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3d. Indian wars;

do do

to the House of Representatives. 2d. Reports of committees of the Senate, the entire session together.

3d. Reports of committees of the House of Represen tatives, the entire session together--and preceded, if necessary, in each House, by the petition.

This arrangement to be made for each session; and the separate documents of each item are to follow each other chronologically. In all cases where a report of a commit

4th. Efforts made for their benefit, in civilization, agri- tee of either or both Houses is founded on a message from culture, and the mechanical arts.

III. FINANCES.

This series embraces more variety, consisting of1st. Public debt and public credit;

2d. Revenue, direct and indirect taxation, embracing manufactures;

3d. The currency;

4th. The Mint of the United States;

the President of the United States, or on a report from a department, a reference is to be made from the one to the other.

There are many advantages attending this arrangement, which are quite apparent. The class on Indian Affairs, for instance, (the printing of which has been finished,) is contained in a single volume, and, in chronological order, presents our entire Indian relations unmixed with other matter; Foreign Relations, Military Affairs, Naval Affairs,

5th. Bank of the United States, and State banks, so far and the Public Lands, each present distinctions strongly as connected with the United States;

6th. General principles of the annual estimates;
7th. General principles of the expenses of collecting

revenue;

8th. One table of receipts and expenditures.

IV. COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION.

marked from all the others; and the advantage of hav. ing each of these great interests in a separate series is very great. Occasionally, however, documents were met with, partaking so much of two or more classes, that it was difficult to give them a satisfactory arrangement. This was more particularly the case with the series of Finance and Commerce--some single documents referred

All external matters of this class to be embraced in less or more to both classes. So also of the class of Claims. Foreign Relations.

1st. Imports and exports, and all communications and reports containing general principles and reasoning; 2d. The fisheries, and all communications and reports containing general principles and reasoning; 3d. Lighthouse establishment;

Some of them involved extensive correspondence with foreign Governments. These were placed with Foreign Relations. Some of them involved our commercial re

lations; others, the regulations for the sale of public lands. The cases thus described, however, were not numerous, and in every instance of their occurrence, our best judgment 4th. Improvement of harbors, rivers, roads, and canals; was exercised in giving them the proper arrangement. 5th. Tonnage, and all communications and reports of After we had decided on the foregoing as the principles committees containing general principles and reasoning. by which the publication should be regulated, we had an 6th. Coasting trade, and all communications and re-interview with Messrs. Gales and Seaton. They stated to ports of committees containing general principles and reasoning.

1st. Army;

V. MILITARY AFFAIRS.

2d. Military Academy;

3d. Fortifications;

4th. Armament, arms;

5th. National armories;

6th. Militia.

VI. NAVAL AFFAIRS.

This presents a subject of much unity.

VII. POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

us, at once, that they considered the proviso, that the printing should be done at the rate of public printing, as in a great measure rescinding the details of their proposals, and that they stood in regard to Congress in some thing of the relation of public printers. That every thing performed by them besides the printing would of course be a charge against the Government, to be settled and adjusted as Congress might direct. That as we had the care of the archives of the two Houses, they could not expect that we would entrust them to others, either in the selec tion, copying, or arrangement. That they were willing, nay desirous, that we should take the whole control of the publication, as far as the labor and responsibility of editors were concerned. That the mechanical part, includ

This is also a subject in which there is little or no varietying the paper, the printing, and the binding, would belong

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to them, and for these they would be responsible.

From all these considerations, it was evident to us that if we acted at all under the act of Congress, it was our duty to assume the whole responsibility of editing the work. Other considerations, besides these mentioned, relation to the two Houses, and had every possible motive to also led to the same conclusion. We stood in an official devote our entire ability to the proper completion of the work. From long experience and close application to the business of Congress, we had a reasonable confidence in our ability to do the work justice. We had under our direction able and industrious men, and whose experience in these things was even greater than our own. the usefulness of this work will depend upon the indexes; and for doing justice to this item, we know of none so capable as our assistant clerks. We therefore did not

Much of

JAN. 4, 1832.]

Pursers in the Navy.-American State Papers.

[SENATE.

of the seamen from being imposed upon by exorbitant prices, and with inferior articles.

hesitate, although the responsibility was great, and the labor great, to act upon the principles thus indicated. Another important question, of no little embarrassment, The course now pursued created a tendency to abuse, was presented in deciding on the size of the page. The by making it an object for the pursers who received a per joint resolution of 24th May, 1828, placed that subject centage on the articles furnished, to buy at the highest under our control, and, after much consideration and re- prices, and to sell as much as possible; one consequence flection, and repeated interviews with the publishers, we of which was, that the officers in that employ on board of decided on the folio size. The facility with which the the large ships received a great amount of profits as a numerous tables can be inserted on a folio page, was one compensation for their services, while those on board the leading reason for giving it the preference. The volumes smaller vessels receive but a very inconsiderable sum, of congressional documents are becoming too numerous which rendered it difficult to obtain pursers for the small for easy reference; and we find a great difficulty in keep-vessels. To obviate this difficulty, and provide a guard ing our series perfect. For the public offices, or for against this liability to abuse and imposition, it was prolarge libraries, we believed the folio form altogether the posed to fix the salaries of the pursers on board the varibest. ous public ships--to let the supplies be procured, as the As there was no appropriation in the act of Congress provisions were, under the direction of the Board of Navy imposing the duty upon us, we were obliged to draw from Commissioners; and to require an exact account of all the the contingent funds of the two Houses for some expenses articles furnished the seamen to be kept by the pursers, makincident to the selecting, arranging, copying, &c. Al-ing them responsible for the faithful performance of their though we found it impossible to dispense with the assist- duties, and allowing ten per cent. for loss by contingenance of the clerks in our offices, we did not think ourselves cies, &c. The advantages to be derived from the plan projustified in exacting from them laborious duties, not belong-posed, were, that the men on board the ships of war ing to the respective offices, without compensation. A would be supplied with provisions at a cheaper rate and of small sum was paid to them in part for these services, and a better quality than heretofore, and equalize the emolualso small sums have been paid for copying, &c. Should ments of the pursers. The bill had been submitted to the an appropriation be made by Congress for the work ge- present Secretary of the Navy, who approved of its pronerally, we will be prepared to give any explanations visions.

wanted, respecting the expenses arising from our agency

Mr. DICKERSON said that, in order to give time for

in the publication. In selecting the documents for the a consideration of both sides of the question, and from class on Foreign Relations, it was found by the Secretary of observing that a Senator from Virginia [Mr. TAZEWELL] the Senate that some important documents of an early was not in his seat, who had last year given in a lucid date were upon the executive files of the Senate. These manner highly valuable details on the subject of the bill, papers being under the injunction of secrecy, of course he would move that the bill should be postponed, and cannot in this communication be particularly described. made the order of the day for this day week. To which Generally it may be observed that their publication Mr. HAYNE assented, and it was postponed accordingly. (should there be no objection to removing the injunction The Senate then proceeded to the consideration of exof secrecy) would add much to the value and interest of ecutive business, and sat with closed doors for some the work. The Secretary of the Senate will bring this time; when subject before the Senate for their decision respecting it. The progress made in the printing will be communicated to Congress by the publishers, and specimens of its execution will also by them be laid before the two Houses. All which is respectfully submitted.

WALTER LOWRIE,
MW. ST. CLAIR CLARKE.

DECEMBER 29, 1831.
The report was ordered to be printed, and referred to
the Committee on the Library.

PURSERS IN THE NAVY.

The bill providing for the compensation of the pursers in the navy being taken up,

The Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4.
AMERICAN STATE PAPERS.

The VICE PRESIDENT communicated the following letter:

To the honorable the Senate of the United States:

The undersigned respectfully represent, that, encouraged thereto by the act of Congress of the last session authorizing a subscription to the work, they have not only made a beginning, but have made considerable progress, in the execution of their proposition for publishing a compilation of the public documents of the United States. Mr. HAYNE said that the bill proposed the reformation They have now the pleasure to submit to the Senate two of certain abuses which had been found to exist in rela- volumes, which, excepting the indexes thereto, not yet tion to the sale of necessary articles for the use of the ready for the press, and the title-pages, which are but seamen on board the vessels of war belonging to the temporarily composed, they respectfully submit as samUnited States. The measure proposed a reduction and ples of the whole work.

regulation of the prices of articles which were now fur- In the arrangement as well as the selection of the manished by the pursers on board those vessels, and for terials of this great national work, they have been governwhich they had been in the practice of demanding differ-ed by the decisions of the Secretary of the Senate and ent, and sometimes exorbitant profits. The present bill the Clerk of the House of Representatives, under whose was similar to the one which had been brought forward directions, moreover, exclusively, the materials of it have during the last session of Congress, and which had passed been prepared for the press. To their intelligence, inthe Senate, but was not acted on by the other House. dustry, and discrimination, and that of the gentlemen in The motive for introducing it now was, that it might re- their respective offices, it will owe whatever value it posceive the reconsideration and revision of the Senate, in sesses beyond that of a mere print and reprint of the doorder that it might again be sent to the House of Repre-cuments on the files of the two Houses of Congress. The The principal object of caution of Congress, in commiting these matters to their the bill was to change the present mode of furnishing ability and discretion, rather than to that of the publishthe sailors with certain supplies-to prevent the sale of ers, has, in the opinion of the undersigned, been justified them at different rates of profit, which had in some in- in the fullest extent by the order, and the form and presstances been as high as fifty per cent.; and to establish a sure which have been given to the work.

sentatives for their concurrence.

new practice, which should better provide for the security In the arrangement of the documents, the principle of

SENATE.]

State Claims.

[JAN. 4, 183

classification has been adopted, the advantages of which which was due on the several advances made in paying th will be apparent upon the slightest examination of the militia, and furnishing them supplies during the last war samples of it herewith transmitted. The two volumes the principal of which had been heretofore allowed an now presented are not the first in the series, but are those paid. The bill proposed to allow interest on these loan which have been most easily collated. One of them, it in the same ratio as would have been allowed if the ad will be discovered, comprises all the congressional docu-vances had been made in money directly to the Genera ments upon Indian Affairs, (one of the classes,) from the Government. Mr. C. said this class of claims was fir beginning of the Government up to the commencement brought forward by the State of Maryland, and her ex of the 14th Congress, to which date (4th March, 1815, ample was followed by other States. He was not in pos inclusive) the plan of the present series extends. The session of much information on the subject in regard t other is the first volume of the class of Finance, the whole the other States, and wished that any gentleman that wa of which occupies two volumes. When indexes, copious acquainted with important facts in relation to those claims and well digested, such as are in preparation, are added would communicate them to the Senate. to these volumes, they will afford a facility to the investi

Mr. FORSYTH rose to ask the gentleman from Mary gations of our legislators, whether in debates or in com- land whether the present bill was intended to cover al mittee business, which will amply compensate for the ex- cases of advances made by the several States during the pense of the publication, without adverting to their value war. The reason for asking this question was, to learn as national memorials, which of itself, it is respectfully whether a claim due to the State of Georgia was included submitted, would have fully justified the sanction which in the present bill. has been given to this undertaking.

Mr. CHAMBERS replied that the particular claims for The two volumes herewith presented comprise about which the present bill provided, were those of which the one-half of what has been already done in the printing of principal had been adjusted by the accounting officers of the work, which is in the course of steady prosecution, and the Treasury Department, and paid. It did not embrace of which it is hoped eight or ten volumes may be ready the principal of any claim, nor the interest of any of for delivery before the close of the present Congress. those claims which were still unliquidated by the United Of the execution of this work, for which alone the un- States, but those only which had been adjusted and dersigned have any right to credit, they beg leave to allowed, and the States had received credit from the observe, only, that they have endeavored to make it such United States for. This bill was designed to arrange and as should be creditable to the Government, and as should provide for paying the interest due on claims of this last justify the liberal confidence which, by the act of the last mentioned description. Therefore, if the claims to which session, Congress has reposed in the undertakers. They the gentleman from Georgia had alluded were of the class confidently submit its merits to a comparison with those of described, they were of course included: that is, if they any other work of the like nature, ever published in this had been adjusted and allowed by the officers of the or any other country. Treasury Department, and the payment of the principal A superficial examination of these sample volumes will assumed by the Government. The sums advanced by the suffice to satisfy the intelligent observer of the importance State of Maryland had not been all paid by the United of the work to the public service, and to the history of States, and therefore were not all included in the provi the country. Documents of the highest interest will be sions of this bill, although that State had complained of found in it, which were either before unknown to the the injustice done it, and had requested that the claims present generation, or forgotten by it, though yet of should be allowed. The present bill did not provide for modern antiquity. Some, which have lain buried under the adjustment of the question, whether they should or the mass of less important papers which it has not been should not be allowed. The accounting officers of Godeemed useful to include in this publication, are such as vernment had ascertained the interest proper to be allowenlighten obscure passages in our civil history, and add ed only on those claims for money borrowed and lent to new motives for the veneration with which the memory the Government. The Auditor had not allowed to the of the early actors in the Government is habitually che State of Maryland the interest, except on those loans. rished. The class of Foreign Relations, first in order, but That State, and others, had sold stocks yielding six per suspended in its execution to await the decision of the cent. for the purpose of advancing to the public service; and Senate in regard to the publicity of some of the docu- therefore it was considered the same to the State as if it ments which it would appear properly to comprise, will, had borrowed the money at that interest. He was of when completed, be one of the most interesting and in-opinion that the United States should not in one case pay structive works that has issued from the press within the the six per cent. interest, and in another withhold it. last thirty years, possessing all the attraction of fiction, This was contrary to every principle of justice or equity, sanctified by all the fidelity of truth. and the present bill was intended to rectify this error.

The undersigned will only add, that the sample volumes herewith submitted have been put in different bindings, with a view to consult the general opinion as to which description is preferable.

All which is respectfully submitted by the publishers.
GALES & SEATON.

On motion of Mr. KING, of Alabama, the letter was ordered to be printed, and was referred to the Committee on the Library.

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Mr. FORSYTH said that he perceived by the explana tion of the gentleman from Maryland, that the claim of Georgia, to which he had alluded, was not embraced in this bill, and he rose to ask whether the bill could not be so amended as to embrace it. The history of the transaction which gave rise to that claim was, that the United States' contractor for furnishing supplies to the. army, had not received funds from the General Government to fulfil his contracts, and the Government of Georgia had furnished the necessary amount-the contractor being unable to procure it otherwise. This claim had not been allowed by the General Government, and no interest had of course been received upon it. Mr. F. said that if interest was allowed to other States on their claims against the United States, he considered that the State of Georgia had also a right to the same allowance. His only object now was, to ascertain whether this bill could not be made to include that claim.

Mr. CHAMBERS said that a bill of this character had twice before passed the Senate, but had not received the concurrence of the other House. The object of the bill was to remunerate the several States for the interest Mr. CHAMBERS replied that several acts had been

JAN. 5, 1832.]

Duty on Indian Blankets.

[SENATE.

passed in relation to allowances of this kind. He hoped tially alike; both had it in view to remove the protection the Senator from Georgia would consent that the bill which the Government had deliberately extended to the should pass as it then stood.

domestic industry of the country; and he saw no reason Mr. FORSYTH making no further opposition, the bill why it should not be referred to the same committee. was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

The bill to provide for the distribution of the duties of the commissioners of the navy, and for other purposes, was read the second time; and, on motion of Mr. HOLMES, postponed to, and made the order of the day for Monday

next.

The bill supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution, was next taken up; and

Mr. FOOT stated that, as some Senators were absent from indisposition, he would not press the consideration of the bill at this time, but move that it lie on the table; promising to give two days' notice of the day when he should move its consideration.

The bill was laid on the table.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5.

DUTY ON INDIAN BLANKETS.

The bill did not confine itself to one kind of blankets, but embraced all kinds that were manufactured; and, therefore, if adopted, would prove an injury to that interest in general.

The question was then taken upon the reference to the Committee on Indian Affairs, and decided in the negative, by yeas and nays, as follows:

YEAS.-Messrs. Benton, Brown, Ellis, Forsyth, Grundy, Hayne, Hill, Kane, King, Mangum, Miller, Moore, Tazewell, Tipton, Troup, Tyler, White.-17.

NAYS.-Messrs. Bell, Buckner, Clay, Dallas, Dickerson, Dudley, Ewing, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Holmes, Johnston, Knight, Marcy, Naudain, Prentiss, Robbins, Robinson, Ruggles, Seymour, Silsbee, Tomlinson, Waggaman, Webster, Wilkins.-25.

The question then occurred on referring the bill to the Committee on Manufactures.

Mr. BENTON said he should object to this reference. He observed that it was the apparent intention of certain The bill to reduce the duty on Indian blankets, and gentlemen to give every thing into the hands of the Comcertain other Indian goods, [introduced yesterday, on mittee on Manufactures-implying that they alone were leave, by Mr. BENTON,] was read the second time; when competent to examine and report on questions of great Mr. BENTON moved to refer it to the Committee on national interest or importance. He understood that, by Finance. He thought, in justice and propriety, the bill the rules of the Senate, bills were to be sent to that comought to go to the Committee on Indian Affairs for con-mittee which were friendly to the measure, for the pursideration; but he yielded to the opinions of others, and pose of receiving amendments, if necessary, and rendered consented to refer it to the Committee on Finance. as perfect as possible before they were brought forward Mr. DICKERSON moved to refer the bill to the Com- for a full and final discussion. He should therefore obmittee on Manufactures. ject to the reference of this bill to the Committee on Mr. BENTON said that he perceived that the gentle-Manufactures, on the ground of its not being the regular man was disposed to have the present bill to take the same or correct parliamentary course to refer bills to a comcourse that the salt bill heretofore introduced had taken.mittee known to be directly opposed to their principles He was of opinion that there was another committee, be- or objects. He would repeat, that all legislative proceedsides that of Finance, that should take precedence of the ings of this kind were bottomed on the principle that bills Committee on Manufactures. He alluded to the Commit-on their first introduction should be entrusted to the friends tee on Indian Affairs. That committee had the concerns of the measure, for the purpose of being corrected and of the Indians, and the trade of the United States with rendered as perfect as its friends could make it, before it them, under their supervision; and as the present bill pro-was brought forward to receive the scrutiny of its enemies, posed a measure calculated to affect that trade, it more and pass the ordeal of a public examination. The course properly belonged to that committee, than to the Com-proposed by the gentleman from New Jersey he conmittee on Manufactures. It was the province of the Com-sidered a violation of the established course of all legislamittee on Indian Affairs to know how the trade with the tive proceedings, and contrary to all parliamentary rules Indians was carried on, whether the articles obtained from relative to the reference of bills.

them were procured by fair and open purchase, or se- [Here Mr. B. read from the manual of the rules of the cretly smuggled from the mouth of the Columbia. This Senate, and the usages of the British Parliament, in conbill was, like its predecessor, designed to effect a reduction firmation of the position maintained, the following extracts: of the public burdens, by diminishing the revenue derived "Those who would totally destroy, will not amend:" from duties on imports; and its connexion with the sub-the child is not to be put to a nurse that cares not for ject of Indian affairs, in his opinion, gave it a fair claim it."]

to be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs; but, as Mr. B resumed. A child was not to be put out to a that committee was likely to be, objected to, he would nurse who would neglect the care of it, or suffer it to waive this reference, and move that it be referred to the die for want of nourishment. Neither was a measure Committee on Finance. proposed in the Senate of the United States to be given Mr. DICKERSON said that, in the case of the bill to to its enemies for the purpose of being matured, correctrepeal the duty on salt, and also on the present occasion, ed, and rendered fit for public examination. The consehe thought that gentlemen were disposed to have the quence of such a course could be easily foreseen: it would subjects referred to that committee which had the least be suffered to lie neglected until every thing else in their concern, and felt the least interest in them. The argu- hands was finished; and if brought forward at all, it would ment of the gentleman went to show that the reference probably be so near the close of the session that it would should be to the committee on the affairs of the Indians, be lost for want of time; and then so mangled and debecause it might have some connexion with them; while formed, that its friends would not be able to recognise it. he was opposed to its reference to the Committee on And, therefore, the present bill, together with the bill to Manufactures, although its adoption would evidently, as abolish the duty on alum salt, would die on their hands, in the case of the salt bill, have a more decided and im- and be followed to the grave by the gentleman and his portant bearing on the manufacturing interest, than upon committee, though not in the character of mourners. any other in the country.

Mr. D. said that the reasons which had been urged in favor of the reference of the salt bill, would apply with equal force in the present instance, as they were essenVOL. VIII.--4

No, sir, said Mr. B., this bill ought not to be referred to a hostile committee, to be returned, with broken limbs and mangled features, to this Senate, for their approval. Such a committee has nothing to do with it. It ought

SENATE.]

Duty on Indian Blankets.

[JAN. 5, 1832.

He said

even to refuse to receive it; to show which, he read from factures-not that he was hostile to that interest. the manual this sentence: that "when any member who there was no member of the Senate more favorable to is against the bill hears himself named of its committee, its protection, provided it was done properly and conhe should ask to be excused," &c. Mr. B. said that he stitutionally. He wished the facts in relation to the prehoped the Senate would allow the bill to go to the com- sent duty to be examined, and the necessity of its contimittee where it would be perfected and brought forward nuance.

in proper time.

Mr. BUCKNER, of Missouri, said that his colleague

Mr. DICKERSON said that he was aware that it was,[Mr. BENTON] had made the reference a question of oror had been, a rule in the British Parliament, in certain der, and had appealed to the rules of the House to suscases of reference, to commit the measure to its friends; tain his motion for a reference to the Committee on Fibut the practice of the American Senate was different. nance. He did not pretend that his experience in the That body had standing committees; and it had not here- rules of legislation was equal to that gentleman's; but he tofore been their custom to take notice of friends or ene- had always understood that the rule which the gentleman mies in questions of this kind, or to enter into an inquiry had just read in support of his argument applied, excluto ascertain who were, or who were not, friendly to the sively, to select committees, and could not be made to proposed measure. He believed it would be a course as apply to the present proposed reference to a standing unacceptable as it was uncommon, to institute an inquiry committee. But it was maintained that this question should in every case of this kind for the purpose of ascertaining be referred to a committee not hostile to the measure. who were enemies and who were friends of the measure He would ask that gentleman how it could be ascertained proposed. He would ask the gentleman from Missouri whether a committee was hostile, or otherwise, before it how he knew that the Committee on Manufactures were, had expressed an opinion upon the subject. He was of or would be, hostile to the present bill. How does he the opinion that the fact of the alleged hostility being know that the Committee on Indian Affairs, or the Com-charged against the Committee on Manufactures, was a mittee on Finance, is friendly to it? It would be a very sufficient ground to establish its claim in favor of the restrange course of proceeding, in his opinion, to institute ference of the bill to that committee. such an inquiry. Sir, said Mr. D., a very important ob- Why, said Mr. B., have the gentlemen supposed the ject to be attained by referring bills to committees is, to existence of the alleged hostility? Is it not because they enable them to examine, approve, or disapprove of, and are conscious that an important interest is concerned, and report accordingly-not finally to decide their fate. For the danger of its being injured by the proposed measure instance, if, upon examination and inquiry, they should would naturally create an opposition? For his part, Mr. see that the adoption of the proposed measure would ma- B. said, he wished to know how far this bill would clash terially injure some important interest, it would be their with that interest; and, to ascertain this, it would be necesduty to state their views of the subject for the considera- sary to refer it to that committee whose time and attention tion of the Senate. It was the province of the committee were devoted to the examination of measures relating to simply to report its opinion-not to pass or reject the bill. the interest of manufactures. He was of a different opiNo committee, said Mr. D., can break, suppress, or deform nion from the gentleman from Missouri, and should be opa bill. They can only report upon it; and if the report posed to the destructive inroad which this bill was calcudoes not meet the views of the friends of the bill, they lated to make upon domestic manufactures.

He felt

are at liberty to oppose it. If the report is delayed be-anxious to ascertain how far this measure would affect the yond the proper time, they have a right to demand its manufacturing interests of the country, which could be appearance, by a rule of the Senate which authorizes a done only by a full investigation by the committee charged call upon the committee for a report. The committee, Mr. D. said, could only modify the bill; they had no power to control it. In conclusion, he hoped the Senate would follow the usual practice, and refer the subject to the Committee on Manufactures.

with that subject. He should, therefore, vote for its reference to that committee. He was of opinion that the Committee on Indian Affairs was entirely incompetent to undertake the consideration of this subject, in its most important bearing. That committee had nothing to do Mr. BROWN said that he rose to protest against the with the interests of the manufacturing community. It custom of referring bills to a committee hostile to its pro- would, therefore, be first necessary to refer it to the other visions. He had always understood that it was incumbent committee, in order to discover the effect which the bill upon them to refer bills which were introduced, to the was likely to produce upon that great interest of the friends of the proposed measure: until within three or country. He was disposed to take into consideration every four years past, that had been the usual practice. Even interest concerned, whether agricultural, manufacturin the British Parliament, a body certainly not so favora-ing, or commercial, in their proper order. As to this ble to liberty as an American Senate, it was allowed the bill, he might, after due inquiry and deliberation, be in friends of a measure to have the charge of it, and prepare favor of it; but he wished the subject to be first examined it for an attack from its enemies by changes and amend- by the proper committee, to see that no improper clashments, in order to give it all its force. Shall the Ameri-ing would ensue to a great interest which it was important can Senate, said Mr. B., deny them that privilege? Will to sustain.

it shut out facts, and smother the subject in its incipient Mr. SMITH said that he was opposed to the reference stage? Mr. B. proceeded to show that the consequence to the Committee on Manufactures or Indian Affairs. He of referring bills to committees adverse to them would thought it belonged to the Finance Committee; and wishbe an unfavorable report, which would be laid on the ta-ed to know whether the reference to the first would preble, and thus preclude examination and discussion. He vent a subsequent reference to the last.

said that experience during the last session had proved Mr. TYLER said that it was the duty of the Committee to him that this would be the consequence of the refer- on Manufactures to look after this subject: that they could ence now proposed. When any question was brought not do it without taking a view of the whole subject. All forward on any subject, it seemed to be the opinion of would agree that it was necessary to present a revised some gentlemen that the Committee on Manufactures must scheme of revenue, which should be reduced so as to meet have it, whether it belonged to them or not. the wishes and expectations of the country. This subThis marked a new era in our Government, and went ject, therefore, must be taken into consideration by that to show that manufactures alone were to be heard, to the committee, whether it was specially referred or not. He neglect of agriculture and commerce. He should, there- was of opinion that it was altogether immaterial to which fore, oppose the present bill to the Committee on Manu- committee it was referred now--both committees must

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