The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-07
IN SENATE.
THURSDAY, August 5, lS4l

Mr. BENTON presented the proceedings Of large
and highly respectable assemblage held in Fauquier
county Virginia protesting against the extra session
useless and uncalled for; against National Bank,
as unconstitutional, and denying that 1t made
issue before the People during the late Presidential
election and maintaining that it their duty 10
wage deadly and unceaslng war until its repeal was
effected affirming. at the same tme that Congress
had full power TO repeal the charter whenever the
ory chose To do also, against the distribution OF
the proceeds of the public lands against an increase
OF the tariff and against national debt and giving
thanks TO the Democratic members tor their pal riotc
e1ertions during the present session in endeavorng 10
res isl those measures.
Mr.. BENTON expressed his full concurrence in the
sentiments expressed in the document and he was
prepared to show, when the proper time came, that
more decisions had been made agains, the constitu-
tonality of a National Bank than in its favor. If
gentlemen wished TO express their opinions on this
subject they could have an opportunity to do He
would move 10 lay The docu .nent on the table and
that it be printed.
Mr.. ARCHER had objections TO the printing
He would not discuss the subject as this was not the
proper time when that time came he should be pre-
pared to give his opinions on some of the sentiments
contained in the document ii had been said that il
proceeded from large and respectable portion of the
citizens of Fauquler Without, however, DENYING
the proposition he would only saw that he had see n
newspaper published in the place where the meeting
was he an express avowal that the whole number
of persons present only 49, which assertion would
scarcely have been made without know ledpe of lis
truth. Three of the most conspicuous gentlemen in
the nelghborhood, who were present al tie meeting.
dlssented from the leading provisions, and withdrew
from the meeting and yet il was proposed to -and
forth these resolutions the sentiments the people
of Virginia on some of the most important questions
that ever came before any deiberatve assembly.
| Mr. MILLER coniended that, pending the late
Presidential contest a National Bank was an issue
made befure the people Il was not difference Of
men but of measures and vast majority OF the peo-
Pile had decided favor Of the establishment of Ma
tional Bank Did Senators, when they spoke thus
earnestly and strongly in favor 81 repeal, mean to
say that no FAITH nor trust 10 be reposcd IN
Tenn act of Congress If they did, in what light
must they present themselves before Christian com
munity and the civilized world.
| Mr.. WHITE said that the practice of printing
private memorials had been growing since he had
been member of the Senate until had become their
duty TO arrest IT, A great expense in that way was
daily Accomplishing without any counteryailing advan-
iage to our counses OF 10 the public interest. He was
wiling in such cases TO make Just discrimination
and would vote 70 PRINT any memorial having reference
to any specific and important question Of public policy
| pending before the Senate, which was drawn in re-
spectu terms and with bona tide purpose He
could not however consent to print and enrol among
| the pubic documents paper like the present which
purporled To be treatise upon matters and things in
general, most Of which had passed from the conslde.
ration of the Senate Ii the Senator fiom Missouri
wished the memorial referred and To It's Ian.
guage in reference the report of the Secretary OF
the Treasury, would dlssect It's various contents, he
would chceriully aid in giving the proper disposition
to the paprrs but he would not contribute, by his
vote, 10 give consequence to document which at
tempted to burlesque policy so intimately connected
with the interests of his constituents the tariff by
a declaration that the South would pay II and the
North would cat ia document 50 hostile to the spI-
lit of institutions 10 proclaim IN advance dead
" and mplacabc against the constitutional acts
OF Congress Mr. w. said be could see merit in
the present document to entltle il to favor than
allowed TO he large mass OF private memorials which
are read and referred without being printed
! Mr. ALLEN wGud ask the yeas and nays on the
/ question: IN on,er TO ascertain what really was the
opinion Of the majority OF the Senate in relation to
the matter. II he understood the remarks OF the Sc
majors they wen, TO deny the power Of Congress To
repeal laws which had been enacted by il predeees.
sors and the pcope, furesecing the danger Of such
political heresles, had asserted the right to tell their
! agents, !" ii you do this act shall change our
agents and their measures when we obtain MAORI
" and because they thus loudly speak their agents
nsolently auogated 10 themselves the power TO ex.
clude their masters from the uglt of declaring their
sentiments and this the English Of the whole
matter.
| Mr. CLAY hoped the document would not be print