Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-01-16

Department Why, he asked, should not the
annutes 10 the Indians be also stated as parts OF
the public debt?
Mr.. Webstcr-across the chamber-They al.
ways were.
Mr.. Wright commended that such had not been
the practice Of the Government, and that so long
as the administration chose, il had the right
to keep the funds and pay the interest; and there
could not surely be better investment for the In
dams.
In reference to the new account books which
Mr.. Webster satd ought to be opened, Mr.. w.
hoped they ,could be opened, but he hoped when
the Senator put down the debt to the Indians on
the one side, he would also place the land that
was purchased on the other side. He thought
Mr.. Webster, had in these matters, not made
out his case that the Administration had plunged
the country into debit nor was it, in his opinion,
lust or proper 10 call the claims for Indian dep.
relations for losses in the Florida War, and oh.
er things OF that Sort debts against the Govern.
ment, for which the Administration OF Mr.. Van
Buren, should he held responsible.
As TO the blame imputed to the President for
having failed 10 recommend some additional
means OF supply, he CO Intended that the accruing
revenue would be suff cient for the demand; and
there would have been no propriety therefore in
the President or Secretary recommending an in
crease Of duties when they believe there was no
necessity.
With regard to what had been said about an
Extra Session, he would do all he could 10 rem
der such session unnecessary.
Mr. Webster replied.
He said the gentleman's argument had not met
the points he had raised and especially in regard
to the important matter Of the trust funds stipula
ted to be paid 10 certain Indian tribes, and to be
invested for their benefit. His (Mr WIS., point
was they constituted debt which the Govern.
ment was bound to pay, and for which provis.
ion ought to be made, and which ought to be pre-
scented 10 Congress.
He commended that the annuties to the Indian
tribes were included as debts OF the Government
and always had been stated to Congress with
view to the necessary action for providing for
paying them, and if these annuites were so sta
ted, why were not also the trust funds presented
as part OF the liabilities Of the Government?
Mr.. Webster repeated that he did common.
date what had been said by the President against
a National Debt; but he must still insist that the
language Of the message did refer to political
contests and declared that in those political con-
tests there was a party in favor Of the existence
Of debt. The President does not refer, as Mr.
Wright alleged, to certain interests Of the country
only but to political men and political parties.
The gentleman had intimated that he (Mr.
WebsteD had seemed DESTROYS Of avoiding the
Tariff. He had not said one word on that point
He had declared, however--and he now again
declared his readiness to impose duties on certain
articles Of luxury, such as silks and Wines He
had no delicacy on that point if his political
friends in the Senate had the power to originate
and carry through measures they deemed for tho
benefit OF the country, he wonld at once propose
a bill to impose duties on these articles Of i'm
ported luxury.
Mr.. Webster said he omitted yesterday fund
which he ought to have stated in giving the condi-
ton of the accounts Of this Administration. The
law in relation 10 the Revenue Bonds of the
State Of New York had postponed the payment
of six millions Of dollars-which sum ought 10
be added to the statement he had given yesterday.
He looked at these things merely as matter Of
account, not as topics for accusation. But when
we have found that for four years the outlay Of
the Government has exceeded its income by
more than eight millions yearly, and when the
President proposes now no considerable reduc.
ton OF expenditure and no measures for raising
revenue, he asked the States whether such was
a wise and provident course Of Administration!
He differed from the President on the point
that it would be better to withdraw the deposites
from the States than to impose duties on these ar.
ticles. He thought it was much better to. tax
such articles, than to withdraw the depostes and
he bell eyed such was the opinion of the public.
In conclusion, Mr.. Webster repeated that his
sole object had been to state the financial view
Of the queston-not to assail the Administration
on the score Of extravaganza, but to show that
the Message was calculated, unless noticed, to
produce erroneous impressions.
After few interlocutory explanations between
the two Senators in very courteous sy e, the
question was put on the motion to refer the fnan
cal portion OF the message to the committee on
Finance, and carried affirmatively, mem. con.