The native American., 1837-09-09
A NATIVE AMERICAN.
MEETING OF CONGRESS.

,.t# A NATIVE AMEhlCAN.
MEETING OF CONGRESS.
Mr.. Editor On the 18th day of May last, the Pre-
sident OF the United States deemed it fit andexpedient
by his proclamation, to Congress- which time
OF meeting was fixed on the first Monday in Septem-
ber making nearly four months from the date Of said
proclamation, the shortest possible time the desired OBJ
lect could be effected in. For this obvious reason
had no Congress, but few of the States at tie time
being represented That such state of things should
exist IS most strange but not less true. An inerreg-
num- or no Congress at ALL never was contemplated by
those great, good, and wise who framed that
cred instrument the constitution Of the United States,
as VIII De clearly shown by the following extract from
the 4th section of that instrument, as follows:
"The House Of Representatives shall consist of
members chosen every second year by the people Of
the several States The times, places, and manner Of
holding elections for Senators and Representatives shall
re prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof
but the Congress may, at any time By La,o, make al
Ter such reguaons except to the place of choosing
Senator's
That the Congress have never, as yet, exercised the
power thus vested in them by the constitution, is some-
what singuar and It hoped that the ensuing session
will not be suffered 10 pass without the action of Con-
gress upon the subject and that law NAV be passed
fixing on some day in October, Gas for instance. the
State of Pennsylvania hold their elections in October
preceding the termination of the second session Of
Congress- consequently, that State is at all times fully
represented !" SoHgress) Wnen the elections shall
take place simultaneously throughout every State in
the Union. Then in that case the will Of the peoplo
would he fairly and honestly expressed, the influence
Of large State be brought to bear upon lesser or
small State; and again, there would be no interreg-
mum, or want Of Congress. Should an emergency
occur again, Congress could be called together sixty
days after the issuing Of the Presidents proclama-
ton.
The purport Of convening Congress, as understood,
was Tor the relief of the merchants indebted to the
Government for duty bonds, which, owing to the de-
rangement of monetary effars, they we're unable
to meet 1t Is true as informed, the Secretary
OF the Treasury, by and with the concurrence of the
President Of the United Staes (under certain regua-
tons entered into between the collectors and the mer.
chants granted an extension Of the time for liquida-
ting the duty bonds to October next and that there
was not precedent for the action in that case of those
two high dignaries, will not call in question, but at
the same time am opposed to precedents inasmuch
as bad precederts much likely to be followed
than good
The relief granted is but partial Congress alone
can grant the relief applied for, and redress the griev
ances complained off, in full and perfect manner.
PETRE.
WILLIAM H. CRAWFoRD-APPoINr
TO OFFICE-I'HE CONGRESS OF THE
TED STATES.
TO the Editor offhe Native american.
MSir-A gentleman who formerly lived in Washingtcn
has favoured me with facts in relation to the ap
pointing of foreigners Offices under the poyernment
from which had wished prepare article that might
be acceptable to you, and the readers of your paper
but 1t is not now convenient therefore Offer simply
extract from his letter. Indeed, am not sure that
the most elaborate article would do the subject more
justice.
''During portion Of Mr.. Monroe's administrator
the General Land Office acquired the appellation Of
sthe Foreign Office" in consequence Of the great num-
ber Of foreigners, who appointed to Clekships in
it through the influence of the then Chief Clerk who
was foreigner, The late VIM. H. Crawford one Of
the chief pillars Of the Democratic party was at that
time Secretary of the Teasury and on the fact beinr
brought to his notice, he dismissed several of the prn
clpal clerks who were foreigners and in great mea
sure controlled the Office. Mr.. Crawford, althonoh
extremely reluctant to interfere with appointments In
any of the inferior Offices felt duty to the coun
try to exercise control over the appointments in the
General Land Office, so far as to scrutinize every NOM
lnatlon submitted to hm and he did sanction the
appointment of foreigner. The preference which he
manifested for natives in appointments to office. was Il
keeping with the exclusive patriotic devotion to his
country for which his whole public career was sona
lzed. This feeling, so honorable in Mr.. Crawford
1t is to be regretted, does seem to dwell in the bo
SONS of all of heads of Departments at the
days but ls source of graduation to the country thai
the peope at large recognze and are governed bv Il in
the selections Of their representatives. as an evidence
this, we need only refer the Congress of the United
States. The Senate is erclusircly composed of natr
citizens and it is believed there is only one reigner 6v
birfh IN The House of Representatives The voice of
the peopeis clearly against the appointment Of foreign
ers to office; and, should be regarded by all who
spect the majesty of the people, as omnpoten and i'm
perative upon this subject"
XXX