Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-02-05
CONG RNoSfH& AN,
SENATE,
Dece m5er 27.

Mr.. Johnson, of Ken. said, he was
about to offer resolution TO the Senate,
which he was aware would present in.
trlnslc difficulties but, In obedience to
the general wishes Of the people Of the
safe which he in part represented, and
from the convictions Of his own mind, as
to the utility of the measure, if practica-
Die, he lad considered it his dpty to pro-
pose it for the consideration of the Sc
nate. Since the war with Great Britain,
he said The pecunlary distress ofthe west,
had been gradually increasing, until
within q very late period; he hoped that
the tide Of misfortune in the state ofKen-
lucky, was TOW subsiding, in consequence
of the measures OF relief which had been
adopted by the Legislature Of that State.
Two circumstances more than all others,
had augmented Tia, distress Of which
he had spoken. The premature resump-
ton of specie payment on the part OF the
Banks, and the policy olthc general gov
ernmon,, which denied to the west a just
proportion Of he public expenditure,
which he considered public grievance,
and which, be. had no donbt, would be
remedied by Congress, Whenever a pro-
per occasion presented itself. NIr. J.
said at this time the people Of kentucky
were deprived OF many benefits, resulting
from the Post Office Establish, .ent, ar
rising from the causes to which he had
adyerted and he was convinced that
his proposition would bring more revc-.
nue. 10 that department, many letters be-
ing returned TO the Genera. Post Office
as dead letters, for,he want of some such
accommodation. He also stated the fur
Their fact, that i, was well known, that the
money arising from he Post Office Is
tablishment, in the west, was paid 10
western contractors for carrying the mail;
and did not 80 into the Treasury of the
U. States as revenue. If the measure
could be adopted without injury to the
public, md could extend relief to suffer-
ing portion Of the community, he pre-
suned no indisposi.ion would be mani
tested against his proposition. II, on the
other hand, it were impracticable and in
consistent with the public,good, it would
be abandoned. He said that he very well
knew that the depreciation ofthe paper Of
the Bank of the Commonwealth of Ken
lucky, compared with specie, or whatwas
denonlinated Eastern funds, FOR the pay
Incnt of debts in Philadelphia and else
where, induced many gentlemen, at
distance, to believe that the currency, of
that state was OF little value. But he
would take this occasion to state the fact
that, within the state, the paper would at
this time, purchase as much real or per-
sonal property, as could have been pur-
chased by the same amount Of gold and
silver coin, when the Banks were in
prosperity, aud paying specie for their
notes. He had no doubt that such would
continue to be the result; for, while re-
lief had been given to the people By such
measure the greatest care has been Ia
ken to fix the institution vpon solid
fou,idation--Nfr. J. then submitted the
following resolution.
" Resolued, That the committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads be in
structed to inquire into the expcdiency
Of au,horising the Post Master General