Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-01-18

| land TO be SQuanuereu Win sltnlldT pIOluse-
ness2 The administration places itself in
the attitude OF the dissolute man, who, after
exhausting all his own resources in rioous
living, would ask for the family patrimony
to furnish the means Of prodigalty.
Mr. Ciay contended that the argument
drawn from any anticipation OF increased
revenue was altogether fallacious, Three
Millions and half OF acres are fully suffic-
lent to meet the demands of purchasers
The market may be gluiied; but no sales
will be made beyond that amount.
He anilnadveIted severely upon the loose
ness with which papers from the department
were brought into The Senate by Benton and
others and attempts made to set them up as
the proper basis for Legislation. Instead Of
the proper, parliamentary and dignfied
course Of calling on the Secretary officially
for information, a Senator goes to one OF the
clerks Of the department., and asks him to
prepare certain tables for him by certain
day, The clerk, in conformity with this
verbal request, sends statement which he
admits to have been prepared in great hur-
ry, and without making the examination he
would have made had time been allowed !;
and on the faith Of such a document from an
irresponsible source, the Senate is called on
10 reduce the revenue by thirty-dve and a
half millions of dollars land to set pre-
cedent by which the principle OF reduction
vii! be applied TO the millions of acres in
the new States, and the seven hundred and
fifty millions lying exterior to them.
Mr. Clay then referred 10 another docu.
ment which has been greatly relied upon
BY the advocates OF the measure-a .docu-
meni from that high funclionary whose re-
ports are prepared with so much clearness
and method-which are so distinguished
for perspcuily that il is impossible TO misun-
derstand them2 He showed up the Mod
ern rurgot, Mr. Levi Woodbury., in an adj.
mirabie strain Of raillery and expressed the
hope. that on recommendations Of that off.
Ger, the Senate would not re-awakeu aud
stimulate TO activity that spirit speculation
which, fortunately. has been resting OF late
IN comparative repose.
After coniroveriug a number of argu.
ments urged by MessrS Walker Benton.
Clay of Alabama, and others. he concluded
with declaring that the effect Of the measure
would be 10 reduce the price of lands which
are worth more than the Government ask.
ed, 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 and Merrick No decision
In the House. Mr. adams brought up a.
gain The ASSASSINATION Letter. He moved
that the journal be so amended as to make
it appear that he had proposed 10 take up
and consider the resolutions submitted ON q
previous day in relation TO the uffar between
MIR Stevenson and Mr. O COnneH aud also
that he had sent 10 the Chair the letter refer.
red 10, and that it was read but the consid.
Grafton thereof refused by the House Mr.
DIXON Le,eis here stated that he represented
the district of which Montgomery, the place
whence the letter came, is a part and that
no person bearing the maine appended to i,
lived there he felt a strong conviction that
the whole thing was quiz Mr. Robertson
Of Va. expressed the same opinion and adj
ded that he knew Mr. Slevenson's family
connexions well but never had heard OF
such person before.
Mr. Adams said he did not present the let
ter on account of any hazard he might incur.
He feared no danger. But he thought a
letter threatening a member of Congress
with assassination, whether serious or not,
true or false, ought not to be treated as n
quiz. "Murder," continued he, with uncom.
mon vivacily, "may be looked upon by some
gentlemen, as "a quiz Treason as a quiz
Forgery as qniz -"
He was proceeding in this strain when he
was peremptoriy called 10 order on the
ground of irrelevancy. The motion TO n.
mend was lost but Mr. Adams gained his
point, for the motion was regularly enter.
ed on the journal and along with, Of
course, the matter he wished 10 have inser.
; ted
MIR Cushman, OF N H. asked leave 10
make statement, and The House apparent
ly anxious to hear what so wise a person
had 10 say. gave permission
This worthy then dec Jared he had object
ed few days ogo 10 the consideration OF M
Vases resolution for raising Select Com
mttfee, TO inquire whether there's are ground.
, sufficient upon which to impeach Mr. Wood
; bury. not because he was opposed to inves
; tlgalion. For he and The was authorized ,c
add the Secretary binself had no objection
{ TO It, On the contrary, he would 90 for Mi
Vases motion, if that gentleman would a
!, gree to have the committee appoinied by tn,
: SPEAKER, instead ofby ballot
Al Shouts OF lnnehter on all sides indicate,
' the lively sensibility OF the House 10 thi
: most magnanimons and courageous Offer
e Actually brace Investigation by PARTIsAr
r AND PACKED COMMITTEES.
d The debate Of Friday last on Mr. Wise
s Resolution for printing the Deialcation Doc
l. nments, and the discussion today in III