Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-04-10
REPLY OF MR. DAVIS TO MIR
BUCHANAN.


On the Sd day Of March Mr. BUCHANAN,
of Pennsylvania, entered into an argument,
in the Senate Of the United States. to prove
that his views and opinions were misrepre.
scented in a speech OF MIR DAVIS. of Massa.
.chusetts. delivered on the 23d of January
last, in reply to Mr. b. on the Sub-,reasury
bill.
The following in the reply of Mr. DAVIS
TO the charge OF misrepresentation
M>PREsIDENr The morning following
The remarks made by the Senator from Penn
sylvania, MIR Buchanan, upon my printed
speech in reply 10 a speech of his, | asked
permission Of the Senate TO re-state my OBJ
servations in reply, as had reason to be-
lieve some of them had been misapprehen-
ded. and to add some further remarks, as
had then had an opportunity to run over the
speeches, and should endeavor thus to place
the whole matter on a footing that could not
be misappreh ended
The Senate being then anxious to proceed
in the unfinished business of the day, signi-
fed its wish that should embrace another
opportunity, and now seize the earliest mo-
that duty This, am aware, is subject
that ought not to occupy time in this place,
and my apology is that did not introduce
it, and claim only the right of vindicating
myself against the extraordinary statements
ofihe member from Pennsylvania.
In order to full understanding of the re-
iation which events connected with this sub.
jec. have with each other. shall recall TO
mind the occurrences as they happened.
A few days before replied to the men,
Der from Pa. made some remarks upon
several topics of interest which seemed to
connect themselves with the discussion, and
the Senator from Mississippi, MIR Walker.
and the Senator from Pennsylvania replied
Then rejoined that understood. from what
had been said, that opinions had been ad-
vanced that it would be beneficial 10 the
country to reduce the value Of property and
wages. and that might, in the course Of the
debate, make known my views upon the sub
ject. if suitable opportunity occurred. 70
this no response was made Soon after, the
Senator from Mississippi, Mr. Walker, de-
livered his speech. The Senator from
Pennsylvania followed him, and was follow
ed by the other Senator from Mississippi,
Mr. Henderson. who spoke at large in reply
to him upon the topic Of wages. The Sena-
tor from Indiana, Mr. Smith. next took the
floor, and spoke also briefly TO the same
point. Mr. Merrick, OF Maryland, succeeded
him. and went much into the subject Of the
reduction of wages, in reply to the Senator
from Pennsylvania. as l understood him,
reading the tables of wages, to illustrate
what the laborer received where the cost of
production was least. The Senator from
Kentucky, Mr. Crittenden, some days after.
while another topic was under discussion.re re-
piled 10 the remarks Of the member fIom
Pennsylvania on the same topic. To none
of these speeches, or the comments OF the de-
baters. did | hear any objection or reply
though thought they understood the speech
10 which they made answer much as did,
When the Senator from Maryland closed
his remarks, the day was far spent, but the
Senate having manifested determination to
take the final question. by refusing to ad-
journ, late as il was, rose and assured the
Senate that while felt it to be duty could
not omit to reply to some of the arguments
in which doctrines were advanced relating
to great and momentous interests among
those represented, yet should limit N.Y.
self TO a reply and reply only. | think ii
was we'll understood to what my attention
was chiefly directed and thus gave dis.
tinct notice to all who felt any interest in
what might say. Of my specific object
| then proceeded, in the presence of the
member from Pennsylvania, who sits near
where stood. and commented upon his ar
guments large portion of the time | was
speaking He best knows whether he was
in his seat all the time but saw him there
much of it, and have reason TO believe he
was there or near there, the whole OF it.
He did not interrupt me in the progress
Of my remarks to correct any statement oil
his arguments. nor did he suggest that
misapprehended them or his sentiments, moi
did he make any reply though he had am
pie opportunity 10 do it when ] took my
seat My remarks were upon his speech al
delivered here. and as l comprehended i
from that delivery. spoke Of his argu
ments as understood them. being aided by
some rough minutes noted down as he was
speaking This occurred on the 23d o
January. and in about fortnight. my
speech was published, having been thus de-
layed by the sickness of the reporter Hi;
appeared little earlier The speech | de
y livered is the same in every essential ant
material particular as that in print The
words cannot, know, be entirely the same
but all else is. The arguments throughou
are identical and. Mr. President, as yor
IA WARE an attentive listener ne ,yell- ne MANY