The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-31
TwENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
IN SENATE.

TUESDAY, May %.
Mr.. NORVELL reported without amendment,
various bills from The House, from the Committee
On motion Of Mr.. CLAY, or Ala, the Commit
tee on the Public Lands were discharged from the
further consideration Of the petition for certain pre-
emPtion rights near The Red river raft
Mr.. CLAY, Of Ala, from the same committee
reported bill 10 authorize the Portage Canal Com
pany 10 enter certain lands in Wisconsin at The Go
vernment minimum price. Read, and ordered TO
second reading.
On motion Of Mr.. WHITE, The message Of the
President, and The documents on the subject Of the
removal of the Cherokee Indians, were ordered to
be printed.
The resolution offered esterday by Mr. HrBBARD
that the Senate meet daily hereafter at III O'clock,
(nodibed by the mover 10 read from and after
Monday next, was taken up, aud, after brief con-
versation, was, on motion OF Mr.. NORVELL main
~ on the ground that il would interfere with The bu-
sness OF the Standing Committees, laid the table
Yeas 26 nays Ia.
The bills for the relief of Thomas IL Owen and
John w Skidmore, OF Richard Cravaf Hardy Per-
~, and BeiSey Cheney, Of Charles Morgan, Of Louis
lana of Col. Chas Morgan OF Moses Merrill, of
George J. Knight OF the legal representatives OF
William Sanford, deceased, Of John p Austin Of
Hannah Leighton Of Lemucl White, the bill to Sc
cure the payment OF certain commissions on duty
bonds TO collectors of the customs, and the bill 10
confirm certain land claims in Louisiana, were Sc
veray read a third time, and passed.
REPEAL or THE SPECIE CIRCULAR
The Senate took up the resolution of Mr.. Clay,
as amended BY the Senate, modified by the mover al
the suggestion Of Mr. WEBSTER and published in the
proceedings of yesterday prohibiting the Secretary
OF the Treasury from issuing enforcing any gene
raj order, like the specie circular making discrimi-
nation in the kinds of money received for revenue
in its different branches.
The resolution having been read third time, and
the question being on its passage,
MIR. WEBSTER addressed The Senate al consider
able length, explaining the nature, relations and
bearing Of the resolution and touching on various
topics connected with its subject-matter.
Mr.. sTRANGEs spoke in reply to Mr.. WEBSTER,
and in opposition 10 the resolution arguing espe-
cally, that the resolution of 1916 was merely per-
missory, and that in this view II ought 10 be
repealed, and total separation made between the
business OF Government and banks.
Mr.. WEBSTER, in reply 10 MIR. Strange said
that the word may not used in the resolution of
1876 and argued that il Just obligatory on The
Department 10 receive good bank notes as Treasury
notes. T..
MIR. STRANGE responded that, although the
word may was not used the expression of the reso-
luton equivalent 10 the import Of that word
MIR. CALHOUN spoke al considerable length
denying that the resolution Of 1916 gave any dscre
tionary power whatever, arguing great danger in
any such discretionary power and Directing strongly
TO the resolution that BY implication it surrendered
such power.
MIR. WEBSTER argued and insisted that the re-
solution went only TO restrain and all sur
render such discretion. He would gladly take away
all unnecessary discretion but finding that imprac-
cable he was willing 10 go IS far as he could in
stranng and controlling il. ... .... ...a
Mr.. BENTON read and argued chiefly to show
that the Secretary OF The Treasury would be very
liable 10 censure, whatever he might do under the
resolution Of 1916. ..:
| Mr.. LU MPklN, in explanation, said he had voted
agans. this resolution, amendment 10 the Sub
Treasury bill, because he did wish TO embarrass
that measure. lie should now, without any change
of opinion. vote in its favor ."
Mr.. KING argued, briefly, that the resolution OF
1916. was never considered obligatory he insisted
that it was well known 10 be otherwise when il was
adopted, and had always been praciised upon dis
cretionary W.
Mr.. CLAY, of Ky, expressed regret that the Sc
cond portion of his resolution had moi been adopted
and he hoped that some farther remedies might be
provided, especially the repeal Of the provision in
the deposite law of 1886 by which the notes OF banks
issuing notes of denomination less than IS are now
| excluded from being received.
After few farther remarks by Messrs HUB
BARD and WEBS TER the resolution was passed
by the following vote
YEAS-MeSsrS. Bayard Buchanan CLAY, of Ala,
Clay, OF Ky, Clayton Davis, Fulton, Grundy, King,
Lumpkin, Lyon, Mexican, Merrick, Moulon, Nj
cholas Norvell, Preston Rlves, Robbins, Robinson,
Ruggles, Sewer Smith, of Indiana Southard,
Spence, Swift, Tallmadge, Upton Trotter, Wall,
Webster, White, Williams, Young-3l
NAIS-MesSrs Allen, Benton, Brown, Calhoun,
Hubbard, Morris, Niles, Smith, of Connecticut,
Strange-9.
The Senate then adjourned