Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-02-06

But # they could get National debt, ana charter
for National Bank from Congress, the difficulty would
be at an end. Here was the grand secret
In the of his remarks, Mr. V. observed that IT
had been pravey determined that extra session must
be called. The dominant party could not wait the due
OF time before they came into the full tnon OF
their power but all the visions which, for the last six
or eight months, had been dancing before them, must
be realized without delay The Subtreasury law was
to be repealed and the money of the people taken from
under the power of the law and placed under the con-
troll Of the dominant party.
After adverting to the warnings OF Mr. WISE on the
subject of calling extra session, Mr.. " observed,
that he were acting merely party man, he could
desire nothing better than extra session. for nothing
could be more adverse to the party coming INTO power
He then proceeded to show what they wouid nave u
expect from the disappointed who would be by Tar more
numerous than the appoiatcd. Also, how gentieuieh
would he compelled to show their hands, for then they
could no longer play General Num- 10 caii an extra
session some five or six weeks after General Harrison
had been summoned from his log cabin into palace,
would be TO that party an event. Ny ho inea"s Peosa
in its consequences.
Mr. v then showed how the non-commttalism of
General Harrison previous TO his election could then
be kept up no longer lie asked how could 1t be ex-
pected that the Northern Wing who had voted for Har
rison as u friend to Abolition, would agree with the
Southern Wing who had voted for him under contra
ry impression.
But now it did not appear to be understood by the
Opposition, what the principles OF General Harrison
were, tor gentlemen oil the same kiohey "eic o qua
relling on the subject.
After some other remarks, Mr. " went on to exa-
mine ofthe grounds that gentlemen OF the Oppose
ton had taken to prove that the Government was IN
debt
The gentleman from n York mir. Barnard had as
sumed position that the amount of Indebtedness was
forty millions; other gentlemen had each come to differ
ent conclusions. Now he Mr.. W could not account
for such strange other than by snppos-
ing the existence Of halluclnaon OF mind on tins
H. tnl To hnn htg do
had no other foundation than in the Imagination OF
those gentlemen But ne started with this proposition,
viz that it not enough to show owed national
debt but that debt chargeabe upon the year for
which they now proposed to make provision. -,
In December, 1S4l, the Opposition would have the
whole Government in their possession, with all ITS re-
sources and then they would be able to make provision
for themselves But, until then it was the duty OF the
present Administration to make suitable provision
That was duty they owed to the country.
Now, if the items referred to by gentlemen as CON-
posing the debt, not chargenble in lS4, why then
was not posterous 10 ask the present Admnstra
ton TO make provision for debts not yet due:
Mr. V. then went into examination of the various
items by which Mr.. Barnard had conrved to make out
his imaginary debt of forty millions regret to say,
said Mr.. ", that my colleague is much better poet
than arthmetican but let how he undertakes to
make out debt Of forty millions chargeable upon the
year ISL.
In the first place that gentleman had charged the
whole principal of the debt assumed by Congress for
the District of Columbia to certain citizens abroad,
amounting to one million and half of dollars Now,
what did the Secretary say this subject:
"But it will be recollected that Congress, by an act
passed in May, 1885, engaged, under special condl.
TONS to made payment Of debt due from the cities OF
the District of Columbia to certain individuals abroad
"The principal amounted to 81 100000, and was to
be paid in yearly instruments OF 100000 each, begin
ming the lst of January 1oil. But the interest was
payable quarterly and during the last four years had
been regularly discharged by the Treasury.
"Withn the present year, notice has been received
from the agent Of the creditors that payment OF the rst
and subsequent insalments Of the principal is desired
TO be made, when due, with punctuality To insure
compliance with that wsh it will be necessary besides
meeting the interest quarterly, TO advance Sooooo Of
the principal at the commencement OF the ensuing year
and the residue must be paid, in like amounts annually
hereafter till the whole is discharged.
Now here appeared that but 100000, with the inte-
rest would be required for the year for that debt
and vet the gentleman from New York had set down
the whole sum- viz million and half chargeable
upon this year.
This was the first specimen, and he would show that
il was the same throughout the whole estimates
Mir V. then, at great length, went into an e1amna-
ton OF other items which Mr. Barnard had relied to
make out his deot Of forty millions, all OF which he
showed were without foundation.
He then, with keen sarcasm, replied to the loose
charges made by Messrs Bell, Thompson, Evans, and
Others against The Secretary of the Treasury and hav-
ing conc luded his remarks,
Mr. TRIPLETT then obtained the floor
motion was made that the Committee rise, which
PREVAILED and the Committee rose, reported progress,
and asked leave TO sit again.