men die ignominiously? The youth of Carolina, as they approach such memorials of their country's sanguinary wrongs, tread more lightly upon the turf, whilst their hearts swell with the mighty lesson they inspire, that to die, and to die "ignominiously," in defence of our country, is the duty and the privilege of the patriot. It is the cause which makes death glorious. [SEPT. 30, 1837. wants of the Government before he did any thing else. We have been told but yesterday by the gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. SERGEANT,] and it was repeated again to-day, that he could not obtain, for a friend of his, the payment of a draft for $811. He would not budge from the position he had taken, and he felt very confident that this committee would not do so. Gentlemen understood this question perfectly. It was simply whether Congress would authorize the issue of Treasury notes with or without interest. The bill was printed in various forms, both in this House and the Senate; and gentlemen would make up their minds on the subject as well now as a Mr. BELL made a few remarks in explanation, contending that the course he had suggested before was the proper course now to be pursued. But, Mr. Chairman, shall things come to this in the administration of the affairs of this Union? In this free and enlightened age, are differences of opinion to be considered crimes; and the gibbet and the halter be held forth as the great instruments of establishing truth? If so, we had better separate at once, for the Union must be dissolv-month hence. ed. God grant that it may long endure a blessing to the powerful people who are growing up beneath its auspices; but, should it be dissolved, history, when all the interests and passions which pervert the views of cotemporaries, shall sleep with the departed-impartial history will record, that the South was ever true to the faith which bound her to the rest of the confederacy. Although, under the mildest and most favorable operation of the constitution, she must bear an unequal portion of the burdens of the Government, at this she has never murmured. In prosperity she has upheld, and in adversity she has never abandoned you. All she requires is, that you adhere to your compact to her. Take what is legitimately needed for constitutional purposes; but, in all other things, leave her alone to her own resources and destiny. And is this an unreasonable request; or is it hard to grant it? Must perpetual agitation be the penalty she must ever pay for her connexion with you? And shall the bond of our Union, which was designed by our fathers to be a bond of affection and peace, be sacrilegiously converted into an instrument of bigotry and oppression? After a cycle of forty-eight years, we have arrived apparently at a new era under our constitution. Let us forget the past, excepting in the lessons of forbearance and moderation which its experience affords. For that noble State, which I in part represent, I know I can with confidence anticipate her course. Too generous to remember wrongs-too proud to resent them too great to practise them-she will ever be true to the cause of liberty, the constitution, and the Union. Mr. RICE GARLAND raised a question whether it was in order for the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means to move the Senate's bill as an amendment to this bill. Mr. CAMBRELENG then modified his amendment so as to bring it within the rules of the House. Mr. BELL made some remarks in favor of taking up the bill for the extension of duty bonds, and pass upon it before this bill was passed, so that they might actually know what the amount of deficit in the Treasury would be. He thought it a novel proceeding to take up this bill before the passage of the other bill, because the amount of deficit would depend in some measure upon the passage of the bill to extend the merchants' bonds. When the bill was acted upon, we could tell what the deficit in the Treasury would be, and then we could act accordingly. Mr. CAMBRELENG said he did not hold himself responsible for the very extraordinary delay in the passage of the bill to postpone the fourth instalment which passed last night. But gentlemen would not drive him from the course he had taken in bringing these bills before the House. The first object of the Committee of Ways and Means was to bring the bill to postpone the fourth instalment before the House, and have it acted upon. Their next object was to supply the deficiency in the Treasury to enable it to go on with its disbursements; and with great deference to the gentleman from Tennessee, [Mr. BELL,] who had become very lately the advocate of the merchants, he must say, that he inust provide for the After a few remarks by Messrs. HAYNES and MER. CER, On motion of Mr. BELL, the committee rose and reported. The SPEAKER having resumed the chair, On motion of Mr. PICKENS, the amendments to the bill were ordered to be printed. The SPEAKER laid before the House the following report from the Secretary of the Treasury: TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Sept. 30, 1837. SIR: This report is submitted in compliance with the following resolution, passed on the 28th instant, and received at the Department this day: “Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be required to furnish this House with a statement of the number of sub-treasuries which will be required, if the bill imposing additional duties as depositaries in certain cascs on public officers should become a law; and, further, how many new officers must be created, if any; how many new buildings to be erected, and what will be, as nearly as he can estimate it, the annual expense of the system; what the salaries to be paid the officers; or what will be the commissions to which they will be entitled.” In answer to the first inquiry, I would state, that I have had recurrence to the printed bill of the House of Representatives "imposing additional duties as depositaries in certain cases on public officers and for other purposes," and which is supposed to be the bill referred to in the resolution. Under that bill, if in its present form it should become a law, I should not feel authorized to appoint any number of "new officers," whether called sub-treasurers, or otherwise, and created either to keep or disburse the public money. The bill seems merely to impose further duties as depositaries on the officers now existing and employed in the collection of the customs and lands, and in the post office and mint. The number of those in each of these establishments, if that information be desired, appears, with a few exceptions, and more accurately than could otherwise be stated without delay, in the last Biennial Register, published by the State Department under the direction of Congress, and to which I would respectfully refer for that purpose. As to the second inquiry, it may be observed, that in one of the plans suggested by this Department in the report at the commencement of the session, it was proposed that from four to ten "new officers," separate from and independent of those now in existence, might be authorized to act as commissioners, or ke pers of the public money, at those important points where it should accumulate much beyond the current expenditures. But that plan does not appear to be incorported into the bill before me. In reply to the third question, I would state, that no new buildings" seem to be contemplated by this bill, nor have any been considered necessary by this Department. OCT. 2, 1837.] National Bank-Adjournment of Congress. In answer to the fourth inquiry, "what will be, as nearly as he can estimate it, the annual expense of the systemwhat the salaries to be paid to the officers-or what will be the commissions to which they will be entitled ?"—the following statement is presented: As the bill now stands, in the fourth section an allowance exists which covers all the additional expenses authorized by its provisions. That allowance is not considered as sanctioning any commissions, or any new salaries to any of the keepers of the public money. But if independent commissioners or agents had been authorized, as proposed in one of the plans submitted by the Department for consideration, it was estimated that their number need be only from four to ten, and their salaries not exceed on an average $2,000 annually, without commissions. That plan not being adopted, the only additional expenses of the system annually, as permitted by the above section in the present bill, would be for clerks, fire-proof chests, or vaults, or other necessary expenses of safe-keeping, transferring, and disbursing said moneys." It is computed that, in all, from ten to twenty additional clerks may be necessary at the most important points of collection and disbursement. As the warrants paid at the places of the greatest receipts and disbursements do not generally exceed four or five per day, that number of clerks will probably be amply sufficient. Ffteen at $1,000 salary per year will be $15,000; and it is not supposed that the compensation need, on an average, exceed that amount. At a similar number of places, additional iron chests, safes, or vaults, may be necessary. But, as they now exist at several ports and land offices, and the first cost of them will not have to be renewed annually, it is computed that the yearly expense for these will not exceed the sum of $10,000. The only other additional expenses contemplated will be some small items for blank books, transfers, &c. But the last will probably not amount to any thing beyond, if it equal, what is now paid for conveying money to the banks from the land offices. Should the Treasurer, as recommended in my recent report on the finances, be permitted to receive money in advance for lands, at such points as may be selected by him for public convenience, little or no expense whatever will occur in transfers. The whole additional expense under the bill mentioned is, therefore, computed not to exceed yearly the aggregate of $25,000. Respectfully, yours, LEVI WOODBURY, Secretary of the Treasury. Hon. JAMES K. POLK, Speaker,&c. On motion of Mr. PICKENS, of South Carolina, the House adjourned until Monday. MONDAY, OCT. 2. NATIONAL BANK. The following resolution, reported by the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, being the unfinished business of the day, came up in order: "Resolved, That it is inexpedient to establish a National Bank." Mr. SERGEANT proceeded to address the House in continuation of his remarks left unfinished on Saturday, and spoke till the hour arrived for taking up the special order. His whole speech has been given in the debates of the 26th inst. ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS. The joint resolution from the Senate, authorizing the termination of the present session on Monday, the 9th October, came up as the special order of the day. [H. OF R. Mr. HAYNES, of Georgia, moved to amend this resolution by striking out "Monday, the 9th," and inserting "Thursday, the 12th." Mr. JOHNSON, of Maryland, said he was opposed to the resolution in its original or its amended form. When the House had discharged its duties to the country, those duties for which it had been convened so suddenly, it would be time enough to consider this question. At present, it was one with which the House can have nothing to do. It is prematurely urged, and ought not to be persisted in. Assembled here for special purposes, what is expected of Congress by the people of this country? For this whole people are keenly alive to the anxious inquiry-what is Congress to do for our relief? And, Mr. JOHNSON would ask, what had been done? One bill only had been passed, and that not originating with us. No. Coming, as we have done, "fresh from the people," in the midst of unequalled public distress and suffering, and being supposed to understand fully the peculiar exigency which has called us together at this time, it is a startling fact, that we have not originated a single measure for the general relief. We, said Mr. J., the representatives of the people, have been content to sit here and await the direction of the Senate as to the business before us; to take such bills as that body may send us; and now, a proposition is made to adjourn, and go home and tell the country that we have adopted no measures for their relief, and, indeed, that there were none such thought worthy of being presented to us for discussion. Mr. J. said that there were several bills on the Speaker's table of grave importance, designed to give to the Secretary banking powers, and to establish a sub-Treasury system, with all its ramifications. And it may be demanded of any gentleman on that floor, if subjects of so deep and vital importance to the country can possibly be discussed and considered as they should be, in the interval between this and the time proposed by this joint resolution for adjournment? For one, he confessed his mind could not so readily jump to conclusions. He was not willing to close his eyes, and submit to be hoodwinked in that hall, when measures of such deep consideration were to be acted upon. The members of that House owed it in justice to themselves as well as to the people to act deliberately upon questions of such vital interest. The future business operations of the nation were depending upon the action of this Congress, and if nothing is done to disembarrass and facilitate them, the consequences must be disastrous. Mr. J. called on all, of every party, whether for or against the administration, for or against a bank, for or against deposite banks or subtreasuries, to come forward and act upon the different measures which are or may be proposed. He referred to the point that had been made, in favor of adjourning on the score of economy of the money of the people. A gentleman from Virginia bad shown that an adjournment so soon as had been proposed would be far from conducing to economy in this respect. The expenses attendant on a new convention of Congress, and, of course, a return home of the members of the present session, would more than equal those attendant on a prolongation of the session to the regular time of convening, and the consequent shortening of the usual long session. In the mean time, if there are any gentlemen here whose private affairs demand their return, leave of absence can easily be obtained in such cases. Such applications, he would say, should ever receive his vote. But he was unwilling, because a portion desire to return to their homes, to abandon his post in a crisis like this, while public expectation was on the tiptoe as to what Congress are to do. The House had been anused by the proffer of gold and silver coin in payment of its per diem; and Mr. JOHNSON suggested that if the House were now to adjourn, and leave the public business unattended to, and separate, the impu tation of having adjourned so as to create another demand for mileage-constructive mileage, he would observe, as it would be impossible for all gentlemen to return to their homes, and come hither again before the next sessionwould everywhere be raised. As we returned home to the people, our pockets filled with the gold which they have not and cannot obtain, shall we not be charged by the country, said Mr. J., with having sought our own advantage at the expense of the people? This, he admitted, might seem somewhat ungenerous on his part, the imputation, even by supposition, of motives like these to honorable gentlemen. But, while he disclaimed entertaining opinions so derogatory to the feelings of gentlemen on that floor, he demanded if they were to leave that hall before the important subjects he had adverted to were acted on, they would not be obnoxious to such a charge? Mr. JOHNSON closed by moving to lay the resolution and amendment on the table. Mr. PICKENS requested the mover to withdraw the motion to allow him to offer some remarks on the resolution. Mr. JOHNSON would cheerfully do so, if the gentleman from South Carolina would renew it. Mr. PICKENS declining to do this, the question on laying the resolution and amendment on the table was taken and lost. Mr. PICKENS resumed the floor. He agreed with much that had fallen from the gentleman from Maryland, and believed it would be disastrous to adjourn without acting definitively upon some of the great measures proposed to be acted on at the present session. Every in erest in the land was grievously suffering. Agriculture was leaning idly on her plough, and commerce was suspended and drooping. Congress had only to act and to speak into reaction the industry and enterprise of a free and wealthy people. He would particularly advert to one great and important measure yet to be acted on, which had come to that body from the Senate-the bill for the separation, the divorce, of banks from Government, the great and paramount measure of the session. There was, in reality, already a virtual separation, and the struggle now was how to reunite those sundered interests. This bill would settle that question, and prevent a renewal of that power of the banks by which this country had so long been borne down and shackled. For himself, he would like an adjournment at the earliest day, if he consulted his own individual interests. But he was unwilling to favor such a proposition until this most important business were settled. He expressed the hope that the motion to adjourn might be modified so as to fix this day two weeks as the day of adjournment. Mr. CAMBRELENG agreed with the gentleman who had preceded him as to the importance of the business yet before Congress; and in consideration of what had been said in several directions, he suggested to his friend from Georgia [Mr. HAYNES] the modification of his amendment so as to meet the wishes of the House. Mr. HAYNES modified his amendment so as to insert "Monday, the 16th," instead of "Thursday, the 12th," in place of the original proposition of "Monday, the 9th." Mr. H. expressed a general concurrence with the sentiments of Mr. PICKENS, as to the necessity of carrying out the great measures proposed to be adopted at this session of Congress, before an adjournment should take place. While on his feet, he would take occasion to advert briefly to the question of economy which had been raised by the gentleman from Maryland, [Mr. JOHNSON ;] who, he remarked, had informed the House of the additional expense which the country would incur by the payment of the increase of mileage consequent on a separation before the regular session. As to the time which prolonging this session until December would save next spring, Mr. H. did [Oct. 2, 1837. not believe the House would close the regular session at any earlier period, in consideration of such an extension of the present one as was now proposed. As to the ques tion of mileage, he had taken pains to obtain accurate information on that point, and had ascertained that the average mileage of members of Congress amounted to about $110,000, while the smallest amount which it would cost the country to prolong the session until December would be some $120,000 or $130,000. And so much (remarked Mr. H.) for this question of economy. Mr. F. O. J. SMITH was surprised to perceive the willingness of the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. HAYNES] and of the gentleman from New York [Mr. CAMBRELENG] to protract the present session beyond the period suggested to the House by the Senate. Nor could he agree with the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. JOHNSON] as to the liabil ity of the House to such imputations on their motives for adjourning at the time proposed, as that gentleman had suggested were likely to be thrown out by the country. Mr. S. reminded that honorable gentleman that such imputation could not attach to him; his residence was so near the capital, and his superiority to motives so sordid was so well known to his constituents, that he certainly need not apprehend any such imputation in his own case. As to the other gentlemen of the House, he would suggest that it would be as well for them to be permitted to take their own responsibilities in such matters with their own constituents. Mr. S. said he did not believe that were Congress to resolve to sit till the sub-Treasury bill were taken up, there could be any adjournment until next year. The House could not possibly discuss that bill to the extent which it would be found necessary, if brought up for consideration, without sitting weeks, and perhaps months, upon it alone. He thought a speedy adjournment would be the best relief the country could receive. Mr. S. further remarked, that private conversation with members of the Senate had convinced him that were this resolution sent back to that body with a single amendment, it would be entirely out of the question to obtain any decision upon it until the opening of the regular session of Congress. Mr. CAMBRELENG asked the gentleman from Maine [Mr. SMITH] what authority, if any, he had for that remark. Mr. SMITH rejoined, that it was the result of private intercourse with members of the other branch of Congress. He went on to express his belief, and to claim that such belief was a legitimate ground of argument in that House, that no alteration, not even of a single day, should be made in the joint resolution as it came from the Senate, if any adjournment at all were expected to be obtained. It was too late, he said, to settle such grave questions as those involved in the important bill alluded to by the gentleman from South Carolina, [Mr. PICKENS,] at this session, unless there shall be no recess at all; and those gentlemen who urge the introduction of that measure now, ought, in candor, to acknowledge that they do not expect any recess. Mr. ADAMS reminded the House that, when this joint resolution first came up, he had endeavored to introduce an amendment, to strike out the 9th of October, and insert the first Monday in April. It was objected to, and as it required the assent of the House to its introduction at that time, it was not pressed. His object in offering it was to have an opportunity of giving an opinion upon the inexpediency of this short session of Congress, and in favor of extending it into the regular session. He should now propose that amendment to the amendment of the gentleman from Georgia, [Mr. HAYNES.] He proposes by this amendment to deduct three months from the end of the long session, in consideration of the three at the beginning. This would give ample time to discuss the affairs of the country, and to do something for its permanent and solid INDEX. DEBATES IN THE SENATE. Abolition of slavery, petitions for the, presented, 512. Duties, bill to remit, on certain goods destroyed by fire in 269; amendment by the House considered and Duty bonds, fees on renewal of, resolution of inquiry, 351; Alabama, resolution to restore jurisdiction to district court in, 8; amended by including Arkansas, and Attorneys, district. (See Duty Bonds.) Banks. sundry memorials for the establishment of a, 270; Bankruptcy, motion to discharge the committee from that Bonds. (See Duty Bonds.) Business of the session, the ordinary, to lie on the table, 8. Chaplain, extra compensation to, 556. Clay, Mr. C. C., credentials of presented, 2. Committees, motion to appoint standing, 3. announced, 6. on Patents, 5. to inform the President of adjournment, 556. resolution to alter time for holding ninth judicial Deposites with the States, bill to postpone fourth instalment Deposit e banks, bill to adjust remaining claims on, report- ed, 10; considered and amended, 76; passed, bill reported, 422; considered, 440; laid on the Erie, memorial from, praying for M'Adamised turnpike, 5. Finances, report of the Secretary of the Treasury on, extra Finance, report of committee on, 7, 9, 10, 11, 50, 104, notice of bill designating the funds to be received Gales & Seaton's State Papers, resolution to supply mem- Goods and merchandise, bill to authorize, to be deposited Haight, Stephen, elected sergeant-at-arms, 2. 77; returned by House with amendments, 554; Indian hostilities, bill for the suppression of, received from amended and returned to H. R., 556; concurred Dickins, Asbury, elected Secretary of the Senate, 7. Doorkeeper elected, 2. VOL. XIV.-1 the House, 553; read the 3d time and passed, 554. Madison Papers, bill relinquishing to Mrs. Madison the Mails, (see Express.) Merchants' bonds, (see Duty bonds.) resolution proposed to inquire what fees are due by New York, memorial of merchants of, relating to exten- memorial of merchants and citizens of, for remis- bill for the relief of sufferers by fire in the city of, Officers of the Senate elected, 2. extra pay to, 551. Order, points of, decided, 273, 310. Pay, extra, to officers of the Senate, 551. to the chaplain, 556. Petitions, to lie on the table, 8. President United States, proclamation of, calling an extra message of, at opening of session, communicated, 3. Quorum, House notified of a, 2. of the House announced, 3. Revenues of the Government, funds receivable in payment Roane, Mr., credentials of, presented, 2. Rules, standing, amended, 5. the prohibition of the sale of spirituous liquors at joint, suspended, 552. Secretary of the Senate, elected, 7. Senators, list of, 2. Sergeant-at-arms, elected, 2. Slavery. (See Abolition.) Slicer, Rev. Mr., elected chaplain, 7. Spirituous liquors, resolution forbidding the sale, or ex- State Papers, resolution to supply members with Gales & Strange, Mr., credentials of, presented, 2. Sub-Treasury. (See Duties, additional.) Texas, petitions against annexation of, presented, 160, Vice President retires from the chair of the Senate, 551. Wyer, Edward, elected door-keeper, 2. Warehouse bill. (See Goods and merchandise.) Yeas and nays on amendment to bill to postpone payment on postponing Treasury note bill, 49. on postponing sub-Treasury bill, 269; on passage, 511. on resolution in relation to the expediency of es- on amendment of House to deposite bill, 422. on postponing warehouse bill, 519, 525. on third reading of same, 525. on amendment to Treasury note bill from the on passage of same, 522. NAMES OF THE SPEAKERS IN THE DEBATES IN THE SENATE. on printing President's message, 3. on Treasury note bill, 45, 46, 47, 521. on bill to deposite merchandise in public stores, 76. on sub-Treasury bill, 251, 298. on national bank, 270, 273. on attorneys' fee bill, 497, 513, 514. on warehouse bill, 516, 17, 518, 520, 522, 524, Clayton, Mr., on District banks, 530. Crittenden, Mr., on fourth instalment bill, 34. en District banks, 531. on adjournment, 469. Clay, Mr, of Alabama, on restoring jurisdiction to district Kent, Mr., on District banks, 526, 527. courts, 8, 9. on Treasury note bill, 47. on sub-Treasury bill, 501, 511. King, Mr., of Georgia, on Treasury note bill, 46, 74. on sub-Treasury bill, 208. King, Mr., of Alabama, on Treasury note bill, 49. |