Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-04-13
raet of letter from gentleman at Washington to
his friend in Richmond
>. ~, r,- a -. =; ,L c,.,,,,

Vie,os of the Currcney-A Scene in The Senate.
az heard that distinguished debater (Mr. Webster)
some time bro in the Senate Of the U. S. in reply 10
Mr.. Calhoun, who had made formal long speech upon
him of some two or three hours length It that
celebrated occasion, when Webster in concluding his
reply introduced and read the law OF the State OF Frank.
lin (now TennesseeD which provided, that as spe.
Gle was scarce and not TO be obtained by the people to
paw their taxes the officers of Government should be paid
in different kind Of skins viz: deer skins raccoon skins,
otter skns-bsdrer, nnuskrnt and minis skins
"Althouph Republican,, cannot permit my party
feelings TO deprive me of the pleasure of relshng
good Joke or Of acknowledging the force Of truth and
good argument although they may come from political
adversary Neither shall they deprive me of the great
pleasure have always derived from the just admiration
of splendid intellect What is that beautiful senti-
ment of Junius ?-"Gratefu as am to the good Being
whose bounty has impaired 10 me this reasoning in
tellect whatever it is, feel myself Proporlionably
indebted to him fiom whose enlightened understand
ing another ray of knowledge communicates 10 mine
But neither should think the most exalted faculties
" Of the human mind gift worthy OF the DIVINITY, nor
any assistance In the Improvement OF them SUBJECT
Of gratitude 10 my creature it were not salts
fed that really inform the understanding, correcs
" and enlarges the beart
"On this occasion agreed with MIR. Webster, how.
ever much | may differ with him on other subjects.
cannot 90 hc Sub Treasury have no idea that the OF:
fcers Of the Federal Government should be paid IN spe
cie whilst the people to be put off with deprecated
paper CURRENCY 1t in vain TO talk 10 me about spe-
Gle being the constitutional currency That is all stgt
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 char
ter Bank. And deny that the people ever can Oh.
tain specie pay their taxes to the Federal and State
Governments, when the Banks stop specie payments
IL cannot be DONE All the Treasury schemes in the
world cannot enable the people to do it. DO not all
the State Governments this time collect their taxes in
bank paper Ind ,rhy should not the Federal Gorern.
ansnt Is it any better than the State Governments
How was it when the Banks stopped BEFORE and what did
Mr. Dallas say upon this subject:
"sThe successive attempts, said he, made by the
Treasury department relieve the administra ton OF
the finances from endorsements, have proved met
fectual There was magic in mere Treasury m
sructon to e Collectors of the rcuenue, which could,
by its virtue charm gold and silver again into circua
ton The people individually did not possess metallic
medium and could not expect TO procure 1t throughout
the country as well in the cities, @ unaded by me
Banks. And the Banks, too timid or too interested,
declined every 10 cooperation Tor rensta,ng
the lawful currency In this state OF things Inc trea
sury department. nay the Legislature, remained Pass.1s
The power of coercing the Banks was limited 10 the
rejection Of their notes payment of duties and taxes
and 10 the exclusion Of their agency in the custody ana
distribution Of the revenue: But the exercise Of hct
pOosr could not generate coin currency although 1t
would act oppressivey upon the people, and put to