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FEB. 26, 1831.]

DUTIES ON IRON.

Duties on Iron.

Mr. HAYNE, from the select committee to which was referred sundry memorials praying for a reduction of the duties on imported iron, and others remonstrating against the reduction, made a report in favor of reduction, and moved that it be printed.

[SENATE.

that even the ordinary courtesy of printing a report, looking to that object, was to be refused? He would draw no other inference from such a course, but that it was to arrest the progress of truth, and prevent information from going abroad on this subject among the people--a principle at war with our free representative Government, which Mr. DICKERSON said, the report was from the majo- should seek, on all proper occasions, to enlighten public rity of the committee; the sentiments of the minority opinion on questions so deeply involving their interests, were directly at variance with those of the majority. The rather than to suppress information; it was characteristic report had come under his eye for the first time on yes- of that course of policy which arbitrarily laid under terday, and he had not yet had time to prepare a report contribution the industry of the great mass of the Ameof the views of the minority. He should probably be rican people, for the benefit of a comparatively small able to do so on Monday. He thought the views of both number of capitalists. He expressed a hope that the parties should go to the world together, and he therefore report would be printed, and its arguments placed before hoped the printing would not be ordered until the coun- the people for their calm consideration. He said he had ter report was ready to go with the report of the majority great confidence in the justice and liberality of the Northof the committee. He moved to lay the report on the table, but withdrew the motion at the request of

ern and Eastern sections of the country. Public opinion, in some of the Eastern States, he believed, was becoming adverse to a continuance of the restrictive policy; and he thought he could see a light arising in that direction, which assured him that the days of this "system" were numbered.

Mr. KING, who said the statement made by the Senator who had just taken his seat, was one of the most extraordinary he had ever heard. Committees were seldom unanimous; it was generally the majority of the committee which reported measures for consideration. The spirit of liberty which had early distinguished the If the minority were not satisfied, they had always an people of that portion of our country, would not much opportunity to present their individual views. He be- longer tolerate a system which flourished alone by sacrilieved such a thing as a counter report had not been known ficing the interests of the many to those of the few. He in this body from the first commencement of the Govern- believed it was now becoming well understood, that an ment. It had been done, he believed, in the House of excessive degree of taxation was not protection but opRepresentatives. When the report was made to the pression. House, the committee ceased to exist, and it was not in the power of the minority to make a report.

Mr. DICKERSON thought that the views of the two branches of the committee should be published together. It was a frequent custom in the House of Representatives, and should be so here. The minority should have as good an opportunity to present their views as the majority of the committee.

Mr. HOLMES said he was disposed to hear both sides of this question, and, therefore, he was in favor of allowing both reports, as they took different views of the subject, to go out together. The gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. DICEKRSON] says he will be prepared on Monday to submit the views of the minority; and, for his own part, he should prefer to see them go together. He could then be in favor of printing a larger number of copies. This had not, perhaps, been the usual practice of the Senate, but it certainly had been of the other House. He instanced particularly the report of the Committee on the Seminole War.

In this

Mr. HAYNE said this was the first proposition he had ever heard in that body to prevent the printing of a report of a committee. The honorable chairman of the Committee on Manufactures [Mr. DICKERSON] had made his reports, year after year, and no objection had ever Mr. BELL said, the object of appointing committees been made to the printing of them. The report con- was, to digest the subjects referred to them, and obtain tained nothing more than the views of the committee, their views in aid of the action of the Senate. and the only object was to have it printed. The objec-instance, the committee had not only disagreed in relation tion of the gentleman was, that he had not had time to to facts, but widely disagreed in their opinions deduced prepare his views on the subject, and, therefore, the re- from those facts. The minority ask to give their views port of the committee must not be printed. How was it in conjunction with the majority. Without this, he conpossible for the honorable Senator to make a report on ceived that they could get but a one-sided view of the the part of the minority, when the committee had made its matter. He asked who it was in the present case that report, and were consequently dissolved? If the gentle- appeared to be anxious to shut out the light? It surely man wished to present his views, he could do it in writing was not the minority. They do not shrink from investior otherwise. He had understood that there was so much gation. They rather court it. At this late period in the work in the hands of the public printer, that, if he did not get this report now, it could not be printed during the session. He hoped the gentleman would not renew the motion to lay the report on the table.

session, it was evident that there could be no legislative action upon it now. In relation to its being unparliamentary, he thought all legislative bodies should be governed in their rules by the eternal principles of justice.

Mr. BROWN said, it appeared that an entirely new Mr. WEBSTER said it would give him pleasure to rule was about to be pursued by the Senate--one unpa- gratify the views of all in the disposal of this subject. He ralleled in the annals of legislation--that subjects were to was willing to give the people all the information on this be sent to committees totally hostile to the objects asked topic that could be given. He could freely trust them by the memorialists, and known to be thus hostile. And with the disposal of it. Though the report had not been when those who are friendly to a reduction of the existing read, it was plainly understood that it was opposed to the burdensome system of taxation, had been so fortunate as opinions heretofore entertained and expressed by the to get this subject referred to a committee favorable to Senate; and it was due to the people not to hold out to their views, and that committee had made a report to that them the expectation that the existing policy was about effect, a new rule was to be adopted, and that report sup-to be changed, unless that expectation was soon to be repressed. Sir, said Mr. B., political truths have nothing alized. The gentleman from North Carolina, [Mr. Brown,] to fear from the most scrutinizing investigation. Do gen-he conceived, had misapplied the rule he had adverted to. tlemen fear light upon their favorite schemes, that they There was no particular parliamentary usage which was would thus elude inquiry on this subject? Was this a binding in the case. When a legislative body had come time when the people of this country had every reason to to a definite conclusion upon a subject-when its princidemand a reduction of an oppressive system of taxation, ples were settled, it could then have no hesitation in the

SENATE.]

Duties on Iron.

[FEB. 26, 1831.

direction to give it. But, suppose a proposition should ceedings any where. When a committee had examined come before them on which it would be quite impossible any subject submitted to them by the Senate, and had for them to act-a dissolution of the Union, for instance- made a report, the printing of such report for the inforcould the rule then apply?

Mr. W. said he could have no motive in wishing to withhold the printing of this document; on the contrary, he would be willing to have a larger number printed; but he thought it was due to all that both sides of the question should be heard. In relation to the report, he could entertain no doubt, from the respectable character of the committee, that it contained many able arguments and clear views of the subject. He would go further. He had no doubt he would approve of it on many points. There were some positions taken in the memorials referred, which met his hearty concurrence.

After some further observations,

mation of the members was altogether a matter of course. It is not even proposed to print any extra number of copies for distribution, but simply to print the report for the use of the members, as every bill, every report, and every resolution, is disposed of by the uniform practice of this House. Mr. H. said he had now been a member of the Senate for near eight years, and he had never known an objection made to printing the report of any committee, on any subject; and he called upon every member of this body to say whether they ever knew or heard of such proceedings. The mere act of printing a report, committed the Senate in no way to an approval of any thing it contained-it was merely for information, and to enable Mr. W. moved that the report be printed, and referred the Senate to judge what course ought to be taken with to the Committee on Manufactures. This course would, regard to it. The Senate might agree or disagree to the perhaps, meet the views of all. report, or might, after examination, recommit it for furMr. BROWN said he disagreed with the gentleman ther examination. But here they were called upon to from Massachusetts [Mr. WEBSTER] most widely in his take an important step, which, in parliamentary usage, views of parliamentary usage. He contended that it was amounted to a decision that the subject had not been fairly the practice to commit matters to a committee favorable to examined-without even making themselves acquainted the accomplishment of the propositions they contained. with the contents of the report. Mr. H. would present, Such was the doctrine of Jefferson, and such was the doc-in behalf of this committee, no claim to the respect or trine laid down by all the British writers on parliamentary consideration of the Senate, which was not due to every law. The reasoning was, that the lamb should not be sent committee which they might think proper to create. But to the wolf-that being to ensure its destruction. It did he could say that an act more unprecedented or extraornot, of course, apply to the case of bills peculiarly disre- dinary could not be conceived, than to raise a committee, spectful to the feelings of all, or in direct contravention refer to them an important question, and, when their reto the spirit of the constitution-such as the one referred to by the gentleman from Massachusetts, [Mr. WEBSTER,] proposing a dissolution of the Union-and he hoped these words were not used by that gentleman invidiously.

Mr. WEBSTER. Not at all—I had no such intention. Mr. BROWN. For I will not yield in my attachment to this Union, even to the honorable Senator from Massachusetts.

port is received, without hearing it read, or having it printed, to refer it back to another committee (and one known to be hostile) for re-examination. Why was it, he would ask, that such a course was to be pursued on the present occasion? Because it was deemed necessary that the views of those favorable to a reduction of duties should not have the same opportunity of being known, that had invariably been extended to views of an oppoMr. TYLER addressed the Senate in opposition to the site character. For years past has the Committee on Mamotion of Mr. WEBSTER to refer the report to the Com-nufactures issued their annual reports, pointing out the mittee on Manufactures. A report on the same subject excellencies of the American system, and deprecating any had been made by that committee at the last session. He reduction of duties whatever. Only last year, a report thought that one must be very fond of scribbling, (though was made by the gentleman from New Jersey, [Mr. DICKhe did not doubt the purity of the gentleman's motives,) ERSON,] in reply to a memorial of these very Philadelphia to wish to make a report on the same subject every year. blacksmiths, denouncing them and their petition. These This report was merely a counter report to that submitted reports had all been printed and circulated without objecby the honorable gentleman last year-a rejoinder. We tion. In no instance had the attempt been made to force have now, said Mr. T., our butter and our rebutter. The upon the Senate a counter report, or to send out an anhonorable chairman, he contended, could attain his object swer along with the report. We have waited until we simply by ordering his last year's report to be printed with could have a chance of presenting our views of this questhis, and let them go to the world together. He presumed tion. For the first time in several years, this has been that no alteration had been made in the gentleman's now afforded us; and yet gentlemen rise up, and refuse views upon the subject within the last year.

us the poor privilege even of being heard. The CommitMr. DICKERSON replied. He was sure the delay till tee on Manufactures, and the gentleman from New JerMonday was an inconsiderable one; but he was willing the sey, who is at their head, have been heard-repeatedly, question should first be taken on the motion of Mr. WEB- fully, and patiently heard. They were heard last year STER to refer it to the Committee on Manufactures. on this very question-the reduction of the duty on iron. Mr. HAYNE then rose, and said, that he now distinctly We now claim to be heard in reply, and it is to be refused understood that the proposition in its present form is, to us. Gentlemen refuse even to listen to what we have to recommit the report of the select committee before it had say. After they have heard us, let them, if they choose, been either read or printed-before any member of this recommit our report or disagree to it, or dispose of it as House (except the committee) are even acquainted with they think proper. But to condemn it unheard, to comits contents; and to do this when it is known that the effect mit it without knowing its contents, he must consider as of the recommitment will be to prevent the printing of the most exceptionable proceeding that he had ever witthe report during the present session. But this is not all; nessed here or elsewhere. In another view of this quesit is proposed to commit a report (of the contents of tion, it was still more objectionable. The subject of the which nothing is known, but that it is favorable to a re- reduction of duties was one which had deeply excited a duction of the duty on iron) to the Committee on Manu- large portion of this Union. Are we to be told, said Mr. factures-a committee known to be opposed to such a H., that we are not to be heard? This is a subject, Mr. reduction. Such a motion, made under such circumstan- President, in which I am afraid to trust my feelings. ces, he would undertake to say, was not only without an came here, sir, with very slender hopes, indeed, I can example in the history of either branch of Congress, but hardly say that I had any, that this system would receive without a parallel in the history of parliamentary pro- some modification from Congress. I am sorry to say that

I

FEB. 26, 1831.] ·

General Appropriation Bill.

[SENATE.

I have so far perceived no indications of any disposition ments furnish convincing proof that the present is the here to relieve the people from the burdens of this protect- most extravagant administration that has ever wielded the ing system. For this, I was, however, prepared; but, I destinies of the nation. He called the attention of the will confess, sir, I was not prepared for a deliberate refu- Senate to the documents in proof of his assertion, and presal, on the part of the Senate, even to print a report pre- sented a statement taken from the printed reports from senting our views, to find them condemned, unheard, and the departments, from which he gave the comparative unknown, by an instant recommitment of the report to expenditures between the two last years of Mr. Adams's the Committee on Manufactures-a committee known to administration, and the two first of General Jackson's. be hostile to them, where the report must remain buried Appropriations in 1827, $11,315,568 95 for the remainder of the session. If this must be so, I 12,326,482 59 claim a solemn decision on so important a question, and, therefore, ask that it may be taken by yeas and nays. They were ordered.

Mr. WEBSTER said he was very sorry to see that this subject should excite any warmth in the gentleman from South Carolina, [Mr. HAYNE.] He disclaimed the motives attributed to him. He denied any intention to prevent the sentiments of the committee from being heard. Had he not said he would vote for any number of copies the gentleman might propose? What grievance, then, was there in the course proposed? The gentleman had already remarked that the business before the public printer was so pressing, that, unless it was delivered immediately, it could not be performed. It was objected to referring the report without reading. It was with a view to save the time of the Senate, that this course was proposed. After some further remarks, Mr. W. concluded, by saying he should still vote for the printing, and reference of the report to the Committee on Manufactures.

Mr. KING, and Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, next addressed the Senate against the motion, and the question] was then taken on the printing alone, and decided in the affirmative by a unanimous vote.

Mr. HAYNE asked, as a matter of justice to the select committee, that a censure might not be cast upon them in sending their report to another committee. The course proposed was unprecedented.

Mr. HOLMES said he should vote for the reference, and could not see in what manner it would be a censure on any body.

Mr. FOOT said such a course was altogether unprecedented.

Mr. WEBSTER then said that his object had been to accommodate all sides; but as he had failed in so doing, to save the time of the Senate, he moved to lay the whole subject on the table.

The question on this motion being taken by yeas and nays, it was decided in the affirmative-23 to 20.

[So the report was laid on the table, and the decision of this motion in the affirmative had the effect to prevent the printing. It is understood that the views of the committee are in favor of a reduction of the duty on iron imported.]

GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.

The Senate again resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1831-the question being on agreeing to the amendment of the Committee of Finance, as yesterday amended.

Mr. FOOT rose to make a few general remarks on the increasing expenditures of the Government.

Mr. F. said, we are indeed fallen on evil times. The application of the "searching operation," mentioned by General Jackson in his inaugural address, has become indispensable to save the treasury from bankruptcy. The siren song of retrenchment, economy, and reform, has lost its fascinating charms. Broad and bold assertions will no longer be received as proof of economy, while the public documents prove them to be false; the people will no longer be deceived by these hackneyed terms, nor can the present administration be screened from censure by charging their predecessors with "wasteful extravagance," when the docu

1828, Making

In the year 1829,
Do.
1830,

$23,642,051 54

$11,766,524 65 14,844,090 69

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This extraordinary increase of expenditure speaks a language not to be misunderstood. If any Senator doubts the fact, let him examine the printed documents, and he will find the statement corect-the statement before him I was taken from those documents.

Do you ask, how can these things be? It is easily accounted for by the increased expense in every department--by establishing new bureaus-by creating new offices--by increasing salaries and contingent expenses-by increasing the number of clerks--and by every other possible means for rewarding political partisans. Fiftytwo additional pages in the Blue Book, of names of officers, will give some evidence of an increase in the number--the recalling of four ministers, and some chargés d'affaires, will account for about $80,000 increased expense during the first year of this economical administration--the office of Solicitor of the Treasury, created at the last session to perform a part of the duties of the Fifth Auditor, as agent for the treasury, has called for an extra appropriation of near $10,000.

Sir, said Mr. F., we need the aid and faithful services of another "radical committee," as the select commitee of 1820 has been called by the chairman of the Committee of Finance, which he himself has acknowledged saved three millions of dollars to the treasury, to arrest the progress

SENATE.]

Death of Mr. Noble.

[FEB. 28, 1831."

of the Government in its downward road to bankruptcy during the recess of the Senate, and without their advice and ruin.

The amendment was then agreed to.

Various other amendments were made, and the bill having been got through in Committee of the Whole, the bill and amendments were reported to the Senate; and The amendment adopted on the motion of Mr. WEBSTER Coming up, Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, moved to strike out from the salary of a drogoman, $500; which was negatived.

Mr. HAYNE moved to strike out the provision for a student of languages; which was determined in the affirmative-yeas 29, nays 13.

The question was then put on the amendment of Mr. WEBSTER, as amended, and determined in the affirmative, as follows:

and consent, as commissioners to negotiate a treaty with the Ottoman Porte."

The amendments were then ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time; and then The Senate adjourned.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28.

DEATH OF MR. NOBLE.

On the Senate being called to order—

Mr. HENDRICKS rose, and said, it becomes, Mr. President, my painful duty to announce to the Senate the death of my respected colleague. He departed this life on Saturday evening last, at ten o'clock. His services in this body have been faithful and uninterrupted for the last YEAS. Messrs. Barnard, Barton, Bell, Benton, Brown, fifteen years. They have been honorable to himself, and Burnet, Chambers, Chase, Clayton, Dudley, Ellis, For- useful to his country; but man goeth to his long home, syth, Frelinghuysen, Grundy, Hayne, Hendricks, Holmes, and with him these services have terminated in the meriIredell, Johnston, Kane, King, Knight, Livingston, dian of life. He had indeed lived to see his early assoMarks, Naudain, Poindexter, Robbins, Robinson, Sanford, ciates in the business of this House retire to other spheres Seymour, Silsbee, Smith, of Maryland, Smith, of South of life, or, like himself, pass silently into the grave; yet his Carolina, Sprague, Tazewell, Troup, Tyler, Webster, friends might reasonably have hoped and expected for him Woodbury.-39. a longer period of usefulness and distinction. On an ocNAYS.-Messrs. Bibb, Foot, McKinley, Ruggles.--4. currence like the present, and especially standing, as I do, Mr. BIBB moved to strike out the proviso, yesterday in the midst of a circle so intimately acquainted with the adopted on the motion of Mr. TYLER; but gave way for deceased, it will not be expected of me to pronounce his Mr. KING, who moved to strike out all after the word eulogy; but I can speak, and I may be permitted to speak "Provided," and insert a proviso more general in its na-in the language of early and well-tried personal friendship ture, referring not only to the present and past administration, but to all former administrations.

After some conversation between Messrs. WooDBURY, WEBSTER, and HOLMES,

Mr. WEBSTER called for a division of the question, so as first to determine on striking out.

of one highly prized, not only by my self, but by the State he has so long had the honor to represent, of an individual idolized by almost every circle in which he ever moved. He was a bold and fearless politician, warm and generous in his feelings. He had a heart that responded to every advance of sympathy and benevolence; a heart formed for The question was negatived--yeas 19, nays 23. the most ardent attachments. Open and undisguised, the Mr. KING now renewed a motion he had before made, prominent traits of his character were always before the to strike out from the proviso the words "by the Presi- world; but a long period of familiar acquaintance could dent alone," and "a treaty;" but the motion was declared only develop the ardor, the devotion, and the value of not to be in order, the Senate having just determined that his friendship. For such an associate, it may well be perit would not strike out any part after the word "Pro-mitted us to mourn, and well assured am I, that, in paying vided." these last honors to his memory, we are but giving expression to the feelings of every member of the Senate. His society I have enjoyed when he was in health. sickness I have frequently been near him, and endeavored to soothe his hours of anguish and distress; and I had an opportunity of watching with intense anxiety, and great solicitude, the last moments of his life.

Mr. BIBB now renewed the motion to strike out the whole of the proviso, which, after an explanation by Mr. TYLER, of his object in offering it, disclaming any intention of giving it a particular application to the President, was determined in the negative, as follows:

YEAS.-Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Chase, Dudley, Forsyth, Grundy, Kane, King, Livingston, McKinley, Robbins, Robinson, Smith, of Maryland, Smith, of South Carolina, Troup, Woodbury.-17.

NAYS.-Messrs. Barnard, Barton, Bell, Burnet, Chambers, Clayton, Ellis, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hayne, Hendricks, Holmes, Iredell, Johnston, Knight, Marks, Naudain, Poindexter, Ruggles, Seymour, Silsbee, Sprague, Tazewell, Tyler, Webster.-25.

Mr. KANE's amendment was amended, by striking out the words "in addition to," and inserting the words, in aid of, and thus amended was agreed to.

So the sixth amendment was agreed to as follows:

In

Mr. BURNET then submitted the following resolution; which was agreed to:

Resolved, unanimously, That a committee be appointed to take order for superintending the funeral of the Hon. JAMES NOBLE, deceased, which will take place at half past eleven o'clock this day, and that the Senate will attend the same; and that notice of this event be given to the House of Representatives.

The CHAIR stated that, under the circumstances of the case, upon being yesterday informed of the death of the late Senator from Indiana, he had appointed a Committee of Arrangement, and pall bearers; and hoped the course

"For the outfit and salary of a chargé d'affaires and a he had pursued would not be disapproved of. drogoman at Constantinople, and for the contingent ex-Mr. BURNET then submitted the following resolutions; penses of the legation, $36,500: that is to say, for the out- which were adopted:

fit of a chargé d'affaires, $4,500; for the salary of the same, Resolved, unanimously, That the members of the Sen$4,500; for the salary of a drogoman, $2,500; for the con- ate, from a sincere desire of showing every mark of retingent expenses of the legation, $25,000. spect due to the memory of the Hon. JAMES NOBLE, de"For compensation to the persons heretofore employed ceased, their late associate, will go into mourning for him in our intercourse with the Sublime Porte, the further for one month, by the usual mode of wearing crape round sum of $15,000, in aid of the sum of $25,000, appro- the left arm. priated for the contingent expenses of foreign intercourse: Provided, always, That nothing in this act contained shall be construed as sanctioning, or in any way approving, the appointment of these persons by the President alone,

Resolved, unanimously, That, as an additional mark of respect for the memory of the Hon. JAMES NOBLE, the Senate do now adjourn.

[The body of the deceased was then brought into the

MARCH 1, 1831.]

Duties on Iron.

[SENATE.

chamber of the Senate, and placed in front of the Secre-gether unprecedented, and out of the regular mode tary's desk. Soon after which, the House of Represen-adopted with every report of a committee, he [Mr. tatives, preceded by their Speaker and Clerk, together HAYNE] might not have thought of standing on his right. with their Sergeant-at-Arms, entered the chamber, and As it was, he conceived he had an equal right, if this were immediately followed by the President of the United practice of allowing individual members of a committee States, the Heads of Departments, and the Judges of the to print their arguments against a report were tolerated, Supreme Court, who respectively took the seats prepared to expect his rejoinder to that argument to be printed-for them. The Chaplain to the Senate (the Rev. Mr. and if the gentleman chose to reply to that, he [Mr. H.] Johns) then rose, and delivered an eloquent and very would be prepared with a replication to that argument, impressive address, which was followed by a fervent and thus go on and ask for all to be printed for the use of prayer by the Rev. Mr. Gurley, the Chaplain to the the Senate.

House. A procession was then formed, and proceeded | Mr. DICKERSON replied that his sole object was to to the Eastern Branch burial ground, where the remains present the views of the minority of the committee on of the deceased were solemnly interred.]

At half past one o'clock the Senate again assembled. Mr. WEBSTER said, that, supposing the chairman of the Committee on Manufactures was prepared to make the counter report, (of which he had spoken on Saturday,) he would move to take up the report of the select committee on the subject of a reduction of the duties on iron, with a view to ordering it to be printed.

Mr. HAYNE withdrew the motion which was made by Mr. WEBSTER on Saturday, and accepted by him, for its reference to the Committee on Manufactures; and so the printing was ordered.

the subject. But he only presented it as the views of himself and another in their individual capacity, and as individuals they had a right to ask for those views to be printed. It was a right which they in common with others possessed; and was it not the case that the views of individuals respecting the subjects of memorials even were frequently printed? He would have no objection to the gentleman's rejoinder being printed, provided he was informed what it would be; but, before deciding, it would be but proper to know something respecting it.

Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, said, if this practice were sanctioned, it would put an end to all their former rules of Mr. DICKERSON then presented a paper, which he proceeding; it was unparliamentary and quite unprecestated to be the views of the minority of the select com- dented. It would now appear that we were to have a mittee; but the CHAIR declared that it could not be receiv-counter report--an answer to that, and thus he did not ed as such.

Mr. D. then presented it as an individual Senator. Mr. HAYNE called for the reading of the paper. Mr. GRUNDY moved to lay the whole subject on the table, with a view to give an opportunity to order the general appropriation bill, as amended, to a third reading. On this motion the yeas and nays were ordered, and it was decided in the negative--15 to 20.

The question then being on receiving the paper, a short debate arose between Messrs. KING, DICKERSON, and HAYNE, which was arrested by a motion of Mr. FooT to lay it on the table; which motion prevailed.

know where it was to have an end. The subject appeared to lead to debate; there were many bills from the other House which it was necessary to take up without loss of time, and he would therefore move that the paper be laid on the table.

Mr. HOLMES said, for his part he would have no objection to the plan which the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. HAYNE] had laid out for himself to pursue, if he [Mr. H.] were allowed also to adopt it, and to write during the recess, while time might hang heavy on his hands, a further replication to the gentleman's replication, and this too to be printed at the public expense. He had also, he confessed, like the honorable Senator, a penchant for making an occasional speech, and for seeing himself in print now and again; and he hoped, if this new system were to be adopted, that the privilege which he inlaid claim to, would also be extended to him."

On motion of Mr. WEBSTER, it was ordered, that when the Senate take a recess to-day, it shall be till six o'clock P. M.

EVENING SESSION.

The Senate met again at six o'clock, and continued session till eleven. A great number of bills was passed, but nothing of material importance was transacted.

TUESDAY, MARCH 1.

DUTIES ON IRON.

Mr. DICKERSON moved that the Senate now proceed to consider the paper yesterday submitted by him as the views of the minority of the select committee on the subject of reducing the duties on iron.

Mr. CLAYTON suggested that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. DICKERSON] might better accomplish his purpose, if the Committee on Manufactures, of which he was chairman, were to report on the same subject.

Mr. DICKERSON explained, and insisted on his right, from former precedents, that his paper, which exhibited a view of two individuals who had formed a minority of the committee, should be received; and said, if it were not intended to carry the matter ad infinitum, the Senate could say where it was to stop.

Mr. HAYNE said he would be glad to know what After some further remarks from Mr. HAYNE and Mr. course should be adopted respecting it when taken up-KING, the question was taken on Mr. SMITH'S motion to if it were intended to have it printed as an argument lay on the table, when it was negatived by a vote of 19 against the report of the select committee which he had to 12.

The question on this last amendment being first taken, it was agreed to, and Mr. HAYNE handed in the replication accordingly.

presented, he wished to know if the gentleman would Mr. HAYNE then moved, as an amendment to the have any objection to his having an answer to that argu- original motion for the receiving of Mr. DICKERSON'S ment in like manner printed. The report of the commit-report, which was still pending, that the views of the tee--of the majority of the committee, had already been majority of the committee in replication to that paper be ordered to be printed, and the document of the gentleman also printed. from New Jersey, [Mr. DICKERSON,] which exhibited the views of the minority of that committee, could not now go with it unless an extra number of copies of the original report were ordered to be printed. To this he would have no objection, provided his answer or rejoinder to that argument went along with it. If the printing of the original report for the use of the Senate had not in the first place been refused--a course which had been well said by the Senator from Alabama [Mr. KING] was altoVOL. VII.-21

Mr. WEBSTER said, that, in regard to a report from a minority of a committee, although, strictly speaking, there could be no such thing, as a committee was a regular appointed body and constituted a whole, still, although it might be irregular for the minority to report as such, in a case like the present, he thought they were entitled to

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