MARCH 15, 1832.] Minister to Colombia. [H. OF R. indeed. He should not presume to the smallest compe- a foreign State? I mean in the view of this Government. tition with the honorable gentleman; yet he could not see Is it the reception of newspaper information that certain just cause to arraign himself as guilty of very gross igno- individuals in a foreign country have rebelled against their rance on the present occasion. How had it happened that Government, and set up for themselves? Will the very when this subject had lately been up before the House, learned gentleman from Louisiana maintain such a posiso great a difference of opinion had been manifested, tion? I say that in the view of public law there exists no and that none of the members had been able to say how new State till such State has been recognised by our own many seaports the new Government had within its limits, Government. An existing Government may be broken or, indeed, whether it had any at all? Did that inability down into various distinct parts, but those parts do not conimply any want of geographical knowledge? Were the stitute new States until this Government acknowledges most intelligent members of that House justly chargeable them as such. Will the gentleman from Louisiana contest on such a subject? Not at all. But the truth was that this doctrine? No, sir, he is too learned in national law to there existed but one individual in the United States who attempt to dispute it. And will he say that such informa was possessed of accurate intelligence where the lines of tion has been received by our Government as has induced the new republic were to run, and he should be very glad if it to recognise the partition of Colombia into new and sethe honorable gentleman would inform him how he was parate Governments? He will not say so. In legal phrase, to tell what seaports would lie within the new State unless then, we are bound to consider the Government of Colomhe first knew what were to be its boundaries. The lines bia as still in existence, and to maintain our political relabeing now more correctly understood, it had been ascer- tions towards it. tained that several ports of great importance would be- Sir, of all the things which have occurred to me, in the long to the Government of New Grenada. A colleague course of one of the longest series of political experience, of his [Mr. EVERETT's] on the committee had addressed a possessed by persons of my age, I think that what I letter to General Santander, from whom the requisite now witness is one of the most extraordinary. Here is a knowledge had been obtained. His colleague, he presum- Government, the whole benefit of an intercourse with ed, would read an extract of that letter to the House. which will enure to the United States. It is this country The honorable and learned gentleman from Louisiana had that is to be the gainer. That Government declares itself informed them that Mr. Turner, the British minister, had disposed to maintain such intercourse; our minister is resideclared that he could no longer remain at the court of dent at the seat of the Government, has accomplished one Bogota. To this statement he could only oppose the latest beneficial commercial arrangement with it, and is engaged information received at the Department of State. But in a negotiation, from which, if successful, we may hope confidently as the learned gentleman took upon him to cor- for benefits still more important. Yet a gentleman rises rect the members of the committee, far be it from Mr. A. on this floor, and in order to display his learning in geoto say that their information was correct. Certain it was graphy and in public law, undertakes to maintain that we that the last intelligence received at the department de- are bound to break down our relations with that Governclared that all the foreign ministers formerly accredited to ment, and to violate all the obligations which we have voColombia still remained at their posts. The honorable luntarily obtained towards it. And for what? Because gentleman, when showing his knowledge of history in re- that honorable gentleman doubts whether the Government ference to Mr. Turner, ought to have told the House what will be able to maintain itself, and because we may have had been the answer of the Government of Bogota to Mr. to pay two or three thousand dollars less than would otherTurner's announcement. It was that the Government wise be called for, in consequence of our maintaining a was prepared to fulfil all its existing relations and engage- full mission to that court. I say two or three thousand ments. With this declaration he presumed that Mr. Turner dollars less; and how does this happen? It happens must have been satisfied, since he continued at Bogota. because we are appropriating now for the present year, The gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Davis] had and it is a fact that the recall of our minister, and the sendstated to the committee, that the whole amount of our ing out of a chargé in his place, will cost more (within the trade with New Grenada amounted to but a few hundred present year) than continuing our minister throughout the thousand dollars; less, he believed the gentleman stated, year. It is only asked to continue the minister three than two hundred thousand. On that subject, he was in-months longer than was at first intended. There is no dedebted to a gentleman near him for a statement which sign to continue Mr. Moore at Bogota beyond the present went to show, from official authority that our imports year. from that country in 1830 amounted to 1,120,000 dollars; that the amount of domestic tonnage employed in that trade was 13,514 tons, and of foreign tonnage 10,076 tons. As to the main ground assumed by the gentleman from Louisiana, he should take the liberty of retorting the gentleman's question by another. The gentleman had asked why we should keep a minister at Colombia, when the Government of Colombia had been dissolved. With great humility, he must take the liberty of asking the gentleman how he knew it. The gentleman undertook to indoctrinate the House on the subject of South American affairs, but, for one, he did not choose to take the gentleman's word as authority. Mr. BULLARD here interposed, and said that he had obtained his information from the Department of State, through the official organ of the Government in this city, (the Globe.) At this point, the debate, on the suggestion of Mr. McDUFFIE, was suspended, in order that the committee might proceed in the other items of the bill. [The amendment of Mr. DAVIS was subsequently negatived without further discussion.] Mr. STANBERRY inquired of the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, whether the appropriation last year made for a mission to Russ a had been expended. If it had not, and he was bound to presume it had not, inasmuch as the friends of the late minister to that court had expressly and repeatedly assured the House that he would not accept the money, then there could be no necessity for a new appropriation. Mr. McDUFFIE replied that the minister had received every cent of the appropriation. Mr. CARSON observed that if the gentleman alluded to him, he was mistaken; he had never said that the minister would not receive the money. He should have con Mr. ARCHER resumed, and observed that the gentle-sidered him very foolish if he had refused it. man had no other authority than mere newspaper information. The Government itself had no information to give, other or later than that which had been received from our minister at Bogota. What, inquired Mr. A., constitutes! Mr. STANBERRY replied that some of the gentleman's friends had so declared, and among others the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, [Mr. ARCHER.] Mr. ARCHER said that he had not been among the H. OF R.] Mr. Adams's Request. [MARCH 16, 1832. number; but, had he been called upon, he should, without treme reluctance to trouble the House, or to consume their hesitation, have expressed a confident expectation that the minister would not receive it. The question was now taken on all the other amendments, excepting the two last, and they were agreed to. Mr. WILDE moved the addition of 18,000 dollars for a mission to France, which was agreed to--yeas 101. Mr. WILDE further moved for the salary of a chargé to Naples, 4,500 dollars, and for his outfit, 4,500 dollars; which was carried. Mr. ARCHER moved an item for a dragoman to the mission at Constantinople, and contingent expenses, 37,500 dollars. The motion was negatived. The question was then taken on the amendment of Mr. DAVIS to strike out the mission to Colombia, and negatived by a large majority. Mr. DAVIS, of South Carolina, moved 4,000 dollars for the purchase of a bust of Mr. Jefferson, by Caracci. The motion was negatived. Mr. WILDE moved an appropriation of 5,000 dollars, to enable the President to contract with Mr. Greenough for a statue of Washington. [This is not intended to be the whole amount.] The motion was agreed to, when the committee rose, and reported the bills to the House. Mr. ADAMS rose, and observed that, having heard his name announced among those of the members appointed as a committee to proceed to Philadelphia to investigate the affairs of the Bank of the United States, which service would for several weeks render his attendance upon the Committee on Manufactures impossible, he felt it his duty to ask the permission of the House to be excused from further service on the latter of those committees during the remainder of the session. The hour being late, Mr. ADAMS, at the suggestion of several members, waived his request, giving notice that he should renew it to-morrow. FRIDAY, MARCH 16. time by asking of them an indulgence which might be deemed as a petition for a personal favor, he had acquiesced in the assignment of the Speaker, had undertaken the task which it allotted to him, and had hitherto endeavored to discharge its duties, however inefficiently, at least with faithfulness, and to the best of his ability. The new assignment of another duty, requiring his absence from the city probably for several weeks, would now render his attendance, during that time, upon the Committee on Manufactures, impossible. The labors of that committee, from the commencement of the session, have been not inconsiderable--for some time they have been arduous-they are now holding every day sittings of two hours before the meeting of the House, and the pressure of their occupations is constantly increasing: the very busiest portion of the session is now, and will for the ensuing weeks continue to be, in full progress. There was, he had reason to expect, a prospect that a report from the Treasury Department would very shortly be received in answer to a resolution of the House, adopted at the instance of the Committee on Manufactures, and containing the views of the Secretary with regard to that object of transcendent and universal importance, the most advisable system for the modification of the impost duties, to take effect after the approaching extinction of the national debt-a subject involving, he had almost said in a fearful extent, all the great interests of the nation, and, above all, those of the manufactures. This report from the treasury would, he presumed, when received, be referred to the Committee on Manufactures, and by them would be thoroughly considered, and, after being by their deliberations adapted to their own views of the system which they may deem most suitable to the wants and wishes of the nation, will by them be presented in the form of a bill. While they would be engaged in this duty, however, he would necessarily be absent not only from the committee but from the city, and his time would be absorbed in the consideration of a difImmediately after the journal of yesterday had been ferent subject. The committee would in the mean time read, Mr. ADAMS addressed the Speaker, to renew the be without a chairman, and, as it seemed to him, scarcely request he had made; and being informed that he could enabled to proceed in their labors in such manner as to make no motion but by consent of the House, asked that do full justice to the great manufacturing interests which consent; which being obtained, he said that, when at the they have specially in charge. In the event of the, apcommencement of the present session of Congress, the pointment of another chairman, more competent than station had been assigned to him which he occupied in the himself for the performance of the duties of the station Committee on Manufactures, the Speaker would bear him than he felt himself to be, a report more satisfactory to witness that he had solicited of him to be relieved from the the House, more satisfactory to the nation, and, above all, performance of the duties appropriated to that station. more satisfactory to the great manufacturing interests of He had made that application under an anxious solicitude the country, might be prepared and presented to the for the great manufacturing interest which, according to House, even before he should be enabled to return and the usages of business in the House, would be considered resume his duties in it. He believed that if the Commitas especially entrusted to the charge of that committee, tee on Manufactures should be deprived of the assistance and from a profound impression in his mind that there were of a chairman, the manufacturing interest of the Union many other members of the House far better qualified to would materially suffer; and it was from an anxious reperform the arduous and important duties of its chairman, gard for that interest, as well as from an unfeigned diffithan him to whom they had been assigned; he had believ-dence of his own competency to give it that full, active, ed there were many other members much more familiar and enlightened support which it had a right to expect than himself with the subjects which form the particular from the station in which he had been placed, that he had employment of that committee, and much more convers-availed himself of this occasion to ask of the House to ant with them; persons much better acquainted with the excuse him from this service. He had felt it the more indetails so essential to the consideration of manufacturing cumbent upon him, inasmuch as it was an interest pecuinterests, and having more experience in the transactions connected with them, which have now for a series of years engaged the attention of both Houses of Congress. liarly important to the people of the district which it was his good fortune to represent; one of the districts to whose interests the prosperity of manufactures was more important than to any other in the United States. His own employment during all this period, and indeed during the whole of the many years of his life which had Under these circumstances, and with the conviction that been devoted to the public service, had been in an en- his place would for the manufacturing interest itself be tirely different line. The Speaker, however, had inform- more advantageously supplied by the appointment of ed him that it was not in his power to change the destina-another chairman, he submitted to the House the grounds tion which had been given to him, in the distribution of upon which he wished to be excused from further service the business of the House-that it could be accomplished on that committee after next Wednesday, the day upon only by an application to the House itself; and feeling ex- which he presumed the committee upon the concerns of MARCH 16, 1832.] Mr. Adams's Request. [H. OF R. the bank would proceed for Philadelphia, in the discharge dwindle into nothing, and are utterly incomparable in of the duties assigned to them. Until that day he was magnitude to the high claims which the Union has willing to continue his attendance upon the Committee on upon the services of that gentleman as the head of the Manufactures; and therefore he now moved that, after Committee on Manufactures. Any one can go to PhiladelWednesday next, he might be excused from further ser-phia and aid the investigation directed there: none other vice upon the Committee on Manufactures for the remain-can meet the public wishes in adjusting the tariff, and to der of the session. none other would Mr. B. be willing to entrust the fulfilMr. CAMBRELENG said it was not a pleasant duty to ment of these cheering expectations. The obligations oppose the request of any member of the House, particu- that he owed in his representative character forbade larly one of this character. He did so with infinite re- his voting for the gentleman's request, and these he gret in the present instance; and he certainly would not could not cast aside. He hoped the motion would be take such a course, but for the important consequences withdrawn. that might result from assenting to the wishes of the dis- Mr. DRAYTON said it would give him great pain to tinguished gentleman from Massachusetts. He was sen- vote against any request which should be made by the sible of the importance of the reasons assigned by that gentleman from Massachusetts. Did I not conceive that gentleman, but he should be compelled to vote against the granting of that request might be attended with ingranting his request, believing, as he sincerely did, that a jury to the community, I should yield my assent to it with momentous question was involved in the motion now be- unfeigned pleasure. But concurring with the gentlemen fore the House. He had reached the conclusion, not from New York and Virginia [Messrs. CAMBRELENG and without infinite pain and reluctance, that the harmony, if BARBOUR]. I do not regard the application of the gentlenot the existence of our confederacy, depended, at this man from Massachusetts as an ordinary appeal to the crisis, upon the arduous, prompt, and patriotic efforts of a courtesy of the House. By yielding to it, results more few eminent men. He believed that much might be done serious may be involved than by many errors of comby the gentleman from Massachusetts, and another distin-mission or of omission by this body. The language guished individual, whose efforts are also strenuously di- of compliment is rarely becoming upon this floor; and it rected to preserve the harmony of our Union: they could is not my habit to resort to it, especially when the object probably do more than all others. The present condition of it is present. Without violating propriety, I may, neof the country, and of the public mind, demands all our vertheless, declare, that, amidst the violence and rancor of intelligence, industry, and patriotism. He considered political parties with which our country has been distractthe Bank of the United States, or any other particular ed, and from which, unhappily, we are not now exempt, interest, as a mere feather, when weighed in the balance it has always been admitted, so far as my information with a question involving the peace, harmony, and union reaches, that no individual was more eminently endued of the States. The authority of the name of the gentle- with those intellectual and moral qualities which entitle man from Massachusetts would be of infinite import- their possessor to the respect of the community, and to ance in influencing the public mind, in adjusting this an entire confidence in the purity of his motives, than the disturbing question, and in restoring harmony among the gentleman from Massachusetts. His opinion, into whatStates. Such were the great considerations which would ever scale it may be cast, cannot fail to be attended with make it his unpleasant duty to vote against the motion. a powerful influence. He is placed in a position, in which Mr. BARBOUR, of Virginia, said that he had heard he may be instrumental in maturing and bringing forward with deep regret the motion submitted by the distinguish- measures which, stamped with his authority, may calm an ed member from Massachusetts. It addressed itself, in excitement, which, if it does not endanger the integrity some degree, to the favor of the House, and to refuse the of the Union, unquestionably prevails in various sections request would, in any case, and under any state of circum- of this republic, to a degree which disturbs the public stances, appear ungracious. Mr. B. trusted that it would tranquillity, and which, if not soon allayed, may be pregnot be so regarded in the present instance. To refuse nant with consequences deeply to be deplored by every any thing that could be asked by that gentleman gave him lover of his country. which are peculiarly connected with the subject of the tariff. I am satisfied that the gentleman has egregiously underrated his own acquisition. Before he took his seat upon this floor, he was, doubtless, familiar with the principles which are applicable to that subject; and since he has served upon the committee, having been, necessarily, led to the examination of its details, he has now all the general and particular knowledge which are requisite for the understanding and the practical discharge of the duties which have been assigned to him. pain-great pain. He said that it was with unaffected sin- The same measures originating in another source would cerity he declared that the member from Massachusetts, not produce the same salutary efficacy as they would (with whom he was associated on the committee,) had proceeding from that gentleman. Since his nomination not only fulfilled all his duties with eminent ability in the as chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, it is committee, but in a spirit and temper (of which it might known that he has devoted his mind and his time, laboribe unbecoming to speak) that commanded his grateful ously and faithfully, to the performance of his official duacknowledgments, and excited his highest admiration. ties. He has stated that his habits, and the nature of the No man can shut his eyes to the agitations that now dis- public appointments which he has filled, have not been tract and disturb the country. It was a remark of the such as to direct his inquiries to those investigations celebrated Walsingham, "that he was no statesman who did not look into the joints, flexures of affairs," and it is not permitted us, if we could, to shut out the lights that now pour upon us in threatening profusion. Mr. B. said he be lieved that the gentleman from Massachusetts had it eminently in his power, by his peculiar relation to the House and his country, not only to protect the great interests of which he had himself spoken, but to give repose to those angry passions which now shake the public mind, and to tranquillize and assuage all excitements. He believed that it was more in his power than in that of any other man living. Were it permitted him to make a personal appeal to the gentleman, he would have done so in advance of this motion. He would have appealed to him as a patriot, as a statesman, as a philanthropist, above all, as an American, feeling the full force of all his duties, and touched by all their incentives to lofty action, to forbear this request. The duties of the bank committee VOL. VIII.--137 It does not appear to me that any cause exists to prevent the gentleman from Massachusetts from giving his attention to both of the committees to which he belongs. The select committee which has been raised to investigate the transactions of the Bank of the United States will make its report by the 21st of April next. Before then, it is almost certain, we shall not be ready for the discussion of the question of the tariff. Even if, in the interim, H. OF R.] Mr. Adams's Request. [MARCH 16, 1832. all the information should be obtained which is needed, to by gentlemen from the South? Would it not appear enable the Committee on Manufactures to prepare their that the opponents of the tariff had taken advantage of report and their bill in conformity with it, deprived of the an accidental circumstance to get a chairman more favoraid which we should receive from the gentleman from able to their own views? He desired no such advantage. Massachusetts, and from my colleague, [Mr. McDUFFIE,] All the South asked was, that an investigation might be and from the gentleman from New York, [Mr. CAMBRE- had. He should be willing that the Committee on ManuLENG,] the House would be reluctant, and I believe factures should consist exclusively of manufacturers, procould not be prevailed upon, to engage in a debate of a vided the advocates of free trade might have an equal more momentous character than any, perhaps, which has advantage on the other side. All they asked for was, a occupied its deliberations since the adoption of the federal fair field and a clear sky. constitution. It thus seeming to me that there exists no Mr. DEARBORN said that he was fully aware of the necessity for dispensing with the services of the gentle- ability with which the gentleman from Massachusetts had man from Massachusetts upon either of the committees of discharged, and was capable of discharging, the duties of which he is a member, I shall vote against his motion, how-chairman of the Committee on Manufactures. But, should ever averse I may feel to depart from what is ordinarily the gentleman's request be refused, and he should be considered to be a mere act of courtesy. compelled to serve on that committee, the House would Mr. BATES, of Maine, said he should do violence to be deprived of his services in the case of the bank. This his own feelings if he did not, in a few words, state the formed of itself a sufficient reason why the gentleman's reasons for the vote he should give on the present occa-request should be granted. That subject was one which sion. There was no man in the House who would more had excited deep and general solicitude. Very grave reluctantly oppose the wishes of the gentleman from Mas-charges had been preferred against the institution, and the sachusetts than himself; but he was free to confess that, in House had determined that they should be investigated; many instances, it had been his good or ill fortune to disa- the continuance or discontinuance of that very important gree with him. Little had he then thought that the time and valuable institution might depend upon the result. would so soon arrive when he should look to that gentle-From the character which had been given, on all sides of man as the only man in the Union capable of taking the the House, of the honorable gentleman from Massachuhigh stand of umpire; the only man who would possess the setts, they must all be assured that he would perform his power of preventing that dire catastrophe which seemed duty, as one of the investigators, with integrity and intelto be impending over the country, and which every pa-ligence. Nor would the House thereby lose the benefit triot must fear as the greatest of evils. Yet, such be- of the intelligence of that gentleman on the subject of ing the case, he must, with whatever reluctance, give manufactures, or of his long experience in the general his vote against complying with the request which had affairs of this country. The committee would return to been made. He would sooner consent to excuse the gen- the House in season for the discussion of the great tariff tleman from Massachusetts from any, and from all, the question. Should he be refused permission to resign his duties he owed to the House, than from his service on the place in the Committee on Manufactures, the House must Committee on Manufactures. He did not know precisely lose his services as an investigator. He hoped, upon the what might be the gentleman's views, but he perceived whole, that, as great benefits would accrue on the one him to be so situated as to have an opportunity of acting side, and no injury be sustained on the other, the request honestly, independently, and nobly; and he hoped the of the honorable gentleman would be acceded to. gentleman would continue in a situation where he had it in his power to do so much good. Mr. E. EVERETT observed that perhaps no gentleman present had listened with greater satisfaction than Mr. DENNY expressed his surprise that 'some gentle- himself to the remarks which had been made, in various men should speak of a certain dire event as likely soon quarters, on the subject before the House. It is not neto happen, and as depending entirely upon the delibera-cessary, I trust, said Mr. E., to join in bearing testimony tions of the Committee on Manufactures. He thought to the capacity and disposition of my respected colleague that gentlemen were misled by their imaginations, and to render the most valuable services to the House and to were not governed by their cool judgment, when they the country. What I rose to say is this: if the continuexpressed such sentiments on this floor. He could not ance of my colleague in the station, at the head of the hear opinions of this kind avowed here, and to go forth Committee on Manufactures, is a matter of as great imto the public, without protesting against them. Whatever portance as it is said to be; if, indeed, it is a question of dire events were about to happen to this country, they the continuance or dissolution of the Union; it is too would not be the consequence of the measures of this grave a matter to be settled at a moment's warning. I, for Government, which have been committed to the conside-one, am not prepared on this brief notice to vote upon a ration of the Committee on Manufactures. Those mea- question of such all-absorbing importance. But this, sir, sures, he contended, would sustain the prosperity of the I will say, (difficult as it is to say any thing with propriety country, and establish the Union on a permanent basis. on such a subject in his presence,) that though there is As to excusing the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. no man in the House or the country who thinks more ADAMS] from serving on the Committee on Manufactures, highly of the intelligence and patriotism of my colleague Mr. D. had no particular desire on the subject, but said than myself, and of his ability in this and every other the reasons given were satisfactory to his mind, and he station to serve the public, yet I will not allow that the should accede to the wishes of the gentleman. preservation of the Union is to depend on his individual Mr. DAVIS, of South Carolina, said he hoped the services, or those of any other one man. No, sir; I rely gentleman from Massachusetts would be excused, and for the preservation of the Union on the intelligence and that that which the gentleman had done in a spirit of de- the patriotism of the people at large, who enjoy its licacy, would be responded to by the Ilouse in the same blessings. To that great end, my colleague will contribute spirit. It had been said that that gentleman was more as much as any other citizen, and that whether he remains competent than perhaps any other to adjust the difficulties in his place at the head of the committee or not. which were agitating and distracting the country. Ad- sir, no gentleman who thinks the question to be of the mitting this to be the case, was it necessary, in order to magnitude described can refuse his support to the motion effect that object, that the gentleman should be continued which I beg leave to submit, which is to postpone the on the Committee on Manufactures? Would the manu- further consideration of the subject till next Monday. facturers be dissatisfied should the request of the gentle- Mr. SPEIGHT said that the motion which had just man be complied with? Ought not that to be considered been made was one of the most extraordinary motions he But, MARCH 16, 1832.] Commissioner of the General Land Office. [H. OF R. had ever witnessed in that House. The gentleman rose month to complete the task assigned them. But he felt in his place, and asked to be excused from serving on one very sure that the investigation would not delay them to of the standing committees, and immediately a motion any thing like that time. He believed that their duties was made to wait until Monday before the House should would be performed with much greater facility than many decide on granting or refusing the request. The good gentlemen seemed to anticipate; insomuch that he hoped breeding he had been taught did not allow him to im- to see them back before the expiration of the present pugn the motives for a motion like that. But interest month. The different duties, therefore, of the gentleman was to be consulted in such a matter; and if all who were from Massachusetts might, without difficulty, be harmoin favor of the tariff must be allowed time to consult and nized. He hoped that nothing he had said would be consider whether complying with the request would or considered as implying the remotest intention of underwould not be favorable to their design of heaping up that valuing the eminent abilities, usefulness, or patriotism of oppression upon the nation, he, for one, should think it the gentleman from Massachusetts, and he felt well perbetter that the decision should be made at once. He suaded, that when that honorable gentleman had had an believed, with other gentlemen who had spoken, that the opportunity of laying his head upon his pillow, Mr. M. gentleman from Massachusetts would exert more influence would have the gentleman's own vote. than any other individual in reference to that subject. Not Mr. WAYNE observed that, from what had been said, that he would effect any change in the opinions of gen- the gentleman from Massachusetts could not but be contlemen in that House, but his magnanimous and liberal scious of the general desire, as well of the advocates as of course, bordering on patriotism and the love of country, the opponents of the tariff, that he should retain his preunited with his situation among a people by whom the sent situation. And since it had been ascertained that the tariff would be as much opposed as it was in his section committee could not leave the city before Wednesday, he of country when once the blind should be removed from would take the liberty of suggesting to that gentleman their eyes, gave great weight to his opinion. There was the propriety of withdrawing his request for the present, no need of sleeping over the application till Monday, in and reflecting on the subject till Monday; when, should order to allow those who were in favor of manufactures he still remain of the same mind, he would have an opto determine whether it was their interest to comply with portunity of renewing his motion. it. If the gentleman must be excused from serving on one of the two committees which have been named, he hoped that it would be from the committee on the bank. Mr. STEWART suggested that, as it had been intimated to the House that the bank committee would not leave the city before Wednesday, it might be proper to postpone the consideration of this request until that day. Mr. ADAMS said that he very readily acceded to the proposition just made by the gentleman from Georgia; yet, he must be indulged in one single observation, namely that if he should renew the request, as he presumed he should, the House would do him a favor, should they abstain from making any further observations on the subject. He had been most deeply affected by what had already passed. He had felt in the strongest manner the impropriety of his being in the House while such remarks were made, being very conscious that remarks of an opposite kind might have been made with far more propriety, and had probably been withheld in consequence of Mr. MERCER said he had not risen with any purpose to disregard the admonition of the Chair, but to express, to a certain extent, the conformity of his own sentiments with those of the gentleman from Massachusetts, [Mr. EVERETT.] He never could be brought to think, on any his presence. occasion, that the union of these States--a fabric planned The motion was thereupon withdrawn. by the wisdom, and cemented by the blood of their fore- The bill for the relief of Susan Decatur coming up, in fathers--could be either confirmed or impaired by grant-consequence of the motion for reconsideration made by ing or withholding the services of any man on earth. In Mr. DODDRIDGE on Saturday last, the negotiation by which he had hoped to effect a compromise of Mrs. Decatur's claims, he withdrew his motion to reconsider, and the bill was thereby removed from the House. a late debate on the subject of removing to that building Mr. DODDRIDGE stated that, not having succeeded in the sacred remains of Washington, the spirit of the departed patriot had been invoked in more than one of the eloquent speeches delivered on that occasion. But could that immortal father of his country burst the cerements of the tomb, and again appear on the stage of mortal action, The House now proceeded to the orders of the day: not even he could prevail to shake this fair fabric which and the consideration of private bills having been postit had been the occupation of his own life and labors to poned, the general appropriation bill was taken up. found. Mr. M. had risen to suggest the only idea which COMMISSIONER OF GENERAL LAND OFFICE. he considered pertinent to the question. The manner in which his request had been received by the House, must Mr. WILDE now moved to strike out the appropriation present the subject of that gentleman's resignation in a of $5,000 for the salary of the Commissioner of the Genelight in which that very distinguished gentleman could not ral Land Office, on which motion a very animated debate before have regarded it. And he felt assured that the arose. The ground of Mr. WILDE's motion was undergentleman would, on reflection, perceive that he owed it stood to be the neglect or incompetency of the officer to the position he occupied, in reference to the great referred to. His cause was pleaded with much warmth, tariff question, not further to press the request he had by Mr. IRVIN, Mr. LEAVITT, of Ohio, Mr. CLAY, of made. Alabama, and Mr. POLK, of Tennessee, who referred to He concurred in the opinion which had been expressed, his previous high standing in Ohio, his known character that the House would not be able to arrive at any decision for industry and application, and the satisfactory manner on that absorbing question, previous to the expiration of in which he had discharged the duty of a judge in that the period within which the committee of investigation State. had been limited to make their report. Besides, the It was strenuously denied that he had neglected the granting of his request must operate rather to delay than duties of his office here, although bad health might have to accelerate a decision on that subject; because a new sometimes detained him from it, and confined him to his chairman, before he could be prepared to act efficiently, bed. The insinuations abroad respecting the personal must be possessed of the views of his colleagues on the habits of the gentleman were declared to be utterly committee, and of all that had been done previous to his groundless, and it was insisted that, if he had been guilty entering upon his duties. It was true that the investigating of corruption or malfeasance in office, or was incompecommittee had been allowed to the twenty-first of next tent to the discharge of his public duties, the proper |