Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-09-29
VOL. XI--No. $50

0y the Bank o. Inc United STATES. Ii was
commended in the bank, but Reproduced 10
him.
Mr.. Biddle rejoined. He though, that
all the censure which had been cas-, By any
one. on the present occasion, upon the
Secretary Of the Treasury, had been cast
upon him by the gentleman from North
Carolina. mr. McKAY.) That gentleman
had now told the House that he considered
the publication Of the circular as an i'm
prudent step. No doubt the gentleman
considered it expedlent that the whole
thing should have been kept quiet, and
that the members should have been simply
appr'zed, as they came, that they might
touch tho specie for their pny. Mr.. b.
had passed no such censure upon The Sec
rotary He, on the contrary, had sad
that the publication Of the letter was per-
fec'ly rights bu, that, having dscerned in
it what he thought was at least very liable
to pervorsion, he had offs ed an inquiry TO
know if the letter were genuine. He had
cast no censurc. He had spoken merely
of the bearings and tendency Of such q
measure. As TO the law OF 1886, that was
intended to apply equally to all creditors
OF the Government IF so, and this offer
was but compliance with that law. why
was not a similar offer made 10 all the
other creditors Of the Government, -
Would tho gentleman pretend that 1t had
been? The Secretary himself admitted
the contrary, aud in his report had told
Congress that he was utterly unable to do
any such thing. Such being the case, Mr..
b. wanted to know, and This was precisely
the point Of his inquiry, how the Secretary
came to exercise the tremendous power Of
DISCRIMINATING between public creditors?
On that question the gentleman had care
fully abstalncd from saying one word.--
What mockery was 1t to say that the
creditor was not obliged to receive any
note IN payment which was not equivalent
to specie? Suppose such a note offered
to one Of your officers in Florida. and he
should say, 81 will not take tina. :" what
was the consequence He must take his
chance for the means Of support How
comfortable TO be turned off with such an
alternative
The gentleman said Tho law allowed all
the creditors Of tho Government, to get
specie Tor their demands but was any
such offer made TO the Sla,cs' No such
thing. They could not &c, single dollar
The creditor may refuse payment in paper!
yes and is the poor laborer, when paper
or nothing is his alternative. to say. II
refuse 10 receive paper and TO let his
family starvc while he stands on the law Of
1886! What was this but adding insult
to mjury' Was it not mockery of the
public ds'resscs' And was it not the
duty Of this House TO ask The Secretary of
the Treasury on what principle il was that
he exercised this discretionary power.
lie bad pnt the inquiry IN order that when
they got the reply, they might &C, in such
manner MS the dignity Of that House
should require.
Mr.. Mckay. lie Gays that no such
offer was made to the States. True; and
for very good reason, tina, no lebr i. 6re
to the States. 1t is only transfer of the
surplus revenue from one part Of the
Treasury TO another: from the stronc-box
here TO the strong boxes in other places.
But here is better answer. Here is the
same Identical offer made to the States.
Here is the copy Of n circular from the
Secretary which will read to the House.
Mr.. Mex. here quoted an extract decar-
ing that no one Of the States was required
10 accept her quota IN any money watch
was not at par, and which she would not
be wiling so to credit in account
AS to the remark Of the gentleman, that
conceded the publication of the Secreia.
rvs letter was not prudent, only meant /.
go tar MS his own reputation was concern.
ed as it offered an opportunity for gen
lcmen to mlsln'erpret ii in the way which
Iva lo,,a
ing more than the law Of 1886
Mr. Biddie, 1t perhaps would rot al
together become me to engage in strur-
gle with the venerable gentleman from
North Carolina. "A laugh, Probably a,
The term venerable applied to so young a
man. only ask the House TO compare
this circular to the States with the circular
to us. Is there any thing IN the letter to
us about the embarrassmcnts Of the cnun-
try? Not q word. The States indeed
are told they need not accept paper. save
at par; but tee are told that we Shall touch
the specie. The States. If they refused
paper, might be put off indefinitely, bat
our pay was to be in hard cash, THIS is
the result of the comparison.
Mr.. Mckay called for the reading Of
the whole circular to tho States and it
was reed accordingly.
The resolution, as modified, was then
agreed to.
Mr.. Bel, Of Tennessee. offered the fol-
loving resolution; which lies for consider.
alton one dav:
ReSolrsd, That The Secretary of tho
Treasury be directed, Y,Shssfs,Altle delay
as possible, to commu~te House
the amount OF the approplia eSSss Dot the
past and present year remaining dnexpend.
ed: the amount required TO fulfil ali exist
ing engagements contracted prlor to the
lst day Of June last, and all existing en-.
GAGements CnnirAcle ed since lLni Ilmn