Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-30

, gress that we could stand I'D with them.
F, and put question after question to them !:
| that our affairs had been conducted as
wisely as those Of any other State: that
he would not look to Pennsylvania or n.
| Carolina for lessons i'll the science of bank
ing; that if we were going TO war, indeed,
he would ask them it they would embark
in it, and whether they would form the
front or the rear-Suard of the line; that
the government ofthe U. S. was precisely
the last government which he would con-
suit on this subject had they not orsa-
nized large bank which might destroy
your small banks that the manner in
which 1t had been got up, showed that
the government had entwined its arms "a
round it and that the moment they quit
ted each others embrace they would perish
together. Will You, then, place this little
lamb of yours in the lions paw You
might as we'll plant your grain of corn un-
der the spreading branches of the oak
For these reasons, he would not take
counselfrom the government of the u. S.
If my enemy has selected the both of
February, precisely for that very reason,
would not If he had selected that very
day TO come down upon me, for that very
reason would avoid the contest.
But (said MIR. 70 there is another rea-
son, why would not make this selection.
] do not believe the government of the u.
Shave the the will TO adhere to it or if
the will, not the ability or if they have
the ability, that it will be Efficient
These halcyon days, which have been so
eloquently described; this excellent re-
solution, which is TO produce them, how
was it brought about l was at the seat
of government, when ii was passed
when all the strength of the Administra-
ton, and ofall the Fedcralists, had scarce
'ly succeeded in carrying it through
(Mr. Mercer, observed that all the Federal
lists had notunlted; that he very well re-
collected an able speech from a Senator
did not speak of the Senate, but of the
House OF Representative one swal
low, does not make summer; that MIR.
Calhoun and Mr.. Huger, both from the
State of $. Carolba, and of different po-
litical parties, had united 4; and that all
the strength otthe administration and the
federalists had scarcely beeu sufficient TO
haul this Resolution To the top of the hill.
But after all, what did it amount to q
Were not the public dues always before
paid IN specie or in treasury notes! Is it
not SO provided by the revenue laws p
But, 1t was supposed, that this measure
was only intended to quiet the qualms of
the Secretary of the Treasury's conscience
that knowing how odious it would beto
the people, to enforceit, he wished TO shut
file off the responsibility from his own
shoulders TO those of Congress.
IT, then, there was all this difficulty in
getting the resolution through, would
there not be as much difficulty in adher-
ing to it as in adopting it? When ii was
passed, 1t was prospective only now,
what does our own experience teach us
This Legislature once declared that our
banks should be compelled to pay specie
on the 18th of November but here are
we convened together to suspend this
law we have already done so to the
10Th OF December, and it is agreed OH all
hands, that we must extend the suspen-
sion to the Goth of February. But Con
gross is composed of the same materials
az this House. If our constituents press
on us, their constituents wiloperate,rpon
them. Ii viii, indeed, be more difficnltfor
them TO retain, than TO enact it. When
II. was originally proposed, it was merely
prospective but now, the pressure begins
10 be upon the people. MIR. T. said, he
did not rely upon his own Judgment on
ly:: You have seen Convention of the
principal banks meet together, scarce 90
days after the resolution was passed. and
what do they say? 1--WE don't mean to
pay specie till the 10th Of July, ISl7."-
These banks surely understand their own
interests, as well as we do ours and vet
you see they do not think that Congress
VIII adhere TO theirresolution. Congress-
knew that you had fixed on the 18th of
November, and yet they selected the Goth
OF February. Do you now fix on the
both of February do you think they will
on that account, be confirmed in their re-
solution! Suppose they were willing to
play INTO your hands, will they be able to
do 1t! When Greek meets Greek. then
comes the tug of war When they find
that all the principal state-banks stand
out IN opposition to their wishes. will
they still adhere to their resolution TO re-
ject all state-paper? Will it not be q
question of life and death ! How are thew
to collect their revenue How are the
merchants OF the large northern cities to
pay up Conditions BY discounts on the
Dahhs-Dut what IS the use of those dis
counts, II the government will not re-
ceiVe the bank paper. The merchants
may, be sued on their bonds but the
banks may still agree TO consider their
credlt as good. Mr.. t. expressed his
belief, that III the contest the government
would give way that it would become
question OF revenue or no revenue How
were they to raise money to discharge
the interest of the public debt? Would
they dIsmantle the navy, or disband the
army Or will they at last consent TO re-
ceive the paper, which they had so long
taken But If they do rescind their re-