The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-30
GRACIOUS.
FOR THE MACEDONIAN.
PROBABILITY AND PUBLIC
DOCUMENTS.

On the 2sth December last the u States Senate
Chamber resounded with the pompous tones OF ihe
Hon. Thos. II. Benton announcing chaotic mass
Of Resoiutionsp which the reporters gave up IN de-
SPAR and the objects Of which has as yet com
pretended.
estate bonds"-"L London market" -" Florida -
"Gorernors"--' rporationso-"Am American and Eu-
ropean markets." Government dratfs"-"paper mo
ney'-"bank nofes"--"Iafe Rank efhe United State"
-" present Bank qrde United States"--"specie pay
nfs'especie" -" State debt" "foreign influence"
Secretary Of The Treasury"-" President Of The
United Sfates"--"to be laid before Congress were
the file aders of his sentences, and altogether more
prominent than their meaning when strung together
in such endless confederation and misty ramicaton.
II was however deemed reasonable conjecture
that his intent and purpose might have been to obtain
clear answer from the peiiueid Secretary Of the
Treasury
Gould he, by stenographic power"
Write twenty Libraries in an hour!
Meanwhile as was supposed, Sir Hudbras Hum
bug would strut his hour, amusing the Senate with
g dJsfractions and matters and things in general
"or no use but 10 be discussed"
And so il fell out for the time Of the Senate was
consumed week after week, in ridiculous 'abstrac-
tons relative to the assumption Of State debts =
To which preposterous presumption the States an
swer-"assume our debts !! Nonsense-ye beg
gars yourselvesil
At length appears other part and parcel Of the ball
then set in motion the "pelucid Secretary has
been heard from, and, as usual has "explained-and
"rccently issued reneed ~, (Sec Globe
of 9th May)
Other numbering along, and
having been g read and ordered 10 be printed"
"The loaded press beneath his labor groans,
"And printers devils shake their weary bones
Nevertheless this last batch will prove unpalata-
Bile overdose, and will have elected, undesgnedly,
rather more useful information, and less of fusan
than was anticipated by the mover.
In fact, Senate Documents, Nos. 500 and 500, (be-
ing reports from the Secretary Of Var, in compt-
ance ,r The resolution reiafire to the sale Of Gorern-
m ent drafts for bank notes. and 10 the payments Of Go
rernnent creditors in deprecated eurreney deserve
the serious attention Of the people, who will thereby,
fail not 10 perceive the corrupt confusion of the Ben
tonian system, cxemplifed in these accidental gm
| merngs of light thrown on the "hdrd money!! do
ings of their rulers the destroyers of the currency
Mr. Benton, doubtless, deemed it an absurdity to
suppose the Government officials" would eliminate
| themselves by their answers to his "resolutions"
Enough, however, leaks out to show the ludcrous
workings of his doctrines. Enough to condemn the
authors and instigators of such nefariousy absurd
humbuggery to the lasting contempt and Indignation
| of the nation
A fact most indisputably proven by these docu-
mems is that, wherever used the notes of the
Bank Of the United States Gas Mr. Benton chooses
70 call ~ were the preferred currency AT page 49,
Doc $685. paymaser thrice asserts q" ,ras considered
better than any other bank paper circulating in The
South"
At page 80, another paymaster states he received
and paid out $4,000 of these notes under tpenty
dollars, "under authority from the Secretary of
the Treasury,!"
At page 80, another paymaster, previous to ex-
changing Government draft Of 800 900 for notes of
the Bank of the United States, consus the Score
tary of the Treasury" &c, and is informed "nat
there objection -"
But the caution to the Great Humbugger" Of this
last transaction isfhat he payment ,ras made AFTER
the late suspension, yet the paymaser brings suii
Gent witness to prove that he and others were ril
ling and anxious 10 obtain those bills and gre siirer
IN lieu, arhieh rds done in many cases" The par
ment 'ras the most satisfactory one that could hare
been mddev! See page &c.
AT page az, pension agent" must greatly shock
the Hon. Mr. Benton, when he states" United States
notes al this place Knoxville, Tenn, March 9, |
lS40 are at par aeih gold and siirer and arc fire.
quently asked for by the attorneys who draw the pen
SION being more Convenient 10 carry than siirer!!r
Horrible ths-crucl humbuggery this At pages |
40, &c, other distributing agents exchanged" and
paid out United States Bank notes /!
AT page A." An Indian discussing Agent ex-
changed Treasury drafts for several hundred thou
sand dollars of these wicked notes, dollar for dol
lar, with agent of the Bank ofthc United States
" haring letters irhich authorised The same" m!
This agent appears to have thus paid out immense
sums-See pages AZ and A.
AT page 4S-Glasgow & Harrison, contractors and
recipients OF hundreds Of thousands Of dollars give
short essay on the Subtreasury system worthy Of
tice, thus" We have always disposed of them Trea
sury drafts) The best terms could sometimes for
premium over the currency but in many cases we
rere compelled 10 dispose Qfiem al rreat disadraa
fdge, in consequence Of their having been drawn on
The receirers Of public moneys at the most remote
points, and in small scattered over the country
trieh cost mol only great delay qf time but heary
erpense and risk in trdreng orer the different States
Of Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana, 10
make he coLecfions."!.!
See page 54-For exchanges of notes Of the
Bank Of the United States " ofthe denomination Of
$40 and $40 as throughout the document,
Enough Of this dcfunct institution DE morfuis
nil nisi bonum,' The Hon. Mr. Benton has cruelty
disturbed its ashes -
These public documents" are inestimably curious
~