The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-01-29
CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHINGTON, llth January, Is12
DEAR SIR-Ihe News papers ui tnts cav
have made you acquainted with the chef toL-
ics OF discussion III Congress. The proper
ton which can be reported, OF what is sand ~
that body, Is small, owing 10 he'mliulle deal
that Is said, aud the construction Of the Halls.
, In the gallery OF the House ct Representa-
tIves, 1t Is difficult to hear lhe loudes, sneak
| eTs, and much IS lost within the bar, by the
most acute and attentive ears. The stenoy-
raphers, therefore, cannot AWAY. follow the
debates, or communicate with exactness. even
the purpOrt Of the remarks Of some O! our or
alOrs. II l. IN many Instances, luck that the |,
cannot for the floor is chiefly occupied by
those, who have tie least rigbt 10 cons,,,D,
the time OF the house, and waste the money
OF the people who employ hours IN declaim-
ing what imparts no light, and what would.
II literally iranslerred 10 the newspapers, OBJ
tain no credit Tor he country on the score OF
diction and logic. A considerable improve
ment IN The habits OF the House OF Represen-
tatives, was argued from the supposed in
provement IN lis composition but as vel
things 90 on in the OLD way. Some Of he
most noted Of Tie old prosers are still here
several OF lbe new members have manifested
a propensity 10 frequent harangues the desk,
remain, al which letters are written and DrD,-
papers are read, when the members DO nor a.
muse themselves with walking or running 70
and tro, or grouping in corners. Questions
are ADJOURNED from day to day, a practice
readily INDUCED in the early stages of a
session, but winch Is mischievous IN any. and
ought not TO obtain, except with conlplicste
and momentous subjects.
Mr. Randolph was silent last year, &, seems
disposed 10 make himself amends a. the pres
eni session tor his tacturnity, by taking part
10 the discussion Of almost every matter which
admits Of debate. He relates histories of for
mer times; eXpatiales upon his connexion and
glorious labours with the old republican par
~, and upon his present obscurity and rro-
scriptton be finds that things have actually
changed IN the progress Of years, and is much
scaDdallZed that tue affairs Of the republic have
undergone notifications as her size, popuIa-
ton aud wealth have increased. He mourps
over the constitution as being now, like the
horizon ofperfection, always flying before the
Pursuer he cannot sleep, TO use an Irish form
OF speech, for dreaming Of the exposed situa-
ton OF the public purse, end is never tired OF
repeating, " keep your money, and your
money will keep you
All this might be very well, with bis elo-
quent manner, were he and bis auditors bro't
together merely TO furnish memories pour SER
Ulr Phistotre. His "reminiscences, bis points.
his digreoslons, have, however, but poor
welcome, where so many others are impa-
tent 10 pour out their lay, and must be con-
sldered as little prejudical to the interests
OF the country, when immediate legislative
ACTON IS required by them Some days ago,
be began one of his speeches Oh what is now
called here, the Indian or Calhoun question,
with expressing his regret that so much per-
sonalIiy had been introduced into the debate,
not only in relation 10 the officers OF the
government, but to the members Of The house
As he proceeded, be called the heads Of de-
partments, the subdherns Of the Executive.
and talked Of the biunders of the handing
generals on the Niagara frontier, in the last
war, aiiudIng particularly TO General Smytb,
OF Virginia, OF proclamation memory, who
called hlm TO order. On resuming bis dis
course, be declared his Aversion 10 debate.
and continued 10 speak for a considerable
time. Among the multitude Of things which
he uttered, some were not altogether in as
good taste as might have been expected from
his refined reading for example, there
we're too many hungry mouths to be filed I'M
der all admInistratrons--too MANY dogs that
1oere reddy 10 eGt dirty bread and diriy pud-
ding"
Such phrase as this, would have suited
better Mr.. Hardin Of Kentucky who, by the
way, has not lost the ,igor Of lis tongue, nor
his downright modes OF argument. IN tie
question Of unaUaiiOble funds, 10 The TGeasu-
ry, he remarked, " let the inquiry proceed
| and when all was said and done, The gentle
man (Mr. Cook would find, tia. his own
State Of Illinois mad failed in debt to the. gov
eminent, 10 the amount of more than dollar
Tor every soul in it," Mr. Geek haG made
sudden and spirited Eruption INTO the pre-
cincts OF The Treasury Department, and great
ly excited The zeal Of the members parlicu-
larly vel Effected 10 that department. lie
succeeded ID carrying resolve which must.
ii is ,Uppused, draw forth some information
OF positive Dature, about the management oi
The naiLnsl funds in the western country. H.
was said, according 10 Mr. Cook, that large
depDsiies ct those funds had been made 10
state banks Of the west, after the credit Of
ihose banks bad become so much impaired,