Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-15


merely in consequence of the absence OF Sena-
tor who would have been much more competent
to the discharge Of the duties which 1t imposed
He went into the consideration OF these claims
somewhat prejudlced against them, and entirely
uniformed as 10 their precise nature and extent.
Nor had he any interest in the decision OF these
claims. Living in the interior Of the country,
he had been all his life stranger to the seaboard,
and consequently could not be supposed to have
any personal interest in the settlement OF the
question. He had gone into the examination OF
the subject; and the result was tlrm CONVICTION
that the claims were founded in justice, and that
the Government was bound to give the sallsfac-
ton. When this bill came up in Its regular or
der, there were seven or eight OF the Senators
absent, not only from their seats. but from the
city. In consequence Of this deficiency IN the
Senate, he had himself laid the bill on the table.
Such had been the constant pressure OF import
ant business in the Senate, subsequently,, that ne
had suffered the bill to remain on the table. he
had permitted it to lie there while the Bank
question was before the Senate. That question
having been disposed of, he thought that this was
the best moment to press the consideration OF the
bill He was aware that there was still very i'm
portant business awaiting the action OF the Sc
nate; and he thought also that this bill must ne
cessarilv provoke considerable discussion.-
He wished to avoid any discussion which was
not absolutely necessary; and it the experience
of the learned Senators who had just spoken led
them to the conviction that the Senate could not
get through with the bill at the present session.
to their experience and judgment he would feel
himself compelled to yield. 1t would be entire
ly useless to take up the bill at all, unless de-
cison could be reached In his preliminary re-
marks, if it was taken up, he should take up as
little time as possible; but, as he was not gifted
with the power of condensation, he could not de-
liver what he should feel it to be his duty to ex-
press, in less than day or two.
Mr.. Clay, seeing that 1t would be totally i'm
practicable to act OH the bill, moved to lay it on
the table.
He withdrew his motion at the request OF
Mr.. Chambers, who explained his former re-
marks. He had only intended to throw out the
idea that the principles of the bill were not so
difficult Of comprehension as to require any
heightened discussion. But he admitted that
there would be found some difficulty in adjusting
the amount to be paid. He expressed an appre.
hensIon that if the claims were postponed till the
next session, they would then be found not to
have advanced single step; and he should begin
to despair Of any adjustment.
Mr.. Clay stated in reply that If any one sup.
these claims, dollar for dollar, and to appropr.
ate the full amount of these claims, thus adjust
ed, out OF the Public Treasury, nothing could be
further from his intention. He considered the
claims to have been worth something in 1905
what that something was. he was willing to fix,
and to pay it. It was only On this principle that
he would vote one cent to the claimants
He adverted to the fact of the remuneration OF
the claims on France, as having affected their va
Iue. He was willing to pay an equitable consl-
deration for them.
Mr.. Tyler said that he had looked into these
claims as assidiousy as the Senator from Penn
sylyauia had but he had come to precisely an OPP
posite conclusion from that Senator. They had
received the final action Of Committee before
the Senator from Maine became member OF this
body: the report which was made being decided
ly adverse to their allowance. He stated that
many of his constituents were deeply interested
in the decision Of these claims.
The bill was then laid on the table.
On motion of Mr.. Tazewell, the Senate pro.
ceeded to the consideration of Executive business.
In the House Of Representatives, the bill tor
re -chartering the Bank Of the U. States coming
up for consideration.
Mr.. Wayne withdrew his motion to postpone
the consideration of the bill to the first Monday
ofJuly next; whereupon i
Mr. McDuffie moved that the consideration OF
the bill be postponed to Monday next. He was
DESTROYS to keep the bill within the control Of the
House. Gentlemen would have every opportunity
of Offering amendments which they would have
if the bill were in committee; and the House
would have it in its power to close the debate
within any reasonable time, so as to prevent the
necessity of putting off the day OF adjournment.
He, therefore, thought that gentlemen on beth
sides, the opponents as well as the advocates oil
the Bank, who were, as he was, favorable to an
early adjournment, should OF course be IN favor
of the motion he had made
Mr.. Wayne objected to the motion OF the gen.
tleman, Mr. McDufie) because besides being
calculated to create an expectation abroad that
the Bank Bill would certainly be acted upon on
Monday next, or at some time in this session, he
thought the interests of the Bank and those OF the
country at large required such reference OF the
bill to-day, as would indicate to the public and TO
ourselves, the direction which would be gwen to
it for discussion.
Mr.. r. nj. johnson said, he was unwilling that
any proposition should succeed which might In
interfere with the discussion of the Tariff ques-
,;onsSard no honed that this business would not |