Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-01-17
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"WEDNESDAY. Dccc1nher OIL

Ohio:
Rcsoired by The !Scnaie and Tic House Of Rcpresen-
tahrei, &c. That the Treasury order ofth eleventh
day OF July, Ammo Domni one thousand eight humid
dred and Thirty six, designating the funds which
should be receivable III payment for public lands be-
and the same is hereby, rescindcd.
Resoiued also, That it shall not he lawful for the
Secretary ofthe Treasury to delegate any person.
OF to any corporation, the power Of directing what
funds shall be receivable for customs, for public
lands shall he make any discrimination in the
funds receivable, between different Individuals
or between the different branches Of tho public re-
| venue.
MIR. Webster addressed the senate as follows:
Mr.. President: The power Of dsposing of this
important subject is in the hands Of gentlemen, both
| here and elsewhere, who are not likely TO be in
| iucnced by any opinions Of mine. have no mo-
| tive, therefore, for addressing the Senate but TO
| discharge public duty and 10 fulfil the expect
atoms Of those who look to me for opposition, whc-
! Their awaiting or unavaing,to Whatever believe 10
be illegal or injurious to the public interests In
both these respects, the Treasury order of the lth
of July appears to me objectionable. think il not
warranted by law, and think it also practically pre-
judicial. think it has contributed not little to
| the pccuniary difficulties under which tho whole
country has been, and still is laboring and that lis
direct effect on particular pant Of the country is
still more decidedly and severely unlavofablc.
The Treasury ORDER or Treasury circular, of the
llth Of July last, is addressed by the Secretary TO
! the receivers of public money! and to the depositc
banks. ltinsructs these receivers and these banks
after the 18th day Of August then next, to receive
in payment of the public lands nothing except What
is directed by existing laws, viz: gold and silver,
and in proper cases, Virginia land scrip provided,
that till the 18th Of December then next the same
! indulgence heretofore extended, to the kind Of
money received, may be continued, for any quantity
Of land not exceeding $40 acres 10 each purchaser
who is an actual settler, or bona fidc resident in
! the State where the sales made.
| The exception in favor Of Virginia scrip is found
| ed ON particular act Of Congress, and makes no
! A.. oil . =
| therefore, to refer further to that exception The
substance Of the general instruction is that nothing
but gold and silver shall be recey ed in payment foi
public lands provided, however, that actual settlers
! and bona fde residents in the States where the
sales are made, may purchase in quantities not ex-
ceeding 500 acres each, and be allowed to pay as
| heretofore. Bnt this provision was Limited to the
! 18th day of December, which has passed so
that by virtue Of this ORDER gold and silver is now
required Of all purchasers, and for all quantities.
am very glad that resolution 10 rescnd this
order has been thus early introduced; and am
glad, too, since the resolution is 10 be opposed that
opposition comes early in bold, unequivocal and
| decided form. The order, it seems, is TO be de-
Tended being both legal and USEFUL its de-
| fence Then be made.
The honorable member from Missouri (Mr. Ben
ton objects even TO giving the resolution 10 rescind
a second reading. He avails himself of his right
though itbe not according to general practice TO
arrest the progress Of the at its first pro-
gress. This, at least, is open, bold, and manly
warfare.
The honorable member, in his elaborate speecb.
POUNDS his opposition to this resolution and his sup
port Of the Treasury order, those general prin-
cipcs respecting currency, which he is known TO
entertain, and which he has maintained for many
years. His opinions of us regard as ntoce,he
, ultra and mpractcabe; looking TO state of things
not desirable in itself, even If it were practicable ;
and If it were desirable, as being far beyond the
power of this Government TO bring about.
The honorable member has manifested much per-
| md ali
! support Of his opinions; he is understood also to
have had counenance from high places and what
new hopes Of success the present moment holds out
to him, am not able to Judge, but we shall probably
soon see. Ii Is precisely on these general and long
known opinions that he rests his support OF the
Treasury Order. a question, therefore, is at once
raised between the gentlemans principles and opin-
IONS on the subject of the cur oncy aud the prnci-
pies and opinions which have generally prevailed in
the country and which are, and have been, entirely
opposite 10 his. That question is now about 10 be
put 10 the vote 0: the Senate. In the progress and
by the termination of this discussion, we shall learn
whether the gentenlans sentiments are or are not,
TO prevail so far, al least the Senate is concern
ed. The country will rejo.ce, am sure TO sec
some declaration of the opinions Of Congress on a
subject about which much has been said and
which is so well calculated, by its perpetual agita-
ton, 10 disquIet and disturb the confidence Of So
ciey
We are now fast approaching the DAY when enc
Administration goes out Of office and another is to
come in. The country has an interest IN learning
as as possible whether the Admlnistf alton,
while it receives the power and patronage, is to
inherit, also the topics and the pro ects Of the pas
whether it Is TO keep up the avowal Of the same
objects and the same schemes, especially in regard
10 the currency. The order Of the Secretary is
prospective, and, on the face Of II, perpetual. No
thing in about gives it the least appearance &C
temporary measure. On the contrary, its terms
imply no limitation in point OF duruuon, and the
gradual manner In which it rs 10 come into opera
! ma nf NAL n 10 tha
settled and permanent policy Of Government. In
deed, II is but now beginning lis complete existence
II is only five or SIX days since its full operation has
commenced. Is it to stand, as the law of the land
and the rule Of the Treasury, under The Admins
traton which is 10 ensue And those notions
Of an exclusive specie currency and opposition to
all banks, which i is defended, to be espouscd
and maintained by the new Adminisra ion, they
have been by It's predecessor These are ques-
tons, not of mere curiosity but ofthe highest interest
| TO the whole country.
In considering this order, the first thing ma uraly
is TO lock for the causes which led to it, or
| signed for its PRONUNCIATION. And these, on the face
of the order ITSELF are declared to be "compainty
| which have been made Of fra uds, specuations and
monopolios in the purchase of the public lands and
! the aid which is said to be gwen to effect these
objects by excessive bank Credits and dangerous #
not partial, facilities through bank drafts and bank
depostes, and the general evil influence likely to
result 10 the public interest, and especially the safety
| ofthe great amount Of money in the Treasury, and
the sound condition OF The currency OF the country,
from the further exchanges Of the national domain
in this manner, AMI chiefly for bank credits aud
paper money"
This is the catalogue of evils to be cured by this
order. In wha, these frauds consist what are the
monopolies complained Of, or what is precisely in
tended by these injurious specualions, we are not
! Informed. All is left on The general sunrise of
fraud speculation and monopoly. Ii is not ayowed,
or intimated that the government has sustained any
loss, ellher by the receipt Of bank notes. which
proved not to be equivalent to specie, or anyother
way. And it is not litle remarkable, that these
evils offradd, speculation and monopoly, should have