Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-06-16
CONGRESS- or THE UNITED STATES
SATURDAY, June 10, lsii.
In SENATE.

for the correspondence OF our minister IN Engl1n
with the officers Of the Mediterranean Squadron an
the dispatches addressed by Captain Bolton 10 ii
Secretary OF the Navy. MrP. observed that il wa
not to be disguised that the return OF these vesse
hld produced strong sensation throughout the
States, and not 10y any means an agreeable on
The frs, ide, which presented itself on hearing
the return was that, IL there was no foundation f.
the rumors which had produced 1t, the truth ofthes
rumlTs ought to have been more rigldly examined
but that, IT they were just, the propriety of leavin
the Mediterranean was so obvious, that II mus
have occurred at once to the most ordinary capacity
But when It was further known that part OF thes
vessels had come with all CELEBRITY across the Allan
tic until they within the guns of our own forts
then the question arose whether such a course wa
consistent with their duty, or whether they should
not have remained to maintain the honor Of th
country and protect the commerce OF its citizens 10y
meeting danger where It presented itself Mr.
felt mortified at what had taken place. He haC
supposed that full exposition of the case woulI
have been submitted TO u Court of Inquiry, but q:
this had not been done, he thought II due to the
caSion, due To our gallant Navy and 10 the People
OF the United States, that the Public should be in
formed Of oil the circumstances. lie had therefore
called for the correspondence, with desire that
justice should bc done 10 all parties.
After some conversation between the mover and
Mr. Sewer to the distinction between this call aid
that relating to the transfer OF Gen. ArOuckc, the
resolution, having been slightly modified, was
agreed TO.
The following resolution, moved some days ago
by MIR Clay of Kentucky, having been taken up
for confederation
Resalred That when the Senate adjourn during
the present session leaving subject under discus
sion ond undecided, the consideration of the subject
shall bc resumed at the next meeting OF the Senate,
Immediately after the journal is read and petitions
and reports received, without waiting tor the
usual hour Of one o'clock.
Mr. BENTON objected to the resolution, as go
inc unnecessarily to change the rules Of the Senate
and 10 shut out resolutions and calls OF inquiry.
l.. 10. al
some severity upon the mover, as disposed to die
tate 10 the Senate It's o:des OF business and the du-
ration OF the session.
MIR. CLAY replied with some warmth, insisting
upon his equal right to submit resolutions with that
OF u.her members of the body. II he had not that
right, he wished any Senator 10 rise in his place, and
show why he had not. And because he had offer
ed n resolution as TO the business which it would be
proper TO take up during certain portion Of the
day, Il was allied dIctatlor. Other gentlemen had
the same rights with himself; they might move that
the session might be protracted i doomsday, If they
pleased, or continued till Christmas.
He had RICH, TO move on the same subject, and
should exercise lhat right to It's fullest extent II
any Senator here OF opinion that the Senate
ought Ut this special session bc thrown loose up
on the ordinary business Of legislation lei him
press that opinion. Mr.. c. imagined there were
none. He presumed gentlemen on all sides we're
disposed to ConhGe themselves to that business
which had brought them thus unusually together,
and 10 the spatch OF which public sentiment had
distinctly called them. IL was not the intent,
would It be the effect of the resolution to produce
any permanent alteration in the rules Of the Senate,
for the proposed restriction was in terms confined TO
the present CXua session alone. Its object was 10
prevent the consumption of the whole morning, till
one o'clock, in business disconnected with the few
great and important subjects which lay Immediately
before them. Next week. the Senate would have
before it the subject Of Bank OF the United States
presented in the form OF bill fthirty thirty two
secliohs and, 10 allow ample time for It's conddera
ton, he should move TO change the hour OF meeting
TO ten o'clock IN the morning. He hoped the dis
cusson OF this important subject, as well as that OF
the distribution of the public lands and the curren-
cy, would be prosecuted from day TO Gay, without
stopping, until these great measures were brought
TO n 0snsummation Many of the resolutions offered
here had aspect towards any legislative action /;
aud he had no idea of exhausting the time of the
Senate by collateral discussions, having no connex-
ION whatever with the business for which Congress
had been called together specimen Of which they
had had before them, both yesterday and TO day.
They distracted the attention and wasted the ener
gy OF the Senate, and went to prevent 1t from ac-
comprising the important ends for which it had been
summoned.
Mr., YOUNG heartily concurred with the Sem
ator from Kentucky IN his desire 10 terminate
the session at as early a day possible, but did
not think 1t necessary to make alteration in the
rules. The Senate was always ahead OF the other
House, and would continue to be, without this OK
traOrdInIry degree OF haste in the dispatch OF bust
the popHeIy of suffering the resolution TO lie for
day or two.
r.CLAY expressed his happiness at hearing
from the Senator from Illinois concurrence as TO
the desIIaO.cnuss Of an early adjournment He
trusted that desire was general, and that nobody
wanted 10 have the session protracted beyond the
month of uly. The Senator would SEE, without
any reference to the course OF business IN the other
body, the prOprlety and the importance to the char
Rclcr Of the Senate that il should 60 and do It's
Il. a. ts-L - "a
anticipate in the proceedings OF the other House,
that was no reason why the Senate should be tar
dy in It's movements. Let US (slld Mr CT DO our
duty, and our whole duty; and let do il as rapid.
ly Is itcan be done, consistently with due delibe.
Tlton.
MIR. c. here went into an explanation as TO what
would be the effect Of the resolution the progress
of tie business OF the Senate Let US meet at 10 o.
clock, If necessary. Let us meet early and SIT late
let us finish the work that IS expected from us and
then 90 home. In urging this lie meant nothing un.
kind or improper 10 gentlemen on the other side oil
the House. There existed, indeed, unfortunate
difference Of opinion between them but let the
Contests he contests Of intellect only and not OF Dru
al physical force, IN seeing who could sit odt tn
other, or consume the most time IN useless debate
MIR. c.. when IN minority, had never consented {,
any struggles OF this kind, aud lie should not, nOR
that circumstances were changed. lie was for bat
ting u mind against mind, let the talent on both
sides Of the House be fully measured and put forth
and then let the wang .ished party submit with dig
nifty, and not descend TO mere physical strUgg e
He hoped they should at once get 10 work, and %
on with their work t.l ii finished.
Mr. BENTON said that the adoption Of this new
rule would cut of entirely all calls upon the De.
paTtmenis for Information which was necessary 10 q
discharge Of their legislative duties it was some.
thing quite new for Senators ono side Of the SEN
ule 20 prescribe limits IN this manner ns 10 what
calls they should make for information. II would
besides, cut of all Executive business. The Pre-.
sIent had called upon the Senate TO exercise great
cure and caution IN the confirmation Of denominations
The obligation 70 caution on this point was certain.
iy as strong, II not stronger, upon the President
himself, who made the nominations. Mr. T.. how.
ever should, for one, comply with the advice. and
scTunze closely the appointments which should
come bt,orc them. The President had warned
Them as though hc meant TO give hint that some
very bad nominations might be expected, and thai
as he could not nc expected % prevent this the
Senate must be held responsible for all confirm.
tons. Yet here WIS the second week Of the sos
sion gone, and not nomination had yet been sub
united 10 them. Reports, indeed, reached them
through the papers, and by reyerDeraton from DIS
tlnt points Of tho country, that such and such injI
ylduals had been Displaced, and such and such 9th
ors appointed 10 succeed them. They had right
under the Constitution, 10 scrutInIZe all these ap
pnnlmcnts made during the recess. But lI.tt
enough time would be lett them after the uOmiua
tons came IN; yet here was y resolution which wen
completely 10 cut of all Executive business. I'm
p1rinnt resolutions which had already been ohorc,
would be presumed, be never heard ofugain. Tn,
whole movement grew Out Of profound ignoranc,
oi 'le rules Of tic Senate. Mr. B. here vent inc
the distinction between general and special orders
an argued TO show that the alleged objects of ia,
Resolution could bc reached without any rbtnpr n