Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-01-21

II
and as the Senator from South Carolina says, one ei
feet oft has been 70 enlarge imports, because III
means arising from the State bonds has been throw
into The channel olcommercc. But 1t viii be no longe
so, for that very means will now become OBSTRUCTION
| 10 commerce But those debts exist, and, men q
/ honor and honesty, those who them must pa
| them; and trust man here will be 50 destitute o
honor and proby rs to say they ought not to be pad
They have been contracted, and our States have re
ceived the benefit and trnst and believe that not
State this Union will be lost to honor and good ait
as not to pay such debts. The debts exist and IN tn
worst forms because the against not
whole but rs divided into parts as separate member
of the Conederacy whom there is foreign debt, ant
consequently foreign influence
And what is to he done. The States have here pro
posed nothing, in either branch OF Congress but We
know the existence of these debts and the distress
which prevails IN these different communities; and w'
know that taxation Will be necessary. Some Of the
States right or wrong have contracted debts to an ex
tent which the people cannot bear; and IT we are no
destitute of all those feelings which ought to belong
parent Government, and winch, as such, we shoui'
cherish we ought deeply to sympathize with all these
sufferngs
Well, and what suggestion did make: Was II e
assume these debts No. sir; no, SIR. But we are N
possession of an important fund, which, OF right, be
longs to the States The States have no power OF I'M
posing duties on imports for the purpose OF relieving
themselves And what my suggestion: The debts
exist and must be paid, principal and interest," ana my
suggestion was that we should give up what belongs
to the States or at least do what we can for them, by
imposing duties articles purely OF luxury; and give
the States their property, the proceeds OF the pup
lie lands which would Of itself be sufficient to pay the
interest on debt of 800 100000, and believe the
whole amount of the State debts is not much more
than 800, 100000 But | have been drawn into an
exhibition of these views an occasion when had
not intended it, merely meant to make some suggcs-
tons appropriate presenting memorial The SEN
ni,nal nrht IN o.
is not all extraordinary that there IS total differ
encc Of opinion between Us on this subject But he
missatcd me in regard to the tariff, and therefore
thought it my duty to say what have done on that
point and trust this will serve with the Senate as my
apology.
Mr. CALHOUN Twill not enter into the argument,
but merely say, by way of comment on the Senator 5
remarks that his scheme in regard to the public lands,
is Of the notifications for assuming the State debts
and, in my opinion, II is the most unconstitutional and
ruinous that can be imagined But trust the Senator
from Tennessee (NIr. Grundy) will give an oppor-
tunity soon to enter fully into that subjcct-(audlng
to the expected report Mr. Benton 5 resolutions ad-
verse the assumption of debts by the States II IS
time to act and, in my opinion, are at the point
where we were when the American System adopt.
ed--thc revival of which would be followed by ncacu-
liable injury ready TO meet that point and TO show
that the whole system is the reverse OF our true policy
Mr.. CLAY The gentleman chooses TO call this
(he distribution OF the land procecds) an assumption
of the State debts. Why, Sir, the proposition was
made long before any State was in debt, or if any, only
for rifing sum- and the gentleman says this is al
sumption of the State debts But how: On what
grounds did make my proposition We are IN pos
session of tund belonging to the States, held IN trust
solely for their benefit; and said ought now to dis
tribute its proceeds among the States And the gen
tlcInan says this assumption of the State debts!
Sir how is it SO; And whose is this property: IL
would 90 to the States that debt; and if those
States receive it, they get only what they emit
tied to.
In respect to the American System, am ready TO
engage in the discussion that subject but when do
So hope the honorable Senator from 5. Carolina will
remember the part lie took in 1916 the originator OF
that system and that was then his humble follower
on that subject, and for years afterwards; and believe
the country fifty years ahead of what IT would
have been but for that system; and If 1t had not been
for ,ha, SYSTEM We should be III the state were
before the Revolution when there paper and
currency except tobacco and other artc les of trade
were used medium. shall then be ready 10 show
that domestic causes produced the greater portion OF the
distress in which the country is involved; but o To-
rcirn causes the main one has been that produce
too little at home and send for too much abroad; and
believe the imports enlarged not merely by the
want Of duty uxur", but the list of free articles
NOR. than Inocty Of the whole imports .! the coun-
try.
Mr. GRUNDY said, without intending to declare any
ounion on the merits of the debate III which the ron
,cmcn who preceded him had engaged, he expressed
The hope that the sul ect ot the assumption OF State
debts bv the Genera! Government would MOI be worn
out before ii cape properly before the Senate. The
Select Committee which that matter had been re-
lcrrcd would in few days make report, in which
all the questions connected with the subject would be
presented fully and fairly, for the action Of tie Senate,
and every Senator would have an opportunity of pre-
spntinu his sentiments on them.
The memorial was then referred to the Committee on
Manufactures.
Mr.. YOUNG presented preamble and resolutions
of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, in
strucng their Senators and requesting their Reprcscn-
tatiyes in Congress their cyCrtons to procure
the adoption of for the speedy and permanent
adjustment of the title of the L. States to the Oregon
Territory which referred TO the Select Committee
on the Oregon Territory, and ordered to be printed.
The resolution submitted yesterday in relation TO the
North eastern boundary coming up for consideration.
Mr.. RUGGIES offered amendment.
Mr.. BUCHANAN said he not opposed TO the
amendment, but it related to delicate subject he
would suggest that the whole subject lay over till to-
morrow which was agreed to.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration OF
the bill provide for the collection safe keeping,
transfer and disbursement of the public money.
Mr.. BENTON proposed to amend the bill by strik-
ing out from the 10Th and Doth sections, the words,
or in such notes, bills paper issued under The auto
rty Of the United States, may be directed to be
ccvcd by law in payment of the public dues
Mr.. b. proceeded at length TO explain and enforce
the proprety of the amendment, and followed by
Mcssrs Wright, Calhoun, Norvcll, Walker, Clay Q!
Kentucky, Henderson and Allen; when the question
taken on the amendment, and it was adoptcd-aycs
80, noes g.
Mr.. WALKER then submitted an amendment, strih-
ing that part of section lS empowering the agents
of the Government to contract for the Of the vaults
of banks; which, after remarks from Mr.. w
and Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky, was agreed to without a
division.
The bill was then informally passed over, and the
Senate proceeded TO the consideration of Executive
business after which, it adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Thursday, January 10, $40.
Mr.. COOPER, of Georgia, being entitled to the
floor,
Mr.. MITCHELL, with the permission Oft the gentle
man from Georgia. begged leave of the House TO make
PLANTATION, in answer to article that appear
cd r-rsis Ut tIis Guy. In consequence OF
the course pursued by the honorable gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr Pckens) the other day in abiding
to an article that appeared in The NTadsonian having
personal bearing himself, he Mr. NJ, constran
ed to ask the indulgence in reference to himself
The article he alluded to appeared in the Globe of this
city, of Tuesday last Mr. Nj then read from The Globe