Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-08
CONGRESSIONAL.
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| and diplomatic expenses of the Government
Mr. HOLMES, Of South Carolina addressed the commit
tee. As it is my intention (sad hey to speak the BILL
think but due TO state the order in which shall proceed
show that am adherng to the provisions Of the that
now before US and shall endeavo 70 con6ne myself closely
from the commencement to the end Of my speech, matters
german to the BILL rise in consequence Of memorial from
the citizens OF Charleston the House Of Representatives fo
an appropriation TO purchase site for custom house. in
tend show that this memorial after having gone to the Com
mee OF avs and Means sent TO the Office Of the Sc
cretay OF the Treasury, and his opinion requested upon the
proprey improperly Of this grant, will further endeayo
to show that the opinion given by the Executive opinion
denying justice my constituents and shall endeavor before
done to exhibit the that that injustice founded
deepsetted, determined design towards my constituents
do injustice shall also facts elucdaye the
of the Administration that history might record
related at period when this floor testify of them,
and when who desire have the opportunity reute
them, If they able.
Sir the inhabitants of Charleston have presented
rial to you, the Representatives of the States and prayed
that justice which has been given other portions the
countyto Massachusetts, New York; Pennsylvania the
great ports of the Atlantic Cities and which is esey-
eddy 10 be rendered to the great Crescent city Of the West
should be meed them They ask for 500, 000 in
addition TO the $780, 900 which you last year appropriated
purchase site for custon-house. On what do they base
their memorial On the necessity Of such structure to the
commerce and increasing wealth Of the city represent They
state that the building occupied inadequate for the pur
poses (Which is assigned that its original structure
not intended for the purposes for which it used that
the trade OF the city is increasing, consequences of the
tension of railroad SYSTEM commencing at Charleston,
port the Atlantic running through State crossing
Georgia. in contemplation within two years to reach to the
Of the Tennessee branch off there until strikes the
waters Of the Ohio bearing thus in the northern season.
when the ice has stopped your lakes when the frozen
tiers have locked your Canals when your rivers have ice
bound your shpsbeang the products Of the interior of
the great West along the mountain ridge, leaping with the
ironhorse the Valleys cousng down with their rich fregbs
until they throw them upon the bosom Of the Atlantic TO fur
nh rich agoses for the exchanges Of the world
you to be thrown again in lavish abundance upon the
West, remunerate them for their toll their industry their
energy. And, sir the memorial is signed, first, by the
Mayor and Council Of the City, and then by merchant
of intelligence by the mechanics who know their interest
by the entire population who feel they have been neglected
And what think you has been the response Called with
friend upon the Secretary of the Treasury; and that Secre
tary Of great financial ability of keen perception looking
the future, understanding the vast development of
that come, told and my friend who with me
for like TO have tness in these imes,hat it should be
done for he thought it rights and stated the
time that he about recommend an appropriation
for the city Of New Orleansha great city in the val
ley Of the Mississippi, in that valley that had first given,
as he might remark, the impulse to his political life
admired his sentiment that he should thus display his
gratitude to city that receives within its horns Of the
cent the mighty tributes of the great Of the West and
throws them upon the Gulf be scattered every where
turn in ch benefits unto you. admired his gratitude and,
let state, cheerulIy should for that appopa
ton for New Orleans, it is her right and will yield it.
did expect that the little city represent, small in number
but venerable for age and her services should have been
treated with injustice after this intmntion. my
friend the chairman of the committee, presented the
rial to the House, begged him at the suggestion of the Sc
cretay Immediately to write letter requesting his opinion
which assured should be favorable Days elapsed time
went by and at length the letter blame Mr.
Walker believe he would have fulfilled his promises; but
ne was but minister Of the Crown, and he knew that the
fate of Duane when he dared stand up the exercise and
majesty of bis functions to refuse an Executive mandate
pioh he hia NJ Waika loa.h
ter say II is here to be read am accustomed read
papers He states that the increasing ade Of Charleston
that the railroads progress he doubts not demand larger
custom house. What would be your conclusion from that
Why, that we Immediately commence house, which
will take years build the ramcaons of these
roads, and to the purpose when the products poured
into our laps But such inference. We wait until
the roads completed and the full Of prosperity
gushing upon us
But the dilemma in which he places himself He safes
that the Secretary Of The Treasury received instructions from
the Senate at the last session 10 get estimates from Charles
ton inquire into the propety and necessity Of
house there, the cost and the plans Sir has be returned
those plans Has he obtained those estimates Has he
even inquired No, sir no. But he is too skful not
give an excuse, and which IN logic complete
y cuts him out from the record Why That
alter the limitations for preliminary Investigate
preliminary STEP this House. this Congress- rather the last
House and Congress- appropriated $780, 900 for ste (which
he conesses inadequate for the purpose and which add
visement he tells you proved SOY what his conclusion
House in Its wisdom has commenced the work. and suppressed
ed the necessity Of his executing the resolution of the Senate
And yet with all that he tells you he recommend it
Sir, 1t perhaps strange thing in these days. when the
party rallies around menand must be partsans or ex
pelled-for to rise in this hall and appeal from dec
sion OF the Executive or the decision is his) to the repre-
senaves Of the people to decide upon the demands Of JUS
ce to the people. There time when il sounded not
strange the Of that such an appeal should be
made but now, when all for party and none are for
he State humble being dare now express opinions 10
the great But sir will endeavor to bring back il can
this House. this assembly Of representatives TO this col
lection Of entrusted delegates the consideration Of the rights
Of people, and put them in opposition 10 the arbrament of
this case by the higher power they assume.
Sir, Mr.. Walker, without inquiry without investigations
the Senate demanded, dares tell this House that the
building asked for is not essential opinion formed without
inspection, for he has not been there without information
for he refused to collect il opinion contrary NUM-
cpa council Of the city against the intelligent merchants
whose interests involved in the question against the in
egen mechanics who able measure the length and
breadth and capacity Of building and place his pse Dirt
against my constituents.
Sir, again say 10 the sincerity Of my heart acquit Mr.
Walker This but another Of the Of this Ad
mnistraon 10 the citizens Of Charleston speak not in
vague defamation, but for every uttered shall bring
The weight OF fact Sir has happened that il the
oruneor perhaps, to my constituency the misfoune--to
the people Of the country the boon given that Caroline
speak Of the State but of Of her cons that repre-
sencd the State and IN that lost sight Of the great inter
ess OF the coniedeacyhat this country saved by the in
ect and the moral force and the daring efforts OF Sena
tor from South Carolina from the calamtous wahat
most dreadful Of evsthat threatened oyerpower s in the