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

banks had never stopped payment he should
think himself authorised to refuse specie paw
ments under existing circumstances. 1t is
impossible, fand pOiicy III this case comedies
with honcsty,) TO compel our own banks to
empty their treasures into the Golfers of ano-
Their bank-for these are the institutions of
Virginia, and we are the representatives of
Virginia.
The gentleman from Loudoun contends, that
the 10th of February ought to be selected: be-
cause OH that day, the Resolution of Congress,
for receiving the public dues in specie, is to
take effect.--For his own part, he did not see
any thing effectual in this resolution but, if
there was any thing in it, what is the case of the
merchants of Norfolk & of Richmond, who have
bonds due to the government Have theycome
forward with petitions to open the vaults of
your banks He had heard ofno such applica-
ton from them. Shall we then dojit, not only
when they do not ask it, but when they oppose
it AS to the people of the interior, there is
no revenue at this time due from them to the
L. States.-As to the merchants, they may by
that time obtain the notes of the u. SIS Bank
and If they have no other mode OF paying their
bonds than specie, you should make it their in
tereSt to procure it from abroad.
1t has been said, that the Directors of these
Banks have not curtailcd as much as they ought
to have done--he would not take upon himself
to Judge of this case; buteven if they have not,
shall we now force them in their unprcpared
state to throw open their vaults3
MIR. 5. begged leave again to advert to
the remark of the gentleman, that he was not
willing to be dictated to by the Northern banks
Nor was he-but suppose, these banks could
dictate to us, whatwou be the very thing that
they would requires to openour vaults on the
10th of February. He would not so far favour
them, then, as to do the very thing which hey
would wish.
The gentleman from Norfolk is for allowing
as much time as the Bank Directors wish but,
for his own part, he did not know them, and
could not trust them with such an important
power.--Ihe gentleman said, we are acting in
the dark, but he contradicts himself: for, at an
other time, he declares, that we have penctri-
ted theSecrsts ofthe Banks, and have shed too
much light on their affars.--The gentleman
would persuade us, that such is the influence of
these banks, that the man who sues them is con-
siGcred public enemy-hlr. ). hoped, that
things were not in this situation-H that man
must not be compelled to lose his rights for fear
ofincurrng the enmity of the banks.-Hc him
self had no sort of doubt about the solvency of
the banks, If they were sued-thcre was no
danger ofthe depreciation of their notes produ-
cling so great an injury as had been described,
upon our c0nstituents-There was no danger
their failure-Were a commission of bank
ruptcy taken out tomorrow, they would be
found perfectly solvent.
The gentleman from Norfolk would allow
each man the right to sue at 10 days notice,
as you may sue the bank. But is there not
wide distinction between "A mans private note,
and bank note Is not BAN, note money /;
considered as cash, by our indictmentss And
shall we put mans private note on the same
footing with this representative of gold and
silver s-Surely these corporations ought not to
complain of this restriction as they have the
privilege, not enjoyed by any individual of is
suing money to three times the amount of their
capital, and of making dividends of Is to Is
per cent.
For these reasons, Mr.. S. said, he would pre-
fer the bill on the table, but would perhaps
move to change the time from the 10th to tile
LIST of yuly.-The President and Directors of
these institutions had asked indulgence only
till that day-and should we give them more
al. a.
is the greatest probability of the resumption of
specie payments-By that day, the last install
ment of the U. 5. Bank will have been paid up
Mr.. Doddridge said he had been so complete
ly anticipated in what he had to say by the gem
teman from Wythe (Mr. Smyth,) that he did
not know whether he should, himself submit
any further remarks to the Committee-But as
other gentlemen might wish to do so, he Should
move for the Committee now to rise.
Cdrricd-and soon after, the House adjourn
ed.
Friday, November 90.
Engrossed bills" Changing the times
of holding the Superior Courts of Law in
the county of Hampshire, and for other
purposes; '-' Concerning FloreaI Florel-
la, girl of colour -" Authorizing the
Clerk of the Court of Appeals to tax an At
torney's fee amongst the other costs in
that court ;" were read a third time and
passed.
Other bills passed their second stage
Sundry resolutions from the c. of Z. Il
G. were read, in favor ofthe petition of
the inhabitants Oft harestown fora change
of name of the inhabitants of Lunen-
burg for establishing town at the court
house; and of c. K. Mallory, for authori-
zing him to erect dam across Back river
IN Elizabeth city, for the purpose of es-
tablishing tlde-mill.-Agreedt to.
A resolution was read from fhe same
Committee, in favor OF the petition from
sundry inhabitants fLynchburg, praying
that the said town may be authorized 10
send special representative to the Gen
eral Assembly.-On the question being
put, 1T was disagreed to by the House,
Ayes 81, Noes 82.-Mr. anthony moved
to suspend the 4th rule of the House, for
the purpose of re-considering this vote
which was lost, there being 20 Ayes, II
Noes-and the chair voting in the affirm
| alive, the division was equal and the
question lost.
MIR. Graves (ofN. Kent offered the fol-
| lowing preamble and resolution:
Whereas, at the last Congress of the u.
). an act was passed, giving to the MEM
| Ders composing that body stipulated and
| fixed salary for an unsettled and unfixed
service, and having retrospective opera
ton, which, is deemed contrary to the spi-
rit and principles of Republican Govern
ment, and contrary to the spirit ofthe
Constitution oftbe United States
| BE al therefore ReSoIued, that the said
| Actmeets the decided disapprobation OF