Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-07-05
Seam, GA IA. ssasis.

more harmonious icelng.
Mr. Choatc, Of Massachusetts,, opened the debate |
by warm speech in support OF Me- RWes' amend ,
ment. la the course OF his remarks. he las report
ed) said substantially that he kHttO, unless the
amendment was eoncurred in, thero would be no
Bank bill passed thus session.
MIR. Clay desired to know upon what nuthori.
ty MIR. Choate made so positive an assertion' lie
must have good grounds upon which to base it, sc.
Mr. Choate declined giving his reasons or the
sources of his information, because he could not do
SO without breach OF privilege, or violating
Parliamentary rule.
The subject here dropped, bu, was subsequently
revived 10y an allusion from Mr. Archer to the in
aucnco sought to I've brought to bear on account Of
the Presidents opinions.
What followed We copy from the GlObs-nltho'
it is greatly exaggerated and distorted-But copy
from that in preference TO all others, that
may be seen with what joy the dissensons Of our
friends dwell, upon by the adversary, in the full
persuasion that that circumstance will contribute to
n restoration of harmonious feeling.
"Mr Clay asked the Senator from Virginia to al
low him to explain what he did say. lie haG in.
terruped the Senator from Massachusetts,, to ascer-
tain upon what ground the assertion made,
positively made, that there could be no Bank, but
the thing rendered by the gentleman from Virginia
II did not follow that the fact stated, depended
the determination Of the Executive. IL might be
that tho gentleman had polled or tho other of
the legislative branches, and found that the thing
now presented was the only measure that could DC
carried.
Mr. Choa,o modj some er EXPLANATION, not distinctly
heard. Ii understood To be, that he had not
made OF the name official authority OF the EX-
ecutivo; but had expressed his conviction, derived
from many facts and deductions, which he did not
think necessary to explain.
MIR Clay. ! am satisfied that the honorable Sen.
N than hat
which he now makes. He said he knew there would
be no Bank this session, unless this amendment was
adopted. wanted to ascertain how he knew the
fact might not have been authorized in suppos-
ing he knew II from the Executive; he might have
derived his Knowledge from the other branch; but
wanted to know where he got the fact from.
Mr. Choatc. II is proper for me to say that
never exchanged syllable with the Executive, or
derived from his lips any expression this subject
| said that ! believed this was the only way we
had to get Bank this session. and stated distinct
y that had no authority for saying this from the
Executive or any ono else whom the Senator from
Kentucky alludes 10 as my supposed authority
stated my own convictions.
MIR Clay. rise, sir, to vindicate myseffrom the
inference that had no grounds for questioning the
Senator when interrupted him. The inference that
ln,erered in consequence of mere expression OF
his opinion, is not warranted. did such thing.
The gentleman said that he knew would have
no Bank this session unless we adopted this amend.
meat. lie made the assertion most positively, rs
If from the authority Of some competent power TO
render the measure nugatory. wanted TO know
what authority he had Tor the assertion; and, for
that purpose alone, | interrupted HIM.
Mr.. Choatc had given my conviction. The
Senator rom Kentucky asked me what grounds [
rested my belief upon. | replied that based them
on facts and deductions did not think proper TO
disclose. did not IN giving convictions from Il
belief could not control, imply that had any Elk
ecutive authority for what stated.
MIR Cliy-(eXcied.) Will the gentleman saw
that he dId not, in answer To my direct interrogao
ny, state that he could disclose the source of his
convictions without breach OF privilege and viola
ton OF parliamentary ruler
Mr. Choate attempted again to explain, but was
interrupted by MIR Clay, III great excitement.
Clay. That, sir, is not the thing. Did you
not say that you could not without breach OF ,.riv.
lege and violation of parliamentary rule, disclose
your authority
MIR Choate. Sir, insist on my right to explain
what did say IN my own words.
Mr Clay, (under great eTcitemenL) Did you not
MIR Preston. rise, sir, addressing the Chair, and
advancing towards the centre Of the floor where MIR
Clay stood close to MIR Choate,) rise, sir, to ques
ton of order.
The Chair called the Senator to order; and, after
little agitation, all were seated.
Mr. Archer then rose and said he was surprised, TO
see the Senator from Kentucky interposng his points
OF order 10 prevent an auson to the opinions OF the
Executive, as he the last man in this body, and
among tie last in the nation, who would permit ES-
ecutve opinions to influence his conduct Oh this or
any other question.
Mr.. A. then proceeded in his argument
This brief memoranda of the words furnishes but
very imperfect idea of the scene. The manner in
which the affair conducted cannot be transfer
red TO paper. MIR Clay, who sits on the opposite
side OF the chamber from Mr. Choite, had approach
ed HIM, before the second alteration began so that
there was but u single seat between them. When
Mr. Choate rose IN reply TO Mr.. Clays renewed .us-
gestons urged IN the most insulting tone, MIR. Clay
Kept his feet In fact, he turned upon him. and xed
an eye like that OF the blsiisk directly in his face
and when he put his last question: he did il with
an emphasis and an expression of counrcnance
winch made II perfectly plain to every observer,
that II was an obvious attempt TO Fieichsri.s Mr.
Choate on the floor Of tho Senate OF tho United
States.n
= This sketch is no doubt from Amos pen, and is
done in his best style. lie Aatters himself to a Ger.
tiinty, that his abours will contribute to widen the
breach, and make thos, who should he fas, friends,
inrelernte enemies. We have a d fferent notion
and think II any thing can heal WING discord il
will be the eXultntion of Loeoiocoism at the pros.
pect 81 irreparnbo schism.
After this, passage occurred bet seen MIR Rives
and Mr.. Archer.
A letter from friend thus states il, and com.
muncates the pleasing intelligence that the whole
difficulty was subsequently adjusted
"fou will have accounts of scene which oc.
CURED to-day between Archer and Rives. IL was
very painful. A. opened 10y denouncing in no
measured terms, Mr.. Rivos' amendment, and took
occasion, somewhat discursively, to animadvert on
some Of RS former opinions. Ryes replied ut
length, and with very great severity. Both were
greatly excited, and adjournment took place
The adjournment had scarcely been had, when the
prompt and decided Interference of mutual friends
brought them together, and mutual explanations
took place, which will lead to the reinstating Of
friendly relations. a. had been manifestly more
severe than he had intended, and Rves more brusque
than his cooler judgment would have warrant
ed. Archer with Characteristic promptness, put
himself right in the meeting, which took place, and
RlVes met II in corresponding spirit-showing
that, though neither is incapable Of hasty spark.
they are both just, honorable and good tempered
men,"
Well asal is over, VIC boro mat this black Fri
day wasset apart !or the out bursts, with di,toe,
understanding that the Peace will be kept in future.
Il is good arrangement to have set occasions for
such scones-as their occurrence seems unavoidable
among fiery and Impas5ioned spirits. We venture
To predict that Tor the next month, until the great
business Of the session is over, uowontod harmony
and good feeling will pcrvade the Wing ranks. As
sligo, the following extract Of a letter from a we'll
informed source IL Washington, dated Friday night,
may be adduccJ: