H. OF R.]

Berks County Memorial.

[FEB. 24, 1834

question of the recharter of the Bank of the United States, claim absolute infallibility, or that he was more than man. and thus cover themselves under the prejudice which is He wished that the names would be printed, that it could supposed to exist among the people on that subject. But be hereafter seen they would be found again, as they had they have no justification in fact for doing so. After the always been, ardently supporting the principles of the passage of the bill for the recharter of the bank, which republican party. was vetoed-and, as I believe, most unjustifiably vetoed—

Mr. McKENNAN said the friends of the administration

by the President, I took it for granted, and the nation took had reason to congratulate themselves on the accession of it for granted, that the bank must die; and the only hope a new member to their ranks, and to thank his colleague was, that it would have been permitted to expire in peace. from Philadelphia [Mr. SUTHERLAND] for the eulogy be It would have so expired in a short time, if the measure had pronounced upon the President; that this was language of the Treasury had not been adopted, which has pro- which to him was new, and was such as he was not acces duced so much excitement and so much distress; and which tomed to use in the last Congress. The fact which he stated measure, I feel constrained by a sense of duty to say, is exhibited strongly the propriety of printing the names tf most inexpedient and unjust, and has been, and will be, the memorialists. If there were persons who supported most ruinous in its consequences. The plighted faith of the present administration generally, who dared to come out the Government has been violated; and it is the duty of and avow their decided disapprobation of this disastrou every member of this House to vote for the redemption of measure, they ought to be known; they deserve credit for that faith, without any regard to the course which he may their independence and patriotism, and their names ought hereafter feel it his duty to adopt on the subject of the re- to be spread before the public. He trusted their exampl charter of the institution, which has been so unfortunate would be followed by all others who prefer the good d as to fall under the displeasure of the Executive. their country to the idolatry of a man. Another reason Mr. BINNEY said he would ask to say a few words in why the names ought to be published was, to afford the reply to the gentleman from Pennsylvania near him, [Mr. House an opportunity of ascertaining whether the me MILLER.] He felt himself under the necessity of rejecting morialists were citizens and taxable inhabitants; and, of the praise which that gentleman had awarded him for course, of determining whether any weight was to be st frankly avowing that, unless the bank was rechartered, the tached to their representations or not. And in order to il restoration of the deposites would be of no avail. He lustrate the force of this reason, he would state a fact in had stated no such proposition. On the contrary, in his re- relation to a petition which had been presented here some marks to the House on a former occasion, he had taken time since from the city of Pittsburg, highly approbating some pains to be so understood as to express no sentiment the conduct of the Executive, and urging Congress not to of the kind. He had then said that, if the bank was not direct a restoration of the deposites. It had about 336 sig to be rechartered, nor another bank to be chartered, natures, purporting to be from citizens of Pittsburg; and nor any control devised to prevent the currency from run- the House would be surprised to learn that, on a compar ning into inextricable confusion, he considered the ques- son of the names with the tax list, it was found that 133 tion of time, and a short respite by the present return of only were taxable inhabitants, leaving 200 of those peti the deposites, as of but little importance; and this was tioners who were either boys or strangers, or could have not the remark which the gentleman had attributed to him. little interest in either the currency or the prosperity of As to the part which he had taken in the small catechism the country. to which the gentleman had alluded, he would say that, if it tended to show what was the duty of a representative, as the graver work of that name was intended to show the whole duty of man, it would not be without its use. The gentleman had asserted the right of a member, to whom a memorial was delivered for presentation, to detach a part of it, and to present the residue only, if he thought it to be of the same effect. He could not agree Mr. MUHLENBERG said there was some misappre with the gentleman. The duty was, to present it as it was hension as to what had fallen from him. He had not ob given to him, if he presented it at all; and no better illus-jected to the printing of the names of the memorialists ration could occur than in the present case, in which the He, however, would state that he held a letter in his hand, separation of the German counterpart might give color to signed by nineteen persons, whose signatures were affixed the remarks which had been made to the House. In ordi- to this memorial, in which they expressly state that they nary cases, he should consider it unnecessary to print the had been induced to sign it from some misconception of names; but the principle stated by his friend from Penn-its purport, and they had authorized him to state so to the sylvania [Mr. MCKENNAN] he apprehended to be correct: House.

There was still another reason why the names should be published, to be found in the allegation that some of the memorialists had been imposed on. If this were the fact, the fraud and artifice ought to be detected, and the signa tures ought to be laid before the people of Berks county, so as to lead to that detection. He hoped the publication would be made.

was withdrawn,

that, where artifice or fraud was imputed in obtaining Mr. WATMOUGH, understanding all objection to the signatures, it was proper to print the names at length, that printing, on the part of his colleague, the fraud or the calumny might be exposed. For this was by no means desirous to occupy, unnecessarily, the reason, he had moved, on a former day, to print the names time of the House; and, on the understanding, therefore, annexed to the memorial from the city and county of Phila- that no objection would be made, he withdrew his call delphia, and should vote for the present motion. for the yeas and nays.

Mr. SUTHERLAND said it was rather strange so much

[Subsequently, Mr. W. observing that an objection was about to be raised to the printing, resumed his call for the yeas and nays, and they were ordered.]

Mr. MANN, of New York, wished to know whether the printing was to be in Dutch, that there might be no cheatery.

should have been made upon so small a matter. His colleague did throw out an idea that there was something insidious, owing to some misapprehension in the signers, in the manner by which some names were withdrawn from this petition. Generally speaking, he wished gentlemen to consider the propriety of having names printed to the The SPEAKER said he had announced his intention memorials as calculated to do little good, except to benefit of having the memorial printed in the Dutch. the public printer. Although there are many persons who After a few observations by Mr. FELDER and Mr. signed this and other memorials from Pennsylvania, they MERCER, were the steady friends of the administration, but who Mr. TURRILL would oppose, if he stood alone, the thought that in this matter a mistake or error had been printing of all such petitions. It was surprising to hire committed by General Jackson, for whom they did not to hear such an unnecessary expense advocated. There

FEB. 24, 1834.]

Berks County Memorial.

[H. OF R.

was, among others, a petition already printed on this Mr. CROCKETT rose and said: Sir, as I am the only subject, with sixty-two pages of names, at a considerable person from Tennessee in this House who is opposed to expense. These petitions, he believed, were got up the administration, I hope I may get a few words in—that originally by the bank, and those who procured the sig- I may say what are my own notions on these matters. Sir, natures were paid for their trouble out of Mr. Biddle's I think the member from New York [Mr. TURRILL] who breeches pocket. He felt that it was time for the House has just spoke, has been a little testy in his objections; he to take a stand, and save the treasury from this expense talks much about this, as if it was a great matter. Sir, which was sought to be thrown upon it. It was possible are we to stick at such trifles as a few dollars, in printing that many of those who signed the petitions from the large cities were stimulated by the assurance that their names would appear in a printed book.

a matter so important? It seems, sir, to me to be something like loading a twenty-four pounder to shoot a flea. Sir, is it not so? We are spending three or four thouMr. H. EVERETT did not think the member from sand dollars in discussing the printing of a matter that perNew York [Mr. TURRILL] warranted in taking for haps, after all, will not be twenty dollars cost. But, sir, granted that all the memorials presented on account of this is retrenchment; but it is the old rule for retrenching. distress were got up by the bank; and he desired to know I love, sir, to see the petitioners come here, and, my life on if it was the design of gentlemen, by making such state- it, sir, they will come-ay, and from Indiana-for all that ments, to forestal public opinion, and thus prevent them we hear to the contrary; and, from my own State, every coming forward to testify their deep sense of that dis- day my letters tell me they wish this question settled. tress? If such denunciations were made, it must have They know very well in my district the character of the the effect of deterring, in futute, any petitions being man who, when he takes any thing into his head, will sent. He hoped that the representatives would not con- carry it into effect. They know how I should act in this sider themselves so much the representatives of any par- bank business, for I told them, before I was elected, how ticular district as of the whole people; and that, when I should vote-that I would recharter the bank and repetitions should be presented, they would be treated store the deposites. Sir, I get letters every day, from all by members in a respectful manner. They should look parts, which tell me these acts are disapprobated. The to considerations affecting the general good, and ought question is, now, whether we shall continue to live and do to be above those of party.

Mr. BURGES was astonished at the opposition given to the printing of the names to memorials on the ground of expense, and he advocated it as necessary to establish, beyond question, whether the distress which now agitated the country was real or pretended-was got up by the people themselves, or by the influence, as charged, of the bank.

Mr. LANE believed that the statements they had heard, that these memorials about distress were got up by the bank, were justly founded. They had been known to originate almost at the doors of the bank, and only from those places directly under its influence. There was no voice of distress from Indiana or Illinois.

Mr. EWING corroborated the statement that there was no distress felt in Indiana; and he maintained that there was a general feeling that the people should have some benefit from the profits derived by the bank; that they thought these profits should not be monopolized by any institution which properly belonged to themselves. As other memorials had been printed, he would vote for the printing of this, both in German and English.*

*HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
February 27, 1834.

}

well under the old and happy state of things, or have a
despot. Sir, the people have a right to tell their griev
ances, and, sir, I tell you they must not be refused.
Mr. ASHLEY, of Missouri, said that he could not un-
dertake to state, with any degree of precision, how the
people of Missouri were divided on the important ques-
tion of the removal of the deposites, nor could be account
for not having received memorials from his constituents on
that subject. Perhaps the people of Missouri have come
to the conclusion that memorials, petitions, or prayers of
any kind touching this subject, would avail nothing; that,
should they be favorably disposed of by Congress, they
might be disregarded in another quarter. Mr. A. thought
the people of Missouri as deeply interested in this meas-
ure as those of any other portion of the Union.
State had been, a few years ago, literally inundated with
local bank paper, when every thing in relation to the cur-
rency of the country was confusion and distrust. On the
introduction of the paper of the Bank of the United
States, this unsound and fraudulent currency (local bank
paper) gradually diminished, and, at length, entirely dis-
appeared. Since that time up to the present, every thing

The

for the benefit of a few, and had reason to believe, when their authority was not exercised for the benefit of all, it was abused; that, Messrs. GALES & SEATON: inasmuch as corporation banks belong to a few, the authority of Gentlemen: I am sorry to be required to correct every notice this Government, founded upon the equal rights and equal privitaken in reports of what has heretofore fallen from me since I have leges of the people, should not be conferred upon such institutions, occupied a seat, or, by silence, suffer the most obnoxious misrep- nor would the freemen of the country rest satisfied that power thus resentations to go forth to the world. This is the case more par- conferred would not be abused to all eternity; that I viewed a comticularly in a perversion of my sentiments expressed on the 24th bination of State banks yet more dangerous and much more subinstant, as republished, from the Globe of yesterday, in the Intel-ject to abuse, for they are unconstitutional monopolies, and beyond ligencer of this morning. It may arise from the position of my the reach of the power of this House; that I could not sanction seat, that I have not been distinctly heard by the reporters; but such places of deposite, except temporarily, until a proper substiwhat is not heard should not be reported without inquiry. And I tute can be organized; that, although the opinions of the President find my consciousness confirmed by every member I have con- are reported to be fixed, yet that fact, situated as matters now sulted, that, when I followed my colleague on the occasion advert- stand, is not to control the action of the representatives of the ed to, I did not corroborate his statements, but, on the contrary, people; it leads to his own accumulation of power, and I should felt myself called upon, (and so stated,) as Indiana had been re- give to Cæsar only what of right he is entitled to; the control of ferred to in a way to impress a wrong belief of no dissatisfaction or the purse the people deposited with Congress, and in Congress apprehended distress existing there, because remonstrances were this power must be kept; that, however desirous I felt to agree not obtruded upon Congress, to avow that many letters had reached with the President, I would not be tempted to abandon the rights me, manifesting great dissatisfaction and fear of approaching pres- and interests of the people and the union of these States, which a sure; that the want of a safe and sufficient circulating medium is uniform and safe currency is essential to promote; that the people felt, and that the effect of recent ineasures, touching the deposites must have the control, &c., &c. and the United States Bank, could not be experienced until the produce of the last season be sent to market, which will be in the month of March; that it was known I was the advocate of a national bank, to be constituted upon principles very different from those of the existing corporation; that the people did not confer power

I need add nothing more, as I here give you enough to show to the world what is known to every member of the House, that I have been entirely misrepresented in the report published. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. EWING.

in relation to the currency of the country had moved on smoothly; but he feared, from present appearances, this state of things would not long exist.

Mr. LANE made some explanations in reply to his colleague, [Mr. EWING.]

The question was then taken on the motion to print the names signed to the memorial, and decided in the affirmative-Yeas 111, nays 91.

MEMORIAL FROM CHESTER, pa.

Mr. POTTS presented a memorial of inhabitants of the county of Chester, in the State of Pennsylvania, praying that the deposite of the public money may be restored to

the Bank of the United States.

On presenting this memorial, Mr. P. said that he had presented six memorials from citizens of Pennsylvania, his immediate constituents, of a character similar to many others presented to the House.

(H. or R.

Mr. ADAMS moved to suspend the rules for the pur pose of enabling him to submit a motion; (the assent o two-thirds of the House is necessary to the suspension a rule;) on this motion the division was, ayes 88, noes So the motion was not carried.

[The reporter is enabled to state that the resolut which Mr. ADAMS was not allowed to move was in the following words:

"Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be d rected to report to this House a statement of all the sc denominated, in the Treasury accounts, unavailable funds specifically designating the several banks or individia indebted to the Treasury therefor; the time when est debt first became due; the time when failure of payme thereof first occurred; the security, if any, which the p lie have for payment thereof at any time; and the prosp:t: of such eventual payment."]

FORTIFICATIONS.

The memorialists represented that a most severe pressure existed in the moneyed concerns of the community; The House then resumed the consideration of the 5 that public confidence was greatly impaired; and that the making appropriations for certain fortifications of currency of the country was becoming daily more and United States. more unsettled and deranged. They represented that The question being on the motion of Mr. McDute hundreds of their fellow-citizens, whose business was de-recommit the bill to the Committee of the Whole on the pendant on a regular market, public confidence, and the state of the Union

usual accommodations incident to mercantile and com- Mr. McDUFFIE explained that his only wish was to mercial pursuits, were on the verge of ruin; that they recommit the bill in order to have its provisions more were excited to inquiry as to the cause and the remedy fully investigated; he asked for the yeas and nays, which for a state of things so alarming, and so destructive of the were ordered.

forts was in Boston harbor, another at New Orleans, 1 third for the defence of Pensacola, and the other at Throg's Neck, New York. The Secretary of War deemed it ne cessary that these works should be completed. The ag gregate appropriation was about sixty-six thousand dollars beyond that of last year.

best interests of the country; and that they felt themselves Mr. POLK reminded the House of the fact that there bound to declare that, in their opinions, the distress and were four works introduced into the bill for which smil difficulties experienced in the moneyed concerns of the appropriations had been previously made. One of these community were fairly ascribable to the removal of the public deposites from the Bank of the United States. They, therefore, called upon Congress, whose province they believed it to be, to provide the remedy; to place the currency on the same sound foundation in which it was known to stand on the 1st of September last. That, whilst they expressed their doubts of any measure short of United States having the desired effect, they, at the same the restoration of the public moneys to the Bank of the time, declared themselves impressed with the deepest conviction, and fullest assurance, that, by the adoption of that measure, public confidence would be restored, the currency be redeemed from its debased and vitiated state, the distress that now prevails would be relieved, and the

Mr. WILDE said that the fact of these appropriat secure their passage. He adverted to the project fes being for the benefit of the great commercial ports would defence of the seacoast by General Bernard, and to the classification and estimated expense of the various works The armament of these fortifications would consume great amount of money, would require much time, and would render necessary a large augmentation of the Mr. P. said that he fully concurred in opinion with the communicated to Mr. Hamilton, of South Carolina, whe tary force. To show this, he referred to information memorialists as to the cause, the extent, and the remedy he was chairman of the Military Committee of the Hous for the existing evils; that he believed that, by the remo- He stated a few other facts to show the importance of s val of the public treasure from its proper and legitimate full examination. depository-an act by which public confidence had been

ruin that now threatens be averted.

deeply shaken, and credit, the active,

Mr. CAMBRELENG said he thought that a less amonst

of trade and business, had perished--a blow had been evil which existed did not grow out of the appropriations struck, heart deep, at the prosperity of the country; that, for the navy and the army, but out of the expenditures

with them, he too agreed that it was peculiarly the prov-beyond these objects. ince of Congress to place the currency upon a sure and stable foundation; but that that subject would be left to of that he shot Mr. PINCKNEY said that he desired the recommitment be regulated by the Legislative Department of the Gov-be compelled to vote against the bill. He was on hid doubts. He would, however, forbear further comment, increased until they had reached an amount which ernment, he confessed he entertained many and strong posed to fortifications, but the annual appropriations had and move that the memorial be referred to the Committee thought too large, in a moment of profound peace, a

of Ways and Means.

when economy ought to be an object of attention and pur

After the reception of sundry other memorials, the suit. In the present state of our finances, we the PresHouse adjourned.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25.

After the reading of the journal,

afford to make extravagant appropriations. The Pres dent had recommended to Congress to avoid such appre

priations.

The CHAIR called the gentleman to order, as going Mr. ADAMS, of Massachusetts, asked the unanimous into a range of debate which the question did not permi

consent of the House to make a motion; (such consent

Mr. PINCKNEY then stated that his object

was to

being requisite, under the present arrangement of the move an amendment. He remarked that there was a fort rules of the House, to enable any member to make a mo-in Charleston harbor called Fort Moultrie, of which the Carolinians had been proud, and for which they had never

tion.) Objection being made to this request,

!

INDEX TO THE DEBATES IN THE SENATE.

Adams (Massachusetts) memorial, complaining of the inju- | Boston memorial, against rechartering the Bank of the rious effects of the measures of the Government, 1424.

INDEX TO THE DEBATES IN THE SENATE.

Delaware, a memorial respecting the public deposites, Gold coins, a bill to regulate the circulation of foreig

750.

Dennis, Littleton Purnell, a member from Maryland, his death announced, and orders taken for his funeral, 1316.

Deposite banks, resolutions submitted by Mr. Southard, 1614; agreed to.

resolution instructing the Committee of Finance to sit during the recess, to investigate the condition of the banks, agreed to, 2125. Deposites, (See Government deposites.) District code. On motion of Mr. Chambers, the report of the joint committee of last session, on a system of criminal laws, was referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia, 96. Door-keeper, assistant, Stephen Haight appointed, 19. Duties on lead, a bill concerning, taken up, 2022.

Edgecomb county (North Carolina) proceedings of a public meeting, 1538.

Election of President and Vice President, (See President.) Ellsworth, Chief Justice, a bill to procure a marble bust of him, to be placed in the Capitol, passed, 825. Essex county (New Jersey) memorials, on the deranged state of the currency, 809.

1244.

Exiles from Poland, a bill granting them certain lands, ordered to be engrossed, 1721; passed, 1724. Faneuil Hall resolutions friendly to the administration, Fife, James, a Creek Indian, a bill for his relief, passed, 2002. Finances; instructions proposed to be given to the committee on this subject, 445; laid on the table,448. resolution instructing the committee to inquire into the effect of the present state of commercial affairs on the revenue, 492.

Florida canals, a bill for making them, taken up, and laid

on the table, 1907.

Force bill; Mr. Calhoun gave notice that he would intro-
duce, on a certain day, a bill for the repeal of
this act, 18.

a bill for repealing the force bill introduced, 20;
taken up, 1266; referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee, 1287.

Foreign presents; a resolution, offered by Mr. Poindex-
ter, calling on the President for a schedule of
the several articles received by ministers, &c.,
at foreign courts, 199.

a report from the Department of State in answer

to the above call, 329, which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Foreign silver coins, a bill to regulate them, 2019; passed,

2020.

Fortifications, a bill making appropriations for, was taken up, amended, and passed, 2124.

Frederick county (Maryland) against the removal of the deposites, 1814.

France, report of commissioners to carry into effect the late treaty with, read, and ordered to be printed.

gold coins in the United States, was passed,

2100

Government deposites, a report from the Secretary of the
Treasury concerning their removal, 12, (See th
Appendix for the report.)

report called up for consideration, 25; postpone
to Monday next. Again taken up, 45,
postponed. Subject resumed, 50.
resolution, offered by Mr. Clay, calling on the
President to inform the Senate whether a pare
purporting to have been read by him to th
heads of Departments, respecting the deposites
be genuine or not, 27; called up for conside
tion, 30; agreed to, 37.

President's message in answer to the above, (
President's Message.)

resolutions declaring that the President, in s
missing the Secretary of the Treasury becau
he declined removing the deposites, and
pointing his successor to effect that ob
had exercised a power not granted to biny
the constitution, &c., 58.
memorial presented on the subject, 141.
report of the Committee of Finance on the Secre
tary of the Treasury's report on the removal of
the deposites, 467; made the special order of a
certain day, and six thousand copies ordered
be printed, 483; subject taken up, 892; resol
tions agreed to, 1182.

joint resolution proposing a restoration of the
deposites, offered by Mr. Clay, 1813, 1817; read
first time, and ordered to a second reading; pas
ed, 1896.

a bill to regulate the public deposites in the State banks, taken up and laid on the table, 2127. Hallowell, Maine, memorial against the removal of de

Hanover, Pennsylvania, proceedings of a meeting against
posites, 1559.
the removal of the deposites, 1480.
Hanover, Indiana, a bill granting lands to the college,
laid on the table, 1834.

Harbor bill, a bill for making improvements of certa
harbors, and clearing out certain rivers, co-
sidered, 2081; ordered to be read a third time
Hardware, a bill concerning the duties on, the amen
and passed, 2083.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, memorial against the Exec
ments concurred in, 2124, and passed.

tive proceedings in relation to the bank, 1860. Hudson river, the bill to appropriate $70,000 for the i Harrodsburg, Kentucky, memorial, 2019.

provement of the navigation of this river wa considered and passed, 2126. Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, proceedings of a publ meeting, 1529.

Indian appropriations, a bill for making, passed to its thr reading, 2074.

Indian intercourse, a bill to regulate it, amended an

passed, 2125.

the Executive, 1805.

French spoliations prior to 1800; Mr. Webster reported the bill on this subject, with sundry amend- Indiana memorials, remonstrating against the measures ef ments, and made the order of a distant day, 141; called up, 2000, 2024, 2033; postponed till Interest to States for advances, a bill providing for the final settlement of, 1910; recommitted, 2007. Jefferson county, Virginia, memorial for relief from elbarrassments, 1782.

next session, 2040.

Fulton (Ohio) memorial, in favor of the Senate's having joint authority with the President in the appoint

ment and removal of officers, 1918.

Gold and silver currency, a resolution respecting, for the appointment of a joint committee, 1205.

Johnston, Mr., notice of his death, and the usual motion for mourning, by Mr. Clay, 11.

Gold coins, a bill to regulate them, taken up and passed, Kenawha, Virginia, memorial complaining of embarras

2122.

ments, 2019.