Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-01-20


h;:l i'll doing. Now lie believed il wss supposed ~
tina! because lie had been placed in the Category
of those who had introduced resolutions on the SUBJECT
of Federal Northumberland he was bound up IN I'M
bundle or, TO use the expression OF member, huelea
in that kenncl-he had voted. Il due 10 ii;n-
self to say, that lie actuated by such motive
Whether his resolutions were OF that character, he did
not now desire to discuss but he would say, That IN vol
ing every question introduced into the House, II was
his constant habit TO look the merit Of that PROPOSE
ton alone. lie was always governed by the best 2t
his reflection afforded han in any course he inghl
adopt and he had not voted i'll this instance IN av" OF
taking up, because he in the same rredicament
with those who had offered resolutions, but because,
from the latitude which the debate had takeD lie consl.
decd the debate the question TO be exhausted, and
that there nothing to do but TO come 10 vote on
the question of indefinite poslponcment. lie voted IN
favor Of taking up, with view 10 that notion
Mr. S. said, he would tender 10 the gentleman
from Preston measure, which, should the gentleman
think proper to accept in lieu of his resolution, ne
(Nlr s. would lend his aid to have passed Although
he did not propose TO discuss the often debated doctrine
of instruction at this tme he yet took leave to say that
he would vote for proposition, come It from what
quarter soaver might let its purpose be what might
which asserted the right OF State to instruct her oena
tors in Congress. That of itself, connected with any
resolution independent of all other merits objections,
would be enough TO induce him 10 vote against it,
: While, however, he could not be induced to give man
datory instruction to Senator's he was not amongst
those who believed that the Legislature was estopped
from delivering its sentiments in regard TO the measures
OF the National Legislature. On the contrary, he be-
eyed that there had been, and might hereafter be- occa-
sons when the Legislature should express its opinions
The SPEAKER remarked, that the motion 10 take Up,
did not involve the right of instruction.
Mr. Scorr said he about TO indicate his position.
lie fully concured with those who had expressed their
opposition TO the Bankrupt law lie fully agreed with
those who had declared that it made to extend TO
persons and interests not properly The subject oil n
Bankrupt Law. 1t would cause an infringement OF
rights injurious and unjust He admitted that author
lily granted by the Constitution, to pass a
Bankrupt Law this power, might, however, be pushed
to an injurious extreme He willing to see the
law repealed and though he thought no action was
called for the subject, he disposed to crafty
gentlemen and declare his of the propriey Of
the act Mr.. Scott then read the resolution, which
lie proposed Mr.. Brown should accept in lieu of his
which in substance declared that the present Bankrupt
Law was injurious, and in of lis provisions ought
to be modified repealed and that the nsolvent laws
of the several States gave adequate reliet except N
cases Of merchants and traders. And concluding with
n request that the Acting Governor communicate CO.
pies of the resolution The Senators and representa-
lives of Virginia in Congress Ii Tie gentleman from
Preston would take tins, he would thereby attain his
object because if he wished 10 embody an opinion ad
verse to the Bankrupt Law, that object would be as
fully accomplished though the resolution should pass
in its original form.
Il Mr.. Blows said he should be pleased to accept the
proposition of his friend from Fauquer, IT lie could,
consistently with his views Of right dnty lie concur
red with the views expressed on the face OF the rcso
luton which had been read as substitute Tor his own
bu. after the denial Of the right of instruction made by
that gentleman, he could not withdraw his resolution
lie coald consent 10 yield the great right OF m
struction; aud lest it might he UNDERSTOOD should
he yield to the proposition Of the gentleman from Eau
quier, he decline withdrawing the original resolu.
ton.
Mr. B,yLY said he regretted that his friend from
Preston should have objected to Withdrawing his
luton in favor of that submitted by the gentleman from
Fauquier From what he heard Of that, he was in
clned 10 be in favor Of it, with some notifications
As for the right Of instruction, he hoped would
consider that by adopting such resolution that RICH!
would be waived. Its exercise now wns not called tor
because Senators agreed with US about the Bank
rupi Law By iorbearing 10 exercise the right, we
should bv no means imply that we denied it, Moreo-
yer e hoped the right Of instruction would soon be
serted in unequvocal form on the resolutions Of
the gentleman from Louisa and himself Wien those
resolutions should be iakenrp (and he had the best
reasons for believing that they would be) an occasion
would present itself for nsructing Senators
subjects about which they differed from the opinions Of
Virginia.
Mr.. B. urged upon the House the importance of
speedy action by Virginia, the sub ect Of the Bank
rupt Law il gentlemen were in favor Of It's repeal, be-
fore 1t went into operation OH the lst Of February
The tie the motion 10 take up the resolution oil
the gentleman from Preston had created an erroneous
impression abroad, which should be corrected. Even
that very modest and crcumspect journal, the National
Intellgencer had declared 1t TO be test vote the
merits of the law, and had proclaimed that the State Of
4 Virginia IN favor at II.
Mr. ScoTr defined the position he had taken in rcla
ton TO what ought To be tie operation aud interests az
frc,cd hy The Bankrupt Law. Ii was subject which
did not very property come before Us; and he thought
its operation should be confined II traders and mcr
chants and all else he LEI. 10 the State Laws concerning
insolvent debtors The gentleman from Preston had
made speech to show that it odons, and lis repeal
called for, if not by the Union and Virginia. at leaat
By the county of Preston. Now, when proposition
in the nature of Compromise submitted by which
possibly all could be united in voice--he could not
reasonably expect every thing 10 be yielded TO him..
He said he could not accept the proposition for fear Of
thereby denying the right Of instruction. The gentle
man by adopting il, would yield but ltte-ln fact
thing. The right of instruction the doctrine of po
lticians in Virginia. lie (hr. s. willing IN bear
testimony to the fact that It settledes;ablished-
in danger of wound or overthrow from his resolu
ton.
Mr.. IRVING said it had been often asserted that
the people of Virginia altogether opposed TO the
Bankrupt Law, and particularly 10 the feature by
which antcctdt contracts were included IN lis opera
ton. Mr.. L. expressed his opinion that il not
only the right but the duty Of Congress- in any Bank
rup Law they might pass, TO include an,ccedent con-
tracts
Mr. HAsK1Ss said he wished il to be understood that
he opposed general prncp Piles to any Bankrupt
Law, and on grounds Of Ipedency to the present
Still he reason for taking up and discussing the
resolution Of the gentleman from Preston, when the
law had received its Guieus by vote Of tie House Of
Representatives of Congress- and when il would most
probably be repealed should have concluded the
debate
Mr. CnUrcurIELD said lie should have sat still if The
member from Preston had confined himself 10 mere
motion to take up. The gentleman had however, read
to the House paragraph from newspaper 10 prove
that Misrepresentation prevailed abroad regarding the
opinion of Virginia on the Bankrupt Law. Now, he
willing resolve that the nclli5encer wrong
and that Virginia opposed to the Law.
The gentleman from Fauquier had proposed subst-
tute. Suppose the resolution be taken up and the pro-
position brought before the House, would not be
where we were beiore' Would we not be wider than
ever on the of debae' 1t his purpose rgor-
ously exclude Federal Relations and the position he
meant TO maintain.
MIR. C. then proceeded TO reply to some OF the
marks made by tie gentleman from Louisa, (llr. Eol-
luday,) few days since. That gentleman had said
much about the glory Of Virginia he and some of
those who acted with him seemed to consider them
selves the peculiar guardians Of the fame Of the Old