The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-09
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SATURDAY, Mayo.
The report of the special committee on the Of
Messrs Bynum and Garland further postponed
20 Monday next.
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Soon after the meeting, the House went into Com
mtce of the Whole on the bill making appropria-
tons for the civil and diplomatic expenses of the Go
vernment.
Mr.. DROMGOOLE, of Virginia, moved to re-
duce the appropriation for Minister to Spain from
SO 600 to $4 800, for Charge d'Affaires 10 that
country.
Mr.. STANLY moved to strike out the appropra-
ton for Charge d'Afiares to Naples; and took the
occasion to call the attention Of the House and the
country to the fact that the present Charge dAares
at Naples is Mr. Throop late the navy officer at New
York, who was severely ccnsured by the ihvestigat
ing committee for negligence and remssncss Of duty
in the of the Swartwout defalcation.
The motion Of Mr. Dromgoolc led to some discus
sion upon the propriety of changing the grade of
our diplomatic representation to Spain which f.
naly degcneraed into personal conversation of
no interest to the public. The amendment was
adopted.
The case of Mr. Throop also led to an animated
debate The President when he rewarded Throop
with an office of such high trust and dignity gave
Office is placed by him. The majority ofthc Committee
of Investigation condemned this person in the strong
est terms for culpablc neglect of duty during period
of nine years. Mr.. Hopkins concurred in the cen
sure The minority of the committee even admits
the fact Yet the President, in the exercise of the
appointing power, did not condescend to pay the
slightest regard to the notice thus taken of this officer
but the first fitting opportunity, elevated him to
high diplomatic Office.
Mr.. DROMGOOI.E and MrJONES, of Va, con-
tended for the retention of this item Of appropriation
on the ground that if omitted it would break up the
Diplomatic intercourse between the two nations.
The proposition to strike out this appropriation
rejected but in the course Of the debate upon it. the
conduct of Mr. Van Buren, in promoting notorious
delinquent, was severely condemned. Some alluson
having been made by Mr.. Smith Of Maine to the con-
duct Of General HARRISON lchiIc Minister TO Coiam-
bia, Mr. John Quincy Adams rose promptly, and
made glowing and triumphant vindication Of the
course OF that hero and patriot.
Mr.. A. concluded by saying whenever some OK
ample of disgraceu corruption is prored against this
Administration, tho member from Maine alwas
swers by referring to some alleged abuse under my
administration rhich cannot be prored"
Mr.. GRAVES of KY, said he cared not how often
or to what extent the member from Maine spoke of
Gen. Harrison The more frequently the better, and
the the country knew of him the better. Mr.
G said however, that he had confined himself when
speaking, TO the bill and the item Immediately under
consideration He had said nothing of Gen. Harri-
or Mr.. Van Buren,, of the famous missions Of
Mr. Randolph, Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.. Wilkins, Mr.
Dallas and others
On motion Of Mr.. TRIPLETT of Kentucky,
$4,000 were appropriated for agents to take care OF
the interests Of the tobacco planters, in Europe.
The committee then and reported the bills 70 the
House
The amendments were concurrcd in by the aid of
the previous question and the bill was then passed
and ordered he sent to the Senate for concurrence
On motion of Mr. BRIGGS, the House adjourned
to eight o'clock A. M on Monday when they agreed
also TO adjourn to Thursday next at II o'clock