Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-01
T'wcHsy-tEaird COrlgress---:ld Sess
Thursday. Dec. lS.
IN SENATE.
run I. S. BANK REPORT.

Thursday, Dee ls
IN SENATE
L. s.
Mr.. Tyler said that nothing would please him more
than TO have the Report of the Committee which had
been furously nssaed by the Senator from Missouri
(r. Bcnton) referred 10 another Committee, for their
most rigid examination and he would like the honora
BILE Senator (Nir Benton) 10 he of the Committee
mir. Benton rose and extending his hand to Mr. Tyler
and approaching him at the time, said, Give
your hand on that should like land took his
seat by MIR. III
Mr. Tyler proceeded Let the honorable Senator sum-
mon his witnesses, and take dopostons without num-
Lar let him then return with his budget to this House,
and lay them, with without air OF triumph the
table But he would find himself mistaken All his wit
ncsscs combined would not be able TO overthrow the
hmony upon which the Report of the Committee is
based. There is single declaration in the Report
which IS not founded upon testimony which cannot lie
written documentary evidence, which party tesno-
ny overcome In times like these the gentleman
might be able to procure witnesses without number but
here (sad Mr. Tyler, laying his hands the documents
and papers referred to in the Rcpor proof strong
Tor the most furious parzan to assa with Upon
1t, he, for one, would rest.
The honorable Senator had denomnatcd the report
an elaborate defence OF the Bank. He had said that
it justified the Bank in its of curtanent during
the last winter and the early part Of the summer. Sir
If the honorable Senator had paid attention to tlc
reading, or had waited to have it in print he would
have haZarded such declaration. lie would have
perceived that that whole question submitted to
the decision Of the Senate. The Committee had pre-
scented both sides of the questionable view favo
rable and that most uiayorabc TO the institution. 1t
exhibited the of the Executive and those of
the Bank consequent upon thcm the side and the
available resources OF the Bank the other The fact
that its circulation of nineteen millions Of dollars pro-
tected by specie the of $40 eco 600 and claims
the State banks, exceeding So 600 600 which were
equal to specieat It's purchase of domestic exchange
had declined from May to October place is
disposal more than $5,n00,O G0 something than
doubt is expressed whether, under ordinary circumstan
the Bank would have been justified in curailng
discounts So, too in regard TO n perseverance in its
measures OF precauton long as ii did summary
facts is given to enable the Senate decide upon the
proprIcty of the pursued by the Bank Tive effort
OF the committee has been to present these subjects fair
y To the Senate and the country. They have sought
''nothing TO excnuate have they down aught in
malice" The statements presented to tbs Senator
for his calm and deliberate consdcratonto each Send
tor to be weighed becomes his high station And
what is the of the Honorable Senator' The mo-
ment lie hlr IT, could return to his seatom the Clerk
table, the gentleman pounces upon the report and makes
assertions which careful perusa oft would him
to know 1t does not contain.
On subject, the controversy relative the bill of
exchange and the damages consequent its protest the
Committee had expressed the opinion that the Govern
ment in error, and he, a member of that Commit
tee, would declare his own con Yicton that that opinion
sound and maintaina5lc before any fair and impair
tal tribunal in the world Certain persons started back
with alarm at the mention of court of Justice The
trial by jury had become hateful in their eyes The great
principles Of Magma C0rta To be overlooked and the
declarations contained in the Bill of Rights are be-
come too old fashioned to be valuable Popular pre-
JUDGES arc to be Addressed; and, instead of am APP
peal to the calm and deliberate judgment of man
kind, every lurking prejudice is to be awakened
because corporation or n set of individuals have
believed themselves wrongcd by the accounting officers
OF the Treasury, and have had the tencry aud inpu-
dcncc to take calculated TO bring their rights be-
fore the forum Of the courts Let those who see cause
to pursue this course rejoice they may please, and
exult i'll the which attends it. For one / re-
nounce it as unworthy American Statesmen The Com
nttee had addressed sober and temperate but firm
gument upon this subject to the Senate; and standing
in the presence Of that august body and before the whole
American People he rested upon that argument for Che
trush OF the opinion advanced An opinion for the hon
csty Of which, his own part Inc would avonch after
the most solemn MANNER under the unutteobe obliga-
| tons the was under to his Creator
The senator had also spoken ia strong language as TO
that part Of the report which related the committee of
Exchange. lie had SAID hat false Issue had been pre-
sentcd that the late Secretary Of the Treasury (Mr
Tancy0 had commended that the Bank had no rpht
to appoint committee of Exchange that such com
miitee appointed by all Banks In This last dcca-
ration the gentleman is correct. All Banks have a
committee to purchase exchange. But Mr. Il. would adj
mcnish the gentleman 10 beware. lie would find himself
eondcmnng him whom lie wished TO defend. Mr. Ia
ney very language is quoted in the report Tic places
Che violation of the charter distinctly ON the ground that
the business oftc Bank is entrusted to three members on
TIC Exchange Committee, when the charter requires
that not less than shall constitute board to do
ness His very words given i'm the report SO that he
cannot be misundcrstOoG and the commentary Of tho
committee consists in micro narrative Of facts Little
moro IS done than to give facts and the honorable Sena-
tor takes ;he alarm and in his effort TO rescue the late
secretary rom their influence, pluugcs him still deeper
The Senate had loudly talked Of the Committee hay.
ing been made an instrument Of the Bank For himself
nc TCnounced the ascrption He would tell the honora-
bic Senator That he could not be made instrument Of
by the Bank, by sill greater and more formidable
power, The Administration. lie stood upon that floor to
accomplish The pufposcs for which he was sent there.
In the conciousness Of his honesty he stood firm
aud erect lie would worship alone tic shrine Of truth
and Of honor. II was precious thing in the eyes of
some men to bosl in hc sunshine Of power Tic rested
only upon the support which had failed him Of the
high and Oity feelings Of ks constituents He would
not DC an instrument oven in er hands if II poss-
bic for them to require il Of him. crafty an uuretc
Gus motive
lie had not called fos Cen Cadwalladers report upon
the subject Of the Branch 81 Louis because he did
not see the necessity for It, The Bank was CHARGED in
the report Of tie Committee Of the other House in 1850
with having established branches without other motive
linn uic spread Of It's influence. This is the charae
which was inquired INTO and o gentleman letter lsr.
Wording the application 81 The citizens Of 81 Louis and
that Of Mr. Rush The Secretary Of the Treasury con-
tanned high evidence Of the propriety Of the establish
mcnt Of Branch at that place and relieved the Bank
FROM any improper oscription 10 that Branch The
report stated the fact that the Senator wrote that letter
Was il true falsoS
Mr. Reuion. Trme tfuei
! Aswcl, said Mr.. n miat lc Senator from Tennessee
/ (Mr Grundy) complain that bis first application in 1ai7
for Branch at Nashville was rejected ~ well as ali