davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
WHAT Is MONEY 4

The simple definition Of money Is "metai coinedt for
the purposes Of commerce" And coin is "money
stamped with legal impression" The metal that
is used for money in MODERN well ancient, times
has been ofthree kinds viz "gold ilrer and copper
The reason why these metals have been adopted and
used in all times as a STANDARD OF VALUE in COM
merce, is that they all possess an intrinsic ralue
they are all wrought into works Of art and utility
and all for the daily and ornaments OF life
Nothing can be more absurd than to talk about
hard" money, though all metal was not hard or of
paper" money, though paper" was species OF
metal" instead Of vegetable substance. What is
metaR ia hard compact body, malieabie and capa-
bls Of fusion" Papers not metal; neither is money
paper though they baye long been COMPOUNDED, most
confoundedly.
Bank notes, or Bank issues, or Bank paper, or by
whatever name Bank promises may be designated, is
not, never was, nor can be, MONEY though il may
be commercial currency" (Which is a circulation"
Of paper,) and substitute for "MoNEY, or more
properly speaking token mark or sign, in lieu OF
money! mere counter in the great game Of human
commerce and civilization.
The great desderatum now is CURRENCY for COM
mercial and universal circulation, whose basis Is
MoNEY-gold and silver.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

The principal movement worthy of remark in tn.
House, yesterday, was the appointment of Mr. J. O.
Adams to fill the place Of Mr.. c. Cushing in the
Chairmanship of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons, and the appointment Of Select Committee
Currency, Mr. Gushing chairman, and the rest Of the
Committee composed of gentlemen friendly to tho Adj
mnistration and members of the late Van Buren,
party. Whether any sinister design is concealed be-
meath the surface in this movement Of the Wings
proper, will be seen when the session 10 further ad-
vanced.
Mr.. Mangum, in the Senate, gave notice Of an in
tenon to raise committee to superntend the orders
for printing for that body, with view to retrench
ment in the publication of superhuous matter. Twenty
per cent was taken from the printers prices at the
Extra Session, and thus beginning made which
had hoped carried into other branches of the
service. We think a ralrenchment Of 10 to 20 per
cent. could be advanageousy introduced into most OF
the Departments Of the Government, touching the
emouments of most of the public agents, including
legislators.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

The following merited compliment to the Head Of
this Department from the Louisville (Ky.) Adver.
tiser, is haterng, but well merited and will be re-
ceived with not the less welcome for coming from his
own native State, and from well acquainted with
the character and public services of the Postmaster
General:
and business habits which have rendered Mr.. Wick
life popular in every public station he has filed be-
gin to exercise redeeming influence upon the opera
lions Of the Post Office Department. .
The President manifested his wisdom and good
sense in the appointment of Mr.. Wicklife, the very
man among thousand to bring order out Of confu-
sion and put the pfairs Of the Department sound
and profitable footing. Our mails now arrive with
more certainty and regularity and afailure instead Of
regular arrirai, has become an exception to the
general rule.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
NATIONAL INSTITUTION.

The following letter from M Charles Serruys, Di-
plomalc Representative OF Belgium, near the Govern
ment of the U. s, will be, we have no doubt, very
gratifying to the members Of the National Institution
BELGIAN LEGATION,
Washington, Dec 8, lS4l.
Francis MARKoE, Jr., Esq,
Cor. Secy National Institution
Dear Sir--In addition to the antique Roman lamps,
which you had the kindness TO accept in my name for
the National Institution, hope you will allow me to
offer you now
LIST. A Medal struck by the Royal Society of Sci
enccs Letters and Arts, of Antwerp on the occasion
of the bis secular fetes in honor Of Ru6sus.
ID A Medal, of the National Exhibition Of Fine
Arts, in 1889, intended az National reward.
3d. A Medal concentrating the opening Of the
first section Of the Belgian Rail Roads in 1884.
4th A Medal struck in honor Of the Regent Of
Belgium.
These Medals are presented by me in the name OF
the Belgian Government, proof of the warm inte-
rest in the establishment and prosperity ofhe National
Institution, for the Promotion Of Science founded at
the Seat of Government, which is destined, believe,
to shed lustre on the United States.
Very respectfully, Sc,
CHARLES SERRUYS.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
MISSISSIPPI BONDS.

Every body wanted TO have Mcleod hanged, t he
was tried; then, they were glad he was acquitted.
We shall wait ill Mississippi is tried, before we
condemn her; and fshe be found not guilty,
We shall then have saved ourselves the superfuous
wisdom Of having pronounced judgment ofcondemna-
ton against her.
The question is-if we do not msapprehend it,
whether part of the Bonds,-not the whoe,--be
honestly due to the holders I" which must depend
upon the fact of their being innocent chucks."
And another question will grow out Of the first II
is,-Whether Mr.. Biddle and his Cotton Bags"
have bagged the proceeds Of tho Bonds or, whether
Mississippi has received thsml
When these facts are ascertaned, correct judg-
ment may then be formed and pronounced in this
case and not Till then. And till then, We shall do
Mi. Bidje'. Bank and three-e ofthe Banks
in the country have done-i 9. suspsnd"-our judg-
ment
Honesty and honor, shall never be made party
questions by the Madisonian.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
CREDIT.

Credit Is neither cash capital. II you must
have credit which is debt due from you to some
body else why not obtain the credit of the person
from whom you have received the paine Of this credit
instead of dscharging the debt, and contracting
one at expense perhaps, -certany, at addi-
,iona trouble Can you not give the same security
to the first creditor that you offer to the second3 Can
you make the tradesman, mechanic or laborer, as
secure as the Bankl Why then 60 to a Bank to
borrow money to pay debt, which you might as well
owe one creditor another--inasmuch as you can
only give them the same security Why support all
the useless expense and paraphernalia Of Bank,
when small slip of paper acknowledging an indeb-
edness, and promise to pay with interest, will an
swer every purpose
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
APOLoGETICAL.

"a carbuncle entire, as big as thou art,
Were not so rich jewel. Thou vast soldier
Even TO Catos wish not fierce and terrible
Only In strokes; but, with thy grim looks and
The thunder-like PERCUSSION of thy sounds
Thou madst thy enemies shake, as if the world
Were feverous and did tremblep
II We wanted to catch gudgeon, we should bait
our hook with Prince" or a Lord We select
ed short paragraph, not long since, about Prince
Embden, and il was snapped up incontinentIy. We
baited again with nobIeman, and hook and all was
swallowed at full length" And for what reason 7
Why, forsooth, because it was "solidly stupid p This
shows strong affinity for stupidity and this is the
first time any article of ours has been swallowed full
length, in that quarter We do not perceive, by the
list of guests in the New York Herald that our COZ
temporary had the honor of dining with Lord Nor
pelh. Why, then, should he take offence at
marks We opne tina, he did not belong to the re-
gular army" on this OCCASION which besieged his
Lordship.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

The DEMOCRATIC REvIEw ron DECEMBER. This
number is illustrated and ornamented with beaut-
fully engraved likeness Of of the first and most
popular authors of our country, WASHINGTON LAYING,
the Washington" of American Literature. There
is short notice of his writings, which pass over
with the remark, that we regret that brief memoir Of
the authors life did not accompany his likeness, which
think should in such be matter of course.
OF the leading article Of the Review, on animal
Magnetism" We neither prepared to "yield or
withhold our assent" TO the arguments on the sub
jcct.
The next article claiming attention is on the
!" Home League" and advocates free trade We are
glad to see free discussion on this subject.
The last article we have time to notice is the
Rights Of Government" by Phrenologist We
recommend the public to examine its bumps, they are
we'll developed.
This number has the usual commercial statistics
and miscellany.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
Mem fork Correspondence
New Y DIRK, Dec. 9. Is.

New Y DIRK, Dec. 8. lS41.
You will have had intelligence of the arrival Of the
Acadia before this reaches you. The from Eng
land, the birth of British King of little mo-
ment; while the intelligence from China is of much
more interesting character than the late movements
of the British led US to expect 1t was apprehended
by intelligent Englshmen resident in this city, and
also by others present temporarily soourning here
hattho Acadia would have brought accounts of great
riots in England, or, to speak plainly ola "revo-
luton" in of the districts where starvation and
and have brought under their iron grasp millions
Of free British born But the birth Of Prince Of
an heir to the throne has, for a space suspended
the cloud which has been so long darkening and cr-
pending the homes of our ancestors The poor
and wretched and oppressed and stricken have tor
moment lifted up their faces from the ground 10 sme
and welcome the babe that they trust will one day be
blessing to their children and their oppressed land
Such is the hereditary and educated feeling Of the low
est class ofEnglshmen, they will be ready conf
IDENTIFY to entrust the redress of their grievances to
native born King, while they willing to endure
from him than they would submit to under the
sceptre Of of foreign line Blu, while Prince
Albert holds the seat without WELDING the scepre
they have little respect reverence for him and this
feeling Of contempt indifference is irresistbly and
naturally transferred to the woman who placed him
there impotent. The popularity of Queen Victoria is
it is well known, only superficial and as caprcious as
her own regard and consideration for the welfare Of
the poorer classes of her subjects. Their confidence
which by judgment and generous beraity, she might
have secured to the certain stability of her throne she
never obtain but on the contrary the minds
Of the classes of whose faces ground by the
wicked luxury of the arAtocacy and the idle extrava
gance of royalty have been prepared TO receive the
seeds Of suspicion and hatred and TO look upon the
throne instead Of the light Of guardian of their H.
bertes the dispenser Of good and the broad wing Of
shelter the seat ofyranny, oppression and thought
less misruei sustaining itself by the abuse of that
Heaven delegated power which should have been eI-
erted only for the greatest good Of the whole. Such
was the state Of opinion and feeling with which the
indifference Of the powerful 10 the dstresses Of the
weak, has lately possessed all minds among those
classes which naughty British Lord (no doubt hap
piy) designated the substreta Of rude stones up
on which the throne OF eternal marble stands
and mperishsble" They were lately looking for the
shaking Of this solid structure by the CONFUSION and
uphesring of the very strata upon which its durability
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
THE FATE OF FALLEN POLITICIANS.

Politicians in this country, who have once forfeited
public confidence and fallen from place. never recover
power SO should it be, and SO mote il be- The pre-
cedent is as fixed as the laws of the Modes and Per-
slams SO should it be, and so mote it be. The ma
terias of party remain, when the scepre has passed
from the hands Of their leaders but the latter are an.
initiated, as leaders, and the material undsrgoes an
entire dissolution as party But these same mate
rails are used to construct parties and new COM
binations,-a consequence inherent in the improve
ment and progress of all human goyernments,-m more
especially where the people choose their own rulers
and declare THEN laws.
And what reason is there for b,i..-'nga man again
into office who has been thrust out by the force OF
public opinion, in fair field and and equal contest
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

"THE IsDEPENDEsr.n-We understand that
this new Washington paper will certainly be
out in day or two, and of course we antici-
pate terrible excorlation. Let il conceive
will welcome il TO fair field nevertheless, and
laugh as heartily at its witticisms (if il have
them) as any body else. But we trust il will
not degrade itself BY repeating one of the ire
mendous home-thrusts made originally in the
columns Of the N. Y Courier & Enquirer, VIZ:
that "the editor Of the Madisonian is the bro
ther-in-law of Mr.. Wise" The statement is
not only not true. dixie nine-tenths Of the state
ments Of that journal but il has nothing TO do
with our political warfare. Let US deal with
measures and men--not women and children.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
THE BIRTH OF AN HEIR TO THE BRI
TISH CROWN

The birth OF Prince, and heir TO the first throne
Of Europe is an event that has naturally, and Justly,
caused great rejoicing in England, and will not fail to
produce, in degree, corresponding emotions here
To be born command, to be born to the inheritance
and the right Of governing hundred and fifty or
sixty millions Of people, is no ordinary destiny. Hap
ply the form ofthe British Government does not com
NIT the destiny Of tina, great nation to the sway Of
infants intellect dotards She calls the ablest in
ellects of the country to its councis-thouph al
ways the wisest the most popular We hope for
happier results from the wisdom Of her ministry, than
from the birth Of Prince, though join with her
in rejoicing at the event.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
FAMINE IN ENGLAND.

We take the following from the N. Y. Sun, which
shows the wretched condition Of the poor of England
The Famine in Engiand.-The intense distress
prevailing in England authorizes us TO speak Of it
famine without being chargeable with eIaggeration.
The population Of Great Britain, including Ireland
and Scotland, is something twen,y seven mil
lions. Or this number il is supposed that at least
twenty millions wholly dependent upon their daily
labor for the bare necessaIies Of life. In many parts
of the Kingdom persons ale actually dying from star
walton and want.
obliged to omit for want of room, says, in former
letter mentioned that great distress prevailed through
out this country ] wish could tell you that this
vast amount of misery no longer prevails, but can
not-with every mail from all parts Of the kingdom,
the accounts heart-rending.
That il may not be supposed that the picture is too
highly colored either by our correspondent, we
will adopt the language of London paper, which
thus imbodies the fact upon this subject "Misery
has already taken up his abode in the frghtfu hab-
tatons Of the poor and the metropolis threatens TO
present before eyes all the direfu and narrowing
spectacleso uncomfortable poverty that brought
by every post from the featuring towns the
provinces. II is dreadful 10 think that hundreds and
thousands of felIow-creatures this moment
pning want-that starvation the fathers of
so many families when they return TO their homes,
and that if they fly from the cries of their children
seek relief abroad there is nought TO greet them in the
streets but despair. The means Of employment are
taken away-the doors of the workshop are closed in
insolvency, the gates Of the factory chained fast
by bankruptcy. Credit is not to be obtained, and
while the money market Is in the throes of convul.
that possible than what at present
still told, by those who have taken upon them
the reins Of government-that we have nought TO
hope for"
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

ed by the loss Of certificate. before they are returned
me residue Of the expense should constitute any
consderabts objection 10 the system II could be fully
ooplated by moderate and fired PREMIUM for the eer-
fyaeafss, either t0hen issued or redeemed"
II there be any thing impolitic, impractical
Bile, or unconstitutional in the recommendations
OF the Presidents Message, on the subject Of a
Fiscal Agency, we think the passages we have
quoted from Ex-Secretary Woodbury's Report
Tor Letter. are obnoxious TO the same objections.
As he is now Senator, he will be present to
answer any objections that the Senator from
Missouri may make against those views Of the
Report that bear SO strong a resemblance, in
their essential principles, to the recommends
tons of the Message, against which the excep-
tons have been taken.
For the present, we, therefore leave the Sc
nator from Missouri TO argue the point with the
Senator from New Hampshire.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
THE GLOBE-N. " POST HARTFORD
TIMES, &c.--AND THE MESSAGE.

TIMES, &c.-ANp The MESSAGE.
We have neither time space, inclination at pre-
sent to comment upon the commentaries of these jour
mails on the Presidents Message Perhaps they would
themselves and US little trouble In the premises
ifthey would carefully peruse the following passage
from one Of PRESIDENT JAcKsoNs annual Messages,
on the subject Of Bank, as a I" substitute for the
Then present Bank
g 1t is thought practicable to organize such Bank
with the necessary officers as a branch Of the Trea
sury Department, based on the public and individual
perry which shall remit the funds of the Government
and the expenses of which may be paid if thought ad
visabe, by allowing its officers TO sell bill exchange
to pirate individuals at a moderate premium. Not
being corporate body, having stockholders, debt
property, and but few officers, il would not be
obnoxious to the constitutional objections which are
urged against the present bank and having no
to operate the hopes, fears, interests of
large masses Of the community, would be shorn of
the influence which makes that Bank formidable
The States rouid be ngthened by having in their
hands the means Of furnishing local paper cur.
rency through their oion Banks while the Bank of
the United States, though issuing no paper, would
check the issues of the State Banks by taking their
notes in deposit, and for exchange, only long
they continue to be redeemed Nth specie. In times
Of public emergency the capacities Of such institu-
lion mightbe enlarged by legislative prorision."
twill not be expected that shall make any com.
ment upon the extractit furnishes its own common
tary.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
THE AGRICULTURAL INTEREST

This great and highly important interest begins to
attract the public attention in degree proportion
al to its Importance We pleased to see that a
primary meeting relative to the subject has been held
at the Patent Office and that Committee, consisting
Of the Hon. Dixon H. LEWIS, of Alabama, Messrs.
BENZ. v. FRENCH, of Massachusetts,, and J. M. GAR
NETT, of Virginia, have been chosen to prepare a
draft of Constitution TO be submitted TO Conven
ton, which is to be holden on Wednesday, the 18th
instant.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

HUNTS Magazine for December.-This' number
contains several highly interesting articles,
merce, and our foreign commercial relations besides
the usual interesting miscellany and statistics. The
articles on Morocco and its commercial facilities
the commercial relations of the United States-Brsh
Corn Laws,-and the Morals of trade, will be read
with much edifcation. There is also another article,
furnishing method of computing interest that will
be found very useful
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

Rumor says the Madisonian has recently obtained
one fat job of public printing from the Government
of some fifty thousand dollars, whilst the large and
extensive establishment of that dgnifcd and gentle
manly paper, the National lnielligencer, which had
incurred heavy outlay, TO enable il to do the Con-
gressona and Government printing, has been lying
idle u S. Gazette.
Rumor lies, as usual The editor Of the Madso
niau has no knowledge of any such job coming to
his establishment The means Of the Office are fur
nished solely by the proprietor, who did not even re-
sort to Bank for loan Nor are his presses mort
gagged
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

II The reader is referred to the first page Of to-
days Madsonan for "Opnons of the Press" on Pre-
sident Tyler's Message. They will also find an excel
lent Letter from our Foreign Correspondent
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

Familiar Dialogues and Popular Discussions, sc.
5y-WM. FowLE.-This is work well adapted for the
use of schools while will capvate the fancy ofthe
youthful learner il -yill at the same time impart
valuable instruction, Tappah a. Dennet, Boston are
the publishers.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

To CoRREsPoNDEsTs.Th he communication the
PHILOSOPHY Of Money and Banks" from Illinois
College is under consideration Its length would
clude its publication, at present, were its views APP
proved though should not exclude it on account
of difference of opinlon-as we like free discussion,
and are anxious always TO hear both sides Of ques-
ton
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14
NAVAL APPOINTMENTS

We are again desired to give notice that no
farther appointments Of Mldshipmen can be
made al this time.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

JAMES WATSON WEBs-From the bitter sarcasms
and cutting personal illusions found in the Courier g.
Enquirer against the Editor Of this paper, might
be led to suppose that Webb's right terribly
shattered.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

G5-We would call the attention Of the read
er to Mr.. Wise's letter in to-day's paper
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

ID OOMS FOR ENT.--Three Parlors and three
IL Chambers, situate on 4 2 stree, between Penn
sylvsnia avenue and G street
dee 4 JAS, WILLIAMS,
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

rur DAILY MADlSoNiAN will be issued
,,,ow We shall send il to our tri-weekly sub
h.,. il the city, with the hope that they will suffer
,ms. 10 be transferred to the list Of daily sub
-. Those who may object TO the transfer, will
.vs notice 10 that effect at the Office.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-14

DINDERs' BOARDS, &c.-4, 900 lbs. extra fine
ID Binders Boards; 1000 lbs do. Straw do. 1000
do, Box do
20 gross blue and white Bonnet Boards
10 do sup. fine White do.
just received and for sale by
GARRETT ANDERSON
Penn. Avenue, between lith and i2thsn.
dec l4-6t