Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-07-23
2l. =. e. oMNreS


The SENATE, on Monday, July 18th,
was engaged from eleven in the morning
until nine at night, in debating tho House
bill Tor the removal OF the charters oi
The District Banks. The leading speech
es againt the banks were by Messrs.
Walker, Allen, Tappan, Benton and Bu-
chanan.
Mr.. Tappan made long and very
able argument in favor Of free banking
as the best corrective Of all the evils OF
the present system. IL that were adopt
ed, he said, there would be no necessity
for renewal of The charters Of banks.
All the important anne endments offered
by Mr. Allen were adopted, viz the
banks should within ten days after the
adjournment Of Congress, and before
this act should 20 into effect, pay all liza
biIiiies OF every description, on prescn-
taton, in gold and silver coin, or forfeit
their privileges. Also, making the
in their individual capacity for all debts
and obligations contracted in behalf Of
the Banks, during the time Of their di-
rcctorship.
These were the leading amendments,
and though they were all carried by iair
majorilies, yet when the question was
taken on the adoption of the bill, ms
amended in the Committee ofihc Whole,
it was decided in the negative by II vote
OF 90 to l6. So the question Is left
nearly where it was by the Committee,
with a refusal only TO strike out n section
making the President and Directors liza
BILE for any violation Of the provision Of
The charter, in SUN not less than 500
nor more than $1,000 for each offence.
Mr. Ruggles said, with view to carry
OUT, to its lull extent, the doctrine Of the
Sub-Tieasury Of divorcing the govern
ment from the banks, he would move an
amendment to the following effect:
I hat no officer Of the Federal Gov
,crnmcnt, nor any member of Congress,
shall hereafter have any loan Of money,
nor extension Of time On any note here
toiore given, from either ot said banks
AS this pIoposition came home in its
application, itreceived only fifteen votes,
and was lost.
In the HOUSE, the Army Appropria-
ton bill was taken up, and Nj. Graves,
Messrs. Monroe and Underwood made
long and animated speeches against the
military policy and conduct OF the Ad-
ministralion. 1t appeared, from his
statement, that the most shameful waste
had been committed in the management
Of the Florida war. Wood was bought
at ten dollars cord in New Orleans,
and transported at the expense Of iwen-
ty dollars cord more to Florida, for the
use Of troops who were surrounded by
woods, and could help themselves to
fuel byrcaching out their hands. la ore
case it was alleged that the transporta-
ton Of load OF hay to Florida cost two
thousand dollars. After the conclusion
of Gen. Macomb's treaty, which was
stated to have been made with one lndi-,
an and one negro, the provisions collec-
ted for the use Of the troops in Florida
were ordered to be sold-ihe war having
been broughtto close by negotiation.
A large lot OF bacon, which cost the Gov
ernnient 20 cents per pound, was sold
at auction for ihree-lour tbs Of a cent per
pound; and shortly ailer,the Governme nj
was compelled to purchase the same
bacon at l6 cents pound. Many in
stances Of the same sort were mention
ed. No one indeed supposed that war,
at that distance, and in such a climate,
carried OH with such materials as we
possess, would be otherwise than expen-
slye.
The House sat till late hour, with
out taking any question.
In SENATE, Tuesday, July "a, n reso-
luton was adopted, calling on the Com
miitee Of the District Of Columbia to in
qulre into the eXpediency Of retroccding
Alexandra back to the State OF Virginia,
and the lest to Mary land, except that
which belongs TO tho corporate limits of
the city Of " ashins ton. Mr.. Walker de-
sired togratiiy the people, as they had ex-
pressed wish to reirocede.
The District Bank Bill was take up,
and after days debate, was passed to
be engrossed. 1t recharters the banks,
but not on very easy terms.
In the House, MIR. Chapman moved
n suspension of the rules, to enable him
to submit resolution inslrucling The Ju-
dietary Committee to report forthwith n
bill prohibiting the enlistment of colored
people in the Army or Navy Of the u
States. This resolution had reference
10 the case Of Lieutenant IIooe, whose
colored servant was admitted to testify
against him during late Court Martial
Southern practice requires no slave ms
witness against a ireeman-but the u.
S. Naval Regulations make no such dis
tinction. Several members asked to be
excused from voting, and the motion TO
suspend was finally nega,ived. The
army appropriation bill was then taken
up, and the debate continued on the ap-
preparation for tho Florida War.
In SENATE, Wednesday, July 10, af.
ter the passage OF surdIy private bills,
the bill to renew the charters of the dis
uict banks was again taken up, the qucs-
ton being on its third reading. Yeas
l6-Nays 30.
Mr.. Preston moved a reconsideration,
and this question was debated until the
recess.
Al the evening session the debate was