Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-02
HedneSdaH Dec. 81.
IN SENATE
COMMISSIONERS of a.

COMMISSIONERS OF CLAIMS.
The bill to establish Board of Commissioners to ex
anime and decide upon claims against the Z. 5. was Ia
ken up and having been read third time and the ques
ton being on its passage
Mr.. CALHOUN rose, and assailed the measure as
one of the most pernicous character He had, how
over often expressed his views the subject and
only desired to record his against the principles OF
the hill He asked for the ayes and noes
ssr MANGUM had an earnest desire to give more
c,refn examination to the measure 1t went 10 change
the unda mental policy of the Government IN regard
70 claim. AGAINST the U. s.; and he hoped the Senate
wonld consent TO let the bill lie on the table for short
time an that the members who have only recently
taken their seats might have an opportunity OF examn
ing it. ,,. .ho n,o,,o.
son: but urged the necessity Of early and favorable
notion on the bill iii should be passed as had been
reported, it would greatly relieve the business OF Con
gress.
al Grounds of its comforting too large discretion upon
the Board and as being well calculated to effect any
benefit to the claimants.
Mr. LINN made an earnest and animated appeal 10
tho Senate in favor of the He surprised
,ha, tho Senator from South Carolina, in opposing IT.
had no presented substitute for certainly the ss'
tenn nov pursued by Congress in reference to these
claims was as bad as possible .
Mr. CALHOUN said that the Land Bill he had in
,roduced would be substitute in some respects; for
would rid Congress of the largest class OF ciams and
hand them over to the States He then spoke strongly
against the BILL as bestowing far too much discretion
and power the commissioners
MIR HUBBARD said he had heard the arguments
=, the Senator from South Carolina over ana over
apain every session since the bill was rst introduced
and vet the bill had been passed three times by the Sc
nate. , I'm -,
Mr. SEWER of Arkansas, assailed the bill with
great vehemencc. He regarded it as in fact suppressed
ing every department Of the government; ana II !.
should pass, Congress might as we'll be abolished. III
would be only useless body not worth keeping up
After some further conversation, IN which MI WI
HUNTINGDON expressed his concurrence IN the
general wish for time to consider the character OF the
BILL il was ordered 10 lie the table tor the present
DUTIES ON SALT.
Mr.. BENTON gave notice that he would, on an early
day, when the Senate should be full, introduce again
his bill to repeal the duties on salt.
UNIFORM BANKRUPT BILL.
MIR CRITTENDEN, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary reported bill establishing Uniform Bankrupt
system throughout the u. ).
Mr.. CRITTENDEN took occasion to say that in all
important features it exact copy OF the bull
which passed the Senate ut the last session. There
were some slight alterations; but these were not mate
rial. and did not affect the principle of the measure
On motion, it was made the special order for Thurs
day next. ,.,.r, sr,n,,,c,
The hill to authorize the Secretary OF the treasury
n steam vessels for the service, was
fnay passed and sent to the House for concurrence
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
After the reading OF the Journal
lutions c
Resolced, That the investment in the stocks of the
several States in the Union of funds held BY the Co
yernnlent of the United States in trust, IS, to the
amount of the invested, and of the interest
thereon, assumption by the United States OF the
debts of the said several States in the event OF their
failure punctually to pay the same.
Resoloed, That the purchase, by authority OF any
Executive Department of the U. States, of the bonds
of any Of the States of this Union at the nominal value
or with premium thereon, and the subsequent sale of
the land bonds at discount, is unwarrantable and
wasteful dilapidation of the public funds.
Resoiued, That it is The duty of the Executive Co
uernmen Of the United States to require of the govern
ent of each and every State of this Union, ION whose
stocks investments of the public moneys held in trust
By the government of the United States have been
made,) punctual payment in specie or its equivalent
Of the interest and stipulated in said stocks and repay
ment of the principal as possible by the terms
ofthe contracts upon which such stocks have severay
been issued.
Resolred, That the further investment Of any public
funds of the United States in stocks OF the several
States ought forthwith TO be prohibited by law, and
thai the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed
to report bill for that purpose.