The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-25

S"''icu " TIC Hooi, duu after some preliminary
observations on the comments appearing in some
OF the newspapers respecting the diminution in
the appropriations, procee led to vindication Of
his course and of those who voted with him in
regard to the Navy.
In the Senate, communicat ion received from
the Secretary of the Navy stating the objections to
the invention Of Mr. Easton for the prevention Of the
explosion of steam boilers, which the Secretary au
thorized Professor w r. Johnson to examine, under
the authority of resolution passed the 18th OF
April last.
Mr.. TALLMADGE presented memorial from
Buffalo, New York demonstrating against any reduc-
ton oflh Army and Navy lie observed thatn was
numerousy signed by many respectable business men
OF that city, without distinction of party; ALSO me-
mortal from individuals interested in the lead mines
of Illinois, in which they that they do not think
that their rights have been duly represented and APP
preciaed. They therefore suggest 10 Congress 10
take some action the subject, SO dispose ard
regulate the mineral with view dispense justice to
all interested.
Mr.. YOUNG presented some additional d. cumen's
In relation to The lead mines of Iowa and Wis
consin.
Of Mississippi setting forth that there lands ofcon
siderable value in the States Of Louisiana, Alabama
Mississippi and Florida, bordering the Gulf coast
but which were now worthless account of the ac-
ton OF the tides and it is practicable to reclaim
these lands they ask the nterposon Of Congress for
that purpose.
Mr.. McROBERTS presented the memorial Of citI-
zens of Illinois, asking Congress to abolish the frank
ing privilege, except during the session. and for re-
duction of all the expenditures of the several depart
Ter Oft ha lie
On motion of Mr.. BATES, it was
Resolued, That the Secretary Of War be directed
to inform the Senate when the late superintendent OF
the public armories Springfield and Harpers Fer
ry were removed, and whether successors have been
appointed. If appointed, when and by virtue of what
authority, and thepurport of their commission.
The bill providing for the satisfaction of claims
arising under the fourteenth and nineteenth articles
of the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek having been
amended and the amendment recOnsdered, the turth-
er consideration Of the subject postponed until
tomorrow.
The Senate passed the bill to define and establish
the fiscal year of the Treasury of the United States
providing that and after the first of July, l843 all
matters of accounts receipts and expenditures, esti-
mates, and appropriations, shall Commence on the
first day of July in each year.
The joint resolution for the relief of Ferdinand
Pettrch, who was engaged in the preparation of bas
reltepos for the pedestal of the statue Of Washing
ton, read third time and passed.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration OF
the bill to extend, for limited period the present laws
for laying and collecting duties on imports; the
question pending being the amendment OF Mr.
Evans to postpone the distribution of the proceeds OF
the sales of the public lands among the States until
the first of August.
MIR. RIVES addressed the Senate at great length
and in the course of his remarks he contended that
dustment of the tariff ought before this time to
have been effected AS to where the responsibility
Or pcf rpct 1 wa 0e-
termine but it could not be denied that the amount
of duties imports after the thirtieth of June, II
action should be taken by Congress, in the mean
time upon the subject, would be inadequate for the
existing purposes of the Government Therefore,
he was perfectly willing to assent to a temporary
continuance of the laws imposing a higher rate OF
duty than twenty per cent as contemplated by the
first part of the bill. But while he willing to
give assent to this, he held that it must be taken
with the regular, legal, and pre-ordained con.
sequences contemplated by the existing state of
the Distribution law. BY measure of the last
session of Congress- which received solemn and de-
liberate consideration as any subject ever brought
before them, solemnly declared that, If at any
time during the existence of the Distribution act the
rate of duties shou d exceed twenty per CEN
tum from that moment the distribution Of the
sales Of the proceeds of the public lands shall cease
and continue suspended so long as the cause OF sus
pension existed. He did not believe that it was con-
tended gravey that the rate of duty contemplated by
twenty per cent. many articles, but not on all.
Then they were entitled to claim and he did claim
for himself and his country strict and faithful COM
pance with the stipulations contained In that act.
1t strong, in the recollection of Senators, that
the twenty per cent. proviso sanctioned by the
leading friends of distribution themselves. The pro-
viso was ratified in both Houses, and it conceded
on all sides that it should be VITAL integral, and es
sential part of the Distribution law. With regard to
the amendment of the Senator from Maine, Mr..
fhoH icri
first of August, at which time it was proposed to
take place, anything in the Distribution law, or any
other law to the contrary notwithstanding But no
had admitted that they had the constitutional pow
erto distribute money they had to raise it by taxation;
and vet all these principles must be tramped on to
grasp at distribution practical measured Nor had
any man admitted that they had right 10 distribute
except in of surplus. This was the language
of Mr. Clay in 1893, and the language of all the adj |
vocaes of distribution from that time to the recent
revival of tie measure. When distribution Con- |
tended for the single principle that by "a duty
of twenty per cent. uxures,' in tie iashlonab c
language OF the day, there would be more than suf-
icency OF for the support OF the Govern nent;
and therefore, the proceeds OF the public lands could
be distributed among the indebted States. But there
was now no surplus nobody dreamed OF one; and yet
a distribution was contcmp lated and insisted on by
Senator's Notwithstanding the impoverished state of
the Treasury, and the difficulty OF negotiating loans
to carry on the Government. In conclusion, he adj |
ver ed to the cession of the public lands Gen
era Government for the common benefit and sup |
port If the Union, and dissented from the premises
assumed by the Chairman Of the Committee ON Pub
lie Lands and other gentlemen, that the public lands
were the property of the States These lands |
could only be disposed of under the power of Congree
as other territory Of the United States and the pro-
ceed could not be distributed unless they not |
wanted for national purl If with tariff of 20 per
cent. there should be surplus it could be distributed,
but if duties above 70 per cent. then the lands
. IreaSu-V. believed
the country would place the question upon that
ground /
Mr.. CRIrTENDEN replied, and said that as the
Senator voted for the Distribution law, he would OPP
pose that vote to the Senator'S arguneat.
Mr.. RlVES remarked that he voted for the bill