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MAY 26, 1834.]

Coins.-Indiana Memorials.

[SENATE.

Mr. SOUTHARD thought something more than this other House. These memorials are numerously signed, amendment was necessary. He wished to know also and it is my duty to state that which has so often been whether any active legislation, on the part of the State stated in presenting such-like papers, that they are signed of Maine, had taken place upon this subject; had they indiscriminately by men of all political parties, and of declared that they would receive the road when repaired. every pursuit and occupation of life. It is a county in Mr. BIBB moved to amend the amendment of Mr. BEN- which the friends of the present Chief Magistrate were, TON, by inserting a provision that the mail shall also be and I presume still are numerous, and their party strong, carried free. and this paper is not to be viewed as a party production, but, as the expression of an honest, intelligent people, truly representing the condition of the county, the causes which have produced it, and the remedy, in their opinion, proper to be adopted.

The amendment to the amendment was agreed to; and the amendment as amended was then agreed to.

Mr. POINDEXTER made a few remarks in objection to the bill, and,

On motion of Mr. SOUTHARD, who wished more time to deliberate on the question,

The Senate adjourned to Monday.

MONDAY, MAY 26.

COINS.

Mr. WRIGHT presented a memorial signed by the of ficers of eighteen local banks in the city of New York, urging on Congress some legislation in regard to the gold and silver coin of the United States, in reference to foreign silver coin.

Mr. WEBSTER considered the subject to which this

memorial had drawn the attention of the Senate, as one of

very urgent importance, and which had not escaped the consideration of the Committee on Finance. The evils existing were two:

1. There was no law requiring the silver coins of some countries to be a legal tender, as they had heretofore been, which circumstance diminished the quantity of specie in the country, capable of being so used, very much.

2. The want of a just provision established by law, be

tween silver and gold.

Mr. WEBSTER would only add, for the satisfaction of the gentleman and others, that, unless progress was made by the other House, Mr. W. would move for a bill on the subject, on this day week.

This county is situated on the Ohio river, above the falls, is a county of the second class in size and population, but, in the peaceful industry, the virtue and intelligence of its population, it is inferior to none; and, in these respects, would not lose by comparison with any people who have preferred their petitions here. It is a mixed population, grouped together from every quarter of the Union, and from Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and New from almost every quarter of the world, chiefly, however, England. And it also contains the Swiss settlement from which it takes its name. This people emigrated from the cantons of Switzerland during the troubles of the French revolution, and subsequent to that period, and ultimately settled on the Ohio river, where they have successfully introduced the culture of the vine. They obtained a grant of land, of which I took occasion to speak the other day, when the Polish land bill was before the Senate, on which they first settled, by special act of Conthe minimum price, then two dollars per acre. gress, by which an extended credit was given them, at They called their town Vevay, and their county Switzerland,

names of their own selection, from their own country in Europe. They are peaceful, industrious, intelligent, and patriotic-warmly attached to their adopted country, as they are to that of their nativity.

Mr. W. thought proper to say that the Committee on Finance had not forgotten the subject; but they had waitbeen introduced under the auspices of a member from river, and its agricultural productions are wheat, corn, ed for the passage of a bill in the other House, which had This county, sir, occupies a long reach on the Ohio the city from which the memorial came. If that bill should not arrive in due time, a bill would be originated at the New Orleans market, to which there is a heavy exand hay, as well as almost every other article in demand by the Committee on Finance; and Mr. W. hoped the honorable member presenting this memorial, would use port trade carried every year. New Orleans is the great all diligence to forward the measure there and here. market, and almost the only market of the people of that State, and they are instantly and deeply affected by its There was little difference of opinion on this subject. condition. Mr. WRIGHT was aware of the fact mentioned by the of their export trade must take place by the Wabash and It is true, that, before long, a great diversion Senator; and as these memorialists, whom he thought Erie canal and the navigation of the lakes; but, at prescompetent judges, had made distinct propositions, in reference both to gold and silver coin, and had done so be ent, the Mississippi trade and the market at New Orleans cause they were apprehensive of delay in the action of are the only hopes of the growers and exporters of produce. The people of Switzerland county have as little Congress, Mr. W. expressed the hope that the petition direct interest in the Bank of the United States as almost would receive the early attention of the committee. any people of the Union. They seek not accommodations in this or any other bank. They are the exporters as well as the growers of their produce, and the whole concern is very much the proceeds of their own industry. But in the prosperity of the Bank of the United States they have a deep interest-for, having no State banks as yet in operation, the paper of the Bank of the United States has largely shared in the circulating medium of almost the whole State, and especially was it so on the Ohio river. The present state of things has withdrawn rapidly the paper of that bank, and its place is but partially supMr. H., in presenting this memorial, said: It has, Mr.plied with the paper of other banks, chiefly those of CinPresident, become my duty to present to the Senate a me-cinnati and Louisville-banks of recent origin, and in morial on the subject of the bank, the deposites, and the which the people have not the same confidence that they currency. I have received, and am requested to present have in the Bank of the United States. The diminution a memorial, or rather five memorials, of the people of Swit-of currency, the distrust of that in existence, the general zerland county, and State of Indiana-all, however, of the want of confidence, and the instability of the whole matsame import and tenor, having been circulated in differ-ter, bas, as they say, and as other sources of information ent parts of that county: and, sir, I am advised by a cor-assure me, produced deep and almost universal pecuniary respondent from whom I have received these, that there embarrassment in the country. are nineteen others in circulation, which may soon be ex- They tell you that the past experience has fully depected for the purpose of being presented to this or the monstrated the convenience and necessity of a circulating

INDIANA MEMORIALS.

Mr. HENDRICKS presented five memorials from Indiana, all remonstrating against the measures of the Executive in regard to the Bank of the United States, and praying for the restoration of the public deposites to that institution, with the re-charter of the bank.

SENATE.]

Indiana Memorials.

[MAY 26, 1834.

medium, composed of bank notes, redeemable in specie, as soon as the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, or the Baltito supply the want of a sufficient metallic currency. more and Ohio railroad, shall be completed. Nor need They do not believe that a sufficient quantity of gold and it be considered absolutely necessary, that the location of silver exists to form a circulating medium; and they be- such bank be in the largest commercial city. I would not lieve that a sudden change, or attempt at change, from a charter so large a capital as $35,000,000. Half that sum, paper system to a metallic currency, would prostrate not aided by the deposites of the public money, and by the only commerce, but agriculture; prostrate the value of control which the disbursement of the public expenditure all property; produce entire derangement of our affairs, would give such institution, would enable it to regulate and bring wide-spread ruin upon the country. They tell the currency of the country, and its exchanges, and check you that, after full experiment, it clearly appears that excessive issues of local banks. I would not exceed twenty local banking institutions have not been able to furnish a millions in the capital. The bonus, which all agree might national currency in any way adequate to the wants of be much larger than that of the present bank, I would the community; and that a national bank, with branches distribute among the States in some fair proportion. I in the different States, is alone competent to the task of would permit such bank to locate branches in the States regulating and producing such currency; of keeping it in only by permission of the Legislatures of the States, and a sound and healthy condition; and of equalizing the ex- would, on account of the distribution of the bonus, prochange between different and distant parts of the Union. hibit the States from taxation; nor would I deprive ConThe convenience and necessity of a paper circulating me-gress of the power of amending the charter of such bank, dium, said Mr. H., but few will deny. It is convenient or of chartering another bank, should the public interest on account of transportation and exchange; and it is ne- so require. Such bank, although it could not go into cessary, because the precious metals are not to be found. operation till the expiration of the present bank charter, However much we may wish the condition of the coun- would give prospective stability to the currency. It try to be other than what it is, we must all admit that would at once inspire confidence, and that is all that is gold and silver, to supply the paper system, is not in the wanting. country; and that to force, or to attempt to force, a vio- Whatever may have produced the pecuniary embarlent and sudden change from the one system to the other, rassment of the country, so strongly represented by the memust convulse the country. It is much to be desired that morialists, I cannot (said Mr. H.) for one moment doubt a greater quantity of the precious metals were to be found that such embarrassments exist. My letters, from almost in circulation than at present exists; and in providing a every portion of the State, assure me of that fact, and I remedy for the fiscal derangement of the country, this very much fear that this distress is not at its height in the ought to be provided for. But this must be done by a country west of the mountains. We are, in the hands of slow and cautious process. A state of things must be the New Orleans market, as the clay is in the hands of the created which will invite specie into the country, rather potter. Accounts from that quarter are discouraging at than send it away. We cannot legislate into the circula-present, and bode worse for the future. Bankruptcies ting medium a greater quantity of the precious metals than is to be found.

It has been stated that the chartered capital of the banks, about four hundred and fifty in number, amounts to $145,000,000, and that the paper in circulation is, to the specie in their vaults, more than six to one. How, then, is this circulation to be supplied, and what utter destruction would a sudden change, were it practicable, bring upon the country.

unparalleled in number and extent, are spoken of in New Orleans, and the means of receiving and paying for our produce is believed not to be in existence there. The distress of that portion of the country, and of the whole country, I fully believe; and stand ready to co-operate in any measure which affords prospects of relief. I know it has been said that the distress complained of is occasioned more by excitements, which the removal of the deposites has been seized upon to produce, than by the remoThe people of Switzerland are of opinion, that a na-val itself. To some extent, I admit this to be true. For tional bank is indispensable to the prosperity of the com- instance, if this long session of Congress had not taken munity. In this opinion I fully concur; I believe that a place immediately after the removal, it is probable that national bank, or a national currency of some kind, is in- neither the excitement nor the pressure would have been dispensable, and that all our experience tests this position. so great; but it cannot be denied that the measure of reThis, as a currency regulator, in my opinion, we must moval was the original cause, without which the excitehave. The State banks are wholly insufficient for that ment and distress which pervades the country would not purpose. I am no advocate for the present bank, and have occurred. think it has no paramount claim upon the Government for No one, sir, more deeply regrets than myself the remoa re-charter. But I am prepared to vote for a bank char-val of the deposites. It was a most unfortunate measure ter, with proper modifications. My reason for this course for the country. And while I have never doubted the is well expressed by the petitioners-that it is indispensa-power to remove, nor the correctness of the motive which ble to the prosperity of the community. And, sir, not induced the measure, I have always regretted it, as delehaving heretofore mingled in the five months' debate on terious and injudicious. I have said by my vote, that in this subject, I will take this occasion to state briefly the my opinion the reasons of the Secretary are unsatisfactokind of bank which I would prefer. I would prefer a ry and insufficient; but I have carefully avoided any vote, United States Bank, located in the District of Columbia, or any act, having a tendency to increase excitement, in the city of Washington. This would do away all con- which, in my opinion, was but increasing the distress stitutional difficulties; for all admit the power of Congress complained of. I voted against the resolution which has to charter such institution here. Objections to this place been the occasion of the present controversy between the for the location, I do not think insurmountable. Settling President and the Senate, and I have voted, and will conthe constitutional question is a desideratum so great, that tinue to vote, against every measure having a tendency it will overbalance all objections. to prolong or imbitter that controversy. My object, in this, is the tranquillity of the country, which, at this time, is too much disturbed. My object is the prosperity of the country, which cannot be fully restored until the excitement be allayed. That the liberties of the country are in danger, I do not believe. This is an excitement greatly to be lamented; but, like all others which have preceded it in our history, it is destined to pass away,

Such an institution here need not have any greater connexion with the Government than if located in Philadelphia; and locate it where you may, it ought to have very little connexion with the Government. This place, it may be said, is not sufficiently commercial to justify the loca tion of so much capital here. But this place may become, and will become, a place of much commercial importance

MAY 26, 1834.]

Indiana Memorials.

[SENATE.

without serious injury to our institutions. The elements Mr. B. spoke of the prices of produce in New Orleans, of republican governments have always been, and must always continue to be, stormy and tempestuous. The opinions of 13,000,000 of freemen must necessarily be a discordant mass of materials. Our Government is the offspring of, and dependent on, public opinion. We are united only on a few fundamental principles, such as personal and political liberty, and national independence. On minor subjects our opinions are various and discordant. We have wisely chosen this form of government, preferring it to other forms, where the will of one man, or of a few individuals, is the law of the land, and where this will and this law is enforced at the point of the bayonet. Let us not, then, despair of the republic, but cling to it as the anchor of our political hope.

Mr. H. then moved that the memorial be read, printed, and referred to the Committee on Finance.

and quoted from Benjamin Levy's Price Current, of the most recent date. From this, it appeared that Western produce bore a good price; cotton higher than it was at this time last year; pork, beef, bacon, flour, corn, &c. about as high as usual, and in good demand. He also read a letter from Cincinnati, showing that steamboat business, both freight and passage, was better than it had been for three years past; that money was as plentiful as usual, prices as good as usual, people contented as usual, and panic-makers only out of business. Mr. B. then took up a New York paper, the Times, just received, and which gave the value of different bank notes at the Brokers' Board in that city, and showed that the Southern banks had nearly recovered their ancient rates in that market. The Carolina banks only about 3 per cent. discount; the Virginia banks, even those which were reMr. BENTON would add his testimony, if necessary, ported dead, only about two per cent. discount; and the to that of the Senator from Indiana, [Mr. HENDRICKS,] in pet bank of this District, (the Metropolis,) which had favor of the respectability of the population which fur- been the subject of so many melancholy predictions, was nished the subscribers to the memorial just presented. at the rate of one per cent. discount, and no more! All Ile knew their industry, enterprise, and sincere devotion is going on well, said Mr. B. It was nearly the last of to their country, and had no doubt but that they fully be- pea-time with distress memorials; and, as the cry of dislieved in all the distresses which they mentioned; but tress began in the Senate, he presumed it would end in their petitions only recited what had been alleged on this the Senate; and that, henceforth, nothing more would be floor for the last four or five months; and the reason why heard than the faint and lingering accents of a dying-out petitions were so late in coming from that distance, must and exanimate alarm. be because the petitioners were so far off from the source Mr. HENDRICKS repelled the idea, that the memorial of alarm-so far off from this chamber, where the cry of which he had just presented to the Senate, had been prodistress was first raised, four or five months ago. The duced in any degree by the panic which pervades the petitioners speak of the scarcity of money in consequence country, or that it had been gotten up for political effect. of the disappearance of the United States Bank notes. The people of Switzerland county were not panic-maNow, said Mr. B., the petitioners doubtless thought there kers, nor were they more liable to alarm from danger at had been a great diminution of this kind of currency, be- a distance, than the people of other portions of the Union. cause they heard it proclaimed from all quarters. But In this instance, he believed they were much less liable he, Mr. B., would ask the Senator from Indiana himself, to alarm than many others. They stated facts connected [Mr. HENDRICKS,] what was the real amount of these with their own business. notes withdrawn from circulation.

66

The produce business, in which many of them are enMr. HENDRICKS said, that he had not before him gaged, is deeply affected by the distracted and depressed any statistical tables, showing him the condition of the condition of the currency. They see, and they feel, and Bank of the United States, neither monthly reports, nor they cannot be mistaken in the facts they state. He had those of any other period, and his recollection did not referred, when up before, to the condition of the New furnish him with an answer to the question propounded. Orleans market; to the fact that bankruptcies, unparallelHe presumed the Senator from Missouri was much more ed in number and extent, had taken place in that comfamiliar with that subject than himself. Nor did it go to mercial city; and that it was believed the means of rethe point in question, whatever the facts might be. He ceiving and paying for the produce of the upper country presented the memorial of a portion of his constituents, was not to be found there. In that reference, he had men of intelligence, who well understood the fact which allusion, among other things, to a letter which he had they stated to the Senate. What was that fact? The seen in the hands of a Senator on the floor, and such want of an adequate circulating medium, the rapid disap- information was generally more to be relied on than the pearing of United States Bank paper in that section of prices current. The letter did speak of unparalleled the country. This is a fact intimately connected with failures in that city, and that information accorded well their business—a fact which they see and feel. They with the experience of many who had recently been enmake no statement of this kind for any other portion of gaged in the produce business on the Ohio and Mississippi the country, but undertake to represent the condition of rivers. their own. Now, to them it makes little difference how Mr. H. repeated that this memorial had not been gotmuch or how little may be the amount of notes withdrawn from circulation by the Bank of the United States. It is the effect of the existing derangement of the currency upon themselves, of which they complain.

Mr. BENTON resumed. It was right to be a little statistical in this case. The statistics would show that, in point of fact, there was very little diminution of the circulation of United States Bank notes. There was about sixteen or seventeen millions of those notes now out, and that lacked but little of the quantity out last year, before the deposites were removed, and which was usually about seventeen or eighteen millions. Still, the petitioners were no doubt right in the fact that these notes were scarce in the part of the country in which they lived; for the law of bank circulation, which he (Mr. B.) explained on another occasion, carried them off to the northeast.

VOL. X.-114

ten up for political effect. He reminded the Senate of a remark he had made when first up, that the memorial was signed indiscriminately by men of all parties. He would venture the assertion, that there were many names on that paper of persons as warmly devoted to the present Chief Magistrate and his administration, as any individual within the sound of his voice; men who, although they disapprove of the removal of the deposites, and of the measures which have produced the present state of things, yet they have undiminished confidence in the purity and integrity of the motives which induced the measure-men who indulge in no denunciation, who believe the President of the United States to be an honest man, an ardent patriot, and one who would make, for the perpetuity of our free institutions, as great sacrifices as any other. It is not for political effect that such men make such statements as are contained in the memorial just pre

SENATE.]

Pension Books.-Washington County (O.) Memorial.—Mariners' Common Schools.

sented. All their political feelings are on the other side of the question.

The motion of Mr. HENDRICKS to refer and print the memorial, was agreed to.

Several private bills were next taken up, read the third time, and passed.

PENSION BOOKS.

[MAY 27, 1834.

the constitution of the State of Ohio. That section of the country has no direct connexion with the Bank of the United States, or any transactions with it; they have their own bank, a safe and well-managed institution, which, in good times, was sufficient for all the business of the country. But the blighting influence of the experiment has reached even them. Business is paralyzed, The Senate now resumed the consideration of the spe- and the price of produce struck down. They say, and cial order of the day, being the report of the Committee they say truly, that credit is essential to the prosperity of on the Judiciary on the pension books; and Mr. KANE the West, and that business must languish if it cannot be concluded his remarks, and was followed by Mr. BIBB, carried on on borrowed capital. Indeed, it cannot be Mr. WRIGHT, and Mr. CLAYTON. That whole vast country, with all its resourThe question was then taken on agreeing to the follow-ces, is too new to have accumulated capital sufficient to ing resolution, (moved by way of amendment to the origi-develop those resources. It must either linger in the march of improvement, or avail itself of foreign capital

nal report,) as follows:

otherwise.

Resolved, That the Department of War is not warrant and credit for its advancement. The memorial is a welled in appointing pension agents in any State or Territory written paper, and presents the topics which have been where the Bank of the United States, or one of its so much discussed, in a strong point of light. It is also But I will not debranches, has been established, except when specially calm and respectful in its language. authorized by act of Congress. tain the Senate by its reading. I move that it be printed with the names, and referred to the Committee on Fi

And decided as follows:

MARINERS' COMMON SCHOOLS.

YEAS.-Messrs. Bell, Bibb, Black, Calhoun, Cham-nance; which was agreed to. bers, Clay, Clayton, Ewing, Forsyth, Frelinghuysen, Kent, King of Georgia, Leigh, Mangum, Naudain, Poindexter, Porter, Preston, Robbins, Shepley, Silsbee, Smith, Southard, Sprague, Swift, Tomlinson, Wagga

man, Webster.-28.

NAYS.-Messrs. Benton, Brown, Grundy, Hill, Kane, King of Alabama, Linn, McKean, Morris, Robinson, Tallmadge, Tipton, White, Wilkins, Wright.-15.

So this resolution was agreed to.

The question was then taken upon agreeing to the following resolution:

Resolved, That the act of Congress "for the relief of certain officers and soldiers of the Revolution," passed on the 15th of May, 1828, and the act supplementary to that act, passed on the 7th June, 1832, are properly acts providing for the payment of military pensions.

And decided as follows:

YEAS.-Messrs. Bell, Bibb, Black, Calhoun, Chambers, Clay, Clayton, Ewing, Frelinghuysen, Kent, King of Georgia, Leigh, Mangum, Naudain, Poindexter, Porter, Preston, Robbins, Silsbee, Smith, Southard, Sprague, Swift, Tomlinson, Waggaman, Webster.-26.

NAYS.-Messrs. Benton, Brown, Forsyth, Grundy, Hill, Kane, King of Alabama, Linn, McKean, Morris, Robinson, Shepley, Tallmadge, Tipton, White, Wilkins, Wright.-17.

So the resolution was agreed to.

Mr. WEBSTER presented a memorial from sundry inhabitants of Boston, praying Congress to 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. W. said that, for some years past, the attention of the community in which he resided, had been strongly drawn to the condition of that useful class of citizens, the mariners. It has been thought well worthy an effort to elevate the character of that class, by affording means of instruction, and inspiring higher moral feeling, and a greater degree of self-respect. It has been thought desirable to impress on them a sense of the value of property, the virtue of economy, and the preservation of their dearly-earned means of living in saving institutions, and other ways. This class is numerous, it is important, especially in time of war; its members are exposed to peculiar temptations and dangers, and have, therefore, always been regarded as objects of unusual legislative care. Gentlemen who have entered into these views, in regard to this portion of the community, had found their objects much assisted by the efforts of a man whom he thought it but just to mention, with respect, on this occasion; he meant the Reverend Mr. Taylor, a man of uncommon talent, of peculiar and appropriate eloquence, and well ac

The question was then taken on agreeing to the follow-quainted with the general character and habits of those to ing resolution:

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 7th June, 1832, and the funds, books, and papers, connected with that agency, from the Bank of the United States, and to appoint other agents to supersede that bank in the payment of such pensioners.

whose moral and religious improvement he devoted the labors of his life. I have now, said Mr. W., to present to the Senate a most respectable memorial on this subject. It urges upon the attention of Congress the importance of education, and knowledge, and good morals, in this great class of citizens; and since they are so much connected with the commerce of the country in peace, and so necessary to its protection in war, they suggest that, out of

And decided in the affirmative, without a division. Af-the duties collected from that commerce, common schools ter which The Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, MAY 27.

WASHINGTON COUNTY (OHIO) MEMORIAL.

may be established and maintained, in the maritime towns, for their instruction in common learning. I find this memorial signed, sir, in the first place, by several high of ficers in the State Government, next by the municipal of ficers of the city. I find next, sir, nearly the whole body of the clergy of the city, of all denominations, uniting in

Mr. EWING said he was charged with the presenta- this benevolent and truly philanthropic object. I see, tion of a memorial, signed by 1,063 of the inhabitants too, a column of the names of ship-owners; another of and qualified voters of the county of Washington and the names of master mariners and seamen; and, finally, a State of Ohio. This county, said Mr. E., embraces the long list of other citizens. I am happy, sir, to be the orfirst settlement within the bounds of the now State of gan of presenting this subject to the consideration of ConOhio, and I recognise upon it the names of many old and gress, not only on account of the great respectability of valuable friends, some of the pioneers of the West, and the signers of the memorial, but also on account of the among them a member of the convention which formed subject itself, which cannot but be admitted to be one of

MAY 28, 1834.]

Joint Resolution concerning the Deposites.—Rhode Island Election, &c.

[SENATE.

importance and interest. I hope it will receive the the mode of election which he proposed. He condemned deliberate consideration of the committee, as I think the the present mode by electors, and supported and advotime has come when there is a strong and just conviction cated an election of the President immediately by the widely prevailing, that a melioration is both desirable and people. He deprecated an election devolving, in any inpracticable, in the condition, character, habits, morals, stance, on the House of Representatives, and was in favor and happiness, of this indispensable portion of the nation's of providing, that whenever it should happen that no strength.

Mr. W. moved its reference to the Committee on Commerce; which was agreed to.

Mr. WEBSTER gave notice that he would, to-morrow, move to go into the consideration of Executive business. JOINT RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE REMO.

VAL OF THE DEPOSITES.

Mr. CLAY gave notice that he should, on to-morrow, ask leave to introduce a joint resolution, the object of which would be to re-assert what had been already declared by resolutions of the Senate, that the reasons assigned by the Secretary of the Treasury to Congress, for the removal of the public deposites, are insufficient and unsatisfactory; and to provide that, from and after the 1st day of July next, all deposites which may accrue from the public revenue subsequent to that period, shall be placed in the Bank of the United States and its branches, pursuant to the 16th section of the act to incorporate the subscribers to the United States Bank.

candidate for the Presidency obtained a majority of the whole number of votes given, the election should return to the people, and so, toties quoties, whenever such was the result.

Mr. B. at four o'clock, gave way, without concluding, to Mr. MANGUM, on whose motion, The Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28.

FREDERICK COUNTY (MD.) MEMORIAL. Mr. CHAMBERS said he was charged with the presentation of a memorial from the voters of the second election district of Frederick county, Maryland. With many of the officers whose names were subscribed to the proceedings, he had a personal acquaintance, and of the others he could speak from undoubted authority, and of all he could say, with entire confidence, that they were men of high standing for their intelligence and general respectability. The memorial treated of the important topics which had been the occasion of so much discussion whole Union, the removal of the deposites, the national here, and of so much interest and anxiety throughout the Mr. POINDEXTER, the orders preceding the report rialists had expressed themselves in terms strong and enbank, and the protest. Upon these subjects the memoof the select committee on the Rhode Island election, ergetic, yet altogether respectful. They recognise the were postponed, and the Senate proceeded to the con-right and the duty of a free people to express their opinsideration of that report.

RHODE ISLAND ELECTION.

The CHAIR then commenced calling the general or ders; when, on motion of

The reports of the majority and of the minority of the committee were then read, occupying until nearly half past three o'clock.

Mr. POINDEXTER then expressed a hope that the question would be immediately taken, and without de

bate.

Mr. WRIGHT asked for the yeas and nays, and they

were ordered.

ions of public measures, and of public men, who are their agents and servants, and deem the present a crisis fit for the exercise of this duty. They claim for Congress the exclusive control of the public treasure, and denounce every effort to transfer that control to the Executive department as a subversion of the first principles of the regard to the national treasure, as such an effort. They constitution: they regard the late Executive measures, in Mr. WRIGHT said, he did not feel bound to say a sin- President to destroy the credit of the United States Bank, regard the systematic and persevering purpose of the gle word that would excite debate, nor did he intend to and the removal of the deposites in violation of an existpropose any amendment, because he thought it better to take the question as proposed by the select committee in ing contract, as unwise, destructive of the interests of the their resolution. This resolution affirmed that Mr. ROB. Country, a wanton waste of the money of the people, and BINS had been duly elected a Senator of the United a high-handed abuse of power. They declare the late Executive measures to have caused the embarrassed peStates, and, if concurred in by the Senate, the question is at once settled. If, therefore, he proposed to amend cuniary condition of the country, by giving a shock to the resolution so as to make it read that Mr. ROBBINS Credit and confidence, by deranging and depreciating the is not elected, and the amendment should prevail, the paper currency, and by creating a necessity for individuals to withdraw their means from the ordinary and useful next question raised, would be, whether Mr. POTTER channels in which they had operated, to seek protection has been elected. Consequently, he would prefer taking and security against the ruinous consequences of the exthe question on the resolution as reported by the comperiment. They advocate a national bank as the sole mittee. excessive issues by the local banks, and deprecate the means of preserving a sound currency, and of preventing project recommended by the Secretary of the Treasury, and proposed by the Committee of Ways and Means in the House, as altogether insufficient for the purposes avowed, and injurious to the community. They highly approve the course of the Senate, in its unyielding purpose to maintain inviolate the principles and spirit of the constitution, and condemn, in very pointed terms, the protest, or appeal to the people by the President, as claiming powers not granted by the constitution, and dangerous to the harmony and perpetuity of our institutions. AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION. They hail with gratification the late symptoms of a reThe Senate then proceeded to consider the resolution turning healthful state of public opinion in regard to of Mr. BIBB, proposing an amendment to the constitu- these matters, referring to the late elections in Virginia tion of the United States as it respects the election of and Connecticut, and not omitting those of New York and President and Vice President of the United States.

The question was then taken, and decided in the affirmative, as follows:

YEAS.-Messrs. Bell, Bibb, Calhoun, Chambers, Clay, Clayton, Ewing, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Kent, Knight, Leigh, McKean, Mangum, Naudain, Poindexter, Porter, Preston, Silsbee, Smith, Southard, Sprague, Swift, Tipton, Tomlinson, Waggaman, Webster.-27.

NAYS.-Messrs. Benton, Brown, Forsyth, Grundy, Hill, Kane, King of Alabama, King of Georgia, Linn, Morris, Robinson, Shepley, Tallmadge, White, Wilkins, Wright.-16.

Mr. BIBB then addressed the Senate in explanation of

Albany.

Mr. C. said he would not detain the Senate by repeat.

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