3D SESS.] Adjournment. [MARCH, 1839. would require no extensive evidence to support | stating that they still insisted, and asked a it. A standing committee was to carry it: committee of conference, having appointed a that committee was to be joint: it was to be committee of three on their part. composed of two members from each House; and these two members of each House were to make report to their Houses respectively that the bill had been presented, carefully stating the day on which it was presented; and then this report was to be entered on the journals of each House. [Mr. B. here read the rules, to show that he stated them correctly.] He said these rules could not have been complied with in this case. The joint standing committee was dissolved by the dissolution of the House of Representatives. The half committee of the Senate was a nonenity without the other half from the House of Representatives. No record could be made in the House of Representatives, which had been adjourned for two hours, and no such record can be made here, as the rules imperatively require. I call the attention of the Secretary of the Senate to the rules in the entry which he is to make. The Senators will report what they have done; and that is, they went without the committee of the House to the President, and went on the 4th of March; and there ends the work for which we have been kept here so many hours. It drops now, as I proposed it should drop three hours ago. Mr. MERRICK reported that within the last hour the committee had placed in the hands of the President a joint resolution for the distribution, in part, of the Madison papers. Mr. TALLMADGE moved that the Senate adjourn sine die. Mr. BENTON asked if a minority of the Senate could adjourn sine die. He thought they could only adjourn from day to day, until a quorum was present. The PRESIDENT decided that the Senate could adjourn sine die, and Mr. CAMBRELENG moved to concur in the resolution for a conference, which was agreed to, and, on his motion, a committee of three was appointed on the part of the House, consisting of Mr. BOND of Ohio, Mr. ATHERTON of New Hampshire, and Mr. LINCOLN of Massachusetts. About seven o'clock at night, Mr. BOND made a report from the Committee of Conference, which recommended the Senate, in part, to recede, and in part to insist, upon their amendment, with the addition that the printing shall be executed in the city of Washington; and recommended that the Senate recede from part of their amendment striking out the appropriation for the Documentary History, but only so far as the House was concerned, the Senate abstaining from taking the books. The report was concurred in without a division; but, at a subsequent stage, at the instance of Mr. BELL, Mr. BOND moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the last matter was agreed to; and, after a desultory discussion by Messrs. BOND, LINCOLN, and BELL, Mr. WILLIAMS, of Kentucky, said that, rather than peril a bill upon which the temporary existence of the Government depended, upon a mere point of etiquette, he should demand the previous question; and it was seconded, carried, and the main question ordered and put, when the House refused to reconsider-ayes 54, nays 84. On motion of Mr. CAMBRELENG, the House went into Committee on the Union, Mr. BRIGGS in the chair. Madison Papers. The House concurred in the resolution of the Senate to suspend the 16th and 17th joint rules The Senate adjourned sine die at 20 minutes of the House, so as to pass a joint resolution to past 4 o'clock, A. M. provide for the distribution, in part, of the Madison papers. The joint resolution was soon after received, and, having been read twice, Mr. WISE briefly supported it. Mr. PETRIKIN was not opposed to the resolution, but he would take that occasion to remark that the charge brought by Mr. BELL against the Senate was now proven to be unfounded. The resolution was then put on its third reading, and the question being on its passage Mr. DROMGOOLE called for the yeas and nays; but they were refused, and the resolution was passed without a division. Adjournment. Mr. CUSHMAN, from the Joint Committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him that, unless he had further communications to make, both 778 MARCH, 1839.] ABRIDGMENT OF THE DEBATES OF CONGRESS. Adjournment. Houses were ready to close the present session, reported that they had performed that duty, and were informed by the President that he had no further communication, but he wished the members all a safe and happy return to their homes. A motion was made by Mr. CONNOR that the House adjourn without day, when The SPEAKER rose, and addressed the House as follows: Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: In taking leave of this body, in all probability forever, emotions are excited which no language can adequately convey. When I look back to the period when I first took my seat in this House, and then look around me for those who were at that time my associates here, I find but few, very few, remaining. But five members who were here with me fourteen years ago, continue to be members of this body. My service here has been constant and laborious. I can, perhaps, say what but few others, if any, can-that I have not failed to attend the daily sittings of this House a single day since I have been a member of it, save on a single occasion, when prevented for a short time by indisposition. In my intercourse with the members of this body, when I occupied a place upon the floor, though occasionally engaged in debates upon interesting public questions, and of an exciting character, it is a source of unmingled gratification to me to recur to the fact, that on no occasion was there the slightest personal or unpleasant collision with any of its members. Maintaining, and at all times expressing, my own opinions firmly, the same right was fully conceded to others. Our discussions were at that time conducted with that courtesy and decorum, and respect for the opinion of others, which ought ever to prevail in a deliberative assembly. For four years past the station I have occupied, and a sense of propriety, in the divided and unusually excited state of public opinion and feeling, which has existed both in this House and in the country, have precluded me from participating in your debates. Other duties were assigned me. The high office of Speaker, to which it has been twice the pleasure of this House to elevate me, has been at all times one of labor and high responsibility. Its difficult, and often delicate, duties have been fully appreciated and freely expressed by all my predecessors. They have all borne testimony to the difficulty, nay, impossibility, of discharging its duties with entire satisfaction to all, especially in seasons of high political or party excitement. Whilst they have borne this testimony, I think I may truly affirm that none of them have had a severer ordeal to pass than has fallen to my lot. Frequent have been the occasions when, but for the indulgent and liberal support at all times given to me by this House, I should have been utterly unable to preserve that order and decorum which should ever attend the [25TH CONG., 3D SESS, deliberations of the representatives of the people. It has been made my duty to decide more questions of parliamentary law and of order, many of them of a complex and difficult character, arising often in the midst of high excitement, in the course of our proceedings, than had been decided, it is believed, by all my predecessors, from the foundation of this Government. This House has uniformly sustained me, without distinction of the political parties of which it has been composed. Our records will show, that upon the numerous appeals which have been taken to the House, I have been sustained by both political parties, and often by decided and large majorities. Though doubtless I may often have fallen into error in promptly deciding novel questions, suddenly raised, I trust it was not on points material, and I know it was never intended. I return to this House my thanks for their constant support in the discharge of the arduous and difficult duties I have had to perform. But, gentlemen, my acknowledgments are espe cially due to the majority of this House for the high and flattering evidence they have given me of their approbation of my conduct as the presiding officer of the House, by the resolution you have been pleased to pass. I regard this as the highest and most valued testimonial I have ever received from this House, because I know that the circumstances under which it has passed has made it matter of substance, and not of mere form. I regard it as of infinitely more value than if it had been the common matter-ofcourse and customary resolution, which, in the cour tesy usually prevailing between the presiding officer and the members of any deliberative assembly, is always passed at the close of their deliberations. That is unmeaning-is indiscriminately conferred—is a mere act of courtesy, and possesses, comparatively, but little value. I return to the majority of this House, what I sincerely feel, my grateful thanks for this high evidence of their approbation and regard, given, as it has been, at a time of high party excite ment, which, in the accomplishment of party and political objects, but too often disregards all other considerations. I shall bear it in grateful remem brance to the latest hour of my life. I trust this high office may in future times be filled, as doubtless it will be, by abler men. It cannot, I know, be filled by any one who will devote himself with more zeal and untiring industry to do his whole duty than I have done. We are now about to separate, many of us never again to meet. I wish you, gentlemen, a safe return to your families and friends; and whatever our respective future destinies may be, my prayer to a beneficent and overruling Providence is, that our future lives may be useful and happy. The SPEAKER then announced that the House stood adjourned without day. The House, at two o'clock, A. M., adjourned sine die. INDEX TO VOL. XIII. Amendment of the Constitution.-See Index, vols. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9. A. B. Plot, The.-See Index, vol. 8, Edwards, Ninian, Ad- AMERICA VESPUCCI.-In the Senate, a report on the memodress of. ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY, Representative from Massachusetts, 8, 460; on slavery petitions, 8; relative to Seminole hostilities, 12; on the admission of Michigan, 30; on the admission of Arkansas, 32; on the decease of Madison, 37; on copyright to foreigners, 248; presents abolition petitions, 254, 255, 256; on the Exploring Expedition, 257; presents a petition from Fredericksburg, 266; one from twenty-two slaves, 266; on the petition from slaves, 269; on resolution of censure, 273; his explanation against a resolution of censure, 283; on correspondence with Mexico, 463; on treasury notes, 497; on the Mississippi election, 499; on the Florida War, 525; on Patton's resolutions, 566; on Anti-slavery petitions, 628; on Texas annexation, 687; presents Anti-slavery petitions, 715; on the Maine boundary, 767. See Index, vols. 2, 8, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Addresses of the Senate and House in answer to Presi- Adjournment of Congress.-See Index, vols. 7, 10. Africans captured.-See Index, vol. 9. Agriculture, committee on.-See Index, vol. 8. ALFORD, - Representative from Georgia, 256; on re- Algerine War.-See Index, vol. 1. | rial of, 753. AMY DARDIN's Horse.-See Index, vols. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11. APPLEBY, GILMAN, affidavit on invasion of American soil, Appointments, Executive.-See Index, vol. 5. Unexpended. In the Senate, a motion to print report Supplementary report prepared by Mr. John Q. Adams, 31; report, 82. Arkansas, vote for President in 1836, 280. Allegiance, foreign.-See Index, vol. 1; also Index, vols. Army.-See Index, vols. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10. 2, 5, 6, Expatriation. ALLAN, CHILTON, Representative from Kentucky, 4. See Index, vols. 11, 12. Army Desertion, prevention of.-See Index, vol. 8, and Index, vol. 9, Desertion. ASH, MICHAEL W., Representative from Pennsylvania, 8. ALLEN, HOMAN, Representative from Vermont, 8, 460. See ASHLEY, WILLIAM H., Representative from Missouri, 4. See Inder, vols. 11, 12. Index, vols. 11, 12. ALLEN, JOHN W., Representative from Ohio, 461. See In- Assassination of the President, attempted.-See Index, dex, vol. 12. ALLEN, THOMAS, elected printer to the House, 461. Amelia Island.-See Index, vol. 6. vol. 12. Assaults on the President's Secretary.-See Index, vol. 10. ATHERTON, CHARLES J., Representative from New Hampshire, 460; on postponing the fourth instalment, 473; on the rights of the South, 708. Attack on the Caroline.-In the House, a resolution of inquiry relative to, submitted, 616, 715. Amendment of the Journal of the House.-See Index, Attorney General, office of.-See Index, vol. 10. vol. 7. AYCRIGG, JOHN B., Representative from New Jersey, 460. B Bahama Banks.-See Index, vol. 9. BEARDSLEY, SAMUEL, Representative from New York, 8; on admitting the Michigan Representative, 11. See In dex, vols. 11, 12. BEATTY, WILLIAM, Representative from Pennsylvania, 460 BAILEY, JEREMIAH, Representative from Maine, 3. 11. Bank and State, divorce of.-In the House, a report on, 641. Bank of the United States.-In the House, a bill reported to punish the re-issue of the notes of the United States Bank, 307; a resolution relative to re-issue of notes of, considered, 314. In the Senate, report on a petition for, 408; prayer of the petition rejected, 408. In the House, a resolution that it is inexpedient to establish, offered, 479; remarks, 479; vote, 479; vote on the resolution, 507. See Index, vols. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12. Bank Notes for Government Dues.-In the Senate, a report on the resolution to make bank notes receivable, 668; motion to print carried, 668; 30,000 copies ordered, 668, Bank Notes in Payment of Duties.-See Index, vol. 7. Banks, Deposit.-In the House, a resolution to inquire into considered, 16; amendment moved, 19; was the information desirable? 19. See Index, vols. 7-12. Bank of England.-See Index, vol. 11. BANKS, JOHN, Representative from Pennsylvania, 3. See Index, vols. 11, 12. BANKS, LINN, Representative from Virginia, 679. Bankruptcy, Law of, applicable to Banks.-In the Senate, a motion to discharge the committee, 449; the recommendation of the message, 449; objections twofold, 449; consistency of the President in making such a recommendation, 449; the recommendation of the message, 450; constitutional right and expediency of passing such an act, 450; power to pass bankrupt laws given in the constitution, 450; Congress is not confined like the Judiciary to the English statutory definitions, 451; we are not confined to the modern English acceptation of the term bankrupt, 451; acts passed by Parliament upon this subject, 452; extent of those acts, 452; proof from English precedents, 453; do bankrupt laws ordinarily extend to moneyed corporations, it is asked, 454; the question of corporation unliability in England, 454; such laws ordinarily extend to corporations, 455; practice in this country, 455; it is said the object of bankrupt laws has no relation to currency, 455, 456; act of 1798, 456; banks of circulation are the fittest subjects for bankrupt laws, 457; three most vital prohibitions of our constitution now trodden under foot, 458; it is said bankruptcy is a severe remedy to apply to banks, 458; motion to discharge laid over, 458; agreed to, 459. In the House, an inquiry relative to a bill respecting, 468; opinion of the President when a member of the Senate, 468; course of the committee uncertain, 469; will not report a bill, 472. Bankrupt Act.-See Index, vols. 2, 3, 7. BAYARD, RICHARD H., on the admission of Michigan, 85; on the expunging resolution, 180; Senator from Delaware, 339; on the sub-Treasury, 432; offers expunging resolutions, 556; on Calhoun's resolutions, 593. See Index, vol. 12. BEALE, JAMES M. H., Representative from Virginia. See Index, vol. 12. BEAN, BENNING M., Representative from New Hampshire, 8. See Index, vol. 12, BEERS, Representative from New York, 659. BEIRNE, ANDREW, Representative from Virginia, 460. Belgium, trade with.-In the Senate, bill relative to the duties on Belgium vessels and cargoes considered, 191; its object, 191; comparative state of Dutch and American tonnage, 192; the cause of difference, 192. Belgium, mission to.-See Index, vol. 11. BALL, JOHN, Representative from Tennessee, 4, 401; on deposits with the States, 309; on the fortification bill, 533335; on the death of James Standifer, 461; on payment of specie to members, 462; on the fourth instalment 466; on treasury notes, 497; on the treasury note bill 516: on the death of Cilley, 636. See Inder, vols. 7, 10, 11, 12. BENTON, THOMAS H., gives notice of the expunging resolution, 57; offers it, 65; on the treasury circular, 59; on the admission of Michigan, 65; on unexpended appropria tions, 68; on the admission of Michigan, 72, 83; on the expunging resolution, 99; on disturbance in the galleries, 156; on the treasury circular, 165; on the fortification bill, 191; Senator from Missouri, 339; on treasury notes, 886; on the sub-Treasury, 386; on the law of bankruptcy, 449; on small notes, 565; on books for members, 61; on the independent treasury, 648; on treasury notes, 677; on the Florida War, 685; on the fourth instalment, 708; on salt duties, 731; on silver coinage, 740; on book purchases, 760, 772, 774, 776. See Index, vols. 7, 8, 9, 14, 11, 12. BICKNELL, BENNET, Representative from New York, 460 BOND, WILLIAM K., Representative from Ohio, 4; on the distribution of books, 620. Books, purchase of.—In the House, a resolution relative ta, 15; its extent, 15; works in print, 15; the resolution adopts the precedent set by members of the last Congress, 16; more important in a public than private sense, 16; example of the British Government, 16; the treasury full, 16. Motion to strike out from the appropriation Lill, amount for the United States Documentary History, 17; a binding contract exists, 17; no injustice to strike out, 17; imposition, 17; extracts from the contract, 17; Hazard's work, views of Congress on, 18. Motion to notify the contractors to discontinue the work, 19; original motion lost, 19. A resolution relative to, considered, 619; all expendi tures except for the ordinary purposes of the House prohibited, 619; the new members should be placed on the same footing as the old, 620; not tied up by the proviso alluded to, 620; proviso invariably passed, 620; the resolution looks alone to the personal benefit of the members, 620; resolution passed, 621; motion to refer the resolution to the library committee, 188; reference In the Senate, a joint resolution offered, 637; laid on Resolution offered in the House, and ordered to a In the Senate, a motion to strike out the appropria- House disagree, 771; Senate insist and a conference Resolution relative to the Madison papers, 773; when BOON, RATLIFF, Representative from Indiana, 4, 461; on de- BOULDIN, JAMES W., Representative from Virginia, 3, 460; on receiving a petition from slaves, 268; on deposits BRIGGS, GEORGE, Representative from Massachusetts, 3, 460; British Aggressions on Commerce.-See Index, vol. 8. British Invasion of American Soil.-In the Senate, a mes- In the House, message and correspondence relative to In the Senate, same message and correspondence re- In the House, a message relative to, 605. British Minister, conduct of.—See Index, vol. 4. British West India Trade.-See Index, vol. 6. BRODHEAD, JOHN C., Representative from New York, 460. Brown, James, descendants of-In the House, a bill for the relief of, considered, 244; facts of the case, 244; can the Government allow the indemnity? 245; the Chero- No foundation in principle for the claim, 246; admit BRUYN, ANDREW D. W., Representative from New York, BUCHANAN, ANDREW, Representative from Pennsylvania, 3, BUCHANAN, JAMES, on the admission of Michigan, 70, 72, 78; Buffalo and New Orleans Road.-See Index, vol. 11. Burning of the Library of Congress.-See Index, vol. 5. See Index, vol. 12. Business of the Extra Session.-In the House, resolutions BYNUM, JESSE A., report on abolition petitions, 25; repre- C CALHOUN, WILLIAM B., Representative from Massachusetts, CALHOUN, JOHN, Representative from Kentucky, 4, 460. expended appropriations, 68; on the admission of Michi- |