The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-27
CONGRESS.

In the SENATE, on Thursday q communication
from the Navy Department wa read, relating to the
transfer Of money under the direction Of the Presi-
dent Of the u ted States according TO the law OF
1884
Mr.. BAYARD, from the Committee on the Dis
trct of Columbia whom had been referred the bill,
as amended by the House to suppress the sale OF lot
terry tickets in the District of Columbia, made report
thereon, recommending non-concurrence in the
amendments of the House; and the report agreed
10 by the Senate
Mr.. MERRlCK called for the consideration of the
resolution submitted by him yesterday requesting the
President Of the United States to communicate to the
Senate any detailed estimate or report he may have
caused to be prepared at the Treasury Department
since the passage, by Congress- Of the bill toProvde
revenue from imports, and to change and modify ex-
listing laws imposing duties Imports and for other
purposes" showing the amount of revenue which
probably would have been collected under it, if had
become a law together with any brief explanations
Of data and the reasons on which the estimates &C
companying the same based
Mr. HUNTINGTON remarked that they had had
report from the head ofthe Department, and now an
effort made substitute for it the calculations of
subordinate officer. The resolution would probably
excite discussion and for the purpose of ascetaining
whether the Senate were disposed to adopt sugges-
ton of this kind, he moved that it be laid upon the
table.
Mr.. MERRICK said that the resolution merely
asked for the estimates which the President had d.
rected to be made at the Treasury Department And
he called for the yeas and nays which were ordered
and being taken, resulted-yeas 10, nays 2l, fol-
lows:
YEAS-Messrs. Archer Barrow Berrien, Bates,
Clayton, Crafts Crttenden, Dayton, Evans, Graham,
Henderson, Huntington, Mangum, Miller, More
head, Phelps, Porter, Smith, Of la, Whte-l9.
NAYS-Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Bayard, Benton,
Buchanan, Calhoun, Choate, Fulton, King, Linn,
Merrick, Sewer, Simmons, Sprague, Sturgeon, Walk
er, Williams, Woodbridge, Woodbury., Wright,
Young-2l.
So the Senate refused to lay the resolution the
table.
Mr. EVANS moved to amend it by making the
call upon the Secretary of the Treasury, instead of
upon the President of the United States
Mr. MERRICK hoped that the Senate would not
consent 10 adopt the amendment, for thereby the OBJ
ject which he had in view would be defeated They
wanted the estimate which has already been prepared
the Treasury Department, under the order of the
Executive showing what would probably have been
the Of collected under the bill which
had lately passed the two Houses of Congress- but
which had been disapproved of by the President and
he desired to have this information with view to
shed light on the hill which now before the Sc
nate which, with or two EXCEPTIONS similar
to the former revenue project. This resolution
did not call upon subordinate officer for es-
Inmates, but upon the Executive the head
of the nation, relative 10 public business
Nothing could be more legitimate or proper. 1t was
true that they had had estimates from the Secretary
of the Treasury but since the time that they fur
nshed, that officer had been suffering by sickness.
Another estimate had been made, based Tor aught he
knew on different state of things from that which,
several months ago, existed in the country.
Mr.. EVANS was not satisfied with any thing which
the Senator had said If they adopted the resolution
in the form presented, they would set precedent at
novel and dangerous; as called upon the Pre-
sident to submit estimates of revenue, for which, by
law they had to look to the Secretary of the Trea-
sury. He (Mr Evans) thought that he understood
this matter, and where these estimates made.
The law says that there shall be Secretary of the
Treasury, and enumerates his duties but these esti
mates now called for were not made at the Treasury
Department. The Secretary had complied with his
duty. The President, however, passed to the First
Comptroller whose business it is to settle accounts
and act under the direction of the Secretary touch
ing such matters connected with the collection of
venue as may be designated The Comptroller, in
this case is made the head of the Department; and
the resolution contemplates him as the head of the
department! He would repeat, that the Secretary
of the Treasury had furnished estimates to the
probable amount Of duties which would be collected
under the Revenue bill and he (Mr. E. was autho-
rzed to say that, after that bill its passage
that officer made report to what is would yield
Mr.. KIN G inquired, Where is the report'
Mr.. EVANS 1t has not been printed.
Mr.. KING. / have not seen it.
MIR. EVANS. The Secretary's calculation was
twenty six and half millions.
A voice 4: "Net?"
MIR. EVANS Yes, sir The President had ne
right in the Treasury Department; and he had sen
the First Comptroller there with the design to
rule and reject the opinion of the officer of Govern
ment (the Secretary whose duty it was by law, t.
furnish estimates. All this might go to throw dis
credit on the BILL and hold it up in an unfavorablt
light to the country and throw discredit, too, or
members of both Houses who voted for the bill. i
was not only veto on the bill, but on those who
voted for it and was calculated to make the impress
sion that while that measure pretended to be fo
revenue, it was, in truth, prohibtory in its provis
ions And now they were called upon to furnish
themselves with this irregular proof, condemnine
their proceedings, and justfying those who voted
against the bill account of its alleged prohbitory
character. They were asked to reject the estimates
of the Secretary of the Treasury, and take those fur
nished in the absence of law, and in pursuance of
dangerous usurpati n One of the newspapers which
had set down the probable amount ofrevenue twelve
and half Millions this morning corrects the pubca
tion and asserts that the amount was too small land tina
there had been little error in the calculations Now
this created doubt as who the head of the Urea
sury in these days. for it not in this matter alon
that the duties of the Secretary have been underta
ken by others. The Comptroller issues circulars il
relation to matter expressly placed in the charge
the Secretary Of the Treasury, viz. to collecting
the revenues and fixing the valuations of importatons
This matter was to be sure, subject to the control
the President but, after ALL it in the hands of thu
Secretary yet, without consulting him, these circu
lars were issued 1t was, therefore, time to inquir,
who was the head of the Treasury Department;
the President or the Comptroller was, be it so. He
mr. Evans,) however, for maintaining the au
thorty of law, and looking for estimates to an office
who was responsible alone TO Congress.
Mr.. ARCHER said that, among other extraordi
nary things which they had seen within the last few
years, this the most extraordinary. Here wer,
some calculations of the President which it was pro
posed by the solemn action Of the Senate, to have
exhibited!
Mr.. MERRICK interrupted the Senator He saio