The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-07
Tmentp=Seoenth Congress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, April 6, l84

WEDNESDAY, Aprll D, lo4~'
The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate COM
munication from the War Department, in compl-
ance with resolution of the Senate, transmitting a
copy of the proceedings of the court of inquiry
called at the request of Lieutenant Colonel DE Rus
sey, relative to complaints against him for the man
in which he procured the supply of stone for the
works al the Rip Raps.
Mr.. BUCHANAN presented petitions from the
counties of Northampton, Schuylkill, and Philade-
pha, asking that the duty foreign iron may be re-
stored to what it was in 1889; memorials from the
counties of Allegheny, Lebanon, Burks, Susquehan-
nah, and Lancaster atributing all the difficulties un
der which the country now labors to the Compromise
act, and asking that it may be repealed, and that
there may be proper read ustment OF the tariff
with a view to the protection OF domestic In
dustry also memorial from northampton coun-
ty asking that the progress of the Compromise
act may be arrested, so far as relates to iron
and coal that those articles may be protected against
foreign competition and the memorial of the Penn
syjvania society for the aboi hment Of slavery, the
relief of free negroes unlawluy held in bondage
and the Improvement of the condition OF the African
race stating their apprehensions that an increase OF
the territory of this country would be highly detii
mental to our prosperity as nation and therefore re-
monstratIng against the admission of Texas or any
other foreign power into the Union
Mr. WRIGHT presented petition from thirty
persons and firms OF the city of New York, repre-
senting themselves as manufacturers OF brushes and
the importers of materials connected with their manu-
faciures asking for protection.
Mr. TALLMADGE presented petition from AL
bion Orleans county, New York, praying for an abo-
iiion or modification of the franking privilege,
reduction of postage on letters and the regu-
latlon OF the postage on newspapers according TO
their size several memorials from the owners mas
ters and pilots Of steamboats, tow boats and other river
craft the Hudson river asking for the erection Of
a lighthouse at Tappan Bay also, memorial from
the city of New York, signed by importers and deal
ers in foreign goods, He remarked that he was hap
Ply on this OCCASION in being made the organ ior pre-
senting this communication from importers and deal
ers in foreign goods, who prayed for such duty on
imports would protect the domestic manufactures
of the country. Ii showed the revolution which was
going in this country, most, If not all, OF these
gentlemen had been in favor OF what was called Tree
trade that was, trade free from any kind OF reel
procity from other nations, but who were now asking
protection for the manufactures OF our own country
He agreed that nothing except the tariff OF duties
which they prayed for, would be sufficient to regulate
the currency of the country. There was no system
which could be adopted on the part of the Govern
ment-whether it be National Bank or Board OF
Exchequer-that could, of itself, furnish UNIFORM
currency and regulate exchanges, without such
tar II on imports as was prayed Tor by the me-
moraliss. his was the first Thing to regulate
the currency and exchanges he meant tarif OF du-
ties which should furnish ample revenue tor the
economical wants of the Government, and, at
the same time, make proper discrimination Tor the
purpose of aotding protection to the domestic INDUS
try OF the country; not to manufactures exclusively
bat labor generally He would not enter INTO the
question whether a National Bank would be the best
means, but, practical mana National Bank be-
ing out of the questionhe would say that tarif Tor
revenue, in his judgment, coupled with the Exche-
quer plan, would afford the relief so much desired by
Mr.. CRITTENDEN presented the resolutions OF
the Legislature of Kentucky, instructing the Sena-
tors and requesting the Representatives from that
State to their best exertions to procure an APP
lnf pns
Western waters also the resolutions of the Legs
ature, proposing certain amendments to the Constr
tuition of the United States most of them similar to
those heretofore proposed by MIR. Clay.
MIR. BUCHANAN said hat he was absent last
week when the Senator from Kentucky MIR. Clay
left the body; and hd regretted that he had done SO
before the final question was taken on his resoiu-
tons. However, he hoped that they would be call
ed up at an early day by his successor, Mr. Crt'en
den) with view to an early disposition OF them.
Mr.. WILLIAMS presented the resolutions of the
Legislature of Maine condemning the policy of Dis
tlibution and requesting their representatives and m
struciing their S majors to their influence to effect
repeal of the law distributing the proceeds OF the
sales of the public lands among the States; also, the
resoutionsof the same body calling the attention OF
Congress to the necessity and importance of making
animnedate appropriation for the defence OF the sea
of the State OF Maine.
Mr. MANGU M presented memorial from North
Carolina, complaining OF the desec alton of the Sab
bath Ivy the transportation of the mails Upon that day.
and declaring that the custom ought not to be t"lea
ed or continued He also submitted the following re-
solution, whch adopted viz:
ReSoired That the Committee on Printing be IN
structed to inquire into the practcabllty and exped
ency of causing The printing and engraving of the
several Executive Departments to be done with greater
economy, and with neatness, accuracy, and despatch
Mr. PRENTlSS, from the Committee on Patents
reported bill entitled An act in addition to an act to
promote the progress of the useful arts
In I he moton of MIR SEWER
Resoired, That the Commit re on the Post Ofhce
inquire into the expejiency OF amending the act Tor
the organization Of the Post Office department, and
providing ,hecuaIly for the settlement OF the ac-
counts thereof
MIR MERRICK presented memorial from jewel
lers of the city OF Baltimore, praying for reduction
Of the duties on toreisn Jewellery, etc. TO two per
cent which, they state, viii proven. smuggling.
A large number OF private bills were received
from tie House, and referred to the appropriate com
mittees the titles of which will he given when they
shall come upin their order upon the calendar.
The bill to confirm certain land claims in the
State of Louisiana ordered to a third reading
The Loan bill was taken up for consideration when
MI WRlGH L concluded his remarks in OPPOSE
ton the bill,
Mr.. WALKER proposed amendment, pledgng
the proceeds of the sales of the public lands distinct
w. separately and nvioably to the payment OF the
principal and interest OF the stock heretofore ISSUED
under the Loan law last session. and the stock which
is TO be issued in pursuance OF the bill now before
the Senate and suspcndng the operation of the DIS
iibuton act for that purpose tie exhored Senators
to come forward before should be too late nasmuch
as they were satisfied that the bill must cease should
The duties go above twenty per cent, and unite WITH
the Democratic Senators IN restoring that source OF
revenue to maintain the honor and credit OF the coun
try.
Mr. SMITH of Indiana, opposed the amendment,
and replied to some remarks heretofore submitted by
the Senator from Ohio.
Mr.. ALLEN rejoned
MIR. BUCHANAN then obtained the floor, but
without proceeding with his remarks, gave w'yto
Mr. ARCHER, on whose motion the Senate went
into an Executive ssion; and after some time spent
therein the doors were opened, and IT adjourned
From me Portland Advertiser,
THE LAND BILL.