State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-09
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SPEECH OF MIR. WEBSTER,


MIR. Bentons resolution for approprO,ing the
Surplus Revenue to National Defence:
1t is not my purpose, MIR President, to
make any remarks ON the state of our af-
fairs with France. The time for that
discussion has not come, and wait. We
are in daily expectation of a communica-
ton from the President, which will give us
light and we are authorized to expect
recommendation by him of such measures
us he thinks it may be necessary and proper
for Congress 10 adopt. / do not anticipate
him. do not forerun him. In this most
important and delicate business, it is the
proper duty of the Executive to go forward,
aud l. for one, do not intend either to be
drawn or driven into the lead. When
official information shall be before U.S. and
when measures shall be recommended
upon the proper responsibility, i shall ell
deavor to form the best judgment | can,
and shall act according to its dictates.
rise now, for another purpose. This
resolution has drawn on debate upon the
general conduct of the Senate during the
last session of Congress, and especially in
regard to the proposed grant of the three
millions to the President on the last night
of the session. My main object is to tell
the conduct of the Senate fairly to the
public view. | owe this duty to the Sen
ote. ] owe it to the committee with which
am connected; and although what is per-
sonal to an individual is generally of too
little importance to he made the suble of
much remark, hope | may be permitted
10 say that, in matter, in regard to which
there has been so much misrepresentation,
wish to say few words for the sake of
defending my own reputation.
This vote for the three millions was
proposed by the House of Representatives
as an amendment to the fortticalion bill;
and the loss of that bill, three millions and
NIL, is the charge which has been made
upon the Senate, sounded over all the land,
and now again renewed. propose to give
the true history of this bill, its origin. its
progress, and its loss
Before attempting that, however, let me
remark, for it is worthy to be remarked,
and remembered, hat the business brought
before the Senate last session, important
aud various as it was, and both public and
private, was all gone through, with most
uncommon despatch and promptitude.
No session has witnessed a more complete
clearing off and finishing of the subjects
before us. The communications from the
other House, whether bills or whatever
else, were especially attended to in proper
season, and with that ready respect which
is due from one House to the other.
recollect nothing of any importance
which came TO us from the House of Rep
resentatives, which was here neglected,
overlooked, or disregarded.
On the other hand, it was the misfortune
of the Senate, and, as think, the msfor-
tune of the country, that, owing to the
state of business in the House of Represen-
tatives towards the close of the session
several measures which had been matured
in the Senate, and passed into bills, did
not receive attention, so as to he either
agreed to or rejected, in the other branch
Of the Legislature. They fell of course
by the termination of the session.
Among these measures may be mention
cd the following, viz:
The Post Office Reform Gill, which pass
ed the Senate unanimously, ard of the
necessity for which the whole country
is now most abundantly satisfied.
The Custom House Regulations Bill
which also passed nearly unanimously, at
ter a very laborious preparation by tn,
Committee on Commerce, and full dis
cussion in the Senate.
The Judiciary Bill, passed here by
majority of thirty-one to five, and whicl
has again already passed the Senate a
this session with only single dissentin
vote.
The Bill Mdemnifying Claimants 70
French spoilationS before 1900
The bill regulating the depoSite Of III
public moneys in the Opposite Banks.
The bill respecting the tenure Of certai
o6ices, and the po,oer Of removal from office
which has now again passed to be engross
ed, in the Senate, by a decisive majority.
All these important measures, natures
md passed in the Senate in the course @
the session, and many others whose impo
lance was less, were sent to the House O
Representatives, and we never heard an
ding more from them. They there Il UNI
their graves.
1t is worthy of being remarked, alsC
that the attendance of members of TN
Senate was remarkably full, particular
toward the end of the session. On tn
last day every Senator was in his place ii
very near the hour of adjournment, as til
journal will show, We had no breakin
up for want of quorum; no delay, n
calls of the Senate; nothing which wa
made necessary by the negligence or ina
tention of the members of this body. O
tue vote lot inc tnTee mllIlOfS OF uOllhT
which was taken at about eight clock
the evening, forty-eight votes we've give
every member of the Senate being in h
place and answering to his name. TIL
Is an instance of punctuality, dlligenc
and labor, continued to the very end of Q
arduous session, wholly without examp
ar parallel
The Senate, then, sir, must stand, in Il
Judgment of every man, fully acquitted