The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-15


of the western part of Pennsy vania stating that
as there is 10 probability that Congress will accom-
plish any Of the objects for which they convened
and the proceedings in one branch of Congress
have been disreputable TO the nation scandal the
Cause of free Institutions, and grievous stain upon
public morals, Congress be advised to adjourn forth
with also, from Orleans county, New York, in which
the petitioners complain OF the personal rencOntres,
violent and dsgracefu scenes which have occurred
in the National Legislature for several years past, and
pray that thorough reform may be made in Con-
gress and to that end and purpose, they recommend
abolition OF the mileage-the reduction of their
per diem five dollars the abolition of the ranking
privilege except during the session of Congress- and
the allowance of stationery ony for that length OF
time; the rs-establishnent Of the hour rule, the
passage of law fixing the fourth of March in each
year the day for the adjournment Of Congress, and
the expulsion Of all members who may indulge in per-
sOnalilIes in debate.
Mr. WRIGHT presented petition from Onon-
reduce the per diem of members Of Congress to five
dollars
PETITION OF MRS. BLENNERHASSETT.
Mr.. CLAY presented the petition of Mrs. Marga-
ret Blennerhassett, the widow of Mr.. Hartman Blen-
nerhassett, who, some years since lived island,
on the Ohio river, bearing his name, and who was
supposed have been connected with the famous en-
terpl ise of Colonel Burr in 1905 1906 This lady
whom he saw with her husband in 1905, they pass.
!,
the most beautiful and accomplished Of her sex. She
was an Irish lady, and, beside her personal merits,
had the advantage of being related to the Emmetts
of Ireland. Her husband was a man of great learn
ing and eminence, and from his natural disposition,
was wholly unfit for any such transactions with
which he charged before the world, in connec-
ton with Colonel Burr. In consequence of the
charges preferred against Mr.. Bennerhasset he and
his family were broken up and driven from their
home; and their island, which had been beautifed
al hxyt ham, ha Ny fort hof
time in the spring of 1907, which then exhibited
some remains of beauty, ornamental grounds and
gravelled walks, shrubbery, and flowers and the
house. and every thing around it betokened taste and
elegance, but, at the same time, bore testimony OF
diapidation. 1t appeared according to the petition,
(and no doubt from what he had heard and seen il
stated the facts that in consequence of the charge OF
a connection of Blennerhassett with Burr, military
force of from 50 to 100 men took possession of the ISL
and and it proved by the testimony OF Morgan Ne
| vile and William Robinson, who young men
| of good character, and whom Col. Burr induced to
engage his enterprise the sodiey seized all the
| stores which had been laid up for the family, and
also injured the island to very great extent. TIL!
lady, the petitioner was in extreme indulgence, and
had from Ireland lately and was now residing
| in the city of New York, where she sup
ported by the charity of her countrymen. She
had son, but he was wholly helpless, and
was incapable of rendering her any assistance
and she had forborne to present this claim be
husband, who died several years since in foreign
land; but she had come forward and brought
the claim to his notice. and 1t founded the de-
predatons committed upon her property the island
the Goverament and the only difficulty would be as
to the amount to which she should be indsmnifsd---
After the delay which had occurred, and the injury
inflicted, and taking into view the condition OF the
petitioner, he hoped that his friends who had the
charge of claims would take up this case and, the
earliest opportunity, do ample justice to this suffering
lady.
The petition was referred to the Committee on
Claims.
THE TARIFF, ETC.
| Mr.. BUCHANAN presented the proceedings Of
large and respectable meeting without distinction o.
party, held in Lebanon, Pennsylvania in which they
that remedy for the existing evils consists no
| SO much in the establishment of Board of Exche-
quer, National Bank, Independent Treasury, OF
The compulson of specie payment by the banks, as il
judcious tariff also, two petitions from Pennsy
vana. asking protection for the iron interest, and
petition from the county of York, in the same State
adverse to the Compromise act and praying for rev
sion of the tariff
| MIR. CLAY presented petition from citizens Of
York. Pennsylvania, praying for revision Of the Ia
riff and the imposition of duties sufficient to afOrc
protection to American industry, and declaring thei
inability, without protection to maintain successful
competition with foreign manufacturers also, petit
ton from number of citizens residing at Norwalk
Huron county, Ohio, calling the attention of Con-
gress to the proprety of making appropriation fol
the improvement of the harbor at the mouth of the
Vermlion river; and the petition of Catharne Rink
er and Mary D. Wade, praying that their pensions
may be continued.
| Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana presented memorial
from Henry county, Indiana, demonstrating against the
annexation of Texas to the United States.
CONGRESS OF NATIONS
| Mr.. TALLMADGE presented petition frou
Chemune county, New York, praying Congress to
take suitable for the establishment either Of
high court of nations for the adjustment Of all
tional disputes without to the sword tha
the Government WILL in all its treaties with olher ma
tons, the insertion of an article to accom-
| plish this peaceful object.
| THE BOARD OF EXCHEQUER.
Mr. TALLMADGE presented memorial from
Burlington Vermont, asking Congress to adopt the
Exchequer plan with such notifications as they may
think proper to make. The memorialsts represent
themselves belonging to both of the parties which
now divide the country and some Of them state thai
they have heretofore voted for National Bank, and
others that they have advocated the Independent
Treasury and they pray that, measure of relief
to the country Congress will adopt the plan recon-
mended by the Presiden; of the United States.
| THE FINE IMPOSED UPON GENERAL JACKSON.
Mr.. BUCH ANAN presented two memorials from
the city and county of Philadelphia asking Congress
10 re1und the nne imposed upon den jackson In 1919
by the District Court Of Louisiana The memoriaIists
observe, that :" the shadows of the grave are fas,
gathering their curtains around him yet ere they
shall hide him from the view ofthe country for which
he generously nsked all that was dear to him in
life would most earnestly call you to remove
the stain from the bright escutcheon Of his glorious
fame. Let not its painful remembrance sadden The
last moments Of the departing patriot, throw its
blight The laurels by his devoted he
roism. Shall the venerable head whose locks
ko,, knn,, 10 he thoV III
his country's safety sink into the cold tomb ere your
records declare him innocent of spot sain--whose