The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1841-02-10

then, il we had spare time, we might attend 10
general politics. The politics OF the State
were well understood at Washington, and he
though, there WAS no immediate necessity for
attending to that subject.
Mr.. Robbins thought no subject was Of more
importance TO the State than this.
Mr. II. Whippe thought this subject OF e.
DUAL importance TO any before US
Mr. Summons thought this a subject OF i'm
portance TO either party.
And the order of the day was taken up.
The resolution in favor OF the session Of the
public lands was read. as follows:
! Whereas the public lands are in the hands
of Congress as Trustees for the several States
Of the Union and whereas the interest Of many
Of the States. and Of this among the rest, IS,
that the distribution Of The nett proceeds of the
sales Of these lands shonld forthwith be made {:
and whereas no State has an interest against
said distribution and whereas the well being
and welfare OF tho Union would he promoted
BY the measure :--Therelore,
! Rcsolrcd, by this general Assembly Uhe Sen
ate coneuning with the House Of Representa-
tives thcretol that our Senators in Congress be
instructed, aud our Representatives be request
ed, to use their utmost cndeavors to procure an
act of Congress for such distribution, framed in
such manner to secure to each State its cqnlt-
able proportion Of the nett proceeds of the sales
of said lands.
Mr. Atwell moved that the rcsolutlcn be a
mended so as TO read, that Congress are trus-
tees for the several States according 10 The
terms Of the deeds Of ccsson aud according TO
the principles Of purchase.
! Mr.. Robbins thought this unnecessary as II
was implied.
Mr.. Awell said they could only be consid
cred trustees according TO the terms OF the
trust. Part Of the lands had been ccded To the
the United States by some Of the individual
states for certain purpose and the modes o
disposing of the proceeds were distinctly speci
fed in The deeds Of cesslon. 10 the cessIon by
Virginia ii was provided thar the proceeds
Should 90 towards the extinguishmrnt OF the
debt Of the revolution and bearing the general
expenses Of The Unlled States.
Now the receipts do not meet the eXpcnd-
lures and he thought II an improper Tune to
take the proceeds Of the lands which was ex-
pressly granted by Virginia TO pay these very
expenses.
Mr.. A. said he was a tariff man, and he was
willing to reduce the revenue so as to procure a
a ta,in, but he could not sacrifice the constltu-
ton and laws of the land to expedlency.
I The Florida and Louisiana tracts are the
principal purchases made. The best perton oi
the lands credited have been sold.
The remainder Of these lands have been ce-
ded by some of the states for special purpose.
and he was willing TO instruct our Represen-
ratiycs TO endeayor to procure the distribution
of the proceeds of the lands according to the
terms Of the cesslon.
Mr.. Robbins thought the argument against
the whole resolution. The terms OF the ces-
SION he thought were thai the proceeds we've
to be distributed according 10 the ratio OF the
contributions oflhe contederacy. This resolu-
lion provides that the proceeds shall be dIstnb-
uted according to equity.
; After some farther debate the question was
put and the resolution passed unanimously.
; And tho resolution in favor OF National
Bank. as follows, was taken up.
Whereas, the prosperity OF all The great IN
I,crests of this con",ry 30 JoPondont "ro. that
of the internal trade thereof; and whereas the
inlernal trade is now in a'ruInous state, Affect
ing very injuriously all rhe great interests and.
whereas. a national currency is necessary TO
the revival and support OF the said internal
trade and whereas, such a currency can only
} be furnished by a NATIONAL BANK, with
capital and with powers sufficient TO that object;
Therefore.
RcS0ircd, by this General Assembly, (the
Senate concurrng with the House OF Repre-
sentative thcrein0 that our Senators IN Con
gress he instructed aud our Representatives he
u,
cure the establishment by Congress OF such an
! institution.
! Mr. Atwcl wished tho resolution amended,
so as to instruct our representatives TO pass
constitutional law to regulate the currency.
| In regard 10 u National Bank. Mr. A. said
that Mr. Bobbns had said the internal trade
was the sincwS of the country. and a national
currency the hle. blood of that trade. The
Constitution points out what shall be the legal
currency. He was not one of those who
thought specie Was the only currency that
ought to be used. Bills of exchange were
used before banks were thought Of
That man is an idle dreamer who thinks the
business of the country can be carried on by
gold and silver only. The hand TO hand c,rcu-
ton ought TO be gold aud silver, but the large
transactions must be in paper
The resolutions want something Tor nation
al currency. to take the place Of the specie into
which the Bill of Exchange is converted. lie
wished 10 examine this question.
] lie agreed with MIR. Robbins, that whoever
had control Of the currency, would control the
internal trade, and hence II would control the
country, by controlling its resources.
He objected TO giving this power to Bank
Even Hamilton. never contemplated Bank o
circulation according TO MY understanding o
; his report. The Supreme Court decided
tha, Bank for the purpose OF a treasury agent
I was constitutional, and that decision went M
: further.
I Are we to grant to this Bank this power II
resnonsible to the peoplc-ths control OF th
internal trade aud the control OF the country
= What the resolutions call the very life blood o
the couutry taking the control from Congress
= lie was not prepared to establish govern
:. ment Bank-the Executive has now too niue
!. power--it is the tendency of Republics to en-
h in drspo,ism, and this increased currency in III
hands Of the Executive, would increase ii
!. power Of the Executive.
/. In England the Government and the Banl
y, ne one and lnseparable. and he never wished
\ see that state OF things here.
v lie could not consent to give such chart