The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-08
gmemtp=Seoemth Congress.
FIRST SESSION
IN SENATE.
SATURDAY, July 3, lS4


The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate, IN com
pliance with a resolution Of that body, communities
lion showing the state of negotiations win the uer-
man Customs Union, relating TO the reduction OF the
duties on Tobacco Laid the table, end ordered TO
be printed. ~
Iegisature OF the State OF New Hampshire, against
National Bank against increase of the tariff, and
against the distribution Of the proceeds OF the public
lands.
Of Otsego county, New York, earnestly praying the
enactment Of general bankrupt law.
MIR. BUCHANAN presented memorial from the
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in relation 10 an
appropriation for keeping upthe light on the Delaware
breakwater.
MIR. LINN presented a memorial from citizens of
Missouri in relation 10 the trade OF the West with the
Mexican provinces.
Mr. LINN went into full history Of the advantages
be derived from this trade in national point OF view,
in enabling TO exercise controlling influence over
the Indians of that region. Owing 10 the difficulties
the hardy and enerprsng traders OF the West had TO
contend with in competing with the British companies
and agents the latter had monopollzed almost all the
business that lucrative besides which, such was
the influence they had obtained the Indians that
in the of war, the people of the West might be
subjected TO depredations and butchsries. Mr. l.. did
not finish when the morning hour e1 pred
Mr. BAYARD moved that a select committee of
five be appointed TO take into consideration the 4Ith
rule of the Senate, much thereof as related TO
reporters. He perceived that of the prominent pa
pers of the day did not pretend give reports Of the
proceedings of the Senate and he also spoke of the in
Justice of the rule now existing
Mr. WALKER said that when that matter came
up prior session. he had said that they would
have reports which the nation might rely until they
appointed their reporters and made them sworn
officers Of the body That would be the mode 10
rect the evil and he believed the only that could
effect il, 1t well known that the sent by
letters from this city to papers at distance were very
~, ,laI ard,
The motion Of Mr.. BAYARD, for the appointment of
a select committee, was agreed to-
Mr. CLAY said the subject on which the Senate
had just acted suggested the propriey Of the perfor
nance Of duty which he did with great pleasure,
the necessity of which he had only perceived since he
took his seat this morning, from paper which he
very seldom f ever saw, which had been put into his
hands and hose habtual misrepresentation of him
he cared nothing about But as, in the paper handed
him this morning, there was misrepresentation made
calculated 10 do injury to gentleman Mr.. Choate)
friend of his, and man Of high character and
standing hc felt it due alike TO that gentleman, and
himself to make the correction That paper not only
professed to report ones words but also the very looks
and accordingly in ts report of yesterday had under
taken describe his looks graphically 1t had
been made TO appear that he (Mr % had taken
the Senator from achusetts in antci- |
patton of an incident which subsequently occurred, |
when nothing was further from his thoughts The
fact was, he had removed from his own seat TO place
near the passage doorto get breath of air, and while
standing there the Senator from Illinois kindly
and pressed him take that seat and he had awaited
himself of his politeness.
Mr.. YOUNG. That is correct, sir.
AT this period the Senator from Virginia Mr.. Ar
cher was addressing the Senate, and among other
remarks, had charged him Mr. c. with having made
an inquiry that, if answered. would have led to a
breach of order. He replied to the Senator that he
did not know that the inquiry would have led to a
breach of parliamentary rule. AT this stage of the
business the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Choate)
made some explanations, and mutual explanations
made yet this very charitable editor had come to
the conclusion that his Mr.. Cas) approach 10 the
Senator from Massachusetts was with view to pre-
sent that gentleman in the attitude of person who
had stated what not true Now, what were the
facts in this case? The Senator from Massachusetts,,
in the of his speech had stated in very strong
terms his belief that no bank bill would be passed un-
less the amendment Of the Senator from Virginia
adopted The emphatic manner in which this de-
claraon was expressed, naturally made him dcsirc us |
to know whether the Senator had arrived at such |
result through communication, (Which he hardly |
beleved) from the expressed opinions of Senators
and members of the other Housed That was the sole
object he had in view, and the information was u-
mately obtained by the explanation given by the Sen
ator, which clearly exhibited the proprety of these
caslonal calls for information Nothing on earth could
have been further from his purpose than have done
or said any thing dsparagng of gentleman for whose
character and ability he entertained the most profound
respect and of whose feelings and regard he had ever
had the most conclusive proofs
In conclusion, lie would take occasion to express
the regret he felt in common with others at the mis-
understanding which uphapply occurred Yesterday
between the friends from Virginia Messrs Archer
and Rivcs and the great pleasure he now experienced
In lnding that mutual explanations had restored each
To the confidence and esteem of the other lie ex-
pressed the hope that the remainder OF the debate
(wheher conducted by friends on that side of the
House or by political opponents on the other) would
be characterized by that liberaly, that dignity and
decorum which became the proceedings of SO grave
and deberatvc a BODY
Mr.. ARCHER made brief allusion to the debate
OF yesterday, between himself and his colleague (Mr
RlvesD which was indtinctly heard, but was under
stood to be expressive of his regret the occurrence
and OF his present friendly feelings low rs him His
colleague had been pleased to regard him as standing
an loco PARENTS, and a wise man had said Spare
the rod and spoil the child he thought his colleague
should have received il with more submission.
Mr.. RlVES replied in an amcable spirit.
MI LINN, alter expressing his satisfaction at the |
amcahle termination of the matter, said that he always
had and always should treat Senators personally with
respect and dccorum but when they chose TO depart
from that course he too would the tomahawk and
scalpng knife He alluded TO the lenuncations that
had been made against Gen. jackson and said on
every occasion in which that great and good old man
was sailed, he would defend him at every hazard.
The Senate then proceeded to the discussion of the
bill to incorporate the subscribers TO the Fiscal Bank
of the United States the amendment OF Mr. RlvEs
still pending.
Mr. BAYARD said there had been much mistake
in the estimation that had been formed Of the Fiscal
Agent proposed by the Secretary of The Treasury,
and he intended to show, moreover that all constilu
tunal questions with regard TO the power of Congress
this subject had been entirely yielded up in the
amendment proposed by he Senator from Virginia -
The mistake this subject supposing that
there was some mysterious import and power contain
ed in the term branch" The truth was that a |
branch not distinct corporation. The word
branch or agency, meant nothing but the place and
the by which the Bank carries on its opera
tlons The real constitutional point then was, whe
thcr they should have right to carry the opera
t,pna # fho n, in with nj I'D,