H. OF R.] Revolutionary Claims. [MARCH 4, 1834. evidence in the possession of the Government would then I understand it, the object of that act was, and must have at once be collected to one point, and made to bear upon been, an entirely different one. It provides for officers and every individual case. Few unjust claims would, in this soldiers, whereas officers alone are entitled to commutamode of procedure, escape a rejection; whereas now, they tion. It provides for living officers only, while commumay at times escape the vigilance of any committee upon whom the House may choose to throw the burden of investigating them. The bill before you, Mr. Speaker, would then, should it become a law, save the time of the House and the money of the Government. In would go far to insure the rejection of unjust claims, and accelerate the settlement of such as are just, not only of this class, but of all others left for the decision of Congress. It would insure the same measure of justice to one citizen which is granted to another; and could not fail, by equal, exact, and speedy justice, of giving satisfaction to all parties. tation is a right descending to heirs. It grants no higher pay than that of a captain, no matter what rank may have been held; whereas five years' full pay, according to the rank of the officers, is the commutation of half pay for life granted by the resolve of March, 1783. Sir, the object of the act of 1828 was to show the gratitude of the nation for the services rendered by the officers and soldiers who continued in the service to the close of the war, and to compensate, in some measure, for their endured losses and privations of every description. The claims provided for by the present bill, on the other hand, are founded upon express contract between the then existing But the gentleman from New Hampshire [Mr. PIERCE] Government and the officers of the army. The original complains that all proofs for the validity of these claims contract was, that those who had served until the spring are made to rest upon presumption, and mere presump- of 1781, when the reorganization of the army under the tion. Far from it, Mr. Speaker. The gentleman has resolutions of October, 1780, took place, should have misapprehended the intentions of the committee. Under half pay for life; and that those also who continued in the the bill, absolute, positive proof of service is required, to service to the end of the war, in addition to their full pay the year 1781, when the army of the revolution was re- during such continuance, should be entitled to half pay organized, under the resolution of October, 1780; it is in during life, to commence from the time of their reducfact required to the virtual close of the war, when the tion. In 1783, owing to the unpopularity of this mode equity of the case would require the admission of the of payment, it appearing to create something like a priclaim. If presumptions are admitted after that period, vileged class, the contract was changed with the consent who will venture to assert that they are unreasonable? Is of parties. The half pay for life was commuted by a it unreasonable to suppose that an officer, who had served grant of five years' full pay. This was accepted, not by until the war was considered as at an end, would not officers individually, but by lines and corps not belonging voluntarily resign his commission; that he would hold to to particular States, by the officers of the hospital departthe advantages promised him if he should continue in the ment, and by the retired officers in each State collectiveservice a short time longer, when there was in fact little ly. Can it be doubted for a moment that the officers of fatigue and less danger connected with the service? the army, who fulfilled their part of the contract, have a Surely, there is nothing unreasonable in such a presump-right to look to the Government for a fulfilment of its tion. Would not self-interest, honor, the known attach promise? Can it be doubted whether the Government is ment formed to military life by a long continuance in it, bound to make its contract good? There is no escaping, lead to the presumption that the great mass of officers Mr. Speaker. Pay them you must--those, I mean, who would hold to their commissions until a disbandment of retired under the resolves of 1783, and the consequent the army took place? new arrangement of the army, and those who served to the end of the war, unless you choose condescending to plead the limitation act, and to commit the most gross and outrageous injustice. If there be presumptions as to any part of the evidence, they are such, Mr. Speaker, as have been admitted by wiser heads than mine, or, perhaps, than that of my young, estimable, and talented friend from New HampThe great mass of these claims, it is admitted, have shire. The fathers of the nation-the Senate--have acted already been paid, perhaps nineteen out of every twenty. upon them for many years past, and the House has fol- If, comparatively speaking, some few remain unpaid, it lowed the example set by the Senate. Nay, sir, both was in most cases not owing to an ignorance of their Houses have for years past, not only acted upon some rights in the claimants, as the gentleman from New York presumptive proof, but they have acted upon the admitted would seem to say the committee had insinuated, but fact, that service was not continued longer than the cap-to the particular mode (collectively by a majority) in ture of York, in 1781. Thus, in the case of General which the commutation had been accepted-to patriotism, Hamilton's heirs, when the general was known to have which held many back from asking what they well knew retired after that event, considered as the close of the an impoverished Government could not easily pay; to a war, commutation pay was granted by both Houses, with knowledge that the certificate granted in lieu of pay was little or no difficulty. at that time scarcely worth asking for; and to other The argument of the gentleman from New Hampshire causes, detailed by the committee in their report. goes, however, in fact, not so much against the admission Sir, instead of the act of May, 1828, being considered of presumptive evidence, as against the admission of any as making compensation for commutation pay, the very claim on the part of the retiring officers under the re-reverse is the case. Having received commutation entisolves of 1780. If I understood him correctly, his argu-tles to the benefits of the act of 1828, and receiving the ments, if they are to have any weight, must lead to that benefits of that act entitles to commutation, if not before result--an injustice he certainly could never have intend-received; although half pay under the Virginia laws, noted-an injustice, at all events, so crying, that this House withstanding the assertion of the gentleman from New never will, never can, think of s.nctioning it. York, will exclude, and necessarily exclude, from comAs to the objections raised by the gentleman from New mutation. A right to commutation, and a title to the York, [Mr. VANDERPOEL,] they are so evidently founded benefits of the act of 1828, are necessarily connected one upon a misapprehension of the whole subject, that it is with the other, both requiring the same services, although scarcely necessary to give them a reply. Leaving the they are entirely different rewards. Thus, when the mass of the gentleman's strange assertions to other gen- Treasury Department, under whose direction the act of tlemen of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, I will 1828 is executed, asks for the proofs which are to entitle make a few remarks upon his principal objection. He the claimants to the benefit of that act, it requires them says the act of May 15, 1828, made provision for these to declare this being the strongest possible proof of the claims, and was intended for that purpose. Now, sir, if claim being a valid one--it requires them to declare that his seat. [H. OF R. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5. Mr. EWING moved to suspend the rule, in order to proceed in the call of the States for petitions; but withdrew it. Mr. VANCE renewed the motion, and called for the yeas and nays upon it; which were ordered. Mr. GORHAM asked whether the Virginia resolutions would not have the preference, in case the motion prevailed? The CHAIR replied, Yes, unless those resolutions were postponed. Mr. J. Q. ADAMS moved to amend the motion to suspend, by adding the words "for the purpose of receiving petitions and memorials, with the exception of the Virginia resolutions.” they have received their commutation certificates. Here, sir, is the form of a declaration, prepared at the Treasury LEVI LINCOLN, member elect from Massachusetts, Department, which applicants for the benefits of the act of 1828 are requested to sign. It runs thus: "For the coming to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of purpose of obtaining the benefits of an art entitled An JOHN DAVIS, resigned, appeared, was sworn, and took act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the revolution,' approved May 15, 1828, I, &c., do hereby declare that I was an officer of the continental line of the army of the revolution, and served as such, (here insert to the end of the war,' or as the case may be,) to the time when the arrangement of the army, provided by the resolves of Congress of the 3d and 21st of October, 1780, was carried into effect, and that I was reduced under that arrangement; and I also declare that I afterwards received certificates, commonly called commutation certificates, for a sum equal to the amount of five years' full pay, which sum was offered by the resolves of Congress of the 22d of March, 1783, instead of the half pay for life to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 21st of October, 1780." Can any thing, Mr. Speaker, be more clear, positive, and decisive? Thus After some conversation on the question of order, the the Treasury Department has acted and continued to act. CHAIR suggested that the member from Virginia, who And what has been the course of Congress? Does its was entitled to the floor, might obviate the difficulty by action show in what light the case has been received? yielding the floor till Monday. Mr. GHOLSON said he was not disposed to speak to Most distinctly. At one session it passes an act to give to Job I. Jacobs the benefits of the act of 1828, and at an- an unwilling audience; and if the House wished to pass other session it passes an act giving him his commutation. over the Virginia resolutions for the present, he would At one session it gives to Ephraim Whitaker the benefits yield the floor for that purpose, with the understanding of the act of 1828, and at another it gives him commuta-that he should proceed in his remarks when the call of tion. Do gentlemen, can gentlemen, desire any thing the States was concluded. more? If the gentleman from New York will be candid, he will admit that he was under wrong impressions. Upon the last case, the case of Whitaker, he has himself acted but a few weeks since; he approved of it, because, though The SPEAKER replied, that the Chair had endeavorhe may not have voted, silence here gives consent. In ed to restrict the discussions within the rule, but that cases of this kind, there is in fact no excuse. Let no man he had been repeatedly overruled by the House. He did complain that a bill passes sub silentio, as the gentleman not consider that the Chair was responsible for the course has said. When bills of this description are reported to which the House had determined to take. the House, they are invariably accompanied by a report, detailing the facts of the case and the evidence by which it is supported. This report is laid upon the desks of members; if they do not choose to read it, if they do not choose to be in their places when the bill is considered in Monday next. the Committee of the Whole, if they do not at the proper time make objections, are they entitled afterwards to complain of a bill passing sub silentio; or is it expected that Mr. WILSON presented a memorial from the town of committees shall themselves raise objections to their own Wheeling, Virginia, subscribed by about 500 of the citibills and reports, and thus call upon gentlemen to deliver zens of that town, comprising much of the wealth, respeeches where they are deemed unnecessary by the com-spectability, and business class of that community; also, mittee? Mr. WAYNE made some remarks in reference to the impropriety of allowing so wide a range of discussion upon the presentation of petitions, memorials, &c. The question being taken upon the motion to suspend WHEELING (Va.) MEMORIAL. a petition from the neighborhood of Wheeling, in Ohio county, Virginia, subscribed by more than 100 persons; both complaining of the existing pressure among all classes of the community, and praying Congress to afford relief, by restoring the public deposites, and rechartering the present, or chartering a new Bank of the United States, with proper modifications. But, Mr. Speaker, I will not myself take up the time of the House unnecessarily. If ever justice and expe. diency required the passage of any law, I will venture to assert that it is the passage of this. Sir, I have waded in these claims for three years, and I make the assertion after a full examination. The passage of the law on your table, I repeat it, will save the time of the House and Mr. W. observed, that he had desired to present the money of the treasury; it will render the rejection of his views concisely in relation to the subject embrac unjust claims nearly certain, and accelerate the settlemented in these petitions; but, as the rules of this House of just claims of this description, and of all others left for had been suspended for the purpose of presenting pethe decision of Congress. It will insure the same mea-titions, with the understanding that no discussion would sure of justice to one citizen which another has received, ensue, he would not violate that understanding, but preand will, by speedy, exact, and equal justice, go far to satisfy all parties. With these few observations, I cheerfully leave the fate of the bill to the good sense, the justice, and experience of the House. Its decision, after hearing some of my colleagues of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, will no doubt be a correct one. Mr. BROWN then rose, and intimated an intention to speak upon the subject; but, as the usual hour of adjournment had arrived, he moved that the House adjourn. The motion prevailed, and the House adjourned. sent them, merely observing that he could vouch for the truth of the facts contained in those memorials, as coming from men of high respectability and worth. He asked laid on the table; and that direction given to them which that the memorials may be read, and, for the present, may hereafter be given to the report of the Finance Committee, and that they be printed; which was agreed to. AUGUSTA (Ga.) MEMORIAL. Mr. WILDE said he had been requested to present the memorial of upwards of four hundred of the inhabitants H. OF R.] Sundry Memorials, &c. [MARCH 5, 1834. chairman of the committee appointed for that purpose: "Depend upon it, sir, the war of our National Government against our National Bank is carried on at the expense of millions to the people." of the city of Augusta and its vicinity, praying that the gentleman who had transmitted the memorial to him-the former relations between the Government of the United States and the Bank of the United States might be restored; the engagements of the Government with the bank, in relation to the safe-keeping of the public funds, fulfilled; and the bank itself rechartered, or a substitute provided. Mr. W. said, as the rule confining the presentation of petitions to Monday had been suspended under an implied understanding that no discussion should take place, he would confine himself, as strictly as possible, to a statement of the contents of the memorial. Mr. WAYNE said that he rose not to complain of the remarks which had fallen from his colleague; all that he had stated was, no doubt, perfectly correct; and the manner in which he had presented the memorial was perfectly decorous and unexceptionable. But, as this was probably the first in a series of petitions from his own State, and as he understood that the whole delegation He asked, however, to be permitted to state, that the were to be furnished with copies, he thought it right to city of Augusta, situated on the right bank of the Savan- express at once his conviction that it would be wholly out nah river, at the head of steamboat navigation, is one of of his power to contribute any aid towards effecting the the most commercial inland towns in the Union. Its object here prayed for. From numerous letters received population is probably not more that seven thousand, but from all parts of the State, as well as from the aspect of the value of the cotton brought to that market, for seve- the papers published there, he was led to believe that ral years back, had not fallen short of five millions of dol- the sentiments expressed in this petition were far from lars annually, or about one-twelfth part of the whole do- being those of a majority of the citizens of Georgia. The mestic exports of the United States. The quantity dur- memorialists, no doubt very honestly, expressed their ing the present year is estimated, upon good authority, own views and opinions; but he fully expected that, bein a recent memorial to the General Post Office Depart- fore many days, the House would see memorials from this ment, at one hundred and eighty thousand bales; and the very city of Augusta, the number of the signers to which value thereof, and of the return cargoes of merchandise, would convince gentlemen that this paper did not exat fifteen millions of dollars. press the opinion of a majority of the citizens of that The memorialists being his immediate townsmen, and place. As it would be contrary to the general undermost of them personal acquaintances, it became him to standing under which the rules had been suspended to say a word or two respecting them. Among the signers enter into any debate, he should content himself with of this memorial were to be found merchants of high this declaration of what his own opinion was, and what character for intelligence and probity; respectable plant- his course would be. He desired that those, of whom his ers, lawyers, and physicians; and honest, industrious, colleague and himself were in common the Representand sagacious mechanics. atives, should at once be fully apprized of where he stood. None of them were capable of attempting to deceive others, or likely to be themselves deceived, concerning the effect of the recent measures of the Executive on the trade and currency of the country. The first name upon the list is that of the mayor of the city; a gentleman universally esteemed and beloved; a citizen of whose public spirit, enterprise, integrity, and benevolence any country might well be proud. The chairman of the public meeting which led to the memorial is a distinguished advocate, at the head of his profession in that place, often elevated by the voice of his fellow-citizens to posts of trust and honor, and bearing a high military commission during the late war. The memorial, on the motion of Mr. WILDE, was then read, and ordered to be printed, and the further consideration of it postponed until that day week, when the report of the Committee of Ways and Means comes up. LOUISVILLE (KENTUCKY) MEMORIAL. Mr. POPE presented two memorials, signed by up wards of a thousand inhabitants of Louisville, in the State of Kentucky, complaining of great pecuniary distress and commercial embarrassment, ascribing it to the removal of the deposites, and praying Congress to adopt such measures of relief as its wisdom might suggest; and, also, to pass an act rechartering the Bank of the United States, with modifications. By far the larger number of the memorialists were, he believed, what is called "Union men." They were of that party in the State most opposed to "nullification,' Mr. P. observed that he recognised among the signaand heretofore supporting, with the greatest zeal, the tures to the memorial the names of many active, industrimeasures of the President. But the meeting had been ous, enterprising, and highly intelligent merchants, mecalled, and the memorial was framed and signed, with-chanics, manufacturers, and professional gentlemen of out reference to party distinctions; and he found the Louisville-gentlemen whose opinions were entitled to signatures of some gentlemen of different political prin- great respect and consideration, either in Congress or ciples. elsewhere; and to whose better judgments he would wilHe hazarded nothing, however, in saying, with respect lingly defer on any occasion, if the act did not, in his own to all, that a more independent, honorable, and enlight- opinion, involve the sacrifice of vital interests. He moved ened body of memorialists was not to be found among that the memorials be read, laid upon the table, and any equal number of citizens who had ever brought their printed. grievances to the knowledge of that House. Few or none of them could be considered political agitators; and the greater part seldom interested themselves in public affairs, beyond the performance of those duties incumbent on all good citizens. Agreed to. PROCEEDINGS AT MADISON, INDIANA. Mr. CARR rose to present certain proceedings. He remarked that he held in his hand the proceedings of a meeting holden in the town of Madison, in the State of The language of their memorial is temperate and re- Indiana, on the 7th of February, 1834, in pursuance to spectful. It exhibits the deliberate opinions of freemen, previous notice given, for the purpose of taking into conexpressed plainly and briefly, but with dignity and cour-sideration the embarrassed state of the country, and the tesy. It contains no phrase which Americans of the most scrupulous delicacy need hesitate to use, when speaking of their public agents, their institutions, or fellow-citizens. He could not better sum up the conviction they expressed than in the brief and energetic language of the derangement of the currency. Mr. C. remarked that he had not been furnished with a copy of these proceedings in the usual manner in which proceedings of the like kind are generally received; that they had been sent to him by the persons who acted as secretaries to said meeting, in a newspaper published in the MARCH 5, 1834.] New Bedford Memorial. [H. of R. town of Madison, and enclosed to him, with a letter from ration and sale of the oil require another year. Thus the same gentlemen; that he had not been requested four years must elapse, after the ship is fitted out and by any person who attended the meeting to present these prepared and sent to sea, before the profit or income of proceedings to the House, nor did he know that it was the voyage can be realized. the wish of the meeting that he should do so; that he had not been informed as to the extent of the meeting, nor the number who were in attendance; but he was acquainted with the gentlemen who acted as officers to said meeting, as also those who composed the committee, whose duty it was made to draught the proceedings; and he knew them all to be highly respectable individuals. Their names were with the proceedings, and none others. Mr. C. felt it to be his duty, under all the circumstances, to ask leave of the House to present these proceedings. The memorialists observe "that, from the precarious and tardy manner in which the products of their industry are realized, they quickly feel any sudden and unexpected derangement of the currency, and that all who are engaged in the same pursuit must be similarly situated; that ten thousand seamen employed in this fishery, besides vast numbers of mechanics, laborers, and traders connected with it, are dependent upon the slow moving operation of their particular trade." This memorial, in fact, presents to this House the valuLeave being granted by the House, they were, upon able and important national interest of the whale fishery. the motion of Mr. C., read, and ordered to be printed; and In this fishery, owners, masters, and seamen, are all partthe same direction was given them that was given to pro-ners; and by their admirable arrangement, skill, industry, ceedings of the like character from other States. NEW BEDFORD MEMORIAL. and daring intrepidity, they have surpassed all other nations, and have been eminently successful. They have been successful under the general protection of our GovMr. REED said he had been requested to present the ernment, but have received no extraordinary aid. Not so memorial of the citizens of the collection district of New with European nations; they have given great encourageBedford, in the State of Massachusetts. This memorial ment by direct bounties and duties. Now the prospect is, (said Mr. R.) is signed by one thousand nine hundred and that not only the owner of these ships, but the ten thoutwenty-two citizens, living in New Bedford, Fair Haven, sand seamen, partners in the business, after the expiration Wareham, Rochester, and Dartmouth. It had been signed of the three years' voyage, when they return, must go to by almost all the citizens of those towns who were at their families pennyless: I fear they may not have a dollar home, and who had an opportunity; perhaps twenty have to receive. This memorial presents to the consideration declined. But it cannot be pretended that there is any of this House the vast national importance of the whale dispute or division of opinion upon the subject. They fishery. It affords light and comfort-it affords encourwill send no counter-memorial here, for party and politi-agement and profit to those who furnish the timber for the cal dissensions are suppressed and forgotten in the gene-ships, from one end of the United States to the other-to ral and deep distress which pervades that part of the numerous mechanics and ship-builders-to the farmer and country. All unite in the desire to present to the Gov-planter, who furnish provisions and supplies. The capiernment of their country their true situation, and, if pos- tal employed is great, and in every view the national intersible, to persuade the Government to change its present est is great. But the main and principal national benefit ruinous policy, and thereby relieve all from present and is preparation for national defence. By means of this future embarrassment and distress. fishery, we have an army of seamen trained and rendered most skilful and daring for our defence. They cost nothing in time of peace. In case of war, they are ready and able to defend their country; and no signal victory, on the ocean or lakes, has or ever will be gained without their efficient aid. In presenting this memorial, I hesitate not to declare (said Mr. R.) that the signers are as intelligent, honorable, industrious, enterprising, and useful citizens as can be found in any other part of the country, and have a just claim to the regard and consideration of this House. [Here the SPEAKER interposed, and said the gentleman from Massachusetts must confine himself strictly to the rule, and briefly state the substance of the memorial.] These memorialists state that they have met with severe disasters in the prosecution of their legitimate business. They candidly admit that a part of their sufferings is owing Mr. R. proceeded: I am fully aware that the privilege to over-trading and speculation; and, standing here as of presenting memorials this day is, in some measure, a their representative, I do not desire to pass over that adfavor, and I shall not abuse that privilege. I do not pur-mission unnoticed. I wish to put this House in possession, pose to pursue the course which has prevailed of late in not only of the truth, but the whole truth, touching this this House; but the memorial which I hold in my hand is subject. But they insist that the distressing calamity they an unusual and extraordinary one for the part of the now suffer is mainly owing to the pressure and panic concountry from whence it comes. No memorial containing sequent upon the removal of the public deposites. They that number of names, or any thing like it, was ever pre-aver that no caution, no activity, no foresight, could have sented to Congress from that place at any former period. averted the blow. It came upon them like a tornado, and It shows a state of feeling, suffering, and excitement very they had no warning to reef or furl their sails, and many unusual, and I am sure this House cannot be unwilling to must be more or less torn and shattered, and not a few know the fact and its cause. utterly shipwrecked. I beg (said Mr. R.) to call the particular attention of The memorialists believe their distress has arisen from this House to some important facts and arguments in this the withdrawal of the deposites, and other measures of memorial. They state that the collection district of New the Executive in relation to the Bank of the United Bedford is the fourth district in the United States as to States. By withdrawing the deposites, the Bank of the its navigation and tonnage. This fact deserves some con- United States was compelled to curtail its discounts and sideration: it shows that it is a place of activity, enterprise, reduce its paper in circulation. But here it is worthy of business, and consequence. Their shipping amounts, I particular notice, that State banks have been compelled think, to more than seventy thousand tons. They are to reduce their discounts and money in circulation, by principally engaged in the whale fishery, and have now still more severe restrictions; for the plain reason, that in that employment one hundred and twenty ships, and twenty-three vessels of less dimensions. These ships amount to more than one-third, and almost one-half of the whale fishery of the United States. This fishery is carried on principally in the Pacific Ocean, and three years may be fairly estimated as the period of a voyage; the prepa- [amounts to VOL. X.-182 they had less specie in their vaults, in proportion to their paper in circulation, than the Bank of the United States. It is well known that there is no branch of the United States Bank in New Bedford. New Bedford has four banks, whose capital, united, $1,300,000 H. OF R.] In October last, they had in circulation, Which shows a reduction of The Public Deposites. [MARCH 6, 1834. $260,000 ly owing to a general panic and want of confidence. 147,000 Surely, then, they can have no motive or desire to exag gerate their distress; for by so doing they must be likely $113,000 to excite further alarm, and thereby increase the very calamity of which they complain. If the other banks in Massachusetts have made similar curtailment in their issues, it will amount to no less than $3,430,000. If the reduction has not been in the same proportion in other parts of the country, it has, and must continue to be, very great, sudden, and unlooked for, insomuch that thousands and thousands of solvent debtors will be overwhelmed and ruined. Sir, this memorial contains statements of facts and arguments, presented plainly and forcibly, by wise and practical men, well deserving the grave consideration of this House. They are anxious to sustain the currency of the country upon the basis of specie; but they view the attempt, or experiment, of returning to a hard money currency, as idle, impracticable, and injurious. These memorialists, apprehending that the policy inThe memorialists state that the present system of cur dicated by the Executive may for a season be supported, rency, adopted by the most civilized nations, is the very feel the more anxious to present their memorial to the life-blood of commerce; that the policy of the rest of the attention of this House, because in the future they fear world is settled, and we have no power to resist it; and still deeper distress instead of relief. If the restoration to attempt to establish a specie currency, must be a useof the deposites might afford relief for a season, as I be-less, vexatious, and ruinous experiment. may be read by the Clerk, printed, and laid upon the table. lieve it would, they look still beyond that period-they I have felt fully justified, indeed I have felt impelled call the attention of this House to permanent relief. They by a sense of duty, to submit the above considerations to I now move that this memorial believe, and present the most cogent and forcible facts and the notice of this House. arguments, drawn from experience, to prove that permanent relief can be afforded only by a Bank of the United States. They desire that the present Bank of the United States may be rechartered, or that a new bank may be established and chartered to take its place. They observe, that they believe past experience, as well as present necessity, demands a recharter of the present Bank of the United States, or a bank of somewhat similar organization. "Twice has this country felt the full weight of calamities incident to a depreciated and unregulated paper currency; and twice has a national bank restored credit and security and prosperity to the country." The memorialists have an extensive commerce, not only with foreign countries, but with all parts of the United States. The question must be asked again and again, Agreed to. Numerous other memorials were presented to-day, the call having been made on all the States; after which, The House adjourned. THURSDAY, MARCH 6. PUBLIC DEPOSITES. The resolution of Mr. MARDIS, on the subject of the deposites, coming up once more Mr. CLOWNEY, of South Carolina, resumed and concluded his remarks in opposition to the resolution; as given entire in preceding pages. Mr. CLAYTON, of Georgia, then rose and addressed the Chair as follows: how can the vast commerce of hundreds of millions annually, so profitable and so useful to all parts of the United States, be successfully prosecuted without a sound Mr. Speaker: If at an early period of this question, preand stable currency? What power have we over the cur-sented now in a new shape, the rules of the House had rency of the country? What shall be the future standard? perinitted me to have succinctly explained the reasons What the weight? What the measure? What the value for my present position, I should not now have drawn upof property? Can we control the money and currency of on a patience which seems to be entirely exhausted. But the country but by the power and instrumentality of a it will be recollected I promised such explanation; and, Bank of the United States? although it might be cheerfully excused here, yet clseNo one pretends to call in question the constitutional where it may have excited expectations that will not right of each State in the Union to charter as many yield a similar indulgence. banks as it may choose, and under such regulations and I shall consider this question what it really is, one exrestrictions as it may think fit. Thus we have twenty-clusively of power. My views shall be directed to that four States, with hundreds of banks, and hundreds of mil point chiefly; and I shall leave the suggestion, that it inlions of bank bills now in circulation, over which we have volves the recharter of the bank, with but a few pasno control. If there be any other mode of regulating sing remarks to those who have more alarms on that subthe currency of the country, except by a Bank of the ject than I either feel or foresee. United States, let it be presented; let it be examined and considered. Before I proceed farther, I must pay my respects to the gentleman from Alabama, [Mr. MARDIS,] as he made me the subject principally of his speech. And, first, if The memorialists desire a Bank of the United States, to collect and distribute the national revenue, as the only it is a matter of so much concern to him to see the course safe depository of the public funds. Of more than four I am taking, what am I to think of his? If the adminishundred millions collected and distributed by that bank, tration have done nothing wrong, if they had a right to not a dollar has been lost. But we have lost, by a short take the public funds from the Bank of the United States, experiment with State banks, from one to two millions of and place them, by contract, in the State banks, wheredollars; with interest, it would now amount to more than fore the necessity of his proposition to legislate upon the four millions, called, in our Treasury reports, unavailable subject, and to provide a new place of deposite? He funds; but, in reality, State bank bills or notes good for contends that this was done by virtue of a lawful power nothing. in the President, and yet is afraid to trust its further exMr. Speaker, the memorialists are wise and practical ercise in that quarter. If it is his right, it cannot belong men, and prefer, in money concerns, and in those mea- to Congress, and we shall be impertinently intermedsures which affect the currency of the country, experi-dling with the rights of the Executive. Persons, when ence to experiment. They express an apprehension they speak in one place to be heard in another, are quite that the evil of which they complain will be extended to apt to overlook the very inconsistency in themselves all parts of the country, and greatly aggravate the pre- which they think they see in others. Now, sir, for my sent calamity. They urge that their sufferings are main-part, I would want no better proof of the illegality of a |