Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-01-23


advantages and benefits, conferred by Its
charter, for the whole term. and that two
year, AFTER the expiration Of the charter were
allowed q 10 wind up lis Affairs, this meet
ing cannot but view this reason for the mea-
sure ia question, n amounting, in principle
and effect, To the assertion of a claim on the
part OF the President, TO shorten the term OF
the corporate existence Of the Bank. by an
exercise Of the Executive power, m defiance
Of the Legislative will, and OF the contract
made with the institution, plainly expressed
in the net of incorporation.
Rssoired, That this meeting. looking TO The
history Of this arbitrary and dangerous mes-
sure, a. IL has beea disclosed TO The public by
the President Of the United States himself, u
compelled Tn regard hisa 30 the real author
OF II, and has Secretary Of the Treasury rs
only the instrument by which he has exer-
cised his will and power.
Rsseired. That the provision OF the charter
Of The Bank. "thst the deposiies Of the mo-
ney Of the United states, In places where the
satd Bank and branches thereof should be a..
tabiished, should be made in the said Bank
and branches thereof, unless the Secretary
OF the Treasury should ~ any time otherwise
order and direct. an which case the Secretary
OF the Treasury should ,mnedisiely lay be-
Tore Congress, II IN session, AZ not, immediate
" alter Che commencement OF the next ses-
>ton, the reasons Of such order or direction. .
was plainly intended 10 give the Secretary
power To take away the deposiies from the
Bank, not at his own mere pleasure or ca
price, nor in compliance with the opinion OF
IN obedience TO the orders Of the Preaideni,
Out only for good cause; and for good cause
70 be reported 10, and judged Of, by the Con-
gress Of the United States.
Resolved, That the Legislature having In
the establishment Of the Treasury Depart
ment, taken especial care that 10 should not
be an Executive Department, with the obvi-
Gus design TO retain TO itself the absolute con-
trout over the public purse, a. by the Consti-
tuition u was bound TO do, the Secretary Of
the Treasury, IN the exercise Of any discrc-
tlonary power eonhded 20 him by law, = in
no~ise bound TO respect the wishes OF the or
ders OF the President contrary TO his own
Judgment OF what Is right or proper, but IL
bound TO respect the will Of the Legislature
declared By Law and that the rrssidcai, in
dfsmtssing Secretary Of the Treasury from
his Office, for refusing TO exercise the diserr.
tionary power vested IN him by Law, TO take
away the deposites frem the Bank, m COM
Piiance with the will Of the President, con-
trary 70 ms own Judgment, and ia appointing
successor known 10 concur in the views OF
the PRESIDENT, manifestiy for the purpose OF
conforming the action Of the Department
WIN ms viii, has perverted and abused his
mission Of officers, and has assumed to him
sell an illegal, unconstitutional and most dan
gerous PrerogstiVc.
Resolved, That considering that the Presi-
dent had submitted the question a. 90 m.
proPrieiy Of taking away the Deposites from
the Bank, TO Congress, at its last session. and
mat the House Of Representative (the pec,,-
Iiar guardian OF the Public treAsare) had, in
response TO that question, expressed its onin.
ioc, in terms not 10 be misnnderstood. Tia,
mere WAS no good reason for taking away
the dePosites from the Bank; and consider.
ing, too, that the Bank was acknowIe<l~edlv
a sale depository Of the public moneys;-
thls meeting cannot but apprehend, that the
ACT OF The Executive, taking away the depo-
sites from the Bank, in the recess OF Congress.
and so shortly before The annual meeting OF
tnat oody, was dictated by design TO prevent
lhe sense OF majority Of the two houses on
the subject from prevailing. and TO secure 20
the president, by the exercise Of his veto.
the power be had assumed over the deposites.
unless majority Of two thirds Of both houses
should concur IN measures to redress or cor
rect the evil; and II this was the design. as /,
certainly may be the effect of adopting this
measure in the recess Of Congress, this meet
ing regards this set Of the Executive, in this
we OF = also, ss gross, palpable and dan
gerous abuHo and pervePaiob OF the eoostIt,,-
tional powers Of the President.
Resolved, That as the Constitution Of the
On'ted States has jealousiy provided, that no
mooeys shall be drawn from the Treasure
but In consequence Of appropriations made by
law, and as the act Of incorporation Of the
BANK oi The United States, In effect, eonyti.
'nteo that Bank aud lie branches the Treasury
on the United States, by making them the
place where all public moneys should he d.-
posted and safely kept, Tor the use OF the
government according TO appropriations
made Oy law; therefore, in the OPINION Of thi.
meetAng, the late acts Of the Seeretarv Of the
Treasury, transferring large sums Of mouev
70 certain State Banks selected a. future de-.
Positories Of the public treasure, Hot for The
use OF the government, nor IN Consequence OF
@hy appropriation made ~ Law. but with the
ooflups, and, indeed, ayowe purpose. partIv
TO enable those State Banks 20 dIscharse ,I,s
balances they owed 90 the Bank Of the Iajsed
states out OF the public moneys so lransfer-
rec 20 ibem' and partly 10 sustain their credit.
ana 10 enable them 10 enlarge their opera.
toos, ~ IN advance or losn Of the pablie
meneys,-were, in principle and in eject =
witaorsWSi Of moneys from the Treasury
wI.hout ssy appropriation made by Law, aud
q siolabOa Of the Constitution.
Rsssirsd, That the Constitution N ,ha n
States, conforming, IN thi. psr,,eular ,,ish
TIE contributions Of all free governments. \
i"perauVsiy requires ard provides, hat the
soie ADJ absolute eontFoI ~ the public psrss
should Be vested add iealously retained Il, the
Legislature, end. especially. THAI no control
over u should be permitted 10 the H1ecu.
I'VE ana thai the assumption by the Prcsi-
oen', ~ TITS instance, Of q power 20 take
s~al Ne dePosiies Of the public moneys from
she Sank Of the United statea, 10 which thev
were destined By the Legislature; sad -
P'eee mem 70 any State Banks he may think
proper 20 select, uP0n such terms a. he nav
uee@ y prudent 10 siipuIsic, and 10 take
Az ~ such dePosites from those State Backs
eeein, sad 70 cenhde them 10 new dspcaIte-
- 81 his own selcction. at bis Will md plea
.efe, without authoftsy or regulation oflsH
e.'ounis 70 ~ assumption By TIE President. 81
-, 80, -, 'ssoiaie poUsr ossr ne Dubiic purse
ADD has direct tendency 10 eo,oeeo,rs,e 40
the gowers 81 golaFnn.ent ln IN. hnl.l.. -