The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-19
IN SENATE.
nv kHkNIh 4 ~
"WEDNESDAY, Jun

The PRESIDENT, pro tenn, presented petition
for improvement of the Publications Of the Delaware
On motion of Mr.. BUCHANAN, it was referred
to the Committee military affairs.
Also the petition of w alter r. Johnson for COM
pensaton of losses sustained by him in consequence
of his appointment of the Scientific Corps of
the Exploring Expedition:
On motion of Mr. PRESTON laid on the table.
Mr.. BUCHANAN presented the petition of many
widows of Revolutionary officers and soldiers for re-
lief in consequence of the expiration of pensions
| Mr.. CLAY presented nutnerousy signed petition
| from Rochester N. Y. for General Bankrupt Law.
| Also, a petition from manufacturers in New York
and Connecticut for protection against certain i'm
| ported hats. ~ p, 80 yr~@ 49,
Mr. PORTER presented petition. Subject not
| heard.
Mr. SMITH, from the Committee on Public Lands
reported against any action during the present seson
the resolutions of the Legislature OF Mississippi in
favor of a new land office in that State
| Mr.. BENTON wished to call up his resolutions
calling on the Secretary of the Treasury for nforma
| ton as to the state Of accounts since March 18th.
Mr.. CLAY reminded the Senator that the resolu-
ton had been laid the table by vote, and could not
! be taken up without a vote
| Mr. CALHOUN insisted warmly on the urgent
importance OF this information. They asked nothing
unreasonable and he wished it to be understood that
they had desire TO throw embarrassment In the way
OF the appropriate business OF the session But the
whole basis of the Secrearys report was supposed
deficit in the Treasury. 1t to obtain information
as to the nature and extent Of this deficit that the reso-
lutiOns were presented.
Mr.. CLAY. 1t is not worth while put ourselves
into passion about it,
Mr.. CALHOUN l am not in passion, sir. But
we insist on the information.
Mr. CLAY Well; but what good will that do
US 1t is to be remembered that there is an amend
ment moved by the Senator from New Hampshire, TO
the original resolution. That amendment calls for
long additional Details which would take up the time
of the clerks of the Treasury, and very much obstruc
| the necessary business of the session.
Mr. CALHOUN All that | have to say is, that
it is very desirable the express business Of this ex
ira session. that should have the facts which the
resolution calls. The report now gives US only grand
results. We want the tacs-the state OF accounts
from the fourth of March to the fourteenth of June.
Do not gay u.s. to prevent getting Information.
speak in no passion but when called on to act
in matter which believe to be eminently DANCE
rous the country and the Constitution we may, 1T
least be excused tor earnestness in making this CALL
Mr. WOODBURY. said he called for the amend
ment with view to open the door for inquiry and dis
cussion. He wished Senators TO observe, that the
motion to take up the resolution did not decide its
passage but merely enabled them to discuss It, bring
forward their views and come to the knowledge OF the
facts in that way, TO some extent.
| Mr.. BENTON observed that to take up the resolu-
ton thlng-to pass it, another thing. They
certainly had the right to take nup whether 1t should
| afterwards pass or not.
| MIR CLAY. Sir, | am sure that there is no dispo-
son on this side of the Senate to withhold any inior-
nation requisite for legislative action But If gentle
men will mike calls to distract and occupy the time
| and attention of the Departments, can We be blamed
for opposing them put ito their candor Senators
on the other side say they in earnest in making
| the call-,hut they want the information. And arc
| not ,ce in earnest? And whose opinions are to pre-
vail, if not those of the majority
Mr. CLAY then moved to print the resolution and
amendment. For his part, he did not know It's full
purport and extent 1t might he printed and taken up
tomorrow when they could discuss as the Senators
desired
Mr. CALHOUN hoped the Senator from n. H.,
would withdraw his amendment. The original reso-
luton very short and simple and there could be
no difficulty in meeting that alone. The details OF the
accounts might differ very widely from the general
statements OF the Secretary.
An Executive Message was here received from the
| President
Mr.. WOODBURY. said that every one should have
opportunity to explain his views it. His object
discuss the propety of the measure, and il the
resolution should then be taken up, they should then
have it, on its merits; and he prepared to show
that it would not involve the amount of labor in its
details which had been claimed and that it would
bear directly the great measures for which this ex-
ira session I'd been called.
Mr. CLAY in order to commodatc the Senator by
an opportunity TO make the speech which he had Tor
some time been promising them willing to call up
his resolution to print 500 copies OF the Secre
tory's plan of the Fiscal Bank This would afford the
oppor,uny which the Senator desired and bile
the present resolution and amendment might lie on the
table
The resolution to print extra copies was taken up
Mr. WOODBURY. addressed the Senate for some
hours with detailed attack on the regular report Of
the Secretary of the Treasury accompanying the Pre-