The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-19


this view MIR. Van buren, concurred
lie said 10 these Western gentlemen that if MIR
an buTens principles were sustained, there would
not DC money enough in the Treasury to build ship
Oh the hne-no, not even fertilization, much
less to improve the Western waters Mr. Van
Buren, denies the constitutional power of this Gov
eminent TO make these improvements, and read
extracts from SOME o his private letters 10 prove the
assertion, he having studously avoided mention
ing the subject IN his annual messages to Con
gress, Then, how can the gentleman from Missouri
MIR. Jameson,) 90 with Mr. Van Buren, who is con.
additionally opposed to improving the Western wa
tefs with The money OF this Government Here are
the ietlers-let gentlemen OF the West read them
The gentleman from Missouri must stand by his man
and abandon his principles, he must stand by his
principles and abandon his There is no escape
from tins position. If the gentleman from Ohio can
disprove all" Of these statements he must take the
ordnd-ii he does not disprove "aH," he (Nlr w J
must take the brand
The present Indebtedness Of the States was brought
about by the policy of Mr.. Van Buren,, who adyoca
Ted The distribution OF the surplus revenues which had
accumulated in the Treasury from protective tariff
not reuenue arip-but high proeciire tariff Ii the
surplus OF forty millions had not been distributed
among the States, neither Pennsylvania, Ohio, nor
Indiana and the rest OF the States would now have
hanging over them debt of two hundred millions of
dollars. But, under the protective tariff if it had
been lett alone there would now have been $500 600
0OO OF surplus revenue IN the Treasury which would
have been amply sufficient To have completed every
project OF internal Improvement in the country which
would, at this time have been paying handsome re-
venue into the pubic Treasury and the prosperity Of
the country would be now permanent, and a century
advanced in inl rovement.
Mr.. DUNCAN: ! wish to ask the gentleman
question that there may be- mistake Does the
gent say that Mr. Van Buren, advocated the dis
tribution of the pubic revenue?
MIR. STUART. Yes sir.
Mr.. 8. continued and said that the Treasury
would now be full not by drec, taxation but by the
| tolls from these great improvements. The surplus
revenue could be expended upon the internal i'm
proveinen's OF the country for fear Of violating the
Constitution, therefore the policy of MIR. Van Bu-
rem was to distribute il among the States which
caused them to embark in their own improve
ments, and involve them in heavy debt With the
distribution OF the surplus revenue down went the Ia
rf, and down went the internal improvements Of the
country.
Mr.. DUNCAN That was not the question He
understood him to say that the distribution commence
ed with MIR. Van Buren's Administration.
| Mr.. STUART said he did not say So but inferred
it, because he (Mr. Van Buren) was the Prime Min
! is er Of General Jackson's Administration. He gave
the hint, and General Jackson concurred in his
views; and from that day, down went the tariff and
internal improvements. Mr. Van Buren's Admins
tration an actual waste of the public money and
although 1t greatly exceeded in expenditures that of
MIR. Adams yet there was not half the good bestowed
upon the country
! Mr.. WELLER said at this time he should not en-
into discussion Of the question, but for the pre-
sent he would content himself with "answering the
! fool according to his folly"
Mr.. WELLER then moved that the committee
rise, but withdrew it at the suggestion of
Mr.. HARDIN, who said that he wanted TO see
fair fight and to give the gentleman from Ohio time,
he moved that the committee rise
The SPEAKER resumed the Chair.
Mr. WINTHROP, the chairman, reported 10 the
House that the Committee of the Whole had had the
Union generally under consideration and partcu-
ary the Presidents Message, and had come to no
MIR. CAVE JOHNSON moved that on Saturday,
al o'clock, the committee rise and report the SUBJ
ject TO the House
Mr. HUDSON moved that the House adjourn, but
the motion was lost.
The question then required Mr.. Cave Johnst ms
motion, and decided in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr. TIBBATTS, the memorial of
Capt. Henry M. Shreve, asking Congress to make an
appropriation, by the passage Of law to purchase
for the use of the Government, the patent right of
said Shreye for snagboats, and for other purposes
was Withdrawn from the files of the Clerks Office
and referred to the Committee on Claims
Mr.. J. w BROWN moved that the House ad
journ,
Asd the House adjourned.
! Mr. CHARLES NJ. REID presented the petition
of citizens of Erie county, asking an appropriation
( to continue the public work on the harbor at that
place.
Also the petition of the citizens Of Cattaraugus,
in the State of New York, praying for appropria-
ton for the precton of lighthouse or beacon light
at Cattaraugus creek.
Mr. MES presented the following:
Petition of A. d. Livingston and John r. Dom
nell signed by two hundred and sixty citizens of York
county, Pennsylvania, asking Congress for an appro-
priation for removing two bars at the head OF the
Chesapeake bay, below the town of Havre de
Grace.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce