the real fact, disguised by the common forms of quoting exchange on England at between 8 and 9 per cent. premium. 243 not Philadelphia paper ten per cent. worse than Boston, and that much better than Baltimore? Answer. Philadelphia paper was 17 per cent, worse than Boston paper-9 to 93 worse than New York paper Q. 2. Were not the State Banks indebted to the Government in large sums, which they could not have paid in sound currency? If so, to what amount? And did not the bank in many instances assume those debts, and pay them in good currency, (if so, to what amount?) and indulge those banks until it was convenient for them to pay? and did not the Bank lose money by such indulgence? A. In the years 1817 and 1818 the Government transferred to the bank at Philadelphia, from the State institutions, 7,472,419 87 dollars, which was cashed, and 3,336,691 67 dollars of special deposite, to be collected by the bank, making 10,809,111 54 dollars. The loss sustained by the bank, I cannot estimate. I should willingly compromise for a loss of only 200,000 dollars. Q. 3. Has the bank at any time oppressed any of the State banks? It would lead the committee too far from its present purpose to explain that the original estimate of the A-4 better than Baltimore. merican dollar, as being worth four shillings and sixpence, and that, therefore the English pound sterling is worth $4 44, is wholly erroneous, and occasions a constant misapprehension of the real state of our intercourse with Great Britain. The Spanish dollar has not, for a century, been worth four and six pence; the American dollar never was; and whatever artificial value we may assign to our coins, is wholly unavailing to them in the crucibles of London or Paris. According to the latest accounts from London, at the close of December last, the Spanish dollar, instead of being worth four shillings and sixpence, or 54 pence, was worth only 49 pence; the American dollar at least one-fourth per cent. less; so that to produce one hundred times four and sixpence, it would be necessary to send to England, not 100 dollars, but 109 1-16 Spanish dollars, or 1094 of the United States' dollars. If to this be added the expenses and charges of sending the money and converting it into English gold, it will cost 111; so that 111 is at this moment, the real par of exchange between the United States and England. If, therefore, a bill at sight can be procured for less than this sum, or a bill at sixty days for one per cent. less, say 110 per cent. it is cheaper than sending silver; that is to say, he who has silver to send to England can purchase a bill on London for a greater amount than he would get if he shipped the sil ver itself, and of course exchange would be in favor of the United States against England. Now, such bills can be bought at a less rate, by more than one per cent. in every city in the United States. This fact is conclusive as to the state of the currency. If the bank notes of the country were not equal to specie, specie would be at a premium, which it no where is at present. If the currency were unsound, more must be paid of that currency in order to produce an equal amount of coin in another country, where these bank notes do not circulate. But if, as is the case at present, the bank notes are convertible into specie, if you can buy with bank notes as much as you can buy with silver, and if, in the transactions of the country abroad, the merchants, who, if the notes were not equal to coin, would go to the bank and ship the coin, can pay as much debt in foreign countries with the notes as by sending the coin; there seems nothing wanting to complete the evidence of the soundness and uniformity of the currency. On the whole, the committee are of opinion that the present state of the currency is safe for the community, and eminently useful to the Government; that for some years past, it has been improving by the infusion into the circulating medium of a larger portion of coin, and the substitution of the paper of more solvent banks in lieu of those of inferior credit; and that, if left to the progress of existing laws and institutions, the partial inconveniences, which still remain, of the paper currency of the last war, will be wholly and insensibly remedied. Under these circumstances, they deem it prudent to abstain from all legislation; to abide by the practical good which the country enjoys, and to put nothing to hazard by doubtful experiments. The committee submit, for the information of the Senate, certain questions propounded to the President of the Bank of the United States, together with his answers thereto, and a document furnished by that officer, showing the rates of exchange at which drafts are drawn by the Bank of the United States and its offices of discount and deposite; and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject. Questions submitted to the President of the Bank of the Question 1. When the Bank went into operation, was A. Never. There are very few banks which might not have been destroyed by an exertion of the power of the bank. None have ever been injured. Many have been saved. And more have been, and are constantly relieved, when it is found that they are solvent, but are suffering under temporary difficulty. Q. 4. When a State bank becomes indebted to the bank to an improper extent, what course do you pur sue? Do you let them go beyond a certain amount, and what is that amount? A. The great object is to keep the State banks within proper limits; to make them shape their business according to their means. For this purpose they are called upon to settle; never forced to pay specie if it can be avoided, but payment is taken in their bills of exchange, or suffered to lie occasionally until the bank can turn round; no amount of debt is fixed, because the principle we wish to establish is, that every bank should always be ready to provide for its notes. Q. 5. If you give drafts on any of the branches, or from one branch on another, or on the mother bank, what is the commission charged? of specie. I send a detailed statement on this point. A. Never. Q. 7. Can you state whether specie is more or less abundant in the United States at present, than at any former period? A. At the present moment, I think, specie is more It comes in as usual. And the abundant than usual. state of the exchanges with Europe is such that it is cheaper to buy bills, than to ship coin. The bank had, on the first instant, 7,608,000 dollars, which is more than it has had for nine years past. Q. 8. When the debt is annually paid off to foreigners,do they remit in specie or bills of exchange? Do you supply the means in either way? A. When foreigners are paid off, a part is re-invested in other stocks, a part goes in bills, a considerable portion of which are bills of the bank. Specie is never resorted to unless the bill market is so high as to make that mode of remittance cheaper. Q. 9. Since you commenced the purchase and sale of bills of exchange, has the rate varied; if so, to what extent? A. The operations of the bank in exchanges has had the effect of preventing the great fluctuations to which they were previously liable. Q. 10. What is the reason that exchange on England continues above what was formerly considered the par, that is, the dollar valued at 4s. 6 pence sterling? Is it that the intrinsic value of the dollar has been found to be less than 4s. 6d.? If so, what is that intrinsic | 4. 6d. when it never has been worth four and sixpence, value? and of course when it goes abroad, it is estimated not by A. The reason is, that we choose to call our dollar the name we give it, but according to its real value. RATES OF EXCHANGE Al which Drafts are drawn by the Bank of the United States and its Offices of Discount and Deposite. Portland, Portsmouth,. Boston. Providence.. Hartford New York Baltimore Washington, Richmond, par apar a par a par a Fayetteville, Bk. U. States Office.... At $100,663,367 54 STATEMENT OF THE BANK OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS OFFICES OF DISCOUNT AND DEPOSIT AT THE DATES MENTIONED. Office, Portland, do Boston, do Portsmouth, do Providence, do Hartford, do New York, do Baltimore, do Washington, do Richmond, do Norfolk, do Fayetteville, 17 do Charleston, do Savannah, 83,406 45 13 do Mobile, 48,267 66 YORK AND MARYLAND LINE RAIL ROAD. | expense, are also bound, have repeatedly and respect PUBLIC MEETING AT YORK. At a meeting of the citizens of the Borough and County of York, convened at the court-house, on Saturday the 27th of March: CHARLES A. BARNITZ, Esq. was called to the Chair, and George S. Morris, and John Evans, Esq. appointed Secretaries, fully made application to the Legislature of the state for an act of incorporation for a rail road from York to the Maryland line in order that they might possess the same facilities as to market, and enjoy equal advantages withother citizenswhose locality enables them to use the state works. These applications have, by some of the members of former Legislatures, been looked upon with The chairman having stated that this meeting was an unpropitious eye, as being calculated to injure the rendered necessary by a similar one held in Philadel- trade of the state. The citizens of these counties, howphia, [the proceedings of which were read.] Mr. HAM-ever, with great satisfaction and gratitude have seen, BLY then presented the following preamble and resolu- that the present Legislature regard their claims, as tions, which were read and unanimously adopted. Whereas, the citizens of the counties of York, Adams, Franklin and Cumberland, being so situated, as to be entirely shut out from any participation in the benefits of the state improvements, which are being constructed at so great an expense to which they have in common with their other fellow-citizens cheerfully contributed, and for the payment of the yet to be incurred founded in justice and equity; and so far from being calculated to depress or injure the general welfare, will unquestionably increase our prosperity, unanimity and happiness. So far from being originated by selfish motives, or an alienation of regard from any portion of the state, they have considered them, as founded on our equal rights and sincere wishes for the general prosperity. With great surprise and regret therefore, the citizens of these counties, have seen the preamble and resolutions passed in Town Meeting by some of the citizens of Philadelphia, convened with the view, openly expressed, of bringing to bear upon the Senate, in whose hands this bill now is,an out-door influence,having for its object, the defeat of the present bill. Could we for a moment believe, that the Senatewould not spurn such an attempt,we would submit without a word to the fate which would then impend. But trusting freely and unhesitatingly in the justice of our claims, and the judgment of that honorable body, it only remains for us to answer those fallacious arguments which have been used against us by that meeting. It is argued, that "the passage of this bill, will destroy the original canal system, divert the trade from the state, and be a virtual violation of the original compact entered into, at the adoption of the system of Internal | improvement." What this original compact was, this meeting is unable to comprehend, unless it was, that the interests of the whole should be regarded, and not solely that of a part, that the system should be general and not local. As to a diversion of trade, we are at a loss to conceive, how a thing can be diverted from a course which it never pursued. The citizens of this section of the state have always sold their produce in Baltimore, and always bought their goods in Philadelphia. And although a similar contention arose when we asked for the incorporation of our turnpikes, the same jealousies were excited, the same arguments used and the same results foretoldstill, the old course of trade is pursued, the produce is still sold in Baltimore and the goods still bought in Philadelphia. The latter has still prospered, the state has remained uninjured, and we have been accommodated with thousands of others, to the injury of none.That instead of destroying the canal system, it will render it more productive, must be evident from the tolls on Iron and Coal, which can then be sent to market in the Chesapeake to the profit of our citizens up the riv er, the increase of the canal tolls, and the general prosperity. Of what advantage will it be to our fellow citizens on the East and West branches of the Susquehanna, that they can get to market, if it be at such a disadvantage, by reason of the distance, that they cannot avail themselves of it? Will it not be better to afford them a direct road to a near market for their coal, than to force them to Philadelphia-to a market, which another season will glut, and which other mines command; or to compel them to go by Philadelphia through the Delaware and Chesapeake canal, and look for a market, or give up the business-Which latter must ultimately and assuredly be the result of such a course. ing our union, healing old breaches, removing former complaints, and finally, will impress upon our hearts everlasting gratitude to the present Legislature. Resolved, That this meeting view with the highest degree of satisfaction the course pursued by the present Legislature respecting the passage of a bill for the incorporation of the York and Maryland Line Rail Road Company. Resolved, That this meeting regard the present at tempt of a few of the citizens of Philadelphia, to prevent the passage of this bill at this time, as an unlooked for, and unwarranted interference with Legislative proceedings. Resolved, That this meeting, trusting in the justice and judgment of the Legislative body, willingly and confidently await their decision upon this bill. Resolved, That a committee of correspondence and superintendence be appointed,&that they be authorised to take such measures as they may deem proper and expedient to carry the objects of this meeting into effect. The following persons were accordingly appointed: Thomas M'Grath, Henry Smyser, Jacob Emmitt, Geo. Small, Charles A. Barnitz, Dr. William M'llvain, John Gardner, James S. Connellee, George King, George Laucks, George S. Morris, Samuel Rutter, Wm. Jones, George Lauman, C. F. Fisher. Resolved, That copies of the proceedings of this meeting be transmitted to his Excellency the Governor, and to the Speakers of the Senate and House of Repre sentatives of this commonwealth. C. A. BARNITZ, Chairman. George S. Morris, Secretaries. John Evans, The following are the proceedings of a meeting which took place, in consequence of the Senate having nega tived the bill, incorporating the "York and Maryland Line Rail Road Company." PUBLIC MEETING. At a meeting of the citizens of the Borough and County of York, held at the court-house, on Monday evening the 5th of April, 1830, the following resolutions were adopted. Resolved, That this meeting regards with the deepest feelings of disappointment and regret, the late refu sal of a majority of the Senate of this State, to grant the reasonable and rightful request of these southern counties, for a charter to construct a rail road to the Mary. land Line. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that This bill it is said will be "suicidal to the state inter- public acts which authorize a vast expenditure of moests, and carry the trade from the West of York to Bal-ney mainly for the benefit of a particular section, whilst timore." If the passage of this bill give vent to an additional 100,000 tons of coal, will the additional tolls given by such an increased trade (which without this vent can never be carried on,) will this, we say, be suicidal? We think not. And as to the trade west of York; if there be no facility for carrying it to Philadelphia it will not be taken there, even if it be prevented from going to Baltimore. It must rot in the farmer's barn. sury. another section is denied the privilege of expending its own means in improvements tending to its own advan tage are illiberal, unjust, promotive of invidious hostil ity, contrary to the spirit of the social compact, and cal culated to aggrandize a part at the expense of the whole. Resolved, That this meeting consider the people of these United States as one great family, linked together by common interests; and that the liberal and enlarged policy of the state of Maryland, in authorizing the construction of the Chesapeake and Delaware canal, and subscribing a large amount of stock to that improvement to her great detriment, is in striking contrast with the selfish and contracted policy of our legislature, in refusing our application, because the construction of this road might conduce to the advantage of a sister state. It is true that from Philadelphia much of the revenue of the state arises; but it is also true, that even after this bill be passed, admitting her own view of it to be correct, still, she will derive advantages far greater than we can, in proportion to her payments into the state TreaThat meeting says, "that as a matter of justice, those south western turnpikes which are involved in debt, ought to be aided!" And why? Not because they regard them any more favorably than our improvement, but because they would now be glad to conciliate and Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the undo what has been done. They say, "this bill will city of Philadelphia is the spoiled child of the common rend the cords of union by which we have heretofore wealth; that she has drained the treasury, exhausted been bound." So far from this being the case, this the resources, and seriously impaired the credit of the meeting firmly believe that it will be the means of cement-state; and that her influence and attempts to force trads into unnatural channels, are a blight upon the commerce and prosperity of the state at large. Resolved, That being situated, as we are, on the confines of the State, and without the reach of her improvements, there is nothing left for our relief, but to open a rail road communication with the city of Baltimore; and that it is the duty, as well as the interest of these southern counties, forthwith to proceed to the construction of said road, in such manner as shall be most advisable. Resolved, That a committee of five persons, of proper qualifications, be appointed to report to an adjourned meeting, the most practicable mode of proceeding, to effect the object without a charter. Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be respectfully presented to those members of the Senate and House of Representatives, who gave their support to the application of the petitioners for said charter. WM. M'ILVAIN, Chairman. JOHN EVANS, Secretary. POSTAGE OF THE LEGISLATURE. The Postage of members of the Legislature during the session of 1829-30, so far as returned amounts to $6,891 92. Messrs. Miller, city of Phil. 46 65 Moore, of Beaver Morgan 247 16 21 53 94 Riter 71 52 9 45 49 12 25 29 105 45 89 53 53 69 62 73 Statler 52 55 To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:' We, your petitioners, re-manufacturers of iron, and others, in ail the branches of smiths' work, respectfully pray that we may be put on the same footing in our own market with the foreign manufacturer. Your petitioners 2,C01 04 are at this time excluded from the United States' market by the present duty on iron, our raw material. 1st. The duty on hardware in general is 25 per cent. ad valorem; and on that kind of iron which hardware is 12 87 made out of, the duty at this time is from 140 to up60 26 wards of 250 per cent.; viz: common English bar iron is 58 22 now selling in British ports in Wales at £6 per ton, (for 106 36 all sizes above 9-16 up to 2 inch,) or $26 66; the duty 16 46 on those sizes is $37 per ton, being, as before stated, as 22 63 near 140 per cent. as the case may be, exclusive of frac6 08 tions. Half inch iron, either round or square, is now 88 06 selling at £7 per ton, or $31 11; the duty on this size, 9 68 and all under, is 78 40 per ton, or 34 cents per pound, 20 56 making the enormous duty of upwards of 250 per cent. 84 or 221 per cent. more than the duty on hardware; thus 17 70 throwing our ports open to foreign manufacturers at an 976 advantage over the home manufacturers of 111 per cent. 19 46 on those sizes of iron over half inch in diameter, and of 9 51 221 per cent. on the half inch in diameter. From the 73 73 foregoing facts, your honorable bodies will be able to 73 22 judge how we are situated in regard of partaking in the 9 46 manufacture of hardware out of common English iron, 14 58 the material almost exclusively used for that purpose. 19 49 Selling price of this iron, at the iron stores in this city 16 21-all over 5-8 inches sell at $90 to 100 per ton, or $5 50 13 56 per 112 pounds; while the English manufacturer gets 53 47 his at 26 66 per ton, including 5-8 inch: here 5-8 inch 3 40 sells at 120 dollars per ton: taking the average, he gets 93 72 it at 73 34 per ton less than we get it for. Half inch 52 14 he gets at £7; or $31 11, whilst your petitioners have |