The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-26

punished the postage on letters reduced tho mode of
mating distances more clearly defined and prescrb-
ed, and small addition to postage made books
pamphlets, and packages, transmitted by the mail TO
be graduated and increased according to their respec
tive weights.
H. Resolped, That the Secretaries of State of the
Treasury, of the War, and of the Navy Departments
and the Postmaster General be seyeralIy directed,
soon as practicable TO report what Offices can be abo-
iished, and what retrenchmen OF public expenditure
can be made without public detriment in the respec-
tive branches Of the public service under their charge
Mr. RlVES concurred most heartily in what was
SO urgently and eemgly uttered by the Senator from
South Carolina (Mr Preston) with regard to the NOR
tfymg condition of the credit of the nation and
cry days experience but confirmed his conviction
that in their present situation it would be impossible
to carry on the financial operations of the Govern
ment, and maintain the credit of the nation without
giving to the Government all the sources of revenue
which had heretofore been accustomed and there
fore he submitted the following resolutions, accom-
panying them with suitable remarks (Which are in
course Of preparation, and will be published in the
Madisonian of Saturday.
Strike out the second, third, fourth, and fifth
utions, and insert as follows: H9
/. Resolred, That, in the present embarrassed
condition of the national finances and at moment OF
critical uncertainty in the foreign relations OF the
country it is of paramount Importance to the inte-
rests of the whole Union, that the General Govern
nue. with which it has been heretofore endowed for
the maintenance of the public credit and the efcen-
cy of the public service.
2. RESOLVED, That the distribution of the proceeds
OF the public lands among the States having, by the
terms of the law which enacted been made express
ly dependent the continued limitation of the du-
ties on foreign imports to rate not exceeding 20
cent, provided for by tie Compromise act, and it
being apparent that that rate of duty foreign
imports will not produce revenue enough for the
wants of the Government, without the aid OF the
land fund.- the principles and conditions which the
Distribution law was enacted, well as the exigen-
cies of the public service, require that its operation
be for the present suspended.
g. Resolved, therefore, That SO much of the act en-
titled Gan act to appropriate the proceeds of the
public lands, and to grant presumption rights APP
proved on the 4th day Of September, 84l as appro-
pirates those proceeds to the States and Territories
and the District Of Columbia ought to be suspended,
until the national debt already contracted, or which
may be contracted shall have been paid and that, in
the mean time, the said proceeds be set apart
and pledged as fund for the payment of the nte-
rest, and the gradual extiDgushment of the prnci-
pal, of such debt
a. Resolved That, in any new adjustment OF the
tariff of duties foreign imports which may become
necessary the principles and provisions OF the act OF
the I'd Of March, 1888, commonly called the Com
promise act should be adhered to and maintained,
far practicable consistently with the necessary de-
mands Of the Government economically admins
tered and with the equal justice due to every interest
and portion of the country.
| The resolutions were ordered to be printed.
Mr.. PRESTON, after few observations, moved
strike out the second and third resolutions and in
sert the following, viz:
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary Of the Treasury be
instructed to communicate to the Senate whether, in
his opinion, the rate of duties in the Compromise act
will afford sufficient revenue for an economical admit
nisration Of the Government. If not, to communi-
cate what rate of duty will be necessary for that pur
pose, and the reasons for his opinion.
| MIR. PRESTON moved to strike out in the fourth
| resolution, the words &C amount of tWenty-six mil
lions" and insert after the word g revenue" the
words adequate to the wants of the Government"
Also, to strike entirely the fifth resolution, be-
cause if the duties should be increased above
twenty per cent-the Distribution Act would be
pended in accordance with Of its provisions;
| and the proceeds from the public domain would go
into the public Treasury
| These amendments gave rise to debate between
Messrs CLAY, RlVES, PRESTON, and WOOD
| BURY at the conclusion of which,
The question taken on the eleventh resolution
Of Mr.. CLAY, and it was agreed to.
| Mr.. CLAY said he hoped it would be entered on
the Journal that it was unanimously adopted d.
versity opinion had been expressed in relation to
and his motion, the remainder of the resolutions
were made the order of the day for Tuesday next.
The Senate then adjourned until Monday next.