Litchfield enquirer., 1838-03-01
C42 q: 81. 8 H.I!I a

| ate a resolution of the Legislature OF Penn
Sylvania, which received from Gov. kitner,
on yesterday afternoon, requesting their
Representatives in Congress, ana lnStructlng
their Senators, "to vote and use their lnflu-
ence for a postponement until the next ses-
sion ofCongress, OF the ACT introduced Oy tue
honorable Silas Wright, of New York, COM
monty called the Sub Treasury bill, or any
other act or acts of similar character; and
that they vote at this session for no act of n
similar nature" The Legislature, also, by
the sasne resolution, declare that they shave
full confidence in Martin Van Buren,, and in
the wisdom and intelligence of their demo-
cratic Senators and Representatives in Con-
gresS;" and further instruct and request
their Senators and Representatives "to vote
for such Il mode OF receiving, keeping, and
discussing the public moneys, as we'll as
separate as far as practicable, the banks from
theGovernment."
Mr.. Buchanan then made some remarks
upon the course he intended to pursue, in the
peculiar position in which he was placed, and
stated that his opinion upon the subject re-
manned unchanged, "hut ana instructed"
said Mr.. B. sand it remains for me to decide
what course / ought to pursue under this
change of circumstances. shall therefore
not disobey my Instructions"
Upon questions of mere expediency, in
which no constitutional principles are in
volved, it ought to be very, strong case to
induce the Senator to abandon his post. If
every difference ofopinion between the Sen
ator and his Legislature should produce this
effect, the right of instruction itself would
soon grow into disrepute, and the Senatorial
term of six years, would terminate whenever
such conflict of opinion should arise.
can conceive of extreme cases, in which,
on questions of mere expediency, an honora-
bic man might feel himself degraded in even
becoming the agent to give the vote of his
state. No person of any with whom have
case and am confident in my own opinion
upon this subject by the example of the SEN
ator from Tennessee-Mr. Grundy. shall
therefore obey my instructions honestly and
in good faith; and like him, on every occa-
sion ofproposed amendments, shall give such
vote as Il fair and honorable opponent OF
the bill ought, in my Judgment, to give.
Mr.. Buchanan then presented the resolu-
tions, and on his motion, they were read, and
ordered to be printed, and laid on the table.
He also gave notice that he would at the
first convenient opportunity, after consulting
his colleague, move in obedience to his in
structions, to postpone the bill reported by
the Senator from New York until the next
session OF congress.
The Sub Treasury BiN.-Mr. Cl1y being
entitled to the floor, rose and addressed the
Senate at large in opposition to the bill, and
on the various topics connected with it-com-
prising a history of the fatal experiments of
the late Administration on the currency, and
q development of the premeditated, system
attic, and mischievous design of the late Pres
ident of the United States in relation to the
banking institutions of the country, with
viewto the ultimate establishment of Gov
eminent or Treasury bank, which policy this
Sub Treasury bill is one ofthe steps for car
rying out and effecting. s1sa)|
Speaking of the bill before the Senate, Mr.. |
G. said" We have before us Il bill which, /
in the mildest use of the term, must be con- |
sidered of tremendous Importance. Is it
right, at this late day, to introduce such a
measure before this country as its rule of f.
nance! Is it wise to drag such an expert
ment before us ask" continued MIR. Clay, |
Gin all sincerity Of purpose. 1t is not. But |
rejoice that it cannot become law of Con-
gress, and my heart is made glad with the
declaration and warm expressions of public !
opinion which every where I'see around me, |
rising in clouds.
"'rhc Key Stone State" continued Mr.. c., |
"God bless her, has sent in instructions, and (
one of Scr sons has this very day borne the [
message of his State to your Legislative
Halls. Ifother Senators would obey instruc-
tions, or vote according to the dictates of their
consciences, and throw party aside for patri- !
otism, the bill not only could not pass the |
Senate, but would be defeated by vote of
50 to II. And why should not honorable !
Senators obey their instructions, when pro.
Tossing so much faith in the doctrine of in |
struc,ion. Here Mr.. Clay alluded to the in
structions from New-York to Mr.. Wright, as
another evidence of the great revolution in
the politics Of the country. The world, he |
said, had not before or since half such won.
dertul revolution.
In regard to the rules to be proposed to the
Sub Treasury Bill, proposed by Mr.. Rives,
Mr.. Clay said--I shall vote for 1t as substi-
tute TO the Bill before the Senate, upon the
principle that ifa physician held two medi.
cines out before me-the one in each humid
and one deadly poison, and the other
harmless anodyne, he should take the mild
and harmless medicine in preference 10 the
poison. I shall vote for it as preferable to
the Bill of the drawer at the White House.
or the Bill Of the White House endorser from
South Carolina, or the Chancellor of the Elk.
chequer from New-York.
Mr.. Clay then followed with his perora.
ton, which consisted entirely of an appeal to
the patriotism of the Senators. He Insisted
that IT Senators voted according to insiruc-
tons and known opinion oftheir constituents.
the Bill would be defeated IS to IL. Mr.. C.'s
peroration was wonderfully eloquent, and
called forth the wonder and admiration of all
present. e5 -
Mr.. Calhoun followed and said, in man.
ner as cross and Grabbed ms YOU can imagine
The Senator has perverted nearly NH I
SAID, and ms for his personal remarks, shall
take my own good leisure, and fully paw off