The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-02
TWemtp=Se0enth Congress.
.U SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE,


THURSDAY, March 81, 1912
Mr. PRENTISS, from the Committee on the Judi
ciary reported bill directing edition of the laws
of the United States to be compiled and distributed
Mr.. SMITH of Indiana, from the Committee on
Public Lands, reported bill to confirm certain en-
tries of land in the State Of louisiana.
Mr.. GRAHAM, from the Committee on Claims,
reported bill for the relief of d. p Skinner OF Ala
bama.
The following resolution, heretofore submitted py
MIR. CHoATE, was adopted, viz
Resolved, That the Secretary of State be instructed
to report to the Senate statement of all the treaties
other arrangements existing between the Uni
ted States and other Governments in which the prin-
cples of reciprocity and equality of duties and ton
mage, whether in the direct or indirect trade, are
stipulated together with the dates OF such treaties
and the periods respectively at which the stpuatlons
aforementioned will cease, and any evidence show
ing the effect of such stipulations, the commerce
and navigation of the United States.
On the motion of Mr.. BENTON, it was
Resolred That the President of the United States
be requested to inform the Senate what quantity OF
public lands surveyed and prepared for the market
al and after the 4th day of March, lS4I, and not
brought into market during that year; and the rea,
sols why they not offered for sale during SAID
year; and also what quantity of public lands has
been offered for sale to be brought into market dur
ing the present year also what quantity of public
lands is now prepared for market and not offered
for sale and also what quantity OF public lands is ex
peced be surveyed and prepared for sale during
the present year.
The bill for the relief of John Nix; the bill autho-
rizng the REIMBURSEMENT of the sixteenth section
granted for the of Schools and the entry OF other
lands in lieu thereof the bill for the relief OF Enoch
Hidden, seve-ay engrossed for third reading
THE RESIGNATION OF MR.. CLAY.
Mr.. CLAY said that he for the purpose of
making notion but before doing SO, he would beg
leave TO submit sing observation In relation 10 a
subject which he should leave unfinished he meant
the resolutions which he had proposed as amendments
to the Constitution of the United States. he Lad
wished, prior TO his retirement from the Senate, 10
obtain an expression of its sense on these amend
ments but owing to ill-health and the state OF the
business of the body, and owing also to the absence
of several of his friends he had thought 1t to be un
necessary to call for such an expression or to reply
to the able arguments which had been urged on The
other side in opposition to these amendments. How
ever, he Won leave the uhect in the hands OF the
Senate, to be disposed of its members might think
proper, and he would remark that notwithstanding
all that be had heard the opinions which he enter.
tanned when he introduced these amendments ie-
mained unchanged And now he hoped that he
would be allowed to announce formally his retirement
from the Senate of the nited States and he trusted
that he would be pardoned for avalng himself Of the
occasion to make q lew observations with regard TO
himself He remarked that he entered the Senate OF
the United States in 1906 and at that time he regard
ed it, as he did, body which might be com
pared, without disadvantage, TO any legislative BODY
that existed either in ancient or modern times,
whether they looked to its dignity, It's powers, or to
the mode of its constitution, and he would also add
as to the amount of the ability which he would leave
behind him on his retirement In comparison With
he Chamber of Peers of France and the House OF
Peers of England-he was sure it could be made with
out the least disadvantage to the American Senate !;
and with respect to the constitution Of those bodies,
their members held their places virtue of dele
gated authority but derived their power by creation
of the Crown, transmitted through course of here
ditary events the issuing OF new patents bui mere
different state of things existed for Senators held
the proud title of representatives, OF sovereign
States of Commonwealth. He had long been III
the service of the United States and he desired to
seek that repose which was to be found only In the
bosom of his family, in private life and at his home
1t had been his purpose to terminate ms senatorial
career in November lS40 after the conclusion of the
stragge which characterized that year; but having
at that me learned that extra session OF Congress
was to be called and which his subsequent reflections
prompted him to think inevitable, he felt desl-
rous prior to his retirement to cooperate with his
friends and with the Senate of the United States in
restoring the prosperity of the country by the adop
ton of the measures which, in their judgment, were
best calculated to accomplish the object and there
FORE he concluded to attend the extra session. TWAS
called as was well known by the lamented Harris,
But he died. and the succession which took place pro-
try Had General Harrison lived, he Mr. Clay did
not entertain particle of doubt that every measure
which it was hoped would have been accomplished al
the extra session would have been successful by the
cooperation of the Executive branch with the Legis-
latiye branch and he hoped that he might be allowed
to say, with respect, that if there be any who
free from party feelings and party bias would reflect
with candor and Justice, he would approach to the
conclusion to which he Mr. Clay thought that the
country would come THAI if there was any thing to
complain of in connection with the extra session, it
was not so much as to what done, but what was
| left undone. Had Harrison lived and the measures
which were so desirable been carried out he would
have resigned his seat he did not do because he
INDUCED the hope the vain hope, that, at The regular
session of Congress- what had been left unaccom-
plished at the extra session would have been accom-
plished in some Of the forms proposed, OF that tnere
would be equivalent; but events soon after the
extra session. events resulting through failure to
complish objects at the extra session, events which
seemed to throw his friends every where APP
parent defeat, induced him to attend at the
regular session, and, whether in adversely or
prosperity, to share the fortunes of his friends
Notwithstanding he came here with tie purpose
| which he was about to efectuate-to retire
as soon as he could, fro the public councils.
From 1906, the period of his entering the Senate,
down to the present time with but short Intervals he
had been engaged in the serv &C of his country, OF
the nature and value of his services during that long
career did not become him to speak, but history,
it should deign notice him. would, he did doubt,
transmit to posterity impartial record But, on
one subject he might speak without vanity. His pub
lie acts and conduct subjects, and fair subjec =
of public judgment, hut the private motiyes of his
actions those which had prompted him to take the
part which he had taken, could be known only to the
Great Inspector of human hearts, and to HIMSELF and
he trusted that he might be pardoned for repeat
| ing an observation which he made thirteen years ago
Whatever errors he may have committed, and doubt
less he had committed many, MANY, since he entered
the public service, he might appeal the Benign Being
for the truth Of the declaration, which he made with
great pride and confidence that he had been actuated
by no motives, vito view to personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
in the advocacy of measures upon which he had been
heat and single heart devoted to the best interests
of his country. During this long period, he had
| III af other nuhlic men be haI