Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-04

plain It. It's object was two fold to en-
CURE, FIRST, whether there had been vi
olation OF the charter or not aud, Sc
condiy, whether improper discounts had
not been made 10 stockholders, &c. The
mode Oi violation OF the charter. being
pointed ont III that instrument, needed
no more precise definition than that con
tanned IN The first clause ei the resolve
Then followed, howeves, IN this rcsoiu-
non, o'ier objects OF enquiry, regarding,
the particular instances of alledged mis-
! conduct To wiIlchihe attention ot the pub
hc has been directed. To accomplish,
'his Object, another power had been CIV
EN-, To send FOR persons and papers. Ii
! did not follow, because the committee
was to report on these particular insian-
ces, HAT The committee was to derive its
| Information from the books of the bank
alone. There were other means mt their
| disposal: they might examine papers not
belonging 10 the Bank, and persons hay
iug personal knowledge of its tranaciions.
AN objection had been raised, as he had
understood, and 10 which enough not vet
urged IN. this iouse,) he would advert.
HAT tins specification of particular points
OF enquiry appeared 10 contain censure
upon the Bank, or on the conduct of it's
0ihcers. Ii was not so intended, MIR. S.
SAID, nor did he think such an inference
could be fairly drawn from the words of
The resolve. Ii embraced some points of
enquiry involving no misconduct in their
result that, for example, respecting the
refusal of the Bank to pay specie for the
notes of lis branches, &c. There were
few who would say that that measure was
an evidence OF misconduct on the part of
The bank, much less that il was viola
tlou Qi lis Charter because such inca
sure may have been necessary and una
| Voidable IN the present state of the mo-
ney concerns of the country. The rcsolu-
lion was not intended TO convey charges
against ire Bank, but 10 embrace all the
topics respecting which the public mind
had been agitated, and 10 obtain Il report
thereon from respectable committee OF
this House. AS 10 the facts whichrcndered
such an enquiry necessary, IL had been
suggested that more general rumor was
not sufficient foundation Tor this House
10 act upon. Mr.. ). said, he had meant
10 be understood as having introduced
this resolution, not under the influence
OF general rumor merely but, as iIe now
stated, he had individual information
winch lett TO him no doubt of the truth
OF most OF the allegations which he had
heard on this subject. With respect TO
the TACT OF the payment of The SECOND
instalment by discounts to the stockhold-
ers, the letter of MIR. Lloyd to committee
OF tins House, and now OH lis files, es-
tabhshed that fact: and from the crcu-
lar letters of the Cashiers of tie Bank and
lis branches, published for information IN
The public prints, he had evidence of the
refusal 10 pay line notes of the Bank or
lis branches except where issued. There
seemed therefore 10 be sufficient nferma-
non TO authorize an enquiry Insufficient al
least 10 induce belief that there was
something To excite the agitation which
all knew 10 exist IN the public mind. II
had indeed appeared to him to be due
from him TO the House, to state what
charges he had heard against the Bank,
ana what were the objects 10 whica he was
lea 10 direct the enquiries fthe committee.
III had appeared 10 him proper, also, to
lei the Bank and the community know
to what objects The enquiry was pointed.
de could see 10 harm from the specific,
designation oftbe objects of the enquiry
but on the contrary, he said, good might
be anticipated, for Tie reasons already
stated. With these views, he could moi
assent 10 The modification proposed, and
should feel IT TO be his duty TO vote against
ii.
Mr.. LowNDEs, of S. Carolina, COM
| iChIdI Ms III IdfOT OF Inc pro-
posed amendment, by saying that he
should not vote for II from any apprehen-
sion OF defect of power i'm the house TO
prosecute the enquiry in the terms pro-
posed. He had 20 doubt OF The power of
The house, il the public interest required
II, TO direct committee TO make such
report. lie decidedly objected, however,
10 the specifications proposed TO be
stricken out, on the ground that, If re
tanned, the inference would follow, that
certain allegations we're therein embrac-
ed, the truth of which being confirmed
by enquiry, the censure Of Congress, if
not The penalty due TO violation of the
charter, would follow of course. Ii
committee should be directed to enquire
whether the bank has violated lis char
ter, and particularly whether il has paid
Its instruments by discount, &c. &c. the
impression would be made on the mind
OF every man that the committee had no.
| thing 10 do but 10 ascertain these facts
to prove the charter ofihe bank TO have
been violated. II did not comport with
justice, nor, Mr.. l.. thought, with the
| dignity OF the house-in case, too.
where the gentleman himself knew the
principles involved to be susceptible OF
much argument and discussion for and
against ibcn-to force the public mind,
as II were. TO the conclusion thai, certain
facts being proved. the charter Of the
bank will be proved to have been viola
| ted. Therefore, he was in favor of ex-
GLIDING the specifications: With regard
10 the objects OF them, he had no obiec-
lion whatever 10 an enquiry on these and
all others that might be suggested. The
nation, said he, has deep interest in The
conduct and management Of The bank
our duty 10 the people whom we repre-
sent, the national interest rs owners of
large portion of the stock, its interest in
The revenues being wholly payable in the