Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-05-29
RETURN OF THE BANK COMMITTEE

From the National Intelligenoer
We are not in the least surprised to hear
that the honorable committee of the house
of representatives have returned to Wash
lngton to relate their misadventure. In
deed, we were prepared to expect them
back, from the moment we heard the well
defined rumors of the previous acquisitions
OF the committee addressed to the president
land directors of the bank; acquisitions
which, under existing circumstances, the
committee had no right to expect to be
complied with. Having made them. how
ever, and had them refused, il seems to
have been matter of course that the com.
miftee should return and report its failure
to the body which created it.
The simple facts arc, as we understand
them. that the committee under plea of ex
aiming whether the bank has violated its
charter, undertook to makea general search,
without definite legal object, and without
reference indeed to any particular viola
tlons OF the charter. If they could not
find one thing, we suppose, they though,
that they might find something else, and, if
nothing was discovered which established
any violation of the charter, sometime
might yet be discovered which might be
turned to the advantage of the party. To
enable this committee to make thorough
work, and indulge its curiosity without re-
serve, it sought to wrest the books Of the
bank from their owners, and make secret
inquisition of an investigation which the
committee had no right, legal or moral to
make otherwise than publicly. The pres
ident and directors of the bank have, it ap-
pears, by the advice of counsel probably,
resisted these pretensions of the committee
being ready, however, to exhibit to the
committee, at the bank, any books or pa
pers by which the committee should sup
pose they could establish any specific vio-
lation Of the carter of the bank.
Under the circumstances which proceed
ed and attended the appointment of this
committee, it was not to be expected lbatl
the president and directors of the bank
would submit to any inspection of the
books and proceedings of the bank, but
such as the charter authorized and requir.
ed them to undergo. The bank did it is
true, on former occasion, act differently /:
1t Indulged the committee in all its requests
and wishes, and vagaries, however unrea
sonable and exiravagant. Taught by ex-
perence that it made no friends by ell its
Irankness, and all the facilities it afforded
IN former occasion, it seems to have act
ed, now, under sense of duty strictly, and
without fear, favor or affection, towards
hose who they could not be ignorant, ap-
preached it With hostile dispositions.
In justice to The committee of congress.
however, we must allow, that they were
placed IN very awkward position by the
erms OF the resolution under which the,
we're appointed That resolution directed
heir inquiries to a number Of objects, OF
which the largest proportion had no refer
'nce or allusion to a violation of the char
er OF the bank. Concerning such objects. Il
II course, neither house of congress, MOI
10Th houses together, and the president to
sslst them, had The shadow of right to in.
tltute an inquiry, or to demand books and
apers from the bank. F.,
Some of the acquisitions which the COM i
nittee is reported to have made upon the
resident and directors of the bank, have $
allied forth expressions of the severesl
ondemnation; and will find few persons
'e venture TO predict, on the floor of con- ,
ress, to defend them.