SENATE.]

Revenue Statements.

[JUNE 16, 1834.

Mr. CHAMBERS rose and said, that when lessons were if this is the issue, we are prepared to meet it; the counadministered on this floor avowedly for the edification of the try is prepared to pass upon it, and we think that melanAmerican people, it might not be amiss to qualify general choly experience will enable every man to give his verremarks by proper limitations and restrictions to conform dict. But, sir, with an incongruity which is incompreto the actual condition of the subject. Now, sir, if any hensible, the loud peals of triumphant exultation have not portion of the American people shall be led to suppose ceased to vibrate on our ears before, in the speech, we that any thing in the report of the Secretary now read is find it distinctly asserted, and reiterated in terms of the calculated to show the inoffensive character of the late harshest denunciation and "invective," that the bank has Executive measures, he would say they would be led to a caused the distress-that panic speeches in the Senate conclusion utterly fallacious. have caused the distress-have produced “wreck of merI am one of those, Mr. President, by whom predictions chants in every city." It is certainly difficult to reconcile have been made, as well in regard to the ruinous conse- two positions apparently so utterly opposed. To believe quences of the Executive conduct as to its probable effect that the bank or the Senate, or both, have produced a deon the revenue. I had the honor to be among the first, per-gree of distress which filled our cities with "wrecks," haps the first, on this floor, to venture the result of a fee-and at the same time to believe that this report and other ble judgment as to the probable consequences upon the evidences "utterly contradicted the idea of distress importations and the revenue. Nothing in this report les- and commercial embarrassment which had been propasens, in the slightest degree, my confidence in the opin-gated from this chamber for the last six months"-that ions heretofore advanced. How should it? "never since America had a place among nations was the The report informs us of the amount of importations, prosperity of the country equal to what it is at this day" and the accruing revenue, for the first quarter of the pres--will require, in my poor opinion, more credulity than ent year. I so understand it, from hearing a part of it is to be found in the most benighted region of this wideread at your table: no other means have been afforded me spread Union. Sir, it is folly to tell a man sinking and to ascertain its contents, much less to prepare full notes dying with disease, and conscious of his condition, that all for a speech upon the report, as the Senator from Mis- his symptoms indicate health and strength and vigor, and souri [Mr. BENTON] seems to have done. Well, sir, does promise long life; and yet such is the experiment now any thing in the character or amount of importations in made. The good people of the country, the farmers, the the first three months of this year prove any fact in re-merchants, the manufacturers, mechanics, and laborers, gard either to the effect of the Executive measures, or to who feel themselves diseased and dying under the fatal the accuracy of our predictions? Most certainly not. malady of Executive rashness and indiscretion, are calmly Every man who knows any thing of the subject, knows asked to believe that they were never so prosperous, nevwell that there are two principal seasons of importations; er so happy, never so independent. They will not be one in the spring, for the demand and consumption of spring persuaded or cajoled by any report of a Secretary, nor and summer, and another in the summer or early fall, for will they be conviced by any studied commentary upon it. the demand and consumption of fall and winter. We all I can tell you what they say, sir; a letter is this instant know that the goods thus imported are ordered a consid-on my desk, received by this morning's mail from a valued erable time before they arrive in this country; that they friend who resides in the interior of my State-far from are inade, manufactured to order, before they are shipped the city-holding no office, desiring none--pursuing his from abroad. If, then, these importations mentioned in honest avocations with industry, and neither tempted nor the report were ordered in the usual way of trade, in corrupted by the expectation of political honor or emoluseason for the orders to have been received abroad, the ment. [Mr. C. here read from a letter, giving account goods purchased and shipped, and to arrive in the United of the state of feeling in the writer's district.] States before the first of May-and of these facts no doubt Since I have known any thing of public affairs, never could be entertained-it was evident they afforded not the have I known our yeomanry so perfectly to understand, smallest proof whatever of the influence of measures so generally to discuss, and so cordially to destest, any which operated at a much later period. It is idle to at-measure of the Federal Executive, as its course in relation tempt to apply any prediction made here to the period to the United States Bank. They feel its effects; they embraced in this report. Mr. C. said he happened to writhe under them; and if every Congressional district in have in his drawer one of those letters upon which he had the United States be equally intelligent and equally honventured the opinion expressed; and to show how far it est, after the next election, the President will not have a can be tortured into a speculation upon the state or amount single friend returned to the House of Representatives. of importations ending on the first of April, he would I do not mean, Mr. President, to go over the beaten read an extract. The letter says, "The dry good mer-ground of bank distress or panic-speech distress. The chants have not (they say) ordered more than one-half varied tones of assault upon the bank are now understood. their usual supply of goods for the fall. This will affect One day the insolvent institution, which in a little month the revenue of this and the next year, in which case the should be prostrate at the Executive foot-stool; the next, remnant of the debt will lie over, that the experiment' the gigantic monster, which, like the golden calf, was may have a full trial." Now, sir, let the administration the object of our idolatry, now useless and insufficient, and its friends, in the absence of any better occasion for and capable of nothing but what local banks might effect; joy, make themselves happy in the glorious triumph which and now the fearful engine whose resistless power would they announce; and let them flap their wings and crow crush the liberties of the nation, and bring its Governbecause the importations of the first quarter do not show ment into subjection, as it had brought our people into the diminution which we predicted would occur in the distress and ruin. The history of the bank operations, third quarter, and the last. happily for those who desire to arrive at truth, is contained in official documents. The extent of loans and curtailments, expansion and contraction, may be known by authentic proof.

There was some difficulty in meeting such an argument as the Senate had just heard. In one part of it, we are distinctly told there is no distress, no pressure, no pecuniary embarrassment; on the contrary, the country never One idea advanced and attempted to be sustained by was more prosperous, business never more active or profit- the authority of this report of the Secretary, is certainly able, money never more plenty. These positions are boast-as novel as it is amusing. We are told that in the bank ingly made, and stand out prominently in the speech which cities commerce had declined, and in the anti-bank cities has cheered this report as the extinguisher of all the fond-had increased; where the bank had the upper hand the est hopes and speculations of the opposition. Well, sir, revenue was less; where it had not, the revenue was

greater. Philadelphia on the one hand, and New York on the other, are selected as illustrations. We are gravely told that in Philadelphia, the location of the bank, the residence of the directors, amidst their relations, connex ions, friends, and familics, they have wickedly exerted the utmost of their means to ruin and destroy the trade and commerce of their citizens and their own, to drive their community into their views, while it is perfectly known that almost every individual of that community, man, woman, and child, are, and always have been, loud in their denunciations of the Executive attack upon the bank, and ardently anxious to have it re-chartered.

[SENATE.

ing them go into the hands of foreigners, because our rash Executive measures had empoverished our citizens, and ruined our currency. It was said, however, that stocks were rising, and the tone of triumph in which this was urged, would seem to import that stocks were no longer depressed by the destructive "experiment." I am at a loss to conceive on what authority such an assertion can be advanced. If it be intended to say that, depressed as they are, they are yet not quite so bad as they were a few weeks since, there may be some foundation for the remark. But if it be intended to say, that they are at all at the point at which the "experiment" And we hear it said with equal gravity, that in New found them, then nothing can be said more wide of the York, from whence it has been supposed the first idea of fact, as I understand it. I will speak what I know. I putting down the bank was conceived; in New York, am a stockholder in the pet bank in Baltimore. When which, it is by many shrewdly supposed, designs to put the President assumed the control of the public treasure, down a "Chestnut-street" bank, to build on its ruins a and through his Secretary ordered the removal of the Wall-street" bank-an opinion based upon the fact, deposites, that stock was at eighty-one or two dollars per which you, sir, know is sometimes alleged, that New share, the par being seventy-five. At a sale lately York does not always march to her object by the most made-made at auction, so that holders might be indirect road; in New York, where every motive existed fluenced to interpose and purchase, to save the character to induce the bank to make proselytes and strengthen of the stock; made certainly upon terms well calculated her interest—there, it is said, she has forborne to exert to secure a full price-it commanded less than fifty her destructive operations; and trade and commerce dollars.

are increased. Sir, the importations of the year, from The price of slaves was also alluded to as rising, and January to March inclusive, were not affected, for good this was a further evidence of national prosperity. In or for evil, by the Executive "experiment," and this re-regard to this matter, I make the same remark as in relaport will prove any other fact as well as it will that for tion to stocks. Slaves may possibly sell for something which it has been used.

more than they would command a few weeks since. I If the bank has the means and the inclination to "dis- do not know that the fact is so, but it is possible. That tress" the country, why should they not be exerted as they are of less value, by twenty to thirty per cent., than well in New York as in Philadelphia-as well in Balti- they were before the Executive plan of finance was commore as in Boston? The idea suggested in regard to the menced, I do not know. I live in a slave county; and, South, affords a key to some matters, which perhaps although neither a purchaser or seller, I profess to know would be a little difficult of explanation by any other how the fact is; and I assert that slaves will not, in Marytheory. It seems, it is thought, the South will not bear land, command a price within from twenty to thirty per the "lash." Perhaps this conviction may account for cent. as great as they did prior to the "experiment,' the singular fact that, in the "high-mettled" region of either in the domestic market, or for the South. South Carolina, it was deemed prudent to leave the de- Again: we have the price of grain introduced as conposites in the United States Bank, when they were re-clusive evidence of our prosperity. I will not allow mymoved at other places. We are referred to sundry par- self to be drawn again into details upon the subject. The ticulars, to demonstrate the extraordinary prosperity of frequent repetition of an error cannot make it less an the country at this time. Let us see how that matter error. Do we not see in every newspaper statements stands. from different places in the country, showing the remark

The increase in the number of arrivals at New York, able scarcity of corn? Do we not learn that at some from foreign ports, was no more than the regular and points there is scarcely a bushel for consumption? Do uniform growth of the country required; nothing more we not all know that it is solely for immediate and home than the history of our commerce proved to be the case consumption that it is required? and can it be necessary in every year. These importations, however, as well as again and again to urge that this, and this alone, has the sales of public lands, of which this report gives us caused an increase in the price-an increase of a few the amount, were made before the destructive effects of cents only beyond the price at which it sold when harthe Executive measures were experienced. vested last fall, and very much less than it would have been but for the mad policy of "the Government?"

The importation of specie had also been alluded to as an evidence of great national prosperity. It is certain Mr. President, there is nothing in the report, nothing that a large amount of specie had been imported; and it in the condition of the country, to show that we misconmight not be amiss to remark, that the much-abused bank ceived the character or consequences of Executive rashhad imported a very large portion of it. Finding itselfness and folly. Every thing verifies our prediction. threatened by the vast power of the Executive, which The experience of men in all departments of business makes itself felt through every artery of the country, by will sanction the assertion, that pecuniary distress and means of its army of office-holders and dependants, the embarrassment, deep and pervading, afflicts the country, bank, at a very early period, resorted to this means of caused by folly and by passion, uselessly caused and obpreparing itself to meet the assault. It was not the re-stinately continued.

sult of prosperity, but the embarrassments of the country Sir, I still think as I have thought, that when the pethen expected-now realized-that induced this importa- riod shall arrive to enable us to ascertain the influence of tion. Foreign capitalists had been induced, it was beliey-the late Executive measures on our foreign commerce ed, by the declension of our stocks, to introduce specie and the revenue, they will be found to affect both injufor its purchase. While money was plenty abroad, and riously. It may be, that to some extent, the importations produced but from two to three per cent., our depression which the crippled condition of our merchants will not here had increased its value to such an extent as to in-permit them to order, may be made by foreigners, as sugvite it from abroad. Our stocks, yielding six, eight, and gested by my friend from Massachusetts, [Mr. WEBSTER;] ten per cent., had been below par, and our citizens, who but I do not think the deficit will be supplied in that way. had heretofore enjoyed the benefits of these profitable The country is too much empoverished by the " experiinvestments, were now reduced to the necessity of see-ment" to pay for the amount of importations which we

VOL. X.-127

SENATE.]

Memorials from Harrodsburg, (Ky.,) and Kenhawa, (Va.)—Foreign Silver Coins. [JUNE 16, 1834. should have received, but for the fatal shock to the cur- came from the House, did not regulate the weight of rency and to credit. coins. He had received a communication from the di

I still think, as I have thought heretofore, that these rector of the mint, and also one from the committee of "Executive measures" have carried throughout this the other House, on the subject, and he believed they whole country desolation and wretchedness, prostrating were right in the opinion that the weight of coins should the hopes of thousands of honest and useful men, robbing be established. The first amendment, therefore, propothe laborer of his hire, and industry of its just reward, sed, was to make the limitation of the dollar to the weight and producing an aggregate of national mischief and of 415 grains; the next to establish the weight of the ruin, which years of prudent discretion will not com- French five-franc pieces at 384 grains. pensate.

Mr. WEBSTER now modified his motion to refer to the Committee on Finance, and moved that the communication he laid on the table and printed; which was agreed to.

These amendments having been read, were agreed to. Mr. W. then said he had another amendment to propose, which had been suggested to him by the director of the mint; it was on fixing the fineness of the South American dollar. The Senate would recollect that, by HARRODSBURG (KY.) MEMORIAL.. the bill, the dollar was regulated, "when of not less Mr. BIBB presented the memorial of a large and re-twelve grains, of pure silver, in the troy pound of twelve fineness than ten ounces, fifteen pennyweights, and spectable meeting of inhabitants of Harrodsburg, that por- ounces of standard silver, at one hundred and sixteen tion, Mr. B. said, of his State which, during this session, cents and one-tenth of a cent per ounce." Now it was

had been so unfortunate as to be disfranchised. Under these circumstances, he felt himself peculiarly called upon to present this memorial, and to speak in its favor. He was acquainted with the officers who presided at this meeting, and he felt assured that they would not designate it as numerous and respectable unless it were so in reality.

Mr. B. here alluded to the manner in which the memorialists had been deprived of their member in the other House, and stated that the conduct of the sheriff of the county, by whose instrumentality this result was effected, had produced an expression of the highest reprobation on the part of the popular branch of the Legislature of Kentucky; the members of that part of the Legislature to which he referred, had almost unanimously expressed their desire that the act of the sheriff should be made penitentiary offence.

a

Mr. B. moved that the memorial be read, printed, and

referred to the Committee on Finance. It was so ordered.

KENHAWA (VA.) MEMORIAL.

leave the South American dollar of the value of one hunproposed to strike out these 12 grains, which would still dred cents; but if the twelve grains were retained, it coins which were worth the American dollar. He therewould exclude a great many of the South American fore moved to strike out the twelve grains; which was agreed to.

There being no further amendments offered, the question was on ordering the bill to be engrossed for a third reading; when,

Mr. CALHOUN hoped the Senator from Massachusetts

would consent to lay the bill on the table for the present. The measure was a very important one, and demanded of increasing the issues of bank paper. some consideration; he thought it would have the effect the bill was to increase the amount of bank discounts, If the object of find it to their interest or convenience, to pay out their the measure was a very judicious one. Banks would specie by weight instead of by tale, and a majority of the community would not receive it unless by the former Mr. LEIGH presented the memorial of above seven method. The bill, he repeated, was an important one, hundred citizens of Kenhawa county, Virginia, stating demanded some consideration, and he, therefore, moved that the operation of their business was very much em- to lay it on the table. barrassed, and that they were suffering under grievous Mr. WEBSTER requested the gentleman from South distress. Whether this was caused by the bank, or by Carolina [Mr. CALHOUN] to withdraw his motion for a mospeeches in this House, or by Executive interference, ment; which request having been acceded to, Mr. W. Mr. L. would not now undertake to determine, but he said, if the gentleman would permit the bill to be enmust be allowed to say, that the memorialists knew better grossed for a third reading, he would, at its last stage, what they felt, than those who undertook to show it by make further explanations. His object was, at this late analogical arguments. They stated that their profit was period of the session, to save time. He had received derived from the manufacture of salt, which is now in a many communications from gentlemen in the commercial state of embarrassment and distress. They felt also an- world, showing the great anxiety there was for the pasother distress, in common with every citizen of this com- sage of this bill, and its importance to their interests. munity, that the constitution and the laws of the country There was some importance, he thought, in regulating have been trampled under foot. They expressed their the South American coins.

opinion in strong and indignant terms, that the act of the Mr. EWING thought the honorable gentleman from Executive in removing the deposites, was contrary to the South Carolina was mistaken. The bill did not provide laws and constitution of the United States, and they rep-that foreign coin should pass by weight, but by tale: resented farther, that the protest of the President set up if it had been made to pass by weight, the effect of maa claim to power which was little short of monarchical. king the coin pass current would have been defeated. Mr. L., on account of the state of business in the Senate, Mr. CALHOUN expressed himself satisfied with the and his anxiety to adjourn, in common with other Sen- honorable Senator's explanation. ators, would only ask that the memorial be read, referred, Mr. CHAMBERS observed, that he would have a proand ordered to be printed; which was ordered accord-vision inserted, making it a legal tender. ingly.

FOREIGN SILVER COINS.

On motion of Mr. WEBSTER, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the bill from the House to regulate foreign silver coins.

Mr. WEBSTER said it was so understood; the bill set forth that the coin should pass current, as money, in the payment of debts, therefore that must make it a tender. The amendments were then ordered to be engrossed, and the bill passed to its third reading.

COMPENSATION TO Mr. POTTER.

Mr. W. said that this was a measure of great impor tance to the commercial community, and he hoped that there would be no delay in passing on it. He had some The resolution submitted by Mr. WRIGHT, to com amendments, which the Committee on Finance had pro- pensate the honorable Elisha R. Potter, for his attendposed, and which he would briefly state. The bill, as it 'ance while claiming a seat in the Senate, under the au

It was opposed by Messrs. POINDEXTER, CLAY, cerning duties on lead, which was lying on the table, was and WEBSTER.

Mr. BIBB moved to strike out the words "is entitled to receive his compensation," and to insert in lieu thereof, "ought, under the circumstances, to be paid;” which Mr. WRIGHT accepted as an amendment.

taken up for consideration.

A verbal amendment, proposed by Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN, having been agreed to

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN briefly explained the character of the bill. It had been rendered necessary, by the Mr. CLAY then moved to refer the resolution to the attempts which had been made to evade the duties imJudiciary Committee.

posed by the tariff act of 1833. The importers had

Mr. WRIGHT expressed himself favorable to the ref-adopted the practice of introducing lead in busts, and erence, and the motion was agreed to.

GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.

Mr. WEBSTER, in pursuance of notice given, moved to take up the bill making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1834.

Mr. POINDEXTER would suggest to the honorable member, as the day was far advanced, the propriety of postponing the bill until to-morrow.

Mr. WEBSTER remarked, that to-morrow was set apart for the consideration of another subject. He had no intention of pressing the bill to a decision to-day, but he thought they might now get through some of the amendments.

Mr. PRESTON hoped the honorable Senator from Massachusetts would postpone the consideration of the bill for the present.

Mr. WEBSTER repeated, that, as to-morrow would not be an open day, the Senate had better take up the bill, and make some progress in the amendments.

other forms, so that instead of paying the proper duty of three cents per pound, imposed by the act, they had only paid a duty of fifteen per centum ad valorem, thus producing great injury to the public revenue. It is provided, by the act of 1833, that a duty of three cents shall be imposed on all lead, except where specific exceptions are made by the act.

He moved to amend the bill, by introducing the following proviso:

"Provided, That this bill shall not extend to, or affect the existing duties on red and white lead, shot, and litharge.'

Mr. CALHOUN expressed his entire willingness to agree to any measure, the object of which was to prevent the commission of fraud, but he was not disposed to sanction any proposition which went to extend the protective duties. For the purpose of further looking into the bill, he would move to lay the bill on the table.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN (the motion having been withdrawn) said, that all the provisions of this bill looked to Mr. PRESTON should greatly prefer that it be post-that sole object, of preventing fraud, except that clause poned. Indeed, he was by no means sure that the bill which imposes a duty of two cents on lead ore; and this should not be laid upon the table, till other matters, of an duty had been suggested by one of the Senators from Misimportant nature, were disposed of. Where, he would souri, as absolutely necessary for the protection of our ask, was the Treasury of the United States? What con-own interests. Ile was instructed by the gentleman from trol had Congress now over it? He would suggest to Missouri to say, that the quantity of lead ore produced at honorable Senators the propriety of considering, before our mines was sufficient, and more than sufficient, for our they passed any appropriations, whether something ought own consumption. But if any objection should be made not to be done in regard to securing the Treasury of the to the clause, he would willingly withdraw it. country. He, for one, was extremely indisposed to go Mr. CALHOUN renewed the motion to lay the bill on into the consideration of the appropriation bill at all, until the table. the Treasury was secured under the provision of law, and taken from irresponsible hands, and put into those which were responsible.

Mr. CLAY (the motion being again withdrawn) stated, that there seemed to be two objects contemplated by this bill: one was the prevention of fraud, and the other was Mr. WEBSTER said, that he should move to take up an increase of the duty on lead ore. To the extent of the bill to-morrow morning, immediately after the reading the prevention of fraud, the bill was certainly a proper of the Journal, if the gentleman who had given notice to one, and ought to pass. He should certainly have no cbcall up another important subject, would give way. At jection to the bill to this extent; but however proper the all events, he should not be willing to defer the matter additional duty may be, he hoped the clause would not beyond Wednesday next. now be pressed.

Mr. PRESTON said, that he had thrown out the sug- Mr. PRESTON expressed some doubt as to the progestion which he had made, that gentlemen might consid-priety of striking out the clause in dispute. He should er whether it would be proper to go into the consideration feel regret if the motion made by his colleague should of the general appropriation bill, until they knew where have the effect of destroying the bill. He went on to sugthe Treasury was. He would not, however, pledge him- gest, that the better course probably might be, to follow self to any course. the example set by Congress last session, in the measure then adopted for the purpose of preventing frauds in the importation of sugar, which had been imported from some of the West India islands in the form of sirup. thought that the best course might be to confine the present bill to the bill which had passed to prevent that kind of fraud. He hoped that his colleague, if he persevered in his motion to lay the bill on the table, would fix as early a day as possible to take it up for considera

Mr. FORSYTH said, that if the Senate went into the consideration of the bill, they might act on the amendments only, and defer the consideration of general merits till some other time.

The bill was then postponed until to-morrow. The resolution submitted by Mr. CLAY, calling on the Treasury Department for the amount of scrip issued to satisfy Virginia military land warrants, and warrants for officers of the continental line, with the number and ex-tion and decision. tent of the warrants, was considered, and, after some remarks from Messrs. CLAY, TYLER, BIBB, and LEIGH, the resolution was adopted.

The Senate then adjourned.

He

Mr. CALHOUN said, that the principle for which he contended was an obvious one. Every thing should be done which could have the effect of preventing fraud, but nothing ought to be sanctioned which looked beyond that purpose. He only desired so much time as would

SENATE.]

Moses Shepherd.-Duties on Lead.-French Spoliation Bill, &c.

[JUNE 18, 1834.

enable him to make a more deliberate examination of the cording to Thomson's measurement, he had no right to bill, and it was not probable that he should require longer than to-morrow morning.

On motion of Mr. CALHOUN, the bill was then laid on the table.

MOSES SHEPHERD.

On motion of Mr. HENDRICKS, the bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Moses Shepherd was taken up. Mr. BLACK opposed the passage of the bill. Mr. BENTON was aware of the grounds of the objection. It was before the Senate in 1825, but there were evidences now which would remove all scruples. The items now claimed had never been settled, while the claims of all the other contractors had been paid.

Mr. LEIGH advocated the passing of the bill. The charge was for work actually done, and a difference occurring between the charge made by Shepherd and the report of the surveyor for the Government, Shepherd was paid so much as there was no dispute about, and the remainder was left for future consideration.

stand before the Senate; if he had not, he came there for justice. That he was not settled with was obvious; and, therefore, upon all the examination which had been given to the case this morning, he thought the bill ought not to pass.

Mr. FORSYTHI moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. BIBB said, every claim the man had was granted, and he read a report which gave a part of the history of the case, and showed that the differences between the Government and Shepherd had been settled.

Mr. POINDEXTER said, that all the contractors had been allowed payment according to Thomson's measurement, except Shepherd, and the question was, whether there should be a difference.

Mr. SHEPLEY briefly replied.

The question on ordering the bill to a third reading was then taken, and decided as follows:

YEAS.-Messrs. Chambers, Clay, Ewing, FrelinghuyMr. KING, of Alabama, said that it was suspected that sen, Hendricks, Knight, Leigh, McKean, Naudain, Pointhe charge made covered more work than was actually dexter, Porter, Prentiss, Robbins, Robinson, Silsbee, performed. Persons were employed to survey it. As Smith, Tallmadge, Tomlinson, Tyler, Webster.-20. the contractors had been paid according to their state- NAYS. Messrs. Bibb, Black, Brown, Calhoun, Forment, therefore this man thought himself entitled to the syth, Grundy, Hill, Kane, King of Alabama, King of whole charge. The law contemplated a final settle-Georgia, Linn, Mangum, Moore, Morris, Preston, Shepment, and that settlement was made at the time. The ley, Southard, Swift, Waggaman, White, Wright.-21. claim was so doubtful as to be rejected by the Government, rejected by the commissioners, rejected by Congress, and rejected by the party himself. He could not vote for the bill.

Mr. HENDRICKS replied. The law of 1825 was for a specific amount for certain items, not one of which was mentioned in the present charge. The bill was brought in just before the close of a session; there was no time to examine the accounts, and a specific sum was given, and the remainder was left for future adjustment.

Mr. SMITH thought the bill ought to pass. He put it on the ground of a settlement between two parties, where certain charges were mutually agreed upon and paid, leaving those in dispute for future settlement.

Mr. LEIGH went into a history of the case.

Mr. SHEPLEY was a member of the committee which reported the bill, and thought that the facts were not ex. actly as they had been stated by the honorable Senator from Virginia. He gave a statement of the case, from which it appeared that there was a collision between the contractor and the superintendent. The work was meas

We

J

DUTIES ON LEAD.

Mr. CALHOUN then moved to take up the bill concerning the duties on lead; which was agreed to; when the proviso offered by Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN was adopted.

Mr. CALHOUN moved to strike out that part of the bill imposing duties "on all lead in whatever shape imported," and insert in lieu of it, that the article shall be subject to a duty of "double the value of the raw material;" which was adopted.

On Mr. C.'s motion, the bill was further amended, by striking out the duty of two per cent. per pound, inserted by the House; when, after some conversation between Messrs. CLAY, CALHOUN, and LINN, the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

On motion of Mr. TYLER, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of Executive business. When the doors were opened, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the FRENCH SPOLIATION BILL.

ured again, and the result differed from both of the for- [This bill provides for the satisfaction of claims due to me measurements. The whole claim and proceedings certain citizens for spoliations committed on their comreferred to the Secretary of the Treasury. Tan-world," merce prior to the 30th day of September, 1800.] Diofested the Secretary ads in the amount during the recess betwem-sage of thadoption of several unimportant amendments, Mr. CHAMBERS spoke at length in favor of the bill, 1824 and 1825, and allowed a little larger sum than the committee of the House had allowed, but not so much as WEBSTER in favor of it; who both declined going at and was followed by Mr. FORSYTH against, and Mr. was now claimed. There had been an equitable settlement made, and as the present claim was for an equitable large into the merits of the bill, reserving their views settlement, after an equitable settlement had been made, he was opposed to the bill.

Mr. HENDRICKS said the remarks of the honorable Senator from Maine did injustice to the bill. He read over some of the former reports connected with the subject, to show that Mr. SHEPLEY's statement was not correct. He wished to refer it again to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Mr. BLACK again spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. FORSYTH said, that his view of the case was, that because the memorialist could not settle with the Treasury, he applied to Congress for an equitable settlement; Congress made it, and, not yet satisfied, he wished to refer it again to the Secretary of the Treasury. The only way to settle it would be to let a committee examine the case and report the amount.

for another occasion.

Mr. FORSYTH then moved that its further consideration be postponed to Thursday next, and that it be made the special order for that day; which was agreed

TOLLAND COUNTY (CONN.) MEMORIAL. Mr. SMITH presented a petition signed by 736 of the citizens and electors of the county of Tolland, in the State of Connecticut, on the subject of the removal of the public moneys from the United States Bank, and the Mr. TYLER said, if Shepherd was allowed pay ac-measures of the Executive generally, in relation to the