Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-02-11
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Mr. CLIFFORD presented the resolutions of the
Legislature Of Maine, requesting their Representa-
tves and nstrucng their Senators, TO vote tor an M
mediate and unconditional repeal Of The Bankrupt
Law.
Mr. HOPKINS presented the resolutions of the Le-
gislature of Virginia II Requesting their Reprcsen-
tatives and insiIucting their Senator'S to use Their
exerons procure the repeal OF the aria ACT passed
during last session. and expressing their opposition to
any Tariff Act not solely for revenue-2 in avor OF
repeal OF the Bankrupt Laws. Adverse TO the esiao
Eskment of q National Bank, any institution for
banking purpcses-4. Urging the repeal OF the Bank
rupt Law. One OF tie resolutions assert, that w H.
linn 6 Archer one OF the Senators from Virginia, in
the Congress Of The United States 10y hrs votes ia
of United States Bank, and the repeal OF the pre-
vision of The law for the distribution OF the proceeds
of the sales Of The public lands, mh'ch provided that
the distribution should whenever the duties on
imports are increased beyond twenty per cent, has
violated great principles disregard of the known
wishes Of his constituents.
Mr.. WHITE presented the resolutions OF the Legs
lature Of Indiana, relative 10 The completion OF the
Ohio and Wabash canal
All of the above resolutions LAID upon the
table, and ordered to he printed
RELIEF OF AMOS KENDALL.
Mr.. COWEN, IRON the Committee OF CLAIMS, re-
ported bill authorizing the Secretary of the treasury
10 paw WIN Stokes, l. " Stockton, and D. Moore,
the amount which may be due them on jndg ments IN
their avc- and against Amos Kendall obtained IN the
Circuit Court 81. District of Columbia, II the SAID
the United States, TO winch Court the said case has
been removed by writ Of error, and where 1t IS now
depend.ng-he money 10 be paid when the SAID Judg'
ment is affirmed The second section directs the mar
shall of the District to discharge MIR. Kendall IRON
his custody
Mr. e.. expressed the opinion that when the House
shall have read the report which accompanies the bill,
they will pass without any DELAY whatever lie pro-
posed 10 make the speca order OF the Gay Tor fday
next; but the bill, after brief debate between several
crster lpIun!lttpe mole
on the state OF the Union.
GAs this subject Is one o! particular interest, the
following extract from the report OF The Committee on
Claims may be acceptable, VIZ
"Whateves respect mish have been due TO the OPT.
MON of the Solicitor Of the Treasury, Us 1t was
by the uacficial opnou of the Attorney General that
opinion did relieve the Postmaster General, the
ministerial agent of the Government, 10 perform such
award might be made TO the act oil Congress-
from his responsibility Of determining for himself whe
Their the Solicitor had had transcribed his powers
If Mr. Kendall really thought, as he alleged, that that
portion ohe award which lie refused TO perform was not
within the scope of the act, and was OF and concerning
claims which not submitted 10 the Solicitor, II was
his duty TO refuse performance
sMr Kendall not only persisted IN his purpose against
the opinions Of tie Solicitor of the Treasury, and the
Attorney General but after the question had been re-
fe-red to the Senate, aud the Judiciary COMMITTEE OF
that body had reported in favor OF The opinions OF the
Solicitor and that report had been concured in by the
Senate and after the Circuit Court OF the District OF
Columbia had udically decided upon hearing and ar.
pument that MIR Kendall wrong still he refused
10 execute the award. By thus standing out against
SO many and such respectable Authorities, Mr. Kendall
manifested degree of i.mness, If not obsinacy, not
often found in public officers in like 1t should
be noted however that after the application was made
for mandamus il considered by MI Kendall and
by the President and his Cabinet, of which MI Kendall
was a member, that highly important question OF lu
risdicon arose, aud that It his day to resist the
claim of the 10 jurisdiction, IN that case until 1t
should be decided in the court ri last resort IdE tact
must he regarded j.u Eradication IF -Hr he@aHA
from the lmputation OF improper motives, IN defending
against the application for mandaus IN all sseges,
until lie FINAL decision IN the Supreme Court
From ali The evidence the case the COMMITTEE
are satisfied that Mr. Kendall governed by desire
10 guard the Post Office Department, over which he
presided against loss, by allowances which he believed
unjust and illegal THIS purpose was adhered TO with
unusual pernacy, but not from any design TO 90 IL
justice to The contractors II IS believed to be important
Thai honest guardians of the Treasury should not be
perm,,ed 10 suffer for their fidelity It's not often that
public officers err MIR Kendall did, IN favor OF the
United States and if those who in their zeal TO save
the Treasury from unus: claims upon IT. are subjected
to suits for damages, and Imprisonment, tor whatever