Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-03-06
LETTER OF THE
HON. HUGH u. WHITE.

TO tie Legislat1rs Of Tsnnssses, on deciin-
sag to obey certain Of their Resolutions
ofIastraesion. and resigning the office Of
Senator of the United States.
IN THE SENATE OF THE u. s.
JANUARY 18th, ls40
Mr. White rose and addressed the Senate
to the following effect
Mr. PREsIDENr: l have duty to per-
form this morning. before we proceed 10 any
regular order Of the day. Presenting that
the business representing petitions is now
over. proceed to discharge il with as lule
delay us possible.
When reached this place on the goth
Of November last, l was furnished by one
Of our officers with letter, which contain
ed several resolutions adopted by the Legis-
lature OF Tennessee, condemning one Of the
votes given by the Senators from that State.
at the last session. and instructing them
how to act in future. on many subjects.
believed my duty to my stale. and 10 the
public. would be best discharged by remain.
ing in my seat. and continuing to attend to
the business Of the Senate. in the manner
had been accustomed to do until some oil
the subjects specifically mentioned in the res.
oluiions should be placed before the body
for discussion. On this day ofthe last week
the Hon. Chairman OF tho COMMITTEES oil
Finance reported bill. commonly called
the Sub-treasury Bill. and gave notice thai
onthis day he would ask for its considera.
ton. This being one Of the subjects men.
toned in the resolutions, the time has arrived
when. in my opinion, il is respectful to the
Legislature of my State. that should pres.
emf them 20 this body. 10 the end that the
members oft, as well as the community a,
large. NAV be acquainted with what the
General Assembly had chosen to express as
public opinion in Tennessee. move thai
the preamble and resolutions. which ! now
send TO the Secretary. may be read, printed
and laid on the table 81
After the resolutions had been read. Mr.
White proceeded and said M
Mr., President As am now . member
ofthis body. and my instructions have been
read and ordered 10 be printed. consider
il proper that l should follow the exampl.
Aei BY others. and make equally public iht
conclusions 10 which ! have come in rela
ton 10 them. sao q n
The subjects OF which they treat. are o
xisal,iD,erestt TO the country. and am anx
ious that The opinions entertain and express
upon shean should neither be misrndersfoot
nor misrsprsenfed will therefore. isk,
the liberty Of dsyia,ing from my usual ccuFs'
OF delivering my sentiments. (which haI
been not even to use notes.) and will nov
read the answer which have prepared. ~.
intend. without delay. 10 forward 10 III,
same body which adopted the resolutions.
Mr.. White Then read his answer ia lh'
following words
10 ~ Honorable tie Gsnsrai Assembly Q
The State Of Tsnnessee. z
On the 29th Of Novcul
her last in tho city Of Washington. \ rscsi
xed copy Of supdry prsambles aud sis res
olptionA which appess to bave been adopte
by yon on The J4th ofshas month. instrpcI
ing your Senators, and requesting the ReE
rssentatiyes in the Congress- Of the unjte.
States how 10 act on q variety Of subjects.
An ANSWER 10 The resolutions would hay
been Immediately given had moi believes
tiny duty 20 rewaip u the pos. assigned M
BY yous pTedeceSsory, until some Of the mat
ten speci6sd 10 them should be presented Il
the Senate for ~ action. Although nigh
sntsrtaiu 90 opinion different nom thst On
ploysd BY your honorable body, and nigh
Be- unwilling 70 surrender that opipinn; "
ifno casa sbould b p<esensed III ne actor
or 10 Gseais. 10 relation u which spch dji
ference OF opinion existed I could ncrcoiyl