Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-03-26
Br LAST EVENINGS mA,i..
CoNGREss-Tnunsp,r.

I, will be seen by the suhjoined sketch of the
ocsedings Of the Senate Thursday, that Mir
ives has proposed to omeni Mr. Clny's resolutions,
SpprOpra,ng the Land Money to the paymen,
the Public Deb. Mr.. RiyeS might, with equal
aSon and justice, propose to ,uke the little reve-
&c which comes into the State Treasury and apply
in the same way. lie would have as much righ,
the one case the other. But the wants OF the
EpERAL GovERssEsr are tho only wants eonsid
nowadays by tho politicians. The people
owever, have different notion OF things.
FROM the independent.
MIR. CLAY'S RESOLUTIONS.
Mr. RIvgs, in proposing an amendment to the
solutions Of the Senator from kentucky, (Mr
hy,) took occasion to debate at considerable
nGth on the present state of the ,ub.ic finances
he condition Of the Treasury had obliged the Ex-
ruuvo to call twice upon them. during the prcscu,
Hssion of Congress, to rcplenish the Treasury
he presen, state OF our Foreign relations gave rise
sor,o apprehension. Though h was no alarm
i, this posture Of things worthy of their mos,
erious consideration, particularly when they were
ware OF the power Of the Government they had
b contend with.
The public debt was over $4,000 900. He pu,
grevsly TO every one here, ought they TO acqui.
see in this state Of thngs1 II was Fundamental
maxim, in all matters of public credit, that every
reation Of n public debt should be accompanied
vith the MEANS Of liqudatng it. There was but
ne way to do this, ut present, and that to sus
,end the distribution Of the proceeds Of the public
ands, and appropriate them to the present emer
,ency Of the Government. This would reliev,
III its wants. Mr.. Il. here wen, fully into the
'rigin and objects Of the distribution act, anc
hen took cursory view of the compromise oct
After reviewing the various sources of public re-
venue, and drawing very vivid picture Of the pre-
,ent state OF the public finances, and the sunkei
,redit OF the nation, Mr. II. proposed an amendmen
o the %, 81, ith and 9Th resolutions OF Mr. Clay
,ppropriating all the proceeds of the public revenu
o repenish the Treasury, and enable the Govern
nent to resume IFS functions, and redeem the credi
,fthe nation.
Mr. Preston also moved certain amendments 4
c resolutions, and took a review or the debate OF
his subject In the course Of his remarks, he tool
occasion TO comment, with extreme severity, on tn
inactivity Of Congress in the management OF tn
fairs Of the country, allowing it to become so dc
pressed and broken down in credit; and stated tina
ne felt Inundated at being a member OF the Senat
from its shameful apathy.
MIR CLAY then rose and said Il at the propose
pledge, ms to the proceeds Of the p bile lands intro
luced in MIR Rivess amendment, ould not actual
pay the interest of the public dob,. He pledge
ais life, that if they passed tariff, that would re
ieem their credit. AS to the system Of Treasur
notes. it was this that deprecated their credit abroad
His resolutions were for the purpos OF redeemin
The credit OF the couetry, and this was the proiesse
object ofal. Mr. c. here went into detail, and too
up the proposed items of revenue and expenditure
as introduced in his resolutions. To redeem III
honor Of the nation, they should raise revenue {
s26,OOoOOO. They should not set up horizon, @
arf for this purpose, but well dges,ed plan {
evenue, such as his resolutions proposed Their
we're absent at present some of his FRIENDS, and
lsked them to adopt the FIRST and last resolution.
and allow the others to remhin over until Tuesda
next.
An animated debate then sprung up betwee
Nlessts. Rives, Preston, Woodbury. and Berrien
when Mr. Clny's proposition was partly acceded II
his frs, resolution being adopted the question Of
the remaining revolution lies over to Tuesday mex,
After some further unimportant business. III
Senate adjourned.