The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-21
place; and he wished to see our country in state

take place. and he wished to see our country in state
of defence.
Mr. BENTON expressed his intention of offering
some remarks on this subject, and il was laid over.
The resolution Of Mr.. SEWER instructing the
Postmaster General to lay before the Senate nforma-
ton with regard TO the changes if any, made by him,
in the transportation Of the public mails in the States
and Territories, was adopted.l8s bu syssg ~ eiet
The Senate then proceeded as in Committee Of the
whole, to the further consideration Of - a3
"A THE DESTRUCTION AND PRE- EhpTroN BILL. v
Mr.. CLAY, Of Alabama, moved to strike Out the
provision that person shall receive the benefits OF
pre-emption who has abandoned quit his own resi-
dence on the public lands. After some conversation
on this, It was passed informally. 5tBa3ff q
. Mr.. CLAY, of Ala, moved to insert at the 18th
line, lst section, provision that distribution shall
take place when there in the Treasury surplus
equivalent to the amount Of the nett proceeds Of the
public lands, after meeting oil demands against the
Treasury, and leaving, moreover, in the Treasury,
reserve fund Of two millions, for contingencies. OF
His object in offering this amendment was TO guard
against taxing the people frsm time to time for distr-
button, and that distribution should take place only
when there was surplus in The Treasury equal to
the land fund, and reserve fund of two millions
besides. s -i.g @ ... /. .s....@-.
Mr.. SMITH, Of Ia, said the amendment was d.
rectly opposed to the bill Il repudiated the whole
principles of the measure; it was a question OF
"bill no bill" So long as they looked to the land
fund as portion of the ordinary Of revenue,
there never would be surplus collected from other
sources. He considered if this amendment prevailed
distribution would be at an end and he hoped it
would be voted on in that manner. 41st T5.xeE, Il
Mr.. CLAY, of Alabama, briefly further explained
his amendment, and repudiated the idea of dstribu-
ton, when it was to be sustained by taxation Of the
People. , r,i.. as.5,,a..El 4s
MI BENTON held the bill to be the most uncon-
stitutiona that presented to the Senate; in
that respect 1t was entirely unprecedented. he did
not oppose il distribution of the proceeds OF
the public lands but insidious attempt to seize
on the Custom house revenue. He commended that
the bill was manifesy unequal in its operations, cast
ing great and disproporonate burdens the export
ing States He spoke at length against the bill, and
gave notice that he should offer amendment amend
ment till the principles Of the bill were fairly under
stood. y" ' '.. nv. n .t
PRESIDENTS VETO MESSAGE.
The Message off the President of the United States
returning the Fiscal Bank Bill with objections, was
here received and the Land Bill was passed infor-
mally. sas@ ~ #% .ls o|#El rl3 .s'}
The Message was read by the Secretary, and is as
follows: @ r'el.'~ w'@ - 4s. :. ~. D. ''''
To the Senate ofthe United States: Il. g.. 49,,
'f The bill entitled "An act to incorporate the
subscribers to the Fiscal Bank Of the United
States," which originated in the Senate, has
been considered by me, with sincere desire TO
conform my action in regard to it, to that of the
two Houses of Congress. By the Constitution
it is made my duty either to approve the bill by
signing it, or to return it with my objections, to
the House in which it originated. | cannot
conscientiously give it my approval, and pro-
coed to discharge the duty required of me by the
Constitutions give my reasons for disap-
proving. al ..y.4l54ssa ..~.5 , Ht .m..i b. .4s.,
Z The power of Congress to create a National
Bank to operate per Sc over the Union, has
been question of dispute from the origin oi
our Government Men most justly and de.
servedly esteemed for their high intellectual
endowments, their virtue, and their patriotism,
have, in regard to it, entertained different and
conflicting opinions. Congresses have differed
The approval Of one President has been follow
ed by the disapproval Of another. The People, al
different times, have acquiesced in decisions both
for and against. The country has been, and still
is, deeply agitated by this unsettled question. 1t
will suffice for me to say, that my own opinion
has been uniformly proclaimed to be against the
exercise of any such power by this Government.
On all suitable occasions, during period twenty
FIVE years the opinion thus entertained has been
unreservedy expressed declared it in the Legisa-
ture Of my native State. In the House of Represen
tatives Of the United States it has been openly vndi
Gated by me- In the Senate Chamber, in the presence
and hearing of many who at this time members Of
that body, it has been affirmed and reaffirmed, in
speeches and reports there made and by votes there
recorded. In popular assemblies have unhestating-
y announced and the last public declaration which
made, and that but short time before the late Pre-
sdential election referred my previously express
ed opinions as being those then entertained by me-
With full knowledge of the opinions thus entertain
ed and never concealed, was elected by the People
Vice President Of the United States. BY the occur
renee OF contingency provided for by the Constitu
ton, and arising under impressive dspensation OIL
Providence, Isucceedcd to the Presidential Office
Before entering upon the duties Of that office, took
an oath that would preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of tie United States" Entertaining
the opinions alluded to, and having taken this oath
the Senate and the country will see that could not
give my sanction to measure of the character des
crOeu Witnout suTIehuoiiS al Sio' W 'ho iooPeeso
honorable men-all confidence the part Of the Peo-
pleall selfrespect-al regard for moral and religious
obligations without an observance Of which no gov
be prosperous, and no people can be hap
py. 1t would be to commit crime which l would not
wluy commit to gain any earthly reward, and which
would justly subject to the rdicue and scorn OF
all vir,uous men. ...
deem entirely unnecessary at this time to enter
upon the reasons which have brought my mind to the
conviction feel and entertain this subject They
have been over and over again repeated. If some Of
those who have preceded me ip this high office have
entertained and avowed different opinions yield all
confidence that their convictions were sincere.
claim only to have the same measure meted out to
myself Without going further into the argument, !
will say that, in looking to the powers Of this Govern
ent to collect safely keep and dsburse the public re-
venue, and incidentally to regulate the commerce and
exchanges have not been able to satisfy myself that
n "a Az NJ IN.