The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-20
aus RESOURCES or rnr ooggaNMeNr.
The following resolution, submitted by Mr. ALLrl,
On Monday, was taken up for consideration

ine ioio"ins resolution, submitted by MT ALLrN,
on MONDAY, was taken up for consideration
Resolped That the Secretary Of the Treasury ~
directed TO inform the Senate as soon as practicable
whether, in his opinion, the Government can, il tss
present exgency OF affairs, be carried on, without
either recalling 70 its service the revenue derived from
the sales Of the public domain, and which, by al eX
istng act is set apart for distribution 10 the States
or, without drawing from the people in addition %
their present taxes, amount equal TO that revenue
and in consequence of its distribution, by means Of
increasing the taxes now levied upon them, ~ The
form OF tariff duties or, by imposing new and direct
tax upon them or, by borrowing upon their Credit
IN The form Of direct loans Of Treasury notes, 70
DC Pald eventually out Of their labor and property
and ~ m has opinion, the Government cannot be 50
carried on, without recalling the land revenue, or IN
creaslng the taxes, the loans an amount equal 10
hat revenue, and, IN consequence Of its disribuucn
them which OF those alternatives WILL in his opinion,
be The most economical To the people the REGAL OF
that revenue, the taxes, or the loans Also, that he
be directed to lay before the Senate the estimates and
the reasons upon whichhis opinions may be founded
Mr.. EVANS said that he would like TO hear from
the Senator from Ohio, what particular Information
which he called for was not furnished in the annual
report of the Secretary Of the Treasury. Ii the Sc
nator wished TO ascertain any new and important fact
he should like TO know il.
MIR. ALLEN remarked that the Senator from
Maine could himself refer TO the annual report or 70
any other document from the Secretary and see whe-
Their or not there any opinion there expressed
with regard to the subject mentioned IN the resolu
ton.
Mr.. EVANS said that it appeared the object was
to ask for an opinion or an argument from the Sc
cretary Of the Treasury and, he could see no ne
cessy for the resolution, he would move TO lay 4 "
upon the table,
Mr.. ALLEN hoped that that would not be done a.
he desired to have opportunity to make few re-
marks upon the subject.
Mr.. EVANS would then, withdraw his motion
Mr., ALLEN remarked that the resolution could do
no harm to truth and that il right and proper that
the people should know the exact state OF the inancc
now, and what was likely TO be their state IN tim p
come II was right that they should know the fact
and 1t should come from the high authority TO whoa
was committed the important trust; and he woud
blush ioI the Secretary of the Treasury II he could
believe that that officer had through his irlcnds "a
the Senate, interdct the passage of the resolution
now before them. Those with whom he acted had
said and they intended to repeat it, that the odiqas
distribution bill passed for the purI rot laying
the foundation for increase oftaxes upon the Ane-
rlcan people, and they intended to call upon the So
cIeary OF the Treasury TO respond yea or nay TO tie
fact Tie was willing to believe from what he heard
not from what he had behed being unaware that hc
had that officer in his e) that the Secretary
would not shrink refrain from replying TO the la-
quiry proposed in the resolution, but that he wou
state to the Senate the exact state of the financial 81
fairs of the Treasury although the revelation mi
throw a cloud black Erebus over the CO.
of measures passed at the extra sefs on. II ct@
were the reasons why he had been induced 70 Offer
the resoluton-o get out the facts, and to ascertain
from the head of the Treasury Department, who by
law was invested with the supervision Of the finances,
whether, if the distribution bill should continue -
operation, it would not necessarily have the elect 81
levyng taxes upon the people commensurate with
the amount of money distributed, and whether the
Government could get along without recalling the
land revenue, increasing the taxes Of the nation
Mr. EVANS said that he was satisfied, notwitl
standing what had fallen from the Senator from Ono,
that they had all the information which the resoiu-
T. ad for, and ked al
of the last session, it would be perceived that the
Withdrawal ofthe public lands had contributed -
make deficiency in the Treasury. He renewed his
call for the yeas and nays; which were ordered.
Mr. RlVES arose for the purpose of saying that he
would vote to lay the resolution upon the table, be-
it called upon the Secretary for an argumenta-
tive report, instead of simple statement OF iacts
He Of the opinion that there was some important
information which had not been given in the report
of the Secretary of the Treasury, and he begged
leave TO say that, if other Senator should direct
his attention to the matter, he would on future oc-
casion, submit resolution calling upon the Sc reta
ry for information with regard to the state oil In;
finances Of the Treasury
Mr. KING suggested whether, at this stage Of the
question, it would not be better to withdraw the call
for the yeas and nays, and let the resolution e2
amended to meet the views of the Senator from VIr-
ginia and if his friend from Ohio would consent 70
let the resolution lie on the table until to-morroW
this result could be effected for, in the meantime,
the gentleman from Virginia could turn his attentioa
TO II, and reflect upon the amendment winch, ~ Ia
opinion, il was proper should be made
Mr.. ALLEN said that if it would suit the vie IS
of Senators, he would agree to strike out that part Of
his resolution calling for the reasons OF the Secre
tary.
The question was then taken--yeas pa nays t.
and the resolution laid upon the table,
THE TREASURY NOTE BILL.
On the motion of Mr.. EVANS the Stnae tlo<
up he bill from the House, authorizing an issue Of
Treasury notes.
Mr. EVANS stated that the first amendment which
the Committee on Finance had proposed TO the III,
rather verbal alteration. There some ob
lection to re-issuing the notes which had been
deemed, and, as 1t was attended with great nconvc
nience, it was done and this amendment aulll
rized to be issued in place of those
deemed.
The amendment agreed to.
Mr.. EV Ms observed that the second amendmen
of the Committee proposed to strike out the ProNIso
stating that the amount of five millions Of Treasury
be issued under the authority of this act should
be deemed and taken in lieu of much Of the Ioali
authorized by the act of the 2st of July last, ii'
said tina, it would be necessary for hlnto sho" q
Importance of passing this BILL although every Sonasqr
must be aware OF the present condition OF The trey
su.y. The head of that Depoitmen, stated, IN his 81
nual report that there deficit OF sometlins oyer
5000 000 to be provided for on the LIST 9! Jan ~!
But, since that time, nothing had been done 70 re
or to supply that necessity; on the other hand, money
had been drawn from, and accounts qudated by, The
Department; and he had understood that the Hredsu
~ was in immediate want of million of dollars 70
meet the pressing demands upon it, and that IN ma
ny warrants had been issued for the payncn Of
various sums The question then occurred, should
they resort to issue of Treasury notes TO provide
for the wants of the Government If not, the credit
of the nation would be greatly endangered, and this
every Senator and friend of his country was certain
ly anxious to avoid. The effect of the amendment
would be to authorize five millions of Treasury note
to be issued still leaving the power to borrow the
mainder of the loan--sx and half millions-tor The
expenditures of the current year and, in his opinion
both of these would be necessary for that plr-
pose. He then recaptuated the probable resources
Ln md he ola I,hi,l 10