The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-01-15

TO them.
Mr. Clay then referred to another documer
which has been greatly relied upon by me advo
Gates of the measure--a document from mat mig
funotionary whose reports prepared with s
much clearness and method which are SO disin
gushed for perspicuity that 1t is Impossible to ms
understand them. He showed up the Moder
Turgot Mr. Levi Woodbury., in an admirabl
strain of raillery aud expressed the hope, that NJ
recommendations Of that officer, the Senate wou
not re-awaken and stimulate TO activity that spiri
of speculation which, fortunately, has been resting
of late in comparative repose.
After controverting number of arguments urg
ed by Messrs Walker, Benton, Clay of Alabama
and Others he concluded with declaring that the eff
feet of the measure would be to reduce the price
lands which worth more than.the Government
asked, to the price Of those pine barrens which
could not be sold at all /; and which would hardly
be accepted by any body.
The debate was continued by Messrs Walker q
Merrick No decision.
In the IL use, Mr. Adams brought up again the
.4SsGssination Letter. He moved that the Journa
be amended as to make it appear that he has
proposed to take up and consider the resolutions
submitted on previous day in relation to the affair
between Mr. Stevenson and Mr. O'Conneil and
also that he had sent the Chair the letter refer
red to and that it was read ; but the consideration
thereof refused by the House. Mr. Dixon Lewis
here stated that he represented the district of
which Montgomery, the place whence the letter
came, is part and that no person bearing the
name appended to it lived there he felt strong
conviction that the whole thing quiz. Mr.
Robertson of Va. expressed the same opinion; and
added that he knew Mr. Stevensons family con-
neXions well but never heard of such q person
before.
Mr. Adams said he did not present it on ao
count of any hazard he might incur. He feared
danger But he thought a letter threatening a
member of Congress with assassination, whether
serious not, false. ought not to be treat
ed as a quiz. F" .Murder," continued he, with un-
common vivacity, "may be looked upon by some
gentlemen, as "a quiz = Treason a quiz For
gerry quiz =
He was proceeding in this strain when he was
peremptorily called to order the ground of ir-
relevancy. The motion to amend was lost; but MI
Adams gained his point, for the motion regu-
lary entered on the journal and along with, of
course, the matter lie wished to have it insert
ed.
Mr. Cushman, of N. H. asked leave to make
statement and the House apparently anxious to
hear what wise person had to say, gave
permission.
This worthy then declared he had objected few
days ago to the consideration of MIR Wises resolu
ton for raising a Select Committee, to inquire
whether there grounds sufficient upon which
to impeach MIR Woodbury., not because he was OPP
posed to investigation. For he and Che au-
thorized to add) the Secretary himself had OBJ
lection to it, On the contrary, he would go for
Mr. Wises motion, if that gentleman would agree
TO have the committed appointed by the Speaker,
instead of by ballot
Shouts of laughter on all sides indicated the live
ly sensibiIty of the House TO this most magnan-
nous and courageous offer. Actually braus imYes.
tgGti0n by PARTISAN AND PACKED COMMITTEE.
Mr. Cushman was then proceeding to plaster the
Secretary, but Mr. Menefee called him to order
and he pumped down into his seat declaring he
had said all he wished.
Mr. Prentiss of Mississippi, wished TO make a
statement in reply, Mr. Wise was not present
but his request was refused. A request to the
same effect, made by MIR Wise himself, who came
IN soon afterwards, also rejected. This is on
ly specimen of the fairness ana decency OF the
Party"
After receiving reports from several committees,
4 ,,,to f,Tf tho hTIa
the Presidents Message.
Mr. Cushman, being IN possession of the floor,
made very eatraordtnGry Speech in defence OF
Mr. Levi Woodbury., s'the Rock of Democracy
Secretary of the Treasury, &c &c &c Ho has
opened excellent field for fun.
Washington, Jan. 9TH, 1888.
MIR Ryes made most powerful and interesting
Speech today, his resolution calling on the
President for information respecting the "terms of
any agreement which may have been entered into
between the Government and the Bank OF the
United States -
gsAmong The curious and singular develope
ments made in the extraordinary document trans
mitted by the Secretary OF the Treasury in answer
TO Mr. RIves's call for inform alton respecting the
fiscal relations between the Government and the
Bank of the United States IS the fact that although
rhe Secretary Of the 1reasury-the regular and
authorized financial Officer ofthe Government was
designated by law as the Agent for negotiating the
sale of the United States Bank bonds, yet the neg
citation was in reality conducted and consummated
by the Secretary Of War :!
The formalities of the sale were Signed indeed
by the Head of the Treasury; but the whole terms
Of the agreement arranged by the Secretary
of War apparently under the authority ofthe Pres.
ident himself This is remarkable anomaly
The first Lord of the Treasury is showed from the
stool, and another person performs the act assign
ed peculiarly to him.
The very first draft made by the Treasurer on
the Bank of the United States after the formal ar
for the purchase of the Bond of 1887
was consummated, called forth from Mr. Biddle an
admonition TO Mr. Woodbury. that he depart
ing from the terms of the purchase agreed upon
with the Secretary of War Mr. Biddle in this
letter dated August 18th, 1885, writes the details of
that agreement and points out the particular de-
parture the Treasury department had made. It's
evident that Mr. Woodbury. knew nothing of what
had occurred between the Bank aud the War De-
partment. He was mere ministerial cats paw
a financial puppet-to prepare these arrangements
without knowing the exact footing on which they
Stood
He referred to the terms of the law authorizing
the bonds to be sold for Sc money in hand'--hat
is, for cash. Those terms were departed from by
the Secretary of War, when he told Mr. Bdde elf
you become the purchaser, the amount will be de-