Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-07-07
N"rsday, hIy2 $40.
Y SENATE

IN SfNAl r..
The VICE PRESIDENT announced his intention
ofhcing absent for the remainder OF the session.
The resolution from The House OF Representatives
fixing the time of ad%iournment on the 2lst instant was
taken up and adopted.
The bll. to ensure The more faithful execution of the
laws relating 10 the collection of duties on imports
was then taken up, the question still pending being on
Mr.. Huntington3s amendment. Mcssrs. CLAY HUB
BARD, WRIGHT, and PHELPS spoke in favor Of the
amendment; and Messrs. CALHOUN and STRANGE,
against il.
Mr.. WRIGHT having declined TO press The question
in the absence of Mr.. Calhoun, who had been sent for
from the Chamber, the Senate went into Executive
session, and then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. PlCKENS, from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, was understood 10 present a communication
from the Spanish Minister, &c, in relation 10 the case
of the Amistad. Laid on the table, and ordered TO be
printed.
DISTRICT BANKS.
The House resumed the consIde ratlon OF the bill 10
extend for the term of two years the charters oil the Sc
veral banks in the District Of Columbia.
The question Immediately pending was on the third
branch oil the amendment OF the amendment of MIR. VI
A.. Cooper, which provided that from and after the lst OF
June next no notes should be issued By SAID banks OF a
less denomination than $50.
And the question being taken, 1t was decided IN the
nrgativc-ycas S3, nays IU6.
So the third branch Of the amendment was rejected,
The question then REQUIRED on the fourth branch OF
the amendment TO the amendment, namely, the provI
so that the notes ofthe said banks should at all times
be rcdcemahle in specie; or that, on failure thereof, the
charters should be forfeited.
And the question being taken, it was decided in thu
afirmative-Yeas l07, nays 76.
So the fourth branch of the amendment to the amend
ment was agreed 10.
The question then REQUIRED on the last branch Of The
amendment TO the amendment, to wit, the proviso thai
"in case the said banks, or either of them, shall refuse
or fail TO pay their notes in specie, on demand of any
person, such person may have remedy by judgment ant
execution at law, at a notice of ten days, before any
justice of the peace ofsaid District.
And the question being taken, 1t was decided in the
aiirma'ivc-Yea %, nays 1G.
So the last branch of the amendment was agreed 10
The question was then taken OH the first branch o
the amendment, to wit, the liability of the Prcsidcn
and Directiors-and it was decided in the affirmative
Yeas -, nays 30.
So the first branch of the amendment was agreed 10
The question was then taken on the next branch o
the amendment, namely, that no dividend should b,
made during the suspension of specie payments.
[Th.s division was called for by Mr.. Adams.I
The vote stood: Yeas lIJ, nays %.
And Inc ON stlon was then taken on the third anC
last branch o:thc amendment, namely, that any Presi
dent and Directors making such dividend should be liza
bic, in their Individual capacities, for double The amour
on being sued, &c: and that the jurisdiction of~justicc:
Of the peace should be extended to all actions agains
said banks for any amount not exceeding 500.
The vote stood-yeas9 "a, nays Is.
So the last branch Of the amendment was agreed 10
And The question then recurring on the adoption o
the amendment as amended
Mr.. WIN. COSTJOHNSON ION leave moved 10 la,
the bill on the table. He should regard the vote on thin
motion, he said, as a test vote; and he had submitted it il
order that he. might, If the motion prevailed, introduce
the bill heretofore reported from the Committee for tht
District Of Columbia of this House, TO continue the cor
paratc existence of the banks Of the District Of Colum
ba to the 4h of March next, and until further legisla
ton: provided that the said banks resumed specie paw
menis when a majority of the banks Of Pennsylvania
Maryland and Virginia, should do so.
MIR. TURNEY then gave notice that he should oh
ject 10 the introduction of the bill.
MIR. thereupon said, that as il would re
quire 4 vote of two.thirds TO get in the bill, and as h
had no hope of success in such an EFFORT, he would with
draw his motion TO lay the present bill on the table.
And the question again recurring on the adoption 9
the amendment as amended
Questions were then taken on each separate amend
ment, and were agreed toy
The question next rccurred'on ordering the amend
mcnts to be engrossed, and the bill 10 u third reading.
When several gentlemen having given notice that
was now halt past2 o'clock
The House took its usual recess.
TAiter the recess, the consideration of the Bank cues
ton was resumed, and continued to occupy the Hous,
up to the hour Of adjournment, (s1 o'clock without be
ing disposed Of. Among the propositions offered were,
new bill by Mr.. Holleman, extending the time for tw,
years to enable the Banks to wind up their concerns
an amendment by Mr.. Underwood, continuing thei
charters, but allowing no dividends til cash payments
be resumed; and an amendment by Mr.. Francis Tho
mas, applying the same terms TO the District Bank,
generally az were granted to the Union Bank of George
town, viz. an extension of time to allow them 10 clos.
| their husinpcs