Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-19

b,s so nv eoch Stale reserved is that OF free and
fully expressing It's opinions all subjects delegated 10
the General Government, or touching The ihIfac'on "
the constitutions compact, and OF communicating tn
said opinions To Congress- aud that II is the CONSTITUTIONS
duty Of the Senate and of The House oil Representa-
lives respectfully 10 rcrivc entertain, and au
maiurely and deliberately 10 decide upon all sucn eo
nuncaons addressed TO by either Of the States OF TINS
Uuon and the summary rejection Of the same, without
their being debated printed or referred, or any ac.o"
whatever had thereon, would be insulting 10 The nohor'
and injurious to the rights and interests, OF the sau '
vceign States If III. Union.
g ReSnirrd, That the Federal Government is uo-
vrrunent Of limited and specific powers uefiVeu 'io
the people OF the States, thereby coneoeiateo anu WI
ted and to said Government by them granted uhae' 'nI
Consu ,ion that all powers not delegated TO the sau
United States BY the Constitution, prohibited ny
In the States are reserved the States respectively OF
TO The people; that therefore, right oil any oehoI
ton he cancelled. abridged restrained, or 'uheu
by the Congress by the Senate, House of RePresen-
taiives acting in any capacity, by Inc rtes'ot' VI @
Department officer of the United States, excep IN tne
instances wherein power is given by Inc Cohsuo ~
those purposes; and that among other imPrescfPuoe
and nlia rights the freedom OF conscience OF speech'
of the press aud the of the people peaceaoy 10 as
semble and to petition The Government Tor reufesS OF
grievances, are of the original ana innate immunity
OF the said people Of the w. States rights OF theirs not
derived from or to lie weakened by the common or any
other positive law Of this any other country out IN
herenl,n the said people as people, or uhuef lne con
suon of The several States, by and 10 The sao Peo'
ple guaranteed and consecraed forever; and which, py
reason thereof cannot be cancelled, abridged eS'aeu
or modified, conslituonally, by any OF Inc On''eu
States whatever, nor IN any lo'm Oh Jaw, IS
same be the Of The two Houses OF Congress- o, Vi
either of them separately. But the same were nus
guaranteed in order protect The citizen against e
abuse Of power, and not as The means OF ASSUMING
the rights Of Others and that TO permit one or more
States or their citizens convert them into an nstiu-
nlent, not of protection, but OF assault against 'e 'e
served rights institutions and peace OF Tue otneF
States their citizens or OF the Territories anu o' '
LII
ton of the constitutional compact gross breach o. 'e
public faith, tending 10 convert the brolherIy love IN
which the Constitution originated into hatfeu' anu u
efecualy arrested, must subvert Inc mon i'se
and that this body owes most solemn obligation 10 IT.
self and the people Of the States which 1t represents
not to permit itself 10 be made instrument or party
to an attempt tlagl,ous and dangerous -,
g. RcS0lred, That the people oil The Uneu otales VIC
ordein and establish the Constitution thereof, in order
amongst other things o form more perfect union, es-
tabsh Justice insure domestic tranquility, and 10 secure
the blessings of liberty TO them and their pOs'ey lhat
to this end the powers Of legislation were vested in re-
preventative and deiheraiiv9 assemblies, 10 wit: Be-
nate appointed by the SiG!es and House oil kepresen
alives chosen by the people Of the States at, IN Inc
exercise Of their rights by the said House OF epreseh-
atives and the members thereof there should De Pertcl
equality aud full scope, far as is consistent win Inc
proper conducting the business Of the House. on all sub
ects within It's constitutional Jurisdictions; but TO permit
the members of this House, under the pretrxt oil freedom
OF debate, to convert it into ball TO discuss questions
domestic institutions of portion Of these States, essen
t their peace security, and tranquility, and The Pre-"
perry Of their citizens existing before and expressly guar
anted by the Constitution itself, would be destructive
Of all harmony among the members OF the body, incon-
pa,ble with the discharge of its acknowledged duties,
and destructive of The great and avowed objects Tor
which the Constitution, his Union created, and lh's
House instituted.
Resored, therefore, That the resolution Of the House
Of Representatives, adopted the 18th day OF Decem
Der last which provides that every petition memorial,
and resolution, proposition or paper OF prescribed Glass;
"shal The presentation thereof without any further
action thereon, be laid the table, without being de-
bued, printed referred" rests on great and funda-
mental principles of The Constitution, and on public
faith and honor the observance OF which essential to
the peace tranquility and security OF The States winch
compose the conederacy, aud the safety and conlinu
ance Of The Union and that this House, adopting the
said resolution, has but fulfilled its constitutional obga
tons and duties, without in any wise lnlracting The egi
innate limits Of the right Of petition, the freedom OF de.
bate, the constitutional equal rights oil The meniDers
Of this body.
On motion Of Mr.. c. II. Williams,
Rcsolred, That the Secretary Of War be directed to
report to this House the manner Of The expenditure Of
the $4,000 appropriated during the last session Of Con.
gess for the erection and repair Of arsenas on the West
waters and TO specify The particular expenditure on
each.
On motion of Mr. Underwood
Rcs0ircd That the Secretaries Of State, Of War, OF
the Navy and of The Treasury, be respectively directed
inform this House whether the reports OF the standing
committees Of either House of Congress are recognised
by the accounting officers in their departments as pro-
per foundation upon hcl to allow claim against The
Government after The came has been eiected: and how
many claims il any, have been allowed within The last
two years in consequence Of such reports after the
have been first elected by the proper accounting
officers
Mr. Pope submitted the following, which was read,
and committed to the Committee CT the Whole the
state of the Union, viz:
Whereas, according TO the clear intent and meaning
of the 9TH section of the st article Of the Constitution
of the u S, which provides that all bills for raising
revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives
and the 9th section Of the same article which provides
that money shall be drawn from the Treasury but IN
consequence Of appropriations made by law the control
and safe keeping of the public moneys belong 10 the
represe natives of the people:
1st Therefore resoired, That law ought 10 be pass
ed BY Congress TO divorce the public purse from The Gus
TIDY and control OF the President and all officers
Die his pleasure, and provide that no money shall
he drawn from the Treasury, places designated Tor
the deposte and secnry Of The public money eilherby
the mandate Of the Executive or the Judiciary.
I'd. That the public Treasury ought to be made indie
pendent of the Executive and Judic Departments,
and subject only 10 the control of the Legislature.
3D. That the Treasurer Of the United States ought 10
hold his office not at the pleasure Of the President but
during his good behaviour and The term for which
he may be appointed subject 10 removal only by i'm
parchment, upon the address of Il majority Of the
House Of Representatives aud the Senate.
4lh That all The officers TO be employed concerned
in the collection receipt of the public revenue, whose
compensation does exceed the Of dollars,
ought to be appointed by The Treasurer Of the u s.
movable by him for reasonable 10 be reported 10
Congress at their session. but The expression of
litical opinion. wi.h"u! pasan violence unbecomng
in elections ought not TO be deemed cause
for removal; and fitness, integrity, and good behavior
onght to be the essential requisites in public officer
5.h That the public dues ought to be paid to the keep
deposaries of the public money, designated by
Congress or under their authority instead Of the colec
tors and receivers as now authorized by law.
9Th That the guardianship and control Of The public
money assigned by the Constitution 10 the Legislature
has been long held by the enlightened friends of free.
dom in England and the United States the best and
only eecua security TO the liberties Of the people, and
that all laws necessary and proper ought 10 he passed
TO maintain inviolae this essential and only barrier to
corrupt administration and arbitrary power.
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