The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-10
THE ASSAILANTS OF THE STATES Il
THE SENATE.

The resolutions OF Mr.. GRusDy's Specia
Committee on State Debts, &c. were adopie,
in the Senate, on Friday evening, They ar,
as follows:
!. Resoired, That the assumption, directly ndi
rectly by the General Government Of the debts which
have BEEN or be, contracted by the States for ocs
objects or State purposes, would be unnei, both tn
1 States and to the people.
2 Resoloed, That such assumption would be highl,
inespedent, and dangerous the union OF the States
Resolred, That such assumption would be who'll,
unauthorized by, and ia violation Of the Constitution
the United States and utterly Iepugnant all the OBJ
Iects and purposes for which the Federal Union wa.
formed
4, Resolred. That the assumption OF such debts
either openly, by direct promise pay them or dis
guisedy, by giving security for their payment, b.
creating surplus revenue, or by applying the nsliona
funds TO pay Them would be gross and fragrant viola
tton of the Constitution, and wholly unwarranted b,
the letter or spirit Of that instrument
The following was added, on motion oil
Mr.. Norvell Of Michigan
| s. Rcsoioed. That willie the Senate Of the United
States is fully impressed with the importance aud cor.
RICHNESS OF The principles contained in the foregoing
solutions 1t is not intended the neby to- amy doubt
oil the constitutional right OF the States contract
debts, Of their resources, disposition, ability 10
fulfil the engagements which they have contracted for
| purposes OF internal improvement well for other
subjects within the range Of their reserved powers.
This fifth resolution was, undoubtedly, ex-
| torted from the fears of the majority Of the
Senate at the probable effects of their assaults
on the credit the dignity, and the rights Of
the States 1t is one of the consequences of
the exposure which the distinguished Oppo-
slion Senators made Of the character and
tendencies Of the original resolutions and re-
port.
The following is the substitute offered by
Mr.. Crittenden, against which the Admins
tration Senators voted in solid column:
Resoired, That the debts Of the several States, so
far they known TO the Senate have been contract
ed the exercise of the undoubted right and constitu
s :sd States respectively and thai there
Rsosea That Mo spY &c Seas a Of Tbs ability dis
tribute the proceeds Of the sales Of the public lands
among the several States fair and raieabe proper
TONS and that the condition of such OF the States as
have contracted debts such al the present moment OF
pressure and difficulty to render such distribution
especially expedent and important.
The following proposed amendment to the
resolutions Of the Committee, was also reject
ed by strict party vote. Every Adminlsira-
ton Senator opposing IT.
but rohing contained in the foregoing resolutions
is to be understood denying or questioning the right
power of Congress 10 make an equal distribution OF
he proceeds of the public lands, among all ac
cordlng TO the terms and conditions Of the deeds OF
cession."
The mighty work Of adopting string Of
declarations against proposition which has
never been presented or entertained by any
member of that body, having been accom-
plished, the Senate adjourned 10 Monday.