     At  the  same  time  he 
ook  occasion  to  caution  them  against  all  other  reports  of  the 
ind,  and  to  solicit  a  continuance  of  their  aid  in  preserving  the 
eace  of  the  city.     This  address  of  the  mayor  gave  general  sa- 
isfaction,  and  the  crowd  soon  after  dispersed. 
"In  the  night,  nothing  occurred  worthy  of  special  notice. 
J'he  civil  and  military  authorities  were  on   duty  all  night,  pre- 
)ared  to  act  in  case  of  necessity.     They  deserve  credit  for  the 
promptness  with   which  they  assembled.     Their  patriotism  in 
in  emergency  of  this  kind,  when  it  is  the  duly  of  every  good 
citizen  to  act,  cannot  be  doubted." 

The  Transcript  says — A  mob  occupied  the  convent  grounds 
from  11  o'clock  last  night  until  half  past  two  this  morning, 


440 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  23,  1834— CHARLESTOWN  RIOTS. 


[Wednesday].  There  was  no  force,  civil  or  military,  to  oppose 
their  violence,  and  they  destroyed  a  great  number  of  valuable 
fruit  trees,  tore  up  the  choicest  vines  of  the  grapery,  pulled 
down  the  fence,  and  made  a  bonfire,  and  no  one  resisted  them!! 
The  Charleston  light  infantry  were  on  duty  at  Mr.  Cutter's 
bouse,  but  having  been  specially  posted  there  to  guard  his  pro- 
perty, they  did  not  feel  authorised  to  leave  their  station  to  go 
to  th«  protection  of  the  convent.  The  Charlestown  phalanx 
were  on  duty  at  the  Catholic  church  ir.  that  town. 

The  JIUas  says— The  city  has  been,  during  the  evening,  in  a 
state  of  much  alarm  and  excitement.  From  the  unallayed  fury 
of  the  ruffians  on  Tuesday  evening,  and  their  renewed  acts  of 
outrage  in  burning  the  vines  and  fences  attached  to  the  con- 
vent, without  Hie  interposition  of  either  the  civil  or  military  au- 
thority spoken  of  by  the  valorous  selectmen  of  Charleslown, 
apprehensions  were  entertained  of  some  serious  collision  with 
the  Catholics.  Various  rumors  were  current  during  the  after- 
noon and  evening,  of  a  nature  to  inflame  to  a  si  ill  higher  degree 
the  excited  feelings  of  the  public.  Many  of  our  citizens  unroll- 
ed themselves  with  the  mayor,  as  volunteers,  for  the  perform- 
ance of  patrol  duty.  Several  of  the  military  companies  are 
under  arms,  and  the  whole  city  is  now  under  the  protection  of 
a  numerous  armed  watch. 

Proclamation  by  his  excellency  John  Davis,  governor  of  the  com- 
monwealth, of  Massachusetts. 

Whereas,  It  appears  from  representations  made  to  me  by  the 
several  committees  of  vigilance  of  Charlestown  and  Boston, 
which  representations,  in  substance,  are  confirmed  by  the  at- 
torney general  of  the  comtnnnweallh,  that  on  the  night  of  the 
llth  inst.  a  large  number  of  persons  assembled  in  Charlestown, 
by  preconcerted  designs  of  violence,  and  proceeded  in  a  high- 
handed manner,  in  disregard  of  the  civil  authorities,  and  in  de- 
fiance of  the  laws,  with  tire,  and  acts  of  outrage,  to  demolish 
the  building  called  the  Ursuline  convent,  to  lay  waste  the  gar- 
dens and  grounds,  and  to  break  open  and  desecrate  the  sepul- 
chres of  the  dead,  having  previously  compelled  a  large  number 
of  females,  then  dwelling  in  *aid  building,  many  of  whom  were 
pupils,  in  a  school,  and  of  tender  aze,  to  seek  safely  in  flight, 
and  to  take  refuge  in  the  fields.  And  whereas  it"  also  appears 
that  after  much  investigation,  the  civil  magistrates  and  other 
officers  of  the  law  are  unable  to  discover  tlje  perpetrators  of  this 
daring  outrage,  and  that  the  ordinary  and  common  course  of 
proceedings  is  thus  proved  to  be  ineffectual. 

Therefore,  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  said  commit- 
tees, and  in  pursuance  of  the  authority  vested  in  me  by  law,  1 
do  offer,  in  behalf  of  the  commonwealth,  a  reward  of  five  hun- 
dred dollars  to  such  person  or  persons  as  shall  cause  the  sail] 
offenders  or  any  of  them,  to  be  apprehended  and  brought  u 
conviction,  which  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  shall  lie  p.ud  ID 
one  or  more  persons,  as  existing  facts  upon  conviction  of  an 
offender  or  offenders,  and  the  ends  of  justice  may  require. 

And  I  do  further  call  upon  all  thti  good  citizens  of  this  com 
mon  wealth  to  aid  in  healing  the  wound  which  the  laws  have 
received  by  this  open  contemptot  their  authority,  and  this  wan- 
ton disregard  of  private  rights.  I  appeal  to  them  to  be  vigilan 
in  preserving  the  public  peace,  and  in  sustaining  the  civil  au 
thorny.  Their  discountenance  of  such  proceedings  will  reston 
confidence,  and  make  our  peaceable  institutions  sufficient!) 
powerful  to  overawe  insubordination,  and  meet  any  emergency 
If  the  people  will  it,  there  will  be  no  more  destruction  ofpri 
vate  property,  or  invasion  of  private  rights,  by  open  acts  of  vio 
lence. 

Given  under  my  hand,  this  fifteenth  day  of  August,  in  th 
year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty- four 
and  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  the  independence  of  the  Unite 
States.  JOHN  DAVIS. 

By  his  excellency  the  governor. 
EDWARD  D.  BANGS,  secretary  of  the  commonwealth. 

Scraps  from  various  sources. 

The  letter  from  bishop  Fenwick  to  the  father  of  the  young  ladj 
wag  given  in  our  last,  and  it  is  not  worth  while  to  repeat  it.  1 
relieves  the  nuns  of  all  manner  of  blame.  The  bishop  is  on 
of  the  most  worthy  and  benevolent  men  that  lives — a  native  r 
Maryland,  and  connected  with  several  of  the  most  respectabl 
families  in  this  state.  He  has  always  been  zealous  to  do  good 
and,  without  hesitation,  exposed  his  health  and  life  to  reliev 
or  comfort  the  afflicted.  He  was  one  of  the  chiefs  of  the  brav 
and  benevolent  men  who  volunteered  their  inestimable  service 
in  Baltimore,  when  visited  by  the  yellow  fever  some  years  ag 
ami  every  body  who  know  him,  even  by  reputation,  will  plac 
implicit  reliance  in  any  statement  made  by  him,  however  stron 
may  be  their  religious  prejudices. 

Thesuperior  of  the  convent  appears  to  have  conducted  herse 
with  jreat  propriety — she  rejoiced  that  the  children  all  escape 
uninjured,  and  was  quite  patient  under  the  loss  of  property 
which  she  estimated,  at  $-10,000.  This  is  a  small  matter,  an 
can  easily  be  redressed,  as  no  doubt  it  speedily  will  be;  but  tt 
Btnin  of  the  outrage  will  remain. 

There  was  nn  insurance  at  the  American  office  on  the  buili 
ing  to  the  amount  of  $12,000,  and  $2,006  also  on  the  furnitnr 
but  no  part  of  this  will  he  available  to  the  proprietors  under  tl 
circiiinsiMiu-cs  of  llii.;  occasion.  The  policy  does  not  apply 
occasion-  ufilii.s  kind. 

A*  many  as  ten  or  eleven  engines  from  Boston,  tie-ides  liv 

fr Ourli'htnwii,  and  some  from   Cambridge,  repairrd  to  th 

spot,  but  only  to  swell  the  crowd  of  spectators.    The.  firemc 


course  were  under  the  control  of  the  Charlestown  engineers, 
nd  by  these  were  requested,  as  we  are  told,  not  to  play  upon 
e  buildings — no  water  was  thrown  by  any  of  the  engines- 
he  nearest  which  could  be  used  to  any  extent,  was  that  of  the 
'iddlesex  canal. 

The  whole  party  of  the  assailants  were  disguised.  AH  of 
em,  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  had  their  faces  painted — some 
icr  an  Indian  fashion,  and  others,  in  other  ways;  and  a  part 
"the  number  employed  devices  and  disguises  of  various  othei 

escriptions,  adapted  to  conceal  the  individuals  concerned  in 

ie  outrage,  from  recognition. 

A  valuable  silver  chalice,  which  was  placed  in  its  tabernacle 
nd  deposited  for  safe  keeping  in  the  convent  tomb,  which  Su- 
my has  desecrated,  was  stolen  by  the  violators  of  the  grave. 

The  following  infamous  paragraph  is  copied  from  the  New 

ork  Evening  Post — 

Boston  but  a  few  days  ago  signalized  itself  by  a  "whig"  re- 

licing  at  the  incendiary  decapitation  of  our  chief  magistrate's 
evered  image;  and  now  it  sends  its  rabble  oat  to  burn  a  house 
'  .'voted  to  religious  uses,  and  maltreat  if  not  slay  its  peaceful 

male  inmates — beings  retired  from  the  world,  and  devoted  t» 

ie  service  of  God. 

The  riots  ceased  after  the  2d  night — but  a  public  force  was 
eld  in  readiness  for  several  nights,  in  Boston. 

The  Boston  Courier  of  the  15th  says:  We  heard  a  rumor, last 
vening,  that  the  committee  of  investigation  had  obtained  some 
mporlant  testimony,  which  would  probably  lead  U>  a  discovery 
f  the  ring  leaders  .of  the  Charlestown  mob. 

The  mayor  and  police  and  mih'tary  of  Boston,  so  far  as  they 
ould  act,  which  was  only  within  the  limits  of  the  city,  deserve 
ie  highest  praise  for  good  conduct. 

Many  persons  have  been  arrested  as  participants  in  this  out- 
age, and  some  examinations  had — which  it  will  be  time  enough 
o  notice  when  the  proceedings  on  the  ease  are  matured. 
'hen-  is  much  zeal  to  pursue  the  offenders.  One  has  turned 
tate's  evidence,  and  it  was  thought  that  important  facts  would 
e  obtained  through  him.  He  had  already  implicated  several 
persons. 

The  selectmen  of  Charlestown  issued  a  notice,  charging  the 
atack  and  conflagration  of  the  convent  on  persons  from  Bos- 
on. This  caused  a  bitter  excitement  in  that  city,  as  may  bs 
een  by  the  following  paragrapti  from  the  Transcript: 

The  fire  belts  rang  in  Charlestown  OH  Friday  night.  The  irt- 
liscreet  conduct  (we  use  a  mild  term)  of  the  selectmen  of 
Charlestown,  had  produced  a  deep  sensation  of  indignation, 
aid  we  do  not  believe — even  if  the  draws  of  the  bridges  had  not 
>een  raised — that  our  citizens  would  have  gone  voluntarily  to 
he  protection  of  Charlestown,  had  it  been  one  general  scene  of 
conflagration.  But  the  Charlestown  selectmen  have  made  a 
>ublic  recantation  of  their  reflections  on  the  citizens  of  Boston — 
.hey  say  their  resolutions  were  written  in  "a  moment  of  great 
excitement  and  confusion." 

The  selectmen  of  Charlestown  have  also- issued  a  notice  re 
questing  a  suspension  of  public  opinion,  and  promising  a  full 
statement  of  all  the  facts  that  can  be  obtained,  &c. 

The  superior  of  the  convent  has  published  a  list  of  the  scho- 
lars (chiefly  from  Boston,  but  some  from  distant  places),  and  of 
the  principal  articles  of  property  lost  by  each.  We  notice  se- 
veral pianos,  harps  and  guitars,  silver  tumblers  and  spoons, 
music  and  other  books,  watches  and  articles  of  jewellery,  and 
other  things  tso  tedious  to  mention.  A  large  amount  in  money 
belonging  to  its  various  inmates,  with  the  books  and  papers, 
&c.  of  the  convent  were  destroyed.  Indeed,  nothing  was  saved, 
except  what  the  nuns  and  the  scholar*  had  on  their  backs. 

The  Boston  Transcript  says — "The  destruction  of  the  bishop's 
lodge  in  front  of  the  convent,  has  not  excited  much  comment; 
but  we  cannot  forbear  expressing  our  regret — especially  since 
the  publication  of  the  course  adopted  by  that  prelate  on  this  oc- 
casion— that  a  large  and  valuable  library,  consisting  tit  classical 
and  other  works,  should  have  been  utterly  consumed  in  the 
common  ruin  which  overwhelmed  the  whole  establishment; 
not  a  single  book  was  saved." 

The  Mercantile  Journal  says — The  innocent  cause  of  all  the 
tumult  at  the  Ursuline  convent  at  mount  Benedict,  is  Miss  F.li 
zabrth  Harrison,  a  native  of  Philadelphia.  Previous  to  leaving 
the  institution  she  had  been  mi  welt,  and  at  the  time  was  labor- 
ing under  a  partial  mental  derangement.  She  was  a  teacher  of 
music  in  the  convent,  and  her  relatives  and  frirmls  called  on. 
her  whenever  they  desired,  except  during  school  hours,  and 
were  never  refused  admittance.  She  has  a  brother  in  this  city, 
Mr.  Thomas  Harrison,  an  intelligent  and  industrious  copper 
plate  engraver,  in  the  employ  of  the  Boston  Bewic  company, 
from  whom  these  facts  are  elicited, and  he  assures  us  that  there 
was  nothing  about  the  convent,  or  the  treatment  of  his  ?i.«ter.  ii> 
the  least  degree,  calculated  to  cause  the  past  or  present  excite- 
ment, other  than  the  fact  of  her  leaving  as  above  stated,  mid! 
that  his  sister  was  not  aware  that  her  liberty  was  in  the  least 
restrained.  Her  taking  the  veil  was  a  voluntary  art.  and  she 
has  no  disposition,  and  no  consideration,  she  assures  her  bro- 
ther, would  induce  her  to  relinquish  the  order. 

[Another  paper  adds  that  she  has  been  in  the  convent  /•w 
(ecu  years,  and  was  2nd  or  3rd  in  authority]. 


NIL.ES'  WEEKLY  REGISTER. 

FOURTH  SERIES.  No.  27— Vol..  X.]    BALTIMORE,  AUG.  30,  1834.     [VOL.  XLVI.  WHOM  No.  1,197. 


THE  PAST THE  PRESENT— FOB.  THE  FUTURE. 


EDITED,  PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BT  H.  N1LES,  AT  $5  PER  ANNUM,  PAYABLE  IN  ADTAKCB. 


A  little  table,  copied  from  the  New  York  Commercial, 
of  the  votes  given  for  president  and  vice  president  at  the 
election  of  1832,  presents  a  singular  comment  on  what  is 
called  the  "voice  <jf  tlie  people."  The  plurality  of  the 
popular  vote  in  favor  of  president  Jackson  was  very 
small,  compared  with  the  force  of  his  electoral  vote;  and 
vice  president  Van  JBitren  was  elected  by  a  minority  of 
the  votes  of  the  people,  though  chosen  by  a  large  majority 
of  the  votes  of  the  electors;  and,  had  the  rule  that  ap- 
plies to  the  electors  been  extended  to  the  votes  of  the 
people,  Mr.  Van  Ijiireu  would  hardly  have  been  vice 
president  of  the  United  States,  at  this  time — for  the  se- 
nate might  not  have  preferred  him. 

We  Have  no  wish  to  disturb  the  federal  principles  es- 
tablished in  the  constitution — but  it  would  be  well  if 
those  who  speak  so  much  about  the  voice  of  the  people 
would  look  to  the  facts.  One  of  the  strongest  election- 
eering points  made  against  Mr.  Jldams  was,  that  he  was 
"a  minority  president" — the  fact  exists  that  Mr.  Van 
Buren  is  a  minority  vice  president,  and  will  be  a  minority 

S  resident,  in  case  of  the  decease  or  resignation  of  gen. 
ackson. 

The  usual  notices  of  the  progress  of  the  elections  are 
given  in  a  subsequent  page.  We  always  endeavor,  in 
things  of  this  sort,  and,  indeed,  in  all  others,  with  fideli- 
ty, and  in  mildness,  to  state  the  facts  as  they  appear  unto 
us,  so  far  as  they  are  considered  necessary  to  the  public 
information  or  curiosity — but  cannot  make  ourselves  re- 
sponsible for  the  truth  of  any  statements  of  the  kind. 
The  "Globe,"  however,  on  a  late  occasion,  insisted  that 
there  were  "liabilities"  in  such  cases,  even  in  innocently 
copying  misstatements  or  errors.  How  then  does  the 
editor  ieel  for  having  himself  originally  proclaimed  Mr. 
Leteher's  majority  to  be  only,  and  exactly,  95 — which  is 
officially  shewn  to  be  270?  Will  he  take  home,  for  him- 
self, that  liability  which  he  would  impose  on  others?  No 
— the  essential  difference  that  there  is  between  mmm  and 
tuuin  forbids  that! 

Though  gatherings  of  large  numbers  of  the  people  at 
Philadelphia  to  commit  acts  of  violence,  hiul  ceased  after 
the  third  night — many  excesses  subsequently  took  place, 
and  colored  persons,  when  engaged  in  their  usual  avoca- 
tions, were  repeatedly  assailed  and  maltreated, especially 
on  the  Sciiuylkill  front  of  the  city.  Parties  of  white 
men  have  insisted  that  no  blacks  shall  be  employed  in 
certain  departments  of  labor.  This  is  going  a  "conside- 
rable length."  "^ 

The  examination  of  persons  supposed  to  have  partici- 
pated in  the  lute  riots  at  Qharlestown,  Mass,  is  still  going 
on.  A  handbill  had  been  circulated,  however,  threaten- 
ing the  assassination  of  persons  who  should  give  testimony 
tending  to  convict  the  offenders.  It  is  given  out  that  the 
destruction  of  the  convent  was  the  result  of  a  deliberate 
conspiracy!  We  hope  that  this  is  not  true.  But  there 
are  fanatics  and  knaves  in  almost  every  sect — person 
that  would  burn  a  man's  body  for  the  good  of  his  soul! — 
in  their  administration  of  the  Divine  goodness  am',  mercy, 

The  treaty  lately  concluded  with  the  Chickasnie  In- 
dians is  given  at  full  length — as  convey  insr  information 

ii-  i       r  •  y       °  .        . 

and  making  a  record  ot  cer:uin  new  or  important  princi- 
ples which  are  established  between  the  United  States 
and  the  original  possessors  of  the  soil.  Those  who  fee 
an  interest  in  the  past  history  or  future  condition  of  the 
Indian  nations,  will  give  this  treaty  a  careful  reading. 

We  notice   accounts  of  several  late  fatal  accidents  to 
bricklayers  and  carpenters,  from  the  falling  of  scaffolds  01 
which  they  were  at  work.     In  looking  at  many  of  these 
scaffolds  ye  have  only  wondered  that  such  accidents  wer 
not  of  verv  frequent  occurrence. 
VOL.  XLVI— Sio.  30, 


There  is  a  prospect  of  an  exceedingly  great  crop  of 
otton,  in  the  present  year — and  the  wheat  crop  has  been 
leavy;  but,  though  the  prospects  of  corn  are  not  flattering 
n  the  middle  slates,  because  of  the  want  of  rain,  it  bids 
air  to  yield  a  very  large  product  in  the  southern. 

Among  our  political  selections  for  the  present  week,- 
ill  be  found  the  speech  of  Ediuard  Hvt-mlt.,  esq.  at  lliti 
whig  celebration  at  Salem,  Mass,  and  the  address  of  Mr. 
Thomas  and  reply  of  lloger  ]}.  '1'itney,  esq.  on  theivctp- 
ion  of  the  latter  at  Frederick,  Md.  After  (he  hist  was 
n  type,  we  received  the  speech  of  Mr.  T.  at  the  public 
linner  given  to  him,  or  should  have  preferred  it — but  it 
s  probable  that  some  opportunity  will  soon  occur  to  give 
t  an  appropriate  insertion. 

It  seems  that  Mr.  Everett,  of  Mass,  has  only  declined 
a  re-election  to  congress,  and  not  resigned  his  present 
seat. 

In  a  subsequent  page  will  be  found  an  account  of  the 
•eception  of  the  president  of  the  United  States  by  the 

convention  of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  in  session  at  Nash* 

ville.     A  great  public  dinner  was  also  given  to  him,  at 

which  he  offered  the  following  toast: 

The  true  constitutional  currency,  gold  and  silver  coin — It  can 

cover  and  protect  the  labor  of  our  country  without  the  aid  of  a 
latioiiHl  hank,  an  institution  which  can  never  be  otherwise  than 
lostiie  lo  the  liberties  of  the  people,  because  its  tendency  is  to 

associate  wealth  with  an  undue  power  over  the  public  interests. 

The  president,  in  his  toast  at  Nashville,  speaks  of 
jold  and  silver  as  the  true  "constitutional  currency;"  but 
ast  year,  in  New  York,  the  capital  of  the  local  banks 
was  increased  in  the  large  sum  of  $3,600,000 — and  in  all 
the  states,  perhaps,  to  the  amount  of  (Tor  10  millions  of 
dollars. 

The  "New  York  Evening  Post"  thus  proclaims  war 
against  the  local  banks — • 

We  freely  state  that  we  desire  the  legislature,  at  its  next  ses- 
sion, to  restrict  banks  from  issuing  from  the  time  of  the  passing 
of  the  act,  any  notes  of  a  less  denomination  than  five  dollars; 
and  that  we  wish  this  to  he  merely  a  first  step  in  a  series  of 
neasures,  which  we  shall  -not  consider  completed,  as  long  as  a 
iank  note  of  less,  than  one  hundred  dollars  is  in  circulation,  or 
as  long  as  an  INCORPORATED  bank  exists. 

And  some  of  the  papers  of  the  interior  seem  willing 
:o  forbid  the  issue  of  bank  notes  for  less  than  10  dollars. 
We  shall  see  whether  these  do  not  change  their  minds — 
after  the  election.  There  are  30  millions  of  bank  capi- 
tal in  New  York,  chiefly  under  charge  of  the  commis- 
sioners of  the  "safety  fund." 

The  "Globe"  thinks  it  may  be  "doubled"  whether  the 
bank  of  the  U.  S.  does  not  violate  its  charter,  by  refus- 
ing to  redeem  its  notes  in  gold!  Is  not  silver  coin  a 
legal  tender?  We  always  thought  that  it  was.  Where 
is  the  gold? 

But  it  is  charged,  that  the  bank  had  procured  35,000 
dollars  in  half  eagles  at  the  mint  (probably  coined  out  of 
its  own  gold),  and  yet  refuses  to  pay  its  notes  in  half 
eagles.  The  sum  stated,  as  a  business  concern,  is  like 
the  bite  of  ;t  flea  on  the  hide  of  a  rhinoceros.  But  why 
this  anxiety  about  gold  ?  If  its  cii  culation  is  designed  to 
operate  against  the  bank,  may  not  the  bank  retain  its  own 
gold  to  protect  itself — without  "violating  its  charter!" 
But  the  bunk  carr.s  nothing  about  i};.  Tin-  office  in  Bal- 
timore frei-ly  p;iys  out  gold — when  happening  to  have  it. 
But  the  quantity  of  the  new  coins  is  contemptible,  if  to 
bespoken  of  as  currency.  It  will  not  supply  one  shew 
piece  for  every  election  district! 

We  perceive,  (says  a  Philadelphia  paper),  that  captain 
R.  F.  Stockton  has  returned  from  London,  whither  he 
went  on  a  successful  mission  to  negotiate  a  loan  for  th«. 
Camden  and  Arabov  rail  road,  and  the  canal  company. 


442 


NILES1  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1H34— MISCELLANEOUS. 


If  all  who  deal  on  borrowed  capital  ought  to  break, 
what  should  happen  to  this  company  who  have  mortgag- 
ed their  road  and  canal  ^foreigners?  If ''perish  credit," 
is  the  word — let  the  road  and  canal  perish! 

Several  articles  have  been  published  in  the  papers  as 
to  great  losses  sustained,  or  serious  difficulties  encoun- 
tered, by  the  Union  bank  of  Tennessee,  in  consequence 
of  certain  "experiments"  on  the  currency,  and  negotia- 
tions entered  into  at  Baltimore.  We  know  nothing  of 
the  state  of  this  bank,  and,  certainly,  do  not  wish  it  any 
harm — but  it  must  soon  become  manifest,  we  think,  that 
the  local  banks  are  incapable  of  carrying  on  the  exchan- 
ges of  the  country,  each  one  having  its  own,  and  sepa- 
rated interest  to  pursue. 

The  N.  York  Courier  calls  the  new  gold  pieces,  "the 
decapitated  coin. " 

A  letter  to  the  editor  of  the  Baltimore  Patriot,  dated 
Hagerstown,  Md.  Aug.  30,  1834,  says — 

"You  will  receive  enclosed  five  dollar*',  canal  scrip,  which  is 
chiefly  all  the  kind  of  money  we  can  see  here,  in  these  experi- 
ment times." 

The  note  or  canal  scrip  is  signed  John  P.  Ingle,  clerk,  and 
John  H.  Eaton,  president.  Is  this  a  sample  of  the  "better  cur- 
rency," proposed. 

Large  quantities  of  specie  are  arriving  from  Mexico — 
much  of  it  on  account  of  the  unsettled  state  of  affairs  in 
that  country. 

American  nankeens,  manufactured  in  Rhode  Island, 
from  cotton  grown  on  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Forsyth, 
present  secretary  of  suite,  have  obtained  a  high  and  well- 
deserved  reputation,  for  the  durability  of  the  cloth,  and 
the  fastness  of  its  natural  color. 

The  conduct  of  the  post  master  at  Philadelphia  is  se- 
verely assailed,  because  that  a  large  quantity  of  public 
documents  franked  from  Washington,  by  col.  Watmough, 
for  the  use  of  his  constituents,  had  been  sold  to  a  grocer, 
(enveloped,  and  addressed  and  franked),  as  waste  paper. 
The  excuse  made  is  that  the  persons  to  whom  they  were 
addressed  could  not  be  found.  This  is  denied,  and  the 
Commercial  Intelligencer  says — 

Among  the  hundred%veights  of  public  documents  and  papers 
suppressed  and  sold  by  the  post  office  clerks,  there  is  not  a  sin- 
gle frank  of  Joel  B.  Sutherland,  nor  a  single  copy  of  the  Globe, 
to  be  found! 

A  great  public  dinner  was  given  to  Mr.  Swing,  at 
Chillicothe,  O.  on  the  7th  inst.  and  another  at  Charles- 
town,  Kanawha,  Va.  on  the  12th.  1  He  was  invited  to  se- 
veral other  places,  but  being  obliged  to  proceed  for  Wash- 
ington, as  one  of  the  committee  on  the  affairs  of  the  post 
office,  he  was  compelled  to  decline  the  attentions  propos- 
ed to  be  paid  to  him.  The  following  is  the  complimen- 
tary toast  that  was  paid  him  in  Chillicothe — 

By  the  president  of  the  day— Thomas  Eicin*,  of  Okio—A 
strong  man,  hoih  under  his  own  constitution  and  ihe  constitu- 
tion of  the  people:  with  the  same  nerve  that  felled  the  forests  of 
the  west,  lie  is  now  Kipping  the  corrupt  excrescences  of  palron- 
nye— a  good  worjtman  lor  constitutional  wages— without  "ex- 
tra <zHott'ance,'Vsave  and  except  the  approbation  of  a  grateful 
people. 

A  meeting  of  individuals  from  various  parts  of  the  state 
of  New  York  is  to  be  held  on  the  llth  of  September,  to 
discuss  the  subject  of  applying  to  the  state  legislature  to 
cause  a  ship  canal  to  be  constructed  from  Lake  Ontario 
to  Utica  and  Albany.  If  this  grand  project  to  aid  inter- 
nal navigation  is  carried  into  effect,  it  will  add  greatly  to 
the  prosperity  of  the  state,  and  tend  also  to  increase  the 
riches  of  the  west. 

Between  the  16th  and  23d  instant,  one  hundred  and 
twenty  tons  of  merchandise  left  Wheeling  for  Baltimore! 

The  people  of  Boston  (says  n  cotemporary)  have  just 
closed  their  most  interesting  annual  festival,  that  of  the 
the  public  schools.  The  premiums  for  superiority  were 
distributed  to  the  deserving  scholars  with  becoming  "cir- 
cumstance," and  then  the  city  authorities,  with  numer- 
ous goests  and  the  successful  scholars,  marched  to  Fa- 


neiiil  Hall,  and  partook  of  a  sumptuous  dinner.  Such  a 
feast,  with  such  guests,  old  and  young,  may  justly  be 
called  "a  feast  of  reason." 

This  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  ceremonies  of  the 
east — as  well  as  a  truly  glorious  one.  Cobbett,  however, 
thinks  that  general  education  has  rendered  much  injury 
to  the  people.  WTe  do  not  think  so! 

The  National  Intelligencer  says — 

Our  worst  apprehensions  for  the  safety  of  the  expedition  to 
the  far  west,  composed  of  the  regiment  of  dragoons.  &c.  already 
begin  to  be  realized.  Brigadier  general  Leavenworth,  who  com- 
manded it  in  chief,  is  no  more— he  died  of  bilious  fever,  at  a 
place  called  Cross  Timber*,  on  the  21st  of  last  month;  and  one 
or  two  other  officers  are  reported  to  be  ill.  The  command,  by 
the  death  of  general  L.  devolved  on  colonel  Dodge,  of  (he  dra- 
nnnns.  The  first  act  of  his  command,  we  hope  to  learn,  will 
have  been  to  cause  the  expedition  to  retrace  its  steps.  We  shall 
await  with  anxiety  further  intelligence  of  its  movements. 

Lieut.  G.  W.  McClure,  of  the  dragoons,  has  also  died. 

A  letter  is  published  in  the  Journal  of  Commerce  dat- 
ed Hamilton,  Bermuda,  August  12,  which  says — 

Every  thing  goes  on  here  even  with  more  regularity  now  than 
before  the  negroes  were  liberated.  They  will  soon  too,  I  fear, 
feel  the  loss  which  the  change  has  brought  with  it,  for  it  is  im- 
possible thry  can  all  find  employment  here.  Some  families  hav- 
ing as  slaves  15  or  20  domestics,  now  keep  but  3  or  4;  and  as 
every  one  was  abundantly  supplied  when  they  were  in  that 
state,  the  surplus  of  unemployed  must  seek  the  means  of  liveli- 
hood in  some  other  place,  and  that  it  would  be  a  difficult  thing 
to  point  out,  as  many  of  them  are  not  familiar  with  hard  work. 
They  will  find  their  lot  a  bitter  one,  wherever  they  direct  their 
steps. 

We  much  regret  to  learn,  that  the  cause  of  Santa  Anna, 
and  of  an  established  and  intolerant  church,  is  succeed- 
ing in  the  republic  of  Mexico— Puebla  having  surrender- 
ed on  the  22d  July,  and  other  places  sending  in  their  ad- 
hesion, to  the  combined  forces  of  the  sword  and  the 
mitre. 

The  Boston  Transcript,  the  week  after  the  riots  at 
Charlestown,  had  the  following  article: 

<;A  number  of  the  clergymen  of  the  city  and  vicinity  preached 
yesterday  from  texts  applicable  to  the  events  of  the  last  week. 
We  learn  that  the  rev.  Mr.  Walker,  of  Chatlestown,  was  more 
than  usually  eloquent,  and  that  his  sermon  will  probably  be 
printed.  The  rev.  Dr.  Jenks,  of  the  Green  street  church,  preach- 
ed an  appropriate  and  most  excellent  discourse  from  Ihe  second 
epistle  of  Timothy;  ii.  ch.  5  v.  "And  if  a  man  also  strive  for 
mastery,  yet  is  he  not  crowned,  except  he  strive  lawfully." 
We  learn  that  Dr.  Beecher  also  made  the  events  the  subject  of 
n  discourse  preached  from  the  rev.  Mr.  Blagden's  pulpit.  Many 
other  clergymen  alluded  to  the  riots  and  rioters,  and  in  some 
instances  in  prayer  and  apt  selections  of  scriptural  lessons. 

"The  right  rev.  bishop  Fenwick  preached  at  the  church  of  the 
Holy  Cross,  and  addressed  his  auditors  in  the  spirit  of  the  text, 
"Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  riot  what  they  do."  He 
spoke  of  the  rioters  as  a  small  body  of  lawless  men,  whose 
deeds  were  repudiated  by  the  whole  community,  and  urged 
those  of  his  hearers  whose  feelings  were  most  outraged  by  the 
late  occurrences  at  Charlestown  to  pursue  the  paths  of  peace. 
His  discourse  produced  a  powerful  in»&tession,  whose  end  is 
good."  J&*~' 

A  New  York  paper  gives  thfitfollowing  classification 
of  a  political  convention  of  seveyfy  dclega  (lethal  recent- 
ly met  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  "to  settle-  the  affairs  of 
the  nation." 

1  United  States  senator;  1  member  of  congress;  2  members  of 
assembly;  1  countv  clerk;  1  auctioneer;  1  master  in  chancery1; 
1  inspector  of  leal  her;  3  judges  of  county  courts;  8  custom  house 
officers;  I  sher-ifT;  4  deputy  sheriffs;  1-4  postmasters;  17  justices 
of  the  peace;  6  commissioners  of  deeds;  6  supervisors;  3  con- 
stables—70  exactly. 

Settlers  are  still  arriving  in  great  numbers  at  Quebec; 
and  many  perish  with  the  cholera  in  that  city  and  at  Mon- 
treal, or  at  points  reached  by  them  in  Upper  Canada. 

The  accounts  from  Greece  are  rather  of  a  pacific  cha- 
racti-r — •«nd  two  battalions  of  the  German  troops  were 
about  to  return  home.  The  Greeks  enter  the  service  of 
king  Olho  freely.  Some  wholesome  reforms  are  going 
on.  A  Gri-i-k  journal  says— 

"There  were  iii  Greece  .">l'8  convents,  which  contained  only 
4,1 11  monks  and  287  nuns.  Only  8.')  had  sii  or  more  monk.-, 
many  had  only  two,  or  one,  or  none  at  all.  Reckoning  the  in- 
come of  each  convent  at  only  1,000  drachms,  M8, 000  drachma 
were  annually  thrown  awny,  and  Ihi*  revenue  might  easily  be 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1834— MISCELLANEOUS. 


443 


doubled.  Now,  however,  (he  remaining  monks  anil  nuns  have 
been  collected  in  a  small  number  of  convents,  there  to  devote 
themselves  to  their  original  destination,  prayers  and  agriculture, 
and  to  pay  the  tithes  to  the  ecclesiastical  treasury.  The  re- 
maining convents  are  suppressed,  and  their  revenues  added  to 
the  church  funds." 

ELECTIONS. 

With  respect  to  North  Carolina,  the  "Globe"  of  the  26lh 
say* — 

"\Ve  have  returns  from  35  counties  in  North  Carolina,  giving 
61  members  to  th«  ranks  of  the  Jackson  democracy, and  49  an- 
ties  of  all  complexions.  There  are  39  counties  to  hear  from, 
which  we  have  no  doubt,  from  the  political  character  of  the 
district*,  will  double  the  majority.  We  have  a  letter  from  a 
member  of  congress,  who  informs  us  that  his  district  has  given 
a  majority  against  the  administration,  stating  that  the  other  sec- 
tions of  the  state  have  returned  the  majority  which  was  antici- 
pated for  the  administration." 

The  same  paper  also  mentions  that  Mr.  Branch,  (one  of  the 
dismissed  secretaries),  has  been  elected,  and  that  the  seat  of 
the  "hank  candidate"  returned  for  Fayelteville,  will  he  contest- 
ed. A  letter  from  Kayetteville,  so  far  as  the  returns  are  receiv- 
ed, claims  84  for  the  administration  and  puts  down  54  as  op- 
posed or  doubtful.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  freely  said  that  a 
majority  will  not  sustain  the  re-election  of  Mr.  Brown  to  the 
senate  of  the  United  States;  and  the  North  Carolina  Whig 
states  that  Bedford  Brown,  U.  S.  senator  from  that  state,  whose 
lime  expires  on  the  4th  of  March  next,  has  not  the  smallest 
chance  of  re-election.  The  whigs  have  a  decided  majority  in 
both  branches  of  the  legislature.* 

The  returns  are  nearly  all  in  for  Kentucky,  and  the  following 
results  appear — 

For  the  house  of  representatives  it  is  ascertained  that  74 
"whigs"  have  been  elected,  and  the  remaining  26  members  of 
the  house,  100  in  all,  are  possibly  Jacksonians.  In  the  last 
house  the  parties  stood  60  to  40. 

The  senate  consists  of  21  whigs  and  16  Jacksonians,  and 
there  is  one  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  decease  of  a  senator  at 
so  short  a  time  previous  to  the  election  that  the  necessary 
measures  could  not  be  taken  to  order  an  opening  of  the  polls  to 
supply  the  vacancy.  Last,  year  the  senate  stood  20  Jackso- 
nians, 18  whigs.  The  following  is  said  to  shew  the  actual  re- 
sults— 

In  a  joint  ballot,  (there  is  one  vacancy),  the  whole  vote  is 
138 — of  these,  last  year,  77  were  whigs  and  61  administration; 
now  the  state  of  parties  is  95  whigs  and  41  adm.  Majority  on 
joint  ballot  54,  or  a  gain  since  last  year  of  38. 

The  sheriffs  of  the  fifth  congressional  district  have  added  up 
the  polls,  and  officially  returned  Mr.  Letcher  as  elected  to  con- 
gress by  a  majority  of  270. 

The  returns  of  the  election  of  governor  of  Indiana,  so  far  as 
received,  shew  th«  following  aggregates: 

For  Mr.  Noble.". f32,954 

Mr.  Read 24,055 

The  votes  for  lieutenant  governor  are  in  about  the  same  pro- 
portion, and  the  anti-Jackson  candidate,  Mr.  Wallace,  is  cho- 
sen. 

The  Indiana  "Democrat"  issued  the  following  in  an  extra,  on 
the  29th  July  last,  heading  it  "Glorious  news!'" 

"We  have  heard  from  every  county  in  col.  Kinnard's district, 
and  we  are  safe  in  estimating  (hat  judge  Read  will  obtain  in  the 
district  a  majority  of  FIFTEEN  HUNDRED  VOTES.  Let 
the  freemen  of  the  stale  go  and  do  likewise  and  victory  is  cer- 
tain." 

But  the  Indiana  Journal  of  the  16th  August  coldly  publishes 
the  late  returns  from  the  several  counties,  which  have  the  fol- 
lowing results: 

There  are  13  counties,  and  twelve  of  them  gave  majorities  to 
Mr.  Noble,  whose  acgregale  vote  is  6,416  against  4,388  given  to 
Mr.  Read— being  more  than  2,000  in  favor  of  Mr.  Noble  instead 
of  1,500  against  him.  This  was  a  great  change  between  the 
29lh  of  July,  and  the  4th  of  August— the  day  of  the  election. 

The  Indiana  papers  do  not  particularly  state  the  political 
character  «f  the  members  of  the  legislature  chosen;  but  there 
(teems  to  he  a  decided  anti-Jackson  majority  in  that  body,  and 
a  very  large  one  more  especially  opposed  to  Mr.  Van  Buren,  as 
the  successor  of  the  general.  This  will  he  regarded  important, 
if  the  report  is  true  that  Mr.  Tipton  is  about  to  resign  his  seat 
in  the  senate  of  the  United  States— not  feeling  at  liberty  to  sup- 
port the  administration  any  longer.  It  is  added  that  several  of 
the  members  of  the  house  of  representatives  from  this  state 
had  so  changed  their  opinion?,  since  their  return  home. 

The  returns  are  from  25  counties  of  Illinois.  The  result  stands 

Duncan,       7.529    McLaughlin,  2,521— Kinney,  4,347. 
McL.  2,521 


Whig,         10,050 
Van  Buren,    4,347 

Whig  maj.      5,703 


[Kinney] 


*We  have  to  hear  from  other  sources. 

fLater  accounts  say  that  Mr.  Noble's  majority  is  9,553,  and 
only  two  counties  to  be  heard  from,  which  will  not  vary  the  re- 
sult 100  votes. 


The  game  counties  in  1832— the  vote  stood  for  Jackson,  8,945 
—Clay,  4,001— majority,  4,945.  Shewing  a  change,  as  it  it  raid, 
of  10,668.  votes. 

There  is  very  little,  if  any,  doubt  of  the  elec;ion  of  M 
can,  by  a  large  majority. 


r.  Dtm- 


an  avowed  advocate  of  the  hank,  anil  oppoger  of  the  removal  or 
depnsites,of  the  protwst,  and  ofMarttn  Van  Buren,  is  also  elect- 
ed to  the  same  station — and  that  Casey,  the  third  member  elect- 
ed to  congress,  declared  himself  in  favor  of  the  bank  in  order  to 
secure  IIM  election. 

We  think,  however,  from  other  accounts,  that  Mr.  Mills  hn« 
not  been  elected.  It  would  seem,  nevertheless,  that  the  candi- 
dates for  congress  "pledged  themselves  to  vole  for  a  renewat 
of  the  charier  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  to  oppose 
the  succession  of  Mr.  Van  Buren." 

On  these  points  Mr.  Duncan's  opinions  are  well  Known.  He 
voted  with  the  minority  in  the  house  of  representatives  on  near- 
ly every  question  concerning  the  bank,  or  the  deposited,*  and 
so  also  in  the  rase  of  the  contested  election  between  Messrs. 
Letcher  and  Moore,  and  on  others  when  there  appeared  to  be  a 
rallying  of  parties — as  may  be  seen  by  a  reference  to  the  yea» 
and  nays. 

We  add  the  following  extract  from  Mr.  Kinney'a  address  to 
the  electors— "But,  if  it  be  true,  that  the  people  of  Illinois  de- 
sire the  rechattrr  of  the  United  States  bank,  or  the  charter.of 
another,  it  would  seetn  to  be  desirable  that  our  representative,, 
who  is  now  my  competitor  for  the  office  of  governor,  should  be 
permitted  to  remain  where  he  is." 

We  have  later  returns,  as  follows: 

For.  Mr.  Duncan • 8,575 

Mr.  McLaughlin 2,667 

Mr.  Kinney 5,935 

There  are  partial  returns  from  Missouri.  It  seems  that  cer- 
tain proposed  amendments  of  the  constitution  were  made  the 
chief  question  at  the  polls.  The  Bowling  Green  (Missouri) 
"Journal"  of  the  12th  has  the  returns  from  several  counties,  and. 
says— "So  far  as  heard  from  in  the  Mississippi  district,  the  anti- 
Jackson  party  have  a  .majority  of  the  members  in  the  lower 
house— in  the  senate  equal."  But  the  St.  Louis  "Republican" 
of  the  15th,  speaking  of  the  election  of  a  senator  of  the  United 
States,  [Mr.  Linn  holding  his  present  place  by  appointment  of 
the  governor],  gives  us  to  understand  that  no  other  than  a 
"Jackson  man"  can  expect  to  be  chosen.  We  meet  with  th* 
following,  however,  as  taken  from  the  St.  Louis  Advocate,  said 
to  be  a  thorough  going  administration  paper— "The  opposition 
ticket  for  the  lower  house,  has  succeeded  by  four  to  two.  A» 
far  as  our  election  has  gone,  we  augur  but  little  good  from  the 
next  legislature." 

[Perhaps  the  county  is  only  alluded  to.] 

We  notice  in  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  a  report  of  the  election 
of  two  Jackson  and  anti-bank  men  to  the  legislature  of  Jtfism- 
sinni— and  this  is  all  the  particulars  that  we  have  of  the  elections 
in  that  state.  Mr.  Ritchie,  however,  decidedly  says,  that  Mr. 
Poindexter  "will  be  ousted."  But  a  New  Orleans  paper  of  Hie 
12th  says— We  are  gratified  in  learning  that  Mr.  Poindexter's 
re-election  to  the  senate  is  certain,  but  the  election  is  expected 
to  he  a  close  contest.  In  about  a  week  we  may  look  for  suffi- 
cient returns  to  enable  us  to  form  a  conclusive  opinion. 

There  was.  as  we  suggested  in  our  last,  a  "mistake"  about 
the  result  of  the  elections  in  Matama.  The  Huntsville  papers 
give  the  names  of  the  gentlemen  eteeted  in  13  or  14  counties,, 
and  it  seems  that  the  administration  party  has  succeeded  by  ft 
large  majority— for  a  letter  from  Tuscaloosa,  dated  August  7, 
says — 

"We  are  about  to  give  a  dinner  to  King,  McKinley,  Clay, 
Mardis  and  Murphy;  nnd  in  honor  of  the  triumph  of  democratic- 
principles,  gen.  Jackson  is  to  be  invited,  and  a  messenger  has 
been  selected  to  bear  the  invitation  to  the  old  hero.  We  intend 
to  have  a  great  jubilee  of  it." 

ftrj-The  Louisville  Journal  of  the  21st  says— We  are  not  yet 
able  to  «ive  full  returns  from  Indiana  andminois,  but  our  friend* 
need  no  longer  be  anxious  on  account  of  those  states.  In  both 
of  them  revolution  has  done  its  perfect  work.  They  ba*e  been 
"winnowed  by  the  wings  of  liberty." 

P   S     Last  evening's  mail  brought  us  some  accounts  from 

Rhode  'Wn«d,the  election  in  which  took  place  on  Tuesday  last. 

The  whole  number  of  the  members  of  the  assembly  is  72-K  to 

•i  it  to  he  ascertained  that  39  whigs  are  elected-and  supposed 

D"  rUesfn ,  the  house  will  stand  40  whigs,32  adm.mstration, 

!fnH   th-it   i)  the  "worst  possible  slate  of  the  case,"  43 

ou?oTthe  «!  men  he  s  of  The  legislature,  (inc.uding  the  10  ?e. 

tor.  heretofore  elected),  will  vote  against  an  administratton 
"enalo'r  But  5  more,  or  48  against  34,  was  expected  to  shew 
he  real' state  of  the  parties.  We  shall  soon  have  the  facts. 


Though  this  disease  appears  in  solitary  instances  at  sortie  new 
places,  His  not  bad  in  any  in  the  United  Slates,  nor  does  it 


»A1I  except  one,  we  believe— of  importance. 


444 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  80,  1834— FOREIGN  NEWS. 


seem  lo  have  prevailed  as  an  epidemic  amongst  us — though  the 
contrary  appears  to  have  happened  in  Canada.  But  the  pesti- 
lence was  rapidly  declining  at  Quebec,  Montreal,  Toronto, 
Kingston,  &c. 

At  Jllbany  the  disease  had  abated — the  last  report  mentioned 
only  one  death.  The  towns  on  Ihe  Hudson,  we  believe,  may  be 
said  lo  be  free  of  cholera. 

At  New  York  there  were  16  deaths  by  cholera  on  the  23d;  14 
on  the  24th;  26  on  the  25lh;  21  on  the  20th;  24  on  the  27th;  and 
28  on  the  28th. 

In  New  York,  last  week,  the  deaths  amounted  to  367.  Of 
these  the  cholera  carried  off  134,  being  an  average  of  nineteen 
per  day.  167  were  children  under  5  years  of  age. 

The  deaths  by  cholera  at  New  York  have  generally  happened 
in  Ihe  most  crowded  and  filthy  parts  of  the  eity,  and  among  the 
worst  classes  of  its  inhabitants — but  there  were  some  few  decid- 
ul  exceptions. 

Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  are  blest  with  good  health.  In 
the  last  week,  there  were  115  deaths  in  the  former,  of  which  78 
were  children;  and  70  in  the  latter,  42  being  children  under  5 
years  old. 

Individual  cases,  as  they  may  well  be  called,  have  happened 
at  many  places — but  U  does  not  seem  woith  the  while  to  name 
many  of  them. 

But  Buffalo  and  Detroit  have  been  much  afflicted,  and  we  re- 
gret to  say  that,  at  the  latest  dates,  the  cholera  was  yet  severe 
on  their  population.  About  20  cases  happened  at  Cleveland,  and 
a  few  at  Erie.  There  were 26  interments  at  Detroit  on  the  14th 
instant.  It  has  been  terrible  in  this  little  city. 

Among  the  deaths  at  Buffalo,  says  a  N.  York  paper — We  re- 
gret lo  perceive  announced  that  of  M.  Jl.  Andrews,  late  mayor  ol 
Ihat  city,  who  died  on  Monday  morning;  and  of  Mrs.  Andrews, 
who  died  on  the  preceding  night.  Mrs.  A.  was  the  daughter  of  the 
late  chief  justice  Hosmer,  of  Middleiown,  Con.  whose  death 
was  annonced  but  a  few  days  since.  Mr.  Andrews  had  also,  be- 
fore his  death,  lost  two  children  by  the  same  disease.  The 
Buffalo  Daily  Advertiser  thus  adverts  to  the  afflicting  scene: 

'Tis  midnight!  The  clock  tells  twelve — Its  intonations  are 
melancholy — ila  reverberations  sound  like  a  requiem  of  the 
dead.  But  hark!  The  midnight  hearse  is  passing  to  the  tomb, 
to  deposite  ils  victims.  Other  heart-strings  are  severed — 'tis  u 
lovely  daughter!  Who  closed  her  eyes?  Not  a  father  or  a  mo- 
ther; for  they  were  both  on  the  bed  of  death!  And  now  is  re- 
moved Ihe  mother  to  her  last  and  silent  abode — then  swiftly,  as 
if  too  dear  for  earlh's  abode,  the  little  son!  And  now  the  gigantic 
prop— the  father  is  gone!  The  mansion  is  desolate — and  win 
remains  to  werp!  The  fountain  of  sympathy  is  closed — grie 
drank  the  offering  ere  it  reached  the  eye.****Who  could  no 
exclaim  "Would  to  God  I  had  died  for  you!"  But  "PEACE  BE 
STILL!"  Murmur  not  at  the  dispensations  of  Omnipotence,  for 
who  can  resist  His  mighty  mandates? 

A  few  cases  are  said  to  have  happened  at  Charleston,  S.  C. 
We  have  daily  statements  of  the  interments  at  Quebec  and 
Montreal,  for  several  weeks— the  general  results  of  which  arc 
as  follow: 

From  the  7th  July  to  August  14,  inclusive  of  both,  being  39 
days,  1,169  intermenls  took  place  at  Quebec,  against  1,607,  ii 
1832,  the  first  cholera  year.  It  is  not  clearly  stated,  as  to  eithc 
year,  how  many  of  those  interments  were  caused  by  cholera 
but  there  is  reason  to  suppose  that  they  were  between  two 
thirds  and  five-sixths  of  the  whole.  The  disease  has  not  hac 
as  many  victims  as  in  1832,  peihaps  because  it  has  less  subject, 
to  feed  upon;  many  of  the  emigrants  being  stopped  at  Gross 
Island,  where  the  mortality  has  been  awful.  The  deaths  b 
cholera  at  Quebec,  on  the  16th  iust.  were  4— on  the  17th,  li- 
on the  18th,  13— total  in  ihree  days,  38. 

At  Montreal,  in  35  days,  beginning  with  July  12,  when  the 
first  cholera  case  was  staled,  and  ending  wilh  Aug.  15,  Ihe 
whole  interments  at  Montreal  were  1,140,  of  which  798  were 
reported  cholera  cases,  very  many  of  which  were  children 
The  usual  average  mortality  for  those  days  was  205;  and  so  U 
cholera  or  oilier  unusual  causes,  935  deaths  are  attributed 
Deaths  by  cholera  on  the  18th,  19th  and  20th,  only  15— or  5  t 
day. 

The  whole  population  of  Toronto,  U.  C.  is  about  10.000— an 
there  had  been  already  250  deaths  by  cholera— or  I  in  40. 

The  choh.ra  was  dreadful  at  Kingston— whole  families  wert 
eweplaway.  Ho  at  the  little  town  of  Gall— out  of  a  populatioi 
Of  150  persons,  37  died  in  two  days! 

The  cholera  has  been  bad  in  the  Texas  settlement-.-.  In  tl)( 
town  of  Lalmde,  with  only  250  or  275  inhabitants,  145  cases  anr 
40  deaths  had  happened.  One  half  of  the  people  of  Warloui-l 
are  said  to  have  died,  with  a  large  number  ol  the  Manohe  In 
dians.  The  people  fled  to  the  bushes  and  prairies. 

A  few  deaths  by  cholera  had  taken  place  at  Havana,  nnd 
good  many  at  Gibraltar.    The  disease  was  declining  in  Spain 
generally. 

1TRMB. 

Mr.  Elliott,  of  Baltimore,  haviii!.'  failed  to  ascend  in  a  ballnor., 
accompanied  hy  a  lady,  from  Camdcn,  opposite  Philadelphia— 
the  crowd  that  had  betn  collected,  forced  the  enclosure  and 
cut  Ihe  balloon  into  pieces. 

A  forcible  entry,  (or  the  possession  of  Chamber?  street  clmrcli, 
in  New  York,  having  been  inndr.  by  one  party  of  ihe  congrega- 
tion, the  other  prepared  to  oust  ihem  by  force,  while  divine 
wortdiip  wa»  performing— but  refrained  on  the  interference  of 
Uiu  poli««. 


Died,  in  Baltimore,  on  Monday  night  last,  Dr.  William  How 
rd,  of  the  U.  S.  topographical  engineers — a  gentleman  of  fine 
aste,  and  of  very  superior  talents. 

Very  favorable  accounts  of  the  value  and  productiveness  of 
lie  southern  gold  region  continue  to  reach  us.  The  Athena 
Geo.)  Banner  publishes  a  letter  from  Naooochee  Valley,  in  that 
tate,  which  mentions  that  in  one  day  "tu'eire  hands  had  ob- 
ained  one  thousand  one  hundred  and  seventy  five  pennyweights 
•f  gold  from  the  Richardson  mine  in  that  valley.  The  largest 
nass  weighed  98  pennyweights." 

Mr.  Henry  Unu-in  Jldtlin°ton,  some  years  since  British 
harge  d'affaires  at  Washington,  and  recently  minister  at  Mad- 
id, had  retired  from  the  diplomatic  service,  with  a  pension  of 
ighteen  hundred  pounds  sterling  per  annum. 

It  is  announced  in  the  London  paper?,  that  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
.Yood  [ihe  singers]  cleared  $50,000  by  their  trip  to  America. 

Died    lately,   in   Nantucket,   rapt.  Joshua    Coffin,   aged   75. 

?apl.  C.  was  rjne,  ol  tlie  lirr-l  explorers  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  in 
pursuit  of  the  spermaceti  whale.  To  his  early  success  in  these 
Tilvenliirous  voyages,  may  be  ascribed,  in  some  measure,  lh« 

>ersevernnce  with  which  that  fishery  has  since  been   followed. 

The  Bonapnrte  family  are  seeking  to  obtain  two  millions  of 
francs,  from  the  French  government,  for  a  portion  of  Napo- 
eon-'s  property,  still  due.  them. 

The  amount  of  cotton  shipped  down  the  Yazoo  the  past  sea- 
son is  estimated  at  10,000  bales. 

Mr.  Chalkley  Haines'  mare  (in  Columbiana  eounty,  Ohio) 
;ad  twin  colts  last  spring.  Subsequently  his  cow  had  twiir 
c;ilves;  nnd  recently  his  wife  presented  him  with  THREE  chil- 
dren, one  son  and  two  daughters,  at  a  birth.  All  parlies,  except 
the  colts,  which  are  dead,  are  as  well  as  could  be  expected! 

The  ship  Sarah,  the  first  free  trader  from  China,  arrived  at 
London  in  July,  with  a  cargo  of  raw  silk  valued  at  JE 400,000, 
or  $1,800,000. 

There  has  been  a  great  content  at  New  York  between  the 
trumpeters!  Norton,  an  Englishman,  and  Gninbati.  an  Italian — 
both  verv  superior  artists,  and  each  excelling  in  his  particular 
way.  They  played  twice  in  the  presence  of  abou I  3.000  per- 
sons. The  silver  cup  was  awarded  by  the  jndges  to  Norton. 

A  private  gentleman,  recently  from  China,  is  building  a  green 
house  near  Boston,  that  will  be  4W>  feet  long,  mid  of  propor- 
tionable breadth  and  height,  and  cost  20,000  dollars. 

More  than  1,300  persons  have  visited  the  Virginia  sprines  this 
season — as  follows:  while  sulphur  430 — salt  sulphur  230 — red 
sulphur200 — sweet  springs  180 — hot  springs  100 — warm  springs 
75 — blue  sulphur  75 — grey  sulphur,  a  spring  near  Pcterslowi:, 
in  Monroe  county,  20 — lotal  1,310. 

The  diggings  for  gold  have  opened  a  great  market  for  bread- 
stuffs  and  meats  in  Georgia. 

FOREIGN  NEWS. 
From  London  papers  to  the  '23d,  ultimo. 

GREAT    BRITAIN    AND    IRELAND. 

There  have  been  other  changes  in  the  ministry,  the  earl  of 
Carlisle,  lord  privy  seal,  is  said  to  have  resigned  and  his  place 
filled  by  the  earl  of  Mulgrave;  and  it  is  understood  that  Mr.  E. 
Stanley,  the  member  of  parliament  for  Cheshire,  succeeds 
lord  Ilovvick,  as  under  secretary  for  the  home  department. 

Great  excitement  had  been  produced  in  London,  by  the  in- 
fliction of  300  lashes  upon  the  person  of  a  soldier  by  ihe  name 
of  Hutchineon,  al  St.  George's  barracks,  Charins  Cross.  The 
punishment  took  nearly  an  hour  in  inflicting,  and  during  this 
interval  the  drum  beat  according  to  the  loudntss  of  his  shrieks 
for  mercy.  Such  inflictions  are  disgraceful  to  the  age,  and  we 
imsl  ihe  parliament  of  England  will  lake  prompt  measures  to 
put  a  stop  to  a  punishment  at  once  so  degrading  to  the  military 
service,  and  revolting  to  the  feelings  of  humanity. 

The  duke,  of  Wellington  has  paid  to  the  treasury  the  whole 
proceeds  of  his  office  of  lord  warden  of  the  cinque"  ports. 

The  (|iieen  of  England  had  arrived  at  the  ca.-tle  of  Arlcnsiirn, 
near  Liebenstien,  Germany,  and  had  been  joined  there  by  her 
mother,  the  duchess  dowager,  who  had  also  taken  up  her 'resi- 
dence ihere. 

A  subscription  was  being  taken  up  in  London  to  raise  £2,000 
by  the  friends  of  earl  Grey,  to  enable  them  to  present  lady 
Grey  with  a  stalue  of  the  late  premier. 

In  answer  to  an  inquiry  in  the  house  of  lords,  lord  Mel- 
bourne replied  that  minsters  did  not  mean  to  move  the  tliircl 
rciidui!!  of  the  coercion  bill,  but  intended  to  suhslitute  another 
immediately,  which  bill  wits  subsequently  iniroducrd  into  the 
house  of  commons,  and  had  undergone  considerable  discussion. 

Lord  VVharucliffe  had  moved,  in  Ihe  house  of  lords,  for  the 
production  of  the  letter  addressed  by  the  lord  lieutenant  of  Ire- 
land to  eail  Grey,  which  tin:  latter  declared  private  property, 
and  avowed  his  determination  not  to  give  it  up  without  lliu 
consenl  of  ilu;  writer.  Tim  motion  was  subsequently  with- 
drawn. The  ciipital  punishment  bill  had  been  parsed. 

In  the  house  of  commons  on  the  17lh  July,  lord  Allhorp  an- 
nounced HUH  lord  Melbourne  had  compleied  the  arraimeinrnui 
for  tin-'  formation  of  an  administration.  Lord  Duucunnoti  was 


NILES1  REGISTER— AUG.  SO,  1834— LYCEUM  SEMINARIES. 


445 


lo  be  home  secretary;  sir  J.  C.  Hohhouse,  commissioner  of  the 
woods  and  forests;  anil  his  lordship,  in  compliance  wilh  the 
command  of  las  majesty,  would  continue  chancellor  of  the  ex- 
chequer. 

FRANCE. 

Marshal  Soult  had  retired  from  the  ministry  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  marshal  Gerard.  The  cause  of  his  resignation  is 
said  to  be  his  expensive  appropriations  for  the  military  service, 
which  were,  deemed  incompatible  with  the  views  of  the  cham- 
bers, who  are  studying  economy,  and  acquiring  increasing  pow- 
er over  the  public  purse.  The  prefects  had  been  ordered  to  de- 
ny to  marshal  Bourmont  an  entrance  into  France. 

Several  ordonnanees  had  been  published  by  the  minister  of 
commerce,  making  considerable  changes  in  the  commercial 
regulations  of  the  kingdom. 

Al.  Jauge,  the  banker  of  Don  Carlos,  had  been  committed  to 
the  Conciergerie,  under  certain  articles  in  the  penal  code, 
which  makes  aiding  or  abetting  the  enemies  of  the  allies  of 
France,  punishable  by  death;  and  M.  Chateaubriand  had  been 
summoned  lo  be  present  at  the  opening  of  a  teller  addressed  to 
him,  found  on  M.  Jauge.  The  letter  was  written  hy  a  friend  at 
Bordeaux,  informing  M.Chateaubriand  that  Charles  V.  had  just 
passed  through  thai  cily. 

SPAIN. 

Don  Carlos  had  entered  Spain,  is  supposed  to  have  landed 
near  Bayonne,  and  it  is  said  will  march  at  the  head  of  17,000 
men.  He  has  appointed  M.  Villemur  his  minister  of  war,  Zu- 
malacarreguy  his  commander  in  chief,  and  Benito  Eraso.  second 
in  command.  As  soon  as  Charles  had  crossed  the  French 
frontier,  bonfires  were  lighted  in  all  Ihe  villages,  and  Ihe  bells 
of  all  Ihe  churches  sei  ringing.  He  arrived  al  Elisondo  on  Ihe 
10th  ult.  where  he  was  received  by  Ihe  people  with  enthusiasm 
and  publicly  attended  church,  where  a  tedenm  was  performed 
in  honor  of  his  safe  return.  Crowds  of  people  from  all  direc- 
tions flocked  to  Elisondo,  dressed  in  their  Sunday  cloihes,  and 
testified  their  joy  hy  illuminations,  bonfires  and  dancing  all 
night.  On  the  same  day  Don  Carlos,  accompanied  by  gen.  Zu- 
malacarrepuy,  who  had  joined  him  soon  after  his  anival,  set 
out  for  the  head  quarters  of  the  army,  at  some  distance  from 
Elisondo.  The  plan  of  operalions  is,  that  the  kin»  is  immedi- 
ately to  press  forward  to  meet  gen.  Rodil,  attack  him,  and  then 
advance  on  Madrid,  without  stopping  on  the  way. 

The  following  is  the  proclamation  addressed  by  Don  Carlos 
to  the  anny: 

"Soldiers — My,  desires  are  at  length  satisfied,  I  am  in  the 
midst  of  you.  This  is  a  moment  my  heart  has  been  long  ex- 
pecting— you  are  acquainted  with  my  constant  efforts  lo  hasten 
it.  IVly  paternal  heart  is  filled  with  the  sweetest  satisfaction 
when  thinking  of  your  glorious  actions,  which  will  be  transmitted 
to  the  mostdistam  posterity.  Volunleers  and  soldiers,  your  suf- 
ferings, your  faligues,  your  constancy,  your  love  for  your  legili 
mate  kings  and  for  my  royal  person,  are  a  subject  of  admira- 
tion for  all  nations,  who  cannot  find  eulogiums  sufficiently 
worthy  of  such  heroic  devotion.  Let  us  set  out  then,  altoge- 
ther, and  with  me  at  your  head  let  us  march  to  victory.  But 
even  victory  will  be  painful  to  me  if  purchased  at  the  expense 
of  Spanish  blood.  To  avoid  this  I  exhort  all  those  who  have 
been  seduced  or  deceived,  or  who,  docile  to  my  voiee,  will  lay 
down  their  arms,  to  come  and  take  shelter  under  my  royal  man- 
tle, But  if,  contrary  to  my  expectations,  there  should  he  found 
any  sufficiently  blind  lo  persist  in  an  opposite  course,  they 
shall  be  treated  as  rebels  to  my  royal  person.  I  shall  he  as  se- 
vere to  those  who  persevere  in  their  rebellion  as  I  shall  be  in- 
dulgent to  those  who  shall  repent.  And  you,  valiant  and  faith- 
ful warriors,  now  assembled  round  your  chief  and  father,  let 
the  most  riaid  discipline  reigii  among  you,  and  observe  the  most 
strict  obedience  to  your  commanders.  From  discipline  and 
obedience  proceeds  strength,  and  thai  strength  will  secure  us 
the  victory  with  which  God  will  crown  the  cause  of  justice. 
Generals,  officers,  volunteers  and  soldiers,  1  am  grateful  for 
your  immense  services,  which  shall  be  rewarded  hy  your  king. 

"CARLOS. 

"From  my  royal  residence  at  Elisondo,  July  12." 
The  apprehensions  of  cholera  having  subsided,  the  cortes 
was  to  have  been  reconvened  at  Madrid  on  the2-lih  ult.  Tiie 
curate  Merino,  who  had  his  head  quarters  at  the.  village  of  Os 
ma,  had  been  joined  by  Cuevillas  and  several  others,  with  800 
infantry  and  400  cavalry.  The  object  of  the  curate  was  to  di- 
vert the  allention  of  gen.  Rodil  from  the  protection  of  ihe 
northern  provinces.  A  regiment  of  grenadiers,  commanded  by 
col.  Ferris,  had  left  Segovia  for  Signenza,  in  order  to  attack 
the  curate  Merino.  Advices  from  Sarr.'iRossa  affirm-that  Cue- 
villas  had  been  defeated,  and  he  himself  killed. 

NOTICE— GIRARD   BANK. 

Philadelphia,  Jlusti*t  25,  1834. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  held  this  day,  the  fol- 
lowing preamble  and  resolutions  were  adopted: 

Whereas,  stockholders  in  the  Girard  hank,  representing  more 
than  one  half  of  the  capital  stock  thereof,  did,  in  the  month  ol 
March  last,  instruct  the  board  of  directors  "to  restore  to  tin 
proper  authority  the  money  and  deposites  of  the  Uniied  States 
in  their  possession,  as  soon  as  the  same  could  be  effected,  con- 
sistently with  the  convenience  and  safety  of  the  institution;  am 
that  Ihe  said  bank  should  thenceforth  cease  to  be  the  repository 
of  the  moneys  aforesaid." 

Jlnd  whereas,  in  consequence  of  this  action  of  the  stockhold- 
ers, an  arrangement  was  made  with  the  secretary  of  the  treasu- 


ry, by  which  the  contract  then  existing  between  this  bank  and 
the  United  States,  was  annulled,  and  the  whole  balance  of  the 
iiiblic  funds  placed  al  Ihe  immediate  disposal  of  the  said  secre- 
tary, on  the  first  day  of  July  last,  of  which  due  notice  was  given. 

Jlnd  whereas,  since  that  period  no  conlract  has  existed  be- 
tween this  bank  and  the  government,  the  board  having  carried 
nto  effect,  so  far  as  depended  upon  them,  the  instructions  of 
Ihe  stockholders. 

Jlnd  whereas,  a  majority  of  the  whole  stock  of  this  bank,  in- 
..mliiiL'  Ihe  major  part  of  the  stock  which  was  signed  to  the  re- 
solutions of  the  17th  of  March  last,  (and  nearly  two-thirds  of 
mich  portion  of  said  stock  as  remains  in  the  hands  of  the  same 
iwners),  has  been  subsequently  signed  by  the  propiietors  in 
icrson,  or  hy  attorney,  to  a  request  addressed  to  ihe  directors, 
.hat  the  hank  should  resume  the  transaction  of  the  public  husi- 
less,  "if  the  same  could  be  obtained  on  such  terms  as  the  board 
night  deem  expedient,  and  advantageous  to  the  interests  of  the 
nstitulion." 

Jlnd  whereas,  this  board  did,  in  cancelling  the  former  contract, 
let  in  accordance  with  the  views  expressed  by  the  owners,  or 
heir  representatives,  of  a  majority  of  the  stock: 

Jlnd  whereas,  the  present  instructions,  emanating  as  they  do 
from  a  si  ill  larger  majority,  claim,  in  the  opinion  of  the  board, 
?<jual  respect: 

Jlnd  irhereas,  the  board  have,  in  consequence  of  such  iristruc- 
.ions,  made  a  new  arrangement  with  the  secietary  of  the  Irea- 
sury,  such  as  "Ihey  deem  expedient,  and  believe  will  be  advan- 
;ageous  to  ihe  interests  of  this  inslilution:" 

Jlnd  whereas,  it  is  due  to  themselves,  in  order  to  prevent  all 
misconception,  or  unintentional  misrepresentation  ot  their  con- 
luct  and  motives,  to  promulgate  the  recent  proceedings  of  their 
stockholders,  which,  having  taken  place  unaccompanied  by  any 
ncidents  attracting  general  attention,  might  else  remain  un- 
known to  the  public;  and  also,  lo  make  an  explicil  avowal  of 
the  course  which  they  (the  board)  have  pursued  in  reference  to 
.he  same,  which  is  especially  requisite  in  the  present  case,  be- 
cause of  the  great  publicity  given  to  the  former  proceedings, 
both  of  the  stockholders  and  the  board;  therefore, 

Resolved,  I .  That  public  notice  be  given  that  the  Girard  bank, 
ill  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  has  resumed  the  transaction  of  the 
public  business,  as  a  fiscal  agent,  under  a  contract  wilh  the  se- 
cretary of  the  treasury  of  the  Uniied  Stales,  made  and  entered 
into  on  Ihe  eighteenth  day  of  the  present  month. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  foregoing  preamble  and  resolution,  al- 
tesled  by  the  cashier,  be  inserted  in  two  or  more  of  the  daily 
[tapers  of  this  cily.  A  true  copy  from  the  minutes. 

WM.  D.  LEWIS,  cashier. 

LYCEUM  SEMINARIES. 

Addressed  to  the  editor  of  the  Register. 

Self-education  and  self-support  is,  in  all  the  depart- 
ments and  all  the  operations  of  the  lyceum  system,  its 
most  prominent  feature.  It  acknowledges  the  benevo- 
lence, the  overflowing  goodness  of  our  Creator,  in  fur- 
nishing all  his  rational  creatures  with  the  faculties,  and 
in  surrounding  them  with  the  materials,  or  means,  of 
growing  and  rising  in  physical,  intellectual  and  moral 
strength.  The  great  object  of  lyceums  is  to  call  into  ex- 
ercise those  faculties,  and  into  use  those  materials,  so 
abundantly  furnished  by  the  -wisdom  and  goodness  of  the 
Great  Creator,  and  the  constant  and  abounding  Benefac- 
tor. 

There  is,  however,  one  department  of  the  general  and 
national  institution  of  lyceums  in  -which  the  principle  of 
self  support  is  more  fully  and  more  prominently  recog- 
nized than  in  any  of  the  rest.  The  general  plan  of  ly- 
ceums has  ever  contemplated,  within  every  county  or 
oilier  moderate  district,  a  manual  labnr  and  self  support- 
ing school,  which  should  furnish  to  its  pupils  advantages 
equal  to  those  in  our  colleges  for  general  literature  and 
science,  and  much  superior  for  a  practical  business  edu- 
cation to  those  of  any  institutions  in  our  country.  While 
these  schools  are  designed  to  afford  to  farmers,  mecha- 
nics and  all  the  industrious  classes  of  the  community,  the 
best  opportunities  for  a  practical,  useful  education,  they 
are  also  intended  to  be,  in  the  strictest  and  best  sense  of 
the  word,  seminaries  for  teachers — for  teachers  of  schools 
and  lyceums.  They  are  intended  to  furnish  the  means 
for  teachers  to  support  and  educate  themselves,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  construct  their  own  apparatus  and  va- 
rious instruments  of  instruction,  while  they  are  learning 
the  modes  of  using  them,  and  acquiring  the  knowledge 
they  are  designed  to  illustrate.  Lyceum  seminaries  are 
intended  to  unite  manufactories  of  apparatus  tor  illustrat- 
ing various  departments  of  science,  and  the  qualification 
of  teachers  to  use  the  instruments  tor  diffusing  the  science 
among  all  classes  of  the  community,  and  in  every  section 
of  our  country. 

Experience,  on  this  subject,  has  already  proved,  that 
young  men,  and  even  lads,  after  a  short  time,  and  pro- 


446 


N1LES>  REGISTER— AUG.  SO,  1834— LYCEUM  SEMINARIES. 


'bably  young  ladies  and  misses,  can  pay,  by  their  own  in 
dustry,  all  their  expenses  of  board,  clotbes,  books,  tui 
tion,  &c.  and  at  tbe  same  time  acquire  a  more  thorough 
useful  education,  than  it  is  possible  for  any  college  01 
other  institution,  without  moneyed  labor,  to  give  them 
Such  being  the  testimony  of  experience,  the  conclusioi 
follows,  that  any  plain  farmer's  son,  or  poor  mechanic', 
daughter,  can  have  the  means  of  acquiring  a  better  edu- 
cation than  the  money  of  the  rich  can  purchase  for  thei 
children. 

In  all  the  departments,  and  in  all  the  operations  of  the 
lyceuna  system,  there  is  harmonious  action  and  recipro- 
cal and  united  effort.  So,  between  the  lyeeum  semina- 
ries in  all  parts  of  the  country,  there  is  intended  to  be  a 
virtual,  though,  perhaps,  not  a  formal  connection.  It 
many  of  their  operations,  especially  in  the  manufactory 
of  apparatus,  they  may  render  each  other  very  imperial! 
aid;  and,  by  their  united  efforts,  furnish,  not  only  col- 
leges, academies  and  high  schools,  but  lyceums,  common 
schools  and  families,  with  more  abundant,  cheaper  ant 
better  instruments  of  instruction,  tools  of  knowledge,  tha 
«an  possibly  be  furnished  from  any  other  source. 

The  whole  plan  of  lyeeum  seminaries  will  embrace, 
then,  a  central  institution,  which  shall  combine  a  semi- 
wary  for  teachers  and  a  manufactory  of  apparatus,  for  ; 
part,  and  a  prominent  part  of  its  manual,  productive  ex- 
ercises. This  institution  will,  as  far  and  as  fast  as  its 
means  will  permit,  furnish  facilities  to  any  other  manual 
labor  schools,  by  supplying  them  with  prints,  tools,  ex- 
perience, kc.  as  aids  to  their  intellectual  productive  exer- 
cises. With  such  aid,  any  manual  labor  school,  now  in 
operation,  might  engage  in  the  manufactory  of  globes, 
mechanical  powers,  geometrical  solids,  and  most  of  the 
instruments  for  \\\K  practical  sciences,  if  not  for  the  more 
abstract  and  abstruse  subjects. 

These  statements,  Mr.  Editor,  are  not  from  theory  or 
conjecture;  they  are  from  experience  for  a  course  ol 
years;  having  conducted  an  agricultural  school  for  ten 
years,  in  which  the  pupils  paid  all  their  expenses  by  their 
own  industry;  and  having  also  had  much  apparatus  made 
under  my  direction,  and,  in  a  great  measure,  by  the 
strength  and  skill  of  lads  and  misses  from  fourteen  to 
eighteen  years  of  age. 

The  question  will  naturally  arise,  by  what  means  can 
these  seminaries,  whose  prominent  feature  is  self  educa- 
tion and  self  support,  be  established  through  our  coun- 
try, in  such  numbers,  and  under  such  circumstances,  as 
to  hold  out  proposals,  and  afford  opportunities,  for  the 
children  of  every  class,  without  distinction,- to  secure  to 
themselves  the  rich  blessing  of  a  sound  physical,  intellec- 
tual and  moral  education. 

To  this  natural  and  important  question  the  answer 
may  be,  perhaps,  by  COUNTI  LYCEUMS.  It  is  evident 
that  the  whole  community,  and  all  sections  of  our  coun- 
try, can  more  conveniently  act,  and  co-operate  with  each 
other,  through  the  medium  of  county  societies,  than  by 
any  other  divisions  or  districts  known  throughout  the 
states.  As  counties  through  the  union  will,  probably, 
not  average  more  titan  forty,  miles  in  diameter,  very  few 
would  have  to  travel  more  than  twenty  miles,  and  a 'large 
majority  less  than  ten  miles,  to  attend  count}' conventions, 
or  the  quarterly  meetings  of  county  lyceums.  Consider- 
ing the  importance,  and,  if  properly  conducted,  the  in- 
structive and  interesting  character  of  education  conven- 
tions, which  county  lyceums  might  easily  furnish  at  their 
•quarterly  meetings,  a  general  attendance  of  teachers, 
school  committees,  parents,  children,  and  the  lovers  of 
knowledge  and  the  friends  of  education  generally,  might 
reasonably  be  expected.  And  by  their  attendance,  a  warm 
and  generous  sympathy,  an  organized  and  vigorous  sys- 
,tem  of  measures  and  efforts,  might  be  sustained,  for  the 
great  and  all  important  cause  in  which  every  man,  wo- 
man and  child,  is  equally  interested. 

Under  such  views  and  feelings,  I  have  witnessed,  with 
no  little  satisfaction,  proposals  for  simultaneous  action 
in  this  cause.  The  proposal  has  been  made,  and  re- 
sponded to  from  several  sources,  for  county  education 
•conventions,  in  all  the  states  and  all  the  counties  in  the 
union,  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  November  next,  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  county  lyceums,  as  a  preparatory 
••tep  for  accomplishing  any  other'  objects,  which  might 
J>e  found  practicable  and  desirable.  Among  the  objects 


which  county  lyceums  might,  at  an  early  period,  take 
up  to  advantage,  would  be  seminaries  for  self-education 
and  self-support.  In  connection  with  these,  and  perhaps 
in  many  instances  preceding  them,  circuit  schools,  for 
the  purpose  of  weekly,  semi-weekly,  or  even  semi- 
monthly courses  of  instruction,  where  more  frequent 
courses  could  not  be  sustained,  might  be  taken  under 
consideration  and  carried  into  effect,  by  county  societies. 
Indeed,  the  advantages  of  associations  for  systematic  and 
concentrated  effort,  in  the  diffusion  of  knowledge,  are  so 
great  and  so  evident,  and  the  results  of  county  lyceums 
in  particular,  have  been  so  uniformly  and  so  strikingly 
happy,  that  the  proposal  for  such  measures  only  needs 
to  be  made  to  be  seconded,  and  to  secure  the  general 
sanction  of  enlightened  individuals  and  communities. 

On  the  subject  of  simultaneous  action,  through  the  me- 
dium of  county  conventions  and  county  lyceums,  it  is 
gratifying  to  be  able  to  state  that  numerous  facilities  may 
be  procured  to  render  the  meetings,  not  only  useful,  but 
instructive  and  entertaining.  Thomas  S.  Grimke,  ol 
Charleston,  S.  C.  as  a  committee,  appointed  by  the  lite- 
rary and  philosophical  society  of  that  state,  has  recently 
prepared  an  address  to  the  citizens  of  South  Carolina, 
giving  an  exposition  of  the  lyeeum  system  in  its  various 
departments  and  operations,  from  national  and  state  so- 
cieties, down  to  family  lyceums,  and  from  exercises  for 
mutual  and  self-instruction  in  the  dead  languages  and  the 
most  abstruse  sciences,  down  to  penmanship,  reading  and 
orthography.  This  address,  which  is  as  applicable  to 
the  citizens  of  other  states  as  those  of  S.  Carolina,  can 
easily  be  procured,  and  portions  or  the  whole  of  it  read, 
as  one  of  the  exercises  of  the  proposed  conventions. 

Numerous  other  pamphlets  have  been  published  on 
the  subject,  some  of  which  contain  the  forms  of  constitu- 
tions, among  other  things  to  facilitate  the  operations  and 
the  objects  of  the  meetings. 

All  the  materials  and  means  for  commencing  county 
museums,  or  cabinets  of  nature  and  art,  are  at  hand  in 
great  abundance.  In  the  numerous  cabinets  already  col- 
lected, both  by  individuals  and  by  institutions,  are  dupli- 
cates which  the  owners  will  gladly  appropriate  to  such 
an  object,  whenever  an  opportunity  is  offered. 

In  the  gold  regions  at  the  south  are  several  county  ly- 
ceums, whose  prominent  object  is  to  collect  and  exchange 
specimens.  From  this  source,  a  museum  in  each  of  the 
eleven  hundred  counties  in  the  states,  may  be  supplied 
immediately  with  specimens  of  gold  ore. 

In  every  county  a  museum  might  be  commenced,  at 
the  first  meeting,  by  specimens  carried  by  those  who 
should  attend  it.  The  specimens  thus  collected,  if  not 
known  by  those  who  presented  them,  might  be  named 
and  described  by  some  other  persons  present,  as  in  near- 
ly every  county,  are  a  few  individuals  who  have  some 
knowledge  of  natural  history. 

Among  the  most  encouraging  and  gratifying  circum- 
stances, as  an  aid  in  promoting  the  objects  of  county  ly- 
ceums, is  a  resolution  recently  passed  by  the  board  of 
managers  of  the  Baltimore  Union  Lyceum,  -which  is  as 
follows: 

Resolved,  That  this  board  esteem  the  organization  of 
county  lyceums  throughout  the  union,  as  an  important 
step  for  the  advancement  of  American  education:  that  we 
will  prepare,  as  soon  as  practicable,  specimens  of  mine- 
rals, plants,  penmanship,  map  drawing  and  needlework, 
for  any  county  lyeeum  which  may  apply  for  the  same, 
and  that  we  invite  the  school  and  other  juvenile  lyceums 
connected  with  our  society,  to  render  their  assistance  in 
accomplishing  the  object  of  the  resolution. 

As  great  as  this  resolution  may  at  first  appear,  it  can 
>e  accomplished  with  great  ease  by  bringing  in  the  aid 
of  the  juvenile  members  of  the  society,  by  which  several 
thousand  specimens  are  already  collected  for  that  object; 
ind  if  similar  measures  should  be  adopted  in  all  our  prin- 
;ipal  cities,  as  they  have  already  been  in  several,  a  system 
of  exchanges  in  the  works  of  nature  and  of  art,  might  be 
easily  and  readily  instituted,  which  would  give,  not  only 
.o  every  county  lyeeum,  but  to  every  village  and  neigh- 
>orhood  lyeeum  and  school,  and  even  to  every  family,  an 
nstructive  and  valuable  cabinet  of  natural  history,  or  a 
museum  of  natural  and  artificial  productions  and  curiosi- 
ies. 

The  above  statements,  facts,  views,  plans  and  sugges- 
ions,  are  very  respectfully  submitted  for  the  cousidera- 


WILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  SO,  1 884— FREEMASONS. 


447 


tion  of  such  of  the  friends  of  education  and  general  im- 
provement, as  liiay  have  an  opportunity  and  a  dispositio 
to  examine  them,  hy  their  friend, 

JOSIAH  HOLBROOK. 


APPROPRIATIONS  AT  THE  LAST  SESSION. 
The  following  is  copied  from  the  Charleston  ''Mercury,"  de 
rived  from  a  letter  written  by  Warren  R.  Davis,  esq.  of  Hit 
house  of  representatives,  saying — "I  enclose  an  exact  account 
which  I  have  just  received,  of  the  enormous  appropriations  o 
the  present  year.  To  this  may  be  added,  anoiher  million  for 
private  claims,  which  will  make  an  aggregate  of  near  eighteen 
millions,  alter  the  public  debt  has  been  paid!" 

BILLS — HOUSE   REPRESENTATIVES. 

•Aggregate  amount  of  appropriations  contained  in  the  following 
named  bills  of  a  public  character,  which  passed  in  1833,  '34,  Isi 
session,  "23d  congress. 

Bill,  No.  36.  Making  partial  appropriation   for  the 
support  of  government  for  1834  $770,880 

109.  Appropriations  for  the  Indian  department  for  1834      129,54 

110.  For  the  naval  service  for  1834  3,548,072 
159.  For  the  improvement  of  the  Hudson  river  70,000 
164.  For  the  following  objects  to  wit: — purchasing  live 

oak  frames,  for  a  frigate  and  sloop  of  war  50,000 

Furnishing  hospitals  04,000 

Building  naval  magazines  24,000 

Building  naval  store  ship  40,000 

Building  the  small  vessels  of  war  70,000 

Repairs  of  marine  barracks  8,000 

181.  Appropriations  for  fortifications  for  1834  870,594 

182.  For  Indian  annuities  for  1834  927,591 
207.  For  the  public  buildings  and  other  purposes  76,500 
212.  For  revolutionary  and  other  pensions  lor  1835  1,969,281 
238.  For  the  military  academy  139.000 
240.  For  light  houses  200,638 
246.  For  the  military  service  for  1834  3,492,763 
269.  For  improvement  of  Harbors  702.283 
274.  For  a  road  in  Florida,  &c.  13.000 
279.        Do.        in  Arkansas  10,000 
283.  For  the  civil  and  diplomatic  service  for  1834  2,563,448 
303.  For  the  Potomac  bridge  130,000 
393.  To  complete  the  improvement  on  Pennsylvania 

avenue  8,000 
446.  To  purchase  Washington's  papers  25,000 
459.  For  experiments — steam  engines  5,000 
480.  For  rebuilding  frigate  Constitution  180,000 
486.  Reappiopriatina  unexpended  balance  for  the  pay- 
ment of  Georgia  militia  claims  37,600 
518.  Making  appropriations  for  Harper's  Ferry  armory  3,000 
541.  To  carry  into  effect  Indian  treaties  282,100 


15,710,295 

SENATE   BILLS. 

S.  29.  For  certain  roads  in  Michigan  $58,000 

S.  49.  Road  in  Arkansas  17,000 

S.  75.  Road,  Memphis  to  Little  Rock,  Arkansas  15,000 

S.  79.  For  the  Cumberland  road  750,000 

S.  97.  Improvement,  Wabash.  held  up  by  the  president  20,000 

S.  203.  For  the  benefit  of  the  city  of  Washington  70,000 


$16,640,295 

N.  B.  For  the  different  items  in  each  bill  see  the  corrected 
copies  of  bills,  accompanying  this  statement. 
Private  bills,  about  $1,000,000 

The  Mercury  has  some  severe  remark*  on  certain  of  these 
appropriations,  and  especially  on  that  for  the  Cumberland 
road,  which,  it  alleges,  the  friends  of  the  president  said  would 
be  vetoed.  It  also  speaks  of  the  approval  of  the  bill  concerning 
the  navigation  of  the  Hudson,  and  the  disapproval  of  the  less 
money  bill  to  improve  that  of  the  Wabash. 

PRESIDENTIAL  ELECTION  OF  1832. 
From  the  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser, 
We  have  been  frequently  asked  the  question  what  was  the 
majority  of  the  voles  of  the  people  for  Jackson  in  1832?  Also 
whether  Van  Buren  had  a  majority  for  vice  president?  The 
latter  question  we  have  answered  repeatedly  in  the  negative, 
but  to  the  former  we  have  been  unable  to  reply,  owing  to  the 
returns  from  many  stair-  being  incomplete.  We  aru  at  length 
enabled  to  present  the  following  statement,  which  is  in  the  main 
correct.  It  gives  the  majority  only  in  Missouri,  viz:  5,159  for 
Jackson;  and  the  votes  by  the  people  in  all  the  other  states  ex- 
cept Ma.ba.ma  and  South  Carolina,  (the  former  o/  which  voted 
for  Jackson  and  Van  Buren,  and  the  latter  for  Floyd  and  Lee), 
will  be  found  below.  It  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  was 
in  the  minority  at  the  last  election,  as  he  was  in  this  state  when 
lie  ran  for  governor  in  1828.  General  Jackson,  it  will  also  be 
observed,  obtained  a  less  majority  by  the  people  in  1832  than  in 
1828,  although  he  received  a  greater  number  of  electoral  vote*. 
VOTE  OF  1832. 

Jackson  and  Van  Bureu 583.810 

Jackson  and  Barhour 12,722 

Jucksoii  and  Wilkins 80,983 

687,515 


Clay  and  Sergeant 328,033 

Win  and  Ellmaker 255,873 

Ami  Jackson  (in  Tennessee) 1,436 

585,342 

•Majority  for  Jackson 102,173 

For  vice  president, 

Barboiir 12,722 

Wilkins 90,983 

Servant 328,033 

Ellmaker 255,873 

Ami  Jackson  in  Tennessee 1,436 

ggg  047 

For  Van  Buren 583J810 


Majority  against  Van  Buren 105,237 

liB  preceding  has  brought  to  recollection  some  other 
matters  belonging  to  the  subject  in  general,  which  it  is  pro 
bable  that  we  shall  prepare  and  publish  at  an  early  day — fora 
belter  understanding  of  the  "voice  of  the  people,"  and  the  con- 
ditions of  the  constitution.  Ours  is  a  federal  and  not  a  consoli- 
dated government.  The  people, strictly  speaking,  are  not  really 
represented  in  either  of  its  departments,  legislative  or  executive. 


FREEMASONS. 

Whatever  objection  adhering  masons,  and  others  who 
had  long  retired  from  the  society,  may  have  entertained 
concerning  political  anti-masonary,  and  especially  on 
account  of  the  manner  which  anti-masons  sometimes 
adopted  to  accomplish  their  great  ostensible  object — we 
think  that  there  are  not  many  reflecting  and  still  adher- 
ing masons,  and  none  that  have  retired,  who  will  not 
assent  to  the  fairness  of  the  facts  as  stated  in  the. -fol- 
lowing resolutions — and  that  hundreds  may  be  induced 
to  do  all  that  they  can,  in  a  quiet  and  orderly  way,  to 
urge  forward  and  bring  about  the  result  aimed  at. 

When  a  man  is  placed  on  the  support  of  what  he  con- 
siders his  own  just  rights,  he  gathers  up  his  strength  and 
oftentimes  does  things  that  are  repugnant  to  his  private 
wishes,  or  even  personal  convenience.  Thus,  if  one 
|)erson  says  to  another,  you  shall  walk  on  the  shady 
side  of  the  street  when  the  thermometer  is  at  95° — the 
latter  feels  immediately  disposed  to  say  /wonV — and  will, 
"n  a  spirit  of  independence,  take  the  sunny  side  of  the 
way.  The  principle  of  this  proceeding  needs  no  illustra- 
tion; for.  in  claiming  the  right  of  action,  in  many  re- 
spects, very  prudent  persons  may  place  themselves  in 
an  attitude  of  resistance  to  wholesome  recommendations, 
f  assuming  the  shape  of  dictations,  under  penalties  threat- 
ened for  non-compliance.  We  have  nothing  to  say  against 
his  rule  of  action,  in  such  cases — but  we  think  that  every 
lerson  is  bound  to  yield  up  his  speculative  opinions,  if 
offensive  to  the  community  in  \vhich  he  lives — his  right 
,o  hold  them  being  unquestioned.  And  this,  indeed,  is  in 
strict  correspondence  with  the  familiar  and  daily  acts  of 
a  large  majority  of  persons — in  drtss,  mariners  and  har 
bits, 

MASONIC    MEETING    IN     WORCESTER     CODNTY,   MASSACHUSETTS. 

At  a  meeting  of  freemasons  from  all  parts  of  the  county  of 
Worcester,  assembled  at  Worcester  on  the  18lh  day  of  August, 
834,  lion.  Aaron  Tufts,  of  Dudley,  was  elected  chairman,  and 
(ohn  G.  Tliurston,  of  Lancaster,  secretary.  The  views  and 
opinions  of  those  present,  on  the  present  condition  ol'lhe  insti- 
ution  having  been  fieely  expressed,  a  committee  was  appoinl- 
:d,  consisting  of  William  Lincoln,  of  Worcester,  hon.  Joseph 
Bowman,  of  New  Brainlree,  hon.  William  S  Hastings,  of  Men- 
Jon,  Linus  Child,  esq.  ol'Southbridge  and  hon.  Charlus  Russell, 
if  Princeton,  to  report  resolutions  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the 
neetiiij;.  The  following  resolutions  having  been  fully  consider- 
ed, were  unanimously  adopted: 

Resohief,  That  under  existing  circumstances,  we  believe  it 
las  become  a  duty,  which  freemasons  owe  as  well  to  the  public 
is  themselves,  frankly  to  declare  their  views  of  the  masonic 
nstitution,  and  of  its  present  condition. 

Rfsolred,  That,  in  our  opinion,  the  masonic  institution  was 
nuinally  established  for  benevolent  and  good  purposes — that  in 
ts  practical  operation,  in  this  comnionwealtU,  we  have  known 
iolhin<!  conflicting  with  moral,  social  or  civil  duty — that  here  it 
as  been  of  honorable  character  and  charitable  tendency — em- 
racing  among  its  members  many  virtuous  and  pure  men,  and 
muiotic  and  worthy  citi/.ens — and  that  masons  can  never  divest 


'The  electoral  vole  of  1828  was — 

For  Jackson 650.9-13 

Adams 511 ,475 

Majority 139,488 

Do.      in  1832 102,173 


Decrease  of  majority 37,295 


448     N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1 834 -SUPPRESSED  SPEECH  OF  MR.  ADAMS. 


themselves  of  self-respect,  nor  consent  that  others  should  de- 
prive them  of  civil  rights,  l>y  reason  of  their  having  been  con 
in  cteil  \vi!h  the  institution. 

Hesolved,  Thai  in  the  changes  and  improvements  of  society, 
we  believe  the  masonic  institution  has  now  become  unneces- 
sary; and  while  social,  charitable  unil  benevolent  objects  can  lie 
vfiecinally  accomplished  in  oilier  modes  more  congenial  with 
public  sentiment,  we  consider  it  no  longer  useful  nor  expedient 
in  sustain  iis  organization,  at  the  expense  of  the  peace  and  har- 
mony of  society. 

Resolved,  Tnat  respectful  regard  to  public  opinion,  to  the  sen- 
timents of  thin  great  portion  of  the  community  unconnected 
willi  the  institution  or  with  iis  assailants,  to  the  spirit  of  recent 
)cgi>laiive  enactments,  and  to  lh<:  tranquillity  of  society,  re- 
quires that  the  institution  should  now  be  voluntarily  dissolved 
by  its  members. 

Resolved,  That  the  institution  may  now  be  relinquished  by 
the  free  and  voluntary  act  and  common  consent  of  its  members 
without  sacrifice  of  honor  or  integrity. 

Resolved,  That  under  the  existing:  circumstances  of  the  ma 
tonic  institution,  we  deem  it  a  civil  duty,  which  we  have  al 
ways  regarded  as  paramount  to  all  masonic  obligations,  to  en- 
deavor to  effect  the  entire  extinction  of  Hint  institution  by  vo- 
luntary and  general  relinquishmenl. 

Resolveil,  That  the  act  of  incorporation  of  the  grand  lodge  of 
Massachusetts  having  been  surrendered — an  act  ol  the  legislature 
having  declared  any  unauthorised  oath  ur  obligation  unlawful — 
the  meetings  of  most  of  the  lod»e*  in  the  state  having  been  sus- 
pended, and  their  charters  suffered  10  expire  by  their  own  limi 
tation,  and  masons  in  ritftcicnt  p^irls  of  the  common  wealth  hav 
ing  generally  long  since  n-a-ed  to  act  as  such,  we  h<  lieve  their 
views  in  regard  to  the  masonic  in-liiniion  are  in  accordance 
with  our  own.  And  appealing  to  their  c;«ndnr  and  sober  judg 
ini-iit  to  confirm  the  correctness  of  these  opinions,  we  do  re- 
spectfully, l;ul  earnestly,  invite  oilier  masons  lo  make  such  ex- 
pression of  their  views  as  shall  leave  the  community  no  occa- 
sion longer  to  doubt  on  the  subject. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolution.',  signnl  by  llie  chairman  and 
secretary,  be  communicated  to  other  masons,  and  to  the  editors 
of  newspapers  in  the  county  for  publication. 

AARON  'I'Ui'TS,  chairman. 

JOIIN  G.  TIIUESTON,  secretary, 

Those  proceedings  must  have  a  powerful  effect  in  llie 
eastern  states,  for  the  recommeudutipDi  will  be  generally 
adopted,  unless  by  those  who  would  keep  up  or  renew 
the  "excitement"  under  influences  that  masonry  has 
always  held  one  of  its  strongest  protests  against.  It  has 
Wen  stated  that  four-fifths  or  seven-eighths  of  the  lodges 
«nd  chapters  in  New  York  have  been  closed,  and  we  be- 
lieve that  the  society  is  in  a  rapid  state  of  decline  in  se- 
veral oilier  states,  as  having  become  unnecessary,  as  well 
as  inexpedient,  if  ever  indeed  it  was  generally  useful,  or 
fitted  to  the  present  improved  state  of  society,  which 
teaches  ns  to  regard  every  worthy  man  as  a  brother. 

We  have  had  good  opportunities  of  knowing  the  triith 
on  the  subject,  (whether  in  secret  movements  or  public 
proceedings),  and  feel  it  right  on  this  occasion  decidedlj 
to  say — that  no  solitary  case  ever  came  under  our  ob- 
servation in  which  masonry  entered  the  ballot-  box,  un- 
less remotely,  or  on  the  same  principles  by  which  al 
men  are  governed  in  the  ordinary  business  of  life.  We 
prefer  certain  persons  as  our  tailors,  shoe-makers,  hat- 
ters, &c.  because  we  are  personally  acquainted  will 
them,  and  they  have  served,  or  will  serve  us,  ns  well  am 
as  reasonably,  as  other  persons  can  or  will  do,  and  so  i 
is  among  all  sets  or  parties,  religious  or  social — and  fur- 
ther than  on  these  simple  elements,  we  have  no  persona 
knowledge  or  reason  to  believe,  that  masonry  has  inter- 
fcrred  in  preference*  to  public  places  of  honor  or  profit 
in  any  manner  whatsoever.  We  speak  only  for  ourselves 
and  have  reference  to  our  own  experience,  only. 

MINT  OF  THE  UXITED  STATES. 

I'liilrnlelphia,  9th  July,  1834. 

SIR:  The  certified  copy  of  the  act  relative  to  the  gold  coins 
of  the  United  States,  forwarded  with  your  letter  of  tins  7lh,  ha 
hern  received. 

In  regard  t"  your  suggestion  of  affixing  to  the  gold  coinage 
nflt-r  the  31-t  iiist.  ihe  dale  ofthe  month,  lo  designate  the  new 
coins  from  oiUcrs  nl  the  current  year,  I  have  respectfully  lo  nb 
-n\v.  ihat  tor  Ihe  puip.'ise  of  such  designation,  the  engrave 
n.ii  been  directed  to  execute  new  dies,  in  which  two  improve 
mpiils,  contemplated  for  some  years  past,  shall  be  introduced 
one  is.  the  omission  of  the  words  "e  plunbus  unum"  on  the  re 
verse;  the  other  is,  the  substitution  of  a  new  head  of  liberu 
without  tin:  dress  cap— the  hair  being  only  restr.iined  by  tin 
cincture  bearing  the  inscription  "Liberty." 

The.  cap  has  by  many  been  regarded  as  intended  for  the  clas 
»ie  cap  of  liberty,  and  under  this  idea  has  received  fiivor,  RS 
proper  to  be  retained,  even  with  some  who  have  not  been  in 
sensible  that  it  impaired  the  beauty  of  the  coin.  I  have,  how 


ver,  to  remark,  that  the  cap  on  our  coins  was  not  designed  A> 
he  liberty  cap.  It  was  not  introduced  on  the  .-liver  coins  until 
,bout  the  year  1806,  and  was  then  copied  from  what  was  con- 
idered  a  handsome  specimen  of  the  female  head  dress  of  that 
lay.  On  the  gold  coins  a  cap  had  been  introduced  from  the 
ir.-l,  which  has  certainly  some  resemblance  to  the  usual  form 
>f  the  cup  of  liberty.  I  am,  however,  satisfied,  from  several 
onsiderations,  and  indeed  have  the  direct  assurance  of  Mr. 
Jckfeldt,  the  chief  coiner,  who  has  been  familiar  with  the 
whole  subject  from  the  tirst .  that  it  was  not  so  intended.  When 
a  cap  was  introduced,  as  before  stated,  on  the  silver  coin,  that 
on  the  gold  was  conformed  thereto. 

It  is  wholly  al  variance  with  classic  authority  to  place  the  pi- 
eus,  or  liberty  cap,  on  the  head  ofthe  figure  representing  liber- 
y.  When  it  is  introduced  in  statuary,  or  on  a  medal,  or  a 
coin,  it  is  found  borne  by  liberty  herself  on  a  wand,  or  in  her 
land,  or  appears  at  her  feet,  and  indicates  her  as  the  beneficial 
>eing  through  whose  influence  the  blessings  of  freedom  are  con- 
erred  on  others;  and  such  a  cap,  placed  on  a  freed- man,  we 
enow  from  the  Roman  annals,  WPS  the  insignium  of  his  free- 
dom. 

This  view  of  classic  propriety  was,  no  doubt,  very  familiar  to 
hose  under  whose  authority  the  first  coinage  of  the  United 
States  commenced.  The  early  copper  coins  bear  the  cap  of 

herty,  but  never  on  the  head  of  the  figure.  The  coinage  of 
Prance  of  that  period,  presents  also  various  pertinent  examples 
ii  point. 

It  may  be  satisfactory  further  to  remark,  that  soon  after  my 
appointment  to  the  charge  ol  the  mint,  I  addressed  to  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson, who  at  the  commencement  of  the  mint  was  a  member 
of  the  government,  then  resident  in  this  city,  an  inquiry  in  re- 
gard to  the  authority  on  which  the  devices  on  our  coins  had 
Ijeen  originally  adopted, and  particularly  presented  the  question 
regards  the  cap  on  the  head  of  liberty.  His  recollection,  he 
informed  me  did  not  reach  the  subject,  and  no  notes  had  been 
preserved  in  regard  to  it;  but  he  was  direct  and  explicit  as  lo 
the  unfilness  ol  placing  Ihe  pileus  or  cap  of  liberty  on  the  head 
of  the  figure — adding,  "for  we  are  noi  emancipated  slaves." 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  &c. 

SAMUEL.  MOORE. 

lion.  Lcri  Woodlury,  secretary  of  the  treasury. 

We.  meet  with  the  following  in  a  scrap  lying  on  our  table, but 
from  whence  derived  we  cannot  say.  It  is  applicable  to  tile 
matters  slated  or  suggested  by  the  director  of  the  mint — 

"The  right  of  covering  the  head  was  in  early  times  a  mark  of 
liberty.  Slave*  always  went  bare  headed,  and  one  ofthe  cere- 
monies ofemnnrijinliyn  was  the  placing  the  cap  on  the  head  by 
the  former  master.  Thus  ihe  cap  became  the  sirmbol  of  liberty, 
and  has  played  a  part  in  tn^ny  revolutions.  The  Swiss  owe 
their  liberty  to  the  hat  which  Gcsler  ordered  lo  be  saluted  as  a 
mark  of  submission.  The  arms  of  the  united  Swiss  cantons 
have  a  round  hat  for  a  crest.  The  cap  was  also  used  in  France 
as  a  symbol  of  liberty  at  the  beginning  of  the  revolution  in 
1789." 

SUPPRESSED  SPEECH  OF  MR.  J.  a.  ADAMS. 

It  will  be  recollected,  and  may  be  seen  by  a  reference  to  our 
journal  of  the  proceedings  of  the  house  of  representatives,  that 
Mr.  Jldams  made  four  attempts  to  get  a  healing  for  the  legisla- 
ture of  Massachusetts,  by  whom  certain  resolutions  on  the  state 
ofthe  currency  and  the  removal  of  the  public  money,  had  been 
passed;  and  Ihat,  on  the  4th  of  April,  when  a  seemingly  fair  op- 
porlunily  presented  itself  for  delivering  his  opinions  in  support 
of  these  resolutions,  Ihe  previous  Question  was  called,  as  if  by 
previous  arrangement;  and,  that  being  carried,  he  resorted  lo 
the  press  to  make  public  those  remarks  which  it  was  his  inten- 
tion to  address  to  the  house. 

This  suppressed  speech  has  been  widely  circulated.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  powerful  articles  that  ever  came  from  the 
strong  pen  of  Mr.  Adams,  who,  it  is  admitted,  holds  one  of  the 
most  powerful, as  w»ll  as  the  sharpest  pens  in  the  world,  as  the 
public  records  and  his  private  correspondence  certainly  show. 
The  whole  is  too  long  for  insertion  at  once,  and  it  is  difficult  to 
make  the  selection  of  an  extract — hut  we  have  preferred  for  the 
present,  his  remarks  on  ihe  charges  of  corruption  so  liberally  be- 
stowed on  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  the  friends  of  that 
institution,  and  yet  so  foolishly  or  wickedly  persevered  in;  fool- 
ishly, because  the  enemies  of  llie  bank  impcar.h  TIIEIR  OWN  PAR- 
IT  in  the  imputed  corruption — and  wickedly,  for  we  must  needs 
believe  thai  those  who  made  such  charges  have  no  manner  of 
belief  in  the  truth  of  them,  a  few  solitary  and  important  cases, 
perhaps,  [and  only  perhaps,]  excepted. 

Extract  from  Mr.  Adams'  suppressed  speech. 

And  now,  sir,  let  us  follow  the  track  of  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  nnd.in,f|uire  what  has  been  the  cost  of  this  contested 
Kleclion  lo  thi  people  ofthe  United  States.  The  secretary  of  the 
treasury  tells  you,  that  the  sum  of  $60,000,  spent  in  the  space 
of  tmir  years  upon  electioneering  pamphlets  liy  ike  bank,  is  suf- 
ficiently startling.  Startling,  Mr.  Speaker,  is  an  emotion,  and 
not  a  calculation;  the  word  is  sensitive,  and  not  meditative;  it 
indicates  passion,  and  nol  reflection.  It  is  not  the  word  or  the 
thing  best  adapted  to  the  operations  of  a  financier.  Calculation 
is  always  cool.  l,et  ns  keep  ourselves  cool,  and  compare  air- 
counts.  The  bank  in  the  course  of  four  years  have  spent 
jJ<SO,000  in  priming  and  paper,  they  say  in  self  defence;  the  pre- 
sidt  nt  of  the  United  States  says,  in  electioneeiing  o^ninxt  Aim, 
aud  for  a  mcharter  to  themselves.  This  money  was  the.  pro- 


WILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1834— SUPPRESSED  SPEECH  OF  MR.  ADAMS.     449 


perty  of  the  stockholders,  and  one-fifth  part  of  it,  ,f  12,000,  be- 
longed to  the  people  of  the  United  Stairs.  Sir,  tile  people,  of 
the  United  States  own  70,000  shares  nf  the  stock  of  this  hank. 
When  the  president  ol"  the  United  .Slates  declared  war  against 
(he  iimilution,  every  one  of  those  shares  was  worth  one  hun- 
dred and  Unity  dollars.  What  are  they  worth  now?  At  the 
inmost,  one  hundred  and  rive  dollars  a  share.  Compare  the 
prices  current  of  the  two  periods,  and  yon  will  find  that  every 
shun-  of  bank  .-tuck  owned  by  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
lias  lost  twenty-rive  dollars  of  its  value  to  them  by  this  elec- 
tioneering of  the  president  of  the  United  States,  against  the 
dank,  and  for  himself.  Twenty-five  dollars  a  share  upon  se- 
venty thousand  shares  is  one  million  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars — and  this  is  the  -inn  which  the  president  of 
the  United  States  has  levied  upon  the  people,  by  his  election- 
eering against  the  hank  and  for  himself. 

Thus,  then,  stand  the  comparative  accounts.  The  banks 
have  cost  the  people  of  the  United  Stales,  in  electioneering 
against  the  president,  and  for  themselves,  twelve  thousand 
dollars.  The  president  has  cost  the  people  in  electioneering 
against  the  bank,  and  for  himself,  one  million  seven  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  And  in  this  same  contest  of  elec- 
tioneering, while  the  banks  have  expended  $48,000  of  the  mo- 
ney of  the  other  stockholders,  the  president  of  the  United  States 
lias  taxed  them  to  the  amount  of  seven  millions  of  dollars. 
Kighi  millions  seven  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  is  the 
sum  levied  by  the  president  of  the  United  States  upon  the  stock- 
holders of  the  bank  for  his  electioneering,  and  the  secretary  of 
the  treasury  tells  us  that  $60,000  expended  in  the  same  contest 
by  the  bank  is  sufficiently  startling. 

There  is,  indeed,  this  difference  between  the  sixty  thousand 
•dollars  money  of  the  stockholders  expended  in  this  contest  by 
the  bank,  and  the  eight  millions  seven  hundred  and  fifty  thon 
sand  dollars  of  the  same  money  levied  in  the  same  contest  by 
the  president.  With  the  sixty  thousand  dollars,  industry  was 
employed,  and  for  them  an  equivalent  was  received.  Informa- 
tion was  circulated  among  the  people  upon  subjects  deeply 
affecting  their  own  interests,  and  the  materials  were  supplied 
for  making  up  a  correct  public  opinion.  I'.nt  the  eight  millions 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  tax  levied  upon  the 
stockholders  of  the  bank  by  the  president  of  the  United  Slates, 
in  electioneering  for  himself,  are  so  much  property  destroyed. 
They  are  so  much  of  the  capital  stock  of  the  nation  consumed 
as  by  fire;  no  information  has  been  communicated  by  their  de- 
struction to  the  people;  no  industry  h;is  been  employed;  no 
equivalent  for  the  loss  received.  Far  otherwise.  If  there  be  a 
widow  or  an  orphan  whose  dower  or  whose  inheritance  con- 
sisted of  ten  shares  in  the  stock  of  the  bank, a  tax  of  twenty  five 
dollars  upon  each  and  every  one  of  those  shares  has  been  levied 
upon  ill  at  widow  or  orphan,  as  contributions  to  his  re-election. 
So  much  of  their  property  has  been  taken  away  from  them,  not 
for  the  benefit  of  others,  hut  to  be  destroyed.  The  capital  stock 
of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  on  the  first  of  January,  18?2, 
was  worth  in  the  market  at  least  forty-five  millions  of  dollars, 
and  every  stockholder  in  that  institution  might,  have  paid  his 
debts  or  purchased  lands  with  his  stock,  at  an  advance  of  thirty 
percent.  To  pay  debts  or  to  purchase  lands  at  this  day,  the 
same  stock  may  be  applied  at  an  advance  of  two,  three,  or  at 
most  four  per  cent.  The  difference  is  the  tax  levied  by  the  pre- 
sident of  the  United  States  for  his  re-election,  and  his  warfare 
against  the  bank.  Not  spent  in  printing  and  circulating  pain 
phlets,  and  propitiating  printers,  but  nullified,  destroyed;  sunk 
in  depreciation,  without  benefit  to  any  human  being. 

Thus  then,  the  reasons  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  for  re- 
moving the  public  deposites  from  the  bank  of  the  United  Stales 
and  its  branches,  are  insufficient.  They  are  insufficient  even 
for  ordering  and  directing  otherwise  than  that  the  deposite. 
should  he  made  there,  which  was  the  whole  extent  of  his  lawfu 
authority.  They  are  worse  than  insufficient  for  removing  fron 
them  funds  which  had  been  already  deposited  there,  for  whicl 
lie.  had  no  lawful  authority,  and  which  was  usurpation. 

Mr.  Speaker,  I  believe  these  charges  of  dishonesty  and  cor 
rnpli'iii  equally  ungenerous  and  unjust.  They  are  ungenerous 
because  they  are  made  under  the  protection  of  official  station 
against  private  citizens,  in  a  manner  which  deprives  them  o 
the  means  of  defending  themselves  and  vindicating  their  ch* 
racters.  They  are  unjust,  because  made,  not  in  the  candid 
open  and  explicit  forms  which  ought  to  mark  all  official  denim 
ciations  against  individuals,  but  in  a  manner  consciously  eva 
give  and  distrustful  of  itself,  and  because  they  are  untrue. 

I  say  they  arc  made  under  the  protection  of  official  station 
against  private  citizens;  for,  sir,  let  it  be  remembered  that  tli 
president  and  stock  directors  of  the  bank  of  the  United  State 
are  not  officers  of  the  government.  They  are  neither  appoint 
ed  nor  removable  by  the  president  of  the  United  States.  Til 
United  States  hold  seven  millions  of  dollars  of  the  stock.  Th 
president  and  senate  appoint  five  out  of  the  twenty-five  di 
rectors,  and  the  charter  contains  sundry  provisions  for  makin 
the  hank  the  agent  of  the  government  for  the  performance  < 
certain  duties  and  services.  But  the  president  ami  slock  di 
rectors  are  private  citizens,  entitled  to  the  enjoyment  of  all  th 
rights  ofoth'-r  private  citizens.  The  management  of  the  affair 
of  the  baiiU  is  intrusted  to  them,  together  with  the  governmen 
directors,  under  the  general  law  of  corporations,  of  acting  b 
majorities,  and  so  long  as  they  keep  within  the  pnlc  of  actio 
warranted  by  the  laws  of  the  land,  a  charge  of  dishonesty  n 
corruption  azainst  them,  ullcred  by  the  president  of  the  Unite 
States,  or  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  is  neither  more  nor  les 


ban  Blander,  emitted  under  the  protection  of  official  station 
gainst  private  citizens.  This  is  both  ungenerous  arid  unjust, 
t  is  an  abuse  of  the  shelter  of  official  station  to  circulate  ca- 
iininy  with  impunity. 

Observe,  too,  that  those  charge*,  deeply  as  they  affect  the 
haracter  of  private  individuals,  are  never  made  directly  against 
hem  by  name.     No!  it  is  the  bank,  that  is  the  monster — the  mo- 
eyed  aristocracy — the  mammoth  corporation — that  in  the  sink 
f  corruption,  the  purse-proud  tyrant,  corrupt  itself,  and  prec- 
ising corruption  upon  the  whole  people!     And  to  what  an  odi- 
us  extent  have  these  charges  been  carried!     Have  you  your- 
elf,  Mr.  Speaker,  been  exempted  from  the  general  imputed 
contamination?     Deeply  as  you  may   have  been  dipped  in  the 
•Hygian  waters  of  Jacksonistn,  are  you  yet  not  vulnerable  at 
he  heel?     Has  it  not  been  given  as  a  reason  for  removing  the 
dcposites  only  sixty  days  before  the  meeting  of  congress,  that, 
f  the  last  congress  had  been   in  session  but  one  week  longer, 
he  bank  would  have  corrupted  two  thirds  ol  the  members  of 
both  houses,  and  purchased   a  recharter  beyond  the  reach  of  a 
eto?     And  were  not  we  ourselves — was  not  this  present  con- 
gress held  accessible  to  the  same  corruption,  in  advance?     Was 
ot  tlii-:  formally  assigned  as  the.  rt  ason  lor  withdrawing  the  de- 
posites without  wailing  for  our  meeting?     And  is  not  this  infa- 
mous imputation  authenticated  beyond  all  daring  of  denial?    In- 
famous, I  say,  to  us,  to  the  people  who  chose  us  as  their  repre- 
sentatives, and  to  the  president  and  stock  directors  of  the  bank, 
f  true;  infamous,  if  not  true,  in  him  who  uttered  it. 

Now,  sir,  to  set  you  and  all  the  members  of  both  houses  of 
he  last  and  the  present,  congress  aside,  and,  I  say.  stnp  the 
president  and  the  secretary  of  the.  treasury  of  their  official  sta- 
in*, and  neither  of  them  would  dare  to  say  to  or  of  Nicholas 
Kiddle,  ill  the  presence  of  crcdihltt  witnesses,  that  he  was  a  dis- 
lonest  or  corrupt  man;  and  what  I  say  of  Nicholas  Kiddle,  I  say 
of  Richard  Willing,  of  Manual  Eyre,  of  Matthew  L.  Bevan,  of 
Ambrose  White,  of  John  Sargeant,  of  James  C.  Fisher,  of 
Joshua  Lippineolt,  of  Charles  Chauncey,  of  Matthew  Newkirk, 
of  Lawrence  Lewis  and  of  John  Holmes.  These  were  the  di- 
rectors of  the  hank  who  published  their  defence  against  the  de- 
nunciation of  the  president's  cabinet,  rescript  of  the  18th  of  Sep- 
tember last.  Now,  I  repeat,  strip  Andrew  Jackson  and  Roger 
B.  Taney  of  the  little  brief  authority  which  invests  them  with 
the  privilege  of  slandering  their  fellow  citizens  with  impunity, 
and  neither  of  them  would  DARK  to  charge  any  one  of  those 
men  whom  I  have  named,  neither  before  their  faces,  or  any 
where  in  the  presence  of  credible,  impartial  witnesses,  with 
dishonesty  or  corruption,  either  in  general  terms  or  by  any  one 
pacification.  Neither  of  thorn  would  dare  go  to  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  and  there  in  any  possible  manner  avow  a  charge 
against  any  one  of  those  men,  which  could  make  up  an  issue 
for  a  test  of  character  by  a  verdict  of  their  peers.  It  may  in- 
deed, be  a  question,  whether  even  a  president  of  the  United 
States,  or  a  secretary  of  the  treasury,  does  possess  the  right  of 
pouring  forth  slanders  upon  private  individuals,  wholly  without 
responsibility  to  the  laws  protective  of  character.  It  cannot  be 
doubted  that,  under  color  of  the  discharge,  of  official  duty,  it  is 
n  the  power  of  those  high  dignitaries  to  blast  the  reputation  of 
individuals  by  groundless  imputations  for  which  the  injured 
party  would  in  vain  seek  reparation  or  indemnity  from  the 
laws  of  his  country.  But  even  this  odious  privilege  has  its 
limits.  Neither  a  secretary  of  the  treasury,  nor  a  president  of 
the  United  States,  is  wholly  above  the  law.  No  one  will  deny 
that  both  those  officers  are,  as  individual,  liable  to  action  or 
indictment  for  slanders,  like  others,  and  there  seems  to  be  a 
full  consciousness  of  this,  in  the  undeviating  uniformity  with 
which  they  point  their  official  defamation  at  the  bank,  instead 
of  directing  their  charges,  as  fair  and  honorable  adversaries 
ought  to  do,  at  the  president  and  stock  directors  of  the  bank, 
the  real  objects  of  their  accusations. 

When  the  president  oft  the  United  Stales  said,  that  if  the  last 
congress  had  continued  in  session  one  week  longer,  the  bank 
would  by  corrupt  means  have  procured  a  recharter  by  majo- 
rities of  two  thirds,  in  both  houses  of  congress,  to  what  portion 
of  the  members  of  both  houses  did  this  honorable  testimonial 
of  his  confidence  specially  npply? 

At  Hie  preceding  session  of  the  same  congress  a  bill  to  re- 
fliarler  the  bank  had  passed  the  senate  by  a  vote  of  28  to  20. 
It  had  passed  in  t.'ie  house  by  n  vote  of  107  to  85,  and  this  was 
immediately  after  an  investigation  of  tin-  affairs  of  the  bank 
by  a  committee  of  the  house,  who  went  to  Philadelphia  for  that 
express  purpose,  and  every  member  of  Him  committee  is  also  a 
member  of  this  house.  Of  the.  107  members  of  the  house  who 
voted  for  that  recharter.  50  are  members  of  this  house;  of  the  85 
members  who  voted  against  it,  41  are  members  of  the  present 
house;  and  there  is  in  this  proportion  on  ho;l»  sides,  a  coinci- 
dence so  remarkable,  that  I  cannot  hrlp  inviting  to  it  the  at- 
tention of  the  hon<e.  It  has  been  assumed  by  the  president  of 
the  United  Stales,  and  repeated  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
and  by  Ibe  report  of  the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  that  the 
re-election  of  the  president,  after  his  veto  upon  this  very  bill  to 
rrcharter  the  bank,  is  of  itself  equivalent  to  a  verdict  of  the  peo- 
ple against  (lie  bank.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  shall  not  inquire  what 
sort  of  an  estimate  this  position  supposes  the  people  to  have 
formed  of  all  the  other  measures  of  a  four  year's  administration. 
It  seems  to  me  an  admission,  that  in  all  the  rest  of  his  mea- 
sures the  people  saw  and  felt  nothing,  which  could  have  secur- 
ed to  him  his  re-election,  but  that  this  crushing  of  the  monster 
was  pot  only  meritorious  in  itself,  but  sufficient  to  outweigh  a 
mass  of  demerit  in  the  whole  system  of  the  administration  be- 


450       NlLES5  REGISTER— AUG    30,  18 34— TENNESSEE  CONVENTION,  &c. 


sides,  which  would  have  forfeited  Ihe  claim  to  that  approbation 
of  the  people  (if  which  the  result  of  the  election  was  the  test. 
Sir,  if  the  president  of  the  United  States  is  willing  that  hi*  re- 
putation as  a  statesman  at  the  head  of  this  union,  should  go 
down  upon  the  records  of  this  age  to  Ihe  admiration  of  alter 
times,  on  the  single  and  solitary  foundation  of  his  having  de- 
stroyed the  bank  of  United  Slate*,  I  can  have  no  possible  ob- 
jection to  tiis  being  gratified.  He  will  suffer  no  injustice  by 
having  that  measure  applied  to  his  foot  as  the  standard,  and 
then  inferring  from  that  the  whole  man.  "Ex  pcde  Hcrculem," 
all  the  rest  will  be  perfectly  congenial  with  it;  and  such  I  have 
no  doubt  will  be  the  judgment  of  posterity.  But,  sir,  if  his  re- 
election can,  with  aHy  pretence  of  reason,  be  considered  as  an 
evidence  ot  the  sentence  of  condemnation  by  the  people  against 
the  bank,  then  I  say  that  the  re-election  of  the  members  of  the 
house,  who  voted  for  and  against  that  bill  to  recharter  the  bank, 
is  evidence  far  more  conclusive  and  unequivocal  of  the  senti- 
ments of  the  people  with  regard  to  the  bank  and  the  recharter, 
Ulan  the  presidential  election  was  or  could  be.  Now,  sir,  every 
member  of  this  house  who  voted  for  or  against  that  bill  to  re- 
charter  the  bank,  has  passed  through  that  ordeal  of  re-election 
since  he  gave  that  vole;  and  it  so  happens  that  the  proportion 
of  re-elected  members  of  those  who  voted  for  and  against  the 
recharter,  is  precisely  the  same.  One  member  of  the  house 
who  voted  for  the  recharter,  Philip  Doddrige,  of  Virginia,  we 
soon  after  followed  in  melancholy  procession  to  the  grave;  and 
sure  [  am  that  there  is  not  a  Virginian  heart  who  hears  me,  but 
will  respond  to  me  when  I  say,  that  his  vote  was  no  feeble  tes- 
timonial of  the  purity  of  purpose  with  which  every  vote  was 
given  on  that  occasion,  which  now  stands  recorded  in  associa- 
tion with  his.  Had  he  lived  and  consented  to  serve,  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  he  would  still  have  been  one  of  us.  There 
would  then  have  been  51  re-elected  members  of  107  mem- 
bers who  voted  for  the  recharter;  there  are  41  of  85  who  voted 
against  it;  and  as  41  is  to  85  so  is  51  to  107.  Sir,  the  doctrine  of 
chances,  and  all  the  other  elements  which  are  mingled  up  in 
the  process  of  electioneering  throughout  this  whole  union,  has 
not  produced  a  variation  from  the  proportion,  to  the  amount  of 
a  single  man;  and  what  is  the  inference  that  I  draw  from  this 
curious  and  extraordinary  arithmetical  demonstration?  Why, 
sir,  that  all  the  members  on  both  sides  of  the  question,  those 
who  voted  for,  and  those  who  voted  against  the  recharler,  faith- 
fully represented  the  sentiments  of  their  respective  constituents; 
and  this  result,  so  uniform,  of  the  elections  to  this  house  through- 
out the  whole  union,  is  of  itself  an  honorable  vindication  of  the 
integrity  of  its  members,  from  the  baseness  imputed  to  them  by 
ttae  chief  executive  magistrate. 

This  vindication,  it  must  also  be  observed,  is  more  necessary 
to  that  portion  of  the  members  of  the  house  who  voted  against 
the  recharter,  and  were  the  devoted  friends  of  the  president  and 
his  administration,  than  to  the  rest.  It  was  from  the  85  mem- 
bers who  voted  against  the  recharter  that  the  recruits  of  cor- 
ruption must  have  been  levied,  to  constitute  with  the  107  who 
had  already  voted  for  the  recharter,  that  majority  of  two-thirds 
which  could  have  effected  the  recharter  in  defiance  of  the  veto. 
Of  the  85  names  which  stand  thus  recorded,  21  must  have 
changed  their  votes  from  the  negative  to  the  affirmative  before 
the  recharter  could  have  been  accomplished  by  a  majority  of 
two-thirds;  and  this  is  what  the  president  of  the  United  States 
considered  not  only  as  practicable,  but  as  certain  to  have  been 
effected,  by  corrupt  means,  if  the  last  session  of  congress  had 
continued  one  week  longer.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  do  not  believe 
there  was  one  member  of  the  last  congress  who  voted  against 
the  rechartering  of  the  bank  who  could  have  been  induced  to 
change  his  vote  by  corrupt  means,  had  the  president  and  direc- 
tors of  the  bank  been  base  enough  to  attempt  the  use  of  them. 
I  believe  this  imputation  to  have  been  as  unjust  as  it  was  dis- 
honorable to  both  the  parties  implicated  in  it.  That  it  was 
cruelly  ungenerous  towards  the  friends^f  the  administration  in 
this  house  is  my  deliberate  opinion;  and,  as  I  am  well  assured, 
there  was  not  one  of  them  justly  obnoxious  to  the  suspicion,  so 
there  is  no  one  of  them  who  can  be  considered  exempted  from 
it.  And  now,  when  we  reflect  that  this  defamatory  and  dis- 
graceful suspicion,  harbored  or  professed  against  his  own 
friends,  supporters  and  adherents,  was  the  real  and  efficient 
cause,  (to  call  it  a  reason  would  be  to  shame  the  term),  but  that 
it  was  the  real  mo/ire  for  the  removal  of  the  deposites  during 
the  recess  of  congress,  and  only  two  months  before  its  meeting, 
what  can  we  do  but  hide  our  heads  for  shame!  Sir,  one  of  the 
duties  of  the  president  of  the  United  States — a  duty  as  sacred 
as  that  to  which  he  is  bound  by  his  official  onlh,  is  that  of  main- 
taining unsullied  the  honor  of  his  country.  But  how  could  the 
president  of  the  United  Slates  assert  in  the  presence  of  any  fo- 
reigner a  claim  to  honorable  principle  or  moral  virtue,  as  attri- 
butes belonging  to  his  countrymen,  when  he  is  himself  the  first 
to  cast  the  indelible  stigma  upon  them.  "  Vale,  vcnalis  cintas, 
max  peritura,  si  emptorem  invenias,"  was  the  prophetic  curse 
of  Jugurtha  upon  Korne,  in  the  days  of  lirr  deep  corruption.  If 
the  imputations  of  the  president  of  the  United  States  upon  his 
own  partisans  and  supporters  were  true,  our  country  would  al- 
ready have  found  a  purchaser. 

Mr.  Speaker,  the  reason  thus  assigned  by  the  president  of  the 
United  States  to  his  secretary  of  the  treasury,  Mr.  Duane,  for 
removing  the  public  moneys  from  the  bank  of  the  United  States, 
before  the  meeting  of  conerci*,  is  not  among  those  which  his 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  Mr.  Taney,  has  assigned  to  congress 
after  their  meeting.  That  it  was  the  true  and  efficient  cause  of 
that  removal  ia  evident,  not  only  from  the  positive  testimony  of 


Mr.  Duane,  in  his  third  letter  to  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
but  from  the  utler  futility  of  the  reasons  assigned  by  Mr.  Taney. 
There  is  an  evidence  in  facts  themselves,  and  in  the  characters 
of  men,  which  authenticates  testimony  beyond  the  reach  of  de- 
nial. Mr.  Duane  states  that  after  Mr.  Reuben  M.  Whitney,  on 
the  very  day  when  he,  Mr.  Duane,  entered  upon  his  duties  as 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  had  communicated  to  him  the  deter- 
mination of  the  president  to  cause  the  public  deposites  to  be 
removed  before  the  meeting  of  congress,  the  president  himself, 
the  second  day  after,  confirmed  the  information,  and  said  "that 
the  matter  under  consideration  was  of  vast  consequence  to  the 
country;  that,  unless  the  bank  wad  broken  down,  it  would 
break  us  down;  that  if  the  last  congress  had  remained  a  week 
longer  in  session,  two-thirds  would  have  been  secured  for  the 
bank  by  corrupt  means,  and  thai  the  like  result  might  lie  appre- 
hended the  next  congress;  that  such  a  state  bank  agency  must 
be  put  in  operation  before  Ihe  meeting  of  congress  as  would 
show  that  the  United  States  bank  was  not  necessary;  and  thus 
some  members  would  have  no  excuse  for  voting  for  it." 

"My  suggestions  (adds  Mr.  Duane)  as  to  an  inquiry  by  con- 
gress, as  in  December,  1832,  or  a  recourse  to  the  judiciary,  the 
president  repelled,  saying  it  would  be  idle  to  rely  upon  either; 
referring,  as  to  the  judiciary,  to  the  decisions  already  made,  as 
indications  of  what  would  be  the  effect  of  an  appeal  to  them  in 
future." 

These,  then,  were  the  effective  reasons  of  the  president  for 
requirirrg  the  removal  of  the  deposites  before  the  imeting  of  con- 
gress. The  corruptibility  of  the  congress  itself,  and  the  fore- 
gone decisions  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States — the 
legislative  and  judicial  authorities  were  alike  despised  and  de- 
graded. The  executive  will  was  sulfetiluled  in  the  place  of  both. 
These  reasons  had  already  been  urged  without  success  upon 
one  secretary  of  the  treasury,  Louis  McLane;  he  had  been  pro- 
moted out  of  office,  and  they  were  now  pressed  upon  the  judg- 
ment and  pliability  of  another.  He,  toe,  was  found  refractory, 
and  displaced.  A  third,  more  accommodating,  was  found  in 
the  person  of  Mr.  Taney.  To  him  the  reasons  of  the  president 
were  all  sufficient,  and  he  adopted  them  without  reserve.  They 
were  all  summed  up  in  one — 

"Sic  -jo to,  sic  jubeo,  stet  pro  ratione  voluntos." 

n*O  (^  Qu    , 

TENNESSEE  CONVENTION*   AND  THE  PRESIDENT. 
From  the  Nashville  Banner. 

The  members  of  the  convention  of  tire  state  of  Tennessee,  as- 
sembled iir  the  town  of  Nashville,  met  in  pursuance  to  notice 
given,  in  their  hall,  on  Wednesday,  the  23d  day  of  July,  1834. 
The  horr.  Willie  Blount,  ex-governor  of  the  state,  being  culled 
to  the  chair,  col.  W.  K.  Hill,  was  appointed  secretary;  and  the 
object  of  the  meeting  being  made  known  by  colonel  Allen,  of 
Smith,  the  following  preamble  and  resolution  were  sudmilted  by 
him:— 

Whereas,  the  members  of  thi*  convention  have  heard  with 
pleasure,  that  their  fellow  citizen,  the  president  of  the  United 
States,  is  expected  soon  to  arrive  at  the  Hermitage  on  a  visit  to 
his  family  aird  friends;  and  whereas,  the  organized  and  syste- 
matic attempts  which  have  been  lately  made,  to  degrade  his 
character  and  destroy  the  usefulness  of  his  administration,  have 
been  well  calculated  to  render  the  high  station  to  which  he  has 
been  twice  called  by  the  American  people,  one  of  peculiar  and 
painful  anxiety  to  his  friends,  and  one  of  no  ordinary  responsi- 
bility to  himself:  And  whereas,  the  people  of  Tennessee  on  this, 
as  on  all  other  occasions  of  his  eventful  and  patriotic  life,  have 
entire  confidence  as  well  in  the  integrity  of  his  purposes  as  the 
propriety  of  his  measures:  And  whereas,  the  members  of  this 
convention  are  desirous,  so  far  as  they  can  do  so,  by  an  expres- 
sion of  opinion,  to  encourage  him  in  (he  policy  of  his  adminis- 
tration, and  to  show  the  world,  that  at  home  among  those  who 
have  known  him  longest  and  known  him  best,  that  Andrew 
Jackson  has  a  character  lor  patriotism  and  virtue,  which  fac- 
tion, however  violent,  or  party  spirit,  however  malignant,  will 
find  it  in  vain  to  calumniate.  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  to  consist  of  twenty-two  mem- 
bers, be  appointed  to  consider  and  report  the  most  suitable  man- 
ner of  testifying  their  respect  for  the  chief  magistiale  of  the  U. 
States: 

Which  was  adopted,  and  in  pursuance  thereof,  the  chair  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Walton,  chairman,  Mr.  J.  A.  McKinney,  Mr.  H.  J. 
McKinney,  Mr.  Senter,  Mr.  Gillespie.  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Weakley, 
Mr.  Cheatham,  Mr.  Childrees,  Mr.  Fuiton,  Mr.  Roburlson,  Mr. 
Huntsman,  Mr.  Alexander,  Mr.  Allen,  Mr.  Carter,  Mr.  NYlson, 
Mr.  McClennen,  Mr.  Slephernon.  Mr.  Kincaiinon,  Mr.  Mont- 
gomery, Mr.  Bradshaw,  and  Mr.  Webster,  said  committee,  who 
repotted  to  another  meeting  the  following  address  and  resolu- 
tion: 
To  ANDREW  JACKSON,  president  of  the  United  States: 

SIR:  Your  fellow  citizens  of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  assem- 
bled in  convention  at  Nashville,  informed  of  your  arrival  at  the 
Hermitage,  for  themselves,  and  in  behalf  of  their  constituents, 
tender  to  you  their  warm  and  respectful  salutations. 

They  remember  that  you  are  one  of  the  few  survivors  of  that 
band  of  patriots,  by  whose  exertions  our  independence  w;is 
achieved;  and  that  you  arr  one  of  the  survivini!  member*  of  that 
convention,  which  framed  the  existing  constitution  of  tin-  *l;ite 
under  which  the  people  have  prospered,  and  lived  happily,  for 
almost  forty  years. 


'The  convention  is  in  session  to  ruvUu  the  constitution  of  the 
state. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1834— MR.  E.  EVERETT'S  SPEECH. 


451 


They  remember,  with  gratitude,  the  many  meritorious  ser- 
vices which  you  have  rendered  to  our  country,  in  peace  and  in 
war;  in  the  councils  of  the  nation  and  on  the  battle  field;  and 
they  feel  an  honest  pride  in  claiming  to  be  citizens  of  the  same 
state,  with  one  who  has  done  so  much  to  establish,  and  preserve 
ttie  independence,  promote  the  happiness,  and  exalt  the  cha- 
racter ol  the  American  people. 

They  have  not  been  unconcerned  spectators  of  the  bold,  sys- 
tematic, and  reckless  efforts  of  your  rne.mie..-,  to  weaken  and 
destroy  that  confidence  which  your  countrymen  have  reposed 
in  you;  and  they  but  speak  Hie  sentiments  of  those  whom  they 
represent,  when  they  assure  you  that  the  measures  of  your  ad- 
ministration have  received  their  decided  approbation,  and  that 
they  have  always  retained  unshaken  and  undiuiinished  court 
deuce  in  your  republican  principles,  and  linn  determination,  in 
all  your  measures  to  endeavor  to  protect  the  interests  of  the 
people,  and  defend  their  rights  a.-  secured  by  the  constitution. 

They  will  not  attempt  to  designate,  with  a  separate  approval 
all  the  prominent  measures  of  your  administration. 

Your  orlicical  conduct,  during  your  first  term  of  service,  has 
been  sanctioned  at  the  ballot  box.  To  this  decision  the  people 
of  the  state  of  Tennessee  contributed  with  great  unanimiiy. 

A  knowledge  of  public  opinion  enables  them  to  declare,  that 
the  people  of  the  state  of  Tennessee  approve  your  course  in  op- 
posing a  powerful  moneyed  institution,  whose  existence  is  not 
recognised  in  the  constitution;  that  they  approve  the  veto  upon 
the  bill  rechartering  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  that 
they  also  approve  of  the  removal  of  the  public  deposiles  from 
that  institution.  They  are  wairanted  in  believing  that  said 
bank  hath  interfered  in  the  election  by  the  people,  of  their  pub- 
lic servants:— That  it  hath  expended  its  means  in  controlling  the 
press,  that  it  hath  aimed  at  the  exercise  of  political  power  over 
the  government  and  people  of  these  United  Slates,  and  that  it 
has  refused  to  disclose  its  transactions  to  the  representatives  of 
the  nation,  when  legally  required  so  to  do,  according  to  the  pro- 
visions of  its  charter. 

SIR:  In  testimony  of  the  high  respect  they  bear  for  your  cha- 
racter and  distinguished  services,  they  have  adopted  the  follow- 
ing resolution,  and  with  their  ardent  wishes,  that  the  evening 
of  your  life  may  be  as  peaceful  and  happy  as  its  meridian  has 
been  useful  and  biilliant,  they  tender  you  assurances  of  their 
high  consideration  and  esteem. 

Resolved,  That  the  convention  will  adjourn  its  ordinary  busi- 
ness, for  the  purpose  of  meeting  and  receiving  in  the  hall  of  the 
convention,  the  president  of  the  United  States,  and  that  the 
president  of  the  convention  be  requested  to  carry  Ibis  resolution 
into  effect. 

And  the  sense  of  the  meeting  being  thereon  had,  the  said  re- 
port was  concurred  with.  Whereupon,  on  motion,  the  chair 
appointed  Messrs.  Allen,  Alexander  and  John  A.  McKinney,  a 
committee  to  wait  upon  and  inform  the  president  of  the  United 
States  of  their  proceedings. 

WILLIE  BLOUNT,  chairman. 

MM.  K.  HILL,  secretary. 

Jlu°ust§th,  1834. 

SIR:  Your  fellow  citizens  of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  assem- 
bled in  convention  at  Nashville,  have  appointed  us  a  committee, 
for  the  purpose  of  presenting  to  you  the  accompanying  resolu- 
tions and  address,  which  they  have  adopted. 

In  performing  the  duty  assigned  to  us,  we  beg  leave  to  tender 
you  our  warmest  wishes,  that  you  may  enjoy  many  happy  years 
in  the  evening  of  life  devoted  to  the  service  of  your  country. 

We  have  the  honor  to  remain,  with  the  highest  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  servants,  ROBERT  ALLEN, 

ADAM  R.  ALEXANDER, 
JOHN  A.  McKINNEY. 

Jlndrew  Jackson,  president  of  the  United  States. 

THE  PRESIDENT'S  ANSWER. 

Hermitage,  Jlu°ust  10,  1834. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  feelings  awakened  by  the  pioceedingsyou 
have  first  communicated  to  me,  leave  me  without  words  to 
convey  an  adequate  sense  of  the  honor  they  confer.  I  can 
only  say  that  I  receive  them  with  the  sensibility  which  is  natu- 
ral to  one,  who,  with  a  just  confidence  of  his  claims  to  the  pub- 
lic sympathy  and  favor,  of  which  he  has  enjoyed  so  great  a 
share,  has  ever  cherished  the  most  sacred  respect  for  the  opi- 
nion of  his  countrymen,  and  for  the  distinction  which  flows 
from  their  approbation  and  regard.  Emanating  as  they  do  from 
a  convention,  representing  I  he  people  in  their  highest  sove- 
reign capacity,  establishing  the  fundamental  laws  of  their  go- 
vernment— a  people  with  whose  destiny  mine  was  at  an  early 
period  connected,  and  who,  as  1'amihar  spectators  or  compa- 
nions, have  had  a  close  and  intimate  connection  with  my  pii- 
vate  and  public  conduct  through  life,  1  should  be  more  or  less 
than  human  if  I  could  receive  them  without  the  deepest  emo- 
tion and  the  most  profound  sense  of  gratitude. 

I  can  declare  with  truth,  gentlemen,  that  I  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  the  office  I  now  hold,  with  reluctance  and  distrust; 
and  I  may  add,  with  despair  of  discharging  its  arduous  duties, 
but  for  the  co  opperation  and  aid  which  (  anticipated  from  the 
other  co-ordinate  branches  of  the  government,  and  the  indul- 
gence and  liberality  of  my  fellow-citizens  generally.  In  this 
anticipation,  particularly  as  it  regarded  the  people,  I  have  not 
been  disappointed.  If  I  have,  therefore,  in  any  moderate  de- 
gree, in  the  conflicts  which  have  grown  out  of  the  measures  of 
my  administration,  contributed  to  advance  the  prosperity  of  the 
country  and  sticngtheu  the  meana  of  its  future  preservation 


and  union,  iny  success  is  mainly  attributable  to  my  good  for- 
tune in  being  accessible  to  [he  sentiment,  and  in  being  able  to 
follow  the  admonition  and  instruction  which  it  reflected.  Un- 
der such  circumstances  1  regard  the  flattering  terms  in  which 
you  have  been  pleased  to  apeak  of  the  leading  acts  of  the  ad- 
niiiii.-lralion  as  justly  applicapble  to  the  discernment,  intelli- 
gence, and  viilue  of  the  people,  in  whose  hands  every  day  fur- 
ni.~hc.-i  iulilitional  proof  that  the  principles  ol  free  government 
are  alone  safe. 

It  is  against  the  great  truth  that  the  people  are  the  governing 
power  in  a  free  republic,  that  much  of  the  violence  and  asperi- 
ty which  have  characterised  the  conduct  of  those  advocating 
the  bank  monopoly  has  been  directed — not  against  me,  a  mere 
instrument  of  the  laws,  whose  place  is  but  temporary  and  will 
soon  be  supplied  by  some  one  more  able  to  ensure  to  them  a 
just  and  wholesome  administration.  Whatever  of  detraction, 
therefore,  may  have  been  for  the  moment  aimed  at  me  by  this 
moneyed  power,  can  have  no  other  effect  than  to  satisfy  me 
that  my  exertions  against  the  corrupting  and  baneful  influence 
have  been  beneficially  felt  on  the  side  of  the  great  body  of  my 
fellow-citizens,  in  whose  hands  1  shall  ever  feel  safe. 

I  shall,  gentlemen,  avail  myself  of  the  earliest  occasion  to 
visit  Nashville  for  the  purpose  of  paying  my  personal  respects 
to  the  members  of  the  convention,  and  of  manifesting  more 
fully  than  I  can  now  do,  the  high  sense  I  entertain  of  the  dis- 
tinguished honor  they  have  conferred  upon  me. 

Accept  for  yourselves  the  assurances  of  the  great  respect 
with  which  1  am  very  sincerely,  your  fellow-citizen  and  friend, 
ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Messrs.  JHlcu,  Alexander,  and  J.  *i.  McKinney,  committee 
on  the  part  of  the  convention. 

MR.  EDWARD  EVERETT'S   SPEECH 

AT  THE   SALEM    WHIG   FESTIVAL. 

[Reported  for  the  Salem  Gazette.] 

Mr.  Edward  Everett  observed,  that  he  supposed  he  should  not 
mistake  the  kind  manner,  in  which  the  last  sentiment*  had 
been  welcomed,  if  he  understood  it  to  be  an  expression  of  the 
wish  of  the  company,  that  he  should  address  them.  He  knew 
what  an  arduous  task  it  was  to  do  this,  after  what  the  company 
had  already  heard;  but  on  such  an  occasion,  he  felt  that  he 
ought  not  to  think  of  himself:  and  he  would  say,  in  the  lan- 
guage  of  the  gallant  and  truly  worthy  office  holder,  (general 
Miller),  who  had  just  been  named  with  such  deserved  credit, 
by  his  friend  who  had  preceded  him,  [Mr.  Choate]  "I'll  try." 
He  should  be  almost  disposed  to  quarrel  with  his  fiiend  the 
lieutenant  governor,  for  the  distinction  he  had  rather  slily 
drawn  between  speech-makers  and  working- men — those  who 
do  the  talking  and  those  who  do  the  work — had  not  his  honor 
fallen  into  his  own  snare,  and  for  its  length,  made  one  of  the  best 
speeches  the  company  had  heard  that  day.  The  lieutenant  go- 
vernor said  he  was  not  in  the  habit  of  taxing  his  imagination. 
How  that  might  be,  Mr.  E.  would  not  undertake  to  say;  but 
every  one  knew  with  what  liberality  he  paid  the  taxes  of  public 
spirit,  benevolence,  charity  and  piety;  and  this  being  the  case, 
t  was  of  little  consequence,  whether  he  levied  or  paid  any 
imaginary  taxes. 

The  incidents  of  this  day,  the  spirit  manifested  by  this  com- 
pany, continued  Mr.  E.  are  indications  of  public  sentiment,  too 
clear  to  be  mistaken.  That  we  have  reached  a  critical  period, 
in  the  state  of  public  affairs,  is  too  apparent  to  need  to  be 
formally  stated.  Did  I  not  place  unbounded  reliance  on  the  sta- 
bility and  good  sense  of  the  mass  of  the  people — did  I  not  know 
that  the  pilgrim  stock  is  not  run  out,  that  the  blood  of  our 
fathers  still  beats  warm  and  undegenerated,in  the  bosoms  of 
their  children;  did  I  not  above  all  feel  and  see  that  the  whig 
spirit — the  spirit  of  '76 — is  aroused  and  abroad  in  the  land,  I 
should  be  almost  ready,  I  confess,  to  begin  to  despair  of  the 
republic.  And  when  I  say,  despair  of  the  republic,  1  speak  to 
the  substance  and  spirit  of  the  proposition.  I  mean  that  there 
is  reason  for  alarm,  as  to  the  continued  operation  and  sway  of 
the  principles  of  republican  government  and  liberty  protected, 
a*  well  as  regulated  by  law,  which  were  embodied  by  our  fa- 
thers in  the  constitution,  I  do  not  mean  that,  in  my  opinion, 
there  is  any  danger,  that  the  forms  of  the  constitution  will  be 
subverted.  I  presume  that,  let  what  will  betide,  we  shall  no- 
minally have  a  president  elected  every  four  year? — secretaries 
theoretically  amenable  to  congress,  although  holding  their  of- 
ficial stations  at  the  breath  of  the  president's  mouth:  and  a 
senate  and  house  of  representatives  to  go  through  the  forms  of 
legislation,  long  after  the  familiar  use  of  the  veto  shall  have 
reduced  their  action,  on  all  important  questions  to  mere  form. 
Thia  is  a  lesson  of  history.  The  forms  of  the  commonwealth  in 
Rome  were  many  of  them  kept  up  from  the  first  to  the  last  of 
th«  Ctcsars.  The  despots,  who  trampled  her  proud  liberties 
into  the  dust,  did  it  under  the  venerated  name  and  ancient 
dignity  of  the  republic.  The  emperor  who  caused  his  horse 
to  be  raised  to  the  highest  honors  of  the  state,  dnred  not  dis- 
card the  letter  of  the  magistracy,  as  it  was  administered  by  the 
Catoes  and  the  Scipios.  He  cave  his  horse  an  office,  but  it  wag 
a  republican  office.  Rome  could  not  be  deprived  of  her  con- 
suls, although  the  consuls  might  be  occasionally  provided  with 
an  extra  pair  of  legs.  There  are  impressions  made  in  the  in- 


[*"Edward  Everett— Whose  talents  and  virtues,  whose  va- 
rious accomplishments  and  multiplied  services,  have  widen  d 
him  alike  the  favorite  of  his  district,  the  pride  of  his  state,  ai  d 
an  ornament  of  his  country."  Ed.  Gazette.] 


452 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1834— MR.  E.  EVERETT'S  SPEECH. 


fancy  of  states  as  of  men,  which  never  wear  out.  I  take  it 
the  time  will  never  come,  when  the  general  frame  work  ami 
official  nomenclature  of  our  constitution  will  he  abandoned. 
Even  Napoleon,  after  he  had  in  fact,  though  not  in  name,  made 
himself  the  dictator  of  France,  thought  it  expedient  to  have  it 
put  to  vote,  whether  he  should  he  consul  for  life!  and  carried  it, 
by  a  majority  of  more  than  three  millions  and  *  half  against  a 
handful,  of  whom  our  own  Lafayette  was  the  only  man  of  note. 
I  happen  to  have  in  my  pocket  something  like  an  occular  il- 
lustration of  those  principles.  Some  body,  (a  tory  no  doubt), 
has  palmed  off  upon  my  whig  simplicity  this  very  day,  for  a 
quarter  of  a  dollar,  a  French  franc  piece,  not  certainly  worth 
more  than  nineteen  cents  at  best,  and  a  good  deal  the  worse 
for  wear.  What  do  we  behold  upon  it?  On  one  side,  the 
oaken  garland,  emblem  of  the  civic  triumphs  of  regenerated 
France,  surrounded  with  auspicious  legend  repnblique  Fran- 
caifte.  And  whose  image  and  superscription,  think  you,  on  the 
other?  Perhaps  the  emblematic  form  of  the  goddess  of  liberty, 
as  we  see  here  on  our  own  coins.  Perhaps  general  Bonaparte; 
the  hatchet  fare  of  the  youthful  hero,  fresh  from  the  battles  of 
Montenotte,  Millesino  and  Lodi.  Alas,  no,  sir,  a  far  different 
visage;  hut  your  lean  Cassius  grown  into  your  plump  Augustus! 
the  xvell  known  round  and  autocratic  features  of  a  later  date, 
surrounded  with  the  lofty  inscription  Napoleon  empereur. 

They,  therefore,  of  all  the  deluded  are  the  mon  wofully  de- 
ceived, who  slumber  on,  in  confiding  apathy,  and  think  the  re- 
public is  safe,  because  its  organic  forms  are  not  in  appearance 
subverted.  I  tell  you,  sir,  that  if  Napoleon  himself  could  burst 
the  rock  of  St.  Helena,  where  he  lies  walled  and  clamped  down, 
fathoms  deep,  in  the  everlasting  granite;  and  if  with  him,  could 
burst  into  life  the  ghastly  millions,  that  fell  upon  all  his  battle 
fields  from  the  frozen  clods  of  Russia  to  the  baked  mud  of  the 
Nile,  and  land  in  one  resistless  host  upon  our  continent  and 
subdue  it,  he  would  leave  you  the  forms  of  the  constitution; 
he  would  graciously  allow  you  to  be  the  agents  of  your  suhjec 
lion  and  shame;  and  when  he  had  desolated  your  cities,  wasted 
your  fair  fields,  plundered  your  substance,  torn  your  sons  from 
your  arms,  and  drenched  your  hearths  in  blood,  he  would  tell 
you  he  came  for  your  good,  that  he  came  to  rescue  you  from 
aristocrats  and  monopolists,  and  to  bring  you  happiness  and 
glory. 

Neither,  sir,  let  it  be  thought  that  the  republic  is  safe,  because 
the  private  rights  of  the  people,  have  as  yet  suffered  nothing,  from 
the  direct  encroachments  of  illegal  power.  No  one  supposes 
that  we  are  as  yet  in  danger  of  forced  loans;  of  taxes  levied 
without  authority  of  law.  There  is  no  ground  of  apprehension, 
that  the  farmer  as  he  brings  home  the  return  of  his  industry  at 
night,  from  the  market,  will  be  stopped  by  a  sergeant's  guard 
and  made  to  pay  half  of  it  to  the  government.  If  a  man  has  a 
suit  in  court,  on  a  matter  of  private  right,  he  is  morally  ceitaii 
that  justice  will  he  done,  him.  To  he  snre;  and  so  he  is  in 
Austria — in  Russia.  When  therefore  the  advocates  of  the  ad- 
ministration tell  us  that  the,  country  is  not  blighted,  as  with  a 
present  curse,  that  private  industry  will  earn  its  reward,  sin 
shared  by  the  eovernment — that  the  ordinary  march  of  occupa 
tlon  is  not  wholly  obstructed,  and  would  hence  argue  that  tin 
complaints  against  the  administration  are  unfounded,  I  fee 
my  common  sense  insulted.  Why,  sir,  this  is  substantially  the 
state  of  things,  ju  all  countries — in  all  civili/.ed  conntri 
Political  communities  cotilrf  not  otherwise  be  kept  together 
There  are  certainly  points,  in  which  a  despotism  produces  prac 
tical  encroachments  on  private  rights,  but  it  is,  at  least  uncle 
a  virtuous  despot,  to  a  less  extent,  than  might  at  first  he  sup 
posed.  I  take  it  a  pure,  private  question  of  menm  and  lun 
in  decided  as  promptly  as  equitably,  at  St.  Petersburg!)  as  n 
New  York.  And  a  pretty  boast  truly,  for  the  people  of  the  U 
States  of  America,  that  we  are  no  worse  off  than  they  are  i 
Siberia! 

Neither,  sir,  ought  it  to  be  any  consolation  to  one  who  tin 
dcrstands  and  prizes  our  constitution,  in  its  purity,  that  few 
bloody  violations,  of  personal  right  and  liberty  have,  been  at 
tempted;  that  men  have  not  been  dragged  out  of  their  beds  a 
night,  immured  in  prisons  or  hung.  A  member  of  congress,  t 
be  sure,  occasionally  has  hi*  bones  broken  on  the  Pennsylvani 
avenue,  or  is  shot  at  on  the  steps  of  the  rapital;  but  we  are  i 
no  danger  of  the  Turkish  how-string,  of  the  Russian  knout,  o 
the  Sattish  inquisition.  These  remnants  of  barbarism  nre  al 
ino-'l  exploded  at  Madrid,  St.  Petersburg!)  and  Constantinople 
Their  disuse  belongs  less  to  constitutions  than  to  manner 
They  are  not  much  to  be  dreaded,  by  the  mass  of  the  people 
nny  where.  Why.  sir,  at  the  height  of  the  reign  of  terror  i 
France,  the  theatres  were  kept  open  and  crowded;  and  Napo 
leon,  all  powerful  and  fearful  as  lie  was,  the  arbiter  of  life  an 
death  to  millions,  u=ed  to  sav,  he  presumed  tliere  were  me 
in  Paris  who  hail  never  heard  of  his  name.  The  faet  is,  s 
and  I  know  it  from  personal  observation,  that  people  who  sta 
at  home,  and  mind  iheir  business,  keep  out  of  hot  water.  -;i 
nothing  against  the  sultan  or  mufti,  and  lake  rare  not  to  »<• 
very  rich,  are  extremely  well  off  in  Tut  key.  The  idea  that  th 
grand  seignor  goes  about  chopping  off  the  heads  of  liannle 
people  for  sport,  belongs  to  the  nursery — it  is  one  of  moth 
Goose'*  tales.  Peter  Parley  is  beyond  that.  When,  therefore 
we  are  told,  that  people  are  safe  in  their  houses,  and  in  the 
streets,  under  the  protection  of  the  laws,  and  that  we  ought  t 
be  content  with  this,  I  am  (hocked  at  it,  as  in  itself  a  proo 
that  men  are  beginning  to  be  indifferent  to  the  real  nature  o 
constitutional  liberty — that  they  are  beginning  to  compoun 
with  those  who  have  so  signally  betrayed  their  confidence— t 


iy,  spare  us  our  lives  and  property,  do  not  shoot  or  plunder 
s,  and  rule  us  as  long  as  you  please — in  short,  that  they  are 
linking  seriously  of  Esau's  bargain,  and  selling  their  blood- 
niiL-lit  birth  right,  for  a  mess  of  pottage. 

No,  sir,  the  spirit  and  essence  of  liberty  am  very  different 
om  the  constitutional  forms  in  which  it  is  embodied;  and  even 
hese  may  he  trampled  down,  by  those  who  forbear  any  violent 
ttempt  on  life,  limb  or  property. 

Practically,  the  people  of  the  United  States,  as  far  as  the  ge- 
eral  government  is  concerned,  are  living  under  a  monarchy, 
'he  executive— a  functionary  created  by  the  constitution  to 
nforce  the  laws— has  erected  his  own  will  into  a  law,  repeal- 
ig  or  transcending  all  other  law.  The  spirit  of  party  has  so 
ompletely  mastered  that  of  patriotism,  that  men  in  high 
laces — men  of  name  before  the  country — legislators — repre- 
entatives  of  the  people — not  only  support  the  chief  of  tiieir 
arty  in  measures  which  they  know  to  be  highly  injurious,  but 
upport  him  in  such  a  way,  as  to  make  him  think  they  really 
pprove  those  measures  and  admire  and  reverence  him  for  pur- 
uing  them.  It  is  not  going  too  far  to  say,  that  the.  course  of 
ie  administration,  the  last  year,  was  supported  through  thick 
nd  thin,  hy  some  members  in  congress,  who  admitted  that  it 
ad  been  conceived  in  utter  ignorance  of  the  effects  it  was  to 
roduce.  and  was  now  pursued  to  the  serious  detriment  to  the 
ommunity.  What  worse  can  happen  in  a  monarchy?  And  is 
lere  not  reason  to  despair  of  the  republic,  when  the  rash  con- 
eits,  the  personal  feelings,  the  admitted  errors  of  one  man  be- 
orne  the  law  of  the  land;  which,  even  those  who  feel  and  ad- 
lit  their  ruinous  operation,  want  courage  and  virtue  to  resist? 
ay  more,  which  they  are  obliged  to  laud  as  the  perfection  of 
wisdom? 

Such  is  the  state  of  things  in  this  country.  The  terrific  force 
f  party  discipline,  the  personal  popularity  of  the  president, 
lave  wrought  a  practical  revolution.  The  form  of  a  house  of 
epresentatives  is  kept  up,  but  its  spirit,  for  the  present,  is  gone: 
"or  its  members  sustain  measures,  which  they  disapprove,  for 
fear  of  being  put  under  the  ban  of  the  party,  and  incurring  the 
lispleasure  of  its  chief. 

There  is  another  symptom  of  degeneracy  which  might  well 
istify  a  despair  of  the  republic;  I  mean  the  prostration  of  the 
elf-respect  of  the  house  of  representatives.  There  is,  in  almost 
ill  organized  bodies,  what  the  French  call  the  esprit  de  corps — 
a  feeling  common  to  the  members  of  the  body,  as  such — whe- 
her  the  army  or  navy,  or  a  separate  command  in  either — or  a 
civil  association — or  a  geographical  section  of  country — a  bank 
— a  college — or  even  a  private  club:  there  is  a  feeling  common 
to  its  members  as  such,  which  holds  them  to  cherish  the  re- 
iiitationof  the  body;  and  to  feel  a  sensibility  at  all  indiscriminate 
warfare  upon  it.  Patriotism  is  but  the  same  feeling  enlarged. 
In  high  and  dignified  bodies,  clothed  with  august  functions — in 
parliaments — in  senates,  in  courts  of  justice — this  feeling  as- 
urnes  unusual  gravity  and  elevation.  It  rises  into  principle;  it 
is  a  source  of  strenuous  effort — it  bids  men  toil,  and  suffer,  and, 
if  need  be,  bleed,  that  they  may  adorn  the  name  of  some  great 
and  venerable  organization,  and  hand  it  down,  more  illustrious 
for  their  connection  with  it,  to  posterity.  If  there  be  bodies  on 
earth,  which  ought  to  possess  this  feeling,  they  are  the  senate 
and  house  of  representatives  of  ttte  United  States.  If  on  earth 
there  is  a  hoily  of  men,  who  ought  to  feel  a  sober,  reflective,  re- 
sponsible sense  of  station,  is  it  not  the  chosen  representatives  of 
the  people  of  the  United  States?  Against  any  sweeping  impu- 
tations on  if  purity,  this  is  a  body  one  might  have  thought, 
which  would  be  up  in  arms:  Against  any  wholesale  or  general 
denunciation  of  its  members,  one  might  have  hoped,  that  the 
whole  assembly  would  have  risen  in  indignation.  And  what 
have  we  witnessed?  This  house  of  representatives,  by  a  ma- 
jority of  more  than  two  to  one,  passes  n  resolution,  that  the 
public  money  is  safe  in  the  bank  of  the  United  State?,  (what 
none  hut  a  madman  could  deny),  and  for  passing  that  resolution 
the  president  declares  to  his  secretary  of  the  treasury,  that  a 
majority  of  the  members  is  bribed  by  the  bank;  and  that  if  they 
had  remained  in  session  a  few  weeks  longer  two-thirds  of  them 
would  have  taken  the  bribe;  and  for  this  reason,  and  in  order  to 
keep  his  policy  safe  beneath  the  wings  of  the  veto,  lie  orders 
this  secretaiy,  against  lii.s  own  convictions,  to  remove  the  pub- 
lic money  from  the  place  of  legal  deposit,  before  congress  con- 
venes: and  the.  secretary  reftisim-,  i*  removed  himself.  Does 
the  house  of  representatives,  under  the  influence  of  the  feeling 
I  have  described,  resent  the  insult?  Ones  tint  portion  of  it, 
friendly  to  the  administration— the  portion  of  course  aimed  at  — 
the  president's  friends,  repel  this  insinuation,  that  they  arc  the 
subjects  of  corruption?  Does  a  solitary  friend  of  the  president 
shew  that  he  feels  either  wounded  or  grieved?  Look  at  the  .jour- 
nals of  the  last  session,  and  see  the  unbroken  phalanx  steadily 
voting  in  support  of  a  policy,  which,  as  far  as  the  time  of  its 
adoption  is  concerned,  proceeded  on  the  calculation,  (hat  the; 
themselves — the  men  who  support  it — are  within  the  reach  of 
the  gold  of  the  hank.  I  believe,  that  if  any  king  of  Kngbiml, 
of  the  house  of  Urunswick,  should  utter  such  langungc  to  -,\  lord 
of  the  treasury,  touching  the  hnn-e  of  common^-,  the  dav  on 
which  he  uttered  it,  would  be  the  last  of  his  reign.  The  (muse 
of  commons,  thus  outraged,  would  rise  as  oftV.  man.  He  would 
be  dracL-ed  from  his  palace  to  the  tower — from  the  tower  to  the 
scaffold — his  line  driven  out  into  exile — his  blood  attainted — 
his  dynasty  extinguished  forever.  Or  if  milder  councils  w<  re 
required,  as  I  trust  they  would  he,  by  the  civilization  of  the 
day,  parliament  would  resolve  that  the  royal  intellect  was  im- 
paired— a  regency  bill  would  pa  s  in  three  days,  and  the  un- 


N1LES'  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1834— MR.  TANEY,  AT  FREDERICK.         453 


happy  monarch  would  be  sequestered,  as  bereft  of  reason,  with- 
in the  inmost  courts  and  darkest  halls  of  Windsor  castle. 

Sir,  I  speak  without  the  least  personal  bitterness  nf  the  pre- 
sident: I  feel  none.  I  have  been  opposed  to  his  administration; 
but  if  I  have  erred,  it  has  been  rather  on  the  side  of  lameness 
than  violence.  His  military  services  never  wanted  the  humble 
tribute  of  my  acknowledgment,  both  before  and  since  he  Ciime 
into  office.  I  never  performed  a  public  duty  with  greater  cor- 
diality, than  that  of  bidding  him  welcome,  on  behalf  of  my  fel- 
low citizens,  to  the  heights  of  Charlestown,  on  occasion  of  his 
visit  to  that  town;  and  though  it  was  not  possible  for  any  man  in 
the  country  to  be  less  interested  in  it,  no  man  would  have  been 
better  pleased,  that  this  second  term  of  office,  so  auspiciously 
commenced,  should  have  been  finished  in  peace  and  honor,  and 
that  his  retired  old  age  should  be  tranquil  and  happy.  But  he 
has  chosen  otherwise,  and  according  to  his  avowal  to  the 
senate,  from  "a  deliberate  sense  of  duty."  If  he  would  gain 
credit  for  that  avowal,  he  will  concede  as  much  to  those  who 
differ  from  him — to  you  fellow  citizens,  and  to  me. 

But,  sir,  will)  all  the  inauspicious  signs  of  the  times,  there  is 
yet  ground  for  cheerfulness,  confidence  and  hope.  A  portion 
of  the  people  are  deluded;  but  the  mass  is  sound,  and  in  ad- 
vance of  their  representatives.  The  glorious  stand  taken  by 
the  senate  of  the  United  States,  and  signally  so  by  that  portion 
of  it,  justly  and  richly  rewarded  with  this  day's  honors,  has 
been  sanctioned  by  the  people.  Every  noble  sentiment  which 
has  been  heard  within  its  walls,  has  met  with  an  approving  re- 
sponse Irom  the  remotest  quarters  of  the  land.  New  York  in 
her  charter  elections  gallantly  led  the  way;  Louisiana  has  fol- 
lowed the  noble  example,  and  in  whatever  direction  we  cast 
our  eyes,  the  omens  are  full  of  hope.  The  broad  and  spreading 
cloud,  which  hung  over  us;  black  with  terror;  wrapping  up 
within  its  folds  all  the  elements  of  destruction;  the  hurricane, 
the  deluge  and  the  thunder  holt,  is  passing;  the  winds  of  heaven 
are  wasting  it  away;  the  glorious  sun  has  struggled  through  it, 
and  is  already  painting  its  edges  with  purple  and  gold;  and  na- 
ture will  but  smile  in  fresher  green  for  the  drops  which  have 
fallen.  It  was  indeed  a  fearful  tempest,  but  the  senate  of  the 
United  States  most  gloriously  lode  out  the  storm.  The  gallant 
vessel  has  been  sadly  buffetted — wave  after  wave  has  dashed 
against  her  sides,  and  all  the  floods  of  executive  wrath  and 
power,  and  party  rage,  have  at  times  seemed  to  roll  in  upon 
her,  with  a  force  that  must  drive  her  upon  the  rocks.  But  the 
sheet  anchor  held  fast;  the  giound  tackle  proved  good;  and  the 
voice  of  the  pilot  was  heard  above  the  winds — clear  and  strong 
and  cheerful. 

And  not  there  alone  sir,  it  has  been  heard  throughout  the  land. 
This  day — this  happy  occasion— this  distinguished  company 
show,  that  the  services  rendered  in  the  senate  have  been  ap 
preciated.  Those' of  us,  who  were  near  the  scene  of  action, 
can  bear  witness  to  the  unexampled  vigor,  the  well  renewed 
activity,  the  spirit  that  seemed  to  grow  with  exhaustion — the 
power  that  increased  as  it  was  exerted — the  unshaken  intrcpi 
dity — the  strains  of  argument,  as  convincing  as  ever  lell  Iron 
the  lips  of  man,  the  overwhelming  eloquence,  with  which  the 
senate  chamber  has  resounded,  and  to  which  you  this  day  pay 
the  willing  tribute  of  applause.  I  rejoice  in  the  belief,  that  the 
feelings,  which  dictate  this  tribute,  are  not  confided  to  you,  fel- 
low citizens,  who,  as  the  personal  friends  and  neighbors  of  our 
distinguished  senator,  cannot  but  cherish  a  peculiar  pride,  in 
his  efforts  and  his  fame;  but  that  the  country,  at  large,  has  been 
the  observant  and  admiring  witness  of  bis  services — has  grate- 
fully noticed  his  glorious  defence  of  her  rights — and  is  prepar- 
ing for  him  the  highest  reward  it  can  bestow  on  a  great  and  suc- 
cessful champion  of  her  cause,  in  the  hour  of  its  darkest  peril. 
I  will  not  enlarge  upon  this  reflection:  I  submit  it  to  the  sober 
consideration  of  this  patriotic  and  intelligent  company.  I  com- 
mend it  particularly  to  you,  young  whigs  of  Salem  and  its  vie 
nity,  of  whom  1  have  the  gratification  to  see  so  many  before  me 
this  day.  I  call  on  you,  and  those  like  you,  to  save  the  coun- 
try. You  can  do  it,  you  aloriecan  do  it.  The  world  is  the  he- 
ritage of  the  young.  It  is  animated,  controlled,  urged  on,  by 
the  young.  The  aged  can  but  afford  example  and  counsel 
those,  who  have  reached  the  meridian  of  life,  most  of  them 
begin  to  grow  weary  of  the  toil  and  strife,  the  heat  and  burdei 
of  the  day.  The  young,  the  fresh,  the  unexhausted,  must  conn 
to  the  rescue.  Remember  Bunker  Hill.  Remember  the  marty 
of  the  day,  th«  immortal  Warren,  the  youngest  among  those  o 
rank,  who  trod  the  blood  stained  soil.  Think  of  Lafayette 
who,  hardly  nineteen  years  of  age,  came  to  us  like  a  young  an 
gel  of  hope,  across  the  Atlantic,  with  courage  ami  strength  01 
his  wings.  Arise  young  men,  arise  and  save  the  country.  Yoi 
can  save  it;  none  other  than  you,  and  those  like  you,  through 
out  the  land,  can  save  it.  The  spirit  is  awakened;  the  peopli 
are  aroused;  the  hosts  of  liberty  are  rushing  to  the  fields  imams 
the  hosts  of  place  and  power;  and  they  now  call  on  you  to  take 
the  post  of  honor  and  of  danger,  on  the  front  of  the  line,  and  t< 
say  who  shall  lead  you  to  the  battle  and  to  triumph. 
I  give  you,  fellow  citizens, 

Our  distinguished  guest — the  highest  honors  of  the  constitu 
tion  to  its  ablest  defender. 

MR.  TANEY'S  RECEPTION  AT  FREDERICK,  MD. 
On  the  6th  Auzust,  Mr.  Taney,  late  secretary  of  the  treasury 
was  received  al-Frederiek  by  a  larse  parly  of  his  political  friends 
with  whom  he  afterwards  publicly  dined.  On  arriving  at  III 
hotel,  he  was  addressed  by  Mr.  Thomas  (the  member  of  con 
gress  from  the  district)  as  follows: 


Mr.  Taney:  I  appear  in  behalf  of  the  Jackson  republicans  of 

Frederick  county  and  at  their  request,  to  give  you  a  cordial 

welcome,  and  to  convey  to  you  the  warm  gratitude  which  they 

;el  for  the  able,  honest  and  patriotic  part,  you  have  performed 

n  the  cabinet  of  their  much  loved  chief  magistrate.     With  Una 

pprobalion  of  your  public  conduct  and  high  respect  for  the  pu- 

ily  of  your  private,  life,  1  am  authorised  to  express  their  deep 

iiilignalioii  at  the  ungenerous  and  vindictive  course   toward* 

ou,  of  ihe  senale  of  Ihe  United  Slates.     Your  old  neighbors  of 

'rederick  have  given  indignant  attention  lo  the  indiscriminate 

warlare  lo  which,  for  more  than  seven  months  past,  your  public 

mducl  has  been  subjected.     A  very  large  proportion  of  a  long 

ssion  of  the  senate  has  been  consumed  in  fruitless  attempts  lo 

eslroy  ulterly  your  reputation.    With  that  view  your  official 

els  have  undergone  a  most  rigid  supervision  and  have  been  ex- 

losed  to  commentaries  and  constructions  of  the  iim-t  illiberal 

and  unmanly  character.     Not  content  with  the  most  rancorous 

nd  unsparing  scrutiny,  in  your  official  acts  and  proceedings, 

he  dignity  of  the  senate  of  the  United  States  hag  been  sullied 

>y  the  coarse,  rude,  unmerited  personal  defamation,  of  which) 

•ou  have  beun  the  object. 

In  aid  of  these  ruthless  attempts  at  your  ruin  on  the  floor  of 
he  senate,  a  press  influenced  by  the  most  sordid  of  all  induce- 
ments has  spread  far  and  wide  gross  misrepresentations  of  your 
whole  life  and  conduct.  Elsewhere  your  assailants  may  have 
>een  partially  successful.  Strangers  to  your  past  life  may  be- 
ieve  that  the  senaie  have  righlly  appreciated  your  motives. 
iui  such,  be  assured,  is  nut  ihe  opinion  of  this  community, 
laving  been,  for  more  than  twenly  years,  a  residenl  amongst 
hem,  your  rules  of  conduct  are  well  known  to  this  people. 
They  know  that  your  acceptance  of  the  office  of  secretary  of 
he  treasury,  was  not  determined  by  sordid  or  selfish  considera- 
tions. That  station  when  offered,  they  feel,  could  not,  without 
lishonor,  have  been  declined.  Having,  as  attorney  general,  ad- 
vised a  measure  to  t'rustrale  a  daring  attempt  to  impair  the  rights 
if  the  people,  you  repaired,  when  required,  lo  enforce  lhat  rnea- 
ure,  promptly,  lo  ihe  post  of  responsibility,  and  of  danger.  By 
so  doing,  you  have  merited  the  gratitude  of  au  enlightened  peo- 
ile.  While  the  signal  ability  with  which  you  have  managed 
In'  financial  department  of  the  government,  entitles  you  to  the 
ivarm  good  will  of  all  who  sincerely  desire  lo  prostrate  a  pow- 
;rful  corporation,  now  boldly  seeking  to  participate  in  the  choice 
of  our  chief  magistrate.  You  sir,  have  stepped  forwaid  lo  stay 
ts  course.  To  avenge  the  blow  you  have  skilfully  inflicted  on 
.hat  institution,  iu  abettors  have  attempted  your  destruction. 
Vain  and  fruitless  are  Iheir  efforts.  You  have  been  warmly 
welcomed  elsewhere;  yon  are  warmly  welcomed  here,  by  an 
"ncorruplible  people,  grateful  for  your  patriotic  services. 

Again,  sir,  I  lender  you  ihe  friendly  congratulations  of  the 
Jackson   republicans  of  Frederick  county,  with  an  assurance, 
that  it  has  afforded  me  much  pleasure  lo  have  been  made  Ibe 
organ  of  this  communication. 
To  which  Mr.  Taney  replied — 

SIR:  I  am  grateful  for  the  honors,  with  which  my  fellow  citi- 
zens of  Frederick  city  and  county,  have  this  day  received  me. 
I  lived  so  many  years,  in  the  midst  ot'them;  and  that  residence 
is  endeared  to  me  by  so  many  cherished  recollections;  that,  I 
never  find  myself  approaching  Frederick,  without  feeling  as  if  I 
were  again  bending  my  footsteps  to  my  own  home,  again  to 
dwell  in  the  midst  of  a  people,  whose  long  continued' kindness 
to  me,  I  can  never  forget,  and  shall  warmly  and  gratefully  bear 
in  my  memory  to  the  Idlest  hour  of  my  life. 

I  see,  around  me.,  many  citizens,  who  were  well  known  to 
me  during  almost  the  whole  period  of  my  residence  in  Frede- 
rick. And  Ihe  deep  emotions,  with  which  the  events  of  this 
day  are  so  well  calculated  to  inspire  me,  are  greatly  increased 
when  I  behold  so  many,  well  remembered  faces,  greeting  my 
arrival,  with  looks  of  friendship  and  approbation. 

Under  any  circumstances,  such  proofs  of  the  confidence  of 
my  fellow  citizens  would  be  gratefully  acknowledged.  But  the 
recent  incidents  of  my  life  give  them  peculiar  value.  When  I 
entered  on  the  high  and  delicate  office  which  I  recently  filled, 
the  great  body  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  were  stran- 
gers even  to  my  name,  I  had  never  been  a  member  of  either 
house  of  congress.  The  office  of  atlorney  general  of  the  United 
States,  from  the  nature  of  its  duties  was  not  calculated  to  make, 
my  name  familiar  to  the  ear  of  the  people  in  the  brief  space  for 
which  I  held  it.  And  when  I  was  unexpectedly  called  to  the 
office  of  secretary  of  the  treasury  in  a  season  of  severe  trial, 
when  the  best  and  highest  interests  of  this  great  nation  of  free- 
men were  vitally  connected  with  the  measures  of  that  depart- 
ment, I  could  not  but  feel  thai  my  humble  name  would  give  no 
weight  to  the  measures  I  had  determined  to  adopt,  that,  out  of 
Maryland,  I  was  unknown  lo  Ihe  greal  body  of  Ihe  American 
people — and  could  not  therefore,  if  attacks  should  be  made  upon 
me,  appeal  for  my  vindication  to  their  previous  knowledge  of 
me,  and  a  long  life  passed  in  Ihe  honest  endeavor  to  discharge 
to  ihe  best  of  my  power,  my  duties  as  a  man  and  a  citizen. 
Yet  a  crisis  had  come,  which  did  not  allow  me  to  hesitate  as  to 
the  path  of  duty. 

It  was  obvious  to  my  mind  from  the  facts  before  me,  that  a 
great  moneyed  corporation,  possessing  a  fearful  power  for  good 
or  for  evil,  had  entered  into  the  field  of  political  warfare,  and 
was  deliberately preparing  its  plans  to  obtain,  by  means  of  its 
money,  an  irresistible,  political  influence,  in  the  affairs  of  the 
nation,  so  as  to  enable  it  to  control  the  measures  of  the  govern- 
ment. It  was  evident,  if  this  ambitious  corporation  should  euc 


454     NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1834— TREATY  WITH  THE  CHICK  ASA  Wg. 


ceed  in  its  designs,  that  the  liberties  of  the  country  would  soon 
be  destroyed,  that  the  power  ol  self-government  would  be  wrest- 
ed from  the  people,  and  they  would  find  themselves  at  no  dis- 
tant day  under  the  dominion  of  the  worst  of  all  possible  govern- 
ments, a  moneyed  aristocracy.  In  this  posture  of  affairs  full  o 
peril,  and  of  the  deep  interest  to  this  great  nation,  I  saw  the 
grey  haired  patriot  now  at  the  head  of  the  government,  who  has 
so  olien  breasted  every  danger  in  defence  uf  the  liberties  of  his 
country-,  once  more  prepared  to  plant  himself  in  the  breach,  to 
defend  his  countrymen  at  every  hazard  to  himself,  from  the  im- 
pending danger.  1  firmly  believed,  and  still  believe  that  the 
safety  of  the  country  depended  on  his  prompt  and  decisive  ac- 
tion. I  had  long  as  one  of  his  cabinet,  advised  the  proceeding 
which  he  finally  made  up  his  mind  to  adopt.  Under  such  cir- 
cumstances, it  was  impossible,  that  I  could  without  dishonor 
have  hesitated,  about  accepting  the  office  he  proffered  me,  or 
have  shrunk  from  the  responsibility  of  executing  a  measure 
which  I  had  myself  advised  at  a  time  when  it  was  believed  that 
the  duty  would  be  performed  by  another  person.  It  was  im- 
possible in  a  crisis  when  the  dearest  interests  of  the  country 
were  at  stake,  that  I  would  without  jyst  disgrace,  have  refused 
to  render  my  best  services  in  its  defence.  I  should  have  been 
unworthy  of  the  friendship  of  the  high  spirited  and  pa'triotic  ci- 
tizens who  are  now  around  me,  if  I  could  have  thought  of  my- 
self, and  my  own  poor  interests,  at  such  a  moment. 

The  measures  which  I  have  adopted  as  secretary  of  the  trea 
sury  are  now  before  the  public,  and  1  am  ready  to  ah  file  the 
judgment,  which  the  American  people  shall  pass  upon  them. 
They  have  indeed  brought  upon  me,  it  seeVns,  a  deep  and  en- 
during spirit  of  hostility.  I  have  been  singled  out  froin  among 
the  number  who  advised,  and  who  approved  of  the  measures, 
I  pursued,  as  a  fit  object  to  receive  a  peculiar  mark  of  indigni- 
ty. The  most  unsparing  efforts  have  been  made  to  impeach 
the  integrity  of  my  motives,  and  to  destroy  me  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States;  and  although,  I  am  no 
longer  in  office,  the  same  spirit  is  still  abroad,  and  still  pursues 
its  object  with  unwearied  perseverance.  I  do  not  mention 
these  things  to  complain  of  them.  I  should  have  been  blind  to 
the  examples  of  history,  if  I  had  not  expected,  them.  No  man 
who  has,  at  any  period  of  the  world  stood  forth  to  maintain  the 
liberties  of  the  people,  against  a  moneyed  aristocracy,  grasping 
at  power,  has  ever  met  with  different  fate.  Its  unrelenting, 
unquenchable  hate  has  never  failed  to  pursue  him  to  the  last 
hour  of  his  life,  and  when  in  his  grave.  Money  can  always 
buy  instrument* — and  I  was  not  weak  enough  to  suppose  that  I 
should  escape  what  all  others  in  a  like  situation  have  been 
doomed  to  encounter. 

Having  as  I  have  already  said,  had  no  connection  until  re- 
cently with  the  general  government,  I  was  altogether  unknown 
to  the  great  body  of  the  citizens  of  other  states,  and  cannot 
therefore  in  reply  to  the  assaults  made  upon  me  appeal  to  their 
previous  knowledge  of  my  principles  and  conduct.  But  in  Ma- 
ryland it  is  otherwise.  Born  in  the  state,  my  life  has  been 
passed  in  the  midst  of  its  citizens,  until  age  is  now  coming 
upon  me.  To  them  I  can  confidently  appeal,  for  they  have 
known  me  from  my  childhood.  To  the  citizens  who  now  sur- 
round me,  I  can  still  more  confidently,  for  among  them  I  pass- 
ed twenty-two  years  of  the  prime  of  my  life;  taking  an  active 
part  during  all  that  time  in  their  public  concerns.  It  is  from 
the  people  of  Maryland  that  the  citizens  of  other  states  must 
In  a  great  measure  learn  my  character  and  my  principles — and 
of  none  more  justly  can  the  inquiry  be  made  than  of  the  citi- 
zens of  this  county,  who  have  so  long,  and  so  intimately 
known  me.  And  gratifying  as  their  approbation  and  support 
would  at  all  times  have  proved,  I  acknowledge,  that,  at  a  mo- 
ment like  this  I  feel  it  with  more  than  ordinary  sensibility. 
The  honors  with  which  they  have  been  pleased  to  receive  me 
— the  numerous  body  of  freemen  who  are  now  gathered  about 
me — the  public  expression  of  their  undiminished  conlidence 
and  esteem  which  at  their  request,  yon  have  just  made  to  me, 
is  a  proud  and  cheering  testimony,  to  which  I  can  point  to  re- 
pel the  calumnies,  which  are  continually  heaped  upon  me. 

The  time  will  come,  sir,  I  doubt  not,  when  every  man  who 
loves  the  free  institutions  of  the  country  will  be  ready  to  admit 
the  misconduct  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and  the  dan- 
ger to  be  apprehended  from  any  similar  corporation.  Many 
honest  and  estimable  men  are  now  opposed  to  us,  who  are  led 
away  by  mistaken  notions  of  party  obligations — or  are  too 
much  under  the  influence  of  parly  prejudices  to  examine  the 
subject  fairly,  and  form  an  impartial  judgment  for  themselves. 
The  time  will  soon  come  when  such  men  will  look  hack  with 
deep  regret  at  the  course  they  have  pursued,  and  are  still  pur 
suing,  and  will  do  justice  to  those  who  have  shewn  them-elves 
ready  to  make  personal  sacrifices  to  maintain  unimpaired,  for 
this  great  people,  the  blessings  of  freedom. 

It  is  an  additional  gratification,  to  finfl  you,  sir,  selected  as 
the  organ  to  communicate  to  me  the  sentiments  of  this  large 
assemblage  of  my  fellow  citizens.  As  the  representative  of 
this  district,  I  received  from  you,  during  my  brief  and  eventful 
administration  of  the  treasury  department,  the  most  firm  and 
steady  support.  It  was  to  the.  committee  of  the  house  of  rep- 
resentatives, of  which  you  were  the  head,  that  the  people  o£ 
this  country  are  .indebted  for  the  proof  that  the  affairs  of  the 
bank  have  been  so  managed,  that  it  is  compelled,  in  the  face  of 
the  plain  provisions' of  its  charter,  to  hide  its  proceedings  from 
the  public  eye.  The  official  report  of  your  committee  shews, 
that  the  bank,  aware  of  the  conclusions  which  must  inevitably 
be  drawn  from  their  refusal  to  submit  itself  to  a  fair  and  full 


examination,  made  every  effort  to  escape,  without  coming  to  a 
direct  denial.  But  the  talents,  firmness  and  perseverance  of 
the  committee,  baffled  the  design,  and  compelled  them  to  de- 
cide directly,  and  unequivocally,  whether  they  would  lay  open 
their  proceedings  to  strict,  and  impartial  scrutiny;  or  would  in  ' 
direct  violation  of  their  charter,  and  in  contempt  of  the  house  of 
representatives  of  the  United  States,  refuse  .it.  Driven  from 
every  attempt  at  evasion,  they  finally  refused,  and  thus  gave 
to  the  people,  the  most  convincing  and  conclusive  evidence  of 
the  truth  of  the  charges  against  them,  and  that  they  dared  not 
meet  the  searching  investigation  of  such  a  committee. 

The  distinguished  share  which  you  took  in  the  conflict,  nnd 
the  efficient  services  you  performed,  will  always  be  remember- 
ed and  honored  by  a  people  whom  you  have  so  signally  served. 

TREATY  WITH  THE  CHICKASAWS. 

ANDREW  JACKSON,  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  C.  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 
To  nil  singular  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting: 
Whereas,  a  treaty  was  tnade.at  the  city  of  Washington,  on  the 
twenty  lourth  day  of  May,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
thirty  four,  betwefn  the  United  Stales,  by  their  commis- 
sioner, John  H.Eaton,  and  the  Chickasaw  Indians;  which 
treaty  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

Articles  of  convention  and  agreement  proponed  by  the  commis- 
sioners on  the  part  of  the  United  Slates,  in  pursuance  of  the 
request  made,  by  the  delegation  representing  the  Cltickasaw  no.-, 
tion  of  Indians,  and  u-hich  have  been  agreed  to. 
ART.  i.  It  is  agreed  that  perpetual  amity,  peace  and  friend- 
ship, shall  exist  between  the  United  States,  and  the  Chickasaw 
nation  of  Indians. 

ART.  n.  The  Chickasaws  are  about  to  abandon  their  homes, 
which  they  have  long  cherished  and  loved;  and  though  hitherto 
unsuccessful,  they  still  hope  to  find  a  country,  adequate  to  the 
wants  and  support  of  their  people,  somewhere  west  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  within  the -territorial,  limits  of  the  United  States; 
should  they  do  so,  the  government  of'lhe  United  States,  hereby 
consent  to  protect  and  defend  them  against  the  inroads  of  any 
other  tribe  of  Indians,  and  from  the  whites;  and  agree  to  keep 
them  without  the  limits  of  any  state  or  territory.  The  Chicka- 
saws pledge  themselves  never  to  make  war  upon  any  Indian 
people  or  upon  the  whites,  unless  they  are  so  authorised  by  the 
United  States.  But  if  war  be  made  upon -them,  they  will  be 
permitted  to  defend  themselves,  until  assistance  be  given  to 
them  by  the  United  States,  as  shall  be  the  case. 

ART.  in.  The  Chickasaws  are  not  acquainted  with  the  laws 
of  the  whites,  which  are  extended  over  them;  and  the  many  in- 
truders which  break  into  their  country,  interrupting  their  rights 
and  disturbing  their  repose,  leave  no  alternative  whereby  re- 
straint can  be  afforded,  other  than  an  appeal  to  the  military 
force  of  the  country,  which  they  are  tin  willing  to  ask  for,  or  see 
resorted  to;  and  therefore  they  agree  to  forbear  such  a  request, 
for  prevention  of  this  great  evil,  with  the  understanding,  which 
is  admitted,  tint  the  agent  of  the  United  States,  upon  the  ap- 
plication of  the  chiefs  of  the  nation,  will  resort  to  every  legal 
civil  remedy,  (at  the  expense  of  the  United  States),  to  prevent  ' 
intrusions  upon  the  ceded  country;  and  to  restrain  and  remove 
trespassers  from  any  selected  reservations,  upon  application  of 
the  owner  of  the  same.  And  it  is  also  agreed,  that  the  United 
States  will  continue  some  discreet  person  as  agent,  such  as  they 
now  have,  to  whom  they  catr  looj<  for  redress  of  wrongs  and  in- 
juries which  may  be  attempted  against  them;  and  it  is  consent- 
ed, that  if  any  of  their  property,  be  taken  by  persons  of  the  V. 
States,  covertly  or  forcibly,  the  agent  on  satisfactory  and  just 
complaint  being  made,  shall  pursue  all  lawful  civil  mean's, 
which  the  laws  of  the  state  permit,  in  which  Jhe  wrong  is 
done,  to  regain  the  same,  or  to  obtain  a  just  remuneration;  and" 
on  failure  or  inability  to  procure  redress,  for  the  offended, 
against  the  oftVndinE  party;  payment  for  the  loss  sustained,  on 
production  of  the  record,  and  certificate  of  the  facts,  by -the 
agent,  shall  be  made  by  life  United  States;  but  in  all  such  eases, 
atisfactory  proof,  for  the  establishing  of  the  claim,  shall  be  of- 
fertd. 

ART.  iv.  The  Chickasaws  desJre  to  have  within  their  own 
direction  and  control,  the  means  of  taking  care  of  themselves. 
Many  of  their  people  are  quite  competent  to  manage  their  af- 
fairs, though  some  are  not  capable  and  might  he  imposed  upon 
by  designing  persons;  it  is  therefore  agreed  that  the  reserva- 
tions hereinafter  admitted,  shall  not  be  permitted  to  he  sold, 
leased  or  disposed  of,  unless  it  appear  by  the  certificate  of  two 
at  least  of  the  following  persons,  to  wit.  Ish  ta  ho-ta  pa  the 
king,  Levi  Colbert,  George  Colbert,  Martin  Colbert,  Isaac  Al- 
herson,  Henry  Love  and  Benjamin  Love,  of  which  five  have 
affixed  their  names  to  this  treaty,  that  the  party  owning  or 
claiming  the  same,  is  capable  to  manage,  and  to  take  care  of 
liis  or  her  affairs;  which  fact  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  in- 
formation, shall  be  certified  by  the  agent;  and  furthermore  that 
a  fair  consideration  has  been  paid;  and  thereupon,  the  deed  of 
conveyance  shall  be  valid,  provided  the  president  of  the  United 
States,  or  such  other  person  as  he  may  designate  shall  ap- 
prove of  the  same,  and  endorse  it  on  the  def-d;  which  said  deed 
ind  approval,  shall  he  registered,  at  the  place,  and  within  th« 
time,  required  by  the  laws  of  the  state,  in  which  the  land  may 
I**  situated;  otherwise  to  be  void.  And  where  such  certificate 
s  not  obtained;  upon  the  recommendation  of  a  majority  of  the 
delegation  and  the  approval  of  the  agent,  at  the  direction  of  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  the  same  may  be  sold;  but  the 
consideration  thereof  shall  remain  as  part  of  the  general  Chicka- 
saw fund  in  the  hands  of  the  government,  until  such  time  as  tha 


_. 


NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  80,  1834— TREATY  WITH  THE  CHICK  ASA  WS.     456 


chiefs  in  council  shall  think  it  advisable  to  pay  it  to  the  claimant 
or  to  those,  who  may  rightfully  claim  under  said  claimant,  and 
shall  so  recommend  it.  And  as  the  king,  Levi  Colhert  and  the 
delegation  who  have  signed  thi*  agreement,  and  to  whom  cer- 
tain important  and  interesting  duties  pertaining  to  the  nation, 
may  din,  resign  or  remove,  so  llint  their  people  may  be  without 
the  benefit  of  their  ssrvices,  it  is  stipulated,  that  as  often  as  any 
vacancy  happens,  by  death,  resignation  or  otherwise,  the  chiefs 
shall  select  some  discreet  person  of  their  nation  to  fill  the  oc- 
curring vacancy,  who  upon  a  certificate  of  qualification,  discre- 
tion and  capability,  by  the  agent,  shall  be  appointed  by  the  se- 
cretary of  war,  whereupon,  he  shall  possess  all  the  authority 
granted  to  those  who  are  here  named,  and  the  nation  will  make 
to  the  person  so  appointed,  such  reasonable  compensation  as 
they  with  the  assent  of  the  agent  and  the  secretary  of  war,  may 
think  right,  proper  and  reasonable  to  be  allowed. 
ART.  v.  It  is  agreed  that  the  fourth  article  of  the  "treaty  of 


Pontitock,"  be  so  changed,  that  the  following  reservations  lie 
granted  in  fee — To  heads  of  families,  being  Indians,  or  having 
^Indian  families,  consisting  of  ten  persons,  and  upwards,  four 
sections  of  land  are  reserved.  To  those  who  have  five  and  less 
than  ten  persons,  three  sections.  Those  who  have  less  than 
five,  two  sections.  Also  those  who  own  more  than  ten  slaves, 
shall  be  entitled  to  one  additional  section;  and  those  owning  ten 
and  less  than  ten  to  half  a  section.  These  reservations  shall 
lie  confined,  to  the  sections  or  fractional  sections  on  which  the 
party  claiming  lives,  or  to  such  as  are  contigious  or  adjoining  to 
the  sections  resided  upon,  subject  to  the  following  restriclions 
and  conditions — 

Firstly.  In  cases  where  there  are  interferences  arising,  the 
oldest  occupant  or  settler,  shall  have  the  preference,  or, 

Secondly.  Where  the  land  is  adjuged  unfit  for  cultivation,  by 
the  agent,  and  three  of  the  seven  persons,  named  in  the  fourth 
article  above,  the  party  entitled,  shall  be,  and  is,  hereby  au- 
thorised to  locate  his  claim  upon  other  lands,  which  may 
be  unappropriated,  and  not  subject  to  any  other  claim;  and 
where  two  or  more  persons,  insist  upon  the  entry  of  the  same 
unappropriated  section  or  fractional  section,  the  priority  of  right 
vhall  be  determined  by  lot;  and  where  a  fractional  section  is 
taken,  leaving  a  balance  greater  or  less  than  the  surveyed  sub- 
division of  a  section,  then  the  deficiency  shall  be  made  up,  by 
connecting  all  the  deficiencies  so  arising;  and  the  register  and 
receiver  thereupon,  shall  locate  full  or  fractional  sections,  fit 
for  cultivation,  in  the  names  respectively  of  the  different  per- 
sons claiming,  which  shall  he  held  by  them  as  tenants  in  com- 
mon, according  to  the  respective  interests  of  those  who  are 
concerned;  and  the  proceeds  when  sold  by  the  parties  claiming, 
shall  be  divided  according  to  the  interests,  which  each  may  have 
rn  said  section  or  fractional  section  so  located,  or  the  same  may 
be  divided  agreeably  to  quality  or  quantity. 

ART.  vi.  Also  reservations  of  a  section  to  each,  shall  be 
granted  to  persons  male  and  female,  not  being  heads  of  families, 
who  are  of  the  age.  of  twenty-one  years,  and  upwards,  a  list  of 
whom,  within  a  reasonable  time  shall  be  made  out  by  the  seven 
persons  hereinbefore  mentioned,  and  filed  with  the  agent,  upon 
whose  certificate  of  its  believed  accuracy,  the  register  and  re- 
ceiver,  shall  cause  said  reservations  to  he  located  upon  lands 
(  fit  for  cultivation,  but  not  to  interfere  with  the  settlement  rights 

!  of  others.  The  persons  thus  entititled,  are  to  be  excluded  from 
the  estimated  numbers  contained  in  any  family  enumeration, 
as  is  provided  for  in  the  fifth  article  preceding:  and  as  to  the 
sale,  lease  or  disposition  of  their  reserves,  they  are  to  be  the 
subject  of  the  conditions  and  restrictions  set  forth  in  the  fourth 
article.  In  these  and  in  all  other  reserves  where  the  party 
owning  or  entitled,  shall  die,  the  interest  in  the  same  shall  be- 
long to  his  wife,  or  the  wife  and  children,  or  to  the  husband, 
or  to  the  husband  and  children,  if  there  be  any;  and  in  cases  of 
death,  where  there  ia  neither  husband,  wife  nor  children  left, 
the  same  shall  be  disposed  of  for  the  general  benefit;  and  the 
proceeds  go  into  the  general  Chickasaw  fund.  But  where  the 
estate  as  is  prescribed  in  this  article,  comes  to  the  children,  and 
having  so  come,  either  of  them  die,  the  survivor  or  survivors  of 
them,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  same.  But  this  rule  shall  not 
endure  longer  than  five  years,  nor  beyond  the  period  when  the 
Chickasaws  may  leave  their  present  for  a  new  home. 
I  ART.  vit.  Where  any  white  man,  before  the  date  hereof  has 
'  married  an  Indian  woman,  the  reservation  he  may  he  entitled 
to  under  this  treaty,  she  being  alive,  shall  he  in  her  name,  and 
no  right  of  alienation  of  the  same  shall  pertain  to  the  husband 
unless  he  divest  her  of  the  title,  after  the  mode  and  manner 
that  feme  coverts,  usually  divests  themselves  of  title  to  real 
estate,  that  is  by  the  acknowledgments  of  the  wife  which  may 
bo  taken  before  the  agent,  and  certified  hy  him  that  she  consents 
to  the  sale  freely, , and  without  compulsion  from  her  husband, 
who  shall  at  the  same  time  certify  that  the  head  of  such  family 
is  prudent,  and  competent  to  take  care  of  and  manage  his  af- 
fairs; otherwise  the  proceeds  of  said  sale  shall  he  subject  to  the 
provisions  and  restrictions  contained  in  the  fourth  article  of 
this  agreement.  Rights  to  reservations  as  are  herein,  and  in 
other  articles  of  this  agreement  secured,  will  pertain  to  those 
who  have  heretofore  intermarried  with  the  Chickasaws,  and  are 
residents  of  the  nation. 

ART.  VIH.  Males  and  females  below  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  whose  father  being  dead,  the  mother  again  has  married, 
or  who  have  neither  father  nor  mother,  shall  each  he  entitled  to 
half  a.  section  of  land,  but  shall  not  be  computed  as  parts  of 
families,  under  the  fifth  article,  the  same  to  he  located  under 
the  direction  of  the  agent,  and  under  the  supervision  of  the 


secretary  of  war,  so  a*  not  to  interfere  with  any  neltlement 
right.  These  lands  may  be  sold  upon  a  recommendation  of  a 
majority  of  the  seven  persons,  heretofore  named  in  thi*  agree- 
ment, selling  forth  that  it  will  prove  advantageous  to  the  parties 
Interested;  subject  however  to  the  approval  of  the  president,  or 
such  other  person  as  he  shall  designate.  If  sold,  the  funds 
arising  shall  be  retained,  in  the  possession  of  the  government, 
or  if  the  president  deem  it  advisable  they  shall  be  in  vested  in 
stocks  for  the  benefit  of  the  parties  interested,  if  there  be  a  suf- 
ficient sum  lo  be  invested,  (and  it  can  be  invested),  until  said 
persons  marry  or  come  of  age,  when  the  amount  shall  be 
paid  over  to  those  who  are  entitled  to  receive  it,  provided  a 
majority  of  the  seven  persons,  with  the  agent,  shall  certify,  that 
in  their  opinion,  it  will  be  to  their  interests  advantage  then, and 
in  that  case,  the  proceeds  shall  be  paid  over  to  the  party  or 
parlies  entitled  to  receive  them. 

ART.  ix.  But  in  running  the  sectional  linen  in  some  cases  it 
will  happen,  that  the  spring  and  the  dwelling  house;  or  the 
spring  and  the  cleared  land;  or  the  cleared  land  or  the  dwelling 
house  of  settlers,  may  be  separated  by  sectional  lines,  whereby 
manifest  inconvenience  and  injury  will  be  occasioned;  it  is 
agreed,  that  when  any  of  these  occurrences  arise,  the  party 
shall  be  entitled  as  parts  and  portions  of  his  reservations,  to  the 
adjoining  section  or  fraction,  as  the  cane  may  be,  unless  there 
be  some  older  occupant,  claiming  a  preference;  and  in  that 
event,  Hie  right  of  the  party,  shall  extend  no  farther,  lhan  lo 
give  to  the  person,  thus  affected  and  injured,  so  much  of  his  se- 
parated property,  as  will  secure  the  spring,  also,  where  a  sec- 
tional line,  shall  separate  any  improvement,  dwelling  house, 
kitchen  or  stable,  so  much  of  the  section,  which  contains  them, 
shall  be  added  into  the  occupied  section,  as  will  sec  ure  them  to 
their  original  owner;  and  then  and  in  that  case,  the  older  oc- 
cupant being  deprived  of  preference,  shall  have  his  deficiency 
thus  occasioned,  made  up  to  him  by  some  fractional  section, 
or  after  the  mode  pointed  out  in  the  latter  partof  the  fifth  article 
of  this  treaty. 

ART.  x.  Reservations  are  admitted  to  the  following  persons, 
in  addition  to  those  which  may  be  claimed  under  the  fifth  ar- 
ticle of  this  trealy,  to  wit: — Four  sections  to  their  beloved  and 
faithful  old  chief  Levi  Colbert;  to  George  Colhert,  Martin  Col- 
bert, Isaac  Alberson,  Henry  Love  and  Benjamin  Love,  in  con- 
sideration of  the  trouble  they  have  had  in  coming  to  Washing- 
ton, and  of  the  farther  trouble  hereafter  to  be  encountered  in 
taking  care  of  the  interests  of  their  people,  under  the  provisions 
of  this  treaty,  one  section  of  land  to  each.  Also  there  is  a  frac- 
tional section,  between  the  residence  of  George  Colbert,  and  the 
Tennessee  river,  itpon  which  he  has  a  ferry,  it  is  therefore  con- 
sented, that  said  George  Colbert,  shall  own  and  have  so  much 
of  said  fraction,  as  may  be  contained  :n  the  following  lines,  to 
wit: — beginning  near  Smith's  ferry  at  the  point  where  the  base 
meridian  line  and  the  Tennessee  river  come  in  contact, — thence 
south  so  far  as  to  pass  the  dwelling  house,  (and  sixty  yards  be- 
yond it),  within  which  is  interred  the  body  of  his  wife — thence 
east  to  the  river  and  down  the  same  to  the  point  of  beginning. 
Also  there  shall  be  reserved  to  him  an  island,  in  said  river, 
nearly  opposite  to  this  fraclion,  commonly  called  Colberl's  is- 
land. A  reservation  also  of  two  sections  is  admitted  to  Ish-ta- 
ho  la  pa  the  king  of  the  Chickasaw  nation.  And  to  Min-ta-  ho- 
yea  the  mother  of  Charles  Colbert  one  section  of  land.  Also 
one  section,  each,  to  the  following  persons: — Im  mub  bee,  Ish- 
tim-o-lut-ka,  Ah  to  ho-woh,  Pis  lah-lah-tuhbee,  capt.  Samuel 
Seley  and  William  McGilvery.  To  colonel  Benjamin  Reynolds 
their  long  tried  and  faithful  agent,  who  has  guarded  their  in- 
terests and  twiae  Iravelled  with  their  people  far  west  beyond 
the  Mississippi,  to  aid  them  in  seeking  and  finding  a  home, 
there  is  granted  two  sections  of  land.  Jointly  to  William  Cooper 
and  James  Davis,  lawyers  of  Mississippi  who  have  been  faith- 
ful to  the  Indians,  in  giving  them  professional  advice,  and  legal 
assistance,  and  who  are  to  continue  to  do  so,  within  the  states 
of  Tennessee,  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  while  the  Chickasaw 
people  remain  in  said  states,  one  section  is  granted.  To  Mrs. 
Margret  Allen  wife  of  the  sub  agent  in  her  own  right,  half  a 
section.  These  reservations  to  Benjamin  Reynolds,  William 
Cooper,  James  Davis  and  Margaret  Allen,  are  to  be  located  so  as 
not  to  interfere  with  the  Indian  reservations.. 

ART.  xi.  After  the  reservations  are  laksn  and  located,  which 
shall  be  the  case  as  speedily  as  may  be  after  the  surveys  are 
completed,  of  which  the  regisier  and  receiver  shall  give  notice, 
the  residue  of  the  Chickasaw  country  shall  be  sold  as  public 
lands  of  the  United  States  are  sold,  with  this  difference:  the 
lands  as  surveyed  shall  be  offered  at  public  sale  al  a  price  not 
less  than  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre;  and  thereafter  for 
one  year  those  which  are  unsold  and  which  shall  have  been 
previously  offered  at  public  sale  shall  be  liable  to  private  entry 
and  sale  at  that  price;  thereafter  and  for  one  year  longer  they 
shall  be  subject  to  entry  and  private  sale,  at  one  dollar  per  acre; 
thereafter  and  during  the  third  year  they  shall  be  subject  to  sate 
and  entry  at  fifty  cents  per  acre;  thereafter  and  during  the  fourth 
year,  at  twenty-five  cents  per  acre;  and  afterwards  at  twelve 
and  a  half  cents  per  acre.  But  as  it  may  happen  in  the  fourth 
and  after  years,  that  the  expenses  may  prove  greater  than  the 
receipts,  it  is  agreed,  that  at  any  time  alter  the.  third  year,  the 
Chickasaws  may  declare  the  residue  of  their  lands  abandoned 
to  the  United  States,  and  if  so  they  shall  be  henceforth  acquit- 
ted of  all  and  every  the  expense  on  account  of  the  sale  of  the 
ime. 

And  that  they  may  be  advised  of  these  matters  it  ia  stipulat- 
ed, that  the  government  of  the  United  States,  within  six  month* 


456     NILES'  REGISTER— AUG.  30,  1834— TREATY  WITH  THE  CHICKASAW3. 


after  any  public  sales  take  place,  shall  advise  them  of  the  re- 
ceipts and  expenditures,  and  of  balance  in  llieir  favor;  and  also 
at  regular  intervals  of  six  months,  aller  ihe  first  report  is  made, 
will  afford  them  information  of  the  proceeds  of  all  entries  arid 
sales.  The  funds  thence  resulting,  after  the  necessary  expen- 
ses of  surveying  and  selling,  and  other  advances  which  may  be 
made,  are  repaid  to  the  United  State*,  shall  from  time  to  time 
be  invested  in  some  secure  stocks  redeemable  within  a  period 
of  not  more  than  I  wetity  years;  and  the  United  States  will  cause 
the  interest  arising  therefrom,  annually  to  be  paid  to  the  Chick- 
asaws. 

ART.  XH.  When  any  portion  of  the  country  is  fully  surveyed, 
the  president  may  order  the  same  to  be  sold,  but  will  allow  six 
months  from  the  dale  of  the  first  notice  to  the  first  sale;  and 
three  months  notice  of  any  subsequent  intended  public  sale, 
within  wlucli  periods  of  time,  those  who  can  claim  reservation?, 
in  the  offered  ranges  of  country,  shall  file  their  applications  and 
entiles  with  the  register  and  receiver;  that  the  name  of  the 
owner  or  claimant  of  the  same  may  be  entered  and  marked  on 
the  general  plat  at  the  office,  whereby  mistakes  in  the  sales  may 
be  avoided,  and  injuries  prevented. 

ART.  xni.  If  the  Chickaiaws  shall  be  so  fortunate  ns  to  pro- 
cure a  home,  within  the  limits  of  the  United  Stales,  it  is  agreed, 
that  with  the  consent  of  (he  president  and  seriate  so  much  of 
their  invested  stocks,  as  may  be  necessary  to  the  purcha.-e  of  a 
Country  for  them  to  settle  in,  shall  be  permitted  to  them  to  be 
sold,  or  the  United  States  will  advance  tint  necessary  amount 
upon  a  guarantee  and  pledge  of  an  equal  amount  of  thtir  stocks; 
also,  as  much  of  them  may  be  sold,  with  the  consent  of  the 
president  and  senate,  as  shall  be  adjudged  necessary  for  estab- 
lishing schools,  mills,  blacksmith  /Imps,  and  for  the  education 
of  their  children;  and  for  any  oilier  needful  purpose,  which  their 
situation  and  condition  may  make,  and  by  the  president  and  se- 
nate be  considered  necessary;  and  on  the  happening  of  such  a 
contingency,  and  information  thereof  being  given  of  an  inten- 
tion of  the  whole  or  any  portion  of  the  nation  lo  remove;  the 
United  States  will  furnish  competent  persons,  safely  to  conduct 
them  to  their  future  destination,  and  also  supplies  necessary  to 
the  same,  and  for  one  year  alter  their  arrival  at  the  west,  pro- 
vided the  Indians  shall  desire  supplies,  to  be  furnished  for  so 
long  a  period,  the  supplies  so  afforded,  to  be  chargeable  lo  tin 
general  Chickasaw  account,  provided  the  funds  of  said  natioi 
shall  be  found  adequ.ile  to  the  expenses,  which  under  this  am 
other  articles  oi  this  agreement,  may  be  required. 

ART.  xiv.  It  is  understood  and  agreed,  that  articles  twelve 
and  thirteen  of  the  "treaty  of  Ponlilock,"  of  the  twentieth  da 
of  October,  one  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  thirty-two,  am 
which  was  concluded  with  gen.  John  Coffee  shall  be  retained 
all  the  other  articles  of  said  treaty,  inconsistent  in  any  respec 
with  the  provisions  of  this,  are  declared  to  be  revoked.  Also 
so  much  of  the  supplemental  treaty  as  relates  to  Colbert  Moore 
to  the  bond  of  James  Colbert,  transferred  to  Robert  Gordon;  t 
the  central  position  of  the  land  office;  to  the  establishment  o 
mail  routes  through  the  Chickasaw  country;  arid  as  it  respect 
the  privilege  given  lo  John  Douely;  be,  and  the  same  are  de 
clared  to  be  in  full  force.' 

ART.  xv.  By  the  sixth  article  of  a  trealy  made  with  Ihe  Chick 
asaw  nation,  by  Andrew  Jackson  and  Isaac  Shelby,  on  Ih 
nineleenth  day  of  October,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  an 
eighteen,  it  was  provided  that  a  commissioner,  should  be  ap 
poinled  lo  mark  the  southern  boundary  of  said  cession;  now  i 
is  agreed  ih.it  the  line  which  was  run  and  marked  by  the  com 
missioner  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  in  pursuance  ofsa 
trealy,  shall  be  considered  the  true  line  to  the  extent  that  th 
rights  and  interests  of  the  Chickasaws  are  concerned,  and  n 
farther. 

ART.  xvi.  The  United  States  agree  that  the  approprialio 
made  by  congress,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  an 
thirty-three,  for  carrying  into  effect  the  "trealy  with  Ihe  Chick 
asaws"  shall  be  applicable  lo  this;  to  be  reimbursed  by  then 
and  their  agent  may  receive  and  be  charged  with  the  same 
from  time  to  time,  as  in  the  opinion  of  Ihe  secretary  ol  war,  an 
portion  may  be  wanted  for  national  purposes,  by  the  Chicka 
saws;  of  which  nature  and  character,  shall  be  considered  the 
present  visit  to  Washington  city. 

Pone  at  the  city  of  Washington,  on  the  34th  day  of  May,  on 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-four. 

J.  H.  EATON,  commissioner  on  the  part  of  the  U.  S, 
Witnesses— Charles   F.   Little,   secretary   to   commission*- 
Benjamin  Reynolds,  Indian  agent;  G.  VV.  Long;  James  Standi 
fer;  Thomas  S.  Smith;  Samuel   Swartwout;  William  Gordon 
F.  W.  Armstrong,  C.  agenl;  John  M   Mtllard. 

GEORGE  COLBERT,  his  X  mark. 
1S.\\C  ALBERSOV,  hisX  mark. 
MAKTIX  ''OLliERT,  (seal.) 
HENRY   L0\  K.  (seal.) 

IIENJAMIV  LOVE,      (seal.) 

The  undersigned  appointed  by  the  Chickasaw  nation  of  In 
dians  in  the  two  fold  capacity  of  a  dclenaie  and   interpret! 
hereby  declares  that  in  all  that  is  set  forth  in  the  above  article 
of  convention  nml  agreement,  have  been   by  him  fully  and  a 
cnraieiv  interpreted  nnd  explained  and  that  the  frame  has  bee 
approved  by  tin-  entire  di. legation. 
,  1 

BENJAMIN  LOVE,  defegare  and  interpreter 
F.  LITTI.K,  secretary  lo  commissioner. 
REYNOLDS,  Indian  agent. 


rticles  supplementary  to  those  concluded  and  signed,  by  the  Unit- 
ed States  commissioner,  and  the  Chickasaw  delegation  on  the 
244A  day  of  May,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty  four  j 
ichich  being  agreed  to  by  the  president  and  senate  of  the  United 
States,  are  to  stand  at  part  of  said  treaty. 
ART.  i.  It  is  represented  that  the  old  chiefs  Levi  Colbert  and 
aac  Alberson,  who  have  rendered  many  and  valuable  servi- 
es  lo  llieir  nation,  desire  on  account  of  their  health,  to  visit 
une  watering  place,  during  the  present  year,  for  recovery  and 
sioration;  it  is  agreed  that  there  he  paid  to  the  agent  for  these 
urposes,  and  lo  discharge  some  debts  which  are  due  and  owing, 
om  the  nation,  the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars,  out  of  the 
ipropriation  of  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-three, 
r  carrying  into  effect  the  "treaty  of  Pontitock,"  which  said 
im,  so  far  as  used,  is  to  be  hereafter  reimbursed  to  the  nation 
/  said  Levi  Colbert  aud  Isaac  Alberson,  and  by  the  nation  to 
e  United  Stairs,  as  other  advances  are  lo  be  reimbursed,  from 
e  sale  of  their  lauds. 

ART.  n.  The  Chickasaw  people  express  a  desire  that  the  go-4 
•rumen'  shall,  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States,  educate 
ome  of  llieir  children,  and  they  urge  the  justice  of  their  appli- 
aiion,  on  the  ground,  that  they  have  ever  been  faithful  and! 
iendly  to  the  people  of  this  country — that  they  have  never 
aised  the  tomahawk,  to  shed  the  blood  of  an  American,  and! 
ave  given  up  heretofore  to  their  white  brothers,  extensive  ami 
alnalde  portions  of  their  country,  at  a  price  wholly  inconsider- 
ble  and  inadequate;  and  from  which  the  United  Slates  have 
iveil  great  wealth  and  important  advantages;  therefore,  with 
advice  and  consent  of  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  it  is 
onsenled  lhal  three  thousand  dollars,  for  fifteen  years,  be  ap- 
roprialed  and  applied  under  Ihe  direction  of  the  secretary  of 
var,  for  the  education  and  instruction,  within  the  United  Stales, 
f  such  children  male  and  female  or  either,  as  ihe  seven  persons 
amed  in  the  treaty,  to  which  this  is  a  supplement,  and  their 
uccessors,  with  the  approval  of  the  agent,  from  time  to  time 
nay  select  and  recommend. 

ART.  HI.  The  Chickasaw  nation  desire  to  close  finally,  all  the 
usiness  they  have  on  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi,  that  their 
real  father  may  be  no  more  troubled  with  their  complaints, 
and  to  this  end,  they  ask  the  government  lo  receive  from  them 
a  Iract  of  land,  of  four  miles  square,  heretofore  reserved  under 
he  fourth  article  of  their"treaty  of  1818"  and  lo  pay  them,  with- 
i  three  months  from  the  date  of  this  arrangement,  the  govern- 
nenl  price  of  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre  for  said  reserve; 
and  accordingly  the  same  is  agreed  to,  provided  a  satisfactory 
•elinquishment  of  lillc  from  the  parties  inteiested,  be  filed  with 
he  secretary  of  war  previous  to  said  payment  being  made. 

ART.  iv.  Benj.  Reynolds,  agent  at  the  time  of  paying  their 
ast  annuity,  had  stolen  from  him  by  a  negro  slave  of  the  Chic- 
tasaws,  a  box  containing  one  thousand  dollars;  the  chiefs  of 
he  Chickasaw  people  satisfied  of  the  fact,  and  hence  unwil- 
ing  to  receive  the  last  amount  from  their  agent,  ask,  and  il  13 
igreed,  that  the  sum  en  stolen  and  lost,  shall  he  passed  to  the 
credit  of  their  nation  by  ihe  United  states,  to  he  drawu.  oji  here- 
after for  their  national  purposes. 

ART.  v.  The  Chickasaw  people  are  aware  that  one  clerk  is 
nsntlieient  to  the  bringing  of  their  lands  early  into  market;  andr 
rather  than  encounter  the  delay  which  must  ensue,  they  prefer 
the  increased  expense  of  an  additional  one.  It  is  therefore 
stipulated  that  the  president  shall  appoint  another  clerk,  at  the. 
same  annual  compensation  agreed  upon  by  the  "treaty  of  Pon-. 
titock,"  who  shall  he  paid  after  the  manner  prescribed  therein. 
But  whenever  the  president  shall  be  of  opinion  that  the  servi- 
ces of  any  officer  employed  under  this  treaty,  for  the  sale  of 
lands  can  be  dispensed  with,  he  will  in  justice  lo  the  Chicka- 
saws,  and  to  save  them  from  unnecessary  expenses,  discon- 
tinue the  whole,  or  such  as  can  be  dispensed  with. 

Signed  the  24th  of  May,  1834. 
JNO.  H.  EATON,  commissioner  on  the  part  of  the  U.  S, 

Witness — Chatles  F.  Little,  secretary  to  commissioner;  Ben- 
jamin Reynolds,  Indian  agent;  G.  \V.  Long;  James  Slarulefer; 
Thomas  S.  Smith;  Samuel  Swartwout;  William  Gordon;  F.  W- 
Armstrong,  C.  agent;  John  M.  Millard. 

GEORGE  COLBERT,  his  X  mark. 
ISAAC  ALBERSON,  his  X  mark. 
MARTIN  COLBERT,  (seal.) 
HENRY  LOVE,  (seal.) 

BENJAMIN  LOVE,     (seal.) 

NOW  THERFORE,  BE    IT    KNOW.N,  THAT  I,  ANDREW    JACKSON, 

president  of  the  United  Slates  of  America,  having  seen  ami 
considered  the  said  treaty,  do,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  the  senate,  as  expressed  in  their  resolution  of  the  .'iOtli 
day  of  June  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-four,  accept, 
ratify,  and  confirm  the  same,  and  every  clause  and  article, 
thereof,  with  the  exception  of  the  third  article  in  the  supple- 
mentary articles  of  said  treaty,  as  defined  in  said  resolution. 

IN  TESTIMONY  wiiF.RKoF,  I  have  caused  the  seal  of  the  Unit- 
ed Status  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  having  signed  the  same  with, 
my  hand. 

IK, ne,  at  th<>  city  nf  Washington,  this  first  d.iy  of  July,  A. 
1).  18.'t4,  and  of  Ihe  indcpeml-nce  of  the  I'mleJ 
Si;.te>  the  firty-eigliih.  ANDREVV  JACKSON. 

By  Ihe  president: 
JOHN  FORSYTH,  secretary  of  itate. 


•» 


[L.8.] 


END  OF  VOLUME  FORTY-SIX. 


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