The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-17
REPLY OF MR.. DAVIS TO MR.. BUCHANAN.

On the 81 day ofMarch Mr., BUCHANAN, Of Pennsyl.
wanna. entered into argument in the Senate Of tho
United States, to prove that his views aud opinions
were msrepresenled in a speech Of Mr.. DAVIS. Of
Massachusetts. delivered the 2sd Of January last, in
reply to Mr.. b. on the Sub-lressury bill.
The following is the reply Of Mr. DAVIS TO the charge
OF misrepresentation:
Mr. PaEs,pESr: The morning following the remarks
made by the Senator from Pennsylvania MIR Buchanan.
upon my printed speech IN reply TO speech OF his
ssked permission Of the Senate to state my obseva
tons reply had reason 10 believe Of them
had been nsapprehended, aud TO add some further
marks as had then had opportunity 10 run over The
speeches. and should endeavor thus TO place the whole
matter 70 oting that could not be Inexperienced
The Senate being then to proceed IN the I'M
finished business Of the day, signlhed ITS wish that
should embrace another opportunity, add now seize
the earliest moment which has presented Itself 10 DIS
charge that duty This. aware, Is a subject that
ought not to occupy time in this place and my apology
is that did not introduce and clam only the right of
yndcating myself against the extraordinary statements
OF the member from Pennsyvan
In order full understanding Of the relation which
events connected with this subject have with each other,
shall recall mind the occurrences they happened
few days before replied 10 the member from Pa
made some remarks upon several topics OF interest
which seemed to themselves with the discussion,
and the Senator from Mississippi, Mr.. Walker, and The
Senator from Pennsylvania replied. then rejoined
that understood, om what had been SAID, that OPT
mons had been advanced that ii would be beneficial
the country reduce the value Of property and wages,
aud that might, IN the course oil the debate, make
known my views upon the subject, If suitable oPpor-
iunty occurred To this no response was made. Soon
after, the Senator from Mississippi, Mr.. Walker de-
livered his speech The Senator from Pennsy lsania
followed him. and was followed by the other Senator
from Mississippi Mr. Henderson, who spoke AT large IN
reply 10 him upon The topic OF wages. The Senator
from Indiana, Mr. Smith, next took the hoor and spoke
also briefly to the same point. Mr.. Merrck. Of Mary
land succeeded him. and much into the suhert Of
the reduction Of wages in reply to the Senator from
Pennsy lysnia as understood him, reading the tables
Of wages, TO illustrate what the la0ore received where
the cost Of production was least The Senator IRON
Kentucky, Mr. Cn,enden, s0me days after, While an
other topic was under dscuts replied 10 the remarks
Of the member from Pennsylyania the same topic
To Of these speeches. the comments oil the de-
baters, did hear any objection or reply, though
thought they understood the speech to which they made
answer much as ! did.
When the Senator from Maryland closed his remarks,
the day far spent but the Senate having manifested
a determnst take The final question by refusing
TO ADJOURN late 1t was, and assured the Senate
that while felt ii to be duty could not omit 10 re-
ply to some OF the arguments IN which doctrines were
advanced relating to great and momenlous interests
among those represented, yet should limit myself TO
a reply, and a reply only | think 1t was well under
stood what my attention chiefly directed and
thus gave distinct TO all who felt any interest IN
what might say. Of my specific object.
then proceeded In the presence OF the member
from Pennsylvania, who sits near where ] stood and
commented upon his arguments large portion Of the
time was speaking. He best knows whether he was
in his all the tme but him there much Of 1t,
and have believe he there, or near there,
the whole Of 1t.
marks to correct any statement of his arguments, nor
did he suggest that inexperienced them or his sen
meats did he make any reply, though ne had ample
opportunity do it when took my seat My re-
marks upon his speech delivered here, and as
comprehendsd il from that delivery. spoke of his
guments as | understood them, being aided by some
rough minutes noted down he was speaking. This
occurred the 23d OF January, and, in about fort
night, my speech was published, having been thus de-
layed by the sickness Of the reporter His appeared
little earlier The speech delivered is the same in
every essential and material particular that in print
The words cannot, know be entirely the same, but
all else is. he arguments throughout are Identical
and Mr. President as you were an attentive listener,
well as many others sitting here now, appeal to you
and them if any variation has been detected, TO make
it known. The member from Pennsylvania has not
venured suggest any. These facts about which
there cannot and will not be any controversy.
And here repeat ,haI spoke Of the speech delivered
in this place fell from his lips and could speak Of
it understood it in the delivery, gathering his senti
ments and reasoning from him as he proceeded. My
comprehension Of his views the only guide could
have In my reply spoke Of it in his presence, IN
yours and in that Of the Senate and the Public-mak
ing every statement every argument, clear and DIS
,inct as was able TO do No objection was made to
any thing | said What more could do! What
more can any one do! What other assurance could !
have Of my correctness Of the acquiescence Of the
member from Pennsylvania in it! None whatever,
unless the manuscript report had been submitted to his
revision and correction could have reason to be-
eve that it possible for me, under such circum-
stances, to mistake or misappreheDd him. ! had, on
the contrary, strong reason for believing as we ever
have in debate that right for it is the custom in
this body correct debaters the spot by explanation
"a rule belonging all debeatve bodies, aud to the
Justice OF which no one yields cheerful obedience
than do for am willing that members should ex-
pound their views Under these circumstances,
the speech went to the Public. and shall leave that
Public to determine with what justice charge OF mis-
representation he sustained, II there can be the
slightest ground for complaint.
Yet, sir six weeks after all this, his speech and mine
having, IN tho mean time, been widely circulated aud
read, the Senator came into the Senate and without
the slightest previous intmaon, direct or indirect to
me, OF his purpose dissatisfaction and declared
here his astonshnent at the manner In which he was
represented in my reply and this he did in terms harsh
and discourteous | thought he might have pursued a
course much suitable misunderstood
ing If there one and that his only view. The
lapse of time and the circumstances give to this move
ment extraordinary character and mark deficiency
in that decorum which sgnazes the intercourse of the
members of the Senate. see nothing in my course
in the slightest degree dsresps ctfu TO the member
nothing bordering upon injustice, or from which It Is
possible to infer the existence Of a motive to wrong
him and there But, sir, he has chosen his
time and place He came here and not to me- for
dress and here he has made his appeal II ii could be
his purpose upon by surprise, he succeeded;
for no one could have less anticipated any complaint
cause OF complaint II it could be his purpose to
ceaI his grefs and make his attack suddenly that
might be found with the subject dismissed from my
mind with neither his nor my speech by me, nor any
thing refresh my memory or to enable me to compare
facts he accomplished his purpose, and had the full be-