The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-21

In the same speech the member from Massacha'
IA resolution was introduced into the House
from the Committee Of Ways and Means, declaring
thai II Is inexpedient TO charter National Bank
You may feel some interest 70 know how Ihai resp
luton was got up will tell you. fou viii recol-
lect that there were only two Opposition members on
the committee. The majority would do nothing Tor
the people, and the minority could do nolhing ex-
cent TO report the dongs Of their masters IN The CON-
miitee and the House 10 their masters TO the people;
and this al least l. for one, am resolved to do Very
many petitions from almost all the States sent
into Congress for the establishment OF National
Bank. These petitions as they were presented, oy
a mutual understanding, were referred TO the Com
mittee of Ways and Means, and suffered 10 lie on
the table till the whole should come in, when, as
was supposed, were TO b. taken up and considered.
SO The matter stood; when on the last day put one
on which that committee sat, the chairman Without
preface or explanation, introduced the above resou
ton.
Twas opposed by one Opposition member the
other being absent and the chairman was asked
what had become OF the petitionsl They yet lay ON
the table; bat the majority passed the resolution
without opening or reading one OF them. The re-
solution was sent in, and by the help Of the previous
question, was forced through the House. No doubt
can BE- entertained that the resolution came down
from the Executive in the precise form in which
passed. Here was great and most manifest out
rage on the liberties of the citizens. Al least they
have the right petition if they have no Others and
yet in time OF the greatest anxiety, when u was OF
the most vital importance the views OF the people
should be communicated 10 their representatives,
here was successful attempt on the part Of The Ex-
eculive to cut of this intercourse; 10 prevent The
voice ofthe people from being heard TO erect bar
rier between the people and their constituents
The member from Massachusetts states that on
the last day but one which that committee sat- the
chairman without preface or explanation, introduc-
ed the above resolution" The question was miro
duced three times before the committee, and twice
postponed AT the request of the minority-unce at
The suggestion of The member from Massachusetts
himself; and was ultimately postponed TO pariicu-
lar day with distinct understanding by every mem
Der that the question then to be finally disposed
of in the committee He further says thai the chair
man was asked 'what had become Of the petitionsP
The memorials pe,iioning for the corporation OF a
National Bank, were generally printed copies OF me-
MORALS which had been some months previously
prepared BIZ the Board OF Trade Of New York, and
circulated and published throughout the Union.
Numerous copies OF the same memorial had been
printed BY order of the House laid upon the tables
Of the members, were in the possession of the mem
bsrs ofihe committee, and many copies of the same
on the table Of the committee, in view of the
member from Massachusetts, al the time he says the
inquiry was made, "what had become Of the petit
tons 2" The contents of the memorials being fami-
liar to all, the reading was asked for by any
member OF the committee, and was not required
even by the member himself, who subsequently APP
pears as the advocate Of the petitioners The men,
Der from Massachusetts adds, no doubt can be en-
terained that this resolution came down from the
Executive in the precise form in which it passed. -
The resolution was drawn by the chairman ofthe
committee aiter discussion as to its form, and in
the presence OF the committee, and Of the member
himself. ~
The undersigned regretth absence Of Mr. Ow-
ems, of Georgia, prevents him from uniting with
them in reFelling the unwarransbie and inbound
ed charges Of the member from Massachusetts.
C. C. CAMBRELENG Of n York,
ISAAC McKIM OF Maryland,
THOMAS l.. HAMER of Ohio,
J. w, JONES of Virginia,
CHAS. G. ATHERTON of New Hamp.
r. BARNWELL RHETT Of s. c..
Washington, Dec, IL, 1887