Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-04-05
IN SENATE.
Thursday, March 81, lsd2.
The following resolution. submitted by Mr.

Thursday, March 81 1912.
The following resolution, submitted by MIR. BEN
TON on Monday last, was taken up:
RsOred That the President Of the IT, g he requested 10 inform
the Senate what quantity of public lands surveyed and PIE
no, brought, into during that YEAR, and also quantity
Of public lands have been offered for sale be brought into mar
prepared for market and offered for sale: and ao
what quantity Of public lands expected be surveyed ahd u
MIR. SMITH of Indiana moved TO amend the reson-
ton, by inserting after the word "year, in the filth
lne the words, 'sand the why they were not
offered for sale during said year.; also 10 add at tie
end Of the resolution the following: "and what quanl'.
ty of lands offered for public SALE and what
quantity is expected 10 be offered during the present
year in each State and Territory"
The amendment agreed TO, and the resolution was
adopted.
Several adverse reports Of committees taken Up
and concurred in by The Senate.
Mr.. CLAY.s vALEDICToRY.
MIR. CLAY rose and said, before offering the motion
which his intention to submit to the Senate, he
desired to make single observation with regard toa
subject which he was about TO leave unfinlshed-he
meant the resolutions which he had submitted propos'
ing certain amendments TO the Constitution of the u
S. 1t had been bis wish, prior 10 his retirement, to
have obtained vote upon these resolutions, and also
have replied to the arguments which had been advance
by their opponents bat owing 10 the feeble state OF BIS
health, he had been unable 10 enter upon reply ana
owing 10 the absence of several of his friends re b'a
come 10 the conclusion that il would be better 10 comm!
the subject into the hands Of the Senate, 10 be disposed
Of according 10 their judgment and discretion whenever
il might come up; and he would dismiss this snbec'
with simple remark in reference 10 The coGyiclch
which he entertained of the propriety Of the different
amendments which he had suggested; those convicen
he still deliberately entertained, notwithstanding al
that he had heard upon the subject.
And now, continued Mr.. CLAY, allow me to an
nounce, formally and officially, my retirement from he
Senate of the United States, and TO present the a'
IL dc,
before making that motion, trust shall be psrd"nt'
tor avang myself of this occasion to make a leu I'
saryaIions. At the time of my entry into this hoo!,
which took place in December, 1906 regarded II, ah'
still regard it, as body which may be compared %''"
out disadvantage, TO any Of similar character VIII"
has existed in ancient or modern times whether
look at il reference 10 lis dignity, its powers, o Wv
mode Of its constitution and will also add, "he't'
il be regarded in reference TO The amount OF ability %n"
shall leave behind me when retire from tins c"s"'
Der. In nstituting q comparison between Tue
nate of the United States and similar pohncai ~
stitu,ions, of other countries, of France and bhg'
for example, he was the comparison m.en'
made without disadvantage to the American Ser rn
In respect 10 the constitution Of these bodies 10 Wv"
land, with only the exception of The peers IRON I
and Scotland, and in France with no e1cepuo", r
component parts, the members OF these oodes ~,
their places by virtue of no delegated authority w.
derive their powers from the crown, either oy
creation Of nobility transmitted by force OF "
descent, or by new patents occasion required ah ~
crease of their numbers But here Mr. Preslcen', n
have the proud title Of being the rePresenatSet :,
sovereign States or Commonwealth. If we io1h
the powers Of these bodies in France and hne'Lh s
and the powers of this Senate shall Ind Una, ,ho.e
latter are far greater than the former. In Oon be
countries they have the legislative power, N oJ'a
judicial with notifications, and in bo'h penab h.
more extensive preudcial power than is possessed sode
this Senate; but then the vast and underlined anu
Enable power the treatymaking power or q. fe,egn
participation in the conclusions of treaties WIN By
powers possessed by this Senate, and one Of
neither Of the others Another power 100, Of
infinite magnitude, that of distributing the 9TH the
great nation, which is shared by this senate No stand
Executive magistrate. In both these respects pouses
upon ground different from that occupied ~ aoea, .h,
Of Peers Of England and Of France Ano aIsvu
with respect 10 the dignity which ordinarily members
th. body and with respect to the ability o. Nth il, With
during the long period of my acquaintance WIN IN proper
out arrogance or presumption, we may say, 10, be dis
ton 10 its numbers the comparison "eulu either Of
advana yeous to US compared with any senate
ane;e n, or modern times Sir, have IongL.'T S IS
traction as public service in the sena'. :, Of the most
ambitious heart-I have nevertheless iO"s