The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-25
gmemtp= Strth Congress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE.
MONDAY, Feb. %, ls4i.


Mr. WHITE presented a report made to the Gene
raj Assembly OF the State Of Indiana the subject OF
the distribution ofthe proceeds the sales OF the pup
lie lands accompanied by joint resolution OF tue Lee
psature OF said State asking that the permanent pro-
speciye presumption bill be amended to distr-
butte the proceeds of the sales in just and equitable
proportions 10 grant the right OF pre-emption TO $40
acres al the minimum price, and 10 limit the right to
actual bona fide settlers
Also a resolution of the General Assembly, that
the Government should be supported by the revenue
TO be raised by duties foreign goods and wholly
opposed to any system Of direct taxation.
Mr.. PRENTISS presented the petition OF John
Pope, praying for a pension.
Also the memorial OF citizens Of the county ofEre,
State of New York and the memorial Of citizens oil
the town OF Alexander in the same State remonstra
ing against the ratification and execution Of the iate
treaty with the Seneca Indians.
Mr.. CLAY presented the memorial OF NUMBER OF
citizens of the ca part of Tennessee engaged IN
the growth and manufacture ofsk, asking that aduty
may be imposed on the foreign article
Mr. HENDERSON presented a resolution OF the
Legislature of Mississippi, asking that river land
district may be established on the Mississippi,
Mr. YOUNG presented the memorial Of citizens of
Randolph county, Illinois, asking the opinion OF Con-
gress as to the true meaning and construction Of the
Federal Constitution in relation to the right ofproper-
ty in slaves the right othe States to issue bills ofcre
dit and the power of Congress to establish national
bank,
Mr. Y said the petitioners were Scotch Covenant
ers, and highly respectable persons.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN presented the petition Of
number of citizens Of Pennsylvania asking for bank
Mr.. ROBINSON presented the petition of Joseph
Shoemaker for pension.
Mr.. KING from the Committee on Commerce
asked be discharged from the resolutions OF the Lee
gslaure of Louisiana, the subject of placing buoys
at the mouths of the Mississippi bill having been
before reported for that purpose,
The bills ordered to be engrossed on Friday We're
severally read third time and pas ed.
Mr.. CRlTTENDEN asked leave to bring in bill
prevent the interference of certain federal officers
in elections.
Mr.. c. spoke at length showing the object Of
the bill in question When the debate was further
continued between Messrs. NORVELL, CRIT
TENDEN, WRIGHT, CLAY. CALHOUN, BU-
CHANAN. CUTHBERT, PRESTON, and others.
The debate became very animated, SO much so that,
when Mr. Preston closed, there strong burst of
applause from the galleries, and some indications in
the lobby. Immediately there were cries OF Clear
the galleries-cear the galleries"
Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, with much earnestness
Clear the galleries.
Mr.. ANDERSON, striking his hand on the desk
| nsis, that the galleries be cleared
MIR. BENTON: Clear the galleries--clear the
blackguards,
Mr., CALHOUN rose also and called for the gal
leries 10 be cleared.
Mr.. CLAY Spare the ladies they have not sim
ned hope they may be suffered 10 remain.
The east gallery was soon cleared, though crowded
TO sufocation-the citizens retiring as speedily as the
nature of the would admit
Mr. CALHOUN closed the debate MIR. Crit
tendens bill and on the question of granting leave to
introduce il being taken il decided in the mega
1--WE; Yeas IA, NAYS %.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate
the following letter from Mr. Webster;
Hon r. NJ JOHNSON, Vice President u S.
Sir II is the object of this letter 10 make known
10 the Senate the resignation of my seat of the
Senators from Massachusetts having already informed
the Executive of that State that from this day my
place would be vacant
Z" In retiring from situation in which so considcra
bic part of my life has been passed, hope may be
permitted express my high respect for the body of
which have been member, the interest shall ever
feel in the preservation of its character and dignity
and rSssef as tt hssllh and a.r".-- Of
With much personal regard, have the honor to
D. WEBSTER"
As soon as the letter was read
Mi. CUTHBERT, of Georgia, expressed his re-
greet hat the Senator from Massachusetts MIR. Web
ster was not present. as he DESTROYS of putting
that gentleman some inquiries as to doctrines some
time since put forth by him. in which the People Of
the South had deep and vital interest and in rea-
non 10 which IL had been said that the Senator had
changed his opinions If the Senator could explain
In satisfactory manner, he would stand much better
with the South than he now did. Mr. c. had de-
layed adverng to the subject under the impression
that the Senator being about to make his resignation
to-day, would address the Senate in person on that oc
casion.
Mr.. CLAY expressed the deep regret he felt that
the Senator from Georgia should seized an occa
sion when Mr.. C.'s honorable friends absence from
these halls
Mr.. CUTHBERT here interposed and protested
against the idea that he had seized the opportunity Of
Mr. Webster's absence to make the remarks he had
now done, or that it should for moment be supposed
he had ever shrunk from expressing any opinion he
hed IN the presence of any man whom it might con-
Germ. The document which his remarks were
founded and in regard to which he was DESTROYS Of
interrogating the Senator from Massachusetts had
been IN his possession last session. but he had declined
al mat Tune 10 use IT, and had been left behind him
IN the district He had directed il to be sent to him
but this had not been done he had since used every
effort IN his power possess himself of it, and hoped
soon TO succeed. Mr.. c. had not known till few
Gays since that was Mr. Webster intention leave
the Senate before the expiration of the session He
hoped, therefore, that the Senator from Kentucky
would release him from the mputation of being un-
wiling TO express his sentiments in that Senator's
presence II was impossible MIR C. could in this
matter be influenced by any party considerations be-
cause, should The Senator be able satisfactorily 10 ex
plain, the effect would be rather 10 weaken the infu
ence Of the party to which Mr. c. belonged
MT CLAY resumed, and said that it far from
his intention to convey the idea that the Senator from
Georgia feared put any proper queries 10 his friend
from Massachusetts, had seized the opportunity of
ms absence with the view Of taking any improper adj
vantage OF that circumstance still he could not but
express his profound regret, whatever circumstance
might have caused the honorable Senator to choose
TINS moment Tor introducing the remarks he had made
that ne had not chosen a more suitable occasion.
Mr.; CuIHBERT here again interposed and in
CURED whether it had been generally Understood
that the Senator from was to be in his
place to-day and to address the Senate previously to
making the resignation of his seat
Many voices cried out, 'No; there has been no
such understanding"
Mr. CUTHBERT. There certainly has been on
this side of the Senate
Mr. CLAY said he could not answer for the SEN
ators sources OF information That his friends
intention to resign his seat fact which had for
some time been generally known and had been stated