one,

ordeal. The defection of a small but able and The question of Abolition and the reception determined body from the Van Buren party, of Abolition petitions at this time exciting who leagued themselves together under the great attention throughout the country, Mr. | name of Conservatives, and based their opposi- CLAY, with the bold frankness which marked tion expressly upon the ground of hostility to his whole career, made a most able statement this Sub-Treasury Scheme, and the growing and vindication of his views upon this impor manifest disapproval of its principles by the tant topic. They were eminently satisfactory People, operated upon the House of Represen-to all sound and reflecting men, and embraced tatives with a force which all the power of the strictest adherence to Constitutional objecExecutive blandishment, the influence of Ex- tions, and the most earnest regard for popular ecutive patronage, and the strength of the Cal-rights. In the summer of 1839 he made a houn Coalition, could not withstand; and on journey to the North-going into Canada as the 14th of October the bill was laid on the far as Quebec, and returning by way of New table by a vote of one hundred and twenty to York. His tour was a continued triumphal one hundred and seven. Soon after this, and procession: he was met at every town by the without the transaction of any other business, most ardent gratulations, and was received at save the rejection, by the Van Buren majority, every principal place by public demonstrations of a resolution introduced by Mr. CLAY, and of the highest and most enthusiastic regard. simply declaring that it would be expedient The time was now approaching for another to charter a National Bank whenever the wish- Presidential Election. For twelve years the es of a majority of the People, to that effect, Whigs had been out of power, and in that time should be indicated,' and the adoption instead the country had been dragged down, by misof by Mr. WRIGHT, declaring that it was rule, from the summit of prosperity to the inexpedient to establish such a Bank, the depths of degradation and misery-the lowest, Congress convened in Extra Session was ad- as it then appeared, that could possibly exist: journed. subsequent events, however, to which we shall At the regular Session of 1838, the Sub- soon refer, have proved that even to this there Treasury Scheme was again brought before was also a lower deep.' The extremity of Congress in the Message of the President. suffering, however, and the darkest hopelessMr. CLAY opposed it again in a long and pow-ness seemed to brood over the land. The most erful argument, denouncing it as a deliberate sagacious politicians had the firmest conviction attempt, on the part of the Executive, to es- that a great majority of the people of the tablish a Government Bank, which should Union were opposed to the principles of the throw into the hands of the Executive a com-party in power. But the fabric of Executive plete control of the Funds of the nation, and patronage and influence had grown to such cowhich would thus increase, to a tremendous lossal dimensions, and had become so rooted and fearfully dangerous extent, the power of in the nation, that its overthrow seemed a work that officer. He also declared himself de- of despair. The eyes of the whole Nation were cidedly in favor of a National Bank, and gave turned upon Mr. CLAY as the fittest man to a clear outline of the principles upon which he place at the helm of State, and there was every would have it based. His scheme proposed a where the most undoubting confidence that if strict and close limitation of its powers, an once he could be placed in that station, pros exclusion of all foreign influence, a careful perity and happiness would be speedily reregard for the interests and accommodation of stored. But there was likewise an impression, the whole people, and suitable checks upon vague and formless, but general and influential, the power of such an institution to expand or that he could not be elected by the People. contract the Circulating Medium of the coun-Twice he had been a candidate, and twice had try. As to the constitutionality of such a he failed. At the last election Gen. Harrison Bank, Mr. CLAY avowed his acquiescence in had been the candidate, and no strong oppothe decisions of Washington, MADISON, MAR-sition had been raised against him, though the SHALL, and the Supreme Court of the United popularity of Jacksonism and the power of States. The Sub-Treasury Scheme was finally official patronage and party discipline had sepassed and became a law, 'in spite of lamen-cured his defeat. The approaching election tations in Congress, or elsewhere,' in the em- was one of the very highest moment; for it phatic words of one of its warmest friends. seemed evident, that if the Whig policy failed

of success then, it could never hope for it before the people. The direct, inevitable tenagain. It was a matter, therefore, of the very dency of the doctrines of the ruling party was last importance to select a candidate who, pointed out as with a sunbeam; and every while he was clearly identified with the great noble impulse, which finds a home in the heart principles of the Whig party, should be able of man, was aroused to life by the most thrill to unite all opposing or dissenting portions of ing and controlling eloquence. The popular that great party, and secure an election by the enthusiasm took every form, and made itself People. manifest by processions, banners, music, motFor the purpose of selecting a candidate, toes, significant devices, and in all the various therefore, a National Convention of Delegates modes under which, in every age and nation, was chosen to meet at Harrisburg, in Pennsyl- it has at some great crisis proclaimed its existvania, for consultation. The members were ence and wrought out its high determinations. chosen not merely to represent the wishes of The greatest intellects of the nation mingled their constituents, as they partially and vaguely in the heat of the contest. Senators and Repunderstood them, but to consult, to canvass the resentatives went directly to the People with probabilities of success, and to determine upon their appeal. At the election in 1840 that ap the nomination it was expedient, upon all these peal was triumphantly answered, and Gen. considerations, to make. Never was a body Harrison was elected President, and John Tyler. of more patriotic, of clearer-headed, or more Vice President, by an overwhelming majority. earnest men assembled together. The Con- Thus were the leading principles of the Whigs vention lost its party complexion in the fervor adopted by the people of the United States, who of their feelings in behalf of the country; and thereby declared their wish to have them the solemnity and manifest depth of conviction established as the law of the land. The leading which marked all their deliberations, seemed measures proposed by the Whigs throughout at once to identify the principles of the Whigs the contest were briefly these: they proposed with the true policy of the nation and the fun- to restrict and limit the power of the veto, damental grounds of our Republican institu- which had been so ruthlessly employed by tions. The deliberations of the Convention Gen. Jackson to the destruction of great mearesulted in the nomination of Gen. HARRISON.sures of public policy: to provide for the ineliThe announcement carried disappointment into gibility of the President for a second termthe hearts of Whigs throughout the Union; believing, as they were warranted in believing but the developments of the first succeeding by sad experience, that when this was not the month swept away all feelings of this nature, case, the official conduct of the Executive and infused into the great mass of the Whigs would be shaped with a direct view to a re-elec an enthusiasm never equaled, in the history tion: to restrict the patronage of the Execu of the Nation, since the first formation of the tive, and to regulate its distribution: to retrench Government. A National Convention was expenditures, reform abuses, and introduce a called, to meet at Baltimore, to respond to more strict accountability into every public the nomination of General Harrison and John office: to establish a uniform currency, on a Tyler, as candidates for President and Vice stable foundation, by a National institution President of the United States. It was an- such as the wisdom of Congress might devise, swered by the assembling of more than 20,000 guarded as much as possible against abuse, and Whigs from every part of the Union; and limited by all expedient restrictions: to disits proceedings were characterized by a zeal tribute the proceeds of the Public Lands among and high-souled determination to succeed never the several States of the Union to which of witnessed before on any similar occasion. A right they belonged: to establish a Protective pulsation of hope and energy was sent through Tariff on the basis of the Compromise, and by all the land. Hope sprang up in every heart: the exercise of that further legislation expressly a burning zeal, worthy the highest and the contemplated by that law: and to administer holiest cause that ever engaged the active the Government in all its branches upon the exertion of any people, flamed forth in every same principles of purity, integrity, and liberal section of the country. Convention succeeded policy which so strongly marked the early convention, each more numerous and more days of the Republic. These principles had: zealous than the last. Every question of pub- been deliberately adopted by the people of the lie policy was discussed by the living speaker United States. They were the principles to

the advocacy of which the whole life of HENRY | become a law, and the country rang with apCLAY had been devoted, and in him they had plause of HENRY CLAY. John Tyler heard found their constant and eloquent champion. the shout, and it awakened within his bosom Their execution was now committed to other jealousies and angry passions, before which hands-but to hands believed to be no less safe the weal of his country faded away like a than his. The President Elect was known to thing of nought. He violated the first and be a man of pure heart and the most devoted fundamental principle which brought him into patriotism; and John Tyler, the chosen Vice power, by vetoing a bill which the Whigs had President, had made the most earnest and sin- pledged themselves should become a law. cere protestations of entire agreement upon all Mr. CLAY encountered the Veto with a frank these points with the great Whig party by and eloquent speech, deprecating the exercise whom he was elected. He had given to the of this most obnoxious power, and in the most American People what they considered a sure moving terms, lamenting the sad prostration pledge of his entire devotion to Whig princi- of the country's new formed hopes foreshadples by his strenuous and persevering advocacy owed by its use. Congress, however, took esof the nomination of Mr. CLAY, of whose pa-pecial pains to ascertain what sort of a Bank triotism and devotion to these great principles bill the President was willing to sign, and no Whig ever entertained for one moment the soon presented such a one for his approval. slightest suspicion; and both came into office This too was vetoed, and the hopes of the nawith the fairest prospects of redeeming their tion sunk. An attempt to establish a Tariff, pledge, and restoring prosperity to the Ameri- to which Mr. CLAY bent his best exertions, can People. was attended with the same success; and it At the Session of Congress closing the Ad- became evident that John Tyler, chosen by ministration of Mr. Van Buren, Mr. CLAY re- the Whigs to carry into effect their principles, peated his declaration of the principles which, had deserted their cause and joined himself to throughout his life, he had endeavored to es-their foe.

tablish, and again brought before Congress Still, every thing was done that could be for all the great measures, to the advocacy of the welfare of the country, and for the relief of which so much of his efforts had been direct- the Government from the abyss of insolvency, ed. The President was inaugurated on the in which it had for years been gradually sink4th of March, 1841, and in his Address deliv-ing. A Loan Bill, Treasury Note Bill, and ered upon that occasion renewed the hopes of Provisional Tariff were passed, to preserve the the People that a new era was opening in Treasury from dishonor until full and permatheir political history. In consideration of the nent provision could be made, at the approachpressing necessities of the country, he issued ing regular Session, for the collection of adehis Proclamation convening Congress in Extra quate Revenue, by a careful and enlightened Session. revision of the Tariff. A Bankrupt Law was Congress assembled on the last Monday of passed for the relief of unfortunate debtors, May, 1841; but the elected President met and to secure the effects of dishonest ones to them not; the sacred stillness of the tomb was their creditors; and an act providing for the around him; his soul was in the land of the Distribution of the Proceeds of the Public great departed. Lands was passed, but clogged with a condiJohn Tyler, his constitutional successor, tion which now renders it inoperative, in order met the assembled Representatives, and they to escape the Veto of John Tyler. Congress addressed themselves to the business of the adjourned in September.

Extra Session. Mr. CLAY was the great lead- The regular Session, commencing early in er in the Senate, and to him the nation looked December, found Mr. CLAY again at his post, for those measures of relief which her necessi-doing all in his power to preserve what had ties demanded. He was prompt to devise, been secured, and to carry on the work of be. and bold to urge them. Early in June, he pre-neficent Reform. By his vote, the Repeal of sented his practical and safe-plan for the char- the Bankrupt Law was defeated. By him, a ter of a National Bank, as the initial step in series of Resolutions, setting forth the general the great work before him. It was passed by principles on which the Government should be both Houses of Congress, and sent to the Pre-conducted, and the specific Reforms which sident for his approval. It was expected to should be effected, in the restriction of Execu

LIFE OF HENRY CLAY.

tive Power, the Retrenchment of Expenditures, tual powers are of the highest order. His life, the adjustment of the Tariff, &c., &c., were a long and most arduous one, has been devoted introduced and advocated with consummate with single-hearted, unselfish earnestness to ability. They were generally adopted by the the best good of his country. Senate, some of them without opposition.

of his heart bears the stamp of a lofty nature

Every instinc At the end of March, 1842, in fulfilinent of The political principles which, from his firs a long cherished purpose, Mr. CLAY resigned entrance upon political life, to the latest words his seat in the Senate, and retired to the shades upon matters of public concern he has ever of Ashland. For the present, we leave him uttered, have been cherished with unwavering there in the calm enjoyment of all that peace devotion, are those which lie at the very founand happiness which the memory of a life dation of our institutions, and which were spent in the public service may well confer. embraced, with all the ardor of thorough conHis name is already before the American peo-viction, by the early Fathers of the Republic. ple as the Whig Candidate for the Presidency No man ever had warmer friends, or better in 1844, and the loud enthusiasm with which it merited their confidence and love. Few have is hailed from every section of this broad land, had more bitter enemies, and no one ever detells, in eloquent language, of the deep and served them less. A proud and auspicious day ardent love with which it is cherished in their will dawn upon the American Republic when hearts. His is a fame of which any man may she shall witness the advent to her highest stawell be proud, and which few, in the centuries tion of HENRY CLAY.

that are past, have ever enjoyed. His intellec

September 10th, 1842.

John Tyler's Opinion of Henry Clay,

(When John was honest.)

Senator Benton's Opinion of H. Clay,
In Benton's better days.

John Tyler, even after he professed to be- didate for President, Thomas H. Benton, then In 1824, when HENRY CLAY was first a cancome a Whig, expressed the most ardent, de- and still a Senator from Missouri, was an acvoted admiration of HENRY CLAY. We met tive supporter of Mr. C. for President, a Memhim at Harrisburg, at the Whig National Con-ber of the Clay Central Committee, &c. The vention, in December, 1839, where he was the following extract of a letter from Mr. Benton most determined advocate of Mr. Clay's nomi- Oct. 224, 1824. We only publish it to show first appeared in the Missouri Intelligencer of nation; and even after Gen. Harrison had been on what grounds Col. B. supported Mr. Clay, nominated, he tried to upset it, and was one and what policy he then considered Republican. of the last to come in to its support. He Here is the document:

cial alliances with Mexico and South America. If it

openly proclaimed himself a straight-out Whig, "The principles which would govern Mr. Clay's said there was a great change in the South in administration, if elected, are well known to the nafavor of Mr. Clay's views of National Policy, Congress for the last seventeen years. They constition. They have been displayed upon the floor of and declared that he would never have come tute a system of AMERICAN POLICY, based on the to Harrisburg but in the hope of getting Mr. Agriculture and Manufactures of his own countryClay nominated. He was put on the ticket for ternal as well as sea-board Improvement-upon the upon interior as well as foreign Commerce-upon inVice President, as the most ultra Clay man independence of the New World, and close commerthere, in order to soothe the wounded feelings is said that others would pursue the same system, we of the Clay men. At the Whig dinner to the answer, that the founder of a system is the natural Delegates at Washington, a few days after-tector of American iron, lead, hemp, wool, and cotton, executor of his own work; that the most efficient proward, he thus expressed himself: would be the triumphant champion of the new Tariff; the safest friend to interior commerce would be the "I do declaré, in the presence of my Heavenly Statesman who has proclaimed the Mississippi to be Judge, that the nomination given to me was neither the sea of the West; the most zealous promoter of solicited nor expected; I went to the Convention IN Internal Improvements would be the President, who HONOR OF HENRY CLAY; and in the defeat of the has triumphed over the President who opposed the wishes of his friends, I, as one of them, made a sacri- construction of National Roads and Canals; the most fice of feeling, even though my own name was asso-successful applicant for treaties with Mexico and ciated with that of Harrison. *** I AM A TRUE AND South America would be the eloquent advocate of GENUINE WHIG, and in the Capitol, yonder, I have their own independence. shown my love of Whig principles."

THOMAS HART BENTON.

REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS, AND ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT.

OLD AND NEW RATIOS.

3

Members. Pres. Elect. Mem.
5

P. E.

7

9

By the Constitution of the United States, each of the States composing the Union is en- ninois... titled to two Members of the Senate, and of Michigan.......... 1 the House as many as its Federal Population, shall entitle it to choose. To ascertain this Delaware..... SLAVE STATES. number, a Census of the Population of each Maryland State is taken at the expiration of each period Virginia. of ten years, and to the whole number of its North Carolina.... 13 Free White inhabitants is added three-fifths of South Carolina.... 9 all other persons, excluding Indians not taxed. Georgia. Alabama.. The amount obtained by adding these together! Mississippi. is termed the Federal Numbers of the State, Louisiana. by which the number of its Representatives in Kentucky Congress is regulated.

21

9

11

5

7

2

4

Tennessee
Missouri......
Arkansas.

The present Congress expires March

The Census is taken in the decennia! year, (1820, 30, 40, and so on)-but is rarely per fected, digested, and published till late in the following year, and the Apportionment there. upon made in the year succeeding. Thus the late Census was taken in 1840; made up and published in 1841; the Apportionment made in 1842; and the first Congress elected under it 4th, 1843; but the new does not assemble until assembles in 1843. the first Monday in December following, unless Hitherto each State has been allowed a Rep- specially called. If it should be, Special Eleeresentative only for each time that the Ratios tions would be needed in several States, as could be subtracted from its Federal Numbers, they do not choose regularly till late in 1843. leaving fractions wholly unrepresented. Thus if a State had 98,000 Federal Numbers and the Ratio was 50.000, it would be allowed but onel Member of the House. By the New Appor Statement showing the progressive increase tionment Law, however, a State having a frac-of business on all the Canals of New York, from tion of over one-half the Ratio is allowed an the commencement of navigation on the Erie additional Member. Seven States by this have Canal, in 1820, to the close of the year 1841: one more than they would otherwise be en-| Year

The number of Members of the House and Presidential Electors to which each State re-1838..... 1,590,911 spectively was entitled under the Apportion-1839. 1,616,382 ment of 1832, and will be under that of 1842, 1840..... 1,775,747 will be seen by the fellowing table:

1836..... 1,614,336

1937..... 1.292,623

1841..... 2,034.882