Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-03-08
REPORT OF THE BALTIMORE COMMIT
TEE.

The Delegation appointed by the meeting of
the Signers of the Memorial for the restoration
of the Government Deposites to the Bank OF the
United States, held at the Exchange, in the City
! of Baltimore, on Thursday, 9th February, 1884,
Respectfully beg leare to Report:
That in compliance with the duty required of
them by the meeting, they proceeded with the
Memorial to the City of Washington, on Mon
day the 10th of February, and Immediately APP
olied themselves to the accomplishment OF the
objects of their mission. They visited Gen.
Chambers, of the Senate, and received from
him assurances of his warm support; and the
Memorial being placed in his hands, it was &C
cordingly presented to the Senate on the follow
inc Wednesday, with such notice OF 1t as was
calculated to insure it a respectful consideration
from that body. The delegation also visited
Mr. P. Heath one of the representatives of the
CITY of Baltimore. They found him actively
disposed to promote the wishes of the sgners OF
the Memorial, and, equally with Gen. Chambers,
kind and assiduouS in his attention to the dele
CATION. They had also the good fortune to en-
list the regards of many members OF both Hous-
es of Congress- who promised them ready CO.
operation and support.
The delegation regret that the same favor
was not extended to them by the other repre-
sentative from the city of Baltimore, Mr.. Isaac
McKm From the elevated position which that
gentleman holds as the representative, In part,
Of great trading community, himself extern
siyely engaged in commerce, and supposed TO
be conyersant with the varied interests of the So
ciety in which he lived, the delegation were dis
posed to attach some importance to his efforts
i'm behalf of the objects of the Memorial And
they felt the more anxious on this score, as they
had understood that Mr.. McKim had given the
sanction of his name to the opinion that the u
ty of Baltimore had not suffered by the recent
- 81 Nd fiuSf
of the nation:-an opinion which they did not
doubt they would effectually remove from his
mind by the cogency ofthe evidence which they
were enabled TO furnish under the sign manuel
of so large and respectable meeting OF his
constituents. And it is due TO MIR. Mchlm, to
say that in his interview with the delegation
whatever might have been his former opinions
he no longer doubted the reality ofthe distress
in the CITY of Baltimore. This fact Mr.. McKim
admitted and also acknowledged that in his
Judgment the removal of the deposites was a
wrong and injurious measure. This convichon,
however he ntimated could not change his
course in reference to the subject of the remov-
al His remark was "that the act was done;
and that he should therefore at all hazards vote
with the Government" The reason assigned
by him for this determination was that he had
some influence with the Executive which he
might turn to the advantage of his constituents,
and that he did not wish to lose this by differing
with the Executive in opinion: Moreover, that ne
was elected to support Gen. Jackson and would
do so at the risk of his life and fortune: that no
friend of the administration could differ in opin-
ion with Gen. Jackson, and preserve his inf1u-
ence: that any attempt to advise Gen.Jackson, by
his friends, would be met with an expression of
displeasure, and as an instance of this, MIR. Bibb
had once attempted it, and was told, In cOnse-
auenCe,-"When the President wanted MN ne
would send for him."
With these sentiments, Mr.. McKim seemed
particularly anxious to avoid being asked TO
present the Notwithstanding that II he
were TO present it, it would operate TO his disad-
vantage and also saying, that he would be eX
pected to present the conference.-the, which
was then preparing in Baltimore.
These declarations on the part OF Mr.. MCklm
even if the delegation had designed to request
him to present the memorial in the House OF
Representatves,-and many remarks OF a SINH
lar import, sufficiently indicated to the delega-
ton that they had nothing to hope from his ser
vices, and they, accordingly, forebore to hold
further intercourse with him on the subject In
deed from a gentleman holding position IN
society which gave him every privilege OF indie
pendence, and invested also with public sta
ton as the representative OF an intelligent and
patriotic community, who have always been
accustomed to expect, and ready to applaud, the
exercise of an upright and independent judy
ment by their official servants-the delegation
were not prepared TO hear confessed such COM
plete submission to the views, present and future
of the Executive; nor did they believe, until
now, that the acquisitions made by the EXecu.
tive upon its supporters were of so eXacting and
rigorous a character, as seemed to be inferred
by the objection of Mr.. McKim:- especially as
they had recently seen many evidences in both
houses of Congress- in which some of the most
devoted followers of the party in power were
not afraid to do justice to their own constituents,
in the presentation of Memorials that certified
the public distress, even 10 the ear of him who
claims to be the Government.
II was therefore with more confident assu-
rance of efficient and that the delegation be-
took themselves to Mr. Heath, whom they now
determined to solicit to lay the Memorial before
the House ofRepresentatives This gentleman
presented that document to the House, on Mon,
day the 17th and recommended it by speech
which has since appeared in the public Journals
and which has won him the thanks OF his fellow
citizens;-a speech that glows with the fervol
of manly mind, and evinces spirit that can
not be warped from its duty either by the zeal
of Executive denunciation, or by the hope o.
preserving, through blind obedience and serVlIe
submission q share of Executive favor.