Mr. Petrikin again took the floor against the bill, remonstrating, with some warmth, against the idea that the house was to be governed in its legislation by the wishes or the banks. Were banks to dictate to congress what laws they should enact? It was an insult to the house. This dictation was the work of bank officers and bank directors, not of the stockholders. The poor stockholders were mere machines, ciphers, to be used for the benefit and at the pleasure of the bank boards. He denounced the bill as a fraud on the community, professed warm interest for the welfare of the people of the District, and challenged an investigation of the affairs of the banks. He complained that all the measures of the District committee were, in this way, forced down the throats of members. He insisted that on the very face of the bill it was an imposition on the people: it left an open question as to which were the most respectable banks of Baltimore and Richmond. Who was to settle this point? was it the courts of justice, or these bank themselves?

Mr. Bouldin moved the previous question. Mr. Adams said be wished to offer an amendment to the bill, and hoped the motion for the previous question would be withdrawn. He was in favor of the bill, and desirous that it should pass without delay, but desired opportunity to propose an amendment. Mr. Bouldin declined to withdraw his motion, as he was convinced no better terms could be obtained, and amendments would only risk the bill. The call for the previous question was seconded-Ayes 74,

noes 60.

Mr. Dromgoole demanded the yeas and nays, but the house refused to order them. The previous question was then put, and carried. The main question, on ordering the bill to its third reading, was decided as follows:

of this District because they could call him to no Mr. Woodbury, a memorandum directing the clerk
reckoning. But he had diligently informed himself that they should be filed among the papers in rela-
of the probable effect of this sending the bill back tion to paupers. After a few words from Mr. Crary,
The hour then passed to the consideration of pri-
to the senate, and also of what were the wishes of the question was carried, and the printing ordered.
the people of the District, not only the stockholders
of these banks, but the people of the District ge- vate bills, of which a large number were disposed of.
nerally, and the result was that he must refuse his And then the house adjourned.
assent to the commitment of the bill.

[Here the morning hour expired.]
Mr. B. moved to suspend the rules to consider
this bill.

Mr. Adams reminded him that the existence of
the globe did not depend on the passage of this bill;
it could lie over till to-morrow, without any general
calamity or catastrophe.

Saturday, May 26. Mr. Everett, from the committee on Indian affairs, reported a bill to provide for running the boundary lines of lands assigned to Indian tribes west of the Mississippi, and for surveying portions thereof to be held in severalty.

Mr. Mathias Morris, from the committee of exat length in relation thereto. penditures in the department of state, made a report

Mr. Mason, of Ohio, resumed and concluded his remarks upon the proposition to print extra copies of the reports, evidence, and journal of the duelling investigation committee.

Mr. Potter made a few remarks, in reply, and sus. pended his remarks when the morning hour elapsed, On motion of Mr. Taylor, the house went into and the house passed to the orders of the day. committee of the whole, (Mr. McKennan in the chair,) and took up the pension bill calendar; and, having considered them severally, a large number were reported to the house, as having passed in committee without amendment. They also reported several bills with amendments, and asked leave to sit again on others, in which they reported progress, It was then proposed to take the question on enwhich was granted. grossing the bills, whose titles are above given, en masse.

The chairman of the committee on revolutionary and invalid pensions having stated that each of the bills had been acted on separately in committee, this course was adopted, and the above recited bills were severally ordered to be engrossed and read a third time this day.

The motion for suspension of the rules was rejected. So the subject lies over till to-morrow. The subject of the president's message, received to-day, now again came up in order, and an interesting debate ensued; of which we shall present a report in the next "REGISTER." At present we can only state that Mr. Hoffman addressed the house, expressing his gratification that the president had fully exonerated himself from all blame in this affair; he did not seem much inclined to acquit the secretary for having such a document placed on file and sending it through the president to the house without examination. Mr. Dromgoole thought the committee ought first to be discharged from the consideration of these documents before any question was made as to returning them to the president. Mr. Whittlesey inquired whether, if the resolution of Mr. Hoffman passed, the obnoxious documents would remain on the files of the house, and be bound up with the documents of the house? The Chair thought they would not. He was told by the clerk that the message and documents would YEAS-Messrs. H. Allen, J. W. Allen, Ander- be reprinted, omitting these. Mr. Atherton spoke son, Andrews, Banks, Beatty, Beirue, Bell, Bick-in defence of the secretary. Mr. Briggs replied, Mr. Cushman nell, Birdsall, Bond, Boon, Borden, Bouldin, Briggs, and expressed strong disapprobation of the placing Bronson, J. Campbell, W. B. Carter, Cheatham, such documents on file at all. Clark, Cleveland, Coles, Craig, Crary, Crockett, asked Mr. Russell, whether he did not know that Dawson, Davies, DeGraff, Dennis, Duncan, Dunn, such documents were in the department when he Edwards, Evans, Everett, Ewing, Farrington, R. offered the original call for the papers on the sub-in committee, and leave granted to sit again thereon. Fletcher, Fillinore, Foster. Fry, J. Garland, R.ject of paupers? Mr. Russell denied all knowledge Garland, Glascock, J. Graham, Win. Graham, of it. Grantland, Grant, Graves, Gray, Grennell, Haley, Hail, Hammond, Hamer, Harlan, Harper, Hastings, Henry, Herod, Howard, Hubley, Ingham, T. B. Jackson, H. Johnson, J. Johnson, Kemble, Kilgore, Klingensmith, Logan, Mallory, Marvin, Samson Mason, Maury, Maxwell, R. McClellan, McClure, McKennan, Menefee, Mercer, Morgan, M. Morris, C. Morris, Murray, Naylor, Noble, Noyes, Palmer, Parmenter, Pearce, Pennybacker, Phelps, Pickens, Potts, Prentiss, Rariden, Randolph, Reed, Reily, Rencher, Rhett, Ridgway, Rives, Robinson, Rumsey, Russell, Sheffer, A. H. Sheppard, C. Shepard, Shields, Slade, Southgate, Spencer, Stanly, Stuart, Stone, Stratton, Taliaferro, Taylor, Thomas, Tillinghast, Toucey, Vail, Vanderveer, Wagener, Weeks, Albert S. White, J. White, E. Whittlesey, T. T. Whittlesey, L. Williams, S. Williams, Wise, Worthington-133.

NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Alexander, Ayciigg, Wm. B. Calhoun, Cambreleng, Casey, Connor, Cushing, Cushman, Davee, Dromgoole, Fairfield, Goode, Halsted, Hawkins, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, R. M. T. Hunter, Jenifer, Keim, Leadbetter, Loomis, McKay, A. McClellan, Montgomery, Owens, Patterson, Peck, Petrikin, Potter, Robertson, Sheplor, Snyder, Toland, Turney, Underwood, Webster, Jared W. Williams, Yell-41.

So the bill was ordered to a third reading. When the question as to the time of the third reading was put, Mr. Petrikin moved Monday week; but the house refused that motion, as well as another for Monday and another for to-morrow; and ordered the bill to have its third reading at this

time.

The bill was accordingly read a third time; and the question being, shall the bill pass?

Mr. Adams moved that the bill be recommitted, with instructions to report, as a fourth condition of the charter, that the banks shall make no dividends during a suspension of specie payments. On this motion he demanded the yeas and nays; which were erdered.

Mr. Fillmore inquired whether the bill contained any clause requiring an acceptance of the charter on the part of the banks? This he considered was necessary, in order that, if the banks failed to comply with the conditions of their charters, the holders of their notes might have a hold upon them for their money. Such was the practice in New York. Mr. Bouldin said he had not the smallest objection to both the amendments, but he was opposed to the recommitment as likely to be fatal to the bill. He was not, himself an advocate of all the clauses of the bill; some of them he thought very hard ones; and he was not for breaking the bones of the people

Mr. Cushman made a short speech in defence of the secretary. Mr. Hoffman replied, warmly complaining that documents so injurious to his constituents should be placed in the archives of the government, and sent to the house of representatives.

Mr. Calhoun, of Massachusetts, inquired whether
these documents had been furnished by the depart-
ment in a written form, and duly certified, or in a
printed form, and without certification?

Mr. Russell produced the originals as sent to the
committee, consisting of portions cut out from a New
York paper called the "Truth Teller." Mr. Cal.
Mr. Menefee
houn expressed strong regret at such a mode of re-
sponding to a call from congress.
addressed the house; and, in the course of his speech,
referred to the doctrine maintained by president
Jackson, at the time of the removal of the deposites,
respecting the irresponsibility of subordinate offi-
cers, and the responsibility of their superior for their
acts; which he applied as an argumentum ad homi-
nem, though he reprobated it himself as abominable.
Mr. Sibley proposed, as the subject of the abuse
of the character of citizens in public documents was
under consideration, that the president have leave
also to withdraw that portion of his annual message
in which he imputed to the people of the state of
New York the bartering of their elective franchise
for the favor of banking institutions, &c.

Mr. S. was repeatedly checked by the Chair, and
called to order by members as discussing a subject
not connected with the resolution before the hos.
He then said that he should avail himself of a future
opportunity to bring this subject up.

Mr. Crary ended the debate by moving the pre-
vious question: but withdrew it at the request of
Mr. Reed, who asked whether the clerk could with-
Besides, if these
draw a document which had been printed by order
of the house? He thought not.
documents should be withdrawn from our files, the
message of this morning would be unintelligible for
want of the documents to which it related. The call
for the previous question was sustained: Ayes 102.
The previous question was put and carried. And
the resolution of Mr. Cambreleng, as given above,
was then agreed to without division. Mr. Cambre-
leng moved that the message of the president and
the accompanying documents be laid on the table,
and printed. Mr. Harlan demanded (a division of
the question; and it was first put on laying the mes-
sage on the table, and carried. The question then
recurring on the printing, Mr. Harlan stated, in re-
ply to Mr. Atherton's apology for the secretary, that
the printed scraps from newspapers which had been
produced by the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Russell) had on their margin, in the handwriting of

A number of bills, amended by the committee, were next taken up and ordered to a third reading. Several bills, (giving room to debate) were laid aside

The bill for the relief of capt. James Hunter, which had been postponed in the early part of the day, was then taken up for consideration, and after debate, read a third time, ordered to be engrossed, and finally passed.

Mr. Taylor moved that the house go again into committee of the whole on those bills upon which progress had already been made, and on which leave had been granted to sit again. The motion prevailed, mittee first took up the bill for the relief of Benjamin and Mr. McKennan resumed the chair; and the comGannett. [This bill presents a curious case. The claimant is represented as the surviving husband of Deborah Gannett, to whom he was lawfully married 29th of April, 1327. In the early part of her life the on the 7th day of April, 1784; that she died on the said Deborah enlisted as a soldier in the army of the revolution, under the assumed name of Robert Shurtleff, where she faithfully served her country three year, and was honorably discharged in November, 1783. On account of a wound received in the service, she received a pension as an invalid until the passage of the act of 1818, and received a full pension under the act until her disease. The effects of the wound which she received followed her through life, and probably hastened her death. The petitioner is represented to be eighty-three years of age, infirm in health, and in indigent circumstances. He had two daughters dependent on charity for support. He asks that he may receive the amount of the pension of his wife from the time of her decease, and that it may be continued to him until his death. The claim is sustained by good evidence, now dead, and moved an amendment, whereby the and Mr. Hastings represented that the claimant is children of the claimant may receive the pension.]

The amendment was adopted in committee, and the bill ordered to be reported.

A bill for the relief of Josiah Strong and Samuel Remich, and a bill for the relief of James Bailey, were, after some discussion, ordered to be reported to the house.

The bill for the relief of Pamela Brown, widow of the late major general Brown, and granting her five years' half-pay of a major general, under the law of congress allowing such pay to the widow of a major general wounded fatally in battle, came up for consideration.

Mr. McKay suggested that a former relief granted by congress had been taken in lieu of the claim to half-pay. Mr. Bronson considered that relief but in the light of a gratuity, just after the death of general Brown. It ought not to be deducted, as suggested by the gentleman from North Carolina. Mr. Adams hoped such a proposition would not be pressed. He could not believe that that house would deduct from the half-pay justly due to the widow of the gallant

man.

Brown, whose life was shortened by wounds re- | Woods; and also to communicate to the house the
ceived in the service of his country, what was but a correspondence, if any, which the two governments
gratuitous relief offered at the time of his death.-may have had in relation to the disagreeing reports
He knew general Brown well, and could bear cheer- of said commissioners, and any other information in
ful testimony to the merit of his private as well as the possession of the executive on the same subject.
his public character. He hoped this suggestion of Mr. Calhoun, of Massachusetts, moved to amend
Mr. McKay would not be pressed by that gentle- the 18th rule by adding thereto the following:
Mr. Williams, of North Carolina, thought "No order or resolution of the house shall be so
with Mr. Adams, that the gratuity alluded to ought construed as to deny the printing, reading, or re-
not to be deducted, if the claim were well founded, ference of resolves from the legislature of any state
He could not believe that it was, and should vote in the union."
against the bill. Mr. Williams, of Kentucky, mo- This resolution lies over for one day.
ved to strike out the enacting clause, and opposed Mr. Briggs, of Massachusetts, offered the follow-
the bill at some length, upon the ground that this ing, which lies over for future action:
claim was not sustained by competent inedical testi- Resolved, That the committee on the library be
mony as to the death of gen. Brown being the con- instructed to inquire into the expediency of obtaining
sequence of his wound in battle. Mr. Haynes took from Mr. Catlin, an American artist, his original
a different view of this point. He believed this tes-Indian portraits, now being exhibited in this city,
timony was based upon professional minutes, which which were taken by him during seven years travel
he thought was good evidence, and expressed his and residence amongst thirty-eight different nations;
opinion that gen. Brown did die in consequence of and also to ascertain from Mr. Catlin upon what
wounds received in the service of his country. Mr. terms they may be possessed by the government, to
Grennell said that this claim depended upon the be preserved as memorials of the native tribes which
character of evidence. That evidence was not lia-they represent.
ble to the objection urged against it here, inasmuch On motion of Mr. Grennell, it was
as it is a kind of evidence on which property, char-
acter, and life depend. It is professional testimony,
and is entitled to respect as such. And it is testi-
mony, too, based upon the knowledge of the friends
and intimate acquaintances of the party, and proved
clearly that gen. Brown died of wounds received in
the service of his country, just as much as if he had
died on the day after those wounds were received.
Mr. G. asked to have the report in the case read.
Before this should be done, Mr. Taylor referred the
committee to the law under which this claim was set
up. Mr. Aycrigg expressed doubts as to the wound of
gen. Brown being the cause of his death. Mr.
Mallory (who, as well as Messrs. Haynes, Ayerigg,
and Taylor, is a medical man) expressed a contrary
opinion. The motion to strike out the enacting
clause was then rejected, and the bill was ordered to
be reported to the house.

Several other bills having been considered, and the bill to create a pension agency at Montpelier, Vt. coming next in order, Mr. Bond said he wished to say a few words on this bill. He moved that the committee rise, and report the bills acted on, and ask leave to sit again on those laid aside. This motion prevailed, and the house acted on the bills reported.

Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be requested to communicate to the house an account of the moneys received by him from the French government, and transferred to the United States by authority of the act of July 13, 1832, entitled "An act to carry into effect the convention between the United States and his majesty the king of the French, concluded at Paris on the 4th of July, 1831," showing the gross amount of the several instalments of indemnity, with interest thereon, as paid by the French government, in execution of said convention; the mode and medium of transferring the same to the United States; the expenses or other deductions sustained in making said transfer; and the nett proceeds thereof payable and paid to the parties entitled in virtue of the award of the commissioners appointed under said convention.

On motion of Mr. Lincoln, it was

Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of directing an immediate distribution of the arms and equipments deposited in the several armories and arsenals of the United States to the several states and territories thereof, in conformity to the act of congress of April 23, 1808, so far as the same can be done without prejudice to the requirements of the public service.

Mr. Williams moved that the enacting clause be stricken from the bill for the relief of the widow of the late major general Brown. He moved an ad-resolution, which lies over for future action: journment, but withdrew the motion to enable the Chair to lay before the house an executive communi

cation.

Resolved, That said banks be called upon by said committee for a list of the names of the presidents, cashiers, directors, and other officers of said banks, respectively, with the amounts due from each of said officers to said banks, either as drawer or endorser, with the date of the original indebtedness of said officer to such bank.

Resolved That said banks be called upon by said committee for a list of amounts due from members of congress, with the name of each member, and whether drawer or endorser, and the date of the original loan or indebtedness.

Mr. Mercer offered the following, which, being objected to, lies over for future action:

Resolved, that the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of vesting the power of appointing the attorneys and marshals of the several courts of the United States in the judges thereof; that the cotnnittee of ways and means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of vesting the power of appointing and removing the several officers of the customs in the secretary of the treasury, with the restriction that he shall, in case of every removal, transmit to congress his reasons therefor; and that the committee on the post office and post roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of causing the salary of the postmaster general to be reduced to the sum of $3,500 per annum, to take effect whenever a vacancy shall occur in the said office, and of requiring that officer, on his removal of any deputy from office, to transinit to congress his reasons therefor.

On motion of Mr. Campbell, of S. C. it was Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to inquire into the expedier.cy of providing, by law, for the payment of expenses incurred and supplies furnished on account of the battalion of South Carolina militia, received into the service of the United States for the suppression of Indian hostilities in Florida, during a part of the cainpaign of 1837.

Mr. Haynes, of Georgia, offered the following, which lies over for future action:

Whereas, each of the states of this union has a right to participate in the public lands, the common fund for their use and benefit, according to their respective proportions in the general charge and expenditure:

Resolved, That as the public Jands constitute a revenue fund, subject to the said principle of distribution; and as taxes are levied upon the people, and not upon the states, as such, that any distribution Mr. Russell, of New York, offered the following which may be made of these lands should be made among the citizens of the several states and territoResolved, That the committee of ways and means ries of the union, according to the principle by be instructed to inquire into the expediency of re- which direct taxes are regulated by the constitution; pealing so much of the 5th section of the act en- and that a select committee be appointed, with inThe Chair laid before the house a message from titled "An act to regulate the deposites of the pub-structions to report a bill making an apportionment the president of the United States, enclosing esti-lic money," passed the 23d of June, 1836, as pro- of all the public lands of the United States among mates of the cost of the removal of the Cherokees, hibits receiving in payment for dues to the govern- the citizens of the several states and territories, ac&c. in answer to a call of the house. Referred to ment, and disbursing the same, the bills of specie- cording to the ratio by which direct taxes are apthe committee on Indian affairs. The house then paying banks which issue notes or bills of a less de- portioned among them. adjourned. nomination than five dollars. And, also, so much of the 2d section of the act entitled "an act making appropriations for the payment of revolutionary and other pensioners of the United States, for the year 1836," passed April 14th, 1836, as prohibits the of fering in payment by any officer of a department of the government the notes or bills of specie paying banks of a less denomination than $20.

Monday, May 23. This day, under the amended rules of the house, being appropriated to the reception of resolutions, the states were called in order, and the following among others were presented, and variously disposed of:

On motion of Mr. Williams, of N. H. it was Resolved, That the message of the president of the United States, communicated to this house on the 14th of February, 1837, transmitting a claim of the state of New Hampshire for reimbursement of expenses, incurred by that state in maintaining jurisdiction over that portion of its territory north of the 45th degree of latitude, known by the name of Indian Stream settlement, be referred to the committee on oreign affairs.

On motion of Mr. Adams, it was Rosolved, That the president of the United States be requested to cause to be communicated to this house, if not incompatible with the publ c interest, any correspondence not heretofore communicated between this government and that of the republic of Texas, and also with the government of any other country, relating to the annexation of the said republic of Texas to the United States; and to in form this house whether the application from the said government of Texas to the United States for at

mission to this union has been withdrawn.

On motion of Mr. Cushing, of Mass., it was Resolved, That the president of the United States be requested, if in his judginent rot incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to this house the proceedings of the commissioners appointed under the seventh article of the treaty of Ghent to fix and determine the boundary between the United States and the possessions of Great Britain, in North America, from the foot of Nebish Rapids, as fixed under the sixth article of said treaty, to the northwesternmost point of the Lake of the

On motion of Mr. Naylor, it was

Resolved, That the secretary of the navy be requested to communicate to this house copies of all letters, communications, documents, and correspondence which have passed between him and the naval commissioners, naval constructors, and all other officers and persons, relative to the construction, building, and equipment of the steam-frigate Fulton, now at the navy yard at Washington; and also state to the house the cost of the said vessel and equipinent, designating separately the cost for the hull, engines, and boilers.

Mr. Henry, of Pennsylvania, presented an amend ment, which he stated he intended to offer to bill No. 802, reported by the committee on the post office and post roads; which was read, laid on the table, and ordered to be printed; which is as follows: "That newspapers shall be carried in the mail free of postage within the limits and bounds of the respective counties where the same are printed and published."

Mr. Petrikin submitted the following resolutions, which lie over for future action:

Resolved, That the committee for the District of Columbia be instructed to call upon the banks within the said District who are now asking for an extension of their charters, to furnish to said committee, for the information of this house, statements of the situation of said banks on the 1st day of this month, and give such information as will distinctly show their actual condition on said day.

Mr. Hurlan offered the following, which lies over for future action:

Resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America in congress assembled, That the next session of the present congress shall commence the first Monday of November next.

On motion of Mr. Garland, of Louisiana, it was Resolved, That the secretary of state be directed to communicate to this house whether there is, or not, evidence on file in the department of state, showing that the government of Spain, after the treaty of St. Ildefonso, concluded on the first day of October, in the year 1800, between Spain and France, did not continue to claim all the territory south of the 31st degree of north latitude, and east and north of the island of Orleans, lying between the Mississippi and Perdido rivers, as forming a part of the province of West Florida, until the execution of the treaty between Spain and the United States on the 22d day of the month of February, 1819; and whether Spain did not continue to hold possession of said territory, and exercise actual jurisdiction over the same, until about the year 1810: also, whether there is, or rot, evidence on file showing that the government of the United States protested or remonstrated against the claim or right set up by France to the aforesaid territory, under the treaty of St. Ildefonso, prior to the execution of the treaty between France and the United States on the 30th day of April, 1803, ceding Louisiana; and, if any such documents or evidence do exist, that then the said secretary communicate the same to this house, together with all the documents on file showing the time and manner of taking possession of said territory by the United States.

Mr. Boon offered the following, which lies over for future action:

Resolved, the senate concurring therein, that the speaker of the house of representatives and president

of the senate close the present session of congress | the District bank bill. Mr. Evans hoped that the extension was to be for two years, or two months, by an adjournment of the two houses over which they preside, respectively, on the first Monday of July next.

NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Alexander, Atherton, Win. B. Calhoun, Cambreleng, Casey, Connor, Mr. Bouldin moved to take up the senate bill for Dromgoole, Dunn, Everett, Goode, Halsted, Hawes, continuing the charters of the banks in the District Hawkins, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, R. M. T. Hunof Columbia. After some preliminary conversa- ter, T. B. Jackson, Keim, Kemble. Leadbetter, tion between Messrs. Bouldin, Adams, and Petri-Lewis, Loomis, Mallory, McKay, Abraham McClelkin, the motion was carried. The Chair stated that lan, Montgomery, Noble, Ogle, Owens, Patterson, the bill had been engrossed and read a third time; Peck, Petrikin, Potter, Pratt, Robertson, Sawyer, and that, pending the question on the passage of the Sheplor. Snyder, Taylor, Turney, Webster, Jared bill, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. W. Williams, Yell-45. Adams) had moved its recommitment to the com- So the bill was passed, and now wants but the mittee for the District of Columbia, with instruc-president's signature to become a law. tions to amend the bill by adding a proviso that the banks should proclaim no dividend during a sus pension of specie payments; on which motion the house had ordered the yeas and nays.

Mr. Petrikin moved to amend the instructions Mr. Evans noved that so much of the message as proposed by Mr. Adams, by adding thereto a pro-related to the remuneration of the certain indiviviso that no member of congress, nor clerk of ei-duals therein named be referred to the committee on ther house, be eligible to a president or director of foreign affairs, and that the residue thereon be for the banks in the District. Mr. Thomas demanded the present laid upon the table. the previous question; but withdrew it at the re- On this subject Mr. Evans went at large into an quest of Mr. Mercer, who promised to renew the examination of what he understood to be the propo motion; but he wished particularly to observe that, sition made by the American to the British governif the bill had proposed to continue these bank ment, for a new survey of the disputed line; concharters for fifty years, he should have deemed it tending that it was, on all grounds, highly inexpeimportant to insert the amendment proposed by the dient and of dangerous tendency, and that the state honorable gentleman from Massachusetts; but as the of Maine was entirely and irreconcilably opposed to term was but two years, as the banks were to pay it. Mr. Fairfield, who followed Mr. Evans in detheir five dollar bills in specie in August, and all bate, agreed that if the proposition was such as his their debts in specie on the 1st of January next, he colleague understood it to be, it would be highly inexdid not consider it worth while to delay the mea-pedient; but expressed it as his opinion that the prosure by amendinents. [Mr. M. forgot to renew the position was different, and did not involve the dangermotion for the previous question.] Mr. Adams ous consequences supposed. Mr. Cushman took subsaid it was perfectly immaterial to him whether the Istantially the same view of the proposition which Mr.

house.

59.

The yeas and nays were demanded, and, being taken, stood yeas 81, nays 39. But further proceed ings in the call were dispensed with. The call for the previous question was seconded, ayes 63, noes The previous question was then put, and decided by yeas and nays, as follows: Yeas 89, nays 61. The main question was on the reference of so much of the inessage as referred to the repayment of expenditure of certain money's by the state of Maine; but before it was put, Mr. Evans moved that the whole subject do lie on the table; which motion was carried, ayes 88, noes not counted.

The house then, on motion of Mr. Cambreleng went into committee of the whole on the state of the union, (Mr. Howard in the chair,) and resumed the consideration of the bill for the suppression of

Indian hostilities.

Mr. Haynes continued his speech in favor of the bill, in the course of which he adverted to the course of policy pursued by Georgia to the Cheiokees; denounced John Ross as perfidious to the United States, to Georgia, and to his own nation; and expressed deep regret at the late course of the executive, as calculated to raise false hopes in that people, and lead to very unpleasant consequences on the part of the state contiguous.

A motion was now made for the rising of the committee by Mr. Harlan, of Kentucky; but it was negatived, ayes 58, noes 67.

Yeas 54, nays 80.

CHRONICLE.

of Mrs. Eastwood, a widow lady, residing at No. 154 Distressing accident. On Saturday afternoon a son Norfolk street, aged 8 years, being persuaded by his playmates in the neighborhood, escaped from his mother's observation and wandered as far as the ship yards in the vicinity of the dry dock. Having crawled upon the scaffolding of a ship upon the stocks he beof the skull. He was immediately carried home and came dizzy, and was precipitated to the ground with Dr. Legget being sent for called in Dr. Miniturn Post, great violence driving in upon the brain large portions and raised the piece of bone. Great hopes are enterwho performed the operation of trepanning the patient tained of the child's recovery.

[N. Y. Com.

Luzborough, four year old nags for $5,000 a Great match race, between the Leviathan and side, four inile heata, was run over the Nashville course on the 23d. The track was heavy from the to the stand James Jackson & co's. ch. f. Sarah previous rains. The friends of Leviathan, brought Bladen, dam Morgianna, by Pacolet, and the friends of Luzborough, Dr. Merry's b. f. Leila, dam Sally Hope, by Archy.

chased of Mr. Samuel Canby, of Woodside farm, Mr. Clay, during his late visit to this place purmonths old. The price was one hundred and fifty one of his short horned Durham calves, about 7 of the fact, and of the inducement it holds out to the dollars. We trust our farmers will take notice cultivation of this valuable breed of cattle. [Del. Journal.

Evans had done, and went into some illustrations to which he complained of the course of business; one The house then went into committee of the whole show that the proposition of our government would portion of the house left the hall, so as to disable on the Indian hostility appropriation bill; the pronecessarily eventuate in giving up the American the house from proceeding for want of a quorum, ceedings on which will be given hereafter. claims. Mr. Cambreleng now inoved the previous got their dinners, and then returned and kept the Thursday, May 31. A portion of the day was question; but withdrew it at the request of Mr. How-residue of the house in session. The decision of spent in the reception of reports, after which the ard, who, having promised to renew it, insisted that the chair was sustained by the house. The motion house again went into committee on the Indian apthe proposals of the secretary of state had been misun- of Mr. Adams for a call of the house was then ta-propriation bill, and thus remained until a late derstood; and argued that they involved no departure ken, and decided by yeas and nays, as follows: hour. Particulars in our next. from the treaty, nor any abandonment of the Ameri- Yeas 47, nays 99. can claims, but on the contrary provided for the There now being a quorum present, the house true and proper mode of settling those claims. He immediately went into committee of the whole, complained of the discussion of the propositions of a (Mr. Howard in the chair.) Mr. Haynes thereupon pending negotiation as premature and improper; and moved that the committee rise; the vote was taken regretted that the question seemed to have been by tellers, and decided in the negative: Ayes 46, treated by the state of Maine as though she alone, noes 78. Mr. Harlan resumed his speech, after and not the whole country, were interested in it. The debate was closed by Mr. Howard's renew for the rising of the committee. The motion was some time, yielded again to a motion by Mr. Reed ing, according to promise, the motion for the pre-negatived: Ayes 46, noes 71. There appearing vious question. Mr. Thomas moved a call of the again to be no quorum present, the committee was the committee rose, and reported the fact that they counted-113 members were present, whereupon were without a quorum. Mr. Williams of N. C. moved that the house adjourn. On this motion Mr. Toucey demanded the yeas and nays, which were ordered; and, being taken, resulted as follows: So the house refused to adjourn. went into committee of the whole Mr. Howard re[It was now half past seven.] The house again suming the chair. Mr. Harlan proceeded with his speech; but gave way, at a quarter before eight, for a motion to rise. The motion was negatived-Ayes 24, noes 63. No quorum having voted. The comto be present. inittee was counted, when 113 members appeared round. Time, 8m. 50s. The Luzborough filly was distanced on the fourth reported to the house that a quorum was not in attaining upwards of $20,000, in bank notes and The committee thereupon rose, and Twenty thousand dollars stolen. A tin box contendance. Mr. Dromgoole demanded a count of the drafts of New York, was taken from the Trenton house. The speaker counted the members present, rail road office in Philadelphia, on Wednesday last, and they were found to be 114. Mr. Wise moved and has not since been found. It was intrusted to an adjournment. Mr. Duncan demanded the yeas the conductor to take to New York: he left it in the and nays; which were ordered, and resulted as fol-office, and in the hurry of departure, forgot it. lows: Yeas 57, nays 76. So the house refused to adjourn, and went back into committee of the whole. Mr. Harlan resumed, and concluded his remarks at half past eight o'clock. Mr. Holsey, of Geo., obtained the floor, and moved that the committee rise. The motion was negatived-Yeas 46, noes 75, (the chair voting, to make a quorum.) Mr. Holsey commenced his speech, and had proceeded to five minutes past nine o'clock, when Mr. McKay inoved that the committee rise. The motion was negaMr. H. arose and addressed the house for a short lived-Ayes 46, noes 52, No quorum having votime; when he gave way for a motion that the ted, the committee was counted, when there appearcommittee rise; which was negatived: Ayes 58, ed to be 100 members present. The committee noes 63. Mr. H. had proceeded about half an hour, then rose, and reported that they were without a when he again yielded the floor, and the motion for quorum. Mr. Boon moved an adjournment. Mr. an adjournment was renewed, but with no better Cushman demanded the yeas and nays, which, being success: Ayes 50, noes 76. Mr. Chambers, doubt-taken, resulted as follows: Yeas 55, nays 70. ing the correctness of the last count, moved again the house refused to adjourn, and went again into that the committee rise; when, the yote being taken committee. At ten minutes before ten o'clock, a by tellers, stood: Ayes 23, noes 76. No quorum notion was made for the committee to rise, but having voted, the committee rose, and the chair without success-Ayes 44, noes 45. No quorum man reported the fact to the house. Mr. Under-voting, the house was counted; when 108 members wood moved that the house adjourn; but it was de- were found to be present. The committee being cided in the negative: Ayes 59, noes 83. about to rise for want of a quorum, Mr. Wise apAdams moved a call of the house. The Chair doubt-pealed to the committee. He observed it was ined whether the motion was in order; as the rule possible to force the question to-night. He should declared that, in such a case, as soon as a quorun him on this Seminole chapter; for there were two claim the right of reply to those who had replied to appeared, the house should immediately go again into committee; but on reflection, the chair admitted the motion as privileged. Mr. Wise asked if it would be in order, at this time, to move an adjournment? The Chair thought the entertainment of such a motion would be a violation of the spirit of the rule. Oh, (said Mr. W.) if it is only of the Wednesday, May 30. Messrs. Prentiss and Word, spirit, I will make the motion. The Chair, after representatives elected from the state of Mississip. slight hesitation, admitted the motion. Mr. Adams pi, appeared, and, after Mr. Prentiss had declared demanded the yeas and nays; which being taken that he and his colleague did not claim their seats resulted as follows: Ayes 59, nays 83. Mr. Adams by virtue of the recent election, but by virtue of insisted that the question on the call of the house be the election in November last, were qualified. The put. Mr. Dromgoole made a question of order; in- rules were now suspended, and the joint resolution sisting that the rule must be enforced, and that the from the senate, prohibiting the secretary of the house must immediately go into committee. Mr. treasury from making or continuing in force any revolution in that fabric by its simplicy of strucAdams observed that more than one hundred members general order, which shall create any difference ture and expedition in movement, so Mr. Gay's paAmerican Genius. As Whitney's cotton gin made were absent without leave, and protested against the between the different branches of the revenue as to tent winders are likely to do the same for silkresidue being compelled by a majority to stay, unless the money or medium of payment in which debts They wind the fibres directly upon the spools from they had the power of enforcing the attendance of the or dues, accruing to the United States shall be paid, the cocoons, and then twist them into threads with absent members. [It was now near six o'clock.] was taken up. The resolution was then read twice, the same remarkable rapidity and precision [Star. Mr. Thompson said that, if gentlemen were dis- and, the question being on its third reading, Mr. Boon posed to give up the intellectual contest, and go in- moved the previous question-seconded. Mr. Sher-there was frost this morning in the country, folFrost. The Cincinnati Post of Saturday says, to one of a physical kind, he was ready for them, rod Williams called for the yeas and nays on ordering lowed by a fine bright sun. and would vote for calls and adjournments, and yeas the bill to a third reading, which were ordered, and and nays, for sixteen hours, (to the hour of meet-stood yeas 151, noes 27. So the bill was ordered four hours to 12 M. and is still rising fast." P. M. cloudy. The river has risen four feet in the last twentying to-morrow.) Mr. Boon exhorted gentlemen, to a third reading; and, after an ineffectual attempt rather than give way, to sit till the last week in by Mr. Duncan to recommit, Mr. Boon called for June. He was ready now to sit there till June. the previous question, which was seconded. Mr. 25th ult. that fires were found to be indispensable Mr. Dromgoole appealed from the decision of the Chapman of Alabama, asked for the yeas and nays, to comfort. The great body of ice still off Halifax, chair; but declined to go into an argument. The on the passage of the bill which were ordered and is said to affect the temperature of the atmosphere. Speaker stated in full the grounds of his decision, stood yeas, one hundred and fifty four-nays twentythe point being now raised for the first time. Mr. nine-so the joint resolution was passed and return-ceived this season on the Pennsylvania canal and Canal and rail road tolls. The whole amount reReed supported the decision in a short speech, ined to the senate. rail road, up to the 13th of May, was $156,925 18.

Mr.

So

chapters to this bill-a Cherokee chapter, and a
Seminole chapter, and the one would be found quite
as long as the other. The committee then rose,
and reported themselves to be without a quorum,
when the house adjourned.

by the Cherokees, proves unfounded. It was got
The reported murder of Dr. Brewster, of Georgia,
up, no doubt, to operate on the members of congress
against the humane proposition lately offered to the
tribe by the president.

Red Dog; second quality, Wild Cat; third quality,
Michigan money is thus classed-First quality,
Catamount. Of the best quality, it is said, it takes

five pecks to make a bushel.

Promotions. The Green Bay Democrat states that gov. Dodge is offered the situation of brigadier general in the army, and that the hon. Aaron Vanderpoel, of Kinderhook, is spoken of as his successor.

a

Dividend of the safety fund. The comptroller, since the resumption of specie payments, has made dividend of 4 per cent. on the capital of the safety the same among the safety fund banks in proportion fund paid into the treasury, and has apportioned to the amount contributed by each. [Alb. Argus.

A report has been made to the Boston common council, upon the subject, of erecting a city hall on the lot now occupied by the old court house. The expense is estimated at $100,000, which it is proposed to defray out of the city's portion of the surplus revenue which amounts to $140,000.

York Evening Star, that the Italian exile, count Confalonieri, lately in New York, is now residing Count Confalonieri. We learn from the New at Montpelier. There he can see at least the Alpine region on the coast of Italy, and in a bright day can almost catch a gleam of Sardinia.

a

Cold in Boston. It was so cold in Boston on the

FIFTH SERIES.

No. 15.-VOL. IV.]

WASHINGTON CITY, JUNE 9, 1838.

[VOL. LIV. WHOLE NO. 1,393.

THE PAST-THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY SATURDAY, BY WILLIAM OGDEN NILES, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.

Iowa. It will be seen by our congressional proceedings that Wisconsin territory has been divided, and a new territorial government erected to be called Iowa.

The Baltimore American states that at a meeting | The Telegraph was fired on till ont of reach, which of the officers of the banks of Baltimore, held on was not long, as the engineer, suspicious of foul Monday, it was determined to ask the banks in the play, kept up during the stay of the boat a heavy eastern, southern and western states, to meet in con- press of steam. This wanton attack will serve to vention either in Baltimore or Philadelphia, in the show the feeling against us in Canada, and admoncourse of the ensuing month, for the purpose of fix-ish our government that means adequate to the proing on an early day for a general resumption of tection of the frontier, cannot, with safety, be much specie payments. longer withheld.

The Richmond Enquirer says-We feel ourselves authorized to state, that our banks are prepared, and will resume specie payments the very moment they can ascertain that the banks of Baltimore have commenced, or will commence with them the same day. We all know, that that city is the great receptable of our paper; and it is not perfectly safe for our banks to resume, until the Baltimore banks agree to receive our checks on Philadelphia, New York and Boston, instead of specie, in the redemption of our notes.

A committee on behalf of the banks of Philadelphia, which have had the subject of the resumpPETER FORCE, esq., was on Monday last re-election of specie payments under consideration, met ted mayor of Washington city, for two years from on Wednesday evening last, but had not received Monday next, without opposition.

replies to the letters sent to the institutions in other
states, sufficient to allow them to recommend any
specific course in regard to that measure. Several
banks had replied to the circular sent out, but suffi-
cient time had not elapsed for all to have acted
upon, and responded to, the circular.

CONSTITUTIONAL CHART. We have made an arrangement with Dr. MAYO of this city, which will enable us to present to our readers, as a supplemental sheet, his constitutional chart, in which is presented a comparative synopsis of the constitutions of The New York Journal of Commerce of Monday the several states and of that of the U. S. From says that the letters received from Philadelphia the admirable manner in which the chart is arrang-state that the United States Bank would forthwith ed, any fact in relation to the provisions of the dif- pay specie whenever demanded. The Journal ferent constitutions can be ascertained at a glance; however is of opinion that there would be no deand it is thus rendered a most valuable acquisition to mand, if drafts on New York were furnished low all classes of politicians. The chart was formed to enough. accompany Dr. Mayo's work entitled "Sketches of eight years in Washington," now in press, and is one of a series of similar charts which will be comprised in that publication-it is, however, so arranged that it can be bound in the "REGISTER;" and we feel assured that our readers will carefully preserve it, and, with us, admire the care, industry, and tact

with which it has been formed.

OUTRAGE ON THE NORTHERN FRONTIER. On the next page we have given some particulars of a daring outrage committed on the British steamboat Sir Robert Peel, whilst peaceably lying within our waters, by a band of lawless individuals supposed to be Canadian refugees. The circumstance has justly excited much feeling among the British authorities in that quarter, and we are fearful that it BANKS, CURRENCY, &c. The New York Ex- will lead to serious difficulties unless promptly repress of Thursday, says this is rather a blue day dressed by our government. By the article from in the stock market. Yesterday and day before the "Globe" it will be seen that the war department they commenced falling, and to-day declined more has promptly ordered all the disposable regular than any other. The coming agitation of the sub-force to the scene of the outrage, and gov. Marcy treasury bill in congress, the declaration of Mr. went thither by express as soon as the facts were Cambreleng that the subject would be called up and communicated to him. From these movements we acted on next week, has created additional alarm in have a guarantee that the offenders will be brought the monied circles. Monied men who were large to punishment, if the arm of the government can buyers last week, are now sellers, either disposed reach them, and we doubt not but that it will be aided to realise or to escape a further loss. Delaware, by every lover of his country's honor in that quarwhich but three days ago run up to 86 and sold yesterday at 85, was knocked off to day at 81-a fall of 3 per cent in one day. Stonington and Harlæm run down 2 to 3 per cent. Phoenix bank, Kentucky, Mohawk, New Jersey, and Long Island rail road, all fell 1 to 2 per cent. United States Bank has drooped a little, but is less affected than any other. Sales at the New York stock exchange, June 7. 7 shares United States Bank 120 3-4 13 do do do do Sales at the Philadelphia stock exchange, June 7. 160 draft on N. York 101 1-2

121

123 1-2
93 1-2

10 shares United States Bank 10 do Kentucky bank Tennessee money market. The Nashville Whig of June 1, says

Exchanges grow better. Mississippi river notes are bought up freely at 17 a 18 per ct. by the brokers, and a little lower by transient buyers. The Manchester and W. Feliciana banks stand better than last quoted. Checks on Philadelphia, at sight, are offered out of doors at 10 per cent. in currency, and 12 per cent. in Alabama paper.

ter.

The New York Commercial of Tuesday says
"We learn from a bearer of despatches, who ar-
rived this morning on his way to Washington, hav-
ing left Montreal since the date of our latest papers,
that Sir John Colborne, with his staff, has gone to
take the command of the forces in upper Canada.
A movement that seems to indicate apprehensions
of something serious."

Letters from Quebec state that a reward of
$4,000 would be offered for the discovery and arrest
of the pirates who destroyed the Sir Robert Peel.

The officer commanding the guard at Brockville attempts an excuse by saying that the men had misapprehended his orders, which were to fire two muskets into the air as a signal, provided any suspicious boat should approach. The degree of suspicion that justly attaches to the Telegraph, may be learned from the facts, that her bell was sounded twice, as is customary at that place.

Col. Bonnycastle, in command of the queen's troops at Kingston, stated to capt. Childs, that he must be expected to be fired into so long as we acted as at present, adding, by way of taunt, that the next outrage from our side would be the signal for him to cross the line in a hostile attitudethat the Canadas could take the state without aid from England.

The tidings of this affair had reached Montreal on Tuesday, the papers giving a somewhat different version. We aunex that of the Montreal Courier:

By passengers arrived from Upper Canada last night, we learn that the new steamboat affair, of which rumor had made so much through the day, was much less than rumor had made it. About 9 on Friday evening, it appears that the Telegraph, an American steamboat running between Ogdensburgh and Rochester, touched at Brockville on her way up, with a vessel in tow. Just after she had left the wharf, she was hailed, and the captain desired any one who wanted to come on board to come out in a boat, as he could not come back.

No boat putting out, he again got under weigh and ten muskets shots were immediately fired into the boat, but without doing any mischief. The Telegraph let go the vessel she was towing and made off; and the men (two in number) who had fired, were seized, and their firing stopped by those on the wharf. One of our informants states that

these men were volunteer sentries placed on the wharf; another understood that they were not on the wharf, but a little distance from it, and that the people were there for some time before they could stop them.

We are farther informed that the captain of the volunteer company at Brockville followed the Telegraph in the Kingston, and explained the whole circumstance to the captain, from whom he learned has not created any considerable excitment on the that no harm was done. It is added that the affair American side, and that the two men had been ar

rested.

Lord Durham had been received at Quebec with every demonstration of joy by the inhabitants of all political opinions. Immediately after he had taken the oaths, he issued a proclamation addressed to the people of both provinces, in which we find the following passage:

"In one province the most deplorable events have rendered the suspension of its representative constitution, unhappily, a matter of necessity; and the supreme power has devolved on me.

Since the above was in type, we have received the following particulars of another outrage, which shows a deep state of excitement among the Cana-posed on me, and the arduous nature of the funcdian populace-but we sincerely hope the Montreal version of the affair is corerct.

The following particulars are from the Rochester
Daily Advertiser.

"The great responsibility which is thereby imtions which I have to discharge, will naturally make me most anxious to hasten the arrival of that

period when the executive power shall again be surrounded by all constitutional checks of free, liberal, and British institutions.

that on putting into Brockville, or rather while Captain Childs, of the steamboat Telegraph, states "On you the people of British America-on there, he was, about 10 o'clock on Friday night, your conduct, and on the extent of your co-operaThe Frederick County Bank has declared a divi-fired into by the queen's militia, stationed at that tion with me, will mainly depend whether that dend of three per cent for the last six months. place. From fifteen to 20 shots were fired, four of event shall be delayed or immediate. I therefore The board of directors of the Farmers' and Me- which we know to have struck the boat. An ounce invite from you the most free, unreserved commuchanics' bank of Frederick county have adopted ball passed through the ladies' cabin, near the cen-nications. I beg you to consider me as a friend the following resolution: tre, barely missing the chambermaid, who was and arbitrator; ready at all times to listen to your Resolved, That in anticipation of a general re standing by the stove. It must have been a narrow wishes, complaints, and grievances, and fully desumption of specie payments, by the banks of Mary-escape, judging from the holes in the wall com- termined to act with the strictest impartiality." land, at an early day, we will from this day com-pared with the position of the stove. It was known After his excellency had taken the oaths, he gave mence the payment of all our issues under five at Kingston that an attempt to destroy either the orders for a list of all the state prisoners to be laid dollars in specie, and fractional parts of a dollar on Oneida or Telegraph, was to be made that night, before him on the ensuing morning. all checks on the institution. but the former passed without calling on them.-! [New York New Era. VOL. LIV.-SIG. 15.