The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-19
Cmentp= : eoenth Congress.
in SENATE,
SECOND Sc SSION.


IuESpAf, January 10, lS4A.
The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate report
from the War Department, transmitting list of the
clerks employed in that Department during the year
lS4l the time employed, and the amount paid to
each also, communication from the Secretary OF
State of Missouri, relative To the boundary line be-
tween that State and the Territory of Iowa
A message was received from the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, stating that they had passed act to
peal the act establishing uniform system Of bank
ruptcy.
Mr. PRENTISS and Mr. YOUNG presented pc
tions upon the subject of the abolition of slavery
the question of the reception of which laid upon
the table
= THE BANKRUPT LAW
Mr.. MOREIlEAD presented a rcmonsrance
against repeal of the Bankrupt law, and remarked
that it had been sent to him accompanied by letter,
in which the hope was expressed that he would not
vote for its repeal, for, by pursuing such course,
the effect of his influence would be severely felt by
those whom the act designed TO benefit. This he
should certainly most deeply deplore if he could sup
pose, for moment, that any proceeding of his would
tend to consequence SO extreme to large number
of the people of the United States But he would
take this occasion TO ask the indulgence of the Sc
nate while he should make few observations. 1t
could not have escaped his notice, and that of the
Senate, that the Legislature of Kentucky had, by a
large majority passed resolutions upon the subject of
the Bankrupt law, expressing an opinion that il ought
TO be repealed. 1t was not for him to search for rea
to yndcate the sentiments of the people of that
State on this any other question; but he would
merely point to her position under all circumstances
and the manner in which, whether in times Of pros
perity distress in peace or in war, She had always
acquitted herself as member Of the Union Whe-
Their the Bankrupt law of national
benefit or national injury, was question about
which the people of the United States could form
their own conclusions but, whether the measure
would affect advanageousy or injurioisy the inte-
rests of the people of Kentucky, they alone were
competent to judge and SO far as he concerned,
he thought that from their Judgment there was no
appeal At the extra session OF Congress he voted
for the Bankrupt law, he then regarded it as me;-
of national policy, being profoundly, deeply I'M
pressed with the feelings Of those who would be sub
ected to its operatlon and the justice of their claims
to the sympathes and aid Of Congress; therefore,
being anxious, sincerely anxious, that all the benefits
which were anticipated should grow out Of it, he gave
to the act his cheerful sanction. If he had been dis
posed to recount reasons why he should vote for the
repeal of the law he would have pointed to the en-
preston of opinion in the State from which lie
in truth, he would have had occasion TO go farther
than the other end of the Capitol to satisfy himself of
the public state of feeling, by observing that the
whole body of the delegation from Kentucky, with
but one exceptions had recorded their votes for the
repeal of the law. But he would take no such pains
Heretofore he had looked throueho the United States
and had seen hundreds and thousands of his fellow
citizens bound down in the dust bv the most mex
amped pressure, their wives and children consigned
TO want, and themselves writing under fettefs
winch nothing but national legislation could remove.
He felt now as he did at the extra session-that il
would be the proudest day Of his life il he could an
nounce liberty TO lhc unfortunate captive and, by
loosing the letters from lis limbs restore him his
freedom; that he might he no longer a prisoner of
doubt, but Of hope, joyous, bouyant, and happy.
Although these were his Impressions last summer he
did not entirely lose sight Of the duty whchAe owed
to his constituents and tn relation in which he stood
to them AT the xtra session, when the bill re-
turned to the Senate with the amendment of the
House post onng lis operation until the first OF Feb
ruary, every senator knew the position IN which he
then stood and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr.
BucHANAN) would recollect the issue which was
made upon the subject. To extent the law was
an experiment and he at that time DESTROYS that
the people should have an opportunity TO pass upon it.