Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-02-06


lures was presented. Gentlemen knew now Ia
bles ofthe House OF Commons Weie loauou VIZ 1s
these petitions at the commencement VI le
American war There was presented memo
rial from one Of the northern counties, by
WHO member against the American contest
and when the messenger brougnt one emu u II
to the Clerks table, the other END was not 10 De
seen A member remarked tnat tneie was tie
head of the petition, but where was the tallF II
was answered. that the tail had not yet left
Yorkshire
The proofs of public distress which were now
exhibited were of too earnest character 10 DC
scoffed at and too plain to be mistaken Inc
suffering pressed so hard upon the People, that
they scarcely could find terms adequate to its
expressions; they could hardly dare to trust their
lips to utter the results of their CONVICTIONS
This was the present state of things A great
degree Of public distress existed and the cause
of that distress was now to be investigated. 1t
had been commended on one side, that the cause
was to be found in the removal Of the deposites,
and the breaking up of the u. S. Bank. On the
other hand it was asserted that it was all attr-
butable to the conduct of the Bank itself, which,
Notwithstanding the attempts made to put IT
down. and the obloquy with which it was assail-
ed being in possession of the means of relieving
the existing distress, ought to have applied its
funds for the purpose of affording such relief.
He deemed it of great importance, that in the
existing circumstances Of the country, the Bank
should do what it could, and should convince
the People that it extended all the relief in its
power to yield. 1t was its duty to exert its pow
er, to the verge of its own safety, for the pur-
pose of assisting the property and industry OF
the country to sustain itself under this unprecc-
dented weight of distress. He trusted that the
Bank would do so; it ough to do it; it was its
duty to do it.
But it was necessary that it should keep in
r.. -itI tIot
its charter had only two years to run, and that
any thing like instantaneous collection OF
its debts would be impossible, without pressing
the industry Of the country to ruin. It's only
course therefore, was that which was dictated
by strict prudence, and that it ought, under that
dctation, to give effect, to the full extent of its
power to the earnest solicitude which he be-
lieved that it felt to relieve the country. But,
on the other hand, the rule of prudence requir-
ed that it should have constant regard to its own
safety and to the necessity which existed for
winding up its affairs within the time prescribed
by law The Government had taken its stand,
and declared its purpose to be the collection and
distribution of its revenue by means Of the State
Banks alone; it had held out the idea that this
scheme would be successful, and had pledged
itself to carry it through; still he trusted that
the Bank would discharge its duty; afford evil
dence that there no fault in its conduct;
and prove that while charter remained to it,
it would relieve the public Distress as far as it
could do so with safety; and beyond the line of
safety it would not be justified in advancing a
step.
He knew not what would be the extent to
which the public distress would Increase, or
where it was to terminate; but he thought he
could foresee the end of those public men who
closed their ears against the cries OF distress
which were coming in from all parts of the
country. The fact of the existence Of distress
was now evident. FIe implored gentlemen
round him, whose tables were loaded with petit
tons from the People, to recollect that in the
history Of the last twenty years, there had not
been found in this country an equal amount of
distress. While this distress was so strongly
felt along the Atlantic, from Maine to New Or
leans it must be the result, from settled causes
that the tide will flow inward and run up all the
little streams, in the valley of the Mississippi
until it extended itself into every section of the
Union.
Mr.. WRIGHT said that he thought that too
wide an extension had been given to the facts
admitted on the subject Of the existing distress
He stated that he differed with the signers of
this petition both as to the cause of the distress
and the remedy to be applied.
The motion was then agreed to- and the petit
ton was referred.
Mr.. POINDEXTER then moved that the Sc
nate take up the resolutions which he had laid
before the Senate on Friday; which motion was
agreed to-
Mr. POINDEXTER then, by general con
sent, withdrew his call for the yeas and nays.
At the suggestion ofthe CHAIR, who object
ed to the first resolution, and part of the third,
on the ground that they were similar to resolu-
tons already offered and REFERRED
Mr. POINDEXTER modified his resolutions
by striking out the first, and the latter part Of
the third resolution.
Mr. GRUNDY moved that the Senate adj
journ, which was negatived Yeas Is.
The third resolution was resisted as too indie
finite in its language, and, on the call of Mr..
MORRIS, the yeas and nays were ordered on
its adoption.
On motion of Mr.. CALHOUN, the third re-
solution was then laid on the table, Ayes %,
Noes IA.
On motion Of Mr.. MORRIS, the remaining
resolutions were then laid on the table: Ayes 81,
Noes IS.
The Senate then adjourned.
House Of Representatives.
After the ordinary business of routine, the re-
D1,,tiD Of Mr. f,a &c