4087

H. OF R.]

GALES & SEATON'S REGISTER

The Public Deposites.

[MAY 16,

happened in conversation on my way home in January, litical point of view, or the imprudent, intemperat with several gentlemen of my acquaintance, highly re-impetuous zeal of its friends, and those intrusted spectable. That subject was introduced. Most of them government, and the management and direction were opposed to that measure of the administration, as I affairs, should have the effect to prevent a renewa believe they had been to all its former measures. A good charter, sufficiently restricted, checked, and deal was said, and some pretty severe remarks made, and ed," &c. occasional replies. I thought little more about it until I In the message of December, 1832, he admits th saw, not long afterwards, with a good deal of surprise, a had "done the country some service." Is this de publication in a newspaper printed in that place, in which controverted in that of the 26th February last? It I was alluded to as having said on that occasion that In the former he considers it "a subject of regre "the removal of the deposites was a high-handed mea- "a too strict adherence to a literal construction sure, unwarranted by the constitution, and condemned by constitution" on the one hand, "or the imprudent, a majority of the democratic party;" whereas, no such perate, and impetuous zeal of its friends," &c., expression was ever uttered by me, but the very reverse; other, "should have the effect to prevent a ren and the only expression I used, bearing the most remote its charter, sufficiently restricted, checked, and similarity, was in reply to a general charge of high-handed ed," &c. Does he, in the latter, say any thing conduct on the part of General Jackson, "that any acts the renewal of its charter, sufficiently restricte of his, with which I was acquainted, that wore the ap- Not one word. Where, then, I ask, lies the inconsi pearance of boldness, were exercised against some high- In the message of 1832, he presents a general view handed, unwarrantable conduct, and for the protection of whole subject of the bank, and expresses an op the liberties of the people." I mention this circumstance, favor of a renewal of its charter, with wholeso not with a view of casting censure upon any of those gen- proper restrictions. Is he to be necessarily visit tlemen, but merely with a view of showing the uncer- the charge of inconsistency and humiliating char tainty and fallacy of that description of evidence. Because, fifteen months afterwards, he communicate sides, the expression thus given, second-handed as it is, body, and to that body only, where official duty r would seem to be the natural reply to an expostulation him to communicate it, an honest conviction, irr on the part of Mr. Leckey, implying that he did think forced upon him by a concentration of circumsta for some reason that there was a change, or reason for a an improper and reprehensible act on the part change, in the relations between the governor and the bank, affecting deeply the interests of the State? bank. If Mr. Leckey were to say to me, "you voted ing the fact, he would have been faithless to t for the resolutions of the Pennsylvania Legislature in trust reposed in him, had he not stated it, let i 1831 and 1832," as I did, "what has changed your opin-upon the fate of the bank here be what it might; ion"" I should very probably reply not very differently he was not responsible. If I entertain a favorat from the language and manner in which Governor Wolf ion of an agent to-day, and express an opinion is made to do in the quoted conversation-"that my opin-"has done some service" in his agency, nay, ma ion had undergone no change on that subject." Were I ble services, am I to be considered so completely to explain more fully, (which would be very likely to be tisan advocate, that I cannot, without incurring t omitted by one enlisted in favor of the bank, in detailing,) tation of inconsistency, communicate to one to wh I should probably say "it was not I who changed, but bound to disclose a glaring act of infidelity on the bank had changed its conduct; or, at least, matters that shall clearly come to my knowledge aft were developed in its conduct that were unknown to me Most certainly not. The cases are precisely par before." I do not, however, perceive--I cannot discover the conclusion in both must be the same. -the great inconsistency between the message of the vacillation and inconsistency, then, vanishes b 26th of February and the declaration to the Pittsburg light of examination. delegate, taking it as given here to be the very words To the charge of "subserviency to Executi falling from the lips of the governor; no more, and no abandonment of well-settled opinions, "cring less a very great improbability. The message ex- try of a man," demonstrating that we are fi presses no opinion in relation to the removal of the de- be slaves," &c., I think I may successfully re posites: it leaves that as a question between the general message quoted, of December, 1832, as alone administration and the bank; just as the Pittsburg dele a complete refutation. The governor had then gate is made to quote him. Sir, I know, feel myself gain on the score of popularity-his election authorized to state that no declaration was made by the the views of the President on that subject were governor at the time mentioned, in the slightest degree known, and his election was settled; the frien variant or inconsistent with the message. His most inti- bank had arrayed themselves in solid phala mate friends, as I am well informed, knew not what his Governor Wolf's election, although they admitt communication would be until the message appeared. much better qualified than his opponents; yet But the annual message of Governor Wolf, of December, this, he came out fearlessly and independent 1832, has also been referred to as evidence of incon- his honest views upon the subject, differing wit sistency. I shall trouble the House with a short extract many of his friends, and differing particularly from that message, further than quoted by my colleague. of the veteran patriot to whose will and po I read from the 10th volume of Hazard's Register of charged with cringing and subserviency. Pennsylvania, page 372. After stating that the Bank of What change the late conduct of the bank the United States "had done the country some service," produced upon Governor Wolf's mind, as to established a circulating medium in which the people have ety of the renewal or extension of its charter confidence, "facilitated the operations of the General authorized to state; but, whatever change may Government," and aided individuals in their pecuniary produced as to the fate of the present institut arrangements, "and especially in the transmission of mo- not been made but upon the soundest, most ney to distant parts of the Union," he proceeds: and disinterested reasons, it may confidently

The

"It would be a subject of regret, therefore, if a too upon. He has witnessed the warning voice, strict adherence to a literal construction of the constitu- is true, but at the same time forcibly expre tion, in regard to the powers conferred upon Congress message of 1832, unheeded and disregarded by that instrument to establish such an institution, or a agers of that institution; and, believing it too critical analysis of its expediency in a moral or po- essential service to the country, if managed

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view, I have no doubt that he has witnessed it with deep respectable public journal, of any political party, would regret and sorrow, as he suggests in that same message. disgrace its columns with the republication. Let the His opinion with regard to the conduct of the present" rumor," however, have arisen from what source it bank, developed since 1832, may have materially changed may, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it a gross, unin reference to that particular institution and its manage- founded calumny, and defy my honorable colleague to ment, without any change in the abstract principle, and produce the shadow of a shade of testimony in its supwithout subjecting him to the charge of either vacillation port. or subserviency and cringing to the will or power of any Although, Mr. Speaker, I have already occupied much one, however dignified, popular, or respectable. That more time than I had intended upon this part of my colthe opinions of many of the wisest and best men in the league's remarks, and must here tender my acknowledgnation, as to the expediency of the continuance of the ments to my fellow-members for their indulgent attention present bank as the fiscal agent of this Government, have to me thus long, in replying to what I did not consider as undergone considerable change, from the manner in which having been fairly introduced here, being calculated units affairs have been conducted for the last two or three necessarily to widen the range of discussion on the subject years, I think no one will pretend to doubt. Before before us, I feel constrained to ask a brief indulgence close my remarks, when I shall come to speak of the rea- further, in order to recur to a small portion of the history sons given by the Secretary of the Treasury for removing of the public concerns of that Commonwealth, with a the deposites, and why they should not be restored to view of showing how much Pennsylvania is indebted to the bank, I shall refer to some matters which have been the wisdom and efficiency of her present Chief Magistrate developed in the conduct of the bank, which, it would for the prosperity which has prevailed throughout her appear singular to me, would not have the effect of pro- borders during his enlightened administration. When he ducing considerable change upon any honest, unbiased has been assailed here as he has been, it is no more, I mind upon that subject, and which exclude all idea of think, than what is due to honest, unassuming merit. either inconsistency or subserviency to the will of any When Governor Wolf was chosen by his fellow-citizens, body. I believe there is no one, of any political party, and entered upon his administration, in 1829, he found personally acquainted with Governor Wolf, who will not the affairs of the State in a critical and embarrassed situaagree with me in saying that the charge of subserviency tion. She had then been engaged in an extensive, mag. and abandoning his own opinions for those of others nificent, and widely-diffused system of internal improve. might be made more successfully against almost any other ment, during three years preceding. She had contracted man. His firmness and independence in the free expres- a debt for her public works of about ten millions of dolsion of his honest opinions, let them differ with whom they lars. Those works were scattered over various parts of may, is proverbial with those who know him. her surface, scarcely any of them finished, and none of

In the remark that "rumor says the change was effect- them producing any profit. During the summer of 18.9 ed in one night," I can feel that there is more than meets her credit had so far sunk that the necessary funds could the eye or falls upon the ear-an imputation of deeper not be procured upon loan, on any terms, to prosecute import than I can persuade myself to believe my colleague her public works; and his predecessor, Governor Shulze, could have intended-a charge of impurity of motive-who, although one of the most amiable, honest, and upwhich I feel bound and called upon, by a regard for hon right of men, was deficient in those energies necessary to est worth, substantial virtue, and patriotic merit, to repel qualify him for the exertions of a Chief Magistrate under with some degree of indignancy. Sir, I feel and know such emergencies, convened the Legislature in November that, in this imputation, the most gross and flagrant in- of that year, one month earlier than the constitutional justice is done to an honest, upright man. I have had period, to devise some plan by which the threatening evil the honor and pleasure of an opportunity of knowing might be averted, but without any beneficial result. In Governor Wolf, from an intercourse of some intimacy for December, Governor Wolf was inaugurated, in the midst the last few years, and an acquaintance with his charac- of this dark calamity which then surrounded the Comter, and can assure my colleague that he is as far above the monwealth: her credit was sunk, her energies prostrated, imputation which the remark is calculated to cast upon and nothing but clouds and darkness hung around her him, as "heaven is above the meanest spot of earth." affairs, thickening in the gloomy perspective; all was dis Where he is personally known (and I am aware that he order and confusion; the whole system in which she had is so to several gentlemen here) he needs not any feeble expended vast sums of money had become unpopular, and effort of mine to vindicate his character from such an im- many of its former friends were ready to adandon it alto. putation. As far as I have ever heard, it would be con-gether, in hopeless despair. The Bank of Pennsylvania, ceded by his personal acquaintance, by whom he has too, then seeking to coerce a renewal of its charter, been even politically opposed, that he has ever ranked as sought this favorable opportunity to increase the embar one of our most upright citizens, as an accomplished rassments of the State, in order to effect its purposes. scholar, and as a profound and independent statesman; What was to be done, was a question of deep anxiety and and, without disparagement of any of his predecessors, it perplexing concern to the governor. To stop the pubmay be safely asserted that Pennsylvania has never enjoy.lic works, and abandon the whole system, in which ten ed, as an Executive head, a more intelligent, faithful, or millions of dollars had already been expended, and suffer efficient Chief Magistrate. I know not whence the the whole to go to ruin, could not but be a deep disgrace rumor” mentioned by my colleague originated. I feel to the State, whatever might have been the policy of the assured, however, he is utterly incapable of starting so undertaking at its commencement-whether wise or im silly and baseless a report. It may be that he has seen a provident. To proceed was surrounded with so many paragraph which I noticed some time since in the Penn- difficulties, doubts, and uncertainties, as to be apparently sylvania Telegraph, a piper published in Harrisburg, sufficient to discourage and deter the most resolute and Pennsylvania, only notorious for its witless political false- determined. He decided, however, on the latter, under hoods, in which it was stated, in substance, that Governor all those trying circumstances; determined on prosecuting Wolf's message of the 26th of February was produced to completion the scattered and detached parts of the unby a proffer that his name should be placed on the demo-finished works, and bringing them into profitable use as cratic ticket as a candidate for Vice President. My col-speedily as possible; and having, as determined, suggestleague, perhaps, not knowing the character of that paper, ed prompt and decisive measures in relation to them, may have based his remark upon the paragraph referred pursued them vigorously and firmly. The Legislature were to; but he might have observed, as I did, that not a single reanimated; his suggestions were adopted; confidence

was restored; the stocks rose to a premium on the five gislature then, as far as they did make an express per cent. loans, varying from five to fourteen per cent.; were forced into it by memorials; and those memo order and system were planted upon a mass of chaotic mostly from State banks, coerced, no doubt, by confusion and disorder; the detached works have been United States Bank, to have them prepared and pre completed and brought into operation; and I doubt not ed. It would seem, then, pretty manifest, that that two years more, under his administration, will con- United States Bank stands behind the scene-plies nect the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Delaware, machinery of torture upon the State banks--drives by a continued line of canal and railroad within the limits to memorialize the Legislature of Pennsylvania, w of that State. To any one at all conversant with the financial concerns are operated upon at the same affairs of Pennsylvania, this short statement will be per-ture and by the same secret power to implore Con fectly familiar. It would seem to me, then, that some- to restore the deposites to its vaults, in order that it thing like certainty of evidence ought to exist, upon by the use of similar means hereafter, force a ren which to base an imputation upon the public character of of its charter. And because that body happened a fellow-citizen of irreproachable integrity, occupying possessed of intelligence enough to discover, and the high, honorable, and responsible station conferred sufficient to spurn, all this artful jugglery attempt upon him by the unbought confidence of a body of en- be practised, they, too, must become the subjec lightened freemen; whose services had been so eminently abuse and reproach, as degrading the manly spi useful to his country; and the utmost caution and charita- State pride," and cringing to Executive will. s ble construction extended in the investigation of that evi- have the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with a dence, before his conduct, much less his motives, should proportion of the members of the Legislature of be assailed. But I feel the most perfect confidence that sylvania who had recently closed their session; and Governor Wolf stands fully acquitted of any charge upon a pride as well as a duty imposed on me by m either his conduct or his motives, before that intelligent league's remarks, to say that I know them as a bo community of which he is a member; and, in that confi- high-minded, honorable, and intelligent men, wh dence, shall dismiss that part of the subject relating to him. point of liberality of sentiment, business, industry The Senate also of Pennsylvania has been so unfortu- talents, and practical knowledge of the public aff nate as to incur the rebuke of my colleague, as not ex- the State for which they have legislated, would no pressing, in their resolutions on the subject of the bank, fer in comparison with any legislative body in th the views of the people, if that people are not "lament- lightened Union. As evidence of this, did time p ably deficient in a manly spirit of State pride." If a non- and were it a proper subject of discussion here, I submission to the dictation of the bank and its friends be refer with triumph to their legislative enactment the criterion of his censure, he might have extended his might, perhaps, not be improper to state that they animadversion to the House of Representatives also. upwards of two hundred and fifty laws, and resol If the Senate passed the resolutions against the rechar-having the force of laws, many of them of the u ter of the bank, and the restoration of the deposites to useful importance, among which was one establish its vaults, attached to the report of their Committee of system of common school education, referred to b Ways and Means, the House of Representatives, with colleague, which has been long felt as a great des equal promptness, and "subserviency and idolatry," (I tum in that State, and which was a favorite obj suppose he would say,) refused to take up resolutions Governor Wolf, and always zealously and forcibl offered in that body in favor of the bank, by a vote of 35 commended in his annual messages. to 51. I think I am not mistaken, therefore, in considering the whole body in both Houses of that Legislature as included within my colleague's remarks.

Mr. Speaker, it must be a difficult and desperate tion which my colleague has undertaken to esta which requires him first to establish, and that w How did the subject of the recharter of the United the shadow of proof that I have been able to di States Bank and the removal of the deposites come be- that the Governor and the Legislature of Pennsy fore that body? Was it taken up, as subjects of a national would, without any assignable motive, sacrifice t character are generally noticed, by the passage of reso-interests of the country for the mere pleasure of lutions by State Legislatures? No, sir. In the com- sistency, subserviency, and idolatry of any individu mencement of the able report of the Committee of Ways those enlightened and honorable public function and Means in the Senate, drawn, I presume, by Mr. with all the lights which their stations afford to th Petrikin, its chairman, I find the following declaration, the subject, have expressed an opinion against the after stating the memorials referred to them, requesting in its present controversy, as my colleague would that the Legislature of the State "would use their ef- to assume, it is most unfortunate evidence to be pro forts and their influence with Congress to obtain a resto- by its advocates here in its favor. It is evidence of a ration of the Government deposites to the Bank of the and weighty character against its high pretension United States:" "That, for themselves, they should continuance of its charter, or the possession and have been content to leave this question to the Govern- of the public funds. It may be confidently assum ment of the United States, to which it now appropriately undeniable and incontrovertible, that they have 1 belongs; but this has been rendered impossible by the formed nor expressed such opinion, without the m memorials which have been referred to your committee. ture and unbiased deliberation on the most subi They are now left without an alternative, and will there- and unquestionable grounds. fore, in obedience to the will of the Senate, proceed to But the people, ay, the people, too, of Pennsylvan present their views upon this important subject." Then brought under the animadversion of my colleagu follows the report, to which are attached the resolutions, a humiliating confession must be made on their "that the present Bank of the United States ought not for their political sin and folly, in contributing to be rechartered," and "that the Government depos- clevation of the present national Chief Magistrate. ites, which had been withdrawn from the Bank of the erned by an impulse of gratitude for military ac United States, ought not to be restored." It clearly ments, and dazzled by his military glory, as my col appears, then, that the State Legislature was memorial represents, they have committed the horrid cri ized "to use their efforts and influence with Congress suicide upon Pennsylvania policy and Pennsylva to obtain a restoration of the deposites to the Bank of terests, in promoting the administration of one the United States"-a course entirely unprecedented as represented as having it "specially" in view to pr far as my experience of legislation extends. The Le-her interests in the dust;" and "sacrifice and ti

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under foot her distinguished sons," &c. The people of extreme; and this appears to have been the fate, in some Pennsylvania are feelingly and pathetically appealed to, degree, of that measure. Had a judicious tariff been as having been the stupid, submissive instruments in the adopted, and regularly established upon a moderate radestruction of their own interests; as having "bowed their tional basis, affording means of support to the Governnecks to the yoke of power, exerted to prostrate their ment, and, at the same time, so laid upon those articles prosperity," and "kissed the rod that smote them." This only, in the manufacture of which there was a competi is not the first time the good people of that State have tion between our own artists and those of foreign counbeen addressed in a similar manner. Incessant appeals tries, it would have been highly beneficial in its results of this character have been made to their dearest inter- to our manufacturing and other interests. But how was ests professedly, for the last five years, to my certain it? It was got up as a hobby for certain politicians to knowledge, until they have grown stale and sickening; ride upon--the epithalamium of the American system. and yet we have it repeated even here now, almost in American system! was continually sounded in our ears-the same breath, that, up until at least October last, or every one denounced as an enemy to the country who since, the sun never shone upon a more happy, pros- was the least moderate or rational on the subject. As perous, and improving country;" and I think I shall be the violin string, stretched to its utmost tension, must able to show presently, that its prosperity and improve- snap asunder, so this system was wrought to its highest ment have been on the rapid increase ever since that pe- pitch, until its boasted father found it necessary to knock riod. Sir, to this description of declamatory appeal, ad- it in the head with his own hands. So the system of dressed to State jealousy and local interests, I entertain internal improvement by the General Government, if the most sovereign and instinctive aversion. There is confined to works clearly of a national character, and disunion in it--nullification of the rankest character; necessary for national defence, based upon rational, sound which, if not met and beat back by the honest intelli- calculation, may be adopted with immense usefulness gence, enlightened liberality, elevation of sentiment, and to the country; but, if used by distressed politicians for enlarged patriotism of a magnanimous and generous peo- their purposes, to produce political excitement, and run ple, must speedily produce, through its natural conse-it into interminable extravagance, it will no doubt be quences, a disruption of this peaceful, happy, and pros- abandoned altogether as a part of a "triple-headed monperous confederacy, and destruction of that harmony and ster"--monster truly in the scale of public policy, if national pride which is essentially necessary to cement carried to the extent to which some political enthusiasts and seal the bonds of the Union. The object of this would urge in the heat of their political zeal; and I Government and its laws is the happiness and prosperity presume it was only the system thus extravagantly enof United America; not of this or that particular State, larged beyond all rational bounds, which was spoken of but of all united in one. The interest and prosperity of as a monster in the paragraph referred to by my coleach separate State are within the province of its own league. I am not apprized of any special claims which local Legislature. We are citizens of America--mem- the United States Bank has upon Pennsylvania, that her bers of the American family; and the President, so far people should cling to it with such wedded affection as as is proper for him in recommending measures of policy to consider it a part of her peculiar policy, excepting to Congress, must extend his views to embrace the whole; that it is located in Philadelphia, the metropolis of that and it would be a tacit charge upon his fidelity and offi- State. Although I am willing to admit it has been of cial honor for any one State to claim or expect his par- some service to the country, and, confined to its legiti tiality on the ground of having contributed to his elec-mate purposes, might be of essential benefit to the Govtion. As representatives from Pennsylvania, it would ernment and to the people, yet it has only been when perhaps be the duty of my colleague and myself, at least its friends are pressing its own particular interests, and it would be excusable in us, to use all fair and honorable when some election in which it feels itself interested means to promote the interest of our own State, if that is to be carried, that we can hear much of its great imshould be the highest possible tariff; the improvement portance to Pennsylvania. In the calamities of 1829, by the National Government of every creek and rivulet which I have mentioned-when there was real, not arti within our borders, and the making of a canal, railroad, ficial distress and embarrassment, although the bank had or turnpike past every man's door; or the continuance not then been assaulted by any branch of the Governof the bank; but if these do not comport with the gene- ment, and was in the full tide of successful operation-ral interests of the whole Union, it is our duty to yield to there was a perfect silence on the subject of its great that, and encourage those whom we represent to do the usefulness to that State. Of the evils which it has prosame, without a murmur or complaint. Suppose my duced in its management, I shall have occasion to speak colleague to have received a large vote in a particular hereafter. The land bill, as it has been called, which township in his district; he is elected, and some meas passed both Houses at the last session, will probably be ure comes up in which the people of that township take before us again for discussion during the present session, a deep interest; but it conflicts materially with the in- and this is not the time to advert particularly to its merits; terests of other parts, so that it would be improper that but I am not aware of any one of its provisions which ad it should be adopted; and they address a memorial to him dresses itself particularly or exclusively to Pennsylvania, urging it upon his consideration, because they contribut- that she should adopt it as peculiarly meeting her wants ed to his election as their representative. Would he not and situation. It is said that it would have brought into feel himself humbled, nay, insulted, by the suggestion her treasury $300,000 annually. If this be so, and at the If he will recur to his course of remarks, I know he can same time it would have the effect of taxing her citizens at once apply the simile. But let me ask, what great in an indirect form, as I believe it would, to a greater and important measure of policy in which Pennsylvania amount, or if it would render her subservient to the Nais peculiarly interested, has our much-abused President tional Government further than the constitution contemprostrated and trampled in the dust? The tariff, inter- plates, or subject her to a slavish connexion with this Govnal improvement, the bank, and the distribution of the ernment, prostrating her State pride and sovereignty beproceeds of the public lands, have been mentioned. It yond the terms of the constitution, or would inflict gross is not my purpose here to discuss those important sub- and manifest injustice upon some other sister members of jects; but, as they have been referred to, I shall give them the Union, I have been mistaken in the intelligence, high a passing notice. I am aware that the tariff, to a certain liberal sentiments, and "manly spirit of State pride," extent, has been a favorite measure in my State; but for which her citizens have ever been distinguished, if every measure of public policy may be carried to a fatal they would even assent to it, much less adopt it, and cling

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[MAY 16, 1834.

to it as a measure of her peculiar policy, Enough, how- that State furnishes facts which show that business is ever, of this, until we come to discuss the merits of that lively; merchandise and the products of the country are bill when it shall come before us. thickly wafted along her public works; emigration rushSir, the people of Pennsylvania have not given their ing to her fertile lands; the energies of her active, indussuffrages to the present Chief Magistrate of this Union, trious, and enterprising population all alive; and health, from a blind, enthusiastic impulse, dazzled by his military prosperity, and happiness, gladdening every heart, and glory, as my colleague's remarks would make the impres- beaming upon every countenance. As far as I can gather Sion; but from a knowledge of his honest worth and pat- from all sources, notwithstanding the discouraging and riotic virtues, his fearless and manly independence in the disheartening efforts of the new-born Whigs in that region, faithful discharge of all the duties imposed upon him, his and the attempts of the bank and its managers to embarunshaken firmness, and substantial devotion to the interests rass her affairs, and their partial success in inflicting some of his country. They did not support him as the mere distress for a season, her situation now is as prosperous, hero of New Orleans, however valiant his conduct, or and her prospects as fair, as at any former period. brilliant his achievements, but as a veteran patriot, "an Having thus long trespassed upon the time of the House, ancient landmark in the stream of time," a statesman much longer, I must confess, than I had intended, in noticpractically schooled in the original principles of the con- ing the remarks of my colleague, [Mr. MCKENNAN,] which stitution and laws of the land, well and thoroughly tried and relate more particularly to the State which we in part known to them, not for hollow professions of patriotism, represent, I shall proceed, as briefly as possible, to the but for acts, and practical, substantial services of the most consideration of the questions now properly before us. important and patriotic character; and were his second The original resolution necessarily involves the question election to take place to-morrow, notwithstanding all the of the removal of the deposites from the Bank of the vehemence and bitter abuse that have appeared here upon United States, and has so been treated by those who have paper against him, from that quarter, I feel satisfied they preceded me. If the removal was a necessary and proper would contribute as largely to his elevation as before. measure, then the adoption of this resolution, I think, They are too intelligent and discerning to be cajoled and will be admitted to be necessary. The amendment deimposed upon by political jugglery, and hypocritical pre-nies the sufficiency of the reasons of the Secretary of the tensions of vast attachments to "Pennsylvania rights, Treasury for the removal. So that the question present Pennsylvania principles, and Pennsylvania interests," and ed for consideration is the removal of the deposites from too liberal to expect or wish that the interests and pros- the Bank of the United States. perity of the Union should be sacrificed for any supposed schemes of local policy, even should they be found sometimes, to some extent, conflicting.

It has been alleged that that measure was in violation of the constitution, a breach of the contract with the bank, and unjustifiable and inexpedient on the score of public My colleague [Mr. MCKENNAN] has told us that, "at policy. Before I enter upon the merits of these grav. the time the wanton, fearful, and ruinous experiment and weighty positions, I wish to observe that, however upon the industry and currency was commenced, the sun much I admire eloquence and scholastic beauty, belles never shone upon a more prosperous and improving coun- lettres and elegance of composition, sentimental poetry try" than Pennsylvania. "But suddenly the scene is and adornments of style, plucked from heathen my changed! The cries of deep distress salute our ears;" thology and ancient history, when introduced on prope: "commercial credit is destroyed; manufacturing enter- and suitable occasions; and however much I may have prise paralyzed;" and "ruin" and "desolation" spread been gratified, as I confess I have, with the brilliant die over the land, &c. Mr. Speaker, I know not whence he plays made here, as flights of cultivated taste and imagi has received his information; but all the information I can nation, and mere literary productions, I must be allowed receive, which is substantial and tangible, is precisely the to view them as entirely inappropriate and inapplicable reverse, notwithstanding what has been represented by in the investigation of such dry and legal questions as ar numerous memorials here. I find, by the prices current, presented in this discussion. Were leven master of thes the markets about the same as they were at the corre- high and captivating attainments, which I do not profes sponding period of last year, in various parts of the State; I should prefer giving my views in the plain and unvar and that the price of labor is about the same as formerly. nished style of the constitution and laws of the country. I In 1829, as I have before stated, the treasury was ex- would beg leave, also, to remark, that when the hue and hausted, and not a dollar could be obtained on loan on cry was first raised about the removal of the deposites, it any terms, and the debt was about $10,000,000 for un- seemed to me, and still does so, in itself, to be a matter of finished and unprofitable works; but I see by a late re-no very important moment-a measure that had often port, made by the State treasurer, on a resolution of the been adopted before, without any excitement existing on House of Representatives, published in the Pennsylvania the subject; and that if the same proceedings had taken Reporter of 1st of April, that there was a balance in the place in relation to some humble individual, however hontreasury, after the payment of the interest on loans, &c. est and upright a citizen, it would have passed off in perof $367,423 30. I see by the same paper, of the 25th of fect silence. But the whole subject has had an artificial April, that the receipts of toll on the canal and railroad, and factitious importance attached to it, from the high counting until the 1st of May, were something more than pretensions and claims of the rich and powerful corpora$110,000; while those up to the same period last year tion whose interests are supposed to be affected by it. were but $34,238; making an increase of more than The zeal and noise manifested by that institution and its $75,000, and more than tripling the receipts of last year, advocates, on the removal of the deposites, reminded me By the report of the canal commissioners of that State, it of the old lady in the fable, who was disposed to shroud appears there are now finished, and in operation, six hun- the whole world in darkness, and throw all nature into dred and twenty-three miles of canal and railroad, and they confusion, simply because she had lost her favorite little are rapidly prosecuting to completion those parts under dog! But questions of the utmost magnitude, invohing contract and not yet finished, when there will be seven principles of the constitution and laws of the nation, and hundred and twenty miles in full operation. I see by the affecting the official acts of the highest public function Pennsylvania Reporter of the 2d of May, that five hun-aries, having been started upon this measure of the Govdred canal boats have been regularly registered, and now in ernment, and pushed with much weight of talent, and ap constant use, and twenty locomotive engines for the rail-parently earnest zeal of declamation, it becomes necessary roads-fifteen for the Columbia, and five for the Portage to give the subject a careful and extensive examination n railroad, and every newspaper and letter I receive from all its bearings; and although I cannot say, as has been