Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-04-26

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From the Boston Atlas.
MR.. WEBSTER AND THE RICHMOND
ENQUIRER.
II is so rnre we meet with fair minded
and un-prejudiced political criticism in the
Richmond Enquirer. that we cannot refrain
from quoting the following account by a cor
respondent Of the effect OF MIR Wcbsters late
speech in tho Scnate:-
Extract Of a letter from gentleman al Wash
ingion, 10 his friend IN Richmond,
VIEWS OF THE CURRENCY
A SCENE IN THE SENATE.
81 heard that distinguished debater Mr..
Wcbster) some time ago in the Senate OF
the United States in reply to Mr Calhoun,
who had made a formal long speech upon
him Of some two or three hours length. Ii
was on that celebrated occasion, when Web
ster in concluding his reply introduced and
read the law of the State Of Franklin, (now
Tennessee) which provided, that as specie
was scarce, and not to be obtained by the
people to pay their taxes, the officers Of
Government should be paid in different kinds
Of skins, viz deer skins, raccoon skins, otter
ShluS-UcuScT, uuShTul uuu ulIh ohillSs
Although q republican, | cannot permit
my party feelings to deprive me Of the plea
sure Of relishing good joke, or Of acknowl-
edging the force OF truth and good argu-
mont, although they may come from poll'l-
cal adversary. Neither shall they deprive
me of the great pleasure huve always de-
rived from the just admiration of splendid
intellect. What Is that beautiful sentiment
81 al 4 ~ bn
Being whose bounty has impaired to me this
reasoning intellect, whatever it is, feel my
self proportionabIy indebted to him from
whose enlightened understanding another
ray Of knowledge communicates to NINE
faculties of the human mind gin worthy
of the Divinity, nor any assistance in the i'm
provemont Of them subject Of gratitude toI
my fellow-creatures, if were not satisfied,
that really to inform the understanding cor
rccts and enarges the heart
"On this occasion agreed with Mr. Web
ster, however much may differ with him
on other subjects. cannot GO the Sub
Of the Federal Government should be paid in
specie. whilst the people arc to be put off
with deprecated paper currency. II is oil
w Ndltl W tdlh 10 iIlc uUOut SpcClS pCiuD luS
constitutional currency. That is all. stuG.-I
The constituted authorities have fixed upon
the people this paper currency. 1t is the
only circulating medium they have or can
have, until the State Governments are blown
up and deprived Of their sovereign right to
chatter bank. And deny that the people
ever can obtain specie to pay their taxes to
VIC Federal and State Governments, when
the Banks stop specie payments. IL cannot
be done. All the Sub-Treasury schemes in
the world cannot enable the people to do it.
Do not ali the State Governments al this
time collect their taxes in bank paper find
,ohy should not the Federal Government? Isl
it any better than the State Governments!
81 enclose you that part of Mr. Webster's
speech, in which he touched upon this sub
ject with such inmitable wit and good hu-
NOR. But you can form no idea Of the effect
from reading it.
"The galleries were crowded to overflow
ing, with brilliant cluster Of bcauty-the
Senators oil in their places, and half the
House Of Representatives were present.
Ills dramatic face-the smile OF ridcule and
humor with which his countenance was wrapt
when he introduced the law Of the State Of
Franklin, produced profound silence and ex-
cited the most intense curiosity. No one
knew what was coming as The substitute for
specie, as there was no such thing rs bank
notes at that time in that country. lie kept
up this curiosity most admirably for some
time whilst reading and commenting upon
the preamble 10 the law which recited that
the collection Of taxes in specie had been
very oppressive to the good people OF the
Commonwealth for the want Of a good circu-
'lating medium, sc. &C., until he came to the
enactment-Hs Erctllency The Governor, per
an,un,, 1000 deer skins You never heard
in a Theatre louder burst Of laughter. He
paused until silence was restored, and pro-
cecded 10 the next officer. His Honor the
Chief Justice, 500 ditto, ditto, with a comic
humor of face, Of which no language can
give any idea. A still louder burst. He
proceeded then to the Secretary to His Er-
ceilcnclLALc Governor " tive-hundred rdceoon
ditto" y'rhe laugh here was absolutely out.
rageous. We all forgot ,ohsre tee Were-and
no one seemed disposed to interrupt the en-
quisite mirth which the Senator had produ-
ced. The presiding officer forgot himself, |
believe, completely, and enjoyed the laugh
as heartily ns any orc OF the immense
crowd. The Speaker paused again until 81.
lence was restored, and proceeded with the
paw of the next officer, and then to the next,
and so or. And the laugh increased as he
proceeded until he got to the pay of the con-
stable. TO the constable for serving war
rant. one Mink ditto -! thought the walls
of the capitol would have bursted. The roar
continued for some time, and the orator.
(who all this time preserved sonc,ity of
countenancc which no priest ever had.)
manifes,ng disposition to proceed, silence
wns again restored. lie then gravely gave
us commentary upon the character OF the
Mink, and its great similarity to that of the